Unconventional Model Research Articles

An interview with Karen Sears.

Karen Sears is a Professor of the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), USA. Her group leverages a range of organisms, including bats and the short-tailed opossum, to study the mechanisms underpinning mammalian evolution. Karen is a Guest Editor for Development's Special Issue on Uncovering Developmental Diversity, which highlights how unconventional model organisms are advancing our understanding of developmental biology. We caught up with Karen to find out more about her research, the importance of public engagement and the challenges of working with unusual organisms in the lab.

Fetal endocrine axes mRNA expression levels are related to sex and intrauterine position

BackgroundThe hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) and -gonadal (HPG) axes are two major pathways that connect the neural and endocrine systems in vertebrates. Factors such as prenatal stress and maternal exposure to exogenous steroids have been shown to affect these pathways during fetal development. Another less studied factor is the transfer of hormones across fetuses in multifetal pregnancies. This form of transfer has been shown to influence the morphology, anatomy, physiology, and behavior of the offspring in litter-bearing mammals, an influence termed the intrauterine position (IUP) effect. In this study, we sought to delineate how the IUP effects HPA and HPG brain receptors, peptides, and enzymes (hereafter components) in utero and how these influences may differ between males and females.MethodsWe utilized the unconventional model of culled free-ranging nutria (Myocastor coypus), with its large natural variation. We collected brain tissues from nutria fetuses and quantified the expression of key HPA and HPG components in three brain regions: prefrontal cortex, hypothalamus, and striatum.ResultsWe found an interaction between sex and IUP in the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GNRHR), androgen receptor (AR), and estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1). IUP was significant in both gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and its receptor GNRHR, but in different ways. In the hypothalamus, fetuses adjacent to same-sex neighbors had higher expression of GnRH than fetuses neighboring the opposite sex. Conversely, in the cortex, GNRHR exhibited the inverse pattern, and fetuses that were neighboring the opposite sex had higher expression levels than those neighboring the same sex. Regardless of IUP, in most components that showed significant sex differences, female fetuses had higher mRNA expression levels than male fetuses. We also found that HPA and HPG components were highly related in the early stages of gestation, and that there was an interaction between sex and developmental stage. In the early stages of pregnancy, female component expression levels were more correlated than males’, but in the last trimester of pregnancy, male components were more related to each other than female’s.ConclusionsThis study suggests that there are sexually different mechanisms to regulate the HPA and HPG axes during fetal development. Higher mRNA expression levels of endocrine axes components may be a mechanism to help females cope with prolonged androgen exposure over a long gestational period. Additionally, these findings suggest different coordination requirements of male and female endocrine axes during stages of fetal development.

Unconventional Intersection Design to reduce The Delay Time for Bab Al Mashhad Intersection in Hilla City

Abstract The study aims to evaluate and improve traffic movements for an intersection in Bab al-Mashhad in Hilla City, the improvement for this intersection is done by changing the intersection from a conventional model to an unconventional model. The video techniques were utilized to gather the traffic data. The traffic information was collected from the video by using the event program and arrangement by Excel sheet, the VISSUM software was used for the simulation process. This simulation shows the level of service before improvement (F) and after improvement (C) and emission co decreased with 64% so this is lead to activate the sustainability principles in the intersection. The results refer to the traffic volume had big effect on intersection sustainability classification The results refer to a good acceptance of using the unconventional intersection to improve this traffic movement intersection.

Depth imaging of multicomponent seismic data through the application of 2D full‐waveform inversion to P‐ and SH‐wave data: SEAM II Barrett model study

AbstractWe examine the value of the nine‐component seismic survey by generating the Kirchhoff depth migration images of compressional wave (P‐wave), converted wave (PS‐wave) and horizontally polarized shear wave (SH shear wave) data simulated from the SEAM II Barrett unconventional model. We first utilize full waveform inversion to obtain a P‐wave velocity model from P‐wave data and an S‐wave velocity model from SH‐wave data. Both P‐wave and SH‐wave data are generated with the maximum frequency of 20 Hz while assuming that the subsurface is isotropic. To implement full waveform inversion, we use a two‐dimensional time‐domain finite‐difference method and the L2 norm to measure the data misfit. We use both refractions and reflections in P‐ and SH‐wave data to reconstruct the P‐ and S‐wave velocity models from the surface to the reservoir. The inverted P‐ and S‐wave velocities contain the main features of the model (e.g., major faults and channels) but have some difficulties in estimating high‐frequency velocity variation within the first 300‐m depth of the model due to the frequency constraint. We then use the inverted P‐ and S‐wave velocities to generate Kirchhoff depth migration gathers and images from the P‐, PS‐ and SH‐wave data. The flat P‐ and SH‐wave common‐image offset gathers suggest that SH‐ and P‐wave full waveform inversion can generate adequate S‐ and P‐wave velocities for migration. Flat PS‐wave gathers and the clear PS‐wave migration image are also obtained using the inverted P‐ and S‐wave velocities simultaneously. This result indicates that obtaining S‐wave velocities from SH‐wave data can aid PS‐wave data processing and imaging. Moreover, the SH‐wave images and S‐wave images of the radial component provide better delineation of fault planes and small‐scale geobodies within the reservoir since the wavelength of the S‐wave is smaller compared to P‐wave when similar frequency ranges are recorded. Therefore, our study shows that S‐wave velocities can be successfully constructed by the two‐dimensional full waveform inversion application of the SH‐wave data. The subsequent imaging of multicomponent seismic data improves the delineation of certain unconventional reservoirs compared to the traditional P‐wave imaging.

Weight-restricted approach on constant returns to scale DEA models: Efficiency of internet banking in Turkey

The performance measurement of decision-making units (DMUs) can be optimised by strategically choosing the optimal input and output weights. This approach circumvents the potential complexities associated with establishing a common basis for ranking homogeneous units and managing the results from multiple efficient frontiers. Efficient frontier ranking is simplified by limiting the weights based on the intrinsic or technical connections between relevant inputs and outputs. It also creates a coherent framework that coordinates various considerations across all under-evaluated DMUs and variables. This method effectively examines the complexities related to the inputs and outputs of homogeneous units using conventional data envelopment analysis (DEA) models to evaluate the efficiency of these units.In the banking sector, the relationship between inputs and outputs is complex. This complexity requires careful attention, particularly in cases where the existence of one input or output is conditional on the existence of another. This dynamic is accentuated by the integration of advanced fintech solutions, which inherently provide significant benefits to banking operations. The use of appropriate analytical models for banking data is important. The synergy between advanced financial technologies and analytical methods has reached its peak in reducing losses and strengthening profits. This, in turn, facilitates the optimal allocation of financial resources to growth-oriented projects.The empirical application of weight-restricted DEA models to Turkey's mobile-internet-banking sector underscores their efficacy. These modified models contrast with the standard DEA versions, which often encounter challenges stemming from the allocation of weights to pivotal variables. This study demonstrates the tangible benefits of our approach and its potential to revolutionise the efficiency assessment landscape in the banking sector.The proposed unconventional model which is applied to Turkish Internet banking for the period extending from 2006 to 2018 and which takes a comprehensive weight restriction approach to DEA and encompasses all relevant input and output variables, resulted in strictly positive weights and a reduced count of inflated efficient units along with their scores. This is practically beneficent to banking sector in so far as it facilitates decision-making and related economic and financial planning, and as it proves to be a reliable benchmark by local or international banks intending to provide or develop Internet banking services.

Pseudolycoriella hygida (Sauaia and Alves)-An Overview of a Model Organism in Genetics, with New Aspects in Morphology and Systematics.

Pseudolycoriella hygida (Sauaia & Alves, 1968) is a sciarid that has been continuously cultured in the laboratory for nearly 60 years. Studies on this species have contributed to the understanding of DNA puffs, which are characteristic of Sciaridae, and to the knowledge of more general aspects of insect biology, including cell death, nucleolar organization, and the role of the hormone ecdysone during molting. The genome of Psl. hygida has now been sequenced, and it is the third publicly available sciarid genome. The aim of this work is to expand the current knowledge on Psl. hygida. The morphology of the adults is revisited. The morphology of larvae and pupae is described, together with the behavior of immature stages under laboratory conditions. Cytogenetic maps of the salivary gland polytene chromosomes are presented, together with a comparative analysis of the mitotic chromosomes of six different sciarid species. Pseudolycoriella hygida was originally described as a species of Bradysia and recently moved to Pseudolycoriella. We examine here the systematic position of Psl. hygida in the latter genus. Our results extend the characterization of an unconventional model organism and constitute an important resource for those working on the cytogenetics, ecology, taxonomy, and phylogenetic systematics of sciarids.

Three-dimensional Finite Element Model of Three-phase Contact Line Dynamics and Dynamic Contact Angle

An unconventional model of three-phase contact liny dynamics is suggested for the numerical solution of the boundary value problem of dipping and spreading. The numerical modeling is conducted with the use of the finite-element method in Lagrange variables. The mathematical model of the process is described by the equation of motion, continuity, and natural boundary conditions on the free surface. To exclude the ity of viscous stresses in the mathematical model on three-phase contact lines (TPCL) there was suggested a gridded model of gliding that takes into consideration peculiarities of dissipative processes in the neighborhood of TPCL at the microlevel. To reduce oscillations of pressure in the neighborhood of TPCL, a finite element is used. The suggested method allows for natural monitoring of free surface and TPCL with an unconventional model for dynamic contact micro-angle. A stable convergent algorithm is suggested that is not dependent on the grid step size and that is tested through the example of a three-dimensional semispherical drop and a drop in the form of a cube. The investigations obtained are compared to well-known experimental and analytical results demonstrating a high efficiency of the suggested model of TPCL dynamics at small values of capillary number.

Improved Tuberculosis Detection through Deep Learning

Tuberculosis (TB) is a significant public health challenge worldwide. Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and containment of the disease. This research work addresses the problem by proposing a multi-model classification method for identifying TB cases from chest X-rays with high accuracy. It utilizes a dataset created from realtime patient data collected from TB hospitals. Additionally, a comparative analysis of two deep learning models is conducted for the accurate detection of TB from chest X-ray images. The models were assessed based on accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score, with the one unconventional model demonstrating superior performance. This paper discusses the potential reasons for the observed discrepancies, including differences in model architecture, data handling, and training processes. Our findings suggest that the integration of the softmax activation function into binary classification models can have a beneficial impact on training efficiency, leading to improved performance in medical image analysis for Tuberculosis detection. Although softmax is mathematically equivalent to sigmoid in binary tasks, our results indicate a potential advantage in utilizing softmax that warrants further investigation. To further enhance the robustness of our approach, future research will focus on incorporating additional datasets from diverse populations and exploring the integration of ensemble learning techniques, aiming to increase the generalizability and reliability of TB detection in chest X-ray images across varied demographic groups.

Investigation of the impact of A-site cation disorder on the structure, magnetic properties, and magnetic entropy change of trisubstituted divalent ions in La0.7(Ba,Ca,Sr)0.3MnO3 manganite.

This study investigates the effect of A-site disorder, characterized by the average ionic radius (〈rA〉) and the cation mismatch (σ2), on the structural, magnetic, critical behavior, and magnetic entropy changes in La0.7(Ba,Ca,Sr)0.3MnO3 manganites with trisubstituted Ba, Ca, and Sr. The sol-gel method was used to prepare polycrystalline samples. All series of compounds crystallize in rhombohedral symmetry with the R3̄c space group. A linear relationship between lattice parameters, unit cell volume, and 〈rA〉 was observed. This reveals an unusual behavior in the correlation between 〈rA〉 and σ2 concerning magnetic properties, which is attributed to the complex simultaneous trisubstitution of divalent ions. Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were utilized to validate the chemical composition of compounds. All the samples crystallized in rhombohedral symmetry, and the lattice parameters increased continuously with increasing 〈rA〉. A-site disorder causes distortions in the Mn-O bond length and Mn-O-Mn bond angle in the MnO6 octahedral structure, which influences the double-exchange interaction and electronic bandwidth (W). The Curie temperature (TC) increases linearly with increasing W. The critical behavior around TC for all the samples was investigated by determining the values of the critical exponents (β, γ, and δ) using the modified Arrott plot (MAP) method. The estimated critical exponents show that the unconventional model establishes a short-range ferromagnetic order. The maximum magnetic entropy change (-ΔSM) was obtained with the lowest 〈rA〉 and σ2 value. The analysis of the critical behavior and universal curve indicates a second-order phase transition (SOPT) nature for all samples.

Pathway to Independence - an interview with James Gahan.

James Gahan is a Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Fellow supported by Rob Klose (University of Oxford, UK) and David Booth (University of California San Francisco, USA) interested in the evolutionary origins of animals and developmental gene regulation. James is part of the first cohort of Development's Pathway to Independence Programme Fellows, which aims to support postdocs in obtaining their first faculty positions. We met with James over Teams to learn more about his career using unconventional model systems and the future of his research as he moves towards setting up his own lab.

Brand equity and company performance: evidence from a quasi-experiment in an emerging market

PurposeMarketing and brand managers are under more pressure than ever before to demonstrate the impact of the managers' strategies and actions on company value, especially in an emerging market. In this context, the authors investigate the relationship between brand equity and company performance using the rankings of most valued brands from Brand Finance (BF), Brand Analytics (BZ) and Interbrand (IB).Design/methodology/approachThe authors use used a panel from the period between 1990 and 2018 (29 years), consisting of a sample of 689 companies with shares traded in an emerging market representing 7,970 observations with unbalanced data. The authors applied a dynamic Differences-in-Differences Ordinary Last Squares (DID OLS) method.FindingsThe main finding of this study is that brands ranked as valuable significantly increased the brands' companies' intangible assets, return on assets, free cash flow (FCF) and market value.Research limitations/implicationsThe present study helps brand and marketing managers show to chief executive officers (CEOs) and shareholders the importance of brand development. In addition, valuable brand companies of an emerging market may represent an interesting opportunity for market investors.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the marketing literature, addressing the fields of marketing and finance, by analyzing the performance of companies separately over a long period, with different metrics, an unconventional model in the marketing area and different rankings of valuable brand names.

The Pristine survey – XVIII. C-19: tidal debris of a dark matter-dominated globular cluster?

ABSTRACT The recently discovered C-19 stellar stream is a collection of kinematically associated metal-poor stars in the halo of the Milky Way lacking an obvious progenitor. The stream spans across an arc of ∼15° in the sky, and orbit-fitting suggests an apocentric distance of ${\sim} 20\, \mathrm{kpc}$ and a pericentre of ${\sim} 10\, \mathrm{kpc}$. The narrow metallicity dispersion of stars with available spectra, together with light element abundance variations, suggests a globular cluster (GC) origin. The observed metallicity ([Fe/H] ≈ −3.4), however, is much lower than that of any known GC. In addition, the width and velocity dispersion of the stream are similar to those expected from disrupting dwarf galaxies, and substantially larger than the tidal debris of GCs able to disrupt on C-19’s orbit. We propose here an unconventional model where the C-19 progenitor is a dark matter-dominated stellar system with GC-like abundance patterns. We use N-body simulations to show that the tidal disruption of a ∼100 pc King-model stellar component embedded in a ∼20 km s−1 cuspy cold dark matter halo yields debris consistent with C-19’s observed width and velocity dispersion. The stellar component of the progenitor is fully disrupted, and is spread over two distinct streams, one corresponding to C-19 and another possibly hiding behind the Galactic plane. If such companion stream were found, it would suggest that dark matter-dominated dwarfs may also develop GC-like enrichment patterns, a finding that would inform our theoretical understanding of the formation of multiple populations in GCs and dwarf galaxies alike.

Multi-Type Hydrocarbon Accumulation Mechanism in the Hari Sag, Yingen Ejinaqi Basin, China

With the successful development of unconventional hydrocarbons, the production of unconventional hydrocarbons has increased rapidly. However, a single conventional or unconventional model is not suitable for the mechanism of hydrocarbon accumulation in a given basin or sag. Based on data from drilling, logging, and geophysical analysis, the hydrocarbon accumulation mechanism in the Hari sag in the Yingen-Ejinaqi basin, China, was analyzed. There are three sets of source rocks in the Hari sag: the K1y source rocks were evaluated as having excellent source rock potential with low thermal maturity and kerogen Type I-II1; the K1b2 source rocks were evaluated as having good source rock potential with mature to highly mature stages and kerogen Type II1-II2; and the K1b1 source rocks were evaluated as having moderate source rock potential with mature to highly mature stages and kerogen Type II1-II2. Reservoir types were found to be conventional sand reservoirs, unconventional carbonate-shale reservoirs, and volcanic rock reservoirs. There were two sets of fault-lithologic traps in the Hari sag, which conform to the intra-source continuous hydrocarbon accumulation model and the approaching-source discontinuous hydrocarbon accumulation model. The conclusions of this research provide guidance for exploring multi-type reservoirs and multi-type hydrocarbon accumulation models.

Evaluating Gas-Oil Ratio Behavior of Unconventional Wells in the Uinta Basin

On account of low matrix permeability and porosity, the fluid phase behavior in tight oil reservoirs significantly differs from the conventional plays, which increases the challenges of evaluating the well performance and providing reliable production prediction. One of the most important efforts is to investigate the behavior of unconventional well gas-to-oil ratio (GOR). The growth trend of GOR is always considered as a principal reference to modify the production strategies and enhance the well productivity. In this paper, long-term GOR (20 years) behavior of an unconventional well model was evaluated by a set of comprehensive sensitivity studies. This model’s dimensions and reservoir properties are based on information of the Altamont-Bluebell field in the Uinta Basin. The simulation results established a general framework for interpreting the GOR behavior. Key drivers such as completion designs, reservoir, and fracture properties are investigated. This study provides some key insights into the GOR behaviors, such as the high sensitivity of the hydraulic fracture properties, including fracture conductivity and effective fracture half-length. The GOR behavior could be considerably different on various conductivity values or fracture lengths, resulting from the conductivity impact of phase movement and the pressure transition along the fracture. The fracture design factors like drawdown scenario and cluster spacing also play indispensable roles in impacting the GOR response, where a less aggressive drawdown rate can help to delay the GOR increase at an early stage; a widening spacing also can mitigate the rise of GOR and keep it at low value during the whole production period. The impact from natural fractures is also examined and discussed for the first time, including the effect of natural fracture numbers and conductivity, where the latter variable is considered as a more effective contributor to the GOR prediction. The findings presented in this work promote a better understanding of the GOR behaviors in tight oil reservoirs. Results and discussion in this paper allow a more accurate forecasting production to improve the reservoir management efficiency and provide multiple valuable insights to guide the field development in future projects.

Nonlinear buckling mode transition analysis in nonlocal couple stress-based stability of FG piezoelectric nanoshells under thermo-electromechanical load

Smart materials and structures at the nanoscale represent the main components in manufacturing plan for nano-electromechanical systems. In this research study, an unconventional shell model based upon the nonlocal couple stress (NCS) continuum mechanics accommodating the both softening and stiffening features of size dependency is formulated to analyze the buckling mode transition phenomenon in nonlinear stability characteristics of functionally graded (FG) piezoelectric nanoshells subjected to thermo-electromechanical load. To accomplish this objective, an efficient numerical strategy based upon the moving Kriging meshfree (MKM) technique is employed via different nodal distribution schemes, including Chebyshev, regular uniform and irregular ones. The established NCS-based numerical model has the capability to incorporate the buckling mode transition phenomenon as well as satisfying the function property of the Kronecker delta via imposing essential boundary conditions with no use of predefined mesh and directly at the associated nodes. It is also demonstrated that by changing the sign of electric actuation from negative to positive, the softening character of nonlocality as well as the strengthening character associated with the couple stress size dependency become a bit more significant. Furthermore, the roles of both unconventional stress tensors are more prominent in the value of the second bifurcation point in comparison with the first one.

What Was Old Is New Again: The Pennate Diatom Haslea ostrearia (Gaillon) Simonsen in the Multi-Omic Age

The marine pennate diatom Haslea ostrearia has long been known for its characteristic blue pigment marennine, which is responsible for the greening of invertebrate gills, a natural phenomenon of great importance for the oyster industry. For two centuries, this taxon was considered unique; however, the recent description of a new blue Haslea species revealed unsuspected biodiversity. Marennine-like pigments are natural blue dyes that display various biological activities—e.g., antibacterial, antioxidant and antiproliferative—with a great potential for applications in the food, feed, cosmetic and health industries. Regarding fundamental prospects, researchers use model organisms as standards to study cellular and physiological processes in other organisms, and there is a growing and crucial need for more, new and unconventional model organisms to better correspond to the diversity of the tree of life. The present work, thus, advocates for establishing H. ostrearia as a new model organism by presenting its pros and cons—i.e., the interesting aspects of this peculiar diatom (representative of benthic-epiphytic phytoplankton, with original behavior and chemodiversity, controlled sexual reproduction, fundamental and applied-oriented importance, reference genome, and transcriptome will soon be available); it will also present the difficulties encountered before this becomes a reality as it is for other diatom models (the genetics of the species in its infancy, the transformation feasibility to be explored, the routine methods needed to cryopreserve strains of interest).

The Curious Case of Multicellularity in the Volvocine Algae.

The evolution of multicellularity is a major evolutionary transition that underlies the radiation of many species in all domains of life, especially in eukaryotes. The volvocine green algae are an unconventional model system that holds great promise in the field given its genetic tractability, late transition to multicellularity, and phenotypic diversity. Multiple efforts at linking multicellularity-related developmental landmarks to key molecular changes, especially at the genome level, have provided key insights into the molecular innovations or lack thereof that underlie multicellularity. Twelve developmental changes have been proposed to explain the evolution of complex differentiated multicellularity in the volvocine algae. Co-option of key genes, such as cell cycle and developmental regulators has been observed, but with few exceptions, known co-option events do not seem to coincide with most developmental features observed in multicellular volvocines. The apparent lack of “master multicellularity genes” combined with no apparent correlation between gene gains for developmental processes suggest the possibility that many multicellular traits might be the product gene-regulatory and functional innovations; in other words, multicellularity can arise from shared genomic repertoires that undergo regulatory and functional overhauls.

Light Design In Russian Universities: What and How to Teach?

Light design as a prominent and self-sufficient branch of design has appeared and developed abroad and is a rather new part of Russian design practice. Along with solving practical problems, it is time to think on the aspects of training of light design specialists in Russian design universities. Engineering and technical, and partially artistic aspects in light design education, have international nature to a great extent, but the new specialty has been acquiring its own distinctions in Russia, which are mainly related to aesthetical problems of the profession and specific understanding of the cultural and historical context. These national distinctions have first appeared in practice and theoretical studies and then they began being translated into the educational sphere, turning into authorial education programmes and techniques and predetermining selection of design problems and their implementation methods. Light design implies training of interdisciplinary specialists, which requires a comprehensive approach to development of the educational process including innovative-technological as well as humanitarian sections, forming an unconventional model of the educational process. The Environment Design sub-department of Moscow State Stroganov Academy of Design and Applied Arts, the oldest Russian art and industry school, has gained a rich experience in artistic design in the field of light design, which comprises all leading professional trends. The methods of conventional artistic design, computer modelling, and animation skills as well as the knowledge included in the new discipline “The Basics of Light Design” have allowed developing of term and graduation projects having consideration for specific practical requirements and aiming at their future implementation.

The young Hobson family: Possible binary parent body and low-velocity dispersal

Context.Asteroid families with ages younger than 1 Myr offer an interesting possibility of studying the outcomes of asteroid disruptions that are little modified by subsequent evolutionary processes.Aims.We analyze a very young asteroid family associated with (18777) Hobson in the central part of the main belt. We aim at (i) understanding its peculiar size distribution, and (ii) setting an upper limit on the characteristic dispersal velocity at subkilometer sizes corresponding to the smallest visible Hobson members.Methods.We identified the Hobson family using an up-to-date asteroid catalog. A significant increase in the number of its known members allowed us to study their size distribution and compare it with computer simulations of catastrophic disruptions. Backward orbital integrations of the heliocentric orbits allowed us to confirm the previously suggested age of Hobson and helped to estimate limits of the ejection speed.Results.The Hobson family has an unusual size distribution: two nearly equal-size bodies, followed by a population of smaller asteroids, whose distribution takes a characteristic power law. There are two possibilities to explain these data. Either a canonical impact onto a single parent body, requiring fine-tuned impact conditions that have not been studied so far, or an unconventional model for the parent object of the Hobson family, namely a binary with ≃7−9 km primary and a ≃2.5 km secondary. In the latter case, the primary was disrupted, leaving behind the largest remnant (18777) Hobson and a suite of subkilometer asteroids. The second largest asteroid, (57738) 2001 UZ160, is the nearly intact satellite of the parent binary. The excellent convergence of nominal orbits of Hobson members sets an upper limit of ≃(10−20) m s−1for the initial dispersal velocity of the known members, which is consistent with both formation models. The Hobson family provides a so far rare opportunity of studying disruptions of small asteroids in a situation in which both the material strength and reaccumulation efficiency play an important role.

Vertical wind speed extrapolation: Modelling using a response surface methodology (RSM) based on unconventional designs

The main objective of this paper is to develop a predictive model of vertical wind speed profile. Response surface methodology (RSM) is used for this purpose. RSM is a set of statistical and mathematical techniques useful for the development, improvement and optimisation of processes. It is mainly used in industrial processes and is successfully applied in this paper to model the wind speed at the hub height of the wind turbine. An unconventional model is adopted due to the nature of the input parameters which cannot be controlled or modified. The model validation indicators, namely correlation coefficient ([Formula: see text]) and root mean square error (RMSE = 1.02), give excellent results when comparing predicted and measured wind speeds. For the same data, the RSM model gives a better RMSE compared to the conventional power law and the artificial neural network.