bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advanced Hydrogen Cycles to Help Decarbonize the Aviation Industry. Part 1: Development of Simulation & Modeling Toolsets
Authors: Tacconi Jacopo , Grech Nicholas
Published: September 2023

Hydrogen has been identified as a key fuel to enable decarbonization of fundamentally challenging industrial sectors such as the aviation industry. However, the poor volumetric energy density of this element imposes severe challenges on in-flight energy storage when it is directly employed as a fuel. This becomes particularly relevant for high payload, middle-to-long range missions, typical of regional and long-haul markets, where the combination of fuel burned plus reserves represents a large fraction of the total aircraft weight. While storing hydrogen as a high-pressure gas (GH2) is an option, liquid hydrogen (LH2) is a more likely storage solution to be adopted by the aviation industry for these aircraft classes, despite the additional fuel conditioning complexity introduced.

Consequently, having the ability of modeling the whole hydrogen fuel delivery system within the preliminary gas turbine cycle design environment becomes essential. This allows to assess the cycle-level impact imposed by the fuel delivery pressure and temperature requirements at the combustor interface, explore the onboard heat sink potential offered by cryogenic LH2, and better support the future product definition. In Part 1, this paper covers fundamental aspects of hydrogen cycle simulations by discussing the implementation of a preliminary engine design tool, developed in NPSS (Numerical Propulsion System Simulation), which includes the ability to simulate hydrogen fuel properties from its liquid storage state to the engine combustor. Part 2 will explore the application of this model to support the performance evaluation of more advanced hydrogen cycles, only briefly introduced here.
Experiments on Tuned UHBR Open-Test-Case Fan ECL5/CATANA: Performance and Aerodynamics
Authors: Schneider Alexandra P. , Fiquet Anne-Lise , Paoletti Benoit , Ottavy Xavier , Brandstetter Christoph
Published: September 2023

With the advancement of modern fan architectures the lack of experimental benchmarks for the research community became apparent in the recent years. Enormous effort in method development could not be validated on representative geometries and motivated the development of the open-test-case ECL5/CATANA. A carbon fibre fan stage has been designed by Ecole Centrale de Lyon and shared with the community in 2021. The fan is representative of a modern Ultra High Bypass Ratio (UHBR) architecture with sonic design speed. The reference configuration has been investigated experimentally on a novel test facility with multi-physical instrumentation. In this publication the results of the first experimental campaign are presented with a detailed analysis of the aerodynamic performance and system symmetry. The presented results comprise full stage mappings across the whole operating range for three main speedlines (55%, 80% and 100%) using performance rakes, unsteady wall-pressure arrays, tip-clearance and stagger-angle measurements. Radial profiles of intake boundary layer and rotor-exit conditions at selected conditions complete the full validation dataset for steady and unsteady aerodynamic simulations. Results are discussed in comparison to blind-test RANS simulations of different international institutes. Significant predicition inaccuracies of the tip flow and corner separations of the stator are observed and reveal the requirement of real-blade-geometry measurements at running conditions. This paper is accompanied by a publication with a focus on aeroelastic instabilities observed near the stability limit. The results represent a comprehensive dimensional benchmark dataset and allow method validation on multiple levels of fidelity for the aerodynamic and aeroelastic research community.
Comparative Study of the Flow and Thermal Characteristics of Non-Stochastic Lattice and Bio-Inspired Multi-Scale Structures for Gas Turbine Engine Applications
Authors: Sarabhai Shivangi , Velivela Pavan Tejaswi , Zhao Yaoyao Fiona , Sanchez Fabian , Kibsey Mitch
Published: September 2023

Metal Additive Manufacturing has presented gas turbine designers with additional design tools such as cellular solids. However, there is limited research on the early selection of these structures and how these structures interact with flows. Lattice structures are known for their capability to be tailored for achieving specific properties such as high porosity and strength, impact energy absorption, and light-weighting. A literature survey has shown that the mechanical performance of the strut-based and surface-based lattice structures has already been investigated in the past. However, very little research has been conducted to investigate their flow and heat transfer performance, especially for strut-based lattice structures. This research systematically investigates the friction factor and convective heat transfer (CHT) coefficient across strut and surface-based lattice structures. Results show that the complex shape of the Triply Periodic Minimal Surface (TPMS) lattice structure topologies give the flow a better capability to mix and recirculate for convection at the expense of a significant pressure drop. However, topologies with less pressure drop/friction factor and high convective heat transfer coefficient are more suitable for gas turbine engines. Furthermore, this paper investigates the use of newly developed multifunctional bio-inspired design method called as Domain Integrated Design (DID) for an innovative concept to achieve low pressure drop and high effective heat transfer. Comparative study shows that bio-inspired designs have achieved low friction factor as compared to the lattice structures whereas TPMS structures shows better convective heat transfer performance.
Solving Renewable Intermittency With Low-Cost Legacy Turbines Firing 100% Hydrogen: An Ecosystem Analysis
Authors: Gramatikas George , Otto Marcel
Published: September 2023

This paper investigates 100%-hydrogen-fuel gas turbines as an enabler for renewable electric power. Intermittent renewables such as solar and wind raise grid problems and impose commercial power limits. Gas turbines running on 100% hydrogen can be the carbon-free grid-supporting and backing infrastructure. Gas turbines of legacy design are offered new from original equipment manufacturers or refurbished by aftermarket companies and can burn 100% hydrogen today. In this repurposing, fuel efficiency is tertiary to greenhouse gas-free emissions and operational reliability.

Current government incentives in the U.S. market promote converting gas turbines to use hydrogen, the necessary combustion conversion technology, and the large-scale hydrogen production required to achieve $1/kg hydrogen to support those turbines.

Unlike legacy gas turbines, newer high-efficiency advanced-class gas turbines pose more significant flame control challenges like flashback and auto-ignition on hydrogen. This study recognizes the difficulty and possibilities of fueling advanced gas turbines with 100% hydrogen. It compares the cost of efficiency loss, water, and ammonia with the benefit of lower greenhouse gas emissions and on-demand power in all generations of gas turbines.

The study identifies the role and viability of legacy gas turbines as a significant building block in a decarbonization strategy that includes the co-location of solar or wind and vast supplies of clean hydrogen with the goal of grid stability, energy security, and affordability.
Validation of Rotating Detonation Combustor CFD for Predicting Unsteady Supersonic-Subsonic Flow Field at the Exit
Authors: Raj Piyush , Talukdar Shaon , Langner Dalton , Gupta Apurav , Meadows Joseph , Agrawal Ajay
Published: September 2023

Rotating detonation combustors (RDC) have gained increased interest for integration with power-generating gas turbines due to the potential to increase thermal efficiency. The unsteady flow field exiting the RDC is fundamentally different compared to traditional swirl-stabilized combustors. Successful integration of RDC with gas turbines will depend on the ability to properly condition the unsteady flow to achieve performance levels comparable to swirl-stabilized combustors. RDC simulations require significant computational resources due to the small spatial and temporal time scales required to resolve the detonation phenomenon. Furthermore, traditional steady-state computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses are not possible for RDC simulations. The present study develops and validates a computationally efficient approach for predicting unsteady flow fields exiting the combustor using 2D, transient reacting CFD with periodic boundary conditions in the combustor and a downstream plenum. Validation is performed by comparing the CFD results to various experimental measurements: i) wave speed obtained from high-speed ion probe and dynamic pressure data, ii) average wall static pressure measurements, and iii) time-resolved particle image velocimetry (PIV) at 100 kHz at the RDC exit. Results indicate good agreement between CFD and experiments with respect to velocity field exiting the RDC, detonation wave speed, and static pressure distribution.
Alignment and Error Analysis to Improve Overlay Accuracy in Roll-to-Roll Screen Printing
Authors: Kim Daehyeon , Kim Youngjin , Kim Hyeongrae , Kim Juyeon , Kang Jongmo , Oh Dongho
Published: September 2023

Products with printed electronics technology can be easily found around us. It is a technology used in various fields such as RFID, flexible displays, and solar panels. Such products feature multi-layer structures rather than using a single pattern layer for printing. A product with excellent performance can be obtained only when overlay printing is performed well in a multi-layer structure. Therefore, to improve overlay accuracy, the effect of film deformation should be considered and compensated. However, deformation of the film is caused by tension applied to the film or heat during the drying process. In this paper, the deformation of the film is compensated by analyzing the register error after printing in the screen overlay printing process, one of the roll-to-roll process technologies. The tendency of film deformation is compensated by measuring the register error by comparing the reference register mark with the additional overprinted register mark, and analyzing the repetitive register error that occurs during overprinting. And it is verified that the overlay accuracy is improved through screen printing to which this compensation system is applied.
Sustainable Analysis of Energy Consumption and Surface Quality of Monocrystalline Silicon in Diamond Wire Sawing
Authors: Sefene Eyob Messele , Chen Chao-Chang Arthur , Wang Steve Hsueh-Ming
Published: September 2023

Semiconductor industries have strong demands for innovative techniques and optimum parameters in the machining domain to minimize the cost and environmental footprint during the wafer fabrication process. Identifying where energy is consumed in a machine tool is a critical step in reducing the energy and environmental impact of machining. In the semiconductor industry, diamond wire sawing (DWS) is a primary and time-consuming wafer fabrication process. However, the evaluation and assessment of energy consumption and carbon dioxide (CO2) emission in this process have not been thoroughly studied. This paper investigates the optimum process parameters for monocrystalline silicon to minimize energy consumption, CO2 emission, and surface quality through the DWS process. The experiment has conducted on rectangular monocrystalline silicon with different process parameters. The energy consumption of the DWS tool at various power sources and the surface roughness of the as-sawn wafers are measured, whereas the CO2 emission of materials and energy consumption of the DWS tool are analyzed. An autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) is employed to predict the energy consumption of the DWS tool. The result indicates that the maximum energy consumption and CO2 emission have been obtained at the higher wire speed and feed rate settings. Besides, the ARIMA model of total energy consumption prediction accuracy reached 99.1% compared to experimental results and verified the developed model.
A 3D Convolutional Neural Networks-Based Model for High-Resolution Prediction and Compensation of Geometrical Errors of Additive Manufactured Parts
Authors: Standfield Benjamin , Kong Zhenyu (James)
Published: September 2023

In this work, 3D convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are developed and utilized to predict and compensate for geometrical errors of parts printed in an FDM process with a resolution of 100 microns. The proposed approach improves additively manufactured part quality by predicting the geometrical error of the parts and then compensating for it by altering the initial geometries, namely, the stereolithography (STL) files, accordingly. It increased the prediction and compensation resolution of voxel-based ML methods to 100 microns, thereby reducing the error associated with each voxel. This is accomplished by leveraging semantic segmentation, a technique traditionally used in image processing for classification, in the domain of 3D voxels. This approach alleviates the computational requirements impeding previous literature, and the methodology becomes a classification problem. Using the F1 measure, a common classification metric in literature, an F1 measure of 0.96 is obtained for an object printed using compensation compared to 0.76 when compensation is not used, demonstrating our proposed method’s effectiveness.
Does Role Identity Mediate the Influence of Motivational Regulations on Physical Activity Behavior Among People 55 Years or Older?
Authors: Amireault Steve , Huffman Mary Katherine
Published: September 2023

The objective of this study was to estimate the extent to which motivational regulations influence physical activity behavior through role identity among people 55 years or older. Participants (N = 409; Mage = 66.29 years [SD = 7.06]) completed online questionnaires to measure motivational regulations, role identity, and the frequency of physical activity in a typical week and in the past month. Mediation analysis using ordinary least squares path analysis revealed that autonomous forms of motivational regulation (positively) and controlled forms of motivational regulation (negatively) influenced role identity, which then positively influenced physical activity behavior. Bootstrap confidence intervals (95%) for the indirect effects (a × b) based on 5,000 bootstrap samples were entirely above or below zero. These findings point to future experimental evaluations of interventions aiming at both increasing and decreasing autonomous and controlled motivational regulations, respectively, to promote physical activity behavior through role identity.
Transcription factor E4F1 as a regulator of cell life and disease progression
Authors: Sun Silu , Zhong Bing , Zeng Xin , Li Jing , Chen Qianming
Published: September 2023

E4F transcription factor 1 (E4F1), a member of the GLI-Kruppel family of zinc finger proteins, is now widely recognized as a transcription factor. It plays a critical role in regulating various cell processes, including cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and necrosis, DNA damage response, and cell metabolism. These processes involve intricate molecular regulatory networks, making E4F1 an important mediator in cell biology. Moreover, E4F1 has also been implicated in the pathogenesis of a range of human diseases. In this review, we provide an overview of the major advances in E4F1 research, from its first report to the present, including studies on its protein domains, molecular mechanisms of transcriptional regulation and biological functions, and implications for human diseases. We also address unresolved questions and potential research directions in this field. This review provides insights into the essential roles of E4F1 in human health and disease and may pave the way for facilitating E4F1 from basic research to clinical applications.
ULK1 forms distinct oligomeric states and nanoscopic structures during autophagy initiation
Authors: Banerjee Chiranjib , Mehra Dushyant , Song Daihyun , Mancebo Angel , Park Ji-Man , Kim Do-Hyung , Puchner Elias M.
Published: September 2023

Autophagy induction involves extensive molecular and membrane reorganization. Despite substantial progress, the mechanism underlying autophagy initiation remains poorly understood. Here, we used quantitative photoactivated localization microscopy with single-molecule sensitivity to analyze the nanoscopic distribution of endogenous ULK1, the kinase that triggers autophagy. Under amino acid starvation, ULK1 formed large clusters containing up to 161 molecules at the endoplasmic reticulum. Cross-correlation analysis revealed that ULK1 clusters engaging in autophagosome formation require 30 or more molecules. The ULK1 structures with more than the threshold number contained varying levels of Atg13, Atg14, Atg16, LC3B, GEC1, and WIPI2. We found that ULK1 activity is dispensable for the initial clustering of ULK1, but necessary for the subsequent expansion of the clusters, which involves interaction with Atg14, Atg16, and LC3B and relies on Vps34 activity. This quantitative analysis at the single-molecule level has provided unprecedented insights into the behavior of ULK1 during autophagy initiation.
3D printing of inorganic nanomaterials by photochemically bonding colloidal nanocrystals
Authors: Li Fu , Liu Shao-Feng , Liu Wangyu , Hou Zheng-Wei , Jiang Jiaxi , Fu Zhong , Wang Song , Si Yilong , Lu Shaoyong , Zhou Hongwei , Liu Dan , Tian Xiaoli , Qiu Hengwei , Yang Yuchen , Li Zhengcao , Li Xiaoyan , Lin Linhan , Sun Hong-Bo , Zhang Hao , Li Jinghong
Published: September 2023

3D printing of inorganic materials with nanoscale resolution offers a different materials processing pathway to explore devices with emergent functionalities. However, existing technologies typically involve photocurable resins that reduce material purity and degrade properties. We develop a general strategy for laser direct printing of inorganic nanomaterials, as exemplified by more than 10 semiconductors, metal oxides, metals, and their mixtures. Colloidal nanocrystals are used as building blocks and photochemically bonded through their native ligands. Without resins, this bonding process produces arbitrary three-dimensional (3D) structures with a large inorganic mass fraction (~90%) and high mechanical strength. The printed materials preserve the intrinsic properties of constituent nanocrystals and create structure-dictated functionalities, such as the broadband chiroptical responses with an anisotropic factor of ~0.24 for semiconducting cadmium chalcogenide nanohelical arrays.
Heat-proofing India
Authors: Chandrashekhar Vaishnavi
Published: September 2023

Cities in India are testing measures that could help urban populations worldwide cope with rising temperatures
r
Citrus
BBC: a bacterial resource to mine for new agricultural probiotics for citrus
Authors: Solaz-Rodenas Lucía , Penyalver Ramón
Published: September 2023

A culture collection of 147 selected bacteria from the rhizospheric citrus microbiome is available at the Valencian Institute of Agricultural Research (València, Spain). The data include information on plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits published to date and the presence of PGP-related genes in the available genomes of the different bacterial species.
Genome sequence of
Mesorhizobium mediterraneum
strain R31, a nitrogen-fixing rhizobium used as an inoculant for chickpea in Argentina
Authors: Foresto Emiliano , Revale Santiago , Nievas Fiorela , Carezzano María Evangelina , Puente Mariana , Alzari Pedro , Martinez Mariano , Ben-Assaya Mathilde , Mornico Damien , Santoro Maricel , Martinez-Abarca Francisco , Giordano Walter , Bogino Pablo
Published: September 2023

Here, we report the complete genome sequence of
Mesorhizobium mediterraneum
R31, a rhizobial strain recommended and used as a commercial inoculant for chickpea in Argentina. The genome consists of 7.25 Mb, distributed into four circular replicons: a chromosome of 6.72 Mbp and three plasmids of 0.29, 0.17, and 0.07 Mbp.
An improved
Lodderomyces elongisporus
NRRL YB-4239 genome assembly substantiated by its electrophoretic karyotype
Authors: Hoyer Lois L. , Hogan Elizabeth K. , Freeman Brian A. , Walden Kimberly K. O. , Hernández Alvaro G.
Published: September 2023

Pacific Biosciences long-read sequencing was used to improve the genome assembly for
Lodderomyces elongisporus
strain NRRL YB-4239 (ATCC 11503). The new assembly included eight chromosomes that were substantiated by the electrophoretic karyotype. The nuclear genome was 16.1 Mb (37.2% GC) with 5,740 genes predicted.
Near-full-length genome sequences of human norovirus GI.7[P7] and GII.4[P31] strains co-infecting a California patient in 2017
Authors: Yang Zhihui , Mammel Mark , Wolfe Julia
Published: September 2023

Accurate identification of human noroviruses (HuNoVs) from outbreaks or sporadic cases is critical for source tracing and outbreak investigation. Whole-genome sequencing is a powerful tool for the detection, identification, and discrimination of HuNoV strains. We report here the nearly complete genome sequences of GI.7[P7] and GII.4[P31] strains detected in a Californian patient co-infected by both strains in 2017.
Stable microbial community in compacted bentonite after 5 years of exposure to natural granitic groundwater
Authors: Engel Katja , Ford Sian E. , Binns W. Jeffrey , Diomidis Nikitas , Slater Greg F. , Neufeld Josh D.
Published: September 2023

The Materials Corrosion Test (MaCoTe) at the Underground Research Laboratory in Grimsel, Switzerland, assesses the microbiology and corrosion behavior of engineered barrier components of a deep geological repository (DGR) for long-term disposal of high-level nuclear waste. Diversity and temporal changes of bentonite-associated microbial community profiles were assessed under DGR-like conditions for compacted Wyoming MX-80 bentonite (1.25 g/cm
3
and 1.50 g/cm
3
targeted dry densities) exposed to natural groundwater. Using culture-dependent and molecular techniques, samples taken from the outside layer of 5-year borehole modules revealed up to 66% and 23% of 16S rRNA gene sequences affiliated with
Desulfosporosinus
and
Desulfovibrio,
respectively. Putatively involved in sulfate reduction, these taxa were almost undetectable within the bentonite core. Instead, microbial profiles of the inner bentonite core were similar to uncompacted bentonite used to pack modules years earlier, and were consistent with a previously published 1-year time point, revealing no detectable microbial growth. Abundances of culturable aerobic and anaerobic heterotrophic bacteria in the uncompacted bentonite were relatively low, with less than 1,000 and 100 colony-forming units (CFUs) per gram dry weight, respectively. Nearly 5 years after emplacement, culturable heterotrophic bacterial CFUs and sulfate-reducing bacteria did not change significantly inside the bentonite core. Phospholipid fatty acid data indicated similar lipid abundance, and corresponding cell abundance estimates, for inner 5-year MaCoTe bentonite samples compared to those previously obtained for 1-year incubations. Collectively, our results provide complementary evidence for microbial stability inside highly compacted bentonite exposed to conditions that mimic engineered barrier components of a deep geological repository.

IMPORTANCE

The long-term safety of a deep geological repository for used nuclear fuel is dependent on the performance of the engineered and natural barriers. Microbial activity can produce chemical species that can influence the corrosion of the disposal containers for used nuclear fuel. Although previous studies have evaluated the microbiology of compacted bentonite clay within subsurface environments, these have been limited to relatively short incubations (i.e., 1 year). The current study provides a unique 5-year perspective that reinforces previous findings of growth inhibition for bentonite clay exposed to
in situ
subsurface conditions.
The First Record of a Representative of the Toarcian–Early Aalenian Belemnites in Kimberlites of the Obnazhennaya Pipe (Northeastern Siberian Platform)
Authors: Dzyuba O. S. , Grinenko V. S. , Oshchepkova M. G. , Shurygin B. N.
Published: September 2023

A rostrum fragment of a representative of the Toarcian–Early Aalenian (the latest Early Jurassic–the earliest Middle Jurassic) belemnites Arcobelus cf. krimholzi (Sachs, 1970) was found for the first time in kimberlites of the Obnazhennaya pipe of the Kuoika kimberlite field (northeastern Siberian Platform, Olenek Uplift). It was shown that the belemnite records previously known here and dated to the Late Jurassic or Early Cretaceous may be of Bajocian–Bathonian (Middle Jurassic) age. The stage of kimberlite magmatism of 177 ± 1.5 Ma, recently established in the northeastern part of the Siberian craton according to U–Pb geochronological data, falls on the time of the existence of belemnites of the genus Arcobelus. The estimated Late Bajocian–Early Bathonian age of the representative of the genus Pachyteuthis, previously found in kimberlites of the Obnazhennaya pipe, is consistent with the 40Ar/39Ar age (167 Ma), as well as with the age based on some paleomagnetic data (168 ± 11 Ma) reported for the pipe. Taking into consideration the new data on belemnites, the internal part of the shelf should be extended to the territory of the Kuoika kimberlite field in the paleogeographic schemes of the northeastern part of the Siberian Platform during the Toarcian–Early Bathonian.
Risk as catalyst for positive change: lessons learnt from public health readiness for cholera in Jordan
Authors: Popescu Christian , Mousa Ayman Bani , Bellizzi Saverio , Ali Manal , Alhawarat Mohammad N , Alsawalha Lora , Hussainat Moutasem , El Kholy Amgad , Tayyab Muhammad , Awad Tarek N , El-Alam Rola , Shakkour Mohammad , Al-Qutob Raeda , Al-Shboul Raid Anwar , Hawari Feras Ibrahim
Published: September 2023

This case study highlights how a looming health crisis was leveraged as drivers for positive change for the health sector, in line with the health security agenda. In Jordan, several authorities are mandated by law to manage health emergencies. Following the declaration of outbreaks of cholera in Iraq, Lebanon and Syria, health authorities in Jordan called for a series of emergency meetings during September 2022 to discuss implications around travel and trade as well as shared waters. WHO was part of the consultations and provided guidance on the application of the International Health Regulations 2005. As the risk for cholera importation persisted, the Ministry of Health assumed its leadership role for the overall health sector response while the Jordanian Center for Disease Control assumed a coordinating function. Roles and responsibilities were enshrined in the National Cholera Preparedness and Response Plan. In consideration of the vulnerability of refugee camps and settlements towards Cholera, the existing Jordan humanitarian coordination platforms such as the Health Sector Working Group were used to share information and to coordinate activities. A whole-of-government risk assessment during December 2022 was complemented by a field visit at Zaatari refugee camp. This helped assess the risk and readiness for a cholera outbreak in Jordan and informed priority activities, such as the establishment of a national risk communication and community engagement working group as well as training on case management.
How to harness and improve on video analysis for youth rugby player safety: a narrative review
Authors: Shill Isla J , West Stephen W , Brown James , Wilson Fiona , Palmer Debbie , Pike Ian , Hendricks Sharief , Stokes Keith A , Hagel Brent E , Emery Carolyn A
Published: September 2023

Video analysis is a useful tool for injury surveillance in rugby union. There are few video analysis studies in the professional female game, with most studies published in the male elite/professional settings. Moreover, there is a sparsity of literature in youth rugby settings. The following narrative review outlines the strengths and limitations of the current video analysis literature for injury surveillance in youth rugby union, highlights the importance of video analysis for youth rugby player safety and welfare, and discusses recommendations for using video analysis to inform player safety in youth rugby.
Incidence rate of injury and injury sites in European and Swiss karate competitions: a prospective epidemiological study of 2404 fights
Authors: Rosso Claudio , Arnold Roland F , Daci Armond , Grezda Kushtrim
Published: September 2023

Objectives

To compare the rates and injury sites among competitors in European and Swiss karate tournaments and to identify differences in these incidence rates by sex and age.

Methods

This prospective cohort study collected data from two European and four national tournaments in Switzerland between 2011 and 2019. The on-site medical staff completed an anonymised report sheet with demographic data and injury characteristics in all injuries requiring medical treatment. The incidence rates per 1000 exposed athletes (AoE) and 1000 min of exposition (MoE) were analysed. Furthermore, the relative risk of injury related to sex and age was calculated and compared.

Results

In total, 228 injuries were observed in 2404 fights, for an incidence rate of 47.4 per 1000 AoE (95% CI 41.5 to 54.0) or 22.5 injuries per 1000 MoE (95% CI 19.7 to 25.6), respectively. The oldest age group (senior) of both sexes had a 3.6-fold (95% CI 2.7 to 4.8) significantly higher relative risk of injury than younger participants. Furthermore, there was a 2.9-fold (95% CI 1.6 to 5.6) statistically higher risk of injury for males in the senior age group compared with senior females. The most injured body part was the head, followed by the lower extremity, trunk and upper extremity.

Conclusion

Senior athletes, especially senior males, had significantly more injuries compared with younger and female senior competitors. Medical staff should be aware of the increased propensity for injury among this age and sex group to facilitate injury prevention and intervention.
The landscape of MHC-presented phosphopeptides yields actionable shared tumor antigens for cancer immunotherapy across multiple HLA alleles
Authors: Molvi Zaki , Klatt Martin G , Dao Tao , Urraca Jessica , Scheinberg David A , O'Reilly Richard J
Published: September 2023

Background

Certain phosphorylated peptides are differentially presented by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules on cancer cells characterized by aberrant phosphorylation. Phosphopeptides presented in complex with the human leukocyte antigen HLA-A*02:01 provide a stability advantage over their non-phosphorylated counterparts. This stability is thought to contribute to enhanced immunogenicity. Whether tumor-associated phosphopeptides presented by other common alleles exhibit immunogenicity and structural characteristics similar to those presented by A*02:01 is unclear. Therefore, we determined the identity, structural features, and immunogenicity of phosphopeptides presented by the prevalent alleles HLA-A*03:01, HLA-A*11:01, HLA-C*07:01, and HLA-C*07:02.

Methods

We isolated peptide-MHC complexes by immunoprecipitation from 11 healthy and neoplastic tissue samples using mass spectrometry, and then combined the resulting data with public immunopeptidomics data sets to assemble a curated set of phosphopeptides presented by 96 samples spanning 20 distinct healthy and neoplastic tissue types. We determined the biochemical features of selected phosphopeptides by in vitro binding assays and in silico docking, and their immunogenicity by analyzing healthy donor T cells for phosphopeptide-specific multimer binding and cytokine production.

Results

We identified a subset of phosphopeptides presented by HLA-A*03:01, A*11:01, C*07:01 and C*07:02 on multiple tumor types, particularly lymphomas and leukemias, but not healthy tissues. These phosphopeptides are products of genes essential to lymphoma and leukemia survival. The presented phosphopeptides generally exhibited similar or worse binding to A*03:01 than their non-phosphorylated counterparts. HLA-C*07:01 generally presented phosphopeptides but not their unmodified counterparts. Phosphopeptide binding to HLA-C*07:01 was dependent on B-pocket interactions that were absent in HLA-C*07:02. While HLA-A*02:01 and HLA-A*11:01 phosphopeptide-specific T cells could be readily detected in an autologous setting even when the non-phosphorylated peptide was co-presented, HLA-A*03:01 or HLA-C*07:01 phosphopeptides were repeatedly non-immunogenic, requiring use of allogeneic T cells to induce phosphopeptide-specific T cells.

Conclusions

Phosphopeptides presented by multiple alleles that are differentially expressed on tumors constitute tumor-specific antigens that could be targeted for cancer immunotherapy, but the immunogenicity of such phosphopeptides is not a general feature. In particular, phosphopeptides presented by HLA-A*02:01 and A*11:01 exhibit consistent immunogenicity, while phosphopeptides presented by HLA-A*03:01 and C*07:01, although appropriately presented, are not immunogenic. Thus, to address an expanded patient population, phosphopeptide-targeted immunotherapies should be wary of allele-specific differences.
Antitumor activity of the investigational B7-H3 antibody-drug conjugate, vobramitamab duocarmazine, in preclinical models of neuroblastoma
Authors: Brignole Chiara , Calarco Enzo , Bensa Veronica , Giusto Elena , Perri Patrizia , Ciampi Eleonora , Corrias Maria Valeria , Astigiano Simonetta , Cilli Michele , Loo Derik , Bonvini Ezio , Pastorino Fabio , Ponzoni Mirco
Published: September 2023

Introduction

B7-H3 is a potential target for pediatric cancers, including neuroblastoma (NB). Vobramitamab duocarmazine (also referred to as MGC018 and herein referred to as vobra duo) is an investigational duocarmycin-based antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) directed against the B7-H3 antigen. It is composed of an anti-B7-H3 humanized IgG1/kappa monoclonal antibody chemically conjugated through a cleavable valine-citrulline linker to aduocarmycin-hydroxybenzamideazaindole (vc-seco-DUBA). Vobra duo has shown preliminary clinical activity in B7-H3-expressing tumors.

Methods

B7-H3 expression was evaluated by flow-cytometry in a panel of human NB cell lines. Cytotoxicity was evaluated in monolayer and in multicellular tumor spheroid (MCTS) models by the water-soluble tetrazolium salt,MTS, proliferation assay and Cell Titer Glo 3D cell viability assay, respectively. Apoptotic cell death was investigated by annexin V staining. Orthotopic, pseudometastatic, and resected mouse NB models were developed to mimic disease conditions related to primary tumor growth, metastases, and circulating tumor cells with minimal residual disease, respectively.

Results

All human NB cell lines expressed cell surface B7-H3 in a unimodal fashion. Vobra duo was cytotoxic in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner against all cell lines (IC50 range 5.1–53.9 ng/mL) and NB MCTS (IC50 range 17.8–364 ng/mL). Vobra duo was inactive against a murine NB cell line (NX-S2) that did not express human B7-H3; however, NX-S2 cells were killed in the presence of vobra duo when co-cultured with human B7-H3-expressing cells, demonstrating bystander activity. In orthotopic and pseudometastatic mouse models, weekly intravenous treatments with 1 mg/kg vobra duo for 3 weeks delayed tumor growth compared with animals treated with an irrelevant (anti-CD20) duocarmycin-ADC. Vobra duo treatment for 4 weeks further increased survival in both orthotopic and resected NB models. Vobra duo compared favorably to TOpotecan-TEMozolomide (TOTEM), the standard-of-care therapy for NB relapsed disease, with tumor relapse delayed or arrested by two or three repeated 4-week vobra duo treatments, respectively. Further increased survival was observed in mice treated with vobra duo in combination with TOTEM. Vobra duo treatment was not associated with body weight loss, hematological toxicity, or clinical chemistry abnormalities.

Conclusion

Vobra duo exerts relevant antitumor activity in preclinical B7-H3-expressing NB models and represents a potential candidate for clinical translation.
Investigations of electronic, elastic, and optical properties of (Ag, Cd)-doped LaAlO3: a computational insight
Authors: Rizwan Muhammad , Moin Muhammad , Ullah Hafiz Muhammad Naeem , Anwar Abdul Waheed , Mushtaq Uzma , Mahmood Tariq
Published: September 2023

In this study, we used density functional theory to examine how the wide band gap optoelectronic properties of pure, silver-, and cadmium-doped LaAlO3 perovskites changed. Structural, electrical, elastic, and mechanical properties were calculated using generalized gradient approximation. Silver and cadmium incorporated at Al site demonstrated a decreasing trend in the band gap. Both impurities showed the reduction in band gap from 2.98 to 0.468 eV and from 2.98 to 2.0238 eV. The density of states was examined for pristine and doped structures to understand behavioral change of LaAlO3. It was observed that p states in upper valance band and d states in lower conduction band were contributing toward the reduction of band gap. Elastic properties were computed. Elastic parameters were used to calculate Born’s stability and it is predicted that the material is stable mechanically for both pristine and doped forms. Mechanical properties were also predicted and brittle nature was found for both pristine and doped materials. Optical responses such as dielectric function, absorption, and refractive index were also predicted. The impurity inclusion in pristine structure not only reduces the bad gap but also alters the optical behavior. Absorption edge shifted toward lower energy shows a clear redshift, whereas refractive index also reduces from 2.4 to 1.9, making the material more transparent. The absorption spectrum as well as electronic band gap makes this material more useful for solar cell application as well as photocatalytic applications.
Large-Scale Precision Micro-Vibration Stiffness Regulation Method Based on Spatial Magnetic Ring Array
Authors: Zhao Yamin , Cui Junning , Cheng Zhongyi , Jin Mingrui , Zhao Jingdong
Published: September 2023

To solve the mutual constraint between the large load capacity and low stiffness of large-scale air-floating micro-vibration isolation (LAMI), a spatial magnetic ring array stiffness regulation method (SMRASRM) is proposed, in which multi-layer magnetic rings are axially arranged, and the adjacent layers are magnetized perpendicularly to each other to form a spatial magnetic ring array with high magnetic density, thus realizing low stiffness under large load capacity. The analytical magnetic force and stiffness model of SMRASRM is established to analyze its effect on the dynamics of LAMI, and the design constraints, characteristics, and laws for reducing the stiffness of LAMI and achieving low-frequency isolation under large load capacity are also investigated. An experimental setup is built, and experimental results show that the stiffness of LAMI decreases by 28.40%, and the peak transmissibility decreases from 15.61 dB to 3.94 dB, which combines low stiffness and low transmissibility under large load capacity.
Influence of Electrodiagnostic Studies on Surgery for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Retrospective Analysis of Data from a Single Urban Institution
Authors: KIMURA Hiroo , MATSUO Tomoki , SUZUKI Taku , MATSUMURA Noboru , SATO Kazuki , IWAMOTO Takuji
Published: September 2023

Background: This study aimed to clarify the influence of preoperative electrodiagnostic (EDX) utilisation and its severity on surgically treated patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

Methods: This retrospective study analysed the data of patients who underwent CTS surgery at our facility from 2012 to 2022. Data regarding age, sex, affected side, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, haemodialysis and insurance type were collected, along with the following clinical information: utilisation of EDX, steroid injection, number of items of preoperative physical examination and history taking, intervals between symptom onset and the initial visit and between the initial visit and surgery, type of surgical procedure and surgery categorisation (primary or revision). EDX data (EDX severity, interval between EDX and surgery and concomitant nerve lesions) were also investigated. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to assess the influence of EDX utilisation and severity on clinical parameters.

Results: Of the 343 hands enrolled in our study, 304 (89%) underwent preoperative EDX assessment. EDX severity was classified as normal, mild, moderate or severe in 6 (2%), 18 (6%), 102 (34%) and 178 hands (58%), respectively. After the univariate and multivariable analyses, more items of preoperative physical examination and history taking were associated with non-EDX utilisation, whereas younger age, female sex and steroid injection were associated with milder EDX.

Conclusions: Increased number of items of preoperative physical examination and history taking or steroid injection were independently associated with non-EDX utilisation or milder EDX, respectively, suggesting that when thorough clinical evaluation is conducted, hand surgeons may be less likely to request for EDX before surgery. Moreover, their treatment recommendation may be influenced by EDX severity.

Level of Evidence: Level III (Diagnostic)
Persistent Hourglass Constriction in Recovered Anterior Interosseous Nerve Palsy Due to Neuralgic Amyotrophy: A Case Report
Authors: MANE Satish , DOI Kazuteru , HATTORI Yasunori , SAKAMOTO Sotetsu
Published: September 2023

The current articles recommended the interfascicular neurolysis for anterior interosseous nerve (AIN) palsy with hourglass-like fascicular constrictions (FCs) detected by ultrasonography or surgical exploration to realign to the fascicular torsion for those who failed to recover spontaneously. We present the case report of spontaneous AIN palsy recovered after conservative treatment; however, ultrasonographic findings showed persistent FCs of AIN in the arm at the beginning, at 6 weeks, and subsequent 3-year follow-ups, even after complete clinical recovery of palsy. This finding calls into question the current notion that AIN paralysis is due to FCs and that neurolysis is the best surgical treatment when spontaneous recovery does not occur for a considerable observation period.

Level of Evidence: Level V (Therapeutic)
Viral Membrane Fusion: A Dance Between Proteins and Lipids
Authors: White Judith M. , Ward Amanda E. , Odongo Laura , Tamm Lukas K.
Published: September 2023

There are at least 21 families of enveloped viruses that infect mammals, and many contain members of high concern for global human health. All enveloped viruses have a dedicated fusion protein or fusion complex that enacts the critical genome-releasing membrane fusion event that is essential before viral replication within the host cell interior can begin. Because all enveloped viruses enter cells by fusion, it behooves us to know how viral fusion proteins function. Viral fusion proteins are also major targets of neutralizing antibodies, and hence they serve as key vaccine immunogens. Here we review current concepts about viral membrane fusion proteins focusing on how they are triggered, structural intermediates between pre- and postfusion forms, and their interplay with the lipid bilayers they engage. We also discuss cellular and therapeutic interventions that thwart virus-cell membrane fusion.
Analysis of the MPL/GDL Interface: Impact of MPL Intrusion into the GDL Substrate
Authors: Berger Anne , Chen Yen-Chun , Gatzemeier Jacqueline , Schmidt Thomas J. , Büchi Felix N. , Gasteiger Hubert A.
Published: September 2023

Interfaces are crucial for the water management in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The introduction of a microporous layer (MPL) had a revolutionary effect on the water distribution by improving the interface between the catalyst layer and the gas diffusion layer substrate (GDL-S). Hence, it is vital to maximize the improvement by further characterizing and advancing the properties of the interfaces, in this case the MPL/GDL-S interface. This study aims at fabricating a GDL with an MPL that intrudes into the GDL-S, analyzing the impact on the GDL-S structure and on PEMFC performance. Mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) and ex situ X-ray tomography (XTM) show that the intrusion of the MPL into the hydrophobic GDL-S proceeds via the preferential filling of the GDL-S macropores, thereby reducing their size and volume fraction in the GDL-S. While an intruding MPL leads to a small performance increase under wet PEMFC operating conditions, this improvement could only be achieved by a careful management between the extent of MPL intrusion and the partial macropore blocking in the GDL-S. Furthermore, the impact of MPL intrusion on the liquid water saturation of the GDL was quantified by operando XTM. The results provide design guidelines for improved GDLs.
Pennington Corner: On the Road Again
Authors: Jannuzzi Christopher J.
Published: September 2023

This year I’m saying “yes” as much as I can, especially when it comes to travelling to meet, visit, reconnect, and reengage face-to-face with members of the global ECS community. What a thrill to be back on the road, meeting with old friends and colleagues, making new connections, and sharing the ECS mission in a far more personal, direct way than was possible these past several years. It has been amazing going out into the world, visiting places I haven’t seen in a long time—or ever before.
E-Chem Education: A Crash Course in Electrochemical Engineering for Caustic Soda Plant Design
Authors: Arges Christopher G. , Velegol Darrell , Jordan Matthew L.
Published: September 2023

The capstone chemical engineering senior process design course at Penn State in spring 2023 tasked students with designing a caustic soda process to partially meet the global demand for commoditized sodium hydroxide. This article disseminates our experience teaching senior chemical engineering students the core tenets of electrochemical engineering in a single class period for designing an electrolytic caustic soda process. In this E-Chem Education article, we relate key concepts found in chemical engineering (such as sizing up a reactor volume), which chemical engineering seniors are adept with, to electrochemical engineering principles (e.g., current density, voltage, and membrane electrode assembly area) for sizing up and costing out a chlor-alkali electrolyzer. Furthermore, we also discuss alternative electrolyzer designs outside the traditional chlor-alkali process, such as oxygen depolarized cathode (ODC) chlor-alkali and bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BPMED), for caustic soda production and the pros and cons of the alternative process designs.