A Hybrid Graphical User Authentication Scheme in Mobile Cloud Computing Environments

User authentication is a critical security requirement for accessing resources in cloud computing systems. A text-based password is a standard user authentication way and it is still extensively used so far. However, textual passwords are difficult to remember, which forces users to write it down and compromise security. In recent years, graphical user authentication methods have been proposed as an alternative way used to verify the identity of users. The most critical challenges cloud-computing users face is to post their sensitive data on external servers that are not directly under their control and that can be used or managed by other people. This paper proposes a question-based hybrid graphical user authentication scheme for portable cloud-computing environments. The proposed scheme comprises advantages over both recognition- and recall-based techniques without storing any sensitive information on cloud servers. The experimental study and survey have been conducted to investigate the user satisfaction about the performance and usability aspects of the proposed scheme. The study results show that the proposed scheme is secure, easy to use, and immune to potential password attacks such as brute force password guessing attacks and shoulder surfing attack

Examining the cancellation mechanism of neutron EDM in a model with dilaton-dominated susy breaking

We examine the cancellation mechanism between the different contributions to the electric dipole moment of the neutron in a model with dilaton-dominated SUSY breaking. We find these accidental cancellations occur at few points in parameter space. For a wide region of this space we must constrain the phase of $\mu$ to be of order $10^{-1}$ and have the phases of $A$ and $\mu$ strongly correlated in order to have small neutron EDM. Moreover, we consider the indirect CP violation parameter $\epsilon$ in this region where the electric dipole moment is less than the experimental limit and find that we can generate $\epsilon$ of order $10^{-6}$

Pattern of systemic lupus erythematosus in Egyptian patients: the impact of disease activity on the quality of life

INTRODUCTION: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) afflicts young people disproportionately, often at a crucial time in their lives when they are trying to establish relationships, start families and launch careers. As a result, persons with SLE may experience a wide range of physical and psychosocial problems that are not always fully captured by descriptions of the disease’s physiological consequences alone. METHODS: In order to characterize the spectrum of the effects of SLE with regards to disease activity and its impact on the quality of life (QoL), a case control study involving 59 SLE Egyptian patients (mean age 28.6 years , 94.9% females) and 20 healthy controls was undertaken. Disease activity was measured by SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), and quality of life was measured by Short Form 36 health questionnaire (SF-36). RESULTS: Mucocutaneous and hematological manifestations were present in most of the patients and arthralgia in half of them. All domains of SF-36 including general health, physical functions, physical limitations, energy/fatigue, emotional well-being, pain, social functions, and health changes were significantly lower in SLE patients compared to controls. Except for emotional limitations, all domains were correlated with disease activity and low in class IV-V lupus nephritis. CONCLUSION: Physicians should focus on QoL and how to improve it; health education regarding the negative impact of disease activity on the patients should be given attention. The results of QoL studies help physicians to understand and provide better support to SLE patients beside rapid meticulous control of disease activit

Effect of Vibrating Footing on a Nearby Static – Load Footing

This paper presents an experimental study on the dynamic response of square footings under effect of dynamic load comes from adjacent footing called the (source of vibration (which is excited by a known vibration source placed on the top of it, the objective is to study the effect of dynamic motion of the source of vibration on a nearby footing, called second footing, both footings rest on collapsible soil (gypseouse soil) with gypseouse content (60%). The study is performed through wide experimental program in dry and soaked condition. The first footing (source vibration) and the second footing have dimensions (80 80 40), (100 100 40) mm respectively and are manufactured from steel, then the two footings placed centrally over soil after prepared it in layers’ form in steel container with (1000 500 500) mm. The first footing exposed to vertical harmonic loading by using a rotating mass type mechanical oscillator to gives a similar effect of the dynamic loads, the second footing loaded with static weight only, under the dynamic excitation. The tests are conducted under dynamic response for three frequencies (10, 20, 30) Hz, the movement (displacement amplitude, velocity, and acceleration) of the second footing studied by varying spacing between the footings. The results showed that the amplitude of displacement, velocity, and acceleration for the second footing decreases when the spacing between footing increase. In addition, the value of these parameters at dry state is greater than its value at soaked state

Effect of Thyme Leaves Extract on Quality of Lamb and Chicken Meat during Storage

This investigation was designed to study the effect of adding thyme extract (0, 250, 500 and 1000 ppm) on the oxidative rancidity and microbial growth on lamb and chicken patties stored at 4C° for 12 days. The result revealed that TBA values started to increase during storage periods, of both lamb and chicken patties. Extract of thyme apparently retarded significantly (p<0.01) oxidative rancidity and microbial growth as well in both lamb and chicken patties. Thus it can be concluded that addition of thyme especially at a rate of 500 ppm is effective as compared to untreated patties against oxidation and microbial growth. Keywords: Thyme leaf extract, Lipid Oxidation, Microbial Count, Meat Pattie

Remediation of soil contaminated with toxic organic compounds using microorganisms

Microorganisms, especially genetically modified microorganisms have continued to attract attention as a safer and environmentally friendly alternative in the bioremediation of contaminated environments such as soil and water bodies. Soil pollution by organic compounds such as pesticides, industrial and agricultural solvents, dyes, pigments, additives etc. is on the increase worldwide as a result of industrialization and agricultural modernization. Toxicity from these and other related pollutants have constituted a major challenge to humans as well as the environment. Therefore, it is important to apply effective remediation measures to reduce the levels of these toxicants so as to minimize the risk of bioaccumulation in agricultural food products. Bioremediation using biological materials viz; whole cells, cell extracts, isolated enzymes etc. is one of the most effective and environmentally friendly approaches currently in use. This paper therefore, reviews the current microbial remediation strategies of soil contaminated with various organic pollutants.Keywords: Bioremediation, Microorganisms, Pollutants, Soil, Organi

Faculty Members Practice of 21st Century Skills in Teaching: A Perspective from Bisha University

This study aims to identify the teaching practices of faculty staff members at the University of Bisha in light of twenty-first century skills. The descriptive method is used as it suits the research aims. The faculty staff members demonstrate a high level of teaching practices in light of twenty-first century skills, with life and occupation skills ranking first, learning and creativity skills ranking second, and digital culture skills ranking third. The results show statistically significant dissimilarities in learning and creativity skills and life and occupation skills between the teaching practices of faculty staff members in favor of the Faculty of Engineering, while the difference in digital culture skills favors the Faculty of Education. Additionally, there is a statistically significant difference in the teaching practices of faculty staff members in the light of twenty-first century skills attributable to the variable of teaching experience, favoring the category of (5-10 years)