Large eddy simulation of cavitation inception in a high speed flow over an open cavity

Large-eddy simulation of flow over an open cavity corresponding to the experimental setup of Liu and Katz [1] is performed. The flow Reynolds number based on the cavity length and the free stream velocity is 170;000. The filtered, incompressible Navier-Stokes equations are solved using a co-located grid finite-volume solver with the dynamic Smagorinsky model for subgrid scale closure. The computational grid consists of around five million grid points with two million points clustered around the shear layer and the wall-layer over the leading edge is resolved. The only input from the experimental data is the mean velocity profile at the inlet condition. The mean flow is superimposed with turbulent velocity fluctuations generated by solving a forced periodic duct flow at free-stream Reynolds number. The flow statistics, including mean and rms velocity fields and pressure coefficients, are compared with the experimental data to show reasonable agreement. Cavitation inception is investigated using two approaches: (i) a discrete bubble model wherein the bubble dynamics is computed by solving the Rayleigh-Plesset and the bubble motion equations using an adaptive time-stepping procedure, and (ii) a scalar transport model for the liquid volume fraction with source and sink terms for phase change. The cavitation inception occurs near the trailing edge similar to that observed in the experiments. A periodic growth and decay of bubble size and liquid vapor fraction is observed above the trailing edge owing to local variations in pressure minima. The dynamic interactions between traveling vortices in the shear layer and the trailing edge affect the value and location of the pressure minima.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/84268/1/CAV2009-final73.pd

Rearrangements of nitrogen fixation (nif) genes in the heterocystous cyanobacteria

In the vegetative cells of heterocystous cyanobacteria, such as Anabaena, two Operons harbouring the nitrogen fixaton (nif) genes contain two separate intervening DNA elements resulting in the dispersion of genes and impaired gene expression. A 11 kb element disrupts thenifD gene in thenifH, D-K operon. It contains a 11 bp sequence (GGATTACTCCG) directly repeated at its ends and harbours a gene,xisA, which encodes a site-specific recombinase. A large 55 kb element interrupts thefdxN gene in thenifB fdxN-nifS-nifU operon. It contains two 5 bp direct repeats (TATTC) at its ends and accommodates at least one gene,xisF, which encodes another site-specific recombinase. During heterocyst differentiation both the discontinuities are precisely excised by two distinct site-specific recombination events. One of them is brought about by the XisA protein between the 11 bp direct repeats. The second one is caused by the XisF protein and occurs between the 5 bp direct repeats. As a consequence the 11kb and 55 kb elements are removed from the chromosome as circles and functional nif Operons are created. Nitrogenase proteins are then expressed from the rearranged genes in heterocysts and aerobic nitrogen fixation ensues. How these elements intruded thenif genes and how and why are they maintained in heterocystous cyanobacteria are exciting puzzles engaging considerable research effort currently. The unique developmental regulation of these gene rearrangements in heterocystous cyanobacteria is discussed

Combined epiretinal and internal limiting membrane peeling facilitated by high dilution indocyanine green negative staining

We describe the utilization of indocyanine green (ICG) dye to facilitate combined/en bloc removal of epiretinal membranes (ERM) along with internal limiting membranes (ILM). The method utilizes a highly diluted preparation of ICG in dextrose water solvent (D5W). Elimination of fluid air exchange step facilitating staining in the fluid phase and low intensity lighting help minimize potential ICG toxicity. The technique demonstrates how ICG facilitates negative staining of ERMs and how ILM peeling concomitantly can allow complete and efficient ERM removal minimizing surgical time and the necessity for dual or sequential staining

Angular Resolution of an EAS Array for Gamma Ray Astronomy at Energies Greater Than 5 x 10 (13) Ev

A 24 detector extensive air shower array is being operated at Ootacamund (2300 m altitude, 11.4 deg N latitude) in southern India for a study of arrival directions of showers of energies greater than 5 x 10 to the 13th power eV. Various configurations of the array of detectors have been used to estimate the accuracy in determination of arrival angle of showers with such an array. These studies show that it is possible to achieve an angular resolution of better than 2 deg with the Ooty array for search for point sources of Cosmic gamma rays at energies above 5 x 10 to the 13th power eV

A hybrid lagrangian-eulerian approach for simulation of bubble dynamics

A mutiscale numerical approach is developed for the investigation of bubbly flows in turbulent environments. This consists of two different numerical approaches capable of capturing the bubble dynamics at different scales depending upon the relative size of the bubbles compared to the grid resolution: (i) fully resolved simulations (FRS) wherein the bubble dynamics and deformation are completely resolved, and (ii) subgrid, discrete bubble model where the bubbles are not resolved by the computational grid. For fully resolved simulations, a novel approach combining a particle-based, mesh-free technique with a finite-volume flow solver, is developed. The approach uses marker points around the interface and advects the signed distance to the interface in a Lagrangian frame. Interpolation kernel based derivative calculations typical of particle methods are used to extract the interface normal and curvature from unordered marker points. Unlike front-tracking methods, connectivity between the marker points is not necessary. For underresolved bubbles, a mixture-theory based Eulerian-Lagrangian approach accounting for volumetric displacements due to bubble motion and size variations is developed. The bubble dynamics is modeled by Rayleigh-Plesset equations using an adaptive timestepping scheme. A detailed verification and validation study of both approaches is performed to test the accuracy of the method on a variety of single and multiple bubble problems to show good predictive capability. Interaction of bubbles with a traveling vortex tube is simulated and compared with experimental data of Sridhar and Katz [1] to show good agreement.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/84270/1/CAV2009-final74.pd