Data Confidentiality in Mobile Ad hoc Networks

Mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) are self-configuring infrastructure-less networks comprised of mobile nodes that communicate over wireless links without any central control on a peer-to-peer basis. These individual nodes act as routers to forward both their own data and also their neighbours' data by sending and receiving packets to and from other nodes in the network. The relatively easy configuration and the quick deployment make ad hoc networks suitable the emergency situations (such as human or natural disasters) and for military units in enemy territory. Securing data dissemination between these nodes in such networks, however, is a very challenging task. Exposing such information to anyone else other than the intended nodes could cause a privacy and confidentiality breach, particularly in military scenarios. In this paper we present a novel framework to enhance the privacy and data confidentiality in mobile ad hoc networks by attaching the originator policies to the messages as they are sent between nodes. We evaluate our framework using the Network Simulator (NS-2) to check whether the privacy and confidentiality of the originator are met. For this we implemented the Policy Enforcement Points (PEPs), as NS-2 agents that manage and enforce the policies attached to packets at every node in the MANET.Comment: 12 page

Developments in iron ore sintering using a laboratory scaled development platform

Iron ore sintering is the pre-treatment process of agglomerating fine grained iron ores into a coarse grained solid porous burden, suitable for the blast furnace. Iron ore sinter is the primary source of a blast furnace’s burden and as such plays a critical role in the steel making process. A small-scale pilot line sinter pot was commissioned and validated for the proposed research. Findings suggested that altering blend chemical composition, granulation properties, bed permeability and flame front characteristics were the most important parameters in optimising the process. Research conducted in this paper suggested that varying these parameters impacted the iron ore sintering process and quality of the sinter produced. Thus, this work package focused on how these parameters could be varied in order to maximise productivity and quality. The work package also focused on various fuel particle size distributions as well as ratios and found that this also plays a critical role in influencing process parameters as well as the quality of sinter produced. It was found that by controlling the particle size of fuel, process stability increased. This paper also focused on novel additions to a sintering blend, which could be up-scaled and implemented to industry, ensuring the iron and steel making industry is heading towards a more circular economy. It was found that by micro-pelletizing fine iron ores, permeability was increased and thus pro-ductivity improved. It was also found that the chemical composition of by-products such as used Mag-C refractory brick used in lining vessels at the BOS plant could be utilised by crushing and incorporating into raw sinter blends, offsetting purchased materials. Quality parameters of the produced sinter during investigations included sinter strength, reducibility, chemical composition, optical microscopy and phase min-eralogy. Process parameters such as sintering time, temperature, flow rates, cooling rates and flame front characteristics were also monitored through out to make precise and accurate conclusions

Corporate cash-holding decisions: Amman stock exchange

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.Using a panel data analysis of a sample of 80 listed non-financial Jordanian firms during the period from 2000 to 2011, we investigated the corporate cash-holding decision. The firm’s decision to hold cash has come to the fore in last two or three years as a result of the recent global financial crisis, and the impact that this has had on the firms’ ability to raise funds from external sources. There is evidence in the US, for example, that firms have increased their holdings of cash as a result of increasing constraints from external sources. This current study therefore examines this issue from the point of view of a developing economy. We started by investigating the empirical determinants of corporate cash holdings; the results showed that firm size and growth opportunities have no significant effect on corporate cash-holding decisions, while firm’s cash flow, leverage, and liquid assets substitute have a significant negative effect on cash-holding decisions, and profitability and cash dividends have a positive effect on cash-holding decisions. Then we investigated empirically how cash-holding affects the value of corporate firms. Based on Fama and French’s (1998) valuation model and Faulkender and Wang’s (2006) model, the results showed that the marginal value of each Jordanian Dinar (JD) is valued at a discounted value of 0.41 JD; with higher leverage the marginal value of cash is declining, with a higher level of cash the marginal value of cash is increasing and, finally, cash dividends have no significant effect on shareholders’ value. We also investigated empirically how a group of explanatory variables affect a firm’s debt ratio by focusing on the liquidity variable. Results showed that the total debt ratio is positively affected by firm size and is negatively affected by growth opportunities, profitability, assets tangibility and total liquidity, cash, and non-cash liquidity. The long-term debt ratio is positively affected by firm size, non-debt tax shield, asset tangibility, total liquidity, cash, and non-cash liquidity, while the long-term debt ratio is negatively affected by growth opportunities and profitability. For the short-term debt models, the debt ratio is negatively affected by firm size, asset tangibility, and liquidity in its different forms. An investigation into the speed of adjustment showed that Jordanian firms quickly adjusted the total and long-term debt ratio, while they do not have an optimal or target short-term debt ratio

Ibn Taymiyya And Ibn Al-Mutahhar Al-Hilli: Shi\u27i Polemics And The Struggle For Religious Authority In Medieval Islam

Taqi al-Din Ibn Taymiyya (1263-1328), one of the most controversial thinkers in Islamic religious history, was repeatedly imprisoned during his lifetime. Today, he is revered by what is called the Wahhabi movement and championed by Salafi groups who demand a return to the pristine golden age of the Prophet. His writings have also been used by radical groups, such as al-Qaeda, to justify acts of violence and armed struggle. In order to explain the widespread present-day influence and prominence of a rather obscure medieval figure, this volume offers a fresh perspective on his life, thought and legacy. The articles contained herein, written by some leading authorities in the field, study Ibn Taymiyya\u27s highly original contributions to Islamic theology, law, Qur\u27anic exegesis and political thought. Contrary to his current image as an anti-rationalist puritan, this collection shows Ibn Taymiyya to be one of the most intellectually rigorous, complex, and interesting personages in Islamic history. This is the first comprehensive academic treatment of Ibn Taymiyya to appear in a Western language in over half a century. It should be of major importance to scholars of Islamic intellectual history, as well as to students of modern Islamic movements and ideologies