Deployment Of Resources Research Articles

Climate-based modelling and forecasting of dengue in three endemic departments of Peru.

Amid profound climate change, incidence of dengue continues to rise and expand in distribution across the world. Here, we analysed dengue in three coastal departments of Peru which have recently experienced public health emergencies during the worst dengue crises in Latin American history. We developed a climate-based spatiotemporal modelling framework to model monthly incidence of new dengue cases in Piura, Tumbes, and Lambayeque over 140 months from 2010 to 2021. The framework enabled accurate description of in-sample and out-of-sample dengue incidence trends across the departments, as well as the characterisation of the timing, structure, and intensity of climatic relationships with human dengue incidence. In terms of dengue incidence rate (DIR) risk factors, we inferred non-linear and delayed effects of greater monthly mean maximum temperatures, extreme precipitation, sustained drought conditions, and extremes of a Peruvian-specific indicator of the El Niño Southern Oscillation. Building on our model-based understanding of climatic influences, we performed climate-model-based forecasting of dengue incidence across 2018 to 2021 with a forecast horizon of one month. Our framework enabled representative, reliable forecasts of future dengue outbreaks, including correct classification of 100% of all future outbreaks with DIR ≥ 50 (or 150) per 100,000, whilst retaining relatively low probability of 0.12 (0.05) for false alarms. Therefore, our model framework and analysis may be used by public health authorities to i) understand climatic drivers of dengue incidence, and ii) alongside our forecasts, to mitigate impacts of dengue outbreaks and potential public health emergencies by informing early warning systems and deployment of vector control resources.

Monthly mapping of Indonesia’s burned areas: implementation, history, techniques, and future directions

ABSTRACT Forest and land fires cause substantial economic, social, and environmental devastation. Interagency forest and land fire management has succeeded in decreasing the impact of these fires, particularly in Indonesia. Having comprehensive information on fire locations and frequencies will benefit national forest and land fire management programmes. This study describes nearly a decade of satellite-based burned area (BA) monitoring conducted by the Indonesian government. We discuss (1) the history of BA mapping in Indonesia, (2) the most recent techniques for producing monthly BA maps, (3) an evaluation of product accuracy, (4) advantages and disadvantages, and (5) recommendations for future research. The most recent approach combines manual and digital classification, primarily using Landsat images, but has been supplemented with Sentinel data since 2020. The digital analysis, named the normalized burn ratio difference index threshold, was used to distinguish between burned and unburned pixels, guiding the interpreter’s manual digitization. BA confidence levels were determined using active fire products and ground truth data. We engaged provincial and local agency stakeholders to verify the products and provide quality assurance. We also assessed product performance by examining high-resolution images captured at three different locations to ascertain the relative advantages and disadvantages, which varied depending on each region’s fire regime. Small fires and cloud cover reduced the accuracy of the national monthly BA product. However, the omission error decreased by 65% when all fires throughout the entire year were considered. The inclusion of all available Sentinel-2 (A and B) images yielded higher accuracy than using only Landsat 8 data. We conclude that Indonesia’s cloud coverage constraint requires additional observational data to obtain clear-sky imagery when using optical sensors, in addition to the adjusted technique. We urge the introduction of reliable digital classifications for all Indonesian fire regimes to simplify resource deployment and reduce manual labour operations.

A qualitative case study of health system barriers and facilitators to living donor kidney transplantation in Canada's most populous province

AbstractPatients with kidney failure need dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive. Living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT) is the best therapeutic option, yet global rates of LDKT have minimally increased, and there are disparities in access. The need for a systems approach to improvement has been highlighted. We aimed to understand what elements of a relatively large health system interact to deliver LDKT and act as facilitators or barriers. This was an exploratory case study of Ontario, the most populous province in Canada that conducts 600–700 kidney transplantations annually, of which ~30% are LDKT. Data collection entailed interviews with multiple stakeholders (n = 37), and document review (n = 29) served as a means of triangulating the data. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. A multicomponent intervention to facilitate kidney transplantation was simultaneously being conducted which allowed us to capture its impact (EnAKT‐LKD). Eight themes were identified, that were separated into facilitators and barriers. Centralized leadership, directed resource deployment, dynamic communities of practice, and informal collaborations between various elements of the health system were found to facilitate LDKT. Barriers were inadequate donor and patient resources to support equitable access, lengthy and poorly coordinated workups for donors and recipients, and issues of jurisdictional control and competition for resources. The EnAKT‐LKD initiative was described as having boosted resource deployment and collaborative capacity and improved strategic alliances by establishing communities of practice. This case study has identified how individual elements in a health system interact to facilitate and impede the delivery of a therapy to patients.

The effects of a dual task on gaze behavior examined during a simulated flight in low-time pilots.

Cognitive load can impair an operator's ability to optimally scan and process relevant information that is critical to the safe and successful operation of an aircraft. Since the cognitive demands experienced by pilots fluctuate throughout a given flight due to changes in task demands that range from high to low cognitive load, it has become increasingly important to objectively track and quantify these changes accordingly. The analysis of eye movements has been shown to be a promising method to understand information acquisition, processing efficiency, and how these aspects of cognition impact pilot performance. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to assess the impact of a dual task paradigm on low-time pilot flight performance and gaze behavior during two phases of flight with varying levels of cognitive load. Twenty-two licensed pilots (<350 h) completed simulated flight circuits alongside an auditory oddball task under visual flight rules conditions. Self-reported situation awareness scores and auditory task performance revealed the dual task was more demanding than the single tasks. Flight performance and gaze behavior indicated that primary task performance and information processing remained unaffected. These results suggest that the recruited pilots attained a level of skill proficiency that enabled the efficient deployment of cognitive resources to successfully complete the flying task under states of increased cognitive load. Combined with previous research findings, the results suggest that the effect of secondary tasks depends on the type of tasks used (i.e., simple/choice response tasks, memory recall, etc.). The utility of using a dual task and gaze behavior to probe flight proficiency and information processing efficiency throughout training are discussed.

Impact of Economic growth, Economic Innovation and Environmental quality on Renewable Energy Consumption in OECD Countries

The utilization and subsequent deployment of resources characterize economicgrowth. A hallmark of economic development is the deployment of resources after theirutilization. Due to the scarcity of energy sources and the unpredictability of energypricing, it is essential to analyze past changes in energy value while developing an energystrategy. Energy plans must take into account the ever-changing energy pricing and thescarcity of energy supplies by studying the variations in energy values throughout history.Renewable energy utilization in OECD nations is examined in this research, along with theeffects of innovation, economic advancement, and environmental quality. For the modelestimation, we relied on GMM. The results shows that GDP is positively linked to therenewable energy consumption while CO2 emissions, trade and inflation are negativelyand significantly related to the renewable energy consumption in OECD countries.

Fintech adoption and sustainable deployment of natural resources: Evidence from mineral management in Brazil

This research aims to investigate the influence of FinTech implementation on responsible mineral resources management in Brazilian economy. For the study purposes it has utilized data set from 1990 to 2022 and for data analysis the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach has been used. The results show cointegration correlation between FinTech adoption, investment in eco-friendly mining, government funding for FinTech in the mining industry, environmental compliance, technological readiness, and sustainable mineral extraction. The result shows that a 1% increase in FinTech adoption and technology infrastructure readiness would improve sustainable mineral management by 0.01% and 0.03% respectively. However, a 1% increase in the government funding for FinTech in the mining industry, environmental compliance, and investments in sustainable mining technology adversely affect sustainable mineral management by 0.2%, 0.1%, and 0.1% over the long term. The finding provides insight about how variables may affect sustainable mining policies in the future. FinTech adoption and technology flexibility are expected to have a favorable impact on natural resources. This research offers important insights for using natural resources responsibly in the shift to Industry 4.0 by utilizing FinTech and technological readiness in Brazil.

A Statistical Evaluation of the Occurence of Meningitis in Takum, Taraba State, Nigeria

Meningitis remains a critical public health issue in Nigeria, particularly within the dry season when environmental factors such as low humidity and dust elevate transmission risks. Using historical incidence data from 2012 to 2021, this study utilizes the Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model estimate and predict the occurrence of meningitis occurrences. Findings frm the study revealed that the ARIMA(1,1,0) model emerged as the optimal fit, capturing the seasonal patterns and temporal trends in meningitis cases. This study recommends the integration of ARIMA-based forecasting into Nigeria’s public health strategies to strengthen early warning systems, optimize resource deployment, and enable more proactive responses during high-risk periods.

A model for scheduling the resource deployment in a multi-stage ramp-up production system

Rapid and continuous changes in customer product requirements affect demand, requiring the supply chain to be more responsive. A new product ramp-up is integral to responsiveness, where it is paramount to implement it successfully and manage it effectively. A smooth ramp-up process minimises problems and delays, leading to lower costs and higher profitability. This study develops and analyses a model that describes a multi-stage ramp-up production system to identify the most cost-effective policy for controlling multiple ramp-ups. We propose a search-based optimisation approach to solve the problem. Through numerical analyses, we develop a decision framework to classify the patterns of resource deployment and planning, aiming to make the ramp-up process efficient and responsive to increasing demand. Additionally, we conduct sensitivity analyses to examine how variations in input parameters affect system behaviour. Our findings offer managerial implications and insights based on the numerical results.

Fixation durations on familiar items are longer due to attenuation of exploration

Previous studies have shown that fixations on familiar stimuli tend to be longer than on unfamiliar stimuli, theorized to be a result of retrieval of information from memory. We hypothesize that extended fixations are due to a lesser need to explore an already familiar stimulus. Participant's gaze was tracked as they tried to encode or retrieve a familiar face displayed either alone or alongside other unfamiliar faces. Regardless of the memory task (encoding\\retrieval), longer fixation durations were observed when a single familiar face was presented alone, and not when presented among unfamiliar ones. Thus, fixations were not prolonged when it was possible to explore other, unfamiliar stimuli. We conclude that prolonged fixations on familiar stimuli reflect a lesser need to explore an already familiar percept. The results underscore how memory representations influence active sensing, yielding fresh insights into efficient deployment of attention resources. We conclude that fixation durations could be used in applied memory detection tests, preferably together with other measures and when the familiar stimulus is presented alone.

MIS Solutions During Natural Disaster Management: A Review On Responsiveness, Coordination, And Resource Allocation

This systematic review explores the impact of Management Information Systems (MIS) on enhancing disaster management by optimizing decision-making, resource allocation, and inter-agency communication. As the frequency and severity of natural disasters increase globally, there is a pressing need for more efficient disaster response mechanisms. This study systematically reviewed a total of 160 peer-reviewed articles published between 2010 and 2024, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to ensure a comprehensive and transparent review process. The findings reveal that MIS technologies, such as decision support systems (DSS), geographic information systems (GIS), and predictive analytics, play a crucial role in improving the speed and accuracy of emergency responses. Specifically, DSS and predictive models were found to enhance situational awareness and optimize resource deployment, reducing response times by up to 30%. Additionally, GIS tools significantly improved spatial data analysis, enabling better-targeted relief efforts. However, challenges related to data interoperability, cybersecurity, and the integration of advanced technologies remain significant barriers to fully leveraging MIS in disaster management. Addressing these challenges through investments in infrastructure, standardized protocols, and specialized training will be essential for maximizing the potential of MIS in future disaster response efforts. The review concludes that the strategic use of MIS is vital for building more resilient and responsive disaster management systems, ultimately reducing the socio-economic impacts of emergencies.

The Role of Labour Law in Enabling Mechanisms for Mitigating Military Conflicts. A Legal Model of Peace

The world is perpetually shaken by various forms of military conflicts, and these occurrences have consistently captured the attention of the International Labour Organization (ILO) due to their profound impact on far-reaching consequences on an international labour market. Our study aims to address potential strategies for mitigating risks arising from military conflicts. We firmly believe that labour law should be highly flexible and centered on neutralizing the ramifications of conflicts for states and citizens. Our research question guides the examination of labour law, using the ILO and Swiss labour law as cases, considering the location and scale of the military conflict. Existing literature on the development of the ILO’s legal and regulatory framework predominantly focuses on events, with limited attention given to analyzing the connections between them and lessons for the present. It is crucial to explore these connections to prevent the repetition of negative historical patterns and the compounding of problems. We express deep concern regarding the impact of military zones on the world of work. There is an imperative need for heightened attention to labour law response mechanisms. We strongly claim certain spheres of work must remain neutral concerning military conflicts. Labour law has long been engaged in formulating specific rules of conduct for employers and employees during the outbreak of armed conflicts. We contend labour law norms can serve as a means of promoting peace. In this regard, digital tools like the «Digitale Peer-Gruppen-Beratung» can prove instrumental in implementing pre-agreements among nations, employers, trade unions, and workers. By expanding functions from consultative to providing relocation of groups of workers due to the unscrupulous foreign policies of their countries we would contribute to a more peaceful world. This should be based on having pre-established agreements between nations regarding the fair and equitable distribution or temporary deployment of labour resources, particularly those crucial to the military and related industries of the conflicting parties. The concept of a strike merits consideration as a democratic tool, wherein workers relocate centralized because of disagreement with their country’s policies. It necessitates clarification to ensure non-interference in the internal affairs of nations and to consider industry-specific factors (e.g., continuous production cycles).

Examining the Utilisation of Pascal’s Triangle for Community Development and Allocation of Resources in Eastern Uganda

Challenges ranging from resource scarcity to social deprivation and environmental concerns confront the East Region of Uganda. Let’s focus on Pascal’s Triangle as a conceptual model to deal with the problems of unjust resource distribution among communities. This model, which is a triangular arrangement of numbers, affords an opportunity to gain useful insights into community interactions and the process of resource distribution. Understanding Pascal’s triangle’s mathematical nature is a key driving force behind realistic and feasible resource allocation methods and community development approaches. Equal resource distribution methods, clear resource allocation mechanisms, community involvement, and multi-level cooperation are essential for promoting fairness and resilience. East Ugandan communities celebrate diversity as a resource for social cohesion, creativity, and resilience. Collaboration and unity are keys to getting over the difficulties and achieving great heights. It creates resilience and sustainability through community-based organisations, cooperative ventures, and participatory decision-making processes. When involved in solving complex problems, education serves as a key tool for empowering individuals and communities. Participatory decision-making creates a degree of transparency and representativeness in resource allocation. Merging community building and resource deployment with SDGs ensures sustainability and durability. Policies and programmes that address gender issues and encourage community participation are the keys to improving inclusivity. This review article examines Community Building and Resource Allocation: Learning from the Pascal Triangle in Eastern Uganda: Insights. We used data from the last decade (2014–2024) available from many reliable data sources. The findings advocate for community participation in decision-making, the implementation of policies that promote gender equality and social inclusion, collaboration among stakeholders, and the prioritization of education and capacity building, in addition to the integration of Sustainable Development Goals into community development plans and the strengthening of local governance institutions for equitable resource distribution. To solve complicated issues in the east of Uganda, it’s imperative to put more emphasis on equal resource allocation, community mobilisation, and social integration. Apply the insights from Pascal’s Triangle to foster communities that are adaptable, inclusive, and stable. Keywords: Community Building, Resource Allocation, Pascal’s Triangle, East Uganda, Resilience, Sustainable Development Goals

Renewable energy quality trilemma and coincident wind and solar droughts

Renewable energy is essential for power system decarbonization, but extended and unexpected periods of extremely low wind and solar resources (i.e., wind and solar droughts) pose a threat to reliability. The challenge is further exacerbated if shortages of the two occur simultaneously or if they affect neighboring grids simultaneously. Here we present a framework to characterize these events and propose three metrics to comprehensively assess renewable energy quality: resource availability, variability, and extremeness. An examination of long-term data across a vast geographical region shows a strong spatial correlation and temporal coincidence of renewable energy droughts. It also finds a lack of sites that excel in all three quality attributes, which presents a trilemma to investors, system planners, and policymakers. These findings underscore the significance of considering factors beyond mere resource availability and contribute to developing informed strategies for the reliable and sustainable deployment of variable energy resources.

COPSA: a computation offloading strategy based on PPO algorithm and self-attention mechanism in MEC-empowered smart factories

With the dawn of Industry 5.0 upon us, the smart factory emerges as a pivotal element, playing a crucial role in the realm of intelligent manufacturing. Meanwhile, mobile edge computing is proposed to alleviate the computational burden presented by substantial workloads in smart factories. Nonetheless, it is very challenging to effectively incorporate edge computing resources to improve the efficiency of resource deployment in smart factories. Accordingly, we devise a novel approach based on Proximal Policy Optimization algorithm with the Self-Attention Mechanism to implement computing resource allocation in MEC-Empowered Smart Factories. More specifically, the self-attention mechanism is incorporated to enable dynamic focus on state information, accelerates convergence and facilitates global control. A great number of experiments conducted on both simulated and real datasets have verified the superiority of our proposed approach compared to the state-of-the-art baselines.

Optimizing power system efficiency and costs in smart buildings with renewable resources

The increasing industrial development and energy demand have necessitated the maximization of available energy use and the deployment of renewable resources. Effective energy management, optimal modeling, and efficient planning are essential to transform the power system into a high-efficiency, optimal model. This study focuses on the initial step of modeling smart buildings (SBs) equipped with non-responsive devices and renewable photovoltaic sources. A comprehensive energy management (EM) plan is formulated for these buildings, incorporating the KNX protocol for solar energy system management. Batteries are integrated into the building model to store energy during periods of low consumption and serve as generators during peak load conditions, with the primary goal of minimizing power system losses and related costs. To address the complexity of this model, whale optimization algorithm (WOA) is employed for optimization. Optimal candidate buses are selected for interconnected building management based on a suggested sensitivity analysis to minimize losses. Cost performance is then assessed, considering energy production and sales. The findings indicate that substantial control of operating costs can be achieved through strategic management of battery charging and discharging, as well as the utilization of photovoltaic units. The proposed model is evaluated across various scenarios using a test system comprising 30 modified system, demonstrating its effectiveness in enhancing energy efficiency and management.

Two decades of progressive cost reduction: A paradigm shift for distributed solar photovoltaics and energy efficiency

The increasing deployment of renewable energy resources has led to massive energy cost reductions worldwide in the past decade. The emergence of this cost revolution led electricity consumers to increasingly adopt distributed renewable energy resources to decrease dependence on traditional power grids. This paper applies the integrated resource planning framework, the objective of which is to design a least-cost electricity system by looking at renewable energy resources, efficient appliances, and demand response management strategies to reduce electricity bills. The results show that the commercial entity can save its electricity bill by $0.16 if it installs 6 MW solar PV over the lifetime of the solar PV plants. Besides, it was observed that wind turbines were not economically feasible to install at the site because of low wind resources. Biogas power plant is too expensive mainly because of the cost of fuel (waste). It also shows that by retrofitting 2000 compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) with light-emitting diodes (LEDs), the company can save $0.15 million. By shifting between 0.5 MW and 1.4 MW of heating and cooling demand to periods of low tariff costs, the company can save $0.013 million annually. The climate transition plan for this company relies on PV, efficiency interventions and demand response. The study also demonstrates that an integrated resource planning framework can be used to plan a mini-grid.

Navigating Burnout in the Public Sector: Strategies for Enhancing Employee Well-Being and Organizational Performance

Burnout has become a critical concern in public sector organizations, with recent studies showing that its impacts extend beyond employees' personal well-being, severely affecting organizational performance. This article aims to identify key contributors to burnout by extracting qualitative secondary data, including research findings, case study material, and employee narratives. Using Maslach's Burnout Inventory as a framework, the study focuses on emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment as the primary dimensions of burnout. Key factors such as high workload, bureaucratic pressure, and emotional labor are examined, alongside their detrimental consequences on job performance, mental health, and public trust. This study highlights successful leadership interventions aimed at mitigating burnout. Case studies from public health agencies, local government offices, social services, and educational institutions reveal that leadership style, resource deployment, and employee engagement are significant in minimizing burnout and enhancing job satisfaction. Transformational leadership, flexible work arrangements, peer support programs, and recognition initiatives are presented as practical interventions that improve employee well-being. The article also underscores limitations in existing literature and calls for more comprehensive, longitudinal studies across distinct public sector roles to fully capture the long-term effects of burnout. Furthermore, it stresses the importance of incorporating employee feedback into the design of well-being initiatives to promote work-life balance. In conclusion, this paper offers actionable recommendations for public sector leaders and policymakers, advocating for a holistic approach to managing burnout. By fostering supportive work environments, public sector organizations can enhance their effectiveness in serving communities, while contributing valuable insights to the ongoing discourse on organizational well-being.

Cluster-efficient pangenome graph construction with nf-core/pangenome.

Pangenome graphs offer a comprehensive way of capturing genomic variability across multiple genomes. However, current construction methods often introduce biases, excluding complex sequences or relying on references. The PanGenome Graph Builder (PGGB) addresses these issues. To date, though, there is no state-of-the-art pipeline allowing for easy deployment, efficient and dynamic use of available resources, and scalable usage at the same time. To overcome these limitations, we present nf-core/pangenome, a reference-unbiased approach implemented in Nextflow following nf-core's best practices. Leveraging biocontainers ensures portability and seamless deployment in High-Performance Computing (HPC) environments. Unlike PGGB, nf-core/pangenome distributes alignments across cluster nodes, enabling scalability. Demonstrating its efficiency, we constructed pangenome graphs for 1000 human chromosome 19 haplotypes and 2146 Escherichia coli sequences, achieving a two to threefold speedup compared to PGGB without increasing greenhouse gas emissions. nf-core/pangenome is released under the MIT open-source license, available on GitHub and Zenodo, with documentation accessible at https://nf-co.re/pangenome/docs/usage.

Mis Solutions During Natural Disaster Management: A Review On Responsiveness, Coordination, And Resource Allocation

This systematic review explores the impact of Management Information Systems (MIS) on enhancing disaster management by optimizing decision-making, resource allocation, and inter-agency communication. As the frequency and severity of natural disasters increase globally, there is a pressing need for more efficient disaster response mechanisms. This study systematically reviewed a total of 160 peer-reviewed articles published between 2010 and 2024, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to ensure a comprehensive and transparent review process. The findings reveal that MIS technologies, such as decision support systems (DSS), geographic information systems (GIS), and predictive analytics, play a crucial role in improving the speed and accuracy of emergency responses. Specifically, DSS and predictive models were found to enhance situational awareness and optimize resource deployment, reducing response times by up to 30%. Additionally, GIS tools significantly improved spatial data analysis, enabling better-targeted relief efforts. However, challenges related to data interoperability, cybersecurity, and the integration of advanced technologies remain significant barriers to fully leveraging MIS in disaster management. Addressing these challenges through investments in infrastructure, standardized protocols, and specialized training will be essential for maximizing the potential of MIS in future disaster response efforts. The review concludes that the strategic use of MIS is vital for building more resilient and responsive disaster management systems, ultimately reducing the socio-economic impacts of emergencies.

Telestroke Training: Considerations for Expansion of Vascular Neurology Program Requirements.

Telemedicine for stroke (Telestroke) has been a key component to efficient, widespread acute stroke care for many years. The expansion of reimbursement through the Furthering Access to Stroke Telemedicine Act and rapid deployment of telemedicine resources during the COVID-19 public health emergency have further expanded remote care, with practitioners of varying educational backgrounds, and experience providing acute stroke care via telemedicine (Telestroke). Some Telestroke practitioners have not had fellowship-level vascular neurology training and many are without training specific to virtual modalities. While many vascular neurology fellowship programs incorporate Telestroke training into the curriculum, components of this curriculum are not consistent, extent of involvement is variable, and not all fellows receive hands-on training in remote care. Furthermore, the extent of training and evaluation of Telestroke in American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology training requirements and Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education assessments for vascular neurology fellowship are not standardized. We suggest that Telestroke be formally incorporated into vascular neurology fellowship curricula and provide considerations for key components of this training and metrics for evaluation.