Abstract: Methods of simulating vulnerability are provided. In an example, multi-stage vulnerability across multiple systems may be simulated by first simulating a probing of at least one intermediate entity, the at least one intermediate entity connected to a target system, second simulating a probing of the target system if the first simulated probing is successful and generating an attack graph based on the results of the first and second simulating steps. In another example, multi-system vulnerability may be simulated by receiving a plurality of attributes associated with vulnerabilities of a plurality of systems within a network, the plurality of systems including at least one target system and generating an attack graph including one or more attack chains based at least in part on the received plurality of attributes. In another example, system (e.g.

Abstract: Methods of simulating vulnerability are provided. In an example, multi-stage vulnerability across multiple systems may be simulated by first simulating a probing of at least one intermediate entity, the at least one intermediate entity connected to a target system, second simulating a probing of the target system if the first simulated probing is successful and generating an attack graph based on the results of the first and second simulating steps. In another example, multi-system vulnerability may be simulated by receiving a plurality of attributes associated with vulnerabilities of a plurality of systems within a network, the plurality of systems including at least one target system and generating an attack graph including one or more attack chains based at least in part on the received plurality of attributes. In another example, system (e.g.

Abstract: Sensors and sensing apparatus are described, based on fused tapered fiber optic couplers with the taper waist portion formed into a loop or cleaved to provide a reflecting end. Light is typically input to the taper waist portion along a single input fiber, and bending of the loop or cleaved taper waist portion causes changes in the coupling ratio between the output fibers. The taper waist portion may be formed into a loop with a small bend radius without loss, and sensors embodying the claimed invention are particularly suitable for in-vivo measurement of pressure, the taper waist portions advantageously being arranged in contact with a membrane which deflects according to surrounding pressure. Further embodiments are described which are suitable for measurement of fluid flow velocity and/or acceleration.

Abstract: A method for making an optical fiber fusion joint between two dissimilar single mode optical fibers (10,40) where the fibers have different core sizes and/or different refractive index profiles due to different patterns of dopant. One fiber may be a standard step-index communication fiber with a 9 &mgr;m core diameter and a numerical aperture (NA) of about 0.1, and the second fiber may be a dispersion compensating fiber (DCF) with a multiple layer refractive index profile. The second fiber alternatively may have a smaller core and a higher NA, up to about 0.3. A diffused dopant region, with a gradual longitudinal variation in diffusion, is included adjacent to the splice. The diameter of the communications fiber core increases gradually within the diffusion region as the splice joint is approached along this fiber. The diffusion of the various dopants in the second fiber tend to cause its refractive index profile to converge optically to that of the diffused step index communication fiber.

Abstract: A mounting assembly secures a generator and facilitates attachment to a railroad railcar on the end of the railcar axle. The generator produces electricity from the axle of a railroad railcar while it is traveling on a railroad track. A generator is mounted with a generator bracket and a backing plate to an existing bearing adapter on the railcar. A drive hub engages axle bolts on the railcar axle. As the railcar axle turns, the drive hub turns and with the drive hub connected to a generator the generator subsequently rotates to supply electricity to the railcar. Different types of generators can be attached with the mounting assembly to the railcar. The mounting assembly allows generators to be mounted without modification to the existing railcar structure.