Numerical simulation of soft palate movement and airflow in human upper airway by fluid-structure interaction method

In this paper, the authors present airflow field characteristics of human upper airway and soft palate movement attitude during breathing. On the basis of the data taken from the spiral computerized tomography images of a healthy person and a patient with Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome (OSAHS), three-dimensional models of upper airway cavity and soft palate are reconstructed by the method of surface rendering. Numerical simulation is performed for airflow in the upper airway and displacement of soft palate by fluid-structure interaction analysis. The reconstructed three-dimensional models precisely preserve the original configuration of upper airways and soft palate. The results of the pressure and velocity distributions in the airflow field are quantitatively determined, and the displacement of soft palate is presented. Pressure gradients of airway are lower for the healthy person and the airflow distribution is quite uniform in the case of free breathing. However, the OSAHS patient remarkably escalates both the pressure and velocity in the upper airway, and causes higher displacement of the soft palate. The present study is useful in revealing pathogenesis and quantitative mutual relationship between configuration and function of the upper airway as well as in diagnosing diseases related to anatomical structure and function of the upper airway. The project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (10672036, 10472025 and 10421002), the Natural Science Foundation of Liaoning Province (20032109). English text was polished by Yunming Chen.     

Characteristics of strength control of adaptive structure with electromechanical coupling

Based on the programming method, an electromechanical coupling adaptive statically indeterminate truss structure is controlled for increasing its load capacity. Several main parameters during the process of design of the adaptive structure are selected for a study of its characteristic during the control stage. The curves of each parameter for the effect of control results are plotted and corresponding conclusions are drawn. Thus, the theoretical basis is presented for optimal design, manufacture and control of the adaptive structure. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (10072005), Beijing Educational Committee (99LG-11) and Beijing Natural Science (3002002) Foundation.     

Exact solutions in 1+1 dimensions of the general two-velocity discrete illner model

The Illner model is the most general two-velocity model of the discrete Boltzmann equation. It includes, as particular cases, both the Carleman and the McKean model. Exact solutions in 1+1 dimensions of the general two-velocity discrete Illner model can be studied in a concise way. The conclusions of the precursors need ameliorating. A new type of exact solutions in 1+1 dimensions is obtained. This gives a general method for studying non-trivial exact solutions for the similar discrete Boltzmann equation. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (19631060) and the China Post-Doctoral Science Foundation     

Experimental investigation on the chaotic phenomena in the wake of a natural thermal convection flow

Chaotic phenomena in the wake of thermal convection flow fields above a heating flat plate were investigated experimentally. A newly developed electron beam fluorescence technique (EBF) was used to simultaneously measure density fluctuation at 7 points in a cross section above the plate. Correlation dimensions, intermittence coefficients, Fourier spectrum have been obtained for different Grashof numbers. Spatial distribution of correlation dimensions are presented. The experimental result shows that there is a certain relationship between the density fluctuation and theGr number. And time-spacial characteristic of chaos evolution is also given. The project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China     

鼻腔加温功能特征及其与气流场关系的研究

为研究鼻腔加温功能特征及其与气流场之间的关系, 选用1例健康国人的鼻腔进行CT扫描. 据CT数据对鼻腔气道进行表面三维重建, 运用计算流体动力学方法分析通气量为12L/min时吸气相0.15s, 0.45s, 0.75s的鼻腔气流场与温度场. 结果显示吸气相0.15s, 0.45s, 0.75s鼻腔气流场主要表现为双侧气流量分布不对称, 其中气流主要流经左侧; 双侧均为总鼻道中、下部气流量较多, 嗅裂、中鼻道和下鼻道气流量少. 吸气相0.15s, 0.45s, 0.75s温度场均表现为温度自鼻腔前端至鼻咽部逐渐增高, 其中温度主要上升区域为鼻内孔-下鼻甲前端-中鼻甲前端对应气道, 且在吸气速度和流量增大后, 这一主要加温区域无明显向后延长征象; 双侧鼻腔及单侧鼻腔不同部位气道气流分布差别较大, 但双侧温度场基本对称, 单侧鼻腔不同气道部位温度差值亦较小, 幅度均小于1℃.     

Numerical analysis of ossicular chain lesion of human ear

Abstract Lesion of ossicular chain is a common ear disease impairing the sense of hearing. A comprehensive numerical model of human ear can provide better understanding of sound transmission. In this study, we propose a three-dimensional finite element model of human ear that incorporates the canal, tympanic membrane, ossicular bones, middle ear suspensory ligaments/muscles, middle ear cavity and inner ear fluid. Numerical analysis is conducted and employed to predict the effects of middle ear cavity, malleus handle defect, hypoplasia of the long process of incus, and stapedial crus defect on sound transmission. The present finite element model is shown to be reasonable in predicting the ossicular mechanics of human ear.     

THE UNCERTAIN EIGENVALUES ANALYSIS OF STRUCTURES WITH UNCERTAIN PARAMETERS

This paper presents a method for estimating the upper and lower bounds of eigenvalues of structures with uncertainties. The uncertain parameters are described by the convex model. A numerical example of the frame structure is given to illustrate the efficiency of the method. This work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No. 19872028).     

Elastoplastic model describing cyclic creeping behaviour of soft clays

The elastoplastic model in the deviatoric stress space is constructed to describe the cyclic undrained creeping behaviour of soft clays under cyclic stress by using Mises yield criterion and the concept of a field of hardening moduli. Furthermore, the effect of model parameters on the deformation is studied, and a method is given to determine quantitatively model parameters from results of cyclic triaxial tests of the saturated soft clay. The project supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China and Tianjin Twenty-one Century Youth Science Foundation     

Interval parameter perturbation method for evaluating the bounds on natural frequencies of structures with interval parameters

For structural parameters with uncertainties, interval mathematics can, in the case where the probabilistic distribution density of uncertain variables is unavailable, deal with the influence of uncertainties in structural parameters on the response of structures. In order to evaluate the region containing natural frequencies of structures with interval parameters, the interval parameter perturbation method is presented in this paper. The advantage of the present method is its computational efficiency in evaluating the region containing natural frequencies. A numerical example is used to illustrate the efficiency of the method proposed. The project is supported by National Youth Natural Science Foundation of China and National Outstanding Youth Science Foundation of China.     

Poincaré-cartan integral invariants of Birkhoffian systems

Based on modern differential geometry, the symplectic structure of a Birkhoffian system which is an extension of conservative and nonconservative systems is analyzed. An integral invariant of Poincaré-Cartan’s type is constructed for Birkhoffian systems. Finally, one-dimensional damped vibration is taken as an illustrative example and an integral invariant of Poincaré’s type is found.     

The experimental study on the elastic wave propagation in framed rods

With the equipment of the SHPB and the gas gun, an experimental study on the elastic wave propagation of framed rods made of 35CrMnSi under impact load is made. The theoretical results by the generalized characteristic line are compared with the experimental ones. Beneficial conclusions are obtained.The project is supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China and the Natural Science Foundation of Shanxi Province.     

Unsteady Rotating Flows of a Viscoelastic Fluid with the Fractional Maxwell Model Between Coaxial Cylinders

The fractional calculus is used in the constitutive relationship model of viscoelastic fluid. A generalized Maxwell model with fractional calculus is considered. Based on the flow conditions described, two flow cases are solved and the exact solutions are obtained by using the Weber transform and the Laplace transform for fractional calculus.The project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (10272067, 10426024), the Doctoral Program Foundation of the Education Ministry of China (20030422046) and the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong University at Weihai. The English text was polished by Keren Wang.     

The ICM method with objective function transformed by variable discrete condition for continuum structure

ICM (Independent Continuous Mapping) method can solve topological optimization problems with the minimized weight as the objective and subjected to displacement constraints. To get a clearer topological configuration, by introducing the discrete condition of topological variables and integrating with the original objective, an optimal model with multi-objectives is formulated to make the topological variables approach 0 or 1 as near as possible, and the model reduces the effect of deleting rate on the result. The image-filtering method is employed to eliminate the checkerboard patterns and mesh dependence that occurred in the topology optimization of a continuum structure. The computational efficiency is enhanced through selecting quasi-active displacement constraints and a design region. Numerical examples indicate that this algorithm is robust and practicable, though the number of iterations is slightly increased with respect to the original algorithm. The project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (10472003), Beijing Natural Science (3002002) and Beijing Educational Committee Foundations (KM200410005019) and Suspensoried by American MSC Company. The English text was polished by Keren Wang.     

Analysis of nonlinear dynamic stability of liquid-converying pipes

Nonlinearly dynamic stability of flexible liquid-conveying pipe in fluid structure interaction was analyzed by using modal disassembling technique. The effects of Poisson, Junction and Friction couplings in the wave-flowing-vibration system on the pipe dynamic stability were included in the analytical model constituted by four nonlinear differential equations. An analyzing example of cantilevered pipe was done to illustrate the dynamic stability characteristics of the pipe in the full coupling mechanisms, and the phase curves related to the first four modal motions were drawn. The results show that the dynamic stable characteristics of the pipe are very complicated in the complete coupling mechanisms, and the kinds of the singularity points corresponding to the various modal motions are different. Foundation items: the National Natural Science Foundation of China (50079007); the Hydraulic Science Foundation of China Hydraulic Ministry (SZ9830); the Natural Science Foundation of Yunnan Provicce (98E003G) Biographies: ZHANG Li-xiang (1959−) HUANG Wen-hu (1926−)     

On the stability boundary of hamiltonian systems

The criterion for the points in the parameter space being on the stability boundary of linear Hamiltonian system depending on arbitrary numbers of parameters was given, through the sensitivity analysis of eigenvalues and eigenvectors. The results show that multiple eigenvalues with Jordan chain take a very important role in the stability of Hamiltonian systems. Foundation item: the National Natural Science Foundation of China (10072012); the National Natural Science Foundation of Russia Biography: QI Zhao-hui (1964-)     

Stereoscopic PIV measurements of flow in the nasal cavity with high flow therapy

Knowledge of the airflow characteristics within the nasal cavity with nasal high flow (NHF) therapy and during unassisted breathing is essential to understand the treatment’s efficacy. The distribution and velocity of the airflow in the nasal cavity with and without NHF cannula flow has been investigated using stereoscopic particle image velocimetry at steady peak expiration and inspiration. In vivo breathing flows were measured and dimensionally scaled to reproduce physiological conditions in vitro. A scaled model of the complete nasal cavity was constructed in transparent silicone and airflow simulated with an aqueous glycerine solution. NHF modifies nasal cavity flow patterns significantly, altering the proportion of inspiration and expiration through each passageway and producing jets with in vivo velocities up to 17.0 ms⁻¹ for 30 l/min cannula flow. Velocity magnitudes differed appreciably between the left and right sides of the nasal cavity. The importance of using a three-component measurement technique when investigating nasal flows has been highlighted.     

Bifurcation in two-dimensional neural network model with delay

A kind of 2-dimensional neural network model with delay is considered. By analyzing the distribution of the roots of the characteristic equation associated with the model, a bifurcation diagram was drawn in an appropriate parameter plane. It is found that a line is a pitchfork bifurcation curve. Further more, the stability of each fixed point and existence of Hopf bifurcation were obtained. Finally, the direction of the Hopf bifurcation and the stability of the bifurcating periodic solutions were determined by using the normal form method and centre manifold theory. Foundation item: the National Natural Science, Foundation of China (19831030) Biography: WEI Jun-jie, Professor, Doctor, E-mail: weijj@hit.edu.cn     

Effective elastic moduli of inhomogeneous solids by embedded cell model

An embedded cell model is presented to obtain the effective elastic moduli for three-dimensional two-phase composites which is an exact analytic formula without any simplified approximation and can be expressed in an explicit form. For the different cells such as spherical inclusions and cracks surrounded by sphere and oblate ellipsoidal matrix, the effective elastic moduli are evaluated and the results are compared with those from various micromechanics models. These results show that the present model is direct, simple and efficient to deal with three-dimensional two-phase composites. The project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 19704100) and the National Natural Science Foundation of Chinese Academy of Sciences (No. KJ951-1-201)     

Stokes＇ first problem for a viscoelastic fluid with the generalized Oldroyd-B model

The flow near a wall suddenly set in motion for a viscoelastic fluid with the generalized Oldroyd-B model is studied. The fractional calculus approach is used in the constitutive relationship of fluid model. Exact analytical solutions of velocity and stress are obtained by using the discrete Laplace transform of the sequential fractional derivative and the Fox H-function. The obtained results indicate that some well known solutions for the Newtonian fluid, the generalized second grade fluid as well as the ordinary Oldroyd-B fluid, as limiting cases, are included in our solutions. The project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (10272067), the Doctoral Program Foundation of the Education Ministry of China (20030422046), the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province, China (Y2006A14) and the Research Foundation of Shandong University at Weihai. The English text was polished by Keren Wang.     

Effect of microstructure on the hardening and softening behaviors of polycrystalline shape memory alloys Part II: Numerical simulation under axisymmetrical loading

Based on the microstructure-based constitutive model established in Part I, a detailed numerical investigation on the role of each microstructure parameter in the kinematical and kinetic evolution of polycrystalline SMA under axisymmetrical tension loading is performed. Some macroscopic constitutive features of stress-induced martensite transformation are discussed. The subject supported by the Research Grant Committee (RGC) of Hong Kong SAR, the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Provincial Natural Science Foundation of Jiangxi Province of China