Dynamic Transmission Research Articles

Coordinated intelligent control strategy and power management for marine gas turbine under pulsed load using optimized neural network

Faced with the challenges of potentially irreversible damage due to instantaneous large pulsed power loads onboard, considering all-electric ship's small power grid capacity and complex gas turbine system, this study proposes a coordinated intelligent control strategy. It utilizes multi-objective optimization neural network to control a validated 20MW ship three-shaft gas turbine, ensuring global optimization tailored to pulsed load variations. Research findings reveal that the gas turbine efficiency at the design point is 32.3%, with a steady-state error within 2.8% and a maximum steady time error of 3.4 seconds, demonstrating acceptable accuracy. Under slope-type pulsed load of 20MW change in 5s, the proposed control strategy effectively manages speed while utilizing the energy storage system to smooth load inputs. It is worth noting that, increasing the fuel flow rate to 1.28 kg/s and inlet guide vane to 5.8 degrees reduces overshoot by 0.7% and rotor steady time by 15.4 seconds. Under transient-type pulsed load of 10MW back and forth change in 5s, the coordinated inlet guide vane control strategy mitigates surge margin and exhaust temperature issues. Adjusting the fuel flow to 1.17 kg/s and inlet guide vane to 9.96 degrees enables the gas turbine to operate within safety boundaries, reducing rotor speed overshoot by 0.4% and steady time by 6.1 seconds. Importantly, the optimized control strategy without energy storage system provides faster and safer dynamic regulation and power transmission for ship acceleration processes under radar load. However, considering only the coordinated strategy of the fuel sub-control loop, it is advisable to avoid compressor surge and over-temperature protection for electromagnetic ejection load scenarios. The research results will lay a valuable technical foundation for the intelligent control and smooth power transfer of the all-electric ship gas turbine power system with pulse loads in the extreme missions of ships in the future.

An ADMM approach for unit commitment with considering dynamic line rating

To enhance the transmission capabilities in power system scheduling, this paper develops a unit commitment model that incorporates dynamic transmission line capacities and proposes an efficient solving algorithm. A multi-scenario unit commitment model that integrates dynamic transmission line capacities is introduced, using quantile regression to construct a data-driven capacity increase model based on historical environmental data. The model is solved using Lagrangian relaxation and the Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers (ADMM) to decouple dynamic constraints, allowing the dual problem to be decomposed into sub-problems and solved iteratively. The proposed model and algorithm are validated using the IEEE-118 and IEEE-300 test cases, demonstrating their effectiveness in handling dynamic transmission line capacities and improving scheduling performance.The approach provides a robust and flexible solution for power system scheduling, enhancing reliability and economic efficiency.

Label-Free Optical Transmission Tomography for Direct Mycological Examination and Monitoring of Intracellular Dynamics

Live-cell imaging generally requires pretreatment with fluorophores to either monitor cellular functions or the dynamics of intracellular processes and structures. We have recently introduced full-field optical coherence tomography for the label-free live-cell imaging of fungi with potential clinical applications for the diagnosis of invasive fungal mold infections. While both the spatial resolution and technical set up of this technology are more likely designed for the histopathological analysis of tissue biopsies, there is to our knowledge no previous work reporting the use of a light interference-based optical technique for direct mycological examination and monitoring of intracellular processes. We describe the first application of dynamic full-field optical transmission tomography (D-FF-OTT) to achieve both high-resolution and live-cell imaging of fungi. First, D-FF-OTT allowed for the precise examination and identification of several elementary structures within a selection of fungal species commonly known to be responsible for invasive fungal infections such as Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus, or Rhizopus arrhizus. Furthermore, D-FF-OTT revealed the intracellular trafficking of organelles and vesicles related to metabolic processes of living fungi, thus opening new perspectives in fast fungal infection diagnostics.

Effectiveness and efficiency of immunisation strategies to prevent RSV among infants and older adults in Germany: a modelling study

BackgroundRecently, several novel RSV immunisation products that protect infants and older adults against RSV disease have been licensed in Europe. We estimated the effectiveness and efficiency of introducing these RSV immunisation strategies in Germany.MethodsWe used a Bayesian framework to fit a deterministic age-structured dynamic transmission model of RSV to sentinel surveillance and RSV-specific hospitalisation data in Germany from 2015 to 2019. The calibrated model was used to evaluate different RSV intervention strategies over 5 years: long-acting, single-dose monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in high-risk infants aged 1–5 months; long-acting mAbs in all infants aged 1–5 months; seasonal vaccination of pregnant women and one-time seasonal vaccination of older adults (75 + /65 + /55 + years). We performed sensitivity analysis on vaccine uptake, seasonal vs. year-round maternal vaccination, and the effect of under-ascertainment for older adults.ResultsThe model was able to match the various RSV datasets. Replacing the current short-acting mAB for high-risk infants with long-acting mAbs prevented 1.1% of RSV-specific hospitalisations in infants per year at the same uptake. Expanding the long-acting mAB programme to all infants prevented 39.3% of infant hospitalisations per year. Maternal vaccination required a larger number to be immunised to prevent one additional hospitalisation than a long-acting mAB for the same uptake. Vaccination of adults older than 75 years at an uptake of 40% in addition to Nirsevimab in all infants prevented an additional 4.5% of all RSV hospitalisations over 5 years, with substantial uncertainty in the correction for under-ascertainment of the RSV burden.ConclusionsImmunisation has the potential to reduce the RSV disease burden in Germany.

Resilient Discrete‐Time Quantization Communication for Distributed Nash Equilibrium Seeking Under DoS Attacks

ABSTRACTThis paper studies the design of resilient distributed Nash equilibrium (NE) algorithm for second‐order multi‐agent systems in the presence of Denial‐of‐Service (DoS) attacks, which prevent information transmission in the network with limited bandwidth and transmission rate. Resilient communication schemes, integrating periodic/event‐triggered schemes and a dynamic quantized transmission method, are designed in a distributed NE seeking algorithm to ensure the convergence of agents' strategies to the NE of the game. For the designed two resilient communication schemes, the sufficient conditions for the convergence of the algorithm are established, and the tradeoff between the sampling period and the frequency and duration of DoS attacks is analyzed. Cournot competition with distributed energy resources is used as an example to verify the proposed methods.

Dynamic tunable nonreciprocal single-photon scattering mediated by a giant atom assisted with a time-modulated cavity

Nonreciprocal single-photon scattering in a one-dimensional waveguide coupled to a giant two-level atom assisted with a time-modulated single-mode cavity is investigated. The analytic expressions of the single-photon scattering amplitudes are derived by using an effective Floquet Hamiltonian in real space. The scattering characteristics are discussed detail in both the Markovian and the non-Markovian regimes, and the corresponding conditions for achieving perfect nonreciprocal single-photon transmission are obtained. In the Markovian regime, a frequency-tunable single-photon diode with an ideal transmission contrast ratio can be realized by adjusting the frequency of the cavity mode, the local coupling phase difference, and the accumulated phase between the two coupling points. Furthermore, the influence of the intrinsic energy dissipations on the photon transport is discussed in detail. It is found that the dissipations of the cavity and the giant atom affect discriminatively the nonreciprocal single-photon scattering process. In the non-Markovian regime, the influence of the non-Markovian retarded effect induced by the time delay on the nonreciprocal single-photon scattering is discussed in detail. The results reveal that, although the retarded effect leads to a complex nonreciprocal scattering spectrum, dynamic tunable perfect nonreciprocal transmission with more abundant physical phenomena suitable for photons with different frequencies within a larger range can also be achieved. Such a nonreciprocal single-photon device can be used as an elementary unit for various quantum information processing and may have potential applications in quantum network engineering.

Cost-effectiveness of nonavalent vs bivalent HPV vaccine in Polish setting.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a prevalent sexually transmitted infection with significant implications for public health. In Poland, a nationwide vaccination program offers a choice between the 9-valent (9v) and 2-valent (2v) HPV vaccines. We aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of the 9v vs 2v vaccine from the public payer perspective in Poland. A cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted to compare the public health and economic benefits of using 9v vs 2v vaccine in Poland over 100-year horizon using a previously published deterministic dynamic transmission model. A target population of girls and boys aged 12-13 years was considered. The model was populated with local epidemiological inputs, utilities, and costs, including vaccine and administration costs, as well as costs related to medical procedures for HPV-related diseases. The 9v vaccine reduced the prevalence of HPV infections and HPV-related diseases substantially more than 2v vaccine when both are compared to no vaccination strategy. The total discounted cost savings of using the 9v vaccine instead of 2v, excluding the vaccine costs, amounted to EUR 66 million. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio amounted to 8094 EUR per quality-adjusted life year, much below the official cost-effectiveness threshold in Poland set up at the three times the annual gross domestic product per capita. 9v cost-effectiveness ratio remained unchanged when shorter time-horizons of 20, 40, 60, or 80 years were considered. Using 9v HPV vaccine in Poland is highly cost-effective compared to the 2v vaccine.

Evaluation of patient-specific quality assurance for fractionated stereotactic treatment plans with 6 and 10MV photon beams in beam-matched linacs.

Beam-matched linear accelerators (LA's) require accurate and precise dosimetry for fractionated stereotactic treatment. In this study, the beam data were validated by comparing the three-beam-matched LA's measured data and the vendor reference data. Upon its validation, the accuracy of the volumetric dose delivery for eighty patient-specific fractionated stereotactic treatment plans was evaluated. Measurements of the percentage depth dose (PDD), beam profiles, output factors (OFs), absolute output, and dynamic multi-leaf collimator (MLC) transmission factors for 6MV and 10MV flattening filter (FF) and flattening filter-free (FFF) photon beams were obtained from three-beam-matched LA's. The patient-specific quality assurance evaluation for all eighty plans was performed using PTW Octavius 1000 SRS™ array detectors for two-dimensional (2D) fluence measurement. The following 2D gamma passing criteria were used: 1%/1mm, 2%/1mm, 1%/2mm, 2%/2mm and 3%/2mm. In all three LA's, gamma analysis for PDD and profile were above 97% with gamma criteria of 1%/1mm. The differences OFs, absolute output, and dynamic MLC transmission factors were less than ± 1% of base value. For all eighty cases, the median passing rates on the three LA's were above 76%, 88%, 92%, 96%, and 98% for the above-mentioned gamma criteria of the three LA's. The beam-matched LA's showed good agreement between the measured and treatment planning system (TPS) calculated values for fractionated stereotactic VMAT plans with 6MV and 10MV (FF and FFF) photon beams. Patients can be shifted and treated on any beam-matched linac without the need of re-planning.

A deterministic Analysis of an Age-Gender structured model for malaria transmission dynamics

Objectives: Children below five years and women especially pregnant women are at high risk of malaria infection and death due to their weak immunity and exposition to mosquitoes. Different studies have been undertaken considering only the age structured model and other factors but did not take into account the gender. The objective of this work is to develop and analyze the malaria transmission model including this structure, to contribute on the existing measures and mechanisms to eradicate malaria in Rwanda.Methods: The dynamic malaria transmission model considering age and gender structure was developed and analyzed. To study the dynamics of disease, the basic reproduction number was analytically computed and numerically estimated and the normalized forward sensitivity index was used to highlight its sensitive parameters.Results: The most positive sensitive parameters in the model are the force of infection and infection rate for vectors and Infection rate for female of 5 years and above. The most negative sensitive parameters are the per capita death rate for vectors and humans.Conclusion: To control the spread of malaria in Rwanda, the biting and infection rate should be decreased.Therefore, women must comply with government measures against malaria and educate children about it.

Mass incarceration as a driver of the tuberculosis epidemic in Latin America and projected effects of policy alternatives: a mathematical modelling study

Tuberculosis incidence is increasing in Latin America, where the incarcerated population has nearly quadrupled since 1990. We aimed to quantify the impact of historical and future incarceration policies on the tuberculosis epidemic, accounting for effects in and beyond prisons. In this modelling study, we calibrated dynamic compartmental transmission models to historical and contemporary data from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, Mexico, and Peru, which comprise approximately 80% of the region's incarcerated population and tuberculosis burden. The model was fit independently for each country to incarceration and tuberculosis data from 1990 to 2023 (specific dates were country dependent). The model does not include HIV, drug resistance, gender or sex, or age structure. Using historical counterfactual scenarios, we estimated the transmission population attributable fraction (tPAF) for incarceration and the excess population-level burden attributable to increasing incarceration prevalence since 1990. We additionally projected the effect of alternative incarceration policies on future population tuberculosis incidence. Population tuberculosis incidence in 2019 was 29·4% (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 23·9-36·8) higher than expected without the rise in incarceration since 1990, corresponding to 34 393 (28 295-42 579) excess incident cases across countries. The incarceration tPAF in 2019 was 27·2% (20·9-35·8), exceeding estimates for other risk factors like HIV, alcohol use disorder, and undernutrition. Compared with a scenario where incarceration rates remain stable at current levels, a gradual 50% reduction in prison admissions and duration of incarceration by 2034 would reduce population tuberculosis incidence by over 10% in all countries except Mexico. The historical rise in incarceration in Latin America has resulted in a large excess tuberculosis burden that has been under-recognised to date. International health agencies, ministries of justice, and national tuberculosis programmes should collaborate to address this health crisis with comprehensive strategies, including decarceration. National Institutes of Health.

Modelling vaccination approaches for mpox containment and mitigation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Mpox was first identified in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in 1970. In 2023, a historic outbreak of mpox occurred in the country, continuing into 2024. Over 14 000 cases and 600 deaths were reported in 2023 alone, representing a major increase from previous outbreaks. The modified vaccinia Ankara vaccine (brand names JYNNEOS, Imvamune, and Imvanex) was used in the 2022 mpox outbreak in the USA and Europe. However, at the time of the study, vaccination had not been made available in the DRC. We aimed to inform policy and decision makers on the potential benefits of, and resources needed, for mpox vaccination campaigns in the DRC by providing counterfactual scenarios evaluating the short-term effects of various vaccination strategies on mpox cases and deaths, if such a vaccination campaign had been undertaken before the 2023-24 outbreak. A dynamic transmission model was used to simulate mpox transmission in the DRC, stratified by age (<5, 5-15, and >15 years) and province. The model was used to simulate potential vaccination strategies, varying by age and region (endemic provinces, non-endemic provinces with historic cases, and all provinces) assessing the effect the strategies would have on deaths and cases in an epidemic year similar to 2023. In addition, we estimated the number of vaccine doses needed to implement each strategy. Without vaccination, our model predicted 14 700 cases and 700 deaths from mpox over 365 days. Vaccinating 80% of all children younger than 5 years in endemic regions led to a 27% overall reduction in cases and a 43% reduction in deaths, requiring 10·5 million vaccine doses. Vaccinating 80% of all children younger than 5 years in all regions led to a 29% reduction in cases and a 43% reduction in deaths, requiring 33·1 million doses. Vaccinating 80% of children aged 15 years or younger in endemic provinces led to a 54% reduction in cases and a 71% reduction in deaths, requiring 26·6 million doses. When resources are limited, vaccinating children aged 15 years or younger, or younger than 5 years, in endemic regions of the DRC would be the most efficient use of vaccines. Further research is needed to explore long-term effects of a one-time or recurrent vaccination campaign. Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Canadian International Development Research Centre, US Department of Defense (Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Mpox Threat Reduction Network), Global Affairs Canada (Weapons Threat Reduction Program), US Department for Agriculture (Agriculture Research Service, Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement).

Cost-effectiveness analysis of COVID-19 booster doses and oral antivirals: Case studies in the Indo-Pacific.

Decision-makers in middle-income countries need evidence on the cost-effectiveness of COVID-19 booster doses and oral antivirals to appropriately prioritise these healthcare interventions. We used a dynamic transmission model to assess the cost-effectiveness of COVID-19 booster doses and oral antivirals in Fiji, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Timor-Leste. We conducted cost-effectiveness analysis from both healthcare and societal perspectives using data collated from publicly available sources. We developed an interactive R Shiny which allows the user to vary key model assumptions, such as the choice of discounting rate, and view how these assumptions affect model results. Booster doses were cost saving and therefore cost-effective in all four middle-income settings from both healthcare and societal perspectives using 3% discounting. Providing oral antivirals was cost-effective from a healthcare perspective if procured at a low generic price (US$25) or middle-income reference price (US$250); however, their cost-effectiveness was strongly influenced by rates of wastage or misuse, and the ongoing costs of care for patients hospitalised with COVID-19. The cost or wastage of rapid antigen tests did not appear strongly influential over the cost-effectiveness of oral antivirals in any of the four study settings. Our results support that COVID-19 booster programs are cost-effective in middle-income settings. Oral antivirals demonstrate the potential to be cost-effective if procured at or below a middle-income reference price of US$250 per schedule. Further research should quantify the rates of wastage or misuse of oral COVID-19 antivirals in middle-income settings.

A systematic review of epidemiological modelling in response to lumpy skin disease outbreaks.

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an infectious disease currently spreading worldwide and poses a serious global threat. However, there is limited evidence and understanding to support the use of models to inform decision-making in LSD outbreak responses. This review aimed to identify modelling approaches that can be used before and during an outbreak of LSD, examining their characteristics and priorities, and proposing a structured workflow. We conducted a systematic review and identified 60 relevant publications on LSD outbreak modelling. The review identified six categories of question to be addressed following outbreak detection (origin, entry pathway, outbreak severity, risk factors, spread, and effectiveness of control measures), and five analytical techniques used to address them (descriptive epidemiology, risk factor analysis, spatiotemporal analysis, dynamic transmission modelling, and simulation modelling). We evaluated the questions each analytical technique can address, along with their data requirements and limitations, and accordingly assigned priorities to the modelling. Based on this, we propose a structured workflow for modelling during an LSD outbreak. Additionally, we emphasise the importance of pre-outbreak preparation and continuous updating of modelling post-outbreak for effective decision-making. This study also discusses the inherent limitations and uncertainties in the identified modelling approaches. To support this workflow, high-quality data must be collected in standardised formats, and efforts should be made to reduce inherent uncertainties of the models. The suggested modelling workflow can be used as a process to support rapid response for countries facing their first LSD occurrence and can be adapted to other transboundary diseases.

From conceptualising to modelling structural determinants and interventions in HIV transmission dynamics models: a scoping review and methodological framework for evidence-based analyses

Abstract Background Including structural determinants (e.g. criminalisation, stigma, inequitable gender norms) in dynamic HIV transmission models is important to help quantify their population-level impacts and guide implementation of effective interventions that reduce the burden of HIV and inequalities thereof. However, evidence-based modelling of structural determinants is challenging partly due to a limited understanding of their causal pathways and few empirical estimates of their effects on HIV acquisition and transmission. Methods We conducted a scoping review of dynamic HIV transmission modelling studies that evaluated the impacts of structural determinants, published up to August 28, 2023, using Ovid Embase and Medline online databases. We appraised studies on how models represented exposure to structural determinants and causal pathways. Building on this, we developed a new methodological framework and recommendations to support the incorporation of structural determinants in transmission dynamics models and their analyses. We discuss the data and analyses that could strengthen the evidence used to inform these models. Results We identified 17 HIV modelling studies that represented structural determinants and/or interventions, including incarceration of people who inject drugs (number of studies [n] = 5), violence against women (n = 3), HIV stigma (n = 1), and housing instability (n = 1), among others (n = 7). Most studies (n = 10) modelled exposures dynamically. Almost half (8/17 studies) represented multiple exposure histories (e.g. current, recent, non-recent exposure). Structural determinants were often assumed to influence HIV indirectly by influencing mediators such as contact patterns, condom use, and antiretroviral therapy use. However, causal pathways’ assumptions were sometimes simple, with few mediators explicitly represented in the model, and largely based on cross-sectional associations. Although most studies calibrated models using HIV epidemiological data, less than half (7/17) also fitted or cross-validated to data on the prevalence, frequency, or effects of exposure to structural determinants. Conclusions Mathematical models can play a crucial role in elucidating the population-level impacts of structural determinants and interventions on HIV. We recommend the next generation of models reflect exposure to structural determinants dynamically and mechanistically, and reproduce the key causal pathways, based on longitudinal evidence of links between structural determinants, mediators, and HIV. This would improve the validity and usefulness of predictions of the impacts of structural determinants and interventions.

Chaos-driven seven-core optical transmission scheme based on DNA full information chained analog-transcription

This paper proposes a chaos-driven seven-core optical transmission scheme based on DNA full information chained analog-transcription. Unlike traditional deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) coded encryption schemes in the bit dimension, this scheme uses chaotic sequences to generate perturbed bit streams corresponding to the initial bit stream. These two sets of bit streams are encoded from a set of DNA double-stranded sequences, which are then intertwined into a single-stranded DNA containing all the information through the full-information class transcription algorithm proposed in this paper. Finally, the DNA decoding process is driven by a set of sequences derived from another chaotic model to transform the DNA sequence containing all information back into a bit sequence for subsequent transmission. Additional chaotic sequences interfere with the subcarriers, symbols, and constellation angles. Moreover, to maintain spectral efficiency, hiding the key in the frame header allows for the dynamic simultaneous transmission of signal and key. The transmission of encrypted 16 quadrature amplitude modulation-orthogonal chirp division multiplexing (16QAM-OCDM) signals is experimentally demonstrated at a net bit rate of 51.72 Gb/s over 2 km weakly coupled seven-core fiber. At the receiving end, the correct key decoder is able to accurately recover the data, while the bit error ratio (BER) at the illegal receiving end is 0.5. Finally, quantitative experiments validate the receiver-side decryption algorithm, showing that the proposed encryption scheme achieves a large key space of 10397. The key can be fully decoded when the optical power is above -20dBm. This scheme significantly enhances the security and flexibility of the communication system, making it a promising candidate for future optical communication physical layer encryption.

Dynamic Characteristics Analysis of the DI-SO Cylindrical Spur Gear System Based on Meshing Conditions

The dual-input single-output (DI-SO) cylindrical spur gear system possesses advantages such as high load-carrying capacity, precise transmission, and low energy loss. It is increasingly becoming a core component of power transmission systems in maritime vessels, aerospace, marine engineering, and construction machinery. In practical operation, the stability of the DI-SO cylindrical spur gear system is influenced by complex excitations. These excitations lead to nonlinear vibration, meshing instability, and noise, which affect the performance and reliability of the entire equipment. Hence, the dynamic performance of the DI-SO cylindrical spur gear system is thoroughly investigated in this research. The impact of excitations and nonlinear factors on the dynamic characteristics was investigated comprehensively. A comparative analysis of the gear system was conducted by establishing a bending–torsional coupling vibration analysis model under synchronous and asynchronous meshing conditions. Nonlinear factors such as periodic time-varying meshing stiffness, meshing damping, friction coefficient, friction arms, load sharing ratio, comprehensive transmission error, and backlash were considered in the proposed model. Then, the effect laws of excitations and nonlinear factors such as meshing frequency, driving load fluctuation, backlash, and comprehensive transmission error were analyzed. The results indicate that the dynamic characteristics exhibited staged stable and unstable states under different meshing frequencies and meshing conditions. At the medium-frequency meshing stage (0.96 × 104~1.78 × 104 Hz), alternating phenomena of multi-periodic, quasi-periodic, and chaotic motion states were observed. Moreover, the root mean square value (RMS) of the dynamic transmission error (DTE) in the asynchronized gear system was generally higher than that in the synchronized gear system. It was found that selecting the appropriate meshing condition could effectively reduce the amplitude of the DTE. Additionally, the dynamic performance could be significantly improved by adjusting control parameters such as driving load fluctuation (0~179 N), backlash (0.8 × 10−4~0.9 × 10−4 m), and comprehensive transmission error (7.9 × 10−4~9.4 × 10−4 m). The research results provide a theoretical guidance for the design and optimization of the DI-SO cylindrical spur gear system.

An Energy Efficient Transmission Mechanism based on Optimal Relay Distance for Underwater Acoustic Sensor Networks

Abstract Due to the limited resources and energy of communication in underwater acoustic sensor network (UASN), there are many challenges in designing energy-efficient and reliable media access control (MAC) protocols for UASN. This paper proposes an energy-efficient media access control (MAC) protocol with dynamic transmission range control (TRC), referred to as TRA-MAC. The protocol provides an adaptive, multi-hop and energy-saving solution for underwater sensor network communication. The protocol dynamically adjusts the transmission power of the node according to the distance between the source node and the destination node, and has the ability to adapt to network conditions. Simulation results show that compared with Slotted Aloha, the proposed adaptive relay node selection mechanism increases the energy efficiency by 43.07%, the network throughput by 46.6%, and the end-to-end delay is greatly reduced. Compared with Slotted FAMA, it has more significant advantages.

Modeling the impact of a supervised consumption site on HIV and HCV transmission among people who inject drugs in three counties in California, USA

Supervised consumption sites (SCS) have been shown to reduce receptive syringe sharing among people who inject drugs (PWID) in the United States and elsewhere, which can prevent HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission. PWID are at risk of disease transmission and may benefit from SCS, however legislation has yet to support their implementation. This study aims to determine the potential impact of SCS implementation on HIV and HCV incidence among PWID in three California counties. A dynamic HIV and HCV joint transmission model among PWID (sexual and injecting transmission of HIV, injecting transmission of HCV) was calibrated to epidemiological data for three counties: San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego. The model incorporated HIV and HCV disease stages and HIV and HCV treatment. Based on United States data, we assumed access to SCS reduced receptive syringe sharing by a relative risk of 0.17 (95 % CI: 0.04-1.03). This model examined scaling-up SCS coverage from 0 % to 20 % of the PWID population within the respective counties and assessed its impact on HIV and HCV incidence rates after 10 years. By increasing SCS from 0 % to 20 % coverage among PWID, 21.8 % (95 % CI: -1.2-32.9 %) of new HIV infections and 28.3 % (95 % CI: -2.0-34.5 %) of new HCV infections among PWID in San Francisco County, 17.7 % (95 % CI: -1.0-30.8 %) of new HIV infections and 29.8 % (95 % CI: -2.1-36.1 %) of new HCV infections in Los Angeles County, and 32.1 % (95 % CI: -2.8-41.5 %) of new HIV infections and 24.3 % (95 % CI: -1.6-29.0 %) of new HCV infections in San Diego County could be prevented over ten years. Our models suggest that SCS is an important intervention to enable HCV elimination and could help end the HIV epidemic among PWID in California. It could also have additional benefits such facilitating pathways into drug treatment programs and preventing fatal overdose.

Estimating the value of new antibiotic treatment strategies in Zhejiang province, China: cost-effectiveness analysis based on a validated dynamic model

ObjectivesThis analysis aims to better reflect the value of new antibiotic treatment strategies, thereby informing clinical antibiotic use, antimicrobial reimbursement and/or hospital formulary decision-making in China.DesignWe adapted a published and...

The Response of NDVI to Drought at Different Temporal Scales in the Yellow River Basin from 2003 to 2020

Ecological protection in the Yellow River Basin (YRB) is a major strategy for China’s sustainable development. Amid global warming, droughts have occurred more frequently, severely affecting vegetation growth. Based on the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) at different time scales from 2003 to 2020, this study employed the linear trend method and the Spearman correlation coefficient method to calculate the trends and correlation coefficients of NDVI and SPEI at different scales at the pixel scale and explored the spatial distribution pattern of the sensitivity of vegetation growth in the YRB to drought. The results show that: (1) NDVI and SPEI are positively correlated in 77% of the area, negatively correlated in 9%, and are positively correlated in the arid and semi-arid areas, while negatively correlated in the humid and subhumid areas. The significant negative correlation between NDVI and drought at high altitudes may be due to the fact that Gramineae vegetation is more sensitive to drought, with heat being more affected than water. (2) Urbanization has a relatively obvious impact on the distribution of drought. Extreme drought mainly occurs in the middle and upper reaches of the Wei River; severe drought mainly occurs in the central area of the Guanzhong Plain centered on Xi’an; the central area of the Loess Plateau; and the surrounding areas of the Zhengzhou-centered Central Plains City Group. (3) The NDVI showed an upward trend from 2003 to 2020, indicating an increase in vegetation density or an expansion of vegetation coverage. From the temporal trend, SPEI decreased at a rate of −0.17/decade, indicating that the entire watershed has a drought trend on an annual scale. (4) Spring NDVI is more sensitive to the water supply provided by SPEI-1, while the positive correlation between SPEI and NDVI begins to rise in June and reaches its peak in July, then starts to decline in August. In autumn and winter, NDVI is more sensitive to 3–6-month accumulated drought. (5) From the dynamic transmission laws of different levels of positive correlation, the positive impact of the 3-month accumulated drought on NDVI is most significant, and the influence of SPEI-1 on the negative correlation between SPEI and NDVI is most significant. This paper aims to clarify the sensitivity of vegetation to different time-scale droughts, provide a basis for alleviating drought in the YRB, and promote sustainable development of ecological environmental protection. The research findings enable us to gain a profound insight into the responsiveness of vegetation growth to drought in the context of global warming and offer a valuable theoretical foundation for devising pertinent measures to alleviate stress on vegetation growth in regions prone to frequent droughts.