The present work deals with a study related to the analysis of weather data for heat pump system control improvement based on both instantaneous and forecasted measurements. In particular, the analysis is firstly focused on the comparison of multiple weather sources for the assessment of weather forecast uncertainties, based on the evaluation of errors in prediction with respect to measured values. Afterwards, the results are compared with the ones related to persistent predictions methods that assumes the state of the atmosphere to be stationary over the considered time interval. The development and testing of a new preliminary “predictive” control logic is also performed, thanks to TRNSYS numerical simulations, considering a typical Swedish single-family house located in Stockholm, with the aim of optimizing the operation of a heat pump heating system based on solar radiation prediction to yield energy and cost savings. With the crucial points of accuracy and precision by which the local weather processes can be predicted, the same TRNSYS model is run accounting for perfect predictions and solar radiation forecasted values. From this perspective, given the fact that forecast of solar radiation are usually absent within most of the weather forecast datasets, a deep analysis is also performed on hourly measurements of solar radiation to define a simple and effective methods to calculate hourly solar radiation predictions. The results show that, when a short-time horizon is considered, persistent predictions allow to provide forecasts with a sufficient accuracy, whereas, when longer horizon time are considered, significantly higher errors are calculated when persistent prediction techniques are adopted. Independently of the uncertainties considered for weather forecasts, the improved control logics demonstrated a potential for energy savings and improvements in indoor temperature stability when compared with a reference case of variable speed compressor with PID controller. / EffSys Expand P18: Smart Cotnrol Strategies for Heat Pump Systems

Occupancy monitoring is an important research problem with a broad range of applications in security, surveillance, and resource management in smart building environments. As a result, it has immediate solutions to solving some of society's most pressing issues. For example, HVAC and lighting systems in the US consume approximately 45-50% of the total energy a building uses. Smart buildings can reduce wasted energy by incorporating networkable occupancy sensors to obtain real-time occupancy data for the facilities. Therefore, occupancy monitoring systems can enable significant cost savings and carbon reduction. In addition, workplaces have quickly adapted and implemented COVID-19 safety measures by preventing overcrowding using real-time information on people density. While there are many sensors, RGB cameras have proven to be the most accurate. However, cameras create privacy concerns. Hence, our research aims to design an efficient occupancy monitoring system with minimal privacy invasion. We conducted a systematic study on sensor characterization using various low-resolution infrared sensors and proposed a unified processing algorithms pipeline for occupancy estimation. This research also investigates low-resolution thermal imaging sensors with a chessboard reading pattern, focusing on algorithm design issues and proposing solutions when detecting moving objects. Our proposed approach achieves about 99% accuracy in occupancy estimation, enabling many practical smart building applications. We also added additional sensors to our system using sensor fusion technology to boost its functionality and demonstrated the system's feasibility by deploying it in different real-time application scenarios.

Практическая значимость данной выпускной квалификационной работы связана с изложенной в ней разработкой системы централизованного управления трансляцией контента, которая успешно реализуется на рынке. С внедрением информационных технологий в нашу жизнь изменяется характер предоставления публичной информации в обществе. На смену бумажным вариантам объявлений и вывесок приходят электронные аналоги, отличающиеся высокой яркостью, динамичность, скоростью обновления информации. Высокий спрос на оперативное, централизованное обновление транслируемого на экраны контента, способствовал появлению на рынке “цифровых вывесок” систем Digital Signage, позволяющих централизованно управлять показываемым контентом на распределенной сети медиа устройств, обновлять его, не производя манипуляций непосредственно с каждым девайсом. Результатом работы является разработанная система управления контентом MMVS Digital Signage, которая успешно реализуется на рынке и дает компании ряд конкурентных преимуществ. Результаты работы подтверждены расчетами экономических показателей. / The practical significance of this final qualifying work is associated with the development of a system for centralized content broadcasting management, which is successfully implemented on the market, as described in it. With the introduction of information technology into our life, the nature of the provision of public information in society is changing. The paper versions of advertisements and signs are being replaced by electronic counterparts, which are distinguished by high brightness, dynamism, and the speed of information updating. The high demand for prompt, centralized updating of content broadcasted to screens has contributed to the appearance on the market of “digital signage” of Digital Signage systems, which allow centrally managing the displayed content on a distributed network of media devices, updating it without manipulating directly with each device. The result of the work is the developed content management system MMVS Digital Signage, which is successfully implemented in the market and gives the company a number of competitive advantages. The results of the work are confirmed by calculations of economic indicators.

Digital twins have found increased interest in the recent years with articles being published at an increased rate in the years 2018-2020. with digital twins it is possible to achieve an efficient and responsive planning and control over of facility management. A digital twin by JTH has been implemented for some of the rooms in a corridor, a structured literature study is performed to bridge the knowledge gap, the aim is to review scientific literature regarding digital twins’ in facilities management and assess different concepts dig-ital twins in facility management. The method used is a mixed qualitative-quantitative systematic review that follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA). The systematic review defines digital twins in facility management and identifies categories as well as digital twins applications in facility management and how digital twins can be used to evaluate building performance and room experience.

No description available.

No description available.

Mandated by the Sikes Act of 1960, natural resource managers work to manage the habitats and wildlife that are found on military installations in the United States and Territories. At Camp Edwards Military Training Reservation (hereby abbreviated to Camp Edwards), (Bourne, MA), such wildlife includes the state-protected eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) and the declining prairie warbler (Setophaga discolor), which both occupy pine barrens. In 2020, natural resource managers at Camp Edwards noticed that eastern box turtles were being infected by myiasis, which occurs when flesh flies deposit larvae into the living tissue of a vertebrate host. In the literature, it has been documented that several ectothermic hosts respond to disease or parasite infection through a phenomenon referred to as ‘behavioral fever’ by moving to warmer locations to raise their internal temperature. Behavioral fever may clear the infection faster because higher body temperatures can induce parasite mortality or prevent secondary infections. However, it is unclear if myiasis induces behavioral fever in eastern box turtles or impacts other aspects of their behavior, such as habitat use. In Chapter 1, I compare behavior and habitat characteristics of myiasis infected and noninfected eastern box turtles at Camp Edwards. I radio-tracked 48 turtles weekly from May to August 2022. Upon capture, I recorded their infection status, shell surface temperature, and capture location habitat characteristics: understory vegetation, basal area, and canopy closure. I used generalized linear models and linear models to compare body condition indexes, shell temperatures, habitat use, and movement distances between infection statuses, sexes, and age classes. I found that myiasis infection had no significant effect on any variable other than shell surface temperature, which suggests infected turtles may be exhibiting behavioral fever. A second species of great concern at Camp Edwards are prairie warblers. Prairie warblers occupy early successional forests, which means that habitat management could have a direct impact on the distribution and abundance of this species. Despite declining populations regionally, prairie warbler populations at Camp Edwards have increased in the last few years. In Chapter 2, I analyze the effect of management projects (i.e., prescribed fire and mechanical projects) on prairie warbler colonization, extinction, and detection probabilities at Camp Edwards. I found that colonization was significantly predicted by the number of years since management and the proportion of the following vegetation cover types at a site: grassland, disturbed land, pitch pine – oak forest, and pitch pine – scrub oak community. I also found that extinction was significantly predicted by the proportion of pitch pine – scrub oak community at a site. Lastly, I found that detection probability was significantly predicted by the year of observation and the proportion of the following vegetation cover types: grassland, pitch pine – oak forest, and pitch pine – scrub oak community. These results can help managers predict how prairie warbler populations respond to management projects at Camp Edwards.

Tigers (Panthera tigris Linnaeus, 1758) are in danger of extinction. Their populations have declined from ~100,000 to only ~3,000 individuals in a century and their habitat has shrunk to less than 7% of the historic range. Of the five extant tiger subspecies, the Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae Pocock, 1929) is the most seriously threatened. Currently determined as Critically Endangered under IUCN criteria, the Sumatran tiger is likely to become extinct unless effective conservation measures are enacted. Threats to the tiger include habitat destruction, killing due to conflict with humans and livestock, and poaching for illegal wildlife trade. Long-term survival of Sumatran tigers depends largely on the effectiveness of current conservation efforts in every tiger landscape. Successful conservation and management require accurate information on ecology of the species upon which decisions can be based. This study investigated basic ecological aspects of tigers and developed strategies for management and restoration to improve tiger viability in the Central Sumatra landscape. This landscape is comprised of natural forests and plantations managed for timber and agricultural commodities. The first chapter assesses the variation in tiger abundance across forest types in Southern Riau, and over time in Tesso Nilo National Park, all in Central Sumatra. Using camera traps, my team and I systematically sampled five blocks representing three major forest types in the region: peat land, flat lowland, and hilly lowland. I found that tiger abundance varied by forest type and through time. Excluding two sampling blocks where no tigers were photographed, the lowest tiger density was in peat land forest of Kerumutan, and the highest density was in the flat lowland forest of Tesso Nilo. Repeated sampling in the newly established Tesso Nilo National Park documented a trend of increasing tiger density (SE) from 0.90 (0.38) individuals/100 km2 in 2005 to 1.70 (0.66) individuals/100 km2 in 2008. Overall, tiger densities from this study were lower than most previous estimates from other parts of Sumatra. The trend of increasing tiger density in Tesso Nilo, however, suggests that the tiger population could be augmented by protection of habitats that were previously logged and severely disturbed. The second chapter examines the occupancy and habitat-use of the tiger across the major landcover types (natural forest, acacia plantation, oilpalm plantation, rubber plantation, and mixed agriculture). I found that tigers used some plantation areas, although they significantly preferred forests over plantations. In all landcover types, sites with tiger detections had thicker understory cover than sites without tiger detection. Modeling tiger occupancy while recognizing that probability of detection is not always perfect, I found that tiger occupancy covaried positively and significantly with altitude and negatively, but not significantly, with distance-to-forest-cores. Probability of habitat use by tigers covaried positively and significantly with understory cover and altitude, and negatively and significantly with human settlement and landcover rank. The results suggested that with adjustments in plantation management, tigers could use or roam through plantations within the habitat mosaic provided that the plantations had adequate understory cover and low level of human activity. They also could use riparian forests (as corridors) and smaller forest patches (as stepping stones) to travel between the main habitat patches across the forest and plantation landscape. The third chapter investigates the ecological characteristics and possible inter-specific interactions among wild felids, including tigers and smaller cats, based on data collected using systematic camera trapping in combination with information on their natural history. I found that despite overlap in resource needs of the five felid species, each appears adapted to specific environmental conditions allowing coexistence with other felids. The five felid species used statistically different elevations, with the golden cat found to inhabit the highest elevation. Two-species occupancy models showed that only leopard cats were found to co-occur with other felid species more frequently than expected by chance under independence. Species of similar size or eating similar-sized prey generally tended to have low coefficients of temporal activity overlap, suggesting avoidance. Temporal avoidance is likely occurring in three pairs of felids, namely clouded leopards and golden cats, clouded leopards and marbled cats, and marbled cats and leopard cats. Based on the differences in morphological and ecological characteristics, and on patterns of spatial and temporal occurrence, I identified six possible mechanisms by which felids in Central Sumatra maintain coexistence. I discussed the implications of this study for management, focusing on how to balance diversity and abundance of felids. The fourth chapter presents the tiger distribution models as a case study to illustrate the importance of accounting for uncertainty in species distribution mapping. I applied four modeling approaches, differing in how the response variable (tiger presence) is constructed and used in the models. I compared the performance and output of different models based on the relative importance of variables, descriptive statistics of the predictions, cross comparison between models using an error matrix, and validation using tiger presence data collected from independent surveys. All models consistently identified forest area within the grid as one of the most important variables explaining tiger probability of occurrence. Three models identified altitude as another important factor. While the four models were consistent in predicting relatively high probability of tiger occurrence for high elevation forest areas such as Rimbang Baling and Bukit Tigapuluh, they generally had a lower level of agreement in predictions for low elevation areas, particularly the peat land in the northeastern part of the study area. Based on the results of cross evaluation of the predictions among models and validation with the independent data, I considered the occupancy model to be superior to the others. If data collection format permits, I advocate the use of occupancy instead of the other modeling techniques to develop predictive species distribution maps. The last chapter constructs a strategy to restore the tiger population across the ecosystem of Central Sumatra through integration of knowledge on tiger ecology from previous chapters with consideration of the ecological conditions of the landscape in the region. The strategy combines existing knowledge of tiger conservation and regional ecosystem restoration. It recognizes the limitations and challenges of traditional nature protection and considers existing and new opportunities. Emerging opportunities and new mechanisms, such as direct and indirect economic incentives for nature conservation and restoration, are taken into account. These, coupled with increased awareness of the stakeholders, better policies and implementation of good governance, and the willingness and know-how to maintain coexistence with wildlife among the local people, are expected to support and accelerate the recovery of tigers and their ecosystem. / Ph. D.

Positive biotic interactions such as mutualism, commensalism and facilitation are ubiquitous in nature, but historically have received considerably less research attention than negative interactions such as competition, predation and parasitism. The paucity of research on positive interactions is particularly evident in stream ecosystems and in vertebrate communities. Stream fishes clearly provide an ideal system for advancing research on positive interactions. Many minnows (Cyprinidae) of eastern North America engage in a potentially mutualistic reproductive interaction known as nest association, in which individuals of one species (nest associates) spawn in nests constructed by host species. In nest association, hosts provide unsilted gravel substrate for spawning nest associates, and increased parental care to associate broods. High associate: host egg ratios can create a dilution effect, reducing the probability that host eggs will be preyed upon by egg predators. Nest associative interactions are common, but are relatively understudied compared to other interactions among stream fishes. The goals of this study were to apply general ecological models to this novel system to (a) gain new insight into the mechanisms structuring nest associative stream fish communities, and (b) to use inference from stream fish communities to potentially expand and improve the general ecological models. These goals required completion of three objectives, including (1) examining the influence of abiotic and biotic contexts on reproductive behavior and fitness outcomes between a cyprinid host and associate, using the biological markets model to generate predictions; (2) examining the utility of the nest web framework (previously only used for cavity nesting vertebrate communities) and the stress gradient hypothesis (previously applied almost exclusively to plant communities) for predicting which associate species spawn on nests built by various nest building species, and the consequences of these choices, respectively; and (3) using two-species occupancy modeling to determine the relative influence of biotic interactions and habitat covariates on the co-occurrence of a host and two nest associates. To accomplish these goals, I conducted a large-scale experiment to manipulate presence of mutualists (Nocomis leptocephalus, host; Chrosomus oreas, associate), egg predators (biotic context) and habitat quality (abiotic context). I conducted behavioral nest observations and conducted repeated stream fish stream fish community surveys to collect demographic data. I constructed a nest web from observational data, and implemented structural equation modeling through an information-theoretic framework to identify nest web plausibility across a large spatial extent. I tested some predictions of the stress gradient hypothesis by regressing juveniles-per-nest and a metric of cyprinid community structure on a composite measure of physical stress (scaled gradients of catchment-scale agricultural land use and catchment area). I used two-species occupancy modeling to model co-occurrence of N. leptocephalus hosts and two associates, C. oreas and Clinostomus funduloides, and used an information-theoretic framework to compare hypotheses representing the importance of biotic interactions, habitat covariates or both at determining species co-occurrence. Results corroborated some (but not all) model predictions, and identified room for improvement in each of the general models. Nest associative spawning by C. oreas was not context dependent; C. oreas did not spawn in the absence of a reproductively active male N. leptocephalus at any treatment level. However, the net fitness outcome of host and associate species was mutualistic, and the interaction outcome switched from commensalistic to mutualistic with abiotic context. N. leptocephalus reproductive success was improved by C. oreas presence in less-silted habitats, but not in heavily-silted habitats. This is most likely because broods were subject to predation in both habitat types, but were also negatively affected by siltation in silted habitats. Accordingly, egg dilution by associates was not sufficient to support a mutualistic relationship in less favorable habitats. Results suggest that the biological markets model may be a useful tool for predicting fitness outcomes of nest associative mutualism, but may not be as useful for predicting the behavioral outcomes of obligate mutualisms. Future applications of the biological markets model should carefully consider species traits, specifically the degree to which trading behavior is obligate for participants. Future work with this model will yield more insight by considering highly facultative associates. Nest webs constructed from nest observational data suggested an interaction topology in which strong (nearly-obligate) associates relied most frequently on N. leptocephalus nests, and less frequently on nests constructed by Campostoma anomalum. Weak (facultative) associates were seldom associated with nests constructed by either species, and probably spawned before hosts began nesting activity. Structural equation models corroborated this topology throughout the New River basin, although some less-supported model evidence specified some nest association by weak associates. Juveniles-per-nest of strong associates responded positively to physical stress, while this metric for other cyprinid reproductive groups showed no relationship. Proportional representation of Nocomis and strong associates also increased predictably with physical stress. This study suggests that the nest web framework can be informative to systems outside the ones for which it was developed; future studies may be able to use this framework to better understand the role of habitat-modifying species in communities other than cavity nesting terrestrial vertebrates and nest associative stream fishes. This work extended the nest web framework by (a) modeling the outcomes of interactions instead of the interactions themselves, and (b) by using structural equation modeling to test nest web predictions with an information-theoretic framework. This study also suggests that the stress gradient hypothesis can be useful for understanding interaction dynamics in vertebrate communities; this represents the first direct evidence that this model can be used in vertebrate communities. Further, I demonstrate that the stress gradient hypothesis may be extended to predict community structure. However, more research in a diversity of systems will be needed to determine the extent to which this can be applied. This study provides some of the first evidence of large-scale positive co-occurrence patterns in vertebrates. However, the precise roles of habitat covariates and biotic interactions were species-specific. Occupancy results suggest that co-occurrence between N. leptocephalus and nest associate C. funduloides is driven only by reproductive behavioral interactions. Alternatively, evidence suggests that co-occurrence between N. leptocephalus and C. oreas is driven by both nest association and habitat covariates. That two-species occupancy modeling can be a useful tool for comparing difficult-to-test hypotheses involving biotic interactions at large spatial scales. This study represents the first quantitative, multi-scale treatment of positive interactions in stream ecosystems. This study demonstrates that applying general ecological models to stream fish communities can yield new insights about both the study system and the models themselves. While models of negative interactions, food webs and dispersal have been applied to stream fishes, we stand to gain much ground by also considering positive biotic interactions. In doing so, stream fish ecologists will also be able to contribute to the advancement of general ecology, and thus raise awareness for these understudied ecosystems and taxa. / Ph. D.

The Eisenhower Avenue Valley site is unique in the Washington Area for its highrise development potential. It offers access to the Metro line, the beltway and Old Town Alexandria. Its zoning diversity will accommodate light Industrial, commercial and residential construction. The question of whether or not to build a tower in proximity to the temple is an architectural and a political question. The assumption of this project is that the Eisenhower Avenue Valley will have high rise development. This design has recognized the significance of the Eisenhower Avenue Valley site and its zoning. It identifies the specific aspects of the site, such as the proximity of the Metro Line, the beltway, Old Town and the Potomac River. Within this context, the project defines the user of the metro by finding an architectural meaning within the planning issues discussed above. As the grid-lock of the beltway grows and becomes more congested, the Metro Line will flourish. The Metro line, when used to its greatest potential, will soon replace the street grid and city block as an urban organizational element. A city's character is drawn from this urban element. This project responds to this element by defining the individual within such a context. Retail commercial and residential space exist with respect to the Metro Line, not in competition with, or in ignorance of it. A perpendicular axis emerges from the Metro Line. Ordered around this axis are residential, commercial and retail spaces that exploit their specific site advantages. The accomplishment of this project has been in understanding and developing an architectural solution to these planning Issues and questions for the individual who will live, work and shop in this environment. I would like to acknowledge the help of several individuals. Ed Rahame's carpentry expertise and· advice helped me through the oral defense of my thesis. Tim Mount's photographic ability and patience were greatly appreciated. Don Casey provided intimate knowledge of the Eisenhower Avenue Valley and the public policy applied to it. This came from his years in public service as a City Councilman. / Master of Architecture