A hybrid and integrated approach to evaluate and prevent disasters

Disasters are, by their nature, very complex phenomena. Their modelling using a systematic and logical methodology can help us identify their root causes and may facilitate in allocating appropriate resources to prevent such situations. Although techniques exist to model such phenomena, a single off-the-shelf model is insufficient to provide an effective and realistic analysis to prevent disasters due to its inherent assumptions. In order to overcome these limitations of single methods, this article proposes a hybrid model of four methods to optimise a safety investment. First, a hierarchy is constructed with a problem structuring approach. Second, a new graphical representation, the Crisis Tree Analysis, is introduced to visualise how a combination of basic events may lead to a disaster. Third, the criticality of each event is assessed using the Analytic Hierarchy Process. Finally, a mathematical programming model is proposed to calculate the optimal allocation of available funds in order to avoid the disaster. A case study of the Bhopal disaster is used to illustrate the proposed four-step method.     

Determination of f(s)/f(d) for 7 TeV pp collisions and measurement of the B0→D-K+ branching fraction

The relative abundance of the three decay modes B(0)→D(-)K(+), B(0)→D(-)π(+), and B(s)(0)→D(s)(-)π(+) produced in 7 TeV pp collisions at the LHC is determined from data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35 pb(-1). The branching fraction of B(0)→D(-)K(+) is found to be B(B(0)→D(-)K(+)) = (2.01 ± 0.18(stat) ± 0.14(syst)) × 10(-4). The ratio of fragmentation fractions f(s)/f(d) is determined through the relative abundance of B(s)(0)→D(s)(-)π(+) to B(0)→D(-)K(+) and B(0)→D(-)π(+), leading to f(s)/f(d) = 0.253 ± 0.017 ± 0.017 ± 0.020, where the uncertainties are statistical, systematic, and theoretical, respectively.     

Would one rather store squeezing or entanglement in continuous variable quantum memories?

Given two quantum memories for continuous variables and the possibility to perform passive optical operations on the optical modes before or after the storage, two possible scenarios arise resulting in generally different degrees of final entanglement. Namely, one could either store an entangled state and retrieve it directly from the memory, or rather store two separate single-mode squeezed states and then combine them with a beam-splitter to generate the final entangled state. In this Letter, we analytically determine which of the two options yields more entanglement for several regions of the system?s parameters, and quantify the advantage it entails.     

Infinitely many positive solutions for a Schrödinger–Poisson system

We are interested in the existence of infinitely many positive non-radial solutions of a Schrödinger–Poisson system with a positive radial bounded external potential decaying at infinity.     

Diffuse measures and nonlinear parabolic equations

Given a parabolic cylinder Q = (0, T) × Ω, where W ì \mathbb R^N{\Omega\subset \mathbb {R}^N} is a bounded domain, we prove new properties of solutions of

Catalytic, asymmetric hypervinylogous Mukaiyama aldol reactions of extended furan-based silyl enolates

Virtually perfect transmittal of the enolate reactivity up to five conjugated double bonds from the origin allows a series of furan-based silyloxypolyenes to add to aldehyde carbonyls at the most distant point of the molecule. Denmark's axially chiral bisphosphoramide/SiCl(4) combination catalyzes these scantly precedented, long-range Mukaiyama-type vinylogous aldol reactions efficiently, providing a palette of extended γ-alkylidene butenolide carbinols with complete ω-site selectivity and good to excellent levels of enantioselectivity.     

Multiplicity of layered solutions for Allen–Cahn systems with symmetric double well potential

We study the existence of solutions u:R³→R²$u:{\mathbb{R}}^3\to {\mathbb{R}}^2$ for the semilinear elliptic systems

equation(0.1)

−Δu(x,y,z)+∇W(u(x,y,z))=0,$-\mathrm{\Delta }u(x,y,z)+\mathrm{\nabla }W(u(x,y,z))=0,$

where W:R²→R$W:{\mathbb{R}}^2\to \mathbb{R}$ is a double well symmetric potential. We use variational methods to show, under generic non-degenerate properties of the set of one dimensional heteroclinic connections between the two minima _a±${\mathbf{a}}_{\pm }$ of W, that (0.1) has infinitely many geometrically distinct solutions u∈C²(R³,R²)$u\in C^2({\mathbb{R}}^3,{\mathbb{R}}^2)$ which satisfy u(x,y,z)→_a±$u(x,y,z)\to {\mathbf{a}}_{\pm }$ as x→±∞$x\to \pm \infty$ uniformly with respect to (y,z)∈R²$(y,z)\in {\mathbb{R}}^2$ and which exhibit dihedral symmetries with respect to the variables y and z  . We also characterize the asymptotic behavior of these solutions as |(y,z)|→+∞$|(y,z)|\to +\infty$.     

Finite element and finite volume‐element simulation of pseudo‐ECGs and cardiac alternans

In this paper, we are interested in the spatio‐temporal dynamics of the transmembrane potential in paced isotropic and anisotropic cardiac tissues. In particular, we observe a specific precursor of cardiac arrhythmias that is the presence of alternans in the action potential duration. The underlying mathematical model consists of a reaction–diffusion system describing the propagation of the electric potential and the nonlinear interaction with ionic gating variables. Either conforming piecewise continuous finite elements or a finite volume‐element scheme are employed for the spatial discretization of all fields, whereas operator splitting strategies of first and second order are used for the time integration. We also describe an efficient mechanism to compute pseudo‐ECG signals, and we analyze restitution curves and alternans patterns for physiological and pathological cardiac rhythms. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analysis of genomic methylation level using micellar electrokinetic chromatography with UV detection

Analytical methods for quantification of 5′‐methylcytosine in genomes are important tools to investigate epigenetic changes in gene expression during development, differentiation, aging, or cancer. Here, we report a novel genomic methylation content assay based on enzymatic hydrolysis of DNA and MEKC separation of 5′‐deoxyribonucleoside monophosphates (dNMP) using the cationic surfactant CTAB as pseudostationary phase. Calf Thymus DNA was used during method development to determine electrophoretic parameters and electrolyte composition for a complete separation between 2′‐deoxycytosine‐5′‐monophosphate and 2′‐deoxy‐5′‐methylcytosine 5′‐monophosphate (d5mCMP). Methylated and not methylated oligonucleotides were used to confirm the identity of each peak and evaluate analytical parameters of the method. The LOD of the method was found to be 12.5 pmol/μL for d5mCMP.