High order difference schemes using the Local Anisotropic Basis Function Method

Mesh-free methods have significant potential for simulations in complex geometries, as the time consuming process of mesh-generation is avoided. Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) is the most widely used mesh-free method, but suffers from a lack of consistency. High order, consistent, and local (using compact computational stencils) mesh-free methods are particularly desirable. Here we present a novel framework for generating local high order difference operators for arbitrary node distributions, referred to as the Local Anisotropic Basis Function Method (LABFM). Weights are constructed from linear sums of anisotropic basis functions (ABFs), chosen to ensure exact reproduction of polynomial fields up to a given order. The ABFs are based on a fundamental Radial Basis Function (RBF), and the choice of fundamental RBF has small effect on accuracy, but influences stability. LABFM is able to generate high order difference operators with compact computational stencils (4th order with 25 nodes, 8th order with 60 nodes in two dimensions). At domain boundaries (with incomplete support) LABFM automatically provides one-sided differences of the same order as the internal scheme, up to 4th order. We use the method to solve elliptic, parabolic and mixed hyperbolic-parabolic PDEs, showing up to 8th order convergence. The inclusion of hyperviscosity is straightforward, and can effectively provide stability when solving hyperbolic problems. LABFM is a promising new mesh-free method for the numerical solution of PDEs in complex geometries. The method is highly scalable, and for Eulerian schemes, the computational efficiency is competitive with RBF-FD for a given accuracy. A particularly attractive feature is that in the low order limit, LABFM collapses to SPH, and there is potential for Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian schemes with natural adaptivity of resolution and accuracy.Comment: Accepted manuscript: 28 pages, 23 figures. Accepted in J. Comput. Phys. 10th May 202

An exploratory study of public opinions on the use of hydrogen energy in Wales

The introduction of hydrogen into the energy market is being pursued by governments around the world in an effort to abate climate change, provide security of supply and reduce air pollution. While technological aspects are well researched, the social aspects of the transition are not. The public's attitude and perception of hydrogen energy will be of great importance as we move closer to the implementation of the technologies. Using two focus groups this exploratory study aims to identify Welsh public opinions on the production and end use of hydrogen energy. Gender differences were apparent, as women were generally more accepting of hydrogen technology. The main concerns were safety (both of use and in production) and cost. Cost remained paramount, even in the light of environmental considerations. The groups' attitude to the development of hydrogen technology was supportive but with the caveat that price and safety should not be compromised

Fear information and social phobic beliefs in children: a prospective paradigm and preliminary results

This paper presents a first attempt to develop a prospective paradigm to test Rachman’s (Behav. Res. Ther. 15 (1977) 375) theory of fear acquisition for social fears. Following the prospective paradigm for animal fears developed by Field et al. (Behav. Res. Ther. 39 (2001) 1259) an attempt is made to adapt this paradigm to look at the effect of fear information in the development of social fears. A large group of normal children (N=135)who were at an age (10–13 years) at which social concerns are most pertinent were tested using this paradigm. They were given positive, negative or neutral information about three social situations: public speaking, eating in public, and meeting a new group of children. Children’s fear beliefs were measured before and after the information was given and the information was given by a teacher, a same age peer or no information was given (a control). The results indicate that although information can change social fear beliefs it is dependent upon the type of social activity and who provides the information. The implications of these initial results for our understanding of both the role of fear information in the development of social fear beliefs, and the limitations of this current paradigm are discussed

In-cylinder friction reduction using a surface finish optimization technique

The paper describes the importance of reducing frictional losses in internal combustion (IC) engines, thereby improving engine efficiency. One of the main sources contributing significantly to engine friction is the interaction between the piston compression and oil rings and the cylinder bore/liner. Improving the tribological performance in these conjunctions has the greatest potential for performance improvement in the IC engine. Traditionally, the approaches used to tackle this problem have relied heavily on empirical engineering judgement. These have resulted in many inconclusive studies, involving a large number of alternatives, including the introduction of cylinder liners with surface modification work and/or with special coatings. This paper highlights a fundamental investigation of surface modification and coating and its impact on frictional performance. The study combines numerical and experimental approaches. Very good agreement is found between the conclusions of numerical predictions and those of engine test bed work

Deriving a preference-based measure for cancer using the EORTC QLQ-C30 : a confirmatory versus exploratory approach

Background: To derive preference-based measures from various condition-specific descriptive health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measures. A general 2-stage method is evolved: 1) an item from each domain of the HRQOL measure is selected to form a health state classification system (HSCS); 2) a sample of health states is valued and an algorithm derived for estimating the utility of all possible health states. The aim of this analysis was to determine whether confirmatory or exploratory factor analysis (CFA, EFA) should be used to derive a cancer-specific utility measure from the EORTC QLQ-C30. Methods: Data were collected with the QLQ-C30v3 from 356 patients receiving palliative radiotherapy for recurrent or metastatic cancer (various primary sites). The dimensional structure of the QLQ-C30 was tested with EFA and CFA, the latter based on a conceptual model (the established domain structure of the QLQ-C30: physical, role, emotional, social and cognitive functioning, plus several symptoms) and clinical considerations (views of both patients and clinicians about issues relevant to HRQOL in cancer). The dimensions determined by each method were then subjected to item response theory, including Rasch analysis. Results: CFA results generally supported the proposed conceptual model, with residual correlations requiring only minor adjustments (namely, introduction of two cross-loadings) to improve model fit (increment χ2(2) = 77.78, p 75% observation at lowest score), 6 exhibited misfit to the Rasch model (fit residual > 2.5), none exhibited disordered item response thresholds, 4 exhibited DIF by gender or cancer site. Upon inspection of the remaining items, three were considered relatively less clinically important than the remaining nine. Conclusions: CFA appears more appropriate than EFA, given the well-established structure of the QLQ-C30 and its clinical relevance. Further, the confirmatory approach produced more interpretable results than the exploratory approach. Other aspects of the general method remain largely the same. The revised method will be applied to a large number of data sets as part of the international and interdisciplinary project to develop a multi-attribute utility instrument for cancer (MAUCa)

Lubricant base stock-surface interaction

Superior performance is by far the most desirable aspect of any Spark Ignition (SI) engine that is designed for competition use. This is closely followed by a predictable life expectancy of the unit. A major aspect that can seriously affect both performance and longevity of the unit are the frictional losses and wear of the reciprocating components within the engine. One of the major areas where frictional losses and excessive wear that can reduce performance at an alarming rate is the first compression ring/cylinder liner interface. This investigation uses lateral force microscopy to determine the congruity of matching individual base stock components to liner material/substrate combinations

Robotic control of whole blood processing in functional brain imaging research

This paper describes progress in automation of routine clinical laboratory tasks which support PET. The system examined is based on standard components of Zymark Corporation`s PyTechnology system. The system proved a reliable and robust source of laboratory automation modules suitable for automating a major task associated withe the clinical chemistry portions of PET

A review of X-ray laser development at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory

Recent experiments undertaken at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory to produce X-ray lasing over the 5-30 nm wavelength range are reviewed. The efficiency of lasing is optimized when the main pumping pulse interacts with a preformed plasma. Experiments using double 75-ps pulses and picosecond pulses superimposed on 300-ps background pulses are described. The use of travelling wave pumping with the approximately picosecond pulse experiments is necessary as the gain duration becomes comparable to the time for the X-ray laser pulse to propagate along the target length. Results from a model taking account of laser saturation and deviations from the speed of light c of the travelling wave and X-ray laser group velocity are presented. We show that X-ray laser pulses as short as 2-3 ps can be produced with optical pumping pulses of approximate to1-ps