King's College, Aberdeen

About: King's College, Aberdeen is a based out in . It is known for research contribution in the topics: Poison control & Sedimentary depositional environment. The organization has 712 authors who have published 918 publications receiving 25421 citations. The organization is also known as: King's College, Aberdeen & The University and King's College of Aberdeen.

Computation of fields due to current sources

Abstract: In finite-element codes where the magnetic field is split into a reduced magnetic intensity and the gradient of a scalar field, the computational effort spent in calculating the field due to impressed currents can be great. This contribution seeks to show that there are an infinite number of ways of calculating the field due to these currents, and that a proper choice can greatly increase the computational efficiency of the finite-element method.

Logo building blocks: student teachers using computer-based mathematics apparatus

Abstract: We describe experiments in which student teachers, who have been identified by their college of education as needing mathematical help, undertook a computer-based elementary maths course. Our objectives were to assess the effect of this work on the students' mathematical performance and attitude. The students were given hands-on experience of the programming language LOGO, which included both writing simple programs and running pre-defined procedures, such as those for illustrating the multiplication of fractions pictorially. The computer was used as a piece of mathematics apparatus with which the students could experiment: it did not take any tutorial or managerial role. A variety of mathematics performance and attitude tests were administered pre and post, and the results are described and analysed. Some evidence for the success of the approach is shown, though the experiments underline the enormous difficulty of helping this kind of student.

Participatory groundwater modelling to build resilience to hydrological extremes in the Limpopo River Basin: Potential and challenges

Abstract: The Limpopo River Basin (LRB) is highly vulnerable to floods and droughts, and these recurrent extreme events seriously threaten the basin's water and food security. Implementing sustainable water management practices is essential to improving resilience to future flood and drought hazards. Identification of such sustainable practices can be done through evaluating alternative management scenarios. It is increasingly recognized that scenario analysis and management strategy identification requires collaboration between scientists and a broad range of stakeholders from local to (trans-) national scales. In this study, we demonstrate and evaluate a real-world application of a basin-scale hydrological model as a decision-support tool based on a multi-sector collaborative modelling approach to co-create management strategies and identify appropriate, inclusive water governance strategies to improve resilience to hydrological extremes in the LRB. To achieve the objectives, an integrated hydro(geo)logical model (WetSpass-MODFLOW) was set up using existing (i) hydro(geo)logical and climatic information and (ii) expert and local community knowledge collected through stakeholders' workshops. After successfully evaluating the model simulation capacity using the groundwater observation datasets, the model was used for evaluating the following management scenarios identified during the stakeholders workshops with inputs from local, national and transboundary governance actors: (1) increase groundwater abstraction; (2) deforestation; (3) afforestation; and (4) managed aquifer recharge (MAR), using (4a) injection well, (4b) rainwater harvesting (local ponds), and (4c) small water reservoirs (e.g. local ponds and sand dams). Though evaluating different identified management scenarios and stakeholder feedback, our results suggest that the most effective strategy is local rainwater harvesting and storage through small-scale (household to village) water reservoirs/ponds or well recharge. It reduces the risk and impact of floods as it can capture and store the excess water during flood into the groundwater aquifer and if upscaled over the entire LRB, can significantly increase the groundwater level across the basin. Additionally, this excess water can be an essential source of water during a drought. The results also show that the multi-sector collaborative modelling approach is effective to co-create management strategies and identify the appropriate and inclusive strategy to improve resilience to hydrological extremes even in data-limiting conditions, provided that the effective stakeholder’s involvement is ensured throughout the modelling study. Finally, the proposed modelling outcomes are helpful in making informed decisions regarding appropriate water management and transboundary cooperation in the LRB. 

Network Mutual Information and Synchronization under Time Transformations

Abstract: We investigate the effect of general time transformations on the phase synchronization (PS) phenomenon and the mutual information rate (MIR) between pairs of nodes in dynamical networks. We demonstrate two important results concerning the invariance of both PS and the MIR. Under time transformations PS can neither be introduced nor destroyed and the MIR cannot be raised from zero. On the other hand, for proper time transformations the timing between the cycles of the coupled oscillators can be largely improved. Finally, we discuss the relevance of our findings for communication in dynamical networks.