On the uniqueness of invariant tori in D4*S1 symmetric systems

The uniqueness of the branch of two-tori in the D4-equivariant Hopf bifurcation problem is proved in a neighbourhood of a particular limiting case where, after reduction, the Euler equations for the rotation of a free rigid body apply

Hopf bifurcation with non-semisimple 1:1 resonance

A generalised Hopf bifurcation, corresponding to non-semisimple double imaginary eigenvalues (case of 1:1 resonance), is analysed using a normal form approach. This bifurcation has linear codimension-3, and a centre subspace of dimension 4. The four-dimensional normal form is reduced to a three-dimensional system, which is normal to the group orbits of a phase-shift symmetry. There may exist 0, 1 or 2 small-amplitude periodic solutions. Invariant 2-tori of quasiperiodic solutions bifurcate from these periodic solutions. The authors locate one-dimensional varieties in the parameter space 1223 on which the system has four different codimension-2 singularities: a Bogdanov-Takens bifurcation a 1322 symmetric cusp, a Hopf/Hopf mode interaction without strong resonance, and a steady-state/Hopf mode interaction with eigenvalues (0, i,-i)

The Twente turbulent Taylor-Couette (T3C) facility: Strongly turbulent (multiphase) flow between two independently rotating cylinders

A new turbulent Taylor-Couette system consisting of two independently rotating cylinders has been constructed. The gap between the cylinders has a height of 0.927 m, an inner radius of 0.200 m, and a variable outer radius (from 0.279 to 0.220 m). The maximum angular rotation rates of the inner and outer cylinder are 20 and 10 Hz, respectively, resulting in Reynolds numbers up to 3.4 x 10^6 with water as working fluid. With this Taylor-Couette system, the parameter space (Re_i, Re_o, {\eta}) extends to (2.0 x 10^6, {\pm}1.4 x 10^6, 0.716-0.909). The system is equipped with bubble injectors, temperature control, skin-friction drag sensors, and several local sensors for studying turbulent single-phase and two-phase flows. Inner cylinder load cells detect skin-friction drag via torque measurements. The clear acrylic outer cylinder allows the dynamics of the liquid flow and the dispersed phase (bubbles, particles, fibers, etc.) inside the gap to be investigated with specialized local sensors and nonintrusive optical imaging techniques. The system allows study of both Taylor-Couette flow in a high-Reynolds-number regime, and the mechanisms behind skin-friction drag alterations due to bubble injection, polymer injection, and surface hydrophobicity and roughness.Comment: 13 pages, 14 figure

On the reduction of the degree of linear differential operators

Let L be a linear differential operator with coefficients in some differential field k of characteristic zero with algebraically closed field of constants. Let k^a be the algebraic closure of k. For a solution y, Ly=0, we determine the linear differential operator of minimal degree M and coefficients in k^a, such that My=0. This result is then applied to some Picard-Fuchs equations which appear in the study of perturbations of plane polynomial vector fields of Lotka-Volterra type

Measurement of angular momentum transport in turbulent flow between independently rotating cylinders

We present measurements of the angular momentum flux (torque) in Taylor-Couette flow of water between independently rotating cylinders for all regions of the \(\Omega_1, \Omega_2\) parameter space at high Reynolds numbers, where $\Omega_1$ \(\Omega_2\) is the inner (outer) cylinder angular velocity. We find that the Rossby number Ro = \(\Omega_1 - \Omega_2\)/\Omega_2 fully determines the state and torque $G$ as compared to G(Ro = \infty) \equiv \Gi. The ratio G/\Gi is a linear function of $Ro^{-1}$ in four sections of the parameter space. For flows with radially-increasing angular momentum, our measured torques greatly exceed those of previous experiments [Ji \textit{et al.}, Nature, \textbf{444}, 343 (2006)], but agree with the analysis of Richard and Zahn [Astron. Astrophys., \textbf{347}, 734 (1999)].Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, to appear in Physical Review Letter

Optimal Taylor-Couette flow: Radius ratio dependence

Taylor-Couette flow with independently rotating inner (i) and outer (o) cylinders is explored numerically and experimentally to determine the effects of the radius ratio {\eta} on the system response. Numerical simulations reach Reynolds numbers of up to Re_i=9.5 x 10^3 and Re_o=5x10^3, corresponding to Taylor numbers of up to Ta=10^8 for four different radius ratios {\eta}=r_i/r_o between 0.5 and 0.909. The experiments, performed in the Twente Turbulent Taylor-Couette (T^3C) setup, reach Reynolds numbers of up to Re_i=2x10^6$ and Re_o=1.5x10^6, corresponding to Ta=5x10^{12} for {\eta}=0.714-0.909. Effective scaling laws for the torque J^{\omega}(Ta) are found, which for sufficiently large driving Ta are independent of the radius ratio {\eta}. As previously reported for {\eta}=0.714, optimum transport at a non-zero Rossby number Ro=r_i|{\omega}_i-{\omega}_o|/[2(r_o-r_i){\omega}_o] is found in both experiments and numerics. Ro_opt is found to depend on the radius ratio and the driving of the system. At a driving in the range between {Ta\sim3\cdot10^8} and {Ta\sim10^{10}}, Ro_opt saturates to an asymptotic {\eta}-dependent value. Theoretical predictions for the asymptotic value of Ro_{opt} are compared to the experimental results, and found to differ notably. Furthermore, the local angular velocity profiles from experiments and numerics are compared, and a link between a flat bulk profile and optimum transport for all radius ratios is reported.Comment: Submitted to JFM, 28 pages, 17 figure

A Comprehensive User Modeling Framework and a Recommender System for Personalizing Well-Being Related Behavior Change Interventions: Development and Evaluation

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Ultrasonic Blind Stick with GPS Tracking System

This paper proposes an efficient electronic system for guidance of a blind person. It is based on the design and developments of a smart stick for visually impaired people to provide them with ease, confidence and to gain independence in an efficient and cost-effective way. This report presents the concept of the system, its theoretical and practical model for providing an electronic aid to visually impaired people. The system covers obstacle detection, light sensing, water detection, location detection and emergency messaging. The device is based on a small circuit mounted on the white cane and a small circuit serving as a control unit. A microcontroller-based circuit is used to handle the entire system functioning. The detection of obstacles is based on ultrasonic sensors giving a beeping sound, light sensing system detects the darkness and light in the surrounding to alert the user, the water sensor detects ground water to alert the user. In addition, a GPS with GSM connection sends the approximate location of the stick to the caretaker phone. The system aims to provide visually impaired people with artificial vision by giving them information on the surrounding environment