Abstract: The analysis to detect arrhythmias and life-threatening
conditions are highly essential in today world and this analysis
can be accomplished by advanced non-linear processing methods
for accurate analysis of the complex signals of heartbeat dynamics.
In this perspective, recent developments in the field of multiscale
information content have lead to the Microcanonical Multiscale
Formalism (MMF). We show that such framework provides several
signal analysis techniques that are especially adapted to the
study of heartbeat dynamics. In this paper, we just show first hand
results of whether the considered heartbeat dynamics signals have
the multiscale properties by computing local preticability exponents
(LPEs) and the Unpredictable Points Manifold (UPM), and thereby
computing the singularity spectrum.
Abstract: In this paper, backup and recovery technique for Peer
to Peer applications, such as a distributed asynchronous Web-Based
Training system that we have previously proposed. In order to
improve the scalability and robustness of this system, all contents and
function are realized on mobile agents. These agents are distributed
to computers, and they can obtain using a Peer to Peer network
that modified Content-Addressable Network. In the proposed system,
although entire services do not become impossible even if some
computers break down, the problem that contents disappear occurs
with an agent-s disappearance. As a solution for this issue, backups
of agents are distributed to computers. If a failure of a computer is
detected, other computers will continue service using backups of the
agents belonged to the computer.
Abstract: Aerial and satellite images are information rich. They are also complex to analyze. For GIS systems, many features require fast and reliable extraction of roads and intersections. In this paper, we study efficient and reliable automatic extraction algorithms to address some difficult issues that are commonly seen in high resolution aerial and satellite images, nonetheless not well addressed in existing solutions, such as blurring, broken or missing road boundaries, lack of road profiles, heavy shadows, and interfering surrounding objects. The new scheme is based on a new method, namely reference circle, to properly identify the pixels that belong to the same road and use this information to recover the whole road network. This feature is invariable to the shape and direction of roads and tolerates heavy noise and disturbances. Road extraction based on reference circles is much more noise tolerant and flexible than the previous edge-detection based algorithms. The scheme is able to extract roads reliably from images with complex contents and heavy obstructions, such as the high resolution aerial/satellite images available from Google maps.
Abstract: Currently electronic slide (e-slide) is one of the most common styles in educational presentation. Unfortunately, the utilization of e-slide for the visually impaired is uncommon since they are unable to see the content of such e-slides which are usually composed of text, images and animation. This paper proposes a model for presenting e-slide in multimodal presentation i.e. using conventional slide concurrent with voicing, in both languages Malay and English. At the design level, live multimedia presentation concept is used, while at the implementation level several components are used. The text content of each slide is extracted using COM component, Microsoft Speech API for voicing the text in English language and the text in Malay language is voiced using dictionary approach. To support the accessibility, an auditory user interface is provided as an additional feature. A prototype of such model named as VSlide has been developed and introduced.
Abstract: School physical education, through its objectives and
contents, efficiently valorizes the pupils- abilities, developing them,
especially the coordinative skill component, which is the basis of
movement learning, of the development of the daily motility and also
of the special, refined motility required by the practice of certain
sports. Medium school age offers the nervous and motor substratum
needed for the acquisition of complex motor habits, a substratum that
is essential for the coordinative skill. Individuals differ as to the level
at which this function is performed, the extent to which this function
turns an individual into a person that is adapted and adaptable to
complex and various situations. Spatio-temporal orientation, together
with movement combination and coupling, and with kinesthetic,
balance, motor reaction, movement transformation and rhythm
differentiation form the coordinative skills. From our viewpoint,
these are characteristic features with high levels of manifestation in a
complex psychomotor act - valorizing the quality of one-s talent - as
well as indices pertaining to one-s psychomotor intelligence and
creativity.
Abstract: This article is investigating Boria which is a kind of common performance in Malaysia. Boria has been known as Boria and Borea and both are correct, but Boria is more common. Boria is a folk performance unique to Penang. This theatre style reached Penang in the mid-19th century and is believed to be derived from the Shia Islamic Passion play performed during the Muslim month of Muharram to commemorate the martyrs of Kerbela. These days in Malaysia (especially Penang) Boria mentions to a choral street performance performed annually by a number of groups composed mostly of Sunni Malaysian. Boria are performed for entertainment and often include an annual singing competition. The size, membership, themes and movements of each Boria troupe may vary from year to year. Similarly, the themes and contents of the Boria performed by the different troupes also changes each year and can have a comical, political or satirical notion. It is common to most groups during the first ten days of Muharram Boria generally is done.
Abstract: XML files contain data which is in well formatted manner. By studying the format or semantics of the grammar it will be helpful for fast retrieval of the data. There are many algorithms which describes about searching the data from XML files. There are no. of approaches which uses data structure or are related to the contents of the document. In these cases user must know about the structure of the document and information retrieval techniques using NLPs is related to content of the document. Hence the result may be irrelevant or not so successful and may take more time to search.. This paper presents fast XML retrieval techniques by using new indexing technique and the concept of RXML. When indexing an XML document, the system takes into account both the document content and the document structure and assigns the value to each tag from file. To query the system, a user is not constrained about fixed format of query.
Abstract: Field experiment was conducted to investigate the combine use of animal manure and inorganic fertilizer on growth and yield performance of vegetable cowpea. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with seven treatments. Poultry manure, cattle manure and goat manure were evaluated with recommended level of inorganic fertilizer for vegetable cowpea. The highest crop yield was obtained by the application of poultry manure combined with the recommended level of inorganic fertilizer. The lowest yield was obtained by the application of goat manure only. In addition, the results revealed that the goat manure and cattle manure were inferior to poultry manure as a source of organic manure for vegetable cowpea cultivation. The animal manure combine with chemical fertilizer gave a higher yield when compared to the sole application of animal manure. The soil analysis showed that the nitrogen content and phosphorus content of poultry manure treated plots were higher than other treatments tested. But potassium content was higher in goat manure treated plots. The results further revealed that the poultry manure has a beneficial effect on crop growth and yield compared with other treatments. Therefore, the combined use of poultry manure with inorganic fertilizer application has been recognized as the most suitable way of ensuring high crop yield.
Abstract: The objective was to determine the single gene and
interaction effect of composite genotype of beta-kappa casein and
DGAT1 gene on milk yield (MY) and milk composition, content of
milk fat (%FAT), milk protein (%PRO), solid not fat (%SNF), and
total solid (%TS) in crossbred Holstein cows. Two hundred and
thirty- one cows were genotyped with PCR-RFLP for DGAT1 and
composite genotype data of beta-kappa casein from previous work
were used. Two model, (1), and (2), was used to estimate single gene
effect, and interaction effect on the traits, respectively. The
significance of interaction effects on all traits were detected. Most
traits have consistent pattern of significant when model (1), and (2)
were compared, except the effect of composite genotype of betakappa
casein on %FAT, and the effect of DGAT1 on MY, which the
significant difference was detected in only model (1).The results
suggested that when the optimum of all traits was necessary,
interaction effect should be concerned.
Abstract: Successful intelligence (SI) is the integrated set of the
ability needed to attain success in life, within individual-s sociocultural
context. People are successfully intelligent by recognizing
their strengths and weaknesses. They will find ways to strengthen
their weakness and maintain their strength or even improve it. SI
people can shape, select, and adapt to the environments by using
balance of higher-ordered thinking abilities including; critical,
creative, and applicative. Aims: The purposes of this study were to;
1) develop curriculum that promotes SI for nursing students, and 2)
study the effectiveness of the curriculum development. Method:
Research and Development was a method used for this study. The
design was divided into two phases; 1) the curriculum development
which composed of three steps (needs assessment, curriculum
development and curriculum field trail), and 2) the curriculum
implementation. In this phase, a pre-experimental research design
(one group pretest-posttest design) was conducted. The sample
composed of 49 sophomore nursing students of Boromarajonani
College of Nursing, Surin, Thailand who enrolled in Nursing care of
Health problem course I in 2011 academic year. Data were carefully
collected using 4 instruments; 1) Modified essay questions test
(MEQ) 2) Nursing Care Plan evaluation form 3) Group processing
observation form (α = 0.74) and 4) Satisfied evaluation form of
learning (α = 0.82). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics
and content analysis. Results: The results revealed that the sample
had post-test average score of SI higher than pre-test average score
(mean difference was 5.03, S.D. = 2.84). Fifty seven percentages of
the sample passed the MEQ posttest at the criteria of 60 percentages.
Students demonstrated the strategies of how to develop nursing care
plan. Overall, students- satisfaction on teaching performance was at
high level (mean = 4.35, S.D. = 0.46). Conclusion: This curriculum
can promote the attribute of characteristic of SI person and was
highly required to be continued.
Abstract: Experimental study on the influence of fibre content
on crack behaviour and propagation in synthetic-fibre reinforced
beams has been reported in this paper. The tensile behaviour of
metallic fibre concrete is evaluated in terms of residual flexural
tensile strength values determined from the load-crack mouth
opening displacement curve or load-deflection curve obtained by
applying a centre-point load on a simply supported notched prism.
The results achieved demonstrate that an increase in fibre content has
an almost negligible effect on compressive and tensile splitting
properties, causes a marginal increment in flexural tensile strength
and increasesthe Re3 value.
Abstract: A biocompatible ferrofluid have been prepared by coprecipitation
of FeCl2.4H2O and FeCl3.6H2O under ultrasonic
irradiation and with NaOH as alkaline agent. Cystein was also used
as capping agent in the solution. Magnetic properties of the produced
ferrofluid were then determined by VSM test and magnetite
nanoparticles were characterized by XRD and TEM techniques. The
effect of surfactant to Fe ion weight ratio was also studied during this
project by using two different amount of Dextran. Results showed the
presence of a biocompatible superparamagnetic ferrofluid including
magnetite nanoparticles with particle size ranging under 20 nm. The
increase in the surfactant content results in the narrowing of the size
distribution and reduction of the particle size and more solution
stability.
Abstract: Biodiesel production results in glycerol production as
the main by-product in biodiesel industry.One of the utilizations of
glycerol obtained from biodiesel production is as a cement grinding
aid (CGA). Results showed that crude glycerol content was 40.19%
whereas pure glycerol content was 82.15%. BSS value of the cement
with CGA supplementation was higher than that of nonsupplemented
cement (blank) indicating that CGA-supplemented
cement had higher fineness than the non-supplemented one. It was
also found that pure glycerol 95% and TEA 5% at 80ºC was the
optimum CGA used to result in finest cement with BSS value of
4.836 cm2/g. Residue test showed that the smallest percent residue
value (0.11%) was obtained in cement with supplementation of pure
glycerol 95% and TEA 5%. Results of residue test confirmed those of
BSS test showing that cement with supplementation of pure glycerol
95% and TEA 5% had the finest particle size.
Abstract: The aim of this work is to study the possible use of
stone cutting sludge waste in concrete production, which would
reduce both the environmental impact and the production cost .Slurry
sludge was used a source of water in concrete production, which was
obtained from Samara factory/Jordan, The physico-chemical and
mineralogical characterization of the sludge was carried out to
identify the major components and to compare it with the typical
sand used to produce concrete. Samples analysis showed that 96% of
slurry sludge volume is water, so it should be considered as an
important source of water. Results indicated that the use of slurry
sludge as water source in concrete production has insignificant effect
on compression strength, while it has a sharp effect on the slump
values. Using slurry sludge with a percentage of 25% of the total
water content obtained successful concrete samples regarding slump
and compression tests. To clarify slurry sludge, settling process can
be used to remove the suspended solid. A settling period of 30 min.
obtained 99% removal efficiency. The clarified water is suitable for
using in concrete mixes, which reduce water consumption, conserve
water recourses, increase the profit, reduce operation cost and save
the environment. Additionally, the dry sludge could be used in the
mix design instead of the fine materials with sizes < 160 um. This
application could conserve the natural materials and solve the
environmental and economical problem caused by sludge
accumulation.
Abstract: REY area has been located in Tehran Province and several archaeological ruins of this area indicate that the settlement in this area has been started since several thousand years ago. In this paper, the main investigation items consist of analysis of oil components and groundwater quality inside the wells. By finding the contents of oil in the well, it is possible to find out the pollution source by comparing the oil contents of well with other oil products that are used inside and outside of the oil farm. Investigation items consist of analysis of BTEX (Benzene, Toluene, Ethyl-benzene, Xylene), Gas chromatographic distillation characteristics, Water content, Density, Sulfur content, Lead content, Atmospheric distillation, MTBE(Methyl tertiary butyl ether). Analysis of polluting oil components showed that except MW(Monitoring Well)10 and MW 15 that oil with slightly heavy components was detected in them; with a high possibility the polluting oil is light oil.
Abstract: Natural gas is the most popular fossil fuel in the
current era and future as well. Natural gas is existed in underground
reservoirs so it may contain many of non-hydrocarbon components
for instance, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen and water vapor. These
impurities are undesirable compounds and cause several technical
problems for example, corrosion and environment pollution.
Therefore, these impurities should be reduce or removed from natural
gas stream. Khurmala dome is located in southwest Erbil-Kurdistan
region. The Kurdistan region government has paid great attention for
this dome to provide the fuel for Kurdistan region. However, the
Khurmala associated natural gas is currently flaring at the field.
Moreover, nowadays there is a plan to recover and trade this gas and
to use it either as feedstock to power station or to sell it in global
market. However, the laboratory analysis has showed that the
Khurmala sour gas has huge quantities of H2S about (5.3%) and CO2
about (4.4%). Indeed, Khurmala gas sweetening process has been
removed in previous study by using Aspen HYSYS. However,
Khurmala sweet gas still contents some quintets of water about 23
ppm in sweet gas stream. This amount of water should be removed or
reduced. Indeed, water content in natural gas cause several technical
problems such as hydrates and corrosion. Therefore, this study aims
to simulate the prospective Khurmala gas dehydration process by
using Aspen HYSYS V. 7.3 program. Moreover, the simulation
process succeeded in reducing the water content to less than 0.1ppm.
In addition, the simulation work is also achieved process
optimization by using several desiccant types for example, TEG and
DEG and it also study the relationship between absorbents type and
its circulation rate with HCs losses from glycol regenerator tower.
Abstract: Composites based on a biodegradable polycaprolactone (PCL) containing 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 wt % of titanium dioxide (TiO2) micro and nanoparticles were prepared by melt mixing and the effect of filler type and contents on the thermal properties, dynamic-mechanical behaviour and morphology were investigated. Measurements of storage modulus and loss modulus by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) showed better results for microfilled PCL/TiO2 composites than nanofilled composites, with the same filler content. DSC analysis showed that the Tg and Tc of micro and nanocomposites were slightly lower than those of neat PCL. The crystallinity of the PCL increased with the addition of TiO2 micro and nanoparticles; however, the cc for the PCL was unchanged with micro TiO2 content. The thermal stability of PCL/TiO2 composites were characterized using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The initial weight loss (5 wt %) occurs at slightly higher temperature with micro and nano TiO2 addition and with increasing TiO2 content.
Abstract: In this paper we examine the use of global texture analysis based approaches for the purpose of Persian font recognition in machine-printed document images. Most existing methods for font recognition make use of local typographical features and connected component analysis. However derivation of such features is not an easy task. Gabor filters are appropriate tools for texture analysis and are motivated by human visual system. Here we consider document images as textures and use Gabor filter responses for identifying the fonts. The method is content independent and involves no local feature analysis. Two different classifiers Weighted Euclidean Distance and SVM are used for the purpose of classification. Experiments on seven different type faces and four font styles show average accuracy of 85% with WED and 82% with SVM classifier over typefaces
Abstract: Characterized as rich mineral substances, low
temperature, few bacteria, and stability with numerous implementation
aspects on aquaculture, food, drinking, and leisure, the deep sea water
(DSW) development has become a new industry in the world. It has
been report that marine algae contain various biologically active
compounds. This research focued on the affections in cultivating
Sagrassum cristaefolium with different concentration of deep sea
water(DSW) and surface sea water(SSW). After two and four weeks,
the total phenolic contents were compared in Sagrassum cristaefolium
culturing with different ways, and the reductive activity of them was
also be tried with potassium ferricyanide. Those fresh seaweeds were
dried with oven and were ground to powder. Progressively, the marine
algae we cultured was extracted by water under the condition with
heating them at 90Ôäâ for 1hr.The total phenolic contents were be
executed using Folin–Ciocalteu method. The results were explaining
as follows: the highest total phenolic contents and the best reductive
ability of all could be observed on the 1/4 proportion of DSW to SSW
culturing in two weeks. Furthermore, the 1/2 proportion of DSW to
SSW also showed good reductive ability and plentiful phenolic
compositions. Finally, we confirmed that difference proportion of
DSW and SSW is the major point relating to ether the total phenolic
components or the reductive ability in the Sagrassum cristaefolium. In
the future, we will use this way to mass production the marine algae or
other micro algae on industry applications.
Abstract: Malaysia is aggressive in promoting the usage of ICT
to its mass population through the support by the government
policies and programs targeting the general population. However,
with the uneven distribution of the basic telecommunication
infrastructure between the urban and rural area, cost for being
“interconnected" that is considered high among the poorer rural
population and the lack of local contents that suit the rural population
needs or lifestyles, it is still a challenge for Malaysia to achieve its
Vision 2020 Agenda moving the nation towards an information
society by the year 2020. Among the existing programs that have
been carried out by the government to encourage the usage of ICT by
the rural population is “Kedaikom", a community telecenter with the
general aim is to engage the community to get exposed and to use the
ICT, encouraging the diffusion of the ICT technology to the rural
population. The research investigated by using a questionnaire
survey of how Kedaikom, as a community telecenter could play a
role in encouraging the rural or underserved community to use the
ICT. The result from the survey has proven that the community
telecenter could bridge the digital divide between the underserved
rural population and the well-accessed urban population in Malaysia.
More of the rural population, especially from the younger generation
and those with higher educational background are using the
community telecenter to be connected to the ICT.