bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Attraction of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) for Car and Bike Owners
Authors: Abid Malik Muneeb , Ayaz Altaf , Nawaz Nabeel , Iqbal Muhammad , Yang Hongtai , Tehseen Ahmad Salar , Jafar Syed Taseer Abbas 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
This study aims to find the potential of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) to attract the vehicle owners from their personal vehicles i.e., motorcars and motorcycles. Stated preference survey (questionnaires) and interviews were conducted at BRT (Metro Bus) Stations for the prediction of the individuals shifting from their private vehicles to BRT. Questions were designed critically as per the requirements of the research related to numerous aspects of BRT use i.e., vehicle ownership of the travelers, driving license holder, demographic characteristics, choice to use BRT if the fare increases, trip purpose and their prior mode of transportation for the same trip. A total of 374 responses, as per the population of the study area (Islamabad-Rawalpindi, Pakistan), were collected. The Multinomial Logistic Regression (MNL) model has been employed for four categories of vehicle ownerships i.e., “Car owners using BRT”, “Bike owners using BRT”, “Both Car and Bike owners using BRT” and the last one which has been taken as reference category is “BRT users with no vehicle ownership”. The analysis indicated that BRT has attracted considerably private vehicle users specially the bike owners. Some socio-economic factors like income and residence location (accessibility) additionally have a major effect on the selection of BRT. In addition, it has been observed that fare increase can alter the mode choice of the BRT users and they will again prefer their own vehicles. The Travel choice model developed in the study can be very useful for policy makers and transport planners to enhance the BRT service and attraction, to mitigate traffic congestion and car ownership.
Behaviour of Rectangular Reinforced Concrete Columns with Disproportionate Cross-Section Dimensions Subjected to Compression and Biaxial Bending - Case Study
Authors: Adrian-Alexandru Savu 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The purpose of the current paper is to raise awareness on the behaviour of rectangular reinforced concrete columns with disproportionate cross-section dimensions subjected to compression and biaxial bending, considering the fact that in the current structural design process, the design of columns is usually done with respect to each of the two principal directions without considering their combined effect.
The paper is based on a case study regarding a building that is currently in the design phase, in which to obtain a correct seismic behaviour, rectangular columns with disproportionate cross-section dimensions were used.
The design of both the building and the columns follows the Romanian seismic design codes (“P100-1/2013 - Seismic design code - Part 1 - Design provisions for buildings” and “SR-EN 1998/2004 - Design of structures for earthquake resistance”).
Results were compared and conclusions were drawn based on the interaction curves and interaction surfaces computed with expressions from specialized literature and sectional analysis software.
Freeze/Thaw Resistance Classes of Concretes
Authors: Moraru Cristinel , Adelina Apostu , Dan Georgescu 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The freeze/thaw phenomenon is of interest for the field of transport infrastructure through the degradations it produces in the structure of construction elements. The climatic specificity of Romania on the one hand and the exposure to aggressive environments of construction elements in transport on the other hand, determine the importance of studying this phenomenon, its mode of action/propagation and also prevention and maintenance to ensure the functionality of buildings in transport infrastructure.
Currently, in the Romanian regulations [*], the assurance of sustainability is done, as in most national annexes for the application of EN 206 [1] in Europe, by a descriptive approach (concrete “designed to last”) referring to (with mandatory status) a series of requirements of the concrete composition (water / cement ratio, minimum cement dosage, entrained air, freeze/thaw resistant aggregates, etc.) and to the compressive strength (concrete compressive strength class) in depending on the classification of the element in a certain exposure class “X”.
The support of this descriptive national approach was based on the analysis of a large number of results obtained in a complex experimental program carried out by Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest, by analyzing the results obtained by laboratory tests on “candidate” cements and cements “reference” (having a good behavior and traditional use) as well as “in situ” tests/determinations on construction elements made with both categories of cements and maintained in specific environments.
At European level, performance approaches to sustainability have made clear progress. The development of accelerated laboratory experimental methods, the establishment of performance criteria, classes of resistance to various environmental actions and the link between them and the classes of exposure to various environmental actions were the starting point for experimental research whose results will be presented in this article.
Thus, in conjunction with these modern approaches, an analysis will be presented on the experimental results obtained in research on freeze/thaw resistance to different types of cements, carried out in collaboration with the laboratory of the Reinforced Concrete Structures Department, Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest and proposals for classification in different classes of freeze/thaw resistance.
Rapid loss of HBs antigen in patients with HBV reactivation and high level of transaminases during immunosuppressive therapy - case series
Authors: Molagic Violeta , Popescu Cristina , Tiliscan Catalin , Arama Victoria , Arama Stefan Sorin 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been described in patients with HBsAg negative and antiHBc positive (occult hepatitis B infection -OBI) receiving immunosuppressive therapy (IST). The lack of proper monitoring of patients with this HBV infection during IST can result in viral reactivations with high level of transaminases, jaundice and even acute liver failure. In these situations, it is mandatory to start antiviral therapy with nucleot(s) ide analogs (NA) which produce a strong viral suppression. We report a series of five cases of OBI patients with severe HBV reactivation during IST. One patient was diagnosed with hematologic malignancy (non-Hodgkin lymphoma), two with rheumatoid arthritis, one with psoriasis and one patient with renal transplant. All the patients were evaluated and treated for the reactivation of HBV in the Prof. Dr. Matei Bals National Institute of Infectious Diseases, a tertiary care hospital from Bucharest, Romania. At the time of HBV reactivation diagnosis, 3 patients were asymptomatic and two developed jaundice. All had acute ALT flares (more than 10 times the upper limit of normal range - ULN), very high HBV viral loads and anti-HBc serum IgM antibodies. All patients were immediately treated with ETV 0.5 mg/day and if it was possible, IST was stopped. In all cases was obtained quickly HBsAg loss under antiviral therapy.
Difficult to Treat Proteeae strains in high risk Romanian hospital departments
Authors: Musuroi Corina , Licker Monica , Rus Maria , Seclaman Edward , Muntean Delia , Vulpie Silvana , Baditoiu Luminita 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Introduction: Resistance to first-line antibiotics of the Proteeae strains within the difficult-to-treat (DTR) phenotype is a cause of limitation of therapeutic options. The study aimed to characterize these strains, to identify the factors that influence their acquisition and the predictive factors for the patient’s evolution.

Material and methods: Between July 2017 and January 2019, 400 of Proteeae strains were isolated from samples of patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) and surgical wards of a university hospital in Romania. The identification and testing of antibiotic sensitivity was performed using the Vitek 2 Compact system. The DTR phenotype was defined as the resistance (or intermediate resistance) to all categories of β-lactams, carbapenems and fluoroquinolones.

Results: Out of 400 Proteeae strains, 21% were of the DTR type, most of them from the species Providencia stuartii and Proteus mirabilis, identified predominantly on the ICUs. The excess fatality in the DTR subsample compared to the non-DTR subsample was 16.37%. The multivariate analysis identified as independent risk factors: the number of antibiotics administered, the number of days of urinary catheterization, the presence of tracheostomy, nasogastric nutrition, respectively belonging to the species P. stuartii. The probabilities of survival were reduced by the presence of the central venous catheter (CVC), tracheostomy, by the increase of the number of hospitalization days respectively of the number of antibiotics administered.

Conclusion: The DTR phenotype in the case of Proteeae strains has been associated especially with the species P. stuartii, with invasive exogenous factors and with an increased fatality.
Assessment on the influence of TLR4 and DNA repair genes in laryngeal cancer susceptibility: a selective examination in a Romanian case control study
Authors: Cornean Corina Iulia , Necula Violeta , Cosgarea Marcel , Maniu Alma Aurelia , Catana Andreea 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Background: Tumor characterization through the study of molecular biology has become an invaluable tool in understanding cancer development and evolution due to its relationship with chromosomal mutations, alterations or aberrations. The purpose of this study was to investigate the involvement of genes such as TLR-4 and DNA repair pathways (XRCC1 and XPD) in laryngeal cancer susceptibility in a Romanian population. Method: We performed a case-control study on 157 laryngeal cancer patients and 101 healthy controls. Genetic testing was carried out using Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism. Results: We identified the Gln allele of the XPDLys751Gln polymorphism as an individual risk factor in laryngeal cancer development (Gln vs Lys, adjusted OR=1.65, 95%CI=1.13–2.40, P=0.008). Subjects with the mutant homozygote variant (Gln/Gln) had a two fold increase in cancer risk (adjusted OR=2.18, 95%CI=1.06–4.47, p=0.028) when compared to the reference wild type genotype (Lys/Lys). Stratification by sex and age, identified males under 62 years as the most susceptible group with an almost three fold risk (adjusted OR=2.94, 95%CI=1.31–6.59, p=0.007) for the dominant model (Lys/Gln+Gln/Gln). No associations were found for TLR-4Thr399Ile, XRCC1Arg194Trp and XRCC1Arg399Gln. Conclusion: The results of the study show that the XPDLys751Gln polymorphism may be among other independent risk factors for developing laryngeal cancer where as TLR-4Thr399Ile, XRCC1Arg194Trp and XRCC1 Arg399Gln show no such association. However, we consider the relative small number of the subjects selected for this analyses a possible limitation towards the real influence the obtain results may pertain in laryngeal cancer evolution.
Comparison of the Overall Energy Efficiency for Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles and Electric Vehicles
Authors: Albatayneh Aiman , Assaf Mohammad N. , Alterman Dariusz , Jaradat Mustafa 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The tremendous growth in the transportation sector as a result of changes in our ways of transport and a rise in the level of prosperity was reflected directly by the intensification of energy needs. Thus, electric vehicles (EV) have been produced to minimise the energy consumption of conventional vehicles. Although the EV motor is more efficient than the internal combustion engine, the well to wheel (WTW) efficiency should be investigated in terms of determining the overall energy efficiency. In simple words, this study will try to answer the basic question – is the electric car really energy efficient compared with ICE-powered vehicles? This study investigates the WTW efficiency of conventional internal combustion engine vehicles ICEVs (gasoline, diesel), compressed natural gas vehicles (CNGV) and EVs. The results show that power plant efficiency has a significant consequence on WTW efficiency. The total WTW efficiency of gasoline ICEV ranges between 11–27 %, diesel ICEV ranges from 25 % to 37 % and CNGV ranges from 12 % to 22 %. The EV fed by a natural gas power plant shows the highest WTW efficiency which ranges from 13 % to 31 %. While the EV supplied by coal-fired and diesel power plants have approximately the same WTW efficiency ranging between 13 % to 27 % and 12 % to 25 %, respectively. If renewable energy is used, the losses will drop significantly and the overall efficiency for electric cars will be around 40–70% depending on the source and the location of the renewable energy systems.
Techno-Economic Analysis of a Stand-Alone Hybrid Wind-Power Fuel-Cell Grid System: A Case Study in Shahryar Region of Tehran
Authors: Hashemi Abozar , Derakhshan Ghasem , Alizadeh Pahlavani M. R. , Abdi Babak 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Decreasing fossil energy resources and increasing greenhouse gas emissions increase the need for clean and renewable energy sources day by day. One of the sources of renewable energy is wind power, which has been constantly evolving in recent years. Wind power plants are sometimes unresponsive during peak hours, so a backup storage system seems essential for these power plants. In this study, a hybrid system is presented for connection to wind power plants consisting of fuel cell and hydrogen production, to provide reliable power and valuable by-products. In this paper, a case study is conducted for the desired system in the Shahryar County. The techno-economic optimization of the above system indicates that in the best design (consisting of three wind turbines), the annual production capacity of the hybrid system will be 1795 MWh, of which 12 % is the share of fuel cells. The results show that the hybrid system increases the capacity factor of the wind power plant by 2.8 %. The calculated cost of energy (COE) and the net present cost (NPC) for the hybrid system would amount to $ 0.77 and $ 5 235.066, respectively.
The Electrical Conductivity of Fluoroanhydrite Compositions Modified at the Nanoscale Level with Carbon Black
Authors: Yakovlev Grigory , Pervushin Grigory , Smirnova Olga , Begunova Ekaterina , Saidova Zarina 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The electrical conductivity of fluoroanhydrite compositions modified with different amounts of ultrafine soot was studied. The optimal ratio of additive and binder was determined in terms of both electrical conductivity and compressive strength. The research results have showed that the addition of ultrafine carbon black in the amount of 7 % by the binder mass had a significant influence on the mechanical properties of the composition as well as its electrical conductivity. The strength of the samples with 7 % of ultrafine carbon black decreased up to 23.9 MPa at the age of 14 days whereas the reference sample strength was 40.1 MPa. At the same time the electrical resistance of the modified samples was 99.65 Ω at the age of 14 days whereas the electrical resistance of the reference samples reached 128.1 kΩ. The developed fluoroanhydrite composition was modified at the nanoscale level with carbon black and it can be used as material for the antistatic and grounding conductive flooring.
Hydraulic niche utilization by larvae of the three Drusinae clades (Insecta: Trichoptera)
Authors: Waringer Johann , Vitecek Simon , Martini Jan , Zittra Carina , Handschuh Stephan , Vieira Ariane , Kuhlmann Hendrik C. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractHydraulic niche descriptors of final instar larvae of nine Drusus species (Trichoptera) were studied in small, spring-fed, first-order headwaters located in the Mühlviertel (Upper Austria), Koralpe (Carinthia, Austria), and in the Austrian and Italian Alps. The species investigated covered all three clades of Drusinae: the shredder clade (Drusus franzi, D. alpinus), the grazer clade (D. biguttatus, D. chauvinianus, D. dudor, D. monticola), and the filtering carnivore clade (D. chrysotus, D. katagelastos, D. muelleri). Flow velocity was measured at front center of 68 larvae, head upstream, on the top of mineral substrate particles at water depths of 10–30 mm, using a tripod-stabilized Micro propeller meter (propeller diameter = 10 mm). Each data series consisted of a sampled measurement lasting 30 s (measuring interval = 1 s). In total, 2040 single velocity measurements were taken. Instantaneous flow velocities and drag at the sites of the 68 larvae varied from 0 to 0.93 m s−1 and 0 to 8346 *10−6 N, respectively. Flow velocities and drag between the three clades were highly significantly different (p < 0.001); mean velocity (+ 95% confidence limits) for the three clades were 0.09 + 0.00 m s−1 for the shredder, 0.25 + 0.00 m s−1 for the grazer, and 0.31 + 0.01 m s−1 for the filtering carnivore clade; the corresponding data for drag were (85 + 18)*10−6 N, (422 + 61)*10−6 N and (1125 + 83)*10−6 N, respectively. Adhesive friction ranged from (41.07 + 53.03)*10−6 N in D. franzi to (255.24 + 216.87)*10−6 N in D. chrysotus. Except in D. franzi and D. dudor adhesive friction was always well below drag force, indicating that submerged weight alone was not sufficient to stabilize the larvae in their hydraulic environment. Reynolds numbers varied between 0 in D. franzi and D. alpinus, and 12,634 in D. katagelastos, with 7% of the total in the laminar (R < 500), 30% in the transitional (R = 500–2000), and 61% in the fully turbulent stage (R > 2000). Froude numbers (Fr) varied from 0 to 2.97. The two Drusus species of the shredder clade and three out of four species of the grazer clade were exposed to subcritical Fr < 1, one species of the grazer clade and two out of three species of the filtering clade to supercritical Froude numbers >1.
Checklist and red list of hornworts (Anthocerotophyta) and liverworts
(Marchantiophyta) of Slovakia
Authors: Mišíková Katarína , Godovičová Katarína , Širka Pavel , Šoltés Rudolf 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The presented checklist and red list include 231 liverwort
(Marchantiophyta) and two hornwort species (Anthocerotophyta). Overall,
22.9% of liverworts are evaluated as threatened (CR – 4.3%, EN – 7.8%, VU –
10.8%), while 17 of species (7.4%) are categorized as NT, 11.6% as DD and
3.0% as RE. A total of 128 species (55.4% of the liverwort flora of
Slovakia) were assessed as LC. For the liverwort Lunularia
cruciata the criteria were not applicable (NA), since this
species is not native to Slovakia. Currently, only two hornworts are known
in Slovakia, of which Anthoceros agrestis is
assessed as LC and Phaeoceros carolinianus as NT.
The main factors of the liverwort and hornwort endangerment and retreat are
anthropogenic changes in natural conditions and degradation of the
ecosystems caused by agriculture, forestry, aquaculture, climatic changes,
industry, and traffic pollution.
Integration of Spectral Measurement and UAV for Paddy Leaves Chlorophyll Content Estimation
Authors: Ghazali M. F. , Wikantika K. , Aryantha I N. P. , Maulani R. R. , Yayusman L. F. , Sumantri D. I. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
In the agriculture sector, proper crop management can enhance yield production. Determination of the chlorophyll content in crop contributes to this significant topic. In this study, the leaves chlorophyll content of local paddy cultivars Inpari 32 and Inpari 33 was estimated and the difference at various days after planting (DAP) was determined. The procedure involved the combination of spectral reflectance data, aerial photographs taken by unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and chlorophyll laboratory analysis data. The chlorophyll content in the cultivars leaves was estimated using the models MCARIspectroradiometer and UAV chlorophyll regression (UCR). The results showed a variation in the chlorophyll content not only between the two cultivars on various DAP, but randomly also in the same cultivar of the same DAP. The MCARIspectroradiometer model indicated a lower chlorophyll content for Inpari 32 than for Inpari 33 while the UCR model gave opposite results. The chlorophyll content raises with increasing DAP, but it gradually decreases through the grain filling period until harvest.
Polyploidy in Gymnosperms-A Reappraisal
Authors: Ohri Deepak 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Recent polyploidy in gymnosperms is unusually scarce being present in only 9.80 % of the 714 taxa studied cytologically. Polyploid forms are represented by sporadic seedlings and individual trees, intraspecific polyploidy in cultivation or in wild and entirely polyploid species and genera. Polyploidy shows a non-random distribution in different genera being mostly prevalent in Ephedra and Juniperus, besides the classic examples of Sequoia and Fitzroya. Remarkably, both Ephedra and Juniperus show adaptive radiation by interspecific hybridization followed by polyploidy while in Ginkgo viable polyploid cytotypes are found in cultivation. Induced polyploidy has not provided any tangible results in the past but recent attempts on certain genera of Cupressaceae hold some promise of producing cultivars for horticulture trade. Lastly, various evidences derived from cytological analysis, fossil pollen, guard cells and comparative genomic studies indicating the occurrence of paleopolyploidy have been discussed.
The Effect of Electrochemotherapy on Breast Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Cvetkovic Danijela , Cvetkovic Aleksandar , Filipovic Nenad 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Despite advances in treatment, breast cancer remains one of the leading causes of death, and obviously new approaches to the treatment are needed. Due to minimal side effects, unlike more aggressive forms of therapy such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the application of irreversible electroporation-electrochemotherapy represents a new modality in the treatment of cancer. Electrochemotherapy uses an electric field (375 V cm -1) to allow increased absorption of chemotherapeutic drugs selectively in tumor cells. Accordingly, the total dose of these agents can be significantly reduced and numerous side effects can be avoided in this way. The Real Time Cell Analysis-RTCA-xCELLigence system was used to monitor the cytotoxic effects of the treatment. The results confirmed the justification of the use of paclitaxel in chemotherapy and showed cytotoxic effects of paclitaxel which were time and dose-dependent in both cell lines. When paclitaxel was administered in combination with an electric field, in both cell lines, the results showed a greater cytotoxic effect compared to the same treatment without electrochemotherapy. MCF-7 cells are more sensitive to electrochemotherapy treatment with paclitaxel compared to MDA-MB-231. Electrochemotherapy using paclitaxel in MCF-7 cells had a 6.4-fold higher cytotoxicity compared to the treatment only with paclitaxel. The results obtained support the current knowledge of the benefits of electrochemotherapy. It has been shown that electrochemotherapy can significantly increase the effects of paclitaxel in the tested cell lines. In this way, a very high concentration of chemotherapeutics in the targeted tissue was achieved, which represents localized chemotherapy.