bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Heat Transfer and Suppressing Flow-Induced Vibrations Through Cylinder Arrangement Modification
Authors: Ali Ussama , Islam Md , Janajreh Isam , Fatt Yap Yit
Published: January 2025

This study delves into the influence of cylinder arrangements on flow-induced vibrations and heat transfer within the laminar regime, specifically at a Reynolds number of 100. The investigation involves the oscillatory behavior of two cylinders, each permitted motion in two degrees of freedom: parallel to the flow direction (streamwise) and perpendicular to it (transverse). The configuration of two identical circular cylinders varies from tandem alignment (α = 0°) to staggered (α = 15°), with a fixed spacing of 6D between them, where D represents the cylinder diameter. Maintaining a constant temperature, the cylinders were subjected to heat transfer analysis to determine the impact of two-dimensional flow-induced vibrations (FIV). The outcomes emphasized the sensitivity of cylinder response to variations in reduced velocity and cylinder configuration, particularly concerning FIV and heat transfer phenomena. Notably, tandem alignment exhibited the most pronounced vibrational responses in both cylinders. Placing the cylinders in staggered arrangement resulted in lower vibrational responses accompanied by a diminished lock-in zone which is characterized by significant transverse vibration amplitudes. However, the staggered arrangement led to higher Strouhal numbers, indicative of increased vortex shedding frequencies. While streamwise vibrations were negligible in the tandem setup, they were prominent in the staggered arrangement. Importantly, the staggered setup demonstrated a notable 23% reduction in transverse vibrations and an 36% increase in the averaged Nusselt number for the downstream cylinder compared to the tandem configuration. These findings suggest the superiority of staggered cylinder setup over tandem alignment for enhancing heat transfer and mitigating FIV effects.
Hydrodynamic Analysis of a Magnetorheological Squeeze Film Damper Using the Herschel-Bulkley Model and the Short Bearing Approximation
Authors: Gómez Juan R. , Escandón Juan P. , Jimenez Edson M. , Torres David A.
Published: January 2025

The present work analyzes the behavior of a magnetorheological squeeze film damper to control the mechanical vibrations generated by the rotor instability. In this context, the Herschel-Bulkley model is used to simulate the behavior of the working fluid, and the fluid hydrodynamics is based on the continuity and momentum equations. Furthermore, the boundary conditions at the channel walls correspond to the non-slip conditions, and the conditions of velocity continuity and stress balance are present in the fictitious interfaces of the magnetorheological (MR) fluid. In particular, considering the short bearing approximation, the Reynolds equation determines the pressure distribution on the width of the MR damper. The results present the pressure distribution and velocity profiles of the MR fluid in the damper as a function of dimensionless parameters such as yield stress associated with the magnetic field, the power-law index to simulate the non-Newtonian behavior of the MR fluid, the angle that controls the thickness of the MR fluid, and the eccentricity due to rotor instability. Therefore, the theoretical results contribute to understanding fluid mechanics in MR dampers for applications in rotating machines such as turbines, pumps, internal combustion engines, and electric motors.
Methane Detection and Characterization With AI Sensor Fusion and Decision-Analytic Placement of Rapidly Deployable Sensors
Authors: Agogino Alice M. , Goldstein Adam , Chen Ian Yijun , Hu R. Lily , Huang Yu Fei , Hutchings Douglas , Kang Christiana , Lee Angeline Ying Kee , Miao Yuxin , Millan Jeffrey , Rao Vivek
Published: January 2025

Immediate action is required to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and its impact on climate change. Methane emissions have been estimated to produce 80 times the warming effect of carbon dioxide and are responsible for a third of anthropogenic warming. Recent legislation in inspections and penalties for leaks has motivated new efforts to identify sources of fugitive methane emissions and remediate them. However, there are major challenges, costs and safety concerns in identifying and characterizing leaks in remote and hard-to-reach production sites. New international satellite data can be used to flag general areas of large emissions, but do not have the resolution to identify the exact source or faulty equipment, which is needed to develop a plan for remediation.

This paper illustrates an integrated ground-aerial smart sensor approach built around a machine learning framework for methane inspections and characterizations. With the ability to be rapidly deployed by sUAS (small unmanned aerial systems) to gather a more localized and ground-level assessment of the leak, a dynamic optimal placement of sensors can be used to for improved remediation decision making. A case study is presented using the methane GasVid leak video dataset.
Structural Health and Damage Sensing of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Laminates
Authors: Jenson Sean , Meyer Sam , Ali Muhammad , Wisner Brian , Yochens Jesse
Published: January 2025

Advancement in aerospace materials is of high importance and is the focus in present material science studies. Laminated composites are often utilized due to their high strength-to-weight ratios. Aerospace materials and structures are often subjected to extreme temperature and loading environments. Due to their complex geometry, wear and damage are often difficult to measure without complete out-of-service inspection; therefore, the ability to actively monitor structural health is an extremely valuable inspection tool. The present study aimed to investigate the damage sensing capabilities of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates by using the existing composite fibers as an electrical network. The measured impedance of this system is monitored, with changes in the impedance notating damage to the system. Single, unidirectional plies were investigated through a micromechanics approach and the changes in electrical impedance were correlated to fiber and matrix damage. These impedance changes established a baseline for monitoring and predicting damage in these materials. This preliminary study provided satisfactory baseline knowledge in the use of electrical impedance monitoring to correlate damage in CFRP materials leading up to material failure. The sensing characteristic methods will ultimately be expanded to large scale laminate applications and will provide a method for monitoring structures and prediction of damage for CFRP material applications.
Conceptual Genetic Algorithm-Based Optimization of the Layer Heights in a Cascaded Packed Bed for Cryogenic Energy Storage
Authors: Chamarthi Bharat Surya , Sandilya Pavitra
Published: January 2025

A packed bed system comprising a cascade of phase change materials have been shown to enhance the energy storage performance, which is dictated by the type of PCM, number of PCM layers, volume of each layer amongst others. Some parametric studies to assess the effects of these factors for high temperature energy storage have been reported; however, no guidelines on the optimal design of the packed bed system is available. In this paper, we present a theoretical framework using genetic algorithm to optimize the height of each cascade stage of a packed bed for cryogenic energy storage. The objective for optimization was set as the maximization of the bed utilization and the second law efficiency. The optimization was done based on the bed temperature profiles obtained from a heat transfer model. We implemented this framework to a three-layered packed bed to store the cryogenic energy from an incoming air stream at 100K. The optimized dimension of the packed bed system has a utilization factor of 0.975 and exergy efficiency of 58%. The results show that the developed framework may be extended to optimize the design of large scale cascaded cryogenic packed bed energy storage systems.
Impact of Surface Texture on Moisture Absorption and Long-Term Mechanical Performance of Biomedical Polymers
Authors: Madasani Ravi Chandra , Hossain Mohammad
Published: January 2025

Mechanical integrity over time is a crucial factor for various biomedical polymers used in numerous applications, including total joint replacement prostheses applications. However, moisture absorption can significantly affect the long-term mechanical behavior of these polymers, leading to potential degradation and failure. This research investigates how surface texture influences the long-term mechanical behavior of two biomedical polymers, High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE). A comprehensive analysis is conducted by comparing the mechanical performance of flat/smooth and textured HDPE and UHMWPE specimens subjected to moisture exposure over an extended period. A combination of laser engraving and hot-pressing techniques is used to introduce textures, with variation in geometry and dimension, on the surfaces of model polymers. Tensile tests are performed on both flat/smooth and textured specimens stored under dry condition and in moisture environment for up to 90 days. Effects of moisture absorption on mechanical properties are studied and compared for the flat/smooth samples as well as among different textured samples with varying geometries and dimensions. The results demonstrate that the introduction of surface texture delays moisture absorption compared to flat/smooth samples. This delayed moisture absorption enhances the long-term mechanical durability of polymers under moisture environment. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) is conducted to understand the molecular mechanisms responsible for the observed long-term mechanical behavior. The findings highlight the critical role surface texture plays in mitigating moisture-induced degradation, thereby enhancing the long-term mechanical performance of biomedical polymers in moisture environments.
A MATLAB-Based User Interface to Study the Multi-Reflections and Light Absorption in Textured Solar Cell Surfaces
Authors: Singh Lovekesh , Hossain Mohammad
Published: January 2025

Improving the efficiency of solar cells is important as it is a sustainable way of energy production with a relatively low power conversion efficiency (PCE). To enhance the efficiency of solar cells, textures can be introduced on the surface which can minimize light ray reflectance, leading to increased light absorption and improvement in overall efficiency. Introduction of texture can also improve the hydrophobicity of the surface which can enhance the self-cleaning capability of solar panels. In this study, a MATLAB-based user interface is developed to facilitate assessing the sunlight absorption in silicon-based solar cells having top layer as a microtextured surface. The user interface employs a multi-faceted mesh-grid algorithm to design 3D textural surface geometries. Core to the program’s functionality is advanced ray tracing simulations that identify points of light intersection on these textures and determine the trajectory of light upon reflection. A notable feature of this user interface is its capability to simulate and analyze the complex phenomenon of multi-reflection in the structure. This iterative process allows for a comprehensive understanding of light interactions in textured surfaces, to find the best structure for maximum absorption. This user-interface provides clarity and ease of use in modeling and analyzing light absorption in textured solar cell surfaces. The modeling framework is validated using experimental observation, and the impact of six 3D surface textures on sunlight absorption of silicon solar cell is studied using the simulation framework. According to the simulation findings, the cavity texture provides more consistent light absorption compared to its protrusion counterpart. Furthermore, hemispherical cavities exhibit consistently high absorption across various incident angles. The results provide useful insights for improving light absorption in the solar cell.
New Design of an Integrated System of Supercritical CO2 Cycle and Multi-Effect Desalination and Organic Rankine Cycle for Concentrated Solar Power in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alharbi Sattam
Published: January 2025

In the present paper, a new design of a combined system using a concentrated solar system, which includes a thermal storage, is proposed for Saudi Arabia. The solar tower system is used with molten salts chosen as heat transfer fluid to supply heat input source for the supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) cycle via a heat exchanger, enabling the operation of the sCO2 cycle for electricity generation. The molten salts exit the heat exchanger at sufficiently high temperature, which can be used to generate steam for a desalination system. This steam powers multi-effect desalination with thermal vapor compression (MED-TVC) to produce freshwater. Furthermore, the supercritical CO2 Brayton cycle has waste heat with temperature above 100 degrees Celsius; therefore, this waste heat is recovered to produce an additionally electricity by using low-grade cycle such as Organic Rankine Cycle to improve the overall performance of combined system. The Engineering Equation Solver (EES) software is employed to conduct in-depth energy, exergy, and simple economic analyses for the new proposed system, focusing on the generation of electricity and freshwater. The new combined design system is increasing the power production from 100 MW to 103.52 MW. Freshwater production is 421 kg/s without impacting the power output. Based on simple economic analysis, the cost of electricity is 0.07 $/kWh, and the price of water is 0.92 $/m3.
An Experimental Study on the Evaporation Characteristics of Free-Suspended Droplet of Monoethanolamine Solutions
Authors: Zhang Haipeng , Misztal Tad , Liu Yang
Published: January 2025

Global warming is primarily driven by post-combustion carbon emissions within various industries as well as in transportation. Actions have been taking place worldwide, such as applying CO2 capture technology, to lower these emissions in an effort to achieve carbon neutrality. Among various carbon capture technologies, Monoethanolamine (MEA)-based solvent systems stand out for their promising decarbonization characteristics. However, spontaneous evaporation of the MEA solution may occur and degrade the efficiency of these systems. In this study, we aim to develop an experimental approach using an acoustic levitator to mimic and quantitatively examine the evaporation process of MEA solution droplets suspended in air used in these systems. By employing different concentrations of MEA solutions and capturing the size changes of suspended droplets over time with high-speed photography, we analyzed the evaporation processes of the droplets. The results reveal distinct stages during evaporation characterized by varying evaporation rates: a rapid evaporation of the solvent initially followed by a slower phase dominated by MEA. This differentiation in evaporation rates leads to an increase in the concentration of MEA on the surface of droplets as the process unfolds, potentially adversely impacting the effectiveness of CO2 capture. These findings underscore the necessity of adjusting spray nozzle designs in MEA-based CO2 capture systems to accommodate concentration changes during the evaporation process.
Off-Design Performance Analysis of a Pumping System in a Natural Gas Combined Cycle Taking Into Consideration Environmental Conditions
Authors: Bravo Said F. , Bravo Héctor J.
Published: January 2025

Centrifugal pumps are essential and vitally important components in thermodynamic electricity generation cycles such as Natural Gas Combined Cycles (NGCC). Reliability and the correct choice of equipment can define the correct functioning of a thermal generation power plant.

Environmental conditions can have a direct impact on the performance and behavior of thermal machines and combined cycles are no exception. This behavior directly affects the pumping systems since flow rate, thermal properties of the fluid and Total Dynamic Head (TDH) are modified.

Environmental conditions such ambient pressure, ambient temperature and relative humidity are commonly used as input parameters to make real simulations of thermal electric plants. This research focuses on a design and an off-design methodologies which together can predict the behavior and performance of a combined cycle by taking into consideration two of the most important variables before mentioned: environmental pressure and ambient temperature.

Centrifugal pumps in specific are directly modified since those changes will directly affect the performance of the plant and therefore the demand for working fluid is also modified. This specific investigation focuses on how meteorological parameters modify the behavior of the pumping system of a Rankine cycle included in NGCC, and how only considering the design conditions when modeling a thermal plant can mean oversizing the centrifugal pumps physically and energetically, making them unnecessarily larger.

The study has taken real meteorological data from two places: La Joya and Majes (located in south of Peru). The energy demand in Peru is constantly growing, industry and mining activities are considered important in the economy of the country. The modeling under design and off-design conditions used in this research could predict the behavior of the pumping system in an hourly simulation for a full year (8760 simulations). The results show that the flow rate of the average working fluid is greatly reduced, between 23.79% and 30.03% in La Joya and between 31.69% and 39.03% in Majes in real conditions, the TDH varies slightly but without significant importance, it is shown that the oversizing of the pumping equipment can become energetically considerable compared to the conditions at the design point, being on average 22.95% and 28.65% lower in La Joya and Majes respectively, finally the energy consumption of the pumping system in La Joya is higher than in Majes by 4.64% but this is compensated by the energy generated in La Joya which is bigger by 6.64% compared to Majes.
Enhancing Teaching Effectiveness and Student Engagement In Structural Engineering Through Integration of RISA Software: A Project-Based Pedagogy Approach
Authors: Jazaei Robabeh , Azari Fatemeh
Published: January 2025

This study investigates the effect of integrating RISA Software within a project-based pedagogy framework on teaching effectiveness and student learning outcomes in a junior-level civil engineering structural analysis course. Over three consecutive years (2021–2023), the course was delivered to cohorts of 12–20 civil engineering students, employing various pedagogical approaches. Despite consistent teaching methodology effectiveness ratings in the lecture section across the first two years (average 3 ± 0.2 out of 4), the lab section of this course, where RISA Software was integrated, demonstrated a steady increase in teaching effectiveness from 3.09 to 3.32 for the first two years. Notably, in 2023, the introduction of project-based pedagogy resulted in an 11% improvement in teaching effectiveness in the lecture section and an impressive 27% increase in the lab section. Key findings suggest that the incorporation of RISA Software within a project-based pedagogical framework fosters enhanced teaching effectiveness, heightened student engagement, and a more profound understanding of structural engineering concepts. This research underscores the efficacy of integrating practical software tools with innovative teaching methodologies to optimize learning outcomes in complex engineering subjects.
Computational Modeling of Flow, Spread, and Deformation of Compound Droplets: Printability and Relevance to Advanced Manufacturing Processes
Authors: Shah Rauf G. , Mohan Ram V.
Published: January 2025

The study of compound droplets, where one droplet is encapsulated within another, has gained significant attention due to its relevance in various manufacturing processes. Computational models serve as powerful tools for understanding the complex dynamics involved in the formation, deformation, and manipulation of compound droplets. Through these models, researchers can investigate the dynamics and interplay of different underlying forces, providing insights into the behavior of compound droplets for process optimization.

In this work, we use the multiphase volume-Of-Fluid (VOF) method with a ‘multiphaseInterfoam’ solver for capturing different interfaces of compound droplets. A converge study is also conducted to achieve the grid independent solutions and the convergence is observed. The spreading and recoiling behavior is captured with reference to a droplet-based printing where a compound droplet is impinged on a solid substrate. The pressure and velocity contours reveal the flow induced deformation and the origin of mechanical stress along the interfaces of different phases. A parametric study focusing on the effect of process parameters or material properties in the form of non-dimensional numbers (Re and We) on the spread diameter is conducted which will improve process optimization during the printing process.

In manufacturing processes such as microencapsulation, emulsification, and 3D printing, the precise control of compound droplet formation and manipulation is crucial for achieving desired product characteristics and functionalities. Computational modeling facilitates the optimization of process parameters, leading to enhanced efficiency, reduced material wastage, and improved product quality. This paper underscores the significance of computational modeling in advancing our understanding of compound droplets and its transformative impact on various manufacturing processes.
Statistical Analysis and Computational Modelling of Superfluid Helium
Authors: Domenikos George-Rafael , Mantzaris Alexander V.
Published: January 2025

Superfluidity as a state of matter is a complex phenomenon that can be studied from different perspectives. In this work the authors aim to describe superfluidity in Helium-4 through a microscopical computational approach. Through the quantum mechanical states of Helium a statistical model is created in order to transverse from the microscopical to the macroscopical spectrum. The Bose-Einstein statistics and the Maxwell-Boltzmann are then calculated for different temperatures to investigate the divergence between them in the microscopic view of the system, and explore the macroscopic system phase transitions to superfluidity. Through this computational model the probability distributions of the different energy states are presented, giving the ability to compare the statistical behavior of the ideal and non-ideal parts of superfluid Helium, and how superfluidity can be associated with the phenomenon of Bose-Einstein condensation computationally. The excitation spectrum of the superfluid is studied, through which the entropy of the excitations is shown to be the total entropy of the superfluid below the lambda line, connecting these finding with Landau’s quasiparticle approach. Through these computations the authors are now able to showcase this microscopical behavior directly, without making use of macroscopical thermodynamic data as done previously, and derive the basic thermodynamic behaviors of superfluid Helium-4 to near absolute zero without the need of experimental data.
Development of an EMG-Controlled Wire Feeder Mechanism for Hand Amputees in TIG Welding
Authors: Glencoe James , Deemyad Taher
Published: January 2025

Skilled trades play a pivotal role in industrial productivity and craftsmanship, yet workers in these professions face occupational hazards, including traumatic amputations. Existing prosthetic solutions often inadequately address the needs of trade workers, leading to challenges in returning to work effectively. This paper explores the development of an Electromyography (EMG) wire feeder designed to assist hand amputees in TIG welding, emblematic of the broader investigation into prosthetic technology. Recognizing the critical gap in current prosthetic solutions for trade workers, this research aims to develop solutions tailored to the demands of labor-intensive industries. By exploring alternative control methods such as force myography, which offers robust control mechanisms less susceptible to environmental factors, this study seeks to enhance prosthetic usability in skilled trades. Additionally, efforts are directed towards simplifying prosthetic control systems, ensuring reliability and adaptability to task-specific needs. Through the convergence of engineering ingenuity and prosthetic rehabilitation, this research endeavors to transform the lives of individuals in skilled trades, enabling them to reclaim their livelihoods effectively.
Introducing key theoretical and data analysis tools in computational physics via Earth's temperature and climate
Authors: Syphers David
Published: January 2025

This paper presents two thematically linked activities focused on temperature, climate, and climate change that can be used as engaging ways to introduce students to computational techniques. The first activity makes use of a non-equilibrium Earth undergoing climate change to introduce students to numerical solutions to differential equations via an ordinary first-order differential equation. This activity also introduces the concept of a toy model, and the important ideas of simulation validation and convergence. The second activity gives students several decades of local temperature data sampled hourly, introducing them to model fitting messy, real-world data, while also allowing them to see the effect of climate change. The amount of scaffolding for each activity is flexible, allowing instructors to adapt these activities to classes at advanced, intermediate, and even introductory levels.
Mode-informed complex-valued neural processes for matched field processing
Authors: Liu Yining , Gao Wei , Chen Desheng , Xu Lijun
Published: January 2025

A complex-valued neural process method, combined with modal depth functions (MDFs) of the ocean waveguide, is proposed to reconstruct the acoustic field. Neural networks are used to describe complex Gaussian processes, modeling the distribution of the acoustic field at different depths. The network parameters are optimized through a meta-learning strategy, preventing overfitting under small sample conditions (sample size equals the number of array elements) and mitigating the slow reconstruction speed of Gaussian processes (GPs), while denoising and interpolating sparsely distributed acoustic field data, generating dense field data for virtual receiver arrays. The predicted field is then integrated with the matched field processing (MFP) method for passive source localization. Validation on the SWellEx-96 waveguide shows significant improvements in localization performance and reduces sidelobes of ambiguity surface compared to traditional MFP and GP-based MFP. Moreover, the proposed kernel based on MDFs outperforms the Gaussian kernel in describing ocean waveguide characteristics. Because of the feature representation of multi-modal mapping, this kernel enhances acoustic field prediction performance and improves the accuracy and robustness of MFP. Simulated and real data are used to verify the validity.
The Utility of Therapeutic Cooling in Sport-Related Concussion: A Critically Appraised Topic
Authors: Chizuk Haley M. , Marshall Kendall , Zipp Jake , Sardinia William , Zafron Michelle L. , Leddy John J. , Pryor Riana R.
Published: January 2025

Clinical Scenario: Sport-related concussions (SRC) can have a substantial impact on quality of life, necessitating cost-effective interventions to accelerate recovery. Ice or cooling therapy after SRC may be such an intervention; however, this area of research has not been well studied. This critically appraised topic focuses on the impact of ice and cooling therapy on SRC outcomes. Clinical Question: Does ice or cooling therapy reduce symptom burden or recovery time compared with standard care in athletes after SRC? Summary of Key Findings: Four studies met inclusion criteria. In two studies, elite athletes reported reduced symptom burden and returned to sport faster when a cooling intervention was applied immediately compared with standard treatment. The other two studies found that adolescent athletes had reduced symptom burden when a cooling intervention was applied within a few days of injury when combined with standard treatment. Clinical Bottom Line: Immediate cooling after SRC may reduce symptoms and facilitate recovery in adolescent and elite athletes. Strength of Recommendation: There is limited evidence to suggest that cooling therapy reduces symptom burden and facilitates SRC recovery. More research is needed to determine the potential mechanism of action and optimize treatment timing, frequency, and duration.
The Production of Coaching: A Critical Examination of Space in Coaching
Authors: Lee Han Wool , Corsby Charles L.T.
Published: January 2025

Despite the substantial body of coaching literature that has illuminated the social and relational features of coaching, the spatial(-temporal) dimension of coaching has often been overlooked. Inspired by Henri Lefebvre’s writing of The Production of Space, this article critically explores and deconstructs the dominant sociospatial practices at Alvour Football Club (all names used are pseudonyms) and how they were co-produced and materialized by those involved in organizational life. Following an ethnographic design, the first author spent 7 months at a semiprofessional football club. The precise research methods included participant observation, informal conversation, semistructured interviews, and the use of visual methods (i.e., researcher-driven photography and auto-photography). The findings present three themes: the patterns of Alvour F.C., outlining the coaches’ vision (i.e., how the team would be expected to play), and describing the manipulations, actions, and consequences of trying to implement such ideas of how to play into practice. Taken together, the findings illuminate how the dialectical relation between spatiality and temporality in coaching was imagined and produced, which in turn demonstrated the unequal forms of power, control, and marginalization present in everyday coaching. It is hoped the study contributes to the theoretical breadth and critical analysis of the everyday practical realities of coaching, which might illuminate a spatial turn in coaching.
CASTER: Direct species tree inference from whole-genome alignments
Authors: Zhang Chao , Nielsen Rasmus , Mirarab Siavash
Published: January 2025

Genomes contain mosaics of discordant evolutionary histories, challenging the accurate inference of the tree of life. Although genome-wide data are routinely used for discordance-aware phylogenomic analyses, because of modeling and scalability limitations, the current practice leaves out large chunks of genomes. As more high-quality genomes become available, we urgently need discordance-aware methods to infer the tree directly from a multiple genome alignment. In this study, we introduce Coalescence-Aware Alignment-Based Species Tree Estimator (CASTER), a theoretically justified site-based method that eliminates the need to predefine recombination-free loci. CASTER is scalable to hundreds of mammalian whole genomes. We demonstrate the accuracy and scalability of CASTER in simulations that include recombination and apply CASTER to several biological datasets, showing that its per-site scores can reveal both biological and artifactual patterns of discordance across the genome.
The parting of water
Authors: Service Robert F.
Published: January 2025

Green hydrogen is key to decarbonizing the world. But the costly, finicky devices that make it need dramatic improvement
Mitochondrial injury and complement dysregulation are drivers of pathological inflammation in viral myocarditis
Authors: Mohamud Yasir , Bahreyni Amirhossein , Hwang Sinwoo Wendy , Lin Jingfei Carly , Wang Zhihan Claire , Zhang Jingchun , Luo Honglin
Published: January 2025

Enteroviruses cause nearly 1 billion global infections annually and are associated with a diverse array of human illnesses. Among these, myocarditis and the resulting chronic inflammation have been recognized as major contributing factors to virus-induced heart failure. Despite our growing understanding, very limited therapeutic strategies have been developed to address the pathological consequences of virus-induced chronic innate immune activation. Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) was used as a model cardiotropic enterovirus. We leveraged
in vitro
cell-based studies to investigate cardiomyocyte and macrophage interaction during CVB3 infection, as well as animal studies and unique human cardio specimens to evaluate mechanisms of viral heart injury. We present evidence that viral myocarditis is in part exacerbated by pathological activation of the complement pathway in cells, mice, and human cardiac tissues. We demonstrate unique cell type-specific responses to viral infection that are exacerbated by mitochondrial injury in cardiomyocytes and NFκB-dependent pro-inflammatory response in macrophages. Macrophages are robustly activated by damage-associated mitochondrial components, including mitochondrial proteins and lipid extracts. Mechanistically, we identify complement protective factors CD59/protectin and CD55/DAF as novel targets of viral proteinase that acts to release the brakes on complement-mediated autoinjury. Collectively, our study highlights a novel mechanism that can act as a potential contributor to CVB3 pathogenesis through mitochondrial injury-mediated autoimmunity.

IMPORTANCE

This study sheds light on how enteroviruses, specifically coxsackievirus B3, may contribute to heart failure by triggering harmful immune responses in the heart. We discovered that viral infections in heart cells cause mitochondrial damage, which in turn activates a destructive immune response involving the complement system. This immune activation is one of the significant contributors that lead to further injury of heart tissues, worsening the damage caused by the virus. Additionally, we identified key protective molecules that are targeted and disrupted by the virus, allowing the immune system to attack the heart even more aggressively. Understanding these mechanisms may provide additional insights into how viral infections can lead to chronic heart conditions and suggests potential therapeutic targets to prevent or reduce heart damage in patients affected by viral myocarditis.
An assessment of the progress made in the implementation of the regional framework for cholera prevention and control in the WHO African region
Authors: Kapaya Fred , Keita Mory , Sodjinou Vincent Dossou , Nanyunja Miriam , Mpairwe Allan , Daniel Ebenezer Obi , Akpan Godwin , Mlanda Tamayi , O-tipo Shikanga , Abianuru Amarachi Tikal , Mamadu Ibrahim , Masina John , Ladu Alice Igale , Dratibi Fred Athanasius , Ramadan Otim Patrick Cossy , Braka Fiona , Koua Etien Luc , Barboza Philippe , Chamla Dick , Gueye Abdou Salam
Published: January 2025

High-burden cholera outbreaks, spreading beyond the traditional cholera-endemic countries, have been reported since 2021 in the WHO African region. Member states in the region have committed to the global goal of cholera elimination by 2030. To track progress towards this goal, WHO-African countries adopted a regional cholera prevention and control framework in 2018. This study reports on 27 countries’ 5-year achievements in implementing the cholera regional framework for cholera prevention, and control. Data collected through a web-based self-assessment tool were analysed and visualised through Power BI. Data were provided by national teams of experts on cholera based on the milestones of the framework. Countries’ specific progress and regional progress were calculated. The overall regional progress was 53%, ranging from 19% in Mauritania to 76% in Ethiopia. Out of the 27 countries, 3 had made good progress while 14 had fair and 10 had insufficient progress. At the regional level, 4 milestones were on track, 7 were fair and 10 had insufficient progress. Cholera hot spot mapping had the highest score at 85%, while development of investment cases for cholera control scored the lowest at 14%. Although appreciable progress was noted in some milestones, the progress against critical milestones, including for water, sanitation and hygiene, that form the bedrock of cholera control, was insufficient. Effective implementation of the cholera prevention and control framework anchored on strong government commitment and ownership is essential to curb the current trend of cholera outbreaks and improve the likelihood of cholera elimination by 2030 in Africa.
Multicentre, multitime, multidimension, prospective follow-up cohort study on patients during the first wave of COVID-19 in China: a study protocol
Authors: Wu Shan , Luo Zhaoyao , Liu Huiping , Zhu Jia , Zhu Yanan , Hou Danwei , Wei Tianhua , Liu Tonghui , Zheng Chao , Zhu Zhimin , Huang Weipeng , Bai Weixian , Yu Xinyi , Yuan Huijie , Bao Wenrui , Zhang Ming , Niu Xuan
Published: January 2025

Introduction

During the first wave of the COVID-19 outbreak in China, the surge of COVID-19 cases was rapid and drastic. Emerging evidence suggests that beyond the acute phase, patients with COVID-19 may experience a wide range of postacute or long COVID sequelae. However, the mechanism and burden of COVID-19, especially long COVID, have not yet been comprehensively clarified. To fill this knowledge gap, this large prospective follow-up study aims to investigate the short-term and long-term effects of COVID-19, explore the underlying biological mechanism and identify predictive neuroimaging and haematological biomarkers associated with these effects.

Methods and analysis

This multicentre study will recruit patients infected during the first wave of COVID-19 in China and healthy controls (HCs) with no history of COVID-19 infection from nine participating hospitals. Confirmed patients with mild or moderate COVID-19 will complete the following programmes during the acute infection phase and at 3, 12 and 24 months after infection: (a) blood test at the local laboratory, (b) multimodal brain and spine MRI scan and (c) the neuropsychological scales and questionnaires. Similarly, the uninfected HCs will complete the same programmes as the infected group mentioned above at the time of inclusion. At the first time point, 501 participants (418 patients and 83 HCs) from nine recruiting hospitals have been observed. Ultimately, all of these results will be analysed to explore the short-term and long-term effects of COVID-19.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval was granted by Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University (XJTU1AF2023LSK-013). Findings will be presented at national and international conferences, as well as published in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Trial registration number

NCT05745805.
Short-acting beta agonist, antibiotics, oral corticosteroid and association with mortality and cardiopulmonary events in patients with COPD: a retrospective cohort study in Alberta, Canada
Authors: Bhutani Mohit , Talukdar Manisha , Randhawa Arsh , Manivong Phongsack , Gelfand Aaron , McMullen Suzanne , Mayers Irvin
Published: January 2025

Objective

The purpose of the study was to examine the association between short-acting beta agonist (SABA), antibiotic and oral corticosteroid (OCS) use and mortality and cardiopulmonary outcomes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Design

Retrospective cohort study using administrative health data from 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2020.

Setting

Alberta, Canada.

Participants

Patients ≥35 years old with COPD were identified using diagnostic codes.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Patient characteristics included age, sex, geographical zone and comorbidities (as defined by the Charlson Comorbidity Index). Outcome variables included all-cause and COPD-related mortality. Outcomes were assessed in consecutive 90-day intervals, starting from cohort entry, paired with time-varying COPD-related medication history in the 1 year preceding each interval. Associations were modelled between mortality and SABA, antibiotic and OCS history, and between major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) death and SABA history.

Results

Among 188 969 patients, dose–response effects were observed. Adjusting for covariates, rates were higher for patients with 6+ (vs 1) SABA dispenses (all-cause mortality HR: 1.20, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.24, p<0.001; COPD-related mortality HR: 1.40, 95% CI 1.34 to 1.46, p<0.001). Patients receiving 6+ (vs 1–2) antibiotic dispenses had 62% (HR: 1.62, 95% CI 1.57 to 1.66, p<0.001) and 43% (HR: 1.43, 95% CI 1.38 to 1.49, p<0.001) higher rates of all-cause and COPD-related mortality, respectively. Patients experiencing 6+ (vs 1–5) OCS burst-days had 27% (HR: 1.27, 95% CI 1.18 to 1.36, p<0.001) and 29% (HR: 1.29, 95% CI 1.19 to 1.40, p<0.001) higher rates of all-cause and COPD-related mortality, respectively. Adjusting for covariates, patients with 2–5 (vs 1) SABA dispenses had higher rates of postexacerbation MACE and CVD death (incidence rate ratio: 1.26, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.36, p<0.001 and 1.27, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.40, p<0.001, respectively).

Conclusions

One-year COPD reliever or exacerbation management medication history was associated with higher rates of mortality and postexacerbation MACE (SABA specific).
Which unmet social care needs have the biggest impact on healthy ageing? An analysis of data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing
Authors: Spiers Gemma F , Davies Laurie E , Sinclair David , Tan Michelle M C , Kingston Andrew , Hanratty Barbara
Published: January 2025

Background and aim

Unmet need for social care is linked to numerous adverse health outcomes. Understanding which unmet needs have the biggest impact on healthy ageing could help resource-stretched services prioritise care. To address this evidence gap, our analysis aimed to explore the association between selected individual unmet care needs and an indicator of healthy ageing.

Design and data

Cross-sectional analysis of data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (Wave 9). A total of 6109 people aged 50 years or over, with complete data items, formed the basis for this analysis.

Measures

Absolute unmet need for help with each: walking 100 yards and climbing one flight of steps (mobility); managing money, managing medication, doing housework and shopping for groceries (instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs)); and dressing, walking across a room, bathing or showering, eating, using the toilet and getting in and out of bed (activities of daily living (ADLs)). Our outcome measure was poor self-rated health .

Results

Associations between poor self-rated health and most unmet ADL, IADL and mobility needs were not statistically significant. People with an unmet need for support with managing money were nine times more likely to report poor self-rated health than those whose support needs were met in this domain (OR=9.23, 95% CI: 2.12 to 40.23). In a comparison of people with met and unmet needs, individuals with met needs had higher levels of dependency than those with unmet needs.

Conclusions

Some unmet needs may be especially consequential for older people’s health. However, shortcomings in current data limit a clear and confident assessment of this. Our analysis highlights the importance of data on the level of need to better understand the link between unmet care needs and healthy ageing.
Care intertwined with anxiety and helplessness: the experiences of ICU nurses from COVID-19 disease’s end of life—a qualitative study
Authors: Asadi Neda , Royani Zahra , Pourkhajoei Sirous
Published: January 2025

Objective

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for end-of-life care has increased. This type of care is different for patients with COVID-19 compared with other patients. This study aims to explain the experiences of intensive care unit (ICU) nurses in providing end-of-life care to patients with COVID-19.

Design

Qualitative content analysis.

Setting

The study population consisted of ICU nurses working in hospitals affiliated with the Kerman University of Medical Sciences in southeastern Iran.

Participants

14 ICU nurses, including 9 women and 5 men, participated in this study. Their mean age was 33.79±5.07 years, and their mean work experience was 8.64±3.5 years.

Primary and secondary objectives

The purpose of this qualitative content analysis was to explore the experiences of Iranian intensive care nurses using purposive sampling and semistructured in-depth interviews. Sampling was based on maximum variation (age, gender, professional experience and educational level) to obtain rich information. Guba and Lincoln’s criteria were applied to increase the trustworthiness and rigour of the study, and the data were analysed using Graneheim and Lundman’s method and MAXQDA 2020.

Results

ICU nurses’ experiences of caring for patients with COVID-19 at the end of life are comprehensive, and four main themes emerged from the responses: fear of death due to COVID-19 infection; physical and psychological consequences of caring for patients dying from COVID-19; confusion in caring for patients with COVID-19 at the end of life and unbelievable deaths.

Conclusion

The present study looked at the experiences of Iranian nurses providing end-of-life care during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings suggest that the nurses experienced anxiety, excessive fatigue and guilt during end-of-life care and that the high mortality and unbelievable deaths were traumatic experiences for them.