Search

This paper explores the use of deep learning techniques to improve the performance of web application firewalls (WAFs), describes a specific method for improving the performance of web application firewalls, and presents the results of its testing on publicly available CSIC 2010 data. Most web application firewalls work on the basis of rules that have been compiled by experts. When running, firewalls inspect HTTP requests exchanged between client and server to detect attacks and block potential threats. Manual drafting of rules requires experts' time, and distributed ready-made rule sets do not take into account the specifics of particular user applications, therefore they allow many false positives and miss many network attacks. In recent years, the use of pretrained language models has led to significant improvements in a diverse set of natural language processing tasks as they are able to perform knowledge transfer. The article describes the adaptation of these approaches to the field of information security, i.e. the use of a pretrained language model as a feature extractor to match an HTTP request with a feature vector. These vectors are then used to train the classifier. We offer a solution that consists of two stages. In the first step, we create a deep pre-trained language model based on normal HTTP requests to the web application. In the second step, we use this model as a feature extractor and train a one-class classifier. Both steps are performed for each application. The experimental results show that the proposed approach significantly outperforms the classical Mod-Security approaches based on rules configured using OWASP CRS and does not require the involvement of a security expert to define trigger rules.

Blood serum of patients with gastric (n = 68) and esophageal (n = 43) cancer was assessed for proteolytic fragments of IgG. Serum samples of 20 healthy donors were used as a control. We analyzed indicators of hemostasis (prothrombin time, fibrinogen, plasminogen activity, a2-antiplasmin activity, protein C activity) in blood plasma and the level of total IgG in the blood serum. The median IgG-LysK of healthy donors was lower than in esophageal cancer and in patients with gastric cancer. ROC-analysis showed high sensitivity (91%) and specificity (85%) in the group with esophageal cancer but 68% and 85%, respectively, in patients with gastric cancer. Analysis of false negatives IgG-LysK in cancer patients showed that most patients had an advanced stage of cancer accompanied by metastases. Total IgG in the plasma of patients with false-negative IgG-LysK values was 30% lower than in samples with positive values, while the level of a2-antiplasmin was increased and the prothrombin time was shorter. These changes in blood homeostasis may be the reason for an increase in the proportion of false-negative values of the IgG-LysK coefficient. Circulatory IgG-LysK levels increase in the early stages of such cancers as gastric and esophageal cancers. Thus, when used in a panel with other more specific markers for these pathologies, this indicator can significantly increase the early detection of cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genome of Caldithrix abyssi, the first cultivated representative of a phylum-level bacterial lineage, was sequenced within the framework of Genomic Encyclopedia of Bacteria and Archaea (GEBA) project. The genomic analysis revealed mechanisms allowing this anaerobic bacterium to ferment peptides or to implement nitrate reduction with acetate or molecular hydrogen as electron donors. The genome encoded five different [NiFe]- and [FeFe]-hydrogenases, one of which, group 1 [NiFe]-hydrogenase, is presumably involved in lithoheterotrophic growth, three other produce H2 during fermentation, and one is apparently bidirectional. The ability to reduce nitrate is determined by a nitrate reductase of the Nap family, while nitrite reduction to ammonia is presumably catalyzed by an octaheme cytochrome c nitrite reductase εHao. The genome contained genes of respiratory polysulfide/thiosulfate reductase, however, elemental sulfur and thiosulfate were not used as the electron acceptors for anaerobic respiration with acetate or H2, probably due to the lack of the gene of the maturation protein. Nevertheless, elemental sulfur and thiosulfate stimulated growth on fermentable substrates (peptides), being reduced to sulfide, most probably through the action of the cytoplasmic sulfide dehydrogenase and/or NAD(P)-dependent [NiFe]-hydrogenase (sulfhydrogenase) encoded by the genome. Surprisingly, the genome of this anaerobic microorganism encoded all genes for cytochrome c oxidase, however, its maturation machinery seems to be non-operational due to genomic rearrangements of supplementary genes. Despite the fact that sugars were not among the substrates reported when C. abyssi was first described, our genomic analysis revealed multiple genes of glycoside hydrolases, and some of them were predicted to be secreted. This finding aided in bringing out four carbohydrates that supported the growth of C. abyssi: starch, cellobiose, glucomannan and xyloglucan. The genomic analysis demonstrated the ability of C. abyssi to synthesize nucleotides and most amino acids and vitamins. Finally, the genomic sequence allowed us to perform a phylogenomic analysis, based on 38 protein sequences, which confirmed the deep branching of this lineage and justified the proposal of a novel phylum Calditrichaeota.

A metallacyclic maltol-tethered organometallic Ir(III) half-sandwich complex was synthesized as an analog of the ruthenium anticancer complexes (RAPTA/RAED) to evaluate its in vitro antiproliferative activity against various human cancer cell lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lodging of barley significantly limits its potential yield, leads to the deterioration of grain quality, and complicates mechanized harvesting. More than 30 dwarfness and semi-dwarfness genes and loci are known for barley, and their involvement in breeding can solve the problem of lodging. The most common dwarfing alleles are of the genes sdw1/denso (HvGA20ox2), uzu1 (HvBRI1), and ari-e (HvDep1). The aim of this study was the design of dCAPS markers for the sdw1.c and ari-e.GP alleles and the molecular screening of barley accessions from the VIR collection for identifying these and other dwarfing alleles commonly used in breeding. Two dCAPS markers have been developed to identify the sdw1.c allele of the HvGA20ox2 gene and ari-e.GP of HvDep1. These dCAPS markers and two known from the literature CAPS and dCAPS markers of the alleles sdw1.a/sdw1.e, sdw1.c, sdw1.d, and uzu1.a were used in the molecular screening of 32 height-contrasting barley accessions. This made it possible to identify the accessions with alleles sdw1.a/sdw1.e, sdw1.c, and sdw1.d of the HvGA20ox2 gene, as well as accessions with a combination of sdw1.c and uzu1.a alleles of the genes HvGA20ox2 and HvBRI1. A comparison of the results of genotyping and phenotyping showed that the presence of dwarfing alleles in all genotypes determines high or medium lodging resistance regardless of the influence of weather conditions. Twelve accessions were found to contain the new allele sdw1.ins of the HvGA20ox2 gene, which differs from the known allele sdw1.c by a larger size of PCR products. It is characterized by the Thalos_2 transposon insertion; the subsequent GTTA insertion, common with the sdw1.c allele; and by a single-nucleotide G→A substitution at the 165 position. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The urgency of the investigated problem is due to the fact that enzymatic compositions in the diets of agricultural mammals contribute to better digestion of nutrients, which allows increasing the rate of inexpensive raw materials ‘rich’ in anti-nutritional factors without compromising the health and productivity of the animal. The article is aimed at researching the digestibility of nutrients and the effect of enzyme compositions on the productivity of cows, and on the analysis of changes in live weight and average daily increments, slaughter and meat qualities of experimental young fattening pigs. The leading method of study is conducting scientific, economic and physiological experiments. Studies allow revealing the effects of enzyme compositions on the gastrointestinal tract microflora, which will directly affect the digestibility of nutrients and productive qualities. The digestibility ratios of feed nutrients were greater in the animals of the experimental groups receiving the enzyme compositions. In cows, milk production increased, and milk composition improved. In the experimental groups of pigs, there was an increase in live weight and average daily growth; a high yield of meat was obtained and the best ratio of meat to fat was observed. The results can be used to study metabolic processes in animals.

Wastewater contains stable and unstable pollutants. In the process of self-cleaning, a large amount of bottom sediments accumulates, especially in artificially created storage ponds. As a result of the increasing load on this type of water bodies and the accumulation of bottom sediments, the self-purification ability is sharply reduced, which entails an additional load on the environment. The use of bottom sediments for biological reclamation is allowed after the establishment of the hazard class in accordance with the current regulatory documents and taking measures to neutralize them. The purpose of this separate fragment of work was to study the total content of heavy metals in the bottom sediments of storage ponds of a milk processing enterprise and determine the possibility of their further use. As a result of the data obtained, it can be concluded that the lead content was 14.6-17.3 mg/kg, depending on the depth of the bottom sediment sampling layer. At a sampling depth of 0.5-1.0 meters, the lead content was maximum and exceeded the clarke values of the element by 8.1%. There is a 2 time excess of the clarke values for cadmium at a depth of 1.0-1.5 meters. Indicators for zinc and copper were 12.4-14.1 mg/kg and 5.9-9.8 mg/kg, respectively, and did not go beyond the threshold limits of the compared values. The research results allow concluding that the bottom sediments of the storage ponds of the milk processing enterprise are not toxic. Therefore, they can be used in the composition of soil.

In the North-West region, spring barley is the main grain fodder crop. The variety is an effective and most affordable means of increasing the harvest and quality of the grain. The studying selection material for breeding ensures success in the creation of new varieties. European varieties are characterized by resistance to powdery mildew, which is a limiting factor of breeding in the North-West region. This work aimed to find new sources of agrobiological valuable traits. In 2016-2018, which differed in weather conditions, 32 varieties of spring barley were studied on the field of the Pushkin Laboratory of VIR. As a result of studying a set of samples of the Western European ecological group, according to the main agrobiological valuable traits sources for breeding in the North-West region were identified: early maturing, semi-dwarf, large-grain variety – “Brucefield” (к-31555, parallelum, Germany); semi-dwarf, large-grain variety – “Brennus” (к-31331, nutans, France); middle-maturity, high-yielding, large-grain, semi-dwarf, resistant to lodging, with an adaptation coefficient more than 1 – “Niagara” (к-31334, nutans, France), “Tocada” (к-31341, deficiens, Germany), “Juhata” (к-31346, nutans, Germany), “KWS Alciana” (к-31348, nutans, Germany).

Monitoring the geometric parameters of cutting and cleaning ballast during reconstruction and overhaul works is one of the most important tasks of ensuring high quality repair work. The paper describes a new type of automated control system to control the cutting process and the cleaning of ballast performed at major overhaul and reconstruction. This automated control system uses the data of a multisystem GNSS receiver, base Reference stations and spring-return mechanisms for installing antennas on the working body of the track machine (bar chain). Nowadays, gravel-cleaning machines have installed standard work quality control systems (depth of ballast cut and lateral slope), and other measuring control tools are also used. The disadvantages of existing technologies and instrumental testing are considered. The modern automatic control systems of various types developed by SGUPS and based on the use of global navigation systems are presented. Detailed schemes of working elements of ACS installed on the ballast cleaning machine (BCM) are presented. Algorithms to determine the depth and cross slope of the ballast cutting and control of these values are considered. The use and effectiveness of this type of ACS providing the required accuracy of work and continuous monitoring of the main quantities are substantiated.

One of the main sources of water pollution is industry, including food production enterprises. Wastewater of this industry is intensively polluted with easily decomposable organic substances, which can cause great damage to water bodies. Existing wastewater treatment technologies are extremely energy-consuming due to deficiencies in the analysis of the composition of liquid media, which can reveal an excess of maximum permissible concentrations of not more than ten percent of the total amount of normalized pollution. In the present paper, data on the existing wastewater discharge obtained by the laboratory method are presented, and the level of their pollution is estimated. Information about the developed Microbiological Treatment System and its ability to reduce pollutant concentrations is presented: for suspended solids by 17 times, for mass concentration of fats by 17 times, for BOD5 (biochemical oxygen demand) by 45 times, for COD (chemical oxygen demand) by 10 times, in artificially created storage ponds.