Selected Computing Research Papers Volume 7 June 2018

Contents Critical Evaluation of Arabic Sentimental Analysis and Their Accuracy on Microblogs (Maha Al-Sakran) Evaluating Current Research on Psychometric Factors Affecting Teachers in ICT Integration (Daniel Otieno Aoko) A Critical Analysis of Current Measures for Preventing Use of Fraudulent Resources in Cloud Computing (Grant Bulman) An Analytical Assessment of Modern Human Robot Interaction Systems (Dominic Button) Critical Evaluation of Current Power Management Methods Used in Mobile Devices (One Lekula) A Critical Evaluation of Current Face Recognition Systems Research Aimed at Improving Accuracy for Class Attendance (Gladys B. Mogotsi) Usability of E-commerce Website Based on Perceived Homepage Visual Aesthetics (Mercy Ochiel) An Overview Investigation of Reducing the Impact of DDOS Attacks on Cloud Computing within Organisations (Jabed Rahman) Critical Analysis of Online Verification Techniques in Internet Banking Transactions (Fredrick Tshane

Spectators’ aesthetic experiences of sound and movement in dance performance

In this paper we present a study of spectators’ aesthetic experiences of sound and movement in live dance performance. A multidisciplinary team comprising a choreographer, neuroscientists and qualitative researchers investigated the effects of different sound scores on dance spectators. What would be the impact of auditory stimulation on kinesthetic experience and/or aesthetic appreciation of the dance? What would be the effect of removing music altogether, so that spectators watched dance while hearing only the performers’ breathing and footfalls? We investigated audience experience through qualitative research, using post-performance focus groups, while a separately conducted functional brain imaging (fMRI) study measured the synchrony in brain activity across spectators when they watched dance with sound or breathing only. When audiences watched dance accompanied by music the fMRI data revealed evidence of greater intersubject synchronisation in a brain region consistent with complex auditory processing. The audience research found that some spectators derived pleasure from finding convergences between two complex stimuli (dance and music). The removal of music and the resulting audibility of the performers’ breathing had a significant impact on spectators’ aesthetic experience. The fMRI analysis showed increased synchronisation among observers, suggesting greater influence of the body when interpreting the dance stimuli. The audience research found evidence of similar corporeally focused experience. The paper discusses possible connections between the findings of our different approaches, and considers the implications of this study for interdisciplinary research collaborations between arts and sciences

Clafer: Lightweight Modeling of Structure, Behaviour, and Variability

Embedded software is growing fast in size and complexity, leading to intimate mixture of complex architectures and complex control. Consequently, software specification requires modeling both structures and behaviour of systems. Unfortunately, existing languages do not integrate these aspects well, usually prioritizing one of them. It is common to develop a separate language for each of these facets. In this paper, we contribute Clafer: a small language that attempts to tackle this challenge. It combines rich structural modeling with state of the art behavioural formalisms. We are not aware of any other modeling language that seamlessly combines these facets common to system and software modeling. We show how Clafer, in a single unified syntax and semantics, allows capturing feature models (variability), component models, discrete control models (automata) and variability encompassing all these aspects. The language is built on top of first order logic with quantifiers over basic entities (for modeling structures) combined with linear temporal logic (for modeling behaviour). On top of this semantic foundation we build a simple but expressive syntax, enriched with carefully selected syntactic expansions that cover hierarchical modeling, associations, automata, scenarios, and Dwyer's property patterns. We evaluate Clafer using a power window case study, and comparing it against other notations that substantially overlap with its scope (SysML, AADL, Temporal OCL and Live Sequence Charts), discussing benefits and perils of using a single notation for the purpose

Speech-language pathologists\u27 perspectives on augmentative communication and autism spectrum disorder

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is a common strategy that speech-language pathologists (SLPs) use to help individuals better communicate. AAC is used to assist or replace verbal communication. This strategy can include pointing at pictures, having a device that speaks typed words, or using gestures such as sign language. AAC is commonly used to help individuals with autism spectrum disorder with communication. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong developmental disability that impacts social communication and interaction. Individuals with ASD also commonly have restrictive or repetitive behaviors. Past research on AAC has focused more on what it is and why SLPs would use it. There is a paucity of research about specific AAC programs and the successes and challenges that SLPs have faced with them. This qualitative research study seeks to explore the methods and perspectives of SLPs using AAC with their clients, specifically with clients with ASD

A Satellite Association Procedure

A procedure is derived for estimating the consistency of a radar observation of an object with a prediction of an orbiting object. This procedure may be of use as an association procedure., i.e., to insure that data is indeed being taken on an intended object before associating the new data with old data on the object. Specifically we show that, with reasonable assumptions about the observational and prediction errors, a quadratic form associated with the position error vector has a chi-square distribution with 3 degrees of freedom. Thus we can compute the probability of the residual if the observation and the prediction come from the same object. A low probability is taken as an indication that the prediction and observation refer to different objects. The computational procedure is described in detail, and a Monte Carlo run is included to demonstrate the correctness of the procedure

On Inter-referential Awareness in Collaborative Augmented Reality

For successful collaboration to occur, a workspace must support inter-referential awareness - or the ability for one participant to refer to a set of artifacts in the environment, and for that reference to be correctly interpreted by others. While referring to objects in our everyday environment is a straight-forward task, the non-tangible nature of digital artifacts presents us with new interaction challenges. Augmented reality (AR) is inextricably linked to the physical world, and it is natural to believe that the re-integration of physical artifacts into the workspace makes referencing tasks easier; however, we find that these environments combine the referencing challenges from several computing disciplines, which compound across scenarios. This dissertation presents our studies of this form of awareness in collaborative AR environments. It stems from our research in developing mixed reality environments for molecular modeling, where we explored spatial and multi-modal referencing techniques. To encapsulate the myriad of factors found in collaborative AR, we present a generic, theoretical framework and apply it to analyze this domain. Because referencing is a very human-centric activity, we present the results of an exploratory study which examines the behaviors of participants and how they generate references to physical and virtual content in co-located and remote scenarios; we found that participants refer to content using physical and virtual techniques, and that shared video is highly effective in disambiguating references in remote environments. By implementing user feedback from this study, a follow-up study explores how the environment can passively support referencing, where we discovered the role that virtual referencing plays during collaboration. A third study was conducted in order to better understand the effectiveness of giving and interpreting references using a virtual pointer; the results suggest the need for participants to be parallel with the arrow vector (strengthening the argument for shared viewpoints), as well as the importance of shadows in non-stereoscopic environments. Our contributions include a framework for analyzing the domain of inter-referential awareness, the development of novel referencing techniques, the presentation and analysis of our findings from multiple user studies, and a set of guidelines to help designers support this form of awareness

The Grid Sketcher: An AutoCad-based tool for conceptual design processes

Sketching with pencil and paper is reminiscent of the varied, rich, and loosely defined formal processes associated with conceptual design. Architects actively engage such creative paradigms in their exploration and development of conceptual design solutions. The Grid Sketcher, as a conceptual sketching tool, presents one possible computer implementation for enhancing and supporting these processes. It effectively demonstrates the facility with which current technology and the computing environment can enhance and simulate sketching intents and expectations; Typically with respect to design, the position taken is that the two are virtually void of any fundamental commonality. A designer\u27s thoughts are intuitive, at times irrational, and rarely follow consistently identifiable patterns. Conversely, computing requires predictability in just these endeavors. The computing environment, as commonly defined, can not reasonably expect to mimic the typically human domain of creative design. In this context, this thesis accentuates the computer\u27s role as a form generator as opposed to a form evaluator. The computer, under the influence of certain contextual parameters can, however, provide the designer with a rich and elegant set of forms that respond through algorithmics to the designer\u27s creative intents. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

From theoretical foundation to analytical application by 3D solid representations of open public spaces

Tese de Doutoramento em Arquitetura, com a especialização em Teoria e Prática do Projeto apresentada na Faculdade de Arquitetura da Universidade de Lisboa para obtenção do grau de Doutor.Num meio construido sobre-edificado contemporâneo, reconheceu-se a sua parte não edificada, o Vazio Arquitetónico-Urbano, como um elemento gradiente e estrutural, que contribui para as suas qualidades formais e funcionais. Baseado nas referências do urbanismo, arquitetura e geografia humana, e com o fim de analisar o Espaço Aberto Público, este estudo propõe, defina e captura o fenómeno do Vazio Arquitetónico-Urbano - Vazio UrbArq. Começando com uma abordagem teórica mais ampla a partir da qual o Vazio UrbArq é conceptualizado, desenvolve-se um método de representação do domínio do negativo do ambiente construído, objetivando-o em novas representações sólidas 3D (Convex, Solid and Fragmented Voids) e combinando-os com as representações do campo visual já existentes (Isovist and Viewsheds). Esses modelos de representação são usados para capturar os atributos de Espaços Públicos Abertos, abordando as suas propriedades mensuráveis, que estão posteriormente relacionadas com os usos espaciais como expressões das qualidades dos espaços urbanos. As expressões de qualidade são inferidas através da análise fenomenológica in-situ e da observação natural, a partir das quais foram estabelecidas correlações preliminares entre as propriedades quantitativas e qualidades dos Espaços Públicos Abertos. Combinando metodologias qualitativas e quantitativas, a investigação utiliza a representação sólida 3D e investiga o papel do Vazio UrbArch na geração de atributos e qualidades de Espaços Públicos Abertos na zona ribeirinha de Lisboa. Para esse efeito: a) Introduziu-se o conceito de vazio como base inspiradora e teórica da pesquisa (capítulo 2); B) Definiu-se o foco da pesquisa - Vazio UrbArch (capítulo 3); C) Desenvolveram-se os modelos de representação de Espaços Públicos Abertos abordando o foco do Vazio UrbArch (capítulo 4); D) Definiram-se os atributos específicos dos Espaços Públicos Abertos para serem abordados (capítulo 5); Aplicou-se a metodologia a partir da qual se estabeleceu a correlação entre atributos, propriedades qualitativas e qualidades espaciais (capítulo 6).ABSTRACT: In the nowadays tightly built environment we recognize the unbuilt part of urban-architectural space as its gradient and structural element, which influences its formal and functional qualities. Based on the references of urbanism, architecture and human geography and in order to analyse Open Public Spaces through the prism of its unbuilt part, the study proposes, defines and captures the notion of urban-architectural emptiness – UrbArch Emptiness. It starts from a theoretical analysis of emptiness wherefrom the UrbArch Emptiness was conceptualised. It further develops a way to represent the realm of the negative of built environment by objectifying it into novel 3D solid representations (Convex, Solid and Fragmented Voids) which are combined with already existing View field representations (Isovist and Viewsheds) and applied on case study of Lisbon Riverside. These representation models are used for capturing attributes of Open Public Spaces by approaching their measurable properties which are further related to spatial experiences and usages as expressions of spatial qualities. The expressions of qualities are inferred through first person in-situ phenomenological analysis and natural observation wherefrom correlations between Open Public Spaces’ quantitative properties and qualities were preliminarily established. Combining qualitative and quantitative methodologies, the research takes the 3D solid representation and investigates the role of UrbArch Emptiness in generating qualities of Open Public Spaces in Lisbon riverside. To do so research: a) Introduces the concept of Emptiness as inspirational and theoretical basis of research (chapter 2); b) Defines objectified focus of research – UrbArch Emptiness (chapter 3); c) Develops models for Open Public Spaces representation and analysis based on UrbArch Emptiness (chapter 4); d) Defines specific Open Public Spaces’ attributes to be approached (chapter 5); Applies the methodology wherefrom correlations between attributes, qualitative properties and spatial qualities are preliminarily established (chapter 6).N/

Design and integrity of deterministic system architectures.

Architectures represented by system construction 'building block' components and interrelationships provide the structural form. This thesis addresses processes, procedures and methods that support system design synthesis and specifically the determination of the integrity of candidate architectural structures. Particular emphasis is given to the structural representation of system architectures, their consistency and functional quantification. It is a design imperative that a hierarchically decomposed structure maintains compatibility and consistency between the functional and realisation solutions. Complex systems are normally simplified by the use of hierarchical decomposition so that lower level components are precisely defined and simpler than higher-level components. To enable such systems to be reconstructed from their components, the hierarchical construction must provide vertical intra-relationship consistency, horizontal interrelationship consistency, and inter-component functional consistency. Firstly, a modified process design model is proposed that incorporates the generic structural representation of system architectures. Secondly, a system architecture design knowledge domain is proposed that enables viewpoint evaluations to be aggregated into a coherent set of domains that are both necessary and sufficient to determine the integrity of system architectures. Thirdly, four methods of structural analysis are proposed to assure the integrity of the architecture. The first enables the structural compatibility between the 'building blocks' that provide the emergent functional properties and implementation solution properties to be determined. The second enables the compatibility of the functional causality structure and the implementation causality structure to be determined. The third method provides a graphical representation of architectural structures. The fourth method uses the graphical form of structural representation to provide a technique that enables quantitative estimation of performance estimates of emergent properties for large scale or complex architectural structures. These methods have been combined into a procedure of formal design. This is a design process that, if rigorously executed, meets the requirements for reconstructability

Integrating the 4Cs into EFL Integrated Skills Learning

The accelerative globalization and digitalization in the 21st century have been growingly changing the way we live, interact, learn and work. Consequently, to thrive in the 21st century, besides knowledge and the basic skills, today’s students should also be equipped with what is called the 4Cs (communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity). To meet the challenges, EFL classrooms should not merely focus on students’ language skills development but also integrate the 4Cs into the learning process. This article reviews current ideas and research findings on integrated skills learning, the 4Cs, significance of blended learning in the 4Cs and integrated skills the integration, and offers practical tips for integrating the 4Cs into integrated skills learning