bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum cytokines and creatinine/cystatin C ratio as prognostic biomarkers in advanced cancer patients treated with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy
Authors: Jin Shan-xiu , Liu Bo-Na , Ji Hong-juan , Wu Jing-ran , Li Bao-lei , Gao Xiao-li , Li Na , Zheng Zhen-dong , Du Cheng 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Objective
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), specifically targeting the programmed cell death protein-1 or its ligand (PD-1/PD-L1), have been extensively used in the treatment of a spectrum of malignancies, although the predictive biomarkers remain to be elucidated. This study aims to investigate the association between baseline circulating levels of cytokines and the creatinine/cystatin C ratio (CCR) with the treatment outcomes of ICIs in patients with advanced cancer.

Methods
The pre-treatment circulating levels of 10 cytokines (PD-L1, CTLA4, CXCL10, LAG3, HGF, CCL2, MIG, GRANB, IL-18, and IL-6) were measured via automated capillary-based immunoassay platform in the serum of 65 advanced cancer patients treated with anti-PD-1/PD-L1-based systemic therapy and 10 healthy volunteers. The levels of cytokines and CCR were quantified and categorized into high and low groups based on the median value. The associations of serum cytokines and CCR with response to treatment, survival, and immune-related adverse events were assessed.

Results
Elevated circulating levels of 6 cytokines (PD-L1, CXCL10, HGF, CCL2, MIG, and IL-6) were observed in cancer patients compared with that in healthy volunteers. The correlation coefficients between cytokines, CCR and nutritional risk index were also calculated. In the cancer cohort (N = 65), low circulating HGF (P = 0.023, P = 0.029), low IL-6 (P = 0.002, P < 0.001), and high CCR (P = 0.031, P = 0.008) were associated with significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Multi-variable COX analyses adjusted for clinicopathological factors revealed that low HGF, low IL-6, and high CCR were independent favorable prognostic factors for PFS (P = 0.028, P = 0.010, and P = 0.015, respectively) and OS (P = 0.043, P = 0.003, and P = 0.026, respectively). Grade 2 irAEs occurred more frequently in patients with low levels of circulating CCL2 and LAG3.

Conclusions
Pre-treatment circulating levels of serum IL-6, HGF, and CCR may serve as independent predictive and prognostic biomarkers in advanced cancer patients treated with ICIs-based systemic therapy. These findings might help to identify potential patients who would benefit from these therapies.
Cognition in children with arachnoid cysts – A five-year follow-up after microneurosurgical fenestration
Authors: Adolfsson Tomas , Edström Erik , Tedroff Kristina , Sandvik Ulrika 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background and Purpose
In recent years there has been a re-evaluation regarding the clinical implications of temporal lobe arachnoid cysts (temporal arachnoid cysts) in children. These cysts have often been considered asymptomatic, or if symptomatic, only causing focal neurological symptoms or signs of increased intracranial pressure. However, several studies have more recently reported on cognitive symptoms improving after surgery. This study aimed to evaluate if reported cognitive improvement after surgery of temporal arachnoid cysts were stable after five years.

Method
Ten consecutive children (m = 14.65; range 12.1–19.415 were assessed cognitively five years after micro-neurosurgical fenestration of a temporal arachnoid cyst. Results were compared to results from their pre- and post-surgical evaluations. Evaluations included the Wechsler-scales, Boston Naming Test (BNT), Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), verbal fluency test (FAS) and Rey Complex Figure Test (RCFT).

Results
The analysis revealed significant postsurgical improvement compared to baseline on the Wechsler-scales measures of general intelligence (FSIQ), verbal abilities (VCI) and processing speed (PSI). Mean differences after surgery were 8.3 for FSIQ, (p = 0.026), 8.5 for VI (p =  < .01) and 9.9 for PSI (p = 0.03). There were no significant differences in mean test results when comparing postsurgical scores with scores five years after surgery, indicating long-term stability of improvements.

Conclusion
The results indicate that affected cognitive functions in children with temporal arachnoid cysts improve after surgery and that the improvements remain stable five years later. The improvements and long term stability were also consistent with the experience of both parents and children. The findings provide a strong argument for neurosurgical fenestration of temporal arachnoid cysts in children.
Dynamics of serum levels of TNF-α in a longitudinal follow-up study in 98 patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis treated with anti-TNF-α biological drugs
Authors: Morozova N. , Avramovič M. Zajc , Markelj G. , Toplak N. , Avčin T. 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Objective
To determine the dynamics of serum levels of TNF-α in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) treated with anti-TNF-α biological drugs and investigate their association with the disease activity.

Methods
We conducted a single-centre, observational cohort study in 98 patients with JIA (30 boys, 68 girls, mean age 11.3 years) treated with anti-TNF-α biological drugs. Clinical examinations and laboratory assessments of serum levels of TNF-α were performed before starting therapy with biological drug and at 6-month intervals afterwards up to 2.5 years.

Results
The analysis of serum levels of TNF-α in relation to the disease activity states showed the highest mean serum levels of TNF-α in patients on etanercept who had low disease activity states and in patients on adalimumab who had inactive disease. The correlation analysis in patients with JIA treated with etanercept or adalimumab showed a weak negative correlation between the serum levels of TNF-α and JADAS10 scores (p = 0.007), (r =  − 0.177).

Conclusion
The assessment of serum levels of TNF-α in children with JIA during treatment with etanercept or adalimumab is not a reliable biomarker of disease activity or immunological remission. Longitudinal measurement of TNF-α has no added clinical value in patients with JIA treated with anti-TNF-α biological drugs.

Key Points• There is limited evidence regarding the effect of anti-TNF therapy on serum concentrations of TNF-α in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis• Our study showed an increase in the serum level of TNF-α after the initiation of therapy with either etanercept or adalimumab, which was more significant in patients with inactive or low disease activity• Serum TNF-α is most likely not biologically active during therapy with TNF-α inhibitors and therefore not a reliable biomarker of disease activity or immunological remission in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis
On the Timing of Marriage and Childbearing: Family Formation Pathways Among Immigrants in Switzerland
Authors: Lacroix Julie , Mikolai Júlia , Kulu Hill 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
This paper examines childbearing in and outside of marriage as a manifestation of the Second Demographic Transition among immigrant populations in Switzerland. Based on full-population register data, we simultaneously analyse fertility and partnership changes at different stages of the migration process. Results from a multistate event history model show that most of the differences in family formation patterns between migrant groups and natives are in the sequencing of marriage and first birth among childless unmarried women. Out of wedlock family trajectories prove to be a common experience for European migrants, but a sustainable family pathway only among natives, as well as among immigrants from France, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Among married women, it is the risk of a third birth that marks the differences between groups; first and second birth rates are relatively similar across migrant groups. Distinguishing between the transition patterns of newly arrived immigrants and settled immigrants (characterised by various residence durations) support the disruption hypothesis among EU migrants and the interrelated life events hypothesis among non-EU groups. Family size and the partnership context of fertility highlight which family regime prevails in different population subgroups and the role that immigrants play in the Second Demographic Transition and family transformation in Europe.
Analyzing the impact of fiscal conditions on private health expenditures in OECD countries: a quantile ARDL investigation
Authors: Silva Nuno , Tavares Aida Isabel , Koengkan Matheus , Fuinhas José Alberto 
Published: May 2024

AbstractOrganization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries have embraced the aim of universal health coverage, as established in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.8. This goal guarantees access to quality healthcare services without financial hardship or poverty. Additionally, it requires correct and adequate financing sources. A country with weak protection for its population tends to spend less on healthcare and experiences a high share of out-of-pocket payments (OOPs), increasing the likelihood of people falling into poverty. This study aims to understand the relationship and causal effects between macroeconomic and public fiscal conditions and private health expenditure in OECD countries between 1995 and 2019. We retrieved OECD data for 26 OECD countries for the period 1995–2019. Panel AutoRegressive Distributed Lag (PARDL) and panel quantile AutoRegressive Distributed Lag (PQARDL) models were estimated to examine the relationship between private health expenditures and macroeconomic and public fiscal variables. Our results reveal a positive influence of government debt and economic freedom on private health expenditures. They also show a negative influence of the government budget balance, government health expenditures, and economic growth on private health expenditures. These results collectively suggest that public fiscal conditions will likely impact private health expenditures. The findings of this study raise concerns about the equity and financial protection objectives of universal health coverage in OECD countries.
Antimony Trisulfide with Graphene Oxide Coated Titania Nanotube Arrays as Anode Material for Lithium-ion Batteries
Authors: Anwar Tauseef , Manzoor Tareq , Hussain Naveed , Shah Syed Nasir , Perveen Shazia , Asif Sana Ullah , Nosheen Farhat , Khan Abdul Jabbar , Manzoor Habib Ullah 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe performance of the Lithium Ion Batteries (LiBs) is significantly influenced with the synergetic chemical properties of two different materials in a composite form. The specific capacity of both titanium dioxide arrays (TNAs) and Antimony trisulfide (Sb2S3) bottleneck the performance of LiB due to the low conductivity after the implantation as anode material. Herein, a novel multifunctional composite composed of highly dispersed Sb2S3 on freestanding tubular TNAs host via chemical bath deposition method (CBD) for use as anode material in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The loading quantity of Sb2S3 with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was regulated to achieve adjustable outcomes. The composite anode consisting of TNAs/ Sb2S3/G in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has a specific capacity that is three times greater than conventional anodes. Furthermore, this composite anode maintains stable cyclic performance even after undergoing 300 cycles. The initial coulombic efficiency of the composite electrode is 100%, whereas the bare TNAs had a coulombic efficiency of 45%. The cycle performance analysis demonstrated that the TNAs/ Sb2S3/G composite has superior specific capacity and efficiency, even under high current density conditions of 500 µA/cm2. The rate performance is greatly improved, indicating the efficacy of this innovative composite anode material for high-performance LIBs.
Husserl’s concept of transcendental consciousness and the problem of AI consciousness
Authors: Orbik Zbigniew 
Published: May 2024

AbstractEdmund Husserl, the founder of phenomenological philosophy, developed the concept of the so-called pure transcendental consciousness. The author of the article asks whether the concept of consciousness understood this way can constitute a model for AI consciousness. It should be remembered that transcendental consciousness is the result of the use of the phenomenological method, the essence of which is referring to experience (“back to things themselves”). Therefore, one can legitimately ask whether the consciousness that AI can achieve can possess the characteristics attributed by Husserl to pure transcendental consciousness. The answer to such questions seems to be negative because AI, as created by humans, can only operate in the field of phenomena. Human intelligence, however, is capable of operating at the ontological level. In the face of difficulties in understanding the phenomenon of consciousness on a scientific basis, the question arises about the possibility of using the phenomenological concept of consciousness developed by Husserl as a starting point in analyzes aimed at answering the question about AI consciousness (The aim of the article is not to discuss in detail the contemporary state of research on consciousness. Therefore, many results currently achieved mainly in the field of neuroscience are omitted. It is just about indicating the possible application of Husserl’s transcendental concept of consciousness in research on AI consciousness).
Intertwining self-efficacy, basic psychological need satisfaction, and emotions in higher education teaching: A micro-longitudinal study
Authors: Keller Melanie V. , Rinas Raven , Janke Stefan , Dickhäuser Oliver , Dresel Markus , Daumiller Martin 
Published: May 2024

AbstractPrior research has explored various factors to explain differences in teaching experiences and behaviors among school teachers, including self-efficacy, basic psychological need satisfaction, and emotions. However, these factors have predominantly been examined in isolation, and limited research has investigated their role in the context of higher education teaching. To address these research gaps, analyses on both the within and between teacher level are needed. The aim of the present study was therefore to investigate the interplay between these motivational and emotional constructs on both levels, as well as the relevance and applicability of prior research findings on school teachers to the context of higher education teaching at universities. In a micro-longitudinal study, 103 university teachers from Germany (49 female; average age: 41.4 years, SD = 11.0) completed assessments of their self-efficacy in 748 sessions directly before their teaching sessions, as well as their basic psychological need satisfaction and discrete emotions directly after. Multilevel structural equation modeling revealed positive associations between self-efficacy and basic psychological need satisfaction. Self-efficacy was negatively associated with negative emotions, and positive indirect effects on positive emotions as well as negative indirect effects on negative emotions were identified through satisfaction of the needs for competence and relatedness. Basic psychological need satisfaction was positively related to positive emotions and vice versa—however, unexpected positive associations between relatedness and negative emotions emerged and require further research.
Transient Propagation of the Invasion Front in the Homogeneous Landscape and in the Presence of a Road
Authors: Deeley Bradly , Petrovskaya Natalia 
Published: May 2024

AbstractUnderstanding the propagation of invasive plants at the beginning of invasive spread is important as it can help practitioners eradicate harmful species more efficiently. In our work the propagation regime of the invasive plant species is studied at the short-time scale before a travelling wave is established and advances into space at a constant speed. The integro-difference framework has been employed to deal with a stage-structured population, and a short-distance dispersal mode has been considered in the homogeneous environment and when a road presents in the landscape. It is explained in the paper how nonlinear spatio-temporal dynamics arise in a transient regime where the propagation speed depends on the detection threshold population density. Furthermore, we investigate the question of whether the transient dynamics become different when the homogeneous landscape is transformed into the heterogeneous one. It is shown in the paper how invasion slows down in a transient regime in the presence of a road.
Comprehensive study on structural, optical, mechanical and radiation blocking nature of Eu3+-doped bismuth tellurite glasses
Authors: D’Souza Ashwitha Nancy , Murari M. S. , Sayyed M. I. , Al-Ghamdi Hanan , Almuqrin Aljawhara H. , Kamath Sudha D. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractA novel glass system B2O3–SiO2–Bi2O3–TeO2–BaO–ZnO doped with Eu2O3 (x = 0–4 mol%) is fabricated through melt-quench technique and coded as BiTeEu-x. Density and refractive index measurements done on the glasses resulted in the increase up to 5.4377 gcm−3 and 1.99, respectively, for 4 mol% addition of Eu2O3. Vickers micro-indentation measurements done on synthesized glasses gave increasing microhardness values with Eu3+ doping due to higher bond strength of Eu–O bond compared to Te–O bond. The Phy-X/PSD simulation software utilized for obtaining radiation shielding parameters produced highest range of mass attenuation coefficient (63.878–0.036 cm2/g) and lowest range of half-value layer (0.002–3.551 cm) for the same glass proving its superiority in radiation attenuating capacity. This article addresses the theoretical analysis of photon buildup occurring inside the fabricated glasses in 0.015–15 MeV energy range with respect to different penetration depths. Neutron shielding ability of BiTeEu-4 glass was found to be impressive with fast neutron removal cross section (FNR) value of 0.10362 cm−1.
Rheological and Textural Characterisation of Chickpea Dough and Baked 3D-Printed Snacks Enriched with Alphitobius diaperinus and Locusta migratoria Powders
Authors: García-Gutiérrez Nerea , Salvador Ana , Sanz Teresa , Ferrando Montse , Güell Carme , Méndez Carmen , de Lamo-Castellví Silvia 
Published: May 2024

AbstractEdible insect powder is a new ingredient that can be used to create innovative functional and nutritional properties in food products. However, adding insect powder to bakery goods could impact the dough’s technological and sensory attributes. This study aims to investigate possible alterations in dough enriched with insect powder and examine the texture of salty snacks produced using a 3D food printer. The doughs were prepared using varying quantities of two types of edible insect powders. The stiff flow properties showed a pseudoplastic behaviour that fit well with a power-law equation. Viscosity and pseudoplasticity increased in proportion to insect powder concentration, with the strongest effect observed for L. migratoria. The linear viscoelastic behaviour exhibited G′ values exceeding G″ values, and both moduli increased with insect concentration. A. migratoria displayed a greater elastic contribution (lower tan δ) compared to A. diaperinus, which correlates with the lower printability of A. migratoria. The texture of the snacks prepared with A. diaperinus demonstrated a rise in the breaking force as the insect concentration increased and exhibited a corresponding texture profile to the control and the 4.6% sample. Moreover, the addition of A. diaperinus heightened the crispiness.
Development of a software-tool to evaluate the tolerability of different VR-movement types
Authors: Bernhard Kaus , Henning Schneider 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Purpose
In the last years the adoption of Virtual-Reality-Headsets (VRHMDs) has increased significantly in multiple fields including medical applications. While it has been shown that patients can benefit greatly from VR-based treatments, user discomfort remains a problem for VR. It is often manifested by a complex of symptoms classified as simulator sickness (SS). A variety of factors seem to be involved in the development of SS, with one of the biggest contributors being artificial movement (AM). However, isolating the effect AM has on the occurrence of SS proves to be difficult due to the number of other factors involved. One of the biggest distortion factors in this regard seems to be the type of content displayed to the user. It appears that traditional gaming content - which is often used - is especially problematic in this regard.

Methods
To reduce this bias, we developed a test software and used testing data from 111 participants to assess whether the software induces SS through the content displayed.

Results
The software provides multiple ways of movement in a VR-environment and shows no signs of triggering unwanted SS-Symptoms.

Conclusions
Our software can provide an evaluation basis for the effect of AM with minimal distortion caused by the displayed content and can be used to develop software less likely to cause SS and evaluate VR-Systems based on their likeliness to cause SS. Therefore, making VR based treatments more accessible to patients.
Semi-supervised skin cancer diagnosis based on self-feedback threshold focal learning
Authors: Yuan Weicheng , Du Zeyu , Han Shuo 
Published: May 2024

AbstractWorldwide, skin cancer prevalence necessitates accurate diagnosis to alleviate public health burdens. Although the application of artificial intelligence in image analysis and pattern recognition has improved the accuracy and efficiency of early skin cancer diagnosis, existing supervised learning methods are limited due to their reliance on a large amount of labeled data. To overcome the limitations of data labeling and enhance the performance of diagnostic models, this study proposes a semi-supervised skin cancer diagnostic model based on Self-feedback Threshold Focal Learning (STFL), capable of utilizing partial labeled and a large scale of unlabeled medical images for training models in unseen scenarios. The proposed model dynamically adjusts the selection threshold of unlabeled samples during training, effectively filtering reliable unlabeled samples and using focal learning to mitigate the impact of class imbalance in further training. The study is experimentally validated on the HAM10000 dataset, which includes images of various types of skin lesions, with experiments conducted across different scales of labeled samples. With just 500 annotated samples, the model demonstrates robust performance (0.77 accuracy, 0.6408 Kappa, 0.77 recall, 0.7426 precision, and 0.7462 F1-score), showcasing its efficiency with limited labeled data. Further, comprehensive testing validates the semi-supervised model’s significant advancements in diagnostic accuracy and efficiency, underscoring the value of integrating unlabeled data. This model offers a new perspective on medical image processing and contributes robust scientific support for the early diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer.
Group field theories: decoupling spacetime emergence from the ontology of non-spatiotemporal entities
Authors: Forgione Marco 
Published: May 2024

AbstractWith the present paper I maintain that the group field theory (GFT) approach to quantum gravity can help us clarify and distinguish the problems of spacetime emergence from the questions about the nature of the quanta of space. I will show that the use of approximation methods can suggest a form of indifference between scales (or phases) and that such an indifference allows us to black-box questions about the nature of the ontology of the fundamental levels of the theory.