Analysis of two authorization protocols using Colored Petri Nets

To prevent unauthorized access to protected trusted platform module (TPM) objects, authorization protocols, such as the object-specific authorization protocol (OSAP), have been introduced by the trusted computing group (TCG). By using OSAP, processes trying to gain access to the protected TPM objects need to prove their knowledge of relevant authorization data before access to the objects can be granted. Chen and Ryan’s 2009 analysis has demonstrated OSAP’s authentication vulnerability in sessions with shared authorization data. They also proposed the Session Key Authorization Protocol (SKAP) with fewer stages as an alternative to OSAP. Chen and Ryan’s analysis of SKAP using ProVerif proves the authentication property. The purpose of this paper was to examine the usefulness of Colored Petri Nets (CPN) and CPN Tools for security analysis. Using OSAP and SKAP as case studies, we construct intruder and authentication property models in CPN. CPN Tools is used to verify the authentication property using a Dolev–Yao-based model. Verification of the authentication property in both models using the state space tool produces results consistent with those of Chen and Ryan.     

Quantum phase transition in the Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction with inhomogeneous magnetic field: Geometric approach

In this paper, we generalize the results of Oh (Phys Lett A 373:644–647, 2009) to Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya model under non-uniform external magnetic field to investigate the relation between entanglement, geometric phase (or Berry phase) and quantum phase transition. We use quaternionic representation to relate the geometric phase to the quantum phase transition. For small values of DM parameter, the Berry phase is more appropriate than the concurrence measure, while for large values, the concurrence is a good indicator to show the phase transition. On the other hand, by increasing the DM interaction the phase transition occurs for large values of anisotropy parameter. In addition, for small values of magnetic field the concurrence measure is appropriate indicator for quantum phase transition, but for large values of magnetic field the Berry phase shows a sharp changes in the phase transition points. The results show that the Berry phase and concurrence form a complementary system from phase transition point of view.     

Bars on blocks: A cellular automata model of crime and liquor licensed establishment density

Criminologists have extensively researched the problems generated by licensed establishments. Violent offending and disorderly behavior resulting from pubs, taverns, dance clubs and bars are of particular interest to this field of study. The relative density of these liquor establishments has been found to be associated with the level of violence and disorder in surrounding areas. A complex systems approach can be used to further understand the dynamic interplay between licensed establishments, violent offending and disorder, and urban planning decisions. The model presented here utilizes cellular automata as the mathematical framework to view the varying impact of liquor licensing density on crime. This study uses a sample of liquor establishments and crime data from the City of Vancouver in British Columbia. The cellular automata model incorporates transition rules which govern the change of city blocks from low-risk blocks to high-risk blocks. The results represented by a 50 × 50 cellular grid show that high-risk blocks multiply when liquor licenses are grouped. Two scenarios are presented to contrast the impact of grouping high-risk blocks which contain more liquor establishments and dispersing such blocks. A third scenario demonstrates how increasing the positive influence in a grouped scenario stops high-risk blocks from taking over the entire grid. Future iterations of this model will incorporate census data, public transportation data, land use data and entertainment districts from other cities to further analyze the effect of licensed establishments on the distribution of crime.     

Multi-level cross-layer protocol for end-to-end delay provisioning in wireless multimedia sensor networks

Frontiers of Information Technology & Electronic Engineering - Rapid developments in information and communication technology in recent years have posed a significant challenge in wireless...     

A hybrid modeling approach for forecasting the volatility of S&P 500 index return

Forecasting volatility is an essential step in many financial decision makings. GARCH family of models has been extensively used in finance and economics, particularly for estimating volatility. The motivation of this study is to enhance the ability of GARCH models in forecasting the return volatility. We propose two hybrid models based on EGARCH and Artificial Neural Networks to forecast the volatility of S&P 500 index. The estimates of volatility obtained by an EGARCH model are fed forward to a Neural Network. The input to the first hybrid model is complemented by historical values of other explanatory variables. The second hybrid model takes as inputs both series of the simulated data and explanatory variables. The forecasts obtained by each of those hybrid models have been compared with those of EGARCH model in terms of closeness to the realized volatility. The computational results demonstrate that the second hybrid model provides better volatility forecasts.     

Machine scheduling in underground mining: an application in the potash industry

In this paper, a scheduling problem that occurs in potash mining is introduced, where a block excavation sequence has to be found taking into account a limited number of underground machines as well as safety-related restrictions. The aim is to minimize the maximum completion time of excavations, i.e., the makespan. The resulting problem can be transformed into a hybrid flow shop scheduling problem with reentry, unrelated machines, and job-precedences. A mixed-integer linear model is presented and small-scale instances are solved with CPLEX. In order to tackle medium- and large-scale instances heuristically, a basic and an advanced multi-start algorithm are developed, based on a specific priority rule-based construction procedure. In addition, a modified version of the Giffler and Thompson procedure is applied. Computational experiments are conducted on problem instances derived from real-world data in order to evaluate the performances of the proposed solution procedures.     

Accuracy of Numerical Methods in Determination of Residual Stresses Due to Cold Expansion in Metallic Materials

Today more than ever, it was tried to reach the optimum usage of materials by applying various methods of manufacturing processes. Increasing the fatigue life of components is one of important aims. All parts of a machine must be connected together for incoming to service. Nonpermanent connections like bolt and nut joints must have hole on both components. Fatigue life was increased if these holes were reinforced by various methods. One of the ways is producing compressive residual stress in near fields of hole by cold expansion (CE) method. In this study the CE process was applied to plate was made from elastic–perfectly plastic material. Residual stresses distributions were obtained by analytical and numerical methods (using finite elements analysis). Results of these methods were compared together for determination the accuracy of numerical methods. In the next step, residual stress distribution due to the CE in real material (aluminum) was determined numerically. Three numerical methods were used: really simulation method (3D plate with punch), 2D and 3D model with internal pressure (using try and error, the amount of pressure that was needed to introduce the same CE ratio was determined) and finally, 2D and 3D model with radial displacement in internal surface of the hole. It was determined that the first and second methods have good agreement with experimental results so can be used for simulation of the CE process.