A critical analysis of security vulnerabilities and countermeasures in a smart ship system

It is timely to raise cyber security awareness while attacks on maritime infrastructure have not yet gained critical momentum. This paper analyses vulnerabilities in existing shipborne systems and a range of measures to protect them. It discusses Information Technology network flaws, describes issues with Industrial Control Systems, and lays out major weaknesses in the Automated Identification System, Electronic Chart Display Information System and Very Small Aperture Terminals. The countermeasures relate to the concept of “Defence-in-depth”, and describe procedural and technical solutions. The maritime sector is interconnected and exposed to cyber threats. Internet satellite connections are feasible and omnipresent on vessels, offshore platforms and even submarines. It enables services that are critical for safety and rescue operations, navigation and communication in a physically remote environment. Remote control of processes and machinery brings benefits for safety and efficiency and commercial pressure drives the development and adaptation of new technologies. These advancements include sensor fusion, augmented reality and artificial intelligence and will lead the way to the paradigm of “smart” shipping. Forecasts suggest unmanned, autonomous ships in international waters by 2035. This paper is the starting point for future research, to help mapping out the risks and protect the maritime community from cyber threats

Reliability and suitability of physiological exercise response and recovery markers

There is currently insufficient evidence about the reliable quantification of exercise load and athlete’s recovery management for monitoring training processes. Therefore, this test–retest study investigated the reliability of various subjective, muscle force, and blood-based parameters in order to evaluate their suitability for monitoring exercise and recovery cycles. 62 subjects completed two identical 60-min continuous endurance exercise bouts intermitted by a four-week recovery period. Before, immediately after, three, and 24 h after each exercise bout, analysis of parameters were performed. Significant changes over time were found for rating of perceived exertion (RPE), multidimensional mood state questionnaire (MDMQ), maximum voluntary contraction parameters (MVCs), and blood-based biomarkers (p 0.90). A good reliability was found for thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) (ICC = 0.79) and haematological markers (ICC = 0.75–0.86). For RPE, MDMQ, interleukin (IL-) 1RA, IL-6, IL-8, IL-15, cortisol, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK) only moderate reliability was found (ICC < 0.75). Significant associations for IL1-RA and CK to MVC were found. The excellent to moderate reliability of TBARS, LDH, IL-1RA, six measured haematological markers, MVCs and MDMQ implicate their suitability as physiological exercise response and recovery markers for monitoring athletes’ load management. © 2020, The Author(s)

Endogenous tumor suppressor microRNA-193b: Therapeutic and prognostic value in acute myeloid leukemia

Purpose Dysregulated microRNAs are implicated in the pathogenesis and aggressiveness of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We describe the effect of the hematopoietic stem-cell self-renewal regulating miR-193b on progression and prognosis of AML. Methods We profiled miR-193b-5p/3p expression in cytogenetically and clinically characterized de novo pediatric AML (n = 161) via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and validated our findings in an independent cohort of 187 adult patients. We investigated the tumor suppressive function of miR-193b in human AML blasts, patient-derived xenografts, and miR-193b knockout mice in vitro and in vivo. Results miR-193b exerted important, endogenous, tumor-suppressive functions on the hematopoietic system. miR-193b-3p was downregulated in several cytogenetically defined subgroups of pediatric and adult AML, and low expression served as an independent indicator for poor prognosis in pediatric AML (risk ratio 6 standard error, 20.56 6 0.23; P = .016). miR-193b-3p expression improved the prognostic value of the European LeukemiaNet risk-group stratification or a 17-gene leukemic stemness score. In knockout mice, loss of miR-193b cooperated with Hoxa9/Meis1 during leukemogenesis, whereas restoring miR-193b expression impaired leukemic engraftment. Similarly, expression of miR-193b in AML blasts from patients diminished leukemic growth in vitro and in mouse xenografts. Mechanistically, miR-193b induced apoptosis and a G1/S-phase block in various human AML subgroups by targeting multiple factors of the KIT-RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK (MAPK) signaling cascade and the downstream cell cycle regulator CCND1. Conclusion The tumor-suppressive function is independent of patient age or genetics; therefore, restoring miR-193b would assure high antileukemic efficacy by blocking the entire MAPK signaling cascade while preventing the emergence of resistance mechanisms

Personal Uniqueness and Communion: A Thomistic Approach

Neither individuality nor substance can provide a sufficient account for the uniqueness of human persons. This problem is demonstrated with respect to the various ways one can describe the human person; matter, substantial form, essence, and nature. It is nature that describes beings as they exist. Because human nature is distinctively rational, human beings are most appropriately described as persons. An investigation of personality reveals that each person stands in a unique relation to being by virtue of the acts of intellect and will. Therefore, only personality provides a sufficient account of the uniqueness of individual persons. But because personal uniqueness is an aspect of relation, it cannot be conceived outside that relation. And as the person’s relation to being is tantamount to his ability to enter into communion, uniqueness necessarily implies communion

DrinkForFood : to diversify or not to diversify : that is the question : a case study about a seasonal online retail start-up

This case study is about DrinkForFood – a German start-up. The company sells personalized wines and candles to graduating high school students. A core part of the business is its social impact. For every sold product DrinkForFood donates one meal to a school in Senegal. The business acquires its target group via mobile instant messaging on WhatsApp and aims to build a close seller-buyer relationship based on trust. As DrinkForFood only has an online presence, this tactic should mitigate the consumer’s purchase uncertainty. The company faces the issue of complete seasonal dependence. School graduations in Germany are between May and July - the only period where DrinkForFood can generate revenues. This long off-season hinders the company to grow sustainably. Hence, the management considers diversifying the company’s operations by targeting new markets, customer groups, or extending the product range to decrease the seasonal dependence. However, the implementation of diversification strategies could disrupt DrinkForFood’s operations, dilute the brand image and endanger its profitability. The dissertation includes a Literature Review of relevant theories and topics related to the Case Study’s issues like trust, word-of-mouth, seasonality, and revenue diversification. It also offers a Teaching Note to help instructors for in-class discussions of the Case Study, analyzing the implications and challenges of diversification measures and the importance of relationship marketing activities, especially in the context of E-Commerce.Este estudo de caso é sobre a DrinkForFood - uma start-up alemã. A empresa vende vinhos e velas personalizados a estudantes finalistas do ensino secundário. Uma parte essencial do negócio é o seu impacto social. Por cada produto vendido, a DrinkForFood doa uma refeição a uma escola no Senegal. A empresa adquire o seu grupo-alvo através no WhatsApp e tem como objetivo criar uma relação estreita entre vendedor e comprador. Esta tática deve atenuar a incerteza de compra do consumidor. A empresa enfrenta o problema da dependência sazonal. As formaturas escolares na Alemanha decorrem entre maio e julho - o único período em que a DrinkForFood pode gerar receitas. Por conseguinte, a direção considera a possibilidade de diversificar as operações da empresa, visando novos mercados, grupos de clientes ou alargando a gama de produtos. No entanto, a implementação de estratégias de diversificação poderia perturbar as operações da DrinkForFood, diluir a imagem da marca e pôr em risco a sua rentabilidade. A dissertação inclui uma Revisão da Literatura de tópicos relevantes relacionados com as questões do Estudo de Caso, como o boca-a-boca, a sazonalidade e a diversificação das receitas. Também oferece uma Nota de Ensino para ajudar os professores nas discussões em sala de aula, analisando as implicações e os desafios das medidas de diversificação e a importância de marketing relacional

A comprehensive analysis of smart ship systems and underlying cybersecurity issues

The maritime domain benefits greatly from advanced technology and ubiquitous connectivity. From “smart” sensors to “augmented reality”, the opportunities to save costs and improve safety are endless. The aim of this dissertation is to study the capabilities of smart ship systems in the context of Internet-of-Things and analyse the potential cybersecurity risks and challenges that smart technologies may introduce into this accelerating digital economy. The first part of this work investigates the architecture of a “Smart Ship System” and the primary subsystems, including the integrated bridge, navigation and communication systems, networking, operational systems, and sensor networks. The mapping of the connected subsystems is fundamental to understand how the entire vessel can be protected in a cyber context. The Internet of Ships is formed by connecting the smart ship systems with maritime infrastructure. The major services that the “Internet of Ships” can provide are discussed and analysed, such as terrestrial services, ship-to-shore services, marine safety and navigation services, offshore services and satellite services. These services facilitate many layers of supply-chain functions and interactions that are instrumental to the success of the maritime industry. The second part builds on the gained understanding of the issues emerging from the digital transformation of seafaring. It introduces cybersecurity concepts and how these apply to the maritime domain. Then it outlines the threat sea-scape and gives guidance for a solid security program. A “Defence-in-Depth” cyber security resilience approach is proposed to protect the smart ship systems and the Internet-of-Ships with multi-layer measures, including security policies and procedures, physical security, perimeter security, network and host security, application security and data security. The most susceptible elements of the maritime sector are people – as target and as tools – for an attack. An improved appreciation of complexity of connected maritime systems along with a heightened cybersecurity awareness can prevent catastrophic incidents and protect lives and assets. In summary, this dissertation gives a comprehensive overview of the shipborne subsystems of a Smart Ship System and the major maritime services it can provide in the context of the Internetof- Ships ecosystem. The underlying cyber security issues and challenges are analyzed and a resilience building approach is discussed to protect the smart ships with multiple layers of security measures