bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Secure lightweight multi‐party key agreement based on hyperelliptic curve Diffie–Hellman for constraint networks
Authors: Naresh Vankamamidi S. , Reddi Sivaranjani
Published: March 2022

With recent developments in hyperelliptic curve cryptographic system (HECC) processing and the proposed work, the myth that HECC is not suited for practical applications in constrained networks is dispelled. This article proposes dynamic authenticated contributory group key agreement (DACGKA) protocol using HEC‐DH. The DACGKA is less costly and ideally appropriate for resource‐restricted networks such as VANETs, MANETs, and WSNs because of its lesser key sizes and advancements in operational processing. The suggested protocol is implemented across a finite field using an HEC of genus 1 (ECC), genus 2, and genus 3, with promising results, including a significant reduction in key size and exchange overhead, an increase in key safety, and a broader range of applicability. According to a comparison of the proposed approach on different genus curves, HECC over genus 2 with a suitable key length can be applied for memory and power restricted devices to increase data secrecy and system efficiency. Further, HECC can outperform ECC for low‐cost, secure group communication applications. As a part of security analysis, first, we proved that each coordinate of HEC‐DH secret value is as hard as the entire DH value, and then concrete security proofs based on the HEC‐DLP were established.
Energy and cost aware workflow scheduling in clouds with deadline constraint
Authors: Medara Rambabu , Singh Ravi Shankar , Sompalli Mahesh
Published: March 2022

Cloud computing is a promising platform for executing scientific workflow applications. Commonly, the scientific workflow applications are complex in size and computation intensive. Task scheduling in clouds is a familiar NP‐complete problem. Efficient workflow application scheduling is critical for meeting multi‐objectives in cloud environments. By reason of its pivotal role, this problem has been widely studied, and many approaches have been developed. Most of the algorithms focus on schedule makespan and execution cost. The cloud data centers consume a large amount of energy while running workflow applications due to a lack of efficient scheduling algorithms to perform the task to a virtual machine (VM) mapping. Hence, there is a significant need to address energy utilization in the cloud data center (CDC) for two reasons such as data center operational cost optimization and to improve the environment. This article presents an energy and cost‐aware scheduling (ECWS) approach with the objectives of decreasing energy utilization, execution cost, and maximizing utilization of the resources. The ECWS algorithm is a heterogeneous earliest finish time (HEFT) based energy‐efficient heuristic for cloud scheduler. The ECWS algorithm includes three sub‐algorithms like RE calculation, RE Threshold selection, and slack algorithm. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is evaluated on the WorkflowSim tool using distinct workloads from various scientific areas. The experimental outcome exhibit that the proposed algorithm achieved significant energy conservation, maximized resource utilization, and cost‐saving when compared with related well‐known algorithms.
Pregnancy delivery mode prediction using dichotomous radial basis Tanimoto network
Authors: Devaraj Kavitha , Thangavel Balasubramanain
Published: March 2022

Data mining methods are typically employed in predictive analytics to obtain the valuable information and it has great attention in healthcare. Due to the extensive growth in healthcare communities, physicians detect the patients especially in the mode of delivery prediction during pregnancy. The early prediction of the mode of delivery assists to reduce the concern and pressure associated as well as the women in being emotionally and financially prepared. Recently, many methods have been developed to carry out the pregnancy delivery mode prediction but the accuracy of prediction was not improved with lesser time. Feature selection and classification methods are applied for predicting the delivery mode but, most of the delivery was not predicted with minimal time. Motivated by this fact, the novel machine learning technique is designed for analyzing certain risk factors and complications associated with the delivery. Through the risk factor analysis, the delivery prediction is efficiently performed with maximum accuracy and minimum time.
Securing the access control policies to the Internet of Things resources through permissioned blockchain
Authors: Rizzardi Alessandra , Sicari Sabrina , Miorandi Daniele , Coen‐Porisini Alberto
Published: March 2022

Security and privacy of information transmitted among the devices involved in an Internet of Things (IoT) network represent relevant issues in IoT contexts. Guaranteeing effective control and supervising access permissions to IoT applications is a complex task, mainly due to resources' heterogeneity and scalability requirements. The design and development of highly customizable access control policies, along with an efficient mechanism for ensuring that the rules applied by the IoT platform are not tampered with or violated, will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the diffusion of IoT‐based solutions. In such a direction, the article proposes the integration of a permissioned blockchain within an honest‐but‐curious (i.e., not trusted) IoT distributed middleware layer, which aims to guarantee the correct management of access to resources by the interested parties. The result is a robust and lightweight system, able to manage the data produced by IoT devices, support relevant security features, such as integrity and confidentiality, and resist different kinds of attacks. The use of blockchain will ensure the tamper‐resistance and synchronization of the distributed system, where various stakeholders own applications and IoT platforms. The methodology and the proposed architecture are validated employing a test‐bed.
Dynamic topology control algorithm for node deployment in mobile underwater wireless sensor networks
Authors: Choudhary Monika , Goyal Nitin
Published: March 2022

Sensors in underwater wireless sensor networks (UWSNs) can drift up to 3 m/s due to ocean currents, marine organisms, or passing vessels. In existing node deployment and localization techniques, node mobility and network disconnections are not taken into account. This article proposes a dynamic topology control algorithm for node deployment (DTCND) in mobile UWSN. This work aims to monitor the node mobility to predict nodes' location for ensuring coverage and connectivity. The sensor nodes are deployed randomly at different depths. The anchor nodes observe the signal quality index, energy drain rate, and node density at every time interval and detect node disconnections based on the variations in these observed metrics. After receiving the beacon messages from the anchor nodes, the courier nodes incline to move toward the target region for satisfying the coverage and connectivity constraints. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm attains 5% higher connectivity when compared to energy‐efficient localization algorithm (EELA) and 9% higher connectivity when compared to adaptive triangular deployment algorithm (ATDA). The residual energy is also higher by 3% and 18% when compared to EELA and ATDA, respectively. The deployment cost and delay of DTCND also decrease when compared to EELA and ATDA, which results into efficient data collection.
Inflammation, Lifestyle Factors, and the Microbiome‐Gut‐Brain Axis: Relevance to Depression and Antidepressant Action
Authors: Donoso Francisco , Cryan John F. , Olavarría‐Ramírez Loreto , Nolan Yvonne M. , Clarke Gerard
Published: March 2022

Depression is considered a major public health concern, where existing pharmacological treatments are not equally effective across all patients. The pathogenesis of depression involves the interaction of complex biological components, such as the immune system and the microbiota‐gut‐brain axis. Adjunctive lifestyle‐oriented approaches for depression, including physical exercise and special diets are promising therapeutic options when combined with traditional antidepressants. However, the mechanisms of action of these strategies are incompletely understood. Accumulating evidence suggests that physical exercise and specific dietary regimens can modulate both the immune system and gut microbiota composition. Here, we review the current information about the strategies to alleviate depression and their crosstalk with both inflammatory mechanisms and the gut microbiome. We further discuss the role of the microbiota‐gut‐brain axis as a possible mediator for the adjunctive therapies for depression through inflammatory mechanisms. Finally, we review existing and future adjunctive strategies to manipulate the gut microbiota with potential use for depression, including physical exercise, dietary interventions, prebiotics/probiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation.
Apigenin inhibits isoproterenol‐induced myocardial fibrosis and Smad pathway in mice by regulating oxidative stress and miR‐122‐5p/155‐5p expressions
Authors: Wang Feng , Zhang Jun , Niu Guanghao , Weng Jiayi , Zhang Qian , Xie Meilin , Li Chunjian , Sun Kangyun
Published: March 2022

Apigenin, a flavonoid isolated from Apium graveolens, is an effective natural active ingredient that inhibits transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1)‐induced cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) differentiation and collagen synthesis. However, its effects on isoproterenol‐induced myocardial fibrosis in mice remain unknown. This study aimed to examine the effect of apigenin in the prevention of myocardial fibrosis. A mouse model of myocardial fibrosis induced by isoproterenol was established, and the mice were given apigenin 75–300 mg/kg orally for 40 days. The results showed that the heart weight coefficient, myocardial hydroxyproline, collagen accumulation, and malondialdehyde levels in the apigenin‐treated groups were significantly reduced. In contrast, the activity of myocardial superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were significantly enhanced. The results of real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot assays showed that apigenin could significantly upregulate the expressions of myocardial microRNA‐122‐5p (miR‐122‐5p), c‐Ski, and Smad7 and downregulate the expressions of myocardial miR‐155‐5p, α‐smooth muscle actin, collagen I/III, NF‐κB, TGF‐β1, hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α), Smad2/3, and p‐Smad2/3. In vitro, the differentiation and extracellular matrix production, as well as TGF‐β1/Smads axis, were further reduced after treatment of miR‐122‐5p mimic or miR‐155‐5p inhibitor‐transfected and TGF‐β1‐stimulated CFs with apigenin. These results suggested that apigenin increased the expression of miR‐122‐5p and decreased the expression of miR‐155‐5p, which subsequently downregulated and upregulated the target genes HIF‐1α and c‐Ski, respectively. Furthermore, apigenin administration downregulated TGF‐β1‐induced Smad2/3 and upregulated Smad7. In addition, it reduced the NF‐κB/TGF‐β1 signaling pathway axis by increasing antioxidant ability to exert the antifibrotic effects.
Circ‐OPHN1 suppresses the proliferation, migration, and invasion of trophoblast cells through mediating miR‐558/THBS2 axis
Authors: Li Yu , Chen Jinzao , Song Shuqin
Published: March 2022

Preeclampsia (PE) is one of the most serious diseases during pregnancy. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are strongly related to the occurrence of preeclampsia. Herein, we aimed to explore the potential role and mechanism of circRNA oligophrenin 1 (circ‐OPHN1; hsa_circ_0007445) in PE. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and western blot were utilized to detect gene expression levels. The biological behaviors of trophoblast cells were determined by 3‐(4,5‐dimethyl‐2‐thiazolyl)−2,5‐diphenyl‐2‐H‐tetrazolium bromide (MTT), flow cytometry, transwell, and wound healing methods. The binding relationship between microRNA‐558 (miR‐558) and circ‐OPHN1 or thrombospondin 2 (THBS2) was validated via dual‐luciferase reporter assay. Circ‐OPHN1 and THBS2 levels were enhanced, while miR‐558 level was declined in PE placental tissues. Circ‐OPHN1 or THBS2 overexpression hindered the proliferation, migration, and invasion of trophoblast cells. In addition, circ‐OPHN1 sequestered miR‐558 to regulate THBS2 expression, thereby repressing the growth and mobility of trophoblast cells. Circ‐OPHN1 inhibited trophoblast cell proliferation, migration, and invasion through mediating miR‐558/THBS2 axis, providing a novel pathway for PE pathogenesis.
Hirudin attenuates puromycin aminonucleoside‐induced glomerular podocyte injury by inhibiting MAPK‐mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress
Authors: Long Chunli , Lin Qiang , Mo Junlin , Xiao Yangping , Xie Yongxiang
Published: March 2022

Damage to podocytes is an important determinant of renal pathology. The puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN) mice nephropathy model is commonly used in the study of renal disease with podocyte injury. Hirudin has a broad nephroprotective effect and has been shown to treat renal interstitial fibrosis in previous studies. Mice were given PAN by gavage to prepare animal models, and MPC5 cells were incubated with PAN in vitro. Twenty‐four hours urine was collected for analysis of urinary protein levels. Renal pathological changes were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Immunofluorescence detection of nephrin in kidney tissues and cells. Apoptosis was analyzed with over TUNEL. Cytoskeleton, endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), p38 MAPK signaling, and apoptosis‐related proteins were assessed by western blot analysis. The data suggested that hirudin attenuated reduced renal injury and increased urine protein in PAN mice. Hirudin also attenuated cytoskeletal protein (synaptopodin, nephrin, and podocin) disruption, ERS activation, and apoptosis in PAN mice and PAN‐induced podocytes. In addition, hirudin inhibited the expression of p38 MAPK signaling key proteins upregulated by PAN, thereby suppressing ERS. The p38 MAPK agonist was able to partially antagonize the inhibition of p38 MAPK signaling by hirudin in PAN‐induced podocytes, thereby reactivating the ERS inhibited by hirudin, promoting cytoskeletal protein degradation and increasing the level of apoptosis. In conclusion, hirudin could decrease podocyte injury by inhibiting p38 MAPK signaling‐mediated ERS, resulting in the protection of the kidney from PAN damage. These findings may provide an experimental basis for hirudin treatment of podocyte injury diseases.
Understanding self‐monitoring to inform a mobile intervention for binge eating and weight management: A proof‐of‐concept randomized trial
Authors: Liu Jianyi , Munson Sean A. , Chang Angela , Voss Claire , Graham Andrea K.
Published: March 2022

Objective

This study explored consumers' perspectives on self‐monitoring, a common feature in behavioral interventions that helps inform consumers' progress and answer their questions, to learn what outcome metrics matter to consumers and whether self‐selection of these metrics leads to greater engagement (i.e., compliance, satisfaction) in self‐monitoring than monitoring only default options.

Methods

In a proof‐of‐concept randomized trial, 48 adult participants were randomly assigned to “clinician‐determined monitoring” or “clinician + self‐determined monitoring” conditions. Before starting monitoring, all participants shared outcomes that would matter to them in a mobile intervention for binge eating and weight management. Then, for 3 weeks, participants in the “clinician‐determined” condition monitored their weight and binge‐eating episodes, and participants in the “clinician + self‐determined” condition monitored these and another metric of their choosing. After, satisfaction and compliance were assessed.

Results

Participants identified 116 metrics, grouped into 12 themes, that mattered to them. During monitoring, participants in the “clinician + self‐determined” condition monitored 41 metrics. Surprisingly, participants in the “clinician‐determined” condition also monitored metrics besides weight and binge eating. This resulted in a failure of our experimental manipulation, which represents a significant limitation of this research. No significant differences emerged in satisfaction or compliance between conditions.

Discussion

Although our proof‐of‐concept trial yielded null quantitative results, findings also suggested binge eating and weight management interventions may benefit from including an individually customizable monitoring option in addition to default metrics, warranting testing in future research.

Public Significance

Examining consumers' self‐monitoring preferences for a mobile intervention for binge eating and weight management revealed a variety of metrics that matter to consumers, although binge eating and weight were still most valued. Findings from our proof‐of‐concept trial suggest design implications of encouraging an individually customizable monitoring option, in addition to default metrics, which needs to be tested in future research over a longer period and during actual mobile intervention delivery.
Developmental microbiome of the small carpenter bee, Ceratina calcarata
Authors: Nguyen Phuong N. , Rehan Sandra M.
Published: March 2022

The importance of the holobiont has been studied across many bee species, but less is known about the changes in the microbiome throughout the course of development, particularly in subsocial bees. This study used 16S rRNA and ITS amplicon sequencing of pollen provisions and individuals of the small carpenter bee, Ceratina calcarata, across stages of development to characterize the composition and diversity of bacteria and fungi in the microbiome. Pollen provisions and larval stages showed similar beta diversity, but differences in taxa composition. There was no significant decrease in diversity during the transition between larval and pupal stages that was expected post defecation. However, there were unexpected and progressive declines in diversity as development progressed from the early to late pupal stages and again from the callow to adult stages. Bees across all stages lacked members of the Lactobacillus (now Apilactobacillus) genus, which has been shown in other studies to be part of the core bacterial community in C. calcarata and all bees. Three correlations between bacteria and fungi were found, suggesting common beneficial bacteria may protect the bees from prevalent fungal pathogens. Low alpha diversity, particularly in the later stages of development through adulthood, is concerning as the microbiome plays an important role in maintaining wild bee health.
Size Selectivity in the Hydroxylation of Esters of Unsaturated Fatty Acids
Authors: Azzena Ugo , Carraro Massimo , Pisano Luisa , Pintus Elisa , Pintus Salvatore , Polese Riccardo , Satta Pierpaolo , Gaspa Silvia , De Luca Lidia , Taras Alessandro , Garroni Sebastiano
Published: March 2022

The one‐pot two‐steps hydroxylation of fatty acid esters with H2O2 and acetic acid catalyzed by acidic ion exchange resins is reinvestigated aiming to shed light on the relationship between the structure of different substrates and the efficiency of different resins in promoting the hydrolysis of the intermediate epoxides to the corresponding diols. 1H‐NMR analysis of crude reaction mixtures highlight a correlation between the drying process of the resins, their cross‐linking degree, and their effectiveness in promoting such a hydrolysis. Employing dry Dowex 50WX2 as a catalyst, a close relationship is found between the steric hindrance of the substrates and the recovered diol/epoxide ratio, with less hindered substrates preferentially leading to the formation of high diol/epoxide ratios. Accordingly, this procedure is successfully applied to the valorization of the methyl ester of a waste cooking oil. Conversions and selectivity kinetics increase significantly when the amount of the catalyst is increased leading to successfully apply this one‐pot two‐steps hydroxylation reaction to esters of unsaturated fatty acids sterically bulkier than methyl oleate. Spectroscopic and morphological characterization of Dowex 50WX2 shows that the drying process and the interaction with the reagents affect the morphology of the catalyst and promotes the hydrolysis of the intermediate epoxides.

Practical applications: Hydroxylated fatty acids are valuable intermediates in the synthesis of a variety of useful biochemicals, including mono‐ and di‐carboxylic acids, biolubricants, and cosmetics. Their work describes the successful application to a variety of esters of unsaturated fatty acids and to the methyl esters of a vegetable oil and a waste cooking oil, of a straightforward hydroxylation procedure, catalysed by commercially available acidic ion exchange resins and occurring under mild and easy to set‐up conditions. The evidence reported on the different catalytic activities and on the structural characterization of the as‐received and dried acidic ion exchange resins are of practical importance in their employment as acidic catalysts.
Worse health‐related quality of life, impaired functioning and psychiatric comorbidities are associated with excess mortality in patients with severe chronic pain
Authors: Vartiainen Pekka , Roine Risto P. , Kalso Eija , Heiskanen Tarja
Published: March 2022

Background

Severe chronic pain that interferes with daily activities is associated with an increased risk of mortality. We assessed the overall mortality of tertiary chronic pain patients in comparison with the general population, with a special aim to analyse the association of health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) and its dimensions with the risk of death.

Methods

In this prospective observational follow‐up study, patients with non‐cancer chronic pain attended an outpatient multidisciplinary pain management (MPM) episode in a tertiary pain clinic in 2004–2012 and were followed until May 2019. Mortality between the patients and the general population was compared with standardized mortality ratios (SMR) in different age groups. Causes of death and comorbidities were compared among the deceased. Association of mortality and HRQoL and its dimensions, measured with the 15D instrument, was studied with Cox proportional hazards model.

Results

During a mean of 10.4‐year follow‐up of 1498 patients, 296 died. The SMR in the youngest age group (18–49 years) was significantly higher than that of the general population: 2.6 for males and 2.9 for females. Even elderly females (60–69 years) had elevated mortality (SMR 2.3). Low baseline HRQoL at the time of MPM, as well as poor ratings in the psychosocial dimensions of HRQoL, was associated with an increased risk of death.

Conclusions

Our results support the role of HRQoL measurement by a validated instrument such as the 15D in capturing both the physical and the psychological symptom burden, and consequently, an elevated risk of death, in patients with chronic pain.

Significance

Severe chronic pain is associated with elevated mortality. In patients in chronic pain under 50 years old, the mortality was 2.5–3 times higher than in the general population. Psychological distress appears to contribute to the increased mortality. Regular follow‐up by health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) measurement could be useful in identifying patients in chronic pain who are in need of intensive symptom management and to prevent early death.
Novel Porphyrin‐Based Hypercrosslinked Polymers as Highly Efficient Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Zhu Zhaoqi , Cui Jie , Cao Xiaoying , Yang Lijuan , Sun Hanxue , Liang Weidong , Li Jiyan , Li An
Published: March 2022

The exploration of high‐performance electrocatalysts is significant to improve the sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) speed in electrochemical systems. Here, the creation of novel non‐precious metal catalysts via knitting hypercrosslinked polymer (TPP‐HCP‐1) based on porphyrin as the building block which contains both mesopore and catalytic sites, is demonstrated. Interestingly, the TPP‐HCP can be converted into a nitrogen‐doped porous carbon skeleton through pyrolyzing the hybrid at 900 °C, which possesses an excellent ORR electrochemical performance in alkaline medium, with a more positive onset potential of 0.96 V (vs reversible hydrogen electrode, the same in the following), half‐wave potential of 0.85 V, and higher diffusion limiting current density of 4.00 mA cm−2. Moreover, it also exhibits much higher stability, comparable selectivity, and better methanol tolerance than the commercial Pt/C. Making good use of their high ORR activity and easy fabrication makes it possible to use low‐cost FeCl3 as both catalysts for HCP precursors and metal dopant for the porphyrin‐based hypercrosslinked polymer (TPP‐HCP‐1), thus the obtained TPP‐HCP‐1 may offer novel ideation to construct non‐precious metal catalysts for practical electrocatalytic applications.
H2 Production of As‐Cast Multialloying Mg‐Rich Alloys by Electrochemical Hydrolysis in NaCl Solution
Authors: Bai Jing , Li Danting , Cao Qianhong , Hou Xiaojiang , Xu Yunhua
Published: March 2022

To adjust the hydrolysis H2 generation properties of as‐cast Mg–10wt%Ni (Mg10Ni) alloy, intermediate alloys Mg–Ce and Mg–La are introduced to prepare Mg9Ni10Ce and Mg9Ni10La. The H2 generation thermodynamics are investigated based on microstructures, electrochemical polarization properties, and fitted information of hydrolysis curves by Avrami–Erofeev and Arrhenius equations. The results indicate that Ni/La/Ce alloying elements can modify the microstructures of the Mg matrix by forming active phases Mg2Ni and Mg12Ce or Mg17La2, phase boundaries, and α‐Mg solid‐solution. The H2 generation capacities of Mg10Ni, Mg9Ni10Ce, and Mg9Ni10La are 532, 511, and 444 mL g−1 with 0.63, 0.68, and 0.59 conversion yields in 2.5 h at 293 K in NaCl solution. The conversion yields of Mg10Ni, Mg9Ni10La, and Mg9Ni10Ce can be promoted to 0.88, 0.91 and 0.99 at 308 K with 741, 756 and 690 mL g−1 H2, respectively. Due to the high content of eutectic structure and active phase as well as the stronger electrochemical hydrolysis tendency, the modification effect of La is better than Ce. The microstructure–property relationship and thermodynamics built herein can provide an effective strategy to regulate Mg‐based alloys to achieve a high conversion yield and rapid rate by electrochemical hydrolysis H2 generation.
Cu‐Fe/activated carbon catalyst for low‐temperature CO‐selective catalytic: Modification and denitration mechanism
Authors: Huang Bang‐fu , Wang De‐fu , Li Jian‐li , Shi Zhe
Published: March 2022

To study the Cu‐Fe modification and CO denitration mechanism of carbon‐based sorbent, coconut‐husk activated carbon (AC), which was activated via air thermo‐oxidation and modified using Cu(NO3)2 and Fe(NO3)2 was examined. In addition, the denitration activity was evaluated. The effects of air thermo‐oxidative activation, as well as Cu(NO3)2 and Fe(NO3)2 immersion on the pore texture and surface characteristics of the carbon materials, were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis, X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD) and Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The reduction performance and CO adsorptive property of xCu‐yFe/AC catalyst was measured using hydrogen temperature‐programmed reduction (H2‐TPR) and carbon monoxide temperature‐programmed desorption (CO‐TPD). The xCu‐yFe/AC's denitration activity showed that physical adsorption is a priority, then chemical adsorption recovers the denitration activity after physical adsorption saturation. The modification mechanism showed that higher loading of Cu and Fe resulted in enhanced dispersivity and more active sites but decreased specific surface area and pore volume. Then, the capability of physical adsorption decreased. Moreover, higher Fe loading was conducive to improved dispersivity of copper oxide species. The effects of Cu and Fe modification on the majority of functional groups were insignificant. The reduction peak at approximately 150°C indicated that the xCu‐yFe/AC catalyst has strong reduction characteristics. The number of CO active adsorption sites increased by high loading quantity at high‐temperature. The CO‐selective catalytic reduction (SCR) denitration conforms to Langmuir–Hinshelwood mechanism. The reciprocal transformation between Fe2+ and Fe3+, Cu+ and Cu2+, which is conducive to the rapid progress of the CO‐SCR reaction.
The use of continuous sediment‐transport measurements to improve sand‐load estimates in a large sand‐bedded river: The lower Chippewa River, Wisconsin
Authors: Dean David J. , Topping David J. , Buscombe Daniel D. , Groten Joel T. , Ziegeweid Jeffrey , Fitzpatrick Faith A. , Lund John W. , Coenen Erin N.
Published: March 2022

Accurately determining sediment loads is necessary for managing river environments but is difficult because multiple processes can lead to large discharge‐independent changes in sediment transport. Thus, estimations of sediment load using discharge–sediment rating curves fit to sparse or historical sediment‐transport measurements can be inaccurate, necessitating alternative approaches to reduce uncertainty. Continuous sediment‐transport measurements reduce uncertainty because they can be used to detect discharge‐independent changes in transport and are therefore unaffected by hysteresis.

We used largely continuous approaches to measure sand transport in the lower Chippewa River, a large sand‐supplying tributary to the Mississippi River. We used side‐looking acoustic‐Doppler profilers to continuously measure suspended‐sand concentration, and bedform‐tracking techniques to episodically measure bedload transport. Bedload transport was then continuously estimated using a discharge‐dependent ratio of bedload to suspended‐sand transport. This approach allowed determination of sand loads that were not estimated based only on water discharge. Our continuous suspended‐sand measurements show that hysteresis between discharge and suspended‐sand concentration occurs during most floods. Quasi‐continuous bed‐elevation measurements using a scour monitor show that lags between discharge and dune geometric adjustment is also common, causing hysteresis between discharge and bedload transport during floods. Furthermore, comparisons of our measurements with historical sediment‐transport measurements indicate large discharge‐independent declines in both suspended‐sand and bedload transport since the 1980s. These findings indicate that sand transport is a non‐stationary function of water discharge over timescales ranging from within individual floods to decades. Consequently, although our continuous‐measurement approach yields only a ~20–30% improvement over rating‐curve estimates of sand load over multi‐year periods, our approach yields up to a factor‐of‐five improvement in sand‐load estimates over the shorter, within a flood timescales, over which the largest discharge‐independent changes in sand transport occur.
The Impact of Using Synthetically Generated Listening Stimuli on Test‐Taker Performance: A Case Study With Multiple‐Choice, Single‐Selection Items
Authors: Choi Ikkyu , Zu Jiyun
Published: March 2022

Synthetically generated speech (SGS) has become an integral part of our oral communication in a wide variety of contexts. It can be generated instantly at a low cost and allows precise control over multiple aspects of output, all of which can be highly appealing to second language (L2) assessment developers who have traditionally relied upon human voice actors for recording audio materials. Nevertheless, SGS is not widely used in L2 assessments. One major concern in this use case lies in its potential impact on test‐taker performance: Would the use of SGS (as opposed to using human voice actor recordings) change how test takers respond to an item? In this study, we investigated using SGS as stimuli for English L2 listening assessment items on test‐taker performance. The data came from a pilot administration of multiple new task types and included 653 test takers' responses to two versions of the same 13 items, differing only in terms of their listening stimuli: a version using human voice actor recordings and the other version with SGS files. Multifaceted comparisons between test takers' responses across the two versions showed that the two versions elicited remarkably comparable performance. The comparability provides strong empirical evidence for the use of SGS as a viable alternative for human voice actor recordings in the immediate domain of L2 assessment as well as related domains such as learning material and research instrument development.
Performance analysis of power‐domain non‐orthogonal multiple access for full‐duplex two‐way relaying
Authors: Ozduran Volkan , Huda Mahmood Nurul , Nomikos Nikolaos
Published: March 2022

Non‐orthogonal multiple has the potential to improve the connectivity of wireless networks by simultaneously allowing users and devices to access the wireless medium. Meanwhile, full‐duplex communication can increase the spectral efficiency of the network as transmission and reception are concurrently performed. This article investigates full‐duplex two‐way relay communication relying on non‐orthogonal multiple access in the power‐domain. More specifically, users exchange superimposed signals and perform reception by utilizing echo‐cancellation and successive interference cancellation. For this setup, an extensive theoretical analysis is conducted, in terms of outage probability, error probability, ergodic rate, and throughput. Furthermore, by using the Lagrangian multiplier, optimal transmit power, and power allocation coefficients are determined and the relay's position is optimized to improve network performance. Our theoretical findings are verified through Monte‐Carlo simulations while significant performance gains in the optimized network case are observed.
A comparative study of combining tree‐based feature selection methods and classifiers in personal loan default prediction
Authors: Guo Weidong , Zhou Zach Zhizhong
Published: March 2022

Personal credit data usually contain a large number of features, some of which do not significantly contribute to the performance of default prediction models. Screening features through appropriate methods is essential to improve the efficiency of prediction models. However, little attention has been paid to feature selection methods in the area of personal loan default prediction. In this study, we employ random forest (RF), XGBoost, Adaptive Boosting (AdaBoost), Categorical Boosting (CatBoost), and Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM) as base algorithms of wrapper and embedded methods to select features and use these algorithms as classifiers to predict personal loan default. We find that when classical filter methods are used to select features, the number of selected features needs to be large enough to enable tree‐based classifiers to get their best performance. However, when the tree‐based algorithm is used to select features, it only needs to select a small number of features to deliver a satisfactory classification performance. AdaBoost, Chi2, and ‐score are found to be ideal feature selection methods in the area of personal credit default prediction. Moreover, we find that it is better to use different algorithms in feature selection and classification; AdaBoost and CatBoost perform the best among all classifiers.
Data of satellite observation for environmental assessment before and during COVID‐19 pandemic in part of Indonesia using the cloud‐computing platform
Authors: Ramdani Fatwa , Setiani Putri
Published: March 2022

The global pandemic of COVID‐19 has been insisted by many countries in the world to implement social distancing, including Indonesia. This research measured the environmental impact before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Indonesia. Variables, such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) of Sentinel‐5P Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument (Tropomi), nighttime light condition of Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Day/Night Band (DNB) and land surface temperature (LST) of Thermal InfraRed Sensor (TIRS) of Landsat‐8 Operational Land Imager (OLI), were monitored using the cloud‐based computing platform of Google Earth Engine (GEE). This study found that all monitored variables decreased during the period of the COVID‐19 pandemic compared to the period before the pandemic. However, the pattern of reduction of NO2 concentration and nighttime light was not observed to be coherent with large‐scale social distancing regulation enforced by the government. This study found that the reduction has begun 2 months earlier than the official regulation enforced by the government. The lower LST shown in both the time‐series map and the graph demonstrated changes before and during the pandemic. The hypothesis was tested using the t‐test method, and the statistical results show the significant difference between two groups of observed variables (e.g. before and during the pandemic) with the lower p‐values and higher Cohen's d. Results of this study indicate that it should be feasible to monitor the environmental impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic using the combination of NO2 concentration, nighttime light and LST information as a proxy.
Flood inundation mapping in data‐scarce areas: A case of Mbire District, Zimbabwe
Authors: Manyangadze Tawanda , Mavhura Emmanuel , Mudavanhu Chipo , Pedzisai Ezra
Published: March 2022

Floods are one of the most devastating weather‐related hazards that are affecting millions of people over the world every year. In some poor resource areas such as Mbire District in Zimbabwe, the floods are difficult to anticipate and prepare for. Hence the need for spatial modelling of the past flood events for effective response and management. This study modelled the flood extent and depth based on data from household surveys, transect walks and a digital elevation model (DEM). A sample of 304 households was used, with 70% for calibration and 30% for validation of the flood extent. Twenty‐four flood depth measurements obtained from transect walks were used to validate the modelled flood depths based on a linear regression model. The flood depth of the worst most recent flood (January 2015) at each household was combined with altitude from the DEM using the sum function, and the inverse distance weighting was applied to model the worst flood depth. The flood extent was considered as those areas where flood depth was higher than the DEM. Approximately 24% of the area was covered by floods. The modelled flood extent agreed reasonably well with what was reported during the survey (probability of detection 0.93 and accuracy level about 0.8). Most of the areas in the wards experienced flood depths greater than 2 m, especially along the major rivers. Such areas are dangerous for people, animals and properties such as boreholes, houses, schools and clinics located on the floodplain. These results can be used for planning purposes in preparing and responding to stages of the flood management cycle. However, there is a need for further research to improve the performance and applicability of the methodology applied in this study in other settings.
Increased child‐evoked activation in the precuneus during facial affect recognition in mothers
Authors: Plank Irene Sophia , Hindi Attar Catherine , Kunas Stefanie Lydia , Bermpohl Felix , Dziobek Isabel
Published: March 2022

Successful parenting requires constant inferring of affective states. Especially vital is the correct identification of facial affect. Previous studies have shown that infant faces are processed preferentially compared to adult faces both on the behavioural and the neural level. This study specifically investigates the child‐evoked neural responses to affective faces and their modulation by motherhood and attention to affect. To do so, we used a paradigm to measure neural responses during both explicit and implicit facial affect recognition (FAR) in mothers and non‐mothers using child and adult faces. Increased activation to child compared to adult faces was found for mothers and non‐mothers in face processing areas (bilateral fusiform gyri) and areas associated with social understanding (bilateral insulae and medial superior frontal gyrus) when pooling implicit and explicit affect recognition. Furthermore, this child‐evoked activation was modulated by motherhood with an increase in mothers compared to non‐mothers in the left precuneus. Additionally, explicitly recognising the affect increased child‐evoked activation in the medial superior frontal gyrus in both mothers and non‐mothers. These results suggest preferential treatment of affective child over adult faces, modulated by motherhood and attention to affect.
The macro‐level effect of religiosity on health
Authors: Herzer Dierk
Published: March 2022

An issue that has not yet been explored in the religiosity‐health literature is the macro‐level effect of religiosity on health—the effect of the religiosity of a society on the absolute health of the population of that society as a whole. We address this issue using two panel datasets: The first is a time‐series cross‐sectional panel dataset for 17 countries from 1925 to 2000. The second is a cross‐sectionally dominated panel dataset of up to 92 countries for the period 1981–2016. Our main findings are as follows: first, religiosity has a significant negative causal effect on health at the macro level; second, a substantial part of this effect can be attributed to an indirect effect via public health expenditures; and third, changes in population health do not cause significant changes in societal religiosity.
High‐resolution snow depth prediction using Random Forest algorithm with topographic parameters: A case study in the Greiner watershed, Nunavut
Authors: Meloche Julien , Langlois Alexandre , Rutter Nick , McLennan Donald , Royer Alain , Billecocq Paul , Ponomarenko Serguei
Published: March 2022

Increased surface temperatures (0.7°C per decade) in the Arctic affects polar ecosystems by reducing the extent and duration of annual snow cover. Monitoring of these important ecosystems needs detailed information on snow cover properties at resolutions (<100 m) that influence ecological habitats and permafrost thaw. A machine learning method using topographic parameters with the Random Forest (RF) algorithm previously developed in alpine environments was applied over an arctic landscape for the first time. The topographic parameters used in the RF algorithm were Topographic Position Index (TPI) and up‐wind slope index (Sx), which were estimated from the freely available Arctic DEM at 2 m resolution. Addition of an ecotype parameter (proxy for vegetation height) showed minimal predictive improvement. Using RF, snow depth distributions were predicted from topographic parameters with a root mean square error = 8 cm (23%) (R2 = 0.79) at 10 m resolution for an arctic watershed (1500 km2) in western Nunavut, Canada.
Stable isotopic variations (δD and δ18O) in a mountainous river with rapidly changing altitude: Insight into the hydrological processes and rainout in the basin
Authors: Das Satyabrata , Rai Santosh K.
Published: March 2022

Hydrological processes play an important role in stable isotopic compositional variations of the river water. The present study includes spatial distributions of stable hydrogen and oxygen isotopes (δD and δ18O) of a Himalayan River (the Teesta) to trace various hydrological processes and their associated roles on isotopic fractionation of river water. The δ18O compositions of the water samples varies between −12.2‰ and −5.4‰ (mean: −8.01‰ ± 1.81‰) and that of δD between −95.1‰ and −38.5‰ (mean: −57.6‰ ± 15.6‰). The observed compositional variation in δ18O, δD and d values of river water is mainly governed through snowmelt input, evaporation, and recycled moisture contribution. The variation of δ18O and δD values point towards an early melting of snow in the basin and a significant contribution of snowmelt to the river water. The orographic induced precipitation front appears to control the hydrological regimes in a distinct manner as reflected in the trend between d values and elevation. The rain shadow affected northern reaches of the basin are characterized with dry & arid climate triggering evaporation whereas, the windward southern side witness temperature influenced evaporation. The study suggests that the differential degree of recycled moisture contribution to the local precipitation is also a key component in bringing the stable isotopic variation in the river water. This varied magnitude of moisture recycling could result from uneven distribution of evapotranspiration and surface water evaporation. Results found that a rapid change in the altitude of a river basin can give rise to different hydrometeorological conditions, thereby resulting in simultaneous operation of almost all the major hydrological processes and a complex isotopic compositional variation in the river water. Also, the rainout percentage in the Teesta basin is found to be higher owing to this rapid rate of elevation increase.
Epidural analgesia in labor: A narrative review
Authors: Halliday Lucy , Nelson Scott M. , Kearns Rachel J.
Published: March 2022

Lumbar epidural is the most effective form of pain relief in labor with around 30% of laboring women in the UK and 60% in the USA receiving epidural analgesia. Associations of epidural on maternal, obstetric, and neonatal outcomes have been the subject of intense study, though a number of uncertainties persist. The present narrative review explores important areas of research surrounding epidural analgesia in obstetric patients including methods of initiation and administration, choice of local anesthetic solution, and the addition of adjuvants. Key meta‐analyses exploring associations of epidural analgesia on maternal and neonatal outcomes are identified and summarized.
Every Second Matters ‐ uterine balloon tamponade implementation across ten medical colleges in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh in India: A qualitative study
Authors: Posever Natalie , Sipahi Sevgi , Shivkumar Poonam Varma , Burke Thomas F.
Published: March 2022

Objective

To understand facilitators, barriers, and perceptions of the Every Second Matters uterine balloon tamponade (ESM‐UBT) package implemented across 10 medical colleges in India, 3 years after the program was introduced.

Methods

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted until thematic saturation in March 2020. Multiple provider cadres, including nurses, Obstetrics/Gynecology residents, professors, and program leads, were eligible. Interviews were transcribed and thematically coded using an inductive method.

Results

Sixty‐two obstetric providers were interviewed. Facilitators of implementation included recurrent training, improved teamwork and communication, strong program leadership, and involvement of lower‐level facilities. Barriers to implementation included administrative hurdles, high staff turnover, language barriers, and resources required to reach and train lower‐level facilities. Overall, the majority of clinicians viewed the ESM‐UBT package as a useful intervention in aiding efforts to reduce maternal deaths from postpartum hemorrhage.

Conclusions

Among 10 medical colleges in India the ESM‐UBT package is seen as a beneficial intervention for managing refractory atonic postpartum hemorrhage, and for reducing maternal morbidity and mortality. Identified facilitators of and barriers to implementation of the ESM‐UBT package in India should be used to guide future implementation efforts.