Interval type-2 fuzzy automata and Interval type-2 fuzzy grammar

The purpose of the present work is to introduce and study the concept of interval type-2 (IT2) fuzzy grammar which recognizes the given IT2 fuzzy languages. The relationship between IT2 fuzzy automata and IT2 fuzzy (weak) regular grammars is discussed. Specifically, the results we obtained here are (i ) IT2 fuzzy weak regular grammar and IT2 fuzzy regular grammar generate the same classes of IT2 fuzzy languages (ii ) for a given IT2 fuzzy regular grammars, there exists an IT2 fuzzy automata such that they accept the same IT2 fuzzy languages, and vice versa. In addition, we define some operations on IT2 fuzzy languages and it is shown that IT2 fuzzy languages recognized by IT2 fuzzy automata are closed under the operations of union, intersection, concatenation and Kleene closure, but are not closed under complement

Beyond Andragogy: New Directions in Adult Learning Theory

While andragogy is here to stay, we have moved beyond centering it at the heart of adult learning theory. Five other ways to understand adult learning will be presented in this symposium: transformative learning, spirituality and adult learning, embodied knowing, the neuroscience of adult learning and narrative learning

How cultural values shape learning in older adulthood: the case of Malaysia

Culture shapes the meaning people make of their life as well as how people experience movement through the life course. Although there is some literature on how one's culture influences the experience of older adulthood, there is little on how culture defines the nature of learning in late life. The purpose of this study was to understand how cultural values shape learning in older adulthood in the Southeast Asian country of Malaysia. A qualitative research design was employed to explore this question. Nineteen men and women between the ages of 60 and 83 were interviewed as to their experience of aging and their learning activities. Using the constant comparative method of data analysis, three themes were inductively derived from the interview data. First, older adult learning in Malaysia is nonformal and experiential Second, learning is communal. Third, much of the learning is religious or spiritual in orientation

Aging and Learning in a Non-Western Culture: The Case of Malaysia

A case study on older Malaysian men and women revealed that from their perspective, aging is seamless and a period of contentment. They are concerned about their health, spiritual, and community. They learn informally to meet the changing demands of their life. The learning is shaped by their cultural value

Transformational Learning in Botswana: How Culture Shapes the Process

Transformational learning as presented by Jack Mezirow has been critiqued for its Western, rational/cognitive orientation. This study was conducted in the African nation of Botswana and examined how that culture shaped the process. The TL experiences of 10 adults were constructed in terms of spirituality and the metaphysical world, community responsibilities and relationships, and gender roles

Effect of Incorporation of Soy Flour on the Quality of Papad

New advances in Food Technology and packaging increased the interest in healthy eating of more nutritious foods, change in meal pattern and existing food habits have increased the demand for creation of new market for value added processed products. Papad is a popular South Indian traditional snack item/side dish. It has a good market potential. Hence considering its demand and nutritional contribution, study was conducted to develop papad by incorporating different levels of soybean flour, to study the shelf life stability of developed products in different packaging materials for a period of three month at room temperature, to analyze the nutrients and microbial counts of the stored products. Sensory evaluation indicated that the overall acceptability scores of Soy papad at 20% were highest 4.4 for both plastic and steel storage containers. However; it was also found that the acceptability was good for all the levels of Soy products, stored for three months at room temperature. Nutrient composition of stored products in steel containers was comparatively better compared to plastic and polyethylene. Total plate counts (microbes) at the end of the storage period were with in the safe limits prescribed by BIS. The study proved that steel and plastic boxes could be used for long storage of value added dry products at domestic levels. Key words: Value addition, Packaging materials, Storage, Nutrient Analysis, Microbial Analysis

Methodological Challenges in Studying Transformative Learning

First discussed are philosophical perspectives in relation to the research design and methodology for studying transformative learning. Second, several promising research designs for studying this phenomenon are reviewed including narrative analysis, arts-based research, critical approaches, and action research. Finally, we conclude with a discussion of methodological challenges at this point in the evolution of the knowledge base of transformative learning

Perspectives on Adult Learning: Framing Our Research

Based on a review of the literature we describe the assumptions and salient concepts of two major perspectives on adult learning: the individual and the contextual. We then argue that although research should continue to be grounded in these two perspectives, we should expand our research efforts in a third paradigm consisting of an integration of these two perspectives

Modeling the NPA of a Midsized Indian Nationalized Bank as a Function of Advances

Non-performing assets (NPA) occur in loans given by a bank or a financial institution where in the borrower defaults or delays interest and or principal payment. The management of NPAs therefore, is a very important part of credit management of banks and financial institutions in the Country. Currently NPA estimates in India are predominantly obtained from the figures published by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). However it would be helpful for banks and financial institutions to have an estimate of the NPA as soon as loan amounts are disbursed. This study attempted to develop a predictive model for the NPA% at both the gross and net level from the advances made at a midsized Indian national bank. A strong correlation was observed between gross and net NPA% and the advances made suggesting that estimates of gross and net NPA can be made from advances. Linear and non linear models were fit to predict the NPA% from the amounts advanced. A non linear model linking both Gross and net NPA to advances provided the best curve fit and the least deviation from actual values. Thus by simply looking at advances an overall picture of the banks NPA level can be ascertained. Keywords:, Advances, Gross NPA, Indian nationalized Bank, Linear Model, Net NPA, Non Linear Models, NPA Management

Isothermal Shock Wave in Magnetogasdynamics

The problem of propagation of a plane isothermal discontinuity (shock) wave in a homogeneous semi-infinite body of a perfect gas, in the presence of amagnetic field have been solved. It has been shown that under certain definiteconditions, the density p at the wave front may be arbitrarily high for a singlecompression pulse. A certain class of solutions of the present problem for a nonhomogeneous semi-infinite body have been derived. Such solutions are expected to be of great importance in compression problems of plasma