HLDCA-WSN: Homomorphic Lightweight Data Confidentiality Algorithm for Wireless Sensor Network

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) has become more and more important in many applications especially those required a high level of security such as: commercial, military and telemedicine applications. However, security in WSN suffers from several kinds of attacks (ranging between passive and active attacks). Eavesdropping attack remains the most powerful attack, since it has the capability to compromise the confidentiality of the whole packet content. In this context, several solutions and techniques have been presented in the literature, to ensure a secure transmission of packets in a large scale WSN. Unfortunately, many of these solutions failed to meet the main characteristics of WSN (limited energy consumption, low power, large bandwidth), and are considered as not efficient candidates to deal with tiny devices. For this reason, a novel homomorphic lightweight security scheme HLDCA-WSN based on dynamic permutation layer that is performed on a set of packets (denoted by generation) is proposed and discussed in this paper. HLDCA-WSN scheme overcomes passive attacks and ensures a significant reduction of computational complexity, energy cost, and communication overhead. Moreover, the dynamic property of the proposed scheme adds more robustness against traditional and physical attacks. The efficiency of the HLDCA ciphering scheme is demonstrated by an extensive security analysis and simulation results

A PARAMETER IDENTIFICATION APPROACH OF A PEM FUEL CELL STACK USING PARTICLE SWARM OPTIMIZATION

ABSTRACT The fear of fossil fuels depletion as well as the constantly increasing pollution rates motivated most of today's engineers and researchers towards focusing on renewable energies and their applications. Fuel Cells are one of the green technologies that are being explored extensively around the world. The work of this paper was done on the 3kW ElectraGen TM fuel cell system under study for domestic use in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Several experiments were conducted at different operating points and relatively high ambient temperatures. The experimental I/V characteristics of the system are matched by identifying 13 different modeling parameters using basic fitting. The obtained model is then further optimized using Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). The resulting model is validated experimentally and was found to highly resemble the system's I/V characteristics yielding less than 1.5 V H ∞ norm of the error

An Efficient Solution Towards Secure Homomorphic Symmetric Encryption Algorithms

In this paper, we consider Homomorphic Encryption (HE) to process over encrypted data in order to achieve user privacy. We present a framework solution to provide a high level of security for the symmetric HE algorithms. The proposed solution introduces a dynamic structure and dynamic diffusion’s primitives that enhance existing symmetric HE algorithms and overcome their weaknesses. We apply this solution to a well known symmetric homomorphic approach, the PORE (Polynomial Operation for Randomization and Encryption) approach. The security analysis of the proposed solution shows that it ensures a high level of security without performance degradation. It is also evaluated against different attacks. This leads to secure and efficient HE Algorithms for practical implementations

A Retrospective Chart Review of Pediatric Complicated Community-Acquired Pneumonia: An Experience in the Al Qassimi Women and Children Hospital

Background Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is one of the most common global health issues. Even though many vaccinations and new diagnostic tools are available, CAP has a higher mortality rate, especially in children less than five years of age. Complicated CAP (CCAP) in a healthy child is a severe disease characterized by a combination of local complications, such as parapneumonic effusion (PPE), empyema (EMP), necrotizing pneumonia (NP), abscess, pneumothorax, and bronchopleural fistula, and systemic complications, such as bacteremia, metastatic infection, multiorgan failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and, rarely, death. This study describes the demographic features, clinical presentation, management, and outcomes of patients diagnosed with CCAP at the Al Qassimi Women’s and Children’s Hospital (AQWCH). Methodology This retrospective chart review aims to collect and explore the data of all previously healthy children admitted with CCAP between the ages of one month and 13 years at AQWCH from January 2018 to December 2020. The primary study outcome measure is to provide clinicians with the diagnostics, evaluation, and management required to treat complicated pneumonia. Results A total of 195 patients were diagnosed with CAP, of whom 30 (15.3%) were diagnosed with CCAP. Of these, 14 (46.6%) patients had NP, eight (26.7%) had PPE, and eight (26.7%) had EMP. The median age of patients was 2.5 years, with 13 (43%) males and 17 (57%) females. The median duration of their stay in the hospital was 16 days. All patients were vaccinated with Hib, PCV13, or PCV7, and 57% of the patients received antibiotics before admission. The most common findings were consolidation and pleural effusion. Blood culture was negative in all cases, and pleural culture was positive only in three cases. A total of 17 (57%) patients underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), and post-VATS surgical emphysema was found to be the most common complication. Chest X-rays normalized after three months in 65% of patients. On comparing patients who were admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) before any surgical intervention with those who were not, it was found that patients who required PICU admission were young (median = 2 years; interquartile range (IQR) = 1-4.5; p = 0.044) and had higher respiratory rate (mean = 49 breaths/per minute, standard deviation (SD) = 11; p = 0.000). In addition, they had lower median albumin (median = 2 g/L; IQR = 1.8-2.23; p = 0.004). On comparing patients who required VATS and those who did not require VATS, it was found that the former had a higher median respiratory rate (48 per min; range = 42-54; p = 0.01). A cavity in the chest computed tomography (CT) was found in 86% of patients with VATS (p = 0.017), and they had lower median albumin (median = 2 g/L; IQR = 1.92-2.24; p = 0.012), as well as longer median duration of using oral antibiotics (median = 21 days; IQR = 19-26; p = 0.025). Patients with complicated NP had a higher respiratory rate and higher PICU admission, and more cavity in the chest was found in the CT study. Most NP patients also underwent VATS and had longer median days of using oral antibiotics. One patient developed a bronchopleural fistula, and one patient diagnosed with NP died. Conclusions CCAP is a major cause of hospitalization in children. It is important to suspect CCAP in all CAP patients not responding to treatment after 48-72 hours

A GESTÃO DEMOCRÁTICA DO FUTURO: BLOCKCHAIN E SMART CITIES

This paper questions how the use of blockchain technology can make democratic management effective in the scope of municipal public administration on the context of the growing phenomenon of implementation smart cities, thus realizing not only what is foreseen in the City Statute but also in the Constitution of the Republic of 1988. The objective is to show technology in the context of a Digital Public Administration, as well as to demonstrate how technology can make democratic management possible in an unbureaucratic way. It starts from a theoretical research within the procedure of bibliographic and documental survey, applying methods of basic nature and qualitative approach, from objectives of exploratory analysis, interpreted from a predominantly deductive logic, although the inductive logic is necessary in certain aspects. The theoretical discussion is based on the analysis of national and foreign doctrine, concluding that technology has the possibility to effect participatory democracy in a safe and transparent way.Esta investigación se basa en la cuestión de cómo el uso de la tecnología blockchain puede llevar a cabo una gestión democrática en la administración pública municipal en el contexto del actual y creciente fenómeno de la implementación de las llamadas ciudades inteligentes, cumpliendo así no sólo las disposiciones del Estatuto de la Ciudad, sino también la Constitución de la República de 1988. El objetivo es presentar la tecnología en el contexto de una Administración Pública Digital, así como demostrar cómo la tecnología es capaz de permitir una gestión democrática de forma no burocrática. Parte de una investigación teórica dentro del procedimiento de relevamiento documental bibliográfico, aplicando métodos de naturaleza básica y enfoque cualitativo, a partir de objetivos de análisis exploratorio, interpretados desde una lógica predominantemente deductiva, aunque la lógica inductiva es necesaria en ciertos aspectos. La discusión teórica parte del análisis de la doctrina nacional y extranjera, concluyendo que la tecnología tiene la posibilidad de efectuar la democracia participativa de forma segura y transparente.A pesquisa parte do questionamento sobre como o uso da tecnologia blockchain pode efetivar a gestão democrática no âmbito da Administração Pública municipal no contexto do atual e crescente fenômeno da implementação das chamadas smart cities, realizando-se assim não apenas o previsto no Estatuto da Cidade como na própria Constituição da República de 1988. Objetiva-se apresentar a tecnologia no contexto de uma Administração Pública Digital, bem como demonstrar de que maneira a tecnologia é apta a viabilizar a gestão democrática de maneira desburocratizada. Parte-se de uma pesquisa teórica dentro do procedimento de levantamento bibliográfico documental, aplicando métodos de natureza básica e abordagem qualitativa, a partir de objetivos de análise exploratória, interpretados a partir de uma lógica predominantemente dedutiva, embora a lógica indutiva seja necessária em determinados aspectos. A discussão teórica parte de análise de doutrina nacional e estrangeira, concluindo-se que a tecnologia tem possibilidade de efetivar de forma segura e transparente a democracia participativa

SWAHILI ARCHITECTURE: A HERITAGE OF THE EAST COAST OF AFRICA

Swahili architecture, which developed along the Swahili Coast in East Africa, represents a remarkable amalgamation of African, Arab, and South Asian influences. The region's cultural exchanges gave birth to the distinctive Swahili Culture while thriving trade cities like Mombasa, Mogadishu, and Zanzibar attracted merchants from India, Persia, and China. This cultural convergence also played a pivotal role in the emergence of the Swahili language, which became the widely spoken language across East Africa and the official language of Kenya and Tanzania. However, the impact of Swahili culture extends beyond language; it is also evident in the architectural heritage of the entire Swahili coast. This architectural style holds immense cultural significance and is cherished as a valuable urban asset. Certain sites, including Lamu in Kenya, Kilwa, and Stone Town in Zanzibar, have been granted UNESCO World Heritage status. The enduring allure of Swahili architecture continues to inspire contemporary building designs, celebrating and preserving the rich history and adaptability of Swahili culture to its environment

Razvoj i karakterizacija in situ gelirajućih pripravaka metronidazola na bazi pluronika za vaginalnu primjenu

The purpose of this study was to develop pluronic-based in situ gelling formulations of metronidazole (MTZ) for treatment of bacterial vaginosis, aimed at prolonging the residence time, controlling drug release, enhancing efficacy, decreasing recurrence, and increasing patient compliance. The in situ gel formulations were prepared using different concentrations of pluronic F-127 (PF-127) alone and in combination with pluronic F-68 (PF-68). The prepared formulations were evaluated for their gelation temperature (Tgel), in vitro drug release, rheological properties, mucoadhesion properties and tolerability by vaginal mucosa in tissue levels. The Tgel decreased with increasing PF-127 concentration. The Tgel was modulated by addition of PF-68 to be within the acceptable range of 25–37 ºC. With increasing pluronic concentration, the in vitro drug release decreased, viscosity and mucoadhesive force increased. Histopathological examination of rabbit vaginas from the control and treated groups revealed normal histology of the vagina and cervix. Based on the in vitro evaluation of prepared formulations, the in situ gelling liquid formulated with PF-127/PF-68 (20/10 %, m/m) was selected for further clinical evaluation.Cilj rada bio je razviti pripravke metronidazola (MTZ) za liječenje bakterijske vaginoze koji imaju sposobnost geliranja in situ, produljeno vrijeme zadržavanja na mjestu primjene, kontrolirano oslobađanje ljekovite tvari, povećanu učinkovitost te smanjiti ponovnu pojavu vaginoze i povećati suradljivost pacijenta. Pripravci koji geliraju in situ pripravljeni su koristeći različite koncentracije pluronika F-127 (PF-127), samog ili u kombinaciji s pluronikom F-68 (PF-68). Ispitivana je temperatura geliranja (Tgel) formulacija, in vitro oslobađanje ljekovite tvari, reološka svojstva, mukoadhezijska svojstva te kako ih podnaša vaginalna sluznica u slojevima tkiva. Uočeno je da se s povećanjem koncentracije PF-127 snižava Tgel. Dodatkom različitih količina PF-68 dobiveni su pripravci s rasponom Tgel od 25 do 37 ºC. S povećanjem koncentracije pluronika smanjilo se oslobađanje ljekovite tvari in vitro, a povećala se viskoznost i mukoadhezivnost. Histopatološka ispitivanja na zečicama ispitivane i kontrolne skupine dala su normalni histološki nalaz njihovih vagina i cerviksa. Na temelju in vitro evaluacije, formulacija s PF-127/PF-68 (20/10 %, m/m) izabrana je za daljnja klinička ispitivanja