Parametric optimization of pulsating jets in unsteady flow by Multiple-Gradient Descent Algorithm (MGDA)

International audienceTwo numerical methodologies are combined to optimize six design characteristics of a system of pulsating jets acting on a laminar boundary layer governed by the compressible Navier-Stokes equations in a time-periodic regime. The flow is simulated by second-order in time and space finite-volumes, and the simulation provides the drag as a function of time. Simultaneously, the sensitivity equations, obtained by differentiating the governing equations w.r.t. the six parametersare also marched in time, and this provides the six-component parametric gradient of drag. When the periodic regime is reached numerically, one thus disposes of an objective-function, drag, to be minimized, and its parametric gradient, at all times of a period. Second, the parametric optimization is conducted as a multi-point problem by the Multiple-Gradient Descent Algorithm (MGDA) which permits to reduce the objective-function at all times simultaneously, and not simply in the sense of a weighted average

Exploratory reference intervals on hematology and cellular immune system of multiparous Large White sows

AbstractThere is significant lack of basic hematologic and immunological data in adult sows. Therefore, aim of this study was to provide respective reference intervals. 32 clinically healthy multiparous Large White sows aged 33.5±9.6months and all of them two months postpartum were included in this study. Mean erythrocyte count was 5.5±0.7×106/μl and total leukocyte count was 12.1±2.1×103/μl. Proportion of lymphocytes was 44.7±10.2% and of neutrophils 41.6±11.0%. The ratio of naïve T helper (Th) cells to memory Th cells was 1:3.1 and the ratio of Th cells to cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) was 1:4.2. Proportions of regulatory T cells, NK cells, and CD21+ B cells were lower (3.1, 2.6, and 6.0%) than those of memory Th cells ranging from 8.8 to 27.5% depending on the activation status and CTLs with 37.3%. γδ T cells were found at comparably high numbers (19.1%). Flow cytometric measurement of intracellular cytokines in PBMCs revealed marginal levels for IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-12p35, but remarkable levels for TNF-α and IFN-γ. Highest mRNA levels were found for IL-1, IL-10, and TNF-α, with TNF-α showing the least inter-individual variation

An Improved Continuous Sensitivity Equation Method for Optimal Shape Design in Mixed Convection

International audienceThis paper presents an optimal shape design methodology for mixed convection problems. The Navier-Stokes equations and the Continuous Sensitivity Equations (CSE) are solved using an adaptive finite-element method to obtain flow and sensitivity fields. A new procedure is presented to extract accurate values of the flow derivatives at the boundary, appearing in the CSE boundary conditions for shape parameters. Flow and sensitivity information are then employed to calculate the value and gradient of a design objective function. A BFGS optimization algorithm is used to find optimal shape parameter values. The proposed approach is first verified on a problem with a closed form solution, obtained by the method of manufactured solutions. The method is then applied to determine the optimal shape of a model cooling system

Porcine CD8αdim/-NKp46high NK cells are in a highly activated state

Natural Killer (NK) cells play a crucial role in the early phase of immune responses against various pathogens. In swine so far only little information about this lymphocyte population exists. Phenotypical analyses with newly developed monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against porcine NKp46 recently revealed that in blood NKp46(-) and NKp46(+) cells with NK phenotype exist with comparable cytotoxic properties. In spleen a third NKp46-defined population with NK phenotype was observed that was characterised by a low to negative CD8α and increased NKp46 expression. In the current study it is shown that this NKp46(high) phenotype was correlated with an increased expression of CD16 and CD27 compared to the CD8α(+)NKp46(-) and NKp46(+) NK-cell subsets in spleen and blood. Additionally NKp46(high) NK cells expressed elevated levels of the chemokine receptor CXCR3 on mRNA level. Functional analyses revealed that splenic NKp46(high) NK cells produced much higher levels of Interferon-γ and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α upon stimulation with cytokines or phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate/Ionomycin compared to the other two subsets. Furthermore, cross-linking of NKp46 by NKp46-specific mAbs led to a superior CD107a expression in the NKp46(high) NK cells, thus indicating a higher cytolytic capacity of this subset. Therefore porcine splenic NKp46(high) NK cells represent a highly activated subset of NK cells and may play a profound role in the immune surveillance of this organ

Reducing Uncertainties in a Wind-Tunnel Experiment using Bayesian Updating

We perform a fully stochastic analysis of an experiment in aerodynamics. Given estimated uncertainties on the principle input parameters of the experiment, including uncertainties on the shape of the model, we apply uncertainty propagation methods to a suitable CFD model of the experimental setup. Thereby we predict the stochastic response of the measurements due to the experimental uncertainties. To reduce the variance of these uncertainties a Bayesian updating technique is employed in which the uncertain parameters are treated as calibration parameters, with priors taken as the original uncertainty estimates. Imprecise measurements of aerodynamic forces are used as observational data. Motivation and a concrete application come from a wind-tunnel experiment whose parameters and model geometry have substantial uncertainty. In this case the uncertainty was a consequence of a poorly constructed model in the pre-measurement phase. These methodological uncertainties lead to substantial uncertainties in the measurement of forces. Imprecise geometry measurements from multiple sources are used to create an improved stochastic model of the geometry. Calibration against lift and moment data then gives us estimates of the remaining parameters. The effectiveness of the procedure is demonstrated by prediction of drag with uncertainty

Jeux dynamiques en optimisation couplée fluide-structure

International audienceMultidisciplinary optimisation (MDO) adresses the design process of materials and structures that must comply with several criteria, sometimes antagonistic. Moreover, different criteria may be derived from different models, coupled or not. Due to the competing nature of the criteria, rational non-arbitrary methods should be used to drive the MDO, and clearly game theory paradigm offers such a framework. In this paper, we present a case study of MDO in aeronautics, where aerodynamics designer interacts with structural designer in a Nash and Stackelberg games. The developped algorithms as well as numerical results of optimization are presented.L'optimisation multidisciplinaire (MDO) adresse le processus de conception des matériaux et des structures qui doivent être conformes à plusieurs critères, parfois antagonique. D'ailleurs, dif-férents critères qui peuvent résulter de différents modèles, couplés ou pas. En raison de la nature de la concurrence des critères, des méthodes raisonnables non-arbitraires devraient être employées pour conduire le MDO, et clairement le paradigme de la théorie des jeux offre un tel cadre. Dans ce papier, nous présentons un cas d'étude de MDO en aéronautique, où le concepteur aérodynamique intéragit avec le concepteur structural dans le cas du jeu de Nash et de Stackelberg. Les algorithmes développés ainsi que les résultats numériques de l'optimisation seront présentés

Expression analyses of the mitochondrial complex I 75-kDa subunit in early onset schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder: increased levels as a potential biomarker for early onset schizophrenia

Searching for a peripheral biological marker for schizophrenia, we previously reported on elevated mitochondrial complex I 75-kDa subunit mRNA-blood concentrations in early onset schizophrenia (EOS). The aim of this study was to further evaluate the utility of this gene as a potential marker for schizophrenia. Both—schizophrenia and autism—are suggested to be neuronal maldevelopmental disorders with reports of mitochondrial dysfunction and increased oxidative stress. Therefore we have investigated the expression levels of mitochondrial complex I 75-kDa subunit mRNA in whole blood of children with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) and a group of adolescent acute first-episode EOS patients in comparison to matched controls. We have found that compared to the respective controls only the group of EOS patients—and not the ASD group—showed a significantly altered expression of the complex I 75-kDa subunit mRNA. Although further studies are necessary to test for the specificity of this marker, our findings point to the potential use of the mitochondrial complex I as a biomarker for schizophrenia

Virtual Shaping on NACA 0015 by Means of a High Momentum Coefficient Synthetic Jet

Results concerning flow control on a NACA 0015 airfoil using high power synthetic jets are presented for low incidences and for Reynolds numbers ranging from 132000 to 425000. The forcing was operated through a spanwise slit positioned near the leading edge at x/c=1.25% or at x/c=10% on the upper surface. Static pressure distribution measurements around the airfoil, wake surveys and smoke flow visualizations were performed. Pressure distributions were significantly modified around the injection location, showing an area of intense suction which increased the lift and strongly affected the drag. Flow visualizations highlighted that the intense suction was due to a virtual shaping effect caused by the formation of a recirculation bubble capable of displacing the streamlines. Low momentum deficits in the wake velocity distributions and, in certain conditions, jet-like flow was observed for the forced cases. Finally, a scaling law relating the bubble size to the forcing intensity is propose