Trust-based authentication scheme with user rating for low-resource devices in smart environments

In smart environments, pervasive computing contributes in improving daily life activities for dependent people by providing personalized services. Nevertheless, those environments do not guarantee a satisfactory level for protecting the user privacy and ensuring the trust between communicating entities. In this study, we propose a trust evaluation model based on user past and present behavior. This model is associated with a lightweight authentication key agreement protocol (Elliptic Curve-based Simple Authentication Key Agreement). The aim is to enable the communicating entities to establish a level of trust and then succeed in a mutual authentication using a scheme suitable for low-resource devices in smart environments. An innovation in our trust model is that it uses an accurate approach to calculate trust in different situations and includes a human-based feature for trust feedback, which is user rating. Finally, we tested and implemented our scheme on Android mobile phones in a smart environment dedicated for handicapped people.     

Low-temperature synthesis of mesoporous nanocrystalline magnesium aluminate (MgAl2O4) spinel with high surface area using a novel modified sol-gel method

A simple, template-free and scalable modified sol-gel route was developed for the synthesis of mesoporous flake-like magnesium aluminate spinel (MgAl₂O₄) at low temperature (700 °C) with high surface area (281 m² g^?1). The obtained spinel materials were characterized by means of physicochemical techniques including X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and N₂ adsorption-desorption analysis. The propylene oxide was used as gelation and pore forming agent in the sol-gel process. Different morphologies and sizes of flake were generated by the varied synthesis conditions. The result materials reveal that the textural properties of the MgAl₂O₄ product are strongly associated with the nature and amount of addictive solvent and calcination temperatures. It shows that the BET surface area decrease as the increase of calcination temperature and the optimal temperature of 700 °C result in the pure phase of MgAl₂O₄ spinel. This synthesis strategy offers a feasible approach for scalable fabrication of mixed metal oxides for various catalytic reactions or catalyst supports due to the large surface area.     

An analytical-numerical approach for parameter determination of a five-parameter single-diode model of photovoltaic cells and modules

Parameter extraction of the five-parameter single-diode model of solar cells and modules from experimental data is a challenging problem. These parameters are evaluated from a set of nonlinear equations that cannot be solved analytically. On the other hand, a numerical solution of such equations needs a suitable initial guess to converge to a solution. This paper presents a new set of approximate analytical solutions for the parameters of a five-parameter single-diode model of photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules. The proposed solutions provide a good initial point which guarantees numerical analysis convergence. The proposed technique needs only a few data from the PV current-voltage characteristics, i.e. open circuit voltage V_oc, short circuit current I_sc and maximum power point current and voltage I_m; V_m making it a fast and low cost parameter determination technique. The accuracy of the presented theoretical I–V curves is verified by experimental data.     

Numerical Study of Adhesive Single-Lap Joints with Composite Adherends Subjected to Combined Tension–Torsion Loads

The present investigation focuses on modifying the strength of single-lap adhesively bonded joints under tension–torsion loading with the use of three-dimensional finite element (FE) modeling. A single-lap adhesively bonded joint is reinforced by fibers and analyzed by means of ABAQUS-6.9.1 FE code. The adherends are considered to be made of orthotropic materials, while the adhesive is neat resin or reinforced by various types of fibers. The carbon and glass unidirectional fibers are used for adhesive reinforcement. In the FE modeling, the behavior of all the members is assumed to be linear elastic. The ultimate bond strength is increased as the fiber volume fraction in the adhesive is increased. By changing the properties and the behavior of the adhesive from neat resin (isotropic) to fiber composite adhesive (orthotropic) and with various fiber volume fractions and by changing the orientation of the fibers in the adhesive region with respect to the global axes, the bond strength in tension–torsion loadings are changed. Also, the excessive adhesive layer is modeled and its effect on the joint strength is investigated.     

Investigation of β phase formation in piezoelectric response of electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride nanofibers: LiCl additive and increasing fibers tension

As a piezoelectric polymer, poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) is attractive in energy conversion applications between electrical and mechanical forms because of its low cost, high flexibility, and biocompatibility. The piezoelectricity of electrospun PVDF polymer is due to changes in the crystalline structure (e.g., creating the β‐phase) during the electrospinning process. This research focuses on two approaches for investigation of β Phase formation: (1) addition of LiCl in different concentrations (0.001, 0.00133, 0.002, 0.004 wt%) as inorganic salt to the polymer solution, (2) increasing tension along the fiber axis by increasing the collector drum speed during the aligning process. Performances of these structures were evaluated by using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A one‐step nano‐generator and cost‐effective package based on electrospun nanofibers was presented to measure output voltages as a performance factor. Results show that the addition of LiCl leads to β Phase formation in the crystalline structure, decreasing fiber diameter to 65 nm, and increment in the work of rupture and piezoelectric output. Moreover, the results show that increasing collector drum speed causes the alignment of β‐crystallites along the fiber axis and subsequently no considerable effect on the formation of β‐phases and output voltage. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 56:61–70, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Application of classification and regression trees for sensitivity analysis of the Escherichia coli O157:H7 food safety process risk model

Microbial food safety process risk models are simplifications of the real world that help risk managers in their efforts to mitigate food safety risks. An important tool in these risk assessment endeavors is sensitivity analysis, a systematic method used to quantify the effect of changes in input variables on model outputs. In this study, a novel sensitivity analysis method called classification and regression trees was applied to safety risk assessment with the use of portions of the Slaughter Module and Preparation Module of the E. coli O157:H7 microbial food safety process risk as an example. Specifically, the classification and regression trees sensitivity analysis method was evaluated on the basis of its ability to address typical characteristics of microbial food safety process risk models such as nonlinearities, interaction, thresholds, and categorical inputs. Moreover, this method was evaluated with respect to identification of high exposure scenarios and corresponding key inputs and critical limits. The results from the classification and regression trees analysis applied to the Slaughter Module confirmed that the process of chilling carcasses is a critical control point. The method identified a cutoff value of a 2.2-log increase in the number of organisms during chilling as a critical value above which high levels of contamination would be expected. When classification and regression trees analysis was applied to the cooking effects part of the Preparation Module, cooking temperature was found to be the most sensitive input, with precooking treatment (i.e., raw product storage conditions) ranked second in importance. This case study demonstrates the capabilities of classification and regression trees analysis as an alternative to other statistically based sensitivity analysis methods, and one that can readily address specific characteristics that are common in microbial food safety process risk models.     

Advances in electrospinning: The production and application of nanofibres and nanofibrous structures

The use of electrospun nanofibres in applications such as medical products, fuel cells, photocatalysis, filtration, sensors and actuators is reviewed. Yarn production is classified into two types, namely hollow and core-shell structures; the methods used for producing the two structures for different polymers are discussed. Explanations are given for the various arrangements for producing nanofibre yarns and bundles in non-twisted or twisted forms to suit their end use. Natural and synthetic polymer products for biomedical uses and their applications in the form of polymer nanofibres are reviewed and polymeric optical fibres for use in photonic devices and optical circuits are evaluated. The production and development of nanofibrous filtration devices is explored with specific reference to water treatment and the control of air pollution. Particular attention is then given to the evaluation of different electrospinning methods for PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride), a piezoelectric polymer widely used in sensor applications in terms of their ability to harvest more energy after agitation of the sensor and the effects of different additives on the piezoelectric properties of PVDF. Priorities for further research are then outlined.     

A phase I/II study of herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase "suicide" gene therapy for recurrent glioblastoma. Study Group on Gene Therapy for Glioblastoma

Despite extensive surgery for glioblastoma, residual tumor cells always lead to relapse. Gene therapy based on retrovirus-mediated gene transfer of herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase (HSV-1 TK), which specifically sensitizes dividing cells to ganciclovir (GCV) toxicity, may help eradicate such cells. During glioblastoma surgery, HSV-1 TK retroviral vector-producing cells (M11) were injected into the surgical cavity margins after tumor debulking. After a 7-day transduction period, GCV was administered for 14 days. Safety was assessed by clinical and laboratory evaluations, and efficacy was assessed by MRI-based relapse-free survival at month 4 and by overall survival. Twelve patients with recurrent glioblastoma were treated without serious adverse events related to M11 cell administration or GCV. Quality of life was not negatively influenced by this treatment. Overall median survival was 206 days, with 25% of the patients surviving longer than 12 months. At 4 months after treatment, 4 of 12 patients had no recurrence; their median overall survival was 528 days, compared with 194 days for patients with recurrence (p=0.03 by the log rank test). One patient is still free of detectable recurrence, steroid free and independent, 2.8 years after treatment. Thus, brain injections of M11 retroviral vector-producing cells for glioblastoma HSV-1 TK gene therapy were well tolerated and associated with significant therapeutic responses. These results warrant further development of this therapeutic strategy in brain tumor, including recurrent glioblastoma.