Information Security Research Articles

Monochromatic Responsive HOF Heterostructures via VIA‐Group‐Based Framework Hybridization for Fully‐Covert Photonic Barcode

AbstractLuminescent responsive heterostructures with region‐domained emission and integrated responsiveness exhibit great potential in information security, but always suffer from the direct exposure of fingerprint information at the initial state, making it easy to decode the hidden confidential information. Herein, the first monochromatic responsive hydrogen‐bonded organic framework (HOF) heterostructures are reported based on VIA‐group‐based framework hybridization toward fully‐covert photonic barcodes. Designed HOF blocks with different VIA‐group elements are integrated via a configuration‐assimilation‐based assembly method to generate the intrinsic monochromatic HOF heterostructures. Differentiated electronegativity of VIA‐group elements endows each HOF block with distinct bonding stability, which triggers different responsive actions to the same stimuli, finally forming the multicolor emission mode at a responsive state. These monochromatic responsive HOF heterostructures can effectively hide the intrinsic fingerprint information, which further demonstrates the fully‐covert photonic coding capability as high‐security anti‐counterfeiting labels. These findings offer novel insight on the exploitation of smart‐responsive hetero‐HOF systems for advanced information encryption and anticounterfeiting applications.

Dynamic Chirality in Nature-Inspired Photonic Crystal Films: Ultralong Room Temperature Phosphorescence and Stimuli-Responsive Circularly Polarized Luminescence.

Circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) systems exhibiting room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) are attracting considerable attention for applications in information encryption and smart sensing. However, achieving ultralong circularly polarized RTP (CPRTP) with tunable chirality and stimuli-responsive CPL remains challenging. Inspired by the color-changing properties of the Troides magellanus butterfly, we developed a cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)-based photonic crystal film with an ultralong RTP lifetime of 2.04 s. The helical pitch of photonic crystal film could be engineered by adding different amounts of glucose, leading to 3-fold and 4-fold enhancement of the phosphorescence and fluorescence quantum yields, respectively, compared to the samples without glucose. The system exhibited green afterglows lasting over 4 s and tunable photonic bandgap (PBG) that modulated chiroptical properties, achieving high glum values of -0.749 for fluorescence and -0.650 for phosphorescence. Additionally, the film demonstrated stimuli-responsive features such as humidity-responsive RTP and solvent-responsive CPL. Therefore, the biomimetic photonic crystal film offers promising opportunities for multilevel anticounterfeiting, information security, and smart sensing applications.

Advanced Logic Computing and Hybrid Crypto-Steganography for Molecular Information Coding Using Gold/Silver Nanoclusters.

In the domain of digital data exchange, ensuring information security is the supreme demand for data storage and transmission. Interlinking cryptographic techniques with steganographic principles can enhance data confidentiality. However, there have been no reports thus far to develop molecular platforms for hybrid crypto-steganography systems. Using our synthesized nanoclusters (BSA-Au/Ag NCs) through bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a versatile scaffold, we fabricated a molecular platform for concatenated logic circuits and molecular keypad lock. Then, we integrate terrestrial direction information transmission through molecular navigation, employing a double block cipher by combining stego key and shifting cipher key techniques to develop a hybrid crypto-steganography system, aimed at enhancing security paradigms. Furthermore, we prioritize information protection by developing an enhanced distress call protocol using a polyalphabetic cipher to activate covert communication capabilities, thereby safeguarding data against potential infiltrators.

ДО ПРОБЛЕМИ ЗАБЕЗПЕЧЕННЯ ІНФОРМАЦІЙНОЇ БЕЗПЕКИ В УМОВАХ ДІЇПРАВОВОГО РЕЖИМУ ВОЄННОГО СТАНУ

The article is devoted to the analysis of legal mechanisms for ensuring information security in wartime. It is stated that the functioning of a modern information society requires clear legislative regulation of many diverse relations that arise as a result of thedevelopment of information resources and systems, communication channels and derivative technologies. This problem acquires particular importance and relevance in the context of the Russian-Ukrainian war, since information security critically affects the national security of Ukraine. This is a set of means implementedby the state information security system to protect society from harmful not only informational and psychological influences but also leaks of information with limited access. The essential element of ensuring information security should be effective state control over its circulation. In the context of wartime and aggressive warfare by the russian federation, information security acquires great importance as blocking truthful information and spreading fakes undermine citizens’ trust in the authorities and jeopardize the achievement of the desired results in the war. The importance of legal regulation in the field of information security management is emphasized, which includes the adaptation of legislation to wartime conditions, aimed at ensuring the life status and derivative rights of citizens in unreliable information conditions. It is emphasized that, for example, the use of the Telegram messenger, which has become the main source of information for a significant part of the population of Ukraine, that social networks as new platforms are used not only for communication, butalso for conducting information-psychological operations of the enemy. Vital necessity requires regulators to act in relation to the enemy asymmetrically, as well as to take measures that go beyond the limits of legal regulation in peaceful conditions of existence. It is necessary to form the national information security strategy that would ensure appropriate protection of the information environment, contributing to the formation of society’s resilienceto information threats. It is the strategic approach to regulating information security that is key to the further development of democratic institutions in Ukraine and ensuring stability in wartime.

Adoption of K-means clustering algorithm in smart city security analysis and mythical experience analysis of urban image.

An information security evaluation model based on the K-Means Clustering (KMC) + Decision Tree (DT) algorithm is constructed, aiming to assess its value in evaluating smart city (SC) security. Additionally, the impact of SCs on individuals' mythical experiences is investigated. An information security analysis model based on the combination of KMC and DT algorithms is established. A total of 38 SCs are selected as the research objects for practical analysis. The practical feasibility of the model is assessed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and its performance is compared with that of the Naive Bayes (NB), Logistic Regression (LR), Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM) classification methods. Lastly, a questionnaire survey is conducted to obtain and analyze individuals' mythical experiences in SCs. (1) The area under the ROC curve is significantly higher than 0.9 (0.921 vs. 0.9). (2) Compared to the NB and LR algorithms, the security analysis model based on the combination of KMC and DT algorithms demonstrated higher true positive rate (TPR), accuracy, recall, F-Score, AUC-ROC, and AUC-PR. Additionally, the performance metrics of RF, SVM, and GBM are similar to those of the KMC+DT model. (3) When the attributes are the same, the difference in smart risk levels is small, while when the attributes are different, the difference in risk levels is significant. (4) The support rates for various types of new folk activities are as follows: offline shopping festivals (17.6%), New Year's Eve celebrations (16.7%), Tibet tourism (15.6%), spiritual practices (16.2%), green leisure (16.0%), and suburban/rural tourism (15.8%). (5) High-risk cities (Grade A) showed stronger support for modern activities such as offline shopping festivals and green leisure, while low-risk cities (Grades C and D) tended to favor traditional cultural activities. The algorithm model constructed in this work is capable of effectively evaluating the information security risks of SCs and has practical value. A good city image and mythological experience are driving the development of cities.

Development of an Anomaly Classification Model and a Decision Support Tool for Firewall Policy Configuration

A firewall is a device that is used generally to prevent cyberattacks and protect internal assets by blocking unauthorized access. Information security managers have many difficulties in managing firewall policies due to errors or anomalies in the policy that are caused by frequent internal and external requests. This paper intends to develop an anomaly classification model to detect anomalies and measure the priority of resolution in firewall policy as well as a visualized tool that supports information security managers to manage their firewall policy efficiently. This model and tool help information security managers resolve anomalies in firewall policy, enable efficient firewall policy management, and protect internal assets effectively.

A risk and conformity assessment framework to ensure security and resilience of healthcare systems and medical supply chain

In recent years, the healthcare sector has undergone a significant digital transformation, driven by the rise of the Internet of Medical Things and the exponential use of connected medical devices in healthcare service delivery. This transformation offers numerous benefits, including enhanced patient data collection, processing, and informed treatment decisions. Despite these advantages, digital adoption brings several security challenges that pose considerable risks to overall healthcare service delivery. Additionally, connected medical devices must comply with sector-specific regulatory requirements to ensure trustworthiness and facilitate their broader adoption in the healthcare sector. There is, therefore, a pressing need to understand and manage these risks and compliance issues to secure and strengthen the resilience of healthcare systems. This work addresses these needs by introducing a novel Risk and Conformity Assessment Framework and Certification Scheme, implemented within an agile Information Security Management System context to enhance the security and resilience of healthcare systems. The framework leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI) in risk management practices, improving security assessments, risk prediction, security control implementation, and continuous monitoring. AI algorithms analyze large data volumes from various sources, enabling efficient processing and the identification of potential risk patterns. Additionally, AI-driven automation tools ensure consistent deployment of security controls, while continuous AI monitoring detects abnormal activities and enables rapid response to security incidents. The proposed Cybersecurity Certification Scheme incorporates AI-based security assessments into the certification process, facilitating efficient conformity assurance. This scheme also promotes a collaborative approach with relevant regulatory bodies to achieve compliance. While this work introduces a conceptual framework, its implementation and potential refinements remain subjects for future research. Further studies are necessary to validate its effectiveness, enhance its components, and evaluate its practical application in real-world healthcare environments.

Правовые основы информационной безопасности в системе воспитания в школе

The normative and methodological support of a law enforcement culture on information security is considered on the basis of an approximate program of the training course and textbooks “Information Security” from the Federal list of textbooks at the levels of general education.

Privacy Relevance and Disclosure Intention in Mobile Apps: The Mediating and Moderating Roles of Privacy Calculus and Temporal Distance

In digital societies, users’ privacy decisions not only affect personal information security and application sustainability, but also profoundly influence the formulation and enforcement of relevant laws. However, existing research mainly adopts a dichotomous perspective of rationality and bounded rationality, lacking an integrated framework to explain the complexity of users’ privacy decisions. Therefore, this study integrates privacy calculus theory and Psychological Distance Theory within the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM) framework to explore their mediating and moderating roles in the relationship between perceived privacy relevance and disclosure intention. To achieve the research objectives, we employed the vignette method to design an online survey with a 2 (perceived relevance: low vs. high) × 2 (temporal distance: near vs. distant) between-subjects design, ultimately collecting 293 valid responses. The conclusions are as follows: (1) perceived relevance positively affects users’ privacy disclosure intention, and perceived benefits and perceived risks play a partial mediating role between them; (2) contrary to individuals’ common preference for near temporal distance (immediate rewards), distant temporal distance (delayed rewards) have a more pronounced enhancing effect on the positive relationship between perceived relevance and perceived benefits; (3) the results excluded the influence of control variables such as gender, age, and education level on privacy disclosure intention. This study not only proposes an integrated analytical framework, revealing that users’ privacy decisions are jointly influenced by both rational and irrational factors, but also provides practical insights for application developers and regulatory agencies. Finally, we also discuss the limitations of this study and directions for future research.

Dynamic multimodal information encryption combining programmable structural coloration and switchable circularly polarized luminescence.

Multimodal optical-materials are highly desirable due to their advantages in enhancing information security, though independent modulation is challenging, especially accurately controlling the orthogonal relationship between the structural coloration (SC) and fluorescence (FL) pattern. Herein, we report a strategy which combines programmable structural coloration and switchable circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) for multimodal information encryption. Using photomask with aligned grating, programmable periodic patterns are fabricated on a polydiacetylene (PDA) gel film, which produces image in tunable structural colors. Introducing a chiral fluorescence layer containing perovskite nanocrystals and twisted-stacking Ag nanowires (NWs) bilayers, which provides stimuli-responsive FL and CPL with high dissymmetry factor (glum, up to 1.3). Importantly, the structural coloration information and FL patterns (including CPL pattern) can be independently modulated without mutual interference, even selectively concealed or exposed by varying microstructure design of the cross-linked PDA gel or by acetonitrile treatment.

The Numerical, Calculative, and Codification System in the Maghreb: A Historical and Documentary Study

This study delves into the intriguing interplay between numbers and letters, with a focus on their role in letter calculation and encoding among Muslims in the Western Islamic world. It traces the historical evolution of Arabic numerals, originating from the Indian numeral system known as Ghubār numerals, and their lasting impact in the Maghreb region until the 19th century AD. The research meticulously examines the sophisticated system of obfuscation and encryption, essential for safeguarding sensitive information during confidential exchanges, thus leaving a profound imprint on numerical practices in the Islamic West. These cryptographic techniques not only ensured information security but also significantly influenced the cultural and socio-economic landscape of the region, fostering trust in commercial transactions and potentially affecting diplomatic exchanges and the preservation of religious texts. This intricate symbiosis between numbers and letters showcases the intellectual ingenuity of Muslim scholars, who utilized mathematics and encryption methodologies to navigate and shape the complexities of their society.

Examining the Readiness of the Organization's Security Success in Improving Security Performance

Information security has become an important issue in the digital era due to increased cyber threats and data leaks. This study analyzes the influence of Organizational Culture, Risk Propensity, and Security Readiness on Organizational Security Performance, with Top Management Support as the moderation variable. This study uses a quantitative method with a survey approach and is analyzed using SPSS software for regression, mediation, and moderation tests. The results show that Organizational Culture, Risk Propensity, and Security Readiness have a significant influence on Organizational Security Performance. Security Readiness is proven to be a mediating variable that strengthens the relationship between Organizational Culture and Risk Propensity to organizational security performance. In addition, Top Management Support acts as a moderator that strengthens the relationship between independent variables and Organizational Security Performance. This research contributes by integrating Security Readiness as a mediator and Top Management Support as a moderator in the information security framework. These findings highlight the importance of a holistic approach that includes organizational culture, risk behavior, security readiness, and top management support to improve information security resilience amid the challenges of the digital age and the result can be a recommendation for the government and private sectors.

МЕДІАРЕАЛЬНІСТЬ ЯК СКЛАДНИК КОЛОНІЗАЦІЙНОГО ДИСКУРСУ (НА ПРИКЛАДІ ТИМЧАСОВО ОКУПОВАНИХ ТЕРИТОРІЙ ЗАПОРІЗЬКОЇ ОБЛАСТІ)

<p><strong><em>The purpose</em></strong><em> of the study is to examine the role of media reality in the dissemination of Russian colonial discourse in the temporarily occupied territories of the Zaporizhzhia region.</em></p><p><strong><em>Research methodology</em></strong><em>.</em> <em>The following methods were applied in the course of the study: systematization, analysis, and synthesis, as well as discourse analysis of the propaganda materials from the so-called occupational media of the temporarily occupied territories of the Zaporizhzhia region, focusing on the spread of colonial discourse. For analysis, excerpts from the newspapers Zaporozhsky Vestnik and Komsomolskaya Pravda (print publications distributed in the temporarily occupied territories of the Zaporizhzhia region) from the summer of 2024 were selected.</em></p><p><strong><em>Results.</em></strong><em> The article examines the influence of media on the spread of colonial discourse implemented by occupiers and collaborators in the temporarily occupied territories of the Zaporizhzhia region. It was found that media reality, as a specific virtual space, is one of the leading tools for spreading colonial discourse due to its strong influence on shaping public opinion. The analysis of the sources shows that the following elements are used in media practices to implement colonial discourse: the instrumentalization of language and the dissemination of narratives that legitimize colonial practices and contribute to the «elevation» of the colonizers over others; the consolidation of ideas of «otherness» concerning the inhabitants of the captured regions, promoted through stereotypes and frequent repetition of the same ideas; emphasis on the processes of assimilation occurring in society; the introduction of certain social practices and the imposition of colonial governing institutions (e.g., the education system); visual images and symbols that help establish the colonizers’ role as protectors; changes in toponyms in the captured regions, and so on.</em></p><p><strong><em>Novelty.</em></strong><em> First and foremost, the novelty of the study is manifested in its local focus, as the article focuses on specific territories of Zaporizhzhia region where the occupiers' publications, such as Zaporozhsky Vestnik and Komsomolskaya Pravda, are published. This allows the author to make a unique contribution to understanding the local specifics of the information war waged by the occupation authorities. In addition, this study explores media reality as a means of colonizing discourse, analyzing the ways in which propaganda influences the formation of public opinion and identity. The review of such methods as linguistic instrumentalization, narratives of «otherness» and toponym changes is a rather innovative approach in research on decolonization and information warfare. Thus, the novelty of the article lies in the combination of a local approach, a comprehensive analysis of media reality, and the practical significance of the research results for counterpropaganda and information security of Ukraine.</em></p><p><strong><em>Practical significance.</em></strong> <em>The results of the study of media reality in the temporarily occupied territories of the Zaporizhzhia region will help better understand how informational tools are used to shape public opinion and manipulate the consciousness of the population. This can be useful for developing effective countermeasures in the fight against propaganda and for reintegrating citizens in the temporarily occupied territories. Additionally, the conclusions of the article can assist governmental bodies and experts in the field of information security in developing strategies to counter disinformation and propaganda in the occupied territories, which is critically important for protecting Ukraine’s national interests.</em></p><p><strong><em>Key words:</em></strong><em> propaganda, colonial discourse, media reality, information warfare, temporarily occupied territories of the Zaporizhzhia region, media literacy, critical thinking, identity, decolonization, narratives</em><em>.</em></p>

КОНЦЕПТ «УКРАЇНСЬКА КОРУПЦІЯ» ЯК МАСМЕДІЙНИЙ МІФ ТА СКЛАДОВА ІНФОРМАЦІЙНОЇ ВІЙНИ

<p><strong><em>The purpose</em></strong><em> of the study is to identify the main narratives that influence the formation and spread of the concept of «Ukrainian corruption» in the world’s media reality.</em></p><p><strong><em>Research methodology.</em></strong><em> Using the method of systematization of open data sources, the leading narratives that accompany the mass media concept of «Ukrainian corruption» are outlined. The observation method allowed us to formulate a hypothesis about invasive influences on mass consciousness in the formation of beliefs about the corruption of Ukrainian society and power elites. The induction method provided an opportunity to check the correlation of this hypothesis with already conducted research and to substantiate it. The interpretation method is also important in the work.<strong></strong></em></p><p><strong><em>Results.</em></strong><em> The topic of corruption in Ukraine is included in the list of the most common in both domestic and Western media. The coverage of informational pretexts behind it is fueled by several objective reasons. The central place among them is determined by materials that address the processes of Ukraine’s formation as a democratic state. At the same time, researchers record the artificial replication of unreliable reports about Ukrainian corruption, the purpose of which is to demoralize Ukrainian society and reduce the level of trust in it among Western partners. In addition to the influence of Russian propaganda, the conceptualization of the idea of Ukrainian corruption is influenced by the optics of the «civilizational superiority» of the Western world, which builds an imaginary hierarchy of progressiveness of states. </em></p><p><strong><em>Novelty.</em></strong><em> The article is the first attempt to unite the wide field of narrative influences that form the concept of «Ukrainian corruption» in the information space.</em></p><p><strong><em>Practical significance. </em></strong><em>The results of the study are of interest to students studying disciplines related to media criticism, the history of information warfare, and compliance with journalistic standards in work. Some conclusions expand the subject field of analysis on postcolonial issues and media hygiene and can contribute to the development of specific advice for practicing journalists.</em></p><p><strong><em>Key words: </em></strong><em>Ukrainian corruption, Russia's war against Ukraine, propaganda, information war, manipulation, information security, national interests, information space.</em></p>

The contribution of peri-urban livestock production on the food security of farmers in Botleng, Delmas, South Africa

This study explored the food security status of peri-urban livestock farmers in the township of Botleng, Delmas, South Africa, and sought to determine whether livestock production has contributed to the food security of farming households in the area. The specific objectives were to determine: (i) the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of farmers in the township of Botleng, Delmas, South Africa, (ii) the food security status of farmers in the area, (iii) the contribution of peri-urban livestock farming to food accessibility of farmers in the area, and (iv) other contributions acquired through livestock production in the study area outside of those which affect food security. Primary data were collected from 108 farmers who were randomly selected and were subsequently interviewed through the administration of a questionnaire, which contained the standard Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). Demographic and socio-economic information was collected to better understand the dynamics of the livestock farmers in the area. The HFIAS is a standardized questionnaire, used to acquire household food security information and give an idea of the food security status of a household. A descriptive analysis was performed, and the results showed that the area only had black farmers, the majority of which were elderly males. It was further found that 86.1% of the households were food secure and that 99.1% of the households showed that livestock production contributed financially to the household. Furthermore, of those that indicated that they received income from livestock sales, 99.07% of them indicated that the money they received was used to buy food, amongst other things. This showed that livestock production contributed to food security in the households of the farmers through increasing food access. It was recommended that livestock production be encouraged in more households especially among youth and women and that capacity building of farmers is essential, especially in enhancing their earning potentials in livestock farming. Key words: Food security, Livestock farmers, Food security status, Peri-urban South Africa

Upgrading Educational Spaces of Non-Linguistic Universities

In the work carried out in the light of updating the problem of radical renewal of the information and educational environment of a non-linguistic university, a description of the essence and main components of the student learning model within the framework of the university course “Foreign Language for Special Purposes” was proposed, on the basis of which the methodology of the integration and competence approach. The purpose of the article is to present the results of an applied study conducted by the authors at the Institute of Computer Technology and Information Security of SFU, aimed at developing scientific and methodological support for teaching foreign languages in the university course “Foreign Language for Special Purposes.” The research methodology covers the theoretical justification, generalization and analysis of the data obtained, the design of the educational process by means of the author’s textbook on a foreign language for special purposes as part of the integration approach as the most valuable in a non-linguistic university. Based on a critical study of scientific works on the categorization of educational literature, requirements for the content and structure of textbooks, the authors recognize integration and competence approaches as a priority for this research. To design a foreign-language professional information and educational environment for students of the Institute of Computer Technologies and Information Security, the results of monitoring and diagnosing the level of readiness of SFU students to work within the framework of the author’s course in the desired discipline were used, including written and oral texts obtained during training in multi-level groups, taking into account the specifics of the university. Study results. The article presents a generalization of modern practice of teaching foreign languages, covering the implementation of three priority positions regarding the development of a value model for updating the information and educational environment with the intellectual resources of the author’s textbook. Didactic developments and teaching materials within the framework of the author’s textbook, tested by teachers of graduating departments and students of SFU, as well as teachers and students of the Department of Foreign Language Education of NIPKiPRO (Novosibirsk Institute for Advanced Training and Retraining of Educators), were updated. The results obtained were analyzed in organizational-pedagogical, content-technological and criterion-evaluation aspects. In conclusion the main final concepts of the research are formulated regarding the need to update the information and educational environment of a non-linguistic university in the process of learning a foreign language for specific purposes. The most productive approach is the value approach in light of the interdisciplinary paradigm of organizing foreign language education, allowing the cultivation of a natural communicative environment through foreign language professional vocabulary and culture. Moreover, the author’s educational, methodological and educational literature plays an important role in the design of the professional educational environment of a modern non-linguistic university.

Influence of Digital Literacy on Farmers’ Adoption Behavior of Low-Carbon Agricultural Technology: Chain Intermediary Role Based on Capital Endowment and Adoption Willingness

Farmers are the key adopters of low-carbon agricultural technologies, and their adoption behavior is crucial for achieving the “dual carbon” goals. However, how digital literacy influences farmers’ technology adoption remains underexplored. Based on survey data from 742 farmers in Shandong Province, this study employs an ordered Logit model to examine the impact of digital literacy on the adoption of low-carbon agricultural technologies, as well as the mediating effects of capital endowment and adoption willingness, along with their heterogeneity. The results indicate that digital literacy significantly promotes farmers’ adoption of low-carbon agricultural technologies, but its effects vary across different technology types. Information acquisition literacy and security literacy have a greater impact on data-driven technologies (water-saving irrigation and soil testing-based fertilization), while content creation literacy and problem-solving literacy play a more significant role in knowledge-based technologies (integrated pest management). Mechanism analysis reveals that capital endowment and adoption willingness function as independent mediators, with a significant chain mediation effect between them. Furthermore, different dimensions of capital endowment exert heterogeneous influences on technology adoption: human and material capital primarily influence conservation tillage and water-saving irrigation, social capital facilitates integrated pest management, and economic capital plays a crucial role in water-saving irrigation adoption. Based on these findings, this study recommends enhancing farmers’ digital literacy, optimizing capital endowment structures, strengthening market mechanisms, and establishing demonstration bases to accelerate the widespread adoption of low-carbon agricultural technologies and contribute to the realization of the “dual carbon” goals.

Silk Fibroin-Based Antifreezing and Highly Conductive Hydrogel for Sensing at Ultralow Temperature.

Hydrogels with a combination of mechanical flexibility and good electrical conductivity hold significant potential for various applications. Nonetheless, it is inevitable that water-based conductive hydrogels lose their elasticity and conductivity at extremely low temperatures, severely limiting their utilization in ultralow temperature environments, such as those for Arctic/Antarctic exploration. In this study, we developed a conductive hydrogel based on a double network cross-linking strategy that incorporated silk fibroin (SF) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) within a lithium bromide (LiBr) solution, which shows exceptional antifreezing (-108 °C freezing point) and excellent conductivity (16.33 S m-1). The obtained SF/PEDOT:PSS/LiBr (SPL) hydrogel shows a stable and reliable response to a wide range of deformations (compression: 0.5-60%; tensile: 1.0-100%), with a short response/recovery time of approximately 70 ms. More importantly, the hydrogel displays well-maintained conductivity, robust mechanical properties, and dependable sensing capabilities, even under temperatures as low as -80 °C. For proof of concept, we demonstrated the applications of the SPL hydrogel in detecting body movements, monitoring climate conditions, and ensuring information security in ultralow temperature environments. The results indicate that the antifreezing hydrogel is a promising candidate for fabricating flexible sensors, particularly well-suited for use in challenging ultralow temperature scenarios.

Security Testing of XYZ Website Application Using ISSAF and OWASP WSTG v4.2 Methods

The research focuses on improving the security of information systems in ABC City, specifically on the XYZ website application developed by the Communication and Informatics Office ABC to assist in governmental administration and manage various critical data. This study is motivated by the high incidence of cybersecurity threats in the governmental administration sector, as reported by Badan Siber dan Sandi Negara in November 2023. The primary objective of this research is to identify security vulnerabilities within the XYZ website application. The research employs the Information Systems Security Assessment Framework (ISSAF) as the primary security testing framework and the OWASP Web Security Testing Guide (WSTG) version 4.2 as the guide for the penetration testing phase, one of the stages in ISSAF for validating vulnerabilities. Validated vulnerabilities are further assessed for severity using the OWASP Risk Rating guidelines to estimate the risk and impact of potential attacks on the Communication and Informatics Office ABC. The research methodology uses a black-box testing approach. To ensure a structured approach, it provides security recommendations using the SMAACT method. This research includes a report on the identified vulnerabilities and recommendations that the Communication and Informatics Office ABC can implement to address these vulnerabilities. The findings of this study are expected to provide insights into existing security vulnerabilities within the website application and practical recommendations for improvement, benefiting both the practical context of enhancing information security at the Communication and Informatics Office ABC and the theoretical context as a reference for similar future research.

Stretchable optoelectronic synapses with ultraviolet to near-infrared perception for retina-inspired computing and vision-adaptive sensing

Stretchable optoelectronic synapses are attractive for intelligent perception, neuromorphic computation and visual adaptation. Here, we demonstrate a highly stretchable organic optoelectronic synaptic transistor (s-OOST) with a transconductance up to 86 mS that can simultaneously accept modulation of electrical pulses and multi-wavelength light signals (from ultraviolet to near-infrared). The s-OOST achieved highly reliable synaptic plasticity for brain-inspired computation and retina-inspired perception even under 50% tensile strain. Furthermore, the devices exibited vision-adaptive near-infrared sensing ability that was verified by single-pixel scanning imaging. Finally, the multi-wavelength (365 nm–1050 nm) optical synaptic properties were investigated under the applications of imaging memory, polychromatic optical communication and information security (coded by wavelength). This research advances the capabilities of the stretchable integrated systems with vision-adaptive sensing characteristic and computing-in-memory ability.