Data Mining with SQL Server 2008 Business Intelligence Development Studio A Hands-on Approach

Data mining is an emerging field of study in Information Systems programs. The purpose of this tutorial is to provide a hands-on approach on how to utilize SQL Server 2008 Business Intelligence platforms to teach a senior level data mining methods class in an Information Systems program. Our intention is to highlight the capabilities of the platform to faculty currently teaching a business intelligence course and are interested in expanding their teaching portfolio to the data mining area with hands-on exercises and projects. The platform allows faculty to focus on teaching the analytical aspects of data mining and the usage of algorithms through practical hands-on demonstrations, homework assignments and projects. As a result, students are expected to gain a conceptual understanding of data mining and the application of data mining algorithms for the purpose of decision support. Such a platform allows faculty to provide a comprehensive coverage of the topic with practical hands-on experience. The availability of this set of tools transforms the role of a student from a programmer of data mining algorithms (doing low level IT) to a business intelligence analyst

A Visual Approach To Exploratory Data Mining

As the first step upon commencing an in-depth data mining analysis, students should become intimately acquainted with the data under study.  In this paper, we present a methodology and set of custom tools that we have designed and developed for use in our data mining courses that allows students to efficiently and effectively accomplish this task.  The tools create interactive visual presentations of the data, encouraging students to explore the data in search of patterns or relationships that would then be investigated in subsequent steps using sophisticated statistical and machine learning tools

Exploratory Analysis Of The Readability Of Information Privacy Statement Of The Primary Social Networks

The goal of a privacy policy statement of a web site is to inform users of the policies and procedures of a web-site as it relates to their collection, use, sharing, access, security and use of technology as it relates to collection of data (cookies and web beacons) and disclosure of personally identifiable information when a user visits the web site.  In this paper we perform exploratory data analysis of the historical evolution of the readability as well as the reading grade level of the privacy policy statements of Google, Yahoo, Myspace and Facebook.  We used the Flesch-Kinkaid, Gunning Fog and SMOG reading grade analysis measures. We gathered summary statistics of the complexity of each privacy statement (count of 3+ syllables words, count of 6+ characters words, count of 20+ word sentences).  We conclude that (1) Except for Yahoo.com, these privacy policy statements are currently written for web-users with a minimum of 2 years of college education. This is not the case for most of social networks users. (2) Using Yahoo.com as a benchmark, privacy policy statements can accomplish their goals and maintain a reading grade level of high school education or less. Accordingly, social networks can accomplish their goal of providing clear and concise privacy policy statements without having to complicate the policy statements with too many 3+ syllable words, 6+ characters words and 20+ word sentences.  In summary, it is possible to write a legally binding privacy policy statement that is also clear and easy to read

Isolation and Characterization of a Potential Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitory Peptide from the Leaves of Leptadenia hastata (Asclepiadaceae)

This paper describes the isolation, purification and characterization of a potential Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptide from the leaves of Leptadenia hastata (Asclepiadaceae). The leaves were collected from Kano state, Nigeria. Crude proteins were extracted from the leaves using a protein extraction kit. The proteins were purified by a three-step method: cold acetone precipitation, gel filtration using chromatography sephadex G-100 and ion exchange chromatography using CM-sephadex. The ACE inhibitory activity, protein content, effect of pH, temperature and digestive enzymes on the activity of the isolated and purified peptide were determined. In addition, the inhibition pattern, amino acid composition and sequence of the purified peptide were investigated. The specific inhibitory activity of the peptide increased from 0.0018 to 0.0085 U.mg-1 at a purification fold of 4.72 and yield of 9.57%. The optimum temperature and pH of the peptide ACE inhibitory activity was found to be 40ºC and 7.0 respectively. The digestive enzymes, pepsin and trypsin significantly (P<0.05) reduced the activity of the peptide compared to antihypertensive drug enalapril. The amino acid composition of the peptide was found to be aspartate (Asp), glutamate (Glu), glycine (Gly), valine (Val), leucine (Leu) and phenylalanine (Phe). The purified peptide showed a mixed pattern type of ACE inhibition. In conclusion, the results of this work suggest that Leptadenia hastata (Asclepiadaceae) leaves could be a potential source of peptides with high ACE inhibitory activities. Keywords: Leptadenia hastata (Asclepiadaceae); angiotensin converting enzyme; hypertension; peptide

Analisis Kemampuan Literasi Sains Ditinjau dari Aspek Kompetensi Sains Siswa pada Materi Global Warming

Penelitian ini bertujuan: (1) Untuk menganalisis kemampuan literasi sains ditinjau dari aspek kompetensi sains siswa kelas VIII SMP Negeri 1 Gorontalo pada materi global warming. (2) Untuk menganalisis kemampuan literasi sains ditinjau dari aspek kompetensi sains siswa kelas VIII SMP Negeri 2 Gorontalo pada materi global warming. Teknik pengumpulan data menggunakan tes pilihan ganda berjumlah 12 nomor soal. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa: (1) Sebagian besar kemampuan literasi sains siswa kelas VIII SMP Negeri 1 Gorontalo secara keseluruhan pada aspek kompetensi berada pada kategori rendah, dengan persentase siswa sebesar 91,16%. Adapun persentase kemampuan literasi sains aspek kompetensi siswa kelas VIII SMP Negeri 1 Gorontalo pada indikator menjelaskan fenomena secara ilmiah sebesar 34,35% tergolong rendah, indikator mengevaluasi dan merancang inquiri ilmiah sebesar 42% tergolong rendah dan indkator menafsirkan data & bukti secara ilmiah sebesar 28,23% tergolong rendah. (2) Sebagian besar kemampuan literasi sains siswa kelas VIII SMP Negeri 2 Gorontalo secara keseluruhan pada aspek kompetensi berada pada kategori rendah, dengan persentase siswa sebesar 95,68%. Adapun persentase kemampuan literasi sains aspek kompetensi siswa kelas VIII SMP Negeri 2 Gorontalo pada indikator menjelaskan fenomena secara ilmiah sebesar 33,95% tergolong rendah, indikator mengevaluasi dan merancang inquiri ilmiah sebesar 30,25% tergolong rendah dan indkator menafsirkan data & bukti secara ilmiah sebesar 30,71% tergolong rendah

Identifikasi Pemahaman Konsep Tingkat Representasi Makroskopik, Mikroskopik, dan Simbolik pada Materi Ikatan Kimia

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pemahaman konsep siswa tingkat representasi makroskopik, mikroskopik, dan simbolik pada materi ikatan kimia di SMAT Wira Bhakti Gorontalo. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian deskriptif kualitatif yang diujikan kepada 57 siswa kelas X SMAT Wira Bhakti Gorontalo. Pengumpulan data menggunakan tes diagnostik tiga tingkat. Level pemahaman siswa dibagi menjadi tiga kategori yaitu paham konsep, tidak paham konsep, dan miskonsepsi, yang terdiri dari tiga tingkat representasi yaitu makroskopik, mikroskopik, dan simbolik. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa pada tingkat representasi makroskopik siswa paham konsep sebesar 9,20%, tidak paham konsep sebesar 23,60%, dan miskonsepsi sebesar 67,20%. Pada tingkat representasi mikroskopik siswa paham konsep sebsar 15,75%, siswa tidak paham konsep sebsar 17%, dan miskonsepsi sebesar 67,25%. Pada tingkat representasi simbolik siswa paham konsep sebsar 7,17%, tidiak paham konsep sebesar 23,17%, dan miskonsepsi sebesar 69,67%. Sehingga dapat ditemukan bahwa ketiga tingkat representasi berada dikategori miskonsepsi dengan kriteria tinggi, yaitu pada makroskopik sebesar 67,20%, mikroskopik sebesar 67,25%, dan simbolik sebesar 69,67%. Sehingga rata-rata totalnya didapatkan sebesar 68,04%. Berdasarkan presentase ditemukan bahwa pengetahuan siswa kelas X SMAT Wira Bhakti Gorontalo termasuk pada kategori miskonsepsi dengan kriteria tinggi

Assessment of Infertility Factors and Their Relative Impact in Pregnancy using Ultrasonography & Hormonal Checkup

Infertility as a social and psychological problem among middle east natives. Among them, Transvaginal ultrasound (TVU) and hormonal tests have been selected to evaluate infertility in this study. The objective was to assess the infertility factors and their relative impact in pregnancy and to deduce the equation to predict infertility. Methods: a retrospective data (morphometric pathologies of uterus and ovaries using TVU and laboratory hormones (FSH, LH)) have been collected from clinics for 180 women of reproductive age (15-49 years) in Sudan.  The data analyzed by SPSS. The results showed that there were 120 (66.7%) infertile and 60 (33.3%) fertile ladies based on the marriage date. The common ovarian causes of infertility were the polycystic ovary (PCOs) 23.3%, simple cyst 6.1%, hemorrhagic cyst, 4.4%, and uterus causes: 6.7% intramural fibroma, 6.1% retroverted uterus, 2.8% submural fibroma, 2.2 polyps. The general accuracy of Stepwise Linear Discriminant Analysis (SLDA) was 78.9%, for infertile was 70.8% and for fertile 95%. Larger ovarian width indicates significance (p smaller than 0.05) infertility and FSH level low among infertile ladies, but LH is less dependent on discriminatio

Factors influencing the actual usage of e-government among employees within public sector organizations in the UAE

Organizations are becoming flatter, more flexible and networked due to the advent of new technologies. Leaders in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) aim to be attain the first spot worldwide in terms of efficiency and effectiveness by focusing on long- term vision and strategy. However, the gap between the essential indicators of ICT towards UAE’s government vision might affect the long-term goals. This study addresses the relationship between smart government effectiveness and knowledge management, while considering the role of institutional challenges as a moderator variable within the public sector in UAE. As a guide for the proposed model in this study, three acceptance models were implemented, namely, the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), technology acceptance model (TAM), and DeLone and McLean model of information systems success (D&M IS Success Model) as guided for the proposed model. Additionally, quantitative data were collected in this study and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and Smarts software. Resultantly, the actual use of E-government was predicted and significantly associated with the change in “Influencing factors”, comprising system quality, information quality, service quality, and social influence. In conclusion, the research hypotheses were accepted as the findings revealed a statistical relationship between the actual use of E-government and influencing factors

Data Security and Governance in Multi-Cloud Computing Environment

The adoption and integration of a multi-cloud computing environment for data transmission and storage is a crucial step for organizations, offering optimization, redundancy, and increased accessibility. However, this transition has also brought about significant security challenges, vulnerabilities, and attack vectors. These include inefficient resource management across diverse cloud providers, interoperability issues, identity and access management concerns, unauthorized access, data governance, and operational optimization. These challenges have led to various types of attacks, such as supply chain attacks, data breaches, DoS, APTs, and cross-cloud attacks. This paper delves into the growing complexities of securing multi-cloud environments, specifically focusing on governance and security implications. It also evaluates the effectiveness of multi-cloud management tools, such as Azure Arc and Google Anthos, in addressing these challenges. The contribution of this paper is threefold. First, we thoroughly investigate the various multi-cloud data storage mechanisms, vulnerabilities, and attacks. Secondly, we compare three prominent multi-cloud management tools, Azure Arc, Google Anthos, and AWS Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS), regarding their ability to secure resources across diverse cloud providers. Finally, we conducted an attack on the multi-cloud platform to detect vulnerabilities and operational inefficiencies and propose security mechanisms to enhance security. Our results demonstrate how data security and governance can be effectively implemented to secure multi-cloud operation environments and how inefficiencies can be detected and addressed to ensure data security

Evaluation of the impact of the voucher program for improving maternal health behavior and status in Bangladesh

Vouchers, a demand-side financing (DSF) instrument for health-care services, were introduced in Bangladesh in 2006. The DSF program grants vouchers to pregnant women to receive free antenatal, delivery, and postpartum care services as well as free medicine, and financial assistance is provided for transportation. Deliveries with skilled service providers are financially incentivized and providers are reimbursed for their services from a special fund. After piloting DSF initially in 21 subdistricts (upazilas), the government expanded it to another 12 upazilas in 2007 (the second phase), and in its third phase in 2010 the program was expanded to another 11 upazilas. To measure DSF’s effect on improved access, quality, and reduced inequity for reproductive health services, during the third phase of the program the Population Council conducted a comprehensive evaluation with both baseline and endline surveys in 11 DSF upazilas and compared their outcomes with those from upazilas served by similar facilities not included in the DSF program. This final report contains key facility and policy program recommendations