The Role of Cybersecurity Certifications

The chapter looks at the burgeoning field of certification for individuals in the field of information security or cybersecurity. Individual information security certifications cover a wide range of topics from the deeply technical to the managerial. These certifications are used as a visible indication of an individual's status and knowledge, used to define experience and status, used in job descriptions and screening, and may define expectations placed on the individual. This chapter examines how these certifications are produced, the subjects they cover, and how they integrate and the various audiences to which the certifications are aimed. The role, the perceived and real value, and benefits of certification within the field of information security both from an individual and an organizational perspective are discussed. Finally, some conclusions on certification are presented.

A whole process interpretable and multi-modal deep reinforcement learning for diagnosis and analysis of Alzheimer's disease

Objective Alzheimer's disease (AD), a common disease of the elderly with unknown etiology, has been bothering many people, especially with the aging of the population and the younger trend of this disease. Current AI methods based on individual information or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can solve the problem of diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, but still face the challenges of interpretability and clinical feasibility. In this study, we propose an interpretable multimodal deep reinforcement learning model for inferring pathological features and diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Approach First, for better clinical feasibility, the compressed-sensing MRI image is reconstructed by an interpretable deep reinforcement learning model. Then, the reconstructed MRI is input into the full convolution neural network to generate a pixel-level disease probability of risk map (DPM) of the whole brain for Alzheimer's disease. Finally, the DPM of important brain regions and individual information are input into the attention-based fully deep neural network to obtain the diagnosis results and analyze the biomarkers. 1349 multi-center samples were used to construct and test the model. Main Results Finally, the model obtained 99.6%±0.2, 97.9%±0.2, and 96.1%±0.3 area under curve (AUC) in ADNI, AIBL, and NACC, respectively. The model also provides an effective analysis of multimodal pathology and predicts the imaging biomarkers on MRI and the weight of each individual information. In this study, a deep reinforcement learning model was designed, which can not only accurately diagnose AD, but also analyze potential biomarkers. Significance In this study, a deep reinforcement learning model was designed. The model builds a bridge between clinical practice and artificial intelligence diagnosis and provides a viewpoint for the interpretability of artificial intelligence technology.

Cultural diversity and wisdom of crowds are mutually beneficial and evolutionarily stable

The ability to learn from others (social learning) is often deemed a cause of human species success. But if social learning is indeed more efficient (whether less costly or more accurate) than individual learning, it raises the question of why would anyone engage in individual information seeking, which is a necessary condition for social learning’s efficacy. We propose an evolutionary model solving this paradox, provided agents (i) aim not only at information quality but also vie for audience and prestige, and (ii) do not only value accuracy but also reward originality—allowing them to alleviate herding effects. We find that under some conditions (large enough success rate of informed agents and intermediate taste for popularity), both social learning’s higher accuracy and the taste for original opinions are evolutionarily-stable, within a mutually beneficial division of labour-like equilibrium. When such conditions are not met, the system most often converges towards mutually detrimental equilibria.

Plastic deformation of synthetic quartz nanopillars by nanoindentation for multi-scale and multi-level security artefact metrics

Individual authentication using artefact metrics has received increasing attention, as greater importance has been placed on the security of individual information. These artefact metrics must satisfy the requirements of individuality, measurement stability, durability, and clone resistance, in addition to possessing unique physical features. In this study, we proposed that nanostructures of synthetic quartz (SQ) deposited on an SQ plate may provide sophisticated artefact metrics if morphological changes could be intentionally introduced into the SQ nanostructures at certain positions. We fabricated SQ nanopillars using a mass-production method (ultraviolet nanoimprint lithography) and investigated their mechanical deformation using nanoindentation with a spheroid diamond tip through a loading and unloading cycle. The SQ nanopillars with an aspect ratio of 1 (i.e., diameters D of 100 and 200 nm with corresponding heights H of 100 and 200 nm, respectively) could be plastically deformed without collapsing within a specified pillar-array format at programmed positions. The plastically deformed SQ nanopillar arrays demonstrated multi-scale (sub-millimetre, micrometre, and nanometre) and multi-level (shape, area, diameter, and height) individuality authentication and clone resistance. Because SQ is physically and chemically stable and durable, individuality authentication can be a highly reliable tool on Earth and in space.

Signal information in the Web of Science Core Collection

The author specifies signal information in bibliographies supporting science and research, which enables to use Web of Science Core Collection efficiently. Subscription to the alerts on new arrivals to the Web of Science Core Collection is based upon the preserved search and citation history. The subscribers are researchers and librarians who provide science and research information support. Intensive use of bibliographic databases was expected to replace selective dissemination of information, as the key technological processes of these alerttypes are identical. The author argues that these methods of differentiated bibliographic information services may be combined in providing alerts to researchers; she refers to regular requests as an example. Journal contents in the database may become one more option of individual information retrieval. Subscribers to rapid signal information may receive the alerts on articles published in domestic and foreign journals. These two methods would open up new opportunities within the system of science and research information support.

Research on information dissemination on social networks based on edge-based compartmental theory

The study of the mechanism of information dissemination on social networks has important practical significance for information dissemination prediction. Aiming at the impact of the reinforcement effect derived from nonredundant information memory on information dissemination, this paper proposes a susceptible–exposed–adopted–recovered (SEAR) information dissemination model. This model considers the reinforcement effect of nonredundant information memory characteristics, and is theoretically analyzed based on an edge-based compartmental theory. This model reveals the law of individual information transmission in real society and better explains the process of information transmission. The simulation results show that the reinforcement effect of nonredundant information memory has a significant impact on information dissemination. The stronger the reinforcement effect, the greater the final behavior adoption size, that is, the wider the scope of information dissemination. The theoretical prediction is basically consistent with the simulation results, which shows that the method of edge-based compartmental theory has a specific validity. In addition, changing the individual’s “on” threshold, the individual’s stability threshold, the proportion of individuals in the initial adopted state, and the heterogeneity of degree distribution can make the final behavior adoption size increase linearly or vertically with the probability of information transmission.

NATURAL AND MATHEMATICAL EDUCATION, ITS GENESIS AND CONTINUITY

The modern school again should be tasked not only to provide a certain amount of knowledge, but also to prepare students for their future practical activities. Previously, the Soviet and Bulgarian schools solved this problem by implementing the idea of polytechnic education. The transformation of the system of general and vocational education that followed the change of political regimes in the USSR and Bulgaria led to the loss of many positive achievements that had already been achieved earlier. A high level natural and mathematical education always was a distinctive feature of the Russian mass school. Most of the seemingly diverse intellectual challenges that students face in the learning process can be solved by developing conceptual thinking. It is possible to form the conceptual thinking through systematical studying of the natural sciences basics only. Consistency in the study of the surrounding world in a comprehensive school can be achieved through the synchronization of programs and inter-subject connections, and not through metasubject, which is a return to the programs of the GUS of the 20s. Students should learn not individual information, but the basics of the sciences in a certain system. This requires stable (approved for a number of years) programs and textbooks developed as a single system., There will be no right personality without a high-quality natural-mathematical education.

Quantum Entangled Frequencies and Coherence in Bioenergetic Systems

Holistic Health can be understood as the coherence of the human being as a whole including his organism, mind, and relationship to his environment. Quantum entanglement of subsystems on all levels of the human being is responsible for the wholeness of the living entity. The sum total of entanglements is defined here as an individual Information Field which corresponds to the ancient vedic concept of akasha. Entangled frequencies might be able to resonate with and influence human bioenergetic processes and systems with the aim of creating coherence of the bioenergetic system, both within the individual and between the individual and the surrounding fields. Here a bioenergetic process is proposed that uses entangled frequencies to increase the coherence of living systems selected through biofeedback of a Quantum Noise Generator, which seems to be correlated to the ancient vedic concept of prana. It has been tested in a controlled observation study for its effect on the sense of coherence of 3545 participants. The promising results of this study are additionally presented here.

Attachment Preferences in Diverse Collective Problem-Solving Ventures and Systemic Performance

How do individual information-seeking preferences affect collective problem-solving in diverse settings? We often choose whom we collaborate with or seek information from. Self-selection can be driven by proclivities towards perceived merit or a preference for those who offer a different perspective. Yet our preferences can have profound systemic outcomes, even if opportunities abound to interact with diversity. We build upon the extensive tradition of collective problem-solving using agent-based modeling (ABM) to test this. We populate communicative networks of diverse problem-solving agents tasked with solving a complex problem too difficult to do alone. Agents can either exploit their neighbors’ solutions or explore for a new solution using their unique and diverse problem-solving ability. However, agents are also allowed to seek out new ties from the network. We test three conditions, where diverse agents in the network harbor proclivities towards (1) diversity (different types of neighbors), (2) homophily (same type of neighbors), or (3) merit (the current performance of their neighbors irrespective of type). We find that diversity-seeking not only leads to higher quality solutions, but also allows for these solutions to better disseminate to the rest of the network.

Digital Companion Choice to Support Teachers’ Stress Self-Management: A systematic approach through taxonomy creation (Preprint)

BACKGROUND There are thousands of digital companions (DC) designed for emotional wellbeing and stress, including interactive websites, wearables and smartphone apps. Although public evaluation frameworks and ratings exist, they do not facilitate DC choice based on contextual or individual information such as occupation or personal management strategies. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to establish a process of creating a taxonomy to support systematic choice of DCs for teachers’ stress self-management. METHODS We employed a 4-step study design. In step 1, we identified the dimension of stress self-management and strategic classifications. In step 2 we identified the dimension of digital techniques and conceptual descriptions. In step 3 we created six criteria for inclusion of DCs. In step 4 we used the taxonomy framework created by steps 1 and 2 and populated it with DCs for stress self-management as identified in step 3. RESULTS First, in the dimension of stress self-management we identified 4 classes of strategies: educational, physiological, cognitive and social. Second, in the digital techniques dimension we derived 4 conceptual descriptions of DCs’ mechanisms of action: fostering reflection, suggesting treatment, peer-to-peer support and entertainment. Third, we created 6 criteria for DC inclusion in the taxonomy: suitability, availability, evaluation, security, validity and cost. Using the taxonomy framework and criteria, we populated it with DCs for stress management ahead of presentation to teachers in a stress study workshop. CONCLUSIONS We believe elements of our approach will generalise as principles for the creation of taxonomies for other occupations or conditions. Taxonomies such as this could be a valuable resource for individuals understanding what DC could be of help in their personal context.