PLoS ONE最新文献

With the continuous development of 5G network, how to further improve the routing and transmission efficiency of electric power IoT has become a popular research at present. Facing the current problems of high data transmission delay, low efficiency, and large task volume in the electric power IoT, this research combines software-defined networking to design a multi-path low-latency routing and transmission model under the concept of task allocation. First, the grid data communication network model and network slicing technology in 5G power IoT are introduced. On this basis, considering the data transmission in the core network in the power IoT, a multi-path low-latency routing optimization transmission model based on software-defined network task allocation is designed by combining the software-defined network controller and task allocation concept. The results indicated that the average delay of the designed model is only 15.78ms when the transmission task size is 10KB and 23.38ms when the transmission task size is 50KB. In addition, the designed model was able to achieve a throughput of 298bps in the local area network and the lowest jitter and packet loss in the wide area network, which are 0.13ms and 0.001%. It can be concluded that the constructed multi-path low-latency routing and transmission model can not only provide theoretical guidance for the optimization of data transmission in the power IoT, but also lay the foundation for the in-depth application and development of software-defined networking in the power IoT and other fields.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262824.].

Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft excel in their ability to maneuver in limited spaces, making them ideal for a variety of uses including urban air mobility, emergency response, and disaster surveillance. Their agility and quick deployment features are especially valuable for executing complex missions in challenging environments. This paper addresses this issue by proposing a dual-loop sliding mode control (SMC) strategy optimized for VTOL models. However, tracking errors in the inner loop can impact the performance of the outer loop, complicating the assessment of the inner loop's convergence speed to meet the outer loop's criteria, and thus hindering the achievement of absolute stability in both control loops. To tackle this issue, the paper leverages the global asymptotic stability theorem for dynamic systems and develops a closed-loop system with global Lipschitz continuity, guaranteeing robust stability across both loops. This method not only bolsters the system's dependability but also enhances its flexibility to operate effectively under complex dynamic conditions, thereby increasing the overall resilience and performance of the VTOL control systems. The implementation of the sliding mode control strategy in VTOL models significantly enhances operational stability and reduces tracking errors in complex environments. Numerical simulations demonstrate that our approach reliably improves both performance and adaptability of the system under varying dynamic conditions.

Applying an intertemporal multivariate probit model, we reveal complex complementarity and substitution effects as well as new insights on the drivers of adopting input-intensive and natural resource management (NRM) practices in rural Ethiopia. First, the latent factor that drives each practice is positively and significantly correlated across time, suggesting persistency in adoption decisions. Second, the significant synergies and tradeoffs between the input-intensive and NRM practices underscore that these practices are highly compatible and, hence the importance of promoting technology packages. Third, the covariates that drive adoption significantly differ between practices, reflecting the heterogeneity in farmer behavior. Farm size was associated with the adoption of several input-intensive and NRM practices while off-farm income has the reverse effect. These findings have significant implications for food security policy in sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: The therapeutic role of antifibrotic therapy has been well-established in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, its efficacy and safety for interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) other than IPF are not fully understood.

Methods: We updated a systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis (TSA) of randomized controlled trials and prospective studies on antifibrotic drug (nintedanib or pirfenidone) vs other intervention (placebo, no intervention or conventional treatment) in non-IPF ILDs. The primary outcomes were absolute change in forced vital capacity (FVC), all-cause mortality and serious adverse events (SAEs). The risk of bias was rated with the RoB2 tool and certainty of evidence was assessed by the GRADE approach.

Results: 17 studies with 1908 patients were included. For the primary outcomes, pooled analyses of four trials with low risk of bias showed that antifibrotic drugs significantly ameliorated FVC decline (mean difference 86.21; 95% CI 49.38 to 123.03; I2 = 64%; TSA-adjusted CI 40.86 to 131.56). Based on five trials with low risk of bias, no difference was observed in all-cause mortality (RR 0.87; 95% CI 0.53 to 1.43; I2 = 0%; TSA-adjusted CI 0.12 to 6.53) and SAEs (RR 0.97; 95% CI 0.83 to 1.13; I2 = 0%; TSA-adjusted CI 0.74 to 1.28) between groups. However, based on two studies with 324 patients, benefit of antifibrotic drugs in FVC was not shown in the subgroup taking mycophenolate (mean difference 17.08; 95% CI -56.22 to 90.37), which also had higher risk of SAEs (RR 1.71; 95% CI 1.09 to 2.70), although both were contested by TSA.

Conclusion: Our study suggests that antifibrotic drugs are beneficial for patients with non-IPF ILDs in slowing disease progression, whereas may not correlate to all-cause mortality and SAEs. However, for patients taking mycophenolate, antifibrotic drugs may do more harm than good. More investigations are warranted to validate current findings.

Aim: To explore the perceptions of Jordanian primipara and para 1 women regarding Cesarean section delivery and provide insights for clinical practice, policy development, and future research to optimize maternity care practices and outcomes in Jordan and similar contexts.

Background: Global Cesarean section (CS) rates have risen steadily over recent decades. Jordan has witnessed a significant increase in CS rates. This trend has sparked interest in understanding the underlying factors behind this phenomenon and the perceptions surrounding CS delivery. Understanding these factors is essential for informing healthcare practices and promoting optimal maternal and neonatal health outcomes.

Methods: Forty-one primipara and para 1 women were interviewed within seven focus groups. The analysis was conducted using interpretative phenomenological analysis with the assistance of the NVivo 12 software program.

Results: Three main themes were identified: The Foundation of Women's Knowledge and Cognitive Structures; The Influential Parties in Shaping Women's Perceptions; and Transforming Perception into Action.

Discussion: To offer empathetic, comprehensive, and patient-centered care, healthcare professionals should discuss delivery options with pregnant mothers and factor in maternal preferences and perceptions. This study underscores the importance of supportive dialogue and informed decision-making in maternity care, advocating for a more individualized approach to childbirth.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a vast network of devices, sensors, wearables, or any other object capable of processing, storing, sending, and receiving data over an open network channel. This versatility gives IoT numerous applications, one of them being in the industry, also known as the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). As IIoT relies on an open network channel for data sharing, it is vulnerable to numerous threats, including side channels, impersonation attacks, and clock synchronization issues for which device authentication becomes crucial. Researchers occasionally proposed numerous authentication protocols using conventional cryptographic methods, identity-based cryptographic techniques, or certificateless methods; however, these protocols either suffer from modular exponentiation partial private key distribution problems or are completed in four to five round-trips during authentication. Therefore, this article presents an Elliptic Curve Cryptographic (ECC)-based efficient technique that emerges as a significant solution, addressing the certificate revocations, overheads problem, and the partial private key distribution problem of identity-based cryptography, respectively. The security of the proposed ECC-based protocol is of utmost importance in addressing all the known vulnerabilities in IIoT, freeing the industrial system from the urgency and the issue of data breaches. Its potential to instil a sense of security and confidence in IIoT deployment is crucial in improving user trust. Upon comparing the proposed protocol with state-of-the-art schemes, the result demonstrated that the proposed protocol enhanced 51.44% in terms of communication costs and 91.88% in terms of computation costs. So, it is recommended for practical implementation due to its fast and provable secure nature, making the industry feel confident and safe about its implementation.

Understanding the clustering patterns of non-communicable disease risk factors is important to address chronic diseases effectively, thus minimizing their onset and enhancing overall health. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and efficacy of a three-year workplace intervention in decreasing clustering of non-communicable disease risk factors in employees. A quasi-experimental study, including six companies, was conducted in the governorate of Sousse between 2010 and 2014. It involved an intervention group (Sousse-Jawhara and Sousse-Erriadh) and a control group (M'saken). The sample of participants in both groups was representative. Actions promoting physical activity, healthy diet, and smoking cessation in the workplace were included in this intervention. The participants' socio-demographic characteristics and data concerning the risk factors were collected through interviews using a pretested questionnaire. The clustering of tobacco use, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, obesity, and high blood pressure were examined pre- and post-intervention. In the intervention group, the mean risk factors per employee decreased significantly from 1.99 ± 1.00 to 1.81 ± 1.05 (p < 10-3). A minor non-significant increase, from 1.72 ± 0.97 to 1.78 ± 1.11, was noted in the control group. In the intervention group, the prevalence of two risk factor clusters dropped significantly from 40% to 34.4% pre- and post-intervention (p = 0.014). However, a non-significant decline was noted in the control group. Combinations such as obesity/hypertension and unhealthy diet/physical inactivity tended to aggregate in both groups. Overall, the intervention program showed significant protective effects in reducing the co-occurrence of multiple risk factors in the intervention group, with an adjusted OR of 0.81; CI95% [0.68-0.97]. Along with the existing literature, the present study confirmed the feasibility and effectiveness of health promotion programs in reducing non-communicable disease risk factors and their clustering. Integrating this intervention program into a national health policy could potentially generalize its positive impact.

Introduction: Most neonates experience transient hypoglycemia, which typically responds well to treatment and is associated with a favorable prognosis. However, hypoglycemia persisting beyond 48 hours, termed prolonged transitional Neonatal hypoglycemia (PTNHG), can result in abrupt neuronal injury and long-term neurodevelopmental impairments. Identifying its prevalence and associated risk factors is critical to inform clinical practices and improve neonatal outcomes.

Methods: A weighted inverse-variance random-effects model was employed for the analysis. Heterogeneity among the studies was assessed using a forest plot, I2 statistics, and Egger's test. Data extraction was conducted from May 20 to May 27, 2023, for studies published since 2020. A random blood sugar (RBS) concentration of <47 mg/dL measured 48-72 hours after birth was used to define PTNHG. Eight studies comprising a total of 3686 neonates were included in the analysis.

Results: The pooled prevalence of PTNHG was 19.71% (95% CI: 16.85-22.56) with substantial heterogeneity (I2 = 79.20%, P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis revealed that PTNHG prevalence was similar for studies with sample sizes >400 and ≤400, at 18% (95% CI: 15-22) and 21% (95% CI: 17-26), respectively. Similarly, prevalence estimates were comparable when using RBS thresholds of <47 mg/dL (21%; 95% CI: 16-27) and <40 mg/dL (18%; 95% CI: 15-22). Significant factors associated with PTNHG included preterm birth (AOR = 3.31; 95% CI: 2.57-4.04), hypothermia (AOR = 3.41; 95% CI: 2.19-4.62), being an infant of a diabetic mother (IDM) (AOR = 4.71; 95% CI: 2.15-7.26), delayed breastfeeding initiation beyond one hour (AOR = 3.26; 95% CI: 2.03-4.49), and pathological jaundice (AOR = 2.37; 95% CI: 1.91-2.84).

Conclusions: Nearly one-fifth of hospitalized neonates experienced PTNHG. Fortunately, most of the associated risk factors were modifiable. Prioritizing early breastfeeding initiation, particularly in cesarean section deliveries and IDM cases, and integrating PTNHG management into national NICU guidelines could significantly reduce the burden of neonatal hypoglycemia.

Trial registration: Prospero ID: CRD42023424953. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023424953.

Cryptic genetic variation is increasingly being identified in numerous coral species, with prior research indicating that different cryptic genetic lineages can exhibit varied responses to environmental changes. This suggests a potential link between cryptic coral lineages and local environmental conditions. In this study, we investigate how communities of cryptic coral lineages vary along environmental gradients. We began by identifying cryptic genetic lineages within six coral species sampled around St. Croix, USVI based on 2b-RAD sequencing data. We then analyzed associations between the distributions of cryptic lineages across the six coral species (i.e., "cryptic coral community composition") and ecoregions, or geographically distinct environmental conditions. Our findings show that depth is a more significant predictor of community composition than ecoregions and is the most influential factor among the 40 abiotic variables that characterize ecoregions. These results imply that cryptic coral communities are influenced by both depth and local environmental conditions, although the exact environmental factors driving these patterns remain unknown. Understanding community turnover across a seascape is important to consider when outplanting corals to restore a reef, as locally-adapted lineages may have differential fitness in different environmental conditions.