An Investigation of the Impact of Corporate Culture on Employee Information Systems Security Behaviour

Information security poses a variety of challenges for any organisation. One such challenge, though often overlooked, is that of the threat posed by users. Whilst a variety of methods are available to control this, none have been particularly successful. An alternative suggested in the literature is the use of organisational culture via corporate governance to improve the security behaviours of individuals (Thomson & von Solms, 2005; von Solms & von Solms, 2004; Mishra & Dhillon, 2006). At the core of these alternative theories is the assumption that culture affects information security, though no literature could be found that tests this relationship. Previous research into the effects of organisational culture on other aspects of an organisation has lead to uncertainty as to the existence of such a relationship, and therefore it needs to be evaluated before these theories can be tested or further utilised. The purpose of this study is twofold, viz, to test the relationship between organisational culture and information security behaviour, and to test the viability of using the Partial Least Squares (PLS) method advocated by Chin & Newstead ( 1999) for this type of research. A model was developed to represent information security attitudes, which, combined with Hofstede’s (1990) model of culture, was used to develop the survey. The model and survey were piloted via interview in the organisations. The results lead us to question the existence of a relationship between organisational culture and information security attitudes

Detection of explosive materials

Explosive materials are increasingly being exploited by criminal organisations,with harmful, devastating and destructive effects on targeted societies; highlighting the demand for sensitive, reliable and quick explosive detection methods that can be used in a range of environments. Immunoassays are one type of test that can provide these qualities. Immunoassays use antibodies to detect a molecule of interest (analyte). A common type of user-friendly immunoassay that has been employed for a wide-range of applications is the lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA). A LFIA simplifies the immunoassay procedure, applying the principle (discussed in detail later) to perform along a single axis by utilising a porous membrane. This type of test is quick, sensitive and relatively easy to use, which means it is accessible by non-specialised personnel. This research uses a competitive immunoassay format, which arises from competitive binding between a free form and a bound form of the analyte. Successful detection of explosive material: 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) has been demonstrated via a competitive immunoassay technique. Through optimisation of reagents and conditions, the limit of detection is 0.03 μg ml-1 (300 pg per fingerprint deposit) on a plate assay format. Initial steps have been taken to apply this mechanism to the LFIA format to produce a test. However, further research is required before a functioning device is ready for commercial value

Aerobic Capacity in Individuals With Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Objective The objective of this study was to assess if individuals with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee have reduced aerobic capacity compared with age and gender matched healthy controls. This study also assessed the accuracy of submaximal exercise testing for predicting aerobic capacity in individuals with OA. Study design A cross sectional comparison study was undertaken with 24 participants with radiographic evidence of knee OA and 20 age and gender matched healthy participants within the control group. Background OA of the knee is a musculoskeletal condition that affects a large number of individuals. With an aging population the incidence of OA is set to increase. OA is associated with pain, joint stiffness and reduced muscle strength. It has been demonstrated some years earlier that OA is associated with a reduction in aerobic capacity. This is thought to be as a result of reduced physical activity, and exercise avoidance. In recent years there has been increased emphasis on physical exercise as a treatment approach to OA, and a series of guidelines have been introduced to promote physical activity in elderly and diseased individuals. Theoretically the increased awareness of the benefits of exercise should result in improvements in aerobic capacity in individuals with OA. However, no studies have examined this. As maximal effort exercise testing is expensive to undertake and requires significant training it is not practical in the clinical setting therefore submaximal effort exercise testing is a preferred alternative. However to date there have been no studies that provide evidence of the accuracy of submaximal exercise tests for predicting aerobic capacity in individuals with OA. Method Forty four participants aged 47-81 years were recruited. Four participants were excluded from the study for failing to achieve two of the three determinants of aerobic capacity. Therefore total numbers for the study were 22 participants in the OA group (12 males, 10 females) and 18 participants in the control group (9 males, 9 females). Both groups had a mean age of 67 years with a SD of 10 years A submaximal cycler ergometer test was utilised to predict aerobic capacity. Aerobic capacity was predicted from an equation that utilised exercise work rate (WR) and heart rate (HR) at the completion of the test. A ramped cycle ergometer exercise protocol was used for the measure of maximal aerobic capacity. The incremental resistance for the test was calculated so participants reached maximal exertion between 8-12 minutes. A breath by breath analysis of expired gas, participant HR and perceived exertion was used to determine if maximal effort was reached. Results There was a significant (P<0.05) reduction in aerobic capacity observed between individuals with OA of the knee (mean: 22 ml/kg/min) compared with age and gender matched healthy controls (mean: 27 ml/kg/min). The mean predicted values from the submaximal test were 19ml/kg/min and 22ml/kg/min for the OA and control groups respectively. The submaximal exercise test under-predicted aerobic capacity in both groups. The Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were .75 and .72 for the OA and control groups respectively. Conclusion The findings of this study are consistent with other literature indicating that individuals with OA of the knee have reduced aerobic capacity when compared with age and gender matched healthy controls. This study also indicates that submaximal exercise testing is a safe and accurate predictor of aerobic capacity in individuals with OA

Enhancing Indigenous content in arts curricula through service learning with Indigenous communities

Executive summary At the heart of this project has been the desire to enhance the way in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural content is embedded in higher education arts curricula. It comes at a time when higher education institutions are facing growing pressure to make curriculum content more representative of and responsive to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. In response, many Australian universities have established formal initiatives to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and intercultural competency across the curriculum. This has taken the form of policies and reconciliation action plans, community engagement initiatives, networks and councils of Elders. Despite the proliferation of such initiatives, the incorporation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives into higher education curricula and cultures remains a challenging political, social and practical task. This project has sought to address this challenging task by positioning arts based service learning (ABSL) as a strategy through which Australian higher education institutions can promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural content for students in ways that also directly support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

The application of theories of the policy process to obesity prevention: a systematic review and meta-synthesis

BACKGROUND: Theories of the policy process are recommended as tools to help explain both policy stasis and change. METHODS: A systematic review of the application of such theoretical frameworks within the field of obesity prevention policy was conducted. A meta-synthesis was also undertaken to identify the key influences on policy decision-making. RESULTS: The review identified 17 studies of obesity prevention policy underpinned by political science theories. The majority of included studies were conducted in the United States (US), with significant heterogeneity in terms of policy level (e.g., national, state) studied, areas of focus, and methodologies used. Many of the included studies were methodologically limited, in regard to rigour and trustworthiness. Prominent themes identified included the role of groups and networks, political institutions, and political system characteristics, issue framing, the use of evidence, personal values and beliefs, prevailing political ideology, and timing. CONCLUSIONS: The limited application of political science theories indicates a need for future theoretically based research into the complexity of policy-making and multiple influences on obesity prevention policy processes

Electrokinetic generation of iron-rich barriers in soils:realising the potential for nuclear site management and decommissioning

Following earlier field-scale pilot work on nuclear site materials in the late 2000s, there has recently been renewed research and industry interest in the application of electrokinetic technologies for nuclear site management and remediation in the UK. One relatively novel application of electrokinetics is the use of sacrificial steel electrodes (coupled with an in situ generated pH-Eh gradient in the treated material) to precipitate sub-surface iron-rich barriers for groundwater and/or leachate containment, which could be used to grout or contain contaminated fluids in the sub-surface on working nuclear sites or sites undergoing decommissioning. Here, we report previously unpublished data from two work programmes exploring the higher Technology Readiness Level (TRL) application of this electrokinetic iron-barrier approach to materials typical of those found in the subsurface of the Sellafield nuclear licensed site, UK. The first programme, funded by the UK National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL), assessed the electrokinetic generation of iron-rich barriers at metre + scale in simulated Sellafield materials, while the second programme, funded under the current UK TRANSCEND consortium project, examined electrokinetic iron-barrier formation at smaller (&lt;1 m) scale, but in real site materials. Both programmes indicate that iron-rich barriers can be conveniently and electrokinetically grown in different geometries over reasonable timescales (months) in realistic site subsurface materials (sands), in electrolytes similar to natural waters found in the environment. Voltage requirements are low (&lt;1 V cm−1) with energy and consumables costs of no more than single-digit or tens of US dollars at the metre-plus scale. Further work is needed however to assess the longevity of the iron precipitates forming the subsurface barrier, and to explore barrier generation at the geometries and scales required for (site specific) field application.</p