Application of the Complex Event Processing system for anomaly detection and network monitoring

Protection of infrastructures for e-science, including grid environments and NREN facilities, requires the use of novel techniques for anomaly detection and network monitoring. The aim is to raise situational awareness and provide early warning capabilities. The main operational problem that most network operators face is integrating and processing data from multiple sensors and systems placed at critical points of the infrastructure. From a scientific point of view, there is a need for the efficient analysis of large data volumes and automatic reasoning while minimizing detection errors. In this article, we describe two approaches to Complex Event Processing used for network monitoring and anomaly detection and introduce the ongoing SECOR project (Sensor Data Correlation Engine for Attack Detection and Support of Decision Process), supported by examples and test results. The aim is to develop methodology that allows for the construction of next-generation IDS systems with artificial intelligence, capable of performing signature-less intrusion detection

Durability of wood treated with aatmos and caffeine – towards the long-term carbon storage

Increasing emission of greenhouse gases, mainly carbon dioxide, and reduced capacity of carbon sequestration due to excessive deforestation are the dominant reasons for the observed climate warming. Wood and wood products are inherent parts of the overall carbon “jigsaw puzzle”. Wood products require much lower process energy and result in lower carbon emission than non-wood products. Therefore, the prolonging lifespan of wood products seems to be a good economical and environmentally friendly solution. The aim of the research was to determine the effectiveness of wood treatment with aminosilane, caffeine and the mixture thereof to enhance its durability. Thereby, their potential impact on the environment was intended to be checked by allowing for carbon storage in treated wood for a longer period of time. Pine wood samples were vacuum-treated with three formulations: aminosilane, alkaloid and the mixture thereof. Resistance of wood against brown-rot fungus was assessed. Carbon content and carbon emission from wood samples were determined. The best results in wood protection against biodegradation and the highest carbon sequestration effectiveness were achieved for the two-component mixture. Interactions between these chemicals and wood prevented their leachability. This resulted in increased durability of the treated wood samples, sequestering carbon for a longer period of time and limiting its emission from wood to the atmosphere while exposed outside

Lithium in coalesced non-compact stars

Context. Galactic red novae are thought to be produced in stellar mergers between non-compact stars, such as main-sequence stars and cool giants. They are hoped to help in explaining physical processes involved in common envelope evolution and stellar binary collisions. Aims. We investigate the presence of lithium in three best-observed Galactic red nova remnants. Explaining the origin of lithium may point to mixing mechanism present before, during, or after the merger. Methods. The lithium line at 6707.81 A was compared to a feature of [Ca I at 6572.78 A to derive relative abundances in circumstellar gas. Absolute abundances were next calculated assuming the Solar calcium to lithium abundance ratio. Results. Lithium abundances were measured in the merger remnants of V838 Mon with A(Li)=2.3, CK Vul with A(Li)=2.5, and V1309 Sco with A(Li)=1.8. Conclusions. Lithium is overabundant in red novae, suggesting that at least some merger products activate the Cameron-Fowler mechanism whereby convective mixing can reach the deep stellar interior. Whether deep convection and associated diffusion alone or some other processes (e.g. spin down) can be responsible for driving the Cameron-Fowler mechanism in the remnants requires further studies. Early observations of lithium in V838 Mon hint that these mechanisms can activate early, perhaps already in the common envelope phase. These observations should be taken into account in modelling these complex systems.Comment: submitted to A&A; comments welcom

Comparison of the Level of Boron Concentrations in Black Teas with Fruit Teas Available on the Polish Market

The determination of boron by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry has been carried in water-soluble and acid soluble (total content) fractions of 36 samples of traditional black tea and fruit brew. The estimation of the impact of the type of tea on the concentration of boron in water-soluble and acid extracts and potential human health risk from the daily intake of boron was carried out in this study. The levels of boron differed significantly in black and fruit tea types. The mean total content of boron ranged from 8.31 to 18.40 mg/kg in black teas, from 12.85 to 15.13 mg/kg in black tea with fruit flavor, and from 12.09 to 22.77 mg/kg in fruit brews. The degree of extraction of boron in black tea ranged from 8% to 27% and for fruit tea from 17% to 69%. In addition, the values below 25% were of black teas with fruit flavors. The daily intake of B from tea infusions (three cups/day) is still within the average daily intake except for some of the fruit brews which exceed acceptable regulations of the daily intake of total boron by humans. Hence, it may not produce any health risks for human consumption, if other sources of metal contaminated food are not taken at the same time

Seasonal and Spatial Differences in Metal and Metalloid Concentrations in the Snow Cover of Hansbreen, Svalbard

Metals and metalloids in snow on glaciers, depending on the season of deposition, may come from various sources: local rock dust (erosion of the geological substratum), marine aerosol, local human activity (e.g., impurities in combusted fuel and waste incineration), and long-range atmospheric transport. Hansbreen, a glacier located close to the Polish Polar Station in southern Svalbard, is a perfect site to study metals and metalloids: it has a complex geological substratum, has a year-round presence of a small group of people, and is near the coast. We analyzed a snapshot of metal and metalloid concentrations in snow samples fromshallow cores corresponding to autumn, winter, and spring deposition on Hansbreen. Eighteen cores of snow were collected across the glacier, revealing the influence of potential local sources of metals and metalloids. In these samples, we predominantly found Na, Mg, and K, followed by Zn, Ca, Al, and Fe. Heavy metals, such as Bi or Hg, were also detected. Cluster analysis of the determined elemental concentrations divided them into three distinct groups: Group 1: Ag, As, Bi, Cd, Hg, Mo, Sb, Se, and Zn-the most diverse cluster, representing mostly long-range transported volatile elements, with possible extra local geological sources; Group 2: Al, Fe, Cu, and Mn-elements with crustal sources; and Group 3: Na, Ca, Mg, K, and Sr-with the main source in sea spray aerosol. The latter interpretation was confirmed by the calculation of sea salt contribution based on the composition of mean seawater and the positive significant correlation between their concentrations and the electrical conductivity of snow samples. In the study site, snow was up to six times more efficient in bringing metal pollution into terrestrial environment, when compared to rain