bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Ceramic Matrix Composites on the Thermal Efficiency of a Power Generation Turbine
Authors: Tayade Ashrit , Lynch Stephen 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) offer higher allowable temperatures and reduced weight, making them an attractive prospect for parts in the hot section of a gas turbine engine. As CMCs are increasingly adapted into aero and land-based engines, there is a need to quantify the performance increase based on the potential for reduced cooling and increased firing temperatures. In this work, two static hot section components—the first-stage turbine vane and the first-stage turbine tip shroud (outer casing above the blade)—of a mid-sized power generation engine were modeled. Informed approximations about part geometry and cooling architectures were made to determine the cooling requirements of each part. Thermal boundary conditions for the turbine tip shroud and turbine vane were generated as a function of coolant mass flowrate using data from literature and applied to a 2D finite element analysis of the parts to determine maximum temperatures for both metallic and ceramic materials. A gas turbine cycle model was developed to simulate the performance of a mid-sized power generation turbine and used to determine the increase in efficiency due to a reduction in the cooling requirement for the CMC part compared to a conventional metal superalloy-based part. The potential reduction in chargeable cooling seen for the tip shroud ring was between 0.09% and 0.4% of the compressor mass flowrate, which corresponds to an increase in thermal efficiency between 0.11% and 0.45%. A similar analysis of the turbine vane resulted in a cooling reduction of 10.71% at the maximum turbine entry temperature considered which corresponds to a 3.4% increase in thermal efficiency.
Understanding the Flow Field in a Highly Loaded Tandem Compressor Cascade
Authors: Tran Thanh-Son , Babin Cedric , Fontaneto Fabrizio , Coussement Gregory , Verstraete Tom 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Large flow turning in compressor cascades with single airfoils requires effective control of the boundary layer growth under the diffusing flow. An alternative approach consists of distributing the loading over two subsequent airfoils, using a so-called tandem blade, to, in some measure, restart the boundary layer before flow separation occurs. It is, however, not always clear whether the benefits of the two-blade setup justify the additional manufacturing complexity. The present work explores the tandem blade concept using a gradient-based optimization method to directly produce an efficient, highly loaded compressor cascade blade. A comparison between two-dimensional single and tandem configurations is first presented to clarify the benefits of one over the other. The geometry is optimized for each concept using a gradient-based optimization technique to improve the pressure loss coefficient at multiple operating points for a given flow turning constraint. While the optimized single and tandem blade designs have similar performance, the lower solidity of the latter provides a lighter compressor stage for the considered operating range. A three-dimensional tandem compressor cascade based on the two-dimensional study is optimized to account for secondary flows. The aerodynamic performance and the operating range are assessed and compared, along with an analysis of the physical phenomena surrounding the tandem configuration. The resulting geometry presents similar non-conventional features observed during the two-dimensional study that exploits the flow mechanism of two-airfoil configurations.
An Improved Eulerian–Lagrangian Method Combined With Ductile Material Model for Cavitation Erosion Assessment
Authors: Wang Ziyang , Cheng Huaiyu , Luo Xianwu , Peng Xiaoxing , Ji Bin 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Cavitation erosion in hydraulic machinery constitutes a multifaceted, instantaneous physicochemical process resulting in material wear and decreased efficiency. This paper employs an enhanced Eulerian–Lagrangian method to evaluate cavitation erosion. The method captures erosive impact loads released by the nonspherical collapse of near-wall bubbles and integrates them with a one-dimensional ductile material mode, a capability lacking in traditional homogeneous mixture methods. A classic axisymmetric nozzle test case is conducted under four different cavitation numbers (σ = 0.8, 0.9, 1.09, and 1.6) to validate the reliability of the new approach. Qualitative and quantitative analysis demonstrates that the impact load distribution on the lower and upper walls aligns with experimental measurements. Compared with reference works, the new method accurately predicts the maximum wear position and yields a narrower erosion area closer to the experimental data. Moreover, the relative error of the minimum incubation time at σ = 0.9 on the lower wall calculated by the new method is 4.67%, and the relative error of the maximum wear rate is 36.6%. This method is pivotal for further studying how various materials respond to cavitation wear. Further analysis reveals that material response patterns are similar under cavitation erosion conditions at σ = 0.8, 0.9, and 1.09. In contrast, the material surface wear rate is reduced by 46.7%, and the incubation time nearly triples at σ = 1.6.
A Multilevel Model to Explain the Opportunities for and Experiences of LGBTQ+ People in Elite American Football
Authors: Cunningham George B. , Garrison Kelsey M. , Hussain Umer 
Published: October 2024

American football holds immense cultural significance, from its impressive youth participation rates to the coverage of professional football. However, the reach of American football extends beyond cultural significance, as societal values and norms are frequently mimicked or even amplified in major sport settings. American football is a context that highlights the privileges of heterosexuality and cisgender people, effectively discouraging people from disclosing their lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) status. Because LGBTQ+ inclusion has received less attention in the American football context, and bias against LGBTQ+ people is common in sport, this paper aimed to explore LGBTQ+ inclusion in American football. Drawing on our related scholarship in this area, we present a multilevel framework, highlighting macrolevel (i.e., societal), mesolevel (i.e., organizational), and microlevel (i.e., individual) factors that shape LGBTQ+ inclusion in American football. The discussion includes strategies to implement LGBTQ+ inclusion in American football, as well as a call for further research.
Association Between Participation in Physical Education Classes and Physical Activity Among 284,820 Adolescents: A Progressive Exposure Gradient Analysis
Authors: Araujo Raphael H.O. , Werneck André O. , Jesus Gilmar M. , Filho Valter C.B. , Brazo-Sayavera Javier , Tremblay Mark S. , Silva Danilo R.P. 
Published: October 2024

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the associations between participation in physical education (PE) classes and days with ≥60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) using different reference categories for participation in PE. Methods: We used self-reported data from 284,820 adolescents. Results: When no participation in PE was the reference, participation on 1 (prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.15 [1.12–1.18]), 2 (PR = 1.24 [1.20–1.27]), 3 to 4 (PR = 1.32 [1.28–1.36]), and  ≥5 days per week (PR = 1.8 [1.33–1.43]) increased frequency of days of ≥60 minutes of MVPA. Participating in PE on 2 (PR = 1.07 [1.02–1.09]), 3 to 4 (PR = 1.15 [1.12–1.18]), and ≥5 days per week (PR = 1.18 [1.15–1.22]) increased the days of ≥60 minutes of MVPA when participation in PE classes on 1 days per week was the reference. When participation in PE on 2 days per week was the reference, participation in PE classes on 3 to 4 (PR = 1.07 [1.04–1.09]) and ≥5 days per week (PR = 1.12 [1.09–1.15]) increased the days of ≥60 minutes of MVPA. Participating in PE classes on ≥5 days per week increased the days of ≥60 minutes of MVPA (PR = 1.05 [1.03–1.07]) when participation on 3 to 4 days per week was the reference. Conclusions: For those with no participation in PE classes, the addition of any PE classes could positively impact the weekly frequency of days of ≥60 minutes of MVPA. Even in countries/territories with large coverage of participation in PE classes, promoting more PE classes could be useful to increase physical activity.
Intervention Satisfaction and Feasibility of the Active Children Through In-Home, Web-Based Physical Activity (ACTIWEB-PA) Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial in Children
Authors: Rastogi Somya , Columna Luis , Koltyn Kelli , Gangnon Ronald , Peppard Paul , Malecki Kristen , Cadmus-Bertram Lisa 
Published: October 2024

Purpose: We assessed feasibility and satisfaction of the Active Children Through In-Home Web-Based Physical Activity pilot trial, delivering a web-based movement integration intervention to children. Method: Eighty-two children (8–11 y), insufficiently active, were randomly assigned to either exercise intervention (n = 41) or wait-list control (n = 41). The intervention involved 20-minute exercise videos, 5 times weekly for 12 weeks, using the UNICEF Kid Power website at home. Feasibility metrics included recruitment (target: 70%), retention (target: 80%), adherence rates, and satisfaction assessed through surveys and interviews. Retention rate-1 was percentage completing posttest surveys, and retention rate-2 was percentage completing posttest accelerometry. Parent logs assessed adherence. Results: Recruitment, retention-1, and retention-2 rates were 73.6%, 93.9%, and 80.5%, respectively. The intervention group had 5 dropouts; wait-list control had none. Sixty-nine percent showed high intervention adherence. Parents consistently expressed satisfaction, finding the intervention enjoyable and beneficial. Although children initially provided positive reviews, their interest declined over time, with increasing expressions of monotony. Suggestions to increase novelty and incorporate a social component were made by participants. The intervention was also found to be particularly useful during inclement weather. Conclusion: Active Children Through In-Home Web-Based Physical Activity trial exceeded feasibility targets of recruitment and retention and achieved moderate overall adherence. Future trials should emphasize novelty and peer participation for improved adherence and satisfaction.
TBAJ-587, a novel diarylquinoline, is active against
Mycobacterium abscessus
Authors: Fan Junsheng , Tan Zhili , He Siyuan , Li Anqi , Jia Yaping , Li Juan , Zhang Zhemin , Li Bing , Chu Haiqing 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections are extremely difficult to treat due to a natural resistance to many antimicrobials. TBAJ-587 is a novel diarylquinoline, which shows higher anti-tuberculosis activity, lower lipophilicity, and weaker inhibition of hERG channels than bedaquiline (BDQ). The susceptibilities of 11 NTM reference strains and 194 clinical
Mycobacterium abscessus
isolates to TBAJ-587 were determined by the broth microdilution assay. The activity of TBAJ-587 toward the growth of
M. abscessus
in macrophages was also evaluated. Minimum bactericidal concentration and time-kill kinetic assays were conducted to distinguish between the bactericidal and bacteriostatic activities of TBAJ-587. The synergy between TBAJ-587 and eight clinically important antibiotics was determined using a checkerboard assay. TBAJ-587 was highly effective against
M. abscessus
by targeting its F-ATP synthase
c
chain. The antimicrobial activities of TBAJ-587 and BDQ toward intracellular
M. abscessus
were comparable. The
in vivo
activities of TBAJ-587 and BDQ in an immunocompromised mouse model were also comparable. TBAJ-587 expressed bactericidal activity and was compatible with eight anti-NTM drugs commonly used in clinical practice; no antagonism was discovered. As such, TBAJ-587 represents a potential candidate for the treatment of NTM infections.
Dual roles for a tick protein disulfide isomerase during the life cycle of the Lyme disease agent
Authors: Tang Xiaotian , Cui Yingjun , Namarra Ushuu , Tian Xiuqi , Rivas-Giorgi Freddie , Fikrig Erol 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT

The protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) family is a group of enzymes that have thiol-disulfide oxidoreductase, disulfide isomerase, and redox-dependent chaperone activities. PDIs facilitate diverse infections in mammalian hosts by directly binding to pathogens, immunomodulation, or enabling microbial invasion of host cells. PDI homologs within pathogens are also potential virulence factors. However, whether PDIs within blood-feeding ticks influence microbial infection remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of
Ixodes scapularis
PDIs, on the Lyme disease agent,
Borrelia burgdorferi. I. scapularis
has five PDIs (IsPDIs), and
IsPDIA6
gene expression is reduced upon
B. burgdorferi
infection in the tick. IsPDIA6-mediated trypsin inhibitor gene expression contributes to
B. burgdorferi
colonization within the tick midgut. IsPDIA6 is also secreted into the host during tick feeding, alters cytokine/chemokine expression at the tick bite site, and influences the initial stage of bacterial infection in mice. These data demonstrate that a PDI from a blood-feeding vector plays a role in the life cycle of an extracellular pathogen.

IMPORTANCE

Vector-borne diseases are a leading cause of death and illness worldwide, and more than 80% of the global population live in areas at risk from at least one major vector-borne disease. In this study, we demonstrate a dual role of a specific
Ixodes
tick protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) in inhibiting the ability of the Lyme disease agent to colonize ticks and also in enhancing the initial stage of spirochete infection of mice. This study represents a novel conceptual advancement that a PDI from a blood-feeding vector plays important roles in the life cycle of an extracellular pathogen.
Genome sequences of dengue virus serotypes 2, 3, and 4 isolated from adult patients in Thailand
Authors: Songjaeng Adisak , Chin-Inmanu Kwanrutai , Proykhunthod Phitchapha , Poraha Ranyikar , Sayboonruan Preeyanuch , Prayongkul Dararat , Mairiang Dumrong , Suputtamongkol Yupin , Angkasekwinai Nasikarn , Punyadee Nuntaya , Avirutnan Panisadee 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT

Here, we present the genome sequences of dengue viruses (DENV) isolated from adult patients in Thailand during 2016–2017: DENV2 (412749), DENV3 (416384), and DENV4 (416709). These sequences provide valuable genetic and evolutionary information for dengue research and antiviral development.
Complete genome sequence of two
Christensenella minuta
strains CIP 112228 and CIP 112229, isolated from human fecal samples
Authors: Bouchier Christiane , Touak Gérald , Rei Damien , Clermont Dominique 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT

Christensenella minuta
is one of the representative bacterial species of the human gut microbiome. We report the complete genome sequence of two strains,
Christensenella minuta
CIP 112228 and CIP 112229, isolated from two healthy volunteers.
Genomic characterization of parvovirus and beak and feather disease virus in cockatiel (
Nymphicus hollandicus
)
Authors: Sarker Subir , Talukder Saranika , Bhuiyan Md. Safiul Alam , Haque Md. Hakimul 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT

This study reveals the genomes of psittaciform chaphamaparvovirus 5 (PsChPV-5) and a beak and feather disease virus (BFDV), discovered in the fecal samples of cockatiels. The genomes of PsChPV-5 and BFDV are 4,366 and 2,009 base pairs long, respectively, each exhibiting the characteristic genomic structures of their respective genera.
Draft genome of hydrocarbon-degrader
Burkholderia cepacia
BCTT, isolated from soil chronically polluted with crude oil in Trinidad
Authors: Ramdass Amanda Christine , Rampersad Sephra Nalini 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT

Burkholderia cepacia
BCTT
,
isolated from chronically polluted soil in Trinidad, shows a capacity to survive in crude oil as a sole carbon source. Here, we report its high-quality draft genome sequence and highlight those pathways and genes involved in xenobiotic degradation. These data give a clearer insight into this organism’s biotechnological potential.
Whole-genome sequence of
Bacillus subtilis
TR6 strain isolated from tomato (
Solanum lycopersicum
L.) roots
Authors: Chebotar Vladimir K. , Gancheva Maria S. , Chizhevskaya Elena P. , Keleinikova Oksana V. , Baganova Maria E. , Zaplatkin Alexander N. , Pishchik Veronika N. 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT

Here, we announce the sequence of endophyte
Bacillus subtilis
TR6 strain isolated from tomato roots growing in a greenhouse in St. Petersburg, Russia. With a length of 4,071,622 bp, this strain contained 4,073 potential coding sequences and 10 predicted secondary metabolite biosynthesis gene clusters.
Mice colonized with the defined microbial community OMM19.1 are susceptible to
Clostridioides difficile
infection without prior antibiotic treatment
Authors: Chua Michelle , Collins James 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT

Diverse gut microorganisms present in humans and mice are essential for the prevention of microbial pathogen colonization. However, antibiotic-induced dysbiosis of the gut microbiome reduces microbial diversity and allows
Clostridioides difficile
(
C. difficile
) to colonize the intestine. The Oligo-Mouse-Microbiota 19.1 (OMM19.1) is a synthetic community that consists of bacteria that are taxonomically and functionally designed to mimic the specific pathogen-free mouse gut microbiota. Here, we examined the susceptibility of OMM19.1 colonized mice to
C. difficile
infection (CDI) at a range of infectious doses (10
3
, 10
5
, and 10
7
spores) without prior antibiotic treatment. We found that mice colonized with OMM19.1 were susceptible to CDI regardless of the dose. The clinical scores increased with increasing
C. difficile
dosage. Infection with
C. difficile
was correlated with a significant increase in
Ligilactobacillus murinus
and
Escherichia coli
, while the relative abundance of
Bacteroides caecimuris, Akkermansia muciniphila, Extibacter muris, and Turicimonas muris
was significantly decreased following CDI. Our results demonstrate that the OMM19.1 community requires additional bacteria to enable
C. difficile
colonization resistance.

IMPORTANCE

The human gut microbiota consists of a wide range of microorganisms whose composition and function vary according to their location and have a significant impact on health and disease. The ability to generate and test the defined microbiota within gnotobiotic animal models is essential for determining the mechanisms responsible for colonization resistance. The exact mechanism(s) by which healthy microbiota prevents
Clostridioides difficile
infection is unknown, although competition for nutrients, active antagonism, production of inhibitory metabolites (such as secondary bile acids), and microbial manipulation of the immune system are all thought to play a role. Here, we colonized germ-free C57BL/6 mice with a synthetic bacterial community (OMM19.1) that mimics the specific pathogen-free mouse microbiota. Following breeding, to enable immune system development, F1 mice were infected with three different doses of
C. difficile
. Our research suggests that there are additional essential microbial functions that are absent from the current OMM19.1 model.
Antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of human recombinant H1 histones against bacterial infections
Authors: Arévalo-Jaimes Betsy Verónica , Salinas-Pena Mónica , Ponte Inmaculada , Jordan Albert , Roque Alicia , Torrents Eduard 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT

Histones possess significant antimicrobial potential, yet their activity against biofilms remains underexplored. Moreover, concerns regarding adverse effects limit their clinical implementation. We investigated the antibacterial efficacy of human recombinant histone H1 subtypes against
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
PAO1, both planktonic and in biofilms. After the
in vitro
tests, toxicity and efficacy were assessed in a
P. aeruginosa
PAO1 infection model using
Galleria mellonella
larvae. Histones were also evaluated in combination with ciprofloxacin (Cpx) and gentamicin (Gm). Our results demonstrate antimicrobial activity of all three histones against
P. aeruginosa
PAO1, with H1.0 and H1.4 showing efficacy at lower concentrations. The bactericidal effect was associated with a mechanism of membrane disruption.
In vitro
studies using static and dynamic models showed that H1.4 had antibiofilm potential by reducing cell biomass. Neither H1.0 nor H1.4 showed toxicity in
G. mellonella
larvae, and both increased larvae survival when infected with
P. aeruginosa
PAO1. Although
in vitro
synergism was observed between ciprofloxacin and H1.0, no improvement over the antibiotic alone was noted
in vivo
. Differences in antibacterial and antibiofilm activity were attributed to sequence and structural variations among histone subtypes. Moreover, the efficacy of H1.0 and H1.4 was influenced by the presence and strength of the extracellular matrix. These findings suggest histones hold promise for combating acute and chronic infections caused by pathogens such as
P. aeruginosa
.

IMPORTANCE

The constant increase of multidrug-resistant bacteria is a critical global concern. The inefficacy of current therapies to treat bacterial infections is attributed to multiple mechanisms of resistance, including the capacity to form biofilms. Therefore, the identification of novel and safe therapeutic strategies is imperative. This study confirms the antimicrobial potential of three histone H1 subtypes against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Furthermore, histones H1.0 and H1.4 demonstrated
in vivo
efficacy without associated toxicity in an acute infection model of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
PAO1 in
Galleria mellonella
larvae. The bactericidal effect of these proteins also resulted in biomass reduction of
P. aeruginosa
PAO1 biofilms. Given the clinical significance of this opportunistic pathogen, our research provides a comprehensive initial evaluation of the efficacy, toxicity, and mechanism of action of a potential new therapeutic approach against acute and chronic bacterial infections.