Explore the vast range of titles available.

This study paves the way on reducing smoke emission and NO x emissions of research diesel engine by detailing the effect of water addition in biodiesel. Fuel samples were prepared with different concentrations of water in orange peel oil biodiesel (94% waste orange peel oil biodiesel + 4% water + 2% Span 80 (WOPOBDE1) and 90% waste orange peel oil biodiesel + 8% water + 2% Span 80 (WOPOBDE2). Span 80 was employed as a nonionic surfactant, which emulsifies water in biodiesel. Experimental results revealed that the nitrogen oxides and smoke emission of orange peel oil biodiesel emulsion were reduced by 11%–19% and 3%–21%, respectively, compared to that of neat orange peel oil biodiesel (WOPOBD). In addition, the introduction of orange peel oil–water emulsions in the diesel engine considerably reduced the emissions of unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide. The overall hydrocarbon emission of WOPOBDE2 was 12.2% lower than that of WOPOBD and 16.3% lower than that of diesel. The overall CO emission of WOPOBDE2 was 17% lower than that of base fuel (WOPOBD) and 21.8% lower than that of diesel. Experimental results revealed that modified fuel had higher brake thermal efficiency and lower brake specific fuel consumption than that of base fuel at all engine brake power levels.

Maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 3 (MODY3) is a non-ketotic form of diabetes associated with poor insulin secretion. Over the past years, several studies have reported the association of missense mutations in the Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 1 Alpha (HNF1A) with MODY3. Missense mutations in the POU homeodomain (POUH) of HNF1A hinder binding to the DNA, thereby leading to a dysfunctional protein. Missense mutations of the HNF1A were retrieved from public databases and subjected to a three-step computational mutational analysis to identify the underlying mechanism. First, the pathogenicity and stability of the mutations were analyzed to determine whether they alter protein structure and function. Second, the sequence conservation and DNA-binding sites of the mutant positions were assessed; as HNF1A protein is a transcription factor. Finally, the biochemical properties of the biological system were validated using molecular dynamic simulations in Gromacs 4.6.3 package. Two arginine residues (131 and 203) in the HNF1A protein are highly conserved residues and contribute to the function of the protein. Furthermore, the R131W, R131Q, and R203C mutations were predicted to be highly deleterious by in silico tools and showed lower binding affinity with DNA when compared to the native protein using the molecular docking analysis. Triplicate runs of molecular dynamic (MD) simulations (50ns) revealed smaller changes in patterns of deviation, fluctuation, and compactness, in complexes containing the R131Q and R131W mutations, compared to complexes containing the R203C mutant complex. We observed reduction in the number of intermolecular hydrogen bonds, compactness, and electrostatic potential, as well as the loss of salt bridges, in the R203C mutant complex. Substitution of arginine with cysteine at position 203 decreases the affinity of the protein for DNA, thereby destabilizing the protein. Based on our current findings, the MD approach is an important tool for elucidating the impact and affinity of mutations in DNA-protein interactions and understanding their function.

This study presents the development of a high-strength composite mortar for Textile Reinforced Mortar (TRM) systems through the synergistic integration of micro-silica, nano-silica, silica sand, and hybrid fibers. The combination of steel and basalt fibers significantly enhanced the mechanical and bonding performance of the mortar. The optimized mix achieved compressive, split tensile, and flexural strengths of 70.335 MPa, 8.03 MPa, and 19.63 MPa, respectively, while demonstrating improved bonding behavior with an 80.5% increase in splitting bond strength, direct pull-off bond strength of 8.5 MPa, and pull-out bond strength of 7.0 MPa. These improvements are attributed to the densified microstructure and refined interfacial transition zone resulting from the pozzolanic reactions of micro- and nano-silica. The findings confirm that the combined use of multi-scale silica materials and hybrid fibers produces superior mechanical strength, durability, and adhesion, making the developed mortar a promising solution for retrofitting and strengthening applications in modern construction.

Cyclic tests are conducted on interlinked reinforcing bar coupler-box assemblies, adopted to retrofit buckled reinforcing bars at the plastic hinge locations of columns in multi-storied reinforced concrete building frames. The efficacy of the proposed retrofitting technique is evaluated by comparing the hysteresis behavior, computed parameters of performance index, and failure mechanism of the reconstructed frame with the original frame. An energy-based strength deterioration hysteresis model is developed on the basis of cyclic test results for analytically computing the post-yield behavior of retrofitted reinforced concrete (RC) frame with the proposed coupler-box assembly. The experimental test results manifest that the coupler-box assembly can be a promising futuristic approach for seismic retrofitting of severely damaged reinforced concrete buildings, where buckling of longitudinal reinforcing bars at the plastic hinge location of columns is inevitable, and the process of restoration is challenging under existing gravity loads. The suggested retrofitting mechanism restrains the section from any movement against rotation and helps in shifting the yield location of reinforcing bars. The main advantage of adopting the coupler-box is that there is no observed slip of reinforcing bar from the sleeve, and the entire retrofitted section remains intact even after a lateral storey drift of 6%, which is larger than the collapse prevention drift level of 4% as per Federal Emergency Management Agency guidelines. Keywords: coupler-box assembly; deterioration strength hysteresis model; energy dissipation; hysteresis behavior; reinforcing bar coupler sleeve; seismic retrofitting.

The present work deals with the identification of speed-dependent misalignment parameters in a multi-disk coupled rotor system supported on Tilting pad journal bearings (TPJB) and Active magnetic bearings (AMB). The stiffness matrix of misaligned coupling is modelled as the sum of static coupling stiffness (SCS) and additive coupling stiffness (ACS) matrices. The presence of parallel and/or angular misalignments gives rise to ACS matrix and its coefficients represent misalignment in/about a given direction. ACS coefficients are time dependent and a suitable mathematical function has been chosen to define the time varying nature of these coefficients. The global equations of motion (EOMs) are assembled and solved in time domain to obtain rotor vibration and AMB current data. This data is processed by full spectrum Fast Fourier Transform, and subsequently input to the identification algorithm. The stiffness and damping of TPJBs, stiffness of AMBs and ACS coefficients that correspond to misalignment are estimated at six different speeds along with speed-invariant disc unbalances, and SCS coefficients. The robustness of algorithm is tested against measurement noise and modelling bias. ACS coefficients have been identified within reasonable error margins. Finally, the method of application of the algorithm to real rotors is presented. The novelty of the work is the development of an inverse problem for the identification of parallel and angular misalignments in real rotors.

The evolution of resistance and cross-resistance threaten the sustainability of genetically engineered crops that produce insecticidal toxins derived from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, is a serious pest of maize and has been managed with Bt maize since 2003. We conducted laboratory bioassays with maize hybrids producing Bt toxins Cry3Bb1, mCry3A, eCry3.1Ab, and Cry34/35Ab1, which represent all commercialized Bt toxins for management of western corn rootworm. We tested populations from fields where severe injury to Cry3Bb1 maize was observed, and populations that had never been exposed to Bt maize. Consistent with past studies, bioassays indicated that field populations were resistant to Cry3Bb1 maize and mCry3A maize, and that cross-resistance was present between these two types of Bt maize. Additionally, bioassays revealed resistance to eCry3.1Ab maize and cross-resistance among Cry3Bb1, mCry3A and eCry3.1Ab. However, no resistance or cross-resistance was detected for Cry34/35Ab1 maize. This broad-spectrum resistance illustrates the potential for insect pests to develop resistance rapidly to multiple Bt toxins when structural similarities are present among toxins, and raises concerns about the long-term durability of Bt crops for management of some insect pests.

Bisphenol A (BPA), a persistent environmental contaminant with endocrine-disrupting properties, has been extensively linked to neurotoxicity, leading to cognitive decline, synaptic dysfunction, and neuronal degeneration. It crosses the blood-brain barrier and induces oxidative stress, mitochondrial impairment, and neuroinflammation, leading to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. This study investigates the neuroprotective effects of karanjin, a naturally occurring furanoflavonoid, against BPA-induced neurotoxicity using zebrafish ( Danio rerio ) as a model organism. Adult zebrafish were exposed to 4 mg/L BPA for 21 days, followed by karanjin supplementation at 5 mg/L and 10 mg/L. Standard neuroprotective agents, donepezil and mentat, were used for comparison. Behavioral assessments, including novel tank diving, T-maze, novel object recognition, and Y-maze tests, showed that BPA exposure caused significant impairments in exploratory behavior, learning, and memory, which were reversed by high-dose karanjin. Biochemical analysis indicated BPA exposure elevated acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, which was significantly reduced by karanjin. Furthermore, karanjin restored glutathione (GSH) levels, increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and reduced lipid peroxidation (LPO), indicating strong antioxidant capacity. Histopathological evaluation confirmed karanjin’s neuroprotective effects by preserving neuronal integrity and preventing degeneration. These findings suggest karanjin exhibits neuroprotective potential comparable to FDA-approved drugs, warranting further research for therapeutic applications in neurodegenerative disorders.

Purpose: To compare the anatomical and refractive outcomes of transscleral diode versus transpupillary laser photocoagulation for the treatment of zone II type 1 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Methods: In this prospective comparative interventional case series, infants with type 1 ROP in zone II were assigned to either transpupillary or transscleral laser based on the surgeons' expertise area. The rate of regression, need for retreatment, and structural and biometric outcomes at month 6 were evaluated and compared between the two treatment groups. Results: In total, 209 eyes were enrolled; 145 eyes of 77 infants and 64 eyes of 33 infants and were in transscleral and transpupillary groups, respectively. There was no significant difference in baseline characteristics between the groups. There was no significant difference in retreatment rates (1.6% vs. 3.4%; P = 0.669) and progression to stage 4 (1.6% vs. 2.8%; P = 0.999) between the transpupillary and transscleral groups, respectively. At month 6, the mean spherical equivalent was 0.31 ± 3.57 and 0.44 ± 2.85 diopters, and the axial length was 18.28 ± 6.22 and 18.36 ± 6.87 mm in the transpupillary and transscleral groups, respectively, without a significant difference between groups. There was no significant difference in the rate of myopia (43.8% vs. 33.8%; P = 0.169) and high myopia (4.7% vs. 4.8%; P = 0.965) in transpupillary and transscleral groups at month 6. Conclusion: The transpupillary and transscleral laser photocoagulation routes are both effective in the treatment of zone II type 1 ROP and show no significant differences in anatomical or refractive outcomes in relation to the route chosen.

Background Endogenous endophthalmitis is an infection of the eye secondary to sepsis, occurring in 0.04–0.5% of bacteremia or fungemia. Risk factors include intravenous drug abuse (IVDA), diabetes, indwelling catheters, and immune suppression. Many patients have known or suspected bacteremia or fungemia; however, culture yield is reported to be low (approximately 50%). The purpose of this study is to elucidate the yield of diagnostic evaluation including microbial cultures over a 6.5 year period at an academic center in the United States. Methods Retrospective chart review of patients with endogenous endophthalmitis at the University of Florida from June 2011 to February 2018. Results Included are 40 eyes of 35 patients. Endophthalmitis was secondary to an endogenous source in 23.5% of all endophthalmitis cases observed. Intraocular culture positivity was 28.6% overall but was 0% after initiation of systemic antibiotics. Most commonly identified organisms from the eye were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus and Candida . Blood culture positivity was 48.6%, most commonly Staphylococcus . IVDA was noted with increasing frequency as a risk factor. Diagnosis of endophthalmitis upon hospital admission was associated with a higher intraocular culture positivity ( P  = 0.040) and a shorter hospital stay ( P  = 0.035). Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were the highest yield imaging modalities; X-ray and non-ocular ultrasound were less diagnostically useful. Echocardiogram was positive by transesophageal route (TEE) in 22% and in 9% by transthoracic (TTE) testing. Following discharge from the hospital, 48.4% of patients failed to follow up with outpatient ophthalmology. Conclusions Based on the results of this study, the interdisciplinary team should consider directed imaging, eye cultures prior to antimicrobial administration, thorough history for IVDA, and caution with premature discharge from the hospital.

The global seismic capacity of an extensively damaged reinforced concrete (RC) portal frame is enhanced by the addition of a discrete damper with adaptive shear link elements. Cyclic tests are performed to evaluate the hysteresis behavior of the proposed damper device with two different sets of shear link elements. Hysteresis performance of the damper-fit RC frame is also evaluated under a displacement-controlled reversed cyclic test. Moreover, a specially designed interlinked coupler-box assembly is used as a local retrofitting technique for restoring the buckled or ruptured longitudinal reinforcing bars of damaged columns in the RC frame. The competency and efficacy of the proposed retrofit techniques are established by comparing the hysteretic behavior, failure mechanism, energy dissipation, strength, and stiffness degradations with the initial tested conventional bare frame. The lateral strength efficiency of the damper-fit model frame is relatively enhanced by 2.5 times with a higher rate of energy dissipation capacity. The proposed damper device functions as a safeguarding element, which protects the principal structural members against lateral-induced damages, and the independent load-transfer mechanism allows for gravity load transfer of the frame despite its nullified lateral strength. Keywords: coupler-box assembly; discrete damper; load-bearing pedestals; seismic retrofitting; shear link elements; styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR).