An Argumentation-Based Reasoner to Assist Digital Investigation and Attribution of Cyber-Attacks

We expect an increase in the frequency and severity of cyber-attacks that comes along with the need for efficient security countermeasures. The process of attributing a cyber-attack helps to construct efficient and targeted mitigating and preventive security measures. In this work, we propose an argumentation-based reasoner (ABR) as a proof-of-concept tool that can help a forensics analyst during the analysis of forensic evidence and the attribution process. Given the evidence collected from a cyber-attack, our reasoner can assist the analyst during the investigation process, by helping him/her to analyze the evidence and identify who performed the attack. Furthermore, it suggests to the analyst where to focus further analyses by giving hints of the missing evidence or new investigation paths to follow. ABR is the first automatic reasoner that can combine both technical and social evidence in the analysis of a cyber-attack, and that can also cope with incomplete and conflicting information. To illustrate how ABR can assist in the analysis and attribution of cyber-attacks we have used examples of cyber-attacks and their analyses as reported in publicly available reports and online literature. We do not mean to either agree or disagree with the analyses presented therein or reach attribution conclusions

Research on the Construction of Technology Innovation Virtual Team in SMEs: Based on the Perspective of Industry-university-research Cooperative Innovation

This paper analyzes the necessity and urgency of implementation of industry-university-research cooperative innovation in SMEs, describes the definition and characteristics of virtual teams, demonstrates the building elements of industry-university-research virtual team of SMEs, and proposes the measures for ensuring the construction and normal, efficient operation of the team in the view of government support, system guide and incentive mechanism building by enterprises

Challenges and Opportunities Facing China’s Urban Development in the New Era

The acceleration of urban expansion has greatly impacted the study of China’s urban system, and the urban function at the national level has largely been characterised by the spatial distribution and evolution of cities. In order to understand the dynamics of urban development in China, it is necessary to analyse the history of city evolution and understand the context in which that evolution took place. The first section of this paper introduces the urbanisation process in China since the 1950s in order to demonstrate the origins of China’s recenturbanisation patterns. Subsequently, the structural transitions of city scaling and urban clusters are presented by employing Rank-size Analysis and satellite imagery, followed by the challenges brought about by these changes. Finally, the spatial distribution and transition patterns of China’s urban system are analysed using Centrographic Analysis

Formal Verification of Real-Time Function Blocks Using PVS

A critical step towards certifying safety-critical systems is to check their conformance to hard real-time requirements. A promising way to achieve this is by building the systems from pre-verified components and verifying their correctness in a compositional manner. We previously reported a formal approach to verifying function blocks (FBs) using tabular expressions and the PVS proof assistant. By applying our approach to the IEC 61131-3 standard of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), we constructed a repository of precise specification and reusable (proven) theorems of feasibility and correctness for FBs. However, we previously did not apply our approach to verify FBs against timing requirements, since IEC 61131-3 does not define composite FBs built from timers. In this paper, based on our experience in the nuclear domain, we conduct two realistic case studies, consisting of the software requirements and the proposed FB implementations for two subsystems of an industrial control system. The implementations are built from IEC 61131-3 FBs, including the on-delay timer. We find issues during the verification process and suggest solutions.Comment: In Proceedings ESSS 2015, arXiv:1506.0325

Near-infrared quantum cutting in Ho3+, Yb3+-codoped BaGdF5 nanoparticles via first- and second-order energy transfers

Infrared quantum cutting involving Yb(3+) 950–1,000 nm ((2) F(5/2) → (2) F(7/2)) and Ho(3+) 1,007 nm ((5)S(2),(5)F(4) → (5)I(6)) as well as 1,180 nm ((5)I(6) → (5)I(8)) emissions is achieved in BaGdF(5): Ho(3+), Yb(3+) nanoparticles which are synthesized by a facile hydrothermal route. The mechanisms through first- and second-order energy transfers were analyzed by the dependence of Yb(3+) doping concentration on the visible and infrared emissions, decay lifetime curves of the (5) F(5) → (5)I(8), (5)S(2)/(5)F(4) → (5)I(8), and (5) F(3) → (5)I(8) of Ho(3+), in which a back energy transfer from Yb(3+) to Ho(3+) is first proposed to interpret the spectral characteristics. A modified calculation equation for quantum efficiency of Yb(3+)-Ho(3+) couple by exciting at 450 nm was presented according to the quantum cutting mechanism. Overall, the excellent luminescence properties of BaGdF(5): Ho(3+), Yb(3+) near-infrared quantum cutting nanoparticles could explore an interesting approach to maximize the performance of solar cells

Challenges and Opportunities Facing China’s Urban Development in the New Era

The acceleration of urban expansion has greatly impacted the study of China’s urban system, and the urban function at the national level has largely been characterised by the spatial distribution and evolution of cities. In order to understand the dynamics of urban development in China, it is necessary to analyse the history of city evolution and understand the context in which that evolution took place. The first section of this paper introduces the urbanisation process in China since the 1950s in order to demonstrate the origins of China’s recenturbanisation patterns. Subsequently, the structural transitions of city scaling and urban clusters are presented by employing Rank-size Analysis and satellite imagery, followed by the challenges brought about by these changes. Finally, the spatial distribution and transition patterns of China’s urban system are analysed using Centrographic Analysis

Défis et opportunités du développement urbain dans la Chine de la nouvelle ère

L’accélération de l’expansion urbaine a fortement marqué l’étude du système urbain chinois, caractérisé par d’importantes transformations des villes et par leur étalement croissant. Afin de comprendre les dynamiques du développement urbain en Chine, il est nécessaire d’analyser l’histoire générale des évolutions urbaines et de comprendre le contexte dans lequel celles-ci se situent. La première partie de cet article décrit le processus d’urbanisation en Chine depuis les années 1950 en s’attachant à éclairer les causes de l’émergence du modèle de ré-urbanisation qui s’y est affirmé. La seconde partie présente ensuite les transitions structurelles de l’échelle des villes et des clusters urbains, à l’aide de l’analyse de leur classement et des données issues de l’imagerie satellite, puis s’attache à exposer les défis introduits par ces changements. Enfin, la distribution spatiale et les formes de transition du système urbain chinois sont analysées grâce à la technique de l’analyse centrographique

Défis et opportunités du développement urbain dans la Chine de la nouvelle ère

L’accélération de l’expansion urbaine a fortement marqué l’étude du système urbain chinois, caractérisé par d’importantes transformations des villes et par leur étalement croissant. Afin de comprendre les dynamiques du développement urbain en Chine, il est nécessaire d’analyser l’histoire générale des évolutions urbaines et de comprendre le contexte dans lequel celles-ci se situent. La première partie de cet article décrit le processus d’urbanisation en Chine depuis les années 1950 en s’attachant à éclairer les causes de l’émergence du modèle de ré-urbanisation qui s’y est affirmé. La seconde partie présente ensuite les transitions structurelles de l’échelle des villes et des clusters urbains, à l’aide de l’analyse de leur classement et des données issues de l’imagerie satellite, puis s’attache à exposer les défis introduits par ces changements. Enfin, la distribution spatiale et les formes de transition du système urbain chinois sont analysées grâce à la technique de l’analyse centrographique

Coupling of Rural Energy Structure and Straw Utilization Based on Cases in Hebei China

peer reviewedChina's coal-based energy structure is the main reason for the current high-level air pollution and carbon emissions. Now in the North China Plain, the government is vigorously promoting “coal to gas” and “coal to electricity” in the country and the vast rural areas. The development and utilization of biomass resources in agricultural areas is also an effective means of replacing coal. We propose the idea of forming a complementary rural energy structure of "biogas, briquetting, electricity (BBE)" model based on centralized biogas production (CBP) and straw briquetting fuel (SBF) to improve the rural energy structure. This article uses emergy analysis methods to analyze actual cases. It needs to have strengths and avoid weaknesses in mode selection. The process of the analysis reveals the disadvantages and improvement measures. Under the current capacity load, the emergy input and output, eco-economic indicators, sustainable development indicators, environmental load indicators, and economic value have their own advantages and disadvantages. Assuming 100% capacity load, the indicators have great optimization space. Reducing labor input during the planting phase can effectively reduce emergy input. The government needs to provide corresponding support based on the strengths and weaknesses of the project to keep the project sustainability. The development of complementary integration based on local conditions is an important measure to optimize the energy consumption structure in rural areas and improve the ecological environment