Using Deep Learning Model for Network Scanning Detection

In recent years, new and devastating cyber attacks amplify the need for robust cybersecurity practices. Preventing novel cyber attacks requires the invention of Intrusion Detection Systems (IDSs), which can identify previously unseen attacks. Many researchers have attempted to produce anomaly - based IDSs, however they are not yet able to detect malicious network traffic consistently enough to warrant implementation in real networks. Obviously, it remains a challenge for the security community to produce IDSs that are suitable for implementation in the real world. In this paper, we propose a new approach using a Deep Belief Network with a combination of supervised and unsupervised machine learning methods for port scanning attacks detection - the task of probing enterprise networks or Internet wide services, searching for vulnerabilities or ways to infiltrate IT assets. Our proposed approach will be tested with network security datasets and compared with previously existing methods

Comparative Analysis of Swine Antibody Responses Following Vaccination with Live-Attenuated and Killed African Swine Fever Virus Vaccines

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is circulating in many swine-producing countries, causing significant economic losses. It is observed that pigs experimentally vaccinated with a live-attenuated virus (LAV) but not a killed virus (KV) vaccine develop solid homologous protective immunity. The objective of this study was to comparatively analyze antibody profiles between pigs vaccinated with an LAV vaccine and those vaccinated with a KV vaccine to identify potential markers of vaccineinduced protection. Thirty ASFV seronegative pigs were divided into three groups: Group 1 received a single dose of an experimental LAV, Group 2 received two doses of an experimental KV vaccine, and Group 3 was kept as a non-vaccinated (NV) control. At 42 days post-vaccination, all pigs were challenged with the parental virulent ASFV strain and monitored for 21 days. All pigs vaccinated with the LAV vaccine survived the challenge. In contrast, eight pigs from the KV group and seven pigs from the NV group died within 14 days post-challenge. Serum samples collected on 41 days post-vaccination were analyzed for their reactivity against a panel of 29 viral structural proteins. The sera of pigs from the LAV group exhibited a strong antibody reactivity against various viral structural proteins, while the sera of pigs in the KV group only displayed weak antibody reactivity against the inner envelope (p32, p54, p12). There was a negative correlation between the intensity of antibody reactivity against five ASFV antigens, namely p12, p14, p15, p32, and pD205R, and the viral DNA titers in the blood of animals after the challenge infection. Thus, antibody reactivities against these five antigens warrant further evaluation as potential indicators of vaccine-induced protection

Assessment of Antioxidant Activities, Total Phenolics, and Flavonoids of Different Extracts of Strobilanthes Schomburgkii Leaves

The main purpose of this work was to assess the antioxidant activities of the n-hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of Strobilanthes schomburgkii leaves collected in Laocai province, Vietnam. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined. The DPPH, H2O2 radical scavenging activity, and total antioxidant activity via phosphomolybdenum method were investigated. The results showed that the methanol extract concluded a high concentration of phenolics and flavonoids which were 65.42 mg/g and 52.05 mg/g, respectively. There was a significant correlation between total phenolic and flavonoid concentrations and EC50 values of different antioxidant assays. The antioxidant properties of the different extracts from Strobilanthes schomburgkii leaves were reported for the first time

Targeted testing for acute HIV infection in North Carolina

Persons with acute HIV infection contribute disproportionately to HIV transmission. Identification of these persons is a critical public health challenge. We developed targeted approaches to detect HIV RNA in persons with negative serological tests

Enhanced Near-Infrared Fluorescent Sensing Using Metal-Dielectric-Metal Plasmonic Array

This work presents a numerical study of metal-dielectric-metal (MDM) plasmonic structure used to enhance a near-infrared fluorescent sensor. The MDM plasmonic structure consists of silver (Ag) subwavelength disk arrays on a thin silica (SiO2) spacing layer and 100-nm-thick-Ag film on a silicon (Si) substrate. The MDM plasmonic arrays with various structural parameters are designed and numerically investigated using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. Results show that the optical properties of designed structures are slightly dependent on the height of the Ag disk and strongly dependent on the Ag disk diameter and SiO2 thickness. In the near-infrared wavelength range, the proposed MDM plasmonic array has low ohmic loss and shows the high fluorescent emitting enhancement and directivity of about 16 times and 625.0, respectively, thus making MDM plasmonic array an alternative approach for near-infrared fluorescence bioimaging and biosensing devices

Stem cell-based therapy for human diseases

Recent advancements in stem cell technology open a new door for patients suffering from diseases and disorders that have yet to be treated. Stem cell-based therapy, including human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) and multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), has recently emerged as a key player in regenerative medicine. hPSCs are defined as self-renewable cell types conferring the ability to differentiate into various cellular phenotypes of the human body, including three germ layers. MSCs are multipotent progenitor cells possessing self-renewal ability (limited in vitro) and differentiation potential into mesenchymal lineages, according to the International Society for Cell and Gene Therapy (ISCT). This review provides an update on recent clinical applications using either hPSCs or MSCs derived from bone marrow (BM), adipose tissue (AT), or the umbilical cord (UC) for the treatment of human diseases, including neurological disorders, pulmonary dysfunctions, metabolic/endocrine-related diseases, reproductive disorders, skin burns, and cardiovascular conditions. Moreover, we discuss our own clinical trial experiences on targeted therapies using MSCs in a clinical setting, and we propose and discuss the MSC tissue origin concept and how MSC origin may contribute to the role of MSCs in downstream applications, with the ultimate objective of facilitating translational research in regenerative medicine into clinical applications. The mechanisms discussed here support the proposed hypothesis that BM-MSCs are potentially good candidates for brain and spinal cord injury treatment, AT-MSCs are potentially good candidates for reproductive disorder treatment and skin regeneration, and UC-MSCs are potentially good candidates for pulmonary disease and acute respiratory distress syndrome treatment

Comparison of infection control strategies to reduce COVID-19 outbreaks in homeless shelters in the United States: a simulation study.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 outbreaks have occurred in homeless shelters across the US, highlighting an urgent need to identify the most effective infection control strategy to prevent future outbreaks. METHODS: We developed a microsimulation model of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in a homeless shelter and calibrated it to data from cross-sectional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) surveys conducted during COVID-19 outbreaks in five homeless shelters in three US cities from March 28 to April 10, 2020. We estimated the probability of averting a COVID-19 outbreak when an exposed individual is introduced into a representative homeless shelter of 250 residents and 50 staff over 30 days under different infection control strategies, including daily symptom-based screening, twice-weekly PCR testing, and universal mask wearing. RESULTS: The proportion of PCR-positive residents and staff at the shelters with observed outbreaks ranged from 2.6 to 51.6%, which translated to the basic reproduction number (R0) estimates of 2.9-6.2. With moderate community incidence (~ 30 confirmed cases/1,000,000 people/day), the estimated probabilities of averting an outbreak in a low-risk (R0 = 1.5), moderate-risk (R0 = 2.9), and high-risk (R0 = 6.2) shelter were respectively 0.35, 0.13, and 0.04 for daily symptom-based screening; 0.53, 0.20, and 0.09 for twice-weekly PCR testing; 0.62, 0.27, and 0.08 for universal masking; and 0.74, 0.42, and 0.19 for these strategies in combination. The probability of averting an outbreak diminished with higher transmissibility (R0) within the simulated shelter and increasing incidence in the local community. CONCLUSIONS: In high-risk homeless shelter environments and locations with high community incidence of COVID-19, even intensive infection control strategies (incorporating daily symptom screening, frequent PCR testing, and universal mask wearing) are unlikely to prevent outbreaks, suggesting a need for non-congregate housing arrangements for people experiencing homelessness. In lower-risk environments, combined interventions should be employed to reduce outbreak risk

Antibody survey on avian influenza viruses using egg yolks of ducks in Hanoi between 2010 and 2012

In Vietnam, numerous surveillance programs are conducted to monitor the prevalence of avian influenza (AI) viruses. Three serological methods-the agar-gel immunodiffusion test, hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-are well established for detection of AI virus antibodies in poultry sera. Several recent reports have validated egg yolk as an alternative source for detection of AI virus antibodies. In this study, we investigated AI virus antibodies in ducks by HI testing using egg yolk. Ten duck eggs were collected every month from 10 randomly selected markets in Hanoi from April 2010 to March 2012. The HI test was performed using low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) viruses (H3, H4, H6, H7, H9, and H11 subtypes) and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses (H5N1 clade 2.3.4 and 2.3.2.1) as antigens. HI testing for H3, H6, and H9 was 29% positive in November 2010, 50% positive in October and November 2010, and 12% positive in June 2011. These results indicated that several epidemics of LPAI viruses had occurred during the study period. In addition, antibodies against H7 were negative. The results of HI testing for H5N1 showed that the reactivity of the dominant HI antibody shifted from H5N1 clade 2.3.4 to clade 2.3.2.1. In conclusion, egg yolk is useful for long term monitoring of AI virus antibodies and the use of egg-based antibody detection may contribute to improvements in animal welfare