Stably stratified roughness sublayer flows are ubiquitous yet remain difficult to represent in models and to interpret using field experiments. Here, continuous high‐frequency potential temperature profiles from the forest floor up to 6.5 times the canopy height observed with distributed temperature sensing (DTS) are used to link eddy topology to roughness sublayer stability correction functions and coupling between air layers within and above the canopy. The experiments are conducted at two forest stands classified as hydrodynamically sparse and dense. Near‐continuous profiles of eddy sizes (length scales) and effective mixing lengths for heat are derived from the observed profiles using a novel conditional sampling approach. The approach utilizes potential temperature isoline fluctuations from a statically stable background state. The transport of potential temperature by an observed eddy is assumed to be conserved (adiabatic movement) and we assume that irreversible heat exchange between the eddy and the surrounding background occurs along the (vertical) periphery of the eddy. This assumption is analogous to Prandtl's mixing‐length concept, where momentum is transported rapidly vertically and then equilibrated with the local mean velocity gradient. A distinct dependence of the derived length scales on background stratification, height above ground, and canopy characteristics emerges from the observed profiles. Implications of these findings for (1) the failure of Monin–Obukhov similarity in the roughness sublayer and (2) above‐canopy flow coupling to the forest floor are examined. The findings have practical applications in terms of analysing similar DTS data sets with the proposed approach, modelling roughness sublayer flows, and interpreting nocturnal eddy covariance measurements above tall forested canopies.
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Urinary flow through urethras with a rough lumen
Abstract Aims This study investigates how lumen roughness and urethral length influence urinary flow speed. Methods We used micro‐computed tomography scans to measure the lumen roughness and dimensions for rabbits, cats, and pigs. We designed and fabricated three‐dimensional‐printed urethra mimics of varying roughness and length to perform flow experiments. We also developed a corresponding mathematical model to rationalize the observed flow speed. Results We update the previously reported relationship between body mass and urethra length and diameter, now including 41 measurements for urethra length and 10 measurements for diameter. We report the relationship between lumen diameter and roughness as a function of position down the urethra for rabbits, cats, and pigs. The time course of urinary speed from our mimics is reported, as well as the average speed as a function of urethra length. Conclusions Based on the behavior of our mimics, we conclude that the lumen roughness in mammals reduces flow speed by up to 25% compared to smooth urethras. Urine flows fastest when the urethra length exceeds 25 times its diameter. Longer urethras do not drain faster due to viscous effects counteracting the additional gravitational head. However, flows with our urethra mimics are still 6 times faster than those observed in nature, suggesting that further work is needed to understand flow resistance in the urethra.
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- PAR ID:
- 10459084
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Neurourology and Urodynamics
- Volume:
- 42
- Issue:
- 6
- ISSN:
- 0733-2467
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 1245 to 1254
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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