Criticality estimation of IT business functions with the Business Continuity Testing Points method for implementing effective recovery exercises of crisis scenarios

The primary goal of the present paper is the introduction of a new approach of defining IT unit business functions exact criticality levels and respectively categorize them to the appropriate recovery tests, prior to their thorough documentation which includes actual desired recovery time frames. The method is entitled as Business Continuity Testing Points and it is based on the concept of Use Case Points, a fundamental project estimation tool utilized for sizing of object-oriented system development. The aim of the contribution is to ameliorate the existing manual way of determining recovery time of IT business functions that is based exclusively on experience of IT personnel, by introducing a calculation method of multiple factors that can negatively affect the recovery process. The elimination of damage as a result of tested immediate response action in a crisis situation that disrupts core IT operations constitutes the aimed advantage of the proposed contributionComment: 9 pages. International Journal of Computer Science Issues, 201

The Greek Financial Crisis: An Overview of the Crisis in Entirety and Proposed Measures: Recommended Solutions and REsults

This paper examines the Greek financial crisis from 2009 in entirety and analyzes the best option for economic growth from this point forth. The history and culture of Greece is discussed, along with a background of the economy and several economic policies that led to the increased debt levels and the poor economic health of the country. The Gross Domestic Product of Greece and the inflation levels are analyzed to show the changes and signs of poor economic health, and one that was affected by the entry into the Eurozone in 2000. Then, I discuss how this led to the 110 billion euro bailout package the country received in May of 2010 with funds from both the IMF and the EU. The package was designed to prevent Greece from defaulting on its massive amounts of debt, and intended to cut the public deficit and national debt in the upcoming years. This package only postponed the country’s deeply embedded financial woes and a possible default until it received a second bailout package. In March of 2012, Greece reached a debt-swap deal which halved its debt-load, and also received the second bailout worth 130 billion euros. Debt was expected to fall, GDP contract, and unemployment rise, all in reaction to the new measures and further cuts. Since this bailout package is recent, it is difficult to measure the effectiveness of it so far, but is more realistic in aiding the economy than the first bailout package. After discussing the two bailout packages, I use Argentina as a country of comparison regarding its own crisis and default in 2001. Like Greece, Argentina accumulated an unpayable debt because loans were recklessly taken and offered. Greece and Argentina share various similar features in relation to their economies, policies, and crisis; the difference is the solution as of yet that is different, as Argentina defaulted on its large amount of debt and Greece accepted a second bailout. The deep comparison to Argentina is very important, and many lessons can be taken from the country, since its economy excelled after defaulting on debts and dropping the peg to the dollar. Other than Argentina, other countries with similar situations and crises are discussed, such as the neighboring Eurozone periphery countries of Spain and Ireland. They shared some economic difficulties and recession also partly due to the Euro and the halt of capital flows after fears of risk of default, regardless of how well they had managed their finances. The common joint currency also played a very large role in creating crisis, and not only some irresponsible behavior of the countries. Outside of the Eurozone, another case is made regarding the financial crisis in Mexico which is also somewhat similar to that of Greece. After analyzing similar crises, I discuss the concept of odious debt, the countries it was applied to, and that it can possibly be used in Greece’s case by showing that a large amount of the debt incurred was illegitimate. Lastly, the current economic situation of Greece is reviewed, along with what options the country has- defaulting and leaving the Eurozone, or accepting and abiding by the terms of the second bailout, and getting the private sector involved. The second bailout package is the best option to take when comparing it to a major default, which would be disastrous on the Greek economy and for the people, and also much more difficult than in Argentina’s case. Some of the massive amounts of debt should also be declared as odious if this can be proved by conducting a thorough audit. The second bailout will hopefully steer the economy in a better path and lead to overall economic growth in the years to come, although it has some harsh measures many Greeks are having difficulty accepting. To conclude, the road to recovery will not be easy, but it is possible even without a default at this point, as was done in Argentina. Reforms have to be made, new opportunities taken, the bureaucracy simplified, the corruption in government mitigated, and a change of lifestyle for many Greek people

High intensity interval training exercise increases dopamine D2 levels and modulates brain dopamine signaling

BackgroundPrevious research has outlined the health benefits of exercise including its therapeutic potential for substance use disorders (SUD). These data have already been utilized and it is now common to find exercise as part of SUD treatment and relapse prevention programs. However, we need to better understand different exercise regimens and determine which would be the most beneficial for SUDs. Recently, high intensity interval training (HIIT) has gained attention in comparison with aerobic and resistance exercise. Little is known regarding the neurobiological mechanisms of HIIT, including its effects on dopamine signaling and receptor levels in the brain. The present study examined the effects of chronic HIIT exercise on dopamine signaling as measured by dopamine type 1-like receptor (D1R)-like, dopamine type 2-like receptor (D2R)-like, and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) quantification in the brains of male and female rats as measured by [3H] SCH 23390 and [3H] spiperone autoradiography, and TH-immunoreactive optical density values.MethodsRats were separated in two groups: sedentary and HIIT exercise. Exercise was on a treadmill for 30 min daily (10 3 min cycles) for six weeks with progressive speed increased up to 0.8 mph (21.5 m/min).ResultsResults showed for D2R-like binding, a significant effect across the ventral caudate putamen (V CPU) between sexes, such that mean D2R-like binding was 14% greater for males than females. In the nucleus accumbens shell (Nac Shell), the HIIT Exercise rats showed 16% greater D2R-like binding as compared to the sedentary rats. No significant effects of HIIT exercise were found across groups for brain D1R-like binding levels or TH expression.ConclusionThese results suggest that HIIT exercise can modulate dopamine signaling by way of increased D2R. These findings support the premise that HIIT exercise plays an important role in dopamine signaling and, may provide a potential mechanism for how HIIT exercise can impact the brain and behavior

Risk-based control of the negative effect of discontinued automated processes: a case from the agricutlural domain

The current paper delineates a modern algorithmic procedure for estimating the risk and calculating a realistic duration of interrupted critical computerized business activities, in order to mitigate or prevent their corresponding negative consequences. The contribution is formulated via merging risk management and business continuity concepts. The formulation of an integrated business continuity management policy includes the proactive determination of approximate recovery timeframes for critical business functions. Practically, this estimation is based on recovery tests which are executed under ideal conditions, and unexpected factors which may emerge during a real process interruption and signifi cantly delay its recovery are ignored. Agriculture is a domain where the incorporation of an integrated business continuity management system is a crucial issue. The interruption of agricultural computerized activities can be triggered by and can result to various undesirable environmental phenomena. Thus, especially for agriculture, the consideration of unexpected factors when executing recovery tests is highly demanded. The currently presented algorithm accepts as initial input the estimated recovery time which is based on recovery exercises executed under ideal conditions. Then, a precise number of potential unpredictable hazards (factors) are taken into consideration and the risk magnitude of each threat is semi-quantitatively estimated. The total risk magnitude is utilized to estimate the time deviation from the initially defi ned recovery time. After the risk analysis process is terminated, a new recovery timeframe is proposed. The time deviation from the initially defi ned recovery time is calculated in its absolute value. The algorithm is fi nally validated by applying the calculated extended timeframe to the system availability formula which measures the achieved system availability levels for any information system. The validation of the approach is demonstrated via a practical case study from the agricultural domain, namely the greenhouse irrigation scheduling system interruption scenario