GDOM: Granulometry for the Detection of Obfuscated Malware

We describe the results of a master\u27s thesis in malware detection and discuss the connection to the learning goals of the project. As part of the thesis, we studied obfuscation of malware, conversion of files into images, image processing, and machine learning, a process of benefit to both the student and faculty. Malware detection becomes significantly more difficult when the malicious specimen is obfuscated or transformed in an attempt to avoid detection. However, computer files have been shown to exhibit evidence of structure when converted into images, so with image processing filters such as granulometry, it is possible to generate a set of features which will help characterize malicious and non-malicious files. If the structures of file-derived images are resistant to obfuscation, these images may be of valuable use in providing malware signatures. We explore image generated file features and their effectiveness to identify malware when used with various machine learning classifiers

Impact of maritime traffic on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, metals and particulate matter in Venice air

Harbours are important hubs for economic growth in both tourism and commercial activities. They are also an environmental burden being a source of atmospheric pollution often localized near cities and industrial complexes. The aim of this study is to quantify the relative contribution of maritime traffic and harbour activities to atmospheric pollutant concentration in the Venice lagoon. The impact of ship traffic was quantified on various pollutants that are not directly included in the current European legislation for shipping emission reduction: (i) gaseous and particulate PAHs; (ii) metals in PM10; and (iii) PM10 and PM2.5. All contributions were correlated with the tonnage of ships during the sampling periods and results were used to evaluate the impact of the European Directive 2005/33/EC on air quality in Venice comparing measurements taken before and after the application of the Directive (year 2010). The outcomes suggest that legislation on ship traffic, which focused on the issue of the emissions of sulphur oxides, could be an efficient method also to reduce the impact of shipping on primary particulate matter concentration; on the other hand, we did not observe a significant reduction in the contribution of ship traffic and harbour activities to particulate PAHs and metals

Progress and perspectives in the low-energy kaon-nucleon/nuclei interaction studies at the DAΦNE collider

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Successful Treatment of Suicidal Risk

Abstract. Background: In this article we focused on analyzing surveyed patient-generated responses based on two outcome questions derived from a suicide-specific framework called the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS): Q1 – "Were there any aspects of your treatment that were particularly helpful to you? If so, please describe these. Be as specific as possible." Q2 – "What have you learned from your clinical care that could help you if you became suicidal in the future?" Aims: To develop a reliable coding system based on formerly suicidal patients' responses to two open-ended prompts and examine most frequently identified themes. Method: The present study utilized a consensual qualitative research process to examine responses of clinically resolved suicidal patients, based on the CAMS resolution criteria (i.e., three consecutive CAMS sessions reporting the effective management of suicidal risk), to two Suicide Status Form (SSF) outcome questions (n = 49 for Q1, and n = 52 for Q2). Results: Reliable coding systems were developed and used to determine major themes of successful patient responses. Conclusion: The results of this study provide insight into patients' experiences of a successful treatment for suicidal risk with larger implications for suicide-specific treatments in general. </jats:p

best PhD poster Award, EEEIC15

The undergrounding of HV subtransmission networks in urban/suburban areas is bound to increase fault currents, especially for ground faults if system neutral is solidly grounded. A parametric fault analysis based on symmetrical components is applied to a sample HV system with three lines and two EHV points of supply, based on a simple meshed Italian subtransmission network. Results are then validated by detailed three-phase ATP-EMTP simulations. Values yielded by the parametric study confirm the expected increase of all fault levels, reaching up to 36% and 69% for three-phase and 1-phase-to-ground faults, and even 104% for the ground current of phase-to-phase-to-ground faults. All calculated values are however tolerable, with fault currents well within the operating envelope of devices and components; cross-bonded sheaths also significantly relieve substation grounding mats. Some consequences of undergrounding such as reduction of earth-fault factor may be actually beneficial