Experimental Study of Machine-Learning-Based Detection and Identification of Physical-Layer Attacks in Optical Networks

Optical networks are critical infrastructure supporting vital services and are vulnerable to different types of malicious attacks targeting service disruption at the optical layer. Due to the various attack techniques causing diverse physical- layer effects, as well as the limitations and sparse placement of optical performance monitoring devices, such attacks are difficult to detect, and their signatures are unknown. This paper presents a Machine Learning (ML) framework for detection and identification of physical-layer attacks, based on experimental attack traces from an operator field-deployed testbed with coherent receivers. We perform in-band and out-of-band jamming signal insertion attacks, as well as polarization modulation attacks, each with varying intensities. We then evaluate 8 different ML classifiers in terms of their accuracy, and scalability in processing experimental data. The optical parameters critical for accurate attack identification are identified and the generalization of the models is validated. Results indicate that Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) achieve 99.9% accuracy in attack type and intensity classification, and are capable of processing 1 million samples in less than 10 seconds

Does Finance Bolster Superstar Companies? Banks, Venture Capital, and Firm Size in Local U.S. Markets

We study the relative effect of venture capital and bank finance on large manufacturing firms in local U.S. markets. Theory predicts that with venture capital, the firm size distribution should become more stretched-out to the right, but it’s ambiguous on the effect of banks on large firms. The empirical evidence suggests that while the average size of firms in the top bin of the firm size distribution has remained unaffected by banking sector developments, it has increased with venture capital investment. We argue that this is due to the emergence of new corporate giants rather than the growth of existing ones. JEL Classification: G24, J24, L11banking, firm size, Venture Capital

Does the euro make a difference? Spatio-temporal transmission of global shocks to real effective exchange rates in an infinite VAR

This paper provides evidence on whether the creation of the euro has changed the way global turbulences affect euro area and other economies. Specifically, it considers the impact of global shocks on the competitiveness of individual euro area countries and assesses whether their responses to such shocks have converged, as well as to what pattern. Technically, the paper applies a newly developed methodology based on infinite VAR theory featuring a dominant unit to a large set of over 60 countries' real effective exchange rates, including those of the individual euro area economies, and compares impulse response functions to the estimated systems before and after EMU with respect to three types of shocks: a global US dollar shock, generalised impulse response function shocks and a global shock to risk aversion. Our results show that the way euro area countries' real effective exchange rates adjust to these shocks has converged indeed, albeit to a pattern that depends crucially on the nature of the shock. This result is noteworthy given the apparent divergence in competitiveness indicators of these countries in the first ten years of EMU, which suggests that this diverging pattern is unlikely to be due to global external shocks with asymmetric effects but rather to other factors, such as country-specific domestic shocks. JEL Classification: C21, C23euro, High-Dimensional VAR, Identification of Shocks, Real Effective Exchange Rates, Weak and Strong Cross Sectional Dependence

Three Essays on Behavioral and Applied Game Theory.

no abstract availableGame theory;

Evaluation Framework for Quality Management Software

Identifying and specifying user requirements is an integral part of information systems design and is critical for the project success. More than 50% of the reasons for the project failure presented in the CHAOS report [36] and study of a US Air Force project by Sheldon et al. [33] are related to requirements. The goal of this paper is to assess the relevant user and software requirements which are the basis for an electronic quality management system selection in medical device companies. This paper describes the structured evaluation and selection process of different quality management software tools that shall support business processes. The purpose of this paper is to help the small to medium size medical device companies to choose the right quality management software which meets the company\u27s business needs

Business and technical aspects of mobile peer-to-peer social networks

Introduction of mobile high-capacity networks, as well as the widespread penetration of powerful mobile handsets provide a good basis for the development of peer-to-peer applications in the mobile environment. However, it is not certain if the P2P services that were well adopted in the fixed In-ternet can also be successfully launched in the mobile environment.   This article dissertation presents research results of mobile community service provisioning using P2P technology. The study was carried out on two levels: technical and business. On the business level the dissertation discusses the mobile P2P service provisioning ecosystem including analysis of stakeholder needs as well as potential scenarios for mobile P2P services. The dissertation presents the results of a user survey and a literature study. The presented material reveals that there is room for P2P services in the mobile environment, however user requirements are different than in the fixed environment. The dissertation also presents a scenario planning methodology that proposes the Schoemaker’s variant of scenario planning as a suitable method for evaluating emerging mobile services. Consistent and coherent learning scenarios that were developed using the proposed methodology are also presented.   On the technical level, the dissertation presents P2P system architectures, protocols, and algorithms that enable the provision of community services in the mobile environment. In particular, the dissertation describes the world first resource sharing system that works on top of SIP networks. The system enables mobile phone users to share resources with each other and does not require any changes to the basic SIP infrastructure. A Social DHT architecture that allows for efficient formation of mobile communities is also presented. The dissertation shows how the P2P infrastructure can become a feasible cost efficient replacement for a mobile infrastructure by presenting a Distributed IP Multimedia Subsystem as well as a pioneering new mobile P2PSIP system for real-time communication services. The dissertation discusses an implementation of a P2P system that allows mobile phone users to search for knowledge in their trusted social communities overcoming the problems identified in the business study of the dissertation. The results of measurements and trials conducted show the technical feasibility of mobile community service provisioning using P2P technology

Tested In and Placed In: Are Sixth-Grade Boys and Girls Completing Early Challenge Math Coursework before They Are Ready?

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the algebra readiness outcomes of randomly selected sixth grade boys (n = 15) and girls (n = 15) who tested into and completed early challenge math coursework compared to the algebra readiness outcomes of randomly selected same school sixth grade boys (n = 15) and girls (n = 15) who tested below the admission threshold but were placed into and completed early challenge math coursework based on teachers’ recommendations to determine if these students, both tested in and placed in, were enrolled into higher-level math courses before they were ready—a growing concern nationwide. Orleans Hanna Algebra Prognosis Test scores were analyzed using dependent t tests to determine sixth-grade pretest-posttest within group progress and Orleans Hanna Algebra Prognosis Test scores were analyzed using Analysis of Covariance for between group statistical comparison across gender and placement conditions to determine rate of test score improvement. Between group challenge math end of sixth-grade report card grade scores were analyzed using Analysis of Variance, also across gender and placement conditions. Taken all together the study test scores and grade results clearly indicate that boys and girls whether tested into or placed into sixth-grade challenge math coursework based on teacher recommendations were equally prepared and ready for seventh-grade pre-algebra studies following a year of early challenge math. Finally, we assert that placement criteria and procedures will continue to predict student success where there are, in combination, a well-designed rigorous math curriculum, committed, caring, and skilled teachers, and motivated students—making early challenge math coursework placement the only appropriate option for students when these conditions are extant

Human Rights Violations After 9/11 and the Role of Constitutional Constraints

human rights, terrorism, 9/11, checks and balances, constitutions, constitutional courts