Effective noise removal technique for enhancement of the X-ray image / Azman Mohamed

The noise removal is an important aspect of image processing, because the human visual System is very sensitive to the high amplitude of noise signals, thus noise in an image can result in a subjective loss of information. There are a lot of methods for noise removal like the Median, Mean, Gaussian or other filter. But there are only few measuring methods for the quality of a smoothed image. In most cases the developed filters are tested on standard images. On the other hand it is difficult to decide, which filter should be used for a given image with noise introduced to it. In this paper two methods for noise removal are introduced which are mean and median filtering in order examine important features for an automatic detection of adequate smoothing operators for a given noisy X-ray image. This paper tries to find the most suhable methods for noise removal and using the Signal-to-Noise Ratio to measure the noise

Voltage tracking of DC-DC CUK converter using neural network control

This paper presents a control scheme of a neural network for a DC-DC Cuk converter. The proposed neural network control (NNC) strategy is designed to produce regulated variable DC output voltage. The mathematical model of Cuk converter and artificial neural network algorithm is derived. Cuk converter has some advantages compared to other type of converters. However the nonlinearity characteristic of the Cuk converter due to the switching technique is difficult to be handled by conventional controller such as proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller. To overcome this problem, a neural network controller with online learning back propagation algorithm is developed. The NNC designed tracked the converter voltage output and improve the dynamic performance regardless load disturbances and supply variations. The proposed controller effectiveness during dynamic transient response is then analyze and verified using MATLAB-Simulink. Simulation results confirm the excellent performance of the proposed NNC, exhibits better dynamic performance compared to the classical PID controlle

The trend of the gold prices in Malaysia / Mohamed Azman Mat Junoh

Gold is a precious yellow commodity once used as money. The demand for this commodity is on the rise. The objective of this study was to know about the trend of gold prices for the past 5 years based on economic factors such as inflation, currency price movements and others. Following the melt-down of US dollars, investors are putting their money into gold because gold plays an important role as a stabilizing influence for investment portfolios. Due to the increase in demand for gold in Malaysian and other parts of the world, it is necessary to develop a model that reflects the structure and pattern of gold market and see the movement of gold price. The most appropriate approach to the understanding of gold prices is the Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) model. MLR is a study on the relationship between a single dependent variable and one or more independent variables, as this case with gold price as the single dependent variable. The fitted model of MLR will be used to predict the future gold prices.Many factors determine the price of gold and based on “a hunch of experts”, several economic factors had been identified to have influence on the gold prices. Variables such as MYR/USD Foreign Exchange Rate, Inflation rate, Money Supply (M1), Kuala Lumpur Composite Index (KLCI), and Treasury Bill (T-BILL) were considered to have influence on the prices. Parameter estimations for the MLR were carried out using Statistical Packages for Social Science package (SPSS). Only three variables that will effect the gold in this study which is foreign exchange, KLCI, and M1. The final model of this study is very important for researcher to predict the future price of gol

Semakan Genus Pomponia Stal dan Puranoidesmoulton (Homoptera: Cicadidae)

Sejumlah 79 spesies riang-riang daripada genus Pomponia (71 spesies) dan Puranoides (8 spesies) telah direkodkan darl tiga depositor! di Eropah laitu BMNH, ZMAN dan RMNH. Inl adalah berdasarkan pemerlksaan ke atas 1162 spesimen, mewakill 52, 30, 28 dan 20 spesies, masing-masing darl BMNH, ZMAN, RMNH dan lain-lain depositor! (ROM, ZSM, NHMW, MNHP, CASC., NHMW, HNHM, KBIN, MZHF dan NHMD, yang sedang dalam plnjaman dan dislmpan di ZMAN). Daripada 79 spesies yang direkodkan, hanya 26 spesies yang telah diperihalkan berjaya ditemul (masing-masing 22 dan empat spesies bagi genus Pomponia dan Puranoides). Semua spesimen tip bagl 26 spesies yang telah direkodkan dalam kajian lni telah diperlksa dan dirujuk. Speslmen tip bagl 19 dan dua spesles untuk Pomponia dan Puranoldes terslmpan dalam depositorl BMNH manakala seleblhnya laitu tiga dan dua spesies bagi genus yang sama tersimpan dalam depositori UKM ( dlperlksa dan dirujuk sebelum kajian inl bermula). Genus Pomponia telah dikenalpastJ mempunyal 10 kumpulan-spesies melalul penggabungan dan pengelompokan spesies iaitu kumpulan-decem, kumpulan-picta, kumpulan-/inear

Construct validation of supply chain management in cooperative

This study attempts to analyze construct in supply chain and to determine which construct contribute to performance of agricultural cooperatives in Malaysia. The primary data is collected via questionnaire from top level management of agricultural cooperatives using 5-item Likert scale. Factor analysis and structural equations modeling were used to analyze the data. Findings show that cooperatives places importance on quality and technology, logistic, supplier and governance. As a whole, supply chain is significance in determining performance. However, governance alone is not significant in determining performance. The empirical result could be used to improve further studies in supply chain management.Agricultural cooperatives; supply chain management model

Attribution styles as correlates of technical drawing task-persistence and technical college students’ performance

Technical drawing is a means of communicating between the designer and the manufacturers to bring ideas into reality by means of drafting. This study investigated attribution styles as collates of students’ technical drawing task-persistence and academic performance using correlational research design. The population for this study consisted of 864 students of year II and the sample study comprised of 150 (93 males and 57 females) randomly selected from six technical colleges in Edo State, Nigeria. Three instruments, Academic Performance Attribution Style Questionnaire (APASQ), Technical Drawing Taskpersistent Rating Scale (TDTPRS); and Technical Drawing Performance Test (TDPT) were developed and used for data collection. Cronbach Alpha reliability method was used to determine the reliability of the instruments and the results were obtained: SAASQ = .87; TDTPRS=.79; AND TDAT = .85. The findings of the study revealed that the technical drawing task-persistence of students was positively correlated by functional attribution style; and was negatively correlated by dysfunctional attribution style; functional attribution style positively correlated academic performance of students. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended among others that technical drawing teachers should model and teach the students the right attribution style that will enhance their learning of technical drawing

Parental Grief and Marital Issues Aftermath: A Pilot Study

The death of a child is difficult to the bereaved parents. Literature had associated the loss with marriage disruption. The issues on that the difficulties to communicate, gender-related coping mechanisms and sexual need were discussed as reasons for bereaved parents to have conflict in their relationship. However there is limited knowledge about this issue. A pilot study has been conducted among six bereaved parents. The bereaved parents were Malaysian Muslim bereaved parents. They were interviewed individually to explore the challenges or conflicts that they had experienced after the death of their child. This study revealed that there were situations which bereaved parents described as having difficulties in their relationship. However, this study also revealed that the mutual understanding and respect to each other are the most of important components for bereaved parents to maintain their relationship post-loss. This study suggested the importance of suggesting couple counselling to bereaved parents after the death of their child

Performance of underside shaped concrete blocks for pavement

This study presents an innovative concrete block pavement (CBP) of rectangular blocks with grooves and web on the underside of the underside shaped concrete block (USCB). This new concrete block concept intends to address known causes of failure for CBP due to vertical, horizontal and repetitive traffic loading. Interaction between CBP and underlying bedding sand layer may lead to significant pavement deformation due to vertical traffic loading. The USCB provides an additional underside mechanical interlocking, compared with traditional rectangular concrete block. Twelve USCB with different groove depths (15 mm, 25 mm, and 35 mm) and four different bottom shapes (Shell – Rectangular (Shell–R), Trench Groove – Triangular (TG–T), Trench Groove – 2 Rectangular (TG–2R), and Trench Groove – 3 Rectangular (TG–3R)) were prepared. These USCB were mechanically tested to investigate the effects of groove depth, groove volume, and groove shape on their mechanical properties. To investigate their interlocking performance, a series of push-in loading test, pull-out loading test, horizontal loading test, and accelerated trafficking test were conducted using the Highway Accelerated Loading Instrument (HALI). A control pavement and with only stretcher bond laying pattern was built to allow for comparisons. The results indicate that triangular grooves exhibit promising compressive strength while rectangular grooves performed better in flexural, with the increase up to 25 % respectively when compared to control block. The optimum USCB groove depth is found at 15 mm and the Shell USCB has the best mechanical properties and resilience under all conditions due to their unique shape. The function of the grooves and web as spike has enhanced the mechanical properties of USCB and improved the interlocking mechanism between CBP and its underlying bedding sand layer. The study shows that USCB is a highly potential concrete block that could enhance pavement performance

HRM issues in quality initiatives for Malaysian universities

The aim of this paper is to provide evidence on the importance of human resource (HR) related factors in total quality management (TQM) implementation. This involves identifying and defining HR-related critical success factors (CSFs) from an exhaustive source of literature reviews on quality initiatives. The ‘soft’ or HR-related CSFs in the literature review stand as the fundamental issue in building a theoretical framework. Non-scheduled-structured interviews were conducted on seven Malaysian universities involved in IS09000 certification processes. Results from the qualitative survey suggest the importance of effective communication, visionary leadership, congruent objectives and recognition and motivation as the four most critical HR factors in TQM implementation in the HE context. Practically, quality HRM as suggested in this study is not only the listing of human resource management (HRM) factors, but also to recommend that H-R-related CSFs are the crucial factors that must go right to ensure successful quality initiatives. Quality HRM demands that the management of an organisation consider the factors required to produce excellent performance. The ‘soft’ aspect is always suggested theoretically to be important to ensure successful TQM implementation. The findings on HR-related CSFs put forward in this research serve as building blocks for the development of a comprehensive conceptual theory in TQM. This study suggests and validates those HR-related CSFs that play crucial roles in successful quality initiatives