An architectural framework for automatic detection of autism using deep convolution networks and genetic algorithm

The brainchild in any medical image processing lied in how accurately the diseases are diagnosed. Especially in the case of neural disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), accurate detection was still a challenge. Several noninvasive neuroimaging techniques provided experts information about the functionality and anatomical structure of the brain. As autism is a neural disorder, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain gave a complex structure and functionality. Many machine learning techniques were proposed to improve the classification and detection accuracy of autism in MRI images. Our work focused mainly on developing the architecture of convolution neural networks (CNN) combining the genetic algorithm. Such artificial intelligence (AI) techniques were very much needed for training as they gave better accuracy compared to traditional statistical methods.

An Architectural Framework for Facebook Messenger Chatbot Enabled Home Appliance Control System

The need to remotely control home appliances is an important aspect of home automation and is now receiving lot of attentions in the literature. The works so far are still at a development level making further research necessary. This article presents a framework for chatbot-controlled home appliance control system and was implemented by programming a Raspberry Pi using the Python language while the chatbot server was also implemented using a Node.js on JavaScript. The Raspberry Pi was connected to the chatbot server via Wi-Fi using a websockets protocol. The chatbot server is linked to Facebook Messenger using the Messenger Application Protocol Interface. Messages received at the chatbot server are analyzed with RasaNLU to classify the user's intention and extract necessary information which are sent over websocket to the connected Raspberry pi. The system was evaluated using control precision and percentage correct classification with both producing a significant level of acceptance. This work produced a Facebook Messenger chatbot-based framework capable of controlling Home Appliances remotely.

Technology for designing innovative processes for creating products and services of a network enterprise using an i4.0 knowledge-based system

The creation of network enterprises based on the digital technologies of the Industrie 4.0 (the 4th Industrial Revolution, i4.0) opens broad opportunities for increasing production flexibility, customer focus and continuous innovation in products and services provided. At the same time, new opportunities necessitate the development of new methods and technologies for designing innovative processes in the context of digital i4.0 platforms, all of which highlights the relevance of the presented research topic. This work aims to define technologies for designing innovative processes to create products and services using i4.0 systems which are based on multi-agent interaction of asset administration shells (AAS), displaying digital twins of product components, and the use of ontological and cognitive methods for forming and justifying design decisions. The work presented here uses the Domain-Driven Design approach, an architectural framework for building i4.0 systems, methods of ontological engineering, quality function deployment (QFD), analysis of the types and consequences of potential inconsistencies (FMEA) and processing of fuzzy sets. The paper proposes principles for identifying bounded contexts of the domain under the design activities for the stages of the life cycle and products’ subsystems (components). For bounded contexts of the domain, it is envisaged to create AAS of i4.0 systems, with the help of which the innovative process is supported and the multi-agent interaction of its participants is carried out. As cognitive tools for making design decisions, we proposed to use services for assessing the importance of the determined quality characteristics of products and minimizing deviations of the proposed solutions from the formed functional and non-functional requirements. The methods of ontological engineering and data modelling allow us to dynamically develop an innovative project and support various versions of the project in the design process. Application of the proposed technology for designing innovative processes to create products and services at network enterprises using i4.0 systems will improve the quality of design decisions, increase the dynamism and continuous design of innovative projects.

eIF5B and eIF1A remodel human translation initiation complexes to mediate ribosomal subunit joining

Joining of the ribosomal subunits at a translation start site on a messenger RNA during initiation commits the ribosome to synthesize a protein. Here, we combined single-molecule spectroscopy and structural methods using an in vitro reconstituted system to examine how the human ribosomal subunits join. Single-molecule fluorescence revealed when universally-conserved eukaryotic initiation factors (eIFs) eIF1A and eIF5B associate with and depart from initiation complexes. Guided by single-molecule dynamics, we examined initiation complexes that contained both eIF1A and eIF5B using single-particle electron cryo-microscopy. The resulting structure illuminated how eukaryote-specific contacts between eIF1A and eIF5B remodel the initiation complex to orient initiator tRNA in a conformation compatible with ribosomal subunit joining. Collectively, our findings provide a quantitative and architectural framework for the molecular choreography orchestrated by eIF1A and eIF5B during human translation initiation.

An approach for Industrie 4.0-compliant and data-sovereign Digital Twins

Data sharing between enterprises requires both interoperability and data sovereignty. In the application domain of industrial production an integrated approach is required that encompasses standards and technologies of both Industrie 4.0 and the International Data Spaces (IDS). This paper describes how to combine them for the concept of Digital Twins following the architectural framework given in ISO DIS 23247. Furthermore, an implementation approach is described relying upon the Fraunhofer Advanced AAS Tools for Digital Twins (FA³ST). The resulting architectural approach may be combined with further open manufacturing standards, and may be applied for data analytics and the engineering of AI-based systems.

One In Seven

<p>Like many cities across South America, Caracas is a city of widespread informal settlements, with over a third of the city’s population living in slums. South America’s urban slums are expected to continue their rapid expansion, with an estimated 113 million people across the continent living in sprawling slums beyond the reach of official planning and regulation. These communities develop for many reasons; lack of affordable housing; large urban migration; or high levels of poverty. As people become frustrated with their situation they begin to build on empty areas in the city, continuously expanding and adding to the urban sprawl. However, South American cities are already highly developed, urban space is at a premium, and there’s limited space for new construction. How can we improve the conditions within these informal communities rather than following the usual approach of force relocations into, often insufficient in number and inadequate in design, social housing? Forced relocations split communities apart and move inhabitants away from work and amenities, and often does nothing to slow the growth of informal settlements due to the limited number of social housing available. This research proposes to form a self-sustainable architectural framework that integrates into the existing informal settlements without unnecessary harm or relocation of the city’s urban poor, to improve their quality of life. The research argues that new strategies of regeneration that seek to promote a collaborative construction of the physical environment, would boost neighbourhood development and improve existing conditions without undue harm to the people it attempts to help. The regeneration strategy would be a system which works on 3 scales to solve basic problems, such as water, power, and community spaces through sustainable means. This system would be the starting point of a revitalization process, helping to improve the permanence and resilience of these communities.</p>

One In Seven

<p>Like many cities across South America, Caracas is a city of widespread informal settlements, with over a third of the city’s population living in slums. South America’s urban slums are expected to continue their rapid expansion, with an estimated 113 million people across the continent living in sprawling slums beyond the reach of official planning and regulation. These communities develop for many reasons; lack of affordable housing; large urban migration; or high levels of poverty. As people become frustrated with their situation they begin to build on empty areas in the city, continuously expanding and adding to the urban sprawl. However, South American cities are already highly developed, urban space is at a premium, and there’s limited space for new construction. How can we improve the conditions within these informal communities rather than following the usual approach of force relocations into, often insufficient in number and inadequate in design, social housing? Forced relocations split communities apart and move inhabitants away from work and amenities, and often does nothing to slow the growth of informal settlements due to the limited number of social housing available. This research proposes to form a self-sustainable architectural framework that integrates into the existing informal settlements without unnecessary harm or relocation of the city’s urban poor, to improve their quality of life. The research argues that new strategies of regeneration that seek to promote a collaborative construction of the physical environment, would boost neighbourhood development and improve existing conditions without undue harm to the people it attempts to help. The regeneration strategy would be a system which works on 3 scales to solve basic problems, such as water, power, and community spaces through sustainable means. This system would be the starting point of a revitalization process, helping to improve the permanence and resilience of these communities.</p>

The Role of Architects in Post Disaster Reconstruction

<p>In post-disaster reconstruction in underdeveloped countries, architects all too often create design solutions with little appreciation of the environment in which their solutions are expected to work. The disaster context for reconstruction is complex and irregular. Issues vary from lack of available resources; difficulty in transporting resources, inflation of costs for construction materials, corruption in the allocation of aid money and resources, language barriers, and the complexity of architects needing to meet the local socio-economic and cultural norms of each particular community. These are but a few of the complexities that need to be addressed when working in post-disaster reconstruction. This paper draws on grounded theory field research and analysis of reconstruction efforts in Samoa after the tsunami in 2009 and category 2 Tropical Cyclone Evan (TC Evan) in 2012,; and category 5 Tropical Cyclone Winston (TC Winston) that devastated Fiji in 2016. This paper measures this research and analysis against literature and research and analysis of other post-disaster reconstruction case studies to come up with design iterations that are viable for the post-disaster context of Nanokonoko village, Viti Levu, Fiji. This thesis investigates the ways that the architectural process of design can be used so that post-disaster communities have access to adequate, self-sustainable, and affordable housing. It does so by identifying the gaps and potential barriers that are created along the rebuilding work flow, then analyses and recommends an improved process for post-disaster reconstruction in underdeveloped countries for the architect and architecture to follow. By adopting the recommended process of reconstruction, the living situation of communities will significantly improve immediately following the disaster and in the long-term. This thesis also explores the many other value adding roles that the architectural framework can benefit reconstruction through. By ensuring designs are culturally and socio-economically viable to the rural village of Nanokonoko and engages with the affected community in the early stages of recovery.</p>