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CYBER-ATTACK DETECTION AND MITIGATION IN LOAD FREQUENCY CONTROL OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCE INTEGRATED MICROGRID
No full textPower systems have great importance to socio-economic development due to the fact that
the entireworld relies on the electric network power supply for day-to-day life. To address
the increasing demand for reliable power supply and tackle environmental challenges,
integration of renewable energy sources (RESs) into power systems is essential and
microgrids are established as a practical fix for the RES-induced challenges occurring in
traditional power systems. However, due to the increased dependence on communication
infrastructure microgrids are highly vulnerable to cyber-attacks, such as denial of service
(DoS) and deception attacks, compared to the traditional power system. Hence, for the
stable operation of microgrids, it is essential to include attack resilient control measures.
Similar to the conventional power systems, the stability and frequency performance
of RES-integrated microgrids are also maintained with the help of load frequency
control (LFC) system and it is one of the most time-consuming control loops that are
vulnerable to cyber-attacks and applies low bandwidth communication infrastructure.
The performance degradation of the microgrid LFC system can adversely affect the
microgrid operation. For improving the microgrid frequency regulation capability
in the presence of RES integration and random loads, various virtual inertia (VI) or
auxiliary control mechanisms are generally employed. Hence, this research proposes
linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG)-based and regional pole placement (RPP)-based state feedback auxiliary control schemes to elevate the frequency performance and cyberattack/
cyber-resiliency study is conducted in microgrid LFC system with the proposed
auxiliary control schemes. Further, in order to simultaneously achieve cyber-attack
resilience and communication efficiency, an observer-based event-triggered (ET) secondary
control strategy is developed for the microgrid LFC system with uncompromised
auxiliary control loop and when the secondary measurement channel is under energylimited
DoS or false data injection (FDI) attack. Additionally, sufficient conditions of
stability are derived using Lyapunov–Krasovskii (LK) functional stability analysis considering
time-varying communication delay of the secondary measurement channel and
the efficacy of proposed work is analyzed through MATLAB/SIMULINK simulation
analysis. The proposed VI control techniques could achieve high frequency performance
(for instance, ±0.02182 Hz is achieved in the case of LQG-based VI control scheme)
and the developed cyber-attack resilient secondary control strategy could attain attack
resilience while keeping high communication efficiency (average communication efficiencies
of 94.54 % and 96.47 %, respectively, are achieved for DoS and FDI attack
resilient control schemes)
Unveiling the Nexus Between Land Use, Land Surface Temperature, and Carbon Footprint: A Multi-Scale Analysis of Building Energy Consumption in Arid Urban Areas
No full textUrbanization and land use changes, especially in arid environments, significantly impact local climate and energy demand. This study investigates the relationship between Land Use/Land Cover (LULC) changes, Land Surface Temperature (LST), and the carbon footprint (CF) from building energy consumption in Doha, Qatar. Specifically, the study addresses the gap in understanding how LULC and LST interact to influence CF in arid urban areas. The research utilizes electricity consumption data from residential, commercial, and government buildings in conjunction with remote sensing data (Landsat 8) and climatical data (ERA5) to estimate LST and vegetation health. The Multiregional Input-Output (MRIO) model was employed to calculate the CF from direct and indirect energy consumption. At the same time, the support vector machine (SVM) was used to classify LULC into urban areas, green spaces, inland water bodies, and barren lands. To further investigate the spatial heterogeneity of the relationships between LST and climate variables, Multiscale Geographically Weighted Regression (MGWR) was utilized. This study hypothesizes that changes in LULC and LST will significantly increase the CF of buildings, especially during peak summer months in arid regions, while increased vegetation will help reduce this impact. CF hotspots are expected in areas with higher LST and less green space. The findings reveal significant correlations between higher LST, reduced green spaces, and increased CF in residential and commercial sectors. Villas and commercial buildings exhibited the highest CF during the summer due to increased cooling demands, with noticeable CF hotspots in specific urban areas. The study underscores the role of green spaces in mitigating both LST and CF, with the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) showing an inverse relationship to CF. Policy implications point to the urgent need for integrating urban greening initiatives, enhancing energy efficiency in building design, and revising urban planning policies to address the challenges posed by LST and rising energy demands in arid regions. Recommendations include incentivizing the adoption of energy-efficient building designs and improving vegetation cover to enhance urban resilience in arid climates. This study offers critical insights for policymakers, urban planners, and environmental managers aiming to balance urban growth with sustainable energy use and climate resilience.Funding text 1: Open Access funding provided by the Qatar National Library.; Funding text 2: This publication is made possible by an NPRP award [NPRP13S0206-200272] from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of the Qatar Foundation).Scopu
Legal reform for Syria’s war-affected children: adoption, fostering, and state responsibility in transition
No full textThe prolonged conflict in Syria has left a devastating legacy for the country’s children, with over 1 million orphaned or abandoned due to violence, displacement, or economic hardship. As Syria enters a transitional phase following the fall of the Assad regime, the legal protection and integration of these children into stable family environments has become an urgent priority. This article examines the challenges and opportunities of legal reform in Syria’s plural family law system with a focus on adoption, foster care, and state responsibility. While Islamic jurisprudence prohibits full adoption (tabannī), Christian personal status laws permit it, yet they remain excluded from jurisdiction over filiation and adoption under Syrian law. Legislative Decree No. 2 of 2023, regulating care for children of unknown filiation, offers only limited solutions: it excludes orphans whose filiation is known and bars non-Muslims from fostering foundlings who are, by legal presumption, considered Muslim. Drawing on legal frameworks from a variety of contemporary Muslim jurisdictions, this article identifies approaches that reconcile religious pluralism with child-centred legal protection. It argues for a comprehensive, inclusive legal framework that incorporates functional equivalents to adoption, addresses guardianship, naming rights, inheritance, and religious identity, and accommodates both domestic and international placements
Significance, clinical spectrum, and microbiological evaluation of Actinomyces blood stream infections
No full textObjectivesActinomyces species are Gram-positive anaerobic bacilli that are commensal in the gastrointestinal and genital tracts. Actinomyces blood stream infections (BSIs) are rare but becoming more frequent with advanced diagnostic techniques. The presented study aims to evaluate relevance, clinical and microbiological spectrum of Actinomyces species bacteremia. MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted for all reported Actinomyces species BSI between January 2016 to November 2020. Isolates identification and antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization–time of flight (MALDI-TOF) and BD PhoenixTM automated systems. ResultsOverall, 37 episodes of Actinomyces BSIs were recorded, most were Actinomyces odontolyticus (40.5%, 15/37). The mean age of patients was 32 years, with females’ preponderance (23/37, 62.2%). Cultures were considered significant in only 48.6% cases (18/37), in which the primary source of infection was attributed to oropharyngeal origin (40%) with excellent activity for amoxicillin and ceftriaxone but poor susceptibility to aminoglycosides and quinolines. Of those who received antimicrobials (87.5%, 28/32), shorter duration of therapy (<2 weeks) did not result in long-term consequences with 86.5% 1-year survival rate. ConclusionsNearly half of the cases were deemed clinically insignificant and responded well to short courses of antimicrobial therapy without long-term consequences. Penicillin and cephalosporins demonstrated superior activity compared to aminoglycosides and quinolones.The research reported in this publication was supported by the Medical Research Center (MRC) of the Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar, under grant number MRC-01-20-1119. The research reported in this publication was supported by the Qatar National Library under their open access program
Advancing sustainability in LNG-Powered electricity generation: A comprehensive life cycle sustainability assessment
No full textMeeting the rising global energy demand necessitates efficient and sustainable electricity generation, with Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) emerging as a cleaner alternative to traditional fossil fuels. In 2020, the United Kingdom generated 121.04 TWh of electricity using natural gas, accounting for over one-third of its total electricity production. However, achieving sustainability in LNG-based electricity generation remains a significant challenge. This study evaluates the sustainability of LNG-derived electricity in the UK, focusing on LNG sourced from Qatar, through a comprehensive life cycle sustainability assessment spanning eleven stages from natural gas extraction to power generation. The analysis integrates life cycle assessment, Aspen Hysys process simulation, and sensitivity analysis to identify key stages for improvement. The findings highlight that natural gas extraction contributes 96.23% of the total energy consumption, while power plants are responsible for 67.42% of total greenhouse gas emissions. Economic analysis identifies high operational costs and resource intensity as major barriers to sustainability. Socially, while LNG shipping creates employment opportunities, it raises concerns about fair compensation practices. Sensitivity analysis identifies regasification as a critical stage where targeted improvements can significantly reduce emissions. Furthermore, optimizing vessel design and LNG shipping routes offers the potential for minimizing environmental impacts. This study recommends strategic actions such as enhancing shipping logistics, advancing liquefaction technologies, and integrating renewable energy to improve the sustainability of LNG-based electricity generation. The findings provide actionable insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers, emphasizing the need to critically reassess LNG’s role in shaping a sustainable energy future
Burden of neurological disorders in China and its provinces, 1990–2021: Findings from the global burden of disease study 2021
No full textBackgroundThe burden of neurological disorders in China has not been systematically analyzed. We aim to provide a comprehensive estimation of the national and subnational neurological burden across China from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2021. MethodsWe assessed burden estimates for 16 neurological disorders by age, sex, and province from 1990 to 2021, with prevalence, death, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), years of life lost (YLLs), and years lived with disability (YLDs). We performed decomposition analysis to determine contributing factors for DALYs and used the socio-demographic index (SDI) to assess relations with development level. FindingsIn 2021, there were 468.29 million prevalent cases of neurological disorders in China, corresponding to 78.10 million DALYs. Intracerebral hemorrhage was the leading cause of DALYs, followed by ischemic stroke, dementias, and migraine. DALYs of neurological disorders were higher in males than females, peaking at 70–74 years. From 1990 to 2021, the number and age-standardized rate of DALYs significantly decreased for idiopathic epilepsy and subarachnoid hemorrhage, primarily attributed to the reduction in YLLs, while the number of DALYs disproportionately increased for dementias, Parkinson’s disease, and ischemic stroke contributed by population aging. The age-standardized DALY rates of seven neurological disorders had more than 5-fold variation between western and eastern provinces, despite reduced burdens with rising SDI. ConclusionsNeurological disorders pose a large and growing burden on public health, primarily driven by population aging. Our findings could inform priority setting and targeted strategies to optimize neurological service delivery. FundingThe funding information is presented in the acknowledgments.This study was funded by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2021YFA1101403), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82090043), the Youth Beijing Scholar (no. 020), and the Beijing Municipal Public Welfare Development and Reform Pilot Project for Medical Research Institutes (JYY2023-7). The GBD study is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. We gratefully acknowledge the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation for their contribution to various aspects of this work. We thank the Chinese Institute for Brain Research of Beijing and the grant from the Chinese Institutes for Medical Research for their support and encouragement in this research. This paper was produced as part of the GBD paper process
The Islamophobia Industry and Its Impact on Muslims' Dialogue with the Other
No full textيتناول هذا البحث موضوع "صناعة الإسلاموفوبيا وأثرها في حوار المسلمين مع الآخر"، مسلطًا الضوء على دور السينما الغربية، خصوصًا الأمريكية، في ترسيخ صورة نمطية سلبية عن الإسلام والمسلمين، عبر محتوى درامي مؤثر يدمج بين الصوت والصورة والحبكة السردية. ويهدف البحث إلى تحليل الوسائل التي تستخدمها السينما الغربية في تشويه صورة المسلم، والكشف عن دوافعها، ومدى تأثير ذلك على الحوار الحضاري بين المسلمين وغيرهم، كما يناقش البحث العلاقة بين قوة السينما وقوة السيطرة الثقافية على المجتمعات، ويبرز كيف تحولت السينما إلى أداة تأثير جماهيري تنشر أفكارًا معادية للإسلام تحت غطاء الحرية الفنية.
يعتمد البحث على أربعة مناهج: التاريخي، والمقارن، والاستنباطي، والتحليلي، متتبعًا نشأة الإسلاموفوبيا، وتطورها، وتجلياتها في الأفلام، مع عرض دراسات سابقة ناقشت الإعلام والإسلاموفوبيا، ولكن من زاوية مختلفة عن زاوية هذا البحث التي تركز على أثر تلك الصورة السلبية في إضعاف فرص الحوار والتفاهم المشترك، وقد خلصت الدراسة إلى أن السينما تلعب دورًا محوريًا في صناعة الإسلاموفوبيا وتعطيل الحوار الحضاري، مما يستدعي مزيدًا من الوعي والنقد المنهجي لهذا الدور، وضرورة بناء رواية إعلامية وفنية بديلة تعكس الحقيقة وتواجه التشويه.This research explores the pivotal role of Western cinema—particularly American films—in shaping a negative
stereotypical image of Islam and Muslims. By blending sound, visuals, and dramatic storytelling, cinema
becomes a powerful tool for disseminating ideologies that distort Islamic identity under the guise of artistic
freedom. The study aims to reveal the methods used to portray Muslims negatively, the motives behind such
depictions, and their broader impact on intercultural dialogue. The research applies four methodologies—
historical, comparative, deductive, and analytical—to trace the origins and evolution of Islamophobia and
examine its cinematic manifestations. It highlights how cinema has become a cultural force influencing global
perceptions, often promoting Islamophobic narratives, especially in the post-9/11 context. While previous studies
have addressed Islamophobia in media, this study uniquely focuses on cinema’s influence on interfaith and
intercultural dialogue. The findings suggest that cinema plays a central role in promoting Islamophobia and
hindering constructive dialogue, underscoring the need for critical engagement and the development of
alternative narratives that convey truth and counter misrepresentation.
ولاء ولاة بني أمية في المغرب بعد إتمام الفتح (97-132هـ/715-750م)
No full textIn 45AH (665CE), Muʿāwiya ibn Abī Sufyān (41–60AH/661–680CE), the first Umayyad caliph, continued the efforts of the Rashidūn Caliphate in conquering Al-Maghrib by dispatching multiple military leaders to conduct campaigns in the region. The Umayyad conquest was ultimately completed under the sixth Umayyad caliph, Al-Walīd ibn ʿAbd al-Malik (86–96AH/705–715CE), who appointed the first Umayyad governor of Al-Maghrib in 58AH (678CE). This paper explains the most important factors that the Umayyad caliphs relied on in appointing their governors in al-Maghrib after completing the conquest. It also examines the relationship between the factors for selecting leaders during the conquest of al-Maghrib and those for appointing governors. These factors show the extent of the loyalty of these governors to the Umayyad Caliphate. Previous studies have discussed various aspects of the history of al-Maghrib during and after the conquest. However, they have not paid attention to the elements of this research. This research consulted primary sources which had discussed various aspects of the Umayyad and al-Maghrib history.في عام 45هـ/665م، استكمل أول خلفاء بني أمية الصحابي معاوية بن أبي سفيان (41-60هـ/661-680م) جهود الخلافة الراشدة في فتح المغرب بإرسال أكثر من قائد عسكري للقيام بعمليات عسكرية هناك. واكتمل الفتح في عهد الخليفة الأموي السادس الوليد بن عبد الملك (86-96هـ/705-715م) الذي عيَّن أول والٍ للخلافة الأموية في المغرب، وكان مقر إقامة هذا الوالي مدينة القيروان، التي بناها أحد القادة العسكريين للأمويين؛ ألا وهو عقبة بن نافع (58هـ/678م).
يوضح هذا البحث أهم العوامل التي اعتمد عليها الخلفاء الأمويون في تعيين ولاتهم في بلاد المغرب بعد إتمام الفتح، كما يبحث في العلاقة بين معايير اختيار القادة أثناء فتح المغرب، ومعايير تعيين الولاة بعد الفتح؛ حيث تبين هذه المعايير مدى ولاء هؤلاء الولاة للخلافة الأموية. وقد ناقشت الدراسات السابقة جوانب مختلفة من تاريخ المغرب أثناء الفتح وبعده، إلا أنها لم تهتم بعناصر هذا البحث. وقد اعتمد هذا البحث على العديد من المصادر الأولية التي تناولت جوانب مختلفة من التاريخ الأموي والمغرب
Short-term effects of sertraline against depressive-like behaviors in a rat model of neonatal hypoxic encephalopathy
No full textHypoxic encephalopathy of the newborn is associated with long-term neurodevelopmental behavioral deficits that lack a definitive “optimal” treatment approach. We previously demonstrated that periadolescent depressive-like behaviors occur in a rat model of early-life hypoxia. Here, we investigated the short-term effects of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, sertraline, against later-life behavioral deficits. Rats were exposed to global hypoxia at postnatal day 10 (P10) and then received either sertraline or its vehicle (P24 to P30). Normoxic controls received sertraline or its vehicle. Depressive-like and anxiety-like behaviors were assessed using the forced swim test (FST) and open field test (OFT), respectively. The FST was conducted at P25-26 and the OFT at P27. Rats were sacrificed at P30 to assess hippocampal microRNA (miR) expression and to histologically evaluate hippocampal neuronal densities and synaptophysin (Syp) protein levels. Early-life hypoxic seizures resulted in increased immobility in the FST (p < 0.05) and decreased exploration in the OFT (p < 0.05). Hypoxia also resulted in chronic alterations in the expression of 25 miRs, 22 of which are known to modulate inflammatory responses and synaptic function. Sertraline treatment normalized hypoxia-induced increased immobility and reversed 17 out of 25 alterations in miR expression. However, sertraline potentiated hypoxia-induced exploratory deficits (p < 0.05). The drug treatment also resulted in OFT deficits in controls (p < 0.05) and 13 unique dysregulations in miR expression. Neuronal densities and Syp levels were comparable among all groups. We demonstrate that sertraline reverses hypoxia-induced depressive-like behaviors, possibly by targeting inflammation and synaptic remodeling. Sertraline-induced anxiety-like behaviors may reflect its known transient early side effects and warrant further research on long-term outcomes.This research project was funded by the American University of Beirut, Lebanon (MPP 320,150 to MO), Indiana University School of Medicine, United States to MO, and Lebanese University, Lebanon to EH
Artificial Intelligence and Organisational Performance: A Systematic Review of Service Employee Perspective
No full textThe paper aims to present a systematic literature review (SLR) on the effects of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the performance of organisations, especially from the employees' standpoint in the service sector. In the review, the author has compiled 60 studies to identify the conditions that determine the effectiveness of AI, such as trust, usability, and job satisfaction. The study establishes a connection between the level of AI integration, employees' responses, and overall organisational performance. Technology Acceptance Models (TAM) and Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) are among the models that can be employed to examine the studied relationship; however, some theoretical expansion is still needed in this field. This paper offers actionable suggestions for service organisations that deploy AI, policy considerations for regulators, and avenues for future research. It adds to the current literature on AI in service organisations, providing a basis for future work and practice in this ever-growing field.Scopu