Latest Generation Research Articles

Overcoming Premature Smartphone Obsolescence amongst Young Adults

Rapid smartphone replacement contributes significantly to electronic waste issues. This paper investigates determinants of premature smartphone obsolescence amongst young adults and proposes psychology-based solutions to reduce associated sustainability impacts. Activity Theory maps replacement journeys to focus interventions on problem recognition. Grounded in contemporary Installation Theory, obsolescence drivers are analysed across physical affordances, embodied competencies and social regulations. Smartphone replacement journeys are mapped through Activity Theory to focus on problem recognition as an intervention point. Expert interviews and a user survey supplement literature in investigating obsolescence factors. Solutions are then structured along Installation Theory dimensions for a systemic approach targeting underlying barriers. Solutions address the three layers of behavioural determination. Smartphone modularity addresses physical issues, like repairability and upgrade. Consumer education campaigns improve competencies and perceptions, hereby fostering longer use. A “Slow Smartphone Movement” is proposed, leveraging social strategies, including pledges and online communities, to redefine cultural obsolescence narratives and address the positional aspects of having the latest generation smartphone. Together these multilayered interventions provide actionable pathways to prolonging lifespan by fundamentally reshaping psychological ownership patterns underlying premature smartphone disposal. Rather than isolated initiatives, these synergistic solutions provide specific, evidence-based pathways to fundamentally transforming entrenched obsolescence mindsets and behaviours amongst younger demographics. The paper concludes by outlining study limitations and stating that future research must empirically evaluate the proposed solutions.The current paper investigates the determinants and consequences of premature smartphone obsolescence amongst young adults and proposes psychology-based solutions to reduce its detrimental environmental and societal impact. Activity Theory was used to define the research scope, ultimately focusing on the first stage in the buyer behaviour model, reflecting a prototypical customer journey along five consecutive decision stages. Problem recognition, essentially the perceived difference between the current and desired state of being, was subsequently analysed through the three interrelated layers of Installation Theory, physical affordances, embodied competencies, and social regulations. Eventually, potential solutions, grounded in academic literature, expert interviews, and a consumer survey, were organised along the three dimensions of installation theory, creating a holistic and effective strategy for tackling smartphone obsolescence. Smartphone modularity represents a promising starting point to address the problems associated with physical affordances, such as broken parts, worn batteries, and planned obsolescence more generally.Additionally, extensive consumer education coupled with awareness campaigns highlighting the alternatives to purchasing new products and awareness campaigns highlighting the alternatives to purchasing new products could tackle issues associated with embodied competencies. Lastly, social regulations manifested partly in the universal need for belonging and social inclusion, represent the last driver of smartphone obsolescence. Virtual communities and reward schemes could further foster lasting normative change, eventually helping redefine the detrimental consumerism culture.

Elemental composition and structural characteristics of Bio-active™ orthodontic archwire

The Bio-active™ archwires are the latest generation multi-force orthodontic archwires made of a Ni-Ti alloy. It is of particular importance to orthodontists to know what their composition and structural characteristics are so that they can determine which one is suitable for a given stage of orthodontic treatment. The aim of this work is to characterize as-received Bio-active™ archwires, consisting of three segments (anterior, bicuspid and posterior), by determining their physicochemical properties. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) was used to determine the elemental composition in the three different segments of the archwires, along with X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). A LIBS and EDX analysis of the elemental composition showed that nickel (55wt.%) and titanium (45wt.%) are the main elements, and in some segments Fe and Cr registered as trace elements. A XRD analysis, at room temperature, showed two similar peaks, characteristic of a Ni-Ti alloy, proof that the archwire is an austenite phase. The DSC data was obtained by measuring the Af temperatures for each segment (heated up to +80°C and cooled down to -80°C), showing that they can be classified as martensite-active wires (heat-activated). Based on that a recommendation can be made to cool down the unused, as-received archwires before clinical use to ensure that they will fit in the brackets easier. On the surface of the as-received archwires small grains can be seen from the SEM micrographs. The obtained results provide orthodontists important information regarding the physicochemical properties of the as-received Bio-active™ archwires. The results can also serve as a foundation for future research on the elemental composition and morphology of clinically applied Bio-active™ archwires.

Case Report: Experience with Cariprazine in Organic Delusional Disorder in an Elderly with Concomitant Somatic Pathology, Brief Report

Background: Organic disorder remains one of the most pressing issues in practical psychiatry, especially a disorder dominated by persistent or recurrent delusions. The difficulty for practitioners is often due to the older age of patients and the burden of concomitant therapeutic diseases. Modern and potentially promising pharmacological drugs developed in recent years include partial agonists of D2 and D3 receptors. Currently, there are insufficient publications of studies on Cariprazine use in various disorders that are not associated with endogenous pathology. Case Presentation: The author presented the results of the patient’s clinical examination with a complex of psychodiagnostic techniques, instrumental research methods, observation data in the department, and an analysis of the patient’s medical history. The paper describes the experience of treating a patient with the latest generation antipsychotic drug Cariprazine. Results: The author presents a case report on Cariprazine therapy in a 71-year-old female patient with a persistent organic delusional disorder with concomitant severe somatic illness. Conclusion: Cariprazine showed good efficacy in this case. Delusional symptoms were significantly reduced, and the author noted a reduction in negative symptoms. Mild side effects of the drug quickly resolved in the course of treatment. The key point is that the description of this case may be relevant to justify the need for further clinical studies on Cariprazine. Further clinical studies of the drug in the treatment of various mental pathologies may be in demand by specialists around the world.

Understanding Biases in Indian Ocean Seasonal SST in CMIP6 Models

AbstractThe latest generation of climate models continue to exhibit biases in their representation of climatological sea surface temperature (SST), affecting their ability to simulate climate variability including the Indian Ocean Dipole which is typically too strong. Here, we analyze the surface layer heat budget of the Indian Ocean to diagnose the processes leading to biases in climatological SST biases in 20 Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) models, in comparison to a suite of observational and reanalysis products. In the western tropical Indian Ocean, we find that weaker than observed winds reduce the strength of surface currents leading to warm SST bias. In the south‐eastern tropical Indian Ocean, overly strong southeasterly winds are associated with overestimated coastal upwelling that increases cooling across CMIP6 models. In the Arabian Sea, overly strong surface winds increase latent heat loss and leads to cool SST biases. We also analyze other regions like the Bay of Bengal, where a persistent cool bias cannot be explained by seasonal heat budgets, and southern Indian Ocean, where overly strong surface winds are responsible for cool SST biases. These biases in surface processes are supported by intermodel relationships between relevant variables, thus explaining differences in simulating the climatological SSTs across the model ensemble. Our analysis suggests that biases in atmospheric processes in particular surface winds are a primary cause of biases in Indian Ocean SST. Reducing these biases would improve the simulation of climate variability in the Indian Ocean toward more reliable climate projections and predictions.

The jump in global temperatures in September 2023 is extremely unlikely due to internal climate variability alone

September 2023 was the warmest September on record globally by a record margin of 0.5 °C. Here we show that such a record-breaking margin is an extremely rare event in the latest generation of climate models, making it highly unlikely (p ~ 1%) that internal climate variability combined with the steady increase in greenhouse gas forcing could explain it. Our results call for further analysis of the impact of other external forcings on the global climate in 2023.

Duplication of a chromosome 2 segment in production CHO cell lines correlates with age-related growth improvement.

Monitoring the stability of recombinant Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell lines is essential to ensure the selection of production cell lines suitable for biomanufacturing. It has been frequently observed that recombinant CHO cell lines develop phenotypic changes upon aging, such as accelerated cell growth in late generation cultures. However, the mechanism responsible for age-correlated changes is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the age-correlated cell growth improvement in Pfizer's platform fed-batch production process, by examining multiple cell lines derived from different CHO expression systems, expressing a variety of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Comprehensive whole-genome resequencing analysis revealed duplication of a continuous 50.2 Mbp segment in chromosome 2 (Chr2) specific to clones that showed age-correlated growth change as compared to clones that did not exhibit age-correlated growth change. Moreover, such age- and growth-related Chr2 duplication was independent of the presence or type of recombinant monoclonal antibody expression. When we compared transcriptome profiles from low-growth and high-growth cell lines, we found that>95% of the genes overexpressed in high-growth cell lines were in the duplicated Chr2 segment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of large genomic duplication, specific to Chr2, being associated with age-correlated growth change. Investigation of the cause-and-effect relationship between the genes identified in the duplicated regions and age-correlated growth change is underway. We are confident that this effort will lead to improved cell line screening and targeted rational cell line engineering efforts to develop cell lines with improved stability performance.

Real-Time Pavement Crack Detection Based on Artificial Intelligence

Pavement as a structural element is closely related to the road traffic system because it is essentially a support structure for the movement of vehicles. Modern technology has attained significant improvements in road durability, quality, and safety through the use of new materials and construction technology. All civil engineering infrastructures have a specific lifespan. The road surface can be the worst, and repair is more costly if the pavement is not maintained. The objective of this research is to spot the damages over the inspected road and detect cracks in a short time, useful to achieve more comprehensive monitoring and assessment of the condition of road pavement using a smartphone equipped with You Only Look Once (YOLO) to reduce maintenance costs. The method uses advanced image processing techniques and uses YOLO to detect cracked pavement in a short time. More specifically, it is based on the latest generation of Deep Neural Network (DNN) algorithms, such as YOLO V5. YOLO V5 is used as a detector for cracked pavement and image processing as an automated pavement distress detector. The obtained result for longitudinal cracks shows that the area of cracks is 1.1682 m2, with a threshold value of 0.91, while the result for transversal cracks shows the area of cracks of 1.9627 m2, with a threshold value of 0.85. Otsu’s method works best under conditions such as low noise level, homogeneous lighting, and higher intra-class variance than an inter-class variance. The outcome of this project is improved recognition accuracy compared to the manual recognition currently used.

The effect of hydrothermal aging on Mn2O3/Cu-SSZ-39 composite catalysts for selective catalytic reduction of NOx by NH3

The latest generation of fuel-efficient engines produces exhaust at cooler temperatures, highlighting a need for enhancement in the low-temperature effectiveness of Cu-zeolite catalysts. The metal oxide/Cu-zeolite composite catalysts have demonstrated superior deNOx performance at lower temperatures compared to Cu-zeolite alone. However, the hydrothermal stability of these composite catalysts remains unexplored. In this study, we focus on the Mn2O3/Cu-SSZ-39 catalyst, chosen for its exceptional activity at low temperatures. The synergy between the nitrate groups on Mn2O3 and NH4+ ions on the Brønsted acid sites of Cu-SSZ-39 enhances NOx conversion efficiency. Nonetheless, the efficiency of Mn2O3/Cu-SSZ-39 diminishes following exposure to hydrothermal conditions at various temperatures (700 °C, 750 °C, and 800 °C), with the degradation degree intensifying at higher temperatures. Characterization studies revealed that hydrothermal treatment leads to the recrystallization of Mn2O3 particles, which reduces the content of active adsorbed oxygen. This reduction impedes the formation of active bridged nitrates in the aged catalysts and disrupts the SCR pathway through the interaction between bridged nitrates and NH4+ on the composite catalysts. Despite these challenges, some adsorbed oxygen remains on the Mn2O3/Cu-SSZ-39 after aging, ensuring that the aged composite catalyst still exhibits higher activity than the fresh Cu-SSZ-39 catalyst. This observation suggests that there is potential for the application of Mn2O3/Cu-SSZ-39 in practical scenarios.

Inter-Calibration of Passive Microwave Satellite Brightness Temperature Observations between FY-3D/MWRI and GCOM-W1/AMSR2

Microwave sensors possess the capacity to effectively penetrate through clouds and fog and are widely used in obtaining soil moisture, atmospheric water vapor, and surface temperature measurements. Long time-series datasets play a pivotal role in climate change studies. Unfortunately, the lifespan of operational satellites often falls short of the needs of these extensive datasets. Hence, comparing and cross-calibrating sensors with similar configurations is paramount. The Microwave Radiation Imager (MWRI) onboard Fengyun-3D (FY-3D) is the latest generation of satellite-based microwave remote sensing instruments in China, and its data quality and application prospects have attracted widespread attention. To comprehensively assess the data quality of MWRI, a comparison of the orbital brightness temperature (TB) data between FY-3D/MWRI and Global Change Observation Mission 1st-Water (GCOM-W1)/Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (AMSR2) is conducted, and then a calibration model is established. The results indicate a strong correlation between the two sensors, with a correlation coefficient exceeding 0.9 across all channels. The mean bias ranges from −1.5 K to 0.15 K. Notably, the bias of vertical polarization is more pronounced than that of horizontal polarization. The TB distribution patterns and temporal evolutions are highly consistent for both sensors, particularly under snow and ice. The small intercepts and close-to-1 slopes obtained during calibration further demonstrate the minor data differences between the two sensors. However, the calibration process effectively reduces the existing errors, and the calibrated FY-3D/MWRI TB data are closer to GCOM-W1/AMSR2, with a mean bias approximately equal to 0 K and a correlation coefficient exceeding 0.99. The excellent consistency of the TB data between the two sensors provides a vital data basis for retrieving surface parameters and establishing long time-series datasets.

Zonal variability of methane trends derived from satellite data

Abstract. The Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) on board the Sentinel-5 Precursor (S5P) satellite is part of the latest generation of trace gas monitoring satellites and provides a new level of spatio-temporal information with daily global coverage, which enables the calculation of daily globally averaged CH4 concentrations. To investigate changes in atmospheric methane, the background CH4 level (i.e. the CH4 concentration without seasonal and short-term variations) has to be determined. CH4 growth rates vary in a complex manner and high-latitude zonal averages may have gaps in the time series, and thus simple fitting methods do not produce reliable results. In this paper we present an approach based on fitting an ensemble of dynamic linear models (DLMs) to TROPOMI data, from which the best model is chosen with the help of cross-validation to prevent overfitting. This method is computationally fast and is not dependent on additional inputs, allowing for fast and continuous analysis of the most recent time series data. We present results of global annual methane increases (AMIs) for the first 4.5 years of S5P/TROPOMI data, which show good agreement with AMIs from other sources. Additionally, we investigated what information can be derived from zonal bands. Due to the fast meridional mixing within hemispheres, we use zonal growth rates instead of AMIs, since they provide a higher temporal resolution. Clear differences can be observed between Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere growth rates, especially during 2019 and 2022. The growth rates show similar patterns within the hemispheres and show no short-term variations during the years, indicating that air masses within a hemisphere are well-mixed during a year. Additionally, the growth rates derived from S5P/TROPOMI data are largely consistent with growth rates derived from Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service (CAMS) global-inversion-optimized (CAMS/INV) data, which use surface observations. In 2019 a reduction in growth rates can be observed for the Southern Hemisphere, while growth rates in the Northern Hemisphere stay stable or increase. During 2020 a strong increase in Southern Hemisphere growth rates can be observed, which is in accordance with recently reported increases in Southern Hemisphere wetland emissions. In 2022 the reduction in the global AMI can be attributed to decreased growth rates in the Northern Hemisphere, while growth rates in the Southern Hemisphere remain high. Investigations of fluxes from CAMS/INV data support these observations and suggest that the Northern Hemisphere decrease is mainly due to the decrease in anthropogenic fluxes, while in the Southern Hemisphere, wetland fluxes continued to rise. While the continued increase in Southern Hemisphere wetland fluxes agrees with existing studies about the causes of observed methane trends, the difference between Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere methane increases in 2022 has not been discussed before and calls for further research.

Comparison of different global ensemble prediction systems for tropical cyclone intensity forecasting

AbstractMany meteorological centers have operationally implemented global model‐based ensemble prediction systems (GEPSs), making tropical cyclone (TC) forecasts from these systems available. The relatively low resolution of these GEPSs means that limits previous studies primarily focused on TC track forecasting. However, recent GEPS upgrades mean that TC intensity predictions from GEPSs are now also becoming of interest. This study focuses on the verification and comparison of the latest generation of GEPSs for TC intensity forecasts, particularly during the rapid intensification (RI) period over the western North Pacific (WP), eastern North Pacific (EP), and North Atlantic (NA) basins in 2021–2022. On average, the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) GEPS performed best in predicting both TC intensity and RI across all three basins. Nevertheless, the exact timing of RI remains highly uncertain for these GEPS, indicating significant limitations in using GEPSs to forecast RI.

Portable XRF applied to regional bedrock mapping in Quebec, Canada

Whole-rock geochemistry yields better geological maps of the bedrock, since it allows, for example, visually similar lithologies to be distinguished. However, conventional laboratory geochemistry is not available in the field during a mapping campaign. Portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) analyzers can produce fit-for-purpose data rapidly, and constitute a useful complement to conventional geochemistry in a bedrock mapping project. The pXRF data can be employed (i) while still in the field, to orient the mapping campaign; (ii) to prepare a preliminary geological map back in the office; and (iii) to interpolate between conventional whole-rock analyses on the final map. The latter application requires a matrix-matched secondary calibration of the pXRF data to improve its accuracy. Attention must also be given to precision issues, as well as potential instrument drift and analytical interferences.This paper summarizes recent efforts to systematically integrate quantitative pXRF data in government mapping projects within the Province of Quebec (Canada). We first demonstrate how an Olympus Vanta series M pXRF analyzer was commissioned and calibrated. We then show how the pXRF data was systematically acquired and utilized during a 1:50,000 to 1:20,000 mapping campaign in a Precambrian greenstone belt setting (Abitibi Subprovince). Before the mapping began in 2021, volcanic rocks in the study area were supposed to consist of only two mafic tholeiitic formations, called Obatogamau and Bruneau. Integrating pXRF into this project meant that while still in the field and immediately afterwards during preparation of the preliminary map: (1) a marker horizon representing the top of the Obatogamau Formation was chemically identified and then traced laterally; (2) the felsic Waconichi Formation was recognized despite the high metamorphic grade and also traced laterally just above the marker horizon; (3) the Bruneau Formation was shown to be much more continuous than previously known and to have Mg-tholeiites at its base, like in the type locality; (4) the Blondeau Formation was shown to occur above the Bruneau Formation. Within the volumetrically dominant Obatogamau Formation, Fe-tholeiites were also distinguished from visually similar Mg-tholeiites, which allowed these subunits to be traced while still in the field, leading to a more detailed map. Later, after the conventional laboratory chemistry had been received, the final geological map was prepared, but it was very similar to the preliminary map, confirming the satisfactory performance of the pXRF method for this application. However, we do note some issues and limitations even with the latest generation of analyzers.

Reform and resurgence: The transformation of Islamic movements in the 21st century

This paper studies the development in the thought and praxis of Islamic movements that aim to revive a political system governed by Islamic law. Post-Caliphate Islamic movements - the subject of the current study - have undergone recent reforms in thought, approach, and even branding since the Arab Spring. Notwithstanding the movements? legal and theological diversity, the author argues that they share common features of reform characterized by (a) appeal to public opinion and grassroots work; and (b) willingness to work with groups outside their movement. These reforms were shaped in tandem with and in reaction to the War on Terror, the Arab Spring, and the Taliban?s victory in Afghanistan. The author argues that these changes gave rise to dynamic reform in the latest generation of Islamic movements, leading to substantive revisions in their approach (manhaj) to achieving Islamic change. Despite tightening proscription and censorship, the author argues that the fruit of these reforms has been a resurgence in the form of highly efficient and creative collaboration between movements. Examples studied include collaboration between the Muslim Brothers (MB) and Hizb ut Tahrir in the West, and between former-al-Qaeda and MB affiliates in Syria. The author estimates these strategies - following a period of political failure and internal skepticism - have precipitated a resurgence that makes the future of Islamic movements highly potent, despite resulting in a dilution of each group?s identity and possible decline in membership. As a result of this trajectory, this study argues for the need to theorize contemporary Islamic movements beyond historical categories that have fossilized in Western academia, and often do not capture the dynamic, fluidity and comprehensiveness of Islamic struggle. This study utilizes a mixed methodology, including archival analysis and intellectual genealogy.

Vector Field Heterogeneity for the Assessment of Locally Disorganised Cardiac Electrical Propagation Wavefronts From High-Density Multielectrodes.

High-density multielectrode catheters are becoming increasingly popular in cardiac electrophysiology for advanced characterisation of the cardiac tissue, due to their potential to identify impaired sites. These are often characterised by abnormal electrical conduction, which may cause locally disorganised propagation wavefronts. To quantify it, a novel heterogeneity parameter based on vector field analysis is proposed, utilising finite differences to measure direction changes between adjacent cliques. The proposed Vector Field Heterogeneity metric has been evaluated on a set of simulations with controlled levels of organisation in vector maps, and a variety of grid sizes. Furthermore, it has been tested on animal experimental models of isolated Langendorff-perfused rabbit hearts. The proposed parameter exhibited superior capturing ability of heterogeneous propagation wavefronts compared to the classical Spatial Inhomogeneity Index, and simulations proved that the metric effectively captures gradual increments in disorganisation in propagation patterns. Notably, it yielded robust and consistent outcomes for [Formula: see text] grid sizes, underscoring its suitability for the latest generation of orientation-independent cardiac catheters.

UAS-based methodology to create digital models of bridges and viaducts

The use of Unmanned Aerial Systems allows to exploit the aerial photogrammetry technique to obtain high-resolution orthophotos with large images, owing to latest generation payloads. This approach allows to acquire metric data of a structure through the analysis of pairs of stereometric frames. Aerial photogrammetry forms the basis for the creation of point cloud data models used to develop real-time digital replication of objects (or Digital Twins systems)to monitor, analyze and simulate their behavior in the real world, along with Finite Element models for structural analysis, material simulation and design of complex components. In addition, BIM models are developed that integrate detailed information on infrastructure geometry, materials, and performance into a single collaborative 3D model, for improved management and planning during the bridge lifespan. The results obtained by applying these techniques to an Italian bridge will be examined, providing crucial support to experts in infrastructure assessment and monitoring.

Ultrafast symmetry-breaking charge separation in Perylenemonoimide-embedded multichromophores: impact of regioisomerism.

Symmetry-breaking charge separation (SB-CS) has recently evolved as an emerging concept offering its potential to the latest generation of organic photovoltaics. However there are several concerns that need to be addressed to reach the state-of-the-art in SB-CS chemistry, for instance, the desirable molecular geometry, interchromophoric distance and extent of electronic coupling. To shed light on those features, it is reported herein, that ortho-functionalized perylene monoimide (PMI) constituted regioisomeric dimer and trimer derivatives with varied molecular twisting and electronic conjugation have been synthesized. In steady-state photophysical studies, all the dimers and trimer derivatives exhibit a larger bathochromic shift in the emission spectra and a significant reduction of fluorescence quantum yield in polar DMF. Among the series of multichromophores, ortho- and self-coupled dimers display the strikingly different optical feature of SB-CS with a very fast charge separation rate (τCS = 80.2 ps) upon photoexcitation in DMF, which is unveiled by femtosecond transient absorption (fs-TA) studies. The SB-CS for two dimers is well-supported by the formation of PMI˙+ and PMI˙- bands in the fs-TA spectra. Further analysis of fs-TA data revealed that, among the other multichromophores the trimer also exhibits a clear charge separation, whereas SB-CS signatures are less prominent, but can not be completely disregarded, for the meta- and para-dimers. Additionally, the charge separation dynamics of those above-mentioned PMI derivatives are devoid of a kinetically favorable excimer or triplet formation. The evidence of a profound charge transfer phenomenon in the ortho-dimer is characterized by density functional theory (DFT) calculations on excited state electronic structures. The excitonic communications in the excited state electronic arrangements unravel the key role of dihedral twisting in SB-CS. The thermodynamic feasibility of CS (ΔGCS) and activation barrier (ΔG≠) of the derivatives in DMF are established from the Rehm-Weller equation and Marcus's theory, respectively. This work is an in-depth study of the effect of mutual orientation of PMIs and regioisomerism in determining sustainable guidelines for using SB-CS.

Innovative Architectures and Management Strategies in 5G Communication Networks

The evolution of communication networks has witnessed a remarkable transformation with the advent of 5G technology. As the latest generation of cellular networks, 5G promises to revolutionize the way we connect, communicate, and interact with the digital world. This paper explores the architecture, management, and implications of 5G communication networks, shedding light on the key features, challenges, and opportunities presented by this transformative technology. At the core of 5G networks lies a sophisticated architecture designed to deliver unprecedented levels of speed, reliability, and connectivity. The 5G New Radio (NR) architecture encompasses three primary components: the User Equipment (UE), the Radio Access Network (RAN), and the Core Network (CN). These components work in tandem to facilitate seamless communication between user devices and the broader network infrastructure. One of the defining features of 5G networks is their ability to support significantly higher data speeds and lower latency compared to previous generations. With the potential to deliver data rates of several gigabits per second and latency as low as a few milliseconds, 5G opens the door to a plethora of innovative applications and services, ranging from immersive virtual reality experiences to real-time remote surgeries. Effective management of 5G networks is paramount to ensuring optimal performance, reliability, and security. Network management systems employ advanced algorithms for dynamic resource allocation, quality of service (QoS) optimization, and network slicing. Network slicing, in particular, enables operators to create virtual networks tailored to specific use cases, such as enhanced mobile broadband, massive IoT deployments, and mission-critical communications. However, the deployment and management of 5G networks pose several challenges and considerations. Infrastructure deployment requires substantial investment and coordination, while ensuring interoperability between different vendors' equipment and standards remains a pressing issue. Spectrum availability and allocation also play a critical role in determining the performance and capacity of 5G networks, necessitating careful regulatory oversight and spectrum management strategies. Despite these challenges, the implications of 5G technology are far-reaching and profound. From empowering smart cities and autonomous vehicles to enabling the widespread adoption of IoT devices and applications, 5G networks have the potential to reshape industries, drive innovation, and enhance the quality of life for billions of people around the world. 5G communication networks represent a paradigm shift in the way we connect and communicate. With their advanced architecture, dynamic management capabilities, and transformative potential, 5G networks are poised to unlock new opportunities, accelerate digital transformation, and usher in a new era of connectivity and innovation.

Erasure Codes with a Hierarchical Bundle Structure

This paper presents a proof of the existence of computationally fast probabilistic erasure codes at distance ∈ from being MDS, namely the decoding algorithm is able with high probability to reconstruct the n letter message from any set of (1+∈)n letters. It can either be fixed rate or a rateless LT code [10] in that any number of code letters can be produced and each is produced independently of the others. We also decrease the minimum packet size from many to one letter. The key ingredient is a scheme Hierarchical Bun- dle/Bin (HB) which splits the message into a hierarchy of disjoint bundles and produces coded packets about each bundle. We show a correspondence of this to a particular game having to do with randomly throwing balls into a hierarchy of bins. The “information” that does not over flow from a smaller bin, contributes to the next larger bin that it is contained in. We prove matching upper and lower bounds on the cost of this game and provide the implementation details. This analysis is somewhat analogous to the evolution of the “ripple” in the LT decoding analysis [10]. The bundle size corresponds to the degree of the packet, therefore, smaller bundles tend to reduce encoding/decoding complexity, but packets coming from larger bundles ensure the approximately-MDS constraint, by ensuring more coverage. Our HB scheme with largest block size b requires encoding and decoding time O(∈b2) rather than the O(b2) needed for Reed-Solomon codes. This scheme HB (together with Spielman’s expanders) gives a probabilistic code with running time O(∈-1 ln(∈-1)n). Alon and Luby [5, 6] simultaneously developed a deterministic version but their running time is O(∈-4n). Both our and Alon’s results have since been completely subsumed by the latest generation of Shokrollahi and Luby’s Raptor codes [13, 14, 11].

A microscope in your pocket: can smartphones be used to perform microsurgery?

To evaluate the use of the latest generation smartphone camera in performing arterial microanastomosis in rats. Ten Wistar rats were divided into 2 groups and underwent anastomosis of the right carotid artery with the aid of magnification from a microscope (group M) and a smartphone camera (group S), to compare patency in 72 hours, as well as to measure the weight of the animals, diameter of the carotid arteries and anastomosis time. There was no statistical difference between the weight of the animals or the diameter of the carotid arteries. There was a statistical difference for the time spent on anastomoses, which was greater in group S, with higher rates of thrombosis (p < 0.05). Although our patency and anastomosis time results were statistically lower in the smartphone group, there was success in some cases. As the segment continues to progress, it is likely that the results will improve in line with the evolution of camera technology.

ПРИМЕНЕНИЕ МЕТОДОВ ТЕОРИИ ВАЖНОСТИ КРИТЕРИЕВ ДЛЯ ОПРЕДЕЛЕНИЯ ОПТИМАЛЬНЫХ ВИДОВ ДЕЯТЕЛЬНОСТИ ПРИ УПРАВЛЕНИИ ВОЗДУШНЫМ СУДНОМ

The formalization of the activities of pilots in the controlling of the latest generation aircraft (AC) is experiencing difficulties due to significant changes in the structure of human activity - the operator. For the most complete analysis of the procedure for controlling the activities of pilots when using various levels of automation, it turns out to be not enough to use only the mathematical apparatus of probability theory and decision-making methods in vague conditions. The article presents the result of applying the methods of the theory of the importance of criteria in order to determine the most rational choice of crew members' activity at various stages of flight and piloting modes of the latest generation aircraft.