Semi-supervised multi-layered clustering model for intrusion detection

A Machine Learning (ML) -based Intrusion Detection and Prevention System (IDPS) requires a large amount of labeled up-to-date training data, to effectively detect intrusions and generalize well to novel attacks. However, labeling of data is costly and becomes infeasible when dealing with big data, such as those generated by IoT (Internet of Things) -based applications. To this effect, building a ML model that learns from non- or partially-labeled data is of critical importance. This paper proposes a novel Semi-supervised Multi-Layered Clustering Model (SMLC) for network intrusion detection and prevention tasks. The SMLC has the capability to learn from partially labeled data while achieving a comparable detection performance to supervised ML-based IDPS. The performance of the SMLC is compared with well-known supervised ensemble ML models, namely, RandomForest, Bagging, and AdaboostM1 and a semi-supervised model (i.e., tri-training) on a benchmark network intrusion dataset, the Kyoto 2006+. Experimental results show that the SMLC outperforms all other models and can achieve better detection accuracy using only 20% labeled instances of the training data

Wavelets operational methods for fractional differential equations and systems of fractional differential equations

In this thesis, new and effective operational methods based on polynomials and wavelets for the solutions of FDEs and systems of FDEs are developed. In particular we study one of the important polynomial that belongs to the Appell family of polynomials, namely, Genocchi polynomial. This polynomial has certain great advantages based on which an effective and simple operational matrix of derivative was first derived and applied together with collocation method to solve some singular second order differential equations of Emden-Fowler type, a class of generalized Pantograph equations and Delay differential systems. A new operational matrix of fractional order derivative and integration based on this polynomial was also developed and used together with collocation method to solve FDEs, systems of FDEs and fractional order delay differential equations. Error bound for some of the considered problems is also shown and proved. Further, a wavelet bases based on Genocchi polynomials is also constructed, its operational matrix of fractional order derivative is derived and used for the solutions of FDEs and systems of FDEs. A novel approach for obtaining operational matrices of fractional derivative based on Legendre and Chebyshev wavelets is developed, where, the wavelets are first transformed into corresponding shifted polynomials and the transformation matrices are formed and used together with the polynomials operational matrices of fractional derivatives to obtain the wavelets operational matrix. These new operational matrices are used together with spectral Tau and collocation methods to solve FDEs and systems of FDEs

Financial sustainability of private higher education institutions: the case of publicly traded educational institutions

Public and private education can unlock different doors and help to flood the country with a rising power, sunlight and sustainable development. Hence, this paper argued that there is a need to sustain both public and private higher education. Financial difficulties restrict private higher education from balancing their budget and maintain a balance between a quality education and maximization of shareholders wealth. This paper outlines and analyzes a critical business model for higher education institutions, Dhofar University and Majan College, both of which are publicly traded in Muscat Securities Market. Both the educational institutions are critically examined from profitability, liquidity, long term solvency and asset management perspective using appropriate financial ratios. Five year forecasts of financial statements up to 2021 are estimated to evaluate the financial stability of the two educational institutions. The paper uses Monte Carlo simulation technique to examine the issue of financial sustainability. Overall the finding shows positive financial results for Majan College compared to Dhofar University. The key take away from the analysis is that educational institutions should be funded primarily by equity and not by debt to survive, sustain and provide high quality education

Isolation and Identification of Bacteria Associated with Bladder Cancer Patients

Background: Several biological factors such as bacterial infections and immunological status are implicated in predisposing individuals to bladder cancer. Bacterial infection of urinary tract has been related to increase the risk of bladder cancer. Patients and Methods: Resected tumors of a total of 73 patients were obtained under sterile surgical conditions. Biopsy processing samples and culture procedures of biopsy samples were mentioned in the text. Results: Bacterial growth was observed in 48 biopsy tissues of those patients represent (65.8%) while, 25(34.2%) yielded no growth (negative results). It is obvious that E. coli is the most predominant organisms followed by K. pneumoniae and Ps. Aeruginosa. The other uropathogens isolated more or less of equal distribution. Conclusion: High frequency and great variety of bacteria in cystectomy specimens removed from cancer of urinary bladder. They were often Gram-negative pathogens (primarily Enterobacteriaceae)

Ocular Acanthamoebiasis in Iraq

Free – living or limax amoebae are small free-living protozoans which exist in fresh water and soil environment. These amoebae were found infective to man causing a fatal disease affecting the central nervous system. Fowler and Carter were the first to report four fatal human cases of acute pyogenic meningitis caused by free-living amoebae1. The genera Naegleria and Acanthamoeba are incriminated in such infections2. Swimming in contaminated water has been frequently postulated as the way of infection through the intranasal mucosa. Since that time more than one hundred cases of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis were reported from different parts of the world. On the other hand, the free-living amoebae of the genus Acanthamoeba are known to cause eye infection and keratitis3,4,5. The discovery of progressive corneal ulceration due to several species of Acanthamoeba were reported in many parts of the world6,7. We describe here the first reported case of ocular acanthamoebiasis in Iraq due to the infection with Acanthamoeba sp

Assessment of Sewage Molecular Markers in Port Dickson Coast and Kim Kim River with Sediment Linear Alkylbenzenes

The present study aimed to determine linear alkylbenzenes (LABs) concentrations as organic molecular marker for sewage pollution in the sediment samples collected from Coast of Port Dickson and Kim Kim River, Peninsular Malaysia. The adverse effects of anthropogenic inputs into the rivers and coastal environment could be detected by molecular organic markers such as LABs. The sediments were processed; their sources were identified and tested by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The significance of the differences among sampling stations for LAB concentrations and distribution at p < 0.05 was performed by analysis of variance and Post Hoc Tests, LSD procedures (ANOVA) and Pearson correlation coefficient. LABs indices which include internal to external (I/E) congeners, long to short chains L/S and homologs C13/C12 were used to identify the sewage treatment and degradation levels. Results of this study are statistically uncovered that the range of RLABs concentration in the investigated locations was between 112.0; 88.3 and 256.0; 119.0 ng�g1 dw, respectively. There was significant difference (p < 0.05) of LAB homologs with high percentage of C13-LAB homologs along sampling locations. The calculated LAB ratios (I/E) were within the range between 2.0; 1.7 and 4.1, 2.0, demonstrated that, the treated effluents from primary and secondary sources were discharged to the study areas. The degradation of LABs was 40–64% and 34–38% in the studied locations. The findings of this study suggested the powerfully indicators of LABs in tracing anthropogenic sewage contamination and the necessity of continuing wastewater treatment system improvemen

Additive manufacturing of Ti-alloy: Thermal analysis and assessment of properties

In this study, 3D printing of Ti6Al4V alloy is realized and the characteristics of the printed layer are examined. The morphological structures and metallurgical changes in the printed layer are assessed. Temperature and stress fields are simulated in line with the experimental conditions. Since the air gaps are present in between the loose alloy powders prior to the printing, the effective properties incorporating the air fraction are determined and the effective properties are used in the simulations. Thermal conductivity of the loose alloy powders with the presence of air gaps is determined by incorporating the virtual experimental technique. It is found that the printed layer is free from micro-cracks and large scale asperities; however, some small pores sites are observed because of the release of air around the loose powders during the printing. Microhardness of the printed surface is higher in the top surface of the printed layer than that of as-received solid alloy. In addition, the friction coefficient of the printed surface remains lower than that of the conventionally produced solid surface. The columnar structures are formed in the mid-section of the printed layer and slanted grains are developed in the region of the top and the bottom surface of the printed layer.The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: The authors acknowledge the financial support of King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) in Saudi Arabia, Gazi University and TAI (SAYP Project DDKIG1) in Turkey and King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (K.A.CARE) to accomplish this work

A prospective antibiotic point prevalence survey in two primary referral hospitals during and after pilgrims stay in Madinah, Saudi Arabia

Purpose: To assess current patterns of antibiotic use by carrying out two point-prevalence surveys (PPS) in Madinah after the return of hajj pilgrims from Makkah and when Madinah is free from pilgrims. Methods: In September 2016 and November 2016, a prospective PPS was conducted on two separate dates (during the hajj pilgrims stay in Madinah and after they leave). Data on antibiotics use were generated during these two periods. This involved an audit from all the departments of two referral hospitals (King Fahad Hospital (KFH) - 425 beds, and Al Ansar Hospital - 100 beds) of inpatients records. Data were collected using standard forms adapted from the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC). Results: A total of 675 inpatients were included in PPS; among them, 332 (49.18 %) patients were receiving antibiotic therapy. In September 2016, 168 patients were treated with antibiotics, with a prevalence rate of 50.60 %, whereas, in November 2016, the prevalence rate was 49.40 %. Overall, 198 patients were identified in surgical wards, of which 132 patients (66.6 %) were receiving antibiotic therapy; 121 patients in ICU of which 70 patients (57.8 %) received antibiotics; 13 patients in other wards of which 6 (46.1 %) received antibiotic treatment; and 343 patients in medical wards of which 126 patients (36.7 %) were treated with antibiotics. There was no significant difference in prevalence of antibiotic prescribing between the two surveys (Pearson Chi-square test, p = 0.56) and with regards to patient age between the two surveys (Mann-Whitney U-test, p = 0.32). Conclusion: The results demonstrate that antibiotic use with adherence to hospital guidelines and PPS helps in identifying targets for quality improvement. Moreover, to escalate the prudent use of antibiotics in hospitals, PPS provides a useful tool. Furthermore, this survey provides a background to evaluate antibiotic use by a standardized methodology. Keywords: Point prevalence survey, Antibiotic use, Prescribing practices, Antibiotic resistance, Quality improvement, Antibiotic stewardship, Hajj, Pilgrim

Tractostorm 2 : Optimizing tractography dissection reproducibility with segmentation protocol dissemination

The segmentation of brain structures is a key component of many neuroimaging studies. Consistent anatomical definitions are crucial to ensure consensus on the position and shape of brain structures, but segmentations are prone to variation in their interpretation and execution. White-matter (WM) pathways are global structures of the brain defined by local landmarks, which leads to anatomical definitions being difficult to convey, learn, or teach. Moreover, the complex shape of WM pathways and their representation using tractography (streamlines) make the design and evaluation of dissection protocols difficult and time-consuming. The first iteration of Tractostorm quantified the variability of a pyramidal tract dissection protocol and compared results between experts in neuroanatomy and nonexperts. Despite virtual dissection being used for decades, in-depth investigations of how learning or practicing such protocols impact dissection results are nonexistent. To begin to fill the gap, we evaluate an online educational tractography course and investigate the impact learning and practicing a dissection protocol has on interrater (groupwise) reproducibility. To generate the required data to quantify reproducibility across raters and time, 20 independent raters performed dissections of three bundles of interest on five Human Connectome Project subjects, each with four timepoints. Our investigation shows that the dissection protocol in conjunction with an online course achieves a high level of reproducibility (between 0.85 and 0.90 for the voxel-based Dice score) for the three bundles of interest and remains stable over time (repetition of the protocol). Suggesting that once raters are familiar with the software and tasks at hand, their interpretation and execution at the group level do not drastically vary. When compared to previous work that used a different method of communication for the protocol, our results show that incorporating a virtual educational session increased reproducibility. Insights from this work may be used to improve the future design of WM pathway dissection protocols and to further inform neuroanatomical definitions.Peer reviewe