Contour matching using ant colony optimization and curve evolution

Shape retrieval is a very important topic in computer vision. Image retrieval consists of selecting images that fulfil specific criteria from a collection of images. This thesis concentrates on contour-based image retrieval, in which we only explore the information located on the shape contour. There are many different kinds of shape retrieval methods. Most of the research in this field has till now concentrated on matching methods and how to achieve a meaningful correspondence. The matching process consist of finding correspondence between the points located on the designed contours. However, the huge number of incorporated points in the correspondence makes the matching process more complex. Furthermore, this scheme does not support computation of the correspondence intuitively without considering noise effect and distortions. Hence, heuristics methods are convoked to find acceptable solution. Moreover, some researches focus on improving polygonal modelling methods of a contour in such a way that the resulted contour is a good approximation of the original contour, which can be used to reduce the number of incorporated points in the matching. In this thesis, a novel approach for Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) contour matching that can be used to find an acceptable matching between contour shapes is developed. A polygonal evolution method proposed previously is selected to simplify the extracted contour. The main reason behind selecting this method is due to the use of a stopping criterion which must be predetermined. The match process is formulated as a Quadratic Assignment Problem (QAP) and resolved by using ACO. An approximated similarity is computed using original shape context descriptor and the Euclidean metric. The experimental results justify that the proposed approach is invariant to noise and distortions, and it is more robust to noise and distortion compared to the previously introduced Dominant Point (DP) Approach. This work serves as the fundamental study for assessing the Bender Test to diagnose dyslexic and non-dyslexic symptom in children

Nonlinear Equation Graphical User Interface Solver Using Excel VBA Programming

Learning numerical analysis always said to be bored and learners easily get frustrated in the process of getting the solution. Many students had given up in this subject. To overcome the problem, there are a lot of ready-made mathematical software to help students in understanding this subject. However, cost to purchase the license always becomes the concern of students even though with the discounted academic price. Therefore, we developed a Bisection and NewtonRaphson spreadsheet calculator, written using Visual Basic Application (VBA), which is more user friendly graphical user input form in order to help students in mastering the numerical concepts but worried less on the calculation part. Users just need to enter minimum input such as nonlinear function, initial interval or initial guess and derivative function to get a full list of calculation and result. The spreadsheet calculator had been tested among students and feedback were analyzed. We believe this is an ideal version and can easily adapted by users especially who are not familiar with Excel

Complex permittivity of materials at broadband frequency using transmission phase shift method

This paper reports determination of complex relative permittivity of non-magnetic samples Teflon, Nylon and Epoxy via transmission phase shift method. The transmission phase shift method offers calibration independent and invariant position features. In this work, a Coaxial Cavity Test Fixture (CCTF) with dimension of 1.8 and 4.1 mm for inner and outer conductor, respectively was customized based on impedance matching theory to study broadband scattering in the range of frequency 1-18 GHz. Impedance matching and cable calibration were performed to reduce the measurement error of scattering parameters; reflection and transmission . Magnitude and phase of and were measured by vector network analyzer (VNA). The measured phase of ( ) for all samples under test were linearized using the MATLAB “unwrap” command for further calculation of . The phase shift in between with and without sample inside the cavity was detected and it was used to determine for each material under test. The average value of dielectric constants for Teflon, Nylon and Epoxy were 2.11, 2.42 and 3.05, correspondingly for the selected frequency 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 GHz. While, the average of dielectric losses for Teflon and Epoxy were almost overlapped which the values were 0.001 and 0.002, respectively that were higher than that of Nylon at 0.0006. The calculated values are comparable with the theoretical values with small absolute errors. These results suggested that this transmission phase shift method using CCTF was equally consistent when compared to the other techniques used for the determination of and

A Spreadsheet Solution of a System of Ordinary Differential Equations Using the Fourth-Order Runge-Kutta Method

Solving systems of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) by using the fourth-order Runge-Kutta (RK4) method in classroom or in examinations is quite tedious, tiring and boring since it involves many iterative calculations. Hence, there is a need to design a suitable tool in teaching and learning the numerical methods involved, especially those for solving systems of ODEs. Here, we present a new approach to solving systems of ODEs by the RK4 method through the use of an EXCEL spreadsheet to tackle these drawbacks. In doing so, we employ the concept of relative row, relative column and fixed column in the spreadsheet to obtain the solution of systems of ODEs by the RK4 method. With the appropriate differential function given by the user, it is found that the way suggested here is faster than applying a scientific calculator and the solution obtained is significantly more accurate. Besides, the concept presented here can be extended to solve systems of ODEs up to n equations using the spreadsheet. In addition to this, the students can gain a deep understanding of the iterative procedure involved in solving the systems of ODEs. Although the spreadsheet approach is not as good as other mathematical software, it does provide a step-by-step environment for teaching and learning the numerical methods. We conclude that the spreadsheet approach increases the interest of students in learning the RK4 method

Finite Element Analysis (FEA) in Electronics Devices and Photonics through Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning (POGIL)

Advance and complex mathematical skill such as finite element analysis are traditionally required to the understanding of electronics devices and photonics applications. Unless the students want to further their studies in theoretical field using complex calculations, students are offered an alternate learning skill such as POGIL by using software simulation packages with embedded FEA to help them visualize the abstract of photonics theories. Students were allowed to modify the original template given in the package, but in the learning process, they have to answer several guided questions in the activity specified. We presented two studies: Thermo Photovoltaic (TPV) cell and Acoustic Levitator (AL), prepared by two groups of third year physics students using COMSOL software and POGIL. As a result, students were able to complete their activities with a new skill of a standard researche

The Richardson's Extrapolation Graphical User Interface Excel Spreadsheet Solver

In this paper, the fourth version of Richardson’s extrapolation Excel spreadsheet calculator for computing differentiations numerically has been upgraded. In this version, a graphical user interface (GUI) form was developed to capture users’ inputs so that users will not confuse the input and output in Excel spreadsheet. It makes this version of GUI Excel spreadsheet solver more user friendly, attractive and interactive. A summative evaluation of this Richardson’s extrapolation GUI Excel spreadsheet solver has been conducted by involving 20 postgraduate students by using questionnaire. The findings showed that the majority of the students agreed that the Richardson’s extrapolation graphical user interface (GUI) spreadsheet solver provides an interesting and interactive learning environment

Analisis terhadap model-model penilaian laman sesawang Islam berbentuk dakwah di Malaysia

Dakwah melalui teknologi maklumat telah lama berlangsung di Malaysia. Pelbagai usaha telah dilaksanakan oleh pelbagai agensi mahupun individu untuk menyebarkan ajaran Islam kepada masyarakat. Dakwah boleh dilaksanakan dengan menggunakan pelbagai pendekatan termasuk penggunaan teknologi maklumat. Keberkesanan dakwah dalam menggunakan teknologi maklumat telah terbukti dengan melihat kepada pembangunan laman sesawang Islam yang banyak di dalam Internet. Berdasarkan perkembangan yang pesat ini, pembangunan teknologi maklumat dan komunikasi telah memberi kesan kepada proses penerimaan ilmu pengetahuan dan pengambilan maklumat. Penyebaran maklumat yang salah dan tidak boleh dipercayai juga menyumbang kepada permasalahan seperti isu fitnah yang berleluasa seharusnya dititikberatkan dalam kalangan masyarakat untuk menilai sesuatu ilmu yang diambil daripada Internet. Dalam konteks laman sesawang Islam telah wujud pelbagai bentuk laman sesawang yang menjurus kepada penyebaran ajaran Islam. Namun, bagaimana masyarakat menerima sesuatu maklumat berdasarkan ilmu yang dimuatnaik di dalam laman sesawang tersebut dari segi kebolehpercayaan maklumat dan kredibiliti penulis? Dan bagaimana penilaian yang dibuat sebelum mengambil atau menyebarkan kepada orang lain? Oleh itu, kajian ini memfokuskan kepada penganalisisan model-model penilaian laman sesawang Islam bagi mengenalpasti ciri-ciri dan kriteria dalam menilai sesebuah laman sesawang Islam. Semoga kajian ini memberi manfaat kepada pengguna Internet untuk menilai sesebuah laman sesawang atau perkakasan Internet yang lain

A fourth-order Runge-Kutta (RK4) Spreadsheet Calculator For Solving A System of Two First-Order Ordinary Differential Equations Using Visual Basic (VBA) Programming

Motivated by the work of a spreadsheet solution of a system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) using the fourth-order Runge-Kutta (RK4) method, a RK4 spreadsheet calculator for solving a system of two first-order ODEs was developed using VBA programming. The main feature of this spreadsheet calculator is to provide a user-friendly interface input form for users to insert the required information instead of the standard cells in Excel. Users are prompted step by step to give relevant information beginning from providing independent and dependent variables used in the system of ODEs. Secondly, they are required to give the interval for the independent variable, initial values for the dependent variables, a step size h and desired accuracy for computation. Thirdly, they have to enter the system of two first-order ODEs and the exact functions if it exists. The ODES and the exact function can be typed in Mathematical form. After Solve button is clicked, its calculation is automatically performed and can be recalculated for a new system once the needed information is re-entered. The attached spreadsheet calculator together with this paper would be able to assist educators in preparing their marking scheme easily and help students to verify their answers. A summative evaluation of this RK4 Spreadsheet Calculator has been conducted by involving 34 students as sample. The data was collected using questionnaire. The findings showed that majority of the students agreed that the RK4 Spreadsheet Calculator provides a learning environment that allows learners to be guided through the solution which is presented step by step

A Richardson’s Extrapolation Spreadsheet Calculator for Numerical Differentiation

Even though approximating the definite differentiation by Richardson’s extrapolation method is straight forward, but its repetitive calculations are quite boring. Hence, there is a need to develop a suitable tool in teaching and learning for this method. Here, we developed a Richardson’s extrapolation Excel spreadsheet calculator to approximate the numerical differentiation that can be used by students and educators who need its full solution. With an appropriate function entered by users using 3-point central formula and a starting step size h, the full solution of Richardson’s extrapolation table up to level 4 can be obtained quickly and easily. In this spreadsheet calculator, users can extend the level to any desired level by themselves

Effect in positioning gold nanoparticle inside Plasmonic Solar Cell on absorption, reflection and transmission

Gold nanoparticle has been explored in different ways to enhance the absorption of light and improve the efficiency of plasmonic solar cell. In this study, various positions of a gold nanoparticle which are at 115 nm, 230 nm and 305 nm measured vertically from the bottom of the solar cell to the centre of gold nanoparticle embedded into silicon layer of plasmonic solar cell is demonstrated using numerical simulation. The aim is to investigate the absorption, reflection and transmission percentage with different wavelength in different position of gold nanoparticle in plasmonic solar cell. The numerical results showed that the highest absorption and lowest reflection and transmission occurred at position 305 nm in the range 100 nm to 1000 nm compared to the simulation without nanoparticle and other position. The overall simulation results proved that at position 305 nm of gold nanoparticle which is near to the top layer is more efficient because this position has high electric field intensity in visible range