A proof-theoretic trust and reputation model for VANET

Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks (VANETs) are an important component of intelligent transportation systems, which are set to become part of global transportation infrastructure in the near future. In the context of such networks, security requirements need to rely on a combination of reputation of communicating agents and trust relations over the messaging framework. This is crucial in order to maintain dynamic and safe behaviour under all circumstances. Formal correctness, resolution of contradictions and proven safety of transitive operations in the presence of reputation and trust within the infrastructure remain mostly unexplored issues. This could lead to potentially disastrous situations, putting lives at risk. In this paper we provide a proof-theoretic interpretation of a reputation and trust model for VANET. This allows for formal verification through translation into the Coq proof assistant, and can guarantee consistency of messaging protocols and security of transitive transmissions

Describing and simulating concurrent quantum systems

We present a programming language for describing and analysing concurrent quantum systems. We have an interpreter for programs in the language, using a symbolic rather than a numeric calculator, and we give its performance on examples from quantum communication and cryptography

Probing La(0.7)Sr(0.3)MnO3 multilayers via spin wave resonances

La(0.7)Sr(0.3)MnO3/BiFeO3 and La(0.7)Sr(0.3)MnO3/PbZr20Ti80O3 epitaxial heterostructures have been grown on SrTiO3 substrates. Spin wave resonances are used to study interface properties of the ferromagnetic La(0.7)Sr(0.3)MnO3. We find that the addition of the BiFeO3 or PbZr20Ti80O3 causes out-of-plane surface pinning of the La(0.7)Sr(0.3)MnO3. We are able to place new limits on the exchange constant D of La(0.7)Sr(0.3)MnO3 grown on these substrates and confirm the presence of uniaxial and biaxial anisotropies caused by the SrTiO3 substrate.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures, 3 table

Magnetoresistance in ordered and disordered double perovskite oxide, Sr2_2FeMoO6_6

We have prepared crystallographically ordered and disorder specimens of the double perovskite, Sr$_2$FeMoO$_6$ and investigated their magnetoresistance behaviour. The extent of ordering between the Fe and Mo sites in the two samples is determined by Rietveld analysis of powder x-ray diffraction patterns and reconfirmed by M\"{o}ssbauer studies. While the ordered sample exhibits the sharp low-field response, followed by moderate changes in the magnetoresistance at higher fields, the disordered sample is characterised by the absence of the spectacular low-field response. We argue that the low field response depends crucially on the half-metallic ferromagnetism, while the high-field response follows from the overall magnetic nature of the sample, even in absence of the half-metallic state.Comment: accepted in Solid State Communicatio

Clonal clusters and virulence factors of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus:Evidence for community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infiltration into hospital settings in Chennai, South India

Background and Objective: Staphylococcus aureus is one of the major pathogens of nosocomial infections as wells as community-acquired (CA) infections worldwide. So far, large-scale comprehensive molecular and epidemiological characterisation of S. aureus from very diverse settings has not been carried out in India. The objective of this study is to evaluate the molecular, epidemiological and virulence characteristics of S. aureus in both community and hospital settings in Chennai, southern India. Methods: S. aureus isolates were obtained from four different groups (a) healthy individuals from closed community settings, (b) inpatients from hospitals, (c) outpatients from hospitals, representing isolates of hospital-community interface and (d) HIV-infected patients to define isolates associated with the immunocompromised. Antibiotic susceptibility testing, multiplex polymerase chain reactions for detection of virulence and resistance determinants, molecular typing including Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) and agr typing, were carried out. Sequencing-based typing was done using spa and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) methods. Clonal complexes (CC) of hospital and CA methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) were identified and compared for virulence and resistance. Results and Conclusion: A total of 769 isolates of S. aureus isolates were studied. The prevalence of MRSA was found to be 7.17%, 81.67%, 58.33% and 22.85% for groups a, b, c and d, respectively. Of the four SCCmec types (I, III, IV and V) detected, SCCmec V was found to be predominant. Panton-Valentine leucocidin toxin genes were detected among MRSA isolates harbouring SCCmec IV and V. A total of 78 spa types were detected, t657 being the most prevalent. 13 MLST types belonging to 9 CC were detected. CC1 (ST-772, ST-1) and CC8 (ST238, ST368 and ST1208) were found to be predominant among MRSA. CA-MRSA isolates with SCCmec IV and V were isolated from all study groups including hospitalised patients and were found to be similar by molecular tools. This shows that CA MRSA has probably infiltrated into the hospital settings

Phytotherapeutic control of food borne pathogens by Jasminum sambac L. flowers

Objective: This study is aimed to determine the antibacterial effect of Jasminum sambac against foodborne pathogens.Methods: Antibacterial activity of methanol and chloroform extract of J. sambac flowers against foodborne pathogens (Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, Shigella flexeneri, Salmonella serovar enterica Typhi, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) were performed using disc diffusion method and their minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was also determined. The preliminary phytochemical screening and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopic (GC-MS) analysis of methanol and chloroform extract of J. sambac was analyzed using GC Clarus 500 Perkin Elmer System and gas chromatograph interfaced with a mass spectrometer.Results: Phytochemical and GC-MS studies revealed the presence of bioactive compounds and found to possess antibacterial activity against foodborne pathogens.Conclusion: The present study supports the possible use of these phytotherapeutic agents in the clinical management of foodborne diseases.Keywords: GC-MS analysis, Foodborne pathogens, Jasminum sambac L., Antibacterial activit

Trend analysis and variability of satellite-based soil moisture data for the Lower Bhavani basin, Tamil Nadu using Google Earth Engine

Soil moisture is a significant hydrological component that is dynamic in nature. The variation in soil moisture in the basin scale would affect the vegetation, ecology and environment. Soil moisture trend analysis aids in providing the variation of soil moisture over the basin. The present study aimed to analyse the soil moisture trend in Lower Bhavani basin, Tamil Nadu from 2003-2022. Satellite-based soil moisture Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS) data was extracted from the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform to analyse the variation and trend over the period of time. The highest and lowest soil moisture was observed during monsoon and summer months and its percentage variation was studied. Using Man-Kendall test and Sen’s slope, trend analysis was calculated for two decades (2003-2012 and 2013-2022). In 2003-2012, an increasing trend of soil moisture was observed during winter (October to February); from 2013-2022, an increasing trend was observed during both winter (October to February) and monsoon seasons (June to September). The remaining season did not follow any trend, and there was no decreasing trend in soil moisture. The trend analysis of the study will help to monitor and manage the environmental system across the Lower Bhavani basin

Transmission Line Fault Monitoring and Identification System by Using Internet of Things

The fault location detection has been a goal of power system engineers, since the creation of distribution and transmission systems. Quick fault detection can help protect the equipment by allowing the disconnection of faulted lines before any significant damage of the equipment. The accurate fault location can help utility personnel remove persistent of the faults and locate the areas where the faults regularly occur, thus reducing the occurrence of fault and minimize the time of power outages. As a result, while the fault location detection schemes have been developed in the past, a variety of algorithms continue to be developed to perform this task more accurately and more effectively. The detection and location of faults on power transmission lines is essential to the protection and maintenance of a power system. Most methods of fault detection and location relate to the measurements of electrical quantities provided by current and voltage transformers. These transformers can be expensive and require physical contact with the monitored high voltage equipment

Smart Antenna Optimization Techniques for Wireless Applications

EditorialThis research received no external funding