Abstract: Identifying protein coding regions in DNA sequences is a basic step in the location of genes. Several approaches based on signal processing tools have been applied to solve this problem, trying to achieve more accurate predictions. This paper presents a new predictor that improves the efficacy of three techniques that use the Fourier Transform to predict coding regions, and that could be computed using an algorithm that reduces the computation load. Some ideas about the combination of the predictor with other methods are discussed. ROC curves are used to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed predictor, based on the computation of 25 DNA sequences from three different organisms.
Abstract: Variable digital filters are useful for various signal processing and communication applications where the frequency characteristics, such as fractional delays and cutoff frequencies, can be varied. In this paper, we propose a design method of variable FIR digital filters with an approximate linear phase characteristic in the passband. The proposed variable FIR filters have some large attenuation in stopband and their large attenuation can be varied by spectrum parameters. In the proposed design method, a quasi-equiripple characteristic can be obtained by using an iterative weighted least square method. The usefulness of the proposed design method is verified through some examples.
Abstract: The main aims in this research are to study the solid
waste generation in the Faculty of Engineering and Built
Environment in the UKM and at the same time to determine
composition and some of the waste characteristics likewise: moisture
content, density, pH and C/N ratio. For this purpose multiple
campaigns were conducted to collect the wastes produced in all
hostels, faculties, offices and so on, during 24th of February till 2nd
of March 2009, measure and investigate them with regard to both
physical and chemical characteristics leading to highlight the
necessary management policies. Research locations are Faculty of
Engineering and the Canteen nearby that. From the result gained, the
most suitable solid waste management solution will be proposed to
UKM. The average solid waste generation rate in UKM is 203.38
kg/day. The composition of solid waste generated are glass, plastic,
metal, aluminum, organic and inorganic waste and others waste.
From the laboratory result, the average moisture content, density, pH
and C/N ratio values from the solid waste generated are 49.74%,
165.1 kg/m3, 5.3, and 7:1 respectively. Since, the food waste (organic
waste) were the most dominant component, around 62% from the
total waste generated hence, the most suitable solid waste
management solution is composting.
Abstract: In this paper, the babbitting of a bearing in boiler feed pump of an electromotor has been studied. These bearings have an important role in reducing the shut down times in the pumps, compressors and turbines. The most conventional method in babbitting is casting as a melting method. The comparison between thermal spray and casting methods in babbitting shows that the thermal spraying babbitt layer has better performance and tribological behavior. The metallurgical and tribological analysis such as SEM, EDS and wet chemical analysis has been made in the Babbitt alloys and worn surfaces. Two type of babbitt materials: tinbase and lead-base babbitt was used. The benefits of thermally sprayed babbitt layers are completely clear especially in large bearings.
Abstract: This paper presents unified theory for local (Savitzky-
Golay) and global polynomial smoothing. The algebraic framework
can represent any polynomial approximation and is seamless from
low degree local, to high degree global approximations. The representation
of the smoothing operator as a projection onto orthonormal
basis functions enables the computation of: the covariance matrix
for noise propagation through the filter; the noise gain and; the
frequency response of the polynomial filters. A virtually perfect Gram
polynomial basis is synthesized, whereby polynomials of degree
d = 1000 can be synthesized without significant errors. The perfect
basis ensures that the filters are strictly polynomial preserving. Given
n points and a support length ls = 2m + 1 then the smoothing
operator is strictly linear phase for the points xi, i = m+1. . . n-m.
The method is demonstrated on geometric surfaces data lying on an
invariant 2D lattice.
Abstract: Summarizing skills have been introduced to English
syllabus in secondary school in Malaysia to evaluate student-s comprehension for a given text where it requires students to employ several strategies to produce the summary. This paper reports on our effort to develop a computer-based summarization assessment system
that detects the strategies used by the students in producing their
summaries. Sentence decomposition of expert-written summaries is
used to analyze how experts produce their summary sentences. From
the analysis, we identified seven summarizing strategies and their
rules which are then transformed into a set of heuristic rules on how
to determine the summarizing strategies. We developed an algorithm
based on the heuristic rules and performed some experiments to
evaluate and support the technique proposed.
Abstract: An Advance Driver Assistance System (ADAS) is a computer system on board a vehicle which is used to reduce the risk of vehicular accidents by monitoring factors relating to the driver, vehicle and environment and taking some action when a risk is identified. Much work has been done on assessing vehicle and environmental state but there is still comparatively little published work that tackles the problem of driver state. Visual attention is one such driver state. In fact, some researchers claim that lack of attention is the main cause of accidents as factors such as fatigue, alcohol or drug use, distraction and speeding all impair the driver-s capacity to pay attention to the vehicle and road conditions [1]. This seems to imply that the main cause of accidents is inappropriate driver behaviour in cases where the driver is not giving full attention while driving. The work presented in this paper proposes an ADAS system which uses an image based template matching algorithm to detect if a driver is failing to observe particular windscreen cells. This is achieved by dividing the windscreen into 24 uniform cells (4 rows of 6 columns) and matching video images of the driver-s left eye with eye-gesture templates drawn from images of the driver looking at the centre of each windscreen cell. The main contribution of this paper is to assess the accuracy of this approach using Receiver Operating Characteristic analysis. The results of our evaluation give a sensitivity value of 84.3% and a specificity value of 85.0% for the eye-gesture template approach indicating that it may be useful for driver point of regard determinations.
Abstract: The theory of Groebner Bases, which has recently been
honored with the ACM Paris Kanellakis Theory and Practice Award,
has become a crucial building block to computer algebra, and is
widely used in science, engineering, and computer science. It is wellknown
that Groebner bases computation is EXP-SPACE in a general
polynomial ring setting.
However, for many important applications in computer science
such as satisfiability and automated verification of hardware and
software, computations are performed in a Boolean ring. In this paper,
we give an algorithm to show that Groebner bases computation is PSPACE
in Boolean rings. We also show that with this discovery,
the Groebner bases method can theoretically be as efficient as
other methods for automated verification of hardware and software.
Additionally, many useful and interesting properties of Groebner
bases including the ability to efficiently convert the bases for different
orders of variables making Groebner bases a promising method in
automated verification.
Abstract: P16/INK4A is tumor suppressor protein that plays a critical role in cell cycle regulation. Loss of P16 protein expression has been implicated in pathogenesis of many cancers, including lymphoma. Therefore, we sought to investigate if loss of P16 protein expression is associated with lymphoma and/or any specific lymphoma subtypes (Hodgkin-s lymphoma (HL) and nonHodgkin-s lymphoma (NHL)). Fifty-five lymphoma cases consisted of 30 cases of HL and 25 cases of NHL, with an age range of 3 to 78 years, were examined for loss of P16 by immunohistochemical technique using a specific antibody reacting against P16. In total, P16 loss was seen in 33% of all lymphoma cases. P16 loss was identified in 47.7% of HL cases. In contrast, only 16% of NHL showed loss of P16. Loss of P16 was seen in 67% of HL patients with 50 years of age or older, whereas P16 loss was found in only 42% of HL patients with less than 50 years of age. P16 loss in HL is somewhat higher in male (55%) than in female (30%). In subtypes of HL, P16 loss was found exclusively in all cases of lymphocyte depletion, lymphocyte predominance and unclassified cases, whereas P16 loss was seen in 39% of mixed cellularity and 29% of nodular sclerosis cases. In low grade NHL patients, P16 loss was seen in approximately one-third of cases, whereas no or very rare of P16 loss was found in intermediate and high grade cases. P16 loss did not show any correlation with age or gender of NHL patients. In conclusion, the high rate of P16 loss seen in our study suggests that loss of P16 expression plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of lymphoma, particularly with HL.
Abstract: This study investigated the presence of polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the sediments of the Musa Bay
(around the PETZONE coastal area) from Feb 2010 to Jun 2010.
Concentrations of PAHs recorded in the Musa Bay sediments ranged
from 537.89 to 26,659.06 ng/g dry weight with a mean value of
3990.74 ng/g. the highest concentration of PAHs was observed at
station 4, which is located near the aromatic outlet of Imam
Khomeini petrochemical company (station 4: BI-PC Aromatic
effluent outlet) in which its concentration level was more than the
NOAA sediment quality guideline value (ERL= 4022 ng/g dry
weight). Owing to the concentration of PAHs in the study area, its
concentration level was still meet the NOAA sediment quality
guideline value (ERL: 4022 ng/g dry weight); however, according to
the PELq factor, slightly adverse biological effects are associated
with the exposure to PAHs levels in the study area (0.1< PELq= 0.24
> 0.5).
Abstract: Recent research on seeds of bio-diesel plants like
Jatropha curcas, constituting 40-50% bio-crude oil indicates its
potential as one of the most promising alternatives to conventional
sources of energy. Also, limited studies on utilization of de-oiled cake
have revealed that Jatropha bio-waste has good potential to be used as
organic fertilizers produced via aerobic and anaerobic treatment.
However, their commercial exploitation has not yet been possible. The
present study aims at developing appropriate bio-processes and
formulations utilizing Jatropha seed cake as organic fertilizer, for
improving the growth of Polianthes tuberose L. (Tuberose). Pot
experiments were carried out by growing tuberose plants on soil
treated with composted formulations of Jatropha de-oiled cake, Farm
Yard Manure (FYM) and inorganic fertilizers were also blended in
soil. The treatment was carried out through soil amendment as well as
foliar spray. The growth and morphological parameters were
monitored for entire crop cycle.
The growth Length and number of leaves, spike length, rachis
length, number of bulb per plant and earliness of sprouting of bulb and
yield enhancement were comparable to that achieved under inorganic
fertilizer. Furthermore, performance of inorganic fertilizer also showed
an improvement when blended with composted bio-waste. These
findings would open new avenues for Jatropha based bio-wastes to be
composted and used as organic fertilizers for commercial floriculture.
Abstract: Previous studies on political budget cycles (PBCs)
implicitly assume the executive has full discretion power over fiscal
policy, neglecting the role of checks and balances of the legislature.
This paper goes beyond traditional PBCs models and sheds light on
the case study of Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan over the 1988-2007
periods. Based on the results, we find no evidence of electoral impacts
on the public expenditures in South Korean and Taiwan's
congressional elections. We also noted that PBCs are found on
Taiwan-s government expenditures during our sample periods.
Furthermore, the results also show that Japan-s legislature has a
significant checks and balances on government-s expenditures.
However, empirical results show that the legislature veto player in
Taiwan neither has effect on the reduction of public expenditures, nor
has the moderating effect over Taiwan-s political budget cycles, albeit
that they are statistically insignificant.We suggest that the existence of
PBCs in Taiwan is due to a weaker systemof checks and balances. Our
conjecture is that Taiwan either has no legislative veto player or has
observed low compliance to the law during the time period examined
in our study.
Abstract: This paper deals with the application of artificial
neural network (ANN) and fuzzy based Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy
Inference System(ANFIS) approach to Load Frequency Control
(LFC) of multi unequal area hydro-thermal interconnected power
system. The proposed ANFIS controller combines the advantages of
fuzzy controller as well as quick response and adaptability nature of
ANN. Area-1 and area-2 consists of thermal reheat power plant
whereas area-3 and area-4 consists of hydro power plant with electric
governor. Performance evaluation is carried out by using intelligent
controller like ANFIS, ANN and Fuzzy controllers and conventional
PI and PID control approaches. To enhance the performance of
intelligent and conventional controller sliding surface is included.
The performances of the controllers are simulated using
MATLAB/SIMULINK package. A comparison of ANFIS, ANN,
Fuzzy, PI and PID based approaches shows the superiority of
proposed ANFIS over ANN & fuzzy, PI and PID controller for 1%
step load variation.
Abstract: Human genome is not only the evolutionary
summation of all advantageous events, but also houses lesions of
deleterious foot prints. A single gene mutation sometimes may
express multiple consequences in numerous tissues and a linear
relationship of the genotype and the phenotype may often be obscure.
ß Thalassemia minor, a transfusion independent mild anaemia,
coupled with environment among other factors may articulate into
phenotypic pleotropy with Hypocholesterolemia, Vitamin D
deficiency, Tissue hypoxia, Hyper-parathyroidism and Psychological
alterations. Occurrence of Pancreatic insufficiency, resultant
steatorrhoea, Vitamin-D (25-OH) deficiency (13.86 ngm/ml) with
Hypocholesterolemia (85mg/dl) in a 30 years old male ß Thal-minor
patient (Hemoglobin 11mg/dl with Fetal Hemoglobin 2.10%, Hb A2
4.60% and Hb Adult 84.80% and altered Hemogram) with increased
Para thyroid hormone (62 pg/ml) & moderate Serum Ca+2
(9.5mg/ml) indicate towards a cascade of phenotypic pleotropy
where the ß Thalassemia mutation ,be it in the 5’ cap site of the
mRNA , differential splicing etc in heterozygous state is effecting
several metabolic pathways. Compensatory extramedulary
hematopoiesis may not coped up well with the stressful life style of
the young individual and increased erythropoietic stress with high
demand for cholesterol for RBC membrane synthesis may have
resulted in Hypocholesterolemia.Oxidative stress and tissue hypoxia
may have caused the pancreatic insufficiency, leading to Vitamin D
deficiency. This may in turn have caused the secondary
hyperparathyroidism to sustain serum Calcium level. Irritability and
stress intolerance of the patient was a cumulative effect of the vicious
cycle of metabolic compromises. From these findings we propose
that the metabolic deficiencies in the ß Thalassemia mutations may
be considered as the phenotypic display of the pleotropy to explain
the genetic epidemiology.
According to the recommendations from the NIH Workshop on
Gene-Environment Interplay in Common Complex Diseases: Forging
an Integrative Model, study design of observations should be
informed by gene-environment hypotheses and results of a study
(genetic diseases) should be published to inform future hypotheses.
Variety of approaches is needed to capture data on all possible
aspects, each of which is likely to contribute to the etiology of
disease. Speakers also agreed that there is a need for development of
new statistical methods and measurement tools to appraise
information that may be missed out by conventional method where
large sample size is needed to segregate considerable effect.
A meta analytic cohort study in future may bring about significant
insight on to the title comment.
Abstract: Since the beginning of human history, human
activities have caused many changes in the environment. Today, a
particular attention should be paid to gaining knowledge about water
quality of wetlands which are pristine natural environments rich in
genetic reserves. If qualitative conditions of industrial areas (in terms
of both physicochemical and biological conditions) are not addressed
properly, they could cause disruption in natural ecosystems,
especially in rivers. With regards to the quality of water resources,
determination of pollutant sources plays a pivotal role in engineering
projects as well as designing water quality control systems. Thus,
using different methods such as flow duration curves, dischargepollution
load model and frequency analysis by HYFA software
package, risk of various industrial pollutants in international and
ecologically important Gavkhoni wetland is analyzed. In this study, a
station located at Varzaneh City is used as the last station on
Zayanderud River, from where the river water is discharged into the
wetland. Results showed that elements- concentrations often
exceeded the allowed level and river water can endanger regional
ecosystem. In addition, if the river discharge is managed on Q25
basis, this basis can lower concentrations of elements, keeping them
within the normal level.
Abstract: This paper presents the prediction of kidney
dysfunction using different neural network (NN) approaches. Self
organization Maps (SOM), Probabilistic Neural Network (PNN) and
Multi Layer Perceptron Neural Network (MLPNN) trained with Back
Propagation Algorithm (BPA) are used in this study. Six hundred and
sixty three sets of analytical laboratory tests have been collected from
one of the private clinical laboratories in Baghdad. For each subject,
Serum urea and Serum creatinin levels have been analyzed and tested
by using clinical laboratory measurements. The collected urea and
cretinine levels are then used as inputs to the three NN models in
which the training process is done by different neural approaches.
SOM which is a class of unsupervised network whereas PNN and
BPNN are considered as class of supervised networks. These
networks are used as a classifier to predict whether kidney is normal
or it will have a dysfunction. The accuracy of prediction, sensitivity
and specificity were found for each type of the proposed networks
.We conclude that PNN gives faster and more accurate prediction of
kidney dysfunction and it works as promising tool for predicting of
routine kidney dysfunction from the clinical laboratory data.
Abstract: This paper presents the work of signal discrimination
specifically for Electrocardiogram (ECG) waveform. ECG signal is
comprised of P, QRS, and T waves in each normal heart beat to
describe the pattern of heart rhythms corresponds to a specific
individual. Further medical diagnosis could be done to determine any
heart related disease using ECG information. The emphasis on QRS
Complex classification is further discussed to illustrate the
importance of it. Pan-Tompkins Algorithm, a widely known
technique has been adapted to realize the QRS Complex
classification process. There are eight steps involved namely
sampling, normalization, low pass filter, high pass filter (build a band
pass filter), derivation, squaring, averaging and lastly is the QRS
detection. The simulation results obtained is represented in a
Graphical User Interface (GUI) developed using MATLAB.
Abstract: A pilot project was carried out in 2007 by the senior
students of Cyprus International University, aiming to minimize the
total cost of waste collection in Northern Cyprus. Many developed
and developing countries have cut their transportation costs – which
lies between 30-40% – down at a rate of 40% percent, by
implementing network models for their route assignments.
Accordingly, a network model was implemented at Göçmenköy
district, to optimize and standardize waste collection works. The
work environment of the employees were also redesigned to provide
maximum ergonomy and to increase productivity, efficiency and
safety. Following the collection of the required data including waste
densities, lengths of roads and population, a model was constructed
to allocate the optimal route assignment for the waste collection
trucks at Göçmenköy district.
Abstract: The proper design of RF pulses in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has a direct impact on the quality of acquired images, and is needed for many applications. Several techniques have been proposed to obtain the RF pulse envelope given the desired slice profile. Unfortunately, these techniques do not take into account the limitations of practical implementation such as limited amplitude resolution. Moreover, implementing constraints for special RF pulses on most techniques is not possible. In this work, we propose to develop an approach for designing optimal RF pulses under theoretically any constraints. The new technique will pose the RF pulse design problem as a combinatorial optimization problem and uses efficient techniques from this area such as genetic algorithms (GA) to solve this problem. In particular, an objective function will be proposed as the norm of the difference between the desired profile and the one obtained from solving the Bloch equations for the current RF pulse design values. The proposed approach will be verified using analytical solution based RF simulations and compared to previous methods such as Shinnar-Le Roux (SLR) method, and analysis, selected, and tested the options and parameters that control the Genetic Algorithm (GA) can significantly affect its performance to get the best improved results and compared to previous works in this field. The results show a significant improvement over conventional design techniques, select the best options and parameters for GA to get most improvement over the previous works, and suggest the practicality of using of the new technique for most important applications as slice selection for large flip angles, in the area of unconventional spatial encoding, and another clinical use.
Abstract: This study was aimed for investigating of
manufacturing high aluminum content Mg alloys using a horizontal
twin roll caster. Recently, weight saving has been key issues for lighter
transport equipments as well as electronic component parts. As
alternative materials to aluminum alloys, developing magnesium alloy
with higher strength has been expected. Normally high Aluminum
content Mg alloy has poor ductility and is difficult to be rolled because
of its high strength. However, twin roll casting process is suitable for
manufacturing wrought Mg alloys because materials can be cast
directly from molten metal. In this study, manufacturing of high
aluminum content magnesium alloy sheet using the roll casting
process has been carried out. Effects of manufacturing parameter, such
as roll velocity, pouring temperature and roll gap, on casting was
investigated. A microscopic observation of the crystals of cross section
of as cast strip as well as rolled strip was conducted.