Automatic Forensic Analysis of PCCC Network Traffic Log

Most SCADA devices have a few built-in self-defence mechanisms and tend to implicitly trust communications received over the network. Therefore, monitoring and forensic analysis of network traffic is a critical prerequisite for building an effective defense around SCADA units. In this thesis work, We provide a comprehensive forensic analysis of network traffic generated by the PCCC(Programmable Controller Communication Commands) protocol and present a prototype tool capable of extracting both updates to programmable logic and crucial configuration information. The results of our analysis shows that more than 30 files are transferred to/from the PLC when downloading/uplloading a ladder logic program using RSLogix programming software including configuration and data files. Interestingly, when RSLogix compiles a ladder-logic program, it does not create any lo-level representation of a ladder-logic file. However the low-level ladder logic is present and can be extracted from the network traffic log using our prototype tool. the tool extracts SMTP configuration from the network log and parses it to obtain email addresses, username and password. The network log contains password in plain text

Finite element modelling of deformation characteristics of historical stone masonry shear walls

Two dimensional nonlinear finite element analysis based on experimental test data has been carried out to model deformation characteristics, such as load-displacement envelope diagrams and failure modes of historical stone masonry shear walls subjected to combined axial compression and lateral shear loading. An experimental research work was carried out on three different types of historical stone masonry shear walls that can be considered representative of ancient stone masonry constructions. Those three types of masonry are: i) sawn dry-stack or dry-stone masonry without bonding mortar, ii) irregular stone masonry with bonding mortar, and iii) rubble masonry with irregular bonding mortar thickness. Plasticity theory based micro modelling techniques has been used to carry out the analysis. The stone units were modelled using an eight node continuum plane stress elements with full Gauss integration. The joints and unit-joint interfaces were modelled using a six node zero thickness line interface elements with Lobatto integration. This paper outlines the experimental research work, details of numerical modelling carried out and report the numerical lateral load-displacement diagrams and failure modes. The numerical analysis results were compared with the experimental test results and good agreement was found.The Authors would like to acknowledge Dr. D.V. Oliveira and Dr. G. Vasconcelos, Assistant Professors in the Civil Engineering Department at the University of Minho for their assistance during the present modelling work. The first author, R. Senthivel would like to acknowledge the Portuguese National Science and Technology Foundation (FCT), Lisbon for their financial support (Ref. No.: SFRHJ BPD/20924/2004) to carry out his Post-Doctoral Research in the Civil Engineering Department at the University of Minho, Portugal

Numerical modelling of deformation behaviour of dry-stack stone masonry

The behaviour of masonry under monotonic and cyclic loading is of vital interest for engineering of masonry structures. The response parameters measured under monotonic and cyclic loading including the ductility, strength deterioration, stiffness degradation and energy dissipation capacity provide the basis for evolving the design criteria. A numerical simulation based on experimental test data has been carried out to model the monotonic and reversed cyclic load-displacement hysteresis curves of dry-stack mortarless sawn stone masonry using a multi-surface interface model where stone units and joints are assumed elastic and inelastic respectively. Finite element software, Diana version 8.1, has been employed to carry out the present numerical modelling. The stone units were modelled using eight node continuum plane stress elements with Gauss integration and the joints were modelled using six node zero thickness line interface elements with Lobatto integration. This paper describes the experimental research work and details of numerical modelling carried out and reports the numerical monotonic load-displacement curve and reversed cyclic load-displacement hysteresis curves

Analytical modeling of dry stone masonry wall under monotonic and reversed cyclic loading

A numerical simulation based on experimental test data has been carried out to model the monotonic and reversed cyclic load displacement hysteresis curves of dry-stack mortarless sawn stone masonry using a multi-surface interface model where stone units and joints are assumed elastic and inelastic respectively. Finite element software, Diana version 8.1 has been employed to carry out the present numerical modelling. The stone units were modelled using an eight node continuum plane stress elements with Gauss integration and the joints were modelled using a six node zero thickness line interface elements with Lobatto integration. This paper describes outline of the experimental research work and details of numerical modelling carried out and reports the numerical monotonic load-displacement curve and reversed cyclic load-displacement hysteresis curves

Cooperativity to increase turing pattern space for synthetic biology

It is hard to bridge the gap between mathematical formulations and biological implementations of Turing patterns, yet this is necessary for both understanding and engineering these networks with synthetic biology approaches. Here, we model a reaction-diffusion system with two morphogens in a monostable regime, inspired by components that we recently described in a synthetic biology study in mammalian cells. The model employs a single promoter to express both the activator and inhibitor genes and produces Turing patterns over large regions of parameter space, using biologically interpretable Hill function reactions. We applied a stability analysis and identified rules for choosing biologically tunable parameter relationships to increase the likelihood of successful patterning. We show how to control Turing pattern sizes and time evolution by manipulating the values for production and degradation relationships. More importantly, our analysis predicts that steep dose-response functions arising from cooperativity are mandatory for Turing patterns. Greater steepness increases parameter space and even reduces the requirement for differential diffusion between activator and inhibitor. These results demonstrate some of the limitations of linear scenarios for reaction-diffusion systems and will help to guide projects to engineer synthetic Turing patterns.Facultad de Ciencias Exacta

Effect of Applied Magnesium on Yield and Quality of Tomato in Alfisols of Karnataka

Field experiments were conducted for two years on Alfisols to assess the effect of applied magnesium on fruit yield and quality parameters in tomato. Magnesium was applied at four levels ranging from 0 to 100 kg/ha in the form of MgSO4. Applied Mg significantly enhanced fruit yield up to 50kg /ha during the two years of experimentation. Tomato quality parameters viz., total titrable acidity, content of lycopene, total carotenoids and ascorbic acid differed significantly among treatments. Applied Mg significantly improved quality. Highest lycopene content, carotenoids and ascorbic acid in the fruit was recorded in Recommended Dose of Fertilizers (RDF) + MgSO4 @ 50Kg/ha followed by RDF + MgSO4 @ 75 kg/ha. Lowest values for the above parameters were observed in the treatment receiving RDF alone in both the years

Cooperativity to increase Turing pattern space for synthetic biology

It is hard to bridge the gap between mathematical formulations and biological implementations of Turing patterns, yet this is necessary for both understanding and engineering these networks with synthetic biology approaches. Here, we model a reaction-diffusion system with two morphogens in a monostable regime, inspired by components that we recently described in a synthetic biology study in mammalian cells. The model employs a single promoter to express both the activator and inhibitor genes and produces Turing patterns over large regions of parameter space, using biologically interpretable Hill function reactions. We applied a stability analysis and identified rules for choosing biologically tunable parameter relationships to increase the likelihood of successful patterning. We show how to control Turing pattern sizes and time evolution by manipulating the values for production and degradation relationships. More importantly, our analysis predicts that steep dose-response functions arising from cooperativity are mandatory for Turing patterns. Greater steepness increases parameter space and even reduces the requirement for differential diffusion between activator and inhibitor. These results demonstrate some of the limitations of linear scenarios for reaction-diffusion systems and will help to guide projects to engineer synthetic Turing patterns.Centro Regional de Estudios Genómico

Komagataeibacter Tool Kit (KTK): A Modular Cloning System for Multigene Constructs and Programmed Protein Secretion from Cellulose Producing Bacteria

Bacteria proficient at producing cellulose are an attractive synthetic biology host for the emerging field of Engineered Living Materials (ELMs). Species from the Komagataeibacter genus produce high yields of pure cellulose materials in a short time with minimal resources, and pioneering work has shown that genetic engineering in these strains is possible and can be used to modify the material and its production. To accelerate synthetic biology progress in these bacteria, we introduce here the Komagataeibacter tool kit (KTK), a standardized modular cloning system based on Golden Gate DNA assembly that allows DNA parts to be combined to build complex multigene constructs expressed in bacteria from plasmids. Working in Komagataeibacter rhaeticus, we describe basic parts for this system, including promoters, fusion tags, and reporter proteins, before showcasing how the assembly system enables more complex designs. Specifically, we use KTK cloning to reformat the Escherichia coli curli amyloid fiber system for functional expression in K. rhaeticus, and go on to modify it as a system for programming protein secretion from the cellulose producing bacteria. With this toolkit, we aim to accelerate modular synthetic biology in these bacteria, and enable more rapid progress in the emerging ELMs community

Genetically encoded sender-receiver system in 3D mammalian cell culture

Engineering spatial patterning in mammalian cells, employing entirely genetically encoded components, requires solving several problems. These include how to code secreted activator or inhibitor molecules and how to send concentration-dependent signals to neighboring cells, to control gene expression. The Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cell line is a potential engineering scaffold as it forms hollow spheres (cysts) in 3D culture and tubulates in response to extracellular hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). We first aimed to graft a synthetic patterning system onto single developing MDCK cysts. We therefore developed a new localized transfection method to engineer distinct sender and receiver regions. A stable reporter line enabled reversible EGFP activation by HGF and modulation by a secreted repressor (a truncated HGF variant, NK4). By expanding the scale to wide fields of cysts, we generated morphogen diffusion gradients, controlling reporter gene expression. Together, these components provide a toolkit for engineering cell-cell communication networks in 3D cell culture.Centro Regional de Estudios Genómico