Abstract: MATCH project [1] entitle the development of an
automatic diagnosis system that aims to support treatment of colon
cancer diseases by discovering mutations that occurs to tumour
suppressor genes (TSGs) and contributes to the development of
cancerous tumours. The constitution of the system is based on a)
colon cancer clinical data and b) biological information that will be
derived by data mining techniques from genomic and proteomic
sources The core mining module will consist of the popular, well
tested hybrid feature extraction methods, and new combined
algorithms, designed especially for the project. Elements of rough
sets, evolutionary computing, cluster analysis, self-organization maps
and association rules will be used to discover the annotations
between genes, and their influence on tumours [2]-[11].
The methods used to process the data have to address their high
complexity, potential inconsistency and problems of dealing with the
missing values. They must integrate all the useful information
necessary to solve the expert's question. For this purpose, the system
has to learn from data, or be able to interactively specify by a domain
specialist, the part of the knowledge structure it needs to answer a
given query. The program should also take into account the
importance/rank of the particular parts of data it analyses, and adjusts
the used algorithms accordingly.
Abstract: In today's day and age, one of the important topics in
information security is authentication. There are several alternatives
to text-based authentication of which includes Graphical Password
(GP) or Graphical User Authentication (GUA). These methods stems
from the fact that humans recognized and remembers images better
than alphanumerical text characters. This paper will focus on the
security aspect of GP algorithms and what most researchers have
been working on trying to define these security features and
attributes. The goal of this study is to develop a fuzzy decision model
that allows automatic selection of available GP algorithms by taking
into considerations the subjective judgments of the decision makers
who are more than 50 postgraduate students of computer science. The
approach that is being proposed is based on the Fuzzy Analytic
Hierarchy Process (FAHP) which determines the criteria weight as a
linear formula.
Abstract: Literature reveals that many investors rely on technical trading rules when making investment decisions. If stock markets are efficient, one cannot achieve superior results by using these trading rules. However, if market inefficiencies are present, profitable opportunities may arise. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of technical trading rules in 34 emerging stock markets. The performance of the rules is evaluated by utilizing White-s Reality Check and the Superior Predictive Ability test of Hansen, along with an adjustment for transaction costs. These tests are able to evaluate whether the best model performs better than a buy-and-hold benchmark. Further, they provide an answer to data snooping problems, which is essential to obtain unbiased outcomes. Based on our results we conclude that technical trading rules are not able to outperform a naïve buy-and-hold benchmark on a consistent basis. However, we do find significant trading rule profits in 4 of the 34 investigated markets. We also present evidence that technical analysis is more profitable in crisis situations. Nevertheless, this result is relatively weak.
Abstract: This paper reports the tensile fracture location
characterizations of dissimilar friction stir welds between 5754
aluminium alloy and C11000 copper. The welds were produced using
three shoulder diameter tools; namely, 15, 18 and 25 mm by varying
the process parameters. The rotational speeds considered were 600,
950 and 1200 rpm while the feed rates employed were 50, 150 and
300 mm/min to represent the low, medium and high settings
respectively. The tensile fracture locations were evaluated using the
optical microscope to identify the fracture locations and were
characterized. It was observed that 70% of the tensile samples failed
in the Thermo Mechanically Affected Zone (TMAZ) of copper at the
weld joints. Further evaluation of the fracture surfaces of the pulled
tensile samples revealed that welds with low Ultimate Tensile
Strength either have defects or intermetallics present at their joint
interfaces.
Abstract: A cancelable palmprint authentication system
proposed in this paper is specifically designed to overcome the
limitations of the contemporary biometric authentication system. In
this proposed system, Geometric and pseudo Zernike moments are
employed as feature extractors to transform palmprint image into a
lower dimensional compact feature representation. Before moment
computation, wavelet transform is adopted to decompose palmprint
image into lower resolution and dimensional frequency subbands.
This reduces the computational load of moment calculation
drastically. The generated wavelet-moment based feature
representation is used to generate cancelable verification key with a
set of random data. This private binary key can be canceled and
replaced. Besides that, this key also possesses high data capture
offset tolerance, with highly correlated bit strings for intra-class
population. This property allows a clear separation of the genuine
and imposter populations, as well as zero Equal Error Rate
achievement, which is hardly gained in the conventional biometric
based authentication system.
Abstract: We have developed a database for membrane protein functions, which has more than 3000 experimental data on functionally important amino acid residues in membrane proteins along with sequence, structure and literature information. Further, we have proposed different methods for identifying membrane proteins based on their functions: (i) discrimination of membrane transport proteins from other globular and membrane proteins and classifying them into channels/pores, electrochemical and active transporters, and (ii) β-signal for the insertion of mitochondrial β-barrel outer membrane proteins and potential targets. Our method showed an accuracy of 82% in discriminating transport proteins and 68% to classify them into three different transporters. In addition, we have identified a motif for targeting β-signal and potential candidates for mitochondrial β-barrel membrane proteins. Our methods can be used as effective tools for genome-wide annotations.
Abstract: The methanolic extracts from seeds of tamarind
(Tamarindus indica) was prepared by Soxhlet apparatus extraction
and evaluated for total phenolic content by Folin-Ciocalteu method.
Then, methanolic extract was screened biological activities (In vitro)
for anti-melanogenic activity by tyrosinase inhibition test, antiinflammation
activity by cyclooxygenase 1 (COX-1) and
cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) inhibition test, and cytotoxic screening
test with Vero cells. The results showed that total phenolic content,
which contained in extract, was contained 27.72 mg of gallic acid
equivalent per g of dry weight. The ability to inhibit tyrosinase
enzyme, which exerted by Tamarind seed extracts (1 mg/ml) was
52.13 ± 0.42 %. The extract was not possessed inhibitory effect to
COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes and cytotoxic effect to Vero cells. The
finding is concludes that tested seed extract was possessed
antimelanogenic activity with non-toxic effects. However, there was
not exhibited anti-inflammatory activity. Further studies include the
use of advance biological models to confirm this biological activity,
as well as, the isolation and characterization of the purified
compounds that it was contained.
Abstract: One of the major, difficult tasks in automated video
surveillance is the segmentation of relevant objects in the scene.
Current implementations often yield inconsistent results on average
from frame to frame when trying to differentiate partly occluding
objects. This paper presents an efficient block-based segmentation
algorithm which is capable of separating partly occluding objects and
detecting shadows. It has been proven to perform in real time with a
maximum duration of 47.48 ms per frame (for 8x8 blocks on a
720x576 image) with a true positive rate of 89.2%. The flexible
structure of the algorithm enables adaptations and improvements with
little effort. Most of the parameters correspond to relative differences
between quantities extracted from the image and should therefore not
depend on scene and lighting conditions. Thus presenting a
performance oriented segmentation algorithm which is applicable in
all critical real time scenarios.
Abstract: Controlled release urea has become popular in agricultural industry as it helps to solve environmental issues and increase crop yield. Recently biomass was identified to replace the polymer used as a coating material in the conventional coated urea. In this paper spreading and contact angle of biomass droplet (lignin, cellulose and clay) on urea surface are investigated experimentally. There were two tests were conducted, sessile drop for contact angle measurement and pendant drop for contact angle measurement. A different concentration of biomass droplet was released from 30 mm above a substrate. Glass was used as a controlled substrate. Images were recorded as soon as the droplet impacted onto the urea before completely adsorb into the urea. Digitized droplets were then used to identify the droplet-s surface tension and contact angle. There is large difference observed between the low surface tension and high surface tension liquids, where the wetting and spreading diameter is higher for lower surface tension. From the contact angle results, the data showed that the biomass coating films were possible as wetting liquid (θ < 90º). Contact angle of biomass coating material gives good indication for the wettablity of a liquid on urea surface.
Abstract: In the area where the high quality water is not
available, unconventional water sources are used to irrigate.
Household leachate is one of the sources which are used in dry and
semi dry areas in order to water the barer trees and plants. It meets
the plants needs and also has some effects on the soil, but at the same
time it might cause some problems as well. This study in order to
evaluate the effect of using Compost leachate on the density of soil
iron in form of a statistical pattern called ''Split Plot'' by using two
main treatments, one subsidiary treatment and three repetitions of the
pattern in a three month period. The main N treatments include:
irrigation using well water as a blank treatments and the main I
treatments include: irrigation using leachate and well water
concurrently. Some subsidiary treatments were DI (Drop Irrigation)
and SDI (Sub Drop Irrigation). Then in the established plots, 36
biannual pine and cypress shrubs were randomly grown. Two months
later the treatment begins. The results revealed that there was a
significant variation between the main treatment and the instance
regarding pH decline in the soil which was related to the amount of
leachate injected into the soil. After some time and using leachate the
pH level fell, as much as 0.46 and also increased due to the great
amounts of leachate. The underneath drop irrigation ends in better
results than sub drop irrigation since it keeps the soil texture fixed.
Abstract: A basic conceptual study of TCSC device on Simulink is a teaching aid and helps in understanding the rudiments of the topic. This paper thus stems out from basics of TCSC device and analyzes the impedance characteristics and associated single & multi resonance conditions. The Impedance characteristics curve is drawn for different values of inductance in MATLAB using M-files. The study is also helpful in estimating the appropriate inductance and capacitance values which have influence on multi resonance point in TCSC device. The capacitor voltage, line current, thyristor current and capacitor current waveforms are discussed briefly as simulation results. Simulink model of TCSC device is given and corresponding waveforms are analyzed. The subsidiary topics e.g. power oscillation damping, SSR mitigation and transient stability is also brought out.
Abstract: This paper presents an exact analytical model for
optimizing stability of thin-walled, composite, functionally graded
pipes conveying fluid. The critical flow velocity at which divergence
occurs is maximized for a specified total structural mass in order to
ensure the economic feasibility of the attained optimum designs. The
composition of the material of construction is optimized by defining
the spatial distribution of volume fractions of the material
constituents using piecewise variations along the pipe length. The
major aim is to tailor the material distribution in the axial direction so
as to avoid the occurrence of divergence instability without the
penalty of increasing structural mass. Three types of boundary
conditions have been examined; namely, Hinged-Hinged, Clamped-
Hinged and Clamped-Clamped pipelines. The resulting optimization
problem has been formulated as a nonlinear mathematical
programming problem solved by invoking the MatLab optimization
toolbox routines, which implement constrained function
minimization routine named “fmincon" interacting with the
associated eigenvalue problem routines. In fact, the proposed
mathematical models have succeeded in maximizing the critical flow
velocity without mass penalty and producing efficient and economic
designs having enhanced stability characteristics as compared with
the baseline designs.
Abstract: The exploration of this paper will focus on the Cshaped
transition curve. This curve is designed by using the concept
of circle to circle where one circle lies inside other. The degree of
smoothness employed is curvature continuity. The function used in
designing the C-curve is Bézier-like cubic function. This function has
a low degree, flexible for the interactive design of curves and
surfaces and has a shape parameter. The shape parameter is used to
control the C-shape curve. Once the C-shaped curve design is
completed, this curve will be applied to design spur gear tooth. After
the tooth design procedure is finished, the design will be analyzed by
using Finite Element Analysis (FEA). This analysis is used to find
out the applicability of the tooth design and the gear material that
chosen. In this research, Cast Iron 4.5 % Carbon, ASTM A-48 is
selected as a gear material.
Abstract: As part of national epidemiological survey on bovine
viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), a total of 274 dejecta samples were
collected from 14 cattle farms in 8 areas of Xinjiang Uygur
Autonomous Region in northwestern China. Total RNA was extracted
from each sample, and 5--untranslated region (UTR) of BVDV
genome was amplified by using two-step reverse
transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The PCR products
were subsequently sequenced to study the genetic variations of BVDV
in these areas. Among the 274 samples, 33 samples were found
virus-positive. According to sequence analysis of the PCR products,
the 33 samples could be arranged into 16 groups. All the sequences,
however, were highly conserved with BVDV Osloss strains. The virus
possessed theses sequences belonged to BVDV-1b subtype by
phylogenetic analysis. Based on these data, we established a typing
tree for BVDV in these areas. Our results suggested that BVDV-1b
was a predominant subgenotype in northwestern China and no
correlation between the genetic and geographical distances could be
observed above the farm level.
Abstract: In Algeria, some fruit trees produce fruits in free nature. Such trees are Celtis australis, Crataegus azarolus, Crataegus monogyna and Zizyphus lotus. In spite of their appreciable consumption, their nutritional value remains unknown. The objective of this study is the determination of sugars in the pulpe and almond of the above fruits. The biochemical analysis shows that these fruits present interesting contents of soluble sugars which confers significant caloric intakes to them. As well as significant fibres which give them therapeutic and industrial benefits? The analysis of the almonds shows that it contains considerable contents of sugars which enable them to be an energetic food.
Abstract: This paper is to develop a fuzzy net present value (FNPV) method by taking vague cash flow and imprecise required rate of return into account for evaluating the value of the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) sport facilities. In order to clearly manifest a more realistic capital budgeting model based on the classical net present value (NPV) method, some uncertain financial elements in NPV formula will be fuzzified as triangular fuzzy numbers. Through the conscientious manipulation of fuzzy set theory, we will find that the proposed FNPV model is a more explicit extension of classical (crisp) model and could be more practicable for the financial managers to capture the essence of capital budgeting of sport facilities than non-fuzzy model.
Abstract: Using logarithmic mean Divisia decomposition technique, this paper analyzes the change in industrial energy intensity of Fujian Province in China, based on data sets of added value and energy consumption for 35 selected industrial sub-sectors from 1999 to 2009. The change in industrial energy intensity is decomposed into intensity effect and structure effect. Results show that the industrial energy intensity of Fujian Province has achieved a reduction of 51% over the past ten years. The structural change, a shift in the mix of industrial sub-sectors, made overwhelming contribution to the reduction. The impact of energy efficiency’s improvement was relatively small. However, the aggregate industrial energy intensity was very sensitive to both the changes in energy intensity and in production share of energy-intensive sub-sectors, such as production and supply of electric power, steam and hot water. Pathway to reduce industrial energy intensity for energy conservation in Fujian Province is proposed in the end.
Abstract: Decomposition processes take place in landfill
generate leachates that can be categorized mainly of acetogenic and
methanogenic in nature. BOD:COD ratio computed in this study for a
landfill site over a 3 years duration revealed as a good indicator to
identify acetogenic leachate from methanogenic leachate. Correlation
relationships to predict pollutant level taking into consideration of
climatic condition are derived.
Abstract: This study is designed to investigate errors emerged in written texts produced by 30 Turkish EFL learners with an explanatory, and thus, qualitative perspective. Erroneous language elements were identified by the researcher first and then their grammaticality and intelligibility were checked by five native speakers of English. The analysis of the data showed that it is difficult to claim that an error stems from only one single factor since different features of an error are triggered by different factors. Our findings revealed two different types of errors: those which stem from the interference of L1 with L2 and those which are developmental ones. The former type contains more global errors whereas the errors in latter type are more intelligible.
Abstract: Power loss reduction is one of the main targets in power industry and so in this paper, the problem of finding the optimal configuration of a radial distribution system for loss reduction is considered. Optimal reconfiguration involves the selection of the best set of branches to be opened ,one each from each loop, for reducing resistive line losses , and reliving overloads on feeders by shifting the load to adjacent feeders. However ,since there are many candidate switching combinations in the system ,the feeder reconfiguration is a complicated problem. In this paper a new approach is proposed based on a simple optimum loss calculation by determining optimal trees of the given network. From graph theory a distribution network can be represented with a graph that consists a set of nodes and branches. In fact this problem can be viewed as a problem of determining an optimal tree of the graph which simultaneously ensure radial structure of each candidate topology .In this method the refined genetic algorithm is also set up and some improvements of algorithm are made on chromosome coding. In this paper an implementation of the algorithm presented by [7] is applied by modifying in load flow program and a comparison of this method with the proposed method is employed. In [7] an algorithm is proposed that the choice of the switches to be opened is based on simple heuristic rules. This algorithm reduce the number of load flow runs and also reduce the switching combinations to a fewer number and gives the optimum solution. To demonstrate the validity of these methods computer simulations with PSAT and MATLAB programs are carried out on 33-bus test system. The results show that the performance of the proposed method is better than [7] method and also other methods.