Cybersecurity: Past, Present and Future

The digital transformation has created a new digital space known as cyberspace. This new cyberspace has improved the workings of businesses, organizations, governments, society as a whole, and day to day life of an individual. With these improvements come new challenges, and one of the main challenges is security. The security of the new cyberspace is called cybersecurity. Cyberspace has created new technologies and environments such as cloud computing, smart devices, IoTs, and several others. To keep pace with these advancements in cyber technologies there is a need to expand research and develop new cybersecurity methods and tools to secure these domains and environments. This book is an effort to introduce the reader to the field of cybersecurity, highlight current issues and challenges, and provide future directions to mitigate or resolve them. The main specializations of cybersecurity covered in this book are software security, hardware security, the evolution of malware, biometrics, cyber intelligence, and cyber forensics. We must learn from the past, evolve our present and improve the future. Based on this objective, the book covers the past, present, and future of these main specializations of cybersecurity. The book also examines the upcoming areas of research in cyber intelligence, such as hybrid augmented and explainable artificial intelligence (AI). Human and AI collaboration can significantly increase the performance of a cybersecurity system. Interpreting and explaining machine learning models, i.e., explainable AI is an emerging field of study and has a lot of potentials to improve the role of AI in cybersecurity.Comment: Author's copy of the book published under ISBN: 978-620-4-74421-

Efeitos da falha lógica e fuga (dissipação de energia de área) em sistemas criptográficos usando a técnica de clock gating para aprimorar o protocolo na web

The last century has seen an evolution in technology that has improved communication systems and, in general, made life easier for people. Our communication systems have become faster and more dependable as a result of the explosion of gadgets and services. But, these upgrades come at a price. The power consumption is one of the most worrying costs. In recent years, the solution involved installing larger, more powerful batteries—so long as doing so did not limit mobility. Today's economic and environmental problems compel us to consider alternative solutions, like methods for lowering the power consumption of digital devices. This study focuses on using digital circuits, which promise to deliver good energy efficiency and desirable performance at very low voltage savings. Certain digital switches are allegedly redundant and not required for the circuit to function properly, yet they continue to use energy. So, one of the primary issues for low power design is reducing such redundant switches. Subthreshold conduction in digital circuits is typically seen as a “parasitic” leakage in a condition where there should ideally be no conduction. Sub-threshold activities thereby reduce the problem of lowering power consumption, but do so at the expense of system throughput deterioration, fluctuations in system stability and functionality, temperature variations, and most critically, design space utilization. In order to minimize some of these redundant switches and to make circuits more energy-efficient while maintaining functionality, this study suggests two novel techniques. It uses an optimization method based on threshold voltage change to reduce glitch power. A glitch-free circuit netlist is created using an algorithm, while still maintaining the requisite delay performance. Using this approach results in a 6.14% overall reduction in energy consumption.El siglo pasado fue testigo de una evolución de la tecnología que mejoró los sistemas de comunicación y, en general, facilitó la vida de las personas. Nuestros sistemas de comunicación se han vuelto más rápidos y confiables como resultado de la explosión de dispositivos y servicios. Pero, estas actualizaciones tienen un precio. El consumo de energía es uno de los costes más preocupantes. En los últimos años, la solución ha pasado por instalar baterías más grandes y potentes, siempre que esto no limite la movilidad. Los problemas económicos y ambientales actuales nos obligan a considerar soluciones alternativas, como métodos para reducir el consumo de energía de los dispositivos digitales. Este estudio se centra en el uso de circuitos digitales, que prometen ofrecer una buena eficiencia energética y un rendimiento deseable con un ahorro de tensión muy bajo. Se supone que ciertos interruptores digitales son redundantes y no necesarios para que el circuito funcione correctamente, pero continúan consumiendo energía. Por lo tanto, uno de los principales problemas para el diseño de bajo consumo es reducir estos conmutadores redundantes. La conducción por debajo del umbral en los circuitos digitales normalmente se considera una fuga “parásita” en una condición en la que, idealmente, no debería haber conducción. Por lo tanto, las actividades por debajo del umbral reducen el problema de disminuir el consumo de energía, pero lo hacen a expensas del deterioro del rendimiento del sistema, las fluctuaciones en la estabilidad y funcionalidad del sistema, las variaciones de temperatura y, lo que es más importante, la utilización del espacio de diseño. Para minimizar algunos de estos interruptores redundantes y hacer que los circuitos sean más eficientes desde el punto de vista energético manteniendo la funcionalidad, este estudio sugiere dos nuevas técnicas. Utiliza un método de optimización basado en cambiar el voltaje de umbral para reducir la energía de falla. Se crea una lista de conexiones de circuito impecable utilizando un algoritmo mientras se mantiene el rendimiento de retardo requerido. El uso de este enfoque da como resultado una reducción general del 6,14 % en el consumo de energía.O último século assistiu a uma evolução da tecnologia que melhorou os sistemas de comunicação e, em geral, facilitou a vida das pessoas. Nossos sistemas de comunicação tornaram-se mais rápidos e confiáveis como resultado da explosão de aparelhos e serviços. Mas, essas atualizações têm um preço. O consumo de energia é um dos custos mais preocupantes. Nos últimos anos, a solução envolveu a instalação de baterias maiores e mais potentes, desde que isso não limitasse a mobilidade. Os problemas econômicos e ambientais de hoje nos obrigam a considerar soluções alternativas, como métodos para reduzir o consumo de energia de dispositivos digitais. Este estudo se concentra no uso de circuitos digitais, que prometem oferecer boa eficiência energética e desempenho desejável com economia de tensão muito baixa. Certos interruptores digitais são supostamente redundantes e não são necessários para o funcionamento adequado do circuito, mas continuam a consumir energia. Portanto, um dos principais problemas para o projeto de baixo consumo de energia é reduzir esses switches redundantes. A condução abaixo do limiar em circuitos digitais é normalmente vista como uma fuga “parasita” em uma condição em que idealmente não deveria haver condução. As atividades abaixo do limite reduzem, assim, o problema de diminuir o consumo de energia, mas o fazem às custas da deterioração da taxa de transferência do sistema, flutuações na estabilidade e funcionalidade do sistema, variações de temperatura e, mais criticamente, utilização do espaço de projeto. A fim de minimizar alguns desses switches redundantes e tornar os circuitos mais eficientes em termos de energia, mantendo a funcionalidade, este estudo sugere duas novas técnicas. Ele usa um método de otimização baseado na mudança de tensão limite para reduzir a energia de falha. Uma netlist de circuito sem falhas é criada usando um algoritmo, mantendo o desempenho de atraso necessário. O uso dessa abordagem resulta em uma redução geral de 6,14% no consumo de energia

The Different Faces of Ibuprofen-Based Ionic Liquids and Eutectic Systems: Promising Innovative Ionic-Liquid-Based Formulations of an Over-the-Counter Anti-Inflammatory Drug

The global goal of the current thesis is to demonstrate the feasibility of the ionic liquids (ILs) platform to boost “old” drugs efficiency. With this ground, cholinium- and imidazolium- based ILs were used to formulate pharmaceutically active ILs (API-ILs) and eutectic systems with ibuprofen (Ibu) as parent active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). The aqueous solubility, water and simulated biological fluids, of the IBU-based ILs and eutectics relatively to Ibu neutral and salt form (sodium ibuprofen) were assessed. Jointly, insights into task-specific fluorinated ILs that reduce the impact of the addition of water upon the IL’s H-bond acceptance ability, a key factor to obtain functionalized materials to be used in the dissolution of drugs or biomolecules, were attained. The cytotoxic profiles were characterized for both IBU-based ILs and eutectics, as well as for the parent API (Ibu), using two human cells lines, colon carcinoma cells (Caco-2) and hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG-2). The biocompatibility of all Ibu formulations was also evaluated through a hemolytic activity assay. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory properties of all Ibu formulations, ILs, eutectics, and parent API, were assessed through the inhibition of bovine serum albumin (BSA) denaturation and inhibition of cyclooxygenases (COX-1 and COX-2). The assessment of ionicity, through measurements of density, viscosity, and ionic conductivity, was carried out to evaluate the formation of ion-pairs or clusters that enhance membrane permeation. In the end, an in vitro skin permeation assay was attained through Skin Parallel Artificial Membrane Permeability Assays (Skin-PAMPA) to evaluate the Ibu-based ILs and eutectics skin permeability. The evaluation of the permeation potential allows to guide the design of transdermal drug delivery systems. The results of this thesis comprise a proof of concept for the feasibility of task-specific ILs and IL-based eutectics, namely API-ILs and API-based eutectics, in the development of novel drug delivery systems, and more broadly for biological, biochemical, and pharmaceutical applications.O objetivo global da presente tese é demonstrar a viabilidade do uso da plataforma de líquidos iónicos (LIs) para aumentar a eficiência de fármacos “antigos”. Desta forma, LIs à base de colínio e imidazólio foram usados para formular LIs farmacologicamente ativos (API- ILs) e sistemas eutécticos com ibuprofeno (Ibu) como princípio ativo (API) de origem. A solubilidade aquosa, em água e em fluidos biológicos simulados, dos LIs à base de Ibu e eutécticos em relação ao Ibu neutro e na forma de sal (ibuprofeno sódico) foi avaliada. Foram também obtidas informações sobre LIs fluorados que reduzem o impacto da adição de água devido à sua capacidade de aceitação de ligações de hidrogénio, um fator chave para se obter materiais funcionalizados para serem usados na dissolução de fármacos ou biomoléculas. Os perfis citotóxicos foram caracterizados tanto para ILs baseados em Ibu como para os sistemas eutécticos e o API de origem (Ibu), usando duas linhagens de células humanas, células de carcinoma de cólon (Caco-2) e células de carcinoma hepatocelular (HepG-2). A biocompatibilidade de todas as formulações de Ibu também foi avaliada através de um ensaio de atividade hemolítica. As propriedades anti-inflamatórias de todas as formulações de Ibu, ILs, eutéticos e API de origem, foram avaliadas através da inibição da desnaturação da albumina sérica bovina (BSA) e inibição das ciclooxigenases (COX-1 e COX-2). A avaliação da ionicidade através da medição de densidade, viscosidade e condutividade iónica, foi realizada para avaliar a formação de pares iónicos ou aglomerados que poderão aumentar a permeação nas membranas. Por fim, foi realizado um ensaio de permeação cutânea in vitro através do sistema Skin Parallel Artificial Membrane Permeability Assay (Skin-PAMPA) para avaliar a permeabilidade cutânea dos Lis e eutéticos à base de Ibu. A avaliação do potencial de permeação permite orientar a correta formulação de um novo sistema de entrega transdérmica de fármacos. Os resultados desta tese compreendem uma prova de conceito para a viabilidade do uso de LIs e eutécticos baseados em IL, nomeadamente API-ILs e eutécticos baseados em API, no desenvolvimento de novos sistemas de administração de fármacos e, mais amplamente, para aplicações biológicas, bioquímicas e aplicações farmacêuticas

Mathematical modelling of gas flow networks in pellet induratlon systems

The objective of this research is to develop a simulation software tool, GASFLO, which should evaluate pressure, flow and temperature distributions of process gas in pellet induration system networks. Pellet induration systems are complex industrial systems composed of heterogenous components. The magnitude of gas through leaks i.e. the air entering or leaving the system from the points other than the known exits, is substantial and it adversely effects the performance of induration process. These leaks are very difficult to measure because of the hostile environment in the plant. The modelling of such industrial systems requires a notable amount of experimentation so the tool has been designed to enable the user modeller to change the component models and solution algorithms easily. The conventional methods for flow network simulation are based on process centred approach, mostly composed of homogeneous components. For ease of computation, the non-pipe elements are modelled with an approximate linear or non-linear generic equation, whose coefficients can simulate different states of the element. The resulting set of non-linear equations is linearised and solved simultaneously using some iterative method. By contrast, GASFLO is based on device centred or unit based approach, and uses a two level hierarchical solution algorithm. The pellet induration system network is first idealised into a connected graph of streams (sets of serially connected components) and nodes. At the top or coordination level the flow and pressure distributions satisfying the Kirchhoff's laws are evaluated for the connected graph. At the lower or component level the exact mathematical models of components ale computed, in order of their occurrence in respective streams, using coordination variables as parameters. The converged flows are used for the temperature computation. The solution algorithm requires partitioning of the connected graph into forest and coforest structures, for which secondary algorithms have been developed using specific heuristics relevant to the pellet induration systems. The rigorous application of software engineering techniques for the design and implementation of software, enabled the resolution of the complexity of the modelled system, embedded the characteristics of 'quality software' into the resulting code and benefits from object orientation, even though it is implemented in standard FORTRAN 77. GASFLO predicted results are in a good agreement with the measured results, it has been validated for a real life pellet induration system. It has been applied to simulate several practical scenarios, like addition of extra wind boxes to the zones and to determine how the plant production can be increased by certain ratio, such simulations were not feasible otherwise. GASFLO takes less than a minute to simulate a real-life pellet induration system on a 486 PC. The combined simulation with an other software tool, INDSYS, which evaluates the heat distribution in the solids, is also feasible

Continuous flow for materials synthesis, assembly and crystallisation at Diamond: discovery and delivery of high value materials

Continuous crystallisation of the model system Carbamazepine (CBZ) in ethanol in the KRAIC-D (Kinetically Regulated Automated Input Crystalliser - Diffraction) platform on beamline I11 (high resolution powder diffraction) is presented. The effect of introducing a controlled solid interface into the crystallisation process is investigated, where CBZ form III seeds are introduced in polymorphic purity at different seeding positions (pre- and post-nucleation) throughout the length of the KRAIC-D. The video associated with Chapter 4 corresponds with a post-nucleation CBZ form III experiment where a separation of crystal habit is observed as a result of the different interaction with the flow paths in the solution slugs with the segmented flow. The second device is the KRAIC-S (Kinetically Regulated Automated Input Crystalliser - Single Crystal) platform installed at I19 (small molecule single crystal beamline) employed to investigate the continuous crystallisation of paracetamol (PCM) in 60:40 water:isopropanol via a range of experiments including unseeded and seeded cooling crystallisations. The unseeded experiments also looked at the crystallisation at different set points along the KRAIC-S (6.7 m and 8.7 m) to investigate crystal growth and crystal rotation at different length scales. The videos associated with Chapter 5 include single crystals produced from the range of experiments investigated. Each video tracks a different single crystal in a solution slug, where through use of the slug triggering mechanism, whereby an optical trigger prompts translation of the motorised stage to artificially suspend the single crystal in the X-ray beam during data collection. These videos complement the diffraction data and can provide explanation for data collections, which do not achieve cell indexation as the single crystal is shown to move in and out of the X-ray beam in these videos.Videos obtained using Camera positioned by X-ray beam on beamline I19, the small molecule single crystal beamline at Diamond Light Source