Non-english and non-latin signature verification systems: A survey

Signatures continue to be an important biometric because they remain widely used as a means of personal verification and therefore an automatic verification system is needed. Manual signature-based authentication of a large number of documents is a difficult and time consuming task. Consequently for many years, in the field of protected communication and financial applications, we have observed an explosive growth in biometric personal authentication systems that are closely connected with measurable unique physical characteristics (e.g. hand geometry, iris scan, finger prints or DNA) or behavioural features. Substantial research has been undertaken in the field of signature verification involving English signatures, but to the best of our knowledge, very few works have considered non-English signatures such as Chinese, Japanese, Arabic etc. In order to convey the state-of-the-art in the field to researchers, in this paper we present a survey of non-English and non-Latin signature verification systems

Elementary Music Teacher Preparation Gaps in Cultural Diversity: Exceptional Populations

Despite the extensive coursework and training in teacher preparation programs focusing on diverse populations, many teachers feel underprepared to meet the needs of emerging subcultures in the elementary music classroom. Over the years, the term diversity has grown beyond ethnicity and requires continued study and attention. This qualitative study explores the perspectives of elementary music educators about diverse populations of exceptional students with Other Health Impairments (OHI), defined as asthma, ADD, ADHD, diabetes, epilepsy, heart condition, hemophilia, lead poisoning, leukemia, nephritis, rheumatic fever, sickle cell anemia, and Tourette syndrome, in their classrooms. The results of this study identify the existing and emerging subgroups within elementary music classrooms, expose training deficiencies, and suggest necessary changes and additions to teacher training and development programs. Societal changes lead to the emergence of new subcultures and new music teachers, requiring current and improved training to provide quality music instruction to every student regardless of their background. Elementary music teachers often service the entire student body, sometimes in mixed groupings, creating a unique classroom dynamic requiring comprehensive training. They must understand and train to be able to address every situation possible. This study will expand the music education profession, building highly qualified teachers, programs, and students. This study shows the gap in teacher preparation and provides useful suggestions on how to improve degree programs and continuing education opportunities, creating an inclusive environment. The implications of this study reach beyond the subject of music and music educator training, potentially revolutionizing general education concerning diversity in terms of exceptional students

LEISURE, OBESITY AND WEIGHT LOSS: AN EXPLORATION OF LEISURE, THE PUBLIC HEALTH ECOLOGICAL MODEL OF OBESITY AND IDENTITY THEORY

Obesity is a global health crisis with complex causal relationships. From the mid 1990s to 2010, obesity related research in the clinical and social sciences has exploded. This expansion has resulted in a proliferation of obesity-related articles published in top-tier journals and the creation of new journals solely devoted to obesity research. In contrast within leisure scholarship, a review of leisure journals reveals that published research on the relationship of leisure, obesity and weight loss is minimal. However, numerous leisure scholarship/theory principles are relevant to obesity prevention and treatment. Similarly, public health officials have developed numerous systems-oriented multilevel framework models for addressing obesity (ecological models). A review of these models reveals targets where the application of leisure theory and practice could inform and facilitate obesity prevention and treatment. The value of this facilitation is supported by research demonstrating the power of leisure for personal life transformation that enables health improvements. Individual identity and personal choices are primary factors in lifestyle change and influence individual obesity treatment and prevention. It is at the intersection of public health, leisure scholarship and the individual that recreational therapies may provide a bridge for personal and collective success in the prevention and treatment of obesity. Using qualitative narrative via case-study methods, identity aspects of weight-loss support group leaders are examined. Observations will be made regarding the identity change process in light of modern identity theory and consideration will be given to demonstrated aspects of the Serious Leisure Perspective. Finally, a critical multiplist paradigm call to action is issued to scholars and practitioners

Public administration, competitiveness and sustainable development: proceedings of the National Conference organized by the Italian National Section of the IIAS Trento, 23-24 May 2002

The debate over the question of the sustainability of development has been for some time underway in relation to the environment and to public health. More recently attention has turned to other aspects of sustainability as well, now that a generally accepted meaning of the term has been reached which defines it as the sum total of policies for satisfying the needs of the present generation without compromising the capacity of future generations to satisfy their own needs. Within this broader context the role of public administration is obvious. One of the key questions that this volume has attempted to provide an answer is: can the European vision hold true in the same terms for Italy as well

Ubiquitous Integration and Temporal Synchronisation (UbilTS) framework : a solution for building complex multimodal data capture and interactive systems

Contemporary Data Capture and Interactive Systems (DCIS) systems are tied in with various technical complexities such as multimodal data types, diverse hardware and software components, time synchronisation issues and distributed deployment configurations. Building these systems is inherently difficult and requires addressing of these complexities before the intended and purposeful functionalities can be attained. The technical issues are often common and similar among diverse applications. This thesis presents the Ubiquitous Integration and Temporal Synchronisation (UbiITS) framework, a generic solution to address the technical complexities in building DCISs. The proposed solution is an abstract software framework that can be extended and customised to any application requirements. UbiITS includes all fundamental software components, techniques, system level layer abstractions and reference architecture as a collection to enable the systematic construction of complex DCISs. This work details four case studies to showcase the versatility and extensibility of UbiITS framework’s functionalities and demonstrate how it was employed to successfully solve a range of technical requirements. In each case UbiITS operated as the core element of each application. Additionally, these case studies are novel systems by themselves in each of their domains. Longstanding technical issues such as flexibly integrating and interoperating multimodal tools, precise time synchronisation, etc., were resolved in each application by employing UbiITS. The framework enabled establishing a functional system infrastructure in these cases, essentially opening up new lines of research in each discipline where these research approaches would not have been possible without the infrastructure provided by the framework. The thesis further presents a sample implementation of the framework on a device firmware exhibiting its capability to be directly implemented on a hardware platform. Summary metrics are also produced to establish the complexity, reusability, extendibility, implementation and maintainability characteristics of the framework.Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) grants - EP/F02553X/1, 114433 and 11394

The Wooster Voice (Wooster, OH), 1981-10-16

This edition includes articles discussing Wooster\u27s drafted sexual harassment statement, Reagan\u27s disruption of the process of desegregating colleges, the lack of administration\u27s signatures on a statement that opposed discrimination against homosexuals on campus, President Reagan\u27s support of the B-1 bomber program, a condemnation of the Religion Department and the Voice, Phi Beta Kappa members, a letter to the editor in response to the divest now campaign, a student protest against a law prohibiting student groups from promoting sex outside marriage, American patriotism, the Scot Band\u27s halftime performance, the organization of a Wooster chapter of Amnesty International, how to eat a balanced diet on campus, the first event of the Society for Creative Anachronism, the music therapy program, the Student Activities Board concert by Duck\u27s Breath Mystery Theatre, a space program about NASA hosted by the Speakers and Topics Committee.https://openworks.wooster.edu/voice1981-1990/1268/thumbnail.jp