104 research outputs found
Identifying Security-Critical Cyber-Physical Components in Industrial Control Systems
In recent years, Industrial Control Systems (ICS) have become an appealing
target for cyber attacks, having massive destructive consequences. Security
metrics are therefore essential to assess their security posture. In this
paper, we present a novel ICS security metric based on AND/OR graphs that
represent cyber-physical dependencies among network components. Our metric is
able to efficiently identify sets of critical cyber-physical components, with
minimal cost for an attacker, such that if compromised, the system would enter
into a non-operational state. We address this problem by efficiently
transforming the input AND/OR graph-based model into a weighted logical formula
that is then used to build and solve a Weighted Partial MAX-SAT problem. Our
tool, META4ICS, leverages state-of-the-art techniques from the field of logical
satisfiability optimisation in order to achieve efficient computation times.
Our experimental results indicate that the proposed security metric can
efficiently scale to networks with thousands of nodes and be computed in
seconds. In addition, we present a case study where we have used our system to
analyse the security posture of a realistic water transport network. We discuss
our findings on the plant as well as further security applications of our
metric.Comment: Keywords: Security metrics, industrial control systems,
cyber-physical systems, AND-OR graphs, MAX-SAT resolutio
Comment to the Paper of Michael J. Saxton: "A Biological Interpretation of Transient Anomalous Subdiffusion. I. Qualitative Model"
In a recent paper, Michael J. Saxton proposes to interpret as anomalous
diffusion the occurrence of apparent transient sub-diffusive regimes in
mean-squared displacements (MSD) plots, calculated from experimental
trajectories of molecules diffusing in living cells, acquired by Single
Particle (or Molecule) Tracking techniques (SPT or SMT). In this Comment,
without questioning the existence of sub-diffusive behaviors, which certainly
play a key role in numbers of mechanisms in living systems, we point out that
the data used by J.M. Saxton can as well be fitted by a simple law, resulting
from confined diffusion at short times, with a slower free diffusion
superimposed at larger times. When visualizing MSD plots, the transition from
short-term diffusion confined in domains of size L, to slower, longer-term free
diffusion, can be confused with anomalous diffusion over several orders of
magnitude of time.Comment: To appear in Biophysical Journa
Steroid modulation of neurogenesis: Focus on radial glial cells in zebrafish
International audienc
The Raman Laser Spectrometer for the ExoMars Rover Mission to Mars
The Raman Laser Spectrometer (RLS) on board the ESA/Roscosmos ExoMars 2020 mission will provide
precise identification of the mineral phases and the possibility to detect organics on the Red Planet. The RLS
will work on the powdered samples prepared inside the Pasteur analytical suite and collected on the surface and
subsurface by a drill system. Raman spectroscopy is a well-known analytical technique based on the inelastic
scattering by matter of incident monochromatic light (the Raman effect) that has many applications in laboratory
and industry, yet to be used in space applications. Raman spectrometers will be included in two Mars
rovers scheduled to be launched in 2020. The Raman instrument for ExoMars 2020 consists of three main units:
(1) a transmission spectrograph coupled to a CCD detector; (2) an electronics box, including the excitation laser
that controls the instrument functions; and (3) an optical head with an autofocus mechanism illuminating and
collecting the scattered light from the spot under investigation. The optical head is connected to the excitation
laser and the spectrometer by optical fibers. The instrument also has two targets positioned inside the rover
analytical laboratory for onboard Raman spectral calibration. The aim of this article was to present a detailed
description of the RLS instrument, including its operation on Mars. To verify RLS operation before launch and
to prepare science scenarios for the mission, a simulator of the sample analysis chain has been developed by the
team. The results obtained are also discussed. Finally, the potential of the Raman instrument for use in field
conditions is addressed. By using a ruggedized prototype, also developed by our team, a wide range of
terrestrial analog sites across the world have been studied. These investigations allowed preparing a large
collection of real, in situ spectra of samples from different geological processes and periods of Earth evolution.
On this basis, we are working to develop models for interpreting analog processes on Mars during the mission.
Key Words: Raman spectroscopyâExoMars missionâInstruments and techniquesâPlanetary sciencesâMars
mineralogy and geochemistryâSearch for life on Mars. Astrobiology 17, 627â65
The effect of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose on health-related quality of life in iron-deficient patients with acute heart failure: the results of the AFFIRM-AHF study
Aims: Patients with heart failure (HF) and iron deficiency experience poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We evaluated the impact of intravenous (IV) ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) vs. placebo on HRQoL for the AFFIRM-AHF population. Methods and results: The baseline 12-item Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ-12), which was completed for 1058 (535 and 523) patients in the FCM and placebo groups, respectively, was administered prior to randomization and at Weeks 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 36, and 52. The baseline KCCQ-12 overall summary score (OSS) mean ± standard error was 38.7 ± 0.9 (FCM group) and 37.1 ± 0.8 (placebo group); corresponding values for the clinical summary score (CSS) were 40.9 ± 0.9 and 40.1 ± 0.9. At Week 2, changes in OSS and CSS were similar for FCM and placebo. From Week 4 to Week 24, patients assigned to FCM had significantly greater improvements in OSS and CSS scores vs. placebo [adjusted mean difference (95% confidence interval, CI) at Week 4: 2.9 (0.5-5.3, P = 0.018) for OSS and 2.8 (0.3-5.3, P = 0.029) for CSS; adjusted mean difference (95% CI) at Week 24: 3.0 (0.3-5.6, P = 0.028) for OSS and 2.9 (0.2-5.6, P = 0.035) for CSS]. At Week 52, the treatment effect had attenuated but remained in favour of FCM. Conclusion: In iron-deficient patients with HF and left ventricular ejection fraction â€50% who had stabilized after an episode of acute HF, treatment with IV FCM, compared with placebo, results in clinically meaningful beneficial effects on HRQoL as early as 4 weeks after treatment initiation, lasting up to Week 24
Empirical Standards for Software Engineering Research
Empirical Standards are natural-language models of a scientific community's
expectations for a specific kind of study (e.g. a questionnaire survey). The
ACM SIGSOFT Paper and Peer Review Quality Initiative generated empirical
standards for research methods commonly used in software engineering. These
living documents, which should be continuously revised to reflect evolving
consensus around research best practices, will improve research quality and
make peer review more effective, reliable, transparent and fair.Comment: For the complete standards, supplements and other resources, see
https://github.com/acmsigsoft/EmpiricalStandard
Ferric carboxymaltose for iron deficiency at discharge after acute heart failure:a multicentre, double-blind, randomised, controlled trial
Background Intravenous ferric carboxymaltose has been shown to improve symptoms and quality of life in patients with chronic heart failure and iron deficiency. We aimed to evaluate the effect of ferric carboxymaltose, compared with placebo, on outcomes in patients who were stabilised after an episode of acute heart failure. Methods AFFIRM-AHF was a multicentre, double-blind, randomised trial done at 121 sites in Europe, South America, and Singapore. Eligible patients were aged 18 years or older, were hospitalised for acute heart failure with concomitant iron deficiency (defined as ferritin Findings Between March 21, 2017, and July 30, 2019, 1525 patients were screened, of whom 1132 patients were randomly assigned to study groups. Study treatment was started in 1110 patients, and 1108 (558 in the carboxymaltose group and 550 in the placebo group) had at least one post-randomisation value. 293 primary events (57.2 per 100 patient-years) occurred in the ferric carboxymaltose group and 372 (72.5 per 100 patient-years) occurred in the placebo group (rate ratio [RR] 0.79, 95% CI 0.62-1.01, p=0.059). 370 total cardiovascular hospitalisations and cardiovascular deaths occurred in the ferric carboxymaltose group and 451 occurred in the placebo group (RR 0.80, 95% CI 0.64-1.00, p=0.050). There was no difference in cardiovascular death between the two groups (77 [14%] of 558 in the ferric carboxymaltose group vs 78 [14%] in the placebo group; hazard ratio [HR] 0.96, 95% CI 0.70-1.32, p=0.81). 217 total heart failure hospitalisations occurred in the ferric carboxymaltose group and 294 occurred in the placebo group (RR 0.74; 95% CI 0.58-0.94, p=0.013). The composite of first heart failure hospitalisation or cardiovascular death occurred in 181 (32%) patients in the ferric carboxymaltose group and 209 (38%) in the placebo group (HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.66-0.98, p=0.030). Fewer days were lost due to heart failure hospitalisations and cardiovascular death for patients assigned to ferric carboxymaltose compared with placebo (369 days per 100 patient-years vs 548 days per 100 patient-years; RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.47-0.97, p=0.035). Serious adverse events occurred in 250 (45%) of 559 patients in the ferric carboxymaltose group and 282 (51%) of 551 patients in the placebo group. Interpretation In patients with iron deficiency, a left ventricular ejection fraction of less than 50%, and who were stabilised after an episode of acute heart failure, treatment with ferric carboxymaltose was safe and reduced the risk of heart failure hospitalisations, with no apparent effect on the risk of cardiovascular death
LipoproteinâAssociated Phospholipase A2 Activity Is a Marker of Risk But Not a Useful Target for Treatment in Patients With Stable Coronary Heart Disease
Background: We evaluated lipoproteinâassociated phospholipase A2 (LpâPLA2) activity in patients with stable coronary heart disease before and during treatment with darapladib, a selective LpâPLA2 inhibitor, in relation to outcomes and the effects of darapladib in the STABILITY trial. Methods and Results: Plasma LpâPLA2 activity was determined at baseline (n=14 500); at 1 month (n=13 709); serially (n=100) at 3, 6, and 18 months; and at the end of treatment. Adjusted Cox regression models evaluated associations between LpâPLA2 activity levels and outcomes. At baseline, the median LpâPLA2 level was 172.4 ÎŒmol/min per liter (interquartile range 143.1â204.2 ÎŒmol/min per liter). Comparing the highest and lowest LpâPLA2 quartile groups, the hazard ratios were 1.50 (95% CI 1.23â1.82) for the primary composite end point (cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke), 1.95 (95% CI 1.29â2.93) for hospitalization for heart failure, 1.42 (1.07â1.89) for cardiovascular death, and 1.37 (1.03â1.81) for myocardial infarction after adjustment for baseline characteristics, standard laboratory variables, and other prognostic biomarkers. Treatment with darapladib led to a â65% persistent reduction in median LpâPLA2 activity. There were no associations between onâtreatment LpâPLA2 activity or changes of LpâPLA2 activity and outcomes, and there were no significant interactions between baseline and onâtreatment LpâPLA2 activity or changes in LpâPLA2 activity levels and the effects of darapladib on outcomes. Conclusions: Although high LpâPLA2 activity was associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events, pharmacological lowering of LpâPLA2 activity by â65% did not significantly reduce cardiovascular events in patients with stable coronary heart disease, regardless of the baseline level or the magnitude of change of LpâPLA2 activity
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