Abstract: In this article, a method has been offered to classify
normal and defective tiles using wavelet transform and artificial
neural networks. The proposed algorithm calculates max and min
medians as well as the standard deviation and average of detail
images obtained from wavelet filters, then comes by feature vectors
and attempts to classify the given tile using a Perceptron neural
network with a single hidden layer. In this study along with the
proposal of using median of optimum points as the basic feature and
its comparison with the rest of the statistical features in the wavelet
field, the relational advantages of Haar wavelet is investigated. This
method has been experimented on a number of various tile designs
and in average, it has been valid for over 90% of the cases. Amongst
the other advantages, high speed and low calculating load are
prominent.
Abstract: The objectives of this research were 1) to study the
opinions of newspaper journalists about their trustworthiness in the
National Press Council of Thailand (NPCT) and the NPCT-s success
in regulating the professional ethics; and 2) to study the differences
among mean vectors of the variables of trustworthiness in the NPCT
and opinions on the NPCT-s success in regulating professional ethics
among samples working at different work positions and from
different affiliation of newspaper organizations. The results showed
that 1) Interaction effects between the variables of work positions and
affiliation were not statistically significant at the confidence level of
0.05. 2) There was a statistically significant difference (p
Abstract: Fuzzy logic control (FLC) systems have been tested in
many technical and industrial applications as a useful modeling tool
that can handle the uncertainties and nonlinearities of modern control
systems. The main drawback of the FLC methodologies in the
industrial environment is challenging for selecting the number of
optimum tuning parameters.
In this paper, a method has been proposed for finding the optimum
membership functions of a fuzzy system using particle swarm
optimization (PSO) algorithm. A synthetic algorithm combined from
fuzzy logic control and PSO algorithm is used to design a controller
for a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) with the aim of
achieving the accurate and acceptable desired results. To exhibit the
effectiveness of proposed algorithm, it is used to optimize the
Gaussian membership functions of the fuzzy model of a nonlinear
CSTR system as a case study. It is clearly proved that the optimized
membership functions (MFs) provided better performance than a
fuzzy model for the same system, when the MFs were heuristically
defined.
Abstract: In this research, the diabetes conditions of people (healthy, prediabete and diabete) were tried to be identified with noninvasive palm perspiration measurements. Data clusters gathered from 200 subjects were used (1.Individual Attributes Cluster and 2. Palm Perspiration Attributes Cluster). To decrase the dimensions of these data clusters, Principal Component Analysis Method was used. Data clusters, prepared in that way, were classified with Support Vector Machines. Classifications with highest success were 82% for Glucose parameters and 84% for HbA1c parametres.
Abstract: This study investigated the number of Aedes larvae,
the key breeding sites of Aedes sp., and the relationship between
climatic factors and the incidence of DHF in Samui Islands. We
conducted our questionnaire and larval surveys from randomly
selected 105 households in Samui Islands in July-September 2006.
Pearson-s correlation coefficient was used to explore the primary
association between the DHF incidence and all climatic factors.
Multiple stepwise regression technique was then used to fit the
statistical model. The results showed that the positive indoor
containers were small jars, cement tanks, and plastic tanks. The
positive outdoor containers were small jars, cement tanks, plastic
tanks, used cans, tires, plastic bottles, discarded objects, pot saucers,
plant pots, and areca husks. All Ae. albopictus larval indices (i.e., CI,
HI, and BI) were higher than Ae. aegypti larval indices in this area.
These larval indices were higher than WHO standard. This indicated
a high risk of DHF transmission at Samui Islands. The multiple
stepwise regression model was y = –288.80 + 11.024xmean temp. The
mean temperature was positively associated with the DHF incidence
in this area.
Abstract: This paper examines the effect of corporate diversification on the profitability of the Financial services sector in Nigeria. The study relied on historic accounting data generated from financial (annual) reports and accounts of sampled banks between the period 1998 and 2007 (a ten-year period). A regression equation was formulated, in line with previous studies to shed light on the effect of corporate diversification on the profitability of the Financial services sector in Nigeria. The results of the regression analysis revealed that diversification impacts strongly on banks profitability. Conclusively the paper produces strong evidence to assert that diversification impacts positively and significantly on banks profitability because among other things such diversified banks can pool their internally generated funds and allocate them properly.
Abstract: The flow of a third grade fluid in an orthogonal rheometer is studied. We employ the admissible velocity field proposed in [5]. We solve the problem and obtain the velocity field as well as the components for the Cauchy tensor. We compare the results with those from [9]. Some diagrams concerning the velocity and Cauchy stress components profiles are presented for different values of material constants and compared with the corresponding values for a linear viscous fluid.
Abstract: Decentralized eco-sanitation system is a promising and sustainable mode comparing to the century-old centralized conventional sanitation system. The decentralized concept relies on an environmentally and economically sound management of water, nutrient and energy fluxes. Source-separation systems for urban waste management collect different solid waste and wastewater streams separately to facilitate the recovery of valuable resources from wastewater (energy, nutrients). A resource recovery centre constituted for 20,000 people will act as the functional unit for the treatment of urban waste of a high-density population community, like Singapore. The decentralized system includes urine treatment, faeces and food waste co-digestion, and horticultural waste and organic fraction of municipal solid waste treatment in composting plants. A design model is developed to estimate the input and output in terms of materials and energy. The inputs of urine (yellow water, YW) and faeces (brown water, BW) are calculated by considering the daily mean production of urine and faeces by humans and the water consumption of no-mix vacuum toilet (0.2 and 1 L flushing water for urine and faeces, respectively). The food waste (FW) production is estimated to be 150 g wet weight/person/day. The YW is collected and discharged by gravity into tank. It was found that two days are required for urine hydrolysis and struvite precipitation. The maximum nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) recovery are 150-266 kg/day and 20-70 kg/day, respectively. In contrast, BW and FW are mixed for co-digestion in a thermophilic acidification tank and later a decentralized/centralized methanogenic reactor is used for biogas production. It is determined that 6.16-15.67 m3/h methane is produced which is equivalent to 0.07-0.19 kWh/ca/day. The digestion residues are treated with horticultural waste and organic fraction of municipal waste in co-composting plants.
Abstract: In this study, workplace environmental monitoring
systems were established using USN(Ubiquitous Sensor Networks)
and LabVIEW. Although existing direct sampling methods enable
finding accurate values as of the time points of measurement, those
methods are disadvantageous in that continuous management and
supervision are difficult and costs for are high when those methods are
used. Therefore, the efficiency and reliability of workplace
management by supervisors are relatively low when those methods are
used. In this study, systems were established so that information on
workplace environmental factors such as temperatures, humidity and
noises is measured and transmitted to the PC in real time to enable
supervisors to monitor workplaces through LabVIEW on the PC.
When any accidents have occurred in workplaces, supervisors can
immediately respond through the monitoring system and this system
enables integrated workplace management and the prevention of
safety accidents. By introducing these monitoring systems, safety
accidents due to harmful environmental factors in workplaces can be
prevented and these monitoring systems will be also helpful in finding
out the correlation between safety accidents and occupational diseases
by comparing and linking databases established by this monitoring
system with existing statistical data.
Abstract: E-Appointment Scheduling (EAS) has been developed
to handle appointment for UMP students, lecturers in Faculty of
Computer Systems & Software Engineering (FCSSE) and Student
Medical Center. The schedules are based on the timetable and
university activities. Constraints Logic Programming (CLP) has been
implemented to solve the scheduling problems by giving
recommendation to the users in part of determining any available
slots from the lecturers and doctors- timetable. By using this system,
we can avoid wasting time and cost because this application will set
an appointment by auto-generated. In addition, this system can be an
alternative to the lecturers and doctors to make decisions whether to
approve or reject the appointments.
Abstract: The Taiwan government has started to promote the “Plain Landscape Afforestation and Greening Program" since 2002. A key task of the program was the payment for environmental services (PES), entitled the “Plain Landscape Afforestation Policy" (PLAP), which was certificated by the Executive Yuan on August 31, 2001 and enacted on January 1, 2002. According to the policy, it is estimated that the total area of afforestation will be 25,100 hectares by December 31, 2007. Until the end of 2007, the policy had been enacted for six years in total and the actual area of afforestation was 8,919.18 hectares. Among them, Taiwan Sugar Corporation (TSC) was accounted for 7,960 hectares (with 2,450.83 hectares as public service area) which occupied 86.22% of the total afforestation area; the private farmland promoted by local governments was accounted for 869.18 hectares which occupied 9.75% of the total afforestation area. Based on the above, we observe that most of the afforestation area in this policy is executed by TSC, and the achievement ratio by TSC is better than by others. It implies that the success of the PLAP is seriously related to the execution of TSC. The objective of this study is to analyze the relevant policy planning of TSC-s participation in the PLAP, suggest complementary measures, and draw up effective adjustment mechanisms, so as to improve the effectiveness of executing the policy. Our main conclusions and suggestions are summarized as follows: 1. The main reason for TSC-s participation in the PLAP is based on their passive cooperation with the central government or company policy. Prior to TSC-s participation in the PLAP, their lands were mainly used for growing sugarcane. 2. The main factors of TSC-s consideration on the selection of tree species are based on the suitability of land and species. The largest proportion of tree species is allocated to economic forests, and the lack of technical instruction was the main problem during afforestation. Moreover, the method of improving TSC-s future development in leisure agriculture and landscape business becomes a key topic. 3. TSC has developed short and long-term plans on participating in the PLAP for the future. However, there is no great willingness or incentive on budgeting for such detailed planning. 4. Most people from TSC interviewed consider the requirements on PLAP unreasonable. Among them, an unreasonable requirement on the number of trees accounted for the greatest proportion; furthermore, most interviewees suggested that the government should continue to provide incentives even after 20 years. 5. Since the government shares the same goals as TSC, there should be sufficient cooperation and communication that support the technical instruction and reduction of afforestation cost, which will also help to improve effectiveness of the policy.
Abstract: Financial literacy is one of the key factors needed in making informed financial decisions. As businesses continue to be more profit driven, more financial and economic intrigues arise that continue to put individuals at the risk of spending more and more without considering the short term and long term effects. We conducted a study to assess financial literacy and financial decision making among Emiratis. Our results show that financial literacy is lacking among Emiratis. Also, almost half of respondents owe loans to other peoples and 1/5 of them have bank loans. We expect that the outcome of this research will be useful for designing educational programs and policies to promote financial planning and security among Emiratis. We also posit that deeper and more informed understanding of this problem is a precursor for developing effective financial education programs with the aim of improving financial decision- making among Emiratis.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of the development of Szuchung Creek take for the cause of the critical success factors, This research is to use the depth interviews, document analysis and Modified-Delphi technique survey of nine depth interviews with experts and 14 experts of Modified-Delphi technique questionnaire and inviting as the research object, Szuchung Creek Hot Springs for the scope of the study. The results show, Szuchung Creek Hot Springs development take for career success factors for the following reasons: 1. Government. 2. Opportunities. 3. Factors of production. 4. Demand conditions. 5. Corporate structure and the degree of competition. 6. Related and supporting industries. Furthermore, Szuchung Creek hot springs, itself already has a number of critical success factors. Contingent less than or inadequacies by Szuchung Creek take for the enterprise development to take for the cause of the critical success factors as the basis for correcting, planning out for local use improvement strategies to achieve the objective of sustainable management.
Abstract: Whilst there is growing evidence that activity
across the lifespan is beneficial for improved health, there are
also many changes involved with the aging process and
subsequently the potential for reduced indices of health. The
nexus between health, physical activity and aging is complex
and has raised much interest in recent times due to the
realization that a multifaceted approached is necessary in
order to counteract a growing obesity epidemic. By
investigating age based trends within a population adhering to
competitive sport at older ages, further insight might be
gleaned to assist in understanding one of many factors
influencing this relationship.
BMI was derived using data gathered on a total of 6,071
masters athletes (51.9% male, 48.1% female) aged 25 to 91
years ( =51.5, s =±9.7), competing at the Sydney World
Masters Games (2009). Using linear and loess regression it
was demonstrated that the usual tendency for prevalence of
higher BMI increasing with age was reversed in the sample.
This trend in reversal was repeated for both male and female
only sub-sets of the sample participants, indicating the
possibility of improved prevalence of BMI with increasing
age for both the sample as a whole and these individual subgroups.
This evidence of improved classification in one index of
health (reduced BMI) for masters athletes (when compared to
the general population) implies there are either improved
levels of this index of health with aging due to adherence to
sport or possibly the reduced BMI is advantageous and
contributes to this cohort adhering (or being attracted) to
masters sport at older ages. Demonstration of this
proportionately under-investigated World Masters Games
population having an improved relationship between BMI and
increasing age over the general population is of particular
interest in the context of the measures being taken globally to
curb an obesity epidemic.
Abstract: The school / university orientation interests a broad and
often badly informed public. Technically, it is an important
multicriterion decision problem, which supposes the combination of
much academic professional and/or lawful knowledge, which in turn
justifies software resorting to the techniques of Artificial Intelligence.
CORUS is an expert system of the "Conseil et ORientation
Universitaire et Scolaire", based on a knowledge representation
language (KRL) with rules and objects, called/ known as Ibn Rochd.
CORUS was developed thanks to DéGSE, a workshop of cognitive
engineering which supports this LRC. CORUS works out many
acceptable solutions for the case considered, and retains the most
satisfactory among them. Several versions of CORUS have extended
its services gradually.
Abstract: Environment-assisted cracking (EAC) is one of the most serious causes of structural failure over a broad range of industrial applications including offshore structures. In EAC condition there is not a definite relation such as Paris equation in Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM). According to studying and searching a lot what the researchers said either a material has contact with hydrogen or any other corrosive environment, phenomenon of electrical and chemical reactions of material with its environment will be happened. In the literature, there are many different works to consider fatigue crack growing and solve it but they are experimental works. Thus, in this paper, authors have an aim to evaluate mathematically the pervious works in LEFM. Obviously, if an environment is more sour and corrosive, the changes of stress intensity factor is more and the calculation of stress intensity factor is difficult. A mathematical relation to deal with the stress intensity factor during the diffusion of sour environment especially hydrogen in a marine pipeline is presented. By using this relation having and some experimental relation an analytical formulation will be presented which enables the fatigue crack growth and critical crack length under cyclic loading to be predicted. In addition, we can calculate KSCC and stress intensity factor in the pipeline caused by EAC.
Abstract: In order to provide and maintain effective pedagogy for the burgeoning virtual reality community, it is vital to have trained faculty in the institutions of higher education who will teach these courses and be able to make full use of their academic knowledge and expertise. As the number of online courses continues to grow, there is a need for these institutions to establish mentoring programs that will support the novice online instructor. The environment in which this takes place and the factors that ensure its success are critical to the adoption of the new instructional delivery format taught by both seasoned educators and adjunct instructors. Effective one-on-one mentoring promotes a professional, compassionate and collegial faculty who will provide a consistent and rigorous academic program for students online.
Abstract: DS-CDMA system is well known wireless
technology. This system suffers from MAI (Multiple Access
Interference) caused by Direct Sequence users. Multi-User Detection
schemes were introduced to detect the users- data in presence of
MAI. This paper focuses on linear multi-user detection schemes used
for data demodulation. Simulation results depict the performance of
three detectors viz-conventional detector, Decorrelating detector and
Subspace MMSE (Minimum Mean Square Error) detector. It is seen
that the performance of these detectors depends on the number of
paths and the length of Gold code used.
Abstract: Cancer classification to their corresponding cohorts has been key area of research in bioinformatics aiming better prognosis of the disease. High dimensionality of gene data has been makes it a complex task and requires significance data identification technique in order to reducing the dimensionality and identification of significant information. In this paper, we have proposed a novel approach for classification of oral cancer into metastasis positive and negative patients. We have used significance analysis of microarrays (SAM) for identifying significant genes which constitutes gene signature. 3 different gene signatures were identified using SAM from 3 different combination of training datasets and their classification accuracy was calculated on corresponding testing datasets using k-Nearest Neighbour (kNN), Fuzzy C-Means Clustering (FCM), Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Backpropagation Neural Network (BPNN). A final gene signature of only 9 genes was obtained from above 3 individual gene signatures. 9 gene signature-s classification capability was compared using same classifiers on same testing datasets. Results obtained from experimentation shows that 9 gene signature classified all samples in testing dataset accurately while individual genes could not classify all accurately.
Abstract: The liberalization and privatization processes have
forced public utility companies to face new competitive challenges,
implementing strategies to gain market share and, at the same time,
keep the old customers. To this end, many companies have carried
out mergers, acquisitions and conglomerations in order to diversify
their business. This paper focuses on companies operating in the free
energy market in Italy. In the last decade, this sector has undergone
profound changes that have radically changed the competitive
scenario and have led companies to implement diversification
strategies of the business. Our work aims to evaluate the economic
and financial performances obtained by energy companies, following
the beginning of the liberalization process, verifying the possible
relationship with the implemented diversification strategies.