An Authorisation Scenario for S-OGSA

The Semantic Grid initiative aims to exploit knowledge in the Grid to increase the automation, interoperability and flexibility of Grid middleware and applications. To bring a principled approach to developing Semantic Grid Systems, and to outline their core capabilities and behaviors, we have devised a reference Semantic Grid Architecture called S-OGSA. We present the implementation of an S-OGSA observant semantically-enabled Grid authorization scenario, which demonstrates two aspects: 1) the roles of different middleware components, be them semantic or non-semantic, and 2) the utility of explicit semantics for undertaking an essential activity in the Grid: resource access control

An investigation into the effect of thickness of titanium dioxide and gold-silver nanoparticle titanium dioxide composite thin-films on photocatalytic activity and photo-induced oxygen production in a sacrificial system

Thin films of titanium dioxide and titanium dioxide with incorporated gold and silver nanoparticles were deposited onto glass microscope slides, steel and titanium foil coupons by two sol–gel dip-coating methods. The film's photocatalytic activity and ability to evolve oxygen in a sacrificial solution were assessed. It was found that photocatalytic activity increased with film thickness (from 50 to 500 nm thick samples) for the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue in solution and resazurin redox dye in an intelligent ink dye deposited on the surface. Contrastingly, an optimum film thickness of [similar]200 nm for both composite and pure films of titanium dioxide was found for water oxidation, using persulfate (S2O82−) as a sacrificial electron acceptor. The nanoparticle composite films showed significantly higher activity in oxygen evolution studies compared with plain TiO2 films

Measuring the Success of Context-Aware Security Behaviour Surveys

Background: We reflect on a methodology for developing scenario-based security behaviour surveys that evolved through deployment in two large partner organisations (A & B). In each organisation, scenarios are grounded in workplace tensions between security and employees’ productive tasks. These tensions are drawn from prior interviews in the organisation, rather than using established but generic questionnaires. Survey responses allow clustering of participants according to predefined groups. Aim: We aim to establish the usefulness of framing survey questions around active security controls and problems experienced by employees, by assessing the validity of the clustering. We introduce measures for the appropriateness of the survey scenarios for each organisation and the quality of candidate answer options. We use these scores to articulate the methodological improvements between the two surveys. Method: We develop a methodology to verify the clustering of participants, where 516 (A) and 195 (B) free-text responses are coded by two annotators. Inter-annotator metrics are adopted to identify agreement. Further, we analyse 5196 (A) and 1824 (B) appropriateness and severity scores to measure the appropriateness and quality of the questions. Results: Participants rank questions in B as more appropriate than in A, although the variations in the severity of the answer options available to participants is higher in B than in A. We find that the scenarios presented in B are more recognisable to the participants, suggesting that the survey design has indeed improved. The annotators mostly agree strongly on their codings with Krippendorff’s α\textgreater0.7. A number of clusterings should be questioned, although α improves for reliable questionsby 0.15 from A to B. Conclusions: To be able to draw valid conclusions from survey responses, the train of analysis needs to be verifiable. Our approach allows us to further validate the clustering of responses by utilising free-text responses. Further, we establish the relevance and appropriateness of the scenarios for individual organisations. While much prior research draws on survey instruments from research before it, this is then often applied in a different context; in these cases adding metrics of appropriateness and severity to the survey design can ensure that results relate to the security experiences of employees

Copper as an antimicrobial agent: recent advances

From its uses in ancient civilisations, copper has an established history as an antimicrobial agent. Extensive research has determined the efficacy and mechanism of copper's antimicrobial activity against microorganisms. The process is multifaceted with the main mechanism of bactericidal activity being the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which irreversibly damages membranes. Copper ions released from surfaces lead to RNA degradation and membrane disruption of enveloped viruses. For fungi, the mechanism involves the physical deterioration of the membrane and copper ion influx. Due to variations in the experimental parameters, it is difficult to compare studies directly. In this review article, we outline the importance of the experimental conditions currently employed and how they bear little resemblance to real-world conditions. We endorse previous recommendations calling for an update to industrial standard tests

‘I feel like we’re really behind the game’: perspectives of the United Kingdom’s intimate partner violence support sector on the rise of technology-facilitated abuse

Technology-facilitated abuse or ‘tech abuse’ in intimate partner violence (IPV) contexts describes the breadth of harms that can be enacted using digital systems and online tools. While the misappropriation of technologies in the context of IPV has been subject to prior research, a dedicated study on the United Kingdom’s IPV support sector has so far been missing. The present analysis summarises insights derived from semi-structured interviews with 34 UK voluntary and statutory sector representatives that were conducted over the course of two years (2018–2020). The analysis identifies four overarching themes that point out support services’ practices, concerns and challenges in relation to tech abuse, and specifically the Internet of Things (IoT). These themes include (a) technology-facilitated abuse, where interviewees outline their experiences and understanding of the concept of tech abuse; (b) IoT-enabled tech abuse, focusing on the changing dynamics of tech abuse due to the continuing rise of smart consumer products; (c) data, documentation and assessment, that directs our attention to the shortcomings of existing risk assessment and recording practices; and (d) training, support and assistance, in which participants point to the need for specialist support capabilities to be developed within and beyond existing services.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Key messages&lt;br /&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;UK statutory and voluntary support services do not feel well equipped to respond to tech abuse.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;li&gt;Shortcomings in documentation and assessment practices make it difficult to estimate the full scale and nature of tech abuse.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;li&gt;Tech abuse training and other support mechanisms are needed to amplify the UK sector’s ability to assist IPV victims/survivors.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt; </jats:p

Applying Cognitive Control Modes to Identify Security Fatigue Hotspots

Security tasks can burden the individual, to the extent that security fatigue promotes habits that undermine security. Here we revisit a series of user-centred studies which focus on security mechanisms as part of regular routines, such as two-factor authentication. By examining routine security behaviours, these studies expose perceived contributors and consequences of security fatigue, and the strategies that a person may adopt when feeling overburdened by security. Behaviours and strategies are framed according to a model of cognitive control modes, to explore the role of human performance and error in producing security fatigue. Security tasks are then considered in terms of modes such as unconscious routines and knowledge-based ad-hoc approaches. Conscious attention can support adaptation to novel security situations, but is error-prone and tiring; both simple security routines and technology-driven automation can minimise effort, but may miss cues from the environment that a nuanced response is required

The bactericidal activity of glutaraldehyde-impregnated polyurethane

Although glutaraldehyde is known to be bactericidal in solution, its potential use to create novel antibacterial polymers suitable for use in healthcare environments has not been evaluated. Here, novel materials were prepared in which glutaraldehyde was either incorporated into polyurethane using a simple “swell-encapsulation-shrink” method (hereafter referred to as “glutaraldehyde-impregnated polyurethane”), or simply applied to the polymer surface (hereafter referred to as “glutaraldehyde-coated polyurethane”). The antibacterial activity of glutaraldehyde-impregnated and glutaraldehyde-coated polyurethane samples was tested against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Glutaraldehyde-impregnated polyurethane resulted in a 99.9% reduction in the numbers of E. coli within 2 h and a similar reduction of S. aureus within 1 h, whereas only a minimal reduction in bacterial numbers was observed when the biocide was bound to the polymer surface. After 15 days, however, the bactericidal activity of the impregnated material was substantially reduced presumably due to polymerization of glutaraldehyde. Thus, although glutaraldehyde retains antibacterial activity when impregnated into polyurethane, activity is not maintained for extended periods of time. Future work should examine the potential of chemical modification of glutaraldehyde and/or polyurethane to improve the useful lifespan of this novel antibacterial polymer

Determining soil nitrogen (N) processes using enzymology in response to varying N treatments across four diverse Brassica napus (canola) lines

Non-Peer ReviewedNitrogen (N) is an important plant nutrient, and it is the primary constituent of plant nucleotides and proteins, but it is usually the most limiting nutrient in the soil. Improving N use efficiency in agricultural crops has become an important goal in sustainable agriculture. Accordingly, understanding enzymes involved in N reactions is increasingly critical as they are important in controlling N in the environment. The objective of this study is to determine N transformation after varying rates of urea fertilizer is applied to a field; and how N transformation may differ between diverse Brassica napus L. (canola) lines. Two diverse B. napus parent lines and two hybrid lines were grown on Dark Brown Chernozemic soil in Saskatchewan, Canada. Root-associated soils were collected from each line at bolting and flowering, and analyzed for urease and ammonium oxidation enzymes, as well, soil nitrate and ammonium content was determined. Both urease and ammonium oxidation enzyme results showed significant differences between B. napus growth stages (bolting and flowering), and N fertilizer rate after mixed effect models were used to analyze the results. We predict that both nitrate-N and ammonium-N will have significant differences between the canola lines and N rate application. Mixed effect analyses will be used to analyze soil nitrate-N and ammonium-N, with regards to canola line differences, and growth stage differences, and N fertilizer rate differences. By characterizing soil N transformations, this research will advance our knowledge in improving N availability for B. napus lines

Glass-fiber woven catalysts as alternative catalytic materials for various industries. A review

The chemistry and technology of new versatile multipurpose catalytic systems developed and studied by the authors for the purposes of heterogeneous catalysis are reviewed. A theoretical background for a successful search for these new catalytic systems is based on an unconventional approach with emphasis on an essential role of branched-chain reaction mechanisms of heterogeneous catalysis previously developed by the authoring team. The catalytic systems under study are based on silica (aluminoborosilicate) glass-fiber amorphous matrices doped with various metals and manufactured as articles with various types of woven structure. The specific features of these glass-fiber woven catalytic systems, such as their structure, phase state of the matrix, manufacture and activation methods, design of catalytic reactors in which they operate, as well as production technologies and operation methods, make a compelling case to regard them as a new separate class of catalysts. As compared to conventional catalytic materials, these new catalysts are highly efficient in neutralizing industrial gas emissions, in contact stages of the production of nitric acid and sulfuric acid, in various reactions of catalytic hydrocarbon processing, in water purification from nitrate and nitrite contaminants, in catalytic heat generation, etc

Anomalous codeposition of cobalt and ruthenium from chloride-sulfate baths

Codeposition of Ru and Co was studied at room temperature and at 50oC with various Ru3+ and Co2+ concentrations in the electrolyte. The codeposition of Co and Ru proved to be anomalous since no pure Ru could be obtained in the presence of Co2+ in the electrolyte, but a significant Co incorporation into the deposit was detected at potentials where the deposition of pure Co was not possible. The composition of the deposits varied monotonously with the change of the concentration ratio of Co2+ and Ru3+. The deposition of Ru was much hindered and the current efficiency was a few percent only when the molar fraction of Co in the deposit was low. Continuous deposits could be obtained only when the molar fraction of Co in the deposit was at least 40 at.%. The deposit morphology was related to the molar fraction of Co in the deposit. The X-ray diffractograms are in conformity with a hexagonal close-packed alloy and indicate the formation of nanocrystalline deposits. Two-pulse plating did not lead to a multilayer but to a Co-rich alloy. Magnetoresistance of the samples decreased with increasing Ru content