bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Demonstration of the applicability of visible and near-infrared spatially resolved spectroscopy for rapid and nondestructive wood classification
Authors: Ma Te , Inagaki Tetsuya , Tsuchikawa Satoru 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Although visible and near-infrared (Vis-NIR) spectroscopy can rapidly and nondestructively identify wood species, the conventional spectrometer approach relies on the aggregate light absorption due to the chemical composition of wood and light scattering originating from the physical structure of wood. Hence, much of the work in this area is still limited to further spectral pretreatments, such as baseline correction and standard normal variate to reduce the light scattering effects. However, it should be emphasized that the light scattering rather than absorption in wood is dominant, and this must be effectively utilized to achieve highly accurate and robust wood classification. Here a novel method based on spatially resolved diffuse reflectance (wavelength range: 600–1000 nm) was demonstrated to classify 15 kinds of wood. A portable Vis-NIR spectral measurement system was designed according to previous simulations and experimental results. To simplify spectral data analysis (i.e., against overfitting), support vector machine (SVM) model was constructed for wood sample classification using principal component analysis (PCA) scores. The classification accuracies of 98.6% for five-fold cross-validation and 91.2% for test set validation were achieved. This study offers enhanced classification accuracy and robustness over other conventional nondestructive approaches for such various kinds of wood and sheds light on utilizing visible and short-wave NIR light scattering for wood classification.
A model to predict the kinetics of mass loss in wood during thermo-vacuum modification
Authors: Allegretti Ottaviano , Cuccui Ignazia , Terziev Nasko , Sorini Laerte 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Mass loss (ML) of wood caused by thermal degradation is one of the most important features of the thermal treatments and referred to as an indicator of intensity and quality of the process. The ML is proportional to the quantity of the effective heat power exchanged during the treatment process, represented by the area of the temperature profile versus time during the process. In this paper a model for the ML prediction based on the relative area was discussed. The model proposed an analytical solution to take into account the non-linear trend of ML when plotted versus temperature and time as observed in isothermal experiments. The model was validated comparing calculated and measured final ML of samples treated during thermal modification tests with different temperature profiles. The results showed that the relative area calculated in a transformed time-temperature space improves the correlation with the measured ML.
Effect of Artemisia absinthium ethanolic extract on oxidative stress markers and the TLR4, S100A4, Bax and Bcl-2 genes expression in the kidney of STZ-induced diabetic rats
Authors: Bagheri Fatemeh , Amri Jamal , Salehi Mehdi , Karami Hadi , Alimoradian Abbas , Latifi Seied Amirhossein 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Objectives
The present study was conducted to examine antidiabetic effects of Artemisia absinthium ethanolic extract [A. absinthium] and to investigate its effects on oxidative stress markers and the expression of TLR4, S100A4, Bax and Bcl-2 genes in the kidney of STZ-induced diabetic rats.

Methods
Thirty six rats (weight 200–250 g) were randomly divided into diabetes and control groups. Induction of diabetes was performed using STZ (55 mg/kg.bw). Biochemical parameters and oxidative stress markers (SOD and MDA) were measured using spectrophotometry after 60 days of treatment. The expression of TLR4, S100A4, Bax and Bcl-2 were analyzed by real-time PCR. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni post hoc test were used to compare the data.

Results
Diabetes significantly impairs the serum fasting blood glucose (FBG), lipid profile, urea, creatinine and albumin. At the end of treatment with A. absinthium extract, these parameters were close to the normal range. The results showed that the A. absinthium extract significantly decreased the kidney expression of TLR4, S100A4, Bax and increased the expression of Bcl-2 and improved oxidative stress markers (SOD and MDA) in the kidney tissues of treated rats. Also, all of these beneficial effects of the A. absinthium were dose-dependent.

Conclusions
The extract of A. absinthium possesses antidiabetic effects. A. absinthium decreased the expression of TLR4, S100A4, Bax and increased the expression of Bcl-2 and improved oxidative stress. Therefore, this herbal extract can be used as an adjuvant treatment for diabetic complications.
Daily peak-based short-term demand prediction using backpropagation combined to chi-squared distribution
Authors: Kebir Nisrine , Lamallam Abdessamad , Moussa Abdelqoddous 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
An efficient and economic scheduling of power plants relies on an accurate demand forecast especially for the short-term due to its tight relation to power markets and trading operations in interconnected power systems. A slight deviation of load prediction from real demand could engender the start-up of a conventional power station which could be either time-consuming or requiring expensive combustible, a deviation that could interfere as well with renewables intermittency and demand response strategies. Hence, load forecasting still a challenging subject because of the various transformations that the energy sector undergoes and that directly impact the demand profile shape. Therefore, conceiving dynamic load demand forecast approaches will permit utilities save money in different vertical structures and regulation schemes. In this paper, we propose a novel approach for short-term demand prediction valid for normal and special days to address the impact of climate changes along with events occurrence on forecast accuracy. This approach is based on the prediction of hourly loads, established on the daily peak load prediction using backpropagation combined to chi-squared method for weighting historical data to enhance the training process. Obtained results from extensive testing on the Moroccan’s power system confirm the strength of the developed approach, that improved the forecast accuracy by a range of 1.1–4% compared to the existing methods.
Assessment method of comprehensive energy saving potential of distribution network considering source-load power uncertainty
Authors: Yang Jialin , Li Huina , Li Jizhou , Hou Bin , Zhen Yong 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
The comprehensive energy-saving potential evaluation method of the energy-saving schemes of a distribution network considering the power uncertainty of source and load is studied in this paper. The K-means clustering method is firstly employed to extract typical scenarios of distribution network, and the forward-push back method is used to calculate the power flow in typical scenarios, then energy-saving reconstruction schemes are formulated according to the power flow calculation results. A comprehensive energy saving potential evaluation index system that consists the improvement rate of network loss, line loss rate, transformer loss rate, annual electricity saving cost, annual equipment investment cost, annual maintenance cost and voltage quality improvement rate is built, and the comprehensive evaluation method based on DEMATEL-ANP-TOPSIS mixed decision model is used to evaluate the comprehensive energy-saving potential of the energy-saving reconstruction schemes regarding the index system. Finally, the optimal reconstruction scheme is selected based on the evaluation results of energy saving potential in multiple scenarios. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by an example in IEEE-33 node distribution network.
A computational method for time fractional partial integro-differential equations
Authors: Mojahedfar M. , Tari Abolfazl , Shahmorad S. 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
In this paper, a class of time fractional partial integro-differential equations (FPIDEs) with initial conditions is studied. Some operational matrices are used to reduce a FPIDE problem to a system of algebraic equations with special properties. The resulted system is solved to give an approximate solution to the problem. Error estimation is also discussed for the approximate solution. Finally, some numerical examples are given to show the accuracy of the proposed method.
A novel GNSS deformation feature extraction method based on ensemble improved LMD threshold denoising
Authors: Fan Qian , Zhu Yiqun 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
In order to solve the problem that the moving span of basic local mean decomposition (LMD) method is difficult to choose reasonably, an improved LMD method (ILMD), which uses three cubic spline interpolation to replace the sliding average, is proposed. On this basis, with the help of noise aided calculation, an ensemble improved LMD method (EILMD) is proposed to effectively solve the modal aliasing problem in original LMD. On the basis of using EILMD to effectively decompose the data of GNSS deformation monitoring series, GNSS deformation feature extraction model based on EILMD threshold denoising is given by means of wavelet soft threshold processing mode and threshold setting method in empirical mode decomposition denoising. Through the analysis of simulated data and the actual GNSS monitoring data in the mining area, the results show that denoising effect of the proposed method is better than EILMD, ILMD and LMD direct coercive denoising methods. It is also better than wavelet analysis denoising method, and has good adaptability. This fully demonstrates the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method in GNSS feature extraction.
Foreign Aid and Adolescent Fertility Rate: Cross-Country Evidence
Authors: Zhuang Hong , Wang Miao , Daniels Joseph 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThis study examines the role of official development assistance (ODA) in affecting adolescent fertility rates in low- and middle-income countries. Approximately 95% of adolescent births occur in middle- and low-income countries, and the average adolescent fertility rate in low-income countries is five times higher than in high-income countries. Aid donors typically pursue multiple objectives when providing development aid, many of which can go beyond changes in per capita GDP and include human capital factors such as adolescent fertility and infant mortality. Using data over the period from 1995 to 2015, our results suggest that total ODA has a beneficial impact by lowering the adolescent fertility rate either directly or through the channel of income growth. Our results also show that this beneficial effect on the adolescent fertility rate is stronger in low-income countries than in middle-income countries. Findings based on sectoral aid suggest that health aid has a stronger effect than aid in other sectors.
Numerical analysis of photonic crystal fibre with high birefringence and high nonlinearity
Authors: Agbemabiese Patrick Atsu , Akowuah Emmanuel Kofi 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
A four-ring microstructure photonic crystal fibre with a descending air hole ring cladding is presented. Numerical analysis of the structure is done using full vectorial finite element method with perfectly matched layer (PML) boundary condition. It is demonstrated that it is possible to achieve at 1.55 µm confinement loss of 2.767 × 10−5 dB/m, birefringence of 0.00346 and a nonlinear co-efficient of 41.77 km−1 W−1. Also, chromatic dispersion realised suggests a tuneable zero dispersion at 0.9–1.1 µm wavelength range.
An investigation of 16-QAM signal transmission over turbulent RoFSO link modeled by gamma–gamma distribution
Authors: Tripathi Abhishek , Gupta Shilpi , Mandloi Abhilash , Soni Gireesh G 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
This paper outlines the performance of a 10 Gbit/s rectangular 16-quadrature amplitude modulation–based radio over free space optical communication system. Here, 60 GHz radio frequency–modulated signal is propagated through a 1550-nm free space optical link. The gamma–gamma distribution is used for the channel modeling of weak to strong atmospheric turbulence. The reported constellation plots and eye patterns are attributed to impairment factors in adverse conditions of atmosphere. The evaluation is carried out that the variation in average error vector magnitude in the range of 1.45–1.63% and equivalent symbol error rate of 0.019–0.023 are obtained for a clear atmosphere compared to the turbulent link of 0.2–1 km, respectively.
High speed optical switching gain based EDFA model with 30 Gb/s NRZ modulation code in optical systems
Authors: Eid Mahmoud M. A. , Rashed Ahmed Nabih Zaki , Kurmendra  
Published: October 2020

Abstract
This study presents high speed optical switching gain based Erbium doped fiber amplifier model. By using the proposed model the optical fiber loss can be minimized. The system is stabilized with the power budget of 25.875 mW a long 75 km as a length of optical fiber in this study can be verified. The modulation rate of 10 Gb/s can be upgrade up to reach 30 Gb/s. The suitable power for the optical transmitter is −2.440 dBm and NRZ modulation code is verified. The receiver sensitivity can be upgraded with the minimum bit error rate and max Q factor are 1.806 e−009 and 5.899.
Clinical utility of urinary gonadotrophins in hypergonadotrophic states as Turner syndrome
Authors: Boncompagni Alessandra , McNeilly Jane , Murtaza Mohammed , Lucaccioni Laura , Iughetti Lorenzo , Wong Sze Choong , Mason Avril 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background
Girls with Turner syndrome (TS) are at an increased risk of primary ovarian insufficiency (POI). Good correlation between serum and urinary gonadotrophins exists in children assessed for disorders of puberty, but there is little evidence of their reliability in hypergonadotropic states.

Objectives
To determine whether there was a correlation between serum and urinary Luteinising Hormone (uLH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (uFSH) in hypergonadotrophic states, and whether uFSH could suggest an ovarian failure in TS as Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH).

Patients and Methods
Retrospective cohort study of 37 TS girls attending the paediatric TS clinic in Glasgow between February 2015 and January 2019, in whom 96 non-timed spot urine samples were available with a median age at time of sample of 12.89 years (3.07–20.2 years). uLH and uFSH were measured by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Simultaneous serum gonadotrophins and AMH were available in 30 and 26 girls, respectively. AMH <4 pmol/L was considered indicative of ovarian failure.

Results
A strong correlation was found between serum LH and uLH (r 0.860, P<0.001) and serum FSH and uFSH (r 0.905, p<0.001). Among patients≥10 years not on oestrogen replacement, ROC curve identified uFSH as a reasonable marker for AMH<4 pmol/L uFSH of >10.85 U/L indicates an AMH <4 pmol/L with 75% sensitivity and 100 % specificity (AUC 0.875)with similar ability as serum FSH (AUC 0.906).

Conclusion
uLH and uFSH are non-invasive, useful and reliable markers of ovarian activity in hypergonadotropic states as TS. uFSH could provide an alternative to AMH (in centres which are limited by availability or cost) in revealing ovarian failure and requirement for oestrogen replacement in pubertal induction.
Female adolescents and young women previously treated for pediatric malignancies: assessment of ovarian reserve and gonadotoxicity risk stratification for early identification of patients at increased infertility risk
Authors: Parissone Francesca , Di Paola Rossana , Balter Rita , Garzon Simone , Zaffagnini Stefano , Neri Maria , Vitale Virginia , Tridello Gloria , Cesaro Simone 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Objectives
Childhood and adolescent cancer survivors (CACSs) are at risk of adverse reproductive outcomes. Assessment of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels is the most common test used to diagnose premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) whereas anti-m|llerian hormone (AMH) and antral follicle count (AFC) have been proposed as ovarian reserve markers. We assessed the correlation between these markers and treatment gonadotoxicity risk (GR) in CACSs.

Methods
A total of 55 female CACSs were enrolled. GR was graded as low, medium, or high according to classifications based on disease and treatments and on cyclophosphamide equivalent dose score. FSH, AMH, and AFC were determined. POI was defined by amenorrhea and FSH>30 IU/L. For remaining patients, diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) was defined by AMH<5th centile. FSH and AFC cut-offs proposed in the literature as DOR markers were also considered (FSH>10 IU/L or >95th centile; AFC<8 or <5th centile).

Results
Ovarian reserve results to be compromised in 23 (41.8%) patients: 14 with DOR and 9 with an established POI. Results showed GR classifications to be a good predictor of ovarian reserve, with significantly lower AMH and AFC in the high-risk groups. AFC resulted to be directly correlated with AMH (r=0.75, p<0.001).

Conclusions
In CACSs, GR classifications correlate with post-treatment AMH and AFC. These are useful tools in the early identification of young patients with DOR, who may benefit from reproductive and fertility preservation counseling. Further studies are needed to determine the rate and time of progression from DOR to POI in this population.
Pregnant women’s knowledge and behaviour to prevent cytomegalovirus infection: an observational study
Authors: Vena Flaminia , D’Ambrosio Valentina , Pajno Cristina , Boccherini Chiara , Corno Sara , Di Mascio Daniele , Piccioni Maria Grazia , Salerno Maria Giovanna , Bisogni Francesco , Brunelli Roberto , Muzii Ludovico , Panici Pierluigi Benedetti , Pizzuti Antonio , Giancotti Antonella 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Objectives
Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection can negatively affect pregnancy outcomes, but may be prevented by simple precautions. Literature suggests that gynaecologists do not always adequately inform about preventive behaviour and most pregnant women have a low-level knowledge regarding cCMV infection. The aim of this study is to evaluate knowledge and risk behaviours related to cCMV infection in an unselected group of pregnant women.

Methods
An institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted in three Maternal and Fetal Divisions in Rome between November and February 2019 on 296 pregnant women, their knowledge on cCMV was measured using six cytomegalovirus (CMV) related questions.

Results
Out of the 296 respondents, 59.1% had heard, read or seen information about cCMV infection. Regarding the way of transmission, 96/296 (32.4%) correctly recognize children as a potential source of the infection but only 25/296 (8.44%) knew all prevention practices, 28/296 (9.5%) of women reported that they have never performed cCMV test during pregnancy.

Conclusions
The results of this survey show that knowledge on cCMV infection among pregnant women is poor. This highlights the need to improve counselling on all preventive practices for cCMV infection during perinatal care consultation.
Systematic screening for SARS-CoV-2 in pregnant women admitted for delivery in a Portuguese maternity
Authors: Figueiredo Rita , Tavares Sara , Moucho Marina , Ramalho Carla 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Objectives
The burden of undocumented SARS-Cov-2 infections in Portuguese pregnant women is unknown. At our institution, routine COVID-19 testing was implemented from 19th of March on to all pregnant women who were admitted for delivery. The purpose of the study was to estimate the SARS-CoV-2 infection rate in our obstetric population admitted for delivery.

Mathods
Between 19th March and May 4th, 184 pregnant women were screened for SARS-CoV-2 infection upon admission.

Results
Eleven women were positive for SARS-CoV-2, corresponding to a global prevalence of 6.0%. Of these, only two reported symptoms at admission. The prevalence of asymptomatic infection was 4.9%. We report a lower rate of positive cass than other studies. Eighty-two percent of our cases had no symptoms at admission.

Conclusions
The proportion of asymptomatic infection highlights the importance of universal laboratory screening for all women admitted for delivery as opposed to symptom-based screening.
Clinical manifestation, outcomes in pregnant women with COVID-19 and the possibility of vertical transmission: a systematic review of the current data
Authors: Han Yu , Ma Huijing , Suo Mingli , Han Fang , Wang Fang , Ji Jingru , Ji Jing , Yang Hailan 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Objectives
To assess perinatal outcomes of COVID-19 infections during pregnancy and the possibility of vertical transmission.

Methods
An analysis was performed using Stata 15.0, and Q-test was used to evaluate the heterogeneity of the included studies.

Results
The most common symptoms were found to be fever (64.78%), cough (59.81%) and shortness of breath or dyspnea (23.86%). Of this 88.73% patients demonstrated typical COVID-19 signs on chest CT or X-ray. Intubation was carried out in 35.87% of patients, and 4.95% of mothers were admitted to the intensive care unit, where the rate of maternal death was <0.01% and that of premature delivery was 25.32%. The rate of the birth weight being <2,500 g was 30.65% and that of Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission was 24.41%. Positive nasopharynx swabs or sputum from newborns was <0.01%.

Conclusions
Pregnant patients with COVID-19 most commonly presented with fever, cough, shortness of breath and dyspnea, most of which possessed imaging manifestations. The risk of intubation and admission to intensive care unit were high. The risk of premature delivery was higher, leading to a high risk of NICU admission and low neonatal birthweight. Vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from mother to child was found to be unlikely.
Microfunciones temporales en el contrato de arrendamiento
Authors: Daum Uwe Manfred , Fernández Jesús M. Doña 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
The contract is one of the most used documents in any language within the legal field. It is therefore of interest for the study of microfunctions in this genre of text in order to determine linguistic functions and to advance in the detection of nuances of languages. For this reason, this paper proposes the analysis of a subgenre of contract, the lease, focusing the study on one of the most characteristic microfunctions of this genre, the temporal microfunctions. In a comparative corpus, the temporal microfunctions are analyzed using a contrastive methodology for the German and Spanish texts.
Towards a CPD Framework of Reference for the Translation Profession
Authors: Taebi Ehsan , Razavi Mir Saeed Mousavi 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Population ageing continues to perpetuate the widening of the generation gap in a world where the younger inexperienced yet “tech-savvier” novice trainee is trained by the elder professional albeit more conservative “expert” trainer. It is against this backdrop that Continuing Professional Development (CPD) finds more significance. We have argued that systematic CPD ought to be an integral component of any translator qualification programme. Based on this premise, we have defined qualification-oriented competence and CPD for translators and then proposed our preliminary five-stage CPD framework of reference for the translation profession which revolves around the core concepts of translation competence (TC), TC emergence, and reciprocal mentoring.