A Context-Adaptive Ranking Model for Effective Information Retrieval System

Abstract When using Information Retrieval (IR) systems, users often present search queries made of ad-hoc keywords. It is then up to information retrieval systems (IRS) to obtain a precise representation of user’s information need, and the context of the information. Context-aware ranking techniques have been constantly used over the past years to improve user interaction in their search activities for improved relevance of retrieved documents. Though, there have been major advances in context-adaptive systems, there is still a lack of technique that models and implements context-adaptive application. The paper addresses this problem using DROPT technique. The DROPT technique ranks individual user information needs according to relevance weights. Our proposed predictive document ranking model is computed as measures of individual user search in their domain of knowledge. The context of a query determines retrieved information relevance. Thus, relevant context aspects should be incorporated in a way that supports the knowledge domain representing users’ interests. We demonstrate the ranking task using metric measures and ANOVA, and argue that it can help an IRS adapted to a user's interaction behaviour, using context to improve the IR effectiveness

Digital watermarking: a state-of-the-art review

Digital watermarking is the art of embedding data, called a watermark, into a multimedia object such that the watermark can be detected or extracted later without impairing the object. Concealment of secret messages inside a natural language, known as steganography, has been in existence as early as the 16th century. However, the increase in electronic/digital information transmission and distribution has resulted in the spread of watermarking from ordinary text to multimedia transmission. In this paper, we review various approaches and methods that have been used to conceal and preserve messages. Examples of real-world applications are also discussed.SANPAD, Telkom, Cisco, Aria Technologies, THRIPDepartment of HE and Training approved lis

AGENT-BASED CONTEXT-AWARE HEALTHCARE INFORMATION RETRIEVAL USING DROPT APPROACH

As the volume of information available on the Web information systems is growing continuously, browsing this content becomes a tedious task given the presentation of data that does meet user's aims and needs. In this paper, to satisfy user needs, an agent-based paradigm is an appropriate solution which gives outputs suitable to the user in the form of highly ranked documents. Conversely, patient care and a health condition commonly require collaboration between healthcare providers. The emergence of agent's technology motivates radical changes of how information is obtained. This paper addresses this problem by proposing a novel DROPT (Document Ranking OPTimization) measure for information retrieval results to validate the effectiveness of the information management tasks. We propose information retrieval system architecture, which main components are contextaware agent’s technology to meet users' information needs

Text Messaging a tool in e-Health services

HIV/AIDS continues to be a menace to the global community, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and South Africa is not an exception. The infection rate is continues to grow, in particular, among the young adults. Cell phones have been identified as one of the tools that can be used to overcome the challenge of information dissemination regarding HIV/AIDS among young adults because of its acceptability within this age group. Access to appropriate information can be a powerful for prevention and management of many chronic illnesses, including hypertension, diabetes and HIV/AIDS. Within the young adults age group information access by use of Short Messaging Services (SMS) becomes particularly appealing. In this regard, it is proposed to provide access to carefully screened information on HIV/AIDS within the context of frequently asked questions (FAQ) system. However, automating SMS-based information search and retrieval poses significant challenges because of the inherent noise in SMS communications. In the paper, a special corpus of SMS messages was collected based on a standardised question-answer collection. The SMS messages were then analysed, transcribed and classified, with the aim of building a dictionary of SMS-speak to English translations, with reference to HIV/AIDS

State-of-the-art review on relevance of genetic algorithm to internet web search

People use search engines to find information they desire with the aim that their information needs will be met. Information retrieval (IR) is a field that is concerned primarily with the searching and retrieving of information in the documents and also searching the search engine, online databases, and Internet. Genetic algorithms (GAs) are robust, efficient, and optimizated methods in a wide area of search problems motivated by Darwin’s principles of natural selection and survival of the fittest. This paper describes information retrieval systems (IRS) components. This paper looks at how GAs can be applied in the field of IR and specifically the relevance of genetic algorithms to internet web search. Finally, from the proposals surveyed it turns out that GA is applied to diverse problem fields of internet web search

Engaging ICTs as a “Tool” for eHealth prioritization on human development and poverty reduction in the African region

The association connecting information and communication technologies (ICTs) and well-being or poverty remains vague and research today has resulted to divergent conclusions. This paper defines ICTs as “tools” that facilitate communication and the processing and transmission of information and the sharing of knowledge by electronic means. In the African region context, we examine ICTs utilization that aims to improve the provision, access and information management in the health sector. This paper considers access to information as very important benefits that can be achieved in many areas including economic growth, education and healthcare. In healthcare, the roles that ICT plays in ensuring that health information is provided to healthcare providers and consumers to support improving the health of individuals and strengthening health systems, disease detection and prevention are crucial to development and poverty reduction as stated in the UN’s MDGs. For example, access to appropriate information can minimise visits to physicians and periods of hospitalisation for patients suffering from chronic conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, hypertension and HIV/AIDS. This will in turn reduce the cost of healthcare provision. ICTs have the potential to impact almost every aspect of health sector. The paper then proposed how ICTs can be used to reduce poverty and ensure that health information is well administered and reaches the right people, at the right time and in the right form

A novel approach integrating ranking functions discovery, optimization and infernce to improve retrieval performance

The significant roles play by ranking function in the performance and success of Information Retrieval (IR) systems and search engines cannot be underestimated. Diverse ranking functions are available in IR literature. However, empirical studies show that ranking functions do not perform constantly well across different contexts (queries, collections, users). In this study, a novel three-stage integrated ranking framework is proposed for implementing discovering, optimizing and inference rankings used in IR systems. The first phase, discovery process is based on Genetic Programming (GP) approach which smartly combines structural and contents features in the documents while the second phase, optimization process is based on Genetic Algorithm (GA) which combines document retrieval scores of various well-known ranking functions. In the 3rd phase, Fuzzy inference proves as soft search constraints to be applied on documents. We demonstrate how these two features are combined to bring new tasks and processes within the three concept stages of integrated framework for effective IR

Introducing a model to improve recent Sub Saharan Africa networked readiness index

In this paper we specifically address a number of recent recommendations suggested by The Global Information Technology Reports 2013 - 2015 with respect to Sub-Saharan Africa countries slow progress in developing its ICT infrastructure within the current world of Big Data and ICT for inclusive growth; warning that if care is not taking in terms of improving the framework condition for innovation and entrepreneurship there could be a digital divide between the developed and developing economies. In addressing this possible digital divide, we proffered a solution through a model we developed recently at Elizade University for auditing ICT infrastructure projects in a developing economy. We isolated and fully analyzed the sub-Saharan Africa data from the two reports and present our model in this paper. We argue that the model will address the specific shortcomings of the region in terms of strengthening its ICT infrastructure, and will improve the framework for innovation and entrepreneurshi