Improving Classification Accuracy Using Clustering Technique

Product classification is the key issue in e-commerce domains. Many products are released to the market rapidly and to select the correct category in taxonomy for each product has become a challenging task. The application of classification model is useful to precisely classify the products. The study proposed a method to apply clustering prior to classification. This study has used a large-scale real-world data set to identify the efficiency of clustering technique to improve the classification model. The conventional text classification procedures are used in the study such as preprocessing, feature extraction and feature selection before applying the clustering technique. Results show that clustering technique improves the accuracy of the classification model. The best classification model for all three approaches which are classification model only, classification with hierarchical clustering and classification with K-means clustering is K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN) model. Even though the accuracy of the KNN models are the same across different approaches but the KNN model with K-means clustering had the shortest time of execution. Hence, applying K-means clustering prior to KNN model helps in reducing the computation time

Detection of malachite green and leuco-malachite green in fishery industry

This article summarises the current methods for total malachite green (MG) detectionwhich is known as a sum of MG and leuco-malachite green (LMG) that has been used extensively in aquaculture as fungicide, dye color in textile and other purposes in food industries. LMG is a reducing form of MG, where the MG is easily reduced due to the photo-oxidative de-methylation process. Nevertheless, the use of MG had become an issue due to its toxicity effects. Many analytical instruments such as HPLC, LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, and spectrometry have been widely used for detection of MG. However, these methods require long time sample preparation and analysis, expensive, use hazardous reagents and indirect measurements. Hence, other analytical methods which are more sensitive, safe, rapid, inexpensive andportable are required. Alternatively, biosensors promise a more sensitive and rapid detection method for MG and LMG

Majority voting of ensemble classifiers to improve shoreline extraction of medium resolution satellite images

Coastal zones are constantly exposed to changes caused by natural processes, anthropogenic activities or both, which can precariously alter the coastal landscapes of many countries. Thus, monitoring of coastal zones is needed to provide important information about current conditions of a countrys coastal areas by examining changes that are taking place. In this respect, such monitoring can be carried out by traditional ground survey, airborne aerial photo, or remote sensing. However, the former is more effective and efficient as it can extract vital boundary information from satellite images using appropriate image analysis. Nonetheless, shoreline extraction has a number of challenges, and many methods have been proposed to improve such extraction, such as the use of machine learning methods. Thus, this study was carried out to determine the most effective ensemble voting classifier based on two different types of classifiers, comprising 11 single classifiers and 4 ensemble classifiers. Performance criteria of the classifiers were based on the overall accuracy, training time, and testing time. The analysis of the experimental data revealed several interesting results. First, for the combination of single and ensemble classifiers, ensemble classifiers with majority voting of Random Forest and Support Vector Machine RBF kernel were the most effective classifiers, attaining high overall accuracy. Second, for the combination of two single classifiers, Multilayer Perceptron and k-Nearest Neighbor attained high overall accuracy, rendering them as the most effective classifiers in this category of classifiers. Third, there were trade-offs between performance measures, as increased overall accuracy was accompanied by longer training and testing time in the performance of such classifiers as both of voting-based ensemble classifiers increased significantly

Evaluation of organ dose and image quality metrics of pediatric CT Chest-Abdomen-Pelvis (CAP) examination: an anthropomorphic phantom study

The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of CT acquisition parameter setting on organ dose and its influence on image quality metrics in pediatric phantom during CT examination. The study was performed on 64-slice multidetector CT scanner (MDCT) Siemens Definition AS (Siemens Sector Healthcare, Forchheim, Germany) using various CT CAP protocols (P1–P9). Tube potential for P1, P2, and P3 protocols were fixed at 100 kVp while P4, P5, and P6 were fixed at 80 kVp with used of various reference noise values. P7, P8, and P9 were the modification of P1 with changes on slice collimation, pitch factor, and tube current modulation (TCM), respectively. TLD-100 chips were inserted into the phantom slab number 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, and 14 to represent thyroid, lung, liver, stomach, gonads, and skin, respectively. The image quality metrics, signal to noise ratio (SNR) and contrast to noise ratio (CNR) values were obtained from the CT console. As a result, this study indicates a potential reduction in the absorbed dose up to 20% to 50% along with reducing tube voltage, tube current, and increasing the slice collimation. There is no significant difference (p > 0.05) observed between the protocols and image metrics

Task-based assessment on various optimization protocols of computed tomography Pulmonary Angiography examination

This prospective study was designed to assess CT performance by using the task-based image quality assessment and to identify the influence of iterative reconstruction (IR) algorithm, tube potential and pitch factor selection on dose and image quality during Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography (CTPA) examination. An image quality phantom, Catphan-600 was utilized in this study for assessing the image quality of CTPA protocols under 128-multislice CT scanner (Philips Brilliance iCT, USA). The standard CTPA protocols were altered on its tube potential, pitch factor and iterative reconstruction algorithm (IR). Three different levels of iDose, an IR algorithm were measured in this study. The result was presented in term of signal to noise ratio (SNR), contrast to noise ratio (CNR), noise power spectrum (NPS) and target transfer function (TTF). A massive improvement of the CNR and distortion of noise texture were observed with increasing the IR algorithm level. Noise value reduction was significantly achieved by increasing the tube potential selection although there are no changes in TTF values. The alteration of pitch factor provides some fluctuation on both NPS and TTF values. In conclusion, the task-based measurement was performed, and this technique allow for characterizing the image quality with a different type of quantitative measurement for local CTPA protocols

Bioinformatics in Malaysia: Hope, Initiative, Effort, Reality, and Challenges

The published articles in PLoS Computational Biology on the development of computational biology research in Mexico, Brazil, Cuba, Costa Rica, and Thailand have inspired us to report on the development of bioinformatics activities in Malaysia. Rapid progress in molecular biology research and biotechnology in Malaysia has created sufficient demand for bioinformatics in Malaysia. Although bioinformatics in Malaysia started in the early 1990s, the initial focus on the development of the biotechnology industry has curtailed the early gains and overshadowed the systematic development of bioinformatics in Malaysia, which currently lacks in human capital development, research, and commercialization. However, government initiatives have been devised to develop the necessary national bioinformatics network and human resource development programs and to provide the necessary infrastructure, connectivity, and resources for bioinformatics. Stakeholders are experiencing reorientation and consolidating existing strengths to align with the global trends in bioinformatics. This exercise is expected to reinvigorate the bioinformatics industry in Malaysia. Tapping into niche expertise and resources such as biodiversity and coupling it with the existing biotechnology infrastructure will help to create sustainable development momentum for the future. An initiative arose from several senior scientists across local universities in Malaysia to promote this new scientific discipline in the country

MENGEKANG IMPAK NEGATIF SHARENTING: SATU KAJIAN TENTANG KETERLIBATAN AGENSI KERAJAAN DAN BADAN BUKAN KERAJAAN KETIKA PANDEMIK COVID-19 (Curbing the Negative Impact of Sharenting: A Study on the Involvement of Government Agencies and Non-Governmental Organizations During the Covid-19 Pandemic)

Perkataan sharenting pada asasnya ialah gabungan daripada dua perkataan bahasa Inggeris iaitu sharing dan parenting. Istilah sharenting merujuk kepada fenomena perkongsian foto dan video anak-anak serta maklumat pengenalan diri yang lain oleh ibu bapa pada akaun media sosial mereka sendiri. Penggunaan lazim media sosial sebagai platform untuk perkongsian yang kebiasaannya mempunyai perlindungan privasi yang sangat minimum, telah mewujudkan kebimbangan dalam masyarakat. Sepanjang tempoh Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan (PKP) yang dikuatkuasakan kerana penularan wabak COVID-19, penggunaan media sosial sebagai medium penyebaran maklumat dan perkongsian bukanlah sesuatu yang asing. Ia menjadi sebahagian daripada norma baharu kehidupan apabila pertemuan bersemuka menjadi sukar atau mustahil disebabkan oleh beberapa faktor. Ditambah pula dengan kewujudan pelbagai aplikasi yang kebanyakannya dapat diakses secara percuma melalui capaian Internet dan telefon pintar mudah alih. Percambahan perkongsian tentang kehidupan seharian termasuk aktiviti sharenting berlaku secara berleluasa tanpa sekatan. Di sebalik kesan positif daripada perkongsian ini, wujud implikasi negatif kepada fizikal, mental dan spiritual kanak-kanak. Bertunjangkan kepada mengawal impak negatif sharenting terhadap kanak-kanak, artikel ini memfokuskan peruntukan undang-undang sedia ada yang melindungi kanak-kanak di Malaysia selain mengenal pasti peranan agensi kerajaan dan badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) di Malaysia dalam menangani isu sharenting. Kajian ini menggunakan kaedah penyelidikan kualitatif bagi menghuraikan peranan agensi kerajaan dan NGO dalam membendung kesan buruk daripada perbuatan sharenting. Analisis data dibuat melalui kaedah penelitian terhadap beberapa dokumen statut utama seperti Akta Kanak-Kanak 2001; Akta Kesalahan-Kesalahan Seksual terhadap Kanak-kanak 2017; dan Akta Komunikasi dan Multimedia 1998 di samping hasil temu bual yang dijalankan dengan beberapa orang responden untuk menghalusi isu ini dengan lebih mendalam dan praktikal. Artikel ini menyimpulkan bahawa mekanisme kawalan perlulah mengimbangi hak ibu bapa terhadap anak-anak tanpa meminggirkan hak anak-anak. Dalam keadaan konflik antara hak- hak tersebut, kebajikan anak-anak perlulah diberikan keutamaan. Oleh itu, kerjasama daripada pelbagai pihak termasuk agensi kerajaan dan NGO amat diperlukan kerana peranan yang dimainkan oleh setiap pihak adalah berbeza-beza demi mengurangkan impak negatif daripada perbuatan sharenting. Abstract Sharenting is a combination of sharing and parenting. The term ‘sharenting’ refers to the growing phenomenon of parents sharing photos and videos of their children, as well as other identifying information, on their own social media accounts. It is the habitual use of these platforms, which often have minimal privacy protection, causing concern in the community. Throughout the implementation of Movement Control Order (MCO) due to the spread of COVID-19, the use of social media as a medium of dissemination of information and sharing is not uncommon. It became part of the new norm of life when face-to-face encounters become difficult or impossible due to several factors, coupled with the existence of a variety of apps that are mostly accessible for free with the availability of Internet access and smartphones, the proliferation of sharing about everyday life including sharenting activities taking place without restrictions. Despite the positive effects of sharing, there are negative physical, mental and spiritual implications for children. Focusing on controlling the negative impacts of sharenting on children, this study focuses on the provisions of existing laws that protect children in Malaysia and identify the role of government agencies and NGOs in Malaysia in addressing this sharenting issue. Using qualitative research methods, this study describes the role of government and NGOs in curbing the adverse effects of these sharenting acts. Data were analysed using the content analysis method to several statutes such as the Child Act 2001, Sexual Offences against Children Act 2017 and Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and findings from interviews with several respondents to further refine this issue. This article concludes that control mechanisms must be balanced between parental rights towards children without marginalizing children’s rights. In the event of a conflict between these rights, the welfare of children should be given priority. Therefore, the cooperation of various parties including government agencies and NGOs, is needed to mitigate the negative impact of the sharenting act by acknowledging the different roles played by each party. Keywords: sharenting, laws, government agencies, NGOs, children’s rights

Single phase shunt active power filter with simplified ADALINE neural network

Shunt active power filter is known as powerful tool to compensate current harmonics. Previous development of its controller was by using modified ADALINE algorithm for harmonics extraction, which somehow still having complex features. Therefore, this paper presents three major improvements to the algorithm in related to sine and cosine vectors, weight updating algorithm, and average square error. The proposed algorithm is designed and developed in shunt APF's controller, and the shunt APF is simulated in MATLAB/Simulink. The simulation results show significant improvement as compared to the previous algorithm

Anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic properties of spirulina platensis and spirulina lonar: a comparative study

Spirulina spp. is a blue-green algae belongs to the family of Oscillatoriaceae, which having diverse biological activity. The aim of this current study was to evaluate and compare the anti-pyretic and anti-inflammatory activity of Spirulina platensis/SP and Spirulina lonar/SL extracts. In the anti-pyretic study, the ability to reduce the rectal temperature of rats induced pyrexia with 2g/kg Brewer’s Yeast (BY) was performed. Rats were dosed either 2 or 4 mg/kg SP or SL. Rectal temperature was taken every hour for 8 hours. Results shown that there were significant dosedependent (p<0.05) reduction of both treatments. However, SP treatment revealed faster reduction in rectal temperature. For anti inflammatory activity, the reduction in the volume of paw edema induced by Prostaglandin E2 (100 IU/rat intraplantar) was measured. Rats were dosed orally with 2 or 4 mg/kg SP or SL. The paw edema was measured every 30 minutes for 4 hours using plethysmometer. Results had shown a significant dose dependent reduction in diameter of paw edema (p<0.05). The finding suggests that SP and SL extracts have anti-pyretic and anti inflammatory properties. However, SP was found to be more effective than SL as anti-pyretic and anti-inflammatory agent

Jom Baca@PHS: Building Foundation for Lifelong Learning

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is a pioneering university that strives to empower future talent and next generation towards a sustainable knowledge transformation. Hamzah Sendut Library in supporting this effort has formed the Reading Campaign Committee with the tagline „Jombaca@PHS‟. This committee is established to promote love for books and reading culture to Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) community in particular and society in general. The Library realizes that the expertise to manage reading materials shouldn‟t be keep by its own, but rather to be shared to others in need. Since its inception in 2009, various programs have been carried out to meet the objective. Numerous programs were conducted under three main programs, namely Community Network, Exhibition and Sharing is Caring. Starting as small-scale projects, now these initiatives have shown its positive impacts especially in building foundation for lifelong learning among USM community