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"Flying Through History: Aircraft Encounters and Pitcairn Island"; Abstract
Get PDFDescription of a session presented by Donald Albert and Mason Solomon at the 2024 International Conference on Social Science, Humanities and Interdisciplinary Studies.Environmental & GeosciencesPitcairn Islands Research Statio
Behavior-Based Malware Detection Using Deep Learning with ChatGPT
No full textIn the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, the threat posed by malware continues to loom large, necessitating innovative and robust approaches for its effective detection and classification. In this paper, we introduce a novel method for malware classification that utilizes malware behavior and the power of deep learning. The utilization of Large Language Models (LLMs) or ChatGPT by attackers makes the recognition of malicious behaviors more challenging, significantly increasing alert fatigue and investigation costs. Our dataset combines malware samples from the BODMAS dataset. The proposed deep learning framework aims to capture the fundamental relevance across various malware families using their dynamic behavior features generated by a sandbox. The model leverages ChatGPT to abstract features in the malware dynamic behavior report, enhancing its capacity for malware detection. The insights derived from this work contribute significantly to the field of cybersecurity and pave the way for further advancements in the realm of malware detection
Latino Osteopathic Medical Student Audio Series – Antonio Pontifes
No full textBridging Horizons: Audio Series on a medical career journey for undergraduate students with Antonio Pontifes. There is an undisputable need to increase Hispanic diversity in medical education and healthcare. Discover the inspiring world of medicine through "Bridging Horizons," an audio series designed to empower and guide Hispanic undergraduate students on their path to medical school. Delve into the personal stories and triumphs of Hispanic medical students, giving insights into their cultural perspectives on how to start the journey to becoming a medical professional. This audio series highlights the cultural attributes of medical students and their successful stories from navigating fears and uncertainties to initiating their medical career path up to their school’s admission. "Bridging Horizons" is a platform that celebrates the resilience, achievements, and contributions of Hispanic individuals in the initial journey to becoming medical professionals. Join us in fostering a supportive community for Hispanic prospective med students, offering practical advice on engagement to break down barriers, bridge cultural gaps, and provide a roadmap for aspiring Hispanic medical professionals. Tune in for a roadmap to success, from undergraduate studies to medical school admission.SHSU College of Osteopathic Medicin
Phishing Prevention in Healthcare
No full textPhishing is currently one of the most common cybercrimes. To trick people into sharing personal information or installing malicious software, hackers pretend to have legitimate identities. The healthcare sector is particularly vulnerable because there is so much sensitive data involved, such as financial and medical records. Patients may be at risk if their information is exposed, or healthcare systems are interrupted. Thus, to protect everyone in healthcare from potential disasters, phishing prevention strategies are key. This research provides an overview of phishing focusing on Texas hospitals’ vulnerabilities and current practices. Recommendations from three IT security experts are outlined as well as best practices for phishing prevention. Finally, an introduction to and an example of a benchmarking project is provided aimed at improving IT security for phishing.Institute of Homeland SecurityBusiness Management, Marketing, & Informatio
Forensic Applications of DNA Sequencing to Combat Drug Trafficking and Biothreats
No full textNonhuman forensic genetics encompasses a variety of fields that focus on using the genome to assess variations within species and between species for legal purposes. Technological advances in sequencing technologies and data analysis have allowed for a better understanding of these variations and have helped develop assays that can be used as investigative tools. This dissertation sought to apply sequencing technologies for use in both microbial forensics by assessing the utility of a third-generation sequencing platform, the Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) MinION portable sequencer for taxonomic identification of bacterial pathogens of interest; and in forensic plant science by applying Sanger sequencing to assess the genetic variation of two forensically relevant species, Papaver somniferum (opium poppy) and Mitragyna speciosa (kratom), for the development of comprehensive tools for species identification and biogeographical source attribution.
Microbial forensics focuses on identification of pathogenic agents used in bioterrorism and biocrime for the purpose of source attribution to an individual(s). In 2001, the Anthrax letters bioterrorism attack revealed the need for more robust, universal, and rapid microbial forensic analysis on unknown biological evidence. Traditional approaches for bacterial identification include culturing isolates and molecular approaches involving Sanger and next generation sequencing (NGS) of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene (16S rRNA) but these are laborious and laboratory based. The ONT MinION sequencer can generate long read lengths that span the entire 16S rRNA gene and can accurately identify bacteria to the species level. This platform is also portable and allows for real-time analysis of the pathogen on-site, negating the need for transportation and laboratory analysis. However, it requires large quantities of pure high molecular weight (HMW) DNA compared to other sequencing platforms, thus, the bacterial DNA extraction method of choice is important for successful MinION sequencing. Most extraction methods are tailored to a priori knowledge of the taxonomic grouping, which is difficult to know for certain during an attack. Therefore, it is important to identify a universal extraction method that can isolate high-quality DNA for application to MinION sequencing.
Forensic plant science can be used for origin identification of seized illegal drugs derived from plants, such as marijuana, opium poppy, and kratom. P. somniferum, also known as the opium poppy, has been used for the opium stored in the flower pods. This opium contains morphine, codine, and thebaine, which have relaxing and pain-relieving properties. However, these alkaloids are highly addictive and are tightly controlled under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). This control has led to the production of illegal heroin, which is derived from morphine. These substances have led to an epidemic that is responsible for many deaths due to overdoses.
Seized plant material and heroin are identified and sourced using morphological and chemical methods, which have been moderately successful but have major drawbacks. However, the use of the genome, especially the chloroplast genome (cpDNA), could aid in strengthening these methods. Two other species, P. setigerum and P. bracteatum, further complicate the analysis because they are morphologically similar and produce opium. However, these two species are not controlled and are used as a common defense in criminal proceedings. Therefore, methods must be developed that can individualize P. somniferum from its nearest neighbors and source the material to producers, suppliers, and distributors.
Mitragyna speciosa, also known as Kratom, is a ‘legal’ drug of abuse that is currently gaining popularity in the US. It has been banned in many countries, such as Thailand, but it is not federally controlled in the United States. Instead, each state has its own laws on sales. The effects are unique: in small quantities it acts like a stimulant, but in larger quantities it has opioid-like effects. There have been deaths documented from kratom use, many in polydrug users resulting in the safety of this product being questioned. The sale of this product is uncontrolled, and users often do not know what they are consuming, the total active alkaloid content, or if it has been adulterated.
The plant is very diverse morphologically, and seized components are usually powdered, making identification very difficult. Methods are needed to identify M. speciosa and help source and track the kratom coming into the US, especially in areas where it is illegal to possess and sell. This is confounded by the very limited literature and sequencing data available in databases.
The first aim of this study was to identify a universal extraction method that can be coupled with MinION sequencing for use in a forensic situation. It also evaluated the cloud-based data analysis software, EPI2ME, for accurate taxonomic identification. This study revealed that there was no true universal method, but the DNeasy PowerSoil kit and a Chelex-100 method described in the literature are compatible for rapid bacterial identification using MinION sequencing. However, the 16S Barcoding Kit 1-24 coupled with the EPI2ME 16S FASTQ data analysis workflow may not be appropriate for taxonomic identification of forensically relevant species. Furthermore, the intrinsic properties of the bacteria may play a greater role in sequencing accuracy rather than extraction methods.
The second aim of this study was to identify cpDNA barcoding markers that can be used as a comprehensive tool for the individualization of P. somniferum. Ten poppy seed samples (used as a proxy for heroin) were extracted, and the target regions of interest were sequenced using Sanger sequencing. Data were compared with previously published P. somniferum cpDNA genomes to assess intraspecies variability, as well as previously published genomes of P. setigerum and P. bracteatum for interspecies variation. There is a lack of sequencing data for the cpDNA genome of this species, and therefore, no hotspot regions were identified when comparing published genomes. Therefore, 11 previously described polymorphic barcode regions found in the literature were screened. Two regions, trnH-psbA and petA-psbJ, showed the most promise in their use for individualization of P. somniferum.
Lastly, the third aim of this study was to evaluate intraspecies variation of M. speciosa at recently published barcode markers, ITS, rbcL, matK, and trnH-psbA, for their utility in biogeographical source location. Commercially purchased kratom samples were extracted and sequenced using Sanger sequencing. The intraspecies variability was determined by aligning and comparing our data with the data available in public databases. A novel homopolymer T region was found in trnH-psbA, and two novel SNPs were found in the nuclear ITS region. However, our data appeared to group in two distinct haplotypes with no observable biogeographical trend.
These novel applications of sequencing to two distinct forensic fields can help aid investigations by providing intelligence, investigative leads, and for exclusionary purposes.The potential for bioterrorism or biocrime is not misplaced, and robust analytical methods for microbial forensics must be developed and tested. Drug trafficking has major economic and health impacts; therefore, identifying the source and trafficking routes is important to apprehending the individuals involved and stopping the import of illegal drugs. This work has also laid the foundation for future studies using sequencing data in microbial forensics and to aid in combating of drug trafficking
How Negative Emotional States are Associated with the Dual Substance Use of E-cigarettes and Cannabis
No full textE-cigarettes and cannabis are two of the most used substances among young adult
Americans, and use is continuing to increase (Boakye et al., 2022; Clendennen et al.,
2021). Moreover, dual use of these substances is common among college students
(Buckner, Morris, et al., 2021). Research has found significant linkages between negative
emotional states (depression, anxiety, and stress), impulsivity, and e-cigarette and
cannabis use individually; however, only one previous study has examined the
relationship between this dual substance use and negative emotional states. This research
suggests that dual substance use is associated with increased mental health
symptomology (Buckner, Morris, et al., 2021), but it does not elucidate directionality of
this relationship. The aim of this study was to assess whether negative emotional states
and impulsivity are associated with individual and dual substance use of e-cigarettes and
cannabis. A secondary data analysis examined college students’ (overall n = 585)
negative emotional states, impulsivity, e-cigarette use (n = 112), cannabis use (n = 210),
and dual substance use (n = 82). This study found higher anxiety and impulsivity scores
significantly predicted higher cannabis use while higher stress scores significantly
predicted lower cannabis use. Moreover, anxiety was found to significantly predict dual
substance use, illustrating how anxiety plays a vital role in problematic cannabis use and
high dual substance use. These findings suggest that anxiety treatments could lower dual
substance use as a result. Thus, future research should examine how anxiety-targeted cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) impacts monthly cannabis use and dual substance use
Major and Minor Scales: A Survey of Scale Morphology Across Squamate Reptiles
No full textMorphological diversity in squamate reptiles is well documented. Variation in diet habits, locomotion, habitat use, and many other behaviors has led to the radiation of one of the most speciose vertebrate groups. Despite large studies using osteological, physiological, and genomic data to infer phylogenies of the monophyletic order Squamata, the use of integumentary characters has been few and far between. This investigation serves as a preliminary foray into the possible use of scale morphology to address phylogenetic questions. One hundred and fifty three taxa including members from each of the 67 squamate families were scored for 180 integumentary characters. Among these 180 characters, 81 were from a previous study and 99 new characters were proposed. Only 159 of the 180 characters were applied in the analysis. Use of digital microscopy and high-resolution 3D imaging assisted in scoring. It was found that some of these traits may provide discrimination among higher-level clades on a morphospace. Multiple Correspondence Analysis was used to identify character state contribution to the variation seen in the dataset, as well as plot taxa in morphospace. Ancestral state reconstruction of key characters also gives confidence that certain characters may help identify trends in recent squamate evolution. Clades tend to share similar overlap pattern, scale distribution, and often three-dimensional texture of the scale. Use of these data may also resolve the uncertain placement of some fossilized lizards in amber which retain their integument
Development of a SYBR Green-Based RT-qPCR for the Detection and Quantification of Lone Star Virus
No full textLone Star virus (LSV) is a newly characterized arbovirus with pathogenic potential. Recently, several tick-borne viruses have emerged as medically and agriculturally important, indicating that more robust surveillance is necessary. However, no published detection methods are available to identify and monitor LSV in vitro. Here, this limitation was addressed by the development and validation of two SYBR green-based RT-qPCRs for the detection and quantification of LSV. For these assays, specific primers were developed for the M and S segments of the viral genome. The assays are highly reproducible, with both assays having an overall intra-assay and interassay Coefficient of Variation (CV) of less than 3%. The limit of detection of both assays was fewer than ten copies/μL of the viral genome. All off-target detection surpassed the cut-off cycle (Co) when tested for specificity against 11 other tick-, mosquito-, and sandfly-borne viruses. Furthermore, 143 ticks were tested with the developed assays, with no ticks testing positive for the presence of LSV. These results demonstrate that the developed assays are specific, sensitive, and reproducible methods of detection and quantification that can be applied to monitor and combat this potentially emerging tick-borne virus
THE POTENTIAL ROLE OF PERSONALITY FUNCTIONING IMPAIRMENT IN MULTIMETHOD INTER-TEST SCORE RELATIONSHIPS
No full textOver the last decade, self-report measures have been overemphasized in research, resulting in numerous studies identifying the risks and limitations of mono-method measurement. The advised solution is to use multimethod measurement, but this approach has limitations. One limitation is the heteromethod convergence problem, which pertains to the small to moderate inter-test score relationships often observed when different measurement methods are used to assess the same construct. Personality functioning impairment might be a factor contributing to the heteromethod convergence problem through its impact on test performance. The aim of this thesis was to understand the role of personality functioning impairment in inter-test score relationships. A college student convenience sample (N= 792) was recruited to participate in a larger study for course credit, wherein they completed a multimethod battery of tests designed to measure shyness and extraversion, along with a self-report measure of personality functioning impairment. Personality functioning impairment’s moderating role in inter-test score relationships was analyzed using Hayes PROCESS and simple slopes were used to probe significant interactions. Study results revealed significant moderation effects and paradoxical interactions, with opposite interactions seen for shyness and extraversion. These findings indicated that personality functioning impairment seems to play a role in the heteromethod convergence problem, and that its impact on inter-test score relationships might vary across different constructs
Creating A Healthy Lifestyle Through Mandatory Physical Fitness Testing
No full textThe leading killer of law enforcement is cardiovascular disease. Law enforcement departments should perform mandatory annual physical fitness testing to make both physical fitness and a healthy diet a lifestyle choice for all police officers to combat this problem. The primarily sedentary profession coupled with a lack of physical fitness and an unhealthy diet is the leading contributor to early death. This has led to police officers living decades less than the average person in other professions. Police departments must address this issue and enact policies to assist officers in creating a healthy lifestyle consisting of exercise and a healthy diet. It is well known that police officers have a higher-than-average probability of suffering from any one of numerous mental health issues, are more prone to divorce, have a higher rate of suicide, and have a higher rate of alcohol and substance abuse. Police officers are often hesitant and resistant to change and need motivation through policy and procedure. Regular exercise can help control and modify many of the risk factors for heart disease, especially when tied in with a healthy diet�which then can lead to a healthier and longer life.LEMI