Data anonymization using pseudonym system to preserve data privacy

Data collection and storage in a large size is done on a routine basis in any company or organization. To this end, wireless network infrastructure and cloud computing are two widely-used tools. With the use of such services, less time is needed to attain the required output, and also managing the jobs will be simpler for users. General services employ a unique identifier for the aim of storing data in a digital database. However, it may be associated with some limitations and challenges. There is a link between the unique identifier and the data holder, e.g., name, address, Identity card number, etc. Attackers can manipulate a unique identifier for stealing the whole data. To get the data needed, attackers may even eavesdrop or guess. It results in lack of data privacy protection. As a result, it is necessary to take into consideration the data privacy issues in any data digital data storage. With the use of current services, there is a high possibility of exposure and leak of data/information to an unauthorized party during their transfer process. In addition, attacks may take place against services; for instance spoofing attacks, forgery attacks, etc. in the course of information transaction. To address such risks, this paper suggests the use of a biometric authentication method by means of a palm vein during the authentication process. Furthermore, a pseudonym creation technique is adopted to make the database record anonymous, which can make sure the data is properly protected. This way, any unauthorized party cannot gain access to data/information. The proposed system can resolve the information leaked, the user true identity is never revealed to others

Temperature influence on total volatile compounds (TVOCs) inside the car cabin of visible light transmittance

In the automotive industry indoor air quality or Vehicle Indoor Air Quality (VIAQ) are caused by various substances emitted from interior materials inside a vehicle. The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are an example of emitted substances from the interior materials which is harmful to the human body. As stated by previous researches, there is a strong correlation between the total VOCs emission and interior temperature. This occurs due to the solar radiation through the back window glasses, windscreen and side window glasses. This trapped heat can accelerate the melting process of trim materials such as hard plastic and rubber, thus causing the emission of total VOCs (TVOCs). Therefore, reducing the percentage of visible light transmittance (VLT) will help to reduce radiation process. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of VLT level on TVOCs emission in the vehicle cabin under static condition (parked and unventilated) and operating condition (driving and air-conditioned). For static condition the result shows that the TVOCs concentration linearly decreases whenever the percentage of VLT level decreases. However, for operating condition the percentage of VLT have less significance after 50 minutes driving time. In conclusion, the VLT levels have a strong relationship to the TVOCs concentration despite after a long driving time

Escherichia coli growth modeling using neural network

The assessment of water microbial quality is normally performed by verification ofEscherichia coli where the growth is in nonlinearity. NARX is computational tools that haveextensive utilization in solving nonlinear time series problems. It is well known as one of thetechnique that has the ability to predict with efficient and good performance. Using NARX, ahighly accurate model was developed to predict the growth of Escherichia coli (E. coli) basedon pH water parameter. The multiparameter portable sensor and spectrophotometer data wereused to build and train the neural network. The selection of neural network structure for pHand optical density modelling was optimized and also the training and validation wereanalyzed. The result exhibited that NARX modelling was able to predict the growth of E. colibased on pH water parameter with overall regression is 0.99956.Keywords: neural network; NARX; prediction; Escherichia coli; pH; optical density

Graph splicing rules with cycle graph and its complement on complete graphs

Graph splicing system is a notion originally used to illustrate the one-dimensional string of DNA splicing in the form of a graph. A graph splicing system is associated with a graph splicing scheme where graph splicing rules are defined. A graph splicing rule restricts the possible cuts to occur on the edges of the initial graph(s) in a graph splicing system. The subgraphs of the initial graph are used in the splicing rules to determine the edges that will be cut from the initial graph. The concept of graph splicing system can be applied on various types of graph, hence generates components of spliced graphs depending on the types of the graph splicing rules used. There is a graph splicing rule called as a cutting rule which can be applied on both linear graphs and circular graphs where the graphs are transformed into Pseudo-Linear Form. However, this cutting rule has limited various possible cuts that can occur on the complete graph. Therefore, in this research, the original concept of graph splicing system is applied on complete graphs as the initial graphs. Also, graph splicing rules involving subgraphs of the initial graphs which are also complete graphs, are considered and applied in the graph splicing system. Furthermore, the generated spliced graphs are obtained through the graph splicing system

Automated attendance management and alert system

“Automated Attendance Management and Alert System (AAMAS)” was developed to help UiTM lecturers and Academic Affairs Department in monitoring students’ absenteeism and improving the absenteeism record management. AAMAS provides various functions, from managing and recording students’ attendance record, to sending automatic alerts to students with high absenteeism via short messaging system (SMS) and email. The system is also able to track the number of alerts sent. Through AAMAS, a significant amount of time and money can be saved, for instance time needed to fill out forms and issue notification letters manually can be minimized significantly. Besides, message interception, human resources and human errors can also be reduced. AAMAS which was tailored to UiTM could be also enhanced and custom-made to cater other learning institutions’ requirements throughout Malaysia.Keywords: automated system; attendance management; system development

3D Numerical modelling on the thermal performance of reinforced concrete encased wide-flanged steel column

This paper presents the development and verification of a three-dimensional (3D) numerical modelling to predict the thermal performance of reinforced concrete encased wideflanged steel (RCEWFS) column. The numerical model was developed using finite element software, ABAQUS. Then, the verified model was used to determine the suitable value for heat transfer conductance, time step and mesh size that provide the most reliable prediction against the experimental results. The parametric studies were also conducted to study the effect of rising time of fire exposure, section size, and flange width of I-section on the thermal performance of the RCEWFS column. From this study, it can be concluded that the predictions by the 3D numerical model are reliable and accurate. The study on the contour of the model shows that the thermal behaviour of concrete is non-linear

Database forensic investigation process models: a review

Database Forensic Investigation (DBFI) involves the identification, collection, preservation, reconstruction, analysis, and reporting of database incidents. However, it is a heterogeneous, complex, and ambiguous field due to the variety and multidimensional nature of database systems. A small number of DBFI process models have been proposed to solve specific database scenarios using different investigation processes, concepts, activities, and tasks as surveyed in this paper. Specifically, we reviewed 40 proposed DBFI process models for RDBMS in the literature to offer up- to-date and comprehensive background knowledge on existing DBFI process model research, their associated challenges, issues for newcomers, and potential solutions for addressing such issues. This paper highlights three common limitations of the DBFI domain, which are: 1) redundant and irrelevant investigation processes; 2) redundant and irrelevant investigation concepts and terminologies; and 3) a lack of unified models to manage, share, and reuse DBFI knowledge. Also, this paper suggests three solutions for the discovered limitations, which are: 1) propose generic DBFI process/model for the DBFI field; 2) develop a semantic metamodeling language to structure, manage, organize, share, and reuse DBFI knowledge; and 3) develop a repository to store and retrieve DBFI field knowledge

Optimization of Interdigitated Electrodes in Electric Field Distribution and Thermal Effect

Microfluidic is used to separate, transport and manipulate particles through a micro-scale device. This paper presents the numerical simulation of interdigitated electrodes that is commonly used for continuous particle separation using electrical separation microfluidic device which demonstrates dielectrophoretic (DEP) force. The strength of DEP force depends on the gradient of electric field generated by the electrodes. Besides, the effect of Joule heating generated by the electrodes would harm the living particles. The interdigitated electrodes arrays are simulated using COMSOL Multiphysics 3.5. The gradient of electric field distribution and temperature generated are simulated for different width and gap of the electrode. The simulation results are analysed and discussed to determine the best electrode dimension to be fabricated for bio-particles separation application. The optimum interdigitated electrode dimension identified in this research was 60µm:180µm (width:gap) that generate 1.92x1016 V2m-3 of electric field gradient and temperature of 68°C on the electrode surface, and electric field gradient of 1.83x1013 V2m-3 and temperature about 40°C when 80µm above the electrode with the conductivity of the fluid is 1.09 S/m (mimic blood conductivity)

High speed numerical integration algorithm using FPGA

Conventionally, numerical integration  algorithm is executed in software and time consuming to accomplish. Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) can be used as a much faster, very efficient and reliable alternative to implement the numerical integration algorithm. This paper proposed a hardware implementation of four numerical integration algorithms using FPGA. The computation is based on Left Riemann Sum (LRS), Right Riemann Sum (RRS), Middle Riemann Sum (MRS) and Trapezoidal Sum (TS) algorithms. The system performance is evaluated based on target chip Altera Cyclone IV FPGA in the metrics of resources utilization, clock latency, execution time, power consumption and computational error compared to the other algorithms. The result also shows execution time of the FPGA are much faster compared to the software implementation.Keywords: numerical integration algorithm; FPGA; Riemann sum; trapezoidal su

CO2 reforming of CH4 over Ni/SBA-15: Influence of Ni-loading methods

A series of Ni/SBA-15 catalysts were prepared with three different methods which are impregnation (IM), ion exchange (IE) and physical mixing (PM) for CO2 reforming of CH4. The XRD, BET, FTIR and TGA analyses showed that the quantity of Ni-support interaction (Ni-O-Si) by substitution of the OH with Ni species followed the order of Ni/SBA-15(IE) > Ni/SBA-15(IM) > Ni/SBA-15(PM), while the size of Ni particles and blockage of the pores increased with the order of Ni/SBA-15(IE) Ni/SBA-15(PM), while the stability of catalysts followed the order of Ni/SBA-15(IE) > Ni/SBA-15(IM) > Ni/SBA-15(PM). The excellent performance of Ni/SBA-15(IE) was related with the higher formation of Ni-support interaction, which altered the properties of catalyst towards an excellent catalytic performance. Meanwhile, the lowest activity of Ni/SBA-15(PM) was related with the higher agglomeration of Ni particles that were decorating on the surface part of SBA-15 arose from the weaker Ni-support interaction. This study provides new perspectives on the Ni-based catalyst, particularly on the influence of Ni-loading methods on the properties and catalytic performance of Ni/SBA-15 towards CO2 reforming of CH4