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The theme of how life and its environment have coevolved together for about four billion years on Earth is explored in this chapter. The major evolutionary events that unfolded in the Archean eon (4 to 2.5 billion years ago), Proterozoic eon (2.5 to 0.539 billion years ago), and the Phanerozoic eon (0.539 billion years ago to present) are outlined, such as the origin(s) of multicellularity, eukaryotes, complex multicellular organisms, and humans. By drawing on this evolutionary timeline, theoretical paradigms for understanding and grouping the notable evolutionary events are sketched (e.g., major transitions in evolution). The next part of the chapter illustrates the intricate interplay between life and its environment by chronicling the rise in molecular oxygen levels, its possible causes and profound consequences, and its potential connections with key geological changes like the putative Snowball Earth episodes. Lastly, the ‘Big Five’ mass extinctions that transpired in the Phanerozoic, along with their triggers and ramifications, are described.
Life-as-we-know-it harnesses carbon for the scaffolding in biomolecules and liquid water as the solvent. This chapter delineates the beneficial properties of carbon and water, and then investigates whether viable alternatives to this duo exist (i.e., ‘exotic’ life). With regard to the latter, the likes of ammonia, sulfuric acid, and liquid hydrocarbons are expected to have some physical and/or chemical advantages relative to water, while also exhibiting certain downsides. In contrast, it is suggested that few options appear feasible aside from carbon, with silicon representing a partial exception. The chapter subsequently delves into the habitability of the clouds of Venus and the lakes of Titan, because the alternative solvents sulfuric acid and liquid hydrocarbons (methane and ethane) are, respectively, documented therein. Both these environments might be conducive to hosting exotic life, but it is cautioned that they are likely subjected to severe challenges.
The impact of the 1pN gravitomagnetic Lense–Thirring acceleration, generalized also to the case of two massive spinning bodies of comparable masses and angular momenta, is calculated for different types of observation-related quantities (Keplerian orbital elements, anomalistic, draconitic, and sidereal orbital periods, two-body range and range rate, radial velocity curve and radial velocity semiamplitude of spectroscopic binaries, astrometric angles RA and dec., times of arrival of binary pulsars, characteristic timescales of transiting exoplanets, and their sky-projected spin-orbit angle). The results are applied to a test particle orbiting a primary, a Sun–Jupiter exoplanet system, and an S star in Sgr A*.
The combined effects of heater position, mean flow parameters and flame models on thermoacoustic instability in a one-dimensional Rijke tube are studied systematically by classic linear stability analysis (LSA) and lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) simulation. In the former, the stability range of the linear flame model under low Mach number assumption is solved analytically, while in the more general case, it is obtained by numerically solving the dispersion relation. Both the linear and nonlinear flame model cases are studied using the LBM with a spectral multiple-relaxation-time collision model and a newly developed heat source term. With the linear flame model, the LBM is in good agreement with LSA in predicting the transition point and growth rates, while with the nonlinear flame model, LBM simulations are consistent with solutions of limit cycle theory in the fully developed state. These results demonstrate the applicability of the LBM in solving complex thermoacoustic problems.
A gas bubble sitting at a liquid–gas interface can burst following the rupture of the thin liquid film separating it from the ambient, owing to the large surface energy of the resultant cavity. This bursting bubble forms capillary waves, a Worthington jet and subsequent droplets for a Newtonian liquid medium. However, rheological properties of the liquid medium like elastoviscoplasticity can greatly affect these dynamics. Using direct numerical simulations, this study exemplifies how the complex interplay between elasticity (in terms of elastic stress relaxation) and yield stress influences the transient interfacial phenomenon of bursting bubbles. We investigate how bursting dynamics depends on capillary, elastic and yield stresses by exploring the parameter space of the Deborah number ${{\textit {De}}}$ (dimensionless relaxation time of elastic stresses) and the plastocapillary number $\mathcal {J}$ (dimensionless yield-stress of the medium), delineating four distinct characteristic behaviours. Overall, we observe a non-monotonic effect of elastic stress relaxation on the jet development while plasticity of the elastoviscoplastic (EVP) medium is shown to affect primarily the jet evolution only at faster relaxation times (low ${{\textit {De}}}$). The role of elastic stresses on jet development is elucidated with the support of energy budgets identifying different modes of energy transfer within the EVP medium. The effects of elasticity on the initial progression of capillary waves and droplet formation are also studied. In passing, we study the effects of solvent–polymer viscosity ratio on bursting dynamics and show that polymer viscosity can increase the jet thickness apart from reducing the maximum height of the jet.
QBism’s foundational statement that “the outcome of a measurement ofan observable is personal” is in direct contradiction with Ozawa’sIntersubjectivity Theorem (OIT). The latter (proven within the quantummeasurement theory) states that two observers, agents within the QBismterminology, performing joint measurements of the same observable A on asystem S in the state ψ should get the same outcome A = x. In Ozawa’s terminology,this outcome is intersubjective and it can’t be treated as personal.This is the strong objection to QBism which can’t survive without updatingits principles. The essential aspect in understanding of the OIT impact onQBism’s foundations takes the notion of quantum observable. We discussthe difference between the accurate, von Neumann, and inaccurate, noisy,quantum observables which are represented by the projection valued measures(PVMs) and positive operator valued measures (POVMs), respectively.Moreover, we discuss the OIT impact on the Copenhagen interpretation ofquantum mechanics.
This study is dedicated to achieving efficient active noise control in a supersonic underexpanded planar jet, utilizing control parameters informed by resolvent analysis. The baseline supersonic underexpanded jet exhibits complex wave structures and substantial high-amplitude noise radiations. To perform the active control, unsteady blowing and suction are applied along the nozzle inner wall close to the exit. Employing both standard and acoustic resolvent analyses, a suitable frequency and spanwise wavenumber range for the blowing and suction is identified. Within this range, the control forcing can be significantly amplified in the near field, effectively altering the original sound-producing energetic structure while minimizing far-field amplification to prevent excessive noise. A series of large-eddy simulations are further conducted to validate the control efficiency, demonstrating an over 10 dB reduction in upstream-propagated screech noise. It is identified that the present unsteady control proves more effective than steady control at the same momentum coefficient. The controlled jet flow indicates that the shock structures become more stable, and the stronger the streamwise amplification of the forcing, the more likely it is to modify the mean flow characteristics, which is beneficial for reducing far-field noise radiation. Spectral proper orthogonal decomposition analysis of the controlled flow confirms that the control redistributes energy to higher forcing frequencies and suppresses large-scale antisymmetric and symmetric modes related to screech and its harmonics. The findings of this study highlight the potential of resolvent-guided control techniques in reducing noise in supersonic underexpanded jets and provide a detailed understanding of the inherent mechanisms for effective noise reduction through active control strategies.
A model of imbibition dynamics in a channel of flattened triangular cross-section is presented, taking into account the liquid film flow in the corners of the channel. The quasi-analytical solutions are derived on the basis of a lubrication approximation. The analysis encompasses two imbibition scenarios corresponding to a constant flow rate or constant pressure imposed in the wetting fluid at the inlet of the channel. In the former case, the process starts with a liquid film flow regime in the corners that is followed by a bulk and corner film flow regime characterised by a triple point advancing (far) ahead of the bulk meniscus after its entrance in the channel. In the latter case, the occurrence of the bulk and corner film flow regime is conditioned by an imposed pressure yielding a capillary pressure at the inlet smaller than a threshold capillary pressure. Above this threshold, the liquid film regime remains. For both imbibition scenarios under concern, important features are highlighted, including (i) the time scalings of the dynamics of both the triple point and apex of the bulk meniscus (when it exists), (ii) the contrast in the positions of these two points showing that the classical Washburn approach, which neglects the effect of the corner films, overpredicts the dynamics of the bulk meniscus. The important consequence is an early wetting fluid breakthrough at the channel outlet much before the bulk meniscus arrival. Comparisons with experimental data available in the literature are provided, validating the approach proposed in this work.
The impact of the Newtonian quadrupolar acceleration, generalized also to the case of two bodies of comparable masses and quadrupole moments, is calculated for different types of observation-related quantities (Keplerian orbital elements, anomalistic, draconitic and sidereal orbital periods, two-body range and range rate, radial velocity curve and radial velocity semiamplitude of spectroscopic binaries, astrometric angles RA and dec., times of arrival of binary pulsars, characteristic timescales of transiting exoplanets and their sky-projected spin-orbit angle). The results are applied to a test particle orbiting a primary, a Sun-Jupiter exoplanet system, and to a S star in Sgr A*.
In this chapter we introduce the general class of symmetric two-qubit statesguaranteeing the perfect correlation or anticorrelation of Alice and Bob outcomeswhenever some spin observable is measured at both sites. It is proventhat, for all states from this class, the maximal violation of the original Bellinequality (OB) is upper bounded by 3/2 and specify the two-qubit stateswhere this quantum upper bound is attained. The case of two-qutrit statesis more complicated. Here, for all two-qutrit states, we obtain the same upperbound 3/2 for violation of the original Bell inequality under Alice and Bobspin measurements. But it has not yet been shown that this quantum upperbound is the least one. The experimental consequences of this mathematicalstudy are discussed.