Numerical study of the scattering of acoustic waves by an elliptic vortex.

The scattering of the acoustic waves generated by a monopolar source propagating through a two-dimensional elliptic vortex, fixed or convected by a uniform flow, is studied by solving the Linearized Euler Equations in Cartesian coordinates using the Discontinuous Galerkin Method. For a fixed vortex position, the number, amplitudes, and angular spreads of the acoustic interference beams resulting from the sound scattering are found to significantly depend on the orientation of the vortex major axis with respect to the direction of the incident waves and on the vortex maximum tangential velocity. In particular, additional interference beams are obtained at large observation angles for a more elliptical vortex. For a convected elliptic vortex, the interference beams are curved as the angle between the incident acoustic wave and the vortex major axis varies when the vortex travels in the downstream direction. As expected, the scattering of the acoustic waves leads to spectral broadening in this case. Moreover, the widths and the frequencies of the lateral lobes obtained in the spectra on both sides of the peak at the source frequency are different for elliptic and round vortices.

Multinodular and Vacuolating Posterior Fossa Lesions of Unknown Significance.

Multinodular and vacuolating neuronal tumor of the cerebrum is a rare supratentorial brain tumor described for the first time in 2013. Here, we report 11 cases of infratentorial lesions showing similar striking imaging features consisting of a cluster of low T1-weighted imaging and high T2-FLAIR signal intensity nodules, which we referred to as multinodular and vacuolating posterior fossa lesions of unknown significance. No relationship was found between the location of the lesion and clinical symptoms. A T2-FLAIR hypointense central dot sign was present in images of 9/11 (82%) patients. Cortical involvement was present in 2/11 (18%) of patients. Only 1 nodule of 1 multinodular and vacuolating posterior fossa lesion of unknown significance showed enhancement on postcontrast T1WI. DWI, SWI, MRS, and PWI showed no malignant pattern. Lesions did not change in size or signal during a median follow-up of 3 years, suggesting that multinodular and vacuolating posterior fossa lesions of unknown significance are benign malformative lesions that do not require surgical intervention or removal.

A numerical study of nonlinear infrasound propagation in a windy atmosphere.

Direct numerical simulations of the two-dimensional unsteady compressible Navier-Stokes equations are performed to study the acoustic field generated by an infrasonic source in a realistic atmosphere. Some of the main phenomena affecting the propagation of infrasonic waves at large distances from the source are investigated. The effects of thermal and wind-related refraction on the signals recorded at ground level are highlighted, with particular emphasis on the phase shift induced by the presence of caustics in the acoustic field. Nonlinear waveform steepening associated with harmonic generation, and period lengthening, both of which are typical of large source amplitudes, are illustrated, and the importance of thermoviscous absorption in the upper atmosphere is clearly demonstrated. The role of diffraction in the shadow zone, around caustics and at stratospheric altitudes is also pointed out. The Navier-Stokes equations are solved using high-order finite-differences and a Runge-Kutta time integration method both originally developed for aeroacoustic applications, along with an adaptive shock-capturing algorithm which allows high-intensity acoustic fields to be examined. An improvement to the shock detection procedure is also proposed in order to meet the specificities of nonlinear propagation at long range. The modeling as well as the numerical results are reported in detail and discussed.

A study of infrasound propagation based on high-order finite difference solutions of the Navier-Stokes equations.

The feasibility of using numerical simulation of fluid dynamics equations for the detailed description of long-range infrasound propagation in the atmosphere is investigated. The two dimensional (2D) Navier Stokes equations are solved via high fidelity spatial finite differences and Runge-Kutta time integration, coupled with a shock-capturing filter procedure allowing large amplitudes to be studied. The accuracy of acoustic prediction over long distances with this approach is first assessed in the linear regime thanks to two test cases featuring an acoustic source placed above a reflective ground in a homogeneous and weakly inhomogeneous medium, solved for a range of grid resolutions. An atmospheric model which can account for realistic features affecting acoustic propagation is then described. A 2D study of the effect of source amplitude on signals recorded at ground level at varying distances from the source is carried out. Modifications both in terms of waveforms and arrival times are described.