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Towards SMPC-enabled O-RAN: A survey with deployment-oriented insights
No full textThe evolution of 6G networks has led to the development of open, intelligent, and decentralized architectures. Nevertheless, protecting data privacy and security across systems with multiple vendors remains a critical challenge. Although Secure Multi-Party Computation (SMPC) and the Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) have emerged as promising candidates, existing articles have evaluated their performance in isolation. It implies that their combined impact on system performance has not yet been explored. Consequently, this article presents an integrated, deployment-oriented synthesis that maps lightweight and scalable SMPC protocols to O-RAN components such as the RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC), xApps, and open interfaces. Particularly, this article identifies four key research challenges: SMPC protocol scalability, architectural integration, secure AI optimization, and multi-vendor data confidentiality. To address these identified challenges, a comprehensive performance evaluation of state-of-the-art SMPC schemes is performed. The evaluation focuses on latency, bandwidth, and computational overhead of SMPC schemes in 6G-enabled O-RAN systems. Thus, by linking SMPC techniques with O-RAN architectures, this article provides practical insights and quantitative evidence to support the development of secure, efficient, and interoperable 6G wireless technologies
Retention of increased maximum oxyregulation capacity in corals transplanted from an extreme mangrove environment to a reef flat.
Full text linkLoss of oxygen (O2) from the world's oceans to physiologically-critical levels ("hypoxia") is an important, yet understudied stressor for coral reefs. However, extreme reef-neighbouring ecosystems such as mangrove lagoons that are routinely subjected to frequent low-pO2 exposure (i.e., low partial pressure of O2), high temperature fluctuations, and low-pH, may be harbouring corals with a higher capacity for oxyregulation, rendering them more resilient to adapt to life in low-pO2 surroundings. We investigated differences in the hypoxic response of the common reef-building coral Pocillopora acuta following 1-year transplantation between Low Isles reef flat (a comparatively more stable O2 environment) and Woody Island mangrove lagoon (a more variable and oftentimes low-pO2 habitat), on the Great Barrier Reef. Analysing hypoxia response curves and metabolic function and physiology, we found that mangrove P. acuta retained attributes for hypoxic tolerance when transferred between habitats. These corals survived frequent low-pO2 exposure (<1.77 mg O2 L-1), and although total positive regulation (Tpos) was similar between all coral populations, mangrove-to-reef transplants exerted their maximum regulation capacity (Pcmax) at a lower pO2 than all other groups, even after 1-year in a more typical O2 environment. Gene expression analyses also revealed activation of non-hypoxia inducible factor target pathways in mangrove corals as an alternative means of anaerobic respiration. The ability of coral populations from extreme ecosystems to exert maximum regulation capacity at low-pO2 may therefore be a long-term conserved property, based on greater O2 metabolisation, highlighting tolerance of mangrove P. acuta to survive extreme O2 conditions in this mangrove environment
Health and well-being outcomes from a non-health population-level intervention: the impact of home upgrades in Victoria, Australia.
No full textBackgroundThe Victorian Healthy Homes Program (VHHP) delivered home energy efficiency and warmth upgrades to 1000 low-income households in Victoria, Australia. As Australia’s first randomised control trial (RCT) on the relationship between the home environment and health outcomes in vulnerable older adults, this paper reports the health and wellbeing outcomes focussing three quality of life (QoL) instruments.MethodsThe VHHP used a staggered, parallel-group clustered RCT. All households received a home upgrade either before (intervention group) or after (control group) winter (June-September) in 2018–2020. Three surveys: the SF-36, the EQ-5D-5L, and ASCOT measured self-reported QoL. Ordered logistic regression was conducted for categorical outcomes and Ordinary Least Squares regression for continuous outcomes. Survey outcomes were analysed before and after winter controlling for age, sex, location, and year.ResultsThe intervention group experienced improved physical functioning, mental health and social care related QoL after winter relative to the control group. The main influential factor (from ASCOT) was the comfort and cleanliness of the accommodation. The intervention group also reported improvements in breathlessness and less time away from usual activities and were less likely to delay seeing a specialist.ConclusionA modest investment in improving housing has important health and wellbeing benefits, especially for more vulnerable individuals. Improved mental health and social care related quality of life made individuals more comfortable in winter and these effects are likely to endure over time because the upgrade is permanent.Trial registrationAustralian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12618000160235. Registration date: 02 February 2018
Geological resource production constrained by regional water availability.
No full textAlthough the global economy requires geological resource mining, production has substantial environmental impacts, including the use of regional available water. In this study, we shed light on the global production capacity of 32 mined geological resources, considering regional water availability as a constraint. We found that current resource mining greatly exceeds regional water constraints for several, notably copper (37% of current production exceeds available water capacity) in 2010. Changing the location of production to regions of lower water stress would alleviate current exceedances of water constraints; however, considering economic factors shows that this is not always feasible. Future demand for geological resources is expected to require a considerable increase in water consumption. Considering the constraints of water resources in geological resource production is crucial for sustainability
The Aotearoa Women’s Wellness Program for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
No full textIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic and painful gastrointestinal disorder associated with significantly worse physical functioning (abnormal physiology, visceral hypersensitivity, inflammation, immune dysregulation, microbiome, and malabsorption issues). IBS is influenced by genetic disposition, psychological factors and diet, significantly and adversely affects quality of life (1) . Internationally IBS is a common disorder in primary and speciality care affecting 13 to 20% of people (2) . IBS imposes a significant economic burden to health systems (2) . The prevalence and economic results of IBS make it a major public health concern. Existing interventions revolve separately around diet (particularly the low FODMAP diet) and stress management. The goal of this project was to create a multimodal lifestyle intervention explicitly designed to enhance the health-related quality of life in women treated for IBS in Aotearoa with the imperative to minimise the risk of IBS recurrence and to reduce the burden of the long-term physical and psychological symptoms. This IBS programme builds on the well-established Women’s Wellness Programs (WWP) based at the Health Faculty, University of Technology, Sydney. These are robust and systematic programmes developed within the WWP team which comprises international experts in women’s health and chronic conditions, of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and stroke. All WWP employ individually tailored strategies to instil positive behavioural change. They are also designed for virtual delivery through participants’ mobile computing devices to ensure regional and rural access. This presentation explains the ‘The Aotearoa Women’s Wellness Program for IBS’ prototype that has been developed. This programme is designed based on the results of a study where IBS participants (n=15) and separately health professionals or researchers (n=15) working in the field of IBS in New Zealand were all asked the same questions about the IBS journey, including diagnosis and treatment. Their responses detailed how IBS adversely affected all aspects of quality of life, raised issues with diagnosis and treatment and articulated desired support approaches. When given information about the WWP and asked to provide feedback on it, all 30 interviewed participants agreed that a WWP health promotion approach for IBS was feasible, relevant, and warranted. Through this feedback the programme was developed. Participants work through the content to address issues such as nutrition, stress management, and physical activity, guided by a health professional with expertise in gut health. Various activities and opportunities to reflect are distributed throughout the programme to identify goals to help participants make and embed appropriate changes in their lifestyles. This new, evidence-based programme for IBS is now available to health professionals working in clinical situations related to gut health in Aotearoa. It gives them the opportunity to redesign care, irrespective of where care is delivered, in a way that is responsive to the needs of people with IBS
Drug addiction and impact of urbanization: a systematic review.
No full textPURPOSE OF REVIEW: Using the ecological public health framework, this study aims to systematically review the risk of illicit drug use and its associated negative health outcomes relating to urbanization. RECENT FINDINGS: Previous studies have indicated that urbanization associated with increased population density drives segregation of vulnerable communities of low socioeconomic status (SES). Marginalized individuals in segregated communities have increased risk of poor mental health and illicit drug use. SUMMARY: The results indicated that urban-specific environmental risk factors, individual characteristics and level of social support all influenced risk of drug use, substance use disorder (SUD), overdose, and drug-use associated death. Urban environmental risk factors of economic disparity, marginalization and barriers in accessing healthcare and negative individual characteristics of low education, low income and comorbid diagnosis of mental illness significantly increased risk of drug use. In contrast, better social support reduced the risk of drug use
Development, optimization and modelling of performance parameters for remote-controlled mechatronic precision planter using RSM and Hybrid PSO-ANN model
Full text linkPrecision planting plays a crucial role in optimizing crop production by ensuring accurate seed placement at the correct depth, uniform spacing, and adequate soil coverage. Inclined plate metering systems are particularly favored for their precision and cost-effectiveness, especially in scenarios involving multiple crops. Researchers are exploring advanced methods such as ANN and PSO to optimize seed metering. Mechatronics-based systems show promise by integrating IoT and robotics to enhance precision and efficiency in planting operations. A recent study focused on designing a seed metering system tailored for cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L) based on prevalent seed characteristics in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat, India. The study involved designing a planter equipped with a ground wheel, optical rotary encoder, microprocessor, stepper motor, and seed metering box. Experimental evaluations were conducted to optimize seed sowing uniformity and operational parameters using laboratory tests and hybrid techniques combining ANN with PSO algorithms. This approach effectively optimized the precision and operational efficiency of the mechatronic precision planter for cotton crop planting. The investigation further delved into the impact of inclination angle (A), seed hole geometry (P), and forward speed (S) on various cotton seed planting parameters using a mechatronic precision planter. Results indicated that with a maximum deviation of just 2.67 percent between the experimental and model-predicted average seed spacing values, the ANN-PSO model accurately approximates the ideal input parameter values for maximizing average seed spacing. The forward speed (S), inclination angle (A), and geometry of the seed hole (P) to maximize average seed spacing are found to be 0.43 m/s, 52 degrees, and 100 percent, respectively. Under the optimized conditions, the predicted values for average seed spacing, miss index, multiple index, quality of feed index, and cell fill percentage were 44.92 cm, 2.72 %, 7.05 %, 90.03 %, and 104.67 %, respectively. The integration of PSO with prediction models offered insights into enhancing precision planting efficiency and overall crop yield in mechatronic precision planters
Update of the Australian Guideline for the Management of Cancer Pain in Adults.
No full textAIMS: The Cancer Council Australia Cancer Pain Management in Adults Clinical Guideline aimed to inform timely, evidence-based guidance for managing cancer-related pain. METHODS: The ADAPTE approach for guideline updates was adopted. Source guidelines were selected following the AGREE II criteria. The target population was adults with chronic cancer-related pain. The interventions were screening, assessment, and management of cancer-related pain. Target users and settings were all health professionals caring for adults with cancer in any healthcare setting. Outcomes are reduction in cancer-related pain. RESULTS: Recommendations were mostly adopted directly from source guidelines and the recommendation strength reflected those of the source guidelines. Those which were developed de novo were either based on Level 1 evidence or consensus within the context of a documented need in the Australian setting. CONCLUSIONS: The Cancer Council Australia guideline for managing cancer pain in adults contains evidence-based recommendations to guide appropriate evidence-based care
Natural product-based compounds for chronic respiratory disorders
No full textChronic respiratory disorders (CRDs), encompassing conditions like asthma, cystic fibrosis, interstitial lung diseases, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease present formidable global health challenges. Although conventional therapies have shown efficacy, there is a pressing need for sustainable, alternative treatments. Regrettably, the rise of drug-resistant microorganisms and the accompanying side effects have impeded the progress of chemotherapeutic methods. Consequently, there has been an increased emphasis on exploring natural reservoirs owing to their distinct chemical profiles and capacity for groundbreaking interventions. Pharmacognosy, the study of medicinal compounds from natural sources, provides a foundation for extracting bioactive molecules from plants, marine organisms, microorganisms, and fungi. This chapter explores natural product-based compounds as potential therapeutic agents for CRDs, elucidating their mechanisms of action and therapeutic potential. Notably, bioactive compounds from various natural sources, including baicalin, quercetin, resveratrol, and curcumin, have shown promise in vitro and in vivo. These compounds primarily impact CRDs by modulating critical inflammatory signaling pathways (JAK&STAT3, NF-κB, and MAPK), the Nrf2 oxidative stress pathway, and the TGF-β1/Smad 2/3 fibrosis pathway. Targets involved encompass, IL-6&8, TIMP-1, TNF-α, MMP, AKT, IKK, JAK3, PI3K, MAPK, ERK, and P38. The chapter provides an overview of prevalent CRDs, their current treatment, and the promise of plant-based natural products in novel treatments. It explores targeted drug discovery, personalized medicine, and the integration of traditional wisdom with modern pharmaceutical sciences. This comprehensive exploration aims to equip medical professionals and researchers with an in-depth understanding of the potential, challenges, and future directions in this evolving field, bridging traditional wisdom with contemporary pharmaceutical sciences
Phenotypic plasticity can be modulated by epigenetic means via DNA methylation in the microalgae Desmodesmus armatus
Full text linkUnderstanding how organisms adapt to environmental changes is a critical question in biology, with significant implications for biodiversity conservation, ecosystem stability, and biotechnology. Phenotypic plasticity, the ability of an organism to alter its traits in response to environmental conditions, is a cornerstone of adaptive potential and ecological resilience. In this study we investigate if phenotypic plasticity is modulated through epigenetic mechanisms in Desmodesmus armatus, using low-dose UV-C radiation as a driver of epigenetic change. We examined how UV-C exposure influences various phenotypic traits, including growth rate and photosynthetic performance, across different environmental conditions. Our results indicate that UV-C treatment significantly changes phenotypic plasticity, particularly affecting traits associated with minimum saturating light, maximum non-photochemical quenching, growth rate, and maximum culture density. Nutrients play a crucial role in shaping the physiological responses of microalgae, influencing their growth, metabolism, and adaptive capabilities under varying environmental conditions. Our data shows that global DNA methylation levels are significantly altered using UV-C in a nutrient-dependent manner. The findings suggest that low doses of UV-C can effectively modulate the epigenome, leading to considerable reorganization of phenotypic traits. This research enhances our understanding of how epigenetic factors contribute to the adaptive capacity of the microalgae D. armatus and underscores the potential of epigenetic interventions in managing phenotypic outcomes in response to environmental stresses
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