Search results for " experiments"

Monitoring of surface velocity of hyper-concentrated flow in a laboratory flume by means of fully-digital PIV

2016

This paper investigates the utility and the efficiency of the digital image-technique for remote monitoring of surface velocity in hyper-concentrated flow by the aid of data collected during experiments conducted in the laboratory flume. In particular the present paper attention is focused on the estimation procedure of the velocity vectors and on their sensitivity with parameters (number of images, spatial resolution of interrogation area, ) of the images processing procedure.

'Naughty cylinder' mechanical paradox

2013

The double cone: a mechanical paradox or a geometrical constraint?

2011

In the framework of the Italian National Plan ‘Lauree Scientifiche’ (PLS) in collaboration with secondary schools, we have investigated the mechanical paradox of the double cone. We have calculated the geometric condition for obtaining an upward movement. Based on this result, we have built a mechanical model with a double cone made of aluminum and a couple of wooden rails.

A didactic experiment and model of a flat-plate solar collector

2011

We report on an experiment performed with a home-made flat-plate solar collector, carried out together with high-school students. To explain the experimental results, we propose a model that describes the heating process of the solar collector. The model accounts quantitatively for the experimental data. We suggest that solar-energy topics should be included in school programmes to give students the opportunity to gain experience with solar energy and increase their awareness of the benefits that can be obtained from this remarkable and renewable energy source.

An XRD, TEM and Raman study of experimentally annealed natural monazite

2002

The healing of radiation damage in natural monazite has been experimentally studied in annealing experiments using XRD, TEM, Raman microprobe and cathodoluminescence analysis. The starting material was a chemically homogeneous monazite from a Brazilian pegmatite with a concordant U–Pb age of 474 ± 1 Ma and a U–Th/He age of 479 Ma. The monazite shows nm-scale defects induced by radioactive decay. The Xray pattern of the unheated starting material revealed two distinct monazite ''phases'' A and B with slightly different lattice parameters. Monazite A shows sharp reflections of high amplitudes and slightly expanded lattice parameters (1% in volume) compared to a standard monazite. Phase B exhi…

Efficiency of a digital particle image velocimetry (DPIV) method for monitoring the surface velocity of hyper-concentrated flows

2018

Digital particle image velocimetry records high resolution images and allows the identification of the position of points in different time instants. This paper explores the efficiency of the digital image-technique for remote monitoring of surface velocity and discharge measurement in hyper-concentrated flow by the way of laboratory experiment. One of the challenges in the application of the image-technique is the evaluation of the error in estimating surface velocity. The error quantification is complex because it depends on many factors characterizing either the experimental conditions or/and the processing algorithm. In the present work, attention is devoted to the estimation error due …

Modelling mode choice for freight transport using advanced choice experiments

2015

Abstract In this paper we use advanced choice modelling techniques to analyse demand for freight transport in a context of modal choice. To this end, a stated preference (SP) survey was conducted in order to estimate freight shipper preferences for the main attributes that define the service offered by the different transport modes. From a methodological point of view, we focus on two critical issues in the construction of efficient choice experiments. Firstly, in obtaining good quality prior information about the parameters; and secondly, in the improved quality of the experimental data by tailoring a specific efficient design for every respondent in the sample. With these data, different …

Subsurface flow and large-scale lateral saturated soil hydraulic conductivity in a Mediterranean hillslope with contrasting land uses

2017

Abstract The lateral saturated hydraulic conductivity, Ks,l , is the soil property that mostly governs subsurface flow in hillslopes. Determinations of Ks,l at the hillslope scale are expected to yield valuable information for interpreting and modeling hydrological processes since soil heterogeneities are functionally averaged in this case. However, these data are rare since the experiments are quite difficult and costly. In this investigation, that was carried out in Sardinia (Italy), large-scale determinations of Ks,l were done in two adjacent hillslopes covered by a Mediterranean maquis and grass, respectively, with the following objectives: i) to evaluate the effect of land use change o…

Pathway network inference from gene expression data

2014

[EN] Background: The development of high-throughput omics technologies enabled genome-wide measurements of the activity of cellular elements and provides the analytical resources for the progress of the Systems Biology discipline. Analysis and interpretation of gene expression data has evolved from the gene to the pathway and interaction level, i.e. from the detection of differentially expressed genes, to the establishment of gene interaction networks and the identification of enriched functional categories. Still, the understanding of biological systems requires a further level of analysis that addresses the characterization of the interaction between functional modules. Results: We presen…

Rail freight transport and demand requirements : an analysis of attribute cut-offs through a stated preference experiment

2014

This paper analyses the choice between road and rail in Spain where rail market share for freight is still residual. Discrete choice models are estimated with data obtained through a two-phase fieldwork, thus allowing us to carry out a stated preference efficient design for each interviewee. We analyse the existence of attribute cut-offs and the presence of a segment of the population with a zero value of frequency. Our results show that ignoring the existence of cut-offs and segments of the population with polarised valuations can lead to erroneous conclusions in terms of the possibilities of rail for absorbing significant quota.