Finite difference method for 2-D and 3-D nonlinear free surface wave problems

A finite difference method is developed for the numerical modelling of the 2-D and 3-D unsteady potential flow generated by transient disturbances on the free surface, on which the nonlinear boundary conditions are fully satisfied. The unknown function is computed with an iteration scheme processing in a transformed time-invariant space. After the velocity is calculated, the location of the free surface is renewed and so is the value of velocity on it. The boundary-value problem of the governing equation is then solved at the next time step. The present method incorporates the FFT. Consequently, a tri-diagonal equation system is obtained which could be readily solved. The feasibility of this method has been demonstrated by 2-D and 3-D examples corresponding to different initial disturbances. This work is supported by the science foundation of Academia Sinica. The paper had been accepted by the XVIth International Congress of IUTAM, Lyngby, Denmark, August, 1984.     

One-dimensional unsteady inertial flow in phreatic aquifers induced by a sudden change of the boundary head

We are examining the classical problem of unsteady flow in a phreatic semi-infinite aquifer, induced by sudden rise or drawdown of the boundary head, by taking into account the influence of the inertial effects. We demonstrate that for short times the inertial effects are dominant and the equation system describing the flow behavior can be reduced to a single ordinary differential equation. This equation is solved both numerically by the Runge-Kutta method and analytically by the Adomian’s decomposition approach and an adequate polynomial-exponential approximation as well. The influence of the viscous term, occurring for longer times, is also taken into account by solving the full Forchheimer equation by a finite difference approach. It is also demonstrated that as for the Darcian flow, for the case of small fluctuations of the water table, the computation procedure can be simplified by using a linearized form of the mass balance equation. Compact analytical expressions for the computation of the water stored or extracted from an aquifer, including viscous corrections are also developed.     

Uniform strain fields and exact results in an elastoplastic fibre-reinforced composite

This work is concerned with a two-phase material consisting of an elastoplastic matrix reinforced by linearly elastic fibres. It is first shown that uniform strain fields can be generated in this heterogeneous material. A return-mapping based algorithm is then proposed and used to find uniform strain loading paths. With the help of uniform strain fields, exact results, independent of the transverse geometry and arrangement of the fibres, are derived for the effective elastic properties and for the effective initial and current yield surfaces. To cite this article: Q.-C. He, H. Le Quang, C. R. Mecanique 332 (2004).     

高黏性流动有限元模拟的迭代稳定分步算法

分步算法已被广泛应用于数值求解不可压缩N-S方程. Guermond等认为时间步长必须大于 某个临界值方能使算法稳定. 然而在高黏性流动模拟中，已有的显式和半隐式分步算法由于 其显式本质，必须采用小时间步长计算，不但降低了计算效率，同时也常与为使分步算法稳 分步算法已被广泛应用于数值求解不可压缩N-S方程. Guermond等认为时间步长必须大于 某个临界值方能使算法稳定. 然而在高黏性流动模拟中，已有的显式和半隐式分步算法由于 其显式本质，必须采用小时间步长计算，不但降低了计算效率，同时也常与为使分步算法稳 定必须满足的最小时间步长要求冲突. 本文目的是构造一种含迭代格式的分步算法，它能在 保证精度的前提下大幅度地增大时间步长. 方腔流和平面Poisseuille流数值计算结果证实 了此特点，该方法被有效应用于充填流动过程的数值模拟.     

开孔粘弹性薄板的非线性数学模型

应力函数的多值性和位移单值性要求，是开孔薄板大挠度问题中必须注意的两个方面。本文利用线粘性力学中的Ｂｏｌｔｚｍａｎｎ蠕变律，把开孔弹性薄板大挠度问题的一般数学理论推广到开孔弹性薄板。在考察应力函数的多值性和位移单值性条件的基础上，提出了开孔粘弹性薄板的控制方程和初、边值条件，系统地建立了开也粘弹性薄板非线性分析的三类初一边值问题。     

Folding of the Tau Protein on Microtubules

Microtubules are regulated by microtubule‐associated proteins. However, little is known about the structure of microtubule‐associated proteins in complex with microtubules. Herein we show that the microtubule‐associated protein Tau, which is intrinsically disordered in solution, locally folds into a stable structure upon binding to microtubules. While Tau is highly flexible in solution and adopts a β‐sheet structure in amyloid fibrils, in complex with microtubules the conserved hexapeptides at the beginning of the Tau repeats two and three convert into a hairpin conformation. Thus, binding to microtubules stabilizes a unique conformation in Tau.     

A Hot‐Segment‐Based Approach for the Design of Cross‐Amyloid Interaction Surface Mimics as Inhibitors of Amyloid Self‐Assembly

The design of inhibitors of protein–protein interactions mediating amyloid self‐assembly is a major challenge mainly due to the dynamic nature of the involved structures and interfaces. Interactions of amyloidogenic polypeptides with other proteins are important modulators of self‐assembly. Here we present a hot‐segment‐linking approach to design a series of mimics of the IAPP cross‐amyloid interaction surface with Aβ (ISMs) as nanomolar inhibitors of amyloidogenesis and cytotoxicity of Aβ, IAPP, or both polypeptides. The nature of the linker determines ISM structure and inhibitory function including both potency and target selectivity. Importantly, ISMs effectively suppress both self‐ and cross‐seeded IAPP self‐assembly. Our results provide a novel class of highly potent peptide leads for targeting protein aggregation in Alzheimer’s disease, type 2 diabetes, or both diseases and a chemical approach to inhibit amyloid self‐assembly and pathogenic interactions of other proteins as well.