Video Communication Research Articles

On the issue of a working model for modernizing the Unified State Exam to overcome inequality of access to higher education

The study formulates approaches to determining inequality of access to higher education through regionally determined choice of subjects and Unified State Exam results. The dependence of the choice and results of the Unified State Exam on the quality of education and innovative development of regions is presented. Indicators of inequality are the distribution of students according to “success cohorts” when passing the Unified State Exam and the choice of subject by students to take, and the average score in the region. Quantitative characteristics of the choice of basic and specialized mathematics and other academic subjects by students in the regions are presented. The calculations used data from the entire population of applicants in 2019 and 2020; accordingly, the conclusions of the article relate to the period until 2021. The problem of increasing the efficiency of the Unified State Examination is objective and has matured before the political events associated with the departure from the Bologna system in 2022. It is noted that Olympiads and additional internal university tests are not an alternative to the Unified State Exam. Based on the goals of leveling regional inequality, a variant of the model for modernizing the Unified State Examination with an objective assessment procedure is proposed– a remote creative exam using the existing infrastructure of examination points and video communication. Due to the random assignment of tasks and assessing experts from different regions, universities, organizations, remote creative exam retains the advantages of the Unified State Exam, comparability of results is achieved, corruption and the possibility of “training” for certain types of answers are eliminated. A person assesses the exam results: a teacher at a general education organization or university, the head of a government agency or enterprise. The examination model includes the advantages of Olympiads and internal university examinations without their corruption-prone components. The article notes that any innovation in the field of final/entrance examinations must necessarily go through testing and experimentation with a gradual increase in coverage and adjustment of the applied methods and procedures based on the results of professional discussion.

The effect of family members' communication mode choice on the family's perceptions of care.

Family-centered rounds (FCR) are a multidisciplinary process in which patients and/or family members are present and actively participate in medical rounds. While research has shown that FCR may enhance collaborative information exchange and reduce family anxiety, the impact of the information exchange modality on the experience has been largely unexplored. Medical rounds are typically assumed to be carried out in person at the bedside. In this research, we challenge this perception. We ask whether FCR communication is best conducted at the bedside or if similar communication outcomes are obtained when family members choose the communication mode according to their preferences. Using a field experiment in which participants choose the communication mode, we empirically analyze perceptions of the resulting communication in terms of information exchange. Three communication modes are available for participants to choose from (i.e. patients' families): face-to-face (FtF), phone and video conferencing. A questionnaire is distributed, and the responses of the patients' family members are analyzed. ANOVA tests are carried out to analyze the effect of communication mode on family perceptions. Perceptions following video conferencing or FtF interaction were significantly higher than perceptions following the use of a phone. Thus, our results show clear superiority of video and FtF communication modes as facilitators of effective communication perceptions. There is also marginal evidence that FtF communication is perceived as superior than video conferencing in supporting the receipt of information and understanding but not in the ability to convey information and input to the care team. These results suggest that allowing family members to choose their communication preferences does not always support effective communication. A case can be made for motivating patient family members to use face-to-face or video communication rather than phone if possible. The possible ramifications of allowing family members to choose communication mode with the care team have been largely unexplored. Medical rounds are typically assumed to be carried out in person at the bedside. In this research, we challenge this perception. We ask whether communication is best conducted at the bedside or whether similar communication outcomes are obtained when family members choose the communication mode according to their preferences.

Application of digital tools and artificial intelligence in the Myasthenia Gravis Core Examination.

Advances in video image analysis and artificial intelligence provide opportunities to transform how patients are evaluated. In this study, we assessed the ability to quantify Zoom video recordings of a standardized neurological examination- the Myasthenia Gravis Core Examination (MG-CE)-designed for telemedicine evaluations. We used Zoom (Zoom Video Communications) videos of patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) who underwent the MG-CE. Computer vision, in combination with artificial intelligence methods, was used to develop algorithms to analyze the videos, with a focus on eye and body motions. To assess the examinations involving vocalization, signal processing methods, such as natural language processing (NLP), were developed. A series of algorithms were developed to automatically compute the metrics of the MG-CE. A total of 51 patients with MG were assessed, with videos recorded twice on separate days, while 15 control subjects were evaluated once. We successfully quantified the positions of the lids, eyes, and arms and developed respiratory metrics based on breath counts. The cheek puff exercise was found to have limited value for quantification. Technical limitations included variations in illumination, bandwidth, and the fact that the recording was conducted from the examiner's side rather than the patient's side. Several aspects of the MG-CE can be quantified to produce continuous measurements using standard Zoom video recordings. Further development of the technology will enable trained non-physician healthcare providers to conduct precise examinations of patients with MG outside of conventional clinical settings, including for the purpose of clinical trials.

Evaluating Netflix’s User Experience (UX) Through The Lens Of The HEART Metrics Method

Netflix is one of the most popular subscription video-on-demand (SVoD) platforms, offering a wide range of authentic, high-quality content and features that allow users to select, enjoy, and share their viewing experiences on social media. Despite its popularity, Netflix often receives complaints from users, including issues with accessing the application and various features related to viewing activities. The aim of this study is to evaluate the user experience of the Netflix application and provide recommendations for improvement based on data analysis. To achieve this, the HEART Metrics are utilized, which focus on the user's perspective, and apply the Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) method to map performance and identify improvement priorities. The research reveals several areas that require enhancement, particularly three priority variables: the Happiness variable (Hp3), indicated by the statement "I like the appearance of the Netflix application"; the Retention variable, represented by "I enjoy using the features of the Netflix application"; and the Task Success variable (Ts4), reflected in "I can save movies in the Netflix application." To improve user satisfaction, Netflix can incorporate both light and dark themes, creating a more user-friendly interface. This update could enhance navigation, increase time spent on the platform, promote recommendations, and encourage subscription renewals.

Telemedicine technologies in combat settings: efficiency and prospects (literature review)

Relevance. Large-scale military conflicts involving a technically well-equipped peer enemy are associated with a higher risk of delayed evacuation of the wounded which therefore requires extended medical care at advanced medical evacuation stages, especially amid absence or shortage of skillful medical professionals. Telehealth can offer solutions to overcome the difficulties in medical care provision amid combat settings. The objective is to study the prospects and efficiency of telemedicine technologies in enhancing availability of medical care during modern military operations.Methods. The PubMed database and the Scientific Electronic Library (eLIBRARY.ru) were used to collect research papers published from 2014 to 2024 studying the development and implementation of telemedicine technologies to backup combat operations.Results and discussion. Consultations by phone together with transfer of photos and text messaging remain the most common technology to provide telehealth assistance in combat settings. Teleconference connection allowing for two-way audio and video communication involving real-time data transfer is a most promising telecommunication format. Telehealth capacities can be expanded by augmented and mixed reality technologies, AI, drones, or robotic surgery. In combat environments, however, using telemedicine is limited by cybersecurity concerns and the signal bandwidth of modern communications systems. An efficient military telemedicine requires an integral centralized system involving multidisciplinary teams of experienced medical consultants providing round-the-clock emergency and routine telemedicine care to military units, including those engaged in combat operations.Conclusion. In combat settings telemedicine technologies have great untapped potential and can contribute largely in terms of evidence-based decision-making in process of medical triage and evacuation, thus optimizing the distribution of medical capacities and resources and improving the results of injury treatment. Although unfit to replace advanced combat medicine training, telemedicine can reinforce existing capacities by providing specialized medical advice to combat medics.

Abstract 4141442: The Feasibility and Adherence of Online Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation Program for Coronary Artery Disease-A pilot Study

Introduction/Background: Remote cardiac rehabilitation is becoming more popular, but most are exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation programs, and online intensive cardiac rehabilitation (ICR) programs that include not only exercise training but also dietary guidance, stress management, and group support have not been widespread. Research Questions/Hypothesis: Whether high adherence and improvement of CAD risk factors demonstrated for the online ICR program. Goals/Aims: We assessed the program adherence by participation rate as the primary endpoint and physical findings, typical CAD risks and nutritional indices as the secondary endpoint. Methods/Approach: The J-ICR program provides online instruction using Zoom (San Jose, CA: Zoom Video Communications Inc.). The program consisted of four parts: aerobic exercise training, dietary education for the Japan diet, stress management training through mindfulness, and group support (10 participants per group) for 3 hours per session, once a week for 12 weeks (36 hours total). Twenty-two patients were enrolled and adherence to the program was examined. Changes in CAD risk factors were also analyzed. Results/Data: After excluding 3 patients who withdrew consent before the program, the current study population consisted of 19 male participants. The mean age was 66 years old, 95% had hypertension, 37% had diabetes mellites and all had hyperlipidemia. Eight patients had myocardial infarction and 15 cases of angina pectoris. The average participation rate of the program was 90.2% and there was no drop out during the program. As the secondary endpoint, body weight （69.2kg vs. 68.2kg; p=0.02), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (126.8mmHg vs. 121.4mmHg; p<0.01 and 79.5mmHg vs. 77.6mmHg; p=0.18), LDL cholesterol (78.9mg/dl vs 77.6mg/dl; p=0.68), HbA1c (6.3% vs. 6.4%; p=0.39), and amount of sodium intake (9.5 g/day vs. 9.5g/day; p=0.68) and total energy intake (2,137kcal/day vs. 2,076kcal/day; p=0.25). Conclusion: The J-ICR program is feasible and may yield improvements in CAD risk factors such as body weight and systolic blood pressure. Since this is a pilot study to explore the feasibility of the online J-ICR, its secondary prevention effect should be verified with appropriately powered randomized trials at multiple centers.

Practical hardware demonstration of a multi-sensor goal-oriented semantic signal processing and communications network

Recent advancements in machine learning, particularly real-time extraction of rich semantic information, reshape signal processing techniques and related hardware architectures. To address the highly challenging requirements of next-generation signal processing applications in networked platforms, we investigate low-power hardware implementation alternatives for a multi-sensor, goal-oriented semantic communications network. Specifically, we focus on cost-effective Raspberry Pis in a multi-sensor semantic video communication application, showcasing adaptability from traditional CPU/GPU configurations. Additionally, we provide a preliminary investigation on implementing semantic extraction tasks through in-memory computation using memristor arrays to further emphasize the potential future of low-power low-cost semantic signal processing. Hardware demonstrations using Raspberry Pi 4Bs and simulations with in-memory computation architectures offer promising hardware architectures with cost-effective and low-power sensor alternatives to the next-generation semantic signal processing applications and semantic communication systems.

Using Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) for minimizing power consumption in Video-on-Demand (VoD) storage systems

As video streaming services such as Netflix become popular, resolving the problem of high power consumption arising from both large data size and high bandwidth in video storage systems has become important. However, because various factors, such as the power characteristics of heterogeneous storage devices, variable workloads, and disk array models, influence storage power consumption, reducing power consumption with deterministic policies is ineffective. To address this, we present a new deep reinforcement learning (DRL)-based file placement algorithm for replication-based video storage systems, which aims to minimize overall storage power consumption. We first model the video storage system with time-varying streaming workloads as the DRL environment, in which the agent aims to find power-efficient file placement. We then propose a proximal policy optimization (PPO) algorithm, consisting of (1) an action space that determines the placement of each file; (2) an observation space that allows the agent to learn a power-efficient placement based on the current I/O bandwidth utilization; (3) a reward model that assigns a greater penalty for increased power consumption for each action; and (4) an action masking model that supports effective learning by preventing agents from selecting unnecessary actions. Extensive simulations were performed to evaluate the proposed scheme under various solid-state disk (SSD) models and replication configurations. Results show that our scheme reduces storage power consumption by 5% to 25.8% (average 12%) compared to existing benchmark methods known to be effective for file placement.

Feasibility of Sexual Health and Contraceptive Web Services for Adolescents and Young Adults: Retrospective Study of a Pilot Program on Reunion Island.

Sexual health indicators for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) aged between 13 and 25 years are particularly poor on Reunion Island. Access to accurate information as well as sexual health and contraceptive services are vital to maintaining sexual well-being. Teleconsultations offer a promising approach to addressing the sexual health and contraceptive needs of AYAs who are more susceptible to engaging in unprotected sexual intercourse. However, the literature on digital sexual health services for this demographic group is limited. This study aims to describe the feasibility of a pilot sexual health and contraceptive teleconsultation web service used by AYAs on Reunion Island. A descriptive, retrospective study was conducted at the Reunion Island University Hospital Center using a convenient sample. Eligible participants were informed about the program through various communication channels, including seminars for health care professionals, radio broadcasts, posters, flyers, press articles, videos, and social media posts. AYAs accessed a web-based platform named SEXTUOZE from December 15, 2021, to September 30, 2022, that offered sexual health information and teleconsultations. Data collected included participant and teleconsultation characteristics, patient satisfaction, and the quality of completeness of medical records. A total of 22 teleconsultations were scheduled and 7 were completed, all via synchronous video communication (duration: median 35 min). Overall, 4731 sessions were generated on the SEXTUOZE website. Reasons cited for accessing the web services were to seek sexual health advice (8/22, 36%), receive an initial birth control prescription (12/22, 55%), and inquire about condom prescriptions (2/22, 9%). While teleconsultation use for sexual health was initially low, it rose toward the end of the study period. Considering all elements of the implementation theory, future research should design interventions that not only are more operative and tailored but also ensure their adoption and sustainability in various health contexts.

DEVELOPMENT OF STUDENTSʼ MOTOR ACTIVITY USING DISTANCE LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES

The article analyzes the implementation of various modern methods and technologies of interaction between students in the educational process of higher education institutions, from the point of view of the skills of organizing and conducting online events. It was found that the development of students’ motor activity and the organization of the educational process of physical education using distance learning technologies in emergency conditions and crisis situations has its own pedagogical, technical and social features, which must be resolved in order to ensure quality education and increase the effectiveness of the educational process of higher education applicants. Based on the analysis of technological results that contribute to the improvement of the results of the use of distance technologies, the following “adaptive learning technologies”, “mobile learning”,“virtual”,“augmented and hybrid reality”, “Internet of things”, next-generation learning management systems, artificial intelligence and natural user interfaces have been selected. Attention is focused on technologies and methods that can help maintain or even increase the level of motor activity of students during distance learning: organization of online fitness classes through video communication or using video platforms, which will allow students to participate in training directly from their homes; the use of mobile applications for fitness, which offer training programs and exercises to support motor activity; the use of applications that offer mobile exercises and tasks that stimulate students to be active, especially if it looks like a game or a competition; creating reminders or regular breaks for physical activity during distance learning can help students maintain an active lifestyle. The need to provide students with opportunities for physical activity remotely, using technologies and innovations that are accessible and attractive to them.

АНАЛИЗ ПРАКТИЧЕСКИХ АСПЕКТОВ СОВЕРШЕНСТВОВАНИЯ ПРОФЕССИОНАЛЬНОЙ КОМПЕТЕНТНОСТИ ФАРМАЦЕВТИЧЕСКИХ РАБОТНИКОВ В ОБЛАСТИ ВЗАИМОДЕЙСТВИЯ С МАЛОМОБИЛЬНЫМИ ПОСЕТИТЕЛЯМИ АПТЕЧНЫХ ОРГАНИЗАЦИЙ С ОГРАНИЧЕННЫМИ ВОЗМОЖНОСТЯМИ ЗДОРОВЬЯ

Currently, pharmacies are part of the healthcare system and must comply with the requirements for providing an accessible environment for people with disabilities, including providing them with the opportunity to receive the necessary pharmaceutical services. The aim of the study is to analyze the practical aspects of improving the professional competence of pharmacists in the field of interaction with people with limited mobility and disabilities in pharmacies. The texts of regulatory legal acts of the Russian Federation and also systemic and logical methods of their interpretation have been used in this study. It has been revealed that the current federal state educational standards of higher education and secondary vocational education in the specialty «Pharmacy» do not directly provide for the need to train future pharmacists in the basics of professional interaction with people with disabilities, but they establish the possibility of introducing additional competencies and/or new academic disciplines into the curricula for more in-depth training of graduates. It has been shown that pharmacists are required to have knowledge of the anatomical and functional characteristics of various groups of people with limited mobility and disabilities, their physiological states and pathological processes that directly affect their ability to receive pharmaceutical services in pharmacies. The possibility of pharmacists of pharmacies to consult people with limited mobility and disabilities on the necessary pharmacy goods online has been analyzed, taking into account possible functional disorders in these people – in various formats: text, audio only or using video communication. It has been proposed to introduce training on relevant aspects of their professional interaction with visitors to pharmacies with disabilities into educational programs for training and professional development of pharmacists.

Decoding the Influence of eHealth on Autonomy, Competence, and Relatedness in Older Adults: Qualitative Analysis of Self-Determination Through the Motivational Technology Model.

Older adults adopt and use eHealth systems to build autonomy, competence, and relatedness and engage in healthy behaviors. The motivational technology model posits that technology features, such as those on websites, smart displays, and mobile phones, must allow for navigability, interactivity, and customizability, which spur feelings of self-determination and intrinsic motivation. We studied ElderTree, an online system for older adults that provides on-demand videos of healthy living content, self-monitoring, and weekly researcher-hosted video meetings. We aimed to understand the theoretical crossover between the motivational technology model and self-determination theory using features of ElderTree to understand the usability of the technology and how it may support older adults' autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Drawing participants from a randomized controlled trial of a mobile health app for older adults with multiple chronic conditions, we conducted qualitative interviews with 22 older adults about their use of the app; the interviews were coded using qualitative thematic analysis. Older adults did find that features within ElderTree such as content available on demand, good navigation, and weekly researcher-led video calls supported feelings of autonomy, competence, and relatedness, respectively. Individual differences such as a background using computers also influenced participants' experiences with the smart displays. Participants confirmed the features that increased internal motivation, such as interactivity correlating with feelings of relatedness, but they also found other ways to support autonomous health behavior change beyond narrow views of navigability, interactivity, and customization.

Exploring the Communication Impact of New Media Platforms Based on Pet-Based Short Videos

In recent years, pet short videos have attracted a large number of viewers as a popular topic, and as a result, have raised awareness of pets and stray animals. However, to shoot eye-catching video content, some creators abuse or abandon pets. These problems not only cause harm to the animals but also trigger a social crisis of trust, accompanied by ethical and legal issues. This paper explores the reasons for the popularity of pet-based short videos and the positive and negative impacts on the public and society of this issue. The study will adopt a case study research method to analyze the overall influence of pet bloggers by collecting relevant videos from short video platforms; meanwhile, popular videos and comments involving pet abuse and other incidents will be analyzed for content and public opinion. The final results of the study show that although pet short videos can effectively raise public concern about pets and stray animals, their negative ethical and social effects cannot be ignored, such as pet abuse and blind pet ownership, which hurt society. Future research should further focus on how to improve the ecology of short-form pet content thereby mitigating the negative social and animal impacts of pet-based short-form videos, thus enabling more positive impacts of video communication.

AVATAR 2.0: next level communication systems for radiotherapy through face-to-face video, biofeedback, translation, and audiovisual immersion.

This paper discusses an advanced version of our audiovisual-assisted therapeutic ambience in radiotherapy (AVATAR) radiolucent display systems designed for pediatric radiotherapy, enabling anesthesia-free treatments, video communication, and biofeedback. The scope of the AVATAR system is expanded here in two major ways: (i) through alternative mounting systems to accommodate a broader range of radiotherapy machines (specifically to fit robotic-arm and toroidal geometry photon radiotherapy and proton radiotherapy systems) and (ii) through additional hardware to provide video-calling, optimized audio for clear communication, and combined video inputs for biofeedback, translation, and other advanced functionalities. Because robustness requires strong parts and radio-transparency requires thin, light parts, three-dimensional printing was used to rapidly prototype hollow structures and to iteratively improve robustness. Two system designs were made: one that mounts superior and another that mounts inferior to the patient's head. Radiation dose measurements and calculations were conducted to assess dose perturbations at surface and depth due to the screen. For 6-MV volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans, with and without the screen, the mean and maximum dose differences inside the planning target volume were 0.2% and 2.6% of the 200 cGy prescription, respectively. For a single static beam through the screen, the maximum measured excess surface dose was 13.4 ± 0.5%, and the largest measured dose attenuation at 5-cm water-equivalent depth was 2.1 ± 0.2%. These percentages are relative to the dose without the screen at those locations. The radiolucent screen systems provided here are shown to give minimal dosimetric effects on megavoltage VMAT photon treatments. For static beams, however, surface dose effects should be considered when these beams pass through the thickest components of the screen. Design files are also provided.

United Voices Group-Singing Intervention to Address Loneliness and Social Isolation Among Older People With HIV During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Intervention Adaption Study.

People living with HIV experience HIV stigma alongside a spectrum of aging-related health conditions that accelerate their vulnerability to the ill effects of loneliness and social isolation. Group-singing interventions are efficacious in improving psychosocial well-being among older people in the general population; however, the social curative effects of group singing have not been explored in relation to HIV stigma. By promoting group identification, bonding, and pride, group singing may reduce loneliness, social isolation, and other negative impacts of HIV stigma among older people living with HIV. Access to group-singing programs may be enhanced by technology. While group singing has been extensively studied in older adults, group-singing interventions have not been adapted for older people living with HIV to target loneliness and social isolation in the context of HIV stigma. The objective of this study was to describe the systematic development of a group-singing intervention to reduce loneliness and social isolation among older people living with HIV. In the San Francisco Bay Area between February 2019 and October 2019, we engaged older people living with HIV in a rigorous, 8-stage, community-engaged intervention adaptation process using the Assessment, Decision, Adaptation, Production, Topical Experts, Integration, Training, and Testing (ADAPT-ITT) framework. On the basis of a formative assessment of the needs and preferences of older people living with HIV, we selected an evidence-based group-singing intervention for older adults and systematically adapted the intervention components by administering them to a community advisory council (n=13). The result was United Voices, a 12-week hybrid (web-based and in-person) group-singing intervention for older people living with HIV. United Voices comprises 12 web-based (ie, via Zoom [Zoom Video Communications]) rehearsals, web-based and in-person drop-in helpdesk sessions, and a professionally produced final concert recording. Through an iterative process and in consultation with stakeholders and topic experts, we refined and manualized United Voices and finalized the design of a pilot randomized controlled trial to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention protocol and procedures. The findings provide insights into the barriers and facilitators involved in culturally tailoring interventions for older people living with HIV, implementing intervention adaptations within web-based environments, and the promise of developing hybrid music-based interventions for older adults with HIV.

‘Que le carnage commence !’: French cinema, la chronologie des médias and the rise of the streamers

ABSTRACT Since the arrival of Netflix – the world’s dominant Subscription Video on Demand (SVOD) platform – in France in 2014, the French streaming market has undergone considerable growth with significant impact on the wider audiovisual landscape in France. The rise of VOD, and the French film industry’s response to the incursion of the US streamers (especially Netflix) into the French market, therefore have much to tell us about the transformation of France’s distribution and exhibition landscape since the mid-2010s. A significant part of this transformation has been the changes to the chronologie des médias – the French windowing system and a central part of the regulation designed to promote and safeguard the economic sustainability and diversity of the French film industry. This article will analyse the rise of the streamers in France with a particular focus on the impact of Netflix and the consequences of a radically transformed chronologie des médias, as France (Europe’s largest cinematic producer and one of the most mature, tightly regulated national cinemas in the world) fights to maintain its (cultural) specificity and cinematic independence in the wake of a realignment of the media markets at local and global levels.

Is disinformation more likely to spread? A fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis of emerging infectious diseases on China’s short video platform

ObjectivesThis study aimed to develop a model for the dissemination of information on emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) by identifying the specific features of mpox (monkeypox)-related short video content that encourages...

Fast CU decision method based on texture characteristics and decision tree for depth map intra-coding

As the demand for higher quality 3D videos continues to grow, the 3D extensions of the Efficient Video Coding (3D-HEVC) standard are gradually unable to meet the needs of users. Versatile Video Coding Standard (H. 266/VVC), as an advanced video coding standard, adopts the nested Multi-Type Tree quadtree (QTMT) partitioning structure that current fast depth map coding unit (CU) partitioning methods cannot apply. Therefore, we have designed a fast intra-frame CU partitioning algorithm for VVC 3D video depth maps. Our proposed algorithm in this article consists of two steps, including two sub-algorithms. First, by analyzing the relationship between image entropy and variance and depth map CU division, we establish a bi-criterion decision algorithm to determine whether the texture complexity of the current CU is low enough to terminate its partitioning process. Then, for CUs that have been determined by the first algorithm to need further partitioning, we use a decision tree model based on Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LGBM) to predict which direction of Rate-Distortion Optimization (RDO) calculation can be skipped, which can avoid some unnecessary RDO calculations in a certain direction. The final experiment demonstrated the effect of the proposed algorithm, which can reduce 47.65% complexity of VVC 3D video intra-coding with negligible 0.23% Bjøntegaard Delta Bitrate (BDBR) increase, superior to other advanced methods.

Teledentistry in the Time of Conflict in Sudan

Background: The War in Sudan between the Sudanese armed forces and rapid support forces has left undeniable impacts on the healthcare system which is already compromised by decades of neglect. Hospitals were bombed or occupied by conflict parties. Healthcare providers were killed or assaulted, citizens were forced to displace, and access to healthcare was impaired in many cities. Teledentistry is a modern and promising way to provide dental consultations. It is an easy, safe, and affordable solution for both patients and dental personnel in times like war. This short communication aims to urge the need to implement teledentistry to facilitate access to dental services during the current conflict in Sudan. Methods: This article discusses teledentistry, which according to the American Teledentistry Association (ADA) is the use of electronic information, imaging, and communication technologies, such as audio, video, and data communications for oral care delivery, diagnosis, consultation, treatment, and education. The healthcare system in Sudan is currently facing many challenges such as a lack of healthcare providers, economic crisis, inability to access dental health centers, and political instability. The application of teledentistry will facilitate access to oral healthcare and provide optimum solutions during the current conflict in Sudan. Conclusion: Implementation of teledentistry during military conflicts is a golden solution for both patients and dental care providers as it is a time-saving, cost-effective, safe, and quick way to access oral healthcare services.

Investigating the Extent and Nature of the Primate Pet Trade on TikTok

With the online wildlife trade and the demand for viral videos increasing, the trade in primates on TikTok is becoming more prevalent. Despite wildlife trading being banned on most social media platforms, the trade in primates persists. TikTok’s policies ban the sale of live animals, and specific terms related to wildlife trading are banned; however, these search-term bans are easy to get around, and sellers are still prolific on the site. This study documented primates for sale on TikTok using the search term “for sale monkey” over a four-month period (from mid-July to mid-November 2023) with the aim of determining how widespread primate trade is on TikTok, the legality of advertisements, and which countries advertise the most primates for sale. In total, 43 individual advertisements were identified, spanning six different genera of primates and five different countries. Spider monkeys, rhesus macaques, and common marmosets were found to be the most commonly advertised species on TikTok. All the spider monkeys were advertised from the USA, while the majority of the marmosets were advertised from the UK, and all of the rhesus macaques were advertised from Pakistan. The USA was the only country identified in this study that advertised a range of species, and the only species found in this study that was not advertised in the USA was the mona monkey. In total, 44% of all species recorded were classified as either Endangered or Critically Endangered, and it was found that Endangered species were more frequently sold illegally than non-Endangered species. The findings of this study underline a need for stricter primate legislation and wildlife law enforcement, especially if the UN’s sustainable development goals are to be achieved by 2030. They also show a need for TikTok to broaden their restrictions on wildlife trading on their app.