Studying and Analysing Transactional Memory Using Interval Temporal Logic and AnaTempura

Transactional memory (TM) is a promising lock-free synchronisation technique which offers a high-level abstract parallel programming model for future chip multiprocessor (CMP) systems. Moreover, it adapts the well-established popular paradigm of transactions and thus provides a general and flexible way to allow programs to read and modify disparate memory locations atomically as a single operation. In this thesis, we propose a general framework for validating a TM design, starting from a formal specification into a hardware implementation, with its underpinning theory and refinement. A methodology in this work starts with a high-level and executable specification model for an abstract TM with verification for various correctness conditions of concurrent transactions. This model is constructed within a flexible transition framework that allows verifying correctness of a TM system with animation. Then, we present a formal executable specification for a chip-dual single-cycle MIPS processor with a cache coherence protocol and integrate the provable TM system. Finally, we transform the dual processors with the TM from a high-level description into a Hardware Description Language (VHDL), using some proposed refinement and restriction rules. Interval Temporal Logic (ITL) and its programming language subset AnaTempura are used to build, execute and test the model, since they together provide a powerful framework supporting logical reasoning about time intervals as well as programming and simulation

Organization of Multi-Agent Systems: An Overview

In complex, open, and heterogeneous environments, agents must be able to reorganize towards the most appropriate organizations to adapt unpredictable environment changes within Multi-Agent Systems (MAS). Types of reorganization can be seen from two different levels. The individual agents level (micro-level) in which an agent changes its behaviors and interactions with other agents to adapt its local environment. And the organizational level (macro-level) in which the whole system changes it structure by adding or removing agents. This chapter is dedicated to overview different aspects of what is called MAS Organization including its motivations, paradigms, models, and techniques adopted for statically or dynamically organizing agents in MAS.Comment: 12 page

Estimation of Aluminum Level in Locally Packaged Milk Powder

This study was conducted to estimate Aluminum level (Al) in locally packaged milk powder, discussing its public health effect and suggesting recommendations to avoid such contamination. Therefore, fifty random samples of locally packaged milk powder were collected from different markets and pharmacies in Assiut Governorate, Egypt. These samples were digested and Al levels were estimated using HR-CS (High Resolution Continuum Source Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer) and compared with Maximum Permissible Limit (MPL). About 96% of milk powder samples were containing Al with an average value of 0.086 mg/L and fortunately were lower than MPL. The present study revealed that milk powder contains aluminum element in variable concentrations above the toxicity levels. Therefore, to lower aluminum content, it is important to avoid the sources of contamination

Determination of caffeine in roasted and irradiated coffee beans with gamma rays by high performance liquid chromatography

The present study was carried out to investigate a simple, quick and organic solvent saving procedure for the high performance liquid chromatography determination of caffeine in two different coffee beans (Indonesian and Brazilian) which roasted at two different temperatures (150 & 220 ºC) and irradiated at 3, 6, and 9 kGy doses by gamma rays. A linear calibration curve was generated with caffeine concentration ranging from 0.005 to 0.25 mg/g with correlation coefficient (R2= 0.9995, n=4) and relative standard deviation ? 2.1 %. The developed procedure provided a 7.3 x 10-9 mg/g and 2.2 x 10-8 mg/g limit of detection and limit of quantification, respectively. The developed method was repeatable and could be applied to determine trace amounts of caffeine in popular irradiated coffee beans with three different irradiation doses. Moreover, irradiation treatments at doses up to 9 kGy showed no significant effect on the caffeine content. Keywords: Caffeine determination; High performance liquid chromatography;  Coffee bean; Roasting; Gamma rays; Statistical analysi

Real time web-based toolbox for computer vision

The last few years have been strongly marked by the presence of multimedia data (images and videos) in our everyday lives. These data are characterized by a fast frequency of creation and sharing since images and videos can come from different devices such as cameras, smartphones or drones. The latter are generally used to illustrate objects in different situations (airports, hospitals, public areas, sport games, etc.). As result, image and video processing algorithms have got increasing importance for several computer vision applications such as motion tracking, event detection and recognition, multimedia indexation and medical computer-aided diagnosis methods. In this paper, we propose a real time cloud-based toolbox (platform) for computer vision applications. This platform integrates a toolbox of image and video processing algorithms that can be run in real time and in a secure way. The related libraries and hardware drivers are automatically integrated and configured in order to offer to users an access to the different algorithms without the need to download, install and configure software or hardware. Moreover, the platform offers the access to the integrated applications from multiple users thanks to the use of Docker (Merkel, 2014) containers and images. Experimentations were conducted within three kinds of algorithms: 1. image processing toolbox. 2. Video processing toolbox. 3. 3D medical methods such as computer-aided diagnosis for scoliosis and osteoporosis.  These experimentations demonstrated the interest of our platform for sharing our scientific contributions related to computer vision domain. The scientific researchers could be able to develop and share easily their applications fastly and in a safe way

Investigation into The Filterability of Raw Sugars from Different Geographical Regions of The World

This  study  was  carried  out  at  Al khaleej  Sugar  Refinery  in  Dubai, United   Arab   Emirates.  The  study  aimed  to  find  out  the  correlation  between  the  filterability  and  slurry  resistance  values  of   raw  melt  liquor  in  the  carbonation sugar  refinery  and   the  raw  sugar  quality.  The investigation utilized 5 raw sugar samples collected from various regions of the world comprising three quality groups namely; Low Pol sugar (LP) from Thailand, Very High Pol sugar (VHP)   from  Brazil , South-Africa , Sudan , India , and  Very  Very High Pol  sugar ( VVHP )    from  Brazil. The  filterability  and  the  slurry  resistance  tests  were  used  as the main determining factors for the evaluation. The  filterability  of  refined  sugar  (considered  as 100 % ) was  used  as  a reference  value  for comparison. The  results  of  the  experiments  showed  that  the  filterability  of (L P)  raw  sugar  was only about 20% from that of  refined sugar. Whereas the filterability  values  for  (VHP) and  (VVHP) sugars  ranged  between 40% to 80%  from  that  of  refined  sugar.  In addition, the  slurry  resistance  values  for  VHP  and VVHP  sugars  in the  laboratory  were  0.76  and  0.64  respectively  compared  to 0.74 and 0.48  in  the  refinery  production line. It was also observed that there is a close similarity between laboratory filterability and slurry resistance with the actual refinery filtration process which suggests that the laboratory filterability and slurry resistance tests could  be  used  as tool to predict the  behavior  of  the refinery  filtration process  for  similar  qualities  of  raw  sugar

The Role of Knowledge Management in Higher Education Institutions (Colleges and Universities)

The objective of this study is to understand the role of knowledge management in higher education institutions. This study aims to know to review the literature on knowledge management in general and its application to higher education institutions in particular. This study shows the importance of the KM in the academic sector or the role of the KM in advancing higher education. Indeed, the academic environment is a treasure trove of knowledge, but it is not well organized and therefore also useless and leads to repetition of the activity. However, KM has been accepted in a large number of sectors, organizations, institutes, universities, colleges, and the higher education sector in general, and the full potential of KM has been delivered. Previous research also sought to shed light on the importance of linking study with higher education. The contribution of this study is a practical and actionable step-by-step plan as well as a theoretical framework for the importance of the role of successful knowledge management in higher education institutions

Prevalence of Obesity among Students in Private and Public high Schools in Sulaimani City

Background: There is an increasing concern about obesity among children and adolescents worldwide as they constitute 20% of the world population. Several predisposing factors are contributing to the obesity that can be monitored, particularly healthy diet and physical activities. Addressing those factors among children and adolescents lead to decreasing health related conditions. Objective: To investigate the prevalence rate of obesity, sociodemographic, dietary habits, lifestyle and knowledge factors among adolescents attending private and public schools in Sulaimani city, Iraq. Patients and Methods: Through a school-based cross-sectional study from October 2021 to April 2022, a total of 576 students in high schools located in Sulaimani city, Kurdistan Region, Iraq were studied. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on students’ sociodemographic characteristics, physical activities, dietary habits and knowledge. Body mass index was measured based on WHO Growth Reference for 5 to 19 years of age. Results: The obesity prevalence rate in private schools (36.11%) was higher than public schools (31.6%) (P=0.5890) however, the difference was not statistically significant. The majority of students in private schools exercised more frequently and for a longer duration; however, they ate more red meat, less dairy produce and had a higher fast food intake. Conclusion: The prevalence of obesity is slightly higher among students in private schools than the students in public schools

An investigation into the current utilisation and prospective of renewable energy resources and technologies in Libya

With the increase in energy demand and the international drive to reduce carbon emission from fossil fuel, there has been a drive in many oil-rich countries to diversify their energy portfolio and resources. Libya is currently interested in utilising its renewable energy resources in order to reduce the financial and energy dependency on oil reserves. This paper investigates the current utilisation and the future of renewable energy in Libya. Interviews have been conducted with managers, consultants and decision makers from different government organisations including energy policy makers, energy generation companies and major energy consumers. The results indicate that Libya is rich in renewable energy resources but in urgent need of a more comprehensive energy strategy and detailed implementation including reasonable financial and educational investment in the renewable energy sector

Joint lot sizing and scheduling of a multi-product multi-period supply chain

The joint lot sizing and scheduling problem can be considered as an evolvement of the joint economic lot size problem which has drawn researchers’ interests for decades. The objective of this paper is to find the effect of a capacitated multi-period supply chain design parameters on joint lot sizing and scheduling decisions for different holding and penalty costs. The supply chain deals with two raw materials suppliers. The production facility produces two products which are shipped to customers through distribution centers. A mathematical model is developed to determine optimum quantities of purchased raw materials, production schedule (MPS), delivered quantities and raw material and products inventory for predetermined number of periods. The model is solved to maximize total supply chain profits. Results showed that at high capacity and low holding cost, the supply chain tends to produce only one product each period, for limited capacity and high value of holding cost, the supply chain may produce the two products together each period