On Fuzzy Matroids

The aim of this paper is to discuss properties of fuzzy regular-flats, fuzzy C- flats, fuzzy alternative-sets and fuzzy i-flats. Moreover, we characterize some peculiar fuzzy matroids via these notions. Finally, we provide a decomposition of fuzzy strong maps

Using Video Games For Decreasing Pain Caused By Acute Painful Crisis In Adolescents With Sickle Cell Pain

Purpose: The most common symptom of sickle cell disease is pain, which occurs as the cells clump compromising further blood flow to distal organs. Despite the advancement in pain management, many children and adolescents\u27 pain remains under treated. The purpose of this study is measure the effectiveness of a videogame as a developmentally appropriate non-pharmacological modality on pain in adolescents 12-21 years of age with sickle cell crisis. Methods: A one-group repeated measure quasi-experimental design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of using videogames on pain in a sample of adolescents 12-21 years of age. Using a repeated measures design permits intensive scrutiny of within-patient variability. Quasi-experimental study designs have been developed to provide alternative means of examining causality in situations not conducive to experimental controls. A sample of 30 hospitalized adolescents (12-21 years of age) diagnosed with sickle cell disease pain were enrolled. Recruitment of participants was undertaken at University of Illinois Children\u27s Hospital and Advocate Children\u27s Hospital. Results: The Cronbach\u27s alpha coefficient for the 19-item in level of engagement instrument was 0.82. The presence self-assessment manikin scores selected by participants after playing the videogame were 63.3% for the score of 1, 26.7% for the score of 2 and 3.3% for the scores of 3, 5 and 6. The decrease in pain level from baseline to after playing the videogame was statistically significant (F = 29.28, p \u3c 0.0001). Additionally, the decrease in pain level from each time point and the adjacent time point was statistically significant; pain 0 minute vs pain 15 minutes (p \u3c0.0001), pain 15 minutes vs pain 30 minutes (p \u3c0.0001) and pain 30 minutes vs pain 45 minutes (p \u3c0.006). Although the data analysis did not yield statistically significant results, an inverse relationship has been found between the levels of pain and engagement. Conclusion: Results from this study were consistent with prior literature that used similar technologies with different populations such as burn care, painful medical procedures and cancer pain. The use of videogames as a distraction modality has been proven to show positive and significant results in the treatment of acute pain. Results from this study show promising findings related to pain management that can be more accessible to adolescents with sickle cell pain at home and in the hospital setting

Self organising cloud cells: a resource efficient network densification strategy

Network densification is envisioned as the key enabler for 2020 vision that requires cellular systems to grow in capacity by hundreds of times to cope with unprecedented traffic growth trends being witnessed since advent of broadband on the move. However, increased energy consumption and complex mobility management associated with network densifications remain as the two main challenges to be addressed before further network densification can be exploited on a wide scale. In the wake of these challenges, this paper proposes and evaluates a novel dense network deployment strategy for increasing the capacity of future cellular systems without sacrificing energy efficiency and compromising mobility performance. Our deployment architecture consists of smart small cells, called cloud nodes, which provide data coverage to individual users on a demand bases while taking into account the spatial and temporal dynamics of user mobility and traffic. The decision to activate the cloud nodes, such that certain performance objectives at system level are targeted, is carried out by the overlaying macrocell based on a fuzzy-logic framework. We also compare the proposed architecture with conventional macrocell only deployment and pure microcell-based dense deployment in terms of blocking probability, handover probability and energy efficiency and discuss and quantify the trade-offs therein

Gravitational Properties of the Proca Field

We study various properties of a Proca field coupled to gravity through minimal and quadrupole interactions, described by a two-parameter family of Lagrangians. St\"uckelberg decomposition of the effective theory spells out its model-dependent ultraviolet cutoff, parametrically larger than the Proca mass. We present pp-wave solutions that the model admits, consider linear fluctuations on such backgrounds, and thereby constrain the parameter space of the theory by requiring null-energy condition and the absence of negative time delays in high-energy scattering. We briefly discuss the positivity constraints$-$derived from unitarity and analyticity of scattering amplitudes$-$that become ineffective in this regard.Comment: 23 pages, revised positivity-bound analysis, references adde

Federated Learning for Iot/Edge/Fog Computing Systems

With the help of a new architecture called Edge/Fog (E/F) computing, cloud computing services can now be extended nearer to data generator devices. E/F computing in combination with Deep Learning (DL) is a promisedtechnique that is vastly applied in numerous fields. To train their models, data producers in conventional DL architectures with E/F computing enable them to repeatedly transmit and communicate data with third-party servers, like Edge/Fog or cloud servers. Due to the extensive bandwidth needs, legal issues, and privacy risks, this architecture is frequently impractical. Through a centralized server, the models can be co-trained by FL through distributed clients, including cars, hospitals, and mobile phones, while preserving data localization. As it facilitates group learning and model optimization, FL can therefore be seen as a motivating element in the E/F computing paradigm. Although FL applications in E/F computing environments have been considered in previous studies, FL execution and hurdles in the E/F computing framework have not been thoroughly covered. In order to identify advanced solutions, this chapter will provide a review of the application of FL in E/F computing systems. We think that by doing this chapter, researchers will learn more about how E/F computing and FL enable related concepts and technologies. Some case studies about the implementation of federated learning in E/F computing are being investigated. The open issues and future research directions are introduced.Comment: 21 pages, 4 figures, Book chapte

The Impact of Applying the Target Cost Approach on Products' Structure (Products Pricing, Development and Quality)

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effect of applying the target cost approach on product structure in industrial public shareholding companies in Jordan.   Theoretical framework: The purpose of  applying  target cost approach on products' structure (products pricing, development and quality) and it is  ability  to  reduce  costs  and  improvements  that  can  be  obtained  in  the  process  of applying  target cost approach. Numerous research  related  to  applying  target cost approach  have  been  conducted,  with  the  majority  focusing  on large  companies. However, Jordanian industrial companies have limitations compared to large companies. Repairability is considered for cost optimization.   Design/methodology/approach: The study uses the analytical approach through the study tool (Questionnaire). The study population consisted of Jordanian industrial companies, which reached (56) companies in 2022, according to the monthly statistical periodical of the Amman Stock Exchange (ASE). A sample of (42) companies was selected, and the questionnaire was distributed to (The Financial Manager, Production Manager, Sales Manager, and Accountant) for each company. The number of questionnaires approved for statistical analysis was (130), representing (77%) of the distributed questionnaires. This study uses different tests to analyze the data and extract results related to the statistical methods, i.e., the descriptive statistic, Cronbach's Alpha Equation, Pearson's Correlation Coefficient, and Simple Linear Regression Analysis.   Findings: The study found that there is a strong relationship between the target cost approach and the product structure, with the existence of a statistically-significant effect, whereas the correlation coefficient value reached (0.808); thus, the target cost approach contributes to developing products and improving profitability through focusing on the analysis process of the possibilities of product success, before allocating the productive resources thereof. It has also contributed to reducing the cost during the production stages from its beginning while maintaining the products' quality, and it also leads to increasing sales volume through the pricing mechanism based on the target cost. Through the answers of the study sample individuals, it is pointed out that the arithmetic mean of the target cost approach is high, as it reached (3.77) and the standard deviation is (0.57), as well as the arithmetic means of the products' structure is high, as the pricing element came in the first class, with arithmetic means of (3.86) and standard deviation of (0.51), then the development element came in the second class, with arithmetic means of (3.78) and standard deviation of (0.58), whereas the quality element came in the third-class, with arithmetic means of (3.75) and standard deviation of (0.53). The results of the regression analysis also indicate that there is a statistically significant effect of the target cost approach on the quality of products, with (R²) (46.3%) which represents the proportion of explanation in the variance of the dependent variable. The findings of the study highlighted that there is a statistically-significant effect of the target cost approach in product development with (R²) with (37.5%) which indicates that the target cost explains (37.5%) of the difference in the product development. The results also indicate that there is a statistically significant effect of the target cost approach in product pricing with R) value indicating a high-strength correlation between the target cost approach and product pricing, which is (0.812).   Research Practical implications: It is necessary to pay attention to qualifying workers by developing programs that deal profoundly with the approachs and modern systems of costs, such as the target cost system and the value chain as these approachs and accounting systems will be intensively adopted in the future for their outstanding role in developing product performance, Pricing and improving its quality.   Originality/value: The study recommended that it is necessary to develop successful products and price them based on the target cost by balancing the company's ability and customers' needs, as well as using methods that lead to consistency and harmony between products' quality and customers' expectations. The study also recommended focusing on qualifying workers by developing programs that profoundly tackle the approaches and modern systems of costs, such as the target costing syste

Edge Computing for IoT

Over the past few years, The idea of edge computing has seen substantial expansion in both academic and industrial circles. This computing approach has garnered attention due to its integrating role in advancing various state-of-the-art technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT) , 5G, artificial intelligence, and augmented reality. In this chapter, we introduce computing paradigms for IoT, offering an overview of the current cutting-edge computing approaches that can be used with IoT. Furthermore, we go deeper into edge computing paradigms, specifically focusing on cloudlet and mobile edge computing. After that, we investigate the architecture of edge computing-based IoT, its advantages, and the technologies that make Edge computing-based IoT possible, including artificial intelligence and lightweight virtualization. Additionally, we review real-life case studies of how edge computing is applied in IoT-based Intelligent Systems, including areas like healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture, and transportation. Finally, we discuss current research obstacles and outline potential future directions for further investigation in this domain.Comment: 19 pages, 5 figures, Book Chapter In: Donta, P.K., Hazra, A., Lov\'en, L. (eds) Learning Techniques for the Internet of Things. Springer, Cha

Antibiotic resistance profile of local thermophilic Bacillus licheniformis isolated from Maysan province soil

The key concern for public health is that bacterial strains isolated from various ecosystems are immune to antibiotics used in human medicine, thus dramatically limiting therapeutic options and threatening the lives of infected people. The present study aims to reveal the antibiotics profile of fiftysix isolates of local thermophilic Bacillus licheniformis isolated from different environmental soil sites in Maysan city, Iraq. The antimicrobial agent resistance profile of B. licheniformis isolates was performed using the disc diffusion assay according to Kirby-Bauer susceptibility test protocol. The results showed that isolates were resistance against cefepime (n=56; 100%), amoxicillin (n=13; 23.3%) and ampicillin (n=52; 92.9%); and intermediate (n=56; 100%) against cephalothin and naldixic acid. The percentage resistance was low for aztreonam (n=4; 7%), chloramphenicol (n=3; 5%), clotrimazole (n=6; 10%), novobiocin (n=2; 3.5%) and ticarcillin (n=3; 5%). On the other hand, all isolates were sensitive (n=56; 100%) towards the following antibiotics: amikacin, ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, clindamycin, imipenem, netilmycin, gentamicin, nitrofurantion, rifampin, trimethoprim and vancomycin. The results of this study suggest that the Iraqi thermophilic B. licheniformis isolates are variable in their susceptibility towards the standards antimicrobial agents. Furthermore, the presence of cefepime, amoxicillin, ampicillin, cephalothin and naldixic resistant isolates of B. licheniformis in Iraqi soils is of concern about how resistance could spread to other bacteria, and ultimately to humans.The key concern for public health is that bacterial strains isolated from various ecosystems are immune to antibiotics used in human medicine, thus dramatically limiting therapeutic options and threatening the lives of infected people. The present study aims to reveal the antibiotics profile of fiftysix isolates of local thermophilic Bacillus licheniformis isolated from different environmental soil sites in Maysan city, Iraq. The antimicrobial agent resistance profile of B. licheniformis isolates was performed using the disc diffusion assay according to Kirby-Bauer susceptibility test protocol. The results showed that isolates were resistance against cefepime (n=56; 100%), amoxicillin (n=13; 23.3%) and ampicillin (n=52; 92.9%); and intermediate (n=56; 100%) against cephalothin and naldixic acid. The percentage resistance was low for aztreonam (n=4; 7%), chloramphenicol (n=3; 5%), clotrimazole (n=6; 10%), novobiocin (n=2; 3.5%) and ticarcillin (n=3; 5%). On the other hand, all isolates were sensitive (n=56; 100%) towards the following antibiotics: amikacin, ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, clindamycin, imipenem, netilmycin, gentamicin, nitrofurantion, rifampin, trimethoprim and vancomycin. The results of this study suggest that the Iraqi thermophilic B. licheniformis isolates are variable in their susceptibility towards the standards antimicrobial agents. Furthermore, the presence of cefepime, amoxicillin, ampicillin, cephalothin and naldixic resistant isolates of B. licheniformis in Iraqi soils is of concern about how resistance could spread to other bacteria, and ultimately to humans

Performance of Teaching and Learning Technology Internship Students as Perceived by Their Trainers

The purpose of this descriptive study is to evaluate the performance of teaching and learning technology students of the College of Education, Sultan Qaboos University during their internship experience. Trainers of the interns rated them on 15 items of performance as displayed in the questionnaire of the study. The internal consistency of the questionnaire was significantly high (.96). It was observed that the general level of performance of the interns was high (a mean of 4.40 out of 5) and the ratings of the individual items of performance ranged from 4.04 to 4.59. However, no gender significant differences were observed in the global ratings of males and females. Apart from this, it was found that 2014 cohort interns performed better than earlier cohorts (before 2014).  The study reveals other significant findings such as location of internship (public or private sector) did not affect performance of interns. Similarly, type of institution (educational or non-educational) was not a significant factor of performance, however, interns in non-educational institutions performed better (though not significantly) than interns in educational institutions). Interns with higher GPAs outperformed their colleagues with lower GPAs. Keywords: Internship evaluation, supervisors’ ratings of interns, teaching and learning technolog