Abstract: In this research saffron samples were prepared from
farms and sampling was done in four states contain : sampling from
fresh saffron of petal with forceps , sampling from fresh saffron of
petal by hands, sampling from dried sample by warm air in shadow,
sampling from dried sample which dried by dryer. Samples collected
and kept in sterile tubes and containers and carried to laboratory and
maintained until experiment. Microbial experiments were performed
to determine microbial load such as total count, Staphylococcus
aureus, coli form, E.coli, mold and yeast. Results showed that in
picking and drying stages the contamination amount increases in
saffron samples. There was a significant difference between the
microbial load of picked up saffron by forceps and by hands, and
also between dried saffron by warm air in shadow and by dryer.
Abstract: In this paper, we have combined some spatial derivatives with the optimised time derivative proposed by Tam and Webb in order to approximate the linear advection equation which is given by = 0. Ôêé Ôêé + Ôêé Ôêé x f t u These spatial derivatives are as follows: a standard 7-point 6 th -order central difference scheme (ST7), a standard 9-point 8 th -order central difference scheme (ST9) and optimised schemes designed by Tam and Webb, Lockard et al., Zingg et al., Zhuang and Chen, Bogey and Bailly. Thus, these seven different spatial derivatives have been coupled with the optimised time derivative to obtain seven different finite-difference schemes to approximate the linear advection equation. We have analysed the variation of the modified wavenumber and group velocity, both with respect to the exact wavenumber for each spatial derivative. The problems considered are the 1-D propagation of a Boxcar function, propagation of an initial disturbance consisting of a sine and Gaussian function and the propagation of a Gaussian profile. It is known that the choice of the cfl number affects the quality of results in terms of dissipation and dispersion characteristics. Based on the numerical experiments solved and numerical methods used to approximate the linear advection equation, it is observed in this work, that the quality of results is dependent on the choice of the cfl number, even for optimised numerical methods. The errors from the numerical results have been quantified into dispersion and dissipation using a technique devised by Takacs. Also, the quantity, Exponential Error for Low Dispersion and Low Dissipation, eeldld has been computed from the numerical results. Moreover, based on this work, it has been found that when the quantity, eeldld can be used as a measure of the total error. In particular, the total error is a minimum when the eeldld is a minimum.
Abstract: The urbanization phenomenon in Yogyakarta Special
Province, Indonesia, encouraged people move to the city for getting
jobs in the informal sectors. They live in some temporary houses in
the three main riverbanks: Gadjahwong, Code, and Winongo.
Triggered by its independent status they use it as the space for
accommodating domestic, social and economy activities because of
the non standardized room size of their houses, where are recognized
as the environmental hazards. This recognition makes the ambivalent
perception when was related to the twelfth point of the philosophy of
community development concept: the empowering individuals and
communities. Its spatial implication have actually described the
territory and the place making phenomena. By analyzing some data
collected the author-s fundamental research funded by The General
Directorate of Higher Education of Indonesia, this paper will discuss
how do the spatial implications of the occupants- behavior and the
numerous perceptions of those phenomena.
Abstract: Stainless steel has been employed in many
engineering applications ranging from pharmaceutical equipment to
piping in the nuclear reactors and storage to chemical products. In
this attempt, simulation of fatigue crack growth based on
experimental results of austenitic stainless steel 304L was presented
using AFGROW code when NASGRO mode laws adopted. Double
through crack at hole specimen is used in this investigation under
constant amplitude loading. Effect of mean stress is highlighted.
Results show that fatigue crack growth rate (FCGR) and fatigue life
were affected by maximum applied load and dimension of hole. An
equivalent of Paris law for this material was estimated.
Abstract: Solution for the complete removal of carbon
monoxide from the exhaust gases still poses a challenge to the
researchers and this problem is still under development. Modeling for
reduction of carbon monoxide is carried out using heterogeneous
reaction using low cost non-noble metal based catalysts for the
purpose of controlling emissions released to the atmosphere. A
simple one-dimensional model was developed for the monolith using
hopcalite catalyst. The converter is assumed to be an adiabatic
monolith operating under warm-up conditions. The effect of inlet gas
temperatures and catalyst loading on carbon monoxide reduction
during cold start period in the converter is analysed.
Abstract: D-erythro-cyclohexylserine (D
chiral unnatural β-hydroxy amino acid expected for the synthesis of drug for AIDS treatment. To develop a continuous bioconversion
system with whole cell biocatalyst of D-threonine aldolase (D genes for the D-erythro-CHS production, D-threonine aldolase gene
was amplified from Ensifer arboris 100383 by direct PCR amplication using two degenerated oligonucleotide primers designed based on
genomic sequence of Shinorhizobium meliloti
Sequence analysis of the cloned DNA fragment revealed one
open-reading frame of 1059 bp and 386 amino acids. This putative
D-TA gene was cloned into NdeI and EcoRI (pEnsi
His-tag sequence or BamHI (pEnsi-DTA[2])
sequence of the pET21(a) vector. The expression level of the cloned gene was extremely overexpressed by E. coli BL21(DE3) transformed with pEnsi-DTA[1] compared to E. coli BL21(DE3) transformed with
pEnsi-DTA[2]. When the cells expressing the wild
used for D-TA enzyme activity, 12 mM glycine was successfully
detected in HPLC analysis. Moreover, the whole cells harbouring the
recombinant D-TA was able to synthesize D-erythro
of 0.6 mg/ml in a batch reaction.
Abstract: European Union candidate status provides a
strong motivation for decision-making in the candidate
countries in shaping the regional development policy where
there is an envisioned transfer of power from center to the
periphery. The process of Europeanization anticipates the
candidate countries configure their regional institutional
templates in the context of the requirements of the European
Union policies and introduces new instruments of incentive
framework of enlargement to be employed in regional
development schemes. It is observed that the contribution of
the local actors to the decision making in the design of the
allocation architectures enhances the efficiency of the funds
and increases the positive effects of the projects funded under
the regional development objectives. This study aims at
exploring the performances of the three regional development
grant schemes in Turkey, established and allocated under the
pre-accession process with a special emphasis given to the
roles of the national and local actors in decision-making for
regional development. Efficiency analyses have been
conducted using the DEA methodology which has proved to
be a superior method in comparative efficiency and
benchmarking measurements. The findings of this study as
parallel to similar international studies, provides that the
participation of the local actors to the decision-making in
funding contributes both to the quality and the efficiency of
the projects funded under the EU schemes.
Abstract: This paper describes a new supervised fusion (hybrid)
electrocardiogram (ECG) classification solution consisting of a new
QRS complex geometrical feature extraction as well as a new version
of the learning vector quantization (LVQ) classification algorithm
aimed for overcoming the stability-plasticity dilemma. Toward this
objective, after detection and delineation of the major events of ECG
signal via an appropriate algorithm, each QRS region and also its
corresponding discrete wavelet transform (DWT) are supposed as
virtual images and each of them is divided into eight polar sectors.
Then, the curve length of each excerpted segment is calculated
and is used as the element of the feature space. To increase the
robustness of the proposed classification algorithm versus noise,
artifacts and arrhythmic outliers, a fusion structure consisting of
five different classifiers namely as Support Vector Machine (SVM),
Modified Learning Vector Quantization (MLVQ) and three Multi
Layer Perceptron-Back Propagation (MLP–BP) neural networks with
different topologies were designed and implemented. The new proposed
algorithm was applied to all 48 MIT–BIH Arrhythmia Database
records (within–record analysis) and the discrimination power of the
classifier in isolation of different beat types of each record was
assessed and as the result, the average accuracy value Acc=98.51%
was obtained. Also, the proposed method was applied to 6 number
of arrhythmias (Normal, LBBB, RBBB, PVC, APB, PB) belonging
to 20 different records of the aforementioned database (between–
record analysis) and the average value of Acc=95.6% was achieved.
To evaluate performance quality of the new proposed hybrid learning
machine, the obtained results were compared with similar peer–
reviewed studies in this area.
Abstract: As networking has become popular, Web-learning
tends to be a trend while designing a tool. Moreover, five-axis
machining has been widely used in industry recently; however, it has
potential axial table colliding problems. Thus this paper aims at
proposing an efficient web-learning collision detection tool on
five-axis machining. However, collision detection consumes heavy
resource that few devices can support, thus this research uses a
systematic approach based on web knowledge to detect collision. The
methodologies include the kinematics analyses for five-axis motions,
separating axis method for collision detection, and computer
simulation for verification. The machine structure is modeled as STL
format in CAD software. The input to the detection system is the
g-code part program, which describes the tool motions to produce the
part surface. This research produced a simulation program with C
programming language and demonstrated a five-axis machining
example with collision detection on web site. The system simulates the
five-axis CNC motion for tool trajectory and detects for any collisions
according to the input g-codes and also supports high-performance
web service benefiting from C. The result shows that our method
improves 4.5 time of computational efficiency, comparing to the
conventional detection method.
Abstract: This research contribution is drafted to present the
orbit design, orbit propagator and geomagnetic field estimator for the
nanosatellites specifically for the upcoming CUBESAT, ICUBE-1 of
the Institute of Space Technology (IST), Islamabad, Pakistan. The
ICUBE mission is designed for the low earth orbit at the approximate
height of 700KM. The presented research endeavor designs the
Keplarian elements for ICUBE-1 orbit while incorporating the
mission requirements and propagates the orbit using J2 perturbations,
The attitude determination system of the ICUBE-1 consists of
attitude determination sensors like magnetometer and sun sensor. The
Geomagnetic field estimator is developed according to the model of
International Geomagnetic Reference Field (IGRF) for comparing the
magnetic field measurements by the magnetometer for attitude
determination. The output of the propagator namely the Keplarians
position and velocity vectors and the magnetic field vectors are
compared and verified with the same scenario generated in the
Satellite Tool Kit (STK).
Abstract: In this paper bi-annual time series data on unemployment rates (from the Labour Force Survey) are expanded to quarterly rates and linked to quarterly unemployment rates (from the Quarterly Labour Force Survey). The resultant linked series and the consumer price index (CPI) series are examined using Johansen’s cointegration approach and vector error correction modeling. The study finds that both the series are integrated of order one and are cointegrated. A statistically significant co-integrating relationship is found to exist between the time series of unemployment rates and the CPI. Given this significant relationship, the study models this relationship using Vector Error Correction Models (VECM), one with a restriction on the deterministic term and the other with no restriction.
A formal statistical confirmation of the existence of a unique linear and lagged relationship between inflation and unemployment for the period between September 2000 and June 2011 is presented. For the given period, the CPI was found to be an unbiased predictor of the unemployment rate. This relationship can be explored further for the development of appropriate forecasting models incorporating other study variables.
Abstract: Prediction of bacterial virulent protein sequences can
give assistance to identification and characterization of novel
virulence-associated factors and discover drug/vaccine targets against
proteins indispensable to pathogenicity. Gene Ontology (GO)
annotation which describes functions of genes and gene products as a
controlled vocabulary of terms has been shown effectively for a
variety of tasks such as gene expression study, GO annotation
prediction, protein subcellular localization, etc. In this study, we
propose a sequence-based method Virulent-GO by mining informative
GO terms as features for predicting bacterial virulent proteins.
Each protein in the datasets used by the existing method
VirulentPred is annotated by using BLAST to obtain its homologies
with known accession numbers for retrieving GO terms. After
investigating various popular classifiers using the same five-fold
cross-validation scheme, Virulent-GO using the single kind of GO
term features with an accuracy of 82.5% is slightly better than
VirulentPred with 81.8% using five kinds of sequence-based features.
For the evaluation of independent test, Virulent-GO also yields better
results (82.0%) than VirulentPred (80.7%). When evaluating single
kind of feature with SVM, the GO term feature performs much well,
compared with each of the five kinds of features.
Abstract: This study proposes a conceptual model and
empirically tests the relationships between customers and librarians
(i.e. tangibles, responsiveness, assurance, reliability and empathy)
with a dependent variable (customer satisfaction) regarding library
services. The SERVQUAL instrument was administered to 100
respondents which comprises of staff and students at a public higher
learning institution in the Federal Territory of Labuan, Malaysia.
They were public university library users. Results revealed that all
service quality dimensions tested were significant and influenced
customer satisfaction of visitors to a public university library.
Assurance is the most important factor that influences customer
satisfaction with the services rendered by the librarian. It is
imperative for the library management to take note that the top five
service attributes that gained greatest attention from library visitors-
perspective includes employee willingness to help customers,
availability of customer representatives online for response to
queries, library staff actively and promptly provide services, signs in
the building are clear and library staff are friendly and courteous.
This study provides valuable results concerning the determinants of
the service quality and customer satisfaction of public university
library services from the users' perspective.
Abstract: Recent trends in building constructions in Libya are
more toward tall (high-rise) building projects. As a consequence, a
better estimation of the lateral loading in the design process is
becoming the focal of a safe and cost effective building industry. Byin-
large, Libya is not considered a potential earthquake prone zone,
making wind is the dominant design lateral loads. Current design
practice in the country estimates wind speeds on a mere random
bases by considering certain factor of safety to the chosen wind
speed. Therefore, a need for a more accurate estimation of wind
speeds in Libya was the motivation behind this study. Records of
wind speed data were collected from 22 metrological stations in
Libya, and were statistically analysed. The analysis of more than four
decades of wind speed records suggests that the country can be
divided into four zones of distinct wind speeds. A computer “survey"
program was manipulated to draw design wind speeds contour map
for the state of Libya.
The paper presents the statistical analysis of Libya-s recorded
wind speed data and proposes design wind speed values for a 50-year
return period that covers the entire country.
Abstract: In this paper, we propose a face recognition algorithm
using AAM and Gabor features. Gabor feature vectors which are well
known to be robust with respect to small variations of shape, scaling,
rotation, distortion, illumination and poses in images are popularly
employed for feature vectors for many object detection and
recognition algorithms. EBGM, which is prominent among face
recognition algorithms employing Gabor feature vectors, requires
localization of facial feature points where Gabor feature vectors are
extracted. However, localization method employed in EBGM is based
on Gabor jet similarity and is sensitive to initial values. Wrong
localization of facial feature points affects face recognition rate. AAM
is known to be successfully applied to localization of facial feature
points. In this paper, we devise a facial feature point localization
method which first roughly estimate facial feature points using AAM
and refine facial feature points using Gabor jet similarity-based facial
feature localization method with initial points set by the rough facial
feature points obtained from AAM, and propose a face recognition
algorithm using the devised localization method for facial feature
localization and Gabor feature vectors. It is observed through
experiments that such a cascaded localization method based on both
AAM and Gabor jet similarity is more robust than the localization
method based on only Gabor jet similarity. Also, it is shown that the
proposed face recognition algorithm using this devised localization
method and Gabor feature vectors performs better than the
conventional face recognition algorithm using Gabor jet
similarity-based localization method and Gabor feature vectors like
EBGM.
Abstract: Complex engineering design problems consist of
numerous factors of varying criticalities. Considering fundamental features of design and inferior details alike will result in an extensive
waste of time and effort. Design parameters should be introduced gradually as appropriate based on their significance relevant to the
problem context. This motivates the representation of design parameters at multiple levels of an abstraction hierarchy. However, developing abstraction hierarchies is an area that is not well
understood. Our research proposes a novel hierarchical abstraction methodology to plan effective engineering designs and processes. It
provides a theoretically sound foundation to represent, abstract and stratify engineering design parameters and tasks according to causality and criticality. The methodology creates abstraction
hierarchies in a recursive and bottom-up approach that guarantees no
backtracking across any of the abstraction levels. The methodology consists of three main phases, representation, abstraction, and layering to multiple hierarchical levels. The effectiveness of the
developed methodology is demonstrated by a design problem.
Abstract: Corporate credit rating prediction using statistical and
artificial intelligence (AI) techniques has been one of the attractive
research topics in the literature. In recent years, multiclass
classification models such as artificial neural network (ANN) or
multiclass support vector machine (MSVM) have become a very
appealing machine learning approaches due to their good
performance. However, most of them have only focused on classifying
samples into nominal categories, thus the unique characteristic of the
credit rating - ordinality - has been seldom considered in their
approaches. This study proposes new types of ANN and MSVM
classifiers, which are named OMANN and OMSVM respectively.
OMANN and OMSVM are designed to extend binary ANN or SVM
classifiers by applying ordinal pairwise partitioning (OPP) strategy.
These models can handle ordinal multiple classes efficiently and
effectively. To validate the usefulness of these two models, we applied
them to the real-world bond rating case. We compared the results of
our models to those of conventional approaches. The experimental
results showed that our proposed models improve classification
accuracy in comparison to typical multiclass classification techniques
with the reduced computation resource.
Abstract: The output beam quality of multi transverse modes of
laser, are relatively poor. In order to obtain better beam quality, one
may use an aperture inside the laser resonator. In this case, various
transverse modes can be selected. We have selected various
transverse modes both by simulation and doing experiment. By
inserting a circular aperture inside the diode end-pumped Nd:YAG
pulsed laser resonator, we have obtained 00 TEM , 01 TEM
, 20 TEM and have studied which parameters, can change the mode
shape. Then, we have determined the beam quality factor of TEM00
gaussian mode.
Abstract: Facility Layout Problem (FLP) is one of the essential
problems of several types of manufacturing and service sector. It is
an optimization problem on which the main objective is to obtain the
efficient locations, arrangement and order of the facilities. In the
literature, there are numerous facility layout problem research
presented and have used meta-heuristic approaches to achieve
optimal facility layout design. This paper presented genetic algorithm
to solve facility layout problem; to minimize total cost function. The
performance of the proposed approach was verified and compared
using problems in the literature.
Abstract: Baltic competitiveness is quite controversial. In a
situation with the rapid structural changes, economy develops in
balance very rarely - in different fields will always be more rapid
changes in another more stagnation.
Analyzing different economic indices developed by international
organizations the situation in three Baltic countries are described
from a different competitiveness positions highlighting strengths and
weaknesses of each country.
Exploring the openness of the economy, it is possible to observe
certain risks included in the reports describing situation of
competitiveness where government policies competing in the tax
system, the rates of labour market policies, investment environment,
etc. This is a very important factor resulting in competitive
advantage.
Baltic countries are still at a weak position from a technological
perspective, and need to borrow the knowledge and technology from
more developed countries.