NEMESYS: Enhanced Network Security for Seamless Service Provisioning in the Smart Mobile Ecosystem

As a consequence of the growing popularity of smart mobile devices, mobile malware is clearly on the rise, with attackers targeting valuable user information and exploiting vulnerabilities of the mobile ecosystems. With the emergence of large-scale mobile botnets, smartphones can also be used to launch attacks on mobile networks. The NEMESYS project will develop novel security technologies for seamless service provisioning in the smart mobile ecosystem, and improve mobile network security through better understanding of the threat landscape. NEMESYS will gather and analyze information about the nature of cyber-attacks targeting mobile users and the mobile network so that appropriate counter-measures can be taken. We will develop a data collection infrastructure that incorporates virtualized mobile honeypots and a honeyclient, to gather, detect and provide early warning of mobile attacks and better understand the modus operandi of cyber-criminals that target mobile devices. By correlating the extracted information with the known patterns of attacks from wireline networks, we will reveal and identify trends in the way that cyber-criminals launch attacks against mobile devices.Comment: Accepted for publication in Proceedings of the 28th International Symposium on Computer and Information Sciences (ISCIS'13); 9 pages; 1 figur

The Functional Aspect of Translations

Among the multiple qualifiers that the XXIst century has deserved – the century of speed,the century of computers, the century of great discoveries in various domains, it is also named thecentury of translations. This title is wholly justified, considering the fact that the information amountthat is used nowadays by people from various spheres and activities, has increased to astronomicproportions, and translations contribute to the circulation of information overcoming linguistic andcultural obstacles. The merit of translation is that it assures to people of all countries the possibility tocommunicate and share precious values throughout time. Each epoch necessitates its own translations.That is whatever translation needs to be renewed from time to time. This fact is wholly explicable - itis known that periodic translations contribute substantially to the consolidation of the original literarywriting, because the transposition of the original is produced by stylistic and linguistic means of thelanguage into which the literary writing is translated that is specific to a particular period or even acertain historic moment. The problem of translations requires a further and deeper investigation,especially nowadays, when the approach, the interaction and the reciprocal enrichment of culturestake place

Sex dependent differences in renal angiotensinogen as an early marker of diabetic nephropathy

AIM: The renal renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. The aim of this study was to investigate sex differences in renal renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and the roles of androgens in diabetes-associated renal injury. METHODS: Renal injury and fibrosis was studied in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by albuminuria and by gene expression of collagen-I and fibronectin. RAS was investigated by analyzing the plasma angiotensinogen (AOGEN) and renin activity (PRA) and their renal gene expression. Also, a group of diabetic rats was treated with the antiandrogen flutamide. RESULTS: Albuminuria was significantly lower in diabetic females than in males (1.2 [0.8-1.5] vs. 4.4 [2.2-6.1] mg/24h, data are median [IQR] values, p0.05), as were collagen-I and fibronectin mRNAs. Furthermore, AOGEN mRNA levels were strongly correlated with albuminuria (Spearman r = 0.64, 95%[CI] 0.36 to 0.81, p< 0.0001). Diabetes decreased PRA, renal renin mRNA and plasma AOGEN in both females and males. Antiandrogen treatment decreased albuminuria only in diabetic males without affecting the endocrine or renal RAS. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that renal but not hepatic AOGEN or renin is positively associated with diabetic albuminuria and contribute to the sex-dependent differences in renal injury. Androgens may contribute to albuminuria in male independently of the RAS

Antidiuretic Effects of the Endothelin Receptor Antagonist Avosentan

Several clinical studies have investigated the potential benefits of endothelin receptor antagonism in chronic pathologies such as diabetic kidney disease. However, fluid retention and edema have been identified as major side effects of endothelin receptor antagonists. In the present study we hypothesized that avosentan which was described as a predominant ETA receptor antagonist would produce fluid retention at high concentrations where non-specific blockade of ETB receptors may occur. Incremental doses of the predominant ETA receptor antagonist SPP301 (0.003; 0.03; 3 mg/kg) were administered intravenously to anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats undergoing saline diuresis. Diuresis, glomerular filtration rate, and blood pressure (BP) were monitored. SPP301 decreased urine output (5.6; 34.8; 58.8% decrease from vehicle) and fractional excretion of water (5.7; 31.7; 56.4% decrease from vehicle) in a concentration-dependent manner. Glomerular filtration rate was unchanged while BP was reduced by 10 mmHg only by the highest dose of SPP301. Administration of the ETB selective receptor antagonist BQ-788 (3 mg/kg) following SPP301 3 mg/kg did not further decrease urine output or water excretion and was without effect on glomerular filtration rate. These data indicate that increasing concentrations of SPP301 may also block ETB receptors and cause antidiuresis. This effect could explain why fluid retention and edema occur during treatment with predominant ETA receptor blockers

Circadian system coordination: new perspectives beyond classical models

BackgroundThis review examines novel interaction mechanisms contributing to the robustness of circadian rhythms, focusing on enhanced communication between the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and peripheral clocks. While classical models explain biological clocks through molecular interactions and biochemical signaling, they incompletely account for several key features: precision maintenance despite cellular noise, rapid system-wide synchronization, and temperature compensation. We propose that the SCN, acting as a central hub, may utilize non-classical mechanisms to maintain robust synchronization of peripheral clocks, contributing to biological timekeeping stability. The clinical implications of this model are significant, potentially offering new approaches for treating circadian-related disorders through quantum-based interventions. Recent advances in quantum biosensors and diagnostic tools show promise for early detection and monitoring of circadian disruptions, while quantum-based therapeutic strategies may provide novel treatments for conditions ranging from sleep disorders to metabolic syndromes.Aim of reviewTo evaluate classical models of circadian rhythm robustness and propose a novel synchronization model incorporating quantum mechanical principles, supported by recent advances in quantum biology and chronobiology, with emphasis on potential clinical applications.Key scientific conceptsRecent research in quantum biology suggests potential mechanisms for enhanced circadian system coordination. The proposed model explores how quantum effects, including entanglement and coherence, may facilitate rapid system-wide synchronization and temporal coherence across tissues. These mechanisms could explain features not fully addressed by classical models: precision maintenance in noisy cellular environments, rapid resynchronization following environmental changes, temperature compensation of circadian periods, and sensitivity to weak electromagnetic fields. The framework integrates established chronobiology with quantum biological principles to explain system-wide temporal coordination and suggests new therapeutic approaches for circadian-related disorders

The Angiotensin-melatonin axis

Accumulating evidence indicates that various biological and neuroendocrine circadian rhythms may be disrupted in cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. These circadian alterations may contribute to the progression of disease. Our studies direct to an important role of angiotensin II and melatonin in the modulation of circadian rhythms. The brain renin-angiotensin system (RAS) may modulate melatonin synthesis, a hormone with well-established roles in regulating circadian rhythms. Angiotensin production in the central nervous system may not only influence hypertension but also appears to affect the circadian rhythm of blood pressure. Drugs acting on RAS have been proven effective in the treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders including hypertension and diabetes mellitus (DM). On the other hand, since melatonin is capable of ameliorating metabolic abnormalities in DM and insulin resistance, the beneficial effects of RAS blockade could be improved through combined RAS blocker and melatonin therapy. Contemporary research is evidencing the existence of specific clock genes forming central and peripheral clocks governing circadian rhythms. Further research on the interaction between these two neurohormones and the clock genes governing circadian clocks may progress our understanding on the pathophysiology of disease with possible impact on chronotherapeutic strategies

Quantifying Effects of Pharmacological Blockers of Cardiac Autonomous Control Using Variability Parameters

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the most sensitive heart rate and blood pressure variability (HRV and BPV) parameters from a given set of well-known methods for the quantification of cardiovascular autonomic function after several autonomic blockades. Methods: Cardiovascular sympathetic and parasympathetic functions were studied in freely moving rats following peripheral muscarinic (methylatropine), β1-adrenergic (metoprolol), muscarinic + β1-adrenergic, α1-adrenergic (prazosin), and ganglionic (hexamethonium) blockades. Time domain, frequency domain and symbolic dynamics measures for each of HRV and BPV were classified through paired Wilcoxon test for all autonomic drugs separately. In order to select those variables that have a high relevance to, and stable influence on our target measurements (HRV, BPV) we used Fisher's Method to combine the p-value of multiple tests. Results: This analysis led to the following best set of cardiovascular variability parameters: The mean normal beat-to-beat-interval/value (HRV/BPV: meanNN), the coefficient of variation (cvNN = standard deviation over meanNN) and the root mean square differences of successive (RMSSD) of the time domain analysis. In frequency domain analysis the very-low-frequency (VLF) component was selected. From symbolic dynamics Shannon entropy of the word distribution (FWSHANNON) as well as POLVAR3, the non-linear parameter to detect intermittently decreased variability, showed the best ability to discriminate between the different autonomic blockades. Conclusion: Throughout a complex comparative analysis of HRV and BPV measures altered by a set of autonomic drugs, we identified the most sensitive set of informative cardiovascular variability indexes able to pick up the modifications imposed by the autonomic challenges. These indexes may help to increase our understanding of cardiovascular sympathetic and parasympathetic functions in translational studies of experimental diseases.Peer Reviewe

Corrosion behavior of new titanium alloy for biomedical applications

The biomedical field is in constant evolution and improvement, for such reason we’ve decided to search for a possible material to overcome the limitations of some of the most common biomaterials utilized, such as Titanium, known for its high biocompatibility and corrosion resistance and used for bone implants and bone fixation parts, or such as Zirconium, a material wuth good chemical stability and mechanical properties, with orthopedical and dental applications, our proposal is a material called R4, an alloy composed of Ti15Mo7Zr15TaSi, which we belive could one day overcome the previous materials in the biomedical field

Comparative study of Ti and Ti alloy for possible medical application

In the realm of modern medicine, the quest for innovation and improvement is relentless. One significant development that has transformed the landscape of medical devices and implants is the use of titanium and titanium alloys. Just as Titan stands as a resilient moon in the outer reaches of our cosmic neighborhood, titanium and its alloys have emerged as robust and versatile materials for a wide array of medical applications. From orthopedic implants to dental prosthetics, and even in cutting-edge biomedical engineering, titanium's exceptional combination of strength, biocompatibility, and corrosion resistance has made it an indispensable asset in modern medicine. Titanium and its alloys are not just elements on the periodic table; they are key elements in the quest for stronger, longer-lasting, and more effective medical treatments and devices

Preliminary studies of new Ti alloys with different Mo content

This work aims to investigate the mechanical characteristics and biocompatibility of two novel titanium alloys, Ti15Mo7Zr15Ta1Si and Ti20Mo7Zr15Ta0,75Si.These samples have previously undergone cutting, grinding, polishing, and chipping. The studied samples were subjected to electrochemical, metallographic and corrosion behavior. Ti15Mo7Zr15Ta1Si and Ti20Mo7Zr15Ta0.75Si, the study samples, have demonstrated high corrosion potentials, lower corrosion rates, and consequently higher corrosion resistance. In summary, this study's data indicates that both alloys exhibit good corrosion behavior