bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Home-based prehabilitation improves physical conditions measured by ergospirometry and 6MWT in colorectal cancer patients: a randomized controlled pilot study.
Authors: Triguero-Cánovas Daniel , López-Rodríguez-Arias Francisco , Gómez-Martínez Manuel , Sánchez-Guillén Luis , Peris-Castello Franc , Alcaide-Quiros Maria José , Morillas-Blasco Pedro , Arroyo Antonio , Ramírez Jose Manuel 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Purpose/ Background
Prehabilitation aims to improve physical condition in the preoperative period and, therefore, decrease the loss of cardiopulmonary capacity postoperatively, with the aim of reducing complications and promoting an early recovery. This study aims to evaluate the impact of home-based prehabilitation on the physical condition of patients treated surgically for colorectal cancer.
Methods
A prospective and randomized clinical study was conducted in 60 patients during two periods, October 2018 - September 2020, in a single university hospital. Patients were randomized into two study groups (30 per group): prehabilitation vs standard care. Changes in physical condition, measured at diagnosis, the day before surgery, and at 6-8 weeks after surgery using Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test (CPET) and the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) were evaluated.
Results
Prehabilitation reduce postoperative complications (17.4% vs 33.3%, p=0.22) and hospital stay (5.74 vs 6.67 days, p=0.30). 6MWT showed a significant improvement in prehabilitation group (+78.9 meters). Six weeks after surgery, prehabilitation showed a significant improvement in the 6MWT (+ 68.9 meters vs - 27.2 meters, p=0.01). Significant differences were also observed in the ergospirometry between the diagnosis and postoperative study (+ 0.79 METs vs - 0.84 METs, p=0.001). A strong correlation was observed between CPET and 6MWT (0.767 (p<0.001)).
Conclusion
Home prehabilitation achieved lower overall postoperative complications than standard care and reached significant improvements in 6MWT and CET. Strong correlation was observed between CET and 6MWT, which allows validation 6MWT as a valid and reliable measure of functional exercise capacity in colorectal patiens when other more specific and expensive tests are not available.
Registration number Registered in ClinicalTrials.gov in August 2018 with registration number NCT03618329. Initial results published in Supportive Care in Cancer:Effect of home‐based prehabilitation in an enhanced recovery after surgery program for patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery during the COVID‐19 pandemic. DOI: 10.1007/s00520-021-06343-1
Salivary Microbiome in Patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Altered Composition and Association with Prostate-Specific Antigen
Authors: Zhang Bin , Lin Hao , Xu Zhenyi , Tang Yifan , Sun Yifan , Xia Qiang , Wang Shiyu , Jiang Peng , Gu Chaoqun , Wei Shichao , Zhao Yu , Li Zhi , Guo Wei , Gu Yifeng , Gao Fengbao , Liu Fengping , Feng Ninghan , Chen Wei Guo , Hu Lei 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Backgrounds
Microbial dysbiosis in the gut and urine has been implicated in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) based on previous studies. Additionally, emerging evidence has shown that salivary dysbiosis is associated with various diseases and oral health conditions. Building upon these findings, we aimed to investigate whether BPH patients exhibit a distinct salivary microbiome.
Methods and Materials
We recruited a cohort of BPH patients (n=50) and age-BMI matched healthy controls (HC; n=50). Salivary samples were collected for 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels were examined.
Results
Comparison of the salivary microbial communities between BPH patients and HC revealed significant differences, characterized by increased bacterial richness and diversity (FDR<0.05) in the BPH group. Further analysis identified the enrichment of 13 bacterial genera, including Clostridia-UCG-014, Oribacterium, and Filifactor, in BPH patients. Conversely, BPH patients exhibited a depletion of 4 bacterial genera, such as Actinomyces, Lachnoanaerobaculum, and Rothia(FDR<0.05). Several bacterial genera demonstrated potential as biomarkers for identifying BPH. Notably, we observed a negative correlation between the abundance of Oribacterium in BPH patients and the ratio of free PSA to total PSA (FPSA/TPSA) (r=-0.337, P=0.029).
Conclusions
Our findings indicate that the salivary microbiomes of BPH patients are dysbiotic. Moreover, we observed a significant association between this dysbiosis and dysregulation of PSA levels in BPH patients, suggesting the existence of a possible saliva-prostate axis. Modulating the salivary microbiome could potentially serve as an intervention strategy for BPH patients.
On the Accuracy and Application of UAV-Based Coastal Monitoring
Authors: Yuan Rui , Zhang Hezhenjia , Qiu Cheng , Xu Ruiyang 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
With the development of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology, its application in scientific fields, such as coastal monitoring, has become increasingly prevalent. The utilization of multi-sensor UAV platforms has made unmanned and highly repetitive monitoring feasible. This study employs three commercially available UAV systems with representative characteristics to generate Digital Surface Models (DSM) in the Lingang Tidal Flat (Shanghai), and evaluate the DSMs produced by each UAV comparing with the in-situ measurements. According to the results, the beach DSM produced by the non-RTK UAV using the Structure From Motion (SFM) algorithm is likely to be unusable. In contrast, the RTK-equipped UAV achieved an elevation accuracy of 0.3–0.54 m. The addition of a laser radar (Lidar) module further improved the accuracy to 0.1 m, significantly enhancing its reliability for comparison. We also explored a method for reconstructing the beach DEM by detecting waterlines from UAV imagery. Furthermore, during the discussion, the accurate DSM was utilized to explore the potential application of UAV technology in coastal management visualization. By adopting the digital twin framework, it would be possible and efficient to create a realistic representation of the coast, integrating actual ocean data such as tidal levels. This approach could enable the identification of coastal risks with relative ease.
An end-to-end based on Semantic region guidance for infrared and visible image fusion
Authors: Han Guijin , Zhang Xinyuan , Huang Ya 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
The goal of infrared and visible image fusion is to fuse the dominant regions in the images of the two modalities to generate high-quality fused image. However, existing methods still suffer from some shortcomings, such as lack of effective supervision information, slow computation due to complex fusion rules, and difficult convergence of GAN-based models. In this paper, we propose an end-to-end fusion method based on semantic region guidance (SRGFusion). Our model contains three basic parts: preprocessing module, image generation module, and information content discrimination module. Firstly, we input the infrared and visible images into the preprocessing module to achieve the preliminary fusion of the images. Subsequently, the features are fed into the image generation module for high-quality fused image generation. Finally, the training of the model was supervised by the information quantity discrimination module (IAQM). In particular, we improve the image generation module based on the diffusion model, which effectively avoids the design of complex fusion rules and makes it more suitable for image fusion tasks. We conduct objective and subjective experiments on four public datasets. Compared with existing methods, the fusion results of the proposed method have better objective metrics, contain more detailed information, and are more suitable for subsequent vision tasks.
Developing and evaluating an evidence-based practice research competency enhancement program for clinical nurses in Korea: A pilot study
Authors: Kim Suhyun , Jeong Hye Won 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
Evidence-based practice (EBP) is essential to the delivery of safe and high-quality care. In order to apply and spread EBP to the clinical setting, it is necessary to strengthen clinical nurses’ research performance with the help of EBP mentors. The aim of this study was to pilot test the research competency enhancement program (RCEP) designed by the research team to promote EBP among experienced nurses.
Methods
This single-group study with a pretest-posttest design and a mixed-methods approach was conducted at a tertiary university hospital in Korea. The RCEP was developed, and 11 experienced clinical nurses participated in an 8-week intervention. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected to explore the intervention’s feasibility and acceptability, as well as nurses’ perceptions of its applicability to practice. Nurses also completed standardized outcome measures before and after the intervention to evaluate its preliminary effectiveness: namely, the Evidence-Based Practice Beliefs scale (EBPB), the Evidence-Based Practice Attitude scale (EBPA), and the Research Practice Ability (RPA) tool.
Results
The participants’ research competency, as measured by the EBPB and RPA scores, significantly improved after their participation in the RCEP program. They saw the program as inspiring, motivating, and challenging, and they said it fostered research projects. Facilitating factors of the program included mentor support, colleague interest, the availability of new learning tools, and the assistance of clinical nurse educators. Barriers consisted of Internet connectivity issues, limited database access, laptop specifications, and conflicting schedules. Suggestions for improvement covered session timing, preference for in-person lectures and small teams, the desire for innovative research methods, and the need for collaboration with nursing college professors and hospitals.
Conclusion
In this program, EBP mentors were used to improve clinical nurses’ EBP beliefs and research competency. The study suggests modifications for future RCEP operations, including appropriate session timing, face-to-face lectures, and small-group learning. Overall, the RCEP demonstrated its potential to enhance research competency and inspire clinical nurses to engage in evidence-based practice.
Study on thermal damage mechanism and energy evolution characteristics of granite after high temperature based on discrete element method
Authors: Zhao Kui , Li Congming , Zeng Peng , Xiong Liangfeng , Gong Cong , Huang Zhen 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
In order to explore the thermal cracking behavior and energy conversion mechanism of granite at different temperatures from a mesoscopic perspective. Based on the laboratory experimental, PFC2D was used to construct different particle cluster model for research. The mechanical properties of granite under uniaxial compression under laboratory experimental and numerical simulation were compared and analyzed. The evolution laws of microcracks and particle displacement during high temperature treatment were explored. The relationship between energy conversion mechanism and crack evolution of granite after exposure to different temperatures was emphatically analyzed. The results show that: the stress-strain curve of laboratory experimental and the stress-strain curve under numerical simulation have similar evolution laws, the relative error between the numerical simulation results of peak strength and laboratory experimental is less than 5%, and the relative error of elastic modulus is less than 10%. The higher the temperature, the more thermal induced cracks are produced and the larger the particle displacement is. The cracks and particle displacement during heating are larger than those during cooling. Thermal induced cracks are mainly intra-granular tension, and when T ≥ 600 ℃, the shear cracks appear. The storage of elastic energy and the slow dissipation of energy are the main factors before the granite peak, and the dissipation energy increases abruptly after the peak, and the elastic strain energy is released rapidly. The higher the temperature, the more the number of microcracks before the peak of granite, and the greater the damage degree before the peak. Therefore, the weaker the energy storage property, the stronger the energy release property, and the easier the energy driven destruction.
Co-melting of heavy metal-containing sludge and silica slag: a case study from lab to pilot
Authors: Jin Junxun , He Jia , Wei Xinqi , Shen Yi , Du Jing , Wang Yuting , Gao Yong 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
A case study from the lab to pilot was carried out for the disposal of heavy metal-containing sludge (HM-S), a typical kind of hazardous waste, by co-melting with silica slag (SS). The immobilization of heavy metals (HMs) in the water quenched products was the most favorable when the mass ratio of HM-S, SS, and caustic soda was 25:75:5 at 1300°C for 30–60 min. The main compositions in the water-quenched products were completely amorphous in a homogeneous structure. A compact glassy structure (Si–O) formed in the water-quenched products with HMs immobilized in the silicate network matrix. The results verified the stability of the melting products and their potential for use as valuable materials. This study can provide a feasible, inexpensive, and safe method for the entire use of industrial stream applications for hazardous solid wastes.
Splenic Flexure Cancer- is right extended hemicolectomy better than left hemicolectomy?
Authors: Ballal Devesh S , Agrawal Harsh Mohan , Kazi Mufaddal , Desouza Ashwin , Saklani Avanish P. 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Introduction
There is no consensus on the optimal surgery for splenic flexure cancers.
Methods
Review of a prospectively maintained database of patients with splenic flexure cancer undergoing either a right extended hemicolectomy or left hemicolectomy at a tertiary care cancer hospital from 14.5.2010 to 16.9.2021. The primary outcome measures were postoperative morbidity and hospital stay with secondary outcomes being overall survival, disease free survival and long-term patient reported functional and quality of life outcomes.
Results
The demographic variables were evenly distributed between groups and median follow up was 44 months. The groups were comparable in terms of postoperative morbidity (Clavien-Dindo complication ³3a 10.6% Vs 10%, p=0.322) and hospital stay (8 days Vs 7 days, p=0.316). Oncological outcomes were similar in both groups (3-year DFS 71.8% Vs 67.8% p = 0.877 and 3-year OS 83.9% Vs 75.8%, p=0.787) and long-term patient reported functional outcomes were excellent in both groups.
Conclusion
Oncological outcomes, post operative morbidity and long-term patient reported functional outcomes are comparable in patients undergoing either a right extended or left hemicolectomy for splenic flexure cancer.
The Wellbeing Thermometer in cancer patients: a validation study
Authors: Adamou Marios , Uche-Ikonne Okezie , Kamposioras Konstantinos 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Purpose
We aimed to validate the Wellbeing Thermometer (WbT) in a sample of colorectal cancer patients in England.
Methods
A survey, including GAD-7, PHQ-9, WHO-5, and WbT, was administered to adult patients with colorectal cancer reviewed in clinic between 7-28 April 2021 (Cohort 1 Timepoint 1; n=127) and December 2021-February 2022 (Cohort 2 Timepoint 1; n=57). The survey was readministered to the first cohort six months after completion of the initial survey (Cohort 1 Timepoint 2; n=54). Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to compare WbT scores to those from other validated tools. A multivariable logistic model explored associations between WbT domains and other validated tools.
Results
The WbT showed moderate to strong correlation with all other validated tools (r range: GAD-7 -0.49 to -0.77; PHQ-9 -0.69 to -0.83; WHO-5 0.66 to 0.85). For Cohort 1 Timepoint 1, the WbT thoughts domain was associated with GAD-7 (p=0.004) and WHO-5 (p=0.002), and the health domain was associated with PHQ-9 (p=0.014). For Cohort 2 Timepoint 1, the WbT thoughts domain was associated with GAD-7 (p=0.02), health domain was associated with WHO-5 (p=0.02), and emotions domain was associated with WHO-5 (p=0.02).
Conclusions
The WbT is a valid tool for assessing wellbeing in patients with colorectal cancer.
Implications for cancer survivors
The WbT may be a useful addition to both clinical practice and future research and may help shed light on a new area with regards to cancer patients, specifically how they feel and function. This will ultimately increase wellbeing and reduce suffering.
Equity trends for the UHC service coverage sub-index for reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health in Pakistan: Evidence from demographic health surveys
Authors: Zaka Nabila , Umar Maida , Ahmad Ahsan Maqbool , Ahmad Ikhlaq , Reza Tahira Ezra , Sarfraz Mariyam , Emmanuel Faran 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
Pakistan, the world's sixth most populous country and the second largest in South Asia, is facing challenges related to reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCH) that are exacerbated by various inequities. RMNCH coverage indicators such as antenatal care (ANC) and deliveries at health facilities have been improving over time, and the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) is gradually declining but not at the desired rates. Analysing and documenting inequities with reference to key characteristics are useful to unmask the disparities and to amicably implement targeted equity-oriented interventions.
Methods
Pakistan Demographic Health Survey (PDHS) based UHC service coverage tracer indicators were derived for the RMNCH domain at the national and subnational levels for the two rounds of the PDHS in 2012 and 2017. These derivations were subgrouped into wealth quintiles, place of residence, education and mothers’ age. Dumbbell charts were created to show the trends and quintile-specific coverage. The UHC service coverage sub-index for RMNCH was constructed to measure the absolute and relative parity indices, such as high to low absolute difference and high to low ratios, to quantify health inequities. The population attributable risk was computed to determine the overall population health improvement that is possible if all regions have the same level of health services as the reference point (national level) across the equity domains.
Results
The results indicate an overall improvement in coverage across all indicators over time, but with a higher concentration of data points towards higher coverage among the wealthiest groups, although the poorest quintile continues to have low coverage in all regions. The UHC service coverage sub-index on RMNCH shows that Pakistan has improved from 45 to 63 overall, while Punjab improved from 50 to 59 and Sindh from 43 to 55. The highest improvement is evident in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, which has increased from 31 in 2012 to 51 in 2017. All regions made slow progress in narrowing the gap between the poorest and wealthiest groups, with particularly noteworthy improvements in KP and Sindh, as indicated by the parity ratio. The RMNCH service coverage sub-index gap was the greatest among women aged 15–19 years, those who belonged to the poorest wealth quintile, had no education, and resided in rural areas.
Conclusions
Analysing existing data sources from an equity lens supports evidence-based policies, programs and practices with a focus on disadvantaged subgroups.
Evaluation of Survival Outcome and Prognostic Factors for Oral Cavity Cancer Treated with Volumetric Arc Therapy
Authors: Mishra Himanshu , Singh Shreya , Mishra Ritusha , Pandey Ankita , Mandal Abhijit , Prakash Ekta , Patel Ganeshkumar , Shah Manav , Singh Tej Bali 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to evaluate the survival outcomes and identify prognostic factors for patients with oral cavity cancer (OCC) who underwent adjuvant treatment with volumetric arc therapy (VMAT) using simultaneous integrated boost (SIB).
Methods
Data was collected for post-operated patients of carcinoma of oral cavity who received adjuvant VMAT with SIB between June 2018 and December 2022. The data was entered and analyzed using SPSS software version 20.0. Survival rates were estimated using Kaplan Meier method. To determine survival difference between the groups, log rank test was used. Multivariate analyses were performed with Cox proportional hazard model and p value < 0 .05 was considered as significant.
Results
A total of 178 patients were included in the study. The median follow-up period was 26 months (range: 3–56 months). The 3-year OS, DFS, and LRC rates were 78% (95% CI, 77%-79%), 76% (95% CI, 74% − 77%), and 81% (95% CI, 80%-82%), respectively. Univariate analysis identified age ≥ 50 years, lymph node involvement, extracapsular extension (ECE), and N2-N3 disease as significant adverse prognostic factors for OS, DFS, and LRC. Multivariate analysis confirmed age ≥ 50 years and nodal involvement as independent predictors of worse OS, DFS, and LRC. Additionally, ECE independently affected OS and DFS.
Conclusion
Adjuvant treatment with VMAT using SIB in patients with OCC is effective. Age and nodal involvement had significant impact on LRC, DFS and OS while ECE on DFS and OS.
Corrosion in reinforced concrete: Diagnostics through Potential Corrosion Technique
Authors: Reginato Lucas Alexandre , Lorenzi Alexandre , de Oliveira Leonardo Covatti , Lorenzi Luciani Somensi , Filho Luiz Carlos Pinto da Silva 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Among the processes that accelerate the loss of performance of reinforced concrete structures, considering their frequent occurrence and severity, corrosion of reinforcement can be seen as one of the most important. A worrying factor is that most buildings in the main Brazilian urban centers are between 40 and 50 years old, a time when repairs and maintenance become more routine. Therefore, the problems related to the corrosion of the reinforcements tend to accentuate in the coming years and the identification of corrosion will play an important role. Thus, this research has the purpose to analyze the application of the diagnosis through potential corrosion techniques. For this, full-scale reinforced concrete beams were analyzed. Corrosion was stimulated by the Modified Immersion Accelerated Corrosion - CAIM method, at three levels of mass loss: 5, 10 and 15%. The diagnostic technique through the corrosion potential was applied, in which it was observed that there is uncertainty in the corrosion evaluation for the mass loss levels of 5 and 10%, resulting in a corrosion uncertainty interval, but at 15%, the potential technique proved to be satisfactory.