bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Determination of Entrance Surface Dose of Digital Radiography for Adults at Public Medical Imaging Centers, Erbil
Authors: Ibrahim Ilham Khalid 
Published: July 2021

Introduction: Diagnostic X-ray is one of the ionizing radiations, the level of radiation dose received by the patient during medical examination is essential to prevent cancer risks. The aim of this study is to calculate entrance surface dose (ESD) and effective dose (ED) were estimated during chest, and lumber spine for adult patients in three hospitals in Erbil, using NOMEX MULTIMETER and PCXMC software.
Material and Methods: The study was conducted in three public hospitals, in Erbil on (250) adult patients, whose ages between (18-70) years, based on the results study, ESD and ED were calculated for chest (PA, lateral), and lumbar spine (AP, lateral) examinations. NOMEX MULTIMETER (PTW, Freiburg), used in measurement of tube voltage, dose, dose rate, time product current, and total filtration automatically during examination. ED was calculated by using PCXMC software (version 2.5).
Results: The results of this work are compared with published international literatures. The mean entrance skin dose for examinations of chest (PA, Lat), and lumber spine (AP, Lat) 1.02, 1.06, 2.61 and 3.92 mGy respectively. ED value was from 0.08, 0.19, 0.32, and 0.33 mSv, for chest (PA, Lat), and lumber spine (AP, Lat), respectively.
Conclusion: The ESD, and ED were calculated in this work were found to be agreement with the published reference values for chest, and lumber spine set by international levels. ALARA principle should be considered by radiographer, to reduce absorbed dose of adults’ patient undergoing imaging radiography.
A Review on the Efficiency of NASBA Molecular Technique for Diagnosis of Acute Toxoplasmosis in Pregnant Mothers
Authors: Shabanpour Mohammad , Ehteshaminia Yahya , Poyandeh Shayan , Mahdavi Seif Ali 
Published: July 2021

Introduction: Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide disease caused by an intracellular protozoan called Toxoplasma gondii and in mothers who become infected during pregnancy, it can cause serious damage to the fetus by passing through the placenta. The aim of this study was to review the effectiveness of the NASBA molecular technique in diagnosing the acute form of Toxoplasmosis in pregnant mothers.
Material and Methods: In this study, the websites of PubMed, Google Scholar, SID, Magiran, Web of Science, IranDoc were searched and articles related to the title have been reviewed from 1990 to 2020.
Results: Nucleic Acid Sequence-Based Amplification (NASBA) is an isothermal method that has the processes of nucleic acid extraction, amplification, and identification of amplified products. This technique is based on transcription and is specifically used for RNA amplification, so it is highly specific in identifying living and active microorganisms. All steps in this amplification method are performed at 41 °C and the amplified products can be identified by appropriate detection methods such as electrochemical luminescence (ECL).
Conclusion: Since all steps of amplification are performed by NASBA at the same temperature of 41°C, unlike molecular PCR technique, a thermocycler is not required, so setting it up will not cost much for laboratories and it can be useful in providing a suitable solution for toxoplasmosis screening in pregnant mothers.
Towards optimizing acorn use as animal feed in Tunisia: evaluation and impact on natural regeneration
Authors: STITI Boutheina , KHALFAOUI Mariem , BAHRI Salima , KHALDI Abdelhamid 
Published: July 2021

In Mediterranean forests, besides the conflict between forest managers and local populations who are often poor and dependent on livestock for survival, the cost of raw materials used in animal feed is increasingly a burden for farmers. There is growing recognition that wise use of acorns can reduce feed costs and enhance sustainable participatory governance of these woodlands. This paper aimed to carry out a quantitative, qualitative and economic evaluation of acorn potential in a cork oak forest in north-western Tunisia and to investigate the impact of their post-dispersal on natural regeneration. Quantities were estimated in November and February, respectively for acorns collected directly from trees and from the ground. Time-dependent monitoring of acorn quality and numbers of new seedlings was also conducted from autumn 2014 to spring 2015. The results show a significant decrease in acorn quantity from 5.28 ± 4.61 t/ha in November to 0.684 ± 0.1 t/ha in February. However, this loss did not put the early stages of natural cork oak regeneration at risk since the percentage of acorns not able to germinate was estimated at only 37% in late February. Furthermore, the average number of new seedlings was estimated in April at 40,000 seedlings/ha. A model was fitted to predict tree acorn production and to establish the best agroforestry system to optimize acorn use. Based on acorn quantity and quality data, earlier acorns should be directed to nursery and livestock production and the later acorns to wildlife and natural regeneration.
When parents wish to reduce their work hours: Does sorting into occupations and work organizations explain gender differences in working-time adjustments?
Authors: Lükemann Laura 
Published: July 2021

Objective: This study investigates whether sorting into occupations and work organizations contributes to gender differences in parents’ likelihood to reduce their working hours.
Background: While mothers reduce their work hours to reconcile their work and personal lives, fathers increasingly wish to reduce their hours but face obstacles to doing so. Mismatches between parents' desired and actual work hours prompt the question of whether fathers' realization of working-time reductions is constrained due to their sorting into more time-intensive occupations and/or work organizations.
Method: Cross-classified multilevel models were applied to German linked employer-employee data analyzing gender differences in parents' likelihood of reducing work hours. Including sorting indicators, the question of whether differences in full-time employed mothers' and fathers' working-time reductions were driven by sorting into different work contexts (occupations/work organizations) was explored.
Results: The results confirmed that full-time employed mothers are more likely to reduce their work hours than full-time employed fathers. While occupations play almost no role in determining working-time adjustments, work context does at least partly contribute to parents’ variation in working-time reductions. However, neither gendered sorting into occupations nor gendered sorting into work organizations explained gender differences in parents’ likelihood of scaling back their work hours.
Conclusion: It is concluded that gender differences in German parents' reduction of working hours rather respond to traditional gender norms than being influenced by the different occupations or work organizations mothers and fathers sort themselves into.
Design, characterisation, and digital linearisation of an ADC analogue front-end for gamma spectroscopy measurements
Authors: Kowalski Tomasz , Gibiino Gian Piero , Szewinski Jaroslaw , Barmuta Pawel , Bartoszek Piotr , Traverso Pier Andrea 
Published: July 2021

<p class="Abstract">This work presents the design, experimental characterisation, and digital post-distortion (i.e., digital linearisation) of a MHz-range ADC analogue front-end prototype for a gamma radiation spectrometry system under development at the National Center for Nuclear Research (NCBJ) in Poland. The design accounts for the electrical response of the gamma particle detector in providing signal conditioning and ADC protection against high-voltage spikes due to occasional high-energy cosmic radiation, as well as proper ADC clocking. As the front-end inevitably introduces nonlinear distortion and dynamic effects, a characterisation is performed to quantify the actual performance in terms of Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) and Effective Number of Bits (ENOB). Thus, a digital linearisation based on both static and memory polynomial models is successfully applied by means of post-distortion processing, guaranteeing a substantial improvement in THD and ENOB, and demonstrating the effectiveness of the hardware/software method for gamma radiation spectrometers. </p>
Screening of metallic pollution in complex environmental samples through a transcriptomic fingerprint method
Authors: Cregut Mickael , Hua Anna , Jouanneau Sulivan , Assaf Ali , Cordella Christophe BY , Thouand Gérald , Durand Marie-José 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Characterizing waste ecotoxicity is labourious because of both the undefined nature of environmental samples and the diversity of contaminants that can be present. With regard to these limitations, traditional approaches do not provide information about the nature of the pollution encountered. To improve such assessments, a fluorescent library of 1,870 transcriptomic reporters from E. coli K12 MG1655 was used to report the ecotoxic status of environmental samples. The reliability of the approach was evaluated with 6 metallic pollutants (As, Cu, Cd, Hg, Pb, Zn) used alone and in mixture in pure and complex matrices. A total of 18 synthetic samples were used to characterize the specificity of the resulting metallic contamination fingerprints. Metallic contamination impacted 4.5 to 10.2% of the whole transcriptomic fingerprint of E. coli. The analysis revealed that a subset of 175 transcriptomic reporters is sufficient to characterize metallic contamination, regardless of the nature of the sample. A statistical model distinguished patterns due to metallic contamination and provided information about the level of toxicity with 93–98% confidence. The use of the transcriptomic assessment was validated for 17 complex matrices with various toxicities and metal contaminants, such as activated sludge, wastewater effluent, soil, wood and river water. The presence of metals and their associated toxicity, which seems linked to their bioavailabilities, were thereby determined. This method constitutes a possible tool to screen unknown complex samples for their metallic status and identify those for which a deeper characterization must be achieved by the use of traditional biosensors and analytical methods.
Communicable Disease Pandemic: A Simulation Model Based on Community Transmission and Social Distancing
Authors: Bhoi Sourav Kumar , Jena Kalyan Kumar , Mohapatra Debasis , Singh Munesh , Kumar Raghvendra , Long Hoang Viet 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Communicable disease pandemic is a severe disease outbreak all over the countires and continents. Swine Flu, HIV/AIDS, COVID-19 (COrona VIrus Disease-19), etc. are some of the global pandemics in the world. The major cause of becoming pandemic is community transmission and lack of social distancing. Recently COVID-19 is such an largest outbreak all over the world. This disease is a communicable disease which is spreading fastly due to Community Transmission, where the affetced people in the community aftects the heathy people in the community. Government is taking precautions by imposing Social Distancing in the countries or state to control the impact of COVID-19. Social Distancing can reduce the community transmission of COVID-19 by reducing the number of infected persons in an area. This is performed by staying at home and maintaining social distance with people. It reduces the density of people in an area by which it is difficult for the virus to spread from one person to other. In this work, the community transmission is presented using simulations. It shows how an infected person affects the healthy persons in an area. Simulations also show how social distancing can control the spread of COVID-19. The simulation is performed in GNU Octave programming platform by considering number of infected persons and number of healthy persons as parameters. Results show that using the social distancing the number of infected persons can be reduced and heathy persons can be increased. Therefore, from the analysis it is concluded that social distancing will be a better solution of prevention from community transmission.
Compressed Sensing System for a Fingerprint Image Recognition Using Sensing Matrix with Chaotic Model-Based Deterministic Row Indexes
Authors: Hailemariam Workneh Wolde , Gupta Pallavi 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
This paper proposes a novel design approach for a secured compressed sensing system for fingerprint imaging and its transmission. In the proposed design, the first stage is acquiring the signal followed by sparsely modeling it using Orthogonal Matching Pursuit (OMP) algorithm. In addition to compressing, to guaranty its security, we multiply the sparse modeled data by a novel deterministic partially orthogonal Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) sensing matrix. Furthermore, the construction of the sensing matrix uses a modified Multiplicative Linear Congruential Generator (MLCG) to select the row index appropriately from chaotically re-arranged rows of DCT pseudo-randomly. On the other hand, the simultaneous recovering and decryption of the compressed image accomplished with the help of a convex optimization method. The proposed system tested by employing different image and security assessment techniques. The results show that we have archived better Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR) than the recommended value for wireless transmission using samples below 25%.
Changes of community structure and functional feeding groups of benthic macrofauna after mangrove afforestation in a subtropical intertidal zone, China
Authors: Rao Yiyong , Cai Lizhe , Zhou Xiping , Fu Sujing , Peng Wenqing , Chen Xinwei , Zheng Bin 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Afforestation is a primary response to the loss and degradation of mangroves worldwide. The successful restoration of mangrove ecosystems is in part indicated by the rebuilding of macrobenthic community. However, the community dynamic of benthic macrofauna after mangrove afforestation was poorly known. Here, three quarterly surveys (2006–2007, 2014–2015, 2019–2020) of the benthic macrofauna and sediment grain size were conducted in a mix-planted mangrove stand (Kandelia obovata + Sonneratia apetala) in Xiamen Tong'an Bay, China. Our results showed that the community structure of benthic macrofauna differed significantly after mangrove afforestation. These differences were accompanied by the declines in the species number, abundance, biomass, and diversity (H'), as well as the fining of sediments. We also found that the epifauna and infauna exhibited different adaptabilities to mangrove vegetation. Additionally, shifts in the composition of the functional feeding groups were observed, indicating the modification of trophic structure after mangrove afforestation. We recommend that future mangrove afforestation programs call for a guide to coordinate habitats for different taxa.
A Threshold Signature Scheme Without Trusted Center for Blockchain-Based Medical Cyber-Physical Systems
Authors: Zhou Xianfei , Huang Jing , Chen Fulong , Tang Yuqing , Wang Canlin , Wang Taochun , Xie Dong , Zhao Chuanxin 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
With the rapid development of medical information technology, the medical cyber-physical system is undergoing a rapid transformation, and the safe storage and sharing of medical data are facing great challenges. It makes the work of safe medical data storage, privacy protection and data sharing get more difficult. In this paper, we propose the combination of private blockchain and consortium blockchain that can protect information security and realize data sharing. In the system, the medical records of each node are stored in the private blockchain, and the shared data is on the consortium blockchain so as to improve the data storage and reduce data redundancy. And the threshold signature scheme without trusted center is applied in the system. In order to initiate threshold signature, a set of nodes is constructed by the sponsoring doctor, in which the threshold signature process is initiated. When there are no less than $t$ nodes sending part-signatures, the signature can be synthesized to group signature. This scheme can be well applied to the scene of multidisciplinary joint consultation in the medical blockchain. The scheme proposed in this paper has high security and computing efficiency.
Evaluation of Subacute Thyroiditis: Frequency, Clinical Manifestation and Laboratory Findings
Authors: Bagheri Marziyeh , Abbasi farhad , Mirzaei Kamran , mohamadi Manizhe , kalantarhormozi mohammadreza 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Introduction: Subacute thyroiditis (SAT) is a type of viral thyroiditis, which is often a self-limiting illness, but it causes diagnostic mistakes due to a number of clinical symptoms and leads to inappropriate treatment. In this study, clinical, laboratory and demographic findings of patients have been investigatedMethods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on 40 patients (27 female-13 male) with subacute thyroiditis during one year. Data included age, sex, clinical symptoms (fever, sore throat, otalgia, fatigue, sweating ...) and laboratory findings. (ESR, CRP, TSH, T4 and WBC). Their files were extracted and analyzed with SPSS.Results: In this study, 67% of the patients were women with the mean age of 38.48 ± 8.7. Female to male ratio was 2.7 to 1. The most common clinical symptoms were fever (57.5%) and sore throat (55%). Laboratory findings: ESR, TSH,T4 and WBC with average of 67.32, 0.283, 15.368 and 12.456, respectively. CRP positive in 80% of patients who underwent this test. 80 percent of the patients responded to the treatment. The recurrence rate was estimated 42% and 11% for those who received NSAIDs and Prednisolone, respectivelyConclusion: In this study, SAT was most prevalent in women in their fourth decade of life. Clinical symptoms were consistent with most studies in terms of prevalence and incidence. There was no significant association between the age and sex of the patients and their clinical manifestations and laboratory results from laboratory considerations, low concentrations of TSH, high levels of ESR and positive CRP were found to be helpful in diagnosis. Prednisolone proved to be more effective in treating SAT.
Knowledge, attitude, and practice of clinicians about antimicrobial stewardship and resistance among hospitals of Pakistan: A multicenter cross-sectional study
Authors: Ashraf Sohaib , Ashraf Shoaib , Ashraf Moneeb , Imran Muhammad Ahmad , Choudhary Zawar Ahmad , Hafsa Hadiqa Tul , Awais Abeer Bin , Kalsoom Larab , Farooq Iqra , Habib Zaighum , Ashraf Sidra , Iqbal Qurrat Ul Ain , Ghufran Muhammad , Sherazi Syed Sami Hussain , Akram Muhammad Kiwan , Akmal Rutaba , Rafique Sundas , Nawaz Khawar , Safdar Zartasha , Khalid Noman , Hassan Muhammad , Arshad Shahroze , Virk Abdul Rehman , Ashraf Muhammad , Saboor Qazi Abdul , Humayun Ayesha , Izhar Mateen 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Considering that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global challenge, there is a dire need to gauge the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of clinicians in endemic countries. The aim of the current multicenter, cross-sectional study was to highlight the knowledge, aptitude and practice gaps in antimicrobial (AM) stewardship and AMR among practicing doctors working in public tertiary care teaching hospitals of Lahore, Pakistan. A KAP survey, based on a self-administered questionnaire containing 45 questions, was conducted among 336 clinicians practicing in 6 randomly selected hospitals of Lahore, Pakistan. Overall, 92% of the clinicians considered AMR as a worldwide problem but only 66% disagreed that cold and flu symptoms require antibiotics. Moreover, around 68% doctors felt confident about their practice in AM but still 96% felt need to get more knowledge about AM. Need to establish courses on rational antibiotic use was demanded by 84% of participants. The main contributing factors considered for AMR by the doctors included excessive AM usage in medical profession (87.1%) and multiple antibiotics per prescription (76.4%). Pharmacologically, AM spectrum was accurately chosen by 1.4% (ampicillin), 0.003% (erythromycin) and 0% (levofloxacin). Clinically, a more than 50% of clinicians used miscellaneous AM for empirical therapy of respiratory tract infection and cholecystitis. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. The knowledge of clinicians is relatively poor in AM spectrum and drugs of choice for certain infections. However, they know about their short comings with positive approach towards improvement.
Synthesis and Characterization of a Novel Sm+3 Activated NaCdVO4 Phosphors for Red Emitting Material
Authors: Enneffati Marwa , Rasheed Mohammed , Aouani Narjes , Louati Bassem , Guidara Kamel , Barillé Regis 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Sm3+ activated NaCdVO4 phosphors were prepared by the simple solid-state reaction method. X-ray diffraction, dispersive energy (EDS), scanning electron microscope (SEM), infrared as well as photoluminescence (PL) techniques were used to characterize obtained samples. Irregular and non-uniform structures were observed by SEM. EDS spectra confirmed the presence of Na, Cd, V, O and Sm elements in each sample. Uuder 405nm excitation, the NaCd1 − xVO4: xSm (x = 0.01, 0.03 and 0.05) exhibits a bright red emission consisting mainly of four wavelength peaks at 556, 593, 650 and 700 nm. The highest emission intensity was found with a composition of x = 0.05. The analysis of PL spectra suggest that studied samples can be used as a red emitting phosphors candidates for fabrication of white LEDs. The CIE chromaticity coordinates of prepared samples were close to the blue-emitting phosphors for NaCdVO4 and red-emitting ones for NaCd0.99Sm0.01VO4, NaCd0.97Sm0.03VO4, and NaCd0.95Sm0.05VO4. The band gap energies of phosphors were calculated from reflectance data using K-M function.
The Reconstruction and Extension of Terrestrial Water Storages Based On A Combined Prediction Model
Authors: Meng Erhao , Huang Shengzhi , Huang Qiang , Cheng Linyin , Fang Wei 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
The monthly changes in total water storage (△TWS) can be employed for drought and flood monitoring and early warning and can be obtained from the total water storage anomalies (TWSA) of the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE). However, the relatively short GRACE time series limits its further wide application. To this end, a combined prediction (CP) model including Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) was proposed in this study for the reconstruction and extension of monthly TWSA from 1960 to 2012. Moreover, an innovative input selection strategy is proposed to build a monthly TWSA prediction model, in which the partial correlation algorithm is used to select the best input variables from candidate input variables. These candidate input variables include streamflow, precipitation, evaporation, and soil moisture storage (SMS). The Yunnan province, a typical humid area in China, was selected as a case study. The results show that: (1) The innovative input selection strategy effectively improves the simulation ability of the model, especially when the candidate input variables influence each other; (2) The performance of the CP model using the innovative input selection strategy is best; (3) The monthly △TWS obtained from the extension of TWSA recorded five of the seven extreme meteorological drought events in Yunnan Province from 1961 to 2001, therefore, the reliability of the expanded TWSA is better than GLDAS TWSA. Generally, the findings of this study showed that the CP model using an innovative input selection strategy is a useful and powerful tool for monthly TWSA prediction.