Outage performance analysis of non-orthogonal multiple access systems with RF energy harvesting

Non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) has drawn enormous attention from the research community as a promising technology for future wireless communications with increasing demands of capacity and throughput. Especially, in the light of fifth-generation (5G) communication where multiple internet-of-things (IoT) devices are connected, the application of NOMA to indoor wireless networks has become more interesting to study. In view of this, we investigate the NOMA technique in energy harvesting (EH) half-duplex (HD) decode-and-forward (DF) power-splitting relaying (PSR) networks over indoor scenarios which are characterized by log-normal fading channels. The system performance of such networks is evaluated in terms of outage probability (OP) and total throughput for delay-limited transmission mode whose expressions are derived herein. In general, we can see in details how different system parameters affect such networks thanks to the results from Monte Carlo simulations. For illustrating the accuracy of our analytical results, we plot them along with the theoretical ones for comparison

Outage probability analysis for hybrid TSR-PSR based SWIPT systems over log-normal fading channels

Employing simultaneous information and power transfer (SWIPT) technology in cooperative relaying networks has drawn considerable attention from the research community. We can find several studies that focus on Rayleigh and Nakagami-m fading channels, which are used to model outdoor scenarios. Differing itself from several existing studies, this study is conducted in the context of indoor scenario modelled by log-normal fading channels. Specifically, we investigate a so-called hybrid time switching relaying (TSR)-power splitting relaying (PSR) protocol in an energy-constrained cooperative amplify-and-forward (AF) relaying network. We evaluate the system performance with outage probability (OP) by analytically expressing and simulating it with Monte Carlo method. The impact of power-splitting (PS), time-switching (TS) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) on the OP was as well investigated. Subsequently, the system performance of TSR, PSR and hybrid TSR-PSR schemes were compared. The simulation results are relatively accurate because they align well with the theory

SYNTHESIS OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES DOPED IN THE ZEOLITE FRAMEWORK BY CHEMICAL REDUCTION METHOD

ABSTRACT Silver ions (Ag+) were introduced at first into the porous zeolite 4A lattice by an ion-exchange route. And then silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized in the zeolite framework by chemical reduction method using hydrazine hydrate (N2H4. H2O) as reducing agent. The synthesized AgNPs/zeolite product was characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The results showed the maximum absorption wavelength (lmax) of AgNPs/zeolite at 427 nm and the average size of the metallic AgNPs doped in the zeolite of about 30 nm. The synthesis process has been considered as suitable one to prepare AgNPs/zeolite with AgNPs content in zeolite of about 1.2% on large scale. The obtained AgNPs/zeolite product has been used for production of porous ceramic water filters with efficiently bacterial disinfection effect for treatment of drinking water

BAY 81‐8973 prophylaxis and pharmacokinetics in haemophilia A: Interim results from the TAURUS study

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Camellia sinensis extract delays microbiological and oxidative changes in striped catfish fillets during frozen storage

peer reviewedThis study investigated the effects of tea leaf (Camellia sinensis) extract on the quality of striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) fillets during 18-months of frozen storage (-20 ± 2 °C). Fillet samples were submitted to the treatments Control (cold tap water), CS 7.63 (C. sinensis extract solution 7.63 µg/mL) and CS 625 (C. sinensis extract 625 µg/mL) and stored for 18 months, with collections performed at 0, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 months. Total viable count, physicochemical parameters (water holding capacity, total volatile basic nitrogen, peroxide value, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, moisture and pH), sensory properties and color measurement were evaluated. Results showed that fillets treated with C.a sinensis extracts slightly reduced lipid oxidation, inhibited bacterial growth and improved sensory properties compared to untreated samples, without causing significant changes in the other quality indicators. The findings indicated that the green tea leaf extract immersion treatments, contributed to the improved quality preservation of striped catfish fillets during frozen storage

Effect of nanosilica/chitosan hybrid on leaf blast and blight diseases of rice in Vietnam

Nanosilica/chitosan (NSi/CTS) hybrid material was prepared using nanosilica (32.5 nm) from rice husk ash (RHA) and chitosan (CTS), and characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD). The obtained NSi/CTS was used for protection of rice leaf from blast disease (Piriculariaoryzae) and blight disease (Xanthomonasoryzae). Results indicated that foliar spraying of NSi/CTS with 100 ppm NSiand150 ppm CTS were effective against blast and blight diseases on rice (Oryza spp.). The leaf blast disease index (DI) (1.49 %) and the blight DI (1.45 %) were significantly decreased compared with control of 8.08 % and 9.29 %, respectively at 14th day after the first treatment. Thus, NSi/CTS hybrid material is promising to use for controlling plant diseases, particularly for rice

Factors Influencing Cost Overruns in Construction Projects of International Contractors in Vietnam

A construction project is a designed product made up of labors, materials, and installations in the project positioned on the ground and may include the underground and ground section, and the section in water or on the water surface. It is a civil, industrial, transport, agricultural and rural development, infrastructure, or some other. A key phase in the life cycle of these construction projects is the implementation when building products are made directly with workers, equipment, materials, and managers. If there is a lack of management experience, information, and problem-solving solutions to tackle the risks faced by contractors, especially foreign ones, will fail in controlling the project’s cost. This study was conducted with investigations, discussions, and evaluation of the factors that lead to cost overruns in the construction projects of international contractors in Vietnam. The principal component analysis (PCA) showed that those factors that influence cost overruns these construction projects fall into five general groups, including factors related to (i) the owners, (ii) the foreign contractors, (iii) the subcontractors and suppliers, (iv) state management, and (v) the project itself. Besides, the study proposes solutions to limit cost overruns in construction projects and improve the profitability of international contractors in Vietnam

An open label randomized controlled trial of tamoxifen combined with amphotericin B and fluconazole for cryptococcal meningitis

Background: Cryptococcal meningitis has high mortality. Flucytosine is a key treatment but is expensive and rarely available. The anti-cancer agent tamoxifen has synergistic anti-cryptococcal activity with amphotericin in vitro. It is off-patent, cheap, and widely available. We performed a trial to determine its therapeutic potential. Methods:Open label randomized controlled trial. Participants received standard care - amphotericin combined with fluconazole for the first two weeks - or standard care plus tamoxifen 300mg/day. The primary end point was Early Fungicidal Activity (EFA) - the rate of yeast clearance from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Trial registration https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03112031 . Results: 50 patients were enrolled, (median age 34 years, 35 male). Tamoxifen had no effect on EFA (- 0.48log10 colony-forming units/mL/CSF control arm versus -0.49 tamoxifen arm, difference - 0.005log10CFU/ml/day, 95%CI: -0.16, 0.15, P=0.95). Tamoxifen caused QTc prolongation. Conclusion: High dose tamoxifen does not increase the clearance rate of Cryptococcus from CSF. Novel, affordable therapies are needed. Funding:The trial was funded through the Wellcome Trust Asia Programme Vietnam Core Grant 106680 and a Wellcome Trust Intermediate Fellowship to JND grant number WT097147MA

A randomised controlled trial of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDITOF-MS) versus conventional microbiological methods for identifying pathogens: Impact on optimal antimicrobial therapy of invasive bacterial and fungal infections in Vietnam.

OBJECTIVES: We assessed the impact of MALDITOF-MS on the timeliness of optimal antimicrobial therapy through a parallel-arm randomised controlled trial in two hospitals in Vietnam. METHODS: We recruited patients with a pathogen (bacterial or fungal) cultured from a normally sterile sample. Samples were randomly assigned (1:1) to identification by MALDITOF-MS or conventional diagnostics. The primary outcome was the proportion on optimal antimicrobial therapy within 24 h of positive culture, determined by a blinded independent review committee. Trial registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02306330). RESULTS: Among 1005 randomised patients, pathogens were isolated from 628 (326 intervention, 302 control), with 377 excluded as likely contaminants or discharged/died before positive culture. Most isolates were cultured from blood (421/628, 67.0%). The proportion receiving optimal antimicrobial therapy within 24 h (the primary outcome) or 48 h of growth was not significantly different between MALDITOF-MS and control arms (135/326, 41.4% vs 120/302, 39.7%; Adjusted Odds ration (AOR) 1.17, p = 0.40 and 151/326, 46.3% vs 141/302, 46.7%; AOR 1.05 p = 0.79, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: MALDITOF-MS, in the absence of an antimicrobial stewardship programme, did not improve the proportion on optimal antimicrobial therapy at 24 or 48 h after first growth in a lower-middle income setting with high rates of antibiotic resistance

Prospects for Food Fermentation in South-East Asia, Topics From the Tropical Fermentation and Biotechnology Network at the End of the AsiFood Erasmus+Project

Fermentation has been used for centuries to produce food in South-East Asia and some foods of this region are famous in the whole world. However, in the twenty first century, issues like food safety and quality must be addressed in a world changing from local business to globalization. In Western countries, the answer to these questions has been made through hygienisation, generalization of the use of starters, specialization of agriculture and use of long-distance transportation. This may have resulted in a loss in the taste and typicity of the products, in an extensive use of antibiotics and other chemicals and eventually, in a loss in the confidence of consumers to the products. The challenges awaiting fermentation in South-East Asia are thus to improve safety and quality in a sustainable system producing tasty and typical fermented products and valorising by-products. At the end of the “AsiFood Erasmus+ project” (www.asifood.org), the goal of this paper is to present and discuss these challenges as addressed by the Tropical Fermentation Network, a group of researchers from universities, research centers and companies in Asia and Europe. This paper presents current actions and prospects on hygienic, environmental, sensorial and nutritional qualities of traditional fermented food including screening of functional bacteria and starters, food safety strategies, research for new antimicrobial compounds, development of more sustainable fermentations and valorisation of by-products. A specificity of this network is also the multidisciplinary approach dealing with microbiology, food, chemical, sensorial, and genetic analyses, biotechnology, food supply chain, consumers and ethnology