Empirical approach towards investigating usability, guessability and social factors affecting graphical based passwords security

This thesis investigates the usability and security of recognition-based graphical authentication schemes in which users provide simple images. These images can either be drawn on paper and scanned into the computer, or alternatively, they can be created with a computer paint program. In our first study, looked at how culture and gender might affect the types of images drawn. A large number of simple drawings were provided by Libyan, Scottish and Nigerian participants and then divided into categories. Our research found that many doodles (perhaps as many as 20%) contained clues about the participants’ own culture or gender. This figure could be reduced by providing simple guidelines on the types of drawings which should be avoided. Our second study continued this theme and asked the participants to try to guess the culture of the person who provided the image. This provided examples of easily guessable and harder to guess images. Our third study we built a system to automatically register simple images provided by users. This involved creating a website where the users could register their images and which they could later login to. Image analysis software was also written which corrected any mistakes the user might make when scanning in their images or using the Paint program. This research showed that it was possible to build an automatic registration system, and that users preferred using a paint tool rather than drawing on paper and then scanning in the drawing. This study also exposed poor security in some user habits, since many users kept their drawings or image files. This research represents one of the first studies of interference effects where users have to choose two different graphical passwords. Around half of the users provided very similar set of drawings. The last study conducted an experiment to find the best way of avoiding ‘shoulder surfing’ attacks to security when selecting simple images during the login stage. Pairs of participants played the parts of the observer and the user logging in. The most secure approaches were selecting using a single keystroke and selecting rows and columns with two key strokes

Port capacity forecasting and the impact of the dredging works on port sea operations using discrete event simulation

Continuous capacity expansion is vital for ports to handle future growth due to the increase in volume of maritime transport and size of the vessels. Some improvements and developments are required for the port to enhance its capacity throughput. In order to accommodate huge vessels without any restrictions, there is a need to deepen the channels. Furthermore, there is also need to widen the channel to prevent congestions. Ho wever, dredging work for deepening the harbour waters will reduce the utilization of the berths and navigational areas . This will significantly affect the port capacity and hence its income. In this paper a simulation program based on queuing theory and di screte event simulation is developed and used for forecasting port throughput and simulating dredging conditions. Data from a container port and an Automatic Identification System (AIS) were utilised to develop the simulation program in MATLAB - Simulink. Us ing this tool, port capacity was simulated and the effect of dredging on port capacity was studied. An appropriate period of time needed for dredging is determined by taking into considerations the blocking of some berths and limiting the number of vessels passing the channel s during the dredging operations. The results from the simulations could then be used for planning the dredging works

How does transparency into global sustainability initiatives influence firm value? Insights from Anglo‐American countries

Corporations use global sustainability reporting principles, certifications, guidelines, and indices to promote corporate transparency. However, the effectiveness of adopting these global transparency approaches, either separately or collectively, in increasing firm value is as yet unclear. Thus, we examine whether different global transparency approaches engender different outcomes related to firm value and whether adopting a comprehensive or integrated global transparency approach could better enhance firm value. We use a sample comprising 6978 firm‐year observations of firms listed in the United States (S&P 500), Canada (S&P‐TSX 221), and the United Kingdom (FTSE 350) from 2013 to 2019. A fixed‐effects regression model is then used to examine the primary associations in this study. This technique was complemented by a two‐step dynamic generalised method of moment (GMM) model to overcome the expected endogeneity concerns. Our findings indicate that adopting global sustainability reporting principles, certifications, and an integrated global transparency approach is positively attributable to the market value of firms. In contrast, firms' adoption of international guidelines and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) ratings cannot predict the firm value in the study context. Our evidence implies that firms' adoption of an integrated global transparency approach adds the most value to those firms when compared with adopting a standalone transparency approach across the three sampled countries. Our study provides practical implications for policymakers and corporate managers and suggests avenues for future studies to build upon our findings

Anti-corruption disclosure quality and earnings management in the United Kingdom: the role of audit quality

Purpose Building upon institutional pressures on firms to deal with corruption, this study aims to investigate the association between a firm's engagement with anti-corruption disclosure quality (ACD_Q) and earnings management (EM). Also, this study examines the moderating role of audit quality in the association between ACD_Q and EM. Design/methodology/approach The authors constructed an ACD_Q index based on the 2010 UK Bribery Act and taking into account a wide range of rules on corruption and bribery, including those of the OECD, World Bank, UNCTAD, UNGC, UNCAC and GRI. Generalized method of moments and panel regression were used to examine the association between ACD_Q and EM. Findings Using a sample of 2,695 firm‐year observations of the UK’s FTSE-350 from 2008 to 2018, this study finds ACD_Q is negatively associated with EM. In addition, this negative relationship is contingent on audit committee independence and audit committee expertise. This finding is supported by additional robustness and sensitivity analysis. Practical implications The empirical evidence reiterates the crucial need for more concerted efforts to ensure corporate engagement in anti-corruption practices with a view to reducing earnings manipulations. Originality/value This study contributes to the limited evidence that investigates how ACD Q influences EM in the UK after the introduction of the UK Bribery Act in 2010. Furthermore, by considering the period from 2008 to 2019, this study investigates the potential moderating role of UK corporate governance reforms in EM reduction. In particular, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study assesses for the first time the moderating effect of audit committee mechanisms on the ACD Q and EM nexus

Oil palm fruit bunch grading system using red, green and blue digital number

This research deals with the ripeness grading of oil palm fruit bunches. The current practice in the oil palm mills is to grade the oil palm bunches manually using human graders. This method is subjective and subject to disputes. In this research, we developed an automated grading system for oil palm bunches using the RGB color model. This grading system was developed to distinguish between the three different categories of oil palm fruit bunches. The maturity or color ripening index was based on different color intensity. Our grading system employs a computer and camera to analyze and interpret images equivalent to the human eye and brain. The colors namely Red, Green and Blue (RGB) of the palm oil fruit bunch were investigated using this grading system. The computer program developed and used the mean color intensity to differentiate between the different color and ripeness of the fruits such as oil palm FFB. The program results showed that the ripeness of fruit bunch could be differentiated between different categories of fruit bunches based on RGB intensity

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Background: Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. // Methods: We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung's disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. // Findings: We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung's disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middle-income countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in low-income countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. // Interpretation: Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Modélisation de la plasticité due à une transformation martensitique dans les aciers

This thesis concerned with the analysis of a particularly important phenomenon which corresponds to one of the mechanical consequences of solid-solid phase transformations in steels: the transformation plasticity or TRIP (TRansformation Induced Plasticity) and its interaction with classical plasticity. This subject is addressed from the point of view of experimental investigations as well as with a nuimerical modelling approach, concerning martensitic transformations.Cette thèse porte sur l'analyse d'un phénomène particulièrement important dérivant des conséquences mécaniques des transformations de phases solide-solide dans les aciers : la plasticité de transformation ou TRIP (Transformation Induced Plasticity) et son interaction avec la plasticité classique. Ce sujet est abordé à la fois par des investigations expérimentales et par une approche de modélisation numérique, pour les transformations martensitiques

Modelling of plasticity caused by a martensitic transformation in steels

Cette thèse porte sur l'analyse d'un phénomène particulièrement important dérivant des conséquences mécaniques des transformations de phases solide-solide dans les aciers : la plasticité de transformation ou TRIP (Transformation Induced Plasticity) et son interaction avec la plasticité classique. Ce sujet est abordé à la fois par des investigations expérimentales et par une approche de modélisation numérique, pour les transformations martensitiques.This thesis concerned with the analysis of a particularly important phenomenon which corresponds to one of the mechanical consequences of solid-solid phase transformations in steels: the transformation plasticity or TRIP (TRansformation Induced Plasticity) and its interaction with classical plasticity. This subject is addressed from the point of view of experimental investigations as well as with a nuimerical modelling approach, concerning martensitic transformations

Real-time oil palm fruit bunch ripeness grading system using image processing techniques

Fruits and other agriculture products are valued by their appearance, which is a major factor in the judgment of quality. The human eye, for example, has historically judged quality via appearances. External features and properties such as colour,texture, shape, and size are good indicators for parameters like ripeness and defects. Grading varies among graders and is often inconsistent. The adaptation of human eye to small changes in colour and the effect of the background on the perceived colour and intensity are the main sources of error. Hence, grading system technologies offer a solution to these problems. The grading systems in general utilized improved engineering designs with image processing techniques to ensure the quality of the product. In this research, a real time oil palm grading system was built and an image processing techniques algorithm was developed based on the external features of oil palm fresh fruit bunches (FFB) such as colour, texture, and thorns. The purpose of which was to investigate the relationship between the external features and ripeness of different oil palm FFB types as well as to test and validate the implementation of oil palm grading system methods and techniques. Special grading system with specific methods and techniques was built with fast, accurate, and objective ripeness classification to work with the parameters and properties of oil palm FFB, which is important for the farmers to have an objective classifier before selling their product as well as the oil palm companies to classify correctly the quality of oil palm fruit bunches due to the variations in different oil palm qualities. Image processing approaches, such as acquisition, pre-processing, segmentation,feature extraction, and classification as well as expert rule-based system, were developed to automate the ripeness grading for oil palm fruit bunches. Feature extraction for oil palm FFB colour, texture, and thorns was implemented by using statistical colour features, colour histogram, grey-level co-occurrence matrices (GLCM), basic grey level aura matrix technique (BGLAM), and Gabor wavelet techniques on the three different regions of interest (ROIs), namely, ROI1, ROI2, and ROI3. These ROIs were based on the training and the testing of the ANN, KNN, and SVM supervised machine-learning classifiers. Statistical measurements, such as the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC), are used to evaluate classifier performance. The performance results showed that BGLAM, which was based on the ANN classifier and applied on the ROI3, was the optimal technique for grading oil palm FFB types with 93% performance accuracy and a 0.44 second processing speed. Furthermore, the grading system graded the oil palm FFB ripeness based on three different models. First, a significant 93% performance accuracy and a 1.6 second processing speed were achieved by combining the colour histogram and the ANN classifier applied on ROI3 based on the Nigrescens and Oleifera colour model. A 1.4 second processing time was achieved when the combination was applied on ROI2 for the Virescens colour model. Second, BGLAM and ANN applied on ROI3 achieved 92% accuracy and a 0.43 second processing time for the Nigrescens texture model. BGLAM and ANN achieved 93% accuracy applied on the ROI2 with a 0.40 second processing time for the Oleifera and Virescens texture models, which are the optimal results based on the texture model. Third, GLCM and ANN applied on the ROI1 achieved 87% accuracy and a 3.7 second processing time for the Nigrescens thorns model, whereas BGLAM applied on the ROI3 based on SVM achieved 91% accuracy and a 1.20 second processing time for the Oleifera thorns model as well as 88% accuracy and a 0.83 second processing time for the Virescens colour model. These results are optimal based on the thorns model. A new approach was developed using expert rules-based system. This system is based on three different ROIs that showed the best rule-based results, and were selected for further testing stages. For example, the rule-based ROIs for statistical color feature extraction with KNN classifier at 94% were chosen. The ROIs that indicated results higher than the rule-based outcome, such as the ROIs of statistical color feature extraction with ANN classifier at 94%, were used for further FFB ripeness testing. The results show that the texture models gives the best alogrithm result for oil palm FFB types and ripeness classification, where the BGLAM based on ANN with ROI3 gives a high accuracy 93% with shorter image processing time 0.44 (s) for FFB type recognition, whereas the alogrithm of BGLAM based on ANN and ROI3 with accuracy 92% and short processing time 0.43 (s) for Nigrescens, as well as the alogrithm of BGLAM based on ANN and ROI2 with accuracy 93% and short processing time 0.40 (s) for Oleifera and Virescens. The best rule-based and ROIs results were selected for further testing stages. This research has achieved its stated goal of developing a real time oil palm grading system for automated FFB types and ripeness classification. This system will be useful to the oil palm plantations in Malaysia and the rest of the oil-palm growing world. The results will benefit oil palm engineers, mills, managers, small holders, and enforcement agencies