Team cognition in a cyber defense context: focus on social support behaviors

In the face of increasingly prominent cyber security issues, the organization of cyber team analysts has become crucial to thwart cyber threats. Few studies have examined the functioning of the team and the interaction between individuals in a cyber defense context and how the context influences team adaptation. The present study investigates team cognition in a cyber defense context and in particular the nature of task- or team-centered communication among analysts during a cyber defense simulation exercise. Results indicate that markers of situation assessment and shared mental models are both strategically present and linked. Nevertheless, the frequency of these markers varies depending on the quantity and quality of problems encountered; in particular, variations in social support behaviors are observed. Decreasing social support behaviors during high level activities suggests the adaptation of social behaviors depending on the threats and attacks on the system. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed in terms of theories and potential consequences for strategic adaptation and team resilience.

     

Note: a high transmission Faraday optical isolator in the 9.2 μm range

We have fabricated and characterized an n-doped InSb Faraday isolator in the mid-IR range (9.2 μm). A high isolation ratio (31(2) dB) and low insertion loss (1.9(3) dB) are obtained. Temperature dependance is analyzed. Further possible improvements are discussed, including the realization of a two-stage isolator. A similar design can be used to cover a wide wavelength range (λ ~ 7.5-30 μm).     

Spectrophotometric characterization of human impacted surface waters in the Moselle watershed

In order to characterize the pollution discharged into the Moselle River and some of its tributaries, spectroscopic techniques, namely UV-vis spectroscopy and synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy, have been combined. UV-visible spectra were analysed using the maximum of the second derivative at 225 nm (related to nitrates), the SUVA254 and E2/E3 indices (related to the nature of organic matter). Synchronous fluorescence spectra (delta lambda = 50 nm) presented different shapes depending upon the type of pollution. The pollution results from anthropogenic activities: untreated domestic sewage due to misconnections in a periurban river, effluent from urban WWTPS, agricultural runoff (nitrates) in several streams, discharge from a paper mill (humic-like substances due to wood processing) and from steel mills (PAHs).     

Flow profile measurement in microchannel using the optical feedback interferometry sensing technique

The need to accurately measure flow profiles in microfluidic channels is well recognised. In this work, we present a new optical feedback interferometry (OFI) flow sensor that accurately measures local velocity in fluids and enables reconstruction of a velocity profile inside a microchannel. OFI is a self-aligned interferometric technique that uses the laser as both the transmitter and the receiver thus offering high sensitivity, fast response, and a simple and compact optical design. The system described here is based on a commercial semiconductor laser and has been designed to achieve a micrometer-range spatial resolution. The sensor performance was validated by reconstructing the velocity profile inside a circular cross-section flow-channel with 320  $\upmu $ m internal diameter, with a relative error smaller than 1.8 %. The local flow velocity is directly measured, thus avoiding the need for model based profile calculation and uncertainties inherent to this approach. The system was validated by successfully extracting the flow profiles in both Newtonian and shear-thinning liquids.     

Synthesis methods of array antenna excitation laws

Standard numerical optimization methods become very computational time consuming when dealing with synthesis of array antenna excitation laws, especially when number of elements exceeds a few tenths. Array antenna designer needs a fast and efficient synthesis tool, since the design phase implies several reoptimizations within the definition phase, in order to satisfy tradeoffs on antagonistic requirements : performances, size, cost,… We propose the use of an efficient, from the computational time point of view, and secured, from the convergence point of view, synthesis method illustrated by two examples. The optimized solution satisfies a sta-tionarity condition, which leads to steady solutions in frequency but also with regard to errors (manufacturing, …). Based on analytical calculus performed before any numerical resolution and together with the use of fast Fourier transform algorithms, this method leads to reduced optimization times (in the order of a minute) for arrays of some tenths up to some hundred feeds, computations being performed on a pc. Two theoretical applications are presented and for each of them a computed example is also shown; moreover possible extensions are considered.     

Characterization of AlPO systems,precursors of the novel basic catalyst family AlPON

XPS and DRIFTS (diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy) spectra of AlPO systems, formally AlPO₄-Al₂O₃, obtained by the sol-gel method have been studied in order to understand their geometric and electronic structure. Both DRIFTS and XPS demonstrate that the acidbase character of these samples depends on a structural modification. For low phosphorus content an amorphous spinel-like solid is proposed. This geometric arrangement alters the electronic density of oxide ions and phosphorus cations and hence their Lewis acid-base properties with respect to the amorphous solid having aluminium and phosphorus only in tetrahedral arrangement.