Securing state reconstruction under sensor and actuator attacks: Theory and design

This paper discusses the problem of reconstructing the state of a linear time invariant system when some of its actuators and sensors are compromised by an adversarial agent. In the model considered in this paper, the adversarial agent attacks an input (output) by manipulating its value arbitrarily, i.e., we impose no constraints (statistical or otherwise) on how control commands (sensor measurements) are changed by the adversary other than a bound on the number of attacked actuators and sensors In the first part of this paper, we introduce the notion of sparse strong observability and we show that is a necessary and sufficient condition for correctly reconstructing the state despite the considered attacks. In the second half of this work, we propose an observer to harness the complexity of this intrinsically combinatorial problem, by leveraging satisfiability modulo theory solving. Numerical simulations illustrate the effectiveness and scalability of our observer

Palladium(II) Complexes Containing Mixed Nitrogen-Sulphur Donor Ligands: Interaction of [Pd(Methionine Methyl Ester)(H 2

Pd(MME)Cl2 complex (MME = methionine methyl ester) was synthesised and characterized by physicochemical measurements. The reaction of [Pd(MME)(H2O)2]2+ with amino acids, peptides, or dicarboxylic acids was investigated at 25°C and 0.1 M ionic strength. Amino acids and dicarboxylic acids form 1 : 1 complexes. Peptides form both 1 : 1 complexes and the corresponding deprotonated amide species. The stability of the complexes formed was determined and the binding centres of the ligands were assigned. Effect of solvent on the stability constant of Pd(MME)-CBDCA complex, taken as a representative example, shows that the complex is more favoured in a medium of low dielectric constant. The concentration distribution diagrams of the complexes were evaluated

Equilibrium Studies of Binary and Ternary Complexes of Cycloserine

The complex-formation equilibria between copper(II), nickel(II), cobalt(II) and zinc(II) and cycloserine (n-s-amino-Svtsoxazolidone, C3H602N2)were investigated potentimetrically. It was found that cycloserine forms 1: 1 and 1: 2 (metal ion: ligand)complexes. The ternary complex of Cu" with nitrilotriacetic acid and cycloserine was investigated potentiometrically and spectrophotometrically. The probable bonding in the chelated compounds formed in aqueous solution was deduced. The formation constants follow the Irving- Williams series

Association between Low Adiponectin Level and Cardiovascular Complications in Diabetic and non Diabetic Patients with End Stage Renal Disease

Introduction: Adiponectin is a collagen-like protein synthesized by adipose tissue that has anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic properties. We aimed to evaluate adiponectin levels in end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with and without diabetes mellitus and its relation to the presence of cardiovascular complications (CVC). Methods: The study included 20 healthy subjects who served as controls (group I), 20 non-diabetic ESRD patients without CVC (group IIA), 20 non-diabetic ESRD patients with CVC (group IIB), 20 diabetic ESRD patients without CVC (group IIIA) and 20 diabetic ESRD patients with CVC (group IIIB). Evaluation included mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), body mass index (BMI), fasting plasma glucose, fasting plasma insulin, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), lipid profile, and serum adiponectin levels. Results: Adiponectin level in the control group was 6.4±1.2 mcg/ml, and was significantly lower than both group II and III (

A Framework for Evaluating Security in the Presence of Signal Injection Attacks

Sensors are embedded in security-critical applications from medical devices to nuclear power plants, but their outputs can be spoofed through electromagnetic and other types of signals transmitted by attackers at a distance. To address the lack of a unifying framework for evaluating the effects of such transmissions, we introduce a system and threat model for signal injection attacks. We further define the concepts of existential, selective, and universal security, which address attacker goals from mere disruptions of the sensor readings to precise waveform injections. Moreover, we introduce an algorithm which allows circuit designers to concretely calculate the security level of real systems. Finally, we apply our definitions and algorithm in practice using measurements of injections against a smartphone microphone, and analyze the demodulation characteristics of commercial Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADCs). Overall, our work highlights the importance of evaluating the susceptibility of systems against signal injection attacks, and introduces both the terminology and the methodology to do so.Comment: This article is the extended technical report version of the paper presented at ESORICS 2019, 24th European Symposium on Research in Computer Security (ESORICS), Luxembourg, Luxembourg, September 201

Rectus Fascia Sling for the Treatment of Total Urethral Incontinence in Males

Objectives: Urinary incontinence in patients with neurological disease is a major health problem. A modified rectus fascial sling has been assessed in incontinent male patients.Patients and Methods: Fourteen adult male patients with total incontinence due to neurogenic or post-traumatic and etiology were included in this study. A rectangular rectus sheath flap was harvested and defatted.The flap was placed around the bulbar urethra and sutures were passed both in front of and behindthe pubic bone. Both sutures on each sidewere tied to each other over the pubic bone.Results: Of the 14 patients, 9 (64.3%) were completely dry, 3 (21.4%) reported improved continence, while 2 (14.3 %) were a failure. In total, 71.4% of the patients showed significant improvement using the Incontinence Quality of Life (IQoL) questionnaire. A significantdecrease in the number of pads used per day of 61.3 % (

Rolled vaginal wall flap for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence

Objectives: Anterior vaginal wall slings (AVWS) have been used for decades in the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The main drawback of using the vaginal wall as a sling is its tendency to weaken and stretch over the course of years. The use of synthetic tapes for the treatment of SUI is effective but costly. For patients who cannot afford synthetic tapes, we describe the preliminary results of a modified AVWS technique for the treatment of SUI types II and III.Patients and Methods: In this series, a modification of the AVWS was applied in 35 female patients with SUI. A fortified and rolled flap is used to provide compression and support of the urethra. The vaginal mucosal surface of the flap is cauterized and two diagonal sutures are placedacross it. The flap is then rolled on itself with a running 2/0 vicryl suture. Two sutures attached to both ends are passed retropubically to the anterior abdominal wall and tied over the rectus sheath.Results: All 35 female patients had type II/III SUI. After a median follow up of 43 months, 91% of the patients were dry or used 0-1 pad per day. Only one patient suffered from transient retention for one week post-operatively.Conclusion: This is a simple method to reinforce vaginal wall flaps. It could offer a durable and effective option for the treatment of SUI in patients who can not afford synthetic tapes. Long-term follow up is required to evaluate the durability of the procedur

Synthesis and thermodynamics of the reactions of [Pd(Eten)(H2O)2]2+ with ligands of biological significane with reference to the antitumour activity

Pd(Eten)Cl2  complex, where Eten = N-ethylethylenediamine , was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic techniques. The stoichiometry and stability of the complexes formed between [Pd(Eten)(H2O)2]2+ and various biologically relevant ligands  as adenine, adenosine, adenosine-5’-monophosphate  and some selected peptides  were investigated at 25ºC and 0.1 M ionic strength. The speciation diagrams of the complexes formed in solutions are evaluated. Thermodynamic parameters for Pd(Eten)-glycylglycine complexes were estimated

Immunohistochemical expression of interleukin 8 in skin biopsies from patients with inflammatory acne vulgaris

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to evaluate the immunohistochemical (IHC) expression of interleukin 8 (IL-8) in skin biopsies of inflammatory acne vulgaris (IAV) in an attempt to understand the disease pathogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 58 biopsies, 29 from lesional IAV and 29 normal non lesional sites were immunostained for IL-8. The intensity of staining was evaluated in the epidermis and dermis and was scored as mild, moderate and severe. The expression was correlated with the clinical grade, disease course and histological changes. RESULTS: IL-8 immunoreactivity was expressed in lesional IAV compared to non lesional skin biopsies (p < 0.001). Increased expression was significantly associated with epidermal hyperplasia and follicular hyperkeratosis (p < 0.001). In addition, the more pronounced IL-8 expression of the dermal endothelial cells and neutophilic inflammatory infiltrate correlated with dermal angiogenesis and the extent of dermal inflammatory response (p < 0.001). Moreover, increased dermal immunoreactivity paralleled progressive course (p = 0.02) but not the duration of the disease. CONCLUSION: We were able to demonstrate altered immunoreactivity of IL-8 in IAV compared to normal skin. Targeted therapy to block IL-8 production may hold promise in limiting the deleterious effects of IL-8-mediated inflammatory response and angiogenesis