Myths and Realities about Online Forums in Open Source Software Development: An Empirical Study

The use of free and open source software (OSS) is gaining momentum due to the ever increasing availability and use of the Internet. Organizations are also now adopting open source software, despite some reservations, in particular regarding the provision and availability of support. Some of the biggest concerns about free and open source software are post release software defects and their rectification, management of dynamic requirements and support to the users. A common belief is that there is no appropriate support available for this class of software. A contradictory argument is that due to the active involvement of Internet users in online forums, there is in fact a large resource available that communicates and manages the provision of support. The research model of this empirical investigation examines the evidence available to assess whether this commonly held belief is based on facts given the current developments in OSS or simply a myth, which has developed around OSS development. We analyzed a dataset consisting of 1880 open source software projects covering a broad range of categories in this investigation. The results show that online forums play a significant role in managing software defects, implementation of new requirements and providing support to the users in open source software and have become a major source of assistance in maintenance of the open source projects

Evaluation of Correlative Factors between Destructive and Non- Destructive Tests of Concrete

تتطلب عملية تقييم المنشات الجديدة والقديمة إنفاق المال للتعرف على الحالة الفعلية المنشا لاستخدامه بصورة امنة من خلال استخدام الاختبارات الغير اتلافية حيث تصبح أدوات مفضلة لمراقبة كفاءة وجودة المنشات. ان إحدى الطرق الأكثر فعالية والأقل كلفة هو استخدام سرعة نبض الموجات فوق الصوتية (UPV). ان الهدف من هذا البحث هو ايجاد علاقة رياضية بين سرعة نبض الموجات فوق الصوتية وقوة انضغاط الخرسانة. لذا يتم التقصي للمتغيرات الهامة التي لها تأثير ملحوظ على هذه العلاقة اذ تشمل هذه المتغيرات نوع طريقة الفحص UPV (المباشرة، شبه المباشرة، وغير مباشرة)، ومقاومة الانضغاط. ولتحقيق الهدف من هذه البحث لذا فقد تم إجراء دراسة تجريبية لاعداد ستة الخلطات الخراسانية المختلفة (من C20 إلى C45) التي تستخدم في صب عينات الاختبار تتكون من 6 كتل خراسانية بابعاد 40 × 40 × 100 سم ولكل واحدة 9 مكعبات بقياس 15 سم والتي تم اختبارها في عمر 7، 28، و60 يوما. من نتائج الفحوصات المختبرية التي تم الحصول عليها تمت عملية التحليل الإحصائي لمعالجة تلك النتائج باستخدام البرنامجين MathLab وMicrosoft Excel لايجاد واستخراج العلاقات والرسوم للعلاقات الرياضية المختلفة. وتبين نتائج الدراسة وجود علاقة بين سرعة نبض الموجات فوق الصوتية (UPV) لكل انواع الفحص وقوة انضغاط الكتل والمكعبات الخراسانية وهذه العلاقة تاخذ نوع العلاقة الاسية والتي تكون متوافقة مع نوع العلاقة المعطاة للمدونة 228ACI وبالنتيجة يمكن استخدام العلاقة في هذا البحث لتقييم الواقع الفعلي للمنشات. تم ملاحظة ان قيمة UPVبالطريقة المباشرة هو اعلى بنسبة 5٪ و8.7٪ مقارنة بطريقتي UPVشبه المباشر، وغير مباشرة على التوالي. وعلاوة على ذلك، فإن المسارات الصغيرة لطريقة UPV تعطي تقديرات عليا لمقاومة انضغاط الخرسانة.وأخيرا، تمت مقارنة المعادلة المشتقة في هذا البحث مع معادلة باحثين آخرين للتاكد من دقة نتائج البحث باستخدام تجارب موثوقة.The assessment of new and old structures requires spending money to recognize the actual state for safe using them and to satisfy that the using of nondestructive testing become a favored tool to be applied for the function and quality control for the structures. One of the most effective and least costly methods is using Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV) method. The target of this paper is to find a mathematical relationship between the Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV) and the compressive strength of concrete. Therefore, the important variables which have a sensible effect on this relationship shall be investigated. These parameters include the test type of UPV testing method (direct, semi direct, indirect), concrete strength. To achieve the goal of this paper, an experimental study has been conducted to preparation six different concrete mixtures (from C20 to C45) at casting the specimens which consist of 6 concrete blocks of dimension 40×40×100 cm and for each one 9 cubes are cast of size 15 cm which has been tested at ages of 7, 28, and 60 days. For the obtained results, a statistical experimental program has been carried out in order to establish a fairly accurate relation between the ultrasonic pulse velocity and the concrete compressive strength using both MathLab and Microsoft Excel programs for extracting and plotting the final relationship models. From the obtained results, the relationships between the direct UPV, semi direct UPV, and indirect UPV in the concrete blocks and cubes with the compressive strength of concrete were found. It is found that the type of an equations is exponential type which has the similar trend of  given a relationship of ACI committee 228so these results indicate that direct, semi direct, and indirect model methods can be used to assess the actual state of in-situ structures. The direct UPV is 5% and 8.7 % higher than the average semi direct and indirect UPV respectively. Moreover, the small UPV paths give higher overestimations of concrete strength. Finally, the suggested equation in this paper is compared with the other researcher's equations to indicate the accuracy using a verification study

Molecular aspects of MERS-CoV

This article is made available for unrestricted research re-use and secondary analysis in any form or by any means with acknowledgement of the original source. These permissions are granted for the duration of the World Health Organization (WHO) declaration of COVID-19 as a global pandemic.Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a betacoronavirus which can cause acute respiratory distress in humans and is associated with a relatively high mortality rate. Since it was first identified in a patient who died in a Jeddah hospital in 2012, the World Health Organization has been notified of 1735 laboratory-confirmed cases from 27 countries, including 628 deaths. Most cases have occurred in Saudi Arabia. MERS-CoVancestors may be found in OldWorld bats of the Vespertilionidae family. After a proposed bat to camel switching event, transmission of MERS-CoV to humans is likely to have been the result of multiple zoonotic transfers from dromedary camels. Human-to-human transmission appears to require close contact with infected persons, with outbreaks mainly occurring in hospital environments. Outbreaks have been associated with inadequate infection prevention and control implementation, resulting in recommendations on basic and more advanced infection prevention and control measures by the World Health Organization, and issuing of government guidelines based on these recommendations in affected countries including Saudi Arabia. Evolutionary changes in the virus, particularly in the viral spike protein which mediates virus-host cell contact may potentially increase transmission of this virus. Efforts are on-going to identify specific evidence-based therapies or vaccines. The broad-spectrum antiviral nitazoxanide has been shown to have in vitro activity against MERS-CoV. Synthetic peptides and candidate vaccines based on regions of the spike protein have shown promise in rodent and non-human primate models. GLS-5300, a prophylactic DNA-plasmid vaccine encoding S protein, is the first MERS-CoV vaccine to be tested in humans, while monoclonal antibody, m336 has given promising results in animal models and has potential for use in outbreak situations

Molecular Characterization of β-Thalassemia Patients in Wasit Province, IRAQ

Background: Hemoglobin-associated disorder is a different group of recessive genetic diseases. which consist of the structural hemoglobin variants and the thalassemia.Aim of the study: - to characterize the spectrum of beta globin gene mutations  in patients with beta- thalassemia who are registered in thalassemia centers, Wasit, Iraq using PCR - based DNA diagnostic techniques.Patients and methods:The genomic DNA was extracted from 106 Iraqi patients with β-thalassemia major and intermedia from unrelated families and (50) healthy numbers as control were collected from Al-Karama  Teaching Hospital, in Wasit  province, to detect mutation using PCR - based DNA diagnostic techniques. .  Results: of 106 thalassemia patients, 35 (33%) of patients with no mutation detection, IVS 1.116 [T>G] mutation was detected in 42 patients ( 39.6%), followed by IVS 1.110 [G>A], which was detected in 11 (10.4%) patients.Conclusions: Many mutations recorded a high frequency due to close relative marriage. By analyzing many mutations in β-globin gene leading to defect in beta chains play crucial role in drawing mutation frequency and their distribution in our society. Keywords: thalassemia, mutation, DN

Petrophysical Study of Limestone Rocks for Al-Nfayil Formation –Bahr Al-Najaf Depression and Suitability for Industrial Purposes

مقدمة: ينتشر الحجر الجيري في الطبيعة على نطاق واسع ويشكل حوالي (20-25٪) من إجمالي الصخور الرسوبية [1]. وتحتل المرتبة الثالثة عالمياً من حيث المصادر المعدنية والصخور المستخرجة [2]. يمثل الحجر الجيري نسبة كبيرة من العمود الطبقي في العراق [3]. طرق العمل: تقييم صخور الحجر الجيري كمواد بناء لتكوين النفايل في منخفض بحر النجف بواقع 15 محطة موزعة على منطقة الدراسة. اشتمل البحث على الجوانب الحقلية والمختبرية. الاستنتاجات: من خلال الفحوصات اللازمة، تم تحديد صلاحية الحجر الجيري لأغراض البناء. وكانت مناسبة للبناء لأنها نجحت في تلبية متطلبات معيار البناء (ASTM، C568، 2004) ولم تفِ بمتطلبات معيار صخور التحكم في السكك الحديدية (O.R.B.D، 1999، Raymond، 1979). لذا توصي الدراسة بتقدير وحساب كمية احتياطيات الصخور الجيرية المتوفرة في منطقة الدراسة لغرض حساب الجدوى الاقتصادية.Abstract Background:        Limestone is widely spread in nature and constitutes about (20-25%) of the total sedimentary rocks [1]. It is ranked third globally from mineral sources and extracted rocks [2]. Limestone represents the large ratio of the stratified column of Iraq [3].   Materials and Methods: This study involves the evaluation of limestone rocks as construction materials of Al- Nfayil formation in Bahr Al-Najaf Depression by 15 stations distributed over a region. The research includes field and laboratory aspects. Results: Through the tests, the viability of limestone for construction purposes was determined. As it is suitable for construction because it succeeded the requirements of the building standard (ASTM, C568, 2004), and did not succeed in the requirements of the standard for railway control aggregates (O.R.B.D, 1999, Raymond, 1979). The study recommends estimating and calculating the amount of reserves of limestone rocks available in the study area for the purpose of calculating economic feasibilit

Perceptions of the quality of Basel II regulations among bankers : the case of Bahrain

PhD ThesisBasel II regulations have been implemented in Bahrain since 2007. I worked as the Head of Group Risk Management in a Bahraini multinational bank with 10 subsidiaries in 10 countries. While carrying out these roles, numerous examples of misalignment, irrelevance, and impracticality were found, and various gaps between cases in practice and what is stipulated and implemented by the regulator within the framework of Basel II were identified. I became interested in finding out why Basel II regulations failed to detect triggers of the 2007 crisis ahead of time and how successful was Basel II in ameliorating negative repercussions of the crisis. The foremost important question was “Was Basel II the right choice of regulations for banks and the banking system in the countries in which they were adopted?” There are numerous studies within the field of banking regulations and supervision on banking crises from regulators and standard setters’ perspective, but little has been written on the subject from bankers’ perspectives. More precisely, little has been written on what exactly constitutes efficient or inefficient regulations from bankers’ perspectives rather than from regulators, standard setters or academic perspectives. The above questions motivated us to study the structure, design, objectives and implementation of Basel II in Bahrain. An investigation carried out from the perspective of institutions being regulated via questionnaires, one-on-one interviews, and examination of banks’ annual reports. The purpose of this study is to assess whether the implementation of Basel II is an efficient or inefficient regulation. The study aims to provide the banking regulator in Bahrain with recommendations, solicited from within the banking system that would help the regulator to review its Basel II regulations and supervisions approach. An ethnographic account of the views, experience, and recommendations of the bankers are used to assess Basel II regulations and supervision in the country. The study found that the general perception of the interviewees and the survey’s respondents that Basel II regulations do not help banks withstand financial crises, improve risk management practices, reduce systemic risk, or improve international competitiveness. Furthermore, the study iv found that the regulator ignored the idiosyncratic nature of the banking system and its constituents while implementing Basel II regulations. In light of the findings, the study offered several recommendations to the banking regulator in Bahrain. The regulator should, prior to adopting a regulatory tool and imposing it on banks, study the relevance and appropriateness of this tool with respect to the banks in the country. While designing its supervision program, the regulator should consider the idiosyncratic risks, financial performance, organizational structure, governance, and business model for each bank. In addition, the regulator should not rely on the implementation of Basel II to introduce risk management practices at a bank or prevent exposure to the financial crisis. The regulator should adopt tools such as stress testing for each bank and aggregate stress testing of the whole system in order to foresee and prepare for financial crises

Development of flexible automation for the car seat polyurethane injection molding line / Ahmed Jaffar and Noriah Yusoff

Car seat polyurethane injection and molding process is a method of producing car seats to meet customer satisfaction such as car styling and comfort as well as its ergonomic functions. An on-site study was carried out at a local Small and Medium Enterprise company which located in Klang Valley, Selangor. An investigation on the existing car seat polyurethane injection process was conducted at the case study subject and the processing time data was gathered for the establishment of the important simulation modeling parameters or the benchmark key parameters. A conceptual new improved method was then developed, tested and validated for its workability and performance using QUEST discrete event simulation software. There are two major phases involved in this research work; (i) analysis and development of an improved method using work study method and (ii) modeling and simulation of that improved method using Delmia QUEST Simulation Software (DQSS). An investment analysis was done to compare the economics of the new improved method against the present method, using the payback period and the return on investment formulae. A prototype model was also developed to show the mockup of the suggested system. This prototype model can be integrated with other features such as robot's manipulator and transfer lines to form an automated production line

Synthesis, Characterizations and Study of Mechanical Properties for Blended Nanocomposites Biased on New Epoxy Resin

This research discloses the development and synthesis of blended nanocomposites filled with titanium dioxide (TiO2). Hybrid polymer networks (HPNs) based on unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) and epoxy resins were synthesized by reactive blending. The optimum quantity from nano particlesof titanium dioxide was selected and different wt. proportions 1%, 3%, 5%, and 7% ratios of epoxy are mixed with UPR resin. The mechanical properties of the blended nanocomposites were compared with those of the basis material (UPR and 3% TiO2) and with results of semi-interpenetrating UPR/Epoxy blends (semi-IPNs) for one type of new epoxy (P2) that were prepared. Epoxy resins show good compatibility with the UPR resin on blending, show improves in mechanical properties and tensile strength values are higher for blended nanocomposites, addition improvement in the impact resistance. Considerable enhancement of tensile strength is noticed at very low loading of Epoxy resin. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were employed to study the thermal properties of the resins. Morphological studies of the blended nanocomposites systems were ascertained using scanning electron microscope (SEM). Keywords: blended nanocomposites, epoxy resin,  tensile strength,unsatuated polyeste