A Stackelberg game model for resource allocation in cargo container security

Cataloged from PDF version of article.This paper presents a game theoretic model that analyzes resource allocation strategies against an adaptive adversary to secure cargo container transportation. The defender allocates security resources that could interdict an unauthorized weapon insertion inside a container. The attacker observes the defender’s security strategy and chooses a site to insert the weapon. The attacker’s goal is to maximize the probability that the weapon reaches its target. The basic model includes a single container route. The results in the basic model suggest that in equilibrium the defender should maintain an equal level of physical security at each site on the cargo container’s route. Furthermore, the equilibrium levels of resources to interdict the weapon overseas increase as a function of the attacker’s capability to detonate the weapon remotely at a domestic seaport. Investment in domestic seaport security is highly sensitive to the attacker’s remote detonation capability as well. The general model that includes multiple container routes suggests that there is a trade-off between the security of foreign seaports and the physical security of sites including container transfer facilities, container yards, warehouses and truck rest areas. The defender has the flexibility to shift resources between non-intrusive inspections at foreign seaports and physical security of other sites on the container route. The equilibrium is also sensitive to the cost effectiveness of security investments

Information and preference reversals in lotteries

Cataloged from PDF version of article.Several approaches have been proposed for evaluating information in expected utility theory. Among the most popular approaches are the expected utility increase, the selling price and the buying price. While the expected utility increase and the selling price always agree in ranking information alternatives, Hazen and Sounderpandian [11] have demonstrated that the buying price may not always agree with the other two. That is, in some cases, where the expected utility increase would value information A more highly than information B, the buying price may reverse these preferences. In this paper, we discuss the conditions under which all these approaches agree in a generic decision environment where the decision maker may choose to acquire arbitrary information bundles. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

A parametric analysis of finite phased arrays of printed dipoles on large circular cylinders and comparisons with the planar case

Finite phased arrays of printed dipoles on electrically large coated cylinders using spatial domain hybrid MoM/Green's function was discussed. Active reflection coefficient and input impedances of the dipoles were calculated and compared with planar counterparts. MoM/Green's function technique was developed to improve the efficiency and accuracy problems in the analysis of conformal arrays. The effects of curvature, dipole orientation and changes in the array and host body parameters was observed

Effects of Androctonus crassicauda (Olivier, 1807) (Scorpiones: Buthidae) venom on rat metabolism

Scorpions are venomous arthropods of the Arachnida class and are considered relatives of spiders, ticks and mites. There is not any study about the biochemical effects of Androctonus crassicauda (Olivier, 1807) venom. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed at evaluating the toxicity of the venom from A. crassicauda, which is responsible for a number of deaths of infants, children and adults in tropical and subtropical countries. For this purpose, rats (n=35) were divided into seven groups of five animals each; venom solutions (250µg/kg) were subcutaneously injected into rats; blood samples were taken from each animal at various times; and serum biochemical parameters were measured (levels of total proteins, total bilirubin, albumin, globulin, urea, creatinine, uric acid, glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, sodium, chlorine, potassium and calcium, and the activity of the enzymes alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, lactate dehydrogenase). Serum levels of glucose, cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and uric acid increased in envenomed animals, compared to controls. There was a statistically positive correlation between Na+ and Cl- ions

Scan blindness phenomenon in conformal finite phased arrays of printed dipoles

Scan blindness phenomenon for finite phased arrays of printed dipoles on material coated, electrically large circular cylinders is investigated. Effects on the scan blindness mechanism of several array and supporting structure parameters, including curvature effects, are observed and discussed. A full-wave solution, based on a hybrid method of moments/ Green's function technique in the spatial domain, is used to achieve the aforementioned goals. Numerical results show that the curvature affects the surface waves and hence the mutual coupling between array elements. As a result, the array current distribution of arrays mounted on coated cylinders are considerably different compared to similar arrays on planar platforms. Therefore, finite phased arrays of printed dipoles on coated cylinders show different behavior in terms of scan blindness phenomenon compared to their planar counterparts. Furthermore, this phenomenon is completely different for axially and circumferentially oriented printed dipoles on coated cylinders suggesting that particular element types might be important for cylindrical arrays. © 2006 IEEE

Trends in scapular fractures- a nationwide 17-year study in Finland

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the trends in the number and incidence of scapular fractures causing hospitalization in the Finnish adult population between 1998 and 2014. Methods: We assessed the number and incidence of scapular fractures resulting in hospital admission and fixation with a plate in Finland in 1998 through 2014 using the Finnish National Hospital Discharge Register as the database. In each year, the study included the entire Finnish adult population. Results: A total of 3843 adult patients with scapular fractures were hospitalized, and the incidence of fracture increased from 4.8 (per 100,000 person-years) in 1998 to 6.6 in 2014. The fracture was operated on with plating in 476 cases (12.4%). The annual number and incidence of scapular fixation with plates did not show constant trend changes during the study period except in the years 2011 through 2013, when there was a sudden increase in the number of these operations. This increase leveled off in 2014. Conclusion: The incidence of hospital-treated scapular fractures increased in Finland in 1998 through 2014. Treatment of scapular fractures with a plate did not show consistent trend changes in Finland during this period.Peer reviewe

Efficient analysis of phased arrays of microstrip patches using a hybrid generalized forward backward method/green's function technique with a DFT based acceleration algorithm

A hybrid method based on the combination of generalized forward backward method (GFBM) and Green's function for the grounded dielectric slab together with the acceleration of the combination via a discrete Fourier transform (DFT) based algorithm is developed for the efficient and accurate analysis of electromagnetic radiation/scattering from electrically large, irregularly contoured two-dimensional arrays consisting of finite number of probe-fed microstrip patches. In this method, unknown current coefficients corresponding to a single patch are first solved by a conventional Galerkin type hybrid method of moments (MoM)/Green's function technique that uses the grounded dielectric slab's Green's function. Because the current distribution on the microstrip patch can be expanded using an arbitrary number of subsectional basis functions, the patch can have any shape. The solution for the array currents is then found through GFBM, where it sweeps the current computation element by element. The computational complexity of this method, which is originally O(Ntot 2 being the total number of unknowns) for each iteration, is reduced to O(Ntot) using a DFT based acceleration algorithm making use of the fact that array elements are identical and the array is periodic. Numerical results in the form of array current distribution are given for various sized arrays of probe-fed microstrip patches with elliptical and/or circular boundaries, and are compared with the conventional MoM results to illustrate the efficiency and accuracy of the method. © 2008 IEEE

Impact of aortic valve effective height following valve-sparing root replacement on postoperative insufficiency and reoperation

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the impact of anatomic aortic root parameters during valve-sparing root replacement on the probability of postoperative aortic insufficiency and freedom from aortic valve reoperation. METHODS: From 1995 to 2020, 177 patients underwent valve-sparing root replacement (163 reimplantations, 14 remodeling). Preoperative and postoperative echocardiograms were analyzed to measure annulus and sinus diameters, effective height of leaflet coaptation, and degree of aortic insufficiency. Logistic regression was used to evaluate predictors of 2+ or greater late postoperative aortic insufficiency. Fine-Gray regression determined predictors for aortic valve reintervention. RESULTS: The study population included 122 (69%) men with a mean age of 43 ± 15 years. A total of 119 patients (67%) had an identified connective tissue disorder. The cumulative incidence of aortic valve reoperation was estimated as 7% at 5 years and 12% at 10 years. The probability of 2+ or greater late postoperative aortic insufficiency was inversely related to effective height during valve-sparing root replacement (P = .018). As postoperative effective height fell below 11 mm, the probability of 2+ or greater aortic insufficiency exceeded 10%. On multivariable logistic regression, effective height (odds ratio, 0.53; 0.33-0.86; P = .010), preoperative annulus diameter (odds ratio, 1.44; 1.13-1.82; P = .003), and degree of preoperative aortic insufficiency (odds ratio, 2.57; 1.45-4.52; P = .001) were associated with increased incidence of 2+ or greater late postoperative aortic insufficiency. On multivariable Fine-Gray regression, risk factors for aortic valve reintervention included preoperative annulus diameter (subdistribution hazard ratio, 1.28 [1.03-1.59], P = .027), history of 3+ or greater aortic insufficiency (subdistribution hazard ratio, 4.28; 1.60-11.44; P = .004), and 2+ or greater early postoperative aortic insufficiency (subdistribution hazard ratio, 5.22; 2.29-11.90; P \u3c .001). CONCLUSIONS: Measures to increase effective height during valve-sparing root replacement may decrease the risk of more than mild postoperative aortic insufficiency after repair and the need for aortic valve reoperation

Application of Single-Radial Immuno-diffusion test for evaluation of uropathogenic Escherichia coli sonicated immunogen in chick embryo

This study intended to evaluate the effect of whole cell sonicated uropathogenic Escherichia coli antigen (WCS.Ag) against the challenged of the infectious dose 50 (ID50) in chicken embryos. Twenty chicken embryos / one day age were divided into 2 equal groups. The first group was inoculated with 0.1 ml of WSC, Ag, the second group (control) was injected with 0.1 ml phosphate buffer saline (PBS). Blood samples were collected at 2 and 4weeks after inoculations. Single Radial Immuno-Diffusion assay (SRID) was used to test the significance of the effects of treatments. Fifty groups of eggs (10 eggs per group) were used to determine the infectious dose 50 (ID50). All chicken embryos of the treated and control groups were challenged with 3ID50 (2×106) of virulent uropathogenic Escherichia coli. The SRIT showed significant increase in antibody titers in the experimental group compared with the control group. The post challenge with ID50 of E. coli revealed that all chicken embryos in control group suffered from severe clinical signs of colibacillosis. In conclusion, this study indicated the ability of WSC. Ag to protect chick embryo against the challenged of the infectious dose 50 (ID50)