A Comparative Study between Fixed-size Kernel Logistic Regression and Support Vector Machines Methods for beta-turns Prediction in Protein

Beta-turn is an important element of protein structure; it plays a significant role in protein configuration and function. There are several methods developed for prediction of beta-turns from protein sequences. The best methods are based on Neural Networks (NNs) or Support Vector Machines (SVMs). Although Kernel Logistic Regression (KLR) is a powerful classification technique that has been applied successfully in many classification problems, however it is often not found in beta-turns classification, mainly because it is computationally expensive. Fixed-Size Kernel Logistic Regression (FS-KLR) is a fast and accurate approximate implementation of KLR for large-scale data sets. It uses trust-region Newton’s method for large-scale Logistic Regression (LR) as a basis, to solve the approximate problem, and Nystrom method to approximate the features' matrix. In this paper we used FS-KLR for beta-turns prediction and the results obtained are compared to those obtained with SVM. Secondary structure information and Position Specific Scoring Matrices (PSSMs) are utilized as input features. The performance achieved using FS-KLR is found to be comparable to that of SVM method. FS-KLR has an advantage of yielding probabilistic outputs directly and its extension to the multi-class case is well-defined. In addition its evaluation time is less than that of SVM method. Beta-turn is an important element of protein structure; it plays a significant role in protein configuration and function. There are several methods developed for prediction of beta-turns from protein sequences. The best methods are based on Neural Networks (NNs) or Support Vector Machines (SVMs). Although Kernel Logistic Regression (KLR) is a powerful classification technique that has been applied successfully in many classification problems, however it is often not found in beta-turns classification, mainly because it is computationally expensive. Fixed-Size Kernel Logistic Regression (FS-KLR) is a fast and accurate approximate implementation of KLR for large-scale data sets. It uses trust-region Newton’s method for large-scale Logistic Regression (LR) as a basis, to solve the approximate problem, and Nystrom method to approximate the features' matrix. In this paper we used FS-KLR for beta-turns prediction and the results obtained are compared to those obtained with SVM. Secondary structure information and Position Specific Scoring Matrices (PSSMs) are utilized as input features. The performance achieved using FS-KLR is found to be comparable to that of SVM method. FS-KLR has an advantage of yielding probabilistic outputs directly and its extension to the multi-class case is well-defined. In addition its evaluation time is less than that of SVM method

Aversive Visions of Unanimity: Political Sectarianism in Lebanon

Sectarianism has shaped Lebanese culture since the establishment of the National Pact in 1943, and continues to be a pervasive roadblock to Lebanon’s path to development. This thesis explores the role of religion, politics, and Lebanon’s illegitimate government institutions in accentuating identity-based divisions, and fostering an environment for sectarianism to emerge. In order to do this, I begin by providing an analysis of Lebanon’s history and the rise and fall of major religious confessions as a means to explore the relationship between power-sharing arrangements and sectarianism, and to portray that sectarian identities are subject to change based on shifting power dynamics and political reforms. Next, I present different contexts in which sectarianism has amplified the country’s underdevelopment and fostered an environment for political instability, foreign and domestic intervention, lack of government accountability, and clientelism, among other factors, to occur. A case study into Iraq is then utilized to showcase the implications of implementing a Lebanese-style power-sharing arrangement elsewhere, and further evaluate its impact in constructing sectarian identities. Finally, I conclude that it is possible to eliminate sectarianism in Lebanon and move towards a secular state. While there are still many challenges to face in overcoming a long-established system of governance, I highlight the anti-sectarian partisan movements that are advocating for change, and their optimistic path to success

TIPOLOGI PEMIKIRAN PENDIDIKAN ISLAM (Telaah Pemikiran Imam Suprayogo Dan Azyumardi Azra)

Law or a provision will always run dynamically by the movement of time and changes in place. Because the era of globalization coldly demands changes in all lines and aspects. This is a reality clause from the development of science that continues to advance plus technology that is getting faster towards unlimited sophistication. Islamic education as part of the rolling of changes that occur is required to always think dynamically, not stagnate, to keep up with changes that are always bound to happen, but of course they must consistently rely on qot'iy arguments (al-Qur'an and al-Hadith) as the main source and it is also possible to remain proactive and responsive in chess in this era. In this case, it seems as if picking up a wild ball that continues to roll Imam Suprayogo and Azyumardi Azra with their broad insight spawned brilliant ideas and are expected to be able to color and bring significant changes, especially in Islamic education both theoretically and practically. The purpose of this paper is to describe the views of Imam Suprayogo and Azyumardi Azra and identify and analyze their way of thinking in relation to Islamic education.Hukum atau sebuah ketetapan akan selalu berjalan dinamis oleh pergerakan waktu dan perubahan tempat. Karena era globalisasi dengan dinginnya menuntut adanya perubahan dalam segala lini dan aspek. Hal ini merupakan klausalitas reality dari perkembangan ilmu pengetahuan yang terus melaju ditambah teknologi yang semakin cepat menuju kecanggihan yang tanpa batas. Pendidikan Islam sebagai bagian dari gilasan perubahan yang terjadi dituntut untuk selalu berfikir dinamis, tidak stagnasi , jumud untuk mengikuti perubahan yang selalu pasti akan terjadi, namun tentunya tetap harus konsisten bersandar pada dalil qot’iy (al-qur’an dan al- Hadits) sebagai sumber utama dan tidak menutup kemungkinan juga tetap harus proaktif dan tanggap dalam pencaturan di era ini. Dalam hal ini, seakan menjemput bola liar yang terus bergulir Imam Suprayogo dan Azyumardi Azra dengan wawasan luasnya menelurkan gagasan - gagasan berilian dan diharapakan mampu mewarnai dan membawa perubahan signifikan khususnya dalam pendidikan Islam baik secara teoritis dan paraktik aplikatifnya. Tujuan dari penulisan ini dalam rangka mendeskripsikan pandangan Imam Suprayogo dan Azyumardi Azra dan mengidentifikasi serta menganalisis cara berpikir keduanya dalam kaitanya dengan pendidikan Isla

Facilitating EFL Students' Active Learning Through Digital Portfolio Development

A number of studies suggest that active learning enables learners to actively participate in the learning process, effectively assimilate their lessons, and gradually enjoy the learning process (Attaran & Moghaddam, 2014; Bonwell & Eison, 1991; D’Silva, 2010; Freeman et al., 2014; Koohang, 2009; Ryan & Martens, 1989; Tedesco-Schneck, 2013; Theobald et al., 2020). Developing a digital portfolio facilitates active learning among EFL students as it empowers them to plan their academic activities, reflect on their academic progress, and deepen their understanding of their lessons. This empirical study was conducted at Center for Preparatory Studies (CPS), Sultan Qaboos University during the Spring Semester of Academic Year 2022-2023. It gathered quantitative data through the Questionnaire for Portfolio Development; whereas it elicited qualitative data through focus group discussion sessions. The quantitative data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 26; whereas, the qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Results revealed that the respondents have mixed feelings towards portfolio development. The majority of the respondents believe that developing their portfolio facilitates their active learning in various ways. Both the quantitative and qualitative data reveal that developing a portfolio facilitates active learning among the learners and that there is no significant difference in the respondents’ attitude towards portfolio development when grouped according to their course. EFL students have mixed feelings towards portfolio development. Despite their ambivalence towards portfolio development, they understand the significance of developing their portfolio. EFL students generally have a positive attitude towards all the three components of their portfolio (academic planner, vocab log and reflection task) as they consider each component helpful in developing their language skills and allow them to learn actively.&nbsp

Effect of Semi-Rigid Connection on Post-Buckling Behaviour of Frames Using Finite Element Method

It is very important task to estimate the post buckling for structures that have slender elements, since post-buckling state means loss the structures stability related with large displacement and that lead to demolition the structures. On the other hand, in the design and analysis of steel frame, the beam-columns connection is assumed perfect pin or fully rigid, this assumption leads to incorrect estimation of the structural behaviour. Practically, beam-column connection is between these two assumptions and this type of connection is called semi-rigid. This study presents a numerical analysis using finite element method to investigate the effect of semi-rigid connections on post-buckling behaviour of two-dimensional frames with different supporting types and different lateral loading cases. The semi-rigid connections are modelled as rotational spring in linear elastic stage, using COMBIN14 element which has rotational stiffness value.  The numerical results showed that; the effect of changing the beam-column connections from rigid to semi rigid for toggle frame with rotational joint stiffness 25EI/L to 15EI/L and 10EI/L led to decrease the initial peak load of the frames of fixed-fixed supports with percentages 3.36 %, 5.6% and 8.95% respectively as compared with that of the rigid connection frame, While, the frames with fixed-pin and pin-pin supports cases did not affected by this changing. The fixed-fixed support case is more affected by changing the joint stiffness from other cases and the effect of changing the joint stiffness in pin-pin support model is less significant from others. This can be attributed to that, the fixed-fixed supports is restrained in all degree of freedom and will be affected by any rotation and presence the pin in other cases makes the frame less affected by the rotation of semi-rigid connection. The effect of changing the beam-column connection from rigid to semi rigid decreases with presence the lateral load. Thus, the semi-rigid connection should be considered in analysis and design of steel frames to obtain more realistic results

Development of a Fully Integrated Acid Fracture Model

Acid fracturing in heterogeneous carbonate formations is extremely challenging to model. To obtain an acceptable acid penetration distance and fracture surface etched-width profile, a reliable fracture propagation model must be incorporated. Fracture fluid and formation temperatures have an impact on the acid concentration profile, particularly when using weak acids or injecting into dolomite formations. The model provided in this study considers these factors as fractures propagate, in order to obtain the fracture conductivity distribution and evaluate the improvement in well productivity. The pseudo three-dimensional fracture model developed here is able to provide the domains for the acid dissolution at each time step. A transient acid convection and diffusion equation is solved and the fracture etched-width profile is calculated. An iterative procedure is implemented in a temperature-dependent kinetic model, which stops when both the temperature and acid solutions converge. The model includes an injection of multiple fluid systems that can be either reactive (e.g., straight, emulsified, and gelled acid) or non-reactive (e.g., pad fluid and flush). The model incorporates multiple layer formations with different rock and kinetic properties. Leakoff is calculated for each layer and the wormhole effect is included if reaction takes place. When injection stops, the acid concentration and etching are solved as the fracture closes. As the final etching profile is generated, conductivity is calculated using a correlation that considered formation heterogeneity. Finally, the well productivity is numerically calculated by simulating the reservoir fluid flow and considering the obtained fracture with variable conductivity. Coupling the fracture geometry and acid models has a significant impact on the final solution. Simulations of acid injection on a non-coupled, constant fracture geometry always overestimate the acid penetration distance and provide inaccurate etched-width profiles. The temperature-dependent kinetic model has a noticeable effect on the etched-width distribution and acid penetration distance for dolomite formations, both are directly related to fracture performance. The model illustrated here is computationally efficient, which allows for optimizing the design parameters to create a fracture with maximum productivity for a given acid treatment size. More importantly, the optimum acid treatment size for a certain simulated reservoir volume can be determined

Pattern, Presentation and Management of Marjolin’s ulcer in OmdurmanTeaching Hospital

Background: Marjolin’s ulcer is a rare but highly aggressive squamous cell cancer that is most often associatedwith chronic burn wounds.It is the worst complication that victims surviving burn injuries suffer from, but it can be prevented by proper initial management of burn injuries. There was no enough data about this condition in Sudan. Objectives: This study was conducted to study the presentation, causes, latency period, frequency, and management of Marjolin’s ulcer in our local setting in Omdurman teaching hospital. Patients and Methods: This is a prospective cross sectional hospital based study that has been investigating the patients of Marjolin’s ulcer seen at plastic and reconstructive surgery in Omdurman teaching hospital. The study was conducted during the period from May 2010 to January 2013. A special patient data sheet was designed for data collection. Data was analyzed and presented graphically using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Results: During this period, 65 cases of Marjolin’s ulcer were included in this study, 44 (67.7%) of them were males and 21 (32.3 %) were females. Male to female ratio is 2.1:1. The mean age was 48 years ± 14.7. With regard to the distribution of the study population by geographical areas, 37 (56.9 %) of them were residing in rural areas and 28 (43.1 %) in urban areas. 25 (38.5 %) of them were farmers and 17 (26.2 %) were house wifes. Chronic un-healed ulcer was the presentation of all patients. Burn was the cause of ulcer in 43 (66.2 %) of the patients, followed by trauma 15 (23.1 %), and infection 7 (10.8 %). Flame burn represented 34 (52.3 %) of cases (p = .000). Concerning the management of the primary cause of the ulcer 44 (67.7 %) were managed in a hospital either by dressing or surgery, while 21 (32.3 %) were managed at home by dressing. The lower limbs were the common site of Marjolin’s ulcer 47 (73.3 %), followed by the upper limbs 10 (15.4 %).The mean ulcer duration (latency period) was 25.96 years ± 8.59. 8 (12.3 %) of the patients has regional lymph nodes involvement all of them were offered lymph nodes dissection.All patients underwent surgery, 43 (66.2 %) underwent excision of the ulcer and split thickness skin grafting, 14 (21.5 %) excision and flap, and 8 (12.3 %) underwent limb amputation. The commonest histological type was squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) 63 (96.9 %). Conclusion: Marjolin’s ulcers are not uncommon in our setting and commonly occur in burn scars due to deep burn that were not skin grafted and were left to heal secondarily; In general this disorder is rarely diagnosed although its etiology is well known; and most of the patients presents late when the disease is already in advanced stages