A Framework for Identifying Host-based Artifacts in Dark Web Investigations

The dark web is the hidden part of the internet that is not indexed by search engines and is only accessible with a specific browser like The Onion Router (Tor). Tor was originally developed as a means of secure communications and is still used worldwide for individuals seeking privacy or those wanting to circumvent restrictive regimes. The dark web has become synonymous with nefarious and illicit content which manifests itself in underground marketplaces containing illegal goods such as drugs, stolen credit cards, stolen user credentials, child pornography, and more (Kohen, 2017). Dark web marketplaces contribute both to illegal drug usage and child pornography. Given the fundamental goal of privacy and anonymity, there are limited techniques for finding forensic artifacts and evidence files when investigating misuse and criminal activity in the dark web. Previous studies of digital forensics frameworks reveal a common theme of collection, examination, analysis, and reporting. The existence and frequency of proposed frameworks demonstrate the acceptance and utility of these frameworks in the field of digital forensics. Previous studies of dark web forensics have focused on network forensics rather than hostbased forensics. macOS is the second most popular operating system after Windows (Net Marketshare, n.d.); however, previous research has focused on the Windows operating system with little attention given to macOS forensics. This research uses design science methodology to develop a framework for identifying host-based artifacts during a digital forensic investigation involving suspected dark web use. Both the Windows operating system and macOS are included with the expected result being a reusable, comprehensive framework that is easy to follow and assists investigators in finding artifacts that are designed to be hidden or otherwise hard to find. The contribution of this framework will assist investigators in identifying evidence in cases where the user is suspected of accessing the dark web for criminal intent when little or no other evidence of a crime is present. The artifact produced for this research, The Dark Web Artifact Framework, was evaluated using three different methods to ensure that it met the stated goals of being easy to follow, considering both Windows and macOS operating systems, considering multiple ways of accessing the dark web, and being adaptable to future platforms. The methods of evaluation v included experimental evaluation conducted using a simulation of the framework, comparison of a previously worked dark web case using the created framework, and the expert opinion of members of the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children taskforce (ICAC) and the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI). A digital component can be found in nearly every crime committed today. The Dark Web Artifact Framework is a reusable, paperless, comprehensive framework that provides investigators with a map to follow to locate the necessary artifacts to determine if the system being investigated has been used to access the dark web for the purpose of committing a crime. In the creation of this framework, a process itself was created that will contribute to future works. The yes/no, if/then structure of the framework is adaptable to fit with workflows in any area that would benefit from a recurring process

The Effects On Third Grade Students\u27 Learning When Discipline–Based Arts And Social Studies Curricula Are Integrated

This study examines the effects on third grade urban students when taught the social studies curriculum integrated with discipline-based arts curriculum. Three students were randomly chosen to represent high, moderate, and low ability levels. This is a qualitative research project using a triangulation of data, namely observation, interview, and analysis of products. The findings suggest that the integration of a discipline-based arts curriculum with a social studies curriculum enhances student learning, interest, and production. This method also allows students and teachers to identify learning styles and specific intelligences

A high-resolution sub-bottom profiling system for use in ocean basin

A new high-frequency (3.5-kHz) sub-bottom profiling system is capable of relatively deep penetration into sedimentary deposits, with good resolution of thin reflecting layers. This system has been operated at cruising speeds up to 11 knots and gives up to 0.15 seconds of penetration...

Foraminiferal and sedimentological evidence far uplift of the deep-sea floor, Gorda Rise, northeastern Pacific

Displaced benthic Foraminifera in semiconsolidated clayey sandstone from the Gorda Rise provide evidence for uplift of the deep-sea floor. The sediment was deposited by turbidity currents on the floor of the Escanaba Trough (the axial valley of the Gorda Rise) from a sublittoral source on the continental margin to the east...

A Comparison of US and Chinese Middle Grades Textbook Development of Fraction Concepts

Abstract: This study compared US and Chinese middle grades textbooks using a theoretical framework developed by the American Association for the Advancement of Science for textbook analysis. Document analysis techniques were used to examine both textbooks using three criteria: developing mathematics ideas, promoting thinking in mathematics, and engaging students in mathematics. The US and Chinese textbooks differed significantly in all three areas. The US textbook employed more hands-on activities to develop fraction concepts than the Chinese textbook. The US textbook focused on part-whole and measure sub-constructs, while the Chinese textbook focused on part-whole and quotient sub-constructs. The US textbook contained more factual questions and fewer word problems than the Chinese textbook. The US textbook used many multiple representations, including real world connection, hands-on activities, and pictorial representations

Investigations into the Modification of DNA by Doxorubicin Analogs

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an anthracycline chemotherapeutic that has seen widespread use to treat numerous cancer types. Its mechanism of action is still unclear, but is thought to include the intercalation of DNA, halting transcription and inducing apoptosis. Although DOX has shown strong antitumor activity, its usage is limited due to a dose-dependent onset of cumulative and irreversible life-threatening cardiac damage. Consequently, the harmful side effects necessitate the need for the production of new, less harmful anthracycline chemotherapeutics with greater effectiveness for the treatment of cancer. Three analogs of DOX (P-DOX, GPX-150 and GPX-160) have been synthesized and determined to have antitumor activity against multiple cancer cell lines. This study seeks to investigate the mechanism by which these analogs display their activity, specifically probing for DNA modification. Each compound was tested for and found to have greater DNA-modifying abilities than DOX by the alkaline COMET, DNA gel electrophoresis, and the K-SDS DNA-protein crosslinking assays. These and related experimental results will be presented

Relationship between carbonate deposits and fluid venting: Oregon accretionary prism

Active fluid venting and its surface manifestations (unique animals and carbonates) occur over the accretionary prism in the Cascadia subduction zone located off central Oregon. A large variety of authigenic carbonate deposits and unique carbonate structures have been observed from submersibles and remotely operated vehicles and recovered with aid of submersibles and bottom trawls from the outermost continental shelf and lower continental slope. The carbonate deposits range from relatively thin crusts and slabs to irregular edifices and well-formed circular chimneys that rise from 1 to 2 m above the seafloor. Mineralogically, the carbonate cement consists of aragonite, calcite, Mg-calcite, or dolomite with varying amounts of detrital constituents. Stable carbon and oxygen isotope data identify four distinct subgroups of methane-derived carbonates from several different vent sites and different fluid source zones. Subgroup I represents one vent site on the lower slope and is characterized by oxygen isotope values ranging from +6.8‰ to +4.7‰ PDB. Subgroup II represents another vent site about 1 km away and exhibits oxygen values of +3.4‰ to +4.9‰ PDB. Carbon isotopic values range from −40.96 to −30.23‰ versus −44.26 to −53.44‰ PDB, respectively, for the two vents. An irregular edifice from the outer shelf has the same isotopic composition as subgroup II. A companion study shows that the expelled fluids contain largely biogenic methane and methane-derived dissolved carbonate; a shallow fluid source zone (<1 km) is indicated. The isotopic carbon values of the subgroup I and II carbonates are consistent with the carbon composition of the expelled fluids and apparently represent a historical record of the composition of these fluids. In subgroup III, strong 18O enrichment and heavier carbon values characterize the dolomitic chimneys from the outer continental shelf. Cemented sandstones from a “window” in the accretionary complex of the lower slope (subgroup IV) are characterized by extreme δ18O (−5.9 to −5.98 ‰) and moderate δ13C (−18.7 to −12.67‰)-depleted carbonates. This “light” oxygen isotope composition most likely originated from the upward migration of warm hydrothermal fluids along the main décollement, which tapped the warm subducting basaltic slab, during the early stages of formation of the accreted complex. Well-defined plumbing tubes within some carbonate chimneys on the shelf infer a single well-defined subsurface conduit with a fairly energetic fluid flow. The majority of the chimneys probably formed above the seafloor as long as the rate of carbonate precipitation exceeded the rate of detrital input during their formation. We calculate a minimum of one conduit for each 35 m2 at one vent site on the shelf. A less energetic flow is suggested by the chaotic plumbing network of an irregular edifice and by the widespread occurrence of the carbonate slabs and crusts at numerous vent sites

EC00-2540 Field Records for Restricted Use Pesticide Applications and Integrated Crop Management by Private Applicators

Private applicators must record their restricted use pesticide (RUP) applications, as required by the Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade (FACT) Act of 1990. The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service administers this activity. In Nebraska, RUP application records must be maintained for three years from the date of application. The certified pesticide applicator should retain these RUP records, but must be able to make them accessible for copying by authorized representatives. This booklet is a suggested guide for preliminary or final RUP application records

In situ measurement of fluid flow from cold seeps at active continental margins

In situ measurement of fluid flow rates from active margins is an important parameter in evaluating dissolved mass fluxes and global geochemical balances as well as tectonic dewatering during developments of accretionary prisms. We have constructed and deployed various devices that allow for the direct measurement of this parameter. An open bottom barrel with an exhaust port at the top and equipped with a mechanical flowmeter was initially used to measure flow rates in the Cascadia accretionary margin during an Alvin dive program in 1988. Sequentially activated water bottles inside the barrel sampled the increase of venting methane in the enclosed body of water. Subsequently, a thermistor flowmeter was developed to measure flow velocities from cold seeps. It can be used to measure velocities between 0.01 and 50 cm s−1, with a response time of 200 ms. It was deployed again by the submersible Alvin in visits to the Cascadia margin seeps (1990) and in conjunction with sequentially activated water bottles inside the barrel. We report the values for the flow rates based on the thermistor flowmeter and estimated from methane flux calculations. These results are then compared with the first measurement at Cascadia margin employing the mechanical flowmeter. The similarity between water flow and methane expulsion rates over more than one order of magnitude at these sites suggests that the mass fluxes obtained by our in situ devices may be reasonably realistic values for accretionary margins. These values also indicate an enormous variability in the rates of fluid expulsion within the same accretionary prism. Finally, during a cruise to the active margin off Peru, another version of the same instrument was deployed via a TV-controlled frame within an acoustic transponder net from a surface ship, the R.V. Sonne. The venting rates obtained with the thermistor flowmeter used in this configuration yielded a value of 4411 m−2 day−1 at an active seep on the Peru slope. The ability for deployment of deep-sea instruments capable of measuring fluid flow rates and dissolved mass fluxes from conventional research vessels will allow easier access to these seep sites and a more widespread collection of the data needed to evaluate geochemical processes resulting from venting at cold seeps on a global basis. Comparison of the in situ flow rates from steady-state compactive dewatering models differ by more than 4 orders of magnitude. This implies that only a small area of the margin is venting and that there must be recharge zones associated with venting at convergent margin