Decentralised Dynamic Task Allocation Using Overlapping Potential Games

This paper reports on a novel decentralised technique for planning agent schedules in dynamic task allocation problems. Specifically, we use a stochastic game formulation of these problems in which tasks have varying hard deadlines and processing requirements. We then introduce a new technique for approximating this game using a series of static potential games, before detailing a decentralised method for solving the approximating games that uses the distributed stochastic algorithm. Finally, we discuss an implementation of our approach to a task allocation problem in the RoboCup Rescue disaster management simulator. The results show that our technique performs comparably to a centralised task scheduler (within 6% on average), and also, unlike its centralised counterpart, it is robust to restrictions on the agents’ communication and observation ranges

Plume Dispersion Modeling of Chlorine Gas Released Due to Ballistic Attack on Chlorine-Carrying Railway Tanker

Hazardous dense gases such as chlorine are often transported throughout the United States in their liquid form in pressurized railway tankers. These tankers can hold up to 90 tons of liquid chlorine. A high-powered, ballistic attack on a chlorine-carrying tanker could cause devastating outcomes for the surrounding population and environment. This particular terrorist attack was modeled and analyzed by varying a large number of weather parameters and by varying terrain in order to provide specific concentration data at different distances from the source. Data was compiled to provide first responders with a reliable reference for such an emergency so that evacuations and mitigation could be done effectively. The Hazard Predication and Assessment Capability (HPAC) model provided by the Defense and Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and the Areal Locations of Hazardous Atmospheres (ALOHA) model provided by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) were verified against actual experiments and plume theories and were used to model the chlorine gas plumes resulting from such an attack. Locations of interest were Chicago, IL due to its urbanized area and skyscrapers and Jackson, MS because of its relatively flat terrain and wooded areas. The varying of the locations provided different terrain factors. This research was not only limited to worst-case scenarios, but it also took into account other, less disastrous scenarios in order to provide useful and practical data for first responders. The goal was to reduce the preliminary work first responders must perform before reacting to a ballistic attack on a chlorine-carrying railway tanker

Characterizing Salmonella fecal shedding among racehorses in Louisiana

Salmonella is an important intestinal pathogen in horses capable of infecting populations without demonstrating clinical illness. This study was performed to determine the prevalence of Salmonella fecal shedding among racehorses in Louisiana. Three serial fecal samples were collected from 429 Thoroughbred horses housed at four racetracks. Feces were tested for Salmonella by microbiologic culture with selective primary enrichment and delayed secondary enrichment (DSE). Samples were also evaluated for the presence of Salmonella by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using genus-specific oligonucleotide primers. A total of 7 (1.6%) horses were positive for Salmonella by either primary bacterial culture or DSE and an additional 2 horses (0.5%) were positive for Salmonella by PCR. The combined prevalence of Salmonella fecal shedding from among all the horses in this study was 2.1%. The results of this study suggest that the prevalence of fecal shedding of Salmonella among racehorses in Louisiana is low

Perforating folliculitis and hand-foot-skin reaction due to sorafenib

A 62-year-old African American woman presented to dermatology clinic for evaluation of a painful rash on the extremities ongoing for 2 months. She had a past medical history significant for hepatitis c virus treated with Harvoni in 2018, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) diagnosed 7 months prior. Painful, rough, dark bumps erupted on the extremities 3 months after beginning treatment for HCC with sorafenib 400 mg BID. Additionally, painful, yellow calluses appeared on the feet around the same time. On physical exam, scattered on the bilateral lower extremities and left upper extremity there were many small, hyperpigmented papules with central keratotic plug and surrounding erythema. On the bilateral plantar feet there were thick ill-defined hyperkeratotic plaques overlying the calcaneus and metatarsal phalangeal joints. The bilateral palms exhibited ill-defined erythematous patches. Skin biopsies from keratotic papules on the right hip and right leg demonstrated a dilated hair follicle containing orthokeratotic and parakeratotic keratin and basophilic debris, consistent with perforating folliculitis. Her palmar and plantar exam was consistent with hand-foot-skin reaction due to sorafenib, a diagnosis distinct from hand-foot syndrome. For the folliculitis she started oral doxycycline 100 mg twice daily and topical clobetasol 0.05% ointment twice daily without improvement. She experienced significant improvement and decreased pain with clobetasol 0.05% ointment twice daily to the feet. She was maintained on full dose of sorafenib at 400 mg BID for 6 months before stopping and switching to nivolumab due to progression of her liver disease.https://scholarlycommons.henryford.com/merf2020caserpt/1003/thumbnail.jp

‘I owe it to the animals’: The bidirectionality of Swiss alpine farmers' relational values

Relational values have recently been proposed as a concept to expand our understanding of environmental values from the categories previously dominating the discourse: instrumental (nature for people's sake) and intrinsic values (nature for its own sake). Empirical and conceptual research on relational values has so far focused on the content of relational values or their relationship to other kinds of values. In this paper, we fill a key gap in understanding exactly what relational values are and how they work; we call this the ‘syntax’ of relational values. We do so by applying the Syntax of Environmental Values Framework, which describes relational values as bidirectional, expressed by genuine respect and care on the one hand and an eudaimonic contribution to wellbeing on the other. We developed a novel interview protocol which we applied in semistructured interviews with Swiss alpine farmers. We examine how both of these directions are manifested in farmers' relational values. Our results showed how the bidirectionality manifests in relational values of alpine farmers. Specifically, we identified three components of each directionality. The intrinsic element of relational values was constituted by: an attitude of respect, attention to the relationship and practices of care. The instrumental element of relational values was constituted by: emotional and experiential contributions for the valuer, satisfaction and joy in the relationship, and practical contributions to the activities associated with the relationship (e.g. farm management). We further elaborate on the conditions required to sustain relational values, including physical, emotional and sociopolitical conditions. These results informed an elaborated conceptual framework of relational values, and environmental valuing more generally. While specifically derived from our dataset, we believe our conclusions could directly or in a modified form, apply to diverse cases of relational valuing. In sum, this paper offers a concrete step towards better characterizing, distinguishing and applying the relational values concept

Making power visible: ‘Slow activism’ to address staff sexual misconduct

This article examines activism to address staff-to-student sexual misconduct in higher education in the UK from our perspective as founders and members of the research and lobby organisation The 1752 Group. We argue that in order to tackle staff sexual misconduct in higher education, the problem has first to be made visible. We theorise this as ‘slow activism’ and outline the activities that we and others have been engaged in towards this end: conducting research; using complaints processes within institutions; naming the experiences of staff sexual misconduct and/or institutions and perpetrators; and carrying out discipline-led and sector-level initiatives

Rural smokers : a prevention opportunity

Background: Smoking is the largest single cause of preventable death and disease in Australia. This study describes smoking prevalence and the characteristics of rural smokers to guide general practitioners in targeting particular groups.Methods: Cross sectional surveys in the Greater Green Triangle region of southeast Australia using a random population sample (n=1563, participation rate 48.7%) aged 25&ndash;74 years. Smoking information was assessed by a self administered questionnaire.Results: Complete smoking data were available for 1494 participants. Overall age adjusted current smoking prevalence was 14.9% (95% CI: 13.1&ndash;16.7). In both genders, current smoking prevalence decreased with age. Those aged 25&ndash;44 years were more likely to want to stop smoking and to have attempted cessation, but less likely to have received cessation advice than older smokers.Discussion: This study provides baseline smoking data for rural health monitoring and identifies intervention opportunities. General practice is suited to implement interventions for smoking prevention and cessation at every patient encounter, particularly in younger individuals.<br /

Comics and the world wars: a cultural record

Comics and the World Wars argues for the use of comics as a primary source by offering a highly original argument that such examples produced during the World Wars act as a cultural record. Recuperating currently unknown or neglected strips, this work demonstrates how these can be used for the study of both world wars. Representing the fruits of over five years team research, this book reveals how sequential illustrated narratives used humour as a coping mechanism and a way to criticise authority, promoted certain forms of behaviour and discouraged others, represented a deliberately inclusive educational strategy for reading wartime content, and became a barometer for contemporary popular thinking