Cryptography is a science to maintain the security of the message by changing data or information into a different form, so the message cannot be recognized. Today, many algorithms have been proposed for image encryption, but the chaotic encryption methods have a good combination of speed and high security. In recent years, the chaos based cryptographic algorithms have suggested some new and efficient ways to develop secure image encryption techniques. The chaos-based encryption schemes are composed of two steps: chaotic confusion and pixel diffusion. In the chaotic confusion stage, a combination of the chaotic maps is used to realize the confusion of all pixels. In this paper, we first give a brief introduction into chaotic image encryption and then we investigate some important properties and behaviour of the logistic map. The logistic map, aperiodic trajectory, or random-like fluctuation, could not be obtained with some choice of initial condition. Therefore, a noisy logistic map with an additive system noise is introduced. The proposed scheme is based on the extended map of the Clifford strange attractor, where each dimension has a specific role in the encryption process. Two dimensions are used for pixel permutation and the third dimension is used for pixel diffusion. In order to optimize the Clifford encryption system we increase the space key by using the noisy logistic map and a novel encryption scheme based on the Clifford attractor and the noisy logistic map for secure transfer images is proposed. This algorithm consists of two parts: the noisy logistic map shuffle of the pixel position and the pixel value. We use times for shuffling the pixel position and value then we generate the new pixel position and value by the Clifford system. To illustrate the efficiency of the proposed scheme, various types of security analysis are tested. It can be concluded that the proposed image encryption system is a suitable choice for practical applications.

Long-range visual marine aids to navigation are not required for current marine navigational practices. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop a minimum luminous range for major lighthouses that are still in existence to sustain the operation of the lighthouses in the future. Two steps were involved in the determination of the minimum luminous range, namely the modification of the existing geographical range formula, and the finding of a strong linear correlation between the light intensity and the luminous range with the lowest gradient possible in a graph. The application of the minimum luminous range would eliminate the loom of light beyond the geographical range of the lighthouse. This approach was applied to seven major lighthouses in Peninsular Malaysia, which resulted in a minimum luminous range of between 12 nm to 14 nm, which was a reduction from the existing range of 18 nm to 25 nm. The validation of the minimum luminous range was performed in two ways; using a Full Mission Ship Simulator (FMSS), and matching the proposed minimum luminous range with the lighting system available. The results of the validation by using the FMSS between the luminous range of 25 nm and 14 nm showed that the light could be sighted and identified at 58.7 nm and 58.6 nm, respectively, which was, therefore, not significant. The validation by matching with the lighting equipment available in the market showed that the eight-tier VLB-44, which has replaced the rotating lighting system in the US since 2008, was highly matched with the proposed minimum luminous range. This further validated the minimum luminous range. The minimum luminous range is sufficient for current navigational uses and may reduce the costs for procuring and maintaining lighting systems, and will be able to sustain the operations of lighthouses in this GNSS age.

Carboxylated multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs-COOH) have been used as efficient adsorbents for the removal of picric acid from aqueous solutions under stirring and ultrasound conditions. Batch experiments were conducted to study the influence of the different parameters such as pH, amount of adsorbents, contact time and concentration of picric acid on the adsorption process. The kinetic data were fitted with pseudo-first order, pseudo-secondorder, Elovich and intra-particle diffusion models. The kinetic studies were well described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model for both methods. In addition, the adsorption isotherms of picric acid from aqueous solutions on the MWCNTs were investigated using six two-parameter models (Langmuir, Freundlich, Tempkin, Halsey, Harkins-Jura, Fowler- Guggenheim), four three-parameter models (Redlich-Peterson, Khan, Radke-Prausnitz, and Toth), two four-parameter equations (Fritz-Schlunder and Baudu) and one five-parameter equation (Fritz-Schlunder). Three error analysis methods, correlation coefficient, chi-square test and average relative errors, were applied to determine the best fit isotherm. The error analysis showed that the models with more than two parameters better described the picric acid sorption data compared to the two-parameter models. In particular, the Baudu equation provided the best model for the picric acid sorption data for both methods.

Having conducted numerous research and survey projects, Korea National Arboretum (KNA) has been a centre for Korean insect diversity researches in South Korea for about a decade since its first step as the first national biological collection was taken in 2003. Those projects mainly focused on specimen collection through various surveys and classical taxonomic studies on rather limited taxa. Holding slightly more than 6,000 species in our collection now, we consider it is time to take another approach that will keep insect researches going and expanding its boundary although it seems a little bit late to follow an international trend. The approach we are about to follow is a DNA barcode blitz, which aims for rapid digitization and sequencing of insects. With an integrated system of insect taxonomy we may provide faster and more reliable identification service to the public and other related biological and ecological studies. Digitized morphological and molecular data can be used in various ways such as forest insect pest monitoring, climate change related monitoring, and reverse taxonomic study.