Efficient stochastic finite element methods for flow in heterogeneous porous media. Part 2: random lognormal permeability

Efficient and robust iterative methods are developed for solving the linear systems of equations arising from stochastic finite element methods for single phase fluid flow in porous media. Permeability is assumed to vary randomly in space according to some given correlation function. In the companion paper, herein referred to as Part 1, permeability was approximated using a truncated Karhunen‐Loève expansion (KLE). The stochastic variability of permeability is modeled using lognormal random fields and the truncated KLE is projected onto a polynomial chaos basis. This results in a stochastic nonlinear problem since the random fields are represented using polynomial chaos containing terms that are generally nonlinear in the random variables. Symmetric block Gauss‐Seidel used as a preconditioner for CG is shown to be efficient and robust for stochastic finite element method

Effectiveness of an executive function training in italian preschool educational services and far transfer effects to pre-academic skills

In this study we examine the effectiveness and far transfer effects of a training that was found to be effective in promoting Executive Function (EF) in a sample of 5-year-old children (Traverso et al., 2015). By contrast with Traverso et al. (2015), the intervention was administered by regular teachers to verify its ecological validity. Far transfer was assessed by evaluating the training effects on pre-academic skills. 126 children attending the last year of Italian preschool educational services took part in the study (mainly 5-year-old children). Pre-and post-test assessments were conducted using a large EF and pre-academic skill task battery. The results indicate that the experimental group outperformed the control group in an interference suppression composite score. Moreover, significant far transfer effects to pre-academic skills in literacy domain were found. In addition, we found that the improvement in the pre academic skills (in both literacy and math domains) was mediated by the improvement in the interference suppression score. The results suggest the possibility that this intervention, which may be easily implemented in the context of educational services, can promote EF during the preschool period before entry to primary school

FAIR quantitative imaging in oncology:How Semantic Web and Ontologies will support reproducible science

The automated extraction of quantitative imaging biomarkers from patient's scans, could augment physician decision making in radiation oncology. Unfortunately, lack of reproducibility and robust methodology current limits this promising field to be applied in the clinic. In this paper, we state how the combination of quantitative medical imaging with Semantic Web and Ontologies techniques could speed up the role of quantitative imaging

Data-driven modeling for drop size distributions

The prediction of the drop size distribution (DSD) resulting from liquid atomization is key to the optimization of multiphase flows from gas-turbine propulsion through agriculture to healthcare. Obtaining high-fidelity data of liquid atomization, either experimentally or numerically, is expensive, which makes the exploration of the design space difficult. First, to tackle these challenges, we propose a framework to predict the DSD of a liquid spray based on data as a function of the spray angle, the Reynolds number, and the Weber number. Second, to guide the design of liquid atomizers, the model accurately predicts the volume of fluid contained in drops of specific sizes while providing uncertainty estimation. To do so, we propose a Gaussian process regression (GPR) model, which infers the DSD and its uncertainty form the knowledge of its integrals and of its first moment, i.e., the mean drop diameter. Third, we deploy multiple GPR models to estimate these quantities at arbitrary points of the design space from data obtained from a large number of numerical simulations of a flat fan spray. The kernel used for reconstructing the DSD incorporates prior physical knowledge, which enables the prediction of sharply peaked and heavy-tailed distributions. Fourth, we compare our method with a benchmark approach, which estimates the DSD by interpolating the frequency polygon of the binned drops with a GPR. We show that our integral approach is significantly more accurate, especially in the tail of the distribution (i.e., large, rare drops), and it reduces the bias of the density estimator by up to 10 times. Finally, we discuss physical aspects of the model's predictions and interpret them against experimental results from the literature. This work opens opportunities for modeling drop size distribution in multiphase flows from data

a review

Primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a reliable procedure with reproducible long-term results. Nevertheless, there are conditions related to the type of patient or local conditions of the knee that can make it a difficult procedure. The most common scenarios that make it difficult are discussed in this review. These include patients with many previous operations and incisions, and those with severe coronal deformities, genu recurvatum, a stiff knee, extra-articular deformities and those who have previously undergone osteotomy around the knee and those with chronic dislocation of the patella. Each condition is analysed according to the characteristics of the patient, the pre-operative planning and the reported outcomes. When approaching the difficult primary TKA surgeons should use a systematic approach, which begins with the review of the existing literature for each specific clinical situation. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B(10 Suppl A):30–9

Advanced Glycation End-Products and Hyperglycemia Increase Angiopoietin-2 Production by Impairing Angiopoietin-1-Tie-2 System

The angiopoietin-Tie-2 system plays a crucial role in the maintenance of endothelial integrity. Hyperglycemia and advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are involved in endothelial cell dysfunction responsible of the pathogenesis of microvascular complications of diabetes. Here, we investigated whether glycated serum (GS) or hyperglycemia (HG) affect the angiopoietin-Tie-2 system in the microvascular endothelial cells HMEC-1. We found that culture for 5 days in the presence of AGEs and HG (alone or in combination) decreased cell proliferation, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and reduced ratio between the oxidized and the reduced form of glutathione. Since angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) signaling regulates angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) expression through inactivation of the forkhead transcription factor FoxO1, we investigated intracellular signaling of Ang-1 and expression of Ang-2. HG and AGEs reduced phosphorylation of Akt and abrogated phosphorylation of FoxO1 induced by Ang-1 without affecting neither Tie-2 expression nor its activation. Furthermore, AGEs and/or HG induced nuclear translocation of FoxO1 and increased Ang-2 production. In conclusion, we demonstrated that both hyperglycemia and AGEs affect the angiopoietin-Tie-2 system by impairing Ang-1/Tie-2 signaling and by increasing Ang-2 expression. These results suggest that therapeutic strategies useful in preventing or delaying the onset of diabetic vascular complications should be aimed to preserve Ang-1 signaling

Life Cycle Assessment of Luminescent Solar Concentrators Integrated into a Smart Window

The main goal of this paper is to assess the life cycle environmental impacts of a multifunctional smart window luminescent solar concentrator (SW-LSC) prototype through the application of the Life Cycle Assessment methodology. To the authors' knowledge, this is one of the first studies on the topic. The analysis followed a cradle to gate approach, considering the assembly and maintenance phase as well as the end of life, examined separately through a recycling/landfill scenario. A comparison of the impacts of LSC modules with those of some building-integrated photovoltaic technologies was carried out. Results showed that the global warming potential (100 years) for SW-LSC was 5.91 x 10(3) kg CO2eq and the manufacturing phase had the greatest impact (about 96%). The recycling/landfill scenario results showed the possibility to reduce impacts by an average of 45%. A dominance analysis of SW-LSC components showed that the aluminum frame was the main hotspot (about 60% contribution), followed by the light-shelf (about 19%). Batteries and motors for the shading system were the biggest contributors in the abiotic depletion potential category (36% and 30%, respectively). An alternative scenario, which involved the use of 75% recycled aluminum for the window frame, highlighted the possibility to reduce environmental impacts from 3% to 46%. Finally, the comparison results showed that the LSC modules' impacts were on average 870% lower than that of various PV technologies when compared on the basis of m(2); on the contrary, LSC modules had the highest impacts in all categories (from 200% to 1900%) when compared with other PV technologies on the basis of 1 kWh of energy generated. The results could be used for the definition of eco-design strategies for the examined device, in order to support the scaling-up process and to put "greener" systems onto the market

Mixed finite element methods for groundwater flow in heterogeneous aquifers

This paper is concerned with a comparison of the performance and efficiency of mixed finite element methods for solving single phase fluid flow in porous media. Particular attention is given to the accurate determination of the groundwater fluxes. The linear systems generated by the mixed finite element method (MFEM) are indefinite. Symmetric positive definite linear systems are generated through the introduction of Lagrange multipliers giving rise to the mixed hybrid finite element method (MHFEM). The convergence behaviour of the numerical approximations is investigated over a range of conductivity coefficients from heterogeneous, isotropic and diagonal to discontinuous, anisotropic and full, on both triangular and quadrilateral, structured and distorted meshes. The robustness and efficiency of various preconditioned solvers is investigated in terms of optimality with respect to both mesh size and conductivity coefficient