Dynamic optimization of the quality of experience during mobile video watching

Mobile video consumption through streaming is becoming increasingly popular. The video parameters for an optimal quality are often automatically determined based on device and network conditions. Current mobile video services typically decide on these parameters before starting the video streaming and stick to these parameters during video playback. However in a mobile environment, conditions may change significantly during video playback. Therefore, this paper proposes a dynamic optimization of the quality taking into account real-time data regarding network, device, and user movement during video playback. The optimization method is able to change the video quality level during playback if changing conditions require this. Through a user test, the dynamic optimization is compared with a traditional, static, quality optimization method. The results showed that our optimization can improve the perceived playback and video quality, especially under varying network conditions

The Legal, Economic, Social, Criminal and Political Challenges of Video Piracy: The Nigerian Experience

In the circumstance of existing pragmatic problem of an endangering high prevalence of video piracy and dearth of empirical enquiries, this study attempted to fill the knowledge gap in the global video piracy discourse from the legal, ethical, moral, economic, criminal and political perspectives in Nigeria. The study investigated the challenges of video piracy in Nigeria from multiple perspectives. Adopting the qualitative design and the case study approach, a triangulation of the in-depth interview, focus group discussion and document analysis methods were used for data collection. While the judgment sampling method was adopted for information gathering from respondents, the interpretive and critical analytical methods were used for the data analysis. The study’s theoretical framework was the diffusion of innovation theory. A set of eight findings of this study which uniquely contribute to the body of knowledge on video piracy in Nigeria and globally include: the dangerous ethnic dimension of the video piracy trend in Lagos; the low level of awareness on video piracy amongst the Nigerian public; the poor level of monitoring of post production and reproduction processes by producers and right owners; the internal sabotage within production plants and among video marketers; poor financial and operational capacity of stakeholders, non usage of highly sophisticated technological devices to protect video works; the experience of devastating psychological trauma by video producers and marketers; unwilling resort of video producers to low quality production to reduce cost and risk; and finally, the four fundamental factors refuting the claim of video piracy’s contribution to the emergence and popularity of the Nigerian video industry. The significance of these findings includes: strategic insight and understanding of the video piracy dynamics capable of facilitating strategic planning; control; eradication of video piracy; strategic conflict prevention; knowledge update on video piracy and strategic economic and cultural development

“LOVING OR LOATHING LYNDA” A PILOT STUDY INVESTIGATION INTO THE INTEGRATION OF VIDEO E-LEARNING RESOURCES WITHIN AN UNDERGRADUATE LEISURE MANAGEMENT DEGREE UNIT

Universities are under increased pressure to respond to the continued development of technology and in incorporating e-learning throughout the Higher Education (HE) environment and infrastructure. This research carried out a pilot case study at Southampton Solent University, focusing on one aspect of e-learning (video tutorials from Lynda.com a global learning resource). Management and leadership video tutorials were selected and integrated into a Level five undergraduate leisure management unit (70 students) delivered over one academic year (14.15) to evaluate the effectiveness of the software as a learning tool for HE. A mixed method triangulation approach was utilized combining analysis of secondary data produced from the Lynda.com monitoring software, alongside a questionnaire (replicated from similar research) through survey monkey and SPSS, in addition to a focus group and collation of open comments from the questionnaire (using content analysis) to explore more qualitative data to enrich the statistical outcomes. The research reinforced previous literature regarding the complex nature of monitoring and evaluating e-learning in HIM. This recognized the need for a systematic approach to the integration of e-learning within an HE curriculum and that clear objectives were needed including whether it is part of formative/ summative assessment or purely optional such as blended learning to enhance the student experience. Results indicated that whilst e-learning may not improve assessment performance it has the power and potential to significantly influence student satisfaction. In an increasingly competitive environment with high student expectations and demands, universities must be seen to be responding to the students ‘digital desires’ [1] of the modern age. Recommendations focused on, access, training and support, quality and relevance of e-learning, establishing incentives, maximizing engagement (the student experience), the need for effective performance monitoring and evaluation and a ‘holistic’ and strategic university wide approach in responding to e-learning in HE

Demonstrating the quality of learner's experience and engagement: issues in constructing effective evaluation approaches on the English in Action Project, Bangladesh

The purpose of the DfID English in Action Project (EIA) currently running in Bangladesh is to 'increase significantly the number of people able to communicate in English, to levels that enable them to participate fully in economic and social activities and opportunities' (EIA, 2008). Supported open learning initiatives will employ media and technologies to supplement and enhance the learning and teaching of communicative English among school students, teachers and adults throughout Bangladesh. The comprehensive programme of research, monitoring and evaluation activities that accompany the project will demonstrate evidence of success and lessons learned from initiatives over the lifetime of the project, scheduled to complete in 2017. This paper focuses on detailing distinctive ways in which 'success' should be articulated, arguing that both qualitative and quantitative approaches are required in order to fully understand the outcomes of the Project. It highlights the need for a wide range of stakeholders to engage with, examine and fully comprehend the extent to which quality outcomes from the project initiatives have potentially touched and impacted upon individual lives

Video in development : filming for rural change

This book is about using video in rural interventions for social change. It gives a glimpse into the many creative ways in which video can be used in rural development activities. Capitalising on experience in this field, the books aims to encourage development professionals to explore the potential of video in development, making it a more coherent, better understood and properly used development tool - in short, filming for rural change

Comparing open and minimally invasive surgical procedures for oesophagectomy in the treatment of cancer: the ROMIO (Randomised Oesophagectomy: Minimally Invasive or Open) feasibility study and pilot trial

Localised oesophageal cancer can be curatively treated with surgery (oesophagectomy) but the procedure is complex with a risk of complications, negative effects on quality of life and a recovery period of 6-9 months. Minimal-access surgery may accelerate recovery.The ROMIO (Randomised Oesophagectomy: Minimally Invasive or Open) study aimed to establish the feasibility of, and methodology for, a definitive trial comparing minimally invasive and open surgery for oesophagectomy. Objectives were to quantify the number of eligible patients in a pilot trial; develop surgical manuals as the basis for quality assurance; standardise pathological processing; establish a method to blind patients to their allocation in the first week post surgery; identify measures of postsurgical outcome of importance to patients and clinicians; and establish the main cost differences between the surgical approaches.Pilot parallel three-arm randomised controlled trial nested within feasibility work.Two UK NHS departments of upper gastrointestinal surgery.Patients aged ≥ 18 years with histopathological evidence of oesophageal or oesophagogastric junctional adenocarcinoma, squamous cell cancer or high-grade dysplasia, referred for oesophagectomy or oesophagectomy following neoadjuvant chemo(radio)therapy.Oesophagectomy, with patients randomised to open surgery, a hybrid open chest and minimally invasive abdomen or totally minimally invasive access.The primary outcome measure for the pilot trial was the number of patients recruited per month, with the main trial considered feasible if at least 2.5 patients per month were recruited.During 21 months of recruitment, 263 patients were assessed for eligibility; of these, 135 (51%) were found to be eligible and 104 (77%) agreed to participate, an average of five patients per month. In total, 41 patients were allocated to open surgery, 43 to the hybrid procedure and 20 to totally minimally invasive surgery. Recruitment is continuing, allowing a seamless transition into the definitive trial. Consequently, the database is unlocked at the time of writing and data presented here are for patients recruited by 31 August 2014. Random allocation achieved a good balance between the arms of the study, which, as a high proportion of patients underwent their allocated surgery (69/79, 87%), ensured a fair comparison between the interventions. Dressing patients with large bandages, covering all possible incisions, was successful in keeping patients blind while pain was assessed during the first week post surgery. Postsurgical length of stay and risk of adverse events were within the typical range for this group of patients, with one death occurring within 30 days among 76 patients. There were good completion rates for the assessment of pain at 6 days post surgery (88%) and of the patient-reported outcomes at 6 weeks post randomisation (74%).Rapid recruitment to the pilot trial and the successful refinement of methodology indicated the feasibility of a definitive trial comparing different approaches to oesophagectomy. Although we have shown a full trial of open compared with minimally invasive oesophagectomy to be feasible, this is necessarily based on our findings from the two clinical centres that we could include in this small preliminary study.Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN59036820.This project was funded by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 20, No. 48. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information