Connecting Chain Research Articles

Kształtowanie kultury współdziałania funkcjonariuszy Straży Granicznej w Polsce

Effectiveness of public organization is determined by the organizational culture. The border services, fit in this context. This article aims to analyze the key aspects of the culture of cooperation between Border Guard officers in Poland. The study involved a chain of connections between cultural elements – distinguished values and group norms that make up the culture of cooperation. A number of interesting correlations was observed when the research methodology was adjusted accordingly.

Fostering Information Sharing Willingness: An Organizational Privacy Calculus for Industry 4.0 Supply Chains

ABSTRACT Supply chain partners exchange information to achieve shared performance goals. However, information sharing is fraught with risks and concerns around organizational data privacy and security. Extant studies provide connectivity and supply chain partners’ willingness to share information as factors driving information-sharing. In an Industry 4.0 supply chain, technology provides the capability to share information across organizations. Literature highlights the role of technological capabilities and privacy by design in addressing the risks and concerns in information sharing that may influence the willingness of supply chain partners to share information. We introduce the framework of organizational privacy calculus comprising privacy by design to balance the needs and willingness to share information against environmental dynamism, regulations, and data sensitivity risks that can impact information sharing in the supply chain and procurement. We use OIPT and privacy calculus as theoretical lenses to derive empirically the balancing framework. The contribution of our study is twofold: proposing an organizational privacy calculus that focuses on organizational information sharing and highlighting the importance of privacy by design to alleviate risks of sharing sensitive information. The study empirically establishes that technology capabilities and privacy protection measures are essential for enhancing inter-organizational willingness to share information to balance against concerns.

Explore Utilizing Network Traffic Distribution to Detect Stepping-Stone Intrusion

In the past three decades, stepping-stone intrusion has become a professional and primary way used by intruders to launch their attacks since they can be protected behind a long TCP connection chain. Many different algorithms have been proposed to detect stepping-stone intrusion since 1995. But most algorithms cannot resist intruders’ session manipulation. In this paper, we propose a novel approach using the distribution of round-trip time (RTT) of network traffic to detect stepping-stone intrusion. This approach can resist intruders’ chaff-perturbation since the round-trip time of network packets can fairly be affected by chaffed packets. The ratio between the standard deviation of the RTTs between Send and Echo packets and the standard deviation of the RTTs between Send and Ack packets can be used to predict if a stepping-stone intrusion exists. The closer to 0 the ratio, the more suspicious a stepping-stone intrusion.

Probabilistic Chain-Enhanced Parallel Genetic Algorithm for UAV Reconnaissance Task Assignment

With the increasing diversity and complexity of tasks assigned to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the demands on task assignment and sequencing technologies have grown significantly, particularly for large UAV tasks such as multi-target reconnaissance area surveillance. While the current exhaustive methods offer thorough solutions, they encounter substantial challenges in addressing large-scale task assignments due to their extensive computational demands. Conversely, while heuristic algorithms are capable of delivering satisfactory solutions with limited computational resources, they frequently struggle with converging on locally optimal solutions and are characterized by low iteration rates. In response to these limitations, this paper presents a novel approach: the probabilistic chain-enhanced parallel genetic algorithm (PC-EPGA). The PC-EPGA combines probabilistic chains with genetic algorithms to significantly enhance the quality of solutions. In our approach, each UAV flight is considered a Dubins vehicle, incorporating kinematic constraints. In addition, it integrates parallel genetic algorithms to improve hardware performance and processing speed. In our study, we represent task points as chromosome nodes and construct probabilistic connection chains between these nodes. This structure is specifically designed to influence the genetic algorithm’s crossover and mutation processes by taking into account both the quantity of tasks assigned to UAVs and the associated costs of inter-task flights. In addition, we propose a fitness-based adaptive crossover operator to circumvent local optima more effectively. To optimize the parameters of the PC-EPGA, Bayesian networks are utilized, which improves the efficiency of the whole parameter search process. The experimental results show that compared to the traditional heuristic algorithms, the probabilistic chain algorithm significantly improves the quality of solutions and computational efficiency.

Capture of fully assembled secretory immunoglobulin A by affinity chromatography with nanobodies as ligands

Secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) has strongpotential for passive immunization and other therapeutic applications. This complex molecule with a molecular mass of 410 kDa consists of two IgA monomers linked by a connecting chain (J) and a secretory component (SC). Fully assembled sIgA was overexpressed in CHO cells. In order to exploit the therapeutic potential of recombinant sIgA expressed in CHO cells, a platform process for capture of the antibody directly from the clarified culture supernatant using available affinity chromatography material was investigated. The hydrodynamic radius was 10.2 ± 0.9 nm determined by dynamic light scattering and the isoelectric point 5.5 by electrophoretic mobility using the Malvern Zetasizer. Capture Select IgA and Capture Select IgA-CH1 chromatography media with camelid-derived single-domain antibody fragments comprising the 3 CDR domain antibody fragment with a 13 kD or 14 kDa as ligand were used to purify the antibody. sIgA was directly captured from the clarified culture supernatant and a highly purified, full-length, correctly assembled sIgA was obtained. The residence time must be in the range of 5–10 min to achieve a high binding capacity. The effective diffusivity of sIgA was in the range of 10−9 cm2 s−1 and the dynamic binding capacity was in the range of 10 mg/ml packed bed. We conclude that the current version of the resin has a pore size that is too small for this type of molecule to achieve substantial resin utilization and productivity, although affinity ligand-based purification led to high degree of purity suited for an industrial capture process.

Blockchains for SMEs: A Fit-Viability perspective moderated by organizational innovation diffusion for supply chain performance

This paper empirically examines the suitability of blockchain for improving supply chain performance in small-medium enterprises through the theoretical lens of the fit-viability model against the impact of organisation innovation diffusion level Data gathered from 206 respondents are analysed using partial least square-structured equation modelling (PLS-SEM) and artificial neural network (ANN). The findings of this study show empirically that enhanced supply chain connectivity, information sharing, and supply chain visibility are fit for enhancing supply chain performance. Economics, management support, and technology infrastructure are important for blockchain viability. Further, an organisation’s innovation diffusion level affects the fitness of blockchain for supply chain performance but not viability. The transformational effects of blockchain are mainly centred on its security and trust-enhancing features. However, its deployment continues to be marred by technical complexities and often, scenarios that seem opportune may be a poor fit. This study is among the few that consider the impact of blockchain on supply chain performance through a fit-viability lens against the effect of organisation innovation diffusion level.

A new virtual functional element method for deviation prediction of assembled structures with parallel connection chain

The assembly precision prediction of industrial products with numerous tolerance information and complex assembly relations is a challenge for existing deviation analysis methods since their dimensional chains usually form parallel connections. The parallel connection chain is often transformed into a serial connection chain by discarding some tolerance information and physical constraints in practical application, which leads to amplifying the range of predicted results and reducing the predicted accuracy. In this paper, a virtual functional element method is proposed to simplify the parallel connection chain by integrating the tolerance information into the torsor parameters of specified virtual functional elements. A general Jacobian-Torsor model is developed to solve the simplified parallel connection chain, in which the Boolean intersection operation on torsor parameters is used to obtain comprehensive deviation results for multiple branches in a parallel connection chain. Meanwhile, the locking effect and leverage activation effect are proposed to characterize the effect of the invariant degree in parallel connection chain. Finally, an assembly case of a power plant is applied to validate the proposed method, and the results show that it has a high potential to improve the prediction accuracy of assembly deviation compared to three conventional methods.

The switch of the DNA tetrahedral tweezers controlled by mercury ions

In this paper, the one-pot method is used to make the four DNA strands complement each other to construct the basic framework for DNA tetrahedral tweezers. To regulate the opening and closing of DNA tetrahedral tweezers, DNA strands with a high amount of T-base sequences is partially complementary to the tetrahedral framework. Hg2+ can form T-Hg-T hairpin structures with T-base. When DNA tetrahedral tweezers encounter Hg2+, the T-Hg-T structure is formed to shorten the connecting chain, and the tightening force causes the DNA tweezers to change from an open state to a closed state. Conversely, changes in fluorescence intensity due to the structure change can be used to detect the presence of Hg2+.

Analyzing Distribution of Packet Round-Trip Times using Fast Fourier Transformation

Hackers usually send attacking commands through compromised hosts, called stepping-stones, for the purpose of decreasing the chance of being discovered. An effective approach for stepping-stone intrusion detection (SSID) is to estimate the length of a connection chain. This type of detection method is referred to as the network-based SSID (NSSID). All the existing NSSID approaches use the distribution of packet round-trip times (RTTs) to estimate the length of a connection chain. In this paper, we explore a novel approach – Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT) to analyze the distribution of packet RTTs. We first capture network packets from different stepping-stones in a connection chain, identify and match the Send and Echo packets in each stepping-stone. Packet RTTs can be obtained from matched pairs of packets. We then apply the FFT interpolation method to obtain a RTT time function and finally conduct FFT transformation to the RTT function in each stepping-stone host. Finally, we conduct a complete FFT analysis for the distribution of packet RTTs and present the FFT analysis results in this paper.

PROVIDING AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE ORGANIZATION FOR TEACHING THE DISCIPLINE OF "DVZ TESTING" IN THE CONDITIONS OF APPLICATION OF DISTANCE EDUCATION

Acquaintance of specialists in the engine-building industry, scientists, teachers, doctoral students, graduate students and students of educational institutions with the almost 100-year history of teaching the discipline "Testing of internal combustion engines" was continued. The realities of the current years of teaching this discipline in the conditions of a full-scale military invasion of the Russian Federation into Ukraine by scientific and pedagogical workers who moved to another region of the country from their place of permanent residence and continue to work in the former institution of higher education are described. The experience of organizing online classes in synchronous mode regarding the distance course-resource "DVZ Testing" on the educational website of the National Academy of Sciences was shared. It is shown that the main criterion for evaluating any internal combustion engine development aimed at increasing the efficiency, energy or environmental qualities of engines is testing. At the same time, it is of great importance to organize the educational process in higher education in a distance form, and especially during the period of martial law, with the definition of a platform for conducting classes and ensuring the comprehensive use of available technical means of communication, Internet sites, messengers and existing applications to operating systems. It has been demonstrated that in case of any unexpected power outages, uninterrupted distance learning is guaranteed with the rational use of a backup autonomous generator, a portable charging station, and a power bank. At the same time, special attention should be paid to the selection and adjustment of the connection chains of the component elements to the created power supply system

An Effective Approach for Stepping-Stone Intrusion Detection Resistant to Intruders’ Chaff-Perturbation via Packet Crossover

Today’s intruders usually send attacking commands to a target system through several stepping-stone hosts, for the purpose of decreasing the probability of being caught. Using stepping-stone intrusion (SSI), the intruder’s identity is very difficult to discover as it is concealed by a long interactive connection chain of hosts. An effective approach for SSI detection (SSID) is to determine how many connections are contained in a connection chain. This type of method is called network-based SSID. Most existing network-based SSID only worked for network traffic without intruders’ session manipulation. These known SSID algorithms are either weak to resist intruders’ chaff-perturbation manipulation or have very limited capability in resisting attacker’s session manipulation. This paper develops a novel network-based SSID algorithm resistant to intruders’ chaff-perturbation by using packet crossover. The SSID approach proposed in this paper is simple and easy to implement as the number of packet crossovers can be easily computed. Our proposed algorithm is verified by rigorous technical proofs as well as well-designed network experiments. Our experimental results show that the proposed SSID algorithm works effectively and perfectly in resisting intruders’ chaff-perturbation up to a chaff rate of 50%.

Facilitated Enzymatic Chain Reaction-Based Bioelectrocatalysis via Solid Binding Peptide-Guided Bienzyme Co-Immobilization Strategy

The multienzyme complex in biological systems are highly ordered so that intermediate molecules occurred during enzymatic sequential reaction are efficiently delivered to downstream enzymes without diffused to bulk phase. Recently, the cascadic multienzymes have been adopted to enzymatic electrocatalytic platform to be applied for enzyme-based bioelectronics such as enzyme fuel cell, biosensors, and electrosynthetic system. This cascadic enzyme-electrode, in which interfacial electron transfer (ET) occurs concurrently with inter-enzyme chain reaction, has been regarded promising for the advancement of enzyme-based bioelectronics performance. However, co-regulation of interfacial electrical connection and inter-enzyme chain reaction efficiency has been known to be highly challenging due to systematic complexity. In this context, the generalized enzyme immobilization tool is significantly needed to be developed to control inter-enzyme and enzyme-electrode interface concurrently.Herein, enzyme cascade-based direct bioelectrocatalytic system has been constructed by immobilizing enzymes using the solid binding peptide (SBP) linker that can control surface-orientation of enzymes on electrode. Here, invertase (INV) and FAD-dependent glucose dehydrogenase gamma-alpha complex (GDHγα) were utilized as upstream- and downstream enzyme so that the sucrose hydrolysis (at INV) and glucose oxidation (at GDHγα) is concomitantly occurred. Especially, the GDHγα that is direct electron transfer (DET)-capable oxidoreductase, has bi-function that are downstream catalysis and transport of produced electrons toward electrode that cause bioelectrocatalytic current signal. To immobilize enzymes and control relative orientation of coupling enzymes, the SBP linker was tethered various termini (C-, N-, or both termini) of INV when SBP fusion site of GDHγα was fixed to C-terminus of GDH α subunit to enable efficient interfacial DET, based on previous study. Therefore, the inter-enzyme relative orientation dependent chain reaction efficiency was evaluated with resulting DET-based electrocatalytic current. In the result, it was found that the interfacial DET at GDHγα-electrode could be affected by binding conformation of co-immobilized enzyme, fusion INV. Most importantly, the chain reaction efficiency between INV and GDHγα was revealed to be diverse depending on different relative orientation determined by SBP tethering sites in enzymes. The intermediate delivery route was changed by relative positioning of coupling active sites, affecting overall cascade reaction rate. Taking into account the factors related with interfacial DET and intermediate delivery, precise design of bienzymatic electrode is indeed necessary in order to introduce SBP-tethering technique to cascadic enzyme-derived direct electrocatalytic platform. Figure 1

Analyzing Distribution of Packet Round-Trip Times using Fast Fourier Transformation

Hackers usually send attacking commands through compromised hosts, called stepping-stones, for the purpose of decreasing the chance of being discovered. An effective approach for stepping-stone intrusion detection (SSID) is to estimate the length of a connection chain. This type of detection method is referred to as the network-based SSID (NSSID). All the existing NSSID approaches use the distribution of packet round-trip times (RTTs) to estimate the length of a connection chain. In this paper, we explore a novel approach – Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT) to analyze the distribution of packet RTTs. We first capture network packets from different stepping-stones in a connection chain, identify and match the Send and Echo packets in each stepping-stone. Packet RTTs can be obtained from matched pairs of packets. We then apply the FFT interpolation method to obtain a RTT time function and finally conduct FFT transformation to the RTT function in each stepping-stone host. Finally, we conduct a complete FFT analysis for the distribution of packet RTTs and present the FFT analysis results in this paper.

Anti-russian sanctions impact: aftermath of a reduction in foreign trade and production growth in the Russian Federation

There are technological, economic, transport links in the production, storage and delivery of goods in the contemporary economy. Therefore, the appearance of a new or an increase in the volume of production of an existing product requires changes in the production of other products, linked with this one through the technological chains. Statistical data and models of input-output balance allow us to trace such chains of connections and calculate the volumes production of different goods. This paper contains the results of a study of intersectoral chains of influence of bans and restrictions imposed on Russian exports. The study shows the reduction in the export of some goods has a negative effect on the output of a number of other goods. The decrease in imports has a similar effect. The author also shows calculations’ results of the growth impact on the output of different goods and services on changes in the scale of other types of goods production and services in the Russian economy.

Detecting Stepping-Stone Intrusion and Resisting Intruders’ Manipulation via Cross-Matching Network Traffic and Random Walk

Attackers can exploit compromised hosts to launch attacks over the Internet. This protects an intruder, placing them behind a long connection chain consisting of multiple compromised hosts. Such attacks are called stepping-stone intrusions. Many algorithms have been proposed to detect stepping-stone intrusions, but most detection algorithms are weak in resisting intruders’ session manipulation, such as chaff-perturbation. This paper proposes a novel detection algorithm: Packet Cross-Matching and RTT-based two-dimensional random walk. Theoretical proof shows network traffic cross matching can be effective in resisting attackers’ chaff attack. Our experimental results over the AWS cloud show that the proposed algorithm can resist attackers’ chaff attacks up to a chaff rate of 100%.

Научно-образовательные путешествия М.С. Куторги в Англию и Грецию: от Лондона до Афин, включая исследования в Беотии

The article deals with the educational travels of the outstanding Russian researcher of antiquity M.S. Koutorga, which he made in England and Greece. In the existing publications on the activities of M.S. Koutorga the trip to England has not been paid attention. This trip can be seen as preparation for a later visit to Greece, where M.S. Koutorga conducted research, especially in Boeotia. In England, Koutorga visited the famous researcher on the ancient topography of Greece, Colonel William Martin Leake, who presented M.S. Kutorga with three of his works. Colonel Leake, through a chain of personal connections, recommended Koutorga to Cambridge, Oxford, and the British Museum. In addition, Mikhail Semenovich became a member of the Cavendish Literary Club, as mentioned in a letter from Lionel Buda. Thus, with the necessary literature, M. S. Koutorga knew the places of Greece that had been less affected by previous explorations, giving him the opportunity to make his own. Having visited Greece, M. S. Koutorga also secured the necessary references. He was associated with A. M. Kumanis, A. R. Rangavis, I. K. Paparrigopoulos, and other statesmen and scientists in Greece. All this made it possible to organize the journey in the best possible way and to carry out research for subsequent publications, among which the study of the Plataean region in Boeotia occupied a special place. The article is based on archival material, most of which is published for the first time, and is accompanied by a map of the region of Plataea, on which the names mentioned by Koutorga are inscribed.

STUDY OF DURABILITY IN THE CONNECTION “CONE-TUNGSTEN CARBIDE INSERT” FOR TENSION DEPENDENCE

During and after the technological operation of pressing these factors significantly determine the residual stress states of tungsten carbide inserts, as well as in the areas near the holes of the cones’ crowns of the cone. The stressed state of the inserts and the magnitude of the stress concentration determine their fatigue strength of them and the durability of the inserted carbide rock-blasting equipment of the cones in the area where the inserts the cone. Dimensional analysis was done for the inserts and holes in the cones of bit and it was established that size errors of component links of dimensional chains are distributed according to laws that are similar to the normal law of distribution of random variables. The test was carried out according to the criteria of Pearson and Kolmogorov. The influence of various random and systematic factors results to the dispersion of dimensions on the dimensional processing of conjugated surfaces. The amount of tension is a function of the dimensions for mating surfaces during assembly operations. Dispersion of dimensions for the component links of the dimensional chain of a press connection causes the formation of a practical field of dispersion of the closing link. Accuracy control for the closing link in the dimensional chain is impossible if there are no direct measurements of the constituent links. A mathematical model of the process of assembling "cone-tungsten carbide insert" joints was created. For this, the methods of mathematical statistics were applied in the study. It was established that the tension values have a greater influence on the force of pressing inserts into the holes of drill steels 14 NiCrMo1, when its hardness value is HRC 59-60 compared to HRC 48-50. This dependence has a linear character within the limits of the studied tension values. The established relationships make it possible to reasonably and most accurately form selective groups of inserts and mark holes for them. This method significantly reduces losses in the production of drilling tools.

Planiranje procesa i tehnike optimizacije u aditivnoj proizvodnji

Additive manufacturing, as a production technology and a scientific field, offers a lot of potential for new research, attracts the attention and interest of manufacturing companies and the academic community. With a new approach in product design, a digital connection chain, and the possibility of producing final products with complex configurations, it has significant advantages in relation to conventional production. However, the initial investment and production costs make this technology still inaccessible to a certain number of users, with the tendency for this to change. In this sense, great attention has been paid to additive manufacturing planning, cost analysis and the possibility of optimizing structural and process parameters of production and processes. This paper is intended to explain, in a clear and concise manner, the basic assumptions of the technology, its advantages and certain disadvantages, ongoing and future trends in development as well as current areas of research (cost estimation, multi criteria decision making (MCDM), topology optimization) and applied methods and concepts. The authors believe that this paper will provide additional help in process planning for additive manufacturing as well as promote the necessity for introducing and application of different optimization techniques when designing technology for additive manufacturing.

Stepping-Stone Intrusion Detection via Estimating Numbers of Upstream and Downstream Connections using Packet Crossover

An effective approach to detect stepping-stone intrusion (SSI) is to estimate the length of a connection chain. This type of detection method is referred to as the network-based SSI detection (SSID). Previously known network-based approaches for SSID either do not work effectively in the Internet environment, or are inefficient as they require a large number of packets to be captured and analyzed, or have limited performance as the length of a connection chain must be predetermined. None of these existing methods to detect SSI can be used to estimate the length of upstream connection sub-chain, which has been a long-standing and challenging open problem in this research area. In this paper, we develop effective network-based methods for SSID using packet crossover that can be used to estimate the length of a downstream sub-chain as well as that of an upstream sub-chain. Since the number of packet crossovers can be easily calculated, our proposed algorithms for SSID are easy to use and implement. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work that can effectively estimate the length of the whole connection chain, including the upstream sub-chain. Rigorous technical proofs and well-designed network experiments are provided to verify the correctness and effectiveness of our proposed algorithms for SSID.

Estimation of the Propagation Time of the Solar Wind Pressure Pulse between a Shock Wave and the Magnetopause Based on Simultaneous Satellite and Ground-Based Observations

The propagation of solar wind inhomogeneities through the transition region between the bow shock front and the daytime magnetopause is an important link in the chain of solar-terrestrial connections. We analyzed a unique situation when two THEMIS satellites were near the bow shock during the solar wind pressure pulse, and the favorable location of the ground-based magnetometric equipment made it possible to determine the time of the solar wind impact on the magnetopause with greater accuracy than it was done previously. Based on the measurements, the propagation time of sudden impulse (SI) in the magnetosheath was estimated. The obtained value (~1 min) agrees with model calculations, but turns out to be 2–3 times less than that previously obtained by other authors also from satellite and ground-based observations. The propagation velocity of the solar wind in the magnetosheath (~280 km/s), the displacement velocity of the bow shock front to the Earth (~80 km/s), and the thickness of the magnetosheath at the location of the satellites (2.6–3.9RE) are determined.