Formulation and analysis of a diffusion-velocity particle model for transport-dispersion equations

The modelling of diffusive terms in particle methods is a delicate matter and several models were proposed in the literature to take such terms into account. The diffusion velocity method (DVM), originally designed for the diffusion of passive scalars, turns diffusive terms into convective ones by expressing them as a divergence involving a so-called diffusion velocity. In this paper, DVM is extended to the diffusion of vectorial quantities in the three-dimensional Navier–Stokes equations, in their incompressible, velocity–vorticity formulation. The integration of a large eddy simulation (LES) turbulence model is investigated and a DVM general formulation is proposed. Either with or without LES, a novel expression of the diffusion velocity is derived, which makes it easier to approximate and which highlights the analogy with the original formulation for scalar transport. From this statement, DVM is then analysed in one dimension, both analytically and numerically on test cases to point out its good behaviour.

The code document's structure and analysis

The purpose of this paper is twofold. Firstly it presents a preliminary and ethnomethodologically-informed analysis of the way in which the growing structure of a particular program's code was ongoingly derived from its earliest stages. This was motivated by an interest in how the detailed structure of completed program `emerged from nothing' as a product of the concrete practices of the programmer within the framework afforded by the language. The analysis is broken down into three sections that discuss: the beginnings of the program's structure; the incremental development of structure; and finally the code productions that constitute the structure and the importance of the programmer's stock of knowledge. The discussion attempts to understand and describe the emerging structure of code rather than focus on generating `requirements' for supporting the production of that structure. Due to time and space constraints, however, only a relatively cursory examination of these features was possible. Secondly the paper presents some thoughts on the difficulties associated with the analytic---in particular ethnographic---study of code, drawing on general problems as well as issues arising from the difficulties and failings encountered as part of the analysis presented in the first section.

Modelling and analysis of planar cell polarity

Planar cell polarity (PCP) occurs in the epithelia of many animals and can lead to the alignment of hairs, bristles and feathers; physiologically, it can organise ciliary beating. Here we present two approaches to modelling this phenomenon. The aim is to discover the basic mechanisms that drive PCP, while keeping the models mathematically tractable. We present a feedback and diffusion model, in which adjacent cell sides of neighbouring cells are coupled by a negative feedback loop and diffusion acts within the cell. This approach can give rise to polarity, but also to period two patterns. Polarisation arises via an instability provided a sufficiently strong feedback and sufficiently weak diffusion. Moreover, we discuss a conservative model in which proteins within a cell are redistributed depending on the amount of proteins in the neighbouring cells, coupled with intracellular diffusion. In this case polarity can arise from weakly polarised initial conditions or via a wave provided the diffusion is weak enough. Both models can overcome small anomalies in the initial conditions. Furthermore, the range of the effects of groups of cells with different properties than the surrounding cells depends on the strength of the initial global cue and the intracellular diffusion.

Healthcare Network Modeling and Analysis

Part 20: Health and Care Networks

Radio Frequency Superconducting Quantum Interference Device Meta-atoms and Metamaterials: Experiment, Theory, and Analysis

Metamamterials are 1D, 2D or 3D arrays of articial atoms. The articial atoms, called "meta-atoms", can be any component with tailorable electromagnetic properties, such as resonators, LC circuits, nano particles, and so on. By designing the properties of individual meta-atoms and the interaction created by putting them in a lattice, one can create a metamaterial with intriguing properties not found in nature. My Ph. D. work examines the meta-atoms based on radio frequency superconducting quantum interference devices (rf-SQUIDs); their tunability with dc magnetic field, rf magnetic field, and temperature are studied. The rf-SQUIDs are superconducting split ring resonators in which the usual capacitance is supplemented with a Josephson junction, which introduces strong nonlinearity in the rf properties. At relatively low rf magnetic field, a magnetic field tunability of the resonant frequency of up to 80 THz/Gauss by dc magnetic field is observed, and a total frequency tunability of 100% is achieved. The macroscopic quantum superconducting metamaterial also shows manipulative self-induced broadband transparency due to a qualitatively novel nonlinear mechanism that is different from conventional electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) or its classical analogs. A near complete disappearance of resonant absorption under a range of applied rf flux is observed experimentally and explained theoretically. The transparency comes from the intrinsic bi-stability and can be tuned on/ off easily by altering rf and dc magnetic fields, temperature and history. Hysteretic in situ 100% tunability of transparency paves the way for auto-cloaking metamaterials, intensity dependent filters, and fast-tunable power limiters. An rf-SQUID metamaterial is shown to have qualitatively the same behavior as a single rf-SQUID with regards to dc flux, rf flux and temperature tuning. The two-tone response of self-resonant rf-SQUID meta-atoms and metamaterials is then studied here via intermodulation (IM) measurement over a broad range of tone frequencies and tone powers. A sharp onset followed by a surprising strongly suppressed IM region near the resonance is observed. This behavior can be understood employing methods in nonlinear dynamics; the sharp onset, and the gap of IM, are due to sudden state jumps during a beat of the two-tone sum input signal. The theory predicts that the IM can be manipulated with tone power, center frequency, frequency difference between the two tones, and temperature. This quantitative understanding potentially allows for the design of rf-SQUID metamaterials with either very low or very high IM response.

Microwave-assisted solvent extraction and analysis of shikimic acid from plant tissues.

A better method for determination of shikimate in plant tissues is needed to monitor exposure of plants to the herbicide glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] and to screen the plant kingdom for high levels of this valuable phytochemical precursor to the pharmaceutical oseltamivir. A simple, rapid, and efficient method using microwave-assisted extraction (MWAE) with water as the extraction solvent was developed for the determination of shikimic acid in plant tissues. High performance liquid chromatography was used for the separation of shikimic acid, and chromatographic data were acquired using photodiode array detection. This MWAE technique was successful in recovering shikimic acid from a series of fortified plant tissues at more than 90% efficiency with an interference-free chromatogram. This allowed the use of lower amounts of reagents and organic solvents, reducing the use of toxic and/or hazardous chemicals, as compared to currently used methodologies. The method was used to determine the level of endogenous shikimic acid in several species of Brachiaria and sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) and on B. decumbens and soybean (Glycine max) after treatment with glyphosate. The method was sensitive, rapid and reliable in all cases.

Modeling and analysis of thermoelectric energy conversion efficiency in nanostructures.

116 p.

Identification and analysis of novel virulence-defective Rhodococcus fascians mutants

Rhodococcus fascians é uma actinomiceta fitopatogénica que induz uma doença, conhecida como irritação frondosa, caracterizada pela indução de múltiplos rebentos, numa vasta gama de plantas herbáceas dicotiledóneas. O principal factor de patogenicidade da bactéria é a produção de uma mistura de 6 citoquininas codificadas pelos genes do operão fas que está localizado num plasmídeo linear associado à virulência, pFiD188. Este trabalho teve como objectivo a análise de dois novos loci deste plasmídeo associados à virulência: GT1 que codifica uma glicosiltransferase e os genes mtr1 e mtr2, grandemente homólogos, que codificam metiltransferases dependentes de SAM. Trabalhos prévios com 21D5, mutante na glicosiltransferase, mostraram que possui uma morfologia de colónia modificada e forma agregados em culturas líquidas. Neste trabalho demonstrou-se que essas características não afectam o crescimento em meio de cultura rico, mas levam à incapacidade de proliferação em condições de privação de nutrientes, tendo um impacto forte na competência epifítica. Este impacto foi demostrado pela atenuação severa da virulência em 21D5, que foi acompanhada de uma expressão alterada dos genes fas e att, essenciais para a virulência, e consequente redução da capacidade de invasão dos tecidos da planta e de produção dos factores de virulência. Demonstrou-se também que a expressão de GT1 é induzida por compostos que são acumulados em plantas nas fases iniciais da infecção, colocando a função de GT1 no começo da interacção. Tal como R. fascians, Streptomyces turgidiscabies possui um operão fas e dois genes mtr associados. R. fascians mutantes nestes genes mtr’s perderam a capacidade de provocar sintomas, mas produziram 2MeS-citoquininas, implicando que outras citoquininas metiladas são cruciais para a indução da doença. De modo a identificar os produtos de reacção das MTRs procedeu-se à análise do perfil de citoquininas de R. fascians em condições que induzem a expressão dos genes do operão fas e de S. turgidiscabies alimentados com SAM e adenina marcadas com 14C em TLC. No entanto, não foi possível a identificação de compostos dependentes de fas ou mtr nos sobrenadantes. Pela determinação do perfil de expressão dos genes mtr in vitro e in planta tornou-se claro que a regulação destes genes é muito complexa, sendo a sua expressão limitada a células de R. fascians que colonizam o hospedeiro. Para possibilitar a identificação dos produtos de recção de MTR, desenvolveu-se um protocolo que permite a expressão in planta em condições in vitro, o que permitirá a repetição dos ensaios de marcação com 14C.

User interaction monitoring and analysis framework

An overview is given of a user interaction monitoring and analysis framework called BaranC. Monitoring and analysing human-digital interaction is an essential part of developing a user model as the basis for investigating user experience. The primary human-digital interaction, such as on a laptop or smartphone, is best understood and modelled in the wider context of the user and their environment. The BaranC framework provides monitoring and analysis capabilities that not only records all user interaction with a digital device (e.g. smartphone), but also collects all available context data (such as from sensors in the digital device itself, a fitness band or a smart appliances). The data collected by BaranC is recorded as a User Digital Imprint (UDI) which is, in effect, the user model and provides the basis for data analysis. BaranC provides functionality that is useful for user experience studies, user interface design evaluation, and providing user assistance services. An important concern for personal data is privacy, and the framework gives the user full control over the monitoring, storing and sharing of their data.

Spatial and temporal downscaling of solar global radiation and mean air temperature from weather forecast data - an introductory numerical study and validation

This short paper presents a numerical method for spatial and temporal downscaling of solar global radiation and mean air temperature data from global weather forecast models and its validation. The final objective is to develop a prediction algorithm to be integrated in energy management models and forecast of energy harvesting in solar thermal systems of medium/low temperature. Initially, hourly prediction and measurement data of solar global radiation and mean air temperature were obtained, being then numerically downscaled to half-hourly prediction values for the location where measurements were taken. The differences between predictions and measurements were analyzed for more than one year of data of mean air temperature and solar global radiation on clear sky days, resulting in relative daily deviations of around -0.9±3.8% and 0.02±3.92%, respectively.

Microwave-assisted solvent extraction and analysis of shikimic acid from plant tissues.

2008