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"Resisting Social Identity Threat and Maintaining Resilience" : A Qualitative Study of Chinese Parents Following the Loss of an Only Child

  • Authors: Wang, Anni , Guo, Yufang , Cross, Wendy , Lam, Louisa , Plummer, Virginia , Zhang, Wen , Zhang, Jingping
  • Date: 2024
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Psychol Trauma Vol. 16, no. 2 (2024), p. 167-175
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  • Description: Objective: Parents who lose an only child in China are stressed and traumatized due to social identity threat (SIT). This qualitative study aimed to interpret their experience to inform culturally and socially sensitive intervention strategies. Methods: Using a phenomenological approach, 17 bereaved parents who lost an only child were interviewed. The transcripts were analyzed using Colaizzi's method. Results: Three themes were identified, namely, "assuming a new social identity," "triggering social identity threat," and "resisting social identity threat and maintaining resilience." The study showed that SIT initially began with identity reconstruction, where self-identity and social identity occurred 1 after another. Once labeled with such social identity, the bereaved parents suffered social identity threat triggered by inner inferiority and external stigmatization. The bereaved parents undertook a variety of coping strategies to resist the threat and to maintain resilience of these strategies, 4 patterns depicting resilience and threat were interpreted. Conclusion: The findings offer an understanding of the multifaceted bereavement dilemma and lay a foundation for developing intervention strategies. Promoting or maintaining resilience and alleviating SIT are 2 important ways that help parents move on. To help them with identity reconstruction, the development of culturally sensitive resilience-based programs and the linking of social resources to solve practical problems are recommended. Community health professionals should encourage parents to maintain good health management to prevent their predicament from worsening. Raising economic assistance, building an elderly care support system, and promoting social acceptance are strategies that could be considered by policymakers. Clinical Impact StatementThe bereaved parents who have lost an only child in China is facing a multifaceted dilemma, which involves psychological, economic and cultural issues. This study applies the construct of social identity threat to interpretive lived experience of parents in China who have lost their only child. The study contributes to better understanding of their multifaceted bereavement dilemma, and lay the foundation for developing psycho-behavioural intervention strategies, which potentially also benefit other marginalized or traumatized bereaved groups. Results in this study offered several recommendations for psychological counselors, community workers, community health professionals, and government policymakers.

A new systemic disease mouse model for glioblastoma capable of single-tumour-cell detection

  • Authors: Ware, Thomas , Luwor, Rodney , Zhu, Hong-Jian
  • Date: 2024
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Cells Vol. 13, no. 2 (2024), p.
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  • Description: Background: Glioblastoma is characterised by extensive infiltration into the brain parenchyma, leading to inevitable tumor recurrence and therapeutic failure. Future treatments will need to target the specific biology of tumour recurrence, but our current understanding of the underlying mechanisms is limited. Significantly, there is a lack of available methods and models that are tailored to the examination of tumour recurrence. Methods: NOD-SCID mice were orthotopically implanted with luciferase-labelled donor U87MG or MU20 glioblastoma cells. Four days later, an unlabelled recipient tumor was implanted on the contralateral side. The mice were euthanised at a humane end-point and tissue and blood samples were collected for ex vivo analyses. Results: The ex vivo analyses of the firefly-labelled MU20 tumours displayed extensive invasion at the primary tumour margins, whereas the firefly-labelled U87MG tumours exhibited expansive phenotypes with no evident invasions at the tumour margins. Luciferase signals were detected in the contralateral unlabelled recipient tumours for both the U87MG and MU20 tumours compared to the non-implanted control brain. Remarkably, tumour cells were uniformly detected in all tissue samples of the supratentorial brain region compared to the control tissue, with single tumour cells detected in some tissue samples. Circulating tumour cells were also detected in the blood samples of most of the xenografted mice. Moreover, tumour cells were detected in the lungs of all of the mice, a probable event related to haematogenous dissemination. Similar results were obtained when the U87MG cells were alternatively labelled with gaussian luciferase. Conclusions: These findings describe a systemic disease model for glioblastoma which can be used to investigate recurrence biology and therapeutic efficacy towards recurrence. © 2024 by the authors.

A survey of commercial and industrial demand response flexibility with energy storage systems and renewable energy

  • Authors: Yasmin, Roksana , Amin, B.M. Ruhu , Shah, Rakibuzzaman , Barton, Andrew
  • Date: 2024
  • Type: Text , Journal article , Review
  • Relation: Sustainability (Switzerland) Vol. 16, no. 2 (2024), p.
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  • Description: The transition from traditional fuel-dependent energy systems to renewable energy-based systems has been extensively embraced worldwide. Demand-side flexibility is essential to support the power grid with carbon-free generation (e.g., solar, wind.) in an intermittent nature. As extensive energy consumers, commercial and industrial (C&I) consumers can play a key role by extending their flexibility and participating in demand response. Onsite renewable generation by consumers can reduce the consumption from the grid, while energy storage systems (ESSs) can support variable generation and shift demand by storing energy for later use. Both technologies can increase the flexibility and benefit by integrating with the demand response. However, a lack of knowledge about the applicability of increasing flexibility hinders the active participation of C&I consumers in demand response programs. This survey paper provides an overview of demand response and energy storage systems in this context following a methodology of a step-by-step literature review covering the period from 2013 to 2023. The literature review focuses on the application of energy storage systems and onsite renewable generation integrated with demand response for C&I consumers and is presented with an extensive analysis. This survey also examines the demand response participation and potential of wastewater treatment plants. The extended research on the wastewater treatment plant identifies the potential opportunities of coupling biogas with PV, extracting the thermal energy and onsite hydrogen production. Finally, the survey analysis is summarised, followed by critical recommendations for future research. © 2024 by the authors.

Assessing the validity and reliability of a baseball pitch discrimination online task

  • Authors: Grieve, Georgia , Besler, Zachary , Müller, Sean , Spering, Miriam , Hodges, Nicola
  • Date: 2024
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology Vol. 22, no. 2 (2024), p. 481-505
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  • Description: There has been an increasing interest in training perceptual skills in sports through online video-based methods, particularly in baseball. However, there is little empirical evidence related to the reliability and validity of such online methods for the assessment of these skill. Here we developed an online task to assess pitch discrimination and evaluated (a) inter-item reliability, (b) reliability in assessment compared to an in-person task, also tapping into external validity and (c) discriminability across different skill groups. We also compared performance on a non-sport specific Dynamic Visual Acuity task (DVA), thought to tap into underlying visual skills comprising pitch discrimination. Skilled, Varsity-level baseball players (n = 17) were compared to novices (n = 14) when discriminating pitches thrown by two different pitchers, across three pitch types, edited to progressively remove sections of ball flight (3 time points). The online task discriminated across skill groups, showed good reliability across repeated viewings and from the online task to an in-person assessment of skilled athletes (n = 8). There were, however, differences in reliability and discriminant validity based on the type of pitcher, with one pitcher being responded to more accurately and reliably. Skilled participants showed good discriminability between fastballs and change-ups. There were no group differences for DVA, nor did it correlate with pitch discrimination for the skilled group. These data illustrate the reliability of online video assessments, but raise issues concerning discriminability across different pitchers and when standing ready to swing. Greater sensitivity testing of such assessments is still needed, within and across skill groups. © 2024 International Society of Sport Psychology.

DCCGAN based intrusion detection for detecting security threats in IoT

  • Authors: Cyriac, Robin , Balasubaramanian, Sundaravadivazhagn , Balamurugan, Venkatachalam , Karthikeyan, R.
  • Date: 2024
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: International Journal of Bio-Inspired Computation Vol. 23, no. 2 (2024), p. 111-124
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  • Description: Internet of things (IoT) consists of wired/wireless network, sensor, and actuator, where security is more important when more devices are connected to IoT. To increase more security in IoT devices, this manuscript proposes a dual-channel capsule generation adversarial network (DCCGAN) espoused intrusion detection scheme for detecting security threats in IoT network (DCCGAN-IDF-DST-IoT). Data are collected from MQTT-IoT-IDS2020 dataset and Bot-IoT dataset. Then, the data are fed to local least squares, which eradicate the redundancy and replace the missing value. The pre-processed dataset is supplied to fertile field optimisation algorithm (FFOA), which selects the relevant features. Then DCCGAN is used for classifying the data as normal or anomalous. The proposed technique is activated in Python language. The performance of proposed technique for MQTT-IoT-IDS2020 dataset attains 16.55%, 21.37%, 32.99%, 27.66%, 26.45%, 21.47% and 22.86% higher accuracy compared with the existing methods. Copyright © 2024 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.

DQN approach for adaptive self-healing of VNFs in cloud-native network

  • Authors: Arulappan, Arunkumar , Mahanti, Aniket , Passi, Kalpdrum , Srinivasan, Thiruvenkadam , Naha, Ranesh , Raja, Gunasekaran
  • Date: 2024
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: IEEE Access Vol. 12, no. (2024), p. 34489-34504
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  • Description: The transformation from physical network function to Virtual Network Function (VNF) requires a fundamental design change in how applications and services are tested and assured in a hybrid virtual network. Once the VNFs are onboarded in a cloud network infrastructure, operators need to test VNFs in real-time at the time of instantiation automatically. This paper explicitly analyses the problem of adaptive self-healing of a Virtual Machine (VM) allocated by the VNF with the Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) approach. The DRL-based big data collection and analytics engine performs aggregation to probe and analyze data for troubleshooting and performance management. This engine helps to determine corrective actions (self-healing), such as scaling or migrating VNFs. Hence, we proposed a Deep Queue Learning (DQL) based Deep Queue Networks (DQN) mechanism for self-healing VNFs in the virtualized infrastructure manager. Virtual network probes of closed-loop orchestration perform the automation of the VNF and provide analytics for real-time, policy-driven orchestration in an open networking automation platform through the stochastic gradient descent method for VNF service assurance and network reliability. The proposed DQN/DDQN mechanism optimizes the price and lowers the cost by 18% for resource usage without disrupting the Quality of Service (QoS) provided by the VNF. The outcome of adaptive self-healing of the VNFs enhances the computational performance by 27% compared to other state-of-the-art algorithms. © 2013 IEEE.

Ecological and statistical models to configure flow regime for environment benefit in highly engineered rivers : a case study in the MacKenzie River, Southeast Australia

  • Authors: Atazadeh, Ehsan , Gell, Peter , Mills, Keely , Barton, Andrew , Newall, Peter
  • Date: 2024
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Environmental Science and Pollution Research Vol. 31, no. 5 (2024), p. 7408-7427
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  • Description: Ecological and statistical models were developed using freshwater algal assemblages to assess water quality and ecological health of a regulated river. These models were used to inform configuration of flows to maintain or improve environmental conditions of the waterway whilst meeting consumptive water supply commitments. The flow regime of the MacKenzie River, western Victoria, Australia, has been substantially modified since the construction of a water supply reservoir on its upper reach in 1887. Water is withdrawn at several locations downstream of the reservoir, creating a substantially modified flow regime, impacting key environmental values of the river. To assess the impact of the different flow regimes on river health and ecosystem function, ten sites were repeatedly sampled along the river between February 2012 and April 2014. Physical and chemical characteristics of water, including pH, temperature, turbidity, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, total nitrogen, total phosphorous, cations, and anions, were measured. Biological properties of the algal periphyton communities, including dry mass, ash-free dry mass, chlorophyll-a concentration, and species composition, were also measured. Exploration of the algal assemblage and water chemistry data using the computationally unconstrained ordination technique such as principal component analysis principal component analysis (PCA), correspondence analysis (CA), detrended correspondence analysis (DCA), and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) indicated two strong gradients in the data sets. Furthermore, the quantitative ecosystem response models have been developed as the prototype tool to assist in the future configuration of flows in this river. The empirical data and models showed the lower reaches of the river to be in poor condition under low flows, but this condition improved under flows of 35 ML/day, as indicated by the reduction in green algae and cyanobacteria and improvement. Finally, the results are presented to tailor discharge and duration of water volume by amalgamation of consumptive and environmental flows to improve the condition of the stream thereby supplementing the flows dedicated to environmental outcomes. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.

Fuzzy multiplier, sum and intersection rules in non-Lipschitzian settings : decoupling approach revisited

  • Authors: Fabian, Marian , Kruger, Alexander , Mehlitz, Patrick
  • Date: 2024
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Journal of Mathematical Analysis and Applications Vol. 532, no. 2 (2024), p.
  • Relation: https://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DP160100854
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  • Description: We revisit the decoupling approach widely used (often intuitively) in nonlinear analysis and optimization and initially formalized about a quarter of a century ago by Borwein & Zhu, Borwein & Ioffe and Lassonde. It allows one to streamline proofs of necessary optimality conditions and calculus relations, unify and simplify the respective statements, clarify and in many cases weaken the assumptions. In this paper we study weaker concepts of quasiuniform infimum, quasiuniform lower semicontinuity and quasiuniform minimum, putting them into the context of the general theory developed by the aforementioned authors. Along the way, we unify the terminology and notation and fill in some gaps in the general theory. We establish rather general primal and dual necessary conditions characterizing quasiuniform

Guideline for the decommissioning/abandonment of subsea pipelines

  • Authors: Reda, Ahmed , Amaechi, Chiemela , Diaz Jimenez, Luis , Sultan, Ibrahim , Rawlinson, Andrew
  • Date: 2024
  • Type: Text , Journal article , Review
  • Relation: Journal of Marine Science and Engineering Vol. 12, no. 1 (2024), p.
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  • Description: The operating lifespan of pipelines is limited, defined by their specific design codes and specifications, with the economic justification for this being determined primarily by the pipeline owner. During its operational lifespan, a pipeline’s integrity is affected mainly by the quality of the hydrocarbons being transported. The integrity of a pipeline can be maintained with regular inspections and maintenance/cleaning programmes followed from installation to commissioning. As production matures and declines, operators face several decisions concerning the pipeline’s future. There are several potential scenarios, and each should be assessed on a case-by-case basis for any specific pipeline in question. The industry best practices outline the minimum requirements for the safe decommissioning of pipelines. However, there currently need to be international specifications to be followed for the decommissioning of disused offshore pipelines. This paper aims to provide insight into the decommissioning and abandonment of offshore pipelines. Also, this article provides case studies for the decommissioning of subsea pipelines. © 2023 by the authors.

Lifestyle management of hypertension : International Society of Hypertension position paper endorsed by the World Hypertension League and European Society of Hypertension

  • Authors: Charchar, Fadi , Prestes, Priscilla , Mills, Charlotte , Ching, Siew , Neupane, Dinesh , Marques, Francine , Sharman, James , Vogt, Liffert , Burrell, Louise , Korostovtseva, Lyudmila , Zec, Manja , Patil, Mansi , Schultz, Martin , Wallen, Matthew , Renna, Nicolás , Islam, Sheikh , Hiremath, Swapnil , Gyeltshen, Tshewang , Chia, Yook-Chin , Gupta, Abhinav , Schutte, Aletta , Klein, Britt , Borghi, Claudio , Browning, Colette , Czesnikiewicz-Guzik, Marta , Lee, Hae-Young , Itoh, Hiroshi , Miura, Katsuyuki , Akinnibosun, Olutope , Shane Thomas
  • Date: 2024
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Journal of hypertension Vol. 42, no. 1 (2024), p. 23-49
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  • Description: Hypertension, defined as persistently elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP) >140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at least 90 mmHg (International Society of Hypertension guidelines), affects over 1.5 billion people worldwide. Hypertension is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events (e.g. coronary heart disease, heart failure and stroke) and death. An international panel of experts convened by the International Society of Hypertension College of Experts compiled lifestyle management recommendations as first-line strategy to prevent and control hypertension in adulthood. We also recommend that lifestyle changes be continued even when blood pressure-lowering medications are prescribed. Specific recommendations based on literature evidence are summarized with advice to start these measures early in life, including maintaining a healthy body weight, increased levels of different types of physical activity, healthy eating and drinking, avoidance and cessation of smoking and alcohol use, management of stress and sleep levels. We also discuss the relevance of specific approaches including consumption of sodium, potassium, sugar, fibre, coffee, tea, intermittent fasting as well as integrated strategies to implement these recommendations using, for example, behaviour change-related technologies and digital tools. **Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 30 including Federation University Australia affiliates “Fadi Charchar, Priscilla Prestes, Britt Klein, Colette Browning, Olutope Akinnibosun and Shane Thomas” are provided in this record**
  • Description: Hypertension, defined as persistently elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP) >140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at least 90 mmHg (International Society of Hypertension guidelines), affects over 1.5 billion people worldwide. Hypertension is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events (e.g. coronary heart disease, heart failure and stroke) and death. An international panel of experts convened by the International Society of Hypertension College of Experts compiled lifestyle management recommendations as first-line strategy to prevent and control hypertension in adulthood. We also recommend that lifestyle changes be continued even when blood pressure-lowering medications are prescribed. Specific recommendations based on literature evidence are summarized with advice to start these measures early in life, including maintaining a healthy body weight, increased levels of different types of physical activity, healthy eating and drinking, avoidance and cessation of smoking and alcohol use, management of stress and sleep levels. We also discuss the relevance of specific approaches including consumption of sodium, potassium, sugar, fibre, coffee, tea, intermittent fasting as well as integrated strategies to implement these recommendations using, for example, behaviour change-related technologies and digital tools. **Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 30 including Federation University Australia affiliates “Fadi Charchar, Priscilla Prestes, Britt Klein, Colette Browning, Olutope Akinnibossun and Shane Thomas” are provided in this record**

Mentors supporting nurses transitioning to primary healthcare roles : a practice improvement initiative

  • Authors: Rossiter, Rachel , Robinson, Tracy , Cox, Rebekah , Collison, Lisa , Hills, Danny
  • Date: 2024
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: SAGE Open Nursing Vol. 10, no. (2024), p.
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  • Description: Introduction: Effective primary healthcare services have been identified by the World Health Organization as the most equitable approach to enhancing universal healthcare. Robust models of mentoring for registered nurses (RNs) transitioning to primary healthcare roles have yet to be described in the Australian context. A robust mentoring model can support RNs to fulfill their potential, bridging the gap between theory and practice. In 2015, the peak body for nurses in primary health care (PHC) began developing a transition to practice program, including embedded mentoring to support newly graduated and more experienced registered and enrolled nurses. This quality improvement study reports the experiences and perspectives of nurses participating as mentors in two separate offerings of the program delivered between 2019 and 2021. Method: A two-phase concurrent mixed methods evaluation utilized data from pre- and post online surveys and post program meetings. Quantitative items underwent descriptive analyses. Thematic analysis of free-text responses and comments was conducted independently by two researchers. Mentors voluntarily provided self-report data and were informed that data is routinely collected to support continuous quality improvement processes for all programs. An Information Sheet informed mentors of data usage, confidentiality, and options to withdraw without penalty from the program at any time. Results: Seventy-nine mentors were recruited to support two groups of nurses (N = 111). Mentor self-rated overall satisfaction with program participation was 86.67% (very or extremely satisfied). Mentors described being “witness to mentee growth,” “having facilitated access to learning” and receiving “unexpected benefits” including personal and professional growth and enhanced enthusiasm for their role in PHC. Conclusion: The embedded mentoring reported in this article combined a focus on skills acquisition and professional identity with the provision of a range of resources and support activities. Sustainable mentoring programs will be an important mechanism for supporting the expanding roles required of nurses working in primary health. © The Author(s) 2024.

Temporal samples of visual information guides skilled interception

  • Authors: Müller, Sean , Beseler, Bradley , Morris-Binelli, Khaya , Mesagno, Christopher
  • Date: 2024
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Frontiers in Psychology Vol. 15, no. (2024), p.
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  • Description: This study investigated whether performance of an interceptive skill requires an intact visual-perception-action cycle. Eleven skilled male Australian rules football athletes (Mage = 17.54, SD = 0.15) were recruited from an elite developmental pathway squad for a within-subject study. Participants were required to kick a ball directly at a goal from a 20-meter distance while wearing a pair of stroboscopic glasses. The glasses were used to create four vision conditions. Condition one kept intact the visual-perception-action cycle with uninterrupted vision of the motor skill. Three other conditions included stroboscopic vision that presented temporal samples of vision, which interrupted the perception-action cycle through progressive increases to intermittent vision occlusion of the motor skill. Goal kick error of ball position relative to a central target line within the goal and number of successful goals kicked were measured. Written report of internal and external focus of attention was also measured after each vision condition. Generalized estimating equation analysis did not reveal a significant decrement in kick target error, nor accuracy of goals scored, across normal to stroboscopic vision conditions. Performance was maintained despite a shift in attention focus from external to internal across normal to stroboscopic vision conditions. These findings have theoretical and practical implications for the visual regulation of skilled interceptive actions. Copyright © 2024 Müller, Beseler, Morris-Binelli and Mesagno.

The linkedness of cubical polytopes : beyond the cube

  • Authors: Bui, Hoa , Pineda-Villavicencio, Guillermo , Ugon, Julien
  • Date: 2024
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Discrete Mathematics Vol. 347, no. 3 (2024), p.
  • Relation: https://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DP180100602
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  • Description: A cubical polytope is a polytope with all its facets being combinatorially equivalent to cubes. The paper is concerned with the linkedness of the graphs of cubical polytopes. A graph with at least 2k vertices is k-linked if, for every set of k disjoint pairs of vertices, there are k vertex-disjoint paths joining the vertices in the pairs. We say that a polytope is k-linked if its graph is k-linked. In a previous paper [3] we proved that every cubical d-polytope is ⌊d/2⌋-linked. Here we strengthen this result by establishing the ⌊(d+1)/2⌋-linkedness of cubical d-polytopes, for every d≠3. A graph G is strongly k-linked if it has at least 2k+1 vertices and, for every vertex v of G, the subgraph G−v is k-linked. We say that a polytope is (strongly) k-linked if its graph is (strongly) k-linked. In this paper, we also prove that every cubical d-polytope is strongly ⌊d/2⌋-linked, for every d≠3. These results are best possible for this class of polytopes.
  • Description: A cubical polytope is a polytope with all its facets being combinatorially equivalent to cubes. The paper is concerned with the linkedness of the graphs of cubical polytopes. A graph with at least 2k vertices is k-linked if, for every set of k disjoint pairs of vertices, there are k vertex-disjoint paths joining the vertices in the pairs. We say that a polytope is k-linked if its graph is k-linked. In a previous paper [3] we proved that every cubical d-polytope is

Transcendental groups

  • Authors: Morris, Sidney
  • Date: 2024
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Topology Proceedings Vol. 63, no. (2024), p. 167-176
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  • Description: In this note we introduce the notion of a transcendental group, that is, a subgroup G of the topological group C of all complex numbers such that every element of G except 0 is a transcendental number. All such topological groups are separable metrizable torsion-free abelian groups. If G

A blockchain-based deep-learning-driven architecture for quality routing in wireless sensor networks

  • Authors: Khan, Zahoor , Amjad, Sana , Ahmed, Farwa , Almasoud, Abdullah , Imran, Muhammad , Javaid, Nadeem
  • Date: 2023
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: IEEE Access Vol. 11, no. (2023), p. 31036-31051
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  • Description: Over the past few years, great importance has been given to wireless sensor networks (WSNs) as they play a significant role in facilitating the world with daily life services like healthcare, military, social products, etc. However, heterogeneous nature of WSNs makes them prone to various attacks, which results in low throughput, and high network delay and high energy consumption. In the WSNs, routing is performed using different routing protocols like low-energy adaptive clustering hierarchy (LEACH), heterogeneous gateway-based energy-aware multi-hop routing (HMGEAR), etc. In such protocols, some nodes in the network may perform malicious activities. Therefore, four deep learning (DL) techniques and a real-time message content validation (RMCV) scheme based on blockchain are used in the proposed network for the detection of malicious nodes (MNs). Moreover, to analyse the routing data in the WSN, DL models are trained on a state-of-the-art dataset generated from LEACH, known as WSN-DS 2016. The WSN contains three types of nodes: sensor nodes, cluster heads (CHs) and the base station (BS). The CHs after aggregating the data received from the sensor nodes, send it towards the BS. Furthermore, to overcome the single point of failure issue, a decentralized blockchain is deployed on CHs and BS. Additionally, MNs are removed from the network using RMCV and DL techniques. Moreover, legitimate nodes (LNs) are registered in the blockchain network using proof-of-authority consensus protocol. The protocol outperforms proof-of-work in terms of computational cost. Later, routing is performed between the LNs using different routing protocols and the results are compared with original LEACH and HMGEAR protocols. The results show that the accuracy of GRU is 97%, LSTM is 96%, CNN is 92% and ANN is 90%. Throughput, delay and the death of the first node are computed for LEACH, LEACH with DL, LEACH with RMCV, HMGEAR, HMGEAR with DL and HMGEAR with RMCV. Moreover, Oyente is used to perform the formal security analysis of the designed smart contract. The analysis shows that blockchain network is resilient against vulnerabilities. © 2013 IEEE.

A community-wide approach to reducing risky drinking cultures in young people in rural Australia

  • Authors: Murphy, Angela , Ollerenshaw, Alison
  • Date: 2023
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Australian Journal of Rural Health Vol. 31, no. 2 (2023), p. 204-217
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  • Description: Objective: This study evaluated the impact of a multi-faceted, harm minimisation program addressing youth alcohol change and risky drinking behaviours in rural Australia. The role and influence of a multi-tiered community approach to changing alcohol cultures is examined. Setting: An alcohol culture change project for young people (12–18 years) was implemented in rural Victoria. It was informed by the Alcohol Cultures Framework, comprising community-wide events and youth-focused activities, co-designed with young people. The approach aimed at maximising engagement and reducing alcohol-related harm by targeting the shared activities and drinking practices of young people, parents and the community. Participants: Participants (n = 446) provided feedback specific to three key program activities for promoting alcohol change. Design: Mixed methods: Feedback sheets were collected, and interviews and focus groups were conducted with program participants. Results: Participants indicated that the program had informed their understanding of the way people in their region drink, and the social norms and practices around alcohol that encourage risky drinking. It influenced their short- and medium-term reactions, learnings and activities relating to alcohol consumption. The impact of the program was greatest in adults than young people although reflective learning and some behaviour change were evident across all age groups and community clusters. Conclusion: Community-wide health promotion events offer participants a deeper understanding of the ways in which dominant alcohol cultures inform the practices and activities of young people within a broader community context. Ensuring health promotion programs within a whole-of-community approach are established longer term, is recommended. © 2022 The Authors. Australian Journal of Rural Health published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of National Rural Health Alliance Ltd.

A comparative study of two embodiments of the limaçon rotary compressor based on theoretical modelling of apex seal dynamics and leakage

  • Authors: Lu, Kui , Sultan, Ibrahim , Phung, Truong
  • Date: 2023
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: International Journal of Refrigeration Vol. 145, no. (2023), p. 467-480
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  • Description: As an emerging technology, the limaçon rotary compressor possesses great potential for fluid-processing applications. However, the technology and associated cost required to fabricate the limaçon machine could sometimes be beyond the capability of some manufacturers. To reduce the production cost, circolimaçon embodiment whose rotor and housing are constructed of circular arcs has been proposed. This paper is intended to investigate the viability of the circolimaçon embodiment of limaçon technology based on sealing performance. A nonlinear three-degree of freedom model is presented to describe the dynamic behaviour of the apex seal during the machine operation. Additionally, the leakage through the seal-housing gap is formulated by considering the inertia and viscous effects on the flow. A numerical illustration is offered to compare the performance of the circolimaçon embodiment with that of the limaçon-to-limaçon (L2L) type machine at different pressure ratios and operating speeds. The effect of limaçon aspect ratio on the apex seal dynamics is also investigated. Based on the results, it is found that the circolimaçon embodiment exhibits comparable performance to the L2L-type machine, despite having more significant seal vibrations. The differences in the volumetric and isentropic efficiencies between the two machines are found within 8% and 3%, respectively. Additionally, it is also discovered that the circolimaçon compressor with a small capacity undergoes lower level of seal dynamics, suggesting a better machine reliability. © 2022

A computational framework for the multiphysics simulation of microbubble-mediated sonothrombolysis using a forward-viewing intravascular transducer

  • Authors: Tan, Zhi , Ooi, Ean Hin , Chiew, Yeong , Foo, Ji , Ng, Eddie , Ooi, Ean Tat
  • Date: 2023
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Ultrasonics Vol. 131, no. (2023), p.
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  • Description: Sonothrombolysis is a technique that utilises ultrasound waves to excite microbubbles surrounding a clot. Clot lysis is achieved through mechanical damage induced by acoustic cavitation and through local clot displacement induced by acoustic radiation force (ARF). Despite the potential of microbubble-mediated sonothrombolysis, the selection of the optimal ultrasound and microbubble parameters remains a challenge. Existing experimental studies are not able to provide a complete picture of how ultrasound and microbubble characteristics influence the outcome of sonothrombolysis. Likewise, computational studies have not been applied in detail in the context of sonothrombolysis. Hence, the effect of interaction between the bubble dynamics and acoustic propagation on the acoustic streaming and clot deformation remains unclear. In the present study, we report for the first time the computational framework that couples the bubble dynamic phenomena with the acoustic propagation in a bubbly medium to simulate microbubble-mediated sonothrombolysis using a forward-viewing transducer. The computational framework was used to investigate the effects of ultrasound properties (pressure and frequency) and microbubble characteristics (radius and concentration) on the outcome of sonothrombolysis. Four major findings were obtained from the simulation results: (i) ultrasound pressure plays the most dominant role over all the other parameters in affecting the bubble dynamics, acoustic attenuation, ARF, acoustic streaming, and clot displacement, (ii) smaller microbubbles could contribute to a more violent oscillation and improve the ARF simultaneously when they are stimulated at higher ultrasound pressure, (iii) higher microbubbles concentration increases the ARF, and (iv) the effect of ultrasound frequency on acoustic attenuation is dependent on the ultrasound pressure. These results may provide fundamental insight that is crucial in bringing sonothrombolysis closer to clinical implementation. © 2023 Elsevier B.V.

A conceptual framework for externally-influenced agents: an assisted reinforcement learning review

  • Authors: Bignold, Adam , Cruz, Francisco , Taylor, Matthew , Brys, Tim , Dazeley, Richard , Vamplew, Peter , Foale, Cameron
  • Date: 2023
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Journal of Ambient Intelligence and Humanized Computing Vol. 14, no. 4 (2023), p. 3621-3644
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  • Description: A long-term goal of reinforcement learning agents is to be able to perform tasks in complex real-world scenarios. The use of external information is one way of scaling agents to more complex problems. However, there is a general lack of collaboration or interoperability between different approaches using external information. In this work, while reviewing externally-influenced methods, we propose a conceptual framework and taxonomy for assisted reinforcement learning, aimed at fostering collaboration by classifying and comparing various methods that use external information in the learning process. The proposed taxonomy details the relationship between the external information source and the learner agent, highlighting the process of information decomposition, structure, retention, and how it can be used to influence agent learning. As well as reviewing state-of-the-art methods, we identify current streams of reinforcement learning that use external information in order to improve the agent’s performance and its decision-making process. These include heuristic reinforcement learning, interactive reinforcement learning, learning from demonstration, transfer learning, and learning from multiple sources, among others. These streams of reinforcement learning operate with the shared objective of scaffolding the learner agent. Lastly, we discuss further possibilities for future work in the field of assisted reinforcement learning systems. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.

A data reporting protocol with revocable anonymous authentication for edge-assisted intelligent transport systems

  • Authors: Wang, Yanping , Wang, Xiaofen , Dai, Hong-Ning , Zhang, Xiaosong , Imran, Muhammad
  • Date: 2023
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics Vol. 19, no. 6 (2023), p. 7835-7847
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  • Description: Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) have received growing attention recently driven by technical advances in Industrial Internet of Vehicles (IIoV). In IIoV, vehicles report traffic data to management infrastructures to achieve better ITS services. To ensure security and privacy, many anonymous authentication-enabled data reporting protocols are proposed. However, these protocols usually require a large number of preloaded pseudonyms or involve a costly and irrevocable group signature. Thus, they are not ready for realistic deployment due to large storage overhead, expensive computation costs, or absence of malicious users' revocation. To address these issues, we present a novel data reporting protocol for edge-assisted ITS in this paper, where the traffic data is sent to distributed edge nodes for local processing. Specifically, we propose a new anonymous authentication scheme fine-tuned to fulfill the needs of vehicular data reporting, which allows authenticated vehicles to report unlimited unlinkable messages to edge nodes without huge pseudonyms download and storage costs. Moreover, we designed an efficient certificate update scheme based on a bivariate polynomial function. In this way, malicious vehicles can be revoked with time complexity O(1). The security analysis demonstrates that our protocol satisfies source authentication, anonymity, unlinkability, traceability, revocability, nonframeability, and nonrepudiation. Further, extensive simulation results show that the performance of our protocol is greatly improved since the signature size is reduced by at least 8%, the computation costs in message signing and verification are reduced by at least 56% and 67%, respectively, and the packet loss rate is reduced by at least 14%. © 2005-2012 IEEE.