Digital Twin Empowered Heterogeneous Network Selection in Vehicular Networks With Knowledge Transfer

Digital Twin Empowered Heterogeneous Network Selection in Vehicular Networks With Knowledge Transfe

Examining post-concussion white matter change in a pediatric sample

Diffusion-Weight Imaging (DWI) is increasingly used to explore a range of outcomes in pediatric concussion, particularly the neurobiological underpinnings of symptom recovery. However, the DWI findings within the broader pediatric concussion literature are mixed, which can largely be explained by methodological heterogeneity. To address some of these limitations, the aim of the present study was to utilize internationally- recognized criteria for concussion and a consistent imaging timepoint to conduct a comprehensive, multi-parametric survey of white matter microstructure after concussion. Forty-three children presenting with concussion to the emergency department of a tertiary level pediatric hospital underwent neuroimaging and were classified as either normally recovering (n = 27), or delayed recovering (n = 14) based on their post-concussion symptoms at 2 weeks post-injury. We combined multiple DWI metrics across four modeling approaches using Linked Independent Component Analysis (LICA) to extract several independent patterns of covariation in tissue microstructure present in the study cohort. Our analysis did not identify significant differences between the symptomatic and asymptomatic groups and no component significantly predicted delayed recovery. If white matter microstructure changes are implicated in delayed recovery from concussion, these findings, alongside previous work, suggest that current diffusion techniques are insufficient to detect those changes at this time

Recent advances in in situ and operando characterization techniques for Li7La3Zr2O12-based solid-state lithium batteries

Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO)-based solid-state Li batteries (SSLBs) have emerged as one of the most promising energy storage systems due to the potential advantages of solid-state electrolytes (SSEs), such as ionic conductivity, mechanical strength, chemical stability and electrochemical stability. However, there remain several scientific and technical obstacles that need to be tackled before they can be commercialised. The main issues include the degradation and deterioration of SSEs and electrode materials, ambiguity in the Li+ migration routes in SSEs, and interface compatibility between SSEs and electrodes during the charging and discharging processes. Using conventional ex situ characterization techniques to unravel the reasons that lead to these adverse results often requires disassembly of the battery after operation. The sample may be contaminated during the disassembly process, resulting in changes in the material properties within the battery. In contrast, in situ/operando characterization techniques can capture dynamic information during cycling, enabling real-time monitoring of batteries. Therefore, in this review, we briefly illustrate the key challenges currently faced by LLZO-based SSLBs, review recent efforts to study LLZO-based SSLBs using various in situ/operando microscopy and spectroscopy techniques, and elaborate on the capabilities and limitations of these in situ/operando techniques. This review paper not only presents the current challenges but also outlines future developmental prospects for the practical implementation of LLZO-based SSLBs. By identifying and addressing the remaining challenges, this review aims to enhance the comprehensive understanding of LLZO-based SSLBs. Additionally, in situ/operando characterization techniques are highlighted as a promising avenue for future research. The findings presented here can serve as a reference for battery research and provide valuable insights for the development of different types of solid-state batteries

Intelligence trajectories in individuals at ultra-high risk for psychosis: An 8-year longitudinal analysis

Cognitive impairment is a well-documented predictor of transition to a full-threshold psychotic disorder amongst individuals at ultra-high risk (UHR) for psychosis. However, less is known about whether change in cognitive functioning differs between those who do and do not transition. Studies to date have not examined trajectories in intelligence constructs (e.g., acquired knowledge and fluid intelligence), which have demonstrated marked impairments in individuals with schizophrenia. This study aimed to examine intelligence trajectories using longitudinal data spanning an average of eight years, where some participants completed assessments over three time-points. Participants (N = 139) at UHR for psychosis completed the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI) at each follow-up. Linear mixed-effects models mapped changes in WASI Full-Scale IQ (FSIQ) and T-scores on Vocabulary, Similarities, Block Design, and Matrix Reasoning subtests. The sample showed stable and improving trajectories for FSIQ and all subtests. There were no significant differences in trajectories between those who did and did not transition to psychosis and between individuals with good and poor functional outcomes. However, although not significant, the trajectories of the acquired knowledge subtests diverged between transitioned and non-transitioned individuals (β = −0.12, 95 % CI [−0.29, 0.05] for Vocabulary and β = −0.14, 95 % CI [−0.33, 0.05] for Similarities). Overall, there was no evidence for long-term deterioration in intelligence trajectories in this UHR sample. Future studies with a larger sample of transitioned participants may be needed to explore potential differences in intelligence trajectories between UHR transition groups and other non-psychosis outcomes

Effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation on cognitive functioning in youth at ultra-high risk for psychosis: secondary analysis of the NEURAPRO randomised controlled trial

Background Cognitive impairments are well-established features of psychotic disorders and are present when individuals are at ultra-high risk for psychosis. However, few interventions target cognitive functioning in this population. Aims To investigate whether omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n−3 PUFA) supplementation improves cognitive functioning among individuals at ultra-high risk for psychosis. Method Data (N = 225) from an international, multi-site, randomised controlled trial (NEURAPRO) were analysed. Participants were given omega-3 supplementation (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) or placebo over 6 months. Cognitive functioning was assessed with the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS). Mixed two-way analyses of variance were computed to compare the change in cognitive performance between omega-3 supplementation and placebo over 6 months. An additional biomarker analysis explored whether change in erythrocyte n−3 PUFA levels predicted change in cognitive performance. Results The placebo group showed a modest greater improvement over time than the omega-3 supplementation group for motor speed (ηp2 = 0.09) and BACS composite score (ηp2 = 0.21). After repeating the analyses without individuals who transitioned, motor speed was no longer significant (ηp2 = 0.02), but the composite score remained significant (ηp2 = 0.02). Change in erythrocyte n-3 PUFA levels did not predict change in cognitive performance over 6 months. Conclusions We found no evidence to support the use of omega-3 supplementation to improve cognitive functioning in ultra-high risk individuals. The biomarker analysis suggests that this finding is unlikely to be attributed to poor adherence or consumption of non-trial n−3 PUFAs