ABSTRACT
The continued growth of both mobile broadband and fixed broadband subscriptions as well as the added deployment of Internet of Things devices has led to making 5G networks a reality. More specifically, 5G networks are expected to support a diverse set of new applications/services in addition to existing applications/services from previous generations (2G/3G/4G). The COVID-19 pandemic has further increased the demand for such services which has resulted in a further surge in the Internet usage. Thus, 5G networks are expected to have a highly flexible architecture at all levels including at the radio, core, and transport levels. Optical Transport Networks (OTN) have been proposed as one potential and promising supporting technology for 5G networks at the transport level, particularly for next generation transport networks featuring large-granule broadband service transmissions. This is because it allows for more flexible, efficient, and dynamic networks. However, adopting and deploying OTNs in 5G networks comes with its own set of challenges including control, management, and orchestration of such networks as well as their security. Accordingly, this paper overviews 5G networks along with their requirements and provides a brief summary of OTNs and the corresponding optimization mechanisms. Additionally, this work discusses the challenges facing OTNs and their optimization within the context of 5G. Moreover, it outlines some of the key research areas and opportunities for innovation stemming from the data-driven intelligent networking paradigm using Machine Learning techniques.
ABSTRACT
PurposeThe study aims to identify the extent to which industry 4.0 (IR4.0) adoption impacts the sustainable manufacturing (SM) performance of the manufacturing industry, focusing on the comparative analysis between developed and developing economies amid coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.Design/methodology/approachThe study proposes a conceptual model formed on seminal theories and literature using the cross-sectional design. For data collection, a purposive sampling method is used where 154 Malaysian (developing) and Australian (developed) manufacturing firms' data were collected. Partial least square-based structural equation modeling is employed to test the hypothesis and proposed research model.FindingsThis study finds that adoption of IR4.0 technologies does not directly influence the sustainability performance of the manufacturing industry, but rather the trajectories of SM (efficiency, flexibility, automation and big data and granularity) fully mediate the relationship between IR4.0 adoption and sustainability manufacturing performance. The comparative analysis between Australia and Malaysia shows no significant difference in the relationships or the framework;hence, the differences between developed and developing countries are not significant in this mechanism.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the insights of the managers regarding COVID-19 and the implementation of IR4.0 in the SM domain. The policymakers would further get better insights since the study pays attention to sustainable development goal, industry, innovation, infrastructure and responsible production.
ABSTRACT
Background: Hypertension is considered a fundamental health issue globally, and adropin is a vascular endothelial protection factor. The increasing prevalence of Hypertension (HTN);i.e., 20 - 50%, among adult populations in developed countries is one of the most common causes of Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs). HTN is also the major modifiable risk factor for stroke (both ischemic and hemorrhagic). Adropin has the potential to protect the endothelium by increasing the expression of Nitric Oxide (NO) synthesis in the endothelium. Nonetheless, few studies have been conducted on the role of adropin in regulating blood pressure. Objectives: The present study aimed to assess the adropin level and its relationship with blood pressure. Methods: The present observational, case-control study was conducted on 40 hypertensive and 40 non-hypertensive patients. The patients' data such as gender, age, years passed since HTN diagnosis, and blood pressure were recorded by the researcher. Then, adropin was measured by the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique. After all, the significance of the relationship between the variables was statistically analyzed. Results: The mean level of adropin was 5.44 +/- 1.31 pg/mL in the study population. This measure was 4.91 pg/mL in the case group and 5.98 pg/mL in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01). The results of ANCOVA showed that mean level of adropin was 1.19 units (24.5%) lower in the case group than in the control group after adjusting for age. The results also revealed a significant difference in the mean adropin level of the hypertensive patients based on the years passed since diagnosis (P < 0.01). Moreover, a negative correlation was observed between the adropin level and systolic blood pressure (rs = -0.273, n = 80, P = 0.014) and diastolic blood pressure (rs = - 0.273, n = 80, P = 0.008). However, no significant correlation was found between age and adropin level (rs = -0.173, n = 80, P = 0.124). Conclusions: Hypertensive patients had lower adropin levels in comparison to non-hypertensive ones. In addition, increase in the number of years passed since diagnosis was associated with decreased adropin levels.
ABSTRACT
Five groups of chicks were infected with infectious bronchitis virus IRFIBV32 isolate, 1 10sup4/sup EID50, by eye drop and avian influenza virus H9N2 subtype, 1 10sup9/sup EID50, intranasally. Thirty-six hours after inoculation, one group received 50 mg/kg BW sodium salicylate, another 20 mg/kg doxycycline with 30 mg/kg erythromycin, and another group 12.8 mg/kg the expectorant guaifenesin for 3 days via drinking water. Lastly another group of birds were given the 3 drugs simultaneously at the same doses mentioned above. Infected controls were infected with both viruses but not treated, and normal controls inoculated with sterile saline and not treated. One day before challenge and at the end of experiment, birds were bled and sera tested for IB and AI antibodies by ELISA and H9N2 antigens. After viral challenges clinical signs and lesions were scored and tracheas tested for IBV by RT-PCR. Compared with infected controls, sodium salicylate or antibiotics reduced mortality, tracheal histopathology or symptoms. However, the expectorant guaifenesin given in drinking water, exarcebated signs and histopathology but reduced overall mortality. Treatment with the combined drugs decreased mortality rate and reduced clinical sign scores most compared with other treatments or infected controls.