Tetrahedral mesh improvement using moving mesh smoothing, lazy searching flips, and RBF surface reconstruction

Given a tetrahedral mesh and objective functionals measuring the mesh quality which take into account the shape, size, and orientation of the mesh elements, our aim is to improve the mesh quality as much as possible. In this paper, we combine the moving mesh smoothing, based on the integration of an ordinary differential equation coming from a given functional, with the lazy flip technique, a reversible edge removal algorithm to modify the mesh connectivity. Moreover, we utilize radial basis function (RBF) surface reconstruction to improve tetrahedral meshes with curved boundary surfaces. Numerical tests show that the combination of these techniques into a mesh improvement framework achieves results which are comparable and even better than the previously reported ones.Comment: Revised and improved versio

Lowest order Virtual Element approximation of magnetostatic problems

We give here a simplified presentation of the lowest order Serendipity Virtual Element method, and show its use for the numerical solution of linear magneto-static problems in three dimensions. The method can be applied to very general decompositions of the computational domain (as is natural for Virtual Element Methods) and uses as unknowns the (constant) tangential component of the magnetic field $\mathbf{H}$ on each edge, and the vertex values of the Lagrange multiplier $p$ (used to enforce the solenoidality of the magnetic induction $\mathbf{B}=\mu\mathbf{H}$). In this respect the method can be seen as the natural generalization of the lowest order Edge Finite Element Method (the so-called "first kind N\'ed\'elec" elements) to polyhedra of almost arbitrary shape, and as we show on some numerical examples it exhibits very good accuracy (for being a lowest order element) and excellent robustness with respect to distortions

Steel to concrete bond transferring in cfst columns connected to beams through the concrete

An important innovation in structural design in the last thirty years has been the use of steel-concrete composite columns, with particular diffusion of tubular profiles. These elements are known in the technical Literature as concrete filled steel tube (CFST) and the metal profiles that characterize the external jacket are usually circular, square or rectangular. A relevant issue that must be considered is the transfer of shear stresses by adhesion between steel and concrete in composite columns. The problem of adhesion, and thus its formulation, depends primarily on the type of technology used to connect beams to columns. In particular, two different models can be produced: the first case where the beams are connected only to the metal external jacket of the pillar (i.e. steel beams connected with bolted flanges to the column), and the second where beams and columns are connected also in the concrete matrix (i.e. the case of beams in steel-concrete technology, or traditional reinforced concrete beams). International Standards, regarding the problem of adhesion in jacketed columns, only referee to the first connection type, giving a constant value for adhesion coefficient along the transferring length, with no dependence to the size of the section, and indicate transferring lengths independently from the type of beam-to-column connection and the shape of the section. In the Paper are hence proposed expressions that quantify the fundamental values that govern the action transfer mechanism by adhesion in CFST, such as the transfer length, the perimeter of the active transfer and the shear stress distribution, as a function of the slenderness ratio and of the type of connection adopted. All this has been carried in order to produce a model for the estimation of bond stresses for the second of the two construction system mentioned above

Exploring the role of fallopian ciliated cells in the pathogenesis of high-grade serous ovarian cancer

High-grade serous epithelial ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is the fifth leading cause of cancer death in women and the first among gynecological malignancies. Despite an initial response to standard chemotherapy, most HGSOC patients relapse. To improve treatment options, we must continue investigating tumor biology. Tumor characteristics (e.g., risk factors and epidemiology) are valuable clues to accomplish this task. The two most frequent risk factors for HGSOC are the lifetime number of ovulations, which is associated with increased oxidative stress in the pelvic area caused by ovulation fluid, and a positive family history due to genetic factors. In the attempt to identify novel genetic factors (i.e., genes) associated with HGSOC, we observed that several genes in linkage with HGSOC are expressed in the ciliated cells of the fallopian tube. This finding made us hypothesize that ciliated cells, despite not being the cell of origin for HGSOC, may take part in HGSOC tumor initiation. Specifically, malfunction of the ciliary beat impairs the laminar fluid flow above the fallopian tube epithelia, thus likely reducing the clearance of oxidative stress caused by follicular fluid. Herein, we review the up-to-date findings dealing with HGSOC predisposition with the hypothesis that fallopian ciliated cells take part in HGSOC onset. Finally, we review the up-to-date literature concerning genes that are located in genomic loci associated with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) predisposition that are expressed by the fallopian ciliated cells

Efeitos de um programa de fisioterapia sobre a qualidade de vida de mulheres idosas da comunidade: estudo randomizado controlado

INTRODUCTION: Health promotion policies for encouraging elderly to remain active, independent and, effectively have a positive effect on their quality of life. OBJECTIVE: To verify the effects of a low-intensity group-based physical therapy program on quality of life among community-dwelling elderly women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was carried out a randomized controlled trial. Seventeen women (67.8 ± 4.9 years old) that completed 12-week training program and 10 women (68.9 ± 5.7 years old) that were included in control group answered the abbreviated version for World Health Organization Quality of life Questionnaire - WHOQOL-bref at baseline and after 12 weeks. Exercise group performed stretching, resistance and balance training. Intragroup and intergroup analysis was made using Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney U tests, respectively. The level of significance used for all comparisons was 5%. Furthermore, it was determined the Reliable Change Index (RCI) as part of JT Method. RESULTS: Exercise group presented a significant improvement for Psychological domain (p = 0.047) after 12-week physical therapy program. Otherwise, control group presented a significant worsening for overall (p = 0.01), physical (p = 0.01) and psychological (p = 0.008) domains. Exercise group presented two participants with positive reliable change (PRC) for social domain, two participants with PRC for Environment domain. Overall and Physical domain presented three participants with PRC. Psychological domain presented four participants with PRC and one with negative reliable change. CONCLUSION: A low-intensity group-based physical therapy program may contribute in order to maintain quality of life and improve some psychological aspects among community-dwelling elderly women.INTRODUÇÃO: Políticas públicas de promoção de saúde contribuem para encorajar o envelhecimento ativo, com independência, e tem efeitos positivos na qualidade de vida da população idosa. OBJETIVO: Avaliar os efeitos de um programa de treinamento fisioterapia de baixa intensidade, realizado em grupo, sobre a qualidade de vida de mulheres da comunidade. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Realizou-se estudo clinico randomi­zado. Dezessete mulheres (67,8 ± 4,9 anos de idade) que completaram 12 semanas de treinamento, a dez mulheres (68,9 ± 5,7 anos de idade) que foram incluídas no grupo controle, responderam a versão abreviada do Questionário de Qualidade de Vida da Organização Mundial de Saúde - WHOQOL-bref. O Grupo Exercício realizou treinamento de flexibilidade, resistência e equilíbrio. Análises intragrupo e intergrupo foram feitas por meio dos testes não paramétricos Wilcoxon e Mann-Whitney U, respectivamente. Foi utilizado um nível de significância de 5%. Ainda, foi determinado o Índice de Mudança Confiável segundo o Método JT. RESULTADOS: O grupo treinamento apresentou uma melhora significativa para o domínio psicológico (p = 0,047) e o grupo controle apresentou uma piora significativa para o escore geral (p = 0,01) e os domínios físico (p = 0,01) e psicológico (p = 0,008). Para o grupo de exercícios, no domínio social, duas participantes apresentaram mudança positiva confiável (MPC) e no domínio ambiente, duas participantes. Para o escore geral e domínio físico, três participantes apresentaram MPC. Para o domínio psicológico quatro participantes apresentaram MPC e uma mudança negativa confiável. CONCLUSÃO: Um programa de fisioterapia em grupo pode contribuir para manter a qualidade de vida e melhorar especialmente aspectos psicológicos de mulheres idosas da comunidade.Federal University of São Paulo Department of Human Movement SciencesFederal University of São Carlos Physical Therapy DepartmentFederal University of São Carlos Statistics DepartmentUNIFESP, Department of Human Movement SciencesSciEL