Measuring the performance of FCM versus PSO for fuzzy clustering problems

Clustering cellular manufacturing plays an important role in many industrial engineering problems. This paper investigates the performance of two methods of heuristic and metaheuristics fuzzy clustering. The proposed method investigates heuristic well-known FCM and particle swarm optimization (PSO) on some well-known benchmarks. We use two criteria of J(P) as well as Xie-Beni to compare the results. Three parameters of PSO method is tuned using design of experiment and then the results of PSO are compared versus FCM method in terms of two mentioned criteria. The proposed models are run for each instance 10 different times and, using ANOVA test, the means of two methods are compared. While the results of ANOVA do not indicate any meaningful difference between PSO and FCM in terms of J(P), we have found some meaningful differences between PSO and FCM in terms of Xie-Beni criterion. In other words, PSO performs better than FCM in terms of Xie-Beni

A Computational Approach for Human-like Motion Generation in Upper Limb Exoskeletons Supporting Scapulohumeral Rhythms

This paper proposes a computational approach for generation of reference path for upper-limb exoskeletons considering the scapulohumeral rhythms of the shoulder. The proposed method can be used in upper-limb exoskeletons with 3 Degrees of Freedom (DoF) in shoulder and 1 DoF in elbow, which are capable of supporting shoulder girdle. The developed computational method is based on Central Nervous System (CNS) governing rules. Existing computational reference generation methods are based on the assumption of fixed shoulder center during motions. This assumption can be considered valid for reaching movements with limited range of motion (RoM). However, most upper limb motions such as Activities of Daily Living (ADL) include large scale inward and outward reaching motions, during which the center of shoulder joint moves significantly. The proposed method generates the reference motion based on a simple model of human arm and a transformation can be used to map the developed motion for other exoskeleton with different kinematics. Comparison of the model outputs with experimental results of healthy subjects performing ADL, show that the proposed model is able to reproduce human-like motions.Comment: In 2017 IEEE International Symposium on Wearable & Rehabilitation Robotics (WeRob2017

An Overview on Perception and Its Principles from Avicenna’s Point of View

The main purpose this paper attempts to reach is to recognize principles of perception, its dimensions and types from Avicenna’s point of view. This study is a qualitative study conducted using descriptive-analytical methods. Resources are first reviewed and principles of perception along with its process are extracted from his perspective. Findings of this study revealed that in the philosophy of Avicenna, soul is of a prominent position and is the base for perception. For him, growth and perfection of soul breed various cognitive capabilities. In fact, vegetative, animal and human faculties have their roots in the soul so as discussion on the stages of soul is divided into three stages of vegetative, animal and human in Avicenna’s point of view. Cognitive capabilities of humans are to aid these faculties reach perfection. For instance, superficial cognitive capabilities are obtained in animal soul’s stage and higher levels of perception including receiving emanation from active intellect occurs in human soul’s stage. Keywords: Avicenna; Base of perception; Types of perceptio

A Study of Users’ Motivation in using Information Services of Regional Information Center for Science and Technology

Abstract Objective: The objective of this research is studying users’ motivation in using information service of regional information center for science and technology based on expectancy theory. Methodology: The methodology is Analytical survey with correlation approach, and statistical population of this research includes users of regional information center for science and technology. Data was collected by the researcher-made questionnaire and was analyzed by SPSS software. Findings: Findings of research showed that accessibility to useful information (mean=4), facilities to use information service (mean 3.95), usefulness of information service (mean 3.93), familiarity with center and satisfaction from its information service (mean=3.89), convenience of condition and manner of using information service (mean=3.88), varieties of information service (mean=3.7), and uniqueness of information service (mean 3.43) were the most important and effective factors on users’ motivation in using information service. In addition, results of hypotheses test showed the significant relationship between users’ motivation in using information service and their awareness in results value of information service (r=0.762). Moreover, there is significant relationship between users’ motivation in using information service and their perceptions about accessibility to information services (r=0.680). Conclusion: Attention to motivator factors of behavior in using information service can leads to purposefulness of satisfaction service

Study of Long Term Effects of Laser Therapy Versus Local Corticosteroid Injection in Patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

INTRODUCTION: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is the most common compressive neuropathy. Several surgical and nonsurgical treatments have been proposed for this syndrome, but there is no consensus regarding the prioritization of the suggested nonsurgical treatments. The goal of this study was to compare the long term effects of laser therapy versus local corticosteroid injection in the treatment of CTS.METHODS:During this single-blind randomized clinical trial, 65 hands with mild or moderate CTS were divided randomly into two groups. One group received local corticosteroid injection (Hydrocortisone 50 mg) and the other received low level laser therapy (20J/cm² in 11 seconds/session for each of 5 points, 775nm, 10 sessions and 3sessions/week). Furthermore, wrist splints with extension degree of 0° (neutral position) were prescribed simultaneously for 6 weeks in each group.Pain severity and electrodiagnostic measurements were compared from before to 10 months after completing each treatment. Data were analyzed with SPSS 11.5 software and parametric tests.RESULTS: Generally, the mean age of patients was 43.9 years, duration of pain was 7.4 months, male to female ratio was 1:3, pain severity using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was 6.1 cm, and functional status measure was 15.5. The severity of the disease based on electrodiagnostic studies was 43.2% mild (41.2% in injection group and 45.2% in laser therapy group) and 56.8% moderate. The electrodiagnostic characteristics of the median nerve prior to treatment were included mean sensory peak latency of 4.3ms, mean sensory amplitude of 23.5μv, mean motor onset latency of 4.3ms and mean motor amplitude of 4.6mv. There was no meaningful difference between two groups regarding the demographic characteristics and electrodiagnostic measures (p>0.05). Ten months after treatments, the mean of pain severity was decreased 1.9cm in injection group and 1.7cm in laser therapy group, the mean of median sensory peak latencies was decreased 0.4ms in injection group and 0.25ms in laser therapy group and the mean of motor onset latencies was decreased 0.15ms in both groups,with no significant difference between the observed treatments variables (P>0.05). The severity of disease based on electrodiagnostic studies became 32.4% normal,23.5% mild, 41.2% moderate and 2.9% severe in the injection group and 38.7% normal,22.6% mild, 35.5% moderate and 3.2% severe in the laser therapy group. There was no meaningful difference between two groups regarding the changes in the pain severity, functional status and electrodiagnostic measures.CONCLUSION: Low level laser therapy can be as effective as local injection in reducing pain and severity of disease (based on electrodiagnostic medicine classification) in patients with mild and moderate CTS even in long term (after 10 months)

Moisture content determination of oilseeds based on dielectric measurement

Oilseeds have an important role in edible oil production.  Moisture content measurement of oilseed is an inevitable operation in harvesting and almost all postharvest processing such as handling, storage, milling and oil extraction.  In this paper, a cylindrical capacitive sensor was used to predict the moisture content of sesame, soybean and canola seed as a simple, low cost, rapid and reliable method.  Two varieties of each oilseed were selected and extracted equation from a variety was evaluated for another variety.  The hyperbolic regression and paired t-test were utilized to extract the calibration equations and perform a comparison between predicted moisture with actual values.  The R2 of calibration for Dashtestan and Ultan sesame were 0.998 and 0.999, respectively, for L17 and Sahar soybean were 0.972 and 0.965, respectively and for Okapi and Talaiyeh canola were 0.993 and 0.994, respectively.  The R2 of prediction for Dashtestan and Ultan sesame were 0.966 and 0.932, respectively, for L17 and Sahar soybean were 0.963 and 0.952, respectively and for Okapi and Talaiyeh canola were 0.993 and 0.994, respectively.  Results of paired t-test confirmed that the measured and predicted moisture content of all oilseeds were not statistically different at the 5% level (p > 0.05).  Based on obtained results the designed system using capacitive sensor is valid and reliable for moisture measurement of the studied oilseeds.   Keywords: oilseed, sesame, soybean, canola, moisture content, capacitive senso

Design and Modeling of Nano-Robots Control in Medicine

This study aimed to present a new model to develop and expand nanotechnology in particular in the field of medicine.  The subject under study focus on the control design of nano-robots for bio-molecular assembly manipulation, and use of evolutionary factors as a suitable method to gain the adaptive properties for proposed model is needed. Moreover, the study use of neural networks as the most practical method for the optimization problem of robot motion using a sensor based system. Thus, the study proposes a useful method within advanced graphics simulation for nano-assembly automation with its focus on an applied model for nano-medicine. Therefore, the study results should provide a great impact for effective design of control instrumentation, helping in the development of nanotechnology. The presented nano-robot model is required to survive and interact with a complex environment. Furthermore the nano-robot has to consider a pre-defined set of tasks both in a competitive scenario and in a collective environment. Nano-robot in a three-dimensional environment monitors organ inlets’ nutritional levels, and assembling new biomolecules into that have to be delivered to the organ inlets with higher priority during each moment of our dynamic simulation. The nano-robot must avoid fuzzy obstacles, and must with proper time and manner react in real time for an environment requiring continuous control. In order to achieve the most pre-programmed set of behaviors the nano-robot uses a local perception through simulated sensors to effectively interact with the surrounding environment. The development of new concepts on nano-mechatronics and automation theory is focused on the problem of molecular machine systems. Finally a novel adaptive optimal method is described and the model validation through the application of nano-robot control design for nano-medicine confirmed

The Persian Light Verb dādan 'to give': Causation and More

This paper aims to investigate the light verb constructions (LVCs) formed with the light verb dādan ‘to give’ in Persian by employing the principles of cognitive lexical semantics. It examines the semantic relationships between the heavy verb dādan and its uses as LVCs. The analysis of attested examples reveals that the use of dādan as a light verb (LV) is a function of the semantic structure of its simple verb counterpart. This suggests that its lightness status is highly systematic and can be explained in terms of cognitively driven motivations. In addition, a significant number of the LVCs express certain causation meanings, suggesting that Persian speakers tend to use the LV dādan to convey causative notions as newly emerged LVCs. This stance will constitute our line of argument to analyze the data in this study. By presenting a cognitive configuration of LVCs in Persian, the current paper can pave the way for a fine-grained theorization of typological aspects of LVCs in some other languages

On a Linear Functional Mixed Effect Model for Spatial Data

This paper introduces a functional mixed effect random model to model spatial data. In this model, the spatial locations form the index set, while the contributing effects to the response variable are set as a linear mixture of fixed and random effects. These fixed and random effects are linear combinations of L2 functions and random elements, respectively. However, the corresponding linear factors depend on the spatial location variable. Therefore, we develop estimation procedures to estimate the fixed and random coefficients, using spatial functional principal component analysis. Then, we perform prediction by adapting the functional universal kriging method to our model