Intrusion Detection in Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Wireless Sensor Networks

Intrusion detection in Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) is of practical interest in many applications such as detecting an intruder in a battlefield. The intrusion detection is defined as a mechanism for a WSN to detect the existence of inappropriate, incorrect, or anomalous moving attackers. For this purpose, it is a fundamental issue to characterize the WSN parameters such as node density and sensing range in terms of a desirable detection probability. In this paper, we consider this issue according to two WSN models: homogeneous and heterogeneous WSN. Furthermore, we derive the detection probability by considering two sensing models: single-sensing detection and multiple-sensing detection. In addition, we discuss the network connectivity and broadcast reachability, which are necessary conditions to ensure the corresponding detection probability in a WSN. Our simulation results validate the analytical values for both homogeneous and heterogeneous WSNs.     

Recent advances and evolution of WLAN and WMAN standards [guest editorial]

Standardization of wireless technologies is a continuous process, and even established standards are updated and modified in response to changes in the technology and the marketplace. One such example is the successful IEEE 802.11 standard for wireless local area networks (WLANs), which was originally designed for 1 and 2 Mb/s traffic, and is now being upgraded to support 600 Mb/s in 802.11n and being considered as a high-throughput (up to 1 Gb/s) wireless interface for the nomadic scenarios of the next generation of wireless systems. Similarly, enhancements to the IEEE 802.16 standard for wireless metropolitan area networks (WMANs) are being considered to develop a mobile air interface with support for up to 100 Mb/s in high mobility scenarios. This continuous evolution of the IEEE 802.11 WLAN and 802.16 WMAN standards is made possible with new innovation and contribution from both academia and industry. Given the rapid growth of these technologies, it is important to understand what new application scenarios have triggered the recent developments within WLAN and WMAN standards, how they are evolving, the technological challenges they face, and the opportunities for both the industry and research communities. In this issue, from a large number of submissions, we have selected five key articles for inclusion, which provide the reader with ongoing developments in these standards, technology roadmaps, current research challenges, and comprehensive evolution of these technologies, as well as deployment experience and application requirements.     

An in vitro model of a retinal prosthesis

Epiretinal prostheses are being developed to bypass a degenerated photoreceptor layer and excite surviving ganglion and inner retinal cells. We used custom microfabricated multielectrode arrays with 200-microm-diameter stimulating electrodes and 10-microm-diameter recording electrodes to stimulate and record neural responses in isolated tiger salamander retina. Pharmacological agents were used to isolate direct excitation of ganglion cells from excitation of other inner retinal cells. Strength-duration data suggest that, if amplitude will be used for the coding of brightness or gray level in retinal prostheses, shorter pulses (200 micros) will allow for a smaller region in the area of the electrode to be excited over a larger dynamic range compared with longer pulses (1 ms). Both electrophysiological results and electrostatic finite-element modeling show that electrode-electrode interactions can lead to increased thresholds for sites half way between simultaneously stimulated electrodes (29.4 +/- 6.6 nC) compared with monopolar stimulation (13.3 +/- 1.7 nC, p < 0.02). Presynaptic stimulation of the same ganglion cell with both 200- and 10-microm-diameter electrodes yielded threshold charge densities of 12 +/- 6 and 7.66 +/- 1.30 nC/cm2, respectively, while the required charge was 12.5 +/- 6.2 and 19 +/- 3.3 nC.     

Dynamic current density of the disk electrode double-layer

With applied potential, the current distribution at the surface of a disk electrode is spatially nonuniform and time dependent. This distribution is important to control in applications that desire a uniform current density profile or minimal corrosion. We examine the current density profile of a capacitive disk electrode subjected to a voltage-step using finite element analysis software to solve the system of partial differential equations. In detailed analyses we show quantitatively that the current density shifts from peripheral enhancement to near-uniformity following 1/2 of the lumped element time constant. As charging continues, the current density is slightly enhanced in the central region. We present curves for the evolution of local "time constants" as time progresses and calculate their effective values. The model is intended to be the basis of future work to control the corrosion profile of biologically implantable electrodes of arbitrary shape. Data suggest a means to control corrosion by retarding the edges of a stimulus pulse. Additionally, smaller electrodes may be more effective in fully utilizing surface area for charge transfer due to their shorter time constants.     

Gate dielectric engineering of quarter sub micron AlGaN/GaN MISHFET: A new device architecture for improved transconductance and high cut-off frequency

In this paper analytical modeling for a novel three region gate dielectric engineered AlGaN/GaN Metal Insulator Semiconductor heterostructure field effect transistor (MISHFET) device architecture is presented which shows high transconductance and enhanced cut-off frequency at quarter micron gate lengths. Using a three region analysis along the horizontal direction in the gate dielectric region the expressions for transconductance and cut-off frequency of the device are obtained. It has been observed that using these gate dielectric schemes, improvements on device performance are observed over conventional MISHFET structures. Relative comparison of T and Γ-gate shaped structures is done with uniform gate dielectric profile and enhancement in microwave performance is observed. The proposed model is capable of modeling electrical characteristics like drain current, output conductance and threshold voltage of various other existent structures like uniform gate dielectric MISHFETs, HFETs and T-gate HFETs. The present model is based on closed form expression and does not involve any fitting parameter. The results obtained are compared with experimental data and show excellent agreement, thereby proving the validity of the model.     

Upgrading of Mumbai High vacuum residue

Upgrading of waxy Mumbai High vacuum residue was carried out at four different temperatures, viz. 430, 445, 460, and 475?°C in an autoclavable reactor. The temperature difference between the material at the wall and at the centre of the reactor was found to be as low as 0^οC and as high as 10^οC depending upon rate of coke formation at different severities. Maximum coke formation (23.31?wt%) was found at 475?°C and for the reaction time of 60?min. Maximum liquid and gas yield was found to be 55.96?wt% and 16.9?wt%, respectively at 475?°C and for the reaction time of 90?min.     

Densification kinetics of powdered copper under single-mode and multimode microwave sintering

This work represents an investigation concerning densification kinetics during microwave sintering of copper powder using single-mode and multimode applicators operating at 2.45 GHz. Analysis of densification kinetics was made using densification parameter. Heating stage for sintering using single-mode applicator was found to be of great importance. While both processes have the same nature of heating, sintering kinetics in single-mode applicator were shown to be faster comparing to those for multimode ones. Partial melting of matter during sintering in single-mode applicator may be considered as an explanation.     

Hydrodynamic permeability of membranes built up by spherical particles covered by porous shells: effect of stress jump condition

This paper concerns the flow of an incompressible, viscous fluid past a porous spherical particle enclosing a solid core, using particle-in-cell method. The Brinkman’s equation in the porous region and the Stokes equation for clear fluid are used. At the fluid–porous interface, the stress jump boundary condition for the tangential stresses along with continuity of normal stress and velocity components are employed. No-slip and impenetrability boundary conditions on the solid spherical core have been used. The hydrodynamic drag force experienced by a porous spherical particle enclosing a solid core and permeability of membrane built up by solid particles with a porous shell are evaluated. It is found that the hydrodynamic drag force and dimensionless hydrodynamic permeability depends not only on the porous shell thickness, particle volume fraction γ and viscosities of porous and fluid medium, but also on the stress jump coefficient. Four known boundary conditions on the hypothetical surface are considered and compared: Happel’s, Kuwabara’s, Kvashnin’s and Cunningham’s (Mehta–Morse’s condition). Some previous results for the hydrodynamic drag force and dimensionless hydrodynamic permeability have been verified.     

Host Range,Morphology and Sequence Analysis of Ten Temperate Phages Isolated from Pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica Strains

Yersinia enterocolitica is a heterogeneous species comprising highly pathogenic, weakly pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains. Previous data suggest that gene exchange may occur in Yersinia. Only scarce information exists about temperate phages of Y. enterocolitica, even though many prophage sequences are present in this species. We have examined 102 pathogenic Y. enterocolitica strains for the presence of inducible prophages by mitomycin C treatment. Ten phages were isolated from nine strains belonging to the bio (B)/serotypes (O) B2/O:5,27, B2/O:9 and 1B/O:8. All phages are myoviruses showing lytic activity only at room temperature. Whole-genome sequencing of the phage genomes revealed that they belong to three groups, which, however, are not closely related to known phages. Group 1 is composed of five phages (type phage: vB_YenM_06.16.1) with genome sizes of 43.8 to 44.9 kb, whereas the four group 2 phages (type phage: vB_YenM_06.16.2) possess smaller genomes of 29.5 to 33.2 kb. Group 3 contains only one phage (vB_YenM_42.18) whose genome has a size of 36.5 kb, which is moderately similar to group 2. The host range of the phages differed significantly. While group 1 phages almost exclusively lysed strains of B2/O:5,27, phages of group 2 and 3 were additionally able to lyse B4/O:3, and some of them even B2/O:9 and 1B/O:8 strains.     

The Neonatal Fc Receptor Is Elevated in Monocyte-Derived Immune Cells in Pancreatic Cancer

The neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) is responsible for recycling of IgG antibodies and albumin throughout the body. This mechanism has been exploited for pharmaceutic delivery across an array of diseases to either enhance or diminish this function. Monoclonal antibodies and albumin-bound nanoparticles are examples of FcRn-dependent anti-cancer therapeutics. Despite its importance in drug delivery, little is known about FcRn expression in circulating immune cells. Through time-of-flight mass cytometry (CyTOF) we were able to characterize FcRn expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) populations of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients and non-cancer donors. Furthermore, we were able to replicate these findings in an orthotopic murine model of PDAC. Altogether, we found that in both patients and mice with PDAC, FcRn was elevated in migratory and resident classical dendritic cell type 2 (cDC2) as well as monocytic and granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) populations compared to tumor-free controls. Furthermore, PBMCs from PDAC patients had elevated monocyte, dendritic cells and MDSCs relative to non-cancer donor PBMCs. Future investigations into FcRn activity may further elucidate possible mechanisms of poor efficacy of antibody immunotherapies in patients with PDAC.