Swarm Robots Control System Based Fuzzy-PSO

In this paper describes swarm robots control design using combination Fuzzy logic and Particle swarm optimization algorithm. They can communicate with each other to achieve the target. Fuzzy Logic technique is used for navigating swarm robots in unknown environment and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is used for searching and finding the best position of target. In this experiment utilize three identical robots with different color. Every robot has three infrared sensors, two gas sensors, 1 compass sensor and one X-Bee. A camera in the roof of robot arena is utilized to determine the position of each robot with color detection methods. Swarm robots and camera are connected to a computer which serves as an information center. From the experimental results the Fuzzy-PSO algorithm is able to control swarm robots, achieves the best target position in short time and produce smooth trajector

Sustainable tourism practices among hotels in Malaysia: financial and non-financial benefits

The Sustainable Tourism Practice (STP) is one of the more recent practices within the hotel sector. One of the major reasons for hotels’ involvement in Sustainable Tourism Practices is to achieve some form of benefit. This paper attempts to highlight the significant benefits of STP for the hotel industry in Malaysia. It is believed that studies related to the contributing role of STP to the hotel industry in a developing country like Malaysia are relatively scarce. Therefore, this paper intends to bridge this knowledge gap by uncovering the benefits (i.e. financial and non-financial) hotels stand to reap in adopting various programmes which safeguard the environment. The study utilized the survey questionnaire method involving 60 hotel organisations in Kuala Lumpur and the state of Selangor. The study findings indicate the benefits of improved public image and the provision of safe and healthy environments to the hotel guests as the major benefit of hotels adopting STP. Unlike previous studies which identified financial contributions to the STP among hotels in developed countries, it appears that Malaysian hotels project their image to the guests after which it is expected that they will attract large patronage leading to financial gains. In conclusion, the results of this study have the potential of contributing to the knowledge as well as the hotel organisations

Potential of eucalyptus plantation in Malaysia

Eucalyptus is known as one of the fast growing species and recognised as a potential plantation species. Eucalyptus appear to be a genus with the greatest potential to provide supplemental fiber in many parts of the world. Likewise Eucalyptus species have been planted in several areas in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak for several decades with mixed results. A study was undertaken to identify the drive, motivation, issues and challenges faced by the Eucalyptus planted in Malaysia. Motivational factors to grow and process Eucalyptus were being perceived as a potentially profitable species. Pulp and paper, sawn timber, laminated timber, woodchip, plywood and veneer were identified as the preferred final products. Planters and industry players had no issues or problems in the supply of Eucalyptus seedlings as almost all of them had their own orchard or nursery. All the industry players are of the opinion that the government should support the establishment of Eucalyptus plantation industry by providing financial assistance and by promoting more research and development activities to ensure the sustainability of the trees, as well as, the wood quality. The study revealed that Eucalyptus planters are not dependent on the local timber market, and that export market offers much greater possibilities. Eucalyptus is expected to progress as an important species in Malaysia with future opportunities for growth

Phytochemical screening of Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve : Isolation of Ariskanin-A from Thottea corymbosa (Griff.) Ding Hou (Aristolochiaceae)

During a phytochemical screening of higher plants at Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve, Puchong, Selangor, we collected a large amount of sample of Thottea corymbosa roots for further investigation of its bioactive constituents. The plant is a shrub commonly used in herbal medicine and could easily be found along the open forest trails. The roots of the collected sample were consecutively extracted with petroleum-ether, chloroform and methanol followed by separation of the chloroform fraction by column chromatography and preparative thin-layer chromatography. In this study we reported the isolation of an aristolactam, Ariskanin-A with a toxicity value of LC50 <200 ppm in Brine-Shrimp Lethality Bioassay based on spectroscopic data and comparison with literature

Diagnostic value of MRI for predicting axillary lymph nodes metastasis in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients: Diffusion-weighted MRI

AbstractObjectiveNon-invasive preoperative detection of axillary nodal metastasis is beneficial for the outcome of breast cancer patients. We aimed to determine the value of DW MRI, ADC and their combination with MRI morphological criteria in detecting axillary metastasis.MethodsWe included recently diagnosed forty breast cancer patients. MRI morphological criteria, signal intensity on DWI, and ADC value were assessed and compared between metastatic and non-metastatic LNs using histopathological findings as reference standard. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy for each variable and cutoff value of ADC were evaluated.ResultsNo statistically significant difference between metastatic and non-metastatic LNs in short axis diameter or L/S ratio (p value: 0.87 and 0.82 respectively); however, loss of fatty hilum, high signal intensity on DWI and low ADC value were significant with increasing sensitivity on their combination. The mean ADC was 0.96±0.9×10−3mm2/s for metastatic and 1.53±0.6×10−3mm2/s for benign LNs with cutoff value 1.09×10−3mm2/s and sensitivity (94.5%), specificity (93.6%), PPV (96%), NPV (94.7%) and accuracy (95.6%).ConclusionDW-MRI and ADC per se or in combination with loss of the fatty hila is a promising and supportive tool for detection of axillary LNs metastasis

A case study of student performance in electric circuit 2 subject

Institution of Higher Learning plays an important role [to produce high quality graduates. The most important factor that determines graduates quality shown in their CGPA. In order to maintain high CGPA. students should perform well especially in their examination where it contributes the most in the assessment. Students should mastered basic subject in order to maintain their grades. This survey is to study the reasons for poor performance of the students in Electric Circuit 2 subject. Findings have shown that student's performance was not only influence by the lecturer but also interrelated to student's ability and how they see the learning process it either they are a surface or deep learner

Coral relocation in Chabahar Bay, the North-east of Oman Sea

Corals are marine benthic animals typically living in compact colonies of many identical individual polyps (Barnes, 1987; Gateno et al., 1996; Sumich, 1996). Coral reefs are important for many reasons including: a) Most importantly, they provide protection and shelter for many different species of fish. b) They turn surplus carbon dioxide in the water into a limestone shell. Without coral, the amount of carbon dioxide in the water would increase dramatically and that would affect all living things on Earth. c) Similar to a barrier, the coral reefs protect coasts from strong currents and waves by slowing down the water before it gets to the shore. d) Coral reef ecosystems support a variety of human needs such as fisheries and tourism (James and Spurgeon, 1992; Moberg and Folke, 1999; Cesar, 2000). Therefore, the conservation of coral colonies is very vital for marine organisms and human. In Chabahar Bay, the coral reefs are in danger of destruction due to the development program of Shahid Beheshti Port. Since the corals are very sensitive to turbidity and suspended sediments from land reclamation and dredging projects, therefore appropriate measures should be conducted for conservation and recovery of them. At present, the coral relocation is suggested as a good method for recovery of coral reefs after a disturbance in condition of their native habitats. In our project, over 28,000 hard corals were transported to coast of Hotel Lipar (Fig. 1), an area at a distance of 3.5 km far from Shahid Beheshti Port. Also, the new techniques were used for coral reattachment and transportation

A CASE STUDY OF STUDENT PERFORMANCE IN ELECTRIC CIRCUIT 2 SUBJECT

Institution of Higher Learning plays an important role to produce high quality graduates. The most important factor that determines graduates quality shown in their CGPA. In order to maintain high CGPA, students should perform well especially in their examination where it contributes the most in the assessment. Students should mastered basic subject in order to maintain their grades. This survey is to study the reasons for poor performance of the students in Electric Circuit 2 subject. Findings have shown that student’s performance was not only influence by the lecturer but also interrelated to student’s ability and how they see the learning process it either they are a surface or deep learner