Federated deep Q-learning networks for service-based anomaly detection and classification in edge-to-cloud ecosystems

The diversity of services and infrastructure in metropolitan edge-to-cloud network(s) is rising to unprecedented levels. This is causing a rising threat of a wider range of cyber attacks coupled with a growing integration of a constrained range of infrastructure, particularly seen at the network edge. Deep reinforcement-based learning is an attractive approach to detecting attacks, as it allows less dependency on labeled data with better ability to classify different attacks. However, current approaches to learning are known to be computationally expensive (cost) and the learning experience can be negatively impacted by the presence of outliers and noise (quality). This work tackles both the cost and quality challenges with a novel service-based federated deep reinforcement learning solution, enabling anomaly detection and attack classification at a reduced data cost and with better quality. The federated settings in the proposed approach enable multiple edge units to create clusters that follow a bottom-up learning approach. The proposed solution adapts deep Q-learning Network (DQN) for service-tunable flow classification, and introduces a novel federated DQN (FDQN) for federated learning. Through such targeted training and validation, variation in data patterns and noise is reduced. This leads to improved performance per service with lower training cost. Performance and cost of the solution, along with sensitivity to exploration parameters are evaluated using examples of publicly available datasets (UNSW-NB15 and CIC-IDS2018). Evaluation results show the proposed solution to maintain detection accuracy in the range of ≈ 75 − 85% with lower data supply, while improving the classification rate by a factor of ≈ 2

A Modern Approach to Visualise Structured and Unstructured Space Missions' Data

In this paper the Visualisation and Data Analysis (ViDA) project, currently being developed at the German Space Operations Center (GSOC), is presented. ViDA is a modern, interactive, web-based frontend tool designed to efficiently explore various types of data generated by space missions. It is more than just a telemetry display tool and, as such, includes features from business intelligence, data science and AI tools, while being focused on the multi-spacecraft operations use case. The paper describes how the big data challenges (volume, variety, variability, complexity, value) in the context of spacecraft operations have been addressed and how the adopted solutions have been integrated into ViDA. It also highlights the importance of contextual knowledge as crucial point for the design and implementation of ViDA. The techniques used for creating appropriate visual representations of the data and their relations are described. Such visualisations are specifically designed to deliver interpretable results to the users, thus helping them to quickly extract knowledge from them during their analytical process. Finally, the integration of ViDA into the ground system and its connections to the other tools in the telemetry/telecommand chain are discussed

Accuracy of Noninvasive Diagnostic Tests for the Detection of Significant and Advanced Fibrosis Stages in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Systematic Literature Review of the US Studies

Background: The purpose of this systematic literature review (SLR) was to evaluate the accuracy of noninvasive diagnostic tools in detecting significant or advanced (F2/F3) fibrosis among patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) in the US healthcare context. Methods: The SLR was conducted in PubMed and Web of Science, with an additional hand search of public domains and citations, in line with the PRISMA statement. The study included US-based original research on diagnostic test sensitivity, specificity and accuracy. Results: Twenty studies were included in qualitative evidence synthesis. Imaging techniques with the highest diagnostic accuracy in F2/F3 detection and differentiation were magnetic resonance elastography and vibration-controlled transient elastography. The most promising standard blood biomarkers were NAFLD fibrosis score and FIB-4. The novel diagnostic tools showed good overall accuracy, particularly a score composed of body mass index, GGT, 25-OH-vitamin D, and platelet count. The novel approaches in liver fibrosis detection successfully combine imaging techniques and blood biomarkers. Conclusions: While noninvasive techniques could overcome some limitations of liver biopsy, a tool that would provide a sufficiently sensitive and reliable estimate of changes in fibrosis development and regression is still missing

Mitochondrial physiology

As the knowledge base and importance of mitochondrial physiology to evolution, health and disease expands, the necessity for harmonizing the terminology concerning mitochondrial respiratory states and rates has become increasingly apparent. The chemiosmotic theory establishes the mechanism of energy transformation and coupling in oxidative phosphorylation. The unifying concept of the protonmotive force provides the framework for developing a consistent theoretical foundation of mitochondrial physiology and bioenergetics. We follow the latest SI guidelines and those of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) on terminology in physical chemistry, extended by considerations of open systems and thermodynamics of irreversible processes. The concept-driven constructive terminology incorporates the meaning of each quantity and aligns concepts and symbols with the nomenclature of classical bioenergetics. We endeavour to provide a balanced view of mitochondrial respiratory control and a critical discussion on reporting data of mitochondrial respiration in terms of metabolic flows and fluxes. Uniform standards for evaluation of respiratory states and rates will ultimately contribute to reproducibility between laboratories and thus support the development of data repositories of mitochondrial respiratory function in species, tissues, and cells. Clarity of concept and consistency of nomenclature facilitate effective transdisciplinary communication, education, and ultimately further discovery

Mitochondrial physiology

As the knowledge base and importance of mitochondrial physiology to evolution, health and disease expands, the necessity for harmonizing the terminology concerning mitochondrial respiratory states and rates has become increasingly apparent. The chemiosmotic theory establishes the mechanism of energy transformation and coupling in oxidative phosphorylation. The unifying concept of the protonmotive force provides the framework for developing a consistent theoretical foundation of mitochondrial physiology and bioenergetics. We follow the latest SI guidelines and those of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) on terminology in physical chemistry, extended by considerations of open systems and thermodynamics of irreversible processes. The concept-driven constructive terminology incorporates the meaning of each quantity and aligns concepts and symbols with the nomenclature of classical bioenergetics. We endeavour to provide a balanced view of mitochondrial respiratory control and a critical discussion on reporting data of mitochondrial respiration in terms of metabolic flows and fluxes. Uniform standards for evaluation of respiratory states and rates will ultimately contribute to reproducibility between laboratories and thus support the development of data repositories of mitochondrial respiratory function in species, tissues, and cells. Clarity of concept and consistency of nomenclature facilitate effective transdisciplinary communication, education, and ultimately further discovery

Developing a resource propagation algorithm used for generating conflict-free satellite command timelines

Treball final de Grau en Enginyeria Informàtica. Codi: EI1054. Curs acadèmic 2015-2016La observación de la Tierra es una nueva disciplina centrada en estudiar la atmósfera de nuestro planeta y el medio ambiente. Con la ayuda de los datos provenientes de los satélites, los científicos pueden analizar muchos aspectos del medio ambiente que no pueden ser estudiados utilizando métodos tradicionales ubicados en tierra. La plani cación de las misiones desempeña un papel fundamental en el funcionamiento de un satélite, ya que garantiza que todos los recursos están disponibles y se utilizan a un nivel óptimo, y en última instancia, se logra el objetivo de la misión. El documento en cuestión presenta el análisis y la implementación de una de las partes del sistema de plani cación Reactive Planning Framework desarrollado por GSOC1. Se llama AddUpToLimits, y su principal objetivo es sustituir y mejorar un algoritmo implementado previamente que se ejecuta sobre la plataforma .NET. AddUpToLimits es un algoritmo de propagación de recursos que permite conocer el estado de un recurso limitado por el estado de otro recurso y opcionalmente por unos límites defi nidos. También permite conocer los valores perdidos por la limitación del recurso en cuestión. Su uso ofrece a los usuarios la posibilidad de ver los conflictos antes de la programación de un nuevo comando y, en su caso, usando otro conjunto de herramientas resolverlos mediante la selección de un escenario de solución sugerido. AddUpToLimits se ejecuta sobre JVM2 y se ha desarrollado usando Scala. Este documento justifi ca y explica el uso de técnicas como la programación funcional, el uso de la librería Spire y el uso de pruebas de propiedades de código, a la hora de diseñar e implementar AddUpToLimits. El resultado nal es un algoritmo robusto, e ciente y tolerante a fallos que se incorporar a en la Reactive Planning Framework, dentro del conjunto de algoritmos de plani cación.Earth observation is a new discipline focused on studying our planet’s atmosphere and the environment. With the aid of satellite data, scientists can analyse many aspects of the environment that cannot be studied using traditional ground-based methods. Mission planning plays a fundamental role in the operation of a satellite, as it ensures that all resources are available and used to an optimal level, and ultimately the goal of the mission is achieved. Technological advances have significantly increased the possibilities we have today. Under those circumstances, the systems that form the mission planning framework must adapt and keep the pace with such transformations. Henceforth, new technologies must be studied and adopted to offer an updated and highly stable system while adding to its performance, robustness and precision. The document at hand presents the analysis and implementation of one of the scheduling algorithms part of the new Reactive Framework. It is called AddUpToLimits, and its primary objective is to replace and further enhance a previously implemented algorithm running on the .NET framework

Psychosis Associated with Acquired Porencephaly—Cause or Incidental Finding? Case Report and Review of Literature

Porencephaly, a rare disease affecting the central nervous system, is represented by a cerebrospinal fluid-filled cavity in the brain. There are two types of porencephalic cavities: congenital and acquired. Porencephaly is mainly associated with neurological and developmental consequences. Associated psychotic symptoms were reported in a few cases, and due to this fact, there is a knowledge gap regarding the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to such cases. We present the case of a 32-year-old male diagnosed with a psychotic disorder associated with acquired porencephaly. The porencephalic cystic lesions were most probably due to a traumatic brain injury at the age of 6 years old. The psychotic symptomatology consisted of interoceptive/visceral hallucinations, delusions with persecutory and religious/magic content and disorganised behaviour. The porencephalic cavity was confirmed by a computed tomography scan. The patient was treated over the course of time with risperidone, olanzapine and zuclopenthixol. The existing literature regarding other cases of psychosis associated with porencephaly is discussed. In conclusion, even though porencephaly was asymptomatic for a long period of time, we argue that there is a causal relationship between the chronic psychotic symptoms and the porencephalic cyst in our case

Curcumin Reverses the Diazepam-Induced Cognitive Impairment by Modulation of Oxidative Stress and ERK 1/2/NF-κB Pathway in Brain

Oxidative stress and inflammation can be involved in cognitive dysfunction associated with neurodegenerative disorders. Diazepam (DZP) administration has been chosen to simulate the memory impairment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of curcumin (CUR) on spatial cognition, ambulatory activity, and blood and brain oxidative stress levels. The ERK/NF-κB signaling pathway and the histopathological changes in the hippocampus and frontal lobe, in diazepam-treated rats, were also analyzed. The animals were divided into 4 groups: control, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) + CUR, CMC + DZP, and CUR + CMC + DZP. CUR (150 mg/kg b.w.) was orally administered for 28 days. DZP (2 mg/kg b.w.) was intraperitoneally administered 20 minutes before the behavioral tests (open field test, Y-maze, and elevated plus maze). CUR improved the spontaneous alternation behavior, decreased the oxidative stress levels, both in the blood and in the hippocampus, and downregulated the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK 1/2)/nuclear transcription factor- (NF-) κB/pNF-κB pathway in the hippocampus and the iNOS expression in the hippocampus and frontal lobe of the DZP-treated rats. Histopathologically, no microscopic changes were found. The immunohistochemical signal of iNOS decreased in the DZP and CUR-treated group. Thus, our findings suggest that curcumin administration may improve the cognitive performance and may also have an antioxidant effect