Information extraction of cybersecurity concepts: An LSTM approach

Extracting cybersecurity entities and the relationships between them from online textual resources such as articles, bulletins, and blogs and converting these resources into more structured and formal representations has important applications in cybersecurity research and is valuable for professional practitioners. Previous works to accomplish this task were mainly based on utilizing feature-based models. Feature-based models are time-consuming and need labor-intensive feature engineering to describe the properties of entities, domain knowledge, entity context, and linguistic characteristics. Therefore, to alleviate the need for feature engineering, we propose the usage of neural network models, specifically the long short-term memory (LSTM) models to accomplish the tasks of Named Entity Recognition (NER) and Relation Extraction (RE).We evaluated the proposed models on two tasks. The first task is performing NER and evaluating the results against the state-of-the-art Conditional Random Fields (CRFs) method. The second task is performing RE using three LSTM models and comparing their results to assess which model is more suitable for the domain of cybersecurity. The proposed models achieved competitive performance with less feature-engineering work. We demonstrate that exploiting neural network models in cybersecurity text mining is effective and practical. - 2019 by the authors.This publication was made possible by the support of Qatar University and DISP laboratory (Lumi?re University Lyon 2, France).Scopu

Caractérisation des émergences du piémont de jbel Ayachi : contrôle structural et impact du changement climatique

Le massif calcaire de jbel Ayachi (Haute Atlas de Midelt), montre une structure complexe liée aux calcaires karstiques du Lias. Les nombreuses sources du relief indiquent l’existence d’importantes réserves d'eau. Dans le but de caractériser cet aquifère et de préciser les relations hydrodynamiques entre les zones de recharges et les sources de l’aquifères, une méthodologie a été utilisée. Elle comporte la synthèse des données géologiques, l’utilisation des techniques d’analyse structurale couplées aux études des débits et des chroniques de pluies. Les résultats de cette étude ont permis d’établir une comparaison des conditions d’émergence des deux sources (Ain Tatiouine, Ain Anzar Oufounès) et de l’évolution de leurs paramètres hydrodynamiques. Et une bonne corrélation entre les zones de recharges et les zones d’émergences. Elles permettront, à terme d’établir l’influence des changements climatiques sur les comportements hydrodynamiques de ces émergences.Mots-clés : sources, jbel Ayachi, Haute Atlas, lias, calcaire, karstique, débit, pluie, hydrodynamique, recharge, fissuration, fluctuations, émergence.Characterization of emergences piedmont of Jbel Ayachi. Structural control, and impact of climate changeThe calcareous solid mass of jbel Ayachi (High atlas of Midelt), shows a structure complex related to karstic limestones of Lias. The many sources of the relief indicate the existence of important water reserves. In order to characterize the aquifer and to clarify the relationship between hydrodynamic areas and springs of recharge of the aquifers, a methodology was used. It involves the synthesis of geological data, the use of structural analysis techniques coupled with studies of flow and chronic rain. The results of this study were used to compare the conditions of emergence of the two springs (Ain Tatiouine, Ain Anzar Oufounès) and changes in their hydrodynamic parameters. And good correlations between areas of recharge areas and emergences. They will eventually establish the influence of climate change on the hydrodynamic behavior of these emergences.Keywords : spring, Jbel Ayachi, High Atlas, lias, limestone, karst, flow, rain, hydrodynamics, recharge, cracking, fluctuations, emergence

Machine-assisted cultivation and analysis of biofilms

Biofilms are the natural form of life of the majority of microorganisms. These multispecies consortia are intensively studied not only for their effects on health and environment but also because they have an enormous potential as tools for biotechnological processes. Further exploration and exploitation of these complex systems will benefit from technical solutions that enable integrated, machine-assisted cultivation and analysis. We here introduce a microfluidic platform, where readily available microfluidic chips are connected by automated liquid handling with analysis instrumentation, such as fluorescence detection, microscopy, chromatography and optical coherence tomography. The system is operable under oxic and anoxic conditions, allowing for different gases and nutrients as feeding sources and it offers high spatiotemporal resolution in the analysis of metabolites and biofilm composition. We demonstrate the platform’s performance by monitoring the productivity of biofilms as well as the spatial organization of two bacterial species in a co-culture, which is driven by chemical gradients along the microfluidic channel

Effects of the latest drought on the alluvial aquifer of a semiarid region in northeastern Brazil

Climate change has modified global and local water cycle patterns inducing more intense and severe drought events. In the Ceará state (Northeast Brazil), a semiarid region very vulnerable to droughts, groundwater acts as a strategic reserve to ensure water security for small rural communities. Well drilling jointly with the building of dams and cisterns are the main policy performed by the public authority to cope with the droughts. This study performed a preliminary qualitative analysis to investigate the effects of dam building in the piezometric level of an alluvial aquifer in the Ceará state during the most recent drought (2012–2016). The micro-basins of the Algodão and Forquilha creek were selected as study area, in which the alluvial aquifer has been monitored by Funceme since 2010. The alluvial aquifer was extensively exploited for local agriculture before the drought (2012–2016) due to public policies of well drilling (2001–2002). During the most recent drought, the construction of new dams, coupled with reduced rainfall, compromised the recharge of the alluvial aquifer. We evaluate these effects through the groundwater level. The results revealed a continuous drawdown of groundwater in the monitored wells. Since 2017 the piezometric level started to rise, however, the graphs reveal a different behavior of the piezometric levels monitored after the latest drought, with sudden changes between the periods of recharge and drawdown of the alluvial aquifer. Field diagnostics with local stakeholders revealed how the latest drought changed the dynamics of the activities developed by the rural communities. Before the drought the aquifer supplied the local agriculture. The drought has affected the recharge of the alluvial aquifer and compromised local agriculture. Local stakeholders have adapted, and agriculture has been replaced by livestock. The heterogeneity of this environment and of its water users requires efficient management policies adapted for the local physical and socioeconomic conditions to avoid overexploitation and maintain the recharge of the alluvial aquifer. These policies at the local scale can be the identification of local actors who are willing to develop their own management of surface and groundwater resources.</p

Approaches in topical ocular drug delivery and developments in the use of contact lenses as drug-delivery devices

The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.Drug-delivery approaches have diversified over the last two decades with the emergence of nanotechnologies, smart polymeric systems and multimodal functionalities. The intended target for specific treatment of disease is the key defining developing parameter. One such area which has undergone significant advancements relates to ocular delivery. This has been expedited by the development of material advancement, mechanistic concepts and through the deployment of advanced process technologies. This review will focus on the developments within lens-based drug delivery while touching on conventional and current methods of topical ocular drug delivery. A summary table will provide quick reference to note the key findings in this area. In addition, the review also elucidates current theranostic and diagnostic approaches based on ocular lenses

Welfare effects of unbundling under different regulatory regimes in natural gas markets

In this paper, we develop a theoretical model that enriches the literature on the pros and cons of ownership unbundling vis-a`-vis lighter unbundling frameworks in the natural gas markets. For each regulatory framework, we compute equilibrium outcomes when an incumbent firm and a new entrant compete a` la Cournot in the final gas market. We find that the entrant’s contracting conditions in the upstream market and the transmission tariff are key determinants of the market structure in the downstream gas market (both with ownership and with legal unbundling). We also study how the regulator must optimally set transmission tariffs in each of the two unbundling regimes. We conclude that welfare maximizing tariffs often require free access to the transmission network (in both regulatoy regimes). However, when the regulator aims at promoting the break-even of the regulated transmission system operator, the first-best tariff is unfeasible in both regimes. Hence, we study a more realistic set-up, in which the regulator’s action is constrained by the break-even of the regulated firm (the transmission system operator). In this set-up, we find that, for a given transmission tariff, final prices in the downstream market are always higher with ownership unbundling than with legal unbundling.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Pharmacogenetic profiling and cetuximab outcome in patients with advanced colorectal cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We analyzed the influence of 8 germinal polymorphisms of candidate genes potentially related to EGFR signalling (<it>EGFR</it>, <it>EGF</it>, <it>CCND1</it>) or antibody-directed cell cytotoxicity (<it>FCGR2A </it>and <it>FCGR3A</it>) on outcome of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients receiving cetuximab-based therapy.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Fifty-eight advanced CRC patients treated with cetuximab-irinotecan salvage therapy between 2001 and 2007 were analyzed (mean age 60; 50 PS 0-1). The following polymorphisms were analyzed on blood DNA: <it>EGFR </it>(CA repeats in intron 1, -216 G > T, -191C > A, R497K), <it>EGF </it>(A61G), <it>CCND1 </it>(A870G), <it>FCGR2A </it>(R131H), <it>FCGR3A </it>(F158V). Statistical analyses were conducted on the total population and on patients with wt KRas tumors. All SNPs were considered as ternary variables (wt/wt <it>vs </it>wt/mut <it>vs </it>mut/mut), with the exception of -191C > A <it>EGFR </it>polymorphism (AA patient merged with CA patients).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Analysis of skin toxicity as a function of EGFR intron 1 polymorphism showed a tendency for higher toxicity in patients with a low number of CA-repeats (p = 0.058). <it>CCND1 </it>A870G polymorphism was significantly related to clinical response, both in the entire population and in KRas wt patients, with the G allele being associated with a lack of response. In wt KRas patients, time to progression (TTP) was significantly related to <it>EGFR </it>-191C > A polymorphism with a longer TTP in CC patients as compared to others, and to <it>CCND1 </it>A870G polymorphism with the G allele being associated with a shorter TTP; a multivariate analysis including these two polymorphisms only retained <it>CCND1 </it>polymorphism. Overall survival was significantly related to <it>CCND1 </it>polymorphism with a shorter survival in patients bearing the G allele, and to <it>FCGR3A </it>F158V polymorphism with a shorter survival in VV patients (in the entire population and in KRas wt patients). <it>FCGR3A </it>F158V and <it>CCND1 </it>A870G polymorphisms were significant independent predictors of overall survival.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Present original data obtained in wt KRas patients corresponding to the current cetuximab-treated population clearly suggest that <it>CCND1 </it>A870G polymorphism may be used as an additional marker for predicting cetuximab efficacy, TTP and overall survival. In addition, <it>FCGR3A </it>F158V polymorphism was a significant independent predictor of overall survival.</p

Vinorelbine plus trastuzumab combination as first-line therapy for HER 2-positive metastatic breast cancer patients: an international phase II trial

The aim of this international phase II trial was to determine the efficacy and safety profile of weekly vinorelbine plus trastuzumab as first-line chemotherapy for women with HER 2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer. Sixty-nine patients with tumours overexpressing HER 2 received vinorelbine: 30 mg m−2 week−1 and trastuzumab: 4 mg kg−1 on day 1 as a loading dose followed by 2 mg kg−1 week−1 starting on day 8. Sixty-two patients were evaluable for response and 69 patients were evaluable for toxicity. The overall response rate was 62.9%. The median time to response was 8.4 weeks, the median duration of response was 17.5 months, the median progression-free survival was 9.9 months (95% CI, 5.6–12.1) and the one-year progression-free survival was 39.1%. The median survival for all patients was 23.7 months (95% CI, 18.4–32.6). This regimen was safe: grade 3–4 neutropenia were observed over 17.7% of courses in 83.8% of patients, with only two episodes of febrile neutropenia (0.1%) in two patients (2.9%). Only one patient discontinued treatment due to grade 3 symptomatic cardiac dysfunction that resolved with therapy. Vinorelbine plus trastuzumab is one of the most active treatment regimens for patients with HER 2-positive metastatic breast cancer and demonstrates a very favourable safety profile allowing prolonged treatment with long-term survival. This study has been presented in part at the following conferences: The San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, San Antonio, TX, USA, 2003; The American Society of Clinical Oncology, Orlando, FL, USA, 2005