Assessing Brain Pathophysiology through Non-Linear Analysis of MEG in Ιdiopathic Generalized Epilepsy Cases

Background: Non-linear signal analysis has proven to be a technique that is capable of revealing qualitative and quan- titative differentiations between different dynamical systems (biological or otherwise). In the present work it has been demonstrated that this capability reveals quantitative differences in the Magnetoencephalograms (MEG) received from patients with Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy (IGE) and from healthy volunteers. Method: We present MEG record- ings of 10 epileptic patients with IGE and the corresponding ones from 10 healthy volunteers. A 122-channel SQUID biomagnetometer in an electromagnetically shielded room was used to record the MEG signals and the Grassber- ger-Procaccia method for the estimation of the correlation dimension was applied in the phase space reconstruction of the recorded signal from each patient. Results: The aforementioned analysis demonstrates the existence of spatially diffused low dimensionality in the MEG signals of patients with IGE. Conclusion: The obtained results provide support for the hypothesis that low dimensionality in MEG signals is linked to functional brain pathogeny.

ANALYSIS OF CRITERIA PREDICTING THE TENDENCY OF PILOT INDUCED OSCILLATION FOR LINEAR NON-LINEAR SYSTEM

Some problems encountered in applying Smith's technique to predict the PIO tendency for non-linear pilot-vehicle loop, are thoroughly analyzed. Subsequently, modified PIO predictable criteria are developed, in addition, to make also a certain improvement on Smith's PIO definition and PIO types. These modified criteria are applied to predict PIO tendency of various different configurations on the variable stability aircraft NT-33 in case of supposed non-linearity, and predicted results are compared with the flight tests and analytical results in the case of linear hypothesis given in Ref. (4)

ON USING NON-LINEAR CANONICAL CORRELATION ANALYSIS FOR VOICE CONVERSION BASED ON GAUSSIAN MIXTURE MODEL

Voice conversion algorithm aims to provide high level of similarity to the target voice with an acceptable level of quality.The main object of this paper was to build a nonlinear relationship between the parameters for the acoustical features of source and target speaker using Non-Linear Canonical Correlation Analysis(NLCCA) based on jointed Gaussian mixture model.Speaker indi-viduality transformation was achieved mainly by altering vocal tract characteristics represented by Line Spectral Frequencies(LSF).To obtain the transformed speech which sounded more like the target voices,prosody modification is involved through residual prediction.Both objective and subjective evaluations were conducted.The experimental results demonstrated that our proposed algorithm was effective and outperformed the conventional conversion method utilized by the Minimum Mean Square Error(MMSE) estimation.

Analysis of the Influence of Parafunctional Loads on the Bone-Prosthesis System: A Non-Linear Finite Element Analysis

The present study evaluates the effects of occlusal loading on an implant-supported dental implant with external hexagon dental implant-abutment systems, using the finite element method analysis. Tensile analyses were performed to simulate different axial and obliquous masticatory loads. The influence of the variations in the contouring conditions of the interfaces was analyzed to weigh the osseointegration with linear and non-linear cases, by means of a parametric design. The geometry selected to place the prostheses was a jaw section, considering the properties of the set of cortical and trabecular bones. The results show that for non-linear contour conditions, the stress presents smaller value distributions and signals a different place in the screw-implant interface as the factor of the greater weight in this study. The location indicated that von Mises stress concentrations are not exclusive to the contact regions studied, moving to an area that is not in direct contact with the non-linear contact interfaces. In addition, the direction of load with an angle of 15 degrees presented the highest values of von Mises stress.

Non-Linear Analysis of Masonry Structures Subjected to External Settlements

This article describes a methodology for the non-linear analysis of existing masonry structures subjected to external yielding constraints, with particular attention to the historical and cultural heritage constructions. It is well known, indeed, that most of the arch and wall damages are often due to settlement of abutments, in the former case, and to settlement of foundations, in the latter one. The ability to observe and correctly analyze the cracking failure pattern, visible on such structures, is the main “diagnostic tool” for identifying its origin: the modification of load conditions over time, foundation settlements and earthquakes. The objective of this work is to identify a numeric modelling of masonry structures (such as walls, arches, vaults, ruins) under any load condition and subjected to inelastic settlements impressed to some external constraints. The purpose of the numerical procedure is to interpret the behaviour of such structures in order to assess both the peak settlement value and their specific failure mode in correspondence to a geometry which is very often compromised. Therefore, this procedure allows one to estimate the degree of the structures’ vulnerability, in order to prevent any future damage, both local and global. The iterative algorithm proposed in this article, developed in a calculation software, processes the structure considering, not only the properties of constitutive material, non-homogeneous and anisotropic, but also the change of the structure’s shape during the settlements increase. In this way a non-linear analysis is performed both materically and geometrically. Through a direct comparison between numerical and experimental results, obtained by testing some simple structural models in a laboratory, it was ascertained, both from a qualitative and quantitative point of view, the correctness and the efficacy of the proposed procedure, which will be explained below. Therefore, this numerical procedure demonstrates to be a useful “diagnostic tool” by which, starting from the input of the masonry structure to be studied and simulating a presumable event, one can trace the source of the causes that have generated a certain failure, comparing the cracking pattern of real structure with that plotted by the software.

Non-Linear Analysis of Energy Absorption Systems under Impact Loads through FEM

This paper presents a non-linear simulation of the impact on a structure with different energy absorption systems using finite element models. Literature review on bistable structure, aluminum foam and expandable polystyrene is presented and taken as basis to propose energy absorption systems. Using a base structure, these systems are implemented by means of finite element modeling. A comparison of the damage caused to the structure in case of impact without implementing energy absorption system, and implementing energy absorption systems based on bistable structures, polystyrene foam and aluminum foam are shown here in. The results demonstrate the advantages of using energy absorption systems on structures under impact loads.

Analysis of the Longitudinal Structure Function F_L from the Non-linear Regge Gluon Density Behavior at Low-x

The longitudinal structure function with shadowing correction according to the nonlinear effects of the gluon density behavior at low x is considered. The solution of the GLR-MQ evolution equation for the gluon density shows that the FL^g（x, Q2） behavior can be tamed by the singularity at low x values. Comparing our results with H1 data at R=4 GeV-1 shows that at very low x this behavior is completely tamed by taking shadowing correction into account.

Nonlinear finite element analysis of three implant-abutment interface designs

The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanical characteristics of implant-abutment interface design in a dental implant system, using nonlinear finite element analysis （FEA） method. This finite element simulation study was applied on three commonly used commercial dental implant systems： model I, the reduced-diameter 3i implant system （West Palm Beach, FL, USA） with a hex and a 12-point double internal hexagonal connection; model II, the Semados implant system （Bego, Bremen, Germany） with combination of a conical （45° taper） and internal hexagonal connection; and model III, the Br,~nemark implant system （Nobel Biocare, Gothenburg, Sweden） with external hexagonal connection. In simulation, a force of 170 N with 45°oblique to the longitudinal axis of the implant was loaded to the top surface of the abutment. It has been found from the strength and stiffness analysis that the 3i implant system has the lowest maximum yon Mises stress, prirlcipal stress and displacement, while the Br^nemark implant system has the highest. It was concluded from our preliminary study using nonlinear FEA that the reduced-diameter 3i implant system with a hex and a 12-point double internal hexagonal connection had a better stress distribution, and produced a smaller displacement than the other two implant systems.

Hybrid Analysis Approach for Stochastic Response of Offshore Jacket Platforms

The dynamic response of offshore platforms is more serious in hostile sea environment than in shallow sea. In this paper, a hybrid solution combined with analytical and numerical method is proposed to compute the stochastic response of fixed offshore platforms to random waves, considering wave-structure interaction and non-linear drag force. The simulation program includes two steps: the first step is the eigenanalysis aspects associated the structure and the second step is response estimation based on spectral equations. The eigenanalysis could be done through conventional finite element method conveniently and its natural frequency and mode shapes obtained. In the second part of the process, the solution of the offshore structural response is obtained by iteration of a series of coupled spectral equations. Considering the third-order term in the drag force, the evaluation of the three-fold convolution should be demanded for nonlinear stochastic response analysis. To demonstrate this method, a numerical analysis is carried out for both linear and non-linear platform motions. The final response spectra have the typical two peaks in agreement with reality, indicating that the hybrid method is effective and can be applied to offshore engineering.

Online Detection of State Estimator Performance Degradation via Efficient Numerical Observability Analysis

An efficient observability analysis method is proposed to enable online detection of performance degradation of an optimization-based sliding window visual-inertial state estimation framework.The proposed methodology leverages numerical techniques in nonlinear observability analysis to enable online evaluation of the system observability and indication of the state estimation performance.Specifically,an empirical observability Gramian based approach is introduced to efficiently measure the observability condition of the windowed nonlinear system,and a scalar index is proposed to quantify the average system observability.The proposed approach is specialized to a challenging optimizationbased sliding window monocular visual-inertial state estimation formulation and evaluated through simulation and experiments to assess the efficacy of the methodology.The analysis result shows that the proposed approach can correctly indicate degradation of the state estimation accuracy with real-time performance.

Application of a Modified Arrhenius Equation to Describe the Time-Temperature Equivalence in Relaxation Analysis of Metal Seals

For the application of the time-temperature superposition principle a suitable relation is needed to describe the time-temperature shift factor a. Therefore, the Arrhenius equation is widely used due to its simple form and often leads to suitable results. Where, the Arrhenius equation presents a linear relation for the temperature-dependent shift factor in logarithmic scale ln（α） with the absolute inverse temperature （1/θ）. However, in cases with a large temperature range which eventually include more complex reaction processes, the functional relation between ln（α） and （1/θ） is nonlinear in the ＇Arrhenius plot＇. In those cases, the monotone change of the nonlinear range in the ＇Arrhenius plot＇ can be interpreted as a transient range between two approximately linear or constant regions. An extended application of the modified Arrhenius equation from Nakamura （1989） is presented in this study for this transient range. The introduced method was applied to describe the time-temperature equivalence in the relaxation analysis of restoring seal force of metal seals, which are used in lid-systems of transport and interim storage casks for radioactive materials. But, the method is widely valid and can be used for different objectives which are characterized by thermorheologically simple behavior with nonlinear sensitivity to inverse temperature.

Ultimate Strength Analysis of Offshore Jacket Platform

The ultimate strength analysis of offshore jacket platforms is a research project which has been developed in recent years. With the rapid development of marine oil industry, the departments of design and IMR (Inspection, Maintenance and Repair) in the offshore engineering have attached great importance to this project. The research procedure applies to both the stress check of new design platforms and the whole safety assessment of existing platforms. In this paper, we combine the pseudo non-linear technique with the linear analysis program and successfully analyze the ultimate strength of the space frame structure subject to the concentrated load and a real jacket platform subject to the dead load and environmental load.

Adaptability and Stability Analysis of Soybean Genotypes Using Toler and Centroid Methods

Soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) adaptation to new environments has been hard to predict based on maturity group. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of 14 soybean genotypes, from the Soybean Breeding Program of the Federal University of Uberlandia, in their adaptive capacity and seed yield stability at 3 locations and 2 growing seasons. For the adaptability and stability analysis the Toler and Centroid methods were used;5 genotypic groups were identified in the first whereas 4 groups were identified in the latter. By the Toler method group A was composed by 4 genotypes, UFU-001, UFU-003, UFU-0010, and UFU-001. They showed a convex pattern of adaptability and stability. In contrast, the genotypes UFU-008 and UFU-0013 were classified in Group E with a concave pattern of adaptability and stability. Regarding results from the Centroid method, the Genotype UFU-002, with higher seed yield than average, was the only genotype in Ideotype VI with moderate adaptability to favorable environments. In contrast, 10 genotypes were included in the Ideotype V, of medium general adaptability. The genotypes UFU-001, UFU-002, UFU-006, UFU-0010, and UFU-0011 were recommended for use in the Brazilian Cerrado growing region. These genotypes had high seed yield potential in high quality environments.

THE MATHEMATICAL MODELS AND GENERALIZED VARIATIONAL PRINCIPLES OF NONLINEAR ANALYSIS FOR PERFORATED THIN PLATES

On foe basis of the Kirchoff-Karman hypothses for the nonlinear bending of thin plates, the three kinds of boundary value problems of nonlinear analysis for perforated fhin plates are presented under the differenr in-plane boundary conditions and the corresponding generalized varialional principles are established. One can see that all mathematical models presented in this paper are completely new ones and differ from the ordinary von Karman theory. These mathematical models can be applied to the nonlinear analysis and the Stability analysis of perforaled thin plates in arbitraryplane boundary conditions.

Assessment of Seismic Damage in Nativity Church in Bethlehem Using Pushover Analysis

This study focuses on advanced finite element(FE)analyses on The Church of Nativity located in Bethlehem(Palestine),one of the most historic structures in the world.To ensure the model quality,a 3D FE model was created using two types of typical commercial software,DIANA FEA and SAP2000.From analyses,one of the expected behaviors for this kind of masonry structure“low modal period”was found.The seismic behavior of the church was studied using pushover analyses,which were conducted using DIANA FEA.The first unidirectional mass proportional load pattern was created in both directions,X-direction as a longitudinal direction and Y-direction as the transversal direction.An incremental iterative procedure was used with monotonically increasing horizontal loads,using constant gravity loads.The results showed that the transversal direction is the most vulnerable and the damage concentrates at the main lateral(longitudinal)walls,mainly at the south and north alignment walls,and also at the vaults and at the connections of the vaults to the apse.Crack width was at the upper limit in the in-plane direction(X-direction).While,in Y-direction,it exceeded the limits of IBC code in width and length with a maximum width of 13.7 mm.A more accurate nonlinear dynamic analysis is recommended in the near future,which takes into account the material nonlinearity for more reasonable seismic behavior simulation.

Bending vibration analysis of rotating machineries using multibody dynamics technology — development of computer program RotB

This paper examines a computer program developed to analyze the vibration of rotating machineries based on theories of vibration and multibody dynamics （MBD）. Bending vibration problems of rotating machineries have generally been categorized as either linear or nonlinear. Linear problems can be formulated by standard methods and nonlinear problems can be formulated by MBD methods. In our study, nonlinear problems are treated by the use of a general-purpose computer program, RecurDyn （RD）. In the program we developed, rotor bending vibration analysis （RotB） structural properties such as shafts, rotating rotary disks, unbalanced masses and foundation structures are modeled as multibody elements. Also, nonlinearities such as contact, non-symmetrical shaft effects, bearing characteristics, nonlinear restoring and damping characteristics in the bearings are taken into account. The computational results demonstrate the validity of RotB.

Influence of Confined Concrete Models on the Seismic Response of RC Frames

In this study, the influence of confined concrete models on the response of reinforced concrete structures is investigatedat member and global system levels. The commonly encountered concrete models such as Modified Kent-Park, Saatçioğlu-Razvi, and Mander are considered. Two moment-resisting frames designed according to thepre-modern code are taken into consideration to reflect the example of an RC moment-resisting frame in thecurrent building stock. The building is in an earthquake-prone zone located on Z3 Soil Type. The inelasticresponse of the building frame is modelled by considering the plastic hinges formed on each beam and columnelement for different concrete classes and stirrups spacings. The models are subjected to non-linear static analyses.The differences between confined concrete models are comparatively investigated at both reinforced concretemember and system levels. Based on the results of the comparative analysis, it is revealed that the column behaviouris mostly influenced by the choice of model, due to axial loads and confinement effects, while the beams areless affected, and also it is observed that the differences exhibited in the moment-curvature response of columncross-sections do not significantly affect the overall behaviour of the global system. This highlights the critical roleof model selection relative to the concrete strength and stirrup spacing of the member.

Non-linear Dynamics Method to Angles-Only Navigation for Non-cooperative Rendezvous of Spacecraft

Aiming at the problem of relative navigation for non-cooperative rendezvous of spacecraft,this paper proposes a new angles-only navigation architecture using non-linear dynamics method. This method does not solve the problem of poor observability of angles-only navigation through orbital or attitude maneuvering,but improves the observability of angles-only navigation through capturing the non-linearity of the system in the evolution of relative motion. First,three relative dynamics models and their corresponding line-of-sight(LoS)measurement equations are introduced,including the rectilinear state relative dynamics model,the curvilinear state relative dynamics model,and the relative orbital elements(ROE)state relative dynamics model. Then,an observability analysis theory based on the Gramian matrix is introduced to determine which relative dynamics model could maximize the observability of angles-only navigation. Next,an adaptive extended Kalman filtering scheme is proposed to solve the problem that the angles-only navigation filter using the non-linear dynamics method is sensitive to measurement noises. Finally,the performances of the proposed angles-only navigation architecture are tested by means of numerical simulations,which demonstrates that the angles-only navigation filtering scheme without orbital or attitude maneuvering is completely feasible through improving the modeling of the relative dynamics and LoS measurement equations.

On the Non-linear Motion of IGS Station

With the daily SINEX files of the IGS, the time series of IGS stations are obtained using an independently developed software under generalized network adjustment models with coordinate patterns. From the time series, non-linear motions are found. With spectral analysis method, the variation frequency （annual period and semi-annual period） of the site velocity is found. Moreover, the empirical model of the velocity variation of the station has been established by regression analysis method based on the weekly solution coordinate series of the station. With respect to the velocity of the IGS tracking station, it was better to model the variation periodically or to give a velocity periodically using a piece-wise linear function rather than a linear variable to estimate its bias.

Some non-linear height–diameter models performance for mixed stand in forests in Northwest Iran

This study evaluated the total height of trees based on diameter at breast height by using 23 widely used height-diameter non-linear regression models for mixed-species forest stands consisting of Caucasian oak,field maple,and hornbeam from forests in Northwest Iran.1920 trees were measured in 6 sampling plots(every sampling plot has 1 ha area).The fit of the best height–diameter models for each species were compared based on R2,Root Mean Square Error(RMSE),Akaike information criterion(AIC),standard error,and relative ranking performance criteria.In the final step,verification of results was performed by paired sample t-test to compare the observed height and estimated height.Results showed that among 23 height-diameter models,the best models were obtained from the top five ones including Modified-logistic,Prodan,Sibbesen,Burkhart,and Exponential.Comparison between the actual observed height and estimated height for Caucasian oak showed that Modified–Logistic,Prodan,Sibbesen,Burkhart,and Exponential performed better than the others,respectively(There were no statistically significant differences between observed heights and predicted height(p≥0.05)).Prodan,Modified-Logistic,Burkhart,and Loetch evaluated field maple tree height correctly,and Modified-Logistic,Burkhart,and Loetch had better fitness compared to the others for hornbeam,respectively.Although other models were introduced as appropriate criteria,they could not reliably predict the height of trees.Using the Rank analysis,the Modified-Logistic model for the Caucasian oak and Prodan model for field maple and hornbeam had the best performance.Finally,to complement the results of this study,it is suggested to assess how environmental factors such as elevation,climate parameters,forest protection policy and forest structure will modify height-diameter allometry models and will enhance the prediction accuracy of tree heights prediction in mixed stands.