Abstract
We study hybrid automata from a coalgebraic point of view. We show that such a perspective supports a generic theory of hybrid automata with a rich palette of definitions and results. This includes, among other things, notions of bisimulation and behaviour, state minimisation techniques, and regular expression languages.

Abstract
Security attacks using USB interfaces and devices are becoming more advanced, which boost efforts to develop counter measures in order to protect systems and data. One of the most recent attacks using USB devices is the BadUSB attack, performed by spoofing the device’s firmware and allowing the attackers to execute a set of malicious actions, e.g. an USB storage device could be mounted as USB keyboard in order to inject malicious scripts into the system. This paper proposes a protection agent against BadUSB attack developed for Windows operative systems. It allows a user to check the class of an USB device ready to be mounted, though enabling the detection of a potential attack if the expected functionality of the device does not match with its class type. The results show that the proposed protection agent is capable of detecting potential intrusions by blocking the installation of the device, scanning the device for something that identifies it, searching for a description locally and finally warning the user about the device meaning that all devices must be approved by the user when plugged in if the system protection agent is running. Copyright

Abstract
This paper aims to provide a solution to a problem shared by online marketing platforms. Many of these platforms are exploited by spammers to ease their job of distributing spam. This can lead to platforms domains being black-listed by ISP’s, which translates to lower deliverability rates and consequently lower profits. Normally, platforms try to counter the problem by using rule-based systems, which require high-maintenance and are not easily editable. Additionally, since analysis occurs when a contact database is imported, the regular approach of judging messages’ contents directly is not an effective solution, as those do not yet exist. The proposed solution, a machine-learning based system for the classification of contact database’s importations, tries to surpass these aforementioned systems by making use of the capabilities introduced by machine-learning technologies, namely, reliability in regards to classification and ease of maintenance. Preliminary results show the legitimacy of this approach, since various algorithms can be successfully applied to it. The most proficient of the ones applied being Ada-boost and Random-forest.

Abstract
A key challenge in the power and energy field is the development of decision-support systems that enable studying big problems as a whole. The interoperability between systems that address specific parts of the global problem is essential. Ontologies ease the interoperability between heterogeneous systems providing semantic meaning to the information exchanged between the various parties. The use of ontologies within Smart Grids has been proposed based on the Common Information Model, which defines a common vocabulary describing the basic components used in electricity transportation and distribution. However, these ontologies are focused on utilities needs. The development of ontologies that allow the representation of diverse knowledge sources is essential, aiming at supporting the interaction between entities of different natures, facilitating the interoperability between these systems. This paper proposes a set of ontologies to enable the interoperability between different types of simulators, namely regarding electricity markets, the smart grid, and residential energy management. A case study based on real data shows the advantages of the proposed approach in enabling comprehensive power system simulation studies. © 2018 Power Systems Computation Conference.

Abstract
This paper presents a mathematical linear expansion model for the probabilistic Multistage Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU) Placement (MPP) in which zero-injection buses (ZIBs), as well as communication channel limitations, are taken into consideration. From the linearization perspective, presenting a model formulizing the probabilistic concept of observability while modelling the ZIB is of great significance, and has been done in this paper for the first time. More importantly, the proposed probabilistic MPP utilizes a technique disregarding the prevalent subsidiary optimizations for each planning stage. Although this technique, in turn, increases the problem complexity with manifold variables, it guarantees the global optimal solution in a wider and thorough search space; while in the prevalent methods, some parts of the search space might be missed. Furthermore, the proposed model indicates more realistic aspects of the MPP where system operators are allowed to follow their intention about the importance of buses such as strategic ones based on monitoring the priority principles. In addition, the model is capable of considering the network topology changes due to long-term expansions over the planning horizon. Finally, in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed formulation, the model is conducted on the IEEE 57-bus standard test system and the large scale 2383-bus Polish power system. © 2018 by the authors.

Abstract
Optical analog experiments have captured a lot of interest in recent years by offering a strategy to test theoretical models and concepts that would be otherwise untestable. The approach relies on the similarity between the mathematical model for light propagation in nonlinear optical media and the model to be mimicked. In particular, the analogy between light and a quantum fluid with superfluidlike properties has been studied extensively. Still, while most of these studies use thermo-optical media to perform these experiments, the possibility of using nematic liquid crystals to perform such optical analog experiments remains to be analyzed. This work explores how this medium can constitute an alternative to materials more commonly used in optical analogs, such as thermo-optical media, and how its tunable properties can be advantageous to explore and better control fluidlike properties of light. Moreover, we explore the analogy between the propagation of light and a quantum fluid, and propose a pump-probe experiment to measure the dispersion relation of the superfluid analog.