A local meshless analysis of dynamics problems / Uma análise local desordenada dos problemas dinâmicos

This paper is concerned with new formulations of local meshfree numerical method, for the solution of dynamic problems in linear elasticity, Integrated Local Mesh Free (ILMF) method. The key attribute of local numerical methods is the use of a modeling paradigm based on a node-by-node calculation, to generate the rows of the global system of equations of the body discretization. In the local domain, assigned to each node of a discretization, the work theorem is kinematically formulated, leading thus to an equation of mechanical equilibrium of the local node, that is used by local meshfree method as the starting point of the formulation. The main feature of this paper is the use of a linearly integrated local form of the work theorem. The linear reduced integration plays a key role in the behavior of local numerical methods, since it implies a reduction of the nodal stiffness which, in turn, leads to an increase of the solution accuracy. As a consequence, the derived meshfree and finite element numerical methods become fast and accurate, which is a feature of paramount importance, as far as computational efficiency of numerical methods is concerned. The cantilever beam was analyzed with this technique, in order to assess the accuracy and efficiency of the new local numerical method for dynamic problems with regular and irregular nodal configuration. The results obtained in this work are in perfect agreement with Mesh-Free Local Petrov-Galerkin (MLPG) and the Finite Element Method (FEM) solutions

Pervasive gaps in Amazonian ecological research

Biodiversity loss is one of the main challenges of our time,1,2 and attempts to address it require a clear un derstanding of how ecological communities respond to environmental change across time and space.3,4 While the increasing availability of global databases on ecological communities has advanced our knowledge of biodiversity sensitivity to environmental changes,5–7 vast areas of the tropics remain understudied.8–11 In the American tropics, Amazonia stands out as the world’s most diverse rainforest and the primary source of Neotropical biodiversity,12 but it remains among the least known forests in America and is often underrepre sented in biodiversity databases.13–15 To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications16,17 may elim inate pieces of the Amazon’s biodiversity puzzle before we can use them to understand how ecological com munities are responding. To increase generalization and applicability of biodiversity knowledge,18,19 it is thus crucial to reduce biases in ecological research, particularly in regions projected to face the most pronounced environmental changes. We integrate ecological community metadata of 7,694 sampling sites for multiple or ganism groups in a machine learning model framework to map the research probability across the Brazilian Amazonia, while identifying the region’s vulnerability to environmental change. 15%–18% of the most ne glected areas in ecological research are expected to experience severe climate or land use changes by 2050. This means that unless we take immediate action, we will not be able to establish their current status, much less monitor how it is changing and what is being lostinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Pervasive gaps in Amazonian ecological research

Biodiversity loss is one of the main challenges of our time,1,2 and attempts to address it require a clear understanding of how ecological communities respond to environmental change across time and space.3,4 While the increasing availability of global databases on ecological communities has advanced our knowledge of biodiversity sensitivity to environmental changes,5,6,7 vast areas of the tropics remain understudied.8,9,10,11 In the American tropics, Amazonia stands out as the world's most diverse rainforest and the primary source of Neotropical biodiversity,12 but it remains among the least known forests in America and is often underrepresented in biodiversity databases.13,14,15 To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications16,17 may eliminate pieces of the Amazon's biodiversity puzzle before we can use them to understand how ecological communities are responding. To increase generalization and applicability of biodiversity knowledge,18,19 it is thus crucial to reduce biases in ecological research, particularly in regions projected to face the most pronounced environmental changes. We integrate ecological community metadata of 7,694 sampling sites for multiple organism groups in a machine learning model framework to map the research probability across the Brazilian Amazonia, while identifying the region's vulnerability to environmental change. 15%–18% of the most neglected areas in ecological research are expected to experience severe climate or land use changes by 2050. This means that unless we take immediate action, we will not be able to establish their current status, much less monitor how it is changing and what is being lost

ATLANTIC EPIPHYTES: a data set of vascular and non-vascular epiphyte plants and lichens from the Atlantic Forest

Epiphytes are hyper-diverse and one of the frequently undervalued life forms in plant surveys and biodiversity inventories. Epiphytes of the Atlantic Forest, one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world, have high endemism and radiated recently in the Pliocene. We aimed to (1) compile an extensive Atlantic Forest data set on vascular, non-vascular plants (including hemiepiphytes), and lichen epiphyte species occurrence and abundance; (2) describe the epiphyte distribution in the Atlantic Forest, in order to indicate future sampling efforts. Our work presents the first epiphyte data set with information on abundance and occurrence of epiphyte phorophyte species. All data compiled here come from three main sources provided by the authors: published sources (comprising peer-reviewed articles, books, and theses), unpublished data, and herbarium data. We compiled a data set composed of 2,095 species, from 89,270 holo/hemiepiphyte records, in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, recorded from 1824 to early 2018. Most of the records were from qualitative data (occurrence only, 88%), well distributed throughout the Atlantic Forest. For quantitative records, the most common sampling method was individual trees (71%), followed by plot sampling (19%), and transect sampling (10%). Angiosperms (81%) were the most frequently registered group, and Bromeliaceae and Orchidaceae were the families with the greatest number of records (27,272 and 21,945, respectively). Ferns and Lycophytes presented fewer records than Angiosperms, and Polypodiaceae were the most recorded family, and more concentrated in the Southern and Southeastern regions. Data on non-vascular plants and lichens were scarce, with a few disjunct records concentrated in the Northeastern region of the Atlantic Forest. For all non-vascular plant records, Lejeuneaceae, a family of liverworts, was the most recorded family. We hope that our effort to organize scattered epiphyte data help advance the knowledge of epiphyte ecology, as well as our understanding of macroecological and biogeographical patterns in the Atlantic Forest. No copyright restrictions are associated with the data set. Please cite this Ecology Data Paper if the data are used in publication and teaching events. © 2019 The Authors. Ecology © 2019 The Ecological Society of Americ

Método sem malha para análise de problemas da mecânica da fratura elastodinâmica com a técnica da subtração da singularidade

Dissertação (mestrado) — Universidade de Brasília, Faculdade de Tecnologia, Departamento de Engenharia Civil, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Estruturas e Construção Civil, 2022.Os métodos numéricos são amplamente utilizados na resolução de problemas da mecânica da fratura linear elástica, tendo como principal destaque o Método de Elementos Finitos (MEF). No entanto, o MEF apresenta uma série de dificuldades decorrentes da presença de singularidades, custo computacional e análises adaptativas na modelagem do crescimento das trincas, em que as malhas geradas no método apresentam um certo grau de imprecisão nos resultados. A fim de contornar essas exceções, foram desenvolvidos ao longo dos anos outros métodos e, dentre eles, os métodos sem malha que estabelecem o equilíbrio de um sistema algébrico correspondente a um problema físico sem uso de uma malha de discretização. Esta pesquisa tem como objetivo aplicar um método sem malha local na solução de problemas bidimensionais da mecânica da fratura elastodinâmica. O Integrated Local Mesh Free Method (ILMF) é baseado no método dos resíduos ponderados, onde, numa determinada região local, o teorema do trabalho estabelece uma relação de energia entre um campo de tensões e deformações independentes. O ILMF apresenta uma formulação totalmente livre de integração numérica e com apenas um ponto por segmento de contorno com a aproximação do campo elástico utilizando o método dos Mínimos Quadrados Móveis (MQM) na formação das funções de forma. Nos métodos sem malha locais, utilizam-se dois parâmetros: o domínio do suporte compacto e o domínio de integração dos resíduos ponderados. Na integração numérica, ao longo do tempo, utilizou-se um método de integração direta em intervalos de tempos discretos, o Método de Newmark, para obtenção dos deslocamentos, velocidades e acelerações dos modelos aplicados, e assumindo parâmetros que tornam o método incondicionalmente estável. Na Mecânica da Fratura elastodinâmica adotou-se a técnica da subtração da singularidade, ou Singularity Subtration Technique (SST) que, em singularidades geométricas das peças como rasgos e defeitos na fabricação, são modelados através dos fatores de intensidade de tensão em função do modo de abertura das respectivas trincas. Por fim, apresentam-se uma série de exemplos clássicos, cujos comportamentos são comparados com outros métodos numéricos, validando a acurácia e precisão do método proposto na análise dinâmica.Numerical methods are widely used to solve linear elastic fracture mechanics problems, with the Finite Element Method (FEM) as the main highlight. However, the FEM has several limitations that are influenced by singularities, computational cost, and adaptive analysis when modeling the growth of cracks; as a result, the meshes generated by the method have a certain degree of inaccuracy in the results. In order to circumvent those dificulties, other methods have been developed over the years. Among those, there are meshless methods that establish the balance of an algebraic system corresponding to a physical problem without using a specific discretization mesh. This study aims to apply a method without local mesh in the solution of two-dimensional problems in the mechanics of elastodynamic fractures. The Integrated Local Mesh Free Method (ILMF) is based on the weighted residual method, wherein, in a given local region, the work theorem establishes an energy relationship between a field of independent stresses and strains. ILMF presents a formulation totally free of numerical integration and with only one point per contour segment, with the approximation of the elastic field using the method of Moving Least Squares (MLS) in the formation of shape functions. In local mesh free methods, two parameters are used: the domain of the compact support and the domain of integration of weight residuals. In the numerical integration over time, a method of direct integration in discrete time intervals, the Newmark Method, was used to obtain the displacements, velocities, and accelerations of the applied models. Also, parameters that make the method unconditionally stable were assumed. In the Mechanics of Elastodynamic Fracture, the Singularity Subtraction Technique (SST) was adopted, so that the geometric singularities of structural parts as slits and manufacturing failings are modeled by stress intensity factors as a function of the crack opening mode. Finally, a series of classic examples are presented, whose behaviors are compared with other numerical methods, validating the accuracy and precision of the method proposed in the dynamic analysis.Faculdade de Tecnologia (FT)Departamento de Engenharia Civil e Ambiental (FT ENC)Programa de Pós-Graduação em Estruturas e Construção Civi

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 domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, 10 anteaters, and 6 sloths. Our data set 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 southern United States, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to the austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n = 5,941), and Cyclopes sp. have the fewest (n = 240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n = 11,588), and the fewest data are recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n = 33). With regard 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 data sets of Neotropical Series that 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 data set. Please cite this data paper when using its data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us of how they are using these data

NEOTROPICAL CARNIVORES: a data set on carnivore distribution in the Neotropics

Mammalian carnivores are considered a key group in maintaining ecological health and can indicate potential ecological integrity in landscapes where they occur. Carnivores also hold high conservation value and their habitat requirements can guide management and conservation plans. The order Carnivora has 84 species from 8 families in the Neotropical region: Canidae; Felidae; Mephitidae; Mustelidae; Otariidae; Phocidae; Procyonidae; and Ursidae. Herein, we include published and unpublished data on native terrestrial Neotropical carnivores (Canidae; Felidae; Mephitidae; Mustelidae; Procyonidae; and Ursidae). NEOTROPICAL CARNIVORES is a publicly available data set that includes 99,605 data entries from 35,511 unique georeferenced coordinates. Detection/non-detection and quantitative data were obtained from 1818 to 2018 by researchers, governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, and private consultants. Data were collected using several methods including camera trapping, museum collections, roadkill, line transect, and opportunistic records. Literature (peer-reviewed and grey literature) from Portuguese, Spanish and English were incorporated in this compilation. Most of the data set consists of detection data entries (n = 79,343; 79.7%) but also includes non-detection data (n = 20,262; 20.3%). Of those, 43.3% also include count data (n = 43,151). The information available in NEOTROPICAL CARNIVORES will contribute to macroecological, ecological, and conservation questions in multiple spatio-temporal perspectives. As carnivores play key roles in trophic interactions, a better understanding of their distribution and habitat requirements are essential to establish conservation management plans and safeguard the future ecological health of Neotropical ecosystems. Our data paper, combined with other large-scale data sets, has great potential to clarify species distribution and related ecological processes within the Neotropics. There are no copyright restrictions and no restriction for using data from this data paper, as long as the data paper is cited as the source of the information used. We also request that users inform us of how they intend to use the data