A topological optimization procedure applied to multiple region problems with embedded sources

The main objective of this work is the application of the topological optimization procedure to heat transfer problems considering multiple materials. The topological derivative (DT) is employed for evaluating the domain sensitivity when perturbed by inserting a small inclusion. Electronic components such as printed circuit boards (PCBs) are an important area for the application of topological optimization. Generally, geometrical optimization involving heat transfer in PCBs considers only isotropic behavior and/or a single material. Multiple domains with anisotropic characteristics take an important role on many industrial products, for instance when considering PCBs which are often connected to other components of different materials. In this sense, a methodology for solving topological optimization problems considering anisotropy and multiple regions with embedded heat sources is developed in this paper. A direct boundary element method (BEM) is employed for solving the proposed numerical problem.CNPQ – Brazil through the Science without Borders program and from Brunel University

Profits and Fractal Properties: Notes on Marx, Countertendencies and Simulation Models

© 2017 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. There are new reasons for revisiting Marx’s elaboration on the rate of profit because contemporary debates provide findings from the MEGA Project, long-term data on the rate of profit, and tools for dealing with complexity and non-equilibrium systems. This article proposes that the interplay between the tendency and the countertendencies of the rate of profit to fall can be translated into a simple system of equations, one based on each chapter of Section Three of Capital—as if Marx sought to mathematically formalise his insights. This article reviews previous debates, presents data and runs a simulation model, showing that the rate of profit behaves as fractals.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES, Brazil), grant (BEX 0840/14-9

An ACA Accelerated isogeometric boundary element analysis of potential problems with non-uniform boundary conditions

This paper presents an Adaptive Cross Approximation (ACA) accelerated Isogeometric Boundary Element Method (IGBEM) using Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS) as shape and interpolation functions. Provided that NURBS are used in CAD programs to describe geometry, mesh generation in the IGBEM is no longer necessary. For large and complex models the traditional BEM quickly becomes very time and memory consuming. In order to overcome this problem, the use of ACA is considered in this paper. As the NURBS control points are typically located outside the boundary, non-uniform boundary conditions cannot be applied at control points. So, a transformation matrix is used to allow the application of boundary conditions at control points without losing accuracy and, with a special approach, preserving the time and memory advantages of hierarchical matrices provided by the ACA. Two and tree dimensional numerical examples are presented in order to assess the accuracy and feasibility of the method

Two accelerated isogeometric boundary element method formulations: fast multipole method and hierarchical matrices method

This work presents two fast isogeometric formulations of the Boundary Element Method (BEM) applied to heat conduction problems, one accelerated by Fast Multipole Method (FMM) and other by Hierarchical Matrices. The Fast Multipole Method uses complex variables and expansion of fundamental solutions into Laurant series, while the Hierarchical Matrices are created by low rank CUR approximations from the k−Means clustering technique for geometric sampling. Both use Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS) as shape functions. To reduce computational cost and facilitate implementation, NURBS are decomposed into Bézier curves, making the isogeometric formulation very similar to the conventional BEM. A description of the hierarchical structure of the data and the implemented algorithms are presented. Validation is performed by comparing the results of the proposed formulations with those of the conventional BEM formulation. The computational cost of both formulations is analyzed showing the advantages of the proposed formulations for large scale problems

QUANTITATIVE REAL-TIME PCR (Q-PCR) FOR SPUTUM SMEAR DIAGNOSIS OF PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS AMONG PEOPLE WITH HIV/AIDS

Objective: To assess quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) for the sputum smear diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in patients living with HIV/AIDS with a clinical suspicion of PTB. Method: This is a prospective study to assess the accuracy of a diagnostic test, conducted on 140 sputum specimens from 140 patients living with HIV/AIDS with a clinical suspicion of PTB, attended at two referral hospitals for people living with HIV/AIDS in the city of Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. A Löwenstein-Jensen medium culture and 7H9 broth were used as gold standard. Results: Of the 140 sputum samples, 47 (33.6%) were positive with the gold standard. q-PCR was positive in 42 (30%) of the 140 patients. Only one (0.71%) did not correspond to the culture. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the q-PCR were 87.2%, 98.9% and 95% respectively. In 39 (93%) of the 42 q-PCR positive cases, the CT (threshold cycle) was equal to or less than 37. Conclusion: q-PCR performed on sputum smears from patients living with HIV/AIDS demonstrated satisfactory sensitivity, specificity and accuracy, and may therefore be recommended as a method for diagnosing PTB

Quantitative effects of tobacco smoking exposure on the maternal-fetal circulation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Despite the existence of various published studies regarding the effects of tobacco smoking on pregnancy, and especially in regards to placental blood flow and vascular resistance, some points still require clarification. In addition, the amount of damage due to tobacco smoking exposure that occurs has not been quantified by objective means. In this study, we looked for a possible association between flow resistance indices of several arteries and the levels of urinary cotinine and the concentration of carbon monoxide in the exhaled air (COex) of both smoking and non-smoking pregnant women. We also looked for a relationship between those findings and fetal growth and birth weight.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In a prospective design, thirty pregnant smokers and thirty-four pregnant non-smokers were studied. The volunteers signed consent forms, completed a self-applied questionnaire and were subjected to Doppler velocimetry. Tobacco smoking exposure was quantified by subject provided information and confirmed by the measurement of urinary cotinine levels and by the concentration of carbon monoxide in the exhaled air (COex). The weight of newborns was evaluated immediately after birth.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Comparing smoking to non-smoking pregnant women, a significant increase in the resistance index was observed in the uterine arteries (P = 0.001) and umbilical artery (P = 0.001), and a decrease in the middle cerebral artery (P = 0.450). These findings were associated with progressively higher concentrations of COex and urinary cotinine. A decrease in the birth weight was also detected (P < 0.001) in association with a progressive increase in the tobacco exposure of the pregnant woman.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In pregnant women who smoke, higher arterial resistance indices and lower birth weights were observed, and these findings were associated with increasing levels of tobacco smoking exposure. The values were significantly different when compared to those found in non-smoking pregnant women. This study contributes to the findings that smoking damage during pregnancy is dose-dependent, as demonstrated by the objective methods for measuring tobacco smoking exposure.</p

Nicotinic Receptor Alpha7 Expression during Tooth Morphogenesis Reveals Functional Pleiotropy

The expression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subtype, alpha7, was investigated in the developing teeth of mice that were modified through homologous recombination to express a bi-cistronic IRES-driven tau-enhanced green fluorescent protein (GFP); alpha7GFP) or IRES-Cre (alpha7Cre). The expression of alpha7GFP was detected first in cells of the condensing mesenchyme at embryonic (E) day E13.5 where it intensifies through E14.5. This expression ends abruptly at E15.5, but was again observed in ameloblasts of incisors at E16.5 or molar ameloblasts by E17.5–E18.5. This expression remains detectable until molar enamel deposition is completed or throughout life as in the constantly erupting mouse incisors. The expression of alpha7GFP also identifies all stages of innervation of the tooth organ. Ablation of the alpha7-cell lineage using a conditional alpha7Cre×ROSA26-LoxP(diphtheria toxin A) strategy substantially reduced the mesenchyme and this corresponded with excessive epithelium overgrowth consistent with an instructive role by these cells during ectoderm patterning. However, alpha7knock-out (KO) mice exhibited normal tooth size and shape indicating that under normal conditions alpha7 expression is dispensable to this process. The function of ameloblasts in alpha7KO mice is altered relative to controls. High resolution micro-computed tomography analysis of adult mandibular incisors revealed enamel volume of the alpha7KO was significantly reduced and the organization of enamel rods was altered relative to controls. These results demonstrate distinct and varied spatiotemporal expression of alpha7 during tooth development, and they suggest that dysfunction of this receptor would have diverse impacts upon the adult organ