Exact finite elements for conduction and convection

An approach for developing exact one dimensional conduction-convection finite elements is presented. Exact interpolation functions are derived based on solutions to the governing differential equations by employing a nodeless parameter. Exact interpolation functions are presented for combined heat transfer in several solids of different shapes, and for combined heat transfer in a flow passage. Numerical results demonstrate that exact one dimensional elements offer advantages over elements based on approximate interpolation functions

A novel extension of GS4-1 time integrator to fluid dynamics type non-linear problems with illustrations to Burgers' equation

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to describe how a generalized single-system-single-solve (GS4-1) computational framework, previously developed for linear first order transient systems, can be properly extended for use in nonlinear counterparts, with particular applications to time dependent Burgers' equation, which is well-known to serve as a simplified model of fluid dynamics, for illustrations of the essential concepts. Design/methodology/approach - The framework permits, for a very general family of time integrators where traditional methods are a subset, much needed desirable features including second order time accuracy, robustness and unconditional stability, zero-order overshoot behavior, and additionally, a selective control of high frequency damping for both the primary variable and its time derivative. The latter, which is a new, key desirable feature not available in past/existing methods to-date, allows for different amounts of high frequency damping for both the primary variable and its time derivative to ensure physically accurate solutions of these variables. This is in contrast to having only limited control of these numerical dampings, often indiscriminately, as in some past developments which can lead to numerical instabilities in the time derivative variable. The extension of the framework to nonlinear problems, as described in this paper, is achieved via the use of a normalized time weighted residual approach, which naturally allows the time discretization of the transient nonlinear systems as being the natural extensions of the linear systems. Findings - The primary aim is also to demonstrate the advantage of the selective control feature inherit in the present numerical methodologies for these nonlinear first order transient systems as in the linear counterparts. Originality/value - The authors wish to tackle the challenges to further enable extensions to nonlinear first order transient systems that frequently arise in fluid dynamics problems; this is the focus of this paper. The primary wish is to demonstrate the ability of the GS4-1 framework for nonlinear first order transient systems as seen in the linear transient counterparts; while on one hand the authors show that an equal amount of high frequency damping (i.e.ρ∞) leads to non-physical instability in the time derivative variable for a minimal damping required to obtain acceptable solution of the primary variable, on the other hand, the authors particularly demonstrate how this instability can be easily tuned off via the selective control feature (i.e.ρ∞ s) offered by the developed framework; thereby, demonstrating its robustness and superiority

Integrated transient thermal-structural finite element analysis

An integrated thermal structural finite element approach for efficient coupling of transient thermal and structural analysis is presented. Integrated thermal structural rod and one dimensional axisymmetric elements considering conduction and convection are developed and used in transient thermal structural applications. The improved accuracy of the integrated approach is illustrated by comparisons with exact transient heat conduction elasticity solutions and conventional finite element thermal finite element structural analyses

A novel design of an isochronous integration [iIntegration] framework for first/second order multidisciplinary transient systems

Of fundamental interest are multidisciplinary interactions encompassing: (1) first order systems such as those encountered in parabolic heat conduction, first order hyperbolic systems such as fluid flow, and so on, and (2) second order systems such as those encountered in hyperbolic heat conduction, hyperbolic second order systems such as elastodynamics and wave propagation, and so on. After space discretization using methods such as finite differences, finite volumes, finite elements, and the like, the consequent proper integration of the time continuous ordinary differential equations is extremely important. In particular, the physical quantities of interest may need to be mostly preserved and/or the equations should be optimally integrated so that there is minimal numerical dissipation, dispersion, algorithm overshoot, capture shocks without too much dissipation, solve stiff problems and enable the completion of the analysis, and so on. To-date, practical methods in most commercial and research software include the trapezoidal family (Euler forward/backward, Galerkin, and Crank Nicholson) for first order systems and the other counterpart trapezoidal family (Newmark family and variants with controllable numerical dissipation) for second order systems. For the respective first/second order systems, they are totally separate families of algorithms and are derived from altogether totally different numerical approximation techniques. Focusing on the class of the linear multistep (LMS) methods, algorithms by design was first utilized to develop GS4-2 framework for time integration of second order systems. We have also recently developed the GS4-1 framework for integrating first order systems. In contrast to all past efforts over the past 50 years or so, we present the formalism of a generalized unified framework, termed GS4 (generalized single step single solve), that unifies GS4-1 (first-order systems) and GS4-2 (second-order systems) frameworks for simultaneous use in both first and second order systems with optimal algorithms, numerical and order preserving attributes (in particular, second-order time accuracy) as well. The principal contribution emanating from such an integrated framework is the practicality and convenience of using the same computational framework and implementation when solving first and/or second order systems without having to resort to the individual framework. All that is needed is a single novel GS4-2 framework for either second- and/or first-order systems, and we show how to switch from one to the other for illustrative applications to thermo-mechanical problems influenced by first/second order systems, respectively

Isochronous explicit time integration framework: illustration to thermal stress problems involving both first- and second-order transient systems

In this article, an isochronous explicit time integration framework (or the explicit iIntegrator) for solving thermal stress problems is illustrated. Similar to the implicit case, the same adaptation process of the isochronous integration is valid for the explicit case. That is, the adaptation process endows the explicit version of the generalized single step family of algorithms for second-order systems (explicit GS4-2 family of algorithms) with the applicability to first-order systems, and the explicit version of the GS4 family of algorithms for first-order systems (explicit GS4-1 family of algorithms) is automatically generated. Two illustrative thermal stress dynamic applications are shown to demonstrate the practicality and convenience of the explicit iIntegrator

Rho inhibits cAMP-induced translocation of aquaporin-2 into the apical membrane of renal cells

We have recently demonstrated that actin depolymerization is a prerequisite for cAMP-dependent translocation of the water channel aquaporin-2 (AQP2) into the apical membrane in AQP2-transfected renal CD8 cells (29). The Rho family of small GTPases, including Cdc42, Rac, and Rho, regulates the actin cytoskeleton. In AQP2-transfected CD8 cells, inhibition of Rho GTPases with Clostridium difficile toxin B or with C. limosum C3 fusion toxin, as well as incubation with the Rho kinase inhibitor, Y-27632, caused actin depolymerization and translocation of AQP2 in the absence of the cAMP- elevating agent forskolin. Both forskolin and C3 fusion toxin-induced AQP2 translocation were associated with a similar increase in the osmotic water permeability coefficient. Expression of constitutively active RhoA induced formation of stress fibers and abolished AQP2 translocation in response to forskolin. Cytochalasin D induced both depolymerization of F-actin and AQP2 translocation, suggesting that depolymerization of F-actin is sufficient to induce AQP2 translocation. Together, these data indicate that Rho inhibits cAMP-dependent translocation of AQP2 into the apical membrane of renal principal cells by controlling the organization of the actin cytoskeleton

Mixed Strong Form Representation Particle Method for Solids and Structures

In this paper, a generalized particle system (GPS) method, a general method to describe multiple strong form representation based particle methods is described. Gradient, divergence, and Laplacian operators used in various strong form based particle method such as moving particle semi-implicit (MPS) method, smooth particle hydrodynamics (SPH), and peridynamics, can be described by the GPS method with proper selection of parameters. In addition, the application of mixed formulation representation to the GPS method is described. Based on Hu-Washizu principle and Hellinger-Reissner principle, the mixed form refers to the method solving multiple primary variables such as displacement, strain and stress, simultaneously in the FEM method; however for convenience in employing FEM with particle methods, a simple representation in construction only is shown. It is usually applied to finite element method (FEM) to overcome numerical errors including locking issues. While the locking issues do not arise in strong form based particle methods, the mixed form representation in construction only concept applied to GPS method can be the first step for fostering coupling of multi-domain problems, coupling mixed form FEM and mixed form representation GPS method; however it is to be noted that the standard GPS particle method and the mixed for representation construction GPS particle method are equivalent. Two dimensional simple bar and beam problems are presented and the results from mixed form GPS method is comparable to the mixed form FEM results

A Cloud Native Solution for Dynamic Auto Scaling of MME in LTE

Due to rapid growth in the use of mobile devices and as a vital carrier of IoT traffic, mobile networks need to undergo infrastructure wide revisions to meet explosive traffic demand. In addition to data traffic, there has been a significant rise in the control signaling overhead due to dense deployment of small cells and IoT devices. Adoption of technologies like cloud computing, Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) is impressively successful in mitigating the existing challenges and driving the path towards 5G evolution. However, issues pertaining to scalability, ease of use, service resiliency, and high availability need considerable study for successful roll out of production grade 5G solutions in cloud. In this work, we propose a scalable Cloud Native Solution for Mobility Management Entity (CNS-MME) of mobile core in a production data center based on micro service architecture. The micro services are lightweight MME functionalities, in contrast to monolithic MME in Long Term Evolution (LTE). The proposed architecture is highly available and supports auto-scaling to dynamically scale-up and scale-down required micro services for load balancing. The performance of proposed CNS-MME architecture is evaluated against monolithic MME in terms of scalability, auto scaling of the service, resource utilization of MME, and efficient load balancing features. We observed that, compared to monolithic MME architecture, CNS-MME provides 7% higher MME throughput and also reduces the processing resource consumption by 26%

DEM simulation and experimental study on the screening process of elliptical vibration mechanical systems

For an elliptical vibration system, the vibration parameters seriously affect conveying speed and sieving efficiency of the materials. In addition, considering the lack of studies about the elliptical vibration machine, we applied the discrete element method to simulate and analyze the elliptical vibration screening process in this paper. A vibration screening model is particularly based on the purpose of our research to fundamentally demonstrate the novel relationships among the conveying speed, sieving efficiency and vibration parameters of the materials. And the sieving experiment of typical materials is additionally carried out on the same simulation system. This paper analyzes the influence rule of vibration parameters on conveying speed and sieving efficiency of the materials during the elliptical vibration screening process by virtue of comprehensively comparing the results of experimental study coupled with simulation research. Consequently, we can throw up the optimal vibration screening parameters to guarantee high sieving efficiency and large throughput of the screening machine at the same time. The screening test carried out in this paper lays the experimental foundation for the study of the mechanism of elliptical vibration screening machine and the study of materials screening characteristics by combining the conclusions of DEM simulation analysis of lots of materials. It provides not only a basis for selecting the vibration parameters of the actual working process of the screening machine, but also data support based on the experiment and simulation for the study of the sieving mechanism of elliptical vibration systems. For screening mechanism, this is a significant progress which will affect future design and manufacture of elliptical vibration machines. Furthermore, the conclusions drawn from this research can help us study and explain better the screening process of other vibration machinery

Optimal placement of Femto base stations in enterprise femtocell networks

Femto cells a.k.a. Low Power Nodes (LPNs) are deployed to improve indoor data rates as well as reduce traffic load on macro Base Stations (BSs) in 4G/LTE cellular networks. Indoor UEs getting high SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio) can experience good throughput, but SNR decreases at faster rate due to obstacles, present along the communication path. Hence, efficient placement of Femtos in enterprise buildings is crucial to attain desirable SNR for indoor users. We consider obstacles and shadowing effects by walls and include them in the system model. We develop a Linear Programming Problem (LPP) model by converting convex constraints into linear ones and solve it using GAMS tool, to place Femtos optimally inside the building. Our extensive experimentation proves the optimal placement of Femtos achieves 14.41% and 35.95% increase in SNR of indoor UEs over random and center placement strategies, respectively