Digital Commons Network^™

Phytoplankton Community Response To Upwelling Events: Distribution And Abundance Investigated Using Genomic Methods, Sveinn V. Einarsson

OES Theses and Dissertations

Upwelling events are known to support blooms of phytoplankton, important primary producers at the base of the oceanic food web. Phytoplankton community structure changes in response to upwelling support higher trophic level growth and increased efficiency of carbon export from the euphotic zone. While these events occur globally, this study examined upwelling in coastal regions, where alongshore winds can drive Ekman transport and upwelling of deeper waters. The two upwelling regimes examined were the California Current System and the Alaskan Beaufort Sea. In the California Current System, the relative diatom community composition was examined using 18S sequencing to determine how …

Independence Considerations For Information Systems Services, December 2021; Practice Aid, American Institute Of Certified Public Accountants (Aicpa)

Guides, Handbooks and Manuals

No abstract provided.

Integrating Wearable Devices For Intelligent Health Monitoring System, Sondous Sulaiman, Mohammed Najm

Iraqi Journal of Computers, Communications, Control and Systems Engineering

It is known that many individuals suffer from chronic diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea, which requires constant monitoring, which is only found in the hospital, and the high cost that the individual cannot afford, especially at present. This paper proposes a system through which an individual can monitor vital signs and can use the wearable device by himself without the need for assistance. Wearable devices have been used from the sensors where the proposed system uses six sensors which are the electrocardiogram, the pulse oximeter, heart rate, blood pressure, skin temperature, temperature, and humidity …

Detection And Classification Of Leaf Disease Using Deep Learning For A Greenhouses’ Robot, Shahad Ahmed, Saman Hameed

Iraqi Journal of Computers, Communications, Control and Systems Engineering

Plant diseases are a severe threat to the environment, economy, and health. Early disease identification remains a challenging task in Iraq due to the scarce of the necessary resources and infrastructure. This paper uses various deep learning algorithms to detect different diseases on plant leaves and detect healthy ones, using an RGB camera as a crucial part of our real-time autonomous greenhouses' robot along with using two datasets, plant-village and cotton dataset, to investigate the best conVolutional neural network architecture. The first dataset contained 10,190 images from the plant-village open datasets; it includes four crops with ten distinct classes of …

Image Encryption Paillier Homomorphic Cryptosystem, Zainab Mohammed, Hala Bahjat, Abdul Mohssen Jaber Abdul Hossen

Iraqi Journal of Computers, Communications, Control and Systems Engineering

With the increasing use of media in communications, both academia and industry pay attention to the content security of digital images. This research presents a Homomorphic cryptosystem-based asymmetric picture encryption technique (Paillier). The algorithm is used for securing images that transmit over public unsecured channels. The Homomorphic property is used in this paper, which is comprised of three steps: key generation, encryption, and decryption. To realize such approach, the encryption cryptosystem must support additional operation over encrypted data. This cryptosystem can be effective in protecting images and supporting the construction of programs that can process encrypted input and produce encrypted …

Data Hiding By Unsupervised Machine Learning Using Clustering K-Mean Technique, Hiba Hamdi, Maisa'a Abid Ali

Iraqi Journal of Computers, Communications, Control and Systems Engineering

Steganography includes hiding text, image, or any sentient information inside another image, video, or audio. It aims to increase individuals’ use of social media, the internet and web networks to securely transmit information between sender and receiver and an attacker will not be able to detect its information. The current article deals with steganography that can be used as machine learning method, it suggests a new method to hide data by using unsupervised machine learning (clustering k-mean algorithm). This system uses hidden data into the cover image, it consists of three steps: the first step divides the cover image into …

An Enhanced Hybrid Edge-Cloud Algorithm For Reducing Iot Service Delay, Rawaa Ammar, Hassan Jaleel, Ghaida Muttashar Abdel Saheb

Iraqi Journal of Computers, Communications, Control and Systems Engineering

The Savvy Manufacturing plant could be a concept that communicates the conclusion goal of fabricating digitization. A Smart Factory, within the most common sense, profoundly digitized shop floor that collects and offers information persistently through associated computers, gadgets, and generations. In this work, the factory is represented by five types of sensors. The reading of the sensor values is sent to one of the Edge servers and cloud computing. One Edge server is selected based on calculating the time it takes for each server. The highest least time priority is chosen to receive the data coming from the sensors. This …

Study Of Cyber Security Effects On Wireless Sensors Networks, Shaymaa Mahmood, Yossra Hussain

Iraqi Journal of Computers, Communications, Control and Systems Engineering

In recent two years, information systems have been adopted in most fields of life due to the health state around the world. At the same time, the risk factor of security attacks is increased sharply as well. These attacks consider different actions toward damaging the data of systems or even making down their work. In this paper, a study of cyber-threats (attacks) on Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) is presented. This study illustrates the effects of the cyber-threats on the WSN according to the network layers, as well as their privacy concerns. The outcome of this study is the classification of …

Speaker Recognition System Based On Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficient And Four Features, Ashraf Tahseen, Hasanen S., Mohammad N. Fadhil

Iraqi Journal of Computers, Communications, Control and Systems Engineering

Biometrics signs are the most important factor in the human recognition field and considered an effective technique for person authentication systems. Voice recognition is a popular method to use due to its ease of implementation and acceptable effectiveness. This original_study will introduce a speaker recognition system that consists of preprocessing techniques to eliminate noise and make the sound smoother. For the feature extraction stage, the method Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficient (MFCC) is used, and in the second step, the four features (FF) Mean, Standard Division, Zero-Cross and Amplitude, which added to (MFCC) to improve the results. For data representation, vector …

3d Textured Model Encryption Using 2d Logistic And 3d Lorenz Chaotic Map, Nashwan Alsalam, Abdul Monem S., Shaimaa H. Shaker

Iraqi Journal of Computers, Communications, Control and Systems Engineering

The widespread of recent multimedia, including various 3D model applications in different domains of areas, may lead to 3D models being stolen and attacked by hackers. Moreover, 3D models must be protected from unauthorized users and when transmitting over the internet. Nowadays the 3D model protection is a very important Issue. This paper proposed a scheme that provides high protection for the textured 3D model by implementing multiple levels of security. The first level of security is achieved by encrypting the texture map based on a key generated by a 2D Logistic chaotic map. The second level of security is …

Flow Of Quantum Genetic Lotka-Volterra Algebras On M2(ℂ), Sondos Muhammed Syam

Theses

In this thesis, a class of flow quantum Lotka-Volterra genetic algebras (FQLVG-A) is investigated and its structure is studied. Moreover, the necessary and sufficient conditions for the associativity and alternatively of FQGLV-A are derived. In addition, idempotent elements in FQGLV-A are found. Also, derivations of a class of FQLVG-A are described. Also, the automorphisms of a class of FQLVG-A and their positivity are examined.

Minimization Of The Weld Distortion By Weld Sequence Optimization Using Artificial Intelligence, Jeyaganesh Devaraj

Theses

The application of dissimilar metal welding processes is increasing nowadays in the automobile, aerospace, marine industry as they not only serve for joint welding for different metals but also assist in repairing and reworking in a simplified manner. Study on optimization of weld parameter to weld a structure is important to have control over the distortion, mass deposition, tensile strength, etc. The present research reports the development and implementation of the Genetic algorithm integrated Artificial Neural Network (GANN) based weld sequence optimization for reducing deformation of dissimilar metal joining using the hot-encode technique. Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) is used …

Blood Pressure Management And Factors Affecting Adherence To Antihypertensive Medications In The United Arab Emirates, Akshaya Srikanth Bhagavathula

Dissertations

Hypertension is a significant public health problem worldwide and is a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The dynamics of guidelines-recommended blood pressure (BP) control and adherence to antihypertensive medications in incident hypertensives remain unclear. This dissertation aims to assess guidelines-recommended BP management, adherence to antihypertensive medications, and factors associated with poor BP control among newly diagnosed hypertensive patients in the UAE. A retrospective chart review of 5308 newly treated hypertensives across the emirate of Abu Dhabi, UAE, in 2017 was conducted. These patients were diagnosed by the treating physician according to ambulatory (ABPM), or home-based BP monitoring (HBPM) …

Multi Stage Modified Solvay Process For Co2 Capture And Reject Brine Desalination, Ameera Fares Mohammad

Dissertations

Brine management is an environmental concern, as many desalination plants need to find suitable approaches for the treatment or disposal of the large amounts of concentrated brine that are produced. Many conventional methods are used such as disposal through deep well injection, but these methods still suffer from many drawbacks. An alternative approach is to further process the brine by extracting the salts through reactions with carbon dioxide. The chemical reactions of reject brine with high alkalinity products and carbon dioxide are postulated to constitute a new, effective, economic and environmentally friendly approach. On the other hand, a major challenge …

Toward The Micro-Foundations Of Environmental Sustainability: Fostering Pro-Environmental Behavior Among Employees To Boost Corporate Environmental Performance In The United Arab Emirates, Tareq Zaal Al-Ali

Dissertations

Today, the world is still struggling to find ways to control pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and climate change. Consequently, environmental sustainability has become an essential concept in the global business environment. This study examined the factors that can influence the environmental sustainability performance of organizations. While previous studies have examined the role of regulatory frameworks, industry standards, innovation, and the use of clean technologies in achieving environmental sustainability, little attention has been paid to the role of employees in improving a company's environmental performance. This study examined how employees' pro-environmental beliefs and behaviors are triggered in the workplace. It then …

The Power Of Renegotiation And Monitoring In Software Outsourcing: Substitutes Or Complements?, He Huang, Minhui Hu, Robert J. Kauffman, Hongyan Xu

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Monitoring and contract renegotiation are two common solutions for addressing information asymmetry and uncertainty between a client and a vendor of software outsourcing services. Monitoring is mostly applied in time-and-materials contracts, as a basis for inspecting and reimbursing the vendor’s efforts in system development. Renegotiation, by contrast, is deployed in fixed-price and time-and-materials contracts to mitigate the loss of surplus from uncertainty after system development. We investigate the interaction between monitoring and renegotiation and examine the corresponding contract choice problem. We find that the client benefits from renegotiation based on two effects: an uncertainty-resolution effect and a post-development incentive effect, …

Load Balancing And Detection Of Distributed Denial Of Service Attacks Using Entropy Detection, Hiba Salah, Ahmed Al-Saadi

Iraqi Journal of Computers, Communications, Control and Systems Engineering

Software Defined Network (SDN) is a modern network architecture that has a centralized controller. It is more flexible, and programmable due to the separation of the control plane from the data plane. However, Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks is one of the dangers that the SDN network is facing. It could attack and stop the controller from working, causing the whole system to be down. Moreover, DDoS attacks can target the hosts and the switches to stop the services for a long time as they could cause more damage to the network or datacenter. In this work, a proposed …

Timetabling Problem Solving Based On Improved Meerkat Clan Algorithm (Imca), Mohammed A., Hasanen S.

Iraqi Journal of Computers, Communications, Control and Systems Engineering

The university courses timetabling problem (UCTP) is a big topic among academics and institutions since it occurs every academic year. In general, UCTP is the distribution of events across slots time for each room based on a list of restrictions provided in one semester, such as (hard constraint and soft constraint), with the objective of avoiding conflicts in such assignments. Hard constraints should never be breached when striving to satisfy as many soft constraints as possible. There are many different methods used in automating the problems of the university timetabling course in higher education institutions. This paper presents an improved …

Split-Horizon Dual-Stage Dispatch Scheme For A Standalone Microgrid, Aslam Amir

Theses

The advent of microgrids has prompted plenty of studies into its design, control, protection, and implementation, with several operational as well as pilot systems being commissioned worldwide. This necessitates the development of hardware and software for the Energy Management System, the supervisory controller in a microgrid. Hence, this thesis provides a novel dual-stage dispatch scheme for the Energy Management System of a Standalone microgrid by “splitting” the dispatch time horizon into four equal quarters to facilitate better usage of power forecast accuracies. The two stages include Unit Commitment/Scheduling and Economic Dispatch for the dispatchable Distributed Energy Resources based on renewable …

The Sacred And Profane Of Japan’S Nuclear Safety Myth: On The Cultural Logic Of Framing And Overflowing, Hiro Saito

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Any policy requires a ‘frame’ and, by the same token, entails an ‘overflow’, externalizing a certain part of the world as irrelevant. This mundane business of policy framing and overflowing became an urgent matter of concern in Japan in March 2011, as the Fukushima nuclear disaster exposed how the existing frame of nuclear safety had permitted the fatal overflow of severe accident management. In fact, despite the creation of the new regulatory agency in September 2012, the post-Fukushima frame of nuclear safety continued to externalize off-site evacuation planning – a key component of severe accident management – until March 2015. …

The Pandemic As Political Opportunity: Jokowi’S Indonesia In The Time Of Covid-19, Charlotte Setijadi

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

In mid-2021, the Delta strain of the Covid-19 virus caused a second wave of transmissions and deaths in Indonesia at a scale much greater than what was seen in 2020. In this paper, I examine what the Indonesian government’s handling of the Covid crisis in 2021 reveals about the priorities of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), as well as his political agenda and attitude towards the country’s democracy, as he strives to cement his legacy. I argue that, while devastating, the Covid-19 pandemic has given Jokowi the opportunity to push through long-planned economic and political reforms. Furthermore, I contend that, under …

Decentralized Deterministic Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning, Antoine Grosnit, Desmond Cai, Laura Wynter

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Recent work in multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL) by [Zhang, ICML12018] provided the first decentralized actor-critic algorithm to offer convergence guarantees. In that work, policies are stochastic and are defined on finite action spaces. We extend those results to develop a provably-convergent decentralized actor-critic algorithm for learning deterministic policies on continuous action spaces. Deterministic policies are important in many real-world settings. To handle the lack of exploration inherent in deterministic policies we provide results for the off-policy setting as well as the on-policy setting. We provide the main ingredients needed for this problem: the expression of a local deterministic policy gradient, …

Efficient Reinforcement Learning In Resource Allocation Problems Through Permutation Invariant Multi-Task Learning, Desmond Cai, Shiau Hong Lim, Laura Wynter

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

One of the main challenges in real-world reinforcement learning is to learn successfully from limited training samples. We show that in certain settings, the available data can be dramatically increased through a form of multi-task learning, by exploiting an invariance property in the tasks. We provide a theoretical performance bound for the gain in sample efficiency under this setting. This motivates a new approach to multi-task learning, which involves the design of an appropriate neural network architecture and a prioritized task-sampling strategy. We demonstrate empirically the effectiveness of the proposed approach on two real-world sequential resource allocation tasks where this …

Clinical Predictors Of Non-Response To Lithium Treatment In The Pharmacogenomics Of Bipolar Disorder (Pgbd) Study, Yian Lin, Adam X. Maihofer, Emma Stapp, Megan Ritchey, Ney Alliey Rodriguez

School of Medicine Publications

Background: Lithium is regarded as a first-line treatment for bipolar disorder (BD), but partial response and non-response commonly occurs. There exists a need to identify lithium non-responders prior to initiating treatment. The Pharmacogenomics of Bipolar Disorder (PGBD) Study was designed to identify predictors of lithium response.

Methods: The PGBD Study was an eleven site prospective trial of lithium treatment in bipolar I disorder. Subjects were stabilized on lithium monotherapy over 4 months and gradually discontinued from all other psychotropic medications. After ensuring a sustained clinical remission (defined by a score of ≤3 on the CGI for 4 weeks) had been …

Latinos In Massachusetts: Lowell, Phillip Granberry, Vishakha Agarwal

Gastón Institute Publications

Lowell is a city of 111,306 residents, who include 20,132 Latinos, or 18% of the city’s population. (Across the state, Latino residents make up only 11% of the population.) Lowell has a larger non-Latino White (49%) and Asian (23%) populations, while Blacks and “other” groups compose 7% and 3%, respectively.

Latinos In Massachusetts: Lawrence, Phillip Granberry, Vishakha Agarwal

Gastón Institute Publications

Lawrence, Massachusetts is a city of 79,942 residents, of whom 64,463 or 81% are Latino according to the 2015-2019 American Community Survey. While Boston has a larger Latino population, Lawrence has the largest share of Latino residents of any city or town in Massachusetts. The second largest group in the city is Non-Latino Whites, who make up 15% of the population. Blacks and Asians account for 2% each, while the “other” group makes up 1% of the city’s population. The Latino share in Lawrence is significantly larger than Latinos' statewide share, which is 11%.

Latinos In Massachusetts: Lynn, Phillip Granberry, Vishakha Agarwal

Gastón Institute Publications

As the largest city in Essex County, Lynn’s population in the 2015-2019 American Community Survey is 93,743. The city is home to an estimated 40,095 Latinos, who are the largest ethno-racial group and make up 43% of the city’s population. Whites are the second largest population (36%), while the city has smaller Black (11%), Asian (7%), and Other (3%) populations.

Front Matter

The Foundation Review

No abstract provided.

Editorial, Teresa R. Behrens

The Foundation Review

No abstract provided.

Full Issue

The Foundation Review

No abstract provided.