Search Results (8)

In the Internet of Things (IoT), technological developments have increased the significance of federated cloud systems with integrated cloud providers for exchange transactions. Monolithic IoT systems implement service-oriented architecture (SOA), which is complex for supporting scalability and communicating transactions in a federated cloud system. One weakness of conventional security methods is that they depend on a centralized party, which means there is a single point of failure for the system. In contrast, blockchain (BC) and microservice (MS) technologies allow services to split for independent tasks. In this research paper, we introduce BC security managers based on MS technology for federated cloud systems in an IoT environment. In addition, we present the design of the Federation Security System Manager (FSSM) MS with interoperability features. This enables the exchange of transactions between permissioned BC managers at different cloud providers, with some constraints. Furthermore, a security framework based on MSs and BCs is implemented to ensure security and protect access control. The security functions are deployed based on a smart contract between the permissioned BC managers to achieve interoperability. Finally, we introduce the development process of the proposed framework, which allows for interoperability and ensures the security and privacy of the participating data for a distributed IoT based on the federated cloud system. Full article

The sum of Big Data generated from different sources is increasing significantly with each passing day to extent that it is becoming challenging for traditional storage methods to store this massive amount of data. For this reason, most organizations have resolved to use third-party cloud storage to store data. Cloud storage has advanced in recent times, but it still faces numerous challenges with regard to security and privacy. This paper discusses Big Data security and privacy challenges and the minimum requirements that must be provided by future solutions. The main objective of this paper is to propose a new technical framework to control and manage Big Data security and privacy risks. A design science research methodology is used to carry out this project. The proposed framework takes advantage of Blockchain technology to provide secure storage of Big Data by managing its metadata and policies and eliminating external parties to maintain data security and privacy. Additionally, it uses mobile agent technology to take advantage of the benefits related to system performance in general. We present a prototype implementation for our proposed framework using the Ethereum Blockchain in a real data storage scenario. The empirical results and framework evaluation show that our proposed framework provides an effective solution for secure data storage in a Big Data environment. Full article

At the 90-nm node, the rate of transistor miniaturization slows down due to challenges in overcoming the increased leakage current (I_off). The invention of high-k/metal gate technology at the 45-nm technology node was an enormous step forward in extending Moore’s Law. The need to satisfy performance requirements and to overcome the limitations of planar bulk transistor to scales below 22 nm led to the development of fully depleted silicon-on-insulator (FDSOI) and fin field-effect transistor (FinFET) technologies. The 28-nm wafer planar process is the most cost-effective, and scaling towards the sub-10 nm technology node involves the complex integration of new materials (Ge, III-V, graphene) and new device architectures. To date, planar transistors still command >50% of the transistor market and applications. This work aims to downscale a planar PMOS to a 14-nm gate length using La₂O₃ as the high-k dielectric material. The device was virtually fabricated and electrically characterized using SILVACO. Taguchi L9 and L27 were employed to study the process parameters’ variability and interaction effects to optimize the process parameters to achieve the required output. The results obtained from simulation using the SILVACO tool show good agreement with the nominal values of PMOS threshold voltage (V_th) of −0.289 V ± 12.7% and I_off of less than 10⁻⁷ A/µm, as projected by the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS). Careful control of SiO₂ formation at the Si interface and rapid annealing processing are required to achieve La₂O₃ thermal stability at the target equivalent oxide thickness (EOT). The effects of process variations on V_th, I_on and I_off were investigated. The improved voltage scaling resulting from the lower V_th value is associated with the increased I_off due to the improved drain-induced barrier lowering as the gate length decreases. The performance of the 14-nm planar bulk PMOS is comparable to the performance of the FDSOI and FinFET technologies at the same gate length. The comparisons made with ITRS, the International Roadmap for Devices and Systems (IRDS), and the simulated and experimental data show good agreement and thus prove the validity of the developed model for PMOSs. Based on the results demonstrated, planar PMOSs could be a feasible alternative to FDSOI and FinFET in balancing the trade-off between performance and cost in the 14-nm process. Full article

Generally, waste heat is redundantly released into the surrounding by anthropogenic activities without strategized planning. Consequently, urban heat islands and global warming chronically increases over time. Thermophotovoltaic (TPV) systems can be potentially deployed to harvest waste heat and recuperate energy to tackle this global issue with supplementary generation of electrical energy. This paper presents a critical review on two dominant types of semiconductor materials, namely gallium antimonide (GaSb) and indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs), as the potential candidates for TPV cells. The advantages and drawbacks of non-epitaxy and epitaxy growth methods are well-discussed based on different semiconductor materials. In addition, this paper critically examines and summarizes the electrical cell performance of TPV cells made of GaSb, InGaAs and other narrow bandgap semiconductor materials. The cell conversion efficiency improvement in terms of structural design and architectural optimization are also comprehensively analyzed and discussed. Lastly, the practical applications, current issues and challenges of TPV cells are critically reviewed and concluded with recommendations for future research. The highlighted insights of this review will contribute to the increase in effort towards development of future TPV systems with improved cell conversion efficiency. Full article

This paper discusses the symbolic capital found within Islamic documents that were circulated in the UK during the COVID-19 outbreak. Specifically, the work explores “fatwas” and “other” similar documents as well as “guidance” documents (referred to as FOGs) that were disseminated in March–April 2020 on the internet and social media platforms for British Muslim consumption. We confine our materials to FOGs produced only in English. Our study takes its cue from the notion that the existence of a variety of documents created a sense of foggy ambiguity for British Muslims in matters of religious practice. From a linguistic angle, the study seeks to identify (a) the underlying reasons behind the titling of the documents; and (b) the construction of discourses in the documents. Our corpus-assisted critical discourse analysis (CA-CDA) found noticeable patterns that hold symbolic capital in the fatwa register. We also found that producers of “other” documents imitate the fatwa register in an attempt to strengthen the symbolic capital of their documents. Accordingly, fatwas act as the most authoritative documents in religious matters and are written by senior religious representatives of the Muslim community, whereas guidance documents were found to be most authoritative in health matters. The findings raise questions regarding the manner in which religious instruction may be disseminated in emergency situations. Based on this study, a call for the standardisation and unification of these diverse and sometimes contradicting religious publications may be worth considering. Full article

A new fatwa was announced by the British National Health Service (NHS) in June 2019 to clarify the Islamic position on organ donation. Additionally, the NHS promotional material presents brief arguments for and against organ donation in Islam. However, to date, research into the various fatwas on organ donation is required. This article goes beyond the dichotomous positions mentioned by the NHS and goes on to explore and summarise seven conflicting views on the issue extrapolated from an exhaustive reading of fatwas and research papers in various languages since 1925. Our discussion is circumscribed to allotransplant and confined to the gifting of organs to legally competent adult donors at the time of consent. These arguments include an analysis of the semantic portrayal of ownership in the Qur’an; considering the net benefit over the gross harm involved in organ donation; balancing the rights of the human body with the application of the rule of necessity; understanding the difference between anthropophagy and organ transplantation; understanding of death, and the conceptualisation of the soul. We argue that, given the absence of clear-cut direction from Muslim scripture, all seven positions are Islamic positions and people are at liberty to adopt any one position without theological guilt or moral culpability. Full article

This article presents a case study of the Fultoli tradition, an expression of Islam dominant amongst Bangladeshi migrants to the UK, but which in general terms has failed to communicate itself to British-born Muslims. It is also a denominational identity that has been overlooked in academic literature on British Muslims, and regularly mischaracterized. To correct this, the article presents an overview of Fultolir Sahib, the late founder of the tradition, and the theological distinctiveness of his teachings, before considering its movement to Britain. A varied methodological approach is adopted in order to explore the topic, combining a textual exploration of Fultoli sources with qualitative interviews with members of the Fultoli tradition, and also autoethnography drawing upon the authors’ (who were both raised by Fultoli parents) experience of the tradition. The article argues that Fultolir Sahib’s authority is constructed in an idiom that is inaccessible to British-born Muslims and that Fultoli institutions have failed to create leaders capable of preserving the tradition. It concludes that despite the diminishing numbers of Fultolis in Britain, it is still important for academics to recognize their unique role in the landscape of Muslim denominational diversity. Full article

How does Islam view substance addiction? What happens to the soul of the person suffering from addictive disorder? What happens to his relationship with God? These are some of the questions that this article tries to answer. Three models on drug addiction from an Islamic theological perspective will be explored here. Two of them are preventative models based on an understanding of society rooted in shame-culture, while the third model, called Millati Islami, practiced in the USA, is founded on the Islamic understanding of tawba (repentance). Furthermore, drugs and addiction in scripture, as well as medieval Muslims society’s attitude towards them are explored. As a whole, the models discussed in the article demonstrate that Islamic theology possesses the intellectual and theoretical tools to develop fully-fledged theological models of addiction, and a suggestion to explore one model is made in the conclusion. Full article