Comparative Analysis of Anomaly Detection Approaches in Firewall Logs: Integrating Light-Weight Synthesis of Security Logs and Artificially Generated Attack Detection.

Detecting anomalies in large networks is a major challenge. Nowadays, many studies rely on machine learning techniques to solve this problem. However, much of this research depends on synthetic or limited datasets and tends to use specialized machine learning methods to achieve good detection results. This study focuses on analyzing firewall logs from a large industrial control network and presents a novel method for generating anomalies that simulate real attacker actions within the network without the need for a dedicated testbed or installed security controls. To demonstrate that the proposed method is feasible and that the constructed logs behave as one would expect real-world logs to behave, different supervised and unsupervised learning models were compared using different feature subsets, feature construction methods, scaling methods, and aggregation levels. The experimental results show that unsupervised learning methods have difficulty in detecting the injected anomalies, suggesting that they can be seamlessly integrated into existing firewall logs. Conversely, the use of supervised learning methods showed significantly better performance compared to unsupervised approaches and a better suitability for use in real systems.

Evaluation of double-tuned single-sided planar microcoils for the analysis of small 13 C enriched biological samples using 1 H-13 C 2D heteronuclear correlation NMR spectroscopy.

Microcoils provide a cost-effective approach to improve detection limits for mass-limited samples. Single-sided planar microcoils are advantageous in comparison to volume coils, in that the sample can simply be placed on top. However, the considerable drawback is that the RF field that is produced by the coil decreases with distance from the coil surface, which potentially limits more complex multi-pulse NMR pulse sequences. Unfortunately, 1 H NMR alone is not very informative for intact biological samples due to line broadening caused by magnetic susceptibility distortions, and 1 H-13 C 2D NMR correlations are required to provide the additional spectral dispersion for metabolic assignments in vivo or in situ. To our knowledge, double-tuned single-sided microcoils have not been applied for the 2D 1 H-13 C analysis of intact 13 C enriched biological samples. Questions include the following: Can 1 H-13 C 2D NMR be performed on single-sided planar microcoils? If so, do they still hold sensitivity advantages over conventional 5 mm NMR technology for mass limited samples? Here, 2D 1 H-13 C HSQC, HMQC, and HETCOR variants were compared and then applied to 13 C enriched broccoli seeds and Daphnia magna (water fleas). Compared to 5 mm NMR probes, the microcoils showed a sixfold improvement in mass sensitivity (albeit only for a small localized region) and allowed for the identification of metabolites in a single intact D. magna for the first time. Single-sided planar microcoils show practical benefit for 1 H-13 C NMR of intact biological samples, if localized information within ~0.7 mm of the 1 mm I.D. planar microcoil surface is of specific interest.

Comprehensive Multiphase NMR Probehead with Reduced Radiofrequency Heating Improves the Analysis of Living Organisms and Heat-Sensitive Samples.

Comprehensive multiphase (CMP) NMR, first described in 2012, combines all of the hardware components necessary to analyze all phases (solid, gel, and solution) in samples in their natural state. In combination with spectral editing experiments, it can fully differentiate phases and study the transfer of chemical species across and between phases, providing unprecedented molecular-level information in unaltered natural systems. However, many natural samples, such as swollen soils, plants, and small organisms, contain water, salts, and ionic compounds, making them electrically lossy and susceptible to RF heating, especially when using high-strength RF fields required to select the solid domains. While dedicated reduced-heating probes have been developed for solid-state NMR, to date, all CMP-NMR probes have been based on solenoid designs, which can lead to problematic sample heating. Here, a new prototype CMP probe was developed, incorporating a loop gap resonator (LGR) for decoupling. Temperature increases are monitored in salt solutions analogous to those in small aquatic organisms and then tested in vivo on Hyalella azteca (freshwater shrimp). In the standard CMP probe (solenoid), 80% of organisms died within 4 h under high-power decoupling, while in the LGR design, all organisms survived the entire test period of 12 h. The LGR design reduced heating by a factor of ∼3, which allowed 100 kHz decoupling to be applied to salty samples with generally ≤10 °C sample heating. In addition to expanding the potential for in vivo research, the ability to apply uncompromised high-power decoupling could be beneficial for multiphase samples containing true crystalline solids that require the strongest possible decoupling fields for optimal detection.

Expanding current applications and permitting the analysis of larger intact samples by means of a 7 mm CMP-NMR probe.

Comprehensive multiphase NMR combines the ability to study and differentiate all phases (solids, gels, and liquids) using a single NMR probe. The general goal of CMP-NMR is to study intact environmental and biological samples to better understand conformation, organization, association, and transfer between and across phases/interfaces that may be lost with conventional sample preparation such as drying or solubilization. To date, all CMP-NMR studies have used 4 mm probes and rotors. Here, a larger 7 mm probehead is introduced which provides ∼3 times the volume and ∼2.4 times the signal over a 4 mm version. This offers two main advantages: (1) the additional biomass reduces experiment time, making 13C detection at natural abundance more feasible; (2) it allows the analysis of larger samples that cannot fit within a 4 mm rotor. Chicken heart tissue and Hyalella azteca (freshwater shrimp) are used to demonstrate that phase-based spectral editing works with 7 mm rotors and that the additional biomass from the larger volumes allows detection with 13C at natural abundance. Additionally, a whole pomegranate seed berry (aril) and an intact softgel capsule of hydroxyzine hydrochloride are used to demonstrate the analysis of samples too large to fit inside a conventional 4 mm CMP probe. The 7 mm version introduced here extends the range of applications and sample types that can be studied and is recommended when 4 mm CMP probes cannot provide adequate signal-to-noise (S/N), or intact samples are simply too big for 4 mm rotors.

Deciphering nifedipine in vivo delivery from modified release dosage forms: Identification of food effect.

With the increased reliance on in vitro dissolution testing as an indicator of in vivo drug behavior and the trend towards the in silico modeling of dosage form performance, the need for bioperformance dissolution methodology development has been enhanced. Determination of the in vivo drug delivery profile is essential for the bioperformance dissolution test development and in vitro/in vivo correlation modeling, as well as the understanding of absorption mechanisms. The aim of this study was to compare different methods in terms of their usefulness and applicability in deciphering in vivo delivery of nifedipine administered in modified release dosage forms. A detailed survey of publications on nifedipine pharmacokinetics was done and used to identify the magnitude of food effect. In vitro dissolution testing was performed under various experimental conditions. Obtained results indicate the potential for using the developed in silico model coupled with discriminative in vitro dissolution data for identification of the in vivo drug product behavior.

In vitro--in silico--in vivo drug absorption model development based on mechanistic gastrointestinal simulation and artificial neural networks: nifedipine osmotic release tablets case study.

In vitro--in vivo correlations (IVIVC) are generally accepted as a valuable tool in modified release formulation development aimed at (i) quantifying the in vivo drug delivery profile and formulation related effects on absorption; (ii) establishing clinically relevant dissolution specifications and (iii) supporting the biowaiver claims. The aim of the present study was to develop relevant IVIVC models based on mechanistic gastrointestinal simulation (GIS) and artificial neural network (ANN) analysis and to evaluate their applicability and usefulness in biopharmaceutical drug characterisation. Nifedipine osmotic release tablets were selected as model drug product on the basis of their robustness, dissolution limited drug absorption and the availability of relevant literature data. Although the osmotic release tablets have been designed to be robust against the influence of physiological conditions in the gastrointestinal tract, notable differences in nifedipine dissolution kinetics were observed depending on the in vitro experimental conditions employed. The results obtained indicate that both GIS and ANN model developed were sensitive to input kinetics represented by the in vitro profiles obtained under various experimental conditions. Different in silico approaches may be successfully employed in the in vitro--in silico--in vivo model development. However, the results obtained may differ and relevant outcomes are sensitive to the methodology employed.

Fluoxetine does not impair motor function in patients with Parkinson's disease: correlation between mood and motor functions with plasma concentrations of fluoxetine/norfluoxetine.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are the most commonly chosen antidepressants in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). The aim of our study was to assess the influence of fluoxetine (Flu) on motor functions in patients with PD. METHODS: In this prospective, controlled, open-label study, 18 patients with PD and mild depression [(10 < or = Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HDRS) < or = 23)] without dementia [(25 < or = Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)] were treated with Flu. Both single and repeated dose effects of Flu were assessed on days 1-80. Plasma concentrations of Flu and norfluoxetine (NORFlu) were correlated with the results of selected motor function performance scores: The Unified Parkinsons Disease Rating Score (UPDRS), Finger Tapping Test (FTT) and Purdue Pegboard Test (PPT). Severity of PD, depression and dementia were evaluated using standard tests [(Hoehn and Yahr stages (HY), activity of daily living (ADL), UPDRS, HDRS, MMSE)]. RESULTS: Steady-state for Flu/NORFlu was reached after 18 days of treatment. Such a plateau correlated with significant improvements in both scores of depression and Parkinson's disability (HDRS, UPDRS and ADL, respectively). In addition, FTT and PPT scores also increased until day 18, with further slight fluctuations around the plateau. Optimal motor performances correlated with Flu concentrations of approximately 60-110 microg/L. CONCLUSION: Flu (20 mg/day) significantly reduced depression in PD patients while it did not impair their motor performances. Because substantial placebo effects may arise in studies of PD and depression, large, prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials are warranted.

Effects of antidepressants maprotiline and fluxilan on sympatho-adrenomedullary system in stressed rats.

Influence of previous stress exposure on the effects of serotonergic and noradrenergic antidepressants on subsequent newly induced stress is still far from being completely understood. The aim of the present study was to investigate changes in the activity of the sympatho-adrenomedullary system in unstressed and chronic unpredictable mild stressed (CUMS) rats treated with either maprotiline or fluxilan, both under basal conditions and subsequent immobilization stress. Maprotiline and fluxilan elevated plasma norepinephrine in unstressed control and CUMS rats. Immobilization increased norepinephrine less in unstressed maprotiline- or fluxilan controls than in vehicle group. Subsequent immobilization elevated norepinephrine in CUMS rats the differences between the groups being insignificant. Maprotiline didn't affect epinephrine in unstressed and CUMS rats and fluxilan increased it. Subsequent immobilization elevated epinephrine in unstressed maprotiline controls less than in vehicle animals. Epinephrine increase was similar in maprotiline CUMS and vehicle CUMS rats. Immobilization of fluxilan unstressed and CUMS rats significantly increased epinephrine but without differences compared to vehicle group. Novel stressor activated sympatho-adrenomedullary system of CUMS rats upon antidepressants.

Justification of biowaiver for carbamazepine, a low soluble high permeable compound, in solid dosage forms based on IVIVC and gastrointestinal simulation.

The aim of the present study was to use gastrointestinal simulation technology and in vitro-in vivo correlation (IVIVC) as tools to investigate a possible extension of biowaiver criteria to BCS class II drugs using carbamazepine (CBZ) as a candidate compound. Gastrointestinal simulation based on the advanced compartmental absorption and transit model implemented in GastroPlus was used. Actual in vitro and in vivo data generated in CBZ bioequivalence studies were used for correlation purposes. The simulated plasma profile, based on the CBZ physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties, was almost identical with that observed in vivo. Parameter sensitivity analysis (PSA) indicated that the percent of drug absorbed is relatively insensitive to the variation of the input parameters. Additionally, plasma concentration-time profiles were simulated based on dissolution profiles observed under the different experimental conditions. Regardless of the differences observed in vitro, the predicted pharmacokinetic profiles were similar in the extent of drug exposure (AUC) while there were certain differences in parameters defining the drug absorption rate (C(max)t(max)). High level A IVIVC was established for the pooled data set (r = 0.9624), indicating that 1% SLS may be considered as the universal biorelevant dissolution medium for both the IR and CR CBZ tablets. The proposed methodology involving gastrointestinal simulation technology and IVIVC suggests that there is a rationale for considering CBZ biowaiver extension and introduction of the wider dissolution specifications for CBZ immediate release tablets.