Toward a Holistic Model of Deception: Subject Matter Expert Validation

Security challenges require greater insight and flexibility into the way deception can be identified and responded to. Deception research in interactions has identified behaviors indicative of truth-telling and deceit. Deception in military environments has focused on planning deception, where approaches have been developed to deceive others, but neglecting counter-deception perspectives. To address these challenges a holistic approach to deception is advocated. A literature review of deception was conducted followed by validation interviews with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). Explanatory thematic analysis of interviews conducted with SMEs (n=19) led to the development of meta-themes related to the ‘deceiver’, their ‘intent; ‘strategies and tactics’ of deception, ‘interpretation’ by the target and ‘target’ decision-making strengths and vulnerabilities. This led to the development of the Holistic Model of Deception (HMD), an approach where strategies reflect context. The implications of this approach are considered alongside the limitations and future directions required to validate the HMD

Design Thinking for Cyber Deception

Cyber deception tools are increasingly sophisticated but rely on a limited set of deception techniques. In current deployments of cyber deception, the network infrastructure between the defender and attacker comprises the defence/attack surface. For cyber deception tools and techniques to evolve further they must address the wider attack surface; from the network through to the physical and cognitive space. One way of achieving this is by fusing deception techniques from the physical and cognitive space with the technology development process. In this paper we trial design thinking as a way of delivering this fused approach. We detail the results from a design thinking workshop conducted using deception experts from different fields. The workshop outputs include a critical analysis of design provocations for cyber deception and a journey map detailing considerations for operationalising cyber deception scenarios that fuse deception techniques from other contexts. We conclude with recommendations for future research

Habitat Requirements of Breeding Scaled Quail in Texas

Habitat variables were correlated with scaled quail (Callipep/,a squamata) whistle counts on 133 (24-km) random transects in Texas. Whether or not a particular habitat variable was correlated with whistle counts appeared to depend upon abundance and distribution of other habitat types and structural features. If \u3e= 1 requisite for quail survival and reproduction (food, water, cover, nest sites) was limited, habitat types and structural features were usually positively correlated with whistle counts (P \u3c 0.10). Conversely, abundant habitat types which did not provide all of these requisites were usually negatively correlated with whistle counts (P\u3c 0.10). Correlations indicated breeding scaled quail selected the more dense, shorter shrub habitats. Mesquite (Prosopsis spp.) habitats were especially important to scaled quail in the Trans-Pecos region

Vertebrate Hosts as Islands: Dynamics of Selection, Immigration, Loss, Persistence, and Potential Function of Bacteria on Salamander Skin.

Skin bacterial communities can protect amphibians from a fungal pathogen; however, little is known about how these communities are maintained. We used a neutral model of community ecology to identify bacteria that are maintained on salamanders by selection or by dispersal from a bacterial reservoir (soil) and ecological drift. We found that 75% (9/12) of bacteria that were consistent with positive selection, <1% of bacteria that were consistent with random dispersal and none of the bacteria that were consistent under negative selection had a 97% or greater match to antifungal isolates. Additionally we performed an experiment where salamanders were either provided or denied a bacterial reservoir and estimated immigration and loss (emigration and local extinction) rates of bacteria on salamanders in both treatments. Loss was strongly related to bacterial richness, suggesting competition is important for structuring the community. Bacteria closely related to antifungal isolates were more likely to persist on salamanders with or without a bacterial reservoir, suggesting they had a competitive advantage. Furthermore, over-represented and under-represented operational taxonomic units (OTUs) had similar persistence on salamanders when a bacterial reservoir was present. However, under-represented OTUs were less likely to persist in the absence of a bacterial reservoir, suggesting that the over-represented and under-represented bacteria were selected against or for on salamanders through time. Our findings from the neutral model, migration and persistence analyses show that bacteria that exhibit a high similarity to antifungal isolates persist on salamanders, which likely protect hosts against pathogens and improve fitness. This research is one of the first to apply ecological theory to investigate assembly of host associated-bacterial communities, which can provide insights for probiotic bioaugmentation as a conservation strategy against disease

Analysis of Beta-Cell Gene Expression Reveals Inflammatory Signaling and Evidence of Dedifferentiation following Human Islet Isolation and Culture

The stresses encountered during islet isolation and culture may have deleterious effects on beta-cell physiology. However, the biological response of human islet cells to isolation remains poorly characterized. A better understanding of the network of signaling pathways induced by islet isolation and culturing may lead to strategies aimed at improving islet graft survival and function. Laser capture microdissection (LCM) was used to extract beta-cell RNA from 1) intact pancreatic islets, 2) freshly isolated islets, 3) islets cultured for 3 days, and changes in gene expression were examined by microarray analysis. We identified a strong inflammatory response induced by islet isolation that continues during in-vitro culture manifested by upregulation of several cytokines and cytokine-receptors. The most highly upregulated gene, interleukin-8 (IL-8), was induced by 3.6-fold following islet isolation and 56-fold after 3 days in culture. Immunofluorescence studies showed that the majority of IL-8 was produced by beta-cells themselves. We also observed that several pancreas-specific transcription factors were down-regulated in cultured islets. Concordantly, several pancreatic progenitor cell-specific transcription factors like SOX4, SOX9, and ID2 were upregulated in cultured islets, suggesting progressive transformation of mature beta-cell phenotype toward an immature endocrine cell phenotype. Our findings suggest islet isolation and culture induces an inflammatory response and loss of the mature endocrine cell phenotype. A better understanding of the signals required to maintain a mature beta-cell phenotype may help improve the efficacy of islet transplantation

An empirical investigation into customers perception of UK legal services and operations

Designing a service operation that aligns business systems and customer perception, experience and outcomes is an essential part of the customer value proposition for business. This paper examines this aspect within legal services by exploring the paradox between the perception of operational service quality and the legal judgements reached. The paper collates responses from 8,192 law sector customers, and proposes that legal services need to be reconfigured. Findings indicate that clients perceived poor operationl value, but that this is perhaps due to their own lack of knowledge of the legal process. Through the development of a clear evidence base and a defined business model this research informs how an improved legal services could be operationalised. This would improve service quality from the customers perspective via efficiency gains through greater operational transparency and more effective communication from legal services

Design thinking for cyber deception

Cyber deception tools are increasingly sophisticated but rely on a limited set of deception techniques. In current deployments of cyber deception, the network infrastructure between the defender and attacker comprises the defence/attack surface. For cyber deception tools and techniques to evolve further they must address the wider attack surface; from the network through to the physical and cognitive space. One way of achieving this is by fusing deception techniques from the physical and cognitive space with the technology development process. In this paper we trial design thinking as a way of delivering this fused approach. We detail the results from a design thinking workshop conducted using deception experts from different fields. The workshop outputs include a critical analysis of design provocations for cyber deception and a journey map detailing considerations for operationalising cyber deception scenarios that fuse deception techniques from other contexts. We conclude with recommendations for future research

Performance and Comparison of Lithium-Ion Batteries Under Low-Earth-Orbit Mission Profiles

The performance of two 28 V, 25 Ah lithium-ion batteries is being evaluated under low-Earth-orbit mission profiles for satellite and orbiter applications. The batteries are undergoing life testing and have achieved over 12,000 cycles to 40 percent depth-of-discharge

Atypical presentation of acute pancreatitis in a man with pancreatic insufficiency and cystic fibrosis: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Whether acute pancreatitis can occur in pancreatically insufficient individuals with cystic fibrosis remains a matter of debate.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We describe a case of acute pancreatitis occurring in a 52-year-old Caucasian Australian man with moderately severe cystic fibrosis lung disease and pancreatic insufficiency. An inflammatory mass within the head of his pancreas was confirmed using computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and pancreatic biopsy, but serum amylase and lipase remained normal throughout the acute phase of his illness. His symptoms and the pancreatic mass resolved following the insertion of a biliary stent and the introduction of ursodeoxycholic acid.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our case report highlights the potential for acute pancreatitis to occur in patients with pancreatic insufficiency and cystic fibrosis. We further demonstrate that conventional biochemical markers that are normally assessed to confirm the diagnosis may not be of particular use. As patients with cystic fibrosis survive into their fourth and fifth decades of life, atypical presentations of acute pancreatitis may become more common.</p