Design Of Simulator Research Articles

Seismic fragility curves for the Italian RC residential buildings based on non-linear dynamic analyses

In the present paper, Fragility Curves (FCs) of Reinforced Concrete (RC) building types with moment-resisting frame structure representative of the existing Italian building stock have been derived through an analytical approach. The proposed methodology is based on Non-Linear Dynamic Analyses encompassing all the steps required to bring about reliable as well realistic fragility results. First, prototype building types have been selected by considering the main attributes affecting the seismic vulnerability of existing RC buildings, that is: age of construction (i.e. ‘50 s, ‘70 s and ‘90 s), number of storeys (i.e. 2, 4 and 6 storeys), arrangement in elevation of infills (i.e. Bare-, Infilled-, Pilotis-frame) and design level (i.e. seismic or gravity loads). A simulated design has been used for detailing the building types at hand, whose non-linear dynamic response has been computed by using a large set of signals. The signals have been purposely selected in order to approach the elastic design spectra provided in the Italian seismic code for different return periods, being able to take into account also record-to-record variability and soil-amplification effects. A specific relationship between the considered engineering demand parameter (i.e. inter-storey drift ratio) and all damage levels proposed in the EMS-98 scale have been defined on the basis of empirical data and expert judgement. A set of FCs in terms of peak ground acceleration are finally derived and compared to point out the role of the considered vulnerability attributes.

The relationship between problem‐solving behaviour and performance – Analysing tool use and information retrieval in a computer‐based office simulation

AbstractBackgroundProblem‐solving competences have evolved into key skills for professionals. Computer‐based business simulations enable the analysis of problem‐solving processes beyond end results. An important aspect of successful problem‐solving is to systematically use built‐in tools and process the provided information efficiently.ObjectivesThis investigation explores the relationship between students' tool use, information retrieval, and problem‐solving success in a computerized problem‐solving office simulation.MethodsAround 30,000 recorded behavioural log data points of 432 German vocational students were analysed.Results and ConclusionDistinct user groups are identified and cognitive problem‐solving competences are assessed to draw a link between behaviour and performance. An explorative cluster analysis based on student behaviour revealed four clusters. Significant results support the use of two cognitive tools that lead to success. One successful behaviour is using a notepad, a domain‐general and voluntary tool. Another successful problem‐solving behaviour is the use of a domain‐specific and solution‐relevant spreadsheet program. Note‐taking organizes information and mental processes while the spreadsheet leads to efficient computing. In line with other studies, students with higher problem‐solving competences tend to access tools and documents providing information more frequently.TakeawaysDomain‐general tool use differs from domain‐specific tool use over time. There are two different successful behaviour patterns in complex problem solving. Instructional and simulation designers should provide specific tools to support students as well as tackle problems.

The use of interactive game simulators for the development of algorithmic thinking of students in Russian language and literature lessons

Problem and goal . The model of formation of competitive qualities of a graduate of a modern digital school assumes that he has a culture of thinking, the ability to generalize, analyze, perceive information, set goals and choose ways to achieve it. The development of relevant skills is actively taking place in the lessons of computer science, mathematics, physics, chemistry. However, the Russian language and literature have a certain didactic potential for the formation of the ability to perform mental operations, choosing the optimal way to achieve the goal, etc. The expediency of using interactive simulators to support the communicative activity of students in the study of the Russian language and literature in order to form algorithmic thinking is substantiated. Metodology. The possibilities of designers of interactive simulators for various purposes are analyzed: for the development of online games (Lingo Play, Kid Mama), quests (Learnis), mobile phones (Alice's Resort, Kotovasia), for creating puzzles, charades, crosswords, metagrams and puzzles with riddles, quizzes. To evaluate the input conditions, testing was used, including blocks on the Russian language, literature, and computer science. The experimental study was conducted in the MOE Secondary School No. 25 of Sochi named after Hero of the Soviet Union S.E. Voitenko at the lessons of Russian language, literature, computer science. The participants of the experiment were 46 schoolchildren from the sixth grades. To create interactive game simulators in the classroom, the online designer of “eTrenics” is used (services “Kokla,” “Krypton,” “Morphanki,” “UFO,” “Potato”). Statistical processing of the results was performed using Pearson's chi-square test. Results. Students study services for creating interactive game simulators, use them to process new words, memorize spelling rules, and the plot of works of art. Statistically significant differences in the qualitative changes that occurred in the system according to the levels of development of algorithmic thinking were revealed. Conclusion. Described the features of the presented version of the use of interactive game simulators for the development of algorithmic thinking of schoolchildren in Russian language and literature lessons: inter-network interaction, the design of simulators according to the rules of the Russian language or the plot of the work, the intensification of learning, taking into account the specifics of the “clip” thinking of adolescents.

Design of a Low-Frequency Active Sonar Underwater Target Simulator Based on Bubble Clouds

According to the theory that bubble clouds have strong scattering properties in the water, effective medium theory (EMT) based on bubble clouds has been developed for a new kind of target simulator available for multi-static sonar experiments. According to the theory, the effects of the porosity of the bubble clouds and the size of the simulator on the backscattering strength of the target simulator are investigated. The optimal parameters for designing the target simulator are given by simulation analysis. Finally, by comparing with the traditional target simulator design scheme, it is shown that the target simulator designed based on EMT theory has the characteristics of low-frequency bandwidth, high target strength, small size, low cost, and application flexibility.

Disentangling the factors behind shifting voting intentions: The bandwagon effect reflects heuristic processing, while the underdog effect reflects fairness concerns

In today’s elections, abundantly available polls inform voters what parties lead and what parties trail. This allows voters to accurately predict the likely outcomes of elections before the final results are in. Voters may react to these ex-ante election outcomes by shifting their votes either toward leading parties, often termed the “bandwagon effect” or toward trailing parties, often termed the “underdog effect”. The published literature presents different perspectives on the strength of both effects and the underlying psychological processes. Three preregistered studies (total N = 1,424) test the psychological causes of both effects. Exploratory Study 1 relates differences in interpersonal, moral, strategic, and epistemic psychological factors to shifts in voting intentions before the 2019 Polish parliamentary elections. Results suggest that the bandwagon effect reflects a lack of political expertise, whereas the underdog effect reflects fairness concerns. To provide experimental evidence, Studies 2a and 2b manipulate these two factors in a simulated election design. The results confirm that low expertise increases the bandwagon effect and that fairness concerns increase the underdog effect.

Modelling the effect of aggressive driver behavior on longitudinal performance measures during car-following

Driving aggression is a major concern during car-following situations as it is closely associated with collision risk and crash severity. Despite the tendency of reckless driving actions and increased crash risk with the vehicle ahead, aggressive driver behavior remains unexplored. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of aggressive driver behavior (three driver categories: aggressive, moderately aggressive, and non-aggressive drivers) and drivers’ tendency to aggressive stimuli (due to lead vehicle (vehicle moving ahead) reckless driving) on car-following behavior. A sample of fifty-eight Indian drivers participated in this study. All the experiments were conducted using a driving simulator. The simulator design includes a lead vehicle dynamic maneuver with rapid accelerations and decelerations (at 1 m/s2, 1.5 m/s2, and 2 m/s2). Three longitudinal performance measures including speed variability (SPV) from LV, speed recovery time (SRCT), and time spent tailgating, were analyzed during LV acceleration stage using generalized linear models (GLM). Further, to assess collision avoidance behavior and crash risk, deceleration adjusting time (DAT) was analyzed during the LV sudden deceleration stage using Weibull Accelerated Failure Time (AFT) analysis. The findings indicate that due to their tendency to risk-raking behavior, aggressive drivers decreased their SPV and SRCT by 25 % and 18 %, respectively. The time spent tailgating increased by 107 % for aggressive drivers. The survival probabilities were decreased by 23.77 % for aggressive drivers at 3 sec DAT. The findings of the study can be used in car-following models to enhance the model performance, improve the reliability of simulation tools, and design interventions to improve safety (in automated driving).

The perceived value and impact of virtual simulation-based education on students’ learning: a mixed methods study

BackgroundVirtual simulations are used throughout healthcare training programs to enable development of clinical skills, however the potential for virtual simulation to enhance cognitive and affective skills is less well understood. This study explored pre-clinical optometry students’ perceptions of the impact of virtual simulation on the development of core competency skills including patient-centred care, communication, scientific literacy, and evidence-based practice.MethodsA mixed methods study was conducted using pre-existing anonymized data from an electronic survey distributed to pre-clinical optometry students enrolled in the double degree Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry at Deakin University, Australia. The data were interpreted using descriptive statistics and qualitative analysis using constant comparison for thematic analysis.ResultsA total of 51 responses were analyzed. Students reported that virtual simulation motivated them to become an optometrist (93%) and to learn beyond the course material (77%). Students reported that after participating in the virtual simulation, their core competency skills improved: patient-centered care (100%) evidence-based practice (93%) and clinical reasoning (93%). The themes identified through qualitative analysis were: enablers to cognitive experience in virtual simulation in optometry education, realism of the virtual simulation design, dimensions of fidelity in virtual simulations design replicated the complexity of the optometric environment, virtual simulation as an enabler for learning and assessment in optometry education, a place to develop cognitive and affective skills and application of learning in the virtual simulation developed an appreciation of future roles and professional identity.ConclusionOptometry students perceived virtual simulation in optometric education as a valuable training and assessment strategy enabled by qualities that generate contextual, cognitive, functional, task and psychological fidelity. The data provide insight to inform how optometry educators can incorporate simulation into the curriculum.

Optimization of a Laboratory Rainfall Simulator to Be Representative of Natural Rainfall

The importance of understanding the effects of rainfall on different materials over time makes it essential to carry out controlled tests to reduce analysis time. Rainfall simulators have been in use for decades and have been implemented as technology and knowledge of the physical behavior of water advanced. There are two main types of rainfall simulators: gravity simulators and pressure simulators. In the former, the drop velocity is normally smaller than the terminal velocity reached by natural droplets; in the latter, the drop size is too small to be representative and has far more speed than the natural speed for those sizes. To solve this problem, a simulator has been developed where the terminal velocity of the raindrops is reached and the drop size can be varied by different nozzles of variable sizes, adapting it to the conditions of a given region. In this study, conditions similar to the rainfall conditions of the city of León have been achieved. This paper presents the design of a rainfall simulator that recreates different rainfall conditions and rainwater composition and its calibration process.

HEE placement project –paramedics in the driving seat

Creating additional placements for undergraduate paramedic learners is being driven by Health Education England (HEE). With the increase in numbers undertaking paramedic training by education providers, there is limited additional capacity for placements within the current placement areas (e.g. Ambulance Trusts). Working in partnership with a dedicated simulation team, the paramedic science lecturers co-created a simulated placement. One aspect included the students undertaking a one-day ‘Train the trainer course’ prior to the day of facilitating led by the simulation lecturer and this course referred to research and best practice standards [1]. Seventy-six third-year students across two different cohorts undertook this activity. From two cohorts, eleven different simulation activities were created. Three focused on trauma injuries (e.g., a severed arm in a factory). In the remaining eight simulation designs, the paramedic students chose areas of their professional practice they wanted to focus on, including a lady with domestic violence. All students were asked to complete an online evaluation tool that focused on their learning both as a facilitator and as a learner undertaking their peers’ simulation activities. Overwhelmingly all seventy-six learners rated their own experiences as a facilitator highly, citing that to create their own designs, they had to revisit course work and search for evidence and guidelines. This aspect they felt improved their knowledge and confidence. Reviewing the data as a learner, the paramedic students felt the scenarios were richer and closer to practice and provided a richer discussion. Participating in debriefing as both the facilitator and learner, the participants reported that they felt more comfortable about critiquing care that learning how to use open questions. The students created their own community of practice [2] and actively sought literature and evidence-based practice to create the designs and the parameters and behaviours for their own cases that they facilitated. The debriefing sessions evolved into reflection surrounding their identity and the agency of practice in the clinical arena. As faculty, the expectations prior to this project were that the designs created would be trauma only and found all were authentic and professionally written. The faculty will be implementing this project across all years of undergraduate training for paramedics. Supporting students to write and deliver their own SBES at intervals allows them to be involved in their own learning. This additional knowledge and skills will assist them into professional practice. 1. Persico L, Belle A, DiGregorio H, Wilson-Keates B, Shelton C. Healthcare simulation standards of best practice 2. Wenger E. Communities of practice: learning, meaning, and identity. 1999. Cambridge, UK, Cambridge University Press.

Optimization of urban transport; an alternative to checkerboard towns plans

In this paper, we established a precedent to provide urban planning alternatives, given that in modern mobility problems, it is difficult to provide a corrective solution. The proposal of this work focuses on finding preventive rather than remedial solutions, although in particular cases, it may be applicable. We simulated town design situations with optimal ramified transport and metaheuristic optimization methods. For this purpose, it was necessary to analyze the essential aspects of road transportation and traffic problems in the world’s leading cities, considering the hypodamic planes proposed in antiquity and contrasting their properties with optimal ramified transportation.

Design and fabrication of rudimentary shaped and effective 1 × 2 printed MIMO antenna using low profile material for WLAN and satellite applications

AbstractThe presented article represents the rudimentary‐shaped effective 1 × 2 MIMO antenna structure. The five variation types in the ground region shape are analyzed. The structure's total dimensions are 40 × 36 × 1.6 mm3. For efficiently manufacturing, the low‐profile substrate FR4 is employed, and the reflectance response of a simulated and modelled design is compared. The placement of two T‐shaped slits in the ground area aids in achieving a wider bandwidth, multiband response, excellent Gain, and directivity. Overall, the PW:4 has a minimum reflectance coefficient of −34.54 dB, a broad bandwidth of 3.38 GHz, a peak gain of 13.02 dB, maximum narrow band isolation of 62 dB, and a maximum normalized directivity of 156°. The Envelop Correlation Coefficient, Channel Capacity Loss, Total Active Reflection Coefficient, and Diversity Gain for MIMO design are also examined. These findings indicate the provided design's behavior as per the standard requirements.

Horse Riding Simulator Design to Replicate Human Walking Gait for Hippotherapy in Cerebral Palsy Rehabilitation

Hippotherapy is a popular rehabilitation method for children with cerebral palsy (CP), which is done by riding an actual horse or a horse riding simulator (HRS) device. Riding a real horse is more expensive than using an HRS device due to its high maintenance cost. However, most HRS devices commonly sold in the market are designed as exercise devices, not rehabilitation devices. Most of them are designed to simulate a horse’s walk, trot, canter, or gallop gait at various speeds. Hippotherapy aims to improve the walking ability of CP patients. Therefore, the device should aim to replicate the walking gait of a healthy human, the end goal of hippotherapy. This problem motivates us to design and build a specialized HRS device replicating the walking gait of a healthy human that is suitable for hippotherapy, which is achievable by simulating a horse walking gait with several adjustments. We first studied and observed the walking gait cycle of a horse, then analyzed and derived a formulation of it. We then continue by designing an HRS device using a single electrical rotational motor and mechanical means to replicate the walking gait of a horse, then tune it to an extent to replicate a human walking gait. To measure the performance of our design, we compare the gait of the user when riding our device versus walking.

Design Method of Freeform Anamorphic Telescopes with an Ultrawide Field of View

An anamorphic telescope has different magnifications in the tangential and sagittal directions, and it can be applied to atmospheric remote sensing satellites to effectively improve the spectral sampling rate. However, the initial structure of an anamorphic system is rare and its optimization requires extensive experience, which brings a challenge to the design of anamorphic telescopes. In this study, we propose a design method that is effective in obtaining the initial structure of an anamorphic system and discuss the conversion relationship between the Biconic surface and the XY polynomial surface. The XY polynomial provides design capabilities with an ultrawide field of view (FOV). With this insight, an initial anamorphic system with XY polynomial surfaces is constructed as a good starting point for further ultrawide FOV optimization. Consequently, an off-axis freeform anamorphic telescope with a focal length of 34 mm × 68 mm, and an ultrawide FOV of 110° × 0.24° is designed as an example. The telescope is a Gregorian structure with two concave mirrors as anamorphic elements, and the simulated design exhibits excellent performance. The method provided in this study facilitates the design of remote sensing instruments.

Virtual-reality-based online simulator design with a virtual simulation system for the docking of unmanned underwater vehicle

The simulation of the docking process is an important solution for the control and navigation design of Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV), which can be used to evaluate the reliability of the algorithm in an economic way. However, most of the existing simulations are offline, which cannot interact with the real sensors mounted on the UUV, and cannot visually simulate and display the immersive motion of the UUV in the underwater environment. Therefore, to address the aforementioned problem, an online simulator is designed in this paper, which provides a virtual simulation system for the docking task simulation of the UUV. Two modes are designed with one to provide the virtual simulation with simulated UUV model and sensor, while another to provide the real platform simulation with intuitive visualization of the real tasks achieved by the recorded data. The host and lower computers are designed to communicate and exchange the data. Namely, the lower computer can calculate the mathematical model, and simulate or interact with the real sensor during the docking process; The host computer can obtain the simulated or recorded data from the lower computer, and implement the navigation and control of the UUV, which can be finally displayed in the accurately created virtual docking scene. The fuzzy PID controller and four different navigation modes are designed to implement the experiment with the specific motion verification and underwater docking for the UUV, and the results verify the effectiveness of the online simulator for the underwater tasks simulation with lower cost.

SoRSS: A Soft Robot for Bio-Mimicking Stomach Anatomy and Motility.

A human stomach is an organ in the digestive system that breaks down foods by physiological digestion, including mechanical and chemical functions. The mechanical function is controlled by peristaltic waves generated over the stomach body, known as antral contraction waves (ACW). The stomach's physiological digestion is essential to sustain nutrition and health in humans. Replicating the digestion process in a robot provides a test environment as an alternative solution to in vivo testing, which is difficult in practice. Stomach robots made of rigid rods and metal cylinders are unrealistic replicas to contract and expand like biological examples. With soft robotics technology, it is possible to translate biological behavior into an engineering context. Soft robotics introduce potential methods to replicate peristaltic waves and achieve a soft-bodied stomach simulator. This work presents a soft robotic stomach simulator's (SoRSS) concept, design, and experimental validation. A pneumatic bellows actuation for linear elongation and a ring of bellows actuation for circular contraction are proposed first. Multi-ring actuators are then arranged to form an SoRSS that generates ACW and antral contracting pressure (ACP). The SoRSS satisfies the specification of human stomach anatomy and motility and finally undergoes experimental validation using videofluoroscopy with the outcomes presenting the ACW, ACP, and the digestion phases during the actuation process. Those are compared with other medical studies to validate SoRSS functionality.

State of the art of prosthesis simulators for the upper limb: A narrative review.

Research into prosthesis training and design puts a burden on the small population of people with upper-limb absence who can participate in these studies. One solution is to use a prosthetic hand simulator, which allows for attaching a hand prosthesis to an intact limb. However, whether the results of prosthesis simulator studies can be translated to people with upper-limb absence using a hand prosthesis is unclear. To review the literature on prosthetic hand simulators, provide an overview of current designs, and highlight the differences and similarities between prosthesis simulators and traditional prostheses. A Boolean combination of keywords was used to search 3 electronic databases: PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science. Relevant articles in English were selected. In total, 52 papers were included in the review, and an overview of the state of the art was presented. We identified the key differences between prosthesis simulators and traditional prostheses as the position of the terminal device and the available degrees of freedom of the arm and (prosthetic) wrist. This paper provides an overview of prosthesis simulator designs over the past 27 years and an overview of the similarities and differences between prosthesis simulators and prostheses. The literature does not provide enough evidence to establish whether the results obtained from simulator studies could be translated to prostheses. A recommendation for future simulator design is to constrain pro- and supination of the forearm of anatomically intact participants and add a prosthetic wrist that can pro- and supinate. Additional research is required to find the ideal terminal device position for a prosthesis simulator with respect to the person's hand.

Development of Simple and Advanced Adult Proximal Tibia Simulators for a Decentralized Simulation-Based Education Model to Teach Paramedics-in-Training the Intraosseous Infusion Procedure.

Introduction During the COVID-19 pandemic, public health had advised practicing social distancing which led to the temporary shutdown of simulation laboratories or centralized simulation-based education model, shared spaces that healthcare workers such as paramedicsuse to train on important hands-on clinical skills for the job. One such skill is intraosseous (IO) access and infusion, the delivery of fluids and medication through the marrow or medullary cavity of the bone which provides fast and direct entry into the central venous system. This skill is critical in emergencies when peripheral access is not immediately available. To continue the training of paramedics in life-saving skills like IO infusion in the post-pandemic era, a decentralized simulation-based education (De-SBE) model was proposed. The De-SBE relies on the availability of inexpensive and flexible simulators that can be used by learners outside of the simulation laboratory. However, to date, there is a paucity of simulation design methods that stimulate creativity and ideation, and at the same time, provide evidence of validity for these simulators. Our exploratory research aimed to test a novel approach that combines components of development-related constraints, ideation, and consensus(CIC) approachto develop and provide content validity for simulators to be used in a De-SBE model. Materials and methods The development of the IO simulators was constrained to follow a design-to-cost approach. First, a modified design thinking session was conducted with three informants from paramedicine and medicine to gather ideas for the development of two IO simulators (simple and advanced). Next, to sort through, refine, and generate early evidence of the content validity of the simulators, the initial ideas were integrated into a two-round, modified Delphi process driven by seven informants from paramedicine and medicine. In addition, we surveyed the participants on how well they liked the CIC approach. Results The CIC approach generated a list of mandatory and optional features that could be added to the IO simulators. Specifically, six features (one mandatory and four optional) for the existing simple IO simulator and eight (three mandatories and five optional) for the advanced IO simulators were identified. Following a design-to-cost approach, the features classified as mandatory for the simple and advanced IO simulators were integrated into the final designs to maintain the feasibility of production for training purposes. The surveys with the participants showed that the CIC approach worked well in the group setting by allowing for various perspectives to be shared freely and ending with a list of features for IO simulator designs that could be used in the future. Some improvements to the approach included flagging for potential users to determine what works best concerning the mode of delivery (online or in person), and duration of the stages to allow for more idea generation. Conclusion The CIC approach led to the manufacturing of simple and advanced IO simulators that would suit a training plan catered to teach the IO access and infusion procedure decentrally to paramedics-in-training. Specifically, they have been designed in a manner that allows them to be made easily accessible to the trainees i.e., low costs and high mobility, and work cohesively with online learning management systems which further facilitates the use of a De-SBE model.

The Development of the Driving Simulator: Anthropometry and Occupant Packaging Evaluation in Ergonomic Study

The primary purpose of this study was to produce a driving simulator guided by ergonomics and anthropometry in the population of Malaysians. The data obtained from previous studies on the Malaysian population are minimal, so this study should be highlighted in the automotive research industry. Hence, this study also aimed to improve the existing study, where the driving simulator can investigate driving behavior systematically and in more detail. Furthermore, the simulator can produce the same scenario on the road without involving actual vehicles. Therefore, using a driving simulator can reduce the risk and cost of the study done on a real road. The used monitor will broadcast the setup road scenario on the display that will be observed and evaluated afterward. The research observed anthropometry data from 103 participants in 23 different measurements of 11 standing and 12 sitting positions. This analysis continues with the study of occupant packaging measurement in an actual vehicle's driving area, determining the driving simulator dimension. The driving simulator design is then obtained by analyzing three different vehicle models: BMW i3, Toyota Prius, and Proton Preve. This phase includes the standard and optimum driver seat adjustment according to the required ergonomics study, which is proportional to the Malaysian population measurement based on the selected previous study. The design proceeds with the material selection with aluminum extrusion as its design material. Finally, the design created is analyzed in a CATIA V5 simulation to examine the displacement magnitude and von Mises stress of the rig frame structure when some load is appointed. The final phase included a physical test to measure the driving simulator's abilities to avoid the stated obstacles in measuring its accuracy compared to an actual on-road experiment. This phase included 10 participants with two different scenarios. Participants had a compulsory questionnaire to conclude the analysis based on their experience. In conclusion, this study discriminated against on-road driving behavior with high safety factors and low cost without involving an actual vehicle or road. Hence, the simulation of the designed product proves that the subject weight is directly proportional to the displacement magnitude and its von Mises stress, and vice versa.

Low-cost adaptation options to support green growth in agriculture, water resources, and coastal zones

The regional climate as it is now and in the future will put pressure on investments in sub-Saharan Africa in water resource management, fisheries, and other crop and livestock production systems. Changes in oceanic characteristics across the Atlantic Ocean will result in remarkable vulnerability of coastal ecology, littorals, and mangroves in the middle of the twenty-first century and beyond. In line with the countries' objectives of creating a green economy that allows reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved resource efficiency, and prevention of biodiversity loss, we identify the most pressing needs for adaptation and the best adaptation choices that are also clean and affordable. According to empirical data from the field and customized model simulation designs, the cost of these adaptation measures will likely decrease and benefit sustainable green growth in agriculture, water resource management, and coastal ecosystems, as hydroclimatic hazards such as pluviometric and thermal extremes become more common in West Africa. Most of these adaptation options are local and need to be scaled up and operationalized for sustainable development. Governmental sovereign wealth funds, investments from the private sector, and funding from global climate funds can be used to operationalize these adaptation measures. Effective legislation, knowledge transfer, and pertinent collaborations are necessary for their success.

Dripping Rainfall Simulators for Soil Research—Design Review

Dripping rainfall simulators are important instruments in soil research. However, a large number of non-standardized simulators have been developed, making it difficult to combine and compare the results of different studies in which they were used. To overcome this problem, it is necessary to become familiar with the design and performances of the current rainfall simulators. A search has been conducted for scientific papers describing dripping rainfall simulators (DRS) and papers that are thematically related to the soil research using DRS. Simulator design analysis was performed integrally, for simulators with more than one dripper (DRS>1) and with one dripper (DRS=1). Descriptive and numerical data were extracted from the papers and sorted by proposed categories, according to which the types and subtypes of used simulators are determined. The six groups of elements that simulators could consist of have been determined, as well their characteristics, representation and statistical analyses of the available numerical parameters. The characteristics of simulators are analyzed and presented, facilitating the selection of simulators for future research. Description of future simulators in accordance to the basic groups of simulator elements should provide all data necessary for their easier replication and provide a step closer to the reduction of design diversification and standardization of rainfall simulators intended for soil research.