Modelling of the Western University Campus Electrical Network for Infrastructural Interdependencies in a Disaster Response Network Enables Platform

The interdependencies that exist between multiple infrastructures can cause unexpected system behaviour when their component failure occurs due to large disruptions such as earthquake or Tsunami. The complexities of these interdependencies make it very difficult to effectively recover infrastructure because of the several challenges encountered. To overcome these challenges, a research program called Disaster Response Network Enabled Platform (DR-NEP) was initiated. This thesis deals with the modelling of electrical networks in order to study critical infrastructures interdependencies as a part of DR-NEP project. In first module of the thesis, the concept and understanding of interdependencies is presented. For studying the infrastructural interdependencies, three infrastructures are selected at Western campus: electrical power system, steam system and water systems. It is demonstrated that electrical infrastructure is the most significant infrastructure as all other infrastructures are dependent on electrical input. This thesis subsequently presents the development of a detailed model of the electrical power system of Western campus. This model is validated with actual measured data provided by the Western facilities management for different loading conditions and different feeder positions. Such a model has been developed for the first time at Western University. This model can be used not just for studying disaster scenarios but also for planning of future electrical projects and expansion of facilities in the Western campus. The second module of thesis deals with the different disaster scenarios, critical subsystems and the impact of appropriate decision making on the overall working of the Western campus, with a special focus on electrical power systems. The results from the validated electrical model are incorporated into the infrastructural interdependency software (I2Sim). A total of six disaster scenarios are studied; three involving the electrical power systems in collaboration with water and steam systems, and other three involving only the electrical power system. The study of interdependency during disasters is performed to generate a wiser decision making process. The results presented in this thesis are an important addition to the earlier work done in DRNEP project, which only involved three infrastructures: steam, condensate return, and water. In this iv thesis, the information on electrical networks which was earlier missing is provided through the validated electrical power model. It is demonstrated that decisions to reduce electrical power consumption on campus by evacuating campus areas are effective in stabilizing the hospital operations but not in maintaining Western business continuity. A decision to accommodate hospital activities according to power availability appears to be the better choice. The results presented in this thesis will help in a much better manner to pre-plan different preparedness strategies to deal with any future potential emergencies in the Western campus

Understanding the behavior of Pthread applications on non-uniform cache architectures

PosterWhy is it important? As number of cores in a processor scale up, caches would become banked Keeps individual look-up time small. Allows parallel accesses by different cores. Present shared programming model assumes a flat memory. Unaware application can have sub-optimal performance Conclusion Programming model needs to change For any heterogeneous memory hierarchy. Architecture, OS, compiler and application developer should work together Significant performance gains can be achieved. ? Without increasing system complexity. As complexity of memory hierarchy grows, optimizations like these will be critical

Ground water quality assessment for irrigation in Palwal block of Palwal district, Haryana, India

The present study examined the quality of groundwater for agriculture purpose in a 49785 ha region comprising Palwal block of Palwal district of Haryana state by focusing on spatial variability of electrical conductivity (EC), cationic and anionic composition of CO32-, HCO3-, Cl-, SO42-, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+ and K+ of the ground water. It was found 75% of the samples showed EC values up to 4 dS/m and the maximum value of EC was found as 10.55 dS/m. Out of one hundred thirty three ground water samples 34.8 % were of good quality, 49.2 % saline and 16.0 % alkali in nature. Out of the saline water, 24.2, 1.5 and 23.5 % were marginally saline, saline and high SAR saline, respectively. In alkali group, 2.3, 2.3 and 11.4 % were marginally alkali, alkali and high alkali, respectively. Residual sodium carbonate (RSC) and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) varied from nil to 5.50 me L-1 and 2.50 to 23.41 (m mol L-1)½, respectively. Counter map maps of EC, SAR, RSC and water quality of groundwater used for irrigation in the block were prepared through GIS to study spatial variability

Federated Critical Infrastructure Simulators: Towards Ontologies for Support of Collaboration

Our society relies greatly on a variety of critical infrastructures (CI), such as power system networks, water distribution, oil and natural gas systems, telecommunication networks and others. Interdependency between those systems is high and may result in cascading failures spanning different infrastructures. Behavior of each CI can be observed and analyzed through the use of domain simulators, but this does not account for their interdependency. To explore CI interdependencies, domain simulators need to be integrated in a federation where they can collaborate. This paper explores three different simulators: the EPANET water distribution simulator, the PSCAD power system simulator and the I2Sim infrastructure interdependency simulator. Each simulator’s modeling approach is explored and their similarities and differences between modeling approaches are determined. Core ontology for each simulation engine is created as well as initial mapping between them. Ontologies and their mapping will support collaboration of simulators by enabling exchange of information in a semantic manner

Predicting and grading the degree of difficulty of cochlear implant surgery by evaluating temporal bone using high resolution computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging

Background: The current study was designed to assess the challenges that arise during cochlear implantation. Hence imaging based grading system, using a structured, 12-point scoring chart was developed with an aim to assess various anatomical factors of temporal bone helpful in contemplating complications involved in surgery and to assess various congenital and acquired abnormalities if detected during scan which can affect cochlear implant surgery.Methods: This was a descriptive study done on 60 patients with sensorineural hearing loss. They were evaluated preoperatively by using HRCT and MRI findings and subsequently underwent cochlear implantation. A 12-point scoring chart was developed based on imaging findings. Surgical times were noted in each case and each imaging point on the scoring chart was correlated with the surgical times.Results: Eleven out of 12 points in the scoring chart proved to be statistically significant in predicting the degree of difficulty of the surgical procedure. One point was not correlating with the surgical timings. Based on the grading system, in the present study, there were 37 patients (61.66%) classified as Grade 1, 16 patients (26.67%) classified as Grade 2 and 7 patients (11.67%) classified as Grade 3.Conclusions: These radiological image findings and its related grading system are relatively easy and quick to assess on readily available pre-operative temporal bone CT scan and MRI. They can form a pre-operative checklist that provides a formalized approach for the surgeons and, in particular surgical trainees, predict and, thus prepare for, potentially challenging cochlear implant cases

Community prevalence of antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus in Rural and Urban Vellore, Tamil Nadu

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are becoming increasingly common in India. Currently, antenatal prevalence is a surrogate marker for HIV prevalence in the community. The association between antenatal and community prevalence of HIV needs to be validated so that estimates can be verified or adjusted appropriately Methods: A probability proportional to size cluster survey was conducted in the Kaniyambadi block of Vellore district and in the urban wards of Vellore town to estimate the prevalence of antibodies to rubella from August 1999 to February 2000. All personal identifier data from the serum samples were removed to yield a collection for which only the age and sex were known. Estimation of antibodies to HIV in sera from individuals between 15 and 40 years of age, was carried out by one screening ELISA and the reactive sera were further subjected to a supplementary test. Results: We tested 1512 serum samples from subjects residing in rural areas and 1358 samples from those residing in urban areas. The seropositivity among rural samples was 0.66% and among urban samples 1.4%. The prevalence was almost equal among men and women and the youngest infected individual was 15 years old. Conclusion: The prevalence of HIV during the period of study was similar to the national surveillance data for Tamil Nadu based on antenatal women. HIV prevalence differs in urban and rural Tamil Nadu, with urban areas having a higher burden of the disease

Process Optimization and Design of an Automation Controller for a Multidisciplinary Combat Engineering System

Design of an automation controller for a “Electro-Hydro-Mechanical Object Laying System” is presented in this paper, which is a multidisciplinary equipment consisting of Electromechanical and Hydraulic Actuators and large number of sensors for process feedback. There are complex mechanisms and processes involved in this system, which are required to be operated/executed in sequential and parallel manner in real time. The operation of spatially distributed Electromechanical & Hydraulic actuators with feedbacks from multiple type of sensors are required to be synchronized for multiple activities at a faster rate along with safely handling of the objects. All the activities are automated with minimum human intervention to avoid risk to the crew. This paper mainly focuses on electronic controller hardware design for military environment and process optimization to achieve faster object laying rate