In this paper we will consider how to select an optimal set of supply voltages and account for level conversion costs when optimizing the schedule of a resource dominated data path for minimum energy dis-sipation. An integer linear program (ILP) is presented for minimum energy schedules under latency, supply voltage, and resource constraints. The supply voltage assignment for each resource is m...

A critical question in planning a response to bioterrorism is how antibiotics and medical supplies should be stockpiled and dispensed. The objective of this work was to evaluate the costs and benefits of alternative strategies for maintaining and dispensing local and regional inventories of antibiotics and medical supplies for responses to anthrax bioterrorism. We modeled the regional and local...

Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) involved in humanitarian relief provide supplies and services to people in need. Transportation and logistics are big parts of NGO operations, as agencies transport and distribute supplies to and within the affected regions. Improving efficiency of their logistics systems has potential to significantly decrease agencies’ operational costs and expand their se...

The excessive focus on water mounts a challenge to the sustainable development. Energy is another aspect that should be taken into account. Nexus approach is characterized by an equal emphasis on energy and water spheres. In arid areas, like the city of Kashan, Iran, non-conventional waters (e.g. desalinated and recycled waters) have been considered as an alternative resource of water. Nexus wa...

Water safety plans (WSPs) are promoted by the WHO as the most effective means of securing drinking water safety. To date most experience with WSPs has been within utility supplies, primarily in developed countries. There has been little documented experience of applying WSPs to small community-managed systems, particularly in developing countries. This paper presents a case study from Banglades...

Last mile distribution is the final stage of a humanitarian relief chain; it refers to delivery of relief supplies from local distribution centers (LDCs) to beneficiaries affected by disasters. In this study, we consider a vehicle-based last mile distribution system, in which an LDC stores and distributes emergency relief supplies to a number of demand locations. The main decisions are allocati...

OBJECTIVE This study estimates the costs of maternal health services in Rosario, Argentina. MATERIAL AND METHODS The provider costs (US$ 1999) of antenatal care, a normal vaginal delivery and a caesarean section, were evaluated retrospectively in two municipal hospitals. The cost of an antenatal visit was evaluated in two health centres and the patient costs associated with the visit were eva...