The Effects of Aircraft Use and Available Repar Spares on Aircraft Sortie Generaiton: A Long-Duration Logistical Wargaming SimulationTool

A long-duration logistical wargame simulation tool that can provide quick insights into the daily aircraft availability and the daily number of missions accomplished for a variety of operational scenarios is developed. This simulation tool is designed to be a stepwise wargaming support tool for adjudication within long-duration logistical wargames and provides the user many capabilities including, but not limited to, the ability to have multiple bases and types of aircraft. Additionally, the user has the ability to control types of part failures, control parts availability, control maintenance capabilities, and control number of mission scheduled. Finally, the user can account for the possibility of attrition along with the effects of numerous major events present in real-life scenarios. Validation of the tool is achieved through application of a space covering design along with regression modeling and shows that the tool is well-behaved, functions as expected, and can quickly provide meaningful insights into operational scenarios. A utilization rate method is explored that informs the allowable inputs that result in stable long term behavior within the model. An analysis of a variety of operational scenarios demonstrates the effectiveness and usefulness of this tool. Future developments are proposed that can expand the functionality and usefulness of this simulation tool

Dynamics of axial separation in long rotating drums

We propose a continuum description for the axial separation of granular materials in a long rotating drum. The model, operating with two local variables, concentration difference and the dynamic angle of repose, describes both initial transient traveling wave dynamics and long-term segregation of the binary mixture. Segregation proceeds through ultra-slow logarithmic coarsening.Comment: 4 pages, 3 Postscript figures; submitted to PR

Development of PAN (personal area network) for Mobile Robot Using Bluetooth Transceiver

In recent years, wireless applications using radio frequency (RF) have been rapidly evolving in personal computing and communications devices. Bluetooth technology was created to replace the cables used on mobile devices. Bluetooth is an open specification and encompasses a simple low-cost, low power solution for integration into devices. This research work aim was to provide a PAN (personal area network) for computer based mobile robot that supports real-time control of four mobile robots from a host mobile robot. With ad hoc topology, mobile robots may request and establish a connection when it is within the range or terminated the connection when it leaves the area. A system that contains both hardware and software is designed to enable the robots to participate in multi-agent robotics system (MARS). Computer based mobile robot provide operating system that enabled development of wireless connection via IP address

A Numerical Study of Brace-Viscous Damper System of Fixed Offshore Jacket Platforms Under Extreme Environmental Loads

The Persian Gulf is one of the most common regions where offshore platforms exist due to the presence of oil and natural gas. Wind, current, and wave loading affect the dynamic response of offshore structures, increasing performance uncertainty and catastrophic failure probability. Thus, this study investigates energy dissipation systems, particularly viscous dampers, to solve design and rehabilitation problems of fixed offshore structures. Viscos dampers improve vibrational behaviour and reduce structural response to optimise platform performance. Thus, eliminating costly structural repairs and strengthening components under extreme environmental loads extends structure lifetime. Thus, different viscous damper system configurations are tested to reduce dynamic response under extreme environmental loads in the Persian Gulf. Diagonal and inverted V-shaped brace viscous dampers with nine different arrangements are compared to find the best configuration. The study found that the brace viscous dampers with only three applied dampers at the top three levels are most efficient at mitigating dynamic response. It reduced displacements from level 1 to level 5 by 52% to 64% and connection stresses by 38% to 54%. Finally, viscous dampers reduce structural vibration and provide uniform and constant structural dynamic response, so the oil and gas industry should use them for offshore structure design and rehabilitation

A Numerical Study of Brace-Viscous Damper System of Fixed Offshore Jacket Platforms Under Extreme Environmental Loads

The Persian Gulf is one of the most common regions where offshore platforms exist due to the presence of oil and natural gas. Wind, current, and wave loading affect the dynamic response of offshore structures, increasing performance uncertainty and catastrophic failure probability. Thus, this study investigates energy dissipation systems, particularly viscous dampers, to solve design and rehabilitation problems of fixed offshore structures. Viscos dampers improve vibrational behaviour and reduce structural response to optimise platform performance. Thus, eliminating costly structural repairs and strengthening components under extreme environmental loads extends structure lifetime. Thus, different viscous damper system configurations are tested to reduce dynamic response under extreme environmental loads in the Persian Gulf. Diagonal and inverted V-shaped brace viscous dampers with nine different arrangements are compared to find the best configuration. The study found that the brace viscous dampers with only three applied dampers at the top three levels are most efficient at mitigating dynamic response. It reduced displacements from level 1 to level 5 by 52% to 64% and connection stresses by 38% to 54%. Finally, viscous dampers reduce structural vibration and provide uniform and constant structural dynamic response, so the oil and gas industry should use them for offshore structure design and rehabilitation

Live Migration in Emerging Cloud Paradigms

The elastic provisioning of resources and the capability to adapt to changing resource demand and environmental conditions on-the-fly are, probably, key success factors of cloud computing. Live migration of virtual resources is of pivotal importance in achieving such key properties. However, the ability to effectively and efficiently determine which resource to be migrated and where, by satisfying proper objectives and constraints, remains a research challenge. The existing literature is generally based on metaheuristics running a central resolver. Such an approach is not suitable because it only considers the quality-of-service aspect during the decision-making performance while ignoring the regulatory challenges. This column highlights the regulatory challenges associated with the cross-border dataflow implication of migration and stresses the need to adopt alternative decision approaches.postprin

Patient-Related Barriers to Timely Dialysis Access Preparation: A Qualitative Study of the Perspectives of Patients, Family Members, and Health Care Providers

Rational & Objective A key aspect of smooth transition to dialysis is the timely creation of a permanent access. Despite early referral to kidney care, initiation onto dialysis is still suboptimal for many patients, which has clinical and cost implications. This study aimed to explore perspectives of various stakeholders on barriers to timely access creation. Study Design Qualitative study. Setting & Participants Semi-structured interviews with 96 participants (response rate, 67%), including patients with stage 4 chronic kidney disease (n = 30), new hemodialysis patients with (n = 18) and without (n = 20) permanent access (arteriovenous fistula), family members (n = 19), and kidney health care providers (n = 9). Analytical Approach Thematic analysis. Results Patients reported differential levels of behavioral activation toward access creation: avoidance/denial, wait and see, or active intention. 6 core themes were identified: (1) lack of symptoms, (2) dialysis fear and practical concerns (exaggerated fear, pain, cost, lifestyle disruptions, work-related concerns, burdening their families), (3) evaluating value against costs/risks of access creation (benefits, threat of operation, viability, prompt for early initiation), (4) preference for alternatives, (5) social influences (hearsay, family involvement, experiences of others), and (6) health care provider interactions (mistrust, interpersonal tension, lack of clarity on information). Themes were common to all groups, whereas nuanced perspectives of family members and health care providers were noted in some subthemes. Limitations Response bias. Conclusions Individual, interpersonal, and psychosocial factors compromise dialysis preparation and contribute to suboptimal dialysis initiation. Our findings support the need for interventions to improve patient and family engagement and address emotional concerns and misperceptions about preparing for dialysis

Smartphone applications for behavioural interventions with at risk drinkers

Background: Problem drinking is a worldwide concern and a comorbid health problem for psychiatric illness. With the rising trend in e-mental health interventions, the advancement of smartphone technology has ushered in an era where smartphone apps can be used for behavioural change intervention in problem drinking. Objectives: The aim of the study is to contribute towards the development of a smartphone app for use with problem drinkers based on behavioural modification principles. Methods: 7 post graduate students in the School of Health Professions at Murdoch University were interviewed about the use of smartphone apps for problem drinking and the interview transcripts were subjected to thematic analysis. Findings: Themes that emerged include: accessibility, milestones, commitment and notifications. Conclusions: These findings shed light on the development of the e-mental health intervention for problem drinking. Implications on clients from diverse cultures and various age groups are discussed

Smartphone applications for behavioural interventions with at risk drinkers

Background: Problem drinking is a worldwide concern and a comorbid health problem for psychiatric illness. With the rising trend in e-mental health interventions, the advancement of smartphone technology has ushered in an era where smartphone apps can be used for behavioural change intervention in problem drinking. Objectives: The aim of the study is to contribute towards the development of a smartphone app for use with problem drinkers based on behavioural modification principles. Methods: 7 post graduate students in the School of Health Professions at Murdoch University were interviewed about the use of smartphone apps for problem drinking and the interview transcripts were subjected to thematic analysis. Findings: Themes that emerged include: accessibility, milestones, commitment and notifications. Conclusions: These findings shed light on the development of the e-mental health intervention for problem drinking. Implications on clients from diverse cultures and various age groups are discussed