A multistage hierarchical algorithm for hand shape recognition

This paper represents a multistage hierarchical algorithm for hand shape recognition using principal component analysis (PCA) as a dimensionality reduction and a feature extraction method. The paper discusses the effect of image blurring to build data manifolds using PCA and the different ways to construct these manifolds. In_order to classify the hand shape of an incoming sign object and to be invariant to linear transformations like translation and rotation, a multistage hierarchical classifier structure is used. Computer generated images for different Irish Sign Language shapes are used in testing. Experimental results are given to show the accuracy and performance of the proposed algorithm

The Study of Electronic Government Initiatives in Malaysia

Malaysian government has embarked a new paradigm to the citizens by introducing government services throughthe Internet, knownas electronic government (e-government). The following study on e-government initiatives in Malaysia use questionnaires to obtain input from respondents and interviews on the reasons of low egovernment usage among Malaysian citizens. At the end of this study, their answers will be analyzed to determine the reasons of low e-government usage and therefore recommend ways on improving the e-government usage based on these reasons. This project also includes prototype development of a prototype, based on the findings of the survey conducted. Six phases were involved for the prototype development which includes analysis of results, planning, design, development, conformation of requirements and testing phase. Analysis of results involves analyzing results of the survey to determine the best prototype to be developed for this project. Planning includes determining the tasks in developing the prototype and distribution of time in completing each of the tasks planned. Designing storyboard and contents is part of planning phase. After that, development of the prototype began to take place. As for the research, the questionnaires are analysed to obtain the results and it shows thatthe main reasons of low e-government usage in Malaysia is because of lack in promotion by the government to introduce and announce it to the citizens In order to curb this problem, a few steps could be taken by the government to improve this situation and the most important step will be doing massive campaign or road show throughout the country to promote their services and as well use the opportunity to educatepeople about e-government and its services

N-Acetylcysteine for non-paracetamol drug-induced liver injury: A systemic review

Aims: There are limited therapeutic options for drug-induced liver injury (DILI). N-acetylcysteine (NAC ) is known to be of benefit in management of DILI due to paracetamol overdose and may also be useful in the management of non-paracetamol DILI. Our objective was to systematically review evidence for the use of NAC as a therapeutic option for non-paracetamol DILI. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of the benefit and harm of NAC in non-paracetamol DILI. We searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and prospective cohort studies. We searched several bibliographic databases (including PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, CENTRAL), grey literature sources, conference proceedings and ongoing trials. Our pre-specified primary outcomes were all cause and DILI related mortality, time to normalisation of liver biochemistry and adverse events. Secondary outcomes were proportion receiving liver transplant, time to transplantation, transplant-free survival and hospitalization duration. Two reviewers independently assessed studies for inclusion and quality and extracted data. Results: We identified one RCT of NAC versus placebo in patients with non-paracetamol acute liver failure. There was no difference in the primary outcomes of overall survival at 3-weeks between NAC [70%, 95% Confidence Interval (CI)= 60% to 81%, n=81 ] and placebo (66%, 95% C I= 56% to 77%, n=92 ). NAC significantly improved the secondary outcomes of transplant-free survival compared with placebo : 40% NAC ( 95% CI= 28% to 51%) versus 27% placebo ( 95% CI= 18% to 37%). A subgroup analysis according to aetiology found improved transplant-free survival in patients with non-paracetamol DILI; NAC (58%, n=19 ) versus placebo (27%, n=26 ); odds ratio (OR) 0.27 (95% CI= 0.076 to 0.942 ). O verall survival was similar NAC ( 79% ) v ersus placebo ( 65% ); OR 0.5 0 ( 95% CI= 0.13 to 1.98 ). Conclusion : Current available evidence is limited and does not allow for any firm conclusions to be made regarding the role of NAC in non-paracetamol DILI. We therefore highlight the need for further research in this area

The Effect of Pressure on the Dissolution of Cellulose in Ionic Liquids

The dissolution of cellulose in ionic liquids allows the comprehensive application of cellulose by combining two major green chemistry principles, which is by using bio-renewable feed-stocks and environmentally friendly solvents. In previous study by Rogers and co-workers, the dissolution of cellulose in ionic liquids required high temperature and high energy consumption. To overcome the high energy and temperature needed for dissolution, an idea was tinkled to conduct the dissolution in a pressurized cell. In this paper, the main objective is to study the pressure effect on the dissolution of cellulose in ionic liquids. Throughout the study, the pressure and temperature on dissolution of cellulose in ionic liquids were varied. The dissolution process were observed, the sample was later analysed with microscope and the dissolution time was taken. The controlling and varying value of the pressure and temperature significantly affect the dissolution time of cellulose. In this thesis, the findings show that as the pressure increase, the dissolution time decreases. The temperature also showed same behaviour, as the temperature increases, the dissolution time decreases. In conclusion, pressure does effects the dissolution rate and lower down the energy consumption for dissolution of cellulose in ionic liquids

A review on formability prediction and constitutive damage models of sheet forming of magnesium alloys

In recent years, the demand for using magnesium (Mg) alloys has significantly increased in several industrial fields. Due to their favorable strength/weight ratio thus Mg alloy demonstrating a valid replacement for aluminum alloys and High Strength Steels particularly for the production of lightweight parts in aerospace and automotive industries. However the formability of Mg at cold forming conditions is significantly poor and determination of the material formability need special testing procedures and understanding of material failure mechanism. FLD is commonly used to characterize the formability of materials and the key feature of FLD is the forming limit curve (FLC). This paper provides a review on the determination of strain-based and stress-based forming limit diagrams is introduced in this paper. In addition, the constitutive damage models for predicting and characterizing the forming limits of magnesium alloy sheet metals under a wide range of forming conditions at both industrial and scientific level

CARBON NEUTRAL URBAN SPACES UNDER CLIMATE CHANGE CASE STUDY: RENOVATION OF SIDI GABER NEIGHBORHOOD IN ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT

With growing pressure from the public on governments and organizations to address climate change, the term ‘carbon neutral’ has become increasingly used in recent years. Carbon neutral is an emerging definition that relates to measuring, reducing and offsetting carbon energy used by either a building or an organization as a whole. Buildings are a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions when they operated by fossil fuel energy resources. Sustainable urban development is essential issue to enhance the quality of life of city residents and to decrease the negative impact of conventional type of energy through using the renewable energy resources. This research discusses the issue of the planning future sustainable cities and how to apply all the innovative renewable energy solutions for construction and operation of these developments. It aims to achieve the criteria of renovation existing conventional neighborhood to be a prototype of carbon neutral urban area and maximize the benefits of sustainable technologies through an integrated planning and design approaches. The research’s case study concentrates on renovating of Sidi Gaber neighborhood and its surroundings in Alexandria city, Egypt as a prototype for a high quality. of life where inhabitants can find the carbon is neutral through applying the sustainable development criteria. Moreover, carbon measurements and residents’ questionnaire are used to achieve the proposed renovation alternatives according to the sustainability criteria

Characterizing the school-to-work transitions of young men and women in Tunisia

This paper investigates the characteristics and determinants of the transition of young men and women from education (dropping out) to work in Tunisia, using data from the Panel Study of Tunisia Labor Market 2014 (TLMPS 2014). One of the main findings is that 17 per cent of the 15 to 35 years old population remains in transition. One - third had completed the transition. The remaining (55 per cent) had not started transition. The transited category is strongly male-dominated while young females face a particularly difficult time. Youths who were still in transition were largely unemployed. Econometric method (Kaplan-Meier or product limit estimator) is used to analyze the determinants of unemployment duration. Results point to differences between men and women in the difficulty of getting a decent job. They confirm that individual characteristics (gender, area of residence and level of education…) influence the length of transition from school to the labor market. Indeed, we found the following. First, for most youth, the school-to-work transition is not long to a first job, but it takes on average more five years to complete the transition to a stable or satisfactory job. One third of young males and females found a first job through contact with employers. Second, transition period decreases substantially as education level increases. Third, the rural – urban gap continues to be significant. Fourth, the probability of longer unemployment is found to be considerably higher among women and lower education. The study offers some recommendations in terms of economic policy on the insertion of young people

The systemic approach to teaching and learning chemistry [SATLC]: a 20-years review

About 20 years ago Fahmy & Lagowski set up SATLC to face (i) the world challenges such as Terrorism, world economic cries, environmental pollution...etc., (ii) the wide spread of the systematization in activities such as tourism, commerce, economy, security, education etc.., (iii) globalization became a reality that we live in and survive with its positive and negative impacts on our life. So, SATL became a must and countries are in an urgent call to prepare their citizens to be able to systemic and creative thinking. During the last twenty years SATL technique has been applied and evaluated in many different knowledge domains at all levels of education (pre-university, university, adult education), but the major teaching applications have been reported on chemistry topics in secondary and tertiary education. In chemistry, we have conducted a series of successful SATL-oriented experiments, at pre-university, and university levels of education. We have created SATL units in General, Analytical, Aliphatic, Aromatic, Green, and Heterocyclic Chemistry. These units have been used in Egyptian universities and secondary schools to establish the validity of the SATL approach on an experimental basis. The results indicate that a greater fraction of students exposed to the systemic techniques, the experimental group, achieved at a higher level than did the control group taught by conventional linear techniques. Also, Fahmy & Lagowsky used SATL techniques to create assessment items [SA] that not only reflect the SATL strategy of instruction, but, perhaps, also probe other aspects of student knowledge that might be learned during the classical linear method of instruction. Systemic thinking (ST) is one of the most important learning outcomes of using SATL. Finally, the above mentioned systemic activities [SATL, SA, ST] constitute the systemic components of any systemic educational reform [SER]