Computational and Energy Costs of Cryptographic Algorithms on Handheld Devices

Networks are evolving toward a ubiquitous model in which heterogeneous devices are interconnected. Cryptographic algorithms are required for developing security solutions that protect network activity. However, the computational and energy limitations of network devices jeopardize the actual implementation of such mechanisms. In this paper, we perform a wide analysis on the expenses of launching symmetric and asymmetric cryptographic algorithms, hash chain functions, elliptic curves cryptography and pairing based cryptography on personal agendas, and compare them with the costs of basic operating system functions. Results show that although cryptographic power costs are high and such operations shall be restricted in time, they are not the main limiting factor of the autonomy of a device

Cryptographic Energy Costs are Assumable in Ad Hoc Networks

Performance of symmetric and asymmetric cryptography algorithms in small devices is presented. Both temporal and energy costs are measured and compared with the basic functional costs of a device. We demonstrate that cryptographic power costs are not a limiting factor of the autonomy of a device and explain how processing delays can be conveniently managed to minimize their impact

Evaluation of a foundation degree for pharmacy technicians

Information about the research activity Foundation degrees (FDs) for pharmacy technicians combine academic and work-based learning to provide skills and knowledge for enhanced pharmacy technicians’ practice. Nine of these programmes have been developed nationwide since the introduction of the qualification in 2000. Only three of these FDs continue to run at the time of writing this report and low student numbers within these courses make their future uncertain. With a population of potential students in excess of 15,000 and increased demands for enhanced pharmacy technicians’ practice, lack of success of these FDs can be due to how the qualification is perceived. This research represented the first systematic exploration of the perceptions of stakeholders with involvement in a FD for pharmacy technicians that evaluated one such programme: the FD in Medicines Management run by the University of Portsmouth. The study focused on a single course to provide an in-depth account of events and processes. It involved gathering the views of students, graduates, employers, and people involved in course delivery and development. The research had a dual purpose: to describe experiences and to feedback findings into pedagogic practice within the Portsmouth course. Research questions In order to carry out this evaluation, the following broad research questions were investigated: • What do people think of the FD qualification? • What is the experience of being involved with a FD like? • What effect does a FD have on pharmacy technicians? • What opportunities does a FD bring for role extension and development? • Can a theoretical model be developed to represent relationships between the experiences of stakeholders involved in a FD? Plan of Investigation The project was carried out over a period of three years from September 2007 to June 2010. It followed a qualitative evaluation research approach. Data was collected from one-to-one and group interviews, which were recorded, transcribed verbatim and subject to thematic analysis. The analysis aimed to identify significant concepts, themes and categories, building a theoretical model that would represent relationships between the experiences of the stakeholders. Within each of these, different views were compared and contrasted. Key findings A theoretical model was developed that represents the relationships between the experiences of stakeholders involved in a FD for pharmacy technicians; a number of key themes were also found. Firstly, it was established that there was a general lack of awareness of the availability and scope of FDs. While study participants perceived them as valuable qualifications, they reported that often this was not the case within their workplace. FDs were considered demanding qualifications from a pedagogic point of view, as course content had to be continuously updated to reflect changes in practice. They contributed to the personal and professional development of pharmacy technicians and provided skills and knowledge to enable individuals to have more independent roles. Pharmacy technicians’ motivation to acquire skills and knowledge to improve patient care was the main driver for participation in a FD. The new capabilities of pharmacy technicians led to increased aspirations for the development of their role, which were not always fulfilled. Different factors were accountable for this, which merit further research in order to fully describe this phenomenon. Action points As a result of this research, the following action points were undertaken to improve pedagogic practice within the Portsmouth FD in Medicines Management: • Development and implementation of a marketing strategy. • Review and update of the programme syllabus. • Implementation of new approaches to teaching, learning and assessment.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

A Fair and Secure Cluster Formation Process for Ad Hoc Networks

An efficient approach for organizing large ad hoc networks is to divide the nodes into multiple clusters and designate, for each cluster, a clusterhead which is responsible for holding intercluster control information. The role of a clusterhead entails rights and duties. On the one hand, it has a dominant position in front of the others because it manages the connectivity and has access to other node¿s sensitive information. But on the other hand, the clusterhead role also has some associated costs. Hence, in order to prevent malicious nodes from taking control of the group in a fraudulent way and avoid selfish attacks from suitable nodes, the clusterhead needs to be elected in a secure way. In this paper we present a novel solution that guarantees the clusterhead is elected in a cheat-proof manner

Incidencia del síndrome de Burnout en sacerdotes católicos lationamericanos y su relación con la inteligencia emocional

[ES]Burnout es una palabra en inglés que significa “Quemado” o “Desgastado”. Este concepto se ha utilizado cuando una persona se siente agotada de su profesión u ocupación. Es un problema que alcanza tales magnitudes, que ha atraído la atención de los científicos de la conducta humana, quienes han identificado síntomas típicos de esta condición: dificultad para dormir, malestares somáticos (pérdida de peso, dolores de cabeza, perturbaciones gastrointestinales, fatiga crónica, depresión, entre otros). El objetivo de este trabajo ha sido estudiar el grado de burnout en una muestra de 881 sacerdotes católicos latinoamericanos en México, Costa Rica y Puerto Rico. Para su evaluación se utilizó el Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), de Maslach y Jackson (1981). Se encontró que la estructura factorial propuesta por Maslach y Jackson, en el MBI, es válida para abordar el síndrome de burnout en la muestra de sacerdotes católicos latinoamericanos, con sus tres subescalas involucradas: Agotamiento Emocional, Despersonalización y Realización Personal. En esta investigación se ha tomado en cuenta la variable de la Inteligencia Emocional Percibida, encontrándose una relación estadísticamente significativa entre ésta y el síndrome de burnout. Así, los sacerdotes con niveles sanos o intermedios en cuanto al síndrome de desgaste son los que presentan mejores capacidades de “claridad emocional” y de “reparación emocional” en el Test de Inteligencia Emocional TMMS-24, mientras que se da una relación inversa entre ambas pruebas en cuanto a la escala de “atención emocional” del TMMS-24. El propósito de este trabajo ha consistido, por tanto, en fundamentar la necesidad que tienen las personas dedicadas al ministerio sacerdotal de una mayor calidad de vida, por medio de un mejor autoconocimiento y autocuidado, dentro del contexto de sus realidades sociales y eclesiales. Además, se ha pretendido favorecer el desarrollo de un estilo de vida apropiado para enfrentar, de formas más satisfactorias, las probabilidades de “desgaste”, mediante el fortalecimiento de las habilidades y competencias relacionadas con la inteligencia emocional. Lo anterior redundaría en un mejor servicio, por parte de ellos, hacia la sociedad, y en un enriquecimiento de su vida personal. Asimismo, las recomendaciones de este estudio apuntan hacia la urgencia de plantear nuevas estrategias para una mejor pastoral del cuidado de lossacerdotes en el ámbito eclesial.[EN]The Burnout Syndrome can be the consequence from chronic stress, and specifically refers to wearing oneself out in a work environment.“This concept has been used when a person feels exhausted by its profession or occupation. It’s a problem that has reached such magnitude that attracted the attention of behavioral scientists, who have identified the typical symptoms of this condition: sleeping difficulties, somatic disturbances (weight loss, headaches, gastric and intestinal disturbances, chronic fatigue, and depression, among others). The purpose of this work has been to study the degree of burnout within a sample of 881 Latin-American Catholic priests, in Mexico, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico. For its evaluation, the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), designed by Maslach and Jackson (1981), was used. The factorial structure proposed by Maslach and Jackson at the MBI was found to be valid to assess the burnout syndrome in the sample of Latin-American Catholic priests, including each one of its three subscales: Emotional Exhaustion, Depersonalization and Personal Achievement. This study has also taken into account the variable of Perceived Emotional Intelligence, finding a statistically significant relation between this variable and the burnout syndrome. Thus, priests with healthy or medium levels regarding burnout syndrome, are the ones with better capacities for “emotional clarity” and “emotional repairing” in the Treat Meta Mood Scale (TMMS-24), which measures Perceived Emotional Intelligence. Meanwhile, there is an inverse relation between both tests, when it comes to the “emotional attention” scale in the TMMS-24. Finally, the main purpose of this work consisted in setting a base for the necessity, shown by people engaged in priesthood ministry, to achieve a greater quality of life through a better self knowledge and self care, within the context of their social and ecclesial needs. Furthermore, this research study intended to favor the development of an appropriate lifestyle for priests, in order for them to more satisfactorily face the chances of burnout by the strengthening of abilities and competences related to Emotional Intelligence. This would be reflected in a better quality of service offered by priests to society, as well as in the experience of an enriched personal life on their part. Also, the recommendations in this study point out to the urgency of establishing new strategies for a better pastoral care of priests, within the church’s assistance field

Pruebas inmunológicas e inmunohistoquímicas en Medicina Bucal. Parte II

En este segundo artículo sobre las pruebas inmunológicas e inmunohistoquímicas utilizadas en Medicina Bucal, se revisan los métodos de detección de antígenos o anticuerpos específicos de diversas enfermedades no necesariamente autoinmunes, también las técnicas de identificación de linfocitos T o B, los análisis de las funciones efectoras de los linfocitos, las pruebas de inmunotluorescencia y algunos tests diagnósticos específicos

Estudio del rol del Chief Information Officer: muestra de su impacto en la adopción de tecnologías de información

El artículo presenta un estudio del rol del Chief Information Officer (CIO). Su historia, tendencias, y evolución como alto ejecutivo organizacional. Además, expone varios modelos de trabajo que buscan establecer las características asociadas al perfil del CIO como líder, experto en tecnología y estratega del negocio; los cuales se toman como referencia para estudiar el papel actual de estos líderes en el desarrollo de economías sostenibles al gestionar la apropiación de las Tecnologías de Información (TI) como base estratégica de innovación y crecimiento organizacional. &nbsp