Bias compensation-based parameter and state estimation for a class of time-delay non-linear state-space models

This study presents, based on bias compensation, an integrated parameter and state estimation algorithm for a class of time-delay non-linear systems which are described by canonical observable state-space model. In technical development, the state-space system model is transformed into an input-output representation/realisation by eliminating the state variables, which is accordingly used as a feasible identification model. With such an input-output structure, directly data measurable to accommodate the estimation bias, an augmented least-squares algorithm (by adding the bias correction terms into the estimates) is proposed for estimating the parameters and states interactively. Regarding the estimator properties, the proposed algorithm is proved unbiased. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm has good performance in estimating the parameters of state-space systems

Incidental radiological finding of charm needles in the hip region: A potential surgical precaution.

We report an unusual incidental radiographic finding of this 71 year old Malay lady who suffered a closed neck of femur fracture due a fall at home which had undergone total hip replacement at our establishment .This is one of the only papers showing incidental occurrence of susuk or charm needles in hip region in orthopaedic field

Nutrient Retention and Haematological Indices of Broiler Starters Fed Lablab Seed Meal as the Source of Protein

Studies were carried out to determine the effect of feeding diets containing lablab seed meal (LSM) to replace groundnut cake (GNC) or full fat soya (FFS) as the major source of protein on nutrient retention and haematological parameters of broilers at the starter phase. Apparent crude protein, crude fibre and ether extract retentions (%) were highest (P0.05) between those fed LSM and FFS diets, but significantly lower (

The utilisation of palm oil and oil palm residues and the related challenges as a sustainable alternative in biofuel, bioenergy, and transportation sector: a review.

The importance of energy demands that have increased exponentially over the past century has led to the sourcing of other ideal power solutions as the potential replacement alternative to the conventional fossil fuel. However, the utilisation of fossil fuel has created severe environmental issues. The identification of other renewable sources is beneficial to replace the energy utilisation globally. Biomass is a highly favourable sustainable alternative to renewable resources that can produce cleaner, cheaper, and readily available energy sources in the future. The palm oil industry is essentially ideal for the availability of abundant biomass resources, where the multifaceted residues are vital for energy production through the conversion of biomass waste into value-added products simultaneously. This article discusses the utilisation of palm oil and its residues in the energy and transportation sector. Assessment and evaluation on the feasibility of palm oil and its residues were made on the current valorisation methods such as thermochemical and biochemical techniques. Their potential as transportation fuels were concurrently reviewed. This is followed by a discussion on future challenges of palm oil industries that will take place globally, including the prospects from government and nongovernment organisations for the development of palm oil as a sustainable alternative replacement to fossil fuel. Hence, this review aims to provide further insight into the possibilities of palm oil and its residues towards sustainable development with reduced environmental-related issues

Assessment of yeast supplementation on the onset of laying and subsequent performance of Shika brown layers fed high levels of rice bran during growing period

The study assessed the effect of feeding grower pullets with high levels of rice bran supplemented with or without yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on sexual maturity and subsequent laying performance. The treatment groups were: treatment 1, 0% rice bran without yeast, treatment 2, 45% rice bran without yeast, treatment 3, 50% rice bran without yeast treatment 4, 45% rice bran supplemented with yeast and treatment 5, 50% rice bran supplemented with yeast. These diets were fed from the 9th to 20th week of age. Thereafter, a common layer diet was fed to all treatment groups from 20th - 40th week. Results of the study indicated that feeding rice bran at the growing phase did not affect age at point of lay. Indeed the birds fed rice bran diets without yeast reached point of lay earlier than the control group. Similarly, birds on high rice bran + yeast reached peak production earlier than the control group. However, hen-day egg production was higher for the birds fed control diet. It could be concluded therefore that feeding diets containing up to 50% rice bran with or without yeast supplementation during the growing phase did not adversely affect the onset of laying and subsequent performance of Shika brown pullets.Keywords: Yeast, rice bran, pullets, eg

Apparent Nutrient Retention and Haematology of Shika Brown Pullet Chicks Fed Three Plant Protein Sources

An experiment was carried out to determine apparent nutrient retention and haematological indices of pullet chicks fed three plant protein sources. 243 day old Shika Brown chicks were divided into three treatment groups of 81 chicks subdivided into three replicate groups of 27 chicks. Three experimental diets were formulated to contain groundnut cake (GNC) Full fat soya (FFS) and lablab seed meal (LSM) and fed to the chicks for five weeks (3-8 weeks of age). At the 8th week three chicks per replicate were kept in metabolic cage and fed for faecal sample collection. Feed and faecal samples were weighed, oven dried and analyzed for proximate and mineral composition. Blood samples were collected via wing vein from 1 chick per replicate and stored in EDTA bottles for haematological analysis. Results indicated that retention of dry matter, nitrogen free extract and calcium were similar for chicks fed GNC and FFS but significantly different (P<0.05) from those fed LSM. Crude fibre retention was higher (P<0.05) in chicks fed FFS than those fed GNC and LSM, which were similar. Magnessium and sodium retentions were similar for chicks fed FFS and LSM but significantly different from those fed GNC. Only packed cell volume (PCV) varied significantly between treatment means. Other haematological parameters were similar across treatments and within normal ranges. Nutrients in LSM could be well utilized and safely too as those of GNC and FFS

Critical slowing down in an optical bistable model with Kerr-nonlinear blackbody reservoir

We investigate switching response for an Optical Bistable (OB) device consisting of homogeneously broadened two-level atoms in a ring cavity supported by a Kerr Nonlinear Blackbody (KNB) radiation reservoir in the high-Q cavity regime for both absorptive and dispersive cases. In the resonant case and below a transition temperature, faster switching processes for OB devices with KNB can be triggered by a small perturbation of the incident field in the vicinity of the critical transition point. The switching time increases with increasing atomic detuning parameter. A thermal switching process is obtained for a fixed incident field and is triggered by small perturbation in the relative reservoir temperature, say. The switching time is reduced considerably by slightly increasing the temperature . Comparison with other cases of radiation reservoir is made, namely, normal, thermal and squeezed vacuum

Fish scale remover machine

Laksa, sata and fish ball is a fish based food. Fish belong to groups of coldblooded animals. Fish lives in water, breathe through gills and use fins to move. According to the dictionary, scales are layered flaky skin on the surface of the fish skin. Scales function as a tool of defending them from their enemies. Hardness of fish scales are different depending on the types of fish being used for productio

Characterization of magnetic properties of Sr2CuWO6 and Sr2CuMoO6

In this work we examine the low-temperature magnetic properties of the two double-perovskite compounds Sr2CuWO6 and Sr2CuMoO6 using magnetic susceptibility, muon spin rotation and relaxation, and neutron powder diffraction measurements. Additionally, the most relevant spin exchange interaction constants are derived from ab initio electronic structure calculations, aided by x-ray absorption spectroscopy. The compounds exhibit quasi-two-dimensional magnetic properties, with broad maxima at Tmax = 83 and 95 K for Sr2CuWO6 and Sr2CuMoO6, respectively. However, three-dimensional long-range order takes place below TN = 24(1) and 28(2) K for Sr2CuWO6 and Sr2CuMoO6, respectively. Our results show that the low-dimensional magnetic correlations are mainly due to the significant next-nearest-neighbor interactions in the ab plane of the double-perovskite structure, whereas three-dimensional long-range magnetic order is caused by weaker next-nearest-neighbor interactions along the c axis. Next-nearest-neighbor interactions are also slightly frustrated by weaker nearest-neighbor interactions within the ab plane. Based on these results we predict the low-temperature magnetic structure in these compounds to be type-II antiferromagnetic order of the double-perovskite lattice.Peer reviewe

Conceptual framework for the design of a child motorcycle safety seat

Motorcycles are a common mode of transport in Malaysia where families with children can be common seen riding together. However a child riding pillion on underbone motorcycles are not safely protected from falling down from the motorcycle apart from holding onto the adult in front. The current feature in an underbone motorcycle seat does not provide or lack the necessary protection for the child pillion riders. The current seat requires a systematic framework in order to design and develop a safety motorcycle backrest seat for Malaysian child pillion riders of underbone type motorcycles. Therefore the main objective of this paper is to propose a conceptual framework to showcase the conceptual design and development of a child friendly motorcycle seat. In order to design and develop our safety motorcycle backrest seat for child pillion riders, a leading International Automotive Consultancy’s (IAC) New Product Introduction (NPI) process and subsequent IAC Design & Development Process was adopted and adapted to be able to properly design, develop, test and produce a robust prototype seat. The main IAC NPI will be abbreviated from the kick off until the prototype release milestone. The IAC NPI is then divided to 4 main phases starting from the initiating five concepts and choosing the best concept; designing and developing the chosen concept; building the first prototype test the design; validating the design and releasing the final prototype