Trustee: A Trust Management System for Fog-enabled Cyber Physical Systems

In this paper, we propose a lightweight trust management system (TMS) for fog-enabled cyber physical systems (Fog-CPS). Trust computation is based on multi-factor and multi-dimensional parameters, and formulated as a statistical regression problem which is solved by employing random forest regression model. Additionally, as the Fog-CPS systems could be deployed in open and unprotected environments, the CPS devices and fog nodes are vulnerable to numerous attacks namely, collusion, self-promotion, badmouthing, ballot-stuffing, and opportunistic service. The compromised entities can impact the accuracy of trust computation model by increasing/decreasing the trust of other nodes. These challenges are addressed by designing a generic trust credibility model which can countermeasures the compromise of both CPS devices and fog nodes. The credibility of each newly computed trust value is evaluated and subsequently adjusted by correlating it with a standard deviation threshold. The standard deviation is quantified by computing the trust in two configurations of hostile environments and subsequently comparing it with the trust value in a legitimate/normal environment. Our results demonstrate that credibility model successfully countermeasures the malicious behaviour of all Fog-CPS entities i.e. CPS devices and fog nodes. The multi-factor trust assessment and credibility evaluation enable accurate and precise trust computation and guarantee a dependable Fog-CPS system

Investigation of single beam near-infrared free space optical communication under different weather anomalies

The Free space optics (FSO) is a wireless optical communication system that connects directly to the atmosphere, where the connection is established between transmitter and receiver within in the line of sight. The FSO poses a high-speed broadband, which is the last mile wireless optical communication, deployed relatively fast. However, there are some weather factors may affect the performance of FSO transmission. In this paper, we analyzed the performance of Non-Return to Zero (NRZ) modulation schemes, which is used in FSO communication under extreme weather conditions over a range of 2Km. The performance has been analyzed under 980nm wavelength, Bit Error Rate (BER), and Q-factor using Opt system. The largest attenuation measured is 340dB/Km, correlate to the visibility of 50m. In addition the visibility exceeding about 50m, The Kruse formula provides a good measurement of optical attenuation over long distances under the clear weather and haze conditions respectively

Orthogonal Light-Activated DNA for Patterned Biocomputing within Synthetic Cells

Cell-free gene expression is a vital research tool to study biological systems in defined minimal environments and has promising applications in biotechnology. Developing methods to control DNA templates for cell-free expression will be important for precise regulation of complex biological pathways and use with synthetic cells, particularly using remote, nondamaging stimuli such as visible light. Here, we have synthesized blue light-activatable DNA parts that tightly regulate cell-free RNA and protein synthesis. We found that this blue light-activated DNA could initiate expression orthogonally to our previously generated ultraviolet (UV) light-activated DNA, which we used to generate a dual-wavelength light-controlled cell-free AND-gate. By encapsulating these orthogonal light-activated DNAs into synthetic cells, we used two overlapping patterns of blue and UV light to provide precise spatiotemporal control over the logic gate. Our blue and UV orthogonal light-activated DNAs will open the door for precise control of cell-free systems in biology and medicine

Parameterized Disturbance Observer Based Controller to Reduce Cyclic Loads of Wind Turbine

This paper is concerned with bump-less transfer of parameterized disturbance observer based controller with individual pitch control strategy to reduce cyclic loads of wind turbine in full load operation. Cyclic loads are generated due to wind shear and tower shadow effects. Multivariable disturbance observer based linear controllers are designed with objective to reduce output power fluctuation, tower oscillation and drive-train torsion using optimal control theory. Linear parameterized controllers are designed by using a smooth scheduling mechanism between the controllers. The proposed parameterized controller with individual pitch was tested on nonlinear Fatigue, Aerodynamics, Structures, and Turbulence (FAST) code model of National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)’s 5 MW wind turbine. The closed-loop system performance was assessed by comparing the simulation results of proposed controller with a fixed gain and parameterized controller with collective pitch for full load operation of wind turbine. Simulations are performed with step wind to see the behavior of the system with wind shear and tower shadow effects. Then, turbulent wind is applied to see the smooth transition of the controllers. It can be concluded from the results that the proposed parameterized control shows smooth transition from one controller to another controller. Moreover, 3p and 6p harmonics are well mitigated as compared to fixed gain DOBC and parameterized DOBC with collective pitch

Neuronal branching is increasingly asymmetric near synapses, potentially enabling plasticity while minimizing energy dissipation and conduction time

Neurons' primary function is to encode and transmit information in the brain and body. The branching architecture of axons and dendrites must compute, respond and make decisions while obeying the rules of the substrate in which they are enmeshed. Thus, it is important to delineate and understand the principles that govern these branching patterns. Here, we present evidence that asymmetric branching is a key factor in understanding the functional properties of neurons. First, we derive novel predictions for asymmetric scaling exponents that encapsulate branching architecture associated with crucial principles such as conduction time, power minimization and material costs. We compare our predictions with extensive data extracted from images to associate specific principles with specific biophysical functions and cell types. Notably, we find that asymmetric branching models lead to predictions and empirical findings that correspond to different weightings of the importance of maximum, minimum or total path lengths from the soma to the synapses. These different path lengths quantitatively and qualitatively affect energy, time and materials. Moreover, we generally observe that higher degrees of asymmetric branching-potentially arising from extrinsic environmental cues and synaptic plasticity in response to activity-occur closer to the tips than the soma (cell body)

An Overview of Chitosan-Xanthan Gum Matrices as Controlled Release Drug Carriers

Naturally occurring polysaccharides and/or their chemically modified derivatives have been widely investigated in relation to their use as components of controlled release systems for drug delivery. The aforementioned is due, in part, to their distinct properties such as abundant availability and biocompatibility as well as environmental and economic advantages. Chitosan (CS) and xanthan gum (XG) based matrices have received growing scientific/pharmaceutical interest as oral controlled release drug carriers. Herein, recent advances spanning the last two decades in CS-XG based drug delivery systems are reviewed with the emphasis being on oral tablet formulations, due to their versatility as pharmaceutical dosage forms. The mechanism of interaction between CS and XG, by means of computational and experimental approaches, is scrutinized. Results obtained from the literature establish the possibility of fabricating a controlled release drug delivery system based on CS and XG matrices. This can be achieved by monitoring and manipulating the physiochemical properties of the two polymers as well as the experimental variables affecting their drug retardation efficiency, without the need to employ special equipment or sophisticated experimental techniques/methodologies

Clinical expression of plakophilin-2 mutations in familial arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy

Background - Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is an inherited cardiac disorder characterized by loss of cardiomyocytes and their replacement by adipose and fibrous tissue. It is considered a disease of cell adhesion because mutations in desmosomal genes, desmoplakin and plakoglobin, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of ARVC. In a recent report, mutations in plakophilin-2, a gene highly expressed in cardiac desmosomes, have been shown to cause ARVC.Methods and Results - We investigated 100 white patients with ARVC for mutations in plakophilin-2. Nine different mutations were identified by direct sequencing in 11 cases. Five of these mutations are novel (A733fsX740, L586fsX658, V570fsX576, R413X, and P533fsX561) and predicted to cause a premature truncation of the plakophilin-2 protein. Family studies showed incomplete disease expression in mutation carriers and identified a number of individuals who would be misdiagnosed with the existing International Task Force and modified diagnostic criteria for ARVC.Conclusions - In this study, we provide new evidence that mutations in the desmosomal plakophilin-2 gene can cause ARVC. A systematic clinical evaluation of mutation carriers within families demonstrated variable phenotypic expression, even among individuals with the same mutation, and highlighted the need for a more accurate set of diagnostic criteria for ARVC