Iterative finite element model of nonlinear viscoplastic analyses for blended granular porous media

The iterative finite element model, in which an element is used to represent a single particle, is generated to analyze the global behavior of multiple-material aggregates of materially nonlinear viscoplastic particles. The generalized Maxwell model is used to define four types of specific nonlinear viscoplastic materials, which are the elasto visco-plastic matter with linear viscosity, the plasto visco-plastic material with linear viscosity, the elasto visco-plastic media with nonlinear viscosity, and the plasto visco-plastic media with nonlinear viscosity. The theory and relevant penalty iterative algorithm are developed to analyze the four representative mixed granular systems consisting of materially nonlinear viscous particles. To verify precision of stress calculation, solutions of an axis-symmetric radial flow problem are compared with results of the literature and they are in a great agreement. The results present here provide significant insight into the fundamental behavior of granular media under compaction conditions, including prediction of the overall aggregates stress-strain response.     

An investigation of water-gas transport processes in the gas-diffusion-layer of a PEM fuel cell by a multiphase multiple-relaxation-time lattice Boltzmann model

In order to study water-gas transport processes in the gas-diffusion-layer (GDL) of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell system, a multiphase, multiple-relaxation-time lattice Boltzmann model is presented in this work. The model is based on the mean-field diffuse interface theory and can handle the multiphase flows with large density ratios and various viscosities. By using the standard bounce back boundary condition and an approximate average scheme for the non-slip and wetting boundary walls, respectively, detailed liquid-gas transportation in the GDL, in which exact boundary condition is difficult to be implemented, can be simulated. Unlike most of lattice Boltzmann methods based on the Bhatnagar–Gross–Krook collision operator, the present model shows a viscosity-independent velocity field, which is very important in simulating multiphase flows where various viscosities coexist. We validate our model by simulating a static droplet on a wetting wall and compare with theoretical predictions. Then, we simulate a water-gas flow in the GDL of a PEM fuel cell and investigate the saturation-dependent transport properties under different conditions. The results are shown to be qualitatively consistent with the previous numerical and theoretical works.     

Coalgebra morphisms subsume open maps

We relate two abstract notions of bisimulation, induced by open maps and by coalgebra morphisms, respectively. We show that open maps correspond to coalgebra morphisms for a suitable chosen endofunctor in a category of many sorted sets. This demonstrates that the notion of open-maps bisimilarity is of essentially coalgebraic nature. A central role in our development is played by a category of presheaves, which we show as corresponding to the subcategory of consistent coalgebras with lax cohomomorphisms.     

SPECTRAL DENSITY ESTIMATION FROM NONLINEARLY OBSERVED DATA

Abstract. The estimation of the spectral density function of a stationary Gaussian process at the input of an instantaneous nonlinearity is considered when the nonlinearity is known and a finite set of observations of the output process is given. A class of spectral estimates is considered and their quadratic-mean consistency is established; precise asymptotic expressions for their bias and covariance are derived and their asymptotic normality is obtained.     

Supercritical gases pasteurization of apple juice

Supercritical CO₂ and N₂O pasteurization of apple juice, inoculated with Saccharomyces cerevisiae as test microorganism, was performed at 36 °C on a laboratory multi-batch apparatus of a total volume of 150 ml. The pressure values ranged from 100 to 200 bar. Experimental results indicate the effectiveness of the method proposed. A stochastic model of the process was developed on the basis of the experimental evidence: high-pressure inactivation curves were analysed using a stochastic model based on multi-hit model. Furthermore, the samples of the cells subjected to high-pressure treatments were examined by environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) to determine the effect of the process on the cell wall.     

Perceived risk for influenza in veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders.

Objective: Guided by the extended parallel process model (EPPM), the objective was to assess control processes dominant in influenza behavior decisions. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Results: Response rate was 31% (n=968). Regarding influenza risk, 59% were in danger control. Those in fear control were more likely to report influenza infection (p=.000). In the nonvaccinated, those in fear control were more likely to indicate not knowing where to get the vaccine (p=.016) and that it was unavailable (p=.027), and those in danger control believed they did not need it (p=.023). Zero critical values were more likely to indicate that no health provider recommended the shot (p=.002). Conclusions: Most perceived efficacy to be stronger than threat related to influenza; according to the EPPM, they are aware of their risk but recognize their ability to avert it. For those in danger control, messages should focus on increasing perceptions of severity and susceptibility to positively affect behavior change. For those in fear control, messages should focus on efficacy only. With a critical value of zero, no threat is induced, and a high-threat/high-efficacy approach should be taken. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

输气干线单个分输站站址最优化研究

输气干线分输站站址规划设计合理与否，直接影响到分输站至各城市门站之间输气管线总投资和未来管网系统的发展。为此,着重讨论并建立了以分输站站址、各城市门站与分输站之间管道直径、壁厚、分输站压力为设计变量，以各城市门站与分输站之间管道投资最小为目标函数的分输站站址优化数学模型。根据模型特点，采用混合离散变量复合形法与数据库技术相结合来求解分输站站址。以此站址为参考点，结合现场勘察，在参考点附近沿输气干线预选多个分输站站址，并对影响分输站建设和管理的环境因素用多目标模糊评价方法进行综合评价，以评价效果好的站址为最优分输站站址。用算例说明了分输站站址优化结果不仅与工艺参数变化有关，且与分输站所处环境因素有关。提出还应深入研究输气干线中具有多个分输站的站址优化问题。     

A frame-based knowledge representation model and its mapping to nested relations

The first part of this paper introduces the basic constructs of a frame representation model and gives a formal definition for them. Subsequently the nested relational model (NF²) is described as an extension of the classical relational model to support relation-valued attributes. In the second part of this paper both models are compared with each other and a mapping of frame representation structures to NF² structures is specified. The structural similarities between frames and NF² relations are made clear and it is shown that their main difference is due to the type polymorphism introduced by the concept hierarchy of the frame model. This causes type collisions to occur in the strictly typed NF² model when frames are directly mapped to NF² structures. Two solutions to this problem are suggested and compared. The paper concludes with a reformulation of query operations of the frame model in terms of NF² algebra operations.