bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Numerical and Experimental Analysis on the Effects of Turbocharged Compressed Bio- Methane Fuelled Automotive Spark-Ignition Engine
Authors: Alexander Jim , Porpatham E 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The implementation of recent emission norms has caused the automotive industries to develop advanced technologies for gaseous fuelled SI engines. This research focused on the comparison of turbocharged Compression Ratio (CR) 10.5:1 and naturally aspirated (NA) 12.5:1 for Compressed Bio-Methane (CBM) fuelled SI engine. The original port fuel injected automotive Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Spark Ignition (SI) engine with 15.5 kW at 3400 rpm was made to function with CBM fuel under full throttle conditions at given CR. Also, two turbochargers T1 and T2 were analysed and validated using ANSYS turbo-machinery numerical package. T1 generated a higher-pressure ratio than T2 and was preferable. The simulation study outcomes infer that entropy generation for T1 at a 1.3 bar is less than 1.5 bar gave a better transient response. The experimental comparison was made between CR of 10.5:1 turbocharged and naturally aspirated CR of 12.5:1. At CR of 10.5:1, 1.3 bar boost pressure, brake power increased by 19.3%, reduced fuel consumption by 10.1%, and reduced hydro carbon (HC) and Carbon monoxide (CO) emissions 42.9% and 38.3%, when compared to NA CR of 12.5:1. On the whole, the downsized CR of 10.5:1 turbocharging exhibit better performance and reduced thermal loading when compared to higher CR of 12.5:1.
Eco-bioengineering Tools in Ecohydrological Assessment of Eutrophic Water Bodies
Authors: Gogoi Nayanmoni , Paul Bishal , Purkayastha Karishma Das 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Eutrophication of water bodies and deterioration of water quality is an emerging environmental crisis. The root causes, pathways and consequences of eutrophication are multidirectional and provide a huge scope of risk-analysis and risk-assessment in the domain of remediation studies. However, a deep insight on restoration studies shows a global transitional trend of evolution of traditional restoration methods to advanced innovative techniques with pioneering development in the field of science and technology. This study introduces a novel approach of considering ecohydrological assessment of eutrophication emphasizing classical biomanipulation practices and their evolution into innovative methods coined as ‘eco-bioengineering’ method. The main objective of this study is to critically analyse and recognize the research gaps in classical biomanipulations and appreciate the reproducibility and efficacy of eco-bioengineering methods at micro- and macrolevel aquatic ecosystems. Comprehensive literature review was conducted in offline and online planforms, and our survey revealed continuation of a historical trend in classical biomanipulation practices (75.36%) and an ascending drift in eco-bioengineering research (24.64%) in the immediate decade (2010–2020). At a global scale, recent biomanipulation research is skewedly distributed in Europe (43.48%), East Asia (34.78%), North America (8.70%), South America (2.90%), South Africa (4.35%), Oceania (1.45%), Middle East (1.45%) and non-specific regions (2.90%). Finally, this study revealed the comprehensiveness of eco-bioengineering methods and their strong ecological resilience to recurrence of eutrophication and fluctuating environmental flows in the future. Therefore, this study reinforces eco-bioengineering methods a cost-effective green technologies that will sustainable solutions for restoration of eutrophic waters at a global scale.
Global optimization of an encapsulated Si/SiO2 L3 cavity with a 43 million quality factor
Authors: Vasco J. P. , Savona V. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
We optimize a silica-encapsulated silicon L3 photonic crystal cavity for ultra-high quality factor by means of a global optimization strategy, where the closest holes surrounding the cavity are varied to minimize out-of-plane losses. We find an optimal value of Qc = 4.33 × 107 , which is predicted to be in the 2 million regime in presence of structural imperfections compatible with state-of-the-art silicon fabrication tolerances.
Study of Small Polaronic, Variable Hopping Conduction and Its Exploration By Impedance Analysis in I- Substituted CaCu3Ti4O12 at O- Ion Site By Fine-Tuning The Electrical Properties, Grains and Grain Boundaries
Authors: Yadav Bhoomika , Kumar Rajesh , Kar Kamal K. , Ghorai Manas K. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
In this study, dielectric and impedance related investigation are carried out in solid-state synthesized iodine doped CaCu3Ti4O12-xIx (x= 0, 0.005, 0.05 and 0.2) at anion site in the varying temperature (300-500 K) and frequency (20 Hz - 1 MHz). The detailed analysis of dielectric and scaled plot (Z″, M″) confirm the Maxwell-Wagner relaxations unlike Debye type. Broad relaxation peaks in spectroscopic plots and nearly straight lines in admittance (Y″ vs. Yʹ) and ε″ vs. εʹ reveals the occurrence of various relaxation processes with a narrow distribution of time constants. Mismatch in peak frequencies of Z″/ Z″max and M″/ M″max suggest that relaxation mechanism is dominated by short-range (localized) movement of charge carriers. The twinning values of Ea,τ,M″ (≈ 0.067 eV) and Ea,τ,Z” (≈0.081 eV) indicate the involvement of same type of charge carriers in conduction and relaxation processes. Correlating Jonscher’s power law and overlapping peaks in the combined plot of M″, Z″ vs. log f indicates high loss, due to DC conduction through localized hopping of small polarons via some defect states through Mott’s VRH mechanism, among the highly concentrated density of states, N (Ef), confined in the very low-temperature zone and nearest-neighbor hopping (NNH) of polarons due to Arrhenius in high-temperature zone both reserved in low-frequency region (≤1 kHz) only.
In Vitro Validation Studies For Adhesion Factor and Adhesion Efficiency of Probiotic Bacillus Licheniformis MCC 2514 and Bifidobacterium Breve NCIM 5671 on HT-29 Cell Lines
Authors: HS Rohith , Halami Prakash Motiram 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Probiotic bacterial adhesion to the epithelial cell is a composite process and in vivo adhesion studies can be strengthened with the improved in vitro models for preliminary screening of potentially adherent strains. With this rationale, the study aimed is the first report to demonstrate the colonizing efficiency of probiotic Bacillus licheniformis MCC 2514 in comparison to Bifidobacterium breve NCIM 5671on HT-29 cell line. B. licheniformis (54.28 ± 0.99%) and Bif. breve (70.23 ± 0.85%) adhered in a higher percentage on fibronectin and mucin, respectively. However, the adhesion was higher for B. licheniformis when compared to Bif. breve. In adhesion score, B. licheniformis obtained about 138.85 ± 12.32, whereas Bif. breve got the score of 43.05 ± 9.12. The same trend continued in the adhesion percentage study, where B. licheniformis adhered 75.5 ± 5.2%, higher than Bif. breve adhered 32.66 ± 3.2%. In invasion assay, both the bacteria significantly decreased the colonization of the pathogen Kocuria rhizophila ATCC 9341 about 97.32 ± 0.81% in the competitive assay, 97.87 ± 0.73% in exclusion assay and 82.19 ± 2.51% in displacement assay. The cytotoxicity effects of the test bacterial strains against HT-29 cell line through MTT assay determined no viability loss in the treated cells. Therefore, the data obtained from the in vitro studies showed that both B. licheniformis and Bif. breve had shown significantly good invasion on pathogen and adhesion capacity on HT-29 cell line.
A novel method for production of peroxidase enzyme from garden radish root source using a spouted bed reactor modeling and optimization approach
Authors: Hamedi Shahrbanoo , Afsahi M. Mehdi , Riahi-Madvar Ali 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The main advantages of the dried enzymes are the lower cost of storage and longer time of preservation for industrial applications. In this study for the first time, the spouted bed reactors were utilized for drying the garden radish (Raphanus sativus L.) root extract as a cost-effective source of the peroxidase enzyme. The response surface methodology (RSM) was used to evaluate the individual and interactive effects of main parameters (the inlet air temperature (T) and the air flow rate (Q)) on the residual enzyme activity (REA). The maximum REA of 38.7% was obtained at the T= 50 °C and Q= 1.4. In order to investigate the drying effect on the catalytic activity, the optimum reaction conditions (pH and temperature), as well as kinetic parameters, were investigated for the fresh and dried enzyme extracts (FEE and DEE). The obtained results showed that optimum pH was decreased about 12.3% while 85.7% increase was observed in optimum temperature of DEE compare to FEE. Moreover, kinetic parameters, thermal-stability, and shelf life of the enzyme were considerably improved after drying by the spouted bed. Overall, the results confirmed that a spouted bed reactor can be used as a promising method for drying heat-sensitive materials such as peroxidase enzyme.
Ultrastructure of influenza virus ribonucleoprotein complexes during viral RNA synthesis
Authors: Nakano Masahiro , Sugita Yukihiko , Kodera Noriyuki , Miyamoto Sho , Muramoto Yukiko , Wolf Matthias , Noda Takeshi 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The single-stranded, negative-sense, viral genomic RNA (vRNA) of influenza A virus is encapsidated by viral nucleoproteins and an RNA polymerase to form a ribonucleoprotein complex (vRNP) with a helical, rod-shaped structure. The vRNP is responsible for transcription and replication of the vRNA. However, the vRNP conformation during viral RNA synthesis is not well understood. Here, using high-speed atomic force microscopy and cryo-electron microscopy, we investigated the native structure of influenza A vRNPs during RNA synthesis in vitro. Two distinct types of vRNPs were observed in association with newly synthesized RNAs: an intact, helical rod-shaped vRNP connected with a structured viral RNA product and a deformed vRNP associated with a looped, double-stranded RNA, composed of a template vRNA and a nascent RNA. These results suggest that while some vRNPs keep their helical structures during viral RNA synthesis, probably for the repeated cycle of transcription and/or replication, others accidentally become structurally deformed, which probably results in failure to commence or continue RNA synthesis. Thus, our findings provide the ultrastructural basis of viral RNA synthesis and advance our knowledge of the mechanism of viral transcription and replication.
Contribution of Ocular Residual Astigmatism to Anterior Corneal Astigmatism in Children with Low and Moderate Myopia
Authors: Lin Jian , An Dexiang , Lu Yun , Yan Dongmei , Wang Leilei 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
To assess the contribution of ocular residual astigmatism (ORA) to anterior corneal astigmatism (ACA) in children with low and moderate myopia. Refractive astigmatism (RA) were received by subjective manifest refraction. ACA were obtained by IOL Master. Using Thibos vector analysis to calculate ORA. Correlation analysis was used to assess the relationship between the magnitude of ORA and ACA. The contribution of ORA to ACA was evaluated by Physical method. The study analyzed 241 right eyes of 241 children aged 8 to 18 years old. In this study, the median magnitude of ORA was 1.02 D, with interquartile range was 0.58 D. Against-the-rule ORA was seen in 232 eyes (96.3%). There was a significant and moderate correlation between ORA and ACA (r = 0.50, P < 0.001). The ORA in 240 eyes (99.6%) had a compensatory effects on ACA. The mean compensation value was 1.00 ± 0.41 D. Based on this effect, 37 eyes had different axial classification of ACA and RA. By contrast, one eye (0.4%) had oblique ORA and superimposed with-the-rule ACA. The magnitude of ORA was relatively huge in myopia children and predominantly compensated ACA. The ORA should be assessed first before fitting orthokeratology.
Antioxidant activity of vitamin E homologues in model systems
Authors: Trela-Makowej Agnieszka , Kruk Jerzy , Żądło Andrzej , Szymańska Renata 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The effect of tocopherols, tocotrienols and plastochromanol-8 in the inhibition of lipid peroxidation of liposomes prepared from natural chloroplast lipids, initiated by both water-soluble and lipid soluble azo-compounds, has been studied. In the case of tocopherols, α-tocopherol showed nearly no effect in the inhibition of lipid peroxidation, while β-, γ- and δ-tocopherols inhibited the reaction completely when it was initiated by lipid-soluble AMVN. Similar effects were observed for tocotrienol homologues. In the investigated reaction plastochromanol-8 was as effective as β-, γ- and δ-tocochromanols. When peroxidation was initiated by water-soluble AIPH in liposomes, the order and extent of inhibition was similar to those of AMVN initiator. However, in this case, α-tocopherol and α-tocotrienol showed more pronounced inhibition. When the prenyllipids were investigated in DPPH test, when incorporated into soy lipid liposomes, mixed micelles and micelles, DPPH oxidation was most pronounced in liposomes, followed by mixed micelles and micellar system. When the reaction of α-tocopherol, α-tocotrienol, plastochromanol-8 and α-tocopherol phosphate was examined in niosomes, the oxidation was most pronounced for α-tocopherol and plastochromanol-8, followed by α-tocotrienol. α-tocopherol phosphate showed no activity in this respect. The obtained results were discussed in light of the prenyllipid structures and their localization in the investigated lipid systems.
Gravidity, contraceptive use and acceptability of a proposed three-baby policy in a municipality of Ghana.&nbsp;
Authors: Ametefi Vivian , Appiah-Brempong Emmanuel , Vampere Hasehni , Nyarko Gloria Obeng , Aggrey Priscilla Aba , Mintah Francis Dadzie 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background Childbirth and high Total Fertility Rate (TFR) among women is traditionally held in high esteem in many African societies. Therefore, bearing more children serves as a source of dignity to the mother and a resource to the family. However, the menace of large families and increasing populations is a global concern and to many African countries. The use of modern contraceptives is promoted to among other benefits, reduce pregnancies and TFR. A policy was also developed to limit the number of children per couple in Ghana to three. This study determined the factors associated with gravidity, the acceptability of the proposed three-baby per couple policy and the prevalence of modern contraceptives in a Ghanaian Municipality.Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study design was adopted and involved 350 women of reproductive age who had a history of past or present pregnancy. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical analysis with the aid of STATA version14.Results The results indicated that 97.39% of the participants had knowledge of modern contraceptives and 33.91% were current users of modern contraceptives. Gravidity showed significant association with age, marital status, educational level, employment status and source of contraceptive (p < 0.001). Participants with no formal education had the highest gravidity (Mean ± SD = 6.0 ± 1.7). Also, 86.29% were aware of the proposed three-baby policy but only 28.37% were willing to accept the policy. A linear regression analysis showed a negative association between age and gravidity (p = 0.018; β= -0.008). The participants’ desired number of children was also statistically significant with gravidity (p < 0.001).Conclusion Efforts towards population control can be challenging due to the low use of modern contraceptives which is effective in reducing the TFR. Also the low acceptability of the proposed three-baby policy amongst reproductive women suggest their desire for more children.
Impact of proton therapy on antitumor immune response
Authors: Mirjolet Céline , Nicol Anaïs , Limange Emeric , Mura Carole , Richard Corentin , Morgand Véronique , Rousseau Marc , Boidot Romain , Ghiringhelli François , Noel Georges , Burckel Hélène 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Radiotherapy delivered using photons induces an immune response that leads to modulation of the tumor microenvironment. Clinical studies are ongoing to evaluate immune checkpoint inhibitors in association with photon radiotherapy. At present, there is no publication on the radio-induced immune response after proton therapy. Balb/c mice bearing subcutaneous CT26 colon tumors were irradiated by a single fraction of 16.4 Gy using a proton beam extracted from a TR24 cyclotron. RNA sequencing analysis was assessed at 3 days post-treatment. Proton therapy immune response was monitored by flow cytometry using several panels (lymphoid, myeloid cells, lymphoid cytokines) at 7 and 14 days post-irradiation. RNA-Seq functional profiling identified a large number of GO categories linked to “immune system” and “interferon signaling”. Immunomonitoring evaluation showed induced tumor infiltration by immune cells. This is the first study showing the effect of proton therapy on immune response. These interesting results provide a sound basis to assess the efficacy of a combination of proton therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Dark Matter of the Transcription Factor Binding Site Motif Universe
Authors: Aptekmann Ariel A. , Bulavka Denys , Nadra Alejandro D. , Sánchez Ignacio E. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: We study the limits imposed by transcription factor specificity on the maximum size of a genetic regulatory network. Results: Most regular expressions for natural transcription factor binding site motifs are separated in sequence space by only one to three motif-discriminating positions. This mild specificity requirement puts the number of transcription factors that can coexist with minimal crosstalk on the order of ten thousand, which would fully utilize the space of DNA subsequences. An expanded alphabet with modified bases can further raise this limit by several orders of magnitude, at the expense of sequence space usage. Conclusions: Based on this analysis, thousands of transcription factor binding site motifs may await discovery.
Dermal secretion physiology in Metastriata ticks; thermoregulation in the lone star tick Amblyomma americanum
Authors: Maldonado-Ruiz L. Paulina , Davis Brianna N. , Park Jessica J. , Park Yoonseong 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Ticks are blood feeding ectoparasites that transmit a wide range of pathogens. The lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum, is one of the most widely distributed ticks in the Midwest and Eastern United States. Lone star ticks, like most three-host ixodid ticks, can survive in harsh environments for extended periods without consuming a blood meal. Physiological mechanisms that allow them to survive during hot and dry season include thermal tolerance and water homeostasis. Large quantity of dermal fluid secretions induced by mechanical stimulation of tick legs has been described in metastriate ticks including Amblyomma. We hypothesize that a function of tick dermal secretion is similar to the sweating in large homeothermal animals. In this study, we found that a contact with a heat probe at 45oC can trigger dermal secretion. We demonstrated that dermal secretion plays a role in evaporative cooling when ticks are exposed to high temperature. We observed that direct contact to a heat probe for 5 seconds at ~ 52oC caused an exhaustive dermal secretion with ~ 4% loss of body weight and resulted in the lethality in 24-hour, indicating that the secretion is associated with significant costs of water loss. We identified type II dermal glands having paired two cells forming large glandular structures. The secretion is triggered by an injection of serotonin and the serotonin-mediated secretion was suppressed by a pretreatment of Ouabain, a Na/K-ATPase blocker, implying that the secretion is controlled by serotonin and the downstream Na/K-ATPase.
Wood Ants: Important Components of the Forest "Immunity System"
Authors: Trigos-Peral Gema , Juhász Orsolya , Kiss Péter János , Módra Gábor , Tenyér Anna , Maák István 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Climate change is one of the major threats to biodiversity, but its impact varies among the species. Bark beetles (Ips spp.), as well as other wood-boring pests of European forests, show escalating numbers in response to the changes driven by climate change and seriously affect the survival of the forests through the massive killing of trees. Many methods were developed to control these wood-boring beetles, however, their implementation can be detrimental for other forest specialists. Ants are widely used for biological pest-control, so in our study, we aimed to test the effect of F. polyctena on the control of the wood-boring beetles. The results show that the proportion of infested trees is significantly reduced by the increase of the number of F. polyctena nests, with a strong effect on Ips species. We also show that the boring beetle community is shaped by different biotic and abiotic factors, including the presence of F. polyctena nests. However, the boring beetle infestation was not related to the latitude, altitude and age of the forests. Based on our results, we assert the effectiveness of the red wood ants as biological pest control and the importance of their conservation to keep the health of the forests.
Stress state inferred from b-value and focal mechanism distributions in the aftershock area of the 2005 West Off Fukuoka Prefecture earthquake
Authors: Chiba Keita 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The spatiotemporal stress states in the aftershock region of the 2005 west off Fukuoka prefecture earthquake are examined via an analysis of the b -values and focal mechanism solutions. The aftershocks are aligned roughly NW–SE, with the southeastern part of the aftershock region believed to correspond to Kego Fault, which extends beneath the Fukuoka metropolitan area. This study reveals depth-dependent b -values in the focal region, where the b -values ( b = 0.7–1.4) are generally higher above the mainshock depth (9.5 km) and lower ( b = 0.5–1.0) at greater depths. The shallower region possesses a significant temporal increase in b -values, whereas a lateral b -value heterogeneity is observed in the deeper region. The b -values ( b ~ 1.0) near the mainshock are relatively high, whereas the northwestern and southeastern edges of the deep region have lower b -values ( b = 0.5–0.7). On the other hand, many of the focal mechanisms for the M ≥ 3.5 events are located in the low b -value area of the deep region. The stress-tensor inversion results reveal a change in stress state from strike-slip to strike-slip/normal faulting . These findings imply that the stress state remains high and/or slightly decreased in the northwestern and southeastern parts of the deep region. These results and the findings of previous research on this earthquake sequence suggest that the likelihood of future large earthquakes along the southeastern part of the aftershock region should be considered relatively high.