Present a feature selection technique based on machine learning in order to increase the detection rate of classifiers using CHOA algorithm

In creating a pattern classifier, feature selection is often used to prune irrelevant and noisy features to producing effective features. Feature selection algorithms; try to classify an instance with lower dimension, instead of huge number of required features, with higher and acceptable accuracy. In fact an instance may contain useless features which might result to misclassification. An appropriate feature selection methods tries to increase the effect of significant features while ignores insignificant subset of features. In this paper, an efficient feature selection algorithm based on Cheetah optimization algorithm and support vector machine (CHOA-SVM) was used. First a population of cheetahs (feature subsets) were randomly generated, and then optimized by CHOA-SVM wrapper algorithms; finally the best fitness feature subset was applied to SVM classification. Experiments over a standard benchmark demonstrate that applying CHOA-SVM in the context of feature selection is a feasible approach and improves the classification results. The simulation experiment results have proved that the feature subset selection algorithm based on CHOA-SVM is very effective

Providing an efficient framework for power theft detection based on combination of Raven roosting optimization algorithm and clustering and classification techniques

One of the main concerns of power generation systems around the world is electricity theft. One of the goals of the Advanced Measurement Infrastructure (AMI) is to reduce the risk of electricity theft in the electric smart grids. However, the use of smart meters and the addition of a security layer to the measurement system paved the way for electricity theft. Nowadays, machine learning and data mining technologies are used to find abnormal patterns of consumption. The lack of a comprehensive dataset about abnormal consumption patterns, the issue of choosing effective features, the balance between consumer\u27s normal and abnormal consumption patterns, and the choice of type and number of classifiers and how to combine them are the challenges of these technologies. Therefore, a detection system for electricity theft that is capable of effectively detecting theft attacks is needed. To this end, a framework including data preparation phases, feature selection, clustering, and combined modeling have been proposed to address the aforementioned challenges. In order to balance normal and abnormal data, 6 artificial attacks have been created. Moreover, with respect to the Chief element in the Raven optimization algorithm and its two-step search feature, this algorithm has been used in feature selection and clustering phases. Stacking as a two-step combined modeler has been used to strengthen the prediction of accuracy. In the second step of this modeler, the meta-Gaussian Processes algorithm is used due to the high accuracy of detection. The Irish Social Science Data Archive (ISSDA) dataset has been used to evaluate performance. The results show that the proposed method identifies dishonest customers with higher accurac

The insecticidal effect of diatomaceous earth against adults and nymphs of Blattella germanica

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo evaluate the insecticidal effect of diatomaceous earth (DE) against adults and nymphs of Blattella germanica.MethodsThis cross sectional study has been done on the laboratory strain of German cockroaches. Two stages, nymph and adult, were exposed to six dose rates of the DE, 2.5, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 g/m2, at 24, 48 and 72 h exposure period. Mortality (number of dead cockroaches) was assessed after 24 h. Other exposed specimens were transferred to the beakers contained food and water for counting the retard mortality rate after 1 week.ResultsIncreasing in dose rates of DE increased mortality rate, so that the lowest and highest mortality rates were observed in 2.5 and 25 g/m2, respectively. The results of the statistical analysis showed no significant difference in the lethality of 50% of DE plus water on the German cockroach nymphs.ConclusionsDue to the resistance of German cockroach against organochloride, organophosphorus, carbamate and pyrethriodes insecticides, it is suggested to use DE for insect's control

Fungal contamination of indoor public swimming pools and their dominant physical and chemical properties

Introduction: Considering to the existence of both parasitic and fungal pathogens in the indoor public swimming pools and non-utilization of suitable filtration and disinfection systems in these places, this research aimed to determine the relationship between the indoor public swimming pools and possible pollution with parasitic and fungal agents, as well as physical and chemical characteristics of these pools and compare the results with national standards. Methods: In this study, 11 active indoor swimming pools of Zahedan city were sampled, using plastic pumps techniques, at the middle of winter to the late summer season. A total of 88 water samples (eight water samples from each pool) were examined to determine the residual chlorine, contamination with parasitic and fungal agents, using culture media and slide culture techniques. Results were analyzed with SPSS software (V16) and, Microsoft Excel (V2010). Results: The findings revealed parasitic fungal contamination with Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus fumigatus, etc. and the physicochemical factors comply with the minimum standards had which indicates the need for continuous monitoring and control of water filtration and disinfection of water is swimming. Conclusion: The results show reasonable derangement of physicochemical and microbial factors of the evaluated pools. Efforts shall be made by the concerned authorities to provide health education to users, quality water at the pools and to maintain the safety and quality of the water through proper and adequate chlorination

Piecewise-linear formulation of coupled large-strain consolidation and unsaturated flow. II: Testing and performance

A piecewise-linear formulation for simulating coupled large-strain consolidation and unsaturated flow using a mass-conservative and noniterative solution was developed in a companion paper and implemented in a proposed program called UNSAT-CON. The formulation is tested in this paper using numerical cases as well as laboratory and field data. First, UNSAT-CON is tested by comparing model predictions to published predictions of a finite-element-based model that uses a quasi-unsaturated formulation to model evaporation: the same quasi-unsaturated formulation is implemented in UNSAT-CON to allow direct comparison. Excellent agreement of settlement over time for various levels of evaporation are obtained. UNSAT-CON reliably predicts the hydraulic exchange at the soil-atmosphere interface under the conditions of evaporation, decantation, or their combinations. The fully unsaturated formulation is tested on fine-grained tailings by calibration with a documented laboratory column test and verification with a 4.1-m-deep field trial. This testing exercise showed (1) three-dimensional (3D) constitutive surfaces are largely constrained when defined using conventional test data such as the saturated compressibility function and soil water characteristic curve; (2) good to excellent agreement between measurements and predictions are observed, including the developing suction, decreasing void ratio, increasing solid content, and increasing settlement rate due to evaporation effect on the near surface zone; and (3) modeling desaturation allows for a more-realistic simulation of deformation in the unsaturated zone than using formulations that do not model desaturation

Saffron effects on liver enzymes, antioxidant capacity, insulin, inflammation and genes expression of lipolysis and lipogenesis in a rat model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Summary: Background and aim: According to increasing attention to the protective effects of saffron in liver disease and increasing prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the present study aimed to investigate the mechanism effects of saffron consumption on treatment of NAFLD in a rat model. Materials and Methods: In this study 24 male Sprague-Dawley rats were studied for 13 weeks. Rats were divided in 4 groups, including group 1 that was fed HFHS+ 250 mg/kg S, group 2 that was fed HFHS+ 125 mg/kg S, group 3 that was fed HFHS, and group 4 that was fed chow diet. Results: Saffron consumption in HFHS+ 250 mg/kg S group and in HFHS + 150 mg/kg S group led to a significant reduction in ALT, AST, blood glucose, insulin, and significant elevation in TAC versus HFHS group. Saffron consumption in HFHS+250, 150 mg/Kg S caused a significant reduction in TG and significant elevation in HDL serum levels. The difference between HFHS+250 mg/kg S and HFHS for PPARα gene expression was significant (p=0.01). SREBP 1-c gene expression reduction among groups was significant and there was a significant difference between HFHS+250 mg/kg S and HFHS (p=0.02 and 0.05, respectively). DGAT2 gene expression was decreased significantly among groups, and HFHS+125 mg/kg S and HFHS+250 mg/kg S versus to HFHS (p=0.05). Conclusions: This study showed that consumption of Saffron could treat NAFLD in Rats at least partially through modulation in gene expression of PPARα, SREBP 1-c, and DGAT2, liver enzymes, glycemic indices and TAC

The role of curcumin during pregnancy on the exposed fetuses’ tissues of Wistar rats to electromagnetic field

To investigate curcumin (CUR) as the protector against the harmful effects of low-frequency electromagnetic field(LF- EMF, 50 Hz) during pregnancy period, 5 males and 15 females of Wistar rat mated and vaginal plaques were observed. Then, the pregnant rats were divided into six groups. During pregnancy(21 days), the EMF group was exposed to EMF for 30 min/day, the CUR group received a single dose of 50 mg/kg/daily CUR intraperitoneal, the EMF+CUR group was injected CUR and exposed to EMF daily. The DMSO(dimethyl sulfoxide) group was injected solvent of CUR (DMSO) intraperitoneal with the same volume of CUR solvent, the sham group was placed through the solenoid in the same conditions as the first group without exposure and the control group was kept in their cage in normal condition. After four weeks, babies born were divided according to the mother groups and sacrificed. Then, the three tissues injuries were investigated. EMF exposure led to an increase in outstanding necrotic areas in hippocampal tissue, an increase in the amount of hyperemia(p = 0.017) and necrotic(p = 0.005) in kidneys, and degeneration in liver tissue(p = 0.007) in the EMF group compared with EMF+CUR groups. A single dose of CUR daily during pregnancy can protect these tissues from injuries caused by LF-EMF exposure in rat fetuses. Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are able to penetrate and be absorbed by the body. The researchers showed that these radiations might be harmful and lead to cancers, cardiovascular diseases, mental disorders, and fetal abnormalities. Curcumin as an active component in turmeric has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-hyperlipidemia properties. It can protect the body against diseases such as arthritis, anxiety, and metabolic syndrome. This study examined the effects of curcumin as the protector against the harmful effects of EMF (50Hz) during pregnancy period. So the pregnant rats were divided into six groups. During pregnancy, a group was exposed to EMF for 30 min/day, the second group was injected a dose of curcumin 50mg/kg/daily, the third group was injected curcumin and exposed to EMF daily. The fourth group was injected a curcumin solvent dose, the sham group was placed through the field generator in the same conditions as the first group without exposure and the control group was kept in their cage in normal condition. After four weeks, babies born were divided according to the mother groups and sacrificed. Then, the liver, kidney, and hippocampal tissues were investigated. EMF exposure led to an outstanding increase in necrotic areas in hippocampal tissue, a notable increase in the amount of hyperemia and necrosis in kidneys, and degeneration in liver tissue(p=0.007) in the EMF group compared with the third group that was exposed to EMF and received curcumin. A single dose of curcumin daily during pregnancy can protect these tissues from injuries caused by EMF(50Hz) exposure in rat fetuses.</p