bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The analysis of molten salt energy storage mode with multiple steam sources heating in thermal power unit peaking operation
Authors: Lin-kui FENG , Ke LU , Yao-fei FENG , WANG Ping , Kai ZHAO , Zhi-de GU , Yan-nan REN , Sheng-lu XIE 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

A 350MW cogeneration unit is used as research object in molten salt energy storage which is characterized by energy mobility, combined with steam grade, steam split ratio, the evaluation indicators such as peaking load, thermal efficiency, equivalent round-trip efficiency and integrated coal consumption were analyzed and studied under the energy storage-releasing strategy with single-steam source and multi-steam source heating. The thermoelectric characteristic curve of the unit under the energy storage-releasing stage is obtained according to the storage-releasing characteristics of the molten salt system. The analysis results show that under the heat storage mode, the same peaking depth can be basically achieved under the single-steam-source and multi-steam-source heating strategy, the thermal efficiency is higher under the multi-steam source heating strategy, peaking depth is enhanced by increasing the steam split ratio; under the heat releasing mode with a certain amount of heat releasing, the peaking capacity is greatest when the heat releasing steam is cold re-steam.
Computational insights into exploring the potential effects of environmental contaminants on human health
Authors: Cao Fuyan , Zhao Xinyue , Fu Xueqi , Jin Yue 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

The rise in human activity has intensified environmental pollution, posing a global public health challenge. Understanding the intricate mechanisms by which pollutants impact health is crucial. Traditional research, often limited to specific techniques and short-term exposures, fails to capture the full complexity of these interactions. This study integrates machine-learning, quantum chemical computing, physicochemical properties, target prediction, KEGG and GO pathway analyses and survival analysis to examine the effects of air and water pollutants on human health. We chose knowledge-guided pre-trained graph transformer (KPGT) framework with an AUC of 0.83 knowledge bootstrap to predict the carcinogenic potential of pollutants and clustered environmental pollutants into seven different groups. For each group, quantum chemical and physicochemical properties, target prediction, KEGG and GO pathway analyses further revealed links between pollutants and cancer-related factors, such as MicroRNA, PD-L1, the PD-1 checkpoint pathway, and HIF-1 signaling. Survival analysis identified key proteins associated with poor cancer prognosis. These findings provide insights into the complex effects of pollutants on health and contribute to public health research.
Thio-modified trianglimines, a novel group of chiral macrocyclic compounds of high structural dynamics
Authors: Prusinowska Natalia , Czapik Agnieszka , Szymkowiak Joanna , Kwit Marcin 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

The embellishing of the macrocycle core with sulfur substituents of varied sterical requirements changes the structural dynamics of chiral, triangular polyimines. Despite their formal high symmetry, these compounds adopt diverse conformations, in which the macrocycle core represents a non-changeable unit. DFT calculations reveal that the mutual arrangement of sulfur-containing substituents is controlled mainly by sterical interactions. The presence of sulfur atoms affects the chiroptical properties of these compounds and causes a red shift of respective absorption bands compared to the basic trianglimine. Unexpectedly, the aromatic fragments attached to the sulfur atom have less impact on ECD spectra, visible only in particular spectral regions. Such a possibility to adapt various conformations is also seen in the crystalline phase; however, a stiff basic unit – the triangular macrocycle core – caused macrocycles' self-assembly into columnar-like aggregates. In the crystal lattice, around the macrocycle having bulky SCPh3 groups, a space filled with solvent is formed; however, the macrocycle's internal cavity is closed and unavailable for guest molecules. Titration of the solutions of basic SBn-substituted imine and amine macrocycles by AgOTf results in significant changes in the ECD spectra, confirming possible binding interactions between macrocycle and metal cations.
Biologically inspired energy-balanced clustering routing optimization for wireless sensor network
Authors: Xu Mengying , Zu Yunxiao , Zhou Jie 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

A key challenge in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) is the clustering routing issue, which has been identified as NP-hard. Since the power supply of sensors is limited and the security of network cannot be guaranteed, determining how to optimize a secure clustering routing scheme becomes a significant and challenging task. This paper introduces a novel bio-inspired energy-balanced secure clustering routing (BESCR) algorithm, which can markedly extend network lifespan, vigorously improve security, significantly reduce transmission delay, and maintain balanced energy consumption across nodes. Moreover, a secure clustering routing model based on trust mechanism is introduced, alongside an objective function that considers intra-cluster distance, base station distance, delay, trust value, and node residual energy, making the clustering routing scheme more secure and efficient. What's more, BESCR algorithm incorporates artificial bee colony optimization, chaos generator and genetic mutation operator, which can greatly raise the convergence speed, and reduce the risk of local optima. Simulation results show that BESCR effectively increases the network lifetime, reduces the delay, improves the security, and balances energy costs of nodes.
A pilot investigation of bovine schistosomiasis on Unguja Island, Zanzibar raises a new concern for elimination of urogenital schistosomiasis
Authors: Ame Shaali , Juma Othman , Juhász Alexandra , Ali Mtumweni , Suleiman Talib S. , Gobert Geoffrey N. , Cunningham Lucas J. , Cawley Abigail , Atkins Lilly , Jones Sam , LaCourse E. James , Kabole Fatma , Stothard John Russell 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Our pilot parasitological investigation of cattle, supplemented with molecular DNA characterisation of encountered schistosomes, sheds first light upon bovine schistosomiasis on Unguja Island, Zanzibar. During February 2024, a total of 99 cattle were examined. Of these, 47 were exported animals from the Tanzanian mainland, designated for slaughter at two governmental abattoirs (Kisakasaka & Muwanda), and 52 were free-grazing animals sampled from four grazing locations within the island’s North and Central regions. Upon visual inspection of 31 cattle carcasses at Kisakasaka for adult worms, prevalence of schistosomiasis was 51.6%, whereas upon faecal miracidia hatching test (MHT) was 80.6%. At Muwanda, only faecal MHT was used, finding a much lower prevalence of 12.5%. In free-grazing animals, prevalence of schistosomiasis by MHT was 0.0%. At Muwanda the animal quarantine paddock was in disrepair, inclusive of a large pond now acting as a watering point. Here, numerous Bulinus forskalii sp. were found. Whilst no snails were observed to shed schistosome cercariae, molecular xenomonitoring did detect a pre-patent infection prevalence of 10.8%, with Schistosoma bovis firmly incriminated. Molecular DNA characterisation of adult schistosomes (n = 19) by real-time PCR and high resolution melt profiling, alongside DNA sequencing, also identified S. bovis although two worms were putative S. bovis-S. mattheei hybrids. Atypical intrauterine eggs of S. bovis were noted upon microscopy of a worm pair. A broader screen of 92 miracidia confirmed S. bovis and 3 miracidia as S. bovis-S. mattheei hybrids. Contrasting with Pemba Island, Zanzibar, where autochthonous transmission of S. bovis can occur, bovine schistosomiasis on Unguja Island currently appears restricted to imported animals alone. However, the seminal detection of putative S. bovis-mattheei hybrids, alongside the current inadequate quarantine facilities at Muwanda, raises a new concern that such hybrid schistosomes may escape and enter the island’s hinterland. Should this happen, surveillance and control of urogenital schistosomiasis on Unguja would be compromised and further complicated. We therefore strongly recommend immediate repair and improved maintenance of governmental animal quarantine facilities. Future epidemiological surveys of imported cattle are now well-justified, not only to better understand the full repertoire of hybrid schistosomes present but also to develop appropriate mitigating interventions.
Health Provider Burnout and Retention in Military Health Service
Authors: Olapeju Bolanle , Mushtaq Omar , Johnson-Boua Kimberly , Riegleman David , Hemmer Paul , Chang Hanna , Durning Steven J , Soh Michael 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Purpose
The Military Health System has over 700 facilities across the world serving 9.6 million beneficiaries. Burnout negatively impacts the wellbeing of military physicians, potentially influencing both their practice of healthcare and retention in the military. This study explores the underlying mechanisms that drive military physician burnout and intended retention.
Methods
In 2023, researchers surveyed graduates from a military medical program and their contacts, using closed and open-ended questions. Researchers measured burnout using the mini-Z burnout scale, categorizing symptoms such as definite burnout, burnout symptoms that won’t go away, or feeling completely burned out. Applying logistic regression and marginal probability techniques, the researchers explored the relationship between burnout and retention (thinking of quitting job as a health provider, leaving the military after term of service and leaving before retirement). The researchers conducted a thematic analysis of open-ended data.
Results
More providers who were burned out (73%) than those who were not burned out (42%) expressed thoughts about leaving current job as a health provider. More providers who were burned out (72%) compared to colleagues were not burned out (41%) expressed that they were unlikely to remain in the military after term of service. Open-ended response data suggests that work environment largely motivated military health professionals their intention to leave their profession followed by infrastructure issues, compensation issues, and leadership concerns.
Conclusion
Policies should address military health professionals' well-being by improving work-life balance, creating supportive work environments, addressing technological concerns, and making larger bureaucratic efforts to achieve compensation parity.
Uncertainties related to the solar resource in the context of the Brazilian interconnected system
Authors: Santos Fabiano P. , Colombini Angelo C. , Ferreira Bruna C. , Tiepolo Gerson Maximo 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

The objective of this study is to investigate the probabilities of solar resource availability and the reliability of photovoltaic systems connected to Brazil's National Interconnected System (SIN). The research examines the uncertainties associated with these resources and their impact on the stability of the SIN. In order to achieve this, data science methods, including K-means clustering and empirical cumulative distribution curves (ECDF and ECCDF), were employed in order to conduct a comprehensive probabilistic analysis. The results indicate that, on a typical day, the probability of average monthly solar irradiation being less than 4,000 Wh/m².day is essentially zero, thereby reinforcing the reliability of the solar resource. Moreover, an examination of the data for August 15, 2023, revealed no notable correlation between the availability of the solar resource and the failure of the SIN. This study contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of renewable energy sources in Brazil and to the formulation of energy planning strategies that ensure the stability of the SIN in the context of the growing penetration of renewable sources.
Assessment of the level of implementation of infection prevention and control practices in district and regional hospitals in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Authors: Bakar Mohd , Nkinda Lilian , Matee Mecky , Msafiri Frank 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background
Strict adherence to infection prevention and control (IPC) is the mainstay for preventing and controlling healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs), often caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens. We used the World Health Organization IPC Assessment Framework (WHO IPCAF) to assess the level of implementation of IPC measures in 3 regional referral hospitals, 5 district hospitals, and 1 health center in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Results
The overall mean IPCAF score for the assessed facilities was 417 out of 800 points (IQR: 408.75–478.6). On average, there was no difference in the level of IPC implementation between Regional and District Hospitals, and both were at an intermediate level. The components that performed well were: CC8 (environment, materials, and equipment; 77.5, IQR 75–80), CC1 (IPC program; 70, IQR 65–70)), and CC2 (IPC guidelines; 75, IQR 75-77.5). CC5 (multi-modal strategies for IPC (60, IQR, 55-67.5) and CC7 (workload, bed occupancy, and staffing (55, IQR, 40–60) had moderate scores, while CC6 (monitoring and feedback (25, IQR 25-31.25), CC4 HCAI surveillance (30, IQR 22.5–50), and CC3 IPC education (40, IQR 35–55) scored lowly. The notable IPC gaps were i) inadequate IPC training programs and lack of surveillance systems and data on antimicrobial consumption, lack of adequate bed spacing (> 1 m), which was seen in all facilities and ii) majority of the facilities (77.8%) were not monitoring IPC indicators. All district healthcare facilities had low-capacity microbiology laboratories.
Conclusions
With the increasing incidence of hospital-associated multidrug-resistant infections and recent COVID-19, M-pox, Ebola, and Marburg outbreaks, there is an urgent need to address the challenges observed in key components hindering progress in the prevention and control of HCAIs. Based on our findings, special attention should be given to IPC education (CC3), strengthening HCAI surveillance systems (CC4), monitoring and feedback (CC6), and bed occupancy and staffing (CC7).
Estrogen receptor immunoexpression in the ovary of the rabbit after ovulation-inducing application of human chorionic gonadotropin
Authors: Abd-Elkareem Mahmoud , Alnasser Sulaiman Mohammed , Meshal Alotaibi , Khormi Mohsen A. , Alfattah Mohammed A. 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background
One of the most popular animal species in both animal husbandry and lab work is the rabbit. Consequently, there is a significant need to improve rabbit reproductive performance. Estrogens are responsible for regulating ovarian activities through binding to the estrogen receptors (ER). Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the immunoexpression of estrogen receptors alpha (ERA) and scanning electron microscopy on the rabbit ovary after induction of ovulation. To achieve this aim, thirteen healthy mature female New Zealand white rabbits (2.4 ± 0.1 Kg body weight and 4-5 months old) were induced to ovulate by intramuscular injection of the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) (50-70 IU). Ovaries were dissected immediately after slaughtering at 14 hr., 3, 7, and 18 days post-induction of ovulation. The samples were investigated by immunohistochemistry and scanning electron microscopy.
Results
Our results revealed that ER immunoexpression in the rabbit ovary 14 hr. after induction of ovulation showed strong ER immunoexpression in the ovarian surface epithelial cells and moderate ER immunoexpression in the thin layered ovulation stigma. The pre-ovulatory follicles expressed strong to moderate cytoplasmic and nuclear ER immunosignals in all cell types. The rabbit ovary 3-7 days after induction of ovulation showed strong to moderate ER immunoreactivity in all cell types of the corpus luteum (CL) and of the large antral follicles. The atretic antral follicles showed negative ER immunoexpression in the apoptotic granulosa cells and positive reaction in the proliferated theca interna cells and their surrounding endothelial cells of the blood vessels. The rabbit ovary 18 days after induction of ovulation showed regressed CL with negative cytoplasmic and nuclear ER immunoexpression in the regressed large lutein cells, and in the endothelial cells of the blood capillaries. In addition, moderate cytoplasmic and nuclear ER immunoexpression in the small lutein cells was observed.
At all our study periods, we observed that the primordial, primary, growing, and small antral follicles showed moderate cytoplasmic and nuclear ER immunoexpression. At the same time, the interstitial gland cells showed strong cytoplasmic and nuclear ER immunoexpression.
Conclusion
This work elucidates the role of ERA in the ovarian function (folliculogenesis, ovulation, luteinization) in rabbits which assists in improving the reproductive outcome of this animal. In addition, these findings are increasingly important for implementing a genetic improvement program and utilizing advanced reproductive techniques.
Integrating epigenome and sequence features for CTCF-mediated chromatin loop prediction using LightGBM
Authors: Yu Xiaojuan , Gu Xuedie , Lin Guoliang , Wei Tingchu , Min Wenwen , Murphy Robert W , Jia Yongkang , Yu Yang , Liu Lin , Zhou Wei , Luo Jing 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background
The three-dimensional structure of the human genome is folded to form many loops, which are involved in some critical structural chromatin proteins. The DNA binding protein ccctc-binding factor (CTCF) anchors the chromatin loop. Most anchoring loops of CTCF junctions have the same orientation verifying that CTCF’s directionality is inherited. The features that accurately distinguish long-range chromatin loops needs deeper exploration.
Results
Here, we present PC-Loop, a powerful machine learning framework based on LightGBM that predicts CTCF-mediated chromatin loops using PCLoop-epigenomics, PCLoop-sequences, and PCLoop-integration. Better performance in F1 score, Area under ROC curve (AUC), precision, and recall using cell lines GM12878, K562, HeLa-S3, and MSF7 demonstrated that PC-Loop outperformed Lollipop in predicting long-range chromatin loops. Thus, PC-Loop contributes to an understanding of how different proteins play roles in the formation of long-range chromatin loops and the role these proteins play in gene expression and disease control. We offer a novel approach to analyzing enhancer-promoter interactions through a comprehensive feature extraction process. By analyzing peak and signal value distributions within histone-bound protein transcription factors, we extract new biologically relevant features that capture enhancer and promoter dynamics across chromosomal domains. Unlike previous studies that focus solely on classification using machine learning models, our approach emphasizes the biological insights gained from the enhancer-promoter interactions. For example, we show how chromatin loops formed by CTCF and cohesion proteins play critical roles in gene regulation and disease treatment.
Conclusions
We provide a theoretical basis for improved disease risk management by uncovering the underlying regulatory mechanisms. Extracted features enable more accurate predictions and deeper biological interpretations, distinguishing our study from conventional methods.
Density Functional Theory Study of Hydrogen and Oxygen Reactions on NiO(100) and Ce doped NiO(100)
Authors: Yang Bing-Xing , Zhang Rong , Sun Yun-Jie 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

The reaction mechanism of H2 and O2, as well as the electronic properties of NiO(100) and Ce-doped NiO(100), have been investigated using density functional theory (DFT) with the inclusion of on-site Coulomb corrections (DFT + U). Results indicate that the reactions of H2 and O2 occur favorably on the reduced surfaces of both NiO(100) and Ce-doped NiO(100). However, once the oxygen vacancy on the reduced surface is filled, the activation energy for H2 reacting with lattice oxygen increases on both surfaces, with Ce-doped NiO(100) showing a lower activation energy of 1.64 eV compared to 3.16 eV on pure NiO(100). Charge analysis clearly reveals that Ce doping brings excess electrons localized at O atoms, which significantly increases the lattice oxygen activity. These results are of great significance for understanding the role of Ce in the surface structure of NiO (100).
Diffusion Models: Unlocking the “4 secrets” of High-quality Image Generation
Authors: Zhou Tao , zhang zhe , Zhang Mingzhe , Chai Wenwen , Xia Yong , Hu fuyuan 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Diffusion Model (DM) is a hot topic in deep generative models, and it is widely applied in the image generation fields. In diffusion models, there are 4 main “secrets” that affect the generation high-quality image generation: constructing diffusion model, improving the sampling speed, designing diffusion process, and guiding diffusion models. However, how to construct the diffusion model? How to improve the sampling speed? How to design the diffusion process? How to guide diffusion models? These are critical to enhancing the performance of diffusion models. However, so far, most of the review papers are summarized from the application aspect, and the 4 key technologies of diffusion model are few. In response to the above issues, this paper summarizes 4 key technologies and 6 applications. The main innovative works are as following: Firstly, how to construct diffusion models? The basic principle of the diffusion model are summarized from 3 aspects: denoising diffusion probabilistic models, noise-conditioned score networks, and stochastic differential equations. Secondly, how to improve the sampling speed? Some key techniques for improving the sampling speed are summarized from 3 aspects: non-Markovian sampling, knowledge distillation, and discrete optimization. Thirdly, how to design the diffusion process? This paper summarizes how to design diffusion process from 3 aspects: Latent Space, diffusion process based on transformer and non-Euclidean space. Fourthly, how to guide diffusion models? This paper summarizes how to guide the diffusion model from 3 aspects: classifier guidance, classifier-free guidance, and multimodal guidance. Fifthly, the applications of diffusion models in various fields are discussed from 6 aspects: image fusion, medical image segmentation, image restoration, text-to-image generation, image super-resolution and text-to-video generation. Finally, this paper discusses the challenges faced by diffusion model in image generation, compares the diffusion model with other generation models, and looks forward to the future development direction of diffusion model. This paper systematically points out the "4 secrets" of diffusion models in the image generation fields, providing significant reference value for their research in this field.