1,834 research outputs found
49P. Web Security: A Cross-Sectional View of Businesses Operating in Jamaica
Companies and government ministries alike have been rapidly shifting from the brick-and-mortar to the brick-and-click business model following the tremendous improvements in telecommunications infrastructure, coupled with the ever increasing competitiveness and global influences in local industries. Security unquestionably plays a pivotal role in any online presence. Websites that are built and maintained with a greater awareness of security issues have become more difficult targets for those with malicious intentions. These individuals have begun to shift their focus to softer targets both as the primary goal and as launching pads for other attacks. The aim of this paper is to highlight the susceptibility of businesses in Jamaica to these types of attacks by presenting the results of tests conducted on a representational subset of well established businesses operating in Jamaica with an online presence. We also discuss how the tests were conducted and the nature and consequences of the security flaws discovered
Identifying Potential Security Flaws using Loophole Analysis and the SECREt
In contemporary software development thereare a number of methods that attempt to ensure the securityof a system. Many of these methods are however introducedin the latter stages of development or try to address theissues of securing a software system by envisioning possiblethreats to that system, knowledge that is usually bothsubjective and esoteric.In this paper we introduce the concept of path fixationand discuss how contradictory paths or loopholes, discoveredduring requirements engineering and using only arequirements specification document, can lead to potentialsecurity flaws in a proposed system.The SECREt is a proof-of-concept prototype tool developedto demonstrate the effectiveness of loophole analysis.We discuss how the tool performs a loophole analysisand present the results of tests conducted on an actualspecification document. We conclude that loophole analysisis an effective, objective method for the discovery ofpotential vulnerabilitites that exist in proposed systems andthat the SECREt can be successfully incorporated into therequirements engineering process
Mood Disorders and Gluten: Itâs Not All in Your Mind! A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis
Gluten elimination may represent an effective treatment strategy for mood disorders in individuals with gluten-related disorders. However, the directionality of the relationship remains unclear. We performed a systematic review of prospective studies for effects of gluten on mood symptoms in patients with or without gluten-related disorders. Six electronic databases (CINAHL, PsycINFO, Medline, Web of Science, Scopus and Cochrane Library) were searched, from inception to 8 August 2018, for prospective studies published in English. Meta-analyses with random-effects were performed. Three randomised-controlled trials and 10 longitudinal studies comprising 1139 participants fit the inclusion criteria. A gluten-free diet (GFD) significantly improved pooled depressive symptom scores in GFD-treated patients (Standardised Mean Difference (SMD) â0.37, 95% confidence interval (CI) â0.55 to â0.20; p < 0.0001), with no difference in mean scores between patients and healthy controls after one year (SMD 0.01, 95% CI â0.18 to 0.20, p = 0.94). There was a tendency towards worsening symptoms for non-coeliac gluten sensitive patients during a blinded gluten challenge vs. placebo (SMD 0.21, 95% CI â0.58 to 0.15; p = 0.25). Our review supports the association between mood disorders and gluten intake in susceptible individuals. The effects of a GFD on mood in subjects without gluten-related disorders should be considered in future research
Hemoglobin genotype has minimal influence on the physiological response of juvenile atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) to environmental challenges
Hemoglobin (Hb) polymorphism in cod is associated with temperatureârelated differences in biogeographical distribution, and several authors have suggested that functional characteristics of the various hemoglobin isoforms (HbIs) directly influence phenotypic traits such as growth rate. However, no study has directly examined whether Hb genotype translates into physiological differences at the whole animal level. Thus, we generated a family of juvenile Atlantic cod consisting of all three main Hb genotypes (HbIâ1/1, HbIâ2/2, and HbIâ1/2) by crossing a single pair of heterozygous parents, and we compared their metabolic and cortisol responses to an acute thermal challenge (10°C to their critical thermal maximum [CTM] or 22°C, respectively) and tolerance of graded hypoxia. There were no differences in routine metabolism (at 10°C), maximum metabolic rate, metabolic scope, CTM (overall mean 22.9° ± 0.2°C), or resting and poststress plasma cortisol levels among Hb genotypes. Further, although the HbIâ1/1 fish grew more (by 15%–30% during the first 9 mo) when reared at 10° ± 1°C and had a slightly enhanced hypoxia tolerance at 10°C (e.g., the critical O2 levels for HbIâ1/1, HbIâ2/2, and HbIâ1/2 cod were 35.56% ± 1.24%, and 40.20% ± 1.99% air saturation, respectively), these results are contradictory to expectations based on HbI functional properties. Thus, our findings (1) do not support previous assumptions that growth rate differences among cod Hb genotypes result from a more efficient use of the oxygen supply—that is, reduced standard metabolic rates and/or increased metabolic capacity—and (2) suggest that in juvenile cod, there is no selective advantage to having a particular Hb genotype with regards to the capacity to withstand ecologically relevant environmental challenges.<br /
Floral Neighborhood and Pollination Success in Four Hummingbird-Pollinated Cloud Forest Plant Species
In a cloud forest at Monteverde, Costa Rica, was examined pollen loads received by selfâcompatible flowers of two pairs of plant species pollinated by hummingbirds: Hansteinia blepharorachis and Razisea spicata (Acanthaceae), and Besleria triflora and Drymonia rubra (Gesneriaceae). Each pair consisted of one species (Hansteinia or Besleria) pollinated by shortâbilled hummingbirds and a related species (Razisea or Drymonia) pollinated by longâbilled hummingbirds. At three different times per species, separated by 1â3 mo, we examined flowers on 28â40 focal plants from a wide variety of floral neighborhoods, ranging from plants isolated from conspecifics, either by distance or by other flowering species pollinated by the same hummingbirds, to plants surrounded by conspecifics. Because shortâbilled hummingbirds often restrict foraging to areas of high flower density, and because shortâtubed flowers adapted for hummingbirds often have similar pollen placement, we predicted that shortâtubed flowers isolated from conspecifics would receive fewer conspecific grains and more heterospecific grains than shortâtubed flowers surrounded by conspecifics. Because longâbilled hummingbirds often forage over large areas and because longâtubed flowers adapted for hummingbirds tend to diverge in pollen placement, we predicted that pollination of longâtubed flowers would be relatively unaffected by floral neighborhood. Effects on pollen loads of floral neighborhood (nearness to or isolation from other flowers) followed few patterns consistent with our prediction or with conventional theory. (1) There were no consistent effects of floral neighborhoods on numbers of heterospecific grains deposited on stigmas; in all four species, regardless of corolla length, effects of particular neighborhood variables (as determined with stepwise multiple regression) were as likely to run exactly counter to conventional models as to corroborate models. (2) In none of the 12 sampling runs did increases in absolute densities of neighboring heterospecific flowers adversely affect pollination. (3) However, in two runs, loads of conspecific grains increased with increases in the absolute density of neighboring conspecific flowers, and/or (in three runs) with increases in their relative density (proportion of conspecifics among neighboring flowers). These runs all involved shortâflowered species rather than longâflowered species, tending confirm our initial prediction, but half the sampling runs, even of shortâflowered species, failed to show any densityâdependent effects from neighboring flowers pollinated by the same hummingbirds. Flowers frequently received fewer conspecific grains than they had ovules to be fertilized. Therefore the potential existed for floral neighborhoods to affect seed set and fitness of plants. Nevertheless, even though neotropical hummingbirdâpollinated flowers have been cited as examples of species whose flowering peaks are displaced through competition for pollination, competitive effects from neighboring heterospecific plants were only sporadic in the species we examined, and were particularly infrequent in those species with long flowers adapted for longâbilled hummingbirds
A segmented and clawed male foreleg in a newly described genus and species of eumaeine butterfly (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae)
Grishinata Robbins and Busby, new genus (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Eumaeini), possesses a five-segmented foretarsus with a clawed pretarsus, a trait that differentiates it from all eumaeine genera except Theclopsis Godman and Salvin. Grishinata penny Busby, Hall, and Robbins, new species, differs from all species of Theclopsis (and most Eumaeini) in lacking male secondary sexual organs on the wings or in the abdomen. It is recorded from the eastern slope of the Andes in Ecuador and Peru. We cannot place Grishinata penny in an existing Eumaeini genus based upon its wing pattern, male foreleg structure, lack of male secondÂary sexual organs, and male genitalic morphology. We propose names for the genus and species to document its leg morphology and to provide a name for a genome sequencing project, which will allow us to place the genus in the eumaeine Linnaean hierarchy.
There are two morphological types of male forelegs in the lepidopteran butterfly family Lycaenidae, each of which is functionally and structurally different from male forelegs in other diurnal butterfly families. The first male foreleg type is superficially similar to that of Nymphalidae and Riodinidae in that the tarsus is unsegmented, lacks a pretarsus, and is not used to groom the antennae (Robbins 1988, 1990). It differs functionally from these families in that it is used for walking. It differs morphologically in that it possesses tarsal alpha and beta trichoid sensilla (terminology from Chun and Schoonhoven 1973), which are lacking in Nymphalidae and Riodinidae with few exceptions (Robbins 1988). This male foreleg type occurs in more than 98% of lycaenid species (Mattoni and Fiedler 1991). The second lycaenid male foreleg type is superficially similar to that of Hesperiidae, Papilionidae, and Pieridae in that the foretarsus is segmented with a clawed pretarsus. It differs functionally from these families in that it is not used to groom the antennae (Jander 1966; Robbins 1990). It differs morphologically in that it lacks the tibial epiphysis of Hesperiidae and Papilionidae or the vestigial remnant of an epiphysis that occurs in some Pieridae (Robbins 1990). Within Eumaeini, this male foreleg type is restricted to some species of Theclopsis Godman and Salvin, 1887 (Godman and Salvin 1887; Robbins 2004). We discovered a species (Fig. 1) belonging to the Eumaeini with a male foreleg that has a clawed pretarsus and a five-segmented tarsus (Fig. 2), but the male genitalia, secondary sexual characters, and wing pattern (Fig. 1, 3) are dissimilar from those of Theclopsis. The males lack secondary sexual organs on the wings or in the abdomen (Fig. 1, 3), which is highly unusual in Eumaeini (Valencia-Montoya et al. 2021). The male genitalia (Fig. 3) lack structures that would be useful in determining its closest phylogenetic relatives. More generally, we find no clear-cut morphological evidence to place this species in an available eumaeine genus. The purpose of this paper is to propose new generic and specific names for this newly discovered taxon. One reason is that we need a name to document its unusual leg morphology. Another is that we are currently sequencing its genome for a phylogenetic project. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequence data will allow us to place the genus in the eumaeine Linnaean hierarchy. We predict that it will show, in accord with the findings of Mattoni and Fiedler (1991), that its male foreleg with a clawed pretarsus and five-segmented tarsus evolved from a tarsus that was fused without a pretarsus
Support available for and perceived priorities of people with polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis: results of the PMRGCAuk members' survey 2017
Polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis are relatively common, but under research inflammatory rheumatological conditions. This survey aimed to ascertain the matters in which patients feel they need support with these conditions and appraise how the Charity PMRGCAuk currently supports these needs and could do so in the future. PMRGCAuk members (nâ=â910) were invited to complete an on-line survey. The survey requested the respondent's history of PMR and or GCA, their perceived priorities for support for people with PMR and or GCA and views on the services already provided by the Charity. A total of 209 people completed the survey. Less than 24% had heard of either PMR or GCA before their diagnosis. Priorities in supporting people with PMR and or GCA included: being on and tapering off glucocorticoids (76.6%), specifically, length of treatment and the risks versus benefits and managing side effects. Respondents generally reported satisfaction with the services currently provided by PMRGCAuk. The support provided by PMRGCAuk is very helpful to members and fills an important gap in provision for people with PMR and or GCA. The areas in which the greatest proportions of participants requested support do not have an evidence base to underpin them. It is incumbent on the research community to address patients' concerns and provide an evidence base where it is required by those affected
Extensions of operator algebras I
We transcribe a portion of the theory of extensions of C*-algebras to general
operator algebras. We also include several new general facts about
approximately unital ideals in operator algebras and the C*-algebras which they
generate
Disturbance, Pollinator Predictability, and Pollination Success Among Costa Rican Cloud Forest Plants
Cloud forest at Monteverde, Costa Rica experiences frequent natural disturbance. To determine whether species interactions vary spatially due to physical heterogeneity produced by disturbance, we examined relationships between 22 plant species and 11 nectarâfeeding bird species in 14 study plots distributed among three patch types: larger landslideâlike gaps (handâcleared areas along a trail), small gaps (formed by recent treefalls), and understory of closedâcanopy forest. Species we describe here flowered in two or three patch types. The aspects of pollination we examined varied little with patch type. Mean frequency of pollinator visits varied with patch type in a few plant species but not in most, and there was no significant trend across species. Pollen loads carried by 314 mistânetted hummingbirds did not vary significantly with patch type, either in total number of grains or number of species represented. Cumulative pollen loads that hummingbirds deposited on stigmas of two species of Acanthaceae (Razisea spicata and Hansteinia blepharorachis) did not vary consistently with patch type, except that Hansteinia flowers in treefall gaps received fewer heterospecific pollen grains than flowers in the other two patch types. Frequency of fruit set varied significantly with patch type in three of the four species examined, but the direction of variation in one of these was opposite to the direction of the other two. The absolute frequency with which flowers were pierced by nectarârobbing hummingbirds did not vary significantly with patch type, although the frequency of piercing relative to legitimate pollinator visits did increase in the large gaps. We attribute the latter result to aggregation of the hummingbird Eupherusa eximia, a chronic nectar robber, at dense clumps of longâflowered plant species that occurred in large gaps. Only one feature we examined suggested that patch type might directly affect the nature of species interactions: in two different analyses, the level of variation in frequency of hummingbird visits to flowers declined from large gaps to small gaps to forest. Results suggest that, unless the disturbance initiating a patch is unusually severe or widespread, interactions between the plants and hummingbirds examined are insensitive to patch type. Such species, existing in naturally dynamic forests throughout their recent evolutionary histories, presumably have become accommodated to frequent smallâscale disturbance. Results also suggest that those habitatârelated contrasts in plant reproductive traits and plantâpollinator interactions documented in other studies, which compare habitats initiated by anthropogenic disturbances with undisturbed patches, may be artifacts to some extent. Anthropogenically generated disturbance mosaics may promote the spread of species whose reproductive traits evolved under very different circumstances from mosaics generated by natural disturbances
- âŠ