The successful implementation of e-government transformation: A case study in Oman

The aim of this paper is to investigate, and to discuss the key critical factors that facilitate the successful implementation of E-government projects. The nature of this research is mainly qualitative. This investigation uses a single case study and data was mainly collected by means of semi-structured interviews and organisational documents from the Ministry of Higher Education in Oman. The research findings suggest that there are three paradigms which each include a set of factors that impacts the success of E-government success namely, organisational paradigm, technology paradigm and end-users paradigm. The authors believe that, this paper demonstrates an added value to the current literature on transformation of E-government and to E-government projects success, within the wider context of E-government implementation projects. Also the research will benefit organisations in the public sector, as it has identified main key success factors in E-government transformations and implementations

Certain triple q-integral equations involving third Jackson qq-Bessel functions as kernel

In this paper, we employ the fractional $q$-calculus in solving a triple system of $q$-Integral equations, where the kernel is the third Jackson $q$-Bessel functions. The solution is reduced to two simultaneous Fredholm $q$-integral equation of the second kind. Examples are included. We also apply a result in~[Pacific J. Math. \textbf{275}(1) (2015)63--102] for solutions of dual $q^2$-integral equations to solve certain triple integral equations

Oscillatory behavior of chromospheric fine structures in a network and a semi-active regions

In the present work, we study the periodicities of oscillations in dark fine structures using observations of a network and a semi-active region close to the solar disk center. We simultaneously obtained spatially high resolution time series of white light images and narrow band images in the H$\alpha$ line using the 2D G\"ottingen spectrometer, which were based on two Fabry-Perot interferometers and mounted in the VTT/Observatorio del Teide/Tenerife. During the observations, the H$\alpha$ line was scanned at 18 wavelength positions with steps of 125 m\AA. We computed series of Doppler and intensity images by subtraction and addition of the H$\alpha$ $\pm$ 0.3 \AA\ and $\pm$ 0.7 \AA\ pairs, sampling the upper chromosphere and the upper photosphere, respectively. Then we obtained power, coherence and phase difference spectra by performing a wavelet analysis to the Doppler fluctuations. Here, we present comparative results of oscillatory properties of dark fine structures seen in a network and a semi-active region.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA

Finite Volume Cumulant Expansion in QCD-Colorless Plasma

Due to the finite size effects, the localisation of the phase transition in finite systems and the determination of its order, become an extremely difficult task, even in the simplest known cases. In order to identify and locate the finite volume transition point $T_{0}(V)$ of the QCD deconfinement phase transition to a Colorless QGP, we have developed a new approach using the finite size cumulant expansion of the order parameter and the $L_{mn}$-method. The first six cumulants $C_{1,2,3,4,5,6}$ with the corresponding under-normalized ratios(skewness $\Sigma$, kurtosis $\kappa$ ,pentosis $\Pi_{\pm}$ and hexosis $\mathcal{H}_{1,2,3}$) and three unnormalized combinations of them ($\mathcal{O}={\mathcal{\sigma }^{2} \mathcal{\kappa } }{\mathbf{\Sigma }^{-1} }$, $\mathcal{U} ={\mathcal{\sigma }^{-2} \mathbf{\Sigma }^{-1} }$, $\mathcal{N} = \mathcal{\sigma }^{2} \mathcal{\kappa }$) are calculated and studied as functions of $(T,V)$. A new approach, unifying in a clear and consistent way the definitions of cumulant ratios, is proposed. A numerical FSS analysis of the obtained results has allowed us to locate accurately the finite volume transition point. The extracted transition temperature value $T_{0}(V)$ agrees with that expected $T_{0}^{N}(V)$ from the order parameter and the thermal susceptibility $\chi _{T}\left( T,V\right)$, according to the standard procedure of localization to within about $2\%$. In addition to this, a very good correlation factor is obtained proving the validity of our cumulants method. The agreement of our results with those obtained by means of other models is remarkable.Comment: 19 pages,14 figues, figures 4,5,6 figures are oversized, therefore, can be obtained directly from [email protected],Accepted for publication in EPJ

Automating defects simulation and fault modeling for SRAMs

The continues improvement in manufacturing process density for very deep sub micron technologies constantly leads to new classes of defects in memory devices. Exploring the effect of fabrication defects in future technologies, and identifying new classes of realistic functional fault models with their corresponding test sequences, is a time consuming task up to now mainly performed by hand. This paper proposes a new approach to automate this procedure. The proposed method exploits the capabilities of evolutionary algorithms to automatically identify faulty behaviors into defective memories and to define the corresponding fault models and relevant test sequences. Target defects are modeled at the electrical level in order to optimize the results to the specific technology and memory architecture

Internet of Things Based Monitoring System of Leaks in Water Supply Networks Using Pressure-Based Model

Leaks in water distribution networks impose several impacts on economy, freshwater resources, water quality, health and safety. Fast leak detection and reparation is a key for lowering its negative impacts and associated costs with conventional detection techniques. This study has been used a pressure-based model to detect leaks events and its coordinates based on pressure and flow measurements. Pressure and flow data for systems that having leaks in their structure were analyzed and compared with data generated from non-leaking systems using EPANET software packages. An extension package of EPANET software (EpanetWaterGen) has been used as it has the advantage of its ability to better simulate leaks. The results show the ability of the model to detect leaks in a small and large water distribution networks with uncertainty level associated with low pressure change. The developed leak detection model utilizes pressure and flow sensors and enables the network managers and administrators to optimally place the sensors in a manner to increase efficiency and optimize cost. The system allows operators to detect leak location and volume of lost water, thus enabling a better and more efficient response to leaks, such that the network managers can address and respond to most urgent leaks and optimize the time end efforts of technical and maintenance personnel

Internet of Things Based Monitoring System of Leaks in Water Supply Networks Using Pressure-Based Model

Leaks in water distribution networks impose several impacts on economy, freshwater resources, water quality, health and safety. Fast leak detection and reparation is a key for lowering its negative impacts and associated costs with conventional detection techniques. This study has been used a pressure-based model to detect leaks events and its coordinates based on pressure and flow measurements. Pressure and flow data for systems that having leaks in their structure were analyzed and compared with data generated from non-leaking systems using EPANET software packages. An extension package of EPANET software (EpanetWaterGen) has been used as it has the advantage of its ability to better simulate leaks. The results show the ability of the model to detect leaks in a small and large water distribution networks with uncertainty level associated with low pressure change. The developed leak detection model utilizes pressure and flow sensors and enables the network managers and administrators to optimally place the sensors in a manner to increase efficiency and optimize cost. The system allows operators to detect leak location and volume of lost water, thus enabling a better and more efficient response to leaks, such that the network managers can address and respond to most urgent leaks and optimize the time end efforts of technical and maintenance personnel

Barriers to Physical Activity Participation Among University Students in Saudi Arabia

This study aimed to determine the level of physical activity and the effect factors that prevent university male and female students from participating in physical activities. Six hundred and eight students from the University of Hafr Al Batin in Saudi Arabia participated in the study. Male students were 263, and female students were 345 from four university branches. The participants were between 18 – 24 years of age. The measurement instrument included the International Physical Activity Questionnaire short form (IPAQ-SF) and the Barriers to Being Active Quiz (BBAQ). The results of this study indicated that approximately 33% of participants had low physical activity, 42% of college students had moderate physical activity, and 25% had high physical activity. In general, female university students had greater barriers to being physically active than male university students. In addition, barriers to being physically active for students with low physical activity were significantly higher than for those with moderate and high physical activity. Also, female students had more barriers to being physically active than male students in four barrier categories that were lack of resources, social influence, lack of willpower, and lack of skill. Finally, university students who participate in physical activity after college had less barriers to being physically active than students who did not participate in physical activity. In conclusion, understanding the barriers that prevent to be physically active helps consider and solve them in order to reach the WHOs recommendation for physical activity

Structural validation of oral mucosal tissue using optical coherence tomography

Background: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive optical technology using near-infrared light to produce cross-sectional tissue images with lateral resolution. Objectives: The overall aims of this study was to generate a bank of normative and pathological OCT data of the oral tissues to allow identification of cellular structures of normal and pathological processes with the aim to create a diagnostic algorithm which can be used in the early detection of oral disorders. Material and methods: Seventy-three patients with 78 suspicious oral lesions were referred for further management to the UCLH Head and Neck Centre, London. The entire cohort had their lesions surgically biopsied (incisional or excisional). The immediate ex vivo phase involved scanning the specimens using optical coherence tomography. The specimens were then processed by a histopathologist. Five tissue structures were evaluated as part of this study, including: keratin cell layer, epithelial layer, basement membrane, lamina propria and other microanatomical structures. Two independent assessors (clinician and pathologist trained to use OCT) assessed the OCT images and were asked to comment on the cellular structures and changes involving the five tissue structures in non-blind fashion. Results: Correct identification of the keratin cell layer and its structural changes was achieved in 87% of the cohort; for the epithelial layer it reached 93.5%, and 94% for the basement membrane. Microanatomical structures identification was 64% for blood vessels, 58% for salivary gland ducts and 89% for rete pegs. The agreement was “good” between the clinician and the pathologist. OCT was able to differential normal from pathological tissue and pathological tissue of different entities in this immediate ex vivo study. Unfortunately, OCT provided inadequate cellular and subcellular information to enable the grading of oral premalignant disorders. Conclusion: This study enabled the creation of OCT bank of normal and pathological oral tissues. The pathological changes identified using OCT enabled differentiation between normal and pathological tissues, and identification of different tissue pathologies. Further studies are required to assess the accuracy of OCT in identification of various pathological processes involving the oral tissues