Relaxation equations for two-dimensional turbulent flows with a prior vorticity distribution

Using a Maximum Entropy Production Principle (MEPP), we derive a new type of relaxation equations for two-dimensional turbulent flows in the case where a prior vorticity distribution is prescribed instead of the Casimir constraints [Ellis, Haven, Turkington, Nonlin., 15, 239 (2002)]. The particular case of a Gaussian prior is specifically treated in connection to minimum enstrophy states and Fofonoff flows. These relaxation equations are compared with other relaxation equations proposed by Robert and Sommeria [Phys. Rev. Lett. 69, 2776 (1992)] and Chavanis [Physica D, 237, 1998 (2008)]. They can provide a small-scale parametrization of 2D turbulence or serve as numerical algorithms to compute maximum entropy states with appropriate constraints. We perform numerical simulations of these relaxation equations in order to illustrate geometry induced phase transitions in geophysical flows.Comment: 21 pages, 9 figure

Image and Coherence Transfer in the Stimulated Down-conversion Process

The intensity transverse profile of the light produced in the process of stimulated down-conversion is derived. A quantum-mechanical treatment is used. We show that the angular spectrum of the pump laser can be transferred to the stimulated down-converted beam, so that images can also be transferred from the pump to the down-converted beam. We also show that the transfer can occur from the stimulating beam to the down-converted one. Finally, we study the process of diffraction through an arbitrarily shaped screen. For the special case of a double-slit, the interference pattern is explicitly obtained. The visibility for the spontaneous emitted light is in accordance with the van Cittert - Zernike theorem for incoherent light, while the visibility for the stimulated emitted light is unity. The overall visibility is in accordance with previous experimental results

Statistical mechanics of Fofonoff flows in an oceanic basin

We study the minimization of potential enstrophy at fixed circulation and energy in an oceanic basin with arbitrary topography. For illustration, we consider a rectangular basin and a linear topography h=by which represents either a real bottom topography or the beta-effect appropriate to oceanic situations. Our minimum enstrophy principle is motivated by different arguments of statistical mechanics reviewed in the article. It leads to steady states of the quasigeostrophic (QG) equations characterized by a linear relationship between potential vorticity q and stream function psi. For low values of the energy, we recover Fofonoff flows [J. Mar. Res. 13, 254 (1954)] that display a strong westward jet. For large values of the energy, we obtain geometry induced phase transitions between monopoles and dipoles similar to those found by Chavanis and Sommeria [J. Fluid Mech. 314, 267 (1996)] in the absence of topography. In the presence of topography, we recover and confirm the results obtained by Venaille and Bouchet [Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 104501 (2009)] using a different formalism. In addition, we introduce relaxation equations towards minimum potential enstrophy states and perform numerical simulations to illustrate the phase transitions in a rectangular oceanic basin with linear topography (or beta-effect).Comment: 26 pages, 28 figure

Positivity-preserving cell-centered Lagrangian schemes for multi-material compressible flows: From first-order to high-orders. Part I: The one-dimensional case

International audienceOne of the main issues in the field of numerical schemes is to ally robustness with accuracy. Considering gas dynamics, numerical approximations may generate negative density or pressure, which may lead to nonlinear instability and crash of the code. This phenomenon is even more critical using a Lagrangian formalism, the grid moving and being deformed during the calculation. Furthermore, most of the problems studied in this framework contain very intense rarefaction and shock waves. In this paper, the admissibility of numerical solutions obtained by high-order finite-volume-scheme-based methods, such as the discontinuous Galerkin (DG) method, the essentially non-oscillatory (ENO) and the weighted ENO (WENO) finite volume schemes, is addressed in the one-dimensional Lagrangian gas dynamics framework. After briefly recalling how to derive Lagrangian forms of the 1D gas dynamics system of equations, a discussion on positivity-preserving approximate Riemann solvers, ensuring first-order finite volume schemes to be positive, is then given. This study is conducted for both ideal gas and non ideal gas equations of state (EOS), such as the Jones-Wilkins-Lee (JWL) EOS or the Mie-Grüneisen (MG) EOS, and relies on two different techniques: either a particular definition of the local approximation of the acoustic impedances arising from the approximate Riemann solver, or an additional time step constraint relative to the cell volume variation. Then, making use of the work presented in [89, 90, 22], this positivity study is extended to high-orders of accuracy, where new time step constraints are obtained, and proper limitation is required. Through this new procedure, scheme robustness is highly improved and hence new problems can be tackled. Numerical results are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of these methods. This paper is the first part of a series of two. The whole analysis presented here is extended to the two-dimensional case in [85], and proves to fit a wide range of numerical schemes in the literature, such as those presented in [19, 64, 15, 82, 84]

Positivity-preserving cell-centered Lagrangian schemes for multi-material compressible flows: From first-order to high-orders

One of the main issues in the field of numerical schemes is to ally robustness with accuracy. Considering gas dynamics, numerical approximations may generate negative density or pressure, which may lead to nonlinear instability and crash of the code. This phenomenon is even more critical using a Lagrangian formalism, the grid moving and being deformed during the calculation. Furthermore, most of the problems studied in this framework contain very intense rarefaction and shock waves. In this paper, the admissibility of numerical solutions obtained by high-order finite-volume-scheme-based methods, such as the discontinuous Galerkin (DG) method, the essentially non-oscillatory (ENO) and the weighted ENO (WENO) finite volume schemes, is addressed in this Lagrangian gas dynamics framework. To this end, we first focus on the one-dimensional case. After briefly recalling how to derive Lagrangian forms of the gas dynamics system of equations, a discussion on positivity-preserving approximate Riemann solvers, ensuring first-order finite volume schemes to be positive, is then given. This study is conducted for both ideal gas and non ideal gas equations of state (EOS), such as the Jones-Wilkins-Lee (JWL) EOS or the Mie-Grüneisen (MG) EOS. It enables us to derive time step conditions ensuring the desired positivity property, as well as L 1 stability of the specific volume and total energy over the domain. Then, making use of the work presented in [74, 75, 15], this positivity study is extended to high-orders of accuracy, where new time step constraints are obtained, and proper limitation is required. This whole analysis is finally applied to the two-dimensional case, and shown to fit a wide range of numerical schemes in the literature, such as the GLACE scheme [12], the EUCCLHYD scheme [55], the GLACE scheme on conical meshes [8], and the LCCDG method [72]. Through this new procedure, scheme robustness is highly improved and hence new problems can be tackled. Numerical results are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of these methods. Finally, let us emphasize that even if this paper is concerned with purely Lagrangian schemes, the theory developed is of fundamental importance for any methods relying on a purely Lagrangian step, as ALE methods or non-direct Euler schemes

Factors affecting In vitro methane production from cecum contents of White Roman geese

The goal of this research was to gain understanding of in vitro methane (CH4) production from the cecal contents of White Roman geese under various incubation conditions. Five experiments were conducted to ascertain the effects of i) incubation time, ii) pH, iii) the addition of formic acid to the culture media, iv) temperature, and v) the addition of salt to the nutritive liquid. Methane production increased significantly with the supplementation of formic acid in the culture fluid (Experiment III). Additionally, CH4 production Experiment V was higher than that without saline. In contrast, low CH4 production occurred under acidic conditions (pH ≦5.4) and at temperatures higher or lower than typical bird body temperature (43 °C) without formic acid and saline solution in the culture media. Since bird body temperature cannot be controlled easily, approaches such as maintaining cecum fluid at low pH and preventing the formation of formic acid by adjusting the recipes of feeds could be considered for controlling in vivo CH4 production from the intestinal tract digesta of geese

Flat histogram simulation of lattice polymer systems

We demonstrate the use of a new algorithm called the Flat Histogram sampling algorithm for the simulation of lattice polymer systems. Thermodynamics properties, such as average energy or entropy and other physical quantities such as end-to-end distance or radius of gyration can be easily calculated using this method. Ground-state energy can also be determined. We also explore the accuracy and limitations of this method. Key words: Monte Carlo algorithms, flat histogram sampling, HP model, lattice polymer systemsComment: 7 RevTeX two-column page

A biphotons double slit experiment

In this paper we present a double slit experiment where two undistinguishable photons produced by type I PDC are sent each to a well defined slit. Data about the diffraction and interference patterns for coincidences are presented and discussed. An analysis of these data allows a first test of standard quantum mechanics against de Broglie-Bohm theory

Specific detection of Pythium aphanidermatum from hydroponic nutrient solution by booster PCR with DNA primers developed from mitochondrial DNA

Pythium aphanidermatum causes damping-off and root rot of vegetable crops in hydroponic systems. A DNA probe was isolated and modified from a library of HindIII-digested mitochondrial DNA of P aphanidermatum that strongly hybridized to DNA of R aphanidermatum and weakly hybridized to DNA of Pythium deliense. Cross-hybridizing sequences were absent from DNA of plants and other related fungi. The probe detected as little as 5 ng of P. aphanidermatum DNA and 250 ng of P deliense DNA in slot-blot assays. P. aphanidermatum was detected by a hybridization assay of total DNA extracted directly from infected roots. A pair of oligonucleotide primers P1 and RP2, which allowed amplification of a specific 0.65 kb DNA fragment of P. aphanidernatum using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), was designed from a specific DNA probe. Specific amplification of this fragment from P. aphanidermatum was highly sensitive, detecting template DNA as low as 0.1 pg total DNA by booster PCR. Specific booster PCR amplification using P1 and RP2 was successful in detecting P. aphanidermatum in naturally infected nutrient solution and roots of vegetables in a field hydroponic system