Recent Application in Biometrics

In the recent years, a number of recognition and authentication systems based on biometric measurements have been proposed. Algorithms and sensors have been developed to acquire and process many different biometric traits. Moreover, the biometric technology is being used in novel ways, with potential commercial and practical implications to our daily activities. The key objective of the book is to provide a collection of comprehensive references on some recent theoretical development as well as novel applications in biometrics. The topics covered in this book reflect well both aspects of development. They include biometric sample quality, privacy preserving and cancellable biometrics, contactless biometrics, novel and unconventional biometrics, and the technical challenges in implementing the technology in portable devices. The book consists of 15 chapters. It is divided into four sections, namely, biometric applications on mobile platforms, cancelable biometrics, biometric encryption, and other applications. The book was reviewed by editors Dr. Jucheng Yang and Dr. Norman Poh. We deeply appreciate the efforts of our guest editors: Dr. Girija Chetty, Dr. Loris Nanni, Dr. Jianjiang Feng, Dr. Dongsun Park and Dr. Sook Yoon, as well as a number of anonymous reviewers

The Chinese Brush Stroke Experience in Bereavement Counseling

In the field of expressive therapies, there are different techniques to help bereaved people to better cope with their losses (e.g., Attig, 2000; Thompson, 2003; Gulledge, 2003; Rogers, 2007; Chandler, 2007). Among various expressive arts techniques, Chinese calligraphy has been used as a therapeutic intervention for behavioral, emotional, and mental health issues (Kao, 1991; Chen, 2003). However, there is no research on using Chinese brushstroke techniques in working with people who have experienced losses. This research focuses on the experience of practicing Chinese brushstroke technique as an expressive therapeutic approach to work with seniors in expressing their feelings toward the lost of a loved one. Six participants with recent loss of a loved one, aged 78 to 94, from the Hebrew Senior Life Rehabilitation Center in Boston, Massachusetts were recruited for this study. The participants attended six sessions of workshop with one and a half hour each. The workshop focused on the application of the Chinese brush stroke techniques in forms of painting and calligraphy as therapeutic intervention for coping with the loss of their loved ones. In this paper, meaning making, continuing bonds with the deceased loved one, and maintaining balance have been identified among many contributing factors to healthy bereavement coping. Practicing Chinese brush strokes techniques in forms of painting and calligraphy appeared to be helpful in promoting these factor

The BG News December 9, 1988

The BGSU campus student newspaper December 9, 1988. Volume 71 - Issue 64https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/bg-news/5878/thumbnail.jp

Peer Coaching in the Kingdom of Bahrain: Exploring the Implementation of a Professional Development Programme for Primary Teachers

Abstract Education plays a crucial role in the Kingdom of Bahrain’s “Economic Vision 2030”, and the country is now working to reform its education system to meet the economic and social challenges of the 21st century. Currently the country is focusing on improving schools’ performance and enhancing their quality to keep pace with the educational reform plan. International research has demonstrated that teachers’ continuous professional development (PD) is one of the fundamental strategies that improves educational quality. Although the Bahraini Ministry of Education has encouraged teachers to adopt peer observation as a tool for PD, a number of obstacles have emerged over time. Following a mixed methods approach, this thesis describes the design and implementation and piloting of a tailor made peer coaching programme which involved 24 teachers in seven state primary schools. Questionnaires were administered to 14 senior teachers and 50 Grade Two teachers of the First Cycle of Basic Education, along with observation sheets and reflective journals. In-depth interviews were also conducted with 11 of the participating teachers. This study reveals that such a peer coaching programme is an effective form of PD because the teachers took ownership of the approach in meeting their professional needs. This enabled them to apply strategies imposed by the Ministry of Education, thereby aiding the implementation of educational changes as required. More broadly, this research demonstrates that if teachers are involved in their professional development provision their motivation is enhanced. A refined version of Wagner and French’s model (Motivation, work satisfaction, and change in practice, 2010) is presented to illustrate this effect

The BG News October 21, 1988

The BGSU campus student newspaper October 21, 1988. Volume 71 - Issue 37https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/bg-news/5851/thumbnail.jp

The BG News December 11, 1987

The BGSU campus student newspaper December 11, 1987. Volume 70 - Issue 62https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/bg-news/5738/thumbnail.jp

A pragmatic mixed methods analysis of experiences, behaviours and perceptions of gamblers towards the efficacy of responsible gambling in minimising "problem gambling" MINIMISING ‘PROBLEM GAMBLING’ PERCEPTIONS OF GAMBLERS TOWARDS THE EFFICACY OF RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING IN MINIMISING ‘PROBLEM GAMBLING’

The premise of this thesis is that all business is embedded in society and needs to be responsible for the socio-cultural problems it creates. This thesis examines the social responsibilities operators should have to gamblers and wider society and seeks to understand if responsible gambling can empower gamblers to minimise harms. The aim of this thesis is to evaluate critically the extent to which responsible gambling is possible in relation to the interests of society and gamblers themselves and an examination of the efficacy of responsible gambling features in the online environment. Gambling-harms have been studied by researchers from many different disciplines however few are situated from the perspective of business. There has been a dominance of quantitative gambling research but a lack of qualitative investigation into harms from the perspective of gamblers. This thesis seeks to address these issues using a pragmatic, mixed methods approach and presents empirical findings drawn from the approaches used. A group interview gathered qualitative data about the behaviour and experiences of ‘problem gamblers’ in the development of their problems and specifically what measures would have been useful for them in controlling their ‘problem gambling.’ The rich information provided by the group-interview contributed to the development of an informed online questionnaire, completed by key stakeholders in the setting which provided insights on the phenomena of ‘problem gambling’ and responsible gambling. The lived experience of ‘problem gamblers’ is at variance with key stakeholders. The findings point to a need for a new model of ‘problem gambling’ one which recognises how gambling activity has become normalised in modern culture. Research findings are discussed in relation to implications for key stakeholders who need to participate in the socio-cultural debate that surrounds gambling becoming directly involved in its complex moral issues. Recommendations discuss policy changes, drawing on both health and consumer protection for the market to improve gambler safety and responsibility of the industry