Atomic vibrations, in the form of phonons, are foundational describing thermal behavior materials. The possible frequencies phonons materials governed by complex bonding between atoms, which is physically represented a spring-mass model that can account for interactions (spring forces) atoms (masses). lowest-order, harmonic , approximation only considers linear forces and thought incapable expl...

Multi-agent systems (MAS) are increasingly used in critical applications. To ensure dependability of MAS, we need powerful development techniques that would allow us to master complexity inherent to MAS and formally verify correctness and safety of collaborative agent activities. In this paper we present a rigorous approach to development and verification of critical MAS in Event-B. We demonstr...

Home care quality assurance (QA) must consider features inherent in home care, including: multiple goals, limited provider control, and unique family roles. Successive panels of stakeholders were asked to rate the importance of selected home care outcomes. Most highly rated outcomes were freedom from exploitation, satisfaction with care, physical safety, affordability, and physical functioning....

In this paper, a data envelopment analysis (DEA) model with weight constraints is proposed to evaluate the work safety supervision in 18 districts. Conventional evaluation approaches of the work safety supervision only consider the simple data such as the number of accidents and the number of death in the accidents. There are two major shortcomings: the weights of criteria are difficult to dete...

Nuclear energy represents an important option for future energy supply, but the nuclear option could be jeopardized if severe reactor accidents, such as the ones at Three Mile Island or Chernobyl, were to continue to occur anywhere in the world. The PIUS (Process Inherent Ultimate Safety) reactor development effort is based on the conviction that future developments of nuclear energy for civili...

Risk is an inherent part of healthcare, particularly in large referral centers, where some of the most complex cases are managed. While risk cannot be eliminated from the clinical activities, it is believed that some practices involving unnecessary risk can be mitigated without impacting overall performance. Our ability to identify these vulnerable practices, and develop durable preventative or...