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2215 research outputs found
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Utilizing Convolutional Neural Networks and Word Embeddings for Early-Stage Recognition of Persuasion in Chat-Based Social Engineering Attacks
No full textSocial engineering is widely recognized as the key to successful cyber-attacks. Chat-based social engineering (CSE) attacks are attracting increasing attention because of recent changes in the digital work environment. Sophisticated CSE attacks target human personality traits, and persuasion is regarded as the catalyst to successful CSE attacks. To date, research in social engineering has mostly focused on phishing attacks, neglecting the importance of chat-based software. This paper describes the design and implementation of a persuasion classifier that utilizes machine learning and natural language processing techniques. For this purpose, a convolutional neural network was trained on a chat-based social engineering corpus (CSE Corpus), specifically annotated for recognizing Cialdini’s persuasion principles. The proposed persuasion classifier network, named CSE-PUC, can determine whether a sentence carries a persuasive payload by producing a probability distribution over the sentence classes as a persuasion container. The present study is expected to contribute to our understanding of utilizing existing machine learning models and integrating context-aware information into real-life cyber security threats. The experimental application results reported in this work confirm that the approach taken can recognize persuasion methods and is thus able to protect an interlocutor from being victimized.1010851710852
Variable neighborhood search-based solution methods for the pollution location-inventory-routing problem
No full textThis work presents efficient solution approaches for a new complex NP-hard combinatorial optimization problem, the Pollution Location Inventory Routing problem (PLIRP), which considers both economic and environmental issues. A mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model is proposed and first, small problem instances are solved using the CPLEX solver. Due to its computational complexity, General Variable Neighborhood Search (GVNS)-based metaheuristic algorithms are developed for the solution of medium and large instances. The proposed approaches are tested on 30 new randomly generated PLIRP instances. Parameter estimation has been performed for determining the most suitable perturbation strength. An extended numerical analysis illustrates the effectiveness and efficiency of the underlying methods, leading to high-quality solutions with limited computational effort. Furthermore, the impact of holding cost variations to the total cost is studied.1621123
"A Great Reinforcing Organ": the Cerebellum According to Silas Weir Mitchell
No full textThis Cerebellar Classic highlights a work by the physician and novelist, Silas Weir Mitchell (1829-1914), a pupil of Claude Bernard and a founding father of American neurology. Published in the aftermath of the American Civil War, the article reported observations on cerebellar physiology based on ablation and tissue freezing experiments in pigeons, rabbits, and guinea pigs. Mitchell communicated his results before the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, and proposed a general theory of the cerebellum as an augmenting and reinforcing organ to the cerebrospinal motor system. After reviewing and contrasting previous theories of Flourens and Bouillaud, Mitchell formulated his own theory, which was in line with the views of Rolando and Luys. The theory emphasized the necessity, initially suggested by Brown-Séquard, of distinguishing between phenomena due to loss of function and those due to irritation as a central principle that should guide any physiological research.21216717
Applying and Researching DevOps: A Tertiary Study
No full textDevOps is an emerging software development methodology, that differs from more traditional approaches due to the closer involvement of the customer and the adoption of " continuous -*" (e.g., integration, deployment, delivery, etc.) practices. The vast research on DevOps (including numerous secondary studies) published in a short timeframe, and the diversity of the authors’ research backgrounds (e.g., from a Dev or an Ops perspective), has inevitably produced a long list of investigated topics, which use inconsistent terminology. The goal of this study is to analyze literature reviews on DevOps with respect to: (a) the research topics in DevOps; (b) the terms that are mapped to each topic; and (c) the consistency of terminology. To achieve this goal, we have performed a tertiary study, i.e., a systematic mapping study that uses as primary studies " Systematic Literature Reviews " and " Mapping Studies ". For Data Extraction, Analysis, and Synthesis (DEAS) we propose a novel approach relying on thematic analysis , statistical analysis , and meta-analysis . The results unveiled 7 core topics on DevOps research, out of which DevOps features and DevOps practices are dominant ones. Additionally, as expected various terminology ambiguities have been identified, most between features as practices, as well as, between challenges faced before adopting DevOps and while applying DevOps. The main contribution of this study is the disambiguation of the mapping of terms to topics. Along this process we highlight both inconsistencies—attempting to resolves ambiguities, as well as topics and terms with high levels of consistency; aiding researchers and practitioners.10615856160
Can Clean New Code reduce Technical Debt Density?
No full textWhile technical debt grows in absolute numbers as software systems evolveover time, the density of technical debt (technical debt divided by lines ofcode) is reduced in some cases. This can be explained by either the applicationof refactorings or the development of new artifacts with limited TechnicalDebt. In this paper we explore the second explanation, by investigating therelation between the amount of Technical Debt in new code and the evolution ofTechnical Debt in the system. To this end, we compare the Technical DebtDensity of new code with existing code, and we investigate which of the threemajor types of code changes (additions, deletions and modifications) isprimarily responsible for changes in the evolution of Technical Debt density.Furthermore, we study whether there is a relation between code qualitypractices and the 'cleanness' of new code. To obtain the required data, we haveperformed a large-scale case study on twenty-seven open-source softwareprojects by the Apache Software Foundation, analyzing 66,661 classes and 56,890commits. The results suggest that writing "clean" (or at least "cleaner") newcode can be an efficient strategy for reducing Technical Debt Density, and thuspreventing software decay over time. The findings also suggest that projectsadopting an explicit policy for quality improvement, e.g. through discussionson code quality in board meetings, are associated with a higher frequency ofcleaner new code commits. Therefore, we champion the establishment of processesthat monitor the density of Technical Debt of new code to control theaccumulation of Technical Debt in a software system.4851705172
Digital Transformation Strategy in Post-COVID Era: Innovation Performance Determinants and Digital Capabilities in Driving Schools
No full textBusinesses affected by the pandemic have realized the importance of incorporating digital transformation into their operations. However, as a result of the market lockdown, they realized that they needed to digitalize their firms immediately and make greater attempts to enhance their economic situation by integrating a greater number of technological components. While there have been numerous studies conducted on the adoption of digital transformation in small–medium enterprises, there has been no research carried out on the implementation of digital transformation in the specific industry of driving schools. This paper investigates the significance of digital transformation, as well as the potential for its application in this industry’s business setting and the ways in which it can be utilized to improve innovation capabilities and performance. The data for this study came from 300 driving instructors in Greece and Cyprus. Multivariate regression analysis was used to analyze the data. The outcomes suggest that driving schools have a generally positive reaction to and acknowledgement of the increasing speed of digital transformation. The results also give driving school owners useful information that helps them show how important digital transformation is to their businesses. Using the findings of this study, driving schools will be able to improve their operational capabilities and accelerate their development in the post-COVID era.13732
Does boardroom gender diversity affect shareholder wealth? Evidence from bank mergers and acquisitions
No full textWe explore the effect of the presence of female directors in boards of directors on the economic impact of bank mergers and acquisitions (M&As). Using a unique, hand-collected dataset on 1,130 M&As announced by U.S. banks between 2003 and 2018, we find a significant negative relationship between female board membership and shareholder wealth after the banking crisis. Our results are robust to alternative model specifications that control for different proxies for gender diversity, heteroskedasticity, endogeneity and firm-specific variables. Our findings suggest that board gender diversity should be promoted with caution, and policy makers should acknowledge its limitations as a corporate governance mechanism.2733315334
ECCOdata: A proposal of an Empirical Co-created Canvas for Opening up Data of Public Interest
No full textThis paper presents the rationale,making effort and research agenda for co-creating an empirical fit-for purpose canvas model that can guide non-expert quadraple-helix stakeholders within a Civil Society Organization (CSO) working group for Open Government and Open Data to better structure their proposals for opening up data of public interest.The authors provide the real-world case framing this work,findings from are view of relevant approaches,an imperfect seed version of the canvas model built, design choices behind ist making,are search agenda for co-creation and co-assessment with end-users, a value proposition, and limitations of this effort.EGOV-CeDEM-ePart 2022,September 06–08, 2022, Linköping University, Swede
Evaluating the Use of QR Codes on Food Products
No full textToday, consumers consider food packaging to be as equally important as a product brand. In addition, the increase in smartphone usage by consumers has led marketers to design new forms of packaging. Among the latest marketing trends, smart packaging with the use of QR Codes is emerging as one of the most promising technologies to enhance the information provided to consumers and influence their buying behavior. This study evaluates the use of a QR Code on bottled milk and more specifically on milk produced by one of the most well-known "boutique" Greek dairy producers. It consists of two phases. In the first one, data was gathered from 537 consumers of the product to capture and analyze their (i) buying behavior, (ii) perception of the product’s package, and (iii) knowledge about the product. In the second phase, a Quick Response (QR) Code was placed on the bottle’s label. Consumers who scanned it were linked to a web page containing information on the product. A total of 308 from the 537 initial respondents scanned the code, accessed the site, and answered the second questionnaire. Similar to the first stage, (i) the consumers’ buying behavior, (ii) their perception of the product’s package, and (iii) their knowledge about the product were examined, following their visit to the above-mentioned website through the QR Code. The objective was to evaluate the use of web applications using enriched text information. The results show that a QR Code on the packaging of food products, which directs consumers to entertaining and enriched content, results in an increased level of usage intention. Moreover, they proved that comprehension and self-confidence are higher with the adoption of the QR Code. In addition, the use of QR Codes enables businesses to provide timely and accurate information and positively influence consumers′ buying behavior.148443