Performance evaluation of alternate policies on reservoir system operation

1986 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 203-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Weeraratne ◽  
Lloyd Logan ◽  
T. E. Unny
Keyword(s):  
River System ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Performance Criteria ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
System Failure ◽  
System Operation ◽  
System Vulnerability ◽  
Operational Policies ◽  
System Robustness

This paper discusses within the context of the Grand River system operation the application of the three performance criteria introduced earlier by T. Hashimoto, D. P. Loucks, and J. R. Stedinger. These criteria evaluate the performance characteristic in respect to system failure, system recovery, and system vulnerability with regard to extreme (costly) failures for alternative operational policies. System robustness, also discussed by Hashimoto and co-workers, is used to measure the economic flexibility of system operation to adapt to uncertainties of future demand. The primary objective of the presentation made herein is to establish the role of these criteria in a decision-making process in the operation of the system.

scholarly journals Decision Making from the Experience of Orthognathic Surgery Patients: A Grounded Theory Approach

2021 ◽  
pp. 238008442110144
Author(s):  
N.R. Paul ◽  
S.R. Baker ◽  
B.J. Gibson
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Major Surgery ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Theory Approach

Introduction: Patients’ decisions to undergo major surgery such as orthognathic treatment are not just about how the decision is made but what influences the decision. Objectives: The primary objective of the study was to identify the key processes involved in patients’ experience of decision making for orthognathic treatment. Methods: This study reports some of the findings of a larger grounded theory study. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews of patients who were seen for orthognathic treatment at a teaching hospital in the United Kingdom. Twenty-two participants were recruited (age range 18–66 y), of whom 12 (male = 2, female = 10) were 6 to 8 wk postsurgery, 6 (male = 2, female = 4) were in the decision-making stage, and 4 (male = 0, female = 4) were 1 to 2 y postsurgery. Additional data were also collected from online blogs and forums on jaw surgery. The data analysis stages of grounded theory methodology were undertaken, including open and selective coding. Results: The study identified the central role of dental care professionals (DCPs) in several underlying processes associated with decision making, including legitimating, mediating, scheduling, projecting, and supporting patients’ decisions. Six categories were related to key aspects of decision making. These were awareness about their underlying dentofacial problems and treatment options available, the information available about the treatment, the temporality of when surgery would be undertaken, the motivations and expectation of patients, social support, and fear of the surgery, hospitalization, and potentially disliking their new face. Conclusion: The decision-making process for orthognathic treatment is complex, multifactorial, and heavily influenced by the role of DCPs in patient care. Understanding the magnitude of this role will enable DCPs to more clearly participate in improving patients’ decision-making process. The findings of this study can inform future quantitative studies. Knowledge Transfer Statement: The results of this study can be used both for informing clinical practice around enabling decision making for orthognathic treatment and also for designing future research. The findings can better inform clinicians about the importance of their role in the patients’ decision-making process for orthognathic treatment and the means to improve the patient experience. It is suggested that further research could be conducted to measure some of the key constructs identified within our grounded theory and assess how these change during the treatment process.

Neural Network Ensemble Approach to Pushed Convoys Dispatching Problems

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandar Radonjić ◽  
Danijela Pjevčević ◽  
Vladislav Maraš
Keyword(s):  
Neural Network ◽  
Decision Support Tool ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Danube River ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Neural Network Ensemble ◽  
Support Tool ◽  
Shipping Company ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Power Measurements

AbstractThis paper investigates the use of neural networks (NNs) for the problem of assigning push boats to barge convoys in inland waterway transportation (IWT). Push boat–barge convoy assignmentsare part of the daily decision-making process done by dispatchers in IWT companiesforwhich a decision support tool does not exist. The aim of this paper is to develop a Neural Network Ensemble (NNE) model that will be able to assist in push boat–barge convoy assignments based on the push boat power.The primary objective of this paper is to derive an NNE model for calculation of push boat Shaft Powers (SHPs) by using less than 100% of the experimental data available. The NNE model is applied to a real-world case of more than one shipping company from the Republic of Serbia, which is encountered on the Danube River. The solution obtained from the NNE model is compared toreal-world full-scale speed/power measurements carried out on Serbian push boats, as well as with the results obtained from the previous NNE model. It is found that the model is highly accurate, with scope for further improvements.

Nanostructured Lipid Carriers (NLCs) for drug delivery: Role of Liquid lipid (oil)

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anisha D’Souza ◽  
Ranjita Shegokar
Keyword(s):  
Drug Delivery ◽  
Essential Oils ◽  
Drug Carrier ◽  
Drug Loading ◽  
Performance Criteria ◽  
Long Term Stability ◽  
Natural Oils ◽  
Optimal Drug

: In recent years, SLNs and NLCs are among the popular drug delivery systems studied for delivery of lipophilic drugs. Both systems have demonstrated several beneficial properties as an ideal drug-carrier, optimal drug-loading and good long-term stability. NLCs are getting popular due to their stability advantages and possibility to load various oil components either as an active or as a matrix. This review screens types of oils used till date in combination with solid lipid to form NLCs. These oils are broadly classified in two categories: Natural oils and Essential oils. NLCs offer range advantages in drug delivery due to the formation of imperfect matrix owing to the presence of oil. The type and percentage of oil used determines optimal drug loading and stability. Literature shows that variety of oils is used in NLCs mainly as matrix, which is from natural origin, triglycerides class. On the other hand, essential oils not only serve as a matrix but as an active. In short, oil is the key ingredient in formation of NLCs, hence needs to be selected wisely as per the performance criteria expected.

scholarly journals Social Capital: Higher Resilience in Slums in the Lagos Metropolis

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 3879
Author(s):  
Olabisi S. Obaitor ◽  
Taibat O. Lawanson ◽  
Marion Stellmes ◽  
Tobia Lakes
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Land Allocation ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Community Group ◽  
The Social ◽  
Structural Social Capital ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Different Levels ◽  
Slum Community

Different slums exhibit different levels of resilience against the threat of eviction. However, little is known about the role of the social capital of the slum community in this context. This study investigates the factors contributing to slum resilience in the Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria, through a social capital lens. This study first investigates land allocation in slums, then the available social capital, and subsequently how this capital influences resilience to the threat of eviction in slums. Data were collected in two slum communities, in Lagos, through in-depth interviews and focus groups discussion. This study shows that land allocation is done by the traditional heads, contrarily to the mandate of the Nigeria Land Use Act of 1978. Furthermore, there is a form of structural social capital through the presence of government registered community development associations in the slums; however, their activities, decision-making process and the perception of the residents’ towards their respective associations, differs. This led to differences in trust, social cohesion and bonding ties among residents of the slum, thereby influencing resilience to the threat of eviction in slums. Since community group associations, through the appointed executives, drive the efficient utilization of social capital in slums, this study therefore recommends their restructuring in order to support a sustainable solution to the threat of eviction in slums in Lagos.

The Role of Serotonin in the Development of Psychiatric Disorders: Studies on Drug Dependence and Anxiety-like Behaviour Following the Genetic Reduction of the Serotonin Transporter

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Alana Oakly
Keyword(s):  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Early Development ◽  
Drug Dependence ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Behavioural Response ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Self Administration ◽  
Knock Out ◽  
Enhanced Sensitivity

<p>Rationale: Given the high prevalence and large burden of psychiatric disorders it is imperative to determine the underling etiology in order for better understanding and treatment. The neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) has been associated with mental disorders in humans both pharmacologically and genetically. Individuals with the short-allele of a prominent polymorphism within the 5-HT transporter (SERT) show increased incidence of mood disorders and drug dependence. However, whether or not dysregulation in the 5-HT system causes, or is just associated with, psychiatric disorders is impossible to determine from human studies alone. Consequently, it is imperative to employ an animal model of down-regulated SERT function. To better understand the role of 5-HT in drug dependence, the rat’s behavioural response to the psychostimulant (±) 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), a preferentially serotonergically mediated drug, was assessed. Finally, the ability to rescue the anxiety-like phenotype in the SERT-/- rat by altering extracellular 5-HT during early development was also evaluated.  Objective: The primary objective of the current thesis was to determine whether dysregulation of 5-HT is directly linked to the occurrence of psychiatric disorders, particularly drug dependence and anxiety.  Methods: A model of down-regulated SERT function, the SERT knock-out (SERT-/-) rat, was used for all experiments in order to determine a causal relationship between 5-HT dysregulation and psychiatric disorders. In Chapter 2, the response of the SERT-/- rats to various tasks usually disrupted by MDMA was assessed. In Chapter 3, the sensitivity of the SERT-/- rats to the reinforcing effects of MDMA was determined using the self-administration paradigm. Finally, in Chapter 4, whether the anxiety-like behaviour of the SERT-/- rat could be rescued through normalising excessive extracellular 5-HT neonatally was assessed. An attempt was also made to determine a mechanism by which 5-HT dysregulation could alter behaviour. To this end, gene expression previously found to be up- or down-regulated in the SERT-/- rat was assessed in the neonatally treated rats.  Results: The results of Chapter 2 indicated the SERT is necessary for MDMA’s disruption of startle habituation but not its psychomotor effects. Moreover, for those rats that could discriminate low dose MDMA from saline, genetic removal of the SERT resulted in the inability to discriminate MDMA from amphetamine, implying that, in these rats, MDMA was now subjectively indistinguishable from amphetamine. Indeed, this alteration also resulted in enhanced sensitivity to the reinforcing properties of MDMA, giving MDMA the qualities of a traditional psychostimulant in SERT-/- rats (Chapter 3). Finally, lowering the excessive 5-HT during neonatal development in SERT-/- rats led to a rescue of mild, but not high, anxiety-like behaviour in males. However, mRNA levels of long 3’NTR BDNF and 5-HT1a, genes associated with neurodevelopment, remained unchanged across genotypes and treatment groups (Chapter 4).  Conclusions: Genetic removal of the 5-HT transporter results in an altered behavioural response to MDMA, in particular an increased sensitivity to its reinforcing properties. However, while the genetic removal of the SERT results in enhanced extracellular 5-HT, the pathological phenotypes present in this rat are likely due to this increase occurring in early development, not its continued presence in adulthood. Overall, these findings contribute to the growing body of literature indicating that enhanced brain 5-HT during early development can lead to pathological behaviour in adulthood.</p>

Evolution of EC Institutions and Role of France (1990–2000)

2011 ◽  
pp. 58-70
Author(s):  
P. Timofeev
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
The Eu

The gradual enlargement of the EEC has necessitated an adaptation of European supranational structures established in the 1950-1970s to the needs of the time. Under these circumstances one of the key priorities of France's participation in the EU is he struggle for preserving her influence on the EU decision-making process. The article is devoted to the interaction of France with its partners in the EU institutions. This implies not only the implementation of its own interests, but also the search for compromise more or less satisfactory to all participants.

The role of a shared decision-making process in paediatric epilepsy surgery

2021 ◽  
Vol 429 ◽  
pp. 119162
Author(s):  
Michelle Gratton ◽  
Bonnie Wooten ◽  
Sandrine Deribaupierre ◽  
Andrea Andrade
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Shared Decision Making ◽  
Epilepsy Surgery ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Shared Decision ◽  
Paediatric Epilepsy

Sentiment Analysis with Text Mining in Contexts of Big Data

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 47-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carina Sofia Andrade ◽  
Maribel Yasmina Santos
Keyword(s):  
Big Data ◽  
Text Mining ◽  
Sentiment Analysis ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Information Models ◽  
Evolution Of Technology ◽  
The Common ◽  
Analyse Data

The evolution of technology, along with the common use of different devices connected to the Internet, provides a vast growth in the volume and variety of data that are daily generated at high velocity, phenomenon commonly denominated as Big Data. Related with this, several Text Mining techniques make possible the extraction of useful insights from that data, benefiting the decision-making process across multiple areas, using the information, models, patterns or tendencies that these techniques are able to identify. With Sentiment Analysis, it is possible to understand which sentiments and opinions are implicit in this data. This paper proposes an architecture for Sentiment Analysis that uses data from the Twitter, which is able to collect, store, process and analyse data on a real-time fashion. To demonstrate its utility, practical applications are developed using real world examples where Sentiment Analysis brings benefits when applied. With the presented demonstration case, it is possible to verify the role of each used technology and the techniques adopted for Sentiment Analysis.

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