Using remote sensing data within an optimal spatiotemporal model for invasive plant management: the case of Ailanthus altissima in the Alta Murgia National Park
We tackle the problem of coupling a spatiotemporal model for simulating the spread and control of an invasive alien species with data coming from image processing and expert knowledge. In this study, we implement a spatially explicit optimal control model based on a reaction-diffusion equation which includes an Holling II type functional response term for modeling the density control rate. The model takes into account the budget constraint related to the control program and searches for the optimal effort allocation for the minimization of the invasive alien species density.
A Molecular Dynamics Study of the Evolving Melt Front under Gravity
During melting under gravity in the presence of a horizontal thermal gradient, buoyancy-driven convection in the liquid phase affects significantly the evolution of the liquid-solid interface. Due to the obvious engineering interest in understanding and controlling melting processes, fluid dynamicists and applied mathematicians have spent many efforts to model and simulate them numerically. Their endeavors concentrated in the twenty-five years period between the publication of the paper by Brent, Voller & Reid (1988) and that by Mansutti & Bucchignani (2011).
A computational model of the effects of macronutrients absorption and physical exercise on hormonal regulation and metabolic homeostasis
Regular physical exercise and appropriate nutrition affect metabolic and hormonal responses and may reduce the risk of developing chronic non-communicable diseases such as high blood pressure, ischemic stroke, coronary heart disease, some types of cancer, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Computational models describing the metabolic and hormonal changes due to the synergistic action of exercise and meal intake are, to date, scarce and mostly focussed on glucose absorption, ignoring the contribution of the other macronutrients.
Parameter estimation tools for cardiovascular flow modeling of fetal circulation
Usually, clinicians assess the correct hemodynamic behavior and fetal wellbeing during the gestational age thanks to their professional expertise, with
the support of some indices defined for Doppler fetal waveforms. Although
this approach has demonstrated to be satisfactory in the most of the cases,
it can be largely improved with the aid of more advanced techniques, i.e.
numerical analysis and simulation. Another key aspect limiting the analysis
is that clinicians rely on a limited number of Doppler waveforms observed
during the clinical examination.
Modelling smart drug release with functionally graded materials
Functionally graded materials (FGMs), possessing properties that vary smoothly from one region to another,
have been receiving increasing attention in recent years, particularly in the aerospace, automotive and
biomedical sectors. However, they have yet to reach their full potential. In this paper, we explore the potential
of FGMs in the context of drug delivery, where the unique material characteristics offer the potential of finetuning
drug-release for the desired application.
Approximate Method to Compute Hypersingular Finite-Part Integrals with Rapidly Oscillating Kernels
In this paper, an algorithm for the numerical evaluation of hypersingular finite-part integrals with rapidly oscillating kernels is proposed. The method is based on an interpolatory procedure at zeros of the orthogonal polynomials with respect to the first kind Chebyshev weight. Bounds of the error and of the amplification factor are also provided. Numerically stable procedure are obtained and the corresponding algorithms can be implemented in a fast way.
Pinned Flexible Polymer under Oscillatory Linear Flow
The non-equilibrium structural and dynamical properties of a flexible
polymer pinned to a reflecting wall and subject to oscillatory linear flow
are studied by numerical simulations.
Polymer is confined in two dimensions and is modeled as a bead-spring chain
while the interaction with the fluid is described by the Brownian
multiparticle collision dynamics.
At low strain the polymer is stretched along the flow direction. When
increasing strain, chains are completely elongated and compressed against
the wall when the flow is reverted.
Why diffusion-based preconditioning of Richards equation works: spectral analysis and computational experiments at very large scale.
We consider here a cell-centered finite difference approximation of the Richards equation in three dimensions, averaging for interface values the hydraulic conductivity, a highly nonlinear function, by arithmetic, upstream and harmonic means. The nonlinearities in the equation can lead to changes in soil conductivity over several orders of magnitude and discretizations with respect to space variables often produce stiff systems of differential equations.