bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Performance Enhancement for Visible Light Communication Based ADO-OFDM
Authors: Hameed Samir M. , Abdulsatar Sinan M. , Sabri Atheer A. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The increasing demand for bandwidth through modern applications and multimedia services has led to high-speed wireless communications. Optical Wireless Communications (OWC) encourages solutions that provide a higher data rate due to the large bandwidth available. In this paper, performance enhancement approaches will be studied and simulated for Visible Light Communication (VLC) as a case study. The Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) systems are used to investigate Intensity Modulation/ Direct Detection (IM/DD) to improve the performance of VLC. The IM/DD in OWC requires positive real OFDM symbols, so there are many approaches to satisfy this requirement. This paper proposed a model of Asymmetrically Clipped DC-Biased Optical (ADO-OFDM) to use in OWC/VLC environment. The Proposed system has avoided the use of the noise cancelation technique that is used in traditional ADO-OFDM. The results show that the ADO-OFDM has the best spectral efficiency than DC-biased Optical (DCO-OFDM) and Asymmetrically Clipped Optical (ACO-OFDM). Also, it has better optical efficiency than DCO-OFDM with the equally overall Bit Error Rate (BER) at the same signal-to-noise ratio. Hamming channel coding/decoding with different code lengths is applied in various optical OFDM schemes for BER improvements. Furthermore, we simulate and analyze these optical OFDM systems with many modulation orders.
Spatio-temporal analysis of bacillary dysentery in Sichuan province, China, 2011-2019
Authors: Zhang Yao , Zhang Mengyuan , Kang Dianju , Sun Wei , Yang Changhong , Wei Rongjie 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Bacillary dysentery (BD) is a common infectious disease in China and causesenormous economic burdens. The purpose of this study was to describe the epidemiological characteristics of BD and to identify its possible hot spots and potentially high-risk areas in Sichuan province of China.Methods: The data of BD in Sichuan during 2011-2019 were derived from the China National Disease Surveillance Reporting and Management System. Spatial autocorrelation and spatio-temporal cluster analysis were used to explore the spatial temporal patterns.Results: The annual incidence of BD ranged between 16.13/10 million and 6.17/10 million from 2011 to 2019 in Sichuan. The majority of the cases were children aged 5 years or younger. Regarding temporal analysis, BD showed significant seasonality and mainly concentrated from May to October. Regarding spatial distribution, the epidemics were mainly concentrated in the northwest and southwest of Sichuan. After 2016, the scope of BD significantly narrowed and severe epidemic areas were relatively stable. The spatial autocorrelation analysis showed a high global autocorrelation at the county level.,and the high-high clusters mainly distributed in the northwest and southwest of Sichuan. he spatiotemporal clusters of BD occurred every year from 2011 to 2019. The most likely cluster areas ranged largely, at the beginning, it mainly distributed in the southwest and northwest of Sichuan, and then gradually concentrated in the southwest. The secondary cluster mainly concentrated in the northwest and its surrounding areas. Moreover, the 2nd secondary cluster was relatively small and mainly distributed in the central area. No clusters were noted in eastern Sichuan.Conclusions: Based on our current analysis, BD is still a common challenge in Sichuan, especially for counties in the southwest and northwest in summer and autumn. More disease prevention and control measures should be taken in such higher-risk susceptible areas at a certain time to achieve rational allocation of public health resources, and finally reduce the spread of BD.
Production and Characterization of Low-ash Empty Fruit Bunches (EFB) Pellets as a Solid Biofuel
Authors: Nasrin Abu Bakar , Loh Soh Kheang , Sukiran Mohamad Azri , Bukhari Nurul Adela , Aziz Astimar Abdul , Lim Joseph , Lim Stephen , Chin Eddy 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Fuel quality is among the major issues encountered for commercial production and utilisation of oil palm-based biomass pellets from empty fruit bunches (EFB). In this study, a physical treatment, namely sieving and water washing, was applied to EFB prior to densification using an industrial-scale plant. The physiochemical properties of the produced EFB pellets were compared with those without physical treatment as the control. The results showed that the physical treatment process had significantly enhanced the fuel properties of EFB pellets, particularly in reducing ash content. Both the treatments; sieving alone and a combined sieving and water washing of the feedstock managed to reduce the ash content of EFB pellets to < 4 wt.% and < 2 wt.%, respectively compared to > 5 wt.% of typical commercial EFB pellets. The reduction in ash content improved the calorific value of pellets to > 17.5 MJ kg-1 which signified achieving a milestone for oil palm biomass-based heat and power generation from technical, operational, economic and environmental points of view. The findings also indicated that the combined sieving and water washing treatment method could potentially reduce further the unwanted ash-inducing elementals in EFB pellets, in particular chlorine and potassium. This study demonstrated that the employed physical treatment is an immediate and cost-effective practical commercial approach to improve the fuel properties of EFB pellets.
Development of a competency model for general practitioners in China by a modified Delphi method
Authors: Wei Yun , Wang Feiyue , Pan Zhaolu , Wang Meirong , Jin Guanghui , Liu Yanli , Lu Xiaoqin 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background.

General practitioner training in China has gradually been structured into a “5 + 3” residency training model. However, no competency model for general practitioners is implemented to evaluate the level of clinical competence attained by general practice trainees. This study was conducted to develop a consensus set of competencies for general practitioners in China.
Methods.

A modified Delphi process was deployed to develop the competency model for general practitioners in China, including two stages: (1) generation of an initial set of relevant competencies derived from a literature review, behavioral observation of GP–patient consultations, and critical incidents interview of GPs; (2) a 2-round, web-based Delphi survey of experts in general practice, selected using purposive sampling, to prioritize and gain consensus on the essential competencies of GPs.
Results.

From the literature review, behavioral observation, and critical incidents interview, 46 competencies in 7 domains were identified. After two rounds of Delphi survey of 28 participants (18 [64.3%] women; mean [SD] age, 47.9 [9.3] years) representing a range of health professionals (GPs, managers, and researchers), a consensus was reached on 50 competencies categorized into 7 domains.
Conclusion.

A consensus-based competency model for general practitioners in China has been identified that may be used to evaluate the general practitioners’ clinical competence after standardized training.
Encryption Techniques for Intelligent Transportation Systems via Deep Learning for IOV in Smart Cities
Authors: CHOUDHARY DEEPAK , Pahuja Roop 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Now-a-days, there is exponential growth in the field of Wireless Sensor Networks. A connected car is an ssential element of the Internet of Vehicles(IoV) vision that is a highly attractive application of the Internet of Things (IoT).The underlying technologies include Internet of Everything (IoE), artificial intelligence,machine learning, neural networks, sensor technologies, and cloud/edgecomputing. The connectivity between vehicles is through inter communicationbetween sensors and smart devices inside the vehicles, as well as smart systems inthe environment as part of the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS).In WSN’s security is a major concern, since most of communication happen through a wireless media hence probability of attacks increases drastically. Intrusion detection as well as prevention measures should be taken for secure communication, hence observations of intrusion detection and prevention techniques have taken immense precedence in the research field.With the help of intrusion detection and prevention systems, we can categorize the activities of user in two categories namely normal activities and suspicious activities.There is a need to design effective intrusion detection and prevention system by exploring deep learning for wireless sensor networks. This research aims to deal with proposing algorithms and techniques for intrusion prevention system using deep packet inspection based on deep learning. In this, we have proposed a deep learning model using a convolutional Neural Network classifier. The proposed model consists of two stages like intrusion detection and intrusion prevention. The proposed model learn useful feature representations from a large amount of labeled data and then classifies them. In this work, a Convolutional Neural Network is used to prevent intrusion for wireless sensor networks. To evaluate and test the effectiveness of the proposed system, a WSN-DS dataset is used, and experiments are conducted on the dataset. The experimental results show that proposed system achieves 97% accuracy and performs substantially better than the existing system. The proposed work can be used as a future benchmark for deep learning and intrusion prevention research communitiesin the smart cities now a days.
Effect of Sources and Application Times of Nitrogen Fertilizer on Wheat Yield and Nitrate Leaching in Different Soil Textures
Authors: Sharafi Saeed 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Aims Nitrogen fertilizers have destructive impacts on the environment through nitrate leaching. Methods To evaluate the effects of sources and application times of nitrogen fertilizer on wheat yield and nitrate leaching in different soil textures, an experiment was conducted using the factorial arrangement of randomized complete block design (RCBD). The treatments were two sources of nitrogen fertilizer including ammonium nitrate (AN) and urea (NN), applied three different times during the year with a control treatment: total application before sowing (T1), total application in spring (T2) and application of half the amount before sowing and half the amount in spring (T3) in different soil textures (sandy loam, silty clay loam and silty clay) with three replications during three growing seasons 2015-16 (Y1), 2016-17 (Y2) and 2017-18 (Y3). Results The results indicate that the effects of different soil textures in increasing grain yield differed significantly. The soil texture of silty clay loam compared to other soil textures (sandy loam and silty clay) differed in grain yield. Interaction effects of N sources and application times were significant at the 1 percent level for the three different soil textures. The results also showed that in the soil textures of sandy loam and silty clay at T3, compared to silty clay loam, grain yield increased. Silty clay loam with T2 increased grain yield compared to other soil textures, with a yield of 6863.6 kg ha-1. The effect of nitrogen fertilizer at different application times was significant in increasing the protein content in the silty clay and sandy loam. The protein percentage in the silty clay was 10.76 at T2 and was 10.93 at T2 in the sandy loam. In addition, AN compared to NN had a greater effect on the percentage of grain protein.Conclusion Nitrogen fertilizer application times affect grain yield and protein content in different locations. Moreover, AN increases protein content compared to NN. Maximum soil nitrate concentration was obtained at 80-100 cm depth in both fertilizer treatments and in sandy loam soil, and nitrate concentration increased during the experiment.
Characterization, Optical and Conductivity Study of Nickel Oxide based nanocomposites
of Polystyrene
Authors: El-Khiyami Shimaa Saeed , Hafez Rania , Ismail Asmaa 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Different concentrations of nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles were successfully inserted into polystyrene (PS) polymer matrix using the solution casting method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), high-resolution scanning electron microscope (SEM), and UV-Vis techniques are used to characterize the nanocomposites. XRD, SEM, and FT-IR results indicate that PS and NiO nanoparticles have a good interaction and a high degree of complexity. Using UV–Vis technique, the absorbance of nanocomposites is improved by increasing the nanofiller content. Both the Urbach energy (EU) and the optical energy gap (Eg) were calculated using the Urbach relation and the Tauc model. Refractive indices values of nanocomposites display raising trend with NiO content which promote PS/NiO nanocomposites for use in photonic applications and designing optical devices. Nanocomposites' electrical conductivity was also investigated. The electrical conductivity of the nanocomposites has increased significantly due to the uniform dispersion of NiO nanoparticles and by increasing its content. Conduction is achieved by correlated barrier hopping (CBH).
Interaction effects of diabetes and brain-derived neurotrophic factor on suicidal ideation in patients with acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Choi Wonsuk , Kim Ju-Wan , Kang Hee-Ju , Kim Hee Kyung , Kang Ho-Cheol , Lee Ju-Yeon , Kim Sung-Wan , Hong Young Joon , Ahn Youngkeun , Jeong Myung Ho , Stewart Robert , Kim Jae-Min 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is associated with an increased risk of suicide. Although both diabetes and the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) pathway are closely related to ACS and suicide, the effects of these factors on suicidal behavior in ACS patients have not been assessed. The aim of this study was to investigate the individual and interaction effects of diabetes and BDNF-related markers, namely the serum BDNF (sBDNF) level and the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism, on suicidal ideation (SI) in ACS patients.
Methods
The presence of diabetes was ascertained, and sBDNF levels and the presence of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism were measured in 969 patients within 2 weeks after an ACS episode. Among these patients, 711 were followed up at 1 year after the ACS episode. SI was evaluated using the relevant items of the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale at baseline (acute SI) and the 1-year follow-up (chronic SI).
Results
Significant individual effects of low sBDNF levels were found on acute SI. The presence of both diabetes and a low sBDNF level or the BDNF Met/Met genotype was associated with acute SI, with multivariate logistic regression analyses revealing significant interaction effects. The highest frequency of chronic SI was seen in diabetic patients with an sBDNF level in the lowest tertile or with the BDNF Met/Met genotype, although the interaction terms were not statistically significant.
Conclusions
Combining diabetes and BDNF-related markers, such as the sBDNF level and the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism, might provide a useful predictor of acute SI in patients with ACS.
Clinical Characteristics of Venous Thromboembolism in COVID-19 Patients Admitted to intensive care unit
Authors: Abdelrahman Mohamed Mosaad , Habeb Mohamed Abdelgwad , Ali Mohamed Abderahman , Ismael Mohamed Farouk , Ibraheem Elmour Abdelrahman 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Introduction: COVID-19 infection was associated with many morbid conditions, one of which is venous thromboembolism; however, this is varied in incidence and clinical characteristics, with no known definite risk predictors.Aim: To identify the incidence, clinical characteristics, and risks and outcome of venous thromboembolism in COVID-19 patients.Methods: a retrospective cohort study comparing the recorded data for two groups of patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection and admitted to the ICU in 6 months duration.Results: the incidence of venous thromboembolism was 30%, where pulmonary embolism (PE) alone was the most frequent type (68.2%), followed by, DVT with PE (15.1%), DVT alone (12.1%), cavernous sinus thrombosis alone CST (3%) and the least frequency was CST with renal artery thrombi (1.5%). Smoking and malignancy were more frequent in VTE group with more statistically significant elevation of D dimer. the pulmonary embolism was lobar in the majority of our patients (69.6%), followed by segmental (17.9%), while the least frequency was for massive pulmonary embolism (12.5%).Conclusion: VTE is a common event in COVID-19 patients, where smoking and malignancy more frequent, D dimer is significantly elevated, and more morbidity and mortality in those patients.
Impact of pollutant as selection pressure on conjugative transfer of dioxin-catabolic plasmids harbored by Rhodococcus sp. strain p52
Authors: Zhao Gang , Wu Yanan , Wang Xu , Chen Meng , Li Li 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Plasmid-mediated bioaugmentation has potential application in the cleanup of recalcitrant environmental pollutants. In this study, we examined the influence of various contaminants (in different categories or different amounts) as a selection pressure on the transfer of catabolic plasmids within an activated sludge bacteria community bioaugmented with Rhodococcus sp. strain p52 harboring pDF01 and pDF02. The distinguishable genera of transconjugants were isolated under the stresses of phenanthrene, dibenzothiophene, and dibenzo-p-dioxin. The difference in genomic G + C content (5.0 ~ 27.5%) between transconjugants and strain p52 indicated the transfer of the catabolic plasmids crossing phylogenetic boundaries. The specific removal rates in activated sludge reactors for phenanthrene, dibenzothiophene, and dibenzo-p-dioxin were elevated in turn. The three contaminants exerted different degrees of influence on the activated sludge bacteria bearing the catabolic plasmids. The highest proportion of transconjugants was detected in the reactor fed with dibenzo-p-dioxin. Additionally, as dibenzo-p-dioxin from 10 to 80 mg/L was fed into the reactors, the proportion of transconjugants increased. Film mating tests demonstrated that the plasmid transfer frequency varied among recipients under the contaminant stresses of phenanthrene, dibenzothiophene, and dibenzo-p-dioxin. Our study provides a characterization of the recalcitrant contaminants as a selection pressure that can modulate catabolic plasmid transfer during genetic bioaugmentation for the removal of contaminants.
Experimental and Theoretical Characterization of Thio coumarin by NLO single crystal in DFT Calculations
Authors: KUMAR K.SAMBATH , Rajkamal N. , Venkatachalapthy M. , Gayathri R. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Experimental and theoretical electron densities in thiocoumarin have been analyzed based on the X-ray diffraction data at 90 K. These compound pack in the crystal lattice with weak C-H…O and C-H….π interactions, and variations in charge density properties and derived local energy densities have been investigated in the regions of intermolecular interactions. Theoretical charge density calculations on crystals using the B3LYP/6-311 + + G(d,p) method show remarkable agreement with the derived properties and energy densities from the experiment. The intermolecular interactions follow an exponential dependence of electron density and energy densities at the bond critical points. The Laplacian follows a “Morse-like” dependence on the length of the interaction line. Based on the set of criteria defined using the theory of “atoms in molecules”, it has become possible to distinguish between a hydrogen bond (C-H…O) and a van der Waals interaction (C-H….π). This has resulted in the identification of a “region of overlap” in terms of electron densities, energy densities, and mutual penetration of the hydrogen and acceptor atoms with respect to the interaction length. This approach suggests a possible tool to distinguish between the two types of interactions. High field indicates that this molecule exhibit considerable electrical conductivity in atomic charges.The ESP map is found to be positive throughout the backbone of the molecule. The negative charges have a tendency to drift from left to right. Thermodynamic parameters like heat capacities (Cºp,m), entropies (Sºm) and enthalpies changes (Hºm) are used for various electrical field. Theoretical FT-IR and FT-Raman spectra of the title molecule have been constructed which show good agreement with recorded spectra.
The effects of low-dose human chorionic gonadotropin for luteal phase support on pregnancy outcomes in poor ovarian responders: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Madani Tahereh , Arabipoor Arezoo , Ramezanali Fariba , Khodabakhshi Shabnam , Zolfaghari Zahra 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Purpose: The question that remains is, does changing the type of luteal phase support (LPS) improve the pregnancy outcomes in patients with poor ovarian response (POR) diagnosis?. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate and compare the efficiency of different methods of luteal phase support (progesterone alone or hCG alone and the combination of progesterone with hCG) in these patients.Methods: This randomized clinical trial evaluated three hundred seventy five patients who were diagnosed as POR on the basis of Bologna criteria undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection- embryo transfer (ICSI-ET) cycles at Royan institute from November 2015 to June 2019. The patients were allocated randomly into three different LPS groups on the day of oocyte pickup. In first group, 1500 IU of hCG IM on the ET day, as well as 4 days after that were administrated. In the second group, the patients received 1500 IU of hCG IM on the ET day, as well as 3 and 6 days after the ET along with vaginal suppositories 400 mg twice daily. For the third group, only vaginal suppositories twice daily was administrated from the day of oocyte pick up until the pregnancy test day.The clinical pregnancy, miscarriage and live birth rates were the main outcomes. Results: The data analysis showed that the three groups were comparable. In the following, there is no significant difference in terms of implantation, clinical pregnancy, and miscarriage and live birth rates among groups. The twin pregnancy rate in the hCG-only group was higher than those of in the other two groups, although this difference was not statistically significant (P=0.06).Conclusion: The type of LPS does not improve the pregnancy and live birth rates in POR patients. A multi-center clinical trial is warranted to confirm or refute these findings.Trial registration: The study was registered in the clinicaltrial.gov site on 14 June 2015. (NCT02798653 at www. clinicaltrials.gov, registered prospectively).