Knudsen Effect in a Nonequilibrium Gas

From the molecular dynamics simulation of a system of hard-core disks in which an equilibrium cell is connected with a nonequilibrium cell, it is confirmed that the pressure difference between two cells depends on the direction of the heat flux. From the boundary layer analysis, the velocity distribution function in the boundary layer is obtained. The agreement between the theoretical result and the numerical result is fairly good.Comment: 4pages, 4figure

Dynamique de croissance et taux de mortalité de Rhizophora spp. dans les mangroves de l'estuaire du Rio del Rey: Site de Bamusso (Sud-Ouest Cameroun)

Objectifs : L’objectif des présents travaux est de clarifier le stock du peuplement de Rhizophora ssp. du site par la détermination de ses paramètres de structure spatiale et d'évaluer sa croissance annuelle.Méthodologie et résultats : La méthode d'étude est celle des transects. Deux transects de 100mx10m distantes de 5km orientés WNW-ESE et perpendiculaires au principal chenal ont été établis au hasard .Chaque transect était subdivisé en trois placettes de 20mx10m et chaque placettes scindé en deux sous placettes de 20mx5m. Les mesures (Diamètre et hauteur) ont été effectuées à l'intérieur de chaque sous placette pendant trois campagnes (2009, 2012, 2014). Les résultats montrent que les diamètres moyens pour le transect1(T1) sont de 4,76 ± 0,23cm; 5,09± 0,25cm et 5,43±0,28cm contre 26,53 ± 1,72cm; 24,66 ± 1,90cm et 25,26 ± 1,93cm pour le transect2 (T2) respectivement pour 2009; 2012 et 2014. Les hauteurs moyennes varient de 4,51 ± 0,16 m (2009); 4,74 ± 0,18m (2012) et 4,98 ± 0,2m (2014) pour T1 contre 20,20± 1,22m; 18,86 ± 1,35 m et 19,29 ±1,39m pour T2. L'analyse de la croissance du peuplement montre que les diamètres d'exploitation du bois de la mangrove  affectionnée par les riverains se situent dans l'intervalle (5-30cm). Le test d'ANOVA montre une différence significative (P<0,05) pour les paramètres, de structure et une différence non significative (P>0,05) de la croissance annuelle entre T1 et T2.Conclusion et application des résultats : Cette étude a montré un taux de mortalité relativement faible (m=2,27%) qui présage d'une pression anthropique faible sur cet écosystème. L'étude de la dynamique réalisée permet de recommander ce site dans le processus REDD+ pour le calcul du carbone bleu indispensable dans la lutte contre le phénomène de changement climatique. Mots clés: Transect, Diamètre; Hauteur; Nombre d'individus, BamussoGrowth dynamic and death rate of Rhizophora spp. within mangrove's forest of Rio del Rey estuary (South-West Cameroon)Objective: This study was conducted to clarify the stock of Rhizophora ssp and to assess its growth within the study area.Methodology and results: Transect method was carried out during this study. So, two transects of 100 m in length, 10 m in width and 0.1 ha in area each distance to 5km oriented WNW-ESE and perpendicular to themain channel were established randomly . Each transect was divided in three plots of 20mx10m each and each plot separated in two subplots of 20mx5m each. Measures (Diameter and height) were collected within each subplot during three data collections campaigns (2009,2012,and 2014). The results show that mean diameters of transect1(T1) were 4.76 ± 0.23cm; 5.09± 0.25cm and 5.43±0.28cm to 26.53 ± 1.72cm; 24.66 ± 1.90cm and 25.26 ± 1.93cm for transect2 (T2) respectively in 2009; 2012 et 2014. Mean height values were 4.51 ± 0.16 m (2009); 4.74 ± 0.18m (2012) and 4.98 ± 0.2m (2014) for T1 to 20.20± 1.22m; 18.86 ± 1.35 m and 19.29 ±1.39m for T2. Study of growth show that used diameters of mangrove woods by neighborhood are inside class 5-30cm. The one-way ANOVA test showed a significant difference (P<0.05) for structure  parameters and no significant difference (P>0,05) for annual growth between T1 and T2.Conclusion and application of findings: This study showed a relatively weak annual death rate of trees (m=2.27%) dues to a weak anthropogenic pressure in this ecosystem. This dynamic study will recommend the site to the REDD+ process in order to estimate its blue carbon stock important to fight against climate change.Key words: Transect, Diameter, Height, Number of individuals, Bamuss

A hierarchy of models related to nanoflows and surface diffusion

In last years a great interest was brought to molecular transport problems at nanoscales, such as surface diffusion or molecular flows in nano or sub-nano-channels. In a series of papers V. D. Borman, S. Y. Krylov, A. V. Prosyanov and J. J. M. Beenakker proposed to use kinetic theory in order to analyze the mechanisms that determine mobility of molecules in nanoscale channels. This approach proved to be remarkably useful to give new insight on these issues, such as density dependence of the diffusion coefficient. In this paper we revisit these works to derive the kinetic and diffusion models introduced by V. D. Borman, S. Y. Krylov, A. V. Prosyanov and J. J. M. Beenakker by using classical tools of kinetic theory such as scaling and systematic asymptotic analysis. Some results are extended to less restrictive hypothesis

Magnetic-field dependence of energy levels in ultrasmall metal grains

We present a theory of mesoscopic fluctuations of g tensors and avoided crossing energies in a small metal grain. The model, based on random matrix theory, contains both the orbital and spin contributions to the g tensor. The two contributions can be experimentally separated for weak spin-orbit coupling while they merge in the strong coupling limit. For intermediate coupling, substantial correlations are found between g factors of neighboring levels.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figure

Non-Newtonian Couette-Poiseuille flow of a dilute gas

The steady state of a dilute gas enclosed between two infinite parallel plates in relative motion and under the action of a uniform body force parallel to the plates is considered. The Bhatnagar-Gross-Krook model kinetic equation is analytically solved for this Couette-Poiseuille flow to first order in the force and for arbitrary values of the Knudsen number associated with the shear rate. This allows us to investigate the influence of the external force on the non-Newtonian properties of the Couette flow. Moreover, the Couette-Poiseuille flow is analyzed when the shear-rate Knudsen number and the scaled force are of the same order and terms up to second order are retained. In this way, the transition from the bimodal temperature profile characteristic of the pure force-driven Poiseuille flow to the parabolic profile characteristic of the pure Couette flow through several intermediate stages in the Couette-Poiseuille flow are described. A critical comparison with the Navier-Stokes solution of the problem is carried out.Comment: 24 pages, 5 figures; v2: discussion on boundary conditions added; 10 additional references. Published in a special issue of the journal "Kinetic and Related Models" dedicated to the memory of Carlo Cercignan

Boundary conditions at a fluid - solid interface

We study the boundary conditions at a fluid-solid interface using molecular dynamics simulations covering a broad range of fluid-solid interactions and fluid densities, and both simple and chain-molecule fluids. The slip length is shown to be independent of the type of flow, but rather is related to the fluid organization near the solid, as governed by the fluid-solid molecular interactions.Comment: REVtex, to appear in Physical Review Letter

Two-dimensional turbulence in magnetised plasmas

In an inhomogeneous magnetised plasma the transport of energy and particles perpendicular to the magnetic field is in general mainly caused by quasi two-dimensional turbulent fluid mixing. The physics of turbulence and structure formation is of ubiquitous importance to every magnetically confined laboratory plasma for experimental or industrial application. Specifically, high temperature plasmas for fusion energy research are also dominated by the properties of this turbulent transport. Self-organisation of turbulent vortices to mesoscopic structures like zonal flows is related to the formation of transport barriers that can significantly enhance the confinement of a fusion plasma. This subject of great importance in research is rarely touched on in introductory plasma physics or continuum dynamics courses. Here a brief tutorial on 2D fluid and plasma turbulence is presented as an introduction to the field, appropriate for inclusion in undergraduate and graduate courses.Comment: This is an author-created, un-copyedited version of an article published in European Journal of Physics. IOP Publishing Ltd is not responsible for any errors or omissions in this version of the manuscript or any version derived from it. The definitive publisher authenticated version is available online at doi: 10.1088/0143-0807/29/5/00

The Buffer Gas Beam: An Intense, Cold, and Slow Source for Atoms and Molecules

Beams of atoms and molecules are stalwart tools for spectroscopy and studies of collisional processes. The supersonic expansion technique can create cold beams of many species of atoms and molecules. However, the resulting beam is typically moving at a speed of 300-600 m/s in the lab frame, and for a large class of species has insufficient flux (i.e. brightness) for important applications. In contrast, buffer gas beams can be a superior method in many cases, producing cold and relatively slow molecules in the lab frame with high brightness and great versatility. There are basic differences between supersonic and buffer gas cooled beams regarding particular technological advantages and constraints. At present, it is clear that not all of the possible variations on the buffer gas method have been studied. In this review, we will present a survey of the current state of the art in buffer gas beams, and explore some of the possible future directions that these new methods might take

Secreted and tumour targeted human carboxylesterase for activation of irinotecan

Irinotecan (CPT-11) is an anticancer agent for the treatment of colon cancer. CPT-11 can be considered as a prodrug, since it needs to be activated into the toxic drug SN-38 by the enzyme carboxylesterase. An approach to achieve tumour specific activation of CPT-11 is to transduce the cDNA encoding carboxylesterase into tumour cells. A secreted form of carboxylesterase may diffuse through a tumour mass and may activate CPT-11 extracellularly. This could enhance the antitumour efficacy by exerting a bystander effect on untransduced cells. In addition a secreted tumour-targeted form of carboxylesterase should prevent leakage of the enzyme from the site of the tumour into the circulation. We have constructed a secreted form of human liver carboxylesterase-2 by deletion of the cellular retention signal and by cloning the cDNA downstream of an Ig kappa leader sequence. The protein was secreted by transfected cells and showed both enzyme activity and efficient CPT-11 activation. To obtain a secreted, tumour-targeted form of carboxylesterase-2 the cDNA encoding the human scFv antibody C28 directed against the epithelial cell adhesion molecule EpCAM, was inserted between the leader sequence and carboxylesterase-2. This fusion protein showed CPT-11 activation and specific binding to EpCAM expressing cells. Importantly, in combination with CPT-11 both recombinant carboxylesterase proteins exerted strong antiproliferative effects on human colon cancer cells. They are, therefore, promising new tools for gene directed enzyme prodrug therapy approaches for the treatment of colon carcinoma with CPT-11