Simulation-based Scenario Mapping Model to investigate Post-Brexit Implications on the Irish Beef Export Sector: A Case Study

Purpose Brexit introduced a range of new tariffs and non-tariff barriers that will significantly disrupt Irish beef exports, particularly to the UK market. Firms should be able to accurately anticipate the adverse effects of Brexit trade barriers on the flow of their products and change their practices accordingly. This research introduces a scenario planning solution based on a process simulation technology to investigate the implication of Brexit risks on Irish beef export performance. Scenarios implications on the transportation time and shelf-life of Irish meat exports to the UK market are investigated. Research Approach An agent-based and discrete event simulation model based on a geographic information system (GIS) map were applied. The simulation model focuses on Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro/Ro) maritime transport connectivity between Ireland, the UK, and other EU member states. The agent-based modelling is used for communication between the main four model entities (products, trucks, vessels, and ports). On the other hand, discrete event modelling is applied for sequencing the procedures inside the different agents. Findings and Originality The research outcomes suggest that beef supply chains and product flow between Ireland and the UK should not be interrupted post-Brexit. It is recommended that the Irish Government explore mitigation strategies for border check disruptions in this regard with EU26 and UK authorities. A lack of communication between the revenue authorities in Ireland and the UK will be a real challenge for the beef export business. It was also recommended that a robust direct shipping service to mainland Europe is essential to avoid the UK Land-bridge uncertainty. Research Impact Using simulation to model transportation systems and investigate business decisions added a new perspective on how business analytics can inform the pre-disruption phase of building supply chain resilience. Using modelling and simulation in the context of geopolitical disruption and supply chain resilience has rarely been presented in the literature. Practical Impact The research provided the Irish meat exporters and supply chain practitioners with a scenario mapping solution to anticipate Brexit implications and inform potential mitigation and responding strategies. The article has also highlighted the severe implications of geopolitical disruptions on supply chains. Keywords Supply Chain Resilience, Modelling & Simulation, Post-Brexit Implications, Beef Supply Chain

A retrospective study of brochoscopic profile of patients in a tertiary care centre

Background: The purpose of this study was to find out the demographic profiles, indications, bronchoscopic findings and diagnosis of the patients who underwent bronchoscopic examination.Methods: A retrospective analysis of 200 consecutive fiber-optic bronchoscopies was performed at RMCH from June 2015 to June 2017 to find out the demographic and clinical profile of the patients who underwent this procedure. The instrument Olympus video bronchoscope was used for the procedure.Results: Among total of 200 patients, 131 (65.5%) were males and 69 (34.5%) patients were females. 150 (75%) patients were smokers and 50 (25%) patients were non- smokers. Cough was the most common presenting symptom in 180 (90%) of the patients followed by breathlessness 138 (69%), chest pain 114 (57%), hemoptysis 80 (40%), fever 66 (33%). The most common finding is endobronchial growth in 119 (59.5%) followed by nonspecific inflammation 40 (20%), inconclusive 21 (10.5%), normal 12 (6%), suspected growth 8 (4%).Out of 200 patient biopsy was done in 65 patients (32.5%) and most common histopathological diagnosis was malignancy 42 (64.61%), pulmonary tuberculosis 10 (15.38%), Infective pathology 9 (13.8%), inconclusive 4 (6.1%).Conclusions:Bronchoscopy is a safe and useful tool for making the diagnosis of a variety of pulmonary diseases. Endobronchial growth and malignancy were the commonest findings on bronchoscopy and histopathological examination respectively. Moreover, we would like to emphasize the importance of attempting biopsy from the abnormal segment of the lung even when bronchoscopy does not show frank mucosal growth.

Automatic Signboard Recognition in Low Quality Night Images

An essential requirement for driver assistance systems and autonomous driving technology is implementing a robust system for detecting and recognizing traffic signs. This system enables the vehicle to autonomously analyze the environment and make appropriate decisions regarding its movement, even when operating at higher frame rates. However, traffic sign images captured in inadequate lighting and adverse weather conditions are poorly visible, blurred, faded, and damaged. Consequently, the recognition of traffic signs in such circumstances becomes inherently difficult. This paper addressed the challenges of recognizing traffic signs from images captured in low light, noise, and blurriness. To achieve this goal, a two-step methodology has been employed. The first step involves enhancing traffic sign images by applying a modified MIRNet model and producing enhanced images. In the second step, the Yolov4 model recognizes the traffic signs in an unconstrained environment. The proposed method has achieved 5.40% increment in [email protected] for low quality images on Yolov4. The overall [email protected] of 96.75% has been achieved on the GTSRB dataset. It has also attained [email protected] of 100% on the GTSDB dataset for the broad categories, comparable with the state-of-the-art work.Comment: 13 pages, CVIP 202

Investigating Brexit Implications on the Irish Agri-Food Exports: A Simulation-Based Scenario Mapping Model

The Irish economy is highly dependent on the UK market with a total export value surpassing e 14 billion. Several reports have warned of severe bottlenecks at the Irish and British ports if new customs checks are reintroduced. A significant disruption is also expected to the traffic flow between Ireland and Britain because of the lack of proper checking infrastructure at some ports. This situation will cause devastating impact on the competitive advantage of various Irish exports to the UK market, particularly limited-shelf-life products. Hence, a simulation model has been developed to investigate three Brexit scenarios: 1) applying non-tariff barriers at ports, 2) replacing the UK Landbridge with direct routes to continental Europe, and 3) lack of checking infrastructure at the UK ports. The scenarios’ implications on the transportation time and shelf life of Irish Cheese exports to the UK are investigated, leading to one recommendable scenario

Anterior referencing versus posterior referencing in total knee arthroplasty: a prospective observational study

Background: Femoral component rotation in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is essential for patella-femoral tracking, flexion gap balance and normal kinematic function of the knee. The two referencing techniques used for sizing and adjudging the femoral rotation are anterior referencing (AR) and posterior referencing (PR).The current study was designed so as to identify which referencing system determines the femoral rotation more accurately.Methods: This study involved 34 consecutive patients (22 females and 12 males) with 60 osteoarthritic knees (bilateral=26; unilateral =8) who satisfied the inclusion criteria. The trans-epicondylar axis, was taken as gold standard to adjudge the correct femoral rotation and was marked as E. The axis of rotation as per anterior instrumentation (A), and as per posterior instrumentation (P) were marked and compared as to which of the axis (A or P) was parallel to E.Results: A was always parallel to E, however P was parallel to E in 42 knees. In 18 knees (6 with valgoid deformity, 12 with hypertrophic osteoarthritis involving the medial femoral condyle), P and E tend to converge laterally, suggestive of excessive internal rotation. Conclusions: Anterior referencing determines femoral rotation more accurately than posterior referencing for knees with severe valgoid deformity or those with hypertrophic osteoarthritis involving the overgrowth of medial femoral condyle

Post-Brexit Implications on Irish Freight Transport and Logistics Sector

The study quantifies the impact that new custom checks and Agri/SPS inspection procedures could have on agri-food supply chains. It is possible that these checks will be introduced at both EU27 and UK ports. The analysis shows the potential risks to the Irish agri-food supply chain. These risks are explained through a range of non-tariff barriers and Ireland/EU transport connectivity scenarios. There is potential for disruption in the long-established transportation routes between Ireland, the UK and Continental European markets. Direct shipping routes (i.e. links directly between Ireland and the EU26) have therefore been considered in this case. This consideration comes from the perspective of both practitioners in the field and experts from social, environmental, and economic disciplines. The study demonstrates how Irish agri-food supply chains are uniquely exposed to Brexit. Ireland has had strong ties with the UK market and has been a supplier for many decades. In 2018, agri-food exports from Ireland to the UK reached €5.6 billion, while imports from the UK yielded €4.5 billion. Overall, this provided Ireland with a trade surplus of more than €1 billion.1 In addition, about 38% of Irish unitised exports to Continental Europe transits via the UK land- bridge.2 Brexit poses an unprecedented risk to the competitive advantage that Irish agri-food products have cultivated in UK markets. This study reveals that the delivery time for all products will increase, in each scenario, which will diminish product shelf-life. This risk, of course, will affect both the value and quality of certain products, which in turn affects their competitiveness

RCES: Rapid Cues Exploratory Search Using Taxonomies For COVID-19

To assist the COVID-19 focused researchers in life science and healthcare in understanding the pandemic, we present an exploratory information retrieval system called RCES. The system employs a previously developed EVE (Explainable Vector-based Embedding) model using DBpedia and an adopted model using MeSH taxonomies to exploit concept relations related to COVID-19. Various expansion methods are also developed, along with explanations and facets that collectively form rapid cues for a valuable navigational and informed user experience