Efficient k-means clustering and greedy selection-based reduction of nodal search space for optimization of sensor placement in the water distribution networks.

Monitoring of water distribution network (WDN) requires placement of sensors at strategic locations to detect maximum contamination events at the earliest. The multi-objective optimization (MOO) of sensor placement is a complicated problem owing to its combinatorial nature, interconnected and large WDN sizes, and temporal flows producing complex outcomes for a given set of contamination events. In this study, a new method is proposed to reduce the complexity of the problem by condensing the nodal search space. This method first segregates the nodes based on intrusion events detected, using k-means clustering, followed by selecting nodes from each group based on the improvement observed in the objectives, namely, contamination event detection, expected detection time, and affected population. The selected nodes formed the decision variable space for the MOO study. The developed strategy was tested on two benchmark networks: BWSN Network1 and C-town network, and its performance is compared with the traditional method in terms of hypervolume contribution rate (CR) indicator and the number of Pareto points. The optimal subset of nodes generated twice the number of Pareto points than the complete set of nodes set for placing 20 sensors and had 10% more than CR indicator than the traditional method. For the placement of 5 sensors, the proposed solutions were better at the higher detection likelihood values, which is required to achieve maximum detection. The proposed sensor placement algorithm can be easily scaled to large WDNs. It is expected to provide a better optimal sensor placement solution irrespective of network size as compared to the traditional approach.

Exergetic optimization of simple and finned solar air collectors for humid subtropical regions.

In this paper, an exergetic optimization of simple and finned flat plate solar air collectors is established to determine the optimal design and operational parameters for humid subtropical climatic conditions. Solar air collectors are commonly used for space heating, irrigation, greenhouses, grain drying, hot air generation, etc. A detailed solar energy radiation model is developed for solar energy conversion. A comprehensive optical, energy, and exergy analysis is carried out for evaluating the performance, energy and exergetic efficiency for simple and finned flat plate solar air collectors under humid subtropical climatic conditions. A simulation program is developed for solar energy model, energy and exergetic calculations. The following geometric and operating parameters are considered as decision variables: absorber plate area, dimensions of simple and finned solar collectors, fluid inlet and outlet temperatures, average velocity, overall loss coefficient, glass cover temperatures, plate temperature, and useful heat gain. The proposed model is optimized using computational intelligence technique (single phase multi-group teaching learning optimization) for maximum mean exergy efficiency in simple and finned solar air collectors for humid subtropical regions. The maximum exergy efficiency is achieved in the case of finned solar air collectors with a yearly optimal average exergy efficiency of 6.10% for a collector area of 5 m2 and a yearly average heat flux of 601 W/m2. Thus, beneficial applications of exergetic optimization in design and operation of solar collectors for humid subtropical climatic conditions based on maximum exergy efficiency according to the optimized parameters and benefits of this approach for such systems have been highlighted.

Micronutrient supplementation and child survival in India.

India contributes to a large number and proportion of child deaths, both due to higher under five mortality rate and large child population cohort in the country. The micronutrient malnutrition is an ignored area as it is not a direct cause of child mortality but a contributory factor in many deaths. The repeated surveys and studies have noted that iron deficiency anemia, vitamin A deficiency, iodine deficiency are highly prevalent amongst the children in the country and the preventive interventions are reaching only small proportion of 10-50% of the targeted populations. The contribution of these micronutrients (Iron, Vitamin A, Iodine and Zinc) towards child survival depends upon number of factors that are responsible for child mortality, and these situations vary from region to region, time to time and depend upon number of other socio demographic characteristics of the population. This paper discusses that although there may be debate on the role of some micronutrients in reducing childhood mortality, there is no doubt that these micronutrients are needed in small amount for overall child development. These micronutrients, both directly and indirectly, contribute to the child survival and should reach to each and every child in the country and the strategy is proven cost effective.