Two-Echelon Vehicle and UAV Routing for Post-Disaster Humanitarian Operations with Uncertain Demand

Humanitarian logistics service providers have two major responsibilities immediately after a disaster: locating trapped people and routing aid to them. These difficult operations are further hindered by failures in the transportation and telecommunications networks, which are often rendered unusable by the disaster at hand. In this work, we propose two-echelon vehicle routing frameworks for performing these operations using aerial uncrewed autonomous vehicles (UAVs or drones) to address the issues associated with these failures. In our proposed frameworks, we assume that ground vehicles cannot reach the trapped population directly, but they can only transport drones from a depot to some intermediate locations. The drones launched from these locations serve to both identify demands for medical and other aids (e.g., epi-pens, medical supplies, dry food, water) and make deliveries to satisfy them. Specifically, we present two decision frameworks, in which the resulting optimization problem is formulated as a two-echelon vehicle routing problem. The first framework addresses the problem in two stages: providing telecommunications capabilities in the first stage and satisfying the resulting demands in the second. To that end, two types of drones are considered. Hotspot drones have the capability of providing cell phone and internet reception, and hence are used to capture demands. Delivery drones are subsequently employed to satisfy the observed demand. The second framework, on the other hand, addresses the problem as a stochastic emergency aid delivery problem, which uses a two-stage robust optimization model to handle demand uncertainty. To solve the resulting models, we propose efficient and novel solution approaches

Islamic Business Ethics in The Process of Termination of Employment Amid the Covid-19 Pandemic

This study aims to understand the application of Islamic business ethics in employee layoffs during the Covid-19 pandemic. This research method uses qualitative research methods. The data source is from the agenda of direct and indirect interviews with speakers selected by 10 participants: five entrepreneurs and five victims of layoffs. The finding shows that some business actors in Sukoharjo still need to understand the importance of instilling Islamic business ethics. This situation is proved by the discovery of ethical violations in doing business carried out by entrepreneurs, namely attaching importance to their business in the form of suddenly dismissing their employees, not giving severance pay to employees, being late in providing salaries, not being able to develop the business properly, and not instilling honesty. The violations committed by layoff victims are providing poor service, lack of expertise, and being undisciplined. This research should help future studies apply Islamic business ethics to layoffs. Islamic business principles protect entrepreneurs and layoff victims, allowing them to continue business during the pandemic and grow

Étude et réalisation de antennes diélectriques pour les applications satellitaires et corps (BAN)

Dans cette thèse, on vise deux types d'applications de l antenne à résonateur diélectrique (DRA): 1) La réalisation d un élément rayonnant pour un réseau phasé embarqué sur un véhicule terrestre ou un avion. Cet élément de base requiert une couverture en élévation supérieure à celle des éléments imprimés pour permettre une poursuite typique comprise entre +-70. La couverture dans un cône large est assurée avec une bonne pureté de polarisation circulaire en alimentant l antenne à travers deux ouvertures à fente en H orthogonales parfaitement découplées en bande X. 2) La deuxième structure est destinée à la diversité d antennes dans le contexte des réseaux corporels embarqués ou Body Area Network (BAN). L antenne à diversité combine une antenne fente en boucle avec un DRA ce qui permet dans un espace compact de réaliser des diagrammes de type broadside et endfire respectivement. Les alimentations considérées sont de 2 types; Soit purement planaire (microruban et coplanaire) soit mixte en combinant une alimentation coaxiale et une alimentation coplanaire. Caractéristiques principales des antennes à résonateur diélectrique (DRA): Pour répondre aux attentes des utilisateurs en termes de débit, les systèmes de communication sans fils se tournent vers des fréquences de plus en plus élevées. La conséquence de cette montée en fréquence est notamment l augmentation des pertes au niveau des éléments conducteurs et donc une diminution de l efficacité globale des systèmes de communication. Dans ces circonstances, les DRA offre de meilleurs résultats par rapport à d'autres familles d'antennes à base d éléments métalliques. De plus, les DRA offrent des pertes diélectriques négligeables, elles sont peu sensibles aux variations de température et s intègrent facilement sur des technologies de fabrication planairesTechnologies such as direct broad cast satellite system (DBSS), Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite communications , global positioning system (GPS), high accuracy airborne navigation system and a large variety of radar systems demand for high level of antenna performance. Similar is the requirement for upcoming land based wireless systems such as cellular and indoor communication systems that is needed some more specific and additional features added to the antenna to compensate for the deficiencies encountered in system's performance. Though metallic antennas are capable enough to fulfil all the operational requirements, however at very high frequencies and under hostile temperature conditions they are constrained to face certain limitations. To avoid these constraints the performance of Dielectric Resonator Antennas (DRAs) is evaluated and their new applications are proposed. In the thesis, two types of antenna applications are sought :-First is for tracking and satellite applications that needs a larger aperture coverage in elevation plane. This coverage is realized with a good CP purity by proposing two ports dual linearly polarized DRA working at X-band. The DRA is excited by two orthogonal H-shaped aperture slots yielding two orthogonal polarizations in the broadside direction. A common impedance bandwidth of 5.9% and input port isolation of -35 dB are obtained. The broadside radiation patterns are found to be highly symmetric and stable with cross polarization levels -15dB or better over the entire matching frequency band. The maximum measured gain is found to be 2.5dBi at 8.4 GHz.- The 2nd type of antenna is a dual pattern diversity antenna to be used in the Body Area Network (BAN) context. This antenna combines a slot loop and DRA yielding broadside and end-fire radiation patterns respectively. Based upon the feeding techniques, the DG antenna is further divided into two categories one with planar feeds and the other with non-planar feeds (slot loop excited by planar CPW but DRA excited by vertical monopole) .Both types are successfully designed and measured upon body when configured into different propagation scenarios. The non-planar feeds antenna allows wider common impedance bandwidths than the planar feeds (4.95% vs 1.5%).In both cases, a maximum value of DG=9.5dB was achieved when diversity performance tests were carried out in rich fading environments. This value is close to the one (10 dB) theoretically reached in a pure Rayleigh environment and was obtained with efficiencies of 70% and 85% for the slot loop and the DRA respectively. Therefore, we conclude that these antennas could be used on the shoulders or the chest of professional clothes (firemen, policemen, soldier) where full planar integration is not a key issue but where the communication must be efficient in harsh environments and for various gestures, positions and scenariosPARIS-EST-Université (770839901) / SudocSudocFranceF

MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF MAJOR VECTOR MOSQUITOES OF BANGLADESH

Mosquito-borne diseases are considered major contributors to vector-borne diseases, threatening more than eighty per cent of the global population. Pest management depends on proper identification techniques. The barcode region of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene of mitochondrial DNA has recently been proposed as a systematic tool, functional in taxonomy and evolutionary study for species definition. This work is the first attempt to identify the main vector mosquito species from Bangladesh based on the MT-COI gene. Eleven vector mosquitos were identified. AT content (69%) was found to be higher than GC content (31%) at the COI barcode region of the mosquito. The interspecific genetic divergence range of medically important mosquitoes was 0.01-0.21. Haplotype analysis revealed that Mansonia annulifera diverged highly from its immediate ancestor by the highest mutational steps (59). Phylogenetic analysis indicated that species belonging to the same family were in the same major clade. Overall, our findings contribute to a better method of identifying major vector mosquito species by COI genes and for implementing management measures against mosquito pests in Bangladesh

IOT Based Solar Powered Automated Fish Feeding System

To minimize manual labor in aquaculture, this paper proposed an IOT-based solar-powered automated fish feeding system. Fish feeders will be readily managed from mobile phones utilizing the mobile app and the dashboard with only one click at any time and from anywhere. To create such a system, we utilized Arduino, DC gear motor, ESP32+SIM800L, and MATLAB Simulink to analyze the system outcome. The simulation of our design was done in MATLAB Simulink. In MATLAB Simulink from the DC power generation unit, the monitoring data will be the generated DC voltage, current, power, etc. The hardware design of the prototype is also demonstrated.  The individual is capable to instruct the system through a wireless connection at a specific time to supply food to the fish. The major goals of this project are to offer consistent feeding without interfering with the owner's job. An IOT-based and smart power managing system confirmed the feasibility of the use of the proposed system with a prototype hardware system including simulation results

Antimicrobial, Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Potential of Aerial Parts of Monotheca buxifolia

In this study, different aerial parts of Monotheca Buxifolia were screened for their antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-oxidant activity. Extract of the fruit was most active against P. mirabilis, MSSA and M. morganii strains. Moreover, the methanolic fruit extract demonstrated good antibacterial properties against VRSA, S. aureus and Acinetobacter. Despite having good antibacterial properties, Monotheca buxifolia showed low antifungal activity. The cytotoxic activity was the highest in the pet-ether fruit extract, causing 60% of lethality against Artemia salina larvae with LD50 at 3.307. The highest scavenging activity was shown by the methanolic leaf extract in a concentration-dependent pattern. The findings of this study suggest that Monotheca Buxifolia has good antibacterial, antioxidant potential but low antifungal properties

Pumping behavior of solar irrigation farmers for assessing the sustainability of groundwater in Bangladesh and India

The increasing use of Solar Irrigation Pumps (SIPs) has raised concerns about the overexploitation of groundwater. So, this study aims to evaluate the impact of SIPs on pumping behaviour of farmers and its subsequent effect on overall groundwater resources in Bangladesh and India. In Bangladesh, the study is being carried out in the intensively irrigated North-West region, where the government is promoting the feefor- service model for solar irrigation. This model creates a solar irrigation command area by setting up centralized sponsored SIPs. In India, the study is being conducted in the state of Gujarat, where the grid-connected solar irrigation pump model has been implemented under the Suryashakti Kisan Yojana (SKY) scheme

An implementation of electroencephalogram signals acquisition to control manipulator through brain computer interface

Brain computer interface (BCI) technology can be used to design a robotic arm whose decision would be based on the brain activity and brain signals. This proposed design can be more beneficial for the paralyzed people and the patients who are suffering from Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Locked in syndrome (LIS), or neurodegenerative disease. Due to these disease patients would not be able to hold and grip the objects properly. Extensive literature review showed that various EEG signal analysis has been completed with the accuracy of 70% to 85%. The suggested solution would be beneficial to the patients in terms of performing every day functions easily like draws opening, holding dishes and opening and closing of doors as well with more accuracy. In the proposed research electroencephalogram signals were observed and used to classify the type of the motion. Data acquisition comprised of three stages amplification can be considered as cost effective signal conditioning. High pass filter, low pass filter and then converted from analog to digital. Open vibe software was used to design the basic neuron scenario for the brain signals and then classified into alpha and beta waves. Robotic arm movement was based on the alpha and beta waves were performed precisely. Simulated results proved that proposed EEG signals acquisition performed better and can be acknowledged as cost effective. Researchers showed the successful execution of the brain wave signal classification with less false alarm rate for the robotic arm movement by modulation, digitization of the brain signal. Moreover, comparative analysis has been performed of Quadratic Discriminant analysis, k-NN and Medium Gaussian SVM in terms of accuracy prediction speed and training time. Comparative analysis proved that Medium Gaussian SVM worked better than the other classifiers with the accuracy of 95.8%. It was also proved that Medium Gaussian classifier has the capability to predict 10000 observations per second in 0.75466 training time. © 2019 IEEE