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China’s Strategic Culture and Cross-Strait Relations: A Perilous Triangle
No full textThis book explores China’s strategic culture in the context of relations across the Taiwan Strait.
The USA has long played a stabilising role, deterring China from attacking Taiwan. However, as China’s economy has grown, so has its military might, and it is now in a position to challenge America for the leading role in the security of the Western Pacific. This book closely examines how China’s interests in Taiwan have emerged from its identity as a modern, socialist nation- state, placing it on a collision course with Taiwan’s consolidated liberal democracy and the US vision of itself as a guarantor of global order. On the basis of an examination of operational doctrines, force structure and training, it offers an interpretation of the three powers’ intentions and analyses possible scenarios for conflict. This provides the context for analysing China’s strategic behaviour, notably the development over the past 30 years of military capabilities which would be sufficient for an invasion.
This book will be of much interest to students of strategic culture, Chinese security, foreign policy and international relations
Barriers and facilitators to accessing mental health services for adults in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review
Get PDFIn Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), despite a high prevalence of mental health conditions, less than 10% of those living with mental illness access professional mental health services (MHS). This systematic review aimed to identify, appraise, and synthesise studies conducted in SSA seeking to understand the barriers and facilitators to accessing MHS for adults in SSA. A systematic search of PsycINFO, MEDLINE, and CINAHL databases was conducted using key terms (Barriers, Facilitators, Access, Mental Health Services, and Sub-Saharan Africa) with 16 studies meeting the eligibility criteria for inclusion. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) and Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal tools based on the articles’ study methodology. Data from the included studies were extracted using a standardised proforma and grouped into source details, methodology, participants’ characteristics and the main finding(s). A narrative synthesis was adopted to systematically summarise and evaluate included studies. Only nine of 46 Sub-Saharan African countries were represented in the included studies. Barriers included lack of or little knowledge of mental disorders and professional services; negative attitudes held towards mental health services; cultural and religious beliefs leading to over-reliance on traditional and spiritual interventions; and stigmatising beliefs that included self-stigmatisation, stigma and discrimination from family, the community, and healthcare providers. Facilitators to accessing mental health services were more limited and included awareness of mental disorders and the services offered; social support and acceptance by family members and the community; and the availability of community-based mental health services. This systematic review identified barriers such as limited knowledge, stigma, and reliance on traditional interventions inhibiting access to mental health services in Sub-Saharan Africa. The region's limited representation and scarcity of facilitators highlights an urgent need for targeted interventions to improve mental health accessibility
Classifying cleanrooms by sequential sampling of airborne particles
Get PDFThis article is the sixth of a series of extracts from Bill Whyte’s book, Cleanroom Testing and Monitoring. It is Annex C of the book, which has the title ‘Classifying cleanrooms by sequential sampling of airborne particles’, and is reproduced with the kind permission of the author Bill Whyte, the publisher Euromed Communications, and the copyright owner, Cleanroom Testing and Certification Board -International (CTCB-I). The objective in publishing these extracts is to give readers a knowledge of the flavour and depth of the book, which is recommended as a comprehensive textbook and an essential reference for cleanroom managers, cleanroom test engineers,
cleanroom service engineers, and anyone concerned with cleanrooms. This book annex describes a method of classifying a cleanroom which is an alternative to the main method suggested in ISO 14644-1. It can be used in cleanrooms where there is likely to be long air sampling times, and may allow an early termination of sampling when results clearly indicate either compliance or failure
De-embedding methodology to characterize linearity of active filters under process variations
Get PDFThis brief presents a new method to characterize the linearity of on-chip filters with accurate characterization of the filter’s transfer function (TF) in both its bandpass and stopband. Unlike conventional methods, this approach uses only one buffer, simplifying the design and improving accuracy. The filter and buffer are designed using GlobalFoundries (GF) 22-nm FDX technology, incorporating a back-gate biasing tuning mechanism in the buffer design that aims to maintain the performance of the buffer under process variation. The postlayout simulations demonstrate that the new method achieves a filter linearity of IIP3=10.46 dBm, with an accuracy of 99.4% compared to the standalone filter’s linearity. Similar consistency is observed across process corners
Pre-treatment serum prognostic scores and survival in curatively treated laryngeal cancer
Get PDFBackground:
Laryngeal squamous cell cancer (LSCC) is a common head and neck cancer subtype, primarily linked to smoking and alcohol use. Despite declining incidence, survival outcomes have not improved. Prognostic scores, derived from blood-based markers like neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), and systemic immune-inflammation index (SIII), are increasingly recognized for their potential to predict survival outcomes and guide patient management.
Methods:
A retrospective analysis of 473 LSCC patients diagnosed in the West of Scotland (2014–2020) assessed the association of prognostic scores with overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and recurrence-free survival (RFS). Patients were categorized into high- and low-risk groups based on combined scores.
Results:
Low LMR and high-risk scores were significantly associated with worse OS, CSS, and RFS. Nodal status and disease stage remained strong predictors. Combining clinicopathological variables with prognostic scores improved survival prediction.
Conclusion:
Prognostic scores are valuable tools for survival prediction in LSCC and, when combined with clinicopathological factors, may guide patient management. Further validation is warranted
Quantitative and morphology-based deep convolutional neural network approaches for osteosarcoma survival prediction in the neoadjuvant and metastatic settings
No full textPurpose: Necrosis quantification in the neoadjuvant setting using pathology slide review is the most important validated prognostic marker in conventional osteosarcoma. Herein, we explored three deep-learning strategies on histology samples to predict outcome for osteosarcoma in the neoadjuvant setting.
Experimental Design: Our study relies on a training cohort from New York University (NYU; New York, NY) and an external cohort from Charles University (Prague, Czechia). We trained and validated the performance of a supervised approach that integrates neural network predictions of necrosis/tumor content and compared predicted overall survival (OS) using Kaplan–Meier curves. Furthermore, we explored morphology-based supervised and self-supervised approaches to determine whether intrinsic histomorphologic features could serve as a potential marker for OS in the neoadjuvant setting.
Results: Excellent correlation between the trained network and pathologists was obtained for the quantification of necrosis content (R² = 0.899; r = 0.949; P < 0.0001). OS prediction cutoffs were consistent between pathologists and the neural network (22% and 30% of necrosis, respectively). The morphology-based supervised approach predicted OS; P = 0.0028, HR = 2.43 (1.10–5.38). The self-supervised approach corroborated the findings with clusters enriched in necrosis, fibroblastic stroma, and osteoblastic morphology associating with better OS [log-2 hazard ratio (lg2 HR); −2.366; −1.164; −1.175; 95% confidence interval, (−2.996 to −0.514)]. Viable/partially viable tumor and fat necrosis were associated with worse OS [lg2 HR; 1.287; 0.822; 0.828; 95% confidence interval, (0.38–1.974)].
Conclusions: Neural networks can be used to automatically estimate the necrosis to tumor ratio, a quantitative metric predictive of survival. Furthermore, we identified alternate histomorphologic biomarkers specific to the necrotic and tumor regions, which could serve as predictors
Frontiers in quantum antennas: theoretical foundations, practical applications, and future outlook
Get PDFQuantum antennas represent a significant leap forward in antenna technology, leveraging the principles of quantum mechanics to enhance communication, imaging, and sensing applications in the terahertz, infrared, and optical regimes. This review begins with an overview of the theoretical foundations for quantum antennas as open quantum systems, discussing how strong coupling and quantum state manipulation can be harnessed for practical implementations. We then examine groundbreaking advancements in quantum antenna design, including the integration of novel material configurations, such as quantum dot arrays and their interactions with photonic reservoirs. The review explores the unique quantum phenomena exhibited by these antennas, including Rabi oscillations, solitons, and non-reciprocal behavior, which set them apart from classical antennas. Additionally, we discuss the role of quantum metasurfaces in manipulating electromagnetic waves at the quantum level, opening new avenues for antenna design and functionality. Understanding these quantum effects enables the optimization of antenna performance for emerging applications in quantum communication, where enhanced security and efficiency are paramount. Finally, this comprehensive analysis not only bridges the gap between classical and quantum antennas but also underscores the remarkable potential of quantum antennas, highlighting future directions and their evolving role in emerging technologies
ROS scavengers and genital skin healing in boys with hypospadias
Get PDFIntroduction:
Hypospadias repair is associated with high complication rates. Vascular cells from boys with hypospadias have increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) compared to controls. It is not clear if ROS affects wound healing in hypospadias.
Objectives:
The aim of this study is to identify if cell migration and proliferation in genital skin is altered in hypospadias, and whether this is altered by antioxidants.
Study Design:
Genital skin fibroblasts (GSFs) were grown from boys undergoing hypospadias repair or routine circumcision. Cells were imaged immediately after creating a wound scratch and 48 hours later, in the presence/absence of ROS scavengers, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) or Tempol. Cell migration was determined using ImageJ software. Cell proliferation was measured using a Cell Count Kit-8 (Abcam, UK).
Results:
Twenty-four cases (median age (range) 1.8 (1.2, 6.3) years) and 28 controls (1.6 (1.2, 6.1) years) were recruited. Boys with hypospadias had impaired cell migration with reduced wound closure at 48 hours (2.0 fold, p<0.0001) and reduced cell proliferation (1.3 fold, p=0.01). External Masculinisation Score was positively correlated with wound closure (r=0.5, p<0.0001) and cell proliferation (r=0.3, p=0.002). Exposure to NAC and Tempol improved wound closure (1.9 fold, p=0.01, and 1.5 fold, p=0.02 respectively) and cell proliferation (1.5 fold, p=0.02 and 1.4 fold, p=0.05 respectively).
Discussion:
There is an association between wound healing and virilisation of the external genitalia in boys. ROS scavengers increase cell migration and proliferation in GSFs from boys with hypospadias.
Conclusion:
Translational studies are required to confirm whether ROS scavengers may represent a therapeutic option for improving surgical outcome in boys with hypospadias
Everything to Gain: Combining Area Cursors with Increased Control-Display Gain for Fast and Accurate Touchless Input
Get PDFTouchless displays often use mid-air gestures to control on-screen cursors for pointer interactions. Area cursors can simplify touchless cursor input by implicitly targeting nearby widgets without the cursor entering the target. However, for displays with dense target layouts, the cursor still has to arrive close to the widget, meaning the benefits of area cursors for time-to-target and effort are diminished. Through two experiments, we demonstrate for the first time that fine-tuning the mapping between hand and cursor movements (control-display gain – CDG) can address the deficiencies of area cursors and improve the performance of touchless interaction. Across several display sizes and target densities (representative of myriad public displays used in retail, transport, museums, etc), our findings show that the forgiving nature of an area cursor compensates for the imprecision of a high CDG, helping users interact more effectively with smaller and more controlled hand/arm movements
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