The 2009 analysis of information remaining on USB storage devices offered for sale on the second hand market

The use of the USB storage device, also known as the USB drive, a thumb drive, a keychain drive and a flash drive has, for the most part, replaced the floppy disk and to some extent the Compact Disk (CD), the DVD (Digital Video Disk or Digital Versatile Disk) and the external hard disk. Their robustness, size and weight make them easy to transport, but also to lose or misplace. They are inexpensive and are often given away as promotional items by organisations. Over the last few years there has been a dramatic increase in the storage capacity of these devices, going from a few tens of megabytes to a current capacity of around 64 gigabytes (equal to around 13 DVDs). The larger capacity and continued low cost has vastly increased the potential uses of the devices and also the volumes and types of data that they may contain

A UK and Australian Study of Hard Disk Disposal

Recent studies in Australia and the United Kingdom indicate that a broad cross-section of organisations are failing to adequately protect or erase confidential data stored on hard disk drives before subsequent disposal. Over 90% of hard disks that were examined as a result of the two Independent studies were in an easily recoverable state with some drives simply requiring a boot. This paper will give an overview and comparison of the two studies conducted. Then an examination of possible factors responsible for the inadequate erasure of hard disk devices will be undertaken. Furthermore, possible future research directions will also be explore

A Study into the Forensic Recoverability of Data from 2nd Hand Blackberry Devices: World-Class Security, Foiled by Humans

Blackberry RIM devices are arguably one of the more secure platforms for email, calendaring and voice. It is one of the few devices in this arena that has approval for carrying restricted security classifications. Blackberry devices do suffer from the same basic fundamental flaw in that they have a human operator. This research was about the blind purchase of Blackberry devices from auctions. Of the 15 Blackberry examined in this study 3 were able to be fully recovered. They all revealed personal and corporate details about the users of the devices

Analysis of Information Remaining on Hand Held Devices for Sale on the Second Hand Market

The ownership and use of mobile phones, Personal Digital Assistants and other hand held devices is now ubiquitous both for home and business use. The majority of these devices have a high initial cost, a relatively short period before they become obsolescent and a relatively low second hand value. As a result of this, when the devices are replaced, there are indications that they tend to be discarded. As technology has continued to develop, it has led to an increasing diversity in the number and type of devices that are available, and the processing power and the storage capacity of the digital storage in the device. All organisations, whether in the public or private sector increasingly use hand held devices that contain digital media for the storage of information relating to their business, their employees or their customers. Similarly, individual private users increasingly use hand held devices containing digital media for the storage of information relating to their private lives. The research revealed that a significant number of organisations and private users are ignorant or misinformed about the volume and type of information that is stored on the hand held devices and the media on which it is stored. It is apparent that they have either not considered, or are unaware of, the potential impact of this information becoming available to their competitors or those with criminal intent. This main purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the volume and type of information that may remain on hand held devices that are offered for sale on the second hand market. A second aim of the research was to determine the level of damage that could, potentially be caused, if the information that remains on the devices fell into the wrong hands. The study examined a number of hand held devices that had been obtained from sources in the UK and Australia that ranged from internet auction sites, to private sales and commercial resellers. The study was carried out by the security research team at the BT IT Futures Centre in conjunction with Edith Cowan University in Australia and the University of Glamorgan in the UK. The basis of the research was to acquire a number of second hand hand held devices from a diverse range of sources and then determine whether they still contained information relating to a previous owner or whether the information had been effectively removed. The devices that were obtained for the research were supplied blind to the researchers through a third party. The ‘blind’ supply of the devices meant that the people undertaking the research were provided with no information about the device and that the source of the devices and any external markings were hidden from them. This process was put in place to ensure that any findings of the research were based solely on the information that could be recovered from the digital storage media that was contained within the device. The underlying methodology that was used in the research was based on the forensic imaging of the devices. A forensic image of a device is a copy of the digital media that has been created in a scientifically sound manner to a standard that is acceptable to the courts. This procedure was implemented to ensure that the evidential integrity of the devices was maintained, with the devices also then being stored in a secure manner. All subsequent research was then conducted on the image of the device. This was considered to be a sensible precaution against the possibility that information discovered on a device might indicate criminal activity and require the involvement of law enforcement. Following the forensic imaging of the devices, the images that were created were then analysed to determine whether any information remained and whether it could be easily recovered using commonly available tools and techniques that anyone who had purchased the device could acquire

Do Compression Garments Work? The Effect of Compression Garments on Biomechanical and Physiological Factors

New and innovative technology is consistently being introduced to help runners gain an edge over their competition. One of the more popular ergogenic aids in running today is compression garments. It is estimated that the compression garment market will surpass $5 billion by the year 2022. Despite the popularity, there is no clear consensus as to if or why compression is effective as an ergogenic aid. Although there has been a large variety of variables tested, there is little agreement on any of them as to the effect compression has. It appears as if the rate at which compression is used and the research to support performance improvement disagree. More research is needed to expand the knowledge base on individual variables until it becomes clearer if compression garments have an effect or not. Therefore, the purpose of the first study was to compare muscle activity, heart rate, and rating of perceived exertion while wearing graduated compression socks (CS), regular socks (RS), and a placebo sock (PS) during running. Methods: Recreational runners (n=9; 1.65 ± .08 m; 69.90 ± 9.33 kg; 22.78 ± 3.33yr) completed three 10 minute running conditions either wearing CS, RS, and PS. CS were knee-high socks that had graduated compression moving proximally up the leg. RS were determined by the type of sock each subject was wearing on the day of testing. PS were regular XL soccer socks with no claims to compressive effect. Muscle activity of the rectus femoris, biceps femoris, gastrocnemius, and tibialis anterior were measured through electromyography (EMG; Delsys, Natick, MA). Heart rate (HR) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded at 3 minute intervals. EMG data were processed by removing any zero offset, rectifying, and averaging over 30 seconds of minutes 3, 6, and 9 of each 10-min condition. Dependent variables (EMG, HR, RPE) were each compared between conditions using repeated measure ANOVAs (α=0.05). Results. HR, RPE, nor muscle activity for any muscle tested were not different between conditions (p\u3e.05). Conclusion. Neither the compression sock nor placebo sock influenced muscle activity, HR, or RPE when running speed was controlled. The first study demonstrated that there was no influence, positively or negatively, of CS, PS, or RS on muscle activity, HR, or RPE. However, all trials were performed and data collected while participants were running on a treadmill. There have been well-documented differences between treadmill and overground running and as the majority of competitive running occurs overground more research is needed in that regard. The purpose of this study was to compare muscle activity while running overground between wearing compression socks, placebo socks, and regular socks. Methods: Recreational runners (n=11, 1.70 ± 0.11 m, 71.45 ± 15.13 kg, 27.09 ± 4.39 yrs) completed three 10 minute running conditions: wearing graduated compression socks (CS), regular socks (RS), and placebo socks (PS). Participants were instructed to run at a pace comparable to that of a typical 30-minute recreational run. CS were knee-high socks that had graduated compression moving proximally up the leg. RS were determined by the type of sock each subject was wearing on the day of testing as long as they were not compression socks. PS were cotton knee-high socks with no claims of a compressive effect. Muscle activity of the rectus femoris, biceps femoris, gastrocnemius, and tibialis anterior were measured through electromyography (EMG; Delsys, Natick, MA) of one limb. Heart rate (HR) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded at 3 minute intervals. EMG data were processed by removing any zero offset, rectifying, and averaging over 5 strides at minutes 3, 6, and 9 of each 10-min condition. Dependent variables (EMG, HR, RPE) were each compared between conditions using 3(sock) X 3(time) repeated measure ANOVAs (α=0.05). Results: No variables were influenced by sock-time interaction. Muscle activity for any muscle tested nor HR were not different between socks (p\u3e.05). RPE significantly increased between time points (p The second study demonstrated that again compression socks and placebo socks had no positive nor negative influence on muscle activity, HR or RPE while running overground. These data suggest that even with a stiffer less pliable running surface sock condition does not help nor hinder performance via alterations to muscle activity. This is useful information to athletes and coaches in knowing that the use of compression socks does not induce drawbacks through altered muscle activity. The first two studies evaluated the use of compression socks stopping below the knee in lieu of full lower-limb compression. It is possible that additional compression above the knee is necessary to observe significant differences in measured outcomes. The purpose of the third study was to compare muscle oscillation, muscle activation time, and oxygen consumption while wearing compression pants vs. a control garment during running. Secondary purpose: To determine the relationship between participant’s belief in compression efficacy and percent change in measured outcomes Methods. Participants (n=11; 1.74±0.05m; 74.30±12.58kg; 26.73±12.74yr; 5 female, 6 male) ran in compression pants (COMP; ankle-hip, 68.5% nylon/31.5% elastane, 20-25 mmHg) and a loose-fitting control garment (CON). For each condition, participants ran 6 minutes at three speeds: preferred speed (PS), preferred speed minus 10% (PS-10%), and preferred speed plus 10% (PS+10%).Garment condition order was counterbalanced; speed order was randomly assigned. Muscle activity of the rectus femoris, biceps femoris, gastrocnemius, and tibialis anterior was measured through electromyography (EMG). Muscle Oscillation (MO) was measured with accelerometers attached to the thigh and shank. EMG, MO, stride frequency (SF), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured during the last minute of each condition. Rate of oxygen consumption (V̇O2) and heart rate (HR) were recorded and averaged over the final 3 minutes of for each condition. MO was assessed over the 0-60 Hz range in 10 Hz bins. Power was averaged across 10Hz bins resulting in six dependent (0-10Hz, 10-20Hz, etc.) variables per leg segment. EMG data were processed by removing any zero offset, rectifying, and averaging activation time over 5 strides. A muscle was determined to be active if it had a greater amplitude than 10% of peak activation amplitude. After completing all conditions, ‘belief was assessed by having participants place a mark on a continuous scale ranging from ‘no belief’ to ‘belief.’ Dependent variables (Muscle activation time, MO, V̇O2, HR, RPE, SF) were each compared between conditions using 2 (garment) X 3 (speed) repeated measure ANOVAs (α=0.05). The relationship between belief score and percent change in each dependent variable (compression-control) was analyzed using Pearson’s product-moment correlation (α=0.05) Results. Muscle oscillation or activation time were not influenced by the interaction of garment and speed for any frequency bin assessed (p\u3e0.05). Muscle oscillation up to 40 Hz was lower during compression pants vs. control garment (p0.05). There was no significant correlation between changes in dependent variables and belief. Conclusion. Wearing compression pants resulted in a reduction in muscle oscillation and activation time; however, these changes did not translate into a reduction of oxygen consumption. In conclusion, compression pants induced changes in physiological and biomechanical mechanisms that can be potentially beneficial to overall performance. Wearing compression pants resulted in a reduction of muscle oscillation of the lower limb up to 40hz. Subsequently, a reduction in muscle activation time was observed while wearing compression pants. Although these factors did not influence running economy, more research is needed to evaluate potential benefits while running for a longer duration

The 2007 Analysis of Information Remaining on Disks offered for sale on the second hand market

All organisations, whether in the public or private sector, increasingly use computers and other devices that contain computer hard disks for the storage and processing of information relating to their business, their employees or their customers. Individual home users also increasingly use computers and other devices containing computer hard disks for the storage and processing of information relating to their private, personal affairs. It continues to be clear that the majority of organisations and individual home users still remain ignorant or misinformed of the volume and type of information that is stored on the hard disks that these devices contain and have not considered, or are unaware of, the potential impact of this information becoming available to their competitors or to people with criminal intent. This is the third study in an ongoing research effort that is being conducted into the volume and type of information that remains on computer hard disks offered for sale on the second hand market. The purpose of the research has been to gain an understanding of the information that remains on the disk and to determine the level of damage that could, potentially be caused, if the information fell into the wrong hands. The study examines disks that have been obtained in a number of countries to determine whether there is any detectable national or regional variance in the way that the disposal of computer disks is addressed and to compare the results for any other detectable regional or temporal trends. The first study was carried out in 2005 and was repeated in 2006 with the scope extended to include additional countries. The studies were carried out by British Telecommunications, the University of Glamorgan in the UK and Edith Cowan University in Australia. The basis of the research was to acquire a number of second hand computer disks from various sources and then determine whether they still contained information relating to a previous owner or if information had been effectively erased. If they still contained information, the research examined whether it was in a sufficient volume and of enough sensitivity to the original owner to be of value to either a competitor or a criminal. One of the results of the research was that, for a very large proportion of the disks that were examined, there was significant information present and both organisations and individuals were potentially exposed to the possibility of a compromise of sensitive information and identity theft. The report noted that where the disks had originally been owned by organisations, they had, in most cases, failed to meet their statutory, regulatory and legal obligations. In the third and latest study, conducted in 2007, the research methodology of the previous two studies conducted was repeated, but in addition to Longwood University in the USA joining the research effort, the scope was broadened geographically and the focus was extended to determine what changes had occurred in the availability of sensitive information might be occurring over time

The 2006 Analysis of Information Remaining on Disks Offered for Sale on the Second Hand Market

All organisations, whether in the public or private sector, use computers for the storage and processing of information relating to their business or services, their employees and their customers. A large proportion of families and individuals in their homes now also use personal computers and, both intentionally and inadvertently, often store on those computers personal information. It is clear that most organisations and individuals continue to be unaware of the information that may be stored on the hard disks that the computers contain, and have not considered what may happen to the information after the disposal of the equipment. In 2005, joint research was carried out by the University of Glamorgan in Wales and Edith Cowan University in Australia to determine whether second hand computer disks that were purchased from a number of sources still contained any information or whether the information had been effectively erased. The research revealed that, for the majority of the disks that were examined, the information had not been effectively removed and as a result, both organisations and individuals were potentially exposed to a range of potential crimes. It is worthy of note that in the disposal of this equipment, the organisations involved had failed to meet their statutory, regulatory and legal obligations. This paper describes a second research project that was carried out in 2006 which repeated the research carried out the previous year and also extended the scope of the research to include additional countries. The methodology used was the same as that in the previous year and the disks that were used for the research were again supplied blind by a third party. The research involved the forensic imaging of the disks which was followed by an analysis of the disks to determine what information remained and whether it could be easily recovered using publicly available tools and techniques

Rapid scavenging of jellyfish carcasses reveals the importance of gelatinous material to deep-sea food webs

Jellyfish blooms are common in many oceans, and anthropogenic changes appear to have increased their magnitude in some regions. Although mass falls of jellyfish carcasses have been observed recently at the deep seafloor, the dense necrophage aggregations and rapid consumption rates typical for vertebrate carrion have not been documented. This has led to a paradigm of limited energy transfer to higher trophic levels at jelly falls relative to vertebrate organic falls. We show from baited camera deployments in the Norwegian deep sea that dense aggregations of deep-sea scavengers (more than 1000 animals at peak densities) can rapidly form at jellyfish baits and consume entire jellyfish carcasses in 2.5 h. We also show that scavenging rates on jellyfish are not significantly different from fish carrion of similar mass, and reveal that scavenging communities typical for the NE Atlantic bathyal zone, including the Atlantic hagfish, galatheid crabs, decapod shrimp and lyssianasid amphipods, consume both types of carcasses. These rapid jellyfish carrion consumption rates suggest that the contribution of gelatinous material to organic fluxes may be seriously underestimated in some regions, because jelly falls may disappear much more rapidly than previously thought. Our results also demonstrate that the energy contained in gelatinous carrion can be efficiently incorporated into large numbers of deep-sea scavengers and food webs, lessening the expected impacts (e.g. smothering of the seafloor) of enhanced jellyfish production on deep-sea ecosystems and pelagic–benthic coupling

BEAT-IT:comparing a behavioural activation treatment for depression in adults with intellectual disabilities with an attention control : study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Depression appears to be more enduring amongst people with intellectual disabilities, suggesting that it is a more chronic problem or more poorly managed in this population. This is not helped by a lack of evidence about the effectiveness of psychological therapies for people who have intellectual disabilities and depression. Behavioural activation, which aims to counteract depression by increasing individuals' level of meaningful activity and their exposure to positive reinforcers, has proven to be as effective as cognitive behavioural therapy in the general population. Given that this therapy makes fewer communicative demands and focuses on activity, it was thought that behavioural activation would be both accessible and apt for people with intellectual disabilities, who are often socially marginalised. METHODS/DESIGN: This study is a multi-centre single-blind randomised controlled trial of behavioural activation versus a self-help attention control intervention for depression in adults with mild/moderate intellectual disabilities. The study has an internal pilot in one centre, to establish that recruitment can be built up and sustained at the required level, before being rolled out across the other sites. One hundred sixty-six participants will be randomly assigned to the behavioural activation or self-help interventions, which will be delivered to individuals with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities, accompanied by someone who provides them with regular support. Both interventions are manualised and will be delivered over a period of approximately 4 months. The primary outcome measure will be the Glasgow Depression Scale, a self-report measure which is completed at baseline and 4 and 12 months post-randomisation. Secondary outcomes include measures of participants' activity levels, proxy reports of depressive symptoms, and cost-effectiveness. DISCUSSION: The study will provide evidence about the effectiveness of behavioural activation for depression, adapted for people who have mild/moderate intellectual disabilities, and will inform the delivery of psychological therapies to people with intellectual disabilities in practice. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Date trial registered: Nov. 13, 2012; trial registration number: ISRCTN 09753005