The Art and Craft of Hacking

Hackers are identified as software developers sharing a specific work practice. The process of hacking and the characteristics of the resulting artifacts are discussed. Some research questions following from these findings are posed

UN Peace Operations and Intelligence : Can the Joint Mission Analysis Center succeed?

Can the Joint Mission Analysis Center (JMAC), as the dedicated and fielded UN intelligence capability, mitigate challenges in providing the United Nations (UN) Mission Leadership Team (MLT) intelligence that ultimately will improve the decision making process and enhance the ability of the UN to fulfill the will of the international community? Throughout this paper, this is the driving question. To address the question, the paper explores the JMAC concept as described in UN policy and guidelines as well as experiences of UN peace operations1 in the 21st century and particularly the ongoing operations in Mali and South Sudan. The paper will identify challenges that UN peace operations in general, and Mali and South Sudan specifically, have experienced. If the JMAC proves capable of mitigating these challenges properly, the JMAC concept can succeed. UN peace operations have experienced a transitional development from peacekeeping operations under chapter VI of the UN Charter towards more peace enforcement and protection of civilians in line with chapter VII. Both operations require analyzed information2 and information sharing at various levels, with various means, different actors, mandates and perceptions. There is extensive literature elaborating on Intelligence and the UN. Recently, the UN has produced Guidelines and Policy describing the role of intelligence and the JMAC, which, in combination with document studies and interviews, will serve as a theoretical basis for this paper. There have, furthermore, been several studies of JMACs in UN peace operation missions identifying numerous challenges. This study, however, might enhance our understanding of Intelligence in UN peace operations and to what extent the JMAC, using the Intelligence Cycle as a framework, is able to address intelligence challenges in the UN. Throughout the paper, and the discussion, the challenges are elaborated and discussed as to whether they pose limitations or possibilities for the JMAC to succeed in UN peace operations. The findings from the research indicates that, though the JMAC concept has vastly enhanced UN capabilities in peace operations, there are some grave challenges that cannot be addressed by the JMAC alone. Intelligence in the UN is contested with a lack of coherent terminology complicating the understanding and discussion. Furthermore, intelligence in the UN and all the steps in the Intelligence Cycle, can be more effectively addressed if there is a responsible and accountable strategic entity that ensures information sharing at all levels from the field to New York. The paper concludes that the JMAC cannot mitigate key UN Intelligence challenges, realize its potential and succeed without an overarching intelligence body

Metrics for Aspect Mining Visualization

Aspect oriented programming has over the last decade become the subject of intense research within the domain of software engineering. Aspect mining, which is concerned with identification of cross cutting concerns in legacy software, is an important part of this domain. Aspect refactoring takes the identified cross cutting concerns and converts these into new software constructs called aspects. Software that have been transformed using this process becomes more modularized and easier to comprehend and maintain. The first attempts at mining for aspects were dominated by manual searching and parsing through source code using simple tools. More sophisticated techniques have since emerged including evaluation of execution traces, code clone detection, program slicing, dynamic analysis, and use of various clustering techniques. The focus of most studies has been to maximize aspect mining performance measured by various metrics including those of aspect mining precision and recall. Other metrics have been developed and used to compare the various aspect mining techniques with each other. Aspect mining automation and presentation of aspect mining results has received less attention. Automation of aspect mining and presentation of results conducive to aspect refactoring is important if this research is going to be helpful to software developers. This research showed that aspect mining can be automated. A tool was developed which performed automated aspect mining and visualization of identified cross cutting concerns. This research took a different approach to aspect mining than most aspect mining research by recognizing that many different categories of cross cutting concerns exist and by taking this into account in the mining process. Many different aspect mining techniques have been developed over time, some of which are complementary. This study was different than most aspect mining research in that multiple complementary aspect mining algorithms was used in the aspect mining and visualization process

Investigation of Lactam- Based Kinetic Hydrate Inhibitors and the Synergetic Effect of Solvents

Gas hydrate formation in flow lines is of notorious concern for the oil and gas industry, and it only gets bigger because of the never-ending pursuit of oil and gas compels the industry into deeper and colder waters. Gas hydrate can form and agglomerate into plugs, jeopardizing hydrocarbon production. Therefore, a variety of methods have been developed to inhibit gas hydrate formation. One of these is to utilize chemicals in the form of low dosage hydrate inhibitors (LDHI), which consists of two categories, kinetic hydrate inhibitors (KHI) and anti-agglomerants (AA). KHIs, the focus of this thesis, are mixtures of one or more water-soluble polymers in solvents and synergists. In order to find KHI chemicals with better inhibiting capabilities and/or environmental properties, the mechanism as to how KHIs operate must be better understood. The understanding of gas hydrate formation and the effect of different KHIs has been enriched by a large number of experimental studies using a plethora of research techniques, gaining insight into the gas hydrate nucleation and growth processes, coupled with the possible modes of action of KHIs. Investigations were carried out on both the macroscopic and microscopic scale. Despite all these endeavours, no clear consensus on the inhibition mechanism exists in the hydrate community, which limits the ability to design improved KHIs. Therefore, investigating new KHI polymers and synergists can help understand the structure-activity relationship and factors involved in the KHI mechanism. This PhD study consists of two main agendas, 1) investigating different compounds for their potential capabilities as synergist with probably the most well-known industrial KHI polymer, poly(N-vinyl caprolactam) (PVCap) and 2) investigating novel alternatives for PVCap as KHIs which also contain pendant caprolactam rings. Several excellent new synergists were discovered and a new class of acrylamido-based caprolactam polymers were synthesized and developed to give good KHI performance. In addition, the stability of PVCap and related KHI polymers was studied at a wide range of conditions including temperature and pH. This is relevant for field applications at extreme conditions. In another study, literature and experimental studies were used to determine if there is a correlation between polymer cloud point and KHI inhibition performance. The results showed that a low cloud point, near the hydrate formation temperature, was useful for high KHI performance of a polymer but only if certain criteria are met. These include low molecular weight, pendant hydrophobic groups of an optimal size close to the polymer backbone and the correct neighbouring hydrophilic functional groups. Finally, a new class of non-amide-based polymers, polyvinylaminals, were investigated as KHIs. For testing the inhibition capabilities, for both the synergist mixtures and the novel polymers, high-pressure rocking cells with synthetic natural gas mixture with either slow constant cooling or isothermal test regime were mainly used. These studies have resulted in nine journal publications

The spatial transferability of parameters in a gravity model of commuting flows

This paper studies whether gravity model parameters estimated in one geographic area can give reasonable predictions of commuting flows in another. To do this, three sets of parameters are estimated for geographically proximate yet separate regions in south-west Norway. All possible combinations of data and parameters are considered, giving a total of nine cases. Of particular importance is the distinction between statistical equality of parameters and `practical' equality i.e. are the differences in predictions big enough to matter. A new type test best on the Standardised Root Mean Square Error (SRMSE) and Monte Carlo simulation is proposed and utilised.Gravity model; commuting flows; regional science

The impact of pecuniary costs on commuting flows

In western Norway, fjords cause disconnections in the road network, necessitating the use of ferries. In several cases, ferries have been replaced by roads, often part-financed by tolls. We use data on commuting from a region with a high number of ferries, tunnels and bridges. Using a doubly-constrained gravity-based model specification, we focus on how commuting responds to varying tolls and ferry prices. Focus is placed on the role played by tolls on infrastructure in inhibiting spatial interaction. We show there is considerable latent demand, and suggest that these tolls contradict the aim of greater territorial cohesion.Commuting flows; pecuniary costs

Transporter over grensen mellom Västerbotten og Helgeland : Fase 1

MittSkandia har som formål å utvikle det grenseregionale samarbeidet mellom Västerbotten og Helgeland. En viktig premiss for å få dette samarbeidet til å fungere er en velfungerende transportinfrastruktur i regionen, det være seg veier, havner og flyplasser. De sentrale vegene mellom regionene er E12 over Umskaret i nord, RV73/vei 1116 Krutfjellveien og RV294/vei 1088 Sagavegen i midtre og søndre deler av regionen. Et viktig formål med fase 1 i prosjektet er å dokumentere dagens situasjon mht. transport-strømmer og transportvolumer over grensen samt diskutere ulike forhold som kan påvirke disse transportstrømmene i framtiden. Transportstøtteordningene i Sverige og Norge vil bli viet spesiell oppmerksomhet. De aktuelle vegene Sagavegen og Krutfjellveien er gode alternativer til bruken av E12 for reiser mellom store deler av Västerbotten og et avgrenset område på Helgeland. E12 er i ferd med å bli forbedret gjennom tunnel på norsk side under Umskaret for å unngå/minske antall vinterstengninger. Prosjektet er planlagt å være ferdig i oktober 2006. Via denne tunnelen unngår man et vær-hardt område som kan skape betydelige regularitetsproblemer i vinterhalvåret. Når det gjelder Sagavegen, så pågår det opprustning av vegen på strekningen Kittelfjäll–Skalmodal. Det dreier seg om plan- og profiljusteringer samt breddeutvidelser på spesielt trange partier. I til-legg vil det bli lagt fast dekke på en strekning på ca. 60 km. Utbedringene skal ferdigstilles i løpet av 2007. Krutfjellvegen er planlagt utbedret i perioden 2008-2009. Her er det primært snakk om breddeutvidelser på en strekning på 18 km som i dag har en vegbredde på 6-6,5 meter. Trafikk- og godsmengder E12 har en ÅDT (årsdøgntrafikk) over grensen på om lag 330 kjøretøy, mens tilsvarende tall for Krutfjellveien og Sagavegen er 160 og 52. Andre mellomriksveger E14 (Storlien), RV77/95 (Graddis) og E10 (Bjørnfjell), har en ÅDT på henholdsvis 940, 220 og 650. Trafikken på alle de nevnte mellomriksvegene er økende. I perioden 1996 til 2004 var årlig trafikkvekst på E12 rundt 5,5 %. I samme periode var årlig trafikkvekst nord-sør i Nordland (langs E6) 3 % mens trafikken på RV45 (Innlandsvägen) mellom Storuman og Vilhelmina, var stabil i denne perioden. Trafikkveksten øst-vest mellom Västerbotten og Helgeland øker altså betydelig mer enn trafikken nord-sør i Nordland og nord-sør i indre Västerbotten. I 2004 ble det fraktet 125 000 tonn gods over grensen via E12 (Tärnaby tollsted) fordelt på 48 000 tonn inn til Norge og 77 000 tonn ut fra Norge. Godsmengdene viser jevnt over en økning, men det er til dels betydelige variasjoner fra år til år. 69 % av godset over Tärnaby er norsk-svensk samhandel mens 2 % er gods som skal fra Nord-Norge til Sør-Norge eller mot-satt og som kjøres gjennom Sverige. De resterende 29 % av godset er samhandel mellom Norge/Sverige og tredjeland, der Finland, Danmark og Russland/Estland er de viktigste handelspartnerne. Volummessig er det fisk og armeringsjern som dominerer transportene ut fra Norge, mens bygningsprodukter og trelast dominerer inntransporten. Transportstøtteordningene Både Norge og Sverige har hatt, og har, former for transportstøtte relatert til godstransport. Regelverkene har mange likhetstrekk og de har alle fått en offisiell begrunnelse der de skal 3 bidra til å kompensere for ”avstandsulemper” som følge av lang vei til markedene. Ordning-ene er regionalpolitisk motivert i og med at de primært gjelder for næringsliv som er lokalisert til de nordlige/midtre deler av de respektive land. Transportstøtteordningene virker kostnadsreduserende for utvalgte bedrifter i utvalgte region-er, for utvalgte transportmidler/-former og for utvalgte transportveier. Når det gjelder grense-kryssende øst-vest transporter, herunder transportkjøpers fleksibilitet til å benytte transport-løsninger i nabolandet (også nord-sør)1, ser ordningene ikke ut til å stimulere til større grad av grensekryssing og samhandel enn absolutt nødvendig. Støtten stimulerer transportørene til å velge nasjonale nord-sør transportløsninger fremfor grensekryssende løsninger. Ut fra uteluk-kende nasjonale politiske motiver finnes det nok gode begrunnelser for slike løsninger, men sidevirkningene fremkommer bl.a. som sementering av gamle transportveier styrt av støtte-ordningenes struktur. For regioner i Nord-Norge som har ambisjoner om å bygge opp intermodale knutepunkts-havner og styrke øst-vest transporter kan subsidiene virke negativt. For prosjekter som satser på øst-vest transporter over havner i Bottenviken, vil tilsvarende problemstillinger oppstå. Forhold av betydning for transportstrømmene All transportvirksomhet kan betraktes som en avledet aktivitet. Transport av varer og personer er et resultat av aktiviteten i næringslivet og private husholdninger. I en diskusjon om trans-portstrømmene og mulige endringer i disse, må således fokus rettes mot de forhold som er med på å skape trafikk samt forhold som kan virke hemmende på næringsutvikling, handels-samarbeid og derigjennom transportomfanget. På begge sider av grensen finnes det rimelig sterke industrielle miljø, konsentrert til noen industristeder. Vi har fremhevet følgende områder/næringer som spesielt interessante i tilknyt-ning til økt handelssamarbeid og derigjennom økt grenseoverskridende trafikk: Matvarer (spesielt fisk og fiskeprodukter), metallproduksjon, metallbearbeiding og metallgjenvinning, trevarer og treforedling samt verkstedindustri, IKT og forretningsmessig tjenesteyting. I til-legg ligger det svært godt til rette for å øke den reiselivsrelaterte trafikken ved å utnytte den komplementariteten i ”råvarer” som finnes mellom Västerbotten og Helgeland. Gode kommunikasjoner og transportinfrastruktur er en nødvendig forutsetning for en effektiv grenseoverskridende trafikk. De tre aktuelle grensekryssende vegene vil, spesielt etter opp-rustingen av Sagavegen og Krutfjellveien på svensk side, ha en standard som ikke virker hem-mende på transportutviklingen. I tillegg til en god veiinfrastruktur gir et bedre flyrutetilbud til/fra Hemavan lufthavn samt framtidige sjøtransporttilbud til/fra havnene på Helgeland muligheter for økt trafikk både knyttet til godsfrakt og reiseliv

Learning social codes for self-interested agents

This thesis will explore interaction between non-supervised machinelearning agents, with a focus on traffic situations. We intend to showthat self-interested agents can arrive at mutually beneficial strategiesaccording to general game theory, achieving pure or mixed Nash equi-libria, and that this has practical applications for unmanned vehicles.We will start by verifying against simple one stage models, specifi-cally “battle of the sexes” and “chicken race”, before extending this touncontrolled four way intersections

Possible interactions between EGFR vIII mediated regulation of proliferation and metabolism in glioma cells

The life cycle of a normal cell is strictly controlled by multiple check points and regulatory factors. Cancer cells on the other hand contain defects in the regulatory machinery that govern cell proliferation and homeostasis, which in turn may lead to tumor formation. For the majority of cancer cells a number of characteristic features seem to contribute to the tumor development. These physiological changes include; insensibility to growth-inhibitory signals, inhibition of programmed cell death, self-sufficiency in growth signals, sustained angiogenesis, limitless replicative potential and tissue invasion and metastasis. In addition to uncontrolled cell proliferation, most tumors are also characterized by specific changes in energy metabolism. Tumor cells tend to take up large amounts of glucose and secrete lactate. The fact that cancer cells may generate many of their needed growth signals reduces their dependence of stimuli from other tissues. Some of these signals can be sensed by the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and may contribute in the regulation of tumor cell metabolism and proliferation.MATF-FARMFARM39

Nasal drug delivery devices: characteristics and performance in a clinical perspective—a review

Nasal delivery is the logical choice for topical treatment of local diseases in the nose and paranasal sinuses such as allergic and non-allergic rhinitis and sinusitis. The nose is also considered an attractive route for needle-free vaccination and for systemic drug delivery, especially when rapid absorption and effect are desired. In addition, nasal delivery may help address issues related to poor bioavailability, slow absorption, drug degradation, and adverse events in the gastrointestinal tract and avoids the first-pass metabolism in the liver. However, when considering nasal delivery devices and mechanisms, it is important to keep in mind that the prime purpose of the nasal airway is to protect the delicate lungs from hazardous exposures, not to serve as a delivery route for drugs and vaccines. The narrow nasal valve and the complex convoluted nasal geometry with its dynamic cyclic physiological changes provide efficient filtration and conditioning of the inspired air, enhance olfaction, and optimize gas exchange and fluid retention during exhalation. However, the potential hurdles these functional features impose on efficient nasal drug delivery are often ignored. With this background, the advantages and limitations of existing and emerging nasal delivery devices and dispersion technologies are reviewed with focus on their clinical performance. The role and limitations of the in vitro testing in the FDA guidance for nasal spray pumps and pressurized aerosols (pressurized metered-dose inhalers) with local action are discussed. Moreover, the predictive value and clinical utility of nasal cast studies and computer simulations of nasal airflow and deposition with computer fluid dynamics software are briefly discussed. New and emerging delivery technologies and devices with emphasis on Bi-Directional™ delivery, a novel concept for nasal delivery that can be adapted to a variety of dispersion technologies, are described in more depth