On the piecewise smoothness of entropy solutions to scalar conservation laws

The behavior and structure of entropy solutions of scalar convex conservation laws are studied. It is well known that such entropy solutions consist of at most countable number of C¹-smooth regions. We obtain new upper. bounds on the higher order derivatives of the entropy solution in any one of its C¹-smoothness regions. These bounds enable us to measure the high order piecewise smoothness of the entropy solution. To this end we introduce an appropriate new Cⁿ-semi norm - localized to the smooth part of the entropy solution, and we show that the entropy solution is stable with respect to this norm. We also address the question regarding the number of C¹-smoothness pieces; we show that if the initial speed has a finite number of decreasing inflection points then it bounds the number of future shock discontinuities. Loosely speaking this says that in the case of such generic initial data the entropy solution consists of a finite number of smooth pieces, each of which is as smooth as the data permits. It is this type of piecewise smoothness which is assumed - sometime implicitly - in many finite-dimensional computations for such discontinuous problems.     

Wide area telecommunication network design: application to the Alberta SuperNet

This article proposes a solution methodology for the design of a wide area telecommunication network. This study is motivated by the Alberta SuperNet project, which provides broadband Internet access to 422 communities across Alberta. There are two components to this problem: the network design itself, consisting of selecting which links will be part of the solution and which nodes should house shelters; and the loading problem which consists of determining which signal transport technology should be installed on the selected edges of the network. Mathematical models are described for these two subproblems. A tabu search algorithm heuristic is developed and tested on randomly generated instances and on Alberta SuperNet data.     

Optimum selection of the dental implant diameter and length in the posterior mandible with poor bone quality – A 3D finite element analysis

This study aimed to evaluate continuous and simultaneous variations of dental implant diameter and length, and to identify their relatively optimal ranges in the posterior mandible under biomechanical consideration. A 3D finite element model of a posterior mandibular segment with dental implant was created. Implant diameter ranged from 3.0 to 5.0 mm, and implant length ranged from 6.0 to 16.0 mm. The results showed that under axial load, the maximum Von Mises stresses in cortical and cancellous bones decreased by 76.53% and 72.93% respectively, with the increasing of implant diameter and length; and under buccolingual load, by 83.97% and 84.93%, respectively. Under both loads, the maximum displacements of implant-abutment complex decreased by 58.09% and 75.53%, respectively. The results indicate that in the posterior mandible, implant diameter plays more significant roles than length in reducing cortical bone stress and enhancing implant stability under both loads. Meanwhile, implant length is more effective than diameter in reducing cancellous bone stress under both loads. Moreover, biomechanically, implant diameter exceeding 4.0 mm and implant length exceeding 12.0 mm is a relatively optimal combination for a screwed implant in the posterior mandible with poor bone quality.     

Re, k and π : a conversation on some aspects of mathematical modelling

Re and k discuss π's approach to what we understand by a mathematical model; how it may have certain generic properties and how hierarchies of related models arise in connexion with a given physical situation. Joined at this point by π, they continue to talk about the way in which models are formulated and prepared for solution. This preparation involves such things as the choice of the most suitable dimensionless variables, reduction to the smallest number of equations, proving uniqueness and discovering the shape of the solution. In conclusion, some aspects of the presentation of the results are discussed. The abbreviated names of Reynolds, Boltzmann and Pythagoras have been used only to denote the engineer, natural scientist and mathematician taking part in the discussion; there is no allusion to the points of view of the historic figures.     

Mathematical modeling of drug delivery from cylindrical implantable devices

A mechanistic mathematical model applicable to the controlled dispersed‐drug release from cylindrical device such as implantable drug delivery system was derived. Analytical solutions based on the pseudosteady state approximation are derived taken account an exact external medium volume. The model prediction is accurate when the initial drug load is higher than the drug solubility in the polymer. The results obtained are compared with the analytical solutions available in the literature. The equations are corroborated by comparison with experimental profiles reported in the literature for sink conditions and non sink conditions. The evolution of concentration distribution profiles is compared for different volume of external medium. A reduction in the volume of the external solution leads to an increase in the concentration on the surface of the device, which determines decreases in the release of drug. One criterion for determining whether the volume of external solution should be considered for the prediction of drug release from cylindrical devices is established. This criterion is based on establishing a maximum percentage error allowed in the values of amount of drug released. The usefulness of the model is focused in the design of implant for controlled release of drug into a small volume of external medium of release. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Generic existence of Lipschitzian solutions of optimal control problems without convexity assumptions

The Tonelli existence theorem in the calculus of variations and its subsequent modifications were established for integrands f which satisfy convexity and growth conditions. In this paper we consider a large class of optimal control problems which is identified with a complete metric space of integrands without convexity assumptions and show that for a generic integrand the corresponding optimal control problem possesses a unique solution and this solution is Lipschitzian.     

Development of porous implants with non-uniform mechanical properties distribution based on CT images

In this study, the mechanical properties (elastic modulus, yield stress, and Poisson's ratio) of rhombic dodecahedron (RD) unit cell has been studied analytically and numerically. For the analytical study, two well-known beam theories, namely Euler Bernoulli and Timoshenko, have been implemented. For validating the analytical relationships, finite element model of unit cell with repetitive boundary condition has been created. Moreover, the experimental results of recent studies have been used for validation. The results showed that the presented analytical relationships for RD lattice structure have good agreement with numerical and experimental results in all the relative densities particularly in lower relative densities. Besides, the analytical relationships based on Timoshenko theory showed closer results with numerical/experimental data. The derived analytical relationships for RD as well as the data extracted from CT scan images of a femur bone, were combined and used to create a porous femur implant model. The stress and strain distributions of the porous femur model under typical static compressive load due to human weight as well as axial rigidity of the model in the same loading conditions have been obtained and compared with the experimental results from other studies. The stress and strain distributions of the porous femur implant model based on RD unit cells, as well as its axial rigidity, showed good agreement with the results obtained for human femur.     

An optimization model for the design of a capacitated multi-product reverse logistics network with uncertainty

In this work the design of a reverse distribution network is studied. Most of the proposed models on the subject are case based and, for that reason, they lack generality. In this paper we try to overcome this limitation and a generalized model is proposed. It contemplates the design of a generic reverse logistics network where capacity limits, multi-product management and uncertainty on product demands and returns are considered. A mixed integer formulation is developed which is solved using standard B&B techniques. The model is applied to an illustrative case.     

Computational Simulation of Bone Remodeling using Design Space Topology Optimization

The law of bone remodeling, commonly referred to as Wolff's Law, asserts that the internal trabecular bone adapts to external loadings, reorienting with the principal stress trajectories to optimize mechanical efficiency creating a naturally optimum structure. The current study utilized an advanced structural optimization algorithm, called design space toptimization (DSO), to perform a three-dimensional computational bone remodeling simulation on the human proximal femur and analyse the results to determine the validity of Wolff's hypothesis. DSO optimizes the layout of material by iteratively distributing it into the areas of highest loading, while simultaneously changing the design domain to increase computational efficiency. The large-scale simulation utilized a 175 µm mesh resolution with over 23.3 million elements. The resulting anisotropic trabecular architecture was compared to both Wolff's trajectory hypothesis and natural femur samples from literature using radiography. The results qualitatively showed several anisotropic trabecular regions that were comparable to the natural human femur. The realistic simulated trabecular geometry suggests that the DSO method can accurately predict bone adaptation due to mechanical loading and that the proximal femur is an optimum structure as Wolff hypothesized. (© 2011 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Minimum-weight design of elastic sandwich beams with deflection constraints

In this paper, minimum-weight design of an elastic sandwich beam with a prescribed deflection constraint at a given point is investigated. The analysis is based on geometrical considerations using then-dimensional space of discretized specific bending stiffness. Since the present method of analysis is different from the method based on the calculus of variations, the conditions of piecewise continuity and differentiability on specific bending stiffness can be relaxed. Necessary and sufficient conditions for optimality are derived for both statically determinate and statically indeterminate beams. Beams subject to a single loading and beams subject to multiple loadings are analyzed. The degree to which the optimality condition renders the solution unique is discussed. To illustrate the method of solution, two examples are presented for minimum-weight designs under dual loading of a simply supported beam and a beam built in at both ends. The present analysis is also extended to the following problems: (a) optimal design of a beam built in at both ends with piecewise specific stiffness and a prescribed deflection constraint and (b) minimum-cost design of a sandwich beam with prescribed deflection constraints.The results presented in this paper were obtained in the course of research supported partly by the US Army Research Office, Durham, North Carolina, Research Grant No. DA-ARO-31-G1008, and partly by the Office of Naval Research, Contract No. N00014-67-A-0109-0003, Task No. NR 064-496. The authors wish to express their thanks to Professor H. Halkin for pointing out the applicability of optimal control theory to the present problem and to Professor W. Prager for his valuable suggestions.