scholarly journals An Informal Introduction to Numerical Weather Models with Low-Cost Hardware

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
William E. Foust
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Literacy ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Career Trajectory ◽  
Numerical Weather ◽  
Grade Levels ◽  
Weather Model ◽  
Curriculum Structure ◽  
Model Configuration ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Configuration System

AbstractWeather, climate, and other Earth system models are growing in complexity as computing resources and technologies continue to evolve with time. Thus, models are and will remain a vital tool for scientific research. Exposure and education on the workings of such models can generate interest towards atmospheric science, and it can increase scientific literacy amongst the general public. Additionally, studies have suggested that early exposure to these models can affect the career trajectory of students. However, gaining exposure and experience remains difficult outside of internships, research settings, and other professional endeavors. Some of these barriers can include hardware and computing costs, curriculum structure, and access to instructors. As a means of addressing these barriers, the goal of this work is to utilize low-cost hardware and abstract away some of the complexities of running a numerical weather model without sacrificing fidelity. The approach is to create a graphical user interface (GUI) where users can quickly configure the model, run it, and analyze the output without knowledge of model configuration, system architecture, or navigation via a command line interface. The Pi-WRF application is packaged such that users can download and run the model within a matter of minutes. The application is designed to promote informal learning through hands-on experience. It is targeted towards lower secondary level students, but it can scale across grade levels, and it can be adapted for general audiences.

scholarly journals Semi-Active Magnetic Levitation System for Education

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 5330
Author(s):  
Gisela Pujol-Vázquez ◽  
Alessandro N. Vargas ◽  
Saleh Mobayen ◽  
Leonardo Acho
Keyword(s):  
Pid Control ◽  
Magnetic Levitation ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Control Scheme ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Levitation System ◽  
Magnetic Levitation System ◽  
And Control ◽  
Active Control Strategy ◽  
Cost Components

This paper describes how to construct a low-cost magnetic levitation system (MagLev). The MagLev has been intensively used in engineering education, allowing instructors and students to learn through hands-on experiences of essential concepts, such as electronics, electromagnetism, and control systems. Built from scratch, the MagLev depends only on simple, low-cost components readily available on the market. In addition to showing how to construct the MagLev, this paper presents a semi-active control strategy that seems novel when applied to the MagLev. Experiments performed in the laboratory provide comparisons of the proposed control scheme with the classical PID control. The corresponding real-time experiments illustrate both the effectiveness of the approach and the potential of the MagLev for education.

TOMOREF operator as a tool to improve weather forecasts

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Hanna ◽  
Estera Trzcina ◽  
Maciej Kryza ◽  
Witold Rohm
Keyword(s):  
Data Assimilation ◽  
Weather Forecasting ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Precipitation Event ◽  
Initial State ◽  
Total Delay ◽  
Numerical Weather ◽  
Numerical Weather Model ◽  
Weather Model ◽  
Tomography Data

<p>The numerical weather model starts from the initial state of the Earth's atmosphere in a given place and time. The initial state is created by blending the previous forecast runs (first-guess), together with observations from different platforms. The better the initial state, the better the forecast; hence, it is worthy to combine new observation types. The GNSS tomography technique, developed in recent years, provides a 3-D field of humidity in the troposphere. This technique shows positive results in the monitoring of severe weather events. However, to assimilate the tomographic outputs to the numerical weather model, the proper observation operator needs to be built.</p><p>This study demonstrates the TOMOREF operator dedicated to the assimilation of the GNSS tomography‐derived 3‐D fields of wet refractivity in a Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Data Assimilation (DA) system. The new tool has been tested based on wet refractivity fields derived during a very intense precipitation event. The results were validated using radiosonde observations, synoptic data, ERA5 reanalysis, and radar data. In the presented experiment, a positive impact of the GNSS tomography data assimilation on the forecast of relative humidity (RH) was noticed (an improvement of root‐mean‐square error up to 0.5%). Moreover, within 1 hour after assimilation, the GNSS data reduced the bias of precipitation up to 0.1 mm. Additionally, the assimilation of GNSS tomography data had more influence on the WRF model than the Zenith Total Delay (ZTD) observations, which confirms the potential of the GNSS tomography data for weather forecasting.</p>

scholarly journals Development and application of a swine model for training ultrasonography-guided central venous access

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 ◽  
Author(s):  
JACKSON VINÍCIUS DE LIMA BERTUOL ◽  
NATASHA LURE BUENO CAMARGO ◽  
FERNANDO ANTONIO CAMPELO SPENCER NETTO ◽  
ANDRÉ PEREIRA WESTPHALEN
Keyword(s):  
Porcine Model ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Central Venous Access ◽  
Training Session ◽  
Hospital Setting ◽  
Venous Access ◽  
Human Anatomy ◽  
Swine Model ◽  
Central Venous ◽  
Hands On

ABSTRACT Introduction: simulation based teaching is a powerful tool in medical education, allowing hands on practice under a controlled environment and with repeated maneuvers. Central venous access venipuncture is one of the most frequent procedures carried out in the hospital setting, due to its various clinical indications and, when performed with the help of ultrasonography, the risk of adverse events is minimized. Aim: to develop, to describe and to test a porcine model that simulates the central venous access puncture aided by ultrasonography. Method: a low cost porcine model was developed to train medical students and residents on central venous access guided by ultrasonography. Both students and medical residents underwent a theoretical training regarding the model, followed by a hands-on training session. Afterwards, the participants assessed the model by answering a questionnaire. Results: there were 51 participants. The average score regarding the similarity between the model and the human anatomy was 9.15. When the characteristics were separately assessed, the mean scores regarding the similarity of the vessels, anatomic disposition and ultrasonographic characteristics as well as the venipuncture were, respectively, 9.27; 9.31; 9.54 and 8.86. Conclusion: The model was approved and considered appropriate for the training of central venous venipuncture by all the participants. Furthermore, it is a low cost, simple and reproducible model, that presents high similarity with the human anatomy. Therefore, it may be used as an aid to train people on ultrasonography guided central venous access.

Teaching Wireless Network Fundamentals Using Low-Cost Wi-Fi Devices

2016 ◽  
pp. 281-299
Author(s):  
Nurul I. Sarkar
Keyword(s):  
Wireless Network ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Network Performance ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Wireless Networking ◽  
Traditional Lecture ◽  
Access Points ◽  
Hands On ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Set Up

Teaching wireless networking fundamentals is often difficult because many students appear to find the subject technical, and dry when presented in traditional lecture format. To overcome this problem, we provide an opportunity for experiential learning where students can learn wireless networking fundamentals by hands-on practical activities using low-cost Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) devices such as wireless cards and access points. Students can easily set up and configure networks using wireless cards and access points more effectively. By measuring network performance such as throughput and end-to-end delays, students are able to gain a deeper understanding of wireless networking. The effectiveness of Wi-Fi-based practical activities has been evaluated by students and the teaching team. This chapter reports on the overall effectiveness of teaching and learning of wireless network using radially available low-cost Wi-Fi cards and access points.

Using the XO Laptop to Build a Digital Bridge Between Primary Schools and Universities

2011 ◽  
pp. 40-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katelyn Foley
Keyword(s):  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Technology In Education ◽  
Harvard College ◽  
Spreadsheet Program ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Group Activities ◽  
Grade Levels ◽  
Collaborative Behavior

One-to-one computing has emerged as a controversial framework for integrating technology in education. The Cambridge Friends School XO laptop pilot program is a collaboration between the Digital Literacy Project (DigiLit), a non-profit and Harvard College student organization, and the Cambridge Friends School (CFS), an independent K-8 school. This chapter will examine both positive and negative features of the program, as well as a model for implementation of similar programs. DigiLit introduced low-cost XO laptops to two grade levels and designed laptop-based lesson plans. The author also investigated the XO’s effects on collaborative behavior, finding that laptops influenced mobility and sharing of information during group activities. As part of the pilot, students tested new software and completed a survey about the design of an open-source spreadsheet program. The partnership between DigiLit and CFS has provided a platform for researching child-computer interaction and for developing a laptop-based curriculum.

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