A direct elimination algorithm for quasi-static and dynamic contact problems

This paper deals with the computational modeling and numerical simulation of contact problems at Unite deformations using the Finite element method. Quasi-static and dynamic problems are considered and two particular frictional conditions, full stick friction and frictionless cases, are addressed. Lagrange multipliers and regularized formulations of the contact problem, such as penalty or augmented Lagrangian methods, are avoided and a new direct elimination method is proposed. Conserving algorithms are also introduced for the proposed formulation for dynamic contact problems. An assessment of he performance of the resulting formulation is shown in a number of selected benchmark tests and numerical examples, including both quasi-static and dynamic contact problems under full stick friction and frictionless contact conditions. Conservation of key discrete properties exhibited by the time stepping algorithm used for dynamic contact problems is also shown in an example. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author’s final draft

The beauty of dying stars: A corpus-based translation of popular science articles on supernovae

openThe field of translation is tied to the development of our civilization as it had a tremendous impact on the development of national languages and on the dissemination of culture. Specifically, scientific translation played a crucial role in the circulation of science and it facilitated the great advancement of our time. This dissertation aims to propose the translation of a selection of popular science articles that discuss the specialised topic of supernovae, namely celestial objects studied within the field of Astronomy. The translation process was conducted with a corpus-based approach which, since its dawns within the field of translation studies, has proved to be an extremely useful resource. Corpus-driven studies enable linguists and translators to process a large amount of data, leaving behind the time-consuming methods of the past. For this dissertation, the corpus creation process involved the collection of popular science articles in English and Italian in order to create two corpora: one comparable corpus for analysis and one DYI corpus for the translation process. Finally, the thesis aims to deliver target texts that follow the norms of popular science discourse, that is the employment of strategies and techniques that can simplify highly technical information and, consequently, make them accessible to a large number of lay readers

The KM3Net project: A neutrino telescope in the depths of the Mediterranean Sea

The KM3NeT Collaboration has started the first phase of construction of a next generation high-energy neutrino telescope in the Mediterranean Sea. With several cubic kilometers instrumented and thousand of optical sensors, KM3NeT will be the largest and most sensitive high-energy neutrino telescope. Thanks to its location in the Northern hemisphere and to its large instrumented volume KM3NeT will be the optimal instrument to search for neutrinos from the Southern sky and in particular from the Galactic plane, thus making it complementary to IceCube. The full KM3NeT detector will be a distributed, networked infrastructure comprising several detector blocks. In Italy, off the coast of Capo Passero, and in France, off the coast of Toulon, the construction of the KM3NeT-It and KM3NeT-Fr infrastructures respectively is in progress. In this work the technologically innovative component of the detector, the status of construction and the first results from prototypes of the KM3NeT detector will be described and its capability to discover neutrino sources is reported as well

Great Books on Egypt in the Modern World

Histor

Arab Autumn: Egypt Now

Histor

INERTIAL MOTION CAPTURE SYSTEM FOR BIOMECHANICAL ANALYSIS IN PRESSURE SUITS

A non-invasive system has been developed at the University of Maryland Space System Laboratory with the goal of providing a new capability for quantifying the motion of the human inside a space suit. Based on an array of six microprocessors and eighteen microelectromechanical (MEMS) inertial measurement units (IMUs), the Body Pose Measurement System (BPMS) allows the monitoring of the kinematics of the suit occupant in an unobtrusive, self-contained, lightweight and compact fashion, without requiring any external equipment such as those necessary with modern optical motion capture systems. BPMS measures and stores the accelerations, angular rates and magnetic fields acting upon each IMU, which are mounted on the head, torso, and each segment of each limb. In order to convert the raw data into a more useful form, such as a set of body segment angles quantifying pose and motion, a series of geometrical models and a non-linear complimentary filter were implemented. The first portion of this works focuses on assessing system performance, which was measured by comparing the BPMS filtered data against rigid body angles measured through an external VICON optical motion capture system. This type of system is the industry standard, and is used here for independent measurement of body pose angles. By comparing the two sets of data, performance metrics such as BPMS system operational conditions, accuracy, and drift were evaluated and correlated against VICON data. After the system and models were verified and their capabilities and limitations assessed, a series of pressure suit evaluations were conducted. Three different pressure suits were used to identify the relationship between usable range of motion and internal suit pressure. In addition to addressing range of motion, a series of exploration tasks were also performed, recorded, and analysed in order to identify different motion patterns and trajectories as suit pressure is increased and overall suit mobility is reduced. The focus of these evaluations was to quantify the reduction in mobility when operating in any of the evaluated pressure suits. This data should be of value in defining new low cost alternatives for pressure suit performance verification and evaluation. This work demonstrates that the BPMS technology is a viable alternative or companion to optical motion capture; while BPMS is the first motion capture system that has been designed specifically to measure the kinematics of a human in a pressure suit, its capabilities are not constrained to just being a measurement tool. The last section of the manuscript is devoted to future possible uses for the system, with a specific focus on pressure suit applications such in the use of BPMS as a master control interface for robot teleoperation, as well as an input interface for future robotically augmented pressure suits

Creating a path for high quality care: implementation of the mini-CEX in a student-run clinic

Purpose: This study examines the utility of implementing the mini-CEX at a student-run primary care clinic. The mini-CEX is a validated tool for clinical skills feedback and evaluation. The implementation of the mini-CEX sought to improve quality standards in providers clinical skills, and therefore to set a model for continuous quality improvement in medical education. Hypothesis: The primary hypothesis tested is that a minimum of three mini-CEXs per week will produce a positive utility for both students and faculty. Methods: A needs-based analysis focus group solicited opinions on the mission and function of the clinic from the student-providers. The mini-CEX was then presented as a feedback tool that could create a more structured learning environment. After the providers agreed to a trial implementation of the mini-CEX, the faculty at the clinic were instructed on observation and feedback using the mini-CEX. During the trial study, the authors collected a copy of all mini-CEX forms which were used to document number of evaluations per week, characteristics of the visit, and the feedback given. Interviews conducted during the trial study with both students and faculty were documented on a weekly basis. The utility of the mini-CEX was determined according to a previously published model which examines the reliability, validity, educational impact, acceptability, cost and feasibility. Results: The student-providers agreed to the trial implementation of the mini-CEX in their clinic. During the trial period, there was a mean of 3.82 (median = 3) evaluations. Interviews with faculty revealed a lack of experience in observing trainees with patients but also increased attention to the teaching they could provide the students. Interviews with students revealed frustration at the lack of consistency in the teaching, but appreciation of the feedback process. Conclusions: The mini-CEX was successfully implemented in this student-run clinic. The feasibility is evidenced in the number of weeks in which the minimum of 3 evaluations were performed. The positive feedback during and after the trial period from both faculty and students evidences the acceptability of the mini-CEX. The implementation of a feedback and evaluation tool by students for students represents a movement in structuring clinical education in a self-regulatory manner to ensure higher quality clinical skills by future physicians

Forest height maps obtained with ICESAT-2 data

The purpose of this project is to get data from the ICESAT 2 satellite to obtain maps for the regions of Europe and North-America, of the height of the vegetation. To do it, we will use tools as MATLAB to store all this data obtained and compare it through 2d and 3d graphics.El propósito de este proyecto es obtener datos del satélite ICESAT 2 para obtener mapas de la regiones de Europa y Norte América, de la altura de la vegetación. Para ello utilizaremos herramientas como MATLAB para almacenar todos estos datos obtenidos y compararlos mediante gráficos 2d y 3d.El propòsit d'aquest projecte és obtenir dades del satèl·lit ICESAT 2 per obtenir mapes de les regions d'Europa i nord America, de l'alçada de la vegetació. Per això utilitzarem eines com MATLAB per emmagatzemar totes aquestes dades obtingudes i comparar-les mitjançant gràfics 2d i 3d