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Securing smart cities through machine learning: A honeypot‐driven approach to attack detection in the Internet of Things ecosystems
No full textThe rapid increase and adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) devices have introduced unprecedented conveniences into modern life. However, this growth has also ushered in a wave of cyberattacks targeting these often-vulnerable systems. Smart cities, relying on interconnected sensors, are particularly susceptible to attacks due to the expanded entry points created by these devices. A security breach in such systems can compromise personal data and disrupt entire ecosystems. Traditional security measures are inadequate against the evolving sophistication of cyberattacks. The authors aim to address these challenges by leveraging honeypot data and machine learning to enhance IoT security. The research focuses on three objectives: identifying datasets from IoT-targeted honeypots, evaluating machine learning algorithms for threat detection, and proposing comprehensive security solutions. Real-world cyber-attack datasets from diverse honeypots simulating IoT devices are analysed using various machine learning and neural network algorithms. Results demonstrate significant improvement in cyber-attack detection and mitigation when integrating honeypot data into IoT security frameworks. The authors advance knowledge and provides practical insights for implementing robust security measures in diverse IoT applications, filling a crucial research gap
A large language model based approach to providing personalised health-related information for osteoporosis patients
No full textBackground: The Internet has long been recognised as a medium that patients use to gather information about their medical conditions [1]. The wealth of information it contains and uncertainty about its credibility can lead to the lack of personalisation for the patient, resulting in time consuming searches for the information that the patient wants.
Objectives: In order to improve patient information management this project created a mobile device-based large language model (LLM) chat-bot that could provide non-pharmacological and generalised recommendations for people living with osteoporosis.
Methods: The system implements Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) pattern and consists of the following foundational components: a chat-bot interface designed to interact with users; a gpt-3.5-turbo LLM chain with generative question-answering (G-Q-A) capabilities; a database to store vector embeddings; a retriever using maximum marginal relevance (MMR) algorithm to query the vector embeddings. All information was derived from clinically approved sources including Royal Osteoporosis Society, National Osteoporosis Society, National Osteoporosis Guideline Group, UK, International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) and National Osteoporosis Foundation. The system runs on Android mobile devices. The system was evaluated based upon technical metrics (correct responses to 97 pre-generated question-and-answer pairs), its ability to handle unethical questions or questions outside the defined domain as well as for overall usability (System Usability Scale questionnaire [SUS]) which rates usability on a scale of 0 (poor) to 100 (excellent). The latter was done with the help of general users who were healthy volunteers age range:18-24 (n:1); 25-34 (n:17); 35-44(n:1) and 55+ (n:1) as as well as medical professionals (n:4).
Results: Evaluation revealed that gpt-3.5-turbo scored 96% for predicting correct answers on the evaluation dataset of questions. Unethical and non-domain specific questions were correctly filtered out. Usability was scored as excellent by both medical professionals (83±11.6) and general users (85±12.9).
Conclusion: With growing and fast pace advances in artificial intelligence the authors have demonstrated that LLM-Chatbots can be used to manage large amounts of health-related information in a reliable way. It has the potential to provide personalise information to patient queries using an easy to use computer-based question and answering system. Further evaluations will be needed with the help of osteoporosis patients in order to further refine it.
REFERENCES: [1] Wilson AS, Kitas GD, Lewellyn P, Carruthers DM, Cheseldine DC, Harris S, Bacon PA, Huisson AP and Young SP (2001). Provision of Internet Based Rheumatology Education. Rheumatology 40(6): 645-51
A Multi-Approach and Collaborative Pathway towards Designing Climate Strategies. The Case of Trentino, A Mountainous Region in Italy
No full textMountainous and rural territories are considered among the most vulnerable to the effects of the Climate Crisis. Their geographical and topographical conditions, together with the complexity of the system of relations between human and natural elements, amplify the impacts and risks associated with extreme climatic events. Therefore, the consequences on the socio-economic fabric are systemic and require an immediate response from all the actors in a region. Public administration and politics can play a pivotal role within the planning framework in contrasting the impacts of the climate crisis. This paper demonstrates the multi-level and multi-stakeholder approach applied during the development process of a regional adaptation strategy. The Autonomous Province of Trento has initiated an innovative approach to understanding and managing the effects of the climate crisis on its landscape and resources and has aligned the process of definition of its long-term strategy with the guidance provided by the EU Commission and the Italian Government. The methodology used is based on the tools provided by the Climate-ADAPT platform (in particular, the Regional Adaptation Support Tool—RAST), and the “impact chains” method is specifically implemented for climate risk assessment. The RAST is applied according to a multi-stakeholder and multi-level approach to capitalise on previously established and ongoing initiatives and working groups. The research suggests that the Climate Strategy model presented in this paper needs to be at the core of the broader framework adopted by the Autonomous Province of Trento and that it can represent an important example for other regions aiming to actively involve local stakeholders in acting for climate neutrality and resilience
Crimes of the Powerful and the Contemporary Condition: The Democratic Republic of Capitalism
No full textThe ultimate expression of power is the ability to act beyond the confines of law, with contemporary society enabling elite groups to wield “panoramic power”. From the murderous crimes of the corporate giants that provide us with life’s luxuries and necessities to the data gathering activities of media and educational institutions, the authors offer new thinking on damaging structures of power and privilege.
This accessible book provides a comprehensive understanding of elite corporate wrongdoing, and the late capitalist society that enables harm, considering both how we got into this mess and how we get out of it
Introduction to nutrition and supplements in cycling
No full textThe need for optimal nutritional strategies has led to the evolution of the generic Applied Sport and Exercise Science practitioner into the Sport and Exercise Nutritionist, and the career of Performance Nutrition, which have become an integral part of elite sport. In cycling, these practitioners have become a vital aspect of the support systems that are designed to enable riders to cope with extremely high training volumes and intensities. The demands on these athletes are severe because of the training requirements, and an often prolonged racing season, during which successive racing days are commonplace. Specific nutritional strategies are therefore vital to optimise performance and health (Clauss et al., 2023). With the increase in nutrition practitioners in high-performance cycling, there has also been a concomitant increase in research interest in cycling nutrition. Indeed, if we consider the sheer number of journal article publications that have been published since the 1980s to the present day, there has been a near-exponential rise, certainly since the year 2000 (Figure 1.1). Improved knowledge and understanding of the most appropriate nutrition strategies have made it easier for practitioners to employ evidence-based nutrition to ensure optimal fuelling prior to and during exercise, maximise recovery prior to the next bout of training or racing, and enhance adaptations to training.The need for optimal nutritional strategies has led to the evolution of the generic Applied Sport and Exercise Science practitioner into the Sport and Exercise Nutritionist, and the career of Performance Nutrition, which have become an integral part of elite sport. In cycling, these practitioners have become a vital aspect of the support systems that are designed to enable riders to cope with extremely high training volumes and intensities. The demands on these athletes are severe because of the training requirements, and an often prolonged racing season, during which successive racing days are commonplace. Specific nutritional strategies are therefore vital to optimise performance and health (Clauss et al., 2023). With the increase in nutrition practitioners in high-performance cycling, there has also been a concomitant increase in research interest in cycling nutrition. Indeed, if we consider the sheer number of journal article publications that have been published since the 1980s to the present day, there has been a near-exponential rise, certainly since the year 2000 (Figure 1.1). Improved knowledge and understanding of the most appropriate nutrition strategies have made it easier for practitioners to employ evidence-based nutrition to ensure optimal fuelling prior to and during exercise, maximise recovery prior to the next bout of training or racing, and enhance adaptations to training
Risk Driven Innovation in the Not So Boring Accountancy Profession
No full textThe accountancy profession is in a period of dynamic innovation driven change as new information technologies reconfigure the way business is conducted and the services that accountancy firms offer to their clients. As with all innovation, there is also the potential for disruptive change with risky outcomes. However, not all businesses are willing to take on these risks. In this paper, we explore two research questions: Who is willing to take risks with their business? and, are risk-loving accountants more likely to be innovative? Using new survey data from UK accountancy practices, we find that accountants that have an appetite for risk are significantly more likely to be innovative in both their internal processes and practices as well as externally through the development of new products, services, and markets. Further, we find that the perception of increased market competition/turbulence negatively affects product and service innovations, but not process, managerial and marketing innovations of accountancy firm
“I think it takes balls, girl balls, to challenge those stereotypes”: Women’s perceptions of board game culture
No full textDespite growing sociocultural interest in, and engagement with, tabletop hobby games, and in particular board games, the surrounding culture(s) remain underexamined. Drawing from 43 semi-structured interviews this article explores board gaming culture from the perspective of women who play modern board games. The findings highlight women’s experiences as a minority and the difficulties they face when entering board games spaces—often perceived as ‘male spaces’ and associated with geek masculinity. The findings also show a 'gender-gap' in board games, where women’s reduced levels of experience, awareness, and integration into board game culture act as a barrier to their participation and negatively impact their sense of belonging. Despite these barriers, the presence and experience of other women helped to deconstruct the notion that board games were solely for men. Furthermore, the findings also show how men and women are actively constructing newer, more inclusive board games cultures which eschew exclusion and challenge board game’s associations with geek masculinity. This research provides insight into some of the barriers to entry women face as well as the changing nature of contemporary board game culture
A systematic review of barriers to implementing net zero energy buildings in Australia
No full textBuilding operations use 45% of the total energy in Australia, and Net-Zero Energy Buildings (NZEBs) are instrumental in achieving net zero emissions by 2050. However, research reveals that various factors hinder NZEB adoption in Australia, and it is imperative to contextualise the barriers, thereby highlighting clear gaps that can be addressed to enhance the implementation of NZEB in Australia. This study presents a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis to examine the barriers that hinder the implementation of NZEB contextualised within the Australian building industry. The paper's novelty resides in its contextualisation of barriers to NZEB thereby highlighting clear gaps that can be addressed to enhance the implementation of NZEB in Australia. Emergent results reveal the most impactful barriers experienced and the inter-relatedness between barriers and their effects on each other. These identified barriers are also compared with comparable countries, including the UK, China, Italy and the US. New insight and knowledge acquired provide a basis for assessing potential solutions to the main barriers. Findings show that a lack of knowledge, climate issues, and cost issues, in addition to government policy factors, are considered primary barriers encountered by the industry, hindering the achievement of NZEBs. It is imperative that future studies and initiatives counteract these impacts to realise a better implementation of NZEB in the Australian context
Post‐exercise hot or cold water immersion does not alter perception of effort or neuroendocrine responses during subsequent moderate‐intensity exercise
No full textPost-exercise hot (HWI) and cold (CWI) water immersion are popular strategies used by athletes in a range of sporting contexts, such as enhancing recovery or adaptation. However, prolonged heating bouts increase neuroendocrine responses that are associated with perceptions of fatigue. Fourteen endurance-trained runners performed three trials consisting of two 45-min runs at 95% lactate threshold on a treadmill separated by 6 h of recovery. Following the first run, participants completed one of HWI (30 min, 40°C), CWI (15 min, 14°C) or control (CON, 30 min rest in ambient conditions) in a randomised order. Perceived effort and recovery were measured using ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and the Acute Recovery and Stress Scale (ARSS), whilst physiological responses including venous concentrations of a range of neuroendocrine markers, superficial femoral blood flow, heart rate and rectal temperature were measured. Exercise increased neuroendocrine responses of interleukin-6, adrenaline and noradrenaline (all P 0.05), nor RPE (P = 0.68), despite differences in rectal temperature, superficial femoral blood flow following the first run, and participants’ expected recovery prior to the intervention (all P < 0.001). Therefore, athletes may engage in post-exercise hot or cold-water immersion without negatively impacting moderate-intensity training sessions performed later the same day
The role of emotional appeal in water conservation communication: a framework for social media engagement
No full textAmidst growing concerns about water shortages, harnessing the potential of social media emerges as a crucial strategy in attempts to conserve consumption While informative messaging in environmental communication has been widely acknowledged, the role of emotional appeal remains underexplored. This study aims to bridge this gap by proposing a comprehensive framework that integrates emotional appeal, evoked through video creativity and multimedia effects. Focusing on the UK context and informed by the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM), the study highlights the complex interplay between cognitive and affective factors in water conservation communication. By applying Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to a dataset containing 443 responses, the analysis reveals that emotional appeal, when evoked through creativity, not only positively influences individuals’ attitudes but also extends to shape perceived behavioural control. These findings further emphasise the ability of emotional appeal to serve as a complementary aspect that enriches individuals’ motivational framework and influences their inclination towards engaging in the intended behaviour. The study has important implications for improving current marketing efforts and encouraging behavioural shifts among water consumers. By including emotional appeal in social media communication strategies, environmental communicators can build empathy and promote sustainability more effectively. Additionally, this study offers a valuable understanding of the complex nature of water conservation communication, providing practical strategies for enhancing environmental messaging and encouraging positive behaviour changes