ID-Based User Authentication Scheme for Cloud Computing

In cloud computing environments, user authentication is an important security mechanism because it provides the fundamentals of authentication, authorization, and accounting （AAA）. In 2009, Wang et al. proposed an identity-based （ID-based） authentication scheme to deal with the user login problem for cloud computing. However, Wang et aL＇s scheme is insecure against message alteration and impersonation attacks. Besides, their scheme has large computation costs for cloud users. Therefore, we propose a novel ID-based user authentication scheme to solve the above mentioned problems. The proposed scheme provides anonymity and security for the user who accesses different cloud servers. Compared with the related schemes, the proposed scheme has less computation cost so it is very efficient for cloud computing in practice.

Access Control Policy Analysis and Access Denial Method for Cloud Services

Personal cloud computing is an emerging trend in the computer industry. For a sustainable service, cloud computing services must control user access. The essential business characteristics of cloud computing are payment status and service level agreement. This work proposes a novel access control method for personal cloud service business. The proposed method sets metadata, policy analysis rules, and access denying rules. Metadata define the structure of access control policies and user requirements for cloud services. The policy analysis rules are used to compare conflicts and redundancies between access control policies. The access denying rules apply policies for inhibiting inappropriate access. The ontology is a theoretical foundation of this method. In this work, ontologies for payment status, access permission, service level, and the cloud provide semantic information needed to execute rules. A scenario of personal data backup cloud service is also provided in this work. This work potentially provides cloud service providers with a convenient method of controlling user access according to changeable business and marketing strategies.

Hepatoprotective Diterpenoids Isolated from <i>Andrographis paniculata</i>

Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees (Acanthaceae), a plant widely used as traditional herbal medicine in many countries, has drawn attention of the researchers in recent years. Its major constituents are diterpenoids and flavonoids. This article reviews the anti-hepatotoxic effects of A. paniculata extract and derivative compounds, such as andrographolide, the major active compound, most studied for its bioactivities. Neoandrographolide shows anti-inflammatory and anti-hepatoxic properties. 14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide and 14-deoxyabdrographolide have immunostimulatory, anti-atherosclerotic, and anti-hepatotoxic activities. The hepatoprotective activities include (1) inhibiting carbontetrachloride (CCl4), tert-butylhydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced hepatic toxicity, (2) acting as cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) inducers, (3) modulating glutathione (GSH) content, (4) influence glutathione S-transferase (GSTP) activity and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/Akt (PI3k/Akt) pathway, (5) synergistic effect with anti-cancer drugs induced apoptosis contributing to the bioactivities of A. paniculata extracts and isolated bioactive compounds. The articles reviewed suggest that the above compounds could be candidates for research and development as potential hepatoprotective drugs.

Solving Dynamic Spectrum Management Problem Based on Cloud Computing Using Genetic Algorithm

With the rapid development of wireless sensor network （WSN）, the demands of limited radio frequency spectrum rise sharply, thereby dealing with the frequency assignment of WSN scientifically and efficiently becomes a popular topic. To improve the frequency utilization rate in WSN, a spectrum management system for WSN combined with cloud computing technology should be considered. From the optimization point of view, the study of dynamic spectrum management can be divided into three kinds of methods, including Nash equilibrium, social utility maximization, and competitive economy equilibrium. In this paper, we propose a genetic algorithm based approach to allocate the power spectrum dynamically. The objective is to maximize the sum of individual Shannon utilities with the background interference and crosstalk consideration. Compared to the approach in [1], the experimental result shows better balance between efficiency and effectiveness of our approach.

A Genetic Algorithm Based Approach for Campus Equipment Management System in Cloud Server

In this paper, we proposed a campus equipment ubiquitous-management system which is based on a genetic algorithm approach in cloud server. The system uses radio frequency identification （RFID） to monitor the status of equipment in real time, and uses wire or wireless network to send real-time situation to display on manager＇s PC or PDA. In addition, the system will also synchronize with database to record and reserve message. Furthermore, the status will display not only to a single manager but also a number of managers. In order to increase efficiency between graphical user interface （GUI） and database, the system adopts SqlDependency object of ADO.NET so that any changed situation of the database could be known immediately and synchronized with manager＇s PC or PDA. Because the problem of the equipment utilization is an NP-complete （non-deterministic polynomial） problem, we apply genetic algorithm to enhance the efficiency of finding optimum solution for equipment utilization. We assign constraints into the system, and the system will post back the optimum solution simultaneously on the screen. As a consequence, we compare our genetic algorithm based approach （GA） with the simulated annealing based approach （SA） for maximizing the equipment utilization. Experimental result shows that our GA approach achieves an average 79.66% improvement in equipment utilization in an acceptable run time.

Improving Computation Efficiency of Source Authentication by Elliptic Curve Cryptosystem

The overload of traditional cryptosystems is too high for real-time applications so there is a need to design a new encryption and signature scheme for the multicast applications. In this paper, we use the elliptic curve cryptosystem to design a source authentication scheme for real-time applications. The proposed scheme uses the message recovery signature to reduce the computation cost. Thus, the proposed source authentication scheme is more suitable for real-time applications, such as online meeting, online movie, and online music.

Main Melody Configuration and Chord Algorithm for Relaxing Music Generation

This study applies the diatonic chord in music theory,utilization rate,and the close relationship between the main chord system,the dominant chord system,and the subordinate chord system.From the perspective of music theory,the computer can automatically and quickly analyze the music,and establish a set of algorithms for configuring the chord accompaniment for the main melody,called the symmetrical circle offifths algorithm,SCFA(Symmetrical Circle of Fifths Algorithm).SCFA can immediately confirm the key,perform harmony analysis,configure chord accompaniment for the main melody,and effectively and correctly complete any given melody or interval.It can also quickly analyze and correctly configure the chord accompaniment for any MIDI(Musical Instrument Digital Interface)music,enriching the musicality of the music.It can also allow scorers or computer music creators to quickly deconstruct the harmony configuration of the melody.Through the measurement of bio-feedback sensor HRV(Heart Rate Variability),it can achieve a relaxing music healing effect.

Effectiveness of Supervisory Boards in Coordination With Audit Committees in China

China＇s supervisory mechanism is peculiar in that it integrated the supervisory board （SB） of the German corporate governance （CG） model in 1993, and has simultaneously adopted the audit committee （AC） of the Anglo-American model since 2002. This paper aims to reveal the effectiveness of SBs in coordination with ACs in China. The regulations for Anglo-American and Chinese systems are compared and further evidence is provided through interviewing two governors of all listed companies in the SSE and of 79 investment corporations in Hangzhou. Both statements indicate that China still faces difficulties and problems in meeting the two indexes of independence and expertise of supervision to give effective supervisory functions. Both opinions differed in terms of the co-ordination of SBs and ACs in the future. The evidence presented forms a basis for proposals of how key characteristics of effectiveness and co-ordination can be improved to make supervisory functions in China more effective.

Guest Editorial:Special Issue on Cloud Computing

Cloud computing becomes a hot research topic recently Before the concept of cloud computing was introduced, similar concepts or computing models have been proposed such as distributed computing and grid computing. Cloud computing is composed of a front end, a back end, cloud computing services, and cloud computing technologies. Though several institutes and companies, such as NIST, Google, Microsoft, IBM, and Wikipedia, define cloud computing with different definitions, could computing must provide the following four properties. （1） Users can access services via the Internet. （2） Resources can be dynamically managed and arranged. （3） There exists a distributed virtual architecture. （4） Because of requested services and demands, possible fees may be charged.

Consumption of Oriental Plums Improved the Cognitive Performance and Modulated the Cerebral Neurodegeneration-Related Protein Expressions in Rats with Nicotinamide/Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes

To examine the effect of consuming polyphenol-rich Oriental plum (Prunus salicina Lindl) on the cognitive performance and the expressions of cerebral neurodegeneration-related proteins in diabetic rats, Wistar rats were assigned into 4 groups: control (C, n = 14), nicotinamide/streptozotocin-induced DM rats (DM, n = 13), DM rats fed metformin (0.05% w/w in the diet, MT, n = 18), and DM rats fed freeze-dried oriental plum powder (2% w/w in the diet, OP, n = 16) for 2 months. The cognitive performance was evaluated by testing in a Morris water maze. The insulin resistance, serum lipid peroxidation, expressions of pathological proteins of AD, beta-amyloid (Aβ) and phosphorylated tau protein were also measured. Consumption of plums significantly improved the spatial learning ability, reduced the insulin resistance, lipid peroxidation, Aβ and phosphorylated tau protein expressions in the cerebral cortex (all P β deposition in the hippocampus of diabetic rats. In conclusion, polyphenol-rich Oriental plums ameliorated the cognitive decline and reduced the expressions of pathological proteins of AD by possibly reducing hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and oxidative stress in diabetic rats.

Conducting the Task-based Approach With Context Aware Mobile Situated Learning on Learning English for College Students＇ Learning Performance

Learning English with specific purpose （ESP） initiatives domain knowledge and language ability with English learning to meet future job demands （Leroux ＆ Lafleur, 1995; Khan ＆ Khan, 2015）. In the information age, the innovative technologies of mobile devices make the dramatical changes in ways of teaching and learning （Atkinson, 2011; Bierstaker, Janvrin ＆ Lowe, 2014, Pittaway, 2012; Yang ＆ Che, 2015）. The focus of this study aims to examine ESP college students＇ English learning performance by using Context Aware Mobile Situated Learning （CAMSL） in Tourism and Hospitality Management field and other majors. The mixed research method is conducted for data collection and analysis. The quantitative data are collected by examining students＇ learning performance; the qualitative data are allowed to understand the students＇ perspective toward their role in using the CAMSL with Tourism related content. Eight-three students are randomly selected and divided into two groups： 42 students are assigned in the experimental group A （CAMSL）, and 41 students are assigned in control group. Two groups of students receive pretest and posttest to examine their English performance. Besides, twenty students from group A and B are selected for online survey. The survey is mailed directly to students＇ email account. Results represented by using CAMSL show the significant improvement on students＇ learning performance. In addition, the survey data indicate the benefits of using the CAMSL help students enhance their academic discourse, develop their learned knowledge to represent their profession, use English properly to speak themselves up, and provide the effectiveness of obtain domain knowledge in future workplace.

The Quality of Service Community Health Center in Taiwan

The purpose of this study is to use the model of service quality concepts to evaluate the service qualities of"community health centers"in order to find out the service quality gaps and thus reinforce the competitive edge.This study took Datong District Health Centre in Taipei city as the research object and performed a questionnaire survey with internal and external customers.In terms of internal customers(service staff),50 employees participated and a total number of 50 effective questionnaires were returned.In terms of external customers,convenience sampling was adopted to collect the questionnaires,679 answered questionnaires were returned,effective copies being 667.The research tool was the questionnaire that was designed mainly on the basis of SERVQUAL(the scale of service quality determinants)and with reference to the practical data of service process during its implementation at subject service departments.The findings included the conclusions such as"there exists significant effect between service quality and customer satisfaction","the biggest difference among service qualities is service performance gap(GAP3),showing that there is still a room for improvement regarding the service provided at the health centre"and"different demographic variables have significant effects on customer satisfactions,e.g.higher age groups,lower education level and jobless people have lower satisfaction on the service received".The research result can be provided to relevant organisations as a reference for improvement.

Selection of Renewable Energy Based on Life Cycle Assessment and Multi-Criteria Decision Making

The development of renewable energy has become an important issue nowadays owing to the growing concerns about global warming and shortage of fossil fuels. The present study proposes an approach that integrates life cycle assessment (LCA), 3E (Energy-Economics-Environment) indicators and multi-criteria analysis (MCA) to evaluate environmental impacts and find the best choice or better choices among various renewable energy development plans. Several alternatives of wind turbines and photovoltaic (PV) systems are considered in the case study since they are found to be more feasible in Taiwan in a preliminary study. By using the proposed approach, the result indicates that the major environmental impacts arising from the development of wind turbines and PV systems in Taiwan are the generation of respiratory inorganics and minerals as well as the consumption of fossil fuels. Based on experts’ opinions, the outcome of multi-criteria analysis suggests that wind turbines have more advantages than PV systems in Taiwan. In particular, among the studied systems, a 2500-kW offshore wind turbine system has the greatest integrated performance, and a 4500-kW onshore wind turbine system comes in second.

Inflation and Economic Growth in China:An Empirical Analysis

Using official provincial data for gross provincial product, consumer price index and other explanatory variables from 1986 to 2006, the present paper investigates the nonlinear effects of inflation on economic growth in China. The main finding of the study is that the inflation threshold effect is highly significant and robust in China. Above the 2.50percent threshold, every 1-percentage point increase in the inflation rate impedes economic growth by O. 61percent; below this threshold, every 1-percentage point increase in the inflation rate stimulates growth by 0.53 percent. This indicates that high inflation harms economic growth, whereas moderate inflation benefits growth. We suggest that China should maintain a moderate inflation rate for long-run growth.