Quantum-inspired design of resilient substitution boxes: From coding to hardware implementation

S-boxes constitute a cornerstone component in symmetric-key cryptographic algorithms, such as DES and AES encryption systems. In block ciphers, they are typically used to obscure the relationship between the plaintext and the ciphertext. Non-linear and non-correlated S-boxes are the most secure against linear and differential cryptanalysis. In this paper, we focus on a twofold objective: first, we evolve regular S-boxes with high non-linearity and low auto-correlation properties; then automatically generate evolvable hardware for the obtained S-box. Targeting the former, we use a quantum-inspired evolutionary algorithm to optimize regularity, non-linearity and auto-correlation, which constitute the three main desired properties in resilient S-boxes. Pursuing the latter, we exploit the same algorithm to automatically generate the evolvable hardware designs of substitution boxes that minimize hardware space and encryption/decryption time, which form the two main hardware characteristics. We compare our results against existing and well-known designs, which were produced by using conventional methods as well as through genetic algorithm. We will show that our approach provides higher quality S-boxes coding as well as circuits.     

A thermocouple vacuum gauge for low vacuum measurement

The construction of a thermocouple vacuum gauge for the range of pressures from 200 to 800 mbar is reported. The gauge differs from similar ones that cover the medium vacuum region. The main difference is that the thermocouple is not fixed to the filament, as usual, but is placed at some distance from the filament.     

A simple technique for identifying a linearized model for a didactic magnetic levitation system

A simple technique for obtaining the parameters of a linearized model for a didactic magnetic levitation system is introduced. The proposed procedure only involves basic concepts of dynamic systems and is suitable for use in undergraduate control experiments. The project and validation of a digital lead compensator based on the linearized model are also presented.     

Platform designer: An approach for modeling multiprocessor platforms based on SystemC

This paper[3.5pc] presents the Platform Designer (PD) framework, a set of SystemC based tools that provide support for modeling, simulation and analysis of multiprocessor SoC platforms (MPSoC), at different abstraction levels. PD provides mechanisms for interconnection specification, process synchronization and communication, thus allowing the modeling of a complete platform, in a unified environment. To do that it uses an extension of the ArchC ADL and acsys, a tool that enables the automatic generation of a SystemC simulator of the platform. The main advantages of this approach are twofold. First, designers have more flexibility since they can integrate and configure different processors to the platform, using a single environment. Second, it enables a faster design space exploration, given that it automatically generates SystemC simulators of whole platforms at distinct abstraction levels. A number of platform variations can be tried out with minor design changes, thus reducing design time. Experimental results show the suitability of the platform simulator for design space exploration. Real applications (with medium complexity) run in the platform in few minutes. Combined with the facility to generate platforms with minor changes, this feature allows an improvement of the design space exploration.     

TRPA1 Role in Inflammatory Disorders: What Is Known So Far?

The transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), a member of the TRP superfamily of channels, is primarily localized in a subpopulation of primary sensory neurons of the trigeminal, vagal, and dorsal root ganglia, where its activation mediates neurogenic inflammatory responses. TRPA1 expression in resident tissue cells, inflammatory, and immune cells, through the indirect modulation of a large series of intracellular pathways, orchestrates a range of cellular processes, such as cytokine production, cell differentiation, and cytotoxicity. Therefore, the TRPA1 pathway has been proposed as a protective mechanism to detect and respond to harmful agents in various pathological conditions, including several inflammatory diseases. Specific attention has been paid to TRPA1 contribution to the transition of inflammation and immune responses from an early defensive response to a chronic pathological condition. In this view, TRPA1 antagonists may be regarded as beneficial tools for the treatment of inflammatory conditions.     

A generalized global adaptive tracking control scheme for robot manipulators with bounded inputs

In this work, a generalized adaptive scheme for the global motion control of robot manipulators with constrained inputs is proposed. It gives rise to various families of bounded adaptive controllers defined through a general class of saturation functions. Compared with adaptive tracking control algorithms previously developed in a bounded input context, the proposed adaptive approach guarantees the motion control objective for any initial condition, avoiding discontinuities throughout the scheme, preventing the inputs to reach their natural saturation bounds, and permitting innovation on the saturating structure through its generalized form, giving a wide range of possibilities for performance improvement. Experimental results corroborate the efficiency of the proposed scheme. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.