Classical Formulation Research Articles

Framing Effects in Intertemporal Choices: 3 Two‐Step Experiments

ABSTRACTFramings may affect individuals' choices. In particular, the perception of (implicit) risks and their costs may influence intertemporal choices. In a between‐subjects experimental design, participants are presented choices either in a standard (i.e., current vs. future payoffs), penalty (i.e., the same as before, presenting the differences between present and future amounts as losses), future‐improved (i.e., increasing by 35% the future payoff with respect to the standard frame) or penalty present‐improved way (i.e., with small differences between present and future amounts). Undergraduate students participated in 3 two‐step experiments. The results show that the negative and the present‐improved frames render the participants more patient and subjects who are trained to be more farsighted using a penalty decision problem continue to be patient in subsequent classical formulations where that specific attribute is no longer present.

A Critical Review on Khadiradi Vati - An Ayurvedic Formulation

Ayurvedic medicine makes extensive use of herbal and herbo-mineral preparation. Because of its revitalizing qualities, long shelf life, and increased potency even at low doses, Rasaoushadis are significant in Ayurvedic medicine. One such classical multi-ingredient herbo mineral Ayurvedic formulation is Khadiradi Vati. Khadiradi Vati is a traditional Ayurvedic propriety medicine comprising of various plant and mineral based ingredients including Khadira, Javithri, Kankola, Gairika and etc. this herbo mineral preparation is used to treat various oral and skin disorders. It balances Vata, Pitta, Kapha and helps in alleviation of sore throat, reduces hoarseness and increases clarity in voice. It has described in various classical texts and can be used in Kasa, Swasa, Aruchi, Galaroga, Talu Roga, Kanta Roga, Mukha Roga, Kushta, Arsas, Bhagandara. Due to the presence of flavonoids, phytosterols, alkaloids, it acts as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant is used in treating tonsilitis, gingivitis, mouth ulcers and etc.

An Integrated Approach to Identify the Q-Markers of Banxia-Houpo Decoction Based on Nontargeted Multicomponent Profiling, Network Pharmacology, and Chemometrics.

The inherent complexity of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) poses significant challenges in directly correlating quality evaluation with clinical efficacy. Banxia-Houpo Decoction (BHD), a classical TCM formula, has demonstrated efficacy in treating globus hystericus. However, the intricate composition of BHD, which contains both volatile and non-volatile active components, complicates efforts to ensure its consistent quality and clinical effectiveness. The aim of this study was to introduce an integrated approach that combines non-targeted multicomponent analysis, network pharmacology, and multivariate chemometrics to identify quality markers for the effective quality control of BHD. First, a nontargeted high-definition MSE method based on ultraperformance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS) was developed for the comprehensive multi-component characterization of BHD. Next, the quality markers of nonvolatile compounds in BHD were identified through network pharmacology analysis. Subsequently, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in BHD samples were analyzed via headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) and headspace gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS). Finally, the orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) model was applied to screen for potential markers. Based on in-house library-driven automated peak annotation and comparison with 25 reference compounds, 128 components were identified for the first time. Additionally, honokiol, magnolol, magnoflorine, 6-gingerol, rosmarinic acid, and adenosine were preliminarily identified as potential quality markers for BHD through network pharmacology analysis. By employing two complementary techniques, HS-SPME-GC-MS and HS-GC-IMS, a total of 145 volatile compounds was identified in the BHD samples. Four potential differential VOCs in the BHD samples were further identified based on the variable importance in projection (VIP ≥ 1.5) using HS-GC-IMS combined with chemometric analysis. In conclusion, this study not only contributes to establishing quality standards for BHD but also offers new insights into quality assessment and identification in the development of classical formulations enriched with volatile components.

Buoyancy Modes in a Low Entropy Bubble

AbstractIn the nightside region of Earth's magnetosphere, braking oscillations or buoyancy modes have been associated with the occurrence of low entropy bubbles. These bubbles form in the plasma sheet, particularly during geomagnetically disturbed times, and because of interchange, move rapidly earthward and may eventually come to rest in the inner plasma sheet or inner magnetosphere. Upon arrival, they often exhibit damped oscillations with periods of a few minutes and are associated with Pi2 pulsations. Previously we used the thin filament approximation to compare the frequencies and modes of buoyancy waves using magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) ballooning and classic interchange theory. Interchange oscillations differ from the more general MHD oscillations by assuming constant pressure along a magnetic field line. It was determined that MHD ballooning and interchange modes are similar for plasma sheet field lines but differ for field lines that map to the inner magnetosphere. This suggested that the classic interchange formulation was only valid in the plasma sheet. This paper tests the hypothesis that the agreement between MHD ballooning and classic interchange could be restored inside a bubble. We create a small region of entropy depletion in the magnetotail and compare the buoyancy mode properties. At some locations inside the bubble, the MHD ballooning buoyancy modes resemble interchange modes but with lower frequencies than those of the unperturbed background. Unstable modes are found on the earthward edge of the bubble, while at the tailward edge, MHD ballooning predicts a slow mode wave solution not seen in the pure interchange solution.

Integrative multi-omics and network pharmacology reveal the mechanisms of Fangji Huangqi Decoction in treating IgA nephropathy

Ethnopharmacological relevanceFangji Huangqi Decoction (FJHQD), a classical Chinese herbal formulation, has demonstrated significant clinical efficacy in the treatment of IgA nephropathy (IgAN), although its mechanisms remain poorly understood. Aim of the studyThis study aims to investigate the renal protective mechanisms of FJHQD using an integrated approach that combines transcriptomics, proteomics, and network pharmacology. MethodsRenal glomerular structure changes were assessed via hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson staining. IgA expression in the glomeruli was quantified using immunofluorescence. Furthermore, the potential mechanisms underlying the effects of FJHQD were explored through a combined strategy of network pharmacology, transcriptomics, and proteomics. The expression of signaling pathway-related proteins was detected using Western blot. ResultsFJHQD inhibited mesangial cell proliferation and renal interstitial fibrosis, and significantly reduced excessive IgA deposition in the glomerular mesangium. Network pharmacology identified 113 important active components and 8 common active components in FJHQD, with quercetin, isorhamnetin, jaranol, and kaempferol having the highest number of target interactions. Integration of network pharmacology with multi-omics approaches revealed that 44 active components regulated numerous immune and inflammatory signaling pathways through 17 hub targets. These pathways include the Calcium signaling pathway, cAMP signaling pathway, Ras signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, and PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. Subsequent in vivo experiments demonstrated that FJHQD effectively regulates the identified pathways in IgAN mice. Ultimately, molecular docking results further validated the reliability of the network pharmacology combined with multi-omics analyses. ConclusionThe findings suggest that FJHQD exerts a renal protective effect, potentially through modulation of the Calcium signaling pathway, cAMP signaling pathway, Ras signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, and PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. These insights offer valuable support for the clinical use of FJHQD and open new avenues for exploring the active compounds and molecular mechanisms of Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs).

Solving a real-world package delivery routing problem using quantum annealers.

Research focused on the conjunction between quantum computing and routing problems has been very prolific in recent years. Most of the works revolve around classical problems such as the Traveling Salesman Problem or the Vehicle Routing Problem. The real-world applicability of these problems is dependent on the objectives and constraints considered. Anyway, it is undeniable that it is often difficult to translate complex requirements into these classical formulations. The main objective of this research is to present a solving scheme for dealing with realistic instances while maintaining all the characteristics and restrictions of the original real-world problem. Thus, a quantum-classical strategy has been developed, coined Q4RPD, that considers a set of real constraints such as a heterogeneous fleet of vehicles, priority deliveries, and capacities characterized by two values: weight and dimensions of the packages. Q4RPD resorts to the Leap Constrained Quadratic Model Hybrid Solver of D-Wave. To demonstrate the application of Q4RPD, an experimentation composed of six different instances has been conducted, aiming to serve as illustrative examples.

Anti-arthritic activity of Trayodashang guggulu, a classical Ayurvedic formulation against complete Freund’s adjuvant-induced rheumatoid arthritis in rats

BackgroundRheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting millions of people across the world. Trayodashang guggulu (TG) is a classical Ayurvedic formulation used for the treating joint diseases since decades in the Indian system of traditional medicine. The aim of the study was to evaluate anti-arthritic activity of TG against complete Freund’s adjuvant-induced arthritis in Wistar rats.MethodsArthritis was induced by single injection of 0.1 ml complete Freund’s adjuvant into the intraplanter surface of left hind paw of Wistar rats. TG was administered orally at the doses of 100, 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg body weight for 14 days. In the preventive dose group, TG was administered at the dose of 100 mg/kg body weight, orally for 28 days. Paw swelling, joint circumference, serum rheumatoid factor, C-reactive protein, serum IL-1β, TNF-α and histopathological parameters were assessed for the evaluation of arthritis. Effects of TG were compared with standard allopathic drug ibuprofen.ResultsTG reversed complete Freund’s adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats when used for 14 and 28 days. Serum rheumatoid factor, C-reactive protein, IL-1β and TNF-α were decreased in rats treated with both standard drug ibuprofen and TG.ConclusionOral administration of TG reduced experimentally induced rheumatoid arthritis in rats by reversing elevated level of serum biochemical markers as well as reducing joint destruction similar to ibuprofen. Results obtained from the study paved the way in exploring more specific mechanisms of action of TG involving in vitro and in silico models.

Dopamine release plateau and outcome signals in dorsal striatum contrast with classic reinforcement learning formulations

We recorded dopamine release signals in centromedial and centrolateral sectors of the striatum as mice learned consecutive versions of visual cue-outcome conditioning tasks. Dopamine release responses differed for the centromedial and centrolateral sites. In neither sector could these be accounted for by classic reinforcement learning alone as classically applied to the activity of nigral dopamine-containing neurons. Medially, cue responses ranged from initial sharp peaks to modulated plateau responses; outcome (reward) responses during cue conditioning were minimal or, initially, negative. At centrolateral sites, by contrast, strong, transient dopamine release responses occurred at both cue and outcome. Prolonged, plateau release responses to cues emerged in both regions when discriminative behavioral responses became required. At most sites, we found no evidence for a transition from outcome signaling to cue signaling, a hallmark of temporal difference reinforcement learning as applied to midbrain dopaminergic neuronal activity. These findings delineate a reshaping of striatal dopamine release activity during learning and suggest that current views of reward prediction error encoding need review to accommodate distinct learning-related spatial and temporal patterns of striatal dopamine release in the dorsal striatum.

A dissection of the monotonicity property of binary operations from a dominance point of view

In this paper, we expound weaker forms of increasingness of binary operations on a lattice by reducing the number of variables involved in the classical formulation of the increasingness property as seen from the viewpoint of dominance between binary operations. We investigate the relationships among these weaker forms. Furthermore, we demonstrate the role of these weaker forms in characterizing the meet and join operations of a lattice and a chain in particular. Finally, we provide ample generic examples.

Translational Neuroscience Contributes to Understanding Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Dostoyevsky's "Brothers Karamazov" With Treatment Implications.

Dostoyevsky's novels raise profound ethical, moral, philosophical and theological issues and, as a result, both he and his novels serve as fertile subjects of scholarly inquiry across a variety of academic disciplines. In particular, major characters in "The Brothers Karamazov" lend themselves to classical psychodynamic formulations, such as the influence of adverse childhood experiences on adult social and occupational outcomes, which in the case of Dmitry, the eldest son of Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov, are considered in exquisitely fine detail. Prosecutor and defense attorney provide differing interpretations of how early traumas, largely due to paternal neglect and abuse, affected Dmitry's adult outcome in the climactic trial over his alleged patricide. The novel also captures an extreme, and perhaps fanciful, description of an Oedipal rivalry between Dmitry and his father for the affection of a love interest leading to tragic and unpredictable consequences for both. The novel has been dissected by scholars across a variety of diverse and seemingly unrelated disciplines and continues to serve as a springboard for collaborative discussion. Re-reading the novel led the authors to wonder if translational developments in clinical neuroscience could further understanding of poor developmental trajectories of the novel's characters, as well as offer therapeutic recommendations for promoting more favorable occupational and social outcomes. Advances in basic neuroscience have been translated into actionable individualized, interdisciplinary, multimodal treatment plans leading to improved functional outcomes for children like Dmitry, Ivan, and Smerdyakov. Translational neuroscience enriches understanding of neurodevelopmental outcomes of characters in Dostoyevsky's novel "The Brothers Karamazov," especially in the context of genetic risk and in utero environmental insults.

Quantum geometric approach: Nature and characteristics of emerged quantum-conditioned spacetime curvatures on three-sphere

General relativity (GR) in its current classical formulation is fundamentally different from quantum mechanics (QM). We argue that the everlasting battle for exploring and understanding the Universe and then privileging a consistent perception of reality is therefore awaiting a consolidator rather than a conqueror. This should be capable of either unifying these two different benchmarks or at least bringing one closer to another! The latter conservatively describes the consolidating quantum geometric approach, which combines generalization of QM to relativistic energies and gravitational fields and continuous Riemann to discretized Finsler geometry. We found that this type of quantum geometric approach seems to unveil additional quantum-conditioned spacetime curvatures (QCC), sources of gravitation), which obviously could not be disclosed in Einstein’s GR, especially at large scales. This study introduces analytical and numerical analyses of QCC. We conclude that (i) nature and characteristics of QCC are fundamentally distinguishable from the classical GR’s spacetime curvatures, (ii) the QCC are intrinsic, real and essential, i.e. not artifacts that would be removed in a certain coordinate transformation and (iii) the magnitude of QCC are nonnegligible to be underestimated. We also conclude that the spacetime at quantum scales seems to be no longer smooth or continuous so that the proposed quantum geometric approach would be regarded as a novel mathematical framework for the emergence of quantum gravity. Last but not least, a maximal proper force is predicted as a new physical constant, which is responsible for the maximal and gravitational acceleration of a quantum particle that would live in the emerged spacetime curvatures. Thereby, the quantum geometric nature of QCC can be accessed and assessed.

Critical Review of Physical-Mechanical Principles in Geostructure-Soil Interface Mechanics

AbstractDue to the relatively different mechanical and physical properties of soils and structures, the interface plays a critical role in the transfer of stress and strain between them. The stability and safety of geotechnical structures are thus greatly influenced by the behavior at the soil–structure interface. It is therefore important to focus on the unique characteristics that set the interface apart from other geomaterials while examining the interface behaviour. Understanding the physical mechanism and modelling principles of these interfaces becomes a crucial step for the secure design and investigation of soil-structure interaction (SSI) issues. Moreover, to deal with this soil-environment interaction problem, the classical soil mechanics formulation must be progressively generalised in order to incorporate the effects of new phenomena and new variables on SSI behaviour. Considering the variety of energy geostructures that are emerging nowadays, it is crucial to comprehend the thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) behaviour of the interface. The objective of this study is to fill this information gap as concisely as possible. A critical review is provided along with the state-of-the-art information on the thermo-hydro-mechanical behaviour of the soil-structure interface, including testing tools and measurement methods, basic principles and deformation mechanisms, constitutive models, as well as their applications in numerical simulations. This study explains how loading influences the mechanisms at the interface and critically examines the effects of boundary conditions, soil properties, environmental factors, and structure type on the THM behaviour of interface zones between soils and structural elements. The validity and reliability of the interface shear stress-displacement models are also covered in this paper. Lastly, the trends and recent advancements are also recommended for the interface research.

Fungal communities in three root herbs: Insights and implications

The roots of Astragali Radix (AM), Dioscoreae Rhizome (DR), and Codonopsis Radix (CR) are frequently used in classical tonic formulations and dietary supplements. Given the extended exposure of rhizomes to complex biological environments, it is necessary to investigate the fungal composition of their surface. In this study, the fungal communities in the three root herbs were analyzed by DNA metabarcoding, and an extensive comparison of the fungal diversity at each taxonomic level was carried out. Furthermore, we examined the effects of species, collection site, and processing method on the fungal community. In Astragali Radix and Codonopsis Radix samples, Cladosporium was the predominant genus, with relative abundances of 1.98 %-76.81 % and 1.69 %-85.59 %, respectively. Aspergillus (0.08 %–99.92 %) was the prevailing genus in Dioscoreae Rhizome samples. Meanwhile, a total of 12 potential toxigenic fungi were identified, including Aspergillus restrictus, Fusarium oxysporum, and Penicillium citrinum. Moreover, the variations in fungal diversity and community composition from different collection sites and processing approaches were observed. Linear discriminant analysis effect size indicated significant differences in the relative abundance of genera among the three root herbs. Gibberella and Mucor genera were significantly enriched in Astragali Radix samples, while Yarrowia and Cladosporium genera exhibited significant enrichment in Dioscoreae Rhizome and Codonopsis Radix samples, respectively (p≤0.001). This study presents novel insights into the fungal profiles of three root herbs, thereby providing references for their safe utilization and quality improvement.

On the Gradient Method in One Portfolio Management Problem

This study refines the methodology for solving stochastic optimal control problems with quality criteria that include the sum of the quality functional of the classical formulation and an extremal measure. A two-level optimization solution of these kinds of problems is presented already for the case where the quality functional consists only of the extremal measure. Our study shows the possibility of solving the original time inconsistency problem through solving a two-level optimization problem, where the outer problem is solved by gradient methods since the value function is convex and the inner problem is solved by classical methods. Some experiments were carried out and confirmed the validity of the theory. The results of the study can be applied to the case of portfolio management with quality criteria containing the Conditional Value-at-Risk (CVaR) metric.

Thermoelastic damping in asymmetric vibrations of nonlocal circular plate resonators with Moore-Gibson-Thompson heat conduction

Precise estimation of the amount of thermoelastic damping (TED) in small-sized resonators is one of the crucial issues in their optimal design. According to several experimental, numerical and theoretical findings, the behavior of structures with such small dimensions in structural and thermal domains does not follow classical elasticity theory and the Fourier law of heat conduction. The objective of this work is to develop a nonclassical formulation for computing TED in asymmetric vibrations of circular nanoplates according to nonlocal theory (NT) and Moore-Gibson-Thompson (MGT) heat transfer model. To do so, first, the coupled equations of motion and heat are derived in the purview of NT and MGT model. Then, the real and imaginary parts of the system frequency are extracted from the frequency equation affected by thermoelastic coupling. Finally, by means of the existing definition for TED, a mathematical expression including nonlocal parameter of NT and nonclassical constants of MGT model is obtained to make an estimate of TED value. In the numerical examples section, to ensure the credibility of the provided formulation, the results obtained through this model are compared with those reported in the literature in the context of simpler models. Then, by presenting various graphical data, the type and extent of the role of different factors in TED changes are appraised. The obtained results indicate that employing NT and MGT model can substantially impact the amount of TED compared to the estimations of the classical formulation. Furthermore, the comparison of results reveals that the magnitude of TED in asymmetric vibration modes surpasses that in symmetric ones, and consequently incorporating asymmetric vibration modes is crucial for thorough analysis of TED in circular nanoplates. Thus, the formulation presented in this article can aid in achieving an optimal design for such plates, particularly in terms of minimizing energy loss.

Quadratic p-Median Problem: A Bender’s Decomposition and a Meta-Heuristic Local-Based Approach

In this paper, the quadratic p-median optimization problem is discussed, where the goal is to connect users to a selected group of facilities (emergency services, telecommunications servers, healthcare facilities) at the lowest possible cost. The problem is aimed at minimizing the cost of connecting these selected facilities. The costs are symmetric, meaning connecting two different points is the same in both directions. This problem extends the traditional p-median problem, a combinatorial problem used in various fields like facility location, network design, transportation, supply chain networks, emergency services, healthcare, and education planning. Surprisingly, the quadratic version has not been thoroughly considered in the literature. The paper highlights the formulation of two mixed-integer quadratic programming models to find optimal solutions to this problem. One model is a classic formulation, and the other is based on set cover theory. Linear versions and Bender’s decomposition formulations for each model are also derived. A Bender’s decomposition is solved using an algorithm that adds constraints during each iteration to improve the solution. Lazy constraints in the Gurobi solver’s branch and cut algorithm are dynamically added whenever a mixed-integer programming solution is found. Additionally, an efficient local search meta-heuristic is proposed that usually finds optimal solutions for tested instances. Challenging instances with up to 60 facilities and 2000 users are successfully solved. Our results show that Bender’s models with lazy constraints are the most effective for Euclidean and random test cases, achieving optimal solutions in less CPU time. The meta-heuristic also finds near-optimal solutions rapidly for these cases.

Comparing session type systems derived from linear logic

Session types are a typed approach to message-passing concurrency, where types describe sequences of intended exchanges over channels. Session type systems have been given strong logical foundations via Curry-Howard correspondences with linear logic, a resource-aware logic that naturally captures structured interactions. These logical foundations provide an elegant framework to specify and (statically) verify message-passing processes.In this paper, we rigorously compare different type systems for concurrency derived from the Curry-Howard correspondence between linear logic and session types. We address the main divide between these type systems: the classical and intuitionistic presentations of linear logic. Over the years, these presentations have given rise to separate research strands on logical foundations for concurrency; the differences between their derived type systems have only been addressed informally.To formally assess these differences, we develop πULL, a session type system that encompasses type systems derived from classical and intuitionistic interpretations of linear logic. Based on a fragment of Girard's Logic of Unity, πULL provides a basic reference framework: we compare existing session type systems by characterizing fragments of πULL that coincide with classical and intuitionistic formulations. We analyze the significance of our characterizations by considering the locality principle (enforced by intuitionistic interpretations but not by classical ones) and forms of process composition induced by the interpretations.

Global Sensitivity Analysis via Optimal Transport

We examine the construction of variable importance measures for multivariate responses using the theory of optimal transport. We start with the classical optimal transport formulation. We show that the resulting sensitivity indices are well-defined under input dependence, are equal to zero under statistical independence, and are maximal under fully functional dependence. Also, they satisfy a continuity property for information refinements. We show that the new indices encompass Wagner’s variance-based sensitivity measures. Moreover, they provide deeper insights into the effect of an input’s uncertainty, quantifying its impact on the output mean, variance, and higher-order moments. We then consider the entropic formulation of the optimal transport problem and show that the resulting global sensitivity measures satisfy the same properties, with the exception that, under statistical independence, they are minimal, but not necessarily equal to zero. We prove the consistency of a given-data estimation strategy and test the feasibility of algorithmic implementations based on alternative optimal transport solvers. Application to the assemble-to-order simulator reveals a significant difference in the key drivers of uncertainty between the case in which the quantity of interest is profit (univariate) or inventory (multivariate). The new importance measures contribute to meeting the increasing demand for methods that make black-box models more transparent to analysts and decision makers. This paper was accepted by Baris Ata, stochastic models and simulation. Funding: A. Figalli acknowledges the support of the ERC [Grant 721675] “Regularity and Stability in Partial Differential Equations (RSPDE)” and of the Lagrange Mathematics and Computation Research Center. Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.01796 .

A depth‐integrated SPH framework for slow landslides

AbstractSlow and very slow landslides can cause severe economic damage to structures. Due to their velocity of propagation, it is possible to take action such as programmed maintenance or evacuation of affected zones. Modeling is an important tool that allows scientists, engineers, and geologists to better understand their causes and predict their propagation. There are many available models of different complexities which can be used for this purpose, ranging from very simple infinite landslide models which can be implemented in spreadsheets to fully coupled 3D models. This approach is expensive because of the time span in which the problems are studied (sometimes years), simpler methods such as depth‐integrated models could provide a good compromise between accuracy and cost. However, there, the time step limitation due to CFL condition (which states that the time step has to be slower than the ratio between the node spacing and the physical velocity of the waves results in time increments which are of the order of one‐10th of a second on many occasions. This paper extends a technique that has been used in the past to glacier evolution problems using finite differences or elements to SPH depth‐integrated models for landslide propagation. The approach is based on assuming that (i) the flow is shallow, (ii) the rheological behavior determining the velocity of propagation is viscoplastic, and (iii) accelerations can be neglected. In this case, the model changes from hyperbolic to parabolic, with a time increment much larger than that of classic hyperbolic formulations.

Enhancing sustainability in irrigation networks: A multicriteria method for optimizing flow distribution and reducing environmental impact

Irrigation systems significantly enhance agricultural productivity but are also substantial consumers of water, energy, and natural resources. The need to optimize their design encouraged agronomic engineering to develop various methods for improving the design and management of these irrigation networks. This development focuses on creating a tool to define the optimal flow distribution according to the system's irrigation or consumption needs, thereby determining the design flows. The aim is to optimize the design of pipe diameters to improve sustainability (i.e., reducing CO2 emissions, minimizing service pressure, and maximizing recoverable energy within the system). These principles ensure a better evaluation of sustainable development goals within agricultural production. The proposed procedure develops a strategy to define the best-fitting distribution using a multicriteria solution. As novel, the research develops a tool, which characterizes flow distributions deviating from the classic Clement's formulation used in irrigation systems. The proposed method was applied in a Mediterranean irrigation system in Spain, achieving a correlation coefficient above 0.9 in the model. This methodology addresses design criteria in terms of sustainability and reduces energy consumption in networks. It achieved material savings of 6.01 % compared to the observed network, reducing CO2 emissions between 5.61 and 5.72 TnCO2/ha over its lifecycle.