Artificial immune systems based committee machine for classification application

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.A new adaptive learning Artificial Immune System (AIS) based committee machine is developed in this thesis. The new proposed approach efficiently tackles the general problem of clustering high-dimensional data. In addition, it helps on deriving useful decision and results related to other application domains such classification and prediction. Artificial Immune System (AIS) is a branch of computational intelligence field inspired by the biological immune system, and has gained increasing interest among researchers in the development of immune-based models and techniques to solve diverse complex computational or engineering problems. This work presents some applications of AIS techniques to health problems, and a thorough survey of existing AIS models and algorithms. The main focus of this research is devoted to building an ensemble model integrating different AIS techniques (i.e. Artificial Immune Networks, Clonal Selection, and Negative Selection) for classification applications to achieve better classification results. A new AIS-based ensemble architecture with adaptive learning features is proposed by integrating different learning and adaptation techniques to overcome individual limitations and to achieve synergetic effects through the combination of these techniques. Various techniques related to the design and enhancements of the new adaptive learning architecture are studied, including a neuro-fuzzy based detector and an optimizer using particle swarm optimization method to achieve enhanced classification performance. An evaluation study was conducted to show the performance of the new proposed adaptive learning ensemble and to compare it to alternative combining techniques. Several experiments are presented using different medical datasets for the classification problem and findings and outcomes are discussed. The new adaptive learning architecture improves the accuracy of the ensemble. Moreover, there is an improvement over the existing aggregation techniques. The outcomes, assumptions and limitations of the proposed methods with its implications for further research in this area draw this research to its conclusion

Bank Efficiency Dynamics and Market Reaction around Merger Announcement

We study, using the non-parametric data envelopment approach, we investigated the long-run profit efficiency dynamics and the short-run market reaction of nine pre-classified merger deals of merging and non-merging U.S. banks over the time period from 1992 to 2003. Our main results are as follows: First, merger deals that match least efficient acquirers with the least efficient targets could improve their profit efficiency four years following the merger event, unlike all other merger deals. Second, we find that mergers match least efficient acquirers with the least efficient targets could also achieve significant positive cumulative access returns (CARs) while all other deals were followed by significant negative CARs. Third, we find that, in general, that large-size acquirers have and maintain higher and efficiency scores than targets and non-merging banks. Fianally, the value-maximizing mergers are mostly large in size and match banks with clear chances to increase their future efficiency rankings

Freedom of speech as a universal value (a comparative approach from international human rights law, the first amendment, and Islamic law)

The issue of universalism in the human right of freedom of speech is one of several that continue to be debated among Muslims and Westerners. As evidence of incompatibility of Islamic law with the international law of freedom of speech, Westerners, on the basis of Muslims' reactions towards the Satanic Verses and Danish cartoons, point to the blasphemy law in Islam (Sab Allah wa Sab al-Rasul). Four other controversial areas are often raised as an indication of differences between these two laws, namely, speech threatening nation security (Fitnah), defamatory speech (Qadhf and Iftira), obscenity (al-Fihsh), and hate speech. This study examines the important question of whether or not the Islamic law of freedom of speech is compatible with the international law of freedom of speech. The study argues that the Islamic law of freedom of speech is not contrary to the international law of freedom of speech, represented in two of the most significant legal sources of the right to freedom of speech, namely, Article 19 of the ICCPR and Article 10 of the ECHR, both based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which this study presumes to be the standard of the human right of freedom of speech. Rather, the study goes further and concludes that Islamic law, as embedded in the Quran and Sunnah, urges the international concept of freedom of speech and calls for it. This compatibility between Islamic law, on the one hand, and international law, on the other, is not restricted to the level of the concept of freedom of speech. Rather, even the interpretation and application of freedom of speech in the light of Islamic law are, to a considerable degree, consistent with the interpretation and application of the international law of freedom of speech by the Human Rights Committee and European Court. Although there are some differences in interpretation and implementation of moral limitations on freedom of speech between Islamic Law and the international law of freedom of speech, this does not create a general state of dissonance between them. The study argues that such differences are even more pronounced among liberal democracies. In order to demonstrate the differences among liberal democracies in this regard, American law of freedom of speech (the First Amendment) is analysed in depth. The discussion of these free speech laws reveals that although there is universality of freedom of speech among liberal democracies (which refers to the universal quality or global acceptance of the idea of freedom of speech), universalism in the right to free speech (referring to a universally applicable interpretation of freedom of speech) has not been achieved

Core-shell semiconductor nanocrystals: Effect of composition, size, surface coatings on their optical properties, toxicity, and pharmacokinetics

Quantum dots are semiconducting nanocrystals that exhibit extraordinary optical properties. QD have shown higher photostability compared to standard organic dye type probes. Therefore, they have been heavily explored in the biomedical field. This review will discuss the different approaches to synthesis, solubilise and functionalise QD. Their main biomedical applications in imaging and photodynamic therapy will be highlighted. Finally, QD biodistribution profile and in vivo toxicity will be discussed

Involving Parents in CALL: An Empirical Study

The study examined Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) together with parental participation on Saudi students’ English language achievement. A teaching-learning software, pre-posttest, observation checklist, and semi-structured interviews were constructed. Two intermediate sections with 25 students at each took part in the study. The study reported the effectiveness of parental involvement on students’ overall performance in English language learning. Key words: EFL, CALL, Intermediate class, Parental participation, Saudi Arabia

Dai’Shi (ISIS) Discourse in Arab Societies and the Emigration of Eastern Christians

Arab societies are suffering, since the events of the so-called “Arab Spring” 2011, a condition of conflict, terrorism, and instability. All the foregoing has produced a state of extremism towards the Christians of the Arab East as an essential component of Arab societies, thereby causing their exodus outside their countries, whether Iraq or Syria. The question presents itself: Are the events of the Arab Spring responsible for the exodus of the Christians of the East? Or is the matter related to the religious discourse and the school curricula which inculcate in the minds of students and youth what makes them reach this state of violence and extremism towards the other?The study has concluded that extremism and violence are a direct consequence of the official discourse, whether in the mosque, or school, alongside encouragement or at least a tacit acceptance by the Arab political regimes of those forms of conduct which may be utilized as a “religious card” to obtain internal political legitimacy on the one hand, while highlighting their role as a “protector” of religious and ethnic minorities on the other

Virtual Online Communities as Powerful Secondary Groups in Multiple Social Contexts

Online and offline discussion groups can be quite different with regard to the composition and personality characteristics of their members, the goals of the group and the context in which they exist. Multiple dynamics likely affect and influence the structure and performance of any given group.  Most of these dynamics can potentially affect the group, regardless of the domain, virtual or face-to-face, and generate similar result.   There are qualities of online communication settings and qualities of face-to-face settings that can uniquely influence the dynamics of a group in those respective settings. This study explores the functioning of virtual online groups and examines potentially influential factors for the workings of groups of various types. Keywords: Virtual groups, Group Dynamics, Online communication, New Medi

The relationship between mobile social media use and academic performance in university students

This study examined the relationship between social media use and academic performance.  Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to a sample of university students in Kuwait.  Results show that heavy mobile social media usage is positively related to lower GPA.  The strong linear relationship suggests the more students use social media the lower their grades will be.  Results also show participants were aware social media usage is lowering their grades, yet they continue to use them heavily regardless.  Future research should consider the context in which social media are used.  It should also explore other ways in which to measure social media use in addition to self-reports. Keywords: Social media, academic performance, Kuwait, mobile phones.