Security threats to critical infrastructure: the human factor

In the twenty-first century, globalisation made corporate boundaries invisible and difficult to manage. This new macroeconomic transformation caused by globalisation introduced new challenges for critical infrastructure management. By replacing manual tasks with automated decision making and sophisticated technology, no doubt we feel much more secure than half a century ago. As the technological advancement takes root, so does the maturity of security threats. It is common that today’s critical infrastructures are operated by non-computer experts, e.g. nurses in health care, soldiers in military or firefighters in emergency services. In such challenging applications, protecting against insider attacks is often neither feasible nor economically possible, but these threats can be managed using suitable risk management strategies. Security technologies, e.g. firewalls, help protect data assets and computer systems against unauthorised entry. However, one area which is often largely ignored is the human factor of system security. Through social engineering techniques, malicious attackers are able to breach organisational security via people interactions. This paper presents a security awareness training framework, which can be used to train operators of critical infrastructure, on various social engineering security threats such as spear phishing, baiting, pretexting, among others.     

Porous dye affinity beads for albumin separation from human plasma

Porous polymeric beads were obtained by the suspension polymerization of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA). Poly(HEMA–EGDMA) beads were characterized by surfacearea measurements, swelling studies, FTIR, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and elemental analysis. Poly (HEMA–EGDMA) beads had a specific surface area of 56 m²/g. SEM observations showed that the poly(HEMA–EGDMA) beads abounded macropores. Poly(HEMA–EGDMA) beads with a swelling ratio of 55%, and containing different amounts of Reactive Red 120 (9.2–39.8 μmol/g) were used in the adsorption/desorption of human serum albumin (HSA) from aqueous solutions and human plasma. The nonspecific adsorption of HSA was very low (0.2 mg/g). The maximum HSA adsorption amount from aqueous solution in phosphate buffer was 60.1 mg/g at pH 5.0. Higher HSA adsorption value was obtained from human plasma (up to 95.7 mg/g) with a purity of 88%. The equilibrium monolayer adsorption amount, Q_max was determined as 172.4 mg/g. The dimensionless separation factor (R_L) value shows that the adsorption behavior of HSA onto the Reactive Red 120 attached poly(HEMA–EGDMA) beads was favorable (0 < R_L < 1). Desorption of HSA from Reactive Red 120 attached poly (HEMA–EGDMA) beads was performed using 0.1M Tris/HCl buffer containing 0.5M NaCl. It was observed that HSA could be repeatedly adsorbed and desorbed with Reactive Red 120‐attached poly(HEMA–EGDMA) beads without significant loss in the adsorption amount. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007     

Antibody purification using porous metal–chelated monolithic columns

A novel monolithic material was developed to obtain efficient and cost‐effective purification of IgG from human plasma. The porous monolith was obtained by bulk polymerization in a glass tube of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and N‐methacryloyl‐(L )‐histidine methyl ester (MAH). The poly(HEMA‐MAH) monolith had a specific surface area of 214.6 m²/g and was characterized by swelling studies, porosity measurement, FTIR, scanning electron microscopy, and elemental analysis. Then the monolith was loaded with Cu²⁺ ions to form the metal chelate. Poly(HEMA‐MAH) monolith with a swelling ratio of 74% and containing 20.9 μmol MAH/g was used in the adsorption/desorption of IgG from aqueous solutions and human plasma. The maximum adsorption of IgG from an aqueous solution in phosphate buffer was 10.8 mg/g at pH 7.0. Higher adsorption was obtained from human plasma (up to 104.2 mg/g), with a purity of 94.1%. It was observed that IgG could be repeatedly adsorbed and desorbed with the poly(HEMA‐MAH) monolith without significant loss of adsorption capacity. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 395–404, 2006     

Metal‐chelating properties of poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate–methacryloylamidohistidine) membranes

Metal‐chelating membranes have advantages as adsorbents in comparison with conventional beads because they are not compressible and they eliminate internal diffusion limitations. The aim of this study was to explore in detail the performance of poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate–methacryloylamidohistidine) [poly(HEMA–MAH)] membranes for the removal of three toxic heavy‐metal ions—Cd(II), Pb(II), and Hg(II)—from aquatic systems. The poly(HEMA–MAH) membranes were characterized with scanning electron microscopy and ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy. The adsorption capacity of the poly(HEMA–MAH) membranes for the selected heavy‐metal ions from aqueous media containing different amounts of these ions (30–500 mg/L) and at different pH values (3.0–7.0) was investigated. The adsorption capacity of the membranes increased with time during the first 60 min and then leveled off toward the equilibrium adsorption. The maximum amounts of the heavy‐metal ions adsorbed were 8.2, 31.5, and 23.2 mg/g for Cd(II), Pb(II), and Hg(II), respectively. The competitive adsorption of the metal ions was also studied. When the metal ions competed, the adsorbed amounts were 2.9 mg of Cd(II)/g, 14.8 mg of Pb(II)/g, and 9.4 mg of Hg(II)/g. The poly(HEMA–MAH) membranes could be regenerated via washing with a solution of nitric acid (0.01M). The desorption ratio was as high as 97%. These membranes were suitable for repeated use for more than three adsorption/desorption cycles with negligible loss in the adsorption capacity. The stability constants for the metal‐ion/2‐methacryloylamidohistidine complexes were calculated to be 3.47 × 10⁶, 7.75 × 10⁷, and 2.01 × 10⁷ L/mol for Cd(II), Pb(II), and Hg(II) ions, respectively, with the Ruzic method. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 1213–1219, 2005     

Spectral characterization of lysozyme adsorption on dye-affinity beads

Cibacron Blue F3GA-attached magnetic poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) [mPHEMA] beads were prepared by suspension polymerization of HEMA in the presence of magnetite (Fe₃O₄) nanopowder. Average diameter size of the mPHEMA beads was 150–200 μm. The characteristic functional groups of Cibacron Blue F3GA-attached mPHEMA beads were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) and Raman scattering spectrometer. The lysozyme adsorption and desorption characteristics of Cibacron Blue F3GA-attached mPHEMA beads were also investigated using FTIR and Raman spectroscopic techniques. When the Raman spectrum of lysozyme adsorbed mPHEMA is evaluated characteristic Amide-I band appears at 1657 cm⁻¹. The intensity of this band decreases in the spectrum of lysozyme desorbed mPHEMA sample. When the characteristic bands of lysozyme adsorbed and desorbed mPHEMA samples are compared, the band intensities of desorbed sample are lower than those of lysozyme adsorbed sample except for the band appearing at 656 cm⁻¹ (Tyr vC S). © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

On the detection of corrosion pit interactions using two-dimensional spectral analysis

A statistical methodology for detecting pits interactions based on a two-dimensional spectral analysis is presented. This method can be used as a tool for the exploratory analysis of spatial point patterns and can be advanced as an alternative of classical methods based on distance. One of the major advantages of the spectral analysis approach over the use of classical methods is its ability to reveal more details about the spatial structure like the scale for which pits corrosion can be considered as independent. Furthermore, directional components of pattern can be investigated.The method is validated in a first time using numerical simulations on random, regular and aggregated structures. The density of pits, used in the numerical simulations, corresponds to that assessed from a corroded aluminium sheet. In a second time, this method is applied to verify the independence of the corrosion pits observed on the aforementioned aluminium sheet before applying the Gumbel theory to determine the maximum pit depth. Indeed, the property of independence is a prerequisite of the Gumbel theory which is one of the most frequently used in the field of safety and reliability.     

Quantifying Long-Term NPS Pollutant Flux in an Urbanizing Watershed

Long-term nonpoint source (NPS) pollutant flux is described within the rapidly developing Occoquan watershed west of Washington, D.C. Data consist of up to 24 years of observed rainfall, integrated pollutant discharge, and land use/land cover from four headwater basins of the Occoquan River. Three of the four study basins, ranging in size from 67 to 400?km2, are predominantly forest and mixed agriculture. The fourth basin, the 127?km2 Cub Run watershed, has urbanized rapidly over the past 20 years. Higher annual NPS sediment and nutrient fluxes in Cub Run after 1983 are linked to increased soil disturbance from urban construction and increased storm volumes resulting from increased mean impervious percent. Over the long-term, storm fluxes of NPS particulate P, soluble P, particulate N, and soluble N make up 92, 67, 89, and 50%, respectively, of the total fluxes of those constituents, with between 88 and 98% of mean annual total suspended solids fluxes delivered by storm flow. Higher NPS pollutant fluxes in Cub Run basin after 1983, and specifically during the growing season, indicate a seasonal impact of replacing vegetated cover with impervious surface.     

Monosize magnetic hydrophobic beads for lysozyme purification under magnetic field

Monosize and magnetic poly(glycidyl methacrylate-N-methacryloyl-(l)-tryptophan) [mPGMATrp] beads (1.6 µm in diameter) were used for hydrophobic affinity capture of lysozyme from chicken egg-white. N-methacryloyl-(l)-tryptophan (MATrp), which gives hydrophobicity to the resulting polymer, was synthesized by reacting methacryloyl chloride and l-tryptophan methyl ester then characterized by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). mPGMATrp beads were produced by dispersion polymerization in the presence of magnetite nano-powder. mPGMATrp beads were characterized by means of swelling studies, elemental analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Lysozyme adsorption experiments were performed under different experimental conditions (i.e., lysozyme concentration, temperature, and ionic strength) in magnetically stabilized fluidized bed system, (MSFB). Maximum adsorption capacity was 263.9 mg/g. It was observed that mPGMATrp beads can be used without significant loss in lysozyme adsorption capacity after 25 adsorption-elution cycle.     

Prediction of Tensile Capacity of Bond Anchorages for FRP Tendons

Past test data show that the bond stress distribution of bond anchorages is nonuniform along the bonded length and that the point of the peak bond strength shifts from the entry of the tendon to an inside point of the anchorage as the applied load increases. Based on these results, this paper analyzes the working mechanism of bond anchorages for fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) tendons and presents a conceptual model to calculate the bond stress at the tendon-grout interface and the tensile capacity of bond anchorages for FRP tendons. Experimental and analytical results show that the geometry of FRP tendon and steel sleeve and the mechanical properties of filling grout are the relevant parameters in the development of tendon-grout interface stresses. The characteristic bond strength depends mainly on the properties of the bonding agent-cement grout, the geometry and surface conditions of the tendon, and the radial stiffness of the confining medium. A comparison of the calculated and experimental results showed good agreement.     

Albumin adsorption from aqueous solutions and human plasma in a packed-bed column with Cibacron Blue F3GA-Zn(II) attached poly(EGDMA-HEMA) microbeads

Affinity dye-ligand Cibacron Blue F3GA, was covalently coupled with poly(EGDMA-HEMA) microbeads via nucleophilic reaction between the chloride of its triazine ring and the hydroxyl groups of the HEMA under alkaline conditions. The microbeads carrying 16.5 μmol Cibacron Blue F3GA per gram polymer was incorporated with Zn(II) ions. Zn(II) loading was 189.6 μmol/g. Cibacron Blue F3GA-Zn(II) attached affinity sorbent was used for albumin adsorption from aqueous solutions and human plasma in a packed-bed column. BSA adsorption capacity of the microbeads decreased with an increase in the recirculation rate. High adsorption rates were observed at the beginning, then equilibrium was gradually achieved in about 60 min. The BSA concentration in the mobile phase also effected adsorption. BSA adsorption was first increased with BSA concentration, then reached a plateau which was about 128 mg BSA/g. The maximum adsorption was observed at pH 5.0 which is the isoelectric pH of BSA. Higher human serum albumin adsorption was observed from human plasma (215 mg HSA/g). High desorption ratios (over 90% of the adsorbed albumin) were achieved by using 1.0 M NaSCN (pH 8.0) in 30 min.