HealthInsight

Convergence in healthcare is integrating information technology (IT) systems with operational technology (OT) systems to improve patient care and operational efficiency. This integration allows for real-time data exchange between medical devices, enhances data analysis for better patient outcomes, and streamlines workflows for healthcare professionals. While the increased networked connectivity of medical devices offers numerous benefits, it also introduces significant cybersecurity threats. We survey and characterize medical devices and then perform a small number of empirical experiments to investigate advertised commercial claims about exposed medical devices unprotected on the Internet. In the first non-commercial, peer-reviewed research paper on this important topic, we validate previous claims and state clearly that a significant problem exists. We conclude that the unique new threats created by IT/OT convergence represent threats to healthcare as a national infrastructure that cannot be solved solely by established IT cybersecurity best practice techniques.

Optical satellite communications offer unique advantages compared to Radio-frequency (RF) satellite systems such as greater bandwidth, higher data rates, reduced power consumption, etc. Potential applications for such links may include high-speed optical communication links, intersatellite links, relay links for geosynchronous satellites as well as quantum key distribution (QKD). However, optical signals may be severely affected by atmospheric phenomena when propagating through the atmosphere. This paper presents the feasibility analysis conducted for optical satellite communications (SatComs) in Cyprus, a country island located at the east of the Mediterranean-sea that can act as a possible location for a pan-European and/or middle East optical ground station network (OGSN). The paper elaborates on the methodology adopted for the channel modelling of optical satellite downlinks and the calculation of the link budget. Monthly cloud-free line-of-sight probability (CFLOS) for various locations across Cyprus has been estimated as well as the joint availability of multiple links across the Cyprus and Greece forming an OGSN. Sensitivity analysis on the received power for various telescope diameters has been conducted and attenuation due to relatively frequent dust storms has been calculated. Results indicate that Cyprus is favourable in terms of CFLOS availability for optical communications and attenuation due to regional dust can vary from some dBs up to tens of dBs depending on its concentration across the slant path. Considering Cyprus’ high CFLOS availability, a market survey on the potential use of optical SatComs across Cyprus has been conducted. The survey targeted cellular providers and attempted to gain more information about their current needs and client requirements. Based on the input received, a number of use-case scenarios have been developed and are presented in this paper.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus has been associated with severe mastitis in dairy cows, leading to decreased milk production. Here we investigated the impact of H5N1 virus infection in health and production parameters in an affected dairy herd in Ohio. Clinical disease, which lasted for about three weeks, was recorded in 20.0% (777/3876) of the adult cows. Milk losses of ~900 kg per cow were recorded in affected cows during a 60 day-post-outbreak period. Seroprevalence was 89.4% (570/637) in the herd, with 76.1% (485/637) of seropositive animals being subclinically infected. Clinically affected cows presented an increased risk of death (6 times) and of premature herd removal (3.6 times) when compared to non-clinical cows. Economic losses due to decreased milk production, mortality, and early herd removal were estimated at $950 per clinically affected cow for a total cost of ~$737,500 for the herd during the observation period. Our results demonstrate a production impact lasting at least 60 days post-clinical diagnosis and major financial consequences of HPAI H5N1 virus infection to dairy farms.

Stigma associated with HIV/AIDS continues to be a major barrier to prevention, management, and care. HIV stigma can negatively influence health behaviors. Surveys of the general public in Japan also demonstrated substantial gaps in knowledge of HIV/AIDS. Tweets from the social networking service X (formerly known as Twitter) have been studied to identify stigmas in other disorders but have not yet been used to study HIV stigma in Japan. The aim of the study is to examine the variations in stigma related to HIV over an extended period using tweets from X and to investigate the stigma toward people with HIV associated with various demographic segments. Japanese tweets from X related to HIV/AIDS were retrospectively collected; the phase 1 feasibility study collected tweets from 2011, 2014, and 2017, and the phase 2 analysis included tweets from each third year from 2011 through 2023. Individual tweets were labeled with the messages they conveyed (stigma and corresponding antistigma types included labels, marks, responsibility, peril, insults, and fear; tweets without stigma or antistigma messages were considered general education or neutral) along with demographic characteristics and locations; phase 1 results were used to develop a machine learning model to apply in phase 2. The labeled data from phase 2 were used to answer research questions concerning yearly changes in HIV stigma and proportions of stigma across population segments. A total of 2,016,826 tweets related to HIV/AIDS were identified over the study period; 1,648,556 (81.7%) were from individual accounts, with the remainder from organizational accounts. In total, 574,687 (28.5%) tweets indicated stigma attitudes, while 1,119,852 (55.5%), 207,320 (10.3%), and 114,967 (5.7%) showed neutral, antistigma, or general education attitudes, respectively. Tweets including peril, fear, or insult comprised 502,134 (87.4%) of tweets with stigma. The greatest numbers of tweets were made by people in their 20s, whereas people in their 20s and 60s had the greatest proportions of tweets with stigma (n=9650, 35.3% and n=558, 34.5%, respectively). Peril and fear made up 5819 (60.3%) of stigma tweets from people in their 20s. The proportion of tweets with stigma (n=59,719, 20.5% in 2017) increased notably during the COVID-19 pandemic (n=217,512, 31.4% in 2020, and a similar n=175,647, 33.9% in 2023). Tweets from health care practitioners had 1.68 times the odds of having antistigma messages versus those from others. This study contributes to the understanding of HIV stigma in Japan and shows the usefulness of social media for studying stigma. The extent and type of HIV stigma changed from before to after the COVID-19 pandemic. These results can be used to develop future activities and educational programs to combat HIV-related stigma.

Instabilities in open and closed plasma media can be explained through wave-particle interaction processes. In our work we investigate some features of plasma instabilities in ionosphere on the basis of nonlinear wave-particle interaction process. The accelerated plasma particles may transfer their energy to high frequency plasma waves through modulated waves and these nonresonant waves may be amplified at the expense resonant mode energy in plasma medium through modulated field. In this paper we present expressions of nonlinear force due to wave-particle interaction process in plasma medium under specific conditions.

Former studies have shown that the Local Plane Wave (LPW) method can be used to measure the (effective) in-situ sound absorption coefficient of any surface. The LPW-method is based on a local plane wave assumption, in which the normal component of the sound field in each spatial coordinate is approximated by an incident and a reflected plane wave. This is contrary to conventional methods that rely on a known global sound field, like the impedance tube (plane wave) and reverberation room (diffuse field) methods. The LPW-method can therefore be applied in sound fields for which a model is not available. This has been numerically and experimentally validated using a probe consisting of 8 MEMS-microphones in an open cubical structure. In this paper, the LPW-method will be applied to a rigid spherical microphone array. The wellknown plane wave expansion in spherical harmonics will be used to formulate a local model of the sound field in the presence of a rigid sphere. The resulting model will be used to infer the sound field for the case the rigid sphere would not be present. The (effective) in-situ sound absorption coefficient is then computed from the parameters of this inferred sound field. Using numerical and experimental results, the validity and usefulness of the LPW-method to measure sound absorption using a spherical microphone array will then be shown.

AegleMarmelos, also known as bael in India, is a plant belonging to the Rutaceae family. It has been used to treat diseases since ancient times. Its various parts, such as fruit, leaves, and bark, stem, and roots, are used in various diseases. It contains a wide range of alkaloids, which are used to treat various ailments. Its medicinal properties include anti-diarrheal, anti-dyestradiol, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-radiol, radio protective, and anti pyretic. It also has analgesic properties, analgesic properties, constipation properties, respiratory infection properties, antioxidant properties, hepatoprotection properties, wound healing properties, and many more. This plant is considered to be one of the most important medicinal plants in the field due to its medicinal properties. It is used in herbalism and is an easily accessible source of healthcare in rural and tribal regions. In this review, we have attempted to summarise the phytochemicals and pharmacological studies of an important medicinal plant, AegleMarmelos. Oxidative Stress and Inflammation are critical factors that play a role in nearly all life style disorders including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, ulcers and cancer. The aim of this study was to isolate and catalyze the catheterization of furanocoatrimin from the earlobes L.