Cyber deception against DDoS attack using moving target defence framework in SDN IOT-EDGE networks

Software Defined Networking (SDN) networking paradigm advancements are advantageous, but they have also brought new security concerns. The Internet of Things (IoT) Edge Computing servers provide closer access to cloud services and is also a point of target for availability attacks. The Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks on SDN IoT-Edge Computing caused by botnet of IoT hosts has compromised major services and is still an impending concern due to the Work From Home virtual office shift attributed by Covid19 pandemic. The effectiveness of a Moving Target Defense (MTD) technique based on SDN for combating DDoS attacks in IoT-Edge networks was investigated in this study with a test scenario based on a smart building. An MTD Reactive and Proactive Network Address Shuffling Mechanism was developed, tested, and evaluated with results showing successful defence against UDP, TCP SYN, and LAND DDoS attacks; preventing IoT devices from being botnet compromised due to the short-lived network address; and ensuring reliable system performance

Supported Molybdenum Carbide as n-Hexane Upgrading Catalyst

Catalytic upgrading of n-hexane to corresponding isomers was successfully achieved at 1 atm using molybdenum carbide supported sulphated zirconia as hydroisomerisation catalyst. The characterization data generally indicated the formation of the carbide phase from molybdenum oxide precursor to proceeds stepwise at high temperatures, with increase in crystallinity after carburization. There was also limited destruction to the structural composition of the sulphated zirconia support. Production of isomerised hexanes increased with increase in space velocity but decreased significantly with increase in either hydroisomerisation temperature or contact time. Overall, the catalyst shows good upgrading properties towards n-hexane, suggesting its potentials as gasoline upgrading catalyst. Keywords: Molybdenum carbide, sulphated zirconia, n-hexane, upgrading, potentials

Structural barriers to comprehensive, coordinated HIV care: Geographic accessibility in the US South

Structural barriers to HIV care are particularly challenging in the US South, which has higher HIV diagnosis rates, poverty, uninsurance, HIV stigma, and rurality, and fewer comprehensive public health programs versus other US regions. Focusing on one structural barrier, we examined geographic accessibility to comprehensive, coordinated HIV care (HIVCCC) in the US South. We integrated publicly available data to study travel time to HIVCCC in 16 Southern states and District of Columbia. We geocoded HIVCCC service locations and estimated drive time between the population-weighted county centroid and closest HIVCCC facility. We evaluated drive time in aggregate, and by county-level HIV prevalence quintile, urbanicity, and race/ethnicity. Optimal drive time was ≤30 min, a common primary care accessibility threshold. We identified 228 service locations providing HIVCCC across 1422 Southern counties, with median drive time to care of 70 min (IQR 64 min). For 368 counties in the top HIV prevalence quintile, median drive time is 50 min (IQR 61 min), exceeding 60 min in over one-third of these counties. Among counties in the top HIV prevalence quintile, drive time to care is six-folder higher for rural versus super-urban counties. Counties in the top HIV prevalence quintiles for non-Hispanic Blacks and for Hispanics have >50% longer drive time to care versus for non-Hispanic Whites. Including another potential care source—publicly-funded health centers serving low-income populations— could double the number of high-HIV burden counties with drive time ≤30 min, representing nearly 35,000 additional people living with HIV with accessible HIVCCC. Geographic accessibility to HIVCCC is inadequate in the US South, even in high HIV burden areas, and geographic and racial/ethnic disparities exist. Structural factors, such as geographic accessibility to care, may drive disparities in health outcomes. Further research on programmatic policies, and evidence-based alternative HIV care delivery models improving access to care, is critical

Health risk assessment of instant noodles commonly consumed in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

The current study investigated the levels of some heavy metals [Lead (Pb), Arsenic (As), Nickel (Ni), Mercury (Hg), Copper (Cu), Cadmium (Cd), Aluminium (Al) and Chromium (Cr)] and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in six brands of instant noodles (CFN, GFC, NGP, GAA, CUN and FCS) commonly consumed in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Risks of consumption of contaminated noodles were also assessed. Heavy metals content and PAHs were determined using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) and Gas Chromatography (GC), respectively. Concentration of heavy metals as Pb, Ni, Cu, Al and Cr were detected while As, Hg and Cd were not detected in noodles. High average concentration (mean ± SD mg/kg) of Pb were observed in brands CFN (3.163 ± 0.21) and GFC (1.022 ± 0.08) which were significantly higher (P≤0.05) than in NGP (0.043 ± 0.15) and GAA (0.276 ± 0.18), although all were above WHO permissible limits (0.025 mg/kg). Target Hazard Quotient and Hazard Index for Pb were >1 in brands CFN and GFC indicating unacceptable risk. Results of PAHs showed brands had total PAHs (mg/kg) in the order: CFN >CUN >GAA >NGP >FCS > GFC. Although Carcinogenic Risks associated with these noodles are within permissible range, consumption of CFN and GFC could pose greater health risk to consumers. Long term consumption of brands CUN, CFN and GAA may have higher probability of carcinogenesis among consumers. We therefore recommend more diligent regulatory policies and monitoring by relevant Government agencies (WHO, NAFDAC, CPC and SON) to ensure wholesome noodles get to consumers

Catalytic upgrading of refinery cracked products by trans-hydrogenation: a review

The production of high premium fuel is an issue of priority to every refinery. The trans-hydrogenation process is devised to convert two low valued refinery cracked products to premium products; the conversion processes involve the combination of dehydrogenation and hydrogenation reaction as a single step process. The paper reviews the recent literature on the use of catalysts to convert low value refinery products (i.e. alkanes and alkynes or alkadienes) to alkenes (olefins) by trans-hydrogenation. Catalysts based on VOx, CrOx and Pt all supported on alumina have been used for the process. However, further studies are still required to ascertain the actual reaction mechanism, mitigating carbon deposition and catalyst deactivation, and the role of different catalysts to optimize the reaction desired products

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

Assessment of environmental effect of landuse conversion in Minna, Niger state, Nigeria

Land use change patterns are the result of the complex interactions between man and his physical environment. Specifically, land use conversion occurs when a particular land is changed from the use that was originally allocated as a result of invasion and succession. The study investigated the reasons for and level of conversion of land use in Minna and its environmental implications. The study area were Old Airport road, Hospital Road, Kuta Road, Ogbomosho Road and Lagos road. Data for the study were gathered through questionnaire administration to 350 randomly selected property owners in the study areas out of which 324 questionnaires were successfully completed and used for the study. The findings revealed that traffic congestion, shortage of housing and inadequate infrastructure were responsible for land use conversion in the study area. Therefore the study calls for review of Minna master plan, imposition of fines on landlords that converted the use of their properties without following appropriate procedure and increased funding of planning authority.Key words: Landuse, Conversion, Environmental and Housing

Оценка воздействия Боко-Харамских мятежников на развитие бизнеса в северо-восточных государствах Нигерии

Цей документ має на меті вивчення бойових дій "Боко-Харам", оскільки він створює економічні виклики та суттєво скорочує ділову активність із занепокоєних північно-східних штатів Нігерії через реставрацію в цих місцях, особливо за рахунок зменшення інвестицій та зростання бізнесу у постраждалих місцях. Таким чином, дослідження проводилося з використанням структурованого інтерв'ю для збору думок та поглядів бізнесменів та жінок у шістьох штатах Адамава, Баучі, Борно, Гомбе, Тараба та Йобе в НігеріїДокумент направлен на изучение повстанческого движения Боко-Харам, поскольку он создает экономические проблемы и резко сокращает деловую активность пострадавших северо-восточных штатов Нигерии из-за спокойствия в этих местах, особенно за счет сокращения инвестиций и роста бизнеса в пострадавших местах. Таким образом, исследование было проведено с использованием структурированного интервью для сбора мнений и мнений деловых людей и женщин в шести штатах Адамава, Баучи, Борно, Гомбе, Тараба и Йобе в НигерииThe paper is aimed to study the Boko-Haram insurgency since it creates economic challenges and drastically reduces the business activities from the affected north-eastern states of Nigeria due to restiveness in those places especially by reducing investment and growth of business in the affected places. So, the research study was conducted using structured interview to collect the views and opinions of business men and women in the six states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe in Nigeri

Plant Population Effect on Yield and Fiber Quality of Three Upland Cotton Varieties at Maricopa Agricultural Center, 2002

A field experiment was conducted at the University of Arizona Maricopa Agricultural Center (MAC – 1100 ft. elevation) in 2002 to evaluate plant population relationships with conventional row spacing under a range of high population conditions with new Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) varieties. The varieties, which included AG3601, DP458BR, and STV4892BR, were each planted to six densities of 15,000, 30,000, 45,000, 60,000, 75,000, and 90,000. Inseason plant measurement data revealed crop vigor and fruit retention levels were well within the optimum threshold for all varieties and populations. There was no interaction between variety and population in terms of lint yield and fiber quality parameters. However, results show significant differences in lint yield and fiber strength among varieties but not the fiber micronaire. In addition, higher population had no significant effect on lint yield or fiber quality. Higher populations had no effect in lowering fiber micronaire to premium levels as well

Prevelence of Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia in primary school pupils in five rural villages around Kaduna and Zaria, Nigeria

No Abstract. The Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 21(1) 2000: 61-6