Hardware based cryptography: technological advances for applications in Colombia using embedded systems

To have totally independent systems that offer a sufficient security scheme has become a necessity in Colombia, this because of the proliferation of IoT type systems and similar; In general, it is required to make stand-alone systems totally independent and distributed to offer users a solution to this need, this work offers the analysis and comparison of two security schemes type digital signature and/or hardware security module (HSM) and its variations, made on embedded platforms type microcontroller software, which shows the strategy to provide information protection, In addition, it is analyzed how each implementation was executed, in which devices and metrics of interest, in the first application the cryptography schemes were made using a deep programming that describes the algorithms in C++ language and in the second implementation the use of the dedicated hardware that the embedded platform type microcontroller had is detailed; In both cases, solutions with an acceptable throughput were generated, allowing to obtain comparable solutions and the same style as those made in a PC or similar hardware. On the other hand, an exhaustive review of this type of solutions in the country-region was made, in order to have a reference as to the possible use of this type of applications

A Low-Power Interface Design for Intelligent Sensor Nodes Utilized in Wireless Sensor Networks

This thesis describes a means for performing complex event detection at a single sensor node of a wireless sensor network (WSN) by interfacing a low-power mixed signal Programmable System on Chip (PSoC) to a MICA2 wireless sensor node. The proposed system helps to reduce the overall power consumption of the node, by lending it the advance computational capability to process a significant amount of data at the node rather than transmitting it. This allows the node to intelligently monitor a signal for impending events instead of transmitting the raw signal to the base constantly. Previous work by others has indicated that lowering the transmission data rate lowers the high cost of transmission power [41], [42] in a node thereby lengthening the node life and, ultimately, increasing the reliability of the network [43]. This work implements a threshold technique which controls the data transmission rate depending on the value of the monitored signal and a cardiac monitoring system that performs complex computations at the node for the detection of either a skipped heart beat or a reduced Heart Rate Variability (HRV) whereupon the relevant unprocessed signal is transmitted to the base station for direct observation. A performance analysis of the system demonstrates that there is a reduction in the power consumption of the overall sensor node and a significant reduction in data transmission rate which also results in a reduction of the overall network traffic and congestion

The Factors That Influence Psychological Sense of Community for Students Living on Campus at Edith Cowan University

A psychological sense of community (PSOC) has been found to facilitate adjustment and well-being. However, little research has been conducted in Australian universities. In order to gain a deeper understanding of the phenomena, a qualitative approach was adopted. This research explored PSOC from the participants\u27 perspective using McMillan and Chavis\u27s (1986) theoretical framework as a guide and investigated the following research questions. (1) What is the residential students\u27 perception of PSOC, at Edith Cowan University (ECU)? (2) What factors, within the student village, facilitate and inhibit PSOC? (3) What factors within the university setting and beyond, in the wider community, facilitate and inhibit PSOC? Fifteen ECU students, living in the student village, on the Joondalup campus, participated in this study. Postgraduate and undergraduate students, from a variety of academic disciplines, took part. There were six females and nine males. The participants ranged in age from 18- 43 years. The nationality of participants varied, including Australian, British, Kenyan, New Zealander, Singaporean, Sri Lankan, Thai, and Zimbabwean. The findings support the interactionist perspective, and emphasise the importance of a positive PSOC to the adjustment process. The research also highlights the role that the university plays in facilitating a positive PSOC. The university can facilitate a positive PSOC, through providing orientation, educational continuity and recognition, security, acceptance, educational flexibility and resources, clubs, outings, social events, and personal support

Technology in Parenting Programs: A Systematic Review and Pilot Study of an App-Based Intervention for Latinx Families

Technology and psychological treatments have increasingly been used together to increase the reach of psychotherapy and potentially reduce treatment costs. This research focused on how technology has been used to deliver or facilitate treatments focused on behavioral parent training. Behavioral parent training is a research-supported method of improving parenting skills and child behavior. We first reviewed any existing research on the topic, and found that treatments that used technology to teach parenting skills were generally successful at improving parent and child behavior. The review also identified many research questions that have yet to be answered about the cost of such interventions, how they work with diverse groups of people, and what makes someone likely to stay with the treatment. The next study in this research project tested a shortened version of a technology-based treatment adapted from a group-based manual that was created for Spanish-speaking families. The program was called Padres Preparados Online (Prepared Parents Online), and it taught three parenting skills on a system that was available online or using an app. Parent coaching, typically carried out in in-person groups or on the phone, was also conducted online. Parents uploaded videos of themselves to an online system and the therapist would record and post video, audio, and text coaching comments to support parents in strengthening the skills they were learning. Results showed that parents and children improved in a variety of ways, ranging from decreased problematic child behavior to decreased parenting stress. This study demonstrated that technology can be used to deliver a parenting program to Latinx families, and helped the study team identify limitations and questions for future research. This research was financially supported by the Utah State University Psychology Department and Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services

Design and Electronic Implementation of Machine Learning-based Advanced Driving Assistance Systems

200 p.Esta tesis tiene como objetivo contribuir al desarrollo y perfeccionamiento de sistemas avanzados a la conducción (ADAS). Para ello, basándose en bases de datos de conducción real, se exploran las posibilidades de personalización de los ADAS existentes mediante técnicas de machine learning, tales como las redes neuronales o los sistemas neuro-borrosos. Así, se obtienen parámetros característicos del estilo cada conductor que ayudan a llevar a cabo una personalización automatizada de los ADAS que equipe el vehículo, como puede ser el control de crucero adaptativo. Por otro lado, basándose en esos mismos parámetros de estilo de conducción, se proponen nuevos ADAS que asesoren a los conductores para modificar su estilo de conducción, con el objetivo de mejorar tanto el consumo de combustible y la emisión de gases de efecto invernadero, como el confort de marcha. Además, dado que esta personalización tiene como objetivo que los sistemas automatizados imiten en cierta manera, y siempre dentro de parámetros seguros, el estilo del conductor humano, se espera que contribuya a incrementar la aceptación de estos sistemas, animando a la utilización y, por tanto, contribuyendo positivamente a la mejora de la seguridad, de la eficiencia energética y del confort de marcha. Además, estos sistemas deben ejecutarse en una plataforma que sea apta para ser embarcada en el automóvil, y, por ello, se exploran las posibilidades de implementación HW/SW en dispositivos reconfigurables tipo FPGA. Así, se desarrollan soluciones HW/SW que implementan los ADAS propuestos en este trabajo con un alto grado de exactitud, rendimiento, y en tiempo real

The effectiveness of a caregiver-directed intervention promoting development in HIV-positive children on caregivers' self-efficacy: A randomised controlled trial

Background: Caregiver self-efficacy (CSE) supports the capabilities of caregivers to engage in parenting activities including stimulating development in their children. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains a prevalent concern in South Africa, even with the use of antiretroviral treatment. Children with HIV are compromised in their health and development which adds to the general stress of families rearing HIV-positive children. Stress has a negative effect on CSE. However, studies indicate that CSE can be improved through parent-mediated intervention. Caregivers’ engagement in the intervention may grow their skills to promote development in their HIV-positive children. This may have a positive influence on CSE. Occupational therapists working in governmental paediatric HIV clinics developed a play-informed, caregiver-implemented, home-based intervention (PICIHBI) for HIV affected families to be implemented. This study evaluates the effectiveness of PICIHBI on CSE. Aim: The aim of the study is to determine if the CSE levels in a group of caregivers of HIV-positive children aged 6 months to 8 years 0 months on ART, after receiving play-informed caregiver-implemented home-based intervention (PICIHBI) are not inferior to CSE levels in an equivalent group of caregivers with children receiving conventional one-on-one occupational therapy. Method: The study applied a pragmatic, randomised control trial with caregiver-child dyads attending the antiretroviral clinic at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town. The control group received conventional child-directed occupational therapy on an individual basis and the experimental group received caregiver-directed, PICIHBI in a group format. The Parenting Self-Efficacy Measure (P-SEMI), Parenting Sense of Competency (PSOC) scale, and the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE) measured self-efficacy at baseline, half way and at the end of the yearlong, monthly interventions. Results: Sixty-four caregiver-child dyads were recruited and assessed at baseline. Thirty-nine dyads were retained in the study, completing the measures at all three test points. Results revealed that baseline CSE was high for both groups. There was a significant change (p < .001) in the P-SEMI total scale in both groups from baseline to mid-test and mid-test to post-test. In both groups the CSE scores decreased from baseline to mid-test and then increased from mid-test to post-test. There was not a significant difference in CSE results between baseline and post-test on the P-SEMI total scale for either groups. There were no significant differences between test points for the other scales and subscales for both groups. Conclusion: The results suggest that PICIHBI has a non-inferior effect on CSE to that of conventional occupational therapy. This suggests that PICIHBI is comparable to conventional occupational therapy and could be implemented as an alternative intervention without comprising the effects on CSE. Employing PICIHBI as an alternative intervention could provide a number of benefits including the development of caregiver skills, a larger reach within the population, and contextually driven intervention that is embedded in children’s home environments. Various influencing factors are proposed to explain the patterns of CSE demonstrated in the groups. Neither group showed a significant increase in CSE from baseline to post-test and thus further investigation and intervention development is required to specifically demonstrate enhanced CSE in this context. Intervention attendance for both groups was poor. This is the first investigation on the effects of PICIHBI on CSE which can inform further research to develop best occupational therapy practice in the vast population of HIV affected families

The Role of Sense of Community in Online Brand Social Networking Sites

This study was designed to explore the phenomenon of social commerce marketing in relation to consumer-brand relationship development. The specific research objective were as follows: (a) to identify multiple factors motivating consumers to have sense of community in the context of brand social networking sites; (b) to investigate the effects of general connection between consumers and the brand on developing a sense of online brand community in social networking site-based brand communities; (c) to examine potential outcomes of having a sense of online brand community in brand social networking sites such as brand commitment, advocacy, and loyalty; (d) to investigate whether levels of participation in brand social networking site strengthens the relationship between a sense of online brand community and relational outcomes such as brand commitment. Theoretical foundations from sense of community (i.e., sense of psychological community), social identity theory, and social capital theory were used to support and test a proposed model. This research employed an online self-administered survey method. A total of 617 complete responses were collected from consumer panels across United States. The analyses of responses were based on a two-step approach: confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. Through confirmatory factor analyses with the measurement model development, each construct was examined carefully. The results from the structural model suggested that perceived social support and consumer-brand relationship were important drivers of relationship mediators (i.e., sense of online brand community), which led to relational outcomes (i.e., brand commitment, brand preference, brand advocacy, and behavioral loyalty). However, need for affiliation did not have impact on developing a sense of online brand community. In addition, the levels of engagement of in brand social networking sites strengthened the relationship between sense of online brand community and brand commitment. From the results, academic and managerial implications were suggested, and suggestions for future research were presented

Hard macrocells for DC/DC converter in automotive embedded mechatronic systems

A novel configurable DC/DC converter architecture, to be integrated as hard macrocell in automotive embedded systems, is proposed in the paper. It aims at realizing an intelligent voltage regulator. With respect to the state of the art, the challenge is the integration into an automotive-qualified chip of several advanced features like dithering of switching frequency, nested control loops with both current and voltage feedback, asynchronous hysteretic control for low power mode, slope control of the power FET gate driver, and diagnostic block against out-of-range current or voltage or temperature conditions. Moreover, the converter macrocell can be connected to the in-vehicle digital network, exchanging with the main vehicle control unit status/diagnostic flags and commands. The proposed design can be configured to work both in step-up and step-down modes, to face a very wide operating input voltage range from 2.5 to 60 V and absolute range from −0.3 to 70 V. The main target is regulating all voltages required in the emerging hybrid/electric vehicles where, besides the conventional 12 V DC bus, also a 48 V DC bus is present. The proposed design supports also digital configurability of the output regulated voltage, through a programmable divider, and of the coefficients of the proportional-integrative controller inside the nested control loops. Fabricated in 0.35 μm CMOS technology, experimental measurements prove that the IC can operate in harsh automotive environments since it meets stringent requirements in terms of electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection, operating temperature range, out-of-range current, or voltage condition