Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Smooth Transition (smooth + transition)
Selected AbstractsIntroducing ELW: Facilitating a Smooth TransitionDIALOG, Issue 2 2008Karen Salvo Hawkins Abstract:, The author discusses how a combination of trust and teaching helped make the transition from the LBW to ELW more of a pleasurable transition than anticipated. While several characteristics of ELW have proved troublesome, the pattern of trust and teaching built over eleven years, along with flexibility, made it work. [source] Three-dimensional transient free-surface flow of viscous fluids inside cavities of arbitrary shapeINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN FLUIDS, Issue 10 2003Kyu-Tae Kim Abstract The three-dimensional transient free-surface flow inside cavities of arbitrary shape is examined in this study. An adaptive (Lagrangian) boundary-element approach is proposed for the general three-dimensional simulation of confined free-surface flow of viscous incompressible fluids. The method is stable as it includes remeshing capabilities of the deforming free-surface, and thus can handle large deformations. A simple algorithm is developed for mesh refinement of the deforming free-surface mesh. Smooth transition between large and small elements is achieved without significant degradation of the aspect ratio of the elements in the mesh. The method is used to determine the flow field and free-surface evolution inside cubic, rectangular and cylindrical containers. These problems illustrate the transient nature of the flow during the mixing process. Surface tension effects are also explored. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A Maslov-propagator seismogram for weakly anisotropic mediaGEOPHYSICAL JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL, Issue 1 2002Georg Rümpker Summary We introduce a formalism to calculate shear-wave seismograms for weakly-anisotropic and inhomogeneous media. The method is based on the combination of the forward-propagator method, which accounts for shear-wave interaction along a single reference ray, and the Maslov ray-summation, which incorporates amplitude and phase information from neighbouring rays to account for waveform and diffraction effects at caustics and in shadow regions. The approach is based on the assumption that the multiply split shear waves, on the way to a given receiver, travel along a common ray path that can by obtained from ray tracing in an isotropic reference medium (i.e. the common-ray approximation). The forward propagator and the Maslov amplitude are expressed with respect to radial and transverse coordinates (perpendicular to the ray propagation direction) that are defined uniquely by the initial conditions. Local polarizations and slownesses of the fast and slow shear-waves in the direction of propagation are obtained from the eikonal equation. The Maslov-propagator phase is given by the average shear-wave traveltime along the reference ray. Phase advances and delays of individual shear wave components are accounted for by the propagator. The geometrical-spreading information required for the Maslov integration is supplied by dynamic ray tracing in the isotropic reference medium. In the high-frequency limit effective phase functions are defined to assess the validity of the Maslov propagator phase information. For a homogeneous isotropic reference medium, we find good agreement with exact Maslov phase functions for anisotropic perturbations of up to 20 per cent. As a numerical application we consider effects of inhomogeneous anisotropy in a shear-wave cross-hole survey. The variations of the transversely-isotropic medium require 2-D slowness integrals. The method can handle discontinuities of the fast polarization along the ray path and also for neighbouring rays which is important for the slowness integration. Smooth transitions between isotropic and anisotropic regions along the ray path can be accounted for without the need to switch between numerical formulations. [source] A Hybrid Approach to Multiple Fluid Simulation using Volume FractionsCOMPUTER GRAPHICS FORUM, Issue 2 2010Nahyup Kang Abstract This paper presents a hybrid approach to multiple fluid simulation that can handle miscible and immiscible fluids, simultaneously. We combine distance functions and volume fractions to capture not only the discontinuous interface between immiscible fluids but also the smooth transition between miscible fluids. Our approach consists of four steps: velocity field computation, volume fraction advection, miscible fluid diffusion, and visualization. By providing a combining scheme between volume fractions and level set functions, we are able to take advantages of both representation schemes of fluids. From the system point of view, our work is the first approach to Eulerian grid-based multiple fluid simulation including both miscible and immiscible fluids. From the technical point of view, our approach addresses the issues arising from variable density and viscosity together with material diffusion. We show that the effectiveness of our approach to handle multiple miscible and immiscible fluids through experiments. [source] Emergency Department Orientation Utilizing Web-based Streaming VideoACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 8 2004Swaminatha V. Mahadevan MD Abstract To assure a smooth transition to their new work environment, rotating students and housestaff require detailed orientations to the physical layout and operations of the emergency department. Although such orientations are useful for new staff members, they represent a significant time commitment for the faculty members charged with this task. To address this issue, the authors developed a series of short instructional videos that provide a comprehensive and consistent method of emergency department orientation. The videos are viewed through Web-based streaming technology that allows learners to complete the orientation process from any computer with Internet access before their first shift. This report describes the stepwise process used to produce these videos and discusses the potential benefits of converting to an Internet-based orientation system. [source] A cost-effective simulation curriculum for preclinical endodonticsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DENTAL EDUCATION, Issue 1 2004Roberta Pileggi A challenge in contemporary dental education is to achieve a smooth transition from preclinical teaching environments to patient-care clinics in a cost-effective manner. The preclinical endodontic courses at The University of Texas, Dental Branch at Houston provide a unique learning environment that enables the student to perform endodontic treatment on extracted teeth in a typodont, and be involved in diagnosis and treatment-planning discussions. The specially designed stone typodont used has built-in radiographic capability, and is mounted at each chair in the clinic. During each preclinical session, students are assigned clinical cubicles and proper aseptic protocol is followed. Students are required to wear gloves, masks and eyewear, and place a rubber dam during treatment. Written self-assessment evaluations based upon prescribed criteria are utilised; feedback is given by faculty composed of both full-time endodontists and graduate students who periodically rotate and are calibrated on a regular basis. In the lecture phase, clinical case scenarios are presented to reinforce concepts of diagnosis and emergency care and to help integrate endodontics with other disciplines; a Socratic-like teaching style is established by the faculty facilitator to create an environment for developing critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. The overall feedback from graduating students has been very positive. Advantages of this format are an easier transition to patient management, a more keen interest in specialsation and a perceived increase in levels of confidence. [source] Numerical modeling of seismic triggering, evolution, and deposition of rapid landslides: Application to Higashi,Takezawa (2004)INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL AND ANALYTICAL METHODS IN GEOMECHANICS, Issue 4 2010Nikos Gerolymos Abstract A mathematical model is developed for the dynamic analysis of earthquake-triggered rapid landslides, considering two mechanically coupled systems: (a) the accelerating deformable body of the slide and (b) the rapidly deforming shear band at the base of the slide. The main body of the slide is considered as a one-phase mixture of Newtonian incompressible fluids and Coulomb solids sliding on a plane of variable inclination. The evolution of the landslide is modeled via a depth-integrated model of the Savage,Hutter type coupled with: (a) a cyclic hysteretic constitutive model of the Bouc,Wen type and (b) Voellmy's rheology for the deformation of the material within the shear band. The original shallow-water equations that govern the landslide motion are appropriately reformulated to account for inertial forces due to seismic loading, and to allow for a smooth transition between the active and the passive state. The capability of the developed model is tested against the Higashi,Takezawa landslide. Triggered by the 2004 Niigata-ken Chuetsu earthquake, the slide produced about 100m displacement of a large wedge from an originally rather mild slope. The mechanism of material softening inside the shear band responsible for the surprisingly large run-out of the landslide is described by a set of equations for grain crushing-induced pore-water pressures. The back-analysis reveals interesting patterns on the flow dynamics, and the numerical results compare well with field observations. It is shown that the mechanism of material softening is a crucial factor for the initiation and evolution of the landslide, while viscoplastic frictional resistance is a key requirement for successfully reproducing the field data. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A rate-dependent cohesive crack model based on anisotropic damage coupled to plasticityINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL AND ANALYTICAL METHODS IN GEOMECHANICS, Issue 9 2006Per-Ola Svahn Abstract In quasi-brittle material the complex process of decohesion between particles in microcracks and localization of the displacement field into macrocracks is limited to a narrow fracture zone, and it is often modelled with cohesive crack models. Since the anisotropic nature of the decohesion process in separation and sliding is essential, it is particularly focused in this paper. Moreover, for cyclic and dynamic loading the unloading, load reversal (including crack closure) and rate dependency are essential features that are included in a new model. The modelling of degradation is based on a ,localized' version of anisotropic continuum damage coupled to inelasticity. The concept of strain energy equivalence between the states in the effective and nominal settings is adopted in order to define the free energy of the interface. The proposed fracture criterion is of the Mohr type, with a smooth transition of the failure and kinematics (slip and dilatation) characteristics between tension and shear. The chosen potential, of the Lemaitre-type, for evolution of the dissipative processes is additively decomposed into plastic and damage parts, and non-associative constitutive equations are obtained. The constitutive equations are integrated by applying the backward Euler rule and by using Newton iteration. The proposed model is assessed analytically and numerically and a typical calibration procedure for concrete is proposed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] An event-based jet-stream climatology and typologyINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLIMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2006Patrick Koch Abstract A novel climatology is developed for upper-tropospheric jet streams, which is complementary to and an alternative for the traditional depictions of the time-mean jets. It entails identifying the occurrence of a jet event at a given location and then compiling the spatial frequency distribution of such events. The resulting climatology, derived using the ERA-15 reanalysis data set of the ECMWF for the period 1979,1993 indicates that (1) in both hemispheres the annual cycle of jet events takes the form of comparatively smooth transition from a quasi-annular structure in summer to a more spiral-like structure in winter with a temporally asymmetric return to the summer pattern; (2) the hemispheres differ primarily in the amplitude of the frequencies and the longitudinal overlap of the spiral portion of the pattern. In addition, the jet events are subdivided using a two-class typology comprising shallow and deep jets whose vertical shear (sic. baroclinicity) are/are not confined principally to the upper troposphere. This provides a conceptually simple and dynamically meaningful classification since deep jets are more likely to spawn tropospheric-spanning cyclones. The accompanying climatology displays important longitudinal variations and significant inter-hemispheric differences. A comparison is drawn between these new and conventional climatologies and typologies. Also, comments are proffered on the relationship between, on the one hand, the patterns of jet frequency including the differing distributions of the shallow and deep types and, on the other hand, the location of the time-mean jets and the downstream storm tracks. Copyright © 2006 Royal Meteorological Society. [source] Continuing care after cancer treatmentJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 2 2003Brian Pateman MA MPhil RN DNT Background. Despite nearly three decades of debate and policy guidance there is evidence that, in the United Kingdom, patient hospital discharge remains problematic. District nurses, who deliver skilled home nursing care, receive referrals from hospitals for continuing nursing care needs. However, district nurses' expectations of appropriate patient referral from hospitals are not always achieved. In an attempt to improve services after hospital discharge, government policy has emphasized partnership between care providers, highlighting the need for smooth transition between care settings. Aim. To explore hospital discharge and referral procedures for patients with cancer, with particular emphasis on referrals made by hospital nurses to district nurses. Method. In-depth interviews were carried out with nurses actively involved in the discharge process as both referrers and recipients of referrals. Twenty nurses from a regional cancer centre and 20 district nurses from three adjacent primary care trusts were interviewed. Interviews were transcribed and analysed thematically, and themes compared between the two care settings. Conclusions. We conclude that competing sets of expectations, not only between hospital and community nursing settings, but amongst district nurses themselves, are a major factor impeding agreement on referral criteria and satisfaction with the referral process. [source] Managing the postclosing integrationJOURNAL OF CORPORATE ACCOUNTING & FINANCE, Issue 2 2009Andrew J. Sherman A merger and acquisition (M&A) closing usually brings great sighs of relief. Everyone has worked hard to ensure success. But actually this is not the end of the process. The hard work of postclosing integration is about to begin. Managing that postclosing integration is one of the buyer's greatest challenges. How can the buyer avoid common pitfalls and engineer a smooth transition? The author of this article provides the answers. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] High-Temperature Rheology of Calcium Aluminosilicate (Anorthite) Glass-Ceramics under Uniaxial and Triaxial LoadingJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 11 2001Balakrishnan G. Nair The high-temperature creep behavior of two fine-grained (,3 ,m) anorthite-rich glass-ceramics was characterized at ambient pressure and under a confining pressure of ,300 MPa. Experiments were done at differential stresses of 15,200 MPa and temperatures of 1200°,1320°C. Of the two materials, one had a tabular (lathlike) grain structure with finely dispersed second phase of mullite, mostly in the form of ,3,5 ,m grains comparable to that of the primary anorthite phase, whereas the other had an equiaxed grain morphology with fine (,400 nm) mullite precipitates concentrated at the anorthite grain boundaries. The results of creep experiments at ambient pressure showed that the material with the tabular grain structure had strain rates at least an order of magnitude faster than the equiaxed material. Creep in the tabular-grained material at ambient pressure was accompanied by a significant extent of intergranular cavitation: pore-volume analysis before and after creep in this material suggested that >75% of the bulk strain was due to growth of these voids. The equiaxed material, in contrast, showed a smooth transition from Newtonian (n= 1) creep at low stresses to non-Newtonian behavior at high stresses (n > 2). Under the high confining pressure, the microstructures of both materials underwent significant changes. Grain-boundary mullite precipitates in the undeformed, equiaxed-grain material were replaced by fine (,100 nm), intragranular precipitates of silliminate and corundum because of a pressure-induced chemical reaction. This was accompanied by a significant reduction in grain size in both materials. The substantial microstructural changes at high confining pressure resulted in substantially lower viscosities for both materials. The absence of mullite precipitates at the grain boundaries changed the behavior of the equiaxed material to non-Newtonian (n= 2) at a pressure of ,300 MPa, possibly because of a grain-boundary sliding mechanism; the tabular-grained material showed Newtonian diffusional creep under similar conditions. [source] Short-period near-contact binary systems at the beginning of the overcontact phaseMONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, Issue 4 2002Shengbang Qian Abstract A detailed analysis of orbital period changes of seven near-contact binary stars (NCBs) (BL And, V473 Cas, XZ CMi, BV Eri, RU Eri, UU Lyn and GR Tau) with period less than 1 d has been performed and their respective O,C diagrams are formed and discussed. It is found that all systems analysed show secular period decreasing. For V473 Cas, the analysis of the period change was performed based on data collected by Moschner, Frank & Bastian. For XZ CMi, its period shows some complex changes, a possible cyclic oscillation is discovered to superpose on the secular decrease that can be explained either by the presence of a third body or by magnetic activity cycles of the components. Since the third-body assumption is consistent with the photometric solution of Rafert, XZ CMi may be a truly triple system. For BV Eri, the period decrease is only supported by weak evidence. All the seven systems are short-period NCBs with AF-type primary components where both components are filling or nearly filling the critical Roche lobe. As the period decreases, the separation between both components will be reducing and thus these systems will evolve into A-type overcontact binaries. The period decrease may be caused by mass transfer or/and by angular momentum loss via magnetic braking. Combined with the published data on the other systems of the same type, a possible statistical connection between orbital period P and its rate of decrease dP/dt is obtained: dP/dt=,5.3 × 10,7×P+ 1.3 × 10,7 d yr,1. This correlation indicates that the smaller the orbital period P is, the smaller its rate of change dP/dt will be. The correlation found in this paper indicates that there may be a smooth transition from A- and F-type NCBs with period decreases to the A- and F-type overcontact binaries that have period increases, and in that sense one may postulate that the NCBs may be the progenitors of the A-type W UMa systems and will be oscillating around a marginal-contact state as predicted by thermal relaxation oscillation (TRO) theory. [source] The Push Tree problemNETWORKS: AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL, Issue 4 2004Frédéric Havet Abstract In this article, we introduce the Push Tree problem, which exposes the tradeoffs between the use of push and pull mechanisms in information distribution systems. One of the interesting features of the Push Tree problem is that it provides a smooth transition between the minimum Steiner Tree and the Shortest Path problems. We present initial complexity results and analyze heuristics. Moreover, we discuss what lessons can be learned from the static and deterministic Push Tree problem for more realistic scenarios characterized by high uncertainty and changing information request and update patterns. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, Vol. 44(4), 281,291 2004 [source] Alpha-fetoprotein producing uterine corpus carcinoma: A hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the endometriumPATHOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 10 2000Hiroshi Toyoda A case of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) producing endometrial carcinoma in a 60-year-old Japanese woman is presented. The patient complained of abnormal vaginal bleeding of 10 days' duration. On admission a uterine corpus mass and high serum AFP concentration (31950 ng/mL) was noted. There was no tumorous lesion in any other organ radiographically and endoscopically. Histologically, the biopsy specimen taken from the uterine mass showed a poorly differentiated endometrial carcinoma and a radical hysterectomy was subsequently performed. The postoperative serum AFP value transiently decreased with chemotherapy, however, lung metastases were found and the patient died 12 months following surgery. The resected uterus had a necrotic tumor, 6 × 5 × 4 cm in size, filling the endometrial cavity, characterized by exophytic growth with infiltration in the myometrium. Histologically, the tumor was composed of the main medullary carcinoma area with microcysts and admixed small areas of well-differentiated endometrioid adenocarcinoma, accompanied by a smooth transition with one another. In both the areas, the tumor cells had immunoreactive AFP, alpha-1-antitripsin, albumin, transferrin, carcinoembryonic antigen, CA19-9, and epithelial membrane antigen. There was no histologic evidence for a germ cell tumor. Based on these findings, this uterine corpus tumor was regarded as hepatoid variant of endometrial carcinoma. Although the histogenesis remains controversial, we assume the hypothesis that the tumor may arise in the endometrium per se in association with abnormal differentiation of muellerian duct elements. [source] Determinants of Japanese Yen interest rate swap spreads: Evidence from a smooth transition vector autoregressive modelTHE JOURNAL OF FUTURES MARKETS, Issue 1 2008Ying Huang This study investigates the determinants of variations in the yield spreads between Japanese yen interest rate swaps and Japan government bonds for a period from 1997 to 2005. A smooth transition vector autoregressive (STVAR) model and generalized impulse response functions are used to analyze the impact of various economic shocks on swap spreads. The volatility based on a GARCH (generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity) model of the government bond rate is identified as the transition variable that controls the smooth transition from a high volatility regime to a low volatility regime. The break point of the regime shift occurs around the end of the Japanese banking crisis. The impact of economic shocks on swap spreads varies across the maturity of swap spreads as well as regimes. Overall, swap spreads are more responsive to the economic shocks in the high volatility regime. Moreover, a volatility shock has profound effects on shorter maturity spreads, whereas the term structure shock plays an important role in impacting longer maturity spreads. Results of this study also show noticeable differences between the nonlinear and linear impulse response functions. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 28:82,107, 2008 [source] Actions of glucocorticoid and their regulatory mechanisms in the ovaryANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 2 2007Masafumi TETSUKA ABSTRACT Glucocorticoid (G) directly modulates ovarian functions through binding to G receptor. The actions of G are both agonistic and antagonistic depending on the developmental stage of follicles and corpora lutea (CL). During follicular maturation, G suppresses follicular differentiation by downregulating expression of P450 aromatase and luteinizing hormone (LH) receptor in granulosa cells. During ovulation, G protects the ovulatory follicle from inflammatory damage and promotes luteinization, ensuring a smooth transition of the follicle to CL. Throughout life the ovary is exposed to periodic and sporadic waves of G. The Ovary appears to cope with this situation by locally modulating levels of active G. The primary regulatory mechanism consists of two isoforms of 11,-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11,HSD) that catalyze conversion between active and inactive G. During follicular maturation the levels of active G are suppressed by the dehydrogenase activity of 11,HSD, whereas during the ovulatory process, levels of active G are further increased by the oxo-reductase activity of 11,HSD. The expression of these enzymes is under the control of gonadotrpins and local regulatory factors such as cytokines, allowing the mechanism to act in coordination with major reproductive events. Thus the G system is an integral part of ovarian physiology, which ensures that the ovary experiences only beneficial effects of G. [source] Conductance distribution at criticality: one-dimensional Anderson model with random long-range hoppingANNALEN DER PHYSIK, Issue 12 2009A. Méndez Abstract We study numerically the conductance distribution function w(T) for the one-dimensional Anderson model with random long-range hopping described by the Power-law Banded Random Matrix model at criticality. We concentrate on the case of two single-channel leads attached to the system. We observe a smooth transition from localized to delocalized behavior in the conductance distribution by increasing b, the effective bandwidth of the model. Also, for b < 1 we show that w(ln T/Ttyp) is scale invariant, where Ttyp = exp , ln T , is the typical value of T. Moreover, we find that for T < Ttyp, w(ln T/Ttyp) shows a universal behavior proportional to (T/Ttyp) -1/2. [source] Broken time-reversal symmetry scattering at the Anderson transitionANNALEN DER PHYSIK, Issue 12 2009A. Alcazar Abstract We study numerically the statistical properties of some scattering quantities for the Power-law Banded Random Matrix model at criticality in the absence of time-reversal symmetry, with a small number of single-channel leads attached to it. We focus on the average scattering matrix elements, the conductance probability distribution, and the shot noise power as a function of the effective bandwidth b of the model. We find a smooth transition from insulating- to metallic-like behavior in the scattering properties of the model by increasing b. We contrast our results with existing random matrix theory predictions. [source] Two-phase bifurcated dividing pipe flowASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 1 2009A. Murphy Abstract Data are reported on the pressure drop of co-current air,water two-phase flow through 0.0454 m i.d. bifurcations with included angles of 60°, 90°, 120° and 180°. The pressure changes on account of the angles at the junctions depended on the superficial phase velocities and the angle of bifurcation. For the 60° lowest angle of bifurcation the pressure drop was insensitive to flow rates if the superficial liquid velocity was in the lower range at and below 0.1 m s,1. For higher liquid flows the pressure loss increased dramatically, particularly in the annular-type regimes. When the angle at the junction was increased, negative values of pressure loss, i.e. an increase in pressure was recorded across the bifurcation in the gas velocity region under 10 m s,1 and liquid rates at and above 0.1 m s,1 in the slug and blow-through slug regimes. The effect coincided with liquid separation from the inner inlet pipe wall of the junction and its subsequent reformation on the downstream walls. A second less dramatic increase in junction pressure drop occurred at the lowest liquid flow rate of 0.05 m s,1 for the tee (180° bifurcation) that was due both to the smooth transition of liquid through the junction and the damping of surface waves in stratified-type flow. A flow regime map was presented for the tee junction. The inlet flow showed agreement with the map but the flow regimes found in the outlet arms of the junction tended to form earlier than expected being triggered by the pressure disturbances in the passage through the bifurcation. Copyright © 2009 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Risk Control of Pension Fund Management in ChinaCHINA AND WORLD ECONOMY, Issue 6 2007Xiaoyan Qian I18; I28; I38 Abstract Based on an analysis of China's current pension system, the present paper indicates that risk control of pension fund management is a serious policy challenge for the Chinese Government. Although some reform efforts have been made, there are still serious institutional and capital market risks that are difficult to overcome but are key in the success of China's pension reform. To ensure a smooth transition in pension reform, China not only needs to build a better institutional framework and facilitate capital market development, but also raise the risk awareness of individual pensioners. [source] Relative Price Variability and Inflation in EuropeECONOMICA, Issue 265 2000David Fielding The relationship between inflation and the relative variability of prices has been the subject of careful investigation in the United States using data for product groups at the city level. Yet in Europe, where the relationship could have profound effects on the viability of monetary integration, no attempt has been made to study the relationship. This paper fills the gap by examining data disaggregated to the commodity level across 10 EU countries. Evidence is found for logistic smooth transitions in the relative price variability measures within countries and within product groups. When this deterministic component isremoved, the stochastic element is not persistent and does not always have the positive relationship with inflation commonly found in US city data. [source] Evaluation of the participant-support method for information acquisition in the "Multiplex Risk Communicator"ELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATIONS IN JAPAN, Issue 9 2009Tomohiro Watanabe Abstract In this paper, we propose a smooth risk communication support method for the Multiplex Risk Communicator. There has been a diversification of the social risks to the information-based society, leading to complex social issues, and risk communication is necessary in order to solve the complicated social problems that arise concerning stakeholders with various levels of knowledge and differing standards regarding risks. We introduce a portal system that assists participants to achieve an optimal combination of countermeasures. The characteristics of the proposed method are: first, to classify the stage when participants acquire information; second, to enable smooth transitions during the information acquisition stage; and third, to support information acquisition by offering information portals. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 92(9): 24,35, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecj.10092 [source] Development of hyperplasticity models for soil mechanicsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL AND ANALYTICAL METHODS IN GEOMECHANICS, Issue 3 2006S. Likitlersuang Abstract Hyperplasticity theory was developed by Collins and Houlsby (Proc. Roy. Soc. Lon. A 1997; 453:1975,2001) and Houlsby and Puzrin (Int. J. Plasticity 2000; 16(9):1017,1047). Further research has extended the method to continuous hyperplasticity, in which smooth transitions between elastic and plastic behaviour can be modelled. This paper illustrates a development of a new constitutive model for soils using hyperplasticity theory. The research begins with a simple one-dimensional elasticity model. This is extended in stages to an elasto-plastic model with a continuous internal function. The research aims to develop a soil model, which addresses some of the shortcomings of the modified cam-clay model, specifically the fact that it cannot model small strain stiffness, or the effects of immediate stress history. All expressions used are consistent with critical state soil mechanics terminology. Finally, a numerical implementation of the model using a rate-dependent algorithm is described. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Obtaining smooth mesh transitions using vertex optimization,INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN ENGINEERING, Issue 5 2008M. Brewer Abstract Mesh optimization has proven to be an effective way to improve mesh quality for arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian (ALE) simulations. To date, however, most of the focus has been on improving the geometric shape of individual elements, and these methods often do not result in smooth transitions in element size or aspect ratio across groups of elements. We present an extension to the mean ratio optimization that addresses this problem and yields smooth transitions within regions and across regions in the ALE simulation. While this method is presented in the context of ALE simulations, it is applicable to a wider set of applications that require mesh improvement, including the mesh generation process. Published in 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||