Fed-LSAE: Thwarting Poisoning Attacks against Federated Cyber Threat Detection System via Autoencoder-based Latent Space Inspection

The significant rise of security concerns in conventional centralized learning has promoted federated learning (FL) adoption in building intelligent applications without privacy breaches. In cybersecurity, the sensitive data along with the contextual information and high-quality labeling in each enterprise organization play an essential role in constructing high-performance machine learning (ML) models for detecting cyber threats. Nonetheless, the risks coming from poisoning internal adversaries against FL systems have raised discussions about designing robust anti-poisoning frameworks. Whereas defensive mechanisms in the past were based on outlier detection, recent approaches tend to be more concerned with latent space representation. In this paper, we investigate a novel robust aggregation method for FL, namely Fed-LSAE, which takes advantage of latent space representation via the penultimate layer and Autoencoder to exclude malicious clients from the training process. The experimental results on the CIC-ToN-IoT and N-BaIoT datasets confirm the feasibility of our defensive mechanism against cutting-edge poisoning attacks for developing a robust FL-based threat detector in the context of IoT. More specifically, the FL evaluation witnesses an upward trend of approximately 98% across all metrics when integrating with our Fed-LSAE defense

THIẾT LẬP CHỈ SỐ CHẤT LƯỢNG NƯỚC DỰA VÀO PHÂN TÍCH THỐNG KÊ: ÁP DỤNG CHO SÔNG HƯƠNG, TỈNH THỪA THIÊN HUẾ

Huong River’s water quality was preliminarily assessed by comparing the parameters monitored with the Vietnam Technical Regulation on Surface Water Quality. The river water quality was then assessed based on Water Quality Index (WQI). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to the river water quality data during 2017–2020 to determine the weighting (wi) of the ith water quality parameter for WQI calculation. The WQI was calculated both from wi and subindex (qi). The parameters selected (n = 11) for WQI calculation consisted of pH, EC (electric conductivity), DO, TSS, BOD5, COD, N-NH4+, N-NO3–, P-PO43–, Fe (total dissolved iron), and TC (total coliform). The parameters were monitored at 8–10 sites in 4–5 sessions (February, May, August, and November). The results show that 95% of WQI at 90–100 corresponds to water quality level ‘good’ and ‘excellent’; only 5% of WQI values at 49–77 (mainly in November 2020) corresponds to the level from ‘bad’ to ‘good’. In the flood-rainy season, the increase in concentrations of TSS and Fe and the decrease in DO concentration lead to a reduction in WQI. The river water quality was not significantly differed by space/monitoring sites (p > 0,05) with median WQIs of 97–100 but varied over time: the years 2017 and 2019 had median WQIs (99), higher than that in the years 2018 and 2020 (97) with p < 0,01.Chất lượng nước (CLN) sông Hương được đánh giá sơ bộ qua so sánh các thông số quan trắc với quy định kỹ thuật Việt Nam về CLN mặt. Tiếp theo, CLN sông được đánh giá qua Chỉ số chất lượng nước (WQI). Phương pháp phân tích thành phần chính (PCA) được áp dụng cho dữ liệu CLN sông giai đoạn 2017–2020 để xác định trọng số (wi) của thông số CLN i trong tính toán WQI. Chỉ số chất lượng nước được tính từ cả trọng số và chỉ số phụ (qi). Các thông số được lựa chọn để tính WQI gồm (n = 11): pH, EC (độ dẫn điện), DO, TSS, BOD5, COD, N-NH4+, N-NO3–, P-PO43–, Fe (tổng sắt tan) và TC (tổng coliform). Các thông số đó được quan trắc ở 8–10 vị trí trong 4–5 đợt (tháng 2, 5, 8 và 11). Kết quả cho thấy, 95% các giá trị WQI nằm trong khoảng 90–100, ứng với CLN loại ‘tốt’ và ‘rất tốt’; chỉ 5% các giá trị WQI nằm trong khoảng 49–77 (chủ yếu vào tháng 11/2020), ứng với CLN loại ‘xấu’ đến ‘tốt’. Vào mùa mưa lũ, nồng độ TSS và Fe tăng lên, nồng độ DO giảm, dẫn đến làm giảm WQI. Chất lượng nước sông không khác nhau có ý nghĩa thống kê theo không gian/vị trí quan trắc (p > 0,05) với WQI trung vị 97–100 nhưng khác nhau theo thời gian: năm 2017 và 2019 có WQI trung vị (99) lớn hơn năm 2018 và 2020 (WQI trung vị 97) với p < 0,01

Phân vùng khí hậu và đánh giá sự phù hợp của cây trồng trên địa bàn huyện Kỳ Anh, tỉnh Hà Tĩnh

Hầu hết các khuyến cáo nông nghiệp của các huyện thuộc tỉnh Hà Tĩnh đều dựa trên cơ sở về địa giới hành chính và các thông tin dự báo thời tiết, khí hậu ở cấp vùng hoặc cấp tỉnh. Tuy nhiên, trong thực tế, các yếu tố khí hậu biến động không đồng nhất giữa các vùng trong cùng một địa giới vì chúng phụ thuộc nhiều vào các điều kiện tự nhiên như độ cao, địa hình, thảm thực vật. Tương tự như vậy, huyện Kỳ Anh, một huyện ven biển của tỉnh Hà Tĩnh, miền Trung Việt Nam, từ trước tới nay chưa có bản đồ phân vùng khí hậu và đánh giá sự phù hợp của cây trồng dựa trên các cơ sở dữ liệu về đặc điểm tự nhiên như khí hậu, địa hình, độ cao. Mặt khác, người dân huyện Kỳ Anh lại luôn phải đối mặt với các sự kiện thời tiết cực đoan như lũ lụt trong mùa mưa, hạn hán kéo dài nhiều tháng trong mùa khô, rét đậm, rét hại trong mùa đông và gió Tây khô nóng trong mùa hè. Các sự kiện thời tiết cực đoan này đã gây ảnh hưởng rất lớn đến sản xuất nông lâm nghiệp hay sinh kế của người dân địa phương. Vì thế, việc phân vùng khí hậu cũng như đánh giá sự phù hợp của các lọai cây trồng với các tiểu vùng khí hậu trong huyện là rất cần thiết. Báo cáo này sẽ trình bày (1) phương pháp và (2) kết quả của việc nghiên cứu, lập bản đồ phân vùng khí hậu và (3) kết quả đánh giá sự phù hợp của một số loại cây với điều kiện tự nhiên của huyện Kỳ Anh để giúp các cán bộ địa phương chỉ đạo sản xuất nông nghiệp có hiệu quả, tránh được các rủi ro về khí hậu và phát huy tối đa lợi thế của địa phương

Spatiotemporal analysis of historical records (2001-2012) on dengue fever in Vietnam and development of a statistical model for forecasting risk

Background: Dengue fever is the most widespread infectious disease of humans transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. It is the leading cause of hospitalization and death in children in the Southeast Asia and western Pacific regions. We analyzed surveillance records from health centers in Vietnam collected between 2001–2012 to determine seasonal trends, develop risk maps and an incidence forecasting model. Methods: The data were analyzed using a hierarchical spatial Bayesian model that approximates its posterior parameter distributions using the integrated Laplace approximation algorithm (INLA). Meteorological, altitude and land cover (LC) data were used as predictors. The data were grouped by province (n = 63) and month (n = 144) and divided into training (2001–2009) and validation (2010–2012) sets. Thirteen meteorological variables, 7 land cover data and altitude were considered as predictors. Only significant predictors were kept in the final multivariable model. Eleven dummy variables representing month were also fitted to account for seasonal effects. Spatial and temporal effects were accounted for using Besag-York-Mollie (BYM) and autoregressive (1) models. Their levels of significance were analyzed using deviance information criterion (DIC). The model was validated based on the Theil’s coefficient which compared predicted and observed incidence estimated using the validation data. Dengue incidence predictions for 2010–2012 were also used to generate risk maps. Results: The mean monthly dengue incidence during the period was 6.94 cases (SD 14.49) per 100,000 people. Analyses on the temporal trends of the disease showed regular seasonal epidemics that were interrupted every 3 years (specifically in July 2004, July 2007 and September 2010) by major fluctuations in incidence. Monthly mean minimum temperature, rainfall, area under urban settlement/build-up areas and altitude were significant in the final model. Minimum temperature and rainfall had non-linear effects and lagging them by two months provided a better fitting model compared to using unlagged variables. Forecasts for the validation period closely mirrored the observed data and accurately captured the troughs and peaks of dengue incidence trajectories. A favorable Theil’s coefficient of inequality of 0.22 was generated. Conclusions: The study identified temperature, rainfall, altitude and area under urban settlement as being significant predictors of dengue incidence. The statistical model fitted the data well based on Theil’s coefficient of inequality, and risk maps generated from its predictions identified most of the high-risk provinces throughout the country

Assessing the efficacy and safety of magnesium sulfate for management of autonomic nervous system dysregulation in Vietnamese children with severe hand foot and mouth disease.

BACKGROUND: Brainstem encephalitis is a serious complication of hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in children. Autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysregulation and hypertension may occur, sometimes progressing to cardiopulmonary failure and death. Vietnamese national guidelines recommend use of milrinone if ANS dysregulation with Stage 2 hypertension develops. We wished to investigate whether magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) improved outcomes in children with HFMD if used earlier in the evolution of the ANS dysregulation (Stage 1 hypertension). METHODS: During a regional epidemic we conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of MgSO4 in children with HFMD, ANS dysregulation and Stage 1 hypertension, at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Ho Chi Minh city. Study participants received an infusion of MgSO4 or matched placebo for 72 h. We also reviewed data from non-trial HFMD patients in whom milrinone failed to control hypertension, some of whom received MgSO4 as second line therapy. The primary outcome for both analyses was a composite of disease progression within 72 h - addition of milrinone (trial participants only), need for ventilation, shock, or death. RESULTS: Between June 2014 and September 2016, 14 and 12 participants received MgSO4 or placebo respectively, before the trial was stopped due to futility. Among 45 non-trial cases with poorly controlled hypertension despite high-dose milrinone, 33 received MgSO4 while 12 did not. There were no statistically significant differences in the composite outcome between the MgSO4 and the placebo/control groups in either study (adjusted relative risk (95%CI) of [6/14 (43%) vs. 6/12 (50%)], 0.84 (0.37, 1.92), p = 0.682 in the trial and [1/33 (3%) vs. 2/12 (17%)], 0.16 (0.01, 1.79), p = 0.132 in the observational cohort). The incidence of adverse events was similar between the groups. Potentially toxic magnesium levels occurred very rarely with the infusion regime used. CONCLUSION: Although we could not demonstrate efficacy in these studies, there were no safety signals associated with use of 30-50 mg/kg/hr. MgSO4 in severe HFMD. Intermittent outbreaks of HFMD are likely to continue across the region, and an adequately powered trial is still needed to evaluate use of MgSO4 in controlling hypertension in severe HFMD, potentially involving a higher dose regimen. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01940250 (Registered 22 AUG 2013). Trial sponsor: University of Oxford

CSA: Thực hành nông nghiệp thông minh với khí hậu ở Việt Nam

During the last five years, Vietnam has been one of the countries most affected by climate change. Severe typhoons, flooding, cold spells, salinity intrusion, and drought have affected agriculture production across the country, from upland to lowland regions. Fortunately for Vietnam, continuous work in developing climate-smart agriculture has been occurring in research organizations and among innovative farmers and entrepreneurs. Application of various CSA practices and technologies to adapt to the impact of climate change in agriculture production have been expanding. However, there is a need to accelerate the scaling process of these practices and technologies in order to ensure growth of agriculture production and food security, increase income of farmers, make farming climate resilient, and contribute to global climate change mitigation. This book aims to provide basic information to researchers, managers, and technicians and extentionists at different levels on what CSA practices and technologies can be up scaled in different locations in Vietnam

The global response: How cities and provinces around the globe tackled Covid-19 outbreaks in 2021

Background: Tackling the spread of COVID-19 remains a crucial part of ending the pandemic. Its highly contagious nature and constant evolution coupled with a relative lack of immunity make the virus difficult to control. For this, various strategies have been proposed and adopted including limiting contact, social isolation, vaccination, contact tracing, etc. However, given the heterogeneity in the enforcement of these strategies and constant fluctuations in the strictness levels of these strategies, it becomes challenging to assess the true impact of these strategies in controlling the spread of COVID-19.Methods: In the present study, we evaluated various transmission control measures that were imposed in 10 global urban cities and provinces in 2021 Bangkok, Gauteng, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, London, Manila City, New Delhi, New York City, Singapore, and Tokyo.Findings: Based on our analysis, we herein propose the population-level Swiss cheese model for the failures and pit-falls in various strategies that each of these cities and provinces had. Furthermore, whilst all the evaluated cities and provinces took a different personalized approach to managing the pandemic, what remained common was dynamic enforcement and monitoring of breaches of each barrier of protection. The measures taken to reinforce the barriers were adjusted continuously based on the evolving epidemiological situation.Interpretation: How an individual city or province handled the pandemic profoundly affected and determined how the entire country handled the pandemic since the chain of transmission needs to be broken at the very grassroot level to achieve nationwide control

Safety and efficacy of fluoxetine on functional outcome after acute stroke (AFFINITY): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background Trials of fluoxetine for recovery after stroke report conflicting results. The Assessment oF FluoxetINe In sTroke recoverY (AFFINITY) trial aimed to show if daily oral fluoxetine for 6 months after stroke improves functional outcome in an ethnically diverse population. Methods AFFINITY was a randomised, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial done in 43 hospital stroke units in Australia (n=29), New Zealand (four), and Vietnam (ten). Eligible patients were adults (aged ≥18 years) with a clinical diagnosis of acute stroke in the previous 2–15 days, brain imaging consistent with ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke, and a persisting neurological deficit that produced a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 1 or more. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 via a web-based system using a minimisation algorithm to once daily, oral fluoxetine 20 mg capsules or matching placebo for 6 months. Patients, carers, investigators, and outcome assessors were masked to the treatment allocation. The primary outcome was functional status, measured by the mRS, at 6 months. The primary analysis was an ordinal logistic regression of the mRS at 6 months, adjusted for minimisation variables. Primary and safety analyses were done according to the patient's treatment allocation. The trial is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12611000774921. Findings Between Jan 11, 2013, and June 30, 2019, 1280 patients were recruited in Australia (n=532), New Zealand (n=42), and Vietnam (n=706), of whom 642 were randomly assigned to fluoxetine and 638 were randomly assigned to placebo. Mean duration of trial treatment was 167 days (SD 48·1). At 6 months, mRS data were available in 624 (97%) patients in the fluoxetine group and 632 (99%) in the placebo group. The distribution of mRS categories was similar in the fluoxetine and placebo groups (adjusted common odds ratio 0·94, 95% CI 0·76–1·15; p=0·53). Compared with patients in the placebo group, patients in the fluoxetine group had more falls (20 [3%] vs seven [1%]; p=0·018), bone fractures (19 [3%] vs six [1%]; p=0·014), and epileptic seizures (ten [2%] vs two [<1%]; p=0·038) at 6 months. Interpretation Oral fluoxetine 20 mg daily for 6 months after acute stroke did not improve functional outcome and increased the risk of falls, bone fractures, and epileptic seizures. These results do not support the use of fluoxetine to improve functional outcome after stroke