Abstract

Software Defined Networking (SDN) becomes a de facto standard for the future Internet. SDN decouples the control plane from the data plane of a proprietary network asset to ensure better programmability and security for designing more innovative future network applications. Presently, the SDN framework does not have proper access control mechanism among different entities, namely SDN applications, SDN controllers and switches. To achieve this goal, this paper proposes a blockchain-based access control scheme for the SDN framework. The proposed scheme has the capability to resist various wellknown attacks and alleviate the existing single point of controller failure issue in SDN. Index Terms—software-defined networking, blockchain, consensus, security, access control.

Abstract

Most of the popular explanations of the observed anomalies in the semileptonic B-meson decays involve TeV scale Leptoquarks (LQs). Among the various possible LQ models, two particular LQs—S1(3, 1, 1/3) and U1(3, 1, 2/3) seem to be most promising. Here, we use current LHC data to constrain the S1(3, 1, 1/3) and U1(3, 1, 2/3) parameter spaces relevant for the RD(∗) observables. We recast the latest ATLAS τ τ resonance search data to obtain new exclusion limits. For this purpose, we consider both resonant (pair and single productions) and non-resonant (t-channel LQ exchange) productions of these LQs at the LHC. For the limits, the most dominant contribution comes from the (destructive) interference of the nonresonant production with Standard Model backgrounds. The combined contribution from the pair and inclusive single production processes Mandal et al (JHEP, 07:028, 2015, [1]) is less prominent but non-negligible. The limits we get are independent and competitive to other known bounds. For both the models, we set limits on RD(∗) motivated couplings Mandal et al (Phys Rev D 99(5):055028, 2019, [2]), Bhaskar et al (Phys Rev D 104(3):035016, 2021, [3]).

Abstract

Synopsis: Angle recession, trabecular meshwork injury, increased trabecular pigmentation, and reduced Schlemm’s canal dimensions can cause reduced aqueous outflow and unilateral glaucoma in an eye, following blunt trauma. Also, these patients are possibly at a risk to develop raised intraocular pressure (IOP) in the normal fellow eye due to reduced Schlemm’s canal area. Aim: To identify and quantitatively evaluate Schlemm’s canal (SC) parameters by anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) in the patients with unilateral 360° angle recession glaucoma (ARG) and compare with the fellow normal eyes and age-related normal control. Materials and methods: Six patients with a history of unilateral ocular blunt trauma and unilateral 360° ARG, normal fellow eyes and 34 agematched normal controls underwent anterior chamber angle imaging with corneal line scan protocol using AS-OCT. Schlemm’s canal crosssectional area (SC-CSA) and meridional and coronal diameters were measured on temporal and nasal sections at 3 and 9 o’clock positions. Results: In the AS-OCT cross-sectional images, SC was observed as a horizontally oval or ellipsoidal translucent space. The mean SC-CSA (1,710 ± 376.1 μm2 vs 6,100 ± 2,700 μm2 , p < 0.0001), mean meridional diameter (243.6 ± 55.47 μm vs 474 ± 125.6 μm, p < 0.0001), and mean coronal diameter (32.68 ± 6.27 μm vs 57.42 ± 16.27 μm, p < 0.0001) of the SC were smaller in ARG eyes when compared with the normal eyes. The SC dimensions were reduced in the untraumatized fellow eyes of ARG patients when compared with the normal eyes (SC-SCA: 2350 ± 602.1 μm2 , p = 0.001, meridional diameter: 341.8 ± 88.8 μm, p = 0.012 and coronal diameter: 31.67 ± 3.8 μm, p < 0.0001). There was no difference in the measured SC dimensions between the ARG eyes and the normal fellow eyes. Conclusion: The reduced SC parameters in the eyes with unilateral 360° ARG and the normal fellow eyes could mean that these patients probably have an underlying structural abnormality in the SC. Trabecular meshwork injury, angle recession, and increased trabecular pigmentation are probably the predisposing factors in the ARG eyes for the increase in IOP. Whether the normal fellow eyes develop IOP rise in the future needs to be seen during regular follow-up. Keywords: Angle recession glaucoma, Anterior segment optical coherence tomography, Schlemm’s canal.

Abstract

he presence of switching/evolving topologies of the power system. In today’s smart grids, switching topologies often arise from reconfiguration and resilience against faults or from switching among different control ar

Abstract

Reliable guidance of fixed-wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) is challenging, as their high maneuverability exposes them to several dynamical changes and parametric uncertainties. Reliability of state-of-the-art guidance methods is often at stake, as these methods heavily rely on precise UAV course dynamics, assumed in a decoupled first-order form with known time constant. To improve reliability of guidance for fixed-wing UAVs, this work proposes a novel vector field law that can handle uncertain course time constant and state-dependent uncertainty in the course dynamics arising from coupling. Stability is studied in the Lyapunov framework, while reliability of the proposed method is tested on a software-in-the loop UAV simulator. The simulations show that, in the presence of such uncertainty, the proposed method outperforms the standard vector field approaches.

Abstract

Ribonucleotide:protein interactions play crucial roles in a number of biological processes. Unlike the RNA:protein interface where van der Waals contacts are prevalent, the recognition of a single ribonucleotide such as ATP by a protein occurs predominantly through hydrogen-bonding interactions. As a first step toward understanding the role of hydrogen bonding in ribonucleotide:protein recognition, the present work employs density functional theory to provide a detailed quantum-mechanical analysis of the structural and energetic characteristics of 18 unique hydrogen-bonded pairs involving the nucleobase/nucleoside moiety of four canonical ribonucleotides and the side chains of three polar amino-acid residues (arginine, glutamine, and glutamic acid) of proteins. In addition, we model five new pairs that are till now not observed in crystallographically identified ribonucleotide:protein complexes but may be identified in complexes crystallized in the future. We critically examine the characteristics of each pair in its ribonucleotide:protein crystal structure occurrence and (gas phase and water phase) optimized intrinsic structure. We further evaluated the interaction energy of each pair and characterized the associated hydrogen bonds using a number of quantum mechanics-based relationships including natural bond orbital analysis, quantum theory atoms in molecules analysis, Iogansen relationships, Nikolaienko−Bulavin−Hovorun relationships, and noncovalent interaction−reduced density gradient analysis. Our analyses reveal rich variability in hydrogen bonds in the crystallographic as well as intrinsic structure of each pair, which includes conventional O/N−H···N/O and C−H···O hydrogen bonds as well as donor/acceptor-bifurcated hydrogen bonds. Further, we identify five combinations of nucleobase and amino acid moieties; each of which exhibits at least two alternate (i.e., multimodal) structures that interact through the same nucleobase edge. In fact, one such pair exhibits four multimodal structures; one of which

Abstract

Scientific results have revealed that autophagy is able to promote cell survival in response to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, while drastic events result in apoptotic cell death. Here, we analyse the important crosstalk of life-and-death decisions from a systems biological perspective by studying the regulatory modules of the unfolded protein response (UPR). While a double-negative loop between autophagy and apoptosis inducers is crucial for the switch-like characteristic of the stress response mechanism, a positive feedback loop between ER stress sensors is also essential. Corresponding to experimental data, here, we show the dynamical significance of Gadd34-CHOP connections inside the PERK branch of the UPR. The multiple system-level feedback loops seem to be crucial for managing a robust life-and-death decision depending on the level and durability of cellular stress.

Abstract

The following corrections should be made to the original paper: In the “Eflow Estimation Based on Hydrological and Hydraulic Factors” subsection of the “Results and Discussion” section: • In the sentence beginning with “Hydrological Eflow recommendations for maintaining good health over the Yamuna River were estimated to lie between 986.4 and 2,959.3 m3=s,” “986.4 and 2,959.3 m3=s” should be replaced with “27.9 m3=s (986.4 ft3=s) and 83.8 m3=s (2,959.3 ft3=s).” • In the sentence published as, “The minimum Eflow to be maintained in the river during the dry season is 3,945.7 m3=s for the Yamuna and 5.8 m3=s for the Bhadra,” “3,945.7 m3=s” should be replaced with “111.7 m3=s (3,945.7 ft3=s).” In the Supplemental Data: • In Table S3, the values in the columns under “Eflow of Yamuna River (m3=s)” are updated. The published paper contained values in ft3=s, which are retained in brackets. The values of Eflow are converted to m3=s as shown in the revised Table S3. • In Table S5, the “Yamuna” column under “Recommended Eflow (m3=s)” contains values in ft3=s in the published paper. The values of flow are converted in m3=s as shown in the revised Table S5. The values in ft3=s are retained in brackets. • In Fig. S2(a), the y-axis label of “Discharge (cumecs)” should be replaced with “Discharge (cusecs).” The corrected Fig. S2 is provided in the Supplemental Data. In the subsection “Yamuna River (Delhi Segment)” under the section “Description of Study Regions,” “Uttaranchal” should become “Uttarakhand.” In Fig. 2(a), the labels for Drains 15 and 16 should be interchanged. The revised figure is provided herein.

Abstract

This paper proposes a system for monitoring of condition and surface of roads in developing countries like India. This system will be used by government agencies to monitor municipal activities like road laying and planning. The system utilizes a database created by geo-citizens or government workers as an input. The heavy machinery in existing systems is not an optimized solution to this problem. Some existing systems use GPS and accelerometer data for determining such artifacts. So, it is evident that there is a need for a system that generates robust, frequent and accountable geo-tagged data. We propose a new collaborative model for such a purpose by fusion of data from multiple sensors hosted on smart-phones of several active geo-citizens. The system focuses mainly on volunteered geographic information, in which users can use their respective smart-phones to collect the data required and upload it for further analysis. The server side of the system infuses this data into a PostGIS database and displays the road condition on a near real-time basis over a WebGIS. The strength of a good visualization in imparting insight to decision-makers is widely recognized. We advance the paper by assessing procured road data and displaying it in an easy to understand format. In addition to visualization, the WebGIS component also provides for timeline analysis of changes in road conditions, which may help in the improved management of road infrastructure.

Abstract

Across the world billions of dollars of damage are attributed to rodents, resulting in them being classified collectively as the biggest animal pest in the world. At a commercial scale most pest control companies employ the labour intensive approach of deploying and manually monitoring rodenticide bait stations. In this paper was present, RatSpy, a visual, low-power bait station monitoring system which wirelessly reports both on bait station levels and intruders entering the bait station. The smart bait stations report data back to a custom designed cloud platform. The system performance was evaluated under realistic field conditions (on an active cattle farm) with initial results showing significant potential in terms of reducing manual labour, improving scalability and data.