Representing domains and scenarios by means of model replication and composition

We consider a domain as a particular system or a portion of the system, while a scenario is a sequence of effects on the domain, originated by a particular event or condition. We show how it is possible to build first the model of the domain by replication and composition of atomic models, each representing a particular aspect of the domain. Then, the models of the scenarios are obtained from the domain\u2019s model, by composing further atomic models representing the events originating the scenarios. In particular, we take into account the domain consisting of one control centre and a set of substations inside an electrical distribution grid, communicating by means of a network. We consider scenarios originated by threats such as the denial of service attack to the communication network, and the temporary unavailability of substations due to the failure and the repair of the internal components. Stochastic Activity Networks (SAN) are the modelling formalism. The simulation of the models representing the scenarios, estimates the impact of the threats on the communication reliability

Simulating the communication of commands and signals in a distribution grid

The report presents the simulation of communication scenarios involving one area control centre and a set of substations inside a distribution grid of the Electrical Power System. In such scenarios, the communication is affected by threats different from those under exam in [1, 2]; in particular, here, we consider the denial of service attack to the communication network, and the temporary internal failure of a subset of substations. The scenarios have been modeled and simulated in form of Stochastic Activity Networks (SAN); the goal is the evaluation of the impact of the threats, on the communication reliability

The EphB4 receptor promotes the growth of melanoma cells expressing the ephrin-B2 ligand

Cutaneous melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer and several families of receptor tyrosine kinases have been implicated in its development and progression, including the Eph receptor family (Hess et al., 2007; Smalley et al., 2009). Among Eph receptors, EphA2 has been most extensively studied in melanoma and linked to increased malignancy (Hess et al., 2007; Margaryan et al., 2009).Fil: Yang, Nai Ying . University of California; Estados UnidosFil: Lopez Bergami, Pablo Roberto. Sanford-burnham Medical Research Institute; Estados Unidos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (i); Argentina; ArgentinaFil: Goydos, James S.. Robert Wood Johnson Medical School; Estados UnidosFil: Yip, Dana . Robert Wood Johnson Medical School; Estados UnidosFil: Walker, Ameae . University of California; Estados UnidosFil: Pasquale, Elena B.. Sanford-burnham Medical Research Institute; Estados UnidosFil: Ethell, Iryna. University of California; Estados Unido

Enhanced LDL oxidation in uremic patients: An additional mechanism for accelerated atherosclerosis?

Enhanced LDL oxidation in uremic patients: An additional mechanism for accelerated atherosclerosis? Since oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is more atherogenic than native LDL, LDL oxidation was investigated in uremic patients who often develop accelerated atherogenesis. Three groups of uremic patients were studied (10 on predialysis conservative therapy, 11 on repetitive hemodialysis, 13 on peritoneal dialysis) and compared with seventy matched controls. LDL oxidation was evaluated in all patients as: (i) the susceptibility to in vitro oxidation (by measuring the resistence to Cu++-induced formation of conjugated dienes), (ii) vitamin E concentration in LDL, and (iii) presence of plasma anti-oxidized LDL antibodies, expressed as the ratio anti-oxLDL/anti-nativeLDL antibodies. The lipid profile was studied in all patients. Vitamin E concentration did not differ between the various groups, although LDL from uremic patients appeared more susceptible to in vitro and in vivo oxidation (as demonstrated by an earlier generation of conjugated dienes and by the presence of an higher antibody ratio) compared to control subjects. Subclass analysis of the different patients revealed that peritoneal dialysis treatment ameliorated the oxidation markers. However, a prolonged dialytic treatment caused a decrease in vitamin E concentration in LDL and increased their susceptibility to oxidation

Evaluation of communication scenarios inside the Electrical Power System

The paper presents the modelling and the dependability evaluation of communication scenarios inside the distribution grid of the electrical power system (EPS). In particular, it deals with the communication between one area control centre and a set of substations exchanging commands and signals by means of a redundant communication network. The communication may be a\ufb00ected by threats such as the network failure, or intrusions into the communication, causing the loss of commands or signals. Such scenarios have been modelled and simulated in the form of stochastic activity network (SAN), a particular form of Petri Net (PN), to evaluate in quantitative terms the effect of the threats to the communication. In particular, two measures have been computed: the probability and the number of failures in the communication, as a function of the time

A Framework for the Security Assessment of Remote Control Applications of Critical Infrastructures

The papers describes a methodology for the security assessment of ICT industrial applications, and especially for remote control systems applied to critical infrastructures. The methodology is composed of five phases: system description, vulnerability assessment, threat assessment, attack assessments, and final comprehensive security risk assessment. The paper presents the application to an electric power case.JRC.DG.G.6-Security technology assessmen