bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Gas Turbine Power Plant Performance in Tropical Climates by Using Inlet Air Cooling With Desiccant Dehumidification and Evaporative Cooling
Authors: Sánchez Cabarcas Mateo E. , Bedoya Villegas Jose A. , Sierra Aragón Álvaro D. , Rodríguez Roldán Imanol , Álvarez Silva Daniel A. , Mesa Jaime , Bula Antonio , Gonzalez-Quiroga Arturo 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Gas turbine power plants play a critical role in meeting the increasing demand for electricity. However, their performance can be affected by high ambient temperatures and humidity levels in tropical climates, which can lead to a decrease in power output. This study explores the potential benefits of using inlet air cooling with desiccant dehumidification and evaporative cooling to improve the performance of gas turbine power plants in tropical regions. The findings indicate that this method of inlet air cooling, which integrates evaporative cooling, desiccant wheel, and Maisotsenko cooler, is a viable option for mitigating the performance drop of gas turbines in hot tropical conditions. Moreover, by utilizing turbine exhaust gases to heat the regeneration air utilized in the desiccant wheel for dehumidification, the compressor inlet temperature can be reduced by an average of 11.5 °C. Additionally, the power requirement of the inlet air cooling system is about 0.9 MW, while there is an improvement of more than 2 MW in power output at peak ambient temperature. Further research is needed to understand and quantify other benefits related to inlet air cooling, such as reducing emissions of harmful pollutants and operating at higher turbine inlet temperatures.
Experimental Investigation of the Water Droplet Evaporation on Inclined Surfaces by Taguchi and ANOVA Optimization Analysis
Authors: Yildirim Atalay , Ağra Özden , Sevindir Mustafa Kemal 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
We experimentally investigated the evaporation characteristics of a sessile water droplet on a glass substrate with different surface roughness levels. The influence of five parameters is evaluated for the evaporation process: substrate temperature (30 °C, 45 °C, and 60 °C), surface roughness (P0, P600, and P60), droplet volume (3, 5, and 8 µL), water droplets initial temperature (30 °C, 40 °C, and 60 °C), and inclination angle (0 deg, 45 deg, and 75 deg) of the glass substrate. The Taguchi orthogonal array design of L27 is utilized to establish minimal candidate trial points for experimental works, and more trials have been conducted to quantify the effects accurately. Then, analysis of variance (ANOVA) has been used to evaluate the evaporation times for the sessile droplets. The results indicate that evaporation times decrease with rising substrate temperatures, increasing substrate inclination angle, and increasing initial water droplet temperatures. In contrast, evaporation times rise with increasing surface roughness and droplet volumes. After evaluation of the ANOVA analysis, surface roughness levels and droplet volumes are considered the most influential parameters after substrate temperatures, which is the most effective parameter on the evaporation times. On the other hand, initial water droplet temperatures and substrate inclination angle are less effective considering droplet evaporation times. A linear regression fit was derived via ANOVA analysis for the evaporation time, and the best mean deviation was found to be 10% from the experiments. The experimental outcomes were compared to previous research, and correlations were derived. The proposed correlation has given good results considering experimental and literature data.
Mixed Convective Heat Transfer Characteristics of Graphene Nanofluid Strengthened by Periodically Direction-Switching Electric Field
Authors: Chen Yanjun , Du Chenhao , Wang Zhoumiao , He Deqiang 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Transformer-oil with low thermal conductivity and large viscosity has poor heat dissipation capability, which leads to the thermal drive failure caused by transient overload. To improve its cooling capability, this paper has proposed first the method which combined the periodically direction-switching electric field and graphene nanofluid to enhance the mixed convective heat transfer properties of transformer-oil, and analyzed the effects of switching periods, nanofluid concentration, electric field strength, heat flux, and Reynolds number on mixed convection heat transfer experimentally. The results show that the heat transfer characteristic of transformer-oil is improved up to 52% by the periodically direction-switching electric field and graphene nanofluid. As the switching period decreases, the thermal performance of the suspension is enhanced more significantly. Moreover, by analyzing the heat transfer mechanism, the periodically direction-switching electric field causes the nanoparticles to move reciprocally, repeatedly impacting and breaking the boundary layer of the heat exchange surface to enhance the perturbation, thus enhancing the heat transfer effect. Meanwhile, the predicted correlation has been proposed on the basis of influence factors, which are in good agreement with the experimental data.
Deletion of the gene for the African swine fever virus BCL-2 family member A179L increases virus uptake and apoptosis but decreases virus spread in macrophages and reduces virulence in pigs
Authors: Reis Ana Luisa , Rathakrishnan Anusyah , Goulding Leah V. , Barber Claire , Goatley Lynnette C. , Dixon Linda K. 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT
The African swine fever virus (ASFV) encodes inhibitors of innate immune responses, including type I interferon and apoptosis. The BCL-2 family A179L gene was deleted from the virulent genotype I isolate Benin 97/1. In infected macrophages, this resulted in increased caspase 3 and 7 activities, Annexin V binding to surface phosphatidylserine, and DNA fragmentation, measured by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase nick-end labeling, compared to Benin 97/1 expressing A179L or mock-infected macrophages. These results confirmed that apoptosis was induced earlier in macrophages infected with viruses from which A179L was deleted. Increased cell entry of the A179L gene-deleted virus was indicated since the number of infected cells at early times, as measured by fluorescent protein expression, was much higher than infection with the wild-type virus. This increase in entry was reduced following blocking of the virus by binding to Annexin V, suggesting that entry was mediated by phosphatidylserine receptors. Yields of infectious viruses were similar over a single cycle but significantly lower for the A179L gene-deleted virus over a multistep growth cycle. Pigs immunized with the BeninΔA179L virus showed no clinical signs and a weak cellular response to ASFV. The immunized pigs were not protected against challenge with the virulent parental virus Benin 97/1 although viremia was lower at 3 d post-challenge than the control nonimmune pigs. Thus, reduced levels of virus replication in pigs limited the induction of a protective immune response. The results show an important role for the A179L protein in virus replication in macrophages and virulence in pigs.

IMPORTANCE
African swine fever virus (ASFV) causes a lethal disease of pigs with high economic impact in affected countries in Africa, Europe, and Asia. The virus encodes proteins that inhibit host antiviral defenses, including the type I interferon response. Host cells also activate cell death through a process called apoptosis to limit virus replication. We showed that the ASFV A179L protein, a BCL-2 family apoptosis inhibitor, is important in reducing apoptosis in infected cells since deletion of this gene increased cell death and reduced virus replication in cells infected with the A179L gene-deleted virus. Pigs immunized with the BeninΔA179L virus showed no clinical signs and a weak immune response but were not protected from infection with the deadly parental virus. The results show an important role for the A179L protein in virus replication in macrophages and virulence in pigs and suggest manipulation of apoptosis as a possible route to control infection.
The Cajal body protein p80-coilin forms a complex with the adenovirus L4-22K protein and facilitates the nuclear export of adenovirus mRNA
Authors: White Laura , Erbay Bilgi , Blair G. Eric 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT
Cajal bodies (CBs) are major sub-nuclear structures in most eucaryotic cells. In human adenovirus 5 (Ad5) infection, CBs are reorganized into microfoci in the late phase of infection. Here we show that many CB protein components (p80-coilin, SMN-1, and WRAP53) remained stable throughout most of the infectious cycle of Ad type 5 (Ad5) in human A549 epithelial cells, even when CBs were reorganized into microfoci. Reduction of p80-coilin expression by RNA interference resulted in significant reductions in the levels of early (E1A, E2A-DBP), intermediate (pIX and IVa2), and late (L1-IIIa, L2-penton base, L3-hexon, L4-100K, and L5-fiber) proteins in Ad5-infected A549 cells. Depletion of p80-coilin did not significantly alter the total cellular levels of the corresponding Ad cytoplasmic mRNAs (with the exception of E1A 12S and 13S and pIX mRNA) or the production of the Ad5 pre-mRNAs tested (E1A, E2A-DBP, IVa2, or late pre-mRNAs containing the tripartite leader). However, the ratio of viral cytoplasmic to nuclear-spliced Ad RNAs was reduced in p80-coilin-depleted, Ad5-infected cells compared to control-infected cells. Immunofluorescent staining of Ad5-infected cells revealed co-localization of p80-coilin with areas of immunoreactivity defined by a polyclonal antibody that recognized the L4-22K and L4-33K proteins in a fraction of microfoci. Immunoprecipitation analysis showed that only the L4-22K protein formed a stable complex with p80-coilin in Ad5-infected cells and in cells co-transfected with plasmids encoding p80-coilin and either the L4-22K or L4-33K protein. p80-coilin therefore plays an important role in Ad replication by complex formation with L4-22K and facilitating nuclear export of Ad mRNAs.

IMPORTANCE
The architecture of sub-nuclear structures of eucaryotic cells is often changed during the infectious cycle of many animal and plant viruses. Cajal bodies (CBs) form a major sub-nuclear structure whose functions may include the regulation of cellular RNA metabolism. During the lifecycle of human adenovirus 5 (Ad5), CBs are reorganized from their spherical-like structure into smaller clusters termed microfoci. The mechanism of this reorganization and its significance for virus replication has yet to be established. Here we show that the major CB protein, p80-coilin, facilitates the nuclear export of Ad5 transcripts. Depletion of p80-coilin by RNA interference led to lowered levels of viral proteins and infectious virus. p80-coilin was found to form a complex with the viral L4-22K protein in Ad5-infected cells and in some reorganized microfoci. These findings assign a new role for p80-coilin as a potential regulator of infection by a human DNA virus.
ATP synthase-associated coiled-coil-helix-coiled-coil-helix (CHCH) domain-containing proteins are critical for mitochondrial function in
Toxoplasma gondii
Authors: Usey Madelaine M. , Huet Diego 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT

Coiled-coil-helix-coiled-coil-helix (CHCH) domains consist of two pairs of cysteine residues that are oxidized to form disulfide bonds upon mitochondrial import. Proteins containing these domains play important roles in mitochondrial ultrastructure and in the biogenesis, function, and stability of electron transport chain complexes. Interestingly, recent investigations of the
Toxoplasma gondii
ATP synthase identified subunits containing CHCH domains. As CHCH domain proteins have never been found in any other ATP synthase, their role in
T. gondii
was unclear. Using conditional gene knockdown systems, we investigated two
T. gondii
ATP synthase subunits containing CHCH domains: ATPTG8 and ATPTG9. We show that these two subunits are essential for the lytic cycle as well as stability and function of the ATP synthase. Further, we illustrated that their knockdown disrupts multiple aspects of mitochondrial morphology, including ultrastructure and cristae density. Mutation of key cysteine residues in the CHCH domains also caused mis-localization of the proteins. Our work suggests that these proteins likely provide structural support to the exceptionally large
T. gondii
ATP synthase complex and that perturbations to the structural integrity of this complex result in deleterious downstream effects on the parasite mitochondrion. These investigations add to a growing body of work focused on the divergent aspects of the apicomplexan ATP synthase, which could ultimately uncover novel drug targets.

IMPORTANCE

Members of the coiled-coil-helix-coiled-coil-helix (CHCH) domain protein family are transported into the mitochondrial intermembrane space, where they play important roles in the biogenesis and function of the organelle. Unexpectedly, the ATP synthase of the apicomplexan
Toxoplasma gondii
harbors CHCH domain-containing subunits of unknown function. As no other ATP synthase studied to date contains this class of proteins, characterizing their function will be of broad interest to the fields of molecular parasitology and mitochondrial evolution. Here, we demonstrate that that two
T. gondii
ATP synthase subunits containing CHCH domains are required for parasite survival and for stability and function of the ATP synthase. We also show that knockdown disrupts multiple aspects of the mitochondrial morphology of
T. gondii
and that mutation of key residues in the CHCH domains caused mis-localization of the proteins. This work provides insight into the unique features of the apicomplexan ATP synthase, which could help to develop therapeutic interventions against this parasite and other apicomplexans, such as the malaria-causing parasite
Plasmodium falciparum
.
Developmental dynamics of mitochondrial mRNA abundance and editing reveal roles for temperature and the differentiation-repressive kinase RDK1 in cytochrome oxidase subunit II mRNA editing
Authors: Smith Joseph T. , Tylec Brianna , Naguleswaran Arunasalam , Roditi Isabel , Read Laurie K. 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT

Developmental regulation of mitochondrial uridine insertion/deletion editing in
Trypanosoma brucei
is necessary to modulate parasite metabolism as it shifts from dependence on glycolysis for ATP production in the mammalian bloodstream form (BSF) to oxidative phosphorylation in the insect procyclic form (PCF). However, the timing and stimuli that regulate mRNA editing have been poorly characterized. Here, we utilized a pleomorphic
T. brucei
strain and quantitative RT-PCR and droplet digital PCR analyses to evaluate the changes in total mRNA abundance and editing as parasites progressively differentiate from slender BSF to PCF and investigate the effect of individual stimuli on mitochondrial gene expression. We observed little change during the slender-to-stumpy BSF transition. Rather, we found that mainly the mitochondrial cytochrome (COI, COII, COIII, and CYb) mRNAs are upregulated within 24 h after stumpy BSF is stimulated to differentiate to PCF
in vitro
and during
in vivo
tsetse fly infections. Temperature reduction from 37°C to 27°C is a critical factor for increasing the editing of COII and COIII mRNAs and COIV protein expression but not the editing of CYb mRNA or RISP protein expression. We further demonstrate that the depletion of the differentiation-repressive kinase RDK1 couples with temperature reduction to stimulate COII mRNA editing, and the accessory factor p22 is required for the cold-responsive upregulation of COII mRNA editing. Overall, we show that cytochrome mRNAs are regulated during development by distinct stimuli through a variety of methods to increase their abundance and/or editing.

IMPORTANCE

Trypanosoma brucei
is the unicellular parasite that causes African sleeping sickness and nagana disease in livestock. The parasite has a complex life cycle consisting of several developmental forms in the human and tsetse fly insect vector. Both the mammalian and insect hosts provide different nutritional environments, so
T. brucei
must adapt its metabolism to promote its survival and to complete its life cycle. As
T. brucei
is transmitted from the human host to the fly, the parasite must regulate its mitochondrial gene expression through a process called uridine insertion/deletion editing to achieve mRNAs capable of being translated into functional respiratory chain proteins required for energy production in the insect host. Therefore, it is essential to understand the mechanisms by which
T. brucei
regulates mitochondrial gene expression during transmission from the mammalian host to the insect vector.
Respiratory syncytial virus co-opts hypoxia-inducible factor-1α-mediated glycolysis to favor the production of infectious virus
Authors: Chen Li-Feng , Cai Jun-Xing , Zhang Jing-Jing , Tang Yu-Jun , Chen Jia-Yi , Xiong Si , Li Yao-Lan , Zhang Hong , Liu Zhong , Li Man-Mei 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT

Glycolysis, a series of oxidative reactions used to metabolize glucose and provide energy to host cells, is also required for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. However, the role of glycolysis during RSV infection and its underlying molecular mechanisms remain to be further explored. In this study, we investigated the function of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α-mediated glycolysis in HEp-2 cells and mouse models during RSV infection. The results showed that RSV infection activated the insulin receptor (IR)-PI3K-Akt axis, upregulated the translation and activity of HIF-1α, increased the expression of glucose transporters (Glut1, Glut3, and Glut4), hexokinase (HK) 1 and 2, and platelet-type phosphofructokinase (PFKP), and promoted glucose uptake and glycolysis. In addition, mitochondrial damage induced by RSV resulted in the generation of large amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in infected cells, which contributed to the stabilization and activation of HIF-1α. An energy map of the glycolytic ATP production rate (Glyco-ATP) versus the mitochondrial ATP production rate (mito-ATP) confirmed a switch from oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) to glycolysis. Inhibition of IR-PI3K-Akt signaling, ROS, or HIF-1α effectively reversed the RSV-induced increase in glycolysis by blocking HIF-1α activation. Importantly, HIF-1α-mediated glycolysis provided energy for the production of progeny RSV virions. The production of infectious virions was nearly abolished after knocking down HIF-1α. PX-478, an orally active HIF-1α inhibitor, effectively inhibited RSV infection
in vivo
. Collectively, these results indicate the role of HIF-1α-mediated glycolysis in RSV infection and highlight HIF-1α as a potential target for anti-RSV drug development.

IMPORTANCE
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading etiological agent of lower respiratory tract illness. However, efficacious vaccines or antiviral drugs for treating RSV infections are currently not available. Indeed, RSV depends on host cells to provide energy needed to produce progeny virions. Glycolysis is a series of oxidative reactions used to metabolize glucose and provide energy to host cells. Therefore, glycolysis may be helpful for RSV infection. In this study, we show that RSV increases glycolysis by inducing the stabilization, transcription, translation, and activation of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α in infected cells, which is important for the production of progeny RSV virions. This study contributes to understanding the molecular mechanism by which HIF-1α-mediated glycolysis controls RSV infection and reveals an effective target for the development of highly efficient anti-RSV drugs.
Construction and characterization of a saturated Tn-seq library of
Salmonella
Typhimurium ATCC 14028
Authors: Trotereau Jérôme , Jouan Romain , Naquin Delphine , Branger Maxime , Schouler Catherine , Velge Philippe , Mergaert Peter , Virlogeux-Payant Isabelle 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT

Salmonella enterica
is an important foodborne pathogen. Here, we present the construction and characterization of a high-density transposon sequencing library of the
Salmonella
Typhimurium ATCC 14028 strain. Essential, advantageous, and disadvantageous genes for growth in rich culture medium were identified on the chromosome and the pSLT plasmid.
NDM-1- and OXA-23-producing
Acinetobacter baumannii
in wastewater of a Nigerian hospital
Authors: Odih Erkison Ewomazino , Sunmonu Gabriel Temitope , Okeke Iruka N. , Dalsgaard Anders 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT

Carbapenem-resistant
Acinetobacter baumannii
spp. are increasingly important pathogens with limited treatment options, and there is limited knowledge on the environmental factors contributing to their spread. We determined the occurrence of carbapenem-resistant
A. baumannii
in hospital wastewater and their phylogenetic relationships with clinical
A. baumannii
isolates. Grab samples of raw and treated hospital wastewater were collected monthly at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria, between March 2021 and February 2022.
Acinetobacter baumannii
strains were selectively isolated and identified using VITEK2, and their whole genomes were sequenced on an Illumina platform. We performed antimicrobial susceptibility testing and
in silico
genomic characterization of the strains and determined their phylogenetic relationships to previously characterized clinical
A. baumannii
strains from Nigeria.
A. baumannii
complex isolates were recovered from wastewater throughout the study. Of the 82 isolates identified based on whole-genome sequences, 77 were
A. baumannii. A. baumannii
isolates had high resistance rates (≥48.1%) to 10 of 12 antimicrobials tested, and majority (42/77, 54.5%) were resistant to carbapenems, with
bla
NDM-1
being the most common (24/77, 31.2%) carbapenem resistance gene detected, followed by
bla
OXA-23
(
n
= 22, 28.6%). There was no statistically significant difference in carbapenem resistance rates or carbapenem gene carriage between the raw and treated wastewater isolates. Most of the isolates belonged to novel or sparsely described lineages, some of which were closely related to clinical isolates. The release of inadequately treated hospital wastewater into the environment may contribute to the increased spread of carbapenem-resistant and clinically important
A. baumannii
lineages in Ibadan, Nigeria.

IMPORTANCE

Acinetobacter baumannii
is a leading cause of hospital-associated infections globally.
A. baumannii
reservoirs outside hospital settings are still unknown, and their occurrence in the environment is linked to clinical and anthropogenic activities. Although the risk of transmission of
A. baumannii
from environmental sources to humans is not fully understood, these sources pose significant risks for the continued dissemination of
A. baumannii
and their resistance traits. This study provides evidence that diverse and clinically relevant
A. baumannii
strains, many of which are resistant to carbapenems, are constantly being discharged into the environment through inadequately treated hospital wastewater. We further elucidate potential transmission routes between the environment and clinical infections and demonstrate the high prevalence of carbapenem resistance genes on highly mobile transposons among these strains. Our findings highlight the pressing need to address hospital wastewater as a crucial factor in curtailing the spread of carbapenem-resistant
A. baumannii
.