An unconditionally stable algorithm for generalized thermoelasticity based on operator-splitting and time-discontinuous Galerkin finite element methods

An efficient time-stepping algorithm is proposed based on operator-splitting and the space–time discontinuous Galerkin finite element method for problems in the non-classical theory of thermoelasticity. The non-classical theory incorporates three models: the classical theory based on Fourier’s law of heat conduction resulting in a hyperbolic–parabolic coupled system, a non-classical theory of a fully-hyperbolic extension, and a combination of the two. The general problem is split into two contractive sub-problems, namely the mechanical phase and the thermal phase. Each sub-problem is discretized using the space–time discontinuous Galerkin finite element method. The sub-problems are stable which then leads to unconditional stability of the global product algorithm. A number of numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the performance and capability of the method

A Hybrid voice/text electronic mail system: an application of the integrated services digital network

The objective of this thesis is to present a useful application for the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) that is expected to one day replace the analog phone system in use today. ISDN itself and its continuing evolution are detailed. The system developed as a part of this thesis involved the creation of an inexpensive phone terminal that can serve as an ISDN terminal and also as a bridge to a Local Area Network (LAN). The phone terminal provides a hybrid electronic mail system that allows the attachment of speech to text within a message. Messages created with this phone terminal could theoretically be sent locally using the LAN interface and globally using ISDN to other users with either phone terminals or multimedia personal computers. For this project, the two phone terminals created were interconnected via an Ethernet and using an 80486 PC to act as a Central Office System. This Central Office System provides speech/message storage for the phone terminals. It makes use of speech compression techniques to minimize the storage requirements. The speech compression techniques used as well as the field of speech coding in general are discussed

Canonical transforming growth factor-β signaling regulates disintegrin metalloprotease expression in experimental renal fibrosis via miR-29

Fibrosis pathophysiology is critically regulated by Smad 2– and Smad 3–mediated transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling. Disintegrin metalloproteases (Adam) can manipulate the signaling environment, however, the role and regulation of ADAMs in renal fibrosis remain unclear. TGF-β stimulation of renal cells results in a significant up-regulation of Adams 10, 17, 12, and 19. The selective Smad2/3 inhibitor SB 525334 reversed these TGF-β–induced changes. In vivo, using ureteral obstruction to model renal fibrosis, we observed increased Adams gene expression that was blocked by oral administration of SB 525334. Similar increases in Adam gene expression also occurred in preclinical models of hypertension-induced renal damage and glomerulonephritis. miRNAs are a recently discovered second level of regulation of gene expression. Analysis of 3′ untranslated regions of Adam12 and Adam19 mRNAs showed multiple binding sites for miR-29a, miR-29b, and miR-29c. We show that miR-29 family expression is decreased after unilateral ureter obstruction and this significant decrease in miR-29 family expression was observed consistently in preclinical models of renal dysfunction and correlated with an increase in Adam12 and Adam19 expression. Exogenous overexpression of the miR-29 family blocked TGF-β–mediated up-regulation of Adam12 and Adam19 gene expression. This study shows that Adams are involved in renal fibrosis and are regulated by canonical TGF-β signaling and miR-29. Therefore, both Adams and the miR-29 family represent therapeutic targets for renal fibrosis

The fine-scale spatial and temporal variability of hydrologic attributes associated with the process of infiltration in \u27nano-catchments\u27 during a rainfall event.

The dynamism of a variety of hydrologic phenomena tied to the process of infiltration are studied here in relation to their spatial and temporal variability within subhectare bowl-like depressions, or \u27nano-catchments\u27. The process of infiltration is becoming increasingly important to understand as a result of anthropogenically driven changes to the near-surface soil matrix, which alters this process. Within the context of infiltration, the spatial variability of soil moisture is assessed under a changing hydrologic regime in south-central Ontario during a rainfall event. With an increase in soil moisture following precipitation events, the spatial auto-correlation increases for both samples that incorporate 15 cm and 30 cm samples. The pattern of soil moisture is influenced by local topographic shape; however this pattern is also altered by the effect of vegetation in the form of active photosynthesizing vegetation and leaf detritus. The effect of vegetation is such that the relationship between topographic gradient and soil moisture is enhanced under active vegetation, while this same relationship is muted under leaf litter. The variability of infiltration to the point of soil saturation is also assessed. A number of estimates of hydraulic conductivity are used, as well as differing estimates of soil moisture to evaluate the bias of using single point measures versus areal estimates in the modelling of infiltration within these nano-catchments. In conjunction with infiltration modelling, matric potential throughout two nano-catchments is assessed in relation to site characteristics including vegetation, macropores and topographic position. Conclusions support that in monitoring infiltration and soil moisture cannot be fully represented by single point measurements, even at a sub-hectare scale.Dept. of Earth Sciences. Paper copy at Leddy Library: Theses & Major Papers - Basement, West Bldg. / Call Number: Thesis2006 .A537. Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 45-01, page: 0259. Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 2006

Formulation, analysis and solution algorithms for a model of gradient plasticity within a discontinuous Galerkin framework

Includes bibliographical references (p. [221]-239).An investigation of a model of gradient plasticity in which the classical von Mises yield function is augmented by a term involving the Laplacian of the equivalent plastic strain is presented. The theory is developed within the framework of non-smooth convex analysis by exploiting the equivalence between the primal and dual expressions of the plastic deformation evolution relations. The nonlocal plastic evolution relations for the case of gradient plasticity are approximated using a discontinuous Galerkin finite element formulation. Both the small- and finite-strain theories are investigated. Considerable attention is focused on developing a firm mathematical foundation for the model of gradient plasticity restricted to the infinitesimal-strain regime. The key contributions arising from the analysis of the classical plasticity problem and the model of gradient plasticity include demonstrating the consistency of the variational formulation, and analyses of both the continuous-in-time and fully-discrete approximations; the error estimates obtained correspond to those for the conventional Galerkin approximations of the classical problem. The focus of the analysis is on those properties of the problem that would ensure existence of a unique solution for both hardening and softening problems. It is well known that classical finite element method simulations of softening problems are pathologically dependent on the discretisation

Dysregulation of cadherins in the intercalated disc of the spontaneously hypertensive stroke-prone rat

The structural integrity of cardiac cells is maintained by the Ca2+-dependent homophilic cell-cell adhesion of cadherins. N-cadherin is responsible for this adhesion under normal physiological conditions. The role of cadherins in adverse cardiac pathology is less clear. We studied the hearts of the stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive (SHRSP) rat as a genetic model of cardiac hypertrophy and compared them to Wistar-Kyoto control animals. Western blotting of protein homogenates from 12-week old SHRSP animals indicated that similar levels of [beta], [gamma]-, and [alpha]-catenin and T, N and R-cadherin were expressed in the control and SHRSP animals. However, dramatically higher levels of E-cadherin were detected in SHRSP animals compared to controls at 6, 12 and 18áweeks of age. This was confirmed by quantitative Taqman PCR and immunohistochemistry. E-cadherin was located at the intercalated disc of the myocytes in co-localisation with connexin 43. Adenoviral overexpression of E-cadherin in rat H9c2 cells and primary rabbit myocytes resulted in a significant reduction in myocyte cell diameter and breadth. E-cadherin overexpression resulted in re-localisation of [beta]-catenin to the cell surface particularly to cell-cell junctions. Subsequent immunohistochemistry of the hearts of WKY and SHRSP animals also revealed increased levels of [beta]-catenin in the intercalated disc in the SHRSP compared to WKY. Therefore, remodelling of the intercalated disc in the hearts of SHRSP animals may contribute to the altered function observed in these animal

Modelling the flexoelectric effect in solids: a micromorphic approach

Flexoelectricity is characterised by the coupling of the gradient of the deformation and the electrical polarization in a dielectric material. A novel micromorphic approach is presented to accommodate the resulting higher-order gradient contributions arising in this highly-nonlinear and coupled problem within a classical finite element setting. The formulation accounts for all material and geometric nonlinearities, as well as the coupling between the mechanical, electrical and micromorphic fields. The highly-nonlinear system of governing equations are derived using the Dirichlet principle and solved using the finite element method. A series of numerical examples serve to elucidate the theory and to provide insight into this fascinating effect

Session D, 2017 Third Place: The Effects of Sunscreen on Photosynthetic Filamentous Algae

Algae are photosynthetic, often single celled aquatic organisms which serve as one of the most basic prey organisms in a given ecosystem. They are susceptible to changes in the aquatic ecosystem, and when chemicals found in sunscreen are introduced, they may be affected. Based upon a previous study we hypothesize that filamentous algae will have a greater rate of photosynthesis in water where sunscreen is present as compared to water where sunscreen is not present due to the lack of UV light penetration. For this experiment, we collected algae from South Bay, and placed 4 mL samples into 118mL jars, with one control group and three experimental groups of varying sunscreen concentrate. The change in dissolved oxygen was recorded. We ran this test in outside conditions, and once under a UV and sun lamp. We then repeated the set of tests with less sunscreen to account for a potential error in light penetration, as well as a trial without UV to make sure it was in fact UV that impacted photosynthesis. Using ANOVA and Tukey statistical tests our results showed that our hypothesis was not supported, but there were other trends that were noticeable. This shows that sunscreen has a negative effect on algae photosynthesis

Transmen in Porn: Alternative Masculinities and Dilemmas of Visibility

Honors (Bachelor's)Women's StudiesUniversity of Michiganhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/79475/1/mcbridea.pd