Emergence of world-stock-market network

In the age of globalization, it is natural that the stock market of each country is not independent form the other markets. In this case, collective behavior could be emerged form their dependency together. This article studies the collective behavior of a set of forty influential markets in the world economy with the aim of exploring a global financial structure that could be called world-stock-market network. Towards this end, we analyze the cross-correlation matrix of the indices of these forty markets using Random Matrix Theory (RMT). We find the degree of collective behavior among the markets and the share of each market in their structural formation. This finding together with the results obtained from the same calculation on four stock markets reinforce the idea of a world financial market. Finally, we draw the dendrogram of the cross-correlation matrix to make communities in this abstract global market visible. The dendrogram, drawn by at least thirty percent of correlation, shows that the world financial market comprises three communities each of which includes stock markets with geographical proximity

Smart element aware gate controller for intelligent wheeled robot navigation

The directing of a wheeled robot in an unknown moving environment with physical barriers is a difficult proposition. In particular, having an optimal or near-optimal path that avoids obstacles is a major challenge. In this paper, a modified neuro-controller mechanism is proposed for controlling the movement of an indoor mobile robot. The proposed mechanism is based on the design of a modified Elman neural network (MENN) with an effective element aware gate (MEEG) as the neuro-controller. This controller is updated to overcome the rigid and dynamic barriers in the indoor area. The proposed controller is implemented with a mobile robot known as Khepera IV in a practical manner. The practical results demonstrate that the proposed mechanism is very efficient in terms of providing shortest distance to reach the goal with maximum velocity as compared with the MENN. Specifically, the MEEG is better than MENN in minimizing the error rate by 58.33%

Defect Reduction with the Use of Seven Quality Control Tools for Productivity Improvement at an Automobile Company

The goal of zero defects is pursued by many manufacturing and service companies. In this regard, statistical tools are being used for defect reduction leading to productivity improvement. In this work, seven traditional QC tools (flow chart, check sheet, histogram, Pareto chart, cause, and effect diagram, scatter diagram and control chart) have been developed and implemented in an automobile company to assess and improve the defect reduction level in the assembly line. Chassis and trim lined were selected for data collection to assess and improve the defect level for productivity improvement. It was found from the results that after the successful implementation of the QC tools, the defect level reduced by 90% (from 132 to 13 defects) at the chassis line. Similarly, the defect level was reduced by 80% (from 157 to 28 defects) at the trim line. The automobile company implemented only a few of the seven QC tools in their assembly line. It is suggested that the company may need to manage a mechanism for the implementation of all seven QC tools in every section of the company

Burden and associated factors for caregivers of the elderly in a developing country

The elderly population in South Asia is growing. In Pakistan trained caregivers are scarce and culturally not acceptable. This study assessed the level of stress experienced by caregivers of the elderly and determined the association of care giving burden with different characteristics of the elderly. A cross-sectional, questionnaire based study was conducted using nonprobability purposive sampling. All consenting participants aged 60 years and above needing help with at least one activity of daily living or two instrumental activities of daily living were included. 350 participants were assessed for perceived care giver burden. Care providers were mostly female (68.9%). Half (50.3%) of the caregivers had a positive score on a perceived care burden scale. Financial impact had a strong correlation (0.79) with perceived caregiver burden. Higher dependency levels of a physical and cognitive nature posed greater burden on caregivers. Behavioural issues of the elderly such as verbal abuse and difficulty sleeping were predictors of a higher caregiver burden. Caregiver burden is a significant issue for those caring for elderly family members in Karachi, Pakistan

Prevalence and Etiology of Heart Murmurs in 2-24-Months-Old Infants Kerman, Iran

Abstract: Background & aim: Congenital heart disease is one of the most common malformations at birth that require timely recognition and treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and etiology of detected heart murmurs and association between congenital heart disease and heart murmurs. Recognition of murmurs etiology would help us to manage and treat them properly. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 2757 infants between two to 24 months in Kerman city, Iran were enrolled. The infants who had heart murmurs in physical exam were referred to pediatric cardiologist for more evaluations such as echocardiography. Results: 2757 infants were screened for the presence of heart murmurs and murmurs were heard in 145 (5.29%) including 71 girls (49%) and 74 boys (51%). Innocent and pathologic murmurs prevalence was 49 and 51 percent, respectively. Altogether, left to right shunts [ventricular ceptal defect (VSD), atrial ceptal defect (ASD), patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD)] were the most common cardiac abnormalities in this study. The most common heart lesion was ventricular septal defect (21.6%). There was a significant correlation between younger infants, lower weights and girl sex with congenital heart disease. Conclusion: On base of our study, the incidence of pathologic heart murmurs related to congenital heart disease is more than innocent murmurs in infants; with accurate heart exam and timely screening, we can prevent irreversible heart complication in these ages. Keywords: Congenital heart disease, Murmur, Ventricular septal defect, Infant, Left to right shunt

Intelligent Model for Endpoint Accelerations of Two link Flexible Manipulator Using a Deep Learning Neural Network

This article investigates a two-link flexible manipulator (TLFM) that can be modelled utilizing a deep learning neural network. The system was classified under a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system. In the modelling stage of this study, the TLFM dynamic models were divided into single-input single-output (SISO) models. Since coupling impact was assumed to be minimised, the characterizations of TLFM were defined independently in each model. Two discrete SISO models of a flexible two link manipulator were developed using the torque input and the endpoint accelerations of each link. The input-output data pairs were collected from experimental work and utilised to establish the system model. The Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) algorithm optimised using Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) was selected as the model structure due to the system's high degree of nonlinearity. The identification of the TLFM system utilizing LSTM optimised by PSO was successful, according to the high-performance result of PSO. Using LSTM-PSO, it is demonstrated that both link 1 and 2 models are accurately identified and that their performance in terms of MSE for links endpoint acceleration 1 and 2 is within a 95% confidence interval

Inhibitory Activity of Leaves Extracts of Citrullus colocynthis Schrad. on HT29 Human Colon Cancer Cells

Aims: Citrullus colocynthis is a plant endemic in Asia, Africa and in the Mediterranean basin. It is used in folk medicine against infections, inflammations and cardiovascular and immune-related diseases. There are further evidences of the use of Citrullus colocynthis Schrad in the treatment of cancer in traditional practices. The present study aimed to determine the potential antiproliferative effects of different Citrullus colocynthis leaf extracts on human cancer cells. Methodology: Antiproliferative and antioxidant effects on HT-29 human colon cancer cells were detected by MTS assay and a modified protocol of the alkaline Comet assay. In vitro antioxidant activities of different leaf extracts were evaluated through DPPH, \u3b2-carotene/linoleic acid and reducing power assays. Results: The leaf chloroform extract exhibited the higher cell growth inhibitory activity without induction of DNA damage; it showed to be able to significantly decrease DNA damage induced by H2O2 (100 M). This antioxidant activity seems to be comparable to that of vitamin C (1 mM). Ethyl acetate, acetone and methanol leaf extracts showed to be the most effective in reducing the stable free DPPH radical (IC50 =113 g/ml), in transforming the Fe3+ to Fe2+ (IC50 = 134 \ub5g/ml) and in inducing linoleic acid oxidation with an inhibition of 31.9 %. Conclusion: Our results confirm the antiproliferative potential of Citrullus colocynthis Schrad. on human cancer cells

Intelligent PID Controller of Flexible Link Manipulator with Payload

This paper presents the experimental study of intelligent PID controller with the present of payload. The controllers were constructed to optimally track the desired hub angle and vibration suppression of DLFRM. The hub angle and end-point vibration models were identified based on NNARX structure. The results of all developed controllers were analyzed in terms of trajectory tracking and vibration suppression of DLFRM subjected to disturbance. The simulation studies showed that the intelligent PID controllers have provided good performance. Further investigation via experimental studies was carried out. The results revealed that the intelligent PID control structure able to show similar performance up to 20 g of payload hold by the system. Once the payload increased more than 20 g, the performance of the controller degrades. Thus, it can be concluded that, the controllers can be applied in real application, provided the tuning process were carried out with the existence of the maximum payload which will be subjected in the system. The 20 g payload value can act as uncertainty for the controller performance

Future Smartphone: MIMO Antenna System for 5G Mobile Terminals

In this article, an inverted L-shaped monopole eight elements Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) antenna system is presented. The multi-antenna system is designed on a low cost 0.8 mm thick FR4 substrate having dimensions of 136 x 68 mm(2) resonating at 3.5GHz with a 6dB measured bandwidth of 450MHz, and with inter element isolation greater than 15 dB and gain of 4 dBi. The proposed design consists of eight inverted L-shaped elements and parasitic L-shaped strips extending from the ground plane. These shorted stripes acted as tuning stubs for the four inverted L-shaped monopole elements on the side of chassis. This is done to achieve the desired frequency range by increasing the electrical length of the antennas. A prototype is fabricated, and the experimental results show good impedance matching with reasonable measured isolation within the desired frequency range. The MIMO performances, such as envelope correlation coefficient (ECC) and mean effective gain (MEG) are also calculated along with the channel capacity of 38.1bps/Hz approximately 2.6 times that of 4 x 4 MIMO system. Due to its simple shape and slim design, it may be a potential chassis for future handsets. Therefore, user hand scenarios, i.e. both single and dual hand are studied. Also, the effects of hand scenarios on various MIMO parameters are discussed along with the SAR. The performance of the proposed system in different scenarios suggests that the proposed structure holds promising future within the next generation radio smart phones