ICSrank: A Security Assessment Framework for Industrial Control Systems (ICS)

This thesis joins a lively dialogue in the technological arena on the issue of cybersecurity and specifically, the issue of infrastructure cybersecurity as related to Industrial Control Systems. Infrastructure cybersecurity is concerned with issues on the security of the critical infrastructure that have significant value to the physical infrastructure of a country, and infrastructure that is heavily reliant on IT and the security of such technology. It is an undeniable fact that key infrastructure such as the electricity grid, gas, air and rail transport control, and even water and sewerage services rely heavily on technology. Threats to such infrastructure have never been as serious as they are today. The most sensitive of them is the reliance on infrastructure that requires cybersecurity in the energy sector. The call to smart technology and automation is happening nowadays. The Internet is witnessing an increase number of connected industrial control system (ICS). Many of which don’t follow security guidelines. Privacy and sensitive data are also an issue. Sensitive leaked information is being manipulated by adversaries to accomplish certain agendas. Open Source intelligence (OSINT) is adopted by defenders to improve protection and safeguard data. This research presented in thesis, proposes “ICSrank” a novel security risk assessment for ICS devices based on OSINT. ICSrank ranks the risk level of online and offline ICS devices. This framework categorizes, assesses and ranks OSINT data using ICSrank framework. ICSrank provides an additional layer of defence and mitigation in ICS security, by identification of risky OSINT and devices. Security best practices always begin with identification of risk as a first step prior to security implementation. Risk is evaluated using mathematical algorithms to assess the OSINT data. The subsequent results achieved during the assessment and ranking process were informative and realistic. ICSrank framework proved that security and risk levels were more accurate and informative than traditional existing methods

Efficient implementation of a component-based joint model

This paper deals with a nonlinear analysis of beam-to-column steel joint. The connection uses an end-plate welded to the steel cross-section of a steel-concrete composite beam and bolted to the column flange. The proposed model developed herein combines the knowledge of prior studies that used the component-based approach, on one hand and the Finite Element algorithmsin plasticity, on second hand. The originality of this work is to efficiently take into account possible gaps between the end-plate and the column flange in case of plastic deformation of some components of the joint during the cyclic loading. The numerical investigation aims topredict the behavior of this type of joint in presence of the gap during the cyclic loading

Remdesivir and three other drugs for hospitalised patients with COVID-19: final results of the WHO Solidarity randomised trial and updated meta-analyses.

BACKGROUND World Health Organization expert groups recommended mortality trials of four repurposed antiviral drugs - remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir, and interferon beta-1a - in patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). METHODS We randomly assigned inpatients with Covid-19 equally between one of the trial drug regimens that was locally available and open control (up to five options, four active and the local standard of care). The intention-to-treat primary analyses examined in-hospital mortality in the four pairwise comparisons of each trial drug and its control (drug available but patient assigned to the same care without that drug). Rate ratios for death were calculated with stratification according to age and status regarding mechanical ventilation at trial entry. RESULTS At 405 hospitals in 30 countries, 11,330 adults underwent randomization; 2750 were assigned to receive remdesivir, 954 to hydroxychloroquine, 1411 to lopinavir (without interferon), 2063 to interferon (including 651 to interferon plus lopinavir), and 4088 to no trial drug. Adherence was 94 to 96% midway through treatment, with 2 to 6% crossover. In total, 1253 deaths were reported (median day of death, day 8; interquartile range, 4 to 14). The Kaplan-Meier 28-day mortality was 11.8% (39.0% if the patient was already receiving ventilation at randomization and 9.5% otherwise). Death occurred in 301 of 2743 patients receiving remdesivir and in 303 of 2708 receiving its control (rate ratio, 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.81 to 1.11; P = 0.50), in 104 of 947 patients receiving hydroxychloroquine and in 84 of 906 receiving its control (rate ratio, 1.19; 95% CI, 0.89 to 1.59; P = 0.23), in 148 of 1399 patients receiving lopinavir and in 146 of 1372 receiving its control (rate ratio, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.79 to 1.25; P = 0.97), and in 243 of 2050 patients receiving interferon and in 216 of 2050 receiving its control (rate ratio, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.96 to 1.39; P = 0.11). No drug definitely reduced mortality, overall or in any subgroup, or reduced initiation of ventilation or hospitalization duration. CONCLUSIONS These remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir, and interferon regimens had little or no effect on hospitalized patients with Covid-19, as indicated by overall mortality, initiation of ventilation, and duration of hospital stay. (Funded by the World Health Organization; ISRCTN Registry number, ISRCTN83971151; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04315948.)

Efficient implementation of a component-based joint model

This paper deals with a nonlinear analysis of beam-to-column steel joint. The connection uses an end-plate welded to the steel cross-section of a steel-concrete composite beam and bolted to the column flange. The proposed model developed herein combines the knowledge of prior studies that used the component-based approach, on one hand and the Finite Element algorithmsin plasticity, on second hand. The originality of this work is to efficiently take into account possible gaps between the end-plate and the column flange in case of plastic deformation of some components of the joint during the cyclic loading. The numerical investigation aims topredict the behavior of this type of joint in presence of the gap during the cyclic loading

Co-rotational planar beam element with generalized elasto-plastic hinges

International audienceSlender elements in framed structures may undergo large displacement and experience highly nonlinear behavior. This paper presents a two-node co-rotational flexible beam with generalized elasto-plastic hinges at the beam ends. A Condensation procedure is used to remove the internal degrees of freedom so that the formulation is easily incorporated with the standard co-rotational approach. A family of asymmetric and convex yield surfaces of super-elliptic shape is considered for the plastic behavior of the hinges. By varying the roundness factor, an infinite number of yield surfaces are obtained making it possible to select the yield function that best fit experimental data of any type of cross-section and material. The nonlinear response of bolted connections subjected to both bending and axial forces are conveniently modeled with such a yield surface. Discrete constitutive equations for the hinge plastic deformations are derived using the implicit scheme for both smooth and non-smooth cases. Numerical examples demonstrate the accuracy of the model in predicting the large displacement inelastic response of framed structures. Effect of the roundness factor on the ultimate load strongly depends on the structure typology. It was observed that cyclic loading produces pinching effect, cyclic softening and ductile behavior. Those effects are more pronounced with anisotropic yield criteria. © 2017 Elsevier Lt

Biophysical Aspects of Lipid Digestion in Human Breast Milk and Similac ™ Infant Formulas

Abstract Physico-chemical properties of human breast milk were compared to four Similac ™ infant formulas, and correlated with in vitro free fatty acid bioaccessibility using a simulated gastrointestinal system (TIM-1). Viscoelastic measurements, as a function of pH (pH 6.5 to 3.0) and shear rate, showed lower viscosities in breast milk compared to infant formulas. Droplet size and distribution measurements showed distinct differences between the tested formulas and breast milk. During lipid digestion, a lag period was observed for only breast milk. The rate of lipolysis was found to be higher in breast milk compared to Similac ™ formulas. The total bioaccessible free fatty acids for Advance infant formula and breast milk were not statistically different for the in vitro TIM-1 model and the shifted-logistical model using one-way ANOVA (p<0.05) with a Tukey's Multiple Comparison Test. All other infant formulas had significantly lower free fatty acid bioaccessibilities at the end of the simulated digestion. A positive correlation between rate of lipolysis and droplet surface area per gram for the Similac ™ infant formulas was found. However, breast milk did not follow that trend, suggesting the possible involvement of other factors in rate of lipolysis for breast milk

Unleashing the power of internet of things and blockchain: a comprehensive analysis and future directions

As the fusion of the Internet of Things (IoT) and blockchain technology advances, it is increasingly shaping diverse fields. The potential of this convergence to fortify security, enhance privacy, and streamline operations has ignited considerable academic interest, resulting in an impressive body of literature. However, there is a noticeable scarcity of studies employing Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) to dissect and categorize this field. This review paper endeavours to bridge this gap by meticulously analysing a dataset of 4455 journal articles drawn solely from the Scopus database, cantered around IoT and blockchain applications. Utilizing LDA, we have extracted 14 distinct topics from the collection, offering a broad view of the research themes in this interdisciplinary domain. Our exploration underscores an upswing in research pertaining to IoT and blockchain, emphasizing the rising prominence of this technological amalgamation. Among the most recurrent themes are IoT and blockchain integration in supply chain management and blockchain in healthcare data management and security, indicating the significant potential of this convergence to transform supply chains and secure healthcare data. Meanwhile, the less frequently discussed topics include access control and management in blockchain-based IoT systems and energy efficiency in wireless sensor networks using blockchain and IoT. To the best of our knowledge, this paper is the first to apply LDA in the context of IoT and blockchain research, providing unique perspectives on the existing literature. Moreover, our findings pave the way for proposed future research directions, stimulating further investigation into the less explored aspects and sustaining the growth of this dynamic field.</p