An adaptive way for improving noise reduction using local geometric projection

We propose an adaptive way to improve noise reduction by local geometric projection. From the neighborhood of each candidate point in phase space, we identify the best subspace that the point will be orthogonally projected to. The signal subspace is formed by the most significant eigendirections of the neighborhood, while the less significant ones define the noise subspace. We provide a simple criterion to separate the most significant eigendirections from the less significant ones. This criterion is based on the maximum logarithmic difference between the neighborhood eigendirection lengths, and the assumption that there is at least one eigendirection that corresponds to the noise subspace. In this way, we take into account the special characteristics of each neighborhood and introduce a more successful noise reduction technique. Results are presented for a chaotic time series of the Henon map and Ikeda map, as well as on the Nasdaq Composite index.     

Colour in visualisation for computational fluid dynamics

Colour is used in computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations in two key ways. First it is used to visualise the geometry and allow the engineer to be confident that the model constructed is a good representation of the engineering situation. Once an analysis has been completed, colour is used in post-processing the data from the simulations to illustrate the complex fluid mechanic phenomena under investigation. This paper describes these two uses of colour and provides some examples to illustrate the key visualisation approaches used in CFD.     

N-Butyrylated Hyaluronic Acid Achieves Anti-Inflammatory Effects In Vitro and in Adjuvant-Induced Immune Activation in Rats

Previously synthesized N-butyrylated hyaluronic acid (BHA) provides anti-inflammatory effects in rat models of acute gouty arthritis and hyperuricemia. However, the mechanism of action remains to be elucidated. Herein, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities of BHA and the targeted signaling pathways were explored with LPS-induced RAW264.7 and an adjuvant-induced inflammation in a rat model. Results indicated that BHA inhibited the generation of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNFα, IL-1β and IL-6, reduced ROS production and down-regulated JAK1-STAT1/3 signaling pathways in LPS-induced RAW264.7. In vivo, BHA alleviated paw and joint swelling, decreased inflammatory cell infiltration in paw tissues, suppressed gene expressions of p38 and p65, down-regulated the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways and reduced protein levels of TNFα, IL-1β and IL-6 in joint tissues of arthritis rats. This study demonstrated the pivotal role of BHA in anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation, suggesting the potential clinical value of BHA in the prevention of inflammatory arthritis and is worthy for development as a new pharmacological treatment.     

Jamming and crystallization in athermal polymer packings

Dense packings of chains of hard spheres possess characteristic features that do not have a counterpart in corresponding packings of monomeric spheres especially near the maximally random jammed (MRJ) state. From the modelling perspective the additional requirement that spheres keep their connectivity while maximizing the occupied volume fraction imposes severe constraints on generation algorithms of dense chain configurations. The extremely sluggish dynamics imposed by the uncrossability of chains precludes the use of deterministic or stochastic dynamics to generate all but dilute polymer packings. As a viable alternative, especially tailored chain-connectivity-altering Monte Carlo (MC) algorithms have been developed that bypass this kinetic hindrance and have actually been able to produce packings of hard-sphere chains in a volume fraction range spanning from infinite dilution up to the MRJ state. Such very dense athermal polymer packings share a number of structural features with packings of monomeric hard spheres, but also display unique characteristics due to the constraints imposed by connectivity. We give an overview of the most relevant results of our recent modeling work on packings of freely-jointed chains of tangent hard spheres about the MRJ state, local structure, chain dimensions and their scaling with density, topological constraints in the form of entanglements and knots, contact network at jamming, and entropically driven crystallization.     

Soliton propagation in a system of two inductively coupled long Josephson junctions

We study by analytical and numerical methods soliton propagation in a system of two coupled sine-Gordon equations which describe a system of two inductively coupled Josephson junctions. We use perturbation theory to investigate the stability of the McCumber solutions and check the validity of our analysis by solving numerically the original system of PDEs. Numerical results, when a magnetic field is applied at the boundaries of such a system, are also reported.     

Period doubling bifurcations and universality in conservative systems

We have studied numerically a sequence of period doubling bifurcations of periodic orbits of Hénon's conservative two-dimensional mapping. In agreement with other recent studies, we also find evidence that such sequences possess universality properties, similar to the ones observed for dissipative systems. The corresponding universal constants, however, have significantly different values in each case. We suggest that a possible explanation for this discrepancy may be the fact that conservative systems, owing to their measure preserving property, do not become asymptotically one-dimensional, as dissipative systems do.     

Nonlinear buckling analysis of simple geometrically imperfect frames

In this paper, the effect of geometrical imperfections due to joint angle deviations of a simple rectangular frame is thoroughly discussed. It has been found that the deviation from the right angle of the joint with respect to the center-lines of the two members of the frame affects significantly the buckling strength of the frame. It is also shown that such geometrical imperfections do not always decrease the strength of such structures but sometimes, even though loading imperfections exist, they act on the favorable side regarding its strength. The influence of various geometric parameters such as slenderness ratio as well as length and moment of inertia ratio of the members on the critical load of the imperfect frame is thoroughly discussed and representative case studies are presented.     

A study of nucleate boiling and critical heat flux with EHD enhancement

The paper describes results from an experimental and theoretical study of the effect of an electric field on nucleate boiling and the critical heat flux (CHF) in pool boiling of R123 at atmospheric pressure on a horizontal wall with a smooth surface. Two designs of electrode (parallel rods and wire mesh) were used. The experimental data exhibit some differences from the data obtained by other researchers in similar experiments on a wall with a different surface finish and with a slightly different design of wire mesh electrode. The hydrodynamic model for EHD enhancement of CHF cannot reconcile the differences. A theoretical model has been developed for the growth of a single vapour bubble on a superheated wall in an electric field, leading to a numerical simulation based on the level-set method. The model includes matching of sub-models for the micro- and macro-regions, conduction in the wall, distortion of the electric field by the bubble, the temperature dependence of electrical properties and free-charge generation. In the present form of the model, some of these effects are realised in an approximate form. The capability to investigate dry-spot formation and wall temperature changes that might lead to CHF has been demonstrated.