Excessive Memory Usage of the ELLPACK Sparse Matrix Storage Scheme throughout the Finite Element Computations

Sparse matrices are occasionally encountered during solution of various problems by means of numerical methods, particularly the finite element method. ELLPACK sparse matrix storage scheme, one of the most widely used methods due to its implementation ease, is investigated in this study. The scheme uses excessive memory due to its definition. For the conventional finite element method, where the node elements are used, the excessive memory caused by redundant entries in the ELLPACK sparse matrix storage scheme becomes negligible for large scale problems. On the other hand, our analyses show that the redundancy is still considerable for the occasions where facet or edge elements have to be used

Charged Droplets in Cryogenic \u3csup\u3e4\u3c/sup\u3eHe Vapor

We have measured the mobility of positive ions in 4He vapor for temperatures between 1.3 and 2.0 K and for saturation ratios between 0.1 and 1.0. We present a model which relates the size of a charged droplet to its mobility and find good quantitative agreement with our data when we calculate the size of the droplet which forms about the ion with classical macroscopic thermodynamic arguments. The radius thus obtained ranges from 7 to 9 Å

DETERMINISTIC SCENARIOS AS INPUT MOTION FOR LOSS ASSESSMENT

A predominantly deterministic viewpoint has been adopted for computing seismic ground motion both for urban areas (SP10) and infrastructures loss modeling (SP11) at three selected areas: the cities of Lisbon (Portugal) and Thessaloniki (Greece), and the metropolis of Istanbul (Turkey). The generation of earthquake ground motion scenarios involves both the particular choice of earthquake sources with associated fault rupture parameters, and the ensuing ground motion field calculated by an appropriate numerical tool, or empirically estimated, at a set of selected points within the urban area of interest. Ground shaking values are predicted for rock conditions and for two distinct frequency bands, i.e. the high frequency range (from 1.0 Hz to 4-5 Hz) in the case of damage evaluation for the vast majority of ordinary building, and the low frequency (≤ 2 Hz) more appropriate for lifeline system damage assessment. The advanced simulation techniques allowed to properly consider the finite fault effects and directivity, which imply extreme expected values, and they are capable of quantifying the spatial variability of the ground motion near the extended fault

Simulating earthquake scenarios in the European Project LESSLOSS: the case of the metropolitan area of Lisbon (MAL)

In the framework of the ongoing European project “LESSLOSS – Risk Mitigation for Earthquakes and Landslides” two sub-projects are devoted to earthquake disaster scenario predictions and loss modeling for urban areas and infrastructures. This paper is dealing with the sub-project 10, SP10, Task Programme “Scenario earthquake definitions for three cities”. Finite-fault seismological models are proposed to compute the earthquake scenarios for three urban areas – Istanbul (Turkey), Lisbon (Portugal) and Thessaloniki (Greece). For each case study, ground motion scenarios are developed for the most probable two events with different return periods, locations and magnitudes derived from historical and geological data. In this study, we simulate the accelerometric time series and response spectra for high frequency ground motion in the city of Lisbon and surrounding counties (Metropolitan Area of Lisbon), using two possible earthquake models: the inland source area of Lower Tagus Valley, M 5.7 (4.7) and a hypothesis of the offshore source area of the 1755 Lisbon, M 7.6. The non-stationary stochastic method RSSIM (Carvalho et al. 2004) and a new hybrid stochastic-deterministic approach, DSM (Pacor et al., 2005) are used in order to evaluate the ground shaking and to characterize its spatial variability. Then the site effects are evaluated by means of an equivalent stochastic non-linear one-dimensional ground response analysis of stratified soil profile units properly designed. Results are here presented in terms of PGA maps, for offshore and inland scenarios. The mean and worst shaking scenarios for the Metropolitan Area of Lisbon have been delineated at the bedrock. Local effects amplify the synthetic PGA values by approximately a factor of 2. This means that PGA values computed for bedrock in Lisbon city can increase from 0.12g up to 0.25g and up to 0.5g in surroundings, for the inland scenario, and from 0.045g up to 0.090g for a M7.6 offshore scenario

The effectiveness of foreign exchange interventions under a floating exchange rate regime for the Turkish economy: A post-crisis period analysis

The reported study has two purposes: first, it attempts to improve the literature on foreign exchange interventions of the central banks for the emerging market economies, an area not previously studied in detail. The Turkish economy in the post-crisis period constitutes a good example in this context. Second, it proposes a new methodology, a time-varying parameter model, to analyse the effectiveness of the foreign exchange interventions. When the results from such an exercise are compared with those obtained from an event-study analysis, it is found that purchase-based interventions seem to be successful, especially after stabilization of the financial markets. In that sense, an asymmetry is detected regarding the effectiveness of interventions. Concerning the relationship between interest rates and exchange rates, it is found that the uncovered interest rate parity condition operates in an unconventional way, supporting the views put forward by recent emerging markets literature. © 2006 Taylor & Francis

Simulating earthquake scenarios in the European Project LESSLOSS: the case of the metropolitan area of Lisbon (MAL)

In the framework of the ongoing European project “LESSLOSS – Risk Mitigation for Earthquakes and Landslides” two sub-projects are devoted to earthquake disaster scenario predictions and loss modeling for urban areas and infrastructures. This paper is dealing with the sub-project 10, SP10, Task Programme “Scenario earthquake definitions for three cities”. Finite-fault seismological models are proposed to compute the earthquake scenarios for three urban areas – Istanbul (Turkey), Lisbon (Portugal) and Thessaloniki (Greece). For each case study, ground motion scenarios are developed for the most probable two events with different return periods, locations and magnitudes derived from historical and geological data. In this study, we simulate the accelerometric time series and response spectra for high frequency ground motion in the city of Lisbon and surrounding counties (Metropolitan Area of Lisbon), using two possible earthquake models: the inland source area of Lower Tagus Valley, M 5.7 (4.7) and a hypothesis of the offshore source area of the 1755 Lisbon, M 7.6. The non-stationary stochastic method RSSIM (Carvalho et al. 2004) and a new hybrid stochastic-deterministic approach, DSM (Pacor et al., 2005) are used in order to evaluate the ground shaking and to characterize its spatial variability. Then the site effects are evaluated by means of an equivalent stochastic non-linear one-dimensional ground response analysis of stratified soil profile units properly designed. Results are here presented in terms of PGA maps, for offshore and inland scenarios. The mean and worst shaking scenarios for the Metropolitan Area of Lisbon have been delineated at the bedrock. Local effects amplify the synthetic PGA values by approximately a factor of 2. This means that PGA values computed for bedrock in Lisbon city can increase from 0.12g up to 0.25g and up to 0.5g in surroundings, for the inland scenario, and from 0.045g up to 0.090g for a M7.6 offshore scenario

Stationary State Solutions of a Bond Diluted Kinetic Ising Model: An Effective-Field Theory Analysis

We have examined the stationary state solutions of a bond diluted kinetic Ising model under a time dependent oscillating magnetic field within the effective-field theory (EFT) for a honeycomb lattice $(q=3)$. Time evolution of the system has been modeled with a formalism of master equation. The effects of the bond dilution, as well as the frequency $(\omega)$ and amplitude $(h/J)$ of the external field on the dynamic phase diagrams have been discussed in detail. We have found that the system exhibits the first order phase transition with a dynamic tricritical point (DTCP) at low temperature and high amplitude regions, in contrast to the previously published results for the pure case \cite{Ling}. Bond dilution process on the kinetic Ising model gives rise to a number of interesting and unusual phenomena such as reentrant phenomena and has a tendency to destruct the first-order transitions and the DTCP. Moreover, we have investigated the variation of the bond percolation threshold as functions of the amplitude and frequency of the oscillating field.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figure

European lipodystrophy registry: Background and structure

Background: Lipodystrophy syndromes comprise a group of extremely rare and heterogeneous diseases characterized by a selective loss of adipose tissue in the absence of nutritional deprivation or catabolic state. Because of the rarity of each lipodystrophy subform, research in this area is difficult and international co-operation mandatory. Therefore, in 2016, the European Consortium of Lipodystrophies (ECLip) decided to create a registry for patients with lipodystrophy. Results: The registry was build using the information technology Open Source Registry System for Rare Diseases in the EU (OSSE), an open-source software and toolbox. Lipodystrophy specific data forms were developed based on current knowledge of typical signs and symptoms of lipodystrophy. The platform complies with the new General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 by ensuring patient pseudonymization, informational separation of powers, secure data storage and security of communication, user authentication, person specific access to data, and recording of access granted to any data. Inclusion criteria are all patients with any form of lipodystrophy (with the exception of HIV-associated lipodystrophy). So far 246 patients from nine centres (Amsterdam, Bologna, Izmir, Leipzig, M\ufcnster, Moscow, Pisa, Santiago de Compostela, Ulm) have been recruited. With the help from the six centres on the brink of recruitment (Cambridge, Lille, Nicosia, Paris, Porto, Rome) this number is expected to double within the next one or 2 years. Conclusions: A European registry for all patients with lipodystrophy will provide a platform for improved research in the area of lipodystrophy. All physicians from Europe and neighbouring countries caring for patients with lipodystrophy are invited to participate in the ECLip Registry. Study registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03553420). Registered 14 March 2018, retrospectively registered

Seismological constraints for the dyke emplacement of the July-August 2001 lateral eruption at Mt. Etna volcano, Italy

In this paper we report seismological evidence regarding the emplacement of the dike that fed the July 18 - August 9, 2001 lateral eruption at Mt. Etna volcano. The shallow intrusion and the opening of the eruptive fracture system, which mostly occurred during July 12, and July 18, were accompanied by one of the most intense seismic swarms of the last 20 years. A total of 2694 earthquakes (1 £ Md £ 3.9) were recorded from the beginning of the swarm (July 12) to the end of the eruption (August 9). Seismicity shows the upward migration of the dike from the basement to the relatively thin volcanic pile. A clear hypocentral migration was observed, well constraining the upwards propagation of a near-vertical dike, oriented roughly N-S, and located a few kilometers south of the summit region. Earthquake distribution and orientation of the P-axes from focal mechanisms indicate that the swarm was caused by the local stress source related to the dike intrusion

Earthquake rupture forecasts for the mps19 seismic hazard model of Italy

In recent years, new approaches for developing earthquake rupture forecasts (ERFs) have been proposed to be used as an input for probabilistic seismic hazard assessment (PSHA). Zone-based approaches with seismicity rates derived from earthquake catalogs are commonly used in many countries as the standard for national seismic hazard models. In Italy, a single zone-based ERF is currently the basis for the official seismic hazard model. In this contribution, we present eleven new ERFs, including five zone-based, two smoothed seismicity-based, two fault-based, and two geodetic-based, used for a new PSH model in Italy. The ERFs were tested against observed seismicity and were subject to an elicitation procedure by a panel of PSHA experts to verify the scientific robustness and consistency of the forecasts with respect to the observations. Tests and elicitation were finalized to weight the ERFs. The results show a good response to the new inputs to observed seismicity in the last few centuries. The entire approach was a first attempt to build a community-based set of ERFs for an Italian PSHA model. The project involved a large number of seismic hazard practitioners, with their knowledge and experience, and the development of different models to capture and explore a large range of epistemic uncertainties in building ERFs, and represents an important step forward for the new national seismic hazard model