Fast solvers and efficient numerical cfd techniques for dynamic porous media problems

We present a fully implicit, monolithic finite element solution scheme to efficiently solve the governing set of differential algebraic equations of incompressible poroelastodynamics. Thereby, we proceed from a two-dimensional, biphasic, saturated porous medium model with intrinsically coupled and incompressible solid and fluid constituents. Our approach, motivated by well-accepted CFD techniques and originally developed for the efficient simulation of incompressible flow problems, is characterized by the following aspects: (1) a special treatment of the algebraically coupled volume balance equation leading to a reduced form of the boundary conditions; (2) usage of a higher-order accurate mixed LBB-stable finite element pair with piecewise discontinuous pressure for the spatial discretization; (3) application of the fully implicit 2nd-order Crank-Nicolson scheme for the time discretization; (4) use of a special fast multigrid solver for the resulting discrete linear equation system. For the purpose of validation and to expose the merits and benefits of our new solution strategy in comparison to other established approaches, canonical one- and two-dimensional wave propagation problems are solved. Finally, a large-scale, dynamic soil-structure interaction problem serves to reveal the efficiency of the special multigrid solver in combination with the chosen finite element discretization

Explainable Artificial Intelligence for Mechanics: Physics-Explaining Neural Networks for Constitutive Models

(Artificial) neural networks have become increasingly popular in mechanics and materials sciences to accelerate computations with model order reduction techniques and as universal models for a wide variety of materials. However, the major disadvantage of neural networks remains: their numerous parameters are challenging to interpret and explain. Thus, neural networks are often labeled as black boxes, and their results often elude human interpretation. The new and active field of physics-informed neural networks attempts to mitigate this disadvantage by designing deep neural networks on the basis of mechanical knowledge. By using this a priori knowledge, deeper and more complex neural networks became feasible, since the mechanical assumptions can be explained. However, the internal reasoning and explanation of neural network parameters remain mysterious. Complementary to the physics-informed approach, we propose a first step towards a physics-explaining approach, which interprets neural networks trained on mechanical data a posteriori. This proof-of-concept explainable artificial intelligence approach aims at elucidating the black box of neural networks and their high-dimensional representations. Therein, the principal component analysis decorrelates the distributed representations in cell states of RNNs and allows the comparison to known and fundamental functions. The novel approach is supported by a systematic hyperparameter search strategy that identifies the best neural network architectures and training parameters. The findings of three case studies on fundamental constitutive models (hyperelasticity, elastoplasticity, and viscoelasticity) imply that the proposed strategy can help identify numerical and analytical closed-form solutions to characterize new materials

Possible glueball production in relativistic heavy-ion collisions

Within a thermal model we estimate possible multiplicities of scalar glueballs in central Au+Au collisions at AGS, SPS, RHIC and LHC energies. For the glueball mass in the region 1.5-1.7 GeV, the model predicts on average (per event) 0.5-1.5 glueballs at RHIC and 1.5-4 glueballs at LHC energies. Possible enhancement mechanisms are discussed.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figure

Use of Lichen and Moss in Assessment of Forest Contamination with Heavy Metals in Praded and Glacensis Euroregions (Poland and Czech Republic)

The concentrations of selected metals—Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb—were determined in the samples of Hypogymnia physodes lichen and Pleurozium schreberi moss collected in Polish and Czech Euroregions Praded and Glacensis. More specifically, the samples were collected in Bory Stobrawskie, Bory Niemodlińskie, and Kotlina Kłodzka (Poland) and in Jeseniki (Czech Republic). The concentration of metals in the samples was measured using the atomic absorption spectrometry (flame AAS technique and electrothermal atomization AAS technique). The results were used to calculate the comparison factor (CF) that quantifies the difference in concentration of a given bioavailable analyte × accumulated in lichens and mosses: CF = 2 (cx,lichen − cx,moss) (cx,lichen + cx,moss)−1. The values of CF greater than 0.62 indicate the most probable location of heavy metals deposited in the considered area. In this work, the method was used to show a significant contribution of urban emissions to the deposition of heavy metals in the area of Bory Stobrawskie and in the vicinity of Kłodzko City

Spontaneous cerebellar hemorrhage in a patient taking apixaban

AbstractObjectivesAtrial fibrillation is closely associated with cardioembolic stroke. Until recently, warfarin has been the gold standard for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. Since 2010 the United States Food and Drug Administration has approved three new agents for anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation. The purpose of this case report is to discuss some of the practical implications for using these agents.MethodsA patient taking apixaban presented with a spontaneous cerebellar hemorrhage. While the patient was initially considered a candidate for surgical intervention, the lack of literature addressing surgical intervention in patients on novel anticoagulation clouded the clinical decision-making. The patient was ultimately managed with administration of activated prothrombin complex concentrate, blood pressure control, frequent clinical assessments and airway protection. The patient did not undergo craniotomy for hematoma evacuation.ConclusionsRecent FDA approval of several novel oral anticoagulants for use in patients with atrial fibrillation has resulted in a significant number of patients formerly treated with warfarin being switched to these newer agents. There remains a lack of clear guidelines for the management of hemorrhagic complications. This case report describes one management strategy and highlights the paucity of current evidence to support critical clinical decisions

REE, Uranium (U) and Thorium (Th) contents in Betula pendula leaf growing around Komsomolsk gold concentration plant tailing (Kemerovo region, Western Siberia, Russia)

The article deals with the research findings of peculiarities of REE, Uranium and Thorium distribution in the territory surrounding the tailing of former Komsomolsk gold concentration plant according to the data from Betula pendula leaf testing. In the leaf element composition the slight deficiency of MREE and substantial excess of HREE are presented. In the nearest impacted area around the tailing, La, Yb, U and Th content, and Th/U ratio are lower than in the distant buffer area. It is shown, that value of Th/U ratio and REE can be an indicator for geochemical transformations of technogenic landscapes in mining districts. The results of the research can be used for biomonitoring of the territory around the tailing

The Dynamics of T-Cell Receptor Repertoire Diversity Following Thymus Transplantation for DiGeorge Anomaly

T cell populations are regulated both by signals specific to the T-cell receptor (TCR) and by signals and resources, such as cytokines and space, that act independently of TCR specificity. Although it has been demonstrated that disruption of either of these pathways has a profound effect on T-cell development, we do not yet have an understanding of the dynamical interactions of these pathways in their joint shaping of the T cell repertoire. Complete DiGeorge Anomaly is a developmental abnormality that results in the failure of the thymus to develop, absence of T cells, and profound immune deficiency. After receiving thymic tissue grafts, patients suffering from DiGeorge anomaly develop T cells derived from their own precursors but matured in the donor tissue. We followed three DiGeorge patients after thymus transplantation to utilize the remarkable opportunity these subjects provide to elucidate human T-cell developmental regulation. Our goal is the determination of the respective roles of TCR-specific vs. TCR-nonspecific regulatory signals in the growth of these emerging T-cell populations. During the course of the study, we measured peripheral blood T-cell concentrations, TCRβ V gene-segment usage and CDR3-length spectratypes over two years or more for each of the subjects. We find, through statistical analysis based on a novel stochastic population-dynamic T-cell model, that the carrying capacity corresponding to TCR-specific resources is approximately 1000-fold larger than that of TCR-nonspecific resources, implying that the size of the peripheral T-cell pool at steady state is determined almost entirely by TCR-nonspecific mechanisms. Nevertheless, the diversity of the TCR repertoire depends crucially on TCR-specific regulation. The estimated strength of this TCR-specific regulation is sufficient to ensure rapid establishment of TCR repertoire diversity in the early phase of T cell population growth, and to maintain TCR repertoire diversity in the face of substantial clonal expansion-induced perturbation from the steady state

Future Experiments in Relativistic Heavy Ion Collisions

The measurements at RHIC have revealed a new state of matter, which needs to be further characterized in order to better understand its implications for the early evolution of the universe and QCD. I will show that, in the near future, complementary key measurements can be performed at RHIC, LHC, and FAIR. I will focus on results than can be obtained using identified particles, a probe which has been the basis for this conference over the past three decades. The sophisticated detectors, built and planned, for all three accelerator facilities enable us to measure leptons, photons, muons as well as hadrons and resonances of all flavors almost equally well, which makes these experiments unprecedented precision tools for the comprehensive understanding of the physics of the early universe.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures, Proceedings for Summary Talk at SQM 2007, Levoca, Slovakia, June 24-29, 200

Strangeness, Charm and Beauty in Quark Matter: SQM 2007 Experimental Overview

This paper aims at providing an experimental overview of the Strangeness in Quark Matter 2007 ConferenceComment: Proceedings of Strangeness in Quark Matter 2007, submitted to Journal of Physics