Bespoke Security for Resource Constrained Cyber-Physical Systems

Cyber-Physical Systems (CPSs) are critical to many aspects of our daily lives. Autonomous cars, life saving medical devices, drones for package delivery, and robots for manufacturing are all prime examples of CPSs. The dual cyber/physical operating nature and highly integrated feedback control loops of CPSs means that they inherit security problems from traditional computing systems (e.g., software vulnerabilities, hardware side-channels) and physical systems (e.g., theft, tampering), while additionally introducing challenges of their own. The challenges to achieving security for CPSs stem not only from the interaction of the cyber and physical domains, but from the additional pressures of resource constraints imposed due to cost, limited energy budgets, and real-time nature of workloads. Due to the tight resource constraints of CPSs, there is often little headroom to devote for security. Thus, there is a need for low overhead deployable solutions to harden resource constrained CPSs. This dissertation shows that security can be effectively integrated into resource constrained cyber-physical system devices by leveraging fundamental physical properties, & tailoring and extending age-old abstractions in computing. To provide context on the state of security for CPSs, this document begins with the development of a unifying framework that can be used to identify threats and opportunities for enforcing security policies while providing a systematic survey of the field. This dissertation characterizes the properties of CPSs and typical components (e.g., sensors, actuators, computing devices) in addition to the software commonly used. We discuss available security primitives and their limitations for both hardware and software. In particular, we focus on software security threats targeting memory safety. The rest of the thesis focuses on the design and implementation of novel, deployable approaches to combat memory safety on resource constrained devices used by CPSs (e.g., 32-bit processors and microcontrollers). We first discuss how cyber-physical system properties such as inertia and feedback can be used to harden software efficiently with minimal modification to both hardware and software. We develop the framework You Only Live Once (YOLO) that proactively resets a device and restores it from a secure verified snapshot. YOLO relies on inertia, to tolerate periods of resets, and on feedback to rebuild state when recovering from a snapshot. YOLO is built upon a theoretical model that is used to determine safe operating parameters to aid a system designer in deployment. We evaluate YOLO in simulation and two real-world CPSs, an engine and drone. Second, we explore how rethinking of core computing concepts can lead to new fundamental abstractions that can efficiently hide performance overheads usually associated with hardening software against memory safety issues. To this end, we present two techniques: (i) The Phantom Address Space (PAS) is a new architectural concept that can be used to improve N-version systems by (almost) eliminating the overheads associated with handling replicated execution. Specifically, PAS can be used to provide an efficient implementation of a diversification concept known as execution path randomization aimed at thwarting code-reuse attacks. The goal of execution path randomization is to frequently switch between two distinct program variants forcing the attacker to gamble on which code to reuse. (ii) Cache Line Formats (Califorms) introduces a novel method to efficiently store memory in caches. Califorms makes the novel insight that dead spaces in program data due to its memory layout can be used to efficiently implement the concept of memory blacklisting, which prohibits a program from accessing certain memory regions based on program semantics. Califorms not onlyconsumes less memory than prior approaches, but can provide byte-granular protection while limiting the scope of its hardware changes to caches. While both PAS and Califorms were originally designed to target resource constrained devices, it's worth noting that they are widely applicable and can efficiently scale up to mobile, desktop, and server class processors. As CPSs continue to proliferate and become integrated in more critical infrastructure, security is an increasing concern. However, security will undoubtedly always play second fiddle to financial concerns that affect business bottom lines. Thus, it is important that there be easily deployable, low-overhead solutions that can scale from the most constrained of devices to more featureful systems for future migration. This dissertation is one step towards the goal of providing inexpensive mechanisms to ensure the security of cyber-physical system software

Adaptive fuzzy knowledge-based systems for control metabots' mobility on virtual environments

The confluence of three-dimensional (3D) virtual worlds with social networks imposes on software agents, in addition to conversational functions, the same behaviours as those common to human-driven avatars. In this paper, we explore the possibilities of the use of metabots (metaverse robots) with motion capabilities in complex virtual 3D worlds and we put forward a learning model based on the techniques used in evolutionary computation for optimizing the fuzzy controllers which will subsequently be used by metabots for moving around a virtual environment

Fruit cell culture as a model system to study cell wall changes during strawberry fruit ripening

Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa, Duch.) fruit is characterized by its fast ripening and soft texture at the ripen stage, resulting in a short postharvest shelf life and high economic losses. It is generally believed that the disassembly of cell walls, the dissolution of the middle lamella and the reduction of cell turgor are the main factors determining the softening of fleshy fruits. In strawberry, several studies indicate that the solubilisation and depolymerisation of pectins, as well as the depolymerisation of xyloglucans, are the main processes occurring during ripening. Functional analyses of genes encoding pectinases such as polygalacturonase and pectate lyase also point out to the pectin fraction as a key factor involved in textural changes. All these studies have been performed with whole fruits, a complex organ containing different tissues that differ in their cell wall composition and undergo ripening at different rates. Cell cultures derived from fruits have been proposed as model systems for the study of several processes occurring during fruit ripening, such as the production of anthocyanin and its regulation by plant hormones. The main objective of this research was to obtain and characterize strawberry cell cultures to evaluate their potential use as a model for the study of the cell wall disassembly process associate with fruit ripening. Cell cultures were obtained from cortical tissue of strawberry fruits, cv. Chandler, at the stages of unripe-green, white and mature-red. Additionally, a cell culture line derived from strawberry leaves was obtained. All cultures were maintained in solid medium supplemented with 2.5 mg.l-1 2,4-D and incubated in the dark. Cell walls from the different callus lines were extracted and fractionated to obtain CDTA and sodium carbonate soluble pectin fractions, which represent polyuronides located in the middle lamella or the primary cell wall, respectively. The amounts of homogalacturonan in both fractions were estimated by ELISA using LM19 and LM20 antibodies, specific against demethylated and methyl-esterified homogalacturonan, respectively. In the CDTA fraction, the cell line from ripe fruit showed a significant lower amount of demethylated pectins than the rest of lines. By contrast, the content of methylated pectins was similar in green- and red-fruit lines, and lower than in white-fruit and leaf lines. In the sodium carbonate pectin fraction, the line from red fruit also showed the lowest amount of pectins. These preliminary results indicate that cell cultures obtained from fruits at different developmental stages differ in their cell wall composition and these differences resemble to some extent the changes that occur during strawberry softening. Experiments are in progress to further characterize cell wall extracts with monoclonal antibodies against other cell wall epitopes.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

The Physiology of Collaboration: An Investigation of Library-Museum-University Partnerships

Collaboration appears to be a magical solution for many problems when there is scarcity of resources, lack of knowledge or skills, and/or environmental threats. However, there is little knowledge about the nature of collaboration. A holistic conceptual framework was developed for the collaborative process, and the conceptualization process used systems thinking approach. The author has selectively chosen conceptualizations and/or research by a limited subset of scholars whose ideas appeared to be the most relevant and useful to explore the type of collaboration studied here. In other words, the selection of the literature was based on an eclectic selection. Multiple cases were used in this research to understand the factors that are components of collaborative effort among non-profit organizations and the relationships among those factors. This study also investigated the stages of collaborative process. Data were collected from 54 participants who were partners in collaborate projects funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Among these 54 participants, 50 answered the online questionnaire and 38 received the telephone interviews. The data collected was analyzed using cluster analysis, multidimensional scaling, internal consistency reliability, and descriptive statistics. The component factors of collaboration were grouped by the following seven concepts: trustworthiness, competence, dependency, misunderstanding and/or conflict, complexity, commitment and mechanism of coordination. This study showed twelve relationships among these factors. For instance, different points of view and partners' capacity to maintain inter-organizational relationships were found to be opposite concepts. In addition, the findings in this study indicate that 84% of participants reported the presence of the five pre-defined stages: execution, networking, definition, relationship, and common evaluation

Efecto del tratamiento térmico en las propiedades reológicas de salsas de ajíes nativos del Perú (Capsicum spp.)

Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina. Facultad de Industrias Alimentarias. Departamento Académico de Ingeniería de Alimentos y Productos AgropecuariosDebido a la gran variedad y al rol cultural y gastronómico que tiene el ají en el Perú, el conocimiento de las propiedades viscoelásticas de sus salsas es fundamental para entender y predecir la estabilidad de las mismas. El presente trabajo tuvo como principal objetivo diseñar el tratamiento térmico y evaluar los cambios de la consistencia, propiedades viscoelásticas y el contenido de sustancias pécticas en salsas elaboradas con tres acciones de ají. Estas accesiones fueron seleccionadas en función al contenido de sustancias pécticas, la disponibilidad y el color de la materia prima, luego de haber caracterizado veinte de éstas. El contenido de sustancias pécticas fue determinado espectrofotométricamente como ácido galacturónico; la consistencia con el consistómetro de Bostwick; y las propiedades viscoelásticas mediante pruebas de barrido de esfuerzo y frecuencia. El punto más frío del frasco de salsa de ají (150 mL) se encontró a ¾ de distancia de la tapa y el tiempo de procesamiento térmico fue de 16 y 8 min a 90 y 100 ºC respectivamente, a excepción del miscucho naranja (17 min a 90 ºC). En las salsas pasteurizadas el contenido péctico aumentó debido a que el calor facilitó la difusión y solvatación del mismo, a excepción del miscucho naranja (90 ºC) lo que podría deberse al tiempo de pasteurización. En las pruebas de barrido de esfuerzo y frecuencia el módulo de almacenamiento (G’) siempre fue superior al de pérdidas (G’’) (predominio de las propiedades elásticas sobre las viscosas). Además, se evidenció que los valores de estas variables disminuyeron con la pasteurización debido, probablemente, al aumento de las sustancias pécticas solubles en agua. Por último, este estudio permitió identificar que, de las tres salsas estudiadas, la salsa del ají chico fue la que presentó una mejor estructura (mayores valores de G’ y G’’).Due to the variety and the cultural and gastronomic role that chili pepper has in Peru, knowledge of the viscoelastic properties of their sauces is essential for understanding and predicting its stability. The aim of this study was to design the heat treatment and assess changes in consistency, viscoelastic properties and content of pectic substances in sauces made with three chili pepper. These accessions were selected according to the content of pectic substances, availability and color of the raw material, after having characterized twenty of them. The content of pectic substances was determined spectrophotometrically as it galacturonic acid; consistence with Bostwick consistometer; and the viscoelastic properties by testing stress and frequency sweep. The coldest point of the glass jar of chili sauce (150 mL) was found to ¾ away from the cover and the time thermal processing was 16 and 8 min at 90 and 100 ºC respectively, except miscucho naranja (17 min at 90 ºC). In pasteurized sauces pectic content increased because heat facilitated diffusion and solvation of it, except miscucho naranja (90 ºC) which could be due to pasteurization time. In testing strees and frequency sweep, the storage modulus (G') it was always above loss modulus (G'') (predominance of elastic over viscous properties). It also showed that the values of these variables with pasteurization decreased, probably due to increased water soluble pectic substances. Finally, this study allows us to discover that, of the three studied sauces, chico sauce had a better structure (higher values of G' and G'').Tesi

Sistema web para el proceso de almacén en la empresa Bananos E.I.R.L

Esta investigación muestra el desarrollo de un sistema web para el control de almacén en la empresa Bananos E.I.R.L, ya que se identificó problemas como un alto número de pedidos rechazados y un bajo cumplimiento de las salidas de almacén. El objetivo de esta tesis fue determinar el efecto de implementar un sistema web para el control de almacén en la empresa Bananos E.I.R.L. Por tal motivo, se detalla previamente la teoría sobre el proceso de almacén y la metodología seleccionada para el desarrollo. Se eligió la metodología OOHDM, porque ofrece un esquema de desarrollo adecuada a las necesidades del proyecto. El tipo de investigación es aplicada, con diseño pre-experimental y enfoque cuantitativo. La muestra de entregas perfectamente recibidas fue de 20 fichas de registro agrupadas de una población de 337 documentos. El tamaño de la muestra se conformó por 180 documentos estratificados por días, por lo que la muestra quedó en 20 fichas de registro. La población del nivel de cumplimiento de despacho fue de 434 documentos, agrupados en 20 fichas de registro, el tamaño de la muestra fue de 201 documentos seccionados por días, la muestra se agrupo en 20 fichas de registro. El muestreo es aleatorio probabilístico simple, se empleó la ficha de registro como instrumento para la recolección de datos, previamente validado por expertos. La aplicación del sistema web permitió reducir las entregas perfectamente recibidas de 27.69% a 23.30% respecto a las entradas de almacén, asimismo se aumentó el nivel de cumplimiento de despacho de 78.94% a 86.55% respecto a las salidas de almacén. Estos resultados permiten concluir que el sistema web mejora el proceso de almacén en la empresa Bananos E.I.R.L

BREVES REFERENC IAS SOBRE EL NACIMIENTO Y SOBREVIVENCIA DE LA FACULTAD DE CIENCIAS MEDICAS DE LA UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL JORGE BASADRE GROHMANN

Una necesidad inherente de crear en una universidad nacional, una Facultad de Ciencias Médicas que no sea de carácter elitista y que permita el derecho de acceso de una numerosa población escolar de escasos recursos que aspira a ser profesional de salud; de esa manera se contaría con médicos, odontólogos y farmacéuticos de raíces populares, identificados con su pueblo, para contribuir al desarrollo del Perú Profundo marginado. La necesidad de formar profesionales médicos que respondan al nuevo objetivo de la atención medica: "Elevar el Nivel de Salud y de Bienestar de la Comunidad", como fuente de fuerza de trabajo y creatividad para el desarrollo, dando prioridad a la Promoción y Protección de la Salud, complementadas por un Diagnóstico y Tratamiento Precoz de la Enfermedad, ejercidos con un profundo humanismo y vocación de servicio, considerando que la Salud es un DERECHO y no una mercancía vendida al mejor postor, en un mercado de oferta y demanda. A este objetivo responde nuestra cantera de postulantes, una cultura tradicional de valores, una organización social altamente solidaria y un espíritu aguerrido y aspirante.   La necesidad de adecuar el Plan Curricular al nuevo objetivo dando mayor importancia a la enseñanza de la Salud Publica e introduciendo cambios conceptuales, como la formación integral del profesional de salud en los tres campos de atención: Promoción, Protección y Recuperación integradas; así como la enseñanza de acuerdo al concepto de MULTICAUSALIDAD

Melhoria da Atenção à Saúde da Criança de Zero a 72 Meses na UBS Crissiumal (esf Iv), Crissiumal/RS

Resumo ARROYO, Miguel Angel Moreno. Melhoria da atenção à saúde da criança de zero a 72 meses na UBS Crissiumal (ESF IV), Crissiumal/RS. 2016. 83f. Trabalho de Conclusão de Curso (Curso de Especialização em Saúde da Família) - Departamento de Medicina Social, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, 2016. A infância é um período de suma importância no desenvolvimento humano, de modo que alguns dos agravos que encontramos na vida adulta como a obesidade, diabetes, hipertensão podem ter relação direta com a forma com que os hábitos e cuidados gerados na fase infantil foram encarados. Pensando nisso, no período de 18 de setembro a 11 de dezembro do ano 2015, equivalente a 12 semanas, foi realizada uma intervenção na equipe IV da UBS Crissiumal, município de Crissiumal, tendo por objetivo principal a melhoria da atenção à saúde das crianças de zero a 72 meses, que fazem parte da área de abrangência desta equipe. As ações foram desenvolvidas baseadas em quatro eixos: monitoramento e avaliação, organização e gestão do serviço, qualificação da prática clínica e engajamento público. Utilizamos como protocolo o Caderno de Atenção Básica n° 33 Saúde da criança: crescimento e desenvolvimento, do ano de 2012 e elaborado pelo Ministério da Saúde. A área de abrangência da equipe tem uma estimativa de 131 crianças, assim, no primeiro mês cadastramos e acompanhamos um total de 94 crianças (78,1%), no segundo mês atingimos 122 crianças (93,1%) e ao final da intervenção conseguimos cadastrar e acompanhar um total de 130 crianças, atingindo uma cobertura de 99,2% da população alvo. Além da cobertura elevada, obtivemos avanços muito importantes: todas as crianças foram monitoradas em relação ao crescimento; identificamos e acompanhamos todas as crianças com déficit ou excesso de peso; 100% das crianças ficaram com a vacinação em dia e aquelas com seis a 24 meses de idade receberam suplementação de ferro; as crianças faltosas forma buscadas e realizamos várias orientações sobre hábitos alimentares saudáveis e higiene bucal. De modo geral, a intervenção permitiu um melhor relacionamento e colaboração com os colegas da equipe da ESF e maior coesão das atividades desenvolvidas o que propiciou uma grande melhoria na qualidade do trabalho oferecido aos usuários. Palavras-chave: atenção primária à saúde; saúde da família; saúde da criança; puericultura; saúde bucal