Practical algorithm substitution attack on extractable signatures

Designs, Codes and Cryptography - An algorithm substitution attack (ASA) can undermine the security of cryptographic primitives by subverting the original implementation. An ASA succeeds when it...     

Comparative Study using Raman and Visible Spectroscopy of Cretan Extra Virgin Olive Oil Adulteration with Sunflower Oil

The adulteration of extra virgin olive oil with low-quality and inexpensive seed oil is a serious problem in the industry. In recent years, the characterization of extra virgin olive oil adulteration with various techniques has been successfully implemented. In this work, a comparative study of Raman and visible spectroscopy is presented. These methods are rapid, noninvasive, and no sample pretreatment is required. We used both methods to study Cretan extra virgin olive oil adulterated with sunflower oil. Statistical analysis based on partial least square regression was used to determine the detection limits of the methods. Raman spectroscopy was superior in comparison to visible spectroscopy with adulteration detection limits of 3.5 and 5.5%, respectively, for the same samples. These results indicate that both techniques are suitable for olive oil quality control.     

Time‐resolved ultrafast carrier dynamics in as‐grown nanocrystalline silicon films: the effect of film thickness and grain boundaries

In this letter, we have studied transient photoinduced absorption in as‐grown nanocrystalline silicon films with thickness varied from 5 to 30 nm. Effects of quantum confinement (QC) in z ‐direction and grain boundary distortions alter the carrier dynamics of these films considerably. Based on the determination of critical points in the first Brillouin zone of the band structure of materials, we have time‐resolved the relaxation times of surface‐related states and indirect valleys. When decreasing the film thickness down to the QC limit (∼10 nm) new ultrafast relaxation mechanisms start to play a dominant role in carrier dynamics due to the topological disordering of these ultrathin films. These relaxation mechanisms seem to be related with the traping/de‐traping of the excited carriers prior to recombination. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Light-induced reversible hydrophilicity of ZnO structures grown by aqueous chemical growth

ZnO wurtzite microrods and flowerlike structures were deposited on glass and ITO substrates by the aqueous chemical growth (ACG) technique at mild temperature (95 °C). Wettability studies revealed that the as-deposited structures are hydrophilic and super-hydrophilic for short and long growth times, respectively. The hydrophilic ZnO surfaces could be reversibly switched to super-hydrophilic by alternation of UV illumination and dark storage. Our results demonstrate that ACG at low temperatures can be efficiently employed to deposit transparent photosensitive ZnO structures exhibiting reversible wettability changes.     

A Guided Tabu Search for the Vehicle Routing Problem with two-dimensional loading constraints

We present a metaheuristic methodology for the Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem with two-dimensional loading constraints (2L-CVRP). 2L-CVRP is a generalisation of the Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem, in which customer demand is formed by a set of two-dimensional, rectangular, weighted items. The purpose of this problem is to produce the minimum cost routes, starting and terminating at a central depot, to satisfy the customer demand. Furthermore, the transported items must be feasibly packed into the loading surfaces of the vehicles. We propose a metaheuristic algorithm which incorporates the rationale of Tabu Search and Guided Local Search. The loading aspects of the problem are tackled using a collection of packing heuristics. To accelerate the search process, we reduce the neighbourhoods explored, and employ a memory structure to record the loading feasibility information. Extensive experiments were conducted to calibrate the algorithmic parameters. The effectiveness of the proposed metaheuristic algorithm was tested on benchmark instances and led to several new best solutions.     

Raman Spectroscopy for Intracellular Monitoring of Carotenoid in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Blakeslea trispora</Emphasis>

In the present study, we explore the feasibility of Raman spectroscopy for intracellular monitoring of carotenoid in filamentous fungi Blakeslea trispora. Although carotenoid production from this fungus has been extensively studied through various chromatographic methods and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, no intracellular monitoring has been demonstrated until now. The intensity of the Raman spectrum, and more conveniently that of the strongest ν ₁ carotenoid band at ∼1,519 cm⁻¹, exhibits a good linear correlation with the carotenoid content of the sample as determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. Our results suggest that Raman spectroscopy can serve as an alternative method for the study and quantification of carotenoid in batch-mated submerged cultivations of B. trispora and similar organisms. Although not as accurate as HPLC, it allows a rapid sampling and analysis, avoiding the prolonged and tedious classical isolation procedures required for carotenoid determination by HPLC and UV-Vis spectroscopy.     

Acid‐Catalyzed Cyclization of Terpenes Under Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Conditions as Probed Through Stereoisotopic Studies: A Concerted Process with Competing Preorganized Chair and Boat Transition States

Based on stereoisotopic studies and β‐secondary isotope effects, we propose that the acid‐catalyzed cyclization of geranyl acetate proceeds through a concerted mechanism. Under heterogeneous conditions (zeolite Y confinement), a preorganized chairlike transition state predominates, whereas under homogeneous conditions the boat‐ and chairlike transition states are almost isoenergetic. For the case of farnesyl acetate, we propose that under homogeneous conditions a concerted dicyclization occurs with a preorganized boat–chair transition state competing with the chair–chair transition state. Under zeolite confinement conditions, the chair–chairlike dicyclization transition state is highly favorable. The preference of chairlike transition states within the cavities of zeolite Y is attributed to a transition state shape selectivity effect.     

Nanostructuring of single-crystal silicon carbide by femtosecond laser irradiation in a liquid

The formation of nanostructures on the surface of single-crystal silicon carbide under ablation by femtosecond laser pulses in liquid ethanol has been experimentally investigated. A 800-nm Ti:sapphire laser with a pulse duration of 210 fs was used as a radiation source. Single-scan irradiation of SiC surface leads to the formation of periodic grooves with a period of about 200 nm. Double exposure with a sample rotation by 90° between the scans gives rise to a regular array of nanostructures with average lateral size of 10 to 15 nm. It is determined that the wettability of nanostructured SiC surface is improved in comparison with the initial surface. It is shown that nanostructuring of SiC surface leads to an increase in the red light transmission by a factor of more than 60.