A smoothed finite element method for plate analysis

in Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics & Engineering (2008), 197(13-16), 1184-1203

A quadrilateral element with smoothed curvatures for Mindlin-Reissner plates is proposed. The curvature at each point is obtained by a non-local approximation via a smoothing function. The bending ... [more ▼]

A quadrilateral element with smoothed curvatures for Mindlin-Reissner plates is proposed. The curvature at each point is obtained by a non-local approximation via a smoothing function. The bending stiffness matrix is calculated by a boundary integral along the boundaries of the smoothing elements (smoothing cells). Numerical results show that the proposed element is robust, computational inexpensive and simultaneously very accurate and free of locking, even for very thin plates. The most promising feature of our elements is their insensitivity to mesh distortion. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. [less ▲]

Smoothing the mosaic subclinical melanoderma by calcipotriol.

in Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology & Venereology (2007), 21(5), 657-61

BACKGROUND: The observation of photo-exposed skin under ultraviolet light reveals a mosaic pattern of varying intensity in epidermal melanization. Several patterns of mosaic subclinical melanoderma (MSM ... [more ▼]

BACKGROUND: The observation of photo-exposed skin under ultraviolet light reveals a mosaic pattern of varying intensity in epidermal melanization. Several patterns of mosaic subclinical melanoderma (MSM) have been described using a specially designed CCD camera and the ultraviolet light-enhanced visualization (ULEV) method. Vitamin D(3) and its analogues influence the biology of keratinocytes and melanocytes. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of calcipotriol on MSM. METHODS: This randomized split-face study was conducted in 27 men to compare the effect of once daily applications of 5% calcipotriol cream or a moisturizing cream on the heterogeneity of facial MSM. Computerized image analysis of video images was used at 1-month intervals before and during a 2-month treatment, as well as during a 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: At both sites, the average melanin content of the epidermis showed no significant change over time. However, the mottled appearance was smoothened at the calcipotriol site, whereas it was increased at the site receiving the moisturizer. CONCLUSION: The decreased heterogeneity in MSM after calcipotriol applications suggests a control of the epidermal melanocyte unit by the vitamin D(3) derivative. [less ▲]

Smouldering malignant melanoma and metastatic dormancy: an update and review.

in Dermatology Research and Practice (2012), 2012

The fund of knowledge regarding the versatility of presentation of MM metastases is still quite incomplete. The recent literature pertaining to the current understanding of the mechanisms underlying two ... [more ▼]

The fund of knowledge regarding the versatility of presentation of MM metastases is still quite incomplete. The recent literature pertaining to the current understanding of the mechanisms underlying two special features of MM metastasis is reviewed. On the one hand, a long disease-free interval (MM dormancy) may occur before the surge of overt metastases. On the other hand, the so-called MM smouldering phenomenon refers to the condition where regional metastases wax and wane for long periods of time on restricted skin regions. It is important to emphasize that local micrometastases often predict sentinel lymph node involvement but may not reflect progression of the primary MM to full-blown visceral metastatic competence. It is likely that a combination of factors impacts the versatile MM metastasic progression. Among the main factors, one has to mention the phenotypic heterogeneity and variability in the phenotype of MM cells, the presence of MM stem cells and MM cells engaged in an amplification proliferation pool, as well as the host immune response, and possibly the induction of a particular stromal structure and vascularity. [less ▲]

SMS 201-995 : Therapeutic indications of acromegaly

in First european Congress of Endocrinology - Abstract book (1987)

SMS 3/1 (Catalogue des sceaux-cylindres d'Adana):Additions et corrections

in Revue d'Assyriologie 75 (1981)

SN1987a: a bright supernova in the Large Magellanic Cloud

in European Journal of Physics (1988), 9

Snail diversity in small water bodies and its potential implication on the epidemiology of fasciolosis in Belgium

Conference (2005)

De sneeuwuil en de sjimpansee. Over Faverey en Van Ostaijen

in Groenewegen, Hans (Ed.) ... die zo rijk zijn aan zichzelf ... Over Hans Faverey (1997)

This is a comparative reading of the work by two major modernist poets in Dutch literature, revealing striking similarities, but important differences as well.

Snijders’ correction of Infit and Outfit indexes with estimated ability level : an analysis with the Rasch model

in Journal of Applied Measurement (in press)

The Infit mean square W and the Outfit mean square U are commonly used person fit indexes under Rasch measurement. However, they suffer from two major weaknesses. First, their asymptotic distribution is ... [more ▼]

The Infit mean square W and the Outfit mean square U are commonly used person fit indexes under Rasch measurement. However, they suffer from two major weaknesses. First, their asymptotic distribution is usually derived by assuming that the true ability levels are known. Second, such distributions are even not clearly stated for indexes U and W. Both issues can seriously affect the selection of an appropriate cut-score for person fit identification. Snijders (2001) proposed a general approach to correct some person fit indexes when specific ability estimators are used. The purpose of this paper is to adapt this approach to U and W indexes. First, a brief sketch of the methodology and its application to U and W is proposed. Then, the corrected indexes are compared to their classical versions through a simulation study. The suggested correction yields controlled Type I errors against both conservatism and inflation, while the power to detect specific misfitting response patterns gets significantly increased. [less ▲]

So close and so different: comparative phylogeography of two small mammal species, the yellow-necked fieldmouse (Apodemus flavicollis) and the woodmouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) in the Western Palearctic region.

in Heredity (2005), 94(1), 52-63

In Europe, concordant geographical distribution among genetic lineages within different species is rare, which suggests distinct reactions to Quaternary ice ages. This study aims to determine whether such ... [more ▼]

In Europe, concordant geographical distribution among genetic lineages within different species is rare, which suggests distinct reactions to Quaternary ice ages. This study aims to determine whether such a discrepancy also affects a pair of sympatric species, which are morphologically and taxonomically closely related but which have slight differences in their ecological habits. The phylogeographic structures of two European rodents, the Yellow-necked fieldmouse (A. flavicollis) and the woodmouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) were, therefore, compared on the basis of mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b (mtDNA cyt b) sequences (965 base pairs) from 196 specimens collected from 59 European localities spread throughout the species distributions. The results indicate that the two species survived in different ways through the Quaternary glaciations. A. sylvaticus survived in the Iberian Peninsula from where it recolonized almost all Europe at the end of the last glaciation. Conversely, the refuge from which A. flavicollis recolonized Europe, including northern Spain, during the Holocene corresponds to the Italo-Balkan area, where A. sylvaticus suffered a serious genetic bottleneck. This study confirms that even closely related species may have highly different phylogeographic histories and shows the importance of ecological plasticity of the species for their survival through climate change. Finally, it suggests that phylogeographic distinctiveness may be a general feature of European species. [less ▲]