A parameter-robust finite difference method for singularly perturbed delay parabolic partial differential equations

AbstractA Dirichlet boundary value problem for a delay parabolic differential equation is studied on a rectangular domain in the x-t plane. The second-order space derivative is multiplied by a small singular perturbation parameter, which gives rise to parabolic boundary layers on the two lateral sides of the rectangle. A numerical method comprising a standard finite difference operator (centred in space, implicit in time) on a rectangular piecewise uniform fitted mesh of Nx×Nt elements condensing in the boundary layers is proved to be robust with respect to the small parameter, or parameter-uniform, in the sense that its numerical solutions converge in the maximum norm to the exact solution uniformly well for all values of the parameter in the half-open interval (0,1]. More specifically, it is shown that the errors are bounded in the maximum norm by C(Nx-2ln2Nx+Nt-1), where C is a constant independent not only of Nx and Nt but also of the small parameter. Numerical results are presented, which validate numerically this theoretical result and show that a numerical method consisting of the standard finite difference operator on a uniform mesh of Nx×Nt elements is not parameter-robust

Predicting seed germination of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) cultivars using hydrotime model

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) is a highly branched, herbaceous, thistle-like annual plant. It is commercially cultivated for vegetable oil extracted from the seeds, which is cultivated under arid environments. In such environments, the water needed for germination is available for only a short time and, consequently, successful crop establishment depends not only on rapid and uniform germination of the seedlot, but also on its ability to germinate under low water availability. All of these attributes can be analyzed through the hydrotime model (HT). Safflower seeds were germinated in various polyethylene glycol (PEG 600) solutions to obtain water potentials of 0, -0.2, -0.4, -0.6, and -0.8 Mpa. Results indicated that germination of safflower cultivars decreased significantly with reduction of osmotic potential. The highest germination percentage for Sina (93.06 and 94.02%), Faraman (93.52 and 95.33%), Talaei (94.98 and 93.98%) and Kouseh (93.58 and 95.55%) cultivars were attained from distilled water (0 MPa) and -0.2 MPa, respectively. The hydrotime constant (θH) for Sina, Faraman, Talaei and Kouseh cultivars were 0.93, 0.84, 0.78 and 0.72 MPa d, and the water potential (Ψb(50)) for Sina, Faraman, Talaei and Kouseh cultivars were -0.56, -0.67, -0.64 and -0.77 MPa, respectively. Cumulative germination of safflower seed was higher in Kouseh cultivar, than in Sina, Faraman and Talaei cultivars. Results showed that, hydrotime model is suited to predicting seed germination of safflower seeds. In addition, the information gathered with this work allows us to build mathematical models to predict germination of safflower cultivars in the field under various environments

Critical appraisal of axitinib in the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma.

A growing understanding of the biology of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has led to the development and US Food and Drug Administration approval of seven new molecular targeted agents over the past 7 years. Axitinib is a potent, selective, second-generation inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors and the latest to join the armamentarium of drugs available for the treatment of metastatic RCC. Despite recent advances in the development of molecular targeted agents for metastatic RCC, the ideal sequencing of these agents remains unclear

Evaluation of silicon MOSFETs and GaN HEMTs in soft‐switched and hard‐switched DC‐DC boost converters for domestic PV applications

Hard‐switched high‐gain DC‐DC converters such as the boost converter play an important role in renewable energy systems. Research to increase their efficiency is important and can be achieved using soft‐switching techniques; however, that approach requires an auxiliary circuit. The auxiliary circuit decreases power density and reliability while increasing the cost. Moreover, soft‐switching topologies usually cannot improve the efficiency for all power and voltage ranges. Wide bandgap (WBG) devices, such as gallium nitride (GaN), result in lower switching losses than silicon (Si), can be used while retaining the simple structure of a hard‐switched topology. However, the high cost of these devices is problematic for their frequently cost‐sensitive applications. To quantify the cost and efficiency, this study compares soft‐switching techniques and WBG‐based switches in DC‐DC boost converters for a photovoltaic (PV) energy application. The performance of four prototypes including the soft‐switched and hard‐switched DC‐DC converters with both state‐of‐the‐art Si and GaN switches are evaluated in terms of cost, power density, efficiency, and reliability using theoretical analysis, simulation and experimental results. It is shown that the GaN‐based hard‐switched converter provides higher efficiency and power density; it is more expensive than its Si‐based counterpart, yet is cheaper than soft‐switched converters

Analysis, design and modelling of two fully- integrated transformers with segmental magnetic shunt for LLC resonant converters

To achieve a precise, high leakage inductance for an integrated magnetic transformer, a magnetic shunt (based on low- permeability materials) is usually added to the planar transformer. However, high-performance low-permeability power materials are not readily available in the market. Therefore, two new topologies for shunt-inserted planar transformer are proposed in this paper. In the proposed topologies, the magnetic shunts are based on high-permeability materials like ferrite, which is widely available, and use multiple small gaps to approximate a low-permeability material as an alternative to a low-permeability magnetic shunt. The analysis, design and modelling of the proposed planar transformers are presented in detail. It is shown that the magnetizing inductance can be controlled by vertical air gaps and the leakage inductance value can be controlled by the thickness of the shunt. Hence, the desirable leakage inductance and magnetizing inductance values for the integrated transformer can be obtained for use in LLC resonant converters. The theoretical analyses are verified by finite element analysis (FEA) and the AC resistance for the proposed topologies is discussed

Quantification of germination response of Millet (Panicum Miliaceum L.) seeds to water potential and priming using hydrotime model

Seed germination is a complex biological process that is influenced by different environmental physical factors including temperature, water potential, salinity, pH and light, as well as intrinsic genetic factors. In such environments, the water needed for germination is available for only a short time, and consequently, successful crop establishment depends not only on rapid and uniform germination of the seedlot, but also on its ability to germinate under low water availability. All of these attributes can be analyzed through the hydrotime model (HT). Millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) is cultivated in arid and semi-arid regions of Iran. Therefore, in this study, using the hydrotime modeling approach, germination response of millet to priming (water and gibberellin 50 ppm at 15°C for 24 h) and water potential (0, -0.3, -0.6, -0.9, and -1.2 Mpa) was studied. Hydrotime (HT) model were fitted to cumulative germination of seeds and recorded in germination tests carried out at different water potentials (0, -0.3, -0.6, -0.9 and -1.2 MPa) and priming treatments (control, hydropriming and hormone priming). Results showed that, germination of millet decreased significantly with reduction of osmotic potential. Results indicated that the hydrotime constant (θH) for control, hydropriming and hormone priming were 0.89, 0.79 and 0.67 MPa d, the water potential (Ψb(50)) for control, hydropriming and hormone priming were -0.89, -0.94 and -1.11 MPa, respectively. Results indicated that the use of hydrotime model in germination prediction could be useful to provide more accurate estimates for the timing of sowing and management of millet

Single‐active switch high‐voltage gain DC–DC converter using a non‐coupled inductor

A single‐active switch high‐voltage gain non‐coupled inductor DC–DC converter is presented. The introduced converter achieves high step‐up gain without using any coupled inductors or transformers, provides high efficiency, and has a simple control system. The converter also achieves low voltage stress on the switch and diodes without clamping circuits, reducing cost, conduction losses, and complexity. The input current of the introduced converter is continuous with low ripple, and is therefore suitable for renewable energy applications in which the fast dynamic response of the converter is necessary. The principle of operation and design considerations of the introduced converter are investigated. A 200 W prototype circuit with 40 kHz switching frequency, 40 V input voltage, and 250 V output voltage is implemented. The prototype operates at 93.2% efficiency, with voltage and current error of less than 4% compared to theoretical values

Three-body resonances Lambda-n-n and Lambda-Lambda-n

Possible bound and resonant states of the hypernuclear systems $\Lambda nn$ and $\Lambda\Lambda n$ are sought as zeros of the corresponding three-body Jost functions calculated within the framework of the hyperspherical approach with local two-body S-wave potentials describing the $nn$, $\Lambda n$, and $\Lambda\Lambda$ interactions. Very wide near-threshold resonances are found for both three-body systems. The positions of these resonances turned out to be sensitive to the choice of the $\Lambda n$-potential. Bound $\Lambda nn$ and $\Lambda\Lambda n$ states only appear if the two-body potentials are multiplied by a factor of $\sim 1.5$.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figures. Acknowledgments are added in the new versio

Acute myocardial infarction following blunt chest trauma and coronary artery dissection

Blunt chest traumatic coronary artery dissection is an uncommon cause of atherosclerotic and non-atherosclerotic Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI). Injuries of the coronary artery after blunt chest trauma are caused by different mechanisms such as vascular spasm, dissection and intimal tear or rupture of an existing thrombus formation. Chest pain might be masked by other injuries in patients with multiple traumas in car accident. Present case report is on a 37-year-old male without any specific past medical history who reported to the emergency department of a hospital with chest discomfort and was discharged with the impression of chest wall pain. After three days he experienced severe chest pain and he was admitted with the impression of acute coronary syndrome and underwent coronary angiography which showed Left Anterior Descending (LAD) artery dissection. The possibility of injury of the coronary artery should be kept in mind after blunt trauma to the chest. This condition is sometimes underdiagnosed. Its diagnosis may be difficult because chest pain can be interpreted as being secondary to chest wall contusion or it may be overshadowed by other injuries. Coronary dissection diagnosis after chest trauma requires clinical suspicion and systematic evaluation. Electrocardiography (ECG) should be done for every patient with thoracic trauma as the clinical findings may be misleading. © 2016, Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. All rights reserved

Evaluation of the large pelagic fishes (Scomberidae family) for optimum exploitation level in the Persian Gulf

Reproductive biology, Diet and population dynamics parameters of narrow-barred Spanish mackerel, Scomberomorus commerson, in the Persian Gulf were studied during 2011-2012. Fork length frequencies were collected from the commercial catch and from the current fishery nets (gill nets with 9 and 14cm mesh size) at the landing places. During 5 periods in October, December, March, April and July 20-40 specimens were also purchased from the fishermen at several landing sites to investigate and recording of data for feeding and reproductive conditions. Fork length (FL) of 2742 fishes was recorded to the nearest cm and weight of the specimens were measured to the nearest 0.01kg. FiSAT program was used to assess growth and mortality parameters. Reproductive maturity stages were assessed macroscopically using a five element scheme based on gonad size and appearance. The numbers of ovaries were fixed and preserved in 10% formalin. Central sections were embedded in wax, sectioned Hematoxylin–Eosin stains. For this subset, gonad maturation was categorized histological using a simplified five-stage description scheme and compared with the macroscopic assessments for validation. A Gonosomatic index (GSI) was also calculated for each fish. Feeding condition results showed that, sardines are the major prey of S. commerson. Pony fishes, Haltbeak and Indian mackerel were observed in the stomach content. These preys can be assumed as a secondary or accidental food items. Liver Somatic Index (HSI) was maximum in April and minimum in July. The annual instantaneous rate of fishing mortality (F= 0.42 year^−1) was considerably greater than the target (Fopt= 0.28) and limit (Flimit= 0.37) biological reference points, suggesting that the stock is heavily overexploited. Feeding and nutrition results showed that sardines are the major items prey of king S. commerson. Ponyfish, haltbeak and Indian mackerel fishes were observed in diet that can be considered as secondary or accidental foods. Maximum and minimum of Kn index was in October (9.3) and in March respectively. Liver Somatic Index (HSI) was the highest rate in February (1.70) and the lowest in July (0.85) that indicated on the worst and the best condition of fish in the mentioned periods respectively. No difference was observed in the weight stomach index and weight index (SI) in two sexes and it was about 0.09. The smallest of fish was observed 17cm FL and the biggest was 152cm FL. The mean size of fork length frequency was observed from maximum108cm (SD= 24) in February to minimum 29.4cm (SD= 5.5) in September. Based on growth curve analysis, growth parameters, K and L_∞ were estimated 0.23year^−1 and 156.45 cm respectively. Instantaneous total mortality (Z), was 1.13 year^−1 . The estimate of M was 0.43 year^−1 and thus, the estimate of F was0.7 year^−1 . This translates to an exploitation rate (F/Z) of 0.69 year^−1 . Target (Fopt) and limit (Flimit) biological reference points were calculated 0.17 year^−1 and 0.22 year^−1 respectively. The size at capture at a probability of 0.25 (L25), 0.5 (L.5) and 0.75 (L.75) was35.84 cm, 40.28cm and 61.98 cm respectively. Tmax was calculated as 3/K equal to 6 years. Matured females (Stages III, IV) were observed between mostly between April to July. By July, most fishes were in ripped and spent stages (StagesIV, V) indicating the end of the spawning season. The result of GSI avtivity in 153 male and female fish indicated the highest reproductive activity from April to July with the peak of July. The present study results shows that the highest of catch rate were done in 1 and 2 years olds of fish. Although exploitation rate have not indicated over fishing but Fopt and Flimit rates are less than fishing mortality that shows overexploitation was happened. Changes of the mesh size in the gillnet of 9cm and the size of the nets should be considered. Banning of the king mackerel catch in the June and July that is the spawning peak period can be helped to the brood stocks