Ataques de seguridad en las FPGAs y cómo prevenirlos.

Este documento es un estudio de algunos ataques de seguridad a los dispositivos lógicos de propósito general, concretamente a las FPGA (del inglés Field Programmable Gate Array), que se han encontrado. Actualmente es muy común escuchar hablar de este tipo de dispositivos, las FPGA´s y sus múltiples contextos de aplicación, entre los que se encuentran procesos de aceleración, criptografía, entre otros. Sin embargo, se desconocen los ataques que éstas pueden sufrir. Con este documento se pretende mostrar algunos de los ataques conocidos y algunas formas de prevenirlos

European spaces and the Roma: Denaturalizing the naturalized in online reader comments

With the entry of several Eastern European nations into the European Union (EU), a “third” space has developed in the discourse for nations perceived as not fully integrated “inside” the EU system. This article investigates the construction of this “third space” in the resultant “moral panic” about undesired immigration from other EU countries and its potential drain on the social services of the United Kingdom and links it to Euroskeptic discourse in British media. The article uses construal operations from cognitive linguistics combined with critical discourse studies as a way of denaturalizing the discourse in online comments that focus on the Bulgarian/Romanian immigration issue which we then connect to anti-Roma discourse. Results reveal a view of the United Kingdom as contaminated by Roma and underscore the need for novel metaphors to be countered before they become entrenched and used as tools for political propaganda

Sistemas de monitoração de turbinas hidrocinéticas

Monografia (graduação)—Universidade de Brasília, Faculdade de Tecnologia, Departamento de Engenharia Mecânica, 2014.Neste trabalho é proposto um sistema de monitoração para o conjunto gerador da Turbina Hidrocinética HTUC-01, que vem sendo desenvolvida pela equipe do Projeto Tucunaré, uma parceria entre a Universidade de Brasília - UnB, a Eletronorte e outras universidades. O sistema de monitoração visa permitir avaliações de performance do conjunto gerador em funcionamento, fazendo parte de um programa de manutenção preditiva, também conhecida como manutenção baseada na condição (MBC). Considerando que a literatura sobre sistemas de monitoração de turbinas hidrocinéticas é bastante limitada, fez-se um estudo dos sistemas usados em turbinas eólicas e hidráulicas na tentativa de adaptá-los às turbinas hidrocinéticas, visto a grande semelhança entre os princípios de funcionamento e os componentes. Foram definidas as grandezas que devem ser medidas e suas respectivas posições de medição, ao mesmo tempo que foi especificada a instrumentação de trabalho e suas exigências. Nesse projeto também houve uma preocupação em utilizar um orçamento reduzido e ter baixas exigências de manutenção. _________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTIn this work is proposed a monitoring system for the generator set of the hydrokinetic turbine HTUC-01 that has been developed by the Project Tucunaré team, a partnership between the University of Brasilia - UnB, Eletronorte and other universities. The monitoring system seeks to allow assessments of performance of the generator set on load, playing a role in a predictive maintenance program, also known as condition-based maintenance (CBM). Since the literature about monitoring systems of hydrokinetic turbines is limited, systems applied in wind and hydraulic turbines were studied and an attempt was made to adapt it for the hydrokinetic turbines, for the similarity between the operating principles and components of both are huge. The quantities that need to be measured were defined, along with the positions in the system it had to be done, what equipment will be used to do that and the specifications of the equipment used. This project was also concerned about being a low-budget project and having low maintenance requirements

Nogo-A is secreted in extracellular vesicles, occurs in blood and can influence vascular permeability

Nogo-A is a transmembrane protein with multiple functions in the central nervous system (CNS), including restriction of neurite growth and synaptic plasticity. Thus far, Nogo-A has been predominantly considered a cell contact-dependent ligand signaling via cell surface receptors. Here, we show that Nogo-A can be secreted by cultured cells of neuronal and glial origin in association with extracellular vesicles (EVs). Neuron- and oligodendrocyte-derived Nogo-A containing EVs inhibited fibroblast spreading, and this effect was partially reversed by Nogo-A receptor S1PR2 blockage. EVs purified from HEK cells only inhibited fibroblast spreading upon Nogo-A over-expression. Nogo-A-containing EVs were found in vivo in the blood of healthy mice and rats, as well as in human plasma. Blood Nogo-A concentrations were elevated after acute stroke lesions in mice and rats. Nogo-A active peptides decreased barrier integrity in an in vitro blood-brain barrier model. Stroked mice showed increased dye permeability in peripheral organs when tested 2 weeks after injury. In the Miles assay, an in vivo test to assess leakage of the skin vasculature, a Nogo-A active peptide increased dye permeability. These findings suggest that blood borne, possibly EV-associated Nogo-A could exert long-range regulatory actions on vascular permeability

Community pharmacists’ knowledge, attitude, and practices towards dispensing antibiotics without prescription (DAwP): a cross-sectional survey in Makkah Province, Saudi Arabia

Objectives: To evaluate knowledge, attitude, and practices of community pharmacists towards dispensing antibiotics without prescription (DAwP) in Makkah Province, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between January and February 2016 using a structured, validated, and pilot-tested questionnaire. A four-step systematic approach was used to recruit community pharmacists who completed a 28-item questionnaire either in English or Arabic language based on their personal preference. Results: Of the 200 community pharmacists approached, 189 completed the questionnaire. More than two-thirds (70.5%) of the pharmacists were not aware that DAwP is illegal practice. Lack of patient willingness to consult a physician for a non-serious infection (69.9%) and an inability to afford a consultation with a physician (65.3%) were the most common reasons cited for DAwP. A statistically significant association was found between the number of antibiotics dispensed and educating patients about the importance of adherence and completion of the full course of antibiotics (p = 0.007). Conclusions: In general, community pharmacists have a poor understanding of the regulations prohibiting the over-the-counter sale of antibiotics in Saudi Arabia, explaining the high rate of DAwP in the country. A multifaceted approach consisting of educational interventions and improving the access to and affordability of healthcare facilities for the general public is required to effectively reduce DAwP and its negative consequences on public health

Telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter mutations in bladder cancer: High frequency across stages, detection in urine, and lack of association with outcome

Background Hotspot mutations in the promoter of the gene coding for telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) have been described and proposed to activate gene expression. Objectives To investigate TERT mutation frequency, spectrum, association with expression and clinical outcome, and potential for detection of recurrences in urine in patients with urothelial bladder cancer (UBC). D

Predictors of Hepatitis Knowledge Improvement Among Methadone Maintained Clients Enrolled in a Hepatitis Intervention Program

This randomized, controlled study (n = 256) was conducted to compare three interventions designed to promote hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination completion, among clients undergoing methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) in Los Angeles and Santa Monica. The participants were randomized into three groups: Motivational Interviewing-Single Session (MI-Single), Motivational Interviewing-Group (MI-Group), or Nurse-Led Hepatitis Health Promotion (HHP). All three treatment groups received the 3-series HAV/HBV vaccine. The MI sessions were provided by trained therapists, the Nurse-Led HHP sessions were delivered by a research nurse. The main outcome variable of interest was improvement in HBV and HCV knowledge, measured by a 6-item HBV and a 7-item HCV knowledge and attitude tool that was administered at baseline and at 6-month follow-up. The study results showed that there was a significant increase in HBV- and HCV-related knowledge across all three groups (p < 0.0001). There were no significant differences found with respect to knowledge acquisition among the groups. Irrespective of treatment group, gender (P = 0.008), study site (P < 0.0001) and whether a participant was abused as a child (P = 0.017) were all found to be predictors of HCV knowledge improvement; only recruitment site (P < 0.0001) was found to be a predictor of HBV knowledge. The authors concluded that, although MI-Single, MI-Group and Nurse-Led HHP are all effective in promoting HBV and HCV knowledge acquisition among MMT clients, Nurse-Led HHP may be the method of choice for this population as it may be easier to integrate and with additional investigation may prove to be more cost efficient

Blood–Brain Barrier Dysfunction in L-Ornithine Induced Acute Pancreatitis in Rats and the Direct Effect of L-Ornithine on Cultured Brain Endothelial Cells

BACKGROUND: In severe acute pancreatitis (AP) the CNS is affected manifesting in neurological symptoms. Earlier research from our laboratory showed blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability elevation in a taurocholate-induced AP model. Here we aimed to further explore BBB changes in AP using a different, non-invasive in vivo model induced by l-ornithine. Our goal was also to identify whether l-ornithine, a cationic amino acid, has a direct effect on brain endothelial cells in vitro contributing to the observed BBB changes. METHODS: AP was induced in rats by the intraperitoneal administration of l-ornithine-HCl. Vessel permeability and the gene expression of the primary transporter of l-ornithine, cationic amino acid transporter-1 (Cat-1) in the brain cortex, pancreas, liver and lung were determined. Ultrastructural changes were followed by transmission electron microscopy. The direct effect of l-ornithine was tested on primary rat brain endothelial cells and a triple co-culture model of the BBB. Viability and barrier integrity, including permeability and TEER, nitrogen monoxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and NF-κB translocation were measured. Fluorescent staining for claudin-5, occludin, ZO-1, β-catenin, cell adhesion molecules Icam-1 and Vcam-1 and mitochondria was performed. Cell surface charge was measured by laser Doppler velocimetry. RESULTS: In the l-ornithine-induced AP model vessel permeability for fluorescein and Cat-1 expression levels were elevated in the brain cortex and pancreas. On the ultrastructural level surface glycocalyx and mitochondrial damage, tight junction and basal membrane alterations, and glial edema were observed. l-ornithine decreased cell impedance and elevated the BBB model permeability in vitro. Discontinuity in the surface glycocalyx labeling and immunostaining of junctional proteins, cytoplasmic redistribution of ZO-1 and β-catenin, and elevation of Vcam-1 expression were measured. ROS production was increased and mitochondrial network was damaged without NF-κB, NO production or mitochondrial membrane potential alterations. Similar ultrastructural changes were seen in l-ornithine treated brain endothelial cells as in vivo. The basal negative zeta potential of brain endothelial cells became more positive after l-ornithine treatment. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated BBB damage in the l-ornithine-induced rat AP model suggesting a general, AP model independent effect. l-ornithine induced oxidative stress, decreased barrier integrity and altered BBB morphology in a culture BBB model. These data suggest a direct effect of the cationic l-ornithine on brain endothelium. Endothelial surface glycocalyx injury was revealed both in vivo and in vitro, as an additional novel component of the BBB-related pathological changes in AP. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12987-022-00308-0