9,788 research outputs found
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
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