Ransomware Detection Using the Dynamic Analysis and Machine Learning: A Survey and Research Directions

Ransomware is an ill-famed malware that has received recognition because of its lethal and irrevocable effects on its victims. The irreparable loss caused due to ransomware requires the timely detection of these attacks. Several studies including surveys and reviews are conducted on the evolution, taxonomy, trends, threats, and countermeasures of ransomware. Some of these studies were specifically dedicated to IoT and android platforms. However, there is not a single study in the available literature that addresses the significance of dynamic analysis for the ransomware detection studies for all the targeted platforms. This study also provides the information about the datasets collection from its sources, which were utilized in the ransomware detection studies of the diverse platforms. This study is also distinct in terms of providing a survey about the ransomware detection studies utilizing machine learning, deep learning, and blend of both techniques while capitalizing on the advantages of dynamic analysis for the ransomware detection. The presented work considers the ransomware detection studies conducted from 2019 to 2021. This study provides an ample list of future directions which will pave the way for future research.

Occupational Burnout Prevalence and Its Determinants Among Physical Education Teachers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Burnout can be defined as an occupational syndrome resulting from poorly managed chronic workplace stress. It is characterized by three dimensions: feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion; increased mental distance from one's job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one's job; and reduced professional efficacy. Teachers are among the human service professionals particularly vulnerable to occupational burnout. Teaching is a highly demanding and challenging task, in that requires constant confrontation with different stakeholders (students and their parents, administrators). Among teachers, physical education teachers have been particularly understudied even though a recently published systematic review has found that they are exposed to high levels of stress. To better explore burnout syndrome among physical education teachers, the present systematic review was undertaken, searching up to six languages. Fifty-six studies were included in the present review. The reported rate of high emotional exhaustion ranged from 11.52 to 60.6%, according to the single study. Pooling together 12 studies and totaling 2,153 physical education teachers, the prevalence rate of high emotional exhaustion was computed to be 28.6 [95% CI 21.9–35.8]. The reported rate of high depersonalization ranged from 3.6 to 45.2%, according to the single study. Pooling together 11 studies and totaling 2,113 physical education teachers, the prevalence rate of high depersonalization was computed to be 14.5% [95% CI 8.0–22.4]. The reported rate of low personal accomplishment ranged from 13.63 to 55.6%, according to the single study. Pooling together 12 studies and totaling 2,153 physical education teachers, the prevalence rate of low personal accomplishment was computed to be 29.5% [95% CI 23.8–35.4]. The reported rate of overall burnout ranged from 10.0 to 51.6%, according to the single study. Pooling together 7 studies and totaling 1,101 physical education teachers, the prevalence rate of overall burnout was computed to be 23.9% [95% CI 13.6–36.0]. No evidence of publication bias could be found, both visually inspecting the funnel plot and conducting the Egger's linear regression test. Burnout imposes a significant burden among physical education teachers. Based on the information contained in the present systematic review and meta-analysis, tailored interventions could be designed to mitigate such a burden. However, due to the limitations of the studies included in the present systematic review and meta-analysis, further research in the field is urgently warranted.Systematic Review Registration:https://osf.io/69ryu/, identifier: 10.17605/OSF.IO/69RYU.

Is Retrieval Practice Always Superior to Restudy?

A classic study by Roediger and Karpicke (2006a) investigated the relative benefits of restudy versus retrieval practice, or “test”, on memory retention. Repeated studying was superior to repeated testing when memory was tested immediately (all study > multiple study/single test > single study/multiple tests). Strikingly, the pattern reversed when memory was tested after a days-long delay, with best performance in a single study/multiple tests condition. As each study period was minutes-long and contained repeated reading of a to-be-remembered text passage, we were interested whether the striking benefit for repeated testing at the expense of any restudy replicates when study opportunities are brief, akin to a single mention of a fact in a lecture. Participants encountered academically relevant facts a total of three times, each time either studied (S) or self-tested (T). Final test followed immediately or after a delay (Experiment 1: two days, Experiment 2: seven days). Partially replicating prior work, immediate memory benefited from repeated study (SSS > SST > STT), but the pattern did not reverse after a delay. Instead, memory was superior for facts the were restudied in addition to self-tested (SST > STT = SSS). We further investigated whether restudy after a test (STS) provides additional benefits compared to restudy before test (SST), but found comparably high delayed recall in both conditions. The results show that under some circumstances, balancing repetition and testing can allow for more information to be learned and retained long-term.

CircITCH: A Circular RNA With Eminent Roles in the Carcinogenesis

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a group of long non-coding RNAs with enclosed structure generated by back-splicing events. Numerous members of these transcripts have been shown to affect carcinogenesis. Circular RNA itchy E3 ubiquitin protein ligase (circITCH) is a circRNA created from back splicing events in ITCH gene, a protein coding gene on 20q11.22 region. ITCH has a role as a catalyzer for ubiquitination through both proteolytic and non-proteolytic routes. CircITCH is involved in the pathetiology of cancers through regulation of the linear isoform as well as serving as sponge for several microRNAs, namely miR-17, miR-224, miR-214, miR-93-5p, miR-22, miR-7, miR-106a, miR-10a, miR-145, miR-421, miR-224-5p, miR-197 and miR-199a-5p. CircITCH is also involved in the modulation of Wnt/β-catenin and PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathways. Except from a single study in osteosarcoma, circITCH has been found to exert tumor suppressor role in diverse cancers. In the present manuscript, we provided a comprehensive review of investigations that reported function of circITCH in the carcinogenesis.

Association Between Diabetes Medications and the Risk of Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) increases the risk of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, whether DM medications play a part on that increased PD risk is unclear. We designed this meta-analysis to assess the influence of different oral DM medications on the PD risk in patients with DM.Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL databases for relevant studies up until January 2021. We pooled adjusted outcomes to assess the PD risk in patients using different DM medications including sulfonylurea, metformin, glitazones (GTZ), dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4i), and glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists (GLP1a).Results: We included 10 studies in our analysis. Our results indicate a lack of significant association between the PD risk and the use of sulfonylureas (three studies; HR, 1.26; 95% CI, 0.95 to 1.66; I2, 70%; p = 0.11), DPP4i (three studies; HR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.35 to 1.38; I2, 88%; p = 0.30), metformin (five studies; HR, 1.23; 95% CI, 0.98 to 1.78; I2, 84%; p = 0.13), and GTZ (six studies; HR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.66 to 1.16; I2, 92%; p = 0.35). After exclusion of a single study in the GTZ analysis, our results indicate a significantly reduced PD risk with GTZ use (HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.65 to 0.93; I2, 59%; p = 0.06). Similarly, after the exclusion of a single study, our results indicate a significantly increased PD risk with the use of metformin (HR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.11 to 2.02; I2, 80%; p = 0.008). We also found a significantly reduced PD risk with the use of GLP1a (two studies; HR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.19 to 0.87; I2, 0%; p = 0.02).Conclusion: The role of different DM medications on the PD risk remains unclear, and the quality of studies is low. While our analysis suggests a lack of association between the use of metformin, GTZ, DPP4i, and sulfonylureas and the PD risk, metformin (to a higher degree) and GTZ may still increase the risk. Limited data suggest a protective effect of GLP1a on the PD risk.

P–022 Improvement in sperm concentration and motility after oral antioxidant supplementation in infertile men with varicocele who have not undergone surgical repair: systematic review and meta-analys

Study question Does oral antioxidant supplementation improve sperm quality in infertile men with varicocele who have not undergone surgical repair? Summary answer Oral antioxidant supplementation improves sperm concentration and motility in infertile men with varicocele who have not undergone surgical repair. What is known already: Benefit from oral antioxidant supplementation has been shown in infertile men with varicocele following surgical repair. Similarly, oral antioxidant supplementation has been suggested in infertile men with varicocele who have not undergone surgical repair. However, its effect currently remains controversial. Study design, size, duration A literature search was performed until January 2021 aiming to identify prospective studies evaluating the use of oral antioxidant supplementation alone or in combination in men with varicocele who have not undergone surgical repair. Participants/materials, setting, methods Seven prospective studies were identified, published between 1987 and 2018, including 278 infertile men with varicocele who had not undergone surgical repair. The number of patients included ranged from 20 to 65. Sperm analysis, evaluating sperm concentration, motility and morphology was performed in these studies before and after oral antioxidant supplementation. Meta-analysis of weighted data was performed using random effects model. Results are reported as weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Main results and the role of chance Seven studies were included in the systematic review. Oral antioxidant supplementation was performed by a combination of pentoxifylline, zinc and folic acid (single study), a combination of l-carnitine, fumarate, acetyl-l-carnitine, fructose, CoQ, vitamin C, zinc, folic acid and vitamin B12 (single study), a combination of L-Carnitine, vitamin C, coenzyme Q10, vitamin E, vitamin B9, vitamin B12, zinc , and selenium, l-carnitine (single study), or sole treatment with acetyl-l-carnitine (single study), L-Carnitine (single study), Coenzyme Q10 (single study) or zinc sulfate (single study). For the purpose of meta-analysis, the effect of oral antioxidant supplementation was evaluated after three months of treatment. Oral antioxidant supplementation significantly increased sperm concentration (WMD +5.65x106/ml 95% CI: +1.11 to + 10.12 p = 0.01, random effects model) and motility (WMD +4.30%, 95% CI: +0.86 to + 7.74 p = 0.01, random effects model) in infertile men with varicocele who had not undergone surgical repair. On the other hand, no significance difference was observed in sperm morphology (WMD +3.9%, 95% CI: –0.16 to + 8.04 p = 0.06, random effects model) and volume (WMD +0.53ml, 95% CI: 0.0 to + 1.0 p = 0.052, random effects model). Limitations, reasons for caution The number of relevant trials and that of patients included is small to allow for solid conclusions to be drawn. Moreover, although different oral antioxidants have been administered in infertile who had not undergone surgical repair, subgroup analysis was not feasible. Wider implications of the findings: Currently, limited evidence supports the use of oral antioxidants in the treatment of men with varicocele, who have not undergone surgical repair. Although the benefit in sperm concentration and motility appears to be modest, it might be important regarding achievement of pregnancy in these men. Trial registration number Not applicable

Putting the brakes on fast fashion: understanding the gap between sustainable awareness and action

Using a mixed-methods approach, this study addressed two related research questions. First, is there a discrepancy between consumers’ sustainable values and sustainable behaviour? While separate studies suggest that this disconnect exists, it has not been empirically validated within the same individuals in a single study. Second, if this discrepancy exists, what are the barriers to sustainable fashion consumption? It was found that, on average, subjective sustainable values were higher than objective sustainable behaviour. A one-sample t-test revealed that this difference was significantly different from zero, with a 99.9% margin of certainty. To identify the barriers that might explain why sustainable values do not appear to be translating into sustainable behaviour, interviews were conducted in participants’ wardrobes based on guided tour and personal inventory frameworks. Style, social repercussions, and wardrobe maintenance and disposal behaviour were the most frequently reported barrier-related themes. Results are discussed in light of promoting sustainable fashion consumption.

Putting the brakes on fast fashion: understanding the gap between sustainable awareness and action

Using a mixed-methods approach, this study addressed two related research questions. First, is there a discrepancy between consumers’ sustainable values and sustainable behaviour? While separate studies suggest that this disconnect exists, it has not been empirically validated within the same individuals in a single study. Second, if this discrepancy exists, what are the barriers to sustainable fashion consumption? It was found that, on average, subjective sustainable values were higher than objective sustainable behaviour. A one-sample t-test revealed that this difference was significantly different from zero, with a 99.9% margin of certainty. To identify the barriers that might explain why sustainable values do not appear to be translating into sustainable behaviour, interviews were conducted in participants’ wardrobes based on guided tour and personal inventory frameworks. Style, social repercussions, and wardrobe maintenance and disposal behaviour were the most frequently reported barrier-related themes. Results are discussed in light of promoting sustainable fashion consumption.

Systematic review of inframalleolar endovascular interventions and rates of limb salvage, wound healing, restenosis, rest pain, reintervention and complications

Objectives Peripheral artery disease is estimated to affect 237 million individuals worldwide. Critical limb ischaemia, also known as chronic limb threatening ischaemia is a consequence of the progression of peripheral artery disease which occurs in ∼21% of patients over a five-year period. The aim of this systematic review is to assess the use of additional below-the-ankle angioplasty in comparison to the use of above-the-ankle angioplasty alone, and the subsequent rates of amputation, wound healing, restenosis, rest pain, reintervention and complications. Methods This systematic review was undertaken in accordance with PRISMA guidelines following a registered protocol (CRD42019154893). Online databases were searched using a search strategy of 20 keywords. Included articles reported the outcome for inframalleolar (pedal artery, pedal arch, plantar arteries) angioplasty with additional proximal angioplasty in comparison to proximal angioplasty alone. GRADE assessment was applied to assess the quality of the evidence. Results After screening 1089 articles, 10 articles met the inclusion criteria. Comparative performance assessment of below-the-ankle with above-the-ankle versus above-the-ankle angioplasty alone was undertaken in 3 articles, with the remaining 7 articles reporting outcomes of below-the-ankle with above-the-ankle angioplasty with no distinct comparator group. Significant decrease in major lower limb amputation at the last follow-up in the below-the-ankle group when compared with the above-the-ankle angioplasty alone group was observed in a single study (3.45% vs. 14.9%, p < 0.05). Improved wound healing rate at follow-up in the below-the-ankle group versus above-the-ankle angioplasty alone group was also reported in a single study (59.3% vs. 38.1%, p < 0.05). Subsequent rate of amputation after below-the-ankle angioplasty has been estimated as 23.5%. Conclusion To date, there is a lack of studies assessing inframalleolar interventions and their use in improving limb salvage, wound healing and symptomatology. Prospective RCTs should be undertaken with adequate participant numbers to be sufficiently powered and report clinically important end-points.

Is Anyone Representing Non-resident Finnish Citizens in the Legislative Process of Finland?

This research paper examines the instances of representation of the expatriate Finnish citizen in the different stages of the legislative process in Finland: the preparation of law bills, the process in the Parliamentary committees and in the plenary sessions of the Finnish Parliament Eduskunta. The aim is to answer the questions how many and what kind of expatriate Finns issues there has been on the political agenda, when those issues were there, and who acted for the expatriates then. Here, the research approach is descriptive. Newly digitalized collections of legislative documents create novel opportunities to seek efficiently through a large number of records and find topics that have not gained much attention, in addition to the more obvious cases such as the dual citizenship or recently the postal voting. In Finland, the Finnish diaspora has not been a fervently debated issue and it is only rarely mentioned in the plenary debates of the Parliament. The data includes two kinds of sources, actions by the MPs and Government bills. In the Finnish case, the number of relevant documents is small. Therefore, including different types of text into a single study is necessary to find out the political forces that have influence on the issues concerning the Finnish citizen abroad.