Particle Swarm Optimisation for Protein Motif Discovery

In this paper, a modified particle swarm optimisation algorithm is proposed for protein sequence motif discovery. Protein sequences are represented as a chain of symbols and a protein sequence motif is a short sequence that exists in most of the protein sequence families. Protein sequence symbols are converted into numbers using a one to one amino acid translation table. The simulation uses EGF protein and C2H2 Zinc Finger protein families obtained from the PROSITE database. Simulation results show that the modified particle swarm optimisation algorithm is effective in obtaining global optimum sequence patterns, achieving 96.9 and 99.5 classification accuracy respectively in EGF and C2H2 Zinc Finger protein families. A better true positive hit result is achieved when compared to the motifs published in PROSITE database.     

The power grabbers

In this article, we give a broad overview of the problem of energy inefficiency in data centers (DCs), and we introduced the measures that are being taken and can be taken to improve their energy efficiency. We believe it is very unlikely that we will see an overall decrease in the energy consumed in DCs in the near future, given the strong increase in demand, despite the rigorous energy efficiency measures now being introduced. Only a decrease in the rate of increase of energy usage in DCs can reasonably be expected in the foreseeable future.     

Structure adaptation of hierarchical knowledge-based classifiers

This paper introduces a new method to identify the qualified rule-relevant nodes to construct hierarchical neuro-fuzzy systems (HNFSs). After learning, the proposed method analyzes the entire history of activities and behaviors of all rule nodes, which reflects their levels of involvement or contribution during the process. The less qualified rule-relevant nodes can then be identified and removed, reducing the size and complexity of the HNFS. Upon the repetitive learning process, the method may be repetitively applied until a satisfactory result is obtained, simultaneously improving the performance and reducing the size and complexity. Incorporated with the method is a new HNFS architecture which addresses both the scalability problem experienced in rule based systems and the restriction of the “overcrowded defuzzification” problem found in hierarchical designs. In order to verify the performance, the proposed method has been successfully tested against five well-known classification problems whose results are provided and then discussed in the concluding remarks.     

Rigorous Analysis of Numerical Phase and Group Velocity Bounds in Yee's FDTD Grid

We present a systematic derivation of the extreme values of phase and group velocity in Yee's finite difference time domain (FDTD) lattice with unequal aspect ratios. Using a Lagrange multiplier based approach; we derive necessary conditions that propagation vector components need to satisfy to attain extreme values in phase and group velocity. Knowledge of these extreme values is useful in designing low numerical dispersion FDTD schemes and also seeding numerical inversion routines of FDTD dispersion relations.     

Polynomial kernel adaptation and extensions to the SVM classifier learning

Three extensions to the Kernel-AdaTron training algorithm for Support Vector Machine classifier learning are presented. These extensions allow the trained classifier to adhere more closely to the constraints imposed by Support Vector Machine theory. The results of these modifications show improvements over the existing Kernel-AdaTron algorithm. A method of parameter optimisation for polynomial kernels is also proposed.     

Computationally advantageous and stable hierarchical fuzzy systems for active suspension

A new type of hierarchical fuzzy system (HFS), namely, hierarchical classifying-type fuzzy system (HCTFS), is developed and proposed in the paper. While the HCTFS enjoys the full benefits of a traditional HFS, one of which is to suppress the effects of the unwanted phenomenon, "the curse of dimensionality," it also offers one great advantage that all rule strengths are preserved when passing through subsystem layers. To demonstrate the potential of the HCTFS, computational complexity analysis will be conducted on the complete rule-base models of a conventional fuzzy system and the HCTFS. Furthermore, a methodology of stability analysis is proposed incorporating the use of the the HCTFS, providing the reader with another option of hierarchical fuzzy controller design upon stability concerns. To verify and conclude our proposal, a mathematical example and simulations are provided. In our simulated example, the the HCTFS controller incorporating the proposed stability analysis technique are applied to the active suspension system. The results obtained from the active suspension system are then discussed and compared with the results of the ideal and passive suspension systems.     

Control period selection for improved operating performance in district heating networks

The frequency of adjustments to the supply temperature set-point in district heating networks influences the overall operating cost in two ways: adaptability to changes in network conditions; and availability of time for determining an appropriate response. In this paper we investigate this trade-off and show that operating costs can be reduced through appropriate control period selection.Eleven hypothetical scenarios spanning five different networks have been simulated under a variety of control policies. When compared to a constant supply temperature strategy, the best policy in each case achieved a loss reduction of 5–24%.     

Empirical relationships between some manufacturing practices and performance

Intense global competition, rapid technological changes, advances in manufacturing and information technology and discerning customers are forcing manufacturers to adopt manufacturing practices and competitive priorities that enable them to deliver high quality products in a short period of time. Identifying manufacturers’ competitive priorities and effective manufacturing practices has long been considered one of the key elements in manufacturing strategy research. This paper presents the results of a study conducted to identify some of the effective manufacturing practices that have a significant influence on manufacturing performance. This study also identifies the main competitive objectives of manufacturing industries that participated in the study. The results reported in this paper are based on data collected from a survey using a standard questionnaire administered to 1000 manufacturers in Australia. Evidence indicates that product quality and reliability are the main competitive factors for manufacturers and price has become surprisingly a relatively less important factor. Results show that simultaneous pursuit of advanced quality practices can neutralize the potential negative impacts of manufacturing difficulties and significantly improve product quality and manufacturing performance. Failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) is shown to be an important tool for improving product quality and on time delivery performance. FMEA practice driven by the intention to improve customer satisfaction is more effective than that practised to fulfil customer requirements. Effective supplier relationships are shown to contribute positively to the manufacturing performance. The results also suggest that maintaining a supplier rating system and product data management and regularly updating them with field failure and warranty data are important manufacturing practices.     

Signal-based evaluation of handoff algorithms

We propose a new framework, based on signal quality, for performance evaluation and comparison between existing handoff algorithms. It includes new call quality measures and an off-line cluster-based computationally-simple heuristic algorithm to find a near optimal handoff sequence used as a benchmark. We then compare existing handoff algorithms and identify the trade-off between signal quality and number of handoffs.