Image quality assessment based on harmonics gain/loss information

We present an objective reduced-reference image quality assessment method based on harmonic gain/loss information through a discriminative analysis of local harmonic strength (LHS). The LHS is computed from the gradient of images, and its value represents a relative degree of the appearance of blockiness on images when it is related to energy gain within an image. Furthermore, comparison between local harmonic strength values from an original, distortion-free image and a degraded, processed, or compressed version of the image shows that the LHS can also be used to indicate other types of degradations, such as blurriness that corresponds with energy loss. Our simulations show that we can develop a single metric based on this gain/loss information and use it to rate the quality of images encoded by various encoders such as DCT-based JPEG, wavelet-based JPEG 2000, or various processed images. We show that our method can overcome some limitations of the traditional PSNR

Combining absolute and relative information in studies on food quality

A common problem in food science concerns the assessment of the quality of food samples. Typically, a group of panellists is trained exhaustively on how to identify different quality indicators in order to provide absolute information, in the form of scores, for each given food sample. Unfortunately, this training is expensive and time-consuming. For this very reason, it is quite common to search for additional information provided by untrained panellists. However, untrained panellists usually provide relative information, in the form of rankings, for the food samples. In this paper, we discuss how both scores and rankings can be combined in order to improve the quality of the assessment

Development of the Integrated Model of the Automotive Product Quality Assessment

Issues on building an integrated model of the automotive product quality assessment are studied herein basing on widely applicable methods and models of the quality assessment. A conceptual model of the automotive product quality system meeting customer requirements has been developed. Typical characteristics of modern industrial production are an increase in the production dynamism that determines the product properties; a continuous increase in the volume of information required for decision-making, an increased role of knowledge and high technologies implementing absolutely new scientific and technical ideas. To solve the problem of increasing the automotive product quality, a conceptual structural and hierarchical model is offered to ensure its quality as a closed system with feedback between the regulatory, manufacturing, and information modules, responsible for formation of the product quality at all stages of its life cycle. The three module model of the system of the industrial product quality assurance is considered to be universal and to give the opportunity to explore processes of any complexity while solving theoretical and practical problems of the quality assessment and prediction for products for various purposes, including automotive

DESIGN AND ANALYSIS QUALITY SYSTEM OF STUDENT INFORMATION PROCESSING DATA NEW STUDENT SMK MUHAMMADIYAH 3 YOGYAKARTA

This research aims to design and analyze websites new Student Information System Acceptance SMK Muhammadiyah 3 Yogyakarta with PHP and MySQL that can manage data on the implementation of the prospective student Admission. This research is Research and Development. This website development method using modified waterfall. Tests carried out to test the quality of the website System Information by Olsina (1998), namely correctness, functionality, reliability, efficiency, maintainability, and usability. Correctness quality obtained with white-box testing (testing Looping) and black box (Graph-based testing). The quality of the obtained functionality testing State Transition Testing. Reliability Testing Load testing obtained from 30 students to enter data, and editing data and deletion of data. Efficiency assessment obtained by recording the time it takes to open a page devoted. Maintainability obtained from Cross-browser testing. Obtained from Alpa Usability testing by a team of expert website and beta testing by admin, user1, and guest. Data analysis techniques used in this research is descriptive statistical analysis. The results mennunjukkan that Admission Information System SMK Muhammadiyah 3 Yogyakarta can be developed and be able to perform data processing of new students of SMK Muhammadiyah 3 Yogyakarta. Assessment obtained information systems Admission SMK Muhammadiyah 3 Yogyakarta meet quality testing correctness Graph-Based and Looping testing. Admission Information Systems SMK Muhammadiyah 3 Yogyakarta assessed for each criterion usability. Assessment of quality functionality Admission Information Systems SMK Muhammadiyah 3 Yogyakarta run well on testing State transition testing. Response time performance testing conducted by Information Systems and response pages less than 2 seconds so that said system meets the quality efficiency by Shneiderman. Maintainability testing done with cross browser testing and obtained system is capable of running on Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and Internet Explorer. Keywords: Information Systems, correctness, Usability, Functionality, Reliability, Efficiency, Maintainabilit

Enhanced Trustworthy and High-Quality Information Retrieval System for Web Search Engines

The WWW is the most important source of information. But, there is no guarantee for information correctness and lots of conflicting information is retrieved by the search engines and the quality of provided information also varies from low quality to high quality. We provide enhanced trustworthiness in both specific (entity) and broad (content) queries in web searching. The filtering of trustworthiness is based on 5 factors – Provenance, Authority, Age, Popularity, and Related Links. The trustworthiness is calculated based on these 5 factors and it is stored thereby increasing the performance in retrieving trustworthy websites. The calculated trustworthiness is stored only for static websites. Quality is provided based on policies selected by the user. Quality based ranking of retrieved trusted information is provided using WIQA (Web Information Quality Assessment) Framework

Direct to consumer advertising via the Internet, a study of hip resurfacing

With increased use of the internet for health information and direct to consumer advertising from medical companies, there is a concern about the quality of the information available for patients. The aim of this study was to examine the quality of health information on the internet for hip resurfacing. An assessment tool was designed to measure quality of information. Websites were measured on credibility of source; usability; currentness of the information; content relevance; content accuracy/completeness and disclosure/bias. Each website assessed was given a total score, based on number of scores achieved from the above categories websites were further analysed on author, geographical origin and possession of an independent credibility check. There was positive correlation between the overall score for the website and the score of each website in each assessment category. Websites by implant companies, doctors and hospitals scored poorly. Websites with an independent credibility check such as Health on the Net (HoN) scored twice the total scores of websites without. Like other internet health websites, the quality of information on hip resurfacing websites is variable. This study highlights methods by which to assess the quality of health information on the internet and advocates that patients should look for a statement of an "independent credibility check" when searching for information on hip resurfacing

Confidence in assessment decisions when using ICT

The central question addressed in this paper is: How can teachers and schools have confidence in their assessment decisions when using information communication technologies (ICT)? The answer centres on what makes quality assessment. Assessing and evaluating children’s achievement and progress is critical to development of sound curriculum programmes that focus on student outcomes. With the increasing use of ICT in schools and classrooms for a range of assessment purposes such as recording, data analysis and online activities, teachers and school leaders must be assessment capable in order to make informed decisions about assessment design, selection and modification that utilises ICT. Based on examining assessment purpose and the three principles of quality assessment (validity, reliability and manageability), this paper offers guidelines for classroom teachers, those with responsibility for student achievement and those who lead ICT policy and practice in schools to be critical consumers of ICT-based assessment tools, strategies and evidence. Vignettes of assessment practice using ICT are used to illustrate sound school and classroom practices in relation to validity, reliability, and manageability. Drawing from the work of assessment writers such as Crooks, Sutton, and Darr, the guidelines will assist teachers in the effective use of ICT for both formal and informal information gathering as well as for analysis and interpretation of information for summative and formative purposes. This knowledge is needed to underpin teacher confidence in their assessment decisions when using ICT towards ‘best fit’ for purpose

In the balance: report of a research study exploring information for weight management

This paper uses findings from a research study called Net.Weight to examine the concepts of interaction, information quality and Internet-based information from the perspective of people engaged in managing their weight. The Net.Weight study was a two-year project funded by the British government 19s Department of Health and located in the city of Brighton and Hove. It examined the potential for increased, innovative and effective uses of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to support the self management of weight. The study had several inter-related research strands and the findings discussed in the paper emerged primarily from participatory learning workshops and evaluative interviews. The paper demonstrates that the interaction between people is an important aspect of the information process, which is often neglected in the literature. It suggests that exploring the user-user dimension might add to the understanding of information effectiveness. It also suggests that an approach to information and health literacy which includes a social as well as an individual perspective is necessary. On quality assessment, it supports findings from other studies that organisational authority is a key measure of reliability for lay users and that quality assessment tools have a limited role in the assessment process. The Net.Weight participants embraced the Internet as a medium for weight management information only when it added value to their existing information and weight management practices and when it could be integrated into their everyday lives