bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Performance Optimization and Techno-Economic Analysis of an Organic Rankine Cycle Powered by Solar Energy
Authors: Hu Tao , Zhang Jun , Chan Wen , Su Liangbin , Wang Gang , Yu Wan 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
To improve the performance of traditional solar power generation systems, a new solar organic Rankine cycle system that can generate electricity and heat is proposed. The system incorporates the separation-flash process, regenerator, and ejector to enhance its efficiency. The optimization of the working fluid, pinch point temperature difference, evaporator outlet dryness, flash dryness, and entrainment ratio is conducted to achieve optimal performance. Aiming at maximum exergy efficiency and minimum levelized energy cost, the operating parameters are further optimized using a multi-objective optimization algorithm. R245fa is the optimal working fluid for the system, offering maximum net output power and thermal efficiency. The optimal performance can be achieved when the pinch point temperature difference is 1 K, evaporator outlet dryness is 0.6, flash dryness is 0.44, and entrainment ratio is 0.29. Moreover, the photovoltaic subsystem can further increase the net output power and thermal efficiency by 15.52% and 15.45%, achieving a maximum net output power and thermal efficiency of 33.95 kW and 10.61%, respectively. Additionally, when the solar hot water temperature is 100 °C, pinch point temperature difference is 1.8 K, evaporator outlet dryness is 0.6, flash dryness is 0.65, and entrainment ratio is 0.16, the system can achieve the optimal state of both performance and economy, exhibiting optimal exergy efficiency and levelized energy cost of 64.1% and 0.294 $/kWh, respectively. Finally, the payback period of the system is 3.43 years, indicating the potential for significant economic benefits.
State of Health Estimation of Electric Vehicle Batteries Using Transformer-Based Neural Network
Authors: Zhao Yixin , Behdad Sara 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Electric vehicles (EVs) are considered an environmentally friendly option compared to conventional vehicles. As the most critical module in EVs, batteries are complex electrochemical components with nonlinear behavior. On-board battery system performance is also affected by complicated operating environments. Real-time EV battery in-service status prediction is tricky but vital to enable fault diagnosis and prevent dangerous occurrences. Data-driven models with advantages in time-series analysis can be used to capture the degradation pattern from data about certain performance indicators and predict the battery states. The transformer model can capture long-range dependencies efficiently using a multi-head attention block mechanism. This paper presents the implementation of a standard transformer and an encoder-only transformer neural network to predict EV battery state of health (SOH). Based on the analysis of the lithium-ion battery from the NASA Prognostics Center of Excellence website's publicly accessible dataset, 28 features related to the charge and discharge measurement data are extracted. The features are screened using Pearson correlation coefficients. The results show that the filtered features can improve the model's accuracy and computational efficiency. The proposed standard transformer shows good performance in the SOH prediction.
Failure Analysis and Piezo-Resistance Response of Intralaminar Glass/Carbon Hybrid Composites Under Blast Loading Conditions
Authors: Lincon Mazharul Islam , Chaudhary Birendra , Matos Helio , Chalivendra Vijaya , Shukla Arun 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
In this study, damage mechanisms and the piezo-resistance response of glass/carbon intralaminar hybrid composites are examined under blast loading conditions. Two-ply orientations are considered, namely a repeating ((G45C45)R) and an alternating ((G45C45)A) ± 45 deg glass/carbon layers, along with three boundary condition configurations: simply supported, partially fixed, and fully fixed are applied. A shock tube apparatus and the three-dimensional digital image correlation technique are utilized to investigate the interaction of shock waves with the composites and gather a comprehensive deformation field during the loading. A modified four-probe resistivity measurement method is implemented to comprehend the piezo-resistance response associated with damage evolution. The results underscore the substantial influence of boundary conditions on the blast mitigation capacity of the composites. Analysis following the experiments reveals that the damage to the specimens primarily involves the fracture of fibers accompanied by internal delamination. Thermal imaging of the tested composite specimens provides enhanced insight into the precise occurrences of internal fiber breakage and delamination. Composites of (G45C45)A type demonstrate an increased energy dissipation ranging from 18% to 33% compared to (G45C45)R composites, depending on the specific boundary conditions among the three types considered. Furthermore, the findings indicated a strong correlation between changes in piezo-resistance and the fracture of carbon fibers, coupled with the sustained deformation of the composites. Notably, (G45C45)A composites exhibited 100–300% higher change in piezo-resistance compared to (G45C45)R composites depending on the boundary condition configurations, indicative of the superior damage-sensing capabilities of the former.
Digitalization of Anchor Handling Tug Supply Vessels: Enhancing Efficiency and Safety in Offshore Operations
Authors: Nitonye Samson , Adumene Sidum , Theophilus-Johnson Kombo 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Global demand for safety and sustainable offshore operations has led to great and dynamic changes in the maritime and offshore industry in recent years. This has made the industry to witness a rapid transformation in recent times with the digitalization of vessels, and anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessels are no exception. The digitalization of offshore operational vessels is expected to play an important role in the future and support the analysis of the automation and instrumentation market. The AHTS vessel is a specialized offshore support vessel used in the oil and gas industry, which serves multiple functions and roles that provide support for offshore drilling and production operations. The multi-functional purpose of AHTS vessels includes anchor handling, towing, supply and cargo transportation, oil spill clean-up response, and cable and pipe laying, among others. This requires the integration of multiple functional digitalized systems to optimize vessel operations, especially in harsh arctic environments. The current study reviews the importance and potential of AHTS vessels' digitalization and discusses its benefits, opportunities, and challenges. A systematic approach is adopted to explore the potential development and dynamics of digitalization in the maritime industry, focusing on AHTS vessels. This study finds that the extent of knowledge is evolving and requires an integrated approach to maritime digitalization to enhance operational efficiency, safety, and resilience in critical offshore operations.
Bifidobacterium longum
subsp.
longum
BG-L47 boosts growth and activity of
Limosilactobacillus reuteri
DSM 17938 and its extracellular membrane vesicles
Authors: Ermann Lundberg Ludwig , Pallabi Mishra Punya , Liu Peidi , Forsberg Manuel Mata , Sverremark-Ekström Eva , Grompone Gianfranco , Håkansson Sebastian , Linninge Caroline , Roos Stefan 
Published: June 2024

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to identify a
Bifidobacterium
strain that improves the performance of
Limosilactobacillus reuteri
DSM 17938. Initial tests showed that
Bifidobacterium longum
subsp.
longum
strains boosted the growth of DSM 17938 during
in vivo-
like conditions. Further characterization revealed that one of the strains, BG-L47, had better bile and acid tolerance compared to BG-L48, as well as mucus adhesion compared to both BG-L48 and the control strain BB536. BG-L47 also had the capacity to metabolize a broad range of carbohydrates and sugar alcohols. Mapping of glycoside hydrolase (GH) genes of BG-L47 and BB536 revealed many GHs associated with plant-fiber utilization. However, BG-L47 had a broader phenotypic fiber utilization capacity. In addition,
B. longum
subsp.
longum
cells boosted the bioactivity of extracellular membrane vesicles (MV) produced by
L. reuteri
DSM 17938 during co-cultivation. Secreted 5′-nucleotidase (5′NT), an enzyme that converts AMP into the signal molecule adenosine, was increased in MV boosted by BG-L47. The MV exerted an improved antagonistic effect on the pain receptor transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) and increased the expression of the immune development markers IL-6 and IL-1ß in a peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) model. Finally, the safety of BG-L47 was evaluated both by genome safety assessment and in a human safety study. Microbiota analysis showed that the treatment did not induce significant changes in the composition. In conclusion,
B. longum
subsp.
longum
BG-L47 has favorable physiological properties, can boost the
in vitro
activity of
L. reuteri
DSM 17938, and is safe for consumption, making it a candidate for further evaluation in probiotic studies.

IMPORTANCE

By using probiotics that contain a combination of strains with synergistic properties, the likelihood of achieving beneficial interactions with the host can increase. In this study, we first performed a broad screening of
Bifidobacterium longum
subsp.
longum
strains in terms of synergistic potential and physiological properties. We identified a superior strain, BG-L47, with favorable characteristics and potential to boost the activity of the known probiotic strain
Limosilactobacillus reuteri
DSM 17938. Furthermore, we demonstrated that BG-L47 is safe for consumption in a human randomized clinical study and by performing a genome safety assessment. This work illustrates that bacteria–bacteria interactions differ at the strain level and further provides a strategy for finding and selecting companion strains of probiotics.
A sequence invariable region in TcdB2 is required for toxin escape from
Clostridioides difficile
Authors: Kempher Megan L. , Shadid Tyler M. , Larabee Jason L. , Ballard Jimmy D. 
Published: June 2024

ABSTRACT

Sequence differences among the subtypes of
Clostridioides difficile
toxin TcdB (2,366 amino acids) are broadly distributed across the entire protein, with the notable exception of 76 residues at the protein’s carboxy terminus. This sequence invariable region (SIR) is identical at the DNA and protein level among the TcdB variants, suggesting this string of amino acids has undergone selective pressure to prevent alterations. The functional role of the SIR domain in TcdB has not been determined. Analysis of a recombinantly constructed TcdB mutant lacking the SIR domain did not identify changes in TcdB’s enzymatic or cytopathic activities. To further assess the SIR region, we constructed a
C. difficile
strain with the final 228 bp deleted from the
tcdB
gene, resulting in the production of a truncated form of TcdB lacking the SIR (TcdB2
∆2291–2366
). Using a combination of approaches, we found in the absence of the SIR sequence TcdB2
∆2291–2366
retained cytotoxic activity but was not secreted from
C. difficile
. TcdB2
∆2291–2366
was not released from the cell under autolytic conditions, indicating the SIR is involved in a more discrete step in toxin escape from the bacterium. Fractionation experiments combined with antibody detection found that TcdB2
∆2291–2366
accumulates at the cell membrane but is unable to complete steps in secretion beyond this point. These data suggest conservation of the SIR domain across variants of TcdB could be influenced by the sequence’s role in efficient escape of the toxin from
C. difficile
.

IMPORTANCE

Clostridioides difficile
is a leading cause of antibiotic associated disease in the United States. The primary virulence factors produced by
C. difficile
are two large glucosylating toxins TcdA and TcdB. To date, several sequence variants of TcdB have been identified that differ in various functional properties. Here, we identified a highly conserved region among TcdB subtypes that is required for release of the toxin from
C. difficile
. This study reveals a putative role for the longest stretch of invariable sequence among TcdB subtypes and provides new details regarding toxin release into the extracellular environment. Improving our understanding of the functional roles of the conserved regions of TcdB variants aids in the development of new, broadly applicable strategies to treat CDI.
Climate change and plant rhizosphere microbiomes: an experiential course-embedded research project
Authors: Parejko James A. 
Published: June 2024

ABSTRACT

The current and ongoing challenges brought on by climate change will require future scientists who have hands-on experience using advanced molecular techniques, can work with large data sets, and can make correlations between metadata and microbial diversity. A course-embedded research project can prepare students to answer complex research questions that might help plants adapt to climate change. The project described herein uses plants as a host to study the impact of climate change-induced drought on host-microbe interactions through next-generation DNA sequencing and analysis using a command-line program. Specifically, the project studies the impact of simulated drought on the rhizosphere microbiome of Fast Plants rapid cycling
Brassica rapa
using inexpensive greenhouse supplies and 16S rRNA V3/V4 Illumina sequencing. Data analysis is performed with the freely accessible Python-based microbiome bioinformatics platform QIIME 2.
Transcription factor EB (TFEB) interaction with RagC is disrupted during enterovirus D68 infection
Authors: Jassey Alagie , Pollack Noah , Wagner Michael A. , Wu Jiapeng , Benton Ashley , Jackson William T. 
Published: June 2024

ABSTRACT

Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) is a picornavirus associated with severe respiratory illness and a paralytic disease called acute flaccid myelitis in infants. Currently, no protective vaccines or antivirals are available to combat this virus. Like other enteroviruses, EV-D68 uses components of the cellular autophagy pathway to rewire membranes for its replication. Here, we show that transcription factor EB (TFEB), the master transcriptional regulator of autophagy and lysosomal biogenesis, is crucial for EV-D68 infection. Knockdown of TFEB attenuated EV-D68 genomic RNA replication but did not impact viral binding or entry into host cells. The 3C protease of EV-D68 cleaves TFEB at the N-terminus at glutamine 60 (Q60) immediately post-peak viral RNA replication, disrupting TFEB-RagC interaction and restricting TFEB transport to the surface of the lysosome. Despite this, TFEB remained mostly cytosolic during EV-D68 infection. Overexpression of a TFEB mutant construct lacking the RagC-binding domain, but not the wild-type construct, blocks autophagy and increases EV-D68 nonlytic release in H1HeLa cells but not in autophagy-defective ATG7 KO H1HeLa cells. Our results identify TFEB as a vital host factor regulating multiple stages of the EV-D68 lifecycle and suggest that TFEB could be a promising target for antiviral development against EV-D68.

IMPORTANCE
Enteroviruses are among the most significant causes of human disease. Some enteroviruses are responsible for severe paralytic diseases such as poliomyelitis or acute flaccid myelitis. The latter disease is associated with multiple non-polio enterovirus species, including enterovirus D68 (EV-D68), enterovirus 71, and coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3). Here, we demonstrate that EV-D68 interacts with a host transcription factor, transcription factor EB (TFEB), to promote viral RNA(vRNA) replication and regulate the egress of virions from cells. TFEB was previously implicated in the viral egress of CVB3, and the viral protease 3C cleaves TFEB during infection. Here, we show that EV-D68 3C protease also cleaves TFEB after the peak of vRNA replication. This cleavage disrupts TFEB interaction with the host protein RagC, which changes the localization and regulation of TFEB. TFEB lacking a RagC-binding domain inhibits autophagic flux and promotes virus egress. These mechanistic insights highlight how common host factors affect closely related, medically important viruses differently.
Oxygen and sulfur stable isotope ratios of Late Devonian vertebrates trace the relative salinity of their aquatic environments
Authors: Goedert Jean , Broussard David , Trop Jeffrey , Daeschler Edward , Amiot Romain , Fourel François , Olive Sébastien , Vinçon-Laugier Arnauld , Lécuyer Christophe 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Late Devonian aquatic environments hosted the fin-to-limb transition in vertebrates. Upper Devonian (ca. 365–360 Ma) strata in Pennsylvania, USA, preserve a diversity of fishes and tetrapods in coastal marine to fluvial depositional environments, making this region ideal for investigating the ecology and evolution of Late Devonian vertebrates. A key unresolved issue has been reconstructing the specific aquatic habitats that hosted various vertebrates during this period. Specifically, the salinity of environments spanning fresh to shallow marine water is difficult to discern from sedimentological and paleontological analyses alone. Here, we analyze rare earth elements and yttrium (REY) as well as stable oxygen and sulfur isotope compositions (δ18O, δ34S) in fossil vertebrate bioapatite from late Famennian (ca. 362–360 Ma) strata of the Catskill and Lock Haven formations in the Appalachian Basin, USA, to determine the relative salinity of their aquatic environments. These results confirm the ecological euryhalinity of several taxa (Bothriolepis sp., tristichopterids, and Holoptychius sp.). Our results are the first demonstrating that some early tetrapod species occupied unequivocally freshwater habitats by late Famennian time (ca. 362–360 Ma). Our study shows that integrating sedimentological and paleontological data with combined oxygen and sulfur isotope analysis allows precise tracing of the relative salinity of vertebrate habitats deep in the past.
Wrestling injuries during the 2016 Rio and 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games
Authors: Shadgan Babak , Molavi Nima , Abaeva Elena , Falahati Saam , Sikimic Stevan , Konstantinou Loukas , Molnar Szabolcs 
Published: June 2024

ObjectivesTo evaluate and compare the injuries of Olympic wrestlers during the 2016 Rio and 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games held in August 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsIn this descriptive epidemiological study, injury report forms were used to collect and analyse injury data during the competitions.ResultsDuring 410 matches in the Rio Olympic Games, 21 injuries were recorded among 346 wrestlers (112=women), a rate of 5.1 injuries/100 bouts and 6.1 injuries/100 athletes. During 322 matches in the Tokyo Olympic Games, 28 injuries were recorded among 287 wrestlers (96=women), with 8.7 injuries/100 bouts and 9.8 injuries/100 athletes. However, these apparent differences in injury rates between Tokyo and Rio were not statistically significant (injuries/bout: p=0.057, 95% CI: 0.31 to 1.02; injuries/athlete: p=0.087, 95% CI: 0.33 to 1.08). Mild injuries comprised the greatest proportion of injuries in both Olympic Games. Severe injuries accounted for 0%, 16.7% and 36.4% of injuries in Greco-Roman, Freestyle and Women’s wrestling, respectively.ConclusionMost wrestling injuries in the 2016 Rio and 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games were mild skin injuries in the head and face regions due to direct body contact during standing positions in the 1/8-final round of wrestling competitions. No critical injury was observed during the recent Olympic Games. Attention should be drawn to preventing upper limb joint dislocations as common severe injuries in both Olympic Games. While not statistically significant, the Tokyo Games, after the COVID-19 pandemic, witnessed a higher injury occurrence than the Rio Games.
Are adjunct treatments effective in improving pain and function when added to exercise therapy in people with patellofemoral pain? A systematic review with meta-analysis and appraisal of the quality of interventions
Authors: Souto Larissa Rodrigues , De Oliveira Silva Danilo , Pazzinatto Marcella F , Siqueira Malu Santos , Moreira Roberta Fátima Carreira , Serrão Fábio Viadanna 
Published: June 2024

ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of adjunct treatments combined with exercise to exercise alone in people with patellofemoral pain (PFP) and explore the quality of intervention descriptions in randomised controlled trials (RCTs).DesignSystematic review.Data sourcesSeven databases were searched in November 2023.EligibilityRCTs that evaluated the effectiveness of any adjunct treatment combined with exercise to exercise alone on self-reported pain and function in people with PFP.ResultsWe included 45 RCTs (2023 participants), with 25 RCTs (1050 participants) contributing to meta-analyses. Pooled analysis indicated very low-certainty evidence that neuromuscular electrical stimulation or monopolar dielectric diathermy combined with exercise leads to small and large improvements in self-reported pain when compared with exercise alone (standardised mean difference (95% CI)=−0.27 (−0.53 to −0.02) and −2.58 (−4.59 to −0.57), respectively) in the short-term. For self-reported pain and function, very low-certainty evidence indicates that knee taping, whole-body vibration, electromyographic biofeedback and knee brace combined with exercise do not differ from exercise alone. Interventions are poorly described in most RCTs, adjunct treatments scored on average 14/24 and exercise therapy 12/24 in the Template for Intervention Description and Replication checklist.ConclusionNeuromuscular electrical stimulation and monopolar dielectric diathermy combined with exercise seem to improve self-reported pain in people with PFP compared with exercise alone. Knee taping, whole-body vibration, electromyographic biofeedback and knee brace do not offer additional benefits to exercise alone. Most interventions are poorly described, which is detrimental to translating research knowledge into clinical practice.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020197081.