“Andromaly”: a behavioral malware detection framework for android devices

This article presents Andromaly—a framework for detecting malware on Android mobile devices. The proposed framework realizes a Host-based Malware Detection System that continuously monitors various features and events obtained from the mobile device and then applies Machine Learning anomaly detectors to classify the collected data as normal (benign) or abnormal (malicious). Since no malicious applications are yet available for Android, we developed four malicious applications, and evaluated Andromaly’s ability to detect new malware based on samples of known malware. We evaluated several combinations of anomaly detection algorithms, feature selection method and the number of top features in order to find the combination that yields the best performance in detecting new malware on Android. Empirical results suggest that the proposed framework is effective in detecting malware on mobile devices in general and on Android in particular.     

Prenatal diagnosis of vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation: report of two cases with proposal for prognostic indices

Vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation (VGAM) is a rare, intracranial vascular anomaly that, until recently, has usually been diagnosed postnatally. Today, however, with the advances in high-resolution ultrasonography and colour Doppler, prenatal diagnosis is relatively easy. Due to novel intravascular embolization techniques, the prognosis of neonates with VGAM has markedly improved. A healthy infant with normal neurodevelopmental and cardiovascular status is now a reality. For the best outcome, however, careful planning of the appropriate time, mode, and place of delivery should be undertaken. To achieve this goal, in utero prognostic factors should be determined. This report illustrates, for the first time, prenatal ultrasonographic indices that may predict the outcome in two cases with a prenatal diagnosis of VGAM. The indices included mapping of intracranial feeding arteries, assessment of the width of the straight sinus, assessment and measurement of flow in the straight sinus, existence of 'steal' retrograde aortic flow, and the appearance of high-output cardiac state. By using these prenatal ultrasonographic parameters, fetal outcome may be predicted and appropriate management decided upon.     

Reflections on Schur-Cohn matrices and Jury-Marden tables and classification of related unit circle zero location criteria

We use the so-calledreflection coefficients (RCs) to examine, review, and classify the Schur-Cohn and Marden-Jury (SCMJ) class of tests for determining the zero location of a discrete-time system polynomial with respect to the unit circle. These parameters are taken as a platform to propose a partition of the SCMJ class into four useful types of schemes. The four types differ in the sequence of polynomials (the table) they associate with the tested polynomials by scaling factors: (A) a sequence of monic polynomials, (B) a sequence of least arithmetic operations, (C) a sequence that produces the principal minors of the Schur-Cohn matrix, and (D) a sequence that avoids division arithmetic. A direct derivation of a zero location rule in terms of the RCs is first provided and then used to track a proper zero location rule in terms of the leading coefficients of the polynomials of the B, C, and D scheme prototypes. We review many of the published stability tests in the SCMJ class and show that each can be sorted into one of these four types. This process is instrumental in extending some of the tests from stability conditions to zero location, from real to complex polynomial, in providing a proof of tests stated without a proof, or in correcting some inaccuracies. Another interesting outcome of the current approach is that a byproduct of developing a zero location rule for the Type C test is one more proof for the relation between the zero location of a polynomial and the inertia of its Schur-Cohn matrix.This research was supported by Grant No. 88-425 from the United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation (BSF), Jerusalem, Israel.     

The role of interparticle and external forces in nanoparticle assembly

The past 20 years have witnessed simultaneous multidisciplinary explosions in experimental techniques for synthesizing new materials, measuring and manipulating nanoscale structures, understanding biological processes at the nanoscale, and carrying out large-scale computations of many-atom and complex macromolecular systems. These advances have led to the new disciplines of nanoscience and nanoengineering. For reasons that are discussed here, most nanoparticles do not 'self-assemble' into their thermodynamically lowest energy state, and require an input of energy or external forces to 'direct' them into particular structures or assemblies. We discuss why and how a combination of self- and directed-assembly processes, involving interparticle and externally applied forces, can be applied to produce desired nanostructured materials.     

Combat flow: Military, political, and ethical dimensions of subjective well-being in war.

The theory of flow argues that subjective well-being results from absorption in an activity that strikes a good balance between challenges and skills. This absorption has been termed flow. Such absorption is often reported in combat situations, in which it contributes both to the subjective well-being and to the efficiency of soldiers. This article suggests that combat flow may have been central to military training and military performance throughout history. The study of combat flow could therefore shed new light on military history and form the basis for the development of new training techniques. The article simultaneously probes the ethical and political implications of manipulating the subjective well-being of soldiers in such a way. It cautions scholars of flow and subjective well-being that they should be aware of the ethical and political implications of their studies and warns against the dangerous political results of equating subjective well-being with happiness. The article further calls for greater cooperation between psychologists and historians in the study of well-being. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Use of nanosized catalysts for transformation of chloro-organic pollutants

A new method to transform anthropogenic, chloro-organic compounds (COC) by use of nanosized molecular catalysts immobilized in sol-gel matrixes is presented. COC represent a serious threat to soil and groundwater quality. Metalloporphyrinogens are nanometer sized molecules that are known to catalyze degradation of COC by reduction reactions. In the current study, metalloporphyrinogens were immobilized in sol--gel matrixes with pore throat diameters of nanometers. The catalytic activity of the matrix arrays for anaerobic reduction of tetrachloroethylene (PCE), trichloroethylene (TCE), and carbon tetrachloride (CT) was examined. Experiments were performed under conditions pertinent to groundwater systems, with titanium citrate and zero-valent iron as electron donors. All chloroorganic compounds were reduced in the presence of several sol-gel-metalloporphyrinogen hybrids (heterogeneous catalysts). For example, cobalt-5,10,15,20-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-21H,23H-porphine (TP(OH)P-Co) and cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) reduced CT concentrations to less than 5% of their initial values in a matter of hours. Cyanocobalamin was found to reduce PCE to trace amounts in less than 48 h and TCE to less than 25% of its initial concentration in 144 h. The reactions were compared to their homogeneous (without sol-gel matrix) analogues. The reduction activity of COC for the homogeneous and heterogeneous systems ranged between similar reactivity in some cases to lower reduction rates for the heterogeneous system. These lower rates are, however, compensated by the ability to encapsulate and reuse the catalyst. Experiments with cyanocobalamin showed that the catalyst could be reused over at least 12 successive cycles of 24 h each.