From lumped to distributed via semi-distributed: Calibration strategies for semi-distributed hydrologic models

Modeling the effect of spatial variability of precipitation and basin characteristics on streamflow requires the use of distributed or semi-distributed hydrologic models. This paper addresses a DMIP 2 study that focuses on the advantages of using a semi-distributed modeling structure. We first present a revised semi-distributed structure of the NWS SACramento Soil Moisture Accounting (SAC-SMA) model that separates the routing of fast and slow response runoff components, and thus explicitly accounts for the differences between the two components. We then test four different calibration strategies that take advantage of the strengths of existing optimization algorithms (SCE-UA) and schemes (MACS). These strategies include: (1) lumped parameters and basin averaged precipitation, (2) semi-lumped parameters and distributed precipitation forcing, (3) semi-distributed parameters and distributed precipitation forcing and (4) lumped parameters and basin averaged precipitation, modified using a priori parameters of the SAC-SMA model. Finally, we explore the value of using discharge observations at interior points in model calibration by assessing gains/losses in hydrograph simulations at the basin outlet. Our investigation focuses on two key DMIP 2 science questions. Specifically, we investigate (a) the ability of the semi-distributed model structure to improve stream flow simulations at the basin outlet and (b) to provide reasonably good simulations at interior points.The semi-distributed model is calibrated for the Illinois River Basin at Siloam Springs, Arkansas using streamflow observations at the basin outlet only. The results indicate that lumped to distributed calibration strategies (1 and 4) both improve simulation at the outlet and provide meaningful streamflow predictions at interior points. In addition, the results of the complementary study, which uses interior points during the model calibration, suggest that model performance at the outlet can be further improved by using a semi-distributed structure calibrated at both interior points and the outlet, even when only a few years of historical record are available. © 2009 Elsevier B.V

Regional Innovation Capacity in Development Regions and Cities: A Sustainable Approach

This paper aims to identify innovation capacity factors affecting the development of regional by using the main index of legal and regulatory framework, research and development, communications and information technology, environment and institutional and human capital, education and social coverage. The research method is Qualitative and by focal group. Therefore, by choosing 6 from academic experts, the group was formed. To clarify the principles and basic format, explanations about of the meeting and a detailed description of the research model presented. Then to get more accurate and clearer data, and 5 core indicators parted to theirs sub indicators and the group members discussed them. The results showed that all five the main index of the "institutional environment", "R&D"1, "Using information and communication technology", "Legal and regulatory framework" and "human capital, education and social coverage" are impact on the development of region. The “country politic assessment " and "efficient and proper administration" which are two sub indicators of institutional environment and tow sub indicators of human capital, education and social coverage which are education and social coverage have impact on regional development .Also doing business and infrastructure of R&D which are sub indicators of legal and regulatory framework and R&D have impact on regional development. In the sub indicators of communications and information technology, “internet, computer and TV†and “government using of ICT “and quality of infrastructures have impact on regional development

Integrated water cycle sustainability: NEW CHARACTERIZATION PERSPECTIVES FOR SLUDGE

openDottorato di ricerca in Scienze dell'ingegneria energetica e ambientaleopenKhakbaz, Al

Professional Development for Mathematics Teachers Through Lesson Study

Lesson study is known as an effective Japanese professional development approach for teachers, since 1999.After that, this approach used dramatically as a way for improving teaching and learning in classroom through many countries and by many researchers. Review the literature of lesson study show that there is one common effort between the researchers to apply this approach. That is to make local model for using this Japanese approach as a localized one to release the unavoidable challenges of applying the method of another educational culture. This paper first reviews the literature on lesson study as a way of teachers\'' professional development, which has been conducted since Meiji Period in Japan and is conducting for today\''s teaching in classroom. Then it clarifies how Iranian mathematics teachers encountered with this method. Finally, the finding of this research addresses a general translated model of lesson study that is preferred to apply lesson study for Iranian culture of education

Recognition of Structural Obstacles of Technologic Entrepreneurship in Science & Technology Parks

Nowadays, a large ratio of nation's educated population suffers from unemployment problem. Since the available capacity of employment in governmental jobs is limited, hence the entrepreneurship can be a solution for resolving this problem or at least reducing it. The entrepreneurship centers in universities can play an important role in developing and promoting the entrepreneurship. The aim of current research is to investigate the structural obstacles of technologic entrepreneurship in Tehran University's science & technology Park. The research methodology is descriptive & survey and is of applied type. The research statistical society is the technological entrepreneurs of Tehran University's science & technology centers. Data gathering was carried out using researcher's questionnaire with a stability of α=0.92. Data analysis was performed in two descriptive and inferential levels using software SPSS 16. The research results revealed that the entrance of unskilled individuals into technologic topics, the lack of skilled labor force required by technologic entrepreneurship and the lack of sufficient infrastructures for technologic businesses are among the structural obstacles of technologic entrepreneurship. The obtained results are in line with researches of Phan and Der-Foo (2004). Regarding the obtained results, one can promote the technological entrepreneurship through planning and adoption of applied strategies for resolving the recognized obstacles

An Investigation into the Impact of Social Networks on Entrepreneurial Opportunities

Social networks have various aspects affecting the identification of opportunities in some ways. The present paper aims at investigating the effects of social networks on entrepreneurial opportunities in the area of entrepreneurial businesses. The research method is descriptive-survey and practical. The statistical population is the social entrepreneurship managers. Data collection was conducted through scientist-made questionnaire with the reliability is best (0.92). Data analysis is conducted in two different levels of descriptive and deductive. In summation, social network have greatest impact on entrepreneurial opportunity via several ways that teaching and learning

An Examination and Analysis of Municipal Scientific and Applied University Students Entrepreneurial Attitude

At the time, entrepreneurship training has evolved into of the main and expansive academic activities, and developing academic students' abilities owes to expanding and upbringing entrepreneurship capabilities. Accordingly, examining entrepreneurial attitude of university students which itself is the most significant alternatives of launching new businesses and knowledge-based, can be helpful in purposeful entrepreneurship trainings and lead them to proper trend. In this study, entrepreneurial attitude of Municipal Scientific and Applied University students was examined at individual level regarding major indices such as entrepreneurial attitude, proactiveness, risk-taking, creativity and innovation, autonomy, and competitive aggressiveness, and it was demonstrated that the students were at suitable level considering entrepreneurial attitude. In addition, since many of them were interested in attending entrepreneurship courses, it is possible to actualize the potential attitude and tendency by including entrepreneurship-training courses at different faculties and lead them to establish businesses in a purposeful way

Identifying Effective Organizational Factors on Corporate Entrepreneurship in Tehran Municipality's Department of Urban Services

the companies have realized the need for entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurial thoughts have penetrated in the administrative structures, because the growth, dynamics and survival of the modern organizations depends on the implementation of organizational entrepreneurship. Consequently, nowadays most of the organizations need organizational entrepreneurship development for growth and survival. The objective of the present paper is to fill the existing gap in the studies. The method of the research is a mixed one; in the qualitative stage, semi-structured and open interviews and investigation of related documents were used, and in the quantitative stage, the questionnaire was applied to gather data. In the research’s quantitative stage, a statistical population consisted of managers, employees of the case study were considered, and the simple random sampling method was used. In addition, in this stage, the questionnaires were used as the data collection tool and the experts in the qualitative stage measured the research’s validity, and the questionnaire’s reliability was approved through Cronbach’s alpha of 0.88. The mean analysis was applied in this stage for the data analysis. The findings of this paper shows that the effective organizational factors in organizational entrepreneurship in Tehran Municipality's Department of Urban Services are categorizes in the seven issues of managerial support, availability of resources, reward systems, corporate culture, entrepreneurial strategies, and risk taking