Abstract: In this paper as showed a non-invasive 3D eye tracker
for optometry clinical applications. Measurements of biomechanical
variables in clinical practice have many font of errors associated with
traditional procedments such cover test (CT), near point of
accommodation (NPC), eye ductions (ED), eye vergences (EG) and,
eye versions (ES). Ocular motility should always be tested but all
evaluations have a subjective interpretations by practitioners, the
results is based in clinical experiences, repeatability and accuracy
don-t exist. Optometric-lab is a tool with 3 (tree) analogical video
cameras triggered and synchronized in one acquisition board AD.
The variables globe rotation angle and velocity can be quantified.
Data record frequency was performed with 27Hz, camera calibration
was performed in a know volume and image radial distortion
adjustments.
Abstract: This paper investigates the problem of tracking spa¬tiotemporal changes of a satellite image through the use of Knowledge Discovery in Database (KDD). The purpose of this study is to help a given user effectively discover interesting knowledge and then build prediction and decision models. Unfortunately, the KDD process for spatiotemporal data is always marked by several types of imperfections. In our paper, we take these imperfections into consideration in order to provide more accurate decisions. To achieve this objective, different KDD methods are used to discover knowledge in satellite image databases. Each method presents a different point of view of spatiotemporal evolution of a query model (which represents an extracted object from a satellite image). In order to combine these methods, we use the evidence fusion theory which considerably improves the spatiotemporal knowledge discovery process and increases our belief in the spatiotemporal model change. Experimental results of satellite images representing the region of Auckland in New Zealand depict the improvement in the overall change detection as compared to using classical methods.
Abstract: A registration framework for image-guided robotic
surgery is proposed for three emergency neurosurgical procedures,
namely Intracranial Pressure (ICP) Monitoring, External Ventricular
Drainage (EVD) and evacuation of a Chronic Subdural Haematoma
(CSDH). The registration paradigm uses CT and white light as
modalities. This paper presents two simulation studies for a
preliminary evaluation of the registration protocol: (1) The loci of the
Target Registration Error (TRE) in the patient-s axial, coronal and
sagittal views were simulated based on a Fiducial Localisation Error
(FLE) of 5 mm and (2) Simulation of the actual framework using
projected views from a surface rendered CT model to represent white
light images of the patient. Craniofacial features were employed as
the registration basis to map the CT space onto the simulated
intraoperative space. Photogrammetry experiments on an artificial
skull were also performed to benchmark the results obtained from the
second simulation. The results of both simulations show that the
proposed protocol can provide a 5mm accuracy for these
neurosurgical procedures.
Abstract: DC-DC converters are widely used in regulated switched mode power supplies and in DC motor drive applications. There are several sources of unwanted nonlinearity in practical power converters. In addition, their operation is characterized by switching that gives birth to a variety of nonlinear dynamics. DC-DC buck and boost converters controlled by pulse-width modulation (PWM) have been simulated. The voltage waveforms and attractors obtained from the circuit simulation have been studied. With the onset of instability, the phenomenon of subharmonic oscillations, quasi-periodicity, bifurcations, and chaos have been observed. This paper is mainly motivated by potential contributions of chaos theory in the design, analysis and control of power converters, in particular and power electronics circuits, in general.
Abstract: XML is a markup language which is becoming the
standard format for information representation and data exchange. A
major purpose of XML is the explicit representation of the logical
structure of a document. Much research has been performed to
exploit logical structure of documents in information retrieval in
order to precisely extract user information need from large
collections of XML documents. In this paper, we describe an XML
information retrieval weighting scheme that tries to find the most
relevant elements in XML documents in response to a user query.
We present this weighting model for information retrieval systems
that utilize plausible inferences to infer the relevance of elements in
XML documents. We also add to this model the Dempster-Shafer
theory of evidence to express the uncertainty in plausible inferences
and Dempster-Shafer rule of combination to combine evidences
derived from different inferences.
Abstract: Financial forecasting using machine learning techniques has received great efforts in the last decide . In this ongoing work, we show how machine learning of graphical models will be able to infer a visualized causal interactions between different banks in the Saudi equities market. One important discovery from such learned causal graphs is how companies influence each other and to what extend. In this work, a set of graphical models named Gaussian graphical models with developed ensemble penalized feature selection methods that combine ; filtering method, wrapper method and a regularizer will be shown. A comparison between these different developed ensemble combinations will also be shown. The best ensemble method will be used to infer the causal relationships between banks in Saudi equities market.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to establish the feasibility of a minute incremental exercise testing protocol in young asthma children. Twenty-two children with clinically diagnosed mild to moderate asthma volunteered to participate. The maximum incremental exercise test was performed using a cycle ergometer with an electromagnetic braking. A warm-up unloaded for 2 minutes then the workload was started at 40 watts for 2 minutes, and then stepwise increments of 8 watts per 2 minutes were applied. The pedaling frequency was set at 50 rpm. Ventilation and gas exchange were measured with a breath-by-breath automatic metabolic measurement system. Results showed that this test was well tolerated by all asthmatic children. Most of the children reached the VO2 plateau and satisfied the criteria for maximal respiratory exchange ratio of ≥ 1. This Study demonstrated that this testing protocol was suitable for young asthmatic children.
Abstract: An experimental study of Reinforced Concrete, RC, columns strengthened using a steel jacketing technique was conducted. The jacketing technique consisted of four steel vertical angles installed at the corners of the column joined by horizontal steel straps confining the column externally. The effectiveness of the technique was evaluated by testing the RC column specimens under eccentric monotonic loading until failure occurred. Strain gauges were installed to monitor the strains in the internal reinforcement as well as the external jacketing system. The effectiveness of the jacketing technique was demonstrated, and the parameters affecting the technique were studied.
Abstract: The availability of broadband internet and increased
access to computers has been instrumental in the rise of internet
literacy in Malaysia. This development has led to the adoption of
online shopping by many Malaysians. On another note, the
Government has supported the development and production of local
herbal products. This has resulted in an increase in the production and
diversity of products by SMEs. The purpose of this study is to
evaluate the influence of the Malaysian demographic factors and
selected attitudinal characteristics in relation to the online purchasing
of herbal products. In total, 1054 internet users were interviewed
online and Chi-square analysis was used to determine the relationship
between demographic variables and different aspects of online
shopping for herbal products. The overall results show that the
demographic variables such as age, gender, education level, income
and ethnicity were significant when considering the online shopping
antecedents of trust, quality of herbal products, perceived risks and
perceived benefits.
Abstract: A total of twenty tensile biopsies were collected from
children undergoing tonsillectomy from teaching hospital ENT
department and Kurdistan private hospital in sulaimani city. All
biopsies were homogenized and cultured; the obtained bacterial
isolates were purified and identified by biochemical tests and VITEK
2 compact system. Among the twenty studied samples, only one
Pseudomonas putida with probability of 99% was isolated.
Antimicrobial susceptibility was carried out by disk diffusion
method, Pseudomonas putida showed resistance to all antibiotics
used except vancomycin. The isolate further subjected to PCR and
DNA sequence analysis of blaVIM gene using different set of primers
for different regions of VIM gene. The results were found to be PCR
positive for the blaVIM gene. To determine the sequence of blaVIM
gene, DNA sequencing performed. Sequence alignment of blaVIM
gene with previously recorded blaVIM gene in NCBI- database showed
that P. putida isolate have different blaVIM gene.
Abstract: This paper describes a 3D modeling system in
Augmented Reality environment, named 3DARModeler. It can be
considered a simple version of 3D Studio Max with necessary
functions for a modeling system such as creating objects, applying
texture, adding animation, estimating real light sources and casting
shadows. The 3DARModeler introduces convenient, and effective
human-computer interaction to build 3D models by combining both
the traditional input method (mouse/keyboard) and the tangible input
method (markers). It has the ability to align a new virtual object with
the existing parts of a model. The 3DARModeler targets nontechnical
users. As such, they do not need much knowledge of
computer graphics and modeling techniques. All they have to do is
select basic objects, customize their attributes, and put them together
to build a 3D model in a simple and intuitive way as if they were
doing in the real world. Using the hierarchical modeling technique,
the users are able to group several basic objects to manage them as a
unified, complex object. The system can also connect with other 3D
systems by importing and exporting VRML/3Ds Max files. A
module of speech recognition is included in the system to provide
flexible user interfaces.
Abstract: Recent financial international scandals around the world have led to a number of investigations into the effectiveness of corporate governance practices and audit quality. Although evidence of corporate governance practices and audit quality exists from developed economies, very scanty studies have been conducted in Egypt where corporate governance is just evolving. Therefore, this study provides evidence on the effectiveness of corporate governance practices and audit quality from a developing country. The data for analysis are gathered from the top 50 most active companies in the Egyptian Stock Exchange, covering the three year period 2007-2009. Logistic regression was used in investigating the questions that were raised in the study. Findings from the study show that board independence; CEO duality and audit committees significantly have relationship with audit quality. The results also, indicate that institutional investor and managerial ownership have no significantly relationship with audit quality. Evidence also exist that size of the company; complexity and business leverage are important factors in audit quality for companies quoted on the Egypt Stock Exchange.
Abstract: To investigate the behavior of sheet metals during
forming tailor welded blanks (TWB) of various thickness made via
Co2 Laser welding are under consideration. These blanks are formed
used two different forming methods of rubber as well as the
conventional punch and die methods. The main research objective is
the effects of using a rubber die instead of a solid one the
displacement of the weld line and the press force needed for forming.
Specimens with thicknesses of 0.5, 0.6, 0.8 and 1mm are subjected to
Erichsen two dimensional tests and the resulted force for each case
are compared. This is followed by a theoretical and numerical study
of press force and weld line displacement. It is concluded that using
rubber pad forming (RPF) causes a reduction in weld line
displacement and an increase in the press force.
Abstract: Application of neural networks in execution of
programmed pulse width modulation (PPWM) of a voltage source
inverter (VSI) is studied in this paper. Using the proposed method it is
possible to cancel out the desired harmonics in output of VSI in
addition to control the magnitude of fundamental harmonic,
contineously. By checking the non-trained values and a performance
index, the most appropriate neural network is proposed. It is shown
that neural networks may solve the custom difficulties of practical
utilization of PPWM such as large size of memory, complex digital
circuits and controlling the magnitude of output voltage in a discrete
manner.
Abstract: carrot is one of the important root vegetable crops,
and it is highly nutritious as it contains appreciable amount of
vitamins, minerals and β-carotene. The major objective of current
research was to evaluate the chemical composition of carrot variety
'Nante' hybrids in general and to select the best samples for fresh-cut
salad production. The research was accomplished on fresh in Latvia
cultivated carrots harvested in Zemgale region in the first part of
October, 2011 and immediately used for experiments. Late-bearing
variety 'Nante' hybrid carrots were used for analysis:
'Nante/Berlikum', 'Nante/Maestro', 'Nante/Forto', 'Nante/Bolero'
and 'Nante/Champion'. The quality parameters as moisture, soluble
solid, firmness, b-carotene, carotenoid, color, polyphenols, total
phenolic compounds and total antioxidant capacity were analyzed
using standard methods. For fresh-cut salad production as more
applicable could be recommended hybrids 'Nante/Forto' and
'Nante/Berlikum' - mainly because it-s higher nutritive value, as
higher total phenolic compounds, polyphenols and pronounced
antioxidant capacity.
Abstract: This paper presents the investigation results of UV
measurement at different level of altitudes and the development of a
new portable instrument for measuring UV. The rapid growth of
industrial sectors in developing countries including Malaysia, brings
not only income to the nation, but also causes pollution in various
forms. Air pollution is one of the significant contributors to global
warming by depleting the Ozone layer, which would reduce the
filtration of UV rays. Long duration of exposure to high to UV rays
has many devastating health effects to mankind directly or indirectly
through destruction of the natural resources. This study aimed to
show correlation between UV and altitudes which indirectly can help
predict Ozone depletion. An instrument had been designed to
measure and monitors the level of UV. The instrument comprises of
two main blocks namely data logger and Graphic User Interface
(GUI). Three sensors were used in the data logger to detect changes
in the temperature, humidity and ultraviolet. The system has
undergone experimental measurement to capture data at two different
conditions; industrial area and high attitude area. The performance of
the instrument showed consistency in the data captured and the
results of the experiment drew a significantly high reading of UV at
high altitudes.
Abstract: The paper evaluates several hundred one-day-ahead
VaR forecasting models in the time period between the years 2004
and 2009 on data from six world stock indices - DJI, GSPC, IXIC,
FTSE, GDAXI and N225. The models model mean using the ARMA
processes with up to two lags and variance with one of GARCH,
EGARCH or TARCH processes with up to two lags. The models are
estimated on the data from the in-sample period and their forecasting
accuracy is evaluated on the out-of-sample data, which are more
volatile. The main aim of the paper is to test whether a model
estimated on data with lower volatility can be used in periods with
higher volatility. The evaluation is based on the conditional coverage
test and is performed on each stock index separately. The primary
result of the paper is that the volatility is best modelled using a
GARCH process and that an ARMA process pattern cannot be found
in analyzed time series.
Abstract: In this study, a mathematical model was proposed and
the accuracy of this model was assessed to predict the growth of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa and rhamnolipid production under nitrogen
limiting (sodium nitrate) fed-batch fermentation. All of the
parameters used in this model were achieved individually without
using any data from the literature.
The overall growth kinetic of the strain was evaluated using a
dual-parallel substrate Monod equation which was described by
several batch experimental data. Fed-batch data under different
glycerol (as the sole carbon source, C/N=10) concentrations and feed
flow rates were used to describe the proposed fed-batch model and
other parameters. In order to verify the accuracy of the proposed
model several verification experiments were performed in a vast
range of initial glycerol concentrations. While the results showed an
acceptable prediction for rhamnolipid production (less than 10%
error), in case of biomass prediction the errors were less than 23%. It
was also found that the rhamnolipid production by P. aeruginosa was
more sensitive at low glycerol concentrations.
Based on the findings of this work, it was concluded that the
proposed model could effectively be employed for rhamnolipid
production by this strain under fed-batch fermentation on up to 80 g l-
1 glycerol.
Abstract: Association rules are an important problem in data
mining. Massively increasing volume of data in real life databases
has motivated researchers to design novel and incremental algorithms
for association rules mining. In this paper, we propose an incremental
association rules mining algorithm that integrates shocking
interestingness criterion during the process of building the model. A
new interesting measure called shocking measure is introduced. One
of the main features of the proposed approach is to capture the user
background knowledge, which is monotonically augmented. The
incremental model that reflects the changing data and the user beliefs
is attractive in order to make the over all KDD process more
effective and efficient. We implemented the proposed approach and
experiment it with some public datasets and found the results quite
promising.
Abstract: This paper presents an evaluation for a wavelet-based
digital watermarking technique used in estimating the quality of
video sequences transmitted over Additive White Gaussian Noise
(AWGN) channel in terms of a classical objective metric, such as
Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR) without the need of the original
video. In this method, a watermark is embedded into the Discrete
Wavelet Transform (DWT) domain of the original video frames
using a quantization method. The degradation of the extracted
watermark can be used to estimate the video quality in terms of
PSNR with good accuracy. We calculated PSNR for video frames
contaminated with AWGN and compared the values with those
estimated using the Watermarking-DWT based approach. It is found
that the calculated and estimated quality measures of the video
frames are highly correlated, suggesting that this method can provide
a good quality measure for video frames transmitted over AWGN
channel without the need of the original video.