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The recently introduced 5G New Radio is the first wireless standard natively designed to support critical and massive machine type communications (MTC). However, it is already becoming evident that some of the more demanding requirements for MTC cannot be fully supported by 5G networks. Alongside, emerging use cases and applications towards 2030 will give rise to new and more stringent requirements on wireless connectivity in general and MTC in particular. Next generation wireless networks, namely 6G, should therefore be an agile and efficient convergent network designed to meet the diverse and challenging requirements anticipated by 2030. This paper explores the main drivers and requirements of MTC towards 6G, and discusses a wide variety of enabling technologies. More specifically, we first explore the emerging key performance indicators for MTC in 6G. Thereafter, we present a vision for an MTC-optimized holistic end-to-end network architecture. Finally, key enablers towards (1) ultra-low power MTC, (2) massively scalable global connectivity, (3) critical and dependable MTC, and (4) security and privacy preserving schemes for MTC are detailed. Our main objective is to present a set of research directions considering different aspects for an MTC-optimized 6G network in the 2030-era.

Providing reliable low latency wireless links for advanced manufacturing and processing systems is a vision of Industry 4.0. Developing, testing and rating requires accurate models of the radio propagation channel. The current 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) new radio (NR) model as well as the quasi deterministic radio channel generator (QuaDRiGa) lack the propagation parameters for the industrial indoor scenario. To close this gap, measurements were conducted at 2.37 GHz and 5.4 GHz at operational Siemens premises in Nuremberg, Germany. Furthermore, the campaign was planned to allow the test and parameterization of new features of the QuaDRiGa channel model such as support for device-to-device (D2D) radio links and spatial consistency. A total of 5.9 km measurement track was used to extract the statistical model parameters for line of sight (LOS) and Non-LOS propagation conditions. It was found that the metallic walls and objects in the halls create a rich scattering environment, where a large number of multipath components arrive at the receiver from all directions. This leads to a robust communication link, provided that the transceivers can handle the interference. The extracted parameters can be used in geometric-stochastic channel models such as QuaDRiGa to support simulation studies, both on link and system level.

The present research evaluated right ventricular (RV) structure, function and mechanics in the cancer patients before initiation of chemo- or radiotherapy, and the association between cancer and decreased RV longitudinal strain. This retrospective investigation included 101 chemo- and radiotherapy-naïve patients with solid cancer and 38 age- and gender-matched controls with similar cardiovascular risk profile. Echocardiographic examination and strain evaluation was performed in all participants. RV structure and RV systolic and diastolic function estimated with conventional echocardiographic parameters were similar between the cancer patients and controls. However, RV global longitudinal strain (− 22.7 ± 2.6% vs. − 21.1 ± 2.4%, p < 0.001) was significantly decreased in the cancer patients than in controls. The same was revealed for RV free wall endocardial (− 33.6 ± 4.3% vs. − 31.4 ± 4.0%, p = 0.006) and mid-myocardial (− 25.2 ± 3.6% vs. − 23.7 ± 3.8%, p = 0.035) longitudinal RV strains, whereas difference was not found in RV free wall epicardial longitudinal strain. The presence of cancer was independently of age, gender, body mass index, left ventricular hypertrophy, diabetes, hypertension and pulmonary pressure associated with reduced RV global longitudinal strain (OR 3.79; 95% CI 2.18–10.92, p < 0.001), as well as with decreased free wall RV longitudinal strain (OR 5.73; 95% CI 3.17–9.85, p < 0.001). RV strain is deteriorated in the chemo- and radiotherapy-naïve cancer patients. Endocardial and mid-myocardial layers are more affected than epicardial strain in the cancer patients. The presence of cancer is independently of other clinical parameters associated with reduced RV longitudinal strain

Background: We sought to investigate left ventricular (LV) function and mechanics in patients with cancer before they received chemotherapy or radiotherapy, as well as the relationship between cancer and reduced LV multidirectional strain in the whole study population. Methods: The retrospective study involved 122 chemotherapy- and radiotherapy-naive patients with cancer and 45 age- and sex-matched controls with a cardiovascular risk profile similar to that of the patients with cancer. All the patients underwent echocardiographic examination before introduction of chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Results: LV longitudinal (−19.1% ± 2.1% vs −17.8% ± 3.5%; P = 0.022), circumferential (−22.9% ± 3.5% vs −20.1% ± 4.1%; P < 0.001), and radial (40.5% ± 8.8% vs 35.2% ± 10.7%; P = 0.004) strain was significantly lower in the patients with cancer than in the control group. Endocardial and midmyocardial longitudinal LV strain was significantly reduced in the patients with cancer compared with the controls, whereas epicardial longitudinal strain was similar between these groups. Endocardial, midmyocardial, and epicardial circumferential strain was significantly lower in the chemotherapy- or radiotherapy-naive patients with cancer than in the controls. Cancer was associated with reduced longitudinal (odds ratio [OR], 9.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.20-23.50; P < 0.001), reduced circumferential (OR, 7.1; 95% CI, 3.80-20.40; P < 0.001), and reduced radial strain (OR, 7.2; 95% CI, 3.41-25.10; P < 0.001) independent of age, sex, body mass index, diabetes, and hypertension. Conclusions: LV mechanics was impaired in the patients with cancer compared with the controls even before initiation of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Cancer and hypertension were associated with reduced LV multidirectional strain independent of other clinical parameters. The present results indicate that cancer itself potentially induces cardiac remodelling independent of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

The number of studies demonstrating the importance of right ventricular remodelling in a wide range of cardiovascular diseases has increased in the past two decades. Speckle-tracking imaging provides new variables that give comprehensive information about right ventricular function and mechanics. In this review, we summarize current knowledge of right ventricular mechanics in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and preserved ejection fraction. We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, Ovid and Embase databases for studies published from January 2000 to December 2016 in the English language using the following keywords: "right ventricle"; "strain"; "speckle tracking"; "heart failure with reduced ejection fraction"; and "heart failure with preserved ejection fraction". Investigations showed that right ventricular dysfunction is associated with higher cardiovascular and overall mortality in patients with heart failure, irrespective of ejection fraction. The number of studies investigating right ventricular strain in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction is constantly increasing, whereas data on right ventricular mechanics in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction are limited. Given the high feasibility, accuracy and clinical implications of right ventricular strain in the population with heart failure, it is of great importance to try to include the evaluation of right ventricular strain as a regular part of each echocardiographic examination in patients with heart failure. However, further investigations are necessary to establish right ventricular strain as a standard variable for decision-making

We analysed the reactivity of enterovirus-specific human IgM and IgG antibodies with the structural proteins of different enteroviruses by the immunoblot technique. In general, all immunoglobulin G antibodies of the tested sera reacted with capsid polypeptide VP 1 of the viruses tested (echoviruses 9 and 11, coxsackievirus B3 and poliovirus 2). In contrast, enterovirus specific immunoglobulin M antibodies of adults reacted with capsid polypeptides VP 1, VP 2, and/or VP 3 of the viruses mentioned above. The reactions with VP 2 and/or VP 3 were often stronger than with VP 1. IgM antibodies from sera of newborns infected by echovirus 11 reacted with VP 1 and VP 2/3 of echovirus 11 and also with VP 2 and VP 3 of poliovirus 2. Preabsorption experiments indicate that cross-reactive IgG antibodies react with epitopes of VP 1 not present on the surface of intact virus particles. The results from the immunoblot technique were compared to data from microneutralization tests and M-antibody capture radioimmunoassays

An M-antibody capture radioimmunoassay (MACRIA) for anti-rubella IgM was developed. Under optimum conditions positive serum specimens bound up to 20 times as much radioactivity as negative specimens. Positive reactions were expressed in arbitrary units/ml by comparison with a calibration curve derived from results obtained with dilutions of a standard serum. The specificity of the assay was confirmed by testing IgM and IgG rich fractions of positive sera. One hundred and forty specimens from blood donors, patients whose sera contained rheumatoid factor and patients with acute, non-rubella, virus infections were tested by MACRIA. No significant non-specific reactions were detected. Paired sera from acute rubella (25 patients) and individual sera from suspected rubella (69 patients) were tested for anti-rubella IgM by MACRIA and by haemagglutination inhibition following sucrose-density-gradient fractionation. There was close agreement between the two methods. The capture assay was more sensitive and could be used to detect the weak IgM response in women given RA 27/3 vaccine. After the natural infection, the MACRIA was strongly positive for two months and remained weakly so for a further two months. Repeat testing of sera demonstrated good reproducibility of the assay. MACRIA proved a simple, sensitive and specific test for anti-rubella IgM and compared favourably with currently used techniques

We analysed the reactivity of enterovirus-specific human IgM and IgG antibodies with the structural proteins of different enteroviruses by the immunoblot technique. In general, all immunoglobulin G antibodies of the tested sera reacted with capsid polypeptide VP 1 of the viruses tested (echoviruses 9 and 11, coxsackievirus B3 and poliovirus 2). In contrast, enterovirus specific immunoglobulin M antibodies of adults reacted with capsid polypeptides VP 1, VP 2, and/or VP 3 of the viruses mentioned above. The reactions with VP 2 and/or VP 3 were often stronger than with VP 1. IgM antibodies from sera of newborns infected by echovirus 11 reacted with VP 1 and VP 2/3 of echovirus 11 and also with VP 2 and VP 3 of poliovirus 2. Preabsorption experiments indicate that cross-reactive IgG antibodies react with epitopes of VP 1 not present on the surface of intact virus particles. The results from the immunoblot technique were compared to data from microneutralization tests and M-antibody capture radioimmunoassays

An M-antibody capture radioimmunoassay (MACRIA) for anti-rubella IgM was developed. Under optimum conditions positive serum specimens bound up to 20 times as much radioactivity as negative specimens. Positive reactions were expressed in arbitrary units/ml by comparison with a calibration curve derived from results obtained with dilutions of a standard serum. The specificity of the assay was confirmed by testing IgM and IgG rich fractions of positive sera. One hundred and forty specimens from blood donors, patients whose sera contained rheumatoid factor and patients with acute, non-rubella, virus infections were tested by MACRIA. No significant non-specific reactions were detected. Paired sera from acute rubella (25 patients) and individual sera from suspected rubella (69 patients) were tested for anti-rubella IgM by MACRIA and by haemagglutination inhibition following sucrose-density-gradient fractionation. There was close agreement between the two methods. The capture assay was more sensitive and could be used to detect the weak IgM response in women given RA 27/3 vaccine. After the natural infection, the MACRIA was strongly positive for two months and remained weakly so for a further two months. Repeat testing of sera demonstrated good reproducibility of the assay. MACRIA proved a simple, sensitive and specific test for anti-rubella IgM and compared favourably with currently used techniques