Starfruit classification based on linear hue computation

In this paper, a classification process to group starfruit into six maturity indices is proposed based on 1- dimensional color feature called hue, which is extracted from the starfruit image. As the original hue is quantified from the nonlinear transformation of the 3-dimensional Red, Green and Blue color, this paper proposes a linear hue transformation computation based on the 2 colors of Red and Green. The proposed hue computation leads to a reduced computational burden, less computational complexity and better class discriminant capability. The hue is then applied as the input for the maturity classification process. The classification process is based on the hypothesis that for each of the maturity index, certain area of the starfruit surface is supposed to have distinctive value of the hue. In this work, the said starfruit surface area is set as 70% of the total area and based on 600 samples, the proposed technique results in 93% classification accuracy

Analysis and classification of myocardial infarction tissue from echocardiography images based on texture analysis

Texture analysis is an important characteristic for automatic visual inspection for surface and object identification from medical images and other type of images. This paper presents an application of wavelet extension and Gray level cooccurrence matrix (GLCM) for diagnosis of myocardial infarction tissue from echocardiography images. Many of applications approach have provided good result in different fields of application, but could not implemented at all when texture samples are small dimensions caused by low quality of images. Wavelet extension procedure is used to determine the frequency bands carrying the most information about the texture by decomposition images into multiple frequency bands and to form an image approximation with higher resolution. Thus, wavelet extension procedure offers the ability to robust feature extraction in images. The gray level co-occurrence matrices are computed for each sub-band. The feature vector of testing image and other feature vector as normal image classified by Mahalanobis distance to decide whether the test image is infarction or not

Development of bambangan (Mangifera pajang) carbonated drink

Mangifera pajang Kostermans or bambangan is a popular fruit among Sabahan due to its health and economic values. However, the fruit is not fully commercialized since it is usually been used as traditional cuisine by local people. Thus, development of bambangan fruit into carbonated drink was conducted to produce new product concept. The objectives of this study were to conceptualize, formulate, evaluate consumer acceptance, and determine physicochemical properties and nutritional composition of the accepted product. Method used in conceptualising the product was based on questionnaire. The consumer acceptance was evaluated based on descriptive and affective tests with four product formulations tested. The physicochemical properties on carbon dioxide volume, colour, pH, total acidity, total soluble solid (TSS) and viscosity were highlighted, meanwhile nutritional composition on fat, protein, carbohydrates and energy content were determined. About 77% respondents gave positive feedback, and 69% respondents decided this product is within their budget. The formulation of 5% bambangan pulp, 70% water, 25% sugar and 0.2% citric acid was highly accepted in descriptive and affective tests with 4.4 and 6.39 mean scores, respectively. The physicochemical properties and nutritional composition of the acceptance product were in optimum value except for colour, total acidity and TSS. Overall, this study showed that the product has high potential to be commercialized as new product concept, and heritage of indigenous people can be preserved when this fruit is known regionally

Antibacterial agents produced by lactic acid bacteria isolated from threadfin salmon and grass shrimp

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are non-pathogenic bacteria that have an important role in human daily life. LAB produce antimicrobial agents, such as bacteriocins, diacetyl and hydrogen peroxide which help to extend the shelf life of food products. In this study, LAB were isolated from selected seafood; threadfin salmon and grass shrimp. Antibacterial activity of LAB extracts against Salmonella typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus and Escherichia coli were determined using the disc diffusion method. Three strains of LAB were selected for the characterization of antibacterial agents produced by LAB. The parameters such as pH, heat, incubation period and medium, were analyzed in this experiment. Changes in environmental parameters affected the activity of antibacterial agents. The antibacterial agents produced by LAB were generally heat stable and stable in a wide range of pH levels. However, the inhibition activity of LAB was destroyed with a heat treatment of 121°C, and the antibacterial effect was reduced at a pH of 12, which occurs in most strains. The medium containing NaCl enhanced the antibacterial activity of P1S1 and P3S3 strains against S. typhimurium, L. monocytogenes and E. coli. Moreover, the antibacterial agents exhibited the greatest inhibition activity at incubation times between 24 and 72 h. The antibacterial activity was reduced after an incubation time of 96 h. The characterization of antibacterial agents aids in the improvement of food products safety

Peningkatan Aktivitas Pembelajaran Matematika Menggunakan Pendekatan Realistik di Kelas IV SD

The problem in this research is an attempt to improve the learners\u27 learning activities by using realistic approach in mathematic subjects at the fourth grade students in the Elementary School 14 Siantan. This research method is descriptive, in classroom action research, and the nature of this research is qualitative research, the research subjects are teacher and learners elementary school fourth grade students in the Elementary School 14 Siantan which consisted of 21 people in whole. The techniques used in this research were the technique of direct observation, documentary technique, and data collection tool were used as observation guidelines. The result based on observation by using realistic approach had improved learners learning activities. This shows that the hypothesis that stated the application of realistic approach in mathematic lessons at the fourth grade in the Elementary School 14 Siantan can improve learners\u27 learning activities, accepted

Flexural Strength of Interlocking Compressed Earth Brick (ICEB) Unit

This paper presents the flexural strength of the ICEB unit. The flexural strength is important in determining the strength of the masonry unit. About 260 units of ICEB consist three type of unit were tested on flatwise (bed direction) and inverted direction, with the different shape at the top and bottom of the ICEB. The unit was loaded at midspan through a steel bearing plate of 6.4 mm thickness and 38.1 mm width. Specimens were supported at both ends which are free to rotate in the longitudinal and transverse directions during the test. The highest flexural strength of ICEB is Wall Brick for both flatwise and inverted direction which is 2.36 N/mm2 and 2.15 N/mm2, respectively. For flatwise direction, Beam Brick has the lowest flexural strength which is 1.55 N/mm2, and in inverted direction Column Brick flexural strength is lower than Beam Brick which is 1.65 N/mm2. ICEB can be used in construction and has the equal properties as other common brick and block at the market nowadays

Asymmetric fiber taper for narrow linewidth comb filter

The employment of asymmetric optical fiber taper as a means for producing narrow linewidth comb filter is proposed and demonstrated. Fiber taper with different values set for the up-taper and down-taper transition regions was used to produce narrow linewidth comb filter through coupling interaction of light in the asymmetric fiber. Two configurations; single-pass and bidirectional fiber taper filters were studied and analyzed in this project. Results showed narrower 3-dB linewidth for asymmetric taper compared with uniform taper for single pass configuration. The asymmetric taper linewidth was improved further in bidirectional configuration, narrowing down to 2 nm. Bidirectional asymmetric taper filter recorded extinction ratio of 27.14 dB, which was 18 dB and 3 dB better than single-pass asymmetric taper and bidirectional uniform taper respectively. The findings emphasize the attractiveness of bidirectional asymmetric taper as a high performance optical filter

Effect of soluble probiotic on production performance of Akar Putra chicken

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of soluble probiotic on the production parameters of local Malaysian chicken (Akar Putra). A total of seventy two 1-day-old Akar Putra chicks were randomly assigned to three treatment groups, each having 3 replicates of 8 chicks. The treatments were as follows: (T1) control, (T2) probiotic supplemented at 1 g/liter tap water, (T3) probiotic supplemented at 2 g/liter tap water. The results revealed that supplementation of soluble probiotic at both the rates resulted in an improved performance of male and female Akar putra chicken. Birds who received 2 g of prepared probiotic per liter of water (T3) exhibited highly improved (p<0.05) body weight, weight gain and feed conversion ratio than other groups. It can be concluded that supplementation of prepared soluble probiotic would be economically beneficial in improving the production performance and health status of Akar Putra chicken