Search Results (156)

Numerical modeling of gas flows in rarefied regimes is crucial in understanding fluid behavior in microscale applications. Rarefied regimes are characterized by a decrease in molecular collisions, and they lead to unusual phenomena such as gas phase separation, which is not acknowledged in hydrodynamic equations. In this work, numerical investigation of miscible gaseous mixtures in the rarefied regime is performed using a modified lattice Boltzmann model. Slip boundary conditions are adapted to arbitrary geometries. A ray-tracing algorithm-based wall function is implemented to model the non-equilibrium effects in the transition flow regime. The molecular free flow defined by the Knudsen diffusion coefficient is integrated through an effective and asymmetrical binary diffusion coefficient. The numerical model is validated with mass flow measurements through microchannels of different cross-section shapes from the near-continuum to the transition regimes, and gas phase separation is studied within a staggered arrangement of spheres. The influence of porosity and mixture composition on the gas separation effect are analyzed. Numerical results highlight the increase in the degree of gas phase separation with the rarefaction rate and the molecular mass ratio. The various simulations also indicate that geometrical features in porous media have a greater impact on gaseous mixtures’ effective permeability at highly rarefied regimes. Finally, a permeability enhancement factor based on the lightest species of the gaseous mixture is derived. Full article

This study presents a self-consistent one-temperature approach for modeling shock waves in single-component methane. The rigorous mathematical model takes into account the complex structure of CH₄ molecules with multiple vibrational modes and incorporates exact kinetic theory-based transport coefficients, including bulk viscosity. The effects of the bulk viscosity on gas-dynamic variables and transport terms are investigated in detail under varying degree of gas rarefaction. It is demonstrated that neglecting bulk viscosity significantly alters the shock front width and peak values of normal stress and heat flux, with the effect being more evident in denser gases. The study also evaluates limitations in the use of a constant specific heat ratio, revealing that this approach fails to accurately predict post-shock parameters in polyatomic gases, even at moderate Mach numbers. To enhance computational efficiency, a simplified approach based on a reduced vibrational spectrum is assessed. The results indicate that considering only the ground state leads to substantial errors in the fluid-dynamic variables across the shock front. Another approach explored involves the application of machine learning techniques to calculate vibrational energy and specific heat. Among the methods tested, the Feedforward Neural Network (FNN) proves to be the most effective, offering significant acceleration in calculations and providing one of the lowest errors. When integrated into the fluid-dynamic solver, the FNN approach yields nearly a three-fold increase in speed in numerical simulations of the shock wave structure. Full article

We investigate and characterize the effect of compressibility and rarefaction on vortex structures in the benchmark lid-driven cavity flow. Direct numerical simulations are performed, employing the unified gas kinetic scheme to examine the changes in vortex generation mechanisms and the resulting flow structures at different Mach and Knudsen numbers. At high degrees of rarefaction, where inter-molecular interactions are minimal, the molecules mainly collide with the walls. Consequently, the dominant flow structure is a single vortex in the shape of the cavity. It is shown that increasing compressibility or decreasing rarefaction lead to higher molecular density in the cavity corners, due to more frequent inter-molecular collisions. This results in lower flow velocities, creating conditions conducive to the development of secondary and corner vortices. The physical processes underlying vortex formations at different Knudsen numbers, Mach numbers, and cavity shapes are explicated. A parametric map that classifies different regimes of vortex structures as a function of compressibility, rarefaction, and cavity shape is developed. Full article

We highlight the recent progress in the calculation of transport coefficients pertinent to binary neutron star mergers. Specifically, we analyze the bulk viscosity coefficient driven by both the DURCA and MURCA processes and electron transport coefficients in dense and hot plasma relevant to the merger scenario. The study considers high temperatures (T>6×1010 K) and dense environments (nB∼n0−3n0). Bulk viscosity exhibits resonant behavior, with peak values and peak positions dependent on particle interaction rates and thermodynamic susceptibilities. Susceptibilities are calculated by modeling the nuclear matter in the density functional approach. The bulk viscosity coefficient peaks at T∼1011 K, with a compression–rarefaction oscillation dissipation time scale of 20–50 ms. Electrical transports incorporate frequency-dependent dynamical screening in quantized electron–ion scattering rates. Consequently, dynamical screening reduces the maxima of electrical and thermal conductivities, shortening corresponding dissipation time scales. These results highlight the crucial role of dissipation coefficients in understanding binary neutron star mergers. Full article

The presence of gas in transmission fluid can disrupt the flow continuity, induce cavitation, and affect the transmission characteristics of the system. In this work, a gas void fraction model of gas–liquid two-phase flow in a transmission tube is established by taking ISO 4113 test oil, air, and vapor to accurately predict the occurrence, development, and end process of the cavitation zone as well as the transient change in gas void fraction. This model is based on the conservative homogeneous flow model, considering the temperature change caused by transmission fluid compression, and cavitation effects including air cavitation, vapor cavitation, and pseudo-cavitation. In this model, the pressure term is connected by the state equation of the gas–liquid mixture and can be applied to the closed hydrodynamic equations. The results show that in the pseudo-cavitation zone, the air void fraction decreases rapidly with pressure increasing, while in the transition zone from pseudo-cavitation to air cavitation, the air void fraction grows extremely faster and then increases slowly with decreasing pressure. However, in the vapor cavitation zone, the vapor void fraction rises slowly, grows rapidly, and then decreases, which is consistent with the explanation that rarefaction waves induce cavitation and compression waves reduce cavitation. Full article

Fibrosis is a marker of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and consists of the accumulation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) components, causing the progressive deterioration of kidney function. Human liver stem cells (HLSCs) have anti-fibrotic activity, and HLSC-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) mediate this effect. Herein, we evaluated the ability of HLSC-EVs to reverse renal and cardiac alterations in a murine model of partial nephrectomy (PNx) that mimics human CKD development. Furthermore, we investigated the contribution of extracellular matrix remodeling-related proteases to the anti-fibrotic effect of HLSC-EVs. PNx was performed by ligation of both poles of the left kidney, followed one week later by the removal of the right kidney. EV treatment started 4 weeks after the nephrectomy, when renal and cardiac alternations were already established, and mice were sacrificed at week eight. HLSC-EV treatment improved renal function and morphology, significantly decreasing interstitial fibrosis, glomerular sclerosis, and capillary rarefaction. This improvement was confirmed by the decreased expression of pro-fibrotic genes. Moreover, EV treatment improved cardiac function and reduced cardiac fibrosis. HLSC-EVs shuttled different proteases with ECM remodeling activity, and matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1) was involved in their anti-fibrotic effect on renal tissue. HLSC-EV treatment interferes with CKD development and ameliorates cardiomyopathy in PNx mice. Full article

The interaction of two simple delta shock waves for a pressureless gas dynamic system is considered. The result of the interaction is a delta shock wave with constant speed. This interaction is approximated by letting the perturbed parameter in the Euler equations for isentropic fluids go to zero. Each delta shock wave is approximated by two shock waves of the first and second family when the perturbed parameter goes to zero. These shock waves are solutions of two Riemann problems at time t=0. The solution of the Riemann problem for t>0 can also contain rarefaction waves. If the perturbed parameter approaches 0, the strength of the rarefaction waves increases and the number of interactions of the rarefaction waves increases, as well. When two split rarefaction waves interact, the number of Riemann problems to be solved is m1·m2, where mi is the number of ith rarefaction waves. The main topic of this paper is to develop an algorithm that reduces the number of these Riemann problems. The algorithm is based on the determination of the intermediate states that make the Rankine–Hugoniot deficit small. The approximated wave front tracking algorithm was used for the numerical verification of these interactions. The theoretical background was the concept of the shadow wave solution. Full article

In this work, within finite liquid spaces confined by elastic walls and the free surface, we investigated the influence of wall and liquid on laser bubble-excited vibrational rarefaction waves, via the dynamics of the laser-induced plasma-mediated bubble and its accompanying small secondary bubble clouds. We observed the modulation of the rebound maximum radius (R_max2) relative to the first oscillation period (T_osc1) for the laser bubble and the periodic appearance of secondary bubble clouds, which were caused by extra rarefaction waves. We found an approximate constant modulation period of R_max2 (T_osc1) and increased time intervals between the adjacent secondary bubble clouds with increasing liquid height in the same cuvette, while both of them were remarkably increased with increasing inner size of cuvettes within the same liquid height. This indicated that the cuvette geometry and liquid volume alter the key characteristics of the vibrational rarefaction waves. It was further confirmed that extra rarefaction waves within the liquid are excited by wall vibrations linked to laser bubble expansion and its induced liquid-mass oscillations. Our study provides a better understanding of the interactions of laser-induced cavitation with liquid and elastic walls in confined geometry, which is essential for intraluminal laser surgery. Full article

In this study, we evaluated the fungal diversity present associated with cores of Oligocene rocks using a DNA metabarcoding approach. We detected 940,969 DNA reads grouped into 198 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) representing the phyla Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Mortierellomycota, Chytridiomycota, Mucoromycota, Rozellomycota, Blastocladiomycota, Monoblepharomycota, Zoopagomycota, Aphelidiomycota (Fungi) and the fungal-like Oomycota (Stramenopila), in rank abundance order. Pseudogymnoascus pannorum, Penicillium sp., Aspergillus sp., Cladosporium sp., Aspergillaceae sp. and Diaporthaceae sp. were assessed to be dominant taxa, with 22 fungal ASVs displaying intermediate abundance and 170 being minor components of the assigned fungal diversity. The data obtained displayed high diversity indices, while rarefaction indicated that the majority of the diversity was detected. However, the diversity indices varied between the cores analysed. The endolithic fungal community detected using a metabarcoding approach in the Oligocene rock samples examined contains a rich and complex mycobiome comprising taxa with different lifestyles, comparable with the diversity reported in recent studies of a range of Antarctic habitats. Due to the high fungal diversity detected, our results suggest the necessity of further research to develop strategies to isolate these fungi in culture for evolutionary, physiological, and biogeochemical studies, and to assess their potential role in biotechnological applications. Full article

Due to its unique chemical structure, hydrogen energy inherently has a high calorific value without reinforcing global warming, so it is expected to be a promising alternative energy source in the future. In this work, we focus on nanoconfined hydrogen flow performance, a critical issue in terms of geological hydrogen storage. For nanopores where the pore scale is comparable to hydrogen’s molecular size, the impact on hydrogen molecules exerted by the pore surface cannot be neglected, leading to the molecules near the surface gaining mobility and slipping on the surface. Furthermore, hydrogen adsorption takes place in the nanopores, and the way the adsorption molecules move is completely different from the bulk molecules. Hence, the frequently applied Navier–Stokes equation, based on the no-slip boundary condition and overlooking the contribution of the adsorption molecules, fails to precisely predict the hydrogen flow capacity in nanopores. In this paper, hydrogen molecules are classified as bulk molecules and adsorption molecules, and then models for the bulk hydrogen and the adsorption hydrogen are developed separately. In detail, the bulk hydrogen model considers the slip boundary and rarefaction effect characterized by the Knudsen number, while the flow of the adsorption hydrogen is driven by a chemical potential gradient, which is a function of pressure and the essential adsorption capacity. Subsequently, a general model for the hydrogen flow in nanopores is established through weight superposition of the bulk hydrogen flow as well as the adsorption hydrogen, and the key weight coefficients are determined according to the volume proportion of the identified area. The results indicate that (a) the surface diffusion of the adsorption molecules dominates the hydrogen flow capacity inside nanopores with a pore size of less than 5 nm; (b) improving the pressure benefits the bulk hydrogen flow and plays a detrimental role in reducing surface diffusion at a relatively large pressure range; (c) the nanoconfined hydrogen flow conductance with a strong adsorption capacity (P_L = 2 MPa) could reach a value ten times greater than that with a weak adsorption capacity (P_L = 10 MPa). This research provides a profound framework for exploring hydrogen flow behavior in ultra-tight strata related to adsorption phenomena. Full article

In quasispecies diversity studies, the comparison of two samples of varying sizes is a common necessity. However, the sensitivity of certain diversity indices to sample size variations poses a challenge. To address this issue, rarefaction emerges as a crucial tool, serving to normalize and create fairly comparable samples. This study emphasizes the imperative nature of sample size normalization in quasispecies diversity studies using next-generation sequencing (NGS) data. We present a thorough examination of resampling schemes using various simple hypothetical cases of quasispecies showing different quasispecies structures in the sense of haplotype genomic composition, offering a comprehensive understanding of their implications in general cases. Despite the big numbers implied in this sort of study, often involving coverages exceeding 100,000 reads per sample and amplicon, the rarefaction process for normalization should be performed with repeated resampling without replacement, especially when rare haplotypes constitute a significant fraction of interest. However, it is noteworthy that different diversity indices exhibit distinct sensitivities to sample size. Consequently, some diversity indicators may be compared directly without normalization, or instead may be resampled safely with replacement. Full article

Epiphytic species are ecologically important and a significant component of biodiversity. To ensure their efficient conservation, we need to understand their ecology and host plant associations. It is also important to investigate how the predicted temperature change will affect their future distribution. Here, we use data collected in Nepal to investigate how epiphytic orchids are associated with host species, their distribution patterns, and how they may be threatened by the predicted increase in temperature towards the end of the 21st century. We used the phi coefficient (Φ) of association to calculate the associations of epiphytic orchid species with plants and rarefaction to describe the diversity of orchids associated with a particular host species. We used interpolation to estimate the distribution of epiphytic orchids and their host species along altitudinal gradients. The phi (Φ) coefficient of association revealed that 30 species of host plants showed more association with different orchid species than expected. The number of epiphytic orchids increased with the number of host individuals. We predict that an increase in temperature by ~3 °C, which is a more moderate value of temperature increase by the end of the 21st century, will affect at least 52 narrow-ranged species of orchids and 58 narrow-ranged species of host plants. Therefore, we should make efforts to prevent many plant species from becoming extinct, as an increase in temperature is likely to affect their existence. Full article

In the present work, the gas flows through diverging channels driven by small, moderate, and large pressure drops are studied, considering a wide range of the gas rarefaction from free molecular limit through transition flow regime up to early slip regime. The analysis is performed using the Shakhov kinetic model, and applying the deterministic DVM method. The complete 4D flow problem is considered by including the upstream and downstream reservoirs. A strong effect of the channel geometry on the flow pattern is shown, with the distributions of the macroscopic quantities differing qualitatively and quantitatively from the straight channel flows. The mass flow rate data set from the complete solution is compared with the corresponding set obtained from the approximate kinetic methodology, which is based on the fully developed mass flow rate data available in the literature. In addition, the use of the end-effect approach significantly improves the applicability range of the approximate kinetic methodology. The influence of the wall temperature on the flow characteristics is also studied and is found to be strong in less-rarefied cases, with the mass flow rate in these cases being a decreasing function of the temperature wall. Overall, the present analysis is expected to be useful in the development and optimization of technological devices in vacuum and aerospace technologies. Full article

Ticks are one of the most important vectors of human and animal disease worldwide. In addition to pathogens, ticks carry a diverse microbiota of symbiotic and commensal microorganisms. In this study, we used next-generation sequencing (NGS) to survey the microbiomes of Haemaphysalis longicornis (Acari: Ixodidae) at different life stages collected from field populations in North Carolina (NC), USA. Sequence analyses were performed using QIIME2 with the DADA2 plugin and taxonomic assignments using the Greengenes database. Following quality filtering and rarefaction, the bacterial DNA sequences were assigned to 4795 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) in 105 ticks. A core microbiome of H. longicornis was conserved across all ticks analyzed, and included bacterial taxa: Coxiella, Sphingomonas, Staphylococcus, Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, Sphingomonadaceae, Actinomycetales, and Sphingobium. Less abundant bacterial taxa, including Rickettsia and Aeromonas, were also identified in some ticks. We discovered some ASVs that are associated with human and animal infections among the identified bacteria. Alpha diversity metrics revealed significant differences in bacterial diversity between life stages. Beta diversity metrics also revealed that bacterial communities across the three life stages were significantly different, suggesting dramatic changes in the microbiome as ticks mature. Based on these results, additional investigation is necessary to determine the significance of the Haemaphysalis longicornis microbiome for animal and human health. Full article

A two-fluid, phase transition-based multiphase flow model is employed to simulate the dynamics of phase transition between liquid and vapor phases during shock wave and rarefaction wave propagation in underwater explosions. The aim is to understand the influence of a rigid wall on the cavitation evolution process and the cavitation collapse load, considering various charge quantities and water depths. The evolution of crucial physical qualities, such as the density, pressure, and the cavitation domain, within the flow field are analyzed and summarized. The presence of a rigid wall is found to significantly impact the cavitation evolution process in underwater explosions. It affects the shape, size, and dynamics of the cavitation domain, as well as the interaction between the explosion and the surrounding fluid. Specifically, the reflected wave on the wall influences the cavitation collapse load, leading to notable differences in the collapse time and collapse pressure compared to free-field conditions. Under different operating conditions, the size and position of the cavitation domain exhibit distinct changes. The proximity of the rigid wall results in unique patterns of cavitation domain evolution, which in turn lead to variations in the pressure distribution and the emergence of new cavitation regions. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the behavior of cavitation and atomization induced by underwater explosions near the free surface. The understanding gained from these investigations can contribute to the development of effective safety measures and protective strategies in marine and underwater engineering applications. By accurately predicting and mitigating the effects of cavitation, it is possible to enhance the design and operation of underwater structures, ensuring their integrity and minimizing the potential risks associated with underwater explosions. Full article