Towards a real-time microscopic emissions model

This article presents a new approach to microscopic road traffic exhaust emission modelling. The model described uses data from the SCOOT demand-responsive traffic control system implemented in over 170 cities across the world. Estimates of vehicle speed and classification are made using data from inductive detector loops located on every SCOOT link. This data feeds into a microscopic traffic model to enable enhanced modelling of the driving modes of vehicles (acceleration, deceleration, idling and cruising). Estimates of carbon monoxide emissions are made by applying emission factors from an extensive literature review. A critical appraisal of the development and validation of the model is given before the model is applied to a study of the impact of high emitting vehicles. The article concludes with a discussion of the requirements for the future development and benefits of the application of such a model

Dynamic asset (and liability) management under market and credit risk

We introduce a modelling paradigm which integrates credit risk and market risk in describing the random dynamical behaviour of the underlying fixed income assets. We then consider an asset and liability management (ALM) problem and develop a mul- tistage stochastic programming model which focuses on optimum risk decisions. These models exploit the dynamical multiperiod structure of credit risk and provide insight into the corrective recourse decisions whereby issues such as the timing risk of default is appropriately taken into consideration. We also present a index tracking model in which risk is measured (and optimised) by the CVaR of the tracking portfolio in relation to the index. Both in- and out-of-sample (backtesting) experiments are undertaken to validate our approach. In this way we are able to demonstrate the feasibility and flexibility of the chosen framework

Thermodynamics of Dyonic Lifshitz Black Holes

Black holes with asymptotic anisotropic scaling are conjectured to be gravity duals of condensed matter system close to quantum critical points with non-trivial dynamical exponent z at finite temperature. A holographic renormalization procedure is presented that allows thermodynamic potentials to be defined for objects with both electric and magnetic charge in such a way that standard thermodynamic relations hold. Black holes in asymptotic Lifshitz spacetimes can exhibit paramagnetic behavior at low temperature limit for certain values of the critical exponent z, whereas the behavior of AdS black holes is always diamagnetic.Comment: 26 pages, 4 figure

elastography in primary open-angle glaucoma

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare sonoelastographic findings in the retina-choroid-sclera (RCS) complex and vitreous in glaucomatous and healthy eyes.Methods: For this cross-sectional comparative study, 20 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and 20 healthy volunteers were recruited. Ultrasound elastography measurements were taken with a sonographic scanner of the RCS complex, anterior vitreous (AV), posterior vitreous (PV), retrobulbar fat tissue (RFT), optic disc (OD) and optic nerve (ON) in each eye.Results: The elasticity index of the RCS complex, RFT, OD, ON, AV and PV was similar in both groups (p > 0.05), although the AV/PV strain ratio in the group of patients with glaucoma was significantly higher (p = 0.04).Conclusion: Glaucoma increases the AV/PV strain ratio. In providing reproducible and consistent values, the real-time elastography (RTE) technique may be helpful in elucidating the mechanisms of glaucoma in some aspects.Advances in knowledge: This study can help to evaluate the elasticity of the RCS complex and vitreous in glaucomatous eyes with RTE

One Monopole with k Singularities

We present all charge one monopole solutions of the Bogomolny equation with k prescribed Dirac singularities for the gauge groups U(2), SO(3), or SU(2). We analyze these solutions comparing them to the previously known expressions for the cases of one or two singularities.Comment: 12 pages, LaTe