Augmenting Machine Learning with Information Retrieval to Recommend Real Cloned Code Methods for Code Completion

Software developers frequently reuse source code from repositories as it saves development time and effort. Code clones accumulated in these repositories hence represent often repeated functionalities and are candidates for reuse in an exploratory or rapid development. In previous work, we introduced DeepClone, a deep neural network model trained by fine tuning GPT-2 model over the BigCloneBench dataset to predict code clone methods. The probabilistic nature of DeepClone output generation can lead to syntax and logic errors that requires manual editing of the output for final reuse. In this paper, we propose a novel approach of applying an information retrieval (IR) technique on top of DeepClone output to recommend real clone methods closely matching the predicted output. We have quantitatively evaluated our strategy, showing that the proposed approach significantly improves the quality of recommendation

Implementing Lean Principles in Administrative Procedures: Registration Process for New Student Intake in Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM)

The purpose of this case study is to look at how “Lean Techniques and Principles” can be successfully introduce and implement in the higher education institution or university context.  In the last two decades, Lean techniques and principle has been applied to improve production system in manufacturing processes. Lean was introduced in the 1950s by Womack and Jones known as the Toyota Production System (TPS) by the legendary car manufacturer Toyota, the world’s most profitable automaker and have spent decades perfecting lean practices in the production. The method used was to produce more productivity while using fewer resources and identifying activities which creates value for customers, activities which do not create value but are required and actions which do not create value and can be eliminated. This case study demonstrates how “Lean Principles” can be adopted to the administration services particularly in the registration process for new student intake in USIM. The objective of this case study includes : to identify the needs of improving the registration process by eliminating the waste (Muda) such as time wastage, human resource wastage, to introduce the apparatus required to reduce and eliminate waste, to redesign the process using the lean techniques and principles to eliminate waste and to continually improve the process with the goal to achieve perfection for customer satisfaction and university’s reputation. How Lean Principles can transform the work process in the registration procedure, process efficiency, the reasons for implementing Lean in the process, minimize the lead time, minimize the financial cost and the role of management. This paper contains a comprehensive discussion and findings of the development of Lean principles and management through one of the models, namely; Value Stream Mapping (VSM) process which can enhance the operational process in the university environment to improve the process, particularly in the new student registration process

An Empirical Estimation of the Factors Affecting Demand and Supply of Poultry Meat

Poultry sector is one of the most important segments in agriculture sector of Pakistan. Despite growth in poultry sector, many new challenges including bird flu, fluctuating prices and higher cost of production have affected pace of development of this sector. The present study was conducted to evaluate the impact of various variables affecting supply of poultry birds and demand of poultry meat in Faisalabad, Pakistan. Cross sectional data were collected from 40 poultry farmers and 40 consumers selected randomly from Faisalabad city. Simple linear form of regression analysis was employed to estimate effect of major variables. Sale price of poultry birds, average cost of production and experience of the poultry farmers significantly (P<0.05) affected supply of poultry birds, whereas education of farmers and distance from markets had non-significant effect. Income of the consumers, family size and retail price of poultry meat were found significant variables, whereas age and education of consumers were non-significant variables affecting demand. A qualitative variable was used to capture effect of bird flu on supply and demand of poultry meat, which was found significant in both models. This finding establishes the serious implications of bird flu epidemic for poultry industry in Pakistan

The properties of three layer particleboard from oil palm fronds (elaeis guineensis) / Hammad Asyraf Abdul Rahman

Particleboard (PB) is a composite panel product consisting of cellulosic particles of various sizes that are bonded together with a synthetic resin or binder under heat and pressure. This study was undertaken is to determine the properties of three layer particleboard from oil palm fronds and to evaluate the properties of three layer particleboard from oil palm fronds by using different particle sizes and resin content. With that, this study use the oil palm fronds (OPF) because to reduce the wastage from oil palm biomass and overcome shortage of the wood supply. Experimental three layer PB panel. from OPF particles bonded with Phenol Formaldehyde (PF) Were produced with two different particle sizes (mm); 0.5/1.0/0.5 and 1.0/2.0/1.0 and two different resin content (%); 9/9/9 and 11/9/11. The results show the panels made with 0.5/1.0/0.5 particle size and 11/9/11 resin content showed better in MOR and MOE compare with other. Internal bond of panel manufactured using 0.5/1.0/0.5 with 11/9/11 was higher compare with panel manufactured using 1.0/2.0/1.0 with 9/9/9 and 11/9/11 resin content. Thickness swelling rate were slightly lower for PB manufactured using 9/9/9 compare 11/9/11

Financial Solace: Malaysian Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency Responses to COVID-19 Challenges

This study evaluates the measures undertaken by the Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency (AKPK) to assist those financially distressed due to their inability to meet their financial commitments amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Adopting secondary analysis of qualitative data, relevant secondary data, including journal articles, annual reports, and newspaper articles, were analyzed. The study finds that measures adopted by AKPK in response to the COVID-19 pandemic include reinforcing the workforce, enhancing IT infrastructures, deploying digital platforms, using various media channels, introducing online apps, online portals, online webinars, online learning modules, and online payment facility for all debt management participants. AKPK is also entrusted with handling small and medium enterprises (SMEs) under the Small Debt Resolution Scheme. A dedicated SME Helpdesk is established to facilitate the process. AKPK’s continual support to provide financial aid is reflected in its collaborative effort with the banking industry under the Financial Management and Resilience Program and the Financial Resilience Support Program. However, the government should seriously consider strengthening personal data protection laws because of AKPK’s significant reliance on digital platforms. Similarly, appropriate government bodies must take quick action to address the digital divide issue and promote inclusion to reduce disparity in terms of access to online services offered by AKPK. Also, since certain individuals or SMEs with credit facilities with entities not regulated by Bank Negara Malaysia are deprived of this incentive, relevant regulators should undertake actions to provide a similar facility. This study is significant in that it provides lessons to be learned by other credit counseling and debt management agencies in adopting effective measures to enable them to adapt to the new normal. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2023-SPER-011 Full Text: PD

Has the significance of incidental findings on unenhanced computed tomography for urolithiasis been overestimated? A retrospective review of over 800 patients

Objectives: To evaluate the detection of clinically unsuspected pathologies using 64-slice multidetector computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen in patients with flank pain. The presence of significant incidental findings (those warranting immediate management) was also correlated with that of urolithiasis, to assess potential changes of management.PATIENTS AND Methods: The study included 899 patients undergoing CT in a 6-month period between June and December 2008. Patients who were referred from outside, with no medical record in the hospital where the study was conducted, and those who were lost to follow-up, were excluded. All of the CT examinations were reported after a radiology resident and a consultant radiologist with \u3e4years of experience evaluated the CT. Genitourinary and extra-genitourinary findings were assessed and divided into clinically significant or not.Results: The overall incidence of additional and incidental findings was 14%. Besides urolithiasis and obstruction there were 34 (28%) genitourinary findings and 87 (72%) extra-genitourinary findings; most of the former were insignificant. Of the extra-genitourinary findings, significant diagnoses were documented in 34 cases.CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal multidetector CT detects more incidental findings which are clinically significant

SOS Application Under Android: Help Pro

Information and Communication Technologies are regularly used in medical services and associations around the world. An increasing number of devices running Android as Smartphones, smart TV and tablets, are comprehensively utilized for numerous purposes. For these devices, there are distinctive types of health and medical applications that provide an easy access to patients and their caretakers to save time [1]. In this work, we develop an Android application named Help Pro with an important goal: save lives by a single tap. In case of emergency, Help Pro users could have an ambulance available within 100 m of the user’s real-time location. Through the Dijkstra algorithm, this application employs Google Maps API (Application Programming Interface) to trace the nearest way in order to an available ambulance arrives on time. Consequently, not only time is efficiently saved but also precious lives.Open Access funding provided thanks to the CRUE-CSIC agreement with Springer Nature. Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga / CBUA