A Radial Basis Function Method with Improved Accuracy for Fourth Order Boundary Value Problems

Accurately approximating higher order derivatives is an inherently difficult problem. It is shown that a random variable shape parameter strategy can improve the accuracy of approximating higher order derivatives with Radial Basis Function methods. The method is used to solve fourth order boundary value problems. The use and location of ghost points are examined in order to enforce the extra boundary conditions that are necessary to make a fourth-order problem well posed. The use of ghost points versus solving an overdetermined linear system via least squares is studied. For a general fourth-order boundary value problem, the recommended approach is to either use one of two novel sets of ghost centers introduced here or else to use a least squares approach. When using either ghost centers or least squares, the random variable shape parameter strategy results in significantly better accuracy than when a constant shape parameter is used.

Star-shaped Differentiable Functions and Star-shaped Differentials

Based on the isomorphism between the space of star-shaped sets and the space of continuous positively homogeneous real-valued functions, the star-shaped differential of a directionally differentiable function is defined. Formulas for star-shaped differential of a pointwise maximum and a pointwise minimum of a finite number of directionally differentiable functions, and a composite of two directionaUy differentiable functions are derived. Furthermore, the mean-value theorem for a directionaUy differentiable function is demonstrated.

TORSIONAL IMPACT RESPONSE OF A PENNY-SHAPED CRACK IN A FUNCTIONAL GRADED STRIP

The torsional impact response of a penny-shaped crack in a nonhomogeneous strip is considered. The shear modulus is assumed to be functionally graded such that the mathematics is tractable. Laplace and Hankel transforms were used to reduce the problem to solving a Fredholm integral equation. The crack tip stress field is obtained by considering the asymptotic behavior of Bessel function. Explicit expressions of both the dynamic stress intensity factor and the energy density factor were derived.And it is shown that, as crack driving force, they are equivalent for the present crack problem. Investigated are the effects of material nonhomogeneity and (strip's) highness on the dynamic fracture behavior. Numerical results reveal that the peak of the dynamic stress intensity factor can be suppressed by increasing the nonhomogeneity parameter of the shear modulus, and that the dynamic behavior varies little with the adjusting of the strip's highness.

Evaluation of the Effect of Sigmoid-Shaped Interventricular Septum on Left Ventricular Systolic Function in Patients with Essential Hypertension by Two-Dimensional Speckle Tracking Echocardiography

Objective: To evaluate left ventricular regional and global systolic function by measuring left ventricular longitudinal strain (LS) in hypertensive patients with sigmoid-shaped interventricular septum (SIS) by two-dimensional speckle tracking (2D-STE);in order to explore whether the sigmoid-shaped interventricular septum affects the left ventricular systolic function in patients with hypertension. Methods: Routine echocardiographic parameters were measured in 30 hypertensive patients with SIS (SIS group) and 30 hypertensive patients without SIS (non-SIS group). The left ventricular segments and global LS were measured by 2D-STE, and the two sets of parameters were compared. Results: The value of the thickness of the basal segment of the interventricular septum (IVSBT), the thickness of the middle segment of the interventricular septum (IVSMT) and the ratio of the basal segment of the ventricular septum to the middle segment of the interventricular septum (IVSBT/IVSMT) in SIS group was higher than that in non-SIS group. However, the value of left ventricular outflow tract diameter (LVOTD) in SIS group was lower than that in non-SIS group. There was a significant difference between the two groups (all P Conclusion: SIS affects left ventricular regional systolic function of patients with hypertension. 2D-STE can early evaluate left ventricular longitudinal systolic function in hypertensive patients with SIS.

Shape retrieval using multi-level included angle functions-based Fourier descriptor

An effective shape signature namely multi-level included angle functions MIAFs is proposed to describe the hierarchy information ranging from global information to local variations of shape.Invariance to rotation translation and scaling are the intrinsic properties of the MIAFs.For each contour point the multi-level included angles are obtained based on the paired line segments derived from unequal-arc-length partitions of contour.And a Fourier descriptor derived from multi-level included angle functions MIAFD is presented for efficient shape retrieval.The proposed descriptor is evaluated with the standard performance evaluation method on three shape image databases the MPEG-7 database the Kimia-99 database and the Swedish leaf database. The experimental results of shape retrieval indicate that the MIAFD outperforms the existing Fourier descriptors and has low computational complexity.And the comparison of the MIAFD with other shape description methods also shows that the proposed descriptor has the highest precision at the same recall value which verifies its effectiveness.

Shape control on probability density function in stochastic systems

A novel strategy of probability density function （PDF） shape control is proposed in stochastic systems. The control er is designed whose parameters are optimal y obtained through the improved particle swarm optimization algorithm. The parameters of the control er are viewed as the space position of a particle in particle swarm optimization algorithm and updated continual y until the control er makes the PDF of the state variable as close as possible to the expected PDF. The proposed PDF shape control technique is compared with the equivalent linearization technique through simulation experiments. The results show the superiority and the effectiveness of the proposed method. The control er is excellent in making the state PDF fol ow the expected PDF and has the very smal error between the state PDF and the expected PDF, solving the control problem of the PDF shape in stochastic systems effectively.

Solving the Optimal Control Problems of Nonlinear Duffing Oscillators By Using an Iterative Shape Functions Method

In the optimal control problem of nonlinear dynamical system,the Hamiltonian formulation is useful and powerful to solve an optimal control force.However,the resulting Euler-Lagrange equations are not easy to solve,when the performance index is complicated,because one may encounter a two-point boundary value problem of nonlinear differential algebraic equations.To be a numerical method,it is hard to exactly preserve all the specified conditions,which might deteriorate the accuracy of numerical solution.With this in mind,we develop a novel algorithm to find the solution of the optimal control problem of nonlinear Duffing oscillator,which can exactly satisfy all the required conditions for the minimality of the performance index.A new idea of shape functions method(SFM)is introduced,from which we can transform the optimal control problems to the initial value problems for the new variables,whose initial values are given arbitrarily,and meanwhile the terminal values are determined iteratively.Numerical examples confirm the high-performance of the iterative algorithms based on the SFM,which are convergence fast,and also provide very accurate solutions.The new algorithm is robust,even large noise is imposed on the input data.

Improved shape hardening function for bounding surface model for cohesive soils

A shape hardening function is developed that improves the predictive capabilities of the generalized bounding surface model for cohesive soils, especially when applied to overconsolidated specimens. This improvement is realized without any changes to the simple elliptical shape of the bounding surface, and actually reduces the number of parameters associated with the model by one.

Thermo-mechanical Behaviors of Functionally Graded Shape Memory Alloy Timoshenko Composite Beams

This paper focuses on the thermo-mechanical behaviors of functionally graded(FG)shape memory alloy(SMA)composite beams based on Timoshenko beam theory.The volume fraction of SMA fiber is graded in the thickness of beam according to a power-law function and the equivalent parameters are formulated.The governing differential equations,which can be solved by direct integration,are established by employing the composite laminated plate theory.The influences of FG parameter,ambient temperature and SMA fiber laying angle on the thermo-mechanical behaviors are numerically simulated and discussed under different boundary conditions.Results indicate that the neutral plane does not coincide with the middle plane of the composite beam and the distribution of martensite is asymmetric along the thickness.Both the increments of the functionally graded parameter and ambient temperature make the composite beam become stiffer.However,the influence of the SMA fiber laying angle can be negligent.This work can provide the theoretical basis for the design and application of FG SMA structures.

Scattering of SH waves induced by a symmetrical V-shaped canyon: a unified analytical solution

This paper reports a series solution of wave functions for two-dimensional scattering and diffraction of plane SH waves induced by a symmetrical V-shaped canyon with different shape ratios. A half-space with a symmetrical V-shaped canyon is divided into two sub-regions by using a circular-arc auxiliary boundary. The two sub-regions are represented by global and local cylindrical coordinate systems, respectively. In each coordinate system, the wave field satisfying the Helmholtz equation is represented by the separation of variables method, in terms of the series of both Bessel functions and Hankel functions with unknown complex coefficients. Then, the two wave fields are described in the local coordinate system using the Graf addition theorem. Finally, the unknown coefficients are sought by satisfying the continuity conditions of the auxiliary boundary. To consider the phase characteristics of the wave scattering, a parametric analysis is carried out in the time domain by assuming an incident signal of the Ricker type. Surface and subsurface transient responses demonstrate the characteristics and mechanisms of wave propagating and scattering.

THE APPLICATION OF SPLINE FUNCTION IN THE GEOMETRIC REPRODUCTION OF LOG SHAPE

The paper introduces a method to get three-dimensional reproduction of log shape by adopting Spline Function in fitting the curve of the finite log data. The method has ad-vantages of higher accuracy, less acquired data, easier to use, etc. Making use of high-precision drawing function of computer, the graphs of log geometric shape in different visual angles can be achieved easily with this method. It also provided a firm foundation for the determination of optimum saw cutting scheme.

The choosing of reproducing kernel particle shape function with mathematic proof

Many mechanical problems can be induced from differential equations with boundary conditions; there exist analytic and numerical methods for solving the differential equations. Usually it is not so easy to obtain analytic solutions. So it is necessary to give numerical solutions. The reproducing kernel particle （RKP） method is based on the Carlerkin Meshless method. According to the Sobolev space and Fourier transform, the RKP shape function is mathematically proved in this paper.

3D analysis of functionally graded material plates with complex shapes and various holes

In this paper, the basic formulae for the semi-analytical graded FEM on FGM members are derived. Since FGM parameters vary along three space coordinates, the parameters can be integrated in mechanical equations. Therefore with the parameters of a given FGM plate, problems of FGM plate under various conditions can be solved. The approach uses 1D discretization to obtain 3D solutions, which is proven to be an effective numerical method for the mechanical analyses of FGM structures. Examples of FGM plates with complex shapes and various holes are presented.

Influence of Inclusion Shape on Thermoelasto-Plastic Optimun Design of Ceramic Metal Functionally Graded Materials

A nonlinear finite element method is applied to observe how inclusion shape influence the thermal response of a ceramic-metal functionally graded material (FGM). The elastic and plastic behaviors of the layers which are two-phase isotropic composites consisting of randomly oriented elastic spheroidal Inclusions and a ductile matrix are predicted by cc mean field method. The prediction results show that inclusion shape has remarkable influence on the overall behavior of the composite. The consequences of the thermal response analysis of the FGM are that the response is dependent on inclusion shape and its composition profile cooperatively and that the plastic behavior of each layer should be taken into account in optimum design of a ceramic-metal FGM.

ON THE SELECTION OF SHAPE FUNCTION SPACES OF TRIANGULAR PLATE ELEMENTS

Using the method of undetermined coefficients, we construct a set of shape function spaces of nine-node triangular plate elements converging for any meshes, which generalize Spect's element and Veubeke's element.

Grain Shape Genes:Shaping the Future of Rice Breeding

The main goals of rice breeding nowadays include increasing yield,improving grain quality,and promoting complete mechanized production to save labor costs.Rice grain shape,specified by three dimensions,including grain length,width and thickness,has a more precise meaning than grain size,contributing to grain appearance quality as well as grain weight and thus yield.Furthermore,the divergence of grain shape characters could be utilized in mechanical seed sorting in hybrid rice breeding systems,which has been succeeded in utilizing heterosis to achieve substantial increase in rice yield in the past decades.Several signaling pathways that regulate rice grain shape have been elucidated,including G protein signaling,ubiquitination-related pathway,mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling,phytohormone biosynthesis and signaling,micro RNA process,and some other transcriptional regulatory pathways and regulators.This review summarized the recent progress on molecular mechanisms underlying rice grain shape determination and the potential of major genes in future breeding applications.

INTEGRAL EQUATION METHOD'S APPLICATION IN HOLE-EDGE STRESS OF COMPOSITE MATERIAL PLATE WITH DIFFERENT SHAPED HOLES

The strength of composite plate with different hole-shapes is always one of the most important but complicated issues in the application of the composite material. The holes will lead to mutations and discontinuity to the structure. So the hole-edge stress concentration is always a serious phenomenon. And the phenomenon makes the structure strength decrease very quickly to form dangerous weak points. Most partial damage begins from these weak points. According to the complex variable functions theory, the accurate boundary condition of composite plate with different hole-shapes is founded by conformal mapping method to settle the boundary condition problem of complex hole-shapes. Composite plate with commonly hole-shapes in engineering is studied by several complex variable stress fimction. The boundary integral equations are founded based on exact boundary conditions. Then the exact hole-edge stress analytic solution of composite plate with rectangle holes and wing manholes is resolved. Both of offset axis loadings and its influences on the stress concentration coefficient of the hole-edge are discussed. And comparisons of different loads along various offset axis on the hole-edge stress distribution of orthotropic plate with rectangle hole or wing manhole are made. It can be concluded that hole-edge with continuous variable curvatures might help to decrease the stress concentration coefficient; and smaller angle of outer load and fiber can decrease the stress peak value.

Balanced Functional Maps for Three-Dimensional Non-Rigid Shape Registration

Three-dimensional(3D)shape registration is a challenging problem,especially for shapes under non-rigid transformations.In this paper,a 3D non-rigid shape registration method is proposed,called balanced functional maps(BFM).The BFM algorithm generalizes the point-based correspondence to functions.By choosing the Laplace-Beltrami eigenfunctions as the function basis,the transformations between shapes can be represented by the functional map(FM)matrix.In addition,many constraints on shape registration,such as the feature descriptor,keypoint,and salient region correspondence,can be formulated linearly using the matrix.By bi-directionally searching for the nearest neighbors of points’indicator functions in the function space,the point-based correspondence can be derived from FMs.We conducted several experiments on the Topology and Orchestration Specification for Cloud Applications(TOSCA)dataset and the Shape Completion and Animation of People(SCAPE)dataset.Experimental results show that the proposed BFM algorithm is effective and has superior performance than the state-of-the-art methods on both datasets.

Quadrature Element Vibration Analysis of Arbitrarily Shaped Membranes

The aim of the present study is to develop an efficient weak form quadrature element for free vibration analysis of arbitrarily shaped membranes.The arbitrarily shaped membrane is firstly mapped into a regular domain using blending functions,and the displacement in the element is assumed as the trigonometric functions.Explicit formulations are worked out for nodes of any type and a varying number of nodes.For verifications,results are compared with exact solutions and data obtained by other numerical methods.It is demonstrated that highly accurate frequencies can be obtained with a small number of nodes by present method.

Modeling unbalanced rotor system with continuous viscoelastic shaft by frequency-dependent shape function

A reduced-order dynamic model for an unbalanced rotor system is developed, taking the coupling between torsional and lateral vibrations into account. It is assumed that a shaft is regarded as a continuous viscoelastic shaft with unbalanced and small deformation properties. The equations of motion for the torsional and lateral vibrations are derived using Lagrange's approach with the frequency-dependent shape function. The rotor torsional vibration is coupled with the lateral vibrations by unbalance elements in a way of excitations. Simulation and experiment results show clearly that the torsional vibration has strong impact on the rotor lateral vibrations, and it causes subharmonic and superharmonic excitations through unbalance elements, which leads to the superharmonic resonances in the lateral vibrations. This model with low-order and high accuracy is suitable for rotor dynamic analysis in real time simulation as well as for active vibration control syntheses.