Cleaning of viscous drops on a flat inclined surface using gravity-driven film flows

We investigate the fluid mechanics of cleaning viscous drops attached to a flat inclined surface using thin gravity-driven film flows. We focus on the case where the drop cannot be detached from the surface by the mechanical forces exerted by the cleaning fluid on the drop surface. The fluid in the drop dissolves into the cleaning film flow, which then transports it away. To assess the impact of the drop on the velocity of the cleaning fluid, we have developed a novel experimental technique based on particle image velocimetry. We show the velocity distribution at the film surface in the situations both where the film is flowing over a smooth surface, and where it is perturbed by a solid obstacle representing a very viscous drop. We find that at intermediate Reynolds numbers the acceleration of the starting film is overestimated by a plane model using the lubrication approximation. In the perturbed case, the streamwise velocity is strongly affected by the presence of the obstacle. The upstream propagation of the disturbance is limited, but the disturbance extends downstream for distances larger than 10 obstacle diameters. Laterally, we observe small disturbances in both the streamwise and lateral velocity, owing to stationary capillary waves. The flow also exhibits a complex three-dimensional converging pattern immediately below the obstacle.J. R. Landel acknowledges financial support from Magdalene College, Cambridge, through a Nevile Research Fellowship in Applied Mathematics. This material is based upon work supported by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency under Contract No. HDTRA1-12-D- 0003-0001.This is the accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Elsevier at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960308514001175

Convective mass transfer from a submerged drop in a thin falling film

We study the fluid mechanics of removing a passive tracer contained in small, viscous drops attached to a flat inclined substrate using thin gravity-driven film flows. A convective mass transfer establishes across the drop-film interface and the tracer in the drop diffuses into the film flow. The Peclet number for the tracer in the film is large. The Peclet number Pe_d in the drop varies from 0.01 to 1. The characteristic transport time in the drop is much larger than in the film. We model the mass transfer of the tracer from the drop bulk into the film using an empirical model based on Newton's law of cooling. This model is supported by a theoretical model solving the quasi-steady 2D advection-diffusion equation in the film coupled with a time-dependent 1D diffusion equation in the drop. We find excellent agreement between our experimental data and the 2 models, which predict an exponential decrease in time of the tracer concentration in the drop. The results are valid for all drop and film Peclet numbers studied. The transport characteristic time is related to the drop diffusion time scale, as diffusion within the drop is the limiting process. Our theoretical model predicts the well-known relationship between the Sherwood and Reynolds numbers in the case of a well-mixed drop Sh~Re_L^{1/3}=\gamma L^2/\nu_f, based on the drop length L, film shear rate \gamma and film kinematic viscosity \nu_f. We show that this relationship is mathematically equivalent to a more physically intuitive relationship Sh~Re_\delta, based on the diffusive boundary layer thickness \delta. The model also predicts a correction in the case of a non-uniform drop concentration, which depends on Re_\delta, the Schmidt number, the drop aspect ratio and the diffusivity ratio. This prediction is in agreement with experiments at low Pe_d. It also agrees as Pe_d approaches 1, although the influence of Re_\delta increases.We wish to thank D. Page-Croft and the technicians of the GK Batchelor Laboratory at the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Cambridge. We are grateful to F. Bartholomew, F. Yuen and M. Etzold from the BP Institute, Cambridge, for their help in conducting contact angle and viscosity measurements. J. R. L. wishes to thank his colleagues P. Luzzatto-Fegiz and F. Peaudecerf for fruitful discussions. J. R. L. acknowledges financial support from Magdalene College, Cambridge, through a Nevile Research Fellowship in Applied Mathematics. This material is based upon work supported by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency under Contract No. HDTRA1-12-D-0003-0001.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Cambridge University Press via http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2015.742

Cleaning of viscous droplets on an inclined planar surface using film flows

We investigate the fluid mechanics of cleaning viscous drops attached to a flat inclined surface using thin gravity-driven film flows. We focus on the case where the drop cannot be detached from the surface by the mechanical forces exerted by the cleaning fluid on the drop surface. The fluid in the drop dissolves into the cleaning film flow, which then transports it away. We present a mathematical model for the mass transfer of the viscous fluid from the droplet into the film flow. The model assumes that the droplet has a negligible impact on the film velocity. To assess the impact of the drop on the velocity of the cleaning fluid, we have developed a novel experimental technique based on particle image velocimetry. We find that at intermediate Reynolds number the streamwise velocity can be strongly affected by the presence of the droplet. We discuss this impact on the cleaning of the droplet. Using the dye attenuation technique, we also measure the convective mass transfer of some dye mixed into the droplet and diffusing into the falling film. We find that the total amount of dye in the droplet decreases exponentially in time.This material is based upon work supported by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency under Contract No. HDTRA1-12-D- 0003-0001.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Australian Fluids Mechanics Society via http://people.eng.unimelb.edu.au/imarusic/proceedings/19%20AFMC%20TOC.htm (#275

Approximating Nearest Neighbor Distances

Several researchers proposed using non-Euclidean metrics on point sets in Euclidean space for clustering noisy data. Almost always, a distance function is desired that recognizes the closeness of the points in the same cluster, even if the Euclidean cluster diameter is large. Therefore, it is preferred to assign smaller costs to the paths that stay close to the input points. In this paper, we consider the most natural metric with this property, which we call the nearest neighbor metric. Given a point set P and a path $\gamma$, our metric charges each point of $\gamma$ with its distance to P. The total charge along $\gamma$ determines its nearest neighbor length, which is formally defined as the integral of the distance to the input points along the curve. We describe a $(3+\varepsilon)$-approximation algorithm and a $(1+\varepsilon)$-approximation algorithm to compute the nearest neighbor metric. Both approximation algorithms work in near-linear time. The former uses shortest paths on a sparse graph using only the input points. The latter uses a sparse sample of the ambient space, to find good approximate geodesic paths.Comment: corrected author nam

A review and content analysis of engagement, functionality, aesthetics, information quality, and change techniques in the most popular commercial apps for weight management.

Published onlineJournal ArticleReviewBACKGROUND: There are thousands of apps promoting dietary improvement, increased physical activity (PA) and weight management. Despite a growing number of reviews in this area, popular apps have not been comprehensively analysed in terms of features related to engagement, functionality, aesthetics, information quality, and content, including the types of change techniques employed. METHODS: The databases containing information about all Health and Fitness apps on GP and iTunes (7,954 and 25,491 apps) were downloaded in April 2015. Database filters were applied to select the most popular apps available in both stores. Two researchers screened the descriptions selecting only weight management apps. Features, app quality and content were independently assessed using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) and previously-defined categories of techniques relevant to behaviour change. Inter-coder reliabilities were calculated, and correlations between features explored. RESULTS: Of the 23 popular apps included in the review 16 were free (70%), 15 (65%) addressed weight control, diet and PA combined; 19 (83%) allowed behavioural tracking. On 5-point MARS scales, apps were of average quality (Md = 3.2, IQR = 1.4); "functionality" (Md = 4.0, IQR = 1.1) was the highest and "information quality" (Md = 2.0, IQR = 1.1) was the lowest domain. On average, 10 techniques were identified per app (range: 1-17) and of the 34 categories applied, goal setting and self-monitoring techniques were most frequently identified. App quality was positively correlated with number of techniques included (rho = .58, p < .01) and number of "technical" features (rho = .48, p < .05), which was also associated with the number of techniques included (rho = .61, p < .01). Apps that provided tracking used significantly more techniques than those that did not. Apps with automated tracking scored significantly higher in engagement, aesthetics, and overall MARS scores. Those that used change techniques previously associated with effectiveness (i.e., goal setting, self-monitoring and feedback) also had better "information quality". CONCLUSIONS: Popular apps assessed have overall moderate quality and include behavioural tracking features and a range of change techniques associated with behaviour change. These apps may influence behaviour, although more attention to information quality and evidence-based content are warranted to improve their quality.The authors wish to thank Ms Laya Samaha, who helped with the screening of the apps. The research was partially supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), through a grant awarded to the first author (ref: P2TIP1_152290), and by the UK National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care of the South West Peninsula (PenCLAHRC)

Particle image velocimetry and modelling of horizontal coherent liquid jets impinging on and draining down a vertical wall

The flow patterns created by a coherent horizontal liquid jet impinging on a vertical wall at moderate flow rates (jet flowrates 0.5-4.0 L min-1, jet velocities 2.6-21 m s-1) are studied with water on glass, polypropylene and polymethylmethacrylate (acrylic, Perspex®) using a novel particle image velicometry (PIV) technique employing nearly opaque liquid doped with artificial pearlescence to track surface velocity. Flow patterns similar to those reported in previous studies are observed on each substrate: their dimensions differed owing to the influence of wall material on contact angle. The dimensions are compared with models for (i) the radial flow zone, reported by Wang et al. (2013b), and (ii) the part of the draining film below the jet impingement point where it narrows to a node. For (ii), the model presented by Mertens et al. (2005) is revised to include a simpler assumed draining film shape and an alternative boundary condition accounting for surface tension effects acting at the film edge. This revised model gives equally good or better fits to the experimental data as compared with the Mertens et al. model. The effective contact angle which gives good agreement with the data is found to lie between the measured quasi-static advancing and receding contact angles, at approximately half the advancing value. The PIV measurements confirmed the existence of a thin, fast moving film with radial flow surrounding the point of impingement, and a wide draining film bounded by ropes of liquid below the impingement point. While these measurements generally support the predictions of existing models, these models assume that the flow is steady. In contrast, surface waves were evident in both regions and this partly explains the difference between the measured surface velocity and the values estimated from the models.The apparatus was constructed by Tao Wang and Lee Pratt. Preparatory work by Huifeng Wu, and Nevile Research Fellowship for JRL from Magdalene College, Cambridge, are gratefully acknowledged.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Elsevier via http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.expthermflusci.2015.12.01

Precedence-constrained scheduling problems parameterized by partial order width

Negatively answering a question posed by Mnich and Wiese (Math. Program. 154(1-2):533-562), we show that P2|prec,$p_j{\in}\{1,2\}$|$C_{\max}$, the problem of finding a non-preemptive minimum-makespan schedule for precedence-constrained jobs of lengths 1 and 2 on two parallel identical machines, is W[2]-hard parameterized by the width of the partial order giving the precedence constraints. To this end, we show that Shuffle Product, the problem of deciding whether a given word can be obtained by interleaving the letters of $k$ other given words, is W[2]-hard parameterized by $k$, thus additionally answering a question posed by Rizzi and Vialette (CSR 2013). Finally, refining a geometric algorithm due to Servakh (Diskretn. Anal. Issled. Oper. 7(1):75-82), we show that the more general Resource-Constrained Project Scheduling problem is fixed-parameter tractable parameterized by the partial order width combined with the maximum allowed difference between the earliest possible and factual starting time of a job.Comment: 14 pages plus appendi

The politics of alcohol policy in Nigeria: a critical analysis of how and why brewers use strategic ambiguity to supplant policy initiatives

The global call by the World Health Assembly (WHA) to control the rising alcohol-related problems caused by harmful consumption through policy became necessary in 2005 due to the recognition of the fact that many countries did not have alcohol policies. This gave rise to the adoption of a ten-point policy strategy by the World Health Organization (WHO) Member States in 2010. Against this backdrop, many countries adopted alcohol policies to reduce harmful alcohol consumption. Nigeria was one of the WHO Member Countries that adopted the resolution. Nigeria is among the 30 countries with the highest per capita consumption and alcohol-related problems, yet has not formulated alcohol policy to date. This paper draws on Eisenberg’s Strategic Ambiguity Model to explore the role of brewers in supplanting alcohol policy initiatives in Nigeria. It argues that the leading alcohol producers in Nigeria have been the main reason alcohol policies have not been formulated. The article focuses on why their campaigns for responsible drinking, promotions, sponsorships and ‘strategic social responsibilities’ may have increased since the WHA made the call and the WHO adopted the resolution in 2010. It concludes by arguing that there is an urgent need to formulate policies drawing from the WHO resolution to curtail the activities of these brewers and reduce harmful consumption

Ovine leptospirosis in Brazil

Leptospirosis is a zoonosis distributed worldwide, endemic mainly in humid subtropical and tropical countries, with epidemic potential. It affects a range of both wild and domestic animals, including sheep, which transport leptospires in their urine and, therefore, can infect other animals and humans who deal with them. Therefore, leptospirosis is characterized as an occupational zoonosis. In individual herds leptospirosis can cause severe economic loss due to miscarriages and outbreaks of mastitis with a significant reduction of milk production. The disease is caused by Leptospira interrogans, which was reclassified into 13 pathogenic species, and distributed into more than 260 serovars classified into 23 serogroups. The clinical signs of infection may vary depending on the serovar and host. In maintenance hosts, antibody production is generally low; there are relatively mild signs of the disease, and a prolonged carrier state with organisms in the kidneys. In incidental hosts, the disease may be more severe, with high titers of circulating antibodies and a very short or nonexistent renal carrier state. In general, young animals with renal and hepatic failure have more serious infections than adults. Several diseases may produce symptoms similar to those of leptospirosis, so that laboratory confirmation, through microscopic agglutination test, for example, is required. The effectiveness of treatment depends on early diagnosis and appropriate therapy, depending on clinical features, since leptospirosis can develop into chronic liver disease and nephropathy, progressing towards death. Improvements in habitation and sanitary conditions, rodent control, vaccination, isolation and treatment of affected animals are the main measures for the control of leptospirosis

Flooding Regime Impacts on Radiation, Evapotranspiration, and Latent Energy Fluxes over Groundwater-Dependent Riparian Cottonwood and Saltcedar Forests

© 2015 James Cleverly et al. Radiation and energy balances are key drivers of ecosystem water and carbon cycling. This study reports on ten years of eddy covariance measurements over groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDEs) in New Mexico, USA, to compare the role of drought and flooding on radiation, water, and energy budgets of forests differing in species composition (native cottonwood versus nonnative saltcedar) and flooding regime. After net radiation (700-800 W m-2), latent heat flux was the largest energy flux, with annual values of evapotranspiration exceeding annual precipitation by 250-600%. Evaporative cooling dominated the energy fluxes of both forest types, although cottonwood generated much lower daily values of sensible heat flux (<-5 MJ m-2 d-1). Drought caused a reduction in evaporative cooling, especially in the saltcedar sites where evapotranspiration was also reduced, but without a substantial decline in depth-to-groundwater. Our findings have broad implications on water security and the management of native and nonnative vegetation within semiarid southwestern North America. Specifically, consideration of the energy budgets of GDEs as they respond to fluctuations in climatic conditions can inform the management options for reducing evapotranspiration and maintaining in-stream flow, which is legally mandated as part of interstate and international water resources agreements