Abstract: This paper presents an approach based on the
adoption of a distributed cognition framework and a non parametric
multicriteria evaluation methodology (DEA) designed specifically to
compare e-commerce websites from the consumer/user viewpoint. In
particular, the framework considers a website relative efficiency as a
measure of its quality and usability. A website is modelled as a black
box capable to provide the consumer/user with a set of
functionalities. When the consumer/user interacts with the website to
perform a task, he/she is involved in a cognitive activity, sustaining a
cognitive cost to search, interpret and process information, and
experiencing a sense of satisfaction. The degree of ambiguity and
uncertainty he/she perceives and the needed search time determine
the effort size – and, henceforth, the cognitive cost amount – he/she
has to sustain to perform his/her task. On the contrary, task
performing and result achievement induce a sense of gratification,
satisfaction and usefulness. In total, 9 variables are measured,
classified in a set of 3 website macro-dimensions (user experience,
site navigability and structure). The framework is implemented to
compare 40 websites of businesses performing electronic commerce
in the information technology market. A questionnaire to collect
subjective judgements for the websites in the sample was purposely
designed and administered to 85 university students enrolled in
computer science and information systems engineering
undergraduate courses.
Abstract: Since communications between tag and reader in RFID
system are by radio, anyone can access the tag and obtain its any
information. And a tag always replies with the same ID so that it is
hard to distinguish between a real and a fake tag. Thus, there are many
security problems in today-s RFID System. Firstly, unauthorized
reader can easily read the ID information of any Tag. Secondly,
Adversary can easily cheat the legitimate reader using the collected
Tag ID information, such as the any legitimate Tag. These security
problems can be typically solved by encryption of messages
transmitted between Tag and Reader and by authentication for Tag.
In this paper, to solve these security problems on RFID system, we
propose the Tag Authentication Scheme based on self shrinking
generator (SSG). SSG Algorithm using in our scheme is proposed by
W.Meier and O.Staffelbach in EUROCRYPT-94. This Algorithm is
organized that only one LFSR and selection logic in order to generate
random stream. Thus it is optimized to implement the hardware logic
on devices with extremely limited resource, and the output generating
from SSG at each time do role as random stream so that it is allow our
to design the light-weight authentication scheme with security against
some network attacks. Therefore, we propose the novel tag
authentication scheme which use SSG to encrypt the Tag-ID
transmitted from tag to reader and achieve authentication of tag.
Abstract: Only recently have water ethics received focused interest in the international water community. Because water is metabolically basic to life, an ethical dimension persists in every decision related to water. Water ethics at once express human society-s approach to water and act as guidelines for behaviour. Ideas around water are often implicit and embedded as assumptions. They can be entrenched in behaviour and difficult to contest because they are difficult to “see". By explicitly revealing the ethical ideas underlying water-related decisions, human society-s relationship with water, and with natural systems of which water is part, can be contested and shifted or be accepted with conscious intention by human society. In recent decades, improved understanding of water-s importance for ecosystem functioning and ecological services for human survival is moving us beyond this growth-driven, supplyfocused management paradigm. Environmental ethics challenge this paradigm by extending the ethical sphere to the environment and thus water or water Resources management per se. An ethical approach is a legitimate, important, and often ignored approach to effect change in environmental decision making. This qualitative research explores principles of water ethics and examines the underlying ethical precepts of selected water policy examples. The constructed water ethic principles act as a set of criteria against which a policy comparison can be established. This study shows that water Resources management is a progressive issue by embracing full public participation and a new planning model, and knowledgegeneration initiatives.
Abstract: This paper presents the development of low cost Nano membrane fabrication system. The system is specially designed for anodic aluminum oxide membrane. This system is capable to perform the processes such as anodization and electro-polishing. The designed machine was successfully tested for 'mild anodization' (MA) for 48 hours and 'hard anodization' (HA) for 3 hours at constant 0oC. The system is digitally controlled and guided for temperature maintenance during anodization and electro-polishing. The total cost of the developed machine is 20 times less than the multi-cooling systems available in the market which are generally used for this purpose.
Abstract: The Norwegian Military Academy (Army) has
initiated a project with the main ambition to explore possible avenues
to enhancing operational effectiveness through an increased use of
simulation-based training and exercises. Within a cost/benefit
framework, we discuss opportunities and limitations of vertical and
horizontal integration of the existing tactical training system. Vertical
integration implies expanding the existing training system to span the
full range of training from tactical level (platoon, company) to
command and staff level (battalion, brigade). Horizontal integration
means including other domains than army tactics and staff
procedures in the training, such as military ethics, foreign languages,
leadership and decision making. We discuss each of the integration
options with respect to purpose and content of training, "best
practice" for organising and conducting simulation-based training,
and suggest how to evaluate training procedures and measure
learning outcomes. We conclude by giving guidelines towards further
explorative work and possible implementation.
Abstract: Children and adolescents developing in the worlds of today are facing a getting array of new and old challenges. School counselling is improving rapidly in contemporary education systems around the world. It can be said that counselling system in Turkey was newly borning. In this study, “Family of the Blood" activity is improved with respect to compherensive guidance school program. The sample included 22 adolescents who were high school students. The activity was carried out in 4 sessions, each of which lasted 45 minutes. In the first session, students- personal-social needs were determined. In the second session, in order to warm up, the students were asked three questions consisting of the constructional aspect. In the third session, the counselor and the teacher shared the results of students- responses obtained in the previous session. In the fourth session, the tables formed by students were presented in the classroom. In order to evaluate the activity, three questions were asked of the teacher and counselor. According to the results, the lesson aims of curriculum and counselling aims of curriculum were attained. In the light of literature, the results were discussed and some suggestions were made. It is taken into consideration that the activitiy was beneficial in many respects, similar studies should be carried out in the near future.
Abstract: In this paper, we focus on the fusion of images from
different sources using multiresolution wavelet transforms. Based on
reviews of popular image fusion techniques used in data analysis,
different pixel and energy based methods are experimented. A novel
architecture with a hybrid algorithm is proposed which applies pixel
based maximum selection rule to low frequency approximations and
filter mask based fusion to high frequency details of wavelet
decomposition. The key feature of hybrid architecture is the
combination of advantages of pixel and region based fusion in a
single image which can help the development of sophisticated
algorithms enhancing the edges and structural details. A Graphical
User Interface is developed for image fusion to make the research
outcomes available to the end user. To utilize GUI capabilities for
medical, industrial and commercial activities without MATLAB
installation, a standalone executable application is also developed
using Matlab Compiler Runtime.
Abstract: Total liquid ventilation can support gas exchange in animal models of lung injury. Clinical application awaits further technical improvements and performance verification. Our aim was to develop a liquid ventilator, able to deliver accurate tidal volumes, and a computerized system for measuring lung mechanics. The computer-assisted, piston-driven respirator controlled ventilatory parameters that were displayed and modified on a real-time basis. Pressure and temperature transducers along with a lineal displacement controller provided the necessary signals to calculate lung mechanics. Ten newborn lambs (
Abstract: There has been a growing emphasis in
communication management from simple coordination of
promotional tools to a complex strategic process. This study will
examine the current marketing communications and engagement
strategies used in addressing the key stakeholders. In the case of
fertilizer industry in Malaysia, there has been little empirical
research on stakeholder communication when major challenges
facing the modern corporation is the need to communicate its
identity, its values and products in order to distinguish itself from
competitors. The study will employ both quantitative and qualitative
methods and the use of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to
establish a causal relationship amongst the key factors of stakeholder
communication strategies and increment in consumers-
choice/acceptance and impact on financial performance. One of the
major contributions is a conceptual framework for communication
strategies and engagement in increasing consumers- acceptance level
and the firm-s financial performance.
Abstract: The aim of the work presented here was to either use
existing forest dynamic simulation models or calibrate a new one
both within the SYMFOR framework with the purpose of examining
changes in stand level basal area and functional composition in
response to selective logging considering trees > 10 cm d.b.h for two
areas of undisturbed Amazonian non flooded tropical forest in Brazil
and one in Peru. Model biological realism was evaluated for forest in
the undisturbed and selectively logged state and it was concluded that
forest dynamics were realistically represented. Results of the logging
simulation experiments showed that in relation to undisturbed forest
simulation subject to no form of harvesting intervention there was a
significant amount of change over a 90 year simulation period that
was positively proportional to the intensity of logging. Areas which
had in the dynamic equilibrium of undisturbed forest a greater
proportion of a specific ecological guild of trees known as the light
hardwoods (LHW’s) seemed to respond more favorably in terms of
less deviation but only within a specific range of baseline forest
composition beyond which compositional diversity became more
important. These finds are in line partially with practical management
experience and partiality basic systematics theory respectively.
Abstract: In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in using daylight to save energy in buildings. In tropical regions, daylighting is always an energy saver. On the other hand, daylight provides visual comfort. According to standards, it shows that many criteria should be taken into consideration in order to have daylight utilization and visual comfort. The current standard in Malaysia, MS 1525 does not provide sufficient guideline. Hence, more research is needed on daylight performance. If architects do not consider daylight design, it not only causes inconvenience in working spaces but also causes more energy consumption as well as environmental pollution. This research had surveyed daylight performance in 5 selected office buildings from different area of Malaysian through experimental method. Several parameters of daylight quality such as daylight factor, surface luminance and surface luminance ratio were measured in different rooms in each building. The result of this research demonstrated that most of the buildings were not designed for daylight utilization. Therefore, it is very important that architects follow the daylight design recommendation to reduce consumption of electric power for artificial lighting while the sufficient quality of daylight is available.
Abstract: This paper is taken into consideration the problem of cryptanalysis of stream ciphers. There is some attempts need to improve the existing attacks on stream cipher and to make an attempt to distinguish the portions of cipher text obtained by the encryption of plain text in which some parts of the text are random and the rest are non-random. This paper presents a tutorial introduction to symmetric cryptography. The basic information theoretic and computational properties of classic and modern cryptographic systems are presented, followed by an examination of the application of cryptography to the security of VoIP system in computer networks using LFSR algorithm. The implementation program will be developed Java 2. LFSR algorithm is appropriate for the encryption and decryption of online streaming data, e.g. VoIP (voice chatting over IP). This paper is implemented the encryption module of speech signals to cipher text and decryption module of cipher text to speech signals.
Abstract: Inventory decisional environment of short life-cycle
products is full of uncertainties arising from randomness and
fuzziness of input parameters like customer demand requiring
modeling under hybrid uncertainty. Prior inventory models
incorporating fuzzy demand have unfortunately ignored stochastic
variation of demand. This paper determines an unambiguous optimal
order quantity from a set of n fuzzy observations in a newsvendor
inventory setting in presence of fuzzy random variable demand
capturing both fuzzy perception and randomness of customer
demand. The stress of this paper is in providing solution procedure
that attains optimality in two steps with demand information
availability in linguistic phrases leading to fuzziness along with
stochastic variation. The first step of solution procedure identifies
and prefers one best fuzzy opinion out of all expert opinions and the
second step determines optimal order quantity from the selected
event that maximizes profit. The model and solution procedure is
illustrated with a numerical example.
Abstract: In this paper we propose an enhanced equalization technique for multi-carrier code division multiple access (MC-CDMA). This method is based on the control of Equal Gain Combining (EGC) technique. Indeed, we introduce a new level changer to the EGC equalizer in order to adapt the equalization parameters to the channel coefficients. The optimal equalization level is, first, determined by channel training. The new approach reduces drastically the mutliuser interferences caused by interferes, without increasing the noise power. To compare the performances of the proposed equalizer, the theoretical analysis and numerical performances are given.
Abstract: Photonic Crystal (PhC) based devices are being
increasingly used in multifunctional, compact devices in integrated
optical communication systems. They provide excellent
controllability of light, yet maintaining the small size required for
miniaturization. In this paper, the band gap properties of PhCs and
their typical applications in optical waveguiding are considered.
Novel PhC based applications such as nonlinear switching and
tapers are considered and simulation results are shown using the
accurate time-domain numerical method based on Finite Difference
Time Domain (FDTD) scheme. The suitability of these devices for
novel applications is discussed and evaluated.
Abstract: The Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) applied to
Arabic language is a challenging task. This is mainly related to the
language specificities which make the researchers facing multiple
difficulties such as the insufficient linguistic resources and the very
limited number of available transcribed Arabic speech corpora. In
this paper, we are interested in the development of a HMM-based
ASR system for Standard Arabic (SA) language. Our fundamental
research goal is to select the most appropriate acoustic parameters
describing each audio frame, acoustic models and speech recognition
unit. To achieve this purpose, we analyze the effect of varying frame
windowing (size and period), acoustic parameter number resulting
from features extraction methods traditionally used in ASR, speech
recognition unit, Gaussian number per HMM state and number of
embedded re-estimations of the Baum-Welch Algorithm. To evaluate
the proposed ASR system, a multi-speaker SA connected-digits
corpus is collected, transcribed and used throughout all experiments.
A further evaluation is conducted on a speaker-independent continue
SA speech corpus. The phonemes recognition rate is 94.02% which is
relatively high when comparing it with another ASR system
evaluated on the same corpus.
Abstract: The k-nearest neighbors (knn) is a simple but effective method of classification. In this paper we present an extended version of this technique for chemical compounds used in High Throughput Screening, where the distances of the nearest neighbors can be taken into account. Our algorithm uses kernel weight functions as guidance for the process of defining activity in screening data. Proposed kernel weight function aims to combine properties of graphical structure and molecule descriptors of screening compounds. We apply the modified knn method on several experimental data from biological screens. The experimental results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Abstract: Phrases has a long history in information retrieval, particularly in commercial systems. Implicit semantic relationship between words in a form of BaseNP have shown significant improvement in term of precision in many IR studies. Our research focuses on linguistic phrases which is language dependent. Our results show that using BaseNP can improve performance although above 62% of words formation in Malay Language based on derivational affixes and suffixes.
Abstract: This paper presents a CFD analysis of the flow around
a 30° inclined flat plate of infinite span. Numerical predictions have
been compared to experimental measurements, in order to assess the
potential of the finite volume code of determining the aerodynamic
forces acting on a flat plate invested by a fluid stream of infinite
extent.
Several turbulence models and spatial node distributions have
been tested and flow field characteristics in the neighborhood of the
flat plate have been numerically investigated, allowing the
development of a preliminary procedure to be used as guidance in
selecting the appropriate grid configuration and the corresponding
turbulence model for the prediction of the flow field over a twodimensional
inclined plate.
Abstract: The need for micromechanical inertial sensors is increasing
in future electronic stability control (ESC) and other positioning,
navigation and guidance systems. Due to the rising density of
sensors in automotive and consumer devices the goal is not only to get
high performance, robustness and smaller package sizes, but also to
optimize the energy management of the overall sensor system. This
paper presents an evaluation concept for a surface micromachined
yaw rate sensor. Within this evaluation concept an energy-efficient
operation of the drive mode of the yaw rate sensor is enabled. The
presented system concept can be realized within a power management
subsystem.