A heuristics approach for classroom scheduling using genetic algorithm technique

Reshuffling and arranging classroom based on the capacity of the audience, complete facilities, lecturing time and many more may lead to a complexity of classroom scheduling. While trying to enhance the efficiency in classroom planning, this paper proposes a heuristic approach for timetabling optimization. A new algorithm was produced to take care of the timetabling problem in a university. The proposed of heuristics approach will prompt a superior utilization of the accessible classroom space for a given time table of courses at the university. Genetic Algorithm through Java programming languages were used in this study and aims at reducing the conflicts and optimizes the fitness. The algorithm considered the quantity of students in each class, class time, class size, time accessibility in each class and lecturer who in charge of the classes

Comparison between conventional and microwave-assisted hydrodistillation methods towards extraction of essential oils from Murraya koenigii (Curry leaves)

Study on the extraction of essential oils from leaves of Murraya koenigii had been carried out by conventional hydrodistillation (HD) and microwave-assisted hydrodistillation (MAHD) methods. Time of the first oil droplet, percentage yield of the extracted oils and the chemical components of the extracted essential oils from both methods were compared. The running time for MAHD was set at one and half hour while running time for HD was 5 hours. The major components from the essential oils obtained from HD method were β-copaene (41.5%), α-selinene (10.0%) and α-humulene (8.4%). Meanwhile, major chemical components extracted from MAHD method were β-caryophyllene (19.5%), terpine-4-ol (17.6%) and linalool (9.8%). A total of 79.6% of chemical components were identified from essential oil extracted through HD method while MAHD method was 75.7%. The first oil droplet for HD method was found to be at 34 minutes and 20 minutes for MAHD method. MAHD is more preferable method for extracting essential oils from Murraya koenigii as it provides high extraction efficiency with less time taken

A Detail Study of Wavelet Families for EMG Pattern Recognition

Wavelet transform (WT) has recently drawn the attention of the researchers due to its potential in electromyography (EMG) recognition system. However, the optimal mother wavelet selection remains a challenge to the application of WT in EMG signal processing. This paper presents a detail study for different mother wavelet function in discrete wavelet transform (DWT) and continuous wavelet transform (CWT). Additionally, the performance of different mother wavelet in DWT and CWT at different decomposition level and scale are also investigated. The mean absolute value (MAV) and wavelength (WL) features are extracted from each CWT and reconstructed DWT wavelet coefficient. A popular machine learning method, support vector machine (SVM) is employed to classify the different types of hand movements. The results showed that the most suitable mother wavelet in CWT are Mexican hat and Symlet 6 at scale 16 and 32, respectively. On the other hand, Symlet 4 and Daubechies 4 at the second decomposition level are found to be the optimal wavelet in DWT. From the analysis, we deduced that Symlet 4 at the second decomposition level in DWT is the most suitable mother wavelet for accurate classification of EMG signals of different hand movements.

Plastic pollution in the ocean

Plastic pollution in the ocean was first reported by scientists in the 1970s, yet in recent years it has drawn tremendous attention from the media, the public, and an increasing number of scientists spanning diverse fields, including polymer science, environmental engineering, ecology, toxicology, marine biology, and oceanography. In the oceans, the threat to marine life comes in various forms, such as overexploitation and harvesting, dumping of waste, pollution, alien species, land reclamation, dredging and global climate change. The extremely visible nature of much of this contamination is easy to convey in shocking images of piles of trash on coastlines, marine mammals entangled in fishing nets, or seabird bellies filled with bottle caps, cigarette lighters, and colourful shards of plastic. Even without these images, anyone who has visited a beach has certainly encountered discarded cigarette butts, broken beach toys left behind, or pieces of fishing gear or buoys that have washed ashore

Combating H1N1: metaphors of war in a Malaysian newspaper

In April 2009, reports of a new strain of a deadly flu virus emerged in Mexico. The scarcity of information available on this new threat can be observed clearly in the language used in the news reports. This study investigates the use of conceptual metaphors of the Influenza A (H1N1) pandemic in the newspaper and how these metaphors helped to construct the notion of a pandemic in the media. Metaphors of illness and disease are a prominent tool in the discourse of disease in the news. The conceptual metaphor theory by Lakoff and Johnson (1980) was utilized as a framework in this study to investigate the coverage of the pandemic in the newspaper. The data was extracted from a corpus of news reports from The New Straits Times Malaysia from April 2009 to August 31, 2009 when the disease was at its peak. The results of the study yielded various metaphorical linguistic expression of war and construction of the pandemic in the news. Metaphors of war were found to be prominent, and it had a rhetorical function in helping to structure and control the situation. By highlighting certain aspects of war, the concept of disease was given a form and structure and thus, made it more tangible and controllable

A wideband dielectric resonator antenna with a cross slot aperture for 5G communications

This paper represents design of a wideband Rectangular Dielectric Resonator antenna fed by an aperture coupled technique. A bandwidth of 2.2 GHz has been achieved using a cross slot aperture in a ground plane for Dielectric Resonator Antenna (DRA). The simulated gain value achieved is 6.5dBi. The Rectangular Dielectric Resonator which has been designed in this paper can be used in 5G application frequency band of 24.25-27.5 GHz. The calculated percentage bandwidth is 15.38 %. An optimization of slot dimensions has also mentioned which can help to select a desired impedance match. The measured gain and bandwidth are efficient to use this design for various 5G applications. This unit cell wideband DRA can be used for millimeter wave frequencies of 5G

Wideband and high gain dielectric resonator antenna for 5G applications

In this paper, wideband high gain dielectric resonator antenna for 5G applications is presented. Higher order mode is exploited to enhance the antenna gain, while the array of symmetrical cylindrical shaped holes drilled in the DRA to improves the bandwidth by reducing the quality factor. The proposed DRA is designed using dielectric material with relative permittivity of 10 and loss tangent of 0. 002.The Rogers RT/Droid 5880 has been selected as substrate with relative permittivity of 2.2, loss tangent of 0.0009- and 0.254-mm thickness. The simulated results show that, the proposed geometry has achieved a wide impedance bandwidth of 17.3% (23.8-28.3GHz=4.5 GHz) for S11<-10 dB, and a maximum gain of about 9.3 dBi with radiation efficiency of 96% at design frequency of 26 GHz.  The DRA is feed by  microstrip transmission line with slot aperture. The reflection coefficient, the radiation pattern, and the antenna gain are studied by full-wave EM simulator CST Microwave Studio. The proposed antenna can be used for the 5G communication applications such as device to device communication (D2D)

Defoliation and its effect on morphology, biochemical parameters, yield and yield attributes of soybean

Loss of foliage in soybean crop through leaf eating insects and diseases is common in tropical and sub-tropical countries where farmers do not protect their crops adequately. Experiment was performed under sub-tropical condition (24°8' N, 90°0' E) with four levels of defoliations (0, 25, 50 and 75% from base of the canopy). Defoliations were imposed at the visible bud initiation stage to investigate the growth and yield attributes in two popular soybean varieties during January to April 2011. Results revealed that degrees of defoliations simultaneously decreased leaf area and total dry matter (TDM) production irrespective of varieties. Defoliation not only reduced source sizes but also decreased total sink (pod) production resulting in lower seed yields. However, basal 25% defoliation did not decrease TDM, seed weight/plant and seed yield/ha significantly indicating the fact that the soybean plant, in general, can tolerate 25% basal leaf loss of the canopy. Exceeding this threshold limit (>25%) of the canopy defoliation reduced TDM and seed yield significantly. Implication of the results in relation to pest management was also discussed