Traffic volume and waiting time influence on gap acceptance of selected change direction U-turn opening

The vehicles moving on change direction U-turn opening have to spend some time while the acceptable headway provided on conflicting main traffic flow. The present paper investigated the effect of waiting time and traffic volume increasing on gap acceptance behavior, critical gap limit, and U-turn capacity. The data were collected at selected change direction U-turn in Najaf city (center city of the Najaf governorate located approximately 160 km south of Baghdad, the capital of Iraq) within Najaf city highways network. The study concentrated on the passenger cars driver movement at change direction U-turn openings. The analysis approach depended on evaluating these parameters and their degree of influence on U-turn capacity is statistical analysis. statistical analysis established that, when waiting time fall in a range between 21- 30 sec, driver enforced to accept gap size less than that fall in the range of 11 to 20 sec at a confidence interval of 95%. On the other hand, there is a slightly different in mean gap acceptance between an interval of (1-10) and (11-20) sec) at the same confidence interval. Results showed the studied U- turn change direction median critical gap equal to 3.75 sec. and follow-up time was 1.1 seconds. According to Siegloch’s formula the maximum capacity of 3273pcu/ hr. At level of confidence of 95%, the mean value of the highest wait time group interval is lower than the critical gap. Therefore, the studied change direction U-turn might be hazard location and it is important to control and manage at the median opening

An assessment of the determinants of packaging in technology transfer to developing countries: a theoretical and empirical study

The primary aim of this thesis-is to expound and elaborate the-concept of "packaging" in international technology-transfer transactions, both theoretically and empirically. Certain hypotheses concerning the determinants of the packaging level in transfer transactions are put forward and subsequently examined in the light of empirical findings. The basic theoretical framework is elaborated within the first eight chapters. Apart from expounding relevant concepts, these discuss the variety of methods which may be utilized to transmit technology, drawing substantially on published theories and field studies. The notion of "packaging" is explored and five levels of packaging are put forward, whereby the different transfer methods are categorized, accordingly. Some of these chapters are concerned with matters closely allied to decisions regarding the packaging level. These include the role played by the country's technological infrastructure, financial aspects of technologytransmission, and the causes and effects of State legislation, policy, and regulation. The last eight chapters are devoted to the two-fold task of analysing Iraq's experience in technology-acquisition and the methodology and findings of the empirical study. The role of the State in industrial development and technology-transfer is elucidated, with primary emphasis on the decade of the 1970's. Also, the parts played by the private and mixed sectors are assessed, and the changes in the country's imports of technology products analysed. After initiating contact with a sample of British firms, a group was finally chosen after ascertaining that they had exported manufacturing equipment to Iraq. These companies were visited, resulting thereby in a core sample of 32 transfer cases. In each case relevant information was obtained from the visited firm. The data were subsequently analysed to derive the general features of the transactions in question, and the various hypotheses were subjected to statistical testing. The results of these tests have proved negative in some cases and positive in others. Accordingly certain quantitative relationships have been established, which express the association of the level of packaging with a few relevant variables

Treatment Outcomes of Treatment-Naïve Hepatitis C Patients co-infected with HIV: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational cohorts

Co-infection with Hepatitis C (HCV) and HIV is common and HIV accelerates hepatic disease progression due to HCV. However, access to HCV treatment is limited and success rates are generally poor

Designing educational simulation for impact test machine

We report the simulation models for enhancing the metacognitive skills. Mechanical Engineering students of Babylon Institute in Iraq are chosen for case study. The design of model and Impact Test Simulations (ITS) for Metallurgy subject is addressed. The simulation software developed using Microsoft Studio 2010 includes tutorials to explain all necessary theoretical background and formulas. Step-by-step computerized procedures and numerical examples are rendered in a simple user-friendly, visual and interactive environment to enhance metacognitive skills and students' learning. Before starting the design process, objectives and the salient features of simulation are clearly identified. Subsequently, real laboratory experiments are conducted for collecting data and coding them in computer language. Despite the existence of numerous module embedded graphical simulation, the developed software package is expected to provide valuable tool for both students and instructors. Furthermore, the same package in the form of a bi-product can also be used as a "research tool" together with the application for engineering education

Developing Educational Simulation for Rockwell Hardness Test Machine

The purpose of this paper is to analyze, develop, design, implement, and evaluate the engineering simulation model in metallurgy subject [Rockwell hardness test simulation (RHTS)], according to analyze, design, develop, implement, and evaluate (ADDIE) model and the Mechanical Engineering students of Babylon Institute in Iraq are chosen for case study. This paper presents the various steps involved in the simulation procedures. The detail simulation development process and its significant characteristics are highlighted. The flowchart of the model is rendered, displaying the different components used to develop the simulation algorithm using Microsoft Studio 2010 computer programming language. The advantages and limitations of the simulation model are identified by interviewing experts. The findings resulted from the simulated model reveal that the learners can learn easily and effectively. The developed software package is expected to provide valuable tool for both students and instructors. Furthermore, the same package in the form of a bi-product can also be used as a “research tool” together with the application for engineering education

Beamforming Array Antenna Technique Based on Partial Update Adaptive Algorithms

The most important issues for improving the performance of modern wireless communication systems are interference cancellation, efficient use of energy, improved spectral efficiency and increased system security. Beamforming Array Antenna (BAA) is one of the efficient methods used for this purpose. Full band BAA, on the other hand, will suffer from a large number of controllable elements, a long convergence time and the complexity of the beamforming network. Since no attempt had previously been made to use Partial Update (PU) for BAA, the main novelty and contribution of this paper was to use PU instead of full band adaptive algorithms. PU algorithms will connect to a subset of the array elements rather than all of them. As a result, a common number of working antennas for the system\u27s entire cells can be reduced to achieve overall energy efficiency and high cost-effectiveness. In this paper, we propose a new architectural model that employs PU adaptive algorithms to control and minimize the number of phase shifters, thereby reducing the number of base station antennas. We will concentrate on PU LMS (Least Mean Square) algorithms such as sequential-LMS, M-max LMS, periodic-LMS, and stochastic-LMS. According to simulation results using a Uniform Linear Array (ULA) and three communications channels, the M-max-LMS, periodic LMS, and stochastic LMS algorithms perform similarly to the full band LMS algorithm in terms of square error, tracking weight coefficients, and estimation input signal, with a quick convergence time, low level of error signal at steady state and keeping null steering\u27s interference-suppression capability intact

Elution properties of Newcastle disease virus from DEAE-cellulose

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1967 S52Master of Scienc

A flashlight on Hygiene Hypothesis

Is it necessary to live in too clean environment ? using of various types of sensitizer, cleaning soaps? or just like that live  naturally without any fear of  that expectant opportunistic creatures that may invade our bodies with all their deleterious weapons!  Over use of such means may be simply two edges sword. This is the premise of the puzzle (hygiene hypothesis),our environment is too clean and our immune systems are no longer as heavily taxed with fighting off germs and bacteria. Increased rates of  allergies and other conditions like asthma partly attributed to deviation in immune response because of poor immune response towards the infectious agents might be caught by normal contact with them

Outcomes of clofazimine for the treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Current anti-tuberculosis therapeutics are not sufficiently effective against drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB), and there is a need for new drugs and therapeutic approaches. It has been proposed that repurposing clofazimine for DR-TB treatment might be one way to increase therapeutic options. Methods We conducted a systematic review of studies reporting on the efficacy and safety of clofazimine as part of combination therapy for DR-TB. Six databases and six conference abstract sites were searched from inception until April 2012. All studies involving the use of clofazimine in the treatment of DR-TB were included. Results Twelve studies, comprising 3489 patients across 10 countries, were included in this review. Treatment success ranged from 16.5% (95% CI 2.7%-38.7%) to 87.8% (95% CI 76.8%-95.6%), with an overall pooled proportion of 61.96% achieving treatment success (95% CI 52.79%-71.12%) (τ2 0.07). Mortality, treatment interruptions, defaulting and adverse events were all in line with DR-TB treatment outcomes overall. The most commonly reported adverse events were gastrointestinal disturbances and skin pigmentation. Conclusions The available evidence to date suggests that clofazimine could be considered as an additional therapeutic option in the treatment of DR-TB. The optimal dose of clofazimine and duration of use require further investigatio