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Feature extraction and selection algorithm based on self adaptive ant colony system for sky image classification
Get PDFSky image classification is crucial in meteorology to forecast weather and climatic conditions. The fine-grained cloud detection and recognition (FGCDR) algorithm is use to extract colour, inside texture and neighbour texture features from multiview of superpixels sky images. However, the FGCDR produced a substantial amount of redundant and insignificant features. The ant colony optimisation (ACO) algorithm have been used to select feature subset. However, the ACO suffers from premature convergence which leads to poor feature subset. Therefore, an improved feature extraction and selection for sky image classification (FESSIC) algorithm is proposed. This algorithm consists of (i) Gaussian smoothness standard deviation method that formulates informative features within sky images; (ii) nearest-threshold based technique that converts feature map into a weighted directed graph to represent relationship between features; and (iii) an ant colony system with self-adaptive parameter technique for local pheromone update. The performance of FESSIC was evaluated against ten benchmark image classification algorithms and six classifiers on four ground-based sky image datasets. The Friedman test result is presented for the performance rank of six benchmark feature selection algorithms and FESSIC algorithm. The Man-Whitney U test is then performed to statistically evaluate the significance difference of the second rank and FESSIC algorithms. The experimental results for the proposed algorithm are superior to the benchmark image classification algorithms in terms of similarity value on Kiel, SWIMCAT and MGCD datasets. FESSIC outperforms other algorithms for average classification accuracy for the KSVM, MLP, RF and DT classifiers. The Friedman test has shown that the FESSIC has the first rank for all classifiers. Furthermore, the result of Man-Whitney U test indicates that FESSIC is significantly better than the second rank benchmark algorithm for all classifiers. In conclusion, the FESSIC can be utilised for image classification in various applications such as disaster management, medical diagnosis, industrial inspection, sports management, and content-based image retrieval
A tangible user interface design guideline to support learning for children with Dyslexia
Get PDFTangible Interaction (TI) is gaining popularity as a means of supporting learning using physical tangible objects with the interaction of digital space. This approach provides a multisensory experience to children with dyslexia, making the learning session more meaningful. Therefore, TI has the potential to provide multisensory features when using a computer, and as a result, Tangible User Interfaces (TUIs) have emerged. Current TUIs frameworks offer very few design guidelines or tools specifically tailored to meet the needs of children with dyslexia. Previous studies have highlighted that the framework provides data-centred views that only focus on combining physical and digital representations. However, these frameworks do not consider the unique needs and abilities of children with dyslexia, such as their difficulties with reading, writing, and processing visual information. Thus, this study proposes effective TUI design guidelines for children with dyslexia to support learning to read. The study was conducted in five phases: 1) theoretical study; 2) identification of TUIs design components; 3) framework and design guideline development; 4) prototype development; and 5) the validation of TUIs design guideline. A prototype was developed to evaluate the effectiveness of TUIs design guideline during learning activities with children with dyslexia. Seven experts verified the TUIs framework and its design guideline. This study contributed to improving the present design guideline of TUIs. The positive feedback and improvement in learning outcomes from the children with dyslexia validated the effectiveness of the TUIs design guideline. The findings of this study contribute theoretically and practically to the field of TUIs and HCI. They are expected to assist researchers and developers in developing tangible systems that meet the requirements of children with dyslexia. The system developers would be able to understand the needs of children with dyslexia with a clear design guideline for better learning outcomes and improved educational experiences
Audiovisual fascination tolerance in the Malaysian television material distributions
Get PDFCommon viewers heavily rely on dialogue listening to understand talking television content and visibly squint for better hearing during screen time. Thus, reading subtitles “to listen” requires viewer interactions to address the issues underpinning unfamiliar spoken words. This study, which used the cognitive load theory (CLT), cognitive theory of multimedia learning (CTML), and semiotic modes multimodal approach as a framework, revealed a better substitution of sound effects, narration, and subtitle works in an individual’s cognitive system by reducing. These elements were compared against music substitution. Based on the study, listening to a dialogue per se and disruptive fancy music proved less significant to the universal audience reception and definition through dialogue and music. The current work used quantitative approaches of percentage, mean, and mode. The variable (XN, MN, XS, MS, SN, MNS, and XNS) correlations were analysed using ANOVA and the Tukey Post-Hoc test. Notably, the instrument quantified the disruption resulting from sound against subtitles (Q2) and competition among extraneous and intrinsic (Q3), which embraced change to the audience’s cognitive system. Both male and female students and civil servant officers (n = 112) from various disciplines were selected as study samples. Resultantly, sound effects reflected a lower cognitive disturbance against subtitles and narration. Competition between extraneous and intrinsic was also lower for sound effects to be worked with subtitles and narration. Industry players should focus on the concept of sound effects-verbal sound information-subtitle semiotic modes with emphasis on theambient sound recording on filming for the audio split channel
How Rumors are Associated with Retail Investors’ Investment Decision Making
Get PDFRetail investors’ decision-making process can become complex, causing them to rely on rumors to make investment decisions. However, research on rumors and retail investment decision-making in Malaysia is still lacking. This study aims to explore rumors from a social reality perspective, the source that facilitates rumors, and the association between rumors and retail investors’ investment decision-making. Bursa Malaysia was selected as the target exchange for this study to understand how the process of retail investors’ decision-making when it is associated with rumors. In the data collection process, this study embarked on a qualitative inquiry approach using Gioia methodology. A semi-structured interviews with 29 respondents was conducted using purposive sampling for the fieldwork. Data-structure analysis reveals four aggregate dimensions of how rumors are associated with retail investors’ investment decision-making, namely anticipated outcome, subjective probability, external factors, and fundamental principles. This study shows that rumor matters at the level of sociological influence, the mechanism of rumor spread, and the psychological perspective. These dimensions are associated with rumors and the investment decisions of retail investors. This study contributes to a better understanding of behavioral finance in retail investors' decision-making and its implications for the National Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) program from a societal impact perspective. This study could also be a starting point for Bursa Malaysia and the Securities Commission Malaysia to investigate the actual existence of rumors, effective strategies to manage them, and their impact on the stock market and retail investors' investment decision making
The determinants of violent crimes and its impacts on household economic welfare in northwest Nigeria
Get PDFViolent crimes and armed conflicts are among the world's most significant challenges. The ongoing activities of militant groups known as "bandits" in north-western Nigeria result in massacres, sexual assaults, property crimes, kidnappings, and armed robberies, with an increasing number of victims and displaced persons. Despite the deterrent factors, violent crime has increased over the years. This raises the question of the key factors that might play a role in violent crime. This study aims to investigate the influence of deterrence factors, corruption, the rule of law, and socio-economic factors on violent crime and its consequences on household economic welfare. This study uses deterrence, rational choice, and social disorganization theories as underpinning theories. Data from 498 regular households and 558 inmates were collected using a multistage sampling technique and analyzed using binary and multinomial logit regression. The result showed a significant negative relationship between deterrence factors, corruption, the rule of law, and violent crime. The result also showed a significant negative relationship between socio-economic factors and violent crime. However, it showed a significant positive influence of drug consumption and unofficial severity of punishment on violent crimes. Similarly, the results showed a positive relationship between violent crimes and household economic welfare (declining household food consumption and loss of income). Overall, the study confirmed that corruption and the rule of law are the instrumental factors that compromise strategies to combat crime. Socio-economic factors such as family disruption, family background, unemployment, and drug consumption play an enormous role in determining violent crime in Nigeria, and violent crimes significantly affect Household's economic welfare. This research has significantly contributed to the literature as it explored the influence of both formal and informal sanctions on violent crimes and successfully developed and validated a second-order model for the economic welfare scale. The findings will also help regulatory agencies and stakeholders to formulate policies that deter people from committing crimes and improve household economic welfare. Finally, directions for future research were discussed. Enforcing the criminalization of banditry and parental neglect, fighting corruption, institutionalizing family affairs, and publicizing the enforcement campaign are recommended to the policymakers to reduce violent crimes and improve household economic welfare
The effect of corporate governance characteristics and oil-price shocks on bank asset quality in Nigeria
Get PDFNon-performing loan (NPL), one of the common phenomena prevalent in the banking industry, may result in a decline in banks’ assets quality (BAQ). As most literature has centred on external factors (macro-economic and bank-specific effects) affecting BAQ, little attention was given on bank’s corporate governance (CG) mechanism. Therefore, this study investigated CG variables and oil-price shocks that affect BAQ in Nigeria. Agency, resource dependence, and upper echelon theories were applied as underpinning theories. A panel data set of 21 commercial banks spanning 2003-2018 was used for data analysis using the dynamic panel regression technique (Generalized Method of Moment). The results showed a negative association between board of directors (BODs) human/social capital and NPL, inferring that the proportion of highly educated and experienced directors as well as directors with social connections improves BAQ. In addition, a negative association exists between the proportion of female/foreign BODs and NPL, indicating that director’s gender and nationality affect BAQ. Likewise, a negative association exists between the proportion of independent directors on BODs committees (risk, audit, and credit) and NPL. Further results showed that oil price shocks have a negative effect on NPL, implying that an increase in oil price shocks improves BAQ. These findings imply that quality loans for banks are influenced by CG factors and oil price shocks. This study recommends that, banks should pay more attention to the quality of directors appointed to the board. In addition, governments should promote sound economic policies and good governance, to safeguard the adverse effect of oil prices shocks on BAQ. The study advances our understanding of how the underpinning theories can account for BAQ
The Moderating Effects of Market Orientation in the Relationship Between Supply Chain Integration and Broadband Service Performance: A Case Study in Telekom Malaysia Berhad
No full textThe choice of telecommunication service provider in Malaysia is significantly influenced by lifestyle dimensions such as speed, quality, and price. Nevertheless, empirical research on the role of supply chain integration (SCI), market orientation (MO), and broadband service performance (BSP) of fixed and mobile broadband services is limited. This study investigates SCI, including supplier integration (SI), customer integration (CI), and internal integration (II) and the relationship between MO and BSP. This study uses a case study approach of a telecommunication company in Malaysia (i.e., Telekom Malaysia Berhad). Both qualitative and quantitative are used in this study. Firstly, in-depth interviews were conducted with three individuals from their top management to get a comprehensive overview of the variables in the study. Next, the results of the interviews led to the development of a questionnaire, which 188 employees of the telecommunications company answered. Data were analyzed using partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLSSEM).
The results reveal that internal integration (II) and customer integration (CI) significantly impact SCI and BSP, inferring the adaptation of supply chain management in the Malaysian telecommunication industry is relatively modest. In addition, the indirect effect of MO on the relationship between SCI and BSP was
significant. The findings provide guidelines for telecommunication company to improve their BSP. This study provides significant insights into the moderating role of MO in the association between SCI and BSP among Telecom employees in Malaysia in Malaysia. Hence, it also improved the generalization concerning SCI,
MO and BSP through applying resource-based view (RBV) among Telecom employees in Malaysia. It will be more interesting for future research to investigate other SCI elements toward BSP involving more telecommunication companies, or even comparative studies with other telco in different countries
Entrepreneurial orientation, total quality management, and performance: The moderating role of government support among SMEs in Pakistan
No full textThis study aims to investigate the relationships between Total Quality Management (TQM), Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO), and Performance (P) with the moderating role of Government Support (GS). GS is found to be an important moderating factor in performance. The inconsistencies and gaps in previous research on the linkages between TQM, EO, and performance are primary inspirations for this investigation. First, there were mixed findings between TQM and performance and then between EO and performance relationships. Second, the two strategies, TQM and EO, are not investigated within the context of Pakistan’s surgical instrument manufacturing sector in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Third, in the relevant literature, many theories have emphasised establishing the fit between government support and intended strategies as the critical success factor. Therefore, this study integrated government support as an essential moderating variable for strategy implementation. A quantitative approach is used to collect data from surgical instrument manufacturing SMEs operating in the Punjab Province, Pakistan, using a questionnaire survey. Random sampling is used for sample selection. A total of 400 questionnaires were sent out to SMEs' and managers. However, 312 out of 400 surveys are returned, giving us a response rate of 78 per cent. Out of the 312, 234 questionnaires are useable for the analysis. The high response rate is achieved due to the survey instrument being personally distributed, called, and emailed by the researcher to the targeted SMEs. The findings revealed that TQM and EO are significant predictors of performance. The results show that government support moderates the relationship between TQM, EO, and performance. The findings also provided significant insights for managers and researchers to further investigate the effects of implemented strategies on performance. Finally, it is recommended that the mixed methods in future research confirm the findings and better understand the problem. Various stakeholders and other areas of Pakistan’s Small and Medium Enterprises should also be studied for a clear understanding and direction
The roles of data analytics knowledge on relationship between total quality management and university performance in Pakistan
No full textThe objective of this study was to examine the relationship between Total Quality Management, Data Analytics Knowledge, and university performance in higher educational institutes of Pakistan. The Pakistan Higher Education Commission (HEC) oversees the country's general operations and the quality of higher education. Nevertheless, it has yet to improve university performance. Therefore, to achieve great university performance in the higher education sector, it should focus on soft total quality management practices (STQM practices) and hard total quality management practices (HTQM practices). STQM practices included top management, human resource and customer focus. Meanwhile, HTQM practices included benchmarking, continuous improvement, and process management and data analytics knowledge was used as a mediator variable. Meanwhile, university performance is derived from academic and non-academic items. The resource-based view and socio-technical system theory is used as underpinning theory in this study. Based on the theoretical framework, nineteen hypotheses were developed and tested. The methodology of the study is a quantitative and cross-sectional survey and respondents were chosen from middle and lower-middle management of both public and private universities in Pakistan. Simple random sampling was applied for the selection of the respondents. The hypotheses of the study were tested, including the data screening process, descriptive analyses, assessment of the measurement model, and assessment of the structural model. Current research proposed thirteen direct relationships, of which ten were accepted, and three were rejected. Moreover, data analytics knowledge has shown a significant mediating effect. This study provides a theoretical contribution to the resource-based theory and sociotechnical system theory by expanding the total quality management, data analytics knowledge, and university performance nexus. Furthermore, this research provides recommendations and information to both university top management and Pakistan HEC, particularly in derived total quality management and data analytics knowledge for sustaining university performance
Factors influencing user satisfaction level towards ETP system among inland revenue board (IRB) officers in Malaysia
Get PDFThis study examines the factors influencing user satisfaction level with the use of the Enterprise Taxpayer Profile (ETP) system among officers in the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia. The ETP system, based on the Data Warehouse (DW) method, was developed and implemented in 2008 to enhance the operating systems and boost the capacity of governmental institutions. To assess user satisfaction with the ETP system, four independent variables were adapted, namely System Quality (SQ), Information Quality (IQ), Service Quality (SVQ), and System Use (SU), using the updated DeLone and McLean Model of Information Systems Success. The study was conducted in IRBM's branches throughout Malaysia and involved 140 officers from the Audit Department. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the relationship of the variables. The findings indicate that System Quality (SQ), Information Quality (IQ), and Service Quality (SVQ) have a significant positive relationship and contribute to IRBM officers' satisfaction with the adoption of the ETP system. The high level of user satisfaction achieved by IRBM through the ETP system serves as a benchmark for the organization and demonstrates that IRBM is on the right track in achieving its system development goals. Furthermore, users' proposals for IRBM include providing more recent data, such as online trading information, and increasing links with other government agencies such as the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (MAQIS)