BER Performance of Alamouti with VBLAST Detection Schemes over MIMO System

Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) systems as a means to combat fading in wireless channels. MIMO allows higher throughput, diversity gain and interference reduction. In this paper, we analyze the Bit Error Rate (BER) performance of the Alamouti Space Time Block Code with V-BLAST (Vertical Bell Laboratories Layered Space-Time) over MIMO system. Basic idea in this scheme is to improve the BER performance of systems. V-BLAST algorithm offers highly better error performance than conventional linear receivers and still has low complexity. The simulated results are based on different modulations, such as BPSK, 4-QAM and 16-QAM over Rayleigh fading channels. DOI: 10.17762/ijritcc2321-8169.150511

A novel multi-criteria group decision-making approach using aggregation operators and weight determination method for supplier selection problem in hesitant Pythagorean fuzzy environment

Uncertainty is an important factor in the decision-making process. Hesitant Pythagorean fuzzy sets (HPFS), a combination of Pythagorean and hesitant fuzzy sets, proved as a significant tool to handle uncertainty. Well-defined operational laws and attribute weights play an important role in decision-making. Thus, the paper aims to develop new Trigonometric Operational Laws, a weight determination method, and a novel score function for group decision-making (GDM) problems in the HPF environment. The approach is presented in three phases. The first phase defines new operational laws with sine trigonometric function incorporating its special properties like periodicity, symmetricity, and restricted range hence compared with previously defined aggregation operators they are more likely to satisfy the decision maker preferences. Properties of trigonometric operational laws (TOL) are studied and various aggregation operators are defined. To measure the relationship between arguments, the operators are combined with the Generalized Heronian Mean operator. The flexibility of operators is increased by the use of a real parameter λ to express the risk preference of experts. The second phase defines a novel weight determination method, which separately considers the membership and non-membership degrees hence reducing the information loss and the third phase conquers the shortcomings of previously defined score functions by defining a novel score function in HPFS. To further increase the flexibility of defined operators they are extended in the environment with unknown or incomplete attribute weights. The effectiveness of the GDM model is verified with the help of a supplier selection problem. A detailed comparative analysis demonstrates the superiority, and sensitivity analysis verifies the stability of the proposed approach

Growth Analysis of Baby Corn (Zea mays L.) Under the Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management

Maize (Zea mays L.) is the most versatile crop having wider adaptability in varied ecologies. Presently baby corn is gaining popularity among Indian farming communities mainly due to its short duration, high market rate, nutritive value and also its multiuse. Baby corn requires higher population and plant nutrition than normal grain corn. Therefore the nutrient management is of immense importance for higher corn production. The present study was thus carried out during Kharif season 2015 at the Instructional Dairy Farm (IDF), Nagla, Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand to analyse the growth of baby corn under the effect of integrated nutrient management. The experimental design was Randomized Block Design with 11 treatments consisting of sole application of NPK fertilizer, sole application of Azotobacter and Azospirillum, and application of Azotobacter and Azospirillum along with NPK fertilizer. The study revealed that Leaf area index was significantly higher at 50 DAS and harvest under 100% NPK+Azot+Azos. Application of 75% NPK+Azot+Azos had significantly higher at 25-50 DAS while 100% NPK+Azot+Azos gave significantly higher at 50 DAS – harvest. The values remained non significant at both the stages, however the highest was recorded at application of 100% NPK+Azot+Azos. The remained non significant at 25 – 50 DAS but at 50 DAS – harvest, the values recorded significantly higher at 100% NPK+Azot+Azos that remained non significant with all the treatments except control and seed treatment with Azotobacter. The too was recorded non significant by different integrated nutrient management practices at 25-50 DAS but at 50 DAS-harvest, the significantly highest was recorded under control, whereas the lowest was found at application of 100% NPK that remained statistically at par with all other treatments except control. Higher dose of nitrogen coupled with biofertilizers improved the plant growth

Prevalence of Sexually transmitted infections in females attending community health centres in the rural area of Dehradun, India

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and reproductive tract infections (RTIs) are major public health concerns, particularly among women. Aims & Objectives: The primary aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the prevalence of laboratory-confirmed RTIs/STIs in a sample of 228 self-reported females aged 14-55 visiting community health centers. Additionally, the study sought to explore the correlation between these infections and clinical features. Material & Methods: The study included 228 females aged 14-55 visiting the STI clinic in Doiwala Block, Dehradun. Vaginal/cervical swab and blood specimens were collected after obtaining informed written consent. Specimens were processed at HIMS using standard microbiological methods to diagnose various STDs. Results: The study found that 50% of females attending community health centers had laboratory-confirmed RTIs/STIs. Bacterial vaginosis was the most prevalent infection (25.9%), followed by candidiasis (24.6%), Trichomonas vaginalis (2.6%), and syphilis (1.3%). Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis were not detected. Notably, there was a significant association between the prevalence of RTI/STI and the literacy status, occupation, and socioeconomic status of the respondents. Conclusion: This study highlights a high prevalence of RTIs/STIs among females in a rural area of Doiwala Block, Dehradun. Bacterial vaginosis and candidiasis were the most common infections. The findings underscore the importance of targeted interventions and education to address this public health issue, particularly among women with lower socioeconomic status and literacy levels

Knowledge and practices related to antibiotics among poultry producers and veterinarians in two Indian states

Background Antibiotics are frequently utilized in livestock, particularly poultry, for therapy and growth promotion, resulting in antimicrobial resistance. Multidrug-resistant bacteria are frequent in poultry samples from India. The purpose of this study was to better understand main antibiotic consumption patterns in poultry value chains, as well as antibiotic knowledge and practices among the stakeholders. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Assam and Karnataka, India. The poultry farmers were interviewed on antibiotic usage, antibiotic knowledge, feeding practices, and preventive measures on the farm. Poultry farmers reported their veterinarians, and we also interviewed them on knowledge and practices related to antimicrobial use in poultry and antimicrobial resistance. Item response theory (IRT) was used to assess the association between the answers and demographic factors. Results This survey interviewed 62 poultry farmers and 11 veterinarians. Small poultry farms with fewer than 4000 birds were owned by 51.6% of farmers. Most poultry farmers had heard about antibiotics, and 62.9% thought they cured all diseases. If one chicken is sick, 72.6% said others should be given antibiotics to prevent the disease. All veterinarians utilized tetracyclines, aminoglycosides, and cephalexin on the poultry farms. Over half (54.5%) stated antibiotics prevent diseases, and 72.7% said they treat and prevent diseases. Some (45.5%) said antibiotics boost growth. IRT analysis showed that 8 questions assessed a knowledge scale well. Univariable analysis showed that Assam farmers and women were likely to have have more knowledge. Conclusion The poultry farmers were mostly unaware of the relation between antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance. Despite being aware, the veterinarians agreed with use antibiotics as a prophylactic measure. It is vital that these stakeholders understand the repercussions of such widespread antibiotic use. In order to increase knowledge, frequent trainings and antimicrobial stewardship programmes with effective communication and incentives for behaviour change should be conducted

Luminomagnetic bifunctionality of Mn2+-bonded graphene oxide/reduced graphene oxide two dimensional nanosheets

Herein, we report the luminomagnetic bifunctional properties of two-dimensional (2D) Mn2+ bonded graphene oxide (GO)/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanosheets synthesized using a facile route of oxidation followed by a solvothermal reduction method. Photoluminescence (PL) studies (excited by different wavelengths) revealed that the resonant energy transfer between Mn2+ and sp(3)/sp(2) clusters of GO/RGO is responsible for the enhancement of emissions. Moreover, pH-sensitive PL behaviors have also been investigated in detail. The ferromagnetic behavior is believed to arise due to defects in Mn2+ bonded GO composites. Thus, present reduction method provides a direct route to tune and enhance the optical properties of GO and RGO nanosheets bonded with Mn2+ ions, which creates an opportunity for various technological applications

A protective role for nitric oxide and salicylic acid for arsenite phytotoxicity in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The authors are thankful to Director, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute (CSIR-NBRI), Lucknow for the facilities and for the financial support from the network projects (CSIR-INDEPTH), New Delhi, India. APS is thankful to CSIR New Delhi, India respectively, for the award of Research Associateship. RDT is gratefully thankful to Award of Emeritus Scientist (CSIR). GD is thankful to SERB-DST, New Delhi for award of NPDF. AK is thankful to UGC for award of DSKPDF. Award of Fast Track Scientist to SM from DST is gratefully acknowledged. We are also thankful to Mr. Dilip Chakraborty for technical assistance.Peer reviewedPostprin

Global, regional, and national burden of disorders affecting the nervous system, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

BackgroundDisorders affecting the nervous system are diverse and include neurodevelopmental disorders, late-life neurodegeneration, and newly emergent conditions, such as cognitive impairment following COVID-19. Previous publications from the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factor Study estimated the burden of 15 neurological conditions in 2015 and 2016, but these analyses did not include neurodevelopmental disorders, as defined by the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-11, or a subset of cases of congenital, neonatal, and infectious conditions that cause neurological damage. Here, we estimate nervous system health loss caused by 37 unique conditions and their associated risk factors globally, regionally, and nationally from 1990 to 2021.MethodsWe estimated mortality, prevalence, years lived with disability (YLDs), years of life lost (YLLs), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), with corresponding 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs), by age and sex in 204 countries and territories, from 1990 to 2021. We included morbidity and deaths due to neurological conditions, for which health loss is directly due to damage to the CNS or peripheral nervous system. We also isolated neurological health loss from conditions for which nervous system morbidity is a consequence, but not the primary feature, including a subset of congenital conditions (ie, chromosomal anomalies and congenital birth defects), neonatal conditions (ie, jaundice, preterm birth, and sepsis), infectious diseases (ie, COVID-19, cystic echinococcosis, malaria, syphilis, and Zika virus disease), and diabetic neuropathy. By conducting a sequela-level analysis of the health outcomes for these conditions, only cases where nervous system damage occurred were included, and YLDs were recalculated to isolate the non-fatal burden directly attributable to nervous system health loss. A comorbidity correction was used to calculate total prevalence of all conditions that affect the nervous system combined.FindingsGlobally, the 37 conditions affecting the nervous system were collectively ranked as the leading group cause of DALYs in 2021 (443 million, 95% UI 378–521), affecting 3·40 billion (3·20–3·62) individuals (43·1%, 40·5–45·9 of the global population); global DALY counts attributed to these conditions increased by 18·2% (8·7–26·7) between 1990 and 2021. Age-standardised rates of deaths per 100 000 people attributed to these conditions decreased from 1990 to 2021 by 33·6% (27·6–38·8), and age-standardised rates of DALYs attributed to these conditions decreased by 27·0% (21·5–32·4). Age-standardised prevalence was almost stable, with a change of 1·5% (0·7–2·4). The ten conditions with the highest age-standardised DALYs in 2021 were stroke, neonatal encephalopathy, migraine, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, diabetic neuropathy, meningitis, epilepsy, neurological complications due to preterm birth, autism spectrum disorder, and nervous system cancer.InterpretationAs the leading cause of overall disease burden in the world, with increasing global DALY counts, effective prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation strategies for disorders affecting the nervous system are needed