bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Emotional needs for Smart Products: A Case Study of older people living alone in Chengdu, China
Authors: Yun Liu , Me Rosalam Che , Yus Irwan Syah Md 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Objectives: Older people living alone can face enormous challenges in maintaining physical and mental health in their daily lives. The advent of smart products is expected to meet this growing demand. Therefore, the study aimed to provide a reference for the popularisation of smart aging through interviews on the emotional needs of older people living alone in Chengdu, China.
Methods: This study used qualitative interviews to evaluate the current situation surrounding the emotional needs of OPLA in urban areas. In-depth face-to-face interviews were conducted with 20 OPLAs aged 60 years and above in Chengdu, China. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.
Results: Three main themes emerged: (A) the emotional well-being of OPLA due to living alone; (B) efforts to satisfy emotional needs; and (C) the use of smart products to satisfy emotional needs.
Conclusion: Although there are still many obstacles to the popularisation of smart products for healthy aging, their necessity and feasibility have laid the foundation for the development and uptake of smart products. This study provides an in-depth exploration of the local interpretation of emotional needs among Chinese urban-dwelling OPLA, contributing to the agenda of smart aging locally and globally.
Active heart sparing VMAT planning radiotherapy in patients with central/large locally advanced NSCLC: contouring heart substructures matters!
Authors: Agolli Linda , Exeli Ann-Katrin , Schneider Uwe , Ihne-Schubert Sandra , Lurtz Andreas , Habermehl Daniel 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
To investigate the feasibility of active heart sparing (AHS) planning in patients with locally advanced and centrally located NSCLC receiving definitive radiotherapy (RT).
Methods
A total of 27 patients treated with definitve RT were selected. All existing radiation plans were revised and further new equivalent plans were calculated using AHS for the same cohort. Primary end-point was feasibility of AHS using constraints for heart substructures. The secondary end point was to calculate the difference in terms of dosimetric parameters of heart substructures and principal OARs as well as PTV-coverage parameters within the current patient group.
Results
AHS was feasible in the entire group of patients. An optimal coverage of the target volume was obtained and all mandatory constraints for OARs have been met. The median value of the mean heart dose was 8.18Gy and 6.71Gy in the standard planning group and AHS-group, respectively (p = 0.000). Other heart parameters such as V5Gy (40.57% vs. 27.7%; p = 0.000) and V30Gy (5.39% vs. 3.86%; p = 0.000) were significantly worse in the standard planning group. The following dosimetric parameters regarding heart substructures were significantly better in the AHS-group: mean dose to heart base (16.97Gy vs 6.37Gy, p = 0.000), maximum dose (18.64Gy vs. 6.05Gy, p = 0.000) and V15Gy (11.11% vs. 0.000, p = 0.000) to LAD.
Conclusion
Our analysis showed an improvement in dosimetric parameters regarding heart and heart substructures in patients with advanced NSCLC treated with definitive RT using AHS. This approach could lead to a possible reduction of heart events and a prolonged survival.
Screening strategies for prostate cancer in Israeli BRCA pathogenic sequence variant carriers
Authors: Amir Ido , Friedman Eitan , Laitman Yael , Dotan Zohar A , Rosenzweig Barak 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Men carrying germline pathogenic sequence variants (PSVs) in the BRCA1/2 (BRCA- PSV) are at an increased risk for early onset aggressive prostate cancer (PrCa). Screening strategies, including prostate MRI (pMRI), are advocated, yet their clinical utility remains uncertain. To this end we employed Decision Curve Analysis (DCA) to compare screening based on either family history of PrCa, age-stratified PSA or pMRI, assessing net benefits with the outcome of performing biopsy. Overall 148 BRCA- PSV carriers (8620 person/years) were included, of whom 80 had ≥ 2 consecutive visits. Of these – 53/80 (66.25%) underwent pMRI screening, and 11 underwent biopsy for radiologically suspicious lesion and 4 were diagnosed with PrCa. Gene-specific and age-stratified analyses were carried out to assess the preferred mode for guiding prostate biopsy. Compared with other strategies, pMRI demonstrated the highest net benefits across all threshold probabilities for the entire cohort and both ≥ 61 and 35–50 years.
Changes in Gastric volume during sedative flexible bronchoscopy with supraglottic jet oxygenation and ventilation: A randomized, double-blind study
Authors: Wu Zhiyun , Zha Benjun , Xie Ping , Xu Li , Zhuang Haibin , Wei Huafeng 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background: Increasing gastric volume is one of the main risk factors associated with pulmonary aspiration. Supraglottic jet oxygenation and ventilation (SJOV) using the WEI Nasal Jet Tube (WEI Nasal JET, WNJ) is a developing technique, and is increasingly used to promote oxygenation and ventilation during moderate to deep sedation and difficult airway management. However, its potential to increase gastric volume has not been investigated.
Methods: This is a prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical study. Patients were randomized to three groups according to the driving pressures of SJOV (15, 20, or 25 psi), corresponding to P15, P20, or P25 groups, respectively. All patients were sedated with remifentanil and propofol, the longitudinal (D1) and anteroposterior (D2) of the gastric antrum were measured by ultrasonography. The primary outcome, gastric volume, was recorded at the initation of SJOV (T0), and after using SJOV for 1minute (T1), 5 minutes (T2), and at the end of the procedure (T3). The secondary outcomes included end-tidal CO2 (PETCO2) at T0, T1, T2 and T3. Adverse events related to SJOV (gastric insufflations, hypoxemia, barotrauma, pharyngalgia and xerostomia) were also recorded.
Results: 222 patients were randomized and recruited to the study. An ANOCVA showed no significant Group*Time interaction for gastric volume and PETCO2 (F Group*Time=0.069, P=0.991 and F Group*Time=0.165, P=0.956). The main effect analysis showed there were no significant differences in the effects of 3 driving pressure on gastric volume and PETCO2 (F Group=0.034, P=0.966 and F Group=0.602, P=0.549) and the changes in gastric volume and PETCO2 at different time points were similar (F Time=8.760, P=0.350 and F Time=1.876, P=0.154). However, there was more pharyngalgia and xerostomia in the P25 group than in the P15 group at 30 min and 1h after the procedure, but there was no significant difference among the three groups at 24h after the procedure. Gastric insufflations and barotrauma were absent in all patients.
Conclusions: During fiberoptic bronchoscopy, SJOV using WNJ with driving pressure of 15 psi, 20 psi, and 25 psi had the same effect on gastric volume, and had a higher incidence of xerostomia and pharyngalgia at driving pressure of 25 psi than 15 psi
Date of registration: 1/06/2019
Date of enrolment of the first research participant：04/01/2020
Longitudinal VOCs profiling by direct-injection mass spectrometry reveals the interaction between the gut microbiota and dietary fibers in-vitro
Authors: Dell'Olio Andrea , Rubert Josep , Khomenko Iuliia , Capozzi Vittorio , Fogliano Vincenzo , Biasioli Franco 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Intestinal fermentation is a complex process with profound implications for human health, driven by the production of metabolites, particularly volatile organic compounds (VOCs), that influence gut microbiota-host interactions. Advances in omics approaches have enhanced our understanding of temporal dynamics in diet-microbiota interactions. The development of direct injection mass spectrometry (DIMS) has enabled rapid, non-invasive characterization of volatile metabolites within microbial ecosystems, offering a promising approach for longitudinal profiling of the human gut volatilome in response to dietary substrates. In this study, we utilized Proton Transfer Reaction Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (PTR-ToF-MS) to analyze VOCs produced during colonic fermentation, examining the effects of dietary fibers such as oat bran and inulin. Hierarchical clustering grouped VOC profiles over time, revealing distinct fermentation patterns associated with each substrate. We further applied RM-ASCA, a multivariate method for repeated measurements, to identify key VOCs driving differences between oat bran and inulin fermentations. Notably, oat bran fermentation significantly suppressed hydrogen sulfide and methanethiol compounds often linked to gut inflammation, suggesting a protective role in reducing these sulfur metabolites. Additionally, oat bran fermentation was marked by the release of 2,3-butanedione, a metabolite associated with fiber-rich diets in vivo. To validate our findings, we compared the PTR-ToF-MS volatilome fingerprints with those obtained using SPME-GC-MS, a reference method from our previous study. Our results demonstrate that PTR-ToF-MS is a rapid, non-invasive tool well-suited for high-throughput analysis of fecal batch fermentations. Combined with advanced statistical tools, this approach provides deeper insights into diet-gut microbiota interactions in vitro, facilitating the exploration of complex dynamics in gut health research.
Brain Arteriovenous Malformations Treated with Linear Accelerator-based Stereotactic Radiosurgery: A Latin American Experience
Authors: Rangel-Sarmiento Valentina , Soto-Cala Beatriz , Cure Juanita , Caicedo-Martinez Maria , Borda German , Lindado Carlos A. , Castro-Lombana Esperanza , Puentes Juan C. , Zorro-Guío Oscar , González-Motta Alejandro 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a reasonable treatment for brain arteriovenous malformations (bAVMs) not suitable for microsurgery. However, limited data exists on linear accelerator (LINAC)-based SRS, a key option in low- and middle-income countries where access to technologies like Gamma Knife or Cyber Knife is restricted. This study aimed to determine the obliteration rate and outcomes of bAVMs treated with LINAC-based SRS guided by triple fusion imaging at a quaternary care institution in Latin America.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective observational study including patients with bAVMs treated with LINAC-based SRS between 2011 and 2017 at a hospital in Bogota, Colombia. Data was collected from medical records and telephone interviews. The primary outcome was 3-year obliteration rate. Secondary outcomes included intracranial bleeding, headaches, epilepsy, and neurological deficits before and after radiosurgery. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, central tendency measures, and logistic regression.
Results
The study included 82 patients, 51.2% were female, with a third residing outside of Bogota. Ruptured bAVMs were present in 44% of patients, 74.4% were located in eloquent brain areas and most were Spetzler Martin grade III. Prior embolization was performed in 57.3% of patients, and the median radiosurgery dose was 20 Gy (SD 1.6). Satisfactory 3-year follow-up was possible in 59 participants with a complete obliteration rate of 57.4%. The most common post-SRS symptom was headache (53.8%), followed by focal neurological deficits (33.3%). Two deaths due to bAVM rupture were reported post-SRS. The radiosurgery dose was significantly associated with bAVM obliteration (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.05–2.61, p-value = 0.030).
Conclusions
Linear accelerator-based SRS with triple fusion imaging offers a viable option for managing bAVMs in settings with limited access to cutting-edge technologies. However, there is a compelling need for improving patient follow-up in future research, which will contribute to a more accurate assessment of obliteration rates and other treatment outcomes.
Study of the hydraulic conductivity of a highly compressible clayey soil stabilized with kraft black liquor and composite cement
Authors: de Queiroz Bruno Pereira , Nascentes Rejane , Ferraz Roberto Lopes , Boscov Maria Eugenia Gimenez , Fontes Mauricio Paulo Ferreira 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

This This study investigated the hydraulic conductivity of a compacted high plasticity clayey soil (CH) and its mixtures with kraft black liquor (KBL) and cement for use in sanitary landfill bottom liners. Black liquor dosages of 3 and 5% were used in relation to the dry mass of the soil, and two types of cement were tested: composed of granulated blast furnace slag (CP II˗E˗32) and of carbonate material (CP II˗F˗32). The addition of black liquor reduced the hydraulic conductivity of the soil by up to 10 times. Mixtures with 3% black liquor and 5% liquor-cement CP II˗F˗32 showed the best performance, with hydraulic conductivity values in the range of 2.4 to 3.4 x 10-10 m/s. Mixtures with CP II˗E˗32 cement had higher and more variable hydraulic conductivity. Black liquor additions increased the pH of the mixtures and the concentration of adsorbed Na+ in the leachate. The combined addition of black liquor and cement increased the effective cation exchange capacity (CEC), particularly with CP II˗F˗32 cement. The higher concentration of Ca2+ in the leachate of mixtures with CP II˗E˗32 cement contributed to the poorer hydraulic performance. However, the higher concentration of Al3+ in the leachate of mixtures with CP II˗F˗32 cement did not impact hydraulic conductivity. It was concluded that the dispersion of clay particles induced by black liquor was the primary mechanism for reducing hydraulic conductivity. Mixtures with 3% black liquor and 5% liquor-cement CP II˗F˗32 showed the lowest hydraulic conductivity values, indicating their potential as a suitable stabilizer for landfill liners.
Activity screening of Pt-CeO2 gradient films prepared by bipolar electrochemistry for electro-oxidation reactions
Authors: Ketkaew Marisa , Kassahun Getnet , Ali Nashwan Hussein , Garrigue Patrick , Bonhommeau Sébastien , Bouffier Laurent , Kuhn Alexander , Wattanakit Chularat , Zigah Dodzi 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Glassy carbon electrodes were modified with a CeO2 film and Pt nanoparticles (Pt-CeO2) for electrocatalysis. Interestingly, the oxidation of benzyl alcohol was significantly enhanced when Pt-CeO2 films were prepared by the simultaneous electrodeposition of the two materials, indicating a significant synergistic electrocatalytic activity. Subsequently, bipolar electrochemistry was employed to prepare Pt-CeO2 gradient films. Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) was employed for studying local electrochemical properties at liquid/solid interfaces. SECM allowed mapping the local electrochemical performance of the Pt-CeO2 gradient films for benzyl alcohol oxidation, showing that the reaction rate is proportional to the local Pt-CeO2 surface coverage. Therefore, Pt-CeO2 deposits with different densities along the bipolar electrode offer tunable catalytic performances for benzyl alcohol oxidation. This allows identifying in a fast and straightforward way the optimal conditions for electrocatalytic processes in a more general sense because the approach, illustrated here with one specific reaction, can be easily generalized to other catalytically-active surfaces.
The precarious helping hand – a systematic review of precarity faced by social workers
Authors: Lai Chi Yuen , He Langjie , Lau Siu Mei 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Precarity as an academic concept started with researching the working-class in marginal positions (e.g., construction workers). It extended its focus to ontological insecurity and skilled workers such as journalists. The problematic working conditions featured by insufficient funding and overloads by the social work (SW) profession have been one type of skilled work under the threat of precarization. Yet, there is insufficient dialogue between the two concepts. Studies (n = 14) were selected by searching through five social science databases using the search terms combination of “precarity” OR “precarization” OR “precariousness” AND “social work” OR “social worker”. Findings suggest a large 61-item precarity occurred to the SW profession, such as job insecurity and alienation from professional roles, across the dimensions of contextual factors driven precarity, employment conditions, job content, skill reproduction, and outcomes on client relationships. This review shows that four sub-groups of SWs face deeper precarity: those employed in private settings, younger SWs, SW placement students, and bilingual SWs. SW educators are also found to be in a precarious position, threatening the skill reproduction of the industry. The review summarizes that SW precarization has been seriously understudied, and therefore we recommend that more research, with multiple types of data and longitudinal design, in Asian and African regions, should be conducted by adopting the theoretical lenses of lived experience and collection of multiple types of data with a longitudinal perspective taken into account.
Prediction of oxidation resistance and mechanism study of Ti-V-Cr burn resistant titanium alloy based on machine learning
Authors: Sun Yuanzhi , Mi Guangbao , Li Peijie , He Liangju 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

A machine learning model was developed to predict the oxidation resistance of Ti-V-Cr burn resistant titanium alloy and the natural logarithm of the parabolic oxidation rate constant (lnkp) was utilized as the model output. Four algorithms were used to train the model. The results show that the two algorithms based on multiple learners, Gradient Boosting Decision Tree (GBDT) and eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) show better performance. The coefficient of determination R2 of the model is 0.98 and the maximum error is 6.57% and 6.40% respectively. The importance and interpretability of the input features such as the content and temperature were analyzed. It was found that the trend of the model analysis results was the same as that of the experimental conclusions, which further revealed the mechanism of the influence of element content and temperature changes on the oxidation resistance of Ti-V-Cr alloys and verified the effectiveness of the model. This study is of great significance for the discovery, prediction and quantification of new high temperature oxidation resistant Ti-V-Cr alloys.
Dichotomitin promotes osteoblast differentiation and improves osteoporosis by inhibiting oxidative stress
Authors: Han Meichun , Du Weibin , Zhang Lei , Wang Zhenwei , Fang Shengqiang , Zheng Yang , Quan Renfu 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Objective
Osteoporosis is a systemic disease with high morbidity and significant adverse effects. Increasing evidence supports the close relationship between oxidative stress and osteoporosis, suggesting that treatment with antioxidants may be a viable approach. This study evaluated the antioxidant properties of dichotomitin (DH) and its potential protective effects against osteoporosis.
Methods
SD rats were divided into three groups (n = 4 per group): Sham, OVX, and OVX + DH (5mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection twice weekly). After three months, blood samples, femurs, and tibiae were collected for analysis.Micro-CT evaluated the femoral, while histological examination assessed tibial tissues. Serum osteogenic biochemical markers were measured. In vitro, HS-5 osteogenic differentiation was induced with varying concentrations of DH, followed by ALP and ARS staining. RT-q PCR and Western blot were used to assess the expression of osteogenesis-related genes and proteins. Additionally, an oxidative stress cell model was established, dividing cells into control, H2O2-treated, and H2O2 + DH-treated groups. Expression of oxidative stress-related genes and proteins was assessed using real-time quantitative PCR and Western blotting.
Results
Micro-CT and histological staining revealed decreased and disrupted bone trabeculae in the OVX group, whereas the DH-treated group exhibited enhanced bone trabecular area and structure compared to the OVX group. In vitro studies showed that DH enhanced ALP activity and elevated expression of RUNX2, OPN, OCN, SOD1, and SOD2.
Conclusion
DH appears to promote osteoblast differentiation and mitigate osteoporosis by suppressing oxidative stress.
Fully distributed robust adaptive xed-time consensus for uncertaintime-varying multi-agent systems with/without unknown control directions
Authors: Yang Nana , Small Michael , Chen Jiaxi , Li Suoping 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

This paper investigates the problem of fully distributed fixed-time consensus for an uncertaintime-varying multi-agent systems with/without unknown control directions. In accordance with the characteristicsof time-varying parameters and fixed-time consensus theory, fractional power parameter adaptive updatinglaws are designed to tackle with time-varying issue and avoid the singularity of protocols. Combine the adaptivecontrol and congelation of variables method, a new robust adaptive control scheme is proposed. Simultaneously, a novel weighted Lyapunov function and positive constant are introduced such that the estimation of settingtime is irrespective of any global information. The fully distributed fixed-time consensus has been realized, and the signals involved are all bounded. Two simulation examples illustrate the effectiveness of the presented strategy.
Characterization of Mint mosaic virus, a new member of the genus Carlavirus
Authors: Forgia Marco , Vallino Marta , Marra Monica , Mussano Paolo , Lanteri Anna Paola , Accotto Gian Paolo , Ciuffo Marina 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

In this work the complete genome of a new carlavirus causing mosaic on mint plants in Italy is reported and tentatively named Mint mosaic virus (MMV). Flexuous particles of around 600 nm were observed through TEM analysis and NGS sequencing was performed to determine MMV genome. MMV genome is 8558 nt long, excluding the poly(A) tail and shows the typical organization of a carlavirus. The putative proteins coded by MMV have homology percentages ranging between 44% and 56% against the closest viruses in the NCBI database, suggesting that MMVcan be considered a new species in the genus Carlavirus. MMV was detected in independent mint samples from different Italian regions collected in years 2023 and 2024, suggesting a broad diffusion, at least in the Italian area. The two MMV isolates characterized in 2023 (Me1) and in 2024 (Me2) were included in the plant virus collection PLAVIT.