MD Pune 10
MD Pune 10
MD Pune 10
searching for electronic bugs that could make automobiles vulnerable to lethal computer viruses. Intel's McAfee unit, which is best known for software that fights PC viruses, is one of a handful of firms that are looking to protect the dozens of tiny computers and electronic communications systems that are built into every modern car. It's scary business. Security experts say that automakers have so far failed to adequately protect these systems, leaving them vulnerable to hacks by attackers looking to steal cars, eavesdrop on conversations, or even harm passengers by causing vehicles to crash. You can definitely kill people, said John Bumgarner, chief technology officer of the U.S. Cyber Consequences Unit, a non-profit organization that helps companies analyze the potential for targeted computer attacks on their networks and products. To date there have been no reports of violent attacks on automobiles using a computer virus, according to SAE International, an association of more than 128,000 technical professionals working in the aerospace and the auto industries. Yet, Ford spokesman Alan Hall said his company had tasked its security engineers with making its Sync invehicle communications and entertainment system as resistant as possible to attack. Ford is taking the threat very seriously and investing in security solutions that are built into the product from the outset, he said. And a group of U.S. computer scientists shook the industry in 2010 with a landmark study that showed viruses could damage cars when they were moving at high speeds. Their tests were done at a decommissioned airport. SAE International charged a committee of more than 40 industry experts with advising manufacturers on preventing, detecting and mitigating cyber attacks. Any cyber security breach carries certain risk, said Jack Pokrzywa, SAE's manager of ground vehicle standards. SAE Vehicle Electrical System Security Committee is
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working hard to develop specifications which will reduce that risk in the vehicle area. The group of U.S. computer scientists from California and Washington state issued a second report last year that identified ways in which computer worms and Trojans could be delivered to automobiles -- via onboard diagnostics systems, wireless connections and even tainted CDs played on radios systems. They did not say which company manufactured the cars they examined, but did say they believed the issues affected the entire industry, noting that many automakers use common suppliers and development processes. The three big U.S. automakers declined to say if they knew of any instances in which their vehicles had been attacked with malicious software or if they had recalled cars to fix
major difference from immigrant groups. Many refugees may be suffering from post-traumatic stress stemming from experiences in their home countries, Linda Majka said, adding: They have seen violence, massacres, and even watched family members killed in front of their eyes. Linda found that while the refugees said the quality of English as a Second Language classes offered in the area is generally good, they encountered major obstacles in trying to take the classes, Linda Majka said. The researchers found that finding jobs that pay living wages for their families is also a major source of stress and worry. The researchers found that refugees praised the churches, mosques, and faith-based organizations such as Catholic Social Services that offer help and support and said they had few problems with police and emergency services. ANI
cooling off
happy students on campus do. This may explain why its such a desirable activity. When lower status students binge drink, they may be trying to tap into the benefits and the social satisfaction that those kids from high status groups enjoy. And, our findings seem to indicate that, to some extent, they succeed, Hsu said. According to the authors, despite binge drinking's potential positive social effects, binge drinking students were not exempt from the negative interpersonal and health outcomes associated with heavy alcohol consumption. Its not that binge drinking is the solution to complex social problems, Hsu said. Rather, it is our hope that when universities and public health professionals design alcohol related programs for students, they take into account the full range and important social motivations underlying student binge drinking, she added. The study will be presented at the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Sociological Association. ANI
People cool off in the water of the Trocaderos fountains on Sunday in Paris, as the city sweltered under a summer heatwave. French authorities have issued a health alert for several regions this weekend after forecasters predicted unusually high temperatures in the southwest and centre of the country. An unexpected and sustained heatwave in the first two weeks of August 2003 left an estimated 15,000 mostly elderly people dead AFP
DIPeNDRA MANochAS MISSIoN IS To helP The blIND ReAD AND wRITe; he juggleS beTweeN MANAgINg ThRee oRgANISATIoNS ThAT helP The blIND ReAD
cha had never thought of. That very moment I decided there has to be a solution to this. A blind needs to be empowered to be able to read and write on his own, Manocha said. Even after losing his vision at the age of 12 due to a genetic disorder, Manocha completed his research in Indian classical music. Throughout his education, the dependence on a reader and writer was hard-hitting, he says. There are provisions for special students. But during higher education, being visually challenged could mean waiting for someone to write your exams and that person would never turn up at times, said Manocha, who lives with his father in central Delhi. There were times when the Delhi-based entrepreneur sat surrounded by bookshelves at the Arts faculty library - with the hope of
being able to read them some day. It was in 1993 that Manocha left his full-time career in music and gave up a government job to plunge into the dark world of the visually impaired. Manocha still feels it was the toughest call of his life. It was really tough as I was leaving a PhD fellowship and had to be
financially dependent on my parents for long, he says. Why do we confine disabled in cliches? Is it fair to ask a blind engineer to stop thinking of technology and indulge in candle making, Manocha questioned. The thought of empowering the blind clicked in his mind. In 2005, Manocha received the national award for his contributions in the area of disability. I saw this computer with voice commands at NAB after which I said to myself - this is exactly what I need! So we started a journey on coming up with more such technology-based solutions for reading, writing, he explained. In 1993, when he started working at the National Association for Blind (NAB), a voluntary organisation, he came across a computer with speech synthesiser and screenreading software.
The idea at that time was not just rehabilitation, but to bring the blind into the mainstream, Manocha, the former director, information-technology services at NAB, said. He also took the first printout from a sophisticated braille printing machine at NAB. He now has to his credit over 80 technological solutions for the blind. The aids and appliances range from a talking mobile phone to digital talking books at lowest possible cost. Interestingly, Manocha fondly remembers the first novel he was able to read on this talking computer. Oh! It was Dracula. It was a phenomenal feeling, the former musician breaks into a laugh. He quit his PhD in classical music in 2003 to set up the Saksham Trust for empowering the blind.
Over the last two decades, Manocha and his team have helped provide publications in accessible formats to those who cannot read normal print, easy-computer operating tools and unique online braille library with 19,000 downloadable books in digital format. The avid reader also heads the Digital Accessible Information System (DAISY) For All -- part of an international organisation that provides digital talking books for the blind. Manocha feels the tools are a way of liberating the blind, We have capsuled each and every solution to suit Indian needs. There is Hindi language in softwares, text reader and cost-effectiveness. Some of the recent developments in Manochas organisation includes a talking thermometer for Rs 250, a talking qwerty phone and a digital handi-cam among others. IANS