Consensus Indices of Two-Layered Multi-Star Networks: An Application of Laplacian Spectrum

In this article, the convergence speed and robustness of the consensus for several dual-layered star-composed multi-agent networks are studied through the method of graph spectra. The consensus-related indices, which can measure the performance of the coordination systems, refer to the algebraic connectivity of the graph and the network coherence. In particular, graph operations are introduced to construct several novel two-layered networks, the methods of graph spectra are applied to derive the network coherence for the multi-agent networks, and we find that the adherence of star topologies will make the first-order coherence of the dual-layered systems increase some constants in the sense of limit computations. In the second-order case, asymptotic properties also exist when the index is divided by the number of leaf nodes. Finally, the consensus-related indices of the duplex networks with the same number of nodes but non-isomorphic structures have been compared and simulated, and it is found that both the first-order coherence and second-order coherence of the network D are between A and B, and C has the best first-order robustness, but it has the worst robustness in the second-order case.

Event-Triggered Intervention Framework for UAV-UGV Coordination Systems

Air-ground coordination systems are usually composed of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and unmanned ground vehicles (UGV). In such a system, UAVs can utilize their much more perceptive information to plan the path for UGVs. However, the correctness and accuracy of the planned route are often not guaranteed, and the communication and computation burdens increase with more sophisticated algorithms. This paper proposes a new type of air-ground coordination framework to enable UAVs intervention into UGVs tasks. An event-triggered mechanism in the null space behavior control (NSBC) framework is proposed to decide if an intervention is necessary and the timing of the intervention. Then, the problem of whether to accept the intervention is formulated as an integer programming problem and is solved using model predictive control (MPC). Simulation results show that the UAV can intervene in UGVs accurately and on time, and the UGVs can effectively decide whether to accept the intervention to get rid of troubles, thereby improving the intelligence of the air-ground coordination system.

Building on sand: digital technologies for care coordination and advance care planning

Approaches using digital technologies to support advance care planning (ACP) and care coordination are being used in palliative and end of life care. While providing opportunities to facilitate increases in the completeness, sharing and availability of care plans, the evidence base underpinning their use remains limited. We outline an approach that continues to be developed in England; Electronic Palliative Care Coordination Systems (EPaCCS). Stages governing their optimal use are outlined alongside unanswered questions with relevance across technology-mediated approaches to ACP. Research has a critical role in determining if technology-mediated approaches to ACP, such as EPaCCS, could be useful tools to support the delivery of care for patients with chronic and progressive illnesses.

Impact of distributed power generation on protection coordination in distribution network

<p>In the whole world and especially in Morocco, the electric power sector faces significant challenges and the demand for energy is increasing as fossil fuel sources are disappearing. Moreover, the high cost of construction of large production plants and the obligation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are among the factors pushing the energy sector to integrate distributed generators DGs based on renewable energies into power grids. However, the integration of these generators increased the values of short-circuit currents in the network, which poses a real threat to the existing protection coordination systems in the distribution network. The aim of this article is to bring together in a single platform all available research addressing the issue of protection coordination in the presence of DGs in the distribution network, in order to help researchers identify future scope. This paper presents a review of the impact of distributed generators on the protection coordination of distribution networks. The solutions proposed in the literature, to mitigate the negative impact of DGs, have been investigated in detail, along with the limitations of these proposed techniques.</p>

How to Create a Search Mechanism for Disappeared Persons: Lessons from Mexico

In this chapter, Volga de Pina analyses the principal characteristics of the search mechanism created in Mexico with the adoption of the 2017 General Law of Forced Disappearance of Persons, Disappearance committed by Private Parties, and the National System of Search for Persons. The 2017 General Law was the result of a long lobbying process by networks of relatives of disappeared persons, Mexican non-governmental organisations, experts, and international agencies, that participated directly in defining its contents. The model that emerged separates the search from criminal investigation and places emphasis on locating disappeared persons, the main priority of the relatives. With this mechanism, the state’s obligations related to search are widened. To accomplish that goal, new definitions of disappeared and missing persons, a National Search Commission and local commissions in thirty-two states in the country, and specific tools and coordination systems were developed. The design emerged directly out of relatives’ experiences in searching for their family members. The observations that de Pina makes about the process is based on her participation in the discussion of the General Law and her experiences as a member of the Council of Citizens who advised and supervised the mechanism.

Underutilisation of EPaCCS (Electronic Palliative Care Coordination Systems) in end-of life-care: a cross-sectional study

ObjectiveTo support greater personalisation of end-of-life care, Electronic Palliative Care Coordination Systems (EPaCCS) have been implemented across England. Here, we describe patient factors associated with dying with an EPaCCS record and explore the association between having an EPaCCS record with cause and place of death.MethodThis is a cross-sectional study using routinely collected data. Data were extracted from primary care records in 20 of 86 general practices within one Clinical Commissioning Group in England. All deaths (n=1723) recorded between 22 February 2018 and 21 February 2019 were included to determine whether the deceased patient had an EPaCCS record at the time of death, a range of demographic factors, place of death and cause of death.ResultsOnly 18% of the sample died with an EPaCCS record, and people who died of a non-cancer cause were less likely to have an EPaCCS record than those who died of cancer (OR=0.41; 95% CI 0.31 to 0.55). Adjusting for patient demographic factors and cause of death, having an EPaCCS record was strongly associated with dying in the community (OR=5.10; 95% CI 3.70 to 7.03).ConclusionsA small proportion of this sample died with an EPaCCS record, despite evidence of an association with dying in the community.

Penerapan peta konsep sebagai strategi asesmen formatif dalam upaya meningkatkan hasil belajar siswa pada pembelajaran sistem koordinasi

This study aimed to examine the application of concept maps as a formative assessment strategy in an effort to improve student learning outcomes in learning coordination systems. The method in this research is pre-experimental involved only one experimental class without a control class. The research design used is one group pretest-posttest design. A total of one class of students from class XI Science in one of the high schools in Bandung has been involved as a research subject. The research instruments used include the concept map assessment rubric used by students and teachers when learning activities take place, the concept map assessment sheet to confirm the results of the concept map, and student questionnaire responses, and the pretest and posttest instruments to analyze the effect of the application of concept maps to learning outcomes in the form of mastery of student concepts. Concept map making activities are carried out individually with online learning, each student's concept map results are assessed by the teacher and then given feedback on the concept map. The results showed that there was an increase in the average value of the concept map of students after being given feedback that is equal to 64.05 to 67.91. An increase also occurred in the results of the average pretest and posttest scores after the learning activities were carried out in the amount of 40.61 to 64.39. Student responses to the application of concept maps generally showed 75.80% positive responses. The results also showed that there was an effect of the application of the concept map to student learning in the form of increasing scores in the medium category (N-gain= 0.40).

Shared electronic care coordination systems following referral to hospice

In Scotland, the Key Information Summary (KIS) enables health providers to access key patient information to guide decision-making out-of-hours. KISs are generated in primary care and rely on information from other teams, such as community specialist palliative care teams (CSPCTs), to keep them up-to-date. This study involved a service evaluation consisting of case note reviews of new referrals to a CSPCT and semi-structured interviews with palliative care community nurse specialists (CNSs) regarding their perspectives on KISs. Some 44 case notes were examined, and 77% of patients had a KIS on CSPCT referral. One-month post-referral, all those re-examined (n=17) had a KIS, and 59% KISs had been updated following CNS assessments. CNSs cited anticipatory care planning (ACP) as the most useful aspect of KIS, and the majority of CNSs said they would appreciate KIS editing access. A system allowing CNSs to update KISs would be acceptable to CNSs, as it could facilitate care co-ordination and potentially improve comprehensiveness of ACP information held in KISs.