bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A trust management model based on mutual trust and a reward‐with‐punishment mechanism for cloud environments
Authors: Guo Liangmin , Yang Hao , Luan Kaixuan , Luo Yonglong , Sun Liping , Zheng Xiaoyao
Published: March 2021

Aiming at overcoming problems such as malicious entities and trust crises in cloud environments, a trust management model based on mutual trust and a reward‐with‐punishment mechanism is proposed in this paper. First, according to reputation values of entities and trust relationships among entities, we calculate the comprehensive trust values of a service request user to several candidate service providers and probe these providers with high comprehensive trust values. Second, we select a trade provider according to mutual trust. Finally, after the trade, we update the reputation values and other data of the request user, trade provider, and recommenders based on the final trade result to reward or punish them to various degrees, thus ultimately reducing malicious or dishonest behavior. The experimental results show that our model can effectively identify malicious entities to increase the trade success rate.
In situ friction study of Ag Underpotential deposition (UPD) on Au(111) in aqueous electrolyte
Authors: Park Inhee , Baltruschat H.
Published: March 2021

The electrodeposition of silver on Au(111) was investigated using lateral force microscopy (LFM) in Ag+ containing sulfuric acid. Friction force images show that adsorbed sulfate forms
structure (
on Au(111) prior to Ag underpotential deposition (UPD) and
structure (
) on a complete monolayer or bilayer of Ag. Variation of friction with normal load shows a non‐monotonous dependence, which is caused by increasing penetration of the tip into the sulfate adlayer. In addition, the friction force is influenced by the varying coverage and mobility of Ag atoms on the surface. Before Ag coverage reaches the critical value, the deposited silver atoms may be mobile enough to be dragged by the movement of AFM tip. Possible penetration of the tip into the UPD layer at very high loads is discussed as a model for self‐healing wear. However, when the coverage of Ag is close to 1, the deposited Ag atoms are tight enough to resist the influence of the AFM tip and the tip penetrates only into the sulfate adlayer.
Do affective reactions to sustainability performance unintendedly influence lending decisions?
Authors: Guiral Andres , Moon Doocheol , Perez‐Garcia Javier , Byun Jungyoon
Published: March 2021

Recent research finds that affective reactions elicited from exposure to Sustainability reports unintentionally influence investors' decisions and that this bias is mitigated through explicit assessment of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) performance. An unexplored implication is whether this bias can also affect lenders' decisions, where this bias may have serious unintended consequences on the efficient allocation of credit. While investing decisions' main concern relies on stock return maximization, the borrower's ability to pay back the debt is central in lending decisions and may help lenders to compensate for information asymmetry and assess creditworthiness. Using an experimental method, we find that CSR performance reports do elicit affective reactions but, contrary to the case of investing, they do not provoke unintended effects on credit judgments and lending decisions. Our findings suggest that lenders are likely to attribute their CSR affects to its source and use CSR performance as a proxy for borrowers' integrity.
Supramolecular Engineering to Improve Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction Activity of Cu2O
Authors: Zhang Ya , Zhang Xiao‐Yu , Chen Kai , Sun Wei‐Yin
Published: March 2021

Electrochemical conversion of CO2 into value‐added fuels and feedstocks attracts worldwide attention to mitigate energy and environmental problems. However, pursuing highly efficient electrocatalyst is still a challenge. In this study, cuprous oxide (Cu2O) modified by cucurbit[6]urils (Q[6]), a kind of rigid macromolecule, is found to act as an efficient supramolecular inorganic nanocomposite catalyst for the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) to C1 fuels. This catalyst affords a high total faradaic efficiency (FECO+formate) of 93.96 % at a potential of −0.7 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode and over 85 % from −0.6 to −0.9 V in 0.5 M KHCO3, which is higher than that of pure Cu2O (39.89 %). The enhancements in selectivity and activity for CO2RR could significantly benefit from the strong CO2 adsorption capacity and hydrophobic nature of the cavity of Q[6], which simultaneously trap gaseous reactants near the catalyst to tune the local environment and limit the diffusion of water molecules. This study provides a strategy to adjust catalytic environments through supramolecular engineering.
A bidirectional multiport DC‐DC converter applied for energy storage system with hybrid energy sources
Authors: Pourjafar Saeed , Shayeghi Hossein , Sedaghati Farzad , Seyedshenava Seyedjalal , Blaabjerg Frede
Published: March 2021

This paper presents a novel bidirectional multiport DC‐DC converter for the electrical vehicles with hybrid energy sources. The benefits of the suggested converter are high voltage conversion ratio and high efficiency, simple structure, low voltage stress across the semiconductor elements, low number of components, and common ground features. It has two bidirectional ports, which are suitable for energy storage systems (ESS) such as a battery. Due to the step‐up and step‐down operations of the proposed converter, it can charge and discharge the ESS. Additionally, only two power switches with low ON‐state resistance are utilized that make the control circuit to be simple. Furthermore, the suggested converter has low number of component, which leads to decrease its volume and cost. The operation principle in buck and boost mode is analyzed thoroughly. Finally, to verify the analysis and effectiveness of the proposed structure, a laboratory prototype is built with 12‐ and 20‐V input voltages and a power rating of 120 W used in 50‐kHz operating frequency.
Design of classifiers based on ANN approximations of traditional methods
Authors: Kruglyak Natan , Forchheimer Robert
Published: March 2021

In this paper, we suggest basing the development of classification methods on traditional techniques but approximating them in whole or in part with artificial neural networks (ANNs). Compared to a direct ANN approach, the underlying traditional method is often easier to analyse. Classification failures can be better understood and corrected for, while at the same time faster execution can be obtained due to the parallel ANN structure. Furthermore, such a two‐step design philosophy partly eliminates the ‘guesswork’ associated with the design of ANNs. The expected gain is thus that the benefits from the traditional field, and the ANN field can be obtained by combining the best features from both fields. We illustrate our approach by working through an explicit example, namely, a Nearest Neighbour classifier applied to a subset of the MNIST database of handwritten digits. Two different approaches are discussed for how to translate the traditional method into an ANN. The first approach is based on a constructive implementation which directly reflects the original algorithm. The second approach uses ANNs to approximate the whole, or part of, the original method. An important part of the approach is to show how improvements can be introduced. In line with the presented philosophy, this is done by extending the traditional method in several ways followed by ANN approximation of the modified algorithms. The extensions are based on a windowed version of the nearest neighbour algorithm. We show that the improvements carry over to the ANN implementations. We further investigate the stability of the solutions by modifying the training set. It is shown that the errors do not change significantly. This also holds true for the ANN approximations providing confidence that the two‐step strategy is robust.
Multiband triple folding monopole antenna for wireless applications in the laptop computers
Authors: Kulkarni Jayshri
Published: March 2021

This manuscript presents a multiband triple‐folding inverted‐F antenna (TFIFA) design with a very small overall dimension of 21 × 8 × 0.2 mm3 for Long Term Evolution (LTE), Wireless‐Fidelity (Wi‐Fi) and sub‐6GHz 5th Generation (5G) applications for laptop computers. The proposed TFIFA design is ultra‐thin, compact, economical and easy to install inside the laptop computers. The simulated study of routing a coaxial cable on the system ground is also carried out in order to achieve desirable reflection coefficient, gain, efficiency and radiation patterns. As the measured impedance bandwidths of proposed TFIFA are 15.95% (2.25–2.64) GHz, 11.04% (3.25–3.63) GHz and 24.71% (5.00–6.41) GHz, it can therefore, functions in LTE‐38/40/46, Wi‐Fi 2.4/5 and sub‐6GHz 5G bands. The measured gain and radiation efficiency are better than 3.64 dBi and 77%, respectively, in all functioning bands. Practical experimentation is carried out by installing the proposed TFIFA into a ThinkPad Lenovo‐14 laptop for the validation of reflection coefficient S11(dB). The simulated, measured and practical outcomes are in good conformity, which validates the suitability of the proposed TFIFA for LTE 38/40/46, Wi‐Fi 2.4/5 and sub‐6GHz 5G applications in the laptop computers.
Wireless fading channels performance based on Taylor expansion and compressed sensing: A comparative approach
Authors: Xifilidis Theofanis , Psannis Kostas E.
Published: March 2021

This paper addresses the performance of wireless fading channels, namely, Rayleigh, Rician, and Nakagami‐m fading channels, taking both noiseless and additive noisy cases into account. The performance metrics investigated are channel capacity, channel model variance estimation, required average description length based on Shannon entropy, and relative entropy and symbol error probability assessment. Taylor expansion is considered as an approximation for the aforementioned metrics together with the compressed sensing (CS) compressibility rule. Technical comments are provided for supporting simulation results. Mathematical interpretations are provided to support the simulation results along with feasible applications in 5G wireless systems. Conclusions and future research directions finalize the paper.
Effect of non‐invasive brain stimulation on behavior and serum brain‐derived neurotrophic factor and insulin‐like growth factor‐1 levels in autistic patients
Authors: Robinson‐Agramonte Maria de los Angeles , Michalski Bernadeta , Fernández Lázaro Gomez , Vidal‐Martinez Belkis , Cuesta Hector Vera , Rizo Carlos Maragoto , Fahnestock Margaret
Published: March 2021

Aberrant neural connectivity and intra‐cortical inhibitory dysfunction are key features of autism. Non‐invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) protocols have been proposed that modulate this aberrant plasticity. However, additional investigations are needed to evaluate the impact of this intervention on biological biomarkers of the disease. We recently demonstrated alterations in serum insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) immunoreactivity in subjects with autism compared to controls. The aim of this pilot study was to explore the change in serum levels of the neurotrophic factors BDNF and IGF‐1 in patients undergoing NIBS therapy. Sixteen subjects with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were tested 1 week before and 1 week after NIBS to determine the short‐term outcome on behavior using the total score on the autism behavior checklist, autism treatment evaluation checklist, clinical global impression severity and the autism diagnostic interview. ASD subjects younger than 11 years old (n = 11) were treated with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and those 11 years and older (n = 5) were treated with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). Serum levels of BDNF and IGF‐1 were evaluated by Enzyme‐Linked Immuno‐Sorbent Assay before and after the intervention with NIBS. A significant reduction in scores on the clinical behavioral scales was observed in patients treated with NIBS (ABC‐T p = .002, CGI‐S p = .008, ADI‐T and ATEC‐T p < .0001). There was a trend towards reduced serum BDNF levels after NIBS (p = .061), while there was no change in IGF‐1 levels. These data support further studies on the potential of BDNF as a biomarker to measure the effectiveness of NIBS in autism.
CQMUH‐011 mitigates autoimmune hepatitis via inhibiting the function of T lymphocytes
Authors: Ling Qiao , Hu Xiangnan , Jiang Rong , Liu Hailin , Qiu Hongmei , Jiang Xuejun , Zubreri Abdallah , Zhu Hongda , Wan Jingyuan , Liu Yingju
Published: March 2021

CQMUH‐011 is a modified adamantane sulfonamide compound, that inhibits macrophage proliferation and possesses anti‐inflammatory properties. Here, fresh mouse splenocytes were obtained and stimulated with concanavalin A (ConA, 5 μg/ml) in vitro; and experimental autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) was induced by ConA (20 mg/kg, iv) in vivo, to clarify the protective effects of CQMUH‐011 against AIH and its possible mechanisms. Our results demonstrated that CQMUH‐011 pretreatment can dose‐dependently inhibit the proliferation of splenocytes in vitro. In vivo, CQMUH‐011 administration reduced the hepatic histopathological score and the infiltration of lymphocytes in the liver parenchyma; additionally, it downregulated the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and pro‐inflammatory cytokines interferon (IFN)‐γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, and interleukin (IL)‐6 in serum, as well as those of methane dicarboxylic aldehyde and myeloperoxidase in the liver tissues. It also down‐regulated the expression of p‐NF‐κB and related proteins in the liver tissues. Furthermore, CQMUH‐011 could maintain the balance of CD3+CD4+/CD3+CD8+ and decrease the percentages of CD8+CD69+ and CD4+CD25+/‐CD69+ T‐cells in the splenocytes of ConA‐challenged mice. Moreover, we found thatCD4+CD25+/−CD69+ T‐cells were significantly correlated with ALT levels, especially CD4+CD25−CD69+ T‐cells. In conclusion, CQMUH‐011 exerts potential protective effects against ConA‐induced hepatitis, which may be partially attributed to its inhibition of T cells, especially the suppression of the proliferation of CD4+CD25−CD69+ and CD8+CD69+ subsets in the spleen. CQMUH‐011 also reduced the early apoptosis of lymphocytes in the thymus.
The adhesion GPCR Adgrg6 (Gpr126): Insights from the zebrafish model
Authors: Baxendale Sarah , Asad Anzar , Shahidan Nahal O. , Wiggin Giselle R. , Whitfield Tanya T.
Published: March 2021

Adhesion GPCRs are important regulators of conserved developmental processes and represent an untapped pool of potential targets for drug discovery. The adhesion GPCR Adgrg6 (Gpr126) has critical developmental roles in Schwann cell maturation and inner ear morphogenesis in the zebrafish embryo. Mutations in the human ADGRG6 gene can result in severe deficits in peripheral myelination, and variants have been associated with many other disease conditions. Here, we review work on the zebrafish Adgrg6 signaling pathway and its potential as a disease model. Recent advances have been made in the analysis of the structure of the Adgrg6 receptor, demonstrating alternative structural conformations and the presence of a conserved calcium‐binding site within the CUB domain of the extracellular region that is critical for receptor function. Homozygous zebrafish adgrg6 hypomorphic mutants have been used successfully as a whole‐animal screening platform, identifying candidate molecules that can influence signaling activity and rescue mutant phenotypes. These compounds offer promise for further development as small molecule modulators of Adgrg6 pathway activity.
The association between anxiety and academic performance in children with reading disorder: A longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Hossain Bushra , Bent Stephen , Hendren Robert
Published: March 2021

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between anxiety and overall academic performance (AP) in children with reading disorder (RD). This two‐year longitudinal cohort study included 128 participants (aged 7–14 years) with RD. Anxiety symptoms were evaluated using the School Anxiety Scale – Teacher Report for the first year and the eight‐item Spence Children's Anxiety Scale for the second year. AP was assessed by teacher ratings of progress in academic content areas, including reading, writing and math. Teachers completed evaluations every 3 months. We standardized all scores (to z scores). Multivariate linear regression models (adjusting for age, sex and Attention‐Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder symptoms) assessed the association cross‐sectionally at each timepoint of survey completion. Repeated measures analysis using mixed models assessed the relationship longitudinally. Results from both univariate and multivariate analyses showed anxiety being significantly negatively associated with AP in children with RD, both cross‐sectionally and longitudinally. Importantly, increased anxiety was significantly associated with reduced AP over time within an individual (adjusted β = −0.22, p = .002). This lends support to screening for anxiety disorders in children with RD. Future research should examine the directionality of this relationship, potential mediators in the pathway and whether interventions to reduce anxiety increase AP.
Dynamics of bird assemblages in response to temporally and spatially variable resources in arid Australia
Authors: Pascoe Bruce A. , Pavey Chris R. , Morton Stephen R. , Schlesinger Christine A.
Published: March 2021

Bird assemblages in arid Australia are often characterized as being highly variable through time in response to boom and bust dynamics, although the importance of habitat in structuring assemblages at a local‐scale is also recognized. We use a novel approach to investigate the importance of rainfall variability in structuring bird assemblages in a resource‐limited environment. Monthly bird surveys were conducted at ten plots for 8 years at a botanical and zoological park in central Australia, including five irrigated plots within a fenced area and five natural plots outside. Irrigation—used to promote growth, flowering, and fruiting of plants—created an artificial resource‐enhanced environment against which the response of birds to natural fluctuations in season and rainfall were compared. Species richness was generally maintained at a higher level in resource‐enhanced plots during dry times but was higher in natural plots when rainfall was high, mainly due to increases in granivores and insectivores. Honeyeaters were consistently more abundant at irrigated plots. Rainfall was important in structuring bird assemblages at all plots; however, assemblages were more stable in irrigated plots and did not respond as dramatically to a period of very high rainfall. The comparative smoothing of fluctuations in the composition and abundance of birds in irrigated areas highlights the importance of primary productivity, normally tied to rainfall, in driving temporal change in arid‐zone bird communities. There was also evidence that different plots in differing habitats supported distinct bird assemblages and that this spatial distinctiveness persisted irrespective of rainfall and determined, to some extent, the response to rainfall. Our study is one of few long‐term studies of arid bird assemblages and highlights the importance of both long‐term cycles of productivity driven by rain and season as well as site differences in the dynamics of arid‐zone bird communities. These insights are particularly valuable as climate change further exacerbates rainfall variability worldwide and initiatives to conserve avifauna in increasingly extreme environments may be required.
The complex ecology of genitalia: Gonopodium length and allometry in the Trinidadian guppy
Authors: de Lira José Jonathas Pereira Rodrigues , Yan Yue , Levasseur Sophie , Kelly Clint D. , Hendry Andrew P.
Published: March 2021

Male genitalia present an extraordinary pattern of rapid divergence in animals with internal fertilization, which is usually attributed to sexual selection. However, the effect of ecological factors on genitalia divergence could also be important, especially so in animals with nonretractable genitalia because of their stronger interaction with the surrounding environment in comparison with animals with retractable genitalia. Here, we examine the potential of a pervasive ecological factor (predation) to influence the length and allometry of the male genitalia in guppies. We sampled guppies from pairs of low‐predation (LP) and high‐predation (HP) populations in seven rivers in Trinidad, and measured their body and gonopodium length. A key finding was that HP adult males do not have consistently longer gonopodia than do LP adult males, as had been described in previous work. However, we did find such divergence for juvenile males: HP juveniles have longer gonopodia than do LP juveniles. We therefore suggest that an evolutionary trend toward the development of longer gonopodia in HP males (as seen in the juveniles) is erased after maturity owing to the higher mortality of mature males with longer gonopodia. Beyond these generalities, gonopodium length and gonopodium allometry were remarkably variable among populations even within a predation regime, thus indicating strong context dependence to their development/evolution. Our findings highlight the complex dynamics of genitalia evolution in Trinidadian guppies.
Divide and conquer: Multicolonial structure, nestmate recognition, and antagonistic behaviors in dense populations of the invasive ant Brachymyrmex patagonicus
Authors: Eyer Pierre‐André , Shults Phillip T. , Chura Madeleine R. , Moran Megan N. , Thompson Morgan N. , Helms Anjel M. , Saran Raj K. , Vargo Edward L.
Published: March 2021

The ecological success of ants has made them abundant in most environments, yet inter‐ and intraspecific competition usually limit nest density for a given population. Most invasive ant populations circumvent this limitation through a supercolonial structure, eliminating intraspecific competition through a loss of nestmate recognition and lack of aggression toward non‐nestmates. Native to South America, Brachymyrmex patagonicus has recently invaded many locations worldwide, with invasive populations described as extremely large and dense. Yet, in contrast with most invasive ants, this species exhibits a multicolonial structure, whereby each colony occupies a single nest. Here, we investigated the interplay between genetic diversity, chemical recognition, and aggressive behaviors in an invasive population of B. patagonicus. We found that, in its invasive range, this species reaches a high nest density with individual colonies located every 2.5 m and that colony boundaries are maintained through aggression toward non‐nestmates. This recognition and antagonism toward non‐nestmates is mediated by chemical differentiation between colonies, as different colonies exhibit distinct chemical profiles. We highlighted that the level of aggression between colonies is correlated with their degree of genetic difference, but not their overall chemical differentiation. This may suggest that only a few chemical compounds influence nestmate recognition in this species or that weak chemical differences are sufficient to elicit aggression. Overall, this study demonstrates that invasive ant populations can reach high densities despite a multicolonial structure with strong aggression between colonies, raising questions about the factors underlying their ecological success and mitigating negative consequences of competitive interactions.
Effects of temperature on life‐history traits of the newly invasive fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda in Southeast China
Authors: Huang Li‐Li , Xue Fang‐Sen , Chen Chao , Guo Xin , Tang Jian‐Jun , Zhong Ling , He Hai‐Min
Published: March 2021

In mid‐May, 2019, the fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda invaded Jiangxi Province, China, and caused extensive damage to corn crops. However, little attention has been given to the life‐history traits of the FAW. In the present study, we systematically investigated the life‐history traits of the newly invasive FAW on corn leaves at 19, 22, 25, 28, and 31°C under a photoperiod of LD 15:9 hr. The FAW thrived on the corn leaves with short developmental periods, high survival rates of larvae and pupae, very high mating success rates, and high fecundity. The pupal developmental stage was significantly longer in males than females at all temperatures, thus resulting in a protogyny phenomenon. The pupal weight was heaviest after a relatively shorter larval development stage at a higher temperature (25°C); thus, the FAW did not follow the temperature–size rule. Females were smaller than males, indicating sexual size dimorphism. A small proportion of females delayed their pre‐oviposition period and began to lay eggs on the 7th to 9th day after adult emergence. There were positive relationships between pupal weight and larval developmental time and between adult weight and fecundity. There was a negative relationship between fecundity and longevity. These findings can help us to predict the population dynamics of the FAW on corn and to develop a suitable and practical management strategy.
Individual‐level leaf trait variation and correlation across biological and spatial scales
Authors: Jiang Feng , Cadotte Marc W. , Jin Guangze
Published: March 2021

Even with increasing interest in the ecological importance of intraspecific trait variation (ITV) for better understanding ecological processes, few studies have quantified ITV in seedlings and assessed constraints imposed by trade‐offs and correlations among individual‐level leaf traits. Estimating the amount and role of ITV in seedlings is important to understand tree recruitment and long‐term forest dynamics. We measured ten different size, economics, and whole leaf traits (lamina and petiole) for more than 2,800 seedlings (height ≥ 10 cm and diameter at breast height < 1 cm) in 283 seedling plots and then quantified the amount of ITV and trait correlations across two biological (intraspecific and interspecific) and spatial (within and among plots) scales. Finally, we explored the effects of trait variance and sample size on the strength of trait correlations. We found about 40% (6%–63%) variation in leaf‐level traits was explained by ITV across all traits. Lamina and petiole traits were correlated across biological and spatial scales, whereas leaf size traits (e.g., lamina area) were weakly correlated with economics traits (e.g., specific lamina area); lamina mass ratio was strongly related to the petiole length. Trait correlations varied among species, plots, and different scales but there was no evidence that the strength of trait relationships was stronger at broader than finer biological and spatial scales. While larger trait variance increased the strength of correlations, the sample size was the most important factor that was negatively related to the strength of trait correlations. Our results showed that a large amount of trait variation was explained by ITV, which highlighted the importance of considering ITV when using trait‐based approaches in seedling ecology. In addition, sample size was an important factor that influenced the strength of trait correlations, which suggests that comparing trait correlations across studies should consider the differences in sample size.
Tracking nutrients in space and time: Interactions between grazing lawns and drought drive abundances of tallgrass prairie grasshoppers
Authors: Ozment Katerina A. , Welti Ellen A. R. , Shaffer Monica , Kaspari Michael
Published: March 2021

We contrast the response of arthropod abundance and composition to bison grazing lawns during a drought and non‐drought year, with an emphasis on acridid grasshoppers, an important grassland herbivore.

Grazing lawns are grassland areas where regular grazing by mammalian herbivores creates patches of short‐statured, high nutrient vegetation. Grazing lawns are predictable microsites that modify microclimate, plant structure, community composition, and nutrient availability, with likely repercussions for arthropod communities.

One year of our study occurred during an extreme drought. Drought mimics some of the effects of mammalian grazers: decreasing above‐ground plant biomass while increasing plant foliar percentage nitrogen.

We sampled arthropods and nutrient availability on and nearby (“off”) 10 bison‐grazed grazing lawns in a tallgrass prairie in NE Kansas. Total grasshopper abundance was higher on grazing lawns and the magnitude of this difference increased in the wetter year of 2019 compared to 2018, when drought led to high grass foliar nitrogen concentrations on and off grazing lawns. Mixed‐feeding grasshopper abundances were consistently higher on grazing lawns while grass‐feeder and forb‐feeder abundances were higher on lawns only in 2019, the wetter year. In contrast, the abundance of other arthropods (e.g., Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, and Araneae) did not differ on and off lawns, but increased overall in 2019, relative to the drought of 2018.

Understanding these local scale patterns of abundances and community composition improves predictability of arthropod responses to ongoing habitat change.
A framework for evaluating the impacts of reservoirs on seasonal ecohydrological conditions based on new eco‐flows
Authors: Guo Xiaoming , Guo Yan , Xu Lukai , Deng Yu , Yang Chaohui
Published: March 2021

The eco‐flow metrics (ecosurplus [ES] and ecodeficit [ED]) based on flow duration curves (FDCs) are currently less popular than other metrics used to assess the ecohydrological conditions of rivers. To fully utilize their application potential, the seasonal ES and ED are redefined based on discharge hydrographs (DHs) rather than their FDCs. The annual ES and ED are redefined as the sum of the four seasonal ES and ED values, respectively. The impact of reservoirs can be measured by the rate of increase of the cumulative seasonal eco‐flows. Taking the seasonal EDs calculated by the 10% DH and 20% DH as the two threshold values, a risk evaluation method is proposed that classifies the seasonal ecohydrological conditions into four risk levels: no risk, low risk, moderate risk, and high risk. A daily discharge time series ranging from 1956 to 2015 in the Yellow River is used to perform a case study. The results showed that the Shannon diversity index (H) had a strong relevance to the annual ED. Riverine biodiversity was more sensitive to summer and autumn droughts than to floods. The Xiaolangdi Reservoir affected the seasonal eco‐flows much more than the Sanmenxia Reservoir. The winter season is currently classified as having a high risk and should be given more attention by river managers in the future. After the ecological regulation measures are implemented in the future to improve the winter conditions, their effects can be re‐evaluated by the above framework.
Type 2 diabetes in South Asians compared to Europeans: Higher risk and earlier development of major cardiovascular events irrespective of the presence and degree of retinopathy. Results from The HinDu The Hague Diabetes Study
Authors: van Niel Judith , Geelhoed‐Duijvestijn Petronella H.L.M. , Numans Mattijs E. , Kharagjitsingh Aan V. , Vos Rimke C.
Published: March 2021

Introduction

South Asians with diabetes have more severe diabetic retinopathy (DR) and cardiovascular complications than white Caucasians. However, how big this gap is and the relation with the severity of DR has not been studied. Here, we quantify the difference in time from diabetes diagnosis until a first non‐fatal Major Adverse Cardiovascular Event (TUF MACE) in different DR groups in South Asians and Europeans.

Methods

3831 adults with type 2 diabetes, 1358 South Asians and 2473 Europeans, treated in our diabetes clinic between 2006 and 2017 were included. Data on risk factors, diabetes duration, age of diagnosis and diabetes complications were collected from the diabetes‐specific database and analysed using descriptive statistics and Cox regression. DR was graded in 3 categories, and non‐fatal MACE was pre‐specified.

Results

Prevalence of non‐fatal MACE was the same when DR was absent, increased with increasing severity of DR in both ethnic groups, but was more frequent in South Asians with DR (mild: 50 vs. 42% and severe 62 vs. 46%. Classic risk factors only differed in relation to smoking habits, which were significantly lower in South Asians.

After correction for classic risk factors and age at diabetes diagnosis TUF MACE was significantly shorter in South Asians, an effect also seen in the no‐DR group (4.1 yrs. HR 1.5, 95% CI 1.3–1.8 and 7.4 yrs. earlier, HR 2.0, 95% CI 1.6–2.6 for no‐DR and severe DR, respectively).

Conclusions

When adjusted for age at diabetes diagnosis, we show that time until first non‐fatal MACE in South Asians is significantly shorter compared to Europeans and increases from no‐ to severe DR.
Trimethylamine N‐oxide and outcomes in patients hospitalized with acute heart failure and preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Kinugasa Yoshiharu , Nakamura Kensuke , Kamitani Hiroko , Hirai Masayuki , Yanagihara Kiyotaka , Kato Masahiko , Yamamoto Kazuhiro
Published: March 2021

Aims

Trimethylamine N‐oxide (TMAO) is a metabolite derived from the gut microbiota. Elevated TMAO levels are associated with a poor prognosis in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. However, the prognostic effect of elevated TMAO levels on heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) remains unclear.

Methods and results

We consecutively enrolled 146 patients who were hospitalized and discharged from Tottori University Hospital with the primary diagnosis of HFpEF (ejection fraction ≥ 50%). High TMAO levels were defined as those greater than the median value in the patients (20.37 μmol/L). Patients with high TMAO levels had a significantly higher prevalence of prior hospitalization for heart failure and severe renal dysfunction than those with low TMAO levels. They also had a significantly higher acylcarnitine to free carnitine ratio than those with low TMAO levels, which indicated abnormal fatty acid metabolism and relative carnitine deficiency. After adjustment for differences in the patients' background in multivariate analysis, high TMAO levels remained independently associated with a high incidence of the composite endpoints of death due to cardiac causes and hospitalization for heart failure (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.91; 95% confidence interval, 1.01 to 3.62; P < 0.05). There was a significant interaction between TMAO and nutritional status on the primary outcome, and the prognostic effect of TMAO was enhanced in patients with malnutrition.

Conclusions

Elevated TMAO levels at discharge are associated with an increased risk of post‐discharge cardiac events in patients with HFpEF, especially those with the complication of malnutrition.
Prospects of large‐scale photovoltaic‐based power plants in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Imteyaz Binash , Lawal Dahiru Umar , Tahir Furqan , Rehman Shafiqur
Published: March 2021

The techno‐economic analyses of 67 MW and 144 MW photovoltaics (PV) power plants are performed and the results are compared with the diesel power plants situated in two cities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The feasibility analysis is conducted with the aim to show the technical and economic viability of replacing the conventional fossil fuel‐based plants with clean production systems in the country. The production capacity of the proposed PV plants based on the single‐axis tracking configuration is around 35% higher than that of the tilted‐fixed configuration, equivalent to a reduction in the production cost by more than 20% for both the plants. PV plants with a tracking system can produce up to 23% excess electricity than the base‐case diesel plants. Moreover, the production costs at the Bisha plant can be as low as 1.77 ¢/kWh, considering the credit resulting from the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The feasibility of installing a 144 MW PV plant in six cities in the country is also evaluated. The results indicate that the average cost of electricity production is 2.22 ¢/kWh and the average annual reduction of GHG emissions is 462 tCO2/GWh with the replacement of a diesel power plant of similar capacity. The effects of subsidies, feed‐in tariff rates, and electricity export escalation rates are also evaluated.
Effects of cinnamon essential oil and Persian gum on preservation of pomegranate arils
Authors: Jokar Akbar , Barzegar Hasan , Maftoon Azad Neda , Shahamirian Maryam
Published: March 2021

Given the high perishability of pomegranate arils, edible antimicrobial coating will enhance their shelf life and maintain their marketability. An antimicrobial coating was prepared using 1% (w/v) soluble part of Persian gum (PG) and different concentrations (0.25%, 0.50%, and 0.75% (v/v)) of cinnamon essential oil (CEO) to extend the shelf life of pomegranate arils. Microbiological, chemical, physical, and sensorial characteristics of coated and uncoated samples were evaluated at 7‐day intervals. Total anthocyanin (TAN), titrable acidity (TA), and ascorbic acid showed a decreasing trend, during the whole period of the storage. TAN, TA, and ascorbic acid decreased from 119.8 to 44.5 mg/L, 1.6% to 1.37%, and 682 to 140 mg/L, respectively. Firmness increased during the storage time, while total soluble solids (TSS, around 17.4 °Brix) and total phenolic compounds (TP, around 14.21 mg/100 ml) showed no significant changes with CEO concentrations. Coatings containing 0.5% and 0.75% CEO significantly prevented fungal growth on the samples at least for 3 weeks and 3 months, respectively. Optimization proved that 1‐week cold storage and 0.43% CEO could dramatically meet 80% of the research targets including maximum nutritional quality and freshness, as well preventing microbial spoilage. It was concluded that coating the pomegranate arils by PG and selecting an appropriate concentration of the CEO could considerably increase shelf life, marketability, and nutritional quality of pomegranate arils at a suitable and acceptable level.
Online digital archive of aerial photographs (1935–1941) of Ethiopia
Authors: Nyssen Jan , Debever Martijn , Gebremeskel Gezahegne , De Wit Bart , Hadgu Kiros Meles , De Vriese Steven , Verbeurgt Jeffrey , Frankl Amaury , Besha Tulu , Kropáček Jan , Forceville Astrid , Demissie Biadgilgn
Published: March 2021

The archive of aerial photographs, dating 1935–1941 and covering parts of north and central of Ethiopia, is one of the few archives with pre‐1960 remotely sensed data in Africa. It allows adding 30 years of time depth for geographical studies, in contrast to the commonly known oldest imagery dating to 1964, sometimes 1958. These photographs were originally acquired by the Italian military forces, to obtain raw material for warfare purposes and the production of topographic maps. To make the archive accessible, it has been scanned and georeferenced. Procedures used in georeferencing and digitally archiving are detailed in this paper, as well as our experiences with orthorectification and use of the photosets in scientific research. This data set of aerial photographs of Ethiopia in the 1930s has been availed to the wider scientific community through the Pangaea website http://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.920077 (Nyssen et al., 2020, Aerial photographs of Ethiopia 1935–1941) Additionally, a web interface (http://www.ethiopia1935.ugent.be/) allows scientists visualizing the location of relocated photographs, and to select and freely order scenes of interest.
Barodesy with a new concept for critical void ratio
Authors: Kolymbas Dimitrios
Published: March 2021

With a new concept for the critical void ratio, barodesy yields promising simulations of element tests. Some shortcomings of this theory hitherto when simulating the behaviour of sand can be overcome by generalizing the widespread assumption that the critical void ratio is a function of the mean stress. Barodesy deviates from established lines of thought in soil mechanics. The interested reader can judge from this article whether this paradigm shift is worthwhile.
Mapping default mode connectivity alterations following a single season of subconcussive impact exposure in youth football
Authors: DeSimone Jesse C. , Davenport Elizabeth M. , Urban Jillian , Xi Yin , Holcomb James M. , Kelley Mireille E. , Whitlow Christopher T. , Powers Alexander K. , Stitzel Joel D. , Maldjian Joseph A.
Published: March 2021

Repetitive head impact (RHI) exposure in collision sports may contribute to adverse neurological outcomes in former players. In contrast to a concussion, or mild traumatic brain injury, “subconcussive” RHIs represent a more frequent and asymptomatic form of exposure. The neural network‐level signatures characterizing subconcussive RHIs in youth collision‐sport cohorts such as American Football are not known. Here, we used resting‐state functional MRI to examine default mode network (DMN) functional connectivity (FC) following a single football season in youth players (n = 50, ages 8–14) without concussion. Football players demonstrated reduced FC across widespread DMN regions compared with non‐collision sport controls at postseason but not preseason. In a subsample from the original cohort (n = 17), players revealed a negative change in FC between preseason and postseason and a positive and compensatory change in FC during the offseason across the majority of DMN regions. Lastly, significant FC changes, including between preseason and postseason and between in‐ and off‐season, were specific to players at the upper end of the head impact frequency distribution. These findings represent initial evidence of network‐level FC abnormalities following repetitive, non‐concussive RHIs in youth football. Furthermore, the number of subconcussive RHIs proved to be a key factor influencing DMN FC.
Regulatory environment for complementary and alternative medicine in Georgia—a health policy analysis
Authors: Nadareishvili Ilia , Pkhakadze Giorgi , Japiashvili Nato , Lunze Karsten
Published: March 2021

International bodies such as the WHO call on member states to regulate and, where possible, integrate Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) into health systems, to the benefit and safety of patients. Research on CAM regulations in the Republic of Georgia has been limited. The aim of this study was to identify key actors and analyse the regulatory environment for CAM in Georgia in its local and international contexts. We conducted a health policy analysis using a triangle framework of content, context and processes. We used data from national government, professional associations and academia; and drew from primary qualitative data of stakeholders' perspectives and needs regarding CAM in Georgia. The several CAM associations we identified have limited capacities for self‐regulation. CAM practices are currently not effectively regulated in Georgia, while the government has no expressed intention to develop regulatory frameworks. Georgia's CAM health policy is currently not compliant with WHO and European directives and recommendations. Government, lawmakers, public administration, academia, physicians, non‐physician CAM practitioners and other actors should constitute a national working group dedicated to CAM regulations in Georgia to identify, classify CAM practices; and develop core principles for policy making for safe and effective CAM practiced in Georgia's health system.
Investigating the exposure and impact of chemical UV filters on coral reef ecosystems: Review and research gap prioritization
Authors: Watkins Yasmine S. D. , Sallach J. Brett
Published: March 2021

Coral reefs are among the world's most productive and biologically diverse ecosystems. In recent decades, they have experienced an unparalleled decline resulting from various anthropogenically induced stressors. Ultraviolet (UV) filters found in personal care products, such as sunscreen, are chemical pollutants that are emerging as a growing toxic threat to reef organisms. In this study, a systematic literature review was conducted to (1) determine the current understanding of spatial distribution and the occurrence of UV filters exposed to the marine environment, (2) synthesize current ecotoxicological thresholds of relevant reef organisms under various UV-filter exposures, (3) identify research gaps related to both exposure and toxicity of UV filters in coral reef ecosystems. With gaps identified, a survey was developed and distributed to experts in the field representing academic, governmental, not-for-profit, and industry researchers in order to prioritize research gaps and inform future research efforts. The survey identified the need for better understanding of the impacts of co-stressors, long-term exposure, mixture, and degradation product exposure and realistic environmental conditions. Ultimately, this review will help guide priority research efforts to understand the risks of UV-filter exposure to coral reef ecosystems. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2021;17:967–981. © 2021 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).

KEY POINTS

There is growing interest and concern over the potential exposure and ecotoxicological impacts of chemical UV-filters in coral reef ecosystems. Detection of concerning levels of UV-filters have been reported, yet comprehensive exposure and monitoring studies from coral reefs are lacking. Ecotoxicological data specific to marine and coral reef inhabitant species is sparse and limits the ability for robust environmental risk assessments. A survey of UV-filter subject experts from academic, industry, governmental, and non-profit affiliations was used to prioritise the significant number of research gaps.
Identifying risk factors for perinatal mortality from a preceding pregnancy without perinatal mortality
Authors: Levi Rinat , Pariente Gali , Sheiner Eyal , Wainstock Tamar
Published: March 2021

Objective

To identify risk factors in first pregnancy for perinatal mortality in the subsequent pregnancy.

Methods

A retrospective population‐based nested case‐control study was conducted, including all women with two first singleton consecutive deliveries. Women with perinatal mortality in their first pregnancy were excluded, and cases with perinatal mortality in the second pregnancy were compared with controls who delivered a live birth. Characteristics and complications of the first pregnancy were compared between the groups using multivariable logistic models.

Results

A total of 43 043 women were included in the study, 385 (0.9%) were cases. Cases, as compared with controls (live births), were younger (22.62 ± 4.0 vs 23.22 ± 4.0 years), with shorter inter‐pregnancy interval (1.38 ± 1.55 vs 1.56 ± 1.53 years), and were more likely to have the following complications in their first pregnancy: severe pre‐eclampsia (3.4% vs 1.7%), small for gestational age (12.5% vs 8.0%), preterm delivery (17.7% vs 7.8%), and congenital or chromosomal malformations (9.6% vs 5.9%). In multivariable analysis the risk for perinatal mortality was greater with each additional complication (adjused odds ratio [aOR] 1.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.30–2.07, P < 0.001; aOR 2.55, 95% CI 1.61–4.04, P < 0.001; aOR 7.88, 95% CI 3.81–16.29, P < 0.001 for one, two, and three or more complications, compared with no complications, respectively).

Conclusion

Complications in first pregnancy ending with live birth are associated with increased risk for perinatal mortality in a subsequent pregnancy.