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Challenges in establishing ambulatory surgery in a Moroccan general surgery department
Phase shift optimization in reconfigurable intelligent surface-assisted UAV in hierarchical aerial computing networks
Abstract The evolution toward 6G wireless networks necessitates innovative solutions to support the massive Internet of Things (IoT) deployments with unprecedented computational and communication requirements, motivating this A comprehensive framework that integrates Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS) technology with hierarchical aerial computing networks by combining RIS-equipped Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) operating as mobile edge computing nodes with High-Altitude Platforms (HAPs) to create a three-tier computing hierarchy addressing the limitations of conventional terrestrial infrastructure. The system model encompasses RIS-equipped UAVs serving terrestrial IoT devices with a single HAP providing high-capacity computational resources, where the RIS phase optimization is formulated as a Riemannian conjugate gradient problem on complex circle manifolds to maximize total system throughput while naturally handling unit modulus constraints through a three-stage sequential decomposition approach. Extensive Monte Carlo simulations demonstrate significant performance improvements over the comparable algorithm without RIS enhancement, with the RIS-enhanced system achieving 18% throughput improvement, near-linear scalability serving approximately 100% of available IoT devices compared to the algorithm In the comparable algorithm at 100 devices, a 95% task completion rate was maintained across all network loads versus 79–80% for the algorithm compared to the comparable algorithm. The results validate the potential of RIS-enabled aerial networks as a transformative solution for scalable and efficient 6G IoT services, with enhanced channel quality from intelligent phase configuration, enabling superior resource utilization and service provisioning in hierarchical computing architectures, establishing key contributions including novel RIS-aerial computing integration, advanced Riemannian manifold optimization with superior convergence properties, unified resource allocation combining stable matching theory with externality elimination, comprehensive performance analysis demonstrating practical viability, and real-world implementation considerations for future multi-UAV scenarios and energy-efficient designs.
Retention in care and viral suppression in people living with HIV and chronic hepatitis B in Maputo City, Mozambique: a prospective cohort study
Adipocyte-specific NR5A2 deficiency ameliorates diet-induced metabolic syndrome by suppressing adipose tissue inflammation
Effective manipulation of multi-state memory in bulk PtCo/IrMn via spin-orbit torque
Multi-agent systems and credibility-based advanced scoring mechanism in fact-checking
Functional training versus conventional physiotherapy for postpartum pelvic girdle pain: a randomized controlled trial
A high density of T-cell lymphocytes and Tregs subset correlate to a worse survival in major salivary gland carcinomas
Sleep is associated with posttraumatic stress symptom severity in patients with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator depending on age
Nonlinear magnetic ring model based on impedance measurements with DC-bias current
Stable nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots with pH-controlled fluorescence response for Fe3+ detection
Abstract Nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (NCQDs) were synthesized via a facile and optimized hydrothermal method. The as-prepared CQDs were comprehensively characterized using AFM, HRTEM, DLS, ζ-potential, EDX, XRD, Raman, FTIR, UV–Vis, and fluorescence spectroscopy, confirming their nanoscale dimensions, graphitic structure, abundant nitrogen- and oxygen-containing surface functionalities, and excellent aqueous dispersibility. The CQDs exhibited strong blue fluorescence with excitation-independent emission and a relatively high quantum yield of 37.8%. Their fluorescence stability was systematically evaluated over a wide range of pH values, ionic strengths, and solvent environments, demonstrating robust optical performance. Importantly, the fluorescence sensing behavior toward Fe 3+ ions was critically examined under different pH conditions, revealing that Fe 3+ detection in alkaline media is severely hindered by Fe(OH) 3 precipitation, which leads to misleading quenching effects. By conducting sensing experiments under strongly acidic conditions (pH = 2), where Fe 3+ remains fully soluble, a clear and reliable fluorescence quenching response was achieved over a wide linear range (20–1000 µM), with a detection limit of 10.25 µM. In addition, the practical applicability of the CQDs was demonstrated through fluorescent ink and CQDs/PVA composite films.
Non-linear relationships between auditory mismatch responses and the inharmonicity of complex sounds
Abstract Harmonicity is a feature of sound that is important for many aspects of auditory perception and previous research has shown that harmonicity modulates the brain’s mismatch responses to oddball sounds. Predictive processing accounts of perception suggest that the brain generates predictions about the incoming stimuli. Since inharmonic sound spectra contain more information, inharmonicity has been suggested to be involved in precision weighting, an important component of predictive processing theories. In this study we explored this issue by parametrically modulating the level of inharmonicity applied to synthetic sounds and recording mismatch responses (MMN and P3a) from healthy volunteers ( N = 37) using electroencephalography. Our results show that a sigmoid function models the relationship between inharmonicity and MMN amplitude better than any linear or polynomial function. Furthermore, P3a amplitude has an inverted-U relationship with inharmonicity and peaks at inharmonicity levels just below the threshold for pitch discrimination. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that inharmonicity impairs F0 extraction above a certain threshold.
Structural evolution and optical tailoring of Mg-doped ZnO: Insights into doping-induced modifications
Machine learning methods for designing a carbon dot based photoluminescent multimodal nanosensor
AI-augmented geothermal model for scalable energy uncertainties in buildings
Analysis of epidemiological characteristics and associated factors of congenital hypothyroidism in Henan Province
Household food waste from a settlement perspective in Cape Town South Africa
Abstract Food security, greenhouse gas emissions from the food supply chain, and waste disposal are three of the most pressing global challenges. Food waste impedes food security, environmental sustainability, and economic resilience, especially in rapidly urbanizing destitute settlements of the Global South, where structural vulnerabilities intensify the issue. This study examines the extent, nature, and drivers of household food waste in Wallacedene, a less privileged settlement on Cape Town’s periphery. Using a mixed-methods approach, we conducted 85 household surveys alongside a focus group discussion to explore food waste practices, perceptions, and challenges. Findings indicate that 85% of households discard edible food, predominantly vegetables, bread, and fruit. Key drivers include inadequate meal planning, restricted access to refrigeration and storage facilities, irregular income affecting purchasing habits, and limited awareness of food preservation techniques. While many participants reported guilt, sadness, and frustration over food waste, their ability to reduce it was constrained by structural and material barriers. This study underscores the intricate relationship between individual behaviors and systemic limitations, arguing that household food waste requires a multifaceted approach beyond behavior change campaigns. Effective interventions must integrate education, infrastructure improvements, and community-driven solutions adapted to local contexts. Additionally, households should align food disposal decisions with ethical and moral principles rooted in Ubuntu (Botho), reinforcing collective responsibility and minimizing waste through economic and socially inclusive food-sharing practices. These findings provide empirical evidence for food waste in low-income African settlements, offering actionable insights for policies supporting Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 of the United Nations.