Optimal regional potentiometric surface design: least cost water supply/sustained groundwater yield

A distributed parameter groundwater management model utilizing quadratic programming to develop an optimal regional steady-state potentiometric surface and its sustained groundwater withdrawal strategy is presented. It minimizes the regional cost of attempting to satisfy the water needs of each finite-difference cell (a) from groundwater and diverted surface water or (b) from groundwater and reduction of water needs achieved by reducing production acreages. Groundwater elevations, withdrawal and recharge are constrained, satisfying legal and hydrologic constraints. The technique is applicable for assuring a regional sustained yield of groundwater in a conjunctive water management setting. It represents the first application of optimization in the target objective approach to regional groundwater management

Interactive modification of quadratic multiobjective water resources planning strategies

An interactive method is presented for modifying a mtltiobjective water resources planning strategy by changing constraining conditions on regional objectives and local variables. The method is illustrated by modifying a conjunctive use. sustained groundwater withdrawal strategy for minimizing the cost of meeting regional water demand on the Arkansas Grand Prairie. The strategy was developed using a model in which the finite difference form of the two-dimensional groundwater flow equation is embedded in an optimization process. The quadratic optimization is accomplished by utilizing the General Differential Algorithm to obtain values of drawdown. pumping. and recharge in each finite difference cell. Results from the formal cpt1mizetion process are submitted to a separate program for interactive evaluation and modification. The interactive algorithm applies the constraint method and constrained derivatives of the objective function to develop the noninferior solution and tradeoff functions. The modification procedure is extended to determining the influence on the regional objectives for repeated changes in several local decision variables

Mass scaling and non-adiabatic effects in photoassociation spectroscopy of ultracold strontium atoms

We report photoassociation spectroscopy of ultracold $^{86}$Sr atoms near the intercombination line and provide theoretical models to describe the obtained bound state energies. We show that using only the molecular states correlating with the $^1S_0$$+$$^3P_1$ asymptote is insufficient to provide a mass scaled theoretical model that would reproduce the bound state energies for all isotopes investigated to date: $^{84}$Sr, $^{86}$Sr and $^{88}$Sr. We attribute that to the recently discovered avoided crossing between the $^1S_0$$+$$^3P_1$ $0_u^+$ ($^3\Pi_u$) and $^1S_0$$+$$^1D_2$ $0_u^+$ ($^1\Sigma^+_u$) potential curves at short range and we build a mass scaled interaction model that quantitatively reproduces the available $0_u^+$ and $1_u$ bound state energies for the three stable bosonic isotopes. We also provide isotope-specific two-channel models that incorporate the rotational (Coriolis) mixing between the $0_u^+$ and $1_u$ curves which, while not mass scaled, are capable of quantitatively describing the vibrational splittings observed in experiment. We find that the use of state-of-the-art ab initio potential curves significantly improves the quantitative description of the Coriolis mixing between the two -8 GHz bound states in $^{88}$Sr over the previously used model potentials. We show that one of the recently reported energy levels in $^{84}$Sr does not follow the long range bound state series and theorize on the possible causes. Finally, we give the Coriolis mixing angles and linear Zeeman coefficients for all of the photoassociation lines. The long range van der Waals coefficients $C_6(0_u^+)=3868(50)$~a.u. and $C_6(1_u)=4085(50)$~a.u. are reported.Comment: 14 pages, 7 tables, 5 figures. Submitted to Phys. Rev.

The effects of auditory contrast tuning upon speech intelligibility

We have previously identified neurons tuned to spectral contrast of wideband sounds in auditory cortex of awake marmoset monkeys. Because additive noise alters the spectral contrast of speech, contrast-tuned neurons, if present in human auditory cortex, may aid in extracting speech from noise. Given that this cortical function may be underdeveloped in individuals with sensorineural hearing loss, incorporating biologically-inspired algorithms into external signal processing devices could provide speech enhancement benefits to cochlear implantees. In this study we first constructed a computational signal processing algorithm to mimic auditory cortex contrast tuning. We then manipulated the shape of contrast channels and evaluated the intelligibility of reconstructed noisy speech using a metric to predict cochlear implant user perception. Candidate speech enhancement strategies were then tested in cochlear implantees with a hearing-in-noise test. Accentuation of intermediate contrast values or all contrast values improved computed intelligibility. Cochlear implant subjects showed significant improvement in noisy speech intelligibility with a contrast shaping procedure

Development of optimal sustained yield groundwater withdrawal strategies for the Boeuf‑Tensas basin in Arkansas

The goal of this study ia to develop sustained yield pumping (discharge via wells) strategies for the Boeuf-Tensaa Basin area. The demarkation of the Boeut-Tensas area is described in the Arkansas State Vater Plan (Arkansas Soil and Water Conservation Commission. 1984). The Boeuf-Teneas Basin ia a highly developed agricultural region located in the southeast corner of Arkansas. Hydrogeologically. it is part of the Bayou Bartholomew/Alluvial Aquifer System (Broom and Reed. 1973). Before describing the Boeuf-Tensas Basin, the Bayou Bartholomew region should be discussed

Impact of mental health and personality traits on the incidence of chronic cough in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

BACKGROUND: Chronic cough is a common troublesome condition, but risk factors for developing chronic cough are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to understand the relationship between mental health disorders, personality traits and chronic cough. METHODS: The Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging is a prospective, nationally generalisable, random sample of adults aged 45–85 years at baseline recruited between 2011 and 2015, and followed-up 3 years later. Chronic cough was defined as a daily cough over the last 12 months. Incident chronic cough was defined as those participants who reported new-onset chronic cough between baseline and follow-up 1. Current depressive symptoms and psychological distress were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Study Short Depression Scale (CESD-10) and Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-10), respectively. The “Big Five” personality traits were assessed using the Ten-Item Personality Inventory. Relative risks are reported using a multivariate mutually adjusted model. RESULTS: At follow-up 1, 2506 participants (11.1%) reported new-onset chronic cough during the ∼3-year interval. Depressive symptoms (CESD-10 ≥10: relative risk 1.22 (95% CI 1.03–1.44)) and psychological distress (K-10 ≥22: relative risk 1.20 (95% CI 1.07–1.36)) at baseline were both independent predictors of a higher risk of incident chronic cough. Prevalent and incident chronic cough were also independently associated with an increased risk of developing depressive symptoms and psychological distress. Personality traits did not influence the development of chronic cough but did increase the risk of depressive symptoms and psychological distress. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that there is a bidirectional relationship between chronic cough, and depressive symptoms and psychological distress, and personality traits do not independently influence the development of chronic cough

Language and geographical location influence the incidence of chronic cough in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

French speakers have a 4% lower incidence of chronic cough than English speakers in the CLSA, but English speakers from Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Nova Scotia also have a lower risk of developing chronic cough https://bit.ly/3qAd3M