Abstract: In this article, we introduce a new approach for
analyzing UML designs to detect the inconsistencies between
multiple state diagrams and sequence diagrams. The Super State
Analysis (SSA) identifies the inconsistencies in super states, single
step transitions, and sequences. Because SSA considers multiple
UML state diagrams, it discovers inconsistencies that cannot be
discovered when considering only a single UML state diagram. We
have introduced a transition set that captures relationship information
that is not specifiable in UML diagrams. The SSA model uses the
transition set to link transitions of multiple state diagrams together.
The analysis generates three different sets automatically. These sets
are compared to the provided sets to detect the inconsistencies. SSA
identifies five types of inconsistencies: impossible super states,
unreachable super states, illegal transitions, missing transitions, and
illegal sequences.
Abstract: This study was conducted to determine the
objectivity, reliability and validity of the 90º push-ups test protocol
among male and female students of Sports Science Program, Faculty
of Sports Science and Coaching Sultan Idris University of Education.
Samples (n = 300), consisted of males (n = 168) and females (n =
132) students were randomly selected for this study. Researchers
tested the 90º push-ups on the sample twice in a single trial, test and
re-test protocol in the bench press test. Pearson-Product Moment
Correlation method's was used to determine the value of objectivity,
reliability and validity testing. The findings showed that the 900 pushups
test protocol showed high consistency between the two testers
with a value of r = .99. Likewise, The reliability value between test
and re-test for the 90º push-ups test for the male (r=.93) and female
(r=.93) students was also high. The results showed a correlation
between 90º push-ups test and bench press test for boys was r = .64
and girls was r = .28. This finding indicates that the use of the 90º
push-ups to test muscular strength and endurance in the upper body
of males has a higher validity values than female students.
Abstract: Leonotisleonurus a shrub indigenous to Southern
Africa is widely used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of
conditions ranging from skin diseases and cough to epileptic fits and
‘heart problems’. Studies on the aqueous extract of the leaves have
indicated cycloxegenase enzyme inhibitory activity and an
antihypertensive effect.
Five methanol leaf extract fractions (MLEa - MLEe) of L.
leonurus were tested on anaesthetized normotensive male Wistar rats
(AWR) and isolated perfused working rat hearts (IWH). Fraction
MLEc (0.01mg/kg – 0.05mg/kg) induced significant increases in BP
and HR in AWR and positive chronotropic and inotropic effects in
IWH (1.0mg/ml – 5.0mg/ml). Pre-administration of atenolol
(2.0mg/kg) and prazosin (60μg/kg) significantly inhibited MLEc
effect on HR and MAP respectively in vivo, while atenolol
(7.0mg/ml) pre-perfusion significantly inhibited MLEc effect in vitro.
The hypertensive effect of MLEc is probably via β1agonism.
Results also indicate the presence of multiple cardioactive
compounds in L. leonurus.
Abstract: Schema matching plays a key role in many different
applications, such as schema integration, data integration, data
warehousing, data transformation, E-commerce, peer-to-peer data
management, ontology matching and integration, semantic Web,
semantic query processing, etc. Manual matching is expensive and
error-prone, so it is therefore important to develop techniques to
automate the schema matching process. In this paper, we present a
solution for XML schema automated matching problem which
produces semantic mappings between corresponding schema
elements of given source and target schemas. This solution
contributed in solving more comprehensively and efficiently XML
schema automated matching problem. Our solution based on
combining linguistic similarity, data type compatibility and structural
similarity of XML schema elements. After describing our solution,
we present experimental results that demonstrate the effectiveness of
this approach.
Abstract: In this paper, we present the video quality measure
estimation via a neural network. This latter predicts MOS (mean
opinion score) by providing height parameters extracted from
original and coded videos. The eight parameters that are used are: the
average of DFT differences, the standard deviation of DFT
differences, the average of DCT differences, the standard deviation
of DCT differences, the variance of energy of color, the luminance
Y, the chrominance U and the chrominance V. We chose Euclidean
Distance to make comparison between the calculated and estimated
output.
Abstract: Un-doped GaN film of thickness 1.90 mm, grown on
sapphire substrate were uniformly implanted with 325 keV Mn+ ions
for various fluences varying from 1.75 x 1015 - 2.0 x 1016 ions cm-2 at
3500 C substrate temperature. The structural, morphological and
magnetic properties of Mn ion implanted gallium nitride samples
were studied using XRD, AFM and SQUID techniques. XRD of the
sample implanted with various ion fluences showed the presence of
different magnetic phases of Ga3Mn, Ga0.6Mn0.4 and Mn4N.
However, the compositions of these phases were found to be
depended on the ion fluence. AFM images of non-implanted sample
showed micrograph with rms surface roughness 2.17 nm. Whereas
samples implanted with the various fluences showed the presence of
nano clusters on the surface of GaN. The shape, size and density of
the clusters were found to vary with respect to ion fluence. Magnetic
moment versus applied field curves of the samples implanted with
various fluences exhibit the hysteresis loops. The Curie temperature
estimated from zero field cooled and field cooled curves for the
samples implanted with the fluence of 1.75 x 1015, 1.5 x 1016 and 2.0
x 1016 ions cm-2 was found to be 309 K, 342 K and 350 K
respectively.
Abstract: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a complex
metabolic disorder that characterized by the presence of high glucose
in blood that cause from insulin resistance and insufficiency due to
deterioration β-cell Langerhans functions. T2DM is commonly
caused by the combination of inherited genetic variations as well as
our own lifestyle. Metallothionein (MT) is a known cysteine-rich
protein responsible in helping zinc homeostasis which is important in
insulin signaling and secretion as well as protection our body from
reactive oxygen species (ROS). MT scavenged ROS and free
radicals in our body happen to be one of the reasons of T2DM and its
complications. The objective of this study was to investigate the
association of MT1A and MT2A polymorphisms between T2DM and
control subjects among Malay populations. This study involved 150
T2DM and 120 Healthy individuals of Malay ethnic with mixed
genders. The genomic DNA was extracted from buccal cells and
amplified for MT1A and MT2A loci; the 347bp and 238bp banding
patterns were respectively produced by mean of the Polymerase
Chain Reaction (PCR). The PCR products were digested with Mlucl
and Tsp451 restriction enzymes respectively and producing
fragments lengths of (158/189/347bp) and (103/135/238bp)
respectively. The ANOVA test was conducted and it shown that there
was a significant difference between diabetic and control subjects for
age, BMI, WHR, SBP, FPG, HBA1C, LDL, TG, TC and family
history with (P0.05). The genotype
frequency for AA, AG and GG of MT1A polymorphisms was 72.7%,
22.7% and 4.7% in cases and 15%, 55% and 30% in control
respectively. As for MT2A, genotype frequency of GG, GC and CC
was 42.7%, 27.3% and 30% in case and 5%, 40% and 55% for
control respectively. Both polymorphisms show significant difference
between two investigated groups with (P=0.000). The Post hoc test
was conducted and shows a significant difference between the
genotypes within each polymorphism (P=0. 000). The MT1A and
MT2A polymorphisms were believed to be the reliable molecular
markers to distinguish the T2DM subjects from healthy individuals in
Malay populations.
Abstract: This paper presents the visual control flow support of Visual Modeling and Transformation System (VMTS), which facilitates composing complex model transformations out of simple transformation steps and executing them. The VMTS Visual Control Flow Language (VCFL) uses stereotyped activity diagrams to specify control flow structures and OCL constraints to choose between different control flow branches. This work discusses the termination properties of VCFL and provides an algorithm to support the termination analysis of VCFL transformations.
Abstract: Authentication of multimedia contents has gained much attention in recent times. In this paper, we propose a secure semi-fragile watermarking, with a choice of two watermarks to be embedded. This technique operates in integer wavelet domain and makes use of semi fragile watermarks for achieving better robustness. A self-recovering algorithm is employed, that hides the image digest into some Wavelet subbands to detect possible malevolent object manipulation undergone by the image (object replacing and/or deletion). The Semi-fragility makes the scheme tolerant for JPEG lossy compression as low as quality of 70%, and locate the tempered area accurately. In addition, the system ensures more security because the embedded watermarks are protected with private keys. The computational complexity is reduced using parameterized integer wavelet transform. Experimental results show that the proposed scheme guarantees the safety of watermark, image recovery and location of the tempered area accurately.
Abstract: The Expert Witness Testimony in the Battered
Woman Syndrome Expert witness testimony (EWT) is a kind of
information given by an expert specialized in the field (here in BWS)
to the jury in order to help the court better understand the case. EWT
does not always work in favor of the battered women. Two main
decision-making models are discussed in the paper: the Mathematical
model and the Explanation model. In the first model, the jurors
calculate ″the importance and strength of each piece of evidence″
whereas in the second model they try to integrate the EWT with the
evidence and create a coherent story that would describe the crime.
The jury often misunderstands and misjudges battered women for
their action (or in this case inaction). They assume that these women
are masochists and accept being mistreated for if a man abuses a
woman constantly, she should and could divorce him or simply leave
at any time. The research in the domain found that indeed, expert
witness testimony has a powerful influence on juror’s decisions thus
its quality needs to be further explored. One of the important factors
that need further studies is a bias called the dispositionist worldview
(a belief that what happens to people is of their own doing). This
kind of attributional bias represents a tendency to think that a
person’s behavior is due to his or her disposition, even when the
behavior is clearly attributed to the situation. Hypothesis The
hypothesis of this paper is that if a juror has a dispositionist
worldview then he or she will blame the rape victim for triggering the
assault. The juror would therefore commit the fundamental
attribution error and believe that the victim’s disposition caused the
rape and not the situation she was in. Methods The subjects in the
study were 500 randomly sampled undergraduate students from
McGill, Concordia, Université de Montréal and UQAM.
Dispositional Worldview was scored on the Dispositionist
Worldview Questionnaire. After reading the Rape Scenarios, each
student was asked to play the role of a juror and answer a
questionnaire consisting of 7 questions about the responsibility,
causality and fault of the victim. Results The results confirm the
hypothesis which states that if a juror has a dispositionist worldview
then he or she will blame the rape victim for triggering the assault.
By doing so, the juror commits the fundamental attribution error
because he will believe that the victim’s disposition, and not the
constraints or opportunities of the situation, caused the rape scenario.
Abstract: Biochemical investigations were carried out to assess
the effect of different exposure regimes of Kazakhstan crude oil
(KCO) on hepatic antioxidant defense system in albino rats.
Contaminants were delivered under two different dosing regimes,
with all treatments receiving the same total contaminant load by the
end of the exposure period. Rats in regime A injected with KCO
once at a dose of 6 ml/kg bw while in regime B injected multiply at a
dose of 1.5 ml/kg bw on day 1, 3, 5 and 8. Antioxidant biomarkers
were measured in hepatic tissue after 1, 3, 5 and 8 days. Significant
induction was observed in serum aminotransferases (ALT, AST)
(p
Abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non-coding
RNAs that hybridize to mRNAs and induce either translation
repression or mRNA cleavage. Recently, it has been reported that
miRNAs could possibly play an important role in human diseases. By
integrating miRNA target genes, cancer genes, miRNA and mRNA
expression profiles information, a database is developed to link
miRNAs to cancer target genes. The database provides experimentally
verified human miRNA target genes information, including oncogenes
and tumor suppressor genes. In addition, fragile sites information for
miRNAs, and the strength of the correlation of miRNA and its target
mRNA expression level for nine tissue types are computed, which
serve as an indicator for suggesting miRNAs could play a role in
human cancer. The database is freely accessible at
http://ppi.bioinfo.asia.edu.tw/mirna_target/index.html.
Abstract: A feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect
of periodically use of garlic on performance and carcass
characteristics in broiler chickens. 240 1-day-old Ross broiler chicks
randomly allocated into the 10 dietary treatments (A, B, C, D, E, F,
G, H, I and J) for 6 wk. Treatment A or control group, received basal
diet (based on standards of Ross management guidelines) without
supplementation of garlic powder while B, C and D dietary
treatments were basal diet supplemented with 0.5, 1 and 3% garlic
powder, respectively for the whole time of experiment (6 weeks).
Birds in group E, F and G were fed control diet supplemented with
0.5, 1 and 3% garlic powder, respectively just in their starter diet (0-
21d). Birds in three other treatments (H, I and J) received control diet
for the first 21 days and 0.5, 1 and 3% of garlic powder was added to
their finisher diets, respectively. 1 and 3% supplemented groups in
finisher period had better performance as compared with other
groups. Since present study conducted in optimum and antiseptic
conditions, it seems that better or more responses could be expected
in performance if the raising conditions would not be healthy.
Abstract: Attempts to add fibre and polyphenols (PPs) into
popular beverages present challenges related to the properties of
finished products such as smoothies. Consumer acceptability,
viscosity and phenolic composition of smoothies containing high
levels of fruit fibre (2.5-7.5 g per 300 mL serve) and PPs (250-750
mg per 300 mL serve) were examined. The changes in total
extractable PP, vitamin C content, and colour of selected smoothies
over a storage stability trial (4°C, 14 days) were compared. A set of
acidic aqueous model beverages were prepared to further examine
the effect of two different heat treatments on the stability and
extractability of PPs. Results show that overall consumer
acceptability of high fibre and PP smoothies was low, with average
hedonic scores ranging from 3.9 to 6.4 (on a 1-9 scale). Flavour,
texture and overall acceptability decreased as fibre and polyphenol
contents increased, with fibre content exerting a stronger effect.
Higher fibre content resulted in greater viscosity, with an elevated PP
content increasing viscosity only slightly. The presence of fibre also
aided the stability and extractability of PPs after heating. A reduction
of extractable PPs, vitamin C content and colour intensity of
smoothies was observed after a 14-day storage period at 4°C. Two
heat treatments (75°C for 45 min or 85°C for 1 min) that are
normally used for beverage production, did not cause significant
reduction of total extracted PPs. It is clear that high levels of added
fibre and PPs greatly influence the consumer appeal of smoothies,
suggesting the need to develop novel formulation and processing
methods if a satisfactory functional beverage is to be developed
incorporating these ingredients.
Abstract: Application of synthetic antioxidants such as tertbutylhydroquinon
(TBHQ), in spite of their efficiency, is questioned
because of their possible carcinogenic effect. The purpose of this
study was application of mixtures of natural antioxidants that provide
the best oxidative stability for margarine. Antioxidant treatments
included 10 various mixtures (F1- F10) containing 100-500ppm
tocopherol mixture (Toc), 100-200ppm ascorbyl palmitate (AP), 100-
200ppm rosemary extract (Ros) and 1000ppm lecithin(Lec) along
with a control or F0 (with no antioxidant) and F11 with 120ppm
TBHQ. The effect of antioxidant mixtures on the stability of
margarine samples during oven test (60°C), rancimat test at 110°C
and storage at 4°C was evaluated. Final ranking of natural antioxidant
mixtures was as follows: F2,F10>F5,F9>F8>F1,F3,F4>F6, F7.
Considering the results of this research and ranking criteria,
F2(200ppmAp + 200ppmRos) and F10(200ppmRos + 200ppmToc
+1000ppmLec) were recommended as substitutes for TBHQ to
maintain the quality and increase the shelf-life of margarine.
Abstract: Over the past few years, XML (eXtensible Mark-up
Language) has emerged as the standard for information
representation and data exchange over the Internet. This paper
provides a kick-start for new researches venturing in XML databases
field. We survey the storage representation for XML document,
review the XML query processing and optimization techniques with
respect to the particular storage instance. Various optimization
technologies have been developed to solve the query retrieval and
updating problems. Towards the later year, most researchers
proposed hybrid optimization techniques. Hybrid system opens the
possibility of covering each technology-s weakness by its strengths.
This paper reviews the advantages and limitations of optimization
techniques.
Abstract: For sterilization of Phalaenopsis culture medium without autoclaving, selected single sterilizing agents and in combinations were added to a 25ml Hyponex medium in a 120ml glass container. Treated liquid and solid media, supplemented with sterilizing agents, were compared to a control medium, autoclaved at 121°C for 15min. It was found that 90(L of 10% povidone-iodine, 150(L of 5.25% sodium hypochlorite, 150(L of 2% mercurochrome, 90(L of 2.5% iodine + 2.5% potassium iodine in combination with 10% providone-iodine (1:3) and 30(L of 2.5% iodine + 2.5% potassium iodide in combination with 2% mercurochrome showed 100% sterile conditions in liquid medium but provided 75, 100, 50, 75 and 80% sterile conditions, respectively, in solid medium. For growth of Phalaenopsis protocorms, 90(L of 10% povidone-iodine in liquid Hyponex medium gave the comparable growth of protocorms to control medium while 150(L of 5.25% sodium hypochlorite in solid medium provided the promising growth of protocorms. Growth of protocorms, whole fresh weight, numbers of leaf and root, root length and number of protocorm-like bodies, was discussed.
Abstract: In recent years, copulas have become very popular in
financial research and actuarial science as they are more flexible in
modelling the co-movements and relationships of risk factors as compared
to the conventional linear correlation coefficient by Pearson.
However, a precise estimation of the copula parameters is vital in
order to correctly capture the (possibly nonlinear) dependence structure
and joint tail events. In this study, we employ two optimization
heuristics, namely Differential Evolution and Threshold Accepting to
tackle the parameter estimation of multivariate t distribution models
in the EML approach. Since the evolutionary optimizer does not rely
on gradient search, the EML approach can be applied to estimation of
more complicated copula models such as high-dimensional copulas.
Our experimental study shows that the proposed method provides
more robust and more accurate estimates as compared to the IFM
approach.
Abstract: Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) application or commonly known as softphone has been developing an increasingly large market in today-s telecommunication world and the trend is expected to continue with the enhancement of additional features. This includes leveraging on the existing presence services, location and contextual information to enable more ubiquitous and seamless communications. In this paper, we discuss the concept of seamless session transfer for real-time application such as VoIP and IPTV, and our prototype implementation of such concept on a selected open source VoIP application. The first part of this paper is about conducting performance evaluation and assessments across some commonly found open source VoIP applications that are Ekiga, Kphone, Linphone and Twinkle so as to identify one of them for implementing our design of seamless session transfer. Subjective testing has been carried out to evaluate the audio performance on these VoIP applications and rank them according to their Mean Opinion Score (MOS) results. The second part of this paper is to discuss on the performance evaluations of our prototype implementation of session transfer using Linphone.
Abstract: This paper describes text mining technique for automatically extracting association rules from collections of textual documents. The technique called, Extracting Association Rules from Text (EART). It depends on keyword features for discover association rules amongst keywords labeling the documents. In this work, the EART system ignores the order in which the words occur, but instead focusing on the words and their statistical distributions in documents. The main contributions of the technique are that it integrates XML technology with Information Retrieval scheme (TFIDF) (for keyword/feature selection that automatically selects the most discriminative keywords for use in association rules generation) and use Data Mining technique for association rules discovery. It consists of three phases: Text Preprocessing phase (transformation, filtration, stemming and indexing of the documents), Association Rule Mining (ARM) phase (applying our designed algorithm for Generating Association Rules based on Weighting scheme GARW) and Visualization phase (visualization of results). Experiments applied on WebPages news documents related to the outbreak of the bird flu disease. The extracted association rules contain important features and describe the informative news included in the documents collection. The performance of the EART system compared with another system that uses the Apriori algorithm throughout the execution time and evaluating extracted association rules.