Abstract: As the Internet continues to grow at a rapid pace as
the primary medium for communications and commerce and as
telecommunication networks and systems continue to expand their
global reach, digital information has become the most popular and
important information resource and our dependence upon the
underlying cyber infrastructure has been increasing significantly.
Unfortunately, as our dependency has grown, so has the threat to the
cyber infrastructure from spammers, attackers and criminal
enterprises. In this paper, we propose a new machine learning based
network intrusion detection framework for cyber security. The
detection process of the framework consists of two stages: model
construction and intrusion detection. In the model construction stage,
a semi-supervised machine learning algorithm is applied to a
collected set of network audit data to generate a profile of normal
network behavior and in the intrusion detection stage, input network
events are analyzed and compared with the patterns gathered in the
profile, and some of them are then flagged as anomalies should these
events are sufficiently far from the expected normal behavior. The
proposed framework is particularly applicable to the situations where
there is only a small amount of labeled network training data
available, which is very typical in real world network environments.
Abstract: Quality of Service (QoS) Routing aims to find path between source and destination satisfying the QoS requirements which efficiently using the network resources and underlying routing algorithm and to fmd low-cost paths that satisfy given QoS constraints. One of the key issues in providing end-to-end QoS guarantees in packet networks is determining feasible path that satisfies a number of QoS constraints. We present a Optimized Multi- Constrained Routing (OMCR) algorithm for the computation of constrained paths for QoS routing in computer networks. OMCR applies distance vector to construct a shortest path for each destination with reference to a given optimization metric, from which a set of feasible paths are derived at each node. OMCR is able to fmd feasible paths as well as optimize the utilization of network resources. OMCR operates with the hop-by-hop, connectionless routing model in IP Internet and does not create any loops while fmding the feasible paths. Nodes running OMCR not necessarily maintaining global view of network state such as topology, resource information and routing updates are sent only to neighboring nodes whereas its counterpart link-state routing method depend on complete network state for constrained path computation and that incurs excessive communication overhead.
Abstract: The development of shape and size of a crack in a
pressure vessel under uniaxial and biaxial loadings is important in
fitness-for-service evaluations such as leak-before-break. In this
work finite element modelling was used to evaluate the mean stress
and the J-integral around a front of a surface-breaking crack. A
procedure on the basis of ductile tearing resistance curves of high and
low constrained fracture mechanics geometries was developed to
estimate the amount of ductile crack extension for surface-breaking
cracks and to show the evolution of the initial crack shape. The
results showed non-uniform constraint levels and crack driving forces
around the crack front at large deformation levels. It was also shown
that initially semi-elliptical surface cracks under biaxial load
developed higher constraint levels around the crack front than in
uniaxial tension. However similar crack shapes were observed with
more extensions associated with cracks under biaxial loading.
Abstract: Classification of video sequences based on their contents is a vital process for adaptation techniques. It helps decide which adaptation technique best fits the resource reduction requested by the client. In this paper we used the principal feature analysis algorithm to select a reduced subset of video features. The main idea is to select only one feature from each class based on the similarities between the features within that class. Our results showed that using this feature reduction technique the source video features can be completely omitted from future classification of video sequences.
Abstract: This paper outlines the development of a learning retrieval agent. Task of this agent is to extract knowledge of the Active Semantic Network in respect to user-requests. Based on a reinforcement learning approach, the agent learns to interpret the user-s intention. Especially, the learning algorithm focuses on the retrieval of complex long distant relations. Increasing its learnt knowledge with every request-result-evaluation sequence, the agent enhances his capability in finding the intended information.
Abstract: In this paper, investigation of subsynchronous
resonance (SSR) characteristics of a hybrid series compensated
system and the design of voltage controller for three level 24-pulse
Voltage Source Converter based Static Synchronous Series
Compensator (SSSC) is presented. Hybrid compensation consists of
series fixed capacitor and SSSC which is a active series FACTS
controller. The design of voltage controller for SSSC is based on
damping torque analysis, and Genetic Algorithm (GA) is adopted for
tuning the controller parameters. The SSR Characteristics of SSSC
with constant reactive voltage control modes has been investigated.
The results show that the constant reactive voltage control of SSSC
has the effect of reducing the electrical resonance frequency, which
detunes the SSR.The analysis of SSR with SSSC is carried out based
on frequency domain method, eigenvalue analysis and transient
simulation. While the eigenvalue and damping torque analysis are
based on D-Q model of SSSC, the transient simulation considers both
D-Q and detailed three phase nonlinear system model using
switching functions.
Abstract: In view of current IT integration development of SOA, this paper examines AIS design based on SOA, including information sources collection, accounting business process integration and real-time financial reports. The main objective of this exploratory paper is to facilitate AIS research combing the Web Service, which is often ignored in accounting and computer research. It provides a conceptual framework that clarifies the interdependency between SOA and AIS, and also presents the major SOA functions in different areas of AIS
Abstract: An ethnobotanical study was conducted to document
local knowledge and potentials of wild edible tubers that has been
reported and sighted and to investigate and record their distribution in
Pulau Redang and nearby islands of Terengganu, Malaysia.
Information was gathered from 42 villagers by using semi-structured
questionnaire. These respondents were selected randomly and no
appointment was made prior to the visits. For distribution, the
locations of wild edible tubers were recorded by using the Global
Positioning System (GPS). The wild edible tubers recorded were ubi
gadung, ubi toyo, ubi kasu, ubi jaga, ubi seratus and ubi kertas.
Dioscorea or commonly known as yam is reported to be one of the
major food sources worldwide. The majority of villagers used
Dioscorea hispida Dennst. or ubi gadung in many ways in their life
such as for food, medicinal purposes and fish poison. The villagers
have identified this ubi gadung by looking at the morphological
characteristics; that include leaf shape, stem and the color of the
tuber-s flesh.
Abstract: Knowing consumers' preferences and perceptions of
the sensory evaluation of drink products are very significant to
manufacturers and retailers alike. With no appropriate sensory
analysis, there is a high risk of market disappointment. This paper
aims to rank the selected coffee products and also to determine the
best of quality attribute through sensory evaluation using fuzzy
decision making model. Three products of coffee drinks were used
for sensory evaluation. Data were collected from thirty judges at a
hypermarket in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia. The judges were asked
to specify their sensory evaluation in linguistic terms of the quality
attributes of colour, smell, taste and mouth feel for each product and
also the weight of each quality attribute. Five fuzzy linguistic terms
represent the quality attributes were introduced prior analysing. The
judgment membership function and the weights were compared to
rank the products and also to determine the best quality attribute. The
product of Indoc was judged as the first in ranking and 'taste' as the
best quality attribute. These implicate the importance of sensory
evaluation in identifying consumers- preferences and also the
competency of fuzzy approach in decision making.
Abstract: One major source of performance decline in speaker
recognition system is channel mismatch between training and testing.
This paper focuses on improving channel robustness of speaker
recognition system in two aspects of channel compensation technique
and channel robust features. The system is text-independent speaker
identification system based on two-stage recognition. In the aspect of
channel compensation technique, this paper applies MAP (Maximum
A Posterior Probability) channel compensation technique, which was
used in speech recognition, to speaker recognition system. In the
aspect of channel robust features, this paper introduces
pitch-dependent features and pitch-dependent speaker model for the
second stage recognition. Based on the first stage recognition to
testing speech using GMM (Gaussian Mixture Model), the system
uses GMM scores to decide if it needs to be recognized again. If it
needs to, the system selects a few speakers from all of the speakers
who participate in the first stage recognition for the second stage
recognition. For each selected speaker, the system obtains 3
pitch-dependent results from his pitch-dependent speaker model, and
then uses ANN (Artificial Neural Network) to unite the 3
pitch-dependent results and 1 GMM score for getting a fused result.
The system makes the second stage recognition based on these fused
results. The experiments show that the correct rate of two-stage
recognition system based on MAP channel compensation technique
and pitch-dependent features is 41.7% better than the baseline system
for closed-set test.
Abstract: Prestressing in structure increases ratio of load-bearing capacity to weight. Suspendomes are single-layer braced domes reinforced with cable and strut. Prestressing of cables alter value and distribution of stress in structure. In this study two configuration, diamatic and lamella domes is selected. Investigated domes have span of 100m with rise-to-span ratios of 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3. Single layer domes loaded under service load combinations according to ISO code. After geometric nonlinear analysis, models are designed with tubular and I-shaped sections then reinforced with cable and strut and converted to suspendomes. Displacements and stresses of some groups of nodes and elements in all of single-layer domes and suspendomes for three load combinations, symmetric snow, asymmetric snow and wind are compared. Variation due to suspending system is investigated. Suspendomes are redesigned and minimum possible weight after addition of cable and strut is obtained.
Abstract: Subjective loneliness describes people who feel a
disagreeable or unacceptable lack of meaningful social relationships,
both at the quantitative and qualitative level. The studies to be
presented tested an Italian 18-items self-report loneliness measure,
that included items adapted from scales previously developed,
namely a short version of the UCLA (Russell, Peplau and Cutrona,
1980), and the 11-items Loneliness scale by De Jong-Gierveld &
Kamphuis (JGLS; 1985). The studies aimed at testing the developed
scale and at verifying whether loneliness is better conceptualized as a
unidimensional (so-called 'general loneliness') or a bidimensional
construct, namely comprising the distinct facets of social and
emotional loneliness. The loneliness questionnaire included 2 singleitem
criterion measures of sad mood, and social contact, and asked
participants to supply information on a number of socio-demographic
variables. Factorial analyses of responses obtained in two
preliminary studies, with 59 and 143 Italian participants respectively,
showed good factor loadings and subscale reliability and confirmed
that perceived loneliness has clearly two components, a social and an
emotional one, the latter measured by two subscales, a 7-item
'general' loneliness subscale derived from UCLA, and a 6–item
'emotional' scale included in the JGLS. Results further showed that
type and amount of loneliness are related, negatively, to frequency of
social contacts, and, positively, to sad mood. In a third study data
were obtained from a nation-wide sample of 9.097 Italian subjects,
12 to about 70 year-olds, who filled the test on-line, on the Italian
web site of a large-audience magazine, Focus. The results again
confirmed the reliability of the component subscales, namely social,
emotional, and 'general' loneliness, and showed that they were
highly correlated with each other, especially the latter two.
Loneliness scores were significantly predicted by sex, age, education
level, sad mood and social contact, and, less so, by other variables –
e.g., geographical area and profession. The scale validity was
confirmed by the results of a fourth study, with elderly men and
women (N 105) living at home or in residential care units. The three
subscales were significantly related, among others, to depression, and
to various measures of the extension of, and satisfaction with, social
contacts with relatives and friends. Finally, a fifth study with 315
career-starters showed that social and emotional loneliness correlate
with life satisfaction, and with measures of emotional intelligence.
Altogether the results showed a good validity and reliability in the
tested samples of the entire scale, and of its components.
Abstract: In highly competitive environments, a growing
number of companies must regularly launch new products speedily
and successfully. A company-s success is based on the systematic,
conscious product designing method which meets the market
requirements and takes risks as well as resources into consideration.
Research has found that developing and launching new products are
inherently risky endeavors. Hence in this research, we aim at
introducing a risk evaluation framework for the new product
innovation process. Our framework is based on the fuzzy analytical
hierarchy process (FAHP) methodology. We have applied all the
stages of the framework on the risk evaluation process of a
pharmaceuticals company.
Abstract: From an economic standpoint the current and future
road traffic situation in urban areas is a cost factor. Traffic jams and
congestion prolong journey times and tie up resources in trucks and
personnel. Many discussions about imposing charges or tolls for
cities in Europe in order to reduce traffic congestion are currently in
progress. Both of these effects lead – directly or indirectly - to
additional costs for the urban distribution systems in retail
companies. One approach towards improving the efficiency of retail
distribution systems, and thus towards avoiding negative
environmental factors in urban areas, is horizontal collaboration for
deliveries to retail outlets – Urban Retail Logistics. This paper
presents a classification system to help reveal where cooperation
between retail companies is possible and makes sense for deliveries
to retail outlets in urban areas.
Abstract: Economic crime (i.e. corporate fraud) has a
significant impact on business. This study analyzes the fraud cases
reported by the Malaysian Securities Commission. Frauds involving
market manipulation and/or illegal share trading are the most
common types of fraud reported over the 6 years analyzed. The
highest number of frauds reported involved investment and fund
holding companies. Alarmingly the results indicate quite a high
number of frauds cases are committed by management. The higher
number of Chinese perpetrators may be due to fact that they are the
dominant group in Malaysian business. The result also shows that
more than half of companies involved with fraud are privately held
companies in the investment/fund/finance sector. The results of this
study highlight general characteristic of perpetrators (person and
company) that commit fraud which could help the regulators in their
monitoring and enforcement activities. To investors, this would help
in analyzing their business investment or portfolio risk.
Abstract: Mobile Ad hoc network consists of a set of mobile
nodes. It is a dynamic network which does not have fixed topology.
This network does not have any infrastructure or central
administration, hence it is called infrastructure-less network. The
change in topology makes the route from source to destination as
dynamic fixed and changes with respect to time. The nature of
network requires the algorithm to perform route discovery, maintain
route and detect failure along the path between two nodes [1]. This
paper presents the enhancements of ARA [2] to improve the
performance of routing algorithm. ARA [2] finds route between
nodes in mobile ad-hoc network. The algorithm is on-demand source
initiated routing algorithm. This is based on the principles of swarm
intelligence. The algorithm is adaptive, scalable and favors load
balancing. The improvements suggested in this paper are handling of
loss ants and resource reservation.
Abstract: This paper examines the implementation of RC5 block cipher for digital images along with its detailed security analysis. A complete specification for the method of application of the RC5 block cipher to digital images is given. The security analysis of RC5 block cipher for digital images against entropy attack, bruteforce, statistical, and differential attacks is explored from strict cryptographic viewpoint. Experiments and results verify and prove that RC5 block cipher is highly secure for real-time image encryption from cryptographic viewpoint. Thorough experimental tests are carried out with detailed analysis, demonstrating the high security of RC5 block cipher algorithm.
Abstract: Aspect of visual perception occupies a central position
in shaping the physical structure of a city. This paper discusses the
visual characteristics of utopian cities and their impact on the shaping
of real urban structures. Utopian examples of cities will not be
discussed in terms of social and sociological conditions, but rather
the emphasis is on urban utopias and ideal cities that have achieved
or have had potential impact on the shape of the physical structure of
Nikšić. It is a Renaissance-Baroque period with a touch of classicism.
The paper’s emphasis is on the physical dimension, not excluding the
importance of social equilibrium, studies of which are dating back to
Aristotle, Plato, Thomas More, Robert Owen, Tommaso Campanella
and others. The emphasis is on urban utopias and their impact on the
development of sustainable physical structure of a real city in the
context of visual perception. In the case of Nikšić, this paper
identifies the common features of a real city and a utopian city, as
well as criteria for sustainable urban development in the context of
visual achievement.
Abstract: This study examines the structural and systematic processes of the Human Resources Division at The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago for evidence of incorporation of the University's 2012- 2017 Strategic Plan. In conducting the study the structure of the Human Resources Management Division and its functions were carefully reviewed and measured against the strategic direction of the organisation. Findings indicate disconnect between these areas as there is apparent failure of the Human Resources Division to totally align its mandate with that of the organisation-s strategic direction. This action serves to threaten the viability of the organisation and its efficiency and effectiveness as an institution. The recommendations being put forward are for the realignment of the Human Resources Management Division and for its focus to mirror that of the organisation and the organisation-s goals and objectives. This may entail a restructuring of the Division.
Abstract: The use of externally bonded Carbon Fiber
Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) reinforcement has proven to be an
effective technique to strengthen steel structures. An experimental
study on CFRP bonded steel plate with double strap joint has been
conducted and specimens are tested under tensile loadings. An
empirical model has been developed using stress-based approach to
predict ultimate capacity of the CFRP bonded steel structure. The
results from the model are comparable with the experimental result
with a reasonable accuracy.