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A model has been developed to predict the response of an eddy current flow meter (ECFM) to the passage of a non-conductive inclusion moving in a cylindrical tube filled with a liquid metal. The model can be solved analytically for small inclusion diameters and moderate AC frequencies of the excitation signal. This condition is expressed as v b S ω ≪ 1 , where v b is the dimensionless inclusion volume and S ω is a function of the ratio between the characteristic length of the system and the penetration depth of the magnetic field. The magnetic induction equation for this problem has also been solved numerically. A very good agreement between the analytical model and numerical solutions has been found for v b S ω ≪ 1. Two experimental setups have been designed. First, the ECFM model has been validated by comparing the response due to the passage of traveling beads of known diameters in a low melting point alloy. In a second experiment, the diameters of ascending argon bubbles have been estimated with the ECFM model. The numerical model predicts the gas volume with very good accuracy in the range of bubble diameters studied, between 1.5 and 6 mm, while the analytical model only deviates significantly from the experimental data when v b S ω ≳ 0.1. Moreover, we establish that the ECFM can also measure the radial deviation of the bubble trajectory, and the results are consistent with the theoretical limit for isolated bubbles between the regimes of oscillating/zigzag motion of ellipsoidal bubbles and non-oscillating motion of spherical bubbles. Another observation is that the dependence of the ECFM response on the shape of the bubble is negligible; indeed, the ECFM response is well approximated by a linear relation with the bubble volume as is assumed in the analytical model. Finally, an estimation of the terminal rising velocity of bubbles was also carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents an implementation of a new melting layer model in the ZJU‐AERO radar observation operator (Accurate and Efficient Radar Operator designed by ZheJiang University). The proposed model utilizes a coated spheroid to represent melting snow and graupel. It consists of three stages–coating, soaking, and melting–to account for the dielectric and density effects of melting particles. The scattering properties of the melting particles are computed with the Invariant‐Imbedding T‐Matrix (IITM) method, and the results are tabulated as look‐up tables for the radar operator. Regarding the parameterization of bulk optical properties, a flux‐conservation scheme is employed to estimate the size distribution of melting particles. To demonstrate its flexibility and superiority, the single and bulk scattering properties of our multi‐stage melting model are compared against the traditional homogeneous model, which uses the effective medium approximation (EMA). The effectiveness of the multi‐stage melting model has also been assessed by mapping model states in the regional mesoscale model of the China Meteorology Administration (CMA‐MESO) to radar observations. In the microphysics package of CMA‐MESO, the melting process is not explicitly represented, and we assume that melting hydrometeors occur where solid and liquid phases overlap. When compared with observations, the present multi‐stage melting model successfully reproduces melting layer signatures, highlighting its potential for microphysic validation, quantitative precipitation estimations, and data assimilation studies. Plain Language Summary: In this study, we present a new melting particle modeling scheme for a radar observation simulator. This scheme features the representation of the melting procedure of solid precipitation particles through three stages: an initial coating stage, an intermediate soaking stage, and a final melting stage. By incorporating these stages into the simulation, this new melting model surpasses the limitation of the commonly used model that treats melting particles as homogeneous mixtures of water, air, and ice. Additionally, we calculate the probability distributions of melting particle sizes using a rigorous falling‐flux‐conservation rule that considers the acceleration of particles during melting. The scattering properties of these coated‐spheroid melting particles are computed using the Invariant‐Imbedding T‐Matrix (IITM) method. Finally, the results are compared against those obtained using the traditional melting particle model. These comparisons demonstrate the potential of this newly proposed approach for improving the accuracy and reliability of radar simulations. Key Points: A three‐stage nonspherical particle model is proposed to account for the changes of dielectric constant and density of melting hydrometeorsA rigorous flux‐conservation bulk parameterization scheme is implemented to incorporate the terminal velocity variation as particles meltThe scattering properties of melting particles are rigorously computed using the state‐of‐the‐art invariant‐imbedding T‐matrix method [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mathematical model of the aerodynamic and thermal processes in dry granulation of molten blast-furnace slag is developed and evaluated, and a relevant problem is formulated. The model is supposed to be used for numerical optimization of the process parameters when issuing input data for the design of the dry granulation plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-propelled Leidenfrost droplets on asymmetrically structured surfaces were investigated to study their movements with temperature. It was observed that the terminal velocity is a function of temperature in the low-temperature regime (L regime) but not in the high-temperature regime (H regime). Droplets were not smooth in the L regime but were smooth in the H regime. Because of wrinkles, the light penetrating through droplets was deflected, resulting in differences in light levels in the L and H regimes. While the droplet accelerated to reach its terminal velocity when α = 50° and α = 65°, tiny droplets were breaking off from the trailing edge and moving opposite to the droplet's moving direction. When α = 80°, as the droplet accelerated, it leaned forward and its leading edge stood higher than its trailing edge. The distinct shape of the droplet is strong evidence to show that the vapor underneath the droplet flows opposite to the droplet's moving direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interest in the production of nanoparticles (NPs) within Ar/C2H2 reactive plasmas is increasing, driven by their potential applications in functional materials or for their analogy to cosmic dust. The growth process of NPs has been thoroughly examined using a broad array of diagnostic tools. Significant among these tools are those that determine two-dimensional distributions of NP sizes and densities. The inherent complexity of these techniques has resulted in a limited number of works that integrate these measurements with a multitude of other diagnostic tools. Here, we show a multi-diagnostic exploration of the growing process of NPs in Ar/C2H2 plasmas. The combination of in-situ techniques, such as scattered light images, optical emission spectroscopy, light extinction, quadrupole mass signals, or self-bias voltage, with ex-situ scanning electron microscopy images and FTIR spectra of the deposited dust, provides a detailed picture of the growth process. The temporal evolution of plasma parameters, coupled with chemical composition measurements, provides a comprehensive description of the dust growth phases, and the FTIR measurements reveal an appreciable difference in chemical composition between the core and shell of the NPs. Furthermore, employing a method based on the terminal falling velocity of NPs in the afterglow, the intrinsic mass density of NPs is estimated. The asymmetries observed in the spatial distributions of NP size and density are qualitatively discussed in terms of neutral drag, ion drag, and electrostatic forces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An adaptive guidance strategy that integrates optimal guidance and deep reinforcement learning to address a highly dynamic terminal guidance problem that entails meeting terminal position, angle, and velocity constraints. The proposed strategy leverages optimal guidance commands to accomplish position and angle control while introducing a deep reinforcement learning-based bias for the velocity constraint. In the training process, a dual-velocity state space is constructed to enhance the adaptability of the strategy to different guidance tasks, while training is optimized using the prediction-correction and expert knowledge to improve the training efficiency and optimality of the strategy. Simulations demonstrate that the proposed guidance strategy can achieve simultaneous control of terminal position, angle and velocity, and adapt to different guidance tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of boom height above a crop stand and the spacing between nozzles and diffusers in an over-row sprayer on the uniformity of the horizontal spray distribution and the uniformity of the air velocity distribution. The experimental setup involved a prototype over-row sprayer equipped with a boom with a working width of 8 m and ten air diffusers with spray nozzles. Air diffusers were connected to one or two nozzles each, and they were installed on the boom at intervals of 60, 80, and 90 cm. Terminal airflow velocity at a canopy is determined by the height of a sprayer boom and the diffuser spacing, ranging from around 2 m s–1 to around 27 m s–1. The sprayer boom should be positioned at a height of 50 cm above a crop stand due to the difference between the minimum and maximum airflow velocities. The horizontal spray distribution was more uniform when the sprayer was equipped with hollow-cone nozzles instead of flat-fan nozzles; hollow-cone nozzles should be applied if the distance between nozzles needs to be adjusted to the row width and row spacing. The analyzed coefficients did not exceed 10% when the boom was positioned 50 cm above the crop stand and when the nozzles were spaced 80 cm apart, which suggests that, in this configuration, sprayers equipped with hollow-cone nozzles can also be applied to close-grown crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. (4015) Wilson-Harrington (hereafter, WH) was discovered as a comet in 1949 but has a dynamical property consistent with that of a near-Earth asteroid. Although there is a report that the 1949 activity is associated with an ion tail, the cause of the activity has not yet been identified. Aims. This work aims to reveal the mysterious comet-like activity of the near-Earth asteroid. Methods. We conducted new polarimetric observations of WH from May 2022 to January 2023, reanalyses of the photographic plate images taken at the time of its discovery in 1949, and dust tail simulation modelings, where the dust terminal velocity and ejection epoch are taken into account. Results. We found that this object shows polarization characteristics similar to those of low-albedo asteroids. We derived the geometric albedo ranging from pV = 0.076 ± 0.010 to pV = 0.094 ± 0.018 from our polarimetry (the values vary depending on the data used for fitting and the slope-albedo relationship coefficients). In addition, the 1949 image showed an increase in brightness around the nucleus. Furthermore, we found that the color of the tail is consistent with sunlight, suggesting that the 1949 activity is associated with dust ejection. From the dust tail analysis, ~9 × 105 kg of material was ejected episodically at a low velocity equivalent to or even slower than the escape velocity. Conclusions. We conclude that WH is most likely an active asteroid of main belt origin and that the activity in 1949 was likely triggered by mass shedding due to fast rotation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article in the Journal of Fluid Mechanics delves into the settling dynamics of two connected spheres through experiments and simulations, examining orientation angles, settling velocities, and drift velocities based on aspect ratio and Galileo number. The research sheds light on the intricate motion of the aggregate at varying parameters, emphasizing the formation of vortices in its wake. The study aims to deepen comprehension of environmental transport processes and engineering applications involving particle aggregates, offering empirical scaling laws for predicting settling behavior. [Extracted from the article]

The established relationships between the size, shape, and terminal velocity of raindrops, along with the spheroidal shape approximation (SSA), are commonly employed for calculating radar observables in rain. This study, however, reveals the SSA's limitations in accurately simulating spectral and integrated backscattering polarimetric variables in rain at the W-band. Improving existing models is a complex task that demands high-precision data from both laboratory settings and natural rain, enhanced stochastic shape approximation techniques, and comprehensive scattering simulations. To circumvent these challenges, this study introduces a simpler and more straightforward approach – the empirical scattering model (ESM). The ESM is derived from an analysis of high-quality, low-turbulence Doppler spectra, which were selected from measurements taken with a 94 GHz radar at three different locations between 2021 and 2024. The ESM's primary advantages over the SSA include superior accuracy and the direct incorporation of microphysical effects observed in natural rain. This study demonstrates that the ESM can potentially clarify issues in existing retrieval and calibration methods that use polarimetric observations at the W-band. The findings of this study are not only valuable for experts in cloud radar polarimetry but also for scattering modelers and laboratory experimenters since explaining the presented observations necessitates a more profound understanding of the microphysical properties and processes in rain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The singularity issue arising from the phase fraction approaching zero in multiphase flow can significantly intensify the solution difficulty and lead to nonphysical results. By employing the conservative form of momentum equations in high-phase-fraction and discontinuity regions and the phase-intensive form of momentum equations in low-phase-fraction regions, computational reliability can be assured while avoiding the singularity issue. Regarding the proposed adaptive momentum equation method, the form of momentum equations for each cell is determined by a conversion bound and a phase fraction discontinuity detector. A comparative analysis is conducted on this method and other singularity-free methods. For discontinuities of dispersed phases, an error estimation method of the conversion bound is presented through theoretical analysis. Computational results demonstrate that the discontinuity detector accurately captures discontinuities in high-phase-fraction regions while disregarding pseudo-discontinuities in low-phase-fraction regions. Compared to the conservative form corrected by the terminal velocity method, the method yields higher-quality flow fields and potentially exhibits an efficiency improvement of over 10 times. Compared to the phase-intensive form, the method benefits from the physical quantity conservation, providing higher computational reliability. When encountering discontinuities, the expected error from the error estimation method aligns well with the actual error, indicating its effectiveness. When the conversion bound is below 1/10 000 of the inlet phase fraction, the errors of the adaptive method are essentially negligible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The three-dimensional motion trajectories of bubbles in liquid metal have been extensively measured under a horizontal magnetic field (HMF) using ultrasonic phased array technology. This study focuses on the case of a streamwise magnetic field (SMF). Experimental results show that the anisotropy of bubble oscillation in HMFs is not observed in the SMF. Under a weak SMF, single bubbles exhibit zigzag oscillation motion whose axis is along the streamwise direction. The oscillation frequency and amplitude decrease as the SMF intensity increases. As the SMF becomes stronger, the bubble suddenly begins to exhibit low-frequency oblique oscillations, the main axis of which deviates from the streamwise direction. Further increases in the SMF intensity produce an oblique straight-line motion, with the oblique oscillations suppressed by the magnetic field. Under the SMF, the terminal velocity of the bubbles initially increases when the magnetic interaction parameter is N < 1 , with the attenuation of the oscillation frequency being the dominant cause. However, the magnitude of velocity growth under the SMF is smaller than that in the case of an HMF. When N > 1 , the bubble terminal velocity steadily decreases and exhibits a similar trend to that under the HMF, along with an increase in the drag coefficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate theoretically the buoyancy-driven motion of a viscous drop in a yield-stress material, incorporating elastic effects represented by the Saramito–Herschel–Bulkley constitutive equation. We solve the governing equations using an open-source finite volume solver and utilizing the volume of fluid technique to accurately capture the interface between the two fluids. To validate our numerical approach, we compare our results with data from previous experimental and numerical studies. We find quantitative agreement in terms of terminal velocities and drop shapes, affirming the accuracy of our model and its numerical solution. Notably, we observe that incorporating elastic effects into the modeling of the continuous phase is essential for predicting phenomena reported in experiments, such as the inversion of the flow field behind the sedimenting drop (i.e., the negative wake) or the formation of a teardrop shape. Due to the elastoviscoplastic nature of the continuous phase, we observe that small drops remain entrapped because the buoyancy force is insufficient to fluidize the surrounding material. We investigate entrapment conditions using two different protocols, which yield different outcomes due to the interplay between capillarity and elastoplasticity. Finally, we conduct an extensive parametric analysis to evaluate the impact of rheological parameters (yield stress, elastic modulus, and interfacial tension) on the dynamics of sedimentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Areas rich in solar energy are prone to strong convective weather, leading to severe hail disasters, which makes heliostats under the threaten of hail impacts. An evaluation model of composite laminated heliostat under hail impacting is established and validated. Subsequently, the effect of interlayer type and thickness ratio on the dynamic response and safety assessment of composite laminated heliostats impacted by hail are investigated. Additionally, the velocity thresholds for hail terminal velocity of composite laminated heliostats with a thickness range of 2–4 mm, based on the optimal thickness ratio, are studied. The results indicate that the maximum principal stress value of the composite laminated heliostat remains similar to that of the single-layer heliostat when the interlayer types are SentryGlas Plus (SGP) and Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB). The maximum principal stresses of single-layer heliostats with thicknesses of 2-4 mm are 2.92, 1.50, and 1.35 times, compared to the first-layer glass of composite laminated heliostat with the same thickness under the optimal thickness ratio, which indicates that the hail resistance of the composite laminated heliostat is superior to that of the single-layer heliostat. The findings offer the guidance for the hail resistance of composite laminated heliostat under hail impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we numerically investigate the impact of flowrate, sparger and reactor geometry on methane conversion in lab-scale cylindrical pyrolysis reactors embedding molten salts or metals. A multiscale approach is enforced, where a diffusion-reaction model yielding the conversion vs time within a single rising bubble is combined with the average residence time of gas bubbles obtained through the two-phase turbulent bubbly flow model. We find that the relative size of the sparger and the height-to-diameter ratio of the molten medium are key parameters for controlling the average residence time of the bubbles, which always results lower than that predicted by the terminal velocity of a single bubble rising in an overall static melt. The highest relative discrepancy (order 300%) between the single-bubble estimate and the CFD-based residence time is found in the case of molten salts in low-aspect ratio reactors fed by small spargers. The physical mechanism underpinning the influence of geometric parameters on the overall conversion is addressed in detail, together with the impact of two-phase flow effects on the estimation of bubble size in laboratory scale bubble reactors. • Multiscale approach developed for conversion vs. height in molten media pyrolysis reactors. • Effect of gas flow rate and reactor geometric characteristics on residence time assessed. • Turbulent motion of liquid causes decrease in residence time compared to stagnant liquid. • Proposed approach allows indirect measurement of bubble diameter from experimental conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determining the terminal velocity as one of the important aerodynamic properties of particles and grains is essential for pneumatic separation, grading, and handling. A wind tunnel system was used in the present research to measure the aerodynamic terminal velocity of pistachio nuts. Some physical properties were measured and calculated. The effects of pistachio mouth status at four levels (closed, open, and semi-open mouth, and shell) were investigated on its terminal velocity. The volume, mass and density of that were 1.33±0.37 cm3, 0.97±0.31 g and 0.72±0.18 g cm3-1, respectively. The average aerodynamic terminal velocity of pistachio was 9.43±1.38 m s-1. The aerodynamic terminal velocity of the pistachio had a direct relationship with the studied physical characteristics, except for density. The terminal velocity of open-mouth pistachio nuts (9.50±0.61 m s-1) was significantly lower than that of closed (10.12±0.51 m s-1) and semi-open mouth (10.16±0.62 m s-1) nuts, with the terminal velocity of the shells (6.51±0.65 m s-1) showing the lowest values. The results revealed that terminal velocity can be considered for pneumatic separation of shells from pistachio nuts as well as the separation of open-mouth nuts from closed-mouth ones.

Turbulence can have a strong effect on the fall speed of snowflakes and ice crystals. In this experimental study, the behaviour of thin disks falling in homogeneous turbulence is investigated, in a range of parameters relevant to plate crystals. Disks ranging in diameter from 0.3 to 3 mm, and in Reynolds number $Re = 10\unicode{x2013}435$ , are dispersed in two air turbulence levels, with velocity fluctuations comparable to the terminal velocity. For each case, thousands of trajectories are captured and reconstructed by high-speed laser imaging, allowing for statistical analysis of the translational and rotational dynamics. Air turbulence reduces the disk terminal velocities by up to 35 %, with the largest diameters influenced most significantly, which is primarily attributed to drag nonlinearity. This is evidenced by large lateral excursions of the trajectories, which correlate with cross-flow-induced drag enhancement as reported previously for falling spheres and rising bubbles. As the turbulence intensity is increased, flat-falling behaviour is progressively eliminated and tumbling becomes prevalent. The rotation rates of the tumbling disks, however, remain similar to those displayed in still air. This is due to their large moment of inertia compared to the surrounding fluid, in stark contrast with studies conducted in water. In fact, the observed reduction of settling velocity is opposite to previous findings on disks falling in turbulent water. This emphasizes the importance of the solid-to-fluid density ratio in analogous experiments that aim to mimic the behaviour of frozen hydrometeors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study presents a fundamental understanding of the behavior of different-sized hydrogen bubbles rising in a new slag – metal system featured with a thick upper slag layer and ever-changing slag thickness and slag physical properties in the H2-based smelting process, based on newly developed CLSVOF model simulations. The evolution of bubble shape, bubble rising velocity, and the formation, collapse and detachment of metal liquid film wrapped on the bubble are predicted. The results show that decreasing the slag layer thickness or the slag viscosity delays the detachment of the metal liquid film from the bubble, increases the bubble rising velocity in the metal layer, but make no difference to the bubble terminal rising velocity in the slag layer. As a result, the bubble has shorter rising time in the bath with a higher slag viscosity. The resistance of the slag – metal interface to the bubble decreases with the increase of the bubble diameter, and small bubble therefore passes through the interface more slowly than the large one. In addition, the bubble shape evolution and bubble breakup in the slag layer are complicated with the increase of the slag thickness, bubble diameter and slag viscosity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To advance our understanding of the evolution of the interstellar medium (ISM) of our Galaxy, numerical models of Milky Way (MW) type galaxies are widely used. However, most models only vaguely resemble the MW (e.g. in total mass), and often use imposed analytic potentials (which cannot evolve dynamically). This poses a problem in asserting their applicability for the interpretation of observations of our own Galaxy. The goal of this work is to identify a numerical model that is not only an MW-type galaxy, but one that can mimic some of the main observed structures of our Galaxy, using dynamically evolving potentials, so that it can be used as a base model to study the ISM cycle in a galaxy like our own. This paper introduces a suite of 15 MW-type galaxy models developed using the arepo numerical code, that are compared to Galactic observations of |$^{12}$| CO and H  i emission via longitude–velocity plots, from where we extract and compare the skeletons of major galactic features and the terminal gas velocities. We found that our best-fitting model to the overall structure, also reproduces some of the more specific observed features of the MW, including a bar with a pattern speed of |$30.0 \pm 0.2$| km s |$^{-1}$|  kpc |$^{-1}$|⁠ , and a bar half-length of |$3.2 \pm 0.8$|  kpc. Our model shows large streaming motions around spiral arms, and strong radial motions well beyond the inner bar. This model highlights the complex motions of a dynamic MW-type galaxy and has the potential to offer valuable insight into how our Galaxy regulates the ISM and star formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The properties of blue supergiants are key for constraining the end of the main sequence (MS) of massive stars. Whether the observed drop in the relative number of fast-rotating stars below ≈21 kK is due to enhanced mass-loss rates at the location of the bistability jump, or the result of the end of the MS is still debated. Here, we combine newly derived estimates of photospheric and wind parameters with Gaia distances and wind terminal velocities from the literature to obtain upper limits on the mass-loss rates for a sample of 116 Galactic luminous blue supergiants. The parameter space covered by the sample ranges between 35–15 kK in Teff and 4.8–5.8 dex in log(L/L⊙). Our results show no increase in the mass-loss rates over the bistability jump. Therefore, we argue that the drop in rotational velocities cannot be explained by enhanced mass loss. Since a large jump in the mass-loss rates is commonly included in evolutionary models, we suggest an urgent revision of the default prescriptions currently in use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article gives the overview of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) level 2 (L2) Standard and Research algorithms and products by Japanese science teams for EarthCARE Clouds, Aerosols and Radiation Explorer (EarthCARE), which is a JAXA and the European Space Agency (ESA) joint satellite mission. First three single sensor algorithms for 94GHz cloud profiling radar (CPR)-only, 355nm-atmospheric lidar with high spectral resolution function (ATLID)-only, and multi-spectral imager (MSI)-only retrievals, and their products were briefly reviewed. CPR-echo algorithms provide radar reflectivity factor, Doppler velocity, normalized radar cross section and path integral attenuation. CPR-only, CPR-ATLID synergy and CPR-ALTID-MSI synergy algorithms for standard cloud products provide cloud detection, cloud particle type and cloud microphysics, and the research products further provide Doppler velocity, terminal velocity and vertical air motion inside clouds. ATLID standalone algorithms produce aerosol, cloud and clear sky classification products as well as total aerosol extinction and extinction and number concentration of each aerosol types. ATLID-MSI synergy algorithms are developed to retrieve effective radius for each aerosol species in addition to the ATLID-only products. MSI algorithms retrieve cloud effective radius, ice and water content and cloud top pressure. Four sensor algorithms are prepared to produce shortwave and longwave radiative fluxes at the top of atmosphere, those at the surface and also heating rate profiles by using the outputs from CPR, ATLID and their synergy algorithms. The shortwave and longwave fluxes from the four sensor algorithms will then be compared with broad band radiation (BBR) to examine the consistency of the JAXA L2 retrievals. The algorithms are developed and evaluated by using observational data from satellites and ground-based instruments, and simulation data from the Japanese global cloud-resolving model, the Nonhydrostatic Icosahedral Atmospheric Model (NICAM) with Joint simulator. As for space-borne data, existing space-borne satellites data such as CloudSat, CALIPSO, MODIS and CERES datasets are intensively used. For ground-based observations, High-sensitivity Ground-based Super Polarimetric Ice-crystal Detection and Explication Radar (HG-SPIDER) with a minimum sensitivity of -40 dBZ at 15 km and over -60 dBZ at 1 km, Electronic Scanning SPIDER (ES-SPIDER), 355 nm high spectral resolution lidar, multiple-field-of-view multiple scattering lidar and Doppler lidars are installed at EarthCARE super-site in Koganei, Tokyo and offers unique opportunities to evaluate and analyse EarthCARE data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

So far, there have been many examples of color composition visualization techniques combined with robot recognition. On this basis, this paper proposes a design method of visual tracking mental quality prediction system for visual processing and robots. Firstly, the system is analyzed and modeled. The SYSTEM uses a six-axis industrial robot AS an experimental platform, and uses exponential multiplication to model mental quality prediction. Through the correlation between rotation and pose matrix, the Jacobian matrix is derived, and the corresponding relationship between the robot terminal and the rotation speed composed of color is given. Then, according to the mathematical modeling of color composition and the selection of appropriate image characteristics, a kind of robot visual tracking psychological quality prediction control system based on positioning and image is constructed. Thus, the corresponding relationship between the feature points in the image and the rate of the color forming terminal can be determined. By using the method of differential mental quality prediction and speed transformation, the corresponding relation of each coordinate system in the mental quality prediction control of visual tracking is derived, and the motion rate in the color frame is transformed into the motion rate of each joint. At the same time, the visual servo system is analyzed in detail, and the visual servo control is developed. On this basis, the position based vision follow up and image tracking are studied, and a vision follow up controller for fast motion is proposed. The experimental results show that the fast feedforward control based on the fast feedback property of fast image proposed in this paper, and the experimental research on this basis, has strong practical significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An important aspect of water treatment is removing fine-grain materials from water. Due to the properties of fine-grain materials, they are difficult to remove from water. During the sedimentation process, which takes place in settling tanks, such materials are removed. The sedimentation process is often accompanied by coagulation and flocculation processes, which form aggregates of particles (flocs) from the fine-grained material particles in a suspension (non-grainy suspension). This kind of suspension (consisting of aggregates of particles or flocs) shows a different behaviour when falling compared with classic grainy suspensions. The main goal and novelty of this article are to propose (and test) a modification of the often used Stokes' formula with the addition of fractal geometry into the calculation of the terminal velocity of free-falling particles in order to overcome Stokes' formula's limitation, thus obtaining the sedimentation process efficiency. Because of this fractal modification, it is possible to use the simple and elegant Stokes' formula in order to calculate better the terminal velocity of non-grainy particles—aggregates or flocs—and thus obtain the sedimentation efficiency for the whole range of suspensions, both non-grainy and grainy. The results obtained in this article show that the sedimentation process efficiency calculated by using the modified formula based on the fractal geometry morphology of particles (the proposed fractal method) describes and agrees more with the data from the experiment than the sedimentation efficiency calculated only based on particle size (classic method). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Settling non-spherical and spherical particles in the annular region is common in many industrial applications. This work shows the intensification of the performance of settling particles in an annular channel by reducing the drag coefficient. The disk/cylinder particles settle in annular channels filled with Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids. An aqueous solution of different concentrations of glycerin and Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) was considered as the Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids. The experimental results reported in the present work covered the 0.17 ≤ blockage ratio ≤0.55, 0.14 ≤ k (flow consistency index) ≤1.81 (Pa.sn), 0.64 ≤ n (flow behavior index) ≤1, and annular channel Reynolds number 0.40 ≤ Re ≤63.44 and 0.05 ≤ Re ≤43.02 in Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids respectively. The wall factor, f, was increased with the increase in Re and the decrease in blockage ratio. At higher Reynolds numbers (Re), the particle's wall factor was only influenced by the blockage ratio. The wall factor was reduced due to the particle's shape change from cylinder to disk, i.e., decreasing the particle's sphericity. The wall factor of particles is observed to be higher in non-Newtonian than in Newtonian fluids. The critical Reynolds number (Rec) decreased with the H/d (Height/diameter of disk) ratio and sphericity of the studied particles. Both the drag coefficients, in the absence ( C D ∞ ) and presence ( C D ) of the wall effect, declined with the Reynolds number. Suitable correlations were developed for CD with low values of RMSLD (root mean square logarithmic deviation). The experimentally obtained drag coefficient data were also analyzed successfully using the laminar model available in Ansys (Fluent) −18.1. The computed velocity contours analyzed the wall effect and CD variations successfully. The use of the annular channel as a drag reduction device is encouraged due to the observed higher wall factor and decreased drag coefficient for particle settling in comparison to the non-annular channel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed germination and dispersal have an important impact on the establishment and spread of invasive plants. Understanding the extent of intraspecific seed trait variations can enhance our understanding of how invasive plants respond to environmental change after introduction and help predict the dynamic of invasive species under future environmental conditions. However, less attention has been given to the variation in seed traits within species as opposed to among species. We compared seed production, seed morphological traits, dispersal ability, and seedling performance of Chromolaena odorata from 10 introduced populations in Asia and 12 native populations in America in a common garden. The results showed that range (introduced vs. native) and climate affected these traits. Compared with the native population, the introduced populations had higher seed numbers per capitula, lighter seeds, and higher potential dispersal ability seeds (lower terminal velocity) but lower germination rates and seedling lengths. Climatic clines in seed numbers per capitula and pappus length were observed; however, the clines in pappus length differed between the introduced and native populations. Trait covariation patterns were also different between both ranges. In the native populations, there was a trade-off between seed numbers per capitula and seed mass, while this relationship was not found for the introduced populations. These results indicate that C. odorata alters the ecological strategy of seed following invasion, which facilitates its establishment and fast dispersal and contributes to successful invasion in the introduced ranges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The terminal settling velocity of microplastics plays a vital role in the physical behavior of microplastics, and is related to the migration and fate of these microplastics in the ocean. At present, the terminal settling velocity is mostly calculated by formulae, which also leads to a fewer studies on the use of machine-learning models to predict its settling velocity in this field. This study fills this gap by studying the prediction of the settling velocity by machine-learning models and compares it with the traditional formula calculation method. This study evaluates three machine-learning models, namely, random forest, linear regression, and the back propagation neural network. The results of this study show that the prediction results of the three machine-learning models are more accurate than those of traditional formula calculations, with an accuracy increase of 12.79% (random forest), 9.3% (linear regression), and 13.92% (back propagation neural network), respectively. At the same time, according to the results of this study, random forest is better than the other models in the mean absolute error and root mean square error evaluation indicators, which are only 0.0036 and 0.0047. This paper proposes three machine-learning methods to prove that the prediction effect of machine learning is much better than traditional formula calculations, thereby improving the shortcomings in this field. At the same time, it also provides reliable data support for studying the migration behavior of microplastics in water bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the drilling of ultra-deep wells, gas kick often occurs, influenced by the complex void pressure profile. The accurate description of particle settling behavior in the gas–liquid mixture is of great significance to effectively deal with gas kicks and ensure drilling safety. In this study, the gas–liquid two-phase annulus flow with different gas volume fractions is created through the transparent annular pipe, constant pressure air pump, and gas flowmeter. High-speed photography is used to record and analyze the sedimentation of particles in gas–liquid mixtures. This study is based on 288 tests. The main parameters in this experiment include the particle Reynolds number, the gas fraction, and liquid viscosity. The effects of wall and gas fraction on the drag coefficient were analyzed. The correlation of particle terminal settling velocity was established. The results obtained show a correlation with average absolute errors (AAE) of 10.7%. This study reveals the settling characteristics of particles in the annular gas–liquid mixed flow, provides an accurate terminal settling velocity prediction explicit formula, and provides guidance for the calculation of bottom hole pressure under the condition of gas kick. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on a multiwavelength study of the Wolf–Rayet star [KSF2015] 1381-19L, which is located in the solar metallicity region (Z = 0.014) of the Milky Way, strongly obscured by interstellar dust. We perform a detailed characterization of the stellar atmosphere by fitting the spectral emission lines observed in the optical and near-infrared (NIR) bands, using CMFGEN. The best-fitted spectroscopic model indicates a highly luminous (105.89 L ⊙) star with a large radius (15 R ⊙) and effective temperature, wind terminal velocity, and chemical composition similar to those of Galactic WC9-dusty (WC9d)-type stars. The atmospheric ionization structure shows coexisting ionization states of different elements, simultaneously affecting the opacity and thermal electron balance. Fitting of the spectral energy data reveals high interstellar optical extinction (A V = 8.87), while the IR extinction is found to be comparatively lower ( A K s = 0.98 ). We do not detect any excess emission at NIR wavelengths due to dust. Upon comparison of our results with the GENEVA single-star evolutionary models (Z = 0.014), we identify the best possible progenitors (a rotating star of 67 M ⊙ and a nonrotating star of 90 M ⊙). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An ultrasonic phased array system is introduced to study the three-dimensional (3-D) movement of a single bubble in a GaInSn alloy under a transverse magnetic field (MF), which is verified by bubble experiments in water. The 3-D motion trajectories of individual bubbles in the GaInSn are obtained under a horizontal MF. As the MF becomes stronger, the bubble successively oscillates in random directions (R mode), a direction perpendicular to the MF (V mode), a direction parallel to the MF (P mode) and finally it rises straight (S mode). The significant anisotropy of the oscillation directions at a moderate MF intensity may be due to the anisotropy of the vortex structure around the bubble. Furthermore, the oscillation amplitude gradually declines with increasing MF intensity until the bubble trajectory finally becomes a straight line. Our measurements allow us to specify the characteristic regions for the observed bubble modes in the N - Eo - Re parameter space (N is the magnetic interaction parameter, Eo is the Eötvös number and Re is the Reynolds number). In addition, more detailed characteristics of bubble terminal velocity are revealed, showing that the bubble velocities are closely related to the motion modes. The increase in bubble velocity at a moderate MF intensity is caused by the weakening oscillation. At a high strength, theMF monotonically suppresses the rise velocity of the bubble with a fixed scaling law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Particle swarm optimization (PSO) as a swarm intelligence-based optimization algorithm has been widely applied to solve various real-world optimization problems. However, traditional PSO algorithms encounter issues such as premature convergence and an imbalance between global exploration and local exploitation capabilities when dealing with complex optimization tasks. To address these shortcomings, an enhanced PSO algorithm incorporating velocity pausing and adaptive strategies is proposed. By leveraging the search characteristics of velocity pausing and the terminal replacement mechanism, the problem of premature convergence inherent in standard PSO algorithms is mitigated. The algorithm further refines and controls the search space of the particle swarm through time-varying inertia coefficients, symmetric cooperative swarms concepts, and adaptive strategies, balancing global search and local exploitation. The performance of VASPSO was validated on 29 standard functions from Cec2017, comparing it against five PSO variants and seven swarm intelligence algorithms. Experimental results demonstrate that VASPSO exhibits considerable competitiveness when compared with 12 algorithms. The relevant code can be found on our project homepage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Cloud Profiling Radar (CPR) of the Earth Cloud, Aerosol and Radiation Explorer (EarthCARE) has a new capability to observe the Doppler velocity related to the vertical air motion of the terminal velocity of hydrometeors. The new observation from space will be used to evaluate and improve the model. Before the launch of EarthCARE, we need to develop a methodology for using the CPR data for model evaluations. In this study, we evaluated simulated data by a stretched version of the global non-hydrostatic model over Japan with a ground-based CPR using an instrument design similar to the EarthCARE CPR. We chose two cases with different precipitation events in September 2019 using two cloud microphysics schemes. We introduced the categorization method for evaluating microphysics using Doppler velocity. The results show that the liquid and solid phases of hydrometeors are divided in Doppler velocity, and the model's terminal velocities of rain, snow, and graupel categories can be evaluated with the observation. The results also show that the choice of microphysics scheme has a more significant impact than the dependence on precipitation cases. We discussed the application of the EarthCARE-like simulation results using a satellite simulator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, an experimental analysis is conducted on the settling of straight and curved cylindrical rods, which are used to replicate a Reynolds number range applicable to atmospheric settling of microplastic fibres. The rods are dropped in a chamber filled with a quiescent water–glycerin mixture, and their settling velocity is determined from the images of two cameras arranged with perpendicular views. It is shown that a curved cylindrical rod settles faster than a straight cylindrical rod with the same diameter and length. As the rod radius of curvature decreases, the terminal velocity increases, and the corresponding drag coefficient decreases. The maximum difference in the terminal velocity between the straight and curved rods depends on the rod aspect ratio, curvature index, and Reynolds number. A new semi-empirical model is also developed to estimate the drag coefficient and terminal velocity of both straight and curved cylindrical rods studied in this research. The results of the new model are significantly more consistent with the experimental data compared to the previous models, with a low RMS error of 6.8%. This novel model has been utilized to predict the terminal velocity of realistic fibres in the atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study employs laboratory experiments and a fluid/solid coupled numerical model to investigate the path instability of a falling sphere near a vertical sidewall. The falling trajectory of an acrylic sphere resembles a zigzag curve when the initial gap between the sphere and the sidewall is smaller than the sphere diameter D. The maximum lateral displacement of an acrylic sphere was about 0.85D, while the steel sphere falls nearly in a rectilinear path under the same gap distance. The Reynolds number, based on the diameter and terminal velocity of the sphere, is in the range of Re = 1.88 × 104–4.16 × 104. The flow fields and forces on the falling spheres were simulated by a turbulence model and the immersed boundary (IB) method. The simulated trajectories agree with the experimental results, and the simulation results demonstrate that the periodic vortex shedding only occurs in the wall-normal direction, not in the wall-parallel direction. The terminal velocity, drag, and lateral force are all affected by the vortex shedding. The vortex-induced lateral force coefficients vary in the range of CL = −0.30–0.30, regardless of the sphere density and the initial gap. Moreover, a dimensionless force ratio between the gravitational force and vortex-induced lateral force is proposed herein to measure the effect of vortex shedding on the sphere trajectory in high Reynolds number flows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes experimentally and numerically the steady bubble rising in water with a surfactant dissolved at very low concentrations. We explain how traces of surfactant can significantly change the bubble dynamics. The tiny surface tension variation produced by the surfactant monolayer has a negligible effect on the capillary pressure. However, this variation occurs within an extremely thin diffusive boundary layer, which produces a Marangoni stress three orders of magnitude larger than the tangential viscous stress in a surfactant-free bubble. Although the Marangoni stress is confined within the surface boundary layer, it manages to immobilize most of the bubble's south hemisphere. The increase in skin friction and the reduction of the terminal velocity cannot be attributed to the viscous stress exerted on the immobilized interface but to the stress in the diffusive surface boundary layer. The stagnant-cap approximation applies despite the small surfactant concentration considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Miniaturized passive fliers based on smart materials face challenges in precise control of shape-morphing for aerodynamics and contactless modulation of diverse gliding modes. Here, we present the optical control of gliding performances in azobenzene-crosslinked liquid crystal networks films through photochemical actuation, enabling reversible and bistable shape-morphing. First, an actuator film is integrated with additive constructs to form a rotating glider, inspired by the natural maple samara, surpassing natural counterparts in reversibly optical tuning of terminal velocity, rotational rate, and circling position. We demonstrate optical modulation dispersion of landing points for the photo-responsive microfliers indoors and outdoors. Secondly, we show the scalability of polymer film geometry for miniature gliders with similar light tunability. Thirdly, we extend the material platform to other three gliding modes: Javan cucumber seed-like glider, parachute and artificial dandelion seed. The findings pave the way for distributed microflier with contactless flight dynamics control. Miniature passive fliers are of interest, but there are challenges in controlling their motion. Here, the authors report the use of light-responsive thin films for optical control of the gliding of passive fliers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The volume of fluid (VOF) method coupled with an overset mesh is used to simulate the dynamic motion of particles passing through the steel–slag interface. The results show that the solid inclusion particles with a diameter of 10 μm will sink first and then rise in a short time with a wide range of interface deformation when they approach the interface, and the motion state is extremely unstable. The liquid inclusions under the same conditions are also accompanied by unstable motion, but the raised meniscus will play a role in accelerating the upward movement. Increasing the terminal velocity of particles, improving the wettability of particles in molten steel, and modifying solid inclusions into liquid inclusions can reduce the oscillation amplitude during particle movement, which is conducive to the stability of particles at the liquid–liquid interface. The viscosity of slag has little effect on the detachment motion of small particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The target value of high-speed railway speed has great influence on track direction, project investment and operation effect. With the research and promotion of 600 km/ h maglev train rolling off the line and 400 km/ h high speed railway standard from Chengdu to Chongqing, Chinese high speed railway technology is developing towards integration and high-speed direction. The higher speed grade of high-speed rail puts forward higher requirements for line smoothness, acceleration and deceleration performances of the train, and train control system etc. However, many high-speed railways are introduced into the main urban areas of developed cities, which are controlled by construction structures, demolition, station spacing and other projects. The project with large curve radius and high speed target value need more investment, the actual operation also cannot reach the target speed. The high-speed railway from Guangzhou to Zhuhai to Macao is an important north-south high-speed railway connecting the east bank of the Pearl River in the Greater Bay Area. Guangzhou North Station to Baiyun Airport Station is only 17.7 km, but with many numerous constructions. The distance from Hezhou to Hengqin is only 22.3 km, and Hengqin Station is the end of the line, so all trains must start and stop at Hengqin Station. The importance of function localization is contradictory with the limitation of engineering conditions, so the speed target value should be determined reasonably. Firstly, based on the analysis of the innovative development technology of 400 km/ h high-speed railway, it is concluded that the travel time of Guangzhou-Zhuhai-Macao highspeed railway corridor using 400 km/ h scheme is only save 2 min than 350 km/ h scheme, the project investment needs to increase 1.32 billion yuan, the coordination and matching of the road network is poor, and also exist technical risks. Secondly, from the aspects of road network coordination and matching, project investment, operation effect, passenger flow impact, economic benefits etc, the Guangzhou to Zhuhai to Macao high-speed railway adopts three speed target value schemes of 250 km/ h, 300 km/ h and 350 km/ h. It is concluded the Guangzhou to Zhuhai to Macao high-speed railway should adopt 350 km/ h speed target value scheme. Then, according to the engineering conditions and train simulation traction calculation, it is concluded the step speed limit scheme of 200 km/ h should be adopted for the section from Guangzhou North to Baiyun Airport, and the scheme of 350 km/ h should be adopted for the section from Hezhou to Hengqin. Since all trains need to start and stop at Hengqin Station, a small curve radius can be adopted for the inbound end of Hengqin Station to improve the introduction conditions of the line and save the project investment. The conclusion of this study strongly supports the selection of a more reasonable construction scheme for the high-speed railway from Guangzhou to Zhuhai to Macao, and also provides ideas and references for other similar projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To meet the time-coordinated requirement of hypersonic gliding vehicles to reach a single target simultaneously in the presence of no-fly-zone constraints, this paper proposes a time-coordinated A* path planning method considering multiple constraints. The path planning method is designed based on an analytical steady gliding path model and the framework of the A* algorithm. Firstly, an analytical steady gliding path model is designed based on a quadratic function-type altitude-velocity profile. It can derive the control commands explicitly according to the desired terminal altitude and velocity, thus establishing a mapping between the terminal states and the control commands. Secondly, the node extension method of the A* algorithm is improved based on the mapping. Taking the terminal states as new design variables, a feasible path-node set is produced by a one-step integration using the control commands derived according to different terminal states. This node extension method ensures the feasibility of the path nodes while satisfying terminal constraints. Next, the path evaluation function of the A* algorithm is modified by introducing a heuristic switching term to select the most proper node as a waypoint, aiming to minimize the arrival time deviation. Meanwhile, introducing the penalty items into the path evaluation function satisfies the no-fly-zone constraints, process constraints, and control variable constraints. Finally, an online time-coordinated method is proposed to determine a commonly desired arrival time for several hypersonic gliding vehicles. It eliminates the need to specify the arrival time in advance and improves the capability to deal with sudden threats, increasing the path planning method's online application capability. The proposed method can achieve online time-coordinated multi-constraint path planning for several hypersonic gliding vehicles, whose effectiveness and superiority are verified by simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lorentz space–time symmetry represents a unifying feature of the fundamental forces, typically manifest at sufficiently high energies, while in quantum materials it emerges in the deep low-energy regime. However, its fate in quantum materials coupled to an environment thus far remained unexplored. We here introduce a general framework of constructing symmetry-protected Lorentz-invariant non-Hermitian (NH) Dirac semimetals (DSMs), realized by invoking masslike anti-Hermitian Dirac operators to its Hermitian counterpart. Such NH DSMs feature purely real or imaginary isotropic linear band dispersion, yielding a vanishing density of states. Dynamic mass orderings in NH DSMs thus take place for strong Hubbard-like local interactions through a quantum phase transition, hosting a non-Fermi liquid, beyond which the system becomes an insulator. We show that depending on the internal Clifford algebra between the NH Dirac operator and candidate mass order-parameter, the resulting quantum-critical fluid either remains coupled with the environment or recovers full Hermiticity by decoupling from the bath, while always enjoying an emergent Yukawa-Lorentz symmetry in terms of a unique terminal velocity. We showcase the competition between such mass orderings, their hallmarks on quasi-particle spectra in the ordered phases, and the relevance of our findings for correlated designer NH Dirac materials. Lorentz symmetry plays a fundamental role in classical to quantum electrodynamics, as well as in quantum chromodynamics, which is typically realized at sufficiently high energies and often exclusively in closed or isolated quantum systems. Here, the authors show that such a fundamental space–time symmetry can also be manifest as an emergent symmetry even in open Dirac systems, when they interact with the surrounding environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The physical behavior of a falling raindrop is governed by delicate fluid dynamics and thermodynamics, and oscillates with time. Despite this time‐variant nature, past observational and simulation studies have aimed to generalize parameterizations for describing rain microphysics bearing the assumption that raindrops fall at terminal speeds with an equilibrium shape. However, the applicability of this hypothesis in a realistic atmosphere that is inherently turbulent remains an open question. Here, we employ novel retrieval techniques to quantify the impact of turbulence on raindrop microphysics using long‐term in situ observations with careful assessment of the wind effect. We find that raindrop microphysics increasingly deviate from the equilibrium state as the turbulence dissipation rate increases, and this effect is more pronounced for large raindrops. We present turbulence‐invoked rain microphysical parameterizations which shed light on the complex interactions between turbulence dynamics and raindrop microphysics. Plain Language Summary: Raindrops are omnipresent in the atmosphere and play an essential role in the global hydrological cycle. The microphysics of raindrops, namely, shape, orientation and fall speed, have long been represented as a function of diameter with an equilibrium state. This simplification omits the impact of ubiquitous turbulence in the atmosphere. This study quantifies the deformation of raindrops under turbulent conditions. We find that the shape of large raindrops is more rounded and that raindrop oscillation is more pronounced in response to strong turbulence. Their fall speeds are significantly lower than the terminal speed, and the corresponding standard deviations are greater. Our work demonstrates the necessity of physically representing turbulence dynamics for accurate parameterization of raindrop microphysics via numerical simulations. Key Points: Raindrop microphysics increasingly deviate from the equilibrium state as the turbulence dissipation rate increasesLarge raindrops exhibit rounder shapes and lower fall speeds under strong turbulenceTurbulence‐invoked raindrop microphysics parameterizations are given [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the immediate effects of auditory feedback training on gait performance and kinematics in 19 healthy young adults, focusing on bilateral changes, despite unilateral training. Baseline and post-training kinematic measurements, as well as the feedback training were performed on a treadmill with a constant velocity. Significant improvements were seen in step length (trained: 590.7 mm to 611.1 mm, 95%CI [7.609, 24.373]; untrained: 591.1 mm to 628.7 mm, 95%CI [10.698, 30.835]), toe clearance (trained: 13.9 mm to 16.5 mm, 95%CI [1.284, 3.503]; untrained: 11.8 mm to 13.7 mm, 95%CI [1.763, 3.612]), ankle dorsiflexion angle at terminal stance (trained: 8.3 deg to 10.5 deg, 95%CI [1.092, 3.319]; untrained: 9.2 deg to 12.0 deg, 95%CI [1.676, 3.573]), hip flexion angular velocity, (trained: −126.5 deg/s to −131.0 deg/s, 95%CI [−9.054, −2.623]; untrained: −130.2 deg/s to −135.3 deg/s, 95%CI [−10.536, −1.675]), ankle angular velocity at terminal stance (trained: −344.7 deg/s to −359.1 deg/s, 95%CI [−47.540, −14.924]; untrained: −340.3 deg/s to −376.9 deg/s, 95%CI [−37.280, −13.166s]), and gastrocnemius EMG activity (trained: 0.60 to 0.66, 95%CI [0.014, 0.258]; untrained: 0.55 to 0.65, 95%CI [0.049, 0.214]). These findings demonstrate the efficacy of auditory feedback training in enhancing key gait parameters, highlighting the bilateral benefits from unilateral training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inclusions are one of the important factors affecting the cleanliness of molten steel. The current optimization of inclusion removal methods mainly focuses on promoting inclusions to float to the slag–steel interface so that the inclusions can be absorbed and removed by the refining slag. However, the research on the floating removal of inclusions cannot be carried out directly in the ladle, so methods such as mathematical models and physical models were developed. This article uses silicone oil to simulate the slag layer; polypropylene particles; and aluminum oxide particles to simulate inclusions to establish a water model experiment. By changing the viscosity of silicone oil and the diameter of particles, the factors affecting the movement of inclusions at the slag–steel interface were explored. Based on the water model, a mathematical model of the floating behavior of inclusions at the slag–steel interface was constructed, and parameters such as particle diameter and interfacial tension in the water model experiment were studied by the mathematical model for calculation. Both the mathematical model and the water model experimental results show that after the viscosity of silicone oil increases from 0.048 Pa·s to 0.096 Pa·s, the dimensionless displacement and terminal velocity of the particles decreases. When the diameter of the same particle increases, the dimensionless displacement and terminal velocity increases. The dimensionless displacement of polypropylene particles of the same diameter is larger than that of aluminum oxide particles, and the terminal velocity is smaller than that of aluminum oxide particles. This is attributed to the better overall three-phase wettability of polypropylene particle. When the liquid level increases, the dimensionless displacement and terminal velocity of particles under the same conditions show only slight differences (less than 10%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large-amplitude accretion outbursts in young stars are expected to play a central role in protostellar assembly. Outburst identification historically has taken place using optical techniques, but recent, systematic infrared searches are enabling their discovery in heavily dust-obscured regions of the Galactic plane. Here, we present the discovery of Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer transient pipeline (WTP) 10aaauow, a large-amplitude mid-infrared (MIR) outburst identified in a systematic search of NEOWISE data using new image subtraction techniques. The source is located towards the RCW 49 star-forming region, and estimated to be at a distance of ≈4 kpc via Gaia parallax measurement. Concurrent with the MIR brightening, the source underwent a ≳5 mag outburst in the optical and near-infrared (NIR) bands, reaching a peak luminosity of ≈260 L⊙ in 2014–2015, followed by a slow decline over the next 7 yr. Analysis of the pre- and post-outburst spectral energy distributions reveals a pre-outburst stellar photosphere at a temperature of 3600–4000 K, surrounded by a likely two-component dust structure similar to a flat-spectrum or Class I type young stellar object. We present optical and NIR spectroscopy that shows a GK-type spectrum in the optical bands exhibiting complex line profiles in strong absorption features, and evidence for a wind reaching a terminal velocity of ≈400 km s−1. The NIR bands are characterized by a cooler M-type spectrum exhibiting a forest of atomic and molecular features. Alltogether, the spectra demonstrate that WTP 10aaauow is an FU Ori type outburst. Ongoing systematic infrared searches will continue to reveal the extent of this population in the Galactic disc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The seeding effect of upper clouds on lower clouds affects the evolution of clouds, especially the seeding from upper ice clouds on lower stratiform clouds or convective clouds, which can stimulate the precipitation of lower clouds and even produce extreme precipitation. When seeders of the seeding cloud enter the feeding cloud, the interaction between cloud particles results in the change in macro- and micro-parameters of the feeding cloud. Based on the observation data of a ground-based Ka-band millimeter-wave cloud radar (MMCR) and microwave radiometer (MWR) in spring and autumn from 2021 to 2022, the seeder–feeder phenomenon among double-layer clouds in Xi'an, China, is studied. The study on 11 cases of seeder–feeder processes shows that the processes can be divided into three types by defining the height difference (HD) between the seeding cloud base and the feeding cloud top and the effective seeding depth (ESD). Through analysis of the reflectivity factor (Z) and the radial velocity (Vr) of cloud particles detected by the MMCR and on the retrieved cloud dynamics parameters (vertical velocity of airflow, Va , and terminal velocity of cloud particles, Vf), it is shown that the reflectivity factor and particle terminal velocity in the cloud are significantly enhanced during the seeder–feeder period for the three types of processes. But the enhancement magnitudes of the three seeder–feeder processes are different. The results also show that the impact of seeding on the feeding cloud is limited. The lower the height and thinner the thickness of the HD, the lower the height and thicker the thickness of the ESD. On the contrary, the higher the height and the thicker the thickness of the HD, the higher the height and the thinner the thickness of the ESD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep-sea mining inevitably produces plumes, which will pose a serious threat to the marine environment with the continuous movement and diffusion of plumes along with ocean currents. The terminal settling velocity (wt) of irregular particles is one of the crucial factors for determining the plumes' diffusion range. It is generally calculated by drag coefficient (CD), while most existing CD models only consider single shape characteristic parameter or have a smaller range of Reynolds number (Re). In this study, a new shape factor (γ) of irregular particles is proposed by considering the thickness (one-dimension), the projected area (two-dimension), and the surface area (three-dimension) of irregular particles as well as their coupling effect to establish a modified CD model for calculating the wt. A modified Gaussian plume model is proposed to predict the horizontal diffusion distance of the plume particles by considering the settling velocity and diffusion effect of irregular particles. Research results show that the wt increases nearly linearly, with a gradually decreased slope and slightly then greatly with the increasing of γ, dp (diameter) and ρp (density), respectively. The modified CD model is verified to be more valid with a wider application range (Re < 3×105) than five existing CD models by the test results. The larger the ρp or dp, the larger the wt and thus the smaller the Sh. This study could provide a theoretical basis for calculating the plume diffusion range to further study the impact of deep-sea mining on the ocean environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]