High order finite volume methods on wavelet-adapted grids with local time-stepping on multicore architectures for the simulation of shock-bubble interactions

We present a space–time adaptive solver for single- and multi-phase compressible flows that couples average interpolating wavelets with high-order finite volume schemes. The solver introduces the concept of wavelet blocks, handles large jumps in resolution and employs local time-stepping for efficient time integration. We demonstrate that the inherently sequential wavelet-based adaptivity can be implemented efficiently in multicore computer architectures using task-based parallelism and introducing the concept of wavelet blocks. We validate our computational method on a number of benchmark problems and we present simulations of shock-bubble interaction at different Mach numbers, demonstrating the accuracy and computational performance of the method.     

A Fourier-based elliptic solver for vortical flows with periodic and unbounded directions

We present a computationally efficient, adaptive solver for the solution of the Poisson and Helmholtz equation used in flow simulations in domains with combinations of unbounded and periodic directions. The method relies on using FFTs on an extended domain and it is based on the method proposed by Hockney and Eastwood for plasma simulations. The method is well-suited to problems with dynamically growing domains and in particular flow simulations using vortex particle methods. The efficiency of the method is demonstrated in simulations of trailing vortices.     

Spacetime Topology from the Tomographic Histories Approach: Part II

As an inverse problem, we recover the topology of the effective spacetime that a system lies in, in an operational way. This means that from a series of experiments we get a set of points corresponding to events. This continues the previous work done by the authors. Here the relativistic case is considered. The existence of upper bound in the speed of transfer of matter and information induces a partial order on the set of events. While the actual partial order is not known in our operational set up, the grouping of events to (unordered) subsets corresponding to possible histories, is given. From this we recover the partial order up to certain ambiguities that are then classified. Finally two different ways to recover the topology are sketched and their interpretation is discussed.     

Response Surface Methodology to Optimize the Isolation of Dominant Volatile Compounds from Monofloral Greek Thyme Honey Using SPME-GC-MS

This study aimed at an experimental design of response surface methodology (RSM) in the optimization of the dominant volatile fraction of Greek thyme honey using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). For this purpose, a multiple response optimization was employed using desirability functions, which demand a search for optimal conditions for a set of responses simultaneously. A test set of eighty thyme honey samples were analyzed under the optimum conditions for validation of the proposed model. The optimized combination of isolation conditions was the temperature (60 °C), equilibration time (15 min), extraction time (30 min), magnetic stirrer speed (700 rpm), sample volume (6 mL), water: honey ratio (1:3 v/w) with total desirability over 0.50. It was found that the magnetic stirrer speed, which has not been evaluated before, had a positive effect, especially in combination with other factors. The above-developed methodology proved to be effective in the optimization of isolation of specific volatile compounds from a difficult matrix, like honey. This study could be a good basis for the development of novel RSM for other monofloral honey samples.     

Covalently Bonded Graphene–Carbon Nanotube Hybrid for High‐Performance Thermal Interfaces

The remarkable thermal properties of graphene and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been the subject of intensive investigations for the thermal management of integrated circuits. However, the small contact area of CNTs and the large anisotropic heat conduction of graphene have hindered their applications as effective thermal interface materials (TIMs). Here, a covalently bonded graphene–CNT (G‐CNT) hybrid is presented that multiplies the axial heat transfer capability of individual CNTs through their parallel arrangement, while at the same time it provides a large contact area for efficient heat extraction. Through computer simulations, it is demonstrated that the G‐CNT outperforms few‐layer graphene by more than 2 orders of magnitude for the c‐axis heat transfer, while its thermal resistance is 3 orders of magnitude lower than the state‐of‐the‐art TIMs. We show that heat can be removed from the G‐CNT by immersing it in a liquid. The heat transfer characteristics of G‐CNT suggest that it has the potential to revolutionize the design of high‐performance TIMs.     

On low‐complexity adaptive wireless push‐based data broadcasting

This letter addresses a low‐complexity adaptive wireless data broadcasting system. Specifically, it proposes a way for reducing the computational complexity of the estimation process for the item demands, which in turn leads to a lower computational complexity to the broadcast server for selecting a data item to broadcast. We assume no a priori knowledge of the client demands for information items as happens in real environments. Simulation results reveal that the lowering of the computational complexity of the proposed system does not affect the performance offered to the system clients. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cooperative diversity schemes for asynchronous wireless networks

We construct cooperative diversity coding schemes that mitigate the effects of symbol asynchronicity among network users. We do so by modifying, at the expense of implementation practicality, the signaling complexity of well behaved existing schemes. The modification allows the same good performance (DMT optimality) in the presence of synchronicity, and almost-surely permits full-diversity gains for any event of symbol asynchronicity. This work was in part carried out while Petros Elia was at the University of Southern California. This research is supported in part by NSF-ITR CCR-0326628.     

Simulations of single and multiple swimmers with non-divergence free deforming geometries

We present a vortex particle method coupled with a penalization technique to simulate single and multiple swimmers in an incompressible, viscous flow in two and three dimensions. The proposed algorithm can handle arbitrarily deforming bodies and their corresponding non-divergence free deformation velocity fields. The method is validated on a number of benchmark problems with stationary and moving boundaries. Results include flows of tumbling objects and single and multiple self-propelled swimmers.     

Distinguishing Initial State-Vectors from Each Other in Histories Formulations and the PBR Argument

Following the argument of Pusey et al. (in Nature Phys. 8:476, 2012), new interest has been raised on whether one can interpret state-vectors (pure states) in a statistical way (ψ-epistemic theories), or if each one of them corresponds to a different ontological entity. Each interpretation of quantum theory assumes different ontology and one could ask if the PBR argument carries over. Here we examine this question for histories formulations in general with particular attention to the co-event formulation. State-vectors appear as the initial state that enters into the quantum measure. While the PBR argument goes through up to a point, the failure to meet some of the assumptions they made does not allow one to reach their conclusion. However, the author believes that the “statistical interpretation” is still impossible for co-events even if this is not proven by the PBR argument.     

Chemometric Study of Fatty Acid Composition of Virgin Olive Oil from Four Widespread Greek Cultivars

Virgin olive oil (VOO) is one of the key components of the Mediterranean diet owing to the presence of monounsaturated fatty acids and various bioactive compounds. These beneficial traits, which are usually associated with the cultivar genotype, are highlighting the demand of identifying characteristics of olive oil that will ensure its authenticity. In this work, the fatty acid (FA) composition of 199 VOO samples from Koroneiki, Megaritiki, Amfissis, and Manaki cultivars was determined and studied by chemometrics. Olive cultivar greatly influenced the FA composition, namely, oleic acid (from 75.36% for Amfissis to 65.81% for Megaritiki) and linoleic acid (from 13.35% for Manaki to 6.70% for Koroneiki). Spearman’s rho correlation coefficients revealed differences and similarities among the olive oil cultivars. The use of the forward stepwise algorithm identified the FAs arachidonic acid, gadoleic acid, linoleic acid, α-linolenic acid, palmitoleic acid, and palmitic acid as the most significant for the differentiation of samples. The application of linear and quadratic cross-validation discriminant analysis resulted in the correct classification of 100.00% and 99.37% of samples, respectively. The findings demonstrated the special characteristics of the VOO samples derived from the four cultivars and their successful botanical differentiation based on FA composition.