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Improved 5G network slicing for enhanced QoS against attack in SDN environment using deep learning
Get PDFWithin the evolving landscape of fifth-generation (5G) wireless networks, the introduction of network-slicing protocols has become pivotal, enabling the accommodation of diverse application needs while fortifying defenses against potential security breaches. The challenge emerges in harmonizing the delivery of Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Massive Machine Type Communication (eMTC), and ultra-reliable Low Latency Communication (uRLLC) on a unified physical network while safeguarding against potential attacks. Thus, our study endeavors to construct a comprehensive network-slicing model integrated with an attack detection system within the 5G framework. Leveraging Software-Defined Networking (SDN) along with deep learning techniques, our approach seeks to fortify security measures while optimizing network performance. This undertaking introduces network slicing predicated on SDN with the OpenFlow protocol and Ryu control technology, complemented by a Neural Network model for attack detection using deep learning methodologies. Additionally, the proposed Convolutional Neural Networks-Long Short-Term Memory (CNN-LSTM) approach demonstrates superiority over conventional ML algorithms, signifying its potential for real-time attack detection. Evaluation of the proposed system using a 5G dataset showcases an impressive accuracy of 99%, surpassing previous studies, and affirming the efficacy of the approach. Moreover, network slicing significantly enhances Quality of Service (QoS) by segmenting services based on bandwidth. Future research will concentrate on real-world implementation, encompassing diverse dataset evaluations, and assessing the model's adaptability across varied scenarios
The impact of digital financial services on financial inclusion: a panel data regression method
Get PDFThis paper delves into the intricate relationship between digital financial services (DFS), traditional payment methods (TPM),
economic factors, and demographic variables in a quest to enhance financial inclusion. Panel data regression models were employed to analyse the data encompassing credit card access, borrowing, mobile money accounts, electronic payments, and economic and demographic factors. The findings underscore the pivotal role of digital financial services in promoting financial inclusion, particularly mobile money accounts and electronic payments. These services offer cost-effective and efficient alternatives to traditional banking, facilitating greater economic participation. Furthermore, the study reveals the influence of conventional payment methods, with suggestive continuing relevance on a long run. Economic and demographic factors such as age, income, education, and gender emerge as crucial determinants of financial inclusion, emphasising the need for tailored strategies in diverse population segments. Overall, the results are promising with demonstrable statistically significant evidence in the approach to financial inclusion, leveraging digital innovations while addressing various economic factors and demographic groups' needs. The approach seems to guarantee a more equitable, accessible and efficient global financial system to foster economic growth and societal well-being. Thus, the output in this paper will be economically useful to financial institutions, modern digital technology companies and further researchers who aimed to continuously adapt and improve the approach to financial inclusion
A prospective observational study comparing rates of medical instability between adolescents with typical and atypical anorexia nervosa
Get PDFBackground:
Recognition of atypical anorexia nervosa (AAN) has challenged underweight as a defining factor of illness severity in anorexia nervosa (AN). The present study aimed to compare rates of medical instability in adolescents with underweight (AN) and non‐underweight (AAN) anorexia nervosa.
Methods:
The study examined assessment data from specialist eating disorder services in the UK between January and December 2022. Participants (n = 205) aged 11–18 years were recruited across eight eating disorder clinics and diagnosed with AN (n = 113) or AAN (n = 92) after clinical assessment. Parameters associated with risk of medical instability were compared between AN and AAN groups, using t tests and regression analysis.
Results:
Rates of bradycardia and hypotension did not differ significantly between AN and AAN groups (p = 0.239 and p = 0.289). Although white blood cell counts were lower in the AN group, rates of leukopaenia could not be statistically compared as a result of there being too few counts in at least one group. No incidences of hypophosphataemia were found in the sample. A significant regression equation was found for percentage median body mass index, but not rate of weight loss, as a predictor of blood pressure, serum phosphorous and magnesium.
Conclusions:
Our findings indicate that medical instability occurs across a range of body weights in young people with AN and AAN. Although certain parameters of risk such as blood pressure, serum phosphorous and magnesium may be worsened at lower weight, both AN and AAN are serious mental health conditions that can lead to medical instability
Topical and transdermal botanical formulations of the Chinese pharmacopoeia—a review
Get PDFIn pharmaceutics, ingredients are classified as active ingredients and excipients. In topical/transdermal phytomedicines, an ingredient may serve both functions. Published information on these dual‐purpose ingredients and their pharmacological relevance is limited. An intriguing scenario arises in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulations, where active ingredients and excipients are undifferentiated. This study analyzes ingredients in TCM topical/transdermal formulations, aiming at harmonization of understanding of TCMs. The most commonly recorded ingredients from such formulations in the Chinese pharmacopoeia 2020 (ChP 2020) are reviewed, aiming at developing innovative topical/transdermal phytomedicines. Current editions of Chinese historical documents were reviewed to explore the principles underlying the use of these ingredients. TCM formulations containing botanical drugs for topical/transdermal application were selected from the ChP 2020. The use of botanical materials in TCM formulations is guided by the “Jun‐Chen‐Zuo‐Shi” principle rooted in Yin‐Yang and the five elements' theories. In the ChP 2020, 155 botanical drugs, along with 40 excipients (from the “procedure” section, focusing on processing and technical parameters), were identified from 34 botanical formulations intended for topical/transdermal application. Pungent and aromatic botanical materials were the most frequently recorded. Adhesive plasters were the most commonly recorded TCM dosage form, employing specific matrix blends. This new perspective of study reveals the prevalence of pungent and aromatic botanical materials, the common use of adhesive plasters, multifunctional properties of botanical oils, and formulation adaptability in TCM topical/transdermal products. These insights should inform novel formulation designs for both pharmaceutical and phytopharmacological research
Commentary: stumbling upon indirect self-enhancement in free will beliefs
Get PDFThe paper describes a story, the pattern of which may be familiar to many scientists. A clear and well thought-out hypothesis which is grounded in the empirical literature – in this case that the better-than-average effect which has been robustly demonstrated across several domains would replicate in the domain of free will – falls at the first empirical hurdle. Rather than give up, the researchers take this unplanned anomaly in the scientific process and use it as a springboard to understand better not only the better-than-average effect but also our ways of understanding free will. The final outcome is far richer than the initial project
Louise Moillon
No full textThe life and career of Louise Moillon (1609/10-1696) offers a fascinating case study of a supremely talented artist whose posthumous reputation has been mired in invisibility. Born and raised in Paris, Moillon was the sole woman in a circle of Calvinist Protestant émigrés who brought their tradition of still-life painting with them from Flanders. During her lifetime, she was able to enjoy a degree of professional independence and attract enough recognition to be regarded as on a level with her male counterparts, yet her exquisite work and enigmatic story are little known today.
This illustrated biography examines some of the ways in which Moillon’s story has been represented since the revival of interest in her work and draws on recent scholarship to situate the painter in her rightful place. Offering a sweeping exploration of the genre of still life, this book also chronicles how a woman in early modern France was able to capture the attention of the artistic world while dissecting why her prominence waned in the centuries following her death
The case for multidisciplinary frameworks for developing effective solutions to complex human problems: an illustration based on development education, corporate social responsibility and social marketing
Get PDFEducation, especially development education (DE), and a number of socially focused disciplines, including corporate social responsibility (CSR) and social marketing (SM), have long been targeted by policy makers for deriving advice on the ‘wisdom’ of levelling up differences and addressing sources of disadvantages at individual, group and/or regional levels. Additionally, the combined wisdom of such disciplines can also be a great source of advice to effectively address perennial universal problems. This paper is conceptual in nature with a multidisciplinary outlook. It contrasts DE, CSR and SM, with the view to deriving common grounds as well as strengths and areas for further development that can produce more comprehensive explanations and solutions to social problems. Such inclusive, more comprehensive explanations would help advise social-cause-focused workers, including researchers, learners and policy makers, about how each discipline can contribute to the resolution of multifaceted problems, the so-called ‘wicked problems’, that each discipline may not be fully equipped to address. The method of analysis used is an adjusted version of critical discourse analysis. It is used to explore the disciplines at four levels, namely definitional, philosophical, methodological and performance levels, thus giving a comprehensive view of each discipline’s nature, philosophical outlook, methodology and perceived efficacy in achieving its aims. The derived arguments also benefitted from comments provided by seven experienced representatives from the three disciplines. Overall, the outcomes suggest a relative maturity of critical ability in DE but also more effective and efficient methodological and evaluative perspectives in CSR and SM. Although the outcome of the analysis is open for debate, it nevertheless suggests several opportunities for mutual learning at all four levels. The paper suggests a novel integrated ‘supra-level’ framework that may help workers, in these three areas of knowledge, gain valuable insights from each of the three disciplines and highlight valuable opportunities for capitalising on their respective strengths
Continuous flow optimisation of the Pudovik reaction and phospha-Brook rearrangement using DBN
Get PDFFlow chemistry has shown significant versatility over the last two decades, offering advantages in efficiency, scalability, and sustainability. In this study, the continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) was used to optimise the synthesis of α-hydroxyphosphonates via the Pudovik reaction and their subsequent conversion to phosphates through the phospha-Brook rearrangement. The study highlights that using CSTRs allows for better control over reaction parameters, leading to reduced reaction times and improved yields compared to traditional batch methods. The optimised conditions successfully facilitated a range of organophosphates, including electron-rich and electron-poor derivatives, with high efficiency. Additionally, a one-pot tandem process combining the Pudovik reaction and the phospha-Brook rearrangement was developed, reducing reaction times to two hours while maintaining comparable yields. This work demonstrates the potential of CSTRs in flow chemistry for synthesising complex organophosphorus compounds, achieving higher reaction yields and shorter reaction times, highlighting the effectiveness of continuous flow methodologies
Mobilising big data analytics capabilities to improve performance of tourism supply chains: the moderating role of dynamic capabilities
Get PDFPurpose: With the emergence of big data analytics and the importance of analytics-driven decisions, the travel industry is swiftly jumping on and adopting the bandwagon. However, research in this domain is limited. Accordingly, the present research seeks to understand how Big Data Analytics Capabilities (BDAC) add value to Tourism Supply Chains (TSCs) and can Dynamic Capabilities (DC) improve the triple bottom line.
Design/methodology/approach: Data from 218 valid responses were collected from different Indian tourism industry units. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was applied to confirm the constructs, followed by partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to check the mediating effect of dynamic capabilities (DC) on TSCs performance.
Findings: The findings show that BDAC significantly influences the performance of TSCs and that DC plays a critical role in strengthening the impact of BDAC on TSCs’ economic performance. These results corroborate that DC plays a key moderating role.
Research limitations/implications: This study contributes significantly to the tourism sector in India, where tourism is a key contributor to the country’s gross domestic product. Theoretically, this study contributes to the resource-based view (RBV) and practically encourages professionals in the tourism sector to promote the use of BDAC to enhance the performance of TSCs.
Originality: The originality of the study is that it has tried to comprehend the moderating role of dynamic capabilities which impact BDAC to improve TSC performance
ESG dimensions and corporate value: insights for sustainable investments
Get PDFThis study adopts an integrated approach to analyze the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) dimensions and their relationship with corporate value in terms of two separate hypotheses: financial performance and market value. While previous studies in the literature have researched ESG from an overall aspect, this study stands out by simultaneously considering all three dimensions individually, providing a holistic and detailed view of their combined impact on corporate value to obtain insights for sustainable investments. Another contribution to the literature is the best practices associated with dialogue with stakeholders, as this study significantly contributes to the ongoing debate regarding sustainable investments. It is very important to demonstrate the relationship between ESG dimensions and corporate value based on empirical evidence. Thus, this study fills a gap in the literature and offers a basis for future research on sustainable investments from a multidimensional perspective of ESG. A relevant contribution is a dataset that includes detailed information about ESG dimensions for 100 publicly listed companies on the B3 stock market in Brazil. This comprehensive research allows for a robust generalization of the results and proposes insights that can be applied in a variety of contexts, increasing the relevance and practical applicability of this paper