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Baby cry recognition using deep neural networks
No full textInfant cry recognition is a challenging task as it is hard to determine the speech features that can allow researchers to clearly separate between different types of cries. However, baby cry is treated as a different way of communication of speech. The types of baby cry can be differentiated using Mel-Frequency Cepstral Coefficient (MFCC) with appropriate artificial intelligence model. Stacked restricted Boltzmann machine (RBN) is popular in providing few layers of neural networks to convert the high dimensional data to lower dimensional data to fine tune the input data to a better initialized weight for the neural networks. Usually RBN is used with another deep neural network to form the deep belief networks (DBN), and the studies in this direction is heading towards the convolutional-RBN variant. The study on RBN to pre-train Convolutional neural networks (CNN) without convolution function in the RBN meanwhile is scarce due to the Back propagation and principal component analysis can be applied directly to the CNN. In this paper, we describe the hybrid system between RBN and CNN for learning class specific features for baby cry recognition using the feature of Mel-Frequency Cepstral Coefficient. We archived an 78.6% of accuracy on 5 types of baby cries by validating the proposed model on baby cry recognition
Implementation of vision-assisted path planning system for bulk die sorting in semiconductor industry
Get PDFSemiconductor integrated circuits (IC) are found in all of today’s electronic devices. Low cost mass production has enabled electronics to revolutionize the way people live and work. One major operation in IC assembly is die sorting, where individual die is categorized by grade. The traditional vision-assisted pick-and-place die sorting approach has high accuracy but low throughput. In this research, a bulk die sorting approach through vision-assisted path planning is studied and implemented. The objective of this system is to provide accurate die classification through vision processing and high die sorting throughput with efficient path planning. The system hardware consists of two parts, motion XY-stage used for wafer planar translation and optical unit used for acquiring wafer images. Firstly, the wafer image is acquired using the image mosaicing method. Then, die classification is performed to obtain the positions of functional and non-functional dies. Subsequently, point and coverage path planning algorithms are applied to determine the optimum path for physical die sorting operation. Overall, the proposed system showed significant improvement in the wafer image quality, low mismatch of dies, and obtained the shortest traversal time and distance for clustering dies by using the combined heuristic cluster with nearest neighbour algorithm. The system showed that the best coverage path planning method is the back-and-forth filling using decelerate-reaccelerate motion in terms of processing time (1.6 s), traversal time (137.2 s) and XY-stage stresses. As a conclusion, through the integrated implementation of hardware and software encompassing wafer image acquisition, die classification and path planning, the die sorting system is capable of achieving accurate die sorting with high throughput
Ionic liquids for the separation of benzene and cyclohexane – COSMO-RS screening and experimental validation
No full textThe separation of benzene and cyclohexane from their mixture is difficult to perform via conventional distillation because of their close boiling points. In this work, liquid-liquid extraction using ionic liquids (ILs) is suggested for this purpose and 16 cations and 13 anions were selected to form 208 possible ILs screened with the Conductor-like Screening Model for Real Solvents (COSMO-RS) module. The screening result was experimentally validated by liquid–liquid extraction using four of the top ranked ILs, namely 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([C2mim][Ac]), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide ([C2mim][N(CN)2]), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium thiocyanate ([C2mim][SCN]) and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([C2mim][Tf2N]). The ternary liquid–liquid equilibria for these ILs with benzene and cyclohexane were investigated at 25 °C and 1 atm with feed concentration of benzene ranging from 10 to 60 wt%. Good agreement was achieved between the tie-lines obtained from the COSMO-RS model and those obtained experimentally. The performance of ILs used in this study was compared with organic solvents, other ILs, and deep eutectic solvents reported in literature. The results of selectivity and distribution ratio confirmed that COSMO-RS was a reliable method for solvent screening and demonstrated the suitability of the selected ILs as extracting solvents. In all ternary systems, no IL was detected in the cyclohexane layer and the concentration of cyclohexane in the IL layer was very low. This observation indicated that there was minimum cross-contamination between the phases and therefore less energy will be required for the solvent recovery
Cross-species analysis of apical asparagine-rich protein of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium knowlesi
Get PDFThe Plasmodium falciparum apical asparagine (Asn)-rich protein (AARP) is one of malarial proteins, and it has been studied as a candidate of malaria subunit vaccine. Basic characterization of PvAARP has been performed with a focus on its immunogenicity and localization. In this study, we further analyzed the immunogenicity of PvAARP, focusing on the longevity of the antibody response, cross-species immunity and invasion inhibitory activity by using the primate malaria parasite Plasmodium knowlesi. We found that vivax malaria patient sera retained anti-PvAARP antibodies for at least one year without re-infection. Recombinant PvAARP protein was strongly recognized by knowlesi malaria patients. Antibody raised against the P. vivax and P. knowlesi AARP N-termini reacted with the apical side of the P. knowlesi merozoites and inhibited erythrocyte invasion by P. knowlesi in a concentration-dependent manner, thereby suggesting a cross-species nature of anti-PvAARP antibody against PkAARP. These results can be explained by B cell epitopes predicted in conserved surface-exposed regions of the AARP N-terminus in both species. The long-lived anti-PvAARP antibody response, cross-reactivity, and invasion inhibitory activity of anti-PvAARP support a critical role of AARP during the erythrocyte invasion and suggest that PvAARP induces long-lived cross-species protective immunity against P. vivax and P. knowlesi
Electronic Properties of Synthetic Shrimp Pathogens-derived DNA Schottky Diodes
Get PDFThe exciting discovery of the semiconducting-like properties of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and its potential applications in molecular genetics and diagnostics in recent times has resulted in a paradigm shift in biophysics research. Recent studies in our laboratory provide a platform towards detecting charge transfer mechanism and understanding the electronic properties of DNA based on the sequence-specific electronic response, which can be applied as an alternative to identify or detect DNA. In this study, we demonstrate a novel method for identification of DNA from different shrimp viruses and bacteria using electronic properties of DNA obtained from both negative and positive bias regions in current-voltage (I-V) profiles. Characteristic electronic properties were calculated and used for quantification and further understanding in the identification process. Aquaculture in shrimp industry is a fast-growing food sector throughout the world. However, shrimp culture in many Asian countries faced a huge economic loss due to disease outbreaks. Scientists have been using specific established methods for detecting shrimp infection, but those methods do have their significant drawbacks due to many inherent factors. As such, we believe that this simple, rapid, sensitive and cost-effective tool can be used for detection and identification of DNA from different shrimp viruses and bacteria
Islamic revivalism and halal institutionalization: Tracking the influence of modern science and technology
No full textHalal issues are increasingly important to be discussed and implemented in Malaysia, particularly in terms of economic, social, legal and political issues. Halal is highlighted in Malaysia, among others, through the institutionalization of several institutions such as the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), the Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC), as well as the government's strong support led to its rapid expansion. This halal phenomenon is also contributed by the changing process of the socio-political landscape of Malaysia, and is associated with the development of the Islamic revivalism since the 1970s. In addition, this development is also assisted by the increasingly strong relationship between science, technology and Islam. The objectives of this study are to study
the relationship between Islamic revivalism and halal institutionalization, and to analyze the influence of science and technology as the catalyst in the development of halal institutionalization. Recent developments in the halal industry are seen as a stronger symbol of continuity of Islamic revivalism since 1970s, the impact of Islamization activities occurring in Malaysia, as well as the elements of modem science and technology which used in resolving halal issues. This study was conducted using library research, and interviews with several individuals involved in halal institutions in Malaysia. Through this study, it can be concluded that despite the rapid development of halal in terms of economic and legal aspects, this phenomenon can be seen as a reflection of the continuity of Islamic revivalism which is also assisted by a strong relationship between science, technology and Islam
Effects of sintering temperature on the structure and electrochemical performance of Mg2SiO4 cathode materials
No full textThe objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of sintering temperature on the structure and electrochemical performance of Mg2SiO4 cathode materials using sol-gel method. X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared analysis were used to study the structural properties of the materials. The temperatures applied in the sintering process influenced the structure, morphology, as well as particle size distribution of the Mg2SiO4. All samples sintered at temperatures of 900, 1000, and 1100 °C yielded pure Mg2SiO4 compounds consisting of orthorhombic crystalline phase with a space group of Pbnm. Particle size and lattice parameters of Mg2SiO4 samples increased with the increases of sintering temperature due to an increase of the nucleation and crystal growth rates. The cyclic voltammetry analysis showed the presence of redox reaction. This result shows that the Mg2SiO4 material has potential to be used as cathode materials in magnesium rechargeable batteries
Mg2−xMnxSiO4 compound obtained via sol–gel method: structural, morphological and electrochemical properties
No full textProspective cathode materials Mg2-xMnxSiO4 (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4) for magnesium-ion secondary battery were synthesized using sol gel method. Crystalline structure, morphology, particle size, electrical and electrochemical properties of the samples were investigated. X-ray diffraction patterns of the materials exhibited no extra peak for x ≤ 0.6 indicated that Mg2-xMnxSiO4 materials were successfully synthesized. Mn doping in magnesium site did not affect the formation of single phase, and this probably due to the low concentration of Mn to induces structural changes. Mn doping contributed to the enhancement of the electrochemical performance of Mg2SiO4. For this work, Mg1.4Mn0.6SiO4 which possesses the largest unit cell volume, smallest charge transfer resistance, and highest conductivity value showed the most promising electrochemical performance compared to the other samples. These results indicated the suitability of the Mg2-xMnxSiO4 to be exploiting further for potential applications as solid electrolytes in electrochemical devices and strengthen the fact that doping could be an effective way to enhanched the structural, electrical and electrochemical performance of materials
Dietary trigger factors of migraine and tension-type headache in a South East Asian country
No full textBackground: The literature on the dietary trigger factors of headache among the South East Asians is limited. Objective: The objective of the study was to examine the dietary trigger factors of migraine and tension-type headache (TTH) in Malaysian patients, consisting of Malays, Chinese and Indians. Methods: In this prospective cross-sectional study, patients presenting with migraine and TTH to a neurology clinic between April 2010 and June 2017 were recruited. The patients were given a comprehensive dietary list consisting of 25 specified types of food and drink items as well as other unspecified types of food and drink items which were possible dietary triggers. The data on these dietary triggers and missing meals were collected. Results: A total of 684 patients with headache (319 migraine and 365 TTH patients) were recruited. One hundred and fifty-eight (23.1%) patients had missing meals as trigger. Two hundred and fifty-five (37.3%) patients had dietary triggers; 141 (44.2%) patients with migraine and 114 (31.2%) patients with TTH had dietary triggers. Eighty-four (52.8%) Malay, 28 (41.8%) Chinese, 25 (32.5%) Indian migraine patients and five (38.5%) migraine patients from other ethnic groups, had dietary triggers. Some 58 (40.0%) Malay, 27 (25.2%) Chinese, 22 (23.9%) Indian patients and 7 (29.2%) patients from other ethnic groups with TTH had dietary triggers. The most common dietary trigger factors were coffee (19.9%), chocolate (7.5%) and food rich in monosodium glutamate (5.6%). Logistic regression showed that chocolate (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.06–4.41, p = 0.035) and coffee (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.12–2.68, p = 0.014) were significantly associated with migraine compared to TTH. Conclusion: Chocolate and coffee significantly triggered migraine compared to TTH. Inter-ethnic differences were observed for dietary trigger factors
Macroeconomic determinants of trade openness: empirical investigation of SAARC region
No full textPurpose: Trade openness plays a significant role in the growth process of countries. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of macroeconomic determinants on the trade openness of countries. Design/methodology/approach: The study focuses on the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) member countries and the data used were from 1971 to 2011. Panel data econometrics techniques and two stages least square method (TSLS) are used to carry out empirical analysis and robustness testing. Findings: The main finding of the paper is that macroeconomic determinants such as investment both in physical and human capital and per capita gross domestic product (GDP) positively affect trade openness. Further, the size of labour force and currency exchange rate has also impacted trade openness negatively and significantly. Practical implications: It implies that efficient macroeconomic management matters for higher trade openness. The sampled developing countries are suggested to pay favourable attention to macroeconomic variables if they want to grow in the long run through outward-oriented policies. Originality/value: This paper is an original contribution in the context of SAARC countries by focusing on the relationship between macroeconomic determinants and trade openness