Obfuscation-based malware update: A comparison of manual and automated methods

Indexación: Scopus; Web of Science.This research presents a proposal of malware classification and its update based on capacity and obfuscation. This article is an extension of [4]a, and describes the procedure for malware updating, that is, to take obsolete malware that is already detectable by antiviruses, update it through obfuscation techniques and thus making it undetectable again. As the updating of malware is generally performed manually, an automatic solution is presented together with a comparison from the standpoint of cost and processing time. The automated method proved to be more reliable, fast and less intensive in the use of resources, specially in terms of antivirus analysis and malware functionality checking times.http://univagora.ro/jour/index.php/ijccc/article/view/2961/112

Formación inicial de profesores de educación media de ciencia mediante la teoría de enseñanza y aprendizaje basada en modelos mentales

Este estudio describe cómo se aplica la Teoría de los Modelos Mentales en la formación inicial del profesor de Ciencias de enseñanza media en la Facultad de Educación de la Universidad de Concepción. Esta nueva modalidad de formación, se introdujo a partir del año 2004, en las asignaturas de Didáctica III y IV y en el desarrollo de la tesis de pregrado. Los sesenta estudiantes participantes de la experiencia generaron más de treinta planificaciones de unidades sobre diferentes temas científicos, en las que se utiliza la Teoría de los Modelos Mentales, y que han aplicado a alumnos de enseñanza media. Los dos estudios pilotos que midieron la efectividad de estas planificaciones, indican que el uso de esta perspectiva genera auspiciosos resultados en el aprendizaje de los estudiantes de enseñanza media y en la organización del quehacer en el aula del futuro docente

Involvement of Gap Junction Proteins in Infectious Diseases Caused by Parasites

Parasitic diseases affect low-income nations with health consequences that affect the economy of these countries. Research aimed at understanding their biology and identification of potential targets for drug development is of the highest priority. Inhibitors of channels formed by proteins of the gap junction family such as suramin and probenecid are currently used for treatment of parasitic diseases caused by pathogenic protozoan. Gap junction proteins are present in both vertebrates and invertebrates permitting direct and indirect cellular communication. These cellular specializations are formed by two protein families corresponding to connexins (vertebrates) and innexins (invertebrates). In addition, a third protein family composed by proteins denominated pannexins is present in vertebrates and shows primary sequence homology to innexins. Channels formed by these proteins are essential in many biological processes. Recent evidences suggest that gap junction proteins play a critical role in bacterial and viral infections. Nonetheless, little is known about the role of these channels in parasitic infections. In this chapter, we summarized the current knowledge about the role of gap junction family proteins and channels in parasitic infections

Possible Role of Gap Junction Channels and Non-Junctional Channels in the Infection Caused by <em>Trypanosoma cruzi</em>

Chagas disease affects low-income nations with health consequences that impact the economy of those countries. Interestingly, inhibitors of channels formed by proteins of the gap junction family, such as suramin and boldine, exhibit trypanocidal activity. Gap junction proteins are integral membrane proteins present in both vertebrates and invertebrates that participate in cellular communication. These proteins form gap junction channels, which connect the cytoplasm of neighboring cells or non-junctional channels that connect the intra- and extracellular milieu. Interestingly, Trypanosoma cruzi modulates the expression of proteins of the gap junction family or modify the activity of the channels formed by these proteins in host cells. Moreover, Lucifer yellow microinjected into fibroblast was incorporated into associated trypanosomes of Trypanosoma musculi, suggesting the possibility of direct communication via gap junction channels between them. In this chapter, we summarized the current knowledge about the possible roles of gap junction family proteins in Chagas disease

Molecular diversity and distribution of eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean dogfishes Squalus highlight taxonomic issues in the genus

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Wiley via the DOI in this record.The alpha taxonomy of the globally distributed shark genus Squalus has been under intense investigation recently, and many new species have been described over the last decade. However, taxonomic uncertainty remains about several taxa. Without consistent nomenclature and the ability to reliably distinguish between the different Squalus species, basic data collection, downstream conservation and management efforts are seriously compromised. To aid in clarifying the taxonomic status of Squalus species in the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean, we assessed species diversity at the molecular level and evaluated the consistency in species identification in the region. Samples from all nominal Squalus species recognized in the above regions were collected in an international effort and sequenced for regions of the mitochondrial COI and ND2 genes. These data were further analysed alongside publicly available sequences, including 19 of the 26 Squalus species globally recognized, to compare the regional genus-level diversity with that found elsewhere. Our results confirm inconsistent species identification in the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Squalus, particularly concerning S. blainville and S. megalops, and reinforce the need to revise the status of S. megalops and S. mitsukurii as they may include several distinct species distributed around the world. The status of S. blainville is also discussed in the light of the current findings and its problematic taxonomic history.Systematic Research Fund. Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia. Grant Number: SFRH/BPD/77487/2007. Social European Fund. Portuguese funds. New Zealand National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Lt

ApoER2 expression increases Aβ production while decreasing Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) endocytosis: Possible role in the partitioning of APP into lipid rafts and in the regulation of γ-secretase activity

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The generation of the amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) through the proteolytic processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) is a central event in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent studies highlight APP endocytosis and localization to lipid rafts as important events favoring amyloidogenic processing. However, the precise mechanisms underlying these events are poorly understood. ApoER2 is a member of the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R) family exhibiting slow endocytosis rate and a significant association with lipid rafts. Despite the important neurophysiological roles described for ApoER2, little is known regarding how ApoER2 regulates APP trafficking and processing.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Here, we demonstrate that ApoER2 physically interacts and co-localizes with APP. Remarkably, we found that ApoER2 increases cell surface APP levels and APP association with lipid rafts. The increase of cell surface APP requires the presence of ApoER2 cytoplasmic domain and is a result of decreased APP internalization rate. Unexpectedly, ApoER2 expression correlated with a significant increase in Aβ production and reduced levels of APP-CTFs. The increased Aβ production was dependent on the integrity of the NPxY endocytosis motif of ApoER2. We also found that expression of ApoER2 increased APP association with lipid rafts and increased γ-secretase activity, both of which might contribute to increased Aβ production.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These findings show that ApoER2 negatively affects APP internalization. However, ApoER2 expression stimulates Aβ production by shifting the proportion of APP from the non-rafts to the raft membrane domains, thereby promoting β-secretase and γ-secretase mediated amyloidogenic processing and also by incrementing the activity of γ-secretase.</p

Estudio exploratorio de la variabilidad radial y apical del tamaño y frecuencia de los canales resiníferos en Pino radiata

En este trabajo se cuantifica la variabilidad radial y apical de los canales resiníferos de pino radiata (Pinus radiata) de 14 años.Se determinó la frecuencia y el tamaño de los canales resiníferos en muestras microtomadas usando un software comercial. Las muestras fueron extraídas de árboles en pie presentando tres niveles diferentes de resinación externa, es decir, moderada/leve, e intensa. Se evaluó la variabilidad de los canales resiníferos según la posición radial a tres diferentes alturas: base, DAP, y al comienzo de la copa del árbol.Los resultados muestran que la variación radial y apical del tamaño y la frecuencia de canales resiníferos aparece débilmente correlacionada con el nivel de intensidad de resinación observada en árboles en pie de pino radiata. AbstractRadial and apical variation in resin canals of radiata pine were studied. The frequency and size of resin canals were examined, using microscopic techniques from a commercial software. Wood samples from standing trees were taken, showing three different levels of external resin-bleeding intensity: moderate, light and intense. The variability of the resin canals were examined according to the radial position at three different heights ; bottom, breast height diameter and at the beginning of the tree top. The results show that the apical and radial variation of the size and frequency of resin canals appeared weakly correlated with the intensity level of the tree resin-bleeding of the standing radiata pine trees

Depredación de la “babosa” Veronicella cubensis Pfeiffer (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Veronicellidae), por la larva de Cratomorphus signativentris Olivier 1895 (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) en Panamá

Larvae of fireflies (Coleoptera; Lampyridae) feed natural and greedily of various species of terrestrial mollusks including slugs. Although this antagonistic relationship has been documented in countless species of Lampyridae, in the case of the genus Cratomorphus Motschulsky, 1853, its predatory role on these land mollusks is unknown. The aim of the study was to record for first time a predatory event of Cratomorphus signativentris larvae on the Cuban Slug (Veronisella cubensis). Similarly, some comments are made on larvae and adults of C. signativentris studied, as well as a comparison of food preference in this genus.Las larvas de luciérnagas (Coleoptera; Lampyridae) se alimentan natural y vorazmente de diversas especies de moluscos terrestres entre ellas babosas. Aunque se ha documentado esta relación antagónica en innumerables especies de Lampyridae, en el caso de la luciérnaga gigante del género Cratomorphus Motschulsky, 1853, se desconoce su papel depredador sobre moluscos terrestres. El objetivo del estudio fue documentar por primera vez la depredación de la Babosa Cubana (Veronisella cubensis Pfeiffer, 1840) por larvas de Cratomorphus signativentris De igual forma se hacen algunos comentarios sobre las larvas y adultos de C. signativentris estudiadas, además de una comparación de predilección alimenticia dentro de este género

Dynamics of Mask Use as a Prevention Strategy against SARS-CoV-2 in Panama.

Early in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, many national public health authorities implemented non-pharmaceutical interventions to mitigate disease outbreaks. Panamá established mandatory mask use two months after its first documented case. Initial compliance was high, but diverse masks were used in public areas. We studied behavioral dynamics of mask use through the first two COVID-19 waves in Panama, to improve the implementation of effective, low-cost public health containment measures when populations are exposed to novel air-borne pathogens. Mask use behavior was recorded from pedestrians in four Panamanian populations (August to December 2020). We recorded facial coverings and if used, the type of mask, and gender and estimated age of the wearer. Our results showed that people were highly compliant (>95%) with mask mandates and demonstrated important population-level behaviors: (1) decreasing use of cloth masks over time, and increasing use of surgical masks; (2) mask use was 3-fold lower in suburban neighborhoods than other public areas and (3) young people were least likely to wear masks. Results help focus on highly effective, low-cost, public health interventions for managing and controlling a pandemic. Considerations of behavioral preferences for different masks, relative to pricing and availability, are essential for optimizing public health policies. Policies to increase the availability of effective masks, and behavioral nudges to increase acceptance, and to facilitate mask usage, during the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, and for future pandemics of respiratory pathogens, are key tools, especially for nations lagging in access to expensive vaccines and pharmacological approaches