267 research outputs found
Food security modelling using two stage hybrid model and fuzzy logic risk assessment
Food security has become a key issue worldwide in recent years. According to the
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affair (DEFRA) UK, the key
components of food security are food availability, global resource sustainability,
access, food chain resilience, household food security, safety and confidence of public
towards food system. Each of these components has its own indicators which need to
be monitored. Only a few studies had been made towards analysing food security and
most of these studies are based on conventional data analysis methods such as the use
of statistical techniques. In handling food security datasets such as crops yield,
production, economy growth, household behaviour and others, where most of the data
is imprecise, non-linear and uncertain in nature, it is better to handle the data using
intelligent system (IS) techniques such as fuzzy logic, neural networks, genetic
algorithm and hybrid systems, rather than conventional techniques. Therefore this
thesis focuses on the modelling of food security using IS techniques, and a newly
developed hybrid intelligent technique called a 2-stage hybrid (TSH) model, which is
capable of making accurate predictions. This technique is evaluated by considering
three applications of food security research areas which relate to each of the indicators
in the DEFRA key food security components. In addition, another food security
model was developed, called a food security risk assessment model. This can be used
in assessing the level of risk for food security.
The TSH model is constructed by using two key techniques; the Genetic Algorithm
(GA) module and the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) module, where these modules
combine the global and local search, by optimizing the inputs of ANN in the first
stage process and optimizing of weight and threshold of ANN, which is then used to
remodel the ANN resulting in better prediction. In evaluating the performance of the
TSH prediction model, a total of three datasets have been used, which relate to the
food security area studied. These datasets involve the prediction of farm household
output, prediction of cereal growth per capita as the food availability main indicators
in food security component, and grain security assessment prediction. The TSH
prediction model is benchmarked against five others techniques. Each of these five
techniques uses an ANN as the prediction model. The models used are: Principal
Component Analysis (PCA), Multi-layered Perceptron-Artificial Neural Network
(MLP-ANN), feature selection (FS) of GA-ANN, Optimized Weight and Threshold
(OWTNN) and Sensitive Genetic Neural Optimization (SGNO). Each of the
application datasets considered is used to show the capability of the TSH model in
making effective predictions, and shows that the general performance of the model is
better than the other benchmarked techniques. The research in this thesis can be
considered as a stepping-stone towards developing other tools in food security
modelling, in order to aid the safety of food security
Applying the Bayesian Technique in Designing a Single Sampling Plan
The Bayesian sampling plans for production inspection are considered a technique of sampling inspection techniques for determining the characteristics of the sampling plan based on the assumption that the rate of defectives is a random variable that varies from one production batch to the next, resulting in a probability distribution f(p) that could be determined based on experience and the available quality information available. As part of this study, the parameters of a single Bayesian sampling plan (n,c) were derived by using the Beta-Binomial distribution and compared with those of other single sampling plans. Researchers have identified (ALA company for soft drinks), which handles product quality control. 120 production batches were selected, and the size of the batch and the number of defective items were used to determine the proportion of defective items, given that the variable varies randomly from one production batch to the next. Bayesian and decision-making models can be implemented to create a single sampling inspection process that is close to the actual quality level. The researchers discovered that when the decision-making model was used, the sample size was minimal compared to other inspection plans, leading to a low inspection cost
Anti-inflammatory activity of Nigella sativa oil in rats
Nigella sativa (N. sativa), commonly known as black seed, has been a well known herb since ancient times with
a wide range of healing properties. The aim of this study was to investigate anti-inflammatory activity of N. sativa seed
oil at three dosages on carrageenan-induced paw oedema, total white blood cell (TWBC) count and plasma protein in
rats. Acute inflammation was induced by subplantar injection of carrageenan (0.1 ml, 1 % w/v) into the rat hind paw.
500 mglkg, 1000 mg/kg and 1500 mg/kg of N. sativa oil were administrated orally. Paw oedema, total white blood cell
count and plasma protein were assessed. N. sativa seed oil exerted significant inhibition of paw oedema at the dosage
of 1500 mg/kg at second hour and plasma protein at a dosage of 1000 mg/kg at third hour (p< 0.05). No significant
inhibition ofTWBC count was exerted by N. sativa seed oil at third hour after treatment at dosages used in this study.
There was also dose-dependent correlation of N. sativa seed oil on inhibition of paw oedema. These results support the
traditional use of N. sativa seed oil for the treatment of inflammatory diseases
Perencanaan Embung Tamanrejo Kecamatan Sukorejo, Kabupaten Kendal
The population and community activities that lead to increased irrigation water demand is increasing and causing problems between water balance demand and water availability. To overcome this case was built water building of small dam. Tamanrejo small dam situated on the Kajar River, Sukorejo Kendal Regency. Tamanrejo small dam is planned to meet the needs of irrigation water in the District Sukorejo, irrigation area that will be served an estimated area of 750 acres. Discharge mainstay Kajar River calculated based FJ. Mock method with the probability of 20% is not being met. In Agustus until November there is a shortage of water at 108.493,75 m3. Small dam volume of 126.073,69 m3 is at an elevation of +140,00 m to +147,00 m. The result of water balance calculations indicate that the volume of 126.073,69 m3 can to meet the need of irrigation water when the river have flow shortage. Calculation results obtained irrigation water needs 1,54 l/sec/acres as irrigation water requirement rate on average. Construction of a small dam Tamanrejo be making use of the spillway and dam embankment body. Determination of dimensions small dam Tamanrejo use flood discharge plan from the HSS Gama I method of 83,189 m3/sec with a return period of 50 years. The planned small dam 11 m high, with a base elevation ponds +140,00 m, +151,00 m small dam crest elevation. Small dam crest width of 5,00 m, upstream slope of 1:3 and downstream slope of 1:2,25. In planning small dam Tamanrejo used ogee type open spillway (overflow spillway) with a width of 25 m, length 13 m and elevation crest spillway at +147,00 m, using an eject USBR type III with a length of 5,00 m. Plan Implementation time is 24 weeks with work plan budget of Rp. 6,258,700,000.00 (Six Billion Two Hundred Fiffty Eight Million Seven Hundred Thousand Rupiah). Conclusion with built small dam can overcome the shortage of irrigation water
Assessment Tools for Detecting Malnutrition among Elderly in Shelter Homes: A Systematic Review
Assessing nutritional status in older people is essential to screen for malnutrition and identify the individuals requiring nutritional intervention for a better quality of life and longer life expectancy. This review aimed to investigate malnutrition and the role of nutritional assessment tools among older people in Malaysia. We systematically reviewed the publications from 2000 to 2019 using PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus databases, recovering 15 original articles published until January 2022. This systematic review was conducted from May to September 2022. Two reviewers were involved in the process of the selection of articles and data extraction. Only research papers on malnutrition among older people in institutionalized settings in Malaysia were included. Four articles related to malnutrition in older people in old folk homes in Malaysia were included in this review. The tools with the most significant evidence were Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and Nutritional Health Checklist (NHC) in residential care for the elderly. It was found that the incidence of malnutrition among the elderly in old folk homes in Malaysia ranged from 12.3% to 17.4%. Meanwhile, 40.4% to 57.7% of the population are documented to be at risk of malnutrition. NA and DETERMINE NHC were found to be most suitable for use in residential care due to their high sensitivity and specificity. A subsequent study is proposed to build and implement a scoring system to rate screening tools based on the validity, suitability, and practicability of the tools to help with malnutrition screening research and clinical practice in Malaysia and internationall
The Evaluation of Potentiostats: Electrochemical Detection Devices
This study evaluated the performance of three types of potentiostats; EmStat, CheapStat and UTMStat. EmStat is the smallest potentiostat available in the market. CheapStat is an open-source potentiostat suitable for educational applications. In addition, UTMStat is the extension of CheapStat, which was designed to overcome few weaknesses of CheapStat such as the input controller/ switch and data storage handling of the cyclic voltammogram. The cyclic voltammetry and amperometry measurements of ions ferrocyanide ([Fe(CN)6]4−) and chloride (Cl-) were carried out for each potentiostat. EmStat potentiostat is not only able to detect but also to measure ferrocyanide and chloride ions. However, CheapStat and UTMStat are only able to detect and measure ferrocyanide ions. The experiment is unable to be conducted due to limitation of waveform selection on both devices. Nevertheless, CheapStat and UTMStat could provide a reliable measurement to realize miniaturized lab-on-chip applications as shown in this study
Flexible ECG circuit fabrication and application using vinyl cutting technique
The aim of this study is to prove the capability of vinyl cutting technique to cut the conductive traces of electronic circuit layout which used a copper tape (Copper tape 1181 from 3M) on flexible substrate to replace the method of using nano-scale particle material. A wireless electrocardiography (ECG) circuit was integrated and fabricated on flexible substrate, namely a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate by using vinyl cutting method to produce the conductive line traces. After that, the fabricated circuit is used for acquiring ECG signals from a patient simulator and human subjects to measure the performance differences and compatibility as a wearable device. In the data processing stage, ECG data were denoised using sym20 from Wavelet Transform tool provided by MATLAB. Then, Signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) was calculated and used as the signal quality indicator. At the end of the study, flexible circuit performance was compared to MIT-BIH Arrhythmia database and it shows that there is no significance difference between both. In conclusion, vinyl cutting method shows a promising fabrication output on PET substrate as the performance of both flexible ECG circuit is comparable with rigid ECG circuit by a previous study
PEMENUHAN KEBUTUHAN OKSIGENASI DENGAN PEMBERIAN POSISI HEAD UP 30˚ PADA PASIEN STROKE
Stroke as cerebrovascular damage, is a loss of brain function caused by cessation or reduced blood supply to an area of the brain, resulting in local or global neurological dysfunction. Substandard blood flow in stroke patients can lead to hemodynamic abnormalities, where hemodynamic conditions affect the distribution of oxygen throughout the body, affect heart function and reduce oxygen saturation so that stroke is an emergency case and requires fast and appropriate help. Purpose: of this study was to determine how to fulfill the need for oxygenation by giving a 30˚ head up position in stroke patients. Method: used is a literature study or literature review using articles/journals in the form of fulfilling oxygen needs by giving a 30˚ head up position in stroke patients. Results: showed that there was a significant increase in oxygen saturation levels after the 30˚ head up position in stroke patients. Conclusion :of this study is that one of the interventions that can be carried out in fulfilling oxygenation in stroke patients is giving a 30 head up position with a head elevation or 30˚ head up position that can facilitate increased cerebral blood flow and maximize cerebral tissue oxygenatio
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