Search

Adults readily coordinate on temporary pacts about how to refer to things in conversation. Young children are also capable of forming pacts with peers given appropriate experimenter intervention. Here, we investigate whether parents may spontaneously provide a similar kind of scaffolding with U.S. children in a director–matcher task (N = 201, 49% female; ages 4, 6, 8). In Experiment 1, we show that parents initiate more clarification exchanges with younger children who, in turn, are more likely to adopt labels introduced by the parent. We then examine whether the benefit of such scaffolding acts primarily through childrens' difficulties with comprehension (Experiment 2) or production (Experiment 3). Our findings suggest that parents primarily scaffold pacts by easing children's production difficulties, modeling cooperative communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Underwater wireless sensor networks (UWSNs) based on autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) have become the standard technology for underwater search tasks with the advent of new underwater information and communication technologies (ICTs). It is also vulnerable to threats and malicious attacks because of its inherent characteristics, open acoustic channel and hostile underwater environment. The purpose of this research is to develop a secure data transfer (SDF) system based on software‐defined networking (SDN) architecture with cooperative searching scheme (CSS) (SDN‐SDF‐CSS) for AUV‐based UWSN. This part employs data, local control and the primary control layer to provide a scalable SDN‐based architecture for the AUV‐based UWSN. To accomplish the underwater search operation, the data layer is primarily deployed to gather AUVs (G‐AUVs) and store AUVs (S‐AUVs). In order to schedule the AUV, the clustering process takes place based on priority ranking with respect to the average power of each cluster. Then, the CSS is developed, and it is performed in the data layer. The hierarchical localization framework (HLF) can be used to locate each AUV's location within the data layer, which is a necessary step in deploying the cooperative searching model. Finally, for an efficient data transfer, the communication model is deployed in the data layer. UWSNs are vulnerable to various malicious attacks (such as bad‐mouthing attacks, on–off attacks, blackhole attacks and wormhole attacks) because of the high bit error rate and unstable optical/acoustic channels in the underwater environment. To overcome this, an SDF technique is used, which involves isolating the attacker node from the data layer. The suggested SDN‐SDF‐CSS model is implemented on the MATLAB platform, and its performance is evaluated using various evaluation metrics, both with and without attacks. As a result, the proposed SDN‐SDF‐CSS model has achieved better performance and proved its superiority in the UWSN environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microservice architecture splits the traditional monolithic application into different small services. Differences in programming language and data structure make communication between each service difficult, and the communication performance between services directly affects the performance of the entire microservice architecture. Thus, communication performance improvement between services has become a challenge for microservice architectures. This study proposes a microservice service communication technique called remote procedure call multiple (RPCM), which uses different network communication models to achieve inter-service communication based on the domain in which the services are located. RPCM can be used to improve the communication performance between services. We conducted performance stress comparison experiments between RPCM and two other service communication technologies. We evaluated RPCM's performance by measuring the time spent processing requests and transaction performance stress metrics, such as transactions per second, using different threads and numbers of requests in both local and remote domains. The extensive experimental results showed that RPCM performs significantly better than the other techniques under local domain conditions. Furthermore, RPCM helps deploy different services based on the performance requirements to achieve the best microservice communication performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The paper reports on developments in the Information Seeking and Communication Model (ISCM) since it was first presented in 2013, focussing on how the model, derived by explicitly drawing on previous models, frameworks, and concepts, has been applied, adapted and extended. This paper summarises the reception of the ISCM, and describes two new applications in different contexts. Design/methodology/approach: A literature review details applications of, comments on and critiques of, the ISCM since its introduction. Two exploratory studies of health information seeking behaviour show the application of the ISCM in novel contexts. Findings: The literature cited here, and the two studies outlined show the applicability and extendibility of the ISCM, as well as its value in helping to capture the holistic context of information seeking, the interplay between providers and seekers of information, including fluidity of provider/seeker roles, and emotional dimensions of information seeking and use. Originality/value: The paper responds to the call by Case and Given (2016) for further empirical testing of the ISCM and similar conceptual models. It shows the range of applicability of this model, and models drawn from it, and makes recommendations for further development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid increase in the number of various terminal devices in distribution systems, the important impact of communication networks on power supply reliability in cyber–physical distribution systems (CPDSs) is becoming increasingly prominent. The traditional wired communication method makes it difficult to meet the demand in some scenarios due to high cost and construction difficulty. For this reason, this study evaluated the reliability of power distribution cyber–physical systems, considering fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication technology wireless access conditions. First, a reliability model of a communication channel in a 5G communication network was established, and the indirect impact of information system failure on the power distribution system was analyzed. Secondly, a reliability assessment method based on the improved least path method was devised by combining switch action failure, self-healing processing, and load transfer. The simulation results show that 5G communication technology has significant advantages in improving system reliability, and the proposed method is closer to the development direction of future power distribution systems, which provides an effective reference basis for the optimized operation of power distribution cyber–physical systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accelerating text input in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is a long-standing area of research with bearings on the quality of life in individuals with profound motor impairments. Recent advances in large language models (LLMs) pose opportunities for re-thinking strategies for enhanced text entry in AAC. In this paper, we present SpeakFaster, consisting of an LLM-powered user interface for text entry in a highly-abbreviated form, saving 57% more motor actions than traditional predictive keyboards in offline simulation. A pilot study on a mobile device with 19 non-AAC participants demonstrated motor savings in line with simulation and relatively small changes in typing speed. Lab and field testing on two eye-gaze AAC users with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis demonstrated text-entry rates 29–60% above baselines, due to significant saving of expensive keystrokes based on LLM predictions. These findings form a foundation for further exploration of LLM-assisted text entry in AAC and other user interfaces. Individuals with severe motor impairments use gaze to type and communicate. This paper presents a large language model-based user interface that enables gaze typing in highly abbreviated forms, achieving significant motor saving and speed gain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article argues that tahakkum [ التَّحَكُّمِ ], an indigenous intercultural communication concept, impedes the functioning of the public sphere and underlines the failure (or unwillingness) of the authoritarian state and political actors to set conditions for plural deliberation and good governance. Using the critical cases of the sliding back of Islamist influence and the hirak (movement) against water privatization in an oasis town in southeast Morocco, the article theorizes tahakkum and proposes "other-interculturality" as an-other epistemological and ethical framework to articulate an intercultural communication model that interrogates embedded layers of power and domination, champions collective solidarity, and celebrates diversity without occluding difference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vehicular Ad-Hoc Networks (VANETs) play a crucial role in the development of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), leveraging Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V), Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I), and Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication models. These networks, however, face challenges such as node administration, security, and efficient routing, particularly due to the unpredictable nature of vehicle mobility. Traditional routing protocols like Adhoc On-Demand Distance Vector (AODV), Optimized Link State Routing (OLSR), and Destination Sequence Distance Vector (DSDV) are often inadequate for VANETs. Addressing these challenges, we propose FLQL-VANET, a hybrid mechanism that integrates fuzzy logic and Q-learning for enhanced routing. The clustering mechanism in FLQL-VANET selects cluster heads based on parameters such as connectivity, vehicle direction, distance, velocity, path loss, signal quality, and time to leave. Q-learning optimizes the routing path through a reward mechanism, ensuring efficient data transmission. The comparative analysis demonstrates that FLQL-VANET outperforms existing methods such as RMRPTS, ICA-RBF, and KMRP. Our approach achieves an average packet delivery rate of 96.7%, an end-to-end delay of 0.61 seconds, and an average throughput of 868 kbps. These results indicate significant improvements in routing efficiency and reliability, highlighting the potential of FLQL-VANET to enhance VANET performance in real-world scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Harnessing satellite resources to designate a communication network has felicitous the flexibility to bounteous applications, including broadcasting, news gathering, aeronautical and maritime tracking. The peculiarities of the satellite-integrated terrestrial network offer high-throughput services, stable and reliable network quality, and seamless geographical coverage of remote areas. Lamentably, the structural features of the network are vulnerable to the intrusion of unauthorized users and can bring drastically hazardous glitches. Therefore, authentication is an appealing solution for a substantial boost in the services of this network. Numerous researchers have investigated and proposed solutions in the literature, but some of them are user-oriented while others have security or efficiency issues. Through this paper, we project a reliable and secure satellite-to-satellite authentication protocol, exploiting the complexity aids of the elliptic curve discrete logarithm problem. The competency of the protocol against the various attack is portrayed with the formal proof in ROR (Real-or-random) model, Burrows–Abadi–Needham (BAN) logic, descriptive proof under informal analysis, and the verification tool scyther. Furthermore, the computational, communication, and bandwidth overhead comparison with the existing protocol such as Thakur et al. and Soltani et al. by 16.58 % and 33.83 % that indicates the efficiency and superiority of the proposed protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Truck platooning technology has been widely studied for its advantages in traffic efficiency and energy savings. Although recent studies have made significant progress in specific scenarios, research on merging ramp trucks into the main road truck platoons remains insufficient. This paper proposes an innovative cooperative control method for merging ramp trucks and main road truck platoons based on vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology. The method integrates the intelligent driver model (IDM), acceleration control logic for merging trucks before merging, lane-changing decision logic, steering control methods, and on-board unit (OBU) and roadside unit (RSU) communication technologies. This ensures that autonomous merging trucks can smoothly join the main road truck platoon under various insertion positions and acceleration lane lengths. After successfully joining the platoon, the merging trucks can maintain appropriate spacing and high speed, thereby improving overall traffic efficiency. Further analysis on different insertion positions and acceleration lane lengths reveals that when using the proposed method, merging trucks have the least impact on the overall platoon when they join at the head or tail of the main road truck platoon. Although the proposed method performs better with longer acceleration lanes, these lanes are costly to construct. The proposed method can also enable successful platoon joining with shorter acceleration lanes, optimizing the use of acceleration lanes to some extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In environments with unknown communication interference, the mission efficiency of heterogeneous unmanned aerial vehicle (HUAV) swarms is often impacted by communication disruptions due to regions of strong interference encountered when executing reconnaissance and coverage missions. Existing research has rarely focused on communication interference or on the differences in HUAV characteristics under various control architectures; thus, in this paper we explore the performance differences between HUAV swarms based on centralized, distributed, and centralized-distributed architectures when executing reconnaissance and coverage missions in environments with unknown communication interference. First, a communication model in an unknown interference environment is constructed to reflect the real-time communication status of the swarm. Second, in response to the limitations of the traditional artificial potential field (APF) algorithm in this environment, a coverage-oriented artificial potential field (COAPF) algorithm is proposed. Finally, based on the COAPF algorithm, a multi-dimensional comparison of the mission completion efficiency of HUAV swarms with three different architectures is conducted. Our simulation results indicate that the distributed architecture is suitable for large-scale environments with strong interference, while the centralized–distributed architecture performs better in small-scale environments with weak interference. Conversely, the centralized architecture exhibits poor performance in all interference scenarios due to its lack of decision-making capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses semiotic elements of ritual in human encounter. The notion of an essential ritual presence in the existential/communicative connection of persons has been established in the work of Langer, Gadamer, and Jakobson. Yet, as Richard Lanigan maintains, vital aspects of Jakobson's model of communication are typically missed in the application of his work, a consequence of which is that social science no longer differentiates between "communication" and "information". As such, everything perceived as meaningful is reducible to "message", and thus, effective communication means merely "finding the right message". The regression to our current cybernetic world, along with the intellectual paradigms enabling it, was never a foregone conclusion, but the entrenchment of social science in information theory makes it clear that an epistemological commitment to a semiotic phenomenology of communicative existence—and the visibility of ritual life—may well be our only way out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conclusion: This study pioneers the application of the distributed deep learning (DDL) strategy for landslide displacement prediction and proposes an innovative DDL-CFNN model for accurate forecasting of landslide deformation within the constraints of data silos. The DDL-CFNN model enables multiple landslide institutions to collaboratively train their prediction models through the communication of model features instead of exchanging raw data. This approach allows each institution to enhance the performance of its prediction model by indirectly expanding the training dataset through useful information shared from others. The effectiveness of the DDL-CFNN model is demonstrated through a case study of the Baijiabao landslide in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area (TGRA), showcasing its ability to accurately predict landslide deformation under data silo conditions. Notably, the DDL-CFNN model outperforms traditional DL models that are trained individually reducing prediction error by approximately 62%–76% across all evaluated scenarios. The proposed method holds significant potential for improving the prediction and forecasting of geological hazards amidst data silos and can provide crucial data support for the development of landslide geohazard control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The graph parameter domination is considered perhaps one of the fastest-growing areas in graph theory since the fundamental efforts of Berge and Ore in 1962. The domination number of a graph may be determined using the parameter neighbor-component order connectivity which is defined as the minimum number of nodes such that removing these nodes and their adjacent neighbors ensure all remaining components have order less than some given threshold value. Given a threshold value of one, the neighbor-component order connectivity of a graph is equivalent to the well-known parameter domination number of the graph. The problem of computing the domination number of an arbitrary graph is NP-hard, and computing neighbor-component order connectivity of a graph for an arbitrary threshold value is also NP-hard. We will look at the organizational structure of a unicycle graph which aids in modeling the vulnerability of a communication network. In order to assess the vulnerability of this network, we present a polynomial algorithm for computing the neighbor-component order connectivity of a unicycle. We also note that this algorithm covers the case of a threshold value of one and offers an algorithm for the domination number of the unicycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research revisits the communication mediation model to understand when citizens support AI policies. Using data from a national online survey (N = 1252), our research delineates the mechanism by which AI-related news consumption enhances AI literacy through AI-related discussions, subsequently fostering enhanced support for AI policies and regulations. In this process, AI efficacy emerges as a critical boundary condition. Specifically, the relationship between AI-related news consumption and support for AI policy and regulation via AI discussions and literacy varies contingent on levels of AI efficacy. The findings highlight a moderated indirect effect, whereby the positive influence from AI-related news consumption to support for AI policy and regulation through AI discussions and AI literacy only occurs when citizens have high levels of AI efficacy. This research offers a deeper understanding of the factors encouraging citizen engagement in AI policy and regulation activities and provides valuable insights for AI literacy and education from theoretical, practical, and policy perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the problem of an agent continuously faced with the decision of placing or not placing trust in an institution. The agent makes use of Bayesian learning in order to estimate the institution's true trustworthiness and makes the decision to place trust based on myopic rationality. Using elements from random walk theory, we explicitly derive the probability that such an agent ceases placing trust at some point in the relationship, as well as the expected time spent placing trust conditioned on their discontinuation thereof. We then continue by modeling two truster agents, each in their own relationship to the institution. We consider two natural models of communication between them. In the first ("observable rewards") agents disclose their experiences with the institution with one another, while in the second ("observable actions") agents merely witness the actions of their neighbor, i.e. placing or not placing trust. Under the same assumptions as in the single agent case, we describe the evolution of the beliefs of agents under these two different communication models. Both the probability of ceasing to place trust and the expected time in the system elude explicit expressions, despite there being only two agents. We therefore conduct a simulation study in order to compare the effect of the different kinds of communication on the trust dynamics. We find that a pair of agents in both communication models has a greater chance of learning the true trustworthiness of an institution than a single agent. Communication between agents promotes the formation of long-term trust with a trustworthy institution as well as the timely exit from a trust relationship with an untrustworthy institution. Contrary to what one might expect, we find that having less information (observing each other's actions instead of experiences) can sometimes be beneficial to the agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given how quickly artificial intelligence technology is developing, federated learning (FL) has emerged to enable effective model training while protecting data privacy. However, when using homomorphic encryption (HE) techniques for privacy protection, FL faces challenges related to the integrity of HE ciphertexts. In the HE-based privacy-preserving FL framework, the public disclosure of the public key and the homomorphic additive property of the HE algorithm pose serious threats to the integrity of the ciphertext of FL's aggregated results. For the first time, this paper employs covert communication by embedding the hash value of the aggregated result ciphertext received by the client into the ciphertext of local model parameters using the lossless homomorphic additive property of the Paillier algorithm. When the server receives the ciphertext of the local model parameters, it can extract and verify the hash value to determine whether the ciphertext of the FL's aggregated results has been tampered with. We also used chaotic sequences to select the embedding positions, further enhancing the concealment of the scheme. The experimental findings demonstrate that the suggested plan passed the Welch's t-test, the K–L divergence test, and the K–S test. These findings confirm that ciphertexts containing covert information are statistically indistinguishable from normal ciphertexts, thereby affirming the proposed scheme's effectiveness in safeguarding the integrity of the FL's aggregated ciphertext results. The channel capacity of this scheme can reach up to 512 bits per round, which is higher compared to other FL-based covert channels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Game management is a multifaceted strategy used by referees that includes various aspects such as consistent decision making and increased communication. To date, empirical investigation of these theoretical considerations has been limited due to methodological and practical restrictions. This study empirically examines predictions made by the threshold process model, which posits that contextual factors (specifically game aggression) and individual differences influence the time point of application of game management strategies by referees. To achieve this, consistent deviations in decision-making tendencies of participants, compared to accurate decisions made by expert observers who had access to repeated and slow-motion scene viewings, were measured. The experimental sample comprised 117 basketball referees and players. Comparisons of scenes presented in non-aggressive and aggressive contexts reveal that an aggressive game context leads to milder decision making. Regarding the timing of the shift to game management, findings from a mixed ANCOVA provide evidence that expert referees transition earlier to game management in aggressive contexts compared to non-aggressive contexts. However, predictions regarding the influence of individual differences on decision making are not supported. Regression models investigating communication attempts suggest that the employed approach effectively assesses overall communication tendencies, indicating that referees utilise communication as a compensatory mechanism when uncertain about their decisions. The study's findings support the practical validity of the predictions derived from the threshold process model, particularly in relation to the impact of game context. Future research should incorporate broader assessments of various personality constructs and additionally scrutinise referees' decision making in games with varying aggression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

FSO is the best communication medium for data transmission because of its high bandwidth, effective deployability and maximum transmission data rates with very high security. In this research paper an optical network model has been designed in the optisystem for different modulation schemes with WDM to enhance the capacity of the system. Attenuations for different weather conditions in Dehradun have been calculated and the performance has been evaluated accordingly. The performance is analysed in terms of BER (Bit Error Rate), maximum Q-factor, and eye height for each of the modulation schemes at different transmission distances and different weather attenuations. Analysis comprehends that the polarization shift keying is the best modulation technique for the WDM-FSO communication network among all. Thus, we suggest a model for an optical communication network using WDM and PolSK modulation scheme for Dehradun (Uttarakhand), where internet service is not very easy due to its extreme weather variations and got the excellent performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Internet of Vehicles (IoV) will carry a large amount of security and privacy-related data, which makes the secure communication between the IoV terminals increasingly critical. This paper studies the joint beamforming for physical-layer security transmission in the coexistence of Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) and Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication with Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS) assistance, taking into account hardware impairments. A communication model for physical-layer security transmission is established when the eavesdropping user is present and the base station antenna has hardware impairments assisted by RIS. Based on this model, we propose to maximize the V2I physical-layer security transmission rate. To solve the coupled non-convex optimization problem, an alternating optimization algorithm based on second-order cone programming and semidefinite relaxation is proposed to obtain the optimal V2I base station transmit precoding and RIS reflect phase shift matrix. Finally, simulation results are presented to verify the convergence and superiority of our proposed algorithm while analyzing the impact of system parameters on the V2I physical-layer security transmission rate. The simulation results further demonstrate that the proposed robust beamforming algorithm considering hardware impairments will achieve an average performance improvement of 0.7 dB over a non-robustly designed algorithm. Furthermore, increasing the number of RIS reflective units from 10 to 50 results in an almost 2 dB enhancement in secure transmission rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The advent of blockchain technology has transformed traditional methods of information exchange, shifting reliance from centralized data centers to decentralized frameworks. While blockchain’s decentralization and security are strengths, traditional consensus mechanisms like Proof of Work (PoW) and Proof of Stake (PoS) face limitations in scalability. PoW achieves decentralization and security but struggles with scalability as transaction volumes grow, while PoS enhances scalability, but risks centralization due to monopolization by high-stake participants. Sharding, a recent advancement in blockchain technology, addresses scalability by partitioning the network into shards that process transactions independently, thereby improving throughput and reducing latency. However, cross-shard communication, essential for transactions involving multiple shards, introduces challenges in coordination and fault tolerance. This research introduces a shard-based hybrid consensus model, PoSW, which combines PoW and PoS to mitigate the limitations of both mechanisms. By integrating PoW’s fairness with PoS’s scalability in a shard-based blockchain, the proposed model addresses key issues of scalability and monopolization. We evaluate the model against state-of-the-art consensus algorithms, including Monoxide and Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance (PBFT). The results show that the proposed PoSW model reduces communication overhead compared to PBFT and improves resource utilization over Monoxide. In addition to performance gains, the security analysis demonstrates that the PoSW model provides robust defense against common blockchain attacks such as the 51% and Sybil attacks, etc. The proposed approach is particularly suited for applications like decentralized finance (DeFi) and supply chain management, which require both high scalability and robust security. The contributions of this research include the development of the PoSW hybrid consensus mechanism, its comparative evaluation with leading algorithms, and a thorough security analysis. These contributions represent a significant step forward in addressing blockchain’s scalability, fairness, and security challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simulation has become, in many application areas, a sine qua non. Most recently, COVID-19 has underlined the importance of simulation studies and limitations in current practices and methods. We identify four goals of methodological work for addressing these limitations. The first is to provide better support for capturing, representing, and evaluating the context of simulation studies, including research questions, assumptions, requirements, and activities contributing to a simulation study. In addition, the composition of simulation models and other simulation studies' products must be supported beyond syntactical coherence, including aspects of semantics and purpose, enabling their effective reuse. A higher degree of automating simulation studies will contribute to more systematic, standardized simulation studies and their efficiency. Finally, it is essential to invest increased effort into effectively communicating results and the processes involved in simulation studies to enable their use in research and decision making. These goals are not pursued independently of each other, but they will benefit from and sometimes even rely on advances in other sub-fields. In this article, we explore the basis and interdependencies evident in current research and practice and delineate future research directions based on these considerations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the law of emotion transmission on the social Internet. By applying higher-order network theory, ER random networks are reconstructed and higher-order network structures with multiple interaction points are generated. The I-state of the SI model is extended to set up the propagation rules of emotions based on higher-order networks. Concepts such as sentiment recession rate are introduced to make sentiment propagate through different simplexes, so as to obtain the propagation rules of higher-order networks. Qualitative analysis of emotional changes during the propagation process verifies the phase transition phenomenon of emotions in the network. By comparing simulated results with actual data, we demonstrate the accuracy of our higher-order network-based emotion propagation model in reflecting real-world trends and outcomes. The study also explores the effects of factors such as the initial proportion of extreme emotions on emotion propagation. This study provides valuable insights into understanding the operation of complex systems and offers important implications for government predictions of opinion development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Training large machine learning models requires a distributed computing approach, with communication of the model updates being the bottleneck. For this reason, several methods based on the compression of updates were recently proposed using sparsification or quantization. However, none of the prior methods are able to learn the gradients, which renders them incapable of converging to the true optimum in the batch mode. In this work we propose a new method – DIANA – which resolves this issue via compression of gradient differences. We provide theory in the strongly convex and nonconvex settings that shows improved convergence rates, and use it to obtain the first convergence rate for the previously proposed method TernGrad. Finally, we provide theory to support non-smooth regularizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Online platforms have proliferated in response to the increasing demand for online medical services. However, the underlying mechanisms through which online physician‒patient communication are associated with better health outcomes are under-researched. We employed mixed focus groups and in-depth interviews to investigate the impact of online physician‒patient communication on health outcomes, including psychological and physical quality of life, as well as perceived diagnosticity. A modified pathway framework was subsequently generated to illustrate the relationship between online communication and health outcomes based on the clinician‒patient communication pathway model. Overall, we redefined the concept of perceived diagnosticity in online healthcare and identified an indirect pathway through which psychological quality of life affects physical quality of life mediated by perceived diagnosticity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Communication is an essential aspect of high-quality patient- and family-centered care. A model for pediatric cancer communication developed in the United States defined eight communication functions. The purpose of this study was to explore the relevance of these functions in Pakistan as part of an effort to understand the role of culture in communication. Materials and methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 clinicians and 18 caregivers of children with cancer at two major cancer centers. Interviews were conducted in Urdu or English and transcribed and translated as necessary. Two independent coders used a priori codes related to the communication model as well as novel codes derived inductively. Thematic analysis focused on operationalization of the functional communication model. Results: Clinicians and caregivers in Pakistan discussed the importance of all eight communication functions previously identified including: information exchange, decision-making, managing uncertainty, enabling family selfmanagement, responding to emotions, supporting hope, providing validation, and building relationships. The operationalization of these functions was influenced by Pakistani cultural context. For example, information-exchange included the importance of addressing preconceptions and community myths, while managing uncertainty included strong references to religion and faithbased coping. Essential to all eight functions was trust between the family and the medical team. Discussion: These findings support the use of this functional communication model in diverse pediatric oncology settings and emphasize the importance of trust. Culturally sensitive operationalization of these functions could inform the adaptation of tools to measure communication and interventions aimed at supporting the needs of parents of children with cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior research on social media influencers (SMIs) often examined questions such as their model of communication with followers, ethical concerns, motivations, and ways of gaining capital. How influencers curate intense and intimate relations and strategize their content creation, and how the influencer industry takes a toll on their physical and psychological wellbeing should be carefully addressed. To fill in this gap, we conducted in-depth interviews with 20 SMIs. The findings advance the literature on influencers and influencer advertising by explicating the ways through which influencers maintain intimate and engaged relations with followers, including providing value, creating emotional bond, interacting and co-creating with followers, and disclosing personal life. Second, this research identifies and theorizes four principles - authenticity, topic sensitivity, fact-checking, and strategic sharing of privacy - under which influencers strategize content creations in building human brands. Last, our findings add to the ongoing literature on digital labor by expounding the downsides of influencers being digital labor. This research contributes to the understudied aspect regarding influencers' wellbeing and strategies employed in content creation and relation management in the current influencer literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article we analyze certain situations with restricted cooperation. To do this we introduce a model that combines two types of games well studied in the literature: graph-restricted games and games with incompatible players. In particular, our model extends Myerson's model for communication situations and Bergantiños' model for incompatible relationships. Our approach is based on the concept of profit measure, which allows us to deal simultaneously with both types of bilateral relationships. We show that in the situations considered there are multiple possible definitions of the profit achievable for each coalition. This leads us to introduce different allocation rules for these cooperative situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Steganography, the use of algorithms to embed secret information in a carrier image, is widely used in the field of information transmission, but steganalysis tools built using traditional steganographic algorithms can easily identify them. Steganography without embedding (SWE) can effectively resist detection by steganography analysis tools by mapping noise onto secret information and generating secret images from secret noise. However, most SWE still have problems with the small capacity of steganographic data and the difficulty of extracting the data. Based on the above problems, this paper proposes image steganography without embedding carrier secret information. The objective of this approach is to enhance the capacity of secret information and the accuracy of secret information extraction for the purpose of improving the performance of security network communication. The proposed technique exploits the carrier characteristics to generate the carrier secret tensor, which improves the accuracy of information extraction while ensuring the accuracy of secret information extraction. Furthermore, the Wasserstein distance is employed as a constraint for the discriminator, and weight clipping is introduced to enhance the secret information capacity and extraction accuracy. Experimental results show that the proposed method can improve the data extraction accuracy by 10.03% at the capacity of 2304 bits, which verifies the effectiveness and universality of the method. The research presented here introduces a new intelligent information steganography secure communication model for secure communication in networks, which can improve the information capacity and extraction accuracy of image steganography without embedding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The communication of unethical destination incidents (UDIs) through social media can be quite complex. Interestingly, the relationship between information forms of UDIs and users' online behavior has been grossly ignored, especially in the case of secondary crisis communication (SCC). We investigate the heterogeneous impact of UDIs' information forms on SCC rooted in the Defleur model of communication. Results from three experimental studies revealed that UDIs in video form elicit higher levels of presence and SCC than those in image-text and text forms. Risk perception and anger are important guiding factors in this process. In brief, the diffusion process of UDIs includes the three stages of reception, transformation, and transmission. The study's findings suggest a new perspective for understanding destination crisis communication and offer practical implications for alleviating the negative impact of destination crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Language, Media and Culture: The Key Concepts" by Martin Montgomery is a book that offers around 500 key concepts related to the relationship between language and media. The concepts are presented in alphabetical order and cover disciplines such as linguistics, sociology, media, and politics. The book provides a brief definition and explanation of each concept, as well as related concepts. It is recommended for English Language Teaching professionals as it provides essential information about linguistics, culture, and media in a concise and practical manner. However, some readers may find the language and explanations of certain concepts to be complex. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of Zeitschrift für Soziologie is the property of De Gruyter and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The use of mechanistic population models as research and decision‐support tools in ecology and ecological risk assessment (ERA) is increasing. This growth has been facilitated by advances in technology, allowing the simulation of more complex systems, as well as by standardized approaches for model development, documentation, and evaluation. Mechanistic population models are particularly useful for simulating complex systems, but the required model complexity can make them challenging to communicate. Conceptual diagrams that summarize key model elements, as well as elements that were considered but not included, can facilitate communication and understanding of models and increase their acceptance as decision‐support tools. Currently, however, there are no consistent standards for creating or presenting conceptual model diagrams (CMDs), and both terminology and content vary widely. Here, we argue that greater consistency in CMD development and presentation is an important component of good modeling practice, and we provide recommendations, examples, and a free web app (pop-cmd.com) for achieving this for population models used for decision support in ERAs. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:1566–1574. © 2023 SETAC Key Points: Population models can be valuable tools for ecological risk assessment (ERA), and their use is growing together with improvements in modeling guidance.Communicating key features of complex population models to different stakeholders can be challenging.Standardization of conceptual model diagrams (CMDs) can facilitate model communication, evaluation, and acceptance.We propose a standard template and free web app for creating CMDs for population models used to support ERAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Cuadernos del Centro de Estudios de Diseño y Comunicación is the property of Cuadernos del Centro de Estudios de Diseno y Comunicacion and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study investigates the impact of communication modes on enhancing public participation in Laikipia County, Kenya. The objective of the study was to examine how different communication channels affect citizen involvement in government-led development processes. Public participation is crucial for fostering democratic governance and equitable development. However, in Kenya, achieving substantial public engagement has been challenging, partly due to the use of ineffective communication channels. This study hypothesizes that such channels hinder meaningful public participation. To explore this, a hybrid analytics method was employed, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches, to assess how various communication modes influence public engagement. The research utilized a dataset comprising 384 respondents collected between June and July 2024. Data analysis, completed in July 2024, revealed several that different modes of communication significantly affect the level of public participation, influencing how well citizens receive and comprehend information about development initiatives. Channels that facilitate clearer, more direct communication leads to higher levels of understanding and engagement among the public. Effective communication channels are essential for fostering meaningful public involvement, as they impact citizens' responses and behaviours towards development activities. These findings underscore the importance of utilizing effective communication strategies to enhance public participation in development processes. The study contributes to a better understanding of how communication methods can be optimized to support democratic engagement and improve development outcomes in Kenya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research was to present a communication model of customer participation and competitive business with social media based on brand (case study: manufacturing and trading companies of Ahvaz). The statistical population of the research was formed by the experts of manufacturing and trading companies in Ahvaz city. In this research, the considered variables were identified by using interviews and examining the opinions of experts of the investigated companies. 10 experts have been selected using the saturation sampling method. This research, using the foundation’s data analysis method, is a type of cross-sectional research in which the data was collected for several weeks. In the quantitative part, the research community is the customers of food manufacturing and trading companies in the industrial towns of Ahvaz city which have been selected to fit the model. Due to the unlimitedness of the statistical population, 384 samples have been considered, and finally, 312 questionnaires have been analyzed. Using Maxqda software, interviews and Coding is done. Smart PLS 2.0 and SPSS 22 software were used in the validation section. In this research, to check the validity, the findings of the research were presented to the participants and the text of the theory was studied by them and their points of view were applied. The reliability of the model was evaluated using the Kappa index. Kappa index value equal to 0.788. Calculated and placed at the valid agreement level. 58 open codes have been identified among 256 concepts. 58 primary codes in the form of 18 categories, including company performance, electronic services, customer value, customer attitude, social responsibility, competitive advantage, customer loyalty, customer desire, advertising and marketing, brand awareness, customer trust, social media, validation, sharing Content, customer participation, service innovation, organizational factors, branding. Validation of the model showed that the overall index of fit (GOF) is equal to 0.661, which is a strong index and shows the overall high quality of the model. The identified factors have had a significant impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing number of edge layer devices connected to fog servers in fog computing environments has led to a rise in vulnerable and unauthorized actions. Implementing authorized access control with secure key management is essential to address this issue. As the traditional key management methods rely on third-party involvement, which suffers from drawbacks such as single points of failure and inconsistent key management in centralized architecture, so establishing efficient and secure key management between edge devices while ensuring effective access control is the main challenge in the digital environment. This study introduces a novel Blockchain-Based Access Control Protocol in IoT-Enabled Fog Computing (BACP-IeFC) environment for intra-network, inter-network, and mobile device communication models. The BACP-IeFC protocol eliminates the necessity for third-party intermediaries by leveraging Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) for secure data sharing and hash chains for key pair generation. The BACP-IeFC protocol utilizes session keys generated by fog servers, which are securely recorded on a blockchain, ensuring robust authentication at edge devices. A Permissioned Blockchain is also used for secure key storage at the fog layer. The BACP-IeFC security has undergone comprehensive evaluation, including testing its session key (SK) security under the Real-or-Random (ROR) model, confirming its effectiveness in achieving SK security. An informal security analysis confirms the BACP-IeFC protocol resilience against known attacks. For the formal security verification, the BACP-IeFC protocol utilized the ProVerif security tool, and the results show that it is secure against major attacks. Additionally, the performance analysis of the proposed protocol using MIRACL shows a significant improvement in computation overhead, communication, storage cost, and energy consumption cost compared to existing protocols. The scalability and latency analysis of the BACP-IeFC protocol demonstrates that it supports high scalability with low latency costs. The BACP-IeFC protocol is implemented on Truffle Blockchain using Ethereum 2.0, and a lightweight Proof of Authority (PoA) consensus algorithm demonstrates that the BACP-IeFC protocol significantly outperformed existing protocols in terms of average response time for edge device registration time, authentication time, and block preparation time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How to efficiently and reliably spread information in a system is one of the most fundamental problems in distributed computing. Recently, inspired by biological scenarios, several works focused on identifying the minimal communication resources necessary to spread information under faulty conditions. Here we study the self-stabilizing bit-dissemination problem, introduced by Boczkowski, Korman, and Natale in [SODA 2017]. The problem considers a fully-connected network of nagents, with a binary world of opinions, one of which is called correct. At any given time, each agent holds an opinion bit as its public output. The population contains a source agent which knows which opinion is correct. This agent adopts the correct opinion and remains with it throughout the execution. We consider the basic PULL model of communication, in which each agent observes relatively few randomly chosen agents in each round. The goal of the non-source agents is to quickly converge on the correct opinion, despite having an arbitrary initial configuration, i.e., in a self-stabilizing manner. Once the population converges on the correct opinion, it should remain with it forever. Motivated by biological scenarios in which animals observe and react to the behavior of others, we focus on the extremely constrained model of passive communication, which assumes that when observing another agent the only information that can be extracted is the opinion bit of that agent. We prove that this problem can be solved in a poly-logarithmic in n number of rounds with high probability, while sampling a logarithmic number of agents at each round. Previous works solved this problem faster and using fewer samples, but they did that by decoupling the messages sent by agents from their output opinion, and hence do not fit the framework of passive communication. Moreover, these works use complex recursive algorithms with refined clocks that are unlikely to be used by biological entities. In contrast, our proposed algorithm has a natural appeal as it is based on letting agents estimate the current tendency direction of the dynamics, and then adapt to the emerging trend. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores how a future – as something that can only be imagined but can inspire entrepreneurial action – can attract economic capital. We integrate Dor's (2015) model of language as a communication technology for the instruction of imagination with Bourdieu's theory of practice to account for how an entrepreneur's words can hold sway over an investor by virtue of meaning something significant. We introduce opportunity capital as the symbolic significance of the entrepreneur's future-venture story and the exchange counterparty to the investor's economic capital. Our portrayal of the future as a symbolic phenomenon inducing action by others offers foundational insights to research on the early stages of venturing and the acquisition of resources by entrepreneurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The omnipresence and diversity of allosteric regulation in proteins and protein associations complemented by the potential for the design of allosterically acting biologics and drugs call for the development of a new generation of computational models for the analysis of allostery and rational engineering/design of desired signaling and effector molecules determining it. One of the most important challenges is the consideration of the role of amino acid sequence in forming the protein's allosteric communication, including the mode and strength of the allosteric signal that is communicated to the regulated functional site. Here, we present the network-based model with a sequence dependence added in consideration of allosteric communication by combining the structure-based statistical mechanical model of allostery with the Miyazawa-Jernigan residue–residue potential. Applying the model in the analysis of five classical allosteric proteins, we found that it is necessary to consider the following two major determinants: (i) the free energy exerted by the allosteric site on the regulated one and (ii) the background (average) change in dynamics of the overall structure. We show that working together these two components determine the allosteric modulation, calling one to study their dependence on structures, oligomerization states, and sequence divergence in different proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Zhejiang Electric Power is the property of Zhejiang Electric Power Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Orthogonal time frequency space (OTFS) modulation has recently found its place in the literature as a much more effective waveform in time-varying channels. It is anticipated that OTFS will be widely used in the communications of smart vehicles, especially those considered within the scope of Internet of Things (IoT). There are efforts to obtain customized traditional point-to-point single-input single-output (SISO)-OTFS studies in the literature, but their BER performance seems a bit low. It is possible to use cooperative communications in order improve BER performance, but it is noticeable that there are very few OTFS studies in the area of cooperative communications. In this study, to the best of the authors' knowledge, it is addressed for the first time in the literature that better performance is achieved for the OTFS waveform transmission in a selective decode-and-forward (SDF) cooperative communication scenario. In this context, by establishing a cooperative communication model consisting of a base station/source, a traffic sign/relay and a smart vehicle/destination moving at a constant speed, an end-to-end BER expression is derived. SNR-BER analysis is performed with this SDF-OTFS scheme and it is shown that a superior BER performance is achieved compared to the traditional point-to-point single-input single-output (SISO)-OTFS structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Federated learning (FL) is a decentralized machine learning approach whereby each device is allowed to train local models, eliminating the requirement for centralized data collecting and ensuring data privacy. Unlike typical typical centralized machine learning, collaborative model training in FL involves aggregating updates from various devices without sending raw data. This ensures data privacy and security while collecting a collective learning from distributed data sources. These devices in FL models exhibit high efficacy in terms of privacy protection, scalability, and robustness, which is contingent upon the success of communication and collaboration. This paper explore the various topologies of both decentralized or centralized in the context of FL. In this respect, we investigated and explored in detail the evaluation of four widly used end-to-end FL frameworks: FedML, Flower, Flute, and PySyft. We specifically focused on vertical and horizontal FL systems using a logistic regression model that aggregated by the FedAvg algorithm. specifically, we conducted experiments on two images datasets, MNIST and Fashion-MNIST, to evaluate their efficiency and performance. Our paper provides initial findings on how to effectively combine horizontal and vertical solutions to address common difficulties, such as managing model synchronization and communication overhead. Our research indicates the trade-offs that exist in the performance of several simulation frameworks for federated learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

University plays an important role in innovation because of their role as producers of knowledge. Through researchers, the innovation ecosystem can develop and contribute to the progress of society. Complex innovation processes involve developing innovation systems that adapt to the uncertainty inherent in innovation. These networks, formed by researchers during the innovation process, encourage the continuous evolution of innovative ideas. The purpose of this research was: 1) Mapping the main problems of researcher concern to developing innovation. 2) Develop an institutional communication model to form a researcher ecosystem that develops high scientific impact. This research method is qualitative with an ethnographic communication approach. Informants are lecturers who are active in conducting innovative research and who are related to the scope of research activities in the institution. Data collection techniques were carried out using interviews, observations, and literature. Data processing was carried out by testing the validity of the data by triangulation through credible sources and references. Research findings were as follows: 1) Effective interpersonal communication drives researcher-stakeholder interaction in innovation. 2) The development of society is based on effective communication, which is formed by the mastery of science and technology. Scientists steer progress and growth by using communication tactics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses a timely and recent domain of intergroup relations scholarship that focuses on communication between police and the public—a domain we have previously described as intergroup par excellence. We begin with a brief overview of research on this topic, and then introduce four interrelated areas of research that illustrate the diversity and relevance of this approach: policing and stereotyping, communication accommodation (and nonaccommodation) by police officials, intergroup contact and communication interventions that seek to improve relations between the police and the public, and the role of intergroup communication in translating scientific evidence into police policy and practice. Finally, we provide a critical research agenda that includes an integrated model of intergroup communication and policing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) is considered a key factor in driving the future development of intelligent transport, which requires high-quality communication and fast sensing of vehicle information in high-speed mobile scenarios. However, high-speed mobility makes the wireless channel change rapidly, which requires frequent channel estimation and channel feedback between a vehicle and the roadside unit (RSU), resulting in an increase in communication overhead. At the same time, the high maneuverability of vehicles leads to frequent switching and misalignment of communication beams, so the RSU must have better beam prediction and tracking capabilities. To address this problem, this paper proposes an adaptive frame structure design scheme for sensing-assisted downlink (DL) communication. The basic idea of the scheme involves analyzing the communication model during the vehicle's movement. This analysis aims to establish a theoretical relationship between the Symbol Error Rate (SER) and the following two key factors: the vehicle's starting position and the distance it travels across. Subsequently, the scheme leverages the vehicle's position data, as detected by the RSU, to calculate the real-time SER for DL communication. The SER threshold is set based on the requirements of DL communication. If the real-time SER is below this threshold, channel estimation becomes unnecessary. This decreases the frequency of channel estimation and frees up time and frequency resources that would otherwise be occupied by channel estimation processes within the frame structure. The design of an adaptive frame structure, as detailed in the above scheme, is presented. Furthermore, the performance of the proposed method is analyzed and compared with that of the traditional communication protocol frame structure and the beam prediction-based frame structure. The simulation results indicate that the communication throughput of the proposed method can be improved by up to 6% compared with the traditional communication protocol frame structure while maintaining SER performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clear-air echo studies are usually based on isotropic turbulence theory. But the theory has been considered incomplete by modern turbulence theory. The intermittence of turbulence can reveal obvious shortcomings in the existing studies of clear-air echoes. The mechanism of clear-air echo scattering needs to be supplemented. This paper introduces the troposcatter theory, normally used in over-the-horizon communication, to fill the gap left by Bragg scattering. By treating radar as a self-transmitted and self-received device, the equivalent transmission loss of weather radar is established and compared with the recommendations of the Radiocommunication Sector of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU-R). The results show that the S-band radar transmission loss aligns with ITU-R recommendations. There is also a linear regression relationship between the radar transmission loss and height, which conforms to the troposcatter theory. This means that the theory of troposcatter scattering is a supplement to the theory of Bragg scattering. Tropospheric scattering can be thought of as general Bragg scattering. Meanwhile, based on ITU-R recommendations, this study also provides a new way for the recognition of biological echoes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inference is central to pragmatic theories of meaning and communication, but most studies of inference to date have been undertaken in adjacent fields rather than in pragmatics. The aim of this special issue is to bring together pragmatic perspectives on inference in order to further our understanding of the role that inference - as both a product and a process - plays in pragmatic models of communication. This aim is realised through a set of six papers that collectively address key questions arising when we go beyond the traditional focus in pragmatics on inferences by the hearer about the speaker's intended meaning. These articles draw from a range of different methodological and theoretical standpoints to examine the inferential, interactional, and developmental processes that underpin different types of pragmatic inference. It is concluded that more sophisticated theoretical accounts of pragmatic inference are needed to account for the wide range of inferential phenomena that can be empirically observed in communication. • Demonstrates the importance of studying inference in pragmatics. • Shows pragmatic inference goes beyond hearers inferring speaker's intended meaning. • Highlights the role that inference plays in pragmatic models of communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The success and the satisfaction of clinicians in practice relies heavily on how consultations, communication, and relationships are built with clients. Very knowledgeable and competent veterinarians might not be able to provide their services if the client declines their services based on misperceptions or lack of understanding, potentially resulting in lack of treatments of pets in need. The Calgary–Cambridge Guide for consultations and communication is an important tool taught in most veterinary colleges to help future clinicians improve their communication skills, ultimately benefiting the veterinary profession, clients, and the welfare of their pets. In this commentary we describe challenges in applying these guidelines in multilingual and multicultural scenarios such as Hong Kong. In these scenarios clinicians and clients often need an interpreter, adding complexity to the interaction and communication. Non-verbal communication, where body language plays an important role in showing expressions, empathy, and concerns is not effective or is altered if there is not even eye contact or a translator is not accurately interpreting all these emotions. This commentary analyses the challenges encountered by veterinarians during consultations in multicultural and multilingual centres. The Calgary–Cambridge Guide is a widely recognised framework for teaching communication skills to healthcare professionals that has become a cornerstone of communication training programs in medicine and other healthcare fields. In the context of veterinary medicine, its integration into communication training programs has become an asset improving communication, education, interaction, and quality of service, enhancing the veterinary–client–patient relationship (VCPR). In veterinary medicine, however, a more challenging consultation dynamic involves the veterinarian, the owner, and the animal. The addition of a veterinary assistant that acts as an interpreter or translator is common in Hong Kong where the native language (Cantonese) coexists with English when consultations are led by non-native language speakers. This addition converts this commonly dyadic model into a triadic communication model. The addition of an assistant interpreter influences the way consultations are conducted, how information is conveyed, and how interpersonal cues and empathy are delivered. In this report we depict challenges applying the Calgary–Cambridge Guide in multicultural and multilingual veterinary medical centres in Hong Kong and highlight the role of veterinary supporting staff in these scenarios, specifically veterinary assistant interpreters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose an integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) base station (BS) system designed for applications by multiple users in complex offshore environments. We begin by modeling the communication and detection functions of the dual-function BS in the corresponding maritime channel environment, as well as the sea clutter influence of multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) radar in the marine environment. To evaluate the performance of our dual-function system, we measure the communication reachable rate and sensing signal-clutter-noise ratio (SCNR) of the offshore system separately for communication and radar functions, respectively. We then develop two optimization schemes to maximize the system's performance under power constraint of radar SCNR and communication rate constraint, respectively, and solve them using convex optimization methods such as the successive convex approximation (SCA) method. We also model the beamforming and provide simulation results that demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed maritime integrated sensing and communication (MISAC) system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]