Remaining Useful Life Calculation of a Component using Hybrid Fatigue Crack Model

High value asset vehicles, or vehicles where safety/operational readiness is important, benefit from an accurate remaining useful life (RUL) estimate. For these assets, RUL allows operators to realize revenue because of improved availability. This paper uses a hybrid, high cycle fracture mechanics model to improve the RUL estimate. The hybrid method’s performance is validated using prognosability, trendability and monotonicity against two existing models using a real-world data set. The improved model allows a longer time period to marshal the resources needed for repair or give operations personnel an extended window to bring other assets to cover missions that would otherwise be unavailable.

Analysis of the operational readiness of telecommunication networks

The article discusses telecommunication communication networks of various topologies. The definition of the operational readiness coefficient is given. The analysis of various networks of different topologies for the reliability of information transmission is carried out. Comparison of the reliability of the ring and radial topologies in terms of the operational availability factor is carried out.

Closing the preparedness-response gap in time: Operational readiness at points of entry in Europe

Background As points of entry (POE) - ports, airports and ground-crossings - are important structures for international travel and trade, their timely activated capacity to respond to infectious disease threats is of utmost importance. How can POE timely adjust their capacity from generic preparedness to specific response? Methods We developed a conceptual framework for public health response at POE, based on a military used model, leading to a step-wise approach from preparedness to response. Subsequently, our framework has been used to analyze interview data of professionals working at European ports (n = 12), airports (n = 15) and ground-crossings (n = 4) in 11 European countries in June - August 2020 covering the activation of the response to COVID-19. Results By integrating the military model, we learned that in preparedness frameworks the pre-defined time expected to activate required capacity is missing. While combining time with capacity creates the possibility of defining a readiness range for different capacity requirements. E.g. information provision to passengers is arranged within hours, while entry-screening may take up to days to be operational. We hypothesized that this readiness range provides the opportunity to split strategic thinking from operational readiness, and may support proactive thinking. The interviews confirmed a very implicit and non-formalized reference to the time needed to activate the response. POE differed highly as regards proactive or reactive response strategies. A much stated problem was fast and often changing strategies on measures, leading to extreme required flexibility and workload in operations. Conclusions Explicitly acknowledging the time needed to activate appropriate capacity during the transition from preparedness to response can contribute to a better definition of the operational consequences of readiness. These findings may also be of added value in other public health area than POE.

Case: Sharing Parts and Services Among NATO Members

NATO’s goals require close cooperation of Member States on operational readiness, interoperability of their systems, material supplies, transfer of technology and joint R&D projects. A common approach on the application and implementation of arms export controls, however, is largely lacking. This chapter questions the absence of application and implementation of arms export controls in the context of the material logistical support and services provided by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA). Three root causes of deviant behaviour of the Member States with the arms export controls are identified and analysed: (1) fragmentation of the arms export control laws and regulations; (2) a lack of leadership commitment and organisational culture of compliance; and (3) a combination of external and internal pressures leads to a forced prioritization of operational readiness above compliance. Next, a response is formulated to effectively counter deviant behaviour such as non-compliance with arms export controls by implementing a mixture of soft and hard controls. We advise the NSPA to create a culture of compliance within the NATO Partnership Program’s community based on ethical values and virtues. This requires social consensus, leadership commitment and a common agreement on and formalization of the basic rules of export control.

Evaluating Team Characteristics for Health Engagements in Three Countries in Central America: 2012-2017

ABSTRACT Background The U.S. DoD is a multidimensional agency of the government that employs health engagement activities within partner nations for medical operations, humanitarian assistance, threat reduction, and improved health outcomes toward sustainable global health and security. The composition and size of a health engagement team is critical for effective implementation; however, an ideal team makeup to achieve optimal operational readiness, health outcomes, and security cooperation objectives has not been established. This study was conducted to retrospectively describe and analyze medical mission activities in relation to ideal team characteristics in El-Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras between 2012 and 2017. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on data from unclassified versions of the Global-Theater Security Cooperation Management Information System), Overseas Humanitarian Assistance Shared Information System databases, and mission files provided by U. S. Southern Command and its component commands. Data included 565 mission activities carried out by U.S. Military health teams in the selected host nations between 2012 and 2017. The mission activities were stratified and coded into nine distinct analyzable categories with subelements including but not limited to year, country, mission type, mission duration, team size, team language capability, team joint representation, and team member skillset. The analysis identifies mission objectives in the three subcategories of operational readiness, security cooperation, and health outcomes although the analysis did not include measurement of those objectives. Global Health Engagement mission types were broken down into five categories: direct care, health project, education & training (E&T), engineering, veterinary, or a combination. Data were analyzed using Excel. Results A total of 414 health engagement activities were found in the data analyzed during 2012 and 2017 accounting for duplication among the sources. Team size was documented in 23.4% (n = 97); team skillset makeup in 17.1% (n = 71); 2.7% (n = 11) showed that at least one team member had language capability for the country visited; and 3.6% (n = 15) documented that professional interpretation was available. The types of health engagement activities were broken down as follows: 64.3% were direct care, 12.2% were health projects, 10.9% were engineering, 9.1% were E&T, and 1.3% were veterinary. Overall, only 20.8% (n = 86) of the missions had a clear mission objective from the three categories of security cooperation, operational readiness, and health outcomes objectives. Individually, each category of objective was noted with the following: 74 with security cooperation (17.9%), 82 with operational readiness (19.8%), and 71 with health outcome objectives (17.1%). Conclusion Findings from this study reveal a broad spectrum of health and medical missions conducted in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras between 2012 and 2017 by DoD. Critical elements indicative of overall team capability for successful engagement such as team size, team member skillset, global health expertise, and appropriate language capability were rarely documented. Team characteristics could not be well-correlated with the Global Health Engagement type or desired mission outcomes. In the future, deliberate crafting and preparation of health engagement teams aimed at attaining desired security cooperation impact, operational readiness development, and positive health outcomes is essential for more effective Global Health Engagement.

Exploration of Mental Readiness for Enhancing Dentistry in an Inter-Professional Climate

Competencies required for dentistry go far beyond the academic or scientific spheres. They incorporate important mental readiness concepts at its core with an appropriate balance of operational readiness (i.e., technical, physical, mental readiness). The aim of this exploratory study was to investigate the importance of mental readiness for optimal performance in the daily challenges faced by dentists using an Operational Readiness Framework. One-on-one interviews were conducted with a select group of seasoned dentists to determine their mental readiness before, during and after successfully performing in challenging situations. Quantitative and qualitative analyses of mental readiness were applied. Study findings were compared with a Wheel of Excellence based on results from other high-performance domains such as surgery, policing, social services and Olympic athletics. The analysis revealed that specific mental practices are required to achieve peak performance, and the balance between physical, technical and mental readiness underpins these dentists’ competency. Common elements of success were found—commitment, confidence, visualization, mental preparation, focus, distraction control, and evaluation and coping. This exploration confirmed many similarities in mental readiness practices engaged across high-risk professions. Universities, clinics and hospitals are looking for innovative ways to build teamwork and capacity through inter-professional collaboration. Results from these case studies warrant further investigation and may be significant enough to stimulate innovative curriculum design. Based on these preliminary dentistry findings, three training/evaluation tools from other professions in population health were adapted to demonstrate future application.

Evaluation of Operational Readiness of Prehospital Emergency Department of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences in Encountering COVID-19 Epidemic in 2020

Background: The ability to respond to any emergency before happening is a potential issue that manifests as operational readiness. This study aimed to evaluate the preparedness of prehospital emergency services of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences in response to the epidemic of COVID-19. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in April 2020 using a translated standard checklist of the Pan American World Health Organization (PAHO). The list consists of four components of call management (6 items), first responders (operational codes with 3 items), medical transportation (including primary and interhospital with 16 items), and emergency medical services administration (including medical guidelines, human resources, and education with 11 items). Results: There were 168 operational logistics facilities and 555 personnel to cover organizational missions. Except for two items that scored half a point, the rest of the measures received total points (35 out of a maximum of 36 points with 97% of the total points). According to the complete scores, operational readiness was at a good level. Conclusion: The preparedness of the Center for Disaster Management and Medical Emergencies at Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences in the face of the COVID-19 epidemic has been at a good level. However, because of the continuation of the epidemic, strengthening the supply chain and empowering personnel are essential to sustainable readiness.

Dietary Intakes From Ad Libitum Consumption of Canadian Armed Forces Field Rations Compared With Usual Home Dietary Intakes and Military Dietary Reference Intakes

ABSTRACT Introduction Diet has an impact on weight status, health, and physical performance. Assessing the usual at-home dietary intakes of military personnel can help ascertain their nutritional status before field training or operations. Preference for foods consumed on a routine basis can also impact the military’s preference for and consumption of field rations. Military personnel are limited by the inherent nature of the field rations and availability of calories and food types; and despite previous studies indicating a high acceptability of the field rations, it is unknown whether military personnel self-select the same number of calories when faced with a restricted list of field ration options as they would from their usual foods. Although field rations are intended to be nutritionally sufficient for standard military operations, there are limited data on the ad libitum intake of nutrients of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel from field rations in comparison to the military dietary reference intake (MDRI) recommendations, which establishes standards intended to meet the nutritional requirements of military personnel on duty. Thus, assessing the adequacy of their usual diets at home and longer-term sustenance on field rations in relation to MDRIs can provide insight on CAF personnel’s operational readiness. The objectives of this study were to describe and compare, in a convenience sample of CAF, their ad libitum nutrient intakes from the consumption of self-selected field rations at home with their usual home intakes and to compare both with MDRI recommendations. Materials and Methods Eighteen CAF participants weighed and recorded their dietary intake from the ad libitum consumption of field rations at home and their usual at-home diets. Both MDRIs and the Institute of Medicine’s dietary reference intake recommendations were used to assess the adequacy of intakes for each individual. Paired Student’s t-test or Wilcoxon-matched paired tests were used to compare nutrient intake levels between usual at-home diets and field rations consumed at home. Results Mean daily energy intakes were similar between ad libitum intakes from field rations (2,688 ± 619 kcal) and usual home diets (2,657 ± 580 kcal), although participants had significantly higher intakes of protein and fat from their home diets and higher intakes of carbohydrates from the field rations (P ≤ 0.05). Participants had less than the recommended intakes of some micronutrients (vitamins A and D, folate, calcium, magnesium, and potassium), from both their home diets and field rations, but adequate intakes of vitamin C and iron. Conclusions The results of this study showed no difference in energy intake between the consumption of field rations and home diets, with levels consistent with recommendations for individuals with average physical activity levels. The results also demonstrated less than the recommended intakes (in comparison with MDRIs) of some nutrients from both home diets and self-selected consumption of field rations, warranting further research into nutritional adequacy for operational readiness.