A new approach to engineering design

In the following paper, we present two components which have been used together to solve engineering design problems. Firstly, we recall some results on Reduced-Basis Output Bound methods which provide real-time outputs and their associated error estimators for a parametrized mathematical model. Then, we propose an original architecture – called SimRes– for scientific computing which itself comprises several components. Put together, these two components provide a complete solution for certain classes of engineering design problems in terms of numerical methods and software

A 'cyanoacrylate case' for developing fingerprints in cars

A portable case has been developed by which cyanoacrylate (super glue) fuming can be used inside a vehicle suspected of being involved in serious crime. The car itself serves as a fumigation chamber and the cyanoacrylate vapours are fed into the car via a hose. Connected to the hose and suspended inside the car is a vapour diffuser. The cyanoacrylate originates from a portable case where there is a sealed heater and also a command panel with hygrometer and thermometer for a technician to control the process. There is also space inside the case for other necessary equipment

Reliable Real-Time Solution of Parametrized Elliptic Partial Differential Equations: Application to Elasticity

The optimization, control, and characterization of engineering components or systems require fast, repeated, and accurate evaluation of a partial-differential-equation-induced input-output relationship. We present a technique for the rapid and reliable prediction of linear-functional outputs of elliptic partial differential equations with affine parameter dependence. The method has three components: (i) rapidly convergent reduced{basis approximations; (ii) a posteriori error estimation; and (iii) off-line/on-line computational procedures. These components -- integrated within a special network architecture -- render partial differential equation solutions truly "useful": essentially real{time as regards operation count; "blackbox" as regards reliability; and directly relevant as regards the (limited) input-output data required.Singapore-MIT Alliance (SMA

Deep-water macroalgae from the Canary Islands: new records and biogeographical relationships

Due to the geographical location and paleobiogeography of the Canary Islands, the seaweed flora contains macroalgae with different distributional patterns. In this contribution, the biogeographical relations of several new records of deep-water macroalgae recently collected around the Canarian archipelago are discussed. These are Bryopsidella neglecta (Berthotd) Rietema,Discosporangium mesarthrocarpum (Meneghini) Hauck, Hincksia onslowensis (Amsler et Kapraun)P.C. Silva, Syringoderma floridana Henry, Peyssonnelia harveyana J. Agardh, Cryptonemia seminervis(C. Agardh) J. Agardh, Botryodadia wynnei Ballantine, Gloiocladia blomquistii (Searles) R. E.Norris, PIahchrysis peltata (W. R. Taylor) P. Huv4 et H. Huv4, Leptofauchea brasiliensis Joly, and Sarcodiotheca divaricata W. R. Taylor. These new records, especially those in the Florideophyceae,support the strong affinity of the Canary Islands seaweed flora with the warm-temperate Mediterranean-Atlantic region. Some species are recorded for the first time from the east coast of the Atlantic Ocean, enhancing the biogeographic relations of the Canarian marine flora with that of the western Atlantic regions

Reduced-basis Output Bound Methods for Parametrised Partial Differential Equations

An efficient and reliable method for the prediction of outputs of interest of partial differential equations with affine parameter dependence is presented. To achieve efficiency we employ the reduced-basis method: a weighted residual Galerkin-type method, where the solution is projected onto low-dimensional spaces with certain problem-specific approximation properties. Reliability is obtained by a posteriori error estimation methods - relaxations of the standard error-residual equation that provide inexpensive but sharp and rigorous bounds for the error in outputs of interest. Special affine parameter dependence of the differential operator is exploited to develop a two-stage off-line/on-line blackbox computational procedure. In the on-line stage, for every new parameter value, we calculate the output of interest and an associated error bound. The computational complexity of the on-line stage of the procedure scales only with the dimension of the reduced-basis space and the parametric complexity of the partial differential operator; the method is thus ideally suited for the repeated and rapid evaluations required in the context of parameter estimation, design, optimization, and real-time control. The theory and corroborating numerical results are presented for: symmetric coercive problems (e.g. problems in conduction heat transfer), parabolic problems (e.g. unsteady heat transfer), noncoercive problems (e.g. the reduced-wave, or Helmholtz, equation), the Stokes problem (e.g flow of highly viscous fluids), and certain nonlinear equations (e.g. eigenvalue problems)

Biofluid modeling of the coupled eye-brain system and insights into simulated microgravity conditions

This work aims at investigating the interactions between the flow of fluids in the eyes and the brain and their potential implications in structural and functional changes in the eyes of astronauts, a condition also known as spaceflight associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS). To this end, we propose a reduced (0-dimensional) mathematical model of fluid flow in the eyes and brain, which is embedded into a simplified whole-body circulation model. In particular, the model accounts for: (i) the flows of blood and aqueous humor in the eyes; (ii) the flows of blood, cerebrospinal fluid and interstitial fluid in the brain; and (iii) their interactions. The model is used to simulate variations in intraocular pressure, intracranial pressure and blood flow due to microgravity conditions, which are thought to be critical factors in SANS. Specifically, the model predicts that both intracranial and intraocular pressures increase in microgravity, even though their respective trends may be different. In such conditions, ocular blood flow is predicted to decrease in the choroid and ciliary body circulations, whereas retinal circulation is found to be less susceptible to microgravity-induced alterations, owing to a purely mechanical component in perfusion control associated with the venous segments. These findings indicate that the particular anatomical architecture of venous drainage in the retina may be one of the reasons why most of the SANS alterations are not observed in the retina but, rather, in other vascular beds, particularly the choroid. Thus, clinical assessment of ocular venous function may be considered as a determinant SANS factor, for which astronauts could be screened on earth and in-flight

Reduced-basis output bound methods for heat transfer problems

We describe a technique for the rapid and reliable prediction of outputs of interest, of elliptic partial differential equations with affine parameter dependence. To achieve efficiency, the reduced-basis method is used; reliability is obtained by the development of relevant a posteriori error estimators. We apply this method to the problem of designing a thermal fin, to effectively remove heat from a surface. A number of design parameters=inputs are considered. Each possible configuration, corresponding to different choices of the design parameters, needs to be evaluated by solving the heat conduction equation and calculating certain outputs of interest like the average temperature on the fin base

Phenotype of autosomal dominant spastic paraplegia linked to chromosome 2

Summary We report the clinical features of 12 families with autosomal dominant spastic paraplegia (ADSP) linked to the SPG4 locus on chromosome 2p, the major locus for this disorder that accounts for ∼40% of the families. Among 93 gene carriers, 32 (34%) were unaware of symptoms but were clinically affected. Haplotype reconstruction showed that 90% of the asymptomatic gene carriers presented increased reflexes and/or extensor plantar responses independent of age at examination. The mean age at onset was 29 years, ranging from 1 to 63 years. Intra- as well as inter-familial variability of age at onset was important, but did not result from anticipation. Phenotype—genotype correlations and comparison with SPG3 and SPG5 families indicated that despite the variability of age at onset, SPG4 is a single genetic entity but no clinical features distinguish individual SPG4 patients from those with SPG3 or SPG5 mutation