bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of Fuel System Variations on Performance and Emission Characteristics of Combined Air-Wall Guided Mode Modified GDI engine with Alcoholic Fuels and Exhaust Gas Recirculation
Authors: Nagareddy Shivakumar , Govindasamy Kumaresan 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
GDI engines commercially existed with spray guided mode where the fuel injector placed almost vertically and sprayed fuel is occupied throughout the volume of combustion chamber. With the advanced emission norms, NOx and Soot emissions control is the major task along with lower fuel consumption. To achieve the advanced emission norms, further modifications are required before or during combustion. Combined air-wall guided mode combustion chamber modification is the advanced stage required for further improvement in mixing and superior combustion. Air-wall combined mode involved piston crown shape modification so that the modified shape should impart turbulence effects and divert the fuel/mixture flow towards the spark plug tip to initiate the combustion process. In this study, the combined air-wall guided mode gasoline direct injection engine was tested with gasoline blends using Ethanol, Methanol and N-Butanol at 20, 35 and 50% proportions under specific fixed conditions: 1500 rpm speed, 10% EGR and FIP of 150 bars with three split injections at 320˚, 220˚ and 100˚ before TDC. Tests were conducted over these gasoline blend proportions for engine performance and emission characteristics and achieved beneficial results with E20 gasoline blend over the entire applied torque values.
A Randomised Controlled Trial of Email Versus Mailed Invitation Letter In A National Longitudinal Survey of Physicians.
Authors: Harrap Benjamin , Taylor Tamara , Russell Grant , Scott Anthony 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background: Despite the low cost of using email to distribute surveys to medical practitioners, email invitations have been associated with lower response rates, potentially increasing response bias and reducing external validity. We examine if there is a difference in response rates from using email rather than a mailed invitation letter in a nationally representative longitudinal survey of qualified physicians. Methods: We use a parallel randomised controlled trial during the 11th annual wave of the Medicine in Australia: Balancing Employment and Life (MABEL) longitudinal survey of doctors. Participants were from previous waves of MABEL and newly invited in Wave 11. The control group was invited using a mailed paper letter (including a paper survey plus instructions to complete online) and three mailed paper reminders. The intervention group was approached in the same way apart from the second reminder when they were approached by email only. The primary outcome is the response rate and the statistical analysis was blinded.Results: 18,247 doctors were randomly allocated to the control (9,125) or intervention group (9,127), with 9,108 and 9,107 included in the final analysis. Using intention to treat analysis, the response rate in the intervention group was 35.92% compared to 37.59% in the control group, a difference of -1.66 percentage points (95% CI: -3.06 to -0.26). The difference was larger for General Practitioners (-2.76 percentage points, 95% CI: -4.65 to -0.87) compared to other specialists (-0.47 percentage points, 95% CI: -2.53 to 1.60). For those who supplied an email address, the average treatment effect on the treated was higher at -2.63 percentage points (95% CI: -4.50 to -0.75) for all physicians, -3.17 percentage points (95% CI: -5.83 to -0.53) for General Practitioners, and -2.1 percentage points (95% CI: -4.75 to 0.56) for other specialists. Conclusions: For qualified physicians, using email to invite participants to complete a survey leads to lower response rates compared to a mailed letter. Lower response rates need to be traded off with the lower costs of using email rather than mailed letters.
Climatic Controls on Stable Carbon and Nitrogen Isotope Compositions of Temperate Grasslands in Northern China
Authors: Wu Yuntao , Zhang Xiaodong , Song Zhaoliang , Yu Changxun , Liu Man , Wang Yidong , Hao Qian , Li Qiang , Zhao Xiangwei , Wu Lele , Wang Xia 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Aims The natural abundances of stable carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) are extensively used to indicate the C and N biogeochemical cycles at large spatial scales. However, the spatial patterns of δ13C and δ15N in plant-soil system of grasslands in northern China and their main driving factors are still not well understood.Methods We conducted sampling campaigns during 2016-2018 in grasslands of northern China and measured plant and soil δ13C and δ15N compositions to determine effects soil physicochemical properties and climatic factors on spatial distribution of δ13C and δ15N.Results Generally, plant and soil δ13C values increased with the decrease of mean annual precipitation (MAP). The interactions between mean annual temperature (MAT) and soil organic carbon have significant impact on soil δ13C. However, plant and soil δ15N decreased with the increase of MAT. Within all factors, the interactions between MAT and MAP on soil δ15N were significant.Conclusions Our results suggest that C cycling in grasslands of northern China is strongly mediated by plant community and MAT, because C4 species were more prevalent in arid regions. Meanwhile, N cycling is mainly directly regulated by MAT and plant community composition via its effect on the plant δ15N. All of these will provide scientific references for future research on the C and N biogeochemical cycles of temperate grassland ecosystems in northern China.
Coinfection with PEDV and BVDV Induces Inflammatory Bowel Disease Pathway Highly Enriched in PK-15 Cells
Authors: Cheng Jinghua , Tao Jie , Li Benqiang , Shi Ying , liu Huili 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background: From the 1078 diarrhea stools tested in our survey from 2017 to 2020 in local area of China, PEDV was the key pathogen which was closely related to the death of diarrhea piglets. Besides, co-infection of PEDV-positive samples with BVDV reached 17.24%. Although BVDV infection in swine is typically subclinical, the effect of PEDV and BVDV coinfection on disease severity and the potential molecular mechanism of coinfection with these two viruses remain unknown.Methods: In this study, we developed a model of coinfection with porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) and bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) in PK15 cells, and a tandem mass tag (TMT) combined with LC–MS/MS proteomic approach was used to identify differential protein expression profiles. Additionally, we take the drug experiments to explore the inflammatory response induced by PEDV or BVDV mono- or coinfection.Results: A total of 1094, 1538, and 1482 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified upon PEDV monoinfection, BVDV monoinfection and PEDV/BVDV coinfection, respectively. KEGG pathway analysis revealed that PEDV and BVDV coinfection leaded to a highly significantly enrichment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) pathway. In addition, the NF-κB signaling pathway was more intensively activated by PEDV and BVDV coinfection, which induced higher production of inflammatory cytokines, than PEDV or BVDV monoinfection.Conclusions: Our study indicated that cattle pathogens might play synergistic roles in the pathogenesis of porcine diarrhea disease, which might also improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of multiple infections in diarrhea disease.
Quantification Analysis of Geometric Characteristics of Micro Crack Network On Fault Rock Surface
Authors: Yu Haitao , Liu Zhibin , Zhang Yun , Luo Tingyi , Tang Yasen 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Fault is a common water conduit in coal mine, and the cracks of fault rock will greatly affect its permeability. In this study, three fault samples obtained in the mining area in Southwest Shandong of China was tested and observed by SEM, XRD and plane-polarized light microscope. The geometric characteristics, including crack density, fractal dimension and crack connectivity, of the crack network on the sample surface were calculated. Combined with the mineral content obtained by XRD, the nonuniformity coefficient of mineral composition in rock is defined. The results show that the crack geometric characteristics of the three samples are quite different and the above geometric parameters of crack network on three fault rock samples are correlated. The optical photomicrographs and SEM images show that the crack network is developed most in the fault rock samples with the least clay content. The study suggests that the nonuniformity coefficient of rock samples is positively correlated with the geometric characteristic of crack network. The difference in the crack network of fault rock samples is related to the coefficient of friction of clay.
A Ratiometric Fluorescent Aptamer Homogeneous Biosensor Based on Hairpin Structure Aptamer for AFB1 Detection
Authors: Feng Beibei , Zhao Fei , Wei Min , Liu Yong , Ren Xinyu , Suo Zhiguang 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
On the basis of aptamer (Apt) with hairpin structure and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), a ratio fluorescent aptamer homogeneous sensor was prepared for the determination of Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Initially, the Apt labeled simultaneously with Cy5, BHQ2, and cDNA labeled with Cy3 were formed a double-stranded DNA through complementary base pairing. The fluorescent aptamer sensor demonstrates a weak fluorescence emission of Cy3 and a high fluorescence emission of Cy5 due to the quenching effect of BHQ2. The double-stranded DNA structure will be disintegrated in the presence of AFB1, resulting the removal of Cy3 and the close of Cy5 with BHQ2. The fluorescence signal of Cy3 and Cy5 were restored and quenched respectively. Thus, the ratio change of FCy3 to FCy5 was used to realized the detection of AFB1 with wider detection range and lower limit of detection (LOD). The response of the optimized protocol for AFB1 detection was wider linear range from 0.05 ng/mL to 100 ng/mL and the LOD was 12.6 pg/mL. The sensor designed in this strategy has the advantages of simple preparation and fast signal response. It has been used for the detection of AFB1 in labeled corn and wine, indicating it had good application potential in practical samples.
Magnitude and Determinants of Treatment Outcome Among Surgically Treated Patients with Intestinal Obstruction at Public Hospitals of Wolayita Zone, Southern Ethiopia: Across Sectional Study
Authors: Batebo Muhaba , Loriso Bereket , Beyene Tilahun , Haile Yosef , Hailegebreal Samuel 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background: Procedures to treat intestinal obstruction range from minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery to more complicated open surgical procedures. It may end with high morbidity and mortality because of different reasons. It is very important to know about the determinants of favorable outcome of surgical management for intestinal obstruction however, little is known about this problem at public hospitals of Southern Ethiopia. Methods: Facility based cross sectional study was conducted. A total of 230 medical records which fulfill the inclusion criteria were used for this study. Variables with p value of less than 0.25 in the bivariate analysis were entered in multivariable logistic regression to control confounding. Finally, odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was used to identify variables which were significantly associated with dependent variable. Results: According to this study the magnitude of favorable surgical management outcome of intestinal obstruction was 177(77.0%) [95% CI, 71.4, 82.4]. Having small bowel obstruction (AOR=2.49) [95% CI 1.91, 5.12], having simple bowel obstruction (AOR=4.32) [95% CI, 2.00, 9.35], early presentation of patients (AOR=4.44) [95% CI, 1.99, 9.92] and intraoperative procedure other than resection and anastomosis was performed (AOR=0.45) [95% CI, .21, .96] were significantly associated with favorable outcome among surgically treated patients.Conclusion: The overall magnitude of favorable surgical management outcome of intestinal obstruction was moderate compared to other study. Having small bowel obstruction, having simple bowel obstruction, other procedure other than resection and anastomosis done, and early presentation of patients were significant predictors. Physicians should diagnose intestinal obstruction early and appropriate interventions should be taken on time before the complication happened. On time consultation and decision at the hospital setting is also recommended.
An Efficient Method for Analytically Solving (1+2)-dimensional Chiral Non-linear Schrödinger Equation
Authors: Ozisik Muslum , Bayram Mustafa , Secer Aydin , Cinar Melih 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
In this paper, we have successfully extracted novel analytic solutions for the (1+2)-dimensional Chiral non-linear Schrödinger (NLS) equation by modified extended tanh expansion method combined with new Riccati solutions (METEM-cNRCS) as far as we know. When a wave transformation is applied to the considered Chiral NLS equation, a nonlinear ODE is obtained. Assuming the solutions of ODE have a form as the method suggests, and substituting the trial solutions to the ODE, we get a polynomial. Gathering the coefficients with the same power in the polynomial, we acquire an algebraic equation system. So, we may obtain the abundant solutions of the (1+2)-dimensional Chiral NLS equation by solving the system via Maple. The plots of some solutions are demonstrated to explain the dynamics of the solutions. It is expected that the results of the paper are a guide for future works in traveling wave theory.
QTL Mapping for Pumpkin Fruit Traits Using a GBS-based High-density Genetic Map
Authors: Han Xiaoxia , Min Ziyang , Wei Minghua , Li Yongqi , Wang Duanhua , Zhang Zhuqing , Hu Xinjun , Kong Qiusheng 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Pumpkin is a popular vegetable crop and exhibits a broad diversity in fruit shape and size. Fruit-related traits are the decisive factors determining consumer acceptance and market value of pumpkin cultivar. As a result, deciphering the genetic basis of fruit-related traits is of great importance for pumpkin breeding. To address this problem, a F2 population was generated by two Cucurbita moschata inbred lines with contrasting fruit shapes and genotyping-by-sequencing approach were used to construct a high-density genetic map and localize the QTLs underlying the fruit-related traits in this study. The results showed that a high-quality genetic map was constructed for pumpkin, which comprised of 2413 bins and spanned a total length of 2252.10 cM with an average genetic distance of 0.94 cM. A total of 30 significant QTLs with moderate or small effects were identified for 7 fruit-related traits, including fruit length, fruit diameter, fruit shape index, fruit weight, fruit flesh thickness, seed cavity size, and total soluble solids content. Co-locations and close locations were observed between the QTLs underlying different traits, demonstrating that pleiotropic effect plays an important role in genetic control of fruit-related traits. The identified QTLs provide valuable information for further fine mapping of the related genes and pumpkin breeding programs with the aim of improving fruit quality.
Outcomes From a Hybrid Implementation-effectiveness Study of the Living Well During Pregnancy Tele-coaching Program for Women at High Risk of Excessive Gestational Weight Gain
Authors: de Jersey Susan , Meloncelli Nina , Guthrie Taylor , Powlesland Hilary , Callaway Leonie , Chang Angela T , Wilkinson Shelley , Comans Tracy , Eakin Elizabeth 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
BackgroundExcess gestational weight gain (GWG) is associated with short-term perinatal complications and longer term cardiometabolic risks for mothers and their babies. Dietitian counselling and weight gain monitoring for women at risk of high pregnancy weight gain is recommended by clinical practice guidelines. However, face-to-face appointments, during a time with high appointment burden, can introduce barriers to engaging with care. Telephone counselling may offer a solution. The Living Well during Pregnancy (LWdP) program is a dietitian-delivered telephone coaching program implemented within routine antenatal care for women at risk of excess GWG. This program evaluation used a hybrid implementation-effectiveness design guided by the RE-AIM framework reports on the primary outcomes (reach, adoption, implementation, maintenance) and secondary outcomes (effectiveness) of the LWdP intervention. MethodsThe LWdP program evaluation compared data from women participating in the LWdP program with a historical comparison group (pregnant women receiving dietetic counselling for GWG in the 12 months prior to the study). The primary outcomes were described for the LWdP program. Between group comparisons were used to determine effectiveness of achieving appropriate GWG and pre and post intervention comparisons of LWdP participants was used to determine changes to dietary intake and physical activity. ResultsThe LWdP intervention group (n=142) were compared with women in the historical comparison group (n=49). Women in the LWdP intervention group attended 3.4 (95% CI 2.9 – 3.8) appointments compared with 1.9 (95% CI, 1.6 – 2.2). GWG was similar between the two groups, including the proportion of women gaining weight above the Institute of Medicine recommendations (70% vs 73%, p=0.69). Within group comparison showed that total diet quality, intake of fruit and vegetables and weekly physical activity were all significantly improved from baseline to follow-up for the women in the LWdP, while consumption of discretionary food and time spent being sedentary decreased (all p<0.05). ConclusionThe LWdP program resulted in more women accessing care and positive improvements in diet quality, intuitive eating behaviours and physical activity. It was as effective as face-to-face appointments for GWG, though more research is required to identify how to engage women earlier in pregnancy and reduce appointment burden.
Bus Travel Time Reliability Incorporating Stop Waiting Time and In-vehicle Travel Time with AVL Data
Authors: Zhuang Zixu , Cheng Zhanhong , Yao Jia , Wang Jian , An Shi 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Improving bus operation quality can attract more commuters to use bus transit, and therefore reduces the share of car and alleviates traffic congestion. One important index of bus operation quality is the bus travel time reliability, which in this paper is defined to be the probability when the sum of bus stop waiting time and in-vehicle travel time is less than a certain threshold. We formulate the bus travel time reliability by the convolution of independent events’ probabilities, and elaborate the calculation method using Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) data. Next, the No.63 Bus Line in Harbin City is used to test the applicability of the proposed method, and analyze the influence factors of the bus travel time reliability. The numerical results show that factors such as weather, workday, departure time, travel distance, and the distance from the boarding stop to the bus departure station will significantly affect the travel time reliability. At last, some general conclusions and future research are summarized.
PARG Suppresses Tumorigenesis and Downregulates Genes Controlling Angiogenesis, Inflammatory Response, and Immune Cell Recruitment
Authors: Johnson Sarah , Karpova Yaroslava , Guo Danping , Ghatak Atreyi , Markov Dmitriy A. , Tulin Alexei V. 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Chemokines are highly expressed in tumor microenvironment and play a critical role in all aspects of tumorigenesis, including the recruitment of tumor-promoting immune cells, activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts, angiogenesis, metastasis, and growth. Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) is a multi-target transcription regulator with high levels of poly(ADP-ribose) (pADPr) being reported in a variety of cancers. Furthermore, poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase (PARG), an enzyme that degrades pADPr, has been reported to be downregulated in tumor tissues with abnormally high levels of pADPr. In conjunction to this, we have recently reported that the reduction of pADPr, by either pharmacological inhibition of PARP or PARG’s overexpression, disrupts renal carcinoma cell malignancy in vitro. Here, we use 3T3 mouse embryonic fibroblasts, a universal model for malignant transformation, to follow the effect of PARG upregulation on cells’ tumorigenicity in vivo. We found that the overexpression of PARG in mouse allografts produces significantly smaller tumors with a delay in tumor onset. As downregulation of PARG has also been implicated in promoting the activation of pro-inflammatory genes, we also followed the gene expression profile of PARG-overexpressing 3T3 cells using RNA-seq approach and observed that chemokine transcripts are significantly reduced in those cells. Our data suggest that the upregulation of PARG may be potentially useful for the tumor growth inhibition in cancer treatment and as anti-inflammatory intervention.
IGF-1 Conjugated Sub-5 nm Ultrafine Iron Oxide Nanoparticle Enhances Targeted Drug Delivery and Efficacy of DNA Topoisomerase Inhibitor SN38 for Pancreatic Cancer: An in Vitro Study
Authors: Xu Peijia , Xue Ting , Padelford Jonathan , Xue Xingkui , Wu Alyssa Y , Li Yuancheng , Wang Liya 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most lethal cancers largely due to the inefficient delivery of therapeutics. Nanomaterials have been extensively investigated as drug delivery platforms, showing improved drug pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. However, their applications in pancreatic cancer have not yet been successful due to limited tumor delivery caused by dense tumor stroma and distorted tumor vasculatures. Meanwhile, smaller-sized nanomaterials have shown improved tumor delivery and retention in various tumors, including pancreatic tumors, suggesting their potential in enhancing drug delivery.
Methods

An ultrafine iron oxide nanoparticle (uIONP) was used to encapsulate 7-ethyl-10-hydroxyl camptothecin (SN38), the water-insoluble active metabolite of chemotherapy drug irinotecan for treating pancreatic cancer in clinic. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) was conjugated to uIONP as a ligand for targeting pancreatic cancer and stromal cells overexpressing IGF-1 receptor (IGF1R). The SN38 loading and release profile were characterized. The cancer cell targeting and induced apoptosis by developed nano-formulationIGF1-uIONP/SN38 were also investigated.
Results

IGF1-uIONP/SN38 demonstrated stable drug loading in physiological pH with the loading efficiency of 68.2 ± 3.5% (SN38/Fe, wt%) and <7% release for 24 hours. In tumor-interstitial- and lysosomal-mimicking pH (6.5 and 5.5), 52.2 and 91.3% of encapsulated SN38 were released over 24 hours. The IGF1-uIONP/SN38 exhibited specific receptor-mediated cell targeting and cytotoxicity to MiaPaCa-2 cells with IC50 of 11.8 ± 2.3 nM, but not to HEK293 human embryonic kidney cells.
Conclusion

The IGF1-uIONP significantly improved the delivery of SN38 to targeted pancreatic cancer cells, holding the potential for in vivo theranostic applications.