The Spatiotemporal Evolution of the Diurnal Cycle in Two WRF Simulations of Tropical Cyclones

The properties of diurnal variability in tropical cyclones (TCs) and the mechanisms behind them remain an intriguing aspect of TC research. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of diurnal variability in two simulations of TCs to explore these mechanisms. One simulation is a well known Hurricane Nature Run, which is a realistic simulation of a TC produced using the Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF). The other simulation is a realistic simulation produced using WRF of Hurricane Florence (2018) using hourly ERA5 reanalysis data as input. Empirical orthogonal functions and Fourier filtering are used to analyze diurnal variability in the TCs. In both simulations a diurnal squall forms at sunrise in the inner core and propagates radially outwards and intensifies until midday. At midday the upper-level outflow strengthens, surface inflow weakens, and the cirrus canopy reaches its maximum height and radial extent. At sunset and overnight, the surface inflow is stronger, and convection inside the RMW peaks. Therefore, two diurnal cycles of convection exist in the TCs with different phases of maxima: eyewall convection at sunset and at night, and rainband convection in the early morning. This study finds that the diurnal pulse in the cirrus canopy is not advectively-driven, nor can it be attributed to weaker inertial stability at night; rather, the results indicate direct solar heating as a mechanism for cirrus canopy lifting and enhanced daytime outflow. These results show a strong diurnal modulation of tropical cyclone structure, and are consistent with other recent observational and modeling studies of the TC diurnal cycle.

Realistic Simulation Tool for practical Analysis of Solar Cooling Thermal Systems driven by Linear Fresnel Collectors

The objectives of this study were to develop a realistic simulation tool to analyze solar thermal cooling systems driven by Fresnel collectors and carry out a case study in which the performance of a solar cooling system of 190 kW located in Riyadh is simulated to demonstrate the functionality and potentiality of the developed tool. This tool is based on an integrated mathematical model that considers the ambient conditions, the thermal loads of the building, the pre-sizing data of each of the components of the system and the simultaneous interaction among them, to conduct a realistic, simple, and precise analysis. A demonstrative simulation example was performed. During the month of July, with a solar opening area of 704 m2 and a tank of 35200 L, a total amount of 47,5 MWh of cooling energy was obtained, with a reduced contribution of the auxiliary system (5,6 MWh) and a minimum number of solar collector system deactivation hours (0,7 %). The daily COP of the absorption machine remained above 0,69. The obtained results from the case study with the simulation tool allowed to verify its functionality, capabilities and correct operation to carry out hourly and parametric studies of this type of systems.

Development of a Standardised Process of Scenario Writing Through a Virtual Assistant Model in Nursing Teaching

Background: The use of simulation allows students to develop skills. Simulation in the teaching of clinical skills is preceded by some stages, the first of which requires the development of a scenario. This study aimed to develop and test a virtual model for creating scenarios for realistic simulation, focusing on the person with dependence in self-care activities. Methods: A methodological study was conducted in two phases. The first phase of the study aimed to analyse and propose the structure and functioning of the virtual assistant for scenario creation through the nominal group’s technique, involving a group of 10 experts. The second, a quasi-experimental study without a control group, with 128 second-year students, in the four-year nursing degree course, who participated in two moments of realistic simulation, one with a traditional scenario and the other with a scenario built through the virtual assistant. The students completed a questionnaire to assess their understanding of the data, suggested interventions, and their contribution to learning after each simulation experience. Results: The group of experts identified the fields and key concepts that should be part of the structure of the scenarios and proposed a set of icons for better visual recognition of the information. Students considered that the new scenario template favoured their understanding of the situation under analysis and the recognition of the focuses of attention that they should prioritise for the elaboration of the intervention plan. Conclusions: A virtual role-play assistant model for a standardized process of scenario writing to help realistic simulation in nursing teaching is a novelty in this study likely to contribute to learning gains.

Dual-Rate Extended Kalman Filter Based Path-Following Motion Control for an Unmanned Ground Vehicle: Realistic Simulation

In this paper, a two-wheel drive unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) path-following motion control is proposed. The UGV is equipped with encoders to sense angular velocities and a beacon system which provides position and orientation data. Whereas velocities can be sampled at a fast rate, position and orientation can only be sensed at a slower rate. Designing a dynamic controller at this slower rate implies not reaching the desired control requirements, and hence, the UGV is not able to follow the predefined path. The use of dual-rate extended Kalman filtering techniques enables the estimation of the fast-rate non-available position and orientation measurements. As a result, a fast-rate dynamic controller can be designed, which is provided with the fast-rate estimates to generate the control signal. The fast-rate controller is able to achieve a satisfactory path following, outperforming the slow-rate counterpart. Additionally, the dual-rate extended Kalman filter (DREKF) is fit for dealing with non-linear dynamics of the vehicle and possible Gaussian-like modeling and measurement uncertainties. A Simscape Multibody™ (Matlab®/Simulink) model has been developed for a realistic simulation, considering the contact forces between the wheels and the ground, not included in the kinematic and dynamic UGV representation. Non-linear behavior of the motors and limited resolution of the encoders have also been included in the model for a more accurate simulation of the real vehicle. The simulation model has been experimentally validated from the real process. Simulation results reveal the benefits of the control solution.

Model simulations of arctic biogeochemistry and permafrost extent are highly sensitive to the implemented snow scheme in LPJ-GUESS

The Arctic is warming rapidly, especially in winter, which is causing large-scale reductions in snow cover. Snow is one of the main controls on soil thermodynamics, and changes in its thickness and extent affect both permafrost thaw and soil biogeochemistry. Since soil respiration during the cold season potentially offsets carbon uptake during the growing season, it is essential to achieve a realistic simulation of the effect of snow cover on soil conditions to more accurately project the direction of arctic carbon–climate feedbacks under continued winter warming. The Lund–Potsdam–Jena General Ecosystem Simulator (LPJ-GUESS) dynamic vegetation model has used – up until now – a single layer snow scheme, which underestimated the insulation effect of snow, leading to a cold bias in soil temperature. To address this shortcoming, we developed and integrated a dynamic, multi-layer snow scheme in LPJ-GUESS. The new snow scheme performs well in simulating the insulation of snow at hundreds of locations across Russia compared to observations. We show that improving this single physical factor enhanced simulations of permafrost extent compared to an advanced permafrost product, where the overestimation of permafrost cover decreased from 10 % to 5 % using the new snow scheme. Besides soil thermodynamics, the new snow scheme resulted in a doubled winter respiration and an overall higher vegetation carbon content. This study highlights the importance of a correct representation of snow in ecosystem models to project biogeochemical processes that govern climate feedbacks. The new dynamic snow scheme is an essential improvement in the simulation of cold season processes, which reduces the uncertainty of model projections. These developments contribute to a more realistic simulation of arctic carbon–climate feedbacks.

Endovascular Therapeutic Hypothermia Adjunctive To Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Acute Myocardial Infarction: Realistic Simulation as a Game Changer

Background: Endovascular therapeutic hypothermia (ETH) reduces the damage by ischemia/reperfusion cell syndrome in cardiac arrest and has been studied as an adjuvant therapy to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). New available advanced technology allows cooling much faster, but there is paucity of resources for training to avoid delays in door-to-balloon time (DTB) due to ETH and subsequently coronary reperfusion, which would derail the procedure. The aim of the study was to describe the process for the development of a simulation, training & educational protocol for the multidisciplinary team to perform optimized ETH as an adjunctive therapy for STEMI. Methods and Results: We developed an optimized simulation protocol using modern mannequins in different realistic scenarios for the treatment of patients undergoing ETH adjunctive to PCI for STEMIs starting from the emergency room, through the CathLab, and to the intensive care unit (ICU) using the Proteus® Endovascular System. The primary endpoint was door-to-balloon (DTB) time. We successfully trained 361 multidisciplinary professionals in realistic simulation using modern mannequins and sham situations in divisions of the hospital where real patients would be treated. The focus of simulation and training was logistical optimization and educational debriefing with strategies to reduce waste of time in patient's transportation from different departments, and avoiding excessive rewarming during transfer. Conclusions: Realistic simulation, intensive training and educational debriefing for the multidisciplinary team propitiated feasible endovascular therapeutic hypothermia as an adjuvant therapy to primary PCI in STEMI. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02664194.