Unsupervised Segmentation of Action Segments in Egocentric Videos using Gaze

Unsupervised segmentation of action segments in egocentric videos is a desirable feature in tasks such as activity recognition and content-based video retrieval. Reducing the search space into a finite set of action segments facilitates a faster and less noisy matching. However, there exist a substantial gap in machine understanding of natural temporal cuts during a continuous human activity. This work reports on a novel gaze-based approach for segmenting action segments in videos captured using an egocentric camera. Gaze is used to locate the region-of-interest inside a frame. By tracking two simple motion-based parameters inside successive regions-of-interest, we discover a finite set of temporal cuts. We present several results using combinations (of the two parameters) on a dataset, i.e., BRISGAZE-ACTIONS. The dataset contains egocentric videos depicting several daily-living activities. The quality of the temporal cuts is further improved by implementing two entropy measures.Comment: To appear in 2017 IEEE International Conference On Signal and Image Processing Application

The influence of knowledge-based HRM practices on productivity of knowledge workers: A Study on Malaysian universities

Knowledge workers have contributed significantly to the development of nations. There are various researches that extensively recognized the positive impact of knowledge-based HRM practices on knowledge worker's productivity. While there are studies regarding knowledge-based HRM practices across different countries and industries, however, there is dearth of research regarding the impact of knowledge-based HRM practices on universities' knowledge workers. Therefore, the aim of this current study was to fill up the gap by analysing the influence of various knowledge-based HRM practices on the productivity of knowledge workers in universities. This study investigated HRM practices namely knowledge-based recruiting practices, knowledge-based training and development practices, knowledge-based performance appraisal practices and knowledge-based compensation practices on the quality and quantity of the productivity of knowledge workers. Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory, Expectancy Theory, and MacGregor's Theory X and Theory Y were used as underpinning theories to support the proposed conceptual model. Eight hypotheses were developed based on the proposed research model and standard instrument was used to obtain data. By employing non-probability sampling method, a total of 129 knowledge workers in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur participated in survey. The data were collected at one point of time across the sample population. The data obtained were assessed using SPSS and Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). Results revealed the positive and significant influence of knowledge-based recruiting practices and knowledge-based compensation practices on quality and quantity of knowledge workers' productivity. Knowledge-based training and development practices were found to have their positive and significant impact on quantity of knowledge workers' productivity but not on quality of knowledge workers' productivity. Additionally, knowledge-based performance appraisal was not found to have its positive as well as significant impact on quality and quantity of knowledge worker's productivity

Splicing system in Automata Theory: A review

The study of formal language theory rapidly evolves after Tom Head introduce his research on formal language theory in 1987. Splicing system involves the process of cutting and pasting on DNA molecules with the presence of restriction enzymes and ligase, respectively. A mathematical model of the splicing system has been developed by using the concept of formal language theory, which is a branch of theoretical computer science and applied discrete mathematics, and informational macromolecules. Over the year, theoretical results in splicing systems have contributed to new research in formal language theory focused on modelling of biochemical processes. In this paper, the relation between formal language theory and some related molecular biological terms are explored. In addition, new ideas in the framework of biomolecular science, for example, the design of automated enzymatic processes are then discussed. Then, a mutual relation that exist in these field is then explained. The regular language can be implemented in the splicing system to show the DFA structure in the splicing system

Algoritma Strategi Untuk Menghindari Rintangan Pada Robot Sepak Bola

Robot sepak bola merupakan domain yang menarik untuk di kaji pada bidang robot otonom oleh para peneliti dan mahasiswa. Namun demikian untuk pengembangan (penulisan program, pengujian, dan debugging) robot dalam domain tersebut merupakan tugas yang tidak mudah. Makalah ini berkonsentrasi pada pengembangan posisi dan algoritma untuk menghindari rintangan pada robot sepak bola. Pada tahapan ini dikembangkan strategi dalam robot sepak bola seperti pergerakan dasar, tendangan ke arah gawang, dan pergerakan penjaga gawang. Formulasi yang digunakan untuk memposisikan dan menghindari rintangan pada robot sepak bola didasarkan pada pendekatan matematik. Formula ini dipergunakan untuk memastikan bahwa gerakan robot adalah tepat dan sesuai pada sasaran. Kecepatan pergerakan robot dihitung untuk mengatur ketepatan robot dalam menghindari rintangan yang ada. Teori mengenai pengaturan posisi dan koordinat robot (x,y) digunakan untuk menemukan rintangan dan menghindarinya. Penelitian ini mempergunakan simulasi dan pengujian untuk mengevaluasi penerapan algoritma yang dibuat. Fungsi untuk menendang, pergerakan obyek, dan menghindari rintangan telah berhasil dilaksanakan. Hasil yang didapatkan dapat dipergunakan sebagai bagian strategi dalam kompetisi robot sepak bola secara keseluruhan

Analysis of Formant Frequencies of the Correct Pronunciation of Quranic Alphabets Between Kids and Adults

It is an obligation for a Muslim to become skilled and proficient in reciting Al-Quran considering that Al-Quran is the fundamental source of revelation from Allah SWT. In Al-Quran, there are 28 alphabets where each of them has their own unique sound. The Quranic alphabets produce sound that are characterized from their point of articulation (Makhraj) and their characteristics (Sifaat). Knowing the correct way of pronunciation through engineering perspective may help Muslim in learning Al-Quran, in the sense that the signal of the experts can be used in Quranic teaching and learning as a reference model. Since both adults and children possess different vocal tract, therefore there will be different outcomes of the pronunciation between both experts. The features identification of the pronunciation of both experts is needed to represent the actual and correct pronunciation that will be used as a reference for Quranic teaching and learning at later. In this paper, the focus was on the identification and analysis of the correct pronunciation of the Quranic alphabets on the data obtained from adults and children experts. The first and second formant frequencies (F1 and F2) were used as the features where they were used to represent the pronunciation of each alphabet for both adults and children category. The speech analysis software PRAAT was used to accomplish the pre-processing of the data using Spectral Subtraction technique and also used to measure the F1 and F2 values. Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) was used for classification of the signals and results shows that some of the alphabets can be identified uniquely using F1 and F2 features of the two categories

Kinetic Models of Trymethylolpropane (TMP) and Castor Oil Methyl Ester Transesterification for engine oil synthesis

Non-digestible oil as renewable resources has grown a compulsive concern for engine oil synthesis. The synthesis of engine oil was conducted in a bath stirrer flask via two-steps catalytic transesterification. Modification of trimethylolpropane (TMP) and castor oil methyl ester (COME) transesterification was run under non- and impregnated Perna V. shells catalysts. Operation temperature effect on the castor trimethylol propane triester as engine lubricant was conditioned at range 90°C – 130°C. The optimal reaction temperature was detected at 110°C with 98.60 % TMP conversion and 71.29% triester composition. Excess dosage of COME was structured at 4:1 ratio to TMP for progressive reaction limitation. Kinetics of TMP and COME transesterifation were established for first- and second orders. The second order kinetic model best matchs the acquired data for an overall reaction rate constants of 0.0354 (% wt/wt min °C)-1. Synthesized engine oil resulted activation energy of 74.10 kJ/mol. Estimated pour and flash point were -17 °C and 221°C. Kinematic viscosity at 40°C was 64.31 mm2/s and density was 872 kg/m3 fulfilled the proposed lubricant standard. The kinetic models were proportionate to other oil seeds crops based engine oil, typically Jatropha seeds oil

A conceptual study on contingent impact of external integration on innovation SME business success relationship

It is widely acknowledged in the existing studies that innovation has the critical role in firms’ performances. Moreover, it has been acknowledged that innovative activities are the main sources of growth, survivability, and success for SMEs firms. In the setting of entrepreneurship, earlier studies have claimed that innovation is the integrated element of entrepreneurship. However, the existing studies have also revealed inconsistent findings regarding the impacts of innovation on firm’s performances under various contexts. Thus, this study claims that there should be a moderator to facilitate the relationship between innovations and firm’s performances. Therefore, this study has introduced the external integration as a moderator to improve the relationship between types of innovations and firm’s performances. The main objective of the study is to identify the relationship between various types of innovations including process innovation, product innovation, marketing innovation, and organizational innovations and business success operationalized with four dimensions including perceived financial performance, perceived non-financial performance, perceived business growth, and perceived performance relative to competitors) under the moderating role of external integration. Three theories namely Strategic Contingency Theory (SCT), Resource Dependence Theory (RDT), and Resource Based View (RBV) have been integrated to develop the proposed theoretical framework. The recent literature has been taken to gather the information about the variables that helped current study to develop a theoretical frame work and then eight propositions have been developed based on proposed theoretical framework. The external integration as a moderator between innovations and business success is the main theoretical contribution of this study. Furthermore, limitations have been stated at the end and recommendations have been made for future research

Passively Q-switched Erbium-doped fiber laser with brass-based saturable absorber

The operating wavelength in the 1.5 µm region is made accessible through an Erbium-doped fiber as a gain medium. The minimum optical loss of this region has proven beneficial in the application of pulsed fiber lasers. However, the ideal material to act as passive modulator for the system is yet to be found. Therefore, this research proposed the generation of pulsed fiber laser using metal based passive saturable absorber by utilizing brass-based 3D printer filament. A free-standing film was fabricated using chitin as host polymer for ease of integration in the laser ring cavity. The Erbium-doped fiber laser with brass-chitin based polymer composite film generated Q-switched pulses within the input pump power of 135.7 mW to 172.3 mW. The repetition rate was increased from 55.80 kHz to 68.03 kHz. Meanwhile the pulse width was reduced from 3.06 µs to 2.24 µs, with corresponding maximum instantaneous pulse energy and peak power of 2.10 nJ and 882.71 µW, respectively. The signal-to-noise ratio was measured at 67 dB, indicating a highly stable pulse generation

‘Unpacking’ young travellers’ needs to enhance the attractiveness of package tours

This paper presents the findings of a study which adapts the Travel Need Model established from past literature to gain insights on the three different travel needs which predicted to influence the needs of young travellers towards a package tour namely, travel motives, travel behaviour and travel barriers. Data were collected from 200 respondents (young travellers) and was quantitatively analyzed using SPSS to see the relationship between the three independent variables against the dependent variable. Surprisingly, the results show that all three different travel needs influenced the attractiveness of package tours. It is concluded that having a better understanding of the travel needs of young travellers will enable tour operators in Malaysia to improve and update their package tours to be more attractive simultaneously attract more young travellers to travel with them. This study could enhance the existing literature and give insights to academician, researchers and tour operators