Direct Communication Research Articles

Heterochiral coupling to bilateral β-turn structured azapeptides bearing two remote chiral centers

Enantioselective synthesis governed by chiral catalysts has been extensively developed, but that without any chiral auxiliaries or chiral catalysts is rare, particularly when remote stereogenic centers are involved. Here we report an enantioselectivity of heterochiral coupling in the one-pot reaction of racemic hydrazides with achiral 1,4-bis(isothiocyanine)benzene, yielding preferentially the heterochiral bilateral azapeptides over the homochiral ones. Despite bearing two hydrogen-bonded β-turn structures that allow intramolecular chiral transfer, the bilateral azapeptide products have two chiral centers separated by 14 atoms or 15 bonds, which prevent the direct intramolecular asymmetric communication between the two chiral centers. Interestingly, the heterochiral azapeptides feature intermolecular hydrogen bonding stacking between homochiral β-turns to form a superstructure of alternative M- and P-helices in the crystals. In contrast, the homochiral azapeptide counterparts adopt a β-sheet-like structure, which is less favorable compared to the helical-like superstructure from heterochiral azapeptides, accounting for the favored heterochiral coupling of the one-pot reaction. This work demonstrates enantioselective synthesis involving distant chiral centers through the formation of biomimetic superstructures, opening up new possibilities for the regulation of enantioselectivity.

Ethical considerations for the use of brain-computer interfaces for cognitive enhancement.

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) enable direct communication between the brain and external computers, allowing processing of brain activity and the ability to control external devices. While often used for medical purposes, BCIs may also hold great promise for nonmedical purposes to unlock human neurocognitive potential. In this Essay, we discuss the prospects and challenges of using BCIs for cognitive enhancement, focusing specifically on invasive enhancement BCIs (eBCIs). We discuss the ethical, legal, and scientific implications of eBCIs, including issues related to privacy, autonomy, inequality, and the broader societal impact of cognitive enhancement technologies. We conclude that the development of eBCIs raises challenges far beyond practical pros and cons, prompting fundamental questions regarding the nature of conscious selfhood and about who-and what-we are, and ought, to be.

Barriers to young people’s use of sexual and reproductive health services in Asia-Pacific

Abstract Background Qualitative literature extensively documents young people’s barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in Asia-Pacific countries. However, efforts to synthesise this research for practical use in healthcare policy and practice are lacking. This systematic review aims to systematically review and synthesise published qualitative literature focusing on young people’s utilisation of SRH services and understanding common access barriers. Methods We systematically searched five electronic databases from inception until 24 June 2022: MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Web of Science. Google Scholar and reference lists of all included studies were also searched. We used the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist for appraising the quality of included studies and analysed the data using a thematic synthesis approach. Results We included 31 papers reporting the experiences of over 1800 young people from 16 Asia-Pacific countries. Thematic synthesis identified several factors affecting adolescents’ utilisation of SRH services, which were grouped into six descriptive themes: navigating puberty; lack of SRH knowledge; embarrassment and confidentiality concerns; low decision-making autonomy; traditional practices and religious beliefs; and socio-cultural norms. Our overreaching analytical theme highlighted the role of shame as a key emotion hindering young people’s utilisation of SRH services. Conclusions Direct communication about SRH issues is crucial for teenagers. Embarrassment, privacy concerns, and stigma significantly affect their service utilisation decisions. Inclusive interventions for both youth and their communities by addressing socio-cultural factors are essential for optimising service accessibility and guiding evidence-based interventions and policies across diverse cultural contexts. Key messages • Understanding young people’s SRH service barriers in Asia-Pacific countries: Socio-cultural norms are highlighted as crucial for optimising service utilisation among young individuals in this area. • Inclusive interventions and policies are needed for enhanced accessibility.

The Role of Instagram Videos on the Growth of Female-Owned Businesses in Lagos

Although videos are a compelling form of content on Instagram, women entrepreneurs on Instagram exist within a highly competitive space, and they need to seek out approaches that will give them a competitive edge while creating content for promoting their businesses. The study aimed to explore how Instagram videos can engage potential consumers, promote products, and increase brand awareness. Twenty-three women entrepreneurs were chosen using a snowball sampling technique and were then interviewed in detail, using a qualitative approach. The study showed that Instagram videos and other marketing campaigns influence the growth of women-owned businesses. The key metrics that indicated growth were engagement rates, direct communication channels, lead generation and conversion rates, website traffic, testimonials, and follower growth and retention. These metrics helped women entrepreneurs assess and improve their marketing strategies, identify areas that need improvement, and make decisions to maintain and improve company success. The study recommends that future research should combine both qualitative and quantitative research designs to provide statistical validation for the study's findings as well as content analysis of Instagram videos used by women-owned businesses on Instagram.

Pola Komunikasi Interpersonal Klub Futsal (Studi Deskriptif pada Tim Harapan FC)

Futsal is a sport with fast and dynamic intensity that requires teamwork. Therefore, it requires direct and fast communication to understand movement through patterns and interpersonal communication that is useful for minimizing errors. This study uses a qualitative descriptive approach using data analysis in the form of observation, interviews and documentation. The purpose is to discuss the importance of interpersonal communication patterns between coaches and captains of the Harapan FC futsal team. When the interaction takes place, it produces responses and feedback, which is included in the communication pattern to achieve the goal of effective interperonal communication in the Harapan FC futsal team. In the communication pattern, there are various networks that are formed as a flow of communication between individuals, in addition to the effectiveness of interpersonal communication, there are Respect, Empathy, Audible, Clarity and Humble. The result of the research is that there is a concept of communication patterns and interpersonal communication in the training sessions. When the coach gives a message about the technique, the player follows the technique in the form of a wheel communication pattern, a Y communication pattern and a star communication pattern. The communication pattern is also to find out the attitude of Respect, directing the captain to help the player in improving Empathy. Then there is an evaluation session after the match, on this occasion Audible and Clarity can be found in the use of techniques that are carried out and then explained in the evaluation. So that the captain and players are able to know the meaning of techniques in training, if they are able to master the technique, the captain must remain humble and be able to introspect himself or other players to be able to improve the quality and skills of the players.

SEMA7A-mediated juxtacrine stimulation of IGFBP-3 upregulates IL-17RB at pancreatic cancer invasive front.

Tumor invasion is the hallmark of tumor malignancy. The invasive infiltration pattern of tumor cells located at the leading edge is highly correlated with metastasis and unfavorable patient outcomes. However, the regulatory mechanisms governing tumor malignancy at the invasive margin remain unclear. The IL-17B/IL-17RB pathway is known to promote pancreatic cancer invasion and metastasis, yet the specific mechanisms underlying IL-17RB upregulation during invasion are poorly understood. In this study, we unveiled a multistep process for IL-17RB upregulation at the invasive margin, which occurs through direct communication between tumor cells and fibroblasts. Tumor ATP1A1 facilitates plasma membrane expression of SEMA7A, which binds to and induces IGFBP-3 secretion from fibroblasts. The resulting gradient of IGFBP-3 influences the direction and enhances IL-17RB expression to regulate SNAI2 in invasion. These findings highlight the importance of local tumor-fibroblast interactions in promoting cancer cell invasiveness, potentially leading to the development of new therapeutic strategies targeting this communication.

Exploring Health Care Professionals' Perspectives on the Use of a Medication and Care Support System and Recommendations for Designing a Similar Tool for Family Caregivers: Interview Study Among Health Care Professionals.

With the aging population on the rise, the demand for effective health care solutions to address adverse drug events is becoming increasingly urgent. Telemedicine has emerged as a promising solution for strengthening health care delivery in home care settings and mitigating drug errors. Due to the indispensable role of family caregivers in daily patient care, integrating digital health tools has the potential to streamline medication management processes and enhance the overall quality of patient care. This study aims to explore health care professionals' perspectives on the use of a medication and care support system (MCSS) and collect recommendations for designing a similar tool for family caregivers. Fifteen interviews with health care professionals in a home care center were conducted. Thematic analysis was used, and 5 key themes highlighting the importance of using the MCSS tool to improve medication management in home care were identified. All participants emphasized the necessity of direct communication between health care professionals and family caregivers and stated that family caregivers need comprehensive information about medication administration, patient conditions, and symptoms. Furthermore, the health care professionals recommended features and functions customized for family caregivers. This study underscored the importance of clear communication between health care professionals and family caregivers and the provision of comprehensive instructions to promote safe medication practices. By equipping family caregivers with essential information via a tool similar to the MCSS, a proactive approach to preventing errors and improving outcomes is advocated.

Analysis of the Interpersonal Meaning in the Teacher Discourse in Competition Videos

This study, grounded in Systemic Functional Linguistics, examines the form and distribution of mood and modality in English classroom discourse by the winner of the Special Prize at the 12th "Foreign Language Teaching Society Cup" National College Foreign Language Teaching Competition (English Major Group). It reveals how interpersonal meaning is realized in the teacher's discourse and explores teacher-student relationships. The analysis shows a predominant use of the declarative mood, followed by interrogative and imperative moods. This balance reflects the teacher's dual role as both knowledge disseminator and facilitator of student participation, steering away from a wholly authoritative position. Minimal use of the imperative mood suggests discussions are mainly informational, reducing student pressure and promoting an equal and harmonious classroom atmosphere. Declarative moods serve multiple functions, whereas interrogatives stimulate student engagement. Modal preferences indicate a balance between directive and facilitative communication, emphasizing low modal values to foster respect and a student-centered approach. This strategy illustrates the teacher's respect for students, embracing roles such as guide and observer, and offers insights for creating inclusive and effective university English classrooms.

Talking morphine: Pain and prognosis in Indian cancer care.

Pain can be a pervasive feature of cancer, particularly in regions such as India, where the disease is rarely detected in its early stages. Yet over recent decades, morphine, a "gold standard" pain medicine, has been rarely used in India. This article draws on anthropological discussions of clinical disclosure in Indian cancer care to complicate assertions that this is because pain is missed or ignored by healthcare workers. Instead, in a context where the disclosing of prognoses is partial and indirect, I argue that morphine has gained a communicative function. Typically withheld until the "end of life", the drug has come to be read as a death sentence. It has become an analgesic and a prognosis. It is an object that talks in situations where direct communication is often avoided.

Optimizing energy hub systems: A comprehensive analysis of integration, efficiency, and sustainability

This study introduces a novel application of modified particle swarm optimization (PSO) for optimizing multi-energy hub systems (EHSs) to enhance efficiency and sustainability. The proposed method leverages PSO to optimize the scheduling of various energy resources, including gas turbines, biomass units, and renewable sources such as solar and wind power. Unlike traditional optimization approaches that rely on genetic algorithm (GA) and complex encoding schemes, the PSO algorithm simplifies the process using real-valued vectors and direct communication within the swarm, which significantly reduces implementation complexity. Key contributions of this work include the development of a tailored PSO algorithm that integrates seamlessly with the multi-objective optimization of EHSs. The algorithm simultaneously targets a reduction in operational costs and carbon emissions, offering a comprehensive solution for energy hub design. The proposed PSO approach has demonstrated a 10.35 % reduction in operating costs and an 85.03 % decrease in CO2 emissions compared to traditional baseline setups. In comparative analysis, the integration of renewable sources using the PSO algorithm resulted in a 77.91 % reduction in total CO2 emissions and an 85.61 % decrease in operating costs, showcasing its effectiveness in advancing both economic and environmental objectives. Furthermore, the study provides a detailed evaluation of various scenarios, revealing that the PSO-optimized EHS configuration achieves a significant reduction in reliance on non-renewable energy sources (RES). For instance, the incorporation of photovoltaics and wind turbines in the EHS setup led to a 46.39 % increase in energy sold to the grid and a 26.82 % decrease in electricity purchased from external sources. These quantitative results underscore the robustness and practical benefits of the proposed PSO method in designing and optimizing energy systems for improved sustainability and cost-effectiveness.

User-wise perturbations for user identity protection in EEG-based BCIs.

An electroencephalogram (EEG)-based brain-computer interface (BCI) is a direct communication pathway between the human brain and a computer. Most research so far studied more accurate BCIs, but much less attention has been paid to the ethics of BCIs. Aside from task-specific information, EEG signals also contain rich private information, e.g., user identity, emotion, disorders, etc., which should be protected. We show for the first time that adding user-wise perturbations can make identity information in EEG unlearnable. We propose four types of user-wise privacy-preserving perturbations, i.e., random noise, synthetic noise, error minimization noise, and error maximization noise. After adding the proposed perturbations to EEG training data, the user identity information in the data becomes unlearnable, while the BCI task information remains unaffected. Experiments on six EEG datasets using three neural network classifiers and various traditional machine learning models demonstrated the robustness and practicability of the proposed perturbations. Our research shows the feasibility of hiding user identity information in EEG data without impacting the primary BCI task information.

Mixed-encoding one-photon-interference quantum secure direct communication

Abstract Quantum secure direct communication (QSDC) guarantees both the security and reliability of information transmission using quantum states. One-photon-interference QSDC (OPI-QSDC) is a technique that enhances the transmission distance and ensures secure point-to-point information transmission, but it requires complex phase locking technology. This paper proposes a mixed-encoding one-photon-interference QSDC (MO-QSDC) protocol that removes the need for phase locking technology. Numerical simulations demonstrate that the MO-QSDC protocol could also beat the PLOB bound.

FORMATION OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE OF FOREIGN STUDENTS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN INFECTIOUS DISEASES

The article highlights the experience of professional competence formation of foreign medical students with an English-language form of education at the Department of Children Infectious Diseases of the Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University. Traditional and interactive teaching methods used during classroom work with students are described. Professional competence involves the ability to use knowledge, skills and abilities in practice effectively. For future doctors, it includes mastering diagnostic methods, emergency situations management, and using modern technics of diagnosis and treatment. Aim. The aim is to describe and analyze methods of professional competence formation of foreign students at the Department of Children Infectious Diseases during classroom work. Research results. At the Department of Children Infectious Diseases, foreign students study children infectious diseases and elective disciplines - immunoprophylaxis of infectious diseases, clinical parasitology and tropical medicine. When teaching medical disciplines to foreign students, it is necessary to take into account their insufficient level of Ukrainian language proficiency, which is an obstacle to communicating with patients and fully mastering the method of taking anamnesis when working in the hospital near the patient’s bedside. Therefore, the teacher also plays the role of an interpreter. During practical classes control of the input level of knowledge is carried out with the use of multiple choice questions. The final level of knowledge is monitored using situational tasks. Work with the theoretical material takes place in the form of a discussion, the "round table" method with "brainstorming". The main part of the practical class is conducted at the patient's bedside in the departments of the infectious disease hospital. The teacher translates during direct communication between students and patients, corrects the techics of the examination. During classes, students receive structured mini-cases with a description of a clinical case and work in small groups. During case discussions, the teacher is liberal, ready to listen to various opinions and ways of solving a problem situation. Students of the fifth year visit lectures, during which teachers demonstrate multimedia presentations with graphs, schemes of pathogenesis, photos of patients. Combining the lecturer's comments with video information and animation greatly enhances the attention of the audience. Demonstration of clinical cases during the lecture, followed by a discussion in a dialog mode, is valuable. During the lectures, information about the epidemiological situation regarding a particular disease in the countries from which the students came is presented and discussed. Conclusion. For professional competence formation of future doctors, a combination of traditional and interactive teaching methods is effective. In the process of the professional competence formation, all its components should be taken into account: cognitive, motivational and personal. The use of the case method increases cognitive interest, promotes the development of communication skills and clinical thinking. A competent, highly qualified teacher who is fluent in English and uses modern information sources, is an active organizer and participant in the educational process.

Diffuse meningeal melanocytosis – a silent culprit

Abstract Introduction/Objective Diffuse meningeal melanocytosis is a rare melanocytic proliferation that poses significant risk of severe hydrocephalus and mortality among children and young adults. Although the clonal melanocytes do not typically exhibit malignant morphological features, their capability for extensive invasion and malignant-like behavior necessitates tissue biopsy alongside immunohistochemical and molecular testing for definitive diagnosis. Methods/Case Report A 17-year-old male presented with progressive headaches, photophobia, and nausea, initially attributed to migraines. Neuro-opthalmological assessment revealed papilledema, leading to a diagnosis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Serial imaging showed fluctuating leptomeningeal enhancement and moderate communicating hydrocephalus without parenchymal lesions. Therapeutic lumbar punctures provided modest symptom improvement; increased opening pressure was observed. Evaluation of seven CSF specimens showed low glucose levels, increased cellularity consisting of bland appearing epithelioid cells of unknown etiology, and increased lymphocytes. Infectious causes were excluded. Due to the indeterminate CSF findings, discussion between the cytopathologist and neuro-opthamologist was crucial to facilitate tissue biopsy to exclude a neoplastic process. Subsequent shunt placement and cerebral cortex biopsy revealed neoplastic cells with sheet-like architecture coating the dura without overt brain invasion. The tumor cells had eosinophilic cytoplasm without pigment and enlarged nuclei with irregular contours, vesicular chromatin, and prominent nucleoli. No high-grade features were seen. Immunohistochemical stains were positive for MART1, HMB45, and PRAME, consistent with a melanocytic lesion. FISH melanoma panel was negative. The final diagnosis was diffuse meningeal melanocytic neoplasm, most consistent with meningeal melanocytosis. The patient received chemotherapy with improved symptoms and stable disease. Results (if a Case Study enter NA) NA Conclusion Diffuse meningeal melanocytosis is a challenging cytologic diagnosis as melanocytes can morphologically mimic lymphocytes and monocytes, and the low cellularity of CSF specimens often results in insufficient cell blocks for ancillary tests. The direct communication of the pathologist with the clinical team to correlate pathology, radiology, and clinical symptoms was essential to ensure the proper management of this patient.

Endovascular embolization of a congenital inferior phrenic artery-to-pulmonary arteriovenous malformation: a rare case report

BackgroundPulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM) is abnormal arteriovenous shunts between pulmonary artery (PA) and pulmonary vein, and rarely has congenital direct communications with systemic arteries.Case PresentationA 33-year-old male presented to our hospital with intermittent bloody sputum with no evidence of pulmonary infection, trauma or surgery. Chest computed tomography angiography (CTA) indicated the congenital inferior phrenic artery (IPA)-to-PAVM surrounded by diffuse alveolar hemorrhage located in the lower lobe of right lung. Both the afferent PA and IPA were successfully embolized with coils. Recurrent hemoptysis did not occur during one-year follow up.ConclusionsThe congenital communication between IPA and PAVM is rare, and the abnormal direct shunt would induce hemodynamically unstable condition within PAVM. Endovascular embolization of the afferent PA and IPA is a safe and effective method for this abnormal congenital shunt in lung.

Influence of modes of communication on public participation in Laikipia County, Kenya

This study investigates the impact of communication modes on enhancing public participation in Laikipia County, Kenya. The objective of the study was to examine how different communication channels affect citizen involvement in government-led development processes. Public participation is crucial for fostering democratic governance and equitable development. However, in Kenya, achieving substantial public engagement has been challenging, partly due to the use of ineffective communication channels. This study hypothesizes that such channels hinder meaningful public participation. To explore this, a hybrid analytics method was employed, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches, to assess how various communication modes influence public engagement. The research utilized a dataset comprising 384 respondents collected between June and July 2024. Data analysis, completed in July 2024, revealed several that different modes of communication significantly affect the level of public participation, influencing how well citizens receive and comprehend information about development initiatives. Channels that facilitate clearer, more direct communication leads to higher levels of understanding and engagement among the public. Effective communication channels are essential for fostering meaningful public involvement, as they impact citizens' responses and behaviours towards development activities. These findings underscore the importance of utilizing effective communication strategies to enhance public participation in development processes. The study contributes to a better understanding of how communication methods can be optimized to support democratic engagement and improve development outcomes in Kenya.

Bi-directional allosteric pathway in NMDA receptor activation and modulation

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors are ionotropic glutamate receptors involved in learning and memory. NMDA receptors primarily comprise two GluN1 and two GluN2 subunits. The GluN2 subunit dictates biophysical receptor properties, including the extent of receptor activation and desensitization. GluN2A- and GluN2D-containing receptors represent two functional extremes. To uncover the conformational basis of their functional divergence, we utilize single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer to probe the extracellular domains of these receptor subtypes under resting and ligand-bound conditions. We find that the conformational profile of the GluN2 amino-terminal domain correlates with the disparate functions of GluN2A- and GluN2D-containing receptors. Changes at the pre-transmembrane segments inversely correlate with those observed at the amino-terminal domain, confirming direct allosteric communication between these domains. Additionally, binding of a positive allosteric modulator at the transmembrane domain shifts the conformational profile of the amino-terminal domain towards the active state, revealing a bidirectional allosteric pathway between extracellular and transmembrane domains.

Paediatric family activation rapid response (FARR) in acute care: a qualitative study for developing a multilingual application (app) intervention

BackgroundDelayed recognition of clinical deterioration can result in harm to patients. Parents/carers can often recognise changes in the child’s condition before healthcare professionals (HCPs). To mitigate the risk of failure...

Do political elite endorsements influence online mobilization? A study of Twitter behavior in Narendra Modi’s 2019 election campaigns

ABSTRACT Modern campaigns increasingly rely on social media to influence voters, with Twitter offering affordances that enable direct communication between politicians and the public. However, scholars remain divided over the effectiveness of engaging ordinary Twitter users for mobilizing support online. This article seeks to address this issue by examining whether endorsements from political elites influence the tweeting behavior of ordinary users. Using a quasi-experimental design, we analyze an original dataset of tweets made by users who were mentioned (N = 27,634; 36.62 million tweets) and not mentioned (N = 27,672; 16.30 million tweets) by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 16th March 2019, during his national election campaign. Our analysis reveals that, on average, users mentioned by Modi exhibited a greater increase in tweet activity compared to those not mentioned. However, this surge in activity proved to be only temporary, suggesting that mentions by political elites facilitate immediate mobilization but are not necessarily self-sustaining. Furthermore, no evidence was found of a differential effect based on users’ pre-existing engagement levels. Our findings offer important insights into political leaders’ strategic use of Twitter in campaigns and contribute to the theoretical understanding of Twitter's role in mobilization and interactivity by bringing in diverse perspectives from the Global South.

Peningkatan Hasil Belajar Siswa pada Pembelajaran Agama Katolik Melalui Metode Problem Based Learning Kelas IX SMP Negeri 2 Tujuh Belas Tahun 2024

This research aims to improve student learning outcomes in Catholic Religion learning through the application of the Problem Based Learning Method in Class IX students of SMP Negeri 2 Seventeen in 2024. The approach taken in this research is quantitative with Classroom Action Research (PTK) consisting of Planning, Carrying out learning, observations, group discussions, individual assignments/tests, group awards and determining individual and group grades. Research Subject: Class IX students of SMP Negeri 2 Seventeen. Data collection techniques Direct Observation Techniques, Indirect Observation Techniques, Direct Communication Techniques, Indirect Communication Techniques, Measurement/Test Techniques, Documentation Techniques which are expected to be able to show changes in the actions given. The data obtained was analyzed using descriptive statistics. This research consists of three cycles. In the first cycle the average student score was 6.79 or 68.42%, and the student score in the second cycle was 8.83 or 75.17%. Meanwhile, the average value in the third cycle was 9.05 or 93.75%. From the results of this research, it can be concluded that learning using the Problem Based Learning Method for Class IX students at SMP Negeri 2 Seventeen is able to improve the remaining learning outcomes so that they meet the Minimum Completeness Criteria (KKM).