Crypt analysis of two time pads in case of compressed speech

Keystream reuse, also known as the two time pad problem, is a well known weakness in stream ciphers. The implementers of the cryptographic algorithms are still underestimating this threat. The keystream reuse exploitation techniques presented so far assume the underlying plaintext to be textual data and all the heuristics presented previously are based on the language characteristics of the underlying text based data, which fail when compression is applied on the plaintext before encryption. This paper presents exploitation techniques for two time pads in case of stream ciphered digitized and compressed speech signals. In this paper we show that how an adversary can automatically recover the digitized speech signals encrypted under the same keystream provided the language (e.g. English) and digital encoding/compression scheme details of the underlying speech signals are known. Our technique of cryptanalysis is based on the modeling of the speech parameters by exploiting the inter frame correlations between each components of the speech vectors in different frames and then using these models to decode the two speech signals in the keystream reuse scenario. The technique is flexible enough to incorporate all modern speech coding schemes based on parameter or hybrid encoding and compression techniques. The simulation experiments have showed promising results for most of the present day speech digitization and compression techniques.     

High resolution target localization using rotating linear array radar

In this paper, an algorithm is proposed for detection and joint estimation of parameters of multiple targets using rotating antenna array. This paper is sequel to our previous work addressing a two element antenna array only. Joint estimation of number of targets, the targets’ range, Doppler and their directions of arrivals is carried while the effects of antenna rotation are compensated for a multi element linear array. The effectiveness of the algorithm is verified by the simulation results carried out for an eight element array. The proposed algorithm is able to resolve targets with same range and Doppler. The computations of the proposed algorithm are calculated and comparison is also given with other algorithms.

     

Ground plane impact on quadrifilar helix antenna performance with respect to deployment heights

Quadrifilar helix antenna (QHA) has its applications in satellite communications. This paper presents the performance optimisation of input and radiation characteristics of QHA in the presence of infinite and finite metallic ground planes. For the infinite ground plane, it has been observed that input parameters such as impedance and voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) are stable, and the antenna has broader half power beamwidth (HPBW). Smaller metallic platforms that act as finite ground planes produce better 3‐dB axial ratio beamwidth and boresight axial ratio. Deployment of QHA on smaller metallic platforms such as nanosatellites and CubeSats enhances the circularly polarised beamwidth of the antenna with improved boresight axial ratio. However, on large low earth orbit (LEO) satellites, stable input characteristics and broader HPBW have been achieved at the cost of narrow circularly polarised beamwidth and degraded boresight axial ratio.     

PAPR reduction in mobile WiMAX: a novel DST precoding based random interleaved OFDMA uplink system

Mobile WiMAX is a 3rd generation broadband wireless technology that enables the convergence of mobile and fixed broadband networks through a wide area radio-access. Since January 2007, the IEEE 802.16 working group has been developing a new amendment the IEEE 802.16 standard i.e. IEEE 802.16 m as an advanced air interface to meet the requirements of ITU-R/IMT-Advanced for 4G systems. The mobile WiMAX air interface adopts orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) as multiple access technique for its uplink and downlink to improve signal performance affected by multipath distortion. All OFDMA based networks, including mobile WiMAX, experience the problem of high peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR). This paper presents a discrete-sine-transform precoding technique based random-interleaved OFDMA (RI-OFDMA) uplink system for PAPR reduction in mobile WiMAX. The PAPR of proposed system is analyzed with root-raised-cosine pulse shaping filter to keep out of band radiation low and to fulfill the spectrum mask requirements. Simulation results show that, the proposed system has low PAPR compared to the Hadamard transform precoded RI-OFDMA uplink systems and the conventional RI-OFDMA uplink systems.     

Molecular Pathogenesis of Glioblastoma in Adults and Future Perspectives: A Systematic Review

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and malignant tumour of the central nervous system. Recent appreciation of the heterogeneity amongst these tumours not only changed the WHO classification approach, but also created the need for developing novel and personalised therapies. This systematic review aims to highlight recent advancements in understanding the molecular pathogenesis of the GBM and discuss related novel treatment targets. A systematic search of the literature in the PubMed library was performed following the PRISMA guidelines for molecular pathogenesis and therapeutic advances. Original and meta-analyses studies from the last ten years were reviewed using pre-determined search terms. The results included articles relevant to GBM development focusing on the aberrancy in cell signaling pathways and intracellular events. Theragnostic targets and vaccination to treat GBM were also explored. The molecular pathophysiology of GBM is complex. Our systematic review suggests targeting therapy at the stemness, p53 mediated pathways and immune modulation. Exciting novel immune therapy involving dendritic cell vaccines, B-cell vaccines and viral vectors may be the future of treating GBM.     

pH Responsive Abelmoschus esculentus Mucilage and Administration of Methotrexate: In-Vitro Antitumor and In-Vivo Toxicity Evaluation

The rapid progression in biomaterial nanotechnology apprehends the potential of non-toxic and potent polysaccharide delivery modules to overcome oral chemotherapeutic challenges. The present study is aimed to design, fabricate and characterize polysaccharide nanoparticles for methotrexate (MTX) delivery. The nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by Abelmoschus esculentus mucilage (AEM) and chitosan (CS) by the modified coacervation method, followed by ultra-sonification. The NPs showed much better pharmaceutical properties with a spherical shape and smooth surface of 213.4–254.2 nm with PDI ranging between 0.279–0.485 size with entrapment efficiency varying from 42.08 ± 1.2 to 72.23 ± 2.0. The results revealed NPs to possess positive zeta potential and a low polydispersity index (PDI). The in-vitro drug release showed a sustained release of the drug up to 32 h with pH-dependence. Blank AEM -CS NPs showed no in-vivo toxicity for a time duration of 14 days, accompanied by high cytotoxic effects of optimized MTX loaded NPs against MCF-7 and MD-MBA231 cells by MTT assay. In conclusion, the findings advocated the therapeutic potential of AEM/CS NPs as an efficacious tool, offering a new perspective for pH-responsive routing of anticancer drugs with tumor cells as a target.     

Preparation,characterization, and properties of polyacrylonitrile–silica gel anion exchange composite fibers

This article reports the preparation of new anion exchange composite fibers (AECFs). These AECFs were prepared by simple stirring of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and silica gel in different stoichiometric ratios. The physicochemical characterization of the prepared AECFs was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA, differential thermal analysis, and differential thermal gravimetry), and elemental analysis (CHNS/O). Ion‐exchange behavior was also observed. The results indicate that addition of silica gel affects the structure and properties of the composite fibers. The addition of silica gel also changes the thermal stability of PAN–silica gel AECFs. The ion‐exchange capacity of the resulting AECFs was found to be 1.98 mequiv/g. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effects of surface and volume modification of poly(vinylidene fluoride) by polyaniline on the structure and electrical properties of their composites

The structure and electrical properties of polyaniline (PANI) modified poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) films have been studied depending on the type of modification (surface or volume) and the type of dopant (HCl or dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid). The structure was studied with differential scanning calorimetry, atomic force microscopy and Raman spectroscopy (including the surface enhanced mode—SERS) techniques. Surface modification of PVDF with PANI creates a two-dimensional (2D) conductive network on the surface of PVDF films with the thickness of approximately 8 μm. The network is characterized with non-linear current voltage (I-V) characteristics and enhanced conductivity at elevated temperatures (up to 160 °C), which is opposite to volume modified samples behaviour. Conductivity of the composite films varies in the range of 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻³ S/cm depending on the preparation conditions. The observed non-linear conductivity is explained by formation of the surface conductive network of PANI alternated with β-crystalline PVDF microdomains.