bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Performance and Emission Characteristics of Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition Engine with Different Bio Diesel Fuels
Authors: Moulali P , Prasad T H , Prasad B D 
Published: April 2019

In this paper the emission characteristics and performance of various bio diesel fuels (Tyre pyrolysis oil (TPO), Micro algae oil and Pig animal fat oil) were experimented. A single cylinder, water cooled diesel engine was modified in to homogeneous charge compression ignition engine (HCCI) with adopted port fuel injection (PFI) technique. The effects of air fuel ratio, intake temperature, injection pressure and EGR rate exhaust emissions were explained in a broad manner. The analysis of the exhaust emissions are integrated to oxides of Nitrogen (NOx), Carbon Monoxide (CO), unburned hydro carbons (UHC), smoke and soot. The performance analysis was also included on specific fuel consumption and break thermal efficiency. The basic requirements for HCCI engine is the homogeneous mixture preparation of air and fuel. This mixture formation was done by adopting port fuel injection technique and external devices were also used for bio diesel vaporization and mixture preparation. The combustion processes were measured with different EGR system. The experimental results of different bio diesel fuels with HCCI engine mode were recorded and evaluated. A small increase in CO and HC emissions were observed with increasing bio diesel content due to slow evaporation rate of bio diesel. A significant reduction in NOx emission was also observed with respect to difference in bio diesel blends. Micro algae oil was found more stable compared with other bio diesel fuels due to the property of fuel vaporization and low heat releasing.
Host-Guest Expectations of Service Quality at Small Island Settings: A Cross-Cultural Approach
Authors: Ismail Fathilah , Puad Mat Som Ahmad , Falindah Padlee Siti , Mariam Wan Abdullah Wan 
Published: April 2019

One of the important issues for sustainable island tourism is knowledge about the needs of the host and tourist. As tourism is now becoming a global issue, there is also a need to examine this issue from the context of a cross-culture. A better understanding of cultural dissimilarities between hosts and guests at certain areas of destinations could improve tailored services and increase satisfaction for both the host and tourists. Existing studies related to expectation mainly undertaken from the tourist view. However, this study takes into consideration the expectation of service quality from tourists’ perspectives as well as host community. This study aims to gain some understanding about the impacts of cross-cultural dissimilarities between hosts and tourists by measuring their mutual expectations. Survey data is collected from Perhentian and Redang Islands, Malaysia. Two sample groups were involved in the study: host and tourists (Malay, Chinese, English and European). This study adopted two methods - the Mann-Whitney U-test and the Principal Components Analysis (PCA). The findings of this study demonstrate that mutual expectations between hosts and guests diverge across the cultural groups. This study contributes to the existing literatures related to service quality and highlights the importance of cultural differences in providing better quality tourism services particularly to island tourists in Malaysia and elsewhere.
Synthesis of Signals with Zero Width of Autocorrelation Function
Authors: Velichko A.P. , Mirsaitov S.F. , Snedkov A.B. , P.O. Shishkov P.O. Shishkov 
Published: April 2019

This article presents examples of probing functions construction with a small width of autocorrelation function (a noise-like signal, a chirp signal) of long duration, which allows to obtain a reflectivity profile along a high resolution path. Attention is drawn to the fact that space in the process of probe pulse propagation returns to the receiver in an almost mutual correlation function of reflectivity and probe pulse. This approach opens up new possibilities for filtering signals and recognizing targets with appropriate selection and changing shape of the probe pulse right during measurements.
On Some new Results of a Subclass of Meromorphic Univalent Functions with Negative Coefficients Defined by liu – Srivastava Linear Operator
Authors: Mohammed Darweesh Amal 
Published: April 2019

In this paper, we introduce and study a new subclass of meromorphic univalent functions with negative coefficients defined by Liu – Srivastava linear operator in the We obtain some properties like, coefficients inequalities, growth and distortion theorems, closure theorems, partial sums and convolution properties.
Populus Tremula Plants with Reduced Expression of the 4-Coumarate-CoA Ligase Gene Demonstrate Defects of the Rhizogenesis
Authors: A.Kovalitskaya Yu. , P.Kovalenko N. , A.Shestibratov K. 
Published: April 2019

Changing expression of a single gene by introducing mutations or transformation often affects expression of other genes, which results in the modification of the plant phenotype. We have obtained aspen plants with reduced expression levels of 4CL gene (4-coumarate-CoA ligase). Change in qualitative composition and 11-23% reduced lignin content were observed in the wood of the greenhouse plants. In the study of rhizogenesis in vitro it was found that the micro shoots of transgenic plants formed a greater number of adventive roots than in the control, 30%. Studying the transgenic aspen plants grown in a greenhouse (3 months) and passed the semi-natural conditions trial (4 months) has revealed 5-10% reduction in the lignin content, alteration of the phenotype – decrease in biometrical values (height and diameter of stem). Analysis of RNA from the plants grown under semi-natural conditions indicated changed expression levels of monolignol biosynthesis genes, 4CL, CCR1 (cinnamoyl-CoA reductase), CAD6 (cinnamyl-alcohol dehydrogenase), and CCoAOMT (caffeoyl-CoA O-methyltransferase). For the lines PtXVI4CL9a and PtXIII4CL2c grown under semi-natural conditions, weight of the root system was 1.5-2 fold reduced in the transgenic plants as compared to the control. The conductive: feeding root ratio was increased. Morphology of the root system was changed.
On Structural Optimization of the Propeller Blade
Authors: Aleshin Mikhail , Smirnov Aleksandr , Murzina Margarita , Boldyrev Yuri 
Published: April 2019

The results of the structural optimization of propeller blades are presented taking into account its composite structure and pitch change mechanism of the propeller and using FSI (Fluid-Structure Interaction) approaches. The optimality criterion of the problem is the propeller thrust with optimization parameters being the characteristics of the internal structure of the propeller blade made from a composite. Together with the optimization of the blade shape, the problem is considered which concerns the reduction of the deformations caused by loads occurring during the operation of the propeller, since significant deformations of the blades lead to decreased thrust.Thus, the following optimization problem can be formulated: to find the optimal configuration of the composite material and its micro-geometrical parameters along the height of the blade to minimize deformations and increase the thrust of the propeller. At the same time, the optimization parameters are limited by the weight of the propeller and the strength characteristics.The technique presented in the paper allows us to obtain the reliable values of thrust and reduce the estimated computational time. The influence of the structure of the composite material on the mechanical properties of the blades is shown; the values of deformation of the blades under the action of centrifugal and aerodynamic loads are given.
A Compositional Study (pXRF) of Early Holocene Obsidian Assemblages from Cyprus, Eastern Mediterranean
Authors: Moutsiou Theodora 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThis paper presents the results of the geochemical characterisation of complete obsidian assemblages dating to the Early Aceramic Neolithic (8200–6900 Cal BC) and located in Cyprus, eastern Mediterranean. Obsidian artefacts have over the years been recovered from a number of Early Holocene archaeological sites on the island of Cyprus. As there are no obsidian sources on Cyprus, the presence of obsidian island-wide indicates long-distance sea transport/distribution, central Anatolia usually considered as the main supplying region. Portable XRF technology (X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry) was applied to determine numbers of obsidian sources represented in complete archaeological assemblages and address research questions concerning the social landscape Cyprus was part of during the Early Holocene, a time of significant change in the broader eastern Mediterranean region.
Generation of Inducible Gene-Switched GAL4 Expressed in theDrosophilaFemale Germline Stem Cell Niche
Authors: Ke Yi-Teng , Hsu Hwei-Jan 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThe stem cell niche, a regulatory microenvironment, houses and regulates stem cells for maintenance of tissues throughout an organism’s lifespan. While it is known that stem cell function declines with age, the role of niche cells in this decline is not completely understood. Drosophila exhibits a short lifespan with well-characterized ovarian germline stem cells (GSCs) and niche compartments, providing a good model with which to study stem cell biology. However, no inducible tools for temporal and spatial control of gene expression in the GSC-niche unit have been previously developed for aging studies. The current UAS-GAL4 systems are not ideal for aging studies because fly physiological aging may be affected by the temperature shifts used to manipulate GAL4 activity. Additionally, the actual needs of the aged niche may be masked by continuously driven gene expression. Since GeneSwitch GAL4 is conveniently activated by the steroid RU486 (mifepristone), we conducted an enhancer-trap screen to isolate GeneSwitch GAL4 lines with expression in the GSC-niche unit. We identified six lines with expression in germarial somatic cells, and two lines (#2305 and #2261) with expression in niche cap cells, the major constituent of the GSC niche. The use of lines #2305 or #2261 to overexpress Drosophila insulin-like peptide 2, which maintains GSC lifespan, in aged niche cap cells significantly delayed age-dependent GSC loss. These results support the notion that insulin signaling is beneficial for maintaining aged stem cells and also validate the utility of our GeneSwitch GAL4 lines for studying stem cell aging.
Evaluation of radiation-induced genotoxicity on hu-man melanoma cells (SK-MEL-37) by flow cytometry
Authors: Bonfim Leticia , Carvalho Luma Ramirez de , Vieira Daniel Perez 
Published: April 2019

Micronucleus assay is a test used to evaluate genotoxic damage in cells, which can be caused by various factors, like ionizing radiation. Interactions between radiation energies and DNA can cause breakage, leading to use chromosomal mutations or loss of genetic material, important events that could be induced in solid tumors to mitigate its expansion within human body. Melanoma has been described as a tumor with increased radio resistance. This work evaluated micronuclei percentages (%MN) in human melanoma cells (SK-MEL-37), irradiated by gamma radiation, with doses between 0 and 16Gy. Cell suspensions were irradiated in PBS by a 60Co source in doses between 0 and 16Gy, and incubated by 48h. Then cell membranes were lysed in the presence of SYTOX Green and EMA dyes, preserving nuclear membranes. Using this method, EMA-stained nuclei could be discriminated as those derived from dead cells, and SYTOX nuclei and micronuclei could be quantified. Micronuclei percentages were found to be proportional to dose, (R2 = 0.997). Only the highest dose (16Gy) could induce statistically significant increase of MN (p<0.0001), although cultures irradiated by 4, 8 and 16Gy showed significant increase of dead cell fractions. Calculation of the nuclei-to-beads ratio showed that 8 and 16Gy could reduce melanoma cell proliferation. Results showed that although cell death and loss of proliferative capacity could be observed on cultures irradiated at lower doses, genotoxic damage could be induced only on a higher dose. Resistance to radiation-induced genotoxicity could explain a relatively high radio resistance of melanoma tumors.
METODOLOGICAL ISSUES IN PROTEIN AND LIPIDIC EXPRESSIONS IN BRAIN TISSUE EXPOSED TO Co60 BASED ON DESI/MALDI-MSI
Authors: Mingote Matheus Figueiredo Soares 
Published: April 2019

The present paper attempts to present important issues in the methodology of identifying lipid and protein changes in brain tissue induced by radiation. The goal was to address the analysis of the methodology and to investigate the feasibility of the generation of lipid/protein profiles of irradiated brain tissue; disregarding the results of the analyses. Lipids and proteins are biomolecules with diverse structures and functionalities that participate in important intracellular processes. Changes in the lipid and the tissue protein profiles may indicate a cellular response to an external stimulus as well as the emergence of neoplasms or neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. DESI-MSI is a convenient method for identifying lipids and their spatial distribution in tissue beyond analytical quantification. DESI-MS allows the creation of an image of several low lipid m/z classes. MALDI-MSI has already been a method used in the study of macromolecules as structural, membrane, hormone, neuromediator and immunological peptides. Through a full matrix scan, with a m/z spectrum between 500-1000 for lipids and with a mass spectrum of 1000-15000 Da for proteins, the molecular profiles can be analyzed generating 2D chemical pixel-type images. The produced image allows to associate the distribution of the lipids and proteins in the tissues with their chemical profile identified, allowing the verification of the changes radioinduced. Radiation triggers intense oxidative stress by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and free radicals, causing DNA-damage consequently with alterations in proteomics including cellular lipid and protein expressions. The cellular morphophysiological changes are responsible for both the clonogenic inhibition and the induction of the apoptotic process. The images´s production was directly dependent on the rigorous execution of the methodological procedures. Innumerable interferences could impair the image´s generations and protein and lipid analysis. The main interferences in the present MS methodology were addressed and discussed. Following a well-established methodology, DESI can generate lipid and MALDI protein spectra in brain tissues. Near future, it will be possible to detect changes of the spatial distribution and the types of lipids and proteins in the white and gray matter regions.
Diagnostic x-ray dosimeters using standard float zone (FZ) and XRA-50 commercial diodes
Authors: Gonçalves Josemary A. C. , Barros Vinicius S. M. , Asfora Viviane K. , Khoury Helen J. , Bueno Carmen C. 
Published: April 2019

The results obtained with a standard float zone (FZ) silicon diode, processed at the Helsinki Institute of Physics, used as on-line diagnostic X-ray dosimeter are described in this work. The device was connected in the short-circuit current mode to the input of an integrating electrometer. The response repeatability and the current sensitivity coefficient of the diode were measured with diagnostic X-ray beams in the range of 40-80 kV. The dose-response of the device, evaluated from 10 mGy up to 500 mGy, was linear with high charge sensitivity. Nevertheless, significant energy dependence was observed in the charge sensitivity of FZ device for energies below 70 kV. The dosimetric characteristics of this FZ diode were compared to those of an XRA-50 commercial Si diode, specially designed to X-ray dosimetry. The results obtained with the FZ diode evidenced that it can be an alternative choice for diagnostic X-ray dosimetry, although it needs to be calibrated for individual X-ray beam energies. The studies of long-term stability and the radiation hardness of these diodes are under way.
EVALUATION OF ITERATIVE ALGORITHMS FOR TOMOGRAPHY IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION
Authors: Velo Alexandre F. , Alvarez Alexandre G. , Hamada Margarida Mizue , De Mesquita Carlos Henrique 
Published: April 2019

The greatest impact of the tomography technology currently occurs in medicine. The success is due to the fact that human body presents standardized dimensions with well-established composition. These conditions are not found in industrial objects. In industry, there is a great deal of interest in using the tomography in order to know the inner part of (i) manufactured industrial objects or (ii) the machines and their means of production. In these cases, the purpose of the tomography is: (a) to control the quality of the final product and (b) to optimize the production, contributing to the pilot phase of the projects and analyzing the quality of the means of production. This scan system is a non-destructive, efficient and fast method for providing sectional images of industrial objects and it is able to show the dynamic processes and the dispersion of the materials structures within these objects. In this context, it is important that the reconstructed image may present a great spatial resolution with a satisfactory temporal resolution. Thus, the algorithm to reconstruct the images has to meet these requirements. This work consists in the analysis of three different iterative algorithm methods, namely the Maximum Likelihood Estimation Method (MLEM), the Maximum Likelihood Transmitted Method (MLTR) and the Simultaneous Iterative Reconstruction Method (SIRT. The analyses involved the measurement of the contrast to noise ratio (CNR), the root mean square error (RMSE) and the Modulation Transfer Function (MTF),in order to know which algorithm fits the conditions to optimize the system better. The algorithms and the image quality analyses were performed by Matlab® 2013b.
A comparison between rad-hard float zone silicon diodes as gamma dosimeter in radiation processing
Authors: Camargo Fábio , Bueno Carmen Cecília , Gonçalves Josemary A. C. 
Published: April 2019

In this work, we report on the results obtained with rad-hard Standard Float Zone (STFZ) and Diffused Oxygenated Float Zone (DOFZ) silicon diodes in radiation processing dosimetry. The dosimetric probes were designed to operate in the direct current mode, as on-line radiation dosimeter. The irradiation of the samples was performed using a 60Co source with a dose rate of almost 2.4 kGy/h. The current response of each diode was measured as a function of the exposure time in steps from 5 kGy up to 50 kGy to achieve a total absorbed dose of 275 kGy. In this dose range it is observed a significant decrease in the photocurrent generated in both devices due to gamma radiation defects produced in their active volumes. To mitigate this effect, the samples were pre-irradiated with Co-60 gamma rays at 700 kGy. Despite of being less sensitive, these devices presented stable and reproducible current signals with a relative sensitivity decrease of about 19% within the whole range of dose studied. The dose-response curves of the pre-irradiated diodes showed quadratic behavior with correlation coefficient higher than 0.9999 for total absorbed dose up to 275 kGy. The comparison of the FZ and DOFZ responses evidenced that the latter was slightly superior to the first. However, it is important to note that all pre-irradiated diodes can be used as gamma dosimeters in radiation processing applications.
Study of the radiomodifier effect of Pityrocarpa moniliformis extract
Authors: Moraes João Victor Torres de , Luna Filho Ricardo Luiz Calazans , Siqueira Williams Nascimento de , Silva Hianna Arely Milca Fagundes , Pereira Dewson Rocha , Melo Ana Maria Mendonça de Albuquerque 
Published: April 2019

Ionizing radiation has been applied in several areas of knowledge, among them the study of the radiomodifier activity of natural substances. These substances can modify the cellular response to the damage induced by the radiation. Therefore, this work aimed to evaluate the radiomodifier action of Pityrocarpa moniliformis extract on Biomphalaria glabrata embryos exposed to 60Co gamma radiation. Initially, toxicity tests were performed on the extract against the B. glabrata embryos for the choice of concentration that did not cause death and embryonic malformation. Then, the antioxidant activity of the P. moniliformis extract with flavonoids and phenolic compounds was evaluated by means of the ABTS method. To evaluate the radiomodifier activity of the extract, embryos were selected in the blastula stage and irradiated with 7.5 Gy in a 60Co source (gammacell-Co60). Then, the embryos were exposed for 24 h to the extract of P. moniliformis at a concentration of 250 μg/mL. The results showed that the extract of P. moniliformis presents flavonoids and enzymatic inhibition by ABTS, which demonstrates the presence of antioxidant compounds. However, the tests of the radiomodifier activity did not present radioprotective effect for embryos exposed to ionizing radiation.
Local Antioxidant Status in Patients with Keratoconus after Ultraviolet Corneal Crosslinking
Authors: Khalimov A. R. , Khalimova L. I. , Usubov E. L. 
Published: April 2019

The article presents the study results of the local antioxidant status in patients with progressive keratoconus and its dynamics after the ultraviolet corneal crosslinking. Purpose: to study the oxidative activity in the tear of the patients with keratoconus and its dynamics after ultraviolet cornea crosslinking. Patients and methods. To assess the local level of oxidative activity in keratoconic patients according to the levels of total antioxidant status (TAS) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the tear fluid, as well as their dynamics after UV crosslinking were investigated. The study included 38 patients (38 eyes) with keratoconus stage I–II (classification according to Amsler), men — 24 (63.1 %), women — 14 (36.9 %). The standard UV crosslinking group (S-CXL) was 20 eyes, and the pulsed accelerated protocol (I-CXL) — 18 eyes. The average age of patients was 32.4 ± 6.8 years. As a control group, 12 practically healthy individuals were selected. The time of observation is before the operation, on the 3rd, 7th, 14th and 30th days after the procedure. Results: On the basis of the conducted studies, it was revealed that keratoconus patients showed a statistically significant decrease in the initial indicator of TAS by 40 % and amounted to 1.68 ± 0.21 mmol/l, compared to healthy people — 2.82 ± 0.15 mmol/l. The SOD level in tears in patients with keratoconus was also lower by 19 % — to 96.7 ± 11.3 ng/ml, compared to the control — 119.1 ± 16.5 ng/ml. The use of S-CXL of the cornea caused a decrease in TAS during the first 3 days with the subsequent restoration of its level. The use of pulse A-CXL also showed a decrease in this indicator, but by the end of 1st month the level of TAS was higher than preoperative and better than when using the standard protocol. A decrease in SOD level after treatment was noted during the first 3 days, however, the use of S-CXL caused a more significant collapse of this indicator compared to the pulsed accelerated corneal crosslinking protocol. Conclusion. TAS data and SOD level had shown a decrease in local antioxidative status in patients with keratoconus. Ultraviolet corneal crosslinking causes the maximum decrease in SOD and TAS on the 3rd day after the procedure, and from the 14th day their gradual recovery to the initial level is observed. The standard protocol contributed to a more pronounced development of local cross-linking damage in patients with keratoconus. It manifests itself in the antioxidant status reduction of the tear compared to the pulsed accelerated method.