On multi-time-step monolithic coupling algorithms for elastodynamics

We present a way of constructing multi-time-step monolithic coupling methods for elastodynamics. The governing equations for constrained multiple subdomains are written in dual Schur form and enforce the continuity of velocities at system time levels. The resulting equations will be in the form of differential-algebraic equations. To crystallize the ideas we shall employ Newmark family of time-stepping schemes. The proposed method can handle multiple subdomains, and allows different time-steps as well as different time stepping schemes from the Newmark family in different subdomains. We shall use the energy method to assess the numerical stability, and quantify the influence of perturbations under the proposed coupling method. We also discuss the conditions under which the proposed method will be energy preserving, and the conditions under which the method will be energy conserving. Several numerical examples are presented to illustrate the accuracy and stability properties of the proposed method. We shall also compare the proposed multi-time-step coupling method with some other similar methods available in the literature

Nanoscale Quantum Calorimetry with Electronic Temperature Fluctuations

Motivated by the recent development of fast and ultra-sensitive thermometry in nanoscale systems, we investigate quantum calorimetric detection of individual heat pulses in the sub-meV energy range. We propose a hybrid superconducting injector-calorimeter set-up, with the energy of injected pulses carried by tunneling electrons. Treating all heat transfer events microscopically, we analyse the statistics of the calorimeter temperature fluctuations and derive conditions for an accurate measurement of the heat pulse energies. Our results pave the way for novel, fundamental quantum thermodynamics experiments, including calorimetric detection of single microwave photons.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures plus supplemental material, 8 pages, 1 figur

On the hydrodynamics and heat convection of an impinging external flow upon a cylinder with transpiration and embedded in a porous medium

This paper extends the existing studies of heat convection by an external flow impinging upon a flat porous insert to that on a circular cylinder inside a porous medium. The surface of the cylinder is subject to constant temperature and can include uniform or non-uniform transpiration. These cylindrical configurations are introduced in the analyses of stagnation point flows in porous media for the first time. The equations governing steady transport of momentum and thermal energy in porous media are reduced to simpler nonlinear differential equations and subsequently solved numerically. This reveals the dimensionless velocity and temperature fields of the stagnation-point flow, as well as the Nusselt number and shear stress on the surface of the cylinder. The results show that transpiration on the surface of the cylinder and Reynolds number of the external flow dominate the fluid dynamics and heat transfer problems. In particular, non-uniform transpiration is shown to significantly affect the thermal and hydrodynamic responses of the system in the circumferential direction. However, the permeability and porosity of the porous medium are found to have relatively smaller influences

Frankincense improves memory retrieval in rats treated with Lipopolysaccharide

Introduction: Frankincense has been shown to possess anti-inf lammatory activity. In this studythe effect of pretreatment with the hydro-alcoholic extract of frankincense on memory retrievalwas assessed in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treated rats.Methods: Forty-two adult male Wistar rats were distributed into 7 groups of 6 each. One groupreceived LPS (1 mg/kg; i.p) pre-test. The control group received saline (1 ml/kg; i.p). 2 groups ofanimals received frankincense (50 mg/kg; P.O) or DMSO 5 (1 ml/kg; P.O) and 30 minutes laterLPS (1 mg/kg; i.p). Two other groups of animals received frankincense (50 mg/kg; P.O) or DMSO5 (1 ml/kg; P.O) and 30 minutes later saline (1 ml/kg; i.p). Another group of rats received LPS(1 mg/kg; i.p) and 30 minutes later Ibuprofen (100 mg/kg; P.O). In all the experimental groups,memory retrieval was assessed 4 hours following the last injection, using a passive avoidancetask (PAT). Hippocampal TNF-&alpha; levels were measured by ELISA as an index of LPS-inducedneuroinf lammation.Results: LPS impaired memory retrieval by decreasing step-through latency (STL), significantly.LPS also increased levels of TNF-&alpha; in the hippocampus as compared to the control group.Administration of frankincense (50 mg/kg; P.O) before LPS (1 mg/kg; i.p) improved memoryretrieval as compared to the control group. Frankincense reduced hippocampal TNF-&alpha; level in theLPS treated rats, significantly, compared to the control group.Conclusion: The results indicate that the hydro-alcoholic extract of frankincense has the potentialto improve memory retrieval in LPS treated rats, possibly via an anti-neuroinf lammatory activity.</p

Mathematical control of complex systems 2013

Mathematical control of complex systems have already become an ideal research area for control engineers, mathematicians, computer scientists, and biologists to understand, manage, analyze, and interpret functional information/dynamical behaviours from real-world complex dynamical systems, such as communication systems, process control, environmental systems, intelligent manufacturing systems, transportation systems, and structural systems. This special issue aims to bring together the latest/innovative knowledge and advances in mathematics for handling complex systems. Topics include, but are not limited to the following: control systems theory (behavioural systems, networked control systems, delay systems, distributed systems, infinite-dimensional systems, and positive systems); networked control (channel capacity constraints, control over communication networks, distributed filtering and control, information theory and control, and sensor networks); and stochastic systems (nonlinear filtering, nonparametric methods, particle filtering, partial identification, stochastic control, stochastic realization, system identification)

Differentiation of definitive endoderm from human induced pluripotent stem cells on hMSCs feeder in a defined medium

Background: The Definitive Endoderm (DE) differentiation using the undefined media and non-human feeders can cause contaminations in the generated cells for therapeutic applications. Therefore, generating safer and more appropriate DE cells is needed. This study compared five different methods to establish an appropriate method for inducing an efficient DE differentiation from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (hiPSCs) on an appropriate feeder in a more defined medium. Methods: Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (hiPSCs) were cultured on inactivated feeders. Passaged hiPSCs, without feeder, were incubated for three days with Activin-A and different endodermal differentiation media including 1-FBS, 2-B27, 3- ITS and albumin fraction-V, 4-B27 and ITS and 5-like the third medium. The feeder cells in the first four methods were Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts (MEFs) and in the fifth method were human adult bone marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hMSCs). DE markers FOXA2, SOX17 and CXCR4 and also pluripotency marker OCT4 were evaluated using qRT-PCR, as well as FOXA2 by the immunocytochemistry. Results: QRT-PCR analysis showed that after three days, the expression levels of DE and pluripotency markers in the differentiated hiPSCs among all five groups did not have any significant differences. Similarly, the immunocytochemistry analysis demonstrated that the differentiated hiPSCs expressed FOXA2, with no significant differences. Conclusion: Despite this similarity in the results, the third differentiation medium has more defined and cost effective components. Furthermore, hMSC, a human feeder, is safer than MEF. Therefore, the fifth method is preferable among other DE differentiation methods and can serve as a fundamental method helping the development of regenerative medicine. © 2016, Avicenna Journal of Medical Biotechnology. All rights reserved

Mathematical control of complex systems

Copyright © 2013 ZidongWang et al.This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited