An ontology-driven framework for knowledge representation of digital extortion attacks

With the COVID-19 pandemic and the growing influence of the Internet in critical sectors of industry and society, cyberattacks have not only not declined, but have risen sharply. In the meantime, ransomware is at the forefront of the most devastating threats that have launched the lucrative illegal business. Due to the proliferation and variety of ransomware forays, there is a need for a new theory of categories. The intricacy and multiplicity of components involved in digital extortions entails the construction of a knowledge representation system that is able to organize large volumes of information from heterogeneous sources in a formal structured format and infer new knowledge from it. This paper suggests and develops a dedicated ontology of digital blackmails, called Rantology, with a particular focus on ransomware assaults. The logic coded in this ontology allows to assess the maliciousness of programs based on various factors, including called API functions and their behaviors. The proposed framework can be used to facilitate interoperability between cybersecurity experts and knowledge-based systems, and identify sensitive points for surveillance. The evaluation results based on several criteria confirm the adequacy of the suggested ontology in terms of clarity, modularity, consistency, coverage and inheritance richness.

Estudio etnobotánico de áreas del noroeste de la provincia de Isfahan, Iran

Irán es un país que ha utilizado de manera destacada las plantas medicinales desde la antigüedad. En este estudio, documentamos los datos etnobotánicos de los condados de Golpayegan, Shahin Shahr y Meymeh (provincia de Isfahán) por primera vez en Irán. El estudio de campo y la recolección de plantas se realizaron en diferentes temporadas en 2016 y 2017. Los datos etnobotánicos se analizaron utilizando información proveniente de cuestionarios realizados a 27 informantes. En total, se registraron 48 plantas de 24 familias de las áreas estudiadas. Las familias Asteraceae (36%) y Lamiaceae (23%) son las que contienen un mayor número de plantas citadas. Las hojas (45,83%) y las semillas (18,75%) son las partes de planta más utilizadas. Este estudio indica la importancia de las plantas útiles de las áreas estudiadas y la necesidad de realizar este tipo de investigación en otras partes del país con el fin de preservar esta valiosa información de los habitantes locales.

Molecular imaging and cancer gene therapy

Gene therapy is known as one of the most advanced approaches for therapeutic prospects ranging from tackling genetic diseases to combating cancer. In this approach, different viral and nonviral vector systems such as retrovirus, lentivirus, plasmid and transposon have been designed and employed. These vector systems are designed to target different therapeutic genes in various tissues and cells such as tumor cells. Therefore, detection of the vectors containing therapeutic genes and monitoring of response to the treatment are the main issues that are commonly faced by researchers. Imaging techniques have been critical in guiding physicians in the more accurate and precise diagnosis and monitoring of cancer patients in different phases of malignancies. Imaging techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) are non-invasive and powerful tools for monitoring of the distribution of transgene expression over time and assessing patients who have received therapeutic genes. Here, we discuss most recent advances in cancer gene therapy and molecular approaches as well as imaging techniques that are utilized to detect cancer gene therapeutics and to monitor the patients' response to these therapies worldwide, particularly in Iranian Academic Medical Centers and Hospitals.Cancer Gene Therapy advance online publication, 18 November 2016; doi:10.1038/cgt.2016.62.

Effect of immunomodulator daraprim on potentiation of vaccine protection of leishmania major in BALB/c mice

In this study, a crude leishmanial antigen, was prepared by son icating Leishmania major promastigotes used to induce immunity in BALB/c mice against cutaneous leishmaniasis. Correlation between the route of antigen injection and the efficacy of induced protection was examined. To enhance the effectiveness of the antigen, an irnmunostimulant drug, daraprim (pyrimethamine), was administered simultaneously with the antigen. The experiment demonstrated that simultaneous intraperitoneal injection of the antigen and daraprim resulted in protection from subsequent development of cutaneous lesions. Results of lymphocyte proliferation from mice immunized with either the antigen or antigen-daraprim mixture showed a signficant response to the antigen. The results suggest that daraprim can be used in prophylaxis programs to enhance the effectiveness of vaccines for cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Systematic study of Bromus danthoniae (Poaceae) native to Iran

In this study different varieties of Bromus danthoniae in Iran are considered. Qualitative and quantitative morphological characters were evaluated for 32 accessions. Epidermal features were also studied for these accessions. The most variable morphological characters in the species delimitation were also determined. The varieties show significant variations in features as Awn status, Spike and spikelet length, Nerve number of Upper Glume, Lemma, Palea and Caryopsis length. Diagnostic features based on studied characters are identified and the varieties relationships are discussed.

Morphological and anatomical studies on Ziziphora clinopodioides Lam. (Labiatae)

In this study 39 macro-morphological features of 8 populations of Z. clinopodioides Lam. were studied to find their diagnostic features for distinguishing their different subspecies in Iran. Micro-morphological characters of epidermis and pollen grains were considered. In order to determine the most variable morphological characters among the species studied, factor analysis based on principal components analysis was performed using SPSS ver. 9. Palynological studies show the general form of tribe Mentheae. According to the present results, the pollen morphology in Ziziphora clinopodioides may be helpful in elucidating the infra specific relationships. Leaf micro-characters of epidermis were shown to be of great importance in the taxonomy of the Z. clinopodioides subspecies. Using complement macro-characters for taxonomic purposes is highly recommended in Ziziphora L.

New Bromus (Poaceae) record for the flora of Iran

Bromus danthoniae var. uniaristata Melderis (Poaceae) is recorded for the first time for the flora of Iran.