Future communication networks are widely considered to be able to provide both high-speed communication service and reliable sensing service. Integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) has been a novel trend due to its possible hardware gain and spectrum gain by the integration of signal communication and sensing capabilities. Appropriate resource allocation strategy is essential for ensuring the quality of both communication and sensing services in terms of ISAC. Existing ISAC-based resource allocation schemes mainly focus on the coexistence of sensing and communication. However, in multi-user ISAC networks, the services required by users are diverse, including sensing-only, communication-only and dual-function cases. To this end, we proposes a resource allocation strategy based on user quality of service(QoS). Specifically, the sum rate of cellular network is maximized via optimizing spectrum resource selection and transmit power, while meeting the sensing QoS. We achieve the optimal solution to the entire problem by first demonstrating that the communication rate in this paper is a monotonically increasing function of sensing power, allowing us to obtain the optimal power allocation scheme. Subsequently, we employ a matching method to obtain the optimal spectrum sharing scheme.

Integrating auditory and visual inputs plays an important role in language processing and social perception. We presently investigated mechanisms of this audio-visual (A-V) integration by analyzing temporal characteristics of multisensory neurons in the human brain. Specifically, an inter-trial coherence (ITC, neural index for phase resetting) of scalp electroencephalography (EEG) were measured while participants made a temporal-order judgment between a beep (A) and a flash (V). The posterior temporal region showed higher ITC (phase resetting) to bimodal (A+V) than unimodal (A or V) stimuli, showing an involvement of multisensory neurons selectively reacting to the bimodal inputs. They responded more vigorously as a beep-flash SOA (stimulus-onset asynchrony) came closer to 0 ms. Finally, this increase in ITC was most clearly seen in beta band (13-30 Hz). These results indicate that multisensory neurons with a basic rhythm of 13- 30 Hz play a critical role in human A-V integration.

Mpox, a zoonotic disease tracing its origins to 1958, has garnered significant global attention, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare the Mpox epidemic a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on July 23, 2022—the seventh such declaration in history. This contagious disease spreads through close contacts, featuring key symptoms such as fever, chills, headaches, weariness, asthenia, lymph node swellings, back pain, and myalgia. Notably, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) stands among the top 10 countries globally grappling with a substantial number of Mpox cases within the ongoing multi-country outbreak. Between January 1 and November 12, 2023, a staggering 12,569 suspected Mpox cases, including 581 suspected Mpox-related deaths (with a case fatality ratio of 4.6%), were documented across 156 health zones in 22 out of 26 provinces in DRC. This commentary delves into the epidemiology of the Mpox outbreak in the DRC, explores transmission risk factors, addresses the challenges in Mpox control, and puts forth insightful recommendations to manage the Mpox outbreak in DRC and worldwide.

Background Previous studies have reported that NBAS gene-deficient diseases are caused by mutations in the NBAS gene. NBAS gene mutations could lead to SOPH syndrome, which clinically manifests as short stature, optic atrophy, and PH cells visible on peripheral blood smears, and can lead to recurrent liver failure induced by fever in children too. The clinical phenotypes fall into three categories: SOPH syndrome, fever-related liver failure, and intermediate phenotypes. However, most of these studies were retrospective in nature with small sample sizes, and maybe some of the phenotypes have not been identified. In this case, most characteristics were consistent with the clinical features of SOPH syndrome in patients with NBAS gene defects reported in the literature, but the immune damage was more extensive and involved multiple organ systems. Procedure The clinical data, auxiliary examination and gene mutation site of a case of NBAS gene deficiency disease combined with autoimmune thyroiditis and immune thrombocytopenia admitted to the Second Department of Hematology of Beijing Children’s Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Results A 6-year-old male with neuroblastoma amplified sequence (NBAS) gene-defect disease complicated by autoimmune thyroiditis was admitted. During the disease course, fever, abnormal liver function, abnormal myocardial enzyme levels, and abnormal renal function were observed. Scattered hemorrhagic spots were observed all over the skin. Whole exon gene sequencing results showed NBAS heterozygous mutation c.3946dupT(p.W1316Lfs*5) in the father and c.5T>G(splicing) in the mother. Gamma globulin and glucocorticoids were used to restore normal platelet levels. Multisystem immune impairment may represent a new phenotype of NBAS mutations. The functions of all organs recovered after symptomatic treatment, and the functional index of the thyroid improved. Conclusion Immune impairment in multiple systems may be a novel phenotypic spectrum of mutations in NBAS genes.

Sweet’s Syndrome (SS) is an inflammatory skin condition characterised by sudden onset of fever, painful skin lesions and neutrophilic infiltration of affected tissues. The systemic association of SS include infections, drugs, malignancy and autoimmune disorders. The diagnosis requires prompt clinical suspicion followed by histopathological confirmation. We describe a case of a 6-year-old boy with relapsed acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) presenting with the fever and diffuse erythematous papules over the face, neck, trunk, arms and legs. Early identification and histological confirmation aided treatment of above condition. The clinical rarity, diagnostic clues and a brief review of published literature has been described.

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) are powerful therapeutic tools in modern medicine and represent a rapidly expanding multi-billion USD market. While bioprocesses are generally well understood and optimized for MAbs, online quality control remains challenging. Notably, N-glycosylation is a critical quality attribute of MAbs as it affects binding to Fcγ receptors (FcγR), impacting the efficacy and safety of MAbs. Traditional N-glycosylation characterization methods are ill-suited for online monitoring of a bioreactor; in contrast, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) represents a promising avenue, as SPR biosensors can record MAb-FcγR interactions in real-time and without labelling. In this study, we produced five lots of differentially glycosylated Trastuzumab (TZM) and finely characterized their glycosylation profile by HILIC-UPLC chromatography. We then compared the interaction kinetics of these MAb lots with four FcγRs including FcγRIIA and FcγRIIB at 5 oC and 25 oC. When interacting with FcγRIIA/B at low temperature, the differentially glycosylated MAb lots exhibited distinct kinetic behaviours, contrary to room-temperature experiments. Galactosylated TZM (1) and core fucosylated TZM (2) could be discriminated and even quantified using an analytical technique based on the area under the curve (AUC) of the signal recorded during the dissociation phase of a SPR sensorgram describing the interaction with FcγRIIA (1) or FcγRII2B (2). Because of the rapidity of the proposed method (less than 5 minutes per measurement) and the small sample concentration it requires (as low as 30 nM, exact concentration not required), it could be a valuable process analytical technology for MAb glycosylation monitoring.

The impending crisis for food production is the biggest threat in sustenance of soil resources due to industrial farming practices adopted by majority of the farmers in Southern Telangana Zone (STZ) of India, which could extensively degrade the soil if not substituted by soil resource saving agricultural systems. This experiment is aimed to assess the influence of tillage and weed management on soil quality parameters (SQPs) and monitor the maize grain yield after three-years with CA under cotton-maize-green manure cropping system. Three tillage practices; T 1: conventional (CT)–conventional (CT)–fallow, T 2: conventional (CT)–zero (ZT) – zero (ZT) and T 3: ZT+R (residue retention)-ZT+R-ZT+R and weed management options; herbicides chemical weed control (W 1 and W 2), W 3: integrated weed management (IWM) and W 4: unweeded control was laid in split-plot design. Soil samples collected in the 0–15 and 15–30 cm subsequent to harvest of maize, were analyzed for pH, EC, available soil N, P, K, soil organic carbon (SOC), and computed for stratification ratio (SR), C-sequestration rate (CSR), carbon management indices (CMI) and carbon retention efficiency (CRE). The salient findings indicated that 9.1–15.3% of SOC, 10.2–15.1% of available soil N, 12.2 – 19.6% of available soil P in the 0 –15 cm and 1.20 of SR for SOC, N, P, K, 2.0 – 6.5% of active (C ACT) pool in the 0 –30 cm soil layer was higher under ZT+R-ZT+R-ZT+R over CT-CT-Fallow and CT-ZT-ZT. Similarly, 36.0 – 58.1% of cumulative CSR, 29.4 –58.8% of CRE in the 0 –30 cm, and 17.0 – 30.3% of CMI in the 15–30 cm was higher under ZT+R-ZT+R-ZT+R over CT-CT-Fallow and CT-ZT-ZT. The C PSV was the dominant contributor of SOC to total SOC over C ACT in the 0-30 cm soil layer. The 49.0% and 52.0% of C ACT pool was observed to be higher under ZT+R-ZT+R-ZT+R and unweeded control, respectively. The ZT+R-ZT+R-ZT+R had higher Kernel yield (KY) of 8.4 – 11.6% over CT-CT-Fallow and CT-ZT-ZT. KY was also 23.4 – 43.1% greater under W 1, W 2 and W 3 than W 4. The ZT+R-ZT+R-ZT+R in combination with all weed management practices responded positively on some SQPs as revealed by the biplots analysis in the 15–30 cm soil layer. ZT + R, and chemical weed control and IWM enhanced crop productivity and improvement on overall SQPs was exhibited by ZT + R particularly in the sub-surface soil layer due to less susceptibility to erosion and disturbance. ZT with crop residue retention and IWM alternative to chemical weed management can reverse soil degradation, while improving and sustaining soil resources and enhancing productivity.

A document by Mousa Ahmadpour-kacho. Click on the document to view its contents.

Based on the author’s previous work, this article proposed a novel discipline– combinatorial biomedicine. Currently, there are several classical examples. One is a magic “polypill” covering the “Health Essential (HE) 5”, that is, “environment-sleep-emotion-exercise-diet” intervention [E(e)SEEDi] lifestyle; Another is an innovative “traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Hot Pot”. In addition, the iRT-ABCDEFG program is indeed suitable for better management of human diseases. In fact, combinatorial biomedicine is pivotal in the development of life science, biology and medicine, in particular the pandemic and post-COVID-19 era, and has obvious advantages in screening, diagnosis, treatments, prevention and rehabilitation of both major non-communicable diseases (such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, stroke, and neurodegenerative diseases) and major infectious diseases (such as AIDS, Helicobacter pylori infection, and COVID-19). As a novel discipline, combinatorial biomedicine plays a crucial role in combating human diseases and improving population health. It is about time to propose and establish this novel discipline.

Recently, ESA started the activity “Development of On-board IP Router Protocol Stacks for Future Satellite Systems”, with the abbreviated name On-Board Router (OBR), to identify potential of installing IP routing capabilities on board satellites. This paper focusses on specific challenges related to efficient IP routing-in-space and describes several potential solutions identified within the OBR project.

Background: Radiofrequency ablation has been successfully applied to treat right atrial arrhythmias in horses. Ablation of left-sided arrhythmias requires a retrograde transarterial approach which is complicated. In human medicine, the left atrium is accessed through transseptal puncture (TSP) of the fossa ovalis (FO) using a caudal approach via the femoral vein. Objectives: To develop a zero fluoroscopy TSP technique for horses using a jugular vein (cranial) and transhepatic (caudal) approach. Study design: In vivo experimental study. Methods: Transseptal puncture was performed in 18 horses admitted for euthanasia and donated for scientific research under general anaesthesia: using a jugular vein approach (ten horses), a transhepatic approach (two horses) or both (six horses). Radiofrequency energy was applied on a guidewire to perforate the FO and allow sheath advancement under intracardiac and transthoracic echocardiographic guidance. Puncture lesions were inspected post-mortem. Results: Transseptal puncture was successful in 17/18 horses, of which 15/16 jugular vein approaches and 5/8 transhepatic approaches. Failure was due to technical malfunction, inability to advance the guidewire towards the heart and inability to advance the sheath through the FO. Intracardiac echocardiography was essential to safely guide the puncture process. Atrial arrhythmias caused by the TSP occurred in 13/18 horses. Puncture lesions were found in the right atrium in the FO region, and in the left atrium ventral to pulmonary vein ostium III. Main limitations: As in several horses two approaches were tested consecutively, it cannot be excluded that the second TSP was performed at the previous puncture site. Due to the developmental nature of the study the approaches were not randomized and did not allow comparison. Conclusion: Transseptal puncture is feasible in horses using ultrasound guidance and allows for electrophysiological exploration of the left heart. Further studies are needed to evaluate post-operative follow-up.

To address the issue of misidentifying and omitting small targets when using UAV high-resolution aerial photos for small-target detection tasks, as a result of the limited percentage of small target pixels and vulnerability to background noise interference. This paper introduces a small target detection algorithm based on high-resolution image processing and fusion of different scale features. ObjectBox is adopted as the baseline network. Firstly, the high-resolution image processing module (HRIP) is introduced to extract small targets’ spatial and edge features. Second, the LeakyRelu activation function is used in the ordinary convolution, so that the network can maintain a specific response in the negative range and maintain the gradient in the small range of eigenvalues. Finally, the Bidirectional Feature Pyramid Network (BIFPN) is used to realize the multi-branch different scale feature fusion to alleviate the mutual occlusion problem due to the dense distribution of the small targets, and to improve the model’s ability to locate the bounding box of the small targets accurately. Experiments on the VisDrone2019 dataset prove that by enhancing the baseline model, the small target detection accuracy is improved by 0.145, proving the proposed algorithm’s effectiveness.

Herbivores in the tundra interact with vegetation through several mechanisms, especially defoliation, trampling and nutrient addition through urine and faeces. Through these mechanisms, herbivores drive shifts in plant species composition, richness and diversity. As reindeer effects on vegetation accumulate over time, they might cascade to other trophic levels, but how and when this happens is poorly understood. Since it is methodologically demanding to measure biodiversity across spatial gradients, an alternative approach is to assess it indirectly via biodiversity indices of vascular plants. Values from the Index of Biodiversity Relevance were coupled with vegetation data from a network of 96 fenced and paired grazed plots across Fennoscandia. We analysed the role herbivory has on plant richness and diversity, and on the number of organisms that depend on the vegetation according to the index values. We also explored how herbivores affect the competitive effects of shrubs on other plants since the dominance of a vegetation type links directly to biodiversity. Vegetation richness and diversity did not present any differences between treatments, yet reindeer had an increasing effect on plant diversity when testing the interaction between grazing and herbaceous vegetation. Three out of six biodiversity indexes were higher in fenced plots indicating a higher number of interactions between plants and organisms from other trophic levels. Finally, herb abundance was negatively related to shrubs in both treatments but with a faster decline in the absence of herbivores, suggesting that herbivory increases plant diversity and decreases the diversity of other taxa by reducing shrub abundance. This study highlights the importance of maintaining herbivore populations in the Arctic to prevent the expansion of climate-driven biodiversity into the tundra. The effect of herbivores on ecological communities is not merely a product of plant diversity but can be quantitatively and qualitatively different.

In the data era, big data systems have emerged as pivotal tools, underscoring the importance of performance prediction in enhancing the efficiency of big data clusters. Numerous performance models have been proposed, often grounded in artificial intelligence or simulation methodologies. While the buck of research focuses on refining prediction precision and minimizing overhead, limited attention has been given to the consignation and standardization of these models. To bridge this gap between model developers and end-users, this paper introduces AMORA—a novel versatile framework tailored for predicting the performance of big data systems. Leveraging the identified Behavior Descriptions-Computation Submodels (BD-CS) pattern that is prevalent among various big data job performance models, AMORA allows access to different plugins accommodating different performance models’ implementations. This framework also integrates a novel mutable computation graph technique to facilitate backtracking computation. Furthermore, AMORA’s functionality extends to comprehensive end-to-end usability by enabling the acceptance of origin configuration files from diverse big data systems and presenting easily interpretable prediction reports. This work demonstrates AMORA’s efficacy in producing an accurate trace of Hadoop job through the selection of appropriate performance model plugins and parameter adjustments and showcasing the application of the proposed mutable computation graph technique in calculating the starting moment of an early-start reducer. Additionally, two validation experiments are conducted, involving the implementation of various Hadoop and Spark performance models, respectively, to exhibit AMORA’s role as a benchmark platform for implementing various types of big data job performance models catered to diverse big data systems.

Background: Injury resulting in proliferative new bone formation on the dorsal aspect of the middle phalanx (P2) has been recognised by equine veterinarians and is commonly referred to as capsulitis. Objectives: Describe the clinical features, treatment options, and outcomes of this condition. Study Design: Case series (n=19) Methods: Clinical cases in which the horse presented for lameness and was diagnosed with acute formation of proliferative bone on the dorsal aspect of P2 were included in the study (cases collected from 2005-2022). Signalment, history, presenting clinical signs, diagnostics, treatments administered, and outcome were evaluated. Results: Horses presented with unilateral lameness that were all classified as either a moderate lameness at a trot (n=6), or a moderate to severe lameness at a walk (n=13). The presentation of lameness was recorded as acute in 15/19 horses and not reported in the remainder. Bone proliferation on the dorsal aspect of P2 was diagnosed on radiographic evaluation in all horses (as part of the inclusion criteria). In horses with sequential radiographs performed from the time of acute presentation, the bone production developed rapidly over a period of a few weeks to 2 months. A variety of therapeutic options were implemented, and 13/19 (68%) of the cases were subject to humane euthanasia with only 1 horse returning to its previous athletic function. Milder cases were more likely to have better outcomes. Main Limitations: Small sample size. Conclusions: Acute new bone proliferation on the dorsal aspect of P2 can be associated with moderate to severe lameness and carries a poor prognosis for return to use and survival.

An efficient online delivery system in the dynamic landscape is a challenging task. The challenges occur due to the difficulty in generating a proper objective function that can represent the performance of the delivery system. In this paper, we propose a novel multi-objective function that represents the utility score and time required in the delivery process. The utility score takes into consideration the number of previous orders given by a particular customer and the Time window methodology is used to achieve the two objectives. The multi-objective optimization functions are solved and compared using three multi-objective algorithms. They are Non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II (NSGA-II), strength Pareto evolutionary algorithm 2 (SPEA2), and indicator-based evolutionary algorithm (IBEA). The performances are compared extensively and it is found that SPEA2 gives better convergence performance. The proposed objective function minimizes the limitation of currently available methods for online delivery systems.

1. INTRODUCTIONAntiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies, namely, lupus anticoagulant (LA), anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL), or antibodies to the protein cofactor-β2 glycoprotein I (anti-β2GPI) which cause a hypercoagulable state resulting in recurrent venous, arterial or small vessel thromboembolism and/or pregnancy-related complications. Thrombus can be either venous (59%) or arterial (28%) or both arterial and venous (13%). It was first described by Hughes in 1983, hence also known as Hughes Syndrome. In 1992, another subset of APS (<1%), termed Catastrophic APS, was identified where multiple small vessels supplying major organs infarct within a short period of time leading to multi-organ failure and high mortality (>50%). APS is far more prevalent in women than men in the adult age group (5:1) whereas in the pediatric population, the ratio is 1:1. This paper reports a rare case of primary antiphospholipid syndrome in a young male who presented with acute digital ischemia and was successfully treated with a combination of anticoagulation and glucocorticoid.

A document by Yijuan Li. Click on the document to view its contents.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) models will have broad impacts on society including the scientific enterprise; ecology and environmental science will be no exception. Here we discuss the potential opportunities and risks of advanced generative AI for visual material (images and video) for ecology and the environment. There are clearly opportunities for positive impacts, related to improved communication, for example; we also see possibilities for ecological research to profit from generative AI (e.g., image gap filling, biodiversity surveys, and improved citizen science). However, there are also risks, threatening to undermine the credibility of our science, mostly related to actions of bad actors, for example in terms of spreading fake information or committing fraud. Risks need to be mitigated at the level of government regulatory measures, but we also highlight what can be done right now, including discussing issues with the next generation of ecologists, and transforming towards radically open science workflows.

Clinical CorrespondenceMain bronchus foreign body aspiration in a pediatric patient cohortShujun Ke MD1＃, Huiyong Hu MD2＃, Ya Zou MD3, Xiaoping Jing MD PhD3*1 Department of Radiology, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, School of medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200040, China;2 Department of the Ultrasonography Department, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, School of medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai 200040, China;3 Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, School of medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200040, China;＃These authors contributed equally to this work.*Corresponding author: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, School of medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University;Address: 1400 West Beijing Road, Shanghai, China Lane 24 Zip Code 200040;e-mail: [email protected](P J);

Understanding gene flow can help biodiversity to mitigate habitat changes by contributing to inform and design protected areas. The brown trout, Salmo trutta, displays a multitude of life-history strategies and represents an ideal model for applications in conservation genetics. Using a panel of 185-single nucleotide polymorphism markers, the present study aimed to explore the population structure of the brown trout and in the English Channel. The genotypes of 2,729 individual trout from 88 rivers were obtained across England and France. Population structure revealed the presence of genetic clusters following an east/west gradient. The maximum threshold distance between genetic distance and geographic distance was 344 km. The measure appeared relative to the studied spatial environment and reflected Salmo trutta capacity to achieve long migration distances. A machine-learning framework derived from a gradient forest analysis was used to generate a resistance surface using changes in allelic frequencies and environmental predicators. The resulting surface identified areas limiting gene flow. On the British coast, a genetic break was observed along the Jurassic coast, whereas the Cotentin peninsula acted as a physical barrier among French coastal populations. Salmo trutta populations appeared to be differently affected by environmental factors reflecting demes preference to specific breeding ground. Using our resistance map, the distance of maximum correlation using cost distance were computed allowing the pruning of our genetic graph. The resulting least cost path connections were mapped to reveal the main dispersal routes. Finally, a prioritization analysis using connectivity surface was implemented to design potential protected areas.

A document by yuan li. Click on the document to view its contents.

A document by mujtaba waris. Click on the document to view its contents.

Self-referential information is uniquely salient and preferentially processed even in children. The literature has used the Self-Referent Encoding Task (SRET) combined with ERPs to study the neural substrates of self-referential processing and its role in development. However, no work has implemented a data-driven, comprehensive examination of the ERP correlates of SRET in youths by comparing a self-referential condition with an other-referential condition. Ninety-two 10-to-14-year-old typically developing youths completed an ERP version of the SRET consisting of a self-referential and an other-referential condition, following which they were unexpectedly asked to complete a recognition task of the presented words. A data-driven Principal Components Analysis isolated five SRET-elicited ERPs: P1, P2, N400, and anterior and posterior late positive potential (aLPP, pLPP). Two-way ANOVAs (Referent × Valence) demonstrated a “self-positivity” bias in aLPP, recognition, and memory sensitivity: youths showed an enhanced aLPP, better recognition, and higher memory sensitivity for Self-Positive versus Self-Negative words, whereas no such differences were found between Other-Positive and Other-negative words. Further, a (marginal) “other-negativity” bias was found in pLPP, P2, and recognition: youths displayed an enhanced pLPP and P2 and higher memory sensitivity in the Other-Negative versus Other-Positive condition, whereas no such pattern was observed in the Self conditions. We provided novel evidence on a self-positivity bias that uniquely favored positive self-referential words as well as an other-negativity bias that uniquely favored negative other-referential words. These findings contribute to our mechanistic knowledge of self-referential processing in youths and inform future studies on the role of self-referential processing in socioemotional development.