Rule reduction in fuzzy logic for better interpretability in reservoir operation

Decision‐making in reservoir operation has become easy and understandable with the use of fuzzy logic models, which represent the knowledge in terms of interpretable linguistic rules. However, the improvement in interpretability with increase in number of fuzzy sets (‘low’, ‘high’, etc) comes with the disadvantage of increase in number of rules that are difficult to comprehend by decision makers. In this study, a clustering‐based novel approach is suggested to provide the operators with a limited number of most meaningful operating rules. A single triangular fuzzy set is adopted for different variables in each cluster, which are fine‐tuned with genetic algorithm (GA) to meet the desired objective. The results are compared with the multi fuzzy set fuzzy logic model through a case study in the Pilavakkal reservoir system in Tamilnadu State, India. The results obtained are highly encouraging with a smaller set of rules representing the actual fuzzy logic system. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Surveying the sky with the Arcminute MicroKelvin Imager: expected constraints on galaxy cluster evolution and cosmology

We discuss prospects for cluster detection via the Sunyaev–Zel'dovich (SZ) effect in a blank field survey with the interferometer array, the Arcminute MicroKelvin Imager (AMI). Clusters of galaxies selected in the SZ effect probe cosmology and structure formation with little observational bias, because the effect measures integrated gas pressure directly, and does so independently of cluster redshift.
We use hydrodynamical simulations in combination with the Press–Schechter expression to simulate SZ cluster sky maps. These are used with simulations of the observation process to gauge the expected SZ cluster counts. Even with a very conservative choice of parameters we find that AMI will discover at least several tens of clusters every year with     the numbers depend on factors such as the mean matter density, the density fluctuation power spectrum and cluster gas evolution. The AMI survey itself can distinguish between these to some degree, and parameter degeneracies are largely eliminated given optical and X-ray follow-up of these clusters; this will also permit direct investigation of cluster physics and what drives the evolution.     

Effects of heterogeneous land use/cover types on river channel morphology in the Solo River catchment,Eastern Uganda

In the tropics, unmonitored land use/cover types cause significant effects on the narrowing and widening of river channels which affects the integrity of water resources. River channel planform extent was characterized using Landsat images, while water and bedload samples were collected and analysed for a period of one year. The results revealed that in 1986, the channel planform covered 3.7 sq km in length than in 2013 where it increased to 4.2 sq km. Wetland (537.1mgl^?1) and bushland (186.3mgl^?1) cover types had the highest concentration of suspended sediments. Fine sand (0.25 mm), silty sand (1 mm) and silty clay (0.125 mm) bedload particle types dominated the riverbed along the channel from the sampled land use/cover types. The high concentration of sediments, bedload materials, bank instability, and streamflow were significant contributors to the narrowing and widening of the channel (p < 0.05). Agricultural land use was the major contributor of channel aggradation (0.8 m) and degradation (0.25 m) compared to tree plantations, bushlands, forest and wetland cover types.     

Assessing soil water content spatio-temporal variability at the hillslope scale in a headwater catchment using a multi variable interpolation model based on EMI surveys (Draix,South Alps,France)

To improve flood prediction in headwater catchments, hydrologists need to know initial soil moisture conditions that precede rain events. In torrential hydrology, soil moisture mapping provides a valuable tool for investigating surface runoff generation processes. In these mountainous environments, soil moisture prediction is challenging because of highly heterogeneous land cover and soil properties. This survey propose a methodology to study spatial soil moisture variations in the mountainous and torrential environment of the Draix Bléone experimental site—Laval 0.86 km². This approach associates water content measurements at the plot scale with spatialized soil bulk electrical conductivity (EC_a) measurements combined in a multivariate statistical analysis based on topographical parameters. Between the summer of 2015 and winter of 2016, four geophysical surveys were conducted under various moisture conditions and along the same pathway, using the Slingram electromagnetic induction (EMI) technique (EM31 device) in horizontal dipole to identify changes in soil properties to a depth of 3 m. These results were analyzed to determine water dynamics in this mountainous catchment. Temporal variations of EC_a vary among land cover types (forest, grassland, and black marl). A significant relationship was observed between EC_a and soil water content (SWC) measured with capacitive sensors in forest and grassland. A multiple linear regression produced using the spatial interpolation code LISDQS shows a significant correlation between EC_a and landform units depicted on a high-resolution DEM. EC_a variations decrease with distance to talwegs. Riparian zones appear as potential hydrological contributing areas with patterns varying according to moisture status. This study shows that multiple linear regression analysis and EMI make it possible to fill gaps between SWC plot measurements, over wide areas that are steep and that present numerous obstacles due to vegetation cover.     

Integration of In Situ Experiments and Numerical Simulations to Reveal the Physicochemical Circumstances of Organic and Inorganic Precipitation at a Thermal Spring

Organic and inorganic precipitates are both characteristic in the active hypogenic karst area of Buda Thermal Karst in Hungary. As an active system, it is a good natural laboratory to study ongoing precipitation processes. Because of anthropogenic influence and the complexity of spring environments, it is challenging to reveal all the governing factors in the process of precipitation. In situ experiments, i.e. artificially controlled natural systems simplify the complexity by adding, excluding or stabilizing influencing parameters during the experiment. CO₂ degassing drives changes in the physicochemical parameters of spring waters from the discharge along their flow path. The rate and spatial extension of these changes depend on local hydrogeological, geological, climatic, topographical etc. factors, affecting precipitation processes. In this study, two one-day-long in situ experiments were executed to examine the physicochemical parameter changes of thermal water in a tunnel. The integration of the results with reactive transport models revealed the physicochemical processes of ingassing and degassing and predicted CaCO₃ precipitation along the flow path. Small-scale roughness of the channel surface seemed to further influence pH and concentration of HCO₃^?. After 6 weeks of thermal water flowing, organic precipitate (biofilm) formed close to the discharge and then, with a sharp change, inorganic precipitate (calcite) dominates a bit further from the discharge. In situ experiments and connected numerical simulations revealed the role of CO₂ degassing and calcite precipitation in the changes of physicochemical parameters, but organic precipitates also have to be considered near the discharge.