Abstract: The rapid adoption of Internet has turned the Millennial Teens- life like a lightning speed. Empirical evidence has illustrated that Pathological Internet Use (PIU) among them ensure long-term success to the market players in the children industry. However, it creates concerns among their care takers as it generates mental disorder among some of them. The purpose of this paper is to examine the determinants of PIU and identify its outcomes among urban Millennial Teens. It aims to develop a theoretical framework based on a modified Media System Dependency (MSD) Theory that integrates important systems and components that determine and resulted from PIU.
Abstract: A road pricing game is a game where various stakeholders and/or regions with different (and usually conflicting) objectives compete for toll setting in a given transportation network to satisfy their individual objectives. We investigate some classical game theoretical solution concepts for the road pricing game. We establish results for the road pricing game so that stakeholders and/or regions playing such a game will beforehand know what is obtainable. This will save time and argument, and above all, get rid of the feelings of unfairness among the competing actors and road users. Among the classical solution concepts we investigate is Nash equilibrium. In particular, we show that no pure Nash equilibrium exists among the actors, and further illustrate that even “mixed Nash equilibrium" may not be achievable in the road pricing game. The paper also demonstrates the type of coalitions that are not only reachable, but also stable and profitable for the actors involved.
Abstract: This paper introduces a new signal denoising based on the Empirical mode decomposition (EMD) framework. The method is a fully data driven approach. Noisy signal is decomposed adaptively into oscillatory components called Intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) by means of a process called sifting. The EMD denoising involves filtering or thresholding each IMF and reconstructs the estimated signal using the processed IMFs. The EMD can be combined with a filtering approach or with nonlinear transformation. In this work the Savitzky-Golay filter and shoftthresholding are investigated. For thresholding, IMF samples are shrinked or scaled below a threshold value. The standard deviation of the noise is estimated for every IMF. The threshold is derived for the Gaussian white noise. The method is tested on simulated and real data and compared with averaging, median and wavelet approaches.
Abstract: The implicit block methods based on the backward
differentiation formulae (BDF) for the solution of stiff initial value
problems (IVPs) using variable step size is derived. We construct a
variable step size block methods which will store all the coefficients
of the method with a simplified strategy in controlling the step size
with the intention of optimizing the performance in terms of
precision and computation time. The strategy involves constant,
halving or increasing the step size by 1.9 times the previous step size.
Decision of changing the step size is determined by the local
truncation error (LTE). Numerical results are provided to support the
enhancement of method applied.
Abstract: Bone marrow-derived stem cells have been widely
studied as an alternative source of stem cells. Mesenchymal stem
cells (MSCs) were mostly investigated and studies showed MSCs can
promote neurogenesis. Little is known about the non-mesenchymal
mononuclear cell fraction, which contains both hematopoietic and
nonhematopoietic cells, including monocytes and endothelial
progenitor cells. This study focused on unfractionated bone marrow
mononuclear cells (BMMCs), which remained 72 h after MSCs were
adhered to the culture plates. We showed that BMMC-conditioned
medium promoted morphological changes of human SH-SY5Y
neuroblastoma cells from an epithelial-like phenotype towards a
neuron-like phenotype as indicated by an increase in neurite
outgrowth, like those observed in retinoic acid (RA)-treated cells.
The result could be explained by the effects of trophic factors
released from BMMCs, as shown in the RT-PCR results that
BMMCs expressed nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived
neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF).
Similar results on the cell proliferation rate were also observed
between RA-treated cells and cells cultured in BMMC-conditioned
medium, suggesting that cells creased proliferating and differentiated
into a neuronal phenotype. Using real-time RT-PCR, a significantly
increased expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) mRNA in SHSY5Y
cells indicated that BMMC-conditioned medium induced
catecholaminergic identities in differentiated SH-SY5Y cells.
Abstract: A tunable photonic microwave bandpass filter with
negative coefficient based on an electro-optic phase modulator (EOPM) and a variable polarization beamsplitter (VPBS) is
demonstrated. A two-tap microwave bandpass filter with one negative coefficient is presented. The chromatic dispersion and
optical coherence are not affected on this filter.
Abstract: This paper tests the level of market integration between Malaysia and Singapore stock markets with the world market. Kalman Filter (KF) methodology is used on the International Capital Asset Pricing Model (ICAPM) and the pricing errors estimated within the framework of ICAPM are used as a measure of market integration or segmentation. The advantage of the KF technique is that it allows for time-varying coefficients in estimating ICAPM and hence able to capture the varying degree of market integration. Empirical results show clear evidence of varying degree of market integration for both case of Malaysia and Singapore. Furthermore, the results show that the changes in the level of market integration are found to coincide with certain economic events that have taken placed. The findings certainly provide evidence on the practicability of the KF technique to estimate stock markets integration. In the comparison between Malaysia and Singapore stock market, the result shows that the trends of the market integration indices for Malaysia and Singapore look similar through time but the magnitude is notably different with the Malaysia stock market showing greater degree of market integration. Finally, significant evidence of varying degree of market integration shows the inappropriate use of OLS in estimating the level of market integration.
Abstract: Speckle noise affects all coherent imaging systems
including medical ultrasound. In medical images, noise suppression
is a particularly delicate and difficult task. A tradeoff between noise
reduction and the preservation of actual image features has to be made
in a way that enhances the diagnostically relevant image content.
Even though wavelets have been extensively used for denoising
speckle images, we have found that denoising using contourlets gives
much better performance in terms of SNR, PSNR, MSE, variance and
correlation coefficient. The objective of the paper is to determine the
number of levels of Laplacian pyramidal decomposition, the number
of directional decompositions to perform on each pyramidal level and
thresholding schemes which yields optimal despeckling of medical
ultrasound images, in particular. The proposed method consists of the
log transformed original ultrasound image being subjected to contourlet
transform, to obtain contourlet coefficients. The transformed
image is denoised by applying thresholding techniques on individual
band pass sub bands using a Bayes shrinkage rule. We quantify the
achieved performance improvement.
Abstract: In this paper, a new method of image edge-detection
and characterization is presented. “Parametric Filtering method" uses
a judicious defined filter, which preserves the signal correlation
structure as input in the autocorrelation of the output. This leads,
showing the evolution of the image correlation structure as well as
various distortion measures which quantify the deviation between
two zones of the signal (the two Hamming signals) for the protection
of an image edge.
Abstract: In recent years a number of applications with multirobot
systems (MRS) is growing in various areas. But their design
is in practice often difficult and algorithms are proposed for the
theoretical background and do not consider errors and noise in real
conditions, so they are not usable in real environment. These errors
are visible also in task of target localization enough, when robots
try to find and estimate the position of the target by the sensors.
Localization of target is possible also with one robot but as it was
examined target finding and localization with group of mobile robots
can estimate the target position more accurately and faster. The
accuracy of target position estimation is made by cooperation of
MRS and particle filtering. Advantage of usage the MRS with particle
filtering was tested on task of fixed target localization by group of
mobile robots.
Abstract: Grid computing is a form of distributed computing
that involves coordinating and sharing computational power, data
storage and network resources across dynamic and geographically
dispersed organizations. Scheduling onto the Grid is NP-complete,
so there is no best scheduling algorithm for all grid computing
systems. An alternative is to select an appropriate scheduling
algorithm to use in a given grid environment because of the
characteristics of the tasks, machines and network connectivity. Job
and resource scheduling is one of the key research area in grid
computing. The goal of scheduling is to achieve highest possible
system throughput and to match the application need with the
available computing resources. Motivation of the survey is to
encourage the amateur researcher in the field of grid computing, so
that they can understand easily the concept of scheduling and can
contribute in developing more efficient scheduling algorithm. This
will benefit interested researchers to carry out further work in this
thrust area of research.
Abstract: This paper presents a new ultra-wideband (UWB) bandpass filter (BPF) with sharp roll-off and dual-notched bands. The filter consists of a triangle ring multi-mode resonator (MMR) with the stub-loaded resonator (SLR) for controlling the two transmission zeros at 2.8 / 11 GHz, the embedded open-circuited stub and the asymmetric tight coupled input/output (I/O) lines for introducing the dual notched bands at 5.2 / 6.8 GHz. The attenuation slope in the lower and higher passband edges of the proposed filter show 160- and 153-dB/GHz, respectively. This study mainly provides a simple method to design a UWB bandpass filter with high passband selectivity and dual-notched bands for satisfying the Federal Communications Commission (FCC-defined) indoor UWB specification
Abstract: Current mode circuits like current conveyors are
getting significant attention in current analog ICs design due to their
higher band-width, greater linearity, larger dynamic range, simpler
circuitry, lower power consumption and less chip area. The second
generation current controlled conveyor (CCCII) has the advantage of
electronic adjustability over the CCII i.e. in CCCII; adjustment of the
X-terminal intrinsic resistance via a bias current is possible. The
presented approach is based on the CMOS implementation of second
generation positive (CCCII+), negative (CCCII-) and dual Output
Current Controlled Conveyor (DOCCCII) and its application as
Universal filter. All the circuits have been designed and simulated
using 65nm CMOS technology model parameters on Cadence
Virtuoso / Spectre using 1V supply voltage. Various simulations have
been carried out to verify the linearity between output and input
ports, range of operation frequency, etc. The outcomes show good
agreement between expected and experimental results.
Abstract: Commercial infrastructures intended for use as leisure
retreats such as golf and ski resorts have been extensively developed in many rural areas of Japan. However, following the burst of the economic bubble in the 1990s, several existing resorts faced tough
management decisions and some were forced to close their business.
In this study, six alternative management options for restructuring the
existing golf courses (park, cemetery, biofuel production, reforestation,
pasturing and abandonment) are examined and their environmental
and economic impacts are quantitatively assessed. In addition,
restructuring scenarios of these options and an ex-ante assessment
model are developed. The scenario analysis by Monte Carlo simulation shows a clear trade-off between GHG savings and benefit/cost (B/C) ratios, of which “Restoring Nature" scenario
absorbs the most CO2 among the four scenarios considered, but its B/C
ratio is the lowest. This study can be used to select or examine options
and scenarios of golf course management and rural environmental
management policies.
Abstract: In this paper, we focus on the fusion of images from
different sources using multiresolution wavelet transforms. Based on
reviews of popular image fusion techniques used in data analysis,
different pixel and energy based methods are experimented. A novel
architecture with a hybrid algorithm is proposed which applies pixel
based maximum selection rule to low frequency approximations and
filter mask based fusion to high frequency details of wavelet
decomposition. The key feature of hybrid architecture is the
combination of advantages of pixel and region based fusion in a
single image which can help the development of sophisticated
algorithms enhancing the edges and structural details. A Graphical
User Interface is developed for image fusion to make the research
outcomes available to the end user. To utilize GUI capabilities for
medical, industrial and commercial activities without MATLAB
installation, a standalone executable application is also developed
using Matlab Compiler Runtime.
Abstract: This paper argues that increased uncertainty, in certain
situations, may actually encourage investment. Since earlier studies
mostly base their arguments on the assumption of geometric Brownian
motion, the study extends the assumption to alternative stochastic
processes, such as mixed diffusion-jump, mean-reverting process, and
jump amplitude process. A general approach of Monte Carlo
simulation is developed to derive optimal investment trigger for the
situation that the closed-form solution could not be readily obtained
under the assumption of alternative process. The main finding is that
the overall effect of uncertainty on investment is interpreted by the
probability of investing, and the relationship appears to be an invested
U-shaped curve between uncertainty and investment. The implication
is that uncertainty does not always discourage investment even under
several sources of uncertainty. Furthermore, high-risk projects are not
always dominated by low-risk projects because the high-risk projects
may have a positive realization effect on encouraging investment.
Abstract: The (sub)-optimal soolution of linear filtering problem
with correlated noises is considered. The special recursive form of
the class of filters and criteria for selecting the best estimator are
the essential elements of the design method. The properties of the
proposed filter are studied. In particular, for Markovian observation
noise, the approximate filter becomes an optimal Gevers-Kailath filter
subject to a special choice of the parameter in the class of given linear
recursive filters.
Abstract: This paper describes topology of business models in market ecosystem of the emerging electric mobility industry. The business model topology shows that firm-s participation in the ecosystem is associated with different requirements on resources and capabilities, and different levels of risk. Business model concept is used together with concepts of networked value creation and shows that firms can achieve higher levels of sustainable advantage by cooperation, not competition. Hybrid business models provide companies a viable alternative possibility for participation in the market ecosystem.
Abstract: The impact of a proposed pier on tidal current
alteration was evaluated. The proposed pier location was in Salad
Bay on Koa Kood Island, Trat province, Thailand, and was designed
to accommodate passenger ships with a draft of less than 2 m. The
study began with collecting necessary data, including bathymetric,
water elevation and tidal current characteristics. The impact was
assessed using a software package (MIKE21). Although the results
showed that the pier would affect the existing current pattern, the
change was determined to be insignificant, as the design of the piles
for the pier provided sufficient spacing to let the current flow as
freely as possible. Consequences of the altered current, such as
seabed erosion, water stagnation, sediment deposition and
navigational risk were assessed. Environmental mitigation measures
might be necessary if the impacts were considered unacceptable.
Abstract: Subcritical water extraction was investigated as a
novel and alternative technology in the food and pharmaceutical
industry for the separation of Mannitol from olive leaves and its
results was compared with those of Soxhlet extraction. The effects of
temperature, pressure, and flow rate of water and also momentum
and mass transfer dimensionless variables such as Reynolds and
Peclet Numbers on extraction yield and equilibrium partition
coefficient were investigated. The 30-110 bars, 60-150°C, and flow
rates of 0.2-2 mL/min were the water operating conditions. The
results revealed that the highest Mannitol yield was obtained at
100°C and 50 bars. However, extraction of Mannitol was not
influenced by the variations of flow rate. The mathematical modeling
of experimental measurements was also investigated and the model is
capable of predicting the experimental measurements very well. In
addition, the results indicated higher extraction yield for the
subcritical water extraction in contrast to Soxhlet method.