A mixed integer programming approach for asset protection during escaped wildfires

Incident management teams (IMTs) are responsible for managing the response to wildfires. One of the objectives of IMTs is the protection of assets and infrastructure. In this paper, we develop a mathematical model to assist IMTs in assigning resources to asset protection activities during wildfires. We present a mixed integer programming model for resource allocation with the aim of protecting the maximum possible total value of assets. The model allows for mixed vehicle types with interchangeable capabilities and with travel times determined by vehicle-specific speed and road network information. We define location-specific protection requirements in terms of vehicle capabilities. The formulated model extends classic variants of the team orienteering problem with time windows. The model capabilities are demonstrated using a hypothetical fire scenario impacting South Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. Computational testing shows that realistically sized problems can be solved within a reasonable time

Dynamic rerouting of vehicles during cooperative wildfire response operations

Incident managers assigning wildfire response vehicles to provide protection to community assets may experience disruptions to their plans arising from factors such as changes in weather, vehicle breakdowns or road closures. We develop an approach to rerouting wildfire response vehicles once a disruption has occurred. The aim is to maximise the total value of assets protected while minimising changes to the original vehicle assignments. A number of functions to measure deviations from the original plans are proposed. The approach is demonstrated using a realistic fire scenario impacting South Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. Computational testing shows that realistic sized problems can be solved within a reasonable time using a commercial solver

Tension between school governing bodies and education authorities in South Africa and proposed resolutions thereof.

The success of a country’s education system depends to a large extent on the mutual trust and co-operation existing between all partners. However, numerous documented incidents in the media have confirmed that there is a field of tension between school governing bodies of public schools in South Africa and the Department of Education, which is of great concern to all partners in the system, especially as these parent bodies were established by the current government to be partners in the management of their children’s schools. This empirical investigation was undertaken to identify and analyse the origin and extent of the tension and to suggest practical and workable solutions to defuse the situation. The views of respondents from both parties were elicited and the results confirmed the existence of tension and mistrust

Tension between school governing bodies and education authorities in South Africa and proposed resolutions thereof

The success of a country’s education system depends to a large extent on themutual trust and co-op eration e xisting between all partners. However, numerous documented incidents in the media have confirmed that there is a field of tension between school governing bodies of public schools in South Africa and the Department of Ed ucatio n, which is of great concern to all partners in the system, especially as these parent bodies were established by the current government to be partne rs in the management of their children’s schools. This empirical investigation was undertaken to identify and analyse the origin and extent of the tension and to suggest practical and workable solutions to defuse the situation. The views of respondents from both parties were e licited and the results confirme d the existence of ten sion and mistrust

Bayesian testing for process capability indices

Process capability indices have been widely used in the manufacturing industry. They measure the ability of a manufacturing process to produce items that meet certain specifications. A capability index relates the voice of the customer (specification limits) to the voice of the process. There is a need to understand and interpret process capability indices. Most of the existing work in this area has been devoted to classical frequentist large sample theory. An alternative approach to the problem of making inference about capability indices is the Bayesian approach. In this paper a Bayesian version of Tukey’s method is used for constructing simultaneous credibility intervals for all pairwise differences. A Bayesian procedure for testing all possible contrasts is also given. The problem of selecting the best supplier(s) has received considerable attention in the literature, but mainly from a classical frequentist point of view. A Bayesian simulation procedure is also illustrated to find the best supplier or group of suppliers.This method seems much easier to perform than the Monte Carlo integration method given in Wu, Shiau, Pearn and Hung (2016). In section 10, a sensitivity analysis regarding the prior choice is considered and in the last section, t-distributed data are analysed

Evaluation of nutrition care to adult patients on HAART attending primary healthcare facilities in Mpumalanga

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate nutrition care and nursing professional knowledge received by adults on highly active antiretroviral therapy attending primary health care (PHC) facilities Design: Cross-sectional, descriptive study. Subjects and setting: The study was conducted on 263 adults and 75 nursing professionals, recruited from 19 facilities in the Mbombela sub-district, Mpumalanga. Outcome measures: Interviewer-administered questionnaires were completed for each patient. Nursing professionals completed a self-administered questionnaire. Assessment tools were completed for each facility. Results: Some 41% of patients were either overweight or obese, and most females (n = 87; 51.8%) had a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2. Based on waist circumference, 52.7% (n = 88) of females and 8.4% (n = 8) of males showed increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Although nurses were aware of a nutrition supplementation programme, knowledge of national nutrition guidelines was inadequate. Clinical judgement, rather than eligibility criteria, was used to identify suitable patients, with 13.3% (n = 35) receiving supplementation whereas only 4.9% (n = 13) qualified. Facilities generally had sufficient equipment and fair storage conditions, but stock shortages of nutrition supplements were problematic. Conclusions: Whilst certain positive findings emerged, nutrition care could be improved, largely through adequate training and support to professional nurses. Training should focus on correct execution of assessment measurements and appropriate nutritional counselling, emphasising balanced eating, food security and prevention of over-nutrition. Nurses should be familiarised with national nutrition guidelines and have access to a constant nutrition supplementation supply. Improved monitoring and evaluation of nutrition care to adults on treatment at PHC facilities is needed

From implementation to revising simulation integration into undergraduate physiotherapy training

Background. Careful consideration of an increasingly underprepared tertiary student population, the limited use of simulation in South African (SA) healthcare education and a changing healthcare education milieu is required from SA educators when implementing, evaluating and revising simulation integration. Objectives. To develop a conceptual framework for the integration of simulation in the SA undergraduate physiotherapy programme. Methods. A non-experimental descriptive research design was used. A purposive sample of 15 healthcare educationalists from SA and abroad were approached to participate in a modified Delphi survey, informed by the results obtained from a systematic review identifying simulation integration framework elements. Data were analysed as percentages, with feedback provided to panel members following each round. Results. Data saturation was achieved after round 3, with a response rate of 73.3% (n=11). The main findings suggested that student preparation prior to simulation-based learning experiences (SBLEs) should include orientation to SBLE logistics and expectations (73%), and could include informal assessment of theory (64%). Inclusion of the feedback/debriefing process (82%), methods (100%) and timing (85%) as part of student and educator preparation were also deemed essential. Panel members agreed that programme evaluation in line with stakeholder feedback (92%) is vital for guiding adjustments to the programme that is integrating simulation. Conclusion. The developed conceptual framework indicates the necessity of student and educator preparation to ensure optimal SBLE participation and outcome achievement. Programme sustainability should be ensured through programme evaluation and adjustment, in line with stakeholder feedback, best practice and accrediting professional body guidelines

How to plan for simulation integration into undergraduate physiotherapy training

Background. The benefits of simulation in healthcare education are undeniable, and in the current healthcare climate, a drastic change in delivering healthcare training is critical. Therefore, integration of simulation is essential, and necessitates detailed planning and well-trained educators. Objectives. To develop a conceptual framework for the integration of simulation in South African (SA) undergraduate physiotherapy programmes. Methods. A non-experimental descriptive research design using a modified Delphi survey was conducted. Results from a systematic review identifying simulation integration framework elements informed the Delphi survey. A purposive sample of 15 healthcare educationalists from SA and abroad were approached to participate. Data were analysed as percentages, and feedback was provided to panel members following each round. Results. A response rate of 73.3% (n=11) was achieved. Planning was explored as one of the themes. Both institutional- and discipline-specific needs analyses were identified as essential (93%), and societal needs were useful to consider (64%). Resource identification and sharing (84%) were regarded as vital, and expert collaboration in curriculum development (79%) with scaffolded skills integration (75%) was advised. The necessity for trained facilitators (93%) and educator role identification (71%) was evident. Statements related to mastery learning/deliberate practice and the use of simulation for assessment purposes yielded the least consensus. Conclusion. A constructively aligned curriculum based on both student and institutional needs and resource availability in guiding simulation integration was regarded as essential. Educator competency in both the development and delivery of the programme, especially debriefing methods, is vital for optimising student learning

Variants within the MMP3 gene are associated with achilles tendinopathy: possible interaction with the COL5A1 gene

Objectives: Sequence variation within the COL5A1 and TNC genes are known to associate with Achilles tendinopathy. The primary aim of this case-control genetic association study was to investigate whether variants within the matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3) gene also contributed to both Achilles tendinopathy and Achilles tendon rupture in a Caucasian population. A secondary aim was to establish whether variants within the MMP3 gene interacted with the COL5A1 rs12722 variant to raise risk of these pathologies. Methods: 114 subjects with symptoms of Achilles tendon pathology and 98 healthy controls were genotyped for MMP3 variants rs679620, rs591058 and rs650108. Results: As single markers, significant associations were found between the GG genotype of rs679620 (OR = 2.5, 95% CI 1.2 to 4.90, p = 0.010), the CC genotype of rs591058 (OR = 2.3, 95% CI 1.1 to 4.50, p = 0.023) and the AA genotype of rs650108 (OR = 4.9, 95% CI 1.0 to 24.1, p = 0.043) and risk of Achilles tendinopathy. The ATG haplotype (rs679620, rs591058, and rs650108) was under-represented in the tendinopathy group when compared to the control group (41% vs 53%, p = 0.038). Finally, the G allele of rs679620 and the T allele of COL5A1 rs12722 significantly interacted to raise risk of AT (p = 0.006). No associations were found between any of the MMP3 markers and Achilles tendon rupture. Conclusion: Variants within the MMP3 gene are associated with Achilles tendinopathy. Furthermore, the MMP3 gene variant rs679620 and the COL5A1 marker rs12722 interact to modify the risk of tendinopathy. These data further support a genetic contribution to a common sports related injur