Three-dimensional FE-EFGM adaptive coupling with application to nonlinear adaptive analysis

Three-dimensional problems with both material and geometrical nonlinearities are of practical importance in many engineering applications, e.g. geomechanics, metal forming and biomechanics. Traditionally, these problems are simulated using an adaptive finite element method (FEM). However, the FEM faces many challenges in modeling these problems, such as mesh distortion and selection of a robust refinement algorithm. Adaptive meshless methods are a more recent technique for modeling these problems and can overcome the inherent mesh based drawbacks of the FEM but are computationally expensive. To take advantage of the good features of both methods, in the method proposed in this paper, initially the whole of the problem domain is modeled using the FEM. During an analysis those elements which violate a predefined error measure are automatically converted to a meshless zone. This zone can be further refined by adding nodes, overcoming computationally expensive FE remeshing. Therefore an appropriate coupling between the FE and the meshless zone is vital for the proposed formulation. One of the most widely used meshless methods, the element-free Galerkin method (EFGM), is used in this research. Maximum entropy shape functions are used instead of the conventional moving least squares based formulations'. These shape functions posses a weak Kronecker delta property at the boundaries of the problem domain, which allows the essential boundary conditions to be imposed directly and also helps to avoid the use of a transition region in the coupling between the FE and the EFG regions. Total Lagrangian formulation is preferred over the updated Lagrangian formulation for modeling finite deformation due to its computational efficiency. The well-established error estimation procedure of Zienkiewicz-Zhu is used in the FE region to determine the elements requiring conversion to the EFGM. The Chung and Belytschko error estimator is used in the EFG region for further adaptive refinement. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the performance of the current approach in thre

Marked increase in community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections, Western Australia, 2004–2018

This study presents enhanced surveillance data from 2004 – 2018 for all community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) specimens collected in Western Australia (WA), and describes the changing epidemiology over this period. A total of 57,557 cases were reviewed. Annual incidence rates increased from 86.2 cases per 100,000 population to 245.6 per 100,000 population (IRR = 2.9, CI95 2.7 – 3.0). The proportion of isolates carrying Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL)-associated genes increased from 3.4% to 59.8% (χ2 test for trend 7021.9, p\u3c0.001). The emergence of PVL-positive, “Queensland CA-MRSA” (ST93- IV) and “WA 121” (ST5-IV) accounted for the majority of increases in CA-MRSA across the study period. It is unclear why some clones are more prolific in certain regions. In WA, CA-MRSA rates increase as indices of temperature and humidity increase after controlling for socioeconomic disadvantage. We suggest climatic conditions may contribute to transmission, along with other socio-behavioural factors. A better understanding of the ability for certain clones to form ecological niches and cause outbreaks is required

A survey of weather information possessed by thirty-two pupils randomly selected from sixth and eleventh grades and from special classes

Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston Universit

The Reliability of Test Discriminations

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/66658/2/10.1177_001316445501500404.pd

The hydrodynamic footprint of a benthic, sedentary fish in unidirectional flow

Author Posting. © Acoustical Society of America, 2007. This article is posted here by permission of Acoustical Society of America for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 122 (2007): 1227-1237, doi:10.1121/1.2749455.Mottled sculpin (Cottus bairdi) are small, benthic fish that avoid being swept downstream by orienting their bodies upstream and extending their large pectoral fins laterally to generate negative lift. Digital particle image velocimetry was used to determine the effects of these behaviors on the spatial and temporal characteristics of the near-body flow field as a function of current velocity. Flow around the fish's head was typical for that around the leading end of a rigid body. Flow separated around the edges of pectoral fin, forming a wake similar to that observed for a flat plate perpendicular to the flow. A recirculation region formed behind the pectoral fin and extended caudally along the trunk to the approximate position of the caudal peduncle. In this region, the time-averaged velocity was approximately one order of magnitude lower than that in the freestream region and flow direction varied over time, resembling the periodic shedding of vortices from the edge of a flat plate. These results show that the mottled sculpin pectoral fin significantly alters the ambient flow noise in the vicinity of trunk lateral line sensors, while simultaneously creating a hydrodynamic footprint of the fish's presence that may be detected by the lateral line of nearby fish.This work was funded in part by an NIDCD program project grant to the Parmly Hearing Institute, Loyola University Chicago (W. Yost, PI, S. Coombs, Co-PI)

Scanning Tunneling Spectroscopy in MgB2

We present scanning tunneling microscopy measurements of the surface of superconducting MgB2 with a critical temperature of 39K. In zero magnetic field the conductance spectra can be analyzed in terms of the standard BCS theory with a smearing parameter Gamma. The value of the superconducting gap is 5.2 meV at 4.2 K, with no experimentally significant variation across the surface of the sample. The temperature dependence of the gap follows the BCS form, fully consistent with phonon-mediated superconductivity in this novel superconductor. The application of a magnetic field induces strong pair-breaking as seen in the conductance spectra in fields up to 6 T.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Molecular epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from Australian veterinarians

This work investigated the molecular epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance of methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated from veterinarians in Australia in 2009. The collection (n = 44) was subjected to extensive molecular typing (MLST, spa, SCCmec, dru, PFGE, virulence and antimicrobial resistance genotyping) and antimicrobial resistance phenotyping by disk diffusion. MRSA was isolated from Australian veterinarians representing various occupational emphases. The isolate collection was dominated by MRSA strains belonging to clonal complex (CC) 8 and multilocus sequence type (ST) 22. CC8 MRSA (ST8-IV [2B], spa t064; and ST612-IV [2B] , spa variable,) were strongly associated with equine practice veterinarians (OR = 17.5, 95% CI = 3.3-92.5, P < 0.001) and were often resistant to gentamicin and rifampicin. ST22-IV [2B], spa variable, were strongly associated with companion animal practice veterinarians (OR = 52.5, 95% CI = 5.2-532.7, P < 0.001) and were resistant to ciprofloxacin. A single pig practice veterinarian carried ST398-V [5C2], spa t1451. Equine practice and companion animal practice veterinarians frequently carried multiresistant-CC8 and ST22 MRSA, respectively, whereas only a single swine specialist carried MRSA ST398. The presence of these strains in veterinarians may be associated with specific antimicrobial administration practices in each animal species

Defining the gap between research and practice in public relations programme evaluation - towards a new research agenda

The current situation in public relations programme evaluation is neatly summarized by McCoy who commented that 'probably the most common buzzwords in public relations in the last ten years have been evaluation and accountability' (McCoy 2005, 3). This paper examines the academic and practitioner-based literature and research on programme evaluation and it detects different priorities and approaches that may partly explain why the debate on acceptable and agreed evaluation methods continues. It analyses those differences and proposes a research agenda to bridge the gap and move the debate forward

Intergenerational equity in municipal accounting: New Zealand 1910s

Accounting for fixed assets by municipalities has been discussed in the accounting history literature previously. This paper addresses two issues related to accounting for fixed assets not previously discussed; the influence of the principle of intergenerational equity on local government accounting, and the influence of users of accounting information in accounting policy making in government accounting. The paper identifies that users of accounting information have had significant influence in a debate on government accounting policy, and that the principle of intergenerational equity was given a position of high importance in the debate, but not an unchallengeable position. The motivation of the users of accounting information to engage in the debates is identified as a form of civic duty, which is consistent with the ethical imperative in ensuring intergenerational equity

Sceptical Employees as CSR Ambassadors in Times of Financial Uncertainty

This chapter offers new insights into the understanding of internal (employee) perceptions of organizational corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies and strategies. This study explores the significance of employees’ involvement and scepticism upon CSR initiatives and focuses on the effects it may have upon word of mouth (WOM) and the development of employee–organisation relationships. Desk research introduces the research questions. Data for the research questions were gathered through a self-completion questionnaire distributed in a hardcopy form to the sample. An individual’s level of scepticism and involvement appears to affect the development of a positive effect on employees’ WOM. Involvement with the domain of the investment may be a central factor affecting relationship building within the organization, and upon generation of positive WOM. The chapter offers a conceptual framework to public relations (PR) and corporate communications practitioners, which may enrich their views and understanding of the use and value of CSR for communication strategies and practices. For-profit organisations are major institutions in today’s society. CSR is proffered as presenting advantages for (at macro level) society and (micro level) the organization and its employees. Concepts, such as involvement and scepticism, which have not been rigorously examined in PR and corporate communication literature, are addressed. By examining employee perceptions, managers and academic researchers gain insights into the acceptance, appreciation and effectiveness of CSR policies and activities upon the employee stakeholder group. This will affect current and future CSR communication strategies. The knowledge acquired from this chapter may be transferable outside the for-profit sector