Proposal for Management and Control of Intermodal Containers Using Monte Carlo Simulation

When examining the increased attention in freight transportation, a necessity for sustainable and efficient transportation system appears. The presence of road and traffic complications as well as environmental concerns forces us to develop or adapt an alternative operational system that allows us to overcome these issues. Moreover, the escalation in fuel prices in addition to driver issues for road-only haulage forms an unprofitable and unreliable approach. In this on-going MBA project, container management issues are addressed. A number of delays and their casuals are discussed and analysed. Moreover a Monte Carlo simulation framework is proposed to be used to analyse the interaction of different loading and unloading resources and containers within intermodal container management

Attitudes Towards School and Addiction to Social Networking Sites Among High School Students in Irbid Governorate.

هدفت الدراسة الحالية التعرف إلى الاتجاهات نحو المدرسة والإدمان على مواقع التواصل الاجتماعي والعلاقة بينهما لدى طلبة المدارس الثانوية في محافظة إربد. وقد تكونت عينة الدراسة من (400) طالبٍ وطالبة من طلبة الصفين الحادي عشر والثاني عشر من الفرعين: العلمي والأدبي. وقد أشارت نتائج الدراسة إلى وجود فروق دالة إحصائيًا على أبعاد الاتجاهات نحو المعلمين، والاتجاهات نحو الموضوعات والأنشطة، والاتجاهات نحو البيئة المدرسية تعزى لمتغير الجنس، وكان متوسط درجات الإناث أعلى، كما أشارت النتائج إلى عدم وجود فروق دالة إحصائيًا لبُعد الاتجاهات نحو الزملاء تعزى لمتغير الجنس؛ وعدم وجود فروق لجميع أبعاد الاتجاهات نحو المدرسة تعزى لمتغير المستوى الصفي. كما تبين وجود فروق دالة إحصائيًا في متوسطات الدرجات على مقياس الإدمان على مواقع التواصل الاجتماعي تعزى لمتغير الجنس، وكان متوسط درجات الذكور أعلى، وعدم وجود فروق دالة تعزى لمتغيري المستوى الصفي والفرع الأكاديمي. وأشارت النتائج أيضا إلى أن الإدمان على مواقع التواصل الاجتماعي قد ارتبط سلبيا بالاتجاهات نحو المدرسة جميعها.The current study aimed to identify attitudes towards school and addiction to social networking sites and the relationship between them among secondary school students in Irbid governorate. The study sample consisted of (400) male and female students from the eleventh and twelfth grades of the two branches: scientific and literary. To achieve the objectives of the study, two measures were used: one for attitudes towards school, and the other for addiction to social networking sites. The results of the study indicated that there were statistically significant differences in the dimensions of attitudes towards teachers, attitudes towards subjects and activities, and attitudes towards the school environment due to the gender variable, and the average scores of females were higher. ; There are no differences in all dimensions of attitudes towards school due to the grade level variable. It was also found that there were statistically significant differences in the average scores on the addiction scale on social networking sites due to the gender variable, and the average scores of males were higher, and there were no significant differences due to the variables of grade level and academic stream

Global Practice Patterns and Variations in the Medical and Surgical Management of Non-Obstructive Azoospermia: Results of a World-Wide Survey, Guidelines and Expert Recommendations

Purpose: Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is a common, but complex problem, with multiple therapeutic options and a lack of clear guidelines. Hence, there is considerable controversy and marked variation in the management of NOA. This survey evaluates contemporary global practices related to medical and surgical management for patients with NOA. Materials and methods: A 56-question online survey covering various aspects of the evaluation and management of NOA was sent to specialists around the globe. This paper analyzes the results of the second half of the survey dealing with the management of NOA. Results have been compared to current guidelines, and expert recommendations have been provided using a Delphi process. Results: Participants from 49 countries submitted 336 valid responses. Hormonal therapy for 3 to 6 months was suggested before surgical sperm retrieval (SSR) by 29.6% and 23.6% of participants for normogonadotropic hypogonadism and hypergonadotropic hypogonadism respectively. The SSR rate was reported as 50.0% by 26.0% to 50.0% of participants. Interestingly, 46.0% reported successful SSR in <10% of men with Klinefelter syndrome and 41.3% routinely recommended preimplantation genetic testing. Varicocele repair prior to SSR is recommended by 57.7%. Half of the respondents (57.4%) reported using ultrasound to identify the most vascularized areas in the testis for SSR. One-third proceed directly to microdissection testicular sperm extraction (mTESE) in every case of NOA while others use a staged approach. After a failed conventional TESE, 23.8% wait for 3 months, while 33.1% wait for 6 months before proceeding to mTESE. The cut-off of follicle-stimulating hormone for positive SSR was reported to be 12-19 IU/mL by 22.5% of participants and 20-40 IU/mL by 27.8%, while 31.8% reported no upper limit. Conclusions: This is the largest survey to date on the real-world medical and surgical management of NOA by reproductive experts. It demonstrates a diverse practice pattern and highlights the need for evidence-based international consensus guidelines

Global Practice Patterns in the Evaluation of Non-Obstructive Azoospermia: Results of a World-Wide Survey and Expert Recommendations

Purpose: Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) represents the persistent absence of sperm in ejaculate without obstruction, stemming from diverse disease processes. This survey explores global practices in NOA diagnosis, comparing them with guidelines and offering expert recommendations. Materials and methods: A 56-item questionnaire survey on NOA diagnosis and management was conducted globally from July to September 2022. This paper focuses on part 1, evaluating NOA diagnosis. Data from 367 participants across 49 countries were analyzed descriptively, with a Delphi process used for expert recommendations. Results: Of 336 eligible responses, most participants were experienced attending physicians (70.93%). To diagnose azoospermia definitively, 81.7% requested two semen samples. Commonly ordered hormone tests included serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (97.0%), total testosterone (92.9%), and luteinizing hormone (86.9%). Genetic testing was requested by 66.6%, with karyotype analysis (86.2%) and Y chromosome microdeletions (88.3%) prevalent. Diagnostic testicular biopsy, distinguishing obstructive azoospermia (OA) from NOA, was not performed by 45.1%, while 34.6% did it selectively. Differentiation relied on physical examination (76.1%), serum hormone profiles (69.6%), and semen tests (68.1%). Expectations of finding sperm surgically were higher in men with normal FSH, larger testes, and a history of sperm in ejaculate. Conclusions: This expert survey, encompassing 367 participants from 49 countries, unveils congruence with recommended guidelines in NOA diagnosis. However, noteworthy disparities in practices suggest a need for evidence-based, international consensus guidelines to standardize NOA evaluation, addressing existing gaps in professional recommendations