Limited Nature Research Articles

Recurring Network Node Performance Evaluation Model for Enhancing the QOS Levels in 6G Enabled WSN

Among the many promising qualities of the Sixth Generation (6G) are its ultra-dense connection, integrated sensing and communication, secure communication, very high data rate, energy and spectrum efficiency, and ultra-reliable low latency communication. Novel approaches to environmental protection and resource monitoring have evolved with new forms of communication networks made possible by technological advancements. When it comes to environmental research and science, 6G enabled Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) plays a key role. There are several fields that can benefit from WSNs, including robotics, environmental monitoring, medicine, and the military. The Quality-of-Service (QoS) is a critical concern in wireless sensor applications because to the increasing demand for their use in various domains. Because the resources accessible from sensors and the many applications operating over these networks have varied limits in nature and requirements, ensuring QoS in WSNs is complex and increasingly demanding. Delays, throughput, jitter, and other network-level indicators used to be the main focus of QoS efforts. In this research, a model for providing suitable QoS measures for WSN is proposed, including service, reliability, and availability, all of which contribute to the preservation of high-quality service. Availability, Dependability, and Serviceability are the parameters considered for providing QoS. 6G wireless networks are largely focused on enhanced intelligence, synchronization of resources and topology from beginning to end, and the inherent support for high-bandwidth, low-latency communication. With these features, cyber physical user experiences that are rich in context are feasible. As a result, defining and identifying the function of quality of experience in 6G networks is crucial, particularly for network administration. To optimize application service satisfaction, a WSN should learn to govern the network's overall performance based on QoS characteristics, which guarantee the transfer of information. This research proposes a Recurring Network Node Performance Evaluation Model (RNN-PEM) for enhancing the QoS levels in 6G enabled WSN. The proposed model when compared with the traditional models, provided enhanced QoS levels.

DDEL-03. INTRANASAL DELIVERY OF PDGFRA-TARGETED NANOTHERAPEUTICS FOR THE TREATMENT OF PEDIATRIC HIGH-GRADE GLIOMA

Abstract Pediatric high-grade glioma (pHGG) is the most common cause of cancer-related death in children, of which the most malignant and devastating tumors include diffuse midline glioma (DMG). Its anatomical location in the brainstem, infiltrative nature, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) limit surgical resection and the distribution of systemically administered drugs. Intranasal delivery (IND) is a noninvasive method that bypasses the BBB, by leveraging the unique anatomic connections of the olfactory and trigeminal nerve pathways with the nasal cavity. We previously demonstrated the efficacy of IND of nanoliposomal (LS) formulation of the active metabolite of the DNA topoisomerase I inhibitor, irinotecan, LS-SN-38, in orthotopic human brainstem xenograft models. The specificity of liposomes can be enhanced by using immunoliposome (iLS) formulation, which are coated with antibodies specific to the tumor cells leading to targeted drug delivery and reduced toxicity to normal cells. Platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) plays a role in DMG oncogenesis and is expressed in as much as 70% of DMG by immunohistochemistry. In this study, we evaluated the effect of anti-PDGFRA monoclonal antibody-conjugated immunoliposome encapsulated SN-38 (PDGFRA-iLS-SN-38) in pHGG cell lines. PDGFRA signals were assessed in pHGG cells using western blotting. Cells were treated with rhodamine (Rho)-labeled PDGFRA-iLS and cellular uptake was confirmed with a fluorescent microscope. PDGFRA-iLS-SN38 had the additive effect on the LS-SN-38 in DIPG007 cells (PDGFRA positive), but not in SF8628 cells (PDGFRA negative) in vitro. We treated mice bearing human DMG xenografts with IND of PDGFRA-iLS-SN38. Tumor growth and response to therapy are quantitatively measured by bioluminescence imaging, and efficacy is assessed by survival analysis. Results of survival analysis will be reported at the meeting. PDGFRA-targeted nanotherapeutics represented a specific effect on glioma cells expressing PDGFRA, providing a promising therapeutic approach for targeting pHGG.

Adopting Non-invasive Approaches into Precision Colorectal Cancer Screening.

Effective screening is essential to reducing CRC incidence and mortality by detecting the disease at early stages and identifying non-invasive precursors. While colonoscopy remains the most sensitive modality to visualize and remove neoplastic lesions thereby reducing CRC and the related death, its high cost and invasive nature limit its widespread use. The fecal immunochemical test (FIT), which offers a non-invasive alternative with higher public acceptance and comparable cost-effectiveness to colonoscopy, has become the preferred screening method in many regions. Newer non-invasive tests, such as multitarget stool DNA or RNA tests, have shown improved sensitivity for CRC and advanced adenomas, although their high costs and lower specificity present challenges for large-scale implementation. Blood-based circulating cell-free DNA test also offer promise but still require optimization to be cost-effective. The heterogeneity of the screening population further complicates the effectiveness of CRC screening programs. Variations in non-communicable disease risk factors, such as metabolic syndrome, lifestyle habits, and comorbidities, can significantly influence CRC risk and screening outcomes. Moreover, diverse screening behaviors, including inconsistent adherence to recommended screening intervals and the interchangeable use of different screening modalities, add complexity to achieving uniform effectiveness across populations. This variability underscores the need for personalized screening strategies that consider individual risk profiles and screening behaviors, as well as the application of cutting-edge technologies such as big data analytics, artificial intelligence, and digital twin approaches to evaluate its effectiveness. This article reviews the current CRC screening strategies, the advantages of non-invasive methods, and the potential of fecal hemoglobin concentration, to tailor screening intervals and improve risk stratification. It also discusses the emerging role of real-world data and advanced technologies in enhancing CRC screening accuracy and effectiveness, particularly in complex real-world scenarios where traditional methods may fall short. Before novel non-invasive approaches, such as ctDNA tests or polygenic risk scores, are validated and proven cost-effective, exploring the clinical utility of FIT and its quantitative measurement in both screening and surveillance by integrating real-world clinical big data seems a feasible direction for achieving sustained development in population screening.

Contour Analysis Tool: An Interactive Tool for Background and Morphology Analysis

We introduce the Contour Analysis Tool (CAT), a Python toolkit aimed at identifying and analyzing structural elements in density maps. CAT employs various contouring techniques, including the lowest-closed contour, linear and logarithmic Otsu thresholding, and average gradient thresholding. These contours can aid in foreground and background segmentation, providing natural limits for both, as well as edge detection and structure identification. Additionally, CAT provides image processing methods such as smoothing, background removal, and image masking. The toolkit features an interactive suite of controls designed for Jupyter environments, enabling users to promptly visualize the effects of different methods and parameters. We describe, test, and demonstrate the performance of CAT, highlighting its potential use cases. CAT is publicly available on GitHub, promoting accessibility and collaboration.

Kidney complications in children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

To describe kidney outcomes in a cohort of children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). We assessed short-term (acute kidney injury defined using neonatal KDIGO criteria) and long-term kidney outcomes, including chronic kidney disease (defined as a GFR < 90 ml/min/1.73 m2), albuminuria, and hypertension in a single-center retrospective cohort of children with BPD born between 2010 and 2020. 309 (38.8%) of 797 children included in the cohort had acute kidney injury (AKI) during their NICU admission. Kidney specific follow-up evaluation was infrequent in this cohort; 52.4% of patients had serum creatinine testing and 31.5% had a urinalysis performed after discharge. 163 (32.0%) of 510 patients with long-term data had CKD, which occurred at a median age of 2.2 years. An abnormal eGFR occurred in 31.7%, proteinuria in 12.5% and hypertension in 15.2%. Children with BPD had high frequencies of AKI and CKD. While the retrospective nature and single-center convenience cohort design limit generalizability, our findings suggest that children with BPD should be carefully monitored for short- and long-term kidney outcomes, including CKD. Children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) may have a higher likelihood of both acute and chronic kidney complications than currently recognized. Kidney outcomes in children with BPD is an area that remains underexplored. To our knowledge, this is the first study exploring the prevalence of CKD in a cohort of children with BPD. Our findings suggest children with BPD have high rates of kidney complications in early childhood. Increased attention should be placed on monitoring children with BPD for both short- and long-term kidney outcomes.

Structural analysis of the stable form of fibroblast growth factor 2 – FGF2-STAB

Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) is a signaling protein that plays a significant role in tissue development and repair. FGF2 binds to fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) alongside its co-factor heparin, which protects FGF2 from degradation. The binding between FGF2 and FGFRs induces intracellular signaling pathways such as RAS-MAPK, PI3K-AKT, and STAT. FGF2 has strong potential for application in cell culturing, wound healing, and cosmetics but the potential is severely limited by its low protein stability. The thermostable variant FGF2-STAB was constructed by computer-assisted protein engineering to overcome the natural limitation of FGF2. Previously reported characterization of FGF2-STAB revealed an enhanced ability to induce MAP/ERK signaling while having a lower dependence on heparin when compared with FGF2-wt. Here we report the crystal structure of FGF2-STAB solved at 1.3 Å resolution. Protein stabilization is achieved by newly formed hydrophobic interactions, polar contacts, and one additional hydrogen bond. The overall structure of FGF2-STAB is similar to FGF2-wt and does not reveal information on the experimentally observed lower dependence on heparin. A noticeable difference in flexibility in the receptor binding region can explain the differences in signaling between FGF2-STAB and its wild-type counterpart. Our structural analysis provided molecular insights into the stabilization and unique biological properties of FGF2-STAB.

Surprisingly wide climatic niche breadth of a relict mountain species raises hope for survival under climate change

AbstractAimsWe assessed the juvenile climatic niche breadth of a relict mountain species by comparing field observations and transplant experiments within and beyond the elevational limits of its distribution range.LocationLebanon – Near East – Mediterranean region.MethodsWe studied the survival and growth of the Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani) to determine the lower and upper elevational range limits of its juvenile stage through an experimental setup with and without water supplementation and with potentially competing species as a control. The experiment included eight common gardens at elevations ranging from 110 to 2330 m, within and far beyond the warm and cold limits of Cedar distribution observed under natural conditions.ResultsWe observed unexpectedly high survival and growth rates of Cedar at elevations well below the range of its natural distribution in Lebanon. Below the observed warm limit, water stress at very low elevations and competition at low and medium elevations limited juvenile survival. In contrast, cold temperature and water stress limited survival at elevations slightly above the observed upper natural limit. The experimental setup demonstrated that the elevation range suitable for Cedar growth and survival was twice as wide as the range within which Cedar is observed under natural conditions.Main ConclusionsHigh survival rates experimentally observed beyond the warm limit of the natural distribution range of the Cedar of Lebanon raise hope for its resilience to ongoing climate warming. If this pattern were frequent among montane species, it would challenge predictions of massive extinction with climate change and pave the way for promoting adaptive actions such as competition management to improve their survival.

Взаимосвязь доверия к власти и гражданского участия

Purpose. To determine the limits of the integrative nature of the category “trust in government” and analyze the mutual influence of the level of trust in government and management and the level of civic activity of the population, as well as raise the question of the dual influence of the process of strengthening trust in government. Methodology: dialectics, analysis. Conclusions. On the one hand, trust is a factor in the stability of the state system and a predictor of active civic participation. Strengthening trust in the authorities on the part of the population is permanently necessary. But, on the other hand, a high level of trust in the authorities reduces the indicators of civil participation of the population in solving the affairs of society and the state. Due to the fact that increasing the level of trust, as practice shows, reduces the civic activity of the population, it is necessary to look for ways to activate the participation of citizens in the affairs of society and the state, to create a culture of participation in society while strengthening trust in the activities of government bodies. Scientific and practical relevance: scientific and practical significance. The article is aimed at raising questions for the research activities of legal scholars and the work of practitioners about finding directions for activating civic participation, a balance between measures to increase trust in authorities and maintaining citizens’ interest in participation, co-production and management.

Conceptual framework to incorporate drainage solutions in the urban open space system

Cities are increasingly dealing with challenges regarding the negative impact of rapid and mismanaged urbanization. Therefore, city planning must cope with the natural environment limitations, seeking a balance between the human activities and the well-functioning of the hydrologic cycle. This work aims to present a conceptual framework able to properly integrate the stormwater dynamics into the open spaces system in a functional way, establishing a Hydrological Interest Area, HIA, to structure urban expansion integrated into and respecting watershed natural processes. The initial step is to define a HIA, primarily consisting of open spaces that can be used for supporting urban drainage functions and to order land use in the urban expansion process. This delimitation offers the background for interpreting the watershed in three functional arches, especially covering the upstream, mid-reach and downstream areas of the basin, guiding the design of a set of flood mitigation interventions focusing on the use of Blue-Green Infrastructure. To illustrate and validate the proposed methodological framework, the design is evaluated by a flood modeling tool, using a hydrological-hydrodynamic cell-model. A case study was driven in the Bambu Watershed, a rapidly developing area in the municipality of Maricá, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The proposed intervention includes an urban expansion scenario for a low impact development on flood behavior alongside with four parks: an upstream park with reservoirs, two multifunctional floodable urban parks, and a park dedicated to lagoon restoration. This plan complements riverbed modifications designed to enhance water discharge. The simulation showed significant reduction of water depths with a consequent decrease in exposure of buildings and roads, especially in the most critical region of the watershed. This framework highlights the importance of a multifunctional approach in land use and serves as a robust foundation for controlling urban expansion and proposing projects.

Design strategy of super tough hydrophobic bamboo framework composites with internal network entanglement reinforcing structure

The low strength and high hygroscopicity of natural bamboo limit its use in structural building materials. Herein, lignin and hemicellulose were partially removed from natural bamboo in order to create bamboo frameworks featuring well-aligned bamboo fibers. Subsequently, these bamboo frameworks (BF) are infused with epoxy resin (EP) modified with PDMS and subjected to hot-pressing to fabricate bamboo-epoxy composites (PDMS-EP/BF). The incorporation of flexible PDMS chains facilitated intermolecular chain entanglement, which inhibited crack propagation and improved the bonding between bamboo and EP. The findings of the research indicated that the PDMS-EP/BF composites exhibited a significant enhancement in flexural strength by 98%, modulus of elasticity by 129%, toughness by 399%, and tensile strength by 177% when compared to natural bamboo. Additionally, the modification led to a decrease in the surface energy of the composites, resulting in increased hydrostatic contact angle and imparting water repellency to the material. Compared to natural bamboo, PDMS-EP/BF has 309% higher water contact angle and 143% lower surface energy. In addition, large composites have been prepared and their interface strength was tested. The findings of the study offer insights into the potential enhancement of bamboo composites to achieve increased flexural strength, modulus, and toughness. This could expand the utilization and significance of bamboo in the realm of construction materials.

A brief history of the speed of light

Abstract This paper deals with the historical development of the ideas and experiments that culminated in our current interpretation of the speed of light as a constant of nature and a natural upper limit. Starting from the ancient Greeks up to our current epoch it will review the main signposts of this journey. The paper will finally discuss links to astrophysics and cosmology, and will comment on the dark sectors, dark matter and dark energy, that do not interact with light.

Design and Test of Hydraulic Bottom Seal Fracturing Tool for Coiled Tubing

Abstract As the main tool for reservoir reconstruction of Longdong shale reservoir in Changqing Oilfield, the coiled tubing bottom seal drag-segment fracturing tool is currently in the stage of scale promotion, providing tool support for the efficient development of Longdong shale oil. However, in the process of horizontal construction with large water vertical ratio and super long horizontal section, there are construction problems such as natural depth limitation of the tool and difficulty in setting the bottom packer, which seriously affect the construction efficiency and quality. In view of the above problems, this paper carried out the development of pumped coiled tubing hydraulic bottom seal drag-segment fracturing tool. With the technical ideas of pumping cup deepening and hydraulic setting bottom packer, the hydraulic setting type bottom packer, soluble cup pumping sub and supporting tools were designed and developed. By using the method of annular pumping and tubing accompanying injection, the tail cup pumping sub was used to generate throttle and larger cup outer diameter, forming a large hydraulic traction force to carry the tool string to break the depth limit. Without applying drilling pressure, the bottom packer was set by oil injection and displacement, and the setting state was lifted and lifted after the fracturing construction, providing a reliable tool scheme for solving the above engineering problems. The indoor evaluation results show that the traction effect of the bowl pumping short joint with small displacement of water is good, the bottom packer is smooth in the setting and unpacking action at 120°C, and the sealing is reliable under 70MPa pressure. The overall test of the tool string can realize the setting and unpacking action without the intervention of drill pressure. Six well tests were carried out in the field. The pumping depth was 430m under the condition of 740L/min water pumping displacement, and the oil injection displacement was increased to 550L/min. The hydraulic setting was fast and reliable, which effectively improved the construction capacity of the coiled tubing fracturing tool in the ultra-long horizontal well, greatly shortened the time consumption of interlayer conversion, and improved the speed and efficiency significantly.

Atlas of telomeric repeat diversity in Arabidopsis thaliana

BackgroundTelomeric repeat arrays at the ends of chromosomes are highly dynamic in composition, but their repetitive nature and technological limitations have made it difficult to assess their true variation in genome diversity surveys.ResultsWe have comprehensively characterized the sequence variation immediately adjacent to the canonical telomeric repeat arrays at the very ends of chromosomes in 74 genetically diverse Arabidopsis thaliana accessions. We first describe several types of distinct telomeric repeat units and then identify evolutionary processes such as local homogenization and higher-order repeat formation that shape diversity of chromosome ends. By comparing largely isogenic samples, we also determine repeat number variation of the degenerate and variant telomeric repeat array at both the germline and somatic levels. Finally, our analysis of haplotype structure uncovers chromosome end-specific patterns in the distribution of variant telomeric repeats, and their linkage to the more proximal non-coding region.ConclusionsOur findings illustrate the spectrum of telomeric repeat variation at multiple levels in A. thaliana—in germline and soma, across all chromosome ends, and across genetic groups—thereby expanding our knowledge of the evolution of chromosome ends.

Utilization of Water-Insoluble Carbon Nitride-Phosphotungstic Acid Hybrids in Composite Proton Exchange Membranes.

Phosphotungstic acid (HPW) can retain water in proton exchange membranes to increase proton conductivity; however, its water-soluble nature limits further application. In this work, we combined HPW and graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) via sintering to prepare water-insoluble hybrids (HWN), where HPW was chemically linked to g-C3N4 to fix HPW. Then, HWN fillers were added to a sulfonated polyether ether ketone (SPEEK) matrix to prepare composite membranes. The conductivity of the composite membrane with 10 wt% HWN is up to 0.066 S cm-1 at room temperature, which is 53% higher than that of the SPEEK control membrane (0.043 S cm-1). The composite membrane also showed stable proton conductivity after being immersed in water for 2000 h. Therefore, our study demonstrates that preparing water-insoluble nanofillers containing HPW components through sintering is a promising approach.

Listen to the Ecologists!

In this reprise from 1992, former MR editors Harry Magdoff and Paul M. Sweezy look toward the end of the recession then plaguing the United States, seeing choice looming on the horizon: Will the progressive left attempt to reform capitalism, or replace it entirely? Capital's inexorable thirst for growth beyond natural limits, they write, means we must choose the latter—"if we care about the future of the human species…we had better listen to the ecologists."

Neural Cyber Augmentation (NCA): A Future Frontier in Public Health

Neural Cyber Augmentation (NCA) is a groundbreaking interdisciplinary field that integrates neuroscience, cybernetics, and biotechnology to enhance human cognitive and physical capabilities. This technology holds transformative potential for public health, enabling advancements in cognitive enhancement, disease management, and human-machine interaction. Early research in brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) demonstrated the feasibility of using neural signals to control external devices, laying the foundation for more complex applications such as advanced prosthetics and cognitive training. Subsequent developments in cybernetic implants have significantly improved the quality of life for individuals with sensory and motor impairments by providing enhanced capabilities beyond natural limits. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with neural interfaces has further propelled the field, enabling personalized cognitive training and adaptive therapies. Despite these advancements, the ethical and social implications of NCA, such as privacy concerns, informed consent, and equitable access, must be addressed. Future research should focus on improving neural interfaces, integrating AI for personalized interventions, establishing comprehensive ethical guidelines, conducting longitudinal studies on long-term effects, and developing strategies to ensure accessibility for all. By addressing these challenges, NCA has the potential to revolutionize public health and usher in a new era of human enhancement and well-being.

Factorial Analysis and Thermal Kinetics of Chemical Recycling of Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Aided by Neoteric Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquids.

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) waste accumulation poses significant environmental challenges due to its persistent nature and current management limitations. This study explores the effectiveness of imidazolium-based neoteric solvents [Emim][OAc] and [Bmim][OAc] as catalytic co-solvents in the glycolysis of PET with ethylene glycol (EG). Reaction thermal kinetics showed that both ionic liquids (ILs) significantly enhanced the depolymerization rate of PET compared to traditional methods. The use of [Emim][OAc] offered a lower activation energy of 88.69 kJ·mol-1, thus making the process more energy-efficient. The contribution of key process parameters, including temperature (T), plastic-to-ionic liquid (P/IL) mass ratio, and plastic-to-solvent (P/S) mass ratio, were evaluated by means of a factorial analysis and optimized to achieve the maximum PET conversion for both neoteric solvents. The relevance sequence for both ionic liquids involved the linear factors T and P/S, followed by the interaction factors T×P/S and T×P/IL, with P/IL being the less significant parameter. The optimal conditions, with a predicted conversion of 100%, involved a temperature of 190 °C, with a P/IL of 1:1 and a P/S of 1:2.5, regardless of the IL used as the catalytic co-solvent.

Foaming and cross-linking of cellulose fibers using phytic acid

Bio-based compounds have become the focus in the development of next-generation materials. The polyphosphated structure and availability of phytic acid has sparked an interest to understand its properties and apply it to making fire-retardant fabrics. However, its degradative effect on natural fibers sets limitations to its potential uses. In this study, we unveiled a new dimension to explore with phytic acid: cellulose fiber foams. Phytic acid enabled synergistic foaming with carboxymethyl cellulose albeit causing issues in long-term wet foam stability. Adding cellulose fibers to this mixture and drying at 160 °C produced solid foams with increased compressive strength and stiffness; comparable to foams cross-linked with the commonly used citric acid. The reduced contact area in low-density fiber networks allowed the cross-linking between phytic acid and the fiber network to mitigate structural weakening due to fiber degradation. Imaging also revealed the formation of a film encompassing fiber bonds; attributed to the strong interaction between phytic acid and carboxymethyl cellulose. Furthermore, phytic acid imparted self-extinguishing fire-retardant properties to the cellulose fiber foams measured using thermogravimetric analysis and cone calorimetry. This work showcases a simple new application for phytic acid without the use of catalysts or solvents. It serves to encourage further development of green practices to continuously challenge the industrial landscape.

Truthful interval covering

We initiate the study of a novel problem in mechanism design without money, which we term Truthful Interval Covering (TIC). An instance of TIC consists of a set of agents each associated with an individual interval on a line, and the objective is to decide where to place a covering interval to minimize the total social or egalitarian cost of the agents, which is determined by the intersection of this interval with their individual ones. This fundamental problem can model situations of provisioning a public good, such as the use of power generators to prevent or mitigate load shedding in developing countries. In the strategic version of the problem, the agents wish to minimize their individual costs, and might misreport the position and/or length of their intervals to achieve that. Our goal is to design truthful mechanisms to prevent such strategic misreports and achieve good approximations to the best possible social or egalitarian cost. We consider the fundamental setting of known intervals with equal lengths and provide tight bounds on the approximation ratios achieved by truthful deterministic mechanisms. For the social cost, we also design a randomized truthful mechanism that outperforms all possible deterministic ones. Finally, we highlight a plethora of natural extensions of our model for future work, as well as some natural limitations of those settings.

Extraction of Substance Use Information From Clinical Notes: Generative Pretrained Transformer-Based Investigation.

Understanding the multifaceted nature of health outcomes requires a comprehensive examination of the social, economic, and environmental determinants that shape individual well-being. Among these determinants, behavioral factors play a crucial role, particularly the consumption patterns of psychoactive substances, which have important implications on public health. The Global Burden of Disease Study shows a growing impact in disability-adjusted life years due to substance use. The successful identification of patients' substance use information equips clinical care teams to address substance-related issues more effectively, enabling targeted support and ultimately improving patient outcomes. Traditional natural language processing methods face limitations in accurately parsing diverse clinical language associated with substance use. Large language models offer promise in overcoming these challenges by adapting to diverse language patterns. This study investigates the application of the generative pretrained transformer (GPT) model in specific GPT-3.5 for extracting tobacco, alcohol, and substance use information from patient discharge summaries in zero-shot and few-shot learning settings. This study contributes to the evolving landscape of health care informatics by showcasing the potential of advanced language models in extracting nuanced information critical for enhancing patient care. The main data source for analysis in this paper is Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III data set. Among all notes in this data set, we focused on discharge summaries. Prompt engineering was undertaken, involving an iterative exploration of diverse prompts. Leveraging carefully curated examples and refined prompts, we investigate the model's proficiency through zero-shot as well as few-shot prompting strategies. Results show GPT's varying effectiveness in identifying mentions of tobacco, alcohol, and substance use across learning scenarios. Zero-shot learning showed high accuracy in identifying substance use, whereas few-shot learning reduced accuracy but improved in identifying substance use status, enhancing recall and F1-score at the expense of lower precision. Excellence of zero-shot learning in precisely extracting text span mentioning substance use demonstrates its effectiveness in situations in which comprehensive recall is important. Conversely, few-shot learning offers advantages when accurately determining the status of substance use is the primary focus, even if it involves a trade-off in precision. The results contribute to enhancement of early detection and intervention strategies, tailor treatment plans with greater precision, and ultimately, contribute to a holistic understanding of patient health profiles. By integrating these artificial intelligence-driven methods into electronic health record systems, clinicians can gain immediate, comprehensive insights into substance use that results in shaping interventions that are not only timely but also more personalized and effective.