311 research outputs found
Implicit Methods for Equation-Free Analysis: Convergence Results and Analysis of Emergent Waves in Microscopic Traffic Models
We introduce a general formulation for an implicit equation-free method in
the setting of slow-fast systems. First, we give a rigorous convergence result
for equation-free analysis showing that the implicitly defined coarse-level
time stepper converges to the true dynamics on the slow manifold within an
error that is exponentially small with respect to the small parameter measuring
time scale separation. Second, we apply this result to the idealized traffic
modeling problem of phantom jams generated by cars with uniform behavior on a
circular road. The traffic jams are waves that travel slowly against the
direction of traffic. Equation-free analysis enables us to investigate the
behavior of the microscopic traffic model on a macroscopic level. The standard
deviation of cars' headways is chosen as the macroscopic measure of the
underlying dynamics such that traveling wave solutions correspond to equilibria
on the macroscopic level in the equation-free setup. The collapse of the
traffic jam to the free flow then corresponds to a saddle-node bifurcation of
this macroscopic equilibrium. We continue this bifurcation in two parameters
using equation-free analysis.Comment: 35 page
4D topology optimization: Integrated optimization of the structure and self-actuation of soft bodies for dynamic motions
Topology optimization is a powerful tool utilized in various fields for
structural design. However, its application has primarily been restricted to
static or passively moving objects, mainly focusing on hard materials with
limited deformations and contact capabilities. Designing soft and actively
moving objects, such as soft robots equipped with actuators, poses challenges
due to simulating dynamics problems involving large deformations and intricate
contact interactions. Moreover, the optimal structure depends on the object's
motion, necessitating a simultaneous design approach. To address these
challenges, we propose "4D topology optimization," an extension of
density-based topology optimization that incorporates the time dimension. This
enables the simultaneous optimization of both the structure and self-actuation
of soft bodies for specific dynamic tasks. Our method utilizes multi-indexed
and hierarchized density variables distributed over the spatiotemporal design
domain, representing the material layout, actuator layout, and time-varying
actuation. These variables are efficiently optimized using gradient-based
methods. Forward and backward simulations of soft bodies are done using the
material point method, a Lagrangian-Eulerian hybrid approach, implemented on a
recent automatic differentiation framework. We present several numerical
examples of self-actuating soft body designs aimed at achieving locomotion,
posture control, and rotation tasks. The results demonstrate the effectiveness
of our method in successfully designing soft bodies with complex structures and
biomimetic movements, benefiting from its high degree of design freedom.Comment: 36 pages, 27 figures; for supplementary video, see
https://youtu.be/sPY2jcAsNY
A modular approach to large-signal modeling of an interconnected AC/MTDC system
Y. Susuki, N. Kawamoto, Y. Ohashi, A. Ishigame, T. Funaki and S. D’Arco, "A Modular Approach to Large-Signal Modeling of an Interconnected AC/MTDC System," 2020 IEEE PES Innovative Smart Grid Technologies Europe (ISGT-Europe), The Hague, Netherlands, 2020, pp. 945-949, doi: 10.1109/ISGT-Europe47291.2020.9248890
Stiff deployable structures via coupling of thick Miura-ori tubes along creases
Origami-based structures play an important role in the realization of
deployable mechanisms and unique mechanical properties via programmable
deformation by folding. Among origami-based structures, tessellation by the
coupling of origami tubes enriches the variations in geometry and mechanical
properties. However, thickness accommodation is a critical problem in
engineering applications involving the coupling of thick origami tubes. To
solve this problem, this study proposes the coupling of thick Miura-ori tubes
along the creases for facile fabrication, which sustains the
one-degree-of-freedom (DOF) motion of thick Miura-ori tubes owing to the local
mirror symmetry around the coupling interfaces. Furthermore, the coupling
method contributes to the high stiffness of the coupled Miura-ori tubes, as
evidenced by the wide gap in the eigenvalues between the one-DOF mode and the
elastic modes obtained by the bar-and-hinge models. Finally, meter-scale
coupled Miura-ori tubes were fabricated to demonstrate one-DOF motion and high
stiffness. The findings of this study enable the rapid construction of
structures by one-DOF motion and enhancement of transportability via
flat-foldability.Comment: 41 pages, 16 figure
Efficacy of Combination Treatment with Tadalafil and Mirabegron in Patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Who Presented with Persistent Storage Symptoms After Tadalafil Monotreatment: A Prospective, Multicenter, Open-Labeled Study
Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tadalafil, a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, plus mirabegron, a β3-adrenoreceptor agonist, in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia who presented with persistent storage symptoms after tadalafil monotreatment. Methods: The registration of this study started in August 2016 and ended in July 2019. The inclusion criteria included patients aged ? 50 years who were diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia and who presented with overactive bladder symptoms. Patients were treated with oral tadalafil 5 mg once daily for 4 weeks. Then, its efficacy was evaluated. Patients who responded to the treatment received oral tadalafil 5 mg once daily for 4 more weeks (monotreatment group). Meanwhile, those who did not respond received oral tadalafil 5 mg and mirabegron 50 mg, which is an add-on treatment, once daily for 4 more weeks (combination therapy group). Results: After 8 weeks, the monotreatment group (n = 19) and the combination group (n = 56) had significantly better total Overactive Bladder Symptom Score and International Prostate Symptom Score and International Prostate Symptom Score voiding and storage subscale scores. Moreover, the two groups experienced significant improvements in the total Overactive Bladder Questionnaire and Nocturia Quality of Life Questionnaire scores, and Nocturia Quality of Life Questionnaire Bother/Concern subscale score after 8 weeks. However, there were no cases of urinary retention or serious adverse events. Conclusion: Combination treatment with tadalafil and mirabegron is effective and safe for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia who presented with persistent storage symptoms after tadalafil monotreatment. Hence, tadalafil plus mirabegron is a promising therapeutic option, and it can improve overactive bladder related-quality of life
Magnetic Field-Induced Superconductor-Insulator-Metal Transition in an Organic Conductor: An Infrared Magneto-Optical Imaging Spectroscopy
The magnetic field-induced superconductor-insulator-metal transition (SIMT)
in partially deuterated -(BEDT-TTF)Cu[N(CN)]Br, which is just
on the Mott boundary, has been observed using the infrared magneto-optical
imaging spectroscopy. The infrared reflectivity image on the sample surface
revealed that the metallic (or superconducting) and insulating phases coexist
and they have different magnetic field dependences. One of the magnetic field
dependence is SIMT that appeared on part of the sample surface. The SIMT was
concluded to originate from the balance of the inhomogenity in the sample
itself and the disorder of the ethylene end groups resulting from fast cooling.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures, to appear in Phys. Rev.
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