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This research presents student online marketplace for university community. In this study, we identify current issues faced by university students while starting their business. Based on the preliminary investigation, it was found out that there are a number of students doing part-time jobs and doing business to support their living expenses. There are varieties of businesses and services offered among students especially students staying in colleges. However, the main problem faced by students either as the buyer or the seller is there is no business platform to promote their products or services. Al-so, there is a lack of information regarding the business or services since most communications are done through h instant messaging apps such as WhatsApp and social media. By having a student online marketplace, the exchange of goods and services take place by having buyers and sellers being in contact with one another. This student online marketplace also helps small businesses to boost their sales, encourage new business start-up and inspire students who have business idea to help them to kick-start their business. Students are able to perform their business in a safe and secure environment.

This paper presents a mobile application called the Quranic Verse Finder. The main idea of this study is to develop a mobile application to help preachers in preparing their speech text. Based on preliminary investigation, the minimum time for a preacher to prepare a speech for a given topic is 3 hours. This process is very time consuming since the speech needs to refer to different source of reference such as the Quran and Hadith. The existing Quran search on the website or mobile application are from unknown source of reference. Therefore, to solve the problems mentioned above, this application offers an efficient method to search and identify any Quran verses for reference. With this application, the user can identify the juz number, the name of the Surah, which number of verses in the Surah and the meaning of the verses of a specific verse. The Quranic Verse Finder is different from other existing Quran Search applications due to its bilanguage feature. This application provides Malay and English translation. It also has other special features such as Bookmark that allows specific Quran verse to be saved for later reference. Moreover, due to the current trends, the Quranic Verse Finder allows user to share it using popular social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

This paper presents an algorithm called Failure-Aware Workflow Scheduling (FAWS). The proposed algorithm discussed in this paper schedules parallel applications on homogeneous systems without sacrificing the two conflicting objectives: reliability and makespan. The proposed algorithm handles unexpected failure causes rescheduling of the failed task to available resources. In order to analyse the performance of the FAWS algorithm, it will be compared with the popular scheduling algorithm namely Heterogeneous Earliest Finish Time (or HEFT) and Critical Path (CP). A simulation-driven analysis based on realistic workflow application was demonstrated using DAG graph as a continuation of the Layered Workflow Scheduling Algorithm (LWFS). The FAWS algorithm aims to minimize the makespan, increases reliability and therefore boosts the performance of the whole system. A workflow generator was developed to generate large task graphs randomly and scheduled the parallel applications. Based on the simulation results, the proposed algorithm has improved the overall workflow scheduling effectiveness in comparison with existing algorithms.

© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2019. Big data has been touted as the next frontier for innovation, competition, and productivity growth. The promising and rewarding benefits of big data have attracted government agencies and businesses worldwide to extract valuable new insights from big data by reengineering their business and information processes. Although big data can provide valuable information to make intelligent decisions and obtain insights, it comes with many new challenges that must be addressed in order to fully leverage the opportunities provided by Big Data. This paper provides an overview of the opportunities and challenges of big workflow within the context of workflow applications and systems. By applying big workflow in decision making process, organizations are able to visualize data differently and become more valuable.

Construction Defect mobile app is used by Ministry of Defense’s Construction Defect Inspection Team to ease the team to record construction defect. However, the mobile app has never been evaluated formally to identify any usability problems. The objectives of this study are to identify usability problems of Construction Defect mobile app using Think Aloud and to recommend design improvement of Construction Defect mobile app based on the identified usability problem. The Think Aloud study involve with 15 participants. During the evaluation, every participant carries out the given tasks on and he gives his impressions as he goes along the tasks. There are three usability problems were identified. Some recommendations have been proposed to improve the design of Construction Defect mobile app based on the identified usability problem. As for the future work, the study may be conducted using different usability evaluation technique.

Selecting a topic is possibly the most difficult part of final year project (FYP). The FYP must be completed by final year students with the aim to train the students to do their work independently while being monitored closely by their supervisors. Usually, the FYP topics chosen can either be from the students or new topic suggested by the supervisor in any computing area. There are some cases where the topics are not suitable for the students and vice versa. Based on this problem, we proposed a recommender system that will help to ease this process. The main objective of this study is to develop E-Research Engine System that could help to match between student and supervisor for the FYP project. A survey was conducted with 50 students from Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences (FSKM), Universiti Teknologi MARA. Results show that the majority of students used a search engine to find their research topic, and most of the students expressed their difficulties to find a suitable research topic that matches with the supervisor’s area of interest. In summary, the proposed E-Research Engine System will help students to save time and effort in finding the best match supervisor with a good quality final year research project topic.

The effectiveness of atmospheric cues on consumer’s emotion has a significant impact on online businesses. The usability issues with regards to atmospheric cues especially while browsing electronic commerce (e-commerce) websites are very important. This paper aims to identify the common atmospheric cues, usability issues and their effects on consumer emotions while browsing e-commerce websites. Usability testing techniques was conducted to five (5) participants from different backgrounds by using qualitative methods. The outcome of this preliminary study will help e-commerce websites specifically Lazada Malaysia to reduce usability gap of online shopping experience. The result highlights the atmospheric cues and their influence on the website. These initial findings motivated the current study, which extends our previous work by proposing other key variables and several new recommendations for improvement to generate more effective usability issues.

Construction Defect mobile application (app) is used by Ministry of Defense's Construction Defect Inspection Team to help the team in recording construction defect. However, the mobile app has never been evaluated formally to identify any usability problems. The objectives of this study are to identify usability problems of Construction Defect mobile app using think aloud and to recommend design improvement of Construction Defect mobile app based on the identified usability problems. The think aloud study involved 15 participants. During the evaluation, every participant carried out the given tasks and gave his impressions as he went along the tasks. Three usability problems were identified. Some recommendations have been proposed to improve the design of Construction Defect mobile app. As for the future work, the study may be conducted using different usability evaluation technique.

In the last few years, workflows are becoming richer and more complex. Workflow scheduling management system to be robust, flexible with multicriteria scheduling algorithms. It needs to satisfy the Quality of Service (QoS) parameters. However, QoS parameters and workflow system objectives are often contradictory. In our analysis, we derived an efficient strategy to minimize the overall processing time for scheduling workflows modelled by using Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG). We studied the problem of workflow scheduling that lead to optimizing makespan and reliability. The proposed algorithm handles unsuccessful job execution or resource failure by dynamically scheduling workflows to available resources. Based on the experiments results, our proposed Failure-Aware Workflow Scheduling (FAWS) Algorithm can significantly optimize the makespan and minimize the reliability by rescheduling the failed task to the unused resources. The effectiveness of the FAWS algorithm was validated based on a simulation-driven analysis based on the workflow application.

Growing evidence shows that in obtaining high performance, a well-managed time-constrained workflow scheduling is needed. Efficient workflow scheduling is critical for achieving high performance especially in heterogeneous computing system. However, it is a great challenge to improve performance and to optimize several objectives simultaneously. We propose a workflow scheduling algorithm that minimizes the makespan of the workflow application modeled by a Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG). The new proposed scheduling algorithm is named Multi Dependency Joint (MDJ) Algorithm. The performance of MDJ is compared with existing algorithms such as, Highest Level First with Estimated Time (HLFET), Modified Critical Path (MCP) and Earliest Time First (ETF). As a result, the experiments show that our proposed MDJ algorithm outperforms HLEFT, MCP, and EFT with a 7% lower overall completion time.

Metaheuristic algorithm is one of the most popular methods in solving many optimization problems. This paper presents a new hybrid approach comprising of two natures inspired metaheuristic algorithms i.e. Cuckoo Search (CS) and Accelerated Particle Swarm Optimization (APSO) for training Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). In order to increase the probability of the egg’s survival, the cuckoo bird migrates by traversing more search space. It can successfully search better solutions by performing levy flight with APSO. In the proposed Hybrid Accelerated Cuckoo Particle Swarm Optimization (HACPSO) algorithm, the communication ability for the cuckoo birds have been provided by APSO, thus making cuckoo bird capable of searching for the best nest with better solution. Experimental results are carried-out on benchmarked datasets, and the performance of the proposed hybrid algorithm is compared with Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) and similar hybrid variants. The results show that the proposed HACPSO algorithm performs better than other algorithms in terms of convergence and accuracy.

Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) performance depends on network topology, activation function, behaviors of data, suitable synapse’s values and learning algorithms. Many existing works used different learning algorithms to train ANN for getting high performance. Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) algorithm is one of the latest successfully Swarm Intelligence based technique for training Multilayer Perceptron (MLP). Normally Gbest Guided Artificial Bee Colony (GGABC) algorithm has strong exploitation process for solving mathematical problems, however the poor exploration creates problems like slow convergence and trapping in local minima. In this paper, the Improved Gbest Guided Artificial Bee Colony (IGGABC) algorithm is proposed for finding global optima. The proposed IGGABC algorithm has strong exploitation and exploration processes. The experimental results show that IGGABC algorithm performs better than that standard GGABC, BP and ABC algorithms for Boolean data classification and time-series prediction tasks.

The Levenberg Marquardt (LM) algorithm is one of the most effective algorithms in speeding up the convergence rate of the Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) with Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) architectures. However, the LM algorithm suffers the problem of local minimum entrapment. Therefore, we introduce several improvements to the Levenberg Marquardt algorithm by training the ANNs with meta-heuristic nature inspired algorithm. This paper proposes a hybrid technique Accelerated Particle Swarm Optimization using Levenberg Marquardt (APSO_LM) to achieve faster convergence rate and to avoid local minima problem. These techniques are chosen since they provide faster training for solving pattern recognition problems using the numerical optimization technique.The performances of the proposed algorithm is evaluated using some bench mark of classification’s datasets. The results are compared with Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) Algorithm using Back Propagation Neural Network (BPNN) algorithm and other hybrid variants.Based on the experimental result, the proposed algorithms APSO_LM successfully demonstrated better performance as compared to other existing algorithms in terms of convergence speed and Mean Squared Error (MSE) by introducing the error and accuracy in network convergence.

The endless transformation of technological innovation requires greater collaboration of Information Communication and Technology (ICT) in various areas especially in public sectors. Many attempts have been made in improving the quality of E-Government services, one of it is adopting the cloud computing technology. Successful-implementation of cloud computing technology can benefit the public sector in many ways one of it is cost reduction. Most government organizations especially in the developing countries are committed in adopting the cloud technology based on the increased demands in cloud adoption in E-Government services. Unfortunately, despite all the benefits, the cloud computing technology raises some major risks. The success of implementation of cloud computing technology is determined by how well the government tackles the challenges. Therefore, this paper specifically surveyed the associated challenges of adopting Cloud Technology for E-Government by choosing Malaysia as the case study.

This paper presents the development of microcontroller based potentiometric indicator system for integration with piezoresistive MEMS sensor. The purpose system involved the integration between hardware and software subsystem. For hardware subsystem, the design of potentiometric circuit was tested using P-spice software and breadboard circuit. Then, the design was fabricated for printed circuit board. This finding was then used to develop interface for the analog-to-digital converter. For software subsystem, the stress level indicator system has been developed using PIC 16F873 by converting the output from potentiometric circuit into stress level with a look-up table based on fuzzy rule sets for measuring human stress. It computes the digital data conversion into desired reading and displays data through the second hardware subsystem which is liquid crystal display. From the experiment, a potentiometric indicator circuit designed for piezoresistive MEMS sensor for human stress was successfully developed.

This paper presents a comparative study on low noise precision difet operational amplifier, OPA111 and low noise operational amplifier, OP27 for potentiometric transduction circuit. Methods for integration of piezoresistive MEMS sensor with the potentiometric transduction circuit have reported successes. There was a need for a low noise operational amplifier for amplifying the output from the piezoresistive MEMS sensor since noise is the main problem in the circuit design. The purpose of this project is to reduce the noise effect by comparing two types of operational amplifier. The purpose of the design involved the piezoresistive MEMS sensing with the potentiometric transduction circuit. Since the sensor input range of 1.1 to 1.3 kilo ohms, the potentiometric transduction circuit designed enables the small changes in the resistivity. The circuit has been designed and test through theoretical, simulation and experimental studies. From the experiment, for the sensor input range, an output range of -0.108 to +0.1 volts is obtained. The percentages discrepancy within 4.278% for low noise precision difet operational amplifier, OPA111 and 8.308% low noise operational amplifier, OP27 is found between theoretical and hardware results, on the average. The null bridge condition is designed at 1.2 kilo ohms with the discrepancy of 5.71% is detected.

The involvement of companies in Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) industry in Malaysia is encouraging. In addition, there are growing interest to evaluate accessibility level of different genre of websites. However, the accessibility level of SMEs website in Malaysia has not yet being evaluated. The main objective of this paper is to evaluate the accessibility level of SME website in Malaysia. Twenty two categories of SMEs, which contains two hundred and twenty websites, were selected from the web portal at www.shoppy.com.my. The accessibility evaluation was done by using EvalAccess 2.0 to evaluate the accessibility level according to the WCAG 1.0 guideline published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). The study revealed several accessibility issues for the selected sample of SME websites in Malaysia and ends with few recommendations for further improvement of the website accessibility towards better improved online services and information for normal and disabled user.

Currently, there is no any available computerized mechanism to classify the exam questions prepared by the instructors. Everything is done manually by the instructors according to their own style. Written exam question has always been a method for educators to assess the level of understanding of students. A good exam question should consist of different levels of difficulties in order to increase students' thinking skills. The template for exam questions is given in standard Microsoft Word template and the instructors will then fill the template with their own questions. Therefore, the questions prepared by the instructors are not standardized and are prone to be misguided from Bloom's Taxonomy. The Bloom's Taxonomy was introduced to assist educators to set a standard for their exam questions.

The proposed requirement change propagation ( ReChaP ) approach promotes significant supports in simplifying the tedious tasks of requirement change propagation to other software artefacts during software evolution. One of the ReChaP’s pillars is the process model, which provides systematic guidelines to simplify the phenomenally time consuming and expensive efforts of the requirement change propagation process. This paper specifically reports on the preliminary results and the observation analysis for the conducted synthetic experiment in academic settings. The experiment’s goal is to evaluate the usability quality factor of the process model in terms of five main criteria; efficiency, effectiveness, learnability, satisfaction and usefulness. Our initial findings observe that the proposed ReChaP process model is soundly demonstrated as sufficiently usable, practical enough, and meantime has ideally achieved reasonable percentages for the five comprehensive criteria of the measured usability factor.

Human factors literature has stressed the importance of ergonomically good computer environment and computer usage as to avoid from ergonomic risk and illnesses. This paper aims to investigate the ergonomics awareness among university students. The data collected from the survey includes their prior knowledge about ergonomics, their current practice and their perception regarding ergonomic-related issues when using computer, as well as on ergonomic health risk. Questionnaires were distributed to 60 students. Result shows that there is a significant association between attending HCI course and having knowledge in ergonomics. Although these students know and understand the good principle of ergonomics, the results reveal that only half of them practice it. In terms of ergonomic awareness, the respondents are least concern on ergonomic risk of keyboard and mouse. The findings provide the current state of practice in computer usage environment. This finding indicates the need to educate students with ergonomic awareness.

The awareness of the importance of usability and accessibility in Malaysia is demonstrated with the setting-up of usability laboratories from local universities and agency and studies in different applications. This study share the interest on creating awareness of the importance of accessibility and usability criteria by investigating the accessibility and usability level of Malaysia Higher Education Website. This study used 120 samples of higher education institution websites from the online portal of the Ministry of Higher Education (http://www.mohe.gov.my). The accessibility evaluation was done by using automatic evaluation to access the accessibility level according to WCAG 1.0 guideline. Usability evaluation was also done on page size, speed and broken link. The study revealed several accessibility and usability issues revolving Malaysia Higher Education website. We end our study with few recommendations for further improvement of the website usability and accessibility towards better improved online services and information for normal and disabled user.

According to a report by Department of Social Welfare Malaysia (http://www.jkm.gov.my), there are approximately 277, 509 registered disabled people in Malaysia since November 2009. The growing number of people with disabilities in Malaysia indicates the importance of safeguarding the interest by this special underserved group in Malaysia. Thus, this study aims to investigate the accessibility of website for disabled user in Malaysia. A total of 100 websites were chosen from four Malaysia portals; (i) Malaysian Information Network on Disabilities (MIND), (ii) Malaysian Christian Association for Relief (Malaysian CARE), (iii) Kiwanis Disability Information and Support Centre (KDISC) and (iv) Hati. The study revealed several issues pertaining to website accessibility for people with disabilities in Malaysia. We end our study with few recommendations for to improve few of the accessibility criteria that may be overlooked by website developers.