Thermodynamic behaviour of two-dimensional vesicles revisited

We study pressurised self-avoiding ring polymers in two dimensions using Monte Carlo simulations, scaling arguments and Flory-type theories, through models which generalise the model of Leibler, Singh and Fisher [Phys. Rev. Lett. Vol. 59, 1989 (1987)]. We demonstrate the existence of a thermodynamic phase transition at a non-zero scaled pressure $\tilde{p}$, where $\tilde{p} = Np/4\pi$, with the number of monomers $N \rightarrow \infty$ and the pressure $p \rightarrow 0$, keeping $\tilde{p}$ constant, in a class of such models. This transition is driven by bond energetics and can be either continuous or discontinuous. It can be interpreted as a shape transition in which the ring polymer takes the shape, above the critical pressure, of a regular N-gon whose sides scale smoothly with pressure, while staying unfaceted below this critical pressure. In the general case, we argue that the transition is replaced by a sharp crossover. The area, however, scales with $N^2$ for all positive $p$ in all such models, consistent with earlier scaling theories.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, EPL forma

Intelligent Control and Optimization: Need of the Time in Mineral Processing Industry

Mineral processing sits at the heart of metal extraction process for sectors such as ferrous and nonferrous metallurgy. Continuous endeavors towards fundamental process improvement and explosion of technological advancements has driven mineral processing plants to command high level of efficiency and consistency in output quality. However, the challenges are numerous and multifold, demanding significant effort towards crafting intelligent and learning systems for further improvements. Moreover, cutting edge technology is often coupled with a "cutting edge" cost of its acquisition and sustenance

Centre of Excellence for Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Systems: Mid-term Evaluation

This report covers the second stage of the evaluation which can be considered the ‘main evaluation’. In addition to measuring progress against the stated results at various levels in the logic model, it seeks to answer evaluation questions listed in Section 2.3.2 of the Request for Proposal (RFP) (see Annex 2) covering five broad areas namely, institutional development; global mandate; country level programming; integration of gender; and future work.The mid-term evaluation compares strategy with projected outputs and outcomes, identifying opportunities, implementation constraints, gaps and recommendations for refocusing the project as needed. The Centre of Excellence (COE) for Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Systems serves as a global resource hub to improve CRVS systems capacity to track progress on women's, newborns’, children's and adolescents' health in the Global Financing Facility (GFF) countries. Many countries are investing heavily in developing ID systems without any concomitant effort to develop CRVS systems. The COE work highlights the importance of CRVS in the establishment of an efficient ID system and encourages better understanding of their complementarity

Treasury management model with foreign exchange exposure

In this paper we formulate a model for foreign exchange exposure management and (international) cash management taking into consideration random fluctuations of exchange rates. A vector error correction model (VECM) is used to predict the random behaviour of the forward as well as spot rates connecting dollar and sterling. A two­stage stochastic programming (TWOSP) decision model is formulated using these random parameter values. This model computes currency hedging strategies, which provide rolling decisions of how much forward contracts should be bought and how much should be liquidated. The model decisions are investigated through ex post simulation and backtesting in which value at risk (VaR) for alternative decisions are computed. The investigation (a) shows that there is a considerable improvement to "spot only" strategy, (b) provides insight into how these decisions are made and (c) also validates the performance of this model

Human Patient Simulator based CBRN Casualty Management Training

Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) emergency are becoming an impending threat. Effective preparedness needs to be raised for prompt response of CBRN incidents. During mass casualty incidents the strategy of the first responders must be beyond the triage, evacuation and medical first aid. Response process is advanced by the presence of CBRN contaminants and it becomes more complex when the rescue operations have to be performed immediately after the incident. Methodological approach is required to identify and decontaminate the CBRN victims. To manage CBRN emergencies, skill based training of appropriate degree is a key to the right level of preparedness. Intervention by first responders requires specialised inputs in knowledge, skills and aptitude. In India, CBRN defence training has traditionally been a military oriented domain, involving the quick reaction team, quick reaction medical team, rapid action medical team, etc. The training concept discussed in this study contemplates around standardised simulated CBRN casualty referred to as CBRN human patient simulator (HPS), which conceptualised in the division of CBRN Defence, Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences, Delhi. HPS provides an opportunity to learn about the health impact of CBRN contaminants and practise medical management. Simulation as training and planning tools, offers repeatability, controllability, possibility for evaluation and provides a platform to learn from costly mistakes. Group training and demonstrations conducted on the HPS offers an additive benefit to enhance performance as a team and also help to reduce errors. This paper provides the information on the potentials of simulation based training of emergency response teams in the management of CBRN victims.

Contributions for a Community Good: Results from a Field Experiment in India

This paper presents the results of a field experiment on voluntary contribution for a proposed community good. The experiment was conducted at village Sundarika, District South 24 parganas, in West Bengal, India. The proposed community good was a community medicinal plant garden. Solicitation letters, on behalf of a local Community Based Organization (CBO), were delivered to one hundred households by the experimenters with the request to contribute generously for the proposed garden. Sixty-five households contributed and a strong positive association is found between contributions and CBO membership on the one hand and landholding on the other