Analysis of electronic and telematic voting systems in binding experiences

This paper is about analysis and assess of three experiences on telematic and electronic voting dealing with such aspects as security and achievement of the social requirements. These experiences have been chosen taking into account the deepness of the public documentation and the technological challenge they faces.

Analysis of electronic and telematic voting systems in binding experiences.

This paper is about analysis and assess of three experiences on telematic and electronic voting dealing with such aspects as security and achievement of the social requirements. These experiences have been chosen taking into account the deepness of the public documentation and the technological challenge they faces.

Study of an electronic steering antenna with a staggered phase shifter configuration

This paper presents a study of three possible solutions that can be taken into account to control the phase shift between elements in an antenna array. Because commercial digital phase shifters have become a strategic element by U.S. Government, these elements have increased their price. For this reason, it is necessary to adopt some solutions that allow us to deal with the design and construction of antenna arrays.

Assessment of interatomic potentials for atomistic analysis of static and dynamic properties of screw dislocations in W

Screw dislocations in bcc metals display non-planar cores at zero temperature which result in high lattice friction and thermally-activated strain rate behavior. In bcc W, electronic structure molecular statics calculations reveal a compact, non-degenerate core with an associated Peierls stress between 1.7 and 2.8 GPa. However, a full picture of the dynamic behavior of dislocations can only be gained by using more efficient atomistic simulations based on semiempirical interatomic potentials. In this paper we assess the suitability of five different potentials in terms of static properties relevant to screw dislocations in pure W. Moreover, we perform molecular dynamics simulations of stress-assisted glide using all five potentials to study the dynamic behavior of screw dislocations under shear stress. Dislocations are seen to display thermally-activated motion in most of the applied stress range, with a gradual transition to a viscous damping regime at high stresses. We find that one potential predicts a core transformation from compact to dissociated at finite temperature that affects the energetics of kink-pair production and impacts the mechanism of motion. We conclude that a modified embedded-atom potential achieves the best compromise in terms of static and dynamic screw dislocation properties, although at an expense of about ten-fold compared to central potentials.

Using Electronic Documents for Knowledge Acquisition and Model Maintenance

Knowledge acquisition and model maintenance are key problems in knowledge engineering to improve the productivity in the development of intelligent systems. Although historically a number of technical solutions have been proposed in this area, the recent experience shows that there is still an important gap between the way end-users describe their expertise and the way intelligent systems represent knowledge. In this paper we propose an original way to cope with this problem based on electronic documents. We propose the concept of intelligent document processor as a tool that allows the end-user to read/write a document explaining how an intelligent system operates in such a way that, if the user changes the content of the document, the intelligent system will react to these changes. The paper presents the structure of such a document based on knowledge categories derived from the modern knowledge modeling methodologies together with a number of requirements to be understandable by end-users and problem solvers.

KATS: A Knowledge Acquisition Tool Based on Electronic Document Processing

This paper describes a particular knowledge acquisition tool for the construction and maintenance of the knowledge model of an intelligent system for emergency management in the field of hydrology. This tool has been developed following an innovative approach directed to end-users non familiarized in computer oriented terminology. According to this approach, the tool is conceived as a document processor specialized in a particular domain (hydrology) in such a way that the whole knowledge model is viewed by the user as an electronic document. The paper first describes the characteristics of the knowledge model of the intelligent system and summarizes the problems that we found during the development and maintenance of such type of model. Then, the paper describes the KATS tool, a software application that we have designed to help in this task to be used by users who are not experts in computer programming. Finally, the paper shows a comparison between KATS and other approaches for knowledge acquisition.

A tool for the automatic analysis of single events effects on electronic circuits

Nowadays integrated circuit reliability is challenged by both variability and working conditions. Environmental radiation has become a major issue when ensuring the circuit correct behavior. The required radiation and later analysis performed to the circuit boards is both fund and time expensive. The lack of tools which support pre-manufacturing radiation hardness analysis hinders circuit designers tasks. This paper describes an extensively customizable simulation tool for the characterization of radiation effects on electronic systems. The proposed tool can produce an in depth analysis of a complete circuit in almost any kind of radiation environment in affordable computation times.

Symmetry in chemistry from the hydrogen atom to proteins

The last 2 decades have seen discoveries in highly excited states of atoms and molecules of phenomena that are qualitatively different from the “planetary” model of the atom, and the near-rigid model of molecules, characteristic of these systems in their low-energy states. A unified view is emerging in terms of approximate dynamical symmetry principles. Highly excited states of two-electron atoms display “molecular” behavior of a nonrigid linear structure undergoing collective rotation and vibration. Highly excited states of molecules described in the “standard molecular model” display normal mode couplings, which induce bifurcations on the route to molecular chaos. New approaches such as rigid–nonrigid correlation, vibrons, and quantum groups suggest a unified view of collective electronic motion in atoms and nuclear motion in molecules.

Electronic reserves: copyright and permissions

Electronic reserves present a new service option for libraries to provide needed materials during hours that the library is not open and to user groups located some distance from library collections. Possible changes to current copyright law and publishers permissions policies have delayed the development of electronic reserves in many libraries. This paper reviews the current state of electronic reserves materials in the publishing and library communities and presents the results of a survey of publishers to determine permissions policies for electronic materials. Issues of concern to both libraries and publishers are discussed.

Restriction fragment length polymorphism-coupled domain-directed differential display: a highly efficient technique for expression analysis of multigene families.

In this paper, a reverse-transcriptase PCR-based protocol suitable for efficient expression analysis of multigene families is presented. The method combines restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) technology with a gene family-specific version of mRNA differential display and hence is called "RFLP-coupled domain-directed differential display. "With this method, expression of all members of a multigene family at many different developmental stages, in diverse tissues and even in different organisms, can be displayed on one gel. Moreover, bands of interest, representing gene family members, are directly accessible to sequence analysis, without the need for subcloning. The method thus enables a detailed, high-resolution expression analysis of known gene family members as well as the identification and characterization of new ones. Here the technique was used to analyze differential expression of MADS-box genes in male and female inflorescences of maize (Zea mays ssp. mays). Six different MADS-box genes could be identified, being either specifically expressed in the female sex or preferentially expressed in male or female inflorescences, respectively. Other possible applications of the method are discussed.

Pollutant Formation During the Thermal Decomposition of Electrical and Electronic Wastes

Paper submitted to the 7th International Symposium on Feedstock Recycling of Polymeric Materials (7th ISFR 2013), New Delhi, India, 23-26 October 2013.

An Electronic Reconfigurable Neural Architecture for Intrusion Detection

The explosive growth of the traffic in computer systems has made it clear that traditional control techniques are not adequate to provide the system users fast access to network resources and prevent unfair uses. In this paper, we present a reconfigurable digital hardware implementation of a specific neural model for intrusion detection. It uses a specific vector of characterization of the network packages (intrusion vector) which is starting from information obtained during the access intent. This vector will be treated by the system. Our approach is adaptative and to detecting these intrusions by using a complex artificial intelligence method known as multilayer perceptron. The implementation have been developed and tested into a reconfigurable hardware (FPGA) for embedded systems. Finally, the Intrusion detection system was tested in a real-world simulation to gauge its effectiveness and real-time response.

Co-encapsulation of enzymes and antibodies for chemical deactivation of pathogens on paper

Le papier bioactif est obtenu par la modification de substrat du papier avec des biomolécules et des réactifs. Ce type de papier est utilisé dans le développement de nouveaux biocapteurs qui sont portables, jetables et économiques visant à capturer, détecter et dans certains cas, désactiver les agents pathogènes. Généralement les papiers bioactifs sont fabriqués par l’incorporation de biomolécules telles que les enzymes et les anticorps sur la surface du papier. L’immobilisation de ces biomolécules sur les surfaces solides est largement utilisée pour différentes applications de diagnostic comme dans immunocapteurs et immunoessais mais en raison de la nature sensible des enzymes, leur intégration au papier à grande échelle a rencontré plusieurs difficultés surtout dans les conditions industrielles. Pendant ce temps, les microcapsules sont une plate-forme intéressante pour l’immobilisation des enzymes et aussi assez efficace pour permettre à la fonctionnalisation du papier à grande échelle car le papier peut être facilement recouvert avec une couche de telles microcapsules. Dans cette étude, nous avons développé une plate-forme générique utilisant des microcapsules à base d’alginate qui peuvent être appliquées aux procédés usuels de production de papier bioactif et antibactérien avec la capacité de capturer des pathogènes à sa surface et de les désactiver grâce à la production d’un réactif anti-pathogène. La conception de cette plate-forme antibactérienne est basée sur la production constante de peroxyde d’hydrogène en tant qu’agent antibactérien à l’intérieur des microcapsules d’alginate. Cette production de peroxyde d’hydrogène est obtenue par oxydation du glucose catalysée par la glucose oxydase encapsulée à l’intérieur des billes d’alginate. Les différentes étapes de cette étude comprennent le piégeage de la glucose oxydase à l’intérieur des microcapsules d’alginate, l’activation et le renforcement de la surface des microcapsules par ajout d’une couche supplémentaire de chitosan, la vérification de la possibilité d’immobilisation des anticorps (immunoglobulines G humaine comme une modèle d’anticorps) sur la surface des microcapsules et enfin, l’évaluation des propriétés antibactériennes de cette plate-forme vis-à-vis l’Escherichia coli K-12 (E. coli K-12) en tant qu’un représentant des agents pathogènes. Après avoir effectué chaque étape, certaines mesures et observations ont été faites en utilisant diverses méthodes et techniques analytiques telles que la méthode de Bradford pour dosage des protéines, l’électroanalyse d’oxygène, la microscopie optique et confocale à balayage laser (CLSM), la spectrométrie de masse avec désorption laser assistée par matrice- temps de vol (MALDI-TOF-MS), etc. Les essais appropriés ont été effectués pour valider la réussite de modification des microcapsules et pour confirmer à ce fait que la glucose oxydase est toujours active après chaque étape de modification. L’activité enzymatique spécifique de la glucose oxydase après l’encapsulation a été évaluée à 120±30 U/g. Aussi, des efforts ont été faits pour immobiliser la glucose oxydase sur des nanoparticules d’or avec deux tailles différentes de diamètre (10,9 nm et 50 nm) afin d’améliorer l’activité enzymatique et augmenter l’efficacité d’encapsulation. Les résultats obtenus lors de cette étude démontrent les modifications réussies sur les microcapsules d’alginate et aussi une réponse favorable de cette plate-forme antibactérienne concernant la désactivation de E. coli K-12. La concentration efficace de l’activité enzymatique afin de désactivation de cet agent pathogénique modèle a été déterminée à 1.3×10-2 U/ml pour une concentration de 6.7×108 cellules/ml de bactéries. D’autres études sont nécessaires pour évaluer l’efficacité de l’anticorps immobilisé dans la désactivation des agents pathogènes et également intégrer la plate-forme sur le papier et valider l’efficacité du système une fois qu’il est déposé sur papier.

Smart electricity grids: A very slow deployment in the EU. Egmont Paper No. 74, February 2015

Summary. The European electricity sector will have to deal with a huge challenge in the decades to come. On the one hand, electrical power is increasingly substituted for other forms of energy. It has been forecast that electricity demand will increase in the future (notably because of new needs in transport and heat sectors), although it is currently stagnant, mainly because of the economic crisis. Unless a major alternative energy source is discovered, electricity will become the central energy pillar in the long term. On the other hand, electricity production remains uncertain and will depend on numerous factors: the growth of renewable energy and decentralized energy, the renewal of old power generation capacities, increased external dependency, CO2 charges, etc. This increases the demand for electricity networks that are more reliable, more efficient, and more flexible. Europe’s current electricity networks are ageing, and, as already indicated by the International Energy Agency, many of them will need to be modernized or replaced in the decades to come. Finally, the growing impact of energy trading also needs to be taken into account. These considerations explain the need to modernize the electric grid through various ICT means. This modernization alone may allow the grid to become more flexible and interactive, to provide real time feedback, more adaptation to a fluctuating demand, and finally to reduce the global electricity costs. The paper begins with a description of the EU definition of the term ‘smart grid’ (§ 1) and of the body in charge of advising the Commission (§ 2). The EU legal framework applicable to smart grids is also detailed (§ 3). It is a rather complex domain, connected to various regulations. The paper then examines three critical factors in the development of smart grids (and smart meters as a precondition). Standardization is quite complex, but absolutely essential (§ 4). Innovation is not easily put into action (§ 5). Finally, as digital insecurity has worsened dramatically in recent years, the security of electricity networks, and especially their multiplied electronic components, will become increasingly important (§ 6). Lastly, the paper provides a concise overview of the progress of smart grids in the EU in recent years (§ 7). In a nutshell, the conclusion is that progress is quite slow, many obstacles remain, and, given the appearance of many new regulatory problems, it would be useful to organize a review of the present EU strategy.