A fuzzy art neural network based color image processing and recognition scheme

This paper is concerned with the application of an enhanced Fuzzy ART neural network algorithm for color image processing and recognition. A new category choice function was proposed that allows modifications to the category’s weight vector when elements of the weight vector are smaller than elements of the input learning vector. To improve the learning process from the input data, a new learning rule was suggested. In this paper, a new method is proposed to deal with the RGB color image pixels, which enables a Fuzzy ART neural network to process the RGB color images. The application of the algorithm was implemented and tested on a set of RGB color face imagesKeywords: Color image processing, RGB, Fuzzy AR

Smart Home Environment Modelled with a Multi-Agent System

A smart home can be considered a place of residence that enables the management of appliances and systems to help with day-to-day life by automated technology. In the current paper is described a prototype that simulates a context-aware environment, developed in a designed smart home. The smart home environment has been simulated using three agents and five locations in a house. The context-aware agents behave based on predefined rules designed for daily activities. Our proposal aims to reduce operational cost of running devices. In the future, monitors of health aspects belonging to home residents will sustain their healthy life daily.Comment: 12 pages, 8 figures, journal articl

The Impact of Fluctuations in Foreign Exchange Rates on Financial Performance: An Applied Study on the Industrial and Service Companies Listed on the Palestine Exchange During 2014-2019

The Foreign exchange rate or the FX is usually defined as the price at which a currency pair is converted, where it plays an important role in the international trade, economic performance, and balances of payment (Lagat & Nyandema, 2016). This paper aimed to find out the effect of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates (JOD and EUR against the NIS) on the financial performance represented by economic value added (EVA), return on assets (ROA), share price, (SP) and Earning per Share (EPS) for industrial and service companies listed on the Palestine Stock Exchange, during (24) extended quarters (From 2014 to 2019). The study sample included (14) companies, of which (9) were industrial companies, and (4) service companies. To achieve the objective of the study, the quantitative analysis approach based on reference to sectional time series data (Panel Data) was used. Keywords: fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, financial performance, industrial and service companies listed on the Palestine Exchange. DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/14-17-02 Publication date:September 30th 202

Risk factors of Hepatitis C in Gaza strip; Palestine

Hepatitis C virus infection is a global public health problem. An estimated 3% of the world population is chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). It accounts for approximately 20% of cases of acute hepatitis and 70% of cases of chronic hepatitis. Chronic hepatitis C is a major cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Preliminary studies show that prevalence of HCV among blood donors in Gaza Strip is 0.3%. The main objective of this case control study is to define the risk factors of HCV among Gaza Strip, population. Variables studied include demographic status (sex, age, governorate, locality, maritual status, education level, occupation), and another risk factors for HCV transmission (travel abroad, health workers, blood transfusion, blood donation, having surgery, having insulin injection, having caesarian, having tattooing, visiting dentist, using un sterile injection, hemodialysis, using analgesics, making sure that barber changing the razor, practicing illegal sex, sharing family in teeth brush, sharing family with razor, sharing family with nail cutter). The study population is a sample of all reported positive cases in the records of bloodbanks and central laboratories in Gaza Strip for the year 2004. Two controls are chosen for each positive case, one from neighboring and the other from negative HCV-blood donors. The reported cases are coming from the five districts in Gaza Strip. At the time, controls are selected from the same localities. Number of cases reaches sixty eight (68) cases, and the number of controls is one hundred thirty six (136This step is followed by designing an entry model using computer software "Statistical Package for Social Sciences" (SPSS) where data was entered and analyzed. It is found that males are more exposed to HCV than females. According to age it is clear that people of 35 years and above has more chance to get HCV than those of less than 35 years. While there is no difference between villages, camps, and cities in chance of getting HCV. For education level, secondary level is at higher risk than elementary (OR= 3.47). It is also found that people who are working as employee and workers are more exposed to HCV than those who has no definite work (students, house keepers, police, un employee). In case of risk factors that could affect the chance of getting HCV in Gaza Strip. It is found that the main risk factors have statistically significance are: Travel abroad especially to Egypt, blood transfusion, having surgery, having tattooing, dentist visit for treatment, using un sterile injection. while risk factors which is not statistically significant in Gaza Strip were: blood donation, health organization workers, having insulin injection, having caesarian, using analgesics, hemodialysis, making shore that barber changing the razor, practicing illegal sex, sharingfamily with teeth brush, razor, and nail cutter. This study could be a model to define the risk factors associated with hepatitis C in a developing community as Gaza. Such study and similar studies will be a base for a successful intervention program to reduce prevalence rate of hepatitis C in Gaza, and in similar countries.)

CMOS-Compatible titanium nitride for on-chip plasmonic Schottky photodetectors

Here, we propose a waveguide-integrated plasmonic Schottky photodetector (PD) operating based on an internal photoemission process with a titanium nitride plasmonic material. The theoretically examined structure employs an asymmetric metal–semiconductor–metal waveguide configuration with one of the electrodes being gold and the second being either gold, titanium, or titanium nitride. For the first time, we measured a Schottky barrier height of 0.67 eV for titanium nitride on p-doped silicon, which is very close to the optimal value of 0.697 eV. This barrier height will enable photodetection with a high signal-to-noise ratio when operating at a wavelength of 1550 nm. In addition to the measured optical properties of high absorption losses and reasonably large real part of the permittivity that are desired for this type of PD, titanium nitride is also compatible with easy integration on existing complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor technology. The use of titanium nitride results in a shorter penetration depth of the optical mode into the metal when compared to Ti, which in turn enhances the probability for transmission of hot electrons to the adjacent semiconductor, giving rise to an enhancement in responsivity

Gender matter in isotretinoin therapy for acne vulgaris? A retrospective study

Introduction: Gender differences have been recently highlighted for several aspects of acne vulgaris such as epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical course, quality of life and treatment outcome. In particular a shorter but more severe clinical course has been reported in males than in females; nevertheless, usually men have their quality of life less affected. Aim: To determine if the response and the adverse events to 1 cycle of oral isotretinoin therapy can be influenced by gender. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on consecutive patients affected by acne vulgaris and treated with oral isotretinoin. Global acne grading system (GAGS), acne-related quality of life (AQoL) and isotretinoin-related adverse events were considered as outcome measures and were evaluated before (T0), every month during administration and 4 weeks after the withdrawal (T1) of oral isotretinoin therapy. Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used for quantitative parameters and Fisher exact test for qualitative ones. Results: Forty-nine acneic patients were retrospectively selected (33 males 67.3% and 16 females -32.7%; median age: 19 years). Patients had received a median dosage of isotretinoin of 0.4 mg/kg/die for a median period of 5 months; no differences in outcome measures among genders were reported. Limitations: The study is retrospective and the sample is small and not homogenously distributed among genders, as males are double in number than females. Conclusions: In our study population gender didn't influence neither the clinical and the quality of life outcome measures nor the occurrence of adverse events to oral isotretinoin therapy for acne