Optimal planning of the amount and type of resources needed for extinguishing a forest fire is a task that has been addressed in the literature, using models obtained from operational research. In this study, a general integer linear programming model is proposed, which addresses the allocation of resources in different time periods during the planning period for extinguishing a fire, and with the goal of meeting Spanish regulations for the non-negligence of fronts and periods of rest for pilots and brigades. A computer program and interface were developed using the R language. By means of an example using historical data, we illustrate the model at work and its exact resolution. Then, we carry out a simulation study to analyze the obtained objective functions and resolution times. Our simulation study shows that an exact solution can be obtained very quickly without requiring heuristic algorithms, provided that the planning period does not exceed five hours.
Wildfire containment activities involve a combination of important decisions that affect the evolution of the fire and effective resource deployment. When aerial resources (in particular aircraft and helicopters) are used, two tasks are assigned to the aerial coordinator: the allocation of aerial resources to flight routes (circular paths that aerial resources follow such that they have common loading and discharge points) and refueling points. In this paper, we introduce two models of linear integer programming to execute these tasks. The models are written using AMPL and the Gurobi solver engine and illustrated through examples. The objective of these models is to provide automatic and rapid support for the coordination of the abovementioned tasks. In order to enhance the robustness of the models, the scheduling times and the characteristics of the aerial resources are also considered. These models aim at minimizing both the containment time of the fire and the total flight hours. The models will reduce the risk of aerial collision of resources by taking into account the maximum number of aerial resources that can simultaneously load water at the same point. Moreover, management of refueling points is also achieved.
Composite discoloration is considered one of the most significant disadvantages of dental restorations. The purpose of our study was to assess the color susceptibility of two esthetic composite filling materials, microhybrid composite (ValuxTM Plus) and nanohybrid composite (FiltekTM Z250 XT), to different solutions and compare the results among different measuring methods (Intraoral scanner, Easyshade spectrophotometer, and Vita classical shade guide). A total of 100 specimens were fabricated in this experimental study. Each sample was soaked in either Coca-Cola, orange juice, tea, coffee, or distilled water for 30 days. Color measurement was performed using the spectrophotometer, IOS 3Shape Trios, and Vita classical shade guide. L*a*b* values were recorded to determine the color changing (ΔE00). The significance level was p < 0.05. All samples showed clinically visible color changes after immersion in coffee, tea, orange juice, and Coca-Cola. The nanohybrid composite showed high color change when placed in tea (ΔE00 = 12.5) measured by the Intraoral scanner, spectrophotometer (ΔE00 = 23.21), and by Vita classical shade guide (ΔE00 = 25). Less color discoloration was perceptible in the microhybrid composite when immersed in Coca-Cola (ΔE00 = 1.78) measured by spectrophotometer, intraoral scanner (ΔE00 = 2.85), and measured by Vita classical shade (ΔE00 = 3.2). The results showed that measurements with the spectrophotometer and Vita classical shade guide were correlated. The results were analyzed using the chi-square and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, and there was a significant difference (p < 0.001) in both composite resins for all the solutions, with microhybrid being more color stable. Microhybrid composite had more color stability than nanohybrid composite, especially when immersed in tea and coffee. The spectrophotometer with Vita classical shade guide showed better interrater agreement than with the intraoral scanner.