Initial Validation and Empirical Development of the Construct of Computer Security Self-Efficacy (CSSE)

As organizations have become more dependent on networked information systems (IS) to conduct their business operations, their susceptibility to various threats to information security has also increased. Research has consistently identified the inappropriate security behavior of the users as the most significant of these threats. Various factors have been identified in prior research as contributing to these inappropriate security behaviors, however, not enough is known about the role of social factors in mediating these behaviors. This study developed a new Computer Security Self-Efficacy (CSSE) construct, identified 35 highly reliable items of CSSE in the context of individuals’ use of encrypted e-mail, and identified four significant factors of CSSE. The four factors were named Performance Accomplishments and Technical Support, Goal Commitment and Resource Availability, Experience Level, and Individual Characteristics. We conclude with a discussion on limitations and recommended future research that can result from the findings of this study

Exploring the motivation behind cybersecurity insider threat and proposed research agenda

Cyber exploitation and malicious activities have become more sophisticated. Insider threat is one of the most significant cyber security threat vector, while posing a great concern to corporations and governments. An overview of the fundamental motivating forces and motivation theory are discussed. Such overview is provided to identify motivations that lead trusted employees to become insider threats in the context of cyber security. A research agenda with two sequential experimental research studies are outlined to address the challenge of insider threat mitigation by a prototype development. The first proposed study will classify data intake feeds, as recognized and weighted by cyber security experts, in an effort to establish predictive analytics of novel correlations of activities that may lead to cyber security incidents. It will also develop approach to identify how user activities can be compared against an established baseline, the user’s network cyber security pulse, with visualization of simulated users’ activities. Additionally, the second study will explain the process of assessing the usability of a developed visualization prototype that intends to present correlated suspicious activities requiring immediate action. Successfully developing the proposed prototype via feeds aggregation and an advanced visualization from the proposed research could assist in the mitigation of malicious insider threat

Investigating the Role of Multibiometric Authentication in Professional Certification E-exams

E-learning has grown to such an extent that paper-based testing is being replaced by computer-based testing also known as e-exams. Because these e-exams can be delivered outside of the traditional proctored environment, additional authentication measures must be employed in order to offer similar authentication assurance as found in proctored, Paper-Based Testing (PBT). In this study, we extended the body of knowledge in e-learning research by comparing e-exam scores and durations of three separate groups of e-exam takers using different authentication methods: Online Using Username/Password (OLUP), In-Testing Proctored Center (ITPC), and Online Proctored with Multibiometrics (OPMB). The aim was to better understand the role as well as the possible effect of continuous and dynamic multibiometric authentication on professional certification e-exam scores and durations. Our results indicated that group affiliation, i.e. type of authentication methods, had no significant effect on differences among e-exam scores and durations. While there was a clear path of increased mean e-exam score as authentication method was relaxed, it was evident from the analysis that these were not statistically significant,probably due to the limited sample size. Age was found to have a significant effect on e-exam scores where younger participants were found to have higher e-exam scores and lower e-exam durations than older participants. Gender was not found to have a significant effect on e-exam scores nor durations. This study’s results can help organizations better understand the role, possible effect, and potential application of continuous and dynamic multibiometric authentication as a justifiable approach when compared with the more common authentication approach ofUser Identifier (UID) and password, both in professional certification e-exams as well as in an online environment

The rise of companies from emerging markets in global health governance: opportunities and challenges

The article analyses the involvement of pharmaceutical companies from emerging markets in global health governance. It finds that they play a central role as low-cost suppliers of medicines and vaccines and, increasingly, new technologies. In so doing, pharmaceutical companies from emerging markets have facilitated the implementation of a key goal of global health policy: widening access to pharmaceutical treatment and prevention. Yet, looking closer at the political economy underlying their involvement, the article exposes a tension between this policy goal and the political economy of pharmaceutical development and production. By declaring access to pharmaceuticals a goal of global health policy, governments and global health partnerships have made themselves dependent on pharmaceutical companies to supply them. Moreover, to provide pharmaceutical treatment and prevention at the global level, they depend on companies to supply medicines and vaccines at extremely low prices. Yet, the development and production of pharmaceuticals is organized around commercial incentives that are at odds with the prices required. The increasing involvement of low-cost suppliers from emerging markets mitigates this tension in the short run. In the long run, this tension endangers the sustainability of global access policies and may even undermine some of the successes already achieved

Testing aerosol properties in MODIS Collection 4 and 5 using airborne sunphotometer observations in INTEX-B/MILAGRO

The 14-channel Ames Airborne Tracking Sunphotometer (AATS) was operated on a Jetstream 31 (J31) aircraft in March 2006 during MILAGRO/INTEX-B (Megacity Initiative-Local And Global Research Observations/Phase B of the Intercontinental Chemical Transport Experiment). We compare AATS retrievals of spectral aerosol optical depth (AOD) and related aerosol properties with corresponding spatially coincident and temporally near-coincident measurements acquired by the MODIS-Aqua and MODIS-Terra satellite sensors. These comparisons are carried out for the older MODIS Collection 4 (C4) and the new Collection 5 (C5) data set, the latter representing a reprocessing of the entire MODIS data set completed during 2006 with updated calibration and aerosol retrieval algorithm. Our analysis yields a direct, validated assessment of the differences between select MODIS C4 and C5 aerosol retrievals. Our analyses of 37 coincident observations by AATS and MODIS-Terra and 18 coincident observations between AATS and MODIS-Aqua indicate notable differences between MODIS C4 and C5 and between the two sensors. For MODIS-Terra, we find an average increase in AOD of 0.02 at 553 nm and 0.01 or less at the shortwave infrared (SWIR) wavelengths. The change from C4 to C5 results in less good agreement with the AATS derived spectral AOD, with average differences at 553 nm increasing from 0.03 to 0.05. For MODIS-Aqua, we find an average increase in AOD of 0.008 at 553 nm, but an increase of nearly 0.02 at the SWIR wavelengths. The change from C4 to C5 results in slightly less good agreement to the AATS derived visible AOD, with average differences at 553 nm increasing from 0.03 to 0.04. However, at SWIR wavelengths, the changes from C4 to C5 result in improved agreement between MODIS-Aqua and AATS, with the average differences at 2119 nm decreasing from −0.02 to −0.003. Comparing the Angstrom exponents calculated from AOD at 553nm and 855nm, we find an increased rms difference from AATS derived Angstrom exponents in going from C4 to C5 for MODIS-Terra, and a decrease in rms difference, hence an improvement, for the transition from C4 to C5 in MODIS-Aqua. Combining the AATS retrievals with in situ measurements of size-dependent aerosol extinction, we derive a suborbital measure of the aerosol submicron fraction (SMF) of AOD and compare it to MODIS retrievals of aerosol fine mode fraction (FMF). Our analysis shows a significant rms-difference between the MODIS-Terra FMF and suborbitally-derived SMF of 0.17 for both C4 and C5. For MODIS-Aqua, there is a slight improvement in the transition from C4 to C5, with the rms-difference from AATS dropping from 0.23 to 0.16. The differences in MODIS C4 and C5 AOD in this limited data set can be traced to changes in the reflectances input to the aerosol retrievals. An extension of the C4-C5 comparisons from the area along the J31 flight track to a larger study region between 18–23° N and 93–100° W on each of the J31 flight days supports the finding of significant differences between MODIS C4 and C5

Energy efficiency of information transmission by electrically coupled neurons

The generation of spikes by neurons is energetically a costly process. This paper studies the consumption of energy and the information entropy in the signalling activity of a model neuron both when it is supposed isolated and when it is coupled to another neuron by an electrical synapse. The neuron has been modelled by a four dimensional Hindmarsh-Rose type kinetic model for which an energy function has been deduced. For the isolated neuron values of energy consumption and information entropy at different signalling regimes have been computed. For two neurons coupled by a gap junction we have analyzed the roles of the membrane and synapse in the contribution of the energy that is required for their organized signalling. Computational results are provided for cases of identical and nonidentical neurons coupled by unidirectional and bidirectional gap junctions. One relevant result is that there are values of the coupling strength at which the organized signalling of two neurons induced by the gap junction takes place at relatively low values of energy consumption and the ratio of mutual information to energy consumption is relatively high. Therefore, communicating at these coupling values could be energetically the most efficient option

Kinetics of protein-DNA interaction: facilitated target location in sequence-dependent potential

Recognition and binding of specific sites on DNA by proteins is central for many cellular functions such as transcription, replication, and recombination. In the process of recognition, a protein rapidly searches for its specific site on a long DNA molecule and then strongly binds this site. Here we aim to find a mechanism that can provide both a fast search (1-10 sec) and high stability of the specific protein-DNA complex ($K_d=10^{-15}-10^{-8}$ M). Earlier studies have suggested that rapid search involves the sliding of a protein along the DNA. Here we consider sliding as a one-dimensional (1D) diffusion in a sequence-dependent rough energy landscape. We demonstrate that, in spite of the landscape's roughness, rapid search can be achieved if 1D sliding is accompanied by 3D diffusion. We estimate the range of the specific and non-specific DNA-binding energy required for rapid search and suggest experiments that can test our mechanism. We show that optimal search requires a protein to spend half of time sliding along the DNA and half diffusing in 3D. We also establish that, paradoxically, realistic energy functions cannot provide both rapid search and strong binding of a rigid protein. To reconcile these two fundamental requirements we propose a search-and-fold mechanism that involves the coupling of protein binding and partial protein folding. Proposed mechanism has several important biological implications for search in the presence of other proteins and nucleosomes, simultaneous search by several proteins etc. Proposed mechanism also provides a new framework for interpretation of experimental and structural data on protein-DNA interactions

Statistical aspects of the TNK-S2B trial of tenecteplase versus alteplase in acute ischemic stroke: an efficient, dose-adaptive, seamless phase II/III design

Background TNK-S2B, an innovative, randomized, seamless phase II/III trial of tenecteplase versus rt-PA for acute ischemic stroke, terminated for slow enrollment before regulatory approval of use of phase II patients in phase III

Cost-effectiveness of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) for patients with advanced heart failure : analysis of the British NHS Bridge to Transplant (BTT) program

Background: A previous cost-effectiveness analysis showed that bridge to transplant (BTT) with early design left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) for advanced heart failure was more expensive than medical management while appearing less beneficial. Older LVADs were pulsatile, but current second and third generation LVADs are continuous flow pumps. This study aimed to estimate comparative cost-effectiveness of BTT with durable implantable continuous flow LVADs compared to medical management in the British NHS. Methods and results: A semi-Markov multi-state economic model was built using NHS costs data and patient data in the British NHS Blood and Transplant Database (BTDB). Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and incremental costs per QALY were calculated for patients receiving LVADs compared to those receiving inotrope supported medical management. LVADs cost £80,569 ($127,887) at 2011 prices and delivered greater benefit than medical management. The estimated probabilistic incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was £53,527 ($84,963)/QALY (95%CI: £31,802–£94,853; $50,479–$150,560) (over a lifetime horizon). Estimates were sensitive to choice of comparator population, relative likelihood of receiving a heart transplant, time to transplant, and LVAD costs. Reducing the device cost by 15% decreased the ICER to £50,106 ($79,533)/QALY. Conclusions: Durable implantable continuous flow LVADs deliver greater benefits at higher costs than medical management in Britain. At the current UK threshold of £20,000 to £30,000/QALY LVADs are not cost effective but the ICER now begins to approach that of an intervention for end of life care recently recommended by the British NHS. Cost-effectiveness estimates are hampered by the lack of randomized trials

Cost-effectiveness of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) for patients with advanced heart failure : analysis of the British NHS Bridge to Transplant (BTT) program

Background: A previous cost-effectiveness analysis showed that bridge to transplant (BTT) with early design left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) for advanced heart failure was more expensive than medical management while appearing less beneficial. Older LVADs were pulsatile, but current second and third generation LVADs are continuous flow pumps. This study aimed to estimate comparative cost-effectiveness of BTT with durable implantable continuous flow LVADs compared to medical management in the British NHS. Methods and results: A semi-Markov multi-state economic model was built using NHS costs data and patient data in the British NHS Blood and Transplant Database (BTDB). Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and incremental costs per QALY were calculated for patients receiving LVADs compared to those receiving inotrope supported medical management. LVADs cost £80,569 ($127,887) at 2011 prices and delivered greater benefit than medical management. The estimated probabilistic incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was £53,527 ($84,963)/QALY (95%CI: £31,802–£94,853; $50,479–$150,560) (over a lifetime horizon). Estimates were sensitive to choice of comparator population, relative likelihood of receiving a heart transplant, time to transplant, and LVAD costs. Reducing the device cost by 15% decreased the ICER to £50,106 ($79,533)/QALY. Conclusions: Durable implantable continuous flow LVADs deliver greater benefits at higher costs than medical management in Britain. At the current UK threshold of £20,000 to £30,000/QALY LVADs are not cost effective but the ICER now begins to approach that of an intervention for end of life care recently recommended by the British NHS. Cost-effectiveness estimates are hampered by the lack of randomized trials