Variable kinematic beam elements coupled via Arlequin method

In this work, beamelements based on different kinematic assumptions are combined through the Arlequinmethod. Computational costs are reduced assuming refined models only in those zones with a quasi-three-dimensional stress field. Variable kinematics beamelements are formulated on the basis of a unified formulation (UF). This formulation is extended to the Arlequinmethod to derive matrices related to the coupling zones between high- and low-order kinematicbeam theories. According to UF, a N-order polynomials approximation is assumed on the beam cross-section for the unknown displacements, being N a free parameter of the formulation. Several hierarchical finite elements can be formulated. Part of the structure can be accurately modelled with computationally cheap low-order elements, part calls for computationally demanding high-order elements. Slender, moderately deep and deep beams are investigated. Square and I-shaped cross-sections are accounted for. A cross-ply laminated composite beam is considered as well. Results are assessed towards Navier-type analytical models and three-dimensional finite element solutions. The numerical investigation has shown that Arlequinmethod in the context of a hierarchical formulation effectively couples sub-domains having different order finite elements without loss of accuracy and reducing the computational cos

Coarse-Grained Descriptions

Coarse-grained approaches are widely considered for analyzing multiatomic systems. They are based on the used of simplified interatomic potentials, that allow deriving most of the macroscopic thermomechanical properties of materials. Molecular dynamics can coarsened at its turn leading to dissipative particle dynamics and multi-particle collision dynamics. Finally, for addressing larger systems, Langevin and diffusion equations are usually considered; the last in very close connection with Brownian mechanics and its fractional variant. This chapter revisits all these physical descriptions

Ice flux divergence anomalies on 79north Glacier, Greenland

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A three-scale domain decomposition method for the 3D analysis of debonding in laminates

The prediction of the quasi-static response of industrial laminate structures requires to use fine descriptions of the material, especially when debonding is involved. Even when modeled at the mesoscale, the computation of these structures results in very large numerical problems. In this paper, the exact mesoscale solution is sought using parallel iterative solvers. The LaTIn-based mixed domain decomposition method makes it very easy to handle the complex description of the structure; moreover the provided multiscale features enable us to deal with numerical difficulties at their natural scale; we present the various enhancements we developed to ensure the scalability of the method. An extension of the method designed to handle instabilities is also presented

Impact of opioid-free analgesia on pain severity and patient satisfaction after discharge from surgery: multispecialty, prospective cohort study in 25 countries

Background: Balancing opioid stewardship and the need for adequate analgesia following discharge after surgery is challenging. This study aimed to compare the outcomes for patients discharged with opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after common surgical procedures.Methods: This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study collected data from patients undergoing common acute and elective general surgical, urological, gynaecological, and orthopaedic procedures. The primary outcomes were patient-reported time in severe pain measured on a numerical analogue scale from 0 to 100% and patient-reported satisfaction with pain relief during the first week following discharge. Data were collected by in-hospital chart review and patient telephone interview 1 week after discharge.Results: The study recruited 4273 patients from 144 centres in 25 countries; 1311 patients (30.7%) were prescribed opioid analgesia at discharge. Patients reported being in severe pain for 10 (i.q.r. 1-30)% of the first week after discharge and rated satisfaction with analgesia as 90 (i.q.r. 80-100) of 100. After adjustment for confounders, opioid analgesia on discharge was independently associated with increased pain severity (risk ratio 1.52, 95% c.i. 1.31 to 1.76; P < 0.001) and re-presentation to healthcare providers owing to side-effects of medication (OR 2.38, 95% c.i. 1.36 to 4.17; P = 0.004), but not with satisfaction with analgesia (beta coefficient 0.92, 95% c.i. -1.52 to 3.36; P = 0.468) compared with opioid-free analgesia. Although opioid prescribing varied greatly between high-income and low- and middle-income countries, patient-reported outcomes did not.Conclusion: Opioid analgesia prescription on surgical discharge is associated with a higher risk of re-presentation owing to side-effects of medication and increased patient-reported pain, but not with changes in patient-reported satisfaction. Opioid-free discharge analgesia should be adopted routinely