bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Use of Solar Hybrid Community Cooking System for Community Kitchens Serving 100-200 Meals/Day
Authors: Chinthamalla Rezeena , Sardeshpande Madhavi , Sardeshpande Vishal , Kumbhakarna Neeraj 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
This study explores the design and development of a solar hybrid community cooking system tailored for community kitchens serving 100–200 meals per day. The study focuses on a solar hybrid system under implementation at a tribal residential school in Gujarat, India, to cook meals for 80 tribal children. Solar hybrid steam-based cooking system involves generating steam using a combination of solar thermal compound parabolic collector (CPC) and photovoltaic (PV) energy sources. The expected savings from the solar hybrid cooking system is about USD 2088 / year for 300 days of operation in a year, with an order investment of USD 12000. The system’s potential reduction in carbon footprint will be approximately 4.95 tons of CO2 per year. The core objective of such integration is to provide nutritious and hygienic meals while reducing the cost of operation and the carbon footprint through solar hybrid technology.
Integration of Solar Distillation in Dairy Effluent Treatment: A Step Toward Reducing Carbon Footprint
Authors: Katekar Vikrant P. , Deshmukh Sandip S. 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
The present study deals with how solar distillation may minimise energy usage and the carbon footprint of traditional effluent treatment plants. From the experimental investigations, it has been found that solar distillation is an effective wastewater treatment approach. After effluent treatment, the water appeared clean and transparent. Even its foul smell was gone. The effluent and absorber plate temperatures varied similarly, with little difference. The maximum absorber plate and effluent temperatures were 70°C and 60°C. Average temperatures were 57°C and 55°C. The condenser glass cover, distiller bottom surface, and air temperatures showed similar changes. Up to 10 a.m., these temperatures were low but reached a maximum of 60°C, 49°C, and 41.1°C by the afternoon. Their average temperatures were 47°C, 42.3°C, and 38.8°C. At 2 p.m., with 836 W/m2 solar irradiation, the greatest hourly production was 0.337 kg/hr. Overall production was 1.69 kg per day for 0.45 square metres. The projected yield per square metre was 3–4 kg per day. Chemical analysis shows pH has increased from 5.1 to 7.2. The fact that the water went from acidic to alkaline shows that effluent treatment produces high-quality water. TDS reduced from 815 ppm to 80 ppm after effluent treatment, indicating fewer pollutants and better water quality. This study also showed that integrating the solar distillation system into the central effluent treatment plant reduced its load by 40%.
Model-Based Design and Economic Assessment of a Clean Grid-Independent Hydrogen Supply Station for a Bus Fleet
Authors: Bove Giovanni , Sorrentino Marco , Desideri Umberto 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
The imperative of achieving net zero emission (NZE) targets is central to the global sustainability agenda, particularly in the critical sector of urban bus fleets. This study explores transitioning fleets from traditional diesel to fuel cell (FC) propulsion, identifying the most economically viable option through a comprehensive methodology, including a total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis. Despite FC technology advancements, challenges persist due to unfavorable hydrogen price and high capital expenditures, necessitating innovative alternatives. The main objective is to introduce and validate the design of a clean grid-independent hydrogen supply station, a transformative solution envisioning a fleet powered by H2 generated from a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer (PEMEL) based renewable microgrid, overcoming challenges posed by H2 pricing and aligning with NZE goals.
The design process involves developing a tailored PEMEL-based microgrid for hydrogen production. Analyses include a simple payback (SPB) period evaluation and validation, comparing the proposed configuration with microgrid setups by other authors. Despite challenges, the grid concept associated with fleet renewal demonstrates real-world viability and economic benefits, providing a compelling case for adoption in urban bus fleet renewal. With a 40% reduction in TCO compared to FC bus renewal and a 10% reduction compared to diesel buses, it represents a sustainable and economically sound solution that significantly contributes to the global sustainability agenda.
Analysis of Electrochemical Capture of CO2 From Oceanwater Coupled With Hydrates-Based Seabed Sequestration
Authors: Hamalian Mark , Bhati Awan , Bahadur Vaibhav 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Novel energy efficient and scalable carbon capture and sequestration technologies are critical to meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement. In this study, we present a first-order system-level assessment of an integrated carbon capture and carbon sequestration plant that couples electrochemical CO2 capture from oceanwater with co-located long-term carbon sequestration as CO2 hydrates (ice-like solids) on the seabed. Separate recent experimental results associated with electrochemical capture and hydrate formation form the basis for this energetics-focused analysis, which evaluates power consumption of all the key components associated with capture and sequestration. Hydrates can be formed from both pure water as well as seawater, and the implications of including a desalination plant to provide pure water for hydrate formation are studied. All analysis is conducted for a 1 plant which captures and sequesters 1 megaton CO2 annually. Our results indicate the carbon capture will consume significantly more energy than carbon sequestration despite the use of a low-energy consuming electrochemical technique. From a sequestration standpoint, there are clear benefits to forming hydrates at high pressures, since the elevated formation rates reduce the number of hydrate formation reactors significantly. It is also seen that the addition of a desalination plant to provide pure water for hydrate formation (which speeds up hydrate formation) will not affect the energetics of the overall process significantly; however the CAPEX and operational aspects of including a desalination plant need to be analyzed in greater detail. Overall, this study seeds a novel CCS concept which can be deployed via decommissioned oil-gas platforms to capture CO2 from surface oceanwater and store CO2 right below on the seabed after appropriate sealing (artificial or natural).
Heliostat Field and a Solid Particle Receiver Curtain Under Dynamic Conditions for CSP Plants
Authors: Nanclares Juan Camilo , Marton Matthew , Arias Jesus , Haynes Comas , Ordonez Juan C. 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Solid particles are being pursued as the next generation collecting and storage media for central receiver concentrated solar power (CSP) systems. This paper studies the interactions between the CSP heliostat field and its free-falling particle receiver. A thermodynamic model to predict the receiver temperature is presented. Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) and ambient temperature data for clear sky and partially cloudy sky days in each season are considered for Tucson, AZ. The heliostat and receiver parameters are representative of those of the Gen 3 Particle Pilot Plant (G3P3) developed by DOE and Sandia. The temperature distribution follows the trend of the irradiation profile for the selected day as anticipated, and increments in mass flow rate result in a lower outlet temperature of the curtain.
Biochemical characterization of
Mycobacterial
RNA polymerases
Authors: Cooper Stephanie L. , Requijo Ryan M. , Lucius Aaron L. , Schneider David A. 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACT

Tuberculosis is caused by the bacterium
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
(Mtb). While eukaryotic species employ several specialized RNA polymerases (Pols) to fulfill the RNA synthesis requirements of the cell, bacterial species use a single RNA polymerase (RNAP). To contribute to the foundational understanding of how Mtb and the related non-pathogenic mycobacterial species,
Mycobacterium smegmatis
(Msm), perform the essential function of RNA synthesis, we performed a series of
in vitro
transcription experiments to define the unique enzymatic properties of Mtb and Msm RNAPs. In this study, we characterize the mechanism of nucleotide addition used by these bacterial RNAPs with comparisons to previously characterized eukaryotic Pols I, II, and III. We show that Mtb RNAP and Msm RNAP demonstrate similar enzymatic properties and nucleotide addition kinetics to each other but diverge significantly from eukaryotic Pols. We also show that Mtb RNAP and Msm RNAP uniquely bind a nucleotide analog with significantly higher affinity than canonical nucleotides, in contrast to eukaryotic RNA polymerase II. This affinity for analogs may reveal a vulnerability for selective inhibition of the pathogenic bacterial enzyme.

IMPORTANCE

Tuberculosis, caused by the bacterium
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
(Mtb), remains a severe global health threat. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that tuberculosis is second only to COVID-19 as the most lethal infection worldwide, with more annual deaths than HIV and AIDS (
WHO.int
). The first-line treatment for tuberculosis, Rifampin (or Rifampicin), specifically targets the Mtb RNA polymerase. This drug has been used for decades, leading to increased numbers of multi-drug-resistant infections (Stephanie,
et al
). To effectively treat tuberculosis, there is an urgent need for new therapeutics that selectively target vulnerabilities of the bacteria and not the host. Characterization of the differences between Mtb enzymes and host enzymes is critical to inform these ongoing drug design efforts.
The
Sinorhizobium meliloti
nitrogen-fixing symbiosis requires CbrA-dependent regulation of a DivL and CckA phosphorelay
Authors: Bender Hayden A. , Huynh Roger , Puerner Charles , Pelaez Jennifer , Sadowski Craig , Kissman Elijah N. , Barbano Julia , Schallies Karla B. , Gibson Katherine E. 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACT

The cell cycle is a fundamental process involved in bacterial reproduction and cellular differentiation. For
Sinorhizobium meliloti
, cell cycle outcomes depend on its growth environment. This bacterium shows a tight coupling of DNA replication initiation with cell division during free-living growth. In contrast, it undergoes a novel program of endoreduplication and terminal differentiation during symbiosis within its host. While several DivK regulators at the top of its CtrA pathway have been shown to play an important role in this differentiation process, there is a lack of resolution regarding the downstream molecular activities required and whether they could be unique to the symbiosis cell cycle. The DivK kinase CbrA is a negative regulator of CtrA activity and is required for successful symbiosis. In this work, spontaneous symbiosis suppressors of Δ
cbrA
were identified as alleles of
divL
and
cckA
. In addition to rescuing symbiotic development, they restore wild-type cell cycle progression to free-living Δ
cbrA
cells. Biochemical characterization of the
S. meliloti
hybrid histidine kinase CckA
in vitro
demonstrates that it has both kinase and phosphatase activities. Specifically, CckA on its own has autophosphorylation activity, and phosphatase activity is induced by the second messenger c-di-GMP. Importantly, the CckA
A373S
suppressor protein of Δ
cbrA
has a significant loss in kinase activity, and this is predicted to cause decreased CtrA activity
in vivo
. These findings deepen our understanding of the CbrA regulatory pathway and open new avenues for further molecular characterization of a network pivotal to the free-living cell cycle and symbiotic differentiation of
S. meliloti
.

IMPORTANCE

Sinorhizobium meliloti
is a soil bacterium able to form a nitrogen-fixing symbiosis with certain legumes, including the agriculturally important
Medicago sativa
. It provides ammonia to plants growing in nitrogen-poor soils and is therefore of agricultural and environmental significance as this symbiosis negates the need for industrial fertilizers. Understanding mechanisms governing symbiotic development is essential to either engineer a more effective symbiosis or extend its potential to non-leguminous crops. Here, we identify mutations within cell cycle regulators and find that they control cell cycle outcomes during both symbiosis and free-living growth. As regulators within the CtrA two-component signal transduction pathway, this study deepens our understanding of a regulatory network shaping host colonization, cell cycle differentiation, and symbiosis in an important model organism.
Antimicrobial susceptibility to last-resort antibiotics in carbapenemase-producing bacteria from Ukrainian patients
Authors: Verkaik Nelianne J. , Wielders Cornelia C. H. , den Boer Hans , Langerak Diana , Vogel Marius , Witteveen Sandra , de Haan Angela , Bos Jeroen , van Westreenen Mireille , Notermans Daan W. , Hendrickx Antoni P. A. ,   on behalf of the participating laboratories,   on behalf of the SWAB Working Group Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACT

Since March 2022, an increase was observed in multidrug-resistant microorganisms (MDRO), associated with the hospital transfer of Ukrainian patients. The goal was to collect phenotypic susceptibility data and assess clinical implications. Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE,
n
= 96),
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
(CPPA,
n
= 20), and carbapenem-resistant
Acinetobacter baumannii–calcoaceticus
(CRAB,
n
= 6) from Ukrainian patients were obtained from March to December 2022 from the Dutch MDRO surveillance. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using broth microdilution (BMD) when available, fosfomycin agar dilution, disk diffusion (DD) for cefiderocol, and diverse gradient strips. All isolates were sequenced with Illumina next-generation sequencing. For meropenem, aminoglycosides, ceftazidime–avibactam, ceftolozane–tazobactam, and imipenem–relebactam, susceptibility rates were low (0%–30%), due to the high number of
bla
NDM
-positive isolates (79/122; 65%). For cefiderocol, results depended on reading with or without microcolonies, applying EUCAST or CLSI breakpoints, and whether DD or BMD was used; e.g., for
Klebsiella pneumoniae
, 30%–97% were susceptible. For colistin, 103/111 (93%) non-intrinsically resistant CPE/CPPA/CRAB isolates were susceptible. For most CPE, a low minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of <0.5 mg/L was measured for tigecycline and ceftazidime–avibactam–aztreonam. For CPPA, cefiderocol tested susceptible in 65%–100% of isolates. For CRAB, ampicillin–sulbactam MICs were ≥128 mg/L; for sulbactam–durlobactam, 1–2 mg/L. Admission in a Ukrainian hospital in the last year was a risk factor for MDRO, and majority were screening isolates (79%). There is extensive phenotypic resistance to last-resort antibiotics in MDRO from Ukrainian patients. Interpretation of cefiderocol susceptibility results depends on several variables. When treating patients recently admitted in Ukraine, suspected for Gram-negative bacterial infection, this should be taken into consideration.

IMPORTANCE
Since March 2022, multidrug-resistant microorganisms associated with Ukrainian patients have been detected in national surveillance systems of several European countries. We studied the phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility to last-resort antibiotics of multidrug-resistant microorganisms from Ukrainian patients in the Netherlands and assessed clinical implications. Our research revealed that there was extensive phenotypic resistance to last-resort antibiotics. Healthcare professionals should be aware of multidrug-resistant microorganisms when treating patients recently admitted in Ukraine, suspected for Gram-negative bacterial infection.
Phenylacetic acid metabolic genes are associated with
Mycobacteroides abscessus
dominant circulating clone 1
Authors: Ross Brittany N. , Evans Emma , Whiteley Marvin 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACT

Mycobacteroides abscessus
(MAB) causes lung infections in people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF), and infecting strains show significant genetic variability both between and within individuals. MAB isolates can be divided into dominant clonal clusters (DCCs) or non-clustering groups and can present as smooth or rough colonies on agar plates. Both DCCs and the rough colony morphology have been linked to increased pathogenicity, but the mechanisms are unclear. This study explored the genomes of MAB isolates collected from individuals within the CF@LANTA CF center along with publicly available genomes to identify genes associated with more pathogenic MAB DCCs. Sixty-eight isolates from 26 CF individuals colonized by MAB were morphotyped and sequenced, with almost half of these isolates being members of DCC group 1 (DCC1). While lung function was not significantly impacted by colonization with DCC1 or rough isolates, 102 genes were specifically associated with DCC1 isolates. These genes were enriched for functions in sulfur-based DNA modification, DNA integration, and phenylacetic acid (PAA) catabolism. PAA is produced by the human gut microbiota and found throughout the human body. We show that strains containing PAA metabolic genes allow MAB to use PAA as a sole carbon and energy source. Although the benefits of PAA metabolic genes and other enriched pathways remain unclear, these findings highlight genes associated with emerging MAB CF strains.

IMPORTANCE

A primary challenge in treating bacterial infections is the wide spectrum of disease and genetic variability across bacterial strains. This is particularly evident in
Mycobacteroides abscessus
(MAB), an emerging pathogen affecting people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF). MAB exhibits significant genetic diversity both within and between individuals. However, seven dominant circulating clones (DCCs) have emerged as the major cause of human infections, demonstrating increased pathogenicity. Understanding the mechanisms underlying this increased pathogenicity and the associated genetic factors is crucial for developing novel treatment strategies. Our findings reveal that specific genes are associated with the DCC1 isolate of MAB, many of which are implicated in antimicrobial susceptibility or virulence.
Improving breast cancer multidisciplinary meetings through streamlining with protocol-based management
Authors: Sinha Aaditya Prakash , Badawy Katie , Shifa Belul , Peterson Zhane , Attia Mohamed , Pinder Sarah , Purushotham Arnie 
Published: September 2024

ObjectivesMultidisciplinary meetings (MDMs) are part of standard of care for patients with cancer. Streamlining is essential for high-quality care and efficiency. This study evaluated the feasibility of implementing a protocol to remove patients with benign breast disease from discussion at the MDM.MethodsA prospective review of 218 MDMs evaluated patients with benign breast disease over 22 months. This was followed by a protocol implementation phase over 54 MDMs (6.5 months). Patients meeting specific criteria were excluded from discussion.ResultsOn average, each MDM consisted of 37 patients, 34.2% of whose conditions were benign and potentially could have been removed from discussion. The implementation phase showed 708/2248 patients (32.5%) were benign of which 631 cases (89%) met the eligibility criteria and were removed from the MDM list allowing more time for discussion of complex cases.ConclusionImplementing a protocol can safely exclude patients with benign disease from MDM discussion.
Trends in under-five mortality rate in China, 1996–2020: a Joinpoint regression and correlation analysis
Authors: Lv Jian-Min , Chen Nan , He Xi-Ning , Tian Ya-Feng , Zhang Jie , Fan Qiao-Rong , Ma Qiong , Li Hong-Xia 
Published: September 2024

ObjectivesTo analyse annual trends of the under-five mortality rate (U5MR) and main cause-specific U5MR in China from 1996 to 2020 and to assess the potential correlation of the healthcare system and health expenditure with the U5MR in China.DesignA retrospective observational study using national data from 1996 to 2020. Joinpoint regression was employed to model U5MR trends and Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between healthcare system factors, health expenditure and U5MR.SettingNationwide study covering both rural and urban populations across China over a 25-year period.ResultsThe U5MR in China experienced a three-stage decline from 1996 to 2020 with an average annual percentage rate change (AAPC) of −7.27 (p<0.001). The AAPC of the rural U5MR (−7.07, p<0.001) was higher than that in urban areas (−5.57, p<0.001). Among the five main causes, the decrease in pneumonia-caused U5MR was the fastest while the decreases in congenital heart disease and accidental asphyxia were relatively slow. The rates of hospital delivery (r=−0.981, p<0.001), neonatal visits (r=−0.848, p<0.001) and systematic health management (r=−0.893, p<0.001) correlated negatively with U5MR. The proportion of government health expenditure in the total health expenditure (THE) correlated negatively with the national U5MR (r=−0.892, p<0.001) while the proportion of out-of-pocket health expenditure in THE correlated positively (r=0.902, p<0.001).ConclusionChina made significant advances in reducing U5MR from 1996 to 2020. The rural–urban gap in U5MR has narrowed, though rural areas remain a key concern. To further reduce U5MR, China should focus on rural areas, pay more attention to congenital heart disease and accidental asphyxia, further improve its health policies, and continue to increase the government health expenditure.
Efficacy of selenium supplementation for patients with Graves' hyperthyroidism during methimazole treatment: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yuan Shuo , Wen Qing , Li Mingxing 
Published: September 2024

IntroductionThe most common cause of hyperthyroidism, Graves' disease is a common organ-specific autoimmune disease. Selenium is an essential trace element of the human body that is mainly concentrated in the thyroid gland and is involved in the synthesis and metabolism of thyroid hormones. Most studies have shown that the level of selenium is closely related to the occurrence and development of thyroid diseases, and selenium supplementation can help improve thyroid function. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of selenium supplementation for patients with Graves' hyperthyroidism during methimazole treatment.Methods and analysisWe will search the electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, the Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data and Chinese Biomedical Literature, and the time was deadline to December 2023. To evaluate the efficacy of methimazole combined with selenium supplementation in the treatment of Graves' hyperthyroidism, randomised controlled trials will be included. The Cochrane Collaboration’s risk of bias tool will be used to assess the quality of all included studies, and the baseline data of all the studies are extracted by the authors. A random-effects model or a fixed-effects model is used to analyse the outcomes. The primary outcomes are the levels of selenium, triiodothyronine, free thyroxine and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), whereas the secondary outcomes include TSH receptor antibody, thyroid peroxidase antibody and thyroglobulin antibody.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval is not required since no original data will be collected. The results of this study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42023410999