1,181 research outputs found
Differential cross-section measurements of boosted top quarks at TeV with the ATLAS detector
Differential cross-section measurements of highly boosted top quarks are
presented. The dataset used has an integrated luminosity of fb,
recorded at a centre-of-mass energy of TeV with the ATLAS
detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider in 2015. Events are selected in the
lepton + jets channel, containing one isolated lepton and a large radius jet
that is identified as originating from a top quark using substructure tagging
techniques. The measured transverse momentum and absolute rapidity
distributions are unfolded to remove detector effects and compared to a range
of Monte Carlo simulations. The transverse momentum distribution shows that all
Monte Carlo generators used predict a harder spectrum than observed in data,
while the rapidity distribution agrees well between MC and data.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, Top201
Keynote Speaker: Taking Charge of Our Energy Future
Keynote Address: Taking Charge of Our Energy Future
Introductions: George Tyson, General Chairman
Speaker: Dr. James M. Fenton, Director Florida Solar Energy Cente
Change and Continuity in Indonesian Islamist Ideology and Terrorist Strategies
The âIslamisationâ of Indonesia has exerted a transformative force on every aspect of Indonesian society. That process continues today. It has created streams of change and continuity in thoughts, ideologies and practices, of enormous complexity. Strict doctrinal interpretation of Koranic text is not a new phenomenon, contrary to what some reports in the mass media might suggest. Its roots stretch back at least as far as the 1800s with the outbreak of violent conflicts between those urging a stricter, scripturalist application of Islam, and those adhering to traditionalist and colonialist ideologies --culminating in the Padri war of West Sumatra of 1821-38. Indicating an ostensible continuity of ideology, modern extremist ideologues, such as Abu Bakar Bashir, urge their followers toward violent conflict and terrorist actions based on an ideology of strict âMiddle Easternâ interpretation of fundamental Islamic tenets. This paper argues that the strategies of those carrying out radical and violent ideologies are undergoing change, as are the strategies of the authorities tasked with combating them. Radical groups have displayed a shift away from large-scale, attacks on symbolic foreign targets towards low-level violence primarily aimed at law enforcement authorities. Authorities, on the other hand, have shown a greater tendency to shoot dead those suspected of involvement with violent radical groups. This paper will examine the changing strategies of violent radical groups and the continuity, and evolution, of the underlying Islamic ideology that provides religious justification for their violent acts. The paper will argue that engaging Indonesiaâs politically active youth in an ideological dialogue on Islamism and democracy provides the best prospect for disengagement from, and breaking the cycle of recruitment for, radical violence and terrorism.[Proses panjang Islamisasi di Indonesia telah menghasilkan kekuatan transformatif di seluruh aspek kehidupan masyarakat Indonesia. Proses ini terus berlangsung hingga sekarang serta menciptakan gelombang perubahan berkesinambungan dalam pemikiran, ideologi, dan praktik-praktik dalam kompleksitas yang rumit. Penafsiran kaku atas ayat-ayat Quran sebenarnya bukanlah sesuatu yang baru, berbeda dengan apa yang selama ini diasumsikan di media. Fenomena seperti ini dapat dirunut kembali pada era 1800an, khususnya pada konflik bersenjata yang terjadi antara penganjur penerapan tekstual ajaran Islam dengan para penganut ideologi tradisional dan penjajah, yang berpuncak pada Perang Padri di Sumatra Barat tahun 1821-38. Dengan ideologi serupa, para ideolog modern dari kelompok garis keras, seperti Abu Bakar Bashir, mendorong pengikutnya untuk melakukan aksi kekerasan dan teror dengan mendasarkan diri pada ideologi ala Timur Tengah dengan penafsiran dasar-dasar Islam secara kaku. Tulisan ini mendalilkan bahwa strategi kelompok yang mengusung ideologi radikal dan kekerasan terus mengalami perubahan seiring perubahan strategi penguasa dalam menghadapi mereka. Strategi kelompok radikal telah berubah dari penyerangan berskala besar terhadap simbol-simbol asing bergeser pada kekerasan berskala kecil terutama pada persoalan penerapan hukum. Pemerintah, di sisi lain, cenderung mengambil tindakan tegas terhadap mereka yang diduga terlibat kekerasan kelompok radikal. Tulisan ini juga melihat perubahan-perubahan dan kesinambungan strategi dari kelompok radikal serta evolusi ideologi Islam yang menjustifikasi aksi-aksi kekerasan. Kesimpulan lainnya adalah bahwa keterlibatan kalangan muda dalam kegiatan dialog mengenai Islam dan demokrasi menjadikan mereka terhindar sekaligus memutus rantai rekrutmen gerakan radikal dan terorisme.
The Pancasila Ideological Direction Bill (RUUâHIP):A Missed Opportunity?
Indonesia faces a number of acute developmental challenges, hence, there is a need for evidenceâbased policies to address a range of socioâpolitical issues. This article examines the rise and fall of an illâfated bill introduced into parliament in 2020 (the âRUUâHIPâ) which sought to reshape the nationâs understanding of the state philosophy, Pancasila, while promoting âpolicy based on national science and technology.â The article argues that Pancasila, which mandates âBelief in the One and Only Godâ as its first tenet, has a number of unintended and damaging consequences; it limits freedom of religion and thought; bolsters the position of powerful mainstream religious organisations; contributes to extremist, marginalising religious stances; and acts as a potent and pervasive barrier to innovation at all levels of social and political life. As a lens through which to view Indonesiaâs national ideology, the article examines the RUUâHIP and takes account of the historical roots of the state ideology and the pivotal role of its main progenitor, Soekarno. It examines some of the deleterious effects of Pancasila outlined above and concludes that the first sila, along with a controversial Blasphemy Law, ought to be amended and repealed respectively, to allow for greater freedom of religion and thought. The article concludes that while amending Pancasila may, contrary to prevailing legal thought, be theoretically possible, in the current socioâpolitical climate this would be unthinkable for most Indonesians
Change and Continuity in Indonesian Islamist Ideology and Terrorist Strategies
The âIslamisationâ of Indonesia has exerted a transformative force on every aspect of Indonesian society. That process continues today. It has created streams of change and continuity in thoughts, ideologies and practices, of enormous complexity. Strict doctrinal interpretation of Koranic text is not a new phenomenon, contrary to what some reports in the mass media might suggest. Its roots stretch back at least as far as the 1800s with the outbreak of violent conflicts between those urging a stricter, scripturalist application of Islam, and those adhering to traditionalist and colonialist ideologies --culminating in the Padri war of West Sumatra of 1821-38. Indicating an ostensible continuity of ideology, modern extremist ideologues, such as Abu Bakar Bashir, urge their followers toward violent conflict and terrorist actions based on an ideology of strict âMiddle Easternâ interpretation of fundamental Islamic tenets. This paper argues that the strategies of those carrying out radical and violent ideologies are undergoing change, as are the strategies of the authorities tasked with combating them. Radical groups have displayed a shift away from large-scale, attacks on symbolic foreign targets towards low-level violence primarily aimed at law enforcement authorities. Authorities, on the other hand, have shown a greater tendency to shoot dead those suspected of involvement with violent radical groups. This paper will examine the changing strategies of violent radical groups and the continuity, and evolution, of the underlying Islamic ideology that provides religious justification for their violent acts. The paper will argue that engaging Indonesiaâs politically active youth in an ideological dialogue on Islamism and democracy provides the best prospect for disengagement from, and breaking the cycle of recruitment for, radical violence and terrorism.[Proses panjang Islamisasi di Indonesia telah menghasilkan kekuatan transformatif di seluruh aspek kehidupan masyarakat Indonesia. Proses ini terus berlangsung hingga sekarang serta menciptakan gelombang perubahan berkesinambungan dalam pemikiran, ideologi, dan praktik-praktik dalam kompleksitas yang rumit. Penafsiran kaku atas ayat-ayat Quran sebenarnya bukanlah sesuatu yang baru, berbeda dengan apa yang selama ini diasumsikan di media. Fenomena seperti ini dapat dirunut kembali pada era 1800an, khususnya pada konflik bersenjata yang terjadi antara penganjur penerapan tekstual ajaran Islam dengan para penganut ideologi tradisional dan penjajah, yang berpuncak pada Perang Padri di Sumatra Barat tahun 1821-38. Dengan ideologi serupa, para ideolog modern dari kelompok garis keras, seperti Abu Bakar Bashir, mendorong pengikutnya untuk melakukan aksi kekerasan dan teror dengan mendasarkan diri pada ideologi ala Timur Tengah dengan penafsiran dasar-dasar Islam secara kaku. Tulisan ini mendalilkan bahwa strategi kelompok yang mengusung ideologi radikal dan kekerasan terus mengalami perubahan seiring perubahan strategi penguasa dalam menghadapi mereka. Strategi kelompok radikal telah berubah dari penyerangan berskala besar terhadap simbol-simbol asing bergeser pada kekerasan berskala kecil terutama pada persoalan penerapan hukum. Pemerintah, di sisi lain, cenderung mengambil tindakan tegas terhadap mereka yang diduga terlibat kekerasan kelompok radikal. Tulisan ini juga melihat perubahan-perubahan dan kesinambungan strategi dari kelompok radikal serta evolusi ideologi Islam yang menjustifikasi aksi-aksi kekerasan. Kesimpulan lainnya adalah bahwa keterlibatan kalangan muda dalam kegiatan dialog mengenai Islam dan demokrasi menjadikan mereka terhindar sekaligus memutus rantai rekrutmen gerakan radikal dan terorisme.
Maritime Cybersecurity in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore:Protecting the Global Maritime Transportation System From Catastrophic Hybrid Attack
The complex âsystem of systemsâ (Kessler & Shepard, 2022) that comprises the global Maritime Transportation System (MTS) is critical to the smooth running of global trade and commerce. It is, in the words of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), âthe backbone of international trade and the global economyâ (UNCTAD, 2021). âAround 90% of traded goods are carried over the wavesâ (OECD, 2023). Take a moment to think about that â nine out of ten of the objects in your home were brought to you by ship. If the MTS suffered a catastrophic breakdown, nine out of ten traded goods could become unavailable or scarce, potentially resulting in severe economic, political and social chaos. Key stakeholders are now beginning to understand the MTSâs growing dependence on complex digital and automated systems (HöyhtyĂ€, Huusko, Kiviranta, Solberg, & Rokka, 2017; Tam & Jones, 2018; YaÄdereli, Gemci, & AktaĆ, 2015), and the vulnerabilities of those systems to malicious cyberphysical interference capable of causing a catastrophic collision or simultaneous cascading disruption to fleets of ships, or a major port. It is the kind of risk that is beginning to garner serious attention from government, the maritime sector broadly, international bodies like the IMO, and importantly the insurance sector that is being called upon to underwrite the risk
Preventing Catastrophic CyberâPhysical Attacks on the Global Maritime Transportation System:A Case Study of Hybrid Maritime Security in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore
This paper examines hybrid threats to maritime transportation systems and their governance responses; focusing on the congested Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) as an illustrative case study. The methodology combines secondary sources with primary data from 42 expert interviews, a 28 respondent survey, and two maritime security roundtables. Key findings were that shipsâ critical systems are increasingly interconnected, yet aging IT infrastructure and minimal cybersecurity awareness among crews heighten risks. Meanwhile, regional terrorist groups have previously targeted shipping and shown considerable skill in exploiting online tools, aligning with broader calls for jihadist violence. Furthermore, opportunistic piracy persists in the SOMS with the potential to disrupt shipping. Experts confirmed that maritime cybersecurity lags behind other critical infrastructure sectors and needs updated governance. Initial International Maritime Organization (IMO) guidelines lack specificity but revisions and updated IMO guidance are in process, while Port state implementation of maritime cybersecurity standards varies. Crucially, information sharing remains inadequate, even as recorded attacks increase. Findings underscore that although major hybrid incidents have not occurred, simulations and threat actorsâ capabilities demonstrate potential for catastrophic collisions or cascading disruption in congested waterways. Mitigating factors like redundancy and crew training are deficient currently. Some alignment between SOMS states on maritime security cooperation exists, but not on cyber threats specifically. Key recommendations include an anonymous cyber attack reporting system, reinforced training and shipboard systems, and consolidated regional frameworks. Until these priorities are addressed, the analysis concludes that hybrid vulnerabilities in this vital global chokepoint remain a serious concern
Inflammatory cytokines, endothelial function and cardiac allograft vasculopathy in children: an investigation of the donor and recipient vasculature after heart transplantation
Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) limits the life span of paediatric heart transplant
recipients. I investigated blood markers of inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and
damage to both the native and transplanted vasculature in children after heart
transplantation.
Serum samples were taken from paediatric heart transplant recipients for markers of
inflammation and endothelial activation. The presence of systemic inflammation was
assessed using serum markers including interleukin (IL) 1beta, IL 6, IL 8, c reactive
protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, an
increase signifying the presence of a general inflammatory state. In order to assess
endothelial activation measurements of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1,
vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1, P selectin and E selectin were taken. Each
of these molecules belongs to a family of cell adhesion molecules present on the
surface of endothelial cells. They are responsible for the adhesion of white blood cells
and platelets to the endothelial surface and are markers of increased endothelial
activation. Investigation into thrombotic mechanisms was determined by measuring
Tissue Factor (TF), an important component of the coagulation cascade, von
Willebrand Factor(vWF), an important protein involved in binding platelets to the site of
endothelial injury and Thrombomodulin (TM), a protein involved in controlling excessive
coagulation through natural anticoagulant properties and preventing inflammation. IL
10 is a cytokine with many effects on regulating the immune system and inflammation,
acting to down regulate inflammation and moderating the immune response. Monocyte
chemoattractant protein (MCP-1) regulates the migration and adhesion of monocytes
and macrophages to atherosclerotic plaques and is present as part of a
proinflammatory response. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is involved in
regulating angiogenesis, vascular permeability and inflammation and is a candidate
protein involved in the development of atherosclerosis amongst other vascualar
disorders.
The systemic vasculature was investigated using brachial artery flow-mediated
dilatation and carotid artery intima-medial hyperplasia. CAV was investigated using
intravascular ultrasound. Mean intima-media thickness (mIMT) > 0.5mm was used to
define significant CAV. 48 children (25 male) aged 8 to 18 years were enrolled in the
study. Patients were a median (IQR) 4.1 (2.2 to 8.7) years after transplant. Patients had
increased levels of circulating IL 6 (3.86 (2.84-4.95) vs 1.66 (1.22-2.63), p < 0.0001*),
VCAM1 (539(451-621) vs 402(342-487), p<0.001*), ICAM1 305(247-346) vs 256(224-
294), p=0.002* and TM (7.1(5.5-8.1) vs 3.57(3.03-4.71,) p<0.0001*) and decreased levels of TNF alpha, E selectin and P selectin, compared with controls. The systemic
vasculature was unaffected.
Patients with severe CAV had raised serum von Willebrand factor and decreased
serum TM. Post-transplant TM levels are elevated after transplant but significantly
lower in those with mIMT > 0.5mm. TM is a protein bound to the endothelium that
moderates the deleterious effects of inflammation, coagulopathy and fibrosis. vWF
supports platelet to platelet adhesion and is involved in the stabilisation of clots in
response to injury. This suggests that subclinical inflammation is present and natural
anticoagulant/TM activity is an important area for future transplant research into CAV.
This is the first time that the protective role of TM has been identified in a clinical cohort
of children after heart transplantation
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