VCU Pathfinder

Imagine this, you are planning to enroll in an institution of higher learning. However, your schedule can\u27t possibly match your institutions recommended path. Maybe you\u27re transferring from a different institution, maybe you just picked up additional hours on the job, or maybe you just want to change to a different major. Getting all the information you need in one place to plan a personalized schedule can be a difficult proposition, especially if you don\u27t have easy access to an on-site adviser. VCU Pathfinder is here to make this process considerably less stressful and more efficient. Pathfinder is a schedule assistance tool available through a web browser. All the information that a student needs to know in regard to planning their schedule, such as degree requirements, course prerequisites, credit amount, and individual semester availability of courses, is handled by the website. By utilizing an intuitive and flexible interface that color codes courses according to what a student can take according to the degree they\u27ve chosen, Pathfinder answers the question of Can I take this course at this date? . It\u27s as simple as that. There\u27s no need to dive through bulletins to understand your course flow or when courses are available. All the information used by the service is maintained in a Maria database that can be easily edited by an adviser with no prior programming experience.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/capstone/1177/thumbnail.jp

Models for high dimensional spatially correlated risks and application to thunderstorm loss data in Texas

Insurance claims caused by natural disasters exhibit spatial dependence with the strength of dependence being based on factors such as physical distance and population density, to name a few. Accounting for spatial dependence is therefore of crucial importance when modeling these types of claims. In this work, we present an approach to assess spatially dependent insurance risks using a combination of linear regression and factor copula models. Specifically, in loss modeling, observed dependence patterns are highly nonlinear, thus copula-based models seem appropriate since they can handle both linear and nonlinear dependence. The factor copula approach for estimating the spatial dependence reduces a complex dependence structure into a relatively easier task of estimating a spatial dependence parameter. Hence, we use a weighted sum of radial basis functions to model a spatial dependence parameter that determines the influence of each location. The methodology is illustrated using a thunderstorm wind loss dataset of Texas. Extensions to Matérn covariance functions and spatiotemporal models are briefly discussed --Abstract, page iii

Demand driven salt clean-up in a molten salt fast reactor – Defining a priority list

<div><p>The PUREX technology based on aqueous processes is currently the leading reprocessing technology in nuclear energy systems. It seems to be the most developed and established process for light water reactor fuel and the use of solid fuel. However, demand driven development of the nuclear system opens the way to liquid fuelled reactors, and disruptive technology development through the application of an integrated fuel cycle with a direct link to reactor operation. The possibilities of this new concept for innovative reprocessing technology development are analysed, the boundary conditions are discussed, and the economic as well as the neutron physical optimization parameters of the process are elucidated. Reactor physical knowledge of the influence of different elements on the neutron economy of the reactor is required. Using an innovative study approach, an element priority list for the salt clean-up is developed, which indicates that separation of Neodymium and Caesium is desirable, as they contribute almost 50% to the loss of criticality. Separating Zirconium and Samarium in addition from the fuel salt would remove nearly 80% of the loss of criticality due to fission products. The theoretical study is followed by a qualitative discussion of the different, demand driven optimization strategies which could satisfy the conflicting interests of sustainable reactor operation, efficient chemical processing for the salt clean-up, and the related economic as well as chemical engineering consequences. A new, innovative approach of balancing the throughput through salt processing based on a low number of separation process steps is developed. Next steps for the development of an economically viable salt clean-up process are identified.</p></div

Summary report on Workshop 1 laypersons’ perceptions of marine CDR, Deliverable 3.1

This deliverable reports about the successful completion of three group discussions on marine carbon dioxide removal (CDR) with laypersons in Germany. The 2-hour group discussions were held online. 5 participants discussed these three topics: (1) the environmental state of the oceans, (2) four selected marine CDR approaches, and (3) responsible research and innovation. The four approaches were ocean fertilization, ocean alkalinization via ocean liming and electrochemical weathering in desalination plants, artificial upwelling, and blue carbon management via kelp forests, mangroves and seagrass meadows

Implementation of TALIF on negative ion sources for the determination of the properties of atomic hydrogen

The production of negative hydrogen ions in a negative ion source used for future neutral beam injection systems in nuclear fusion is closely tied to the density and energy distribution function (EDF) of neutral hydrogen atoms in the plasma in negative ion sources. In this work, a diagnostic (two-photon absorption laser induced fluorescence, TALIF) is installed at a negative ion source which can determine both density and EDF of H atoms in the relevant plasma region. In an intermediate step, TALIF is set up at a reference plasma source for characterization and first measurements. The gained knowledge is then used for the installation of TALIF at the negative ion source at the test stand BATMAN Upgrade where the very first TALIF measurements at such an ion source are performed