Structural Analysis of the Log Files of the ICQ Client Version 2003b

Instant messenger programs can generate log files of user interactions which are of interest to forensic investigators. Some of the log files are in formats that are difficult for investigators to extract useful and accurate information from. The official ICQ client is one such program. Users log files are stored in a binary format that is difficult to understand and often changes with different client versions. Previous research has been performed that documents the format of the log files, however this research only covers earlier versions of the client. This paper explores the 2003b version of the ICQ client. It documents the analysis process that was undertaken, the files found, much of their structure, and the structure of the records found within. It attempts to provide an accurate and reasonable description of any issues and presents possible solutions to those issues. Finally a brief conclusion is provided which lists outstanding issues

Role of the colonic lymphoglandular complex in mucosal immunity in swine

Colonic lymphoglandular complexes (LGCs) and intestinal mucosa of conventional postweaning pigs were analyzed by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibodies specific for B and T lymphocyte subsets. Lymphocytes were compartmentalized into B (T-independent) and T-dependent (internodular) areas. CD4[superscript]+ cells were more plentiful than CD8[superscript]+ cells. In nodules, CD4[superscript]+ cells were common but CD8[superscript]+ cells few. Ig-containing cells were present between and within nodules. IgA[superscript]+ and IgM[superscript]+ cells outnumbered IgG[superscript]+ cells and all three types were most numerous at the neck of the LGC. IgA[superscript]+ and IgM[superscript]+ lymphoblasts were deep in the complex. IgA and IgM, but not IgG, were present together in some diverticular epithelial cells. Flow cytometric analysis of LGC lymphocytes produced mean subset percentages (and standard deviations): CD2 (pan T) 39.6 (1.5); CD4 29.5 (2.7); CD8 15.8 (1.6); IgA 12.1 (5.2); IgG 5.8 (2.1); IgM 23.5 (1.9); null cells (non-B-non-T) 19; doubly positive for CD4 and CD8 ((CD4 + CD8) - CD2) 6. The mean CD4:CD8 ratio was 1.9 (SD 0.16). High-endothelial venules were identified in the LGC;In intestinal mucosa, IgA[superscript]+ and IgM[superscript]+ cells were common and restricted to pericryptal lamina propria; IgG[superscript]+ cells were uncommon. Intraepithelial B cells were rare. IgA and IgM were present together in crypt epithelial cells; IgG was not in epithelial cells. T cells were quantified and compared as separate populations of intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) and lamina propria lymphocytes (LPLs)s. Greater than 95% of IELs were CD8[superscript]+, and IELs were 2-3 times more numerous in small intestine than in colon. CD4[superscript]+ LPLs were twice as numerous as CD8[superscript]+ LPLs. Together, CD4[superscript]+ and CD8[superscript]+ LPLs were 22% more numerous in small intestine than in colon. Both subsets were dispersed randomly in lamina propria;Infrequent and unpredictable uptake by LGC lymphoepithelium occurred after instillation of plain and fluorescein-labeled beads, carbon particles, live and dead Treponema sp. bacteria, cholera toxin, cationized ferritin, and a bovine serum albumin-colloidal gold conjugate into ligated colonic loops of four anesthetized juvenile pigs. By light microscopy, beads, ink, and virulent bacteria were in and beneath the epithelial layer. Bacteria were seen in and beneath epithelial cells by electron microscopy. Alternative experimental methodology might help to confirm enhanced sampling capacity of the LGC versus absorptive mucosa

Enhancing the Forensic ICQ Logfile Extraction Tool

Programmers of forensic tools need to ensure that their tools are of suitable use, robustness and correctness for their output to be used as evidence. One tool for logfile extraction that is currently under development and is intended for forensic use extracts information from ICQ clients has several limitations that need to be overcome before it is of significant value to forensic investigators. This paper covers the process and research involved in further developing the tool, and overcoming a subset of the limitations of the tool. It also documents what was learnt in the process about the logfiles and the extraction tool and provides a snapshot of its current state of development. Also highlighted are the main areas for future development, area’s where research is needed, and areas where research could be performed that were highlighted by the current research and development cycle

AUGMENTING HEADS-UP DISPLAYS WITH INTELLIGENT AGENTS: A HUMAN FACTORS APPROACH

Situational awareness, both tactical and strategic, is essential for humans engaged in complex tasks in civilian and military theaters of operation. Previous work has shown that heads-up displays are effective tools for providing critical information to operators in such situations. Hitherto, heads-up displays have been designed to relay instrument and sensor information to the operator in a topical, timely, and accurate manner. There is a large body of complementary work in the area of human factors that deals with presenting information to a user without detracting from the primary mission. This thesis investigates, measures, and validates the effectiveness of a framework to provide additional information to an operator in an augmented reality format. This thesis focuses on applications of heads-up displays for rotorcraft pilots. Virtual reality (VR) environments are augmented to accept externally computed situational awareness information using established frameworks for human systems engineering. These frameworks will ensure that such additional information will not negatively affect the operator\u27s cognition in performing mission-critical tasks. The research work described in this thesis will demonstrate that such augmented heads-up displays will provide civilian and military actors with enhanced tools for operational effectiveness, safety and survivability especially in critical situations

A Forensic Log File Extraction Tool for ICQ Instant Messaging Clients

Instant messenger programs such as ICQ are often used by hackers and criminals for illicit purposes and consequently the log files from such programs are of interest in a forensic investigation. This paper outlines research that has resulted in the development of a tool for the extraction of ICQ log file entries. Detailed reconstruction of data from log files was achieved with a number of different ICQ software. There are several limitations with the current design including timestamp information not adjusted for the time zone, data could be altered, and conversations must be manually reconstructed. Future research will aim to address these and other limitations as pointed out in this paper

A Forensic Log File Extraction Tool for ICQ Instant Messaging Clients

Instant messenger programs such as ICQ are often used by hackers and criminals for illicit purposes and consequently the log files from such programs are of interest in a forensic investigation. This paper outlines research that has resulted in the development of a tool for the extraction of ICQ log file entries. Detailed reconstruction of data from log files was achieved with a number of different ICQ software. There are several limitations with the current design including timestamp information not adjusted for the time zone, data could be altered, and conversations must be manually reconstructed. Future research will aim to address these and other limitations as pointed out in this paper

Landsat-8 Sensor Characterization and Calibration

Landsat-8 was launched on 11 February 2013 with two new Earth Imaging sensors to provide a continued data record with the previous Landsats. For Landsat-8, pushbroom technology was adopted, and the reflective bands and thermal bands were split into two instruments. The Operational Land Imager (OLI) is the reflective band sensor and the Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS), the thermal. In addition to these fundamental changes, bands were added, spectral bandpasses were refined, dynamic range and data quantization were improved, and numerous other enhancements were implemented. As in previous Landsat missions, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and United States Geological Survey (USGS) cooperated in the development, launch and operation of the Landsat- 8 mission. One key aspect of this cooperation was in the characterization and calibration of the instruments and their data. This Special Issue documents the efforts of the joint USGS and NASA calibration team and affiliates to characterize the new sensors and their data for the benefit of the scientific and application users of the Landsat archive. A key scientific use of Landsat data is to assess changes in the land-use and land cover of the Earth's surface over the now 43-year record. In order to perform these analyses and avoid confusing sensor changes with Earth surface changes, a solid understanding of the sensors' performance, consistent geolocation and radiometry are essential. Particularly with the significant changes in the Landsat-8 sensors relative to previous Landsat missions, this characterization becomes all the more important

Voting Your (Home)values: an Empirical Assessment of Homeownership and Voting Patterns in Seattle

In this paper, I draw on data from King County Elections and the U.S. Census Bureau\u27s American Communities survey in an attempt to assess the predictions of the homevoter hypothesis , which posits that homeowners tend to support policy measures that will boost their home values and oppose policy measures that could be perceived as a threat to their home values

Landsat Data Continuity Mission On-orbit Calibration and Validation Development

No abstract availabl

Landsat Data Continuity Mission Calibration and Validation

The primary payload for the Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM) is the Operational Land Imager (OLI), being built by Ball Aerospace and Technologies, under contract to NASA. The OLI has spectral bands similar to the Landsat-7 ETM+, minus the thermal band and with two new bands, a 443 nm band and 1375 nm cirrus detection band. On-board calibration systems include two solar diffusers (routine and pristine), a shutter and three sets of internal lamps (routine, backup and pristine). Being a pushbroom opposed to a whiskbroom design of ETM+, the system poses new challenges for characterization and calibration, chief among them being the large focal plane with 75000+ detectors. A comprehensive characterization and calibration plan is in place for the instrument and the data throughout the mission including Ball, NASA and the United States Geological Survey, which will take over operations of LDCM after on-orbit commissioning. Driving radiometric calibration requirements for OLI data include radiance calibration to 5% uncertainty (1 q); reflectance calibration to 3% uncertainty (1 q) and relative (detector-to-detector) calibration to 0.5% (J (r). Driving geometric calibration requirements for OLI include bandto- band registration of 4.5 meters (90% confidence), absolute geodetic accuracy of 65 meters (90% CE) and relative geodetic accuracy of 25 meters (90% CE). Key spectral, spatial and radiometric characterization of the OLI will occur in thermal vacuum at Ball Aerospace. During commissioning the OLI will be characterized and calibrated using celestial (sun, moon, stars) sources and terrestrial sources. The USGS EROS ground processing system will incorporate an image assessment system similar to Landsat-7 for characterization and calibration. This system will have the added benefit that characterization data will be extracted as part of the normal image data processing, so that the characterization data available will be significantly larger than for Landsat-7 ETM+