Fast RTP Detection and Codecs Classification in Internet Traffic

This paper presents a fast multi-stage method for on-line detection of RTP streams and codec identification of transmitted voice or video traffic. The method includes an RTP detector that filters packets based on specific values from UDP and RTP headers. When an RTP stream is successfully detected, codec identification is applied using codec feature sets. The paper shows advantages and limitations of the method and its comparison with other approaches. The method was implemented as a part of network forensics framework NetFox developed in project SEC6NET. Results show that the method can be successfully used for Lawful Interception as well as for network monitoring

ADHESION OF BIOCOMPATIBLE TiNb COATING

Preparation of a coating with a high quality requires good adhesion of the film to the substrate. The paper deals with the adhesion of biocompatible TiNb coating with different base materials. Several materials such as titanium CP grade 2, titanium alloys Ti6Al4V and stainless steel AISI 316L were measured. Testing samples were made in the shape of small discs. Those samples were coated with a TiNb layer by using the PVD method (magnetron sputtering). Onto the measured layer of TiNb an assistant cylinder was stuck using a high strength epoxy adhesive E1100S. The sample with the assistant cylinder was fixed into a special fixture and the whole assembly underwent pull-off testing for adhesion. The main result of this experiment was determining the strength needed to peel the layer and morphology and size of the breakaway. As a result, we will be able to determine the best base material and conditions where the coating will be remain intact with the base material

A Research Note on Multinationality and Firm Performance: Nonparametric Frontier Analysis

This study provides a fresh insight into the examination of the comparison between multinationality and firm performance, measured through technical efficiency levels by overcoming methodological constraints and misunderstandings presented in earlier research. We estimate firms’ efficiency levels in a production function-type framework through technical efficiency levels using nonparametric data envelopment analysis (DEA). We include firms from both developed and developing economies, from different national origins and with different sectoral characteristics, with a particular focus on knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS) and capital-intensive business services (CIBS). The study confirms for the case of KIBS the existence of the three-stage sigmoid (S-shaped) hypothesis between multinationality and firm performance measured through technical efficiency levels. Finally, the empirical findings reveal that CIBS exhibit only the first two stages, thus forming a ‘U’-shape relationship. We propose the application of different firms’ performance measurements, providing us with the ability to unpack a firms’ managerial decision processes with regards to determining the optimised investment(s) in technology and research and development and with a particular focus on knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS) and capital-intensive business services (CIBS)

Transversity distributions from difference asymmetries in semi-inclusive DIS

In recent years information on the transversity distribution h1 has been obtained by combining the Collins asymmetry results from semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering (SIDIS) data on transversely polarized nucleon targets with the information on the fragmentation function of a transversely polarized quark from the asymmetries measured in e\ufee 12 annihilation into hadrons. An alternative method was proposed a long time ago, which does not require the e\ufee 12 data but allows one to get ratios of the u and d quark transversity distributions from the SIDIS data alone. The method utilizes the ratio of the difference of the Collins asymmetries of positively and negatively charged hadrons produced on transversely polarized proton and deuteron targets. We have applied this method to the COMPASS proton and deuteron data and extracted the ratio hdv 1 =huv 1 . The results are compared to those obtained in a previous point-by-point extraction based both on SIDIS and e\ufee 12 data

Does corporate social responsibility impact firms' innovation capacity? The indirect link between environmental & social governance implementation and innovation performance

Firms’ choices on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and on environmental, social and governance (ESG) implementation strategies can arguably have a positive impact on their value and performance. This “doing well by doing good” view remains debated in the literature. Our study contributes to this debate by investigating the impact of firms’ engagement on ESG policies on their innovation capacity levels. More specifically, we apply a nonparametric frontier analysis framework to a sample of 320 Japanese firms over the period 2008-2016. Our study provides evidence of a nonlinear relationship between ESG policy adoption and firms’ innovation capacity. In other words, our findings are consistent with a process of “indirect value-creation” under which firms’ CSR/ESG policy adoption initially enhances their ability to pursue innovation activities and, then, eventually affects positively their value creation and financial/operational performance

Subjective and objective evaluation of alertness and sleep quality in depressed patients

BACKGROUND: The reliability of the subjective statements reports on disturbed night sleep and alertness in the daytime was assessed by their correlation to the objective indicators in patients with mild deprsssion. METHOD: Among patients with depression, altogether 28 patients with insomnia were examined. Their answers to typical questions, as they are used during a psychiatric interview, were scored. In parallel, night sleep quality and alertness level in the daytime were objectively estimated by means of polygraphic recording. RESULTS: The subjective statements on the type of insomnia, the estimated time of falling asleep, frequent awakenings and occurrence of disturbing dreams seem to be unreliable. Similarly, the results were disappointing when the patients were asked about alertness disturbances in the daytime. An unexpected finding was the lack of any significant correlation to the scores obtained by means of Epworth's scale. Among the factors possibly influencing the patients' reports, age, sex, coffee intake and also chronic administration of sedatives or hypnotics showed a low correlation with the sleep and alertness indicators. CONCLUSION: The statistical evaluation indicated rather poor agreement between the subjective and objective items. The statistical evaluation suggested that anxiety and depression significantly influence reports on sleep quality and alertness disturbances in the daytime

Bank efficiency and financial centres: Does geographical location matter?

This paper examines the relationship between bank performance and geographical location with respect to the two major global financial centres, New York and London. It provides new insights on the spatial effects of the 2008–2009 Global Financial Crisis (GFC) on the technical efficiency of the top-1000, world-leading banks in terms of total assets. The results reveal that the distance of banks’ headquarters to these financial centres matters. In particular, banks that are located at a bigger distance from New York and London present a lower technical efficiency than banks that are closer to these financial centres. In addition, the results show that the Global Financial Crisis has magnified the effect of distance and the need for banks to be closer to global financial centres during the ‘core’ of that period

Illicit and Counterfeit Drug Analysis by Morphologically Directed Raman Spectroscopy

Morphologically directed Raman spectroscopy (MDRS) is a novel tool for the forensic analysis of illicit and counterfeit drug samples. MDRS combines Raman microspectroscopy with automated particle imaging so that physical and chemical information about the components of a mixture sample can be obtained. Results of automated particle imaging are used to determine samples for Raman analysis. The use of MDRS for these types of samples can be employed for both forensic investigations and adjudications of cases. The method provides insight about the physical and chemical composition of the sample, as well as about manufacturing and sample history. Here, MDRS was used in four different illicit and counterfeit drug analyses: (1) examination of a multicomponent drug mixture where the results could be used for comparative source attribution, (2) the detection of low (or trace) concentration particles in a drug sample, (3) the analysis of synthetic cathinone samples (i.e., bath salts), and (4) a study of counterfeit pharmaceutical products