A logic-based reasoner for discovering authentication vulnerabilities between interconnected accounts

With users being more reliant on online services for their daily activities, there is an increasing risk for them to be threatened by cyber-attacks harvesting their personal information or banking details. These attacks are often facilitated by the strong interconnectivity that exists between online accounts, in particular due to the presence of shared (e.g., replicated) pieces of user information across different accounts. In addition, a significant proportion of users employs pieces of information, e.g. used to recover access to an account, that are easily obtainable from their social networks accounts, and hence are vulnerable to correlation attacks, where a malicious attacker is either able to perform password reset attacks or take full control of user accounts. This paper proposes the use of verification techniques to analyse the possible vulnerabilities that arises from shared pieces of information among interconnected online accounts. Our primary contributions include a logic-based reasoner that is able to discover vulnerable online accounts, and a corresponding tool that provides modelling of user ac- counts, their interconnections, and vulnerabilities. Finally, the tool allows users to perform security checks of their online accounts and suggests possible countermeasures to reduce the risk of compromise

Chemical composition, antimicrobial activity, proximate analysis and mineral content of the seed of Detarium senegalense JF Gmelin

Detarium senegalense JF Gmelin (Caesalpiniaceae), commonly known as tallow tree, is used traditionally for the treatment of bronchitis, pneumonia, internal complaints and skin diseases in Tropical Africa. The seed is used as a soup thickener in Eastern Nigeria. Analysis of the petroleum ether extract of the seeds with GC-MS produced ten constituents of which oleic and linoleic acids were the most prominent (30.8 and 44.1% respectively). The extract showed significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Micrococcus kristinae, Streptococcus faecalis, Shigella flexneri, Klebsiella pneumonia, Serratia marcescens and antifungal activity against Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger and Penicillium notatum. Proximate analysis revealed that the seeds contain 24.43% carbohydrate, 7.23% protein, 31.16% fiber, 5.89% moisture and 1.93% ash. Mineral content analysis revealed the concentrations of potassium (99.26 mg/g), calcium (71.11mg/g), magnesium (77.83 mg/g), sodium (55.26 mg/g), iron (30.21 mg/g), manganese (7.89 mg/g), zinc (5.26 mg/g) and copper (4.29 mg/g). These results show the nutritional value of the seeds of D. senegalense and justified its use in the traditional treatment of skin diseases.Key words: Detarium, GC-MS, antimicrobial, proximate analysis, mineral content

Identification, distribution and prevalence of ecto-parasites associated with cultured fish in Ogun State, Nigeria

Public health issues can he considered as those of direct importance to both producers and consumers of fish and include broader issues of food production, processing and delivery systems. As aquaculture assumes an expanding role in meeting consumer demands for fish and fishery products, it is natural that they meet safety and quality standards. Aquaculture is a growing industry in Nigeria and it has assumed commercial importance activity. This study was part of the project on epizootiological survey of pathogenic diseases of cultured fish species and is aimed at identifying ecto-parasite associated with cultured fish in Ogun State, Nigeria. The study which was carried out in 2012 covered fifty fish farm, spread across the three senatorial zones. Five pieces of fish were randomly picked from each farm surveyed. Participants observation and structured questionnaires were administered to fish farmers in order to gather information on source of fries, fish feeding and feed type, use of manure and its type, pond type, stocking density, pond hygiene, water source, frequency of changing water and history of diseases and mortalities of fish. Before the fish samples were collected, pond size and physicochemical water quality were assessed. Water test kits were used to measure parameters like iron, nitrate, alkalinity and ammonia. All the procedures for physicochemical water quality parameter analysis was done according to the manufacturer's instructions. Water pH was measured using a probe while dissolved oxygen and both water as well as air temperature were measured by using Hanna kit. All types of farms are included in the survey such as hatcheries, brood stock farms as well as grow out farms. The study revealed the spread of parasites across the senatorial zones. The most common encountered parasites were Trichodina sp, Gyrodactylus sp, Dactylogyrus sp and trematodes. The intensity of the parasites differed markedly

An Evaluation of the Bacteriological Quality of Water Consumed by the Inhabitants of Some Rural Areas of Lagos State

Water as a route of transmission of waterborne diseases is recognized worldwide, especially among the poorer urban and rural households because of the uneven distribution of potable water supply. Communities without potable water supply depend on traditional sources which have often been reported to be contaminated with faecal coliforms. Efforts to reduce the wide effects that poor quality water has on the health and survival of children and women through monitoring and evaluation informed this study. Twelve water sources serving six communities in three local government areas (LGAs) in Lagos state and a total of 308 households' water samples were evaluated using the most probable number method. Water purification methods practiced by the inhabitants were documented. The disease patterns of children under 5 years in the preceding year were obtained from the health statistics office of each LGA. Ten out of twelve water sources tested (83.3%) were contaminated with faecal bacteria. The two potable water sources were bore holes. Most households (93.5%) in the study area did not purify their water. A positive association was established between water quality and the proportionate morbidity ratio for diarrhoeal diseases in the different LGAs studied. The study recommends the provision of boreholes in rural areas. Health education on improving domestic and personal hygiene should be intensified. KEY WORDS: Evaluation, water quality, rural, bacterial pathogens. Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences Vol.4(1) 2005: 61-6

An assessment of existing common traditional methods of water purification

Classical water purification methods include boiling, filtration, irradiation and the use of chemicals while traditional water purification methods in use are boiling, filtration, sedimentation, long storage and solar radiation. Waterborne diseases are m ore common in the rural communities where potable water supply coverage is usually low. Therefore, this study was designed to assess and modify existing water purification methods in use in the rural communities so as to encourage their regular use. Water samples collected from various sources serving six rural communities in Agege, Epe and Ikorodu Local Government areas of Lagos State were purified using each of the traditional methods. Viable counts were carried out on each of the water samples before and after the purification process. Water samples contamination with known pathogens were also included in the test. The boiling method was the most efficient giving 100% decontamination after three minutes of continuous boiling. The solar method gave varying degrees of decontamination of the water samples (42-100%) depending on the turbidity of the water and the type of container used for the test. The long storage method and the cloth filtration methods decontaminated the water by (0.6-4.2%) and 41% respectively. The solar water purification method should be encouraged. Turbid water samples should be cloth filtered prior to exposure to the sun for maximum efficiency. (Af. J. of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology: 2002 3(1): 41-44

Cotrimoxazole Resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae Isolated from Sputum of HIV-positive Patients

The prevalence and cotrimoxazole susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from sputum of 100 HIV-positive patients attending the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research clinic was investigated using standard microbiological methods. Eleven of the sputum specimens grew Streptococcus pneumoniae. Antimicrobial susceptibility test showed that all the isolates were sensitive to amoxicillin, augmentin, erythromycin and chloramphenicol but were resistant to cotrimoxazole. Continuous surveillance of S pneumoniae in sputum samples of HIV-positive subjects in this environment is necessary in order to regulate treatment regimen, considering that cotrimoxazole is the drug recommended by WHO for respiratory infections in HIV patients

Intestinal helminthiasis in children in a suburb of Lagos, Nigeria: Evaluation of risk factors and habits

Various risk factors have been known to predispose children to intestinal helminths infections. We evaluated the impact of multisectoral risk factors on infection prevalence in school children using questionnaire and stool examination. Pupils' hawking habits, schools, classes, antihelminthic prophylaxis, parents' occupation and mothers' educational status were the significant risk factors identified. Logistic regression identified four of the aforementioned factors, age, sex, disposal of excreta and/or septic tanks overflow into open drainages as factors influencing prevalence in this population. Irregular deworming probably reduced the effect of prophylactic use of antihelminthic on prevalence. Hawkers (odds ratio = 3.78) and pupils living in faeces contaminated environs were identified as at risk groups. Public enlightenment campaigns on worms' infestation control strategies, including the reduction of environmental contamination with faeces should reduce intestinal helminthiasis in these children. African Journal of Clinical Experimental Microbiology Vol. 8 (2) 2007: pp. 107-11