On the maximum time step in weakly compressible SPH

International audienceIn the SPH method for viscous fluids, the time step is subject to empirical stability criteria. We proceed to a stability analysis of the Weakly Compressible SPH equations using the von Neumann approach in arbitrary space dimension for unbounded flow. Considering the continuous SPH interpolant based on integrals, we obtain a theoretical stability criterion for the time step, depending on the kernel standard deviation, the speed of sound and the viscosity. The stability domain appears to be almost independent of the kernel choice for a given space discretisation. Numerical tests show that the theory is very accurate, despite the approximations made. We then extend the theory in order to study the influence of the method used to compute the density, of the gradient and divergence SPH operators, of background pressure, of the model used for viscous forces and of a constant velocity gradient. The influence of time integration scheme is also studied, and proved to be prominent. All of the above theoretical developments give excellent agreement against numerical results. It is found that velocity gradients almost do not affect stability, provided some background pressure is used. Finally, the case of bounded flows is briefly addressed from numerical tests in three cases: a laminar Poiseuille flow in a pipe, a lid-driven cavity and the collapse of a water column on a wedge

Unified semi-analytical wall boundary conditions applied to 2-D incompressible SPH

International audienceThis work aims at improving the 2-D incompressible SPH model (ISPH) by adapting it to the unified semi-analytical wall boundary conditions proposed by Ferrand et al. [10]. The ISPH algorithm considered is as proposed by Lind et al. [25], based on the projection method with a divergence-free velocity field and using a stabilising procedure based on particle shifting. However, we consider an extension of this model to Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes equations based on the k- turbulent closure model, as done in [10]. The discrete SPH operators are modified by the new description of the wall boundary conditions. In particular, a boundary term appears in the Laplacian operator, which makes it possible to accurately impose a von Neumann pressure wall boundary condition that corresponds to impermeability. The shifting and free-surface detection algorithms have also been adapted to the new boundary conditions. Moreover, a new way to compute the wall renormalisation factor in the frame of the unified semi-analytical boundary conditions is proposed in order to decrease the computational time. We present several verifications to the present approach, including a lid-driven cavity, a water column collapsing on a wedge and a periodic schematic fish-pass. Our results are compared to Finite Volumes methods, using Volume of Fluids in the case of free-surface flows. We briefly investigate the convergence of the method and prove its ability to model complex free-surface and turbulent flows. The results are generally improved when compared to a weakly compressible SPH model with the same boundary conditions, especially in terms of pressure prediction

Physical and 3D Numerical Simulations of the Flow in the Tailrace of a Hydroelectric Power Plant to Design Fishway Entries

This work is part of a project aiming at dimensioning a fishway for a hydroelectric power plant on the Rhine River. Here we only focus on the design of the fishway entrances, for which a physical model of the draft tubes and tailrace of the powerplant was built at EPFL in 2016. As a complementary tool, a 3D numerical model was built at EDF R&D, based on the Code Saturne software. The numerical model was built first, which provided a 3D description of the site geometry and started emphasizing the predominant phenomena for the flow description. In the present case, the turbulent intensity below the turbines was identified as a key point for the model calibration. Both the physical and the numerical model were validated against field observations and ADCP measurements. The results show that good agreement is obtained with both models for several turbine exploitation configurations of the powerplant

A new Python3 module for TELEMAC-MASCARET dedicated to post-treatment: Postel

Hydrodynamic

Introducing GAIA, the brand new sediment transport module of the TELEMAC-MASCARET system

Hydrodynamic

Serum Neurotrophin Profile in Systemic Sclerosis

International audienceBACKGROUND: Neurotrophins (NTs) are able to activate lymphocytes and fibroblasts; they can modulate angiogenesis and sympathic vascular function. Thus, they can be implicated in the three pathogenic processes of systemic sclerosis (SSc). The aims of this study are to determine blood levels of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and Neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) in SSc and to correlate them with clinical and biological data.METHODS: Serum samples were obtained from 55 SSc patients and 32 control subjects to measure NTs levels by ELISA and to determine their relationships with SSc profiles. FINDINGS: Serum NGF levels were higher in SSc patients (288.26 ± 170.34 pg/mL) than in control subjects (170.34 ± 50.8 pg/mL, p<0.001) and correlated with gammaglobulins levels and the presence of both anti-cardiolipin and anti-Scl-70 antibodies (p<0.05). In contrast, BDNF levels were lower in SSc patients than in controls (1121.9 ± 158.1 vs 1372.9 ± 190.9 pg/mL, p<0.0001), especially in pulmonary arterial hypertension and diffuse SSc as compared to limited forms (all p<0.05). NT-3 levels were similar in SSc and in the control group (2657.2 ± 2296 vs 2959.3 ± 2555 pg/mL, NS). BDNF levels correlated negatively with increased NGF levels in the SSc group (and not in controls). CONCLUSION: Low BDNF serum levels were not previously documented in SSc, particularly in the diffuse SSc subset and in patients with pulmonary hypertension or anti-Scl-70 antibodies. The negative correlation between NGF and BDNF levels observed in SSc and not in healthy controls could be implicated in sympathic vascular dysfunction in SSc

Early liver transplantation for severe alcohol-related hepatitis not responding to medical treatment: a prospective controlled study

peer reviewedBackground: Early liver transplantation for severe alcohol-related hepatitis is an emerging treatment option. We aimed to assess the risk of alcohol relapse 2 years after early liver transplantation for alcohol-related hepatitis compared with liver transplantation for alcohol-related cirrhosis after at least 6 months of abstinence. Methods: We conducted a multicentre, non-randomised, non-inferiority, controlled study in 19 French and Belgian hospitals. All participants were aged 18 years or older. There were three groups of patients recruited prospectively: patients with severe alcohol-related hepatitis who did not respond to medical treatment and were eligible for early liver transplantation according to a new selection scoring system based on social and addiction items that can be quantified in points (early transplantation group); patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis listed for liver transplantation after at least 6 months of abstinence (standard transplantation group); patients with severe alcohol-related hepatitis not responding to medical treatment not eligible for early liver transplantation according to the selection score (not eligible for early transplantation group), this group did not enter any further liver transplantation processes. We also defined a historical control group of patients with severe alcohol-related hepatitis unresponsive to medical therapy and non-transplanted. The primary outcome was the non-inferiority of 2-year rate of alcohol relapse after transplantation in the early transplantation group compared with the standard transplantation group using the alcohol timeline follow back (TLFB) method and a prespecified non-inferiority margin of 10%. Secondary outcomes were the pattern of alcohol relapse, 2-year survival rate post-transplant in the early transplantation group compared with the standard transplantation group, and 2-year overall survival in the early transplantation group compared with patients in the not eligible for early transplantation group and historical controls. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01756794. Findings: Between Dec 5, 2012, and June 30, 2016, we included 149 patients with severe alcohol-related hepatitis: 102 in the early transplantation group and 47 in the not eligible for early transplantation group. 129 patients were included in the standard transplantation group. 68 patients in the early transplantation group and 93 patients in the standard transplantation group received a liver transplant. 23 (34%) patients relapsed in the early transplantation group, and 23 (25%) patients relapsed in the standard transplantation group; therefore, the non-inferiority of early transplantation versus standard transplantation was not demonstrated (absolute difference 9·1% [95% CI –∞ to 21·1]; p=0·45). The 2-year rate of high alcohol intake was greater in the early transplantation group than the standard transplantation group (absolute difference 16·7% [95% CI 5·8–27·6]) The time spent drinking alcohol was not different between the two groups (standardised difference 0·24 [95% CI −0·07 to 0·55]), but the time spent drinking a large quantity of alcohol was higher in the early transplantation group than the standard transplantation group (standardised difference 0·50 [95% CI 0·17–0·82]). 2-year post-transplant survival was similar between the early transplantation group and the standard transplantation group (hazard ratio [HR] 0·87 [95% CI 0·33–2·26]); 2-year overall survival was higher in the early transplantation group than the not eligible for early transplantation group and historical controls (HR 0·27 [95% CI 0·16–0·47] and 0·21 [0·13–0·32]). Interpretation: We cannot conclude non-inferiority in terms of rate of alcohol relapse post-transplant between early liver transplantation and standard transplantation. High alcohol intake is more frequent after early liver transplantation. This prospective controlled study confirms the important survival benefit related to early liver transplantation for severe alcohol-related hepatitis; and this study provides objective data on survival and alcohol relapse to tailor the management of patients with severe alcohol-related hepatitis. Funding: The present study has been granted by the French Ministry of Health—Programme Hospitalier de Recherche Clinique 2010