Cybersecurity in Local Governments: A Systematic Review and Framework of Key Challenges

Cybersecurity has emerged as a critical concern in modern urban governance, as local governments now extend their responsibilities beyond traditional infrastructure management to safeguard digital systems and citizen data in increasingly digitised smart city environments. Despite the importance of robust cybersecurity measures, there is a concerning gap—i.e., local governments often exhibit a cybersecurity posture that is inadequately prepared to counter the rising cyber threats. This discrepancy underscores the urgency for a comprehensive understanding of the challenges restricting effective cybersecurity in local governmental settings. This paper aims to elucidate these challenges of local governments in a structured framework utilising a systematic literature review method named the PRISMA protocol. The findings reveal that the stakes are high when it comes to cybersecurity for local governments, with the key challenges being financial resource constraints, technological vulnerabilities, human factors, and the regulatory framework. This study recommends improving interdepartmental coordination, adopting relevant policies, and executing targeted cybersecurity training to address these challenges. The study also highlights unconventional approaches to mitigate financial and skill resource limitations, including the utilisation of open-source security tools, outsourcing specific cybersecurity functions, and establishing collaborations with local cybersecurity agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector to obtain expertise and advanced resources. Overall, this study offers valuable insights into the critical cybersecurity challenges faced by local governments and provides specific recommendations, equipping urban policymakers, administrators, and researchers with valuable guidance to enhance cybersecurity resilience within this critical yet understudied research domain.</p

Polymer Electrolytes with High Ionic Conductivities at Freezing Temperature for Aqueous Hybrid Batteries

Rechargeable and flexible aqueous batteries (ABs) have emerged as one of promising energy devices which is primarily due to the safety, environmental friendliness and economic efficiency. However, because of the freezing behavior of aqueous electrolytes, most ABs possess poor performance when the working temperature drops below zero. To solve this problem, a gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) with high ionic conductivity (IC) and frost-resistance is designed for aqueous Zn−Li hybrid batteries by a biomass-based polymers complex consisting of carboxyl modified sodium alginate (SA) and zwitterionic betaine (BA). Introducing iminodiacetic acid to enrich −COOH groups along the SA main chains could improve IC of the prepared GPEs to 41.27 and 20.96 mS cm−1 at 20 and −20 °C, respectively. At −20 °C, the discharge capacity of the resultant cell is two times higher than that of the liquid electrolyte-based cell, and the cell presents a capacity retention of 91.6 % after 300 charge/discharge cycles at 1 C. This proposed strategy greatly improve the IC of GPEs at freezing temperature, which is expected to broaden the practical application of GPEs in wide range of temperature.</p

A novel tape-free sample preparation method for human osteochondral cryosections for high throughput hyperspectral imaging

Understanding the osteochondral junction, where non-mineralised cartilage and mineralised bone converge, is crucial for joint health. Current sample preparation techniques are insufficient for detailed spatial hyperspectral imaging analysis. Using the enhanced Kawamoto method, we used the super cryo embedding medium’s temperature-dependent properties to transfer high-quality tissue samples onto slides for spatial imaging analysis. We transferred osteochondral samples using a tape-free system and successfully tested them in hematoxylin and eosin (HE), Safranin-O, nanomechanical assessments and nano-Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) mapping. This protocol elucidates the structural and elemental gradients, mechanical characteristics and distinctive biochemical layering, making it a useful tool for analysing biochemical properties’ co-distribution in healthy and diseased situations.</p

An advanced physics-informed neural network-based framework for nonlinear and complex topology optimization

In this present paper, we introduce an advanced Physics-Informed Neural Network (PINN) based Topology Optimization (TO) framework for addressing complex structural design challenges. Traditional applications of PINN-based TO have primarily focused on solving classical compliance minimization problems. However, to demonstrate its broad applicability, PINNs must be utilized to address wide range of TO challenges. Addressing this gap, this study developed an advanced Complete Physics-Informed Neural Network-based Topology Optimization (CPINNTO) framework, offering a viable approach for solving complex and nonlinear TO challenges. To do so, a Deep Energy Method (DEM) PINN structures and Sensitivity-analysis PINN (S-PINN) models are constructed to estimate the structure displacement and deriving objective function, respectively. Moreover, CPINNTO is adapted for various TO challenges including periodic, multi-scale, multi-material and geometrically nonlinear TO problems. The numerical experiments indicate that the CPINNTO is capable of obtaining optimal topologies for complex TO problems without labelled data for PINNs or with no involvement of Finite Element Analysis (FEA). Notably, CPINNTO effectively optimized nonlinear designs under geometrically nonlinear conditions using the proposed Saint Venant-Kirchhoff (SVK) DEM-PINN model. In summary, the proposed CPINNTO framework presents an innovative approach for a wide range of practical applications.</p

Global, regional, and national burden of upper respiratory infections and otitis media, 1990-2021: a systematic analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background: Upper respiratory infections (URIs) are the leading cause of acute disease incidence worldwide and contribute to a substantial health-care burden. Although acute otitis media is a common complication of URIs, the combined global burden of URIs and otitis media has not been studied comprehensively. We used results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2021 to explore the fatal and non-fatal burden of the two diseases across all age groups, including a granular analysis of children younger than 5 years, in 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2021. Methods: Mortality due to URIs and otitis media was estimated with use of vital registration and sample-based vital registration data, which are used as inputs to the Cause of Death Ensemble model to separately model URIs and otitis media mortality by age and sex. Morbidity was modelled with a Bayesian meta-regression tool using data from published studies identified via systematic reviews, population-based survey data, and cause-specific URI and otitis media mortality estimates. Additionally, we assessed and compared the burden of otitis media as it relates to URIs and examined the collective burden and contributing risk factors of both diseases. Findings: The global number of new episodes of URIs was 12·8 billion (95% uncertainty interval 11·4 to 14·5) for all ages across males and females in 2021. The global all-age incidence rate of URIs decreased by 10·1% (–12·0 to –8·1) from 1990 to 2019. From 2019 to 2021, the global all-age incidence rate fell by 0·5% (–0·8 to –0·1). Globally, the incidence rate of URIs was 162 484·8 per 100 000 population (144 834·0 to 183 289·4) in 2021, a decrease of 10·5% (–12·4 to –8·4) from 1990, when the incidence rate was 181 552·5 per 100 000 population (160 827·4 to 206 214·7). The highest incidence rates of URIs were seen in children younger than 2 years in 2021, and the largest number of episodes was in children aged 5–9 years. The number of new episodes of otitis media globally for all ages was 391 million (292 to 525) in 2021. The global incidence rate of otitis media was 4958·9 per 100 000 (3705·4 to 6658·6) in 2021, a decrease of 16·3% (–18·1 to –14·0) from 1990, when the incidence rate was 5925·5 per 100 000 (4371·8 to 8097·9). The incidence rate of otitis media in 2021 was highest in children younger than 2 years, and the largest number of episodes was in children aged 2–4 years. The mortality rate of URIs in 2021 was 0·2 per 100 000 (0·1 to 0·5), a decrease of 64·2% (–84·6 to –43·4) from 1990, when the mortality rate was 0·7 per 100 000 (0·2 to 1·1). In both 1990 and 2021, the mortality rate of otitis media was less than 0·1 per 100 000. Together, the combined burden accounted for by URIs and otitis media in 2021 was 6·86 million (4·24 to 10·4) years lived with disability and 8·16 million (4·99 to 12·0) disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) for all ages across males and females. Globally, the all-age DALY rate of URIs and otitis media combined in 2021 was 103 per 100 000 (63 to 152). Infants aged 1–5 months had the highest combined DALY rate in 2021 (647 per 100 000 [189 to 1412]), followed by early neonates (aged 0–6 days; 582 per 100 000 [176 to 1297]) and late neonates (aged 7–24 days; 482 per 100 000 [161 to 1052]). Interpretation: The findings of this study highlight the widespread burden posed by URIs and otitis media across all age groups and both sexes. There is a continued need for surveillance, prevention, and management to better understand and reduce the burden associated with URIs and otitis media, and research is needed to assess their impacts on individuals, communities, economies, and health-care systems worldwide. Funding: Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation.</p

Adaptive Weighted Multi-kernel Learning for Blast-Induced Flyrock Distance Prediction

In the field of civil and mining engineering, blasting operations are widely and frequently used for rock excavation, However, some undesirable environmental problems induced by blasting operations cannot be ignored. Blast-induced flyrock is one important issue induced by blasting operation, which needs to be well predicted to identify the blasting zone’s safety zone. This study introduces an adaptive weighted multi-kernel learning model (AW-MKL) to provide an accurate prediction of blast-induced flyrock distance in Sungun Copper Mine site. The proposed model uses a combination of multi-kernel learning (MKL) approach and adaptive weighting strategy based on weighted Euclidean distance and modified local outlier factor (MLOF) to maximally improve the predictive ability of kernel ridge regression (KRR). To demonstrate the superiority of the proposed approach, six machine learning models were developed as comparisons, i.e., KRR, RF, GBDT, SVM, M5 Tree, MARS and AdaBoost. The outcomes of the proposed method achieved the highest accuracy in testing phase, with RMSE of 2.05, MAE of 0.98 and VAF of 99.92, which confirmed the strong predictive capability of the proposed AW-MKL in predicting blast-induced flyrock distance.</p

Scalable Input-to-State Stability of Nonlinear Interconnected Systems

This paper investigates the scalable input-to-state stability (sISS) property of networks of interconnected systems using the local Lyapunov functions of the individual systems or agents that compose the network. Ensuring sISS of the network prevents the amplification of disturbances through the network, provides uniform transient performance with respect to the number of interconnected systems, and enables network scalability. Our first contribution is to provide sufficient conditions for sISS of networks using sISS vector Lyapunov functions. These sufficient conditions are given in terms of the Lyapunov functions of the agents. We use vector Lyapunov functions, the comparison lemma, and contraction analysis to prove the result. Our second contribution provides conditions for scalable input-to-state stability of weakly coupled interconnected systems. This result allows us to study the scalable input-to-state stability of exponentially stable systems interconnected by weak coupling links. We illustrate the application of the results in four examples

Beyond a Buzzword: Student Perspectives on what Contributes to Engaging Educators and Classroom Experiences

In a changing educational landscape, student engagement remains a prominent issue in research and practice. This study explores engagement from the student’s perspective across multiple disciplines, year levels and delivery modes. It draws on 13,125 Student Evaluation of Teaching survey comments where students have used the word “engage” (or derivative) in response to individual educators. Part of speech tagging was used to identify surrounding words that helped to contextualise the inclusion of the term. Through content analysis, key words were then grouped into six themes (approachability; synonyms for good; clarity; enjoyment and enthusiasm; relevance; and subject matter expertise) that highlighted both individual educator attributes and the overall learning experience. This research provides practical considerations for educators and administrators in relation to what students find engaging and how to support such positive environments. Additionally, it reinforces the role students play as major stakeholders in their learning and ongoing discussions around engagement

Living with Pediatric Coeliac Disease: Lessons for Health Service Delivery

Background: Coeliac Disease (CD) affects up to 1.4% of children worldwide, with a rising global incidence. A less typical clinical presentation and the need for a life-long gluten exclusion diet raise challenges for diagnosis, management, and healthcare delivery with considerable impacts for CD patients and families as well as clinical services. Aims: To explore the lived experiences of caregivers of children with CD to identify barriers and enablers to diagnosis, referral, and treatment to inform a more streamlined service delivery model. Methods: Semi-structured interviews with caregivers of children with CD diagnosed for at least one month with no significant co-morbidities. Interviews were thematically analyzed. Results: Sixteen participants representing 12 family units were interviewed. Children with CD ranged in age from 3 to 18 years. Time from symptom onset to diagnosis varied from one month to > 10 years and symptoms were mainly atypical and non-specific. Six key themes were identified: the iterative diagnosis journey, restricted choices, child responsibility and autonomy, mental load (encompassing foodwork, emotional rollercoaster, and lack of trust), Google™ reigns for information, and where to from here? Conclusion: There is a need to decentralize CD diagnosis and management to meet the increasing demand created by rising incidence. Participants highlighted the need for a more streamlined diagnosis pathway, increased training of health professionals, and access to age-appropriate resources. Efforts need to be made to advocate for increased community awareness. These insights will be used to reimagine and co-design a decentralized model of care for pediatric CD diagnosis and management in Queensland, Australia.</p

Submission into the Victorian Government's Inquiry into Women's Pain

As Media and Communication researchers from Swinburne University of Technology and Queensland University of Technology investigating the intersection of sexual health and technology, we welcome the opportunity to make a submission to the Victorian Government’s Inquiry into Women’s Pain. Our submission is informed by two ongoing projects:Digital sexual health: Designing for safety, pleasure and wellbeing in LGBTQ+ communities, a collaboration with Professor Jenny Sundén (Södertörn University) funded by FORTE Sweden.Digital and data capabilities for sexual health policy and practice, funded by the Australian Research Council via the Future Fellowship scheme (FT2100085)