FuzzTheREST - Intelligent Automated Blackbox RESTful API Fuzzer

In recent years, the pervasive influence of technology has deeply intertwined with human life, impacting diverse fields. This relationship has evolved into a dependency, with software systems playing a pivotal role, necessitating a high level of trust. Today, a substantial portion of software is accessed through Application Programming Interfaces, particularly web APIs, which predominantly adhere to the Representational State Transfer architecture. However, this architectural choice introduces a wide range of potential vulnerabilities, which are available and accessible at a network level. The significance of Software testing becomes evident when considering the widespread use of software in various daily tasks that impact personal safety and security, making the identification and assessment of faulty software of paramount importance. In this thesis, FuzzTheREST, a black-box RESTful API fuzzy testing framework, is introduced with the primary aim of addressing the challenges associated with understanding the context of each system under test and conducting comprehensive automated testing using diverse inputs. Operating from a black-box perspective, this fuzzer leverages Reinforcement Learning to efficiently uncover vulnerabilities in RESTful APIs by optimizing input values and combinations, relying on mutation methods for input exploration. The system's value is further enhanced through the provision of a thoroughly documented vulnerability discovery process for the user. This proposal stands out for its emphasis on explainability and the application of RL to learn the context of each API, thus eliminating the necessity for source code knowledge and expediting the testing process. The developed solution adheres rigorously to software engineering best practices and incorporates a novel Reinforcement Learning algorithm, comprising a customized environment for API Fuzzy Testing and a Multi-table Q-Learning Agent. The quality and applicability of the tool developed are also assessed, relying on the results achieved on two case studies, involving the Petstore API and an Emotion Detection module which was part of the CyberFactory#1 European research project. The results demonstrate the tool's effectiveness in discovering vulnerabilities, having found 7 different vulnerabilities and the agents' ability to learn different API contexts relying on API responses while maintaining reasonable code coverage levels.Ultimamente, a influência da tecnologia espalhou-se pela vida humana de uma forma abrangente, afetando uma grande diversidade dos seus aspetos. Com a evolução tecnológica esta acabou por se tornar uma dependência. Os sistemas de software começam assim a desempenhar um papel crucial, o que em contrapartida obriga a um elevado grau de confiança. Atualmente, uma parte substancial do software é implementada em formato de Web APIs, que na sua maioria seguem a arquitetura de transferência de estado representacional. No entanto, esta introduz uma série vulnerabilidade. A importância dos testes de software torna-se evidente quando consideramos o amplo uso de software em várias tarefas diárias que afetam a segurança, elevando ainda mais a importância da identificação e mitigação de falhas de software. Nesta tese é apresentado o FuzzTheREST, uma framework de teste fuzzy de APIs RESTful num modelo caixa preta, com o objetivo principal de abordar os desafios relacionados com a compreensão do contexto de cada sistema sob teste e a realização de testes automatizados usando uma variedade de possíveis valores. Este fuzzer utiliza aprendizagem por reforço de forma a compreender o contexto da API que está sob teste de forma a guiar a geração de valores de teste, recorrendo a métodos de mutação, para descobrir vulnerabilidades nas mesmas. Todo o processo desempenhado pelo sistema é devidamente documentado para que o utilizador possa tomar ações mediante os resultados obtidos. Esta explicabilidade e aplicação de inteligência artificial para aprender o contexto de cada API, eliminando a necessidade de analisar código fonte e acelerando o processo de testagem, enaltece e distingue a solução proposta de outras. A solução desenvolvida adere estritamente às melhores práticas de engenharia de software e inclui um novo algoritmo de aprendizagem por reforço, que compreende um ambiente personalizado para testagem Fuzzy de APIs e um Agente de QLearning com múltiplas Q-tables. A qualidade e aplicabilidade da ferramenta desenvolvida também são avaliadas com base nos resultados obtidos em dois casos de estudo, que envolvem a conhecida API Petstore e um módulo de Deteção de Emoções que fez parte do projeto de investigação europeu CyberFactory#1. Os resultados demonstram a eficácia da ferramenta na descoberta de vulnerabilidades, tendo identificado 7 vulnerabilidades distintas, e a capacidade dos agentes em aprender diferentes contextos de API com base nas respostas da mesma, mantendo níveis de cobertura aceitáveis

Caracterização da população jovem açoriana com diabetes tipo 1 : estudo de fatores de risco nutricionais e ambientais

Dissertação de Mestrado em Ciências do Consumo Alimentar apresentada à Universidade AbertaA Diabetes Mellitus (DM) tipo 1 é uma doença metabólica, sistémica e crónica, causada por deficiência absoluta ou relativa da hormona insulina. Apesar da influência genética para a destruição autoimune das células-β pancreáticas, menos de 10% dos indivíduos geneticamente suscetíveis progridem para a manifestação da doença. Neste sentido, os fatores ambientais vêm sendo implicados na patogenicidade da DM 1. Foi objetivo deste estudo caracterizar um grupo de jovens açorianos com DM 1 de idade inferior aos 20 anos, avaliando a sua exposição a fatores ambientais de risco para a DM 1 durante a gravidez e período da infância anterior ao diagnóstico da doença, bem como os seus hábitos de alimentação no 1º ano de vida. A metodologia do estudo teve como base a realização de entrevistas telefónicas, efetuadas entre setembro e dezembro de 2013, às mães de 53 jovens com DM 1 de idade igual ou inferior a 20 anos e com residência na Região Autónoma dos Açores, desde o nascimento, até ao momento de diagnóstico da doença. O inquérito aplicado contemplou os possíveis fatores ambientais e nutricionais de risco para o desenvolvimento de DM 1. A análise estatística foi realizada no programa IBM SPSS Statistics 22. Os resultados demonstraram que as crianças açorianas com DM 1 são diagnosticadas, em média, mais cedo e maioritariamente nos meses mais quentes, ao contrário do que está descrito na literatura internacional. Os resultados também evidenciaram uma baixa frequência e curta duração de amamentação materna e frequências consideráveis de introdução precoce de alimentos sólidos, glúten e leite de vaca, fatores nutricionais que poderão estar associados a um maior risco de esenvolvimento de DM 1. As progenitoras com menos escolaridade são as que menos amamentam e o fazem durante menos tempo, as que mais cedo introduzem alimentos sólidos e leite de vaca na alimentação dos filhos e as que menos suplementam os filhos em vitamina D. As crianças que não foram amamentadas bem como as que foram amamentadas durante menos tempo, foram, tendencialmente, diagnosticadas mais cedo, apesar das comparações não apresentarem significado estatístico. Os jovens açorianos com DM 1 apresentaram na infância (antes do diagnóstico da doença), percentagens de excesso de peso ou obesidade superiores à média das crianças em geral de Portugal continental. Em conclusão, estes resultados reforçam a importância da elaboração de políticas assertivas para o cumprimento das recomendações de alimentação no 1º ano de vida, particularmente destinadas a progenitoras com menor escolaridade.Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus is a metabolic, systemic and chronic disease caused by an absolute or relative deficiency of insulin hormone. Despite the genetic influence for the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β-cells, only less than 10% of genetically susceptible individuals progress to clinical disease. This implies that environmental factors are implicated in the pathogenesis of T1DM. This study aimed to characterize a group of Azorean youths with T1DM aged 20 or less years of age, assessing their exposure to environmental risk factors for T1DM during pregnancy and the period prior to diagnosis of the disease, as well as their feeding habits in the 1st year of life. Methodology was based on telephonic interviews, conducted between September and December of 2013, to the mothers of 53 children with T1DM aged less than 20 years of age and residing in the Azores, from birth to the time of diagnosis. The survey applied contemplated the possible environmental and nutritional risk factors for the development of DM 1. Statistical analysis was performed using the program IBM SPSS Statistics 22. Results show that the Azorean youth with T1DM were diagnosed, on average, earlier and mostly in the warmer months, unlike the described in the international literature. The population studied showed a low frequency and short duration of breastfeeding and sizable frequency of early introduction of solid foods, gluten and cow’s milk. These nutritional factors may be associated with an increased risk of developing T1DM. Mothers with less education were the ones who breastfed in lower frequency and did it for shorter period, sooner introduced solid foods and cow's milk in the diet of children and who least supplemented their children with vitamin D. Children who were not breastfed and those who did it for a shorter period tended to be diagnosed earlier. Azorean children with T1DM had a higher prevalence of overweight in the period prior to the diagnosis of the diabetes, when compared with the average prevalence in Portugal. In conclusion, these results reinforce the importance of developing assertive strategies for compliance with feeding recommendations in the 1st year of life, particularly aimed to mothers with less education

Spatio-temporal study of diagnosis of rabies in vampire bats in Sergipe (Brazil), between 1987 and 2014

Rabies is a zoonosis of great importance for human and animal health, being responsible for a progressive and acute encephalitis in humans and animals. Considering that the correct viral identification has serious implications for the prophylaxis and treatment, is important a diagnostic system specifically designed for monitoring the infection cases. The objective of the study was to describe the occurrence of rabies in hematophagous bats (Desmodus rotundus) analyzing many diagnoses performed in the state of Sergipe. The objective of this study was to describe the occurrence of rabies in hematophagous bats (Desmodus rotundus) from an analysis of the diagnoses performed in the state of Sergipe. An observational, descriptive and retrospective study was conducted with the evaluation of 935 rabies diagnoses in bats (D. rotundus) between 1987 and 2014. It was noticed that only one case was positive in the city of Aracaju in the year 2000 and no positive bat was identified with the rabies virus in the rural area. The results show the need to increase the monitoring of rabies in other species of non-hematophagous bats, and especially in other wild reservoirs. It is suggested that the monitoring of rabies take into account the specific ecosystem of each region, since Brazil has continental dimensions and a great biological diversity

Sickle Cell Disease Chronic Joint Pain: Clinical Assessment Based on Maladaptive Central Nervous System Plasticity

Chronic joint pain (CJP) is among the significant musculoskeletal comorbidities in sickle cell disease (SCD) individuals. However, many healthcare professionals have difficulties in understanding and evaluating it. In addition, most musculoskeletal evaluation procedures do not consider central nervous system (CNS) plasticity associated with CJP, which is frequently maladaptive. This review study highlights the potential mechanisms of CNS maladaptive plasticity related to CJP in SCD and proposes reliable instruments and methods for musculoskeletal assessment adapted to those patients. A review was carried out in the PubMed and SciELO databases, searching for information that could help in the understanding of the mechanisms of CNS maladaptive plasticity related to pain in SCD and that presented assessment instruments/methods that could be used in the clinical setting by healthcare professionals who manage chronic pain in SCD individuals. Some maladaptive CNS plasticity mechanisms seem important in CJP, including the impairment of pain endogenous control systems, central sensitization, motor cortex reorganization, motor control modification, and arthrogenic muscle inhibition. Understanding the link between maladaptive CNS plasticity and CJP mechanisms and its assessment through accurate instruments and methods may help healthcare professionals to increase the quality of treatment offered to SCD patients

MAMMALS IN PORTUGAL : A data set of terrestrial, volant, and marine mammal occurrences in P ortugal

Mammals are threatened worldwide, with 26% of all species being includedin the IUCN threatened categories. This overall pattern is primarily associatedwith habitat loss or degradation, and human persecution for terrestrial mam-mals, and pollution, open net fishing, climate change, and prey depletion formarine mammals. Mammals play a key role in maintaining ecosystems func-tionality and resilience, and therefore information on their distribution is cru-cial to delineate and support conservation actions. MAMMALS INPORTUGAL is a publicly available data set compiling unpublishedgeoreferenced occurrence records of 92 terrestrial, volant, and marine mam-mals in mainland Portugal and archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira thatincludes 105,026 data entries between 1873 and 2021 (72% of the data occur-ring in 2000 and 2021). The methods used to collect the data were: live obser-vations/captures (43%), sign surveys (35%), camera trapping (16%),bioacoustics surveys (4%) and radiotracking, and inquiries that represent lessthan 1% of the records. The data set includes 13 types of records: (1) burrowsjsoil moundsjtunnel, (2) capture, (3) colony, (4) dead animaljhairjskullsjjaws, (5) genetic confirmation, (6) inquiries, (7) observation of live animal (8),observation in shelters, (9) photo trappingjvideo, (10) predators dietjpelletsjpine cones/nuts, (11) scatjtrackjditch, (12) telemetry and (13) vocalizationjecholocation. The spatial uncertainty of most records ranges between 0 and100 m (76%). Rodentia (n=31,573) has the highest number of records followedby Chiroptera (n=18,857), Carnivora (n=18,594), Lagomorpha (n=17,496),Cetartiodactyla (n=11,568) and Eulipotyphla (n=7008). The data setincludes records of species classified by the IUCN as threatened(e.g.,Oryctolagus cuniculus[n=12,159],Monachus monachus[n=1,512],andLynx pardinus[n=197]). We believe that this data set may stimulate thepublication of other European countries data sets that would certainly contrib-ute to ecology and conservation-related research, and therefore assisting onthe development of more accurate and tailored conservation managementstrategies for each species. There are no copyright restrictions; please cite thisdata paper when the data are used in publications.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Mammals in Portugal: a data set of terrestrial, volant, and marine mammal occurrences in Portugal

Mammals are threatened worldwide, with ~26% of all species being included in the IUCN threatened categories. This overall pattern is primarily associated with habitat loss or degradation, and human persecution for terrestrial mammals, and pollution, open net fishing, climate change, and prey depletion for marine mammals. Mammals play a key role in maintaining ecosystems functionality and resilience, and therefore information on their distribution is crucial to delineate and support conservation actions. MAMMALS IN PORTUGAL is a publicly available data set compiling unpublished georeferenced occurrence records of 92 terrestrial, volant, and marine mammals in mainland Portugal and archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira that includes 105,026 data entries between 1873 and 2021 (72% of the data occurring in 2000 and 2021). The methods used to collect the data were: live observations/captures (43%), sign surveys (35%), camera trapping (16%), bioacoustics surveys (4%) and radiotracking, and inquiries that represent less than 1% of the records. The data set includes 13 types of records: (1) burrows | soil mounds | tunnel, (2) capture, (3) colony, (4) dead animal | hair | skulls | jaws, (5) genetic confirmation, (6) inquiries, (7) observation of live animal (8), observation in shelters, (9) photo trapping | video, (10) predators diet | pellets | pine cones/nuts, (11) scat | track | ditch, (12) telemetry and (13) vocalization | echolocation. The spatial uncertainty of most records ranges between 0 and 100 m (76%). Rodentia (n =31,573) has the highest number of records followed by Chiroptera (n = 18,857), Carnivora (n = 18,594), Lagomorpha (n = 17,496), Cetartiodactyla (n = 11,568) and Eulipotyphla (n = 7008). The data set includes records of species classified by the IUCN as threatened (e.g., Oryctolagus cuniculus [n = 12,159], Monachus monachus [n = 1,512], and Lynx pardinus [n = 197]). We believe that this data set may stimulate the publication of other European countries data sets that would certainly contribute to ecology and conservation-related research, and therefore assisting on the development of more accurate and tailored conservation management strategies for each species. There are no copyright restrictions; please cite this data paper when the data are used in publications

Nutrição e futebol : monografia : nutrition and soccer

Contém um relatório de estágio curricular no Futebol Clube do Porto e na Federação Portuguesa de Voleibol, e no Hospital Geral de Santo António, Porto, no âmbito da licenciatura em Ciências da Nutrição pela Faculdade de Ciências da Nutrição e Alimentação da Universidade do Porto. O exemplar do relatório de estágio existe apenas em formato papel e está disponível para consulta na Biblioteca da FCNAUPTese de licenciatura em Ciências da Nutrição apresentada à Faculdade de Ciências da Nutrição e Alimentação da Universidade do PortoResumo da tese: Em função da sua duração, o futebol é um desporto principalmente dependente do metabolismo aeróbio. No entanto, a capacidade de realizar exercício de alta intensidade é cada vez mais o factor que separa os jogadores de classe mundial dos de qualidade inferior, pelo que a taxa de metabolismo anaeróbio é alta durante certos momentos de um jogo de futebol. Por conseguinte, as reservas de glicogénio muscular podem esgotar-se em algumas fibras nos momentos finais do jogo causando fadiga. Outras razões para a diminuição da performance são perdas de potássio para o meio extracelular, a seguir a períodos de alta intensidade, e a desidratação, especialmente em ambientes quentes e húmidos. As necessidades energéticas diárias de um futebolista rondam as 60 kcal por kg de massa magra. Um futebolista de alta competição deve ingerir entre 7-10g.kg-1 por dia de hidratos de carbono e 1,4- 1,7g.kg-1 de proteínas, tendo em consideração as particularidades dos momentos de ingestão. A ingestão de gordura não deve exceder os 30% do valor energético total diário. Um futebolista deve iniciar as sessões de exercício euhidratado, evitar níveis de desidratação superiores a 2% da massa corporal durante e repor fluidos e electrólitos perdidos no suor depois, com especial atenção ao sódio. O consumo de etanol é desaconselhado durante a época desportiva. De entre os suplementos com suposto efeito ergogénico usados e permitidos no futebol a cafeína e a creatina trazem benefícios comprovados para um futebolista. Ter uma composição corporal adequada é determinante para o desempeno desportivo. É também fundamental atentar as necessidades nutricionais particulares dos futebolistas adolescentes e femininos, bem como às exigências em competição em ambientes específicos, como a altitude, o calor e o frio.Thesis abstract: Soccer is a sport mainly dependent of aerobic metabolism. However, the capacity to realize high intensity exercises is, more and more, the main factor that differences top players from those with less quality, so the rate of anaerobic metabolism is high at some parts of the game. Therefore, some muscular fibres could run out of their glycogen reserves at the final part of the game, leading to fatigue. Other causes of performance decrease are potassium losses to the extracellular space, after high intensity periods, and dehydration, especially in hot and humid environments. The daily energetic needs of a soccer player are 60 kcal per kg of fat free mass. A competitive soccer player should reach an intake of carbohydrates around 7-10g.kg.day-1 and an intake of protein of 1,4-1,7g.kg.day-1, always considering the ideal time of ingestion of these macronutrients. Fat ingestion shouldn’t exceed 30% of their total energy intake. A soccer player should initiate the exercise sessions well hydrated; avoid levels of dehydration above 2% of their body mass during and afterwards replace the electrolytes lost in the sweat, particularly sodium. Alcohol consumption isn’t recommended during the sporting season. Creatine and caffeine are proved and allowed ergogenic aids in some exercise situations in soccer. An adequate body composition is determinant for a soccer player‘s performance. It’s also essential to notice the particular nutritional needs of the young and the female athlete, as well of soccer players performing in specific environments as altitude, heat and cold

Physiological and sanitary quality of organic tomato seeds treated with clove basil extracts

The seed treatment provides disease control before the crop installation, minimizing the pathogens control cost. However, there are few seed treatment alternatives to organic farming. In this sense, the objective of the study was to evaluate the physiological and sanitary quality of organic tomato seeds treated with clove basil extract. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design with a 2x5 factorial (extract concentrations x imbibition periods) for each seed lot. Six lots of tomato seeds produced under organic cultivation were used. The samples of the lots were stored in glass pots in a cold room at 16 ºC and 80% of relative humidity for 12 months. Seeds were treated with clove basil extract at concentrations of 5 and 10% for 0; 2.5; 5; 7.5 and 10 minutes. The seeds physiological and health quality were evaluated by the following tests: moisture content, germination, first count of germination, seedling emergence, emergence speed index and seed health. In general, the wild basil extract does not affect the physiological quality of tomato seeds. There were inhibitory and antifungal activity of Aspergillus sp. using basil extract, significantly reducing their impact on the seeds, for all evaluated factors. It was concluded that the clove basil extract inhibit the Aspergillus sp. incidence in organic tomato seeds, maintaining its physiological quality

Tolerance of crambe (Crambe abyssinica Hochst) to salinity and water stress during seed germination and initial seedling growth

ABSTRACT Crambe is an oilseed plant whose oil is suitable for various industrial purposes, such as production of biodiesel, plastics, rubbers, and cosmetics. There are reports of the rusticity of this species and its potential for growth in arid and semi-arid environments, where water scarcity and soil salinity are common. However, studies regarding the tolerance of its seeds to these stresses and the physiological responses triggered during germination and seedling establishment under these conditions are incipient. The objective of this study was to evaluate the tolerance of crambe seeds to water deficit and salt stress during germination and early seedling development, as well as to investigate the role of antioxidant enzymes on tolerance to these conditions. The seeds were exposed to water and salt stresses and their performance was analyzed. Seed water content, imbibition rate, percentage and speed of germination, and the base water potential for seed germination were evaluated. In the seedlings, the following measurements were made: root and shoot length, fresh and dry matter of roots and shoots, moisture content, and activity of the enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POX). Water deficit and salt stress reduce the water uptake rate of the seeds, the germination and growth of seedlings. The crambe seeds had higher tolerance to salt stress than to water deficit. Absorption of salt and the action of the SOD and CAT antioxidant enzymes are part of the tolerance mechanisms of crambe seeds to salt stress