Self-Stabilizing Byzantine Resilient Topology Discovery and Message Delivery

Traditional Byzantine resilient algorithms use $2f + 1$ vertex disjoint paths to ensure message delivery in the presence of up to f Byzantine nodes. The question of how these paths are identified is related to the fundamental problem of topology discovery. Distributed algorithms for topology discovery cope with a never ending task, dealing with frequent changes in the network topology and unpredictable transient faults. Therefore, algorithms for topology discovery should be self-stabilizing to ensure convergence of the topology information following any such unpredictable sequence of events. We present the first such algorithm that can cope with Byzantine nodes. Starting in an arbitrary global state, and in the presence of f Byzantine nodes, each node is eventually aware of all the other non-Byzantine nodes and their connecting communication links. Using the topology information, nodes can, for example, route messages across the network and deliver messages from one end user to another. We present the first deterministic, cryptographic-assumptions-free, self-stabilizing, Byzantine-resilient algorithms for network topology discovery and end-to-end message delivery. We also consider the task of r-neighborhood discovery for the case in which $r$ and the degree of nodes are bounded by constants. The use of r-neighborhood discovery facilitates polynomial time, communication and space solutions for the above tasks. The obtained algorithms can be used to authenticate parties, in particular during the establishment of private secrets, thus forming public key schemes that are resistant to man-in-the-middle attacks of the compromised Byzantine nodes. A polynomial and efficient end-to-end algorithm that is based on the established private secrets can be employed in between periodical re-establishments of the secrets

Self-stabilizing algorithms for Connected Vertex Cover and Clique decomposition problems

In many wireless networks, there is no fixed physical backbone nor centralized network management. The nodes of such a network have to self-organize in order to maintain a virtual backbone used to route messages. Moreover, any node of the network can be a priori at the origin of a malicious attack. Thus, in one hand the backbone must be fault-tolerant and in other hand it can be useful to monitor all network communications to identify an attack as soon as possible. We are interested in the minimum \emph{Connected Vertex Cover} problem, a generalization of the classical minimum Vertex Cover problem, which allows to obtain a connected backbone. Recently, Delbot et al.~\cite{DelbotLP13} proposed a new centralized algorithm with a constant approximation ratio of $2$ for this problem. In this paper, we propose a distributed and self-stabilizing version of their algorithm with the same approximation guarantee. To the best knowledge of the authors, it is the first distributed and fault-tolerant algorithm for this problem. The approach followed to solve the considered problem is based on the construction of a connected minimal clique partition. Therefore, we also design the first distributed self-stabilizing algorithm for this problem, which is of independent interest

Risk management framework for build, operate and transfer (BOT) projects in Kuwait

Successful implementation of build-operate-transfer (BOT), infrastructure projects is dependent on a full and thorough analysis of factors that include social, economic and political, amongst others. Alongside the financially focused evaluations, qualitative factors will also have a strong impact on the project and so require specific techniques for the analysis. This paper presents a new evaluation framework, based on the analytical hierarchy process technique, for use in assessing the most common and significant decision factors relating to risks in BOT projects. Consultations with an expert group identified a series of risk decision factors. The results produced twenty-eight critical Risk Factors, which have a particular impact on the risks of BOT projects. The project risk framework was constructed by classifying the factors into five categories. The framework was successfully validated using a BOT project case study. This research seeks to make a valuable contribution to the field by having developed and validated a new risk evaluation framework, focused on BOT projects in Kuwait

Frequency selective surfaces on flexible thin plastic substrates

The capability of the flexible substrate of the frequency selective surface (FSS) to filter out particular frequency is discussed in this paper. A new type of FSS are applied using flexible thin plastic substrate to enhance the performance of the conventional FSS that lacks of flexibility and cannot be used in bending surface. A simulation based investigation shows that the diameter or length of the square has a significant effect on the band-stop selective characteristic of the FSS. The frequency response of the band-stop are at 2.45GHz that drop at -10dB

The Link between Genetic Factors in Children with Febrile Convulsions Appearance

The aim of this research paper is to reflect the link between genetic factors and presenting children with febrile convulsions.Keywords: febrile seizures, genetic factor, the pediatric clinic

Diagnostic and prognostic role of TFF3, Romo-1, NF-кB and SFRP4 as biomarkers for endometrial and ovarian cancers: a prospective observational translational study

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate trefoil factor 3 (TFF3), secreted frizzled-related protein 4 (sFRP4), reactive oxygen species modulator 1 (Romo1) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) as diagnostic and prognostic markers of endometrial cancer (EC) and ovarian cancer (OC). Methods: Thirty-one patients with EC and 30 patients with OC undergone surgical treatment were enrolled together with 30 healthy controls in a prospective study. Commercial ELISA kits determined serum TFF-3, Romo-1, NF-кB and sFRP-4 concentrations. Results: Serum TFF-3, Romo-1 and NF-кB levels were significantly higher in patients with EC and OC than those without cancer. Regarding EC, none of the serum biomarkers differs significantly between endometrial and non-endometrioid endometrial carcinomas. Mean serum TFF-3 and NF-кB levels were significantly higher in advanced stages. Increased serum levels of TFF-3 and NF-кB were found in those with a higher grade of the disease. Regarding OC, none of the serum biomarkers differed significantly among histological subtypes. Significantly increased serum levels of NF-кB were observed in patients with advanced-stage OC than those with stage I and II diseases. No difference in serum biomarker levels was found between those who had a recurrence and those who had not. The sensibility and specificity of these four biomarkers in discriminating EC and OC from the control group showed encouraging values, although no one reached 70%. Conclusions: TFF-3, Romo-1, NF-кB and SFRP4 could represent new diagnostic and prognostic markers for OC and EC. Further studies are needed to validate our results

Impact of yeast-fermented soybean waste on broiler growth and carcass quality

This study evaluated the effects of supplementing broiler diets with yeast-fermented soybean waste on growth performance and carcass characteristics. Ninety-nine three-week- old Ross-308 broiler chickens were assigned to three dietary groups: T1 (control diet), T2 (basal diet with fermented soybean waste without yeast), and T3 (basal diet with yeast- fermented soybean waste). From weeks 3 to 6, the fermented soybean waste either with yeast (T3) or without (T2) replaced 50% of the conventional soybean meal in the diet. At the end of the study, the chickens were slaughtered and analysed. Results indicated that final live body weight was similar (P > 0.05) between chickens on the yeast-fermented diet (T3) and those on the control diet (T1), while chickens on the non-yeast-fermented diet (T2) showed a significantly lower final body weight (P < 0.05) than the control group. By week 6, the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in both the T2 and T3 groups compared to the control. Notably, chickens on the T3 diet had significantly heavier breasts, drumsticks, and wings (P < 0.05) than those on the control diet. Overall, the inclusion of yeast-fermented soybean waste in broiler diets demonstrated potential as a partial substitute for soybean meal during the grower phase, offering a viable strategy to support sustainable and efficient protein sources in poultry production

On Thin Flexible Wideband Printed Antenna for Sub-6 GHz Wearable Applications

Abstract Body Area Networks (BANs) have gained significant popularity in recent years, leading to a substantial rise in the demand for wearable antennas. Printed antenna on the flexible substrate can be an excellent choice for wearable since it can be used as a smart garment (i.e. shirt, T-shirt, or jacket). Unlike rigid antennas, the fabrication and measurement procedures for wearable antennas are particularly critical and sensitive. In BANs, the presence of the human body presents another significant challenge such as structural deformation (like bending). This paper has provided an overview of the fabrication process and measurement considerations for printed flexible wearable antenna. It also compared these antennas with conventional copper tape antenna across all aspects. Bending deformation of the printed antenna is performed as well to ensure the antenna's functionality under such circumstances.Abstract Body Area Networks (BANs) have gained significant popularity in recent years, leading to a substantial rise in the demand for wearable antennas. Printed antenna on the flexible substrate can be an excellent choice for wearable since it can be used as a smart garment (i.e. shirt, T-shirt, or jacket). Unlike rigid antennas, the fabrication and measurement procedures for wearable antennas are particularly critical and sensitive. In BANs, the presence of the human body presents another significant challenge such as structural deformation (like bending). This paper has provided an overview of the fabrication process and measurement considerations for printed flexible wearable antenna. It also compared these antennas with conventional copper tape antenna across all aspects. Bending deformation of the printed antenna is performed as well to ensure the antenna's functionality under such circumstances