Incremental Change Propagation from Software to Performance Models

Model-Driven Engineering (MDE) enables the automatic generation of performance models from software design models by model transformations. The performance models are used for performance analysis of the software under development, to guide the design choices from an early stage and to ensure that the system will meet its performance requirements. The software model evolves during development, so inconsistencies may appear between the software and performance models. This research aims at keeping the software and performance models synchronized.An important concept in model transformations is the mapping between the source and target (meta)models, which can be specified in a reusable manner with the help of mapping patterns. In this research we propose a subclass of such patterns, called containment-based mapping patterns. used to map a group of containment-related source model elements into a group of target model elements. We focus on these patterns because the containment relationship is frequently found in metamodel specifications. The containment mapping patterns are applied in the context of a non-trivial transformation from UML software models extended with MARTE performance annotations into Layered Queueing Network (LQN) performance models. We show how the mapping patterns can be applied for designing the transformation rules for a batch transformation implemented in a specific language. (The complete implementation of the batch transformation was done in separate work). In this research, we extend the batch transformation to generate, beside the target model, a traceability model between the mapped source and target elements. After solving the generated LQN model with an existing solver, the performance results are fed back to the software model by following the cross-model trace links.The next objective of the research is to design (based on the mapping patterns), implement and evaluate an incremental change propagation (ICP) approach to re-synchronize the software and performance models. During the development process, when the software model evolves, we detect the changes with the Eclipse EMF Compare tool, then incrementally propagate them to the LQN model. The proposed ICP is implemented with the Epsilon Object Language (EOL) and is evaluated by applying it to a set of case studies

Layer-by-Layer Coating of Single-Cell Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus to Increase Viability Under Simulated Gastrointestinal Conditions and Use in Film Formation

Probiotics and prebiotics are widely used as functional food ingredients. Viability of probiotics in the food matrix and further in the digestive system is still a challenge for the food industry. Different approaches were used to enhance the viability of probiotics including microencapsulation and layer-by-layer cell coating. The of aim of this study was to evaluate the viability of coated Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus using a layer-by-layer (LbL) technique with black seed protein (BSP) extracted from Nigella sativa defatted seeds cakes (NsDSC), as a coating material, with alginate, inulin, or glucomannan, separately, and the final number of coating layers was 3. The viable cell counts of the plain and coated L. rhamnosus were determined under sequential simulated gastric fluid (SGF) for 120 min and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) for 180 min. Additionally, the viability after exposure to 37, 45, and 55 C for 30 min was also determined. Generally, the survivability of coated L. rhamnosus showed significant (p   0.05) improvement (<4, 3, and 1.5 logs reduction for glucomannan, alginate and inulin, respectively) compared with plain cells ( 6.7 log reduction) under sequential exposure to SGF and SIF. Moreover, the cells coated with BSP and inulin showed the best protection for L. rhamnosus under high temperatures. Edible films prepared with pectin with LbL-coated cells showed significantly higher values in their tensile strength (TS) of 50% and elongation at the break (EB) of 32.5% than pectin without LbL-coated cells. The LbL technique showed a significant protection of probiotic cells and potential use in food application

Predicting students' learning styles using regression techniques

Traditional learning systems have responded quickly to the COVID pandemic and moved to online or distance learning. Online learning requires a personalization method because the interaction between learners and instructors is minimal, and learners have a specific learning method that works best for them. One of the personalization methods is detecting the learners' learning style. To detect learning styles, several works have been proposed using classification techniques. However, the current detection models become ineffective when learners have no dominant style or a mix of learning styles. Thus, the objective of this study is twofold. Firstly, constructing a prediction model based on regression analysis provides a probabilistic approach for inferring the preferred learning style. Secondly, comparing regression models and classification models for detecting learning style. To ground our conceptual model, a set of machine learning algorithms have been implemented based on a dataset collected from a sample of 72 students using visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic (VARK's) inventory questionnaire. Results show that regression techniques are more accurate and representative for real-world scenarios than classification algorithms, where students might have multiple learning styles but with different probabilities. We believe that this research will help educational institutes to engage learning styles in the teaching process

Adopting the cybersecurity concepts into curriculum: the potential effects on students’ cybersecurity knowledge

This study examines the effect of adopting cybersecurity concepts on the information and technology (IT) curriculum and determines the potential effect on students' knowledge of cybersecurity practices and level of awareness. To this end, a pilot study was first conducted to measure the current level of cybersecurity awareness. The results revealed that students do not have much knowledge of cybersecurity. Thus, a four-step approach was proposed to infuse the relevant cybersecurity topics in five matched courses based on the latest cybersecurity curricular guidelines (CSEC2017). A sample of 42 students was selected purposively without prior knowledge of cybersecurity and divided identically into experimental and control groups. Students in the experimental group were asked to take five consecutive courses over five semesters. In each course, groups went through a pre-test for the infused topics. Then, the experimental group taught the corresponding infused topics. A post-test was administered to both groups at the end of each course, and the t-test was conducted. The results found significant differences between marks of prior and post-tests for 11 out of 14 infused topics. These satisfactory results would encourage universities to infuse cybersecurity concepts into their curriculum

Application of ultrasound and microencapsulation on Limosilactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 as a metabolic attenuation strategy for tomato juice probiotication

Counteracting probiotic-induced physicochemical and sensory changes is a challenge in the development of probiotic beverages. The aim of the study is to apply ultrasound and microencapsulation for the attenuation of Limosilactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 to avoid change in a probiotic tomato juice. Preliminarily, six ultrasound treatments were applied. Probiotic survival in acid environment (pH 2.5) and bile salts (1.5 g/l) after ultrasound treatment was also studied. The probiotic was inoculated in tomato juice in four forms: free cells (PRO-TJ), sonicated-free cells (US-TJ), untreated-microencapsulated (PRO-MC-TJ) and sonicated-microencapsulated cells (US-MC-TJ). Probiotic viability and pH were monitored during 28 days of storage at 4 and 20 °C. Sensory analysis was performed for PRO-TJ and US-MC-TJ sample (4 °C). Ultrasound (57 W for 6 min) did not affect cell survival and transitorily modulated probiotic acidifying capacity; it reduced probiotic survival in acidic environment but increased probiotic survival in bile salts solution. Ultrasound was effective in maintain pH value of tomato juice but only at 4 °C. Instead, microencapsulation with sodium-alginate leads to a more stable probiotic juice, particularly at 20 °C. Finally, probiotication slightly modified some sensory attributes of the juice. This study shows the potential of ultrasound and microencapsulation as attenuation strategies and highlights the need for process optimization to increase ultrasound efficacy

A Critical Review of Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence) of Oil and Gas

This paper reviews the book “Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence) of Oil and Gas”, and provides a critical view on the content of the book. The emphasis of the author for writing the book is to make the MA and PhD students of “Oil and Gas Law”, “Energy Law” and “Oil and Gas Contracts” and other interested people be familiar with basic concepts and foundations of “Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence) of Oil and Gas” and give them access to short and simple texts in this regard. Although the book has tried to fill the gap mentioned in the goal for writing the script, it has failed so far as chosen texts and their arrangement do not have a suitable relation with oil and gas law and contracts, and it seems that review and reorganization of the script in such a way that the reader can understand the relationship between the chosen texts and oil and gas law and contracts help to increase the coherence of the book

Functionality of Films from Nigella sativa Defatted Seed Cake Proteins Plasticized with Grape Juice: Use in Wrapping Sweet Cherries

The main aim of this work is to improve the functionality of Nigella sativa protein concentrate (NSPC) films by using grape juice (GJ). The film’s mechanical, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities were evaluated. The obtained results showed, for the first time, that GJ at concentrations of 2%–10% (v/v) are able to act as plasticizer for the NSPC films with promising film properties. The results showed that the tensile strength and Young’s modulus of NSPC films were reduced significantly when the GJ increased. However, the NSPC films prepared with 6% GJ observed a higher elongation at break compared with other films. Moreover, the obtained films showed very interesting and promising results for their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties compared with the control films. The sweet cherries wrapped with NSPC film showed that the TSS (Brix) was significantly lower compared to the control, after 10 days of storage. However, the titratable acidity, pH value, and L* of all cherries, either wrapped or not, was not significantly different in all storage times. On the other hand, hue angle was significantly lower after 10 days of storage at −18 °C compared with control films. GJ has a multi-functional effect for protein-based films as plasticizer, antioxidant, and antimicrobial function