Abstract: The major goal in defining and examining game
scenarios is to find good strategies as solutions to the game. A
plausible solution is a recommendation to the players on how to play
the game, which is represented as strategies guided by the various
choices available to the players. These choices invariably compel the
players (decision makers) to execute an action following some
conscious tactics. In this paper, we proposed a refinement-based
heuristic as a machine learning technique for human-like decision
making in playing Ayo game. The result showed that our machine
learning technique is more adaptable and more responsive in making
decision than human intelligence. The technique has the advantage
that a search is astutely conducted in a shallow horizon game tree.
Our simulation was tested against Awale shareware and an appealing
result was obtained.
Abstract: This paper deals with the simulation of a Boost Power Factor Correction (PFC) Converter with Electro Magnetic Interference (EMI) Filter. The diode rectifier with output capacitor gives poor power factor. The Boost Converter of PFC Circuit is analyzed and then simulated with diode rectifier. The Boost PFC Converter with EMI Filter is simulated for resistive load. The power factor is improved using the proposed converter.
Abstract: We successfully developed a new straw combustion
technology that efficiently reduces problems with unmanageable deposits inside straw fueled boilers in Zluticka Heating Plant. The
deposits are mainly created by glass-forming melts. We plotted straw compositions in K2O-CaO-SiO2 phase diagram and illustrated
they are in the area of low-melting eutectic poi
melting of ash and the formation of deposits
compositions by injecting additives into biomass fuel
ueled points. To prevent the
deposits, we modified ash
fuel.
Abstract: The study was conducted to evaluate the quality
characteristics of cookies produced from sweet potato-fermented
soybean flour. Cookies were subjected to proximate and sensory
analysis to determine the acceptability of the product. Protein, fat and
ash increased as the proportion of soybean flour increased, ranging
from 13.8-21.7, 1.22-5.25 and 2.20-2.57 respectively. The crude fibre
content was within the range of 3.08-4.83%. The moisture content of
the cookies decreased with increase in soybean flour from 3.42-
2.13%. Cookies produced from whole sweet potato flour had the
highest moisture content of 3.42% while 30% substitution had the
lowest moisture content 2.13%. A nine point hedonic scale was used
to evaluate the organoleptic characteristics of the cookies. The
sensory analysis indicated that there was no significant difference
between the cookies produced even when compared to the control
100% sweet potato cookies. The overall acceptance of the cookies
was ranked to 20% soybean flour substitute.
Abstract: A novel design of two-wheeled robotic vehicle with moving payload is presented in this paper. A mathematical model describing the vehicle dynamics is derived and simulated in Matlab Simulink environment. Two control strategies were developed to stabilise the vehicle in the upright position. A robust Proportional- Integral-Derivative (PID) control strategy has been implemented and initially tested to measure the system performance, while the second control strategy is to use a hybrid fuzzy logic controller (FLC). The results are given on a comparative basis for the system performance in terms of disturbance rejection, control algorithms robustness as well as the control effort in terms of input torque.
Abstract: Some physical properties of musk lime (Citrus
microcarpa) were determined in this study. The average moisture
content (wet basis) of the fruit was found to be 85.10 (±0.72) %. The
mean of length, width and thickness of the fruit was 26.36 (±0.97),
26.40 (±1.04) and 25.26 (±0.94) mm respectively. The average value
for geometric mean diameter, sphericity, aspect ratio, mass, surface
area, volume, true density, bulk density and porosity was 26.00
(±0.82) mm, 98.67 (±2.04) %, 100.23 (±3.28) %, 10.007 (±0.878) g,
2125.07 (±133.93) mm2, 8800.00 (±731.82) mm3, 1002.87 (±39.16)
kgm-3, 501.70 (±22.58) kgm-3 and 49.89 (±3.15) % respectively.
The coefficient of static friction on four types of structural surface
was found to be varying from 0.238 (±0.025) for glass to 0.247
(±0.024) for steel surface.
Abstract: For high-speed control of robots, a good knowledge of system modelling is necessary to obtain the desired bandwidth. In this paper, we present a cartesian robot with a pan/tilt unit in end-effector (5 dof). This robot is implemented with powerful direct drive AC induction machines. The dynamic model, parameter identification and model validation of the robot are studied (including actuators). This work considers the cartesian robot coupled and non linear (contrary to normal considerations for this type of robots). The mechanical and control architecture proposed in this paper is efficient for industrial and research application in which high speed, well known model and very high accuracy are required.
Abstract: A procedure for the preparation of clarified Pawpaw
Juice was developed. About 750ml Pawpaw pulp was measured into
2 measuring cylinders A & B of capacity 1 litre heated to 400C,
cooled to 200C. 30mls pectinase was added into cylinder A, while
30mls distilled water was added into cylinder B. Enzyme treated
sample (A) was allowed to digest for 5hours after which it was heated
to 900C for 15 minutes to inactivate the enzyme. The heated sample
was cooled and with the aid of a mucillin cloth the pulp was filtered
to obtain the clarified pawpaw juice. The juice was filled into 100ml
plastic bottles, pasteurized at 950C for 45 minutes, cooled and stored
at room temperature. The sample treated with 30mls distilled water
also underwent the same process. Freshly pasteurized sample was
analyzed for specific gravity, titratable acidity, pH, sugars and
ascorbic acid. The remaining sample was then stored for 2 weeks and
the above analyses repeated. There were differences in the results of
the freshly pasteurized samples and stored sample in pH and ascorbic
acid levels, also sample treated with pectinase yielded higher
volumes of juice than that treated with distilled water.
Abstract: Fermented cassava flours (lafun) sold in Ogun and Oyo
States of Nigeria were collected from 10 markets for a period of two
months and analysed to determine their safety status. The presence of
trace metals was due to high vehicular movement around the drying
sites and markets. Cyanide and moisture contents of samples were
also determined to assess the adequacy of fermentation and drying.
The result showed that sample OWO was found to have the highest
amount of 16.02±0.12mg/kg cyanide while the lowest was found in
sample OJO with 10.51±0.10mg/kg. The results also indicated that
sample TVE had the highest moisture content of 18.50±0.20% while
sample OWO had the lowest amount of 12.46±0.47%. Copper and
lead levels were found to be highest in TVE with values 28.10mg/kg
and 1.1mg/kg respectively, while sample BTS had the lowest values
of 20.6mg/kg and 0.05mg/kg respectively. High value of cyanide
indicated inadequate fermentation.
Abstract: In this paper we present a soft timing phase estimation (STPE) method for wireless mobile receivers operating in low signal to noise ratios (SNRs). Discrete Polyphase Matched (DPM) filters, a Log-maximum a posterior probability (MAP) and/or a Soft-output Viterbi algorithm (SOVA) are combined to derive a new timing recovery (TR) scheme. We apply this scheme to wireless cellular communication system model that comprises of a raised cosine filter (RCF), a bit-interleaved turbo-coded multi-level modulation (BITMM) scheme and the channel is assumed to be memory-less. Furthermore, no clock signals are transmitted to the receiver contrary to the classical data aided (DA) models. This new model ensures that both the bandwidth and power of the communication system is conserved. However, the computational complexity of ideal turbo synchronization is increased by 50%. Several simulation tests on bit error rate (BER) and block error rate (BLER) versus low SNR reveal that the proposed iterative soft timing recovery (ISTR) scheme outperforms the conventional schemes.
Abstract: Surface water pollution is one of the serious
environmental problems in rural areas of South Africa due to
discharge of household waste into the streams, turning them into
open sewers. In this study, samples of water were collected from a
stream in Soshanguve and analysed. The result showed that pollution
in the area was caused by man and its activities. The water quality in
the area was found to have deterioted significantly after water runoff
from farms and household wastes. The result shows, fertilizer runoff
contributes 50% of the pollution while pesticides and sediments
contribute up to 10% respectively in the streams, while household
waste contributes up to 30%. This study gives an outline of the
sources of water pollution in the area and provides a process of
creating a clean and unpolluted environment for Soshanguve
community in Pretoria north in order to achieve the 7th aim of the
millennium development goals by 2015, which is ensuring
environmental sustainability.
Abstract: It is well recognized that the green house gases such
as Chlorofluoro Carbon (CFC), CH4, CO2 etc. are responsible
directly or indirectly for the increase in the average global temperature
of the Earth. The presence of CFC is responsible for
the depletion of ozone concentration in the atmosphere due to
which the heat accompanied with the sun rays are less absorbed
causing increase in the atmospheric temperature of the Earth. The
gases like CH4 and CO2 are also responsible for the increase in
the atmospheric temperature. The increase in the temperature level
directly or indirectly affects the dynamics of interacting species
systems. Therefore, in this paper a mathematical model is proposed
and analysed using stability theory to asses the effects of increasing
temperature due to greenhouse gases on the survival or extinction of
populations in a prey-predator system. A threshold value in terms
of a stress parameter is obtained which determines the extinction or
existence of populations in the underlying system.
Abstract: World population growth drives food demand, promotes intensification of agriculture, development of new production technologies and varieties more suitable for regional nature conditions. Climate change can affect the length of growing period, biomass and carbon accumulation in winter wheat. The increasing mean air temperature resulting from climate change can reduce the length of growth period of cereals, and without adequate adjustments in growing technologies or varieties, can reduce biomass and carbon accumulation. Deeper understanding and effective measures for monitoring and management of cereal growth process are needed for adaptation to changing climate and technological conditions.
Abstract: Sense-antisense gene pair (SAGP) is a pair of two oppositely transcribed genes sharing a common region on a chromosome. In the mammalian genomes, SAGPs can be organized in more complex sense-antisense gene architectures (CSAGA) in which at least one gene could share loci with two or more antisense partners. Many dozens of CSAGAs can be found in the human genome. However, CSAGAs have not been systematically identified and characterized in context of their role in human diseases including cancers. In this work we characterize the structural-functional properties of a cluster of 5 genes –TMEM97, IFT20, TNFAIP1, POLDIP2 and TMEM199, termed TNFAIP1 / POLDIP2 module. This cluster is organized as CSAGA in cytoband 17q11.2. Affymetrix U133A&B expression data of two large cohorts (410 atients, in total) of breast cancer patients and patient survival data were used. For the both studied cohorts, we demonstrate (i) strong and reproducible transcriptional co-regulatory patterns of genes of TNFAIP1/POLDIP2 module in breast cancer cell subtypes and (ii) significant associations of TNFAIP1/POLDIP2 CSAGA with amplification of the CSAGA region in breast cancer, (ii) cancer aggressiveness (e.g. genetic grades) and (iv) disease free patient-s survival. Moreover, gene pairs of this module demonstrate strong synergetic effect in the prognosis of time of breast cancer relapse. We suggest that TNFAIP1/ POLDIP2 cluster can be considered as a novel type of structural-functional gene modules in the human genome.
Abstract: Even it has been recognized that Shape Memory
Alloys (SMA) have a significant potential for deployment actuators,
the number of applications of SMA-based actuators to the present
day is still quite small, due to the need of deep understanding of the
thermo-mechanical behavior of SMA, causing an important need for
a mathematical model able to describe all thermo-mechanical
properties of SMA by relatively simple final set of constitutive
equations. SMAs offer attractive potentials such as: reversible strains
of several percent, generation of high recovery stresses and high
power / weight ratios. The paper tries to provide an overview of the
shape memory functions and a presentation of the designed and
developed temperature control system used for a gripper actuated by
two pairs of differential SMA active springs. An experimental setup
was established, using electrical energy for actuator-s springs heating
process. As for holding the temperature of the SMA springs at certain
level for a long time was developed a control system in order to
avoid the active elements overheating.
Abstract: Food borne illnesses have been reported to be a global
health challenge. Annual incidences of food–related diseases involve
76 million cases, of which only 14 million can be traced to known
pathogens. Poor hygienic practices have contributed greatly to this. It
has been reported that in the year 2000 about 2.1 million people died
from diarrheal diseases, hence, there is a need to ensure food safety at
all level. This study focused on the sterility examination and
inhibitory effect of honey samples on selected gram negative and
gram positive food borne pathogen from South West Nigeria. The
laboratory examinations revealed the presence of some bacterial and
fungal contaminations of honey samples and that inhibitory activity
of the honey sample was more pronounced on the gram negative
bacteria than the gram positive bacterial isolates. Antibiotic
sensitivity test conducted on the different bacterial isolates also
showed that honey was able to inhibit the proliferation of the tested
bacteria than the employed antibiotics.
Abstract: In this paper, parallelism in the solution of Ordinary
Differential Equations (ODEs) to increase the computational speed is
studied. The focus is the development of parallel algorithm of the two
point Block Backward Differentiation Formulas (PBBDF) that can
take advantage of the parallel architecture in computer technology.
Parallelism is obtained by using Message Passing Interface (MPI).
Numerical results are given to validate the efficiency of the PBBDF
implementation as compared to the sequential implementation.
Abstract: Support Vector Machine (SVM) is a statistical learning tool that was initially developed by Vapnik in 1979 and later developed to a more complex concept of structural risk minimization (SRM). SVM is playing an increasing role in applications to detection problems in various engineering problems, notably in statistical signal processing, pattern recognition, image analysis, and communication systems. In this paper, SVM was applied to the detection of medical ultrasound images in the presence of partially developed speckle noise. The simulation was done for single look and multi-look speckle models to give a complete overlook and insight to the new proposed model of the SVM-based detector. The structure of the SVM was derived and applied to clinical ultrasound images and its performance in terms of the mean square error (MSE) metric was calculated. We showed that the SVM-detected ultrasound images have a very low MSE and are of good quality. The quality of the processed speckled images improved for the multi-look model. Furthermore, the contrast of the SVM detected images was higher than that of the original non-noisy images, indicating that the SVM approach increased the distance between the pixel reflectivity levels (detection hypotheses) in the original images.
Abstract: Grid networks provide the ability to perform higher throughput computing by taking advantage of many networked computer-s resources to solve large-scale computation problems. As the popularity of the Grid networks has increased, there is a need to efficiently distribute the load among the resources accessible on the network. In this paper, we present a stochastic network system that gives a distributed load-balancing scheme by generating almost regular networks. This network system is self-organized and depends only on local information for load distribution and resource discovery. The in-degree of each node is refers to its free resources, and job assignment and resource discovery processes required for load balancing is accomplished by using fitted random sampling. Simulation results show that the generated network system provides an effective, scalable, and reliable load-balancing scheme for the distributed resources accessible on Grid networks.
Abstract: Nigeria is considered as one of the many countries in
sub-Saharan Africa with a weak economy and gross deficiencies in technology and engineering. Available data from international monitoring and regulatory organizations show that technology is pivotal to determining the economic strengths of nations all over the
world. Education is critical to technology acquisition, development,
dissemination and adaptation. Thus, this paper seeks to critically
assess and discuss issues and challenges facing technological
advancement in Nigeria, particularly in the education sector, and also
proffers solutions to resuscitate the Nigerian education system
towards achieving national technological and economic sustainability
such that Nigeria can compete favourably with other technologicallydriven
economies of the world in the not-too-distant future.