TuLP: A Family of Lightweight Message Authentication Codes for Body Sensor Networks简

A wireless sensor network （WSN） commonly whilst a body sensor network （BSN） must be secured with requires lower level security for public information gathering, strong authenticity to protect personal health information. In this paper, some practical problems with the message authentication codes （MACs）, which were proposed in the popular security architectures for WSNs, are reconsidered. The analysis shows that the recommended MACs for WSNs, e.g., CBC- MAC （TinySec）, OCB-MAC （MiniSec）, and XCBC-MAC （SenSee）, might not be exactly suitable for BSNs. Particularly an existential forgery attack is elaborated on XCBC-MAC. Considering the hardware limitations of BSNs, we propose a new family of tunable lightweight MAC based on the PRESENT block cipher. The first scheme, which is named TukP, is a new lightweight MAC with 64-bit output range. The second scheme, which is named TuLP-128, is a 128-bit variant which provides a higher resistance against internal collisions. Compared with the existing schemes, our lightweight MACs are both time and resource efficient on hardware-constrained devices.     

Morphometry and Stiffness of Red Blood Cells—Signatures of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Aging

Human red blood cells (RBCs) are unique cells with the remarkable ability to deform, which is crucial for their oxygen transport function, and which can be significantly altered under pathophysiological conditions. Here we performed ultrastructural analysis of RBCs as a peripheral cell model, looking for specific signatures of the neurodegenerative pathologies (NDDs)—Parkinson’s disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), utilizing atomic force (AFM) and conventional optical (OM) microscopy. We found significant differences in the morphology and stiffness of RBCs isolated from patients with the selected NDDs and those from healthy individuals. Neurodegenerative pathologies’ RBCs are characterized by a reduced abundance of biconcave discoid shape, lower surface roughness and a higher Young’s modulus, compared to healthy cells. Although reduced, the biconcave is still the predominant shape in ALS and AD cells, while the morphology of PD is dominated by crenate cells. The features of RBCs underwent a marked aging-induced transformation, which followed different aging pathways for NDDs and normal healthy states. It was found that the diameter, height and volume of the different cell shape types have different values for NDDs and healthy cells. Common and specific morphological signatures of the NDDs were identified.     

Using ‘soft’ and ‘hard’ social impact indicators to understand societal change caused by mining: a Western Australia case study

The paper explores the qualitative changes occurring in the local social landscape as a result of mining. Building on Colantonio's social sustainability assessment framework, we argue that there are three thematic areas (related to demographics, social capital and well-being) which identify change generally and specifically caused by mining. By studying the social impacts of mining, we examine both ‘hard’ themes around quantifiable indicators and ‘soft’ themes which deal with less tangible community characteristics and values. The analysis of the Western Australian Boddington case study demonstrates that such an approach can generate important insights about a community's nature and potential capabilities to cope and respond to change. We argue that if social impact assessment is to be used as a development tool, which is a tool that facilitates development, there is need to understand those aspects of the social environment that impact positively and/or negatively its demographic, quality and operational attributes as they influence the overall capacity of communities to maintain and enhance their long-term functioning.     

Copolymerization of itaconic acid monomethyl ester (1-carboxy-1-carbomethoxymethylethylene) with acrylonitrile in the presence of znci2

The copolymerization of itaconic acid monomethylester (1-carboxy-1-carbomethoxy-methylethylene) with acrylonitrile in presence and in absence of ZnCI₂ was investigated. The reactivity ratios of the monomer pairs itaconic acid monomethyl ester-acrylonitrile (r₁=0,05±0,02; r₂=0,21±0,02) and itaconic acid monomethylester/ZnCl₂-acrylonitrile (r₁=0,14±0,05; r₂=0,41±0,03) are determined by the Kelen-Tüd?s and Fineman-Ross method.     

Determination of CFTR densities in erythrocyte plasma membranes using recognition imaging

CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) is a cAMP-regulated chloride (Cl(-)) channel that plays an important role in salt and fluid movement across epithelia. Cystic fibrosis (CF), the most common genetic disease among Caucasians, is caused by mutations in the gene encoding CFTR. The most predominant mutation, F508del, disturbs CFTR protein trafficking, resulting in a reduced number of CFTR in the plasma membrane. Recent studies indicate that CFTR is not only found in epithelia but also in human erythrocytes. Although considerable attempts have been made to quantify CFTR in cells, conclusions on numbers of CFTR molecules localized in the plasma membrane have been drawn indirectly. AFM has the power to provide the needed information, since both sub-molecular spatial resolution and direct protein recognition via antibody-antigen interaction can be observed. We performed a quantification study of the CFTR copies in erythrocyte membranes at the single molecule level, and compared the difference between healthy donors and CF patients. We detected that the number of CFTR molecules is reduced by 70% in erythrocytes of cystic fibrosis patients.     

Narrative text analysis of Kentucky tractor fatality reports

Narrative information in fatality investigation reports contains data elements not routinely analyzed with coded occupational injury surveillance data. A narrative text analysis of 69 Kentucky Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) agricultural tractor fatality reports from 1994 to 2004 was performed. The FACE reports were developed using the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Safety Research-recommended FACE report format that incorporates Haddon's matrix. Haddon's matrix separates the fatal incident into three event phases and is used to develop points of intervention based on human, organizational, and environmental factors. A multivariate logistic regression analysis for association between identified exposure variables and the outcomes of interest was undertaken. The operation of a tractor with an attached bucket, muddy terrain, and being thrown from the tractor were independent risk factors for being declared "dead at the scene". A tractor rollover and operation of a tractor on a slope were independent risk factors for being "crushed" by a tractor. Narrative text analysis of FACE fatality investigation reports is a valuable tool for the identification of additional factors contributing to tractor fatalities that can inform farm safety training, identify new areas for agricultural interventions, and support the development of new agricultural engineering strategies.     

A Galantamine–Curcumin Hybrid Decreases the Cytotoxicity of Amyloid-Beta Peptide on SH-SY5Y Cells

Misfolded amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides aggregate and form neurotoxic oligomers. Membrane and mitochondrial damages, calcium dysregulation, oxidative stress, and fibril deposits are among the possible mechanisms of Aβ cytotoxicity. Galantamine (GAL) prevents apoptosis induced by Aβ mainly through the ability to stimulate allosterically the α7 nAChRs and to regulate the calcium cytosolic concentration. Here, we examined the cytoprotective effects of two GAL derivatives, namely compounds 4b and 8, against Aβ cytotoxicity on the human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y. The protective effects were tested at simultaneous administration, pre-incubation and post-incubation, with Aβ. GAL and curcumin (CU) were used in the study as reference compounds. It was found that 4b protects cells in a similar mode as GAL, while compound 8 and CU potentiate the toxic effects of Aβ. Allosteric stimulation of α7 nAChRs is suggested as a possible mechanism of the cytoprotectivity of 4b. These and previous findings characterize 4b as a prospective non-toxic multi-target agent against neurodegenerative disorders with inhibitory activity on acetylcholinesterase, antioxidant, and cytoprotective properties.     

Phase Characterization of Indomethacin in Adsorbates Onto Hydroxyethylcellulose

The phase state and solubility of indomethacin in adsorbates onto hydroxyethylcellulose have been studied. The characterization of the adsorbates and their relevant physical mixtures was made by the use of DSC, X-ray diffractometry, FT-IR spectrometry, and solubility analysis. The drug-to-polymer ratio determines either a partial crystallization of the metastable alpha-form onto hydroxyethylcellulose surface or complete inhibition of indomethacin crystallization. Significantly improved drug aqueous solubility was achieved. A stable immobilization of indomethacin molecules onto hydroxyethylcellulose due to drug/polymer interactions can be assumed. The changed indomethacin phase state in the adsorbates remains stable for one-year storage at ambient conditions. These results could be of practical importance.