Applications of Artificial Intelligence to Cryptography

This paper considers some recent advances in the field of Cryptography using Artificial Intelligence (AI). It specifically considers the applications of Machine Learning (ML) and Evolutionary Computing (EC) to analyze and encrypt data. A short overview is given on Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) and the principles of Deep Learning using Deep ANNs. In this context, the paper considers: (i) the implementation of EC and ANNs for generating unique and unclonable ciphers; (ii) ML strategies for detecting the genuine randomness (or otherwise) of finite binary strings for applications in Cryptanalysis. The aim of the paper is to provide an overview on how AI can be applied for encrypting data and undertaking cryptanalysis of such data and other data types in order to assess the cryptographic strength of an encryption algorithm, e.g. to detect patterns of intercepted data streams that are signatures of encrypted data. This includes some of the authors’ prior contributions to the field which is referenced throughout. Applications are presented which include the authentication of high-value documents such as bank notes with a smartphone. This involves using the antenna of a smartphone to read (in the near field) a flexible radio frequency tag that couples to an integrated circuit with a non-programmable coprocessor. The coprocessor retains ultra-strong encrypted information generated using EC that can be decrypted on-line, thereby validating the authenticity of the document through the Internet of Things with a smartphone. The application of optical authentication methods using a smartphone and optical ciphers is also briefly explored

Corruption and patronage in post-colonial Sub-Saharan Africa: an Afrocentric ethical critique.

Doctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.Corruption has become one of the worrying plagues that affect political and socio-economic conditions of nations globally. Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the regions that is adversely affected by the effects of this menace. Even though corruption has attracted a lot of scholarship in the region, less attention has been paid to the role of political patronage and entitlement ethos on corruption prevalence. As a result, this thesis argues that the symbiotic relationship between political patronage and a strong sense of entitlement by politicians leads to endemic corruption in the region. The study adopts conceptual analysis method whereby corruption, patronage and entitlement are critically analysed. These concepts are analysed in the context of the struggle politics that characterised the transition from colonialism to post-colonialism and entitlement ethos portrayed by the national liberation movements that became governments. In order to establish the influence of patronage and entitlement on corruption, the study addresses various concerns. The key concerns include ascertaining the role of political patronage towards pervasive corruption in the governments of post-colonial sub-Saharan African countries, the metamorphosis of corrupt culture by the ruling liberation parties into entitlement ethos and the determination of the role that African ethics can play towards proffering a tenable and contextually relevant basis for critiquing corruption in the region. To respond to these concerns, the study established a conceptual interface between corruption and patronage. The study also traced how corruption became a corollary of weak colonial governments’ institutions, which were later inherited by independent governments. The study argues that from a monopolistic sense of legitimacy that characterised national liberation movements’ the political culture of entitlement has led to endemic corruption. Governments of former liberation movements have exhibited these characteristics through their dictatorial, predatory and entitlement political culture as a means of preserving their purported exclusive right to rule. In the light of the above observations, it is concluded that the manner in which political patronage and entitlement ethos were exercised by the national liberation movements that became governments have led to endemic corruption. African ethics is therefore adopted as the relevant critical tool upon which corruption and the ethos of entitlement in the sub-Saharan African region are critiqued. Based on its contextual relevance and ability to prioritize the wellbeing of the community above individual self-interest, African ethics has a potential to provide a tenable basis for anti-corruption discourse in the region and thus inform effective anti-corruption strategies

Range and frequency of AORTIC arch variants in a South African population

The purpose of this study was to describe the range and frequency of aortic arch (AA) branching patterns using multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT). MDCT images of 400 patients who attended Groote Schuur Hospital between January 2013 and December 2014 for CT Chest and CT Thoracic angiogram were assessed. Six different branching patterns were observed. A left-sided AA with three major branches was present in 67% of the patients. Bovine-type AA (26 %) and independent origin of the left vertebral artery (5%) were the next two most common patterns. The pattern and distribution of aortic arch branching patterns demonstrated in our study matches those found in studies conducted in other populations in South Africa, Kenya and other countries around the world. In addition, a link between gender and aortic arch branching patterns has been demonstrated in our study. Knowledge of the presence of variant aortic arch branching patterns will aid interventionists and surgeons to better plan procedures in order to avoid complications. Therefore, performing CT Angiograms of the chest in patients admitted for procedures involving the thorax would be beneficial

The bipolaron model in transport properties of YBa2Cu3Oy superconductor prepared by adding Pr2Co7 magnetic nanoparticles

Samples with the addition of ferromagnetic nanoparticles of Pr2Co7 on YBa2Cu3Oy (YBCO) polycrystalline superconductor were prepared by the standard solid state reaction method. The analysis of x-ray diffraction patterns by Rietveld refinement indicates orthorhombique to tetragonal phase transformation and oxygen rate reduction from x=0.3% of Pr2Co7 content. Resistivity at room temperature increases as Pr2Co7 content increases. The normal state resistivity versus temperature was analyzed properly by the bipolaron model. It suggested the increase of mobile charge localization with Pr2Co7 content.Keywords: Pr2Co7 ferromagnetic nanoparticles, high temperature superconductor, bipolaron model, localization of mobile charg

Effect of annealing treatments on normal state resistivity of YBa2(Cu1-xTix)3Oy superconductor in bipolaron model

Samples of YBa2(Cu1-xTix)3Oy superconductor with x=0.00 , 0.01, 0.03 have been prepared by solide state reaction method. The effect of annealing treatments on normal electrical resistivity has been done using the bipolaron model. The results of this study show the increase of localized charge when the dopant content increases and the reduction of this localization with annealing treatment.Keywords: YBa2(Cu1-xTix)3Oy superconductor, normal state, bipolaro

Capital humain, productivité manufacturière et croissance économique dans les pays de l’UEMOA

The objective of this work is to analyze the relationship between human capital and productivity in manufacturing industries, by studying their direct link to economic growth. Based on annual data from the countries of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), taken between 2000 and 2016, we apply the Pooled Mean Group method for our estimates. The results show that productivity in manufacturing industries is unlikely to support sustainable economic growth through human capital. In this respect, the increase in tertiary and secondary enrolment rates and the quality of training will have a positive impact on manufacturing production and economic growth. Since public spending on education is low, it has a perverse effect on manufacturing productivity. But increasing public spending on education would mitigate this perverse effect

Reasons for failure in mergers and acquisitions

Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2006.Embraced in this study, is the content and structural approach on how corporate mergers and acquisitions should be planned and executed to facilitate post-acquisition synergies and improvement in customer service levels. The project covers Saambou bank post-acquisition business failure after take-over by First Rand Group, in a horizontal integration process that did not diversify or restructure product or service offerings between the two banks. There being no positive impact on post-acquisition market share and competition sustainability by the two banks, it implied that, the post-acquisition strategy did not adequately address the business risk factors that ultimately impaired the expected synergies of a take-over bid. Lack of proper post-acquisition business plan resulted in corporate failures pertaining to ineffective competitive strategies, non optimization of market and service levels, compounded by poor corporate governance resulting in the bank's internal control procedures and processes failing. Furthermore, poor customer service levels and transgression of the Bank's Usury Act regulations, rendered the organization more uncompetitive. The over-reliance on few large corporate customer deposits added a huge element of financial risk that marginalized Saambou bank's going concern prospects. Hence, upon experiencing few large corporate deposit withdrawals, for instance by Investec, resulting in the bank undergoing liquidity problems that resulted in it being placed under curatorship

Capital humain, productivité manufacturière et croissance économique dans les pays de l’UEMOA

The objective of this work is to analyze the relationship between human capital and productivity in manufacturing industries, by studying their direct link to economic growth. Based on annual data from the countries of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), taken between 2000 and 2016, we apply the Pooled Mean Group method for our estimates. The results show that productivity in manufacturing industries is unlikely to support sustainable economic growth through human capital. In this respect, the increase in tertiary and secondary enrolment rates and the quality of training will have a positive impact on manufacturing production and economic growth. Since public spending on education is low, it has a perverse effect on manufacturing productivity. But increasing public spending on education would mitigate this perverse effect

Process intensification of zinc oxide leaching process using sulphuric acid

This study investigated methods of intensifying the leaching of zinc oxide ore using sulphuric acid for the improvement of zinc recovery. The factors that were investigated in this study were agitation speed, acid concentration and the feeding mechanism of reactants into the reactor (batch and semi-batch processes). Analysis of the elemental composition of the ore was performed using XRF prior to leaching and an Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) was used to determine the amount of zinc recovered. The results obtained, showed that increasing the acid concentration results in a significant increase zinc recovery..