The implementation frameworks of meta-heuristics hybridization with dynamic parameterization

The hybridization of meta-heuristics algorithms has achieved a remarkable improvement fromthe adaptation of dynamic parameterization. This paper proposes a variety of implementationframeworks for the hybridization of Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and GeneticAlgorithm (GA) and the dynamic parameterization. In this paper, taxonomy of the PSO-GAwith dynamic parameterization is presented to provide a common terminology andclassification mechanisms. Based on the taxonomy, thirty implementation frameworks arepossible to be adapted. Furthermore, different algorithms that used the implementationframeworks with sequential scheme and dynamic parameterizations approaches are tested insolving a facility layout problem. The results present the effectiveness of each tested algorithm in comparison to the single PSO and constant parameterization.Keywords: hybridization; PSO; GA; implementation frameworks; dynamic parameterization

Dengue fatality prediction using data mining

Dengue fever, a mosquito-borne tropical disease caused by the dengue virus is life-threatening. In Malaysia, although necessary control measures have been carried out, the number of dengue fever cases keeps increasing. Among the measures, dengue vector control appears to be the most effective way to control the spread of the dengue virus particularly in Malaysia. The aim of this research is to study the current implementation of dengue outbreak control in Malaysia and predict dengue fever cases using data mining techniques. Real data on dengue fever and weather are collected from the Ministry of Health in its Perak Tengah district office and Perak Meteorological office respectively. Different data mining classification techniques are applied onto these data with the performance of each technique is measured. The results highlight the best performance among techniques used.Keywords: data mining; prediction; dengue; classification

Dynamic Economic Dispatch Menggunakan Quadratic Programming

Economic dispatch (ED) dapat diterapkan untuk mengatasi masalah penjadwalan pembangkit secara optimal ekonomi, namum jika digunakan pada sistem dengan beban dalam rentang waktu tertentu, akan ada beberapa pembangkitan yang melewati batas dari parameter ramp rate pembangkit. Dengan parameter ramp rate, ED tidak dapat diselesaikan pada satu level beban. Dynamic economic dispatch (DED) merupakan pengembangan dari economic dispatch konvensional karena memperhitungkan batasan ramp rate dari unit pembangkit. DED dapat digunakan untuk menentukan pembagian pembebanan unit pembangkit secara ekonomis dalam rentang waktu tertentu tanpa melanggar batasan ramp rate dari unit pembangkit. Pada tugas akhir ini digunakan quadratic programming untuk menyelesaikan dynamic economic dispatch. Hasil simulasi menunjukkan bahwa quadratic programming yang digunakan dapat menyelesaikan DED tanpa melanggar parameter ramp rate yang ditentukan. Pada percobaan dengan 3-unit pembangkit pada 4 profil beban berbeda dan percobaan dengan 10-unit pembangkit menujukkan bahwa parameter ramp rate menyebabkan pembagian pembebanan pada satu waktu tertentu akan mempengaruhi pembagian pembebanan pada waktu lain serta terdapat variasi pembangkitan yang berbeda antara economic dispatch dan dynamic economic dispatch. Parameter ramp rate juga menyebabkan total biaya pembangkitan pada dynamic economic dispatch menjadi lebih mahal jika dibandingkan dengan economic dispatch

Fluoride in Drinking Water and Urine: a Cross-Sectional Study among Secondary School Children in Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor, Malaysia

Background: This study aimed to determine the levels of fluoride in drinking water and levels of urinary fluoride, to determine whether fluoride in both drinking water and urine were under the acceptable range stated by NDWQS and NIOSH Method 8308 respectively, to determine any significant difference in urinary fluoride between gender, and to determine the relationship between fluoride levels in drinking water and urinary fluoride among study subjects. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Kuala KubuBharu, Selangor, Malaysia. A sample of secondary school children aged 14-years-old at a selected school were selected based on several criteria, including living at least 6 years on the same area and not having any health problems. Then a briefing was given to selected study subjects before distribution of a set of questionnaire were made. After obtaining parents’ permission, a set of high density polyethylene bottle (HDPE) and urine collection container was given to study subjects for drinking water and urine samples collection for 2 consecutive days. Both samples were analyzed using a HACH Brand Direct Reading Spectrophotometer model DR/ 1900 by Method 8029 which was accepted by the US EPA for reporting of drinking water and wastewater analysis purposes. Results: Fluoride levels in drinking water ranged between 0.41 to 0.59 ppm with a median of 0.46 (SD=0.04). Fluoride level in urine ranged between 0.45 to 2.29 ppm with a mean 1.48 (SD=0.43). There was no significant difference in urinary fluoride between genders. Also, there was no significant relationship between fluoride levels in drinking water and urinary fluoride levels among study subjects. The median value fluoride in drinking water obtained was 0.46 which was still in the range of NDWQS standards. Urinary fluoride was within the range stated by NIOSH. Conclusion: Levels of fluoride in both drinking water and urine in Kuala KubuBharu, Selangor, Malaysia, were within the acceptable limit. Keywords: fluoride, drinking water, urinary fluoride, secondary school children, Kuala KubuBhar

Accuracy and quickness criterion-based driving skill metric for human adaptive mechatronics system

Previous studies on driving skill algorithm have combined tracking error and time related variables into algorithm formulation. This method however does not include a car orientation and lateral speed information as an integral part of the algorithm. Two new variables are introduced into the algorithm structure, namely, orientation angle and lateral speed. Nine participants were carefully recruited for a driving test to validate the algorithm. A simulated driving environment was specifically devised for this experiment. A driving track used in this experiment was segmented into five different severities for data analysis. Two fundamental goals have led to the collection and subsequent analysis of the data. The first is analysing the variables in relation to the driving task. The second involves data analysis being further extended into analysing the algorithm performance over estimating the driving skill index. The results reveal that the proposed variables are well correlated with the driving task, and improvement in algorithm performance is found to be almost double compared to the previous algorithm

The study of the effect of intake valve timing on engine using cylinder deactivation technique via simulation

There are many technologies that being developed to increase the efficiency of internal combustion engines as well as reducing their fuel consumption. In this paper, the main area of focus is on cylinder deactivation (CDA) technology. CDA is mostly being applied on multi cylinders engines. CDA has the advantage to improve fuel consumption by reducing pumping losses at part load engine conditions. Here, the application of CDA on 1.6L four cylinders gasoline engine is studied. One-dimensional (1D) engine modeling work is performed to investigate the effect of intake valve strategy on engine performance with CDA. 1D engine model is constructed based on the 1.6L actual engine geometries. The model is simulated at various engine speeds at full load conditions. The simulated results show that the constructed model is well correlated to measured data. This correlated model is then used to investigate the CDA application at part load conditions. Also, the effects on the in-cylinder combustion as well as pumping losses are presented. The study shows that the effect of intake valve strategy is very significant on engine performance. Pumping losses is found to be reduced, thus improve fuel consumption and engine efficiency

The association between nicotine dependence and smoking practices among Malay male smokers working in Selangor municipalities

Introduction: Nicotine dependence develops over time. It radically contributes to adverse health effects and influences smoking cessation. Globally the prevalence of current nicotine dependence has been reported as being between 46 to 53 percent. Nicotine dependence is associated with many factors, one of which is smoking practices. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted among 112 Malay male smokers working in two selected municipal council. Smokers were identified and then randomly selected. Nicotine dependence was assessed using Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND). Smoking practices and data on respondents’ characteristics were collected using a validated self-administered questionnaire. Results: The percentage of high nicotine dependence among this study population is 37.56%. Nicotine dependence is significantly associated with current smoking practices (number of cigarette and frequency smoke per day, P=0.001), smoking cues (such as feeling sad and lonely, P=0.017 & 0.013); waking up in the morning and while driving, (P=0.01& 0.018); smoking rewards (feeling accepted, P=0.026); smoking environment at workplace (smoking in the toilet, P=0.05) and at home (not smoking neither inside nor outside the house, P=0.013). Conclusion: Nicotine dependence is associated with smoking practices, smoking cues, smoking rewards and smoking environment. Understanding the associations could help in establishing better smoking cessation programs. The smoking cessation program should focus not only on individual smokers but also their smoking environments at the workplace (such as making sure sufficient no smoking signage are present to remind smokers) and as well as at home (such as empowering family members to encourage smokers not to smoke at home)

Flexible Wearable Antenna on Electromagnetic Band Gap using PDMS substrate

A robust and low-profile electromagnetic band-gap (EBG) based on flexible wearable antenna covering 2.4 GHz frequency band is presented. The incorporated EBG with antenna reduces the  radiation into the human body around 17 dB and decreases the impacts of frequency detuning. The overall dimension of the antenna integrated with EBG is 56 x 56 x 4 mm3 with relative impedance bandwidth of 8.3% is achieved. The proposed design has improved the gain up to 7 dBi. Specific absorption rate (SAR) assessment is also studied to certify the performance of the antenna when it is located proximity to human tissue. The flexible antenna with aforementioned performances could be chosen as a good candidate for integration into a range of wearable devices for medical application

Characteristic of Lokon Volcano Deformation of 2009 - 2011 Based on GPS Data

DOI: 10.17014/ijog.v7i4.147Precursor of Lokon Volcano eruptions in 2011 is believed to begin since December 2007 which was marked by increasing number of volcanic earthquakes and gas emission. To support this information, deformation method is used primarily to determine deformation characteristics of Lokon volcanic activity in the period of 2009-2011. The period of analysis is adapted to the presence of GPS data. Displacement rate of Lokon GPS observation points in the period of 2009 - 2011 ranged from 1.1 to 7 cm a year. Strain patterns that occur in the areas are compression surrounding Tompaluan crater and extension in the eastern slope. Location of the pressure source for August 2009 - March 2011 measurement was at a depth of 1800 m beneath Tompaluan crater. Deformation in the Lokon Volcano is characteristized by the compression zone in the summit and crater area caused by magma activity raised into the surface from a shallow magma source which is accompanied by a high release of volcanic gases. Accumulated pressure release and deformation rate as measured in the Lokon Volcano remain low

Mapping on slope seepage problem using Electrical Resistivity Imaging (ERI)

The stability of slope may influenced by several factors such as its geomaterial properties, geometry and environmental factors. Problematic slope due to seepage phenomenon will influenced the slope strength thus promoting to its failure. In the past, slope seepage mapping suffer from several limitation due to cost, time and data coverage. Conventional engineering tools to detect or mapped the seepage on slope experienced those problems involving large and high elevation of slope design. As a result, this study introduced geophysical tools for slope seepage mapping based on electrical resistivity method. Two spread lines of electrical resistivity imaging were performed on the slope crest using ABEM SAS 4000 equipment. Data acquisition configuration was based on long and short arrangement, schlumberger array and 2.5 m of equal electrode spacing interval. Raw data obtained from data acquisition was analyzed using RES2DINV software. Both of the resistivity results show that the slope studied consists of three different anomalies representing top soil (200 – 1000 Ωm), perched water (10 – 100 Ωm) and hard/dry layer (> 200 Ωm). It was found that seepage problem on slope studied was derived from perched water zones with electrical resistivity value of 10 – 100 Ωm. Perched water zone has been detected at 6 m depth from the ground level with varying thickness at 5 m and over. Resistivity results have shown some good similarity output with reference to borehole data, geological map and site observation thus verified the resistivity results interpretation. Hence, this study has shown that the electrical resistivity imaging was applicable in slope seepage mapping which consider efficient in term of cost, time, data coverage and sustainability