Cryptanalysis of two mutual authentication protocols for low-cost RFID

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is appearing as a favorite technology for automated identification, which can be widely applied to many applications such as e-passport, supply chain management and ticketing. However, researchers have found many security and privacy problems along RFID technology. In recent years, many researchers are interested in RFID authentication protocols and their security flaws. In this paper, we analyze two of the newest RFID authentication protocols which proposed by Fu et al. and Li et al. from several security viewpoints. We present different attacks such as desynchronization attack and privacy analysis over these protocols.Comment: 17 pages, 2 figures, 1 table, International Journal of Distributed and Parallel system

Self-Focusing of High-Power Laser Beam through Plasma

One of the most significant factors in understanding the behaviour of laser beams during the propagation process through plasma is how the spot size of the beam changes with both laser and plasma parameters. Self-focusing and defocusing of the laser beam, therefore, play an important role in this study. This chapter is aimed at presenting a brief investigation into these common phenomena in laser-plasma interaction. In addition to a short overview on the types of self-focusing of laser beams through plasma, a detailed study on the relativistic self-focusing of high-intense laser beam in quantum plasma as a particular nonlinear medium is performed. In this case, the essential equations to model this phenomenon are derived; furthermore, a range of values of laser-plasma parameters which would satisfy these equations is considered

Development of a theory for objective assignment of prior probabilities within the context of a decision

Two theories are being presented and advanced. While the philosophical theory of Philosophical processualism is general and aims at supporting the application of mathematics to guide action with precision, the computational theory of Decision Entropy is specific and aims at establishing a set of objective rules for assigning Bayesian priors, that are non-informative regarding the decision at hand. Besides, the concept of probability is being analyzed from a process-centered perspective, and three types of probability are being introduces: propensity, possibility, and credibility. The highlighted distinction is hoped to settle a number of long-standing disputes regarding the interpretation of probabilities. Also, three properties of objectivity, transparency, and defensibility are offered to characterize inductive systems. To evaluate defensibility, a set of seven theoretical principles are being offered including the principle of “unbiased evaluation,” which can be interpreted as the informativeness of priors for the case of Bayesian inductions. Philosophical processualism is an original philosophical perspective advanced as the foundation for an epistemic machinery called pragmatic mathematics; a system of linguistically manifested mental constructs aimed at guiding purposive actions with precision. Philosophical processualism relies upon a process-centered interpretation of causality, which sees an event as a constellation of changes made by a process in certain states of the world and/or the mind. By taking concept as the fundamental constituent of the purposive agents’ evaluation processes, the view presents its ontological account of concepts and elaborate on how concepts could look like, where they could be present, and how they could come to realization. Philosophical processualism opposes Platonism by asserting that every concept is the outcomes of cognitive processes unfolding in time and space and is not an abstract entity in the so-called third realm, to which mind can gain access through unknown metaphysical processes. Probability concept is being analyzed from a process-centered perspective, and it is being divided into three types of propensity, possibility, and credibility. Propensity values are relative repetitions of processual outcomes, as they have come to realization. Possibility values for the outputs of a more-to-less process are the relative contributions of inputs; i.e. the relative number of inputs associated to every output. Credibilities are imaginary relative weights assigned to (the parameters of) the processes, who are hypothesized to deliver the intended outcomes. Credibilities are only means to the end of assessing propensities and/or possibilities, whose exact values are unknown. Bayesian priors are prime examples of credibilities. While the imaginary nature of credibilities allows subjects to assign credibilies of their own preference, their assignment might not be justifiable to others. Alternatively, it is possible to establish a set of theoretical assignment rules on purely logical grounds, and to justify the designations based on their effects, or lack thereof, on the assessed propensities and/or possibilities. Due to their rule abidance, theoretically constructed credibilities may be described as objective, even though imaginary and only existing in subjects’ minds. The class of credibilities called non-informative are the ones, whose assignment are aimed at not informing (certain aspects of) the assessed propensities and/or possibilities. A set of properties including objectivity, transparency, and defensibility are defined to characterize an inductive assessment procedure. Objectivity is concluded to be the result of transparency and community acceptance. Although every communal rule is contractual by nature, its justification makes the procedures defensible, especially when a community is deciding whether to adopt it as the rule. A set of seven theoretical principles are proposed to evaluate the defensibility of an inductive system, namely (I) Evaluative Orientation, (II) Investigative Prioritization, (III) Explicative Sufficiency, (IV) Evaluative Inclusion, (V) Credibility Conception, (VI) Artifact-Reality Division, and (VII) Unbiased Evaluation. Decision Entropy Theory (DET) offers an original method for assessing credible outcomes of uncertain processes by incorporating Bayesian probabilities. Since DET is aimed at guiding purposive action with precision and through the use of mathematical measures, it falls under the category of pragmatic mathematics. DET aims at representing uncertainty in an objective and defensible way. The motivation to develop the theory is to account for the possibility of events occurring that are beyond our range of experience. The theory characterizes uncertainty in the context of making a decision; the case of maximum uncertainty corresponds to the maximum entropy for the possible outcomes of the decision. Therefore, the starting point for assessing probabilities, i.e., the non-informative prior probabilities of possibilities before information is included, depends on the decision at hand. Decision Entropy Theory is developed from the following principles that describe the case of no information or maximum uncertainty in making a decision between various alternatives. 1. If no information is available about the probabilities of decision outcomes, then a selected alternative is equally probable to be or not to be the preferred alternative. 2. If no information is available about the probabilities of decision outcomes, then the possible differences in preference between a selected alternative and the preferred alternative are equally probable. 3. If no information is available about the probabilities of decision outcomes, then the possibilities of learning with new information about the selected alternative compared to the preferred alternative are equally probable. To illustrate the theory, two examples from engineering are being worked out: (a) selecting the appropriate design wave height for offshore structures, and (b) assessing the value of test wells before committing to developing a hydrocarbon resource play. The examples highlight the following points: • The prior sample space depends on the decision, meaning that the importance of extreme uncertainty depends on its consequences to the decision and the availability of feasible decision alternatives to compensate for these consequences. • The prior sample space emphasizes the possibilities that distinguish two alternatives from one another. • The prior sample space can affect the final decision, even when substantive data are available to inform (update) this sample space. • It is unreasonable to assume that the probability distribution for the frequencies can be established based entirely on experience because that precludes the possibility of events beyond our experience. Such events can be particularly important where experience tends to be limited. • The value of information is enhanced when leaving open the possibilities for making excessive gains and losses. • It is possible to rationally balance between relying entirely on historical data versus not relying on them at all. Within this balance, direct information can be combined with information from analogous cases of the past to inform the decision.Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineerin

Recombinant expression and purification of functional vascular endothelial growth factor-121 in the baculovirus expression system

AbstractObjectiveTo express human vascular endothelial growth factor121 (VEGF121) in insect cells.MethodsA gene construct containing VEGF was cloned in the pFastBac-HTA vector, followed by transformation in DH10BAC. The recombinant bacmid was then extracted, and transfected into Sf9 insect cells. The transfected cells were harvested, and then VEGF expression was confirmed by western blotting using specific antibodies. The tube formation assay was used for functional assessment of VEGF.ResultsOur results showed that VEGF could be successfully expressed in the baculovirus system. Purified VEGF was able to stimulate in vitro tube formation of human endothelial cells.ConclusionsResults from this study demonstrated that the recombinantly-produced VEGF can be considered as a promising candidate for therapeutic purposes

A study on the relationship between human development and intellectual and human capital in banking industry

In the current era, the main challenge of managers is to provide an environment suitable for development of human minds in the science-based organizations. Therefore, their ability in knowledge management and intellectual capital management has become a substantial skill of managers in these organizations. The purpose of this paper is to consider the relationship between human development index and intellectual and human capital. In the paper, pulic Model 2000 has been used to measure intellectual capital. Also, in order to collect data, information of 7 banks, which have been accepted in Tehran stock market during 2007-2011 (35 firm years), has been analyzed by using statistical method of data panel in STATA and EVIEWS softwares. The results of the study show that there is no significant relationship between human development and intellectual capital. Moreover, the results indicate that the relationship between human development and human capital is not significant

A study on the relationship between human development and intellectual and human capital in banking industry

In the current era, the main challenge of managers is to provide an environment suitable for development of human minds in the science-based organizations. Therefore, their ability in knowledge management and intellectual capital management has become a substantial skill of managers in these organizations. The purpose of this paper is to consider the relationship between human development index and intellectual and human capital. In the paper, pulic Model 2000 has been used to measure intellectual capital. Also, in order to collect data, information of 7 banks, which have been accepted in Tehran stock market during 2007-2011 (35 firm years), has been analyzed by using statistical method of data panel in STATA and EVIEWS softwares. The results of the study show that there is no significant relationship between human development and intellectual capital. Moreover, the results indicate that the relationship between human development and human capital is not significant

Value of integrated electricity and heat scheduling with considering TSO–DSO cooperation

The active role of distribution system operators (DSOs) coordinated with the transmission system operator (TSO) is highlighted by increasing the competition of new parties in energy markets. Besides, combined heat and power (CHP) units are the primary heat supplier in district heating systems, and their electricity production is strongly coupled with heat productions. This paper evaluates an integrated model for scheduling electricity and heat with considering TSO–DSO cooperation to increase the operating efficiency in the day-ahead horizon. Also, this paper considers the cooperation of the electrical TSO, electrical DSOs, and district heating systems’ operators. The proposed model facilitates energy transactions between systems by considering intermediary variables. The share of each market party is calculated using intermediary variables and locational marginal prices of electrical and heating systems, and the values are compared to the cases with the isolated operating of energy systems. Also, the model considers thermal energy storage systems (TESs) and the heat transaction capability between neighbor systems, and the feasible convex region is used for the operation of CHP units. The DC power flow equations are used at the transmission level, while the AC power flow is used for distribution grids. The AC power flow equations are relaxed into the second-order cone programming (SOCP) formulation, which results in a mixed-integer second-order cone programming (MISOCP) problem. The proposed model is applied to the modified IEEE 24-bus test system, which contains electrical and heating systems at the distribution level. The result shows that the proposed model successfully reduces the operational costs and energy prices compared to the isolated scheduling of energy systems. Also, the model facilitates energy trading between market parties