bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Associations of Blood and Urinary Heavy Metals with Stress Urinary Incontinence Risk Among Adults in NHANES, 2003–2018
Authors: Fu Maoling , Zhu Zifan , Xiang Yechen , Yang Qiaoyue , Yuan Quan , Li Xinyu , Yu Genzhen 
Published: June 2024

AbstractPeople come into contact with heavy metals in various ways in their daily lives. Accumulating evidence shows that toxic metal exposure is hazardous to human health. However, limited information is available regarding the impact of metal mixtures on stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Therefore, we used data from 10,622 adults from the 2003–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to investigate the independent and comprehensive association between heavy metal co-exposure and SUI. Among them, 2455 (23.1%) had been diagnosed with SUI, while the rest had no SUI. We evaluated the independent and combined associations of 3 blood metals and 10 urinary metals with SUI risk, along with subgroup analyses according to age and gender. In the single-exposure model, blood cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), urinary Cd, Pb, and cesium (Cs) were found to be positively connected with SUI risk. Moreover, weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression, quantile-based g-computation (qgcomp), and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) consistently demonstrated blood and urinary metal–mixed exposure were positively associated with the risk of SUI, and emphasized that blood Pb and Cd and urinary Cd and Cs were the main positive drivers, respectively. This association was more pronounced in the young and middle-aged group (20–59 years old) and the female group. Nevertheless, further research is necessary to validate these significant findings.
Effect of exercise on postoperative recovery of patients with non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Jiao Mingyue , Liang Hanping , Zhang Mengge 
Published: June 2024

AbstractPatients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the postoperative recovery period often experience reduced exercise capacity and impaired lung function, which affects their overall quality of life. This paper investigated the effect of exercise interventions on exercise capacity, lung function, quality of life, and symptoms in these patients. Methods: We performed a literature search across Cochrane, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, and EBSCO databases were comprehensively searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from inception to September 2023, all English RCTs were eligible if they assessed the effects of exercise interventions on postoperative NSCLC patients. Results: Twelve articles met our inclusion criteria, evidencing that exercise interventions could significantly improve the functional capacity of NSCLC patients in postoperative recovery. Notably, Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 s (FEV1) was improved, indicating enhanced lung function. Furthermore, exercise improved the physical and mental health scores of SF-36, along with increased quadriceps strength and relieved dyspnea. However, fatigue levels were not significantly changed. Conclusions: Exercise interventions of NSCLC patients in the postoperative recovery are associated with improved functional capacity, lung function, quality of life, and quadriceps strength, as well as alleviated symptoms of dyspnea. These findings underscore the potential benefits of incorporating exercise into postoperative care for NSCLC patients. Nonetheless, further large-scale RCTs are required to solidify the evidence base on the clinical outcomes of exercise following pneumonectomy.
DcR3-associated risk score: correlating better prognosis and enhanced predictive power in colorectal cancer
Authors: Duan Ying , Fang Hangrong , Wang Juanhong , Ruan Banlai , Yang Juan , Liu Jie , Gou Siqi , Li Yijie , Cheng Zhengyi 
Published: June 2024

AbstractDecoy receptor 3 (DcR3), a novel soluble protein belonging to the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) family, has been previously associated with tumorigenesis in various cancers. However, in our study, we unexpectedly found that DcR3 may promote patient survival time in colorectal cancer (CRC). Through an analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets, we discovered that high levels of DcR3 are associated with improved overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in CRC patients. Further investigation revealed that DcR3 is correlated with favorable clinical features in Metastasis 0 (M0) and stage I/II CRC patients, suggesting it may act as a suppressive factor in CRC. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) demonstrated that the high DcR3 group is enriched in the IL-17 signaling pathway and other immune-related pathways, and Single Sample Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (ssGSEA) revealed a higher abundance of Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TIL) in the DcR3 high group. To better understand the function of DcR3, we constructed a DcR3-associated riskscore (DARS) model using machine learning, comprising three genes (DPP7, KDM3A, and TMEM86B). The DARS model indicated that high riskscore patients have an unfavorable prognosis, and it is associated with advanced stages (III/IV), T3/4 tumors, and N1/2 lymph node involvement. Additionally, high riskscore group exhibited more frequent gene mutations, such as TTN, MUC16, and SYNE1, with SYNE1 mutation being related to poor prognosis. Intriguingly, DcR3 showed higher expression in the low riskscore group. These results suggest that DcR3 could serve as a potential prognostic biomarker in CRC and may play a crucial role in favorably modulating the immune response in this malignancy.
Microgels for Cell Delivery in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
Authors: Xuan Leyan , Hou Yingying , Liang Lu , Wu Jialin , Fan Kai , Lian Liming , Qiu Jianhua , Miao Yingling , Ravanbakhsh Hossein , Xu Mingen , Tang Guosheng 
Published: June 2024

AbstractMicrogels prepared from natural or synthetic hydrogel materials have aroused extensive attention as multifunctional cells or drug carriers, that are promising for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Microgels can also be aggregated into microporous scaffolds, promoting cell infiltration and proliferation for tissue repair. This review gives an overview of recent developments in the fabrication techniques and applications of microgels. A series of conventional and novel strategies including emulsification, microfluidic, lithography, electrospray, centrifugation, gas-shearing, three-dimensional bioprinting, etc. are discussed in depth. The characteristics and applications of microgels and microgel-based scaffolds for cell culture and delivery are elaborated with an emphasis on the advantages of these carriers in cell therapy. Additionally, we expound on the ongoing and foreseeable applications and current limitations of microgels and their aggregate in the field of biomedical engineering. Through stimulating innovative ideas, the present review paves new avenues for expanding the application of microgels in cell delivery techniques.
MXene Sediment-Based Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Sodium Alginate Aerogel Evaporator with Vertically Aligned Channels for Highly Efficient Solar Steam Generation
Authors: Wang Tian , Li Meng , Xu Hongxing , Wang Xiao , Jia Mingshu , Hou Xianguang , Gao Shuai , Liu Qingman , Yang Qihang , Tian Mingwei , Qu Lijun , Song Zhenhua , Wu Xiaohu , Wang Lili , Zhang Xiansheng 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Solar-driven interfacial evaporation from seawater is considered an effective way to alleviate the emerging freshwater crisis because of its green and environmentally friendly characteristics. However, developing an evaporator with high efficiency, stability, and salt resistance remains a key challenge. MXene, with an internal photothermal conversion efficiency of 100%, has received tremendous research interest as a photothermal material. However, the process to prepare the MXene with monolayer is inefficient and generates a large amount of “waste” MXene sediments (MS). Here, MXene sediments is selected as the photothermal material, and a three-dimensional MXene sediments/poly(vinyl alcohol)/sodium alginate aerogel evaporator with vertically aligned pores by directional freezing method is innovatively designed. The vertical porous structure enables the evaporator to improve water transport, light capture, and high evaporation rate. Cotton swabs and polypropylene are used as the water channel and support, respectively, thus fabricating a self-floating evaporator. The evaporator exhibits an evaporation rate of 3.6 kg m−2 h−1 under one-sun illumination, and 18.37 kg m−2 of freshwater is collected in the condensation collection device after 7 h of outdoor sun irradiation. The evaporator also displays excellent oil and salt resistance. This research fully utilizes “waste” MS, enabling a self-floating evaporation device for freshwater collection.
Mixed-Dimensional Assembly Strategy to Construct Reduced Graphene Oxide/Carbon Foams Heterostructures for Microwave Absorption, Anti-Corrosion and Thermal Insulation
Authors: Zhan Beibei , Qu Yunpeng , Qi Xiaosi , Ding Junfei , Shao Jiao-jing , Gong Xiu , Yang Jing-Liang , Chen Yanli , Peng Qiong , Zhong Wei , Lv Hualiang 
Published: June 2024

AbstractConsidering the serious electromagnetic wave (EMW) pollution problems and complex application condition, there is a pressing need to amalgamate multiple functionalities within a single substance. However, the effective integration of diverse functions into designed EMW absorption materials still faces the huge challenges. Herein, reduced graphene oxide/carbon foams (RGO/CFs) with two-dimensional/three-dimensional (2D/3D) van der Waals (vdWs) heterostructures were meticulously engineered and synthesized utilizing an efficient methodology involving freeze-drying, immersing absorption, secondary freeze-drying, followed by carbonization treatment. Thanks to their excellent linkage effect of amplified dielectric loss and optimized impedance matching, the designed 2D/3D RGO/CFs vdWs heterostructures demonstrated commendable EMW absorption performances, achieving a broad absorption bandwidth of 6.2 GHz and a reflection loss of − 50.58 dB with the low matching thicknesses. Furthermore, the obtained 2D/3D RGO/CFs vdWs heterostructures also displayed the significant radar stealth properties, good corrosion resistance performances as well as outstanding thermal insulation capabilities, displaying the great potential in complex and variable environments. Accordingly, this work not only demonstrated a straightforward method for fabricating 2D/3D vdWs heterostructures, but also outlined a powerful mixed-dimensional assembly strategy for engineering multifunctional foams for electromagnetic protection, aerospace and other complex conditions.
Lightweight Dual-Functional Segregated Nanocomposite Foams for Integrated Infrared Stealth and Absorption-Dominant Electromagnetic Interference Shielding
Authors: Ma Zhonglei , Jiang Ruochu , Jing Jiayao , Kang Songlei , Ma Li , Zhang Kefan , Li Junxian , Zhang Yu , Qin Jianbin , Yun Shuhuan , Zhang Guangcheng 
Published: June 2024

AbstractLightweight infrared stealth and absorption-dominant electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials are highly desirable in areas of aerospace, weapons, military and wearable electronics. Herein, lightweight and high-efficiency dual-functional segregated nanocomposite foams with microcellular structures are developed for integrated infrared stealth and absorption-dominant EMI shielding via the efficient and scalable supercritical CO2 (SC-CO2) foaming combined with hydrogen bonding assembly and compression molding strategy. The obtained lightweight segregated nanocomposite foams exhibit superior infrared stealth performances benefitting from the synergistic effect of highly effective thermal insulation and low infrared emissivity, and outstanding absorption-dominant EMI shielding performances attributed to the synchronous construction of microcellular structures and segregated structures. Particularly, the segregated nanocomposite foams present a large radiation temperature reduction of 70.2 °C at the object temperature of 100 °C, and a significantly improved EM wave absorptivity/reflectivity (A/R) ratio of 2.15 at an ultralow Ti3C2Tx content of 1.7 vol%. Moreover, the segregated nanocomposite foams exhibit outstanding working reliability and stability upon dynamic compression cycles. The results demonstrate that the lightweight and high-efficiency dual-functional segregated nanocomposite foams have excellent potentials for infrared stealth and absorption-dominant EMI shielding applications in aerospace, weapons, military and wearable electronics.
The value of ACR, European, Korean, and ATA ultrasound risk stratification systems combined with RAS mutations for detecting thyroid carcinoma in cytologically indeterminate and suspicious for malignancy thyroid nodules
Authors: Scappaticcio Lorenzo , Di Martino Nicole , Caruso Paola , Ferrazzano Pamela , Marino Federica Zito , Clery Eduardo , Cioce Alessandro , Cozzolino Giovanni , Maiorino Maria Ida , Docimo Giovanni , Trimboli Pierpaolo , Franco Renato , Esposito Katherine , Bellastella Giuseppe 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of four commonly utilized ultrasound (US) RSSs, namely, the American College of Radiology [ACR], European [EU], Korean [K] TI-RADSs and American Thyroid Association [ATA] US-based RSS criteria, in combination with activating point mutations of the RAS genes (NRAS, HRAS, and KRAS) for detection of thyroid carcinoma in cytologically indeterminate and suspicious for malignancy thyroid nodules.

Methods
We retrospectively analyzed cytologically indeterminate and suspicious for malignancy thyroid nodules which underwent US, molecular testing and surgery between September 1, 2018, and December 31, 2023. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated, and the area under the curve (AUC, 95% confidence interval [CI]) was calculated.

Results
A total of 100 cytologically indeterminate and 24 suspicious for malignancy thyroid nodules were analyzed. Compared to the four US-based RSSs alone, the diagnostic value of the four US-based RSSs combined with RAS mutations did not significantly improved (cytologically indeterminate, AUC [95% CI] 0.6 [0.5–0.7] and 0.6 [0.5–0.7], respectively, p = 0.70; cytologically suspicious for malignancy, AUC [95% CI] 0.7 [0.5–0.9] and 0.8 [0.6–0.9], respectively, p = 0.23).

Conclusions
The diagnostic value of the four main US-based RSSs (ACR, EU, K, and ATA) was not improved in conjunction with the evaluation of RAS mutations for preoperative risk stratification of cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules.

Clinical relevance statement
In cytologically indeterminate nodules categorized according to US-based RSSs, isolated RAS positivity does not reliably distinguish between benignity and malignancy.
A review on removal CO2, SO2, and H2S from flue gases using zeolite based adsorbents
Authors: Zewdie Deribew Tefera , Bizualem Yonas Desta , Nurie Amare Gashu 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThis review was carried out on removal of flue gases (CO2, SO2, and H2S) that are emitted from various sources. Burning solid fuels for heat, such as natural gas, gasoline, and coal or biomass, results in the production of flue gas. Adsorption of flue gases by utilizing Zeolites was properly explained, including the zeolite synthesis technique, characteristics, zeolite sensitivity, variables that influence the adsorption process, zeolite efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Zeolites have a notable adsorption capability for CO2, SO2, and H2S, despite their major disadvantage of being poor long-term durability and stability. Remarkable advancements are being made in present-day CO2capture methods, especially concerning the use of zeolites. Zeolites are unique materials with great potential for CO2collection because of their tiny holes, high porosity, structural variety, and recyclability. Since atmospheric CO2concentrations are already more than 415 parts per million, it is imperative to limit future releases of this gas and keep it out of the carbon cycle. The elimination of SO2by the majority of zeolites was shown to rise with temperatures up to 200 °C and subsequently decrease at higher temperatures. It was also shown that SO2uptake and breakthrough time are significantly affected by drying zeolite using microwave and traditional heating methods. The sorption capacity and sorbent regenerability of SO2are sensitive to the presence of other gases in the flue gas, such as O2, CO2, NOx, and water vapor, as well as the reaction temperature. Zeolites must possess strong sulfur loading capacity, good regenerability, and a stable structure to be an effective adsorbent for the removal of H2S. Regarding the utilization of zeolites as adsorbents for the flue gases, new developments, and continuing difficulties have been concluded in this review work.
Improved vehicle detection: unveiling the potential of modified YOLOv5
Authors: Rana Md. Milon , Hossain Md. Selim , Hossain Md. Mahabub , Haque Md. Dulal 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe detection of vehicles is a crucial task in various applications. In recent years, the quantity of vehicles on the road has been rapidly increasing, resulting in the challenge of efficient traffic management. To address this, the study introduces a model of enhancing the accuracy of vehicle detection using a proposed improved version of the popular You Only Look Once (YOLO) model, known as YOLOv5. The accuracy of vehicle detection using both the original versions of YOLOv5 and our proposed YOLOv5 algorithm has been evaluated. The evaluation is based on key accuracy metrics such as precision, recall, and mean Average Precision (mAP) at an Intersection over Union (IoU). The study's experimental results show that the original YOLOv5 model achieved a mean Average Precision (mAP) of 61.4% and the proposed model achieved an mAP of 67.4%, outperforming the original by 6%. The performance of the proposed model was improved based on the architectural modifications, which involved adding an extra layer to the backbone. The results reveal the potential of our proposed YOLOv5 for real-world applications such as autonomous driving and traffic monitoring and may involve further fine-tuning, robotics and security system and exploring broader object detection domains.
Does carbon intensity affect technical efficiency? An empirical assessment of manufacturing industries in Maharashtra, Odisha, and India
Authors: Samal Liza , Tripathy Prajukta , Mishra Bikash Ranjan 
Published: June 2024

AbstractTechnical progress has a tremendous potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by reducing energy consumption, a major concern across production units. However, the existing empirical literature concerning technical efficiency and carbon intensity is scanty. Thus, this paper examines the relationship between technical efficiency and carbon intensity for the organized manufacturing sector of two states, Maharashtra and Odisha, and the all-India level from 2001 to 2018. The paper uses data envelopment analysis to estimate technical efficiency scores. It applies the 2006 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Tier 1 methodology for estimating carbon intensity for each 3-digit manufacturing industry in all three sample cases. The study has used static panel regression and fractional logit regression techniques to examine the deterministic relationship between technical efficiency and carbon intensity. The result shows that technical efficiency is highly sensitive to carbon intensity in the Indian manufacturing industries. The findings also addressed that the size of the industries also reduces the technical performance of manufacturing units. This paper also confirmed that increased profit could boost the Indian manufacturing industries’ technical efficiency. Thus, this study addresses that carbon intensity as a proxy for the manufacturing sector’s potential to affect climate change plays a crucial role in explaining the technical efficiency variations across industries. Thus, it calls for better policies aimed at reducing the emissions of industries specifically to achieve sustainable growth for the Indian manufacturing sector.
Measuring Risk Tolerance Among Japanese Adults and Cross-National Comparison of Its Role in COVID-19 Attitudes
Authors: Shou Yiyun , Liu Fang , Takemura Kazuhisa , Olney Joel 
Published: June 2024

Abstract: Risk propensity and attitudes influence how one responds and behaves in situations with different levels of risk. To date, limited studies have investigated domain-specific risk attitudes and their measurement in Japanese contexts or had direct comparisons between Japanese and other cultural contexts. In Study 1 ( N = 567), we developed a Japanese version of the multi-domain risk tolerance (MDRT) scale applicable to Japanese populations. The scale was further examined in Study 2 ( N = 509). We also tested cross-cultural measurement invariance between the Japanese and a US sample ( N = 495). In addition, we explored cultural differences in the predictive validity of MDRT on the concerns and attitudes relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our results demonstrated that MDRT has promising structure validity, reliability, convergent validity, and measurement invariance in the Japanese population. Results also showed that domain-specific risk attitudes as measured by MDRT have similarly important relationships with individuals’ concerns about COVID-19 in many life aspects, and their support for COVID-19 restrictions in both Japanese and US samples.
Measuring Empathizing and Systemizing in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Welberg Julia , Laumann Daniel , Heinicke Susanne 
Published: June 2024

Abstract: The Empathizing Quotient (EQ) and Systemizing Quotient (SQ) are validated and extensively applied instruments for measurements within the empathizing–systemizing theory (EST) for adults, however not yet adapted to assess children and adolescents. To implement measurements of the EST in children and adolescents, short and comprehensible instruments are needed. Therefore, a German-language short version was developed and statistically tested in multiple studies. In a first study ( N = 193), wording and contexts were improved, and exploratory factor analyses were used to perform scale reduction. In a second study ( N = 299), the stability of the scale was tested. In a third study ( N = 129), high test–retest reliabilities (empathizing: r = .83, p < .001; systemizing: r = .88, p < .001) were found for the new scales (14 empathizing, 10 systemizing items). In a fourth study ( N = 3062), the factor structure was confirmed, and internal consistency was checked to be in a good range (EQ: Cronbach’s α = .85; SQ: Cronbach’s α = .82). An extensive validity check was carried out in a fifth study, using a subsample of Study 4 ( N = 205), which indicated good agreement with existing studies with respect to, for example, gender or school grades.