A spatio-temporal entropy-based approach for the analysis of cyber attacks (demo paper)

Computer networks are ubiquitous systems growing exponentially with a predicted 50 billion devices connected by 2050. This dramatically increases the potential attack surface of Internet networks. A key issue in cyber defense is to detect, categorize and identify these attacks, the way they are propagated and their potential impacts on the systems affected. The research presented in this paper models cyber attacks at large by considering the Internet as a complex system in which attacks are propagated over a network. We model an attack as a path from a source to a target, and where each attack is categorized according to its intention. We setup an experimental testbed with the concept of honeypot that evaluates the spatiotemporal distribution of these Internet attacks. The preliminary results show a series of patterns in space and time that illustrate the potential of the approach, and how cyber attacks can be categorized according to the concept and measure of entropy

Exploring the Synergy of AI and Blockchain in Insurance: A Bibliometric Mapping and Analysis of Research Trends

Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) with blockchain in the insurance industry has transformed risk assessment, streamlined claims processing, and enhanced data security, resulting in more efficient and transparent operations. This study conducts a bibliometric analysis to examine the scholarly landscape on AI and blockchain applications in insurance, using Biblioshiny and VOSviewer software to analyze data from the Scopus database. Key metrics explored include Annual Scientific Production, Most Significant Authors, and Most Relevant Sources, shedding light on influential contributors and foundational publications. Additionally, we examined the Most Globally Cited Documents and Trend Topics to trace the evolution of research interest over time. Clustering methods such as Clustering by Coupling and Thematic Mapping provided insights into the structural composition of the field. By assessing the Co-occurrence of Keywords and the Citation Network of Authors, the analysis highlights prominent topics and collaborative patterns. The Co-Authorship by Country metric further reveals international partnerships in advancing AI and blockchain research for insurance. Through this study, several research gaps were identified, such as the need for deeper exploration of human-centered insurance applications and blockchain-based peer-to-peer models. These findings offer valuable insights for researchers and practitioners, guiding future studies and innovations in the field.

Molecular and morphological characterization of new promising black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) lines

Seven high yielding, new, promising lines of black pepper (Piper nigrum) were characterized using molecular markers (randomly amplified polymorphic DNA) and morphological features. Out of the 14 random decatner primers studied, 9 could generate unique bands in 6 lines. Maximum unique bands of the primers were observed in the line OPKrn followed by HP-1411 and HP-105. HP-780 could not be discriminated by any of the primers. Sixteen unique bands were prod uced by the nine primers making an average of 1.7 bands per primer. The lines OPKm, HP-1411 and HP-105 exhibited distinct morphological features also. &nbsp

In-Vivo and In-silico Study of Ludwigia perennis L. Leaf Extract: A Promising Source of Anti-depressant Agents

Ludwigia perennis is used in India to treat several ailments in the traditional system of medicine. The chloroform leaf extract of Ludwigia perennis was evaluated for depression and anxiety using in vivo and in silico studies. Wistar albino rats were divided into groups based on parameters like control, standard, 20, and 30 mg/kg b.w. chloroform leaf extract groups for drug administration using gastric intubation. The tail suspension test (TST) and forced swim test (FST) were used to assess the antidepressant activity. Molecular docking against monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A), ADME analysis, toxicity tests, and pass prediction studies were among the in silico investigations. A delayed onset of immobility and lowered immobility time were seen at both the treatment doses (FST: 38.49±2.04 and 35.55±2.95 s; TST: 30.23±1.73 and 26.72±2.26 s) and the standard drug fluoxetine (FST: 31.26±1.76 and TST: 25.54±1.08 s), indicative of its antidepressant ability. While 30 identified phytochemicals were docked with monoamine oxidase A proteins, six compounds mainly showed higher binding affinity. It is stated that γ-sitosterol has a binding affinity of -8.5. The binding affinity of five compounds, namely stigmasterol, ergosterol, dibutyl phthalate, campesterol, 7,9-Di-tert-butyl-1-oxaspiro(4,5)deca-6,9-diene-2,8-dione is -8.2, -8.2, -8.0, -7.8, and -7.4 are like this. The results of the molecular docking studies indicate that the six chemicals that were successfully docked have an anti-depressive impact. Apart from docking, pharmacokinetic and PASS tests validated their drug-likeness, predicted safety after consumption, and predicted pharmacological effects. The chloroform leaf extract of Ludwigia perennis is a rich source of bioactive compounds with strong antidepressant properties

A TWO-PHASE FLATTERER FOR EFFICIENTLY GATHERING PROFOUND-WEB MEDIATOR

We advise a few-stage framework, namely SmartCrawler, for efficient harvesting deep web interfaces. Within the first stage, SmartCrawler performs site-based looking for center pages using google, remaining from visiting plenty of pages. As deep web grows in an exceedingly fast pace, there's elevated desire to have techniques that assist efficiently locate deep-web interfaces. However, because of the great deal of web sources combined with dynamic nature of deep web, achieving wide coverage and efficiency may well be a challenging issue. To attain better most up to date listings for almost any focused crawl, SmartCrawler ranks websites you prioritized highly relevant ones for virtually every given subject. Within the second stage, SmartCrawler achieves fast in-site searching by excavating best links through getting an adaptive link-ranking. To get rid of bias on visiting some highly relevant links in hidden internet directories, we design one of the links tree data structure to attain wider coverage for virtually every website

Random amplified polymorphic DNA technique for detection of plant based adul- terants in chilli powder (Capsicum annuum)

The present study reports a modified protocol for isolation of good quality DNA from chillipowder and its probable adulterants (dried red beet pulp, almond shell dust and powderedZiziphus nummularia fruits) and the utility of RAPD primers for detection of adulterants inmarketed chilli powder. Selected RAPD primers, which produced adulterant specific bands insimulated samples were used for analyzing market samples of chilli powder. Out of the sixmarket samples analyzed, one sample amplified Z. nummularia  specific band indicating theoccurrence of adulteration in market samples. All the market samples tested were free fromdried red beet pulp or almond dust adulteration. &nbsp

In the IP of the Beholder: Strategies for Active IPv6 Topology Discovery

Existing methods for active topology discovery within the IPv6 Internet largely mirror those of IPv4. In light of the large and sparsely populated address space, in conjunction with aggressive ICMPv6 rate limiting by routers, this work develops a different approach to Internet-wide IPv6 topology mapping. We adopt randomized probing techniques in order to distribute probing load, minimize the effects of rate limiting, and probe at higher rates. Second, we extensively analyze the efficiency and efficacy of various IPv6 hitlists and target generation methods when used for topology discovery, and synthesize new target lists based on our empirical results to provide both breadth (coverage across networks) and depth (to find potential subnetting). Employing our probing strategy, we discover more than 1.3M IPv6 router interface addresses from a single vantage point. Finally, we share our prober implementation, synthesized target lists, and discovered IPv6 topology results