bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical Effect of Tumor-Specific Total Nutrients in Patients with Adjuvant Chemotherapy After Radical Gastric Cancer Resection: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Hua Xiumei , Liu Yang , Zhou Yaqing 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
In this study, we combined adjuvant chemotherapy after radical gastric cancer resection with tumor-specific total nutrient therapy to analyze how it affects the nutritional state and immune function of the patient.

Method
We collected data from 106 patients having undergone adjuvant chemotherapy after radical gastric cancer resection between January 2020 and December 2021. We divided the patients into experimental and control groups (with 53 cases in each group) through single-blinded simple randomization using a random number table and the sealed envelope system. The control group received chemotherapy and the regular nutritional diet at the same time while the experimental group received tumor-specific total nutrients based on the control group. We analyzed the index results for the physical examination, nutritional status, and immune function of the patients in both groups recorded before and after one chemotherapeutic cycle.

Results
The control and experimental group compositions were as follows: 58.5% and 52.8% males with a mean age ± standard deviation of 54.36 ± 12.68 and 55.15 ± 12.32 years, respectively. After one chemotherapeutic cycle and the nutritional intervention, the experimental group displayed better physical examination indicators than the control group concerning the weight (55.8 ± 5.41 vs. 54.8 ± 6.94, p = 0.621), body fat mass (13.3 ± 0.88 vs. 13.1 ± 0.91, p = 0.253), upper arm circumference (21.9 ± 0.94 vs. 21.2 ± 1.23 cm, p = 0.001), triceps skinfold thickness (15.1 ± 1.36 vs. 14.3 ± 1.62 cm, p = 0.007), and grip strength (23.0 ± 1.30 vs. 22.3 ± 1.33, p = 0.007). In addition, the experimental group yielded better nutritional-status indicators than the control, including albumin (35.2 ± 1.60 vs. 33.7 ± 1.44 g/L, p = 0.001), hemoglobin (115.7 ± 9.28 vs. 111.5 ± 10.56 g/L, p = 0.032), total protein (63.7 ± 5.85 vs. 60.5 ± 5.27 g/L, p = 0.004), transferrin (2.5 ± 0.53 vs. 2.2 ± 0.58 g/L, p = 0.007), and immune-function indicators CD4+ (32.8 ± 4.82 vs. 28.8 ± 3.76, p = 0.001), CD8+ (34.1 ± 3.36 vs. 37.2 ± 3.85, p = 0.001), CD4/CD8 (1.0 ± 0.28 vs. 0.8 ± 0.34, p = 0.001), IgA (2.7 ± 1.43 vs. 4.1 ± 1.47, p = 0.001), and IgG (8.8 ± 1.74 vs. 10.9 ± 1.28, p = 0.001).

Conclusion
Combined tumor-specific total nutrient and adjuvant chemotherapy application after radical gastric cancer surgery effectively improves the nutritional state and immune function of the patients and could be applied in clinical practice.
3D-printed boluses for radiotherapy: influence of geometrical and printing parameters on dosimetric characterization and air gap evaluation
Authors: Gugliandolo Simone Giovanni , Pillai Shabarish Purushothaman , Rajendran Shankar , Vincini Maria Giulia , Pepa Matteo , Pansini Floriana , Zaffaroni Mattia , Marvaso Giulia , Alterio Daniela , Vavassori Andrea , Durante Stefano , Volpe Stefania , Cattani Federica , Jereczek-Fossa Barbara Alicja , Moscatelli Davide , Colosimo Bianca Maria 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe work investigates the implementation of personalized radiotherapy boluses by means of additive manufacturing technologies. Boluses materials that are currently used need an excessive amount of human intervention which leads to reduced repeatability in terms of dosimetry. Additive manufacturing can solve this problem by eliminating the human factor in the process of fabrication. Planar boluses with fixed geometry and personalized boluses printed starting from a computed tomography scan of a radiotherapy phantom were produced. First, a dosimetric characterization study on planar bolus designs to quantify the effects of print parameters such as infill density and geometry on the radiation beam was made. Secondly, a volumetric quantification of air gap between the bolus and the skin of the patient as well as dosimetric analyses were performed. The optimization process according to the obtained dosimetric and airgap results allowed us to find a combination of parameters to have the 3D-printed bolus performing similarly to that in conventional use. These preliminary results confirm those in the relevant literature, with 3D-printed boluses showing a dosimetric performance similar to conventional boluses with the additional advantage of being perfectly conformed to the patient geometry.
Identifying future high healthcare utilization in patients with multimorbidity – development and internal validation of machine learning prediction models using electronic health record data
Authors: Weil Liann I. , Zwerwer Leslie R. , Chu Hung , Verhoeff Marlies , Jeurissen Patrick P.T. , van Munster Barbara C. 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Purpose
To develop and internally validate prediction models with machine learning for future potentially preventable healthcare utilization in patients with multiple long term conditions (MLTC). This study is the first step in investigating whether prediction models can help identify patients with MLTC that are most in need of integrated care.

Methods
A retrospective cohort study was performed with electronic health record data from adults with MLTC from an academic medical center in the Netherlands. Based on demographic and healthcare utilization characteristics in 2017, we predicted ≥ 12 outpatient visits, ≥ 1 emergency department (ED) visits, and ≥ 1 acute hospitalizations in 2018. Four machine learning models (elastic net regression, extreme gradient boosting (XGB), logistic regression, and random forest) were developed, optimized, and evaluated in a hold-out dataset for each outcome.

Results
A total of 14,486 patients with MLTC were included. Based on the area under the curve (AUC) and calibration curves, the XGB model was selected as final model for all three outcomes. The AUC was 0.82 for ≥ 12 outpatient visits, 0.76 for ≥ 1 ED visits and 0.73 for ≥ 1 acute hospitalizations. Despite adequate AUC and calibration, precision-recall curves showed suboptimal performance.

Conclusions
The final selected models per outcome can identify patients with future potentially preventable high healthcare utilization. However, identifying high-risk patients with MLTC and substantiating if they are most in need of integrated care remains challenging. Further research is warranted investigating whether patients with high healthcare utilization are indeed the most in need of integrated care and whether quantitively identified patients match the identification based on clinicians’ experience and judgment.
Psychometric Properties of the Swedish Version of the Compassion Scale
Authors: Wolgast Sima Nurali , Wolgast Martin , Hoff Eva 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Objectives
An increased interest in the phenomenon and process of compassion, in both clinical and non-clinical psychological research, has been seen in recent decades. In these contexts, compassion is frequently understood as a felt response to the suffering of others that involves caring and seeing the universal nature of human suffering, as well as an authentic desire to ease the distress. Based on the above, the purpose of the study was to validate a Swedish translation of the Compassion Scale.

Method
The manuscript reports on the analyses of the factor structure, reliability, and convergent and discriminant validity of the developed scale using data from two samples (n = 1712 and n = 353) of Swedish adults, using confirmatory factor analysis and correlation analyses.

Results
The results show that the translated scale had the same factor structure as the original scale, with four distinct but related factors relating to the aspects of “Kindness”, “Common humanity”, “Mindfulness”, and “Indifference”. In addition, the results indicate that the developed measure provided reliable scores, both for the entire scale and for the different subscales. In addition, the performed analyses indicate that the Swedish version of the Compassion Scale generally showed the expected relationship to related measures of personality and individual differences in empathic responding. Finally, the results supported the predictions that women would generally score higher than men on the Compassion Scale, and that compassion would have negative correlations with both age and average monthly income.

Conclusions
In conclusion, the performed studies provide support for the adequacy of the psychometric properties of the Swedish version of the Compassion Scale, as well as for its congruent and discriminative validity.
Research progress of exosomes in the angiogenesis of digestive system tumour
Authors: Liu Yuan , Wu Hao , Sang Yaodong , Chong Wei , Shang Liang , Li Leping 
Published: February 2024

AbstractMalignant tumours of the digestive system cover a wide range of diseases that affect the health of people to a large extent. Angiogenesis is indispensable in the development, and metastasis of tumours, mainly in two ways: occupation or formation. Vessels can provide nutrients, oxygen, and growth factors for tumours to encourage growth and metastasis, so cancer progression depends on simultaneous angiogenesis. Recently, exosomes have been proven to participate in the angiogenesis of tumours. They influence angiogenesis by binding to tyrosine kinase receptors (VEGFR)-1, VEGFR-2, and VEGFR-3 with different affinities, regulating Yap-VEGF pathway, Akt pathway or other signaling pathway. Additionally, exosomes are potential therapeutic vectors that can deliver many types of cargoes to different cells. In this review, we summarize the roles of exosomes in the angiogenesis of digestive system tumours and highlight the clinical application prospects, directly used as targers or delivery vehicles, in antiangiogenic therapy.
Drivers of functional diversity in small-bodied mammals across a deforestation frontier in the Southern Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Santos-Filho Manoel , Ribeiro Thalita , da Silva Dionei José , Bogoni Juliano A. , Palmeirim Ana Filipa 
Published: February 2024

AbstractDeforestation remains the most pervasive driver of biodiversity erosion across tropical forests. Understanding how species can cope with such habitat changes is particularly important along the rapidly expanding agricultural frontiers. To do so, we used a functional perspective examining small mammal responses to habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation across the ‘Arc of Deforestation’ in the Southern Brazilian Amazon. Small mammals were surveyed using a combination of conventional and pitfall traps across 20 forest fragments—ranging from 42 to 4743 ha—in addition to two relatively continuous forest sites (> 7000 ha). These fragments lie isolated by a cattle pasture matrix of varying grazing intensity. We then analysed taxonomic and functional diversity patterns—represented by Simpson Diversity and Rao Quadratic entropy indices—in Generalised Linear Models containing local- to landscape-scale predictors of variation. Further, we used a functional trait composition approach based on community-weighted mean trait values to depict and predict small mammal functional variations across this degradation gradient. From a total of 847 individuals recorded belonging to 24 taxa, functional responses tended to follow the taxonomic diversity, both increasing with fragment area. The functional dimension further was promoted by low fire-related disturbance. Functional trait composition was mainly driven by habitat quality, represented by tree density, arthropod biomass, and fire-related disturbance. Our results reinforce that small forest fragments sustain depauperate small mammal assemblages both taxonomically and functionally. Accounting for habitat quality further allows for boosting the persistence across functional groups. Our findings can be used to improve the efficiency of management practices thereby maximising the multiple dimensions of small mammal diversity and their associated ecosystem services across tropical deforestation frontiers.
Estimation of the performance of different pumps using non-Newtonian fluids in various operating conditions with artificial neural network
Authors: Yemenici Onur , Donmez Muhammed 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe performance of three centrifugal pumps designed to operate at a rotational speed of 151.84 rad/s and flow rates of 1, 25, and 45 kg/s is being investigated for both water and non-Newtonian fluids at various rotational speeds and flow rates. The analyses are being conducted experimentally and numerically within the flow rate range of 0.25–55 kg/s and rotational speed values between 52.36 and 151.84 rad/s. Additionally, artificial neural networks (ANN) trained using experimental pump performance data are being tested with experimental and numerical values obtained at a new rotational speed of 130.9 rad/s. The non-Newtonian fluids being tested include CMC 0.2% and CMC 0.4%, comprising carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC) solution and water. The results indicate that the pump's performance when handling non-Newtonian fluids is significantly influenced by the pump's geometry, rotational speed, and flow rate. In design parameters, the head obtained with 0.2% CMC for pump 1 is 3.3% greater than that in water. For pump 2, the highest head is in water according to design parameters. Pump 3 exhibits the highest head at a CMC of 0.4 in design parameters, and this value is 0.81% higher than the value with water. Experimental and numerical results demonstrate good agreement, especially in design parameters. The head obtained from numerical analyses with the RNG k–ε turbulence model for pumps 1, 2, and 3 at design parameters is 3, 10, and 9.83 m, respectively. The corresponding experimental heads are 3, 10, and 9.84 m, respectively. However, discrepancies between these results increase with higher flow rates and the use of non-Newtonian fluids. The compatibility of ANN results with experimental results is better than with numerical results, particularly at higher flow rates than the design condition. Pump performance values estimated by ANNs are 2% lower than the experimental results. This study provides comprehensive experimental data on the use of non-Newtonian fluids in different centrifugal pumps, and it also offers important guidance for future research by comparing ANN and computational fluid dynamics.
Advanced assessment of nutrient deficiencies in greenhouse with electrophysiological signals
Authors: Tran Daniel , Najdenovska Elena , Dutoit Fabien , Plummer Carrol , Wallbridge Nigel , Mazza Marco , Camps Cédric , Raileanu Laura Elena 
Published: February 2024

AbstractNutrient deficiencies are one of the main causes of significant reductions in commercial crop production by affecting associated growth factors. Proper plant nutrition is crucial for crop quality and yield therefore, early and objective detection of nutrient deficiency is required. Recent literature has explored the real-time monitoring of plant electrical signal, called electrophysiology, applied on tomato crop cultivated in greenhouse. This sensor allows to identify the stressed state of a plant in the presence of different biotic and abiotic stressors by employing machine learning techniques. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of electrophysiology signal recordings acquired from tomato plants growing in a production greenhouse environment, to detect the stress of a plant triggered by the deficiency of several main nutrients. Based on a previously proposed workflow consisting of continuous acquisition of electrical signal then application of machine learning techniques, the minimum signal features was evaluated. This study presents classification models that are able to distinguish the plant’s stressed state with good accuracy, namely 78.5% for manganese, 78.1% for iron, 89.6% for nitrogen, and 78.1% for calcium deficiency, and therefore suggests a novel path to detect nutrient deficiencies at an early stage. This could constitute a novel practical tool to help and assist farmers in nutrition management.
School-Based Interventions for Increasing Autistic Pupils’ Social Inclusion in Mainstream Schools: A Systematic Review
Authors: Tsou Yung-Ting , Kovács Lilla Veronika , Louloumari Angeliki , Stockmann Lex , Blijd-Hoogewys Els M. A. , Koutamanis Alexander , Rieffe Carolien 
Published: February 2024

AbstractSchool-based interventions for socially including autistic pupils in mainstream schools were systematically reviewed. Included interventions targeted at least one level of the school environment: the autistic children, the peers, the staff, and/or the physical environment, and assessed autistic pupils’ quantity and/or quality of social participation as outcome measures. Findings from 56 studies showed increased accessibility of school activities to autistic pupils, but the reciprocity and friendship between the autistic pupils and the peers were not necessarily improved. Moreover, limited interventions were available for modifying the physical environment. A more holistic strategy that moves the focus from individual children’s social skills to the larger context surrounding children, should be considered for a better inclusion of autistic children in school routine.
The link between spirituality and longevity
Authors: Dominguez Ligia J. , Veronese Nicola , Barbagallo Mario 
Published: February 2024

AbstractWe are facing an inverted demographic pyramid with continuously growing aged populations around the world. However, the advances that prolong physical life not always contemplate its psychological and social dimensions. Longevity is a complex outcome influenced by a wide range of factors, including genetics, lifestyle choices, access to healthcare, socio-economic conditions, and other environmental factors. These factors have been generally considered in the compelling research that seeks the determinants of longevity, particularly those concerning personal lifestyle choices, socioeconomic conditions, and molecular mechanisms proposed to mediate these effects. Nonetheless, fundamental aspects that can affect health and well-being, such as spirituality and religiosity, have been somehow left aside despite numerous epidemiological studies showing that higher levels of spirituality/religiosity are associated with lower risk of mortality, even after adjusting for relevant confounders. Because spirituality/religiosity are dimensions of great value for patients, overlooking them can leave them with feelings of neglect and lack of connection with the health system and with the clinicians in charge of their care. Integrating spirituality and religiosity assessment and intervention programs into clinical care can help each person obtain better and complete well-being and also allowing clinicians to achieve the highest standards of health with holistic, person-centered care. The present narrative review aims to explore the available evidence of a relationship between spirituality/religiosity and longevity and discusses the possible mechanisms that can help explain such relationship.
An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis of Teachers’ Lived Experiences of Working with Traumatised Children in the Classroom
Authors: Frearson Antoinette , Duncan Mandy 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThis study illuminates teachers’ lived experiences of working with traumatised children in school environments. Children who experience trauma display a range of behaviours in the classroom which impact on attainment and outcomes. Dealing with childhood trauma in the classroom is challenging and brings risks to teachers’ mental health including secondary traumatic stress and burnout. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was employed to understand the lived experiences of teachers working with traumatised children in the classroom. Findings from in-depth semi-structured interviews with six teachers indicate that teachers increasingly support traumatised children in the classroom but there is a need for targeted trauma-informed training and effective support from senior management to support teachers’ mental health and wellbeing.
Indoor Air Pollution in Kenya
Authors: Rotich Ibrahim Kipngeno , Musyimi Peter K. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIndoor air pollution is an environmental health challenge in Kenya, particularly in rural households, and low-income urban areas. This review aims to provide an overview of the sources, health effects and mitigation strategies for indoor air pollutants in Kenya. The main goal of our study was to review existing literature on indoor air pollution in Kenya with the aim of identifying research gaps for future research. Our methodology involved a critical examination of the existing literature review. This is because traditional fuel burning for cooking and heating, and kerosene lamps are major sources of indoor air pollution. Exposure to air pollutants can lead to respiratory and cardiovascular disease among women and children who are more vulnerable. Despite efforts to improve indoor air quality, significant challenges remain including access to clean fuels and technologies, inadequate infrastructure, and low awareness of health impact of indoor air pollution. Mitigation strategies include the transition to cleaner cooking sources, solar lamps for lighting and education campaigns on health impacts. The review concludes that a multifaceted approach involving various stakeholders is necessary to effectively address indoor air pollution in Kenya and improve public health.
Organic Amendments to Short Rotation Coppice (SRC) Plantation Affect Species Richness and Metal Accumulation of Spontaneously Growing Herbaceous Plants
Authors: Asare Michael O. , Pellegrini Elisa , Száková Jiřina , Blöcher Johanna Ruth , Najmanová Jana , Tlustoš Pavel , Contin Marco 
Published: February 2024

AbstractExcess potentially toxic metals (PTMs) in soils require ad hoc approaches to salvage. Hence, this study explored the shoot accumulation of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) by herbaceous plants growing under previously established Salix and Populus clones Short Rotation Coppice (SRC) with compost and sewage sludge applications in an abandoned metallurgical site, Podlesí, Czech Republic; PTM decontamination of soils. Soils within the SRC experimental site and outside considered as control were analyzed for their chemical properties by multi-analytical techniques. Shoots of spontaneously growing herbaceous plants under trees in the site and without trees in control were determined for pseudo-total Cd, Pb, and Zn contents. Moderately to slightly acid soils, high cation exchange capacity, and C/N ratio supported mineralization and relative mobility of total Cd (7.7–9.76), Pb (1541–1929), and Zn (245–320 mg kg−1) in soils. Although soil amendments improved chemical properties, compost application supported higher species richness than sewage sludge. Over 95% of plants accumulated Cd and Zn above the WHO threshold and green fodder in the Czech Republic, with 36% Pb above the regional limit (40 mg kg−1). Approximately 100, 50, and 6% of herbaceous species had Cd, Pb, and Zn accumulation, respectively, higher than published average upper limits in plants (0.2 Cd, 10 Pb, and 150 Zn mg kg−1). Dicots recorded higher Cd content, Tenacetum vulgare (L.), Hypericum maculatum (Crantz), and Cirsium arvense (L.); Stachys palustris (L.), Lamium perpereum (L.), and Campanula patula (L.) for Pb; Glechoma hederaceae (L.), C. patula, and C. arvense for Zn in all treatments. Appropriate soil amelioration of SRC-supported PTM mobility and excess herbaceous species shoot accumulation, growth, and richness.