Showing papers by "American University in Cairo published in 2011"
TL;DR: In this article, it was found that the smaller diameter bent and entangled CNTs were more difficult to disperse with increase in CNT content compared to the larger diameter stiff and straight ones, which in turn affected the tensile properties and hardness of the composites.
Abstract: Ball milling was used to disperse MWCNTs of two different morphologies (stiff and straight vs. bent and entangled) and diameters (very large diameter and 3.5 times smaller diameter) in aluminium powders, which were subsequently hot consolidated by hot extrusion. Characterization of the produced composites revealed that the CNT morphology plays an important role in affecting dispersion. It was found that the smaller diameter bent and entangled CNTs were more difficult to disperse with increase in CNT content compared to the larger diameter stiff and straight ones; which in turn affected the tensile properties and hardness of the composites. Furthermore, cold welding of the milled powders as well as carbide formation in the final composite was found to depend on the CNT diameter. The smaller diameter CNTs – having a larger effective interfacial contact area with the aluminium matrix compared to the larger ones for a given CNT wt.% – were found to reduce particle welding during milling and to be more affected by carbide formation. Nano-sized particles of aluminium oxide as well as nano-rods of aluminium carbide, in addition to CNT damage were observed upon TEM analysis of the smaller diameter CNTs.
216 citations
TL;DR: Sakr et al. as mentioned in this paper summarized the lessons learned from worldwide EIP experiences as a basis for the planning and implementation of future EIPs, and reflected as well upon the Egyptian context for the identified EIP success and limiting factors.
158 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors used a self-completion survey to test a model of brand equity in the context of higher education in the Egyptian Higher Education (HE) sector and explore the implications for management practice.
Abstract: Purpose – The potential to provide customers with information about experience and credence qualities in advance of purchase has resulted in widespread recognition of the significance of brands in relation to consumer choice in the service sector. Arguably, what is of particular significance in this process is brand equity – the value that the consumer ascribes to the brand. The main objective of this research is to enhance academic understanding of brand equity in the higher education (HE) sector and explore the implications for management practice.Design/methodology/approach – Quantitative data collected via a self‐completion survey are used to test a model of brand equity in the context of HE. The empirical setting is Egypt which, following liberalization, has a mixture of public and private provision and an increasingly competitive environment. It provides an example of an emerging market where building brand equity is likely to be an important component of organizational strategy.Findings – The resul...
148 citations
TL;DR: In this article, high purity W and W-0.9La(2)O(3) (wt.%) nanopowders were produced by a wet chemical route.
139 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a qualitatively and quantitatively designed questionnaire was used to interview 134 refugees from two existing camps in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh to understand the dynamics and severity of reported humiliation by the government on the Rohingya population, and how are they marginalized in their destination points.
Abstract: Rohingya refugees from the Arakan state of Myanmar found their ways a number of times to Bangladesh to escape state-sponsored persecution. While there is no dearth of studies on refugees, Rohingya has so far received very little research attention. This article tries to understand the dynamics and severity of reported humiliation by the government on the Rohingya population, and how are they marginalized in their destination points. A qualitatively and quantitatively designed questionnaire was used to interview 134 refugees from two existing camps in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Both qualitative and quantitative analyses reinforce that the level of abuse and persecution perpetrated upon them surpass all human rights standards. This was confirmed by both the in-depth and the case studies. These people were forced out by state-sponsored persecution and again they are forced to be repatriated due to the fact that Bangladesh cannot afford to welcome them back.
136 citations
TL;DR: This fascinating ‘green animal’ provides a unique model to study the evolution of photosynthesis in a multicellular heterotrophic organism and provides hypotheses to explain how long-term photosynthetic activity is maintained by the kleptoplasts.
Abstract: Symbiotic animals containing green photobionts challenge the common perception that only plants are capable of capturing the sun's rays and converting them into biological energy through photoautotrophic CO(2) fixation (photosynthesis). 'Solar-powered' sacoglossan molluscs, or sea slugs, have taken this type of symbiotic association one step further by solely harboring the photosynthetic organelle, the plastid (=chloroplast). One such sea slug, Elysia chlorotica, lives as a 'plant' when provided with only light and air as a result of acquiring plastids during feeding on its algal prey Vaucheria litorea. The captured plastids (kleptoplasts) are retained intracellularly in cells lining the digestive diverticula of the sea slug, a phenomenon sometimes referred to as kleptoplasty. Photosynthesis by the plastids provides E. chlorotica with energy and fixed carbon for its entire lifespan of ~10 months. The plastids are not transmitted vertically (i.e. are absent in eggs) and do not undergo division in the sea slug. However, de novo protein synthesis continues, including plastid- and nuclear-encoded plastid-targeted proteins, despite the apparent absence of algal nuclei. Here we discuss current data and provide hypotheses to explain how long-term photosynthetic activity is maintained by the kleptoplasts. This fascinating 'green animal' provides a unique model to study the evolution of photosynthesis in a multicellular heterotrophic organism.
135 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the level and determinants of voluntary corporate disclosure in the annual reports of the largest 100 companies listed on the Egyptian stock exchange (EGX), and indicated that overall voluntary disclosure was low at just 13.43% with a large variation range.
Abstract: This paper examines the level and determinants (i.e. ownership structure, board composition and audit committee presence) of voluntary corporate disclosure in the annual reports of the largest 100 companies listed on the Egyptian stock exchange (EGX). Our results indicate that overall voluntary disclosure was low at just 13.43% with a large variation range. This score places Egypt at a lower level than other emerging capital markets (e.g. Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia). The variances of these results support the need for individual country level studies and comparative analysis. Multivariate results show audit committee presence as the most significant variable influencing voluntary disclosure. Also, companies with a higher ratio of independent non-executive directors have a higher extent of voluntary disclosure. It was also evidenced that voluntary disclosure increases with decreases in block-holder ownership. Results show that two other ownership aspects – managerial and government – are not related to voluntary disclosure. Finally, the analysis shows profitability and internationality significantly impact voluntary disclosure. On the other side, that number of shareholders, type of auditor, size, liquidity, leverage and industry type of the firm do not affect the extent of voluntary disclosure.
115 citations
TL;DR: In this article, an analytical expression for the electrostatic force generated between the combs of the rotor and the stator is derived and takes into account both the transverse and longitudinal capacitances present.
Abstract: This paper studies analytically and numerically the spring softening and hardening phenomena that occur in electrostatically actuated microelectromechanical systems comb drive resonators utilizing folded suspension beams. An analytical expression for the electrostatic force generated between the combs of the rotor and the stator is derived and takes into account both the transverse and longitudinal capacitances present. After formulating the problem, the resulting stiff differential equations are solved analytically using the method of multiple scales, and a closed-form solution is obtained. Furthermore, the nonlinear boundary value problem that describes the dynamics of inextensional spring beams is solved using straightforward perturbation to obtain the linear and nonlinear spring constants of the beam. The analytical solution is verified numerically using a Matlab/Simulink environment, and the results from both analyses exhibit excellent agreement. Stability analysis based on phase plane trajectory is also presented and fully explains previously reported empirical results that lacked sufficient theoretical description. Finally, the proposed solutions are, once again, verified with previously published measurement results. The closed-form solutions provided are easy to apply and enable predicting the actual behavior of resonators and gyroscopes with similar structures.
112 citations
TL;DR: Nano-crystalline W-1%Y(2)O(3) (wt.%) powder was produced by a modified solution chemical reaction of ammonium paratungstate (APT) and yttrium nitrate as discussed by the authors.
109 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the entrepreneurial propensity of students of business administration at the British University in Egypt using the Durham University General Enterprising Tendency Test (GET) and found that the propensity of the Egyptian students is somewhat higher than that of their counterparts in the UK, despite the prevailing traditional knowledge acquisition pedagogy.
Abstract: The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Report (2008) for Egypt identified education and training as one of the main constraining factors to entrepreneurship development and the creation of an entrepreneurial culture in the country. Of the 31 countries participating in the National Experts’ Survey, Egypt was ranked in last place in terms of the contribution of the education system and the number one recommendation was that it needs to be reformed. Hence, the study examines the Entrepreneurial Tendencies of students of business administration at the British University in Egypt using the Durham University General Enterprising Tendency Test. It reveals that the entrepreneurial propensity of the Egyptian students is somewhat higher than that of their counterparts in the UK, despite the prevailing traditional “knowledge acquisition” pedagogy. When exposed to a more entrepreneurial style of teaching and learning, the students’ GET scores increased by about 8 per cent over a 12 week period, suggesting that if a change in the educational paradigm could be effected, it should be possible to effect a change in the way students think and behave, thereby helping bring about an entrepreneurial culture. The study examines the brain dominance of the students and makes proposals for future research.
85 citations
TL;DR: A gold nanoparticle-based colorimetric assay kit for hepatitis C virus RNA that detects unamplified HCV RNA in clinical specimens using unmodified AuNPs and oligotargeter polynucleotides that bind to hepatitis C RNA was presented in this paper.
TL;DR: The Tunisian revolution has clearly constituted a real political surprise inside as well as outside the country as mentioned in this paper. No specialist, observer or politician, Tunisian or non Tunisian, really predicted th...
Abstract: The Tunisian revolution has clearly constituted a real political surprise inside as well as outside the country. No specialist, observer or politician, Tunisian or non Tunisian, really predicted th...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore awareness of social entrepreneurship amongst Egyptian students and to determine what is needed to create more graduate social entrepreneurs, and find that although three organizations, Ashoka Arab World, The Schwab Foundation and Yes Egypt, do much to support and promote social enterprise in Egypt, students are confused over what a social entrepreneur is or does and are largely unaware of existing Egyptian social entrepreneurs.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore awareness of social entrepreneurship amongst Egyptian students and to determine what is needed to create more graduate social entrepreneurs.Design/methodology/approach – The theoretical framework is Ajzen's Theory of Planned Behavior. Data collection is a questionnaire survey of 183 of the 2,000 undergraduates at the British University in Egypt, drawn from the University's three faculties.Findings – The paper finds that, although three organizations, Ashoka Arab World, The Schwab Foundation and Yes Egypt, do much to support and promote social enterprise in Egypt, students are confused over what a social entrepreneur is or does and are largely unaware of existing Egyptian social entrepreneurs. The majority want a career in a multi‐national enterprise but a sizeable number are interested in establishing a social enterprise.Research limitations/implications – The sample is small and limited to one institution but the findings corroborate theory and indicate a...
TL;DR: Results show that the proposed ABB compensates effectively for NBTI aging and process variations and enhances the soft errors immunity of the SRAM cell by reducing the critical charge degradation and the SNM degradation.
Abstract: Reliability and variability have become big design challenges facing submicrometer SRAM designers. A low area overhead adaptive body bias (ABB) circuit is proposed in this paper to compensate for NBTI aging and process variations to improve the SRAM reliability and yield. The proposed ABB circuit consists of a threshold voltage sensing circuit and an on-chip analog controller. Postlayout simulation results, referring to an industrial hardware-calibrated STMicroelectronics 65 nm CMOS technology transistor model, are presented. The transistor model contains process variations and NBTI aging model cards, which are declared by STMicroelectronics to be silicon verified. Cadence RelXpert, Virtuoso Spectre, and Virtuoso UltraSim tools are used to estimate the NBTI aging and process variations impacts on the SRAM array. These results show that the proposed ABB compensates effectively for NBTI aging and process variations. For example, the proposed ABB reduces the read failure probability from 0.32% to 0.05% and the SNM degradation from 10.9% to 2.6% at 10 years aging time. In addition, the proposed ABB enhances the soft errors immunity of the SRAM cell by reducing the critical charge degradation from 12.7% to 3.4% at 10 years aging time.
TL;DR: The dosages on the labels for treatment of mosquito larvae in catch basins, where mosquito breeding is continuous, are not adequate for providing long-term control in the northeastern USA without the need for frequent retreatment.
Abstract: Catch basins are a major source of Culex pipiens pipiens, Cx. restuans ,a ndAedes japonicus in northeastern USA. VectoBacH CG (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti)), VectoLexH CG (Bacillus sphaericus (Bs)), and VectoBacH 12AS (Bti), each applied at maximum label rate of 1.8 g, 1.8 g, and 0.193 ml per catch basin, respectively, significantly reduced the numbers of larvae for 1 wk. The dosages on the labels for treatment of mosquito larvae in catch basins, where mosquito breeding is continuous, are not adequate for providing long-term control in the northeastern USA without the need for frequent retreatment. When applied at 3 times the maximum label rate, VectoLex CG, VectoBac 12AS, and VectoBac CG significantly reduced the numbers of larvae for 5, 4, and 2 wk, respectively. A single application of VectoMax TM WSP (Bti + Bs) (1 pouch containing 10 g) per catch basin significantly reduced the numbers of 3rd and 4th instars and healthy pupae in catch basins in 2008, but numbers of 3rd and 4th instars in treated catch basins at 21 days after treatment had increased to 40% of the numbers in untreated catch basins. A 2nd treatment of 1 pouch per catch basin reduced the numbers of 3rd and 4th instars and healthy pupae to near zero for the next 4 wk, into the middle of September 2008. In 2009, VectoMax applied as 1 pouch per catch basin on July 1 and again on August 18 significantly reduced the numbers of healthy pupae throughout the summer until the end of September. A 2nd application of VectoMax to catch basins is likely needed during summer, when rainfall averages 13.7 in. (,34.25 cm) during June through September, to keep the numbers of Culex and Ae. japonicus significantly reduced to lower risk of human exposure to West Nile virus. The application of 1 Natular TM XRT tablet, each weighing approximately 40.5 g (6.25% spinosad), to individual catch basins in 2009 significantly reduced the total numbers of larvae for 5 wk.
TL;DR: This article reviews the use of three main techniques of whey fractionation together with an evaluation of their performance regarding the yield and purity of two major proteins in whey.
Abstract: Whey is a by-product of cheese manufacture that is normally treated as a waste. However, it contains a mixture of proteins with important nutritional and biological attributes. To extract these valuable proteins, whey fractionation has been developed using three main techniques; namely chromatographic (e.g., ion-exchange and hydrophobic adsorption), membrane (e.g., traditional pressure-driven and electro-separation)-, or combined methods. Recently, new promising techniques have been introduced such as aqueous two-phase separation (ATPS) and magnetic fishing. This article reviews the use of these techniques together with an evaluation of their performance regarding the yield and purity of two major proteins in whey.
TL;DR: The interview revealed that the spouses of the physicians and nurses in charge of the HIV-positive individuals put pressure to stop serving the patient or even quit the job, and the physicians know well about the routes of transmission, but do not believe it by heart, therefore, their fear of being infected makes them discriminate against the infected individuals.
Abstract: People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are stigmatized and looked at negatively by people at large. Stigma, discrimination, and prejudice extend its reach to people associated with HIV-positive people such as health providers, hospital staff, as well as family member and friends. Studies demonstrate that, in low-income countries, especially in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, health providers' views toward the HIV-positive individuals is not very much different from the general population. The study has been qualitative in nature and conducted among health providers such as physicians and nurses attached to different hospitals. The study was conducted from March 2005 to May 2007. The study shows that 80% of the nurses and 90% of the physicians' behavior with the HIV-positive individuals were discriminatory. They talk to their patients standing far from them. The interview revealed that the spouses of the physicians and nurses in charge of the HIV-positive individuals put pressure to stop serving the patient or even quit the job. The notion that HIV is only transmitted through sexual activities is prevalent among them. Interestingly, although the physicians know well about the routes of transmission, they do not believe it by heart. Therefore, their fear of being infected makes them discriminate against the HIV-positive individuals. HIV-related stigma remains a barrier to effectively fighting this pandemic. Fear of discrimination often prevents people from seeking treatment publicly. There are evidences that they were evicted from home by their families and rejected by their friends and colleagues. The stigma attached to HIV/AIDS can extend into the next generation, placing an emotional burden on them.
TL;DR: A large-scale dual-mode stochastic system to automatically diacritize raw Arabic text that benefits from the advantages of both modes has experimentally been found superior to the best performing reported systems of Habash and Rambow, and of Zitouni, using the same training and test corpus.
Abstract: This paper introduces a large-scale dual-mode stochastic system to automatically diacritize raw Arabic text. The first of these modes determines the most likely diacritics by choosing the sequence of full-form Arabic word diacritizations with maximum marginal probability via A^ lattice search and long-horizon n-grams probability estimation. When full-form words are OOV, the system switches to the second mode which factorizes each Arabic word into all its possible morphological constituents, then uses also the same techniques used by the first mode to get the most likely sequence of morphemes, hence the most likely diacritization. While the second mode achieves a far better coverage of the highly derivative and inflective Arabic language, the first mode is faster to learn, i.e., yields better disambiguation results for the same size of training corpora, especially for inferring syntactical (case-ending) diacritics. Our presented hybrid system that benefits from the advantages of both modes has experimentally been found superior to the best performing reported systems of Habash and Rambow, and of Zitouni, using the same training and test corpus for the sake of fair comparison. The word error rates of (morphological diacritization, overall diacritization including the case endings) for the three systems are, respectively, as follows (3.1%, 12.5%), (5.5%, 14.9%), and (7.9%, 18%). The hybrid architecture of language factorizing and unfactorizing components may be inspiring to other NLP/HLT problems in analogous situations.
TL;DR: The authors argue that this wave of protests is an outcome of the rupture of the hegemonic ruling pact governing Egypt since 1952, and conclude that this movement might be carrying the potential for wider democratisation.
Abstract: Egypt has experienced a wave of unprecedented labour protests since December 2006. Refuting moral economy and rational choice arguments as a basis for understanding labour unrest in Egypt, this paper argues that this wave of protests is an outcome of the rupture of the hegemonic ruling pact governing Egypt since 1952. As such, this movement, which includes both industrial workers as well as white-collar state employees, should be interpreted beyond its immediate material demands. Rather, the paper argues, the changing constituency, tactics, and internal organisation of the movement all point to the potential role that it can play in further eroding the corporatist–authoritarian structure governing state-society relations in Egypt. The paper concludes that this movement might be carrying the potential for wider democratisation.
TL;DR: Examination of individual and organizational resilience processes among members of The Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan, an Afghan women’s underground resistance organization located in Afghanistan and Pakistan finds that a better understanding of resilience processes in general will come from increased attention to context.
Abstract: This paper examines individual and organizational resilience processes among members of The Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan, (RAWA), an Afghan women’s underground resistance organization located in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Since 1977, RAWA has used humanitarian and political means to educate, serve, and motivate women and to advocate for peace, secular democracy, and human rights. The authors analyzed 110 qualitative interviews, collected in Pakistan and Afghanistan between December 2001 and July 2002. An iterative coding framework identified processes of resilience and domain specific stressors (risks) and resources (protective factors) at the individual and organizational level. Further analysis found that these process codes clustered by function into components of an operational model of individual and organizational resilience. While individual and organizational resilience are described by the same model, these two levels of resilience were found to operate in synergy as well as in conflict. Although this paper explores a unique setting, we argue that a better understanding of resilience processes in general will come from increased attention to context.
TL;DR: This paper explored the importance of French thinker, Bruno Latour, for academic philosophy and addressed the question of why, when he has an enthusiastic following in a range of disciplines including sociology, anthropology and the fine arts, he has been largely overlooked by academic philosophers.
Abstract: This article explores the importance of French thinker, Bruno Latour, for academic philosophy and addresses the question of why, when he has an enthusiastic following in a range of disciplines including sociology, anthropology and the fine arts, he has been largely overlooked by academic philosophers.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors introduce biomimetics as an emerging discipline that studies and examines nature, its models, elements, processes, systems, structures, mechanisms, etc. to take inspiration from, or emulate, nature's best biological ideas in order to solve scientific and engineering problems.
Abstract: This paper introduces biomimetics as an emerging discipline that studies and examines nature, its models, elements, processes, systems, structures, mechanisms, etc. to take inspiration from, or emulate, nature’s best biological ideas in order to solve scientific and engineering problems. Biomimetics incorporates materials, concepts and techniques drawn from naturally made substances, and resembles the aspiration of biological systems in structure, mechanism and/or function. Biologically inspired approaches will create new reality with great potential. It has been utilised to advance the development of innovative robotics through the integration of bioinspired ideas and solutions into engineered systems. However, engineering such biomimetic intelligent creatures was hampered by physical limitations and technological constraint, and it is still a challenge. This paper provides the importance and underlines the potential of biomimetics as an interdisciplinary field, as well as introduces and discusses scientific ideas and directions of research activities in the field. The paper presents key development in the field of biomimetic robots.
TL;DR: The Digital Radiography and Multi Detector Computerized Tomography (MDCT) scans of a male Ptolemaic Egyptian mummy displayed several focal dense bone lesions located mainly on the spine, pelvis and proximal extremities, which could be one of the oldest evidence of this disease, as well as being the cause of death.
TL;DR: With increasing urbanization, it is imperative to design health programs for the urban poor that take full advantage of the social resources and resourcefulness of their own communities.
Abstract: The process of urbanization entails social improvements with the consequential better quality-of-life for urban residents. However, in many low-income and some middle-income countries, urbanization conveys inequality and exclusion, creating cities and dwellings characterized by poverty, overcrowded conditions, poor housing, severe pollution, and absence of basic services such as water and sanitation. Slums in large cities often have an absence of schools, transportation, health centers, recreational facilities, and other such amenities. Additionally, the persistence of certain conditions, such as poverty, ethnic heterogeneity, and high population turnover, contributes to a lowered ability of individuals and communities to control crime, vandalism, and violence. The social vulnerability in health is not a “natural” or predefined condition but occurs because of the unequal social context that surrounds the daily life of the disadvantaged, and often, socially excluded groups. Social exclusion of individuals and groups is a major threat to development, whether to the community social cohesion and economic prosperity or to the individual self-realization through lack of recognition and acceptance, powerlessness, economic vulnerability, ill health, diminished life experiences, and limited life prospects. In contrast, social inclusion is seen to be vital to the material, psychosocial, and political aspects of empowerment that underpin social well-being and equitable health. Successful experiences of cooperation and networking between slum-based organizations, grassroots groups, local and international NGOs, and city government are important mechanisms that can be replicated in urban settings of different low- and middle-income countries. With increasing urbanization, it is imperative to design health programs for the urban poor that take full advantage of the social resources and resourcefulness of their own communities.
Abstract: This paper analyzes the factors that affect delays in the signing of audit reports. Audit delays are measured by the number of days that elapse from the end of the financial year until the date when the auditor report is signed. Previous studies of audit delays in various countries are reviewed, along with some of the results of the variables that were tested. This study focuses on 149 and 177 companies listed on the Kuwait stock market in 2006 and 2007, respectively. Six explanatory variables are tested to investigate delays in issuing audit reports. The results show that company size is the only variable that negatively correlates with audit delay in the period tested. The variables industry classification, leverage, percentage change in earning per share, type of auditors, and liquidity show no significant correlation with audit delays for listed companies in Kuwait. Liquidity, leverage, and type of auditors are negatively correlated with audit delay in 2006 for the first two variables and in 2007 for the type of auditors. Future research would consider other variables such as other interpretation of company size, ownership concentration, quality of internal control, direction of income or loss, and the mix of audit work
TL;DR: In this article, the authors proposed a CPEHDM (CantileveredPiezoelectric Energy Harvesters with Dynamic Magnifier) with a spring-mass system, which is placed between the fixed end of the beam and the vibrating base structure.
Abstract: Conventional energy harvester consists of a cantilevered composite piezoelectric beam which has a proof
mass at its free end while its fixed end is mounted on a vibrating base structure. The resulting relative motion between
the proof mass and the base structure produces a mechanical strain in the piezoelectric elements which is converted
into electrical power by virtue of the direct piezoelectric effect. In this paper, the harvester is provided with a dynamic
magnifier consisting of a spring-mass system which is placed between the fixed end of the piezoelectric beam and the
vibrating base structure. The main function of the dynamic magnifier, as the name implies, is to magnify the strain
experienced by the piezoelectric elements in order to amplify the electrical power output of the harvester. With proper
selection of the design parameters of the magnifier, the harvested power can be significantly enhanced and the
effective bandwidth of the harvester can be improved. The theoretical performance of this class of Cantilevered
Piezoelectric Energy Harvesters with Dynamic Magnifier (CPEHDM) is developed using ANSYS finite element
analysis. The predictions of the model are validated experimentally and comparisons are presented to illustrate the
merits of the CPEHDM in comparison with the conventional piezoelectric energy harvesters (CPEH). The obtained
results demonstrate the feasibility of the CPEHDM as a simple and effective means for enhancing the magnitude and
spectral characteristics of CPEH.
TL;DR: Five extensions to Ant-Miner are proposed, which incorporate stubborn ants, an ACO variation in which an ant is allowed to take into consideration its own personal past history and improve the algorithm’s performance in terms of predictive accuracy and simplicity of the generated rule set.
Abstract: Ant-Miner is an ant-based algorithm for the discovery of classification rules. This paper proposes five extensions to Ant-Miner: (1) we utilize multiple types of pheromone, one for each permitted rule class, i.e. an ant first selects the rule class and then deposits the corresponding type of pheromone; (2) we use a quality contrast intensifier to magnify the reward of high-quality rules and to penalize low-quality rules in terms of pheromone update; (3) we allow the use of a logical negation operator in the antecedents of constructed rules; (4) we incorporate stubborn ants, an ACO variation in which an ant is allowed to take into consideration its own personal past history; (5) we use an ant colony behavior in which each ant is allowed to have its own values of the α and β parameters (in a sense, to have its own personality). Empirical results on 23 datasets show improvements in the algorithm’s performance in terms of predictive accuracy and simplicity of the generated rule set.
TL;DR: The influenza virus has evolved to adapt to its host through variations in the GC content and conservation percentage of the conserved regions, which will serve as a foundation for universal drug targets as well as universal vaccine design.
Abstract: Background
Influenza A virus poses a continuous threat to global public health. Design of novel universal drugs and vaccine requires a careful analysis of different strains of Influenza A viral genome from diverse hosts and subtypes. We performed a systematic in silico analysis of Influenza A viral segments of all available Influenza A viral strains and subtypes and grouped them based on host, subtype, and years isolated, and through multiple sequence alignments we extrapolated conserved regions, motifs, and accessible regions for functional mapping and annotation.
TL;DR: A SADP-aware detailed routing method is proposed that achieves considerable robustness against lithography imperfection in expense of tolerable wire length overhead and performs detailed routing and layout decomposition concurrently to prevent litho-limited layout configurations.
Abstract: Amongst the possible double patterning strategies for sub 32nm processes, self-aligned double patterning
(SADP) has moved from Flash-only processes to more general purpose devices. The reason is that while litho-etch-
litho-etc (LELE) process was originally preferred due to its simplicity and relative low cost, its sensitivity
to overlay error has prompted the search for other methods.
Although the basic SADP process is fairly robust against the overlay error, the robustness of 2D SADP
method strongly depends on layout and decomposition styles and decomposability compliance. In this paper,
we first discuss different printability challenges for SADP method. Afterward, we propose a SADP-aware
detailed routing method, by applying a correct-by-construction approach, to provide SADP-friendly layouts.
This method performs detailed routing and layout decomposition concurrently to prevent litho-limited layout
configurations. Experimental results show that, compared with a SADP-blind detailed router, the proposed
method achieves considerable robustness against lithography imperfection in expense of tolerable wire length
overhead.
TL;DR: This paper examined the period from 1988 through 2005, when egalitarian policies remained in place, and during which enrollments continued to expand rapidly, finding that inclusiveness did not change for males and, at best, modestly improved for females.
Abstract: In Egypt, before 1952, education, especially higher education, was the province of a privileged few. After the 1952 Revolution, in pursuit of social justice and economic development, Egypt’s leaders eliminated fees, instituted a universal admission examination, promised government employment to all graduates of higher education, and expanded the number of places. Officials expected these policies to increase inclusiveness as enrollments grew. We examine the period from 1988 through 2005, when egalitarian policies remained in place, and during which enrollments continued to expand rapidly. Despite this growth, we find that inclusiveness did not change for males and, at best, modestly improved for females. Young adults from the wealthiest families maintained a substantial advantage in the likelihood of enrolling in higher education. At the same time, females, and notably females from poor families, came to make up a larger share of the higher education community.