Framework for Interoperable and Distributed Extraction-Transformation-Loading (ETL) Based on Service Oriented Architecture

Extraction. Transformation and Loading (ETL) are the major functionalities in data warehouse (DW) solutions. Lack of component distribution and interoperability is a gap that leads to many problems in the ETL domain, which is due to tightly-coupled components in the current ETL framework. This research discusses how to distribute the Extraction, Transformation and Loading components so as to achieve distribution and interoperability of these ETL components. In addition, it shows how the ETL framework can be extended. To achieve that, Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) is adopted to address the mentioned missing features of distribution and interoperability by restructuring the current ETL framework. This research contributes towards the field of ETL by adding the distribution and inter- operability concepts to the ETL framework. This Ieads to contributions towards the area of data warehousing and business intelligence, because ETL is a core concept in this area. The Design Science Approach (DSA) and Scrum methodologies were adopted for achieving the research goals. The integration of DSA and Scrum provides the suitable methods for achieving the research objectives. The new ETL framework is realized by developing and testing a prototype that is based on the new ETL framework. This prototype is successfully evaluated using three case studies that are conducted using the data and tools of three different organizations. These organizations use data warehouse solutions for the purpose of generating statistical reports that help their top management to take decisions. Results of the case studies show that distribution and interoperability can be achieved by using the new ETL framework

Saudi Teachers’ Experiences and Attitudes Toward Integrating Video Games for Learning: Affordances and Constraints of Using Video Games in Saudi Arabian Classrooms

The effectiveness of integrating educational video games into classrooms depends on teachers’ attitudes toward video games. This descriptive study investigates Saudi teachers’ experiences playing video games and their attitudes about integrating video games into their classrooms in Saudi Arabia. A total of 930 Saudi teachers completed an electronic survey developed by the researcher. Overall, the results of this study showed Saudi teachers’ attitudes toward video games were fairly positive despite a low level of play. Analysis found a relationship between teachers’ philosophy of teaching and their perspectives toward using video games in their classroom for learning. A moderate negative correlation was found between behaviorist philosophy and teachers’ attitudes. On the other hand, there was a moderate positive correlation between cognitivism and constructivism philosophies Saudi teachers’ attitudes toward using video games in classrooms. Moreover, this study identified significant factors that prevented Saudi teachers from using video games in their classroom. The factors preventing Saudi teachers from employing video games in their teaching was explored through two methods: principal component analysis and principal factor analysis. Results identified five nearly identical components/factors. The findings of this study inform educators about Saudi teachers’ perspective of integrating video games in their classroom as well as contribute to the literature about gaming in teaching and learning. The results of this study could encourage parents, educators, and the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Education to provide educational games that satisfy students’ desires for challenge and knowledge

Impact of Work Hour on Employee Social Wellbeing in Northern Ireland

This paper aims to explore the relationship that exists between the amount of hour’s employees in Northern Ireland, work per week, and their social wellbeing represented by the level of happiness and Health status. This study made use ofsecondary data adapted from the 2009 Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey (NILT). Also, the study provides an analytic account of factors that determine the number of hours spent at work. The paper indicates that in Northern Ireland, there is no significant correlation between the amount of hours employee spent at work and their social wellbeing. Also, the study found that other factors such as: care for someone at home, sex, employed or self-employed, employment status, thinking about work, and socio-economic group significantly predicts the amount of time an employee in Northern Ireland spends at work. The study concluded that the relationship between work hour and employee social wellbeing varies across countries and cultures

A Web-Based Interface For A High Performance Computing System

High performance computing systems (HPCS) target to execute software whether this software is a simple or complicated one. Most of HPCS should have an interface to enable software owners to upload their files to be installed by the HPCS administrator. The interface should be extensible to work together in the future with the other remaining parts of the complete system. Also it has to be divided into phases in order to make development easier and also to make those components reusable. It is the best option to make the software a platform independent one. To achieve that, J2EE (Java 2 Enterprise Edition) should be chosen to implement this interface and also free licensed and open source software have to be chosen such as Tomcat Jakarta server, MySQL to be used in the development phases. All of the previous recommendations are applied in this research prototype. On top of that, the interface prototype has been tested on local environment and has achieved the expected results. This report passes through all phases to have a proper web interface to be used for a HPCS

Association of Subpubic Angle Measurement with Age and Gender in a Group of Adult Sudanese Patients

Background: The measurement of the subpubic angle (SPA) has been used for determining gender with a high degree of accuracy in various ethnic groups. This measurement can also be helpful in forensic and physical anthropology. The aim of this study was to compare the SPA in different adult age groups (males and females) and to use the SPA to estimate the demarking point (DP) for the determination of gender. Methods: This study included 158 subjects – 59 male and 99 female. The SPA was measured electronically using antero-posterior pelvis X-rays. Measurements were taken retrospectively using the Picture Archiving and Communication System.  SPA measurements were compared between the male and female participants  in different adult age groups. To determine the gender, the DP was calculated from the means of SPA in male and female participants.   Results: A comparison of the means of SPA between males and females showed that females (134.94 ± 15.33º)  had wider SPA than males (105.88 ± 10.33) with a significant difference (P = 0.012). While a DP > 126.5 is most likely indicative of a female pelvis, a DP < 104.3 is indicative of a male pelvis. The accuracy levels based on the measured DP of participants in this study were 45.8% and 69.7% for males and females, respectively. Besides, with regards to age, the mean values for different age groups in males and females were statistically insignificant (P-values were 0.21 and 0.75, respectively).   Conclusions: According to the obtained results, the variations in the measurements of the SPA from pelvic X-rays can be used to determine gender. The calculated SPA range and DP were found to predict female gender with higher accuracy. Age was not associated with any notable differences in SPA measurements. Keywords: subpubic angle, pelvis, Sudanese, sex differences&nbsp

A framework for loosely coupled components to automate municipal services (FLCCAMS)

Unifying and computerizing the procedures of municipal operations and maintenance is of great importance to municipalities as well as to ministries of local governments. On top of that, enhancing municipal e-services in terms of efficiency, quality, reusability, distribution and interoperability of these services; is a goal for most of municipalities.  Municipalities need to unify and computerize the procedures of maintenance and operations for their assets. This will eliminate the difficulties to prioritize the maintenance tasks; to let every task takes its turn fairly. In addition, this will speed up performing such maintenance and operation tasks, and will decrease the bugs appear after the maintenance is done. Therefore, the objective of this research work is to define, design and evaluate a conceptual framework for loosely coupled components to automate municipal services as well as unifying and computerizing maintenance and operations in local governments. The scope of this research covers roads and public buildings as the most important parts of municipal assets