Showing papers in "International Journal of Research in 2017"

Can the Subaltern Speak

Abstract: In the present paper a research has been done on the essay ‘Can the Subaltern Speak’ by’ Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak’. It has been explained into much simpler language about what the author conveys for better understanding and further references. Also the criticism has been done by various critiques from various sources which is helpful from examination point of view. The paper has been divided into various contexts with an introduction and the conclusions. Also the references has been written that depicts the sources of criticism.

A Survey of Data Mining and Machine Learning Methods for Cyber Security Intrusion Detection

Abstract: Cyber security is that the body of technologies, processes and practices designed to safeguard networks, computers, programs and knowledge from attack, harm or unauthorized access. During a computing context, the term security implies cyber security. This survey paper describes a targeted literature survey of machine learning (ML) and data processing (DM) strategies for cyber analytics in support of intrusion detection. This paper focuses totally on cyber intrusion detection as it applies to wired networks. With a wired network, associate oppose must experience many layers of defense at firewalls and operative systems, or gain physical access to the network. The quality of ML/DM algorithms is addressed, discussion of challenges for victimization ML/DM for cyber security is conferred, and some recommendations on once to use a given methodology area unit provided.

An Analysis of Factors Influencing Learners’ English Speaking Skill

Abstract: Speaking is one of the most important skills to be developed and enhanced as means of effective communication. Speaking skill is regarded one of the most difficult aspects of language learning. Many language learners find it difficult to express themselves in spoken language. They are generally facing problems to use the foreign language to express their thoughts effectively. They stop talking because they face psychological obstacles or cannot find the suitable words and expressions. The modern world of media and mass communication requires good knowledge of spoken English. This paper aims at establishing the need to focus on the factors affecting on language learners’ English speaking skill. This review paper traces out the body of research concerning the term speaking, the importance of speaking, characteristics of speaking performance, speaking problems, and factors affecting speaking performance. According to the review of literature, appropriate speaking instruction was found to be the learners’ priority and a field in which they need more attention. This study can be useful to teachers and researchers to consider their language learners’ speaking needs in English language teaching and learning context.

Site-Directed Mutagenesis

Abstract: Mutagenesis is a molecular mechanism that deliberately creates specific alterations in the nucleotide or amino acid sequence of a DNA or protein molecule. It is employed to determine the biological structural and functional activity of macromolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids. Such position specific alteration in a target protein or DNA sequence either by means of insertion, deletion or substitution of a specific base pair aimed to produce single or multiple point mutations is termed sitedirected mutagenesis[1].Site-directed mutagenesis is the fundamental basis of genetic modifications of DNA sequences .it helps to introduce precise genetic variations at specific sites in a PCR based process and the mutant construct is then cloned into the desirable vector system [2].

Authoritative Parenting-Synthesizing Nurturance and Discipline for Optimal Child Development

Abstract: In this book, leading researchers upgrade our reasoning about definitive parenting and address three uncertain issues: systems of the style's effectiveness, varieties of adequacy crosswise over societies, and unraveling how guardians impact kids from how kids impact them. By incorporating points of view from formative and clinical brain science, the book will educate avoidance and intercession endeavors to help guardians expand their Children' potential. The present review means to investigate, from a child's viewpoint, key issues emerging from children's encounters of child rearing styles and train. The review is done against the setting of changing patterns in International society, most quite, changes in family schedules and connections. To date, an extensive assortment of research has examined the impacts of guardians' practices on their children. Parent–child collaboration is connected to various child results, including levels of self-assurance and self-regard, the nature of their cozy connections and their enthusiastic prosperity. Be that as it may, little is known when all is said in done about children's perspectives of various child rearing styles and, specifically, about the perspectives of children in regard of physical discipline by their folks. Children's perspectives on child rearing styles and teach are best comprehended inside the social and social context in which they are created. In this way, the point of the present review is to investigate children's viewpoints on these issues inside a universal context.

The Impact of Motivation on Reading Comprehension

Abstract: Motivation is one of the important factors which impact greatly on language learning. One of the most important factors which receives the special focus in foreign language teaching is reading motivation. More recently, studies on reading motivation have also gained much interest. This review paper is going to consider the impact of reading motivation on reading comprehension. In this paper, the researcher explains the terms reading motivation, different types of motivation, reading comprehension, and different models of reading comprehension. The review of this study showed that reading motivation had a considerably positive effect on reading comprehension activities.

Cascaded Control System of the Modular Multilevel Converter for Feeding Variable Speed Drives

Abstract: The design process of a holistic control system for a MMC to feed variable-speed drives is proposed in this paper. The performance of the control system is finally validated by measurements on a lowvoltage MMC prototype, which feeds a field-oriented controlled induction machine For high-power drive applications the modular multilevel converter (MMC) is an upcoming topology especially in the medium voltage range. First, from the analysis of the equivalent circuits the design of the current control for the independent adjustment of several current components is derived. Second, the current and voltage components by the investigation of the transformed arm power components for balancing the energies in the arms of the MMC are identified systematically. At minimum necessary internal currents over the complete frequency range The control system ensures a dynamic balancing of the energies in the cells of the MMC. Simultaneously, all other circulating current components are avoided to minimize current stress and additional voltage pulsations. . Here we are using the fuzzy controller compared to other controllers i.e. The fuzzy controller is the most suitable for the human decision-making mechanism, providing the operation of an electronic system with decisions of experts. In addition, using the fuzzy controller for a nonlinear system allows for a reduction of uncertain effects in the system control and improve the efficiency. A cascaded structure with subordinated current control loops and filter-based energy control loops is proposed in this paper. Simulation results are shown below

Health risks from drinking demineralised water

Abstract: The composition of the water varies in large part from local geological conditions Neither groundwater nor surface water has always been chemically pure H2O, since water contains small amounts of gas, minerals and organic substances of natural origin Total concentrations are considered to be of good quality dissolved substances in fresh water can be hundreds of mg / l Epidemiology Thanks and advances in microbiology and chemistry since the 19th century, many pathogenic pathogens have been identified Knowing that water may contain components that are undesirable is the starting point for setting guidelines and regulations for the quality of drinking water Acceptable maximum concentrations of inorganic and organic substances and micro-organisms have been established internationally and in many countries to ensure the safety of drinking water The potential effects of water completely deminarlised is generally not taken into account, since this water is not found in nature, except perhaps for the rainwater and ice that form naturally Although rainwater and ice are not used as common drinking water sources in developed countries where drinking water regulations have been developed, they are used by individuals in some places

Driver Gaze Tracking And Eyes Off The Road Detection System

Abstract: Existing System: Driver monitoring has been a long standing research problem in computer vision and automotive driver monitoring system applications . Broadly speaking, there are two approaches to estimate gaze direction: one is Techniques that only use the head pose and the second is those that use the driver’s head pose and gaze. For systems that rely only on head pose estimation the processing complexicity increases in regard to the software requirement and for those that relay on head pose and gaze estimation are grouped into hardware and software based approaches Active Appearance Models (AAMs) for facial feature tracking and head pose estimation and 3D eye-model was used for accurate gaze estimation, both of theserelay on near-infrared (IR) illuminators to generate the bright pupil effect. This system is not person-independent and must be calibrated for every system configuration and driver. Besides their complexicity of integration and implementation these systems are too expensive to be installed in mass-produced cars and they require periodic re-calibration because vibrations cause the system calibration to drift over time.

Last-Meter Smart Grid Embedded In an Internet-Of-Things Platform

Abstract: This paper proposes an approach to build a cost effective standardized environmental monitoring device using the Raspberry-Pi (R-Pi) single-board computer. The system was designed using Python Programming language and can be controlled and accessed remotely through an Internet of Things platform. It takes information about the surrounding environment through sensors and uploads it directly to the internet, where it can be accessed anytime and anywhere through internet. Experimental results demonstrated that the system is able to accurately measure: temperature, humidity, light level and concentrations of the carbon monoxide harmful air pollutant. It's also designed to detect earthquakes through an assembled seismic sensor

Nonlinear Coordinated Steering and Braking Control of Vision-Based Autonomous Vehicles in Emergency Obstacle Avoidance

Abstract: The main aim of the project is to dynamic control design for automated driving of vision-based autonomous vehicles, with a particular focus on the coordinated steering and braking control in emergency obstacle avoidance. An autonomous vehicle uses a complex multi-input and multi-output structure, which possesses the features of parameter uncertainties and strong nonlinearities, and the fixed phenomena of lateral and longitudinal dynamics are clear in a combined cornering and braking movement. The effective coordinated control system for automated driving is wished-for to deal with these coupled and nonlinear features and eliminate the disturbances. First, a vision algorithm is constructed to detect the orientation path and offer the local location information between vehicles and reference path in real time. Then, a novel coordinated steering and braking control approach is proposed based on the nonlinear back stepping control theory and the adaptive fuzzy sliding-mode control method. Finally, experimental tests evident that the proposed control strategy possesses encouraging tracking performance and enhances the riding comfort and constancy of autonomous vehicles.

Developmental Thyroid Diseases and Cholinergic Imbalance

Abstract: Thyroid hormones (THs) regulate the brain development(El-bakry et al., 2010; Ahmed, 2011, 2012a,b, 2013, 2014, 2015a-c, 2016a-d, 2017a-f; Ahmed et al., 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013a,b, 2014; 2015a,b; Ahmed and Ahmed,2012; Ahmed and Incerpi, 2013;Van Hercket al., 2013; Ahmed andElGareib, 2014;Incerpi et al., 2014; Candelotti et al., 2015; De Vito et al., 2015; El-Ghareeb et al., 2016; Ahmed and El-Gareib, 2017). The cholinergic system [acetylcholinesterase (AchE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuchE)] (Carageorgiou et al., 2007; Tousson et al., 2012), and the neuronal development (Hadj-Sahraoui et al., 2000; Zhang et al., 2009) might disturb by neonatal thyroid deficiency (Ahmed andEl-Gareib, 2014; Ahmed et al., 2014).Also, these might diminish the development of cholinergic synapses and brain function. In contrast, hyperthyroidism can accelerate the development of the cholinergic neurons (Gould and Butcher, 1989; Ahmed et al., 2008). Thus, any thyroid disorders might be associated with neuro developmental defects through decreasing T3 level (Sawin et al., 1998) by recruitment of its transcriptional corepressors and/or dissociation of coactivators (Moriyama et al., 2007).

Towards Online Spam Filtering In Social Networks

Abstract: With 20 million presents every day, outcast applications are a guideline clarification behind the reputation and addictiveness of Facebook. Lamentably, developers have comprehended the ability of using applications for spreading malware and spam. The issue is starting at now major, as we find that no under 13% of uses in our dataset are threatening to date, the investigation gather has focused on perceiving noxious posts and campaigns. In this paper, we suggest the conversation starter: given a Facebook application, would we have the capacity to pick if it is malignant? Our key duty is in making FRAppE Facebook's Rigorous Application Evaluator apparently the foremost instrument focused on finding dangerous applications on Facebook. To make FRAppE, we use information amassed by watching the posting behavior of 111K Facebook applications seen across more than 2.2 million customers on Facebook. In the first place, we perceive a game plan of components that aides us perceive noxious applications from kindhearted ones. For example, we locate that vindictive applications oftentimes confer names to various applications, and they usually request less assents than positive applications. Second, using these perceiving features, we display that FRAppE can recognize malignant applications with 99.5% precision, with no false positives and a low false negative rate (4.1%). Finally, we research the natural arrangement of noxious Facebook applications and see segments that these applications use to spread inquisitively, we locate that various applications plot and reinforce each other; in our dataset, we find 1,584 applications enabling the viral causing of 3,723 distinct applications through their posts. Whole deal, we view FRAppE as a phase towards making a free protect canine for application evaluation and situating, to alert Facebook customers before presenting applications.

The Effect of Learners’ Motivation on Their Reading Comprehension Skill: A Literature Review

Abstract: Motivation is one of the neglected parts of English language teaching. Teachers often forget that motivation is the basic part of learners’ English language learning activities. In this sense, learners control the flow of the classroom. Without learners’ motivation, there is no pulse and no life in the class. When learners learn to incorporate direct approaches to generate motivation in their learning, they will become happier and more successful learners. This paper is an attempt to investigate the impact of motivation on learners’ reading comprehension. It reviews the terms motivation, different types of motivation, reading comprehension, and different models of reading comprehension. The review of the literature indicated that motivation has an influential role in learners’ reading comprehension.

Thyroid-Insulin Dysfunction during Development

Abstract: Thyroid hormones (THs) are key hormones regulating the development(Ahmed, 2011, 2012a,b, 2013, 2014, 2015a-c, 2016a-d, 2017a-f; Ahmed et al., 2013a,b, 2014; 2015a,b; Ahmed and Incerpi, 2013;Van Hercket al., 2013; Ahmed andEl-Gareib, 2014,Incerpi et al., 2014; Candelotti et al., 2015; De Vito et al., 2015; El-Ghareeb et al., 2016; Ahmed and El-Gareib, 2017), particularly glucose homeostasis (Fain and Bahouth, 1998), metabolism and energy balance (Wang et al., 2008; Ahmed, 2013). Also, insulin is a vital hormone modifying these biological processes during the development (Hytinantti et al., 2008; Ahmed, 2013; Candelotti et al., 2015; Cremaschi et al., 2016). There is a synergistic mechanism between THs and insulin levels during the perinatal development and growth (Tsai et al., 2004; Hytinantti et al., 2008; Ahmed, 2013). In hypothyroid state, the level of insulin was delayed (Robson et al., 2002). Reversibly, the disturbance in insulin action, in hypothyroid state, might be responsible for the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid-axis (HPTA) disorders (Ahmed, 2013, 2016d).Additionally, a symptomatic hypoglycaemia, dyslipidemia, elevated low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglyceride were recorded in hypothyroidism (Mohn et al., 2002; Hueston& Pearson, 2004; American Diabetes Association (ADA), 2011; Marwaha et al., 2011). Also, the reduction in the high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, overall glucose turnover and peripheral glucose utilization was reported by Miura et al. (1994), Cettour-Rose et al. (2005) and Johnson (2006). The reduction in the glucose level might be caused growth retardation and delayed the sexual maturity (Gutch et al., 2013). Also, the diminution in the level of insulin growth factor-I (IGF-I) is correlated to the disturbancebetween the activities of THs and insulin that may retard the development and growth (Ramos et al., 2001 & 2002; Ahmed, 2013). Thus, these disorders can reduce the uteroplacental passage to fetuses (Ahmed and El-Gareib, 2017).In conclusion, any disruption in the THs-insulin axis may possibly influence the developmental mechanisms.Furtherstudies are necessary to distinguishthe molecular mechanisms of this axis during the development.

The importance of digital marketing in the tourism industry

Abstract: With the advent of superior Internet technologies, newer avenues for reaching out to target audiences have evolved. Digital marketing today has become an indispensable part of every business irrespective of its size and type. The increasing role of digital marketing has affected the way businesses promote their offerings to existing as well as new customers. The need for digital marketing has been felt like never before in the tourism industry wherein customers have instant access to all kinds of information on the latest offers and best prices. Today digital marketing plays a critical role in the success of each business which exists in the tourism industry. This paper examines the basic determinants of digital marketing and the importance of the same in the tourism industry.

Effect Comparison between Egger's Test and Begg's Test in Publication Bias Diagnosis in Meta-Analyses: Evidence from a Pilot Survey

Abstract: To compare the effect and assess the consistence between Egger’s test (ET) and Begg’s test (BT), so as to choose the suitable method in publication bias (PB) diagnosis. We extracted PB-related information from 117 published meta-analysis papers through a thorough search in Medline database, and then compared the difference between ET and BT (while funnel plot [the most commonly used method to detect PB] as an important reference to judge the possible truth of PB) to detect the bias of the same data. Moreover, the correlation, agreement ratio (AR) and Kappa between ET and BT were also analyzed. We found that the rate of P-value less than 0.05 was 14.29% and 7.14% in ET and BT, respectively. Moreover, ET was commonly to get less P-value than BT (t=-2.22, P=0.03) to detect the bias of the same data. Though the results of ET and BT in most metaanalysis papers had a significant correlation (rs=0.68, P<0.001), AR and Kappa were relatively low (AR=91.04%, Kappa=0.457, P=0.001). Moreover, ET and BT were not consistent to the PB diagnosis by the forest plot (AR=87.50% and 91.43%, respectively), and sometimes ET and BT were not consistent each other. From the results we conclude that ET is more sensitive in PB diagnosis than BT, but it is still not accurate. Thus, we recommend an associated application to improve the reliability of PB diagnosis.

The impact of technological innovation on SME's profitability in Nigeria

Abstract: There is no doubt that new or improved product or process of production continues to create firm's competitive advantage over others in the market. This study examined the impact of research and development (R&D) expenditure, product and process innovations on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) performance in the manufacturing industry in Nigeria using a survey of 1,000 SMEs with a response rate of 52.1% in year 2009. The results with least squares method showed that R&D spending by the firms as well as product and process innovation has significant impacts on the firm's performance with the probability value of 0.0529, 0.0624 and 0.0086 respectively at 10% level of significant. Also, training of workforce constitutes the major innovation activities in the Nigerian manufacturing SMEs as against in-house and outsourced R&D activities. This study suggests improvement in R&D spending and other technological activities which are expected to increase SMEs' profitability and thus generate more employment in the country.

An Adaptive Power Oscillation Damping Controller by STATCOM With Energy Storage

Abstract: The proposed method is effective in increasing the damping of the system at the frequencies of interest, also in the case of system parameter uncertainties and at various connection points of the compensator. First, the analysis of the im-pact of active and reactive power injection into the power system will be carried out using a simple two-machine system model. A control strategy that optimizes active and reactive power injection at various connection points of the STATCOM will be derived using the simplified model. Small-signal analysis of the dynamic performance of the proposed control strategy will be carried out. The effectiveness of the proposed control method to provide power oscillation damping irrespective of the connection point of the device and in the presence of system parameter uncertainties will be verified through simulation and experimental results.

A Profit Maximization Scheme With Guaranteed Quality Of Service In Cloud Computing

Abstract: An effective and efficient way to provide computing resources and services to customers on demand, cloud computing has become more and more popular. From cloud service providers’ perspective, profit is one of the most important considerations, and it is mainly determined by the configuration of a cloud service platform under given market demand. However, a single long-term renting scheme is usually adopted to configure a cloud platform, which cannot guarantee the service quality but leads to serious resource waste. In this paper, a double resource renting scheme is designed firstly in which short-term renting and long-term renting are combined aiming at the existing issues. This double renting scheme can effectively guarantee the quality of service of all requests and reduce the resource waste greatly. Secondly, a service system is considered as an M/M/m+D queuing model and the performance indicators that affect the profit of our double renting scheme are analyzed, e.g., the average charge, the ratio of requests that need temporary servers, and so forth. Thirdly, a profit maximization problem is formulated for the double renting scheme and the optimized configuration of a cloud platform is obtained by solving the profit maximization problem. Finally, a series of calculations are conducted to compare the profit of our proposed scheme with that of the single renting scheme. The results show that our scheme can not only guarantee the service quality of all requests, but also obtain more profit than the latter.

Biochar as a low-cost adsorbent for heavy metal removal: A review

Abstract: Conversation of agricultural residues to from biochar can be used as for as the treatment of aqueous solution an alternative remediation of heavy metals from the environment used as low-cost adsorbent. Ground water, originated from natural and anthropogenic source each contaminated by heavy metals. Removal of heavy metals from aqueous solutions which is examined by a number of studies using biochar as a sorbent. Generally development of commercial biochar purposes, reliable data on production of biochar technologies is required. For this purpose, peer-reviewed scientific articles on carbonization technologies (pyrolysis, gasi?cation, ?ash carbonization and hydrothermal carbonization,) have been analyzed. Different mechanisms such as ion exchange, electrostatic interactions, complexation, membrane filtration, physical sorption, and precipitation have been effective for removal of heavy metals. Mathematical sorption models can be used as the efficiency of biochar for removing heavy metals, and also promote in water treatment through the application of biochar technology in water treatment. Biochar used as a low-cost adsorbent to heavy metal removal from aqueous solution is promising and an emerging waste water treatment technology. When the biochar were impregnated with chemicals, the effect was a little increased. An About under the optimum conditions.99% Cd, Pb and Zn were removed from aqueous solution using biochar.

English Speaking Anxiety: A Study of the Effect of Gender on Iranian EFL University Students’ Perceptions

Abstract: The aim of this study was to examine Iranian EFL university students’ level of anxiety and their perceptions towards in-class activities during speaking courses and possible causes of apprehension. Moreover, this study investigated whether or not EFL university students’ gender differences affect their perceptions of foreign language speaking anxiety. To this end, data were collected from 175 Iranian EFL learners; 125 females and 50 males through Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (FLCAS) adopted from Horwitz, Horwitz, and Cope (1986) followed by a structured interview. The findings showed that the level of females’ anxiety was significantly higher than that of males in impromptu speaking activities. Moreover, instructors could have an essential role in reducing the speaking anxiety. Results of the interviews confirmed the findings obtained through the questionnaire.

Thermoelectric Generators for Automotive Waste Heat Recovery Systems Part I: Numerical Modeling and Baseline Model Analysis

Abstract: A numerical model has been developed to simulate coupled thermal and electrical energy transfer processes in a thermoelectric generator (TEG) designed for automotive waste heat recovery systems. This model is capable of computing the overall heat transferred, the electrical power output, and the associated pressure drop for given inlet conditions of the exhaust gas and the available TEG volume. Multiple-filled skutterudites and conventional bismuth telluride are considered for thermoelectric modules (TEMs) for conversion of waste heat from exhaust into usable electrical power. Heat transfer between the hot exhaust gas and the hot side of the TEMs is enhanced with the use of a plate-fin heat exchanger integrated within the TEG and using liquid coolant on the cold side. The TEG is discretized along the exhaust flow direction using a finite-volume method. Each control volume is modeled as a thermal resistance network which consists of integrated submodels including a heat exchanger and a thermoelectric device. The pressure drop along the TEG is calculated using standard pressure loss correlations and viscous drag models. The model is validated to preserve global energy balances and is applied to analyze a prototype TEG with data provided by General Motors. Detailed results are provided for local and global heat transfer and electric power generation. In the companion paper, the model is then applied to consider various TEG topologies using skutterudite and bismuth telluride TEMs.

Theoretical concept of job satisfaction - a study

Abstract: Job satisfaction is one of the important factors that have drawn attention of the organization as well as academicians. In view of the rising competition as a result of globalisation, managers have placed great importance on the construct of job satisfaction. This may be due to the findings of many studies that job satisfaction is a significant determinant of organizational commitment. Highly satisfied employees will exert extra effort and contribute positively to the effectiveness and efficiency of their organizations. Job satisfaction will lead to better performance and the employees will be more committed towards their organization. Hence, this study is focused to consolidate the theoretical concept about job satisfaction.

Fibrous silica-hydroxyapatite composite by electrospinning

Abstract: New nanocomposite membrane was fabricated by electrospinning. The nanocomposite combines a glass and hydroxyapatite (HA). This research proposed the incorporation of glass to counteract the brittleness of HA in a composite formed by coaxial fibers which will be used for bone replacement. Calcium phosphate ceramics are used widely for dental and orthopedic reasons, because they can join tightly through chemical bonds and promote bone regeneration. Precursors HA and SiO2 were synthetized through the sol-gel method and then incorporated into a polymeric PVP matrix; later they were processed by coaxial electrospinning to obtain fibers with an average diameter of 538 nm which were characterized with techniques such as Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Differential Thermal Analysis and Scanning Electron Microscopy. Chemical and physical characterization of the membranes evidenced fibers in a coaxial disposition with a glass core and hydroxyapatite cover. The micro-porous fibers have many potential uses in the repair and treatment of bone defects, drug delivery and tissue engineering. Through ATR-FTIR and SEM-EDX analysis the presence of characteristic chemical groups, the fiber composition and microstructure were determined.

Pronunciation barriers and computer assisted language learning (call): coping the demands of 21st century in second language learning classroom in pakistan

Abstract: Pronunciation of English language is a very important sub-skill of speaking module in second language learning process. However, it is ignored, neglected, and even never gotten least attention by the teachers, administrators, and stakeholders especially in Pakistan. Grammar, vocabulary, and the other linguistic skills such as reading and writing are emphasized whereas pronunciation has never been focused in language classes. That is why, Pakistani learners have to face a lot of pronunciation problems and they are unable to speak English even after years of learning English. Computer technology provides its learners with a wide variety of different pedagogical tools for pronunciation learning and teaching. Computer augmented instructions have always been proved beneficial. Teachers and learners can use computer technology for the production and articulation of the sounds and they can be familiar with stress and intonation pattern resulting in the reduction of the pronunciation barriers. This article discusses the status of pronunciation and prevailed approach of pronunciation teaching in Pakistan. So, the purpose of this study is to highlight the importance of computer aided instructions for pronunciation teaching at the school level in Pakistan.

Secure and Efficient Data Communication Protocol for Wireless Body Area Networks

Abstract: Wireless body area network (WBAN) is a network of wireless sensor nodes, which monitor mobile health when placed carefully on the human body or in the wearable cloths. WBAN have a great potential for the growth and development of the future ubiquitous health systems, however; the security concern associated with the current WBAN is an alarming challenge. Security of a body area network (BAN) is unavoidable as it is mainly used for securing the life of patients and soldiers. By securing the BAN we actually secure the life of its wearer. Two techniques i.e. Physiological values (PV’s) based key management ,which generate random keys by using the vital signs of human body and Pre-loading based scheme, which will be used to strengthen the security of our PVs based scheme. The potential limitation of PV’s is short keys generation, which can be easily brute forced and high computational cost whereas in Pre-loading the keys are not random and require enough keys storage. In this paper we will merge PV’s and pre-loading techniques by using electrocardiography (EKG/ECG) values of PVs and pre-loading based schemes to strengthen the security. The applied technique will enhance the security as well as reduce storage and power consumption. Key words: Physiological values (PV’s), Electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG), Wireless body area network (WBAN)

Advantages of Using Computer in Teaching English Pronunciation

Abstract: Pronunciation continues to grow in importance because of its key roles in speech recognition, speech perception, and speaker identty. Computer is being increasingly used in teaching English pronunciation to enhance its quality. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the advantages of using computer in English pronunciation instruction. Understanding the advantages of computer is an important step in the successful use of computer into English language teaching in general and pronunciation instruction in particular. Findings from empirical research, teachers’ roles in using computer, and implications for language teachers and learners are also discussed.

Financial inclusion and performance of micro, small and medium scale enterprises in nigeria

Abstract: Financial inclusion assures easy access to financial services by enabling the disadvantaged and vulnerable sections of the society to actively contribute to development and protect themselves against socio-economic shocks. Nigeria has a sizeable rural poor population with limited access to conventional financial institutions or services. This study investigated the impact of financial inclusion on the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) performance in Nigeria. The survey research design method was used, involving the use of questionnaires, in collecting data from respondents. Data were analyzed using the Pearson Chi-square technique. The results show that, whereas financial inclusion positively and significantly impacts the operations and growth of MSMEs, distance to financial services access points and infrastructural deficiency challenged fast and effective access to financial services by MSMEs in Nigeria. The study recommends that deliberate efforts should be made to spread access points to more rural areas and improve infrastructure to promote FI. This should include a policy roadmap for expanding financial services access points to unbanked and underserved areas using the financial services geospatial map. Furthermore, the digitizing of payments across the country should be prioritized to include enhanced ICT/E-banking tools and a consumer protection framework.