From the Proceedings of the 1971 Meetings of the Arizona Section - American Water Resources Assn. and the Hydrology Section - Arizona Academy of Science - April 22-23, 1971, Tempe, Arizona / In order to construct a simulation model for ephemeral streamflow and to examine in depth the problem of the worth of data for that model, measurements of the ephemeral streamflow of Rillitto creek, Tucson, were analyzed for the period 1933-1965. The simulation model was based on several hypotheses: (1) flow durations and their succeeding dry periods (time when no flow is present) are independent; (2) the distribution of the lengths of the dry periods and flows is stationary over a certain period of the year (summer); (3) stationary probability distributions for flow durations and for dry period lengths can be derived. A related problem was how to derive a simulation model for the total amount of flow (in acre-ft) within 1 flow period. Three variables were considered: flow duration (minutes), peak intensity of flow (cu ft/sec) and antecedent dry period-minutes (ADP). Because the assumption of variance constancy does not hold, a multiplicative regression model was used. Using an analysis of variance, which is described in detail, the worth of the 3 kinds of data were examined in relation to total flow. It was concluded that there are at least 5 times during the year when the flow intervals differ significantly, and the ADP is not important in determining flow volume because of the poison flow arrival rate in summer. Events occur at random and are not clustered as in summer, indicating that channel moisture does not differ much between flow events.

From the Proceedings of the 1977 Meetings of the Arizona Section - American Water Resources Assn. and the Hydrology Section - Arizona Academy of Science - April 15-16, 1977, Las Vegas, Nevada / Thunderstorms produce most of the annual rainfall and almost all runoff from arid and semiarid rangelands in the southwest U.S. A model was developed to be used for predicting runoff in river basins, flood plane zonings, estimating flood damage, erosion, and sediment transport, and estimating precipitation available for forage growth. This rainfall occurrence model has three parameters: elevation, latitude and longitude, and takes into account rainfall occurrence in 22 stations located in Arizona and New Mexico. From these variables, mathematical equations were developed in an effort to predict point rainfall occurrence. Estimates of the number of seasonal occurrences were used as a check of the equations within the model.

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[pt] A geração distribuída (GD) vem crescendo nos últimos anos no Brasil, particularmente a geração fotovoltaica, permitindo a pequenos e grandes consumidores ter um papel ativo no sistema elétrico, podendo investir em um sistema próprio de geração. Para os consumidores cativos, além da redução do custo de energia, o consumidor também pode ter uma redução no custo de demanda, que é calculado a partir de um contrato com a distribuidora que o atende. Assim, considerando a possibilidade de instalação de painéis fotovoltaicos, o desafio dos consumidores é estimar com maior acurácia possível sua energia, a energia gerada pelos painéis e as demandas máximas futuras de forma a determinar a quantidade ótima de painéis, bem como o contrato de demanda com a distribuidora. Nesta dissertação, propõe-se resolver este problema a partir da simulação de cenários futuros de consumo de energia, demanda máxima e correlacionando-os com cenários futuros de geração de energia. Em seguida, a partir de um modelo de otimização linear inteiro misto, calcula-se a quantidade ótima de painéis fotovoltaicos e a demanda a ser contratada. Na primeira parte da dissertação, a modelagem Box e Jenkins é utilizada para estimar os parâmetros do modelo estatístico de energia consumida e demanda combinados com a geração de energia dos painéis. Na segunda parte, é utilizado um modelo de otimização estocástica que utiliza uma combinação convexa de Valor Esperado (VE) e Conditional Value-at-Risk (CVaR) como métricas de risco para avaliar o número ótimo de painéis e a melhor contratação de demanda. Para ilustrar a abordagem proposta, é apresentado um caso de estudo real para um grande consumidor considerado na modalidade Verde A4 no Ambiente de Contratação Regulado. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que a utilização de painéis fotovoltaicos em um grande consumidor reduzem o custo anual de energia em até 20 por cento, comparado com o valor real faturado. / [en] Distributed Generation (GD) is growing up in the last years in Brazil, particularly photovoltaic generation, allowing small and large consumers play an important role in the electric system, investing in a own generation system. For the regulated consumers, besides the reduction of energy cost, they also may have a reduction in demand cost, which is computed from peak demand contract with the supply utility company. Therefore, taking into account the possibility of photovoltaic panels installation, the challenge of consumers is estimate with highest accuracy as possible its energy, the energy generation by the panels, and the future peak demand in order to estimate the optimum quantity of panels, as well as the peak demand contract with the utility. A way to solve this problem is to simulate future scenarios of energy consumption, peak demand, and correlate them with future scenarios of energy generation. After that, from a mixed integer linear stochastic optimization model, the optimum quantity of panels and peak demand to be contracted are computed. In the first part, the Box and Jenkins modelling is used to estimate the parameters of the energy consumption and peak demand by statistical model, combined with the energy generation of the panels. In the second part, a stochastic optimization model is applied using a convex combination of the Expected Value (VE) and Conditional Value-at-Risk (CVaR), which were used as risk metrics to rate the optimum number of panels and the best peak demand contract. To illustrate the proposed approach, a real case study of a large consumer presented considering the Green Tariff group A4 in the Regulated Environment. The results show that to use photovoltaic panels can reduce the annual cost by up to 20 per cent, compared with the billed real value.

Adaptability and invisibility are hallmarks of modern terrorism, and keeping pace with its dynamic nature presents a serious challenge for societies throughout the world. Innovations in computer science have incorporated applied mathematics to develop a wide array of predictive models to support the variety of approaches to counterterrorism. Predictive models are usually designed to forecast the location of attacks. Although this may protect individual structures or locations, it does not reduce the threat—it merely changes the target. While predictive models dedicated to events or social relationships receive much attention where the mathematical and social science communities intersect, models dedicated to terrorist locations such as safe-houses (rather than their targets or training sites) are rare and possibly nonexistent. At the time of this research, there were no publically available models designed to predict locations where violent extremists are likely to reside. This research uses France as a case study to present a complex systems model that incorporates multiple quantitative, qualitative and geospatial variables that differ in terms of scale, weight, and type. Though many of these variables are recognized by specialists in security studies, there remains controversy with respect to their relative importance, degree of interaction, and interdependence. Additionally, some of the variables proposed in this research are not generally recognized as drivers, yet they warrant examination based on their potential role within a complex system. This research tested multiple regression models and determined that geographically-weighted regression analysis produced the most accurate result to accommodate non-stationary coefficient behavior, demonstrating that geographic variables are critical to understanding and predicting the phenomenon of terrorism. This dissertation presents a flexible prototypical model that can be refined and applied to other regions to inform stakeholders such as policy-makers and law enforcement in their efforts to improve national security and enhance quality-of-life.

<p>Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are endogenous byproducts of metabolic pathways that can be altered by a disease or condition, leading to an associated and unique VOC profile or signature. Current methodologies for VOC detection include canines, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and electronic nose (eNose). Some of the challenges for canines and GC-MS are cost-effectiveness, extensive training, expensive instrumentation. On the other hand, a significant downfall of the eNose is low selectivity. This thesis proposes to design a breathalyzer using chemiresistive gas sensors that detects VOCs from human breath, and subsequently create an interface to process and deliver the results via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). Breath samples were collected from patients with hypoglycemia, COVID-19, and healthy controls for both. Samples were processed, analyzed using GC-MS and probed through statistical analysis. A panel of 6 VOC biomarkers distinguished between hypoglycemia (HYPO) and Normal samples with a training AUC of 0.98 and a testing AUC of 0.93. For COVID-19, a panel of 3 VOC biomarkers distinguished between COVID-19 positive symptomatic (COVID-19) and healthy Control samples with a training area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) of 1.0 and cross-validation (CV) AUC of 0.99. The model was validated with COVID-19 Recovery samples. The discovery of these biomarkers enables the development of selective gas sensors to detect the VOCs. </p><p><br></p><p>Polyethylenimine-ether functionalized gold nanoparticle (PEI-EGNP) gas sensors were designed and fabricated in the lab and metal oxide (MOX) semiconductor gas sensors were obtained from Nanoz (Chip 1: SnO₂ and Chip 2: WO₃). These sensors were tested at different relative humidity (RH) levels, and VOC concentrations. Contact angle which measures hydrophobicity, was 84° and the thickness of the PEI-EGNP coating was 11 µ m. The PEI-EGNP sensor response at RH 85% had a signal 10x higher than at RH 0%. Optimization of the MOX sensor was performed by changing the heater voltage and concentration of VOCs. At RH 85% and heater voltage of 2500 mV, the performance of the sensors increased. Chip 2 had higher sensitivity towards VOCs especially for one of the VOC biomarkers identified for COVID-19. PCA distinguished VOC biomarkers of HYPO, COVID-19, and healthy human breath using the Nanoz. A sensor interface was created to integrate the PEI-EGNP sensors with the printed circuit board (PCB) and Bluno Nano to perform machine learning. The sensor interface can currently process and make decisions from the data whether the breath is HYPO (-) or Normal (+). This data is then sent via BLE to the Hypo Alert app to display the decision.</p>

Background: Shifting the healthcare payment system from a volume-based to a value-based model has been a significant effort to improve the quality of care and reduce healthcare costs in the US. In 2018, Massachusetts Medicaid launched Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) as part of the effort. Constructing, assessing, and risk-adjusting quality measures are integral parts of the reform process. Methods: Using data from the MassHealth Data Warehouse (2016-2019), we assessed the loss of community tenure (CTloss) as a potential quality measure for patients with bipolar, schizophrenia, or other psychotic disorders (BSP). We evaluated various statistical models for predicting CTloss using deviance, Akaike information criterion, Vuong test, squared correlation and observed vs. expected (O/E) ratios. We also used logistic regression to investigate risk factors that impacted medication nonadherence, another quality measure for patients with bipolar disorders (BD). Results: Mean CTloss was 12.1 (±31.0 SD) days in the study population; it varied greatly across ACOs. For risk adjustment modeling, we recommended the zero-inflated Poisson or doubly augmented beta model. The O/E ratio ranged from 0.4 to 1.2, suggesting variation in quality, after adjusting for differences in patient characteristics for which ACOs served as reflected in E. Almost half (47.7%) of BD patients were nonadherent to second-generation antipsychotics. Patient demographics, medical and mental comorbidities, receiving institutional services like those from the Department of Mental Health, homelessness, and neighborhood socioeconomic stress impacted medication nonadherence. Conclusions: Valid quality measures are essential to value-based payment. Heterogeneity implies the need for risk adjustment. The search for a model type is driven by the non-standard distribution of CTloss.

[pt] No Brasil, grandes consumidores podem estabelecer seus contratos de energia elétrica em dois ambientes: Ambiente de Contratação Regulado e Ambiente de Contratação Livre. Grandes consumidores são aqueles que possuem carga igual ou superior a 2 MW e podem ser atendidos sob contratos firmados em quaisquer um desses ambientes. Já os consumidores com demanda contratada inferior a 2 MW e superior a 500 kW podem ter seu contrato de energia estabelecido no Ambiente de Contratação Livre proveniente de geração de energia renovável ou no Ambiente de Contratação Regulada através das distribuidoras de energia. A principal vantagem do Ambiente de Contratação Livre é a possibilidade de negociar contratos com diferentes parâmetros, como, por exemplo, preço, quantidade de energia e prazo. Eventuais diferenças entre a energia contratada e a consumida, são liquidadas ao preço de energia de curto prazo, que pode ser bastante volátil.Neste caso o desafio é estabelecer uma estratégia de contratação que minimize os riscos associados a este ambiente. Esta dissertação propõe uma metodologia que envolve a simulação estatística de cenários correlacionados de energia, demanda máxima e preço de curto prazo (também chamado de PLD – Preço de Liquidação das Diferenças) para serem inseridos em um modelo matemático de otimização estocástica, que define os parâmetros ótimos da contratação de energia e demanda. Na parte estatística, um modelo Box e Jenkins é usado para estimar os parâmetros das séries históricas de energia e demanda máxima com o objetivo de simular cenários correlacionados com o PLD. Na parte de otimização, emprega-se uma combinação convexa entre Valor Esperado (VE) e Conditional Value-at-Risk (CVaR) como medidas de risco para encontrar os valores ótimos dos parâmetros contratuais, como a demanda máxima contratada, o volume mensal de energia a ser contratado, além das flexibilidades inferior e superior da energia contratada. Para ilustrar a abordagem proposta, essa metodologia é aplicada a um estudo de caso real para um grande consumidor no Ambiente de Contratação Livre. Os resultados indicaram que a metodologia proposta pode ser uma ferramenta eficiente para consumidores no Ambiente de Contratação Livre e, dado à natureza do modelo, pode ser generalizado para diferentes contratos e mercados de energia. / [en] In Brazil, big consumers can choose their energy contract between two different energy environments: Regulated Contract Environment and Free Contract Environment. Big consumers are characterized by installed load capacity equal or greater than 2 MW and can firm an energy contract under any of these environments. For those consumers with installed load lower than 2 MW and higher than 500 kW, their energy contracts can be firmed in the Free Contract Environment using renewable energy generation or in the Regulated Contract Environment by local distribution companies. The main advantage of the Free Market Environment is the possibility of negotiating contracts with different parameters such as, for example, price, energy quantity and deadlines. Possible differences between contracted energy and consumed energy are settled by the spot price, which can be rather volatile. In this case, the challenge is to establish a contracting strategy that minimize the associated risks with this environment. This thesis proposes a methodology that involves statistical simulation of correlated energy, peak demand and Spot Price scenarios to be used in a stochastic optimization model that defines the optimal energy and demand contract parameters. In the statistical part, a Box and Jenkins model is used to estimate parameters for energy and peak demand in order to simulate scenarios correlated with Spot Price. In the optimization part, a convex combination of Expected Value (EV) and Conditional Value-at-Risk (CVaR) is used as risk measures to find the optimal contract parameters, such as the contracted peak demand, the seasonal energy contracted volumes, in addition to the upper and lower energy contracted bound. To illustrate this approach, this methodology is applied in a real case study for a big consumer with an active Free Market Environment contract. The results indicate that the proposed methodology can be a efficient tool for consumers in the Free Contract Environment and, due to the nature of the model, it can be generalized for different energy contracts and markets.

Inland recreational fisheries has grown philosophically and scientifically to consider economic and sociopolitical aspects (non-biological) in addition to the biological. However, integrating biological and non-biological aspects of inland fisheries has been challenging. Thus, an opportunity exists to develop approaches and tools which operationalize planning and decision-making processes which include biological and non-biological aspects of a fishery. This dissertation expands the idea that a core set of goals and objectives is shared among and within inland fisheries agencies; that many routine operations of inland fisheries managers can be regimented or standardized; and the novel concept that current information and operations can be used to improve decision making through structured decision making and adaptive management approaches at the agency scale. In CHAPTER II, my results show that the goals of inland fisheries agencies tend to be more similar than different but have expanded and diversified since the 1970s. I suggest that changes in perspectives and communication technology, as well as provisions within nationwide funding mechanisms, have led to goals becoming more homogenous across the USA and more diverse within each bureau. In CHAPTER III, I found that standardized collection and careful curation of data has allowed one inland fisheries bureau to acquire a large fish and fisheries database and that managers use this database to summarize common fish population parameters and indices, craft objectives, and set targets. The regimentation of data management and analysis has helped managers within the inland fisheries bureau to assess fish populations and fisheries efficiently and effectively across waterbodies within their districts and state. In CHAPTER IV, I extend CHAPTERS II and III to show that biological and non-biological management objectives and their associated measurable attributes and management actions can be synthesized into a common set of decision elements. I demonstrate how common decision elements enable managers to easily structure decisions and help to address common problems at the agency scale. Using a subset of common decision elements, I demonstrate how existing agency operations (e.g., monitoring) can be used to expedite learning and improve decision making for a common problem faced by managers in multiple, similar systems.

Malaria is caused by a protozoan parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, which is responsible for over 500,000 deaths per year worldwide. Although malaria medicines are working well in many parts of the world, antimalarial drug resistance has emerged as one of the greatest challenges facing malaria control today. Since the malaria parasites are once again developing widespread resistance to antimalarial drugs, this can cause the spread of malaria to new areas and the re-emergence of malaria in areas where it had already been eradicated. Therefore, the discovery and characterization of novel antimalarials is extremely urgent. A previous drug screen in Dr. Chakrabarti's lab identified several natural products (NPs) with antiplasmodial activities. The focus of this study is to characterize the hit compounds using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to determine structural uniqueness compared to known antimalarial drugs. This study will compare multiple libraries of different compounds, such as known drugs, kinase inhibitors, macrocycles, and top antimalarial hits discovered in our lab. Prioritizing the hit compounds by their chemical uniqueness will lessen the probability of future drug resistance. This is an important step in drug discovery as this will allow us to increase the interpretability of the datasets by creating new uncorrelated variables that will successively maximize variance. Characterization of the Natural Product inspired compounds will enable us to discover potent, selective, and novel antiplasmodial scaffolds that are unique in the 3-dimensional chemical space and will provide critical information that will serve as advanced starting points for the antimalarial drug discovery pipeline.