XML Schema-based Minification for Communication of Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) Systems in Cloud Environments

XML-based communication governs most of today's systems communication, due to its capability of representing complex structural and hierarchical data. However, XML document structure is considered a huge and bulky data that can be reduced to minimize bandwidth usage, transmission time, and maximize performance. This contributes to a more efficient and utilized resource usage. In cloud environments, this affects the amount of money the consumer pays. Several techniques are used to achieve this goal. This paper discusses these techniques and proposes a new XML Schema-based Minification technique. The proposed technique works on XML Structure reduction using minification. The proposed technique provides a separation between the meaningful names and the underlying minified names, which enhances software/code readability. This technique is applied to Intrusion Detection Message Exchange Format (IDMEF) messages, as part of Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system communication hosted on Microsoft Azure Cloud. Test results show message size reduction ranging from 8.15% to 50.34% in the raw message, without using time-consuming compression techniques. Adding GZip compression to the proposed technique produces 66.1% shorter message size compared to original XML messages.Comment: XML, JSON, Minification, XML Schema, Cloud, Log, Communication, Compression, XMill, GZip, Code Generation, Code Readability, 9 pages, 12 figures, 5 tables, Journal Articl

Challenges for the Internationalization of a Higher Education Institution in the AEC (ASEAN Economic Community): An Intrinsic Qualitative Case Study at RMUTL in Northern Thailand

The objectives of this study were to develop healthier practices in higher education institutions in the Association of Southeast/Asian Nations (ASEAN) region, to develop protocols and procedures, and particularly to promote the international image and reputation of Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna (RMUTL) in the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). Hence, the researchers proposed particular notions that should maximize the university’s opportunities to play a part in international education for the AEC, and various trends were investigated that might lead to internationalize RMUTL. The findings were presented in seven broad issues, as follows: strategies; demanding policies; RMUTL strengths; Office of the International Relations; curricula; technological factors; and accelerate the internationalization of RMUTL in the AEC. Finally, the researchers drew some recommendations for decision makers, and scholars in ASEAN universities

A Literature Survey of Educational, Political, and Economic Challenges in the ASEAN Countries: A Critical Analysis

It is now obvious that numerous issues need to be considered to make the ASEAN Community (AC) a reality rather than an illusion.  The current state of education, economy, and politics in ASEAN remains far from satisfactory in achieving the desired vision in the ASEAN Charter and goals in its three blueprints: the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Blueprint, the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint, and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Blueprint.  Thus, ignoring challenges and opportunities presented in the scholarly literature, reports, the media, and other outlets would result in substantial dilemmas in terms of growth and development in different sectors in the region.  The purpose of this article is to articulate and emphasize challenges that ASEAN governments should confront and add it to their agendas to achieve the APSC, the AEC, and the ASCC goals.  This paper consists of four sections.  Section I describes educational challenges in the ASCC.  Section II illustrates economic challenges in the AEC.  Section III presents political challenges in the APSC.  Section IV explores critical thinking questions about all areas covered in the paper.  Finally, the authors drew a succinct conclusion

Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography and Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in Selected Posterior Uveitides

The pathogenesis of uveitis entails changes in the structural morphology of the macula, choroid, and choroidal perfusion. Documentation of these pathologic alterations is pivotal in making a proper diagnosis and in follow-up of outcomes of therapy. The newly-introduced swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA) were harbingers of a whole new era of noninvasive in vivo layer-to-layer dissection of macular and choroidal structural changes in uveitis and of disease-related vascular profile patterns. This new information unraveled new aspects of the underlying pathogenetic mechanisms in different uveitides and added to our understanding of the disease process. Monitoring choroidal thickness was introduced as a novel sensitive index for evaluation and titration of treatment response. Moreover, the ensuing complications of uveitis as poor pupillary dilatation due to posterior synechiae and mild to moderate opacities due to cataract or vitritis that frequently posed pertinacious impediments for reproducible imaging were overcome by SS-OCT features notably long-wavelength scanning laser and reduced sensitivity roll-off features. In the current manuscript we present our experience in diagnosis and management of selected posterior uveitides using SS-OCT and SS-OCTA

Novel Insight into Morphological Features and Vascular Profile of Selected Macular Dystrophies Using Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography and Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography

Our perception of macular dystrophies has evolved overtime from collective grouping into hereditary disorders of unclear etiology and no effective treatment to avid search for the underlying pathogenic mechanism that would provide base for future therapy. A causal conjunction between abnormalities in the photoreceptors layer and the RPE—Bruch’s membrane complex and abnormal profile of the retinal vascular plexuses and the choriocapillaris—stands out as a plausible theory of pathogenesis. The recently introduced swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) technology incorporates long-wavelength (1050-nm) scanning light, less susceptibility to sensitivity roll-off, and ultrahigh-speed image acquisition. These features enabled in vivo noninvasive visualization of different strata of the outer retina and the choriocapillaris with unprecedented finesse. Furthermore, the SS-OCT technology incorporated a blood flow detection algorithm; OCTARA that in tandem with the deeper penetration and superior axial resolution of SS-OCT enabled detailed assessment of the retinal capillary plexuses and the choriocapillaris in terms of structure and density. This novel technology could help explore yet undiscovered frontiers in the pathophysiology of macular dystrophies and guide future therapeutic approaches. This chapter includes a review of literature along with the authors’ experience in imaging selected macular dystrophies using SS-OCT and SS-OCT angiography (SS-OCTA)

Sustainability reporting and market uncertainty: : the moderating effect of carbon disclosure

This research examines how ESG disclosure influences market uncertainty through carbon disclosure. It uses a 10-year dataset from 2012 to 2021 of non-financial U.K. companies in the FTSE All-Share index. This study employs four regression methods to scrutinize the interplay between ESG disclosure, carbon disclosure, and market uncertainty. The research findings uncover a notable reduction in market uncertainty associated with ESG disclosure, aligning with the Information Asymmetry Theory. Interestingly, this study also uncovers that carbon disclosure amplifies this negative relationship, a finding that resonates with the Signaling Theory. These results hold true across various measures of ESG and market uncertainty. This study enriches the sustainability reporting literature with implications for theory and practice. It extends Information Asymmetry and Signaling Theories to U.K. non-financial firms, emphasizing the need for more research on sustainability disclosure. It underscores the role of ESG and carbon disclosure in reducing cost of capital, enhancing firm value, and boosting investor confidence. It calls for transparent ESG reporting by managers, regulatory promotion of such disclosures, and stakeholder utilization of these to evaluate a firm’s impact and contribution to the SDGs, fostering collaboration on sustainability. This study offers key insights for stakeholders such as managers, investors, regulators, researchers, policy makers, and educators in the realm of sustainability reporting and market dynamics.Peer reviewe

Global modern slavery and sustainable development goals : does institutional environment quality matter?

Modern slavery is a persistent human tragedy and a growing organisational risk. The United Nations' sustainable development goals highlight the significance of governments in shaping firms' sustainability agenda and combating modern slavery. However, little is known about the effects of the institutional environment on modern slavery risk. This study, therefore, investigates the crucial policy question of whether the quality of the institutional environment has any effect on modern slavery and whether sustainable human development reinforces this relationship. Using data from 167 countries, we find that institutional environment quality is negatively associated with the prevalence of and vulnerability to modern slavery and positively associated with its modern slavery risk mitigation. Our results suggest that democratically elected governments operating in politically stable societies with higher quality of voice and accountability, higher levels of control of corruption, and stricter rule of law are more accountable and responsive to modern slavery risks. We also find that sustainable human development (HDI) has a moderating effect on the relationship between institutional environment quality and modern slavery, and this effect is mainly noticeable in low HDI countries. These results imply that governance reforms alone might not yield the desired effects for all countries and, hence, have significant implications for policymakers, companies, and societal stakeholders.Peer reviewe