21st Century Research Articles

Responsible cyber power

In the twenty-first century, cyberspace and the ‘real world’ have become inseparable. The stability and security of cyberspace therefore affect, in increasingly profound ways, the economies, international reputations, national security, military capabilities and global influence of states. In their short history, operations in cyberspace have already been used extensively by states and their non-state supporters for many purposes. They are an inevitable aspect of contemporary international affairs while carrying significant risk. In this Adelphi book, Marcus Willett, a former deputy head of GCHQ, argues that there is no coherent or widely shared understanding of what cyber operations really are, how they are used and what they can do; or of their implications for strategic affairs and international law; or what their ‘responsible’ use really entails. The myths and misunderstandings that abound tend to dull the conceptual clarity needed by strategic policymakers and overseers, and they complicate the essential task in a liberal democracy of maintaining public consent for, and legitimisation of, the development and use of such capabilities. The book sheds light on these issues, exposing myths and clarifying misunderstandings.

A short history of cyber operations

In the twenty-first century, cyberspace and the ‘real world’ have become inseparable. The stability and security of cyberspace therefore affect, in increasingly profound ways, the economies, international reputations, national security, military capabilities and global influence of states. In their short history, operations in cyberspace have already been used extensively by states and their non-state supporters for many purposes. They are an inevitable aspect of contemporary international affairs while carrying significant risk. In this Adelphi book, Marcus Willett, a former deputy head of GCHQ, argues that there is no coherent or widely shared understanding of what cyber operations really are, how they are used and what they can do; or of their implications for strategic affairs and international law; or what their ‘responsible’ use really entails. The myths and misunderstandings that abound tend to dull the conceptual clarity needed by strategic policymakers and overseers, and they complicate the essential task in a liberal democracy of maintaining public consent for, and legitimisation of, the development and use of such capabilities. The book sheds light on these issues, exposing myths and clarifying misunderstandings.

Strategic risks

In the twenty-first century, cyberspace and the ‘real world’ have become inseparable. The stability and security of cyberspace therefore affect, in increasingly profound ways, the economies, international reputations, national security, military capabilities and global influence of states. In their short history, operations in cyberspace have already been used extensively by states and their non-state supporters for many purposes. They are an inevitable aspect of contemporary international affairs while carrying significant risk. In this Adelphi book, Marcus Willett, a former deputy head of GCHQ, argues that there is no coherent or widely shared understanding of what cyber operations really are, how they are used and what they can do; or of their implications for strategic affairs and international law; or what their ‘responsible’ use really entails. The myths and misunderstandings that abound tend to dull the conceptual clarity needed by strategic policymakers and overseers, and they complicate the essential task in a liberal democracy of maintaining public consent for, and legitimisation of, the development and use of such capabilities. The book sheds light on these issues, exposing myths and clarifying misunderstandings.

Number theory based modern cryptography: RSA and Diffie-Hellman algorithms

Abstract. In the twenty-first century, the Internet has grown rapidly. Cryptography, with the protection of number theory as an important guarantee for the Internet, is critical to study, and algorithms must be updated to keep up with the evolution of the digital world. With the rapid spread of the Internet, security flaws in certain algorithms have been exposed, generating widespread alarm. This literature review focuses on the introductions of the Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA) and Diffie-Hellman algorithms, integrating and summarizing previous research. The content of this literature review includes an introduction to algorithms and number theory, specific applications of these algorithms, and security issues associated with them. Finally, this literature review concludes that RSA and Diffie-Hellman are inefficient and insecure in some sectors of application, necessitating the use of alternative algorithms or the replacement of some unique encryption methods to achieve the desired level of safety.

Music Reviews

Abstract: This article reviews the following four works by song composers of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, two of whom created or finished their works during the COVID pandemic; Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho (1952–2023), Saarikoski Songs for Voice and Piano ; Albrecht Mendelssohn Bartholdy’s Songs for Lena (Recent Researches in the Music of the Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Centuries) ; and Evan Fein’s “The Solitary Reaper,” and Songs of the Open Road , for mezzo-soprano, clarinet in B♭ and piano.

Maintaining balance

In the twenty-first century, cyberspace and the ‘real world’ have become inseparable. The stability and security of cyberspace therefore affect, in increasingly profound ways, the economies, international reputations, national security, military capabilities and global influence of states. In their short history, operations in cyberspace have already been used extensively by states and their non-state supporters for many purposes. They are an inevitable aspect of contemporary international affairs while carrying significant risk. In this Adelphi book, Marcus Willett, a former deputy head of GCHQ, argues that there is no coherent or widely shared understanding of what cyber operations really are, how they are used and what they can do; or of their implications for strategic affairs and international law; or what their ‘responsible’ use really entails. The myths and misunderstandings that abound tend to dull the conceptual clarity needed by strategic policymakers and overseers, and they complicate the essential task in a liberal democracy of maintaining public consent for, and legitimisation of, the development and use of such capabilities. The book sheds light on these issues, exposing myths and clarifying misunderstandings.

The UK model

In the twenty-first century, cyberspace and the ‘real world’ have become inseparable. The stability and security of cyberspace therefore affect, in increasingly profound ways, the economies, international reputations, national security, military capabilities and global influence of states. In their short history, operations in cyberspace have already been used extensively by states and their non-state supporters for many purposes. They are an inevitable aspect of contemporary international affairs while carrying significant risk. In this Adelphi book, Marcus Willett, a former deputy head of GCHQ, argues that there is no coherent or widely shared understanding of what cyber operations really are, how they are used and what they can do; or of their implications for strategic affairs and international law; or what their ‘responsible’ use really entails. The myths and misunderstandings that abound tend to dull the conceptual clarity needed by strategic policymakers and overseers, and they complicate the essential task in a liberal democracy of maintaining public consent for, and legitimisation of, the development and use of such capabilities. The book sheds light on these issues, exposing myths and clarifying misunderstandings.

Attacking the issue

In the twenty-first century, cyberspace and the ‘real world’ have become inseparable. The stability and security of cyberspace therefore affect, in increasingly profound ways, the economies, international reputations, national security, military capabilities and global influence of states. In their short history, operations in cyberspace have already been used extensively by states and their non-state supporters for many purposes. They are an inevitable aspect of contemporary international affairs while carrying significant risk. In this Adelphi book, Marcus Willett, a former deputy head of GCHQ, argues that there is no coherent or widely shared understanding of what cyber operations really are, how they are used and what they can do; or of their implications for strategic affairs and international law; or what their ‘responsible’ use really entails. The myths and misunderstandings that abound tend to dull the conceptual clarity needed by strategic policymakers and overseers, and they complicate the essential task in a liberal democracy of maintaining public consent for, and legitimisation of, the development and use of such capabilities. The book sheds light on these issues, exposing myths and clarifying misunderstandings.

Updates in digital shared care: Launching into the 21st century.

The recent Intergenerational Report (2023) highlighted that the Australian healthcare system will face increasing economic and logistical challenges, with projected growth in health spending due to an ageing population and an increasing number of chronic diseases. Shared care, amodel emphasising collaboration between nursing andallied health, general practice and specialist care providers, has emerged as one solution. This paper explores the contemporary shared care landscape in Australia, highlighting the digital transformation of healthcare, the adoption of eHealth technologies, and their impact on improving patient carecoordination. The roles of shared electronic health records, secure electronic communication and consultation, electronic patient portals and telehealth in enhancing healthcare accessibility and management of chronic diseases are individually explored. Infrastructure for future inter-electronic medical record integrations are then discussed. Innovative care models combining novel technology and shared care hold promise for more efficient, patient‑centric healthcare systems. Given Australia's unique healthcare challenges, it provides the ideal environment to lead the way in the digital transformation of shared care.

Experimental study on droplet dynamics behavior and combustion characteristics of high performance green propellant in electrical ignition mode

High performance green propellant represented by ammonium dinitramide-based liquid propellant and its new ignition method are the research hotspots of space propulsion in the 21st century. Exploring the complex multi-scale physical properties of multi-component ammonium dinitramide-based liquid propellant droplets in the electrical ignition mode has wide application significance for spray, propulsion system design and combustion control. The droplet dynamics behavior and combustion characteristics of propellant droplets at different ignition voltages were studied experimentally. The droplet dynamics behavior during the evaporation process, including violent volume oscillation, approximate steady-state expansion, contraction, secondary expansion, puffing and micro-explosion, have been determined by the generation, growth, and discharge of vapor bubbles. In the initial evaporation process, the heterogeneous nucleation is dominant. As the droplet is continuously heated, homogenization nucleation gradually dominates. The main physical and chemical mechanisms of bubble evolution driven by temperature involve methanol boiling, water overheating, ammonium dinitramide decomposition and combustion reaction between vapor molecules. Increasing the ignition voltage increases the droplet dynamics behavior and the combustion, but promotes the combustion instability. Increasing the ignition voltage increases the ignition delay time, puffing delay time, droplet lifetime, maximum temperature of droplet, and reduces the ignition critical diameter. It is proposed that the method of suppressing the droplet breakup dynamics at decomposition area and enhancing the droplet breakup dynamics at the combustion area are conducive to the combustion control of the thruster in electrical ignition mode. This research provides novel insight into the study of the electrical ignition mechanism of liquid fuels.

Degradation of extracellular antibiotic resistance genes using peracetic acid (PAA) and performic acid (PFA)

Antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) associated infections are identified as a major threat to human health in the 21st century. Wastewater contains antibiotic resistance determinants and they are discharged to aquatic environments with treated or untreated effluents. These antibiotic resistance determinants can be taken up by environmental bacteria via horizontal gene transfer (HGT) and they can become antibiotic resistant. Among antibiotic resistance determinants, extracellular DNA containing antibiotic resistance genes can be up taken by environmental bacteria via natural transformation. Therefore, we evaluated the suitability of low-cost disinfectants peracetic acid (PAA) and performic acid (PFA) on inactivating total and functional extracellular ARGs in ultrapure water and secondary wastewater effluent matrices using pUC19 as a model ARG. Performance of PAA and PFA in inactivating extracellular ARGs was compared with the performance of free chlorine disinfection. RT-qPCR results showed that inactivation of ampR gene in pUC19 plasmid suspended in ultrapure water and wastewater secondary effluent by free chlorine was higher compared to PAA and PFA. However, the reduction of functional pUC19 by PAA and PFA were comparable to free chlorine. Transformation frequency of pUC19 treated by PAA and PFA achieved the maximum possible reduction within a shorter time compared to free chlorine treatment, highlighting the possibility of having disinfection chambers with smaller footprints in wastewater treatment plants. These results suggest the suitability of PAA and PFA for inactivation of ARGs in aquatic samples as alternative disinfectants to free chlorine.

Elliptic curve cryptography: Theory, security, and applications in modern network security

Abstract. Due to the swift advancement of Internet and computer technology in the 21st century, the demand for network security is increasing. Classic cryptographic algorithms like Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA) and Digital Signature Algorithm (DSA) are insufficient in the face of modern network environments, while elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) has become a research hotspot due to its high security and high efficiency. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the theoretical basis, security analysis, and practical application cases of elliptic curve cryptography, to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding and trigger further research and thinking. This paper analyzes the theoretical basis of ECC, including group theory, domain theory, and the definition and properties of elliptic curves, and analyzes the application of ECC in combination with practical application cases, such as the SM2 algorithm. The article first introduces the concept of groups, the definition of domains, and the basic properties of elliptic curves. Then, the security of ECC is analyzed, especially the complexity of the Elliptic Curve Discrete Logarithm Problem (ECDLP) and the selection of key length. In addition, the security of ECC in practical applications is discussed, including digital signatures, key exchange protocols, and applications in blockchain technology. The results show that ECC provides comparable security to traditional public key algorithms at a short key length, and shows strong security and efficiency in practical applications. As technology progresses and new threats arise, research in ECC will also evolve.

METHODOLOGICAL SUPPORT FOR PEDAGOGICAL DESIGN OF CYBERSOCIALIZATION OF STUDENTS BASED ON BLENDED EDUCATION

In the 21st century, with the rapid development of science and technology, approaches to pedagogy have changed significantly. New teaching methods such as distance learning (DL), online learning (OL) and blended learning (BL) have come into focus. In recent years, blended learning (BM) has become increasingly popular as a new pedagogical approach, including in Uzbekistan, where its application is gradually increasing in universities. This study analyzes students' perceptions of blended learning, its benefits and challenges in the context of higher education in Uzbekistan. The results, based on questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, showed that students have a positive attitude towards BM, especially those who combine studies with family and work responsibilities. The main challenge remains access to the Internet, however, students were able to successfully utilize the benefits of both face-to-face (F2F) and online learning. The study also highlights the need for further study on the application of blended learning in the higher education system of Uzbekistan for its successful implementation and understanding.

Spatiotemporal variations of surface albedo in Central Asia and its influencing factors and confirmatory path analysis during the 21st century

Surface albedo (SA) is crucial for understanding land surface processes and climate simulation. This study analyzed SA changes and its influencing factors in Central Asia from 2001 to 2020, with projections 2025 to 2100. Factors analyzed included snow cover fraction, fractional vegetation cover, soil moisture, average state climate indices (temperature and precipitation), and extreme climate indices (heatwave indices and extreme precipitation indices). Pearson correlation coefficient, geographical convergent cross mapping, and geographical detector were used to quantify the correlation, causal relationship strength, and impact degree between SA and the influencing factors. To address multicollinearity, ridge regression (RR), geographically weighted ridge regression (GWRR), and piecewise structural equation modeling (pSEM) were combined to construct RR-pSEM and GWRR-pSEM models. Results indicated that SA in Central Asia increased from 2001 to 2010 and decreased from 2011 to 2020, with a projected future decline. There is a strong correlation and significant causality between SA and each factor. Snow cover fraction was identified as the most critical factor influencing SA. Average temperature and precipitation had a greater impact on SA than extreme climate indices, with a 1 °C temperature increase corresponding to a 0.004 decrease in SA. This study enhances understanding of SA changes under climate change, and provides a methodological framework for analyzing complex systems with multicollinearity. The proposed models offer valuable tools for studying interrelated factors in Earth system science.

Neck Circumference as A Screening Tool for Obesity in Pre- and Primary School Children in Puducherry India – A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Obesity has become the 21st Century’s greatest challenge and threat. Around 50% of the obese children become obese adolescents, of which 80% become obese adults. Methodology: Cross-sectional analytical study was done on 930 pre- and primary school children. Neck circumference, weight, height, waist and hip circumference was recorded. Overweight/obese identified according to WHO standards. Age-specific percentile charts for boys and girls were drawn with data from the apparently normal children in the study population. Results: The Neck Circumference measurements ranged from 23.64(±1.16) to 28.49(±2.87) in boys and 23.59(±1.63) to 27.6(±2.67) in girls. ROC analysis derived cut-offs for overweight and obesity in each age group/gender were found to have high sensitivity (80-100%) and specificity (60-95.9%). Using the reference percentile data/curves, and the cut –offs obtained by ROC analysis, a neck circumference above the 75th percentile for age and gender can be regarded as overweight and above the 90th percentile as obese in both boys and girls. Conclusion: The study concludes that the Neck circumference is a valid and effective screening tool for overweight/obesity in pre and primary school children.

1,3,4-Oxadiazole Scaffold in Antidiabetic Drug Discovery: An Overview.

Diabetes mellitus is one of the biggest challenges for the scientific community in the 21st century. With the increasing number of cases of diabetes and drug-resistant diabetes, there is an urgent need to develop new potent molecules capable of combating this cruel disease. Medicinal chemistry concerns the discovery, development, identification, and interpretation of the mode of action of biologically active compounds at the molecular level. Oxadiazole-based derivatives have come up as a potential option for antidiabetic drug research. Oxadiazole is a five-membered heterocyclic organic compound containing two nitrogen atoms and one oxygen atom in its ring. Oxadiazole hybrids have shown the ability to improve glucose tolerance, enhance insulin sensitivity, and reduce fasting blood glucose levels. The mechanisms underlying the antidiabetic effects of oxadiazole involve the modulation of molecular targets such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), α-glucosidase, α-amylase and GSK-3β which regulate glucose metabolism and insulin secretion. The present review article describes the chemical structure and properties of oxadiazoles and highlights the antidiabetic activity through action on different targets. The SAR for the oxadiazole hybrids has been discussed in this article, which will pave the way for the design and development of new 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives as promising antidiabetic agents in the future. We expect that this article will provide comprehensive knowledge and current innovation on oxadiazole derivatives with antidiabetic potential and will fulfil the needs of the scientific community in designing and developing efficacious antidiabetic agents.

Historical Simulation and Future Projection of Arctic‐Boreal Fire Carbon Emissions and Related Surface Climate by 17 CMIP6 ESMs

AbstractWildfire is a crucial factor in influencing the earth system. Wildfire activities in the Arctic‐boreal region have received increasing attention particularly with increasing frequency and intensity under rapid climate warming in recent years. In this study, the historical simulation and future projection of the Arctic‐boreal fire carbon emissions and associated surface climate conditions (surface air temperature and precipitation) are examined using 17 CMIP6 Earth System Models. For the historical period, more than half (11 out of 17) of the models underestimate ∼40% of the observed annual mean fire carbon emissions in the Arctic‐boreal region (0.20 PgC/yr) due to a wetter bias in the Arctic‐boreal regions. Spatially, there is common underestimation of the fire centers in the eastern part of Eurasian Continent and overestimation of that in Europe. With respect to the model spread, it mainly shows large spread for fire carbon emissions (surface air temperature) in Europe (high‐latitudes). For the future projection, the fire carbon emissions in the Arctic‐boreal region is projected to exceed 100% (0.5 PgC/yr until the end of the 21st century compared with ∼0.2 PgC/yr at present). The projected precipitation and temperature in the Arctic‐boreal region land also show an upward trend during the 21st century (∼31% for annual mean precipitation and ∼10°C for surface air temperature). There are considerable bias and intra‐model spread among different models in both historical simulation and future projection.

The effect of therapeutic education program on hypertensive Tunisian patients' knowledge: a randomized controlled trial.

Hypertension is a prevalent non-communicable disease and unequivocally one of the most serious health threats of the twenty-first century. The prevention of both immediate and long-term consequences depends on ongoing therapeutic education. To assess Tunisian hypertensive patients' knowledge of hypertension and then evaluate the impact of an educational program on knowledge among this population. A randomized controlled trial was carried out among 639 hypertensive patients in Tunisia. The control group received only basic medical care, while the experimental group acquired additionally an educational program. The data collection tool was a questionnaire that included an information sheet and the Hypertension Knowledge Level Scale (HK-LS). Before to the implementation of the program, only 12.1% of the participants had a good level of knowledge about hypertension (12.8% for the experimental group, vs. 10.5% for the control group, P=0.57). Following the program's deployment, the rate of good level of knowledge became 63.6% for the experimental group vs. 11.4% for the control group, P<0.001). The results revealed that the experimental group showed a significant amelioration in the total score of the HK-LS: from 58.49 to 76.94%, P<0.0001. In contrast, no significant amelioration was noted in the control group. Concerning the six dimensions of the scale, the amelioration in the experimental group was observed in all dimensions, except the treatment dimension. Overall, the findings indicated low levels of knowledge about hypertension. This kind of approach proved an effective improvement in disease-related knowledge and may be essential for hypertension management.

Minilateralism and the new Indo-Pacific order: theoretical ambitions and empirical realities

ABSTRACT The introductory paper sets the stage for the research essays in the special issue. It provides an overview of the concepts of minilateralism and the context in which minilateralism has become an alternative form of collective action by states in the international arena, in particular in the Indo-Pacific region that has emerged as the new centre of gravity in world politics. How has minilateralism become a prominent feature of inter-state cooperation in the early twenty-first century, and how is it often used to complement (and in some cases, even substitute for) traditional international organisations, which are based on more liberal and inclusive multilateral norms and principles, but suffering from functional deficits? In a world of more diffuse power, how can minilateralism offer states an expanded toolset for pursuing their policy preferences and advancing their interests? At the same time, the paper also highlights the potential negatives of (or challenges to) minilateralism, including difficulties emanating from a narrowly framed agenda that perpetuates certain narratives, a leadership vacuum that could emerge from non-hierarchical arrangements, and questions about how to achieve support and legitimacy with low institutionalisation.

Briefing: Stocktaking global warming: the outcomes of the 2023 Dubai Climate Summit (COP28)

This article reviews outcomes of the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28) held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in late 2023. In particular, it considered the first Global Stocktake (GST) of actions taken by signatory nations to the 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change. The GST examined the potential impact of bottom-up national pledges on greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation required to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels by the end of the twenty-first century. The achievements at COP28 were mixed, and disappointed many from the climate-vulnerable states at high risk from extreme weather events and rising sea levels. There is a significant GHG emissions gap between that needed to ‘keep 1.5°C alive’ and climate actions identified in the GST. Nonetheless, the parties agreed to ‘transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems’ in order to reach net zero GHG emissions (i.e. carbon neutrality) by 2050, and to triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030. This assessment sets out the background to what needs to be achieved at future annual COP summits, including the next GST at COP30 to be held in the Brazilian city of Belém later in 2025.