An element-based spectrally-optimized approximate inverse preconditioner for the Euler equations

Non-hydrostatic Unified Model of the Atmosphere (NUMA)The first NUMA papers appeared in 2008. From 2008 through 2010, all the NUMA papers appearing involved the 2D (x-z slice) Euler equations. All the theory and numerical implementations were first developed in 2D.We introduce a method for constructing an element-by-element sparse approximate inverse (SAI) preconditioner designed to be effective in a massively-parallel spectral element modeling environment involving non- symmetric systems. This new preconditioning approach is based on a spectral optimization of a low-resolution pre- conditioned system matrix (PSM). We show that the local preconditioning matrices obtained via this element-based, spectrum-optimized (EBSO) approach may be applied to arbitrarily high-resolution versions of the same system matrix without appreciable loss of preconditioner performance. We demonstrate the performance of the EBSO precondition- ing approach using 2-D spectral element method (SEM) formulations for a simple linear conservation law and for the fully-compressible 2-D Euler equations with various boundary conditions. For the latter model running at suffi- ciently large Courant number, the EBSO preconditioner significantly reduces both iteration count and wall-clock time regardless of whether a generalized minimum residual (GMRES) or a stabilized biconjugate gradient (BICGSTAB) iterative scheme is employed. To assess the value added by this new preconditioning approach, we compare its perfor- mance against two other equally-parallel SAI preconditioning methods: low-order Chebyshev generalized least-squares polynomials and an element-based variant of the well-known Frobenius norm optimization preconditioner which we also develop herein. The EBSO preconditioner significantly out-performs both the Chebyshev polynomials and the element-based Frobenius-norm-optimized (EBFO) preconditioner regardless of whether the GMRES or BICGSTAB iterative scheme is employed. Moreover, when the EBSO preconditioner is combined with the Chebyshev polynomial method dramatic reductions in iterations per time-step can be achieved while still achieving a significant reduction in wall-clock time

Qualidade física do solo sob sistemas de integração lavoura-pecuária

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade física do solo em sistemas de integração lavoura-pecuária (ILP), em comparação à pastagem contínua e ao cerrado nativo. Durante dois anos (2005 e 2006), amostras de um Latossolo Vermelho argiloso foram coletadas de duas camadas (0-20 e 70-80 cm), em seis áreas cultivadas em diferentes sistemas de rotação de culturas e ILP. Uma área de pastagem contínua e outra de cerrado nativo foram utilizadas como referências. Foram analisados os seguintes atributos físico-hídricos: densidade do solo, umidade de saturação, porosidade total, macroporosidade, microporosidade efetiva, saturação efetiva, condutividade hidráulica saturada de campo e de laboratório, e curva de retenção de água do solo. Todos os sistemas de cultivo provocaram impacto nos atributos físico-hídricos, na camada 0-20 cm. O cultivo contínuo de pastagem proporcionou a melhor qualidade física do solo. Na comparação entre os anos, apenas o sistema preparo convencional do solo mostrou incremento na densidade e redução na porosidade do solo. A pastagem em rotação no sistema ILP, mesmo após quatro anos, não favorece a qualidade física do solo em comparação à pastagem contínua

NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans – anteaters, sloths, and armadillos – have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with 24 domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, ten anteaters, and six sloths. Our dataset includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data-paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the south of the USA, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to its austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n=5,941), and Cyclopes sp. has the fewest (n=240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n=11,588), and the least recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n=33). With regards to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n=962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n=12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other datasets of Neotropical Series which will become available very soon (i.e. Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans dataset

Risk profiles and one-year outcomes of patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation in India: Insights from the GARFIELD-AF Registry.

BACKGROUND: The Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF) is an ongoing prospective noninterventional registry, which is providing important information on the baseline characteristics, treatment patterns, and 1-year outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). This report describes data from Indian patients recruited in this registry. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 52,014 patients with newly diagnosed AF were enrolled globally; of these, 1388 patients were recruited from 26 sites within India (2012-2016). In India, the mean age was 65.8 years at diagnosis of NVAF. Hypertension was the most prevalent risk factor for AF, present in 68.5% of patients from India and in 76.3% of patients globally (P < 0.001). Diabetes and coronary artery disease (CAD) were prevalent in 36.2% and 28.1% of patients as compared with global prevalence of 22.2% and 21.6%, respectively (P < 0.001 for both). Antiplatelet therapy was the most common antithrombotic treatment in India. With increasing stroke risk, however, patients were more likely to receive oral anticoagulant therapy [mainly vitamin K antagonist (VKA)], but average international normalized ratio (INR) was lower among Indian patients [median INR value 1.6 (interquartile range {IQR}: 1.3-2.3) versus 2.3 (IQR 1.8-2.8) (P < 0.001)]. Compared with other countries, patients from India had markedly higher rates of all-cause mortality [7.68 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval 6.32-9.35) vs 4.34 (4.16-4.53), P < 0.0001], while rates of stroke/systemic embolism and major bleeding were lower after 1 year of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Compared to previously published registries from India, the GARFIELD-AF registry describes clinical profiles and outcomes in Indian patients with AF of a different etiology. The registry data show that compared to the rest of the world, Indian AF patients are younger in age and have more diabetes and CAD. Patients with a higher stroke risk are more likely to receive anticoagulation therapy with VKA but are underdosed compared with the global average in the GARFIELD-AF. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION-URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01090362