Sparse Long Blocks and the Micro-Structure of the Longest Common Subsequences

Consider two random strings having the same length and generated by an iid sequence taking its values uniformly in a fixed finite alphabet. Artificially place a long constant block into one of the strings, where a constant block is a contiguous substring consisting only of one type of symbol. The long block replaces a segment of equal size and its length is smaller than the length of the strings, but larger than its square-root. We show that for sufficiently long strings the optimal alignment corresponding to a Longest Common Subsequence (LCS) treats the inserted block very differently depending on the size of the alphabet. For two-letter alphabets, the long constant block gets mainly aligned with the same symbol from the other string, while for three or more letters the opposite is true and the block gets mainly aligned with gaps. We further provide simulation results on the proportion of gaps in blocks of various lengths. In our simulations, the blocks are "regular blocks" in an iid sequence, and are not artificially inserted. Nonetheless, we observe for these natural blocks a phenomenon similar to the one shown in case of artificially-inserted blocks: with two letters, the long blocks get aligned with a smaller proportion of gaps; for three or more letters, the opposite is true. It thus appears that the microscopic nature of two-letter optimal alignments and three-letter optimal alignments are entirely different from each other.Comment: To appear: Journal of Statistical Physic

A Monte Carlo Approach to the Fluctuation Problem in Optimal Alignments of Random Strings

The problem of determining the correct order of fluctuation of the optimal alignment score of two random strings of length $n$ has been open for several decades. It is known [12] that the biased expected effect of a random letter-change on the optimal score implies an order of fluctuation linear in √$n$. However, in many situations where such a biased effect is observed empirically, it has been impossible to prove analytically. The main result of this paper shows that when the rescaled-limit of the optimal alignment score increases in a certain direction, then the biased effect exists. On the basis of this result one can quantify a confidence level for the existence of such a biased effect and hence of an order √$n$ fluctuation based on simulation of optimal alignments scores. This is an important step forward, as the correct order of fluctuation was previously known only for certain special distributions [12],[13],[5],[10]. To illustrate the usefulness of our new methodology, we apply it to optimal alignments of strings written in the DNA-alphabet. As scoring function, we use the BLASTZ default-substitution matrix together with a realistic gap penalty. BLASTZ is one of the most widely used sequence alignment methodologies in bioinformatics. For this DNA-setting, we show that with a high level of confidence, the fluctuation of the optimal alignment score is of order Θ(√$n$). An important special case of optimal alignment score is the Longest Common Subsequence (LCS) of random strings. For binary sequences with equiprobably symbols the question of the fluctuation of the LCS remains open. The symmetry in that case does not allow for our method. On the other hand, in real-life DNA sequences, it is not the case that all letters occur with the same frequency. So, for many real life situations, our method allows to determine the order of the fluctuation up to a high confidence level

Major animal health problems of market oriented livestock development in Fogera woreda

This study was carried out in Fogera Woreda of the Amhara Regional State with the objective of characterizing the livestock production system and investigating the major livestock health problems in the area. A simple random sampling method was used to select 80 households for the study. A structured questionnaire was prepared and the heads of selected households were interviewed to collect data on production system characteristics and the importance of livestock health problems. In addition, there was also a participatory discussion with group of farmers to work out disease trend and identify constraints. Clinical cases of livestock diseases appearing in the Woreda Veterinary Clinic were also examined and recorded. The average family size, land holding and livestock herd size in this study were 5.58 persons, 2.96 ha, and 46.59 heads,respectively. Mixed crop-livestock production system is the predominant system in the area. The livestock herd was dominated by cattle and sheep while the cattle herd was dominated by oxen and cows. The role of cattle in the farming system is as a source of traction power to the crop production while small ruminants were used as a source of income. Equines were used as pack and transport animals. The livestock feeding practice was mainly based on farm feed resources (crop residues and natural pasture). About 43.75% provided housing for livestock while the rest keep their animals in the open. Uncontrolled natural mating was used by 68.75% of the farmers while 20% used controlled natural mating and 11.25% used AI. Trypanosomosis, fasciolosis, gastro-intestinal helminthes and calf diarrhea were the most important diseases of cattle. Respiratory problems were most important in small ruminants. PPR like disease and mange were common in goats while fascilosis and other gastro-intestinal helminthes were important in sheep, respectively. Colic, wound and respiratory disease complex were considered as important in donkeys. Modern veterinary medicaments were known and used by most of the farmers, but traditional medicines were also used to a significant extent

Effect of Confinement and Temperature on the Behavior of EPS Geofoam

EPS geofoam blocks underlying compacted soil and structural loads become subjected to multi-axial loading. Effects of confining pressure on the stress-strain behavior of EPS geofoam have been investigated in previous studies. Some studies found increases in confining stress lead to corresponding decreases in both modulus and compressive strength. Increasing confining stress has also been reported to result in higher compressive strength. Regardless of the sense and attributed significance of the effects of confinement on EPS geofoam behavior, the implied effects on performance are generally not considered in practice. A series of triaxial compression tests were conducted on EPS geofoams of different densities over a range of confining pressures. Results from the investigation indicate increases in confinement lead to decrease in yield stress and post yield compressive resistances, depending on the EPS density and range of confining pressures. The practical significances of confining stress effects are discussed. An approach for incorporating the more significant effects of confining stress on EPS geofoam behavior is considered. Evaluations of EPS-soil-structure interactions require reasonable representation of stress-strain relationships for numerical modeling. A method proposed in this work uses density of geofoam block and resin material properties to represent the stress-strain response of EPS geofoam. The stress-strain curves obtained from such representation are compared with results from laboratory tests and models by others. The stress-strain curves generated by the proposed method predict very well the relations especially for denser geofoams. A modified hyperbolic stress-strain relationships that can account for confining stress effects is also proposed. The modified hyperbolic model only requires three parameters that can be obtained from triaxial tests. Prediction accuracy of this model is compared with data from triaxial tests which were not part of data sets used to obtain model parameters. Comparison is made with other models proposed by different authors and the stress-strain relationships obtained by this approach predict test data well. Characteristics of inherent and stress induced anisotropy of EPS geofoam was investigated by triaxial tests conducted on pre-stressed EPS geofoam. Induced anisotropy was observed to reduce the modulus significantly. A series of creep tests were performed on different densities of EPS geofoam with and without confining pressures. The results showed confining pressures can significantly affect the creep responses of EPS geofoam. Effects of confining pressures on creep deformations were more pronounced for lower densities. Creep tests were performed in a temperature controlled chamber to evaluate effects of cyclic temperatures. Coupled effects of temperature and creep were studied for different stress levels. Comparisons were made to actual field observations and FLAC model results. Strains and induced stresses from seasonal temperature variations were relatively small

Improving Quality of Education in Guna-Tana Landscape: Investigating Determinants of Grade Four Students Reading Literacy in Primary Schools in South Gondar, Ethiopia

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the determinants of reading literacy in selected primary schools in Guna-Tana landscape of South Gondar Zone. Specifically the study was designed to investigate the status of reading literacy achievement of student, examine whether the text book is relevant, assess the availability and utilization of teaching facilities, identify teachers’ professional competence, investigate the learning interest and motivation of students and identify the participation of parents in reading literacy. Accordingly a survey design with qualitative and quantitative approach was used.  From total target population students, 384 were selected randomly in 10 primary schools. All the available 100 teachers were taken comprehensively. For FDG parents, for interview principals and education experts were taken. In collecting the required data questioner for students and teachers, interview for principal and experts, standardized test for students, FGD for parents and observation checklist were used. The result showed that students perform 51.25 more or less equivalents to 50% of the minimum expectation of MoE in Ethiopian education and training policy. The socio-economic variables such as family size and parents’ education levels have brought problem in children reading literacy. Moreover, parental involvement by 6.2%, students’ interest and motivation by 17%, teachers competency and curriculum materials were determined the students reading literacy. The availability and utilization of instructional materials, the library facilities, pedagogical centers, and relative conducive class room and schools infrastructural facilities affected the reading literacy performance of students in the study area. As a result necessary suggestions were given on basic thematic areas for improving reading literacy. Keywords: Reading literacy, Quality of education, reading competency Guna-Tana landscape DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-22-01 Publication date:August 31st 202

The Assessment of Customer Satisfaction in ATM Service at Commercial Bank of Ethiopia in Wolaita Sodo Branch

The general objective of the study to customer satisfaction on ATM service at commercial bank of Ethiopia in Wolaita Sodo Branch. The use of convenience sampling technique .Every data pertaining to this study was been collected from primary and secondary sources. Primary sources of data collected through structured personal interview and questioners to selected respondents and secondary sources of data were collected from books, office manuals, Websites and different documents that provide relevant information to achieve the objective of the study. The data were collected though questionnaires from ATM users of the bank. Questionnaires were distributed to 92 respondents are selected based on convenient sampling techniques. After collecting the data were processed and analyzed by descriptive analysis using table. Finally the researcher forward and recommendation to the organization that discovered factors that affect customer satisfaction in ATM service

RESPIRATORY FUNCTION AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS IN THE KENTUCKY WOMEN’S HEALTH REGISTRY

From the University of Kentucky Women’s Health Registry Database (KWHRD) a total of 1838 women were voluntarily asked to undergo Spirometric respiratory function tests. These women came to the clinic for various reasons. Various independent variables (risk factors) were also recorded for these women. Among these risk factors were: age, BMI, smoking status, asthmatic status, educational status and ethnicity. The purpose of the study was to investigate whether any of the risk factors had significant impacts on women’s respiratory health. Appropriate categorizations were tabulated for each risk factor so that comparisons would be possible and easier. The motivation of the research was to find out the negative outcomes of the statistical results of the comparisons of the independent and dependent variables, and develop preventive strategies to promote and improve women’s respiratory health in this specific population. SPSS 22 software was used to analyze the results of the above mentioned risk factors on respiratory function variables. Descriptive statistics, simple regression analysis and multiple analyses were employed. The results thus obtained demonstrate significant reduction as well as improvement in lung function. Aging is correlated with reduction in respiratory reduction. Increase in BMI, cigarette smoking and asthmatic status also reduce lung function. Educational status was found to have significant impact on women’s respiratory health. The higher the educational status the better the Spirometric measurement results would be. Ethnicity was not significant in the analysis. The public health implications of the study were to target the risk factors in Kentucky women in order to improve the respiratory function of women in this specific population. Educating, 2 empowering and awareness creation in women help to modify some of the behavioral risk patters to mitigate the negative health effects

Determinants of Procurement Performance in Wolaita Sodo University: Customers` Perception

The main purpose of this research was to identify the factors that determine procurement performance in Wolaita Sodo University. The specific objectives were to found out the influence of procurement planning, staff competency, top management support and work environment on procurement performance. The main focus of the study was Wolaita Sodo University. The study was guided by four Variables (Procurement planning, top management support, Staff Competency and Work Environment. The study employed causal research design. The target population was all procurement staff, college deans, officers and department heads in Wolaita Sodo University. These respondents are selected because they have the proximity and knowledge regarding procurement performance of Wolaita Sodo University. A questionnaire was the main data collection instruments. The study employs both quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques. In order to find out the determinants of procurement performance   a regression model was   used for analysis of the objectives. According to the research finding the four variables was tested by using regression model and Pearson correlation coefficient. So the three variables had found significant in influencing procurement performance and there is also a positive relationship between procurement performance and the three independent variables in Wolaita Sodo University. These variables are staff competency, top management support and work environment. Keywords: Determinants of Procurement performance, procurement planning, Staff competency, Management Support and Work Environmen