Carlos M. Travieso-González

Edge based selective encryption scheme for biometric data using chaotic theory

Security of biometric data plays a major concern due to extensive use of biometric systems in many applications. This paper proposes an efficient method for encryption of iris images using edge based encryption algorithm based on chaotic theory. In this proposed technique, the iris image is segmented into significant and non significant blocks to find region of interest (ROI) i.e. to localize iris from complete eye image from which features are extracted to generate biometric template. Selective encryption is used to encrypt the region of interest and it reduces the computational overhead and processing time as compared to full encryption techniques. The experimental results prove that edge based selective encryption significantly reduces the time of encryption of iris images as compared to full encryption method without any compromise in performance. Performance of proposed algorithm has been experimentally analyzed using key sensitivity analysis and the results prove that the encryption algorithm has high key sensitivity and the algorithm is lossless in nature.

A low consumption real time environmental monitoring system for smart cities based on ZigBee wireless sensor network

Nowadays, there is an increasing interest in wireless sensor networks (WSN) for environmental monitoring systems because it can be used to improve the quality of life and living conditions are becoming a major concern to people. This paper describes the design and development of a real time monitoring system based on ZigBee WSN characterized by a lower energy consumption, low cost, reduced dimensions and fast adaptation to the network tree topology. The developed system encompasses an optimized sensing process about environmental parameters, low rate transmission from sensor nodes to the gateway, packet parsing and data storing in a remote database and real time visualization through a web server. A monitoring system integrating the outlined system has been deployed and tested for monitoring the level of dust particles in the air, acoustic levels in different places of a city, ambient temperature and relative humidity. A calibration process of a low cost audio sensor was performed to measure the acoustic level from different noise sources, hence, it is not necessary to use an expensive sound level meter at each node. Furthermore, experimental results show autonomy nodes can be about three months.

Human Computer Interactions in Next-Generation of Aircraft Smart Navigation Management Systems: Task Analysis and Architecture under an Agent-Oriented Methodological Approach

The limited efficiency of current air traffic systems will require a next-generation of Smart Air Traffic System (SATS) that relies on current technological advances. This challenge means a transition toward a new navigation and air-traffic procedures paradigm, where pilots and air traffic controllers perform and coordinate their activities according to new roles and technological supports. The design of new Human-Computer Interactions (HCI) for performing these activities is a key element of SATS. However efforts for developing such tools need to be inspired on a parallel characterization of hypothetical air traffic scenarios compatible with current ones. This paper is focused on airborne HCI into SATS where cockpit inputs came from aircraft navigation systems, surrounding traffic situation, controllers’ indications, etc. So the HCI is intended to enhance situation awareness and decision-making through pilot cockpit. This work approach considers SATS as a system distributed on a large-scale with uncertainty in a dynamic environment. Therefore, a multi-agent systems based approach is well suited for modeling such an environment. We demonstrate that current methodologies for designing multi-agent systems are a useful tool to characterize HCI. We specifically illustrate how the selected methodological approach provides enough guidelines to obtain a cockpit HCI design that complies with future SATS specifications.

Evaluation of local descriptors and CNNs for non-adult detection in visual content

Abstract The recent evolution of storage devices, digital embedded cameras and the Internet have collaterally allowed sexual predators to take advantage of these technological breakthroughs to gather illegal media, which is exhibited uncensored through Peer-to-Peer file sharing networks. In this paper, we are particularly concerned about the increasing availability of Child Abuse Material. Therefore, we have explored alternatives to detect non-adults in visual content. Initially, different age estimations and underage detection techniques are reviewed by analyzing existing datasets. Finally, several local descriptors and Convolutional Neural Networks for underage detection are evaluated. The experimental results obtained for a large dataset that combines collections such as FG-Net, Adience, GenderChildren, The Image of Groups and Boys2Men evidence the complementary information contained in both local descriptors and neural networks, as their fusion boosts the accuracy of non-adult detection to over 93%.

Symmetry Extraction in High Sensitivity Melanoma Diagnosis

Melanoma diagnosis depends on the experience of doctors. Symmetry is one of the most important factors to measure, since asymmetry shows an uncontrolled growth of cells, leading to melanoma cancer. A system for melanoma detection in diagnosing melanocytic diseases with high sensitivity is proposed here. Two different sets of features are extracted based on the importance of the ABCD rule and symmetry evaluation to develop a new architecture. Support Vector Machines are used to classify the extracted sets by using both an alternative labeling method and a structure divided into two different classifiers which prioritize sensitivity. Although feature extraction is based on former works, the novelty lies in the importance given to symmetry and the proposed architecture, which combines two different feature sets to obtain a high sensitivity, prioritizing the medical aspect of diagnosis. In particular, a database provided by Hospital Universitario de Gran Canaria Doctor Negrin was tested, obtaining a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 66.66% using a leave-one-out validation method. These results show that 66.66% of biopsies would be avoided if this system is applied to lesions which are difficult to classify by doctors.

Modeling a robust wind-speed forecasting to apply to wind-energy production

To obtain green energy, it is important to know, in advance, an estimation of the weather conditions. In case of wind energy, another important factor is to determine the right moment to stop the turbine in case of strong winds to avoid its damage. This research introduces a tool, not only to increase green energy generation from wind, reducing CO2 emissions, but also to prevent failures in turbines that is especially interesting for manufacturers. Using Artificial Neural Networks and data from meteorological stations located in Gran Canaria airport and Tenerife Sur airport (both in Canary Islands, Spain), a robust prediction system able to determine wind speed with a mean absolute error of 0.29 m per second is presented.