Successful Transmission Research Articles

Directional Adaptive Triboelectric Nanogenerator with Wind-Wave Synergy.

To enhance the adaptability and synergy of the triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) in a wave environment, this paper introduces a directional adaptive triboelectric nanogenerator (DA-TENG) with wind-water synergistic action for wave energy collection. An innovative design combining a wind vane on the top and fan-shaped blade electrodes internally allows the DA-TENG to adjust its swinging direction adaptively to align with the direction of wave motion. The internal multiple power generation units work in coordination, effectively addressing the issues of low efficiency associated with spherical TENGs in capturing multidirectional wave energy. The DA-TENG demonstrates superior performance under various wind speed conditions, showcasing its practical application potential. Experimental results show that the DA-TENG, equipped with a single tail wind vane and a 700 g mass block, can achieve an output voltage, current, and charge of 374.97 V, 84.77 μA, and 622.69 nC under a mild wind environment. Its peak power density reaches 7.51 W m-3, enabling successful data transmission for a wireless temperature and humidity sensor and powering 248 light-emitting diodes (LEDs). This research expands the possibilities of omnidirectional wave energy collection and the collaborative operation of multiple power generation units, offering an effective method for powering low-power maritime devices.

A vaccine programme comprising GA08 (GI-27) and Mass (GI-1) strains prevents DMV1639 (GI-17) infectious bronchitis virus transmission among broiler chickens

ABSTRACT Effective control of infectious bronchitis is a challenge in commercial poultry operations due to the high transmissibility of the virus. Although multiple IBV lineages are circulating in the United States, the DMV1639-type IBV strain (GI-17) is currently the major circulating variant, creating production losses in the poultry industry. This study aimed to test whether the combination of a GA08 (GI-27) and a Mass-type (GI-1) IB vaccines could significantly reduce the transmission of a DMV1639-type (GI-17) field IBV strain in 4-week-old commercial broilers. Half of the birds were directly challenged, whereas the other half of the groupmates were put in contact 24 hours later. Two replicates of the same study setup, including 10 directly challenged and 10 contact birds per group, were run. Transmission of the challenge virus was significantly reduced in vaccinates (R = 0.0), whereas all unvaccinated birds became infected (R = 9.6). Reduced transmission of the DMV1639 IB challenge virus by the combined vaccination programme in broiler chickens was also accompanied by clinical protection. These data are important because prevention of IBV transmission by vaccination will result in overall reduced viral replication and consequently in reduced likelihood of genetic changes that can lead to new variants. This is the first published evidence of the successful transmission control of a DMV1639 IBV strain in chickens.

The house finch ocular microbiome is altered by infection, but does not predict disease transmission

Recent studies have highlighted the importance of host-associated microbial communities in inhibiting growth or colonization of pathogenic species and mitigating disease severity. Much research has been conducted on how the microbiome of individuals may impact their disease susceptibility; however, less attention has been given to the role of microbiomes in population-level disease processes. In this study, we examined the effects of the ocular microbiome on pathogen load, disease severity, and transmission success of the conjunctival bacterial pathogen Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) in house finches (Haemorhous mexicanus). Fifteen male house finches were exposed to MG and housed pairwise with uninfected females for 32 days. Swabs for ocular microbiome characterization via 16 S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing were collected from male and female finches before and nine days after MG inoculation. MG load and disease severity were quantified throughout the experiment for all individuals. We examined whether ocular microbiome composition prior to MG infection was associated with pathogen load, disease severity, or transmission efficacy. Although the presence of certain taxa in the ocular microbiome is associated with disease protection in this species, we did not find any evidence that ocular microbiome composition was associated with any metric used to quantify disease transmission. MG infection did alter the resident bacterial communities, which aligns with results from previous studies. However, this was only true for the indicator birds that were directly inoculated with MG. Our results suggest the resident ocular microbiome of house finches shifts in responses to direct contact with pathogens, but may be more resilient, at least at the timescales examined, when host exposure is via an infected conspecific. This suggests that outcomes of interactions between pathogens and resident microbial communities may depend on the mode or dose of pathogen exposure.

Ventilation does not affect close-range transmission of influenza virus in a ferret playpen setup

Sustained community spread of influenza viruses relies on efficient person-to-person transmission. Current experimental transmission systems do not mimic environmental conditions (e.g., air exchange rates, flow patterns), host behaviors, or exposure durations relevant to real-world settings. Therefore, results from these traditional systems may not be representative of influenza virus transmission in humans. To address this pitfall, we developed a close-range transmission setup that implements a play-based scenario and used it to investigate the impact of ventilation rates on transmission. In this setup, four immunologically naive recipient ferrets were exposed to a donor ferret infected with a genetically barcoded 2009 H1N1 virus (H1N1pdm09) for 4 h. The ferrets interacted in a shared space that included toys, similar to a childcare setting. Transmission efficiency was assessed under low and high ventilation, with air exchange rates of ~1.3 h-1 and 23 h-1, respectively. Transmission efficiencies observed in three independent replicate studies were similar between ventilation conditions. The presence of infectious virus or viral RNA on surfaces and in air throughout the exposure area was also not impacted by the ventilation rate. While high viral genetic diversity in donor ferret nasal washes was maintained during infection, recipient ferret nasal washes displayed low diversity, revealing a narrow transmission bottleneck regardless of ventilation rate. Examining the frequency and duration of ferret physical touches revealed no link between these interactions and a successful transmission event. Our findings indicate that exposures characterized by frequent, close-range interactions and the presence of fomites can overcome the benefits of increased ventilation.

Switching to a 100% remote follow-up of implantable cardiac electronic devices: Organizational model and results of a single center experience.

During the SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19 pandemic, the global health system needed to review important processes involved in daily routines such as outpatient activities within the hospital, including follow-up visits of implantable cardiac electronic devices (CIEDs) carried out in office. The aim of this study is to describe our 3.5 years of real-world experience of a full remote CIED follow-up, evaluate the success rate of remote transmissions, and verify the adopted organizational model. From April 2020 to November 2023, all patients with an activated and well-functioning remote monitoring (RM) system and automatic algorithms, like autocapture and autosensing, underwent exclusive RM follow-up. Unscheduled in-office visits were only prompted by remote yellow or red alerts. Patients were divided into two groups, based on available technology: Manual Transmission System (MTS) and Automatic Transmission System (ATS). The ATS group, in addition to ensuring a daily transmission of any yellow or red alerts, was checked at least every 15 days to ensure a valid connection. An automatic transmission was scheduled once a year, irrespective of alerts occurred. The MTS group provided a manual transmission every 6 months. One thousand nine hundred thirty-seven consecutive patients were included in the study. By the end of November 2023, a total of 1409 patients (1192 in the ATS and 217 in the MTS group) were still actively followed by our remote clinic (384 expired, 137 dismissed, 7 transferred). The overall success rate of transmissions with the adopted organizational model was 96.6% in the ATS group (connection index) and 87% in the MTS group. Conventional in-hospital follow-up visits decreased by 44%. Total clinic working time, resulting from the sum of the time spent during in-hospital and remote follow-up, after an initial increase, was progressively reduced to the actual -25%. Mortality rate for any cause was 7.5% per year in remote follow-up patients and 8.3% (p=NS) in in-office patients. In the ATS group, no device malfunctions were notified to our remote clinic, before we had already realized it through appropriate alerts. The available technology makes moving to a 100% remote clinic possible, without overwhelming clinic workflow, safely. Adopting an appropriate organizational model, it is possible to maintain high transmission success rates. The automatic transmissions allow a more frequent control of patients with CIED.

An Energy-Balance Clustering Routing Protocol for Intra-Body Wireless Nanosensor Networks

Aims and Background: Numerous sensor nodes spread out across the surveillance region form the Wireless-Sensor Network (WSN), a smart, self-organizing network. Since the lumps can typically only be motorized by batteries, creating a WSN while maintaining an optimal energy balance and extending the network's lifetime is the biggest issue. Methods: A novel network architecture that integrates nanotechnology with sensor networks is known as a Wireless-NanoSensor-Network(WNSN). A new area of focus in research is intra-bodyiWNSNs, which are WNSNs with promising potential applications in biomedicine, damage detection, and intra-body health monitoring. We suggest an energy-balance-clustering-routing protocol (EBCR) for iSN nodes that have limited energy storage, short communication range, and low computation and processing capabilities. The protocol uses a novel hierarchical clustering approach to lessen the communication burden on nano-nodes. Results: Cluster nano-nodes can use one-hop routing to send data directly to the Cluster-Head(CH) nodes, and the CH-nodes can utilize multi-hop routing to send data to the nano control node. In addition, selecting the next hop node to minimize energy usage while guaranteeing successful data packet delivery involves balancing distance and channel capacity. The protocol's strengths in energy efficiency, network-lifetime extension, and data-packet transmission success rate were highlighted by the simulation results. Conclusion: It is clear that the EBCR protocol is a viable option for iWNSNs' routing system.

Design and Evaluation of a Hybrid 2D-SWZCC OCMDA System with Multicarrier MM-Wave

This paper presents a hybrid communication system combining optical code division multiple access (OCDMA) and multicarrier millimeter-wave (MM-Wave) architecture operating at 35, 55, 75, and 95 GHz connected to a home network center (HNC) and the end user (EU). Hybrid Link reduces congestion on complex RF networks by combining optical fiber backhaul with radio links. The OptiSystem simulation demonstrates successful data transmission and transmission capacity at 40Gbps over various distances. Furthermore, this new 40G-MM wave OCDMA system that takes advantage of a two-dimensional single-weighted zero cross-correlation (2D-SWZCC) system with a multiplexing scheme of polarization wavelength multiplies the same N channels to M OCDMA code of the MM-Wave system that dramatically increased scalability. The comparative analysis shows that the proposed 2D-SWZCC hybrid algorithm outperforms 1D-SWZCC regarding scalability. This study contributes to developing communication algorithms with high data rates and provides promising solutions for method limitations and scalability in hybrid-MM-Wave-OCDMA architectures.

Evolution of parasites in the Anthropocene: new pressures, new adaptive directions.

The Anthropocene is seeing the human footprint rapidly spreading to all of Earth's ecosystems. The fast-changing biotic and abiotic conditions experienced by all organisms are exerting new and strong selective pressures, and there is a growing list of examples of human-induced evolution in response to anthropogenic impacts. No organism is exempt from these novel selective pressures. Here, we synthesise current knowledge on human-induced evolution in eukaryotic parasites of animals, and present a multidisciplinary framework for its study and monitoring. Parasites generally have short generation times and huge fecundity, features that predispose them for rapid evolution. We begin by reviewing evidence that parasites often have substantial standing genetic variation, and examples of their rapid evolution both under conditions of livestock production and in serial passage experiments. We then present a two-step conceptual overview of the causal chain linking anthropogenic impacts to parasite evolution. First, we review the major anthropogenic factors impacting parasites, and identify the selective pressures they exert on parasites through increased mortality of either infective stages or adult parasites, or through changes in host density, quality or immunity. Second, we discuss what new phenotypic traits are likely to be favoured by the new selective pressures resulting from altered parasite mortality or host changes; we focus mostly on parasite virulence and basic life-history traits, as these most directly influence the transmission success of parasites and the pathology they induce. To illustrate the kinds of evolutionary changes in parasites anticipated in the Anthropocene, we present a few scenarios, either already documented or hypothetical but plausible, involving parasite taxa in livestock, aquaculture and natural systems. Finally, we offer several approaches for investigations and real-time monitoring of rapid, human-induced evolution in parasites, ranging from controlled experiments to the use of state-of-the-art genomic tools. The implications of fast-evolving parasites in the Anthropocene for disease emergence and the dynamics of infections in domestic animals and wildlife are concerning. Broader recognition that it is not only the conditions for parasite transmission that are changing, but the parasites themselves, is needed to meet better the challenges ahead.

Using ranging for collision-immune IEEE 802.11 rate selection with statistical learning

Appropriate data rate selection at the physical layer is crucial for Wi-Fi network performance: too high rates lead to loss of data frames, while too low rates cause increased latency and inefficient channel use. Most existing methods adopt a probing approach and empirically assess the transmission success probability for each available rate. However, a transmission failure can also be caused by frame collisions. Thus, each collision leads to an unnecessary decrease in the data rate. We avoid this issue by resorting to the fine timing measurement (FTM) procedure, part of IEEE 802.11, which allows stations to perform ranging, i.e., measure their spatial distance to the AP. Since distance is not affected by sporadic distortions such as internal and external channel interference, we use this knowledge for data rate selection. Specifically, we propose FTMRate, which applies statistical learning (a form of machine learning) to estimate the distance based on measurements, predicts channel quality from the distance, and selects data rates based on channel quality. We define three distinct estimation approaches: exponential smoothing, Kalman filter, and particle filter. Then, with a thorough performance evaluation using simulations and an experimental validation with real-world devices, we show that our approach has several positive features: it is resilient to collisions, provides near-instantaneous convergence, is compatible with commercial-off-the-shelf devices, and supports pedestrian mobility. Thanks to these features, FTMRate outperforms existing solutions in a variety of line-of-sight scenarios, providing close to optimal results. Additionally, we introduce Hybrid FTMRate, which can intelligently fall back to a probing-based approach to cover non-line-of-sight cases. Finally, we discuss the applicability of the method and its usefulness in various scenarios.

Hard Ticks as Vectors: The Emerging Threat of Tick-Borne Diseases in India.

Hard ticks (Ixodidae) play a critical role in transmitting various tick-borne diseases (TBDs), posing significant global threats to human and animal health. Climatic factors influence the abundance, diversity, and vectorial capacity of tick vectors. It is imperative to have a comprehensive understanding of hard ticks, pathogens, eco-epidemiology, and the impact of climatic changes on the transmission dynamics of TBDs. The distribution and life cycle patterns of hard ticks are influenced by diverse ecological factors that, in turn, can be impacted by changes in climate, leading to the expansion of the tick vector's range and geographical distribution. Vector competence, a pivotal aspect of vectorial capacity, involves the tick's ability to acquire, maintain, and transmit pathogens. Hard ticks, by efficiently feeding on diverse hosts and manipulating their immunity through their saliva, emerge as competent vectors for various pathogens, such as viruses, parasites and bacteria. This ability significantly influences the success of pathogen transmission. Further exploration of genetic diversity, population structure, and hybrid tick vectors is crucial, as they play a substantial role in influencing vector competence and complicating the dynamics of TBDs. This comprehensive review deals with important TBDs in India and delves into a profound understanding of hard ticks as vectors, their biology, and the factors influencing their vector competence. Given that TBDs continue to pose a substantial threat to global health, the review emphasizes the urgency of investigating tick control strategies and advancing vaccine development. Special attention is given to the pivotal role of population genetics in comprehending the genetic diversity of tick populations and providing essential insights into their adaptability to environmental changes.

Enhanced 4D-OFDM optical communication systems with color-coded constellations and probability constellation shaping

The present work introduces a four-dimensional probability constellation mapping OFDM optical transmission system based on a two-dimensional inverse fast Fourier transform (2D-IFFT). A four-dimensional constellation structure employing color coding is designed, amalgamating geometric shaping with probability shaping to enhance the constellation figure of merit (CFM). Successful transmission of OFDM signals at 51.49 Gb/s is achieved over a 2 km seven-core optical fiber, validating the performance of the proposed constellation diagram. Under the conditions of multicore multiplexing and a bit error rate of 3.8 × 10−3, the receiver sensitivity of the OFDM signals mapped with the proposed color-coded four-dimensional constellation exhibits gains of 0.8 dB, 1.33 dB, and 1.83 dB compared to traditional four-dimensional constellations, 3D-OFDM, and 2D-OFDM modulation, respectively. Furthermore, under an entropy value of 4.4 bits/symbol, a receiver sensitivity gain of 1.36 dB is attained compared to a uniform distribution constellation, indicating the favorable error performance of this scheme with promising prospects for short-distance communication in the future.

Methodology for the design of a nanosatellite telecommunication system in S-Band based on Software for Digital Mission Engineering

Abstract A trend in the development of nanosatellite platforms for technology demonstration has increased in both private industry and academic projects. Communication link design plays a crucial role in the success of space missions, enabling efficient and reliable data transmission between satellites and ground stations. In this context, the use of advanced tools such as System Tool Kit (STK) has gained significant importance by enabling a comprehensive analysis of the technical and operational aspects of the communication link. In an effort to make the future design of the communications subsystem payload on a nanosatellite more efficient and accessible, this paper shows a methodology for the efficient use of STK to perform link analysis.

DEVELOPMENT OF A HYBRID NETWORK CONGESTION MONITORING SYSTEM

Constantly growing requirements for the information systems service quality require monitoring of network congestion. The experimental results proved that when using hybrid networks, it is difficult to estimate the network load based on the average time of information delivery due to the presence of a significant scatter of time data. A mathematical model of information transmission in wireless computer networks in the form of a queuing system has been developed. The system identifies the main elements: a data transmission channel, a data frame and a device that transmits data. Analysis of transmission standards allows us to identify the following main transmission modes for modeling: one frame successful transmission; transmitting a frame with an error and repeating the transmission (possibly several times); frame transmission using performance-enhancing technology (Bursting technology is used as an example). Events associated with the transmission of information over the wireless network of one device are considered as monitoring system states under consideration. Packet exchange process was considered to be a homogeneous Markov process with discrete states, continuous time and constant intensities. A mathematical model has been developed based on the state graph of the device-frame-transmission channel system, which allows one to determine the timing characteristics for the previously identified modes. The methods for assessing network congestion based on statistical information during data transmission is proposed. Delivery times are broken down into ranges derived from the simulation. The proportion of packets whose delivery time lies within the selected test range is estimated. To evaluate the results, experimental studies were carried out on a fragment of the hybrid network. Delivery time results for each experiment were divided into four ranges: corresponding to accelerated delivery of fragments, successful delivery on the first, second and third attempts, respectively. Results analysis showed that it is preferable to use the fourth range to assess network congestion. Approximation reliability in this case is 0.85, the correlation coefficient is 0.92. The proposed methodology allows us to estimate network congestion based on testing data with a fairly high degree of reliability.

Wireless Blood Pressure Monitor with Android Integration: Tracking Systolic and Diastolic Parameters

Blood pressure measurement plays a crucial role in detecting underlying diseases in the human body. It enables the identification of conditions like heart failure, kidney failure, liver damage, and stroke, underscoring the importance of regular measurements. To facilitate independent and routine blood pressure monitoring, the development of an automatic blood pressure measuring device is essential. This research aims to design and fabricate a digital sphygmomanometer that can transmit measurements to a smartphone through the Blynk application. The blood pressure measurement is conducted using the MPX5050GP pressure sensor as the pressure detector. The device is programmed using the Esp32 microcontroller and incorporates an LCD screen to display the measurement results. The study involved measuring six participants, with each individual's blood pressure recorded ten times. The obtained measurements were then compared to those of the Omron HEM-7120 digital sphygmomanometer. The results revealed a discrepancy of ±9 mmHg in systolic values and ±7 mmHg in diastolic values between the two devices. The smallest systolic error observed was 0.4%, while the largest error reached 3%. Similarly, the smallest diastolic error was 2%, with the largest error recorded at 4.8%. The measurement errors, particularly in diastolic pressure, were influenced by the participants' fatigue, as the repeated measurements on the same arm led to slight arm movements during the process. The study demonstrated the successful transmission of measurement results to a smartphone, affirming the efficacy of the Blynk application. Additionally, the MPX5050GP sensor proved effective in detecting blood pressure. These findings highlight the potential of the developed digital sphygmomanometer as a reliable tool for blood pressure monitoring, promoting self-care and early detection of health issues.

47 Gbps 100 m ultra-high-speed free-space visible light tricolor laser communication system utilizing time domain hybrid Huffman coding

The escalating demand for greater transmission capacities in the forthcoming 6 G communication landscapes necessitates the investigation of upper segments of the electromagnetic spectrum by both academic institutions and the industrial sector. This effort aims to circumvent the impending spectrum resource limitations. Against this backdrop, laser diodes (LDs) emerge as a critical technology for high-speed visible light communication (VLC), owing to their significant modulation bandwidth potential. This paper details what we believe to be a novel visible light laser communication (VLLC) system powered by red/green/blue (RGB) tricolor laser diodes. It highlights a successful 100-meter free-space transmission achieved through a time domain hybrid huffman coding (TDHHC) technique. The system's performance review unveiled impressive data transmission rates for the red, green, and blue laser diodes channels at 16.852 Gbps, 14.442 Gbps, and 15.755 Gbps, respectively, culminating in a cumulative transmission rate of 47.049 Gbps while maintaining a bit error rate (BER) beneath the stringent threshold of 3.8E-3, mandated by 7% hard decision forward error correction (HD-FEC) standards. As far as we known, this marks the highest data rate documented in a long-distance tricolor VLLC system.

Molecular determinants of cross-species transmission in emerging viral infections.

SUMMARYSeveral examples of high-impact cross-species transmission of newly emerging or re-emerging bat-borne viruses, such as Sudan virus, Nipah virus, and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, have occurred in the past decades. Recent advancements in next-generation sequencing have strengthened ongoing efforts to catalog the global virome, in particular from the multitude of different bat species. However, functional characterization of these novel viruses and virus sequences is typically limited with regard to assessment of their cross-species potential. Our understanding of the intricate interplay between virus and host underlying successful cross-species transmission has focused on the basic mechanisms of entry and replication, as well as the importance of host innate immune responses. In this review, we discuss the various roles of the respective molecular mechanisms underlying cross-species transmission using different recent bat-borne viruses as examples. To delineate the crucial cellular and molecular steps underlying cross-species transmission, we propose a framework of overall characterization to improve our capacity to characterize viruses as benign, of interest, or of concern.

Differences in Salmonella Typhimurium infection and excretion among laboratory and field strains of the German cockroach suggest a genomic basis for vector competence

The German cockroach, Blattella germanica, can be a vector of human enteric bacterial pathogens, including Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium). Transmission of such pathogens by cockroaches has largely been considered a passive mechanical process, but recent studies have argued against this dogma by demonstrating bacterial proliferation within the cockroach gut and the necessity of specific bacterial genes for successful transmission in the feces, revealing unappreciated biological complexity in the vector-pathogen relationship between cockroaches and S. Typhimurium. However, the influence of naturally occurring variation among cockroach populations on pathogen infection and dissemination has not been investigated. Thus, this study aimed to examine whether distinct strains of B. germanica exhibit differences in their ability to become infected by and disseminate S. Typhimurium. We performed controlled infections of one long-term laboratory strain and three recently field-collected strains reared under identical conditions, then compared bacterial loads in the body and excreta of individual insects. Separately, we also compared rates of necrophagy, a behavior known to contribute to the horizontal spread of S. Typhimurium among cockroaches. Our data show significant differences in infection susceptibility, pathogen shedding in the excreta, and necrophagy between laboratory and field strains as well as between some field strains. These observations represent the first evidence that genomic variation among cockroach populations may influence their ability to become infected by and disseminate pathogens, providing further support for the hypothesis that German cockroaches are active biological vectors rather than passive mechanical vectors of S. Typhimurium. Additional studies are needed to identify the genomic drivers of vector competence for S. Typhimurium in B. germanica.

Multi-Cell Cooperative Resource Allocation and Performance Evaluation for Roadside-Assisted Automated Driving

The proliferation of wireless technologies, particularly the advent of 5G networks, has ushered in transformative possibilities for enhancing vehicular communication systems, particularly in the context of autonomous driving. Leveraging sensory data and mapping information downloaded from base stations using I2V links, autonomous vehicles in these networks present the promise of enabling distant perceptual abilities essential to completing various tasks in a dynamic environment. However, the efficient down-link transmission of vehicular network data via base stations, often relying on spectrum sharing, presents a multifaceted challenge. This paper addresses the intricacies of spectrum allocation in vehicular networks, aiming to resolve the thorny issues of cross-station interference and coupling while adapting to the dynamic and evolving characteristics of the vehicular environment. A novel approach is suggested involving the utilization of a multi-agent option-critic reinforcement learning algorithm. This algorithm serves a dual purpose: firstly, it learns the most efficient way to allocate spectrum resources optimally. Secondly, it adapts to the ever-changing dynamics of the environment by learning various policy options tailored to different situations. Moreover, it identifies the conditions under which a switch between these policy options is warranted as the situation evolves. The proposed algorithm is structured in two layers, with the upper layer consisting of policy options that are shared across all agents, and the lower layer comprising intra-option policies executed in a distributed manner. Through experimentation, we showcase the superior spectrum efficiency and communication quality achieved by our approach. Specifically, our approach outperforms the baseline methods in terms of training average reward convergence stability and the transmission success rate. Control-variable experiments also reflect the better adaptability of the proposed method as the environmental conditions change, underscoring the significant potential of the proposed method in aiding successful down-link transmissions in vehicular networks.

RON‐based cross‐chain routing optimization strategy in metaverse

AbstractMetaverse is a new ecology that integrates the digital world with the physical world, generates a mirror image of the real world based on digital twin technology, and guarantees the fairness of the virtual world through the trusted mechanism of blockchain. Cross‐chain communication technology is the key to realizing data circulation and collaborative processing between blockchains, which provides the communication foundation for the massive connection of blockchains in the metaverse. The current cross‐chain communication mode is dominated by direct‐connect routing, leading to network congestion and high propagation delay once the direct‐connect link fails and cannot be recovered quickly. To optimize direct‐connect routing, this paper proposed a cross‐chain routing optimization strategy based on RON (Resilient Overlay Network), that is, Cross‐Chain_RON, which firstly applies RON to reconstruct the direct‐connect routing model, and then selects the optimal link through the shortest‐path algorithm and policy routing, and combines with the RON performance database to improve the data transmission efficiency. Finally, the two communication modes were simulated by simulation tools. The experiments show that Cross‐Chain_RON outperforms the direct‐connect routing in terms of latency, rate of successful data transmission, and throughput in poor network environments, but at the expense of a certain amount of system overhead.

Investigating the relationship between extreme weather and cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis in Colorado: A multi-decade study using distributed-lag nonlinear models

Environmentally-mediated protozoan diseases like cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis are likely to be highly impacted by extreme weather, as climate-related conditions like temperature and precipitation have been linked to their survival, distribution, and overall transmission success. Our aim was to investigate the relationship between extreme temperature and precipitation and cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis infection using monthly weather data and case reports from Colorado counties over a twenty-one year period. Data on reportable diseases and weather among Colorado counties were collected using the Colorado Electronic Disease Reporting System (CEDRS) and the Daily Surface Weather and Climatological Summaries (Daymet) Version 3 dataset, respectively. We used a conditional Poisson distributed-lag nonlinear modeling approach to estimate the lagged association (between 0 and 12-months) between relative temperature and precipitation extremes and the risk of cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis infection in Colorado counties between 1997 and 2017, relative to the risk found at average values of temperature and precipitation for a given county and month. We found distinctly different patterns in the associations between temperature extremes and cryptosporidiosis, versus temperature extremes and giardiasis. When maximum or minimum temperatures were high (90th percentile) or very high (95th percentile), we found a significant increase in cryptosporidiosis risk, but a significant decrease in giardiasis risk, relative to risk at the county and calendar-month mean. Conversely, we found very similar relationships between precipitation extremes and both cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis, which highlighted the prominent role of long-term (>8 months) lags. Our study presents novel insights on the influence that extreme temperature and precipitation can have on parasitic disease transmission in real-world settings. Additionally, we present preliminary evidence that the standard lag periods that are typically used in epidemiological studies to assess the impacts of extreme weather on cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis may not be capturing the entire relevant period.