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At least 919 records · Page 51

A Novel Auto-Scaling MPPT Algorithm based on Perturb and Observe Method for Photovoltaic Modules under Partial Shading Conditions

Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) controller is required in a solar photovoltaic (PV) system to deliver the maximum power to load from PV module. This paper proposes a novel stepped MPPT method to realize a simple MPPT controller, which can track the real maximum power point (RMPP) even under partial shading conditions. The proposed algorithm is started by scanning the characteristic curve of the PV modules to detect the global maximum power point and then the algorithm will be switched to the conventional P&O algorithm to track the true maximum power point. The obtained simulation results, using Power electronic simulation software (PSIM), are compared with those found using the P&O method to confirm the performance of our proposed MPPT method even under non-uniform solar irradiation.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

A Novel Energy-Aware Distributed Clustering Algorithm for Heterogeneous Wireless Sensor Networks in the Mobile Environment

In order to prolong the network lifetime, energy-efficient protocols adapted to the features of wireless sensor networks should be used. This paper explores in depth the nature of heterogeneous wireless sensor networks, and finally proposes an algorithm to address the problem of finding an effective pathway for heterogeneous clustering energy. The proposed algorithm implements cluster head selection according to the degree of energy attenuation during the network’s running and the degree of candidate nodes’ effective coverage on the whole network, so as to obtain an even energy consumption over the whole network for the situation with high degree of coverage. Simulation results show that the proposed clustering protocol has better adaptability to heterogeneous environments than existing clustering algorithms in prolonging the network lifetime.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Supervisory Algorithm for Autonomous Hemodynamic Management Systems

Future military conflicts will require new solutions to manage combat casualties. The use of automated medical systems can potentially address this need by streamlining and augmenting the delivery of medical care in both emergency and combat trauma environments. However, in many situations, these systems may need to operate in conjunction with other autonomous and semi-autonomous devices. Management of complex patients may require multiple automated systems operating simultaneously and potentially competing with each other. Supervisory controllers capable of harmonizing multiple closed-loop systems are thus essential before multiple automated medical systems can be deployed in managing complex medical situations. The objective for this study was to develop a Supervisory Algorithm for Casualty Management (SACM) that manages decisions and interplay between two automated systems designed for management of hemorrhage control and resuscitation: an automatic extremity tourniquet system and an adaptive resuscitation controller. SACM monitors the required physiological inputs for both systems and synchronizes each respective system as needed. We present a series of trauma experiments carried out in a physiologically relevant benchtop circulatory system in which SACM must recognize extremity or internal hemorrhage, activate the corresponding algorithm to apply a tourniquet, and then resuscitate back to the target pressure setpoint. SACM continues monitoring after the initial stabilization so that additional medical changes can be quickly identified and addressed, essential to extending automation algorithms past initial trauma resuscitation into extended monitoring. Overall, SACM is an important step in transitioning automated medical systems into emergency and combat trauma situations. Future work will address further interplay between these systems and integrate additional medical systems.

42 ENGINEERING↗

An Easy Algorithm to Generate Colored Noise Sequences

The need for accurate and efficient simulation of the noise background arises in statistical significance tests for periodic signals buried in colored noise. This paper discusses techniques for generating colored-noise sequences which simulate processes with a given spectral density. Matlab routines based on the fast fractional difference algorithm are presented. These routines can create various stochastic models (e.g., first-order autoregressive (AR(1)), power law (PL), autoregressive fractionally integrated moving average ((1, d, 0)), and generalized Gauss Markov (GGM)) that serve as possible candidate null hypotheses to test against in various scenarios. Allan variance and power spectral density (PSD) show that our algorithms are accurate and efficient, and can be easily implemented for stationary noise models and non-stationary PLs with spectral indices up to 2. Our algorithms can also be extended to produce a non-stationary PL with a range-limited steeper PSD (spectral indices up to about 4) using a GGM approximation with a proper break frequency. The red-noise leakage effect on the periodogram is further discussed. The result shows that our GGM approximation has a potential for alleviating the red-noise leakage in the PSD estimates. The Timmer and Koenig procedure is also included for comparison.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Assessment of Gamma-Ray-Spectra Analysis Method Utilizing the Fireworks Algorithm for Various Error Measures

The analysis of measured data plays a significant role in enhancing nuclear nonproliferation mainly by inferring the presence of patterns associated with special nuclear materials. Among various types of measurements, gamma-ray spectra is the widest utilized type of data in nonproliferation applications. In this paper, a method that employs the fireworks algorithm (FWA) for analyzing gamma-ray spectra aiming at detecting gamma signatures is presented. In particular, FWA is utilized to fit a set of known signatures to a measured spectrum by optimizing an objective function, where non-zero coefficients express the detected signatures. FWA is tested on a set of experimentally obtained measurements optimizing various objective functions—MSE, RMSE, Theil-2, MAE, MAPE, MAP—with results exhibiting its potential in providing highly accurate and precise signature detection. Finally and furthermore, FWA is benchmarked against genetic algorithms and multiple linear regression, showing its superiority over those algorithms regarding precision with respect to MAE, MAPE, and MAP measures.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Combining machine-learned and empirical force fields with the parareal algorithm: application to the diffusion of atomistic defects

We numerically investigate an adaptive version of the parareal algorithm in the context of molecular dynamics. This adaptive variant has been originally introduced in [1]. We focus here on test cases of physical interest where the dynamics of the system is modelled by the Langevin equation and is simulated using the molecular dynamics software LAMMPS. In this work, the parareal algorithm uses a family of machine-learning spectral neighbor analysis potentials (SNAP) as fine, reference, potentials and embedded-atom method potentials (EAM) as coarse potentials. We consider a self-interstitial atom in a tungsten lattice and compute the average residence time of the system in metastable states. Our numerical results demonstrate significant computational gains using the adaptive parareal algorithm in comparison to a sequential integration of the Langevin dynamics. We also identify a large regime of numerical parameters for which statistical accuracy is reached without being a consequence of trajectorial accuracy.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A Robust In-Situ Warp-Correction Algorithm For VISAR Streak Camera Data at the National Ignition Facility

The National Ignition Facility (NIF) at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is a 192-beam pulsed laser system for high-energy-density physics experiments. Sophisticated diagnostics have been designed around key performance metrics to achieve ignition. The Velocity Interferometer System for Any Reflector (VISAR) is the primary diagnostic for measuring the timing of shocks induced into an ignition capsule. The VISAR system utilizes three streak cameras; these streak cameras are inherently nonlinear and require warp corrections to remove these nonlinear effects. A detailed calibration procedure has been developed with National Security Technologies (NSTec) and applied to the camera correction analysis in production. However, the camera nonlinearities drift over time, affecting the performance of this method. An in-situ fiber array is used to inject a comb of pulses to generate a calibration correction in order to meet the timing accuracy requirements of VISAR. We develop a robust algorithm for the analysis of the comb calibration images to generate the warp correction that is then applied to the data images. Our algorithm utilizes the method of thin-plate splines (TPS) to model the complex nonlinear distortions in the streak camera data. In this paper, we focus on the theory and implementation of the TPS warp-correction algorithm for the use in a production environment.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

A First-order Prediction-Correction Algorithm for Time-varying (Constrained) Optimization: Preprint

This paper focuses on the design of online algorithms based on prediction-correction steps to track the optimal solution of a time-varying constrained problem. Existing prediction-correction methods have been shown to work well for unconstrained convex problems and for settings where obtaining the inverse of the Hessian of the cost function can be computationally affordable. The prediction-correction algorithm proposed in this paper addresses the limitations of existing methods by tackling constrained problems and by designing a first-order prediction step that relies on the Hessian of the cost function (and do not require the computation of its inverse). Analytical results are established to quantify the tracking error. Numerical simulations corroborate the analytical results and showcase performance and benefits of the algorithms.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

New Advanced Source Identification Algorithm (ASIA-NEW) for radiation monitors with plastic detectors

Radiation Portal Monitors (RPM) with plastic detectors represent the main instruments used for primary border (customs) radiation control. RPM are widely used because they are simple, reliable, relatively inexpensive and have a high sensitivity. However, experience using the RPM in various countries has revealed the systems have some grave shortcomings. There is a dramatic decrease of the probability of detection of radioactive sources under high suppression of the natural gamma background (radiation control of heavy cargoes, containers and, especially, trains). NORM (Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material) existing in objects under control trigger the so-called 'nuisance alarms', requiring a secondary inspection for source verification. At a number of sites, the rate of such alarms is so high it significantly complicates the work of customs and border officers. This paper presents a brief description of new variant of algorithm ASIA-New (New Advanced Source Identification Algorithm), which was developed by the authors and based on some experimental test results. It also demonstrates results of different tests and the capability of a new system to overcome the shortcomings stated above. New electronics and ASIA-New enables RPM to detect radioactive sources under a high background suppression (tested at 15-30%) and to verify the detected NORM (KCl) and the artificial isotopes (Co-57, Ba-133 and other). New variant of ASIA is based on physical principles and does not require a lot of special tests to attain statistical data for its parameters. That is why this system can be easily installed into any RPM with plastic detectors. This algorithm was tested for 1,395 passages of different transports (cars, trucks and trailers) without radioactive sources. It also was tested for 4,015 passages of these transports with radioactive sources of different activity (Co-57, Ba-133, Cs-137, Co-60, Ra-226, Th-232) and these sources masked by NORM (K-40) as well. (authors)

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Real breakthrough in detection of radioactive sources by portal monitors with plastic detectors and New Advanced Source Identification Algorithm (ASIA-New)

Radiation Portal Monitors (RPM) with plastic detectors represent the main instruments used for primary border (customs) radiation control. RPM are widely used because they are simple, reliable, relatively inexpensive and have a high sensitivity. However, experience using the RPM in various countries has revealed the systems have some grave shortcomings. There is a dramatic decrease of the probability of detection of radioactive sources under high suppression of the natural gamma background (radiation control of heavy cargoes, containers and, especially, trains). NORM (Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material) existing in objects under control trigger the so-called 'nuisance alarms', requiring a secondary inspection for source verification. At a number of sites, the rate of such alarms is so high it significantly complicates the work of customs and border officers. This paper presents a brief description of new variant of algorithm ASIA-New (New Advanced Source Identification Algorithm), which was developed by the Rapiscan company. It also demonstrates results of different tests and the capability of a new system to overcome the shortcomings stated above. New electronics and ASIA-New enables RPM to detect radioactive sources under a high background suppression (tested at 15-30%) and to verify the detected NORM (KCl) and the artificial isotopes (Co- 57, Ba-133 and other). New variant of ASIA is based on physical principles, a phenomenological approach and analysis of some important parameter changes during the vehicle passage through the monitor control area. Thanks to this capability main advantage of new system is that this system can be easily installed into any RPM with plastic detectors. Taking into account that more than 4000 RPM has been installed worldwide their upgrading by ASIA-New may significantly increase probability of detection and verification of radioactive sources even masked by NORM. This algorithm was tested for 1,395 passages of different transports (cars, trucks and trailers) without radioactive sources. It also was tested for 4,015 passages of these transports with radioactive sources of different activity (Co-57, Ba-133, Cs-137, Co-60, Ra-226, Th-232) and these sources masked by NORM (K-40) as well. (authors)

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Beam hardening correction using iterative total variation (ITV)-based algorithm in CBCT reconstruction

Recently, beam hardening reduction is required to produce high-quality reconstructions of X-ray cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) system for medical applications. This paper introduces the iterative total variation (ITV) for filtered-backprojection suffering from the serious beam hardening problems. Feldkamp, Davis, and Kress (FDK) reconstruction algorithm for CBCT system is widely used reconstruction technique. FDK reconstruction algorithm could be realized by generating the weighted projection data, filtering the projection images, and back-projecting the filtered projection data into the volume. However, FDK algorithm suffers from the beam hardening artifacts by X-ray attenuation coefficients. Recently, total variation (TV) method for compressed sensing (CS) has been particularly useful in exploiting the prior knowledge of minimal variation in the X-ray attenuation characteristics across object or human body. But a practical implementation of this method still remains a challenge. The main problem is the iterative nature of solving the TV-based CS formulation, which generally requires multiple iterations of forward and backward projections of a large dataset in clinically or industrially feasible time frame. In this paper, we propose ITV method after FDK reconstruction for reducing the beam hardening artifacts. The beam hardening problems are reduced by the ITV method to promote sparsity inherent in the X-ray attenuation characteristics. (authors)

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

CE TSUNAMI-3D Algorithm Improvements in SCALE 6.2

The TSUNAMI (Tools for Sensitivity and Uncertainty Analysis Methodology Implementation) capabilities within the SCALE code system make use of sensitivity coefficients for an extensive number of criticality safety applications such as quantifying the data-induced uncertainty in the eigenvalue of critical systems, assessing the neutronic similarity between different systems, quantifying computational biases, and guiding nuclear data adjustment studies. The continuous-energy (CE) TSUNAMI-3D code is a new tool included in SCALE 6.2 that allows for eigenvalue and generalized response sensitivity calculations using high-fidelity CE Monte Carlo methods. This paper describes several improvements to CE TSUNAMI-3D beyond those previously published. These improvements primarily consist of - A multi-response capability for the CE TSUNAMI generalized response sensitivity calculation mode; and - Efficiency improvements in CE TSUNAMI's Iterated Fission Probability (IFP)-based algorithms. This paper documents several improvements to the CE TSUNAMI-3D sensitivity algorithms included in the SCALE 6.2 release. These improvements have enabled the simulation of multiple GPT responses within a single CE TSUNAMI simulation, a feature that increases the memory footprint of the simulations by approximately 1-3% per response and the runtime by approximately 1-2%, per response. These algorithmic improvements have also significantly improved the computational efficiency of CE TSUNAMI IFP-based sensitivity calculations, reducing the memory footprints approximately by a factor of 3 and the simulation runtimes by 10-70%. (authors)

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Analysis and improvement of input channel selection algorithm for reliability of control systems in nuclear power plants - 138

In most of non-safety NSSS (Nuclear Steam Supply System) control systems, a process input is composed of two channels for redundancy. In a normal situation, the average of both input channels is used in the control algorithm. If a failed channel is detected, the 'channel selection algorithm' chooses the remaining normal input channel. For a bumpless transition, many implemented control systems include the 'ramping rate' function, which makes it possible for the selected input to slowly approach the new input channel. However, it recently turned out that this function adopted for positive effects may result in unintended consequences for the related control system and the plant in certain cases. Due to a process transient in the plant according to a significant event, any related sensor input signal can rapidly change and finally exceed the pre-defined range for detecting an out-of-range event in a short time. During the process of channel conversion due to a rapid transient in the plant, the processed input from the redundant channels can be distorted if the ramping rate function is not properly implemented. As a result, it can result in a plant shutdown because the control system fails to perform the critical function to mitigate a plant transient. To solve these potential problems, we analyzed the overall causes and derived a proposed algorithm for improving reliability and performance of the control systems. (authors)

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Biased degenerate ground-state sampling of small Ising models with converged quantum approximate optimization algorithm

The quantum alternating operator ansatz, a generalization of the quantum approximate optimization algorithm (QAOA), is a quantum algorithm used for approximately solving combinatorial optimization problems. QAOA typically uses the transverse field mixer as the driving Hamiltonian. One of the interesting properties of the transverse field driving Hamiltonian is that it results in nonuniform sampling of degenerate ground states of optimization problems. In this study, we numerically examine the fair sampling properties of the transverse field mixer QAOA, and Grover mixer QAOA (GM-QAOA), which provides theoretical guarantees of fair sampling of degenerate optimal solutions, up to a large enough p such that the mean expectation value converges to an optimal approximation ratio of 1. This comparison is performed with high-quality heuristically computed, but not necessarily optimal, QAOA angles, which give strictly monotonically improving solution quality as p increases. These angles are computed using the Julia based numerical simulation software JuliQAOA. Fair sampling of degenerate ground states is quantified using the Shannon entropy of the ground-state amplitudes distribution. The fair sampling properties are reported on several quantum signature Hamiltonians from previous quantum annealing fair sampling studies. Small random fully connected spin glasses are shown, which exhibit exponential suppression of some degenerate ground states with transverse field mixer QAOA. The transverse field mixer QAOA simulations show that some problem instances clearly saturate the Shannon entropy of 0 with a maximally biased distribution that occurs when the learning converges to an approximation ratio of 1 while other problem instances never deviate from a maximum Shannon entropy (uniform distribution) at any p step. Published by the American Physical Society 2025

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

A decision tree algorithm for investigation of model biases related to dynamical cores and physical parameterizations: CESM/CAM EVALUATION BY DECISION TREES

An object-based evaluation method using a pattern recognition algorithm (i.e., classification trees) is applied to the simulated orographic precipitation for idealized experimental setups using the National Center of Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Community Atmosphere Model (CAM) with the finite volume (FV) and the Eulerian spectral transform dynamical cores with varying resolutions. Daily simulations were analyzed and three different types of precipitation features were identified by the classification tree algorithm. The statistical characteristics of these features (i.e., maximum value, mean value, and variance) were calculated to quantify the difference between the dynamical cores and changing resolutions. Even with the simple and smooth topography in the idealized setups, complexity in the precipitation fields simulated by the models develops quickly. The classification tree algorithm using objective thresholding successfully detected different types of precipitation features even as the complexity of the precipitation field increased. The results show that the complexity and the bias introduced in small-scale phenomena due to the spectral transform method of CAM Eulerian spectral dynamical core is prominent, and is an important reason for its dissimilarity from the FV dynamical core. The resolvable scales, both in horizontal and vertical dimensions, have significant effect on the simulation of precipitation. The results of this study also suggest that an efficient and informative study about the biases produced by GCMs should involve daily (or even hourly) output (rather than monthly mean) analysis over local scales.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

A computationally efficient parallel Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm for highly parameterized inverse model analyses

Inverse modeling seeks model parameters given a set of observations. However, for practical problems because the number of measurements is often large and the model parameters are also numerous, conventional methods for inverse modeling can be computationally expensive. We have developed a new, computationally-efficient parallel Levenberg-Marquardt method for solving inverse modeling problems with a highly parameterized model space. Levenberg-Marquardt methods require the solution of a linear system of equations which can be prohibitively expensive to compute for moderate to large-scale problems. Our novel method projects the original linear problem down to a Krylov subspace, such that the dimensionality of the problem can be significantly reduced. Furthermore, we store the Krylov subspace computed when using the first damping parameter and recycle the subspace for the subsequent damping parameters. The efficiency of our new inverse modeling algorithm is significantly improved using these computational techniques. We apply this new inverse modeling method to invert for random transmissivity fields in 2D and a random hydraulic conductivity field in 3D. Our algorithm is fast enough to solve for the distributed model parameters (transmissivity) in the model domain. The algorithm is coded in Julia and implemented in the MADS computational framework (http://mads.lanl.gov). By comparing with Levenberg-Marquardt methods using standard linear inversion techniques such as QR or SVD methods, our Levenberg-Marquardt method yields a speed-up ratio on the order of ~10 1 to ~10 2 in a multi-core computational environment. Furthermore, our new inverse modeling method is a powerful tool for characterizing subsurface heterogeneity for moderate- to large-scale problems.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Bayesian Design of Experiments for Logistic Regression to Evaluate Multiple Forensic Algorithms

When evaluating the performance of several forensic classification algorithms, it is desirable to construct a design that considers a variety of performance levels for each of the algorithms. We describe a strategy to use Bayesian design of experiments with multiple prior estimates to capture anticipated performance. Our goal is to characterize results from the different classification algorithms as a function of multiple explanatory variables and use this to choose a design about which units to test. Bayesian design of experiments has been successful for generalized linear models, including logistic regression models. Here, we develop methodology for the case where there are several potentially nonoverlapping priors for anticipated performance under consideration. The weighted priors method performs well for a broad range of true underlying model parameter choices and is more robust when compared to other candidate design choices. Additionally, we show how this can be applied in the multivariate input case and provide some useful summary measures. The shared information plot is used to evaluate design point allocation, and the D-value difference plot allows for the comparison of design performance across multiple potential parameter values in higher dimensions. Here, we illustrate the methods with several examples.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

A PETSc Parallel-in-Time Solver based on MGRIT algorithm

We address the development of a modular implementation of the MGRIT (MultiGrid-In-Time) algorithm to solve linear and nonlinear systems that arise from the discretization of evolutionary models with a parallel-in-time approach in the context of the PETSc (the Portable, Extensible Toolkit for Scientific computing) library. Our aim is to give the opportunity of predicting the performance gain achievable when using the MGRIT approach instead of the Time Stepping integrator (TS). To this end, we analyze the performance parameters of the algorithm that provide a-priori the best number of processing elements and grid levels to use to address the scaling of MGRIT, regarded as a parallel iterative algorithm proceeding along the time dimension.

Mele, Valeria↗