Interleukin 1βreceptor and synaptic dysfunction in recurrent brain infection with Herpes simplex virus type-1

Several experimental evidence suggests a link between brain Herpes simplex virus type-1 infection and the occurrence of Alzheimer’s disease.However,the molecular mechanisms underlying this association are not completely understood.Among the molecular mediators of synaptic and cognitive dysfunction occurring after Herpes simplex virus type-1 infection and reactivation in the brain neuroinflammatory cytokines seem to occupy a central role.Here,we specifically reviewed literature reports dealing with the impact of neuroinflammation on synaptic dysfunction observed after recurrent Herpes simplex virus type-1 reactivation in the brain,highlighting the role of interleukins and,in particular,interleukin 1βas a possible target against Herpes simplex virus type-1-induced neuronal dysfunctions.

Alterations in the gut microbiome after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in patients with hepatitis B virus-related portal hypertension

BACKGROUND Gut microbiota(GM)affects the progression and response to treatment in liver diseases.The GM composition is diverse and associated with different etiologies of liver diseases.Notably,alterations in GM alterations are observed in patients with portal hypertension(PH)secondary to cirrhosis,with hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection being a major cause of cirrhosis in China.Thus,understanding the role of GM alterations in patients with HBV infection-related PH is essential.AIM To evaluate GM alterations in patients with HBV-related PH after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)placement.METHODS This was a prospective,observational clinical study.There were 30 patients(with a 100%technical success rate)recruited in the present study.Patients with esophagogastric variceal bleeding due to HBV infection-associated PH who underwent TIPS were enrolled.Stool samples were obtained before and one month after TIPS treatment,and GM was analyzed using 16S ribosomal RNA amplicon sequencing.RESULTS One month after TIPS placement,8 patients developed hepatic encephalopathy(HE)and were assigned to the HE group;the other 22 patients were assigned to the non-HE group.There was no substantial disparity in the abundance of GM at the phylum level between the two groups,regardless of TIPS treatment(all,P>0.05).However,following TIPS placement,the following results were observed:(1)The abundance of Haemophilus and Eggerthella increased,whereas that of Anaerostipes,Dialister,Butyricicoccus,and Oscillospira declined in the HE group;(2)The richness of Eggerthella,Streptococcus,and Bilophila increased,whereas that of Roseburia and Ruminococcus decreased in the non-HE group;and(3)Members from the pathogenic genus Morganella appeared in the HE group but not in the non-HE group.CONCLUSION Intestinal microbiota-related synergism may predict the risk of HE following TIPS placement in patients with HBVrelated PH.Prophylactic microbiome therapies may be useful for preventing and treating HE after TIPS placement.

Emerging role of liquid biopsy in rat sarcoma virus mutated metastatic colorectal cancer:A case report

BACKGROUND In patients with metastatic colorectal cancer(mCRC),the treatment options are limited and have been proved to be affected by rat sarcoma virus(RAS)mutational status.In RAS wild-type(wt)patients,the combination of antiepidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR)monoclonal antibodies with chemotherapy(CT)is more effective than CT alone.On the other hand,RAS-mutated patients are not eligible for treatment with anti-EGFR antibodies.CASE SUMMARY Eleven patients with initially RAS-mutated mCRC were followed from diagnosis to May 2022.At the time of cell-free DNA determination,five patients had undergone one CT line,five patients had undergone two CT lines,and one patient had undergone three CT lines(all in combination with bevacizumab).At the second and third treatment lines[second line(2L),third line(3L)],patients with neo-RAS wt received a combination of CT and cetuximab.In neo-RAS wt patients treated with anti-EGFR,our findings indicated an increase in progression-free survival for both 2L and 3L(14.5 mo,P=0.119 and 3.9 mo,P=0.882,respectively).Regarding 2L overall survival,we registered a slight increase in neo-RAS wt patients treated with anti-EGFR(33.6 mo vs 32.4 mo,P=0.385).At data cut-off,two patients were still alive:A RAS-mutated patient undergoing 3L treatment and a neo-RAS wt patient who received 2L treatment with anti-EGFR(ongoing).CONCLUSION Our case series demonstrated that monitoring RAS mutations in mCRC by liquid biopsy may provide an additional treatment line for neo-RAS wt patients.

Influence of initial check, information exchange, final accuracy check, reaction information nursing on the psychology of elderly with lung cancer

BACKGROUND As one of the fatal diseases with high incidence,lung cancer has seriously endangered public health and safety.Elderly patients usually have poor self-care and are more likely to show a series of psychological problems.AIM To investigate the effectiveness of the initial check,information exchange,final accuracy check,reaction(IIFAR)information care model on the mental health status of elderly patients with lung cancer.METHODS This study is a single-centre study.We randomly recruited 60 elderly patients with lung cancer who attended our hospital from January 2021 to January 2022.These elderly patients with lung cancer were randomly divided into two groups,with the control group taking the conventional propaganda and education and the observation group taking the IIFAR information care model based on the conventional care protocol.The differences in psychological distress,anxiety and depression,life quality,fatigue,and the locus of control in psychology were compared between these two groups,and the causes of psychological distress were analyzed.RESULTS After the intervention,Distress Thermometer,Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale(HADS)for anxiety and the HADS for depression,Revised Piper’s Fatigue Scale,and Chance Health Locus of Control scores were lower in the observation group compared to the pre-intervention period in the same group and were significantly lower in the observation group compared to those of the control group(P<0.05).After the intervention,Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30(QLQ-C30),Internal Health Locus of Control,and Powerful Others Health Locus of Control scores were significantly higher in the observation and the control groups compared to the pre-intervention period in their same group,and QLQ-C30 scores were significantly higher in the observation group compared to those of the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The IIFAR information care model can help elderly patients with lung cancer by reducing their anxiety and depression,psychological distress,and fatigue,improving their tendencies on the locus of control in psychology,and enhancing their life qualities.

Attribute Reduction of Hybrid Decision Information Systems Based on Fuzzy Conditional Information Entropy

The presence of numerous uncertainties in hybrid decision information systems(HDISs)renders attribute reduction a formidable task.Currently available attribute reduction algorithms,including those based on Pawlak attribute importance,Skowron discernibility matrix,and information entropy,struggle to effectively manages multiple uncertainties simultaneously in HDISs like the precise measurement of disparities between nominal attribute values,and attributes with fuzzy boundaries and abnormal values.In order to address the aforementioned issues,this paper delves into the study of attribute reduction withinHDISs.First of all,a novel metric based on the decision attribute is introduced to solve the problem of accurately measuring the differences between nominal attribute values.The newly introduced distance metric has been christened the supervised distance that can effectively quantify the differences between the nominal attribute values.Then,based on the newly developed metric,a novel fuzzy relationship is defined from the perspective of“feedback on parity of attribute values to attribute sets”.This new fuzzy relationship serves as a valuable tool in addressing the challenges posed by abnormal attribute values.Furthermore,leveraging the newly introduced fuzzy relationship,the fuzzy conditional information entropy is defined as a solution to the challenges posed by fuzzy attributes.It effectively quantifies the uncertainty associated with fuzzy attribute values,thereby providing a robust framework for handling fuzzy information in hybrid information systems.Finally,an algorithm for attribute reduction utilizing the fuzzy conditional information entropy is presented.The experimental results on 12 datasets show that the average reduction rate of our algorithm reaches 84.04%,and the classification accuracy is improved by 3.91%compared to the original dataset,and by an average of 11.25%compared to the other 9 state-of-the-art reduction algorithms.The comprehensive analysis of these research results clearly indicates that our algorithm is highly effective in managing the intricate uncertainties inherent in hybrid data.

Overview of the immunological mechanisms in hepatitis B virus reactivation:Implications for disease progression and management strategies

Hepatitis B virus(HBV)reactivation is a clinically significant challenge in disease management.This review explores the immunological mechanisms underlying HBV reactivation,emphasizing disease progression and management.It delves into host immune responses and reactivation’s delicate balance,spanning innate and adaptive immunity.Viral factors’disruption of this balance,as are interac-tions between viral antigens,immune cells,cytokine networks,and immune checkpoint pathways,are examined.Notably,the roles of T cells,natural killer cells,and antigen-presenting cells are discussed,highlighting their influence on disease progression.HBV reactivation’s impact on disease severity,hepatic flares,liver fibrosis progression,and hepatocellular carcinoma is detailed.Management strategies,including anti-viral and immunomodulatory approaches,are critically analyzed.The role of prophylactic anti-viral therapy during immunosuppressive treatments is explored alongside novel immunotherapeutic interventions to restore immune control and prevent reactivation.In conclusion,this compre-hensive review furnishes a holistic view of the immunological mechanisms that propel HBV reactivation.With a dedicated focus on understanding its implic-ations for disease progression and the prospects of efficient management stra-tegies,this article contributes significantly to the knowledge base.The more profound insights into the intricate interactions between viral elements and the immune system will inform evidence-based approaches,ultimately enhancing disease management and elevating patient outcomes.The dynamic landscape of management strategies is critically scrutinized,spanning anti-viral and immunomodulatory approaches.The role of prophylactic anti-viral therapy in preventing reactivation during immunosuppressive treatments and the potential of innovative immunotherapeutic interventions to restore immune control and proactively deter reactivation.

Robust Information Hiding Based on Neural Style Transfer with Artificial Intelligence

This paper proposes an artificial intelligence-based robust information hiding algorithm to address the issue of confidential information being susceptible to noise attacks during transmission.The algorithm we designed aims to mitigate the impact of various noise attacks on the integrity of secret information during transmission.The method we propose involves encoding secret images into stylized encrypted images and applies adversarial transfer to both the style and content features of the original and embedded data.This process effectively enhances the concealment and imperceptibility of confidential information,thereby improving the security of such information during transmission and reducing security risks.Furthermore,we have designed a specialized attack layer to simulate real-world attacks and common noise scenarios encountered in practical environments.Through adversarial training,the algorithm is strengthened to enhance its resilience against attacks and overall robustness,ensuring better protection against potential threats.Experimental results demonstrate that our proposed algorithm successfully enhances the concealment and unknowability of secret information while maintaining embedding capacity.Additionally,it ensures the quality and fidelity of the stego image.The method we propose not only improves the security and robustness of information hiding technology but also holds practical application value in protecting sensitive data and ensuring the invisibility of confidential information.

Silent information regulator sirtuin 1 ameliorates acute liver failure via the p53/glutathione peroxidase 4/gasdermin D axis

BACKGROUND Acute liver failure(ALF)has a high mortality with widespread hepatocyte death involving ferroptosis and pyroptosis.The silent information regulator sirtuin 1(SIRT1)-mediated deacetylation affects multiple biological processes,including cellular senescence,apoptosis,sugar and lipid metabolism,oxidative stress,and inflammation.AIM To investigate the association between ferroptosis and pyroptosis and the upstream regulatory mechanisms.METHODS This study included 30 patients with ALF and 30 healthy individuals who underwent serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)testing.C57BL/6 mice were also intraperitoneally pretreated with SIRT1,p53,or glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4)inducers and inhibitors and injected with lipopolysaccharide(LPS)/D-galactosamine(D-GalN)to induce ALF.Gasdermin D(GSDMD)^(-/-)mice were used as an experimental group.Histological changes in liver tissue were monitored by hematoxylin and eosin staining.ALT,AST,glutathione,reactive oxygen species,and iron levels were measured using commercial kits.Ferroptosis-and pyroptosis-related protein and mRNA expression was detected by western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.SIRT1,p53,and GSDMD were assessed by immunofluorescence analysis.RESULTS Serum AST and ALT levels were elevated in patients with ALF.SIRT1,solute carrier family 7a member 11(SLC7A11),and GPX4 protein expression was decreased and acetylated p5,p53,GSDMD,and acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4(ACSL4)protein levels were elevated in human ALF liver tissue.In the p53 and ferroptosis inhibitor-treated and GSDMD^(-/-)groups,serum interleukin(IL)-1β,tumour necrosis factor alpha,IL-6,IL-2 and C-C motif ligand 2 levels were decreased and hepatic impairment was mitigated.In mice with GSDMD knockout,p53 was reduced,GPX4 was increased,and ferroptotic events(depletion of SLC7A11,elevation of ACSL4,and iron accumulation)were detected.In vitro,knockdown of p53 and overexpression of GPX4 reduced AST and ALT levels,the cytostatic rate,and GSDMD expression,restoring SLC7A11 depletion.Moreover,SIRT1 agonist and overexpression of SIRT1 alleviated acute liver injury and decreased iron deposition compared with results in the model group,accompanied by reduced p53,GSDMD,and ACSL4,and increased SLC7A11 and GPX4.Inactivation of SIRT1 exacerbated ferroptotic and pyroptotic cell death and aggravated liver injury in LPS/D-GalNinduced in vitro and in vivo models.CONCLUSION SIRT1 activation attenuates LPS/D-GalN-induced ferroptosis and pyroptosis by inhibiting the p53/GPX4/GSDMD signaling pathway in ALF.

Advances in Zika virus vaccines and therapeutics:A systematic review

Zika virus(ZIKV)is the causative agent of a viral infection that causes neurological complications in newborns and adults worldwide.Its wide transmission route and alarming spread rates are of great concern to the scientific community.Numerous trials have been conducted to develop treatment options for ZIKV infection.This review highlights the latest developments in the fields of vaccinology and pharmaceuticals developments for ZIKV infection.A systematic and comprehensive approach was used to gather relevant and up-to-date data so that inferences could be made about the gaps in therapeutic development.The results indicate that several therapeutic interventions are being tested against ZIKV infection,such as DNA vaccines,subunit vaccines,live-attenuated vaccines,virus-vector-based vaccines,inactivated vaccines,virus-like particles,and mRNA-based vaccines.In addition,approved anti-ZIKV drugs that can reduce the global burden are discussed.Although many vaccine candidates for ZIKV are at different stages of development,none of them have received Food and Drug Authority approval for use up to now.The issue of side effects associated with these drugs in vulnerable newborns and pregnant women is a major obstacle in the therapeutic pathway.

Perioperative remedial antiviral therapy in hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma resection:How to achieve a better outcome

BACKGROUND Although the benefits of antiviral therapy for hepatitis B virus(HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)have been proven,researchers have not con-firmed the differences in patient outcomes between patients who received preoperative antiviral therapy for a period of time(at least 24 wk)and patients who received remedial antiviral therapy just before radical resection for HBV-related HCC.AIM To investigate the efficacy of perioperative remedial antiviral therapy in patients with HBV-related HCC.METHODS A retrospective study of patients who underwent radical resection for HBV-related HCC at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University from January 2016 to June 2019 was conducted.Considering the history of antiviral therapy,patients were assigned to remedial antiviral therapy and preoperative antiviral therapy groups.RESULTS Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed significant differences in overall survival(P<0.0001)and disease-free survival(P=0.035)between the two groups.Multivariate analysis demonstrated that a history of preoperative antiviral treatment was independently related to improved survival(hazard ratio=0.27;95%confidence interval:0.08-0.88;P=0.030).CONCLUSION In patients with HBV-related HCC,it is ideal to receive preoperative long-term antiviral therapy,which helps patients tolerate more extensive hepatectomy;however,remedial antiviral therapy,which reduces preoperative HBV-DNA levels to less than 4 Log10 copies DNA/mL,can also result in improved outcomes.

Autoimmune hepatitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis after direct-acting antiviral treatment for hepatitis C virus:A case report

BACKGROUND Chronic hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection is a major global health concern that leads to liver fibrosis,cirrhosis,and cancer.Regimens containing direct-acting antivirals(DAAs)have become the mainstay of HCV treatment,achieving a high sustained virological response(SVR)with minimal adverse events.CASE SUMMARY A 74-year-old woman with chronic HCV infection was treated with the DAAs ledipasvir,and sofosbuvir for 12 wk and achieved SVR.Twenty-four weeks after treatment completion,the liver enzyme and serum IgG levels increased,and antinuclear antibody became positive without HCV viremia,suggesting the development of autoimmune hepatitis(AIH).After liver biopsy indicated AIH,a definite AIH diagnosis was made and prednisolone was initiated.The treatment was effective,and the liver enzyme and serum IgG levels normalized.However,multiple strictures of the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts with dilatation of the peripheral bile ducts appeared on magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography after 3 years of achieving SVR,which were consistent with primary sclerosing cholangitis.CONCLUSION The potential risk of developing autoimmune liver diseases after DAA treatment should be considered.

A framework of force of information influence and application for C4KISR system

The subversive nature of information war lies not only in the information itself, but also in the circulation and application of information. It has always been a challenge to quantitatively analyze the function and effect of information flow through command, control, communications, computer, kill, intelligence,surveillance, reconnaissance (C4KISR) system. In this work, we propose a framework of force of information influence and the methods for calculating the force of information influence between C4KISR nodes of sensing, intelligence processing,decision making and fire attack. Specifically, the basic concept of force of information influence between nodes in C4KISR system is formally proposed and its mathematical definition is provided. Then, based on the information entropy theory, the model of force of information influence between C4KISR system nodes is constructed. Finally, the simulation experiments have been performed under an air defense and attack scenario. The experimental results show that, with the proposed force of information influence framework, we can effectively evaluate the contribution of information circulation through different C4KISR system nodes to the corresponding tasks. Our framework of force of information influence can also serve as an effective tool for the design and dynamic reconfiguration of C4KISR system architecture.

Disparities in the Levels of Whole-Blood Epstein-Barr Virus between the Cancer and Non-Cancer Populations in Zhejiang,China

Objective This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Epstein-Barr virus(EBV)infection in patients with and without cancer.Methods A total of 26,648 participants who underwent whole-blood EBV DNA(WBEBV)assays between January 1,2020,and August 31,2023,were included.The chi-square test was used for categorical data analysis,and R software was used to analyze the differences in EBV DNA load levels and the diagnostic capabilities of WBEBV.Results Positive rates were 10.2%and 25.4%for healthy controls(HC)and patients,respectively.The positivity rate for EBV-associated neoplasms(EN)was the highest at 7.53%,followed by leukemia(Le)at 5.49%.The subgroup analysis showed that the positivity rate for abnormal proliferation or hyperplasia(APH)was 31.9%,followed by 30.5%for Le.The WBEBV of patients with transplants(TP),especially living-related transplants(LT),was the highest among all subgroups.WBEBV at diagnosis was used to differentiate between infectious mononucleosis(IM)and chronic active Epstein-Barr virus(CAEBV),with a sensitivity of 67.4%(95%confidence interval[CI]:57.6-75.8)and specificity of 72%(95%CI:63.3-79.3).We conclude that the prevalence of EBV infection is low in the healthy population in this region and that a high EBV load at baseline is more common in LT,IM,and Lymphocyte Leukemia(LL).Conclusion This study used a large-sample survey to characterize the prevalence of whole-blood EBV levels in various diseases,including the stages and subtypes.The EBV detection rate was higher in patients with malignant disease than in those with benign disease.Our study provides clinicians with baseline information regarding EBV-associated diseases.

Tuning the diffusion constant to optimize the readout of positional information of spatial concentration patterns

Positional information encoded in spatial concentration patterns is crucial for the development of multicellular organisms.However,it is still unclear how such information is affected by the physically dissipative diffusion process.Here we study one-dimensional patterning systems with analytical derivation and numerical simulations.We find that the diffusion constant of the patterning molecules exhibits a nonmonotonic effect on the readout of the positional information from the concentration patterns.Specifically,there exists an optimal diffusion constant that maximizes the positional information.Moreover,we find that the energy dissipation due to the physical diffusion imposes a fundamental upper limit on the positional information.

CRISPR/CasRx-mediated resistance to Soybean mosaic virus in soybean

Soybean mosaic virus(SMV),an RNA virus,is the most common and destructive pathogenic virus in soybean fields.The newly developed CRISPR/Cas immune system has provided a novel strategy for improving plant resistance to viruses;hence,this study aimed to engineer SMV resistance in soybean using this system.Specifically,multiple sgRNAs were designed to target positive-and/or negative-sense strands of the SMV HC-Pro gene.Subsequently,the corresponding CRISPR/CasRx vectors were constructed and transformed into soybeans.After inoculation with SMV,39.02%,35.77%,and 18.70%of T_(1)plants were confirmed to be highly resistant(HR),resistant(R),and mildly resistant(MR)to SMV,respectively,whereas only 6.50%were identified as susceptible(S).Additionally,qRT-PCR and DAS-ELISA showed that,both at 15 and 30 d post-inoculation(dpi),SMV accumulation significantly decreased or was even undetectable in HR and R plants,followed by MR and S plants.Additionally,the expression level of the CasRx gene varied in almost all T_(1)plants with different resistance level,both at 15 and 30 dpi.Furthermore,when SMV resistance was evaluated in the T_(2)generation,the results were similar to those recorded for the T_(1)generation.These findings provide new insights into the application of the CRISPR/CasRx system for soybean improvement and offer a promising alternative strategy for breeding for resistance to biotic stress that will contribute to the development of SMV-immune soybean germplasm to accelerate progress towards greater soybean crop productivity.

Nipah Virus Unveiled: A Review Article

Nipah virus (NiV) is a highly infectious zoonotic pathogen that poses a significant threat to human and animal health. First identified in Malaysia in 1998, NiV has since caused several outbreaks in Southeast Asia, with sporadic cases reported in Bangladesh and India. The virus is primarily transmitted to humans through direct contact with infected animals, primarily fruit bats, or through the consumption of contaminated fruits and their juices. NiV infection presents a wide spectrum of clinical features, ranging from mild respiratory illness to severe encephalitis, with a high case fatality rate. The incubation period typically ranges from 4 to 14 days, during which patients develop fever, headache, myalgia, and respiratory symptoms such as cough and sore throat. As the disease progresses, neurological signs become prominent, including altered consciousness, seizures, and focal deficits. Severe cases may exhibit acute respiratory distress syndrome and multi organ failure. Laboratory findings often include lymphocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, and elevated liver enzymes. Diagnosis of NiV infection requires specialized laboratory testing, including reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and serological assays. Currently, no specific antiviral treatment exists for NiV infection, and management primarily focuses on supportive care. Prevention and control strategies encompass public health interventions, surveillance, and raising awareness among healthcare providers and the general population. The emergence and re-emergence of NiV highlight the urgent need for continued research, improved diagnostic capabilities, and the development of effective vaccines and therapeutics to mitigate the impact of this deadly virus.

Current status of liver transplantation for human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients in China's Mainland

According to the report from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention,the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)infection exceeded 1.2 million individuals by the year 2022,with an annual increase of about 80000 cases.The overall prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen among individuals co-infected with HIV reached 13.7%,almost twice the rate of the general population in China.In addition to the well-documented susceptibility to opportunistic infections and new malignancies,HIV infected patients frequently experience liver-related organ damage,with the liver and kidneys being the most commonly affected.This often leads to the development of end-stage liver and kidney diseases.Therefore,organ transplantation has emerged as an important part of active treatment for HIV infected patients.However,the curative effect is not satisfactory.HIV infection has been considered a contraindication for organ transplantation.Until the emergence of highly active anti-retroviral therapy in 1996,the once intractable replication of retrovirus was effectively inhibited.With prolonged survival,the failure of important organs has become the main cause of death among HIV patients.Therefore,transplant centers worldwide have resu-med exploration of organ transplantation for HIV-infected individuals and reached a positive conclusion.This study provides an overview of the current landscape of HIV-positive patients receiving liver transplantation(LT)in main-land China.To date,our transplant center has conducted LT for eight end-stage liver disease patients co-infected with HIV,and all but one,who died two months postoperatively due to sepsis and progressive multi-organ failure,have survived.Comparative analysis with hepatitis B virus-infected patients during the same period revealed no statistically significant differences in acute rejection reactions,cytomegalovirus infection,bacteremia,pulmonary infections,acute kidney injury,new-onset cancers,or vascular and biliary complications.

Information Conductivity:Universal Performance Measure for Semantic Communications

As a novel paradigm,semantic communication provides an effective solution for breaking through the future development dilemma of classical communication systems.However,it remains an unsolved problem of how to measure the information transmission capability for a given semantic communication method and subsequently compare it with the classical communication method.In this paper,we first present a review of the semantic communication system,including its system model and the two typical coding and transmission methods for its implementations.To address the unsolved issue of the information transmission capability measure for semantic communication methods,we propose a new universal performance measure called Information Conductivity.We provide the definition and the physical significance to state its effectiveness in representing the information transmission capabilities of the semantic communication systems and present elaborations including its measure methods,degrees of freedom,and progressive analysis.Experimental results in image transmission scenarios validate its practical applicability.

Dynamic Update Scheme of Spectrum Information Based on Spectrum Opportunity Incentive in the Database-Assisted Dynamic Spectrum Management

To solve the problem of delayed update of spectrum information(SI) in the database assisted dynamic spectrum management(DB-DSM), this paper studies a novel dynamic update scheme of SI in DB-DSM. Firstly, a dynamic update mechanism of SI based on spectrum opportunity incentive is established, in which spectrum users are encouraged to actively assist the database to update SI in real time. Secondly, the information update contribution(IUC) of spectrum opportunity is defined to describe the cost of accessing spectrum opportunity for heterogeneous spectrum users, and the profit of SI update obtained by the database from spectrum allocation. The process that the database determines the IUC of spectrum opportunity and spectrum user selects spectrum opportunity is mapped to a Hotelling model. Thirdly, the process of determining the IUC of spectrum opportunities is further modelled as a Stackelberg game by establishing multiple virtual spectrum resource providers(VSRPs) in the database. It is proved that there is a Nash Equilibrium in the game of determining the IUC of spectrum opportunities by VSRPs. Finally, an algorithm of determining the IUC based on a genetic algorithm is designed to achieve the optimal IUC. The-oretical analysis and simulation results show that the proposed method can quickly find the optimal solution of the IUC, and ensure that the spectrum resource provider can obtain the optimal profit of SI update.

Characterization of Small-Scale Farmers and Assessment of Their Access to Crop Production Information in Selected Counties of Kenya

Small-scale farming accounts for 78% of total agricultural production in Kenya and contributes to 23.5% of the country’s GDP. Their crop production activities are mostly rainfed subsistence with any surplus being sold to bring in some income. Timely decisions on farm practices such as farm preparation and planting are critical determinants of the seasonal outcomes. In Kenya, most small-scale farmers have no reliable source of information that would help them make timely and accurate decisions. County governments have extension officers who are mandated with giving farmers advisory services to farmers but they are not able to reach most farmers due to facilitation constraints. The mode and format of sharing information is also critical since it’s important to ensure that it’s timely, well-understood and usable. This study sought to assess access to geospatial derived and other crop production information by farmers in four selected counties of Kenya. Specific objectives were to determine the profile of small-scale farmers in terms of age, education and farm size;to determine the type of information that is made available to them by County and Sub-County extension officers including the format and mode of provision;and to determine if the information provided was useful in terms of accuracy, timeliness and adequacy. The results indicated that over 80% of the farmers were over 35 years of age and over 56% were male. Majority had attained primary education (34%) or secondary education (29%) and most farmers in all the counties grew maize (71%). Notably, fellow farmers were a source of information (71%) with the frequency of sharing information being mostly seasonal (37%) and when information was available (43%). Over 66% of interviewed farmers indicating that they faced challenges while using provided information. The results from the study are insightful and helpful in determining effective ways of providing farmers with useful information to ensure maximum benefits.