https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/75481 2026-04-08T07:03:50Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/103363 Title: From counterintelligence to the dynamic network analysis : new ways of countering emerging threats (organised crime, drug trafficking, terrorism) Abstract: "Counterintelligence (C.I.) theories and methodologies for studying and tackling criminal organisations: analysis and assessment". Transnational criminal organisations are becoming the fundamental players in destabilising the balance of the global chessboard. By now, intelligence institutions consider actions to counteract organised crime a priority, seeing them as unconventional threats. The scope of this dissertation is to put the problem of defining a criminal organisation into perspective, to find the basic elements that distinguish them and the factors to be considered in an analysis. We have to focus on the problem of identifying the organisational structure of a criminal organisation as being the point of departure for countering actions, seeing whether or not network or hierarchical structure typologies, or other models, are applicable in real life. We shall see that by now the majority of criminal organisations are based on a network that offers a low profile, greater flexibility and redundancy where, if a sector of the network is compromised, it does not compromise the work of the rest of the structure. This goes to prove that the investigation paradigm - that saw the criminal organisation with a strictly hierarchical and summit-oriented structure - is now partially obsolete and incorrect and if we want to have a truly effective countering action, both law-enforcement and intelligence agents must abandon this summit-oriented conception. This aspect, being fully aware that in all conflicts between organised crime and the law the "symbiosis" phenomenon exists, is dictated by the need of both parties to have more information about their adversary and to control or compromise activities. Description: M.A. (Melit.) 2004-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/98551 Title: Coming of age : investigating the conception of a census web-mapping service for the Maltese Islands Abstract: In a society where data creation is expanding exponentially and distribution is spread over an entire planet, the search for tools to improve accessibility and dissemination of data grows more acute. User-friendliness and instant access to reliable data has rapidly become the main issue of concern for researchers and organisations worldwide. This study investigates the use of Web-mapping technology and its impact on Geographical Information Systems (GIS). The study also investigates the diffusion of GIS to the general public through the use of common web browsers or freeware. It researches the feasibility of Web-mapping as a solution to the current lack of accessible data in the Maltese Islands. The study uses the 1995 Population and Housing Census data in the Maltese Islands as a test case to demonstrate the feasibility of the Web-mapping technologies. The project entailed the carrying out of three surveys: first the current Web-mapping situation, second a pre-review questionnaire and third a post-application analysis questionnaire. The purpose of the surveys was mainly to elicit the reviewers opinions on data accessibility and to propose further systems developments. The study was accomplished through an analysis of current websites having Web-mapping functions, mainly the type of technology employed and the level of interactivity with spatial data through on-line maps. Based on the findings, a full-scale dual system Census project was developed giving an opportunity to both GIS professionals and the general public the faculty to access an extensive amount of data either through Imagemaps (interactive on-line maps) or through a GIS-Client system that users can analyse, query and map their requests using a freeware GIS-viewer. Reviewer feedback based on the two developments resulted in the identification of a need to implement the technologies as part of data management and presentation as well as to further develop Web-mapping systems in such areas as environment, transport, planning and the research field. The results indicate a willingness to readily accept on-line GIS as the medium for data distribution, querying and analysis through its integration with current systems both within the organisation under study and in external entities. Description: M.Sc 2000-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/95968 Title: Photon : particle-based effect simulation and rendering image Abstract: The use of Computer Generated special effects has become a trend in many areas such as the movie industry and games. Several of these effects are too random and chaotic to be modelled with traditional rendering techniques. Particle systems have long been used to simulate these type of complex special effects (such as fire, smoke, clouds and explosions). Together with the latest improvements in CPU and GPU technology, such effects can now be created with particle systems in real-time and used to improve the user's perception of the virtual world. Description: B.Sc. IT (Hons)(Melit.) 2007-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/95818 Title: Just-in-time support using open source technologies Abstract: In any organization, community or learning environment, people may face a difficulty in learning a subject, performing a task, or solving a problem. From one side newcomers face the problem of having an overflow of information at early stages, and on the other hand advanced students may need help from proficient sources. When help is needed, just-in-time support is the most effective. Whether its an employee facing technical problems beyond his knowledge, or a student needing help in a particular subject, just-in-time support provides the help needed in both time critical situations and not. We have develop a JIT support system that manages students and tutors in the most efficient way by borrowing techniques from other areas, such as operating systems. Operating systems have evolved by years and particular scheduling and load balancing algorithms have been developed to cater for the load balancing of processes and resources. By adopting the same concepts and mapping the same concepts to a JIT support system, in this way tutors can be treated as resources and students can be treated processes. In addition, with the aid of a user model profiles of the various users can be built, giving a better student to tutor match. The system is an open source application and built using open source technologies Description: B.Sc. IT (Hons)(Melit.) 2004-01-01T00:00:00Z