Communication-based Approaches Research Articles

Molecular Communication-Based Intelligent Dopamine Rate Modulator for Parkinson's Disease Treatment.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, and it is caused by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the basal ganglia (BG). Currently, there is no definite cure for PD, and available treatments mainly aim to alleviate its symptoms. Due to impaired neurotransmitter-based information transmission in PD, molecular communication-based approaches can be employed as potential solutions to address this issue. Molecular Communications (MC) is a bio-inspired communication method utilizing molecules to carry information. This mode of communication stands out for developing biocompatible nanomachines for diagnosing and treating, particularly in addressing neurodegenerative diseases like PD, due to its compatibility with biological systems. This study presents a novel treatment method that introduces an Intelligent Dopamine Rate Modulator (IDRM), which is located in the synaptic gap between the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and striatum to compensate for insufficiency dopamine release in BG caused by PD. For storing dopamine in the IDRM, dopamine compound (DAC) is swallowed and crossed through the digestive system, blood circulatory system, blood-brain barrier (BBB), and brain extracellular matrix uptakes with IDRMs. Here, the DAC concentration is calculated in these regions, revealing that the required exogenous dopamine consistently reaches IDRM. Therefore, the perpetual dopamine insufficiency in BG associated with PD can be compensated. This method reduces drug side effects because dopamine is not released in other brain regions. Unlike other treatments, this approach targets the root cause of PD rather than just reducing symptoms.

Examining the Influence of Stigma and Discrimination on the Retention of Pupils Affected By HIV/AIDS in Emarti Zone, Kirindon Division, Transmara District of Kenya

This study examines the impact of stigma and discrimination on the retention of HIV/AIDS students in Kirindon, Emarti Zone, and Transmara District. The findings revealed that culture is the primary contributing factor to stigma. However, some researchers have reported that we can change culture for the better. We can achieve this by first sensitizing the masses about stigma and discrimination. This could be a starting point for a change of attitude. The people who need to change their attitude include the educators, the parents, and their children. Once completed, the remainder of the intervention will proceed seamlessly. Schools should review the HIV/AIDS interventions they’ve adopted and start implementing them, taking into account children’s right to education. Those in charge of counseling must also carefully observe the children who lose interest in learning or begin to withdraw from school. This behavior may be stigmatizing, necessitating the need for related counseling. Schools must intensify their advocacy for children’s rights. For instance, we must intensify communication-based approaches and collaborate with the local community. Peer educators and volunteers should travel from village to village, meeting families and encouraging them not to isolate those who are HIV/AIDS positive and not to misinform their children. Keywords: Discrimination, HIV/ AIDS, Interventions, Stigma, Teachers

HyperComm: Hypergraph-based communication in multi-agent reinforcement learning

In the realm of fully cooperative multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL), effective communication can induce implicit cooperation among agents and improve overall performance. In current communication strategies, agents are allowed to exchange local observations or latent embeddings, which can augment individual local policy inputs and mitigate uncertainty in local decision-making processes. Unfortunately, in previous communication schemes, agents may potentially receive irrelevant information, which increases training difficulty and leads to poor performance in complex settings. Furthermore, most existing works lack the consideration of the impact of small coalitions formed by agents in the multi-agent system. To address these challenges, we propose HyperComm, a novel framework that uses the hypergraph to model the multi-agent system, improving the accuracy and specificity of communication among agents. Our approach brings the concept of hypergraph for the first time in multi-agent communication for MARL. Within this framework, each agent can communicate more effectively with other agents within the same hyperedge, leading to better cooperation in environments with multiple agents. Compared to those state-of-the-art communication-based approaches, HyperComm demonstrates remarkable performance in scenarios involving a large number of agents.

Attack Mitigation and Security for Vehicle Platoon

This research entails an investigation into enhanced attack detection techniques as a security feature in vehicular platooning. The paper evaluates critical challenges in the security of Vehicular Ad hoc Networks (VANETs) with a focus on vulnerabilities in vehicle platooning. We evaluate the possibilities of securing a platoon through enhanced attack detection following an inside attack while considering current communication-based approaches to vehicular platoon security that have been effective at isolating infected platoon members. This study proposes the use of color-shift keying (CSK) as a security tool for enhanced detection of an apparent platoon attack. We simulate various attack scenarios involving a vehicular platoon communicating via a VLC network and assess the degree of exposure of such networks to three types of attacks – Sybil attacks, delay attacks, and denial-of-service (DoS) attacks. We recommend the use of a light-to-frequency (LTF) converter comprising of a receiver to collect and decode transmitted symbols with regard to the frequency of transmission. Once there is a drop in the intensity of the light transmitted in the platoon, CSK is implemented to alter the intensity of the red, green, and blue (RGB) spectrum coupled with radiofrequency to ensure the security of the communication. CSK will use coded symbols to transmit the control information from the leader using a microcontroller.

Dyadic conversation training in Mandarin for bilinguals with aphasia and their communication partners

ABSTRACT Background Treatment outcomes for functional communication, and for generalisation across languages and linguistic levels, remain mixed for bilinguals with aphasia (BWAs). Most studies on rehabilitation of BWAs report impairment-based approaches for participants with two broad similar Indo-European languages, but it remains unclear whether benefits extend to the untreated language or linguistic levels when the BWA speaks linguistically dissimilar languages. Furthermore, outcomes for communication-based approaches, where the components mirror everyday conversations and functional communication more closely, have rarely been examined in BWAs. Aim To examine the efficacy of Better Conversations with Aphasia (BCA), a dyadic communication-based treatment, in Mandarin for BWAs – direct treatment effects on conversations, impact on functional communication and emotional well-being, and generalisation both within and across languages. Methods Two Mandarin English-speaking bilingual adults with non-fluent aphasia (mild–moderate-to-severe) and their communication partner (CP) received BCA conducted in Mandarin for 1–1.5 h twice-weekly sessions over 10 weeks. The frequency of facilitators and barriers in conversation samples, questionnaires on functional communication and emotional well-being, a picture description task, and confrontation naming of nouns and verbs in both treated and untreated languages, were all assessed at baseline, post-treatment, and post-maintenance. Results Facilitators and barriers - Both BWAs and their CPs showed significant decreases in barrier-behavior frequencies, but P01 also showed a significant reduction in the use of facilitators. Functional Communication/Well-being - P01 reported positive effects for functional communication and emotional well-being, but P02 reported negative effects for both. No significant changes in the CPs’ ratings of the BWAs’ functional communication. Discourse - P01’s Mandarin narrative production showed no significant improvement but speech rate and efficiency improved for English picture descriptions. P02’s Mandarin picture descriptions contained significantly more words produced at a slower speech rate while significant gains in meaningfulness and efficiency were found in her English descriptions. Single-word - P01 showed improved confrontation naming accuracy for nouns (Mandarin only) and verbs (Mandarin and English), whereas P02 only showed significantly increased accuracy for verbs in English. Conclusions BCA treatment for two Mandarin English-speaking BWAs replicated earlier reports of positive direct treatment effects for monolingual PWAs, particularly the reduction of behaviors that hinder conversation success. Moreover, the generalisation, both within and across linguistically dissimilar languages, provides evidence for shared language networks that could be exploited by clinicians working with BWAs. The potential impact of culture, family context, linguistic structures, and cognitive deficits, on treatment outcome is also discussed.

How Cities Can Apply Behavioral Science to Promote Public Transportation use

In this review, we present and critically evaluate evidence regarding how policymakers can apply behavioral science-based strategies to encourage the use of public transportation. After briefly introducing the theoretical background, we describe selected rigorously studied interventions informed by behavioral insights. We organize the interventions into three overarching groups: (a) communication-based approaches (information provision, goal setting and plan formation, and message framing), (b) bias-busting approaches (strategies that can counter negative perceptions of public transportation, break habits by timing interventions strategically, overcome anticipated dislike of social interactions on public transportation, and tap into emotional influences on decisionmaking), and (c) technology-based approaches (feedback and gamification). On the basis of the reviewed findings, we identify the interventions that seem most promising for increasing public transportation use.

Communication-based approaches to library reference services: anxiety-uncertainty management as a model for communication breakdowns

PurposeThis paper aims to present an overview of the history of communication research and theory in reference services literature and to discuss the potential of one relatively recent-emerging theory of communication (anxiety-uncertainty management theory) to describe and mitigate breakdowns in reference communication.Design/methodology/approachAn overview and discussion of existing literature and communication-based theories of library reference services is presented.FindingsThis paper identifies and describes anxiety-uncertainty management theory as a lens through which to view communication breakdowns during library reference transactions. The concepts behind the theory and articulated as well as its insights for reference librarians.Originality/valueThis is the first article to discuss the anxiety-uncertainty management theory to examine communication breakdowns in library reference transactions.

A frequency-based economical-sharing strategy for low-voltage DC microgrids

This paper introduces a frequency-based control strategy to minimize the total generation cost in low-voltage dc microgrids. In dc microgrids, although the voltage is the only variable for controlling the outputs of sources, it is not a common variable for all sources due to the different line resistances. Hence, applying the conventional voltage-based droop control will not be able to share the load among the sources accurately. Within the context alluded above, to realize an accurate load sharing in dc microgrids, the communication-based approaches are employed. However, any link failure in these approaches may impair the controller functionality and consequently, render the whole system inoperable. To cope with the associated problems of the communication-based approaches, the frequency-based control strategy has been introduced for accurate load sharing in dc microgrids which operates without any communication network. This study proposes a frequency-based economical-sharing control strategy that has the capability to minimize the total generation cost and regulate the voltage of sources. The main advantage of this strategy over the previously addressed frequency-based strategies is providing an optimal combination of dispatchable sources to supply the required load on the grid. Through the employed control strategy, the incremental costs of all dispatchable sources will be equal in the steady state which causes the optimal operation of the dc microgrid. The small-signal modeling of the proposed strategy is also carried out to analyze the system stability and parameter sensitivity. A complete set of simulation studies is provided in PLECS software to verify the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy.

Orthodontic pain: The use of non-pharmacological adjuncts and its effect on compliance

Non-pharmacological approaches for alleviation of pain during orthodontics have been developed as pharmacological interventions may have negative side effects and patients may be reluctant to use them. The more popular non-pharmacological techniques include the use of lasers, vibratory and masticatory adjuncts, and use of psychological and communication-based approaches. The relative merits of these are discussed in the light of contemporary evidence. The effect of pain on compliance is difficult to pinpoint; however, the further refinement of approaches to control orthodontic pain will likely have a positive influence on patient experiences, compliance and ultimately therefore on our treatment outcomes.

Decentralized Load Sharing in a Low-Voltage Direct Current Microgrid With an Adaptive Droop Approach Based on a Superimposed Frequency

Conventional droop methods for load sharing control in low-voltage direct current microgrids suffer from poor power sharing and voltage regulation, especially in the case when operating many dc sources with long feeders. Hence, the communication-based approaches are employed to improve the load sharing accuracy and voltage regulation. To avoid using such an infrastructure and the corresponding effects on the reliability and stability, an adaptive droop controller based on a superimposed frequency is proposed in this paper. Load sharing accuracy is improved by adapting the droop gains utilizing an introduced ac power. The secondary controller locally estimates and compensates the voltage drop due to the droop controller. The proposed power sharing approach can properly control the load sharing and voltage regulation without utilizing any extra communication system. The effectiveness of the proposed control system is verified by simulations and experimental tests.

Health literacy and cancer communication with older adults

Objective The physiological, cognitive, language and communicative changes that take place as we enter into old age have become quite well documented within the social scientific literature. Many of these changes lead in some way to a lessening of previous interactive abilities and competencies. The new mantra for gerontologists attempting to help older adults compensate for these potential losses is to develop strategies to maintain existing abilities as long as possible. Methods A literature review using online databases was performed. Results Older adults who are diagnosed with cancer or help care for an individual coping with cancer must confront a health care system that demands a high level of health literacy to successfully manage the disease. Older adults may be at a distinct disadvantage in their ability to successfully cope with cancer because of age-related physiological, cognitive, psychological and communicative factors. Conclusion This paper highlights the relevant research findings and theoretical positioning that points not only to possible pragmatic dilemmas faced by those adapting to cancer but also highlights streams of research that scholars may wish to focus upon to better understand how older adults and their formal and informal caregivers can improve their cancer health literacy. Practice implications Providers, patients, and caregivers must all participate in creating a health care environment of shared meaning and understanding of health messages tailored to the aging patient diagnosed with cancer. Health communication scholars have various theoretical, methodological, and pragmatic communication-based approaches that provide important contributions to the complexities of caring for the aging patient.

Integrated Catchment Management in New Zealand: A Field Report on Communication Efforts in the Taieri River Watershed

This article describes the TAIERI Trust project's approach to Integrated Catchment Management undertaken in a southern New Zealand watershed. The project received a New Zealand Ministry of Environment Green Ribbon award for its efforts. Environmental management of catchments involves considerable communication with a diverse array of stakeholders—in this case: regulatory bodies, agency resource managers, research scientists, local farmers, other adult residents, and youth. Results from a review of the first three years of the project are presented. Successes and constraints are identified. Lessons learned may be applicable to those interested in communication-based approaches to sustainable development. [environmental communication, integrated catchment management, sustainable development, New Zealand]

Static use-based object confinement

The confinement of object references is a significant security concern for modern programming languages. We define a language that serves as a uniform model for a variety of confined object reference systems. A use-based approach to confinement is adopted, which we argue is more expressive than previous communication-based approaches. We then develop a readable, expressive type system for static analysis of the language, along with a type safety result demonstrating that run-time checks can be eliminated. The language and type system thus serve as a reliable, declarative, and efficient foundation for secure capability-based programming and object confinement .

Communication Theory and Training Approaches for Multiculturally Diverse Organizations: Have Academics and Practitioners Missed the Connection?

While a number of articles have looked at the importance of multicultural training in the workplace over the past 30 years, there is little concrete agreement that documents the common fundamental elements of a “successful” diversity initiative. A review of the training literature suggests the importance of human communication theory and practice without including important research, methodologies, and practice from the communication discipline. This article examines formal diversity approaches, provides examples from the literature of several successful diversity initiatives in larger organizations, identifies the limited use of communication-based approaches in diversity training, and discusses the importance of integrating communication theory and practice in future training efforts.

One size does not fit all: the case for tailoring print materials.

Printed health education materials frequently consist of mass-produced brochures, booklets, or pamphlets designed for a general population audience. Although this one-size-fits-all approach might be appropriate under certain circumstances and even produce small changes at relatively modest costs, it cannot address the unique needs, interests, and concerns of different individuals. With the advent and dissemination of new communication technologies, our ability to collect information from individuals and provide feedback tailored to the specific information collected is not only possible, but practical. The purpose of this article is to: (a) distinguish between tailored print communication and other common communication-based approaches to health education and behavior change; (b) present a theoretical and public health rationale for tailoring health information; and (c) describe the steps involved in creating and delivering tailored print communication programs. Studies suggest computer tailoring is a promising strategy for health education and behavior change. Practitioners and researchers should understand the approach and consider the possibilities it presents for enhancing their work in disease prevention.

Structured Yet Functional

This article examines the structure-functionality relationship in traditional communication-based treatment approaches for children with autism. Contrary to popular opinion supporting either highly structured or highly functional treatment, viable middle ground is proposed. The article concludes with instructional tips specific to the implementation of structured yet functional treatment.

Need we sacrifice accuracy for fluency?

Children who studied English as a foreign language in Hungary with a communication/content-based approach were compared with similar children who studied English with a form-based traditional approach. The former were slightly more accurate in their production of grammatical morphemes in an oral interview, and were more fluent, confirming that communication-based approaches do not sacrifice accuracy for fluency.

Creating a Responsive Curriculum for Inclusive Schools

As school communities begin to serve students with significant disabilities in general education classrooms, there is a need to recognize and employ curriculum orientations and practices that interface with the purposes and principles of inclusive education. this article begins by offering reconstructionism---or the process of critique and reformulation of practice---as a useful orientation for viewing the design of curriculum in inclusive schools. sound theoretical foundations and the use of learner-centered, process-oriented, and communication-based instructional approaches are proposed as promising practices for designing a curriculum that is responsive to the needs of diverse learners. following this discussion, implications for future research are articulated.