Network‐layer security for the Internet of Things using TinyOS and BLIP

The design of standard communications and security mechanisms for resource‐constrained sensing applications and devices may provide an important contribution for its integration with the Internet and consequently towards the realization of what we nowadays identify as the Internet of Things. This vision will only be realizable if appropriate security mechanisms are available, and in this context we target the design and experimental evaluation of security mechanisms for communications at the network‐layer with sensing devices (smart objects) using the standard IPv6 protocol. Our work proposes and evaluates the usage of new compressed security headers for the network layer with smart objects. We implement and evaluate what is, as far as we know, the first proposal of security at the network layer experimentally evaluated using the TinyOS operating system and its networking stack. As we verify in the course of our evaluation study, various scenarios employing network‐layer secure communications involving smart objects are feasible, particularly when security mechanisms are designed to benefit from cross‐layer interactions that allow the optimization of expensive cryptographic operations. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of dietary supplementation of vitamins D(3) and E on quality characteristics of pigs and longissimus muscle antioxidative capacity

The effects of addition of vitamin D₃ and vitamin E to pig diets on blood plasma calcium concentration, meat quality (longissimus muscle) and antioxidative capacity were investigated. Two treatments consisted of supplementation with vitamin D₃ (500,000 IU/d) for 5 days separately (group D) and a combination of vitamin E (500 mg α-tocopheryl acetate/kg diet) for 30 days and vitamin D₃ (500,000 IU/d) for 5 days (group D + E) to growing-finishing pigs before slaughter. Pigs fed with vitamin D₃ had higher (P < 0.01) plasma calcium concentration compared with control pigs. Dietary supplementation of vitamin E significantly (P < 0.05) increased the concentration of α-tocopherol in meat (longissimus muscle). Vitamin D₃ supplementation resulted in higher (P = 0.07) a^∗ values of loin chops at 5 days of storage. Vitamin D₃ and vitamin E supplementation did not affect other meat quality characteristics or tenderness (quantified by Warner–Bratzler shear force). Antioxidative capacity (measured as MDA production after incubation of longissimus muscle homogenates with Fe²⁺/ascorbate) was improved by vitamin E and partly by vitamin D₃ supplementation.     

Effects of dietary antioxidants on the quality, fatty acid profile, and lipid oxidation of longissimus muscle in Kacang goat with aging time

Thirty-two male goats were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments namely, basal diet 70% concentrate and 30% oil palm fronds (control, CN), CN + 400 mg/kg vitamin E (VE), 0.5% turmeric (TU) or 0.5% Anderographis paniculata (AP). After 100 days of feeding, the goats were slaughtered and longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle was sampled. The muscle was vacuum-packaged and conditioned for 0, 7 and 14 days in a chiller (4 °C). The drip loss of the LD muscle increased (P < 0.05) with aging time. Meat tenderness was improved (p < 0.05) at 14 days aging. All antioxidant supplements improved (P < 0.05) colour of the meat. The TBARS value increased (P < 0.05) at 7 days of aging while the fatty acid composition was not affected by the dietary supplements. It is concluded that TU and AP are potential dietary antioxidant supplements, for the purpose of improving the quality of chevon.     

Contribution of biomass burning to atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at three European background sites

Radiocarbon analysis of atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from three background areas in Sweden, Croatia, and Greece was performed to apportion their origin between fossil and biomass combustion. Diagnostic ratios of PAHs implied that wood and coal combustion was relatively more important in the northern European site, while combustion of fossil fuels was the dominant source of PAHs to the two central-southern European background sites. The radiocarbon content (delta14C) of atmospheric PAHs in Sweden ranged between -388 per thousand and -381 per thousand, while more depleted values were observed for Greece (-914 per thousand) and Croatia (-888 per thousand). Using a 14C isotopic mass balance model it was calculated that biomass burning contributes nearly 10% of the total PAH burden in the studied southern European atmosphere with fossil fuel combustion making up the 90% balance. In contrast, biomass burning contributes about 50% of total PAHs in the atmosphere at the Swedish site. Our results suggest that the relative contributions of biomass burning and fossil fuels to atmospheric PAHs may differ considerably between countries, and therefore, different national control strategies might be needed if a further reduction of these pollutants is to be achieved on a continental-global scale.     

Electrosynthesis of Aryliminophosphoranes in Continuous Flow

A practical electrochemical method for synthesizing aryliminophosphoranes from widely available nitro(hetero)arenes in a continuous-flow system is presented. The utilization of flow technology offers several advantages to our approach, including the elimination of the need for a supporting electrolyte and enhanced scalability. Our method demonstrates good tolerance towards various functional groups, with electron-deficient nitroarenes being particularly suitable for this strategy. In addition, we have demonstrated the versatility of aryliminophosphoranes as intermediates in synthesizing anilines, amines, and amides. To further enhance the utility of our approach, we have developed a telescoped method that utilizes a tube-in-tube setup for the in-situ production of isocyanates.     

Mira: A one-repetitive day method for predicting the long-term performance of solar energy systems

A new, one-repetitive day simulation method, named MIRA, has been developed for predicting the long-term performance of a wide variety of solar energy systems. Compared to detailed hourly computer simulations, MIRA requires little computational effort and climatic data bases, while offering comparable accuracy. In the MIRA simulation method, the daily solar radiation profile incorporates both random fluctuations and an inherent time-of-day dependence. Satisfactory agreement between the long-term system performance predictions of the new method and corresponding detailed hourly simulations is demonstrated. The range and magnitude of the predictive accuracy of MIRA and other one-repetitive day methods are illustrated. Their usefulness in sensitivity studies and comparative evaluations of different solar system configurations and control strategies is also discussed.     

Ka频段高灵敏度检波器研制

介绍了一种高电压灵敏度、低切线灵敏度检波器的设计方法。在建立检波二极管简化物理模型的基础上,进行了检波二极管Ka频段阻抗参数的提取,再根据提取的阻抗参数,通过仿真优化了射频匹配网络,使得检波器能够较好地工作在23～34 GHz。实测表明,在1.2 kHz视频带宽下,当输入功率为-30 dBm时,23～34 GHz范围内电压灵敏度高于6 000 mV/mW,切线灵敏度优于-56 dBm,对应等效噪声功率(Noise Equivalent Power, NEP)估算为11.5～36 pW/Hz^1/2。对比实测与仿真结果较为一致,证明了阻抗参数提取的有效性。     

Antiulcerogenic Potential of the Ethanolic Extract of Ceiba speciosa (A. St.-Hil.) Ravenna Evaluated by In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

Gastrointestinal diseases, such as peptic ulcers, are caused by a damage in the gastric mucosa provoked by several factors. This stomach injury is regulated by many inflammatory mediators and is commonly treated with proton-pump inhibitors, histamine H2 receptor blockers and antacids. However, various medicinal plants have demonstrated positive effects on gastric ulcer treatment, including plants of the Ceiba genus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiulcer and anti-inflammatory activities of the stem bark ethanolic extract of Ceiba speciosa (A. St.-Hil.) Ravenna. We performed a preliminary quantification of phenolic compounds by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD), followed by the prospection of other chemical groups through nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. A set of in vitro assays was used to evaluate the extract potential regarding its antioxidant activity (DPPH: 19.83 ± 0.34 µg/mL; TPC: 307.20 ± 6.20 mg GAE/g of extract), effects on cell viability and on the release of TNF-α in whole human blood. Additionally, in vivo assays were performed to evaluate the leukocyte accumulation and total protein quantification in carrageenan-induced air pouch, as well as the antiulcerogenic effect of the extract on an ethanol-induced ulcer in rats. The extract contains flavonoids and phenolic compounds, as well as sugars and quinic acid derivatives exhibiting potent antioxidant activity and low toxicity. The extract reduced the release of TNF-α in human blood and inhibited the activity of p38α (1.66 µg/mL), JAK3 (5.25 µg/mL), and JNK3 (8.34 µg/mL). Moreover, it reduced the leukocyte recruitment on the pouch exudate and the formation of edema, reverting the effects caused by carrageenan. The extract presented a significant prevention of ulcer formation and a higher reduction than the reference drug, Omeprazole. Therefore, C. speciosa extract has demonstrated relevant therapeutic potential for the treatment of gastric diseases, deserving the continuation of further studies to unveil the mechanisms of action of plant bioactive ingredients.     

协同信道空时优化MIMO无线传输系统

该文提出一种基于虚拟信道的空时优化多输入多输出(MIMO)无线传输系统。通过在发射端产生不同的空时虚拟信道,与实际空间无线信道级联,构成系统的整体传输信道即协同空分信道。系统可以根据接收端的反馈信息采用模拟退火算法来优化虚拟信道,改善误码率(BER)性能。利用虚拟信道方法,可以使一根MIMO发射天线在同一时间、同一频段传输多路叠加合并后的数据信号,从而可以使发射的不同数据信号的总路数超过发射天线的数量,突破了现有MIMO系统在同一时间、同一频段最多只能发射与发射天线数量相等的不同数据信号的传统方式,可以显著提高系统的频谱效率。仿真结果和基于ZC706和AD9361硬件平台的微波暗室实际测试结果充分验证了新MIMO系统的有效性。