Emergence Time Phasing for the Potential New Airports in the Middle District of Iraq

With the growing demand for air transportation and limited capacity at Baghdad International airport (BIAP), there is a need to increase the capacity of airport systems in the middle district of Iraq. The increased use of secondary airports has been and is expected to be one of the key mechanisms by which future demand is met in congested metropolitan areas. This paper analyzed the factors influencing the emergence of secondary airports in the Iraqi middle district and the dynamics of multi-airport systems. A system dynamics model was developed to simulate the relationship between the core airport in Baghdad and three potential secondary airports, one in each adjacent governorate. The model takes under consideration such characteristics as; capacity, location, proximity to populated communities, and ground transportation services for each airport. the main outcomes of this model are; the passenger's persuasion in an airport, which reflects their propensity to use this particular airport, and the predicted number of annual passengers in each airport. The system dynamics model was consulted twice. The outcomes of the first run facilitated the economic analyses of the secondary airports on which the sequence of the airports emergence was determined, and it also showed that the new airport feasibility is highly affected by the location, due to the influence on the road user cost for passengers, in addition to the capital expenses. The second run of the model helped in predicting the time schedule and interval between an airport emergence and the other. If the new airports have an equal capacity of one million passenger per year, the expected timing for the emergence is in 2023, 2027, and 2032 for the airports in Balad, Habbaniyah, and Baquba respectively.

Configuration Method and Multi-Functional Strategy for Embedding Energy Storage into Wind Turbine

This paper proposes a Configuration method for energy storage (ES), in which the ES inertia of ES is equal to an equal capacity synchronous generator. The purpose is to enhance the frequency modulation capability of double-fed induction generator (DFIG) and wind power consumption. Through the proposed method, the system inertia can remain unchanged after the DFIGs replacing the conventional turbines. During the DFIG rotor speed recovery, the ES releases energy to compensate for sudden changes in active power. On this basis, the DFIG and ES structure model is created, and the ES control strategy is optimized, thereby effectively improving the DFIG frequency modulation capability. Besides, in the non-frequency modulation period, the ES is used to suppress wind power fluctuations, thereby improving system wind power consumption and ES utilization. Simulation results indicate, in the ES-embedded wind turbine structure model, the combination of the ES Configuration method and multi-functional strategy significantly improves the frequency modulation ability and anti-interference performance of a single DFIG. Moreover, the wind power consumption and ES utilization are improved, and the ES achieves additional value.

Fast and Slow Learning in Human-Like Intelligence

In this chapter we review the extent to which rapid one-short learning or fast-mapping exists in human learning. We find that it exists in both children and adults, but that it is almost always accompanied by slow consolidated learning in which new knowledge is integrated with existing knowledge-bases. Rapid learning is also present in a broad range of non-human species, particularly in the context of high reward values. We argue that reward prediction errors guide the extent to which fast or slow learning dominates, and present a Complementary Learning Systems neural network model (CTDL) of cortical/hippocampal learning that uses reward prediction errors to adjudicate between learning in the two systems. Developing human-like artificial intelligence will require implementing multiple learning and inference systems governed by a flexible control system with an equal capacity to that of human control systems.

From EOQ to JIT with Storage Consideration: Coordinating a Two Level Supply Chain

Many organizations are faced with a decision to choose between two inventory systems namely JIT (Just in Time) and EOQ (Economic Order Quantity). This thesis models the cost drivers into the EOQ model and extends it to the JIT scenario. They include cost savings like space, synergy of coordination, and other cost factors like rework and penalty costs. It looks at the total cost of the supply chain with two players and calculates space in terms of storage spaces of equal capacity. Results showed that considering space in EOQ brought savings to the chain. It has brought down the order quantity closer to, and many times equal to JIT ordering quantities. Coordination in the chain has brought further savings. Moving to JIT (ordering daily supply of demand) from the point, where space is accounted and there is coordination between the two levels, did not require much reduction in ordering costs.

From EOQ to JIT with Storage Consideration: Coordinating a Two Level Supply Chain

Many organizations are faced with a decision to choose between two inventory systems namely JIT (Just in Time) and EOQ (Economic Order Quantity). This thesis models the cost drivers into the EOQ model and extends it to the JIT scenario. They include cost savings like space, synergy of coordination, and other cost factors like rework and penalty costs. It looks at the total cost of the supply chain with two players and calculates space in terms of storage spaces of equal capacity. Results showed that considering space in EOQ brought savings to the chain. It has brought down the order quantity closer to, and many times equal to JIT ordering quantities. Coordination in the chain has brought further savings. Moving to JIT (ordering daily supply of demand) from the point, where space is accounted and there is coordination between the two levels, did not require much reduction in ordering costs.

Globalization and Its Brunt on Nigeria Global Economic Competitiveness: The Need for Holistic and Dynamic Strategies

Purpose of the study: The intensity of globalization has resulted in the near collapse of most manufacturing industries in Nigeria. Most products from Nigeria industries lack the ability to compete with similar products from developed countries. Such appalling competitiveness of the Nigeria economy has bequeathed untold hardship on the citizens of Nigeria. The rationale for undertaking this study is to determine globalisation's brunt on Nigeria's economic competitiveness empirically. Methodology: The Least Square method was employed to analyse the data collected from various statistical agencies such as the Nigeria statistical bulletin, World Economic Forum report and the United Nations Industrial Development report. The data collected is for the period spanning 2006 to 2017. Microfit 5.1 Statistical software is used in the analysis. Main Findings: The findings of the study shows that there is a negative relationship between globalization and Nigeria global economic competitiveness. The results further indicate that Nigeria’s participation in the global arena has not yielded the desired benefit associated with globalization with respect to the country’s competitiveness. Research limitations/implications: The study adds to earlier works on economic competitiveness as a sound pillar of globalization by carving out an empirical analysis of Nigeria experience with globalization. The implications of the study's findings show that Nigeria's innovation strategies significantly lag behind the innovation strategies in developed countries. Novelty/Originality of this study: This work put-forward a useful awareness into the existential challenge facing Nigeria and other developing economies in terms of equal capacity to confront their developmental problems as a result of globalization. The study further provides a pathway for Nigeria’s economic managers to overcome such challenges with dynamic strategies to achieve the desired benefits of globalization.

Alternative Regression Model Structure for the HCM-6 Equal-Capacity Passenger Car Equivalency Methodology

In the current version of the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM-6), equal-capacity passenger car equivalencies (EC-PCEs) are used to account for the effect of trucks for capacity analyses. The EC-PCEs for freeway segments were estimated using a microsimulation-based methodology where the capacities of the mixed-traffic and car-only flow scenarios were modeled. A nonlinear regression (NLR) model was used to develop capacity adjustment factor (CAF) models using the microsimulation data as input. The NLR model has a complex model structure and includes 15 model parameters. It is argued in this paper that simpler regression models could provide comparable results. This would allow CAF and EC-PCE equations to be used directly in the HCM-6 rather than tables. It would also allow for the development of new regression models for exploring new technologies such as connected and automated vehicles (CAVs). The objective of this paper was to develop alternative and simpler regression models of CAFs needed to derive the EC-PCE values in the HCM-6 methodology for freeway and multilane highway segments. It was found that simpler regression models provided similar results as those obtained with the current NLR model. Additionally, it was found that the current NLR model may not be adequate for analyzing CAV traffic conditions. If the HCM-6 EC-PCE methodology is expected to be used to analyze traffic conditions beyond the scope of the HCM-6, it is important to perform a deeper assessment of the form and error of the regression models used in fitting the simulated and estimated data.

Clinical Effect of Two Fluoride Varnishes in Caries-Active Preschool Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The prevention of dental caries in preschool children is a priority for dental services. The aim of the study was to investigate the caries-preventive effect of 2 fluoride varnishes in caries-active preschool children, and then compare the outcome with a non-varnish control group. After screening, 180 preschool children aged 36–71 months, with at least 1 noncavitated lesion, were enrolled and randomly allocated into 3 parallel groups, namely A: 1.5% ammonium fluoride varnish (Fluor Protector S), B: 5% NaF varnish (Duraphat), and C: professional tooth-cleaning. All children were recalled every third month for intervention and their parents were instructed to have them brush their teeth with a 1,000-ppm fluoride toothpaste twice daily. Caries were recorded at baseline and after 12 months by a calibrated examiner and the incidence was scored on noncavitated (d2) and cavitated (d3) level. We tested differences between the groups with the χ2 and two-sided t tests. One hundred and seventy-two children (95.6%) completed the trial and 56 (32.6%) and 35 (19.2%) developed new d2 and d3 lesions, respectively. Both varnishes reduced the incidence of caries compared with the control group, but there was no significant difference between group A and group B. Compared with group C, the relative risk for developing cavitated lesions was 0.39 (95% CI 0.22–0.62) in group A and 0.26 (95% CI 0.14–0.50) in group B. The total prevented fraction (Δd2d3mft) for group A and group B was 19.9 and 22.5% (p < 0.05), respectively. No adverse effects were observed or reported during the study period. In conclusion, the 2 fluoride varnishes demonstrated an equal capacity to reduce the incidence of caries in caries-active preschool children over a 12-month period in comparison with a control group.

"Multimodal" Imaging Performance and Clinical Application of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Background: To investigate the diagnostic value of three different examination methods of chest radiography (CXR), digital tomosynthesis (DTS) and Computed tomography (CT) scan on the diagnosis of novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19).Methods: A retrospective analysis of three examination methods of chest: CXR, DTS, and CT scan of COVID-19 pneumonia patients diagnosed in our hospital from January, 23, 2020 to February, 29, 2020. And we compared three different imaging methods to COVID-19 display ability of pneumonia intrapulmonary lesions.Results: A total of 37 patients diagnosed as COVID-19 by nucleic acid testing were included. The CXR group (10/37) and DTS group (21/28) of 37 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia showed significant differences in intrapulmonary ground glass opacities (P<0.05); DTS group (21/28) and CT group (25/27) showed no statistically significant differences in intrapulmonary ground glass opacities (P> 0.05). Conclusion: Comparison of the three imaging methods of COVID-19 pneumonia, the diagnostic efficiency of CXR is low, which is easy to be false negative and miss lesions; diagnostic resolutions of DTS are higher than CXR, which can improve the ability to display the fine structure of intrapulmonary lesions; CT scan shows the intrapulmonary of COVID-19 pneumonia low-density ground glass opacities and internal structures have equal capacity compared with DTS. Therefore, DTS and CT are the best choices for the image diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia.