J.C. Tang¹, C.M. Fu^1,2

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.113, No.3, pp. 239-259, 2017, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2017.113.249

Abstract In this paper, an efficient interval analysis method called dimension-reduction interval analysis (DRIA) method is proposed to calculate the bounds of response functions with interval variables, which provides a kind of solution method for uncertainty analysis problems of complex structures and systems. First, multi-dimensional function is transformed into multiple one-dimensional functions by extending dimension reduction method to the interval analysis problem. Second, all the one-dimensional functions are transformed to standard quadratic form by second order Taylor expansion method. As a result, the multi-dimensional function is approximately represented by the functions that each interval variable occurs More >

Rongxing Duan¹, Yanni Lin¹, Longfei Hu¹

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.113, No.1, pp. 17-34, 2017, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2017.113.015

Abstract Fault tolerant technology has greatly improved the reliability of modern systems on one hand and makes their failure mechanisms more complex on the other. The characteristics of dynamics of failure, diversity of distribution and epistemic uncertainty always exist in these systems, which increase the challenges in the reliability assessment of these systems significantly. This paper presents a novel reliability analysis framework for complex systems within which the failure rates of components are expressed in interval numbers. Specifically, it uses a dynamic fault tree (DFT) to model the dynamic fault behaviors and copes with the epistemic More >

Haolong Chen^1,2, Bo Yu¹, Huanlin Zhou^1*, Zeng Meng¹

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.53, No.4, pp. 271-290, 2017, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2017.053.271

Abstract The cuckoo search algorithm (CS) is improved by using the conjugate gradient method(CGM), and the CS-CGM is proposed. The unknown inner boundary shapes are generated randomly and evolved by Lévy flights and elimination mechanism in the CS and CS-CGM. The CS, CGM and CS-CGM are examined for the prediction of a pipe’s inner surface. The direct problem is two-dimensional transient heat conduction in functionally graded materials (FGMs). Firstly, the radial integration boundary element method (RIBEM) is applied to solve the direct problem. Then the three methods are compared to identify the pipe’s inner surfacewith the… More >

Guilherme Cesar Martelossi Cebinelli, Kleber Paiva Trugilo, Stephanie Badaró Garcia, Karen Brajão de Oliveira

European Cytokine Network, Vol.27, No.4, pp. 81-89, 2016, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2016.0382

Abstract Transforming Growth Factor β (TGF-β) is a multifunctional cytokine that plays a role in several biological processes. TGF-ß1 is the most abundantly expressed isoform, associated with susceptibility to various diseases, and several polymorphisms have been described in the TGF-β1 gene structure, and some of them have been associated with functional implications. To date, eight single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and one deletion/insertion polymorphism have been shown to affect TGF-β1 expression (rs2317130, rs11466313, rs1800468, rs1800469, rs11466314, rs1800471, rs1800470, and rs11466316); some of these interfere with transcriptional regulation by affecting the binding of transcription factors binding, while others interfere More >

Dave Martin^a,b,† , Hicham Chaouki^a,b, Jean-Loup Robert^a, Donald Ziegler^c, Mario Fafard^a,b

Frontiers in Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol.7, pp. 1-9, 2016, DOI:10.5098/hmt.7.31

Abstract The two dimensional phase change problem was solved using the extended finite element method with a Lagrange formulation to apply the interface boundary condition. The Lagrange multiplier space is identical to the solution space and does not require stabilization. The solid-liquid interface velocity is determined by the jump in heat flux across the i nterface. Two methods to calculate the jump are used and c ompared. The first is based on an averaged temperature gradient near the interface. The second uses the Lagrange multiplier values to evaluate the jump. The Lagrange multiplier based approach was More >

Mehdi Tajvidi^1*, Douglas J. Gardner², Douglas W. Bousfield³

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.4, No.5, pp. 365-376, 2016, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2016.634103

Abstract A novel application of cellulose nanomaterials, particularly cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) as a binder in conventional and novel laminate and particulate composite systems is discussed. Using cellulose nanomaterials as a reinforcing agent in conventional polymer composites faces several difficulties: 1) there are no easy ways to dry the CNF and maintain nanoscale dimensions, 2) there are compatibility issues related to cellulose-polymer bonding, and 3) there are issues related to obtaining a good distribution and redispersion of nanoscale materials inside a polymer matrix. An alternative strategy is applications in which cellulose nanomaterials can be used in the… More >

H.-S. Wang^1,2, H. Jiang^3,4, B. Yang²

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.51, No.3, pp. 145-161, 2016, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2016.051.145

Abstract Potential field due to line sources residing on slender heterogeneities is involved in various areas, such as heat conduction, potential flow, and electrostatics. Often dipolar line sources are either prescribed or induced due to close interaction with other objects. Its calculation requires a higher-order scheme to take into account the dipolar effect as well as net source effect. In the present work, we apply such a higher-order line element method to analyze the potential field with cylindrical slender heterogeneities. In a benchmark example of two parallel rods, we compare the line element solution with the More >

Osorio-Córdoba J¹, LL Rodriguez-Verástegui¹, F Díaz de León-Sánchez², E Bosquez-Molina¹, JR Verde-Calvo¹, HB Escalona-Buendía¹, LJ Pérez-F lores², C Pelayo-Zaldívar¹

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.84, No.2, pp. 375-384, 2015, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2015.84.375

Abstract Cactus stems, the cladodes of Opuntia spp. cacti, are consumed in Mexico and other countries due to their fresh and herbaceous flavor, and because of their widely known nutraceutical benefits. In order to extend the postharvest life of this vegetable, the effect of a modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) was studied in cactus stems of the cultivar Atlixco stored at 4 ± 1 °C for 20 days under three types of atmospheres: (1) air (passive atmosphere), (2) 5 kPa O₂ + 4 kPa CO₂, and (3) N₂. During storage, the titratable acidity decreased and the color of cladodes… More >

Liu Liqi¹, Wang Haitao^1,2

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.109-110, No.4, pp. 303-324, 2015, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2015.109.303

Abstract This paper presents a three-dimensional (3-D) boundary element method (BEM) scheme based on the Radial Integration Method (RIM) for wave propagation analysis of continuously non-homogeneous problems. The Kelvin fundamental solutions are adopted to derive the boundary-domain integral equation (BDIE). The RIM proposed by Gao (Engineering Analysis with Boundary Elements 2002; 26(10):905-916) is implemented to treat the domain integrals in the BDIE so that only boundary discretization is required. After boundary discretization, a set of second-order ordinary differential equations with respect to time variable are derived, which are solved using the Wilson-q method. Main advantages of More >

S. Vahdati¹, D. Mirzaei²

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.109-110, No.3, pp. 247-262, 2015, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2015.109.247

Abstract In this paper we present a meshless collocation method based on the moving least squares (MLS) approximation for numerical solution of the multiasset (d-dimensional) American option in financial mathematics. This problem is modeled by the Black-Scholes equation with moving boundary conditions. A penalty approach is applied to convert the original problem to one in a fixed domain. In finite parts, boundary conditions satisfy in associated (d-1)-dimensional Black-Scholes equations while in infinity they approach to zero. All equations are treated by the proposed meshless approximation method where the method of lines is employed for handling the More >