bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Image and Video Restoration and Enhancement via Sparse Representation
Authors: Kang Li-Wei , Yu Chia-Mu , Lin Chih-Yang , Yeh Chia-Hung
Published: August 2016

The chapter provides a survey of recent advances in image/video restoration and enhancement via spare representation. Images/videos usually unavoidably suffer from noises due to sensor imperfection or poor illumination. Numerous contributions have addressed this problem from diverse points of view. Recently, the use of sparse and redundant representations over learned dictionaries has become one specific approach. One goal here is to provide a survey of advances in image/video denoising via sparse representation. Moreover, to consider more general types of noise, this chapter also addresses the problems about removals of structured/unstructured components (e.g., rain streaks or blocking artifacts) from image/video. Moreover, image/video quality may be degraded from low-resolution due to low-cost acquisition. Hence, this chapter also provides a survey of recently advances in super-resolution via sparse representation. Finally, the conclusion can be drawn that sparse representation techniques have been reliable solutions in several problems of image/video restoration and enhancement.
Technology Studies and the Sociological Debate on Monitoring of Social Interactions
Authors: Odella Francesca
Published: August 2016

The article reviews methodological perspectives adopted in the analysis of social implications of scientific and technical developments and in particular the current sociological debate involving monitoring technologies and social research. A particular attention is devoted to social network analysis, an emergent area of sociological research that focuses on the relational implications of technologies in organizations, small groups and other contexts of social participation. Using case studies and examples of technologies implementation, the article describes the advancements in this field of enquiry and highlights the main elements of the structure of interactions in virtual and technology mediated communications. It also pays attention to the implications of human interaction monitoring technologies such as video surveillance and GPS tracking, and the public role that sociological research can have in advancing ethical and organizational issues related with their adoption.
Web and Mobile Phone Based Rabies Surveillance System for Humans and Animals in Kilosa District, Tanzania
Authors: Kipanyula Maulilio J. , Geofrey Anna M. , Fue Kadeghe G. , Mlozi Malongo R.S. , Tumbo Siza D. , Haug Ruth , Sanga Camilius A.
Published: August 2016

Rabies has continued to claim human life despite different efforts to controls its transmission cycles between humans and domestic dogs. New developments in ICT have provided an opportunity for increased possibilities for community involvement in rabies surveillance. The main objective of this study was to investigate on approaches and practices to improve the communication of rabies surveillance information at different levels. Specifically, a study was carried to establish the significance of applying human sensor web system. Human sensor web has a potential of strengthening rabies surveillance system and serves as applied research tools for investigating strategic spatially targeted control activities, identifying areas most at risk and early detection of rabies incursions. Web and mobile based rabies surveillance system was developed and piloted as a support tool for the detection, surveillance and control of rabies. Wide application of the developed system will pave way for effective and efficient country-wide sharing of rabies surveillance information.
3D Imaging Systems for Agricultural Applications
Authors: Cointault Frédéric , Han Simeng , Rabatel Gilles , Jay Sylvain , Rousseau David , Billiot Bastien , Simon Jean-Claude , Salon Christophe
Published: August 2016

The development of the concepts of precision agriculture and viticulture since the last three decades has shown the need to use first 2D image acquisition techniques and dedicated image processing. More and more needs concern now 3D images and information. The main ideas of this chapter is thus to present some innovations of the 3D tools and methods in the agronomic domain. This chapter will particularly focus on two main subjects such as the 3D characterization of crop using Shape from Focus or Structure from Motion techniques and the 3D use for root phenotyping using rhizotron system. Results presented show that 3D information allows to better characterize crucial crop morphometric parameters using proxy-detection or phenotyping methods.
An Interactive Tool for Visualizing and Analyzing Spatio-Temporal Data
Authors: Turk Alican , Balcisoy Selim Saffet , Bozkaya Burcin
Published: August 2016

Spatio-temporal data analysis has gained a degree of importance with the emergence of widespread location sensor technologies and applications generating data from activities such as location based GSM services and credit card transactions recorded by POS machines. By analyzing large-scale spatio-temporal data, companies can perform quality control for their services, and predict customer behavior. In this chapter, we introduce an interactive and configurable tool that effectively visualizes spatio-temporal data using two-dimensional cluster heat maps along with temporal histograms. We divide each dataset into geographical grids, cluster data within each grid, visualize clusters as heat maps, and finally calculate similarity scores between pairs of map images to help detect recurring patterns. We employ the tool in analyzing activity data of a GSM operator's friend-finder service and credit card transaction data of Akbank, a major bank in Turkey. We report examples of patterns observable using our tool, that are not otherwise observable.
Cell Phone Image-Based Plant Disease Classification
Authors: Neumann Marion , Hallau Lisa , Klatt Benjamin , Kersting Kristian , Bauckhage Christian
Published: August 2016

Modern communication and sensor technology coupled with powerful pattern recognition algorithms for information extraction and classification allow the development and use of integrated systems to tackle environmental problems. This integration is particularly promising for applications in crop farming, where such systems can help to control growth and improve yields while harmful environmental impacts are minimized. Thus, the vision of sustainable agriculture for anybody, anytime, and anywhere in the world can be put into reach. This chapter reviews and presents approaches to plant disease classification based on cell phone images, a novel way to supply farmers with personalized information and processing recommendations in real time. Several statistical image features and a novel scheme of measuring local textures of leaf spots are introduced. The classification of disease symptoms caused by various fungi or bacteria are evaluated for two important agricultural crop varieties, wheat and sugar beet.
Metamorphic Relations Based Test Oracles for Image Processing Applications
Authors: Jameel Tahir , Lin Mengxiang , Chao Liu
Published: August 2016

Evaluation of output images carrying visual semantics is a challenging task which is carried out by domain experts through visual inspection. Automatic test oracle is required to augment the test oracle problem and to eliminate the manual efforts. Metamorphic testing is an effective technique to alleviate these problems. In this paper, the authors have demonstrated that how inherent properties of implementation under test can be used to generate an automatic test oracle for image processing applications. Metamorphic testing is a general technique in which follow-up test cases are generated using a transformation function and the anticipated output is evaluated. They have used some general metamorphic relations and also designed some algorithm specific metamorphic relations for morphological image operations. Selection of metamorphic relations is the most important step and the authors have analyzed relative effectiveness of different metamorphic relations using mutation analysis. The results show metamorphic testing is a very effective technique to automate output images evaluation and to alleviate oracle problem.
Analyzing the Security Susceptibilities of Biometrics Integrated with Cloud Computing
Authors: Regola John R. , Mitchell III John K. , Baez Brandon R. , Rizvi Syed S.
Published: August 2016

In the present scenario, the vulnerabilities associated with cloud computing and biometric technology rank among the most vital issues in information security. In this chapter, the primary goal is to investigate the physical and informational security susceptibilities of biometrics, analyze the structure and design possibilities of the cloud, and examine the new developments of biometrics with cloud computing. Foremost, the authors analyze the developments of biometrics and compare the performance based on defining characteristics. In addition, they examine threats and attacks that can compromise the assets of an organization or an individual's sensitive information. Furthermore, this chapter provides a comprehensive discussion on the physical vulnerabilities of biometrics. Moreover, one section of this chapter focuses on the informational and database vulnerabilities. In this chapter, the authors also discuss the design considerations and cloud computing paradigm in relation to biometric security systems.
E-Government, E-Surveillance, and Ethical Issues from Malaysian Perspective
Authors: Masrom Maslin
Published: August 2016

E-government is a flagship application of the Malaysian Multimedia Super Corridor project, with the aim to reinvent government and bring about changes to the society in order to push forward into the information era. In this context, government services are believed to be more efficient and effective. Furthermore, improved service levels should be the focus of this reinvention. At the same time, surveillance is used in homes, offices and public areas (i.e. the government over its citizens). E-surveillance with invisible, visible, semi-concealed cameras and sensors is embedded everywhere in all corners of society. This situation has destroyed people's privacy even though the main purpose of having electronic surveillance is for security and safety purposes. This chapter discusses e-government and surveillance adaptation, and the ethical issues such as privacy and confidentiality, and personal data protection. Then it proposes a conceptual framework for understanding ‘e-government-e-surveillance-ethical issues', and last with the conclusion.
A Survey and Surveillance Issues in Smart Homes Environment for Assistive Living
Authors: Patrick Ryan , Bourbakis Nikolaos
Published: August 2016

A surveillance system for assisting the elderly in remaining independent in their familiar environment is one of the subjects interest in recent healthcare studies. When mature, it is expected that this system will have the ability to track objects that a resident may lose periodically, detect falls within the home, alert family members or healthcare professionals to abnormal behaviors. This paper addresses the early stages and issues of the development of such a system, the physical characteristics of the system that is being designed, early results, and guidance on the future work that will have to be completed in the future.
Video Surveillance
Authors: Rajpoot Qasim Mahmood , Jensen Christian Damsgaard
Published: August 2016

Pervasive usage of video surveillance is rapidly increasing in developed countries. Continuous security threats to public safety demand use of such systems. Contemporary video surveillance systems offer advanced functionalities which threaten the privacy of those recorded in the video. There is a need to balance the usage of video surveillance against its negative impact on privacy. This chapter aims to highlight the privacy issues in video surveillance and provides a model to help identify the privacy requirements in a video surveillance system. The authors make a step in the direction of investigating the existing legal infrastructure for ensuring privacy in video surveillance and suggest guidelines in order to help those who want to deploy video surveillance while least compromising the privacy of people and complying with legal infrastructure.
Dataveillance in the Workplace
Authors: Connolly Regina
Published: August 2016

The work environment is changing in response to market pressures, and the psychological contract that previously typified many employer and employee work relationships is coming under distinct threat as pervasive Internet-based technologies now enable management to monitor employees' email, computer interactions, and general work productivity. Although in some cases management may have legitimate reasons to monitor employees' actions, it is becoming increasingly evident that the use of these technologies has the potential to negatively impact employee productivity and morale, and in some cases employee health and wellbeing. This chapter outlines some of the emerging issues relating to workplace surveillance from the employees' perspective, as well as the motivation behind management's decision to employ technologies in order monitor their employees.
Biometric Security
Authors: Al-Ani Muzhir Shaban
Published: August 2016

The terms biometrics and biometry have been used to refer to the field of development of statistical and mathematical methods applicable to data analysis problems in the biological sciences. Recently biometrics refers to technologies and applications applied for personal identification using physical and behavioral parameters. Biometric security systems ensuring that only the authorized persons are permitted to access a certain data, because it is difficult to copy the biometric features pattern for a specific person. Biometrics is playing an important role in applications that are centric on identification, verification and classification. This chapter focuses on biometric security in their types, specifications, technologies and algorithms. Some algorithms of biometric security are also included in this chapter. Finally latest and future aspects of biometric system and merging technologies are also mentioned, including more details of system structures and specifications and what constitution will shape biometric security of in the future.
Who “Screens” Security?
Authors: Casaregola Vincent
Published: August 2016

Films represent our awareness of surveillance and often trigger a deep emotional response from audiences, and for whole genres of film—particularly the political thriller and science fiction/speculative dystopia, along with horror films and some forms of the mystery or crime film—have been built around an individual or group of individuals who are being kept under some form of surveillance, either by the authorities of the state and by other individuals or groups who may have criminal and/or even psychotic motives. For filmmakers and their intended audiences, the surveillance narrative doubles back onto to very art form itself, composed as it is of the camera's surveillance of the action, along with the viewers' attentive watching of the film. While such audience attention had also been fundamental to drama for thousands of years, it has only been more recently that audiences began observing the fourth wall conventions of silence and darkness that make their watching of a performance a kind of surveillance.
YouTube
Authors: Crick Matthew
Published: August 2016

According to the London Telegraph (Barrett, 2013), Online London has one CCTV camera for every 11 people in Britain. The average number is most likely around five million cameras in total. MSNBC (Timm, 2013) reported in August 2013 that the number of security cameras in the New York City public sector was as many as 6,000. In Chicago in May 2013 (Cox, 2013), the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) reported a “frightening number” of surveillance cameras, with as many as 22,000 citywide, posing what Adam Schwartz of the ACLU called a menace to privacy. The twin concepts of surveillance and power are expressed in unique ways in YouTube. Philosophers such as Michel Foucault have written extensively about these ideas regarding cultural institutions such as prisons and democratic governments. In many ways, YouTube is organized and exhibits similar expressions of who has power and who is watching us. However, YouTube is different; the Internet and YouTube have made citizen surveillance fast, inexpensive, and easy. According to many companies and corporations, including YouTube's parent company Google, consumers are tracked—in fact, each mouse click is tracked—to provide better services and more products and to prepackage demographic and socioeconomic information, which corporations and companies can sell to other for-profit entities. Google and YouTube make this easy with Adsense and Adwords technologies and, like television and film, the YouTube worldwide audience is ripe for commodification, often with users' full knowledge and consent. YouTube advertising strategies are widely used; reportedly, a full-size YouTube banner advertisement can cost $200,000 or more. YouTube provides a place to make money, although not a living wage for most YouTubers, and this possibility and cultural narrative is widely disseminated throughout the Googleverse and YouTube. Similar to broadcast television audiences, YouTube audiences are measured using A. C. Nielsen tools. This company creates and controls the measurement technology used to determine YouTube's monetary value so advertising costs can be institutionalized. YouTube audiences and how they think, behave, and function in YouTube is an important part of YouTube discourse. The scholarly discourse surrounding Audience Studies shines an additional light into what it's like to be a YouTuber.
Hybrid Data Mining Approach for Image Segmentation Based Classification
Authors: Panda Mrutyunjaya , Hassanien Aboul Ella , Abraham Ajith
Published: August 2016

Evolutionary harmony search algorithm is used for its capability in finding solution space both locally and globally. In contrast, Wavelet based feature selection, for its ability to provide localized frequency information about a function of a signal, makes it a promising one for efficient classification. Research in this direction states that wavelet based neural network may be trapped to fall in a local minima whereas fuzzy harmony search based algorithm effectively addresses that problem and able to get a near optimal solution. In this, a hybrid wavelet based radial basis function (RBF) neural network (WRBF) and feature subset harmony search based fuzzy discernibility classifier (HSFD) approaches are proposed as a data mining technique for image segmentation based classification. In this paper, the authors use Lena RGB image; Magnetic resonance image (MR) and Computed Tomography (CT) Image for analysis. It is observed from the obtained simulation results that Wavelet based RBF neural network outperforms the harmony search based fuzzy discernibility classifiers.
Advances in Biometrics for Secure Human Authentication System
Authors: Mohan Jagannath , Kanagasabai Adalarasu , Pandu Vetrivelan
Published: August 2016

In the recent decade, one of our major concerns in the global technological society of information security is confirmation that a person accessing confidential information is authorized to perform so. Such mode of access is generally accomplished by a person's confirming their identity by the use of some method of authentication system. In present days, the requirement for safe security in storing individual information has been developing rapidly and among the potential alternative is implementing innovative biometric identification techniques. This chapter discusses how the advent of the 20th century has brought forth the security principles of identification and authentication in the field of biometric analysis. The chapter reviews vulnerabilities in biometric authentication and issues in system implementation. The chapter also proposes the multifactor authentication and the use of multimodal biometrics, i.e., the combination of Electrocardiogram (ECG) and Phonocardiogram (PCG) signals to enhance reliability in the authentication process.
An Adaptive Cloud Proto Type Model for Health Care System
Authors: Dave Drashti , Aitha Nagaraju
Published: August 2016

In the current Information Technology virtualization is one of the key components during the performance evaluation of network enabled environment including distributed computing, cloud computing, grid computing or pervasive computing. The network administrators and forensic teams are working on software defined networking (SDN) using which the network components can be controlled and managed using virtual infrastructure and global view of the physical network. On the physical implementation viewpoint, the single error or oversight can be damage the entire network integration. Now days, the advent of SDN products are being used in the research, development and corporate industry so that the effective control including routing, scheduling, security and related algorithms can be implemented on real networks. There are number of real life applications where the software defined networking and service oriented architecture (SOA) can be implemented for the social and global cause. Medical and Health Care Service is one of the key domain can make use SDN approach in which the number of medical decisions are to be taken based availability of the enterprise information. In this research work, the case analysis and a prototype for health care management service is accomplished. In this chapter, a unique and pragmatic implementation of the SDN based on virtualization is done and the prototype which we proposed in this chapter will be validated in future by using mininet-openflow integration to evaluate the performance of network and data packets transmission.
A Methodological Evaluation of Crypto-Watermarking System for Medical Images
Authors: Babu Anna , Ayyappan Sonal
Published: August 2016

Health care institution demands exchange of medical images of number of patients to sought opinions from different experts. In order to reduce storage and for secure transmission of the medical images, Crypto-Watermarking techniques are adopted. The system is considered to be combinations of encryption technique with watermarking or steganography means adopted for safe transfer of medical images along with embedding of optional medical information. The Digital Watermarking is the process of embedding data to multimedia content. This can be done in spatial as well as frequency domain of the cover image to be transmitted. The robustness against attacks is ensured while embedding the encrypted data into transform domain, the encrypted data can be any secret key for the content recovery or patient record or the image itself. This chapter presents basic aspects of crypto-watermarking technique, as an application. It gives a detailed assessment on different approaches of crypto-watermarking for secure transmission of medical images and elaborates a case study on it.
The Cyberethics, Cybersafety, and Cybersecurity at Schools
Authors: Chen Irene L. , Shen Libi
Published: August 2016

The 2006 Megan Meier case, where a teenage girl who was bullied on the Internet through e-mail and Myspace which was said to ultimately lead to her suicide, shed light on the cyber bullying issue in schools. This article uses a case study approach to describe how a number of school institutes were grappling with the loss of confidential information and protecting students on the WWW, each through a unique set of circumstances. It will reveal potential reactions of the institutions and possible ways to deal with the cyber threats. With experiences, school districts take measures to offer value education by improving students' knowledge and awareness of Cyberethics, Cybersafety, and Cybersecurity (C3) concepts to provide them with the means to protect themselves, and to enhance the safety and security of national infrastructure.
An Ongoing Journey to Foster Urban Students' Online “Public Voices”
Authors: Lawrence Nick , O'Brien Joe
Published: August 2016

Digital participatory media offer urban social studies teachers a unique opportunity to foster students' civic skills and public voice while enhancing their understanding of social justice within a democratic society. This article addresses the continuation of a New York City 8th grade U.S. history teacher's journey to use digital tools to foster his students' collaborative and communication skills and to help them learn social justice oriented content. While doing so, he overcame challenges related to technology integration, curricular alignment, selection of appropriate digital tools, and the need to cultivate his students' online academic norms. In doing so, he confronted Livingston's query about whether the use of technology necessitates a “fundamental transformation in learning infrastructure” and the need “to rethink the relations between pedagogy and society, teacher and pupil, and knowledge and participation” (2012, p. 8). He ended this part of his journey with these new challenges: how to enable his students to become navigators of their learning; ways to align the curriculum with his students' thinking; and, managing a dynamic instructional support system guided by his students' learning. His goal is “to forge a bridge between [his students'] media production and civic engagement' (Kahne, Lee, & Feezell, 2012).
Learning Patterns as Criterion for Forming Work Groups in 3D Simulation Learning Environments
Authors: Cela-Ranilla Jose Maria , Molías Luis Marqués , Cervera Mercè Gisbert
Published: August 2016

This study analyzes the relationship between the use of learning patterns as a grouping criterion to develop learning activities in the 3D simulation environment at University. Participants included 72 Spanish students from the Education and Marketing disciplines. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests were conducted. The process was analyzed by means of teamwork measurements and the product was analyzed by assessing the final group performance. Results showed that learning patterns can be an effective criterion for forming work groups, especially when the students do not know each other.
Creating Virtual Communities That Work
Authors: Van Ostrand Ashley , Wolfe Spencer , Arredondo Antonio , Skinner Andrea M. , Visaiz Ramon , Jones Megan , Jenkins J. Jacob
Published: August 2016

The use and import of virtual collaboration (VC) has increased at an exponential rate. Despite its potential advantages, however, VC continues to be hindered by feelings of distrust, detachment, and even isolation among virtual team members. For each of these reasons, the present study analyzed more than 1,500 survey responses to develop best practices for current users and developers of e-collaboration software. More specifically, this study used an expanded variation of Vorvoreanu's (2008) Website Experience Analysis (WEA) to explore participants' views of the seven most popular VC programs in use today: Basecamp, Dropbox, Google Drive, iDoneThis, Join.me, Skitch, and Skype. Qualitative results of this study revealed the significance of (1) name recognition, (2) interpersonal facilitation, (3) clarity/simplicity, (4) cost consideration, and (5) mobile accessibility. The study's results were then used to develop five corresponding implications for both users and developers: (1) increased integration, (2) expanded physicality, (3) supplemental training, (4) financial entrée, and (5) utilized flexibility.
An Efficient Approach for the Reentrant Parallel Machines Scheduling Problem under Consumable Resources Constraints
Authors: Belkaid Fayçal , Yalaoui Farouk , Sari Zaki
Published: August 2016

In present manufacturing environment, the reentrant scheduling problem is one of the most important issues in the planning and operation of production systems. It has a large scope such as capacity distribution and inventory control. On the other hand, the markets are very competitive; it is a critical requirement of operational management to have effective management of resources (consumable and renewable) so as to achieve optimal production plan. This study considers a reentrant parallel machines scheduling problem with consumable resources. Each job consumes several components and must be processed more than once in a stage composed of identical parallel machines. The resources availability, jobs assignment and sequencing at each cycle and are considered and optimized simultaneously. On the basis of this representation, a MILP model is developed. Thus, that MILP model can be used for the problem in order to find the exact solution. Since, this problem is clearly NP-hard, and optimal solutions for large instances are highly intractable, a genetic algorithm is developed to obtain near-optimal solution. Then, an improvement phase based on different local search procedures are performed and examined to generate better solutions. The system performances are assessed in terms of measures such as the solution quality and the execution time. The effectiveness of the proposed metaheuristic is examined based on comparative study. The simulation results demonstrate that the presented algorithm is able to find an optimal solution for small-sized problems and can effectively find a near optimal solution for large-sized problems to minimize the makespan of the considered problem.
Does Effective Inventory Management Improve Profitability?
Authors: Shin Hojung , Wood Charles C. , Jun Minjoon
Published: August 2016

The present research investigates the effect of inventory performance on profitability. The objective is to find empirical evidence for the theory that operational excellence in inventory management improves profitability in the long run. To this end, the authors examine industry level longitudinal data (14 manufacturing industries at the SIC two-digit level) over the 1958-1999 period by employing a series of hierarchical regression analyses. The statistical results confirm that a lower inventory level measured as the industry inventory-to-sales ratio has a positive effect on industry profitability measured as the profit-to-sales ratio. This evidence is found significant in 9 out of the 14 U.S. manufacturing industries. This study also reveals that not all the inventories, categorized by stage of fabrication, equally contribute to improving industry profitability. For instance, the profitability of the primary and fabricated metal industries has benefited from reductions in finished goods inventories, whereas that of the petroleum and coal products industry has been affected mainly by declines in work-in-process inventories.
The Fit between External Involvement and Business Environment
Authors: Cai Di , Feng Taiwen , Zhang Zhenglin
Published: August 2016

Previous studies are inconsistent in their findings about the relationship between external involvement and performance. The authors attribute this inconsistency to the misfit between external involvement and business environment. Drawing the concept of fit between information processing capabilities and needs from information processing theory, they develop the fitting patterns between external involvement and business environment and examine their impacts on performance. Information processing capabilities are measured by the degree of two types of external involvement in the NPD process and information processing needs are assessed based on three dimensions of business environment. Cluster analysis was used to develop the taxonomies of fit between external involvement and business environment. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to examine the impacts of fitting patterns between external involvement and business environment on performance. The results reveal six fitting patterns between external involvement and business environment. ANOVA results show that the fitting patterns between external involvement and business environment are related to both operational performance and business performance, supporting our fit theory.
Image Mosaicing Using Binary Edge Detection Algorithm in a Cloud-Computing Environment
Authors: Alamareen Abdullah , Al-Jarrah Omar , Aljarrah Inad A.
Published: August 2016

Image Mosaicing is an image processing technique that arises from the need of having a more realistic view of the real world wider than the view captured by the lenses of the available cameras. In this paper, a sequence of images will be mosaiced using binary edge detection algorithm in a cloud-computing environment to improve processing speed and accuracy. The authors have used Platform as a Service (PaaS) to provide a number of nodes in the cloud to run the computational intensive image processing and stitching algorithms. This increased the processing speed as most of image processing algorithms deal with every single pixel in the image. Message Passing Interface (MPI) is used for message passing among the compute-nodes in the cloud and a MapReduce technique is used for image distribution and collection, where the root node is used as reducer and the others as mappers. After applying the algorithm on different sequence of images and different machines on JUST cloud, the authors have achieved high mosaicing accuracy, and the execution time has been improved when comparing it with sequential execution on the images.
Privacy Preserving Framework to Support Mobile Government Services
Authors: Almiani Muder , Razaque Abdul , Al Dmour Ayman
Published: August 2016

With dramatic increase in the mobile technology, the mobile cellular phones have played a significant role in the several fields particularly, education, military, business and health. The deployment of mobile phone in the Government has been of high interest of research community to improve fundamental functions, efficient information provision and augmenting the quality of service QoS provisioning. A lot of research is conducted for service improvement in Mobile Government(M-Government), but there is marginal research is available for security particularly privacy preserving of M-Government. In this paper, the authors propose privacy preserving framework for M-Government to secure an administration interface to avoid possible security threats. The proposed framework is verified using mathematical formulation. Furthermore, the proposed framework is tested using Java Platform. The experimental results confirm the reliability, efficiency and QoS provision of the privacy preserving framework.
A Shared Leadership Approach to Transformational Leadership Theory
Authors: Galli Brian J.
Published: August 2016

The main objective of this paper is to identify the research philosophy as well as research methodologies that are most appropriate for the research fields identified above; this paper will highlight the research methodologies that are most applicable to this research effort by reviewing the research methodologies utilized in research performed by other researchers, in similar fields of research to those identified above. This paper acts as a guide in order to outline the research philosophies, research canons, ethical considerations, research methodologies/designs, data collection and analysis methods, sample size requirements, and “what to measure” requirements. Based on the decision to utilize the quantitative research philosophy, the paper discusses other significant research topics in terms of the quantitative research philosophy. The topics will be discussed from the quantitative perspective in order to provide the reader with the full understanding of how the quantitative research philosophy needs to be accounted for in every aspect of the research design/approach. Finally, the paper discusses a general summary of the various section of the paper and the final section also details the future intentions and responsibilities of the researcher.
NegotiAuction
Authors: Long Pham , Thanh Le Trung
Published: August 2016

NegotiAuction, a computer system which combines aspects of auctions and negotiations, is expected to overcome limitations in online reverse auctions and multi-attribute online reverse auctions. However, no studies have been conducted to investigate its possible adoption. This study has drawn on an extensive review of literature on theories about innovation adoption, and has proposed a conceptual model for NegotiAuction adoption. Based on the structural equation modeling technique, both linear and non-linear effects on intention to use NegotiAuction were tested. The results show that perceived image was statistically significant in influencing perceived benefit and in turn perceived benefit was statistically significant in influencing intention to use. Practical implications and future studies are also discussed.
A Bi-Objective Vehicle Routing Problem Considering Distributors' Satisfaction Using Genetic Algorithm and Simulated Annealing
Authors: Taghavifard Mohammad Taghi
Published: August 2016

One of the main problems attracted researchers' attentions in recent years is Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP). This paper tends to minimize the covered distance, total travelling time, number of vehicles, delay and transportation costs, and to maximize consumers' satisfaction by utilizing mathematical models. Distributors always tend to gain the maximum cash compared to their competitors and deliver their products to consumers and accomplish the distribution on a defined time. In real world, distributors' income depends on their product distributions amount. If the distribution income becomes less than a specific amount, distributors show no interest in distribution of that product and therefore distributors' satisfaction is zero. Also, if the delivery time exceeds a specific time, distributors' satisfaction is decreased. Moreover, a partial of drivers' benefit is related to amount of their sale thus balance of goods based on the vehicles capacity is important. The purposes of this paper are presenting a model to calculate minimum distributors' satisfaction of product distribution and also maximize distributed goods by vehicles regarding to their capacities. In addition, calculate the maximum present cash flow in the market on a defined time in a way that does not decrease the distributors' satisfaction level. The general limitations of vehicle routing problems considered in this study for each facility are capacity limitation and the number of vehicles. These kinds of problems are NP-Hard and solving them by linear programming is very time consuming. Thus, both Simulated Annealing (SA) and Genetic Algorithm (GA) are proposed to solve the problem. Finally, a wide range of problems have been solved to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed algorithm, and then the answers are compared with the result of “Lingo8” software. The results show that the proposed models are quite efficient and viable.
The church’s pastoral role concerning challenges faced by teachers in South-African public schools: Some practical theological perspectives
Authors: Baloyi M E
Published: August 2016

Teaching used to be a well-respected profession, which many people used to love in the past.Many children, when asked what they wanted to be when growing up, indicated that theywanted to be teachers. This is why – even when children were play-acting – most of them likedto play the role of a teacher. It is disturbing to learn that this profession has grown to be hated bymany people today. This is evidenced by the mass resignations of teachers from many publicschools over the past few years in South Africa. This exodus had been researched by differentscholars from different disciplines who have also made their recommendations as to how thesituation can be reversed. The fact that teachers, who are disappointed and demotivated tocontinue with the career, are the creation of God and are teaching the creation of God, calls forthe church through its pastoral theological services to play its role in trying to compose guidelinesfor the elimination of the problem. The purpose of this article is to search for possible ways inwhich the church can theologically play its role in addressing the problem of the teachers’dissatisfaction as well as giving some guidelines on how this challenge can be eliminated.
The contribution of family medicine to African health systems
Authors: Mash Robert
Published: August 2016

No abstract available.
The role of the theology of retribution in the growth of Pentecostal-Charismatic churches in Africa
Authors: Kangwa Jonathan
Published: August 2016

This article considers the contribution of the theology of retribution to the growth of Pentecostal-charismatic churches in Africa. It argues that the beliefs and practices of African Pentecostal-charismatic churches uphold the theology of retribution. The success of prophecy and healing in these churches is based on their extensive engagement with the theology of retribution. To show this, the article begins with a brief review of the principle of retribution, describing it as resulting from the conception of a perfect and just universe in which every human deed brings with it consequences. Good deeds are followed by good consequences, evil deeds have bad consequences. Based on this understanding of retribution, the article discusses beliefs and practices of Pentecostal-charismatic churches which support the principle of retribution and whose involvement in healing and prophecy is attractive to Africans. The article concludes that the current discourse on Pentecostal-charismatic churches in Africa focuses strongly on the aspects of healing and prophecy while neglecting the contribution made by the theology of retribution to the popularity of these churches.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: Located within African theologies and African church history, this article maintains that the current discourse on Pentecostal and charismatic churches in Africa, as it concentrates on healing and prophecy, overlooks the role played by the theology of retribution in the growth of these churches.
Patience, presence and promise: A study of prophetic realism in Jeremiah 29:4�7
Authors: Wessels Wilhelm J.
Published: August 2016

We tend to think of prophetic proclamation simply in terms of prophecies of doom or judgement and salvation or promise. Jeremiah is often regarded as a prophet of doom with rarely any positive proclamation. This view is contested by contending that Jeremiah was also a prophet of realism. He did not shy away from proclaiming prophecies of judgement but also embraced Yahweh�s promises of restoration. Jeremiah�s brief was to proclaim messages that will �pluck up� and �break down� and �overthrow�, but also �to build� and �to plant� (Jr 1:10). As much as this is true of Jeremiah�s ministry, the focus of this article is on a neglected aspect of his prophetic ministry namely �prophetic realism�. Jeremiah 29:4�7 is an example of prophetic realism as the prophet pastorally pays attention to the people of Judah in exile, calling on them to exercise patience whilst in exile and to contribute positively to their exilic society. This they should do whilst still holding onto Yahweh�s promises. Amongst the many confusing prophetic voices to the exiles, Jeremiah�s message is one of realism calling for patience, but also for constructive presence in their situation. Whilst Jeremiah�s message exudes prophetic realism, he still emphasises that Yahweh�s promise of restoration will play out in time (Jr 29:10�14).Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: Traditionally prophecy is either regarded as judgement or promise. An argument is promoted for a third category of prophetic realism. This view is not only relevant for Old Testament science, but also for the disciplines of Systematic and Practical Theology. Jeremiah�s prophetic realism compels researchers to broaden their views on what prophecy entails.
Prevention and control of operating room fires: Knowledge of staff employed by selected hospitals of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences
Authors: Jalali Habib , Asl Elahe Baloochestani , Mehr Asieh Maghami , Pourafzali Seyed Mehdi , Ghasemi Malihe
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACT

Background and Objectives:

Patient safety in hospital is an essential professional indicator that should be noticed. The thread of fires is of the most potentially dangerous risk that could harm patients and personnel. Hence, we studied operating room staff knowledge about fires, its prevention, and control, based on their specialty and their job tenure.

Materials and Methods:

This is a descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study. A cluster sampling method was applied, and a quota was considered for each hospital. In each cluster, samples were selected through census method. Data were collected using a three-part questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 17 (SPSS, Inc, Chicago, IL, USA).

Results:

The mean of their knowledge level about fires and its prevention was 2.71 (0.67), and control was 2.62 (0.71). In 66% of cases, the level of knowledge about fires and its prevention, and in 70% of cases, the level of knowledge about methods of fire control have been below the average (P < 0.05). As staff age increases, their level of knowledge increases as well. Hospital they are employed by, their job tenure, and their profession can affect the level of knowledge (P < 0.05).

Discussion:

This study shows that the staff knowledge about fires, its prevention, and control has been lower than the average limit. Due to the sensitivity of the issue, in terms of susceptibility of the environment and medical equipment for ignition, and also the safety of staff and patients, it is necessary to make facilities for development of staff knowledge, to eliminate defects of staff training by managers, and also to consider standards.
Preclinical medical students′ usage of electronic devices in lectures: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Hui Rex W. H. , Leung Sheona S. N. , Cheung Tiffany L. C. , Chu Edwin W. M. , Fong Jason C. Y. , Lau Ivan H. W. , Leung Victor C. Y. , Leung Eugene , Yip Kimberly K. Y. , Yung Vivian , Chen Coco K. , Chan Lap Ki
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACT

Background and Objectives:

Electronic devices such as laptops, tablets, and smartphones are commonly used in clinical clerkships, problem-based learning, and practicals. However, there is limited literature on electronic device usage in medical lectures. This study aimed to (1) assess preclinical medical students' pattern and reason for electronic device usage in lectures and (2) assess the effect of lecture content and student factors on device usage.

Materials and Methods:

This was a cross-sectional study from the year 1 to 3 medical students of the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong. The data was collected through self-administrated questionnaires. The questionnaire was distributed twice to the same cohort of students, once after their basic medical science lectures, another after humanities lectures. Categorical variables were compared by Chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test; continuous variables were compared by Mann-Whitney U-test or Kruskal-Wallis H-test.

Results:

Five hundred and seventy-nine valid questionnaires were collected. Students spent more time on electronic devices for learning in science lectures when compared with humanities lectures (P < 0.001). In contrast, students spent more time for nonlearning purposes in humanities lectures (P < 0.001). In science lectures, the mode of admission to medical school (P < 0.05) and year of study (P < 0.001) were factors affecting the device usage.

Conclusions:

Lecture content, mode of admission, and year of study have a significant impact on the electronic device usage in preclinical medical lectures. Appropriate interventions are necessary to help the students make better use of their devices and decrease the time spent on nonlearning purposes, particularly in humanities lectures.