We describe a new approach to implement proportional share resource allocation and to provide diierent levels of service quality. We consider multiple clients that compete for a time-shared resource, and we associate to each client a certain amount of funds. At the beginning of every time-slice a client is selected and it is granted to use the resource during that time-slice. For selecting a cl...

This work is part of a larger framework where the goal is a high level language to write automaton based applications. The language lets the user specify the data structures to use and designate where the application must be optimized in space or in time. In a second step, we want the language to choose automatically which structure ts best to a given algorithm. This article deals with the foun...

Teams of robots can be redundant with respect to a given task. This redundancy can be exploited to pursue additional objectives during the execution of the task. In this paper, we describe a control-based method to exploit such redundancy for the execution of additional behavior, leading to the improvement of overall performance. The control-based method provides a suitable mechanism for combin...

Given that poor asthma management leads to such devastating rates of morbidity and mortality in this country, efforts must be made to increase the knowledge, skills, and behaviors of persons with asthma. The suggestions and recommendations provided here represent a blend of academic opinion and practical advice on methods to implement an asthma education program. In developing an asthma educati...

Intelligent databases are a developing field since the early nineties. Using fuzzy numbers to model imprecise information is a well-known concept. In this paper, we will show how to implement FSQL queries that can also handle priority. FSQL is actually a superset of SQL, thus queries that deal with fuzzy values need to be pre and post processed. We will only sketch some technical aspects of the...

“We look forward to specific decisions the Government is prepared to take in response to the NMHC ecommendations” At the halfway point of its first term, the Abbott Government has finally released the 700-page report of the National Review of Mental Health Programmes and Services, Contributing lives, thriving communities.1 Fulfilling a 2013 election commitment, Health Minister Dutton had reques...

Two fatalities due to unusual impalement injuries are reported. (1) A large branch broken off during a storm had entered a passing car and perforated the chest of the driver and the back of the seat. The chest organs were grossly lacerated. The car was subsequently stopped by another tree and this second impact removed the wood from the body. (2) A man suffered anorectal impalement by the leg o...