Word-based encryption algorithm using dictionary indexing with variable encryption key length

This paper proposes a new algorithm for text encryption utilizing English words as a unit of encoding. The algorithm vanishes any feature that could be used to reveal the encrypted text through adopting variable code lengths for the English words, utilizing a variable-length encryption key, applying two-dimensional binary shuffling techniques at the bit level, and utilizing four binary logical operations with randomized shuffling inputs. English words that alphabetically sorted are divided into four lookup tables where each word has assigned an index. The strength of the proposed algorithm concluded from having two major components. Firstly, each lookup table utilizes different index sizes, and all index sizes are not multiples of bytes. Secondly, the shuffling operations are conducted on a two-dimensional binary matrix with variable length. Lastly, the parameters of the shuffling operation are randomized based on a randomly selected encryption key with varying size. Thus, the shuffling operations move adjacent bits away in a randomized fashion. Definitively, the proposed algorithm vanishes any signature or any statistical features of the original message. Moreover, the proposed algorithm reduces the size of the encrypted message as an additive advantage which is achieved through utilizing the smallest possible index size for each lookup table

Accurate Reader Identification for the Arabic Holy Quran Recitations Based on an Enhanced VQ Algorithm

The Speaker identification process is not a new trend; however, for the Arabic Holy Quran recitation, there are still quite improvements that can make this process more accurate and reliable. This paper collected the input data from 14 native Arabic reciters, consisting of “Surah Al-Kawthar” speech signals from the Holy Quran. Moreover, this paper discusses the accuracy rates for 8 and 16 features. Indeed, a modified Vector Quantization (VQ) technique will be presented, in addition to realistically matching the centroids of the various codebooks and measuring systems’ effectiveness. Note that the VQ technique will be utilized to generate the codebooks by clustering these features into a finite number of centroids. The proposed system’s software was built and executed using MATLAB®. The proposed system’s total accuracy rate was 97.92% and 98.51% for 8 and 16 centroids codebooks, respectively. However, this study discussed two validation tactics to ensure that the outcomes are reliable and can be reproduced. Hence, the K-mean clustering algorithm has been used to validate the obtained results and discuss the outcomes of this study. Finally, it has been found that the improved VQ method gives a better result than the K-means method

Automated Medical Tendering Management System (AMTMS) for medical suppliers in Jordan

In Jordan, the growth of hospitals and medical centers (public and private) has increased dramatically.As a result, the demand for quality medical equipments and supplies increased and require suppliers to act swiftly at all times. Therefore, there is a need to strategically develop a system to manage supplies for these institutions.The Automated Medical Tendering Management System (AMTMS) is implemented as a Web-based system to as this allows the systems to be accessed anytime and anywhere. Furthermore, it plays a major role for the administration of trade and E-commerce activities.This study aims to identify the user requirements and to develop a prototype and validate the functional requirements.The prototyping approach based on General Research Design Methodology was used to develop the tendering system prototype.This web-based system was constructed using C#, ADO, Java Script for logical code, ASP for creating webs pages, and Microsoft SQL Server for database. In additional, the prototype has been evaluated by employees working in this field using two sets of questionnaires (functionality and usability).The result of the evaluation shows positive feedback on the system

Video Games Localization into Arabic: Gamers’ Reactions to Localizing PUBG and Free Fire

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has an active gaming community, with Arab gamers being reliant on games produced in Europe, America, and Japan due to the lack of significant game production companies in the MENA region. This study explores the gamers’ reactions to the localization process of two video games, namely PUBG and Free Fire. For data collection purposes, a five-point Likert scale questionnaire that consisted of 18 items and six constructs, namely need for subtitled games, technical aspects, language issues, language preference, attitudes to game localization, and future actions and recommendations, was designed to elicit the reactions of 112 participants. Upon analyzing the responses, the findings showed that the better the technical aspects and language issues of the games’ performance, the more positive participants’ attitudes to game localization. The study recommends that further research could be conducted on the localization of video games with different themes into Arabic

Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Inhibition of Aluminum in Hydrochloric Acid by Date Palm Leaf Extract

The corrosion behavior of commercial aluminum in HCl was investigated by gravimetric method in absence and presence of date palm leaf extract (DPLE) as inhibitor. Corrosion rates in absence of extract ranged from 2.4-8.0 mg/cm2/h in the temperature range 20- 50\ubaC but decreased down to 0.30-2.6 mg/cm2/h in presence of the inhibitor. Hot-water extract of date palm leaves has shown inhibition efficiency (IE) of 40- 88% at the tested conditions. IE was found to increase with increasing inhibitor concentration from 0.2 to 0.6 g/L and decrease as temperature increased. Data showed that Langmuir adsorption isotherm represents surface coverage versus extract concentration data indicating that inhibition is due to monolayer adsorption of extract components on aluminum surface. Low activation energy and enthalpy values support physical adsorption mechanism. SEM-EDS microanalysis of aluminum surface supported the inhibitive effect of the extract at the metal surface

The ability of digital breast tomosynthesis to reduce additional examinations in older women

AimsTo assess the diagnostic performance of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) in older women across varying breast densities and to compare its effectiveness for cancer detection with 2D mammography and ultrasound (U/S) for different breast density categories. Furthermore, our study aimed to predict the potential reduction in unnecessary additional examinations among older women due to DBT.MethodsThis study encompassed a cohort of 224 older women. Each participant underwent both 2D mammography and digital breast tomosynthesis examinations. Supplementary views were conducted when necessary, including spot compression and magnification, ultrasound, and recommended biopsies. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and area under the curve (AUC) were calculated for 2D mammography, DBT, and ultrasound. The impact of DBT on diminishing the need for supplementary imaging procedures was predicted through binary logistic regression.ResultsIn dense breast tissue, DBT exhibited notably heightened sensitivity and NPV for lesion detection compared to non-dense breasts (61.9% vs. 49.3%, p < 0.001) and (72.9% vs. 67.9%, p < 0.001), respectively. However, the AUC value of DBT in dense breasts was lower compared with non-dense breasts (0.425 vs. 0.670). Regarding the ability to detect calcifications, DBT demonstrated significantly improved sensitivity and NPV in dense breasts compared to non-dense breasts (100% vs. 99.2%, p < 0.001) and (100% vs. 94.7%, p < 0.001), respectively. On the other hand, the AUC value of DBT was slightly lower in dense breasts compared with non-dense (0.682 vs. 0.711). Regarding lesion detection for all cases between imaging examinations, the highest sensitivity was observed in 2D mammography (91.7%, p < 0.001), followed by DBT (83.7%, p < 0.001), and then ultrasound (60.6%, p < 0.001). In dense breasts, sensitivity for lesion detection was highest in 2D mammography (92.9%, p < 0.001), followed by ultrasound (76.2%, p < 0.001), and the last one was DBT. In non-dense breasts, sensitivities were 91% (p < 0.001) for 2D mammography, 50.7% (p < 0.001) for ultrasound, and 49.3% (p < 0.001) for DBT. In terms of calcification detection, DBT displayed significantly superior sensitivity compared to 2D mammography in both dense and non-dense breasts (100% vs. 91.4%, p < 0.001) and (99.2% vs. 78.5%, p < 0.001), respectively. However, the logistic regression model did not identify any statistically significant relationship (p > 0.05) between DBT and the four dependent variables.ConclusionOur findings indicate that among older women, DBT does not significantly decrease the requirement for further medical examinations

Introductory programming: a systematic literature review

As computing becomes a mainstream discipline embedded in the school curriculum and acts as an enabler for an increasing range of academic disciplines in higher education, the literature on introductory programming is growing. Although there have been several reviews that focus on specific aspects of introductory programming, there has been no broad overview of the literature exploring recent trends across the breadth of introductory programming. This paper is the report of an ITiCSE working group that conducted a systematic review in order to gain an overview of the introductory programming literature. Partitioning the literature into papers addressing the student, teaching, the curriculum, and assessment, we explore trends, highlight advances in knowledge over the past 15 years, and indicate possible directions for future research

Kennedy’s The Owl Answers (1965): Toward Black Existential Feminism

This article analyzes Adrienne Kennedy’s play The Owl Answers (1965) from a Black Existential-feminist perspective. It dissects the black female protagonist’s identity as a trapped identity. In addition, the article unravels the detrimental impacts of oppression and racism on the African-American female protagonist in the play in her attempt to construct a clear concept of her identity. Consequently, one of the significant issues that this article responds to is how Kennedy’s protagonists question the concept of Blackness established by radical black male thinkers. I argue that The Owl Answers presents an existential crisis of achieving one’s authentic identity and a true self. Clara, the female protagonist, strives to achieve an identity of her choice. As a female character and as a black individual, we see her entangled in racist situations from which she finds no exit

Kennedy’s The Owl Answers (1965): Toward Black Existential Feminism

This article analyzes Adrienne Kennedy’s play The Owl Answers (1965) from a Black Existential-feminist perspective. It dissects the black female protagonist’s identity as a trapped identity. In addition, the article unravels the detrimental impacts of oppression and racism on the African-American female protagonist in the play in her attempt to construct a clear concept of her identity. Consequently, one of the significant issues that this article responds to is how Kennedy’s protagonists question the concept of Blackness established by radical black male thinkers. I argue that The Owl Answers presents an existential crisis of achieving one’s authentic identity and a true self. Clara, the female protagonist, strives to achieve an identity of her choice. As a female character and as a black individual, we see her entangled in racist situations from which she finds no exit