Independent Validation of the SWMM Green Roof Module

Green roofs are a popular Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) technology. They provide multiple benefits, amongst which the retention of rainfall and detention of runoff are of particular interest to stormwater engineers. The hydrological performance of green roofs has been represented in various models, including the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM). The latest version of SWMM includes a new LID green roof module, which makes it possible to model the hydrological performance of a green roof by directly defining the physical parameters of a green roof’s three layers. However, to date, no study has validated the capability of this module for representing the hydrological performance of an extensive green roof in response to actual rainfall events. In this study, data from a previously-monitored extensive green roof test bed has been utilised to validate the SWMM green roof module for both long-term (173 events over a year) and short-term (per-event) simulations. With only 0.357% difference between measured and modelled annual retention, the uncalibrated model provided good estimates of total annual retention, but the modelled runoff depths deviated significantly from the measured data at certain times (particularly during summer) in the year. Retention results improved (with the difference between modelled and measured annual retention decreasing to 0.169% and the Nash-Sutcliffe Model Efficiency (NSME) coefficient for per-event rainfall depth reaching 0.948) when reductions in actual evapotranspiration due to reduced substrate moisture availability during prolonged dry conditions were used to provide revised estimates of monthly ET. However, this aspect of the model’s performance is ultimately limited by the failure to account for the influence of substrate moisture on actual ET rates. With significant differences existing between measured and simulated runoff and NSME coefficients of below 0.5, the uncalibrated model failed to provide reasonable predictions of the green roof’s detention performance, although this was significantly improved through calibration. To precisely model the hydrological behaviour of an extensive green roof with a plastic board drainage layer, some of the modelling structures in SWMM green roof module require further refinement

Anharmonic lattice dynamics of Ag_2O studied by inelastic neutron scattering and first principles molecular dynamics simulations

Inelastic neutron scattering measurements on silver oxide (Ag_2O) with the cuprite structure were Performed at temperatures from40 to 400 K, and Fourier transform far-infrared spectra were measured From 100 to 300K. The measured phonon densities of states and the infrared spectra showed unusually large energy shifts with temperature, and large linewidth broadenings. First principles molecular dynamics (MD) calculations were performed at various temperatures, successfully accounting for the negative thermal expansion (NTE) and local dynamics. Using the Fourier-transformed velocity autocorrelation method, the MD calculations reproduced the large anharmonic effects of Ag_2O, and were in excellent agreement with the neutron scattering data. The quasiharmonic approximation (QHA) was less successful in accounting for much of the phonon behavior. The QHA could account for some of the NTE below 250 K, although not at higher temperatures. Strong anharmonic effects were found for both phonons and for the NTE. The lifetime broadenings of Ag_2O were explained by anharmonic perturbation theory, which showed rich interactions between the Ag-dominated modes and the O-dominated modes in both up- and down-conversion processes

Coupled binary linear programming–differential evolution algorithm approach for water distribution system optimization

A coupled binary linear programming-differential evolution (BLP-DE) approach is proposed in this paper to optimize the design of water distribution systems (WDSs). Three stages are involved in the proposed BLP-DE optimization method. In the first stage, the WDS that is being optimized is decomposed into trees and the core using a graph algorithm. Binary linear programming (BLP) is then used to optimize the design of the trees during the second stage. In the third stage, a differential evolution (DE) algorithm is utilized to deal with the core design while incorporating the optimal solutions for the trees obtained in the second stage, thereby yielding near-optimal solutions for the original whole WDS. The proposed method takes advantage of both BLP and DE algorithms: BLP is capable of providing global optimal solution for the trees (no loops involved) with great efficiency, while a DE is able to efficiently generate good quality solutions for the core (loops involved) with a reduced search space compared to the original full network. Two benchmark WDS case studies and one real-world case study (with multiple demand loading cases) with a number of decision variables ranging from 21 to 96 are used to verify the effectiveness of the proposed BLP-DE optimization approach. Results show that the proposed BLP-DE algorithm significantly outperforms other optimization algorithms in terms of both solution quality and efficiency.Feifei Zheng, Angus R. Simpson and Aaron C. Zecchi

Building social capital through breastfeeding peer support: Insights from an evaluation of a voluntary breastfeeding peer support service in North-West England

Background: Peer support is reported to be a key method to help build social capital in communities. To date there are no studies that describe how this can be achieved through a breastfeeding peer support service. In this paper we present findings from an evaluation of a voluntary model of breastfeeding peer support in North-West England to describe how the service was operationalized and embedded into the community. This study was undertaken from May, 2012 to May, 2013. Methods: Interviews (group or individual) were held with 87 participants: 24 breastfeeding women, 13 peer supporters and 50 health and community professionals. The data contained within 23 monthly monitoring reports (January, 2011 to February 2013) compiled by the voluntary peer support service were also extracted and analysed. Results: Thematic analysis was undertaken using social capital concepts as a theoretical lens. Key findings were identified to resonate with ’bonding’, ‘bridging’ and ‘linking’ forms of social capital. These insights illuminate how the peer support service facilitates ‘bonds’ with its members, and within and between women who access the service; how the service ‘bridges’ with individuals from different interests and backgrounds, and how ‘links’ were forged with those in authority to gain access and reach to women and to promote a breastfeeding culture. Some of the tensions highlighted within the social capital literature were also identified. Conclusions: Horizontal and vertical relationships forged between the peer support service and community members enabled peer support to be embedded into care pathways, helped to promote positive attitudes to breastfeeding and to disseminate knowledge and maximise reach for breastfeeding support across the community. Further effort to engage with those of different ethnic backgrounds and to resolve tensions between peer supporters and health professionals is warranted

On a Calculus-based Statistics Course for Life Science Students

The choice of pedagogy in statistics should take advantage of the quantitative capabilities and scientific background of the students. In this article, we propose a model for a statistics course that assumes student competency in calculus and a broadening knowledge in biology. We illustrate our methods and practices through examples from the curriculum

Erasmus Language students in a British University – a case study

Students’ assessment of their academic experience is actively sought by Higher Education institutions, as evidenced in the National Student Survey introduced in 2005. Erasmus students, despite their growing numbers, tend to be excluded from these satisfaction surveys, even though they, too, are primary customers of a University. This study aims to present results from bespoke questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with a sample of Erasmus students studying languages in a British University. These methods allow us insight into the experience of these students and their assessment as a primary customer, with a focus on language learning and teaching, university facilities and student support. It investigates to what extent these factors influence their levels of satisfaction and what costs of adaptation if any, they encounter. Although excellent levels of satisfaction were found, some costs affect their experience. They relate to difficulties in adapting to a learning methodology based on a low number of hours and independent learning and to a guidance and support system seen as too stifling. The results portray this cohort’s British University as a well-equipped and well-meaning but ultimately overbearing institution, which may indicate that minimising costs can eliminate some sources of dissatisfaction

Self-adaptive differential evolution algorithm applied to water distribution system optimization

Differential evolution (DE) is a relatively new technique that has recently been used to optimize the design for water distribution systems (WDSs). Several parameters need to be determined in the use of DE, including population size, N; mutation weighting factor, F; crossover rate, CR, and a particular mutation strategy. It has been demonstrated that the search behavior of DE is especially sensitive to the F and CR values. These parameters need to be fine-tuned for different optimization problems because they are generally problem-dependent. A self-adaptive differential evolution (SADE) algorithm is proposed to optimize the design of WDSs. Three new contributions are included in the proposed SADE algorithm: (1) instead of pre-specification, the control parameters of F and CR are encoded into the chromosome of the SADE algorithm, and hence are adapted by means of evolution; (2) F and CR values of the SADE algorithm apply at the individual level rather than the generational level normally used by the traditional DE algorithm; and (3) a new convergence criterion is proposed for the SADE algorithm as the termination condition, thereby avoiding pre-specifying a fixed number of generations or computational budget to terminate the evolution. Four WDS case studies have been used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed SADE algorithm. The results show that the proposed algorithm exhibits good performance in terms of solution quality and efficiency. The advantage of the proposed SADE algorithm is that it reduces the effort required to fine-tune algorithm parameter values.Feifei Zheng, Aaron C. Zecchin and Angus R. Simpso

Pleosporales

One hundred and five generic types of Pleosporales are described and illustrated. A brief introduction and detailed history with short notes on morphology, molecular phylogeny as well as a general conclusion of each genus are provided. For those genera where the type or a representative specimen is unavailable, a brief note is given. Altogether 174 genera of Pleosporales are treated. Phaeotrichaceae as well as Kriegeriella, Zeuctomorpha and Muroia are excluded from Pleosporales. Based on the multigene phylogenetic analysis, the suborder Massarineae is emended to accommodate five families, viz. Lentitheciaceae, Massarinaceae, Montagnulaceae, Morosphaeriaceae and Trematosphaeriaceae

Genera of phytopathogenic fungi: GOPHY 1

Genera of Phytopathogenic Fungi (GOPHY) is introduced as a new series of publications in order to provide a stable platform for the taxonomy of phytopathogenic fungi. This first paper focuses on 21 genera of phytopathogenic fungi: Bipolaris, Boeremia, Calonectria, Ceratocystis, Cladosporium, Colletotrichum, Coniella, Curvularia, Monilinia, Neofabraea, Neofusicoccum, Pilidium, Pleiochaeta, Plenodomus, Protostegia, Pseudopyricularia, Puccinia, Saccharata, Thyrostroma, Venturia and Wilsonomyces. For each genus, a morphological description and information about its pathology, distribution, hosts and disease symptoms are provided. In addition, this information is linked to primary and secondary DNA barcodes of the presently accepted species, and relevant literature. Moreover, several novelties are introduced, i.e. new genera, species and combinations, and neo-, lecto- and epitypes designated to provide a stable taxonomy. This first paper includes one new genus, 26 new species, nine new combinations, and four typifications of older names