1,579 research outputs found
A novel architecture to virtualise a hardware-bound trusted platform module
Security and trust are particularly relevant in modern softwarised infrastructures, such as cloud environments, as applications are deployed on platforms owned by third parties, are publicly accessible on the Internet and can share the hardware with other tenants. Traditionally, operating systems and applications have leveraged hardware tamper-proof chips, such as the Trusted Platform Modules (TPMs) to implement security workflows, such as remote attestation, and to protect sensitive data against software attacks. This approach does not easily translate to the cloud environment, wherein the isolation provided by the hypervisor makes it impractical to leverage the hardware root of trust in the virtual domains. Moreover, the scalability needs of the cloud often collide with the scarce hardware resources and inherent limitations of TPMs. For this reason, existing implementations of virtual TPMs (vTPMs) are based on TPM emulators. Although more flexible and scalable, this approach is less secure. In fact, each vTPM is vulnerable to software attacks both at the virtualised and hypervisor levels. In this work, we propose a novel design for vTPMs that provides a binding to an underlying physical TPM; the new design, akin to a virtualisation extension for TPMs, extends the latest TPM 2.0 specification. We minimise the number of required additions to the TPM data structures and commands so that they do not require a new, non-backwards compatible version of the specification. Moreover, we support migration of vTPMs among TPM-equipped hosts, as this is considered a key feature in a highly virtualised environment. Finally, we propose a flexible approach to vTPM object creation that protects vTPM secrets either in hardware or software, depending on the required level of assurance
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia:A critical appraisal of perinatal care
A congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a rare birth defect characterised byincomplete closure of the diaphragm. After birth, CDH is associated with significantneonatal morbidity and mortality due to a combination of pulmonary hypoplasia,pulmonary hypertension, and cardiac dysfunction. Despite improvements in clinicalcare, around 30% of these infants do not survive. The research projects reportedin this thesis provide a critical appraisal of important aspects of perinatal care forinfants with CDH.<br/
The influence of taphonomy on histological and isotopic analyses of treated and untreated buried modern human bone
The chemical (e.g., preservation/embalming) treatment of skeletal remains can reduce overall DNA quality and quantity. The histological and stable isotope examination of treated and untreated human remains improves our understanding of how chemical preservatives impact bone diagenesis and will determine if chemical treatment adversely affects stable isotope ratio analysis of collagen. Fidelity in the application(s) of stable isotope interpretations requires that the isotope delta (δ) values have not been altered postmortem. Re-associated antimeres and refits of chemically treated and untreated rib and long bones from eight casualties [thin-sectioned human bone (n = 43) and collagen extraction/stable isotope analysis (n = 42)] from the World War II Battle of Tarawa were examined to compare skeletal elements from the same individual that had different taphonomic histories. Histological analyses included scoring upon the Oxford Histological Index (OHI) and Birefringence scale, recording microbial invasion, and general observations. The collected data were analyzed via simple descriptive statistics and paired samples t-tests. Treated remains scored higher on the OHI and for Birefringence, indicating that bone quality was good to excellent. The untreated samples scored lower on the OHI and Birefringence scales suggesting poorer preservation than the treated remains. Histology results were supported by the isotope sample preparation results: the collagen % yield was higher for treated bone than untreated bone. Additionally, chemical preservation had no meaningful impact on isotope δ values of treated and untreated remains from the same element or pair-matched elements. Overall, treated remains exhibited good preservation while untreated remains exhibit poorer preservation with significant microfocal destruction to the extent that little histological analyses can be applied. Stable isotope ratio analysis is viable for both treated and untreated remains indicating this testing modality likely can be used for most treated remains, regardless of origin
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia:A critical appraisal of perinatal care
A congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a rare birth defect characterised byincomplete closure of the diaphragm. After birth, CDH is associated with significantneonatal morbidity and mortality due to a combination of pulmonary hypoplasia,pulmonary hypertension, and cardiac dysfunction. Despite improvements in clinicalcare, around 30% of these infants do not survive. The research projects reportedin this thesis provide a critical appraisal of important aspects of perinatal care forinfants with CDH.<br/
Advertising as a Creative Industry:Regime of Paradoxes
At the crossroads of culture and commerce, the advertising industry is a regime of paradoxes. This book examines the place of advertising in today’s creative industries, exploring the major challenges advertisers confront as they engage with other creative sectors. Izabela Derda, author, media scholar, and industry expert, offers insights into how the industry keeps deconstructing its own creative processes and collaborative models as it attempts to stay relevant. Through extensive case studies and interviews with industry professionals and thought leaders, this book examines the sector’s struggle to adapt to new business models and to monetize creativity in today’s media landscape, from re-engaging audiences through media more typical of arts and entertainment to managing intricate cross-sectoral creative collaborations. From redesigning workplaces to satisfy the expectations of the youngest generations of creatives to reconsidering the paradigm of conventional creative teams, the advertising sector has swiftly adjusted to the seismic changes in today’s media landscape. The book will be of interest to scholars and students of creative media, advertising, and media studies, as well as those interested in understanding the changing complexities and latest innovations of the creative industries. Advertising professionals, artists, and policymakers will find relevant insights and possible solutions for the major challenges facing the advertising industry today. The Open Access version of this book, available at www.taylorfrancis.com, has been made available under a CC-BY license.</p
Reflective Artificial Intelligence
As Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology advances, we increasingly delegate mental tasks to machines. However, today's AI systems usually do these tasks with an unusual imbalance of insight and understanding: new, deeper insights are present, yet many important qualities that a human mind would have previously brought to the activity are utterly absent. Therefore, it is crucial to ask which features of minds have we replicated, which are missing, and if that matters. One core feature that humans bring to tasks, when dealing with the ambiguity, emergent knowledge, and social context presented by the world, is reflection. Yet this capability is completely missing from current mainstream AI. In this paper we ask what reflective AI might look like. Then, drawing on notions of reflection in complex systems, cognitive science, and agents, we sketch an architecture for reflective AI agents, and highlight ways forward
Cultures in Mountain Areas / Culture in aree di montagna / Kulturen in Gebirgsregionen
Comparative studies of mountain areas have long been at the core of the discussion about the relations between nature and culture as well as on environmental and social change. This volume searches for ways to develop further critical comparative perspectives in the study of cultures in mountain areas by drawing inter- and transdisciplinary links amongst anthropology, geography, folklore studies, montology, and global history. Drawing on examples mostly from the Alps and the Andes, but also extending to the global mountains, the authors explore socioecological environments, historical and political processes, borderscapes, demographic dynamics, forms of domestic organization, rituals, religiosities, and human-non-humanrelations.Gli studi comparativi sulle aree montane sono da tempo al centro del dibattito sul rapporto tra natura e cultura e sui cambiamenti ecologici e sociali. Questo volume è alla ricerca di nuovi percorsi per sviluppare ulteriormente prospettive comparative critiche per lo studio delle culture delle aree montane, tracciando collegamenti inter- e transdisciplinari tra antropologia, geografia, studi di folklore, montologia e storia globale. Basandosi su esempi provenienti soprattutto dalle Alpi e dalle Ande, ma estendendo l’orizzonte anche ad altre regioni montane a livello globale, le autrici e gli autori esplorano ambienti socio-ecologici, processi storici e politici, paesaggi di confine, dinamiche demografiche, forme di organizzazione domestica, rituali, religiosità e relazioni tra umani e non-umani.Vergleichende Studien über Bergregionen stehen seit langem im Zentrum der Debatte über das Verhältnis zwischen Natur und Kultur sowie über den ökologischen und sozialen Wandel. Dieser Band sucht nach Wegen, kritische vergleichende Perspektiven in der Erforschung von Kulturen in Bergregionen weiterzuentwickeln, indem er inter- und transdisziplinäre Verbindungen zwischen Anthropologie, Geographie, Volkskunde, Montologie und (Welt-)Geschichte herstellt. Anhand von Beispielen vor allem aus den Alpen und den Anden, aber auch aus anderen Gebirgsregionen der Welt, untersuchen die Autor:innen sozioökologische Umwelten, historische und politische Prozesse, Grenzlandschaften, demografische Dynamiken, Formen der häuslichen Organisation, Rituale, Religiosität und Mensch-/Nicht-Mensch-Beziehungen
Interference : Interwoven
Weaving, a symbol of knowledge and technology, is so prevalent throughout time that it simultaneously predates recorded history and propels us into our future – a future that is in danger due to environmental threats. The work in Interference : Interwoven reflects upon human attempts to control nature and contrasts these efforts against nature’s inherent unruliness and chaos. Through geometric and tumultuous woven structures, I examine the idea that humanity’s constant drive toward greater knowledge and better technology relies upon the flawed belief that we have the right to meddle in nature’s processes. The work in Interference : Interwoven examines the implications of our intrusive actions by exposing the tensions between humans and nature, order and chaos
Wave Energy Converter for Marine Vessels and Isolated Communities
California Polytechnic State University’s 2023 Marine Energy Collegiate Competition team, Surf Supply, has developed a floating dock that transduces wave energy into electricity. The following report aligns with MECC requirements, and our design changes since CDR are present in the User Manual in Appendix F. Our primary market research of the Blue Economy identified electric marine vessel charging and isolated communities as early adopters that could benefit most from the first generation of our wave energy converter (WEC). Surf Supply’s design concept provides a reliable, affordable, and renewable energy source that reduces dependency on conventional fossil fuels, allowing blue economy industries to have increased energy independence.
Our design uses a winch mechanism to generate rotational mechanical power from swells, that, when coupled with a generator, produces electricity. The electrical energy is stored in an on-board battery, so power can be supplied to end users on demand. A key advantage of Surf Supply’s WEC is its small, modular design, which allows for operation in low-energy sea states and ease of scalability. Further, the design maximizes use of commercial, off-the-shelf parts, minimizing the costs associated with custom manufacturing. Through our participation in the Build and Test challenge, we were able to test the mechanical and electrical system designs and identify areas for improvement. With continued development, a commercial-ready product promises to increase Surf Supply’s early adopter market share, eventually expanding into adjacent markets such as desalination. We feel confident that Surf Supply’s wave energy concept could prove to be competitive in the market and experience sustained growth as the demand for clean, independent energy rises
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