Integrity Verification for Virtualized Networks Using Side-Channel

Virtualization of networks has recently attracted enormous interest as an enabler of high-performance, cost-effective, scalable, and reliable communication services (e.g., 5G). However, these advantages are accompanied by issues such as increased attack surface, software bugs, lack of visibility, and lack of control over in-the-cloud virtualized networks. These issues pose the risk of integrity breaches of virtualized networks preventing them from providing services as intended by their owners (i.e., network service providers). Therefore, to reap the benefits of virtualized networks, appropriate integrity verification mechanisms must be deployed to detect any integrity breaches that may arise due to these issues. On one hand, it is often challenging to find mechanisms to perform such verification under the constraints of limited access and high-scalability requirements of contemporary communication services, while, on the other hand, potential attacks are getting more and more sophisticated (e.g., attack on the underlying infrastructure, zero-day attacks, and runtime attacks). To that end, existing works can be mainly divided into two categories: pre-deployment and runtime. Firstly, existing pre-deployment approaches are applied before the deployment of virtualized networks and therefore, are unable to detect any breach of integrity at runtime. Secondly, existing runtime approaches require access to data that are typically unavailable to owners of virtualized network services. Moreover, even when such data are made available, collecting these data requires intrusive techniques that affect the performance and scalability of network services. In this thesis, we overcome all the above limitations of existing works by looking beyond what is possible with traditional direct observation-based approaches and focusing on the indirect effects of the attacks (a.k.a., side-channels). We propose a side-channel based integrity verification system that offers a practical and scalable approach without requiring access to data that are typically unavailable. For this purpose, we organize our work into three main phases. In the first phase, we propose an approach to verify the integrity of virtualized network function (VNF) chains; where the proposed system verifies a wide range of integrity breaches of VNF chains, such as, VNF bypassing, packet dropping, and packet injection without requiring access to the underlying cloud infrastructure on which the VNFs are deployed. In the second phase, we propose a mechanism to detect functional integrity breaches of the virtualized network functions (VNF) caused by code injection (through the exploitation of vulnerabilities at different levels of the virtualization ecosystem). Thus, the first two phases combined can provide overall integrity verification by guaranteeing that the components (i.e., VNFs) are working properly both collectively (i.e., packets are being forwarded properly through the service chains) and individually (i.e., each VNF is providing exactly the same functionality as intended). Finally, in the third phase, we improve the above solutions to become more efficient and resilient against adaptive attempts to deceive our mechanisms by proposing a continuous verification technique. In summary, this thesis contributes towards enhancing the comprehensiveness, practicality, and security of integrity verification for virtualized networks

Amaru: plug&play resilient in-band control for SDN

Software-Defined Networking (SDN) is a pillar of next-generation networks. ImplementingSDN requires the establishment of a decoupled control communication, which might be installed either as anout-of-band or in-band network. While the benefits of in-band control networks seem apparent, no standardprotocol exists and most of setups are based on ad-hoc solutions. This article defines Amaru, a protocolthat provides plug&play resilient in-band control for SDN with low-complexity and high scalability. Amarufollows an exploration mechanism to find all possible paths between the controller and any node of thenetwork, which drastically reduces convergence time and exchanged messages, while increasing robustness.Routing is based on masked MAC addresses, which also simplifies routing tables, minimizing the numberof entries to one per path, independently of the network size. We evaluated Amaru with three differentimplementations and diverse types of networks and failures, and obtained excellent results, providing almoston-the-fly rerouting and low recovery time.Comunidad de MadridUniversidad de Alcal

Evaluation of acute intradialytic complications, management & outcome in end-stage renal disease patients

Abstract Little is known about the challenges of routine renal replacement therapy in Bangladesh. We investigated the fatal and nonfatal acute hemodialysis complications in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) in dialysis centers in Mymensingh. 500 consecutive hemodialysis sessions incurred over a 4-month period by 50 patients with ESRD, receiving two weekly hemodialysis sessions of 4 hours each were considered. Personal and clinical profiles before, during, and within 24 hours after hemodialysis sessions were used to diagnose complications. The mean age of the patients was 45.5 ± 16.8 years and the lowest and highest ages were 17 and 82 years respectively. Male was predominant of the patients and male to female ratio was 2:1. Hypotension, muscular cramps, pruritus, nausea and vomiting were the common complications in end-stage renal disease patients. Twenty eight percent of patients presented with hypertensive crisis, 34% fever, 18% bleeding, 44% headache, 32% vomiting, 16% lumber pain, 16% palpitations, 22% disequilibrium syndrome, 36% dyspnea, 28% chest pain, 20% syncope, 32% abdominal problem, 44% neurological problem, 46% electrolyte imbalance, 34% articular & musculoskeletal problems, 48% cramps, 38% convulsions and 20% loss of consciousness. The vascular access was the main bleeding site of the patients (44.5%), followed by 33.3% through nose and 22.2% digestive tract bleeding. Most of patients experienced muscular cramps, hypertensive crisis, pruritus, vomiting, palpitations, disequilibrium syndrome, dyspnea, chest pain, neurologic problem, electrolyte disorders, nausea, vomiting, convulsions and loss of consciousness in shorter duration of dialysis than those in longer duration of dialysis sessions. Bleeding, disequilibrium syndrome and cardiovascular disease were leading cause of death in end-stage renal disease patients. Those complications occurred mostly during understaffed periods. Urgent strategies are needed to quickly solve the human capital crisis in the health care sector

Antidiarrheal, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of the Musa sapientum Seed

Abstract Musa sapientum (M.sapientum) commonly known as 'banana' is widely used in Bangladeshi folk medicine for the treatment of various ailments including diarrhea. Hence, the present study was designed to investigate antidiarrheal, antioxidant and antibacterial potential of the methanolic extract of M.sapientum seed (MMSS). The extract was studied for antidiarrheal property using castor oil and magnesium sulfate induced diarrheal model and charcoal induced gastrointestinal motility test in mice. Total phenolic and flavonoids content, total antioxidant activity, scavenging of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, as well as nitric oxide (NO) and assessment of reducing power were used to evaluate antioxidant potential of MMSS. In addition, disc diffusion methods were used for antibacterial assay using various diarrheal induced bacterial strains. At the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight, the extract reduced the frequency and severity of diarrhea in test animals throughout the study period. At the same doses, the extracts significantly (p<0.001) delayed the intestinal transit of charcoal meal in test animals as compared to the control. In DPPH and NO scavenging method, MMSS showed good antioxidant potentiality in a dose dependent manner with the IC 50 value of 12.32±0.33 μg/ml and 18.96±1.01 μg/ml, respectively with a significant (p<0.001) good reducing power. The extract also displayed strong antibacterial effect against when tested against Escherichia coli, Shigella dysenteriae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Altogether, these results suggest that the MMSS could be used as a potential antidiarrheal agent along with its antioxidant and antibacterial potentiality

An Update of Lectins from Marine Organisms: Characterization, Extraction Methodology, and Potential Biofunctional Applications

Lectins are a unique group of nonimmune carbohydrate-binding proteins or glycopro-teins that exhibit specific and reversible carbohydrate-binding activity in a non-catalytic manner. Lectins have diverse sources and are classified according to their origins, such as plant lectins, animal lectins, and fish lectins. Marine organisms including fish, crustaceans, and mollusks produce a myriad of lectins, including rhamnose binding lectins (RBL), fucose-binding lectins (FTL), mannose-binding lectin, galectins, galactose binding lectins, and C-type lectins. The widely used method of extracting lectins from marine samples is a simple two-step process employing a polar salt solution and purification by column chromatography. Lectins exert several immunomodulatory functions, including pathogen recognition, inflammatory reactions, participating in various hemocyte functions (e.g., agglutination), phagocytic reactions, among others. Lectins can also control cell prolifer-ation, protein folding, RNA splicing, and trafficking of molecules. Due to their reported biological and pharmaceutical activities, lectins have attracted the attention of scientists and industries (i.e., food, biomedical, and pharmaceutical industries). Therefore, this review aims to update current information on lectins from marine organisms, their characterization, extraction, and biofunctionali-ties. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Ural Federal University, UrFUThe author O.N.K is grateful to the “Priority 2030” program of the Ural Federal University for support

Effects of stocking density on growth performance and production of Mola, Amblypharyngodon mola

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of stocking density on growth performance and production of Amblypharyngodon mola during 09 July to 09 October, 2011. There were three treatments, each with three replications in nine earthen ponds with an average depth of 1.5 m. Ponds of three treatments T1, T2 and T3 were stocked with mola at the density of 145000; 73000 and 36500 ind. ha-1. The water temperature, transparency, total alkalinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrate-nitrogen, nitrite-nitrogen, ammonia-nitrogen, phosphate-phosphorus and chlorophyll-a of the ponds water were measured weekly. Among the water quality parameters, significant differences (p<0.05) were observed in case of temperature and dissolved oxygen. The lowest PO4-P and chlorophyll-a concentration were observed in T1. All water quality parameters were in suitable range of fish culture. The number of fishes at harvest were 15633.31±11.5; 84200±4 and 45600±7.21 indi. ha-1 in T1, T2 and T3, respectively. The mean weight of mola during harvest decreased significantly (p<0.05) with increasing stocking density. The net production of mola was significantly higher in treatment T3 (43.22±8.66 kg ha-1) than T2 (34.82±6.53 kg ha-1) and T1 (32.74±6.53 kg ha-1). Considering the highest net production among the three tested densities, the stocking density applied in T3 was found the best

Fishing gears and crafts commonly used at Hatiya Island: A coastal region of Bangladesh

The study was conducted on traditional fishing nets and crafts that are used by professional fishermen (including small, medium and large scale fishing) at Hatiya in the district of Noakhali, Bangladesh. Primary data were collected from local fishermen through Personal Interview (PI), Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and observation; secondary data were collected from District Fisheries Officer (DFO) and Upazila Fisheries Officer (UFO). The study reveals different types of fishing nets including fixed purse nets, gill nets, dip nets and cast net are used in the locality. The mesh size of the fixed purse nets vary in 0.1-2.5 inch (anterior end) and 0.2-0.5 inch (posterior end), gill nets vary in 0.5-15 inch, dip nets vary in 0.1-0.2 inch and cast net 0.5-1 inch during study. Generally these nets are lasting in 2-3 years. For nets preservation no chemical or medicine are used, only the net is dried under the sun and put it on a safe and dry place. The present study suggests that different types of boats such as chandi, kosha, balam, tempu and dinghi nauka are being used at Hatiya. Traditionally sundari, jarul, gamari, chaplas and garjan woods and bamboos are used in boat making which are locally available and last for 5-10 years. Usually 90% of the boats are propelled by the engine and 10% of the boats are propelled by the sail and row. Most of the boats have no license which reflects lack of awareness and weak control by the regulatory agency. © 2014 Knowledgia Review, Malaysia

PRESENT STATUS, PROSPECTS AND CONSERVATION OF HILSA, Tenualosa ilisha (CLUPEIFORMES: CLUPEIDAE) FISHERY IN BANGLADESH

Belonging to the family Clupeidae, hilsa shad Tenualosa ilisha (Hamilton, 1822) is an important fish species in the South and Southeast Asia, especially in Bangladesh. Due to its unique nature, the fish has gained national and international demands for its nutritional values, taste qualities, special aroma and high delicacy, and provides livelihoods to the millions of fishers directly or indirectly along the coastal and riverine stretches in its range of natural distribution. It is considered as the national and most important commercial fish species of Bangladesh and contributes significantly to the national economy. In this study, an attempt is made in evaluating the data currently available on hilsa to determine the impact of the current management approaches and improvement strategies of this important fishery. Hilsa is found primarily in marine and estuarine environments, but it has been declining gradually over the last 30 years, reaching a low point in 1991-1992 and continuing until 2002-2003. Recognizing the declining trend of hilsa, the government took action to increase production by implementing regulations on jatka (juvenile) catch and restrictions on brood hilsa catch during the breeding season. As a result, total hilsa catch increased from 2.55 million MT (metric ton) in 2003-04 to 3.94 million MT in 2015-2016. Under the Protection and Conservation of Fish Act of 1950, Hilsa production peaked in 2016-2017, with a total of 4.96 lakh metric tons. Hilsa management techniques contribute 12.9% of all fish produced, while in Bangladesh, the rate of increase in hilsa production is 25.69%. The annual increase of total hilsa production climbed from 3.5% to 9.0% after 2015 as a result of the government's general management activities, payments for ecosystem service (PES) and the environmental management strategies, resulting in annual total hilsa production of 5.50 lakh MT in 2019–2020. A number of recommendations for effective management of the hilsa fisheries that might be implemented into the national policy are elicited in order to improve the situation because the current hilsa management plan has an impact on the conservation of this important fishery to a greater extent in commensurate with its national and international demands