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A Linguistic Exploration of Indigenous Languages Adverts: A Critical Discourse Approach
No full textThis article analyses the language of two SABC 1 isiNdebele TV Adverts with English translations. The indigenous languages adverts are analysed using a critical discourse approach (hereafter CDA). Adverts the world over, it has been observed, are best understood in the major languages of commerce, usually English. This article proffers an analysis of the advert as any text that has permeated unequal power relations, ideological inclinations and manipulative aspects. Thus, the analysis of the target adverts looks at how the structure and substance of adverts have been translated and transmuted to be understood in the language of the advert but achieving the major drive of adverts in general. This article argues that text can be realised linguistically as well as visually and analysis is instituted to bring to the fore the form, structure, and effect of the text
A New Kind of High Capacity and Security Reversible Data Hiding Scheme
No full textA novel high capacity and security reversible data hiding scheme is proposed in this article, in which the secret data is represented by different orthogonal spreading sequences and repeatedly embedded into the cover image without disturbing each other in the light of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technique, and thus the embedding capacity is enlarged. As most elements of orthogonal spreading sequences are mutually canceled in the process of repeated embedding, it keeps the distortion of the embedded image at a low level even with high embedding capacity. Moreover, only the receiver who has the spreading sequence and the embedding gain factor the same as the sender can extract the secret data and achieve the original image exactly, thus the proposed scheme achieves high embedding security than other schemes. The results of the experiment demonstrates that the CDMA based reversible data hiding scheme could achieve higher image quality at moderate-to-high embedding capacity compared with other state-of-the-art schemes
Exploring Local Governance and E-Services in Qatar
No full textProperly implemented, e-government enables improved government efficiency and greater engagement with citizens. The State of Qatar has implemented many e-government initiatives but little has been done to investigate their progress. This study aims to bridge the knowledge gap by shedding the light on a specific e-government initiative: the Baladiya application system, the electronic service for municipalities. It uses qualitative data from semi-structured interviews conducted with the director of customer service in each of the municipalities in Qatar. An inductive approach allowed findings to emerge. E-government provides a broad array of services to local users however three main aspects remain problematic. First, the high quantity but low quality of information received from users via e-government hinders the customer relations. Second, while services are readily available, e-government channels are not widely adopted. Finally, the complex process for service delivery contributes to create a relatively opaque user experience
Public Policy Issues in Direct and Digital Marketing – Concerns and Initiatives: Public Policy in Direct and Digital Marketing
No full textCompanies require information about customers to understand them, know their preferences, and develop relationships with them. Companies employ a number of direct and digital marketing channels to collect information and intelligence about customers. Marketers adopt a number of unfair practices for collecting information through direct and digital marketing and this raises concerns about consumer privacy. The article discusses the various aspects of consumer privacy and the need for protecting consumer privacy. The article further focuses on the various regulations enforced by regulatory bodies and governments of countries to protect customers. Various initiatives taken by companies to protect customers are discussed. Direct and digital marketing channels allow companies to collect information and intelligence about customers and to influence them. However, companies should be sensitive to customer concerns. This will help companies in building long-term customer relationships
Machine Learning Applications in Nanomedicine and Nanotoxicology: An Overview
No full textThe development of machine learning algorithms together with the availability of computational tools nowadays have given an increase in the application of artificial intelligence methodologies in different fields. However, the use of these machine learning approaches in nanomedicine remains still underexplored in certain areas, despite the development in hardware and software tools. In this review, the recent advances in the conjunction of machine learning with nanomedicine are shown. Examples dealing with biomedical properties of nanoparticles, characterization of nanomaterials, text mining, and image analysis are also presented. Finally, some future perspectives in the integration of nanomedicine with cloud computing, deep learning and other techniques are discussed
Higher Dimensions of Clusters of Intermetallic Compounds: Dimensions of Metallic Nanoclusters
No full textThe author has previously proven that diffraction pattern of intermetallic compounds (quasicrystals) have translational symmetry in the space of higher dimension. In this paper, it is proved that the metallic nanoclusters also have a higher dimension. The internal geometry of clusters was investigated. General expressions for calculating the dimension of clusters is obtained, from which it follows that the dimension of metallic nanoclusters increases linearly with increasing number of cluster shells. The dimensions of many experimentally known metallic nanoclusters are determined. It is shown that these clusters, which are usually considered to be three - dimensional, have a higher dimension. The Euler-Poincaré equation was used, the internal geometry of clusters was investigated
A Qualitative Study of Student Expectations of Online Faculty Engagement
No full textInstitutions offering online courses and degrees often develop requirements for faculty-to-student interactions; yet, these requirements may not align student preferences for faculty engagement. This chapter expanded the work on an earlier study by Shaw, Clowes, and Burrus, “A Comparative Typology of Student and Institutional Expectations of Online Faculty.” The current study included a new sampling of 57 students across two institutions focused on their experiences in online courses. Using the original typology as a lens, results were grouped into themes including substantive feedback, timeliness, and course expectations. Recommendations for further study include conducting a quantitative study of the relationship between faculty outcomes and student satisfaction after implementing student performance expectations
Optimization Methods in Continuous Improvement Models: A Relational Review
No full textThere are numerous processes used to implement quality, such as TQM, 6 Sigma, and Lean. For these quality processes to remain effective, a continuous improvement model is required and implemented from time to time. Some of these models include Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve and Control (DMAIC); Plan, Do, Check, and Act (PDCA); Identify, Measure, Problem Analysis, Remedy, Operationalize, Validate, and Evaluate (IMPROVE); and Theory of Constraint (TOC). Furthermore, continuous improvement tools need to remain effective through the use of optimization techniques to produce the best possible outcomes. This article discusses some of the current utilization of these tools and proposes different optimizing techniques and variations to make robust quality implementation tools
A FRT - SVD Based Blind Medical Watermarking Technique for Telemedicine Applications
No full textIn this article, a blind and robust medical image watermarking technique based on Finite Ridgelet Transform (FRT) and Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) is proposed. A host medical image is first transformed into 16 × 16 non-overlapping blocks and then ridgelet transform is applied on the individual blocks to obtain sets of ridgelet coefficients. SVD is then applied on these sets, to obtain the corresponding U, S and V matrix. The watermark information is embedded into the host medical image by modification of the value of the significant elements of U matrix. This proposed technique is tested on various types of medical images such as X-ray and CT scan. The simulation results revealed that this technique provides better imperceptibility, with an average PSNR being 42.95 dB for all test medical images. This technique also overcomes the limitation of the existing technique which is applicable on only the Region of Interest (ROI) of the medical image
Do We Trust the Internet?: Ignorance and Overconfidence in Downloading and Installing Potentially Spyware-Infected Software
No full textThe threat profile of spyware is increasing rapidly when we consider the pervasiveness of computing in everyday life. The surreptitious nature of spyware can lead to information mining, data theft and exploitation of stolen data. This article aims to explore the relationship between trust in the Internet and neglecting risks in downloading and installing free potentially spyware-infected software. This study found that trust can be viewed as an indirect function of ignorance and overconfidence through the mechanism of the calculated probability of risk. An enhanced model of trust, based on Li and Betts' trust model has been proposed with two additional vectors. The inference drawn from the study is that in most users' minds, the calculated or perceived risk is substantially less than the anticipated benefit of the software. The analysis shows that users trust the Internet when it comes to downloading and installing potentially spyware-infected software, although such nonchalant trust appears to be based on ignorance and over-confidence