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Presents fundamental results on fuzzy Mealy machines. Unlike the classical Mealy machine which requires two functions, one to describe the next state and another to describe the output, a fuzzy Mealy machine requires only one fuzzy function to characterize completely the next state and the output produced. Apart from the obvious generalization that can be obtained from corresponding results on fuzzy finite state machines by introduction of an output associated with each transition, introduces the concept of an interval partition of [0, 1] and uses it to obtain more general results.

Studies the concept of the Cartesian composition of fuzzy finite state machines. Shows that fuzzy finite state machines and their Cartesian composition share many structural properties. Some of these properties are singly generated; retrievability, connectedness, strong connectedness, commutativity, perfection and state independence. Thus a fuzzy finite state machine which is a Cartesian composition of submachines can be studied in terms of smaller machines.

In this paper, we define and examine the concept of a fuzzy recognizer. If L(M) is the language recognized by an incomplete fuzzy recognizer M, we show that there is a completion M of M such that L(M) = L(M). We also show that if A is a recognizable set of words, then there is a complete accessible fuzzy recognizer M_A such that L(M_A) = A. We lay groundwork to determine rational decompositions of recognizable sets.

Tests the reliability of an empirical model designed by Szapocznik et al to measure acculturation levels of first‐generation immigrants. Applies model to a demographically diverse sample group of first‐generation Asian‐Indian immigrants in three cities near New York (USA) to establish levels of cultural and behavioural acculturation, and the relevance of demographic variables, such as gender, marital status, religion and occupation. Establishes a series of statistically significant correlations between the variables examined; compares these results with findings of other studies involving different immigrant groups. Asserts that the model provides a reliable basis for assessing acculturation characteristics of immigrants; concludes that the findings of this study provide an objective basis for the development of social and public policy aimed at accommodating acculturation needs of this particular immigrant group.

The purpose of this research paper is to develop an algorithm/methodology for the reduction of a fuzzy recognizer through an algebraic concept such as homomorphism.

The approach of this research is to introduce the concepts, compatible with the purpose of this paper, and then to find a necessary and sufficient condition for the reduction of a fuzzy recognizer.

A fuzzy Σ‐recognizer M with non‐empty fuzzy initial state and the behavior A is reduced if and only if it is isomorphic to M^A.

The research proposes an algebraic method for the reduction of a fuzzy recognizer. The problem of finding dispensable fuzzy productions of a regular fuzzy grammar may be tackled by the use this algebraic method, as fuzzy recognizers and fuzzy regular grammars are equivalent.

The concepts and the methodology are original. The work is useful to the researchers in the field of fuzzy automata, fuzzy grammars and pattern recognition.

Nonperforming assets in any banking system have stressed the economic health of nations. Resultantly, literature has given considerable impetus to predict failures and bankruptcy. Past studies have focused on the outcome of failures, while, there is a dearth of studies focusing on ongoing firms in bad shape. We plug this gap and attempt to identify underlying communication patterns for firms witnessing prolonged underperformance. Using text mining, we extract and analyze semantic, linguistic, emotional, and sentiment-based features in non-numeric communication channels of these poor-performing firms and their peers. These uncovered patterns highlight the use of vocabulary and tone of communication, in correspondence to their financial well-being. Furthermore, using such patterns, we deploy various Machine Learning algorithms to identify loser firm(s) way ahead in time. We observe promising accuracy over a time window of five years. Such early warning signals can be of critical importance to various stakeholders of a firm. Exploration of writing style-related features for any firm would help its investors, lending agencies to assess the likelihood of future underperformance. Firm management can use them to take suitable precautionary measures and preempt the future possibility of distress. While investors and lenders can be benefitted from this incremental information to identify the likelihood of future failures.

A compact low-cost antenna structure is proposed to augment the impedance-bandwidth in mm-wave range. Beside it, the paper also aimed to enhance high gain for n260 and n261-bands, suitable for futuristic communication systems.

Design consists of radiating patch and a partial ground plane with semi-circle arc for smooth flow of current. The lower corners of patch are gradually clipped away to make the patch nearly elliptical. Further, two tilted slots at an angle α = 15° are etched at the edges of the patch to augment bandwidth for mm-wave range. These slots divert the periphery current of semi elliptical patch towards center portion of antenna which ensures the participation in radiation of central portion of patch. The upper corners are also clipped away to limit the copper losses and smoothly flow of current. The proposed antenna is designed using HFSS and it is structured on inexpensive FR4 substrate of size 27.5 × 20 mm².

It supports enormous −10 dB bandwidth of 5.86–40GHz (148.89%) even though use of high loss-tangent material and high gain for 28 GHz (27.50–28.35 GHz) n261–band and 37 GHz (37–38.6 GHz) and 39 GHz (38.6–40GHz) n260–bands with a peak-gain of 8.76 dBi, 10.8 dBi and 9.92 dBi, respectively.

The proposed methodology of design is very useful to enhance impedance bandwidth to cover all C–, X–, Ku–, K– and Ka–band even though use of low cost material with high loss tangent. In recent literature, the designs were implemented with a costly material and having very low loss tangent and covers partial suggest bands.

Consumers frequently use electronic payments (e-payment) as their first step into formal financial services. The advancement of information and communication technology, on the other hand, has resulted in several achievements for human civilization, altering people’s lives, behaviors and societal measures. This study’s main aim is to investigate issues and identify the factors that are likely to influence customers’ acceptance of implementing e-payment in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

A quantitative research approach was adopted to test the influence of e-payment data security, trust, ease of use, usefulness and accessibility on customers’ acceptance of the service. A questionnaire survey was electronically administered to a purposive sample, and 531 responses were returned, achieving the required sample size for the study. Descriptive statistics analysis was used to ascertain data validity and consistency, and regression analysis was used to test the model’s hypotheses.

The findings of this study demonstrated a high influence of the mentioned factors on the e-payment acceptance of the customers in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The main recommendations are to increase the adoption of e-payment; focus highly on the security factor in e-payment adoption; create a trustworthy e-payment service; strive to make the e-payment services more user-friendly; increase the longevity of the e-payment services by focusing on usefulness; and make e-payment services more accessible.

This study’s potential contribution is to identify the factors that influence e-payment acceptance by customers in Bahrain and draw attention to issues to be considered in adopting new e-payment services.

Drawing on ethnographic observations of diabetes (self-)management in French-speaking Switzerland and semi-structured interviews with healthcare practitioners, people living with diabetes and their relatives, the chapter aims at shedding light on self-tracking practices of people living with diabetes. It explores the ways people with diabetes measure and learn to recognise body symptoms of hypo- and hyperglycaemia through self-quantification, and act consequently. In particular, the chapter investigates recent medical devices – continuous and flash glucose monitoring systems – that reconfigure the work of health providers and self-care practices. It shows the self-monitoring practices and the resulting self-awareness people living with diabetes develop in interaction with technology and caregivers in order to undertake embodied actions. By pointing out that new technologies have facilitated the access to personal body information and the sharing of it, self-monitoring is also questioned as a form of surveillance, opening up issues of power and control over patients’ behaviours. With regard to this, the chapter illustrates that, occasionally, people with diabetes resist ‘docility’ through micro-powers at the level of everyday life by refusing to engage in their use and by developing personal strategies or ‘tactics’.