Formal Analysis and Verification of OAuth 2.0 in SSO

This thesis examines the OAuth 2.0 protocol within Single Sign-On (SSO) systems through modelling and formal analysis. The versatile Performing Security Proofs of Stateful Protocols (PSPSP), a theory for the Isabelle/HOL proof assistant was used to carry out the verification. Additionally the Open-Source Fixedpoint Model-Checker (OFMC), was used in this verification for its accessibility. PSPSP notably supports the modelling of mutable long-term state, a feature not common in many similar tools. The challenge lies in crafting a model that accurately mirrors real-world scenarios while integrating the OAuth 2.0 protocol on top of the TLS 1.2 protocol. The goal is to produce a model that is both realistic and doesn't induce false attack vectors in its abstraction. The complexity of combining SSO, OAuth, and TLS often necessitates simplifications for effective verification. This study explores the modelling of OAuth components without drastic over-simplifications, verifying each in isolation, and then applying compositional reasoning available in PSPSP/Isabelle to introduce the TLS protocol as well. This process necessitates a well-defined interface between components and verification of all components individually and in the composition. Both tools confirm the lack of detectable vulnerabilities in the OAuth 2.0 protocol, reinforcing its security and prominence in SSO systems. The research explores the process of modelling and formally verifying security protocols, and deepens the understanding of OAuth 2.0's role in SSO systems

Case series of trigonal meningiomas

Background Trigonal meningiomas have unique clinical presentation, unlike those in other areas of brain. Situated deep in the brain, the surgical nuances of this tumour are distinctive. We present our experience with this tumour including a discussion of surgical corridors that may be employed. Methods At our centre, 12 trigonal meningiomas were operated over past two decades. A retrospective analysis of case records of these cases was undertaken as regards age, sex clinical presentation, imaging and surgical approach. Results Mean time from heralding symptom to presentation was 10.4 months. At presentation, the most commonly encountered symptoms were those of non-localising symptoms attributable to raised ICP. Majority of lesions were more than 6 cm and on left side and the preferred surgical approach was inferior temporo-parietal. Most symptoms were relieved on long-term follow-up except homonymous hemianopia. Conclusion The incidence of deficit is low on employing the “shortest route” approach, even in the dominant hemisphere and through eloquent area. This may be secondary to possible shift of eloquent area function due to longstanding lesion and may thus be a “workable” surgical option, especially in resource-limited centres where such resources as neuronavigation and tractography may be unavailable

OTUD4 enhances TGFβ signalling through regulation of the TGFβ receptor complex

© 2020, The Author(s). Systematic control of the transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) pathway is essential to keep the amplitude and the intensity of downstream signalling at appropriate levels. Ubiquitination plays a crucial role in the general regulation of this pathway. Here we identify the deubiquitinating enzyme OTUD4 as a transcriptional target of the TGFβ pathway that functions through a positive feedback loop to enhance overall TGFβ activity. Interestingly we demonstrate that OTUD4 functions through both catalytically dependent and independent mechanisms to regulate TGFβ activity. Specifically, we find that OTUD4 enhances TGFβ signalling by promoting the membrane presence of TGFβ receptor I. Furthermore, we demonstrate that OTUD4 inactivates the TGFβ negative regulator SMURF2 suggesting that OTUD4 regulates multiple nodes of the TGFβ pathway to enhance TGFβ activity

Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Intelligence Transportation Systems (ITS) Challenges and Potential Solutions, Insights, and Lessons Learned

Artificial Intelligence (AI), including Machine Learning (ML), offers the opportunity to make transportation systems safer, and more equitable, reliable, accessible, secure, efficient, and resilient. However, several challenges exist that could impede the successful adoption of AI for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and the potential realization of these benefits

Examining the generalizability of research findings from archival data

This initiative examined systematically the extent to which a large set of archival research findings generalizes across contexts. We repeated the key analyses for 29 original strategic management effects in the same context (direct reproduction) as well as in 52 novel time periods and geographies; 45% of the reproductions returned results matching the original reports together with 55% of tests in different spans of years and 40% of tests in novel geographies. Some original findings were associated with multiple new tests. Reproducibility was the best predictor of generalizability-for the findings that proved directly reproducible, 84% emerged in other available time periods and 57% emerged in other geographies. Overall, only limited empirical evidence emerged for context sensitivity. In a forecasting survey, independent scientists were able to anticipate which effects would find support in tests in new samples

Swine manure digestate treatment using electrocoagulation

ABSTRACT Anaerobic biodigestion is an appropriate alternative for the treatment of swine wastewater due to its biogas generation properties and the possibility of its application as a source of energy for heating or electricity. However, digestate can still contain high levels of turbidity, organic carbon and nutrients and must be correctly managed as a biofertilizer, or treated to avoid any impact on the environment. Considering this, electrocoagulation (EC) shows promise as a technology because of its ease of handling and high efficiency in effluent remediation. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of EC in a batch system in the treatment of swine wastewater digestate. The wastewater used in the treatment was sampled from a 10 m3 biodigestor effluent (digestate) located at Concórdia, Santa Catarina, Brazil. A batch-scale experiment was carried out to evaluate the following two variables: electrode distance (ED) and voltage applied (V). The removal efficiency levels (%) for the best operational condition (2 cm, 5 V) after 30 min were: 97 %, 98 %, 77 % and 10 % for color, turbidity, total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN), respectively. The EC batch system produced efficient results, underlining its promise as an alternative to be applied in the treatment of digestate