Using static analysis for automatic assessment and mitigation of unwanted and malicious activities within Android applications

In the last decade, smartphones have gained widespread usage. Since the advent of online application stores, hundreds of thousands of applications have become instantly available to millions of smart-phone users. Within the Android ecosystem, application security is governed by digital signatures and a list of coarse-grained permissions. However, this mechanism is not fine-grained enough to provide the user with a sufficient means of control of the applications' activities. Abuse of highly sensible private information such as phone numbers without users' notice is the result. We show that there is a high frequency of privacy leaks even among widely popular applications. Together with the fact that the majority of the users are not proficient in computer security, this presents a challenge to the engineers developing security solutions for the platform. Our contribution is twofold: first, we propose a service which is able to assess Android Market applications via static analysis and provide detailed, but readable reports to the user. Second, we describe a means to mitigate security and privacy threats by automated reverse-engineering and refactoring binary application packages according to the users' security preferences.

Estrategia de internacionalización en el sector vitivinícola: análisis de casos

[ES]En este Trabajo de Fin de Grado se trata el tema de la internacionalización en el sector vitivinícola, expresando brevemente la importancia del sector agroalimentario, del cual es parte el área analizada. Será analizado mediante casos prácticos, se estudiarán dos de las bodegas más importantes de España, establecidas en dos comunidades autónomas que son productoras y distribuidoras de vino históricamente; Bodegas Eguren-Ugarte, afincada en el País Vasco y una de las marcas más conocidas a nivel nacional; Bodegas Torres, afincada en la Cataluña y una de las marcas más conocidas tanto a nivel nacional como mundial. Mediante la realización de entrevistas a responsables de comercio exterior busco por una parte afianzar mis aptitudes en cuanto a la relación con grandes empresarios, intentando conocer mejor como trabajan e intentando mejorar el cara a cara con personas influyentes. Por otro lado, pretendo identificar las características diferenciales del proceso de internacionalización del sector vitivinícola, para conocer mejor el sector y la manera en la que las empresas bodegueras realizan su expansión internacional. En tercer lugar, y debido a que el sector vitivinícola crece y se moderniza a grandes velocidades, conocer las nuevas vías de comercialización de producto. Por último, y en menor grado, debido a la falta de información, trato de valorarla participación de los entes públicos (estatales, autonómicos o europeos) dentro del proceso de internacionalización y si esta participación es influyente.

Independent Transport and Sorting of Functionally Distinct Protein Families in Tetrahymena thermophila Dense Core Secretory Granules

Dense core granules (DCGs) in Tetrahymena thermophila contain two protein classes. Proteins in the first class, called granule lattice (Grl), coassemble to form a crystalline lattice within the granule lumen. Lattice expansion acts as a propulsive mechanism during DCG release, and Grl proteins are essential for efficient exocytosis. The second protein class, defined by a C-terminal beta/gamma-crystallin domain, is poorly understood. Here, we have analyzed the function and sorting of Grt1p (granule tip), which was previously identified as an abundant protein in this family. Cells lacking all copies of GRT1, together with the closely related GRT2, accumulate wild-type levels of docked DCGs. Unlike cells disrupted in any of the major GRL genes, Delta GRT1 Delta GRT2 cells show no defect in secretion, indicating that neither exocytic fusion nor core expansion depends on GRT1. These results suggest that Grl protein sorting to DCGs is independent of Grt proteins. Consistent with this, the granule core lattice in Delta GRT1 Delta GRT2 cells appears identical to that in wild-type cells by electron microscopy, and the only biochemical component visibly absent is Grt1p itself. Moreover, gel filtration showed that Grl and Grt proteins in cell homogenates exist in nonoverlapping complexes, and affinity-isolated Grt1p complexes do not contain Grl proteins. These data demonstrate that two major classes of proteins in Tetrahymena DCGs are likely to be independently transported during DCG biosynthesis and play distinct roles in granule function. The role of Grt1p may primarily be postexocytic; consistent with this idea, DCG contents from Delta GRT1 Delta GRT2 cells appear less adhesive than those from the wild type.

En primaria aprende a aprender 3. Aprende a desarrollar la memoria.

Aprende a desarrollar la memoria es un programa de trabajo para el alumno de cuarto curso de primaria. Se ha estructurado en seis grandes apartados: la memoria y los tipos de memoria; los factores que favorecen y los factores que perjudican a la memoria; las técnicas mnemónicas; el olvido y el repaso; juegos para desarrollar la memoria; y repaso y autoexamen final. En el primero, el alumno distinguirá los principales tipos de memoria reconociendo los más esenciales para trabajar con éxito en su labor de estudiante. En el segundo adquirirá conciencia de los elementos que benefician la memoria realizando los ejercicios pertinentes para afianzarlos y aplicarlos cotidianamente. El tercer capítulo trata de las técnicas mnemónicas empíricamente más comprobadas introduciendo al estudiante en la utilización de las mismas mediante una adecuada secuenciación de actividades agradables y divertidas. A través del tema del olvido y el repaso el alumno sabrá cuándo el olvido actúa con mayor virulencia y la forma de contrarrestarlo por medio de una idónea programación de los repasos. Los juegos para desarrollar la memoria permiten la posibilidad de ser practicados tanto a nivel individual como grupal, esto facilita al profesor,-a su utilización en la clase y al alumno,-a su realización personal. Para terminar, se hace un repaso y autoexamen final.

Impartiality in humans is predicted by brain structure of dorsomedial prefrontal cortex.

The moral force of impartiality (i.e. the equal treatment of all human beings) is imperative for providing justice and fairness. Yet, in reality many people become partial during intergroup interactions; they demonstrate a preferential treatment of ingroup members and a discriminatory treatment of outgroup members. Some people, however, do not show this intergroup bias. The underlying sources of these inter-individual differences are poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that the larger the gray matter volume and thickness of the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (DMPFC), the more individuals in the role of an uninvolved third-party impartially punish outgroup and ingroup perpetrators. Moreover, we show evidence for a possible mechanism that explains the impact of DMPFC's gray matter volume on impartiality, namely perspective-taking. Large gray matter volume of DMPFC seems to facilitate equal perspective-taking of all sides, which in turn leads to impartial behavior. This is the first evidence demonstrating that brain structure of the DMPFC constitutes an important source underlying an individual's propensity for impartiality.

Russia's interest in the Mistral: the political and military aspects. OSW Commentary No. 41, 2010-10-11

The negotiations over Russia’s purchase of French Mistral-class multipurpose assault ships, which were intensified in 2010, have gained a significant political dimension. The prospects of such a spectacular acquisition of large and expensive assault ships from one of NATO’s member states are being used by Russia to demonstrate that it has opened a new stage of relations with Western Europe. Paris has welcomed Russia’s desire to embark on military cooperation; for France, the Mistral deal has become a convenient tool to prove that relations with Russia are becoming increasingly normal, and that Russia poses no threat to the European security.