Grid-independent Eulerian-Lagrangian approaches for simulations of solid fuel particle combustion

In this study, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model with three coarse graining algorithms is developed with the implementation of a layer based thermally thick particle model. Three additional coupling methods, cube averaging method (CAM), two-grid method (TGM) and diffusion-based method (DBM), are implemented. These coupling methods are validated and compared with the widely used particle centroid method (PCM) for combustion of a biomass particle in a single particle combustor. It is shown that the PCM has a strong dependence on the grid size, whereas the CAM and TGM are not only grid independent but also improve the predictability of the simulations. Meanwhile, a new parameter, the coupling length, is introduced. This parameter affects the sampling of the gas phase properties required for the particle model and the distribution of the solid phase properties. A method to estimate the coupling length by using empirical correlations is given. In general, it is found that a too small coupling length underestimates the heating-up rate and devolatilization rate, while a too large coupling length overestimates the O2 concentration at the particle surface. The coupling length also has an influence on the distribution of the gas phase products

Computationally efficient coarse-graining XDEM/CFD modeling of fixed-bed combustion of biomass

In the multi-scale modeling of a dense particle system, the particle phase and the gas phase can be modeled on vastly different scales. The coupling between the two models has a critical influence on the predictions obtained from the combined framework but can be accomplished in a variety of ways under different assumptions. In this work, a transient 3D model using a new coupling approach for fixed-bed combustion of biomass is presented. The developed model is formulated as an Eulerian-Lagrangian framework. A particle grid, generated based on the fluid grid, is applied as a transfer grid, and a diffusion operation is implemented to smooth the interactions between the gas phase and the particles. The interactions between gas and solid phases as well as the radiative heat transfer between particles are considered. The particle motion is resolved by the soft-sphere model, whereas the conversion is calculated based on a thermally thick particle model. All sub-models are optimized to enhance computational efficiency. The 3D model is validated by comparing the simulations with laboratory-scale experiments for a fixed-bed operated in counter-current combustion mode. The key simulation parameters are configured by sensitivity analysis. The simulation results are in good agreement with the experimental measurements, and the combustion regimes with different air inlet conditions are well captured. The coupling effects are discussed in detail. The particle grid size influences the prediction of the transient results, and the interplay between the heat transfer mechanisms inside the fixed-bed and the coupling scheme is thoroughly analyzed. Both inter-particle radiation and gas-to-particle convection play essential roles in the heat transfer inside the fuel bed, while the inter-particle heat conduction can be neglected

Complete Coherent Control of a Quantum Dot Strongly Coupled to a Nanocavity

Strongly coupled quantum dot-cavity systems provide a non-linear configuration of hybridized light-matter states with promising quantum-optical applications. Here, we investigate the coherent interaction between strong laser pulses and quantum dot-cavity polaritons. Resonant excitation of polaritonic states and their interaction with phonons allow us to observe coherent Rabi oscillations and Ramsey fringes. Furthermore, we demonstrate complete coherent control of a quantum dot-photonic crystal cavity based quantum-bit. By controlling the excitation power and phase in a two-pulse excitation scheme we achieve access to the full Bloch sphere. Quantum-optical simulations are in good agreement with our experiments and provide insight into the decoherence mechanisms

A novel coupling method for unresolved CFD-DEM modeling

In CFD-DEM (computational fluid dynamics-discrete element method) simulations particles are considered Lagrangian point particles. The details of the flow near the particle surface are therefore not fully resolved. When the particle scale is larger than the resolved flow scale, the coupling between the CFD model and the DEM model is critical. An effective coupling scheme should minimize the risk of artificial influences on the results from choices of numerical parameters in implementations and consider efficiency and robustness. In this work, a novel coupling method is developed. The method includes both the smoothing of the particle data and the sampling of the gas phase quantities. The smoothing employs the diffusion-based method. The gas sampling method can reconstruct the filtered fluid quantities at the particle center. The sampling method is developed based on the diffusion-based method with higher efficiency. The new method avoids mesh searching and it can be easily implemented in parallel computing. The developed method is validated by the simulation of a forced convection experiment for a fixed bed with steel spheres. With the well-posed grid-independent coupling scheme, the simulation results are in good agreement with the experimental measurements. The coupling effects and the computational cost are discussed in detail

Tuning the photon statistics of a strongly coupled nanophotonic system

We investigate the dynamics of single- and multiphoton emission from detuned strongly coupled systems based on the quantum-dot–photonic-crystal resonator platform. Transmitting light through such systems can generate a range of nonclassical states of light with tunable photon counting statistics due to the nonlinear ladder of hybridized light-matter states. By controlling the detuning between emitter and resonator, the transmission can be tuned to strongly enhance either single- or two-photon emission processes. Despite the strongly dissipative nature of these systems, we find that by utilizing a self-homodyne interference technique combined with frequency filtering we are able to find a strong two-photon component of the emission in the multiphoton regime. In order to explain our correlation measurements, we propose rate equation models that capture the dominant processes of emission in both the single- and multiphoton regimes. These models are then supported by quantum-optical simulations that fully capture the frequency filtering of emission from our solid-state system

High-throughput proteomic analysis reveals systemic dysregulation in virally suppressed people living with HIV

BACKGROUND. People living with HIV (PLHIV) receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) exhibit persistent immune dysregulation and microbial dysbiosis, leading to development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). We initially compared plasma proteomic profiles between 205 PLHIV and 120 healthy control participants (HCs) and validated the results in an independent cohort of 639 PLHIV and 99 HCs. Differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were then associated to microbiome data. Finally, we assessed which proteins were linked with CVD development in PLHIV. METHODS. Proximity extension assay technology was used to measure 1,472 plasma proteins. Markers of systemic inflammation (C-reactive protein, D-dimer, IL-6, soluble CD14, and soluble CD163) and microbial translocation (IFABP) were measured by ELISA, and gut bacterial species were identified using shotgun metagenomic sequencing. Baseline CVD data were available for all PLHIV, and 205 PLHIV were recorded for development of CVD during a 5-year follow-up. RESULTS. PLHIV receiving ART had systemic dysregulation of protein concentrations, compared with HCs. Most of the DEPs originated from the intestine and lymphoid tissues and were enriched in immune- and lipid metabolism-related pathways. DEPs originating from the intestine were associated with specific gut bacterial species. Finally, we identified upregulated proteins in PLHIV (GDF15, PLAUR, RELT, NEFL, COL6A3, and EDA2R), unlike most markers of systemic inflammation, associated with the presence and risk of developing CVD during 5-year follow-up. CONCLUSION. Our findings suggest a systemic dysregulation of protein concentrations in PLHIV; some proteins were associated with CVD development. Most DEPs originated from the gut and were related to specific gut bacterial species.</p

E3 Ligase Activity of XIAP RING Domain Is Required for XIAP-Mediated Cancer Cell Migration, but Not for Its RhoGDI Binding Activity

Although an increased expression level of XIAP is associated with cancer cell metastasis, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unexplored. To verify the specific structural basis of XIAP for regulation of cancer cell migration, we introduced different XIAP domains into XIAP−/− HCT116 cells, and found that reconstitutive expression of full length HA-XIAP and HA-XIAP ΔBIR, both of which have intact RING domain, restored β-Actin expression, actin polymerization and cancer cell motility. Whereas introduction of HA-XIAP ΔRING or H467A mutant, which abolished its E3 ligase function, did not show obvious restoration, demonstrating that E3 ligase activity of XIAP RING domain played a crucial role of XIAP in regulation of cancer cell motility. Moreover, RING domain rather than BIR domain was required for interaction with RhoGDI independent on its E3 ligase activity. To sum up, our present studies found that role of XIAP in regulating cellular motility was uncoupled from its caspase-inhibitory properties, but related to physical interaction between RhoGDI and its RING domain. Although E3 ligase activity of RING domain contributed to cell migration, it was not involved in RhoGDI binding nor its ubiquitinational modification

Inverse-designed diamond photonics

Diamond hosts optically active color centers with great promise in quantum computation, networking, and sensing. Realization of such applications is contingent upon the integration of color centers into photonic circuits. However, current diamond quantum optics experiments are restricted to single devices and few quantum emitters because fabrication constraints limit device functionalities, thus precluding color center integrated photonic circuits. In this work, we utilize inverse design methods to overcome constraints of cutting-edge diamond nanofabrication methods and fabricate compact and robust diamond devices with unique specifications. Our design method leverages advanced optimization techniques to search the full parameter space for fabricable device designs. We experimentally demonstrate inverse-designed photonic free-space interfaces as well as their scalable integration with two vastly different devices: classical photonic crystal cavities and inverse-designed waveguide-splitters. The multi-device integration capability and performance of our inverse-designed diamond platform represents a critical advancement toward integrated diamond quantum optical circuits