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Machine learning and watermarking for accurate detection of AI generated phishing emails.
Full text linkLarge Language Models offer transformative capabilities but also introduce growing cybersecurity
risks, particularly through their use in generating realistic phishing emails. Detecting such content is critical; however, existing methods can be resource-intensive and slow to adapt. In this research, we present a dual-layered detection framework that combines supervised learning for accurate classification with unsupervised techniques to uncover emerging threats. In controlled testing environments, our approach demonstrates strong performance. Recognising that human users are often the weakest link in information security systems, we examine historical deception patterns and psychological principles commonly exploited in phishing attacks. We also explore watermarking as a complementary method for tracing AI-generated content. Together, these strategies offer a scalable, adaptive defence against increasingly sophisticated phishing attacks driven by Large Language Models
The evolution of the Self-Adaptive Enhanced Vibrating Particle System (SA-EVPS) algorithm for optimizing truss structures.
Full text linkOptimizing truss structures entails determining the most efficient arrangement and dimensions of members to fulfill specific goals, such as reducing weight and maximizing strength. Implementing the self-adaptive enhanced vibrating particle system (SA-EVPS) as a metaheuristic optimization technique for enhancing structural components in civil structures offers substantial potential for improving the efficiency and functionality of such components. This study presents a novel algorithm developed for optimizing the geometry and size of a 45-bar truss structure. Through extensive simulations and comparative analysis with seven recent metaheuristic algorithms, including the Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA), the Marine Predators Algorithm (MPA), Sine Cosine Algorithm (SCA), Multi-Verse Optimizer (MVO), Moth-Flame Optimization (MFO), Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO), and the Enhanced Vibrating Particle System (EVPS), the proposed algorithm demonstrates superior effectiveness in delivering enhanced structural performance by simultaneously optimizing member dimensions and structural geometry. The findings of this study indicate that the proposed SA-EVPS algorithm provides an effective and robust solution for improving the efficiency and reliability of structural optimization processes, with promising applicability to the optimization of a 45-bar truss structure. This advanced algorithm facilitates the identification of ideal geometries and member dimensions for structural components, considering factors such as load-bearing capacity and material optimization
Metformin and glioma: Targeting metabolic dysregulation for enhanced therapeutic outcomes
Full text linkGlioma, a highly aggressive form of brain cancer, continues to pose significant therapeutic challenges in the field of medicine. Its invasive nature and resistance to traditional treatments make it particularly difficult to combat. This review examines the potential of metformin, a commonly prescribed antidiabetic medication, as a promising new treatment option for glioma. The potential of metformin to target crucial metabolic pathways in cancer cells presents an encouraging approach to improve therapeutic outcomes. The review explores the complexities of metabolic reprogramming in glioma and metformin's role in inhibiting these metabolic pathways. Preclinical studies demonstrate metformin's efficacy in reducing tumor growth and enhancing the sensitivity of glioma cells to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Furthermore, clinical studies highlight metformin's potential in improving progression-free survival and overall survival rates in glioma patients. The review also addresses the synergistic effects of combining metformin with other therapeutic agents, such as temozolomide and radiotherapy, to overcome drug resistance and improve treatment efficacy.
Despite the promising findings, the review acknowledges the need for further clinical trials to establish optimal dosing regimens, understand the molecular mechanisms underlying metforminʼs antitumor effects, and identify patient populations that would benefit the most from metformin-based therapies. Additionally, the potential side effects and the long-term impact of metformin on Glioma patients require careful evaluation.
In conclusion, this review underscores the potential of metformin as a repurposed drug in glioma treatment, emphasizing its multifaceted role in targeting metabolic dysregulation. Metformin holds promise as part of a combination therapy approach to improve the therapeutic landscape of glioma and offers hope for better patient outcomes
Financial and technological innovation in real estate negotiation development and resale in Nigeria.
Full text linkNigeria's real estate sector is experiencing a transformative shift, driven by financial and technological innovations that are altering traditional practices of negotiation, development, and resale. With a growing population, rapid urbanisation, and increasing demand for residential and commercial properties, the Nigerian real estate market is ripe for innovation. This paper investigates the impact of fintech and proptech innovations in reshaping the Nigerian property landscape. It critically analyses the application of blockchain, smart contracts, artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), Internet of Things (IoT), and digital financing platforms in real estate processes. The research further explores challenges to implementation, including regulatory uncertainty, infrastructure limitations, data integrity issues, and resistance to change. Drawing on empirical data, industry reports, and academic literature, the study presents a comprehensive overview of how innovation can contribute to transparency, efficiency, and inclusivity in Nigeria's real estate sector. Recommendations are made for policymakers, investors, developers, and regulators to harness these innovations for sustainable urban and economic development
A comparison of cement and Guar Gum stabilisation of Oxford clay under controlled wetting and drying cycles.
Full text linkClimate-induced wetting and drying (WD) cycles significantly affect the long-term performance of geotechnical structures. This study explores expansive Oxford clay’s mechanical and volumetric responses stabilised with ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and guar gum (GG) under repeated WD cycles. We prepared 108 samples in total—36 untreated, 36 treated with OPC, and 36 treated with GG. These samples were compacted to 90% of their maximum dry density and subjected to 1, 5, 10, and 15 WD cycles, with nine samples for each treatment at each cycle. During the WD cycles, we monitored volumetric strain and moisture content. Mechanical performance was assessed through unconsolidated undrained triaxial tests conducted at matric suctions of −1500 kPa, −33 kPa, and under saturated conditions. We evaluated the undrained shear strength (Su), secant modulus of elasticity (E50), and modulus of toughness (Ut). The results showed that OPC-treated samples consistently exhibited the highest Su at −1500 kPa across all WD cycles, followed by untreated and GG-treated samples. At −33 kPa, OPC-treated samples again outperformed the others in Su, while GG-treated samples performed better than the untreated ones. Under saturated conditions, GG-treated samples displayed a similar Su to OPC-treated samples, significantly higher than untreated samples. Energy absorption capacity, measured through Ut, peaked for OPC-treated samples at −1500 kPa but favoured GG treatment at −33 kPa and under saturation. X-ray computed tomography (CT) revealed severe degradation in untreated samples, characterised by extensive cracking, minor cracking in OPC-treated samples, and minimal damage in GG-treated samples. This highlights the superior resilience of guar gum to wetting–drying cycles. These findings underscore the potential of guar gum as a sustainable alternative to cement for enhancing the WD resilience of expansive soils, particularly under low-suction or saturated conditions
A bilingual voice: agency, authenticity, artistic practice
No full textHow do expectations surrounding vocal identity, authenticity, and agency shape artistic practice? What happens at the intersection of linguistic and cultural identities? In this article, I reflect on the potentiality of exophonic writing and on the impact of speaking and writing in two languages and discuss the concept of voice in both a literal and metaphorical sense, emphasizing how voice training has shaped my artistic identity. This work questions the notion of linguistic ownership and the fluidity of identity in a bilingual context. Through personal anecdotes and critical commentary, I offer insights into the transformative power of embracing multiple linguistic and cultural influences in artistic practice
Absorbed concert listening: a qualitative, phenomenological inquiry
Full text linkThis paper pursues a phenomenological investigation of the nature of absorbed listening in Western, classical music concert audiences. This investigation is based on a data-set of 16 in-depth phenomenological interviews with audience members from three classical concerts with the Stavanger Symphony Orchestra and the Norwegian Radio Orchestra conducted in spring 2024. We identify seven major themes, namely “sharedness”, “attention”, “spontaneous thought/mental imagery”, “modes of listening” “absorption”, “distraction”, and “strong emotional experiences”, and interpret these in light of relevant ideas in phenomenology, cognitive psychology, and ecological aesthetics, more precisely “passive synthesis” from Husserl, the “sense of agency” from Gallagher, and “mind surfing” from Høffding, Nielsen, and Laeng. We show that, like absorbed musical performance, absorbed musical listening comes in many shapes and can be grasped as instantiating variations of passive synthesis, the sense of agency, and mind surfing. We conclude that absorbed listening circles around a kind of paradox of passivity, characterised by a sense of loss of egoic control arising from particular forms of invested, intensive perceptual, cognitive, and affective engagement
A suicide bereavement model: based on a meta-ethnography of the experiences of adult suicide loss survivors
Full text linkIn the UK & Ireland, recent statistics indicate that there are more than 7,000 deaths by suicide, per year, with three to four times as many being by males than females, with an estimated 480,000 – 945,000 people exposed to those losses. While male suicide-loss survivors (SLSs) are equally exposed, the vast majority of suicide bereavement research includes a large majority of female participants. Following the eMERGe and PRISMA guidelines, a meta-ethnography was carried out to assess historical research into suicide-loss survivorship. Seven data sources were searched, up to 30-Nov-2022, for peer-reviewed studies, written in English, that used identifiable and interpretative qualitative methods, had at least 50% male participation, and offered a valuable contribution to the synthesis. Overall, 1,645 records were screened, and 15 reports of included studies assessed. Eight main themes we identified: changed forever, trauma, stigmatization, protector, lost futures, lost in plain sight, societal norms, and dualities. Via line of argument synthesis, and considering the broader literature, a model for suicide bereavement, applicable to all, is proposed that brings together the gamut of pertinent factors into an integrated framework. The model could be used in practice (clinical, therapy/counselling, education) to enable better understanding of the highly complex and interwoven components of suicide bereavement, thereby facilitating improved and extended services available to SLSs that are more in-tune with their needs. A common perception, among SLSs, is that those not bereaved by suicide can never understand their situation. While the model cannot confer full comprehension of suicide bereavement, it can go a long way to assist those looking to assist SLSs by providing a platform for dialogue and empathy
A cinema of research: Bruno Munari and Monte Olimpino
No full textBruno Munari (1907–2008), industrial and graphic designer, kinetic artist and children’s book author, who produced such tongue-in-cheek objects as ‘useless machines’ and ‘illegible books’, was also actively involved in filmmaking during the 1960s. Yet, Munari himself would object to describing his cinema as ‘experimental’ or ‘avant-garde’; Munari, instead, insisted on calling his cinema a ‘cinema of research’. And in 1962, together with Marcello Piccardo and his family, he set up a studio for the production of just such work. Operative for about 10 years, Munari and Piccardo’s studio in Monte Olimpino, in Northern Italy, constitutes a fascinating and largely neglected venture in film production, one in which the aesthetics, politics and economics of the avant-garde and industrial film, the community film and the TV commercial are strangely, and prolifically, interwoven. The work produced at the studio has fascinating links with better-known experimental films of the period – links which are even more fascinating in a body of work produced in rather different conditions (such as corporate sponsorship from firms including Olivetti and Fiat) and for different purposes (from education to advertising)