Nuclear DNA contents, rDNAs, and karyotype evolution in subgenus Vicia: III. The heterogeneous section Hypechusa.

Abstract: Nuclear DNA contents, automated karyotype analyses, and sequences of internal transcribed spacers from ribosomal genes have been determined in the species belonging to section Hypechusa of the sub-genus Vicia. Karyomorphological results and phylogenetic data generated from the comparison of rDNA ( genes coding for rRNA) sequences showed that sect. Hypechusa is not monophyletic; however, some monophyletic units are apparent ( one including Vicia galeata, V. hyrcanica, V. noeana, and V. tigridis, another including V. assyriaca, V. hybrida, V. melanops, V. mollis, and V. sericocarpa), which partly correspond to morphology-based infrasectional groups. The relationships among these species and the species in sections Faba, Narbonensis, Bithynicae, and Peregrinae have been also investigated. Nuclear DNA contents, automated karyotype analyses, and sequences of internal transcribed spacers from ribosomal genes have been determined in the species belonging to section Hypechusa of the subgenus Vicia. Karyomorphological results and phylogenetic data generated from the comparison of rDNA (genes coding for rRNA) sequences showed that sect. Hypechusa is not monophyletic; however, some monophyletic units are apparent (one including Vicia galeata, V. hyrcanica, V. noeana, and V. tigridis, another including V. assyriaca, V. hybrida, V. melanops, V. mollis, and V. sericocarpa), which partly correspond to morphology-based infrasectional groups. The relationships among these species and the species in sections Faba, Narbonensis, Bithynicae, and Peregrinae have been also investigated

Analyzing real options and flexibility in engineering systems design using decision rules and deep reinforcement learning

Engineering systems provide essential services to society e.g., power generation, transportation. Their performance, however, is directly affected by their ability to cope with uncertainty, especially given the realities of climate change and pandemics. Standard design methods often fail to recognize uncertainty in early conceptual activities, leading to rigid systems that are vulnerable to change. Real Options and Flexibility in Design are important paradigms to improve a system’s ability to adapt and respond to unforeseen conditions. Existing approaches to analyze flexibility, however, do not leverage sufficiently recent developments in machine learning enabling deeper exploration of the computational design space. There is untapped potential for new solutions that are not readily accessible using existing methods. Here, a novel approach to analyze flexibility is proposed based on Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL). It explores available datasets systematically and considers a wider range of adaptability strategies. The methodology is evaluated on an example waste-toenergy system. Low and high flexibility DRL models are compared against stochastically optimal inflexible and flexible solutions using decision rules. The results show highly dynamic solutions, with action space parametrized via artificial neural network. They show improved expected economic value up to 69% compared to previous solutions. Combining information from action space probability distributions along expert insights and risk tolerance helps make better decisions in real-world design and system operations. Out of sample testing shows that the policies are generalizable, but subject to tradeoffs between flexibility and inherent limitations of the learning process

Creep, Relaxation and Viscosity Properties for Basic Fractional Models in Rheology

The purpose of this paper is twofold: from one side we provide a general survey to the viscoelastic models constructed via fractional calculus and from the other side we intend to analyze the basic fractional models as far as their creep, relaxation and viscosity properties are considered. The basic models are those that generalize via derivatives of fractional order the classical mechanical models characterized by two, three and four parameters, that we refer to as Kelvin-Voigt, Maxwell, Zener, anti-Zener and Burgers. For each fractional model we provide plots of the creep compliance, relaxation modulus and effective viscosity in non dimensional form in terms of a suitable time scale for different values of the order of fractional derivative. We also discuss the role of the order of fractional derivative in modifying the properties of the classical models.Comment: 41 pages, 8 figure

Age, Metallicity, and the Distance to the Magellanic Clouds From Red Clump Stars

We show that the luminosity dependence of the red clump stars on age and metallicity can cause a difference of up to < ~0.6 mag in the mean absolute I magnitude of the red clump between different stellar populations. We show that this effect may resolve the apparent ~0.4 mag discrepancy between red clump-derived distance moduli to the Magellanic Clouds and those from, e.g., Cepheid variables. Taking into account the population effects on red clump luminosity, we determine a distance modulus to the LMC of 18.36 +/- 0.17 mag, and to the SMC of 18.82 +/- 0.20 mag. Our alternate red clump LMC distance is consistent with the value (m-M){LMC} = 18.50 +/- 0.10 adopted by the HST Cepheid Key Project. We briefly examine model predictions of red clump luminosity, and find that variations in helium abundance and core mass could bring the Clouds closer by some 0.10--0.15 mag, but not by the ~0.4 mag that would result from setting the mean absolute I-magnitude of the Cloud red clumps equal to the that of the Solar neighborhood red clump.Comment: Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, AASTeX 4.0, 10 pages, 1 postscript figur

A new standard for seismic station installation of the Osservatorio Vesuviano Surveillance Network (INGV, Napoli)

Seismic networks are worldwide diffuse to monitor both volcanic and tectonic seismogenetic areas. Some differences, such the basement on which the seismometer is located and the environmental conditions, characterize the installation of seismic stations in volcanic and tectonic areas. Nevertheless, some basic principles are common. To obtain good quality seismic data is very important to realize a high grade installation of all the instruments equipping a seismic station. Several procedure must be taken into account to optimize the instrument setting up. Electronic noise may be minimize using proper connecting line and adequate grounding. Effective lightning protections are essential to save instruments from both surges and strikes. Good seismometer ground coupling improves the signal quality and the signal-to-noise ratio. These procedures have been carried out at the Osservatorio Vesuviano to improve the existing seismic network as well as the installation of the new stations. As a result of this action an improvement of both the signal-to-noise ratio and the network reliability has been obtained

MIXED GAS-OIL SUBSEA PIPELINES IN OFFSHORE TECHNOLOGY: TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC ASPECTS

The choice of gas separation and transportation mode in offshore applications may significantly affect the project profitability. Main alternatives are separation on board the platform with the utilization of separate subsea pipeline for single-phase gas and oil transportation, and remote separation with multiphase transportation of the gas-oil mixture in a single pipeline. In order to assist the project engineers during the feasibility study phase, the problems relevant technical and economic issues are analysed in this paper after preliminarily describing the two process schemes. In particular a computer model is developed in order to simulate the two-phase flow of the multi-component mixture adopting the Beggs and Brill model, which showed to be the most reliable approach in this application. A cost comparison with reference to a hypothetical but realistic case study is finally carried out to assess the convenience of the multiphase flow solution. This option appears to be especially attractive when multiplewell fields exist which can be developed in an integrated manner by providing a single centralized separation plant. A Allowance for additional mass (t) L Liquid production (m3/day x 1000) STP Standard Temperature and Pressur