SAFIUS - A secure and accountable filesystem over untrusted storage

We describe SAFIUS, a secure accountable file system that resides over an untrusted storage. SAFIUS provides strong security guarantees like confidentiality, integrity, prevention from rollback attacks, and accountability. SAFIUS also enables read/write sharing of data and provides the standard UNIX-like interface for applications. To achieve accountability with good performance, it uses asynchronous signatures; to reduce the space required for storing these signatures, a novel signature pruning mechanism is used. SAFIUS has been implemented on a GNU/Linux based system modifying OpenGFS. Preliminary performance studies show that SAFIUS has a tolerable overhead for providing secure storage: while it has an overhead of about 50% of OpenGFS in data intensive workloads (due to the overhead of performing encryption/decryption in software), it is comparable (or better in some cases) to OpenGFS in metadata intensive workloads.Comment: 11pt, 12 pages, 16 figure

Tuning phase-stability and short-range order through Al-doping in (CoCrFeMn)100-xAlx high entropy alloys

For (CoCrFeMn)$_{100-x}$Al$_{x}$ high-entropy alloys, we investigate the phase evolution with increasing Al-content (0 $\le$ x $\le$ 20 at.%). From first-principles theory, the Al-doping drives the alloy structurally from FCC to BCC separated by a narrow two-phase region (FCC+BCC), which is well supported by our experiments. We highlight the effect of Al-doping on the formation enthalpy and electronic structure of (CoCrFeMn)$_{100-x}$Al$_{x}$ alloys. As chemical short-range order (SRO) in multicomponent alloys indicates the nascent local order (and entropy changes), as well as expected low-temperature ordering behavior, we use thermodynamic linear-response within density-functional theory to predict SRO and ordering transformation and temperatures inherent in (CoCrFeMn)$_{100-x}$Al$_{x}$. The predictions agree with our present experimental findings, and other reported ones.Comment: 27 pages, 9 figures, 1 tabl

An Estimation of Distribution Improved Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm

PSO is a powerful evolutionary algorithm used for finding global solution to a multidimensional problem. Particles in PSO tend to re-explore already visited bad solution regions of search space because they do not learn as a whole. This is avoided by restricting particles into promising regions through probabilistic modeling of the archive of best solutions. This paper presents hybrids of estimation of distribution algorithm and two PSO variants. These algorithms are tested on benchmark functions having high dimensionalities. Results indicate that the methods strengthen the global optimization abilities of PSO and therefore, serve as attractive choices to determine solutions to optimization problems in areas including sensor networks

Car Traffic Sign Annunciator

Automatic detection and recognition of traffic signs is an essential part of automated driver assistance systems which contribute to the safety of the drivers, pedestrians and vehicles. This paper presents the advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) based on Raspberry pi for traffic sign detection, recognition and annunciation. Such a system presents a vital support for driver assistance in an intelligent automotive. The proposed algorithm is implemented in a real time embedded system using OpenCV library. Proposed method introduced a new method for detection and recognition of traffic signs. Firstly, Potential traffic signs regions are detected by colour segmentation method, then classified using HOG features and a linear SVM classifier to identify the traffic sign class. The proposed system shows good recognition rate under complex challenging lighting and weather conditions. Experimental results on the accuracy of the road sign detection are reported in this paper

Probabilistic Performance Index based Contingency Screening for Composite Power System Reliability Evaluation

Composite power system reliability involves assessing the adequacy of generation and transmission system to meet the demand at major system load points. Contingency selection was being the most tedious step in reliability evaluation of large electric systems. Contingency in power system might be a possible event in future which was not predicted with certainty in earlier research. Therefore, uncertainty may be inevitable in power system operation. Deterministic indices may not guarantee the randomness in reliability assessment. In order to account for volatility in contingencies, a new performance index proposed in the current research. Proposed method assimilates the uncertainty in computational procedure. Reliability test systems like Roy Billinton Test System-6 bus system and IEEE-24 bus reliability test systems were used to test the effectiveness of a proposed method

Functional and radiological outcome of comminuted shaft of humerus fracture treated by dynamic compression plate

Background: Humeral shaft fractures represents between 3% and 5% of all fractures of which a certain number of patients require surgical intervention. This study aims to determine the efficacy of dynamic compression plate in the treatment of humeral shaft fractures.Methods: A prospective study was carried out over a period of 2 years in Sri Ramachandra Medical College, Chennai including 30 cases of shaft of humerus fractures treated by open reduction and internal fixation using Dynamic Compression plate among which both comminuted and segmental closed shaft of humerus fractures were included. While open fractures and ipsilateral forearm and clavicle fractures were excluded. AO classification was used to classify the fractures and the average follow up period was two years. The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) shoulder score and Romen al series grading were used.Results: We had 93.3% excellent/good result and 6.7% poor results. In our series we had one non-union, one delayed union and one case of deep infection.Conclusions: Proper preoperative planning, minimal soft tissue dissection, strict asepsis, proper postoperative rehabilitation and patient education were essential to obtain excellent results. Early post-operative mobilization following rigid fixation of the fracture of humerus, with DCP lowered the incidence of stiffness and sudecks dystrophy

Neural Network Based Classification of Road Pavement Structures

Roads have formed the basic infrastructure of commerce since flints and other tools and artifacts were first exchanged along the trade routes of prehistory. Roadways are very large, in volume, in extent, and in value. They also wear out, and their useful life is directly proportional to their initial strength and inversely proportional to the number of heavy goods vehicles using them. Therefore, the increasing complexity of road transportation needs advanced techniques for effective design of pavements. This paper proposes an intelligent technique using neural networks to classify different types of road pavement structures, which is essential in estimating bearing capacities and load equivalency factors of pavements under different loadings

Effect of Spacing and Pruning on Growth, Yield and Quality of Cv. Deanna Fig (Ficus carica L.)

The effects of tree spacing (5x2m, 5x2.5m, 5x3m, 5x3.5m and 5x4m) and pruning (8 buds/cane, 6 buds/cane and 4 buds/cane) on vegetative growth, physiological parameters, fruit yield and quality were studied in fig (Ficus carica L.) cv. Deanna in the 3rd and 4th year of its growth during the period 2010-12. It was observed that with increase in tree spacing, growth parameters like leaf number, shoot length, internode length, tree-spread, tree height and tree circumference, along with fruit yield both in terms of fruit number and fruit weight per tree, declined gradually under different pruning levels. Increase in pruning level from 8 buds/cane to 4 buds/cane resulted in increased leaf number, shoot length and internode length. Yield characters, viz., fruit number/tree, fruit weight/tree, fruit number/hectare and fruit weight/hectare were marginally influenced by pruning. However, interaction effects of pruning and spacing were found to be non-significant. Consistently declining trends in photosynthesis rate and stomatal conductance, along with increase in leaf water potential value were observed with increase in spacing. Effects of spacing were more conspicuous than those of pruning. Best results for maintenance of vigour and fruit yield were observed under a spacing of 5x2m or 5x2.5m, and 4 buds/cane pruning. Although there was reduction in average fruit size under closer spacing when compared to wide spacing, fruit quality attributes like TSS and acidity were not affected by various treatments. Effects of closer spacing on growth and yield parameters were more pronounced in the 3rd year as compared to the 4th year, showing better response to treatments in young trees. Fruit yield calculated on per hectare basis showed highest fruit number of 116500-133750 and 274500-299500, and fruit weight of 54.5-62.0 and 158.77- 173.30 quintals/ha, respectively, during the 3rdand 4th year of planting under closer spacing of 5x2m and 4 buds/cane pruning

Synthesis and characterization of pure and Co-doped gallium nitride nanocrystals

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