Muhammad Awais Azam, Jonathan Loo, Usman Naeem and Muhammad Adeel
Recognizing daily life activities and human behaviour from contextual information is a challenging task. The purpose of the research work in this paper is to develop a system that…
Abstract
Purpose
Recognizing daily life activities and human behaviour from contextual information is a challenging task. The purpose of the research work in this paper is to develop a system that can detect indoor and outdoor daily life activities of low entropy mobile people such as elderly people and patients with regular routines using non-intrusive sensor and contextual information.
Design/methodology/approach
A framework is proposed that utilises a hierarchical approach in which high-level activities are divided into sub-activities and tasks and recognises the high-level outdoor and indoor activities of daily life. Tasks are recognised at lower level from sensor data and then used by the “activity recogniser” at higher level to recognise the high-level activities. For outdoor activities recognition, wireless proximity data are used, whereas for indoor activities, object usage data obtained through radio frequency identification sensors are used.
Findings
For outdoor tasks, results have shown 100 per cent recognition for experiment 1 and a decrease in recognition from 100 to 82.7 per cent, respectively, for experiment 2-9 due to increase in the entropy of individual tasks. Outdoor activity recognition ranges from 84.1 to 100 per cent. For indoor tasks, generating alternative tasks sequences approach effectively recognised the single tasks that were conducted with objects without any order. Average indoor activity recognition rate remains above 90 per cent. The reason why this approach is able to detect the activities without their distinct features is the planning capability of the Asbru that is used in the modelling of high-level activities.
Originality/value
The novelty of this research work is a framework that utilises different types of sensor data and recognises both indoor and outdoor daily life activities of individuals.
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Sardar Kashif Ashraf Khan, Jonathan Loo, Aboubaker Lasebae, Muhammad Awais Azam, Muhammad Adeel, Rehana Kausar and Humaira Sardar
This paper aims to propose an algorithm, location-aware opportunistic content forwarding (LOC), to improve message directivity using direction vectors in opportunistic networks…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to propose an algorithm, location-aware opportunistic content forwarding (LOC), to improve message directivity using direction vectors in opportunistic networks. The LOC is based on the assumption that if approximate location of the destination node is known, then overall message delivery and cost can be improved. Efficient message delivery with low communication cost is a major challenge in current opportunistic networks. In these networks, nodes do not have prior knowledge of their recipients, and message forwarding can be achieved by selecting suitable forwarder based on some forwarding criteria, as compared to its ancestor mobile ad hoc networks.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, the authors tested LOC in two sets of mobility models, synthetic movement model and real mobility data sets. In the first set, working day movement is used as synthetic movement model, where proposed algorithm is compared against Lobby Influence (LI) and Epidemic algorithms. In the second set of experiments, the new algorithm is tested in three mobility data sets, namely, Cambridge, Reality and Sassy, and results compared against LI algorithm. The reason of using various movement models is to establish strengths and weaknesses of the proposed algorithm in different scenarios.
Findings
The experimental results show that the new algorithm performed extremely well in different scenarios, not only in terms of overall message delivery but also successfully managed to reduce the communication cost.
Originality/value
The new contribution increases the overall energy and storage efficiency of nodes by targeting relevant forwarding nodes in the network.
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Usman Naeem, Rabih Bashroush, Richard Anthony, Muhammad Awais Azam, Abdel Rahman Tawil, Sin Wee Lee and M.L. Dennis Wong
This paper aims to focus on applying a range of traditional classification- and semantic reasoning-based techniques to recognise activities of daily life (ADLs). ADL recognition…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to focus on applying a range of traditional classification- and semantic reasoning-based techniques to recognise activities of daily life (ADLs). ADL recognition plays an important role in tracking functional decline among elderly people who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. Accurate recognition enables smart environments to support and assist the elderly to lead an independent life for as long as possible. However, the ability to represent the complex structure of an ADL in a flexible manner remains a challenge.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper presents an ADL recognition approach, which uses a hierarchical structure for the representation and modelling of the activities, its associated tasks and their relationships. This study describes an approach in constructing ADLs based on a task-specific and intention-oriented plan representation language called Asbru. The proposed method is particularly flexible and adaptable for caregivers to be able to model daily schedules for Alzheimer’s patients.
Findings
A proof of concept prototype evaluation has been conducted for the validation of the proposed ADL recognition engine, which has comparable recognition results with existing ADL recognition approaches.
Originality/value
The work presented in this paper is novel, as the developed ADL recognition approach takes into account all relationships and dependencies within the modelled ADLs. This is very useful when conducting activity recognition with very limited features.
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Muhammad Awais Azam and Jonathan Loo
The aim of the research work presented in this paper is to investigate a mechanism that can recognise high level activities (for example, going for a walk, travelling on the bus…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of the research work presented in this paper is to investigate a mechanism that can recognise high level activities (for example, going for a walk, travelling on the bus, doing evening activity, etc.) and behaviour of low entropy people (people with regular daily life routines, e.g. elderly people with dementia, patients with regular routines) in order to help them improve their health related daily life activities by using wireless proximity data (e.g. Bluetooth, Wi‐Fi).
Design/methodology/approach
The paper adopted a tiered approach to recognise activities and behaviour. Higher level activities are divided into sub‐activities and tasks. Separating the tasks from the raw wireless proximity data is achieved by designing task separator (TASE) algorithm. TASE takes wireless proximity data as an input and separates it into different tasks. These detected tasks and the high level daily activity plans that are made in a planning language Asbru, are then fed into the activity recogniser that compares the detected tasks with the plans and recognises the high level activities that the user is performing.
Findings
The paper provides an insight to how only wireless proximity data can be utilised to recognise high level activities and behaviour of individuals. A number of scenarios and experiments are designed to prove the validity of the proposed methodology.
Research limitations/implications
This paper focussed on relatively low entropy individuals with regular routines and behavioural patterns which can be improved by increasing the level of entropies in behavioural routines.
Practical implications
The paper includes implications for the utilisation in health care environments for elderly people and physically impaired individuals.
Originality/value
This paper provides a detailed and original study of algorithms and techniques that can be used to recognise high level activities and behaviour of individuals by using only wireless proximity data.
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Anju Maharjan, Muhammad Arsalan Nazir and Muhammad Azam Roomi
Entrepreneurs belonging to ethnic minority groups have emerged as a significant and more powerful element within the private sector, having considerable economic and social…
Abstract
Purpose
Entrepreneurs belonging to ethnic minority groups have emerged as a significant and more powerful element within the private sector, having considerable economic and social impact. Nevertheless, prior empirical research has indicated that each geographical area has distinct social and cultural obstacles that impact entrepreneurs in varying ways. Hence, the purpose of this study is to examine the difficulties and barriers faced by women entrepreneurs from diverse ethnic origins in the United Kingdom, a developed region, while managing their firms.
Design/methodology/approach
In this research, the cross-concepts of intersectional theory were used as the study’s analytical framework. The research methodology involved conducting semi-structured face-to-face interviews with a group of 30 Nepali women entrepreneurs residing in the United Kingdom. A qualitative approach was employed, and thematic analysis was used to extract meaningful findings.
Findings
The study’s outcomes underscore the emergence of social stereotypes as a salient factor affecting Nepali female entrepreneurs. Furthermore, the research identifies challenges and barriers, which fall into several cross-concept categories: those related to self-efficacy; family; social and cultural factors; business-related issues; access to financial resources; and ethnicity and work-based categorization. The findings might also have broader implications, benefiting ethnic female entrepreneurs in general, as well as ethnic communities and governmental and non-governmental organizations. Insights gained from the study can inform the development of tailored training and educational programs aimed at supporting and nurturing the entrepreneurial aspirations of ethnic women.
Originality/value
To the best of the researchers’ knowledge, there is a dearth of empirical investigations that probe the challenges and barriers faced by Nepali women who have embarked on entrepreneurial endeavours in the UK. This study contributes to the limited literature knowledge on ethnic women entrepreneurs, by linking ethnicity, class and gender/sexual orientation, as well as business, family, personal and financial constructs. By adopting the cross-concept of intersectional theory, this study further contributes to the knowledge of the discriminatory realities of Nepali women entrepreneurs as they grapple with the complex experiences of running a business. By doing this, our study can contribute further to the knowledge of gender and entrepreneurship from the ethnic background of UK enterprises.
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Ammar Ahmed, Muhammad Aqeel and Naeem Aslam
The monetary and psycho-social ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic have been extensive and unimaginable around the globe. The purpose of this study was to have a psycho-social…
Abstract
Purpose
The monetary and psycho-social ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic have been extensive and unimaginable around the globe. The purpose of this study was to have a psycho-social analysis of people confronting this situation and its impact in the situation of a health crisis on them.
Design/methodology/approach
In the current study, participants were divided according to their different backgrounds and professions based on the types of measures taken by the Pakistani government to limit the spread of the virus and people who are not disturbed by any of the measurement categories but are troubled by the coronavirus. The interviews based on five open-ended questions were conducted with the eight participants, comprising questions that helped participants in remembering and realizing the purpose of the interview in the mode of an open questioning. Phenomenological interpretative analysis was used to understand how participants make meaning of the phenomenon being studied, an in-depth analysis of the human subject was considered in its singularity, and personal accounts and experiences were noted regarding this pandemic.
Findings
The results indicated that the participant’s experiences were marked by stress, insecurity, anger, fear, anxiety, traces of painful emotions and a feeling of weakness. Also the prevalence of unknown precariousness and vulnerability of coronavirus aggravated the psychological frailness among people existing in an anxiety-prone situation created by the novel coronavirus. Confronted with these painful experiences, the participants however, used a variety of cognitive and behavioral efforts which needs to be strengthened by psychological care.
Research limitations/implications
This study based on qualitative method was performed on diverse socio-professional levels, giving an insight to what they are undergoing, their current fears, desires and their feeling. The outcome of this study reveals traces of uncertainty, anxiety, fears, insecurity and hidden imminent death from coronavirus, therefore highlighting a need for immediate psychological interventions.
Originality/value
This study explores the individual understanding regarding current coronavirus pandemic situation on subjective lived experiences and psychological health in an anxiety-prone context manifested by the health crisis created by the novel corona virus.
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Sajjad Haider, Adnan Saeed Butt, Imran Syed Muhammad, Asif Ali, Yun-Zhang Li, Syed Muhammad Ali Naqvi and Muhammad Adnan Qaiser
The purpose of this study is to theoretically probe the shape impacts of nano-particle on boundary layer flow of nano-fluid toward a stretching cylinder with heat-transmission…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to theoretically probe the shape impacts of nano-particle on boundary layer flow of nano-fluid toward a stretching cylinder with heat-transmission effects. The base fluid used for this study is pure water, and aluminum oxide nano-particles are suspended in it. Four different shapes of nano-particle, namely, cylindrical, brick, platelets and blades, are considered to carry out the study.
Design/methodology/approach
The problem is modelled mathematically and the nonlinear system of equations is attained by using appropriate transmutations. The solution of transmuted equations is achieved by utilizing a shooting technique with Fourth-Fifth order Runge–Kutta Fehlberg scheme. Numerically attained results are elucidated through graphs and tables which are further compared under limiting cases with existing literature to check the validity of the results.
Findings
It is observed that fluid velocity and temperature of cylindrical shaped water nano-fluids are more than the nano-fluid having brick-shaped nano-particles. Moreover, it is seen that the nano-fluids suspended with platelets-shaped nano-particles have higher velocity and temperature than the nano-fluids containing blade-shaped nano-particles. The curvature parameter and nano-particles volume fraction have increasing effects on flow velocity and temperature of nano-fluids containing all types of nano-particle shapes.
Originality/value
Numerous authors have examined the impacts of nano-particle shapes on characteristics of heat transfer and fluid flow. However, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, the shape impacts of nano-particles on boundary layer flow of nano-fluid toward a stretching cylinder with heat-transmission effects have not been discussed. So, to fulfill this gap, the present paper explicates the impacts of various nano-particle shapes on Al2O3–water-based nano-fluid flow past a stretching cylinder with heat-transfer effects.
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Komal Kamran, Mobina Farasat, Akbar Azam and Mian Muhammad Atif
Unethical pro-organizational behavior (UPB) is one of the major reasons behind high-profile financial frauds in the recent past. This study aims to explore how an exclusive focus…
Abstract
Purpose
Unethical pro-organizational behavior (UPB) is one of the major reasons behind high-profile financial frauds in the recent past. This study aims to explore how an exclusive focus on financial outcomes, i.e. supervisor bottom-line mentality (BLM) leads to UPB among employees and highlights the critical role of self-regulation impairment and perceived employability in the process. Drawing on self-regulation theory, this study examines how BLM and perceived employability interactively impact self-regulatory strength, which ultimately influences UPB.
Design/methodology/approach
The theoretical model is tested through a time-lagged field study of 171 employees and hypothesis testing in SPSS PROCESS Macros.
Findings
Results suggest that self-regulation impairment mediates a positive relationship between supervisor BLM and employee UPB and perceived employability moderates this indirect association between BLM and UPB, wherein the indirect positive relationship is stronger when perceived employability is low (than high).
Originality/value
This study contributes to the BLM and UPB literature by identifying the critical role of perceived employability and suggesting that UPB is an impulsive action rather than an intentional move.
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Muhammad Rizwan Iqbal and Sajdah Hassan
The purpose of this paper is to explore the scope of robust dispersion control charts in a distribution-free environment, which is a specific case of non-normal control charts…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the scope of robust dispersion control charts in a distribution-free environment, which is a specific case of non-normal control charts. These control charts are skewness-based structures designed to monitor skewed-type processes whilst equally performing under symmetric processes. Moreover, the choice of a suitable control chart for a particular non-normal situation is also suggested.
Design/methodology/approach
The probability control limits approach is considered as an alternative way to determine the skewness-based structure of dispersion control charts. The proposals of five robust and two conventional Shewhart-type dispersion control charts are suggested as efficient competitors of skewness correction (SC) dispersion control charts. The evaluation of robust proposals and competing dispersion control charts is done through false alarm rate (FAR) and probability to signal (PTS) measures.
Findings
The proposed dispersion control charts are found robust and efficient alternatives of SC dispersion control charts in both normal and non-normal distributions. The FARs and PTS properties of proposed control charts are impressive in all studied cases, and a real-data example also verifies the dominance of proposed control charts.
Originality/value
Conventional dispersion control charts quickly lose their efficiency as underlying process distribution deviates from normality; however, robust control charts emerge as most suitable candidates in such situations. This paper proposes the idea of robust dispersion control charts under a distribution-free structure for the skewed-type process, which is not yet explored.