Modeling uncertain and dynamic casualty health in optimization-based decision support for mass casualty incident response

When designing a decision support program for use in coordinating the response to Mass Casualty Incidents, the modelling of the health of casualties presents a significant challenge. In this paper we propose one such health model, capable of acknowledging both the uncertain and dynamic nature of casualty health. Incorporating this into a larger optimisation model capable of use in real-time and in an online manner, computational experiments examining the effect of errors in health assessment, regular updates of health and delays in communication are reported. Results demonstrate the often significant impact of these factors

Online optimization of casualty processing in major incident response: An experimental analysis

When designing an optimization model for use in mass casualty incident (MCI) response, the dynamic and uncertain nature of the problem environment poses a significant challenge. Many key problem parameters, such as the number of casualties to be processed, will typically change as the response operation progresses. Other parameters, such as the time required to complete key response tasks, must be estimated and are therefore prone to errors. In this work we extend a multi-objective combinatorial optimization model for MCI response to improve performance in dynamic and uncertain environments. The model is developed to allow for use in real time, with continuous communication between the optimization model and problem environment. A simulation of this problem environment is described, allowing for a series of computational experiments evaluating how model utility is influenced by a range of key dynamic or uncertain problem and model characteristics. It is demonstrated that the move to an online system mitigates against poor communication speed, while errors in the estimation of task duration parameters are shown to significantly reduce model utility

Performance of Prototype Solar Tunnel Drier Developed by University of Hohenheim Under Local Environmental Conditions in Sri Lanka

The solar tunnel dryer developed by University of Hohenheim was studied under local environmental conditions in Sri Lanka to identify necessary improvements so that   marketable dehydrated products could be produced. Batch trials were carried using   jak fruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) and brinjal (Solanum melongena). Temperature, relative humidity and air flow rate during the trial period were recorded. Drying duration, physico-chemical and orgonoleptic parameters of the dehydrated products were determined. The dryer was found to be technically feasible and products are hygienically good compared to the open sun drying. Depending on bad weather conditions drying duration varied between 2- 3 days causing to produce organoleptically unacceptable dehydrated products.  The reasons identified for unacceptable quality were the long dying periods and keeping the materials inside the drying compartment overnight without drying. Therefore, there is a necessity to shorten the drying period together with maintenance of a correct temperature inside the drying compartment during non solar hours to preserve the quality of dried products

A note on the appearance of self-dual Yang-Mills fields in integrable hierarchies

A family of mappings from the solution spaces of certain generalized Drinfeld-Sokolov hierarchies to the self-dual Yang-Mills system on R^{2,2} is described. This provides an extension of the well-known relationship between self-dual connections and integrable hierarchies of AKNS and Drinfeld-Sokolov type

Application of essential oil incorporated edible wax for shelf life extension of mango and papaya

Annex 21 to final technical report : CIFSRF final technical report : Enhanced Preservation of Fruits Using Nanotechnology (CIFSRF Phase 2)Both mango and papaya varieties treated with bio-wax showed better fruit quality compared to control fruits. Results indicate that storage life could be extended for more than 21 days. The slow release mechanism of active ingredients in the bio-wax plays a key role in preserving shelf life by minimizing loss due to disease. This one-pager provides a brief outline of the research, with images of fruit trials over a period of 21 days

Extensions of discrete classical orthogonal polynomials beyond the orthogonality

It is well known that the family of Hahn polynomials $\{h_n^{\alpha,\beta}(x;N)\}_{n\ge 0}$ is orthogonal with respect to a certain weight function up to $N$. In this paper we present a factorization for Hahn polynomials for a degree higher than $N$ and we prove that these polynomials can be characterized by a $\Delta$-Sobolev orthogonality. We also present an analogous result for dual-Hahn, Krawtchouk, and Racah polynomials and give the limit relations between them for all n\in \XX N_0. Furthermore, in order to get this results for the Krawtchouk polynomials we will get a more general property of orthogonality for Meixner polynomials.Comment: 2 figures, 20 page

Morphodynamics of the Manyema tidal delta at Kunduchi, Tanzania

The prevailing northward longshore drift of beach sand on the northern part of Msasani Bay, north of Dar es Salaam, is interrupted at Kunduchi by the tidal flushing of Manyema Creek, a mangrove ecosystem partially developed for salt production. Shoreline changes around the creek mouth in recent decades have eroded coastal land and destroyed buildings, prompting stakeholders to construct protective groynes and revetments. Sand is transported across the delta by the interaction of two forcing processes – currents of water flushing the creek in response to tidal variation; and (generally) currents generated by wind-driven waves according to the monsoon season. Study of the sand morphology of the creek and delta platform together with time-series satellite imagery has permitted demarcation of the respective sand transport pathways and of morphodynamic changes on the delta over the last decade. The sand transport regime has promoted erosion of the shore to the south of the creek mouth and has led to a spasmodic delivery of sand to beaches north of the channel. Attempts to stabilise the shore around the creek mouth are described and their effectiveness evalutated

Further Comparison between ATNoSFERES and XCSM

International audienceIn this paper we present ATNoSFERES, a new framework based on an indirect encoding Genetic Algorithm which builds finite-state automata controllers able to deal with perceptual aliazing. In the context of our ongoing line of research, we compare it with XCSM, a memory-based extension of the most studied Learning Classifier System, XCS, through two benchmark experiments. We focus in particular on internal state generalization, and add special purpose features to ATNoSFERES to fulfill that comparison. We then discuss the role played by internal state generalization in the experiments studied

Towards a model for measuring holistic performance of professional Football clubs

This paper introduces an experimental model to measure the holistic performance of professional football clubs. The model utilizes a selection of established financial and sporting indicators, which are weighted in accordance with their perceived relative importance and in relation to components of financial management and governing body regulations. The paper uses data pertaining to clubs competing in the English Premier League to demonstrate the outputs of the model. The authors argue that although the model is experimental, it still provides a useful platform to analyse performance of football clubs through further scientific investigation