Improving the Reliability of Decision-Support Systems for Nuclear Emergency Management by Leveraging Software Design Diversity

This paper introduces a novel method of continuous verification of simulation software used in decision-support systems for nuclear emergency management (DSNE). The proposed approach builds on methods from the field of software reliability engineering, such as N-Version Programming, Recovery Blocks, and Consensus Recovery Blocks. We introduce a new acceptance test for dispersion simulation results and a new voting scheme based on taxonomies of simulation results rather than individual simulation results. The acceptance test and the voter are used in a new scheme, which extends the Consensus Recovery Block method by a database of result taxonomies to support machine-learning. This enables the system to learn how to distinguish correct from incorrect results, with respect to the implemented numerical schemes. Considering that decision-support systems for nuclear emergency management are used in a safety-critical application context, the methods introduced in this paper help improve the reliability of the system and the trustworthiness of the simulation results used by emergency managers in the decision making process. The effectiveness of the approach has been assessed using the atmospheric dispersion forecasts of two test versions of the widely used RODOS DSNE system

Editorial

The first issue of CIT’s Vol. 24 consists of seven papers from areas covering a range of topics in computer science, namely theory of computation, operations research, computer networks, decision support systems, clustering application and natural language processing

Editorial

The first issue of CIT’s Vol. 24 consists of seven papers from areas covering a range of topics in computer science, namely theory of computation, operations research, computer networks, decision support systems, clustering application and natural language processing

Reducing the Vulnerability of Electric Power Infrastructure Against Natural Disasters by Promoting Distributed Generation

Natural disasters cause significant damage to the electrical power infrastructure every year. Therefore, there is a crucial need to reduce the vulnerability of the electric power grid against natural disasters. Distributed generation (DG) represents small-scale decentralized power generation that can help reduce the vulnerability of the grid, among many other benefits. Examples of DG include small-scale photo-voltaic (PV) systems. Accordingly, the goal of this paper is to investigate the benefits of DG in reducing the vulnerability of the electric power infrastructure by mitigating against the impact of natural disasters on transmission lines. This was achieved by developing a complex system-of-systems (SoS) framework using agent-based modeling (ABM) and optimal power flow (OPF). N-1 contingency analysis and optimization were performed under two approaches: The first approach determined the minimum DG needed at any single location on the electric grid to avoid blackouts. The second approach used a genetic algorithm (GA) to identify the minimum total allocation of DG distributed over the electric grid to mitigate against the failure of any transmission line. Accordingly, the model integrates ABM, OPF, and GA to optimize the allocation of DG and reduce the vulnerability of electric networks. The model was tested on a modified IEEE 6-bus system as a proof of concept. The outcomes of this research are intended to support the understanding of the benefits of DG in reducing the vulnerability of the electric power grid. The presented framework can guide future research concerning policies and incentives that can strategically influence consumer decision to install DG and reduce the vulnerability of the electric power infrastructure

Mindful Organizing for the CIO: Towards a Conceptual Model for Transformational Leadership

Considered invaluable to corporate entities, CIOs are relied upon for the strategic oversight of technological infrastructure as well as the articulation of a business case for IT resources. How can CIOs prepare for and respond to dynamic, and often uncertain changes, which challenge organizational resources, processes, and strategies? Research continues to indicate that technological transformation and integration of newer, faster IT capabilities have become a critical focus for the CIO. Extant literature on mindfulness suggests that mindful organizing (MO) can facilitate and enhance the effectiveness of strategic level decision makers. Integrating insights from MO, we present and analyze the literature to build an action orientated framework to support the CIO in leveraging the dynamic capabilities under his/her purview. Our objective is to examine key attributes of mindful organizing which are especially critical to building a level of awareness that cultivates an environment for reliability under transformational leaders

System importance measures: A new approach to resilient systems-of-systems

Resilience is the ability to withstand and recover rapidly from disruptions. While this attribute has been the focus of research in several fields, in the case of system-of-systems (SoSs), addressing resilience is particularly interesting and challenging. As infrastructure SoSs, such as power, transportation, and communication networks, grow in complexity and interconnectivity, measuring and improving the resilience of these SoSs is vital in terms of safety and providing uninterrupted services. ^ The characteristics of systems-of-systems make analysis and design of resilience challenging. However, these features also offer opportunities to make SoSs resilient using unconventional methods. In this research, we present a new approach to the process of resilience design. The core idea behind the proposed design process is a set of system importance measures (SIMs) that identify systems crucial to overall resilience. Using the results from the SIMs, we determine appropriate strategies from a list of design principles to improve SoS resilience. The main contribution of this research is the development of an aid to design that provides specific guidance on where and how resources need to be targeted. Based on the needs of an SoS, decision-makers can iterate through the design process to identify a set of practical and effective design improvements. ^ We use two case studies to demonstrate how the SIM-based design process can inform decision-making in the context of SoS resilience. The first case study focuses on a naval warfare SoS and describes how the resilience framework can leverage existing simulation models to support end-to-end design. We proceed through stages of the design approach using an agent-based model (ABM) that enables us to demonstrate how simulation tools and analytical models help determine the necessary inputs for the design process and, subsequently, inform decision-making regarding SoS resilience. ^ The second case study considers the urban transportation network in Boston. This case study focuses on interpreting the results of the resilience framework and on describing how they can be used to guide design choices in large infrastructure networks. We use different resilience maps to highlight the range of design-related information that can be obtained from the framework. ^ Specific advantages of the SIM-based resilience design include: (1) incorporates SoS- specific features within existing risk-based design processes - the SIMs determine the relative importance of different systems based on their impacts on SoS-level performance, and suggestions for resilience improvement draw from design options that leverage SoS- specific characteristics, such as the ability to adapt quickly (such as add new systems or re-task existing ones) and to provide partial recovery of performance in the aftermath of a disruption; (2) allows rapid understanding of different areas of concern within the SoS - the visual nature of the resilience map (a key outcome of the SIM analysis) provides a useful way to summarize the current resilience of the SoS as well as point to key systems of concern; and (3) provides a platform for multiple analysts and decision- makers to study, modify, discuss and documentoptions for SoS

Strategies for Achieving Patient-Centered Healthcare and Cost Containment

Implementing successful value-centered care strategies that support patient-centeredness while reducing cost is a significant challenge for healthcare leaders. In 2001, the Committee on Quality of Healthcare in America and the Institute of Medicine identified patient-centeredness as 1 of 6 improvement goals to improve quality of care for the 21st century. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore patient-centered strategies that healthcare managers used to reduce the cost of healthcare for elderly patients without reducing the quality of patient care. The conceptual framework that grounded this study was patient-centered care, and the opposing theory was the primary care team model. Data were collected using semistructured interviews with 6 healthcare leaders selected via purposive sampling throughout Virginia and a review of healthcare facilities\u27 documents and website pages. Data were analyzed using Yin\u27s 5-step process, which led to the identification of 4 themes. Themes that emerged from the study included patient-centered care matters, management leadership strategies, control methods for monitoring costs, and maximizing community healthcare services. The implications of this study for positive social change include the potential to improve the delivery of healthcare for elderly patients and access to quality patient-centered care that supports cost-reducing strategies healthcare managers can employ to increase profits through value-based healthcare

Towards Standardisation Measures to Support the Security of Control and Real-Time Systems for Energy Critical Infrastructures

This report outlines the context for control and real time systems vulnerability in the energy sector, their role in energy critical infrastructures and their emerging vulnerabilities as they were put in light by some recent episodes. Then it provides a survey on the current efforts to set up reference frameworks addressing the broad issue of supervisory and control systems security. It discusses the role of standards and outlines the reference approaches in that respect. The current attitude of Europe towards the issue of control systems security is discussed and compared with the US situation, based on a stakeholder consultation, and gaps and challenges are outlined. A set of recommendations for policy measures to address the issue is given.JRC.DG.G.6-Security technology assessmen