MRI brain classification using support vector machine

The field of medical imaging gains its importance with increase in the need of automated and efficient diagnosis in a short period of time. Other than that, medical image retrieval system is to provide a tool for radiologists to retrieve the images similar to query image in content. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an imaging technique that has played an important role in neuroscience research for studying brain images. Classification is an important part in retrieval system in order to distinguish between normal patients and those who have the possibility of having abnormalities or tumor. In this paper, we have obtained the feature related to MRI images using discrete wavelet transformation. An advanced kernel based techniques such as Support Vector Machine (SVM) for the classification of volume of MRI data as normal and abnormal will be deployed

Bandwidth Widening Strategies for Piezoelectric Based Energy Harvesting from Ambient Vibration Sources

Due to the fact that the ambient vibration sources are random and unpredictable, therefore a vibration based energy harvesting device is desirable to be able to operate at wider bandwidth in an envelop of frequency range to generate maximum electrical output. In this paper, various ambient vibration from household appliances, machineries, vehicle and moving vehicle were measured and investigated. The second part of the paper will discuss the strategies to harvest these ambient vibration sources. An array of piezoelectric multi-cantilever is proposed to address the issue of single piezoelectric cantilever with high Q-factor. Two configurations of multi-cantilever were fabricated in a form that elevated from the substrate as freestanding structures. One with six cantilevers of constant width but different lengths and another with five cantilevers of constant length but different widths. The measurement and experimental results show a frequency band of 200 Hz to 300 Hz as a common bandwith between the vibration sources and the capability of miniature piezoelectric energy harvester in harvesting maximum electrical energy

Electrical discharge machining of polycrystalline diamond using copper electrode – finishing condition

Research on machining process of Polycrystalline Diamond (PCD) is becoming important as the material was believed suitable to be used for cutting tools of advanced aeronautical structure. Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) was regarded as the suitable method to machine PCD due its noncontact process nature. The objective of this research is to determine the influence of several EDM parameter such as sparking current, pulse duration, and pulse interval to the material removal rate and surface roughness of the machined PCD. Instead of significantly influenced the material removal rate, the sparking current was also highly influenced tha surface roughness. Highest material removal rate of approximately 0.005mm3/s was recorded by the EDM process with the highest current used of 5A, and lowest pulse interval of 1µs. The influence of pulse duration is not clearly seen at the lowest pulse interval used. On the other hand, 0.4µm was the lowest surface roughness value obtained in this research indicated by the highest sparking current, highest sparking duration and lowest sparking interval of 5A, 1µs and 1µs respectively

Kritik al-Quran oleh Nasr Hamid Abu Zayd melalui terapan hermeneutics humanistic

Nasr Hamid Abu Zayd dikenali sebagai seorang tokoh yang lantang mengkritik al-Quran pada abad ini. Beliau mempunyai metode yang tersendiri ketika mentafsir al-Quran iaitu mengaplikasi hermeneutik dengan menerapkan elemen humanistic. Artikel ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis elemen humanistic yang dibawa oleh Abu Zayd dalam empat aspek iaitu definisi al-Quran, konsep bahawa wahyu, proses penurunan wahyu dan metode pentafsiran. Empat aspek tersebut dibandingkan secara berterusan dengan al-Quran dan al-Sunnah. Untuk mencapai validity data, artikel yang bersifat kualitatif ini menggunakan metode analisis kandungan yang terdiri daripada karyakarya Abu Zayd sebagai sumber pengumpulan data. Manakala analisis data menggunakan kaedah diskriptif dan perbandingan berterusan. Hasil kajian menunjukkan, elemen humanistic yang telah diterapkan kepada al-Quran telah mencetuskan implikasi terhadap al- Quran, konsep wahyu, tafsiran relatif dan liberalisasi hukum syariah

Understanding the level of self-directed learning and decision-making style of construction-related workers

Current serious game framework still lacks in fulfilling the user's requirements. This is due to the framework elements which only focus on the process of delivery. Hence, this study was carried out to determine user's ability in self-directed learning and their styles in making a decision. This study forms part of a larger research on a framework for serious game frameworks for hazard identification training modules. A set of questionnaire consisting of three sections which are demographic, decision-making styles and levels of selfdirected learning was designed. In decision-making styles, 49 items are measured representing eight styles in decision making such as vigilant, dependent, avoidant, anxious, confident, spontaneous, brooding and intuitive. Meanwhile, a self-rating scale consisting of 50 items was used to measure the level of selfdirected learning such as awareness, learning strategies, learning activities, evaluation and interpersonal skills. Data was collected from 319 constructionrelated workers and analysed using mean comparison and ANOVA. Findings confirmed that their style of decision-making is inclined to 'vigilant' and 'brooding' types. The results revealed two levels of self-directed learning, namely, the moderate level for supervisor and high level for general workers, skilled workers, consultants, management teams and safety trainees. This level of self-directed learning is influenced by their level of education and working experiences. The findings also highlight that decision-making style has a moderate relationship with the level of self-directed learning among constructionrelated workers. The study contributes to the understanding of the construction workers' needs in enhancing their skills in becoming independent and lifelong learners

Preserving data replication consistency through ROWA-MSTS

In modern distributed systems, replication receives particular aware�ness to provide high data availability, reliability and enhance the performance of the system. Replication becomes as significant mechanism since it enables organizations to provide users with admission to current data where and when they need it. Integrated VSFTPD with Read-One-Write-All Monitoring Syn�chronization Transaction System (ROWA-MSTS) has been developed to moni�tor data replication and transaction performs in distributed system environment. This paper presents the ROWA-MSTS framework and process flow in order to preserve the data replication consistency. The implementation shows that ROWA-MSTS able to monitor the replicated data distribution while maintain�ing the data consistency over multiple sites

Q-switched fibre laser using Samarium oxide for C-band region

We demonstrated the usage of samarium oxide (Sm2O3) polymer film as a saturable absorber (SA) for generating stable Q-switched fibre laser at the C-band region. The SA was prepared by embedding a commercial Sm2O3 powder into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solution to form a Sm2O3-PVA film. The obtained film was then cut into a square shape of 1 mm x 1mm and adhered to the tip of fibre ferrule by using index matching gel. A stable Q-switching operation presence from 52 mW to 164 mW pump power at 1568 nm wavelength. Under this pump power, the repetition rate increased from 24.34 kHz to 55.80 kHz, while the pulse width reduced from 13.29 µs to 6.96 µs. The obtained Q-switching operation has a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 38 dB with a maximum output power and pulse energy of 8.58 mW and 123.27 nJ, respectively. This finding shows that the Sm2O3 has good potential to be used as an alternative passive SA for the C-band all-fibre laser seed pulse

Electrical discharge machining of polycrystalline diamond using copper electrode – finishing condition

Research on machining process of Polycrystalline Diamond (PCD) is becoming important as the material was believed suitable to be used for cutting tools of advanced aeronautical structure. Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) was regarded as the suitable method to machine PCD due its noncontact process nature. The objective of this research is to determine the influence of several EDM parameter such as sparking current, pulse duration, and pulse interval to the material removal rate and surface roughness of the machined PCD. Instead of significantly influenced the material removal rate, the sparking current was also highly influenced tha surface roughness. Highest material removal rate of approximately 0.005mm3/s was recorded by the EDM process with the highest current used of 5A, and lowest pulse interval of 1µs. The influence of pulse duration is not clearly seen at the lowest pulse interval used. On the other hand, 0.4µm was the lowest surface roughness value obtained in this research indicated by the highest sparking current, highest sparking duration and lowest sparking interval of 5A, 1µs and 1µs respectively

Investigation of concrete floor vibration using heel-drop test

In recent years, there is an increased in floor vibration problems of structures like residential and commercial building. Vibration is defined as a serviceability issue related to the comfort of the occupant or damage equipment. Human activities are the main source of vibration in the building and it could affect the human comfort and annoyance of residents in the building when the vibration exceed the recommend level. A new building, Madrasah Tahfiz located at Yong Peng have vibration problem when load subjected on the first floor of the building. However, the limitation of vibration occurs on building is unknown. Therefore, testing is needed to determine the vibration behaviour (frequency, damping ratio and mode shape) of the building. Heel-drop with pace 2Hz was used in field measurement to obtain the vibration response. Since, the heel-drop test results would vary in light of person performance, test are carried out three time to reduce uncertainty. Natural frequency from Frequency Response Function analysis (FRF) is 17.4Hz, 16.8, 17.4Hz respectively for each test