Abstract: Iris pattern is an important biological feature of human body; it becomes very hot topic in both research and practical applications. In this paper, an algorithm is proposed for iris recognition and a simple, efficient and fast method is introduced to extract a set of discriminatory features using first order gradient operator applied on grayscale images. The gradient based features are robust, up to certain extents, against the variations may occur in contrast or brightness of iris image samples; the variations are mostly occur due lightening differences and camera changes. At first, the iris region is located, after that it is remapped to a rectangular area of size 360x60 pixels. Also, a new method is proposed for detecting eyelash and eyelid points; it depends on making image statistical analysis, to mark the eyelash and eyelid as a noise points. In order to cover the features localization (variation), the rectangular iris image is partitioned into N overlapped sub-images (blocks); then from each block a set of different average directional gradient densities values is calculated to be used as texture features vector. The applied gradient operators are taken along the horizontal, vertical and diagonal directions. The low order norms of gradient components were used to establish the feature vector. Euclidean distance based classifier was used as a matching metric for determining the degree of similarity between the features vector extracted from the tested iris image and template features vectors stored in the database. Experimental tests were performed using 2639 iris images from CASIA V4-Interival database, the attained recognition accuracy has reached up to 99.92%.
Abstract: Classification of Persian printed numeral characters
has been considered and a proposed system has been introduced. In
representation stage, for the first time in Persian optical character
recognition, extended moment invariants has been utilized as
characters image descriptor. In classification stage, four different
classifiers namely minimum mean distance, nearest neighbor rule,
multi layer perceptron, and fuzzy min-max neural network has been
used, which first and second are traditional nonparametric statistical
classifier. Third is a well-known neural network and forth is a kind of
fuzzy neural network that is based on utilizing hyperbox fuzzy sets.
Set of different experiments has been done and variety of results has
been presented. The results showed that extended moment invariants
are qualified as features to classify Persian printed numeral
characters.
Abstract: Persian (Farsi) script is totally cursive and each character is written in several different forms depending on its former and later characters in the word. These complexities make automatic handwriting recognition of Persian a very hard problem and there are few contributions trying to work it out. This paper presents a novel practical approach to online recognition of Persian handwriting which is based on representation of inputs and patterns with very simple visual features and comparison of these simple terms. This recognition approach is tested over a set of Persian words and the results have been quite acceptable when the possible words where unknown and they were almost all correct in cases that the words where chosen from a prespecified list.
Abstract: The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of adding coal to obtain insulating ceramic product. The preparation of mixtures is achieved with 04 types of different masse compositions, consisting of gray and yellow clay, and coal. Analyses are performed on local raw materials by adding coal as additive. The coal content varies from 5 to 20 % in weight by varying the size of coal particles ranging from 0.25mm to 1.60mm.
Initially, each natural moisture content of a raw material has been determined at the temperature of 105°C in a laboratory oven. The Influence of low-coal content on absorption, the apparent density, the contraction and the resistance during compression have been evaluated. The experimental results showed that the optimized composition could be obtained by adding 10% by weight of coal leading thus to insulating ceramic products with water absorption, a density and resistance to compression of 9.40 %, 1.88 g/cm3, 35.46 MPa, respectively. The results show that coal, when mixed with traditional raw materials, offers the conditions to be used as an additive in the production of lightweight ceramic products.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of computer–based instructional designs, namely modality and redundancy principles on the attitude and learning of music theory among primary pupils of different Music Intelligence levels. The lesson of music theory was developed in three different modes, audio and image (AI), text with image (TI) and audio with image and text (AIT). The independent variables were the three modes of courseware. The moderator variable was music intelligence. The dependent variables were the post test score. ANOVA was used to determine the significant differences of the pretest scores among the three groups. Analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) and Post hoc were carried out to examine the main effects as well as the interaction effects of the independent variables on the dependent variables. High music intelligence pupils performed significantly better than low music intelligence pupils in all the three treatment modes. The AI mode was found to help pupils with low music intelligence significantly more than the TI and AIT modes.
Abstract: In this paper, a new face recognition method based on
PCA (principal Component Analysis), LDA (Linear Discriminant
Analysis) and neural networks is proposed. This method consists of
four steps: i) Preprocessing, ii) Dimension reduction using PCA, iii)
feature extraction using LDA and iv) classification using neural
network. Combination of PCA and LDA is used for improving the
capability of LDA when a few samples of images are available and
neural classifier is used to reduce number misclassification caused by
not-linearly separable classes. The proposed method was tested on
Yale face database. Experimental results on this database
demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed method for face
recognition with less misclassification in comparison with previous
methods.
Abstract: System MEMORI automatically detects and recognizes
rotated and/or rescaled versions of the objects of a database within
digital color images with cluttered background. This task is accomplished
by means of a region grouping algorithm guided by heuristic
rules, whose parameters concern some geometrical properties and the
recognition score of the database objects. This paper focuses on the
strategies implemented in MEMORI for the estimation of the heuristic
rule parameters. This estimation, being automatic, makes the system
a self configuring and highly user-friendly tool.
Abstract: The search for factors that influence user behavior has remained an important theme for both the academic and practitioner Information Systems Communities. In this paper we examine relevant user behaviors in the phase after adoption and investigate two factors that are expected to influence such behaviors, namely User Involvement (UI) and Personal Innovativeness in IT (PIIT). We conduct a field study to examine how these factors influence postadoption behavior and how they are interrelated. Building on theoretical premises and prior empirical findings, we propose and test two alternative models of the relationship between these factors. Our results reveal that the best explanation of post-adoption behavior is provided by the model where UI and PIIT independently influence post-adoption behavior. Our findings have important implications for research and practice. To that end, we offer directions for future research.
Abstract: The pigments covered by film-forming polymers have
opened a prospect to improve the quality of water-based printing
inks. In this study such pigments were prepared by the initiated
polymerization of styrene and methacrylate derivative monomers in
the aqueous pigment dispersions. The formation of polymer films
covering pigment cores depends on the polymerization time and the
ratio of pigment to monomers. At the time of 4 hours and the ratio of
1/10 almost pigment particles are coated by the polymer. The formed
polymer covers of pigments have the average thickness of 5.95 nm.
The size increasing percentage of the coated particles after a week is
4.5 %, about fourteen-fold lower than of the original ones. The
obtained results indicate that the coated pigments are improved
dispersion stability in water medium along with a guarantee for the
optical colour.
Abstract: Our objectives were to evaluate the effects of sire
breed, type of protein supplement, level of supplementation and sex
on wool spinning fineness (SF), its correlations with other wool
characteristics and prediction accuracy in F1 Merino crossbred lambs.
Texel, Coopworth, White Suffolk, East Friesian and Dorset rams
were mated with 500 purebred Merino dams at a ratio of 1:100 in
separate paddocks within a single management system. The F1
progeny were raised on ryegrass pasture until weaning, before forty
lambs were randomly allocated to treatments in a 5 x 2 x 2 x 2
factorial experimental design representing 5 sire breeds, 2
supplementary feeds (canola or lupins), 2 levels of supplementation
(1% or 2% of liveweight) and sex (wethers or ewes). Lambs were
supplemented for six weeks after an initial three weeks of adjustment,
wool sampled at the commencement and conclusion of the feeding
trial and analyzed for SF, mean fibre diameter (FD), coefficient of
variation (CV), standard deviation, comfort factor (CF), fibre
curvature (CURV), and clean fleece yield. Data were analyzed using
mixed linear model procedures with sire fitted as a random effect,
and sire breed, sex, supplementary feed type, level of
supplementation and their second-order interactions as fixed effects.
Sire breed (P
Abstract: Sedimentation in reservoirs lowers the quality of
consumed water, reduce the volume of reservoir, lowers the
controllable amount of flood, increases the risk of water overflow
during possible floods and the risk of reversal and reduction of dam's
useful life. So in all stages of dam establishment such as cognitive
studies, phase-1 studies of design, control, construction and
maintenance, the problem of sedimentation in reservoir should be
considered. What engineers need to do is examine and develop the
methods to keep effective capacity of a reservoir, however engineers
should also consider the influences of the methods on the flood
disaster, functions of water use facilities and environmental
issues.This article first examines the sedimentation in reservoirs and
shows how to control it and then discusses the studies about the
sedimens in Siazakh Dam.
Abstract: The paper investigates downtrend algorithm and
trading strategy based on chart pattern recognition and technical
analysis in futures market. The proposed chart formation is a pattern
with the lowest low in the middle and one higher low on each side.
The contribution of this paper lies in the reinforcement of statements
about the profitability of momentum trend trading strategies.
Practical benefit of the research is a trading algorithm in falling
markets and back-test analysis in futures markets. When based on
daily data, the algorithm has generated positive results, especially
when the market had downtrend period. Downtrend algorithm can be
applied as a hedge strategy against possible sudden market crashes.
The proposed strategy can be interesting for futures traders, hedge
funds or scientific researchers performing technical or algorithmic
market analysis based on momentum trend trading.
Abstract: We develop a three-step fuzzy logic-based algorithm for clustering categorical attributes, and we apply it to analyze cultural data. In the first step the algorithm employs an entropy-based clustering scheme, which initializes the cluster centers. In the second step we apply the fuzzy c-modes algorithm to obtain a fuzzy partition of the data set, and the third step introduces a novel cluster validity index, which decides the final number of clusters.
Abstract: Knowledge management (KM) is generally
considered to be a positive process in an organisation, facilitating
opportunities to achieve competitive advantage via better quality
information handling, compilation of expert know-how and rapid
response to fluctuations in the business environment. The KM
paradigm as portrayed in the literature informs the processes that can
increase intangible assets so that corporate knowledge is preserved.
However, in some instances, knowledge management exists in a
universe of dynamic tension among the conflicting needs to respect
privacy and intellectual property (IP), to guard against data theft, to
protect national security and to stay within the laws. While the
Knowledge Management literature focuses on the bright side of the
paradigm, there is also a different side in which knowledge is
distorted, suppressed or misappropriated due to personal or
organisational motives (the paradox). This paper describes the ethical
paradoxes that occur within the taxonomy and deontology of
knowledge management and suggests that recognising both the
promises and pitfalls of KM requires wisdom.
Abstract: This research study examines cases of Saudi Arabian
universities and female academics for work environment issues
within the context of design management applications. The study
proposes use of design research, ergonomics and systems design
thinking to develop the university design which facilitates removal of
physical and cognitive barriers for female academics. Review of
literature demonstrates that macro and micro ergonomic combined
with design management and system design strategies can
significantly improve the workplace design for female academics.
The university design model would be prepared based on the analyses
of primary data obtained from archived documents, participants'
observation logs, photo audits, focus groups and semi-structured
interviews of currently employed female academics in the selected
case universities.
Abstract: In this article, we synthesize a novel chitosan -based
superabsorbent hydrogel via graft copolymerization of mixtures
acrylic acid (AA) and N-vinyl pyrollidon onto chitosan backbones.
The polymerization reaction was carried out in an aqueous medium
and in the presence of ammonium persulfate (APS) as an initiator and
N,N'-methylene bisacrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinker.The hydrogel
structures were confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy. The swelling
behavior of these absorbent polymers was also investigated in
various salt solutions. Results indicated that the swelling capacity
decreased with an increase in the ionic strength of the swelling
medium. Furthermore, the swelling of superabsorbing hydrogels was
examined in solutions with pH values ranging between 1.0 and 13.0.
It showed a reversible pH-responsive behavior at pHs 2.0 and 8.0.
This on-off switching behavior makes the synthesized hydrogels as
an excellent candidate for controlled delivery of bioactive agents.
Abstract: There is inadequate information on the practice of
female genital mutilation (FGM) in the UK, and there are often
myths and perceptions within communities that influence the
effectiveness of prevention programmes. This means it is difficult to
address the trends and changes in the practice in the UK.
To this end, FORWARD undertook novel and innovative research
using the Participatory Ethnographic and Evaluative Research
(PEER) method to explore the views of women from Eritrea, Sudan,
Somalia and Ethiopia that live in London and Bristol (two UK cities).
Women-s views, taken from PEER interviews, reflected reasons for
continued practice of FGM: marriageability, the harnessing and
control of female sexuality, and upholding traditions from their
countries of origin. It was also clear that the main supporters of the
practice were believed to be older women within families and
communities.
Women described the impact FGM was having on their lives as
isolating. And although it was clearly considered a private and
personal matter, they developed a real sense of connection with their
peers within the research process.
The women were overwhelmingly positive about combating the
practice, although they believed it would probably take a while
before it ends completely. They also made concrete
recommendations on how to improve support services for women
affected by FGM: Training for professionals (particularly in
healthcare), increased engagement with, and outreach to,
communities, culturally appropriate materials and information made
available and accessible to communities, and more consequent
implementation of legislation.
Finally, the women asked for more empathy and understanding,
particularly from health professionals. Rather than presenting FGM
as a completely alien and inconceivable practice, it may help for
those looking into these women-s lives and working with them to
understand the social and economic context in which the practice
takes place.
Abstract: Stable bacterial polymorphism on a single limiting resource may appear if between the evolved strains metabolic interactions take place that allow the exchange of essential nutrients [8]. Towards an attempt to predict the possible outcome of longrunning evolution experiments, a network based on the metabolic capabilities of homogeneous populations of every single gene knockout strain (nodes) of the bacterium E. coli is reconstructed. Potential metabolic interactions (edges) are allowed only between strains of different metabolic capabilities. Bacterial communities are determined by finding cliques in this network. Growth of the emerged hypothetical bacterial communities is simulated by extending the metabolic flux balance analysis model of Varma et al [2] to embody heterogeneous cell population growth in a mutual environment. Results from aerobic growth on 10 different carbon sources are presented. The upper bounds of the diversity that can emerge from single-cloned populations of E. coli such as the number of strains that appears to metabolically differ from most strains (highly connected nodes), the maximum clique size as well as the number of all the possible communities are determined. Certain single gene deletions are identified to consistently participate in our hypothetical bacterial communities under most environmental conditions implying a pattern of growth-condition- invariant strains with similar metabolic effects. Moreover, evaluation of all the hypothetical bacterial communities under growth on pyruvate reveals heterogeneous populations that can exhibit superior growth performance when compared to the performance of the homogeneous wild-type population.
Abstract: In Croatia, the majority of cultured marine fish species are reared in net cages. The intensive production of the fish in net cages may generate the considerable amount of bio waste and change water quality especially in enclosed and semi-enclosed coastal areas. The aim of this paper is to assess the potential impact of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) cage farm on water quality. The weak relationship between food supply and water quality parameters (nutrient content and phytoplankton biomass) was found, but significant changes in oxygen saturation was observed in the cages during the warmer period of a year especially in the morning (occasionally it dropped below 70 %). Despite of, satisfactory results of water quality parameters, it is necessary to establish comprehensive monitoring process, especially to include quality assessment of fouling communities.
Abstract: As a vital activity for companies, new product
development (NPD) is also a very risky process due to the high
uncertainty degree encountered at every development stage and the
inevitable dependence on how previous steps are successfully
accomplished. Hence, there is an apparent need to evaluate new
product initiatives systematically and make accurate decisions under
uncertainty. Another major concern is the time pressure to launch a
significant number of new products to preserve and increase the
competitive power of the company. In this work, we propose an
integrated decision-making framework based on neural networks and
fuzzy logic to make appropriate decisions and accelerate the
evaluation process. We are especially interested in the two initial
stages where new product ideas are selected (go/no go decision) and
the implementation order of the corresponding projects are
determined. We show that this two-staged intelligent approach allows
practitioners to roughly and quickly separate good and bad product
ideas by making use of previous experiences, and then, analyze a
more shortened list rigorously.