Abstract: The Neuro-Fuzzy hybridization scheme has become
of research interest in pattern classification over the past decade. The
present paper proposes a novel Modified Adaptive Fuzzy Inference
Engine (MAFIE) for pattern classification. A modified Apriori
algorithm technique is utilized to reduce a minimal set of decision
rules based on input output data sets. A TSK type fuzzy inference
system is constructed by the automatic generation of membership
functions and rules by the fuzzy c-means clustering and Apriori
algorithm technique, respectively. The generated adaptive fuzzy
inference engine is adjusted by the least-squares fit and a conjugate
gradient descent algorithm towards better performance with a
minimal set of rules. The proposed MAFIE is able to reduce the
number of rules which increases exponentially when more input
variables are involved. The performance of the proposed MAFIE is
compared with other existing applications of pattern classification
schemes using Fisher-s Iris and Wisconsin breast cancer data sets and
shown to be very competitive.
Abstract: Ten percent of the population will develop plantar
fasciitis (PF) during their lifetime. Two million people are treated
yearly accounting for 11-15% of visits to medical professionals.
Treatment ranges from conservative to surgical intervention. The
purpose of this study was to assess the effects of extracorporeal
shockwave therapy (ECSWT) on heel pain, function, range of motion
(ROM), and strength in patients with PF. One hundred subjects were
treated with ECSWT and measures were taken before and three
months after treatment. There was significant differences in visual
analog scale scores for pain at rest (p=0.0001); after activity (p=
0.0001) and; overall improvement (p=0.0001). There was also
significant improvement in Lower Extremity Functional Scale scores
(p=0.0001); ankle plantarflexion (p=0.0001), dorsiflexion (p=0.001),
and eversion (p=0.017),and first metatarsophalangeal joint flexion
(p=0.002) and extension (p=0.003) ROM. ECSWT is an effective
treatment improving heel pain, function and ROM in patients with
PF.
Abstract: The shortest path routing problem is a multiobjective nonlinear optimization problem with constraints. This problem has been addressed by considering Quality of service parameters, delay and cost objectives separately or as a weighted sum of both objectives. Multiobjective evolutionary algorithms can find multiple pareto-optimal solutions in one single run and this ability makes them attractive for solving problems with multiple and conflicting objectives. This paper uses an elitist multiobjective evolutionary algorithm based on the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA), for solving the dynamic shortest path routing problem in computer networks. A priority-based encoding scheme is proposed for population initialization. Elitism ensures that the best solution does not deteriorate in the next generations. Results for a sample test network have been presented to demonstrate the capabilities of the proposed approach to generate well-distributed pareto-optimal solutions of dynamic routing problem in one single run. The results obtained by NSGA are compared with single objective weighting factor method for which Genetic Algorithm (GA) was applied.
Abstract: Dynamic location referencing method is an important technology to shield map differences. These method references objects of the road network by utilizing condensed selection of its real-world geographic properties stored in a digital map database, which overcomes the defections existing in pre-coded location referencing methods. The high attributes completeness requirements and complicated reference point selection algorithm are the main problems of recent researches. Therefore, a dynamic location referencing algorithm combining intersection points selected at the extremities compulsively and road link points selected according to link partition principle was proposed. An experimental system based on this theory was implemented. The tests using Beijing digital map database showed satisfied results and thus verified the feasibility and practicability of this method.
Abstract: In communication networks where communication nodes are connected with finite capacity transmission links, the packet inter-arrival times are strongly correlated with the packet length and the link capacity (or the packet service time). Such correlation affects the system performance significantly, but little attention has been paid to this issue. In this paper, we propose a mathematical framework to study the impact of the correlation between the packet service times and the packet inter-arrival times on system performance. With our mathematical model, we analyze the system performance, e.g., the unfinished work of the system, and show that the correlation affects the system performance significantly. Some numerical examples are also provided.
Abstract: The dynamic model of a drill in drilling process was
proposed and investigated in this study. To assure a good drilling quality, the vibration variation on the drill tips during high speed
drilling is needed to be investigated. A pre-twisted beam is used to
simulate the drill. The moving Winkler-Type elastic foundation is used to characterize the tip boundary variation in drilling. Due to the
variation of the drill depth, a time dependent dynamic model for the drill is proposed. Results simulated from this proposed model indicate that an abrupt natural frequencies drop are experienced as the drill tip
tough the workpiece, and a severe vibration is induced. The effects of parameters, e.g. drilling speed, depth, drill size and thrust force on the
drill tip responses studied.
Abstract: In this paper, the application of sliding-mode control to a permanent-magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) is presented. The control design is based on a generic mathematical model of the motor. Some dynamics of the motor and of the power amplification stage remain unmodelled. This model uncertainty is estimated in realtime. The estimation is based on the differentiation of measured signals using the ideas of robust exact differentiator (RED). The control law is implemented on an industrial servo drive. Simulations and experimental results are presented and compared to the same control strategy without uncertainty estimation. It turns out that the proposed concept is superior to the same control strategy without uncertainty estimation especially in the case of non-smooth reference signals.
Abstract: GSM has undoubtedly become the most widespread
cellular technology and has established itself as one of the most
promising technology in wireless communication. The next
generation of mobile telephones had also become more powerful and
innovative in a way that new services related to the user-s location
will arise. Other than the 911 requirements for emergency location
initiated by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) of the
United States, GSM positioning can be highly integrated in cellular
communication technology for commercial use. However, GSM
positioning is facing many challenges. Issues like accuracy,
availability, reliability and suitable cost render the development and
implementation of GSM positioning a challenging task. In this paper,
we investigate the optimal mobile position tracking means. We
employ an innovative scheme by integrating the Kalman filter in the
localization process especially that it has great tracking
characteristics. When tracking in two dimensions, Kalman filter is
very powerful due to its reliable performance as it supports
estimation of past, present, and future states, even when performing
in unknown environments. We show that enhanced position tracking
results is achieved when implementing the Kalman filter for GSM
tracking.
Abstract: The influence of flakes from biologically activated
hull-less barley grain and malt extract on chemical composition of
yoghurt was studied.
Pasteurized milk, freeze-dried yoghurt culture YF-L811 (Chr.
Hansen, Denmark), flakes from biologically activated hull-less
barley grain (Latvia) and malt extract (Ilgezeem, Latvia) were used
for experiments. Yoghurt samples with and without flakes from
biologically activated hull-less barley grain and malt extract were
analyzed for content of total solids, total proteins, fats, amino acids
and riboflavin.
The addition of flakes from biologically activated hull-less barley
grain and malt extract allowed increase of nutritional value of
yoghurt samples. There was obtained the increase of total proteins
(p>0.05) and the decrease of fat (p>0.05). The presence of flakes
from biologically activated hull-less barley grain and malt extract in
yoghurt samples provided significant increase of amino acids amount
(p
Abstract: Mostly the real life signals are time varying in nature. For proper characterization of such signals, time-frequency representation is required. The STFT (short-time Fourier transform) is a classical tool used for this purpose. The limitation of the STFT is its fixed time-frequency resolution. Thus, an enhanced version of the STFT, which is based on the cross-level sampling, is devised. It can adapt the sampling frequency and the window function length by following the input signal local variations. Therefore, it provides an adaptive resolution time-frequency representation of the input. The computational complexity of the proposed STFT is deduced and compared to the classical one. The results show a significant gain of the computational efficiency and hence of the processing power. The processing error of the proposed technique is also discussed.
Abstract: For Seismic design, it is important to estimate,
maximum lateral displacement (inelastic displacement) of the
structures due to sever earthquakes for several reasons. Seismic
design provisions estimate the maximum roof and storey drifts
occurring in major earthquakes by amplifying the drifts of the
structures obtained by elastic analysis subjected to seismic design
load, with a coefficient named “displacement amplification factor"
which is greater than one. Here, this coefficient depends on various
parameters, such as ductility and overstrength factors. The present
research aims to evaluate the value of the displacement amplification
factor in seismic design codes and then tries to propose a value to
estimate the maximum lateral structural displacement from sever
earthquakes, without using non-linear analysis. In seismic codes,
since the displacement amplification is related to “force reduction
factor" hence; this aspect has been accepted in the current study.
Meanwhile, two methodologies are applied to evaluate the value of
displacement amplification factor and its relation with the force
reduction factor. In the first methodology, which is applied for all
structures, the ratio of displacement amplification and force reduction
factors is determined directly. Whereas, in the second methodology
that is applicable just for R/C moment resisting frame, the ratio is
obtained by calculating both factors, separately. The acquired results
of these methodologies are alike and estimate the ratio of two factors
from 1 to 1.2. The results indicate that the ratio of the displacement
amplification factor and the force reduction factor differs to those
proposed by seismic provisions such as NEHRP, IBC and Iranian
seismic code (standard no. 2800).
Abstract: This paper proposes a balance control scheme for a biped robot to trace an arbitrary path using image information. While moving, it estimates the zero moment point(ZMP) of the biped robot in the next step using a Kalman filter and renders an appropriate balanced pose of the robot. The ZMP can be calculated from the robot's pose, which is measured from the reference object image acquired by a CCD camera on the robot's head. For simplifying the kinematical model, the coordinates systems of individual joints of each leg are aligned and the robot motion is approximated as an inverted pendulum so that a simple linear dynamics, 3D-LIPM(3D-Linear Inverted Pendulum Mode) can be applied. The efficiency of the proposed algorithm has been proven by the experiments performed on unknown trajectory.
Abstract: This paper presents two different sequential switching hybrid-modulation strategies and implemented for cascaded multilevel inverters. Hybrid modulation strategies represent the combinations of Fundamental-frequency pulse width modulation (FFPWM) and Multilevel sinusoidal-modulation (MSPWM) strategies, and are designed for performance of the well-known Alternative Phase opposition disposition (APOD), Phase shifted carrier (PSC). The main characteristics of these modulations are the reduction of switching losses with good harmonic performance, balanced power loss dissipation among the devices with in a cell, and among the series-connected cells. The feasibility of these modulations is verified through spectral analysis, power loss analysis and simulation.
Abstract: In the last few years, several steps were taken in order
to improve the quality of corporate governance for Romanian listed
companies. Higher standards of corporate governance is documented
in the literature to lead to a better information environment, and,
consequently, to increase analysts forecast accuracy. Accordingly, the
purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent to which corporate
governance policies affect analysts forecasts for companies listed on
Bucharest Stock Exchange. The results showed that there is indeed a
negative correlation between a corporate governance index – used as
a proxy for the quality of corporate governance practices - and
analysts forecast errors.
Abstract: Fecal sterol has been proposed as a chemical indicator
of human fecal pollution even when fecal coliform populations have
diminished due to water chlorination or toxic effects of industrial
effluents. This paper describes an improved derivatization procedure
for simultaneous determination of four fecal sterols including
coprostanol, epicholestanol, cholesterol and cholestanol using gas
chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), via optimization study
on silylation procedures using N-O-bis
(trimethylsilyl)-trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA), and
N-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-N-methyltrifluoroacetamide
(MTBSTFA), which lead to the formation of trimethylsilyl (TMS) and
tert-butyldimethylsilyl (TBS) derivatives, respectively. Two
derivatization processes of injection-port derivatization and water bath
derivatization (60 oC, 1h) were inspected and compared. Furthermore,
the methylation procedure at 25 oC for 2h with
trimethylsilydiazomethane (TMSD) for fecal sterols analysis was also
studied. It was found that most of TMS derivatives demonstrated the
highest sensitivities, followed by methylated derivatives. For BSTFA
or MTBSTFA derivatization processes, the simple injection-port
derivatization process could achieve the same efficiency as that in the
tedious water bath derivatization procedure.
Abstract: Three similar negative differential resistance (NDR)
profiles with both high peak to valley current density ratio (PVCDR)
value and high peak current density (PCD) value in unity resonant
tunneling electronic circuit (RTEC) element is developed in this paper.
The PCD values and valley current density (VCD) values of the three
NDR curves are all about 3.5 A and 0.8 A, respectively. All PV values
of NDR curves are 0.40 V, 0.82 V, and 1.35 V, respectively. The VV
values are 0.61 V, 1.07 V, and 1.69 V, respectively. All PVCDR
values reach about 4.4 in three NDR curves. The PCD value of 3.5 A
in triple PVCDR RTEC element is better than other resonant
tunneling devices (RTD) elements. The high PVCDR value is
concluded the lower VCD value about 0.8 A. The low VCD value is
achieved by suitable selection of resistors in triple PVCDR RTEC
element. The low PV value less than 1.35 V possesses low power
dispersion in triple PVCDR RTEC element. The designed multiple
value logical level (MVLL) system using triple PVCDR RTEC
element provides equidistant logical level. The logical levels of
MVLL system are about 0.2 V, 0.8 V, 1.5 V, and 2.2 V from low
voltage to high voltage and then 2.2 V, 1.3 V, 0.8 V, and 0.2 V from
high voltage back to low voltage in half cycle of sinusoid wave. The
output level of four levels MVLL system is represented in 0.3 V, 1.1 V,
1.7 V, and 2.6 V, which satisfies the NMP condition of traditional
two-bit system. The remarkable logical characteristic of improved
MVLL system with paralleled capacitor are with four significant
stable logical levels about 220 mV, 223 mV, 228 mV, and 230 mV.
The stability and articulation of logical levels of improved MVLL
system are outstanding. The average holding time of improved MVLL
system is approximately 0.14 μs. The holding time of improved
MVLL system is fourfold than of basic MVLL system. The function of
additional capacitor in the improved MVLL system is successfully
discovered.
Abstract: This paper presents a new approach for the protection
of Thyristor-Controlled Series Compensator (TCSC) line using
Support Vector Machine (SVM). One SVM is trained for fault
classification and another for section identification. This method use
three phase current measurement that results in better speed and
accuracy than other SVM based methods which used single phase
current measurement. This makes it suitable for real-time protection.
The method was tested on 10,000 data instances with a very wide
variation in system conditions such as compensation level, source
impedance, location of fault, fault inception angle, load angle at
source bus and fault resistance. The proposed method requires only
local current measurement.
Abstract: For the past thirty years the Malaysian economy has been said to contribute well to the progress of the nations. However, the intensification of global economy activity and the extensive use of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) in recent years are challenging government-s effort to further develop Malaysian society. The competition posed by the low wage economies such as China and Vietnam have made the government realise the importance of engaging in high-skill and high technology industries. It is hoped this will be the basis of attracting more foreign direct investment (FDI) in order to help the country to compete in globalised world. Using Vision 2020 as it targeted vision, the government has decided to engage in the use of ICTs and introduce many policies pertaining to it. Mainly based on the secondary analysis approach, the findings show that policy pertaining to ICTs in Malaysia contributes to economic growth, but the consequences of this have resulted in greater division within society. Although some of the divisions such as gender and ethnicity are narrowing down, the gap in important areas such as regions and class differences is becoming wider. The widespread use of ICTs might contribute to the further establishment of democracy in Malaysia, but the increasing number of foreign entities such as FDI and foreign workers, cultural hybridisation and to some extent cultural domination are contributing to neocolonialism in Malaysia. This has obvious consequences for the government-s effort to create a Malaysian national identity. An important finding of this work is that there are contradictions within ICT policy between the effort to develop the economy and society.
Abstract: Expert systems are used extensively in many domains.
This paper discusses the use of medical expert systems in Pakistan.
Countries all over the world pay special attention on health facilities.
A country like Pakistan faces a lot of trouble in health sector.
Several attempts have been made in Pakistan to improve the health
conditions of the people but the situation is still not encouraging.
There is a shortage of doctors and other trained personnel in
Pakistan. Expert systems can play a vital role in such cases where the
medical expert is not readily available. The purpose of this paper is
to analyze the role that such systems can play in improving the health
conditions of the people in Pakistan.
Abstract: Regression testing is a maintenance activity applied to
modified software to provide confidence that the changed parts are
correct and that the unchanged parts have not been adversely affected
by the modifications. Regression test selection techniques reduce the
cost of regression testing, by selecting a subset of an existing test
suite to use in retesting modified programs. This paper presents the
first general regression-test-selection technique, which based on code
and allows selecting test cases for any programs written in any
programming language. Then it handles incomplete program. We
also describe RTSDiff, a regression-test-selection system that
implements the proposed technique. The results of the empirical
studied that performed in four programming languages java, C#, Cµ
and Visual basic show that the efficiency and effective in reducing
the size of test suit.