bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Combination of prostate volume and apparent diffusion coefficient can stratify patients with a PI‐RADS score of 3 to reduce unnecessary prostate biopsies
Authors: Dong Qifei , Wang Changming , Shen Deyun , Ma Yifan , Zhang Bin , Xu Siqin , Tao Tao , Xiao Jun 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBackgroundNowadays, there are many patients who undergo unnecessary prostate biopsies after receiving a prostate imaging reporting and data system (PI‐RADS) score of 3. Our purpose is to identify cutoff values of the prostate volume (PV) and minimum apparent diffusion coefficient (ADCmin) to stratify those patients to reduce unnecessary prostate biopsies.MethodsData from 224 qualified patients who received prostate biopsies from January 2019 to June 2023 were collected. The Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare non‐normal distributed continuous variables, which were recorded as median (interquartile ranges). The correlation coefficients were calculated using Spearman's rank correlation analysis. Categorical variables are recorded by numbers (percentages) and compared by χ2 test. Both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to determine the independent predictors. The receiver‐operating characteristic curve and the area under the curve (AUC) were used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of clinical variables.ResultsOut of a total of 224 patients, 36 patients (16.07%) were diagnosed with clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa), whereas 72 patients (32.14%) were diagnosed with any grade prostate cancer. The result of multivariate analysis demonstrated that the PV (p < 0.001, odds ratio [OR]: 0.952, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.927–0.978) and ADCmin (p < 0.01, OR: 0.993, 95% CI: 0.989–0.998) were the independent factors for predicting csPCa. The AUC values of the PV and ADCmin were 0.779 (95% CI: 0.718–0.831) and 0.799 (95% CI: 0.740–0.849), respectively, for diagnosing csPCa. After stratifying patients by PV and ADCmin, 24 patients (47.06%) with “PV < 55 mL and ADCmin < 685 μm2/s” were diagnosed with csPCa. However, only one patient (1.25%) with PV ≥ 55 mL and ADCmin ≥ 685 μm2/s were diagnosed with csPCa.ConclusionsIn this study, we found the combination of PV and ADCmin can stratify patients with a PI‐RADS score of 3 to reduce unnecessary prostate biopsies. These patients with “PV ≥ 55 mL and ADCmin ≥ 685 μm2/s” may safely avoid prostate biopsies.
Ejaculatory and erectile function outcomes following holmium laser enucleation of the prostate
Authors: Roper Chinade , Slade Austen , Caras Ronald , Shelton Thomas , Rivera Marcelino 
Published: April 2024

AbstractPurposeHolmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) is a surgical treatment option for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Many men develop retrograde ejaculation postprocedure, but there is conflicting evidence regarding sexual function outcomes post‐HoLEP. We sought to examine significant variations in patient‐reported erectile and ejaculatory function within 12 months post‐HoLEP.Materials and MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study for patients who underwent HoLEP between Nov 2018 and Feb 2022. Of the reviewed patients, 277 patients met inclusion criteria and completed pre and postoperative questionnaires, which included the Male Sexual Health Questionnaire‐ Ejaculatory Dysfunction (MSHQ‐EJD) and the International Index of Erectile Function/Sexual Health Inventory for Men (IIEF‐5/SHIM). Surveys were provided to patients up to 12 months postprocedure. Demographics and comorbidities associated with sexual dysfunction were collected. Responses to each question were analyzed to detect sub‐categorical variations in sexual function as the secondary objective. Data was analyzed by using a linear mixed model.ResultsThere was a significant decline in total scores for the MSHQ‐EJD (8.70 pre‐HoLEP vs. 6.58 post HoLEP, p ≤ 0.001) including a significant decline (p < 0.005) in questions 1–3 which assess ejaculatory ability, strength, and volume. There was not a significant decline in question 4 which assesses bother (2.552 pre‐HoLEP vs. 3.119 post‐HoLEP, p = 0.526). There was not a significant decline in the IIEF‐5/SHIM postoperatively (11.51 pre‐HoLEP vs. 13.327 post‐HoLEP, p = 0.498).ConclusionsPatients undergoing HoLEP do not experience a decline in erectile function. Patients do experience a decline in ejaculatory function but did not find this bothersome.
Event‐triggered based finite‐frequency control for vehicle electrohydraulic suspension with force tracking
Authors: Zhang Jie , Zhang Bangji , Li Boyuan , Dai Di , Zhang Nong 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThis study investigates the problem of event‐triggered based finite‐frequency control for vehicle electrohydraulic suspensions with force tracking. A novel hierarchical control methodology is proposed by designing event‐triggered finite frequency and active force tracking controllers to improve the suspension performance. In practical application, active suspension system can be constructed as the network control system under consideration of the electrohydraulic actuator's nonlinear dynamics and parametric uncertainties, and in‐vehicle network delay in a unified framework. Then, due to the more sensitiveness of the human body to vertical vibrations in 4–8 Hz and limited in‐vehicle network communication resource, an event‐triggered finite frequency controller is developed based on the generalized KYP lemma and Lyapunov stability theory. The triggered condition is designed for the network control system with in‐vehicle network delay. Other physical constraints including suspension working space, tire dynamic load and actuator saturation are also introduced in this controller design. It can generate the target force to satisfy suspension performance requirements under each triggered instant period. Furthermore, since the nonlinearity and uncertainty always exist in the electrohydraulic actuator, a filter‐based adaptive sliding mode control method is employed to design the active force tracking controller. It can precisely drive electrohydraulic actuator to track the target constant force generated by event‐triggered finite frequency controller. Finally, the results validate the effectiveness and saving communication resource capability of the proposed control methodology.
Hub‐aware random walk graph embedding methods for classification
Authors: Tomčić Aleksandar , Savić Miloš , Radovanović Miloš 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIn the last two decades, we are witnessing a huge increase of valuable big data structured in the form of graphs or networks. To apply traditional machine learning and data analytic techniques to such data it is necessary to transform graphs into vector‐based representations that preserve the most essential structural properties of graphs. For this purpose, a large number of graph embedding methods have been proposed in the literature. Most of them produce general‐purpose embeddings suitable for a variety of applications such as node clustering, node classification, graph visualization and link prediction. In this article, we propose two novel graph embedding algorithms based on random walks that are specifically designed for the node classification problem. Random walk sampling strategies of the proposed algorithms have been designed to pay special attention to hubs–high‐degree nodes that have the most critical role for the overall connectedness in large‐scale graphs. The proposed methods are experimentally evaluated by analyzing the classification performance of three classification algorithms trained on embeddings of real‐world networks. The obtained results indicate that our methods considerably improve the predictive power of examined classifiers compared with currently the most popular random walk method for generating general‐purpose graph embeddings (node2vec).
ASEAN's efficiency scores in achieving the sustainable development goals
Authors: Hu Jin‐Li , Cheng Ya‐Chi 
Published: April 2024

AbstractWith limited government resources, achieving all 17 SDGs by 2030 is challenging, and it would be best to prioritize the implementation of the SDGs. This study applies the SBM model of DEA to compare ASEAN with closely interacting countries. Using DEA can identify the characteristics of efficient decision‐making units (i.e., efficient countries), identify the relatively inefficient SDGs of ASEAN and the best practice peer countries, and determine the SDGs that need to be improved in the short term and the target countries to be emulated. This study further compares the efficiency of ASEAN and non‐ASEAN countries, high‐income countries, and other countries, before and after the outbreak of Covid‐19, to gain more policy implications.
Protein Aggregation on Metal Oxides Governs Catalytic Activity and Cellular Uptake
Authors: Nißler Robert , Dennebouy Lena , Gogos Alexander , Gerken Lukas R.H. , Dommke Maximilian , Zimmermann Monika , Pais Michael A. , Neuer Anna L. , Matter Martin T. , Kissling Vera M. , de Brot Simone , Lese Ioana , Herrmann Inge K. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractEngineering of catalytically active inorganic nanomaterials holds promising prospects for biomedicine. Catalytically active metal oxides show applications in enhancing wound healing but have also been employed to induce cell death in photodynamic or radiation therapy. Upon introduction into a biological system, nanomaterials are exposed to complex fluids, causing interaction and adsorption of ions and proteins. While protein corona formation on nanomaterials is acknowledged, its modulation of nanomaterial catalytic efficacy is less understood. In this study, proteomic analyses and nano‐analytic methodologies quantify and characterize adsorbed proteins, correlating this protein layer with metal oxide catalytic activity in vitro and in vivo. The protein corona comprises up to 280 different proteins, constituting up to 38% by weight. Enhanced complement factors and other opsonins on nanocatalyst surfaces lead to their uptake into macrophages when applied topically, localizing >99% of the nanomaterials in tissue‐resident macrophages. Initially, the formation of the protein corona significantly reduces the nanocatalysts' activity, but this activity can be partially recovered in endosomal conditions due to the proteolytic degradation of the corona. Overall, the research reveals the complex relationship between physisorbed proteins and the catalytic characteristics of specific metal oxide nanoparticles, providing design parameters for optimizing nanocatalysts in complex biological environments.
Tuning Electrons Migration of Dual S Defects Mediated MoS2‐x/ZnIn2S4‐x Toward Highly Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production
Authors: Zheng Yifan , Wang Yu , Mansoor Seemal , Hu Zixu , Zhang Yuxin , Liu Yongdi , Zhou Liang , Lei Juying , Zhang Jinlong 
Published: April 2024

AbstractPhotocatalytic hydrogen production is a prevalent method for hydrogen synthesis. However, high recombination rate of photogenerated carriers and high activation energy barrier of H remain persistent challenge. Here, the two‐step hydrothermal method is utilized to prepare dual S‐defect mediated catalyst molybdenum sulfide/zinc indium sulfide (MSv/ZISv), which has high hydrogen production rate of 8.83 mmol g−1h−1 under simulated sunlight. The achieved rate is 21.91 times higher than pure ZnIn2S4 substrate. Defects in ZIS within MSv/ZISv modify the primitive electronic structure by creating defect state that retaining good reducing power, leading to the rapid separation of electron‐hole pairs and the generation of additional photogenerated carriers. The internal electric field further enhances the migration toward to cocatalyst. Simultaneously, the defects introduced on the MoS2 cause electron rearrangement, leading to electron clustering on both S vacancies and edge S. Thereby MSv/ZISv exhibits the lowest activation energy barrier and |ΔGH*|. This work explores the division of synergies between different types of S defects, providing new insights into the coupling of defect engineering.
Artificial Heterointerfaces with Regulated Charge Distribution of Ni Active Sites for Urea Oxidation Reaction
Authors: Chen Lei , Wang Lei , Ren Jin‐Tao , Wang Hao‐Yu , Tian Wen‐Wen , Sun Ming‐Lei , Yuan Zhong‐Yong 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIn contrast to the thermodynamically unfavorable anodic oxygen evolution reaction, the electrocatalytic urea oxidation reaction (UOR) presents a more favorable thermodynamic potential. However, the practical application of UOR has been hindered by sluggish kinetics. In this study, hierarchical porous nanosheet arrays featuring abundant Ni‐WO3 heterointerfaces on nickel foam (Ni‐WO3/NF) is introduced as a monolith electrode, demonstrating exceptional activity and stability toward UOR. The Ni‐WO3/NF catalyst exhibits unprecedentedly rapid UOR kinetics (200 mA cm−2 at 1.384 V vs. RHE) and a high turnover frequency (0.456 s−1), surpassing most previously reported Ni‐based catalysts, with negligible activity decay observed during a durability test lasting 150 h. Ex situ X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations elucidate that the WO3 interface significantly modulates the local charge distribution of Ni species, facilitating the generation of Ni3+ with optimal affinity for interacting with urea molecules and CO2 intermediates at heterointerfaces during UOR. This mechanism accelerates the interfacial electrocatalytic kinetics. Additionally, in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy provides deep insights into the substantial contribution of interfacial Ni‐WO3 sites to UOR electrocatalysis, unraveling the underlying molecular‐level mechanisms. Finally, the study explores the application of a direct urea fuel cell to inspire future practical implementations.
Parametric study for optimizing fiber‐reinforced concrete properties
Authors: Khalel Hamad Hasan Zedan , Khan Muhammad , Starr Andrew , Sadawi Noureddin , Mohamed Omar Ahmed , Khalil Ashraf , Esaker Mohamed 
Published: April 2024

AbstractConcrete with fiber reinforcement is stronger and more ductile than concrete without reinforcement. Significant efforts have been made to demonstrate the properties and enhancements of concrete after reinforcement with various types and shapes of fibers. However, the issue of optimization in the reinforcement process is still unanswered. There is no academic study in the literature now available that can pinpoint the ideal fiber type, quantity, and shape and, more crucially, the overall technical viability of the reinforcement. The parametric analysis in this study determines the ideal shape, size, and proportion of fibers. The input and output parameters were separated from the optimization design variables. Input parameters included assessment of samples of fresh and mechanical concrete properties and the influence of type, length, and percentage of fiber on concrete performance. The aim was to establish the most efficient relationship between fiber dose and dimension to optimize the combined responses of workability and splitting tensile, flexural, and compressive strength. The mechanical and fresh properties of concrete reinforced with four different fibers, PFRC‐1, PFRC‐2, SFRC‐1, and SFRC‐2, were tested. The analysis showed that SFRC‐2‐20 mm‐1%, with compressive, split tensile, flexural, and workability values of 44.7 MPa, 3.64 MPa, 5.3 MPa, and 6.5 cm respectively, was the most effective combination among the materials investigated. The optimization technique employed in this study offers new, important insights into how input and output parameters relate to one another.
Investigating the dynamic and contingent effects of the US import air freight market throughout the phases of the COVID‐19 disruption
Authors: Kulpa Travis , Miller Jason W. , Thomas Rodney 
Published: April 2024

AbstractAir freight is a fast and reliable mode of transportation in global supply chains. Because of its speed and reliability, air freight has been argued to help firms respond to supply chain disruptions. Yet, the literature lacks a quantitative analysis that examines the dynamics of air freight demand throughout the phases of a disruption as well the moderating factors that influence air freight demand throughout these phases. Drawing on the microanalytic view of property rights theory applied to the dynamics of air freight demand during the COVID‐19 disruption, the study hypothesizes that importers adjust air freight demand based on considerations of demand and lead time uncertainty and that these dynamics will be contingent on heterogeneous product characteristics. Specifically, the study hypothesizes that air freight demand will increase more for products used as intermediate inputs, and that products, regardless of their value, will have higher air freight demand during the large surge in demand after reopening from the initial COVID‐19 lockdowns. The hypotheses are tested using archival import data and other publicly available sources with panel regression models that include product and quarter fixed effects. The study finds support for these hypotheses.
LncRNA FRMD6‐AS1/miR‐491‐5p/USP13 pathway attenuated ferroptosis and contributed to liver fibrosis
Authors: Li Ziqiang , Zou Weilong , Jin Xiangren , Wang Yang 
Published: April 2024

AbstractLiver fibrosis is an invertible pathophysiologic process featured by excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) which injures liver cells and activates hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Besides, inducing ferroptosis in activated HSCs can alleviate liver fibrosis. LncRNAs modulate ferroptosis in activated HSCs and ECM deposition in liver fibrosis. However, the role of lncRNA FRMD6‐AS1 in liver fibrosis is not discovered. In this study, lncRNA FRMD6‐AS1 was dramatically up‐regulated in activated HSCs. Knockdown of FRMD6‐AS1 markedly increased iron ion, ROS and MDA levels, decreased GSH level, SLC7A11 and GPX4 protein expressions in activated HSCs. In addition, HSCs activation markers α‐SMA and COL1α1 expressions were up‐regulated in activated HSCs; knockdown of FRMD6‐AS1 markedly down‐regulated α‐SMA and COL1α1 expressions in HSCs. Besides, lncRNA FRMD6‐AS1 could interact with miR‐491‐5p, and negatively modulate miR‐491‐5p expression. USP13 was a target of miR‐491‐5p, and could be negatively modulated by miR‐491‐5p. Moreover, FRMD6‐AS1 knockdown increased iron ion and ROS levels, decreased SLC7A11 and GPX4 protein expressions, facilitated HSCs viability, and up‐regulated α‐SMA and COL1α1 expressions via miR‐491‐5p/USP13 pathway. Finally, FRMD6‐AS1 knockdown restored liver tissue structure and abrogated fibrosis in livers in a CCL4 liver fibrosis mouse model. Hence, lncRNA FRMD6‐AS1/miR‐491‐5p/USP13 pathway repressed ferroptosis, promoted ECM deposition and facilitated liver fibrosis in vitro and in vivo models.
Sensitivity of cholinesterases and carboxylesterases to pharmaceutical products in Tinca tinca
Authors: Oropesa Ana‐Lourdes , González‐Sánchez Blanca , Beltrán Fernando J. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractDischarges to the aquatic environment of pharmaceuticals represent a hazard to the aquatic organisms. Subchronic assay with 17‐alpha‐ethinylestradiol (EE2) and in vitro essays with pharmaceuticals of environmental concern were conducted to examine the sensitivity of tissue acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and carboxylesterase (CbE) activities of Tinca tinca to them. Subchronic exposure to 17‐alpha‐EE2 caused significant effects on brain, liver, and muscle CbE, but no on AChE activities. Most of the pharmaceuticals tested in vitro were considered as weak inhibitors of tissular AChE activity. Depending on the tissues, some compounds were classified as moderate inhibitors of CbE activity while other were categorized as weak enzymatic inhibitors. An opposite trend was observed depending on the tissue, while brain and liver CbE activities were inhibited, the muscle CbE activity was induced. Changes experienced on enzymatic activities after exposure to pharmaceuticals might affect the physiological functions in which these enzymes are involved. In vitro exposure to 17‐alpha‐EE2 in tench could be an informative, but not a surrogate model to know the effect of this synthetic estrogen on AChE and CbE activities.
Feasibility and safety of intracranial carotid implantation with covered stents for advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma involving the carotid artery: A preliminary investigation
Authors: Zhang Hai‐Dong , Sun Kai , Gong Shan‐Chun , Liu Kai , Lyu Xian‐Jun , Yu Zhen‐Kun 
Published: April 2024

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and safety of implanting covered stents in cases of advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (ASCCHN) where the carotid artery was involved.MethodsA total of 30 patients (29 males and one female) were included in this study, with ages ranging from 40 to 79 years. Among these patients, 28 patients had received radiotherapy and 17 received subsequent adjuvant therapy, while one was receiving treatment for the first time. Eighteen were treated with covered stent implantation in conjunction with surgery, and the remaining 12 received stent implantation alone. The study evaluated and compared the stent implantation's success rate, overall survival (OS), and associated complications.ResultsSuccessful implantation of covered stents was achieved in all 30 cases. No instances of significant hemorrhage or thromboembolic cerebral infarction occurred during surgery. Of the patients in the salvage surgical group, 15 underwent complete tumor resection with a success rate of 83.3% (15/18), of which four experienced tumor recurrence with a local recurrence rate of 26.7% (4/15). The OS rates at 6 months for all patients, the salvage surgical group, the 15 patients with complete tumor resection, and the nonsurgical group were 64.0%, 66.8%, 75.5%, and 58.6%, respectively. At 12 months, the OS rates were 21.4%, 29.3%, 43.2%, and 11.8%, respectively. Notably, the OS of the 15 patients who underwent complete tumor resection was significantly higher than that of the 12 patients who received stent implantation alone (p = 0.044). All cerebrovascular accidents occurred in patients with radiotherapy history, and subsequent adjuvant therapy had no significant effect on the OS time in the salvage surgical and nonsurgical groups (p = 0.935; p = 0.526).ConclusionIn cases of ASCCHN involving the carotid artery, the implantation of covered stents is a safe and feasible procedure.
Karl Popper on Deduction
Authors: Piecha Thomas 
Published: April 2024

AbstractWe outline Karl Popper’s theory of deduction, which he developed in the 1940s. In his theory it is assumed that a consequence relation is given or otherwise constructed by postulation. Logical operations, which may be available in this consequence relation, are then characterized by means of relational definitions, and logical operators are introduced as names for these operations by means of inferential definitions. Using logically structured sentences thus introduced, the inference laws for them are immediately obtained from the inferential definitions.
Methodisches Vorgehen
Authors: Albrecht Joanna , Hüning Nadine 
Published: April 2024

ZusammenfassungDieser Forschungsarbeit liegt eine methodische Triangulation aus qualitativen und quantitativen Elementen zugrunde, die auf die Entwicklung einer Definition, eines Modells sowie eines Erhebungsinstruments zur Digitalen Teilhabe von MgB abzielt.
Diskussion
Authors: Albrecht Joanna , Hüning Nadine 
Published: April 2024

ZusammenfassungNach der abschließenden Ergebnisdarstellung wird nachfolgend das methodische Vorgehen sowie die entwickelte Definition, das Modell und das Erhebungsinstrument inhaltlich diskutiert. Die Ergebnisse werden unter Einbezug des theoretischen Hintergrunds konstruktiv reflektiert, sodass die zugrundeliegenden Forschungsfragen beantwortet werden.