Most heuristic search method's performances are dependent on parameter choices. These parameter settings govern how new candidate solutions are generated and then applied by the algorithm. They essentially play a key role in determining the quality of the solution obtained and the efficiency of the search. Their fine-tuning techniques are still an on-going research area. Differential Evolution (DE) algorithm is a very powerful optimization method and has become popular in many fields. Based on the prolonged research work on DE, it is now arguably one of the most outstanding stochastic optimization algorithms for real-parameter optimization. One reason for its popularity is its widely appreciated property of having only a small number of par

The optical transmission and absorption spectra in UV-VIS were recorded in the wavelength range 350-800 nm for different glass compositions in the system: (CuO)x (PbO)50-x (Bi2O3)50 (x=2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0, 12.5, 15.0, 20.0). Absorption coefficient {α (λ)}, optical energy gap (Eopt), refractive index (n), optical dielectric constant (ε`), Urbach energy (Ee), constant B and ratio of carrier concentration to the effective mass (N/m) have been reported. The effects of compositions of glasses on these parameters have been discussed. It has been indicated that a small compositional modification of the glasses lead to an important change in all the optical properties including non-linear behavior. The optical parameters were found to b

Cognitive stylistics is one discipline of applied linguistics that relies on the reader’s interpretation and inference of the meaning of the text depending on his background knowledge. It studies how the reader understands the text and mapping it with his real experiences (Jeffries and McIntyre,2010). The present study is a cognitive stylistic analysis of digital stories. Digital stories are short narratives made by a combination of different sorts of digital media such as pictures, audios and videos. These digital media are employed to tell stories about oneself, famous people, and important events. The analyzed stories are selected from “Daily Yahoo Stories” and are analyzed according to Lakoff (1993) approach, The analysis investig

Implementation of Warm Mix Asphalt concrete (WMA) is getting global acceptance due to the restrictions for protecting the environment and the requirements to reduce fuel consumption. In this investigation, two WMA mixtures have been prepared in the laboratory using medium curing cutback (MC-30) and Cationic emulsion asphalt. Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) was also prepared for comparison. The cylinder specimens (63.5mm) in height and (101.6mm) in diameter were constructed from the mixtures and subjected to indirect tensile strength test to determine the Tensile Strength Ratio (TSR). The cylinder specimens of (101.6mm) in height and (101.6mm) in diameter were also constructed from those mixtures and subjected to static compressive

The very fast developments of web and data collection technologies have enabled non-experts to collect and disseminate geospatial datasets through web applications. This new type of spatial data is usually known as collaborative mapping or volunteered geographic information VGI. There are various countries around the world could benefit from collaborative mapping data because it is cost free data, easy to access and it provides more customised data. However, there is a concern about its quality because the data collectors may lack the sufficient experience and training about geospatial data production. Most previous studies which have outlined and analysed VGI quality focused on positional and linear features. The current research has been

The sintering behavior of Alumina was investigated by adding TiO2. The addition of TiO2 lowered the sintering temperature of the Alumina compared with those of pure Alumina. The result suggests that TiO2 acts as an activator for sintering of Alumina. Water absorption, apparent porosity and density were examined for both pure and TiO2 added to Alumina samples. The variations of sintering behavior were discussed in terms of shrinkage, porosity, water absorption and density. Thermal shock resistance was also examined. In term of this work, the way of improving the thermal shock resistance in oxide- based materials by adding reactive Titania powder to the Alumina samples. The laboratory results showed an improvement in thermal shock resistance

Drilling well design optimization reduces total Authorization for Expenditures (AFE) by decreasing well constructing time and expense. Well design is not a constant pattern during the life cycle of the field. It should be optimized by continuous improvements for all aspects of redesigning the well depending on the actual field conditions and problems. The core objective of this study is to deliver a general review of the well design optimization processes and the available studies and applications to employ the well design optimization to solve problems encountered with well design so that cost effectiveness and perfect drilling well performance are achievable. Well design optimization processes include unconventional design(slimhole) co

Psychological studies expanded very much, but the researchers forgot very important subjects such as Political participant, and they put their efforts in reading resources to try insuring its results, or to applying it in logic environment and its different Cultures from our Culture in its Values, Criterion, and Attitudes that use their results more difficult. Despite of research movement expansion, but critic was still especially in Political Psychology field, and may be took thritically from researches, and they remote from it practically, and this study a sereace try to put a practical principle that our society need it especially which we practice the Political participant every four years, and we practice it in our departmen

In this study, two types of mixes were adopted by using two grading of coarse aggregate. The practical side of this study was to produce no-fine aggregate concrete by using crushed clay brick aggregates. The durability of the produced concrete and internal sulfate attack was studied.      For durability assessment, it is found that the no-fine concrete made with crushed brick aggregate lost about (15-25) % of its compressive strength after being subjected to 60 cycles of wetting and drying with age 120 days. The curing condition showed that the water curing improved the compressive strength with a rate higher than that when sealed or air dry curing were used. The crushed brick no-fine concrete de