Sharif Digital Repository

In the last decade various crypto-currencies opened new doors to a decentralized electronic monetary system. Emergence of new Blockchain platforms, such as Ethereum, introduced new features for the implementation of decentralized software or smart contracts. The applications of blockchain technology for secure and efficient information systems is rapidly increasing. However, due to the limitations of this platform including high computational and storage cost, it is not possible to run sophisticated and computationally expensive software on the blockchain. In this paper, a new framework for execution of smart programs on blockchain called the Smart Program Runner Framework (SPRF) is... 

Optimal placement of switches can play a key role in providing resilience to power distribution systems against major faults caused by natural disasters. This study presents a resilience-based framework for optimal switch placement in distribution systems being consistent with the expansion plans of distributed generation units. At first, the impact of hurricanes on distribution system components is modelled using the geographic information system of distribution grid and the strength of components against extreme weather-related events. Then, a new resiliency index is proposed to assess the resilience of distribution grids. This index is involved in a mathematical model of the switch... 

We consider a population of individuals living in an uncertain environment. Individuals are able to make noisy observations of the environment and communicate using signals. We show that the model shows an order-disorder transition from an ordered phase in low communication noise in which a consensus about the environmental state is formed to a disordered phase in high communication noise in which no consensus is formed. There are different consensus states: informed consensus in which consensus on the correct belief about the environmental state is formed, and misinformed consensus in which consensus on a wrong belief is formed. Based on the consensus state reached, the ordered phase is... 

High heterogeneity and dynamicity of pervasive computing environments introduces requirement of more flexible and functional access control policies. The notion of provisional actions has been defined previously to overcome the insufficient grant/denial response to an access request and has been incorporated in the provision-based access controlmodel(PBAC).BasedonPBAC,weproposeacontext-aware provision-based access control model, capable of dynamic adaptation of access control policy according to the changing context. In particular, the model facilitates the definition of context-aware policies and enriches the access control by enforcing provisional actions in addition to common permissions.... 

The use of traffic information in the form of radio reports, as a solution to the problem of congestion, is one of the issues, which are of particular importance for large cities like Tehran. In this study, factors affecting the use of traffic information in the context of a developing country are examined for commuters in the city of Tehran using ordered logit models. Results based on the particular survey designed for this purpose are compared to those of a developed country. Regarding the use of information in the form of listening to the radio traffic reports, the models show that older commuters, commuters who adjust their departure time according to traffic conditions (those who are... 

The Electrocardiogram (ECG) is widely used for diagnosis of heart diseases. Therefore, the quality of information extracted from the ECG has a vital role. In real recordings, ECG is corrupted by artifacts such as prolonged repolarization, respiration, changes of electrode position, muscle contraction, and power line interface. In this paper, a denoising technique for ECG signals based on Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) is proposed. We use Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition (EEMD) to overcome the limitations of EMD. Moreover, to overcome the limitations of thresholding methods we use the combination of mutual information and two EMD based interval thresholding approaches. Our new method... 

Spectrum sensing is the basic step in cognitive radio networks. Its accuracy directly affects spectrum utilization. In this paper we propose a new method for blind cooperative spectrum sensing using spatial information. We model our sensing matrix as a graph, taking advantage of signal and spatial correlation of antennas. We prove that the general settings of the problem are hard to approximate. Taking spatial information into account, we propose a new scheme to find white space subregions. Cognitive radio users residing in the region may be able to transmit, but must keep their transmission power to the extent that no interference is caused to primary receivers out of the region  

We present and evaluate Deep Private-Feature Extractor (DPFE), a deep model which is trained and evaluated based on information theoretic constraints. Using the selective exchange of information between a user's device and a service provider, DPFE enables the user to prevent certain sensitive information from being shared with a service provider, while allowing them to extract approved information using their model. We introduce and utilize the log-rank privacy, a novel measure to assess the effectiveness of DPFE in removing sensitive information and compare different models based on their accuracy-privacy trade-off. We then implement and evaluate the performance of DPFE on smartphones to... 

Nowadays, data and information are recognized as a precious resource in an organization. Data quality indicators help organizations manage the quality of data quantitatively and improve organizational processes. Organizations manage data and information with the help of information systems and make decisions within the framework of data collected and analyzed. On the other hand, continuous evaluation of the quality of data flow in systems can lead to a preventive program to formulate strategies for improving performance. This can be done effectively and efficiently in the form of control charts. In this paper, control charts are employed to monitor the quality of data flow in information... 

In the last decade various crypto-currencies opened new doors to a decentralized electronic monetary system. Emergence of new Blockchain platforms, such as Ethereum, introduced new features for the implementation of decentralized software or smart contracts. The applications of blockchain technology for secure and efficient information systems is rapidly increasing. However, due to the limitations of this platform including high computational and storage cost, it is not possible to run sophisticated and computationally expensive software on the blockchain. In this paper, a new framework for execution of smart programs on blockchain called the Smart Program Runner Framework (SPRF) is... 

Considering the wide spread locations of wind farms in Iran, it is important to develop a suitable decision support system (DSS) to fulfill proper management of wind farms. Extensive literature survey indicates that there are no integrated forms of DSS to manage a set of wind farms. The existing wind farms are performing independently, and there is no practical method for exchanging the online data. DSS can contribute to optimal operation of wind farms, operation and maintenance scheduling, pricing policy, etc. In this study, a geographic information system and RETSCREEN software were linked to the designed DSS to achieve a more suitable result. Also, a huge number of data are constantly... 

We present and evaluate Deep Private-Feature Extractor (DPFE), a deep model which is trained and evaluated based on information theoretic constraints. Using the selective exchange of information between a user's device and a service provider, DPFE enables the user to prevent certain sensitive information from being shared with a service provider, while allowing them to extract approved information using their model. We introduce and utilize the log-rank privacy, a novel measure to assess the effectiveness of DPFE in removing sensitive information and compare different models based on their accuracy-privacy trade-off. We then implement and evaluate the performance of DPFE on smartphones to... 

In an increasing competitive world, marketing survival can be depended simply on timely new information on customers and market trend. One of the most important strategies in CRM (Customer Relationship Management) is to capture enough information from customers and using this information carefully [Ryals, Tinsley]. Of course security of this information is very important in CRM data management [Bryan]. Data management is a method for scheduling and controlling data saving, recovering and processing. This activity has been done continually or periodically[Bryan]. Security level of this information depends on the security policy of the organization. CRM security policy is the directives and... 

Hydrogen generation from renewable energy resources is considered as a suitable solution to solve the problems related to the energy sector and the reduction of greenhouse gases. The aim of this study is to provide an integrated framework for identifying suitable areas for the construction of wind farms to produce hydrogen. For this purpose, a combined method of Geographic Information System (GIS) and multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) has been used to locate the power plant in Yazd province. The GIS method in the present study consisted of two parts: constraints and criteria. The constraint section included areas that were unsuitable for the construction of wind farms to produce power... 

Considering the wide spread locations of wind farms in Iran, it is important to develop a suitable decision support system (DSS) to fulfill proper management of wind farms. Extensive literature survey indicates that there are no integrated forms of DSS to manage a set of wind farms. The existing wind farms are performing independently, and there is no practical method for exchanging the online data. DSS can contribute to optimal operation of wind farms, operation and maintenance scheduling, pricing policy, etc. In this study, a geographic information system and RETSCREEN software were linked to the designed DSS to achieve a more suitable result. Also, a huge number of data are constantly...