Command Agent Belief Architecture to Support Commander Decision Making in Military Simulation

<p class="p1">In the war, military conflicts have many aspects that are consistent with complexity theory e.g., the higher commander’s decision is directed at animate entity that react under hierarchical and self-organised structure in decentralised command and control for the collectivist dynamism of decomposed elements due to nonlinear complexity of warfare on the battlefield. Agent technology have been found to be suitable for modelling tactical behaviour of entities at multiple level of resolution under hierarchical command and control (C2) structure and provide a powerful abstraction mechanism required for designing simulations of complex and dynamic battlefield situations. Intelligent agents can potentially reduce the overhead on such experiments and studies. Command agents, plan how to carry out the operation and assign tasks to subordinate agents. They receive information from battlefield environment and use such information to build situation awareness and also to respond to unforeseen situations. In the paper, we have proposed a mechanism for modelling tactical behaviour of an intelligent agent by which higher command level entities should be able to synthesize their beliefs derived from the lower level sub ordinates entities. This paper presents a role-based belief, desire and intention mechanism to facilitate in the representation of military hierarchy, modelling of tactical behaviour based on agent current belief, teammate’s belief propagation, and coordination issues. Higher commander can view the battlefield information at different levels of abstraction based on concept of aggregation and disaggregation and take appropriate reactive response to any unforeseen circumstances happening in battlefield.</p>

Epigastric heteropagus

Incomplete parasitic twinning with the parasite attached at the host's epigastrium is extremely rare. We report a case of epigastric parasitic twinning where the parasite with a well-developed pelvis and lower limbs had accessory pelvic organs and was attached to the host above an omphalocele. The parasite was excised and the omphalocele managed conservatively by mercurochrome application. A review of the four previously reported cases is presented along with a discussion of the possible etiopathogenesis and nomenclature of this condition.

An unusual form of caudal duplication (dipygus)

An unusual case of caudal duplication is presented in which the infant had an extra lower limb with 14 digits attached to an accessory parasitic pelvis situated in the midline subpubic area. Duplication of the external genitalia was also present. Successful excision of the accessory limb and reconstruction of the genitalia was performed in the neonatal period.

Clinical profile of trichotillomania

Twenty-four cases of trichotillomania attending psychiatry outpatient department and child guidance clinic at Kalawati Saran Children's and Smt Sucheta Kriplani Hospitals over a period of 2 years from July, 1985 to November 1987 were studied. Females (66.7%) outnumbered the males (33.3%). Majority of cases belonged to age group 6-10 years (54.2%) and nuclear family (68.5%). Nail-biting (25.0%) was the commonest associated neurotic trait, followed by enuresis (20.9%), temper-tantrum (12.5%), etc. A past history of hysterical fits and neurotic depression was found in 3 cases (12.5%) and 2 cases (8.3%) respectively. Family history of neurosis was seen in mothers and fathers of 20.9% and 12.5% cases respectively. Trichobezoars and trichophytobezoars were found in 6 cases (25.0%) and 3 cases (12.5%) respectively. Majority of patients of trichobezoars presented with vague complaints like heaviness in the stomach (55.6%), inability to gain weight (44.4%), etc, while 22.2% cases were asymptomatic and detected only on screening.

The Indian experience with hypertrophic pyloric stenosis

A study of 58 consecutive Indian infants operated for congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis revealed an accentuated male predominance in the incidence of the disease and far less preoperative hemetemesis as compared to that in their Western counterparts. 'Pyloric tumor' was palpable in 89% of cases. Only 34.5% of these infants were first born. Postoperative vomiting occurred in 13.8% of patients and wound sepsis was not encountered. Air contrast radiography confirmed the diagnosis in clinically doubtful cases.

Perforated tubercular enteritis of childhood: a ten year study

One hundred sixty seven children were operated at the Kalawati Saran Children Hospital for acute peritonitis during last 10 years (1978-88). Bowel perforation was seen in 123 cases. Nineteen cases had underlying tubercular enteritis. Preoperative diagnosis was usually difficult. The terminal ileum was affected in 12 and the jejunum in 5 cases. Multiple perforations were seen in 3 cases. Postoperative mortality was high (12/19) and usually attributable to their poor preoperative status.

Infarction of the greater omentum

Infarction of the greater omentum is an uncommon entity in children. The etiology of this disease is unknown. It is difficult to differentiate this condition from acute appendicitis in children. Two cases from the pediatric age group are reported.

Cecal volvulus in children

Volvulus of the cecum is very uncommon in children. Of 189 children operated upon from 1970-1977 for acute intestinal obstruction, in only six children, was cecal volvulus the cause. The etiology and treatment and factors affecting mortality are discussed.

Sigmoidal volvulus in childhood: report of two cases

Volvulus of the sigmoid colon is a very uncommon cause of acute obstruction in children. Although common in adults in India, it was found to account for only 0.8 per cent of all acute obstructions in infants and children in this institution. It causes a proximal torsional obstruction of the colon with an acute onset of symptoms. The onset of volvulus is characterized by colicky pain over the left lower quadrant, vomiting, tenderness, and rigidity in te left lower quadrant. A scout film of the abdomen may be inconclusive, but a barium-enema examination is diagnostic. The number of cases reported is too small to allow conclusions about the best treatment for children who have sigmoidal volvulus.