Utilization of waste as a constituent ingredient for enhancing thermal performance of bricks – a review paper

In view of the environmental regulations, practitioners have been inclined to use bricks with higher insulation capability, however with minimal attention to sustainable material composition, let alone waste material. From a research perspective, in the wake of the growing concerns for the environment, the use of waste material to develop bricks which can exhibit suitable characteristics attributed to the material composition has been on the rise. However, the extant literature on utilization of waste materials for brick mix design has neglected to provide detailed literature review on the influence of waste materials on the thermal performance of bricks. Methods: This paper provides detailed review of research conducted on thermal properties of bricks produced from various types of waste. Influence of the method of manufacturing and type of waste on thermal performance of bricks is discussed. A sustainability selection criteria format is provided to assist optimal decision making in considering alternative sustainable waste material. Findings: A sustainability selection criteria format is provided to assist optimal decision making in considering alternative sustainable waste material. Applications: The outcome of this paper can serve as a common reference for practitioners and researchers attempting to seek out solutions for further improving overall quality of thermally insulated waste-incorporated bricks, paving the way for more focused research on waste utilization in the development of more sustainable wall material based on the current brick production process

A Hybrid Algorithm for Improving the Quality of Service in MANET

A mobile ad-hoc network (MANET) exhibits a dynamic topology with flexible infrastructure. The MANET nodes may serve as both host and router functionalities. The routing feature of the MANET is a stand-alone multi-hop mobile network that can be utilized in many real-time applications. Therefore, identifying paths that ensure high Quality of Service (QoS), such as their topology and applications is a vital issue in MANET. A QoS-aware protocol in MANETs aims to find more efficient paths between the source and destination nodes of the network and, hence, the requirements of the QoS. This paper proposes a different hybrid algorithm that combines Cellular Automata (CA) with the African Buffalo Optimization (ABO), CAABO, to improve the QoS of MANETs. The CAABO optimizes the path selection in the ad-hoc on-demand distance vector (AODV) routing protocol. The test results show that with the aid of the CAABO, the AODV manifests energy and delay-aware routing protocol

A Fuzzy Case-Based Reasoning Model for Software Requirements Specifications Quality Assessment

Different software Quality Assurance (SQA) audit techniques are applied in the literature to determine whether the required standards and procedures within the Software Requirements Specification (SRS) phase are adhered to. The inspection of the Software Requirements Specification (iSRS) system is an analytical assurance tool which is proposed to strengthen the ability to scrutinize how to optimally create high-quality SRSs. The iSRS utilizes a Case-Based Reasoning (CBR) model in carrying out the SRS quality analysis based on the experience of the previously analyzed cases. This paper presents the contribution of integrating fuzzy Logic technique in the CBR steps to form a Fuzzy Case-Based Reasoning (FCBR) model for improving the reasoning and accuracy of the iSRS system. Additionally, for efficient cases retrieval in the CBR, relevant cases selection and nearest cases selection heuristic search algorithms are used in the system. Basically, the input to the relevant cases algorithm is the available cases in the system case base and the output is the relevant cases. The input to the nearest cases algorithm is the relevant cases and the output is the nearest cases. The fuzzy Logic technique works on the selected nearest cases and it utilizes similarity measurement methods to classify the cases into no-match, partial-match and complete-match cases. The features matching results assist the revised step of the CBR to generate a new solution. The implementation of the new FCBR model shows that converting numerical representation to qualitative terms simplifies the matching process and improves the decision-making of the system

A general framework of genetic multi-agent routing protocol for improving the performance of MANET environment

These days, the fields of Mobile Ad hoc Network (MANET) have provided increasing prevalence and consequently, MANET is now a subject of considerable significance for the researchers to instigate research activities. MANET is the collaborative commitment of an assemblage of portable (or mobile) hubs (or nodes) without the necessary mediation of any unified (or centralized) gateway (or access point) or existent framework. There exists a growing inclination or course to embrace MANET for business utilization. MANET is a rising domain of research to give different services in communication to end-clients or consumers. However, these communication services of MANET utilize a large amount of transfer speed (or bandwidth) and a huge measure of web speed. Bandwidth optimization is essential in different information interchanges for fruitful acknowledgement and the application of such a technological innovation. This paper integrates the Genetic Algorithm (GA) and the Multi-Agent System (MAS) to improve the QoS requirements. The proposed framework called Genetic Multi-Agent Routing Protocol (GMARP). The aims of the proposed framework are to utilize the benefits of both approaches in order to fulfil QoS such as (delay, bandwidth, and the number of hops) in the different types of routing conventions (or protocols) such as being (proactive and reactive). In this paper is a simulation scenario to demonstrate the ability of the proposed framework to be satisfied with QoS requirements

A collaborated genetic with lion optimization algorithms for improving the quality of forwarding in a vehicular ad-hoc network

Vehicular ad-hoc network (VANET) is dynamic and it works on various noteworthy applications in intelligent transportation systems (ITS). In general, routing overhead is more in the VANETs due to their properties. Hence, need to handle this issue to improve the performance of the VANETs. Also due to its dynamic nature collision occurs. Up till now, we have had immense complexity in developing the multi-constrained network with high quality of forwarding (QoF). To solve the difficulties especially to control the congestion this paper introduces an enhanced genetic algorithmbased lion optimization for QoF-based routing protocol (EGA-LOQRP) in the VANET network. Lion optimization routing protocol (LORP) is an optimization-based routing protocol that can able to control the network with a huge number of vehicles. An enhanced genetic algorithm (EGA) is employed here to find the best possible path for data transmission which leads to meeting the QoF. This will result in low packet loss, delay, and energy consumption of the network. The exhaustive simulation tests demonstrate that the EGA-LOQRP routing protocol improves performance effectively in the face of congestion and QoS assaults compared to the previous routing protocols like Ad hoc on-demand distance vector (AODV), ant colony optimization-AODV (ACO-AODV) and traffic aware segmentAODV (TAS-AODV)

Future Greener Seaports:A Review of New Infrastructure, Challenges, and Energy Efficiency Measures

Recently, the application of renewable energy sources (RESs) for power distribution systems is growing immensely. This advancement brings several advantages, such as energy sustainability and reliability, easier maintenance, cost-effective energy sources, and ecofriendly. The application of RESs in maritime systems such as port microgrids massively improves energy efficiency and reduces the utilization of fossil fuels, which is a serious threat to the environment. Accordingly, ports are receiving several initiatives to improve their energy efficiency by deploying different types of RESs based on the power electronic converters. This paper conducts a systematic review to provide cutting-edge state-of-the-art on the modern electrification and infrastructure of seaports taking into account some challenges such as the environmental aspects, energy efficiency enhancement, renewable energy integration, and legislative and regulatory requirements. Moreover, the technological methods, including electrifications, digitalization, onshore power supply applications, and energy storage systems of ports, are addressed. Furthermore, details of some operational strategies such as energy-aware operations and peak-shaving are delivered. Besides, the infrastructure scheme to enhance the energy efficiency of modern ports, including port microgrids and seaport smart microgrids are delivered. Finally, the applications of nascent technologies in seaports are presented

Linking Work Environment, Team and Co-worker Relationship and Organization Well-being in Increasing Employee Engagement

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to propose a conceptual framework on the key determinant of employee engagement. This paper is designed to study the three determinants that will impact on employee engagement. Three key determinants will be used as independent variables which are work environment, team and co-worker relationship, and organization well-being. Employee engagement acts as a dependent variable. Methodology: This is a causal study that has used qualitative exploratory methodology to draw propositions about the phenomenon under study. Findings: The findings of the study that supported by The Social Exchange Theory (SET) and The Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) were expected to produce significant relationship between work environment, team and co-worker relationship and organization well-being on employee engagement. Practical implication: A deep focus should be given to the factors that can enhance work environment, team and co-worker relationship as well as providing supportive organizational well-being to ensure the employees in their organization is fully engaged. Social implication: The determinant of employee engagement will promote a healthy and positive working environment that can contribute to positive and healthy life in social community

A New Collaborative Multi-Agent Monte Carlo Simulation Model for Spatial Correlations Air Pollutions Global Risk Assessment

Air pollution risk assessment is complex due to dynamic data change and pollution source distribution. Air quality index concentration level prediction is an effective method of protecting public health by providing the means for an early warning against harmful air pollution. However, air quality index-based prediction is challenging as it depends on several complicated factors resulting from dynamic nonlinear air quality time-series data, such as dynamic weather patterns and the verity and distribution of air pollution sources. Subsequently, some minimal models have incorporated time series-based predicting air quality index at a global level (for a particular city or various cities). These models require interaction between the multiple air pollution sensing sources and additional parameters like wind direction and wind speed. The existing methods in predicting air quality index cannot handle short-term dependencies. These methods also mostly neglect the spatial correlations between the different parameters. Moreover, the assumption of selecting the most recent part of the air quality time series is not valid considering that pollution is cyclic behavior according to various events and conditions due to the high possibility of falling into the trap of local minimum and poor generalization. Therefore, this pa-per proposes a new air pollution global risk assessment (APGRA) model for predicting spatial correlations air quality index risk assessment to address these issues. The APGRA model incorporates autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA), Monte-Carlo simulation, and collaborative multi-agent system, and prediction algorithm for reducing air quality index prediction error and processing time. The proposed APGRA model is evaluated based on Malaysia and China real-world air quality datasets. The proposed APGRA model improves the average root mean squared error by 41%, mean and absolute error by 47.10% compared with the conventional ARIMA and ANFIS models

The Efficiency of Corn Solution as a Cytological Fixative in Buccal Smear

Background: Corn Syrup is food syrup higher of carbohydrate, depending on grade. The study aimed to assess efficiency of Corn syrup as cytological fixative. Subjects and methods: This was laboratory based study, it has been conducted at Elrazi University included   apparently 30 healthy students have been involved in this study. Results: Out of 30 smears fixed with 95% alcohol, 76.7% (n=23) shows excellent nuclear stain, 23.3% (n= 7)   shows good nuclear stain. 70% (n=21) show excellent cytoplasmic stain, 26.7% (n=8) shows good cytoplasmic stain, 3.3% (n=1) shows poor cytoplasmuc stain.    Out of 30 smears fixed with corn solution, 60% (n=18) shows excellent nuclear stain, 40% (n=12) good nuclear stain, 3.3 % (n=1) shows excellent cytoplasmic stain, 83.3% (n=25) shows good cytoplasmic stain, 13.3% (n=4) shows bad cytoplasmic stain. Conclusion: Study concluded that Corn syrup can be used as cytological fixative alternatively to 95% ethyl alcohol

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London