SoWaF: Shuffling of Weights and Feature Maps: A Novel Hardware Intrinsic Attack (HIA) on Convolutional Neural Network (CNN)

Security of inference phase deployment of Convolutional neural network (CNN) into resource-constrained embedded systems (e.g., low-end FPGAs) is a growing research area. Using secure practices, third-party FPGA designers can be provided with no knowledge of initial and final classification layers. In this work, we demonstrate that hardware intrinsic attack (HIA) in such a “secure” design is still possible. Proposed HIA is inserted inside mathematical operations of individual layers of CNN, which propagates erroneous operations in all the subsequent CNN layers that lead to misclassification. The attack is non-periodic and completely random; hence it becomes difficult to detect. Five different attack scenarios with respect to each CNN layer are designed and evaluated based on the overhead resources and the rate of triggering in comparison to the original implementation. Our results for two CNN architectures show that in all the attack scenarios, additional latency is negligible (<0.61%), increment in DSP, LUT, FF is also less than2.36%. Three attack scenarios do not require any additional BRAM resources, while in two scenarios BRAM increases, which compensates with the corresponding decrease in FF and LUTs. To the authors’ best knowledge this work is the first to address the hardware intrinsic CNN attack where the attacker does not have knowledge of the full CNN

Upgrading and Qualification of a Turbulent Heat Transfer Test Facility

The Turbulent Heat Transfer Test Facility (THTTF) has been refurbished and the data acquisition system upgraded. The THTTF is now controlled by a LabView 4.1 program which replaces the old program in BASIC. Heat transfer data acquired using this new program is presented as Stanton number distributions. The new data set is compared to previously reported data obtained with this facility and other wellepted published data. This project has successfully qualified the THTTF for zero-pressure gradient, isothermal wall temperature, incompressible boundary-layer flow over smooth flat plates without transpiration. The THTTF is now set to accommodate modifications which will facilitate heat transfer investigations with high freestream turbulence

Penalties and liquidated damages in a changing world: rethinking the common law position

Why did Antonio agree to give Shylock a pound of his flesh in the Merchant of Venice? Why was Shylock unable to get his pound of flesh? Parties to a contract are allowed to determine their obligations but cannot freely determine the consequences of breach in the event of nonperformance. Such is the paradox in the law of obligations. Virtually every modern contract contains a liquidated damages clause and common law jurisdictions strive to ensure that such clauses do not offend the rule against penalties. This paper examines the principle of contractual freedom within the narrower context of liquidated damages and penalty clauses. It revisits the principles of the law of penalties as expounded in the classic case of Dunlop Pneumatic Tyre Co. Ltd v. New Garage & Motor Co. Ltd, and considers how well they have fared after a century. In making this evaluation, particular attention is paid to English, Australian and Nigerian law. There are issues thrown up by the rigid dichotomy between liquidated damages and penalties and the extent to which commercial partners can negotiate around them. As commercial contracts become more complex and multi-jurisdictional, clarity, certainty and security of transactions have become more fundamental to commercial dealings. This article finds that the dichotomy between penalty and liquidated damages has not only become irrelevant, it also undermines these fundamentals. Arguments made in favour of the dichotomy are self-defeating and confusing. Judicial attempts to bring the penalty rule in consonance with commercial realities also come with problems of their own. Therefore, an abolition of the dichotomy is advocated. This article proposes that in place of the existing unjustifiable paternalistic approach, all agreed damages should be prima facie valid, subject to clear cases of unequal bargaining power and economic oppression. Keywords: Penalties; liquidated damages; genuine estimate; commercial justification

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Radar Obstacle Detection Systems when Used on Industrial Lift Trucks

This study addresses the application and the effectiveness of radar obstacle sensors for forklift trucks during reverse travel. Two different discriminating radar obstacle sensors with different outputs are evaluated. This study reviews the safety of human exposure to emissions from these radar sensors; documents the field of view obtained from experiments with the two systems; gives the results from experiments with sensors on lift trucks. The influence of obstacle reflectivity, composition and area on the size and shape of the radar detection zone are discussed. An experimental setup for measuring position and velocity of the obstacle crossing the truck path is described. The combination of obstacle sensors required for full coverage of the back of the lift trucks and the mounting height and angle are discussed

Effects of Persea americana leaf extracts on body weight and liver lipids in rats fed hyperlipidaemic diet

The effects of aqueous and methanolic leaf extracts of Persea americana on body weight and liver lipids in rats were studied. Male albino rats were fed a modified diet containing 0.5% cholesterol and0.25% cholic acid to provoke hyperlipidaemia. The hyperlipidaemic rats were given 10 mg/kg body weight of either aqueous or methanolic extract of P. americana leaf daily for 8 weeks. There were nosignificant differences (p>0.05) in the overall body weight gain of the hyperlipidaemic rats compared to normal control. However, the administration of the aqueous and methanolic extracts provoked 14 and25% reduction, respectively, in the body weight gain of the treated rats compared to the hyperlipidaemic control. Mean liver weights were markedly increased (

Alternative Approach to Policing in Nigeria: Analyzing the Need to Redefine Community Policing in Tackling the Nation’s Security Challenges

By 2004, Nigeria joined the league of countries operating community policing to address its gamut of security problems including ethno-religious conflicts, banditry, economic terrorism, among others, which had already attracted public acrimony and condemnation against the civilian government. Indeed, the practice of community policing in Nigeria is fraught with many contradictions, which have hitherto deepened the nation’s frustration in forging appropriate path to safeguard the security of lives and property in the face of growing security threats. The study examines the general philosophy of community policing and how it is operated in Nigeria with the aim of identifying various areas of deficiency in the implementation of the concept. In fulfilling the objectives of this study, we explore conceptual definition of community policing, dissect community policing as alternative security option, examine community policing practice in Nigeria and recommend ways through which it can meet the nation’s security needs

Alterations in the histology of the prostate of Sprague-Dawley rats treated with oxytocin

Background: The role of oxytocin in female reproductive system has been well studied. Very little is known about the long-term administration of  oxytocin in prostatic tissues. This study aimed to assess the histological effects of prolonged administration of exogenous oxytocin on prostate in the  male Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods: Twenty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing between 180-250g were randomly distributed into four groups A, B, C and D of five rats each. Group A served as the control while groups B to D were the treated groups. Oxytocin was administered intramuscularly two days per week at the doses  of 1, 2 and 3 IU/kg/b.w. to groups B, C and D respectively while 0.5ml of physiologic saline was administered to the control. The treatment was carried out  over a period of 8 weeks (one spermatogenic cycle). At the end of study, blood was collected for testosterone assay and the prostate was also  harvested for histological procedure. Result: Result showed significant decrease in the prostatic weight of all the treated groups. However, testosterone significantly increased in group D and  the histology revealed moderate to severe stroma fibrosis, high vascularization with vascular congestion which was due to severe infiltration of  inflammatory cells in a dose dependent manner. Conclusion: Prolonged administration of exogenous oxytocin could led to a decrease in prostatic weight. Hence, clinician prescribing oxytocin for the treatment of oligozoospermia should be conscious of the risk of exogenous oxytocin in inducing prostatic disorders.&nbsp

Ameliorative effects of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius on anaemia and osmotic fragility induced by proteinenergy malnutrition

This study was designed to evaluate the ameliorative effect of dietary supplementation of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius leaf on anaemia and changes in erythrocyte osmotic fragility in protein energymalnourished rats. Protein energy malnutrition has been associated with anaemia and changes in osmotic fragility, deformability and lifespan of erythrocytes. In this study, protein-energy malnutritioninduced in weanling male Wister rats by feeding them low protein diet for 3 weeks was associated with significantly reduced (