Assessment of evolutionary algorithms for optimal operating rules design in real Water Resource Systems

Two evolutionary algorithms (EAs) are assessed in this paper to design optimal operating rules (ORs) for Water Resource Systems (WRS). The assessment is established through a parameter analysis of both algorithms in a theoretical case, and the methodology described in this paper is applied to a complex, real case. These two applications allow us to analyse an algorithm's properties and performance by defining ORs, how an algorithm's termination/convergence criteria affect the results and the importance of decision-makers participating in the optimisation process. The former analysis reflects the need for correctly defining the important algorithm parameters to ensure an optimal result and how the greater number of termination conditions makes the algorithm an efficient tool for obtaining optimal ORs in less time. Finally, in the complex real case application, we discuss the participation value of decision-makers toward correctly defining the objectives and making decisions in the post-process. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.[EN]The authors wish to thank the University of Cagliari (Sardinia) and the Basin Agency of Sardinia for the data provided in the development of this study, as well as the Autonomous Region of Sardinia for funding the research project CRP 2_716. Thanks are also due to the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (Comision Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnologia, CICYT) for funding the projects NUTEGES (VI Plan Nacional de I+D-Ei 2008-2011, CGL2012-34978) and SCARCE (program Consolider-Ingenio 2010, project CSD2009-00065). The authors also thank the European Commission (Directorate-General for Research and Innovation) for funding the projects DROUGHT-R&SPI (program FP7-ENV-2011, project 282769), SIRIUS (FP7-SPACE-2010-1, project 262902), LIFE ALBUFERA project (LIFE12 ENV/ES/000685) and WAMCD project (EC-DG Environment No. 07.0329/2013/671291/SUB/ENV.C.1).Lerma Elvira, N.; Paredes Arquiola, J.; Andreu Álvarez, J.; Solera Solera, A.; Sechi, GM. (2015). Assessment of evolutionary algorithms for optimal operating rules design in real Water Resource Systems. Environmental Modelling and Software. 69:425-436. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2014.09.024S4254366

Development of operating rules for a complex multireservoir system by coupling genetic algorithms and network optimization

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published in Hydrological Sciences Journal on MAY 1 2013, available online: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02626667.2013.779777[EN] An alternative procedure for assessment of reservoir Operation Rules (ORs) under drought situations is proposed. The definition of ORs for multi-reservoir water resources systems (WRSs) is a topic that has been widely studied by means of optimization and simulation techniques. A traditional approach is to link optimization methods with simulation models. Thus the objective here is to obtain drought ORs for a real and complex WRS: the Júcar River basin in Spain, in which one of the main issues is the resource allocation among agricultural demands in periods of drought. To deal with this problem, a method based on the combined use of genetic algorithms (GA) and network flow optimization (NFO) is presented. The GA used was PIKAIA, which has previously been used in other water resources related fields. This algorithm was linked to the SIMGES simulation model, a part of the AQUATOOL decision support system (DSS). Several tests were developed for defining the parameters of the GA. The optimization of various ORs was analysed with the objective of minimizing short-term and long-term water deficits. The results show that simple ORs produce similar results to more sophisticated ones. The usefulness of this approach in the assessment of ORs for complex multi-reservoir systems is demonstrated.The authors wish to thank the Confederacion Hidrogrofica del Jucar (Spanish Ministry of the Environment) for the data provided in developing this study and the Comision Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnologia, CICYT (Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation) for funding the projects INTEGRAME (contract CGL2009-11798) and SCARCE (programme Consolider-Ingenio 2010, project CSD2009-00065). The authors also thank the European Commission (Directorate-General for Research and Innovation) for funding the project DROUGHT-R&SPI (programme FP7-ENV-2011, project 282769) and the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Commission for funding the project SIRIUS (FP7-SPACE-2010-1, project 262902). We are grateful to the reviewers for their valuable comments, which have improved this paper.Lerma Elvira, N.; Paredes Arquiola, J.; Andreu Álvarez, J.; Solera Solera, A. (2013). Development of operating rules for a complex multireservoir system by coupling genetic algorithms and network optimization. Hydrological Sciences Journal. 58(4):797-812. https://doi.org/10.1080/02626667.2013.779777S79781258

Effects of vitamin D on insulin secretion and glucose transporter GLUT2 under static magnetic field in rat

The present study investigated the effects of vitamin D supplementation on insulin secretion and glucose transporter following static magnetic field (SMF) exposure in rat. Wistar male rats were divided into the following groups: control, SMF-exposed rat (128 mT; 1 h/day for 5 days), vitamin D-treated rats (1600 IU/100 g, received by gavage for five consecutive days), and co-exposed rats (the last day and after exposure rats received a single dose of vitamin D per os). Our results showed that exposure to SMF induced an increase in plasma glucose level and a decrease in plasma insulin concentration. Moreover, β cell insulin content and islet area were lower in SMF-exposed group compared to control. Likewise, we reported the absence of GLUT2 expression in extracellular membrane of pancreatic islet in SMF-exposed group. Interestingly, supplementation with single dose of vitamin D per os corrected insulinemia and glycemia disturbances caused by SMF. By contrast, the same treatment failed to correct pancreatic area. This study provides evidence that vitamin D supplementation has curative effect on pancreas insulin content and on GLUT2 disruption caused by SMF exposure.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Homogeneous static magnetic field of different orientation induces biological changes in subacutely exposed mice

It has been shown that static magnetic field (SMF) of moderate intensity produces considerable impact on biological systems. SMF can be homogeneous or inhomogeneous. In many studies, inhomogeneous SMF was employed. Aware that inhomogeneous SMF could result in experimental variability, we investigated the influence of a vertical homogeneous SMF of different orientation. Male Swiss-Webster 9- to 10-week-old mice were subacutely exposed to upward- and downward-oriented SMF of 128 mT generated by a cyclotron for 1 h/day during a 5-day period. We found that SMF affected various organs and that these effects were, to some degree, dependent on SMF orientation. Both upward- and downward-oriented SMF caused a reduction in the amount of total white blood cells (WBC) and lymphocytes in serum, a decrease of granulocytes in the spleen, kidney inflammation, and an increase in the amount of high-density lipoprotein (HDL). In addition, upward-oriented SMF caused brain edema and increased spleen cellularity. In contrast, downward-oriented SMF induced liver inflammation and a decrease in the amount of serum granulocytes. These effects might represent a specific redistribution of pro-inflammatory cells in blood and among various organs. It appears that homogeneous SMF of 128 mT affected specific organs in the body, rather than simultaneously and equally influencing the entire body system