Formalisation and Implementation of the XACML Access Control Mechanism

We propose a formal account of XACML, an OASIS standard adhering to the Policy Based Access Control model for the specifica- tion and enforcement of access control policies. To clarify all ambiguous and intricate aspects of XACML, we provide it with a more manageable alternative syntax and with a solid semantic ground. This lays the basis for developing tools and methodologies which allow software engineers to easily and precisely regulate access to resources using policies. To demonstrate feasibility and effectiveness of our approach, we provide a software tool, supporting the specification and evaluation of policies and access requests, whose implementation fully relies on our formal development

Dynamical downscaling for the southwest of Western Australia using the WRF modelling system

The southwest of Western Australia (SWWA) is a region of significant cereal production, with the main crops being winter grown wheat and barley. The most important factors influencing wheat growth and production are temperature extremes and precipitation, and hence, it is critical to have an understanding of how these environmental factors have changed in the past, and how they are likely to change in the future. One method of addressing this important research question is by using regional climate models (RCMs) to dynamically downscale re-analysis products and/or output form Global Circulation Models to a fine resolution. One tool which is being increasingly used for this purpose is the Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF) Advanced Research (ARW). However, like any modeling system, WRF-ARW requires thorough testing before it is implemented to carry out long-term climate runs. This paper examines the influence of different input data sources, as well as model physics options on simulated precipitation and maximum and minimum temperatures in SWWA by comparing the simulations against an observational gridded dataset. It is found that running WRF3.3 with the 1.0 × 1.0 degree National Center for Environmental Prediction Final analysis (NCEP-FNL), as compared to the 2.5 × 2.5 degree NCEP / National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR or NNRP) results in much improved simulations of precipitation and temperatures. Using the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 1.0 × 1.0 degree resolution sea surface temperature (SST) dataset does not result in markedly different results as compared to using the NNRP surface skin temperatures as SSTs. Using the Betts-Miller-Jajic (BMJ) scheme for cumulus/convection parameterisation rather than the more widely used Kain Fritsch (KF) scheme results in slightly higher errors for precipitation, and no marked change in temperatures. The latest version of the Rapid Radiative Transfer Model (RRTMG) is found to result in improved simulations of maximum and minimum temperatures, as compared to the RRTM, Community Atmosphere Model (CAM) 3.0, and Dudhia schemes. Use of the Asymmetric Convective Model as the planetary boundary-layer scheme rather than the more widely used Yonsei University scheme results in over-prediction of maximum and minimum temperatures

The influence of charge on the multiple thermal transitions observed in xanthan

Helix-coil transitions in xanthans occur at lower temperatures when the pyruvate group is charged, destabilising the polymer chains. Increasing salt content increases the transition temperature by reducing the effective charge on the pyruvate. A simple equivalent mass action model predicts how transition temperatures change as a function of salt concentration. The functional form of the change in transition temperature (1/T) versus natural log (salt concentration) is approximately linear and similar to more traditional polyelectrolyte theories. Transition temperatures in xanthans containing nominally homogeneous pyruvate contents show biphasic transitions, this is because the phases contain different pyruvate levels, however the transitions approach one another in temperature and eventually merge as salt content is increased. It is proposed that pyruvate groups, despite being present at a lower concentration relative to glucuronic acid, dominate the charge interactions due to their location on the outside of the helices

The effect of cellulose and starch on the viscoelastic and thermal properties of acid-swollen collagen paste

Collagen pastes are processed materials obtained through the swelling of minced bovine hides using acids into a fibrous swollen structure. Depending on the application, there is a need to improve the performance of these pastes in terms of rheological properties and mechanical strength of the final product. In this work, the addition of cellulose fibres and starch granules as fillers in acid swollen collagen paste was investigated. The influence of cellulose fibre length and starch granules with different amylose and amylopectin content on the viscoelastic and thermal properties of acid swollen paste were studied as a function of mixing ratio and collagen paste concentration. Addition of cellulose and starch granules resulted in an increase in the elastic modulus of the collagen paste with the starch granules having the highest impact. Addition of cellulose and starch also affected the tan δ peak of collagen paste at different collagen concentrations as a function of temperature. The micro differential scanning calorimetry (microDSC) results indicated that the denaturation temperature value of collagen was not influenced by the presence of cellulose and starch. However, upon reheating the denaturation temperature of collagen pastes wit starch granules shifted to lower temperatures

A completely self-contained cryogen-free dilution refrigerator, the TritonDR™

Oxford Instruments have developed a new dilution refrigerator for ultralow temperatures down to below 35 mK. The TritonDRTM system is a continuous cryogenic cycle dilution refrigerator. The refrigerator is driven by a closed cycle cryocooler and hence requires no liquid cryogens. The system has a dedicated electronic control unit and software that provides full control of operation

Targeted nasal vaccination provides antibody-independent protection against Staphylococcus aureus.

Despite showing promise in preclinical models, anti-Staphylococcus aureus vaccines have failed in clinical trials. To date, approaches have focused on neutralizing/opsonizing antibodies; however, vaccines exclusively inducing cellular immunity have not been studied to formally test whether a cellular-only response can protect against infection. We demonstrate that nasal vaccination with targeted nanoparticles loaded with Staphylococcus aureus antigen protects against acute systemic S. aureus infection in the absence of any antigen-specific antibodies. These findings can help inform future developments in staphylococcal vaccine development and studies into the requirements for protective immunity against S. aureus

SRAO CO Observation of 11 Supernova Remnants in l = 70 to 190 deg

We present the results of 12CO J = 1-0 line observations of eleven Galactic supernova remnants (SNRs) obtained using the Seoul Radio Astronomy Observatory (SRAO) 6-m radio telescope. The observation was made as a part of the SRAO CO survey of SNRs between l = 70 and 190 deg, which is intended to identify SNRs interacting with molecular clouds. The mapping areas for the individual SNRs are determined to cover their full extent in the radio continuum. We used halfbeam grid spacing (60") for 9 SNRs and full-beam grid spacing (120") for the rest. We detected CO emission towards most of the remnants. In six SNRs, molecular clouds showed a good spatial relation with their radio morphology, although no direct evidence for the interaction was detected. Two SNRs are particularly interesting: G85.4+0.7, where there is a filamentary molecular cloud along the radio shell, and 3C434.1, where a large molecular cloud appears to block the western half of the remnant. We briefly summarize the results obtained for individual SNRs.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astrophysics & Space Science. 12 pages, 12 figures, and 3 table

Anti-staphylococcal humoral immune response in persistent nasal carriers and noncarriers of Staphylococcus aureus

BACKGROUND. Persistent carriers have a higher risk of Staphylococcus aureus infections than noncarriers but a lower risk of bacteremia-related death. Here, the role played by anti-staphylococcal antibodies was studied. METHODS. Serum samples from 15 persistent carriers and 19 noncarriers were analyzed for immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgA, and IgM binding to 19 S. aureus antigens, by means of Luminex technology. Nasal secretions and serum samples obtained after 6 months were also analyzed. RESULTS. Median serum IgG levels were significantly higher in persistent carriers than in noncarriers for toxic shock syndrome toxin (TSST)-1 (median fluorescence intensity [MFI] value, 11,554 vs. 4291; P < .001) and staphylococcal enterotoxin (SE) A (742 vs. 218; P < .05); median IgA levels were higher for TSST-1 (P < .01), SEA, and clumping factor (Clf) A and B (P < .05). The in vitro neutralizing capacity of anti-TSST-1 antibodies was correlated with the MFI value (R(2) = 0.93) and was higher in persistent carriers (90.6% vs. 70.6%; P < .05). Antibody levels were stable over time and correlated with levels in nasal secretions (for IgG, R(2) = 0.87; for IgA, R(2) = 0.77). CONCLUSIONS. Antibodies to TSST-1 ha

Towards a synthesized critique of neoliberal biodiversity conservation

During the last three decades, the arena of biodiversity conservation has largely aligned itself with the globally dominant political ideology of neoliberalism and associated governmentalities. Schemes such as payments for ecological services are promoted to reach the multiple ‘wins’ so desired: improved biodiversity conservation, economic development, (international) cooperation and poverty alleviation, amongst others. While critical scholarship with respect to understanding the linkages between neoliberalism, capitalism and the environment has a long tradition, a synthesized critique of neoliberal conservation - the ideology (and related practices) that the salvation of nature requires capitalist expansion - remains lacking. This paper aims to provide such a critique. We commence with the assertion that there has been a conflation between ‘economics’ and neoliberal ideology in conservation thinking and implementation. As a result, we argue, it becomes easier to distinguish the main problems that neoliberal win-win models pose for biodiversity conservation. These are framed around three points: the stimulation of contradictions; appropriation and misrepresentation and the disciplining of dissent. Inspired by Bruno Latour’s recent ‘compositionist manifesto’, the conclusion outlines some ideas for moving beyond critique