Multi-Model Network Intrusion Detection System Using Distributed Feature Extraction and Supervised Learning

Intrusion Detection Systems (IDSs) monitor network traffic and system activities to identify any unauthorized or malicious behaviors. These systems usually leverage the principles of data science and machine learning to detect any deviations from normalcy by learning from the data associated with normal and abnormal patterns. The IDSs continue to suffer from issues like distributed high-dimensional data, inadequate robustness, slow detection, and high false-positive rates (FPRs). We investigate these challenges, determine suitable strategies, and propose relevant solutions based on the appropriate mathematical and computational concepts. To handle high-dimensional data in a distributed network, we optimize the feature space in a distributed manner using the PCA-based feature extraction method. The experimental results display that the classifiers built upon the features so extracted perform well by giving a similar level of accuracy as given by the ones that use the centrally extracted features. This method also significantly reduces the cumulative time needed for extraction. By utilizing the extracted features, we construct a distributed probabilistic classifier based on Naïve Bayes. Each node counts the local frequencies and passes those on to the central coordinator. The central coordinator accumulates the local frequencies and computes the global frequencies, which are used by the nodes to compute the required prior probabilities to perform classifications. Each node, being evenly trained, is capable of detecting intrusions individually to improve the overall robustness of the system. We also propose a similarity measure-based classification (SMC) technique that works by computing the cosine similarities between the class-specific frequential weights of the values in an observed instance and the average frequency-based data centroid. An instance is classified into the class whose weights for the values in it share the highest level of similarity with the centroid. SMC contributes alongside Naïve Bayes in a multi-model classification approach, which we introduce to reduce the FPR and improve the detection accuracy. This approach utilizes the similarities associated with each class label determined by SMC and the probabilities associated with each class label determined by Naïve Bayes. The similarities and probabilities are aggregated, separately, to form new features that are used to train and validate a tertiary classifier. We demonstrate that such a multi-model approach can attain a higher level of accuracy compared with the single-model classification techniques. The contributions made by this dissertation to enhance the scalability, robustness, and accuracy can help improve the efficacy of IDSs

Analysis of Phytoconstituents and Biological Activities of Different Parts of Mahonia nepalensis and Berberis aristata

The phytochemicals and biological activities of extracts from leaves and stem of Mahonia nepalensis and Berberis aristata were carried out. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of alkaloids, steroids, polyphenols, quinones, glycoside, flavonoid, terpenoid and cardiac glycoside in the hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of leaf and stem of these two plants. The column chromatography of methanol extract of stem of Mahonia nepalensis resulted in isolation of four pure compounds MN1, MN2, MN3 and MN4. Out of four isolated compounds, two were identified as MN1:b- sitosterol and MN2: Berberine by comparison of melting point, Co-TLC, IR and UV spectra of authentic sample. Potent pharmacological activity of Mahonia nepalensis and Berberis aristata were revealed from antimicrobial activity and brine shrimp bioassay. Methanol extracts of stem of Mahonia nepalensis and Berberis aristata showed significant zone of inhibition of 18 mm and 21 mm respectively against the Staphylococcus aureus. Methanol extract of Berberis aristata were comparatively little stronger against Staphylococcus aureus than methanol extract of Mahonia nepalensis. LC50 values (μg/ml) of methanol extracts of stem of Berberis aristata and Mahonia nepalensis were found to be 8.058x10-4 and 8.3 whereas methanol extracts of leaf of Mahonia nepalensis and Berberis aristata were 389.04 and 1303.166 respectively.Nepal Journal of Biotechnology. Dec . 2 0 1 7 Vol. 5, No. 1: 5-1

Does research reduce poverty? Assessing the welfare impacts of policy-oriented research in agriculture

In the current context of the global financial crisis and its aftermath, development resources are likely to be getting scarcer. Resources for development research are too. The set of circumstances generating the resource scarcity is also putting pressure on development gains. More than ever before, every dollar spent on development research will have to count towards sustainable poverty reduction. However, the understanding of the impacts of development research on policy change and on poverty is weak at best, with agriculture being no different. The area of research impact is not a new area of enquiry but an emergent one. Our paper seeks to build on the work of others. It surveys the literature and identifies different ways of assessing the impact of ‘policy-oriented‘ research. We then take the available literature on agriculture as a specific focus to survey. Our paper surveys the different types of ‘policy-oriented’ research; the literature on the ‘theories of change‘ for policy research in international development; methodologies for analysing the impact of policy-oriented research; the relevant agriculture literature and outlines the types indicators that can be used for impact assessment of research with examples

Public perceptions of international development and support for aid in the UK: results of a qualitative enquiry

Aid budgets face immense pressure – despite overseas aid being critical for poverty alleviation in developing countries and the explicit commitments of the world’s industrialised countries to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Public support for international development and aid will play a key role. Will the public become unsure about the UK’s aid budget when they begin to feel cuts in government expenditure at home? How well equipped are we to ‘sell’ the UK’s aid programme to a sceptical public in times of economic austerity? This working paper presents the results of a qualitative enquiry into public perceptions of international development and aid in the UK. Using data from the Mass Observation Project (MOP) at the University of Sussex, the authors investigate the views of 185 members of the general public. The study finds that, while people can conjure up ideas of why poverty exists, they know very little about the confluence of factors that actually drive poverty and/or the daily lives of the poor. Thus, poverty is seen as caused primarily by bad governments and natural disasters, almost as a stereotype. People have major doubts about the effectiveness of aid, perhaps reflecting the fact that they tend to be much better at picturing aid ‘failure’ than aid ‘success’. Nonetheless, there is support for aid in principle; people think that the UK has a responsibility to help the poor in developing countries, primarily on ethical grounds. This research has clear implications for the way in which the UK communicates with the British public about aid and development and the authors suggest a more considered approach that recognises the complexities of aid and is honest about what works and what doesn’t. The paper concludes with a call for further research to fill the knowledge gaps that still exist about the drivers of public support for development and how those drivers can be influenced

INDOOR RADON SURVEY IN NEPAL USING PASSIVE TECHNIQUE SOLID STATE NUCLEAR TRACK DETECTOR

Context: It has been proved from many epidemiological studies that the inhalation of the radioactive, inert gas radon (222Rn) is the main cause of lungs cancer after smoking. Objective: The survey was conducted to estimate the indoor radon concentration, the annual effective dose rate and the annual dose equivalent rate to the lung. Material and Methods: Altogether 50 dwellings were chosen randomly at 5 different districts of Nepal. The dosimetric measurements were carried out over a period of 3 months using time-integrated passive radon detectors, CR-39 based on type II Solid State Nuclear Track Detector (SSNTD) technique. The type of houses was concrete with plastered walls and mud house. Results: The minimum concentration of radon in the study areas was found to be <20Bq.m-3 and the maximum concentration was 110±20Bq.m-3. Also the corresponding values of annual effective dose and annual equivalent dose to the lung respectively varied from <0.60 to 3.30mSv.y-1 and 0.16—10-7 to 0.88×10-7 Sv.y-1. The uncertainty was measured at 95% confidence level. Conclusion: The indoor radon concentration varies considerably with the ventilation condition, lifestyle of the people, construction of the dwellings and climate of the areas. The measurements show that the radon concentrations were found to be well below the reference levels of ICRP. KEYWORDS: Indoor Radon; Annual Effective Dose; CR-39; Ventilation Condition; Dwelling

INDOOR RADON SURVEY IN NEPAL USING PASSIVE TECHNIQUE SOLID STATE NUCLEAR TRACK DETECTOR

Context: It has been proved from many epidemiological studies that the inhalation of the radioactive, inert gas radon (222Rn) is the main cause of lungs cancer after smoking. Objective: The survey was conducted to estimate the indoor radon concentration, the annual effective dose rate and the annual dose equivalent rate to the lung. Material and Methods: Altogether 50 dwellings were chosen randomly at 5 different districts of Nepal. The dosimetric measurements were carried out over a period of 3 months using time-integrated passive radon detectors, CR-39 based on type II Solid State Nuclear Track Detector (SSNTD) technique. The type of houses was concrete with plastered walls and mud house. Results: The minimum concentration of radon in the study areas was found to be <20Bq.m-3 and the maximum concentration was 110±20Bq.m-3. Also the corresponding values of annual effective dose and annual equivalent dose to the lung respectively varied from <0.60 to 3.30mSv.y-1 and 0.16—10-7 to 0.88×10-7 Sv.y-1. The uncertainty was measured at 95% confidence level. Conclusion: The indoor radon concentration varies considerably with the ventilation condition, lifestyle of the people, construction of the dwellings and climate of the areas. The measurements show that the radon concentrations were found to be well below the reference levels of ICRP. KEYWORDS: Indoor Radon; Annual Effective Dose; CR-39; Ventilation Condition; Dwelling

Mixed Ion and Electron Conducting Ceramics for Gas Sensors

A conventional solid-state synthetic route was used to prepare a mixed conducting double perovskite-type Ba2Ca0.66Nb0.68Fe0.66O6-δ (BCNF66). FTIR study was performed to confirm the chemical stability under 1% CO2, whereas the cross-sectional SEM image was employed to investigate the morphology of the sensor. A comparative study on BCNF66 with and without CO2 in dry synthetic air along with O2 effect was carried out. The significant effect of O2 was observed when CO2 was passed through the sensor in N2. The O2 in dry synthetic air was found to stabilize the CO2 sensor response (current). Furthermore, the addition of ppm level of CO2 in dry synthetic air increased the response

Cancer Registration in Nepal: Current Status and Way Forward

Cancer registration is an organization for the systematic collection, storage, analysis, interpretation and reporting of data on subjects with cancer. Cancer Registry was initiated in 1995 and expanded as National Cancer Registry Program since 2003 by BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital with the support of World Health Organization. NCRP currently includes 12 hospital-based registries. First time in Nepal, BPKMCH piloted population-based cancer registry in 2013, which included 15 districts covering 25.8% of total population of Nepal. NCRP is important to assure the quality of data from all the registries to ensure the availability of reliable and valid data of cancer cases. This will further help policymakers to develop prevention and control strategies of cancer. This paper reviews the current status of cancer registries in Nepal and discusses challenges and future prospective related to NCRP. National cancer registry should further include major hospitals in Nepal to give scientific information on cancer trends by community, provinces and regions and analyze on survival of cancer cases

Ensuring business innovation fundamentals : exploring equity, diversity and inclusion in small and medium sized enterprises (MSMES) of Nepal

Innovation in MSMEs is the key driver of productivity and long-term growth. However, a study done to assess the experience of enterprises in twelve South Asian countries has listed six South Asian countries, including Nepal as poor performer in terms of innovation, production, and export performance. United Nations ESCAP (2011) has highlighted the dominance of SMEs in business communities of Nepal, which make up more than 95% of all enterprises. Given the importance of MSME sector, the government of Nepal has introduced business-support programs to encourage the creation of enterprises, especially with a view of generating employment, import substitution, poverty alleviation, and economic growth. Micro-Enterprise Development for Poverty Alleviation (MEDPA) and Youth and Small Entrepreneur Self-Employment Fund Programme (YSEF) are two flagship innovation support programs (ISPs) in Nepal that provide a wide range of support services to the MSMEs. With the aim of addressing the social and economic aspects, those ISPs have aimed to improve the economic and social condition of low-income and socially backward families through micro-enterprises development, self-employment promotion and entrepreneurship, especially among the youth and women by curbing down the labor migration and promoting domestic production