The westward lithospheric drift, its role on the subduction and transform zones surrounding Americas. Andean to cordilleran orogenic types cyclicity

We investigate the effect of the westerly rotation of the lithosphere on the active margins that surround the Americas and find good correlations between the inferred easterly-directed mantle counterflow and the main structural grain and kinematics of the Andes and Sandwich arc slabs. In the Andes, the subduction zone is shallow and with low dip, because the mantle flow sustains the slab; the subduction hinge converges relative to the upper plate and generates an uplifting doubly verging orogen. The Sandwich Arc is generated by a westerly-directed SAM (South American) plate subduction where the eastward mantle flow is steepening and retreating the subduction zone. In this context, the slab hinge is retreating relative to the upper plate, generating the backarc basin and a low bathymetry single-verging accretionary prism. In Central America, the Caribbean plate presents a more complex scenario: a) To the East, the Antilles Arc is generated by westerly directed subduction of the SAM plate, where the eastward mantle flow is steepening and retreating the subduction zone. b) To the West, the Middle America Trench and Arc are generated by the easterly-directed subduction of the Cocos plate, where the shallow subduction caused by eastward mantle flow in its northern segment gradually steepens to the southern segment as it is infered by the preexisting westerly-directed subduction of the Caribbean Plateau. In the frame of the westerly lithospheric flow, the subduction of a divergent active ridge plays the role of introducing a change in the oceanic/continental plate's convergence angle, such as in NAM (North American) plate with the collision with the Pacific/Farallon active ridge in the Neogene (Cordilleran orogenic type scenario). The easterly mantle drift sustains strong plate coupling along NAM, showing at Juan de Fuca easterly subducting microplate that the subduction hinge advances relative to the upper plate. This lower/upper plate convergence coupling also applies along strike to the neighbor continental strike slip fault systems where subduction was terminated (San Andreas and Queen Charlotte). The lower/upper plate convergence coupling enables the capture of the continental plate ribbons of Baja California and Yakutat terrane by the Pacific oceanic plate, transporting them along the strike slip fault systems as para-autochthonous terranes. This Cordilleran orogenic type scenario, is also recorded in SAM following the collision with the Aluk/Farallon active ridge in the Paleogene, segmenting SAM margin into the eastwardly subducting Tupac Amaru microplate intercalated between the proto-Liquiñe-Ofqui and Atacama strike slip fault systems, where subduction was terminated and para-autochthonous terranes transported. In the Neogene, the convergence of Nazca plate with respect to SAM reinstalls subduction and the present Andean orogenic type scenario

Analytical Benchmark Problems for Multifidelity Optimization Methods

The paper presents a collection of analytical benchmark problems specifically selected to provide a set of stress tests for the assessment of multifidelity optimization methods. In addition, the paper discusses a comprehensive ensemble of metrics and criteria recommended for the rigorous and meaningful assessment of the performance of multifidelity strategies and algorithms

Thermal comfort in traditional dwellings, a comparison between physical measurements and simulated data

Summertime overheating is constantly increasing in every building, either new or old, due to global warming and climate change. The air temperatures in the UK are expected to increase by +4.4°C significantly affecting thermal comfort conditions in domestic buildings. High internal temperatures can be affected by different factors including occupants’ behaviours, ventilation rates and design strategies. This paper analyses two semi-detached houses to assess risks of overheating under real weather conditions. Dynamic Thermal Simulation (DTS) is conducted, and the results are compared with the data obtained from physical measurements to assess the accuracy of the simulations in comparison to actual measurement. The results show significant discrepancies between the monitored and simulated data. Thermal comfort in the living areas exceeded the acceptable ranges defined by CIBSE TM59, particularly those facing south on the first floor. A sensitivity analysis conducted to assess the main factors affecting the accuracy of the results when conducting dynamic thermal simulations. According to the results, the ground temperature followed by U-values of the building fabrics are the key factor that could significantly affect the simulation results

Upper Middle Ordovician - (?)lower Upper Ordovician conodonts from offshore Kaarehamn wind park, north-east Öland, Sweden.

A new collection of upper Middle Ordovician (Darriwilian) - perhaps extending into lower Upper Ordovician - conodonts is taken from the offshore P4 well (56o58’47.9’’N, 17o1’11.9’’E). Currently 17 genera and 23 species have been identified, comprising the nominate taxa Pygodus serra, Eoplacognathus robustus, Eoplacognathus lindstroemi and Pygodus anserinus. The assemblages are referred to the Pygodus serra (with two subzones) and Pygodus anserinus conodont zones of the Baltoscandian conodont zonal system

Uncertainty Quantification of an Autonomous Surface Vehicle by Multi-fidelity Surrogate Models

A multi-fidelity Gaussian process (MF-GP) is presented for the forward uncertainty quantification (UQ) of the performance of an autonomous surface vehicle (ASV) subject to uncertain operating conditions. The ASV is a shallow water autonomous multipurpose platform (SWAMP), designed for the acquisition of the environmental parameters in the extremely shallow waters of wetlands. The quantity of interest (QoI) is the hydrodynamic resistance of the SWAMP subject to variable payload and longitudinal position of its center of mass. The QoI is assessed by a linear potential-flow solver coupled with the rigid body equations of motion. Multiple fidelity levels are defined based on the computational grid size and the level of coupling between hydrodynamic loads and motions. The MF-GP is based on a low-fidelity surrogate, corrected with an additive function, representing the error between higher and lower fidelity solutions. The MF-GP provides the prediction with the associated uncertainty. The latter is used to adaptively train the MF-GP, adding points where the prediction uncertainty is maximum. Finally, the UQ of the QoI is performed by Monte Carlo sampling on the MF-GP surrogate. The first four statistical moments, the 95th percentile, and the probability density function of the QoI are assessed. MF-GP is compared to its single-fidelity (high-fidelity based) counterpart, showing overall better results

A synergetic design study of a passenger-hydrofoil flapped surface: Experimental and computational fluid dynamics, optimization, and control

A hydrodynamic design procedure is presented, combining multi-objective sampling, metamodeling, and optimization. A design study of a flapped surface for a passenger hydrofoil is discussed. Hydrodynamics, stability and control are optimized with focus on maximum lift, minimum drag, and maneuverability/stability performance during take-off and turning maneuvers. Shape optimization and control design are applied in combination with validated CFD simulations. Specifically, the hydrodynamic design of the foil sections is achieved though optimization, combining automatic shape/grid modification, adaptive sampling and metamodeling, and multi-objective optimization algorithms for maximum lift and minimum drag. A robust control scheme is designed for the optimized shape. Flaps and rudders are commanded to stabilize roll and pitch motions, as well as steering the vessel during the desired maneuvers

Salute, sicurezza sul lavoro e differenze di genere: necessità di una adeguata valutazione dei rischi [Occupational health and safety and gender differences: Need for the identification of an adequate risk assessment ]

Recent legislation has made mandatory to perform the risk assessment taking into account gender differences. This should imply to consider not only the simple differences due to biologic difference between male and female workers, but also what is more related to the social role they really play in the current society. This second aspect of gender difference has not yet been addressed from a technical point of view. The University of Pisa in cooperation with INAIL has recently started a project aimed at identifying technical tools to perform a risk assessment which took into account gender difference

A synergetic design study of a passenger-hydrofoil flapped surface: experimental and computational fluid dynamics, optimization, and control

A hydrodynamic design procedure is presented, combining multi-objective sampling, metamodeling, and optimization. A design study of a flapped surface for a passenger hydrofoil is discussed. Hydrodynamics, stability and control are optimized with focus on maximum lift, minimum drag, and maneuverability/stability performance during take-off and turning maneu- vers. Shape optimization and control design are applied in combination with validated CFD simulations. Specifically, the hydrodynamic design of the foil sections is achieved though opti- mization, combining automatic shape/grid modification, adaptive sampling and metamodeling, and multi-objective optimization algorithms for maximum lift and minimum drag. A robust con- trol scheme is designed for the optimized shape. Flaps and rudders are commanded to stabilize roll and pitch motions, as well as steering the vessel during the desired maneuvers