Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a recreational workout program for adults with disabilities over two semesters. This investigation was an action study conducted in a naturalistic setting. Participants included equal numbers of adults with severe cognitive impairments (n = 35) and adults without disabilities (n = 35). Adults with disabilities severe cognitive impairments were trained 6 self-initiated workout activities over two semesters by adults without disabilities. The numbers of task-analyzed steps of each activity performed correctly by each participant at the first and last weeks of each semester were used for data analysis. Results of the paired t-tests indicate that across two semesters, significant differences between the first and last weeks were found on 4 out of the 6 task-analyzed workout activities at a statistical level of significance p < .05. The recreational workout program developed in this study was effective.
Abstract: People nowadays love to travel around the world.
Regardless of their location and time, they especially Muslims still need to perform their five times prayer. Normally for travelers, they
need to bring maps, compass and for Muslim, they even have to bring Qibla pointer when they travel. It is slightly difficult to
determine the Qibla direction and to know the time for each prayer. In this paper we present a new electronic device called Universal Qibla and Prayer Time Finder to locate the Qibla direction and to determine each prayer time based on the current user-s location. This device use PIC microcontroller equipped with digital compass and
Global Positioning System (GPS) where it will display the exact Qibla direction and prayer time automatically at any place in the world. This device is reliable, user friendly and accurate in
determining the Qibla direction and prayer time.
Abstract: SVM ( Support Vector Machine ) is a new method in the artificial neural network ( ANN ). In the steel making, how to use computer to predict the end point of BOF accuracy is a great problem. A lot of method and theory have been claimed, but most of the results is not satisfied. Now the hot topic in the BOF end point predicting is to use optical way the predict the end point in the BOF. And we found that there exist some regular in the characteristic curve of the flame from the mouse of pudding. And we can use SVM to predict end point of the BOF, just single spectrum intensity should be required as the input parameter. Moreover, its compatibility for the input space is better than the BP network.
Abstract: In this work we report on preliminary analysis of a novel optoelectronic gas sensor based on an optical fiber integrated with a tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin (TPPS) thin film. The sensitive materials are selectively deposited on the core region of a fiber tip by UV light induced deposition technique. A simple and cheap process which can be easily extended to different porphyrin derivatives. When the TPPS film on the fiber tip is exposed to acid and/or base vapors, dramatic changes occur in the aggregation structure of the dye molecules in the film, from J- to H-type, resulting in a profound modification of their corresponding reflectance spectra. From the achieved experimental results it is evident that the presence of intense and narrow band peaks in the reflected spectra could be monitored to detect hazardous vapors.
Abstract: In this note, we demonstrate explicit LU
factorizations of Toeplitz matrices for some small sizes. Furthermore,
we obtain the inverse of referred Toeplitz matrices by appling the
above-mentioned results.
Abstract: In this paper, we propose a fuzzy aggregate
production planning (APP) model for blending problem in a brass
factory which is the problem of computing optimal amounts of raw
materials for the total production of several types of brass in a
period. The model has deterministic and imprecise parameters
which follows triangular possibility distributions. The brass casting
APP model can not always be solved by using common approaches
used in the literature. Therefore a mathematical model is presented
for solving this problem. In the proposed model, the Lai and
Hwang-s fuzzy ranking concept is relaxed by using one constraint
instead of three constraints. An application of the brass casting
APP model in a brass factory shows that the proposed model
successfully solves the multi-blend problem in casting process and
determines the optimal raw material purchasing policies.
Abstract: The conjugate gradient optimization algorithm is combined with the modified back propagation algorithm to yield a computationally efficient algorithm for training multilayer perceptron (MLP) networks (CGFR/AG). The computational efficiency is enhanced by adaptively modifying initial search direction as described in the following steps: (1) Modification on standard back propagation algorithm by introducing a gain variation term in the activation function, (2) Calculation of the gradient descent of error with respect to the weights and gains values and (3) the determination of a new search direction by using information calculated in step (2). The performance of the proposed method is demonstrated by comparing accuracy and computation time with the conjugate gradient algorithm used in MATLAB neural network toolbox. The results show that the computational efficiency of the proposed method was better than the standard conjugate gradient algorithm.
Abstract: This research seeks to investigate the frequency and
profitability of index arbitrage opportunities involving the SET50
futures, SET50 component stocks, and the ThaiDEX SET50 ETF
(ticker symbol: TDEX). In particular, the frequency and profit of
arbitrage are measured in the following three arbitrage tests: (1)
SET50 futures vs. ThaiDEX SET50 ETF, (2) SET50 futures vs.
SET50 component stocks, and (3) ThaiDEX SET50 ETF vs. SET50
component stocks are investigated. For tests (2) and (3), the problems
involve conic optimization and quadratic programming as subproblems.
This research is first to apply conic optimization and
quadratic programming techniques in the context of index arbitrage
and is first to investigate such index arbitrage in the Thai equity and
derivatives markets. Thus, the contribution of this study is twofold.
First, its results would help understand the contribution of the
derivatives securities to the efficiency of the Thai markets. Second,
the methodology employed in this study can be applied to other
geographical markets, with minor adjustments.
Abstract: This paper discusses site selection process for
biological soil conservation planning. It was supported by a valuefocused
approach and spatial multi-criteria evaluation techniques. A
first set of spatial criteria was used to design a number of potential
sites. Next, a new set of spatial and non-spatial criteria was
employed, including the natural factors and the financial costs,
together with the degree of suitability for the Bonkuh watershed to
biological soil conservation planning and to recommend the most
acceptable program. The whole process was facilitated by a new
software tool that supports spatial multiple criteria evaluation, or
SMCE in GIS software (ILWIS). The application of this tool,
combined with a continual feedback by the public attentions, has
provided an effective methodology to solve complex decisional
problem in biological soil conservation planning.
Abstract: A Novel fuzzy neural network combining with support vector learning mechanism called support-vector-based fuzzy neural networks (SVBFNN) is proposed. The SVBFNN combine the capability of minimizing the empirical risk (training error) and expected risk (testing error) of support vector learning in high dimensional data spaces and the efficient human-like reasoning of FNN.
Abstract: A numerical solution of the initial boundary value
problem of the suspended string vibrating equation with the
particular nonlinear damping term based on the finite difference
scheme is presented in this paper. The investigation of how the
second and third power terms of the nonlinear term affect the
vibration characteristic. We compare the vibration amplitude as a
result of the third power nonlinear damping with the second power
obtained from previous report provided that the same initial shape
and initial velocities are assumed. The comparison results show that
the vibration amplitude is inversely proportional to the coefficient of
the damping term for the third power nonlinear damping case, while
the vibration amplitude is proportional to the coefficient of the
damping term in the second power nonlinear damping case.
Abstract: We proposed the use of a Toda-Rayleigh ring as a
central pattern generator (CPG) for controlling hexapodal robots. We
show that the ring composed of six Toda-Rayleigh units coupled to
the limb actuators reproduces the most common hexapodal gaits. We
provide an electrical circuit implementation of the CPG and test our
theoretical results obtaining fixed gaits. Then we propose a method
of incorporation of the actuator (motor) dynamics in the CPG. With
this approach we close the loop CPG – environment – CPG, thus
obtaining a decentralized model for the leg control that does not
require higher level intervention to the CPG during locomotion in
a nonhomogeneous environments. The gaits generated by the novel
CPG are not fixed, but adapt to the current robot bahvior.
Abstract: In the last years numerous applications of Human-
Computer Interaction have exploited the capabilities of Time-of-
Flight cameras for achieving more and more comfortable and precise
interactions. In particular, gesture recognition is one of the most active
fields. This work presents a new method for interacting with a virtual
object in a 3D space. Our approach is based on the fusion of depth
data, supplied by a ToF camera, with color information, supplied
by a HD webcam. The hand detection procedure does not require
any learning phase and is able to concurrently manage gestures of
two hands. The system is robust to the presence in the scene of
other objects or people, thanks to the use of the Kalman filter for
maintaining the tracking of the hands.
Abstract: Electromagnetic flowmeters with DC excitation are used for a wide range of fluid measurement tasks, but are rarely found in dosing applications with short measurement cycles due to the achievable accuracy. This paper will identify a number of factors that influence the accuracy of this sensor type when used for short-term measurements. Based on these results a new signal-processing algorithm will be described that overcomes the identified problems to some extend. This new method allows principally a higher accuracy of electromagnetic flowmeters with DC excitation than traditional methods.
Abstract: The paper is included within the framework of a
complex research program, which was initiated from the hypothesis
arguing on the existence of a correlation between pineal indolic and
peptide hormones and the somatic development rhythm, including
thus the epithalamium-epiphysis complex involvement. At birds,
pineal gland contains a circadian oscillator, playing a main role in the
temporal organization of the cerebral functions. The secretion of
pineal indolic hormones is characterized by a high endogenous
rhythmic alternation, modulated by the light/darkness (L/D)
succession and by temperature as well. The research has been carried
out using 100 chicken broilers - “Ross" commercial hybrid,
randomly allocated in two experimental batches: Lc batch, reared
under a 12L/12D lighting schedule and Lexp batch, which was photic
pinealectomised through continuous exposition to light (150 lux, 24
hours, 56 days). Chemical and physical features of the meat issued
from breast fillet and thighs muscles have been studied, determining
the dry matter, proteins, fat, collagen, salt content and pH value, as
well. Besides the variations of meat chemical composition in relation
with lighting schedule, other parameters have been studied: live
weight dynamics, feed intake and somatic development degree. The
achieved results became significant since chickens have 7 days of
age, some variations of the studied parameters being registered,
revealing that the pineal gland physiologic activity, in relation with
the lighting schedule, could be interpreted through the monitoring of
the somatic development technological parameters, usually studied
within the chicken broilers rearing aviculture practice.
Abstract: Electricity market activities and a growing demand for electricity have led to heavily stressed power systems. This requires operation of the networks closer to their stability limits. Power system operation is affected by stability related problems, leading to unpredictable system behavior. Voltage stability refers to the ability of a power system to sustain appropriate voltage levels through large and small disturbances. Steady-state voltage stability is concerned with limits on the existence of steady-state operating points for the network. FACTS devices can be utilized to increase the transmission capacity, the stability margin and dynamic behavior or serve to ensure improved power quality. Their main capabilities are reactive power compensation, voltage control and power flow control. Among the FACTS controllers, Static Var Compensator (SVC) provides fast acting dynamic reactive compensation for voltage support during contingency events. In this paper, voltage stability assessment with appropriate representations of tap-changer transformers and SVC is investigated. Integrating both of these devices is the main topic of this paper. Effect of the presence of tap-changing transformers on static VAR compensator controller parameters and ratings necessary to stabilize load voltages at certain values are highlighted. The interrelation between transformer off nominal tap ratios and the SVC controller gains and droop slopes and the SVC rating are found. P-V curves are constructed to calculate loadability margins.
Abstract: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the
epidemiology of waterborne diarrhoeal among children aged 6-36
months old in Busia town, western Kenya. The study was carried out
between Feb. 2008 and Feb. 2010. Cases of diarrhoea reported in 385
households were linked to household water handling practices. A
mother with a child of 6-36 months old was also included in the
study. Diarrhoea prevalence among children 6-36 months was 16.7%
in Busia town, Bwamani (19.6%) and Mayenje (10.6%) clustered in
Mayenje sub-location reported the highest and the lowest prevalence
of diarrhoea. There was a positive correlation between the prevalence
of diarrhoea in children and the level of the mother-s education,
29.9% (n= 100). Diarrhoea cases decreased in range from 35.5% (n
=102) to 4.8% (n= 16), corresponding to increase in age from 6-35
months on average. In conclusion, prevalence of diarrhoea in
children of 6-36 months old was 16.7% in Busia town. This was
higher in children whose mother-s age was below 18 years and with
low level of education, the rate decreased with increase in age of
children. Prevalence of diarrhoea in children aged 6-36months in
households was higher in children aged 6-17 and 36 months and
whose mothers were less educated and fell between the ages of 18-24
years. The Influence of human activities at the main source of
drinking water on the prevalence of diarrhoea in these children was
insignificant.
Abstract: The rapid expansion of the web is causing the
constant growth of information, leading to several problems such as
increased difficulty of extracting potentially useful knowledge. Web
content mining confronts this problem gathering explicit information
from different web sites for its access and knowledge discovery.
Query interfaces of web databases share common building blocks.
After extracting information with parsing approach, we use a new
data mining algorithm to match a large number of schemas in
databases at a time. Using this algorithm increases the speed of
information matching. In addition, instead of simple 1:1 matching,
they do complex (m:n) matching between query interfaces. In this
paper we present a novel correlation mining algorithm that matches
correlated attributes with smaller cost. This algorithm uses Jaccard
measure to distinguish positive and negative correlated attributes.
After that, system matches the user query with different query
interfaces in special domain and finally chooses the nearest query
interface with user query to answer to it.
Abstract: The adaptive backstepping controller for inverted pendulum is designed by using the general motion control model. Backstepping is a novel nonlinear control technique based on the Lyapunov design approach, used when higher derivatives of parameter estimation appear. For easy parameter adaptation, the mathematical model of the inverted pendulum converted into the motion control model. This conversion is performed by taking functions of unknown parameters and dynamics of the system. By using motion control model equations, inverted pendulum is simulated without any information about not only parameters but also measurable dynamics. Also these results are compare with the adaptive backstepping controller which extended with integral action that given from [1].
Abstract: Ipomoea batatas (Sweetpotato) is currently ranked
sixth in the total world food production and are planted mainly for
their storage roots. The present study was undertaken to evaluate and
compare the antioxidant properties of the leaf and carotenoids extract
from the Ipomoea batatas var. Oren leaves. Total flavonoids in the
leaf extract was 144.6 ± 40.5 μg/g compared to 114.86 ± 4.35 μg/g
catechin equivalent in the carotenoids extract. Total polyphenols in
the leaf extracts (3.470 ± 0.024 GAE g/100g DW) was slightly higher
compared to carotenoids extract (2.994 ± 0.078 GAE g/100g DW).
The carotenoids extract marked a higher radical scavenging capacity
with the IC50= 491.86 μg/ml compared to leaf extract (IC50= 545.39
μg/ml). Concentration-dependent reducing activity was observed for
both extracts. Thus, the carotenoids extraction process retained most
of the antioxidant capacity from the leaves and can be made into
potential natural yellow dye with antioxidant property.