A discourse in conflict : resolving the definitional uncertainty of cyber war : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment for the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Defence and Security Studies at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand

Since emerging in academic literature in the 1990s, definitions of ‘cyber war’ and cyber warfare’ have been notably inconsistent. There has been no research that examines these inconsistencies and whether they can be resolved. Using the methodology of discourse analysis, this thesis addresses this research need. Analysis has identified that the study of cyber war and cyber warfare is inherently inter-disciplinary. The most prominent academic disciplines contributing definitions are Strategic Studies, Security Studies, Information and Communications Technology, Law, and Military Studies. Despite the apparent definitional uncertainty, most researchers do not offer formal definitions of cyber war or cyber warfare. Moreover, there is little evidentiary basis in literature to distinguish between cyber war and cyber warfare. Proximate analysis of definitions of cyber war and cyber warfare suggests a high level of inconsistency between dozens of definitions. However, through deeper analysis of both the relationships between definitions and their underlying structure, this thesis demonstrates that (a) the relationships between definitions can be represented hierarchically, through a discourse hierarchy of definitions; and (b) all definitions share a common underlying structure, accessible through the application of a structural definition model. Crucially, analysis of definitions via these constructs allows a foundational definition of cyber war and cyber warfare to be identified. Concomitantly, use of the model identifies the areas of greatest inter-definitional inconsistency and the implications thereof and contributes to the construction of a taxonomy of definitions of cyber war and cyber warfare. Considered holistically, these research outputs allow for significant resolution of the inconsistency between definitions. Moreover, these outputs provide a basis for the emergence of dominant functional definitions that may aid in the development of policy, strategy, and doctrine

Comment on "Time Step Sensitivity of Nonlinear Atmospheric Models: Numerical Convergence, Truncation Error Growth, and Ensemble Design" Teixeira et al. (2007)

Comment on "Time Step Sensitivity of Nonlinear Atmospheric Models: Numerical Convergence, Truncation Error Growth, and Ensemble Design" Teixeira et al.Comment: 3 page

The prevalence of Neospora caninum and co-infection with Toxoplasma gondii by PCR analysis in naturally occurring mammal populations

Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii are closely related intracellular protozoan parasites associated with bovine and ovine abortion respectively. Little is known about the extent of Neospora/Toxoplasma co-infection in naturally infected populations of animals. Using nested PCR techniques, based on primers from the Nc5 region of N. caninum and SAG1 for T. gondii, the prevalence of N. caninum and its co-infection with T. gondii were investigated in populations of Mus domesticus, Rattus norvegicus and aborted lambs (Ovis aries). A low frequency of infection with N. caninum was detected in the Mus domesticus (3%) and Rattus norvegicus (4·4%) populations. A relatively high frequency of infection with N. caninum was detected in the brains of aborted lambs (18·9%). There was no significant relationship between N. caninum and T. gondii co-infection. Investigation of the tissue distribution of Neospora, in aborted lambs, showed that Neospora could not be detected in tissues other than brain and this was in contrast to Toxoplasma where the parasite could be frequently detected in a range of tissues

Disclosure and Cost of Equity Capital Revisited

We reexamine the relation between disclosure indices and cost of equity capital employing an empirical specification similar to that of Botosan (1997) for a substantially larger sample over an extended time frame made possible by textual analysis. Our results provide no support for a hypothesis of a negative relation between disclosure indices and implied cost of equity capital. Rather, consistent with a bias of implied cost of equity capital as a proxy for expected return depicted by Hughes, Liu, and Liu (2009), we find strong evidence of a positive relation

AXAF VETA-I mirror encircled energy measurements and data reduction

The AXAF VETA-I mirror encircled energy was measured with a series of apertures and two flow gas proportional counters at five X-ray energies ranging from 0.28 to 2.3 keV. The proportional counter has a thin plastic window with an opaque wire mesh supporting grid. Depending on the counter position, this mesh can cause the X-ray transmission to vary as much as +/-9 percent, which directly translates into an error in the encircled energy. In order to correct this wire mesh effect, window scan measurements were made, in which the counter was scanned in both horizontal (Y) and vertical (Z) directions with the aperture fixed. Post VETA measurement of the VXDS setup were made to determine the exact geometry and position of the mesh grid. Computer models of the window mesh were developed to simulate the X-ray transmission based on this measurement. The window scan data were fitted to such mesh models and corrections were made. After this study, the mesh effect was well understood and the final results of the encircled energy were obtained with an uncertainty of less than 0.8 percent

Pendekatan Matematis Konduktivitas Efektif Aksial Pada Packed Bed

Theoretical prediction for the effective axial thermal conductivityfor adiabatic packed beds is derived from mathematical equations which were based on the heat transfer mechanisms in the packed beds. Theoretical prediction is an important aspect to calculate the effective axial thermal conductivity without measuring bed temperatures. If the value of an effective axial thermal conductivity was known, the bed temperatures can be evaluated. Mathematical equation was based on the heat transfer mechanisms can be expressed in the following equation, This equation is in a good agreement with the experimental for the nickel alumina and alumina solids with air and carbon dioxide as gaseous medium. Mean while, for steel ball agreement was good for helium as gaseous medium. The percentage deviation betwen predicted and experimental values are higher if the nickel alumina and alumina solids with helium as gaseous medium. It was also found the higher percentage deviation for air and carbon dioxide as gaseous medium with steel ball solid

Prototipo para la administración y desarrollo de cursos con la técnica de Metaplan que aporta etapas virtuales mediante la web

Se presenta en este trabajo la investigación realizada sobre las estrategias de moderación grupal y en particular se profundiza la denominada técnica de Metaplan. Por medio de una técnica particular de visualización y preguntas se buscan ideas y soluciones para los problemas, el desarrollo de opiniones y acuerdos, la formulación de objetivos, recomendaciones y planes de acción. El desarrollo de la técnica favorece el mantenimiento de la motivación grupal durante el proceso. En este trabajo se propone la creación de un prototipo para lograr la virtualización de algunas etapas para ampliar el alcance del Metaplan y facilitar el trabajo colaborativo del equipo. En la adaptación al formato virtual se considera los aspectos de tiempo, espacio, estilo y ritmo de cada alumno, promoviendo su autonomía en este proceso. Por último se presentan los resultados iniciales del prototipo para ser incorporado en un ambiente virtual de enseñanza y aprendizaje.Facultad de Informátic

Prototipo para la administración y desarrollo de cursos con la técnica de Metaplan que aporta etapas virtuales mediante la web

Se presenta en este trabajo la investigación realizada sobre las estrategias de moderación grupal y en particular se profundiza la denominada técnica de Metaplan. Por medio de una técnica particular de visualización y preguntas se buscan ideas y soluciones para los problemas, el desarrollo de opiniones y acuerdos, la formulación de objetivos, recomendaciones y planes de acción. El desarrollo de la técnica favorece el mantenimiento de la motivación grupal durante el proceso. En este trabajo se propone la creación de un prototipo para lograr la virtualización de algunas etapas para ampliar el alcance del Metaplan y facilitar el trabajo colaborativo del equipo. En la adaptación al formato virtual se considera los aspectos de tiempo, espacio, estilo y ritmo de cada alumno, promoviendo su autonomía en este proceso. Por último se presentan los resultados iniciales del prototipo para ser incorporado en un ambiente virtual de enseñanza y aprendizaje.Facultad de Informátic