Machine Learning Approach for Optimizing Negotiation Agents

The increasing popularity of Internet and World Wide Web (WWW) fuels the rise of electronic commerce (E-Commerce). Negotiation plays an important role in ecommerce as business deals are often made through some kind of negotiations. Negotiation is the process of resolving conflicts among parties having different criteria so that they can reach an agreement in which all their constraints are satisfied. Automating negotiation can save human’s time and effort to solve these combinatorial problems. Intelligent Trading Agency (ITA) is an automated agentbased one-to-many negotiation framework which is incorporated by several one-toone negotiations. ITA uses constraint satisfaction approach to evaluate and generate offers during the negotiation. This one-to-many negotiation model in e-commerce retail has advantages in terms of customizability, scalability, reusability and robustness. Since negotiation agents practice predefined negotiation strategies, decisions of the agents to select the best course of action do not take the dynamics of negotiation into consideration. The lack of knowledge capturing between agents during the negotiation causes the inefficiency of negotiation while the final outcomes obtained are probably sub-optimal. The objective of this research is to implement machine learning approach that allows agents to reuse their negotiation experience to improve the final outcomes of one-to-many negotiation. The preliminary research on automated negotiation agents utilizes case-based reasoning, Bayesian learning and evolutionary approach to learn the negotiation. The geneticbased and Bayesian learning model of multi-attribute one-to-many negotiation, namely GA Improved-ITA and Bayes Improved-ITA are proposed. In these models, agents learn the negotiation by capturing their opponent’s preferences and constraints. The two models are tested in randomly generated negotiation problems to observe their performance in negotiation learning. The learnability of GA Improved-ITA enables the agents to identify their opponent’s preferable negotiation issues. Bayes Improved-ITA agents model their opponent’s utility structure by employing Bayesian belief updating process. Results from the experimental work indicate that it is promising to employ machine learning approach in negotiation problems. GA Improved-ITA and Bayes Improved-ITA have achieved better performance in terms of negotiation payoff, negotiation cost and justification of negotiation decision in comparison with ITA. The joint utility of GA Improved-ITA and Bayes Improved-ITA is 137.5% and 125% higher than the joint utility of ITA while the negotiation cost of GA Improved-ITA is 28.6% lower than ITA. The negotiation successful rate of GA Improved-ITA and Bayes Improved-ITA is 10.2% and 37.12% higher than ITA. By having knowledge of opponent’s preferences and constraints, negotiation agents can obtain more optimal outcomes. As a conclusion, the adaptive nature of agents will increase the fitness of autonomous agents in the dynamic electronic market rather than practicing the sophisticated negotiation strategies. As future work, the GA and Bayes Improved-ITA can be integrated with grid concept to allocate and acquire resource among cross-platform agents during negotiation

Optimum Floor Framing System Supporting Largely Spaced Columns

The development of technology and design procedures of modern tall building that started in 1880s, now reached to an advanced level, particularlywith the use of software available for design and construction of tall buildings. The sophisticated structural systems high accuracy is possible to obtain. Besides the main structural system, selection of an appropriate floor framing system is essential to determine the overall economyof the building. The efficiencyof buildings using same material with the same height is measured by the weight per unit floor area of it. The focus of this project is to analyze the most optimum two-way concrete floor framing system, supporting largely spaced columns for tall buildings, especially public gathering buildings. Four types of floor framing systems were analyzed. Optimum in this context refers to the optimum deflection satisfying the permissible deflection range. Besides, cost effectiveness with minimum floor thickness fulfilling the head room specified is also taken into consideration. The grids of the slabs analyzed are 12m x 12m, 15mx 15m and 18mx 18m, while the types of floor framing systems analyzed are conventional beam-slab system, flat plate, waffle slabs and the post-tensioned flat slabs. The conventional beam-slab system acts as the bench mark for comparison. Computer modeling using STAAD.Pro 2002 was carried out. Two life load conditions, which are the normal floor and mechanical floor, with two life load patterns were modeled. The results were analyzed and the most optimum floor framing system was determined. The controlling parameters in determining the optimization of the floor framing system are the maximum deflection, the slab thickness, the floor headroom, the costandthe construct ability of the structure. With this analysis, the most optimum floor framing system can thus be applied for design of tall buildings with slabs supported by largely space columns in the future. Recommendations were given at theendof the report for further study of this project

Dynamic Responses of Semi-Submersible: A Comparison of Long-Crested and Short-Crested Waves with Current

As the development of oil and gas industry has progressed into deep-water, the study on deep-water offshore structures has become more important. Among the environmental force acting on the structures, wave forces are the most significant. Waves can be categorized as short-crested waves and long-crested waves based on the direction of propagation. Long-crested waves can be defined as two-dimensional waves, which extend infinitely in lateral direction. On the other hand, short-crested waves consist of a series of long-crested waves with random magnitude and directions in three-dimensional. It is more common to find short-crested waves in the real sea state instead of long-crested waves. Furthermore, no research has been performed on semi-submersible particularly focusing on short-crested waves and current concurrently. Therefore, the study to determine the dynamic responses of one of the deep-water offshore structures, i.e. semi-submersible platforms subjected to short-crested waves and current is more significant. In this study, a numerical comparative study on a typical eight-column semi-submersible model subjected to long-crested and short-crested waves with current had been conducted. In the research, frequency domain method, which adopted the Morison Equation and wave energy spectrum was utilized to obtain the responses in three degrees of freedom i.e. surge, heave, and pitch motion in term of Response Amplitude Operator (RAO). Besides, the maximum amplitude of each motion response was determined and compared. The results indicated that the dynamic responses for short-crested waves are approximately 50% lower than long-crested waves and the effect of current induced is insignificant

Association between myopia and amplitude of accommodation in young adults

Tujuan penyelidikan ini adalah untuk mengkaji hubungan diantara amplitud akomodasi (amplitude of accommodation) dan masalah refraksi (refractive error) di kalangan penuntut·penuntut perubatan dan kejururawatan daripada Pusat Pengajian Sains Perubatan (PPSP), Universiti Sains Malaysia. Disamping itu, faktor-faktor lain yang berkaitan dengan rabunjauh (myopia) turut disiasat. Sejumlah 110 penuntut-penuntut perubatan dan kejururawatan daripada PPSP Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan terlibat dalam penyelidikan ini. Sample dipilih daripada populasi dengan kaedah 'stratified random sampling' (stratified random sampling method). Masalah rabun masing-masing ditentukan, jarak 'near point' (near point distance) dan jarak 'far point'' (far point distance) diukur pada kedua-dua mata pada masa yang berasingan. Amplitud akomodasi dikira secara penolakan 'far point'(unit diopter) daripada 'near point' (unit diopter). Data analisis dilakukan dengan program SPSS. To describe the association between amplitude of accommodation and refractive error as well as to evaluate the risk factors associated with myopia among medical and nursing students from School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia. A total of 110 medical and nursing students with both eyes classified into the same refractive state namely emmetropia, low myopia and moderate to high myopia were enrolled in this study. The sample was randomly selected from the population with the stratified random sampling method. Refractive error, near point distance and far point distance were measured. Each eye of each subject was tested separately. The amplitude of accommodation was calculated by subtracting the far point (in diopters) from the near point (in diopter). Data analyzes was performed using SPSS software

Association between myopia and amplitude of accommodation in young adults

To describe the association between amplitude of accommodation and refractive error as well as to evaluate the risk factors associated with myopia among medical and nursing students from School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia. A total of 110 medical and nursing students with both eyes classified into the same refractive state namely emmetropia, low myopia and moderate to high myopia were enrolled in this study. The sample was randomly selected from the population with the stratified random sampling method. Refractive error, near point distance and far point distance were measured. Each eye of each subject was tested separately. The amplitude of accommodation was calculated by subtracting the far point (in diopters) from the near point (in diopter). Data analyzes was performed using SPSS software. Myopes were defined as those with refractive error of -0.75 diopter or more, have lower accommodative amplitudes (p=O.Ol2). Family history of myopia (p=0.002) and race (p=0.021) were other risk factors associated with myopia. Those with family history of myopia are at higher risk of getting myopia (odds ratio 4.4, p=0.002). After multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusting for various relevant variables, lower amplitude of accommodation (p=0.009) and family history of myopia (p=0.002) remained associated with myopia. Myopes with early onset myopia were related to higher degree of myopia (p=0.005). Early onset myopic subjects are at 5.1 times greater risk of getting higher degree of myopia (odds ratio= 5.1, p=0.005). Conclusions: This study demonstrates that lower amplitude of accommodation along with family history of myopia is important risk factors associated with myopia. On the other hand, the early onset of myopia is the risk factor for higher degree of myopia

Dynamic Responses of Semi-Submersible: A Comparison of Long-Crested and Short-Crested Waves with Current

As the development of oil and gas industry has progressed into deep-water, the study on deep-water offshore structures has become more important. Among the environmental force acting on the structures, wave forces are the most significant. Waves can be categorized as short-crested waves and long-crested waves based on the direction of propagation. Long-crested waves can be defined as two-dimensional waves, which extend infinitely in lateral direction. On the other hand, short-crested waves consist of a series of long-crested waves with random magnitude and directions in three-dimensional. It is more common to find short-crested waves in the real sea state instead of long-crested waves. Furthermore, no research has been performed on semi-submersible particularly focusing on short-crested waves and current concurrently. Therefore, the study to determine the dynamic responses of one of the deep-water offshore structures, i.e. semi-submersible platforms subjected to short-crested waves and current is more significant. In this study, a numerical comparative study on a typical eight-column semi-submersible model subjected to long-crested and short-crested waves with current had been conducted. In the research, frequency domain method, which adopted the Morison Equation and wave energy spectrum was utilized to obtain the responses in three degrees of freedom i.e. surge, heave, and pitch motion in term of Response Amplitude Operator (RAO). Besides, the maximum amplitude of each motion response was determined and compared. The results indicated that the dynamic responses for short-crested waves are approximately 50% lower than long-crested waves and the effect of current induced is insignificant

Optimum Floor Framing System Supporting Largely Spaced Columns

The development of technology and design procedures of modern tall building that started in 1880s, now reached to an advanced level, particularlywith the use of software available for design and construction of tall buildings. The sophisticated structural systems high accuracy is possible to obtain. Besides the main structural system, selection of an appropriate floor framing system is essential to determine the overall economyof the building. The efficiencyof buildings using same material with the same height is measured by the weight per unit floor area of it. The focus of this project is to analyze the most optimum two-way concrete floor framing system, supporting largely spaced columns for tall buildings, especially public gathering buildings. Four types of floor framing systems were analyzed. Optimum in this context refers to the optimum deflection satisfying the permissible deflection range. Besides, cost effectiveness with minimum floor thickness fulfilling the head room specified is also taken into consideration. The grids of the slabs analyzed are 12m x 12m, 15mx 15m and 18mx 18m, while the types of floor framing systems analyzed are conventional beam-slab system, flat plate, waffle slabs and the post-tensioned flat slabs. The conventional beam-slab system acts as the bench mark for comparison. Computer modeling using STAAD.Pro 2002 was carried out. Two life load conditions, which are the normal floor and mechanical floor, with two life load patterns were modeled. The results were analyzed and the most optimum floor framing system was determined. The controlling parameters in determining the optimization of the floor framing system are the maximum deflection, the slab thickness, the floor headroom, the costandthe construct ability of the structure. With this analysis, the most optimum floor framing system can thus be applied for design of tall buildings with slabs supported by largely space columns in the future. Recommendations were given at theendof the report for further study of this project

Persepsi guru Matematik terhadap penggunaan bahan media dalam pengajaran Matematik

The purpose of the study is to identify the relationship between the variables of teacher's perception towards the usage of media materials in teaching mathematics in secondary schools in Perlis. This study also identifies the differences in teachers' perception based on gender. A total of 181 mathematics teacher is involved as the respondents. The data is collected through questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS version 12. The results of the study reveal that there is a positive significant relationship between the skill variables and facilities provided, skill and effectiveness of usage media materials, facilities provided and effectiveness of usage media materials and facilities provided and problems faced. The results also show a negative significant relationship between the skill variables and problems faced and effectiveness of usage media materials and problems faced. The results of the study also indicate that there is a significant difference in perception between male and female teachers towards the usage of media material in teaching mathematics. The male teachers' perception is higher than female teachers. Through the findings, it is clear that the usage of media materials is important in the teaching of mathematics. Nevertheless, a good planning need to be carried out prior before using the media materials and these materials must also be used appropriately and relevant to the subject matter. In this way, the teaching of mathematics in the secondary schools will be more effective and efficient

Perception of Teachers Towards Media Usage in Teaching Mathematics in Secondary Schools

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to identify the relationship between the variables of teacher's perception towards the usage of media materials in teaching mathematics at secondary in the state of Perlis. This study also identifies the differences in teachers’ perception based on gender. A total of 181 mathematics teachers were involved. 71 (40%) male teachers and 110 (60%) female teachers participated in the study. The results of the study show that there is a positive significant relationship between the skill variables and facilities provided; skill and effectiveness of media material usage; facilities provided and effectiveness of media material usage; and facilities provided and problems faced. The results also show a negative significant relationship between the skill variables and problems faced and effectiveness of the usage of media materials and problems faced. The results of the study also indicate that there is a significant difference in perception between male and female teachers towards the use of media material in teaching mathematics. The male teachers’ perception is higher than female teachers. Through the findings, it is clear that the usage of media materials is important in the teaching of mathematics. Nevertheless, good planning is necessary before using media materials and these materials must be appropriate and relevant to the subject matter being taught. In this way, the teaching of mathematics in secondary schools will be more effective and efficient

Ultrasonic NDE for internal defect detection in multi-layered composite materials by multi-resolution signal decomposition

Ultrasonic NDE has been a well known approach to investigate material’s microstructures, mechanical properties and structure integrity in industry. The internal structure of a material and position of anomalies can be recognised by the reactions of different materials to ultrasound. However, the interpretation of ultrasound signals is difficult in composite material inspection task due to the fact that the ultrasonic pulse is reflected not only by the defect occurred within the material but the microstructures and multiple lay ups of the material. This phenomenon causes the backscattering noise to hinder the real defect’s signal during the inspection. Backscattering noise exists in multiple frequencies. The objective of this study was to develop a new noise reduction method to enhance the defect detectability in coarse-grained structure material such as composites materials. This method increases Signal-to-noise Ratio (SNR) by means of decomposing the original signal into multiresolution representations. To prevent the loss of information, the signal is processed in both temporal and frequency domain. The proposed method has been tested on simulated signal and Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastics (GFRP) laminates. Both simulation and experimental results showed that this method can significantly reduce grain noise while preserving the resolution of the original signal of the defect