Comparing contingency fire containment strategies using simulated random scenarios

The occurrence of voltage anomalies in the electric delivery system can disrupt the performance of computers and the processes they control. The occurrence of single line to ground faults on the utility's primary lines (i.e., the most frequent type of utility faults) has a significant impact on the voltage magnitude and phase angle as seen by all the customers connected to the primary circuit. The type of transformer connection (e.g., wye ungrounded-delta) linking a customer to the primary circuit alters the primary voltage sags during primary circuit faults that seen at the customers service entrance. This paper presents the phase and line-to-line voltage sag basic equations for an ungrounded-delta transformer connection due to primary distribution single line phase faults. The basic equations presented provide the framework for evaluating the voltage sags for nine different transformer connections. The significant impact of grounded and ungrounded transformer connections on the magnitude and phase angle of the primary and secondary phase and line voltages are revealed.

Radiographs of 220 calcaneal fractures (205 patients) were reviewed retrospectively. One hundred and sixty-three fractures were intra-articular; thirty (18 per cent) of the 163 fractures were a tongue-type injury, and 133 (82 per cent) were a joint-depression injury. Plain radiographs and computerized tomography scans in the coronal and axial planes were available for 116 intra-articular fractures (106 patients). These studies were reviewed, and the 116 fractures were grouped according to the Sanders classification of calcaneal fractures and the anterior extension of the primary fracture line was evaluated. Sixty-two primary fracture lines (53 per cent) extended into one articular surface; twenty-three (20 per cent), into two articular surfaces; twenty-three (20 per cent), into a periarticular location; and eight (7 per cent), into a medial or lateral location. Sixty-seven (58 per cent) involved the calcaneocuboid joint, thirty-one (27 per cent) involved the anterior facet of the talocalcaneal joint, and ten (9 per cent) involved the middle facet of the talocalcaneal joint. A distinct anterolateral fragment was identified in 108 fractures (93 per cent). Plain radiographs failed to demonstrate the anterior extension of fifty-one (47 per cent) of the primary fracture lines. The prevalence of involvement of the anterior facet was significantly greater in Sanders type-III fractures (sixteen of thirty-five; 46 per cent) than in the other types (p < 0.01). The prevalence of involvement of the calcaneocuboid joint and the middle facet was evenly distributed among the fracture types. The primary fracture line typically extends anterior to the angle of Gissane, creating a relatively consistent anterolateral fracture fragment. The primary fracture line cannot be reliably seen on plain radiographs and is better visualized on computerized tomographic scans.

Based on the phenomenon that most thoracolumbar primary fracture line passes the center of the pedicle, we proposed an injury mechanism model to evaluate. Consecutive patients with thoracolumbar fractures treated operatively between October 2019, and December 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. Demographic and spinal radiographical parameters were measured and recorded. Pedicle hyperintensity on T2-weighted sagittal MR images was labeled. We examined the relationship between the course of the line (Radius) connecting the center of the pedicle of the injured vertebra and the IAR and orientation of the thoracolumbar primary fracture line. A partial correlation test was calculated to find correlations between demographic and spinal radiographical parameters. Nonlinear regression analysis was run with the Radius as the dependent variable and the other spinal kyphosis parameters as the independent variables to verify this model. Ninety-seven patients with 104 thoracolumbar fractures were included in this study. Ninety-four (90.4%) thoracolumbar fractures showed a high signal on MRI T2 through the pedicle. Involvement of the center of the pedicle was distributed among most AOTL Type A and Type B thoracolumbar fractures. In total, 92.3% of primary vertebral fracture lines followed the Radius of the model (r2 = 0.940). We provide a simple and quantifiable spinal instantaneous injury mechanism model for thoracolumbar fractures. Specifically, most AOTL type A and B thoracolumbar primary fracture line conforms to this model.

Pathoanatomy of pertrochanteric fractures - a postmortem study

Background and Purpose: National AIDS indicator surveys generate large volumes of specimens and associated data, necessitating the preparedness of systems and processes in the reference laboratory. Specimen management is often more routine while management of data becomes secondary. However, complete and accurate laboratory results are essential to ensure data quality. Robust laboratory informatics solutions for managing data are needed to increase data accuracy and reduce turnaround time. Methods: During the 2012 Kenya AIDS Indicator Survey (KAIS), 62,435 samples were collected from respondent households and transferred to the National HIV Reference Laboratory (NHRL) for testing. The Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) collaborated with the Kenya Ministry of Health in laboratory process improvement, laboratory information system design and governance focusing on preparing the laboratory to manage the large volume of samples and associated data. This task included developing detailed work flow and data flow diagrams for the entire process, from field specimen and data collection, to receipt, testing and storage. These diagrams were used for training and for reference during the survey process. They were also used to define KAIS 2012 requirements for the existing laboratory information management system (LIMS). Laboratory processes were documented and matched up with the configurations developed in the LIMS. The team also designed specimen tracking and receiving forms based on KAIS 2012 protocol and LIMS requirements. They matched these forms with data elements in the LIMS for data harmonization. The KAIS survey team developed contingency plans for every KAIS 2012 laboratory activity to ensure NHRL implemented uniform procedures when normal operations did not occur. These plans focused on the management and standardization of human resources as appropriate personnel and associated procedures are integral to optimal information system performance. The team defined staff roles and responsibilities and developed procedures for managing forms, specimens and electronic data, including quality and use aligned with survey protocols. During the project, the KAIS team provided knowledge transfer to NHRL to ensure the development of local capacity and long-term sustainability. Results: Due to the informatics processes in place, NHRL was able to share laboratory test results from KAIS with other stakeholders within a day of being received. NHRL was also able to immediately access data on storage locations of all samples that were previously managed using paper systems – a significant challenge before the project. Visualization, mapping and contingency planning for each step of the process ensured that laboratory support to KAIS 2012 was timely, and of high quality, regardless of digressions from standard operating procedures caused by unexpected circumstances. While contingency plans are not routine, they can be critical to the success of the survey. Conclusions: Preparedness is key. Finalization of the survey protocol three months before the pilot, training and piloting all aspects of laboratory services a month prior to the survey ensured informatics solutions are appropriate and robust. Engaging all stakeholders -- particularly survey, laboratory and LIMS staff -- in laboratory informatics solutions planning, implementation, monitoring is critical to developing the most efficient systems and processes for a large national sero survey. During execution, constant and ongoing communication is essential to adapt to the evolving needs of the survey and its participants. Keywords: LIMS/LIS, Informatics, survey

Hospital-to-home transitions are critical opportunities to promote patient safety and high-quality care. However, such transitions are often fraught with difficulties associated with increased health care use and poor patient satisfaction. In this review, we determine which pediatric hospital discharge interventions affect subsequent health care use or parental satisfaction compared with usual care. We searched 7 bibliographic databases and 5 pediatric journals. Inclusion criteria were: (1) available in English, (2) focused on children <18 years of age, (3) pediatric data reported separately from adult data, (4) not focused on normal newborns or pregnancy, (5) discharge intervention implemented in the inpatient setting, and (6) outcomes of health care use or caregiver satisfaction. Reviews, case studies, and commentaries were excluded. Two reviewers independently abstracted data using modified Cochrane data collection forms and assessed quality using modified Downs and Black checklists. Seventy one articles met inclusion criteria. Although most interventions improved satisfaction, interventions variably reduced use. Interventions focused on follow-up care, discharge planning, teach back-based parental education, and contingency planning were associated with reduced use across patient groups. Bundled care coordination and family engagement interventions were associated with lower use in patients with chronic illnesses and neonates. Variability limited findings and reduced generalizability. In this review, we highlight the utility of a pediatric discharge bundle in reducing health care use. Coordinating follow-up, discharge planning, teach back-based parental education, and contingency planning are potential foci for future efforts to improve hospital-to-home transitions.

The expansion, densification and proliferation of urban areas around the world is currently occurring at a rate that is unprecedented in human history. It is predicted that global urban land cover will triple between 2000 and 2030, with some regions (including biodiversity hotspots) experiencing a ninefold increase in urban land cover over the same time period (Seto, G€ uneralp & Hutyra 2012). Accompanying the expansion of urban landscapes, it is anticipated that the human population living in cities and towns globally will increase from 3 5 to 5 billion people within the next 20 years (Fragkias et al. 2013). Thus, the demands of an expanding and urbanizing human population are one of the pressing ecological problems our world is facing (Sanderson et al. 2002), alongside, and in combination with, global climate change and changes to biodiversity at local and global scales (Pimm et al. 2014). Yet, urban environments also present a unique opportunity to expand our fundamental knowledge related to ecology and evolution due to the presence of intense and often novel selection pressures. In the inaugural issue of this journal, Calow (1987) defined functional ecology as the sum of three interactive processes: (i) those occurring between organisms and their environment, (ii) biotic interactions between organisms and (iii) adaptive processes driven by natural selection. The same three processes were highlighted 1 year earlier by Jared Diamond in Nature, when he called for biologists to pay more attention to the potential of using the unprecedented environmental conditions that exist within towns and cities to develop and test evolutionary and ecological theory (Diamond 1986). There is thus a natural synergy between functional ecology and urban ecology, as exemplified by some of the classic papers that have appeared in this journal, such as Rydell (1992) who demonstrated that the form of echolocation system determined the impact of light pollution on bat foraging behaviour. The potential of combining functional ecological research with urban ecology is, however, a long way from being fully realized. This is in part explained by the youth of urban ecology as a discipline. Scientific enquiry into the ecological consequences of urban environments has been underway for over half a century, although most of the momentum emerged after the mid 1990s (McDonnell 2011; Wu 2014). Thus, the focus of much urban research to date has involved describing patterns along environmental gradients (Gagn e 2013; McDonnell & Hahs 2013) rather than investigating the mechanistic processes that lie at the heart of functional ecology. To be effective in addressing the global challenges of urbanization, a much better understanding of how the urban environment affects the ecology and evolution of organisms needs to be developed (Grimm et al. 2008; Marzluff 2012; Gil & Brumm 2014; McDonnell & Hahs 2015). The purpose of this special feature is to draw attention to the plethora of opportunities that await researchers investigating the ecology and evolution of organisms in urban environments. The combination of environmental stressors and conditions within urban areas provides a novel opportunity to test and expand our theories related to ecology and evolution of organisms, and some intriguing insights are already beginning to emerge. For example, the detailed understanding of the molecular, genetic and developmental mechanisms of beak evolution that has arisen from studying Galapagos finches has been significantly advanced by studying beak evolution in the house finch Carpodacus mexicanus in response to novel urban food sources and its consequences for acoustic communication (Badyaev 2010, 2014). Thus, urban ecology has the potential to extend our understanding of extremely well-studied ecological and evolutionary problems.

Since OSRL was established in 1985, one of the key objectives of the organization has been to try and build relationships with member companies’ response teams to ensure that when the time comes to work together in a spill situation a team approach to the problem is possible. Since 1985, the Texaco Response Team has trained and exercised with OSRL annually, forging strong relationships and an understanding of the roles to be adopted in an incident. In the same time period, OSRL has been involved in the devlopment and testing of the Texaco Pembroke contingency plan and the planning and execution of response exercises in the Milford Haven area. The system was tested in 1995 following the grounding of the Borga in the entrance to Milford Haven. Fortunately no oil was spilled on this occasion, but the teams worked together and the logistics of a response in Wales were exercised. The real test came on February 15, 1996, with the grounding of the Sea Empress. Would all the preparation make a difference in the response? The case study shows the benefit of good contingency planning by the facility and integration of the response teams in a real-life situation, which may make the difference between success or failure.

Perioperative Cardiac Research Considerations During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic

This paper presents a novel case study on the application of coiled tubing (CT) intervention to resolve a drill stem test (DST) blockage in an exploration ultra-deep subsea well, evaluate the operational challenges faced and assess the effectiveness of the intervention. Additionally, the paper aims to derive best practices and lessons learned to enhance future coiled tubing operations in similar environments, ultimately contributing valuable insights to the industry for improved decision-making during subsea well interventions. This study employs a case history methodology, analysing data collected from the coiled tubing intervention during the DST blockage in the ultra-deep subsea well. The approach includes a detailed review of operational reports, real-time monitoring data, and performance metrics. Procedures involve assessing the specific techniques used in the coiled tubing application, such as management and fluid circulation methods. Contingency procedures included acidizing, cleanout, and N₂ unloading. The process includes evaluating the outcomes of the intervention, documenting challenges faced, and synthesizing lessons learned to formulate best practices for future subsea operations. The coiled tubing intervention successfully cleared the DST blockage, restoring wellbore flow and enabling further testing of the ultra-deep subsea well. Real-time telemetry confirmed effective debris removal, with pressure stabilization observed post-intervention. The operation encountered challenges such as high-pressure limitations and debris lift, which were mitigated through adaptive procedures and real-time adjustments. Observations highlighted the importance of precise tool selection, as high-pressure rotary jet for soft deposits, while milling assemblies addressed hardened obstructions. The use of real-time monitoring significantly improved operational efficiency and reduced intervention risks. The conclusions drawn from this case study emphasize that CT intervention is a viable and efficient solution for DST blockages in deepwater environments. Lessons learned include the necessity of robust pre-job planning, contingency strategies for unexpected obstructions, and advanced wellbore monitoring for optimizing intervention success. This case history provides valuable insights for future deepwater interventions, helping improve operational reliability, minimize non-productive time, and enhance well performance. This paper presents a case study of coiled tubing intervention in an ultra-deep subsea well first time done in Malaysia, addressing DST blockages under extreme conditions. It provides practical insights into tool selection, real-time monitoring, contingency planning, and adaptive strategies to overcome deepwater challenges. By sharing lessons learned and operational best practices, the paper enhances existing literature and offers engineers valuable guidance to optimize future interventions, improve well productivity, and reduce operational risks in similar environments Well Background The Well UDWM-1 is an exploration oil well, operated by PETRONAS Carigali SDN. Bhd. (PCSB). The well was designed to be drilled by a 7th generation dual derrick DP-3 drillship. For an ultra-deep subsea environment of 2810(m) / 9222(ft) Fig. 1. The seabed temperature was 3° Celsius and the reservoir temperature was 147° Celsius with a maximum reservoir pressure of 9170 psi. The well was targeted to be drilled vertically through a carbonate reservoir with no deviation as a part of a major field development project, the Well TD was 5200 m measure depth (MD). Well completion was planned with a 9-5/8″ liner with shoe depth at 5196 m (MD). The well was temporally completed with a (DST) Fig. 2, using 4-1/2″ OD tubing and run with TCP and subsea assembly on 4-1/2″ tubing. Before landing the string, Motion Compensated Coil Tubing Lifting Frame (MC-CTLF) and Riser Sealing Mandrel (RSM) were installed and landed the DST string. A Permanent packer was installed, and the well was perforated with the TCP guns. The well was perforated between 4767(m) and 4827(m) to assess reservoir productivity. The total depth (TD) for the DST was 4786(m) MD, with a minimal internal restriction of 2.25″. coiled tubing intervention has been identified as a contingency option in the event the well does not flow naturally as expected. The operation falls under Pressure Category (PC) 3, with a maximum anticipated surface pressure (MASP) of 4,290 psi. Formation conditions include a temperature of 167°F and a reservoir pressure of 7,057 psi. The wellbore fluid is oil-based, with a density of 10.3 ppg. No hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) or carbon dioxide (CO₂) contaminants are present.

Objectives: Presenting the results of an Egyptian branch of an international company as a case study. The existing gap in the knowledge types and the impact of the lack interaction was investigated within the structure of the company team. Methods: This study is an exploratory case study. To enhance the data collection process and to answer the study’ questions, the following three phases were performed: interviews, online survey, and interviews. A descriptive statistical analysis and root – cause analysis were used to analyze the online survey in quantitative and qualitative attributes and a general framework coding for a thematic analysis to analyze the interviews. Finding: The results explore that: (1) the current structure of the Egyptian branch of an international company case study distributed teams faces an existing gap in the knowledge types (domain, technical, and application). (2) The existing gap in both of domain and technical knowledge leads to a gap in the application knowledge. (3) The lack of using qualified document, recording audio and video meetings between the distributed teams, Co-located practice, wikis (asynchronous tool) besides email, and the yearly planned formal training and training course create root causes for the existing knowledge gap. (4) Qualified document is standardized and contains the both test cases and user stories. (5) Recording audio and video meetings between the distributed teams especially in complex project is an excellent feedback. (6) The strategy of the Co-located practice, where the designers (offshore members) travel to collocate with Client engagement team (onshore team) during the requirements document preparing, is preferred by the most participants than the opposite. Application/Improvement: Capturing the existing gap in knowledge types for the agile partial offshoring model will lead to improving this model. Which increase the software quality and decrease delivery time and cost for international software development companies and software development’ clients. Keywords: AGSD, Communication, Coordination, Distributed Teams, Knowledge Sharing, Knowledge Types

Offshore activity is developing and resulting in new demanding high-risk operations. Operation complexity increases with factors like heavier loads, subsea installations, and arctic waters; operational planning requirements increase as well. Demanding offshore operations are usually planned in detail, where plans may fill several binders, leading to information overload for the ship crews. Extracting critical information becomes a challenge. In some cases, only a basic plan exists, and aborted operations are quite frequent, also where a contingency plan could have enabled recovery. This results in substantial extra costs for the operating company. The industry is facing two key challenges concerning operational planning. One is to develop good planning frameworks, to enable plans with robust risk management and control. This calls for modelling techniques for operational plans. Another is optimal presentation of the plan for each individual crew member, both in the briefing and in the execution phase of the operation. It is important that every individual has easy access to the most relevant and safety critical information for his given role and the current situation, in an easily accessible and comprehensible format. This calls for operational software to support situation-awareness. A fundamental necessity to achieve this is modelling techniques which support a joint understanding of the operation between operational planners, ship crew, software engineers, and ultimately the support software. In this paper we show how to translate hierarchical task analysis (HTA) models into software models and then into situation-aware software prototypes.

Non-profit organizations depend on quantitative evidence to demonstrate impact, guide resource allocation, and meet accountability standards, yet field realities often challenge data quality and inference. This article maps recurrent challenges—including logistics, resource constraints, non-response, data privacy, analytical capacity gaps, and multiple biases—and presents actionable remedies suitable for low-resource contexts. Practice-tested strategies such as multi-mode and community-embedded data collection, capacity building, fit-for-purpose technology, principled missing-data handling, embedded quality-assurance loops, and transparent reporting are highlighted. Practitioner vignettes illustrate adaptive solutions including culturally responsive instruments, real-time monitoring, and contingency planning. The framework emphasizes “capacity-sensitive rigor”: designs that achieve valid, reliable, and ethical results without exceeding organizational constraints, enabling non-profits to convert imperfect field conditions into credible, decision-ready evidence.

Wild boar has negative effects on the environment, economy, and poses health risks to both livestock and humans.In Europe, the increasing spread of African swine fever among populations of wild boar and domestic pigs is currently a significant concern.To effectively model epidemiology and develop appropriate contingency plans, it is essential to gather accurate data regarding the distribution, movement patterns, and population densities of wild mammals.The methods employed for data collection must be practical, timely, and cost-effective.Recent technological advancements have broadened the range of available methods, which need to be evaluated to determine the most suitable option for the species, environment and objectives concerned.Here we present a comparison of results from trials conducted on three distinct wild boar populations in the UK, utilizing techniques such as thermal imaging, distance sampling, thermal drones, the Random Encounter Model with camera traps, and acoustic monitoring.The calculated wild boar densities across the various sites were found to be comparable among the different methods employed; however, each method had unique advantages and disadvantages, which are discussed in relation to their applicability to different species, environments, and study objectives.

Flood frequency analysis is crucial for understanding flood risks in specific regions. This study applied the Gumbel Distribution Method to analyze flood frequency using river discharge data from the Kadamaian and Wariu Rivers in Kota Belud, Sabah, Malaysia. The analysis involved data collection, parameter estimation, goodness-of-fit testing, and determination of annual recurrence intervals (ARIs). The study found that the ARIs for the Kadamaian and Wariu Rivers are 50 years and 30 years, respectively, highlighting the need for targeted flood mitigation strategies in these areas. These findings emphasize the higher flood risk in the Kadamaian River basin, necessitating more robust flood control measures compared to the Wariu River basin. The Gumbel distribution provided accurate flood frequency estimations validated by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and correlation coefficient (R2). The calculated ARIs offer valuable insights for flood hazard assessment and contingency planning. These findings underscore the importance of accurate flood frequency analysis in enhancing flood mitigation strategies and disaster preparedness. It is recommended that local authorities incorporate these results into flood management and urban planning initiatives.