Among the metaheuristic algorithms, population-based algorithms are an explorative search algorithm superior to the local search algorithm in terms of exploring the search space to find globally optimal solutions. However, the primary downside of such algorithms is their low exploitative capability, which prevents the expansion of the search space neighborhood for more optimal solutions. The firefly algorithm (FA) is a population-based algorithm that has been widely used in clustering problems. However, FA is limited in terms of its premature convergence when no neighborhood search strategies are employed to improve the quality of clustering solutions in the neighborhood region and exploring the global regions in the search space. On the

By- products of corn starch industry were used to prepare media for propagation the lactic acid bacteria as a natural auxotroph. The by- products used were the corn steep water (S) and gluten extract (G) after a proper treatment to get them ready for media preparation. The results showed that it was possible to replace the peptone and meat extract by gluten extract in MRS medium. The growth was approximately similar to that obtained in standard MRS media. Corn steep water (S) was used as well and the growth enhanced by including Tween – 80 at 1% level. The later media named MZ, which was superior for growing standard and local strains and starters. The MZ medium modified by adding acetate and glacial acetic acid similarly to

Virtual reality, VR, offers many benefits to technical education, including the delivery of information through multiple active channels, the addressing of different learning styles, and experiential-based learning. This paper presents work performed by the authors to apply VR to engineering education, in three broad project areas: virtual robotic learning, virtual mechatronics laboratory, and a virtual manufacturing platform. The first area provides guided exploration of domains otherwise inaccessible, such as the robotic cell components, robotic kinematics and work envelope.  The second promotes mechatronics learning and guidance for new mechatronics engineers when dealing with robots in a safe and interactive manner. And the thir

Some species, such as the Eurasian Collared-Dove (S. decaocto) are fast expanding around the planet, while others, such as the European Turtle-Dove (S. turtur), are experiencing precipitous population declines. Climate change, habitat loss, greater cultivated areas, and hunting pressure are the major threats to the diversity of Streptopelia. A few species require urgent conservation action. Priority for subsequent research should be to redress outstanding taxonomic uncertainties, ascertain the effect of climate change on distributions, and put in place conservation measures for declining taxa. We provide here a detailed review on how it is possible to understand the diversity of Streptopelia and how such an understanding can con

    A total of 228 domestic and wild animals, including sheep, goats, cows, buffaloes, camels, horses, donkeys, dogs, cats, wild hares, Asiatic jackals, and red foxes were examined for ixodid ticks in the central region of Iraq. Nine species of ixodid ticks belong to two genera namely Hyalomma anatolicum Koch, 1844, H. excavatum Koch, 1844, H. turanicum Pomerantsef, 1946,  H. scupense Delpy, 1946,  H. dromedarii Koch, 1844, H. schulzei Olenev, 1931, Rhipicephalus annulatus (Say, 1821), R. turanicus Pomerantsef & al., 1940 and R. leporis Pomerantsef, 1946 were recovered. Their distribution among hosts and infestation rates were di

Stability of laminated plate under thermal load varied linearly along thickness, is developed using a higher order displacement field which depend on a parameter “m”, whose value is optimized to get results closest to three-dimension elasticity results. Hamilton, s principle is used to derive equations of motion for laminated plates. These equations are solved using Navier-type for simply supported boundary conditions to obtain non uniform critical thermal buckling and fundamental frequency under a ratio of this load. Many design parameters of cross ply and angle ply laminates such as, number of layers, aspect ratios and E1/E2 ratios for thick and thin plates are investigated. It is observed that linear and uniform distribution of

Statisticians often use regression models like parametric, nonparametric, and semi-parametric models to represent economic and social phenomena. These models explain the relationships between different variables in these phenomena. One of the parametric model techniques is conic projection regression. It helps to find the most important slopes for multidimensional data using prior information about the regression's parameters to estimate the most efficient estimator. R algorithms, written in the R language, simplify this complex method. These algorithms are based on quadratic programming, which makes the estimations more accurate.

Giardia lamblia is one of most common protozoan cause diarrheas, and the most health problem in development countries worldwide. Our work aimed to assess activity and toxicity of metronidazole loaded silver nanoparticles in treatment of acute giardiasis in mice. After inoculated mice with Giardia cysts in a dose of 105 cyst for acute infection, treatments were given for eight days. Number Giardia cysts in stool were discovered. Toxicity nanoparticles was estimated by Measurement oxidative stress markers (GSH) and (MDA) in liver, kidney tissue homogenate. The results showed single therapy was better effect by silver nanoparticles, highest percentages of reduction in number of cysts Giardia lamblia of infected mice treated with silver nanopar

This study included the Zakhikhah area in the Al- Anbar desert, which it bounded on the north, east, and west by the Euphrates River and on the south by the Ramadi-Qaim road. Several exploratory field trips were taken to the study area. During this time, a semi-detailed area survey was carried out based on satellite imagery captured by American Land sat-7, topographic maps, and natural vegetation variance. All necessary field tools, including a digital camera and GPS device, were brought to determine the soil type and collect plant samples. All of these visits are planned to cover the entire state of Zakhikhah. All vegetation cover observations, identifying sampling sites and attempting to inventory and collect medicinal plants in t