Optimal design of water distribution systems based on entropy and topology

A new multi-objective evolutionary optimization approach for joint topology and pipe size design of water distribution systems is presented. The algorithm proposed considers simultaneously the adequacy of flow and pressure at the demand nodes; the initial construction cost; the network topology; and a measure of hydraulic capacity reliability. The optimization procedure is based on a general measure of hydraulic performance that combines statistical entropy, network connectivity and hydraulic feasibility. The topological properties of the solutions are accounted for and arbitrary assumptions regarding the quality of infeasible solutions are not applied. In other words, both feasible and infeasible solutions participate in the evolutionary processes; solutions survive and reproduce or perish strictly according to their Pareto-optimality. Removing artificial barriers in this way frees the algorithm to evolve optimal solutions quickly. Furthermore, any redundant binary codes that result from crossover or mutation are eliminated gradually in a seamless and generic way that avoids the arbitrary loss of potentially useful genetic material and preserves the quality of the information that is transmitted from one generation to the next. The approach proposed is entirely generic: we have not introduced any additional parameters that require calibration on a case-by-case basis. Detailed and extensive results for two test problems are included that suggest the approach is highly effective. In general, the frontier-optimal solutions achieved include topologies that are fully branched, partially- and fully-looped and, for networks with multiple sources, completely separate sub-networks

High Studies Deanery Faculty of Commerce Business Administration Department

This study aimed to show the influence of information overload on the decision making process, using the descriptive analytical method to study the influence of information overload represented through three dimensions (email overload, information characteristics and information & communication technology). The study was applied on INGOs that work in Gaza Strip. The questionnaire was used as a data collection tool. The study population was (106) who are all managers (Top and Middle levels Management) in INGOs. A census has been used for the target population. Because of the policy of some organizations regarding confidentiality and privacy of work environment, only (86) questionnaires were collected and all were retrieved and analyzed. Results of the analysis of the questionnaire data demonstrate significant relationship of information overload with the managers ‘decision making process

Vandalization of the tomb of Sheikh Shihab ed-Din

Sheikh Shihab ed-Din lived during the Ayyubid period (1187-1250 A.D.). When he died, followed by his two sons, the three of them were buried close to each other at a site known by Saffa residents as ed-Deir and/or Shihab ed-Din. The sacred place of the Sheikh, now recognized as an archaeological site, covers an area of about 1,700 square meters encompassing the shrine itself, a Late Islamic cemetery, a Byzantine wine-press, three cisterns, a Byzantine monastery, and remains of other ancient walls from different periods. The majority of the people of Saffa, along with and some residents of the larger Ramallah province, believe that the Sheikh enjoys a distinguished charisma from God. Therefore, until the mid-1980s the sacred place of Sheikh Shihab ed-Din was a center of attention for many people of Saffa and the surrounding villages, in order to gain the blessing of the Sheikh and obtain the benefits of his supernatural power. Despite this distinctive respect given to the personality of the Sheikh and his sacred place over the past centuries, in 2015 an as-yet unknown group vandalized the shrine and completely disrupted and destroyed the graves of the Sheikh and his two sons

A Study of Himreen Reservoir Water Quality Using in Situ Measurement and Remote Sensing Techniques

The use of remote sensing and GIS in water monitoring and management has been long recognized. This paper is an  application of remote sensing technique and in situ measurement for monitoring water quality parameters of Himreen Dam reservoir water. Himreen dam  constructed in 1980 lies in Diyala governorate east part of  IRAQ  is used mainly for Control Diyala river flood and  power generation. The output results shows that high correlation found between reflectance values were extracted from landsat TM 1989 and ETM+ 2002 images with water depth and its turbidity and there is no sources of thermal pollution in water. Generally, Himreen reservoir water can be classified according to the  standard Specification (US Standards) as good  medium salt water. Keywords: Remote sensing, Water quality, Himreen reservoir, Landsat  TM and ETM+ images

A clay bread stamp from Khirbet et-Tireh

The clay bread stamp presented here was found at in a monastic complex dating to the Late Byzantine-Early Islamic period at Khirbet et-Tireh, approximately 16 km northwest of Jerusalem. The stamp, which consists of a cross and other simple geometrics, is of fired clay and is notable both for its workmanship and for surviving almost completely intact. Based on the monastic context of the find, plus the stamp's relatively small size, it was probably used to decorate small individual loaves, perhaps as sacramental bread.We are grateful to my B.A. archaeology students for their tireless efforts over the course of the excavation season of 2014. Thanks are also extended to Feryal Nasser for her encouragement and financial assistance, which has made possible the publication of this study. Finally, I would like to thank Tom Powers for his constructive proofreading and comments on the draft of this work

REMOTE SENSING AND GIS TECHNIQUES FOR URBAN GROWTH MONITORING OF BASARAH CITY

Basarah city has experienced a rapid urban expansion over the last decades dueto accelerated economic growth. This paper reports an investigation into the application ofthe integration of remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) for detectingurban built up growth for the period 1973 - 2002, and evaluate its impact on theenvironmental situation of Basarah city by analyzing the spatial distribution of urbanexpansion according to land cover types and normalized difference vegetation index(NDVI). The integration of remote sensing and GIS was found to be effective inmonitoring and analyzing urban growth patterns and in evaluating urbanization impact onsurface conditions of Baghdad area