Fuzzy logic approach for description of meteorological impacts on urban air pollution species: A Hong Kong case study

An alternative approach to the conventional dynamic and photochemical models is presented to forecast urban air pollutants operationally. It is well known that there are some practical difficulties, which prevent the necessary progress in the development of these models as a forecasting tool. A fuzzy logic based method has been developed here to study the impact of meteorological factors on the evolution of air pollutant levels and to describe them quantitatively. This method meets all requirements but needs substantial amount of observational data. The developed model is based on simulation of diurnal cycles of principal meteorological variables (wind speed and direction, solar irradiance and air temperature) and the corresponding duirnal patterns of various air pollutants (O3,NO2,NO,NOy). In addition, the spatial patterns of these parameters are also studied. Both temporal and spatial parameter distributions have been considered in order to investigate impacts of meteorological factors and they are incorporated into the models as state vectors in the multidimensional space. Here we suggest that most of the weather and air pollution phenomena could be simulated by sequences of its conservation inside some fuzzy sets and the transition from one fuzzy set to another. Therefore, the important key point here is the development of the transition rules. © 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Der Körper als Zeichen!?

Contains fulltext : 128364.pdf (postprint version ) (Open Access

Dynamics of the temperature-humidity index in the Mediterranean basin

The study was aimed at describing the temperature humidity index (THI) dynamics over the Mediterranean basin for the period 1951–2007. Results indicated that several areas of the basin present summer THI values which were unfavorable to cow welfare and productivity, and that risk of heat stress for cows is generally greater in the countries of the south coast of the basin. Furthermore, THI data from the summer 2003 revealed that severe positive anomalies may impact areas normally characterized by a favorable climate for animal production. In conclusion, THI dynamics should be taken into careful consideration by farmers and policy makers operating in Mediterranean countries when planning investments in the sector of animal production. The investments should at least partially be directed towards implementation of adaptation measures, which may help to alleviate the impact of hot on farm animals welfare, performance and health. Lo studio ha lo scopo di descrivere le dinamiche dell’indice di temperature e umidità (THI) nel bacino del Mediterraneo per il periodo dal 1951 al 2077. I risultati ottenuti indicano che diverse aree del bacino del Mediterraneo presentano valori di THI sfavorevoli per il benessere e la produttività della vacca da latte, e che il rischio è superiore per i paese della costa sud del Mediterraneo. Inoltre, è stato evidenziato come periodi particolari quali ad esempio l’estate del 2003 hanno prodotto anomalie climatiche che possono impattare negativamente anche in aree in cui normalmente non si rilevano problemi di stress. In conclusione, le dinamiche del THI dovrebbero essere prese in considerazione dagli allevatori dell’area del Mediterraneo per la pianificazione della tipologia di investimenti nel campo delle produzioni animali. Gli investimenti dovrebbero, almeno in parte, prevedere misure di adattamento per alleviare l’impatto dello stress da caldo sul benessere, sulla salute e sulle performances degli animali allevati.L'articolo è disponibile sul sito dell'editore http://link.springer.com/journal/48