Current Threats Research Articles

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REGULATIONS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION INTO THE NATIONAL LEGISLATION OF UKRAINE IN THE FIELD OF INVESTMENT IN CERTAIN INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT CONNECTIONS

The article examines the problematic issues of the implementation of European Union regulations into the national legislation of Ukraine in the sphere of investment in certain international transport connections. The main regulations in this area have been analyzed, and individual normative legal acts of Ukraine have been identified, which reflect the consequences of the implementation of the European Union regulations in the process of investment implementation using the example of certain international transport connections. A detailed study was carried out in chronological order of the main Regulations of the Council (EEC) with an analysis of the key provisions of each of them. The peculiarities of the specific historical period of the formation and development of the new provisions of the mentioned Regulations have been identified, and their mutual influence has been established. The need to implement certain provisions of the Regulations into the national legislation of Ukraine in the sphere of using international transport corridors has been proven. The priority directions of the development of international transport links with the participation of Ukraine in the context of the assumed international obligations to the EU were noted and emphasized. The author’s proposals regarding the adoption of new bilateral treaties of Ukraine both with EU member states and with all other non-member states with which Ukraine cooperates in the investigated sphere of relations with an emphasis on all possible reservations about public order in Ukraine in the context of providing our territory for transit corridors as well as in the aspect of the development of new international connections, especially taking into account the current threats in the conditions of Russia's military aggression against our country.

Exploring Cybersecurity Implications in Higher Education

With the rapid technological evolution and widespread integration of digital transformation in higher education institutions (HEIs), the educational landscape has undergone a shift in teaching methodologies and how content is delivered. The digitization of higher education has ushered in numerous benefits, enhancing accessibility, collaboration, and efficiency. However, this era of digitization of higher education also brings forth a plethora of cyber challenges. The objective of this paper is to comprehensively explore the cybersecurity landscape in the digital age, providing a critical analysis of prevailing cyber threats, emerging trends, and potential impacts on HEIs. Therefore, this study conducted a systematic literature review (SLR) using the PRISMA framework to assess the current cyber threats faced by higher education institutions. The findings of the study reflect on the challenges faced by higher education institutions in this digital age and present opportunities in strategies that may be adopted to protect HEI’s systems from cyber threats.

Gendered anti-blackness, maternal health & chattel slavery: OB/Gyn knowledge as a determinant of death of black women

This archival investigation of the Southern Medical and Surgical Journal (SMSJ) focuses on the construction of the American Ob/Gyn profession's medical knowledge system alongside chattel slavery, between 1834 and 1860. I find that language, methods of clinical management of bodies and decision-making processes illustrate the pathways that obstetrical knowledge served as a determinant of death for Black women under chattel slavery. These are byproducts of the condition of possibility, my theoretical framework. The condition, or use of gendered anti-Black logic/practice, specifically the social death and biological indispensability of Black women in the context of chattel slavery, shapes the subjective nature of medical knowledge into a determinant of maternal death for Black women. Using the condition of possibility as a theoretical framework, I will lay the groundwork to reframe the Ob/Gyn knowledge system as a current and ever-present threat to Black women and girls' health. This study's sociological contribution lies in examining medical knowledge construction as a series of social interactions, informed by gendered and racial ideologies, that determine health outcomes for Black women.

Spatial prioritization for widespread invasive species control: Trade-offs between current impact and future spread.

Spatially explicit prioritization of invasive species control is a complex issue, requiring consideration of trade-offs between immediate and future benefits. This study aimed to prioritize management efforts to account for current and future threats from widespread invasions and examine the strength of the trade-off between these different management goals. As a case study, we identified spatially explicit management priorities for the widespread invasion of introduced willow into riparian and wetland habitats across a 102,145-km2 region in eastern Australia. In addition to targeting places where willow threatens biodiversity now, a second set of management goals was to limit reinfestation and further spread that could occur via two different mechanisms (downstream and by wind). A model of likely willow distribution across the region was combined with spatial data for biodiversity (native vegetation, threatened species and communities), ecological conditions, management costs, and two potential dispersal layers. We used systematic conservation planning software (Zonation) to prioritize where willow management should be focussed across more than 100,000 catchments for a range of different scenarios that reflected different weights between management goals. For willow invasion, we found that we could prioritize willow management to reduce the future threat of dispersal downstream with little reduction in the protection of biodiversity. However, accounting for future threats from wind dispersal resulted in a stronger trade-off with protection of threatened biodiversity. The strongest trade-off was observed when both dispersal mechanisms were considered together. This study shows that considering current and future goals together offers the potential to substantially improve conservation outcomes for invasive species management. Our approach also informs land managers about the relative trade-offs among different management goals under different control scenarios, helping to make management decisions more transparent. This approach can be used for other widespread invasive species to help improve invasive species management decisions.

Cybersecurity and cybercrime: Current trends and threats

Cybersecurity and cybercrime: Current trends and threats

Antipathogenic Applications of Copper Nanoparticles in Air Filtration Systems.

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical need for effective air filtration systems in healthcare environments to mitigate the spread of viral and bacterial pathogens. This study explores the utilization of copper nanoparticle-coated materials for air filtration, offering both antiviral and antimicrobial properties. Highly uniform spherical copper oxide nanoparticles (~10 nm) were synthesized via a spinning disc reactor and subsequently functionalized with carboxylated ligands to ensure colloidal stability in aqueous solutions. The functionalized copper oxide nanoparticles were applied as antipathogenic coatings on extruded polyethylene and melt-blown polypropylene fibers to assess their efficacy in air filtration applications. Notably, Type IIR medical facemasks incorporating the copper nanoparticle-coated polyethylene fibers demonstrated a >90% reduction in influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 within 2 h of exposure. Similarly, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) filtration pre- (polyester) and post (polypropylene)-filtration media were functionalised with the copper nanoparticles and exhibited a 99% reduction in various viral and bacterial strains, including SARS-CoV-2, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, Salmonella enterica, and Escherichia coli. In both cases, this mitigates not only the immediate threat from these pathogens but also the risk of biofouling and secondary risk factors. The assessment of leaching properties confirmed that the copper nanoparticle coatings remained intact on the polymeric fiber surfaces without releasing nanoparticles into the solution or airflow. These findings highlight the potential of nanoparticle-coated materials in developing biocompatible and environmentally friendly air filtration systems for healthcare settings, crucial in combating current and future pandemic threats.

Ideological and Linguistic Features Analyses of US Presidential Written Discourse addressing Immigration and Terrorism Issues

The aims of this study seeks to examine the underlying linguistics features and ideological concept found in the political speech of American EX President, with a specific emphasis on tweets related to Islamophobia and immigration. The study employs a descriptive and interpretive research design. The corpus of the study consisted of 50 purposely selected Tweets, spanning from 2nd January 2015 to 20th May 2020. Data analysis were conducted using Fairclough's ten-question model (1993). It is found that Trump strategically employed his presidential authority to target Islam and immigration, portraying them as the root cause of terrorism and economic challenges. Trump employed favourable terms while referring to Americans and his supporters, while associating Islam and immigrants with unfavourable descriptors. The findings of this study revealed that Trump employed hyperbole to magnify the perceived threat posed by Islam and immigrants. Trump predominantly employed modal verbs expressing certainty rather than those indicating likelihood in order to demonstrate authority. The future and simple present tenses were commonly used to depict the current threat posed by immigration and the terrorism perpetrated by Islamic groups. The comparative and superlative forms were employed to compare the current state of brightness in the US with its past. The pronouns "we, our, us" were used most frequently to convey a sense of oneness and reduce the perceived barrier between Trump and the audience. Declarative sentences were the most expressive and meaningful acts.

Systematic Literature Review of IoT Botnet DDOS Attacks and Evaluation of Detection Techniques.

Internet of Things (IoT) technology has become an inevitable part of our daily lives. With the increase in usage of IoT Devices, manufacturers continuously develop IoT technology. However, the security of IoT devices is left behind in those developments due to cost, size, and computational power limitations. Since these IoT devices are connected to the Internet and have low security levels, one of the main risks of these devices is being compromised by malicious malware and becoming part of IoT botnets. IoT botnets are used for launching different types of large-scale attacks including Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks. These attacks are continuously evolving, and researchers have conducted numerous analyses and studies in this area to narrow security vulnerabilities. This paper systematically reviews the prominent literature on IoT botnet DDoS attacks and detection techniques. Architecture IoT botnet DDoS attacks, evaluations of those attacks, and systematically categorized detection techniques are discussed in detail. The paper presents current threats and detection techniques, and some open research questions are recommended for future studies in this field.

Current Threats to Sustainable Shipping – from War Risks to Climate Changes

Current Threats to Sustainable Shipping – from War Risks to Climate Changes

Defense of Freedom of Abortion: An Analysis Based on the Case of Dobbs vs. Jackson Womens Health Organization

This paper delves into the great complexity of the right to abortion. The paper defends the freedom of abortion through perspectives of womens health, the premise that fetuses are human beings, and rights-based theory with reference to arguments by prominent philosophers. The paper discusses the famous thought experiment of the violinist analogy, claim rights, and liberty rights by Judith Jarvis Thomson to argue why abortion should be morally permissible. Moreover, the paper dissects objections to these arguments, revealing their inherent limitations by stating that traveling to other states for abortion is unjust. The paper also uses the minimal decent Samaritan argument to address possible objections. The paper strongly argues that the right to abortion is a legal and moral imperative to fulfill. The paper aims to justify the right to abortion and that people should recognize the current threat to the right to abortion with the case of Dobbes vs. Jackson Women's Health Organization.

An integrated population model and sensitivity assessment for a data-poor population of green sturgeon

Conservation planning requires understanding population sizes and trajectories. As with many imperiled species, green sturgeon ( Acipenser medirostris) census data are limited, making it difficult to contextualize current threats and promote quantitative conservation goals. We combined spawning census, growth, and demographic data for the southern population of green sturgeon to build a population size and trajectory estimate. We generated a distribution of population size estimates and trajectories reflecting uncertainty from multiple sources. We then propagate these estimates through a demographic model to assess the potential impact of fishing bycatch. Our model suggests the population is below the recovery goal of 3000 adults. The most probable current total population estimate (including juveniles) is approximately 10 000 fish (5300–18 400 95% high density interval (HDI)), with 2400 adults (2197–2624 95% HDI). Simulated fishing bycatch pressure on the adults and subadults reduced abundance by a median value of 0.4% per year, which could be an impediment to recovery. Fisheries bycatch is one of many threats this population faces; this integrated framework may be used to assess how other threats may affect this population.

Next generation single-domain antibodies against respiratory zoonotic RNA viruses.

The global impact of zoonotic viral outbreaks underscores the pressing need for innovative antiviral strategies, particularly against respiratory zoonotic RNA viruses. These viruses possess a high potential to trigger future epidemics and pandemics due to their high mutation rate, broad host range and efficient spread through airborne transmission. Recent pandemics caused by coronaviruses and influenza A viruses underscore the importance of developing targeted antiviral strategies. Single-domain antibodies (sdAbs), originating from camelids, also known as nanobodies or VHHs (Variable Heavy domain of Heavy chain antibodies), have emerged as promising tools to combat current and impending zoonotic viral threats. Their unique structure, coupled with attributes like robustness, compact size, and cost-effectiveness, positions them as strong alternatives to traditional monoclonal antibodies. This review describes the pivotal role of sdAbs in combating respiratory zoonotic viruses, with a primary focus on enhancing sdAb antiviral potency through optimization techniques and diverse administration strategies. We discuss both the promises and challenges within this dynamically growing field.

Tropical Diseases in Okinawa: Overview and Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Okinawa prefecture is at risk for emerging infectious diseases due to its subtropical climate and its location within the Indo-Pacific region. Understanding the existing vectors and infectious agents contextualizes current threats, guides treatment, and informs prevention, and may be of unique concern in the setting of complex emergencies.

Indigenous peoples’ health: Culturally grounded evidence from the Baka, Southeastern Cameroon

Indigenous Peoples are exposed to the impacts of the climatic, ecological and socioeconomic changes, yet there is a need for a better understanding of their health and higher involvement of Indigenous Peoples in health promotion design and implementation. Our study brings empirical data on the healthcare system of the Baka, forager-horticulturalists from Cameroon. Using a mixed methods approach, we explored the health issues they encounter, the emic determinants of health and healthcare system, and the different threats towards their healthcare system. We conducted focus group discussions, interviews with experts, and self-reported health recalls with 302 individuals living in two settlements from southeastern Cameroon during two fieldwork periods between June and November 2022. Our insights highlight the prevalence of respiratory and children's digestive issues, and the occurrence of illnesses implying a combination of symptoms that would deserve further Western biomedical attention. The Baka's healthcare relies on medicinal plants, knowledge experts, and on the social cohesion of the community, all largely affected by the local social-ecological impacts of global change. Exposure to the market and health facilities does not seem to relate to Baka's health state and practices but might affect their perception of health. Deforestation, poor water quality, and alcohol (ab)use were reported and observed threats to the Baka's health and healthcare system. Our work supplies empirical evidence for a better understanding of Baka's health and healthcare system, helpful in designing health prevention and policies adapted to their reality and culture. Further research and interventions on health should consider the current threats to Baka's local ecosystems and cultural knowledge. These insights contribute to a higher recognition of the Baka's, and most broadly, the Indigenous Peoples' emic perspective on health, and on culturally grounded indicators of the resilience of their healthcare system to current and future challenges.

Efficient Cyber Security Framework for IoT Using Machine Learning Algorithms

Through the network's infrastructure, the IoT can impart perception, recognition, and remote control to inanimate objects. Due to IoT's characteristics, it's possible to integrate the real world into a digital system, which improves precision, productivity, and bottom line. While traditional internet infrastructure comprises of highly capable computers and servers, IoT gadgets have limited processing power and storage space. The authentication and key agreement system SecureAuthKey is very lightweight. The suggested technique is meant to solve the security and privacy problems that plague modern constraint-based CPS programmes. A lightweight approach for authenticating cyber-physical objects is one of the expected outcomes. Adaptation and autonomy in cyber-physical systems need not be compromised by a lack of trust or security in users' data or the devices themselves, according to a new type of security algorithm. To provide flexibility and scalability, a new middleware module has been developed on the Raspberry platform to facilitate communication between CPS-based devices and services. Secure Internet of Things (IoT) evaluation methodology that may be used in a variety of contexts and is user-focused. With the suggested system, the two CPS units will be able to authenticate one another. When a network grows larger, the possibility of an attack rises. Therefore, the IoT network is much more susceptible to attacks than conventional networks. As the number of connected devices grows, so do the number of potential threats to their security. To protect the IoT ecosystem from current threats, cutting-edge technology is essential. The proposed approach must be very efficient and have low computational overheads. It creates random session keys to protect wireless transmissions. The system is protected from a variety of cyber threats. The current constraint-based CPS system requires a new lightweight security solution.

Enhanced authentication and device integrity protection for GDOI using blockchain

AbstractRecent device‐level cyber‐attacks have targeted IoT critical applications in power distribution systems integrated with the Internet communications infrastructure. These systems utilize group domain of interpretation (GDOI) as designated by International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) power utility standards IEC 61850 and IEC 62351. However, GDOI cannot protect against novel threats, such as IoT device‐level attacks that can modify device firmware and configuration files to create command and control malicious communication. As a consequence, the attacks can compromise substations with potentially catastrophic consequences. With this in mind, this article proposes a permissioned/private blockchain‐based authentication framework that provides a solution to current security threats such as the IoT device‐level attacks. Our work improves the GDOI protocol applied in critical IoT applications by achieving decentralized and distributed device authentication. The security of our proposal is demonstrated against known attacks as well as through formal mechanisms via the joint use of the AVISPA and SPAN tools. The proposed approach adds negligible authentication latency, thus ensuring appropriate scalability as the number of nodes increases.

Emerging Trends in Cybersecurity: A Holistic View on Current Threats, Assessing Solutions, and Pioneering New Frontiers.

In an era dominated by digital advancements, cybersecurity plays a pivotal role in safeguarding information and systems from evolving threats. The escalating sophistication of cyber threats necessitates a critical examination of the efficacy of contemporary defenses. Recognizing the limitations and gaps in current solutions, this research introduces a pioneering framework aimed at fortifying cyber defenses. Motivated by a comprehensive exploration of research articles, surveys, online media, and practical studies, this study scrutinizes the intricacies of cyber threats and assesses the strengths and weaknesses of existing solutions. The proposed frameworks emerge from a meticulous feasibility and practicality study, leveraging insights garnered from diverse online sources. The "how" encompasses a comparative analysis, evaluating the novel framework against established solutions to delineate their respective merits and shortcomings. The impetus behind this research lies in offering valuable insights to researchers, practitioners, and policymakers grappling with the multifaceted challenges of cybersecurity. By navigating through the complexities of existing solutions and introducing innovative frameworks, this paper aims to guide efforts in bolstering cyber defenses. Ultimately, this research envisions a continuous cycle of improvement and evolution in the realm of cybersecurity as stakeholders collectively strive to adapt to the ever-changing digital threat landscape.

Interactive transcriptome analyses of Northern Wild Rice (Zizania palustris L.) and Bipolaris oryzae show convoluted communications during the early stages of fungal brown spot development.

Fungal diseases, caused mainly by Bipolaris spp., are past and current threats to Northern Wild Rice (NWR) grain production and germplasm preservation in both natural and cultivated settings. Genetic resistance against the pathogen is scarce. Toward expanding our understanding of the global gene communications of NWR and Bipolaris oryzae interaction, we designed an RNA sequencing study encompassing the first 12 h and 48 h of their encounter. NWR activated numerous plant recognition receptors after pathogen infection, followed by active transcriptional reprogramming of signaling mechanisms driven by Ca2+ and its sensors, mitogen-activated protein kinase cascades, activation of an oxidative burst, and phytohormone signaling-bound mechanisms. Several transcription factors associated with plant defense were found to be expressed. Importantly, evidence of diterpenoid phytoalexins, especially phytocassane biosynthesis, among expression of other defense genes was found. In B. oryzae, predicted genes associated with pathogenicity including secreted effectors that could target plant defense mechanisms were expressed. This study uncovered the early molecular communication between the NWR-B. oryzae pathosystem, which could guide selection for allele-specific genes to boost NWR defenses, and overall aid in the development of more efficient selection methods in NWR breeding through the use of the most virulent fungal isolates.

USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE METHODS AND MODELS FOR IMPROVING EXPERT SYSTEMS OF INTRUSION DETECTION

In the domain of cyber security, the efficacy of Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) is critical for the proactive identification and mitigation of cyber threats. This research delineates a novel paradigm for enhancing IDS accuracy through the integration of advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) methodologies, thereby setting a new benchmark in network security defense mechanisms. Utilizing a synergistic approach that combines both descriptive and inferential statistical analyses, this study introduces an expert system endowed with the capability to detect network intrusions with an unparalleled accuracy rate of 99.98%. By incorporating Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) for the classification of predefined attack vectors and a Variational Autoencoder (VAE) for anomaly detection, the research extends the boundaries of current cyber threat detection frameworks. These methodologies not only enhance the precision of threat categorization but also introduce a mechanism for the system to adapt to novel, previously unidentified cyber threats through real-time learning and adaptation to emerging data patterns. Critically, the expert system is engineered to facilitate high-speed data processing and supports online learning, making it optimally suited for application in high-traffic network environments. The scientific novelty of this research is encapsulated in the formulation of advanced AI-driven models for the dual purposes of traffic anomaly detection and the classification of cyber-attack types based on distinctive behavioral characteristics. These models are meticulously designed to evolve, learning from new data in real time, thereby continuously enhancing the system's efficacy. In practical terms, the system provides a robust solution for the protection of digital ecosystems against intrusions, enabling the automatic filtration of malicious network traffic. Beyond its immediate applicability, the study contributes to the field of cyber security by laying down a foundational framework for the future exploration of AI-based security solutions. It invites further scientific inquiry into the development of adaptive, intelligent IDS mechanisms, potentially revolutionizing the approach to cyber defense strategies.

New threats for a protected plant: the need to review and update recovery plans of endangered species.

Helianthemum polygonoides is a perennial halophyte identified in 1987 in the Saltmarsh of Cordovilla (Albacete, SE Spain). In 2004 its distribution area was approximately 16 hectares, and its population was estimated at around 185000 adult individuals. Thus, this species is considered a local endemism due to its restricted distribution area, being catalogued as a "Critically Endangered" (CR). The main goal of this study is to review the current situation of the endemism, updating its distribution area and current threats and, consequently, establishing up-to-date conservation guidelines. A marked increment in the H. polygonoides population have been found (381909 individuals were estimated in 2022 census). We located new populations of H. polygonides, increasing its core distribution area and revealing the consolidation of proposed protection measures. In this context, our results have confirmed the direct relationship between the population size and the protection measures. According to the threat’s assessment, we have observed that most of the threats and impacts have been reduced (e.g., grazing) or stopped (e.g., accumulation of debris). However, we have found new threats (e.g., rabbit proliferation, wild boar damages, and fires), emphasising the need to review and update the Recovery Plan of H. polygonoides. In fact, we want to be pointed out that the mentioned threats are in constant change. We suggest the inclusion of new guidelines to control the new-found threats and provide eight new conservation guidelines to improve the conservation status of the current populations of H. polygonoides.