Quantifying Karenia brevis bloom severity and respiratory irritation impact along the shoreline of Southwest Florida

Nearly all annual blooms of the toxic dinoflagellate Karenia brevis (K. brevis) pose a serious threat to coastal Southwest Florida. These blooms discolor water, kill fish and marine mammals, contaminate shellfish, cause mild to severe respiratory irritation, and discourage tourism and recreational activities, leading to significant health and economic impacts in affected communities. Despite these issues, we still lack standard measures suitable for assessing bloom severity or for evaluating the efficacy of modeling efforts simulating bloom initiation and intensity. In this study, historical cell count observations along the southwest Florida shoreline from 1953 to 2019 were used to develop monthly and annual bloom severity indices (BSI). Similarly, respiratory irritation observations routinely reported in Sarasota and Manatee Counties from 2006 to 2019 were used to construct a respiratory irritation index (RI). Both BSI and RI consider spatial extent and temporal evolution of the bloom, and can be updated routinely and used as objective criteria to aid future socioeconomic and scientific studies of K. brevis. These indices can also be used to help managers and decision makers both evaluate the risks along the coast during events and design systems to better respond to and mitigate bloom impacts. Before 1995, sampling was done largely in response to reports of discolored water, fish kills, or respiratory irritation. During this timeframe, lack of sampling during the fall, when blooms typically occur, generally coincided with periods of more frequent-than-usual offshore winds. Consequently, some blooms may have been undetected or under-sampled. As a result, the BSIs before 1995 were likely underestimated and cannot be viewed as accurately as those after 1995. Anomalies in the frequency of onshore wind can also largely account for the discrepancies between BSI and RI during the period from 2006 to 2019. These findings highlighted the importance of onshore wind anomalies when predicting respiratory irritation impacts along beaches.

DEVELOPMENT OF AN AUTOMATED DESIGN SYSTEM FOR FLEXIBLE AUTOMATED PRODUCTION

Design of flexible manufacturing systems (FMS) of modern multi-level production is usually carried out on the basis of general rationing when using large recommendations. At the same time, the specifics and features of a particular production are not always taken into account. In such a design, the most important is the experience of the designer, which is not always based on modern methods of optimizing project solutions. Therefore, the problem of creating automated design systems in the development of flexible automated productions (FAP), which use cost equipment with numerical control (CNC) is extremely urgent. The development of automated design systems is based on the ideas of a systematic approach that determine different cycles of the process: design - production preparation - production. Information about the projected object is generated in the process of project development by different groups of users: researchers, designers, designers, technologists, production organizers. A multilevel, cyclical design process requires the use of such a volume of information that cannot be processed without the use of modern mathematical methods and calculated equipment. Therefore, it is extremely important to create automated gap design systems, which are marked by greater versatility, efficiency and possibility of development, improvement and adaptation to the conditions of various enterprises. Such requirements served as the basis for the creation of an automated design system , which allows to take into account a huge amount of information in the automatic cycle during the development of the project. The scientific novelty of the work is the development of an integrated automation system for the design of processing technology and the selection of elements of FMS structures. At the same time, information unity with the system of technological training of production at the level of operation of FMS is ensured.

MODERN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES IN CONSTRUCTION

The ever-increasing level of competition requires the optimization of the construction process to use automated design systems, which reduces construction costs and reduces lead time. An excellent tool for this is information technology. This article presents the main information technologies used at different stages of the life cycle of building structures.

A Survey on Methods and Metrics for the Assessment of Explainability Under the Proposed AI Act

This study discusses the interplay between metrics used to measure the explainability of the AI systems and the proposed EU Artificial Intelligence Act. A standardisation process is ongoing: several entities (e.g. ISO) and scholars are discussing how to design systems that are compliant with the forthcoming Act and explainability metrics play a significant role. This study identifies the requirements that such a metric should possess to ease compliance with the AI Act. It does so according to an interdisciplinary approach, i.e. by departing from the philosophical concept of explainability and discussing some metrics proposed by scholars and standardisation entities through the lenses of the explainability obligations set by the proposed AI Act. Our analysis proposes that metrics to measure the kind of explainability endorsed by the proposed AI Act shall be risk-focused, model-agnostic, goal-aware, intelligible & accessible. This is why we discuss the extent to which these requirements are met by the metrics currently under discussion.

Automated system for design and calculation of heating devices for hot die forging

Methods of mathematical modeling, basic technologies and methods of modeling in various design systems of the stamping process are considered. The canonical equations of temperature stresses are obtained, which make it possible to obtain a picture of the temperature distribution over the workpiece area during heating. A mathematical model has been developed for a thin metal strip during heating; thermal stresses arising in it due to uneven heating have been described. Numerical modeling has been carried out on the basisof field data, which will allow verification of the automated environment for the selection of functional and design schemes and the calculation of the parameters of heating devices in hot volumetric stamping of workpieces in terms of speed, energy efficiency, heating quality: accuracy of achieving specified temperatures and maximum heating uniformity. By areas, ease of use and readjustment, resource, reliability and maintainability. The proposed system will include the following CAD elements: databases and rules for operating with them, calculation modules, modules for selecting and matching options.

Supporting the use of algorithmic design in architecture: An empirical study of reuse of design knowledge

<p>This thesis tests the reuse of design knowledge as a method to support learning and use of algorithmic design in architecture. The use of algorithmic design systems and programming environments offer architects immense opportunities, providing a powerful means to create geometries and allowing dynamic design exploration, but it can also impose substantial challenges. Architects often struggle with adopting algorithmic design methods (translating a design idea into an algorithm of actions), as well as with the implementation of programming languages, the latter often proving frustrating and creating barriers for both novice and advanced software users. The proposition explored in this thesis is that the reuse of design knowledge can improve architects’ ability to use algorithmic design systems, and reduce the barriers for using programming. This study explores and compares two approaches as a means of accessing and reusing existing design solutions. The first approach is the reuse of abstract algorithmic ‘Design Patterns’. The second is the reuse of algorithmic solutions from specific design cases (Case-Based Design). The research was set up as an experimental comparative study between three test groups: one group using Design Patterns, a second group using Case-Based Design, and the control group. A total of 126 designers participated in the study providing sufficient numbers within each group to permit rigorous studies of the statistical significance of the observed differences. Results of this study illustrate that the systematic inclusion of the Design Patterns approach to the learning strategy of programming in architecture and design, proves to be highly beneficial. The use of abstract solutions improves designers’ ability to overcome programming barriers, and helps architects to adopt algorithmic design methods. The use of Design Patterns also encourages design exploration and experimentation. The use of the Case-Based Design approach seems to be more effective after designers and architects, who are novices in programming, gain more experience with the tool. It encourages more focused reasoning, oriented to the realisation of a particular (originally intended) design outcome. The contribution of this research is to provide empirical evidence that the reuse of abstract and case-based algorithmic solutions can be very beneficial. Results of this study illustrate that both reuse methods can be strategically integrated into design education and architectural practice, supporting learning and use of algorithmic design systems in architecture. The study also identifies potential weaknesses of each approach, proposing areas which could be addressed by future studies.</p>

Supporting the use of algorithmic design in architecture: An empirical study of reuse of design knowledge

<p>This thesis tests the reuse of design knowledge as a method to support learning and use of algorithmic design in architecture. The use of algorithmic design systems and programming environments offer architects immense opportunities, providing a powerful means to create geometries and allowing dynamic design exploration, but it can also impose substantial challenges. Architects often struggle with adopting algorithmic design methods (translating a design idea into an algorithm of actions), as well as with the implementation of programming languages, the latter often proving frustrating and creating barriers for both novice and advanced software users. The proposition explored in this thesis is that the reuse of design knowledge can improve architects’ ability to use algorithmic design systems, and reduce the barriers for using programming. This study explores and compares two approaches as a means of accessing and reusing existing design solutions. The first approach is the reuse of abstract algorithmic ‘Design Patterns’. The second is the reuse of algorithmic solutions from specific design cases (Case-Based Design). The research was set up as an experimental comparative study between three test groups: one group using Design Patterns, a second group using Case-Based Design, and the control group. A total of 126 designers participated in the study providing sufficient numbers within each group to permit rigorous studies of the statistical significance of the observed differences. Results of this study illustrate that the systematic inclusion of the Design Patterns approach to the learning strategy of programming in architecture and design, proves to be highly beneficial. The use of abstract solutions improves designers’ ability to overcome programming barriers, and helps architects to adopt algorithmic design methods. The use of Design Patterns also encourages design exploration and experimentation. The use of the Case-Based Design approach seems to be more effective after designers and architects, who are novices in programming, gain more experience with the tool. It encourages more focused reasoning, oriented to the realisation of a particular (originally intended) design outcome. The contribution of this research is to provide empirical evidence that the reuse of abstract and case-based algorithmic solutions can be very beneficial. Results of this study illustrate that both reuse methods can be strategically integrated into design education and architectural practice, supporting learning and use of algorithmic design systems in architecture. The study also identifies potential weaknesses of each approach, proposing areas which could be addressed by future studies.</p>

ACCOUNTING THE DIRECTIONAL DIAGRAM OF THE ON-BOARD ANTENNA IN ANALYSIS OF THE COMMUNICATION CHANNEL WITH THE AIRCRAFT

Синтез оптимальной с точки зрения дальности диаграммы направленности является одной из основных задач построения канала связи. Для многих приложений, таких как 2D вторичный локатор, канал связи с БЛА, оптимальной является косекансная диаграмма направленности. В первом приближении антенна, установленная на борту, обладает практически постоянным коэффициентом усиления в направлении на стационарную антенну. Характеристики бортовой антенны получаются из решения задачи в свободном пространстве. Учёт рассеивающих свойств объектов сложной геометрической формы с размерами в десятки длин волн является актуальной, но сложной задачей. При перемещении по поверхности носителя диаграмма направленности бортовой антенны может меняться существенным образом. Современные системы автоматизированного проектирования на основе приближённых численных методов электродинамики позволяют получать характеристики антенн, размещённых на реальных объектах. Ввиду увеличения количества полезных нагрузок на борту не всегда удаётся разместить бортовую антенну в таком месте, которое позволяет пренебречь влиянием геометрии носителя. В результате в диаграмме направленности бортовой антенны появятся интерференционные провалы или минимумы. Дальность работы будет зависеть от перемещения носителя. Рассматривается метод учета характеристик ДН бортовой антенны, позволяющий минимизировать запас на замирания The synthesis of the optimal, in terms of range, directional pattern is one of the main tasks of building a communication channel. For many applications, such as a 2D secondary locator, a communication channel with a UAV, the cosecant radiation pattern is optimal. As a first approximation, the on-board antenna has an almost constant gain towards the stationary antenna. The characteristics of the onboard antenna are obtained by solving the problem in free space. Taking into account the scattering properties of objects of complex geometric shapes with dimensions of tens of wavelengths is an urgent but difficult task. When moving over the surface of the carrier, the radiation pattern of the onboard antenna can change significantly. Modern computer-aided design systems based on approximate numerical methods of electrodynamics make it possible to obtain the characteristics of antennas placed on real objects. Due to the increase in the number of payloads on board, it is not always possible to place the onboard antenna in such a place that makes it possible to neglect the influence of the carrier geometry. As a result, interference dips or minima will appear in the directional pattern of the onboard antenna. The operating range will depend on the movement of the media. We considered a method for taking into account the characteristics of the antenna pattern of an airborne antenna, which allows minimizing the margin for fading