Key Size Research Articles

Population size, HIV prevalence, and antiretroviral therapy coverage among key populations in sub-Saharan Africa: collation and synthesis of survey data, 2010–23

Key population HIV programmes in sub-Saharan Africa require epidemiological information to ensure equitable and universal access to effective services. We aimed to consolidate and harmonise survey data among female sex workers, men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, and transgender people to estimate key population size, HIV prevalence, and antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage for countries in mainland sub-Saharan Africa. Key population size estimates, HIV prevalence, and ART coverage data from 39 sub-Saharan Africa countries between 2010 and 2023 were collated from existing databases and verified against source documents. We used Bayesian mixed-effects spatial regression to model urban key population size estimates as a proportion of the gender-matched, year-matched, and area-matched population aged 15-49 years. We modelled subnational key population HIV prevalence and ART coverage with age-matched, gender-matched, year-matched, and province-matched total population estimates as predictors. We extracted 2065 key population size data points, 1183 HIV prevalence data points, and 259 ART coverage data points. Across national urban populations, a median of 1·65% (IQR 1·35-1·91) of adult cisgender women were female sex workers, 0·89% (0·77-0·95) were men who have sex with men, 0·32% (0·31-0·34) were men who injected drugs, and 0·10% (0·06-0·12) were women who were transgender. HIV prevalence among key populations was, on average, four to six times higher than matched total population prevalence, and ART coverage was correlated with, but lower than, the total population ART coverage with wide heterogeneity in relative ART coverage across studies. Across sub-Saharan Africa, key populations were estimated as comprising 1·2% (95% credible interval 0·9-1·6) of the total population aged 15-49 years but 6·1% (4·5-8·2) of people living with HIV. Key populations in sub-Saharan Africa experience higher HIV prevalence and lower ART coverage, underscoring the need for focused prevention and treatment services. In 2024, limited data availability and heterogeneity constrain precise estimates for programming and monitoring trends. Strengthening key population surveys and routine data within national HIV strategic information systems would support more precise estimates. UNAIDS, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and US National Institutes of Health.

Memory architecture to mitigate side channel attacks for cryptographic application using loop cut technique

Cryptography is crucial in embedded systems for safeguarding sensitive information, maintaining data integrity, and facilitating secure communication. L1 cache memory enhances overall performance by temporarily storing cryptographic keys. Post-quantum cryptography (PQC) focuses on creating algorithms that stay secure even against quantum computing threats. However, PQC doesn't fully protect against side-channel attacks (SCA). As IoT devices like wearable health monitors and industrial sensors become more widespread, the demand for lightweight cryptography increases to balance security with resource constraints. Yet, lightweight cryptography can face challenges, including reduced security and increased susceptibility to SCA due to smaller key sizes. Attackers can exploit power consumption patterns through side-channel attacks (SCA), such as Power Analysis, to extract these secret keys. Once a key is compromised, encrypted data becomes vulnerable. In cloud computing cache side-channel attacks take advantage of multiple virtual machines running simultaneously on the same hardware, enabling them to extract sensitive information from encryption processes. Although many SRAM cells have been designed in the literature, none offer complete security against SCA. This paper presents a new architecture for secure cache memory using a proposed 10T SRAM cell that secures all three cell operations (read, write, and hold) against SCA attacks. Additionally, this architecture also prevents half selection issue in cache memory. The security measure of proposed-10T cell is 97.19 % which is highest among all other cells and reliability measure is 82.03 %.The cell also offers highest hold stability of 421 mV along with good read stability and write ability of 220 mV and 334 mV respectively. The leakage of Proposed-10T cell is also less i.e., 13.56 pA. The Performance and Security Factor (PSF) is computed for all considered cells, encompassing various performance and security metrics. The normalized PSF (PSF)N of the Proposed-10T cell is 2.17, the highest among all cells considered for comparison. Therefore, the Proposed-10T cell architecture is fully secure against SCA and achieves better performance during cell operations.

Security Analysis of the BB84 Protocol in IoT Networks

The Internet of Things (IoT) has experienced rapid growth, resulting in a proliferation of interconnected devices in domains such as smart homes, cities, and healthcare applications. Ensuring secure communication within IoT networks is crucial for protecting privacy and data. The BB84 protocol, a quantum key distribution (QKD) protocol, shows promise in enhancing IoT communication security. This paper presents a comprehensive security analysis of the BB84 protocol in IoT networks, examining key aspects including entropy, execution time, quantum bit error rate (QBER), and cryptographic key generation efficiency. The analysis aims to evaluate the protocol's resilience against potential attacks and its suitability for securing IoT communications. We delve into the evaluation of entropy levels in the key generation process to ensure strong cryptographic properties. We also examine the correlation between execution time and QBER to determine the protocol's efficiency and ability to counter timing-based attacks. Additionally, we analyze the efficiency of the keys generated by the BB84 protocol, taking into consideration factors such as key size, generation rate, and computational overhead. These evaluations allow us to assess the protocol's suitability for resource-constrained IoT devices

Secure Patient Data Monitoring and Efficient Routing Optimization using a Hyperelliptic Curve Cryptography with Fuzzy-based Priority in WBSN

Aims and Background: Wireless Body Sensor Network (WBSN) technology is one of the major research areas in the medical and entertainment industries. A wireless sensor network (WSN) is a dense sensor network that senses environmental conditions, processes, and outgoing data at the sink node. A WBSN develops patient monitoring systems that provide the flexibility and mobility needed to monitor patient health. In data communications, it is difficult to find flexible optical routing paths, switching capabilities, and packet processing in the composition of optical networks. Information-centric networks (ICNs) are a new network model and are different from information- centric models. The priority of the information-centric model is the communication network. Objectives: In the existing literature, such methods are typically developed using computationally expensive procedures, such as bilinear pairing, elliptic curve operations, etc., which are unsuitable for biomedical devices with limited resources. Using the concept of hyperelliptic curve cryptography (HECC), we propose a new solution: a smart card-based two-factor mutual authentication scheme. In this new scheme, HECC’s finest properties, such as compact parameters and key sizes, are utilized to enhance the real-time performance of an IoT-based TMIS system. Methodology: A fuzzy–based Priority Aware Data Sharing (FPADS) method is introduced to schedule the priority data and monitor the transmission length. The child node adjusts the transmission speed of the cluster head with the help of a fuzzy logic controller (FLC). Results: The proposed model estimated the traffic load of the child node and the priority of the different amounts of data to be transmitted. The principle of scheduling data packets to be developed is based on the precedence of the data with the lowest transmit length in the network. Conclusion: The proposed FPADS performance increases in terms of scheduling time utilisation, traffic distribution, and mean delay. Simulations have been done using NS2, and the outcomes have shown that the proposed methodology is efficient and improves the overall QoS of the system.

HCFAIUN: A novel hyperelliptic curve and fuzzy extractor-based authentication for secure data transmission in IoT-based UAV networks

IoT-based UAV networks comprise interconnected UAVs outfitted with sensors and microcontrollers to simplify data exchange in environments such as smart cities. In light of open-access communication landscapes, IoT-based UAV networks could pose security challenges, encompassing authentication vulnerabilities and the inadvertent disclosure of location and other confidential information to unauthorised parties. Henceforth, we have proposed a lightweight and secure authentication protocol: Hyperelliptic Curve and Fuzzy Extractor based Authentication in IoT-based UAV networks (HCFAIUN) leveraging Hyperelliptic Curve Cryptography(HCC), Fuzzy Extractor (FE), XOR operations and hash functions. HCC's maximum key size is 80 bits, differing from the 160-bit requirement of the elliptic curve, making it apt for UAVs with limited resources. The proposed scheme utilises biometrics traits of users to avoid exposing data from stealing smart devices using FE. This protocol facilitates the mutual authentication of users and UAVs, allowing them to exchange a session key for secure communication. The Hyperelliptic Curve (HC) scalar multiplication protects the user's private key from attackers, even in public channels. The obfuscation identity of the user and UAVs generated through the hash function and timestamp makes the external user and UAV anonymous. The efficacy of this proposed framework is examined using the Scyther verification tool and Random oracle model-based formal analysis, and informal analysis is also discussed, which validates its robustness against well-known potential physical and logical attacks. The performance analysis shows that the HCFAIUN scheme has lower computation, communication, and storage costs, i.e., 3.832 ms and 1456 bits and 1128 bits, respectively, compared to existing schemes.

Algebraic Structures and Their Applications in Modern Cryptography

Modern cryptography relies heavily on the principles of algebraic structures to ensure the security and integrity of data. This paper explores the fundamental algebraic structures that underpin contemporary cryptographic systems, including groups, rings, fields, and lattices. We provide a detailed examination of how these structures are employed in various cryptographic algorithms and protocols, such as public-key cryptography, digital signatures, and hash functions. an overview of basic algebraic concepts and their properties, followed by an in-depth analysis of their applications in cryptographic schemes. For instance, the use of elliptic curve groups in Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) offers enhanced security with smaller key sizes compared to traditional systems like RSA. Similarly, lattice-based cryptography presents promising solutions for post-quantum security, leveraging the hardness of lattice problems to resist attacks by quantum computers. the role of algebraic structures in the development of advanced cryptographic techniques, such as homomorphic encryption, which allows computations on encrypted data without decryption, and zero-knowledge proofs, which enable the verification of information without revealing the information itself. Through these examples, we illustrate the critical importance of algebraic structures in achieving robust and efficient cryptographic systems.

HAETAE: Shorter Lattice-Based Fiat-Shamir Signatures

We present HAETAE (Hyperball bimodAl modulE rejecTion signAture schemE), a new lattice-based signature scheme. Like the NIST-selected Dilithium signature scheme, HAETAE is based on the Fiat-Shamir with Aborts paradigm, but our design choices target an improved complexity/compactness compromise that is highly relevant for many space-limited application scenarios. We primarily focus on reducing signature and verification key sizes so that signatures fit into one TCP or UDP datagram while preserving a high level of security against a variety of attacks. As a result, our scheme has signature and verification key sizes up to 39% and 25% smaller, respectively, compared than Dilithium. We provide a portable, constanttime reference implementation together with an optimized implementation using AVX2 instructions and an implementation with reduced stack size for the Cortex-M4. Moreover, we describe how to efficiently protect HAETAE against implementation attacks such as side-channel analysis, making it an attractive candidate for use in IoT and other embedded systems.

Investigating the effect of key size, typing angle, and typing technique of virtual keyboard on typing productivity, biomechanics, and usability in a mixed reality environment

This study investigates the effects of key sizes, typing angles, and typing techniques on typing productivity, biomechanics (muscle activity), and subjective experience with a mixed reality keyboard. The findings suggest that using smaller key sizes, such as 16 mm, may not be suitable due to slower typing speed, lower accuracy, lower user experience, higher muscle activity, and higher motion sickness. Typing with both index fingers results in the highest typing speed while using only a single index finger provides higher accuracy. Placing the keyboard at eye height leads to the highest typing speed, as participants can easily view the keys and the virtual environment simultaneously. However, typing accuracy is not affected by typing angle and typing technique. Implementing these findings on the virtual keyboard design could potentially benefit workers’ productivity and decrease errors in the mixed reality environment.

CSI-Otter: isogeny-based (partially) blind signatures from the class group action with a twist

In this paper, we construct the first provably-secure isogeny-based (partially) blind signature scheme. While at a high level the scheme resembles the Schnorr blind signature, our work does not directly follow from that construction, since isogenies do not offer as rich an algebraic structure. Specifically, our protocol does not fit into the linear identification protocol abstraction introduced by Hauck, Kiltz, and Loss (EUROCYRPT’19), which was used to generically construct Schnorr-like blind signatures based on modules such as classical groups and lattices. Consequently, our scheme is provably secure in the random oracle model (ROM) against poly-logarithmically-many concurrent sessions assuming the subexponential hardness of the group action inverse problem. In more detail, our blind signature exploits the quadratic twist of an elliptic curve in an essential way to endow isogenies with a strictly richer structure than abstract group actions (but still more restrictive than modules). The basic scheme has public key size 128 B and signature size 8 KB under the CSIDH-512 parameter sets—these are the smallest among all provably secure post-quantum secure blind signatures. Relying on a new ring variant of the group action inverse problem (rGAIP\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\ extsf{rGAIP}$$\\end{document}), we can halve the signature size to 4 KB while increasing the public key size to 512 B. We provide preliminary cryptanalysis of rGAIP\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$${\ extsf{rGAIP}} $$\\end{document} and show that for certain parameter settings, it is essentially as secure as the standard GAIP\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\ extsf{GAIP}$$\\end{document}. Finally, we show a novel way to turn our blind signature into a partially blind signature, where we deviate from prior methods since they require hashing into the set of public keys while hiding the corresponding secret key—constructing such a hash function in the isogeny setting remains an open problem.

A Secure Image Encryption Scheme Based on a New Hyperchaotic System and 2D Compressed Sensing.

In insecure communication environments where the communication bandwidth is limited, important image data must be compressed and encrypted for transmission. However, existing image compression and encryption algorithms suffer from poor image reconstruction quality and insufficient image encryption security. To address these problems, this paper proposes an image-compression and encryption scheme based on a newly designed hyperchaotic system and two-dimensional compressed sensing (2DCS) technique. In this paper, the chaotic performance of this hyperchaotic system is verified by bifurcation diagrams, Lyapunov diagrams, approximate entropy, and permutation entropy, which have certain advantages over the traditional 2D chaotic system. The new 2D chaotic system as a pseudo-random number generator can completely pass all the test items of NIST. Meanwhile, this paper improves on the existing 2D projected gradient (2DPG) algorithm, which improves the quality of image compression and reconstruction, and can effectively reduce the transmission pressure of image data confidential communication. In addition, a new image encryption algorithm is designed for the new 2D chaotic system, and the security of the algorithm is verified by experiments such as key space size analysis and encrypted image information entropy.

Assessing Acceptability of Biodegradable Contraceptive Implants in Kenya and Senegal.

Contraceptive implants are popular in Africa, but barriers to removal exist. Biodegradable implants (BDIs) offer an alternative to the need for removal. This study explored potential user, provider, and other stakeholder perspectives on 2 BDI prototypes, revealing opportunities and challenges for introduction. We conducted focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews (IDIs) with women, men, family planning (FP) providers, community influencers, and FP policymakers and program staff in Kenya and Senegal. Characteristics of the 2 BDI prototypes were shared, and participants held and interacted with placebo prototypes. Structural coding was used to analyze the data focused on key product attributes, including biodegradation, removal potential, size, material, insertion site, and duration of effectiveness. We conducted 16 FGDs and 35 IDIs with 106 participants in Kenya and 15 FGDs and 43 IDIs with 102 participants in Senegal. Overall, respondents liked the idea of a BDI, noting the avoidance of pain and scarring and reduced transport and costs as benefits of no removal requirement. Kenyan respondents expressed greater understanding of the biodegradation process than those in Senegal, though potential users in both countries expressed concerns about possible side effects associated with the process. In Senegal, mention of cholesterol in a BDI caused concern, while Kenyan participants responded positively to the same BDI being composed of organic materials. The second BDI product was viewed as more similar to existing implants, which providers preferred. Participants suggested increasing the pregnancy protection duration beyond 18 months. No clear preference between products emerged, and participants liked and disliked some characteristics of both. Kenyan and Senegalese participants expressed interest in the BDI concept but expressed some reservations related to biodegradation, material, and side effects. BDIs offer the opportunity to expand contraceptive choice. However, messaging around product characteristics will be required for successful introduction and uptake.

Shear mechanism of UHPC epoxied‐keyed joints in PSUBs: Experimental and numerical investigations

AbstractPrecast segmental ultra‐high‐performance concrete bridge presents broad application prospects. UHPC keyed joints play significant roles in the structural performance of such bridges, which require systematic investigation to comprehend their shear behavior and mechanism thoroughly. This study aimed to explore the shear mechanism of UHPC epoxied‐keyed joints. Experimental and numerical investigations were conducted to investigate the influence of key size, key number, key angle, and reinforcement form on the shear performance. The test results showed that the failure mode was primarily affected by the key number and reinforcement form, which can be divided into three categories: direct shear, segmental shear, and stepwise shear failure. The large‐keyed joints exhibited superior shear performance compared to the three‐keyed joints. The initial shear stiffness, ultimate bearing capacity, and normalized shear stress were 15%, 5.3%, and 5.6% higher, respectively. Furthermore, the mechanism of the two reinforcement forms was clarified. The key rebars mainly improve the ductility of the specimens, while the dowel action of the embedded rebars can enhance the shear efficiency and synergistic force ability of the joints. The numerical simulation results indicated that 2.7% was the best ratio of key rebar, and embedded rebars with larger diameters can strengthen the shear capacity and post‐peak performance of the joints.

Cryptographic methods for secured communication in SDN‐based VANETs: A performance analysis

AbstractVehicular ad‐hoc networks (VANETs) support features like comfort, safety, and infotainment, enhancing traffic efficiency. However, traditional VANETs struggle with dynamic and large‐scale networks due to fixed policies and complex architectures, such as constantly changing vehicle positions. Software‐defined networks (SDN) can address these challenges by offering centralized, logical control, making VANETs more flexible and programmable. While SDNs improve VANET efficiency and add security benefits, they also introduce new security risks by incorporating novel technologies and architectural elements. Since VANET services rely heavily on data communication, compromised data (e.g., modified, falsified) could significantly impact driver and vehicle safety, making secure communication vital. Security threats specific to SDNs, like vulnerabilities in centralized control or flow‐based threats exploiting dynamic routing, necessitate robust cryptographic solutions to secure vehicle communications and data exchange. Various cryptographic algorithms, differing in performance, speed, memory requirements, and key sizes, pose challenges in selecting the optimal one for SDN‐based VANETs. This study evaluated seven cryptographic algorithms, including Blowfish, data encryption standard, triple data encryption standard, Rivest–Shamir–Adleman, advanced encryption standard (AES), advanced encryption standard with elliptic curve cryptography (AES‐ECC), and advanced encryption standard with elliptic curve Diffie‐Hellman (AES‐ECDH), in a simulated SDN‐based VANET. The findings show AES‐ECDH as the most effective overall, though the best choice depends on specific deployment scenarios and application needs.

A New Technique to Generate Ciphertext from Reversed Plaintext Code

Information security involves safeguarding sensitive data and IT networks from unauthorized access and cyber-attacks. To address this need, various techniques and algorithms have been introduced. In this context, we propose a new technique aimed at protecting information from diverse threats, enhancing user confidentiality, and ensuring high data integrity and availability. In this paper, we introduce a method for generating cipher text by performing multiple rounds of operations. In the first round, we convert the plaintext into ASCII code, then into hexadecimal, and subsequently reverse the code. These transformed values are then stored in blocks, where various operations are performed to generate the cipher text. Keywords: Cryptography, Security, Encryption, Decryption, Key size.

Secure-by-Design Real-Time Internet of Medical Things Architecture: e-Health Population Monitoring (RTPM)

The healthcare sector has undergone a profound transformation, owing to the influential role played by Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) technology. However, there are substantial concerns over these devices’ security and privacy-preserving mechanisms. The current literature on IoMT tends to focus on specific security features, rather than wholistic security concerning Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability (CIA Triad), and the solutions are generally simulated and not tested in a real-world network. The proposed innovative solution is known as Secure-by-Design Real-Time IoMT Architecture for e-Health Population Monitoring (RTPM) and it can manage keys at both ends (IoMT device and IoMT server) to maintain high privacy standards and trust during the monitoring process and enable the IoMT devices to run safely and independently even if the server is compromised. However, the session keys are controlled by the trusted IoMT server to lighten the IoMT devices’ overheads, and the session keys are securely exchanged between the client system and the monitoring server. The proposed RTPM focuses on addressing the major security requirements for an IoMT system, i.e., the CIA Triad, and conducts device authentication, protects from Denial of Service (DoS) and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, and prevents non-repudiation attacks in real time. A self-healing solution during the network failure of live e-health monitoring is also incorporated in RTPM. The robustness and stress of the system are tested with different data types and by capturing live network traffic. The system’s performance is analysed using different security algorithms with different key sizes of RSA (1024 to 8192 bits), AES (128 to 256 bits), and SHA (256 bits) to support a resource-constraint-powered system when integrating with resource-demanding secure parameters and features. In the future, other security features like intrusion detection and prevention and the user’s experience and trust level of such a system will be tested.

Enhancing Iris Authentication for Managing Multiple Cancellations: Leveraging Quotient Filters

Biometric authentication methods have become increasingly popular for their ability to offer secure and convenient access control. However, concerns about the privacy and security of biometric data have arisen. In this study, we present a novel approach to address these concerns by proposing a cancellable biometric encryption technique for secure and format-preserving iris authentication. Our method leverages the Quotient Filter data structure to transform encrypted iris templates into cancellable templates while preserving their original format. We carefully select an appropriate format-preserving encryption algorithm for iris templates and design a mapping scheme to achieve cancellability. To assess the effectiveness and performance of our approach, extensive experiments are conducted. The quantitative results indicate the efficiency and efficacy of our cancellable biometric encryption technique using the Quotient Filter. Our innovation, the Iris Authentication for Multiple Cancelled Instances Using a Quotient Filter (IAMCIQF), demonstrates competitive performance across several key metrics. IAMCIQF achieves a high level of security strength and strikes a balance between security and efficiency in terms of key size, encryption and decryption speeds and storage efficiency when compared to other existing techniques. The quantitative outcomes underscore IAMCIQF’s potential as a promising solution for attaining secure and format-preserving iris authentication, addressing critical concerns about biometric data security.

FPGA Implementation of 256-Bit Key AES Algorithm

Abstract: The most popular network security technique for secure data transmission between two end users, particularly over a public network, is the AES algorithm, also known as the Rijndael algorithm. It may be found in all kinds of wired and wireless digital communication networks AES, a network security technique, uses 256 bits on an FPGA. An authorized cryptographic technique that can be used to secure electronic data is the Advanced Encryption Standard technique (AES), which is specified by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Because they provide faster and more flexible solutions, reprogrammable devices like Field Programmable Arrays (FPGA) are a very appealing alternative for hardware implementation of the encryption algorithm AES. The effective FPGA implementation of advanced encryption standards (AES) is proposed in this research. The encryption code is written in the Verilog programming language. The AES Rijndael algorithm performs better than any other when implemented on FPGA. Other works are covered by this implementation to demonstrate its effectiveness. The block and key sizes in the design are 256, and an iterative looping technique is used. Bits, S-box implementation using lookup tables. This results in a low-complexity design that can readily achieve high throughput and low latency

Effective Identification and Authentication of Healthcare IoT Using Fog Computing with Hybrid Cryptographic Algorithm

Currently, Internet of Things (IoT)-based cloud systems face several problems such as privacy leakage, failure in centralized operation, managing IoT devices, and malicious attacks. The data transmission between the cloud and healthcare IoT needs trust and secure transmission of Electronic Health Records (EHRs). IoT-enabled healthcare equipment is seen in hospitals that have been implementing the technology for many years. Nonetheless, medical agencies fail to consider the security risk associated with healthcare IoT devices, which are readily compromised and cause potential threats to authentication and encryption procedures. Existing cloud computing methods like homomorphic encryption and the elliptic curve cryptography are unable to meet the security, identity, authentication, and security needs of healthcare IoT devices. The majority of conventional healthcare IoT algorithms lack secure data transmission. Therefore, fog computing is introduced to overcome the problems of IoT device verification, authentication, and identification for scalable and secure transmission of data. In this research manuscript, fog computing includes a hybrid mathematical model: Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) and Proxy Re-encryption (PR) with Enhanced Salp Swarm Algorithm (ESSA) for IoT device verification, identification, and authentication of EHRs. ESSA is incorporated into the PR algorithm to determine the optimal key size and parameters of the PR algorithm. Specifically, in the ESSA, a Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA) is integrated with the conventional Salp Swarm Algorithm (SSA) to enhance its global and local search processes. The primary objective of the proposed mathematical model is to further secure data sharing in the real time services. The extensive experimental analysis shows that the proposed model approximately reduced 60 Milliseconds (ms) to 18 milliseconds of processing time and improved 25% to 3% of reliability, compared to the traditional cryptographic algorithms. Additionally, the proposed model obtains a communication cost of 4260 bits with a memory usage of 680 bytes in the context of security analysis.

Tensile and flexural performances of prefabricated slabs with wet UHPC connection

A wet connection for prefabricated slabs using Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) was proposed and experimentally investigated. Influence of parameters such as the lap length of dowel rebar, the groove key size and the arrangement of post-placed rebar in grooves were comparatively explored. Four tensile specimens and eight flexural specimens were designed and tested. The crack development, failure mode, load-deformation characteristics, strains and bearing capacity were observed and analyzed. The results indicated that the lap length of dowel rebar significantly influenced the failure mode. Dowel rebar with insufficient lap length in post-cast UHPC connection exhibited rebar pulling-out failure, and lap length of 12 times diameter of the dowel rebar could achieve mechanical performance equivalent to cast-in-situ construction. Based on analysis of the test results, the prediction for tensile capacity of UHPC connection was recommended based on existing prediction formula for bonding stress of rebar in concrete, and the theoretical predicting formulas for flexural bearing capacity and deflection of prefabricated slabs having different dowel rebar lap lengths in UHPC connection were proposed, which showed good agreement with test results.

Coordinated control for the auricle asymmetric development by ZmIDD14 and ZmIDD15 fine-tune the high-density planting adaption in maize.

Multiple distinct specialized regions shape the architecture of maize leaves. Among them, the fringe-like and wedge-shaped auricles alter the angle between the leaf and stalk, which is a key trait in crop plant architecture. As planting density increased, a small leaf angle (LA) was typically selected to promote crop light capture efficiency and yield. In the present study, we characterized two paralogous INDETERMINATE DOMAIN (IDD) genes, ZmIDD14 and ZmIDD15, which contain the Cys2-His2 zinc finger domain and function redundantly to regulate auricle development and LA in maize. Loss-of-function mutants showed decreased LA by reducing adaxial sclerenchyma thickness and increasing the colourless cell layers. In addition, the idd14;idd15 double mutant exhibited asymmetrically smaller auricles, which might cause by a failed maintenance of symmetric expression of the key auricle size controlling gene, LIGULELESS(LG1). The transcripts of ZmIDD14 and ZmIDD15 enriched in the ligular region, where LG1 was highly expressed, and both proteins physically interacted with ZmILI1 to promote LG1 transcription. Notably, the idd14;idd15 enhanced the grain yield of hybrids under high planting densities by shaping the plant architecture with a smaller LA. These findings demonstrate the functions of ZmIDD14 and ZmIDD15 in controlling the abaxial/adaxial development of sclerenchyma in the midrib and polar development along the medial-lateral axes of auricles and provide an available tool for high-density and high-yield breeding in maize.