Abnormal behavior detection for early warning of terrorist attack

Many terrorist attacks are accomplished by bringing explosive devices hidden in ordinary-looking objects to public places. In such case, it is almost impossible to distinguish a terrorist from ordinary people just from the isolated appearance. However, valuable clues might be discovered through analyzing a series of actions of the same person. Abnormal behaviors of object fetching, deposit, or exchange in public places might indicate potential attacks. Based on the widely equipped CCTV surveillance systems at the entrance of many public places, this paper proposes an algorithm to detect such abnormal behaviors for early warning of terrorist attack.

How much physical activity is enough to prevent unhealthy weight gain? Outcome of the IASO 1st Stock Conference and consensus statement

A consensus meeting was held in Bangkok, 21–23 May 2002, where experts and young scientists in the field of physical activity, energy expenditure and bodyweight regulation discussed the different aspects of physical activity in relation to the emerging problem of obesity worldwide. The following consensus statement was accepted unanimously.
‘The current physical activity guideline for adults of 30 minutes of moderate
intensity activity daily, preferably all days of the week, is of importance for
limiting health risks for a number of chronic diseases including coronary heart disease and diabetes. However for preventing weight gain or regain this guideline is likely to be insufficient for many individuals in the current environment. There is compelling evidence that prevention of weight regain in formerly obese individuals requires 60–90 minutes of moderate intensity activity or lesser amounts of vigorous intensity activity. Although definitive data are lacking, it seems likely that moderate intensity activity of approximately 45 to 60 minutes per day, or 1.7 PAL (Physical Activity Level) is required to prevent the transition to overweight or obesity. For children, even more activity time is recommended. A good approach for many individuals to obtain the recommended level of physical activity is to reduce sedentary behaviour by incorporating more incidental and leisure-time activity into the daily routine. Political action is imperative
to effect physical and social environmental changes to enable and encourage physical activity. Settings in which these environmental changes can be implemented include the urban and transportation infrastructure, schools, and workplaces.’

Plagiarism – can preventative measures and a commitment to the value of learning by academics and students reduce plagiarism in classrooms?

Plagiarism is an interruptive act in the teaching and learning value chain. This paper analyses the impact of both plagiarism and effective assessment in the learning value chain. Effective assessment is the positive outcome. Plagiarism negates or breaks the chain. Anecdotal evidence suggests the incidences of plagiarism are increasing in faculties across the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), and where every subject/unit outline includes a statement and warning to students of the penalties of this activity, deterrence tools do not overcome the harmful impact of plagiarism on the teacher/student learning relationship. A working party established in 2000 in the Faculty of Business at QUT, examined the literature, university policies, teaching and learning practices, and examples of plagiarism and penalties in order to identify the wider learning and assessment issues surrounding plagiarism and options for action and policy. A three-semester study of acts of plagiarism and wide consultation with staff presented the working party with an opportunity to develop a set of preventative measures, and also exposed the legal, cultural and accountability issues of diverse attitudes and values.

The paper presents the findings and recommendations from the investigation, and also proposes an interpretation of marketing theory of the impact of plagiarism on the teaching and learning value chain.

Internal auditors' assessment of their contribution to financial statement audits : the relation with audit committee and internal audit function characteristics

This paper examines the relation between audit committee characteristics, internal audit function characteristics and internal auditors' assessment of their contribution to financial statement audits. Using survey data from chief internal auditors of 76 Malaysian publicly-listed firms, we provide evidence of a positive relationship between internal auditors' assessment of their contribution to financial statement audits and three audit committee characteristics: the proportion of independent audit committee members, their knowledge and experience of accounting and auditing, and the extent of audit committee review of internal audit programmes, budget and coordination proposals. Further, a positive relationship is found between internal auditors' evaluation of their contribution to the financial statement audit and internal audit function characteristics including size, prior experience of staff in auditing, time availability and the closeness of the function's relationship with the external auditor. The results indicate that more effective audit committees and well-resourced internal audit units tend to be positively associated with the internal auditors' assessment of their contribution to the external audit.

The metabolic syndrome: in need of a global mission statement

Aims The value of clinical definitions of the metabolic syndrome has been questioned, with confusion surrounding their intended use and purpose. Our aim was to construct a mission statement that outlines the value of the metabolic syndrome in clinical and public health settings.

Methods Case studies have been used to demonstrate three key points.

Results We argue here for recognition of obesity as being a crucial element within the metabolic syndrome but perhaps even more important before its development. We also contend that the concept does indeed have a role as a risk prediction tool, and that it could provide a useful metric for the scale and progress of the looming global epidemic of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Conclusions Through appreciation of its purpose, and recognition of both its limitations and those attributes that make it unique and valuable, we believe we have demonstrated here that the metabolic syndrome deserves its place in the global toolbox of diabetes and CVD prevention.

Calcium and bone health : position statement for the Australian and New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society, Osteoporosis Australia and the Endocrine Society of Australia

This position statement was prepared by the Working Group of the Australian and New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society and Osteoporosis Australia. The final statement was endorsed by the Endocrine Society of Australia.

Currently, the balance of evidence remains in favour of fracture prevention from combined calcium and vitamin D supplementation in elderly men and women.

Adequate vitamin D status is essential for active calcium absorption in the gut and for bone development and remodelling.

In adults with a baseline calcium intake of 500–900 mg/day, increasing or supplementing this intake by a further 500–1000 mg/day has a beneficial effect on bone mineral density.

Calcium intake significantly above the recommended level is unlikely to achieve additional benefit for bone health.

Audit committee characteristics, internal auditors' contribution to financial statement audits and audit fees : Malaysian evidence

This paper provides empirical evidence on the impact of audit committee characteristics on the extent of internal auditor’s contribution to financial statement audits in an emerging economy. Using a cross-sectional regression model, based on Felix, Gramling and Maletta’s (2001) study, it provides evidence of a positive relationship between internal auditor contribution to financial statement audits and three dimensions of audit committee characteristics: the proportion of independent audit committee members; the extent of audit committee members’ knowledge and experience in auditing, accounting, and finance; and the extent of audit committee review of IA proposal related to program, budget and coordination. A second model examines a relationship between internal audit contribution to financial statement audits and audit fees. However, the results did not yield a significant relationship between the two variables. These results are based on a unique data set comprised of publicly available data matched with survey data from chief internal auditors or financial controllers of 90 firms listed on the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange (KLSE).