Impact of laser attacks on the switching behavior of RRAM devices

The ubiquitous use of critical and private data in electronic format requires reliable and secure embedded systems for IoT devices. In this context, RRAMs (Resistive Random Access Memories) arises as a promising alternative to replace current memory technologies. However, their suitability for this kind of application, where the integrity of the data is crucial, is still under study. Among the different typology of attacks to recover information of secret data, laser attack is one of the most common due to its simplicity. Some preliminary works have already addressed the influence of laser tests on RRAM devices. Nevertheless, the results are not conclusive since different responses have been reported depending on the circuit under testing and the features of the test. In this paper, we have conducted laser tests on individual RRAM devices. For the set of experiments conducted, the devices did not show faulty behaviors. These results contribute to the characterization of RRAMs and, together with the rest of related works, are expected to pave the way for the development of suitable countermeasures against external attacks.Postprint (published version

Anaerobic Speed Reserve, Sprint Force–Velocity Profile, Kinematic Characteristics, and Jump Ability among Elite Male Speed-and Endurance-Adapted Milers

This study aimed to compare sprint, jump performance, and sprint mechanical variables between endurance-adapted milers (EAM, specialized in 1500–3000-m) and speed-adapted milers (SAM, specialized in 800–1500 m) and to examine the relationships between maximal sprint speed (MSS), anaerobic speed reserve (ASR), sprint, jump performance, and sprint mechanical characteristics of elite middle-distance runners. Fifteen participants (8 EAM; 7 SAM) were evaluated to obtain their maximal aerobic speed, sprint mechanical characteristics (force–velocity profile and kinematic variables), jump, and sprint performance. SAM displayed greater MSS, ASR, horizontal jump, sprint performance, and mechanical ability than EAM (p < 0.05). SAM also showed higher stiffness in the 40-m sprint (p = 0.026) and a higher ratio of horizontal-to-resultant force (RF) at 10 m (p = 0.003) and RFpeak (p = 0.024). MSS and ASR correlated with horizontal (r = 0.76) and vertical (r = 0.64) jumps, all sprint split times (r ≤ −0.85), stiffness (r = 0.86), and mechanical characteristics (r ≥ 0.56) during the 100-m sprint, and physical qualities during acceleration (r ≥ 0.66) and sprint mechanical effectiveness from the force–velocity profile (r ≥ 0.69). Season-best times in the 800 m were significantly correlated with MSS (r = −0.86). Sprint ability has a crucial relevance in middle-distance runners’ performance, especially for SA

Load that maximizes power output in countermovement jump

Introduction: One of the main problems faced by strength and conditioning coaches is the issue of how to objectively quantify and monitor the actual training load undertaken by athletes in order to maximize performance. It is well known that performance of explosive sports activities is largely determined by mechanical power. Objective: This study analysed the height at which maximal power output is generated and the corresponding load with which is achieved in a group of male-trained track and field athletes in the test of countermovement jump (CMJ) with extra loads (CMJEL). Methods: Fifty national level male athletes in sprinting and jumping performed a CMJ test with increasing loads up to a height of 16 cm. The relative load that maximized the mechanical power output (Pmax) was determined using a force platform and lineal encoder synchronization and estimating the power by peak power, average power and flight time in CMJ. Results: The load at which the power output no longer existed was at a height of 19.9 ± 2.35, referring to a 99.1 ± 1% of the maximum power output. The load that maximizes power output in all cases has been the load with which an athlete jump a height of approximately 20 cm. Conclusion: These results highlight the importance of considering the height achieved in CMJ with extra load instead of power because maximum power is always attained with the same height. We advise for the preferential use of the height achieved in CMJEL test, since it seems to be a valid indicative of an individual's actual neuromuscular potential providing a valid information for coaches and trainers when assessing the performance status of our athletes and to quantify and monitor training loads, measuring only the height of the jump in the exercise of CMJEL.Actividad Física y Deport

Determinación de los Niveles de Mercurio en Sangre y Plasma de Pacientes con Leucemia

Se desarrollaron metodologías analíticas para la determinación de los niveles de mercurio en muestras de sangre completa y plasma de pacientes con leucemia registrados en el instituto Hematológico de Occidente, Maracaibo, evaluando la concentración total de Hg y sus especies químicas en muestras sanguíneas de los pacientes estudiados (n=34) y de sujetos controles (n=5), a través de HPLC-ICP-MS. El límite de detección obtenido calculado para la determinación de Hg en sangre completa y plasma fue de 1,39 µg HgL-1&nbsp;y el límite de cuantificación fue 1,39 µg HgL-1. Las concentraciones totales de mercurio en sangre y plasma fueron 16,89±8,76 µg HgL-1&nbsp;[8,22-45 µg HgL-1] y 25,77±5,12 µg HgL-1&nbsp;[10,6-40,87µg HgL-1] respectivamente, mientras que para la población control fueron de 25,36±11,4 [10,6-40,87 µg HgL-1] y 74,46±16,09 [64,38-102,82 µg HgL-1]. La media de Hg-S del grupo de los varones evaluado fue 16,08±7,85 µg HgL-1&nbsp;y en las hembras 18,68±10,05 µgL-1, la media de Hg-S en las hembras fue significativamente superior (P&lt;0,05) que la media de Hg-S observada. Los límites de detección para las especies químicas de Hg estudiadas en sangre resultaron: CH3Hg+&nbsp;(0,7 µg HgL-1), Hg+2&nbsp;(0,53 µg HgL-1). Las concentraciones encontradas de Hg+2&nbsp;y CH3Hg+&nbsp;en los pacientes de leucemia en sangre completa y plasma fueron 8,16±1,67 [6,96 – 10,97], 9,85±6,22 µg Hg+2.L-1&nbsp;[6,04 – 20,74], y 11,47±4,33 µg Hg+2.L-1&nbsp;[7,28 – 18,63], 11,28±5,40 [6,24 – 18,63] respectivamente, mientras que para la población control fueron 10,04±3,84 µg Hg+2.L-1&nbsp;[5,41 – 15,86], 12,24±5,76 [6,00 – 21,37] y 33,48±8,62 µg Hg+2.L-1&nbsp;[27,59 – 48,36], 28,44±13,13 [18,25 – 50,23]. &nbsp;Palabras clave: leucemia, mercurio, sangre, plasma. &nbsp; ABSTRACT: In this work, analytical methodologies were developed for the determination of mercury levels in blood and plasma samples of patients with leukemia registered at the Haematological Institute of the West, Maracaibo, evaluating the total concentration of Hg and its chemical species in blood samples from the patients studied (n = 34) and of control subjects (n = 5), by the HPLC-ICP-MS. The calculated limit of detection found for the determination of Hg in blood and plasma was 1.39 μg Hg/L and the limit of quantification was 1.39 μg Hg.L-1. The total mercury concentrations in blood and plasma of 16.89±8.76 μg Hg.L-1&nbsp;[8.22-45 μg Hg.L-1] and 25.77±5.12 μg Hg.L-1&nbsp;[10.6-40.87μg Hg.L-1] respectively and for the control population were 25.3637±11.4 [10.6-40.87 μg Hg.L-1] and 74.46±16.09 [64.38-102.82 μg Hg.L-1]. The mean of Hg-S of the group of males evaluated was 16.08±7.85 µg Hg.L-1, and in females were 18.68±10.05 μg.L-1, the mean of Hg-S in the females was significantly higher (P &lt;0.05) than the mean Hg-S observed. The detection limits for the Hg chemical species studied in blood are: Hg+&nbsp;(0,7 µg Hg.L-1), Hg+2&nbsp;(0,53 µg Hg.L-1). The concentrations found for Hg+2&nbsp;and CH3Hg+&nbsp;in leukemia patients in blood and plasma were 8.16±1.67 [6.96-10.97], 9.85±6.22 μg Hg+2.L-1&nbsp;[6.04-20.74], and 11.47±4.33 μg Hg+2.L-1&nbsp;[7.28-18.63], 11.28±5.40 [6.24-18.63] respectively, while for the control population were 10.04±3.84 μg Hg+2.L-1&nbsp;[5.41-15.86], 12.24±5.76 [6.00-21.37] and 33,48±8.62 μg Hg+2.L-1&nbsp;[27.59-48.36], 28.44±13.13 [18.25-50.23].&nbsp; Key words: leukemia, mercury, blood, plasma

La Robótica como elemento motivador para un proyecto de asignatura en Fundamentos de Computadores

En las metodologías de evaluación continuada es común introducir un proyecto que sirva de eje vertebrador de las prácticas de la asignatura. Dado que la robótica es un campo que suele motivar al alumnado, se introdujo, en Fundamentos de Computadores, una propuesta de trabajo en equipo en la que los estudiantes habían de desarrollar el controlador de un robot. En el artículo se presenta la manera en que cada tema de la asignatura se trata en el proyecto y se analizan los pros y los contras de la experiencia.Peer Reviewe

Blunt traumatic aortic injuries of the ascending aorta and aortic arch: a clinical multicentre study

[Abstract] Objective. To report the clinical and radiological characteristics, management and outcomes of traumatic ascending aorta and aortic arch injuries. Methods. Historic cohort multicentre study including 17 major trauma patients with traumatic aortic injury from January 2000 to January 2011. Results. The most common mechanism of blunt trauma was motor-vehicle crash (47%) followed by motorcycle crash (41%). Patients sustaining traumatic ascending aorta or aortic arch injuries presented a high proportion of myocardial contusion (41%); moderate or greater aortic valve regurgitation (12%); haemopericardium (35%); severe head injuries (65%) and spinal cord injury (23%). The 58.8% of the patients presented a high degree aortic injury (types III and IV). Expected in-hospital mortality was over 50% as defined by mean TRISS 59.7 (SD 38.6) and mean ISS 48.2 (SD 21.6) on admission. Observed in-hospital mortality was 53%. The cause of death was directly related to the ATAI in 45% of cases, head and abdominal injuries being the cause of death in the remaining 55% cases. Long-term survival was 46% at 1 year, 39% at 5 years, and 19% at 10 years. Conclusions. Traumatic aortic injuries of the ascending aorta/arch should be considered in any major thoracic trauma patient presenting cardiac tamponade, aortic valve regurgitation and/or myocardial contusion. These aortic injuries are also associated with a high incidence of neurological injuries, which can be just as lethal as the aortic injury, so treatment priorities should be modulated on an individual basis

Incidence, associated factors and clinical impact of severe infections in a large, multicentric cohort of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the incidence of severe infection and investigate the associated factors and clinical impact in a large systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) retrospective cohort. METHODS: All patients in the Spanish Rheumatology Society Lupus Registry (RELESSER) who meet ?4 ACR-97 SLE criteria were retrospectively investigated for severe infections. Patients with and without infections were compared in terms of SLE severity, damage, comorbidities, and demographic characteristics. A multivariable Cox regression model was built to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) for the first infection. RESULTS: A total of 3658 SLE patients were included: 90% female, median age 32.9 years (DQ 9.7), and mean follow-up (months) 120.2 (±87.6). A total of 705 (19.3%) patients suffered ?1 severe infection. Total severe infections recorded in these patients numbered 1227. The incidence rate was 29.2 (95% CI: 27.6-30.9) infections per 1000 patient years. Time from first infection to second infection was significantly shorter than time from diagnosis to first infection (p < 0.000). Although respiratory infections were the most common (35.5%), bloodstream infections were the most frequent cause of mortality by infection (42.0%). In the Cox regression analysis, the following were all associated with infection: age at diagnosis (HR = 1.016, 95% CI: 1.009-1.023), Latin-American (Amerindian-Mestizo) ethnicity (HR = 2.151, 95% CI: 1.539-3.005), corticosteroids (?10mg/day) (HR = 1.271, 95% CI: 1.034-1.561), immunosuppressors (HR = 1.348, 95% CI: 1.079-1.684), hospitalization by SLE (HR = 2.567, 95% CI: 1.905-3.459), Katz severity index (HR = 1.160, 95% CI: 1.105-1.217), SLICC/ACR damage index (HR = 1.069, 95% CI: 1.031-1.108), and smoking (HR = 1.332, 95% CI: 1.121-1.583). Duration of antimalarial use (months) proved protective (HR = 0.998, 95% CI: 0.997-0.999). CONCLUSIONS: Severe infection constitutes a predictor of poor prognosis in SLE patients, is more common in Latin-Americans and is associated with age, previous infection, and smoking. Antimalarials exerted a protective effect.Spanish Foundation of Rheumatology. FIS/ISCIII (grant number PI11/02857). Dr. Pego-Reigosa is supported by Grant 316265 (BIOCAPS) from the European Union 7th Framework Programme (FP7/REGPOT-2012–2013.1)

Desenvolupament d'interfícies HW per a FPGA des de Matlab

Aquest projecte consisteix en el desenvolupament d'estructures hardware digitals, sintetitzables sobre FPGA i realitzades des d'un entorn gràfic de disseny a nivell de sistema (alt nivell). S'ha escollit el Simulink (entorn gràfic que treballa sobre el software matemàtic Matlab de Mathworks) com a entorn de disseny, i que gràcies a la interfície proporcionada per Altera (DSPBuilder) és capaç de generar codi VHDL sintetitzable. Concretament ens centrarem en la gestió d'un sistema capturador d'imatges de comptadors del cabal d'aigua, en el qual volem fer la caracterització del comptador. Aquest capturador consta bàsicament d'un sensor d'imatge i una FPGA. En aquesta caracterització el que es pretén es ajustar els diferents paràmetres del sistema per fer que la lectura sigui òptima per a cada model de comptador que existeixen al mercat, com ara l'exposició del sensor, el guany d'un color, la realització d'un filtrat de la imatge, etc.Este proyecto consiste en el desarrollo de estructuras hardware digital, sintetizable en una FPGA y realizado desde un entorno de programación gráfico a nivel de sistema (de alto nivel). Se ha escogido el Simulink (entorno gráfico que trabaja sobre el software matemático Matlab de Mathworks) como entorno de diseño y que gracias a la interfície proporcionada por Altera (DSPBuilder) que es capaz de generar código VHDL sintetizable. En concreto el proyecto se centrará en la gestión de un sistema capturador de imágenes de contadores del caudal de agua, y lo que se pretende es hacer la caracterización de los contadores. Este dispositivo capturador consta básicamente de un sensor de imagen y de una FPGA. Lo que se pretende con la caracterización es ajustar los diferentes parámetros del sistema para hacer que la lectura sea lo más óptima posible para cada modelo de contador que existe en el mercado. Como parámetros a modificar tenemos la exposición del sensor, la ganancia de un color, el filtrado de la imagen, etc...This project consists in the development of digital Hardware structures that can be synthetist in an FPGA a designed with a high level environment like the Simulink of Matlab, all due to a toolbox called DSPBuilder from Altera. This project will be centered in the management of system that make captures of images water flow meters, and make the characterization of the flow meters. This device consists basically in an image sensor and a FPGA. What is wanted with the characterization is to fit the different parameters from the system to cause that the reading of the digits of the flow meter is most optimal possible for each model that exists in the market. As parameters to modify we have the exhibition of the sensor, the gain of a color, the filtrate of the image…Nota: Aquest document conté originàriament altre material i/o programari només consultable a la Biblioteca de Ciència i Tecnologia

Caracterització hídrica dels parcs de Barcelona : informe final

Sol·licitant de l’informe: Barcelona Cicle de l'Aigua, S.A