Search results for "Method"

Implementation of pressure reduction valves in a dynamic water distribution numerical model to control the inequality in water supply

2013

The analysis of water distribution networks has to take into account the variability of users' water demand and the variability of network boundary conditions. In complex systems, e.g. those characterized by the presence of local private tanks and intermittent distribution, this variability suggests the use of dynamic models that are able to evaluate the rapid variability of pressures and flows in the network. The dynamic behavior of the network also affects the performance of valves that are used for controlling the network. Pressure reduction valves (PRVs) are used for controlling pressure and reducing leakages. Highly variable demands can produce significant fluctuation of the PRV set po…

Depth selective Mössbauer spectroscopy: Analysis and simulation of 6.4 keV and 14.4 keV spectra obtained from rocks at Gusev Crater, Mars, and layere…

2008

[1] The miniaturized Mossbauer spectrometer (MIMOS) II Mossbauer spectrometers on the Mars Exploration Rovers (MER) simultaneously obtained 6.4 keV and 14.4 keV Mossbauer spectra from rock and soil targets. Because photons with lower energy have a shallower penetration depth, 6.4 keV spectra contain more mineralogical information about the near-surface region of a sample than do 14.4 keV spectra. The influence of surface layers of varying composition and thickness on Mossbauer spectra was investigated by Monte Carlo simulation and by measurement using a copy of the MER MIMOS II instrument and samples with one or two layers of known thicknesses. Thin sections of minerals or metallic Fe foil …

Bayesian dynamic modeling of time series of dengue disease case counts

2017

The aim of this study is to model the association between weekly time series of dengue case counts and meteorological variables, in a high-incidence city of Colombia, applying Bayesian hierarchical dynamic generalized linear models over the period January 2008 to August 2015. Additionally, we evaluate the model’s short-term performance for predicting dengue cases. The methodology shows dynamic Poisson log link models including constant or time-varying coefficients for the meteorological variables. Calendar effects were modeled using constant or first- or second-order random walk time-varying coefficients. The meteorological variables were modeled using constant coefficients and first-order …

Effects of dead time losses on terrestrial gamma ray flash measurements with the Burst and Transient Source Experiment

2010

[1] Measurements from the Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) instrument on the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (CGRO) are the only ones where characteristics of single terrestrial gamma ray flashes (TGFs) have been obtained thus far. However, it has been reported that the measurements suffer from significant dead time losses which complicates the analysis and raises question about earlier BATSE studies. These losses are due to the high-intensity flux combined with limitations of the time resolution of the instrument. Since these losses will affect both the spectrum and the temporal distribution of the individual TGFs, results based on BATSE data need to be revisited, including our …

Examining the effect of adverse weather on road transportation using weather and traffic sensors.

2018

Adverse weather related to reduced visibility caused by fog and rain can seriously affect the mobility and safety of drivers. It is meaningful to develop effective intelligent transportation system (ITS) strategies to mitigate the negative effects of these different types of adverse weather related to reduced visibility by investigating the effect of rain and fog on traffic parameters. A number of previous researches focused on analyzing the effect of adverse weather related to reduced visibility by using simulated traffic and weather data. There are few researchers that addressed the impact of adverse weather instances using real-time data. Moreover, this paper conducts comprehensive inves…

2017

Abstract. We present a Monte Carlo genetic algorithm (MCGA) for efficient, automated, and unbiased global optimization of model input parameters by simultaneous fitting to multiple experimental data sets. The algorithm was developed to address the inverse modelling problems associated with fitting large sets of model input parameters encountered in state-of-the-art kinetic models for heterogeneous and multiphase atmospheric chemistry. The MCGA approach utilizes a sequence of optimization methods to find and characterize the solution of an optimization problem. It addresses an issue inherent to complex models whose extensive input parameter sets may not be uniquely determined from limited in…

Pumps as turbines (PATs) in water distribution networks affected by intermittent service

2013

A hydraulic model was developed in order to evaluate the potential energy recovery from the use of centrifugal pumps as turbines (PATs) in a water distribution network characterized by the presence of private tanks. The model integrates the Global Gradient Algorithm (GGA), with a pressure-driven model that permits a more realistic representation of the influence on the network behaviour of the private tanks filling and emptying. The model was applied to a real case study: a District Metered Area in Palermo (Italy). Three different scenarios were analysed and compared with a baseline scenario (Scenario 0 – no PAT installed) to identify the system configuration with added PATs that permits th…

A numerical study of atmospheric signals in the Earth-ionosphere electromagnetic cavity with the Transmission Line Matrix method

2006

[1] The effect of the Earth-ionosphere electromagnetic cavity on the spectrum of an atmospheric signal generated by a broadband electrical current source is analyzed numerically by means of the Transmission Line Matrix (TLM) method. Two new TLM meshes are developed, one with transmission lines connected in parallel and the other with connections in series. The equations describing propagation through these parallel or series meshes are equivalent to the Maxwell equations for TEr or TMr modes in the spherical Earth-ionosphere cavity, respectively. The numerical algorithm obtains Schumann resonance frequencies very close to the experimental ones, confirming that this methodology is a valid nu…

2018

Abstract. The growth of small cloud droplets and ice crystals is dominated by the diffusion of water vapor. Usually, Maxwell's approach to growth for isolated particles is used in describing this process. However, recent investigations show that local interactions between particles can change diffusion properties of cloud particles. In this study we develop an approach for including these local interactions into a bulk model approach. For this purpose, a simplified framework of local interaction is proposed and governing equations are derived from this setup. The new model is tested against direct simulations and incorporated into a parcel model framework. Using the parcel model, possible i…

Predicting dengue fever outbreaks in French Guiana using climate indicators

2016

Background Dengue fever epidemic dynamics are driven by complex interactions between hosts, vectors and viruses. Associations between climate and dengue have been studied around the world, but the results have shown that the impact of the climate can vary widely from one study site to another. In French Guiana, climate-based models are not available to assist in developing an early warning system. This study aims to evaluate the potential of using oceanic and atmospheric conditions to help predict dengue fever outbreaks in French Guiana. Methodology/Principal Findings Lagged correlations and composite analyses were performed to identify the climatic conditions that characterized a typical e…