Flood Damage and Shutdown Times for Industrial Process Facilities

The vulnerability of the Gulf Coast to inundation poses a real threat to both national security and the regional economy due to the concentration of the nation’s energy infrastructure throughout the waterways of the southeastern United States’ waterways. Mitigation efforts thus far have been qualitative and fail to provide raw, quantitative data to aid in the successful management of flooding liabilities. This paper proposes a novel approach to analyzing infrastructure susceptibility by means of a component-based approach to consequences posed by water-borne incursions. Systems are simplified to collections of components, each with a lowest-member elevation, thereby identifying the benchmark for vulnerability. Further, the maintenance efforts required to return these systems to processing capability are integrated into the component database, identified by available repair and replacement tasks. Simulations for site-specific flood information are analyzed through National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency data, which provide the expected inundation levels for the five separate categories of tropical events on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. These levels are applied to the elevations determined in the component analysis, thereby producing a legitimate estimate, measured in manhours, for reconstruction efforts following a flood event. These manhours are then used to calculate cost within a labor database composed of technical laborers and supervision, yielding a labor cost. Material costs based on historic pricing, equipment costs based on current market rates, and company overhead costs, composed of site project management, are aggregated to realize a total direct cost as a result of inundation at a specified flood depth. From this total direct cost, decisions at the owner level can be made concerning acceptable risk with quantitative data to support mitigation and prevention strategies

A numerical investigation of flowfield modification in high-speed airbreathing inlets using energy deposition

Energy deposition in front of dual-mode ram/scramjet engines is numerically investigated utilizing two-dimensional CFD for its potential to modify inlet/isolator flow-fields for engine start/unstart control and for its general potential for generating large-scale flow-field modification in such flows. A simplified (high Mach number) constant-area duct geometry is initially defined in order to test the feasibility of the concept; the results from this initial investigation demonstrates possible beneficial effects of depositing energy upstream of a thermally choked duct in terms of causing massive changes in flow patterns, including the reestablishment of supersonic flow throughout the duct. This study is followed by the definition of a realistic high-speed engine domain focusing on the lower external and internal engine side of a hypersonic vehicle. A quasi-one-dimensional solver is constructed and used to establish approximate understanding of thermal choking limits in the defined geometry. A CFD investigation of this actual engine geometry is performed in which heating blocks are used to simulate fuel-air combustion in the engine combustor. Actual choking limits are established and a base-line case defined with substantial (choked flow) upstream interaction. A range of energy deposition cases are then run in order to assess the use of upstream energy deposition for facilititating restarting an unstarted engine, mitigating unstart, and generating large-scale flow-field modification in the isolator/inlet of a dual-mode ram/scramjet engine. Results indicate that, although the ability to actually increase performance of an unstarted engine through the use of upstream energy deposition is minimal, there is indication that the use of such a technique for generating a virtual cowl and/or a virtual isolator (including throats, etc.) is possible --Abstract, page iii

Salient Feature Identification and Analysis using Kernel-Based Classification Techniques for Synthetic Aperture Radar Automatic Target Recognition

An investigation into feature saliency for application to synthetic aperture radar (SAR) automatic target recognition (ATR) is presented. Specifically, research is focused on improving the SAR binary classification performance aspect of ATR, or the ability to accurately determine the class of a SAR target. The key to improving ATR classification performance lies in characterizing the salient target features. Salient features may be loosely defined as the most consistently impactful parts of a SAR target contributing to effective SAR ATR classification. To better understand the notion of salience, an investigation is conducted into the nature of saliency as applied to Air Force Research Lab\u27s (AFRL) civilian vehicle (CV) data domes simulated phase history data set. After separating vehicles into two SAR data classes, sedan and SUV, frequency and polarization features are extracted from SAR data and formed into either 1D high range resolution (HRR) or 2D spectrum parted linked image test (SPLIT) feature vectors. A series of experiments comparing vehicle classes are designed and conducted to focus specifically on the saliency effects of various SAR collection parameters including azimuth angle, aperture size, elevation angle, and bandwidth. The popular kernel-based Bayesian Relevance Vector Machine (RVM) classifier is utilized for sparse identification of relevant vectors contributing most to the creation of a hyperplane decision boundary. Analysis of experimental results ultimately leads to recommendations of the salient feature vectors and SAR collection parameters which provide the most potential impact to improving vehicle classification. Demonstrating the proposed saliency characterization algorithm with simulated civilian vehicle data provides a road map for salient feature identification and analysis of other SAR data classes in future operational scenarios. ATR practitioners may use saliency results to focus more attention on the identified salient features of a target class, improving efficiency and effectiveness of SAR ATR

The microbiome of the nasopharynx

The nasopharyngeal microbiome is a dynamic microbial interface of the aerodigestive tract, and a diagnostic window in the fight against respiratory infections and antimicrobial resistance. As its constituent bacteria, viruses and mycobacteria become better understood and sampling accuracy improves, diagnostics of the nasopharynx could guide more personalized care of infections of surrounding areas including the lungs, ears and sinuses. This review will summarize the current literature from a clinical perspective and highlight its growing importance in diagnostics and infectious disease management

The management of an ageing workforce: organisational policies in Germany and Britain

Demographic change as well as pressure from the European Union and national government are forcing organisations to change age-discriminatory Human Resource Management (HRM) approaches. Based on a qualitative analysis of eight British and German organisations, we found that commitment, scope, coverage and implementation of age management differ due to country-specific institutions, particularly government, in nudging employers and unions to preferred age practices. This confirms the path-dependency concept suggested by institutional theory. Nevertheless, we also found that industry-specific factors mediate the implementation of age management, leading to some convergence across countries. This indicates that organisations deviate from the institutional path to implement practices that they deem important

Human-Machine Interfacing via Epidermal Electronic Systems

Surface electromyography (EMG) is rapidly becoming a viable control source for interfacing with machines. By measuring the electric potential generated by the contractions of skeletal muscles, systems can be controlled with a mere flick of the wrist, allowing intuitive and versatile control to the wielder. As sensors and classification algorithms become more sophisticated, EMG control has increasing potential to revolutionize the way we interact with and utilize technology. Prosthetics in particular have benefited the most from these recent advances, with one research team successfully returning ambulation to a leg amputee last year. However, this technology is not yet suitable for practical use, as implementations often require bulky hardware and is limited by the complexities of the software. To amend these issues and facilitate further research in this field, we propose a consolidated solution that will handle the acquisition and classification of an EMG input while providing protocols to interface with an external system. Where most setups are cumbersome and impractical, usually requiring a piece of dedicated hardware for each step in the signal chain, we have made our system as small and cost-effective as possible. By consolidating our solution onto a single circuit board with bluetooth integration, we will maximize portability and afford researchers flexibility when working with our system. This portability will allow our device to be placed in close proximity to the EMG sensors to transmit the signal wirelessly to a central hub, which will process it further. Here the central hub will classify the waveform and map it to a definitive command that can be used to interface with an external system. This will abstract the classification aspect away from the developer, simplifying the process and allowing them to focus on what they are trying to accomplish. Our system will also allow for further extension by being robust enough to handle multiple EMG inputs and allowing researchers to easily configure the device for their purposes. To accommodate future advances in classification algorithms or future improvements to the system itself, we will also provide frameworks that will allow researchers and developers to program the device themselves. By giving researchers the tools to quickly implement this technology, we allow them to focus on other aspects of what they are trying to build instead of worrying about the technicalities that go into designing a system like this. Further development in this field will give us unprecedented ways to interact with the world around us and change how we utilize technology. Given this technology’s proclivity towards those who are disabled, our project has the potential to drastically improve the quality of life for the unfortunate as well.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/capstone/1040/thumbnail.jp

Becoming an accredited medical teacher in the UK

Teaching and training are integral to the different, core roles of a trainee. Therefore, there is a shift in the medical profession towards credentialing teaching and training skills. Postgraduate qualifications in medical education are likely to be more important for professional development. In recent years, the number of medical education awards and training programmes has increased rapidly. This pluralism, however, may become a source of confusion for those considering enrolment on such programmes. This article summarises the nomenclature, awarding bodies, levels of qualification, programmes and positions available for those wishing to advance their educational practice. The article will focus on opportunities available to UK-based doctors and particularly for doctors in training

Adult Strider

The goal of the Strider project was to create a mobility device that would support a person with weakened leg strength and allow them to push the device around with their legs and build more leg strength. There are many health benefits to standing and the Strider was intended to help a person with a disability experience these benefits. The Strider is a fully independent device that the user can get into and maneuver without assistance. The device is also safe, highly maneuverable, and complies with all ADA standards and requirements. The design is built around a frame that supports the user. A lowered push-off bar allows the user to push out of his wheel chair and the frame supports the user’s weight. The user then uses the transfer seat to get into the device. The transfer seat locks in the downward position so the user can sit in it while getting into the harness. Once the harness is attached, the transfer seat can be unlocked and swung back out of the way and the torso support system then is closed. At this point the harness supports the majority of the user’s weight and the user can now move the device around with his legs. Testing showed that a user can get into the device without help. However, the process is much more involved than originally believed, but with practice our user can learn how to transfer easily. The device moves very well for a person who is used to controlling their legs. However, for a person with less practice, accurately steering the Strider is a little trickier. Overall, the Strider fulfills the goals of the project. The user can get into the device and maneuver it around. The device also gives the user a workout. Future projects that are similar might want to look for alternative wheels that can provide better traction on smooth surfaces. This is especially important when the user is getting into the device and the brakes are on. As of now, the device slips a little on smooth floors while the user is getting into it. Lastly, having more adjustable arm rests would be beneficial

Nasopharyngeal Swabs vs. Nasal Aspirates for Respiratory Virus Detection: A Systematic Review

Nasal pathogen detection sensitivities can be as low as 70% despite advances in molecular diagnostics. This may be linked to the choice of sampling method. A diagnostic test accuracy review for sensitivity was undertaken to compare sensitivity of swabbing to the nasopharynx and extracting nasal aspirates, using the PRISMA protocol, Cochrane rapid review methodology, and QUADAS-2 risk of bias tools, with meta-analysis of included studies. Sensitivities were calculated by a consensus standard of positivity by either method as the ‘gold standard.’ Insufficient sampling methodology, cross sectional study designs, and studies pooling samples across anatomical sites were excluded. Of 13 subsequently eligible studies, 8 had ‘high’ risk of bias, and 5 had ‘high’ applicability concerns. There were no statistical differences in overall sensitivities between collection methods for eight different viruses, and this did not differ with use of PCR, immunofluorescence, or culture. In one study alone, Influenza H1N1(2009) favored nasopharyngeal swabs, with aspirates having 93.3% of the sensitivity of swabs (p > 0.001). Similarly equivocal sensitivities were noted in reports detecting bacteria. The chain of sampling, from anatomical site to laboratory results, features different potential foci along which sensitivity may be lost. A fair body of evidence exists that use of a different sampling method will not yield more respiratory pathogens