4101 research outputs found
Sort by
Integrated Intrusion Detection And Prevention Model For Moodle Learning Management System
No full textThis study developed and evaluated an integrated intrusion detection and prevention (IDP) model for Moodle LearningManagement System (LMS), utilizing Snort 3, Open-Source Security (OSSEC), ModSecurity, and Moodle's securitysettings. The increasing security threats facing LMS platforms was addressed in the study by leveraging the strengths ofeach tool: Snort 3 for network-level detection, OSSEC for host-based monitoring, ModSecurity for web applicationprotection, and Moodle’s native security features for enhanced control. An experimental approach was adopted,beginning with a literature review to identify vulnerabilities, followed by system design, tool configuration, andintegration. The model was tested against simulated attacks, with performance measured by detection accuracy. Theresults demonstrated the model's effectiveness in identifying and mitigating common security threats within Moodle LMSsuch as distributed denial of service, brute force attack, SQL injection and aggressive scan. The study concludes byrecommending the deployment of the IDP model in a live environment for both private/individual owned and publicowned Moodle platforms, for the provision of a robust framework for enhancing security. This work contributes to thebroader field of LMS security through the provision of a comprehensive, multi-layered approach to protectingeducational platforms from cyber threats
Defining Personality Traits as Determinants of Transformational and Ambidextrous Leadership
No full textThis research has validated some of the already scientifically documented variables oftransformational and ambidextrous leadership. It has shown for the first time therelationship between new variables and ambidextrous leadership, which is theimmediate solution for organisations in the age of innovation. It has created new,original variables for transformational and ambidextrous behaviour that offer scope forfuture research. By adding the new and existing variables for each form of leadership,a new leadership behaviour questionnaire has been created capturing the behaviour ofthe leader. Each of the leadership behaviour questionnaires can be the answer to theprofile of an effective management team in the age of innovation.More specifically, the experience, expertise and leadership qualities of the members ofthe management team largely determine the course and development of anyorganisation. The management team's ability to make sound strategic decisions and leadmembers with vision and motivation is essential for creating new products, expandingbusiness and generating profits in new environments. In addition, the managementteam's ability to build strong relationships with investors, partners and customers is alsoa key success factor, and the interpersonal skills of the leader are considered essential.This study investigated the validity and reliability of a new transformational andambidextrous Leadership model. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and StructuralEquation Modeling (SEM) were employed to analyze a 30-item TransformationalLeadership instrument from a sample of 259 diverse leaders. The majority were female(55%) and aged between 30-39. Both hypothesized models of transformationalleadership demonstrated excellent fit indices. Agreeableness and Intellect/Opennesspositively influenced transformational leadership, while three new constructs emerged:personality harmony, conscientiousness, and reflectiveness.In ambidextrous study, 265 participants, primarily young professionals with a highproportion of women (57.7%), completed a 10-factor Ambidextrous Leadershipquestionnaire. Cronbach's alpha indicated high reliability for most constructs. However,the "Futurist" construct required revision due to a low reliability score. A new constructemerged: Leadership Innovativeness. Specially, confirmatory factor analysis revealed four factors explaining a significant portion of the variance. All factors showed goodreliability with items specific to each factor demonstrating the strongest scores
Analysis of Artificial Intelligence Policies for Higher Education in Europe
No full textThis paper analyses 15 AI policies for higher education from eight European countries, drawn from individual universities, from consortia of universities and from government agencies. Based on an overview of current research findings, it focuses the comparison of different aspects among the selected AI policies. The analysis distinguishes between four potential target groups, namely students, teachers, education managers and policy makers. The paper aims at contributing to the further development and improvement of AI policies for higher education through the identification of commonalities and gaps within the existing AI policies. Moreover, it calls for further and in particular evidence-based research to identify the potential and practical impact of AI in higher education and highlights the need to combine AI use in (higher) education with education about AI, often called as AI literacy
Using Machine Learning to predict and monitor Maternal Health Risk: A Case Study of Materna – an end user Web Application
No full textMaternal health has become an increasing health problem, especially in the Global South, where the risks, although reducing but not fast enough, continue to register high maternal mortality rates. This research work sought to provide an ergonomic and easily accessible solution by creating a machine learning web application that will be able to detect maternal health with an accuracy of 84%. The web application is a simple form where the user has a set list of questions and answers, based on those choices, a prediction is made. The research hopes this tool will be deployed in areas with high maternal mortality rates in order to bring down the avoidable risks of deaths experienced by pregnant women
Blockchain application with specific reference to smart contracts in the insurance sector
No full textThe term blockchain was coined in 2008 by Satoshi Nakamoto. Initially, it was used for carrying out decentralised transactions to solve the problem of fake transactions. In the past few years, this was explored extensively for cryptocurrency only, but, over some time, its potential has been explored in many areas. The major reason for the growing interest in this particular technology is that it provides a secure, reliable, and trusted platform to perform digital activities. This is executed without the involvement of any third party.Once the data is entered into the nodes, it is impossible to tamper it. Though blockchain is costly, it provides better solutions to many research problems in real- time. In recent times, researchers have explored blockchain in deep and used it in many applications such as building smart contracts, supply chain management, digital identity providers, voting systems, banking, and finance applications, P2P learning, and insurance sectors. Through this chapter, the readers will get a systematic and detailed study of blockchain in the insurance sector and smart contracts and its current applications in the insurance sector.This chapter will also provide a fair idea of blockchain technology in the insurance sector and its usage in specific applications. In the end, a relevant set of further reading references will be provided
AI-Based Risk Assessment Model for Iraqi Construction Projects with High Delivery Performance
No full textThe construction industry is a core marker of social progress and a paramount driverof developing national economies. The ongoing development of this sector hasbecome a foremost strategy of most countries. Over the past few years, notableemphasis has been on adopting certified Sustainable Construction (SC) projects,which have become crucial solutions to reducing CO2 emissions caused by traditionalconstruction and decreasing the consequences of climate change worldwide. Iraq isrecognised as highly active in developing and supporting this sector, especially SC,by offering attractive investment opportunities and assigning a considerable publicbudget. Nonetheless, the construction sector in developing nations, including Iraq, isnotably susceptible to challenges during COVID-19 that impede project undertaking.Moreover, SC projects confront further challenges which hinder their execution in theregion. Effective risk assessment presents several advantages, such as determining,evaluating and reducing risk factors, faster risk predictions with high accuracy,makes better-informed decisions, improves chances of on-time projectcompletion within the allocated budget, and improves worker safety. Therefore,companies must use analytical models that reduce time, address massive databases,and make accurate predictions.The aim of this research in the context of Iraq is to develop a risk assessmentconceptual framework that enables effective management, enhanced performance insustainable construction projects, and supports the industry throughout the life cycleof projects. Additionally, five objectives were formulated in this research. Toaccomplish the aim, a mixed-method approach was applied to collect and analyse,including qualitative and quantitative approaches. Initially, an extensive literaturereview was carried out to determine the knowledge gap and present a justification forthis investigation. This was followed by 1) three groups of semi-structured interviews,2) focus group discussions, and 3) four groups of surveys. The interviews, focusgroup and surveys were piloted, and all insightful comments were considered andincluded to enhance their usability. Moreover, multiple approaches were applied toanalyse the collected qualitative data, including the probability and impact matrix,content analysis and NVivo software (version 12) to determine the patterns, themes,and classifications that arose. For the quantitative data analysis, multiple analyticiiiapproaches were employed, such as Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA),Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), Artificial Neural Network (ANN), and FuzzyInference System (FIS). Descriptive statistics, including sum, mean, and percentage,were also used in this research. Finally, the Absolute Percentage Deviation (APD)was employed to validate the generated ANN-Multi Layer Perceptron model.The study findings revealed that, while traditional risk assessment techniques areprevalent in the construction industry, AI-based risk assessment techniques canimprove risk assessment accuracy, reduce human errors, deal with massivedatabases, present quicker risk predictions, provide real-time monitoring, and makebetter-informed decisions. The results also indicated that the risk factors ranked by theANN approach and the mean method were strongly similar. Conversely, the riskfactors ranked by the AHP approach and mean method were significantly different.This would prove the effectiveness of ANN-based risk assessment in predicting andevaluating risk factors, analysing a massive database, and reducing human errors.Additionally, the results revealed that COVID-19 has considerably impactedconstruction management processes in Iraq, and the study determined the top five riskfactors that affected Iraq's construction projects, namely: (1) commitment to safety andhealth recommendations; (2) risk management procedures; (3) equipment deliverydelays; (4) worker acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccination; and (5) increases to pricematerial. Furthermore, the results revealed the substantial risk factors that affected SCprojects in Iraq, including: (1) lack of specialists and professionals in SC management,(2) inaccurate sustainable design information, (3) the need for a corresponding SCcontract, (4) poor cost estimation of SC, and (5) high initial SC cost.This study contributes to knowledge by providing a robust ANN-based risk assessmentconceptual framework that analyses multiple variables and factors across the projectlife cycle, providing a comprehensive and dynamic view of risks and their potentialimpact. The framework also offers possibilities for effective, high-performance, andquality outcomes, enhances predictive accuracy, provides real-time monitoring, andenables data-driven decision-making. Finally, the study provides an insightful pictureof the substantial risk factors related to Iraq's construction sector, including SCprojects, along with practical policies and measures to reduce these risk factors'impact
Special Floating Wind-H2 Design For Ajman - UAE: Navigating The Turbulent Waters Of The Energy Transition And Building Climate Resilience
No full textA Floating Wind-H2 System can support efforts toward a net-zero future through its synergistic potential. This paper overviews the powerful synergy between floating wind and hydrogen technologies. Floating wind technology has made significant advances in terms of turbine size and efficiency, opening a vast offshore wind resource. H2's multifaceted advantages and the trajectory of these systems within the broader energy landscape are analysed in a multidimensional approach to assessing their transformative potential. Floating Wind-H2 Systems are examined, revealing current and prospects based on existing projects. As floating wind technology evolves, they shed light on H2's nuanced role in the energy transition and provide insights into the feasibility and impact of integrating these technologies at scale. Using Ajman, UAE, as a case study to illustrate regional adaptation, this paper discusses the significance of floating wind and hydrogen technologies for achieving global net-zero targets. The comparison of centralised onshore and decentralised offshore electrolysis demonstrated the importance of flexible solutions, particularly in regions like Ajman with limited land availability. An innovative approach to clean energy infrastructure is demonstrated by the proposed wind-H2 system in Ajman, which relocates offshore facilities to overcome land constraints, reduce costs, and facilitate free trade. The system can produce more than 5 Tons of H2 per day considering power generation of 3.4 MW per wind turbine for 3 turbines
Specialist mental health crisis centres in England: a step forward or a stumble in the dark?
No full textThe recent proposal by NHS England to establish specialist mental health crisis centres has prompted considerable discussion. This editorial examines the initiative, which aims to reduce accident and emergency pressure and provide tailored care. However, it raises significant questions about the potential to exacerbate systemic fragmentation. Concerns highlight inadequate funding, the risk of resegregation of mental health from physical care and increased stigma if not properly integrated. This article argues that true holistic care requires seamless integration, advocating strongly for co-located mental health and medical emergency departments, which have shown improved outcomes. Ultimately, the success of these centres depends on addressing wider NHS issues, robust evaluation and a comprehensive vision prioritising the entire mental health pathway, from prevention to long-term recovery, to genuinely transform patient lives
A Novel single-layer microfluidic device for dynamic stimulation, culture, and imaging of mammalian cells
No full textThe possibility of tightly controlling the cellular microenvironment within microfluidic devices represents an important step toward precision analysis of cellular phenotypes in vitro. Microfluidic platforms that allow both long-term mammalian cell culture and dynamic modulation of the culture environment can support quantitative studies of cells’ responses to drugs. Here, we report the design and testing of a novel microfluidic device of simple production (single Polydimethylsiloxane layer), which integrates a micromixer with vacuum-assisted cell loading for long-term mammalian cell culture and dynamic mixing of four different culture media. Finite element modeling was used to predict flow rates and device dimensions to achieve diffusion-based fluid mixing. The device showed efficient mixing and dynamic exchange of media in the cell-trapping chambers, and viability of mammalian cells cultured for long-term in the device. This work represents the first attempt to integrate single-layer microfluidic mixing devices with vacuum-assisted cell-loading systems for mammalian cell culture and dynamic stimulation
