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Marine population modeling, which underpins the scientific advice to support fisheries interventions, is an active research field with recent advancements to address modern challenges (e.g., climate change) and enduring issues (e.g., data limitations). Based on discussions during the ‘Land of Plenty’ session at the 2021 World Fisheries Congress, we synthesize current challenges, recent advances, and interdisciplinary developments in biological fisheries models (i.e., data-limited, stock assessment, spatial, ecosystem, and climate), management strategy evaluation, and the scientific advice that bridges the science-policy interface. Our review demonstrates that proliferation of interdisciplinary research teams and enhanced data collection protocols have enabled increased integration of spatiotemporal, ecosystem, and socioeconomic dimensions in many fisheries models. However, not all management systems have the resources to implement model-based advice, while protocols for sharing confidential data are lacking and impeding research advances. We recommend that management and modeling frameworks continue to adopt participatory co-management approaches that emphasize wider inclusion of local knowledge and stakeholder input to fill knowledge gaps and promote information sharing. Moreover, fisheries management, by which we mean the end-to-end process of data collection, scientific analysis, and implementation of evidence-informed management actions, must integrate improved communication, engagement, and capacity building, while incorporating feedback loops at each stage. Increasing application of management strategy evaluation is viewed as a critical unifying component, which will bridge fisheries modeling disciplines, aid management decision-making, and better incorporate the array of stakeholders, thereby leading to a more proactive, pragmatic, transparent, and inclusive management framework–ensuring better informed decisions in an uncertain world.

Direct laser metal deposition (DLMD) is a breaking edge laser-based additive manufacturing (LAM) technique with the possibility of changing the perception of design and manufacturing as a whole. It is well suitable for building and repairing applications in the aerospace industry which usually requires high level of accuracy and customization of parts; this technique enables the fabrication of materials known to pose difficulties during processing such as titanium alloys. Ti-6Al-4V, which is the most employed titanium-based alloy is one of the materials that are most explored for additive manufacturing process. However, this process is currently at its pioneer stage and very little is known about the fundamental metallurgy and physio-chemical basis that govern the process. Currently, the major problems faced in additive manufacturing include evolution of residual stresses leading to deformed parts and formation of defects such as pores and cracks which are detrimental to the quality of deposits. The presence of these unwanted defects on additively manufactured parts depends on the complex mechanisms taking place in the melt pool during melting, cooling, and solidification which are dependent on processing variables. In addition, during fabrication, some feedstock powder does not melt and thus does not make up part of the final product. The present text entails classification of LAM technologies, operational principles of DLMD, feedstock quality requirements, material laser interaction mechanism, and metallurgy of Ti-6AL-4V alloy.

This paper addresses the current challenges in cybersecurity of smart metering infrastructure, specifically in relation to the Czech Decree 359/2020 and the DLMS security suite (device language message specification). The authors present a novel testing methodology for verifying cybersecurity requirements, motivated by the need to comply with European directives and legal requirements of the Czech authority. The methodology encompasses testing cybersecurity parameters of smart meters and related infrastructure, as well as evaluating wireless communication technologies in the context of cybersecurity requirements. The article contributes by summarizing the cybersecurity requirements, creating a testing methodology, and evaluating a real smart meter, using the proposed approach. The authors conclude by presenting a methodology that can be replicated and tools that can be used to test smart meters and the related infrastructure. This paper aims to propose a more effective solution and takes a significant step towards improving the cybersecurity of smart metering technologies.

Background Mitochondria play an important role in the energy metabolism and are susceptible to environmental pollution. Prenatal air pollution exposure has been linked with childhood obesity. Placental mtDNA mutations have been associated with prenatal particulate matter exposure and MT-ND4L 10550A>G heteroplasmy has been associated with BMI in adults. Therefore, we hypothesized that in utero PM 2.5 exposure is associated with cord blood MT-ND4L 10550A>G heteroplasmy and early life growth. In addition, the role of cord blood MT-ND4L 10550A>G heteroplasmy in overweight during early childhood is investigated. Methods This study included 386 mother-newborn pairs. Outdoor PM 2.5 concentrations were determined at the maternal residential address. Cord blood MT-ND4L 10550A>G heteroplasmy was determined using Droplet Digital PCR. Associations were explored using logistic regression models and distributed lag linear models. Mediation analysis was performed to quantify the effects of prenatal PM 2.5 exposure on childhood overweight mediated by cord blood MT-ND4L 10550A>G heteroplasmy. Results Prenatal PM 2.5 exposure was positively associated with childhood overweight during the whole pregnancy (OR = 2.33; 95% CI: 1.20 to 4.51; p  = 0.01), which was mainly driven by the second trimester. In addition, prenatal PM 2.5 exposure was associated with cord blood MT-ND4L 10550A>G heteroplasmy from gestational week 9 – 13. The largest effect was observed in week 10, where a 5 µg/m 3 increment in PM 2.5 was linked with cord blood MT-ND4L 10550A>G heteroplasmy (OR = 0.93; 95% CI: 0.87 to 0.99). Cord blood MT-ND4L 10550A>G heteroplasmy was also linked with childhood overweight (OR = 3.04; 95% CI: 1.15 to 7.50; p  = 0.02). The effect of prenatal PM 2.5 exposure on childhood overweight was mainly direct (total effect OR = 1.18; 95% CI: 0.99 to 1.36; natural direct effect OR = 1.20; 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.36)) and was not mediated by cord blood MT-ND4L 10550A>G heteroplasmy. Conclusions Cord blood MT-ND4L 10550A>G heteroplasmy was linked with childhood overweight. In addition, in utero exposure to PM 2.5 during the first trimester of pregnancy was associated with cord blood MT-ND4L 10550A>G heteroplasmy in newborns. Our analysis did not reveal any mediation of cord blood MT-ND4L 10550A>G heteroplasmy in the association between PM 2.5 exposure and childhood overweight.

This paper focuses in the improvement of the BER performance of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems is investigated utilizing non-orthogonal multiple access-visible light communication (NOMA-VLC). Applying multi-user downlink MIMO-NOMA-VLC system within equal gain combiner at the receiver is used with two types of modulation; On–Off Keying (OOK) and L-Pulse Position Modulation, with L = 4 and 8. The perfect and imperfect successive interference cancellation scenario is used in this system, and the scenario is considered for two and three users. Our proposed framework is divided into two stages. First, data is collected using the MATLAB software. Second, two deep learning models (DLMs); ResNet50V2 and InceptionResNetV2 which are trained and tested. Python software is then used to develop and train the DLMs. The obtained results assures the superiority of ResNet50V2 over InceptionResNetV2, in different cases and for all users. The BER performance is also studied versus α for two and three users OOK modulation single-input single-output (SISO), (2 × 2) and (3 × 2) MIMO-NOMA-VLC systems based on the two DL techniques; ResNet50V2 and InceptionResNetV2. Again, ResNet50V2 achieves better results than InceptionResNetV2. The obtained results are compared with the previously published ones, showing that the proposed system and techniques achieve better results.

Purpose This study evaluated the differences in meniscal sizes and occupancy between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients diagnosed with discoid lateral meniscus (DLM) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to understand how these variations relate to the presence of symptoms and the patients’ age. Methods A retrospective review of 98 patients with DLM was conducted, excluding those with meniscal displacement. Both the width and extrusion of DLM and the percentage of the meniscus to the tibia were measured using mid-coronal and mid-sagittal MRI and compared between symptomatic and asymptomatic DLM groups. The relationships among each parameter, meniscal size, and patient age were evaluated. Symptomatic cases were divided into those with and without horizontal tears on MRI to compare the differences in meniscal morphology. Results A total of 92 knees from 74 patients were included. Sixty-one knees required surgical intervention for symptomatic DLM, while 31 were asymptomatic and included the contralateral side of symptomatic knees. The symptomatic group exhibited larger morphological variations than the asymptomatic group. Moreover, the sagittal meniscal ratio reduced with age in the asymptomatic group (r = − 0.54, p = 0.002) but remained constant in the symptomatic group. The symptomatic cases with horizontal tears demonstrated larger meniscal dimensions and smaller posterior capsule distances than those without tears. Conclusion Symptomatic patients with DLM had larger knee morphological changes than asymptomatic ones. Age affected the meniscal occupancy in the sagittal plane only in asymptomatic patients. Level of evidence III.

The DLMS (Device Language Message Specification) standard is widely adopted in smart metering systems for utility services, as it defines the mechanisms that enable the standardized and interoperable exchange of data between metering devices. Wi-SUN FAN (Wireless Smart Ubiquitous Network Field Area Network) is a wireless communication standard that has gained increasing attention in the field of smart metering networks, due to its capability to operate in mesh topologies and support multi-hop communications in an efficient and scalable manner. To date, no studies have been reported that evaluate the combined performance of the DLMS and Wi-SUN FAN standards. In this context, this work evaluates the performance of the DLMS standard over a Wi-SUN FAN network through detailed simulations conducted using the Contiki-NG/Cooja platform. The study implements the DLMS data transmission process and evaluates key performance metrics such as Packet Delivery Rate (PDR) and latency, considering both linear and mesh network topologies. The results demonstrate that a Wi-SUN FAN network can provide efficient and reliable communication services, achieving PDR values above 86.02% in both topologies, thereby confirming its feasibility for DLMS-based smart metering applications.

This paper describes some insights on applicability of a Selective Laser Melting and Direct Metal Laser Sintering technology-manufactured turbine blade models for aerodynamic tests in a wind tunnel. The principal idea behind this research was to assess the possibilities of using ‘raw’ DLMS printed turbine blade models for gas-flow experiments. The actual blade, manufactured using the DLMS technology, is assessed in terms of surface quality (roughness), geometrical shape and size (outline), quality of counterbores and quality of small diameter holes. The results are evaluated for the experimental aerodynamics standpoint. This field of application imposes requirements that have not yet been described in the literature. The experimental outcomes prove the surface quality does not suffice to conduct quantitative experiments. The holes that are necessary for pressure measurements in wind tunnel experiments cannot be reduced below 1 mm in diameter. The dimensional discrepancies are on the level beyond acceptable. Additionally, the problem of ‘reversed tolerance’, with the material building up and distorting the design, is visible in elements printed with the DLMS technology. The results indicate the necessity of post-machining of the printed elements prior their experimental usage, as their features in the ‘as fabricated’ state significantly disturb the flow conditions.

In an advanced waveform, a lower PAPR is essential for reducing power amplifier non-linearities and enhancing system performance. An overview of PAPR reduction techniques is provided in this abstract for three widely used modulation schemes in optical and wireless communication systems: optical-orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (O-OFDM), optical-filter Bank Multicarrier (O-FBMC), and optical-non-orthogonal Multiple Access (O-NOMA). An overview of PAPR reduction techniques in FBMC, OFDM, and Optical-NOMA systems is given in this study. The text underscores the significance of PAPR reduction in enhancing system efficiency and examines the distinct methodologies utilized in every modulation scheme. The efficiency and dependability of optical and wireless communication systems can be significantly increased by comprehending and putting these PAPR reduction techniques into practice. For the optical-multi carrier waveforms with and without PAPR algorithms, parameters including bit error rate (BER), PAPR, and power spectral density (PSD) are assessed and compared. In comparison to the O-OFDM and O-FBMC waveforms, the computer simulation results show that the Deep learning method (DLM) for O-NOMA obtained a significant BER gain of 4.2 dB and 2.4 dB, PAPR gain of 4.4 dB and 2.3 dB, with improved PSD performance.

The use of digital environments in nursing education offers new opportunities for nursing students' medical mathematics learning. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Digital Learning Materials (DLMs) on nursing students' mathematics learning, self-efficacy, and task value. A pre-test/post-test control group design was used. Students were assigned to the DLMs group (experimental condition) or the face-to-face group (control condition). Students in both conditions completed the same assignments and discussed these with their peers and the (online) teacher via the discussion board or in the classroom setting. The results showed that the mathematics learning of students undergoing DLMs training and of those undergoing face-to-face training improved from the pretest to the post-test, but no significant differences were found between the two conditions. A significant interaction effect between condition and self-efficacy was reported, producing a large reduction in the self-efficacy of students in the DLMs condition and a small reduction in the self-efficacy of students in the face-to-face condition. No significant differences were found for students' task value. The study offers new insights for the future design of mathematics training with DLMs, focusing on students’ appreciation of DLMs features, considering students with low and high learning abilities separately. •Digital Learning Materials offer opportunities for nursing students' mathematics learning.•Teachers should encourage students to actively participate in DLMs environments.•Online teachers should support self-efficacy of students.•Students with high learning abilities appreciate instructional domain-specific clips.