Cargo/Logistics Airlift System Study (CLASS), Executive Summary

The current air cargo system is analyzed along with advanced air cargo systems studies. A forecast of advanced air cargo system demand is presented with cost estimates. It is concluded that there is a need for a dedicated advance air cargo system, and with application of advanced technology, reductions of 45% in air freight rates may be achieved

Cargo/Logistics Airlift System Study (CLASS), Volume 2

Air containerization is discussed in terms of lower freight rates, size and pallet limitations, refrigeration, backhaul of empties, and ownership. It is concluded that there is a need for an advance air cargo system as indicated by the industry/transportation case studies, and a stimulation of the air cargo would result in freight rate reductions

Cargo/Logistics Airlift System Study (CLASS), Volume 1

Current and advanced air cargo systems are evaluated using industrial and consumer statistics. Market and commodity characteristics that influence the use of the air mode are discussed along with a comparison of air and surface mode on typical routes. Results of on-site surveys of cargo processing facilities at airports are presented, and institutional controls and influences on air cargo operations are considered

Lithostratigraphy of the Naros Granite (Komsberg Suite), South Africa and Namibia

The Naros Granite occurs as a large, northwest-trending ovoid batholith roughly 30 km long and 15 km wide straddling the Orange River border between South Africa and Namibia, 25 km northeast of Onseepkans. It consists mainly of a leucocratic to mesocratic grey, coarse-grained equigranular hornblende-biotite granite-granodiorite that is locally mildly feldspar porphyritic. Small, ovoid mafic autoliths are common and characteristic of the Naros Granite. The composition of the unit varies from granite to granodiorite with a minor leucogranitic phase observed along the southern margin of the batholith. Hornblende and biotite are ubiquitous mafic minerals but small amounts of orthopyroxene occur locally. The Naros Granite has yielded tightly-constrained U-Pb zircon ages between 1 114 Ma and 1 101 Ma. The Naros Granite is generally unfoliated to weakly deformed with only localised shearing along contacts with the surrounding country rocks giving rise to orthogneissic fabrics. It has an intermediate to felsic composition (mean SiO2: 63.9 ± 2.2 wt.%) and is strongly metaluminous. This, together with its biotite-hornblende ± orthopyroxene mineral assemblage and the abundance of mafic autoliths, suggests it is an I-type granitoid, with the source magma produced by partial melting of older igneous rocks that had not undergone any significant chemical weathering. The Naros Granite is the youngest and most evolved member of the ~1.11 Ga Komsberg Suite, a collection of late-to post-tectonic I-type metaluminous, intermediate to felsic, biotite ± hornblende granitoids and their charnockitic equivalents that have intruded the older pre-tectonic gneisses of the Kakamas Domain of the Namaqua Metamorphic Secto

Corporate governance compliance and disclosure in the banking sector: using data from Japan

Using regression model this study investigates which characteristics of a bank is associated with the extent of corporate governance disclosure in Japan. The findings suggest that on average 8 banks out of a sample of 46 disclose optimal corporate governance information. The regression model results reveal in general that non-executive directors, cross-ownership, capital adequacy ratio and type of auditors are associated with the extent of corporate governance disclosure. Of these four variables, non-executive directors have a more significant impact on the extent of disclosure contrary to total assets and audit firms of banks in the context of Japan. The findings of this paper are relevant for corporate regulators, professional associations and developers of corporate governance code when designing or updating corporate governance code

Enamel Caries Detection and Diagnosis:An Analysis of Systematic Reviews

Detection and diagnosis of caries-typically undertaken through a visual-tactile examination, often with supporting radiographic investigations-is commonly regarded as being broadly effective at detecting caries that has progressed into dentine and reached a threshold where restoration is necessary. With earlier detection comes an opportunity to stabilize disease or even remineralize the tooth surface, maximizing retention of tooth tissue and preventing a lifelong cycle of restoration. We undertook a formal comparative analysis of the diagnostic accuracy of different technologies to detect and inform the diagnosis of early caries using published Cochrane systematic reviews. Forming the basis of our comparative analysis were 5 Cochrane diagnostic test accuracy systematic reviews evaluating fluorescence, visual or visual-tactile classification systems, imaging, transillumination and optical coherence tomography, and electrical conductance or impedance technologies. Acceptable reference standards included histology, operative exploration, or enhanced visual assessment (with or without tooth separation) as appropriate. We conducted 2 analyses based on study design: a fully within-study, within-person analysis and a network meta-analysis based on direct and indirect comparisons. Nineteen studies provided data for the fully within-person analysis and 64 studies for the network meta-analysis. Of the 5 technologies evaluated, the greatest pairwise differences were observed in summary sensitivity points for imaging and all other technologies, but summary specificity points were broadly similar. For both analyses, the wide 95% prediction intervals indicated the uncertainty of future diagnostic accuracy across all technologies. The certainty of evidence was low, downgraded for study limitations, inconsistency, and indirectness. Summary estimates of diagnostic accuracy for most technologies indicate that the degree of certitude with which a decision is made regarding the presence or absence of disease may be enhanced with the use of such devices. However, given the broad prediction intervals, it is challenging to predict their accuracy in any future "real world" context

Assessment of Narrow-Body Transport Airplane Evacuation by Numerical Simulation

This paper presents the results obtained with a new agent-based computer model that can simulate the evacuation of narrow-body transport airplanes in the conditions prescribed by the airworthiness regulations for certification. The model, described in detail in a former paper, has been verified with real data of narrow-body certification demonstrations. Numerical simulations of around 20 narrow-body aircraft, representative of current designs in various market segments, show the capabilities of the model and provide relevant information on the relationship between cabin features and emergency evacuation. The longitudinal location of emergency exits seems to be even more important than their size or the overall margin with respect to the prescribed number and type of exits indicated by the airworthiness requirement