Search Results (21)

The increasing complexity of power grids and integration of renewable energy sources necessitate accurate power load forecasting across multiple time horizons. While existing methods have advanced significantly, they often struggle with consistent performance across different prediction ranges, leading to suboptimal resource allocation. We propose MP-RWKV (Multi-Path Recurrent Weighted Key–Value), an enhanced architecture that builds upon RWKV-TS and addresses these challenges through parallel processing paths for temporal modeling. Our model maintains robust performance across both short-term and long-term forecasting scenarios through its context state mechanism and position-aware attention. Evaluated on extensive power load data, MP-RWKV demonstrates superior performance over state-of-the-art baselines, including Transformer-based models and LSTM variants. The model achieves the lowest Mean Absolute Error (MAE) across prediction horizons ranging from 24 h to 432 h, showing particular strength in maintaining consistent accuracy where traditional models deteriorate. Notably, MP-RWKV successfully balances immediate temporal correlations with extended dependencies, offering promising implications for power grid management and sustainable energy systems. The model’s stable performance across varying prediction horizons makes it particularly suitable for real-world power load forecasting applications. Full article

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the impact of Storm Laura, which was observed over Europe and the Baltic Sea on 12 March 2020, on the thermosphere–ionosphere system. The investigation of ionospheric disturbances caused by the meteorological storm was carried out using a combined modeling approach, incorporating the regional AtmoSym and the global GSM TIP models. This allowed for the consideration of acoustic and internal gravity waves (AWs and IGWs) generated by tropospheric convective sources and the investigation of wave-induced effects in both the neutral atmosphere and ionosphere. The simulation results show that, three hours after the activation of the additional heat source, an area of increased temperature exceeding 100 K above the background level formed over the meteorological storm region. This temperature change had a significant impact on the meridional component of the thermospheric wind and total electron content (TEC) variations. For example, meridional wind changes reached 80 m/s compared a the meteorologically quiet day, while TEC variations reached 1 TECu. Good agreement was obtained with experimental TEC maps from CODE (Center for Orbit Determination in Europe), MOSGIM (Moscow Global Ionospheric Map), and WD IZMIRAN (West Department of Institute of Terrestrial Magnetism, Ionosphere and Radio Wave Propagation Russian Academy of Sciences), which revealed a negative TEC value effect over the meteorological storm region. Full article

This retrospective study aims to further investigate the effects of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) treatment on respiratory function in growing patients with contracted upper airways, by assessing nasal resistance using active anterior rhinomanometry (AAR). Methods: At T0 (pre-RME), 122 orthodontic patients aged 5 to 12 years, exhibiting oral breathing and/or snoring along with maxillary contraction, underwent AAR with a mask using the ATMOS Rhino 31 rhinomanometer. Additionally, the SRDB or PSQ-SRDB Questionnaire was utilized to validate the orthodontic history of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). If AAR results at T0 were clinically significant, they were repeated at T1, corresponding to a period of three months after screw fixation, to evaluate changes in nasal resistance values between pre- and post-treatment. Results: The study group comprised 42 oral respiratory patients with a mean age of 7.71 years, suspected of pediatric OSAS. Although the questionnaires did not yield statistically significant results, the therapy induced an overall reduction in airflow resistance values from both nostrils (−24.63% in the right nostril; −26.65% in the left nostril). Conclusions: This study demonstrates the beneficial effects of orthodontic treatment with RME on nasal function in terms of airflow resistance in cases of maxillary contraction. Full article

Monitoring atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs) like carbon dioxide and methane in near real time and with good spatial resolution is crucial for enhancing our understanding of the sources and sinks of these gases. A novel approach can be proposed using a constellation of small satellites equipped with miniaturized spectrometers having a spectral resolution of a few nanometers. The objective of this study is to describe expected results that can be obtained with a single satellite named Uvsq-Sat NG. The SolAtmos end-to-end simulator and its three tools (IRIS, OptiSpectra, and GHGRetrieval) were developed to evaluate the performance of the spectrometer of the Uvsq-Sat NG mission, which focuses on measuring the main GHGs. The IRIS tool was implemented to provide Top-Of-Atmosphere (TOA) spectral radiances. Four scenes were analyzed (pine forest, deciduous forest, ocean, snow) combined with different aerosol types (continental, desert, maritime, urban). Simulated radiance spectra were calculated based on the wavelength ranges of the Uvsq-Sat NG, which spans from 1200 to 2000 nm. The OptiSpectra tool was used to determine optimal observational settings for the spectrometer, including Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) and integration time. Data derived from IRIS and OptiSpectra served as input for our GHGRetrieval simulation tool, developed to provide greenhouse gas concentrations. The Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm was applied iteratively to fine-tune gas concentrations and model inputs, aligning observed transmittance functions with simulated ones under given environmental conditions. To estimate gas concentrations (CO₂, CH₄, O₂, H₂O) and their uncertainties, the Monte Carlo method was used. Based on this analysis, this study demonstrates that a miniaturized spectrometer onboard Uvsq-Sat NG is capable of observing different scenes by adjusting its integration time according to the wavelength. The expected precision for each measurement is of the order of a few ppm for carbon dioxide and less than 25 ppb for methane. Full article

In this paper, a novel asymmetric trench SiC MOSFET with a Poly-Si/SiC heterojunction diode (HJD-ATMOS) is designed to improve its reverse conduction characteristics and switching performance. This structure features an integrated heterojunction diode, which improves body diode characteristics without affecting device static characteristics. The heterojunction diode acts as a freewheeling diode during reverse conduction, reducing the cut-in voltage (V_cut-in) to a lower level than conventional asymmetric trench SiC MOSFET (C-ATMOS), while maintaining a similar breakdown voltage. Meanwhile, the split gate structure reduces gate-to-drain charge (Q_gd). Through TCAD simulation, the HJD-ATMOS decreases V_cut-in by 53.04% compared to the C-ATMOS. Both Q_gd and switching loss are reduced, with a decrease of 31.91% in Q_gd and 40.29% in switching loss. Full article

In this practice-based case study, we investigate the subjective aesthetic and affective responses to a shift from 2D stereo-based modelling to 3D object-based Dolby Atmos in an audio installation artwork. Dolby Atmos is an infinite object-based audio format released in 2012 but only recently incorporated into more public-facing formats. Our analysis focuses on the artist Sadia Sadia’s 30-channel audio installation ‘Notes to an Unknown Lover’, based on her book of free verse poetry of the same title, which was rebuilt and reformatted in a Dolby Atmos specified studio. We examine what effect altered spatiality with an infinite number of ‘placements’ has on the psychoacoustic and neuroaesthetic response to the text. The effectiveness of three-dimensional (3D) object-based audio is interrogated against more traditional stereo and two-dimensional (2D) formats regarding the expression and communication of emotion and what effect altered spatiality with an infinite number of placements has on the psychoacoustic and neuroaesthetic response to the text. We provide a unique examination of the consequences of a shift from 2D to wholly encompassing object-based audio in a text-based artist’s audio installation work. These findings may also have promising applications for health and well-being issues. Full article

In this study, we present primary results from the aErosol Vertical profiling with lIdars And droNes (EVIAN) campaign, under the ATMO-ACCESS project, which took place in Nicosia, Cyprus (35°10′21″ N, 33°21′54″ E). Measurements from different instrument techniques, e.g., lidar, ceilometer and “drone-borne” Optical Particle Counter (OPC), have been used in a synergistic way during the campaign to derive the aerosol properties. This study focuses on the comparison of the drone-borne and ceilometer retrievals, mainly in the Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL), and the synergistic use of the above-mentioned instruments in analyzing the geometrical and optical properties of the detected aerosol layers to improve the determination of the lidar overlap function. Full article

In this work, we study the different components of the UV Index, direct, diffuse, and global, for seven years of UV erythemal measurements in a Mediterranean locality at Burjassot AtmoSpheric Station (BASS). The measurements have been taken with three YES-UVB-1 radiometers: one provided with a shadow disk on a Sun tracker; a radiometer to measure the global horizontal radiation; and a Sun-tracking radiometer to measure the direct radiation with an especially designed radiance collimator. It is known that diffuse UV irradiance represents at least 50% of total UV irradiance on a horizontal plane, which means being able to obtain a high UV Index even under shade. Our study aims to establish the relationship between the UV Index at noon and the maximum daily UV erythemal irradiance in the mid-latitude area, as well as the potential erythemal effects of exposure to solar UV radiation on different skin phototypes (skin phototypes I–IV) for both direct and diffuse components. Full article

Wind drift and evaporation loss (WDEL) of mid-elevation spray application (MESA) and low-elevation spray application (LESA) sprinklers on a center pivot and linear-move irrigation machines are measured and reported to be about 20% and 3%, respectively. It is important to estimate the fraction of WDEL that cools and humidifies the microclimate causing evapotranspiration (ET) suppression, mitigating the measured irrigation system losses. An experiment was conducted in 2018 and 2019 in a commercial spearmint field near Toppenish, Washington. The field was irrigated with an 8-span center pivot equipped with MESA but had three spans that were converted to LESA. All-in-one weather sensors (ATMOS-41) were installed just above the crop canopy in the middle of each MESA and LESA span and nearby but outside of the pivot field (control) to record meteorological parameters on 1 min intervals. The ASCE Penman–Monteith (ASCE-PM) standardized reference equations were used to calculate grass reference evapotranspiration (ET_o) from this data on a one-minute basis. A comparison was made for the three phases of before, during, and after the irrigation system passed the in-field ATMOS-41 sensors. In addition, a small unmanned aerial system (UAS) was used to capture 5-band multispectral (ground sampling distance [GSD]: 7 cm/pixel) and thermal infrared images (GSD: 13 cm/pixel) while the center pivot irrigation system was irrigating the field. This imagery data was used to estimate crop evapotranspiration (ET_c) using a UAS-METRIC energy balance model. The UAS-METRIC model showed that the estimated ET_c under MESA was suppressed by 0.16 mm/day compared to the LESA. Calculating the ET_o by the ASCE-PM method showed that the instantaneous ET_o rate under the MESA was suppressed between 8% and 18% compared to the LESA. However, as the time of the ET suppression was short, the total amount of the estimated suppressed ET of the MESA was less than 0.5% of the total applied water. Overall, the total reduction in the ET due to the microclimate modifications from wind drift and evaporation losses were small compared to the reported 17% average differences in the irrigation application efficiency between the MESA and the LESA. Therefore, the irrigation application efficiency differences between these two technologies were very large even if the ET suppression by wind drift and evaporation losses was accounted for. Full article

The study focused on a 21.99 at.%Ti–22.49 at.%Zr–20.35 at.%Hf–17.45 at.%Mo–17.73 at.%Cr). Analytical techniques such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy as well as X-ray absorption spectroscopy were employed to investigate the alloy’s structure, phase transformations, and properties. The alloy in the as-cast state contained three phases, namely the body-centred cubic (A2) phase, hexagonal Laves phase (C14), and cubic Laves phase (C15). The alloy has been annealed for a long time at different temperatures. It led to the disappearance of the hexagonal Laves phase, leaving behind two primary phases, namely the cubic Laves phase (C15) and the body-centered cubic phase (A2). At 1200 °C, the A2 phase almost disappeared, resulting in a practically single-phase sample. After a high-pressure torsion (HPT) treatment, the hexagonal Laves phase disappeared entirely, while the A2 and C15 phases remained. The grain size of the A2 and C15 phases was refined after HPT and grains were elongated, and their configuration resembled a layered structure. The high hardness of the A2 and C15 + C14 phases accounted for this behavior. The lattice parameters in the A2 and C15 phases after HPT treatment approached those observed after prolonged annealing at 1000 °C, indicating that the composition of these phases after short-term high-pressure torsion at ambient temperature is equivalent to the composition of these phases after long tempering at 1000 °C. The rate of diffusion-like mass transfer during severe plastic deformation was estimated to be many orders of magnitude higher than that for conventional bulk diffusion at the HPT treatment temperature and similar to that at elevated temperatures above 1000 °C. X-ray absorption spectroscopy results obtained at K-edges of Ti, Cr, Zr, and Mo as well as at the L3-edge of Hf indicated that the local environment around metal atoms before HPT was similar to that after HPT. However, the static disorder increased after HPT, which could be attributed to an increased specific amount of metal atoms in the disordered grain boundary layers after HPT-driven grain refinement. Full article

As one of the physical quantities concerned in agricultural production, soil moisture can effectively guide field irrigation and evaluate the distribution of water resources for crop growth in various regions. However, the spatial variability of soil moisture is dramatic, and its time series data are highly noisy, nonlinear, and nonstationary, and thus hard to predict accurately. In this study, taking Jiangsu Province in China as an example, the data of 70 meteorological and soil moisture automatic observation stations from 2014 to 2022 were used to establish prediction models of 0–10 cm soil relative humidity (RH_s10cm) via the extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) algorithm. Before constructing the model, according to the measured soil physical characteristics, the soil moisture observation data were divided into three categories: sandy soil, loam soil, and clay soil. Based on the impacts of various factors on the soil water budget balance, 14 predictors were chosen for constructing the model, among which atmospheric and soil factors accounted for 10 and 4, respectively. Considering the differences in soil physical characteristics and the lagged effects of environmental impacts, the best influence times of the predictors for different soil types were determined through correlation analysis to improve the rationality of the model construction. To better evaluate the importance of soil factors, two sets of models (Model_{_soil&atmo} and Model_{_atmo}) were designed by taking soil factors as optional predictors put into the XGBoost model. Meanwhile, the contributions of predictors to the prediction results were analyzed with Shapley additive explanation (SHAP). Six prediction effect indicators, as well as a typical drought process that happened in 2022, were analyzed to evaluate the prediction accuracy. The results show that the time with the highest correlations between environmental predictors and RH_s10cm varied but was similar between soil types. Among these predictors, the contribution rates of maximum air temperature (T_amax), cumulative precipitation (P_sum), and air relative humidity (RH_a) in atmospheric factors, which functioned as a critical factor affecting the variation in soil moisture, are relatively high in both models. In addition, adding soil factors could improve the accuracy of soil moisture prediction. To a certain extent, the XGBoost model performed better when compared with artificial neural networks (ANNs), random forests (RFs), and support vector machines (SVMs). The values of the correlation coefficient (R), root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), mean absolute relative error (MARE), Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency coefficient (NSE), and accuracy (ACC) of Model_{_soil&atmo} were 0.69, 11.11, 4.87, 0.12, 0.50, and 88%, respectively. This study verified that the XGBoost model is applicable to the prediction of soil moisture at the provincial level, as it could reasonably predict the development processes of the typical drought event. Full article

Air pollution is a major public health threat that is associated with asthma, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease and all-cause mortality. Among the most important acute air pollution events occurring each year are celebrations involving fireworks, such as the 4th of July holiday in the United States. In this community-engaged study, academic partners and residents collaborated to collect indoor and outdoor PM_2.5 concentration measurements in the disadvantaged city of Santa Ana, California, using low-cost AtmoTube sensor devices before, during and after the July 4th firework celebration, while also examining July 4th data extracted from the PurpleAir sensor network across over a hundred other cities in southern California. Average outdoor PM_2.5 concentrations on July 4th were found to be three-to-five times higher than baseline, with hourly concentrations exceeding 160 μg/m³. Outdoor averages were roughly 30% to 100% higher than indoor levels. The most polluted cities exhibited 15-times higher PM_2.5 levels compared with the least contaminated cities and were often those where household-level fireworks were legal for sale and use. Race/ethnicity was found to be the leading predictor of July 4th-related air pollution across three counties in southern California, with greater PM_2.5 being associated with higher proportions of Hispanic residents and lower proportions of White residents. The findings from this study underscore the importance of environmental justice as it relates to firework-related air pollution exposure, and the critical role city- and county-level firework policies play in determining exposure. Full article

The detailed evaluation of environmental parameters can be a great tool for the optimal selection and location of vegetable species, not only in vegetable production facilities and greenhouses but also in zoological and botanical gardens, which frequently maintain delicate and exotic plant species with strict environmental requirements in immersive exhibits where conditions can vary remarkably. This study, developed at an indoor zoological garden (Biodomo—Parque de las Ciencias de Granada, Spain), evaluates a sampling protocol for the determination of seven environmental parameters: daily light integral (DLI) was determined at nine different locations of the facility using a portable Light Quantum SQ-500 sensor; air temperature, atmospheric pressure, and air relative humidity were measured using a fixed ATMOS14 sensor; and soil temperature, soil water content, and soil conductivity were determined using a fixed TEROS12 sensor. Values recorded for DLI showed statistically significant variations across the nine different sampling locations, as well as between the different months in all sampling spots. Significant variations were also detected across the 12 months of study for the rest of environmental parameters evaluated, and correlations were found between the studied parameters, with the correlation between soil and air temperature the strongest (r_s = 0.758) and soil temperature significantly superior to air temperature. The methodology described in this study can be easily reproduced in similar indoor zoological and botanical facilities, increasing the knowledge of the environmental conditions, and allowing corrections that could improve species selection, location, and management. Full article

PM_2.5 is an air contaminant that has been widely associated with adverse respiratory and cardiovascular health, leading to increased hospital admissions and mortality. Following concerns reported by workers at an industrial facility located in Santa Ana, California, workers and community leaders collaborated with experts in the development of an air monitoring pilot study to measure PM_2.5 concentrations to which employees and local residents are exposed during factory operating hours. To detect PM_2.5, participants wore government-validated AtmoTube Pro personal air monitoring devices during three separate workdays (5 AM–1:30 PM) in August 2021. Results demonstrated a mean PM_2.5 level inside the facility of 112.3 µg/m³, nearly seven-times greater than outdoors (17.3 µg/m³). Of the eight workers who wore personal indoor sampling devices, five showed measurements over 100 μg/m³. Welding-related activity inside the facility resulted in the greatest PM_2.5 concentrations. This study demonstrates the utility of using low-cost air quality sensors combined with employee knowledge and participation for the investigation of workplace air pollution exposure as well as facilitation of greater health-related awareness, education, and empowerment among workers and community members. Results also underscore the need for basic measures of indoor air pollution control paired with ongoing air monitoring within the Santa Ana facility, and the importance of future air monitoring studies aimed at industrial facilities. Full article

PM_2.5 is an air pollutant that is widely associated with adverse health effects, and which tends to be disproportionately located near low-income communities and communities of color. We applied a community-engaged research approach to assess the distribution of PM_2.5 concentrations in the context of community concerns and urban features within and around the city of Santa Ana, CA. Approximately 183 h of one-minute average PM_2.5 measurements, along with high-resolution geographic coordinate measurements, were collected by volunteer community participants using roughly two dozen low-cost AtmoTube Pro air pollution sensors paired with real-time GPS tracking devices. PM_2.5 varied by region, time of day, and month. In general, concentrations were higher near the city’s industrial corridor, which is an area of concern to local community members. While the freeway systems were shown to correlate with some degree of elevated air pollution, two of four sampling days demonstrated little to no visible association with freeway traffic. Concentrations tended to be higher within socioeconomically disadvantaged communities compared to other areas. This pilot study demonstrates the utility of using low-cost air pollution sensors for the application of community-engaged study designs that leverage community knowledge, enable high-density air monitoring, and facilitate greater health-related awareness, education, and empowerment among communities. The mobile air-monitoring approach used in this study, and its application to characterize the ambient air quality within a defined geographic region, is in contrast to other community-engaged studies, which employ fixed-site monitoring and/or focus on personal exposure. The findings from this study underscore the existence of environmental health inequities that persist in urban areas today, which can help to inform policy decisions related to health equity, future urban planning, and community access to resources. Full article