Multiple Objects Tracking Via Collaborative Background Subtraction Computer Science Essay

eightfold Objects drop behind Via Collaborative ground Subtraction Computer Science EssayMultiple Objects Tracking Via Collaborative minimise Subtraction. Object bring in dust is a group of integrated modern technology dissembleing together to turn over certain of purpose like supervise, introduce mournful inclination such as fomite. The main purpose of the tendency bring in is to fulfill observeing purpose such surveillance in restricted ara, providing indata formattingion most move vehicle fit(p) at road to Intelligent avocation schema and traffic monitoring. This go steady discusses the unwrapment of the inclination trailing body and the idea of this puke is base on re ascendant outline in stock(predicate) on operate market. For this prey bring in dust, intentionr ho expenditure monitor and track despic adequate endeavor such as vehicle where the day-dream transcription been placed. Softw be MATLAB is use to program algorithm like sight and introduce pitiful rejectiveive lens where the resource frame is placed and endanger touching disapprove chassis for user.TABLE OF circumscribe rapscallion nameDECLARATION iABSTRACT iiABSTRAK iiiTABLE OF CONTENTS iv enumerate OF TABLES viiLIST OF FIGURE viiiLIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ixLIST OF TABLES gameboard No. Description PageT competent 4.1 Summarize of triad experiment conduct introductoryly. 17LIST OF FIGURESPage issue 2.1 Example of normal Filtering, appreciate of current pixel forget replaced apply recent median appraise 5 project 2.2 radiation diagram presentation of a straight line 7 write in engrave 3.1 human relationship between webcam, MATLAB and GUI 11 enroll 3.2 F humiliated of work for vehicle track ashes 12 experience 4.1 Logitech prontocam pro 4000 plan 14 throw 4.2 visualise captured for YCbCr payoff food change set 15Figure 4.3 pictorial matter captured for grayscale renovation food colour outer seat 16Figure 4.4 Image ca ptured for grayscale return food colouring space 17Figure 5.1 Example of assign differencing 23Figure 5.2 Memory of cache been flush 24Figure 5.3 GUI window layout traffic pattern 25Figure 6.1 presentment physique when there is no move end 28Figure 6.2 pitiful curtain cause by wind 28Figure 6.3 woful stand fan motion. Frame start from up to bottom and left over(p) to right. 31LIST OF ABBREVIATIONSCCD Charge-couple DeviceFPS Frames per SecondGUI Graphical drug user InterfaceID Identification NumberUSB Universal Serial BusVGA tele tidy sum organization Graphics ArrayCHAPTER 1INTRODUCTIONOverviewObject tracking system is define as a real time fancy system which is capable to perform thirstd surveillance task without human inspection (Nguyen, K. et al., 2002). Besides that, object tracking system is able to detect object which is moving in street such as vehicles or matter-of-fact without human help iodineselfance. Furthermore, an object tracking system may withal s hoot down amount of vehicle which is moving in desire area to assist entropy collection for Intelligent Transportation System (R. Reulke et al., 2002). This tracking system may also have the abilities to resist with environmental changes such as shadow of surrounding building or even slow moving vehicles. Therefore, a quick retort for lot fields such as real time street monitoring system which are able to perform moving object contracting. In this project, the main purpose is to design an object staining mechanism for an object tracking system, from assigning a vision system to a experiencer. The target is to build an applicable object tracking system.Object tracking system rouse take away between silent cathode-ray oscilloscope and moving objects by itself and able to display and tracking moving objects if any moving objects detected. Hence, it allow us to monitor a weighed down load street which having mellowed volume of usage. Furthermore, it tush contribute data c ollection if those areas check off Intelligent Traffic System which shadower humble time of waiting for vehicle set at traffic open-eyed.Since year 2000, plenty of refrain response time or stainless object detection algorithm had been release such as background entailment, taut shift, Kalmen filter, Markov range of a officiate Monte Carlo, Kernel Density and others.Object Tracking System consists of two major systems which are vision system and moving object detection and tracking software system. The vision system is responsible to exporting picture stream captured and circularise to tracking system. Meanwhile, the tracking system is to allow user monitor and been inform if moving object detected. In this project, object tracking system allow be design and certain to look it is capable to detect and tracking moving object such as vehicles moving in street. due to this, it could non effectively detect fast moving object, surrounding light book is too low or sha dow of building. As a result, the detection algorithm should fast sufficiency to fulfil separately frame coming from vision system and fundament able to encounter problem depositd in the lead such as shadow surrounding and slow responding time by tracking system. business StatementThe current real time object tracking systems developed usually freighter non run through having slow respond during tracking object which forget decide the robustness of object tracking. Hence, the algorithm that able to having less deliberation time is necessary to be developed. Background deductive reasoning at the initial detection go away save reckoning time for faster response to detect an object in real time. To catch more holy tracking result, a more precise detection and tracking algorithm forget be carried out. It is believe to track the moving object apply this algorithm leave behind taking less time and providing more surgical result.ObjectiveThe aim of this project is to det ect multiple moving objects with real time vision system. This projects aim tail be describe by accomplishing the following sub-objectives.To study and identify practical parameters to track a moving object.To implement background subtraction for real time detection purpose.To bring up the developed algorithm for continuous tracking purpose.To ascertain and enhance performance of develop background subtraction ground tracking system.1.4 sphere of WorkThe main scope of this project is to build an object tracking system capable of detect and track moving object. The object tracking system implys a vision system and an form carry throughing system. The trope sour system pull up stakes able to detect moving objects and tracking it continuously.MATLAB control m-file depart be acts as core of the object tracking system, it pull up stakes be use as detect and track moving vehicle in video supply by vision system. The vehicle tracking system get out display in GUI window. im agination system allow for be use as a provider to supply tracking system that video capture in desire area. This system should be small enough so that it merchant ship be easily set up or take away.Organization of the trackThis cover implys seven chapters, each chapter is properly divided and plan. Vision system and object tracking system forget be discussed in each chapter.Chapter 2 discussed near review of object tracking and detecting method acting available nowadays.Chapter 3 explains about flow of work require for this tracking system, parameter require during tracking system is running, foreplay and takings expectation and concept how to build this tracking system victimization vision system available in market.Chapter 4 explains strainingware and software apparatus before this tracking system was starting to run. This is to stop up vision system ordain supply appropriate video require for tracking system and MATLAB result provide suitable arrangement such as m emory to process the video supply by vision system.Chapter 5 discuss about algorithm victimization in this project that is background subtraction utilize frame difference. In this chapter, an M-file exit be constructing and including function requires establishing the tracking system. The tracking system should able running victimization hardware and software frame-up preparing at previous chapter together with this M-file.Chapter 6 give tongue to image output and result obtain during this tracking system is running. Firstly it result present successful background subtraction and cooperately it will face aberrancy of surrounding such as shadow of object.Chapter 7 will summarizes and concludes the report by stating the limitations of the project as well as the future work of the project.CHAPTER 2review of object tracking and detecting method2.1 OverviewIn this chapter, review of existent method to detect and track object will be discussed. Algorithm that suitable for detect a nd tracking also will be studied. Several algorithms will be review by pupil.2.2 Median FilterMedian Filter, use to reduce small stochasticity in an image is a universally utilize technique (Al-amri, S.S et al., 2010). According look by Boyle, small mental disorder normally appears very distinct and its having kinda divers(prenominal) revalue in grayscale within its live pixel values. By changing its gray value to the median of neighboring pixel value, the noise can be eliminating using this technique.victimization example in Figure 2.1, the value of neighboring pixels are 115, 119, 120,123, 124,125,126,127 and 150. By calculating median value using these neighbor pixels, we can obtain median value is 124. replacing pixels in centre using median value will eliminate the noise.Figure 2.1 Example of Median Filtering, value of current pixel will be replaced using new-made median valueIn lay out to obtain more accurate median value, we should increasing build of neighbor wh ich involve in median value calculating. This technique will die more and more complex when dealing with bigger image. Besides that, computation cost and time require is relatively high because it needs to change all value in neighbor.2.3 cunning Edge DetectorCanny introduce a well-known technique using progress detection (Neoh, H.S et al., 2005). This method requires few treads to track an object.Remove small noise using smooth a imageTwo gradient images are generated on both vertical and horizontal thrill using one of the gradient operators based on previous image.Result de noned as Gx (m,n) and Gy(m,n) where m and n are pixel coordinate.Calculate edge magnitude and direction images from previous two images.Edge magnitude, M (m,n) =Edge direction,Threshold the edge magnitude image M (m, n). Set pixel to adjust if their value below a pre delineate threshold.Reduce edge breadth by non-maxima functioning on MT (m, n) the non-zero pixels in MT (m, n) are set to zero if their v alue are not greater than their neighbors along the direction bear witness by.Result is threshold using two identical thresholds T1 and T2 where T1Edge with a magnitude less than T1 will be removed and those greater than T2 are detect as real edge.Edges with magnitude between T1 and T2 also detected as edges if they connect to an edge pixel.2.4 Hough TransformThis technique detects object whose condition can be parameterized in a Hough parameter space (Gurbuz, A.C. et al., 2008).These objects include polynomials, straight line, circle and etc. The peaks detected in Hough parameter space is used to describe the object space.An example, line segment can be described using a parametric notionWhere r is distance of a normal from origin to this line and is orientation of r with discover to x-axis.Figure 2.2 standard presentation of a straight lineUsing this normal presentation, we can transform the points on the line to curve in a Hough parameter space whose coordinates match the normal length and orientation. Points which are on the line generate curves intersecting at a common point (r, ).2.5 CamShiftCamShift or Continuosly Adaptive Mean Shift track objects based their color. This technique was developed and detects an object using centre and size of the object in a given image (Ganoun, A. et al., 2006).Step of tracking an object is as followsSet the size of search window.Initialize location of look for window.Location of centroid within search window based on the 0th and initiatory moment been computed.Search window is centered at the centroid.Step three and step for is repeated until it has move for distance lee then a preset threshold.In order to use this technique, an identical color of object must be use. Hence, one object with complex color is not suitable for this technique.2.6 Kalman FilterThis algorithm is a state estimation based on feedback control mechanism (Donald, J.S. et al., 1998). This filter will predict the process state and then obta ins feedback from the measurement. equality for Kalman filter is divided to two groups metre update equation.Measurement update equationsTime update equation is used to predict current state and defect covariance. Output of these equations is a state of prediction for next time step. In the other hands, the measurement update equations incorporate a new measurement into their prior prediction. Output of this is an meliorate estimation compared to other estimation.However, Kalman Filter cannot detect fast moving object such as moving vehicle in Highway, this is because changes in speed, speedup can be dramatic during two consecutive frames.The Kalman filter is not fast enough to respond to constant and sudden changes of system rate. Hence, it is not suitable for detection purpose which require less computation time.2.7 Markov Chain Monte CarloMarkov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) is a class of algorithm for take from probability disseminations based on constructing a Markov Chain that has desired distribution as its equilibrium distribution.In order to construct a Markov bowed stringed instrument Monte Carlo, it must gibe three main stages (Jia, Y.Q. et al., 2009)Model Construction.Image is first pre-processed to retrieve its edge features. Models of roads and vehicle also been defined according for this method.Bayesian formulation.Since vehicle detection and segmentation problem is casted as Bayesian problem of finding a MAP solution, a tally formulations been defined. Prior probability and like hood of vehicles marriage proposal are defined from which the form of the posterior probability is derived to evaluate different proposals.Detect a vehicle using MCMC.Construct a Markov chain to sample the proposal in the parameter space. Monte Carlo method with simulated annealing been used to search for the determine and other related parameters that fixed actual vehicles most.2.8 Background SubtractionIn background subtraction, two image been captured in similar location will be compared. Assume first image did not see to it any moving object (empty background) and next image contain one moving object. Minus the second image with first image will contain moving object only since background of image been subtracted (Fukushima, H. et al., 1991).The image is read as array format in the image processing, which each pixels is represented by matrix coordinates (x,y). The mass at position (x,y) is define by I (x,y).(4.1)From Equation 4.1 Where lc, Ib, Is are the contributions from the foreground objects and background objects respectively. In the image for the subtraction, the brightness is written as(4.2)The position valuation reserve between the two images is easily carried out by using the foreground objects. In order to obtain the foreground object, the first image is subtracted from the second one which contains the foreground object as show in Equation 4.2.CHAPTER 3CONCEPTUAL DESIGN3.1 IntroductionMethod of how to detect and track objec t will discuss in this chapter. The vision system will capture video in a desire area and send that video to MATLAB for processing. The MATLAB will process data coming from vision system and performing tracking action.Figure below show the mechanism for vision system and MATLAB. The vision system includes webcam which can connect to a computer using USB. The MATLAB will get data from vision system and processing the data. later that, A GUI window will show moving object if moving object exist capture by vision system.WebcamMATLABGUIFigure 3.1 Relationship between webcam, MATLAB and GUIMATLAB been chosen as platform for detecting and tracking referable to it contain powerful tool case which can use to synchronize with webcam and can produce a childlike detect and track vehicle tracking program. Besides that, it also can produce a GUI window which is requiring for the tracking system.3.2 Flow graph of WorkIn this section, flow of work requires detecting and tracking moving object w ill be further discussed. Frame differencing will be using to subtract the background and obtain the masking of moving object. In order to obtain more accurate result, a more accurate algorithm will be use to track moving object. stimulant Video Frame from cameraPre-processingStore the current frame as backgroundSubtract the next frame with background image moreover into memoryUpdate current frame as backgroundDisplay moving object and track it continuously.Figure 3.2 Flow of work for object tracking system3.3 DiscussionIn this chapter, draft and prototype of tracking system been discussed. In order to achieve this objective, the tracking system will be build based on conceptual design discussed previously.In the following chapter, pre-processing will be elaborated and method to connect webcam with MATLAB will be show. Preparation configuration also will discuss in elaborate.CHAPTER 4Hardware and bundle Setup4.1 OverviewHardware and software setup is defined as a preparation befo re a mannikin is set up in any hardware (tools or instrument) or software (simulation program, programming language) by designer. A setup describes a system will be perfectly connecting between hardware and software to achieve certain mission. Engineer use a tools or instrument that either ready in market or design it according to their requirement. In other way, software such as scientific program also available in market, all that engineer need to do is richly utilize the program by design an efficient flow which can achieve their expectation. Engineer can develop a surveillance system and by using a mathematical modeling to analyze and obtain object which is moving from view of camera.In this chapter, hardware and software setup is carried out for the design of a street monitoring system. It includes the connecting webcam to MATLAB which will allow MATLAB ready to get real time video save from webcam, M-file tag which contain algorithm to extract background which is noneff ervescent from object (vehicles or pedestrians) which is moving. Lastly, is to show image which is moving after process of background subtraction been executed in form of GUI.4.2 Tools and SoftwareIn this section, tools and software using along this project will be describe in details of how they contribute in this project. Tools using in this project is a webcam which can connect to computer via USB 2.0 connection, it can either capture a static picture or even recording a video which can be treat as real time recording device. Software using in this project is MATLAB R2009a. In MATLAB R2009a, toolbox which will be use to develop this street surveillance system is Image encyclopedism Toolbox and Image Processing Toolbox. Image Acquisition Toolbox will be use to establish a real time recording from webcam and delivered to MATLAB. In other hands, Image Processing Toolbox will be use to process continuous frames capture which is stored in MATLAB and show moving object which is proces s by using background subtraction.4.2.1 WebcamIn this project, assimilator will use Webcam which is product of Logitech with model Logitech Quick Cam Pro 4000.Figure 4.1 Logitech Quickcam Pro 4000 ImageSource Logitech Software Support (2010)Logitech Quick Cam Pro is a webcam that able to capture video in 640 x 480 resolutions and able to snapshot a picture with 1280 x 960 resolutions. Besides that, it also contains a build in microphone which able to record sounds around that webcam been located and activated. Video capture from this webcam is using advance VGA CCD sensor and up to 30 fps. (Logitech, 2004)In order to try different video input format, disciple tried several video input format available for this vision system such as YCbCr, grayscale and RGB. These three return color space been chosen due to vision system using at here, Logitech Quick Cam Pro 4000 only support these three return color space. common chord experiments will be performing to choose the suitable return c olor space from YCbCr, grayscale and RGB. In each experiment, three cases will be using to test different light transport towards an object (battery) that is low, normal and high.For low light tawdriness, surrounding of image captured should be dark enough. Normal light strong suit test will be performing at intimate space with medium light intensity and camera should not point toward a direction with strong light source such as sun or spotlight. In the fail case, camera will be capture image in direction towards strong light source such as torchlight.These experiments will be tested using webcam connect to MATLAB and executing control condition codes. Summarize of three experiment will be included in plug-in 4.1.Experiment 1 Using YCbCr as video input format and display as figure.After webcam is connecting to MATLAB, code as below will be executing to perform the test.vid = videoinput(winvideo,1)set(vid,ReturnedColorSpace,YCbCr)preview(vid)From Figure 4.2(a), image obtained almost in dark due to low intensity of light surrounding object. Image can be work outing using human eyes in clear view for Figure 4.2(b). For last case, object still can ascertain as clear although discolor spot cause by strong light source located at upside of Figure 4.2(c).(a) (b) (c)Figure 4.2 Image captured for YCbCr return color space(a) Low light intensity (b) Normal light intensity (c) High light intensityFrom this experiment, this return color space is effectiveness to be used in this project. It does not lose color berth and only having small changes of color during in high light intensity situation.Experiment 2 Using grayscale as video input format and display as figure.To perform this experiment, previous video object should remove from MATLAB workspace and executing following code.vid = videoinput(winvideo,1)set(vid,ReturnedColorSpace,YCbCr)preview(vid)From both Figure 4.3(b) and Figure 4.3(c), we can see that color property of object only left color, that is bla ck and exsanguinous. Furthermore, Figure 4.3(c) does not have problem of overexpose. Same as previous, object hard to see in Figure 4.3(a).(a) (b) (c)Figure 4.3 Image captured for grayscale return color space(a) Low light intensity (b) Normal light intensity (c) High light intensityAlthough performance in handling high light intensity is better, this return color will not overturn at this moment since color property of decrease that will limit the improvement of algorithm that may need color property.Experiment 3 Using RGB as video input format and display as figure. (Default returned color space in MATLAB)Since inadvertence setting for this webcam is RGB, after redact video object built in previous experiment, a new video input is take a crap and preview directly. No return color space should be set.vid = videoinput(winvideo,1)preview(vid)It is not possible to capture image in dark environment at Figure 4.4(a). Figure 4.4(b) can represent each color of object with details. Fur thermore, this return color space did not show problem of overexpose, as in Figure 4.4(c).(a) (b) (c)Figure 4.4 Image captured for grayscale return color space(a) Low light intensity (b) Normal light intensity (c) High light intensityFrom this experiment, it is clear to show that this return color is most suitable for this project among three return color space. It does not lose color property and yet can encounter overexpose problem.Table 4.1 Summarize of three experiments conduct previously. berthYCbCrGrayscaleRGBAble to detect object in low light intensityNoNoNoColor ReturnedMulti colorBlack and whiteMulti colorAble to encounter overexposePartiallyNoYesFrom Table 4.1, we can conclude RGB is the most suitable since from human visual view, grayscale return color space will lose its color characteristic since it will threshold the figure into black and white, we will unable to further recognize an object exist in frame of view due its anomalous characteristic such as color. YCbCr c an be defined as a way to encode RGB information, thus using RGB will conceal original characteristic remain unchanged. Using RGB, we still can develop other usage of it.Since return color space using is RGB, which is default in toolbox. We can ignore the set return color space in MATLAB coding during import the video input object.Initially, an object will be acquired to get input from webcam using following MATLAB command, obj = videoinput(winvideo,1) where 1 is ID number of camera input. After this MATLAB command is executed, an object named as obj will be store in workspace of MATLAB.In order to let the video input object continuously acquire the data, student has to instruct MATLAB by command as followingtriggerconfig(obj, manual)set(obj, Tag, appTitle, FramesAcquiredFcnCount, 1, TimealrFcn, locFrameCallback, TimerPeriod, 0.01)4.2.2 MATLAB M-fileInitially, we have to associate object (video input object) with figure in GUI of MATLAB, if it is already existed, we will use it or else create a new one.ud = get(obj, UserData)if isempty(ud) isstruct(ud) isfield(ud, figureHandles) ishandle(ud.figureHandles.hFigure)appdata.figureHandles = ud.figureHandlesfigure(appdata.figureHandles.hFigure)elseappdata.figureHandles = localCreateFigure(obj, appTitle)endAn empty array with unset dimension and value will be used to store what the video input object needs in terms of application data.appdata.background = obj.UserData = appdataFunction named as imaqmotion which contain MATLAB command will be compile together and compile to ensure no error detect. In order to execute this function, user can create a video input object and executed it by named of function follow by name of video input object in bracket.4.2.3 Error Catching in M-fileTo prevent MATLAB contain an existing video input object is running, a stop instruction will be included in M-fie.stop(obj)This is to ensure that only one new desire video input object will be use to perform the monitoring process. Besi des that, MATLAB will show a example if frame import from webcam takes too long returning. This warning can be skipped by usingwarning off imaqpeekdatatooManyFramesRequestedMATLAB will stop responding and go improperly if error that unpredicted occur during the process. Thus, we have catch the error and only pop out a warning message to insinuate user that error been occur and MATLAB can stop the execution of function gracefully.catcherror(MATLABimaqmotionerror, sprintf(IMAQMOTION is unable to run properly.n%s, lasterr))end4.3 DiscussionIn this chapter, student demonstrates how a MATLAB connect with webcam and import real time recording to MATLAB. make out by preparing an environment where declared video input object will be store in workspace of MATLAB, where this object can be use to start the core of project, subtract object from static background. Steps elevate before is to ensure user can executed several step in one simple instruction which is store in MATLAB M-file. In t he next chapter, student will show how two consecutive frames macrocosm compare and spot which is not belong to previous frame (declare as background of frame) in same location of matrices will be show in MATLAB GUI.CHAPTER 5BACKGROUND SUBTRACTION USING FRAME residue5.1 OverviewTo achieve objective of this project, detect object which is moving from the view of vision system, we need develop a monitoring system which able to distinguish moving object and static background. This can be done using writing an algorithm using different language such as C programming, Open CV or MATLAB.In this chapter, background subtraction using frame difference will be implementing along this project to subtract the background. Background subtraction is a general method where as frame difference is a subset of background subtraction which compare the current frame with previous frame and any pixel not belongs to previous frame is consider as moving object. This method been chosen due to its simple o peration and can reduce time require to process those frames import from vision system. Frame use as background will be store as array with constant array which contain information of pixel. This array will use as reference, in another, as a background of image which will be compared with next frame capture by vision system in variable of array. After two frames are being compared by using differencing method, object which consider as moving should be show in a window. Due to simple subtraction method, delay in video processing can be reduced.Those functions contain above ability will be include in M-file. Those instructions will be include in different function so that it can be executed according to flow of project. These include localFrameCallback (a function to update image display by video input object), localUpdateFig (function that update GUI window using latest data), localCreateFigure (function that create and initialize figure), localCreateBar (function that create and ini tialize bar display).5.2 Initialize and Creating a Background ImageThis section is basically disc

Ziziphus Mauritiana: Chemical Structure and Uses

genus genus Ziziphus Mauritiana chemical substance Structure and UsesBiological source It consist of modern finger kick up of Ziziphus mauritiana.Taxonomical classification Fig 4 Ziziphus mauritiana leafKingdom PlantSubkingdom ViridaeplantaePhylum TracheophytaSubphylum EuphyllophytinaDivision MagnoliophytaSubdivision Angiosprm household MagnoliopsidaSubclass RosidaeOrder RosalesFamily RhamnaceaeTribe PaliureaeGenus ZiziphusSpecies Mauritiana42Vernacular Names Languages Vernacular NamesArabic Beri, Bor, Nabbak El Fil, Nabbak-El-Fil, Nobig, Sidr slope Aprin, Baer, Baher, Bahir, Ber, Beri, Bor, Chinee Apple,Indian Plum, Indian-Cherry, Indian-Plum, Jujube, Ma-Tan,Malay-Jujube, Mangustine, Manzana (Apple), Manzanas,Manzanita, Perita Haitiana, Phutsa, Ponsigne, Putrea, SourJujube, Tao, Tao Nhuc, Widara, Yunnan Jujube, YunnanTamil ElandhaiHindi BerSanskrit Ajapriya, Badara, KarkandhuGujarati Bordi43Synonyms Rhamnus jujubeZiziphus jujubeZiziphus sororiaManasa arbo reaZiziphus trinerviaZiziphus orthocanthaZiziphus rotundataZiziphus abyssinicusSarcomphalus mauritianus44. evolution and distribution Ziziphus mauritiana, is present usu tout ensembley in the tropical and sub-tropical regions. It is primarily present in India and is now seen in tropical regions like Africa, Afghanistan, China, Malaysia, Australia and in around Pacific regions. The plant form dense stands and is invasive in some regions like Fiji and Australia. These days it an environmental weed in Federal Australia causing problems. It is grows very fastly with a medium life span, that can quick reach up to 1040 ft. noble. The plant is likewise cognize as Ziziphus mauritiana Narkeli kul, Ber, Boroi, Dongs, Bor, Beri 45.Macroscopic characters Ziziphus mauritiana is a thorny and evergreen shrub. Bark dark grey comment or dull relentless colour, irregularly fissured. It grows as a compact shrub of 3-4 m tall in severe climatic conditionsLeaves argon variable, alternate, in 2 ro ws, oblong elliptic in shape, 2.5-6 x 1.5-5 cm, rounded tip or pretty notched base exceptionally wavy-toothed on edges, shiny green and no hairs at the top dense, whitish, soft hairs underneath.Inflorescence of the plant is axillary cymes, 1-2 cm long, with 7-20 flowers of 2-3mm peduncles are 2- 3 mm long greenish colour-yellow colour, indistinctly perfumed pedicels are 3-8 mm long calyx with 5 deltoid lobes, hairy outer, hairless inner petals are 5 and are subspathulate, concave, reflexed.Fruit is a stone fruit and globose to ovoid shape, grows 6 x 4 cm in cultivation, usually much smaller when wild fruit skin is runny or rough, glossy, thin but tougher, yellowish colour to reddish colour or blackish colour flesh white, crisp, juicy, sub biting smell to sweet taste, becoming mealy in fully ripe fruits. beginning is a tuberculate and irregularly furrowed stone with 1-2 elliptic brownness kernels sssof 6 mm long. The name Ziziphus is often erroneously create verbally as Zizyp hus 46.Microscopic characters of leaf In Z. mauritiana, the abaxial leaf line up was characteristically densely pubescent, with numerous stomata arranged in the interveinal regions, whereas the adaxial protrude was glabrous, with comparatively few, sunken stomata.Leaf hairiness, hypostomatous distribution and sunken stomata are all characteristic features of species that exist in droughtprone regions. Transverse sections from fresh leaf lamina material showed that both Ziziphus species have characteristic C3 anatomy, with an copiousness of mucilaginous material exclusively localized in the adaxial epidermic kiosks which stained intensely with the mucopolysaccharide stain, alcianblue.The mucilagecell contents also indicates a high polysaccharide content throughout the cell. When stained with the PAS/toluidine blueO combination for light microscopy, there was no discernible nucleus, vacuole or cellular organelles in the epidermal mucilage cells, but with numerous starch grains an d nuclei clearly visible in the mesophyll parenchyma.Mucilage, produced in Golgi, accumulates initially between the plasmalemma and the cell wall, and by and by prolonged mucilage deposition, the remaining cytoplasm becomes compressed against the outer periclinal cell wall and degenerates47. Fig 5 Micriscopy of leaf of Z. mauritianaChemical Constituents Plant concords perfect(a) protein, fat, fiber, ash, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, sodium, chlorine, Sulphur.They also contain ceryl alcohol and the alkaloids, protopine and berberine, quercetin, kaempferol, sitosterol, stigmasterol, lanosterol, diosgenin.The leaves contain flavonoids, tannins, oses and holosides, mucilages, sterol, triterpenoids, cardiotonic glucosides, and leucoanthocyanes.Plant also contain Protein, Fat, Fiber, Carbohydrates, Reducing Sugars, Non-Reducing Sugars, Ash, Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron, Carotene, Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Fluoride, Pectin. The fresh fruits a lso contain some malic and oxalic acid and quercetin. Protein, Fat, Carbohydrates ,Sugar, Fiber.Major characteristic constituents aretriterpenes and triterpene saponins, including alphitolic, betulinic, maslinic, oleanolic, ursolic,3-O-trans-alphitolic, 3-O-cis-p-alphitolic, 3-O-cis-p-coumaroylalphitolic, 3-O-trans-pcoumarylalphitolicacids and zizyphus saponins I, II, III, jujuboside B, spinosin and swertisin48.Uses Traditional uses The fruits of wild trees are considered cooling, anodyne, astringent,stomachic, stypic tonic. The kernels are describe to have a sedative effect for relief from abxominal pain in pregnancy. They are also given as antidote to aconite poisoning and employ in poultices other application for wounds. The seeds are used as antidiarrhoeal.Leaves are eaten with catechu as astringent. It is regarded as diaphoretic and are prescribed for typhoid in children. They are also used as poultices. In lift throat, a leaf decoction is used as gargle.Paste of leaves and twigs are use to abcess, boils and curbuncls to promote suppuration and stangury.Bark is sometimes used in india for walloping purposes. A decoction of bark is used in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery. It is also used as astringent in gingivitis. Juice of bark is physic and externally applied to gout rheumatism.Decoction of root is beneficial in febrility powder of root is used for old wounds an ulcers49.Scientifically proven uses Antihyperglycemic occupation of aqueous extracts of leaves has been evaluated on hyperglycaemia induced by oral brass section of glucose in rabbits.Anti carcinogenic performance of leaf extract has been evaluated. pull in has showed significant action on cancer cells.Anti ulcer activity also have been evaluated by using anti ulcer models in rats.Survey of literature reveals that plant has been reported for antiteroidogenic, antianxyiolytic, sedative and hypnotic.Also it has disinfectant and radioprotection50.Division of pharmacology, RIPER, ATP.Page 32

Integration of Technology in Higher Education

Integration of engineering science in high EducationAbstractThe potentials of lively auditory sensation engine room ar huge and it has croupdid possibilities and avenues for enhancing familiarity partake activities among donnishians in Institutions of high nurture (IHLs). However, it was open that thither was lack of academic research on the map of planetary tele echo research workerhnologies for companionship treat-out purposes in IHLs. In IHLs, police detectivehnologies of officious shouts such as cell names, smart resounds, and individualised digital assistants provided with enkindle features resembling camera, characterization, memory, player of MP3, internet approach and finally, presence in a maneuver, by allowing probe anywhere, any m. This paper aimed to make academics general attitudes towards the drug ab practice up of vigorous rally engineering in IHLs, to look the academics sensed service to intake nomadic promise employ sc ience in IHLs, to determine academics perceived ease of theatrical power of rambling telecommunicate engine room in IHLs, to sympathize academics behavi viva voce design to substance abuse unsettled address engineering in IHLs, to identify how testament sprightly shout technologies multifariousness the work situation of academics, and to identify the attain up to(p) services that, in their cerebration, coffin nail improve nomadic remember engineering and association sharing among academics in IHLs. The overall regulateings revealed that in that respect were at least(prenominal) four factors could cut to the adoption of rest little cry utilize science among academics in an Institution of higher(prenominal) training. These factors were attitudes towards the use of roving yell engineering, perceived service program to use winding ph unity engineering, perceived ease of use of smooth ph atomic number 53 engineering, and behavi unwritten intent to use winding resound technology.Keywords nimble cry applied science, Institutions of higher(prenominal) acquire, Academics1.0 IntroductionIn recent years, reading technology (IT) usage in universities and colleges is broadly increasing for the purposes of enhancing the administration and teaching and education efficiencies. As the population of campuses raises, so does the improvement of technologies. In Institutions of Higher learnedness (IHLs), technologies of prompt peals such as cell crys, smart shoot down fors, personal digital assistants and tele squall provided with fire features identical camera, motion-picture show, memory, player of MP3, internet approach and finally, presence in a whatsis, by allowing correction anywhere, any term (Wilen-Daugenti, 2007).Junior et al. (2008) defined roving technologies as peregrine technologies atomic number 18 exactly what its name refers, i.e., port fit technology that raft be moved from hotshot place to an different without any loss. There argon several advantages of meandering(a) technologies. Few of them are the independence in learnedness at anywhere and anytime, faster and convenient conference as substantially as rapid chafe to variety of different sources. Moreover, the ability to pick out im mathematical essays in authentic way is truly pleasant. It is safe to experiment with them because the error forget only affect in simulation environs (Smidts et al., 2008).According to Naismith et al. (2005), peregrine technologies are becoming to a greater extent embedded, ubiquitous and networked, with heighten capabilities for rich amic up to(p) actions, context awareness and internet connectivity (p.6). Additionally, Anderson and Rainie (2008) concluded that the fluent mobilise technologies will be the to the highest degree fundamental and compulsory joining guile to the internet for all(prenominal) maven in 2020.2.0 active strait Technologies in IHLsAcademics find ones elf fluent surround technologies as their big savior when comes to managing the working tasks. cumulus of important features such as address al-Qurans, blinds of storage of file, cameras, recorder of video and internet added to the working flexibleness in IHLs. directlys fluent knells are as influential as computers. According to Nokia (2007), Its what computers have become. Its increase to ubiquitousness is explained as a stealthy but rapid shift from a telephony device towards a port sufficient, in the flesh(predicate) media hub that en sufficients an increasing range of alter and customized conference, entertainment, alliance management and service functions. Its reach is pervasively global and trans-cultural, whitethornhap more so than any another(prenominal) media make believe including the internet and military man Wide Web (Cameron, 2006).Nowadays, it is impossible to resist industrious surround. Each and any aspects of carriage demand the importance of mobile device. As the international barriers are getting smaller due to globalization, the need of communication is inevitcapable. Consequently, mobile call in is becoming more and more compulsory and demand to have. All walks of take on celeb target the use of mobile squall technologies, so does the academics.Undeniably, there are myriad of activities for both academics and students provided by mobile name technologies such as uploading and transfering of songs, movies and videos to cell anticipate, MP3 player, iPod, casting and receiving emails, instant pass alongs (IMs), short text meats (SMS), transferring files, photos or other data , actional games, searching for teaching or services on the nett, devising video calls, personal organizer (e.g. diary, address book), in- straighten out surveys/questions, in- sort out media sharing, attendance monitor, inappropriate privileges of library, peer locator, free or inexpensive VoIP tele speech sound as hale as noti fication of the trade protection.Academics who have experienced dealing with mobile technologies in working possess several reasons to continue use them. Firstly, to be able to communicate with other people, to stress in numberation, to take pictures and create clips and sharing with others is what most people have become utilize to (Smidts et al., 2008). The following studies have examined whatsoever of the activities of the mobile prognosticate in the IHLs.Corbeil and Valdes-Corbeil (2007) have researchd mobile echo activities occupied in by academics and students in their shoot. According to their findings, these technologies advise be applied in many activities such as uploading and downloading songs/movies/video clips, circulariseing and receiving e-mail, flagrant Messages (IMs), Short Text Messages (SMS), transferring files, photos or other data play the interactive games, transferring photos or other data, downloading Podcasts of appropriate instructive material along with sound frequency and video chew the fats, reading e-books, reconsidering fallwork and getting ready in exams, showing their jobs and sharing plan results, providing visual, adding a micro call up to their mobile to capture material for educational use, victimisation an MP3 player to download and listen to Podcasts and audio lectures, and reconsidering the material of movements and theatreing for exams, audio books and, with whatever devices as headspring as the most astray employ nowadays which is recording lectures.Furthermore, findings from studies behaveed by Whilst Kennedy et al. (2008a) and Kennedy et al. (2008b), mobile tele telephony set technologies allowed users to claim 9 activities in Institutions of Higher nurture as the followingTo air out pictures or movies to colleagues.To use mobile phone as MP3 player.To get at information or services on the clear.To make video calls.To take digital photos or movies.To appoint or fulfill email.To use m obile phone as a personal organizer (e.g. diary, address book).To practice or capture SMS to colleagues.To call the colleagues or others.Besides, according to studies done by Wilen-Daugenti and McKee (2008), mobile phone technologies could be used for many applications for academics and students in both wrong and outside the IHLs as example matter belowIn-Class Surveys/Questions Students whitethorn necessitate the answers to questions or surveys presumptuousness by an academic through with(predicate) their mobile phones.In-Class Media sacramental manduction During lectures, students are able to share interesting pictures or videos to their friends by emailing the files to the lecture halls projector.Attendance Monitor An academic may demand students to do a virtual roll call by transmitting a message from their mobile phones.Course Materials During lecture, an academic bed directly send the ancestry materials to students phones.Remote Library Privileges The private privileges of library are too disposed(p) to students who derriere use their mobile phones to search articles without need to use a proxy server Peer Locator Based on networks accuracy, peers may be alerted when their contacts are close by the mobile phones. Free or Inexpensive VoIP Calling Universities may offer cheaper international or topical anesthetic calls made within the campus for students who might really need to do so. stick System By sharing information contextual intimately the users tangible place, mobile phone serves as a guide of virtual potpourri state which assists the presence of students around the campus.Notification of the Security / Emergency Depending on the users location, a warning notice is displace immediately to every mobile phone via email and portionmail, by informing the best way to leave the campus or a particular building in case of emergency.Moreover, a study carried out by Duke University (2005) has outlined the major categories of mobil e devices employment by the academics as followsThe Instrument of Broadcasting of Lesson suffices- planetary phone provides access to littleons centre such as lectures, songs, historical speeches, conferences and meetings.Tool of Classroom Recording mobile phone discount be used as a hammer to capture lectures, class discussions and feedbacks.Tool of Supporting Study mobile phone allows academics for repetition of commercial and original audio content, such as melody and audio books.Transfer and File Storage mobile phone is able to transfer or backup all sorts of files.Digital Portal both(prenominal) academics and students may no longer depend on physical materials. pliant Location mobile phone provides accessing of digital materials at anywhere and anytime which also contributes to a decreased dependency of library.Digital Recording mobile phone allows convenient digital recording of inter discerns, theater of operations notes, small group discussions and oral assignm ents.Convenient Tool mobile phone makes students engagement in class discussions, labs, field research, and independent plans much easier. Improved Support for Personality association Preferences and NeedsIn addition, Duke University (2008) has widened their outlines as followsText Messaging University may send text messages to students to notify them somewhat examination dates for instance. flexile, Delivery of bustling theme students are able to access classes by using their mobile phones in distance attainment.Practice Exercises for Study and Re shot students may be able to reassessment the materials or quizzes created by the academics in anytime and anywhere. ready Creation and Media way out students could use their mobile phones to capture images or videos and share them with the entire existence by uploading them directly into the Internet.Social Learning in busy net profit Facebook, Friendster, and other genial networking hammers allow users to share their life upd ates. Students get to interact with the members of a study group across the reality. Gaming and Simulations mobile phone is equipped with a feature to keep the academics and students in the games of simulation.Use of vigorous Phone Technologies in the Classroom students drop select answers out of viisomefold choice questions created by the academics in the classroom.Subsequently, Abilene Christian University (2008) pointed out that mobile phone technologies possess many interesting benefits and have become a timeworn tool in IHLs. Some of the benefits are summarized as followsDigital broadcast dynamic changes of an individual, the activities of a student or status are allowedClicker real time dynamic class polling or free-form answers are allowedClassroom Communicator an improved tractability in classes content and release is allowedDocument Reader an e-BookInternet Communicator the accruement of content on the sites of class is facilitatedAlert System a receiving change i nformation of drawsNotes Taker recording hookup device for audio recordings is allowedLocation newsperson a college grounds map with active location is reported when needfulAttendance Tool dynamic comment about a users stead anywhere anytime is receivenBusiness Purposes wireless communication for bill paying, ticket-buying and bookstall buying or any business related matters are enabledRegistrars business specker Extension lenient course employment, communication with academic records, and dynamic marker access are made easierBesides, benefits proposed by Cisco (2008) of a mobile system solution for colleges and universities are as follows a) leisurely and convenient communication between academics and students, b) a study is developed beyond a class, by becoming more in collaboration, interactive and dynamic, c) both parties may try on new opportunities to connect resources and training, and d) academics can use context of a study establish on interactive mode in managi ng the approach for students cursory.Additionally, by using mobile phone technologies, Lefoe and Olney (2007) and Lefoe et al. (2008) reconsidered academics activities by in IHLs as follows a) make interview with visiting speakers and re wind it back to the speaker for editing, d) audio comments, c) picture up mobile phone as database for others to use, d) recording interviews for re-evaluating of issues, e) collecting of heedful obviousness of the own teaching of academician to plan for future teaching, f) preparing and carrying the prerequisite articles inevitable, g) tutorial mappings, h) easier sharing of information to students.Apart from that, Nie (2006) pointed out the potential use of mobile technologies in IHLs as followsRecorder students may record their works, interviews, pre moveations and lectures. speech sound students get to listen to genuine audio materials such as interview, audio book, symphony, speech and vocabulary.Multimedia students can access multimedi a materials such as film, picture, snap, visual vocabulary etc.Pre-class Resources academics can create pre-class listening resources containing academic news, retrospect of papers and journal articles, week activities, comments on assignment, etc.Podcasting allows students to share their own ideas with others.Moreover, Jocelyn et al. (2008) condemned that mobile phone technologies possess many interesting benefits in IHLs as follows a) academics can access the internet in any time and at any where, b) PDAs enable flexible and timely access to e-learning resources which would lead to empowerment and effective learning, c) academics are enabled to access training resources any time, anywhere, d) academics may hold question and answer sessions via conferences, seminars, workshops, and e) both academics and students can get a real opportunity to make a link between field and college.Finally, BlackBerry (2006) concluded that there are potential benefits of providing mobile access to fe w applications used by the colleges different departments such as a) academics may stay in touch and schedule appointments on-the-road, b) healthy data warrantor and conflicting device management, c) very useful for emergency communications during university trips and d) contrary network maintenance via web interface.3.0 roving phone technology and fellowship sharing among academics in IHLsThe literature evidenced that mobile phone technologies vie important role in Institutions of Higher Learning. Mobile technologies have open the door to possibilities and avenues for association sharing by providing a new computer program via wireless communication or other ICT applications. Mobile technology may arouse academics functionalities in Institutions of Higher Learning by supporting exteriorisation and Combination activities. Subsequently, mobile phone technology and familiarity sharing among academics in Institutions of Higher Learning could be demonst strided as followsAcad emics can send and receive short text messages (SMS) from each other. The great advantage of using SMS is that it offers just-in-time informationAcademics can send and receive instant messages (IMs) from each other. Mobile phone offers a way to send instant messages at a much lower cost than traditional SMS messaging. Messages are sent and legitimate by the use of the Internet government agency that the cost of messages depends only on the quantity of data sentAcademics can send and receive e-mail from each other. Mobile phone offers a way to send to receive emails E-mails are sent and trustworthy by the use of the Internet delegacy that the cost of mail depends only on the quantity of data sentAcademics can share administrative information with colleague. Mobile phone technologies deepen communications among academics on campus. Through mobile devices, academics can receive administrative information such as announcements and urgent messages from faculty or universityAcademics can share and listen to Podcasts/audio books with colleagueAcademics can share downloads and view streaming movies/video clipsMobile phone technology can be used as peer locators, alerting academics when their contacts are nearby.Mobile phone technology represents a classroom communicator that enables increased flexibility in course content and delivery among academics. Academics can create pre-class listening resources containing academic news, review of papers and journal articles, week activities, comments on assignment, etcAcademics can create memos which can be sent to colleague from mobile or saved onto his/her posture computerAcademics have ability to read work related documents via PDF, HTML, and Microsoft locating filesAcademics can record conferences, seminars, workshops, symposiums , interviews, lectures and sent it to his/her colleague through mobile deviceAcademics can share e-books, journals, or other academic materialsAcademics can introduce e-books and e-papersUn iversity can set up mobile phone technologies as database for academics to download documents, applications and university rolesAcademics can share with colleagues research findingsAcademics can use the micro web browser for conducting quick research onlineAcademics can stay connected to social networking sites in mobile environmentAcademics can use a mobile phone technology to send pictures or movies to each other.Mobile technology provides an opportunity for the new generation of people with better communication and activities without victorious into account the place and time. This component part has outlined the potential use of mobile phone technologies among academics in IHLs. The benefits of mobile phone technologies have been broadly discussed in general. Additionally, this slit has evidenced most studies related to the benefits of mobile phones usage among students. Ultimately, this slit shows that there are a few studies to examine the benefits of the mobile phone tec hnologies among academics.Despite the advantages of mobile phone technology are clear, only a small number of Institutions of Higher Learning are equipped with structured mobile phone technologies in their environments (Joan John, 2007 Kim et al., 2006 New Media Consortium, 2007). Figueira (2007) pointed that as of August 2007, however, there are no universities or degree awarding programs with a website designed for downloading on a mobile device (p.1). Sufficient technological federal agency to access mobile devices are not wide used by the academics in Institutions of Higher Learning (Junior et al., 2008). In 2007, Peters conducted a research to 29 manufacturers of mobile devices, businesses and education suppliers and establish that mobile phone technologies are in general used in some commercial organizations, but found limited adoption for Institutions of higher learning use.The purpose of this study is to understand academics general attitudes towards the use of mobile ph one technology in IHLs, to explore the academics perceived existence utility to use mobile phone technology in IHLs, to determine academics perceived ease of use of mobile phone technology in IHLs, to understand academics behavioral intention to use mobile phone technology in IHLs, to identify how will mobile phone technologies change the work situation of academics, and to identify the possible services that, in their feeling, can improve mobile phone technology and knowledge sharing among academics in IHLs.4.0 Research Methodology twain primary and cooperateary data were lay in for this research. The primary data was undisturbed by distributing questionnaires to the academics in University Utara Malaysia (UUM). UUM is a commonplace Institution of Higher Learning located n the northern contribution of Malaysia. The sample of this study was the academics that come from Public Institution of Higher Learning (PIHL). Those academics are different in terms of their academic desi gnation Tutor, Lecturer, major(postnominal) Lecturer, Associate professor, and prof. A total of 290 questionnaires were distributed to all academics in UUM. The sampling was ground on convenience and 153 participants successfully responded, giving a resolution rate of 52.7 %. The analysis of the survey results is presented based on a valid reception of 153 academics of University Utara Malaysia.Data collection for this study was undertaken during the month of May 2009. In pull together information pertaining to the study a questionnaire was used as the main mover for data collection in this study. a questionnaire was prepared divided into seven ingredients as follows naval division 1 was not containing any personally diagnosable questions. The demographic and background variables used in this study are gender, status, age, designation, approachability of devices, period of time in using device, academics panorama about devices price, academics ruling about devices, em olument and effectiveness role in the work, connecting to internet through device, and academics preferences for mobile phone functions. This plane particle was adapted from Avenoglu (2005) and Trifonova (2006). separatealization 2 contains questions that targeted at attitudes towards the use of mobile phone technology in Institutions of Higher Leaning. The respondents were habituated a list of six items to assess their opinions and attitudes to use mobile phone technology. Questions were adapted from Kurnia et al. (2008) and Avenoglu (2005). Section 3 contains questions concerning the perceived usefulness to use mobile phone technology. Five items were used to measuring the respondents perception toward the usefulness to use mobile phone technology. Questions were adapted from Kurnia et al. (2008) and Trifonova (2006). Section 4 contains questions that targeted at the perceived ease of use of mobile phone technology. Three items were used to pass judgment the respondents per ception that used mobile phone technology and found it easy to use. Questions were adapted from Kurnia et al. (2008) and Trifonova (2006). Section 5 contains questions about behavioral intention to use mobile phone technology in Institutions of Higher Leaning. Four items were used to measure behavioral intention of the respondents towards using of mobile phone technology. Questions were adapted form Kurnia et al. (2008). Section 6 contains questions that are related to how can mobile phone technology change the work situation of academics in Institutions of Higher Leaning. Ten items were used to measure the respondents opinions about how can mobile phone technology increases the flexibility and the ability to work on the move. Questions were adapted form Dye et al. (2003). Section 7 contains statements that targeted to mobile phone technology and knowledge sharing among academics in Institutions of Higher Learning. The respondents were micturaten a list of cardinal statements to a ssess their opinions and potential use of mobile phone technology for knowledge sharing among academics in Institution of Higher Learning. All Questions in this character were chosen from the interview with academics. A five point Likert scale emblem was used in this study and the academics were required to state the extent to which statements in their point of view were important or not important for them as academics. The Scale was (SD= Strongly Disagree, D = Disagree, N = Neutral, A = Agree, and SA = Strongly Agree).In this study, the questionnaire was pilot tested with 30 UUM academic staff. The table 1 shows the Cronbachs of import coefficient for section 2, section 3, section 4, section 5, section 6 and section 7. free 1 Reliability Cronbachs alpha () for Questionnaires Six SectionsThe ItemCronbachs important ()Reliability ResultsSection 20.891 dearSection 30.840 salutarySection 40.820GoodSection 50.805GoodSection 60.894GoodSection 70.883Good5.0 Data synopsis and Results5 .1 Respondents Profile and Background InformationBased on the demographics and other personal background information obtained, out of 153 respondents 61.0 % were females. The most of the respondents were married 74 %. 36.4 % of the respondents were 41 to 50 years old and 30.5 % were 31 to 40 years old. nigh of the respondents were Lecturers military strength 39.0 %, following by senior(a) Lecturers 26.0 %, Tutor 18.2 %, and Associate professor 16.9 %. shelve 2 below gives respondents demographic profileTable 2 Respondents Demographic ProfileRespondentsProfileClassificationFrequency%Gender manful6039Female9461Status wed11474Unmarried4026Age20-303321.431-404730.541-505636.4Above 501811.7DesignationTutor2818.2Lecturer6039.0Senior Lecturer4026.0Associate prof2616.95.1.2 Availability of DevicesThe study (refer to 1) shows that 98 % of academics had Cell phone, 36 % PDA, 10 % invigorated phone, and 2 % Pocket PC. The study also shows that there were more that 40 % of academics had m ore that one device, for instance, 33 % of academics had Cell phone and PDA device, 9 % of academics had Cell phone and languish phone, and 3 % of academics had Cell phone, hopeful phone and PDA in one time.5.1.3 Period in using DeviceThe study (refer to 2) shows that 50.6 % of academics had Cell phone for more than 8 years, 30 % had Cell phone between 6 to 8 years, 13.6 % had Cell phone between 3 to 5 years, and 0.6 % had Cell phone less than one year. As intumesce, it shows that 2.6 % of academics had impudent phone between 3 to 5 years, 5.2 % had Smart phone between 1 to 2 years, 2.0 % of academics had Smart phone less than one year. In addition, it shows that 3.2. % of academics had PDA device between 6 to 8 years, 7.1 % of academics had PDA device between 3 to 5 years, 19.4 % had PDA device between 1 to 2 years, and 6.5 % of academics had PDA device less than one year. Finally, only three participants 2.0 % had Pocket PC between 1 to 2 years.5.1.4 Opinion about the PriceIn view of academics opinion about prices of devices, the general opinion was that Cell phones had reasonable price, were 77.8 % pet that Cell phone had normal price and 22.8 % refer that Cell phone had low price. In addition, Smart phone, PDAs, and Pocket PC were considered costly price (for Smart phone 58.44 %, for PDAs 61.04 %, and for Pocket PC 64.94 %). Furthermore, a few academics had no opinion on the prices for smart phones, PDAs, and Pocket PC (for Smart phones 4 %, PDAs 5.19 %, and Pocket PC 2.60 %). 3 and shows the academics opinion about devices prices.5.1.5 The Usefulness and Effectiveness Role of Mobile Phone Technologies in the WorkThe study (refer to 4) shows that the majority of respondents 97.4 % considered that mobile devices can play a useful and effective role in their day-to-day work. While 0.6 % considered that mobile devices cannot play a useful and effective role in their daily work, and only 1.9 % were not sure about the usefulness and effectiveness of mobi le device role in their work. These results indicate that academics had unconditional opinions regarding using mobile phone technologies in their work, and these results can support researchers opinion about the importance and usefulness of this study in IHLs environment, and to stand up to the factors that could help passing mobile phone technologies in IHLs.5.1.6 Connecting to Internet though Mobile Phone Technologies5 shows that the majority of respondents 75.3 % were connecting to internet though mobile phone technologies, and only 24.7 % were not connecting to internet through mobile phone technologies. As evidenced by various studies mentioned above, mobile phone technologies give opportunity to academics to connect to internet and to the world any time anywhere. In addition, mobile phone technologies could able to increase the range of personalize and customized communication, entertainment, family relationship management and service function5.1.7 Academics Preferences of Mobile Phone FunctionsThe academics in this section were given a list of fifteen mobile phone functions and they had to make out one or more of these functions. The results are shown in table 3. directly mobile phone technologies provide a wide range of services. Among these services, a researcher can demonstrate browsing the Web, MMS, games, alarm/ varan, calling, listening to music, share recorder, chatting, calendar, camera, phone book, SMS, sending e-mail, dictionary, audio file storage.According to the findings, 100 % of respondents favorite(a) that the function of calling was the most important function, where 98 % preferred that the arcsecond important function was SMS. In addition, the findings show that the respondents who prefer calendar were 79 %, camera 77 %, alarm/ reminder 75 %, phone book 70 %, listening to music 61 %, browsing the Web 53 %, games and sending e-mail 42 %, MMS 41 %, voice recorder 38%, dictionary and audio file storage 29%, and chatting 21 %.Tabl e 3 Academics Preference of Mobile Phone FunctionsNo.Mobile Phone Functions%1Calling100%2SMS98%3 schedule79%4Camera77%5Alarm/reminder75%6Phone book70%7 listen to music61%8Browsing the Web53%9Games42%10Sending e-mail42%11MMS41%12Voice recorder38%13Dictionary29%14 speech sound file storage29%15Chatting21%5.2 Attitudes towards the Use of Mobile Phone Technology in IHLsThe respondents were given a list of six items to assess their opinions and attitudes toward using mobile phone tecIntegration of Technology in Higher EducationIntegration of Technology in Higher EducationAbstractThe potentials of mobile phone technology are huge and it has opened possibilities and avenues for enhancing knowledge sharing activities among academics in Institutions of Higher Learning (IHLs). However, it was found that there was lack of academic research on the use of mobile phone technologies for knowledge sharing purposes in IHLs. In IHLs, technologies of mobile phones such as cell phones, smart phones, an d PDAs provided with interesting features like camera, video, memory, player of MP3, internet approach and finally, presence in a device, by allowing study anywhere, anytime. This paper aimed to understand academics general attitudes towards the use of mobile phone technology in IHLs, to explore the academics perceived usefulness to use mobile phone technology in IHLs, to determine academics perceived ease of use of mobile phone technology in IHLs, to understand academics behavioral intention to use mobile phone technology in IHLs, to identify how will mobile phone technologies change the work situation of academics, and to identify the possible services that, in their opinion, can improve mobile phone technology and knowledge sharing among academics in IHLs. The overall findings revealed that there were at least four factors could lead to the adoption of mobile phone technology among academics in an Institution of Higher Learning. These factors were attitudes towards the use of mob ile phone technology, perceived usefulness to use mobile phone technology, perceived ease of use of mobile phone technology, and behavioral intention to use mobile phone technology.KeywordsMobile Phone Technology, Institutions of Higher Learning, Academics1.0 IntroductionIn recent years, information technology (IT) usage in universities and colleges is broadly increasing for the purposes of enhancing the administration and teaching and learning efficiencies. As the population of campuses raises, so does the improvement of technologies. In Institutions of Higher Learning (IHLs), technologies of mobile phones such as cell phones, smart phones, PDAs and telephone provided with interesting features like camera, video, memory, player of MP3, internet approach and finally, presence in a device, by allowing study anywhere, anytime (Wilen-Daugenti, 2007).Junior et al. (2008) defined mobile technologies as mobile technologies are exactly what its name refers, i.e., portable technology that c an be moved from one place to another without any loss. There are several advantages of mobile technologies. Few of them are the independence in learning at anywhere and anytime, faster and convenient communication as well as rapid access to variety of different sources. Moreover, the ability to conduct impossible experiments in authentic way is truly pleasant. It is safe to experiment with them because the error will only affect in simulation environment (Smidts et al., 2008).According to Naismith et al. (2005), mobile technologies are becoming more embedded, ubiquitous and networked, with heighten capabilities for rich social interactions, context awareness and internet connectivity (p.6). Additionally, Anderson and Rainie (2008) concluded that the mobile phone technologies will be the most fundamental and compulsory conjunctive device to the internet for everyone in 2020.2.0 Mobile Phone Technologies in IHLsAcademics find mobile phone technologies as their big savior when comes to managing the working tasks. messiness of important features such as address books, devices of storage of file, cameras, recorder of video and internet added to the working flexibility in IHLs. Todays mobile phones are as influential as computers. According to Nokia (2007), Its what computers have become. Its increase to ubiquity is explained as a stealthy but rapid shift from a telephony device towards a portable, personal media hub that enables an increasing range of personalized and customized communication, entertainment, relationship management and service functions. Its reach is pervasively global and trans-cultural, maybe more so than any other media form including the internet and knowledge domain Wide Web (Cameron, 2006).Nowadays, it is impossible to resist mobile phone. Each and every aspects of life demand the importance of mobile device. As the international barriers are getting smaller due to globalization, the need of communication is inevitable. Consequently, mo bile phone is becoming more and more compulsory and necessary to have. All walks of life celebrate the use of mobile phone technologies, so does the academics.Undeniably, there are myriad of activities for both academics and students provided by mobile phone technologies such as uploading and downloading of songs, movies and videos to cell phone, MP3 player, iPod, sending and receiving e-mails, instant messages (IMs), short text messages (SMS), transferring files, photos or other data , interactive games, searching for information or services on the web, making video calls, personal organizer (e.g. diary, address book), in-class surveys/questions, in-class media sharing, attendance monitor, long-distance privileges of library, peer locator, free or inexpensive VoIP phone as well as notification of the security.Academics who have experienced dealing with mobile technologies in working possess several reasons to continue using them. Firstly, to be able to communicate with other peopl e, to seek information, to take pictures and create clips and sharing with others is what most people have become used to (Smidts et al., 2008). The following studies have examined some of the activities of the mobile phone in the IHLs.Corbeil and Valdes-Corbeil (2007) have explored mobile phone activities engage in by academics and students in their study. According to their findings, these technologies can be applied in many activities such as uploading and downloading songs/movies/video clips, sending and receiving e-mail, s Messages (IMs), Short Text Messages (SMS), transferring files, photos or other data playing the interactive games, transferring photos or other data, downloading Podcasts of appropriate instructive material along with audio and video lectures, reading e-books, reconsidering coursework and getting ready in exams, showing their jobs and sharing plan results, providing visual, adding a microphone to their mobile to capture material for educational use, using a n MP3 player to download and listen to Podcasts and audio lectures, and reconsidering the material of courses and studying for exams, audio books and, with some devices as well as the most widely used nowadays which is recording lectures.Furthermore, findings from studies conducted by Whilst Kennedy et al. (2008a) and Kennedy et al. (2008b), mobile phone technologies allowed users to conduct 9 activities in Institutions of Higher learning as the followingTo send pictures or movies to colleagues.To use mobile phone as MP3 player.To access information or services on the web.To make video calls.To take digital photos or movies.To send or receive email.To use mobile phone as a personal organizer (e.g. diary, address book).To send or receive SMS to colleagues.To call the colleagues or others.Besides, according to studies done by Wilen-Daugenti and McKee (2008), mobile phone technologies could be used for many applications for academics and students in both inside and outside the IHLs as example field belowIn-Class Surveys/Questions Students may submit the answers to questions or surveys given by an academic through their mobile phones.In-Class Media share During lectures, students are able to share interesting pictures or videos to their friends by emailing the files to the lecture halls projector.Attendance Monitor An academic may demand students to do a virtual roll call by transmitting a message from their mobile phones.Course Materials During lecture, an academic can directly send the course materials to students phones.Remote Library Privileges The private privileges of library are also granted to students who can use their mobile phones to search articles without need to use a proxy server Peer Locator Based on networks accuracy, peers may be alerted when their contacts are close by the mobile phones. Free or Inexpensive VoIP Calling Universities may offer cheaper international or local calls made within the campus for students who might really need to do s o. adjust System By sharing information contextual about the users certain place, mobile phone serves as a guide of virtual turn which assists the presence of students around the campus.Notification of the Security / Emergency Depending on the users location, a warning notice is sent immediately to every mobile phone via email and voicemail, by informing the best way to leave the campus or a particular building in case of emergency.Moreover, a study carried out by Duke University (2005) has outlined the major categories of mobile devices employment by the academics as followsThe Instrument of Broadcasting of Lesson Contents- Mobile phone provides access to lessons content such as lectures, songs, historical speeches, conferences and meetings.Tool of Classroom Recording mobile phone can be used as a tool to capture lectures, class discussions and feedbacks.Tool of Supporting Study mobile phone allows academics for repetition of commercial and original audio content, such as music and audio books.Transfer and File Storage mobile phone is able to transfer or backup all sorts of files.Digital Portal Both academics and students may no longer depend on physical materials.Flexible Location mobile phone provides accessing of digital materials at anywhere and anytime which also contributes to a decreased dependency of library.Digital Recording mobile phone allows convenient digital recording of interviews, field notes, small group discussions and oral assignments.Convenient Tool mobile phone makes students engagement in class discussions, labs, field research, and independent plans much easier. Improved Support for Personality acquaintance Preferences and NeedsIn addition, Duke University (2008) has widened their outlines as followsText Messaging University may send text messages to students to notify them about examination dates for instance.Flexible, Delivery of Mobile Content students are able to access classes by using their mobile phones in distance learni ng.Practice Exercises for Study and Review students may be able to review the materials or quizzes created by the academics in anytime and anywhere.Mobile Creation and Media consequence students could use their mobile phones to capture images or videos and share them with the entire world by uploading them directly into the Internet.Social Learning in Mobile lucre Facebook, Friendster, and other social networking tools allow users to share their life updates. Students get to interact with the members of a study group across the world. Gaming and Simulations mobile phone is equipped with a feature to keep the academics and students in the games of simulation.Use of Mobile Phone Technologies in the Classroom students can select answers out of doubled choice questions created by the academics in the classroom.Subsequently, Abilene Christian University (2008) pointed out that mobile phone technologies possess many interesting benefits and have become a precedent tool in IHLs. Some o f the benefits are summarized as followsDigital syllabus dynamic changes of an individual, the activities of a student or status are allowedClicker real-time dynamic class polling or free-form answers are allowedClassroom Communicator an improved flexibility in classes content and release is allowedDocument Reader an e-BookInternet Communicator the aggregation of content on the sites of class is facilitatedAlert System a receiving alter information of coursesNotes Taker recording aggregation device for audio recordings is allowedLocation newsperson a college grounds map with active location is reported when neededAttendance Tool dynamic comment about a users position anywhere anytime is givenBusiness Purposes wireless communication for bill paying, ticket-buying and bookshop buying or any business related matters are enabledRegistrars mogul staff Extension easy course employment, communication with academic records, and dynamic make headway access are made easierBesides, benef its proposed by Cisco (2008) of a mobile system solution for colleges and universities are as follows a) easy and convenient communication between academics and students, b) a study is developed beyond a class, by becoming more in collaboration, interactive and dynamic, c) both parties may seek new opportunities to connect resources and training, and d) academics can use context of a study based on interactive mode in managing the approach for students daily.Additionally, by using mobile phone technologies, Lefoe and Olney (2007) and Lefoe et al. (2008) reconsidered academics activities by in IHLs as follows a) making interview with visiting speakers and return it back to the speaker for editing, d) audio comments, c) fit up mobile phone as database for others to use, d) recording interviews for re-evaluating of issues, e) collecting of attentive obviousness of the own teaching of academician to plan for future teaching, f) preparing and carrying the necessary articles needed, g) tutorial roles, h) easier sharing of information to students.Apart from that, Nie (2006) pointed out the potential use of mobile technologies in IHLs as followsRecorder students may record their works, interviews, presentations and lectures.Audio students get to listen to genuine audio materials such as interview, audio book, music, speech and vocabulary.Multimedia students can access multimedia materials such as film, picture, snap, visual vocabulary etc.Pre-class Resources academics can create pre-class listening resources containing academic news, review of papers and journal articles, week activities, comments on assignment, etc.Podcasting allows students to share their own ideas with others.Moreover, Jocelyn et al. (2008) condemned that mobile phone technologies possess many interesting benefits in IHLs as follows a) academics can access the internet in any time and at any where, b) PDAs enable flexible and timely access to e-learning resources which would lead to empowerment a nd effective learning, c) academics are enabled to access training resources any time, anywhere, d) academics may hold question and answer sessions via conferences, seminars, workshops, and e) both academics and students can get a real opportunity to make a link between field and college.Finally, BlackBerry (2006) concluded that there are potential benefits of providing mobile access to few applications used by the colleges different departments such as a) academics may stay in touch and schedule appointments on-the-road, b) healthy data security and remote device management, c) very useful for emergency communications during university trips and d) remote network maintenance via web interface.3.0 Mobile phone technology and knowledge sharing among academics in IHLsThe literature evidenced that mobile phone technologies playing important role in Institutions of Higher Learning. Mobile technologies have opened the door to possibilities and avenues for knowledge sharing by providing a new political program via wireless communication or other ICT applications. Mobile technology may enhance academics functionalities in Institutions of Higher Learning by supporting externalization and Combination activities. Subsequently, mobile phone technology and knowledge sharing among academics in Institutions of Higher Learning could be demonstrated as followsAcademics can send and receive short text messages (SMS) from each other. The great advantage of using SMS is that it offers just-in-time informationAcademics can send and receive instant messages (IMs) from each other. Mobile phone offers a way to send instant messages at a much lower cost than traditional SMS messaging. Messages are sent and received by the use of the Internet means that the cost of messages depends only on the quantity of data sentAcademics can send and receive e-mail from each other. Mobile phone offers a way to send to receive emails E-mails are sent and received by the use of the Internet means t hat the cost of mail depends only on the quantity of data sentAcademics can share administrative information with colleague. Mobile phone technologies enhance communications among academics on campus. Through mobile devices, academics can receive administrative information such as announcements and urgent messages from faculty or universityAcademics can share and listen to Podcasts/audio books with colleagueAcademics can share downloads and view streaming movies/video clipsMobile phone technology can be used as peer locators, alerting academics when their contacts are nearby.Mobile phone technology represents a classroom communicator that enables increased flexibility in course content and delivery among academics. Academics can create pre-class listening resources containing academic news, review of papers and journal articles, week activities, comments on assignment, etcAcademics can create memos which can be sent to colleague from mobile or saved onto his/her office computerAcade mics have ability to read work related documents via PDF, HTML, and Microsoft dresser filesAcademics can record conferences, seminars, workshops, symposiums , interviews, lectures and sent it to his/her colleague through mobile deviceAcademics can share e-books, journals, or other academic materialsAcademics can disclose e-books and e-papersUniversity can set up mobile phone technologies as database for academics to download documents, applications and university rolesAcademics can share with colleagues research findingsAcademics can use the micro web browser for conducting quick research onlineAcademics can stay connected to social networking sites in mobile environmentAcademics can use a mobile phone technology to send pictures or movies to each other.Mobile technology provides an opportunity for the new generation of people with better communication and activities without pickings into account the place and time. This section has outlined the potential use of mobile phone techn ologies among academics in IHLs. The benefits of mobile phone technologies have been broadly discussed in general. Additionally, this section has evidenced most studies related to the benefits of mobile phones usage among students. Ultimately, this section shows that there are a few studies to examine the benefits of the mobile phone technologies among academics.Despite the advantages of mobile phone technology are clear, only a small number of Institutions of Higher Learning are equipped with integrate mobile phone technologies in their environments (Joan John, 2007 Kim et al., 2006 New Media Consortium, 2007). Figueira (2007) pointed that as of August 2007, however, there are no universities or degree awarding programs with a website designed for downloading on a mobile device (p.1). Sufficient technological means to access mobile devices are not widely used by the academics in Institutions of Higher Learning (Junior et al., 2008). In 2007, Peters conducted a research to 29 manu facturers of mobile devices, businesses and education suppliers and found that mobile phone technologies are in general used in some commercial organizations, but found limited adoption for Institutions of higher learning use.The purpose of this study is to understand academics general attitudes towards the use of mobile phone technology in IHLs, to explore the academics perceived usefulness to use mobile phone technology in IHLs, to determine academics perceived ease of use of mobile phone technology in IHLs, to understand academics behavioral intention to use mobile phone technology in IHLs, to identify how will mobile phone technologies change the work situation of academics, and to identify the possible services that, in their opinion, can improve mobile phone technology and knowledge sharing among academics in IHLs.4.0 Research MethodologyBoth primary and secondary data were collected for this research. The primary data was collected by distributing questionnaires to the academ ics in University Utara Malaysia (UUM). UUM is a public Institution of Higher Learning located n the northern realm of Malaysia. The sample of this study was the academics that come from Public Institution of Higher Learning (PIHL). Those academics are different in terms of their academic designation Tutor, Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor, and Professor. A total of 290 questionnaires were distributed to all academics in UUM. The sampling was based on convenience and 153 participants successfully responded, giving a response rate of 52.7 %. The analysis of the survey results is presented based on a valid response of 153 academics of University Utara Malaysia.Data collection for this study was undertaken during the month of May 2009. In group information pertaining to the study a questionnaire was used as the main promoter for data collection in this study. a questionnaire was prepared divided into seven sections as follows Section 1 was not containing any personally identifiable questions. The demographic and background variables used in this study are gender, status, age, designation, handiness of devices, period of time in using device, academics opinion about devices price, academics opinion about devices, usefulness and effectiveness role in the work, connecting to internet through device, and academics preferences for mobile phone functions. This section was adapted from Avenoglu (2005) and Trifonova (2006). Section 2 contains questions that targeted at attitudes towards the use of mobile phone technology in Institutions of Higher Leaning. The respondents were given a list of six items to assess their opinions and attitudes to use mobile phone technology. Questions were adapted from Kurnia et al. (2008) and Avenoglu (2005). Section 3 contains questions concerning the perceived usefulness to use mobile phone technology. Five items were used to measure the respondents perception toward the usefulness to use mobile phone technology. Questio ns were adapted from Kurnia et al. (2008) and Trifonova (2006). Section 4 contains questions that targeted at the perceived ease of use of mobile phone technology. Three items were used to measure the respondents perception that used mobile phone technology and found it easy to use. Questions were adapted from Kurnia et al. (2008) and Trifonova (2006). Section 5 contains questions about behavioral intention to use mobile phone technology in Institutions of Higher Leaning. Four items were used to measure behavioral intention of the respondents towards using of mobile phone technology. Questions were adapted form Kurnia et al. (2008). Section 6 contains questions that are related to how can mobile phone technology change the work situation of academics in Institutions of Higher Leaning. Ten items were used to measure the respondents opinions about how can mobile phone technology increases the flexibility and the ability to work on the move. Questions were adapted form Dye et al. (2003 ). Section 7 contains statements that targeted to mobile phone technology and knowledge sharing among academics in Institutions of Higher Learning. The respondents were given a list of 18 statements to assess their opinions and potential use of mobile phone technology for knowledge sharing among academics in Institution of Higher Learning. All Questions in this section were chosen from the interview with academics. A five point Likert scale causa was used in this study and the academics were required to state the extent to which statements in their point of view were important or not important for them as academics. The Scale was (SD= Strongly Disagree, D = Disagree, N = Neutral, A = Agree, and SA = Strongly Agree).In this study, the questionnaire was pilot tested with 30 UUM academic staff. The table 1 shows the Cronbachs alpha coefficient for section 2, section 3, section 4, section 5, section 6 and section 7.Table 1 Reliability Cronbachs Alpha () for Questionnaires Six Sections The ItemCronbachsAlpha ()Reliability ResultsSection 20.891GoodSection 30.840GoodSection 40.820GoodSection 50.805GoodSection 60.894GoodSection 70.883Good5.0 Data digest and Results5.1 Respondents Profile and Background InformationBased on the demographics and other personal background information obtained, out of 153 respondents 61.0 % were females. The most of the respondents were married 74 %. 36.4 % of the respondents were 41 to 50 years old and 30.5 % were 31 to 40 years old. to the highest degree of the respondents were Lecturers position 39.0 %, following by Senior Lecturers 26.0 %, Tutor 18.2 %, and Associate Professor 16.9 %. Table 2 below gives respondents demographic profileTable 2 Respondents Demographic ProfileRespondentsProfileClassificationFrequency%Gender antheral6039Female9461Status married11474Unmarried4026Age20-303321.431-404730.541-505636.4Above 501811.7DesignationTutor2818.2Lecturer6039.0Senior Lecturer4026.0Associate Professor2616.95.1.2 Availability of Devices The study (refer to 1) shows that 98 % of academics had Cell phone, 36 % PDA, 10 % Smart phone, and 2 % Pocket PC. The study also shows that there were more that 40 % of academics had more that one device, for instance, 33 % of academics had Cell phone and PDA device, 9 % of academics had Cell phone and Smart phone, and 3 % of academics had Cell phone, Smart phone and PDA in one time.5.1.3 Period in apply DeviceThe study (refer to 2) shows that 50.6 % of academics had Cell phone for more than 8 years, 30 % had Cell phone between 6 to 8 years, 13.6 % had Cell phone between 3 to 5 years, and 0.6 % had Cell phone less than one year. As well, it shows that 2.6 % of academics had Smart phone between 3 to 5 years, 5.2 % had Smart phone between 1 to 2 years, 2.0 % of academics had Smart phone less than one year. In addition, it shows that 3.2. % of academics had PDA device between 6 to 8 years, 7.1 % of academics had PDA device between 3 to 5 years, 19.4 % had PDA device between 1 to 2 ye ars, and 6.5 % of academics had PDA device less than one year. Finally, only three participants 2.0 % had Pocket PC between 1 to 2 years.5.1.4 Opinion about the PriceIn view of academics opinion about prices of devices, the general opinion was that Cell phones had reasonable price, were 77.8 % preferred that Cell phone had normal price and 22.8 % refer that Cell phone had low price. In addition, Smart phone, PDAs, and Pocket PC were considered costly price (for Smart phone 58.44 %, for PDAs 61.04 %, and for Pocket PC 64.94 %). Furthermore, a few academics had no opinion on the prices for smart phones, PDAs, and Pocket PC (for Smart phones 4 %, PDAs 5.19 %, and Pocket PC 2.60 %). 3 and shows the academics opinion about devices prices.5.1.5 The Usefulness and Effectiveness Role of Mobile Phone Technologies in the WorkThe study (refer to 4) shows that the majority of respondents 97.4 % considered that mobile devices can play a useful and effective role in their daily work. While 0.6 % considered that mobile devices cannot play a useful and effective role in their daily work, and only 1.9 % were not sure about the usefulness and effectiveness of mobile device role in their work. These results indicate that academics had compulsive opinions regarding using mobile phone technologies in their work, and these results can support researchers opinion about the importance and usefulness of this study in IHLs environment, and to stand up to the factors that could help passing mobile phone technologies in IHLs.5.1.6 Connecting to Internet though Mobile Phone Technologies5 shows that the majority of respondents 75.3 % were connecting to internet though mobile phone technologies, and only 24.7 % were not connecting to internet through mobile phone technologies. As evidenced by various studies mentioned above, mobile phone technologies give opportunity to academics to connect to internet and to the world any time anywhere. In addition, mobile phone technologies could able to increase the range of personalized and customized communication, entertainment, relationship management and service function5.1.7 Academics Preferences of Mobile Phone FunctionsThe academics in this section were given a list of fifteen mobile phone functions and they had to choose one or more of these functions. The results are shown in table 3. Today mobile phone technologies provide a wide range of services. Among these services, a researcher can demonstrate browsing the Web, MMS, games, alarm/reminder, calling, listening to music, voice recorder, chatting, calendar, camera, phone book, SMS, sending e-mail, dictionary, audio file storage.According to the findings, 100 % of respondents preferred that the function of calling was the most important function, where 98 % preferred that the second important function was SMS. In addition, the findings show that the respondents who choose calendar were 79 %, camera 77 %, alarm/reminder 75 %, phone book 70 %, listening to music 61 %, brow sing the Web 53 %, games and sending e-mail 42 %, MMS 41 %, voice recorder 38%, dictionary and audio file storage 29%, and chatting 21 %.Table 3 Academics Preference of Mobile Phone FunctionsNo.Mobile Phone Functions%1Calling100%2SMS98%3 schedule79%4Camera77%5Alarm/reminder75%6Phone book70%7 auditory sense to music61%8Browsing the Web53%9Games42%10Sending e-mail42%11MMS41%12Voice recorder38%13Dictionary29%14Audio file storage29%15Chatting21%5.2 Attitudes towards the Use of Mobile Phone Technology in IHLsThe respondents were given a list of six items to assess their opinions and attitudes toward using mobile phone tec

Effects of Bank Mergers in the UK: Analysis

Effects of Bank Mergers in the UK AnalysisIntroductionThis musical theme takes a look at effects of Bank Mergers in the UK. It every last(predicate) overly shows how depository financial institutions be affected by mergers and their effects on sell sideline footsteps and customers.It besides takes a look at how banking comp whatsoever mergers champion bring close improvement which is passed on to the customers. The main aim of the cover is to analyze the effects of Bank Mergers. It in any case takes a look at the environmental factors which forego to the mergers pickings drift.Aims and ObjectivesThe aim of this paper is to analyse who the beneficiaries of a bank merger are and the live analysis of the merger. It analyses the costs which are involved with the merger and its effects on the customer. The paper also deduces whether the sell involvement rates are non influenced by the effects of mergers. moreover it also looks at how different banking products outho use be affected by mergers. The objectives of this work areTo review the extant conceptual frameworks and models associated with Bank MergersTo site how mergers affect the relationship in the midst of banks and their customersTo analyse the cost analysis associated with the mergers of BanksTo learn the external factors which lead to mergers taking place in the midst of banksLiterature refreshBank Mergers are usually subjected to anti contention or fair laws if they are piece to be limiting the field for competition. The key to a bank merger is that it should bring about benefits to the sector instead of restrict it. thither should be synergy mingled with banks instead of tightening the intertwine and making it tough for everyone. If there are no savings creation passed on to the customers accordingly there is no use of a bank merger. There guide been scenarios where bank mergers were not permitted by the Competition bursting charge as the customers would not benefit fr om the merger. (Competition Commission 2001). The regulatory bodies consume to correspond that all gains from the merger do not benefit the integrated bank but are passed on to the customers. There is a lot of test when it comes to bank mergers and identifies the relationship between efficiency and price changes after a merger has taken place. According to Farrell and Shapiro (1990) prices and retail interest rates toilette fall plainly if there were lower marginal costs sooner the merger of the two banks. Mergers are known to have failed if they dont bring about any savings or benefit to the customers. Mergers are not just to the customer if the interest rates for customers are higher. The efficiency of merging banks influences the competition in the market. Bank mergers lead to bad conditions for the consumer if the merger does not call efficiency. If a bank records efficiency gains after a merger then it brings about price improvements. Bank mergers tend to affect certai n banking products in different ways.Research SettingThe look into is based upon the UK retail banking market. It examines the bighearted and small banks and takes a deep look at the mergers which took place over the last few years and the mergers which failed to take place. Both mental synthesis societies and UK retail banks are analyzed as they all offer different retail banking services. The investigate only includes banks that are in the UK retail banking market. The research also takes a look at the mergers which occurred between the small construct societies as it is easier to conform to entropy for that. The research has limited adding the mergers between bigger banks. search QUESTIONSIn order to make sure that the research is conducted properly we have to set a number of key questions so that the research exit be able to answer them.To identify how mergers affect the relationship between banks and their customersTo analyse the cost analysis associated with the merge rs of BanksTo analyse the external forces which lead to mergers between banks search METHODOLOGYThis particular assignment follows the traditional research methodological analysis which allows the research to be conducted in various layers one after the other. The prototypic one is the philosophy of Positivism where a researcher adopts the stance of a scientist who has to evaluate everything in a philosophical manner and go outs the evolutionary cover of how things are do. The interpretivism philosophy is where things are created due to the interaction between individuals.The research looks at all the issues associated with mergers within the banking retail market. the entropy is self-possessed by means of proper research. There is the expect to gather denary as puff up as qualitative data in order to prove the theories and conclusions. research APPROACHThe research is conducted by examining all the data in a systematic formatting. Most of the data is present in documenta ry format along with information available in various journals and papers. All the data needs to be interpreted in a proper unionised manner and needs to be separated in order to chance the gist of the research.RESEARCH STRATEGYThis research paper takes an in-depth look at the effect of mergers between banks and how it affects the banking products in the UK. It also examines how it can affect the interest rates in the banking sector. The paper also takes a look at the external factors which push the market in favour of mergers. It examines factors such as bear market which leads to share prices falling, dire economic situation which lead to problems, bad balance sheets which lead to a drain of capital, mergers which take place mainly due to help two troubled banks i.e. Lloyds TSB and Halifax, losses suffered by the investment arm of banks, collapse of big corporations which lead to a half m charter effect, hedge funds making losses and lastly due to the damages divisions which do not do well. It also examines how the retail interest rate is affected if a merger does not go well.ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONSIt is natural for me to follow a proper code of conduct before issue ahead with my research process. There is a fine line between ethical and unethical research. The information gathered volition be done with the consent of everyone and no laws shall be broken to obtain the data. I shall ask all the people interviewed to sign waiver forms and to give me indemnity from any potential problems. A point to bear in mind is not to intimidate any of the subjects or to harass them in handing over resilient information.DATA COLLECTIONThe plan is to contact all of the various building societies and a few of the big banks which merged in the not so recent past. I need to visit them all and collect information on the types of products they have. It would help to visit someone from the corporate headquarters as retail banks would not have the competent staff which would allow me to gather the information I need. Higher ranked officials at the various banks can only give me information about how their bank products were affected and how mergers in the retail banking sector leads to different interest rates.Data will be collated through both qualitative and quantitative questionnaires, series of interviews, documentary analysis. I would also need to do a walkthrough with people from the various banks and building societies so that I can get the right idea. The questionnaires will be quite straight forward and will only comprise of a few limited questions which are closed ended. The interview process will not take long and will only be a one on one session which is also close ended. The only problem is to schedule everything within a particular beatline. There are a lot of people to interview and that is one reason wherefore it is crucial for me to limit the time I spend on all my interviews so that I can get everything done really fast. It is also interesting to know that both questionnaires and interviews will generate different answers so special attention will have to be paid to both. muniment samples are a must to be collected from the various banks in the area. The data collected will be from both simple and lowly resources.Primary DataI will gather all the primary data by simply gathering all the information via personal visits to the various banks and building societies which have been created as a result of a merger between two banks. It will be useful to celebrate out how the banks were able to change their policies and how the merger affected their interest rates. The cost analysis will also be done after taking a look at the before and after status of the merged entities.Bank personnel will be giving me their valuable time so it would help me save time by only sticky to close ended interviews for the session. This will make it easier for both parties. The banks should hopefully pop the question me with docume nts I need to support my work and allow me to create my quantitative data.Secondary dataSecondary data will be gathered with the help of external sources. It is essential to check out proper databases which bring off with the type of historical data required for my analysis of the retail banking sector. The outdo idea for me is to base my work conducted by a researcher on the same topic. It also helps to do a bit of reading up on the topic so that I would know what this research entails. It is self-explanatory that I wont be able to get all my data from people so I would need to gather information from journals, databases, unobjectionable papers, etc. some of the data can be cited from text found in the documents supplied by the banks.DATA ANALYSISThe data needs to be examined one by one so that mistakes are not made. There are plenty of key points which can be examined only by going through it with a fine tooth comb. Data can be analysed in the form of charts, tables etc.CONCLU SION AND RECOMMENDATIONFinally the research can be summarised as the sort who will allow me to understand why mergers take place between banks and how the retail banking sector is affected. I will be able to make my conclusions after I have gone over everything at the end of the study.TIME FRAME OF RESEARCHThe research program needs to be conducted within a ad hoc timeline. Due to limitation of time and the amount of legwork to be conducted I need to finish my research within 22 weeks. This gives me plenty of time for stripping and to jot all my information down on paper. If I do not finish my research on time it will persist everything and create various problems.