bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Compressive properties of 3D braided flax fiber textile fabric reinforced PLA composites
Authors: Kanakannavar S , Pitchaimani J 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
In this study, fabric woven using 3D braided flax yarn is used to reinforce Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) composites. Solid braiding technique is used to convert the typical yarns into braided yarn and further these yarns are used to prepare woven fabric. Finally, composites are fabricated through layer stacking method using hot-press hydraulic compression moulding machine. Compression and shrinkage tests are performed on the braided composites. The braided flax fiber composite results are compared with the as received PLA polymer results. Results showed significant enhancement in the compression properties of PLA composites due to the braided fabric reinforcement. These properties are further increased with the increase in filler content respectively. Thermal shrinkage of the braided flax fiber composites is lower than the PLA polymer. This is due to the higher thermal sustainability property associated with the braided flax fiber.
Thermodynamic investigation of a SOFC- Steam turbine hybrid system powered by Synthetic gas from Municipal Solid Waste
Authors: Venkitesh K S , Daniel Joseph , Sreekanth Manavalla 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
This study presents the performance evaluation of a system consisting of a Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) and steam turbine where the fuel cell is powered by synthetic gas from municipal solid waste (MSW). Analysis is performed based on first and second laws of thermodynamics. The modelling of the system is done in a flow sheeting software Cycle Tempo®. This work mainly focusses on the effective utilization of solid waste by producing the Syngas from gasification. Syngas after cleaning is supplied to the SOFC along with air. The syngas undergoes internal reforming at the fuel cell producing hydrogen which acts as fuel for SOFC. The influence of various operating parameters such as compressor pressure ratio, turbine inlet temperature (TIT), upon thermal efficiency and specific power output are studied. Exergy destruction of various components of the system are also evaluated. The evaluation results are helpful for making suitable modification of the parameters for obtaining optimum configuration of the system.
Production of biodiesel and experimental investigation on IC engine: A review
Authors: Hemanth Kumar B , Manjunath H 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Due to the depletion and increase in the price of petroleum derived fuel, it is necessary to find out an alternative fuel. Biodiesel is an important alternative fuel source from the non edible oil to fulfil the energy demand. The common way to produce biodiesel from non edible oil is through transesterification. This paper reviews the production of biodiesel using catalysed esterification and factors affecting the biodiesel yield are discussed. This article reported that combustion characteristics of the diesel and biodiesel are similar. Shortened ignition delay, higher ignition pressure, higher ignition temperature were found in the biodiesel blends. The power output and thermal efficiency of the engine fuelled with biodiesel was found to be equivalent to diesel fuel. Emission characteristics of biodiesel found that higher NOx emissions and lower CO and HC emissions due to complete combustion.
Experimental investigation of mechanical properties of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) based polymer for Submersible pumps
Authors: Guggari Geetanjali S. , Shivakumar S , Nikhil R , Manjunath G A , Afzal Asif , Ahamed Saleel C. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Now a day’s many companies manufacturing the most advanced submersible pumps with Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) based polymer, which is available in the market for use in domestic, commercial and even research activities. ABS based pumps are widely used in mining, construction and chemical industries. Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrenehasmuch application in the temperature range from -20 to 80°C. The ABS based polymer composites are used in submergible pumps due their important properties such as corrosion resistance, light weight, erosion resistance, etc. In the current work, the technique used for the fabrication of GFRP- ABS laminateis compression molding, as per the ASTM standard. The various tests are conducted as per Design of Experiments. Analysis of experimental data was performed using Minitab software and tests were conducted for Flexural strength, Inter Laminar Shear Stress, Tensile strength. Three factors areconsidered for the Design of Experiments namely, fibre-to-resin ratio, fibre orientation and period of immersion in artificial sea water. The outcomepoints towards Flexural strength; ILSS and Tensile Strength areat highest along 40:60 fibre-to-resin ratio with 0°/90°fiber orientation, longer the contact to sea water more is the fall in the strength of the composite material and also due to sea water diffusing into the composite material specimen, there is an increase in its weight.
Finite Element Simulation of Fracture Toughness of Al6061 Reinforced with Silicon Carbide
Authors: Hareesha G , Chikkanna N , Doddamani Saleemsab 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The main objective of the work is to study the fracture behaviour of AA6061-Silicon Carbide material using finite element method. Fracture toughness analysis of AA6061-Silicon Carbide composite has been carried out using finite element methods. Modelling of compact tension specimens was utilized to analyze the fracture toughness using the ANSYS tool. From the results of the comparison, it is recommended that AA6061-9 wt% silicon carbide particulate composite material can be potentially utilized as a replacement of AA6061 in the aerospace application such as helicopter rotor blades.
Performance Investigation of Single-Phase Capacitor Start -Capacitor Run Induction Motor Drive 12 3
Authors: Mr. Antheesh R , Bhat Mr. Subrahmanya , Dr. Rajkiran Ballal I 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The capacitor-start capacitor-run single-phase induction motors are analyzed by means of double-revolving field theory. This paper presents a practical approach for obtaining equivalent circuit parameters of a single-phase induction motor drive. The mathematical modelling of the machine is done by considering both the rotating fields. The input parameters of a single-phase capacitor-start, capacitor-run induction motor are investigated through simulation and experimental results under normal power frequency operation. The performance of the above single-phase induction motor is analyzed for different load conditions.
Experimental Investigations of Load Characteristics of Induction Motor Drive
Authors: Kumar Mr. Ajithanjaya , Bhat Mr. Subrahmanya , Ballal Dr. Rajkiran 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The three phase induction motors are most widely used for electric drive applications due to its simple, rugged construction and easy maintenance. Induction motors are considered as workhorse of the industry. This paper presents an experimental investigation of load characteristics along with equivalent circuit parameters of three-phase induction motor drive. The dynamic mathematical model of the machine under different reference frames is analysed with the parameters of the motor obtained through experiments. The equivalent circuit model under steady state is developed; performance of the induction motor is determined form the developed equivalent circuit and the results obtained are verified using the dynamic model under different reference frames. A 5 hp induction motor is used for the experimental verification.
Grain-refining of wire arc additive manufactured aluminum alloy with Nb powder addition
Authors: Zhou Siyu , Wu Ke , Yang Guang , Deng Fangbin , Hou Ning , Qin Lanyun , Wei Wenyi 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Nb powder with an average diameter of 15 μm was added to the molten pool during wire arc additive manufacturing of 5B06 aluminum alloy. The unmelted Nb with high melting point and the in-situ alloying of Al3Nb acted as heterogeneous nucleation core. The fine equiaxed grains with a diameter less than 50 μm was achieved, and the texture intensity of which was obviously weakened. An improvement in both the ultimate tensile strength and elongation of the Nb added samples were observed, and the micro-hardness of which was also improved due to the refined grain structure.
PASSer: prediction of allosteric sites server
Authors: Tian Hao , Jiang Xi , Tao Peng 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Allostery is considered important in regulating protein’s activity. Drug development depends on the understanding of allosteric mechanisms, especially the identification of allosteric sites, which is a prerequisite in drug discovery and design. Many computational methods have been developed for allosteric site prediction using pocket features and protein dynamics. Here, we present an ensemble learning method, consisting of eXtreme gradient boosting and graph convolutional neural network, to predict allosteric sites. Our model can learn physical properties and topology without any prior information, and shows good performance under multiple indicators. Prediction results showed that 84.9% of allosteric pockets in the test set appeared in the top 3 positions. The PASSer: Protein Allosteric Sites Server (https://passer.smu.edu), along with a command line interface (https://github.com/smutaogroup/passerCLI) provide insights for further analysis in drug discovery.
Adaptation in Iranian New Wave Cinema: Social Commentary in Dariush Mehrjui’s The Cow (1969)
Authors: Moradabbasi Fouladi Mazda 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
This article examines the degree to which pre-revolutionary Iranian New Wave cinema is influenced by modern Persian fiction. Considering Iranian film adaptations have barely received any scholarly attention, this article focuses on Dariush Mehrjui’s The Cow/Gav (1969), one of the pioneering films of the New Wave, adapted from Gholamhosein Sa’edi’s story collection entitled The Mourners of Bayal/Azadaran-e Bayal (1965). The rise of the New Wave cinema through the pre-revolutionary years before 1979 was interwoven with the engagement of filmmakers like Mehrjui with Persian fiction. While Sa’edi’s stories present criticisms of the socio-political atmosphere of the late 1960s and 1970s, I argue that Mehrjui’s adaptation complicates Sa’edi’s critical perspective to establish an overt social commentary on contemporary Iranian society. This paper will conclude by demonstrating that Mehrjui in The Cow draws on Sa’edi’s work to portray a microcosm of Iranian society and places it in relation to the motifs of overdependence, fear, religion, and waiting, which are interpretable in the social context of the late 1960s and 1970s. This analysis highlights the invisible yet significant role of modern Persian fiction and adaptation strategies in establishing the perspective of The Cow, which left an impression on many New Wave films.
Propensity Score Weighting and Trimming Strategies for Reducing Variance and Bias of Treatment Effect Estimates: A Simulation Study
Authors: Stürmer Til , Webster-Clark Michael , Lund Jennifer L , Wyss Richard , Ellis Alan R , Lunt Mark , Rothman Kenneth J , Glynn Robert J 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
To extend previous simulations on the performance of propensity score (PS) weighting and trimming methods to settings without and with unmeasured confounding, Poisson outcomes, and various strengths of treatment prediction (PS c statistic), we simulated studies with a binary intended treatment T as a function of 4 measured covariates. We mimicked treatment withheld and last-resort treatment by adding 2 “unmeasured” dichotomous factors that directed treatment to change for some patients in both tails of the PS distribution. The number of outcomes Y was simulated as a Poisson function of T and confounders. We estimated the PS as a function of measured covariates and trimmed the tails of the PS distribution using 3 strategies (“Crump,” “Stürmer,” and “Walker”). After trimming and reestimation, we used alternative PS weights to estimate the treatment effect (rate ratio): inverse probability of treatment weighting, standardized mortality ratio (SMR)-treated, SMR-untreated, the average treatment effect in the overlap population (ATO), matching, and entropy. With no unmeasured confounding, the ATO (123%) and “Crump” trimming (112%) improved relative efficiency compared with untrimmed inverse probability of treatment weighting. With unmeasured confounding, untrimmed estimates were biased irrespective of weighting method, and only Stürmer and Walker trimming consistently reduced bias. In settings where unmeasured confounding (e.g., frailty) may lead physicians to withhold treatment, Stürmer and Walker trimming should be considered before primary analysis.
Neighborhood Sidewalk Environment and Incidence of Dementia in Older Japanese Adults
Authors: Tani Yukako , Hanazato Masamichi , Fujiwara Takeo , Suzuki Norimichi , Kondo Katsunori 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSidewalks are indispensable environmental resources for daily life in that they encourage physical activity. However, the proportion of sidewalk coverage is low even in developed countries. We examined the association between neighborhood sidewalk environment and dementia in Japan. We conducted a 3-year follow-up (2010–2013) among participants in the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study, a population-based cohort study of community-dwelling older adults. We ascertained the incidence of dementia for 76,053 participants from the public long-term care insurance system. We calculated sidewalk coverage (sidewalk area as a percentage of road area) within 436 residential neighborhood units using geographic information systems. Multilevel survival models were used to estimate hazard ratios for the incidence of dementia. During follow-up, 5,310 dementia cases were found. In urban areas, compared with the lowest quartile of sidewalk coverage, the hazard ratio was 0.42 (95% confidence interval: 0.33, 0.54) for the highest quartile, adjusting for individual covariates. After successive adjustments for other neighborhood factors (land slope; numbers of hospitals, grocery stores, parks, railway stations, and bus stops; educational level; and unemployment rate), the hazard ratio remained statistically significant (hazard ratio = 0.71, 95% confidence interval: 0.54, 0.92). Living in a neighborhood with a high level of sidewalk installation was associated with low dementia incidence in urban areas.
Rare earth elements, aluminium and silicon distribution in the fernDicranopteris linearisrevealed by μPIXE Maia analysis
Authors: Liu Wen-Shen , Laird Jamie S , Ryan Chris G , Tang Ye-Tao , Qiu Rong-Liang , Echevarria Guillaume , Morel Jean-Louis , van der Ent Antony 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe fern Dicranopteris linearis is a hyperaccumulator of rare earth elements (REEs), aluminium (Al) and silicon (Si). However, the physiological mechanisms of tissue-level tolerance of high concentrations of REE and Al, and possible interactions with Si, are currently incompletely known.MethodsA particle-induced X-ray emission (μPIXE) microprobe with the Maia detector, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy and chemical speciation modelling were used to decipher the localization and biochemistry of REEs, Al and Si in D. linearis during uptake, translocation and sequestration processes.ResultsIn the roots &gt;80 % of REEs and Al were in apoplastic fractions, among which the REEs were most significantly co-localized with Si and phosphorus (P) in the epidermis. In the xylem sap, REEs were nearly 100 % present as REEH3SiO42+, without significant differences between the REEs, while 24–45 % of Al was present as Al-citrate and only 1.7–16 % Al was present as AlH3SiO42+. In the pinnules, REEs were mainly concentrated in necrotic lesions and in the epidermis, and REEs and Al were possibly co-deposited within phytoliths (SiO2). Different REEs had similar spatial localizations in the epidermis and exodermis of roots, the necrosis, veins and epidermis of pinnae of D. linearis.ConclusionsWe posit that Si plays a critical role in REE and Al tolerance within the root apoplast, transport within the vascular bundle and sequestration within the blade of D. linearis.
Systematic benchmark of ancient DNA read mapping
Authors: Oliva Adrien , Tobler Raymond , Cooper Alan , Llamas Bastien , Souilmi Yassine 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe current standard practice for assembling individual genomes involves mapping millions of short DNA sequences (also known as DNA ‘reads’) against a pre-constructed reference genome. Mapping vast amounts of short reads in a timely manner is a computationally challenging task that inevitably produces artefacts, including biases against alleles not found in the reference genome. This reference bias and other mapping artefacts are expected to be exacerbated in ancient DNA (aDNA) studies, which rely on the analysis of low quantities of damaged and very short DNA fragments (~30–80 bp). Nevertheless, the current gold-standard mapping strategies for aDNA studies have effectively remained unchanged for nearly a decade, during which time new software has emerged. In this study, we used simulated aDNA reads from three different human populations to benchmark the performance of 30 distinct mapping strategies implemented across four different read mapping software—BWA-aln, BWA-mem, NovoAlign and Bowtie2—and quantified the impact of reference bias in downstream population genetic analyses. We show that specific NovoAlign, BWA-aln and BWA-mem parameterizations achieve high mapping precision with low levels of reference bias, particularly after filtering out reads with low mapping qualities. However, unbiased NovoAlign results required the use of an IUPAC reference genome. While relevant only to aDNA projects where reference population data are available, the benefit of using an IUPAC reference demonstrates the value of incorporating population genetic information into the aDNA mapping process, echoing recent results based on graph genome representations.
Integrated analysis of the ringneck snakeDiadophis punctatuscomplex (Colubridae: Dipsadidae) in a biodiversity hotspot provides the foundation for conservation reassessment
Authors: Fontanella Frank M , Miles Emily , Strott Polly 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSpecies classification may not reflect the underlying/cryptic genetic diversity and focusing on groups that do not represent historically independent units can misdirect conservation efforts. The identification of evolutionarily significant units (ESUs) allows cryptic genetic diversity to be accounted for when designating conservation priorities. We used multi-locus coalescent-based species delimitation methods and multivariate analyses of morphological data to examine whether the subspecies merit conservation recognition and infer the ESUs in ringneck snakes (Diadophis punctatus) throughout the California Floristic Province. Species delimitation methods failed to recover groups consistent with designated subspecies and instead inferred three well supported, mostly geographically isolated lineages. Divergence time estimates suggest that the divergences were driven by historical isolation associated with Pleistocene climate shifts. We found a correlation between increased morphological differentiation and time since divergence, and greater niche similarity between the more recently diverged eastern California and western California groups. Based on these results, we propose that the morphological similarities are due to a combination of morphological conservatism and evolutionary stasis. Our study provides the foundation necessary to re-assess the biodiversity and conservation status of ringneck snakes and offers an important step in unveiling the diversity within the western portion of the genus’ range.
Rapid Screening and Characterization of Triterpene Saponins from the Root of Phytolacca acinosa Roxb by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled to Electrospray Ionization and Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Ling Yun , Zhu Yue , Gan Qiao , Li Guilan , Luo Zefan , Pan Yali , Zhao Lian , Lei Zhineng , He Xin , Zeng Ming , Liu Wenbo 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Triterpene saponins (TSs) are important bioactive constituents with structural diversity widely distributed in many plants. The root of Phytolacca acinosa Roxb (RPa) has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine. However, TSs as the main active ingredients in RPa have not been fully characterized. Here, we profiled TSs from RPa by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS). We tentatively identified 29 TSs, including 13 that had not been reported previously from this plant. This study indicates that HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS is an effective and rapid method for the characterization of complicated TSs in herbal extracts.
Events associated with DNA replication disruption are not observed in hydrogen peroxide-treated Escherichia coli
Authors: Hoff Chettar A , Schmidt Sierra S , Hackert Brandy J , Worley Travis K , Courcelle Justin , Courcelle Charmain T 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
UV irradiation induces pyrimidine dimers that block polymerases and disrupt the replisome. Restoring replication depends on the recF pathway proteins which process and maintain the replication fork DNA to allow the lesion to be repaired before replication resumes. Oxidative DNA lesions, such as those induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), are often thought to require similar processing events, yet far less is known about how cells process oxidative damage during replication. Here we show that replication is not disrupted by H2O2-induced DNA damage in vivo. Following an initial inhibition, replication resumes in the absence of either lesion removal or RecF-processing. Restoring DNA synthesis depends on the presence of manganese in the medium, which we show is required for replication, but not repair to occur. The results demonstrate that replication is enzymatically inactivated, rather than physically disrupted by H2O2-induced DNA damage; indicate that inactivation is likely caused by oxidation of an iron-dependent replication or replication-associated protein that requires manganese to restore activity and synthesis; and address a long standing paradox as to why oxidative glycosylase mutants are defective in repair, yet not hypersensitive to H2O2. The oxygen-sensitive pausing may represent an adaptation that prevents replication from occurring under potentially lethal or mutagenic conditions.
On the efficiency of type I censored samples
Authors: Kittaneh Omar A , Almorad, Heba , Helal Sara , Majid M A 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe paper revisits the entropy-based efficiency of the type-I censored sample, which was addressed by several previous works. The main purpose of this work is to provide a comprehensive definition of the efficiency function and give a general proof that the entropy of a censored sample is always less than that of the complete sample for any probability distribution and at any point of censoring. A simulation study is performed to validate our results, and a real-data example is reevaluated.