Business Email Compromise Challenges to Medium and Large-Scale Firms in USA: An Analysis

Business Email Compromise (BEC) attacks have emerged as a significant cybersecurity threat, leading to substantial financial losses for organizations. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), BEC attacks resulted in financial losses exceeding $1.8 billion in the USA in 2019 alone. Business Email Compromise (BEC) attacks have emerged as a significant cybersecurity threat, leading to substantial financial losses for organizations. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), BEC attacks resulted in financial losses exceeding $1.8 billion in the USA in 2019 alone. BEC attacks target a wide range of sectors. No industry is immune to these attacks, which emphasizes the need for increased vigilance across all sectors. Attackers often impersonate high-level executives or vendors to gain credibility and manipulate employees into complying with fraudulent requests. BEC attacks have a global reach, with threat actors operating from various countries, including Nigeria, Russia, China, and Eastern European nations. We will examine the unique difficulties SMEs encounter in relation to BEC attacks. This study provides a more excellent knowledge of the severity of the problem and offers ideas for efficient mitigation solutions through an investigation of attack characteristics, tactics, and impacts.

The forecasting efficiency under different selected regions by Pattern Informatics Method and seismic potential estimation in the North-South Seismic Zone

In 2022,four earthquakes with M_(S)≥6.0 including the Menyuan M_(S)6.9 and Luding M_(S)6.8 earthquakes occurred in the North-South Seismic Zone(NSSZ),which demonstrated high and strong seismicity.Pattern Informatics(PI)method,as an effective long and medium term earthquake forecasting method,has been applied to the strong earthquake forecasting in Chinese mainland and results have shown the positive performance.The earthquake catalog with magnitude above M_(S)3.0 since 1970 provided by China Earthquake Networks Center was employed in this study and the Receiver Operating Characteristic(ROC)method was applied to test the forecasting efficiency of the PI method in each selected region related to the North-South Seismic Zone systematically.Based on this,we selected the area with the best ROC testing result and analyzed the evolution process of the PI hotspot map reflecting the small seismic activity pattern prior to the Menyuan M_(S)6.9 and Luding M_(S)6.8 earthquakes.A“forward”forecast for the area was carried out to assess seismic risk.The study shows the following.1)PI forecasting has higher forecasting efficiency in the selected study region where the difference of seismicity in any place of the region is smaller.2)In areas with smaller differences of seismicity,the activity pattern of small earthquakes prior to the Menyuan M_(S)6.9 and Luding M_(S)6.8 earthquakes can be obtained by analyzing the spatio-temporal evolution process of the PI hotspot map.3)The hotspot evolution in and around the southern Tazang fault in the study area is similar to that prior to the strong earthquakes,which suggests the possible seismic hazard in the future.This study could provide some ideas to the seismic hazard assessment in other regions with high seismicity,such as Japan,Californi,Turkey,and Indonesia.

Method for multi-attribute group decision-making based on the compromise weights

Multi-attribute group decision-making problems are considered where information on both attribute weights and value scores of consequences is incomplete.In group decision analysis,if preference information about alternatives is provided by participants,it should be verified whether there exist compromise weights that can support all the preference relations.The different compromise weight vectors may differ for the ranking of the alternatives.In the case that compromise weights exist,the method is proposed to find out all the compromise weight vectors in order to rank the alternatives.Based on the new feasible domain of attribute weights determined by all the compromise weight vectors and the incomplete information on value scores of consequences,dominance relations between alternatives are checked by a nonlinear goal programming model which can be transformed into a linear one by adopting a transformation.The checked dominance relations uniformly hold for all compromise weight vectors and the incomplete information on value scores of consequences.A final ranking of the alternatives can be obtained by aggregating these dominance relations.

Fuzzy distances based FMAGDM compromise ratio method and application

An extended compromise ratio method（CRM） based on fuzzy distances is developed to solve fuzzy multi-attribute group decision making problems in which weights of attributes and ratings of alternatives on attributes are expressed with values of linguistic variables parameterized using triangular fuzzy numbers.A compromise solution is determined by introducing the ranking index based on the concept that the chosen alternative should be as close as possible to the positive ideal solution and as far away from the negative ideal solution as possible simultaneously.This proposed method is compared with other existing methods to show its feasibility and effectiveness and illustrated with an example of the military route selection problem as one of the possible applications.

An efficient hash-based authenticated key agreement scheme for multi-server architecture resilient to key compromise impersonation

During the past decade,rapid advances in wireless communication technologies have made it possible for users to access desired services using hand-held devices.Service providers have hosted multiple servers to ensure seamless online services to end-users.To ensure the security of this online communication,researchers have proposed several multi-server authentication schemes incorporating various cryptographic primitives.Due to the low power and computational capacities of mobile devices,the hash-based multi-server authenticated key agreement schemes with offline Registration Server(RS)are the most efficient choice.Recently,Kumar-Om presented such a scheme and proved its security against all renowned attacks.However,we find that their scheme bears an incorrect login phase,and is unsafe to the trace attack,the Session-Specific Temporary Information Attack(SSTIA),and the Key Compromise Impersonation Attack(KCIA).In fact,all of the existing multi-server authentication schemes(hash-based with offline RS)do not withstand KCLA.To deal with this situation,we propose an improved hash-based multi-server authentication scheme(with offline RS).We analyze the security of the proposed scheme under the random oracle model and use the t4Automated Validation of Internet Security Protocols and Applications''(AVISPA)tool.The comparative analysis of communication overhead and computational complexity metrics shows the efficiency of the proposed scheme.

Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Effect of Salt on the Compromise of Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Interactions in Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Micelle Solutions

The presence of salt has a profound effect on the size,shape and structure of sodium dodecyl sulfate(SDS)micelles.There have been a great number of experiments on SDS micelles in the presence and absence of salt to study this complex problem.Unfortunately,it is not clear yet how electrolyte ions influence the structure of micelles.By describing the compromise between dominant mechanisms,a simplified atomic model of SDS in presence of salt has been developed and the molecular dynamics(MD)simulations of two series of systems with different concentrations of salt and charges of ion have been performed.Polydispersity of micelle size is founded at relatively high concentration of SDS and low charge of cation.Although the counter-ion pairs with head groups are formed,the transition of micelle shape is not observed because the charge of cation is not enough to neutralize the polar of micelle surface.

Coordination, Compromise, and Change： A Case of US-Japan Conflict Over Commercial Whaling

This paper, for the goal of revealing the mechanism of compromise and change in coordination, will focus on US-Japan conflict over commercial whaling. The regime like the international whaling regulation, where countries agree in general but disagree on coordination methods, is known as the Battle of the Sexes in game theory. It has been believed that in regimes presented as the Battle of the Sexes （BoS） situation, once the countries could somehow coordinate their interests and reach an agreement on the specific method of coordination, neither country would have the incentive to withdraw from that agreement. This case study, however, shows that this belief is not always true. From the analysis of this study, it will be concluded that coordination methods change over time even in regimes where the countries agree in general and disagree on coordination methods. In this case, ＂power,＂ ＂institution＂ and ＂consensus＂ are pointed out as incentives to make the two countries accept a specific coordination method.

A Scalar Compromise Equilibrium for N-Person Prescriptive Games

A scalar equilibrium (SE) is defined for n-person prescriptive games in normal form. When a decision criterion (notion of rationality) is either agreed upon by the players or prescribed by an external arbiter, the resulting decision process is modeled by a suitable scalar transformation (utility function). Each n-tuple of von Neumann-Morgenstern utilities is transformed into a nonnegative scalar value between 0 and 1. Any n-tuple yielding a largest scalar value determines an SE, which is always a pure strategy profile. SEs can be computed much faster than Nash equilibria, for example;and the decision criterion need not be based on the players’ selfishness. To illustrate the SE, we define a compromise equilibrium, establish its Pareto optimality, and present examples comparing it to other solution concepts.

Compromise Allocation for Combined Ratio Estimates of Population Means of a Multivariate Stratified Population Using Double Sampling in Presence of Non-Response

This paper is an attempt to work out a compromise allocation to construct combined ratio estimates under multivariate double sampling design in presence of non-response when the population mean of the auxiliary variable is unknown. The problem has been formulated as a multi-objective integer non-linear programming problem. Two solution procedures are developed using goal programming and fuzzy programming techniques. A numerical example is also worked out to illustrate the computational details. A comparison of the two methods is also carried out.

A Compromise Programming to Task Assignment Problem in Software Development Project

The scheduling process that aims to assign tasks to members is a difficult job in project management.It plays a prerequisite role in determining the project’s quality and sometimes winning the bidding process.This study aims to propose an approach based on multi-objective combinatorial optimization to do this automatically.The generated schedule directs the project to be completed with the shortest critical path,at the minimum cost,while maintaining its quality.There are several real-world business constraints related to human resources,the similarity of the tasks added to the optimization model,and the literature’s traditional rules.To support the decision-maker to evaluate different decision strategies,we use compromise programming to transform multiobjective optimization(MOP)into a single-objective problem.We designed a genetic algorithm scheme to solve the transformed problem.The proposed method allows the incorporation of the model as a navigator for search agents in the optimal solution search process by transferring the objective function to the agents’fitness function.The optimizer can effectively find compromise solutions even if the user may or may not assign a priority to particular objectives.These are achieved through a combination of nonpreference and preference approaches.The experimental results show that the proposed method worked well on the tested dataset.

The Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) among Immune Compromised Patients in Augusta Victoria Hospital AVH-2021

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 which is officially known as COVID-19 belongs to family viruses. COVID-19 manifestations vary among affected people. These symptoms may become more serious among patients suffering from chronic disease and those who are on treatment which may af-fect their defense mechanism or immune-compromised patients who become more vulnerable to complications of COVID-19, and at high risk for morbidity and mortality with any bacterial or viral illness. Method: A retrospective, non-experimental research design was applied with a quantitative approach among patients with COVID-19 who were admitted to COVID-19 department at AVH with a total of 72 patients. Data were extracted from a patients’ elec-tronic medical record. Results: During COVID-19 outbreak 72 patients were admitted to COVID department at AVH, 54.2% were female and 33% of study participants were from Gaza governorate followed by Jerusalem 27%. Most participants 34.7% had first clinic visit after two days from the onset of COVID-19 symptoms. 45.8% were discharged to home while 13.9% died. All inflammatory markers that include ferritin, C-RP, IL-6 and D-dimer are in-creasing in all patients that were admitted to hospital;IL-6 and D-dimer were significant inflammatory markers in relation to the mortality rate. The study found the risk of mortality with IL-6 mean (218.5), and D-dimer mean (12). Furthermore there was a relation between increased risk of mortality and im-mune comprised. Conclusion: Mortality rate increased among COVID-19 pa-tients when IL-6 was higher than 218.5 and D-dimer higher than 12, and there was a relationship between increased risk of mortality and immune comprised.

Giant Thoracic Meningocele Causing Acute Respiratory Compromise

Objective: The authors report a rare case of giant thoracic meningocele causing acute respiratory compromise, treated with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Case Report: We report the case of a 36-year-old with severe scoliosis status post repair over a decade ago, neurofibromatosis type I, and a known large meningocele in the left thoracic cavity, presenting with new acute respiratory compromise. She was taken to the operating room for a lumboperitoneal shunt, but the operation was aborted due to her severe spinal deformity. Two days later, she successfully underwent a procedure for ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement. Upon discharge a week later, the patient was hemodynamically stable, able to move all extremities with good strength, and demonstrated improved oxygenation. In the following 7 months, the patient demonstrated continued minimal requirement on nasal cannula, and MRI showed a stable left thoracic giant meningocele. Conclusion: Ventriculoperitoneal shunting is a method of treating and stabilizing acutely symptomatic giant meningoceles.

MOSCOW VS.NATO:COMPROMISE WILL NOT DISPEL APPREHENSIONS

After six rounds of tough bargaining,Russia and the North Atlantic Treaty Or-ganization reached on May 14 an agreement,officially known as a“FoundingAct on Mutual Relations.Co-operation and Scurity between NATO and the RUS-sian Federation".The document was formally signed by Russian President BorisYeltsin on May 27 in Paris together with the leaders of the 16 NATO memberstates.The event signifies a temporary compromise between the two sides over theNATO’s eastward expansion.Soon after the accord was reached.

Coordination, Compromise, and Change： A Case of Japan-China Conflict Over Development Aid

This paper, for the goal of revealing the mechanism of compromise and change in coordination where players agree in general but disagree on coordination methods, clarifies not only the background behind Japan＇s decision of terminating development aid loan to China, but also the reason why the Chinese government decided to accept it. When countries agree on the need to collaborate but are in conflict regarding the specific method, like the case of Japan-China conflict over development aid, one country must always compromise regarding the specific method of coordination. This situation is known as the Battle of the Sexes （BoS） in game theory. It has been believed that countries do not have the incentive to withdraw from the initial agreement under such a situation. This case study, however, reveals that it is not always true. From the analysis of this study, it will be concluded that the agreement reached in the initial negotiation would not be always stable even in a situation where countries agree in general but disagree on coordination methods. In this case, ＂institution＂ and ＂consensus＂ are pointed out as incentives to make countries accept a specific coordination method.

Coordination, Compromise, and Change： An Implication of the Repeated Games of ＂the Battle of the Sexes＂

The aim of this paper is to reveal the mechanism of compromise and change in coordination where players agree in general but disagree on coordination methods. When players agree on the need to collaborate but are in conflict regarding the specific method, one player must always compromise. This situation is known as the Battle of the Sexes in game theory. It has ever been believed that if an agreement is reached under such circumstances, the players do not have the incentive to withdraw from the agreement. However, this study shows that this belief is not always true if the players were able to revise the outcome of their negotiations later. The wide-ranging fields use game theories for their analysis frameworks to analyze the success or failure of coordination. However, comparing with the possibility of betrayal illustrated as a well-known Prisoner Dilemma, it has been rare to discuss conflict regarding the specific method of coordination, although such situations are often observed in today＇s interdependent real world. The repeated Battle of the Sexes games presented in this study would be a useful framework to analyze conflict regarding the specific method of coordination.

思政元素有机融入基础工程课程的教学探索与实践

工学类专业课程的课程思政建设主要是在课程教学中把马克思主义立场观点方法的教育与科学精神的培养结合起来,提高学生正确认识问题、分析问题、解决问题的能力。以东南大学基础工程课程为例,介绍课程思政设计理念和建设目标、专业课程思政建设的重点和难点、思政元素挖掘与教学内容的有机融合、典型案例和课程思政的实践与效果等。把典型教学案例中的思政要素有机融入教学内容,力争实现专业知识与思政内涵相融合,探索富有学科特色、彰显专业优势的课程思政模式,实现立德树人的最终目标。

进步与妥协:论“小妇人”三部曲中奥尔科特的伦理道德观

路易莎·梅·奥尔科特的伦理道德观在其代表作《小妇人》三部曲中有着集中体现。作为读者眼中的“道德传教者”,奥尔科特的伦理道德观契合了19世纪美国的社会文化语境,显示出她对女性传统身份和家庭角色的关切和肯定。作为进步女权思想的宣传者,身处第一次女权运动浪潮中的她在作品中表达了争取参政权等女性平等权益的诉求。然而,奥尔科特在表达女性伦理道德进步性观念的同时,其妥协性也得以暴露。奥尔科特的“妥协”可视为她在特定社会条件下表达自己进步主张的一种可行策略。奥尔科特的伦理道德观不仅影响了当时的进步运动,而且对后世产生了积极深远的影响。

采用改进多目标灰狼算法的电力系统调度规划

对计及经济、环境因素的电力系统发电调度问题(Economic Environmental Dispatching,EED)进行研究,提出一种采用改进多目标灰狼算法的发电调度规划方案。构建基于发电燃料成本、污染气体排放量和节点电压偏移量等指标的多目标EED模型,并采用改进的多目标灰狼算法进行求解,以得到更优的Pareto前沿和折中解。设计多度量自适应FCM算法对灰狼算法(Gray Wolf Algorithm,GWA)种群多样性进行分析,重新定义狼群层级结构和Pareto前沿规模控制策略,并在此基础上提出反向学习和变异进化策略,以提升GWA全局收敛性能。仿真结果表明,改进的GWA具有优秀全局寻优能力,而且基于改进多目标灰狼算法得到的Pareto前沿和折中解更具可行性和优越性。

护士职业妥协现状及影响因素分析

目的 探索护士职业妥协现状及影响因素,为采取降低护士职业妥协的干预措施提供参考。方法 采用便利抽样法,选取江苏省5所医院786名护士作为调查对象,采用一般资料调查表、职业妥协量表、精神型领导量表、护士职业认同感评定量表和资质过剩感量表进行调查。结果 护士职业妥协得分为(40.15±6.04)分;职业妥协与精神型领导、职业认同呈负相关,与资质过剩感呈正相关(均P<0.05);线性回归分析结果显示,年龄、学历、月收入、精神型领导、职业认同及资质过剩感是护士职业妥协的主要影响因素,共解释职业妥协变异的50.4%。结论 护士职业妥协处于较高水平,影响因素较多。护理管理者应采取多种有效措施帮助护士降低职业妥协水平,进一步促进护理队伍稳定和发展。

基于扎根理论及G1-CRITIC-距离函数判法-VIKOR的铁路建设项目安全管理标准化评价

为促进安全管理标准化管理模式顺利实施,铁路建设项目安全管理迈向高标准高水平,开展铁路建设项目安全管理标准化评价研究。首先,以标准化管理为理论基础,根据质性研究方法-扎根理论对数据进行编码处理,建立以制度管理标准化、人员配备标准化、物料管理标准化、环境管理标准化、现场作业标准化、过程控制标准化为6个核心范畴和32个主范畴的铁路建设项目安全管理标准化评价指标体系。其次,借助劳伦茨曲线的基尼系数改进CRITIC方法,提出“G1-CRITIC-距离函数判别法”模型,计算属性权重。最后,采用VIKOR算法对案例项目进行实证分析,基于安全管理标准化值U_(R)评估标准化管理水平。结果表明:各案例项目的安全管理标准化水平不同,U_(R)值具有显著差异,P_(1)~P_(5)各项目的U_R值分别为0.047 6、0.148 3、0.451 9、0.971 5、0.648(其中P_(4)属于“高水平”;P_(3)和P_(5)属于“中水平”;P_(1)和P_(2)属于“低水平”)。通过折衷系数扰动下的敏感性分析,综合考虑群体效用和个体妥协,对不同等级的建设项目(P_(1)~P_(5))分别进行讨论,并提出标准化建设的决策建议。研究结果与各案例项目实际安全管理标准化程度相符,为深入推进铁路建设项目标准化管理工作、促进建设项目各项安全管理行为规范运作和管理体系的持续改进提供参考依据。