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Sorting is a very important algorithm to solve problems in computer science. The most well-known divide and conquer sorting algorithm is quicksort. It starts with dividing the data into subarrays and finally sorting them.

In this paper, the algorithm named Dual Parallel Partition Sorting (DPPSort) is analyzed and optimized. It consists of a partitioning algorithm named Dual Parallel Partition (DPPartition). The DPPartition is analyzed and optimized in this paper and sorted with standard sorting functions named qsort and STLSort which are quicksort, and introsort algorithms, respectively. This algorithm is run on any shared memory/multicore systems. OpenMP library which supports multiprocessing programming is developed to be compatible with C/C++ standard library function. The authors’ algorithm recursively divides an unsorted array into two halves equally in parallel with Lomuto's partitioning and merge without compare-and-swap instructions. Then, qsort/STLSort is executed in parallel while the subarray is smaller than the sorting cutoff.

In the authors’ experiments, the 4-core Intel i7-6770 with Ubuntu Linux system is implemented. DPPSort is faster than qsort and STLSort up to 6.82× and 5.88× on Uint64 random distributions, respectively.

The authors can improve the performance of the parallel sorting algorithm by reducing the compare-and-swap instructions in the algorithm. This concept can be used to develop related problems to increase speedup of algorithms.

The value assessment process of the built heritage is a multipart procedure that includes diverse aspects with overlapping requirements. This process requires various measures to obtain better results, making it a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) process. In post-disaster cases, a management system is required to promptly evaluate the degree of risk and damage and to set the preservation priorities in order to effectively supervise and protect the heritage places. MCDM is utilized for configuring and solving decision and planning problems encompassing multiple criteria, to assist decision-makers.

This paper suggests an approach as a tool to be used in the development of the Built Heritage Record for Mosul Old City. It proposes a D&C technique as an MCDM effectual tool for solving multifaceted problems of heritage significance assessment process in post-conflict cities, adopting the conservation of the traditional houses of Mosul Old City as a case study.

The research results showed the need for a method to solve the complexity of the decision-making problem regarding the process of determining the value and significance of heritage buildings and sites in the old city of Mosul, and how to develop a methodology to facilitate decision-making within databases related to such a multi-criteria issue.

For an effective judgment of the expert or participant in the evaluation process, and to contribute to the decision-making more objectively, exploiting digital management programs including an interactive user interface with the ability to share on the Internet is the focal next intention of the project.

The paper shows that by using specific software, a database for heritage places of the old city of Mosul could be generated to apply the proposed system. The expert can utilize the software to calculate and define the total value of the place automatically according to the entered data.

Vision‐based inverted robot control exhibits a complex and a multi‐parameter estimation task. Compromises over speed and accuracy must be made to reduce the cost of the system, if high profile techniques are not utilized. The purpose of this paper is to present such a technique where many parameter estimation problems admit partitioning process. The process eliminates the complexity by dividing such a high dimension task into several reduced dimension problems. The partition procedure is defined by human understanding of the task. Here a mechanical setup is designed that handles the pose parameters estimations as a set of sub‐problems. The estimated pose parameters are applied to an inverted robot approaching a target on the floor.

A novel technique that helps the inverted robot to approach its target is detailed here. The new methodology is based upon the modified versions of existing and proven techniques of pure translations and rotations estimations. Providing valid conditions, the parameters of the two vectors of the camera's pose are isolated. In the first pass, the roll angle is adjusted. A subsequent pass uses modified 2‐point algorithm to estimate partial translational vector. Introducing 4‐point algorithm; an extension of pure rotational vector estimation technique, to estimate partial rotational vector. Lastly, visual depth is estimated to complete the task. For simplicity, the robot dynamics are not detailed here. It is assumed that the robot can possibly achieve any position if the desired pose parameters are known.

It is found that the isolated vectors estimation process reduces the complexity of the system and so reduces the computational cost and processing time. The proposed technique is applied to a prototype inverted Cartesian robot having 3D rotary wrist. Through analysis, it is observed that the estimated parameters are very close to the actual pose parameters.

The proposed technique can aid CNC vertical milling machines to countercheck the exact position and orientation of the tool w.r.t. the job. Similar systems in practice are DECKEL MAHO, DMU 60/80/100, 5‐axis package and DMC 35 V series.

The dynamic nature of the method proposed in the paper makes it more efficacious for mechanical/robotic systems with vertically downward tool under gravity effect.

Airspace sectorization is an important task, which has a significant impact in the everyday work of air control services. Especially in recent years, because of the constant increase in air traffic, existing airspace sectorization techniques have difficulties to tackle the large air traffic volumes, creating imbalanced sectors and uneven workload distribution among sectors. The purpose of this paper is to propose a new approach to find optimal airspace sectorization balancing the traffic controller workload between sectors, subject to airspace requirements.

A constraint programming (CP) model called equitable airspace sectorization problem (EQASP) relies on ordered weighted averaging (OWA) multiagent optimization and the parallel portfolio architecture has been developed, which integrates the equity into an existing CP approach (Trandac et al., 2005). The EQASP was evaluated and compared with the method of Trandac et al. (2005), according to the quality of workload balancing between sectors and the resolution performance. The comparison was achieved using real air traffic low-altitude network data sets of French airspace for five flight information regions for 24 h a day and the Algerian airspace for three various periods (off peak hours, peak hours and 24 h).

It has been demonstrated that the proposed EQASP model, which is based on OWA multicriteria optimization method, significantly improved both the solving performance and the workload equity between sectors, while offering strong theoretical properties of the balancing requirement. Interestingly, when solving hard instances, our parallel sectorization tool can provide, at any time, a workable solution, which satisfies all geometric constraints of sectorization.

This study can be used to design well-balanced air sectors in terms of workload between control units in the strategic phase. To fulfil the airspace users’ constraints, one can refer to this study to assess the capacity of each air sector (especially the overloaded sectors) and then adjust the sector’s shape to respond to the dynamic changes in traffic patterns.

This theoretical and practical approach enables the development and support of the definition of the “Air traffic management (ATM) Concept Target” through improvements in human factors specifically (balancing workload across sectors), which contributes to raising the level of capacity, safety and efficiency (SESAR Vision of ATM 2035).

In their approach, the authors proposed an OWA-based multiagent optimization model, ensuring the search for the best equitable solution, without requiring user-defined balancing constraints, which enforce each sector to have a workload between two user-defined bounds (W_min, W_max).

To show the successful use of self‐organising fuzzy control in enhancing dynamic optimisation, a controller is used to direct the type of optimisation appropriate in each new dynamic problem. The system uses its experiences to determine which approach is most suitable under varying circumstances.

A knowledge extraction tool is used to gain basic information about the solution space with a simple computation. This information is compared with the fuzzy rules stored in the system. These rules hold a collection of facts on previous successes and failures, which were acquired through the performance monitor. Using this system the controller directs the algorithms, deciphering the most appropriate strategy for the current problem.

This procedure is designed for large scale dynamic optimisation problems, where a portion of the computational time is sacrificed to allow the controller to direct the best possible solution strategy. The results here are based on smaller scale systems, which illustrate the benefits of the technique.

The results highlight two significant aspects. From the comparison of the three algorithms without the use of the controller, a pattern can be seen in how the algorithms perform on different types of problems. Results show an improvement in the overall quality when the controller is employed.

This paper introduces a novel approach to the problem dynamic optimisation. It combines the control ability of self‐organising fuzzy logic with a range of optimisation techniques to obtain the best possible approach in any one situation.

Influential research has posited that empirical investigation provides no evidence for the existence of white-collar/successful psychopaths. The purpose of this current paper is to review evidence for their existence and report on new, primary research that examines ethical outcomes associated with their presence.

Leading psychopathy researchers called for research using samples of white-collar workers to explore workplace psychopathy. Therefore, the authors undertook a two-stage research process to examine this. Firstly, a structured literature review sought evidence for “corporate psychopaths”, “white-collar psychopaths” and “successful psychopaths” in existing literature. Secondly, original research was undertaken among 261 Australian workers to examine this further.

Findings indicate that white-collar psychopaths exist. Where they have been found not to exist, investigation reveals that the samples used were inadequate for the purpose of attempting to find them.

Although there is an inconsistent nomenclature, white-collar, industrial, successful, organisational, workplace or corporate psychopaths do exist and are found in white-collar workplaces.

Their existence is important because findings indicate that they have a significant, ethically malign and long-lasting impact on employee well-being and organisational ethical outcomes.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is perhaps the first paper to specifically examine the literature for evidence of whether white-collar psychopaths exist. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is also the first paper to determine that corporate psychopaths are linked with aggressive humour, gender discrimination, fake corporate social responsibility and reduced communications integration.

The purpose of this paper is to propose novel information visualization and interaction techniques to help security administrators analyze past web form submissions, with the goals of searching, inspecting, verifying, and understanding about malicious submissions.

The authors utilize well‐known visual design principles in the techniques to support the analysis process. They also implement a prototype and use it to investigate simulated normal and malicious web submissions.

The techniques can increase analysts' efficiency by displaying large amounts of information at a time, help analysts detect certain kinds of anomalies, and support the analyzing process via provided interaction capabilities.

Due to resources constraints, the authors experimented on simulated data only, not real data.

The techniques can be used to investigate past web form submissions, which is a first step in analysing and understanding the current security situation and attackers' skills. The knowledge gained from this process can be used to plan for effective future defence strategy, e.g. by improving/fine‐tuning the attack signatures of an automatic intrusion detection system.

The visualization and interaction designs are the first visual analysis technique for security investigation of web form submissions.

Political Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), based on ideas about deliberative democracy, have been criticised for increasing corporate power and democratic deficits. Yet, deliberative ideals are flourishing in the corporate world in the form of dialogues with a broad set of stakeholders and engagement in wider societal issues. Extractive industry areas, with extensive corporate interventions in weak regulatory environments, are particularly vulnerable to asymmetrical power relations when businesses engage with society. This paper aims to illustrate in what way deliberative CSR practices in such contexts risk enhancing corporate power at the expense of community interests.

This paper is based on a retrospective qualitative study of a Canadian oil company, operating in an Albanian oilfield between 2009 and 2016. Through a study of three different deliberative CSR practices – market-based land acquisition, a grievance redress mechanism and dialogue groups – it highlights how these practices in various ways enforced corporate interests and prevented further community mobilisation.

By applying Laclau and Mouffe’s theory of hegemony, the analysis highlights how deliberative CSR activities isolated and silenced community demands, moved some community members into the corporate alliance and prevented alternative visions of the area to be articulated. In particular, the close connection between deliberative practices and monetary compensation flows is underlined in this dynamic.

The paper contributes to critical scholarship on political CSR by highlighting in what way deliberative practices, linked to monetary compensation schemes, enforce corporate hegemony by moving community members over to the corporate alliance.

The banking industry in Hong Kong plays a significant role in the international financial arena. Because of increasingly competitive pressure from domestic and overseas banks, Hong Kong banks must improve service quality and care about customer demand. They must tightly control cost and improve the quality and efficiency of operations in order to maintain profitability. This study surveys the entire population of licensed banks in Hong Kong on their quality management initiatives. It not only analyzes the current status of quality management initiatives in Hong Kong, but also compares the results with those from UK financial institutions in 1994.