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The smart city framework, while initially received with enthusiasm, has been critiqued for reproducing urban inequalities rather than reducing marginalisation. This paper demonstrates how application of an equity lens within a smart city framework can advance justice by addressing air quality inequities in a diverse coastal city. We conducted a pilot study in which integrated air quality sensors are deployed for criteria pollutants in two contrasting neighbourhoods, to demonstrate that the smart city framework can be used with an equity lens for baseline data collection and analysis to support communities of colour in advocating on their own behalf. Communities of colour are disproportionately impacted by poor air quality, pollution exposure, and health burdens. Research shows that marginalised communities often lack air quality sensors installed by traditional regulatory measures. Thus, smart city technology using targeted deployment of air quality sensors can aid neighbourhood-level sampling, and data can be leveraged by marginalised communities for policy development to address inequities in pollution exposure and health impacts. In this study, air quality sensors were deployed and integrated with a web-based interactive platform called Community Resiliency Information Systems (CRIS) to compare a white, affluent neighbourhood with a marginalised, predominantly Black neighbourhood in Saint Petersburg, Florida. Data collected indicates significant differences in concentrations of air pollutants in the study neighbourhoods; exposure levels are higher in the poor, minority-dominated neighbourhood. CRIS facilitates two-way communication between residents and policy makers, demonstrating that careful application of technology can produce data to support community advocacy and address environmental inequalities. Key policy highlights: The smart city framework integrated with air quality sensors has the potential to advance justice when applied through an equity lens. This pilot project demonstrates air quality inequities at neighbourhood level comparisons (affluent vs marginalised) in a coastal city – exposure levels are higher in the poor, minority-dominated neighbourhood. The CRIS platform facilitates two-way communication between residents and policy makers, demonstrating that careful application of technology can produce data to support community advocacy and address environmental inequalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The smart grid (SG) is an efficient and reliable framework capable of controlling computers, automation, new technologies, and devices. Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) is a crucial part of the SG, facilitating two-way communication between users and service providers (SPs). Computation, storage, and communication are extremely limited as the AMI's device is typically deployed outdoors and connected to an open network. Therefore, an authentication and key agreement protocol is necessary to ensure the security and confidentiality of communications. Existing research still does not meet the anonymity, perfect forward secrecy, and resource-limited requirements of the SG environment. To address this issue, we advance a lightweight authentication and key agreement scheme based on elliptic curve cryptography (ECC). The security of the proposed protocol is rigorously proven under the random oracle model (ROM), and was verified by a ProVerif tool. Additionally, performance comparisons validate that the proposed protocol provides enhanced security features at the lowest computation and communication costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although much research has examined chatbot interactivity as one of the most human-like qualities, replicating a conversation norm in human-to-human dialogue, far less has examined the "native state" of two-way communication between humans and chatbots. This study fills the gap by substantiating a synchronous two-way conversation between users and chatbots and testing how chatbot interactivity shapes the users' perceived empathy. Guided by the computers-are-social-actors (CASA) paradigm, like skilled customer service representatives interacting with customers during product failures, this study designs a between-subject experiment (N = 300) to embody the warm and competent types of human conversation and suggests two versions of chatbot interactivities: social interactivity (high/low) and message interactivity (high/low). We further investigate whether a chatbot's warm or competent persona manifested in its interaction with consumers elicits empathic responses from consumers, such as calming down their anger in line with social response theory. As a result, both social and message interactivity in chatbots effectively elicit users' perception of empathy, alleviating customer anger and reducing adverse word-of-mouth (WOM) intentions. The findings provide empirical evidence that supports the explanatory framework of social response theory. This research demonstrates how technological features, particularly interactivity, contribute to creating experiential value for customers. Specifically, it elucidates how customers perceive empathy displayed by chatbots, which subsequently influences their level of anger and inclination to engage in negative word-of-mouth communication. Notably, these results offer novel insights into the roles of chatbot interactivity and empathy as psychological mechanisms that enable consumers to express their dissatisfaction by interacting with chatbot service agents, particularly in situations involving product failures. The implications of this study extend to the practical realm, providing valuable guidance on the design and implementation of empathetic chatbots in frontline consumer service contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An editorial focuses on rethinking the role of scientific knowledge in climate communication, exploring how knowledge is used and its effectiveness in influencing behavioral changes. It critiques traditional models that emphasize knowledge as a direct precursor to action, arguing instead for a more nuanced understanding that incorporates diverse forms of knowledge and emphasizes dialogue-oriented communication.

In early 2020, UNESCO acknowledged that the scale of educational disruption associated with COVID-19 was unparalleled. Schools were forced to react swiftly. However, while remote learning has received considerable attention, less is understood of how educational leaders communicated during the COVID crisis. The study of school leaders' initial crisis communications in response to government-mandated school closures is thus warranted. Accordingly, this study analyses a cross-section of seventeen Australian schools for the period late February through early April 2020 (i.e. term 1), with a focus on the emergency stage of schools' crisis response, rather than the later remote learning continuity planning phase. A mixed-method research approach was adopted. Phase one involved quantitative content analysis of e-mail frequency, words per-sentence, readability (as measured by Flesch), and grade-level communication pitched at (as measured by Flesch-Kinkaid). Surprisingly, parents required university education to effectively comprehend the e-mails. Phase two confirmed that schools performed well in the first four of Smith & Riley's (2012) five-step school crisis response model (getting the facts, implementing contingency plans, being decisive, showing concern), but were less effective at facilitating two-way communication. An additional (sixth) insight emerged in the form of school community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThis paper explores the status of Chinese fashion media from 2005 to 2015 to understand the role of fashion discourse and information flows in mobilizing activity and meaning in the Chinese fashion industry. By examining ten-year issues of two fashion magazines, Vogue China and iLook, alongside interviews with two fashion media workers, this research reveals that during this period, the diffusion channels for Chinese fashion media are experiencing significant change, with a shift in focus to the presentation of more localized fashion content and the creation of a closer relationship between Chinese fashion media and the Chinese fashion industry. The rise of online fashion media has provided an unprecedented way of engaging Chinese consumers with Chinese fashion, supporting a two-way information flow and a new dimension of interaction. Despite this development, the continuing dominance of fashion retailing and consumption, much of this being comprised of global fashion brands, and the scarcity of fashion professionals in China continue to marginalize Chinese fashion discourse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a compilation of research articles and studies that explore the potential benefits of virtual reality (VR) in various fields, including art therapy, psychomotor therapy, occupational therapy, and healthcare. The articles discuss how VR can enhance self-expression, emotion regulation, psychosocial well-being, and occupational injury prevention. They also examine the implementation process of VR in healthcare settings and its impact on different aspects of health and wellness. Overall, the document provides a comprehensive overview of current research and highlights the potential of VR as a tool for therapeutic interventions and health communication. [Extracted from the article]

This research focuses on the organisational culture of a university with a religious identity, namely Widya Mandala Surabaya Catholic University (WMSCU). Pacanowsky and Trujillo suggest that this identity generates a unique organizational culture. This research highlights the experiences of organisational members who have belief values that are different from their organisational values. This study aims to describe the experiences and meanings of Muslim employees regarding Patron Day commemoration as a form of organisational culture at WMSCU. A qualitative approach and phenomenological method are employed in this research. The findings indicate that Muslim employees interpret the Patron Day commemoration as a beneficial activity, recognizing and emulating the values of Patron John Paul's life as a learning opportunity of noble values. It serves as a platform for learning beyond their own beliefs. Ultimately, this meaning contributes to the emergence of religious tolerance, which is reflected in the organisational communication patterns among its members, particularly in personal relationships. The study underscores the importance of striving for two-way communication in the form of interpersonal dialogue to foster a positive organisational culture." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We developed a gap analysis that examines the role of brain–computer interfaces (BCI) in patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC), focusing on their assessment, establishment of communication, and engagement with their environment. Methods: The Curing Coma Campaign convened a Coma Science work group that included 16 clinicians and neuroscientists with expertise in DoC. The work group met online biweekly and performed a gap analysis of the primary question. Results: We outline a roadmap for assessing BCI readiness in patients with DoC and for advancing the use of BCI devices in patients with DoC. Additionally, we discuss preliminary studies that inform development of BCI solutions for communication and assessment of readiness for use of BCIs in DoC study participants. Special emphasis is placed on the challenges posed by the complex pathophysiologies caused by heterogeneous brain injuries and their impact on neuronal signaling. The differences between one-way and two-way communication are specifically considered. Possible implanted and noninvasive BCI solutions for acute and chronic DoC in adult and pediatric populations are also addressed. Conclusions: We identify clinical and technical gaps hindering the use of BCI in patients with DoC in each of these contexts and provide a roadmap for research aimed at improving communication for adults and children with DoC, spanning the clinical spectrum from intensive care unit to chronic care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historical acoustemology allows us to contemplate practices and meanings of non-Indigenous listening in Central Australia and determine how they aligned with processes of settlement. In the 1930s, a new form of listening emerged among remote non-Indigenous women. Modern communities of female transceiver-listeners used radio for two-way communication and networking, and feminist broadcasters quickly picked up the model, undermining pessimistic analyses of early Australian radio and female listeners as passive consumers. But writers integrated transceiver-listening into a narrative of nation that sought to colonise remote Australia with and through white women listeners, and linked transceiver listening to a pervasive metaphor of 'inland silence' that was conceptually deaf to Indigenous presence. Transceiver-listening also usurped forms of communication involving Indigenous people, putting up barriers towards them just as it lowered others. Transceiver-listening had powerful yet complex impacts on modernising remote life, feminist broadcasting, and the settlement of the Australian interior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Good leadership requires the ability to communicate with all elements related to being led so that all organizational goals can be achieved. The presence of women in various public sectors shows the suitability of women to take part and even hold policy-making positions. The presence of several female leaders in Indonesia who occupy leadership positions and the presence of the first female Deputy Regent of Wakatobi elected to lead the Wakatobi Regency area needs to be used as a bullet in the progress of opening up opportunities for women to move in the public space. The focus of this research objective is on what kind of communication style is applied to the female leadership of the Deputy Regent of Wakatobi when leading Wakatobi district in implementing public policy. The research uses a qualitative descriptive approach with a case study method. Data collection techniques were carried out using observation, indepth interviews and documentation. The 6 informants were selected using purposive sampling technique. The research results show that the communication style of women's leadership in implementing existing public policies is two-way communication; structured; open to receiving suggestions; fast handling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rising expectations in society for moral brand behavior have increased the relevance of brand purpose communication on social media. Nevertheless, there is a lack of fundamental research in this area. This study therefore examines brand purpose communication on Twitter, particularly with regard to the values addressed and the communication strategies implemented by corporate brands as well as the corresponding user engagement. A quantitative content analysis of 30 corporate Twitter accounts from 10 industries (n = 6000) shows that brand purpose is communicated across all brands and industries. The values of solidarity and sustainability are in the foreground. In an industry comparison, the FMCG industry and the financial services industry communicate most frequently on brand purpose issues, whereas the media industry and the luxury goods industry do so only marginally. Corporate brands predominantly use information strategy to communicate their brand purpose, although the involvement strategy leads to more engagement. Overall, the analysis shows that the potential of brand purpose communication is not being exploited to the same extent in all industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We leverage log data from an educational app and two-way text message records from over 3,500 students during the summers of 2019 and 2020 and in-depth interviews in Spanish and English to identify patterns of family engagement with educational technology. Based on the type and timing of technology use, we identify several distinct profiles of engagement, which we group into two categories: independent users who engage with technology-based educational software independently and interaction-supported users who use two-way communications to support their engagement. We also find that as the demands of families from schools increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, Spanish-speaking families were significantly more likely than English-speaking families to engage with educational technology across all categories of families, particularly as interaction-supported users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Antioxidant, clock, and neurotrophic factors oscillate in the temporal cortex (TC). • Age-related oxidative stress disrupts the circadian organization in the TC. • Arrhythmic Nrf2 expression becomes rhythmic in the TC of aged rats. • Daily average of Bdnf and Rc3 expression increases in the old TC. Disruption of circadian rhythms contributes to deficits in cognitive functions during aging. Up to date, the biochemical, molecular and chronobiological bases of such deterioration have not been completely elucidated. Here, we aim: 1) to investigate the endogenous nature of 24 h-rhythms of antioxidant defenses, oxidative stress, clocḱ's, and neurotrophic factors expression, in the rat temporal cortex (TC), and 2) to study the consequences of aging on the circadian organization of those factors. We observed a circadian organization of antioxidant enzymes activity, lipoperoxidation and the clock, BMAL1 and RORa, proteins, in the TC of young rats. Such temporal organization suggests the existence of a two-way communication among clock transcription factors and antioxidant defenses. This might generate the rhythmic and circadian expression of Bdnf and Rc3 genes involved in the TC-depending cognitive function. Noteworthy, such circadian organization disappears in the TC of aged rats. Aging also reduces glutathione peroxidase activity and expression, and it increases lipid peroxidation, throughout a 24 h-period. An increased oxidative stress makes the cellular redox environment change into an oxidative status which alters the endogenous clock activity and disrupts the circadian organization of, at least part, of the molecular basis of the synaptic plasticity in the TC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article proposes and demonstrates a retrodirective array (RDA) for two-way wireless communication with automatic beam tracking. The proposed RDA is enabled by specifically designed chips made using a domestic complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process. The highly integrated CMOS chip includes a receiving (Rx) chain, a transmitting (Tx) chain, and a unique tracking phase-locked loop (PLL) for the crucial conjugated phase recovery in the RDA. This article also proposes a method to reduce the beam pointing error (BPE) in a conventional RDA. To validate the above ideas simply yet without loss of generality, a 2.4 GHz RDA is demonstrated through two-way communication links between the Rx and Tx chains, and an on-chip quadrature coupler is designed to achieve a non-retrodirective signal suppression of 23 dBc. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed RDA, which incorporates domestically manufactured low-cost 0.18 μm CMOS chips, is capable of automatically tracking beams covering ±40° with a reduced BPE. Each CMOS chip in the RDA has a compact size of 4.62 mm2 and a low power consumption of 0.15 W. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first research to demonstrate an RDA with a fully customized CMOS chip for wireless communication with automatic beam tracking.

The major component of the smart grid (SG) is the advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), which monitors and controls the existing power system and provides interactive services for invoicing and electricity usage management with the utility. Including a cyber-layer in the metering system allows two-way communication but creates a new opportunity for energy theft, resulting in significant monetary loss. This article proposes an approach to detecting abnormal consumption patterns using energy metering data based on the ensemble technique AdaBoost, a boosting algorithm. Different statistical and descriptive features are retrieved from metering data samples, which account for extreme conditions. The model is trained for malicious and non-malicious data for five different attack scenarios, which are analyzed on the Irish Social Science Data Archive (ISSDA) smart meter dataset. In contrast to prior supervised techniques, it works well even with unbalanced data. The efficacy of the proposed theft detection method has been evaluated by comparing the accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score with the other well-known approaches in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nuclear power plants (NPPs) require continuous monitoring of various systems, structures, and components to ensure safe and efficient operations. The critical safety testing of new fuel compositions and the analysis of the effects of power transients on core temperatures can be achieved through modeling and simulations. They capture the dynamics of the physical phenomenon associated with failure modes and facilitate the creation of digital twins (DTs). Accurate reconstruction of fields of interest (e.g., temperature, pressure, velocity) from sensor measurements is crucial to establish a two-way communication between physical experiments and models. Sensor placement is highly constrained in most nuclear subsystems due to challenging operating conditions and inherent spatial limitations. This study develops optimized data-driven sensor placements for full-field reconstruction within reactor and steam generator subsystems of NPPs. Optimized constrained sensors reconstruct field of interest within a tri-structural isotropic (TRISO) fuel irradiation experiment, a lumped parameter model of a nuclear fuel test rod and a steam generator. The optimization procedure leverages reduced-order models of flow physics to provide a highly accurate full-field reconstruction of responses of interest, noise-induced uncertainty quantification and physically feasible sensor locations. Accurate sensor-based reconstructions establish a foundation for the digital twinning of subsystems, culminating in a comprehensive DT aggregate of an NPP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses highlights of the Annual Conference of the American Library Association (ALA), held in San Diego, California from June 27 to July 2, 2024. Topics included resolutions to support American Association of School Librarians (AASL) School Library Chapters and Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Academic Library Chapters and reaffirming ALA's commitment to intellectual freedom, recommended committee changes, and memorial resolutions honoring library workers.

The importance of family-school relations and their positive effects on children's developments is well documented. They can be shaped predominantly by one-way (schools informing parents) or two-way (a partnership approach) communication. When fostering these relationships, schools and families engage on individual and collective levels, using a variety of tools such as text messages, emails, phone calls or personal contacts. A growing body of literature suggests that digital technologies are changing the way families and schools communicate and digital media contacts are often considered to be more immediate and convenient. In this contribution, we present findings from a Swiss project focusing on school websites. Using data from interviews with 33 families and personnel in eight schools (principals, teachers and other staff), we explore how family-school communication is embedded in specific contexts, including rural contexts, and takes place through diverse channels. While parents make use of and appreciate diverse communication channels, schools' choices of communication channels are often related to specific functions. Overall, we found that one-way information rather than dialogue still dominates family-school relations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predicated on the telephone, the history of videotelephony has continually adopted a two-way model of communication between 'newsreader' participants, confined to boxes on a screen. This article identifies philosophical approaches and practical solutions to overcome this 'horseless-carriage' syndrome using a phenomenological methodology to reframe the concept of videotelephony as a third space encounter through the author's telematic art practice. By reflecting on audience participation in the Installations Telematic Dreaming (1992) and Telematic Vision (1993) participants interact through a third-person self-image and transcend their physical vulnerabilities and self-conscious inhibitions to engage and identify through coexistence and empathy. These observations draw on analogies between Martin Heidegger's 'hammer' and the television screen, and Maurice Merleau-Ponty's 'extension of bodily synthesis' and the telepresent image of self. By drawing on these phenomenological approaches, the author's AHRC research project Telepresence Stage (2022) responded to the mass entrapment of two-way videoconference apps during the COVID-19 lockdown, and the inevitable Zoom fatigue, to provide alternative fit-for-purpose telepresence solutions for the performing arts sector. The project exposes the flaws and misconceptions of conventional videotelephony by employing open-source resources and practical green-screen techniques to embody a shared third space between remote performers, arriving at alternative telepresence solutions for future coexistence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This article reports on a multi-year ethnographic study that explored how transborder children with ties to Brazil and the U.S. embodied and further (co-)developed critical consciousness in K-3 two-way dual language bilingual education (DLBE) classrooms. Leveraging a decolonial transborder approach in the analysis of classroom observation data, this article foregrounds how the children contested marginalized social identities related to unauthorized immigration status and co-constructed subalternized knowledge under the teacher’s radar in spatio-temporal liminal zones of sanctioned classroom discourse. Such contestation, embedded in accounts of saudade, or nostalgic longing, as well as transnational im/mobility, mapped onto critical consciousness components. This study calls on bilingual education scholars to attune to elementary-aged children’s knowledges, subjectivities, and actions on various scales as essential to understand and further support their critical consciousness formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the fact that research shows that collaboration between families and schools contribute to academic achievement, social‐emotional development and sense of well‐being of students, many schools struggle to establish family‐school partnerships. The current study explores keys to success and challenges in engaging families to the design and implementation of School Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS). In a two‐step systematic assessment, consisting of an online survey (n = 27 participants) and five focus group interviews with administrators and members of SWPBIS leadership teams in schools for primary education (n = 15 participants), we found that all 27 participating schools considered partnerships and communication with parents important. However, most participating schools did not have a policy or strategic planning for engaging families, nor did they systematically evaluate their actions. Schools used one‐way approaches of communicating with parents and found it hard to adapt their communication to a diverse population of new parents and parents already familiar with SWPBIS. Schools did not communicate about what was achieved by implementing SWPBIS in their school. Including families in the SWPBIS leadership team was often considered challenging. Input from families on SWPBIS was not collected, nor did schools gather information about family's needs, (cultural) backgrounds to develop strategies for engaging families. Further research on actual school practices in engaging families is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The share of renewable energy feeding the European grid has been growing over the years, even though the intermittency of some renewable energy sources can induce electric grid instability. Energy storage has proven to be an effective way of reducing grid instability. Various solutions for large-scale energy storage are being researched nowadays. This study focusses on the innovative low-head pumped hydro storage (LH PHS) technology, a large-scale energy storage scheme suitable for shallow seas (5 – 30 m depth). Implementation of renewable energy technologies, such as wind farms in Europe, Asia and North America, has faced public opposition which has delayed or even cancelled the implementation of renewable energy projects. Literature about public perception of projects highlights the importance of involving stakeholders from the early stages of project planning. Considering this, the present study aims to collect stakeholder opinions (via an online survey) to determine what is necessary for a smooth implementation of LH PHS in the North Sea, both from technical and policy points of view. Results: Stakeholders from commercial parties, government authorities and local groups recognized the potential of LH PHS as a means to increase the share of renewable energies within the European power grid. Economics, bureaucratic burden, and structural safety have emerged as primary aspects of concern respecting the implementation of LH PHS. The impression of the respondents is that a low-head pumped hydro station would not have negative effects on their organizations. Furthermore, most of the engineering firms participating in the study communicated that their knowledge and resources could be involved in the construction of such an energy storage facility. Conclusion: As identified stakeholder concerns such as economics and structural safety are currently being researched, effective communication of the findings of this research is paramount to keep stakeholders informed of the ongoing progress. Two-way communication between researchers and stakeholders is recommended to enhance public acceptance of future technologies. Furthermore, is it advisable to undertake an examination of the available energy policies relevant to LH PHS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Observational studies have suggested associations between functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) and variations in the cerebral cortex. However, the causality of these relationships remains unclear, confounded by anxiety and depression. To clarify these causal relationships and explore the mediating roles of anxiety and depression, we applied univariate, multivariable, and mediation Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses. Method: We utilized genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary data from the FinnGen database and the ENIGMA consortium, identifying genetic variants associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional dyspepsia (FD), and cerebral cortex structures. Data on anxiety and depression came from FinnGen and a large meta-analysis. Utilizing a bidirectional univariate MR approach, we explored correlations between FD, IBS, and cortex variations. Then, independent effects were assessed through multivariable MR. A meta-analysis of these results, incorporating data from two cohorts, aimed to increase precision. We also explored the potential mediating roles of anxiety and depression. Results: Our findings indicate a negative causal correlation between FD and the thickness of the rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC) across both global and regional adjustments (β = -0.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.209 to-0.074, P.FDR = 0.004; β = -0.112, 95%CI: -0.163 to-0.006, P.FDR = 0.003) and a positive causal correlation with the globally adjusted thickness of the superior frontal gyrus (SFG) (β = 0.107, 95%CI: 0.062 to 0.153, P.FDR = 0.001). The causal correlation with the rACC persisted after multiple variable adjustments (β = -0.137, 95% CI: -0.187 to-0.087, P.FDR = 1.81 × 10-5; β = -0.109, 95%CI: -0.158 to-0.06, P.FDR = 0.002). A significant causal association was found between globally adjusted surface area of the caudal anterior cingulate cortex (cACC) and IBS (odds ratio = 1.267, 95%CI: 1.128 to 1.424, P.FDR = 0.02). The analysis showed that neither anxiety nor depression mediated the relationship between FGIDs and cerebral cortex structures. Conclusion: Our research provides significant MR evidence of a bidirectional causal relationship between FGIDs and the cerebral cortex structures. This evidence not only confirms the two-way communication along the brain-gut axis but also illuminates the underlying pathophysiology, paving the way for identifying potential therapeutic approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In early 2020 the US Forest Service (USFS) recognized the need to gather real-time information from its wildland fire management personnel about their challenges and adaptations during the unfolding COVID-19 pandemic. The USFS conducted 194 virtual focus groups to address these concerns, over 32 weeks from March 2020 to October 2020. This management effort provided an opportunity for an innovative practice-based research study. Here, we outline a novel methodological approach (weekly, iterative focus groups, with two-way communication between USFS staff and leadership), which culminated in a model for focus group coordination during extended crises. We also document the substantive challenges USFS wildfire employees discussed, including: conflicting policies and procedures; poor communication; ill-defined decision space; barriers to multi-jurisdictional resources; negative impacts on work-life balance; and disruption of pre-season training. USFS focus groups were effective for knowledge sharing among employees and elevating issues to top levels of the USFS management structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two main hypotheses regarding the directional flow of visual information processing in the brain have been proposed: feed-forward (bottom-up) and re-entrant (top-down). Early theories espoused feed-forward principles in which processing was said to advance from simple to increasingly complex attributes terminating at a higher area where conscious perceptions occur. That view is disconfirmed by advances in neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, which implicate re-entrant two-way signaling as the predominant form of communication between brain regions. With some notable exceptions, the notion of re-entrant processing has had a relatively modest effect on computational models of perception and cognition, which continue to be predominantly based on feed-forward or within-level re-entrant principles. In the present work we describe five sets of empirical findings that defy interpretation in terms of feed-forward or within-level re-entrant principles. We conclude by urging the adoption of psychophysical, biological, and computational models based on cross-level iterative re-entrant principles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The long-term goal of this research is the development of a stand-alone tactile device for the communication of speech for persons with profound sensory deficits as well as for applications for persons with intact hearing and vision. Studies were conducted with a phoneme-based tactile display of speech consisting of a 4-by-6 array of tactors worn on the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the forearm. Unique tactile signals were assigned to the 39 English phonemes. Study I consisted of training and testing on the identification of 4-phoneme words. Performance on a trained set of 100 words averaged 87% across the three participants and generalized well to a novel set of words (77%). Study II consisted of two-way messaging between two users of TAPS (TActile Phonemic Sleeve) for 13 h over 45 days. The participants conversed with each other by inputting text that was translated into tactile phonemes sent over the device. Messages were identified with an accuracy of 73% correct in conjunction with 82% of the words. Although rates of communication were slow (roughly 1 message per minute), the results obtained with this ecologically valid procedure represent progress toward the goal of a stand-alone tactile device for speech communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Asian Journal of Communication has published a special issue on "Islam in Asia: in Communicology Studies." The articles in this issue explore various aspects of Islamic communication in Asia, including socio-economic barriers faced by Muslim communities, the role of social media in urban Islamic communication, the commodification of Islamic piety in politics, the response to Islamophobia in Indonesia, the perspectives of ulama (Islamic scholars) on terrorism news, the proselytization methods of the Jamaah Tabligh community in Thailand, and the da'wah (Islamic outreach) efforts of Muslim women on social media. These articles provide valuable insights into the diverse and complex nature of Islamic communication in Asia. [Extracted from the article]

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is known to survive within macrophages by compromising the integrity of the phagosomal compartment in which it resides. This activity primarily relies on the ESX-1 secretion system, predominantly involving the protein duo ESAT-6 and CFP-10. CFP-10 likely acts as a chaperone, while ESAT-6 likely disrupts phagosomal membrane stability via a largely unknown mechanism. we employ a series of biochemical analyses, protein modeling techniques, and a novel ESAT-6-specific nanobody to gain insight into the ESAT-6' s mode of action. First, we measure the binding kinetics of the tight 1:1 complex formed by ESAT-6 and CFP-10 at neutral pH. Subsequently, we demonstrate a rapid self-association of ESAT-6 into large complexes under acidic conditions, leading to the identification of a stable tetrameric ESAT-6 species. Using molecular dynamics simulations, we pinpoint the most probable interaction interface. Furthermore, we show that cytoplasmic expression of an anti-ESAT-6 nanobody blocks Mtb replication, thereby underlining the pivotal role of ESAT-6 in intracellular survival. Together, these data suggest that ESAT-6 acts by a pH-dependent mechanism to establish two-way communication between the cytoplasm and the Mtb-containing phagosome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smart radial distribution network improves the two-way communication between the grid operator and electric vehicles (EVs) car parking operator through an aggregator. By two-way communication, EV energy management can be proposed in smart radial distribution networks. The EVs energy management in smart radial distribution networks helps in energy saving and also improves the reliability and stability of the network. A smart radial distribution network is proposed here with an aggregator, power market, G-2-V, and V-2-G facility. A novel energy exchange approach based on the profit-sharing principle for EV charging/discharging patterns is presented for three types of EVs of different capacities with state of charge uncertainties for benefits of EV owners, energy saving for grid operator and, vehicle-to-grid car parking operators. For introducing a real-time EV charging/discharging management approach an IEEE-33 bus system of the Saudi Arabia United Kingdom rural location is selected. The traffic pattern of Saudi Arabia is used for implementing the proposed charging/discharging approach with the three most popular EVs used in the city. The energy exchange algorithm presented here is implemented and tested on MATLAB 2020a software. Here, environmental impacts are also analyzed by calculating carbon emission particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, it is evident that the traditional power grid system is changing to smart grid in a revolutionary and evolutionary manner. Compared to other systems, advanced metering infrastructure has three distinctive features that must be carefully considered, including hybrid mode of message transmission, constraints on the computation and storage capability of smart meters ( S M s ) and variable number of participants in demand response (DR) projects. In order to ensure confidentiality, integrity and availability, an efficient and robust scheme for key management is required for secure two-way transmission between S M s and data control unit ( D C U ), which is still an unsolved problem. To deal with the security requirements and consider the specific features, this paper proposes a novel key management scheme that drastically reduces the computation cost of the D C U and S M s . Further, in the proposed scheme, there is no need to change the keys of existing S M s when a S M joins/leaves the group. Therefore, the computation cost of D C U and S M s for updating the keys is reduced to O (1). Finally, we have analyzed the performance and security of our scheme which evidently shows that our proposed scheme provides better results than the related schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The International Criminal Court (ICC) Registry's reports on information and outreach activities concerning Bangladesh and Myanmar speak of two worlds. One, of a public affairs-focused managerial institution, and another of diverse priorities, insecurity, and complicated interactions among communities, organisations and states. To meet their aims and purposes, international criminal mechanisms must engage with other actors. Researchers have identified 'lessons' for conducting effective communications, including outreach, for information dissemination, building support, and conducting legitimate and safe trials. This article analyses documents and draws on limited interviews to explore how, despite these insights being represented in ICC strategies, disconnection between the ICC and interested actors in the pre-trial Bangladesh/Myanmar situation persists. It argues that the ICC's continued failure to integrate experiences or its own strategies for two-way communication undermines its ability to fulfil its purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolic coupling between oocytes and the surrounding somatic cells allows for normal two-way communication, and their interactions is necessary for generating developmentally competent eggs. However, the metabolic framework that support oocyte maturation in surrounding cumulus cells is still lacking. Herin, we established a temporal metabolome profile of porcine cumulus cells at three key stages during oocyte maturation, illustrating the picture of global metabolic network in cumulus cells. Importantly, we discovered the novel metabolic signature in cumulus cells during meiotic maturation, in specific, significant consumption of fatty acids, elevated activity of hexosamine biosynthetic pathway (HBP), and enhanced polyamine biosynthesis. Meanwhile, we observed the different utilization of tryptophan, active biosynthesis of progesterone, and progressive decrease in purine and pyrimidine metabolism as the oocytes progress through meiosis. Collectively, our metabolomic data serves an entree to elaborate on the dynamic changes in these metabolic pathways, which not only reveals the metabolic networks controlling oocyte development, but also lays a foundation for the discovery of biomarkers in the improvement in porcine oocyte culture system. [Display omitted] • Analyzed the temporal metabolome profiles of porcine cumulus cells. • Uncovered the metabolic networks regulating oocyte development. • Discovered the active biosynthesis of progesterone and polyamines in cumulus cells during maturation. • Several of the metabolites found in our study may be helpful for the prediction of biomarkers of higher oocyte quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to explore elementary teachers noticing in stimulating students' critical and creative thinking abilities. This exploratory qualitative research focuses on the main aspects of teacher noticing (attending, interpreting, and responding) in stimulating students' critical and creative thinking abilities. Research findings on every aspect of elementary school teacher attention show sufficient evidence of stimulating students' critical and creative thinking abilities. In the aspect of attendance, the teacher highlights students' thinking in solving problems through writing. In the interpretation aspect, the teacher interprets students' thinking to understand more deeply the details of students' thinking strategies through two-way communication to expand students' understanding of the thinking strategies used. Based on the results of the interpretation, the teacher decides the student's needs and determines the response that should be given based on the student's level of understanding. The response given was in the form of providing suggestions about new thinking strategies and new learning strategies to expand students' critical and creative thinking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: There is growing scholarly interest in the use of penalty in employment contracts which reduce employees' pay if the employee's performance does not meet a pre-specified performance threshold. Prior accounting research has focused exclusively on the effect of penalty on employee performance. In this study, the authors extend earlier research by examining how penalty affects the employers' wage offers. Prior research suggests that employers' generous wage offers in employment contracts are normally translated as trust by employees who in turn reciprocate with higher effort. The authors present a theory that predicts penalty reduces employers' wage offers. Then, the authors propose unrestricted communication between employers and employees as a potential moderator for the negative effect of penalty on trust and reciprocity. Design/methodology/approach: The authors implement a controlled lab experiment with a 2 × 3 experimental design (Penalty: Present and Absent; and Communication: None, One-Way and Two-Way). Findings: The authors develop their predictions by utilizing insights from motivational-crowding and organizational communication theories. The authors hypothesize and find evidence that employers' ability to penalize employees can reduce employers' motivation to offer generous wages. As a result, reduced trust demotivates employees to provide high effort. However, the authors find that a two-way communication moderates the negative effect of penalties by restoring trust, thereby, increasing reciprocity. Finally, the authors find evidence that relationship-oriented messages explain the moderating effect of communication. Research limitations/implications: This study is subject to limitations inherent in all experimental studies. The decisions in the study experiment are less complex than those found in practice. Moreover, there are significantly higher costs and potential benefits to shirk on effort in practice. The authors encourage future research on other organizational features that would influence the generalizability of their theory and results. Nonetheless, this study makes an important contribution to the literature on trust, reciprocity, gift-exchange contracts, managerial controls and communication. Practical implications: This paper has several important implications for theory and practice. The authors show that the presence of penalty may not automatically result in increasing employees' effort level, contrary to traditional economic theory predictions. This effect is driven mainly by the crowding out effect of a penalty on employers' desire to signal trust. Therefore, the presence of an open communication channel may become an important tool to reverse the psychological effect of reduced trust when penalty is present. Therefore, the study's findings contribute to the trust–reciprocity literature on how management control system influences employers' and employees' behavior. These findings are especially germane given the trend in the workplace toward establishing open communication at different levels within the firm hierarchy. The study also contributes to the literature on trust–reciprocity as critical informal controls and social norms in accounting practices (Bicchieri, 2006; Stevens, 2019), shedding light on how firms may influence employees' reciprocity in management control practices and induce them to act in line with the firm's objectives by opening communication channels. Originality/value: Prior accounting research document that penalty in employment contracts increases employee performance due to loss aversion. The study, however, demonstrates that the positive effect of penalty is not sustained in a gift-exchange contract. Specifically, the study's experimental results provide evidence that the availability of penalties can psychologically change the way employers perceive their decisions on offering generous wages (i.e. trust) and consequently reduce employees' reciprocation of high effort levels. Yet, the authors propose a two-way communication as a restorative mechanism for the lost trust. Implications for theory and practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) is a common intestinal metabolite. The Choline in the nutrient forms TMA under the action of the gut microbiota, which passes through the liver and eventually forms TMAO. Initial studies of TMAO focused on cardiovascular disease, but as research progressed, TAMO's effects were found to be multisystem and closely related to the development of neurological diseases. Intestinal tract is the organ with the largest concentration of bacteria in human body, and the composition and metabolism of gut microbiota affect human health. As a two-way communication axis connecting the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract, the brain-gut axis provides the structural basis for TMAO to play its role. This article will review the correlation between TMA/TMAO and neurological diseases in order to find new directions and new targets for the treatment of neurological diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Waste management has been the subject of interest for both Ukrainian and foreign scientists. While Ukrainian researchers have studied waste management and focused on the viability of waste incineration for economic and environmental protection, foreign scientists have directed their attention towards examining the environmental impact of electronic devices. By analysing complex issues related to social-ecological systems, these foreign scientists have studied e-waste management (EWM) approaches to guarantee environmental sustainability and raise public knowledge of EWM. This comparative scrutiny has revealed a research gap, prompting the need to investigate the current state of the e-waste management system (EWMS) in Ukraine to determine the directions for improving EWM. Methods: To meet the objectives outlined in this paper, various scientific and specialised methods were employed. The structural-functional method was used to consider stakeholders' interests and level of influence in the EWMS by dividing them into four groups. A SWOT analysis was performed to determine the EWMS's opportunities, threats, weaknesses, and strengths. The comparison method was used when Ukraine's regulatory framework in the EWMS was approximated and compared with EU legal actions. Results and Conclusions: The study examined stakeholders' interests and level of influence over EWMS, categorising them into four categories: KEEP INFORMED (mass media), MANAGE CLOSELY (the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers, various ministries, and state organisations in Ukraine), KEEP SATISFIED (the President of Ukraine and Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine), and KEEP INFORMED + TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION (international organisations, non-governmental and public organisations, activists, and environmental organisations). A SWOT analysis revealed the EWM system's advantages, disadvantages, opportunities, and threats. Taking these factors into account will advance the deployment of EWMS in Ukraine and provide insight into the issues impeding its advancement. Our analysis of Ukraine's EWM regulatory framework and its adherence to EU law enabled us to conclude that, to effectively manage all waste streams, including e-waste flows, national sectoral laws and regulations that consider international standards and progressive foreign experience should be adopted as the next step in reforming the waste management sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the first time, the influence of a Stratospheric Drone (SD) on data transmission in Vehicle Ad Hoc Network (VANET) was studied. Data transmission using SD requires reliable and fast two-way communication between the Service Provider (SP) unit, Road Side Unit (RSU), Vehicles and SD. Important questions are: whether existing terrestrial VANET can effectively interact with SD in three-dimensional space under heavy traffic and under what data transmission modes it is possible to provide the necessary Quality of Service (QoS) in VANET. To study these issues, we have developed simple models of communication channels "SP - RSU - Vehicle" and "SP - SD - RSU - Vehicle". Dependences of the load for the RSU communication link with the vehicle On-Board Unit (OBU) and the transaction Travel Time (TT) on the Transaction Size (TS) are analyzed. Dependences of the RSU - OBU channel load and the TT parameter on the Bit Error Rate (BER) and the Packet Fail Chance (PFC) were obtained. The importance and usefulness of such numerical analysis lies in the ability to set traffic parameters and observe the resulting QoS under certain transmission modes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) is an emerging and disruptive technology that has attracted considerable interest from researchers and educators across various disciplines. We discuss the relevance and concerns of ChatGPT and other GAI tools in environmental psychology research. We propose three use categories for GAI tools: integrated and contextualized understanding, practical and flexible implementation, and two-way external communication. These categories are exemplified by topics such as the health benefits of green space, theory building, visual simulation, and identifying practical relevance. However, we also highlight the balance of productivity with ethical issues, as well as the need for ethical guidelines, professional training, and changes in the academic performance evaluation systems. We hope this perspective can foster constructive dialogue and responsible practice of GAI tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most well-known uses of smart cities has been massive multimedia offerings. But the enormous demand for device-to-access point (D2A) communication has significantly increased the energy consumed and the greenhouse impact. As a result, energy-harvesting-based two-way access points (AP) and space shift keying (SSK) modulation are used to analyse the error performance of smart users in the smart city. Communication between smart users and a centralised AP is crucial in a smart metropolis. In this instance, energy harvesting at the two-way AP over the Saleh–Valenzuela channel has been taken into consideration using the simultaneous wireless information and power transmission (SWIPT) system. For smart users, SWIPT can remove the need for battery replacement or meet energy needs. In contrast, SSK modulation is a less complex method that does not need as many radio-frequency chains, inter-antenna synchronisation, or inter-channel interference for multiple-input-multiple-output transmission. Applying multi-user selection combining, smart sensors' average bit error probability efficiency is derived in closed form. The numerical and simulation assessment results demonstrate how energy harvesting affects the system's effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The traditional electrical grid has to be digitally improved as digitalization and effective integration of renewable energy bring better efficiency, intelligence, and safety into the grid; hence, the transition from the traditional grid to a smart grid. A smart grid is a modernized and digitalized standard electrical infrastructure that has a key component known as the advanced metering infrastructure (AMI). AMI, also known as smart metering, is a key technological enabler of the smart grid that allows automatic collection and reporting of power-consumed data via two-way communication networks. However, the collected power consumption data is confidential; hence, its privacy must be maintained. Similarly, for the benefit of the smart grid to be consistently maximized, the AMI data and network security must always be intact despite the evolving threats and attacks targeted at it. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the existing vulnerabilities/attacks, security and privacy challenges associated with the smart metering data and network system, its open issues, and future direction. The major contributions of this review paper lie in the AMI vulnerabilities, AMI state-of-the-art security schemes with their pros and cons, its communication protocols analysis, and its emerging security measures. This gave enumerated recommendations for the efficiency improvement of AMI security in terms of its latency reduction while implementing efficient security measures in its future work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]