Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca29020025
Authors: Luis Cárdenas Florido Leonardo Trujillo Daniel E. Hernandez Jose Manuel Muñoz Contreras
Machine learning and artificial intelligence are growing in popularity thanks to their ability to produce models that exhibit unprecedented performance in domains that include computer vision, natural language processing and code generation. However, such models tend to be very large and complex and impossible to understand using traditional analysis or human scrutiny. Conversely, Symbolic Regression methods attempt to produce models that are relatively small and (potentially) human-readable. In this domain, Genetic Programming (GP) has proven to be a powerful search strategy that achieves state-of-the-art performance. This paper presents a new GP-based feature transformation method called M5GP, which is hybridized with multiple linear regression to produce linear models, implemented to exploit parallel processing on graphical processing units for efficient computation. M5GP is the most recent variant from a family of feature transformation methods (M2GP, M3GP and M4GP) that have proven to be powerful tools for both classification and regression tasks applied to tabular data. The proposed method was evaluated on SRBench v2.0, the current standard benchmarking suite for Symbolic Regression. Results show that M5GP achieves performance that is competitive with the state-of-the-art, achieving a top-three rank on the most difficult subset of black-box problems. Moreover, it achieves the lowest computation time when compared to other GP-based methods that have similar accuracy scores.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca29020024
Authors: Parham Azhir Jafar Asgari Marnani Mehdi Panji Mohammad Sadegh Rohanimanesh
This paper introduces an innovative approach to numerically model Structure–Soil-Structure Interaction (SSSI) by integrating the Boundary Element Method (BEM) and the Finite Element Method (FEM) in a coupled manner. To assess the accuracy of the proposed method, a comparative study is undertaken, comparing its outcomes with those generated by the conventional FEM technique. Alongside accuracy, the computational efficiency aspect is crucial for the analysis of large-scale SSSI problems. Hence, the computational performance of the coupled BEM–FEM method undergoes a thorough examination and is compared with that of the standalone FEM method. The results from these comparisons illustrate the superior capabilities of the proposed method in comparison to the FEM method. The novel approach provides more reliable results compared to traditional FEM methods, serving as a valuable tool for engineers and researchers involved in structural analysis and design.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca29020023
Authors: Izaz Ali Umut Hanoglu Robert Vertnik Božidar Šarler
This paper aims to systematically assess the local radial basis function collocation method, structured with multiquadrics (MQs) and polyharmonic splines (PHSs), for solving steady and transient diffusion problems. The boundary value test involves a rectangle with Dirichlet, Neuman, and Robin boundary conditions, and the initial value test is associated with the Dirichlet jump problem on a square. The spectra of the free parameters of the method, i.e., node density, timestep, shape parameter, etc., are analyzed in terms of the average error. It is found that the use of MQs is less stable compared to PHSs for irregular node arrangements. For MQs, the most suitable shape parameter is determined for multiple cases. The relationship of the shape parameter with the total number of nodes, average error, node scattering factor, and the number of nodes in the local subdomain is also provided. For regular node arrangements, MQs produce slightly more accurate results, while for irregular node arrangements, PHSs provide higher accuracy than MQs. PHSs are recommended for use in diffusion problems that require irregular node spacing.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca29020022
Authors: Alda Carvalho Ana Martins Ana F. Mota Maria A. R. Loja
Carbon nanotubes are widely used as material reinforcement in diverse fields of engineering. Being that their contribution is significant to improving the mean properties of the resulting materials, it is important to assess the influence of the variability on carbon nanotubes’ material and geometrical properties to structures’ responses. This work considers functionally graded plates constituted by an aluminum continuous phase reinforced with single-walled or multi-walled carbon. The nanotubes' weight fraction evolution through the thickness is responsible for the plates’ functional gradient. The plates’ samples are simulated considering that only the nanotubes’ material and geometrical characteristics are affected by uncertainty. The results obtained from the multiple regression models developed allow us to conclude that the length of the nanotubes has no impact on the maximum transverse displacement of the plates in opposition to the carbon nanotubes’ weight fraction evolution, their internal and external diameters, and the Young’s modulus. The multiple regression models developed can be used as alternative prediction tools within the domain of the study.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca29020021
Authors: Faroque Ahmed Mrittika Shamsuddin Tanzila Sultana Rittika Shamsuddin
Risk and uncertainty play a vital role in almost every significant economic decision, and an individual’s propensity to make riskier decisions also depends on various circumstances. This article aims to investigate the effects of social and economic covariates on an individual’s willingness to take general risks and extends the scope of existing works by using quantitative measures of risk-taking from the GPS and Gallup datasets (in addition to the qualitative measures used in the literature). Based on the available observed risk-taking data for one year, this article proposes a semi-supervised machine learning-based approach that can efficiently predict the observed risk index for those countries/individuals for years when the observed risk-taking index was not collected. We find that linear models are insufficient to capture certain patterns among risk-taking factors, and non-linear models, such as random forest regression, can obtain better root mean squared values than those reported in past literature. In addition to finding factors that agree with past studies, we also find that subjective well-being influences risk-taking behavior.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca29020020
Authors: Rabab A. Alghanmi Rawan H. Aljaghthami
This study is centered on examining the static bending behavior of sandwich plates featuring functionally graded materials, specifically addressing distinct representations of porosity distribution across their thickness. The composition of the sandwich plate involves a ceramic core and two face sheets with functionally graded properties. Mechanical loads with a sinusoidal distribution are applied to the sandwich plate, and a four-variable shear deformation theory is employed to establish the displacement field. Notably, this theory involves only four unknowns, distinguishing it from alternative shear deformation theories. Equilibrium equations are derived using the virtual work concept, and Navier’s method is applied to obtain the solution. The study addresses the impact of varying porosities, inhomogeneity parameters, aspect ratios, and side-to-thickness ratios on the static bending behavior of the sandwich plates. The influence of various porosities, inhomogeneity parameter, aspect ratio, and side-to-thickness ratio of the sandwich plates are explored and compared in the context of static bending behavior. The three porosity distributions are compared in terms of their influence on the bending behavior of the sandwich plate. The findings indicate that a higher porosity causes larger deflections and Model A has the highest central deflection. Adopting the four-variable shear deformation theory demonstrated its validity since the results were similar to those obtained in the literature. Several important findings have been found, which could be useful in the construction and application of FG sandwich structures. Examples of comparison will be discussed to support the existing theory’s accuracy. Further findings are presented to serve as benchmarks for comparison.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca29020019
Authors: Juan Frausto-Solís José Christian de Jesús Galicia-González Juan Javier González-Barbosa Guadalupe Castilla-Valdez Juan Paulo Sánchez-Hernández
Accurate forecasting remains a challenge, even with advanced techniques like deep learning (DL), ARIMA, and Holt–Winters (H&W), particularly for chaotic phenomena such as those observed in several areas, such as COVID-19, energy, and financial time series. Addressing this, we introduce a Forecasting Method with Filters and Residual Analysis (FMFRA), a hybrid methodology specifically applied to datasets of COVID-19 time series, which we selected for their complexity and exemplification of current forecasting challenges. FMFFRA consists of the following two approaches: FMFRA-DL, employing deep learning, and FMFRA-SSA, using singular spectrum analysis. This proposed method applies the following three phases: filtering, forecasting, and residual analysis. Initially, each time series is split into filtered and residual components. The second phase involves a simple fine-tuning for the filtered time series, while the third phase refines the forecasts and mitigates noise. FMFRA-DL is adept at forecasting complex series by distinguishing primary trends from insufficient relevant information. FMFRA-SSA is effective in data-scarce scenarios, enhancing forecasts through automated parameter search and residual analysis. Chosen for their geographical and substantial populations and chaotic dynamics, time series for Mexico, the United States, Colombia, and Brazil permitted a comparative perspective. FMFRA demonstrates its efficacy by improving the common forecasting performance measures of MAPE by 22.91%, DA by 13.19%, and RMSE by 25.24% compared to the second-best method, showcasing its potential for providing essential insights into various rapidly evolving domains.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca29020018
Authors: Gerardo J. Riveros-Rojas Pedro P. Cespedes-Sanchez Diego P. Pinto-Roa Horacio Legal-Ayala
Internet energy consumption has increased rapidly, and energy conservation has become a significant issue that requires focused research efforts. The most promising solution is to identify the minimum power subsets within the network and shut down unnecessary network devices and links to satisfy traffic loads. Due to their distributed network control, implementing a centralized and coordinated strategy in traditional networks is challenging. Software-Defined Networking (SDN) is an emerging technology with dynamic, manageable, cost-effective, and adaptable solutions. SDN decouples network control and forwarding functions, allowing network control to be directly programmable, centralizing control with a global network view to manage power states. Nevertheless, it is crucial to develop efficient algorithms that leverage the centralized control of SDN to achieve maximum energy savings and consider peak traffic times. Traffic demand usually cannot be satisfied, even when all network devices are active. This work jointly addresses the routing of traffic flows and the assignment of SDN devices to these flows, called the Routing and Device Assignment (RDA) problem. It simultaneously seeks to minimize the network’s energy consumption and blocked traffic flows. For this approach, we develop an exact solution based on Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) as well as a metaheuristic based on a Genetic Algorithm (GA) that seeks to optimize both criteria by routing flows efficiently and suspending devices not used by the flows. Conducted simulations on traffic environment scenarios show up to 34% savings in overall energy consumption for the MILP and 33% savings achieved by the GA. These values are better than those obtained using competitive state-of-the-art strategies.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca29020017
Authors: Sanjar M. Abrarov Rehan Siddiqui Rajinder Kumar Jagpal Brendan M. Quine
In this work, we develop a new iterative method for computing the digits of π by argument reduction of the tangent function. This method combines a modified version of the iterative formula for π with squared convergence that we proposed in a previous work and a leading arctangent term from the Machin-like formula. The computational test we performed shows that algorithmic implementation can provide more than 17 digits of π per increment. Mathematica codes, showing the convergence rate for computing the digits of π, are presented.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca29010016
Authors: Mohammad Khodabakhshi Soureshjani Hermann J. Eberl Richard G. Zytner
Bioventing is an established technique extensively employed in the remediation of soil contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons. In this study, the objective was to develop an improved foundational bioventing model that characterizes gas flow in vadose zones where aqueous and non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) are present and immobile, accounting for interphase mass transfer and first order biodegradation kinetics. By incorporating a correlation for the biodegradation rate constant, which is a function of soil properties including initial population of petroleum degrader microorganisms in soil, sand content, clay content, water content, and soil organic matter content, this model offers the ability to integrate a specific biodegradation rate constant tailored to the soil properties for each site. The governing equations were solved using the finite volume method in OpenFOAM employing the “porousMultiphaseFoam v2107” (PMF) toolbox. The equation describing gas flow in unsaturated soil was solved using a mixed pressure-saturation method, where calculated values were employed to solve the component transport equations. Calibration was done against a set of experimental data for a meso-scale reactor considering contaminant volatilization rate as the pre-calibration parameter and the mass transfer coefficient between aqueous and NAPL phase as the main calibration parameter. The calibrated model then was validated by simulating a large-scale reactor. The modelling results showed an error of 2.9% for calibrated case and 4.7% error for validation case which present the fitness to the experimental data, proving that the enhanced bioventing model holds the potential to improve predictions of bioventing and facilitate the development of efficient strategies to remediate soil contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca29010015
Authors: Asghar Qadir
In this paper, it is noted that three apparently disparate areas of mathematics—singularity analysis, complex symmetry analysis and the distributional representation of special functions—have a basic commonality in the underlying methods used. The insights obtained from the first of these provides a much-needed explanation for the effectiveness of the latter two. The consequent explanations are provided in the form of two theorems and their corollaries.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca29010014
Authors: Jorge Chávez-Saab Odalis Ortega Amalia Pizarro-Madariaga
A primary challenge in isogeny-based cryptography lies in the substantial computational cost associated to computing and evaluating prime-degree isogenies. This computation traditionally relied on Vélu’s formulas, an approach with time complexity linear in the degree but which was further enhanced by Bernstein, De Feo, Leroux, and Smith to a square-root complexity. The improved square-root Vélu’s formulas exhibit a degree of parallelizability that has not been exploited in major implementations. In this study, we introduce a theoretical framework for parallelizing isogeny computations and provide a proof-of-concept implementation in C with OpenMP. While the parallelization effectiveness exhibits diminishing returns with the number of cores, we still obtain strong results when using a small number of cores. Concretely, our implementation shows that for large degrees it is easy to achieve speedup factors of up to 1.74, 2.54, and 3.44 for two, four, and eight cores, respectively.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca29010013
Authors: Pritha Dutta Anita T. Layton
Calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+) are essential for cellular function. The kidneys play an important role in maintaining the homeostasis of these cations. Their reabsorption along the nephron is dependent on distinct trans- and paracellular pathways and is coupled to the transport of other electrolytes. Notably, sodium (Na+) transport establishes an electrochemical gradient to drive Ca2+ and Mg2+ reabsorption. Consequently, alterations in renal Na+ handling, under pathophysiological conditions or pharmacological manipulations, can have major effects on Ca2+ and Mg2+ transport. One such condition is the administration of diuretics, which are used to treat a large range of clinical conditions, but most commonly for the management of blood pressure and fluid balance. While the pharmacological targets of diuretics typically directly mediate Na+ transport, they also indirectly affect renal Ca2+ and Mg2+ handling through alterations in the electrochemical gradient. To investigate renal Ca2+ and Mg2 handling and how those processes are affected by diuretic treatment, we have developed computational models of electrolyte transport along the nephrons. Model simulations indicate that along the proximal tubule and thick ascending limb, the transport of Ca2+ and Mg2+ occurs in parallel with Na+, but those processes are dissociated along the distal convoluted tubule. We also simulated the effects of acute administration of loop, thiazide, and K-sparing diuretics. The model predicted significantly increased Ca2+ and Mg2+ excretions and significantly decreased Ca2+ and Mg2+ excretions on treatment with loop and K-sparing diuretics, respectively. Treatment with thiazide diuretics significantly decreased Ca2+ excretion, but there was no significant alteration in Mg2+ excretion. The present models can be used to conduct in silico studies on how the kidney adapts to alterations in Ca2+ and Mg2+ homeostasis during various physiological and pathophysiological conditions, such as pregnancy, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca29010012
Authors: Pranowo Djoko Budiyanto Setyohadi Agung Tri Wijayanta
This paper proposes the D2Q5 Lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) method, in two dimensions with five discrete lattice velocities, for simulating linear sound wave propagation in closed rooms. A second-order linear acoustic equation obtained from the LBM method was used as the model equation. Boundary conditions at the domain boundary use the bounce-back scheme. The LBM numerical calculation algorithm in this paper is relatively simpler and easy to implement. Parallelization with the GPU CUDA was implemented to speed up the execution time. The calculation results show that the use of parallel GPU CUDA programming can accelerate the proposed simulation 27.47 times faster than serial CPU programming. The simulation results are validated with analytical solutions for acoustic pulse reflected by the flat and oblique walls, the comparisons show very good concordance, and the D2Q5 LBM has second-order accuracy. In addition, the simulation results in the form of wavefront propagation images in complicated shaped rooms are also compared with experimental photographs, and the comparison also shows excellent concordance. The numerical results of the D2Q5 LBM are promising and also demonstrate the great capability of the D2Q5 LBM for investigating room acoustics in various complexities.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca29010011
Authors: Gilbert Kerr Nehemiah Lopez Gilberto González-Parra
In this paper we develop an approach for obtaining the solutions to systems of linear retarded and neutral delay differential equations. Our analytical approach is based on the Laplace transform, inverse Laplace transform and the Cauchy residue theorem. The obtained solutions have the form of infinite non-harmonic Fourier series. The main advantage of the proposed approach is the closed-form of the solutions, which are capable of accurately evaluating the solution at any time. Moreover, it allows one to study the asymptotic behavior of the solutions. A remarkable discovery, which to the best of our knowledge has never been presented in the literature, is that there are some particular linear systems of both retarded and neutral delay differential equations for which the solution asymptotically approaches a limit cycle. The well-known method of steps in many cases is unable to obtain the asymptotic behavior of the solution and would most likely fail to detect such cycles. Examples illustrating the Laplace transform method for linear systems of DDEs are presented and discussed. These examples are designed to facilitate a discussion on how the spectral properties of the matrices determine the manner in which one proceeds and how they impact the behavior of the solution. Comparisons with the exact solution provided by the method of steps are presented. Finally, we should mention that the solutions generated by the Laplace transform are, in most instances, extremely accurate even when the truncated series is limited to only a handful of terms and in many cases become more accurate as the independent variable increases.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca29010010
Authors: Lidiya Kurpa Francesco Pellicano Tetyana Shmatko Antonio Zippo
Free vibrations of porous functionally graded material (FGM) plates with complex shapes are analyzed by using the R-functions method. The thickness of the plate is variable in the direction of one of the axes. Two types of porosity distributions through the thickness are considered: uniform (even) and non-uniform (uneven). The elastic foundation is defined by two parameters (Winkler and Pasternak). To obtain the mathematical model of the problem, the first-order shear deformation theory of the plate (FSDT) is used. The effective material properties in the thickness direction are modeled by means of a power law. Variational Ritz’s method joined with the R-functions theory is used for obtaining a semi-analytical solution of the problem. The approach is applied to a number of case studies and validated by means of comparative analyses carried out on rectangular plates with a traditional finite element approach. The proof of the efficiency of the approach and its capability to handle actual engineering problems is fulfilled for FGM plates having complex shapes and various boundary conditions. The effect of different parameters, such as porosity distribution, volume fraction index, elastic foundation, FGM types, and boundary conditions, on the vibrations is studied.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca29010009
Authors: Saakaar Bhatnagar
Continuous Time Echo State Networks (CTESNs) are a promising yet under-explored surrogate modeling technique for dynamical systems, particularly those governed by stiff Ordinary Differential Equations (ODEs). A key determinant of the generalization accuracy of a CTESN surrogate is the method of projecting the reservoir state to the output. This paper shows that of the two common projection methods (linear and nonlinear), the surrogates developed via the nonlinear projection consistently outperform those developed via the linear method. CTESN surrogates are developed for several challenging benchmark cases governed by stiff ODEs, and for each case, the performance of the linear and nonlinear projections is compared. The results of this paper demonstrate the applicability of CTESNs to a variety of problems while serving as a reference for important algorithmic and hyper-parameter choices for CTESNs.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca29010008
Authors: Silvija Angelova Maria Angelova Rositsa Raikova
Electromyography (EMG) is a widely used method for estimating muscle activity and could help in understanding how muscles interact with each other and affect human movement control. To detect muscle interactions during elbow flexion and extension, a recently developed InterCriteria Analysis (ICrA) based on the mathematical formalisms of index matrices and intuitionistic fuzzy sets is applied. ICrA has had numerous implementations in different fields, including biomedicine and quality of life; however, this is the first time the approach has been used for establishing muscle interactions. Six human upper arm large surface muscles or parts of muscles responsible for flexion and extension in shoulder and elbow joints were selected. Surface EMG signals were recorded from four one-joint (pars clavicularis and pars spinata of m. deltoideus [DELcla and DELspi, respectively], m. brachialis [BRA], and m. anconeus [ANC]) and two two-joint (m. biceps brachii [BIC] and m. triceps brachii-caput longum [TRI]) muscles. The outcomes from ten healthy subjects performing flexion and extension movements in the sagittal plane at four speeds with and without additional load are implemented in this study. When ICrA was applied to examine the two different movements, the BIC–BRA muscle interaction was distinguished during flexion. On the other hand, when the ten subjects were observed, four interacting muscle pairs, namely DELcla-DELspi, BIC-TRI, BIC-BRA, and TRI-BRA, were detected. The results obtained after the ICrA application confirmed the expectations that the investigated muscles contribute differently to the human upper arm movements when the flexion and extension velocities are changed, or a load is added.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca29010007
Authors: Yang Lin Jin Liang
In this paper, we propose an extended credit migration model with asymmetric fixed boundaries and multiple ratings, for a more precise depiction of credit changes in the real world. A model with three ratings is established and analyzed as an example, and then the results are generalized to a general multirating form model. We prepare the model meaningfully by arranging the asymmetric boundaries in a suitable order. A PDE system problem is deduced, and the existence and uniqueness of the solution for the problem are obtained using PDE techniques, which further ensure the rationality of the model. Due to the flexible configuration of asymmetric boundaries, the multirating model has various types of structures in the buffer zones where the credit rating keeps its original state. For instance, the two buffers in the three-rating model may be separated, connected, or intersected, as presented in the numerical results for different boundary parameters.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca29010006
Authors: Mengli Yao Zhifeng Weng
In this paper, a second-order operator splitting method combined with the barycentric Lagrange interpolation collocation method is proposed for the nonlinear Schrödinger equation. The equation is split into linear and nonlinear parts: the linear part is solved by the barycentric Lagrange interpolation collocation method in space combined with the Crank–Nicolson scheme in time; the nonlinear part is solved analytically due to the availability of a closed-form solution, which avoids solving the nonlinear algebraic equation. Moreover, the consistency of the fully discretized scheme for the linear subproblem and error estimates of the operator splitting scheme are provided. The proposed numerical scheme is of spectral accuracy in space and of second-order accuracy in time, which greatly improves the computational efficiency. Numerical experiments are presented to confirm the accuracy, mass and energy conservation of the proposed method.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca29010005
Authors: Yang-Yih Chen Hsien-Kuo Chang
A permanent gravity wave propagating on deep water is a classic mathematical problem. However, the Fourier series approximation (FSA) based on the physical plane was examined to be valid for almost waves at all depths. The accuracy of the FSA for almost-limiting gravity waves remains unevaluated, which is the purpose of this study. We calculate some physical properties of almost-limiting waves on deep water using the FSA and compare them with other studies on the complex plane. The comparison results show that the closer the wave is, the greater the difference. We find that the main reason for this difference is that the wave profile in the FSA retains an original implicit form and is not represented by Fourier series. Therefore, the kinematic and dynamic conditions of the free surface around the wave crest cannot be satisfied at the same time.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca29010004
Authors: Lorentz Jäntschi Mohamed Louzazni
Small-scale photovoltaic (PV) systems are essential for the local energy supply. The most commonly known PV cell is configured as a large-area p–n junction made from silicon, but PV systems today include PV cells of various manufactures and origins. The dependence relationship between current and voltage is nonlinear, known as the current–voltage characteristic. The values of the characteristic equation’s parameters define the working regime of the PV cell. In the present work, the parameter values are iteratively obtained by nonlinear regression for an explicit model. The acceleration of the convergence of these values is studied for an approximation simplifying the iterative calculation in the case of perpendicular offsets. The new estimations of parameters allow for a much faster estimate of the maximum power point of the PV system.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca29010003
Authors: Sk Golam Mortoja Ayan Paul Prabir Panja Sabyasachi Bhattacharya Shyamal Kumar Mondal
It is frequently observed that adult members of prey species sometimes use their predation mechanism on juvenile members of predator species. Ecological literature describes this phenomenon as prey–predator role reversal dynamics.Numerous authors have observed and described the biological development behind this feeding behaviour. However, the dynamics of this role reversal have hardly been illustrated in the literature in a precise way. In this regard, we formulated an ecological model using the standard prey–predator interactions, allowing for a reverse feeding mechanism. The mathematical model consisted of a three-species food-web structure comprising the common prey, intermediate predator, and top predator. Note that a role-reversal mechanism was observed between the intermediate and top predators based on the scarcity of the prey population. However, we observed the most critical parameters had a significant effect on this reverse feeding behaviour. The bifurcation analysis is the primary criterion for this identification. The proposed deterministic model is then extended to its stochastic analogue by allowing for environmental influences on the tri-trophic food web structure. The conditional moment approach is applied to obtain the equilibrium distribution of populations and their conditional moments in the system. The stochastic setup analysis also supports the stability of this food chain structure, with some restricted conditions. Finally, to facilitate the interpretation of our mathematical results, we investigated it using numerical simulations.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca29010002
Authors: Manruo Cui Cui-Cui Ji Weizhong Dai
In this paper, we develop a finite difference method for solving the wave equation with fractional damping in 1D and 2D cases, where the fractional damping is given based on the Caputo fractional derivative. Firstly, based on the weighted method, we propose a new numerical approximation for the Caputo fractional derivative and apply it for the 1D case to obtain a time-stepping method. We then develop an alternating direction implicit (ADI) scheme for the 2D case. Using the discrete energy method, we prove that the proposed difference schemes are unconditionally stable and convergent in both 1D and 2D cases. Finally, several numerical examples are given to verify the theoretical results.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca29010001
Authors: Francisco Zdanowski Isabel Malico Paulo Canhoto Rui Pedro Lima
Simulation and modeling of thermal recuperative incinerators may play an important role in enhancing efficiency and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. In this context, the primary objective of this study is to simulate and comprehensively understand the operation of a geometrically complex thermal recuperative incinerator with an integrated preheater featuring varying levels of heat recovery. To achieve this objective, a simple yet effective 0D model was developed. This modeling approach allows for a holistic evaluation of the performance of the incinerator, enabling the assessment of key parameters, such as temperatures and heat transfer rates, under varying operating conditions. Successful validation of the model is established by comparing its results with measurements from an industrial thermal recuperative incinerator in operation at a vehicle assembly plant, with maximum relative differences of around 9%. Simulations for different percentages of flue gases bypassing the preheater were conducted, indicating a good compromise between heat transfer and pressure drop and a 22% heat recovery at around 50%. The model presented in this paper provides a robust foundation for comprehensively assessing and optimizing the performance of thermal recuperative incinerators and systems that comprise thermal recuperative incinerators, with implications for waste management and sustainable energy recovery systems.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28060113
Authors: Mario Annunziato Alfio Borzì
A method for the analysis of super-resolution microscopy images is presented. This method is based on the analysis of stochastic trajectories of particles moving on the membrane of a cell with the assumption that this motion is determined by the properties of this membrane. Thus, the purpose of this method is to recover the structural properties of the membrane by solving an inverse problem governed by the Fokker–Planck equation related to the stochastic trajectories. Results of numerical experiments demonstrate the ability of the proposed method to reconstruct the potential of a cell membrane by using synthetic data similar those captured by super-resolution microscopy of luminescent activated proteins.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28060112
Authors: Himel Barua Alex Povitsky
Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is a common industrial process that incorporates a complex combination of fluid flow, chemical reactions, and surface deposition. Understanding CVD processes requires rigorous and costly experimentation involving multiple spatial scales, from meters to nanometers. The numerical modeling of deposition over macro-scale substrates has been conducted in the literature and results show compliance with experimental data. For smaller-scale substrates, where the corresponding Knudsen number is larger than zero, continuum modeling does not provide accurate results, which calls for the implementation of molecular-level modeling techniques. In the current study, the finite-volume method (FVM) and Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method were combined to model the reactor-scale flow with CVD around micro- and nano-scale fibers. CVD at fibers with round cross-sections was modeled in the reactor, where fibers were oriented perpendicularly with respect to the feedstock gas flow. The DSMC method was applied to modeling flow around the matrix of nano-scale circular individual fibers. Results show that for smaller diameters of individual fibers with the same filling ratio, the residence time of gas particles inside the fibrous media reduces, and, consequently, the amount of material surface deposition decreases. The sticking coefficient on the fibers’ surface plays an important role; for instance, increasing the sticking coefficient from 20% to 80% will double the deposition rate.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28060111
Authors: Elio Chiodo Fabio De Angelis Bassel Diban Giovanni Mazzanti
In the present paper, the process of estimating the important statistical properties of extreme wind loads on structures is investigated by considering the effect of large variability. In fact, for the safety design and operating conditions of structures such as the ones characterizing tall buildings, wind towers, and offshore structures, it is of interest to obtain the best possible estimates of extreme wind loads on structures, the recurrence frequency, the return periods, and other stochastic properties, given the available statistical data. In this paper, a Bayes estimation of extreme load values is investigated in the framework of structural safety analysis. The evaluation of extreme values of the wind loads on the structures is performed via a combined employment of a Poisson process model for the peak-over-threshold characterization and an adequate characterization of the parent distribution which generates the base wind load values. In particular, the present investigation is based upon a key parameter for assessing the safety of structures, i.e., a proper safety index referred to a given extreme value of wind speed. The attention is focused upon the estimation process, for which the presented procedure proposes an adequate Bayesian approach based upon prior assumptions regarding (1) the Weibull probability that wind speed is higher than a prefixed threshold value, and (2) the frequency of the Poisson process of gusts. In the last part of the investigation, a large set of numerical simulations is analyzed to evaluate the feasibility and efficiency of the above estimation method and with the objective to analyze and compare the presented approach with the classical Maximum Likelihood method. Moreover, the robustness of the proposed Bayes estimation is also investigated with successful results, both with respect to the assumed parameter prior distributions and with respect to the Weibull distribution of the wind speed values.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28060110
Authors: Yanan Wang Shuying Zhai
The extended Fisher–Kolmogorov (EFK) equation is an important model for phase transitions and bistable phenomena. This paper presents some fast explicit numerical schemes based on the integrating factor Runge–Kutta method and the Fourier spectral method to solve the EFK equation. The discrete global convergence of these new schemes is analyzed rigorously. Three numerical examples are presented to verify the theoretical analysis and the efficiency of the proposed schemes.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28060109
Authors: Ali M. Mubaraki
This article derives approximate formulations for Rayleigh waves on a coated orthorhombic elastic half-space with a prescribed vertical load acting as an elastic Winkler foundation. In addition, perfect continuity conditions are imposed between the coating layer and the substrate, while suitable decaying conditions are slated along the infinite depth of the half-space. The effect of the thin layer is modeled using appropriate effective boundary conditions within the long-wave limit. By applying the Radon transform and using the perturbation method, the derived model successfully captures the physical characteristics of elastic surface waves in coated half-spaces. The model consists of a pesudo-static elliptic equation decaying over the interior of the half-space and a singularly perturbed hyperbolic equation with a pseudo-differential operator. The pseudo-differential equation gives the approximate dispersion of surface waves on the coated half-space structure and is analyzed numerically at the end.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28060108
Authors: Muhammad Tariq Hijaz Ahmad Asif Ali Shaikh Sotiris K. Ntouyas Evren Hınçal Sania Qureshi
The theory of convexity pertaining to fractional calculus is a well-established concept that has attracted significant attention in mathematics and various scientific disciplines for over a century. In the realm of applied mathematics, convexity, particularly in relation to fractional analysis, finds extensive and remarkable applications. In this manuscript, we establish new fractional identities. Employing these identities, some extensions of the fractional H-H type inequality via generalized preinvexities are explored. Finally, we discuss some applications to the q-digamma and Bessel functions via the established results. We believe that the methodologies and approaches presented in this work will intrigue and spark the researcher’s interest even more.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28060107
Authors: Patricia Melin Daniela Sánchez Martha Pulido Oscar Castillo
The preventive measures taken to curb the spread of COVID-19 have emphasized the importance of wearing face masks to prevent potential infection with serious diseases during daily activities or for medical professionals working in hospitals. Due to the mandatory use of face masks, various methods employing artificial intelligence and deep learning have emerged to detect whether individuals are wearing masks. In this paper, we utilized convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to classify the use of face masks into three categories: no mask, incorrect mask, and proper mask. Establishing the appropriate CNN architecture can be a demanding task. This study compares four swarm intelligent metaheuristics: particle swarm optimization (PSO), grey wolf optimizer (GWO), bat algorithm (BA), and whale optimization algorithm (WOA). The CNN architecture design involves determining the essential hyperparameters of the CNNs. The results indicate the effectiveness of the PSO and BA in achieving an accuracy of 100% when using 10% of the images for testing. Meanwhile, when 90% of the images were used for testing, the results were as follows: PSO 97.15%, WOA 97.14%, BA 97.23%, and GWO 97.18%. These statistically significant differences demonstrate that the BA allows better results than the other metaheuristics analyzed in this study.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28060106
Authors: Mary A. Familusi Sebastian Skatulla Jagir R. Hussan Olukayode O. Aremu Daniel Mutithu Evelyn N. Lumngwena Freedom N. Gumedze Ntobeko A. B. Ntusi
Non-invasive measurements are important for the development of new treatments for heart failure, which is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. This study aimed to develop realistic subject-specific computational models of human biventricles using clinical data. Three-dimensional finite element models of the human ventricles were created using cardiovascular magnetic resonance images of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) patients and healthy subjects. The material parameter optimization uses inverse modeling based on the finite element method combined with the Levenberg–Marquardt method (LVM) by targeting subject-specific hemodynamics. The study of elastic myocardial parameters between healthy subjects and RHD patients showed an elevated stiffness in diseased hearts. In particular, the anisotropic material behavior of the healthy and diseased cardiac tissue significantly differed from one another. Furthermore, as the LVEF decreased, the stiffness and its orientation-dependent parameters increased. The simulation-derived LV myocardial circumferential and longitudinal stresses were negatively associated with the LVEF. The sensitivity analysis result demonstrated that the observed significant difference between the elastic material parameters of diseased and healthy myocardium was not exclusively attributable to an increased LVEDP in the diseased heart. These results could be applied to future computational studies for developing heart failure treatment.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28060105
Authors: Marta M. Sánchez-García Gonzalo Barderas Pilar Romero
The aim of this paper is to analyze the determination of interplanetary trajectories from Earth to Mars to evaluate the cost of the required impulse magnitudes for an areostationary orbiter mission design. Such analysis is first conducted by solving the Lambert orbital boundary value problem and studying the launch and arrival conditions for various date combinations. Then, genetic algorithms are applied to investigate the minimum-energy transfer orbit. Afterwards, an iterative procedure is used to determine the heliocentric elliptic transfer orbit that matches at the entry point of Mars’s sphere of influence with an areocentric hyperbolic orbit imposing specific conditions on inclination and periapsis radius. Finally, the maneuvers needed to obtain an areostationary orbit are numerically computed for different objective condition values at the Mars entry point to evaluate an areostationary preliminary mission cost for further study and characterization. Results show that, for the dates of the minimum-energy Earth–Mars transfer trajectory, a low value for the maneuvers to achieve an areostationary orbit is obtained for an arrival hyperbola with the minimum possible inclination and a capture into an elliptical trajectory with a low periapsis radius and an apoapsis at the stationary orbit. For a 2026 mission with a TOF of 304 for the minimum-energy Earth–Mars transfer trajectory, for a capture with a periapsis of 300 km above the Mars surface the value achieved will be 2.083 km/s.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28060104
Authors: Wanlin Wang Jinxiong Chen Zhenkun Huang
An innovative cascade predictor is presented in this study to forecast the state of recurrent neural networks (RNNs) with delayed output. This cascade predictor is a chain-structured observer, as opposed to the conventional single observer, and is made up of several sub-observers that individually estimate the state of the neurons at various periods. This new cascade predictor is more useful than the conventional single observer in predicting neural network states when the output delay is arbitrarily large but known. In contrast to examining the stability of error systems solely employing the Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional (LKF), several new global asymptotic stability standards are obtained by combining the application of the Linear Parameter Varying (LPV) approach, LKF and convex principle. Finally, a series of numerical simulations verify the efficacy of the obtained results.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28050103
Authors: Nourddine Azzaoui Tomoko Matsui Daisuke Murakami
We devised a data-driven framework for uncovering hidden control strategies used by an evolutionary system described by an evolutionary probability distribution. This innovative framework enables deciphering of the concealed mechanisms that contribute to the progression or mitigation of such situations as the spread of COVID-19. Novel algorithms are used to estimate the optimal control in tandem with the parameters for evolution in general dynamical systems, thereby extending the concept of model predictive control. This marks a significant departure from conventional control methods, which require knowledge of the system to manipulate its evolution and of the controller’s strategy or parameters. We use a generalized additive model, supplemented by extensive statistical testing, to identify a set of predictor covariates closely linked to the control. Using real-world COVID-19 data, we delineate the descriptive behaviors of the COVID-19 epidemics in five prefectures in Japan and nine countries. We compare these nine countries and group them on the basis of shared profiles, providing valuable insights into their pandemic responses. Our findings underscore the potential of our framework as a powerful tool for understanding and managing complex evolutionary processes.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28050102
Authors: Beichao Hu Dwayne McDaniel
In recent years, Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs) have drawn great interest among researchers as a tool to solve computational physics problems. Unlike conventional neural networks, which are black-box models that “blindly” establish a correlation between input and output variables using a large quantity of labeled data, PINNs directly embed physical laws (primarily partial differential equations) within the loss function of neural networks. By minimizing the loss function, this approach allows the output variables to automatically satisfy physical equations without the need for labeled data. The Navier–Stokes equation is one of the most classic governing equations in thermal fluid engineering. This study constructs a PINN to solve the Navier–Stokes equations for a 2D incompressible laminar flow problem. Flows passing around a 2D circular particle are chosen as the benchmark case, and an elliptical particle is also examined to enrich the research. The velocity and pressure fields are predicted by the PINNs, and the results are compared with those derived from Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Additionally, the particle drag force coefficient is calculated to quantify the discrepancy in the results of the PINNs as compared to CFD outcomes. The drag coefficient maintained an error within 10% across all test scenarios.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28050101
Authors: Haojie Lin Xuyang Lou
For positioning and anti-swing control of bridge cranes, the active learning control method can reduce the dependence of controller design on the model and the influence of unmodeled dynamics on the controller’s performance. By only using the real-time online input and output data of the bridge crane system, the active learning control method consists of the finite-dimensional approximation of the Koopman operator and the design of an active learning controller based on the linear quadratic optimal tracking control. The effectiveness of the control strategy for positioning and anti-swing of bridge cranes is verified through numerical simulations.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28050100
Authors: Kalyanmoy Deb Matthias Ehrgott
Various dominance structures have been proposed in the multi-objective optimization literature. However, a systematic procedure to understand their effect in determining the resulting optimal set for generic domination principles, besides the standard Pareto-dominance principle, is lacking. In this paper, we analyze and lay out properties of generalized dominance structures which help provide insights for resulting optimal solutions. We introduce the concept of the anti-dominance structure, derived from the chosen dominance structure, to explain how the resulting non-dominated or optimal set can be identified easily compared to using the dominance structure directly. The concept allows a unified explanation of optimal solutions for both single- and multi-objective optimization problems. The anti-dominance structure is applied to analyze respective optimal solutions for most popularly used static and spatially changing dominance structures. The theoretical and deductive results of this study can be utilized to create more meaningful dominance structures for practical problems, understand and identify resulting optimal solutions, and help develop better test problems and algorithms for multi-objective optimization.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28050099
Authors: Mohammed Tadj Lakhdar Chaib Abdelghani Choucha Al-Motasem Aldaoudeyeh Ahmed Fathy Hegazy Rezk Mohamed Louzazni Attia El-Fergany
This paper proposes a controller to track the maximum power point (MPP) of a photovoltaic (PV) system using a fractional-order proportional integral derivative (FOPID) controller. The employed MPPT is operated based on a dp/dv feedback approach. The designed FOPID-MPPT method includes a differentiator of order (μ) and integrator of order (λ), meaning it is an extension of the conventional PID controller. FOPID has more flexibility and achieves dynamical tuning, which leads to an efficient control system. The contribution of our paper lies is optimizing FOPID-MPPT parameters using Aquila optimizer (AO). The obtained results with the proposed AO-based FOPID-MPPT are contrasted with those acquired with moth flame optimizer (MFO). The performance of our FOPID-MPPT controller with the conventional technique perturb and observe (P&O) and the classical PID controller is analyzed. In addition, a robustness test is used to assess the performance of the FOPID-MPPT controller under load variations, providing valuable insights into its practical applicability and robustness. The simulation results clearly prove the superiority and high performance of the proposed control system to track the MPP of PV systems.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28050098
Authors: Bibi Fatima Mehmet Yavuz Mati ur Rahman Ali Althobaiti Saad Althobaiti
The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a highly infectious respiratory illness that poses a significant threat to public health. Understanding the transmission dynamics of MERS-CoV is crucial for effective control and prevention strategies. In this study, we develop a precise mathematical model to capture the transmission dynamics of MERS-CoV. We incorporate some novel parameters related to birth and mortality rates, which are essential factors influencing the spread of the virus. We obtain epidemiological data from reliable sources to estimate the model parameters. We compute its basic reproduction number (R0). Stability theory is employed to analyze the local and global properties of the model, providing insights into the system’s equilibrium states and their stability. Sensitivity analysis is conducted to identify the most critical parameter affecting the transmission dynamics. Our findings revealed important insights into the transmission dynamics of MERS-CoV. The stability analysis demonstrated the existence of stable equilibrium points, indicating the long-term behavior of the epidemic. Through the evaluation of optimal control strategies, we identify effective intervention measures to mitigate the spread of MERS-CoV. Our simulations demonstrate the impact of time-dependent control variables, such as supportive care and treatment, in reducing the number of infected individuals and controlling the epidemic. The model can serve as a valuable tool for public health authorities in designing effective control and prevention strategies, ultimately reducing the burden of MERS-CoV on global health.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28050097
Authors: Adel M. Al-Mahdi
Total fractional-order variation (TFOV) in image deblurring problems can reduce/remove the staircase problems observed with the image deblurring technique by using the standard total variation (TV) model. However, the discretization of the Euler–Lagrange equations associated with the TFOV model generates a saddle point system of equations where the coefficient matrix of this system is dense and ill conditioned (it has a huge condition number). The ill-conditioned property leads to slowing of the convergence of any iterative method, such as Krylov subspace methods. One treatment for the slowness property is to apply the preconditioning technique. In this paper, we propose a block triangular preconditioner because we know that using the exact triangular preconditioner leads to a preconditioned matrix with exactly two distinct eigenvalues. This means that we need at most two iterations to converge to the exact solution. However, we cannot use the exact preconditioner because the Shur complement of our system is of the form S=K*K+λLα which is a huge and dense matrix. The first matrix, K*K, comes from the blurred operator, while the second one is from the TFOV regularization model. To overcome this difficulty, we propose two preconditioners based on the circulant and standard TV matrices. In our algorithm, we use the flexible preconditioned GMRES method for the outer iterations, the preconditioned conjugate gradient (PCG) method for the inner iterations, and the fixed point iteration (FPI) method to handle the nonlinearity. Fast convergence was found in the numerical results by using the proposed preconditioners.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28050096
Authors: Fiazuddin D. Zaman Fazal M. Mahomed Faiza Arif
We used the classical Lie symmetry method to study the damped Klein–Gordon equation (Kge) with power law non-linearity utt+α(u)ut=(uβux)x+f(u). We carried out a complete Lie symmetry classification by finding forms for α(u) and f(u). This led to various cases. Corresponding to each case, we obtained one-dimensional optimal systems of subalgebras. Using the subalgebras, we reduced the Kge to ordinary differential equations and determined some invariant solutions. Furthermore, we obtained conservation laws using the partial Lagrangian approach.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28050095
Authors: Guilmer Ferdinand González Flores Pablo Barrera Sánchez
In this paper, we review some grid quality metrics and define some new quality measures for quadrilateral elements. The curved elements are not discussed. Usually, the maximum value of a quality measure corresponds to the minimum value of the energy density over the grid. We also define new discrete functionals, which are implemented as objective functions in an optimization-based method for quadrilateral grid generation and improvement. These functionals are linearly combined with a discrete functional whose domain has an infinite barrier at the boundary of the set of unfolded grids to preserve convex grid cells in each step of the optimization process.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28050094
Authors: Mohammad M. Kafini Mohammed M. Al-Gharabli Adel M. Al-Mahdi
In this research work, we investigate the asymptotic behavior of a nonlinear swelling (also called expansive) soil system with a time delay and nonlinear damping of variable exponents. We should note here that swelling soils contain clay minerals that absorb water, which may lead to increases in pressure. In architectural and civil engineering, swelling soils are considered sources of problems and harm. The presence of the delay is used to create more realistic models since many processes depend on past history, and the delays are frequently added by sensors, actuators, and field networks that travel through feedback loops. The appearance of variable exponents in the delay and damping terms in this system allows for a more flexible and accurate modeling of this physical phenomenon. This can lead to more realistic and precise descriptions of the behavior of fluids in different media. In fact, with the advancements of science and technology, many physical and engineering models require more sophisticated mathematical tools to study and understand. The Lebesgue and Sobolev spaces with variable exponents proved to be efficient tools for studying such problems. By constructing a suitable Lyapunov functional, we establish exponential and polynomial decay results. We noticed that the energy decay of the system depends on the value of the variable exponent. These results improve on some existing results in the literature.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28050093
Authors: Carlos-Iván Páez-Rueda Arturo Fajardo Manuel Pérez German Yamhure Gabriel Perilla
This paper studies and analyzes the approximation of one-dimensional smooth closed-form functions with compact support using a mixed Fourier series (i.e., a combination of partial Fourier series and other forms of partial series). To explore the potential of this approach, we discuss and revise its application in signal processing, especially because it allows us to control the decreasing rate of Fourier coefficients and avoids the Gibbs phenomenon. Therefore, this method improves the signal processing performance in a wide range of scenarios, such as function approximation, interpolation, increased convergence with quasi-spectral accuracy using the time domain or the frequency domain, numerical integration, and solutions of inverse problems such as ordinary differential equations. Moreover, the paper provides comprehensive examples of one-dimensional problems to showcase the advantages of this approach.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28050092
Authors: Molahlehi Charles Kakuli Winter Sinkala Phetogo Masemola
This study investigates via Lie symmetry analysis the Hunter–Saxton equation, an equation relevant to the theoretical analysis of nematic liquid crystals. We employ the multiplier method to obtain conservation laws of the equation that arise from first-order multipliers. Conservation laws of the equation, combined with the admitted Lie point symmetries, enable us to perform symmetry reductions by employing the double reduction method. The method exploits the relationship between symmetries and conservation laws to reduce both the number of variables and the order of the equation. Five nontrivial conservation laws of the Hunter–Saxton equation are derived, four of which are found to have associated Lie point symmetries. Applying the double reduction method to the equation results in a set of first-order ordinary differential equations, the solutions of which represent invariant solutions for the equation. While the double reduction method may be more complex to implement than the classical method, since it involves finding Lie point symmetries and deriving conservation laws, it has some advantages over the classical method of reducing PDEs. Firstly, it is more efficient in that it can reduce the number of variables and order of the equation in a single step. Secondly, by incorporating conservation laws, physically meaningful solutions that satisfy important physical constraints can be obtained.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28040091
Authors: Hamidreza Eivazi Jendrik-Alexander Tröger Stefan Wittek Stefan Hartmann Andreas Rausch
Multiscale FE2 computations enable the consideration of the micro-mechanical material structure in macroscopical simulations. However, these computations are very time-consuming because of numerous evaluations of a representative volume element, which represents the microstructure. In contrast, neural networks as machine learning methods are very fast to evaluate once they are trained. Even the DNN-FE2 approach is currently a known procedure, where deep neural networks (DNNs) are applied as a surrogate model of the representative volume element. In this contribution, however, a clear description of the algorithmic FE2 structure and the particular integration of deep neural networks are explained in detail. This comprises a suitable training strategy, where particular knowledge of the material behavior is considered to reduce the required amount of training data, a study of the amount of training data required for reliable FE2 simulations with special focus on the errors compared to conventional FE2 simulations, and the implementation aspect to gain considerable speed-up. As it is known, the Sobolev training and automatic differentiation increase data efficiency, prediction accuracy and speed-up in comparison to using two different neural networks for stress and tangent matrix prediction. To gain a significant speed-up of the FE2 computations, an efficient implementation of the trained neural network in a finite element code is provided. This is achieved by drawing on state-of-the-art high-performance computing libraries and just-in-time compilation yielding a maximum speed-up of a factor of more than 5000 compared to a reference FE2 computation. Moreover, the deep neural network surrogate model is able to overcome load-step size limitations of the RVE computations in step-size controlled computations.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28040090
Authors: Rohan Singla Shubham Gupta Arnab Chanda
A cerebral aneurysm is a medical condition where a cerebral artery can burst under adverse pressure conditions. A 20% mortality rate and additional 30 to 40% morbidity rate have been reported for patients suffering from the rupture of aneurysms. In addition to wall shear stress, input jets, induced pressure, and complicated and unstable flow patterns are other important parameters associated with a clinical history of aneurysm ruptures. In this study, the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) was modeled using image segmentation and then rebuilt with aneurysms at locations vulnerable to aneurysm growth. To simulate various aneurysm growth stages, five aneurysm sizes and two wall thicknesses were taken into consideration. In order to simulate realistic pressure loading conditions for the anterior cerebral arteries, inlet velocity and outlet pressure were used. The pressure, wall shear stress, and flow velocity distributions were then evaluated in order to predict the risk of rupture. A low-wall shear stress-based rupture scenario was created using a smaller aneurysm and thinner walls, which enhanced pressure, shear stress, and flow velocity. Additionally, aneurysms with a 4 mm diameter and a thin wall had increased rupture risks, particularly at specific boundary conditions. It is believed that the findings of this study will help physicians predict rupture risk according to aneurysm diameters and make early treatment decisions.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28040089
Authors: Vivek Gupta Arnab Chanda
Burn injuries are very common due to heat, accidents, and fire. Split-thickness skin grafting technique is majorly used to recover the burn sites. In this technique, the complete epidermis and partial dermis layer of the skin are used to make grafts. A small amount of skin is passed into the mesher to create an incision pattern for higher expansion. These grafts are transplanted into the burn sites with the help of sutures for recovering large burn areas. Presently, the maximum expansion possible with skin grafting is very less (<3), which is insufficient for covering larger burn area with a small amount of healthy skin. This study aimed to determine the possibility of employing innovative auxetic skin graft patterns and traditional skin graft patterns with three levels of hierarchy. Six different hierarchical skin graft designs were tested to describe the biomechanical properties. The meshing ratio, Poisson’s ratio, expansion, and induced stresses were quantified for each graft model. The computational results indicated that the expansion potential of the 3rd order auxetic skin graft was highest across all the models. These results are expected to improve burn surgeries and promote skin transplantation research.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28040088
Authors: Soumyadip Pal Fahad Al Basir Santanu Ray
The main objective of this study is to find out the influences of cooperation and intra-specific competition in the prey population on escaping predation through refuge and the effect of the two intra-specific interactions on the dynamics of prey–predator systems. For this purpose, two mathematical models with Holling type II functional response functions were proposed and analyzed. The first model includes cooperation among prey populations, whereas the second one incorporates intra-specific competition. The existence conditions and stability of different equilibrium points for both models were analyzed to determine the qualitative behaviors of the systems. Refuge through intra-specific competition has a stabilizing role, whereas cooperation has a destabilizing role on the system dynamics. Periodic oscillations were observed in both systems through Hopf bifurcation. From the analytical and numerical findings, we conclude that intra-specific competition affects the prey population and continuously controls the refuge class under a critical value, and thus, it never becomes too large to cause predator extinction due to food scarcity. Conversely, cooperation leads the maximal number of individuals to escape predation through the refuge so that predators suffer from low predation success.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28040087
Authors: José Antonio Loya Carlos Santiuste Josué Aranda-Ruiz Ramón Zaera
This work analyses the buckling behaviour of cracked Euler–Bernoulli columns immersed in a Winkler elastic medium, obtaining their buckling loads. For this purpose, the beam is modelled as two segments connected in the cracked section by a mass-less rotational spring. Its rotation is proportional to the bending moment transmitted through the cracked section, considering the discontinuity of the rotation due to bending. The differential equations for the buckling behaviour are solved by applying the corresponding boundary conditions, as well as the compatibility and jump conditions of the cracked section. The proposed methodology allows calculating the buckling load as a function of the type of support, the parameter defining the elastic soil, the crack position and the initial length of the crack. The results obtained are compared with those published by other authors in works that deal with the problem in a partial way, showing the interaction and importance of the parameters considered in the buckling loads of the system.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28040085
Authors: Frédéric Ouimet
The negative multinomial distribution appears in many areas of applications such as polarimetric image processing and the analysis of longitudinal count data. In previous studies, general formulas for the falling factorial moments and cumulants of the negative multinomial distribution were obtained. However, despite the availability of the moment generating function, no comprehensive formulas for the moments have been calculated thus far. This paper addresses this gap by presenting general formulas for both central and non-central moments of the negative multinomial distribution. These formulas are expressed in terms of binomial coefficients and Stirling numbers of the second kind. Utilizing these formulas, we provide explicit expressions for all central moments up to the fourth order and all non-central moments up to the eighth order.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28040086
Authors: Daniel Maposa Amon Masache Precious Mdlongwa
Exploration of solar irradiance can greatly assist in understanding how renewable energy can be better harnessed. It helps in establishing the solar irradiance climate in a particular region for effective and efficient harvesting of solar energy. Understanding the climate provides planners, designers and investors in the solar power generation sector with critical information. However, a detailed exploration of these climatic characteristics has not yet been studied for the Southern African data. Very little exploration is being done through the use of measures of centrality only. These descriptive statistics may be misleading. As a result, we overcome limitations in the currently used deterministic models through the application of distributional modelling through quantile functions. Deterministic and stochastic elements in the data were combined and analysed simultaneously when fitting quantile distributional function models. The fitted models were then used to find population means as explorative parameters that consist of both deterministic and stochastic properties of the data. The application of QFs has been shown to be a practical tool and gives more information than approaches that focus separately on either measures of central tendency or empirical distributions. Seasonal effects were detected in the data from the whole region and can be attributed to the cyclical behaviour exhibited. Daily maximum solar irradiation is taking place within two hours of midday and monthly accumulates in summer months. Windhoek is receiving the best daily total mean, while the maximum monthly accumulated total mean is taking place in Durban. Developing separate solar irradiation models for summer and winter is highly recommended. Though robust and rigorous, quantile distributional function modelling enables exploration and understanding of all components of the behaviour of the data being studied. Therefore, a starting base for understanding Southern Africa’s solar climate was developed in this study.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28040084
Authors: Carlos Enrique Valencia Murillo Miguel Ernesto Gutierrez Rivera Luis David Celaya Garcia
In this work, a finite element model to perform the thermal–structural analysis of beams made of functionally graded material (FGM) is presented. The formulation is based on the third-order shear deformation theory. The constituents of the FGM are considered to vary only in the thickness direction, and the effective material properties are evaluated by means of the rule of mixtures. The volume distribution of the top constituent is modeled using the power law form. A comparison of the present finite element model with the numerical results available in the literature reveals that they are in good agreement. In addition, a routine to study functionally graded plane models in a commercial finite element code is used to verify the performance of the proposed model. In the present work, displacements for different values of the power law exponent and surface temperatures are presented. Furthermore, the normal stress variation along the thickness is shown for several power law exponents of functionally graded beams subjected to thermal and mechanical loads.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28040083
Authors: SidAhmed Benchiha Laxmi Prasad Sapkota Aned Al Mutairi Vijay Kumar Rana H. Khashab Ahmed M. Gemeay Mohammed Elgarhy Said G. Nassr
In this article, we extensively study a family of distributions using the trigonometric function. We add an extra parameter to the sine transformation family and name it the alpha-sine-G family of distributions. Some important functional forms and properties of the family are provided in a general form. A specific sub-model alpha-sine Weibull of this family is also introduced using the Weibull distribution as a parent distribution and studied deeply. The statistical properties of this new distribution are investigated and intended parameters are estimated using the maximum likelihood, maximum product of spacings, least square, weighted least square, and minimum distance methods. For further justification of these estimates, a simulation experiment is carried out. Two real data sets are analyzed to show the suggested model’s application. The suggested model performed well compares to some existing models considered in the study.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28040082
Authors: Mustafa Kemal Apalak Junuthula N. Reddy
This study investigates the strain and stress states in an aluminum single lap joint bonded with a functionally graded Al2O3 micro particle reinforced adhesive layer subjected to a uniform temperature field. Navier equations of elasticity theory were designated by considering the spatial derivatives of Lamé constants and the coefficient of thermal expansion for local material composition. The set of partial differential equations and mechanical boundary conditions for a two-dimensional model was reduced to a set of linear equations by means of the central finite difference approximation at each grid point of a discretized joint. The through-thickness Al2O3-adhesive composition was tailored by the functional grading concept, and the mechanical and thermal properties of local adhesive composition were predicted by Mori–Tanaka’s homogenization approach. The adherend–adhesive interfaces exhibited sharp discontinuous thermal stresses, whereas the discontinuous nature of thermal strains along bi-material interfaces can be moderated by the gradient power index, which controls the through-thickness variation of particle amount in the local adhesive composition. The free edges of the adhesive layer were also critical due to the occurrence of high normal and shear strains and stresses. The gradient power index can influence the distribution and levels of strain and stress components only for a sufficiently high volume fraction of particles. The grading direction of particles in the adhesive layer was not influential because the temperature field is uniform; namely, it can only upturn the low and high strain and stress regions so that the neat adhesive–adherend interface and the particle-rich adhesive–adherend interface can be relocated.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28040081
Authors: Meicong Li Zheng Zhang Yangyang Li Qiang Zhao Mei Huang Xiaoping Ouyang
Tungsten is a promising material for nuclear fusion reactors, but its performance can be degraded by the accumulation of hydrogen (H) and helium (He) isotopes produced by nuclear reactions. This study investigates the effect of chrome (Cr) and vanadium (V) on the behavior of hydrogen and helium in tungsten (W) using first-principles calculations. The results show W becomes easier to process after adding Cr and V. Stability improves after adding V. Adding Cr negatively impacts H and He diffusion in W, while V promotes it. There is attraction between H and Cr or H and V for distances over 1.769 Å but repulsion below 1.583 Å. There is always attraction between He and Cr or V. The attraction between vacancies and He is stronger than that between He and Cr or V. There is no clear effect on H when vacancies and Cr or V coexist in W. Vacancies can dilute the effects of Cr and V on H and He in W.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28040080
Authors: Diana-Itzel Vázquez-Santiago Héctor-Gabriel Acosta-Mesa Efrén Mezura-Montes
One of the main limitations of traditional neural-network-based classifiers is the assumption that all query data are well represented within their training set. Unfortunately, in real-life scenarios, this is often not the case, and unknown class data may appear during testing, which drastically weakens the robustness of the algorithms. For this type of problem, open-set recognition (OSR) proposes a new approach where it is assumed that the world knowledge of algorithms is incomplete, so they must be prepared to detect and reject objects of unknown classes. However, the goal of this approach does not include the detection of new classes hidden within the rejected instances, which would be beneficial to increase the model’s knowledge and classification capability, even after training. This paper proposes an OSR strategy with an extension for new class discovery aimed at vehicle make and model recognition. We use a neuroevolution technique and the contrastive loss function to design a domain-specific CNN that generates a consistent distribution of feature vectors belonging to the same class within the embedded space in terms of cosine similarity, maintaining this behavior in unknown classes, which serves as the main guide for a probabilistic model and a clustering algorithm to simultaneously detect objects of new classes and discover their classes. The results show that the presented strategy works effectively to address the VMMR problem as an OSR problem and furthermore is able to simultaneously recognize the new classes hidden within the rejected objects. OSR is focused on demonstrating its effectiveness with benchmark databases that are not domain-specific. VMMR is focused on improving its classification accuracy; however, since it is a real-world recognition problem, it should have strategies to deal with unknown data, which has not been extensively addressed and, to the best of our knowledge, has never been considered from an OSR perspective, so this work also contributes as a benchmark for future domain-specific OSR.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28040079
Authors: Xiaowen Shi Xiangyu Zhang Renwu Tang Juan Yang
Reflected partial differential equations (PDEs) have important applications in financial mathematics, stochastic control, physics, and engineering. This paper aims to present a numerical method for solving high-dimensional reflected PDEs. In fact, overcoming the “dimensional curse” and approximating the reflection term are challenges. Some numerical algorithms based on neural networks developed recently fail in solving high-dimensional reflected PDEs. To solve these problems, firstly, the reflected PDEs are transformed into reflected backward stochastic differential equations (BSDEs) using the reflected Feyman–Kac formula. Secondly, the reflection term of the reflected BSDEs is approximated using the penalization method. Next, the BSDEs are discretized using a strategy that combines Euler and Crank–Nicolson schemes. Finally, a deep neural network model is employed to simulate the solution of the BSDEs. The effectiveness of the proposed method is tested by two numerical experiments, and the model shows high stability and accuracy in solving reflected PDEs of up to 100 dimensions.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28040078
Authors: John Dean Van Tonder Martin Philip Venter Gerhard Venter
The inverse finite element method is a technique that can be used for material model parameter characterization. The literature shows that this approach may get caught in the local minima of the design space. These local minimum solutions often fit the material test data with small errors and are often mistaken for the optimal solution. The problem with these sub-optimal solutions becomes apparent when applied to different loading conditions where significant errors can be witnessed. The research of this paper presents a new method that resolves this issue for Mooney–Rivlin and builds on a previous paper that used flat planes, referred to as hyperplanes, to map the error functions, isolating the unique optimal solution. The new method alternatively uses a constrained optimization approach, utilizing equality constraints to evaluate the error functions. As a result, the design space’s curvature is taken into account, which significantly reduces the amount of variation between predicted parameters from a maximum of 1.934% in the previous paper down to 0.1882% in the results presented here. The results of this study demonstrate that the new method not only isolates the unique optimal solution but also drastically reduces the variation in the predicted parameters. The paper concludes that the presented new characterization method significantly contributes to the existing literature.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28030077
Authors: Julianne Blignaut Martin Venter David van den Heever Mark Solms Ivan Crockart
Binocular rivalry is the perceptual dominance of one visual stimulus over another. Conventionally, binocular rivalry is induced using a mirror-stereoscope—a setup involving mirrors oriented at an angle to a display. The respective mirror planes fuse competing visual stimuli in the observer’s visual field by projecting the stimuli through the stereoscope to the observed visual field. Since virtual-reality head-mounted displays fuse dichoptic vision in a similar way, and since virtual-reality head-mounted displays are more versatile and more readily available than mirror stereoscopes, this study investigated the efficacy of using a virtual-reality headset (Oculus Rift-S) as an alternative to using a mirror stereoscope to study binocular rivalry. To evaluate the validity of using virtual-reality headsets to induce visual dominance/suppression, two identical experimental sequences—one using a conventional mirror stereoscope and one using a virtual-reality headset—were compared and evaluated. The study used Gabor patches at different orientations to induce binocular rivalry and to evaluate the efficacy of the two experiments. Participants were asked to record all instances of perceptual dominance (complete suppression) and non-dominance (incomplete suppression). Independent sample t-tests confirmed that binocular rivalry with stable vergence was successfully induced for the mirror-stereoscope experiment (t = −4.86; p ≤ 0.0001) and the virtual-reality experiment (t = −9.41; p ≤ 0.0001). Using ANOVA to compare Gabor patch pairs of gratings at +45°/−45° orientations presented in both visual fields, gratings at 0°/90° orientations presented in both visual fields, and mixed gratings (i.e., unconventional grating pairs) presented in both visual fields, the performance of the two experiments was evaluated by comparing observation duration in seconds (F = 0.12; p = 0.91) and the alternation rate per trial (F = 8.1; p = 0.0005). The differences between the stimulus groups were not statistically significant for the observation duration but were significantly different based on the alternation rates per trial. Moreover, ANOVA also showed that the dominance durations (F = 114.1; p < 0.0001) and the alternation rates (F = 91.6; p < 0.0001) per trial were significantly different between the mirror-stereoscope and the virtual-reality experiments, with the virtual-reality experiment showing an increase in alternation rate and a decrease in observation duration. The study was able to show that a virtual-reality head-mounted display can be used as an effective and novel alternative to induce binocular rivalry, but there were some differences in visual bi-stability between the two methods. This paper discusses the experimental measures taken to minimise piecemeal rivalry and to evaluate perceptual dominance between the two experimental designs.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28030076
Authors: Mohammad Khodabakhshi Soureshjani Richard G. Zytner
Bioventing is a widely recognized technique for the remediation of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil. In this study, the objective was to identify an optimal mathematical model that balances accuracy and ease of implementation. A comprehensive review of various models developed for bioventing was conducted wherein the advantages and disadvantages of each model were evaluated and compared regarding the different numerical methods used to solve relevant bioventing equations. After investigating the various assumptions and methods from the literature, an improved foundational bioventing model was developed that characterizes gas flow in unsaturated zones where water and non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) are present and immobile, accounting for interphase mass transfer and biodegradation, incorporating soil properties through a rate constant correlation. The proposed model was solved using the finite volume method in OpenFOAM, an independent dimensional open-source coding toolbox. The preliminary simulation results of a simple case indicate good agreement with the exact analytical solution of the same equations. This improved bioventing model has the potential to enhance predictions of the remediation process and support the development of efficient remediation strategies for petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28030075
Authors: María Concepción Salvador-González Juana Canul-Reich Rafael Rivera-López Efrén Mezura-Montes Erick de la Cruz-Hernandez
Bacterial Vaginosis is a common disease and recurring public health problem. Additionally, this infection can trigger other sexually transmitted diseases. In the medical field, not all possible combinations among the pathogens of a possible case of Bacterial Vaginosis are known to allow a diagnosis at the onset of the disease. It is important to contribute to this line of research, so this study uses a dataset with information from sexually active women between 18 and 50 years old, including 17 numerical attributes of microorganisms and bacteria with positive and negative results for BV. These values were semantically categorized for the Apriori algorithm to create the association rules, using support, confidence, and lift as statistical metrics to evaluate the quality of the rules, and incorporate those results in the objective function of the DE algorithm. To guide the evolutionary process we also incorporated the knowledge of a human expert represented as a set of biologically meaningful constraints. Thus, we were able to compare the performance of the rand/1/bin and best/1/bin versions from Differential Evolution to analyze the results of 30 independent executions. Therefore the experimental results allowed a reduced subset of biologically meaningful association rules by their executions, dimension, and DE version to be selected.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28030074
Authors: Vijay Arya Kumar Bedabrata Chand
A class of zipper fractal functions is more versatile than corresponding classes of traditional and fractal interpolants due to a binary vector called a signature. A zipper fractal function constructed through a zipper iterated function system (IFS) allows one to use negative and positive horizontal scalings. In contrast, a fractal function constructed with an IFS uses positive horizontal scalings only. This article introduces some novel classes of continuously differentiable convexity-preserving zipper fractal interpolation curves and surfaces. First, we construct zipper fractal interpolation curves for the given univariate Hermite interpolation data. Then, we generate zipper fractal interpolation surfaces over a rectangular grid without using any additional knots. These surface interpolants converge uniformly to a continuously differentiable bivariate data-generating function. For a given Hermite bivariate dataset and a fixed choice of scaling and shape parameters, one can obtain a wide variety of zipper fractal surfaces by varying signature vectors in both the x direction and y direction. Some numerical illustrations are given to verify the theoretical convexity results.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28030073
Authors: Nico Heizmann
Internal diffusion limited aggregation (IDLA) is a random aggregation model on a graph G, whose clusters are formed by random walks started in the origin (some fixed vertex) and stopped upon visiting a previously unvisited site. On the Sierpinski gasket graph, the asymptotic shape is known to be a ball in the graph metric. In this paper, we improve the sublinear bounds for the fluctuations known from its known asymptotic shape result by establishing bounds for the odometer function for a divisible sandpile model.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28030072
Authors: José-Luis Llaguno-Roque Rocio-Erandi Barrientos-Martínez Héctor-Gabriel Acosta-Mesa Tania Romo-González Efrén Mezura-Montes
Breast cancer has become a global health problem, ranking first in incidences and fifth in mortality in women around the world. In Mexico, the first cause of death in women is breast cancer. This work uses deep learning techniques to discriminate between healthy and breast cancer patients, based on the banding patterns obtained from the Western Blot strip images of the autoantibody response to antigens of the T47D tumor line. The reaction of antibodies to tumor antigens occurs early in the process of tumorigenesis, years before clinical symptoms. One of the main challenges in deep learning is the design of the architecture of the convolutional neural network. Neuroevolution has been used to support this and has produced highly competitive results. It is proposed that neuroevolve convolutional neural networks (CNN) find an optimal architecture to achieve competitive ranking, taking Western Blot images as input. The CNN obtained reached 90.67% accuracy, 90.71% recall, 95.34% specificity, and 90.69% precision in classifying three different classes (healthy, benign breast pathology, and breast cancer).
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28030071
Authors: Marcela Quiroz-Castellanos Luis Gerardo de la Fraga Adriana Lara Leonardo Trujillo Oliver Schütze
This Special Issue was inspired by the 9th International Workshop on Numerical and Evolutionary Optimization (NEO 2021) held—due to the COVID-19 pandemic—as an online-only event from 8 to 10 September 2021 [...]
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28030070
Authors: Mark Pollicott Julia Slipantschuk
We establish rigorous estimates for the Hausdorff dimension of the spectra of Laplacians associated with Sierpiński lattices and infinite Sierpiński gaskets and other post-critically finite self-similar sets.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28030069
Authors: Sebastian Stark
Robust and computationally efficient numeric algorithms are required to simulate the sintering process of complex ceramic components by means of the finite element method. This work focuses on a thermodynamically consistent sintering model capturing the effects of both, viscosity and elasticity, within the standard dissipative framework. In particular, the temporal integration of the model by means of several implicit first and second order accurate one step time integration methods is discussed. It is shown in terms of numerical experiments on the material point level that the first order schemes exhibit poor performance when compared to second order schemes. Further numerical experiments indicate that the results translate directly to finite element simulations.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28030068
Authors: Martin Philip Venter Naudé Thomas Conradie
This paper introduced a comparison method for three explicitly defined intermediate encoding methods in generative design for two-dimensional soft robotic units. This study evaluates a conventional genetic algorithm with full access to removing elements from the design domain using an implicit random encoding layer, a Lindenmayer system encoding mimicking biological growth patterns and a compositional pattern producing network encoding for 2D pattern generation. The objective of the optimisation problem is to match the deformation of a single actuator unit with a desired target shape, specifically uni-axial elongation, under internal pressure. The study results suggest that the Lindenmayer system encoding generates candidate units with fewer function evaluations than the traditional implicitly encoded genetic algorithm. However, the distribution of constraint and internal energy is similar to that of the random encoding, and the Lindenmayer system encoding produces a less diverse population of candidate units. In contrast, despite requiring more function evaluations than the Lindenmayer System encoding, the Compositional Pattern Producing Network encoding produces a similar diversity of candidate units. Overall, the Compositional Pattern Producing Network encoding results in a proportionally higher number of high-performing units than the random or Lindenmayer system encoding, making it a viable alternative to a conventional monolithic approach. The results suggest that the compositional pattern producing network encoding may be a promising approach for designing soft robotic actuators with desirable performance characteristics.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28030067
Authors: Luis Víctor Maidana Benítez Melisa María Rosa Villamayor Paredes José Colbes César F. Bogado-Martínez Benjamin Barán Diego P. Pinto-Roa
This paper addresses serialized approaches of the routing, modulation level, and spectrum assignment (RMLSA) problem in elastic optical networks, using multiple sequential sub-sets of requests, under Integer Linear Programming (ILP). The literature has reported two-stage serial optimization methods referred to as RML+SA, which retain computational efficiency when the problem grows, compared to the classical one-stage RMLSA optimization approach. However, there still remain numerous issues in terms of the spectrum used that can be improved when compared to the RMLSA solution. Consequently, this paper proposes RML+SA solutions considering multiple sequential sub-sets of requests, split traffic flow, as well as path-oriented and link-oriented routing models. Simulation results on different test scenarios determine that: (a) the multiple sequential sub-sets of request-based models improve computation time without worsening the spectrum usage when compared to just one set of requests optimization approaches, (b) divisible traffic flow approaches show promise in cases where the number of request sub-sets is low compared to the non-divisible counterpart, and (c) path-oriented routing succeeds in improving the used spectrum by increasing the number of candidate routes compared to link-oriented routing.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28030066
Authors: Adam Aharony Ron Hindi Maor Valdman Shai Gul
Images or paintings with homogeneous colors may appear dull to the naked eye; however, there may be numerous details in the image that are expressed through subtle changes in color. This manuscript introduces a novel approach that can uncover these concealed details via a transformation that increases the distance between adjacent pixels, ultimately leading to a newly modified version of the input image. We chose the artworks of Mark Rothko—famous for their simplicity and limited color palette—as a case study. Our approach offers a different perspective, leading to the discovery of either accidental or deliberate clusters of colors. Our method is based on the quaternion ring, wherein a suitable multiplication can be used to boost the color difference between neighboring pixels, thereby unveiling new details in the image. The quality of the transformation between the original image and the resultant versions can be measured by the ratio between the number of connected components in the original image (m) and the number of connected components in the output versions (n), which usually satisfies nm≫1. Although this procedure has been employed as a case study for artworks, it can be applied to any type of image with a similar simplicity and limited color palette.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28030065
Authors: Boris Solomyak
This is a brief survey of selected results obtained using the “transversality method” developed for studying parametrized families of fractal sets and measures. We mostly focus on the early development of the theory, restricting ourselves to self-similar and self-conformal iterated function systems.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28030064
Authors: Khanyisani Mhlangano Makhanya Simon Connell Muaaz Bhamjee Neil Martinson
Pulmonary diseases are a leading cause of illness and disability globally. While having access to hospitals or specialist clinics for investigations is currently the usual way to characterize the patient’s condition, access to medical services is restricted in less resourced settings. We posit that pulmonary disease may impact on vocalization which could aid in characterizing a pulmonary condition. We therefore propose a new method to diagnose pulmonary disease analyzing the vocal and cough changes of a patient. Computational fluid dynamics holds immense potential for assessing the flow-induced acoustics in the lungs. The aim of this study is to investigate the potential of flow-induced vocal-, cough-, and lung-generated acoustics to diagnose lung conditions using computational fluid dynamics methods. In this study, pneumonia is the model disease which is studied. The hypothesis is that using a computational fluid dynamics model for assessing the flow-induced acoustics will accurately represent the flow-induced acoustics for healthy and infected lungs and that possible modeled difference in fluid and acoustic behavior between these pathologies will be tested and described. Computational fluid dynamics and a lung geometry will be used to simulate the flow distribution and obtain the acoustics for the different scenarios. The results suggest that it is possible to determine the difference in vocalization between healthy lungs and those with pneumonia, using computational fluid dynamics, as the flow patterns and acoustics differ. Our results suggest there is potential for computational fluid dynamics to enhance understanding of flow-induced acoustics that could be characteristic of different lung pathologies. Such simulations could be repeated using machine learning with the final objective to use telemedicine to triage or diagnose patients with respiratory illness remotely.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28030063
Authors: Marc Girondot Jon Barry
The distribution of the sum of negative binomial random variables has a special role in insurance mathematics, actuarial sciences, and ecology. Two methods to estimate this distribution have been published: a finite-sum exact expression and a series expression by convolution. We compare both methods, as well as a new normalized saddlepoint approximation, and normal and single distribution negative binomial approximations. We show that the exact series expression used lots of memory when the number of random variables was high (>7). The normalized saddlepoint approximation gives an output with a high relative error (around 3–5%), which can be a problem in some situations. The convolution method is a good compromise for applied practitioners, considering the amount of memory used, the computing time, and the precision of the estimates. However, a simplistic implementation of the algorithm could produce incorrect results due to the non-monotony of the convergence rate. The tolerance limit must be chosen depending on the expected magnitude order of the estimate, for which we used the answer generated by the saddlepoint approximation. Finally, the normal and negative binomial approximations should not be used, as they produced outputs with a very low accuracy.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28020062
Authors: Jacques Francois Du Toit Ryno Laubscher
Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs) are a new class of machine learning algorithms that are capable of accurately solving complex partial differential equations (PDEs) without training data. By introducing a new methodology for fluid simulation, PINNs provide the opportunity to address challenges that were previously intractable, such as PDE problems that are ill-posed. PINNs can also solve parameterized problems in a parallel manner, which results in favorable scaling of the associated computational cost. The full potential of the application of PINNs to solving fluid dynamics problems is still unknown, as the method is still in early development: many issues remain to be addressed, such as the numerical stiffness of the training dynamics, the shortage of methods for simulating turbulent flows and the uncertainty surrounding what model hyperparameters perform best. In this paper, we investigated the accuracy and efficiency of PINNs for modeling aortic transvalvular blood flow in the laminar and turbulent regimes, using various techniques from the literature to improve the simulation accuracy of PINNs. Almost no work has been published, to date, on solving turbulent flows using PINNs without training data, as this regime has proved difficult. This paper aims to address this gap in the literature, by providing an illustrative example of such an application. The simulation results are discussed, and compared to results from the Finite Volume Method (FVM). It is shown that PINNs can closely match the FVM solution for laminar flow, with normalized maximum velocity and normalized maximum pressure errors as low as 5.74% and 9.29%, respectively. The simulation of turbulent flow is shown to be a greater challenge, with normalized maximum velocity and normalized maximum pressure errors only as low as 41.8% and 113%, respectively.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28020061
Authors: Fernando Camarena Miguel Gonzalez-Mendoza Leonardo Chang Ricardo Cuevas-Ascencio
Artificial intelligence’s rapid advancement has enabled various applications, including intelligent video surveillance systems, assisted living, and human–computer interaction. These applications often require one core task: video-based human action recognition. Research in human video-based human action recognition is vast and ongoing, making it difficult to assess the full scope of available methods and current trends. This survey concisely explores the vision-based human action recognition field and defines core concepts, including definitions and explanations of the common challenges and most used datasets. Additionally, we provide in an easy-to-understand manner the literature approaches and their evolution over time, emphasizing intuitive notions. Finally, we explore current research directions and potential future paths. The core goal of this work is to provide future works with a shared understanding of fundamental ideas and clear intuitions about current works and find new research opportunities.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28020060
Authors: Quinn G. Reynolds Thokozile P. Kekana Buhle S. Xakalashe
The application of direct-current plasma arc furnace technology to the problem of coal gasification is investigated using computational multiphysics models of the plasma arc inside such units. An integrated modelling workflow for the study of DC plasma arc discharges in synthesis gas atmospheres is presented. The thermodynamic and transport properties of the plasma are estimated using statistical mechanics calculations and are shown to have highly non-linear dependencies on the gas composition and temperature. A computational magnetohydrodynamic solver for electromagnetically coupled flows is developed and implemented in the OpenFOAM® framework, and the behaviour of three-dimensional transient simulations of arc formation and dynamics is studied in response to different plasma gas compositions and furnace operating conditions. To demonstrate the utility of the methods presented, practical engineering results are obtained from an ensemble of simulation results for a pilot-scale furnace design. These include the stability of the arc under different operating conditions and the dependence of voltage–current relationships on the arc length, which are relevant in understanding the industrial operability of plasma arc furnaces used for waste coal gasification.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28020059
Authors: Daniele Boffi Fabio Credali Lucia Gastaldi Simone Scacchi
We present and analyze a parallel solver for the solution of fluid structure interaction problems described by a fictitious domain approach. In particular, the fluid is modeled by the non-stationary incompressible Navier–Stokes equations, while the solid evolution is represented by the elasticity equations. The parallel implementation is based on the PETSc library and the solver has been tested in terms of robustness with respect to mesh refinement and weak scalability by running simulations on a Linux cluster.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28020058
Authors: Dineo A. Ramatlo Daniel N. Wilke Philip W. Loveday
Guided wave ultrasound (GWU) systems have been widely used for monitoring structures such as rails, pipelines, and plates. In railway tracks, the monitoring process involves the complicated propagation of waves over several hundred meters. The propagating waves are multi-modal and interact with discontinuities differently, increasing complexity and leading to different response signals. When the researcher wants to gain insight into the behavior of guided waves, predicting response signals for different combinations of modes becomes necessary. However, the task can become computationally costly when physics-based models are used. Digital twins can enable a practitioner to deal systematically with the complexities of guided wave monitoring in practical or user-specified settings. This paper investigates the use of a hybrid digital model of an operational rail track to predict response signals for varying user-specified settings, specifically, the prediction of response signals for various combinations of modes of propagation in the rail. The digital twin hybrid model employs a physics-based model and a data-driven model. The physics-based model simulates the wave propagation response using techniques developed from the traditional 3D finite element method and the 2D semi-analytical finite element method (FEM). The physics-based model is used to generate virtual experimental signals containing different combinations of modes of propagation. These response signals are used to train the data-driven model based on a variational auto-encoder (VAE). Given an input baseline signal containing only the most dominant mode excited by a transducer, the VAE is trained to predict an inspection signal with increased complexity according to the specified combination of modes. The results show that, once the VAE has been trained, it can be used to predict inspection signals for different combinations of propagating modes, thus replacing the physics-based model, which is computationally costly. In the future, the VAE architecture will be adapted to predict response signals for varying environmental and operational conditions.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28020057
Authors: Johann M. Bouwer Daniel N. Wilke Schalk Kok
This research compares the performance of space-time surrogate models (STSMs) and network surrogate models (NSMs). Specifically, when the system response varies over time (or pseudo-time), the surrogates must predict the system response. A surrogate model is used to approximate the response of computationally expensive spatial and temporal fields resulting from some computational mechanics simulations. Within a design context, a surrogate takes a vector of design variables that describe a current design and returns an approximation of the design’s response through a pseudo-time variable. To compare various radial basis function (RBF) surrogate modeling approaches, the prediction of a load displacement path of a snap-through structure is used as an example numerical problem. This work specifically considers the scenario where analytical sensitivities are available directly from the computational mechanics’ solver and therefore gradient enhanced surrogates are constructed. In addition, the gradients are used to perform a domain transformation preprocessing step to construct surrogate models in a more isotropic domain, which is conducive to RBFs. This work demonstrates that although the gradient-based domain transformation scheme offers a significant improvement to the performance of the space-time surrogate models (STSMs), the network surrogate model (NSM) is far more robust. This research offers explanations for the improved performance of NSMs over STSMs and recommends future research to improve the performance of STSMs.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28020056
Authors: Henk Pijls Le Phuong Quan
In this paper, we propose two Maple procedures and some related utilities to determine the maximum curvature of a cubic Bézier-spline curve that interpolates an ordered set of points in R2 or R3. The procedures are designed from closed-form formulas for such open and closed curves.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28020055
Authors: Johannes C. Joubert Daniel N. Wilke Patrick Pizette
This work describes a post-processing scheme for multiphase flow systems to characterize primary atomization. The scheme relies on the 2D fast Fourier transform (FFT) to separate the inherently multi-scale features present in the flow results. Emphasis is put on the robust quantitative analysis enabled by this scheme, with this work specifically focusing on comparing atomizer nozzle designs. The generalized finite difference (GFD) method is used to simulate a high pressure gas injected into a viscous liquid stream. The proposed scheme is applied to time-averaged results exclusively. The scheme is used to evaluate both the surface and volume features of the fluid system. Due to the better recovery of small-scale features using the proposed scheme, the benefits of post-processing multiphase surface information rather than fluid volume information was shown. While the volume information lacks the fine-scale details of the surface information, the duality between interfaces and fluid volumes leads to similar trends related to the large-scale spatial structure recovered from both surface- and volume-based data sets.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28020054
Authors: Abayomi Adewale Akinwande Dimitry Moskovskikh Elena Romanovskaia Oluwatosin Abiodun Balogun J. Pradeep Kumar Valentin Romanovski
Recent studies have shown the benefits of utilizing ceramic particles as reinforcement in metal alloys; nevertheless, certain drawbacks, including loss of ductility, embrittlement, and decreases in toughness, have been noted. For the objective of obtaining balanced performance, experts have suggested the addition of metal particles as supplement to the ceramic reinforcement. Consequently, high-performance metal hybrid composites have been developed. However, achieving the optimal mix for the reinforcement combination with regards to the optimal performance of developed composite remains a challenge. This research aimed to determine the optimal mixture of Al50Cu10Sn5Mg20Zn10Ti5 lightweight high-entropy alloy (LHEA), B4C, and ZrO2 for the fabrication of trihybrid titanium composites via direct laser deposition. A mixture design was involved in the experimental design, and experimental data were modeled and optimized to achieve the optimal performance of the trihybrid composite. The ANOVA, response surface plots, and ternary maps analyses of the experimental results revealed that various combinations of reinforcement particles displayed a variety of response trends. Moreover, the analysis showed that these reinforcements significantly contributed to the magnitudes and trends of the responses. The generated models were competent for predicting response, and the best formulation consisted of 8.4% LHEA, 1.2% B4C, and 2.4% ZrO2.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28020053
Authors: Martin Philip Venter Izak Johannes Joubert
Soft robotics is an emerging field that leverages the compliant nature of materials to control shape and behaviour. However, designing soft robots presents a challenge, as they do not have discrete points of articulation and instead articulate through deformation in whole regions of the robot. This results in a vast, unexplored design space with few established design methods. This paper presents a practical generative design process that combines the Encapsulation, Syllabus, and Pandamonium method with a reduced-order model to produce results comparable to the existing state-of-the-art in reduced design time while including the human designer meaningfully in the design process and facilitating the inclusion of other numerical techniques such as Markov chain Monte Carlo methods. Using a combination of reduced-order models, L-systems, MCMC, curve matching, and optimisation, we demonstrate that our method can produce functional 2D articulating soft robot designs in less than 1 s, a significant reduction in design time compared to monolithic methods, which can take several days. Additionally, we qualitatively show how to extend our approach to produce more complex 3D robots, such as an articulating tentacle with multiple grippers.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28020052
Authors: Kristina Laugksch Pieter Rousseau Ryno Laubscher
Physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) were developed to overcome the limitations associated with the acquisition of large training data sets that are commonly encountered when using purely data-driven machine learning methods. This paper proposes a PINN surrogate modeling methodology for steady-state integrated thermofluid systems modeling based on the mass, energy, and momentum balance equations, combined with the relevant component characteristics and fluid property relationships. The methodology is applied to two thermofluid systems that encapsulate the important phenomena typically encountered, namely: (i) a heat exchanger network with two different fluid streams and components linked in series and parallel; and (ii) a recuperated closed Brayton cycle with various turbomachines and heat exchangers. The results generated with the PINN models were compared to benchmark solutions generated via conventional, physics-based thermofluid process models. The largest average relative errors are 0.17% and 0.93% for the heat exchanger network and Brayton cycle, respectively. It was shown that the use of a hybrid Adam-TNC optimizer requires between 180 and 690 fewer iterations during the training process, thus providing a significant computational advantage over a pure Adam optimization approach. The resulting PINN models can make predictions 75 to 88 times faster than their respective conventional process models. This highlights the potential for PINN surrogate models as a valuable engineering tool in component and system design and optimization, as well as in real-time simulation for anomaly detection, diagnosis, and forecasting.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28020051
Authors: Johannes C. Joubert Daniel N. Wilke Patrick Pizette
This paper presents a GPU-based, incompressible, multiphase generalized finite difference solver for simulating multiphase flow. The method includes a dampening scheme that allows for large density ratio cases to be simulated. Two verification studies are performed by simulating the relaxation of a square droplet surrounded by a light fluid and a bubble rising in a denser fluid. The scheme is also used to simulate the collision of binary droplets at moderate Reynolds numbers (250–550). The effects of the surface tension and density ratio are explored in this work by considering cases with Weber numbers of 8 and 180 and density ratios of 2:1 and 1000:1. The robustness of the multiphase scheme is highlighted when resolving thin fluid structures arising in both high and low density ratio cases at We = 180.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28020050
Authors: Vuyo T. Hashe Thokozani J. Kunene
Hydrocyclones are devices used in numerous areas of the chemical, food, and mineral industries to separate fine particles. A hydrocyclone with a diameter of d50 mm was modeled using the commercial Simcenter STAR-CCM+13 computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation package. The numerical methods confirmed the results of the different parameters, such as the properties of the volume fraction, based on CFD simulations. Reynolds Stress Model (RSM) and the combined technique of volume of fluid (VOF) and discrete element model (DEM) for water and air models were selected to evaluate semi-implicit pressure-linked equations and combine the momentum with continuity laws to obtain derivatives of the pressure. The targeted particle sizes were in a range of 8–100 microns for a dewatering application. The depth of the vortex finder was varied to 20 mm, 30 mm, and 35 mm to observe the effects of pressure drop and separation efficiency. The split water ratio increased toward a 50% split of overflow and underflow rates as the length of the vortex finder increased. It results in better particle separation when there is a high injection rate at the inlet. The tangential and axial velocities increased as the vortex finder length increased. As the depth of the vortex finder length increased, the time for particle re-entrainment into the underflow stream increased, and the separation efficiency improved.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28020049
Authors: Pertti Mattila
Let A and B be Borel subsets of the Euclidean n-space with dimA+dimB>n. This is a survey on the following question: what can we say about the Hausdorff dimension of the intersections A∩(g(B)+z) for generic orthogonal transformations g and translations by z?
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28020048
Authors: Himani Sharma Munish Kansal Ramandeep Behl
We propose a new optimal iterative scheme without memory free from derivatives for solving non-linear equations. There are many iterative schemes existing in the literature which either diverge or fail to work when f′(x)=0. However, our proposed scheme works even in these cases. In addition, we extended the same idea for iterative methods with memory with the help of self-accelerating parameters estimated from the current and previous approximations. As a result, the order of convergence increased from four to seven without the addition of any further functional evaluation. To confirm the theoretical results, numerical examples and comparisons with some of the existing methods are included which reveal that our scheme is more efficient than the existing schemes. Furthermore, basins of attraction are also included to describe a clear picture of the convergence of the proposed method as well as some of the existing methods.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28020047
Authors: Philip Frederik Ligthart Martin Philip Venter
This paper demonstrates the effectiveness of a hierarchical design framework in developing environment-specific behaviour for fluid-actuated soft robots. Our proposed framework employs multi-step optimisation and reduced-order modelling to reduce the computational expense associated with simulating non-linear materials used in the design process. Specifically, our framework requires the designer to make high-level decisions to simplify the optimisations, targeting simple objectives in earlier steps and more complex objectives in later steps. We present a case study, where our proposed framework is compared to a conventional direct design approach for a simple 2D design. A soft pneumatic bending actuator was designed that is able to perform asymmetrical motion when actuated cyclically. Our results show that the hierarchical framework can find almost 2.5 times better solutions in less than 3% of the time when compared to a direct design approach.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28020046
Authors: Rhoda Ngira Aduke Martin P. Venter Corné J. Coetzee
Corrugated paperboard is a sandwich structure composed of wavy paper (fluting) bonded between two flat paper sheets (liners). The analysis of an entire package using three-dimensional numerical finite element models is computationally expensive due to the waved geometry of the board that requires the use of a relatively large number of elements in a simulation. Because of this, homogenisation approaches are used to evaluate equivalent homogenous models with similar material properties. These techniques have been successfully implemented by various researchers to evaluate the strength of corrugated paperboard. However, studies analysing the various homogenisation techniques and their ranges of applicability are limited. This study analyses the application of three homogenisation techniques: classical laminate plate theory, first-order shear deformation theory and deformation energy equivalence method in the evaluation of effective elastic material properties. In addition, inverse analysis has been applied to determine the effective properties of the board. Finite element models have been used to evaluate the accuracy of the three homogenisation techniques in comparison to the inverse method in modelling four-point bending tests and the results reported.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28020045
Authors: Anku Mona Narang Vinay Kanwar
In this paper, a new one-parameter class of fixed point iterative method is proposed to approximate the fixed points of contractive type mappings. The presence of an arbitrary parameter in the proposed family increases its interval of convergence. Further, we also propose new two-step and three-step fixed point iterative schemes. We also discuss the stability, strong convergence and fastness of the proposed methods. Furthermore, numerical experiments are performed to check the applicability of the new methods, and these have been compared with well-known similar existing methods in the literature.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28020044
Authors: Desejo Filipeson Sozinando Bernard Xavier Tchomeni Alfayo Anyika Alugongo
Diagnosis of faults in a rotor system operating in a fluid is a complex task in the field of rotating machinery. In an ideal scenario, a forced shutdown due to rotor-stator contact failure would necessitate the replacement of the rotor or stator. However, factors such as time constraints, economic considerations, and the aging of infrastructure make it imprudent to abruptly shut down machinery that can still be safe to operate. The purpose of this paper is to present an experimental study that validates the theoretical results of the dynamic behavior and friction detection using the wavelet synchrosqueezing transformation (WSST) method for recurrent rotor-stator contacts in a fluid environment, as presented in a previous study. The investigation focused on the analysis of whirl orbits, shaft deflection, and fluctuation frequency during passage through critical speeds. The WSST method was used to decompose the dynamic responses of the rotor in the supercritical speed zone into several supercomponents. The variation of the high-frequency component was studied based on the fluctuation of the instantaneous frequency (IF) technique. Additionally, the fast Fourier transform (FFT) method, in conjunction with the WSST technique, was used to calculate the variation in the amplitude of high-order frequencies in the vibration signal spectrum. The experimental study revealed that the split in resonance caused by rubbing effects is reduced when the rotor and stator interact with an inviscid fluid. However, despite the effects of elasticity and fluid boundaries generating self-excitation at low frequencies and uneven motion due to stator clearance, the experimental results were consistent with the theoretical analysis, demonstrating the effectiveness of the contact detection method based on WSST.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28020043
Authors: Mopeli Khama Quinn Reynolds
Metallurgical processes are characterized by a complex interplay of heat and mass transfer, momentum transfer, and reaction kinetics, and these interactions play a crucial role in reactor performance. Integrating chemistry and transport results in stiff and non-linear equations and longer time and length scales, which ultimately leads to a high computational expense. The current study employs the OpenFOAM solver based on a fictitious domain method to analyze gas-solid reactions in a porous medium using hydrogen as a reducing agent. The reduction of oxides with hydrogen involves the hierarchical phenomena that influence the reaction rates at various temporal and spatial scales; thus, multi-scale models are needed to bridge the length scale from micro-scale to macro-scale accurately. As a first step towards developing such capabilities, the current study analyses OpenFOAM reacting flow methods in cases related to hydrogen reduction of iron and manganese oxides. Since reduction of the oxides of interest with hydrogen requires significant modifications to the current industrial processes, this model can aid in the design and optimization. The model was verified against experimental data and the dynamic features of the porous medium observed as the reaction progresses is well captured by the model.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28020042
Authors: Kwanda Mercury Dlamini Vuyo Terrence Hashe Thokozani Justin Kunene
The study numerically investigated the noise dissipation, cavitation, output power, and energy produced by marine propellers. A Ffowcs Williams–Hawkings (FW–H) model was used to determine the effects of three different marine propellers with three to five blades and a fixed advancing ratio. The large-eddy Simulations model best predicted the turbulent structures’ spatial and temporal variation, which would better illustrate the flow physics. It was found that a high angle of incidence between the blade’s leading edge and the water flow direction typically causes the hub vortex to cavitate. The roll-up of the cavitating tip vortex was closely related to propeller noise. The five-blade propeller was quieter under the same dynamic conditions, such as the advancing ratio, compared to three- or four-blade propellers.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28020041
Authors: Anshika Garg Shubham Gupta Nitesh Tewari Sukeshana Srivastav Arnab Chanda
Traumatic dental injuries (TDI) are frequent among individuals of all ages, with a prevalence ranging from 12–22%, with crown and crown–root fractures being the most common. Fragment reattachment using light-cured nanocomposites is the recommended method for the management of these fractures. Though there are several clinical studies that have assessed the efficacy of such materials, an in-silico characterization of the effects of traumatic forces on the re-attached fragments has never been performed. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of various adhesive materials in crown and crown–root reattachments through computational modelling. A full-scale permanent maxillary anterior tooth model was developed by segmenting 3D scanned cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of the pulp, root, and enamel precisely. The full-scale 3D tooth model was then subjected to a novel numerical cutting operation to describe the crown and crown–root fractures. The fractured tooth models were then filled computationally with three commonly used filler (or adhesive) materials, namely flowable composite, resin cement, and resin adhesive, and subjected to masticatory and traumatic loading conditions. The flowable composite demonstrated a statistically significant difference and the lowest produced stresses when subjected to masticatory loading. Resin cement demonstrated reduced stress values for crown–root fractures that were masticatory loaded after being reattached using adhesive materials. During traumatic loading, resin cement demonstrated lower displacements and stress values across both fractures. The novel findings reported in this study are anticipated to assist dentists in selecting the most appropriate adhesive materials that induce the least stress on the reattached tooth when subjected to second trauma, for both crown and crown–root fractures.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28020040
Authors: Carl-Hein Visser Gerhard Venter Melody Neaves
When performing a digital image correlation (DIC) measurement, multi-camera stereo-DIC is generally preferred over single-camera 2D-DIC. Unlike 2D-DIC, stereo-DIC is able to minimise the in-plane strain error that results from out-of-plane motion. This makes 2D-DIC a less viable alternative for strain measurements than stereo-DIC, despite being less financially and computationally expensive. This work, therefore, proposes a strain-gauge-based method for the compensation of errors from out-of-plane motion in 2D-DIC strain measurements on planar specimens. The method was first developed using equations for the theoretical strain error from out-of-plane motions in 2D-DIC and was then applied experimentally in tensile tests to two different dog-bone specimen geometries. The compensation method resulted in a clear reduction in the strain error in 2D-DIC. The strain-gauge-based method thus improves the accuracy of a 2D-DIC measurement, making it a more viable option for performing full-field strain measurements and providing a possible alternative in cases where stereo-DIC is not practical or is unavailable.
]]>Mathematical and Computational Applications doi: 10.3390/mca28020039
Authors: Jahnavi Merupula V. S. Vaidyanathan Christophe Chesneau
Regression models in which the response variable has a compound distribution have applications in actuarial science. For example, the aggregate claim amount in a vehicle insurance portfolio can be modeled using a compound Poisson distribution. In this paper, we propose a regression model, wherein the response variable is assumed to have a compound Conway–Maxwell–Poisson (CMP) distribution. This distribution is a parsimonious two-parameter Poisson distribution that accounts for both over- and under-dispersed count data, making it more suitable for application in various fields. A two-part methodology in the framework of a generalized linear model is proposed to estimate the parameters. Additionally, a method to obtain the prediction interval of the response variable is developed. The workings of the proposed methodology are illustrated through simulated data. An application of the compound CMP regression model to real-life vehicle insurance claims data is presented.
]]>