Direct Communication Research Articles

An adaptive MLP-based joint optimization of resource allocation and relay selection in device-to-device communication using hybrid meta-heuristic algorithm

Enhancement in both energy efficiency and spectral efficiency in cellular networks is made possible by means of an advanced technique called device-to device (D2D) communication. The enhancement of these efficiencies is done by utilizing the cellular user (CU) resources once again to make communication with nearby cellular devices in an effective manner by spectral means. As the D2D communication technology is capable of providing a direct communication link with nearby devices effectively with enhanced spectral efficacy, this approach is considered as an ideal solution for the futuristic cellular communication network. A flexible and reliable relay-assisted communication by means of D2D technology is required that acts as an intermediate relay when the attenuation between the channels across the D2D devices becomes high. The throughput of the system is increased by utilizing D2D communication technology as it uses direct data transmission within cellular devices. When the cellular user is far apart from one another, the data loss in the D2D communication system is minimized with the utilization of the relay. When the channels are good, then the relay nodes (RNs) serve the cellular user. However, it is noted that the D2D systems are affected by issues such as higher consumption of energy and spectral sharing. Also, the sum rate gets degraded as a result of mutual interference between resource-sharing cellular devices in the relay-assisted D2D communication system. The transmission of the data in a traditional relay-assisted D2D communication system is carried out between the D2D receiver (DR) and D2D transmitter (DT) only with the utilization of its own energy by the RN. The issues in relay selection and resource allocation in the conventional joint resource allocation schemes are tackled by executing a scheme for performing the task of optimal relay selection and joint resource allocation. The enhancement of the overall sum rate in the D2D communication is the main motive behind the implemented scheme. This goal is attained along with the minimization of the link rates in the cellular and D2D networks. The ideal selection of the relay and the execution of the joint resource allocation are done with the utilization of a new optimization scheme called the hybrid flow direction with the chameleon swarm algorithm (HFDCSA), in which the flow direction algorithm (FDA) is fused along with chameleon swarm algorithm. This optimal selection of the relays is assisted by considering constraints like the network’s sum rate and energy efficiency in the network to achieve high performance. The data obtained from distinct sources are given to the adaptive multi-layer perceptron (AMLP) in which optimal resource allocation and the relay selection are performed with the help of the suggested HFDCSA. The parameters in the MLP are tuned by the same HFDCSA. Finally, the performance validation is conducted in the stage to verify the working of the suggested approach.

A national survey of children's experiences and needs when attending Canadian pediatric emergency departments.

Optimizing a child's emergency department (ED) experience positively impacts their memories and future healthcare interactions. Our objectives were to describe children's perspectives of their needs and experiences during their ED visit and relate this to their understanding of their condition. 514 children, aged 7-17 years, and their caregivers presenting to 10 Canadian pediatric EDs completed a descriptive cross-sectional survey from 2018-2020. Median child age was 12.0 years (IQR 9.0-14.0); 56.5% (290/513) were female. 78.8% (398/505) reported adequate privacy during healthcare conversations and 78.3% (395/504) during examination. 69.5% (348/501) understood their diagnosis, 89.4% (355/397) the rationale for performed tests, and 67.2% (338/503) their treatment plan. Children felt well taken care of by nurses (90.9%, 457/503) and doctors (90.8%, 444/489). Overall, 94.8% (475/501) of children were happy with their ED visit. Predictors of a child better understanding their diagnosis included doctors talking directly to them (OR 2.21 [1.15, 4.28]), having someone answer questions and worries (OR 2.51 [1.26, 5.01]), and older age (OR 1.08 [1.01, 1.16]). Direct communication with a doctor (OR 2.08 [1.09, 3.99]) was associated with children better understanding their treatment, while greater fear/ 'being scared' at baseline (OR 0.59 [0.39, 0.89]) or at discharge (OR 0.46 [0.22, 0.96]) had the opposite effect. While almost all children felt well taken care of and were happy with their visit, close to 1/3 did not understand their diagnosis or its management. Children's reported satisfaction in the ED should not be equated with understanding of their medical condition. Further, caution should be employed in using caregiver satisfaction as a proxy for children's satisfaction with their ED visit, as caregiver satisfaction is highly linked to having their own needs being met.

Uloga Facebooka u promjenama obrazaca interpersonalne komunikacije i poimanju romantičnih odnosa

Digital technology in mass media provides a new way of transmitting information, but often does not deliver the veracity and emotional depth of information as direct human interaction does. Apart from the convergence offered by the media, information discernment through one of the digital or mass communication channels remains inferior to direct human communication. The question arises as to how social internet platforms affect relationships between women and men and the value and emotional structure of these relationships. Despite numerous studies that have dealt with the influence of social networks on the quality of communication and life of children and young people, it is evident that the question of the influence of social networks on gender relations is often neglected or considered less important. The purpose of this research was to examine the public’s perception of the alienating effects of Facebook in the area of primordial and primary social interaction between women and men as a previous communication to all other forms and types of communication. The results showed that the majority of respondents do not support the use of social networks for sexual acquaintances or emotional relationships, considering virtual communication as an insufficient substitute for real emotional contacts, which include non-verbal signs of attraction, and do not perceive them as a suitable means for engaging in emotional or erotic experiences. Although most do not consider them a threat to stable emotional relationships, they are a threat to the spiritual component and dignity of the partner and are perceived as an foundation for sexual adventures, trips and fraud.

Position constrained adaptive time-varying formation control of autonomous surface vessels with uncertain dynamics

This paper investigates the adaptive time-varying formation control problem of autonomous surface vessels (ASVs) with position constraints, uncertain dynamics and external disturbances under directed communication topology. Different from the existing studies, the nonlinear error transformation function is combined with formation control to achieve position constraints of ASVs. Based on dynamic surface control and backstepping method, a virtual control law is designed for each vessel. Radial basis function neural networks are employed to approximate the unknown nonlinear continuous function caused by ASVs’ model uncertainties, and the minimum learning parameter (MLP) method is applied to reduce computational complexity. Then, a time-varying formation position constrained controller and an adaptive law are proposed for each ASV. By using the Lyapunov stability theory, it is proved that all signals of the closed-loop ASV system are semi-global uniformly ultimately bounded and the position constrained objective can be achieved. Finally, simulation analyses are given to verify the effectiveness of theoretical results.

Quantum Cryptography: Mathematical Foundations and Practical Applications for Secure Communication Protocols

Quantum cryptography is a new and exciting area that uses quantum physics to protect communication lines from being spied on or intercepted. Fundamental ideas in this field, like the uncertainty principle and the fact of quantum entanglement, are used to achieve levels of security that have never been seen before. Our in-depth study, "Quantum Cryptography: Mathematical Foundations and Practical Applications for Secure Communication Protocols," looks at both the math behind quantum cryptographic protocols and how they are used in the real world. Our study goes into great detail about the theories behind quantum cryptography. It explains ideas like quantum key distribution (QKD), quantum teleportation, and quantum secure direct communication (QSDC). One of the main ideas behind quantum cryptography is the idea of qubits, which are like regular bits but in quantum mechanics. They can be in more than one state at the same time because of superposition. Quantum cryptographic methods use this property to make sure communication is safe by putting data in quantum states and taking advantage of the fact that quantum measures are inherently unpredictable. The study we're doing looks at how to use quantum cryptography in typical everyday situations. We look at the problems that come up when you try to build infrastructure for quantum transmission, such as noise, decoherence, and scale. We make a plan for making strong and trustworthy quantum cryptographic systems by giving details about how experiments are set up and how technology is improving. Our study looks into how quantum cryptography could be used for things other than just keeping communications safe. We look into what it means for new technologies like quantum networks, quantum computing, and safe multi-party processing. We hope that by explaining the bigger effects of quantum cryptography, we can encourage more study and new ideas in this ground-breaking area.

Neural connectivity patterns explain why adolescents perceive the world as moving slow

That younger individuals perceive the world as moving slower than adults is a familiar phenomenon. Yet, it remains an open question why that is. Using event segmentation theory, electroencephalogram (EEG) beamforming and nonlinear causal relationship estimation using artificial neural network methods, we studied neural activity while adolescent and adult participants segmented a movie. We show when participants were instructed to segment a movie into meaningful units, adolescents partitioned incoming information into fewer encapsulated segments or episodes of longer duration than adults. Importantly, directed communication between medial frontal and lower-level perceptual areas and between occipito-temporal regions in specific neural oscillation spectrums explained behavioral differences between groups. Overall, the study reveals that a different organization of directed communication between brain regions and inefficient transmission of information between brain regions are key to understand why younger people perceive the world as moving slow.

Brain-Computer Interface Integration With Extended Reality (XR): Future, Privacy And Security Outlook

The Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) is a rapidly evolving technology set to revolutionize our perception of the Internet of Things (IoT). BCI facilitates direct communication between the brain and external devices, enabling the control or interaction of devices without physical intervention. BCI technology is becoming more sophisticated, allowing third-party software embedded in emerging technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR) to access sensors that read brain activity. These can be grouped under the umbrella term Extended Reality (XR). While BCI technology is disrupting the way data is collected, interpreted, and utilized within IoT networks, it is important to consider the potential privacy and security threats that it poses. Previous and not-so-recent cybersecurity research only scratched the surface in terms of security and privacy aspects of the then-emerging neural and brain-connecting technologies. However, recent advances in reconstructing language, music tracks, and imagery solely based on decoding neural signals pose a significant risk of mental privacy invasion and cybersecurity abuse. In this paper, we present an analysis of the potential threats posed by the integration of BCI with VR, AR, and MR. We analyze the involvement of major technological players in shaping BCI and XR advancements, examining the potential for these technologies to create detailed user profiles and reshape the monetization of user data in the ever-more-aggressive data-driven economy. We also outline a position view on the cybersecurity aspects that are not related to privacy and profiling per se, for example, cybersecurity attacks on the brain (e.g., ``brain rewriting'' attacks) facilitated by potentially vulnerable XR-BCI devices and software. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need for further research on the privacy and security implications of XR-BCI integration and inviting deeper exploration of the topic beyond theoretical papers and toward a more applied experimental setup.

Nanotransistor-based gas sensing with record-high sensitivity enabled by electron trapping effect in nanoparticles

Highly sensitive, low-power, and chip-scale H2 gas sensors are of great interest to both academia and industry. Field-effect transistors (FETs) functionalized with Pd nanoparticles (PdNPs) have recently emerged as promising candidates for such H2 sensors. However, their sensitivity is limited by weak capacitive coupling between PdNPs and the FET channel. Herein we report a nanoscale FET gas sensor, where electrons can tunnel between the channel and PdNPs and thus equilibrate them. Gas reaction with PdNPs perturbs the equilibrium, and therefore triggers electron transfer between the channel and PdNPs via trapping or de-trapping with the PdNPs to form a new balance. This direct communication between the gas reaction and the channel enables the most efficient signal transduction. Record-high responses to 1–1000 ppm H2 at room temperature with detection limit in the low ppb regime and ultra-low power consumption of ~\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\sim$$\\end{document}300 nW are demonstrated. The same mechanism could potentially be used for ultrasensitive detection of other gases. Our results present a supersensitive FET gas sensor based on electron trapping effect in nanoparticles.

The Otolaryngology Consultant Workforce in England: A Survey Update and Future Repercussions.

Effective medical staffing is pivotal for a successful healthcare system, demanding strategic planning to ensure a high-quality service. Although the UK's doctor to population ratio has improved over time, it remains below global averages. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing challenges, resulting in an unprecedented NHS waiting list with Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) surgeries ranking third highest in waiting times amongst all specialties. This study utilized a national jotform survey to gather data from ENTUK members, primarily focusing on consultant staffing within ENT departments across the UK. Additional information collected encompassed registration status, part-time roles, gender, vacancies, locum roles, associate specialists, registrars and other junior doctors, and advanced nurse practitioners. When survey responses were inadequate, direct communication was established with departmental consultants or secretaries, followed by Freedom of Information requests as necessary. All data were compiled using Microsoft Excel. Among the 65 responses to the ENTUK survey, 53 individual trusts were identified. These included 41 English acute trusts, with supplementary participation from Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Data from 749 consultants across 115 English acute trusts were collected in combination with a Freedom of Information request. Despite an increased number of ENT consultants, the persistence of unfilled posts coincides with mounting waiting lists. The pandemic's effects, including early retirements and part-time roles, emphasise the urgency of expanding training positions to counterbalance these shifts. Local and national interventions are essential to fortify and diversify the ENT workforce through a variety of strategies.

Research progress on astrocyte-derived extracellular vesicles in the pathogenesis and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Huntington's disease (HD), pose significant global health risks and represent a substantial public health concern in the contemporary era. A primary factor in the pathophysiology of these disorders is aberrant accumulation and aggregation of pathogenic proteins within the brain and spinal cord. Recent investigations have identified extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the central nervous system (CNS) as potential carriers for intercellular transport of misfolded proteins associated with neurodegenerative diseases. EVs are involved in pathological processes that contribute to various brain disorders including neurodegenerative disorders. Proteins linked to neurodegenerative disorders are secreted and distributed from cell to cell via EVs, serving as a mechanism for direct intercellular communication through the transfer of biomolecules. Astrocytes, as active participants in CNS intercellular communication, release astrocyte-derived extracellular vesicles (ADEVs) that are capable of interacting with diverse target cells. This review primarily focuses on the involvement of ADEVs in the development of neurological disorders and explores their potential dual roles- both advantageous and disadvantageousin the context of neurological disorders. Furthermore, this review examines the current studies investigating ADEVs as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. The prospects and challenges associated with the application of ADEVs in clinical settings were also comprehensively reviewed.

OTHR-23. PATIENT DESIRE TO SHARE DATA AND PARTICIPATE IN RESEARCH IN THE DIPG/DMG COMMUNITY

Abstract Direct and reciprocal communication between patient communities and their research and care teams is essential to building trust and ensuring that all essential information is shared. Patient participation in data collection of any sort is often challenging, as patients may be hesitant or unmotivated to share their information. The DIPG/DMG patient community faces the opposite challenge. Because of the frustration of the lack of treatment options and the established trust that exists between patient families and research professionals, DIPG/DMG patient families are both willing and eager to share any information they can. Patient families have seen how their knowledge has helped other families navigate impossible situations and care teams understand how to better support their patients. The information families eagerly provide is crucial to advancing treatment and research. Patient families have repeatedly expressed willingness to participate in quality of life assessments, repeated surveys during and after treatment, and provide their medical and biological information in the hopes that it can aid research. There is a need for a centralized manner for all of this data to be shared by the patient and accessed by care teams and researchers. Patient-led initiatives are addressing this by creating a network of resources. This network helps to guide other patient families through the data-sharing process, address concerns, and find ways to provide what is needed to push research and treatments ahead. There are many benefits to having a centralized data ecosystem for researchers and care teams, such as standardizing data collection and ease of analysis. In the future, this centralized hub could inform personalized care, making options such as n-of-1 trials and matching patients to optimal clinical trials possible in a manner that is effective and efficient.

Fully distributed consensus of discrete-time linear multi-agent systems with large input and communication delays

This paper investigates the consensus problem for discrete-time leader-following multi-agent systems subject to large time delays. Building upon two assumptions, a novel fully distributed protocol is devised by utilizing a normalized weighting matrix, depending solely on the relative output measurement. It is shown that, for arbitrarily large yet bounded input and communication delays that are constant and exactly known, the consensus problem can be effectively addressed by both the proposed protocol and its truncated version. Assuming further that followers incorporate solely input delays, then the permitted delays can be time-varying and different. The proposed protocols do not rely on global information of the directed communication topology, thus ensuring robustness against alterations in the communication topology. A numerical example is employed to validate the effectiveness of the suggested approach.

How to Elucidate Consent-Free Research Use of Medical Data: A Case for "Health Data Literacy".

The extensive utilization of personal health data is one of the key success factors of modern medical research. Obtaining consent to the use of such data during clinical care, however, bears the risk of low and unequal approval rates and risk of consequent methodological problems in the scientific use of the data. In view of these shortcomings, and of the proven willingness of people to contribute to medical research by sharing personal health data, the paradigm of informed consent needs to be reconsidered. The European General Data Protection Regulation gives the European member states considerable leeway with regard to permitting the research use of health data without consent. Following this approach would however require alternative offers of information that compensate for the lack of direct communication with experts during medical care. We therefore introduce the concept of "health data literacy," defined as the capacity to find, understand, and evaluate information about the risks and benefits of the research use of personal health data and to act accordingly. Specifically, health data literacy includes basic knowledge about the goals and methods of data-rich medical research and about the possibilities and limits of data protection. Although the responsibility for developing the necessary resources lies primarily with those directly involved in data-rich medical research, improving health data literacy should ultimately be of concern to everyone interested in the success of this type of research.

The role and responsibility of clinical neuroscience in brain-computer interface clinical research

Brain-computer interface (BCI) constructs the direct communication between human brain and external devices, which has been extensively applied in clinical research of the diagnosis and treatment of nervous system diseases, and plays a crucial role in functional evaluation, communication control, reconstruction, rehabilitation training, and neural regulation. This paper summarizes the different forms of BCI technology, the progress of clinical research on BCI for neurological diseases, and the importance of developing appropriate clinical trial standards and ethical norms. Further emphasis is placed on the interpretation of the scope of BCI clinical research in neurological diseases, the ethical principles of BCI clinical research in neurological diseases, and the key points of BCI clinical research implementation and management summarized in the Chinese expert Consensus on the implementation and management of BCI clinical research in Neurological diseases. Finally, the role and responsibility of clinical neuroscience in BCI clinical trials are put forward, emphasizing interdisciplinary cooperation in clinical research to better promote the clinical transformation of BCI technology.

CT Assessment of Aortopulmonary Septal Defect: How to Approach It?

An aortopulmonary septal defect or aortopulmonary window (APW) is a rare cardiovascular anomaly with direct communication between the ascending aorta and the main pulmonary artery leading to a left-to-right shunt. It is accompanied by other cardiovascular anomalies in approximately half of patients. In order to avoid irreversible sequelae, interventional or surgical treatment should be performed as soon as possible. Cardiovascular CT, as a fast, non-invasive technique with excellent spatial resolution, has an increasing role in the evaluation of patients with APW, enabling precise and detailed planning of surgical treatment of APW and associated anomalies if present. This article aims to review the anatomical and clinical features of aortopulmonary septal defect with special emphasis on its detection and characterization by a CT examination.

Komunikasi Persuasif Terkait Kesadaran Kesehatan Mental dalam Series “Daily Dose of Sunshine”: Analisis Semiotik Ferdinand De Saussure

Persuasive communication is a strategy employed to convince and influence others to accept a message without imposing pressure, while still allowing them the freedom to either accept or reject it.In 2023, a medical-themed series titled "Daily Dose of Sunshine" was released, addressing mental health issues. Such series play a vital role in raising awareness and understanding of these issues among the public. This research aims to examine the persuasive communication used by doctors and nurses towards patients regarding mental health awareness in "Daily Dose of Sunshine." The qualitative analysis employs Ferdinand de Saussure's semiotic method, focusing on signifiers and signifieds. Data comprise dialogue excerpts and images from the series. Results reveal persuasive communication techniques such as framing, integration, payoff, and fear arousing, predominantly conveyed through direct verbal communication. Supporting factors include the credibility and attractiveness of communicators. Feedback from persuadees indicates acceptance of persuasive messages, leading to increased openness and positive actions as advised by medical professionals.

Study of The Concept of Vocational Guidance and Counseling in Vocational Schools

The concept of vocational guidance and counseling in vocational high schools (SMK) plays a crucial role in shaping the future of students. A recent study conducted at SMKS Teknologi YPL Lirik aimed to explore the general overview of guidance and counseling implementation, the steps taken by school principals and teachers, and the challenges faced in this aspect. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, the researchers directly collected data through interviews, documentation, and involving key stakeholders such as the school principal, vice principal of student affairs, subject teachers, class advisors, guidance counselors, and students. The gathered data was then analyzed through a process of reduction and interpreted qualitatively to draw conclusions. According to the interviews conducted with school officials, it was revealed that the current guidance and counseling practices at SMKS Teknologi YPL Lirik are inadequate. This is evident from the students' behavior, which tends to be naughty or undisciplined due to family or community environmental factors. To achieve holistic character education through guidance and counseling, the school must establish good cooperation with parents, maintain direct communication with them in case of any issues at school, and find solutions collaboratively to foster positive character growth in both the family and school environments. In conclusion, the study emphasizes the importance of enhancing guidance and counseling practices in vocational high schools to better support students in their personal and academic development. By addressing challenges and strengthening collaboration between school stakeholders, SMKS Teknologi YPL Lirik can create a more conducive environment for students to thrive and succeed in their vocational endeavors.

Social media and the rise of radical right populism in Portugal: the communicative strategies of André Ventura on X in the 2022 elections

In the context of media studies, the theme of populism in its relation to digital media has gained a great prominence in the last decade. The emergence of new populist political actors that use direct communication to appeal to the people without intermediaries, as well as the consolidation of digital social networks, involve interfaces between media and political processes that we intend to observe, having as object the scenario of the Portuguese Legislative Elections of 2022. Indeed, in this article we address how the populist communication of André Ventura, leader of the Portuguese radical right party, Chega, is constructed during the election campaign period. To analyze the discursive mechanisms of populism in the digital realm, we conducted a study of the corpus derived from André Ventura’s posts on the social media platform X, previously known as Twitter, during the month of January 2022, coinciding with the electoral campaign period. We sought to describe the discursive strategies present in the construction of the representation of “people”, considering the polarization “us versus them”, and examine the meanings of the world mobilized by populist communication in opposition to out-groups identified as “enemies” of the pure or authentic people. The results of our content analysis, focusing on the 143 tweets constituting Ventura’s narrative during the election period, indicate parallels with the discursive tactics of radical right populism. These include a narrative emphasizing conflict between “us and them,” a spotlight on the dysfunctions within the democratic system, the glorification of integrity in the face of political corruption, nativist discourse, and a prevailing tendency towards negative communication.

Peran Platform Weverse Sebagai Sarana Interaksi Dan Ekonomi Dalam Industri K-Pop

Weverse is a platform launched by HYBE Corporation in 2019 and has played a central role in facilitating interactions between fans and artists in the Korean music industry (K-pop). Through exclusive access to content, direct communication with artists, and a membership system offering discounts and exclusive content, Weverse has become a "home" for K-pop fans and an important revenue source in the industry's economy. This study uses a qualitative approach with a systematic literature analysis design to explore the impact of Weverse in the K-pop industry, highlighting the importance of this platform in deepening the relationship between artists and fans as well as its contribution to the business model and economy in the Korean music industry.

Vaccine Hesitancy: Balancing Public Health and Political Realities

This letter to the editor addresses the pressing issue of Vaccine Hesitancy and the delicate balance between Public Health and Political Realities. As a concise and direct communication, it focuses instead on delivering its message effectively within the confines of the format provided. However, should the editors require it in a specific format I am available to review same and submit it.