Abstract: Research in distributed artificial intelligence and multiagent systems consider how a set of distributed entities can interact and coordinate their actions in order to solve a given problem. In this paper an overview of this concept and its evolution is presented particularly its application in the design of intelligent tutoring systems. An intelligent tutor based on the concept of agent and centered specifically on the design of a pedagogue agent is illustrated. Our work has two goals: the first one concerns the architecture aspect and the design of a tutor using multiagent approach. The second one deals particularly with the design of a part of a tutor system: the pedagogue agent.
Abstract: Understanding patient factors related to physical activity behavior is important in the management of Type 2 Diabetes. This study applied the Theory of Planned Behavior model to understand physical activity behavior among sampled Type 2 diabetics in Kenya. The study was conducted within the diabetic clinic at Kisii Level 5 Hospital and adopted sequential mixed methods design beginning with qualitative phase and ending with quantitative phase. Qualitative data was analyzed using grounded theory analysis method. Structural equation modeling using maximum likelihood was used to analyze quantitative data. The common fit indices revealed that the theory of planned behavior fitted the data acceptably well among the Type 2 diabetes and within physical activity behavior {¤ç2 = 213, df = 84, n=230, p = .061, ¤ç2/df = 2.53; TLI = .97; CFI =.96; RMSEA (90CI) = .073(.029, .08)}. This theory proved to be useful in understanding physical activity behavior among Type 2 diabetics.
Abstract: In this paper we present the first Arabic sentence
dataset for on-line handwriting recognition written on tablet pc. The
dataset is natural, simple and clear. Texts are sampled from daily
newspapers. To collect naturally written handwriting, forms are
dictated to writers. The current version of our dataset includes 154
paragraphs written by 48 writers. It contains more than 3800 words
and more than 19,400 characters. Handwritten texts are mainly
written by researchers from different research centers. In order to use
this dataset in a recognition system word extraction is needed. In this
paper a new word extraction technique based on the Arabic
handwriting cursive nature is also presented. The technique is applied
to this dataset and good results are obtained. The results can be
considered as a bench mark for future research to be compared with.
Abstract: The genetic algorithm (GA) based solution techniques
are found suitable for optimization because of their ability of
simultaneous multidimensional search. Many GA-variants have been
tried in the past to solve optimal power flow (OPF), one of the
nonlinear problems of electric power system. The issues like
convergence speed and accuracy of the optimal solution obtained
after number of generations using GA techniques and handling
system constraints in OPF are subjects of discussion. The results
obtained for GA-Fuzzy OPF on various power systems have shown
faster convergence and lesser generation costs as compared to other
approaches. This paper presents an enhanced GA-Fuzzy OPF (EGAOPF)
using penalty factors to handle line flow constraints and load
bus voltage limits for both normal network and contingency case
with congestion. In addition to crossover and mutation rate
adaptation scheme that adapts crossover and mutation probabilities
for each generation based on fitness values of previous generations, a
block swap operator is also incorporated in proposed EGA-OPF. The
line flow limits and load bus voltage magnitude limits are handled by
incorporating line overflow and load voltage penalty factors
respectively in each chromosome fitness function. The effects of
different penalty factors settings are also analyzed under contingent
state.
Abstract: Severe symptoms, such as dissociation, depersonalization, self-mutilation, suicidal ideations and gestures, are the main reasons for a person to be diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and admitted to an inpatient Psychiatric Hospital. However, these symptoms are also indicators of a severe traumatic history as indicated by the extensive research on the topic. Unfortunately patients with such clinical presentation often are treated repeatedly only for their symptomatic behavior, while the main cause for their suffering, the trauma itself, is usually left unaddressed therapeutically. All of the highly structured, replicable, and manualized treatments lack the recognition of the uniqueness of the person and fail to respect his/her rights to experience and react in an idiosyncratic manner. Thus the communicative and adaptive meaning of such symptomatic behavior is missed. Only its pathological side is recognized and subjected to correction and stigmatization, and the message that the person is damaged goods that needs fixing is conveyed once again. However, this time the message would be even more convincing for the victim, because it is sent by mental health providers, who have the credibility to make such a judgment. The result is a revolving door of very expensive hospitalizations for only a temporary and patchy fix. In this way the patients, once victims of abuse and hardship are left invalidated and thus their re-victimization is perpetuated in their search for understanding and help. Keywordsborderline personality disorder (BPD), complex PTSD, integrative treatment of trauma, re-victimization of trauma victims.
Abstract: The heat storage capacity of concrete in building shells is a major reason for excessively large electricity consumption induced by indoor air conditioning. In this research, the previously developed Smart Temperature Information Material (STIM) is embedded in two groups of exterior wall specimens (the control group contains reinforced concrete exterior walls and the experimental group consists of tiled exterior walls). Long term temperature measurements within the concrete are taken by the embedded STIM. Temperature differences between the control group and the experimental group in walls facing the four cardinal directions (east, west, south, and north) are evaluated. This study aims to provide a basic reference for the design of exterior walls and the selection of heat insulation materials.
Abstract: In the past, there were more researches of recommendation system in applied electronic commerce. However, because all circles promote information technology integrative instruction actively, the quantity of instruction resources website is more and more increasing on the Internet. But there are less website including recommendation service, especially for teachers. This study established an instruction resource recommendation website that analyzed teaching style of teachers, then provided appropriate instruction resources for teachers immediately. We used the questionnaire survey to realize teacher-s suggestions and satisfactions with the instruction resource contents and recommendation results. The study shows: (1)The website used “Transactional Ability Inventory" that realized teacher-s style and provided appropriate instruction resources for teachers in a short time, it reduced the step of data filter. (2)According to the content satisfaction of questionnaire survey, four styles teachers were almost satisfied with the contents of the instruction resources that the website recommended, thus, the conception of developing instruction resources with different teaching style is accepted. (3) According to the recommendation satisfaction of questionnaire survey, four styles teachers were almost satisfied with the recommendation service of the website, thus, the recommendation strategy that provide different results for teachers in different teaching styles is accepted.
Abstract: This paper presents a design of source encoding
calculator software which applies the two famous algorithms in the
field of information theory- the Shannon-Fano and the Huffman
schemes. This design helps to easily realize the algorithms without
going into a cumbersome, tedious and prone to error manual
mechanism of encoding the signals during the transmission. The
work describes the design of the software, how it works, comparison
with related works, its efficiency, its usefulness in the field of
information technology studies and the future prospects of the
software to engineers, students, technicians and alike. The designed
“Encodia" software has been developed, tested and found to meet the
intended requirements. It is expected that this application will help
students and teaching staff in their daily doing of information theory
related tasks. The process is ongoing to modify this tool so that it can
also be more intensely useful in research activities on source coding.
Abstract: The setting agent Ca(OH)2 for activation of slag
cement is used in the proportions of 0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, 8% and 10%
by various methods (substitution and addition by mass of slag
cement). The physical properties of slag cement activated by the
calcium hydroxide at anhydrous and hydrated states (fineness,
particle size distribution, consistency of the cement pastes and setting
times) were studied. The activation method by the mineral activator
of slag cement (latent hydraulicity) accelerates the hydration process
and reduces the setting times of the cement activated.
Abstract: The aim of our research was to evaluate the effects of
physical exercise on lipid profile and anthropometric characteristics
in young subjects, diagnosed with metabolic syndrome (MS). The
study has been developed during 28 weeks on 20 young obese
patients which have undertaken an intermittent submaximal exercise
program. After 28 weeks of physical activity, the results show
significant effects on anthropometric characteristics and serum lipid
profile of research subjects. Additionally, the results of this study
confirms the major correlation between the variations of
intraabdominal adiposity, determined ultrasonographycally,
and the changes of serum lipid concentrations, a better
correlation than it is used abdominal circumference or body
weight index.
Abstract: This study deals with a multi-criteria optimization
problem which has been transformed into a single objective
optimization problem using Response Surface Methodology (RSM),
Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Grey Relational Analyses
(GRA) approach. Grey-RSM and Grey-ANN are hybrid techniques
which can be used for solving multi-criteria optimization problem.
There have been two main purposes of this research as follows.
1. To determine optimum and robust fiber dyeing process
conditions by using RSM and ANN based on GRA,
2. To obtain the best suitable model by comparing models
developed by different methodologies.
The design variables for fiber dyeing process in textile are
temperature, time, softener, anti-static, material quantity, pH,
retarder, and dispergator. The quality characteristics to be evaluated
are nominal color consistency of fiber, maximum strength of fiber,
minimum color of dyeing solution. GRA-RSM with exact level
value, GRA-RSM with interval level value and GRA-ANN models
were compared based on GRA output value and MSE (Mean Square
Error) performance measurement of outputs with each other. As a
result, GRA-ANN with interval value model seems to be suitable
reducing the variation of dyeing process for GRA output value of the
model.
Abstract: It has been proven that early establishment of
microbial flora in digestive tract of ruminants, has a beneficial effect
on their health condition and productivity. A probiotic compound,
made from five bacteria isolated from adult bovine cattle, was dosed
to 15 Holstein newborn calves in order to measure its capacity of
improving body weight gain and reduce diarrhea incidence. The test
was performed in the municipality of Cajicá (Colombia), at 2580
m.a.s.l., throughout rainy season, with environmental temperature
that oscillated between 4 to 25 °C. Five calves were allotted to
control (no addition of probiotic). Treatments 1, and 2 (5 calves per
group) received 10 ml Probiotic mix 1 and 2, respectively. Probiotic
mixes 1 and 2 where similar in microbial composition but different in
production process. Probiotics were added to the morning milk and
dosed on a daily basis by a month and then on a weekly basis for
three additional months. Diarrhea incidence was measured by
observance of number of animals affected in each group; each animal
was weighed up on a daily basis for obtaining weight gain and rumen
fluid samples were extracted with oro-esophageal catheter for
determining level of fiber and grain consumption.
Abstract: Science parks are often established to drive regional
economic growth, especially in countries with emerging economies.
However, mixed findings regarding the performances of science park
firms are found in the literature. This study tries to explain these
mixed findings by taking a relational approach and exploring
(un)intended knowledge transfers between new technology-based
firms (NTBFs) in the emerging South African economy. Moreover,
the innovation outcomes of these NTBFs are examined by using a
multi-dimensional construct. Results show that science park location
plays a significant role in explaining innovative sales, but is
insignificant when a different indicator of innovation outcomes is
used. Furthermore, only for innovations that are new to the firms,
both science park location and intended knowledge transfer via
informal business relationships have a positive impact; whereas
social relationships have a negative impact.
Abstract: Contrary to negative emotion regulation, coping with
positive moods have received less attention in adolescent adjustment.
However, some research has found that everyone is different on
dealing with their positive emotions, which affects their adaptation
and well-being. The purpose of the present study was to investigate
the relationship between positive emotions dampening and
internalizing behavior problems of adolescent in Taiwan. A survey
was conducted and 208 students (12 to14 years old) completed the
strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ), the Affect Intensity
Measure, and the positive emotions dampening scale. Analysis
methods such as descriptive statistics, t-test, Pearson correlations and
multiple regression were adapted. The results were as follows:
Emotionality and internalizing problem behavior have significant
gender differences. Compared to boys, girls have a higher score on
negative emotionality and are at a higher risk for internalizing
symptoms. However, there are no gender differences on positive
emotion dampening. Additionally, in the circumstance that negative
emotionality acted as the control variable, positive emotion
dampening strategy was (positive) related to internalizing behavior
problems. Given the results of this study, it is suggested that coaching
deconstructive positive emotion strategies is to assist adolescents
with internalizing behavior problems is encouraged.
Abstract: Music segmentation is a key issue in music information
retrieval (MIR) as it provides an insight into the
internal structure of a composition. Structural information about
a composition can improve several tasks related to MIR such
as searching and browsing large music collections, visualizing
musical structure, lyric alignment, and music summarization.
The authors of this paper present the MTSSM framework, a twolayer
framework for the multi-track segmentation of symbolic
music. The strength of this framework lies in the combination of
existing methods for local track segmentation and the application
of global structure information spanning via multiple tracks.
The first layer of the MTSSM uses various string matching
techniques to detect the best candidate segmentations for each
track of a multi-track composition independently. The second
layer combines all single track results and determines the best
segmentation for each track in respect to the global structure of
the composition.
Abstract: In this paper, a simple microfluidic device for monitoring algal cell behavior is proposed. An array of algal microwells is fabricated by PDMS soft-lithography using X-ray LIGA mold, placed on a glass substrate. Two layers of replicated PDMS and substrate are attached by oxygen plasma bonding, creating a microchannel for the microfluidic system. Algal cell are loaded into the microfluidic device, which provides positive charge on the bottom surface of wells. Algal cells, which are negative charged, can be attracted to the bottom of the wells via electrostatic interaction. By varying the concentration of algal cells in the loading suspension, it is possible to obtain wells with a single cell. Liquid medium for cells monitoring are flown continuously over the wells, providing nutrient and waste exchange between the well and the main flow. This device could lead to the uncovering of the quantitative biology of the algae, which is a key to effective and extensive algal utilizations in the field of biotechnology, food industry and bioenergy research and developments.
Abstract: Embedding Sustainability in technological curricula has become a crucial factor for educating engineers with competences in sustainability. The Technical University of Catalonia UPC, in 2008, designed the Sustainable Technology Excellence Program STEP 2015 in order to assure a successful Sustainability Embedding. This Program takes advantage of the opportunity that the redesign of all Bachelor and Master Degrees in Spain by 2010 under the European Higher Education Area framework offered. The STEP program goals are: to design compulsory courses in each degree; to develop the conceptual base and identify reference models in sustainability for all specialties at UPC; to create an internal interdisciplinary network of faculty from all the schools; to initiate new transdisciplinary research activities in technology-sustainability-education; to spread the know/how attained; to achieve international scientific excellence in technology-sustainability-education and to graduate the first engineers/architects of the new EHEA bachelors with sustainability as a generic competence. Specifically, in this paper authors explain their experience in leading the STEP program, and two examples are presented: Industrial Robotics subject and the curriculum for the School of Architecture.
Abstract: In this research, a systematic investigation was carried out to determine the optimum conditions of HDS reactor. Moreover, a suitable model was developed for a rigorous RTO (real time optimization) loop of HDS (Hydro desulfurization) process. A systematic experimental series was designed based on CCD (Central Composite design) and carried out in the related pilot plant to tune the develop model. The designed variables in the experiments were Temperature, LHSV and pressure. However, the hydrogen over fresh feed ratio was remained constant. The ranges of these variables were respectively equal to 320-380ºC, 1- 21/hr and 50-55 bar. a power law kinetic model was also developed for our further research in the future .The rate order and activation energy , power of reactant concentration and frequency factor of this model was respectively equal to 1.4, 92.66 kJ/mol and k0=2.7*109 .
Abstract: Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) has
been used as a common research tool for different neurological
disorders like Multiple Sclerosis. Recently, technology let
researchers to introduce a new versions of the visual test, the paced
visual serial addition test (PVSAT). In this paper, the computerized
version of these two tests is introduced. Beside the number of true
responses are interpreted, the reaction time of subjects are calculated
by the software. We hypothesize that paying attention to the reaction
time may be valuable. For this purpose, sixty eight female normal
subjects and fifty eight male normal subjects are enrolled in the
study. We investigate the similarity between the PASAT3 and
PVSAT3 in number of true responses and the new criterion (the
average reaction time of each subject). The similarity between two
tests were rejected (p-value = 0.000) which means that these two test
differ. The effect of sex in the tests were not approved since the pvalues
of different between PASAT3 and PVSAT3 in both sex is the
same (p-value = 0.000) which means that male and female subjects
performed the tests at no different level of performance. The new
criterion shows a negative correlation with the age which offers aged
normal subjects may have the same number of true responses as the
young subjects but they have latent responses. This will give prove
for the importance of reaction time.
Abstract: The noteworthy point in the advancement of Brain Machine Interface (BMI) research is the ability to accurately extract features of the brain signals and to classify them into targeted control action with the easiest procedures since the expected beneficiaries are of disabled. In this paper, a new feature extraction method using the combination of adaptive band pass filters and adaptive autoregressive (AAR) modelling is proposed and applied to the classification of right and left motor imagery signals extracted from the brain. The introduction of the adaptive bandpass filter improves the characterization process of the autocorrelation functions of the AAR models, as it enhances and strengthens the EEG signal, which is noisy and stochastic in nature. The experimental results on the Graz BCI data set have shown that by implementing the proposed feature extraction method, a LDA and SVM classifier outperforms other AAR approaches of the BCI 2003 competition in terms of the mutual information, the competition criterion, or misclassification rate.