Mutually Penetrating Motion of Self-Organized 2D Patterns of Soliton-Like Structures

Results of numerical simulations of a recently derived most general dissipative-dispersive PDE describing evolution of a film flowing down an inclined plane are presented. They indicate that a novel complex type of spatiotemporal patterns can exist for strange attractors of nonequilibrium systems. It is suggested that real-life experiments satisfying the validity conditions of the theory are possible: the required sufficiently viscous liquids are readily available.Comment: minor corrections, 4 pages, LaTeX, 6 figures, mpeg simulations available upon or reques

Geometric Mixing, Peristalsis, and the Geometric Phase of the Stomach

Mixing fluid in a container at low Reynolds number - in an inertialess environment - is not a trivial task. Reciprocating motions merely lead to cycles of mixing and unmixing, so continuous rotation, as used in many technological applications, would appear to be necessary. However, there is another solution: movement of the walls in a cyclical fashion to introduce a geometric phase. We show using journal-bearing flow as a model that such geometric mixing is a general tool for using deformable boundaries that return to the same position to mix fluid at low Reynolds number. We then simulate a biological example: we show that mixing in the stomach functions because of the "belly phase": peristaltic movement of the walls in a cyclical fashion introduces a geometric phase that avoids unmixing.Comment: Revised, published versio

Simulation and Analysis of the Hybrid Operating Mode in ITER

The hybrid operating mode in ITER is examined with 0D systems analysis, 1.5D discharge scenario simulations using TSC and TRANSP, and the ideal MHD stability is discussed. The hybrid mode has the potential to provide very long pulses and significant neutron fluence if the physics regime can be produced in ITER. This paper reports progress in establishing the physics basis and engineering limitation for the hybrid mode in ITER

High-Harmonic Fast Wave Driven H-mode Plasmas on NSTX

The launch of High-Harmonic Fast Waves (HHFW) routinely provides auxiliary power to NSTX plasmas, where it is used to heat electrons and pursue drive current. H-mode transitions have been observed in deuterium discharges, where only HHFW and ohmic heating, and no neutral beam injection (NBI), were applied to the plasma. The usual H-mode signatures are observed. A drop of the Da light marks the start of a stored energy increase, which can double the energy content. These H-mode plasmas also have the expected kinetic profile signatures with steep edge density and electron temperature pedestal. Similar to its NBI driven counterpart--also observed on NSTX-- the HHFW H mode have density profiles that features ''ears'' in the peripheral region. These plasmas are likely candidates for long pulse operation because of the combination of bootstrap current, associated with H-mode kinetic profiles, and active current drive, which can be generated with HHFW power

Modeling the Fluid Dynamics in a Human Stomach to Gain Insight of Food Digestion

During gastric digestion, food is disintegrated by a complex interaction of chemical and mechanical effects. Although the mechanisms of chemical digestion are usually characterized by using in vitro analysis, the difficulty in reproducing the stomach geometry and motility has prevented a good understanding of the local fluid dynamics of gastric contents. The goal of this study was to use computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to develop a 3-D model of the shape and motility pattern of the stomach wall during digestion, and use it to characterize the fluid dynamics of gastric contents of different viscosities. A geometrical model of an averaged-sized human stomach was created, and its motility was characterized by a series of antral-contraction waves of up to 80% relative occlusion. The flow field within the model (predicted using the software Fluent™) strongly depended on the viscosity of gastric contents. By increasing the viscosity, the formation of the 2 flow patterns commonly regarded as the main mechanisms driving digestion (i.e., the retropulsive jet-like motion and eddy structures) was significantly diminished, while a significant increase of the pressure field was predicted. These results were in good agreement with experimental data previously reported in the literature, and suggest that, contrary to the traditional idea of a rapid and complete homogenization of the meal, gastric contents associated with high viscous meals are poorly mixed. This study illustrates the capability of CFD to provide a unique insight into the fluid dynamics of the gastric contents, and points out its potential to develop a fundamental understanding and modeling of the mechanisms involved in the digestion process

Development and validation of a large, modular test meal with liquid and solid components for assessment of gastric motor and sensory function by non-invasive imaging

Background: Current investigations of stomach function are based on small test meals that do not reliably induce symptoms and analysis techniques that rarely detect clinically relevant dysfunction. This study introduces the large ‘Nottingham Test Meal’ (NTM) for assessment of gastric motor and sensory function by non-invasive imaging. Methods NTM comprises 400 mL liquid nutrient (0.75 kcal/mL) and 12 solid agar-beads (0 kcal) with known breaking strength. Gastric fullness and dyspeptic sensations were documented by 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS). Gastric emptying (GE) were measured in 24 healthy volunteers (HVs) by gastric scintigraphy (GS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The contribution of secretion to gastric volume was assessed. Parameters that describe GE were calculated from validated models. Inter-observer agreement and reproducibility were assessed. Key Results: NTM produced moderate fullness (VAS ≥30) but no more than mild dyspeptic symptoms (VAS <30) in 24 HVs. Stable binding of meal components to labels in gastric conditions was confirmed. Distinct early and late-phase GE were detected by both modalities. Liquid GE half-time was median 49 (95% CI: 36–62) min and 68 (57–71) min for GS and MRI, respectively. Differences between GS and MRI measurements were explained by the contribution of gastric secretion. Breaking strength for agar-beads was 0.8 N/m such that median 25 (8–50) % intact agar-beads and 65 (47–74) % solid material remained at 120 min on MRI and GS, respectively. Good reproducibility for liquid GE parameters was present and GE was not altered by agar-beads. Conclusions & Inferences: The NTM provided an objective assessment of gastric motor and sensory function. The results were reproducible and liquid emptying was not affected by non-nutrient agar-beads. The method is potentially suitable for clinical practice