The need for algorithms providing synchronization between audio and video data was driven by the advent of multimedia applications in distributed environments. Numerous algorithms have been proposed, but there is a lack in methodologies to assess these algorithms, to compare them, and to determine algorithms best suited for a given networking and end-system environment and application. In this ...

The aim of this audit was to assess the effect of the Quality Mark programme on the quality of acute care received by older patients by comparing the experiences of staff and older adults before and after the programme. Data from 31 wards in 12 acute hospitals were collected over two stages. Patients and staff completed questionnaires on the perceived quality of care on the ward. Patients rated...

This paper discusses how to make a distributed object system flexible so as to satisfy applications’ requirements in change of the system environment. The system change is modeled to be the change of not only types of service but also quality of service (QoS) supported by the objects. There are two types of methods changing the objects, one for manipulating the states of the objects and another...

Cell and gene-based therapies represent a novel therapeutic modality that has the potential to provide a treatment option for a range of medical conditions. There are, however, numerous processing and manufacturing challenges that must be addressed before such therapies are considered commercially and clinically viable. A significant challenge associated with the manufacture of such therapies i...

There is an increasing interest in the design and development of smart environments as they can be used to implement valuable applications aiming at improving the quality of life. However, another important issue, which has not been yet fully investigated, concerns the design and development of agents able to effectively and efficiently act in the new and emerging smart environments characteriz...

Wireless sensor networks have become extremely popular in a number of fields in recent years, the cultural heritage among them. To date, however, communications quality has not been technically validated in any of the various built (churches, museums, archaeological sites) or natural (caves, lava tubes) heritage scenarios. The present study establishes methodology for assessing the quality of w...

Effective communication between patients, their families, their carers and health care professionals is paramount to the delivery of high quality care. Addressing the ideas, concerns and expectations of these groups may improve their healthcare experience. We propose that opening a new channel of communication between patients, families, carers and healthcare professionals on the wards would im...

IT SHOULD come as no surprise to most nurses that the best and most experienced clinical members of wards or unit teams do not necessarily make the most effective managers. Yet employers persist in appointing senior clinical staff into ward or unit managerial posts, or worse, encourage clinical staff to take up managerial posts and then burden them further by asking them to retain clinica! resp...

employees’ satisfaction based on their physical environment is an important factor that can improve employees’ performance, job satisfaction, and organizational productivity in office buildings. occupants’ environmental satisfaction are related to 10 different characteristics, including thermal comfort, air quality, lighting, acoustic quality, office layout, workspace furnishing, cleanliness an...