Reasoning by Analogy in a Multi-Level System Architecture for the Design of Mechanisms

Since the first attempts to integrate AI technology and engineering design nearly two decades ago, few expert systems have been shown to demonstrate sufficient reasoning capabilities to solve real-world design problems. The complex nature of design, the lack of understanding of the design process, and the limitations of current expert system technology have all been shown to have adverse effects on the maturity of this research area. Therefore, our direction in this research concentrates on understanding the design process, investigating a novel area of research focusing on creative design, and incorporating the results into a system model feasible for production use. The model presented is based on the concept of reusing past experience and existing cases to solve future design problems in different application domains. The resulting system performs its task by reasoning and learning by ANALOGY while utilizing the Logical-Building Block approach to design. Our method demonstrates the use of a case-based reasoner in conjunction with other existing techniques, such as heuristic reasoning and first principle reasoning, to produce a system with three levels of reasoning strategies. Such a system will exhibit a learning capability by which its performance is enhanced with repeated use. A prototype has been implemented and tested for the synthesis of various mechanisms

Civil Liability Arising from Hacking E-mail Information

It is completely easy to pass and send any electronic data everywhere to the persons you want in the world in a very quick and short time, regardless the size and the data type. This is due to the invention of electronic programs that help to save time and efforts. (the E – mail). As a result of this electronic development in the all related fields that serve humankind, a new encounter technology and illegal use of technology has occurred and used illegally by hackers to destroy and penetrate exclusive information for specific people. For this illegal hacking attempt requires the hackers to pay a fine, according to the international cybercrime law. Therefore, the UAE must necessarily issue a cybercrime law by referring to the general rules and civil liability in the law of transactions to punish the electronic hackers

Legal Evaluation of the Regulation of the Unified Motor Vehicle Insurance Policy: A comparative Study

The need Settlement of disputes arising from bank credit between national and Vehicle accidents pose a great danger to people\u27s lives and property, which is why, decades ago, the United Arab Emirates turned towards the path followed by the vast majority of Arab and foreign countries, which is the regulation of compulsory insurance on the civil liability of vehicle accidents. The Board of Directors of the Insurance Authority issued the unified vehicle insurance policy issued under the system of unification of vehicle insurance policies under Resolution No. (25) Of 2016. This document is a legal system, amending Ministerial Resolution No. (54) of 1987 regarding the unification of car insurance policies, Where this decision referred to the covered risks and general exceptions that are not covered by insurance from civil liability that does not result from them or arise from accidents that occur from the insured vehicle. Many negatives appeared with this amendment, which put pressure on the Insurance Authority to make two amendments to the provisions of the unified document: the first was within less than a year since its implementation, and the second was in 2018. Therefore, it was necessary to know the impact of the provisions of the unified insurance policy on the rights of both parties to the insurance policy, and the problems that are among the obstacles to applying the policy as it should, which negatively affect the civil liability of the insured. This was evaluating the conditions for verifying civil liability for vehicle accidents, forms of compensation, and evaluating the procedural provisions for claiming coverage. Key words: Insurance, Insurance Policy, (insured, insured, insurance company), Car accidents, Responsibility of the insured, Insurance supplement, the way, Compensatio

Incorporating innovative practices in software engineering education

Software Engineering (SE) practices deals with business requirements that continue to operate in dynamically changing and turbulent environments. SE practitioners must confront the business need for persistent innovation and build appropriate future workforce culture. Agile software development approaches view change from a perspective that reflects today\u27s tumultuous business and technology environments. Introducing these innovative methodologies, along with the more traditional Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) method, in IT departments is a challenging task. Such task requires not only technology expertise and knowledge, but also the human side of organization, team, and individual readiness to accepting such a challenge. To deal with this latter side, the paper employs creative thinking processes and the four brain concept. In such environment, linking agile methods and CMMI is imperative to improving software quality. © 2011 IEEE

Biological Activities and Chemical Composition of Turkish Sweetgum Balsam (Styrax Liquidus) Essential Oil

Objective:The purpose of this present study was to make a chemical analysis of the composition of essential oil obtained from sweetgum balsam and to examine its antimicrobial, anticholinesterase, α-glucosidase inhibition, and antioxidant activities.Methods:The essential oil obtained by the hydrodistillation method was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry systems. The antimicrobial activities of the essential oil were evaluated by disc diffusion and resazurin microplate methods, the anticholinesterase effect was determined by using in vitro AChE and BChE enzymes inhibition assays, and the antioxidant effect was evaluated by ABTS and CUPRAC methods.Results:The main components of the essential oil were determined as styrene (92.6%) and α-pinene (2.2%). The essential oil showed weak antimicrobial activity against K. pneumoniae, S. epidermidis but strong antimicrobial activity against A. baumannii, C. glabrata. It showed moderate inhibitory activity to AChE and BChE enzymes, and IC50 values were calculated as 36.5 μg/mL and 69.5 μg/mL, respectively. It also showed low inhibition of α-glucosidase (IC50 value was 637.2 μg/mL) and a similar antioxidant effect in the CUPRAC and ABTS method (A0.5 value was 637.2 μg/mL and IC50 value was 632.2 μg/mL, respectively).Conclusion:Styrax Liquidus essential oil can be considered a natural antimicrobial agent due to its strong antimicrobial activity capacity against A. baumannii and C. glabrata strains

Maternal perceptions of father involvement among refugee and disadvantaged families in Beirut, Lebanon

The role of fathers in (co-)parenting their children among refugee and disadvantaged families in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) remains poorly understood. This study sought to examine the associations among mothers’ perceptions of their husband’s involvement (hereafter referred to as paternal involvement), and her perceptions of her own well-being and a number of other variables, as well as observed mother-child interactions in families living in refugee and disadvantaged communities in Beirut, Lebanon. We analyzed baseline data from 104 mother-child dyads (mean age of children = 4.34 years; range = 2.05 to 7.93 years of age) who participated in a randomized controlled trial aimed at evaluating the impact of the Mother-Child Education Program in Beirut. In addition to the mother’s perception of paternal involvement and the videotaped mother-child interactions, data were collected concerning the mother’s well-being and her level of social support, as well as her level of stress as a parent and the way her children were disciplined in the family. Mother-child pairs were videotaped while completing a puzzle together and dyadic interactions were coded. Path analysis showed that paternal involvement was significantly associated with a higher level of maternal well-being and lower distress levels. In addition, higher levels of maternal distress were associated with higher levels of harsh discipline and parenting stress. Correlation analysis showed that higher perceptions of paternal involvement were associated with more positive affect displayed by the child, more positive regard for the child, and better mother-child synchrony during the dyadic interactions. Limitations include the cross-sectional design and the modest sample size, which hinder causal inferences and generalizability of the findings. These preliminary findings suggest that higher levels of paternal involvement may have an impact on markers of maternal mental health and positive mother-child interactions in families living in disadvantaged communities or humanitarian settings. Paternal involvement should be considered when designing and implementing parenting programs in LMICs

Heart Disease Prediction Using Machine Learning Method

The heart disease is also known as coronary artery disease, many hearts affecting symptoms that are very common nowadays and causes death. It is a challenging task to diagnose heart diseases without any intelligent diagnosing system. Many researchers did research on it and developed a diagnostic system to diagnose heart diseases and worked on it. The prediction of cardiovascular disease, required a brief medical history of patients, including genetic information. The world is in acute need of a system for predicting heart disease and it became crucial. Data mining and machine learning are common techniques used in the field of health care to process large and complex data. This research paper presents reasons for heart disease and a model based on Machine learning algorithms for prediction

Usefulness of routine pairing of anaerobic with aerobic blood culture bottles and decision making on antimicrobial therapy

ObjectivesTo evaluate the growth concordance in paired aerobic/anaerobic sets, and the impact of the anaerobic growth on patients' antimicrobial management.MethodThis is a prospective multicenter study which was conducted in three hospitals, with total beds of 750 beds and 52 ICU beds. Prospectively, laboratory blood cultures logbooks were daily reviewed and patients from whom blood cultures were ordered were followed, their chart were reviewed. Entries on antimicrobial therapeutic changes were noted for all paired sets. Clinicians were blinded to the study, though they were informed about culture results via the usual work protocol in each hospital.ResultsCollected Blood culture sets totaled 2492; 172 single sets were excluded, and 1160 paired sets were analyzed. 1046 were concordant; 79 sets had bacterial growth and 967 sets had no bacterial growth. 114 sets were discordant; 97 in aerobic bottles, 13 in anaerobic, and 4 in both.The proportion of agreement for the concordant paired growth sets was 90.2%.  The composite proportion of agreement for sets with any growth (N = 193, composite proportion of agreement = 56%, 95% C.I., 34% - 48%). Cohen kappa composite agreement, measured for the total analyzed paired-sets (N = 1160, K = .52, SE = .038. 95% C.I., .447 - .595). The odds of modifying antimicrobial regimen were for total and subgroups intent to treat odds, based on paired sets showed that one modification took place in one anaerobic growth set (N = 1160, Odds = 0.0008), the odds for all sets with any growth (N = 193, odds = .005), and based on any anaerobic sets (79 concordant, 13 anaerobic, and 4 discordant) with bacterial growth (N = 96: odds = 0.010).ConclusionThe study demonstrates that the proportion of agreement among paired sets were high, and needless to include anaerobic sets in routine blood culture collection. Also the decision-making of anti-infective treatment on patients based on anaerobic blood culture growth was not evident

Exposure assessment of radon in the drinking water supplies: a descriptive study in Palestine

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Radon gas is considered as a main risk factor for lung cancer and found naturally in rock, soil, and water. The objective of this study was to determine the radon level in the drinking water sources in Nablus city in order to set up a sound policy on water management in Palestine.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This was a descriptive study carried out in two phases with a random sampling technique in the second phase. Primarily, samples were taken from 4 wells and 5 springs that supplied Nablus city residents. For each source, 3 samples were taken and each was analyzed in 4 cycles by RAD 7 device manufactured by Durridge Company. Secondly, from the seven regions of the Nablus city, three samples were taken from the residential tap water of each region. Regarding the old city, ten samples were taken. Finally, the mean radon concentration value for each source was calculated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The mean (range) concentration of radon in the main sources were 6.9 (1.5-23.4) Becquerel/liter (Bq/L). Separately, springs and wells' means were 4.6 Bq/L and 9.5 Bq/L; respectively. For the residential tap water in the 7 regions, the results of the mean (range) concentration values were found to be 1.0 (0.9-1.3) Bq/L. For the old city, the mean (range) concentration values were 2.3 (0.9-3.9) Bq/L.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Except for Al-Badan well, radon concentrations in the wells and springs were below the United State Environmental Protection Agency maximum contaminated level (U.S EPA MCL). The level was much lower for tap water. Although the concentration of radon in the tap water of old city were below the MCL, it was higher than other regions in the city. Preventive measures and population awareness on radon's exposure are recommended.</p

العوامل المؤثرة في التوافق بين مخرجات التعليم و سوق العمل

تزايد الاهتمام برأس المال البشري باعتباره أحد القوى المحركة للتنمية الاقتصادية وتزايد معه الاهتمام بدراسة  كيفية سد الفجوة بين مخرجات التعليم العالي ومدخلات سوق العمل. ومن هنا تبرز أهمية البحث في تحليل مشكلة عدم التوافق بين مخرجات التعليم العالي واحتياجات سوق العمل في سورية ، تم  تحليل مشكلة عدم التوافق بين مخرجات التعليم العالي  في "جامعة تشرين" (عينة البحث)  واحتياجات سوق العمل للتعرف على متطلبات سوق العمل وتحليل العوامل التي تحكم العلاقة بين عرض العمل والطلب عليه وذلك لتقديم آلية تمكن من التوفيق بين التخصصات الجامعية المتاحة ومتطلبات سوق العمل من حيث نوعية التخصصات الجامعية، والمهارات المكتسبة للخريج ومدى مواءمتها مع متطلبات سوق العمل.  تم تصميم استبانتين بهدف جمع البيانات، الاستبانة الأولى لقياس رأي أصحاب العمل بشقيه (العام والخاص) و الاستبانة الثانية لقياس رأي الخريجين الجامعيين وتوصلت الدراسة إلى مجموعة من النتائج من أهمها : يتمتع الخريجون الجامعيون بقدرة جيدة على الالتزام بالعمل ومتطلباته وتعلّم المهارات التي يحتاجها، ويعانون من ضعف تأهيلهم من ناحية المهارات العملية المتممة لشهاداتهم العلمية التي يطلبها سوق العمل، و ذلك لضعف التنسيق بين المؤسسات التعليمية ومنظمات سوق العمل. ويركز القطاع العام بشكل كبير على تأمين فرص عمل لمختلف شرائح المجتمع، كما أنه يميل لتوظيف أعداد تفوق حاجته، عكس القطاع الخاص الذي يعمل على توظيف عدد محدد وفق حاجته دون زيادة أو نقصان وأوصى فريق البحث  بضرورة التركيز على الجانب العملي لتحقيق التكامل مع الجانب النظري في التعليم (الجامعي والتقاني) واستحداث وحدات تدريبية خاصة بكل كلية ومعهد تقاني. إدخال الجامعات كبيوت خبرة واستشارة وخاصة فيما يتعلق بتوطين المشروعات ذات الطابع الاقتصادي. وإعادة النظر في الاستثمارات الموظِفة لليد العاملة في الساحل خاصة بعد التغير الديموغرافي الحاصل بسبب الحرب على سورية من خلال: التشجيع على إقامة (المشاريع الصغيرة - المشاريع الانتاجية التكاملية (زراعية – صناعية) المولِدة لفرص العمل وخاصة للخريجين.