Based on the Boltzmann-BGK (Bhatnagar-Gross-Krook) equation, in this paper a discrete unified gas kinetic scheme (DUGKS) is developed for low-speed isothermal flows. The DUGKS is a finite-volume scheme with the discretization of particle velocity space. After the introduction of two auxiliary distribution functions with the inclusion of collision effect, the DUGKS becomes a fully explicit scheme for the update of distribution function. Furthermore, the scheme is an asymptotic preserving method, where the time step is only determined by the Courant-Friedricks-Lewy condition in the continuum limit. Numerical results demonstrate that accurate solutions in both continuum and rarefied flow regimes can be obtained from the current DUGKS. The comparison between the DUGKS and the well-defined lattice Boltzmann equation method (D2Q9) is presented as well.

This paper is a continuation of our earlier work [Z.L. Guo et al., Phys. Rev. E 88, 033305 (2013)] where a multiscale numerical scheme based on kinetic model was developed for low speed isothermal flows with arbitrary Knudsen numbers. In this work, a discrete unified gas-kinetic scheme (DUGKS) for compressible flows with the consideration of heat transfer and shock discontinuity is developed based on the Shakhov model with an adjustable Prandtl number. The method is an explicit finitevolume scheme where the transport and collision processes are coupled in the evaluation of the fluxes at cell interfaces, so that the nice asymptotic preserving (AP) property is retained, such that the time step is limited only by the CFL number, the distribution function at cell interface recovers to the Chapman-Enskog one in the continuum limit while reduces to that of free-transport for freemolecular flow, and the time and spatial accuracy is of second-order accuracy in smooth region. These features make the DUGKS an ideal method for multiscale compressible flow simulations. A number of numerical tests, including the shock structure problem, the Sod tube problem with different degree of non-equilibrium, and the two-dimensional Riemann problem in continuum and rarefied regimes, are performed to validate the scheme. The comparisons with the results of DSMC and other benchmark data demonstrate that the DUGKS is a reliable and efficient method for multiscale compressible flow computation.

In children with CND, the functional status of the CN varied along the length of the cochlea. Compared with children with normal-size CNs, children with CND showed reduced CN responsiveness to electrical stimuli. The prolonged CN absolute refractory period in children with CND might account for, at least partially, the observed benefit of using relatively slow pulse rate in these patients.