Showing papers by "Nanyang Technological University published in 1998"
TL;DR: This article found that contingent workers engage in less organizational citizenship in Singapore, where there are ongoing labor shortages, and support social exchange theory predictions that workers engage less in organizational citizenship than in other countries.
Abstract: This study, conducted in Singapore, where there are ongoing labor shortages, supports social exchange theory predictions that contingent workers engage in less organizational citizenship, expect le...
526 citations
TL;DR: This paper rigorously proves that standard single-hidden layer feedforward networks with at most N hidden neurons and with any bounded nonlinear activation function which has a limit at one infinity can learn N distinct samples with zero error.
Abstract: It is well known that standard single-hidden layer feedforward networks (SLFNs) with at most N hidden neurons (including biases) can learn N distinct samples (x/sub i/,t/sub i/) with zero error, and the weights connecting the input neurons and the hidden neurons can be chosen "almost" arbitrarily. However, these results have been obtained for the case when the activation function for the hidden neurons is the signum function. This paper rigorously proves that standard single-hidden layer feedforward networks (SLFNs) with at most N hidden neurons and with any bounded nonlinear activation function which has a limit at one infinity can learn N distinct samples (x/sub i/,t/sub i/) with zero error. The previous method of arbitrarily choosing weights is not feasible for any SLFN. The proof of our result is constructive and thus gives a method to directly find the weights of the standard SLFNs with any such bounded nonlinear activation function as opposed to iterative training algorithms in the literature.
515 citations
TL;DR: This article investigated the influence of institutional investors on CEO compensation policy and found that institutional owners that have only an investment relationship with a firm influencer had a higher influence on the CEO's compensation.
Abstract: This study investigated the influence of institutional investors on CEO compensation policy. Results suggest that institutional owners that have only an investment relationship with a firm influenc...
475 citations
TL;DR: The M-RAN algorithm is shown to realize networks with far fewer hidden neurons with better or same approximation/classification accuracy and the time taken for learning (training) is also considerably shorter as M- RAN does not require repeated presentation of the training data.
Abstract: Presents a detailed performance analysis of the minimal resource allocation network (M-RAN) learning algorithm, M-RAN is a sequential learning radial basis function neural network which combines the growth criterion of the resource allocating network (RAN) of Platt (1991) with a pruning strategy based on the relative contribution of each hidden unit to the overall network output. The resulting network leads toward a minimal topology for the RAN. The performance of this algorithm is compared with the multilayer feedforward networks (MFNs) trained with 1) a variant of the standard backpropagation algorithm, known as RPROP and 2) the dependence identification (DI) algorithm of Moody and Antsaklis (1996) on several benchmark problems in the function approximation and pattern classification areas. For all these problems, the M-RAN algorithm is shown to realize networks with far fewer hidden neurons with better or same approximation/classification accuracy. Further, the time taken for learning (training) is also considerably shorter as M-RAN does not require repeated presentation of the training data.
462 citations
TL;DR: A longitudinal study of corporate social disclosures by publicly-listed Singapore-based companies in the banking, food and beverages, and hotel industries from 1986 to 1995 was presented in this paper.
Abstract: This paper presents a longitudinal study of corporate social disclosures by publicly‐listed Singapore‐based companies in the banking, food and beverages, and hotel industries from 1986 to 1995 Annual reports of all the 33 companies in the three industries were examined and it was found that 16 of them did not have any social responsibility disclosures throughout the ten‐year period Sentence‐by‐sentence content analysis of the annual reports of the remaining 17 companies was then conducted The companies mainly disclosed information on human resources and community involvement Starting from a low level, there was a steady increase in the amount of social information presented in annual reports during the late 1980s The amount of disclosures, however, has remained steady since 1993 The two tobacco companies in the sample did have significantly larger amounts of social information disclosed This last result supports the arguments of legitimacy theory
360 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors report the results of a pilot study conducted among a sample of local SMEs in Singapore and the results are compared to an earlier work done in Singapore.
Abstract: Literature review highlights the importance of TQM for SMEs to improve their current business practices as well as quality of products and services, to ensure long‐term survival. However, there are several barriers to effective implementation of TQM in such organizations, namely, the apparent lack of business experience and knowledge, and limitation of financial as well as human resources. Singaporean SMEs account for a large share of its economy, however, little has been written on how TQM has been applied in these companies in Singapore and the region. This paper reports the results of a pilot study conducted among a sample of local SMEs. The findings are compared to an earlier work done in Singapore. Furthermore, this paper reports the findings of follow‐up interviews with some local SMEs regarding the perceived benefits of and barriers to ISO 9000. Based on the experience in Singapore, ISO 9000 certification has provided significant benefits for SMEs. The journey towards TQM will, however, require not only full commitment of the company management, but also a quality culture created externally by the government which is crucial to the progress beyond ISO 9000.
305 citations
TL;DR: This paper showed that firms that had a higher fraction of bank loans in 1989 performed worse than other firms from 1990 to 1993, when the typical firm on the Tokyo Stock Exchange lost more than half its value and banks experienced severe adverse shocks.
Abstract: From 1990 to 1993, the typical firm on the Tokyo Stock Exchange lost more than half its value and banks experienced severe adverse shocks. We show that firms whose debt had a higher fraction of bank loans in 1989 performed worse from 1990 to 1993. This effect is statistically as well as economically significant and holds when we control for a variety of variables that affect firm performance during this period of time. We find that firms that were more bank-dependent also invested less during this period than other firms. We also show that exogenous shocks to banks during the negotiations leading to the Basle Accord affected bank borrowers significantly.
289 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe the rheological behavior of a HEUR (hydrophobic ethoxylated urethane) associative polymer with C16H33 end groups at 2.0 wt % concentration in aqueous solution.
Abstract: This paper describes the rheological behavior of a HEUR (hydrophobic ethoxylated urethane) associative polymer with C16H33 end groups at 2.0 wt % concentration in aqueous solution. Under normal steady shear, this solution exhibits Newtonian behavior at low shear rates and, as the shear rate is increased, passes through a shear-thickening region before exhibiting a sharp decrease in viscosity. Here we report superposition-of-oscillation experiments on steady-shear flows to examine the state of the network structure under different shear conditions. The technique involves applying a steady shear deformation to the fluid, and once the steady state is achieved, a small amplitude oscillation is imposed on the sample to measure the linear viscoelastic properties. We observe that within the shear-thickening region, the plateau modulus is larger than in the Newtonian region, suggesting that shear-thickening is the result of a shear-induced increase in the density of mechanically active chains, which may be due to...
282 citations
TL;DR: This paper investigated grade 12 students' understandings of the nature of chemical bonds and energetics elicited across five familiar chemical reactions following a course of instruction, and found that the students' responses revealed a range of conceptions at variance with the chemist's view.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate Grade 12 students' understandings of the nature of chemical bonds and energetics elicited across five familiar chemical reactions following a course of instruction. Based on a chemist's analysis of the conceptual area, a list of relevant concepts involved was identified, and the range of five reactions was chosen. These then served as the framework for drawing up a semistructured interview protocol, which was administered to 48 students. The students' responses revealed a range of conceptions at variance with the chemist's view, some of which have not yet been reported in the literature. The implications of the research are that grasping chemistry concepts and principles from the students' perspective is full of pitfalls. There are numerous ways in which students can misconstruct concepts and principles. Teachers, curriculum developers, and textbook writers must be aware of the various ways in which material presented could be misconstrued and hence be a hindrance to student learning. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 35: 569–581, 1998.
270 citations
29 Oct 1998
TL;DR: The proposed algorithms all work well in the whole tracking process and can detect more complete vessel network in the ocular fundus photographs.
Abstract: Detection and tracking algorithms of the blood vessel network in the retinal images are proposed. Two main groups of algorithms are employed for this task, i.e., scanning and tracking. According to the known blood vessel feature, a second-order derivative Gaussian matched filter is designed and used to locate the center point and width of a vessel in its cross sectional profile. Together with this the extended Kalman filter is employed for the optimal linear estimation of the next possible location of blood vessel segment by appropriate formulation of its pattern changing process and observation model. To check the bifurcation in the vessel network, a simple branching detection strategy is implemented during tracking. The proposed algorithms all work well in the whole tracking process and can detect more complete vessel network in the ocular fundus photographs.
255 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors aim to capture a panoramic view of innovation in organizations, which is viewed from perspectives representing different fields of knowledge, particularly those on creativity, the dynamics and the organization of innovation.
TL;DR: Two short-time spectral amplitude estimators of the speech signal are derived based on a parametric formulation of the original generalized spectral subtraction method to improve the noise suppression performance of theoriginal method while maintaining its computational simplicity.
Abstract: In this paper, two short-time spectral amplitude estimators of the speech signal are derived based on a parametric formulation of the original generalized spectral subtraction method. The objective is to improve the noise suppression performance of the original method while maintaining its computational simplicity. The proposed parametric formulation describes the original method and several of its modifications. Based on the formulation, the speech spectral amplitude estimator is derived and optimized by minimizing the mean-square error (MSE) of the speech spectrum. With a constraint imposed on the parameters inherent in the formulation, a second estimator is also derived and optimized. The two estimators are different from those derived in most modified spectral subtraction methods, which are predominantly nonstatistical. When tested under stationary white Gaussian noise and semistationary Jeep noise, they showed improved noise suppression results.
TL;DR: The tracking error bound is proven to be a class-K function of the bounds of reinitialization errors, uncer- tainties and disturbances to the systems, and the time delays in the system states do not play a significant role in the ILC convergence property.
TL;DR: It is shown that there is no one strategy that obtains the best solution for all possible problem parameters in the integrated vendor-buyer inventory model.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors developed two compact plasma focus (CPF) devices operating in neon with high performance and high repetition rate capacity for use as an intense soft X-ray (SXR) source for microelectronics lithography.
Abstract: Basic operational characteristics of the plasma focus are considered from design perspectives to develop powerful radiation sources. Using these ideas we have developed two compact plasma focus (CPF) devices operating in neon with high performance and high repetition rate capacity for use as an intense soft X-ray (SXR) source for microelectronics lithography. The NX1 is a four-module system with a peak current of 320 kA when the capacitor bank (7.8 /spl mu/F/spl times/4) is charged to 14 kV. It produces 100 J of SXR per shot (4% wall plug efficiency) giving at 3 Hz, 300 W of average SXR power into 4/spl pi/. The NX2 is also a four-module system. Each module uses a rail gap switching 12 capacitors each with a capacity of 0.6 /spl mu/F. The NX2 operates with peak currents of 400 kA at 11.5 kV into water-cooled electrodes at repetition rates up to 16 Hz to produce 300 W SXR in burst durations of several minutes. SXR lithographs are taken from both machines to demonstrate that sufficient SXR flux is generated for an exposure with only 300 shots. In addition, flash electron lithographs are also obtained requiring only ten shots per exposure. Such high performance compact machines may be improved to yield over 1 kW of SXR, enabling sufficient exposure throughput to be of interest to the wafer industry. In deuterium the neutron yield could be over 10/sup 10/ neutrons per second over prolonged bursts of minutes.
TL;DR: This approach to real-time fault detection and classification in power transmission systems by using fuzzy-neuro techniques can be used as an effective tool for high speed digital relaying, as the correct detection is achieved in less than 10 ms.
Abstract: This paper presents a new approach to real-time fault detection and classification in power transmission systems by using fuzzy-neuro techniques. The integration with neural network technology enhances fuzzy logic systems on learning capabilities. The symmetrical components in combination with three line currents are utilized to detect fault types such as single line-to ground, line-to-line, double line-to-ground and three line-to-ground, and then to define the faulty line. Computer simulation results are shown in this paper and they indicate this approach can be used as an effective tool for high speed digital relaying, as the correct detection is achieved in less than 10 ms.
TL;DR: In this paper, the reliability measures in terms of loss of load hours (LOLH), the energy loss and the total cost have been used as the indices for evaluation of different PV schemes.
Abstract: One major application of photovoltaic (PV) power has been in remote areas as isolated small power generation for essential electric power. This paper discusses issues in optimizing the use of such stations and presents a procedure to evaluate different PV schemes considering the stochastic natures of the insolation and the load. The reliability measures in terms of loss of load hours (LOLH), the energy loss and the total cost have been used as the indices for evaluation of different schemes. The insolation and the load demand are modeled as stochastic variables using historical data and experimentation respectively. The operation of various stand-alone schemes are simulated for a specific load. Actual commercially available panel and battery sizes with actual costs have been used in the various configurations studied. The long run expected values of the performance indices for various configurations of the solar station have been measured. Comparative analysis of the results show that higher cost not necessarily translates into better performance. The panel size and the battery size have different impacts on the indices of performance, and a proper balance between the two is necessary to optimize the operation of a stand-alone PV scheme.
TL;DR: This article identified the cognitive and metacognitive strategies and tactics used by 16 ESL learners from the People's Republic of China studying on an intensive English language and academic skills program in a university in Singapore.
Abstract: This article presents findings from research into listening strategies and tactics of ESL learners from the People’s Republic of China studying on an intensive English language and academic skills programme in a university in Singapore. This research makes a distinction between strategies and tactics, with the term ‘strategy’ referring to a general approach and ‘tactic’ meaning a specific action or step. In this article I identify the cognitive and metacognitive strategies and tactics used by 16 ESL learners, and compare the way high- and low-ability listeners applied them. I specifically examine the frequency and the types of strategies and tactics used. To find evidence of these cognitive processes, retrospective verbal reports were analysed. The study showed that the high-ability listeners used more strategies and tactics than the low- ability ones. They were also able to vary their application of tactics within each strategy. Both groups used more cognitive strategies and tactics than metacognitive on...
TL;DR: In this paper, a robust linear decentralized controller is proposed to enhance the transient stability of nonlinear multimachine power systems, which is based on solving an algebraic Riccati equation based on the bounds of the machine parameters.
Abstract: In this paper, a new robust linear decentralized controller is proposed to enhance the transient stability of nonlinear multimachine power systems. Only local measurements are required in the proposed controller. The feedback gain of each generator is obtained by solving an algebraic Riccati equation based on the bounds of the machine parameters. The stability analysis shows that the decentralized controller can guarantee the system stability over the whole operating region and regardless of fault locations or parameter uncertainties of the transmission network. Compared with nonlinear controllers, linear controllers are of simpler structure and easier to be implemented. A three-machine power system is considered as an application example. Simulation results show that despite the interconnections between different generators, nonlinearities in the system, different operating points, and different fault locations, the proposed robust decentralized controller can greatly enhance power system transient stability.
TL;DR: In this article, the anaerobic-anoxic-oxic (A1-A2-O) fixed biofilm system was used for coke plant wastewater treatment in coal gasification wastewater and the experimental results showed that this system was efficient and stable in NH3-N and COD reductions.
TL;DR: In this paper, the boundary layer heat transfer in a two-dimensional Newtonian fluid flow caused by a porous and linearly stretching sheet in the presence of blowing/suction is considered.
Abstract: This paper considers the boundary layer heat transfer in a two-dimensional Newtonian fluid flow caused by a porous and linearly stretching sheet in the presence of blowing/suction. The thermal conductivity is assumed to vary linearly with temperature as is found in liquid metals. The resulting nonlinear energy equation forms a boundary value problem which is solved by a shooting method. A perturbation method is also used to derive a set of uncoupled, linear boundary value problems which are solved by superposition of solutions.
TL;DR: The algorithm unwraps phase from an area with higher reliability to one with lower reliability, and the speed of the algorithm proposed is much faster than conventional routines.
Abstract: Phase-unwrapping algorithms, an active and interesting subject in recent years, are important in a great number of measurement applications. Active research is being undertaken to develop reliable and high-speed procedures. The current process uses a gray-scale mask and the flood-fill concept from image processing for phase unwrapping. The algorithm unwraps phase from an area with higher reliability to one with lower reliability. In addition to robustness, the speed of the algorithm proposed is much faster than conventional routines. The experimental results of different algorithms are compared by analysis of a tooth plaster and a photoelastic specimen.
31 Mar 1998-Materials Science and Engineering A-structural Materials Properties Microstructure and Processing
TL;DR: In this article, an analysis based on size difference of matrix and reinforcement particles, taking into account the processing parameters, and an innovative way of extruding brittle composites to increase its formability is presented.
Abstract: There has been growing interest in the last decade in the development of metal matrix composites (MMCs) for the aerospace industry because of their attractive physical and mechanical properties and enhanced elevated temperature capabilities. However, some of the fabrication techniques (e.g. using powder metallurgy) for this new class of MMCs are hampered by (i) the poor distribution of the reinforcements, and (ii) the limited room temperature ductility of the composites and hence formability. This presentation reports work done to address the above two problems by (i) an analysis based on size difference of matrix and reinforcement particles, taking into account the processing parameters, and (ii) introducing a innovative way of extruding brittle composites to increase its formability.
TL;DR: Using different diamond tools with rake angles of 0 degree and −25 degree at different cutting speeds, taper cutting experiments were carried out with increasing depth of cut on silicon.
01 Jun 1998
TL;DR: The proposed fingerprint recognition scheme can provide an efficient way of automated identification and can be extended to numerous other security or administration applications.
Abstract: The paper describes an enhanced fingerprint recognition system consisting of image preprocessing, feature extraction and matching that runs accurately and effectively on a personal computer platform. The image preprocessing includes histogram equalisation, modification of directional codes, dynamic thresholding and ridgeline thinning which are sufficient to enhance the image to a state ready for feature extraction. Only features extracted are stored in a file for fingerprint matching. The matching algorithm presented is a modification and improvement of the structural approach. Experimental results acquired for matching are accurate, reliable and fast for implementation using a PC and a fingerprint scanner. The proposed fingerprint recognition scheme can provide an efficient way of automated identification and can be extended to numerous other security or administration applications.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors make an exploratory attempt to explain strategic alliance formation from the resource-based approach, which has so far been neglected by researchers in this area, and discuss five major motives for strategic alliance, namely creation of rents, expansion of resources usage, diversification of resource usage, imitation of resources and disposal of resources.
TL;DR: The advantages of using the Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) as compared to the standard Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) for the purpose of removing noise embedded in a speech signal is illustrated.
TL;DR: This study investigated how effectively cause-effect information can be extracted from newspaper text using a simple computational method (i.e. without knowledge-based inferencing and without full parsing of sentences).
Abstract: This study investigated how effectively cause-effect information can be extracted from newspaper text using a simple computational method (i.e. without knowledge-based inferencing and without full parsing of sentences). An automatic method was developed for identifying and extracting cause-effect information in Wall Street Journal text using linguistic clues and pattern matching. The set of linguistic patterns used for identifying causal relationships was based on a thorough review of the literature and on an analysis of sample sentences from the Wall Street Journal. The cause-effect information extracted using the method was compared with that identified by two human judges. The program successfully extracted ∼68% of the causal relationships identified by both judges (the intersection of the two sets of causal relationships identified by the judges). Of the instances that the computer program identified as causal relationships, ∼25% were identified by both judges, and 64% were identified by at least one of the judges. Problems encountered are discussed