Bayesian Model Search for Nonstationary Periodic Time Series

We propose a novel Bayesian methodology for analyzing nonstationary time series that exhibit oscillatory behaviour. We approximate the time series using a piecewise oscillatory model with unknown periodicities, where our goal is to estimate the change-points while simultaneously identifying the potentially changing periodicities in the data. Our proposed methodology is based on a trans-dimensional Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithm that simultaneously updates the change-points and the periodicities relevant to any segment between them. We show that the proposed methodology successfully identifies time changing oscillatory behaviour in two applications which are relevant to e-Health and sleep research, namely the occurrence of ultradian oscillations in human skin temperature during the time of night rest, and the detection of instances of sleep apnea in plethysmographic respiratory traces.Comment: Received 23 Oct 2018, Accepted 12 May 201

Cyber-security internals of a Skoda Octavia vRS:a hands on approach

The convergence of information technology and vehicular technologies are a growing paradigm, allowing information to be sent by and to vehicles. This information can further be processed by the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) and the Controller Area Network (CAN) for in-vehicle communications or through a mobile phone or server for out-vehicle communication. Information sent by or to the vehicle can be life-critical (e.g. breaking, acceleration, cruise control, emergency communication, etc. . . ). As vehicular technology advances, in-vehicle networks are connected to external networks through 3 and 4G mobile networks, enabling manufacturer and customer monitoring of different aspects of the car. While these services provide valuable information, they also increase the attack surface of the vehicle, and can enable long and short range attacks. In this manuscript, we evaluate the security of the 2017 Skoda Octavia vRS 4x4. Both physical and remote attacks are considered, the key fob rolling code is successfully compromised, privacy attacks are demonstrated through the infotainment system, the Volkswagen Transport Protocol 2.0 is reverse engineered. Additionally, in-car attacks are highlighted and described, providing an overlook of potentially deadly threats by modifying ECU parameters and components enabling digital forensics investigation are identified

A taxonomy of malicious traffic for intrusion detection systems

With the increasing number of network threats it is essential to have a knowledge of existing and new network threats to design better intrusion detection systems. In this paper we propose a taxonomy for classifying network attacks in a consistent way, allowing security researchers to focus their efforts on creating accurate intrusion detection systems and targeted datasets

Puffy Foot Syndrome: An Important Often Overlooked Clinical Entity

The puffy foot syndrome, a novel clinical entity, describes the complication of secondary lymphedema with chronic progression in the feet, a finding that has often been overlooked in the non-tropical setting. While previously well described in the upper extremities, this complication has not been fully explored in the lower extremities. However, given increasing rates of diabetes mellitus, obesity, and a myriad of other possible etiologies in the United States, it is important to understand this entity and its non-viral, non-parasitic causes in non-tropical regions. This review delineates common illustrative properties of this syndrome observed in clinical practice as well as long-term complications, including Ruocco’s immunocompromised cutaneous district, that are often overlooked. Furthermore, a novel method of staging is suggested for this condition, reflective of increasing risk of complication, infection, and malignancy. We also highlight the increased need for improved detection and recognition of this condition to avoid possibly deleterious outcomes

Puffy Foot Syndrome: An Important Often Overlooked Clinical Entity

The puffy foot syndrome, a novel clinical entity, describes the complication of secondary lymphedema with chronic progression in the feet, a finding that has often been overlooked in the non-tropical setting. While previously well described in the upper extremities, this complication has not been fully explored in the lower extremities. However, given increasing rates of diabetes mellitus, obesity, and a myriad of other possible etiologies in the United States, it is important to understand this entity and its non-viral, non-parasitic causes in non-tropical regions. This review delineates common illustrative properties of this syndrome observed in clinical practice as well as long-term complications, including Ruocco’s immunocompromised cutaneous district, that are often overlooked. Furthermore, a novel method of staging is suggested for this condition, reflective of increasing risk of complication, infection, and malignancy. We also highlight the increased need for improved detection and recognition of this condition to avoid possibly deleterious outcomes

The FCTOOLS User Manual (Version 1.0)

We describe a set of modular extensions to our Auto/Graph verification toolset for networks of communicating processes. These software additions operate from a common file exchange format for automata and networks, called {\sc fc2}. Tool functionalities comprise graphical depiction of objects, global model construction from hierarchical descriptions, various types of model reductions and of verification of simple modal properties by observers, counterexample production and visualisation. We illustrate typical verification sessions conducted on usual academic examples: dining philosophers, mutual exclusion algorithms and round-robin schedulers. Based on previous experience of drastic state explosion problems we aim here at efficiency in implementation. We use both explicit representation techniques and implicit techniques such as {\sc BDD}s, with functional overlap at places

Poor blood pressure control in general practice: In search of explanations

SummaryBackgroundArterial hypertension is managed mainly by general practitioners. The blood pressure level of most patients treated in a general practice setting is greater than or equal to 140/90mmHg.AimsTo understand why a blood pressure level greater than or equal to 140/90mmHg does not lead to a change of treatment.MethodsOver a 2-week period, 479 hypertensive patients were included in a cross-sectional study by 27 general practitioners. Consultation data were collected, as were reasons why patients with a blood pressure level greater than or equal to 140/90mmHg did not have their treatment changed.ResultsBlood pressure level was greater than or equal to 140/90mmHg in 58% of patients; treatment was changed in 15% of these individuals. The lack of change in treatment was justified by the physicians as follows: the blood pressure measurements were not considered to be representative (about 30% of cases); the therapeutic result was considered to be satisfactory in the circumstances (about 30% of cases); change was not appropriate given the patient's specific context (the remaining third of cases). The proportion of uncontrolled hypertensive patients whose treatment remained the same was significantly higher among patients with a disease that affected their lifestyle or threatened their life expectancy.ConclusionThe disappointing therapeutic results observed in the management of arterial hypertension do not arise only from poor application of guidelines by general practitioners. Reluctance to rely on blood pressure measurements, a perception that guidelines are revised frequently and are not always clear, and consideration of the general practitioner's activity in the patient's specific context are the main factors involved

Quality of seed produced by tropical forage legumes on low fertility soils

This study compared seed yields, seed and seedling characteristics of 8 forage legumes including Stylosanthes spp, Centrosema spp, Desmanthus spp, and Macroptilium spp grown on red and yellow kandosol soils of low fertility