Implementing a lightweight Schmidt-Samoa cryptosystem (SSC) for sensory communications

One of the remarkable issues that face wireless sensor networks (WSNs) nowadays is security. WSNs should provide a way to transfer data securely particularly when employed for mission-critical purposes. In this paper, we propose an enhanced architecture and implementation for 128-bit Schmidt-Samoa cryptosystem (SSC) to secure the data communication for wireless sensor networks (WSN) against external attacks. The proposed SSC cryptosystem has been efficiently implemented and verified using FPGA modules by exploiting the maximum allowable parallelism of the SSC internal operations. To verify the proposed SSC implementation, we have synthesized our VHDL coding using Quartus II CAD tool targeting the Altera Cyclone IV FPGA EP4CGX22CF19C7 device. Hence, the synthesizer results reveal that the proposed cryptographic FPGA processor recorded an attractive result in terms of critical path delay, hardware utilization, maximum operational frequency FPGA thermal power dissipation for low-power applications such as the wireless sensor networks

Modeling Impact of Project Management Performance with Among Roles of Project Risk Management and Organizational Culture on Project Success

Projects do experience cost overruns, delays, or poor quality performance. There are few studies conducted to measure the influence of Project Management Performance (PMP) on Project Success (PS). Therefore, this paper aims to review the previous studies on the moderating impact of Organizational Culture (OC) and the mediating impact of  Project Risk Management (PRM) and the correlation between PMP and PS. A rigorous review of the literature will be conducted to establish these relationships. As a result, this paper provides meaningful theoretical framework on PMP and its connection with project success. The findings would establish the nature of the relationship between PMP and PS as well as to determine the direct or indirect effects of OC and PRM on them. Also, further researches would be beneficial to fill the current research gap for future successful projects implementation. Keywords: Project Management Performance, Project Success, Organizational Culture, Project Risk Management DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/11-36-06 Publication date: December 31st 201

Diagnose Digital Skills Gap between Professional and Academic Sectors in Architecture Discipline – Jordan Case Study

There are many studies on digitization. The newly graduated engineer has a way of thinking, currency, and outlook on engineering work. Research on the ability of universities to graduate qualified architects for the professional market has become necessary to bring about changes in teaching methods and link them to digital programs. This paper looks at if there is a consensus between the opinion of professionals and academics about digital skills, trying to integrate urgent digital skills needed by the labor market in the Architecture education study plans. Mixed between quantitative and qualitative research methods, researchers analyze the study plan of 12 universities, using the Curriculum Content Mapping )CMM( method, and conduct a questionnaire for academics and professionals. Accordingly, we prove the gap between the profession and the academic world in the discipline, and there is no agreement between them about the digital programs needed. Then researchers provide a matrix expressing the relationship between the digital courses and the AE courses in a way to connect the two

Inactivated pentavalent vaccine against mycoplasmosis and salmonellosis for chickens

Mycoplasma and Salmonella are serious pathogens threaten the poultry industry. This study aimed to prepare and evaluate an inactivated pentavalent vaccine targeting bacteria, including Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (ST), Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (SE), Salmonella enterica serovar Kentucky (SK), Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG), and Mycoplasma synoviae (MS), from locally isolated strains. The prepared vaccine was adjuvanted with Montanide ISA70 oil and then tested for safety, sterility, and potency. The vaccine efficacy was evaluated in 110 specific pathogen-free, 1-day-old chicks, which were divided into three groups as follows: 1) vaccinated group (50 birds), which was subdivided into five subgroups of ten birds each; 2) control positive (challenged) group (50 birds), which was subdivided into five subgroups of ten birds each; and 3) control negative (blank) group, which included ten birds. Chicks in group 1 were administered the first dose of vaccine at 7 d of age followed by a booster dose after 3 wk. At 3 wk after booster vaccination, the chicks who were administered the booster dose were challenged and kept under observation until the end of the experiment when the chicks were approximately 10 wk. Details of clinical symptoms, daily mortality, weights, and postmortem lesions; serum samples; cloacal swabs; and nasal swabs were collected during the experiment. The humoral immune response to the prepared pentavalent vaccine was assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Our findings revealed that the prepared vaccine showed high protective antibody titers against Salmonella and Mycoplasma with 100% efficacy and no mortalities (100% survival rate) were recorded in vaccinated and challenged birds. The vaccine reduced both clinical signs and bacterial shedding post challenge in vaccinated birds in comparison with control positive group. The prepared vaccine did not affect the body weight gain of the vaccinated birds in comparison with control negative birds. The current study concluded that locally manufactured inactivated pentavalent vaccine offers protection to birds and could be employed as an effective tool along with biosecurity measures to overcome mycoplasmosis and salmonellosis in layer and breeder chicken farms in Egypt

Prevalence and factors associated with maternal and neonatal sepsis in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectivesThis study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with maternal and neonatal sepsis in sub-Saharan Africa.MethodsThis systematic review and meta-analysis used the PRISMA guideline on sepsis data in sub-Saharan Africa. The bibliographic search was carried out on the following databases: Medline/PubMed, Cochrane Library, African Index Medicus, and Google Scholar. Additionally, the reference lists of the included studies were screened for potentially relevant studies. The last search was conducted on 15 October 2022. The Joanna Briggs Institute quality assessment checklist was applied for critical appraisal. Estimates of the prevalence of maternal and neonatal sepsis were pooled using a random-effects meta-analysis model. Heterogeneity between studies was estimated using the Q statistic and the I2 statistic. The funnel plot and Egger’s regression test were used to assess the publication bias.ResultsA total of 39 studies were included in our review: 32 studies on neonatal sepsis and 7 studies on maternal sepsis. The overall pooled prevalence of maternal and neonatal sepsis in Sub-Saharan Africa was 19.21% (95% CI, 11.46–26.97) and 36.02% (CI: 26.68–45.36), respectively. The meta-analyses revealed that Apgar score < 7 (OR: 2.4, 95% CI: 1.6–3.5), meconium in the amniotic fluid (OR: 2.9, 95% CI: 1.8–4.5), prolonged rupture of membranes >12 h (OR: 2.8, 95% CI: 1.9–4.1), male sex (OR: 1.2, 95% CI: 1.1–1.4), intrapartum fever (OR: 2.4, 95% CI: 1.5–3.7), and history of urinary tract infection in the mother (OR: 2.7, 95% CI: 1.4–5.2) are factors associated with neonatal sepsis. Rural residence (OR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.01–10.9), parity (OR: 0.5, 95% CI: 0.3–0.7), prolonged labor (OR: 3.4, 95% CI: 1.6–6.9), and multiple digital vaginal examinations (OR: 4.4, 95% CI: 1.3–14.3) were significantly associated with maternal sepsis.ConclusionThe prevalence of maternal and neonatal sepsis was high in sub-Saharan Africa. Multiple factors associated with neonatal and maternal sepsis were identified. These factors could help in the prevention and development of strategies to combat maternal and neonatal sepsis. Given the high risk of bias and high heterogeneity, further high-quality research is needed in the sub-Saharan African context, including a meta-analysis of individual data.Systematic review registration: PROSPERO (ID: CRD42022382050)