An Overview of Web Services Security

Security and Web Services are consistently reported among the top technologies of interest to businesses. Concerns about security are a major deterrent to companies considering use of the technology. This paper attempts to give an overview of the current state of Web Services security. The main body of the paper is a tour through key concepts used in Web Services security. Examples based on software demonstrators built by the authors are used to explain how the ideas are used in combination to achieve particular aims. The state of play as regards standards is also reviewed. The concluding section gives some pointers as to active research topics. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effect of solar radiation on poliovirus: Preliminary experiments

Solar radiation was found to have some inactivating effect on poliovirus type 1 in the absence of any natural or synthetic photosensitizing agent. Nontronite, a three-layer clay, displayed a protective effect against light or thermal inactivation. Photoinactivation of poliovirus in lake water was retarded by the presence of blue-green algae. The light inactivation was less important at a depth of 6 in.     

Composition and search with a video algebra

A new data model called algebraic video provides operations for composing, searching, navigating,and playing back digital video presentations. A prototype system helps find video segments of interest from existing collections and create new video presentations with algebraic combinations of these segments     

Novel microwave reflectometer for accurate characterisation of high-speed photodiode optoelectronic response

A reflectometer technique which corrects source-mismatch errors using scalar optoelectronic measurements alone is demonstrated. Results corrected using voltage-reflection-coefficient (VRC) measurements of both the photodiode and measurement system are compared with those determined by the new technique for a GaInAs photodiode measured to 40 GHz by a 1.5 mu m DFB laser heterodyne system. The optoelectronic response determined by the new technique falls within the scatter of the VRC corrected measurements.<>     

Electronic information security

The US Department of Defense (DoD), civilian agencies, and private corporations, which process vast amounts of information, share the same problems but perceive and emphasize them differently. DoD wants the exclusive right to develop technology and establish guidelines; the primary need is for products that focus on the secure disclosure of information. Civilian agencies do not care about who administers policies, as long as required security programs have budget support and provide for the integrity of their information. Private companies share the principal need for integrity of information but are more cost-conscious than civilian agencies. The author reviews the policies, programs, and market conditions that affect information security, showing the necessity for the formulation and execution of a uniform policy that balances the inputs and interests of all three sectors     

A clinical evaluation of Systane.

BACKGROUND: Systane is a new artificial tear solution containing the pH dependent gelling polymer hydroxypropyl-Guar (HP-Guar). We evaluated Systane in an open trial. METHODS: Patients complaining of dry feeling eyes were eligible to enroll, with inclusion criteria based on the presence of corneal staining with sodium fluorescein (NaFl) and participants' desire to use ocular lubricants. Six symptoms of ocular irritation were rated on a four-point scale. Conjunctival injection, conjunctival and corneal fluorescein staining were graded and tear break-up time (TBUT) and tear meniscus height were measured. Subjects were instructed to instill one drop of Systane into each eye four times a day for approximately four weeks. Ocular symptoms and signs were then reassessed and subjects were asked to rate eight statements concerning their satisfaction with the product. RESULTS: A total of 38 subjects were enrolled with 32 completing the follow-up visit. The following variables improved significantly at follow-up: all ocular irritation symptom scores, conjunctival injection, total conjunctival and total corneal staining scores, and TBUT. Tear meniscus height showed no significant change. Systane proved effective in reducing the symptoms of dry eye; however induced blur appeared to be a complication for many participants. CONCLUSIONS: The study represents a community based evaluation of the benefits of a novel ocular lubricant in optometric practice. The results suggest that the gelling properties of HP-Guar may be influential in promoting ocular surface recovery through improved ocular surface retention, however further randomised controlled trials are needed to confirm this. The extent and significance of induced blur also needs further investigation.