923 research outputs found
A scalable parallel finite element framework for growing geometries. Application to metal additive manufacturing
This work introduces an innovative parallel, fully-distributed finite element
framework for growing geometries and its application to metal additive
manufacturing. It is well-known that virtual part design and qualification in
additive manufacturing requires highly-accurate multiscale and multiphysics
analyses. Only high performance computing tools are able to handle such
complexity in time frames compatible with time-to-market. However, efficiency,
without loss of accuracy, has rarely held the centre stage in the numerical
community. Here, in contrast, the framework is designed to adequately exploit
the resources of high-end distributed-memory machines. It is grounded on three
building blocks: (1) Hierarchical adaptive mesh refinement with octree-based
meshes; (2) a parallel strategy to model the growth of the geometry; (3)
state-of-the-art parallel iterative linear solvers. Computational experiments
consider the heat transfer analysis at the part scale of the printing process
by powder-bed technologies. After verification against a 3D benchmark, a
strong-scaling analysis assesses performance and identifies major sources of
parallel overhead. A third numerical example examines the efficiency and
robustness of (2) in a curved 3D shape. Unprecedented parallelism and
scalability were achieved in this work. Hence, this framework contributes to
take on higher complexity and/or accuracy, not only of part-scale simulations
of metal or polymer additive manufacturing, but also in welding, sedimentation,
atherosclerosis, or any other physical problem where the physical domain of
interest grows in time
Weak convergence of finite element approximations of linear stochastic evolution equations with additive noise II. Fully discrete schemes
We present an abstract framework for analyzing the weak error of fully
discrete approximation schemes for linear evolution equations driven by
additive Gaussian noise. First, an abstract representation formula is derived
for sufficiently smooth test functions. The formula is then applied to the wave
equation, where the spatial approximation is done via the standard continuous
finite element method and the time discretization via an I-stable rational
approximation to the exponential function. It is found that the rate of weak
convergence is twice that of strong convergence. Furthermore, in contrast to
the parabolic case, higher order schemes in time, such as the Crank-Nicolson
scheme, are worthwhile to use if the solution is not very regular. Finally we
apply the theory to parabolic equations and detail a weak error estimate for
the linearized Cahn-Hilliard-Cook equation as well as comment on the stochastic
heat equation
Residual stress analysis and finite element modelling of repair-welded titanium sheets
An innovative FE modelling approach has been tested to investigate the effects of weld repair thin sheets of titanium alloy, taking into account pre-existing stress field in the components. In the case study analysed, the residual stress fields due to the original welds are introduced by means of a preliminary sequentially-coupled thermo-mechanical analysis and considered as pre-existing stress in the sheets for the subsequent weld simulation. Comparisons are presented between residual stress predictions and experimental measurements available from the literature with the aim of validating the numerical procedure. As a destructive sectioning technique was used in the reference experimental measurements, an investigation is also presented on the use of the element deactivation strategy when adopted to simulate material removal. Although the numerical tool is an approximate approach to simulate the actual material removal, the strategy appears to compute a physical strain relaxation and stress redistribution in the remaining part of the component. The weld repair modelling strategy and the element deactivation tool adopted to simulate the residual stress measurement technique are shown to predict residual stress trends which are very well correlated with experimental findings from the literature
Norovirus Gastroenteritis Outbreak with a Secretor-independent Susceptibility Pattern, Sweden
Nonsecretors were highly susceptible to norovirus GI.3 in a foodborne outbreak
JLab Measurements of the 3He Form Factors at Large Momentum Transfers
The charge and magnetic form factors, FC and FM, of 3He have been extracted
in the kinematic range 25 fm-2 < Q2 < 61 fm-2 from elastic electron scattering
by detecting 3He recoil nuclei and electrons in coincidence with the High
Resolution Spectrometers of the Hall A Facility at Jefferson Lab. The
measurements are indicative of a second diffraction minimum for the magnetic
form factor, which was predicted in the Q2 range of this experiment, and of a
continuing diffractive structure for the charge form factor. The data are in
qualitative agreement with theoretical calculations based on realistic
interactions and accurate methods to solve the three-body nuclear problem
Homozygous microdeletion of exon 5 in ZNF277 in a girl with specific language impairment
Peer reviewedPublisher PD
High ecosystem service delivery potential of small woodlands in agricultural landscapes
Global forest loss and fragmentation have strongly increased the frequency of forest patches smaller than a few hectares. Little is known about the biodiversity and ecosystem service supply potential of such small woodlands in comparison to larger forests. As it is widely recognized that high biodiversity levels increase ecosystem functionality and the delivery of multiple ecosystem services, small, isolated woodlands are expected to have a lower potential for ecosystem service delivery than large forests hosting more species. We collected data on the diversity of six taxonomic groups covering invertebrates, plants and fungi, and on the supply potential of five ecosystem services and one disservice within 224 woodlands distributed across temperate Europe. We related their ability to simultaneously provide multiple ecosystem services (multiservice delivery potential) at different performance levels to biodiversity of all studied taxonomic groups (multidiversity), forest patch size and age, as well as habitat availability and connectivity within the landscape, while accounting for macroclimate, soil properties and forest structure. Unexpectedly, despite their lower multidiversity, smaller woodlands had the potential to deliver multiple services at higher performance levels per area than larger woodlands of similar age, probably due to positive edge effects on the supply potential of several ecosystem services. Biodiversity only affected multiservice delivery potential at a low performance level as well as some individual ecosystem services. The importance of other drivers of ecosystem service supply potential by small woodlands in agricultural landscapes also depended on the level of performance and varied with the individual ecosystem service considered. Synthesis and applications. Large, ancient woodlands host high levels of biodiversity and can therefore deliver a number of ecosystem services. In contrast, smaller woodlands in agricultural landscapes, especially ancient woodlands, have a higher potential to deliver multiple ecosystem services on a per area basis. Despite their important contribution to agricultural landscape multifunctionality, small woodlands are not currently considered by public policies. There is thus an urgent need for targeted policy instruments to ensure their adequate management and future conservation in order to either achieve multiservice delivery at high levels or to maximize the delivery of specific ecosystem services
High ecosystem service delivery potential of small woodlands in agricultural landscapes
Global forest loss and fragmentation have strongly increased the frequency of forest patches smaller than a few hectares. Little is known about the biodiversity and ecosystem service supply potential of such small woodlands in comparison to larger forests. As it is widely recognized that high biodiversity levels increase ecosystem functionality and the delivery of multiple ecosystem services, small, isolated woodlands are expected to have a lower potential for ecosystem service delivery than large forests hosting more species. We collected data on the diversity of six taxonomic groups covering invertebrates, plants and fungi, and on the supply potential of five ecosystem services and one disservice within 224 woodlands distributed across temperate Europe. We related their ability to simultaneously provide multiple ecosystem services (multiservice delivery potential) at different performance levels to biodiversity of all studied taxonomic groups (multidiversity), forest patch size and age, as well as habitat availability and connectivity within the landscape, while accounting for macroclimate, soil properties and forest structure. Unexpectedly, despite their lower multidiversity, smaller woodlands had the potential to deliver multiple services at higher performance levels per area than larger woodlands of similar age, probably due to positive edge effects on the supply potential of several ecosystem services. Biodiversity only affected multiservice delivery potential at a low performance level as well as some individual ecosystem services. The importance of other drivers of ecosystem service supply potential by small woodlands in agricultural landscapes also depended on the level of performance and varied with the individual ecosystem service considered. Synthesis and applications. Large, ancient woodlands host high levels of biodiversity and can therefore deliver a number of ecosystem services. In contrast, smaller woodlands in agricultural landscapes, especially ancient woodlands, have a higher potential to deliver multiple ecosystem services on a per area basis. Despite their important contribution to agricultural landscape multifunctionality, small woodlands are not currently considered by public policies. There is thus an urgent need for targeted policy instruments to ensure their adequate management and future conservation in order to either achieve multiservice delivery at high levels or to maximize the delivery of specific ecosystem services
Effective, Broad Spectrum Control of Virulent Bacterial Infections Using Cationic DNA Liposome Complexes Combined with Bacterial Antigens
Protection against virulent pathogens that cause acute, fatal disease is often hampered by development of microbial resistance to traditional chemotherapeutics. Further, most successful pathogens possess an array of immune evasion strategies to avoid detection and elimination by the host. Development of novel, immunomodulatory prophylaxes that target the host immune system, rather than the invading microbe, could serve as effective alternatives to traditional chemotherapies. Here we describe the development and mechanism of a novel pan-anti-bacterial prophylaxis. Using cationic liposome non-coding DNA complexes (CLDC) mixed with crude F. tularensis membrane protein fractions (MPF), we demonstrate control of virulent F. tularensis infection in vitro and in vivo. CLDC+MPF inhibited bacterial replication in primary human and murine macrophages in vitro. Control of infection in macrophages was mediated by both reactive nitrogen species (RNS) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in mouse cells, and ROS in human cells. Importantly, mice treated with CLDC+MPF 3 days prior to challenge survived lethal intranasal infection with virulent F. tularensis. Similarly to in vitro observations, in vivo protection was dependent on the presence of RNS and ROS. Lastly, CLDC+MPF was also effective at controlling infections with Yersinia pestis, Burkholderia pseudomallei and Brucella abortus. Thus, CLDC+MPF represents a novel prophylaxis to protect against multiple, highly virulent pathogens
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