Defining cyberwar: Towards a definitional framework

For nearly thirty years scholars have offered changing definitions of cyberwar. The continued ambiguity demonstrates that efforts at establishing definitional clarity have not been successful. As a result, there are many different and contradictory definitions, ranging from cyberwar’s non-existence to cyberwar as an imminent threat. Ongoing definitional ambiguity makes interdisciplinary research and policy communications challenging in this diverse field. Instead of offering a new definition, this paper proposes that cyberwar can be understood through a fluid framework anchored in three themes and five variables identified in a broad interdisciplinary survey of literature. This framework's applicability is demonstrated by constructing an example definition of cyberwar utilising these themes and variables.Published versio

Antimicrobial Resistance in ESKAPE Pathogens and its Effect on Modern Medicine and Treatment

Abstract ESKAPE pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter spp.) are seeing a growing resistance to multiple classes of antibiotics. Misuse and overuse of antibiotics have played directly into the resistance observed, and the problem is growing exponentially. Antibiotic resistance is partially due to several intrinsic factors limiting the drug\u27s uptake. These include efflux pumps, increased biofilm production, and reduced cell wall permeability in the resistant bacteria. ESKAPE pathogens also acquire resistance through horizontal gene transfer and plasmids. As antibiotics have become less effective, the bacteria can continue to thrive, leading to a detrimental outcome of previously treatable infections. Antibiotic resistance has increased the importance of new drug development, greater development of therapies, and improved education surrounding ESKAPE pathogens. Key Words: ESKAPE pathogens, microbiology, antibiotic resistanc

Exploring the impacts of artificial intelligence on freedom of religion or belief online

Freedom of religion or belief is an essential right for building pluralistic and tolerant societies which can sustain a multiplicity of competing ideas. However, the opaqueness of artificial intelligence systems on the Internet represents a challenge to the protection and enjoyment of this and other human rights. Although AI has generated interest in the human rights literature, these studies have largely focused on AI and its impact on freedom of expression and privacy, leaving other rights such as freedom of religion or belief neglected. As part of a broader research project to expand the academic conversation about AI and human rights, this paper will examine the impact of artificial intelligence on freedom of religion or belief online. The paper will focus on the worship, teaching, observance, and practice associated with freedom of religion or belief alongside the impacts of AI in content display, content moderation, and online privacy. The paper will offer preliminary policy recommendations to encourage discussion on policy approaches to AI development and deployment which incorporate protections for freedom of religion or belief in the era of artificial intelligence.Published versio

Alien Registration- Cameran, Mrs. Accede (Rumford, Oxford County)

https://digitalmaine.com/alien_docs/13462/thumbnail.jp

Guidelines for Sealing Geotechnical Exploratory Holes

A three year research project was sponsored by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) in 1991 to determine the best materials and methods for sealing small diameter geotechnical exploratory holes. A key requirement of the research project was to verity the effectiveness of the in-place seals. Seal verification studies were conducted at two sites, one in the USA and one in Canada. Seals consisting of various bentonite products and Portland cement were installed and allowed to age. Periodic in situ hydraulic conductivity tests were performed at the Canadian site. Seal exhumation studies were conducted at the USA site. Upon completion of the research in 1994-5, hole sealing guidelines were published by the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP). This paper provides an overview of the research project and describes the hole sealing guidelines

Hybrid organic-inorganic nano-composites for solid-state battery electrolytes

Desired properties of solid electrolytes are high ionic conductivity and transference number, high shear modulus to prevent dendrite growth, chemical compatibility with electrodes, and ease of fabrication into thin films. Especially, elastic stiffness and ionic mobility are opposing attributes in a homogenous material, and a composite approach towards designing novel electrolytes is therefore advisable. We use a two-step sol-gel method to synthesize silica-based hybrid organic-inorganic materials for this application. First, a continuous porous silica structure is created that provides electrochemical stability and mechanical rigidity. This network also contains unreacted epoxy groups. In step 2, single-sided amine-functionalized polyethene glycol (PEG-NH2) infiltrates the pores via fluid exchange. As PEG-NH2 fills the pores, the amine groups react with the epoxy groups and anchor the polymer to the silica network, which provides highly conductive pathways. IR spectroscopy, Raman and Brillouin light scattering, impedance spectroscopy, small angel x-ray scattering (SAXS), charge-discharge cell testing is performed to identify the structural and chemical origins that underlie the performance of these hybrid electrolytes. A room temperature ionic conductivity in excess of 10-5 S/cm is reached (Fig. 1). Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract

Audit Fees and IAS/IFRS Adoption: Evidence from the Banking Industry

The adoption of IAS/IFRS has two opposite effects on audit fees: on the one hand, greater effort is required from auditors, which is likely to be reflected by higher fees; on the other hand, if IAS/IFRS improve the quality of financial reporting, expected liability costs could decrease and lower fees may be demanded. We consider a large sample of Italian banks and we examine the effect of IAS/IFRS adoption on audit fees. The results show that higher fees (19.29% in real terms) are paid after the switch to the new standards. Using a standard earnings management model, we do not find support for the idea that financial reporting quality is affected by the adoption of IAS/IFRS. The observed increase in fees is positively associated with the presence of financial derivatives held for hedging purposes. This paper extends the findings of prior research on the effect of IAS/IFRS adoption on audit fees; contrary to prior contributions, our analysis concentrates on the banking industry. Furthermore, unlike prior works, we consider both listed and non-listed firms

DNA HLA-DRB1 analysis in children of positive mothers and estimated risk of vertical HIV transmission.

RFLP HLA-DRB I analysis was performed on a total of 83 children born from HIV -infected mothers, 35 of whom were shown to be HIV -infected, while 48 reverted from seropositivity to seronegativity, indicating that they were not infected. Moreover, 89 healthy children were used as controls. It has been found that DRBI-14a and DRBI-13a.4 alleles were not present in the HIV-infected children, but were found in the sero-reverted (HIV-uninfected) children (in the proportion of 9·6 per cent and 5·3 per cent, respectively), and in the controls (5·6 per cent and 3·9 per cent, respectively). The possible correlation between DR and risk of HIV transmission from mother to baby was analysed considering every single allele, estimated by the ratio between the number of infected children and the number of all children born from seropositive mothers. There was also introduced a statisticGfor the control of 'statistical validity' of data

Audit Tendering in the UK: A Review of Stakeholders’ Views

This study reports the results of a content analysis of the comment letters sent to the UK Financial Reporting Council (FRC), in response to its consultation document on the 2012 revisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code, concerning the proposal for mandatory audit tendering. The results indicate a general support for the FRC’s proposals with a number of key concerns related to audit quality, auditor independence and audit cost. There is also clear conflict of interests among some stakeholder groups such as audit firms and companies on one side and institutional investors on the other side. There is evidence of conflict of interest between Big 4 and non-Big 4 audit firms. Implications for future consultations and legislations are also discussed

Empirische Religionspädagogik und Praktische Theologie : Metareflexionen, innovative Forschungsmethoden und aktuelle Befunde aus Projekten der Sektion „Empirische Religionspädagogik“ der AKRK

Der Sammelband stellt in insgesamt 20 Beiträgen Metareflexionen, innovative Forschungsmethoden und aktuelle Befunde aus Projekten der AKRK-Sektion "Empirische Religionspädagogik" vor. 19 Autorinnen und Autoren aus verschiedenen Ländern und Sparten der Theologie haben hieran mitgewirkt, auch um weitere empirisch fundierte Forschungsarbeiten anzuregen