bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Liver fibrosis is associated with left ventricular remodeling: insight into the liver-heart axis
Authors: Edin Carl , Ekstedt Mattias , Karlsson Markus , Wegmann Bertil , Warntjes Marcel , Swahn Eva , Östgren Carl Johan , Ebbers Tino , Lundberg Peter , Carlhäll Carl-Johan 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Objective
In nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), liver fibrosis is the strongest predictor of adverse outcomes. We sought to investigate the relationship between liver fibrosis and cardiac remodeling in participants from the general population using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as well as explore potential mechanistic pathways by analyzing circulating cardiovascular biomarkers.

Methods
In this cross-sectional study, we prospectively included participants with type 2 diabetes and individually matched controls from the SCAPIS (Swedish CArdioPulmonary bioImage Study) cohort in Linköping, Sweden. Between November 2017 and July 2018, participants underwent MRI at 1.5 Tesla for quantification of liver proton density fat fraction (spectroscopy), liver fibrosis (stiffness from elastography), left ventricular (LV) structure and function, as well as myocardial native T1 mapping. We analyzed 278 circulating cardiovascular biomarkers using a Bayesian statistical approach.

Results
In total, 92 participants were enrolled (mean age 59.5 ± 4.6 years, 32 women). The mean liver stiffness was 2.1 ± 0.4 kPa. 53 participants displayed hepatic steatosis. LV concentricity increased across quartiles of liver stiffness. Neither liver fat nor liver stiffness displayed any relationships to myocardial tissue characteristics (native T1). In a regression analysis, liver stiffness was related to increased LV concentricity. This association was independent of diabetes and liver fat (Beta = 0.26, p = 0.0053), but was attenuated (Beta = 0.17, p = 0.077) when also adjusting for circulating levels of interleukin-1 receptor type 2.

Conclusion
MRI reveals that liver fibrosis is associated to structural LV remodeling, in terms of increased concentricity, in participants from the general population. This relationship could involve the interleukin-1 signaling.

Clinical relevance statement
Liver fibrosis may be considered a cardiovascular risk factor in patients without cirrhosis. Further research on the mechanisms that link liver fibrosis to left ventricular concentricity may reveal potential therapeutic targets in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Key Points

Previously, studies on liver fibrosis and cardiac remodeling have focused on advanced stages of liver fibrosis.

Liver fibrosis is associated with left ventricular (LV) concentricity and may relate to interleukin-1 receptor type 2.

Interleukin-1 signaling is a potential mechanistic interlink between early liver fibrosis and LV remodeling.
Pilot study for bladder cancer detection with volatile organic compounds using ion mobility spectrometry: a novel urine-based approach
Authors: Heers Hendrik , Gut Josef Maximilian , Hofmann Rainer , Flegar Luka , Derigs Marcus , Huber Johannes , Baumbach Joerg Ingo , Koczulla Andreas Rembert , Boeselt Tobias 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Despite many efforts, no reliable urinary marker system has so far shown the potential to substitute cystoscopy. Measuring volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from urine is a promising alternative. VOCs are metabolic products which can be measured from the headspace of urine samples. Previous studies confirmed that the urine of bladder tumor patients has a different VOC profile than healthy controls. In this pilot study, the feasibility of discriminating VOCs from urine of bladder cancer patients from that of healthy control subjects was investigated. Aim of this study was to investigate whether VOC-based diagnosis of bladder cancer from urine samples is feasible using multicapillary column ion mobility spectrometry (MCC/IMS) and to identify potential molecular correlates to the relevant analytes.

Methods
Headspace measurements of urine samples of 30 patients with confirmed transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) and 30 healthy controls were performed using MCC/IMS. In the results of the measurements, peaks showing significant differences between both groups were identified and implemented into a decision tree with respect to achieve group separation. Molecular correlates were predicted using a pre-defined dataset.

Results
Eight peaks with significantly differing intensity were identified, 5 of which were highly significant. Using a six-step decision tree, MCC/IMS showed a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 100% in group separation.

Conclusion
VOC-based detection of bladder cancer is feasible. MCC/IMS is a suitable method for urine-based diagnosis and should be further validated. The molecular characteristics and metabolic background of the analytes require further workup.
Erwin Bünning and Wolfgang Engelmann: establishing the involvement of the circadian clock in photoperiodism
Authors: Helfrich-Förster Charlotte 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIn 1936, Erwin Bünning published his groundbreaking work that the endogenous clock is used to measure day length for initiating photoperiodic responses. His publication triggered years of controversial debate until it ultimately became the basic axiom of rhythm research and the theoretical pillar of chronobiology. Bünning’s thesis is frequently quoted in the articles in this special issue on the subject of “A clock for all seasons”. However, nowadays only few people know in detail about Bünning’s experiments and almost nobody knows about the contribution of his former doctoral student, Wolfgang Engelmann, to his theory because most work on this topic is published in German. The aim of this review is to give an overview of the most important experiments at that time, including Wolfgang Engelmann’s doctoral thesis, in which he demonstrated the importance of the circadian clock for photoperiodic flower induction in the Flaming Katy, Kalanchoë blossfeldiana, but not in the Red Morning Glory, Ipomoea coccinea.
On the Characteristic Polynomial of the Eigenvalue Moduli of Random Normal Matrices
Authors: Byun Sung-Soo , Charlier Christophe 
Published: May 2024

AbstractWe study the characteristic polynomial $$p_{n}(x)=\prod _{j=1}^{n}(|z_{j}|-x)$$

p
n

(
x
)

=

∏

j
=
1

n

(
|

z
j

|
-
x
)

where the $$z_{j}$$

z
j

are drawn from the Mittag–Leffler ensemble, i.e. a two-dimensional determinantal point process which generalizes the Ginibre point process. We obtain precise large n asymptotics for the moment generating function $$\mathbb {E}[e^{\frac{u}{\pi } \, \text {Im\,}\ln p_{n}(r)}e^{a \, \text {Re\,}\ln p_{n}(r)}]$$

E
[

e

u
π

Im\,
ln

p
n

(
r
)

e

a

Re\,
ln

p
n

(
r
)

]

, in the case where r is in the bulk, $$u \in \mathbb {R}$$

u
∈
R

and $$a \in \mathbb {N}$$

a
∈
N

. This expectation involves an $$n \times n$$

n
×
n

determinant whose weight is supported on the whole complex plane, is rotation-invariant, and has both jump- and root-type singularities along the circle centered at 0 of radius r. This “circular" root-type singularity differs from earlier works on Fisher–Hartwig singularities, and surprisingly yields a new kind of ingredient in the asymptotics, the so-called associated Hermite polynomials.
Automated inpainting of Tex Willer comics: adapting manga techniques for western comic transformation
Authors: Marlali Ekin , Balcisoy Selim 
Published: May 2024

AbstractComic inpainting is essential for language localization and adapting comics into animations, involving the removal of speech boxes, textboxes, and sound effects while maintaining artistic integrity. This paper introduces an automated approach leveraging the Manga inpainting method by Xie et al., adapted for western comics like Tex Willer. Tex Willer comics, known for their fusion of Italian art and American Western imagery, pose unique challenges due to their distinct styles. Customized Manga Restoration and Structural Line Extraction codes are employed, along with automated mask generation using deep CNN-based speech balloon detection and segmentation. Our contributions include the development of a precise model tailored to Tex Willer Comics, resulting in visually coherent inpainting results. The paper follows a structured format, covering State-of-the-Art, methodology, results, and conclusions, aiming to streamline the process of western comic inpainting for professionals in the comics and animation industries.
Maternal diet quality trajectories from pregnancy to 3.5 years postpartum and associated maternal factors
Authors: Sexton-Dhamu Meaghan J. , Szymlek-Gay Ewa A. , Livingstone Katherine M. , Wen Li Ming , Zheng Miaobing 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Purpose
This study examined maternal diet quality trajectories from pregnancy to 3.5 years postpartum and associated maternal factors.

Methods
Data of 473 Australian women from the Healthy Beginnings Trial were used. A food frequency questionnaire collected dietary intake in pregnancy and 1, 2 and 3.5 years postpartum. Diet quality scores were calculated using the 2013 Dietary Guideline Index (DGI-2013) and RESIDential Environments Guideline Index (RDGI). Group-based trajectory modelling identified diet quality trajectories from pregnancy to 3.5 years postpartum. Multivariable logistic regression investigated factors associated with maternal diet quality trajectories.

Results
Two stable trajectories of low or high diet quality were identified for the DGI-2013 and RDGI. Women who smoked had higher odds of following the low versus the high DGI-2013 (OR 1.77; 95%CI 1.15, 2.75) and RDGI (OR 1.80; 95%CI 1.17, 2.78) trajectories, respectively. Women who attended university had lower odds of following the low versus the high DGI-2013 (OR 0.41; 95%CI 0.22, 0.76) and RDGI (OR 0.38; 95%CI 0.21, 0.70) trajectories, respectively. Women who were married had lower odds of following the low versus the high DGI-2013 trajectory (OR 0.39; 95%CI 0.17, 0.89), and women who were unemployed had higher odds of following the low versus the high RDGI trajectory (OR 1.78; 95%CI 1.13, 2.78). Maternal age, country of birth, household composition and pre-pregnancy body mass index were not associated with diet quality trajectories.

Conclusion
Maternal diet quality trajectories remained stable from pregnancy to 3.5 years postpartum. Women who smoked, completed high school or less, were not married or were unemployed tended to follow low, stable diet quality trajectories.
Unraveling the mysteries of silver nanoparticles: synthesis, characterization, antimicrobial effects and uptake translocation in plant—a review
Authors: Fares Ahmed , Mahdy Abdou , Ahmed Gamal 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Main conclusion
The study thoroughly investigates nanosilver production, properties, and interactions, shedding light on its multifaceted applications. It underscores the importance of characterizing nanosilver for predicting its behavior in complex environments. Particularly, it highlights the agricultural and environmental ramifications of nanosilver uptake by plants.

Abstract
Nowadays, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are a very adaptable nanomaterial with many uses, particularly in antibacterial treatments and agricultural operations. Clarification of key elements of nanosilver, such as its synthesis and characterization procedures, antibacterial activity, and intricate interactions with plants, particularly those pertaining to uptake and translocation mechanisms, is the aim of this in-depth investigation. Nanosilver synthesis is a multifaceted process that includes a range of methodologies, including chemical, biological, and sustainable approaches that are also environmentally benign. This section provides a critical evaluation of these methods, considering their impacts on repeatability, scalability, and environmental impact. The physicochemical properties of nanosilver were determined by means of characterization procedures. This review highlights the significance of analytical approaches such as spectroscopy, microscopy, and other state-of the-art methods for fully characterizing nanosilver particles. Although grasp of these properties is necessary in order to predict the behavior and potential impacts of nanosilver in complex biological and environmental systems. The second half of this article delves into the intricate interactions that plants have with nanosilver, emphasizing the mechanisms of absorption and translocation. There are significant ramifications for agricultural and environmental problems from the uptake of nanosilver by plants and its subsequent passage through their tissues. In summary, by summarizing the state-of-the-art information in this field, this study offers a comprehensive overview of the production, characterization, antibacterial capabilities, and interactions of nanosilver with plants. This paper contributes to the ongoing conversation in nanotechnology.

Graphical abstract
Study on carotid artery stenosis after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Song JunMei , Lan Luo , Lv YuQing , Wen YaJing , Kang Min , Wang RenSheng 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Objective
This study investigated carotid artery stenosis (CAS) and associated risk factors in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) post-radiotherapy.

Materials and methods
The observation group comprised 86 reexamined patients with NPC, divided into Group 1 and Group 2 based on post-radiotherapy duration, alongside 34 newly diagnosed patients with NPC (Group 0). Carotid artery ultrasonography and chi-square analysis were performed.

Results
Moderate-to-severe vascular abnormalities were exclusively in Group 2. Considering mild vascular abnormalities as the standard, the overall vascular abnormality rates in Group 2 and Group 0 were 65.9% and 41.2%, respectively. In Group 2 and Group 0, the abnormality rates for unilateral carotid artery (UCA), common carotid artery (CCA), internal carotid artery (ICA), and external carotid artery (ECA) were 47.4% and 30.9%, 44.3% and 22.1%, 44.3% and 16.2%, and 39.8% and 5.9%, respectively. Comparing group 1 to group 0, only UCA abnormalities were statistically significant (45.4% vs. 30.9%). Considering moderate-to-severe vascular abnormalities as the standard, Group 2 had higher overall vascular, UCA, CCA, ICA, and ECA abnormality rates compared to Group 0. The age at revisit over 45 years, T stage, and N stage may influence CAS.

Conclusion
Radiation increasing CAS incidence after 3 years. So, regular examinations are recommended to dynamically monitor CAS after 3 years of radiotherapy.
Magma mingling during the 1959 eruption of Kīlauea Iki, Hawaiʻi
Authors: Marsh Jennifer , Edmonds Marie , Houghton Bruce , Buisman Iris , Herd Richard 
Published: May 2024

AbstractMagma mingling and mixing are common processes at basaltic volcanoes and play a fundamental role in magma petrogenesis and eruption dynamics. Mingling occurs most commonly when hot primitive magma is introduced into cooler magma. Here, we investigate a scenario whereby cool, partially degassed lava is drained back into a conduit, where it mingles with hotter, less degassed magma. The 1959 eruption of Kīlauea Iki, Hawaiʻi involved 16 high fountaining episodes. During each episode, fountains fed a lava lake in a pit crater, which then partially drained back into the conduit during and after each episode. We infer highly crystalline tachylite inclusions and streaks in the erupted crystal-poor scoria to be the result of the recycling of this drain-back lava. The crystal phases present are dendrites of plagioclase, augite and magnetite/ilmenite, at sizes of up to 10 µm. Host sideromelane glass contains 7–8 wt% MgO and the tachylite glass (up to 0.5% by area) contains 2.5–6 wt% MgO. The vesicle population in the tachylite is depleted in the smallest size classes (< 0.5 mm) and has overall lower vesicle number densities and a higher degree of vesicle coalescence than the sideromelane component. The tachylite exhibits increasingly complex ‘stretching and folding’ mingling textures through the episodes, with discrete blocky tachylite inclusions in episodes 1 and 3 giving way to complex, folded, thin filaments of tachylite in pyroclasts erupted in episodes 15 and 16. We calculate that a lava lake crust 8–35 cm thick may have formed in the repose times between episodes, and then foundered and been entrained into the conduit during drain-back. The recycled fragments of crust would have been reheated in the conduit, inducing glass devitrification and crystallisation of pyroxene, magnetite and plagioclase dendrites and eventually undergoing ductile flow as the temperature of the fragments approached the host magma temperature. We use simple models of magma mingling to establish that stretching and folding of recycled, ductile lava could involve thinning of the clasts by up to a factor of 10 during the timescale of the eruption, consistent with observations of streaks and filaments of tachylite erupted during episodes 15 and 16, which may have undergone multiple cycles of eruption, drain-back and reheating.
Data transfer within a finite cell remeshing approach applied to large deformation problems
Authors: Sartorti Roman , Düster Alexander 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe present work is a comparative study of different data transfer techniques in the context of the finite cell method (FCM) in combination with remeshing for hyperelastic problems undergoing large deformations. The FCM is an immersed-boundary method that uses Cartesian grids for the discretization so as to avoid the generation of boundary conforming meshes. To overcome problems with heavily distorted meshes at large deformation states, we apply a remeshing procedure. During the remeshing, the data containing the deformation history has to be transferred between the meshes. In the present study, different methods are considered and compared: radial basis functions without and with polynomial extension, inverse distance weighting, and $$\textit{L}_\text {2}$$

L
2

-projection applying the shape functions used in the FCM for the trial and test functions.
On Orlicz classes defined in terms of associated weight functions
Authors: Schindl Gerhard 
Published: May 2024

AbstractN-functions and their growth and regularity properties are crucial in order to introduce and study Orlicz classes and Orlicz spaces. We consider N-functions which are given in terms of so-called associated weight functions. These functions are frequently appearing in the theory of ultradifferentiable function classes and in this setting additional information is available since associated weight functions are defined in terms of a given weight sequence. We express and characterize several known properties for N-functions purely in terms of weight sequences which allows to construct (counter-) examples. Moreover, we study how for abstractly given N-functions this framework becomes meaningful and finally we establish a connection between the complementary N-function and the recently introduced notion of the so-called dual sequence.
Obesity and abdominal hernia in ambulatory patients, 2018–2023
Authors: Zelicha H. , Bell D. S. , Chen D. , Chen Y. , Livingston E. H. 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Purpose
To determine the relationship between abdominal hernia and obesity. Although obesity is frequently cited as a risk factor for abdominal hernia, few studies have confirmed this association (Menzo et al. Surg Obes Relat Dis 14:1221–1232. 10.1016/j.soard.2018.07.005, 2018).

Methods
A cross-sectional study of primary care ambulatory patients aged older than 16 years treated at UCLA Health from 01/01/2018 to 06/06/2023. Abdominal hernia was identified by clinic encounter ICD-10 codes (K40–K46).

Results
There were 41,703 hernias identified among 1,362,440 patients (306.1 per10,000) with a mean age of 62.5 ± 16.1 years, and 57.6% were men. Nearly half (44.7%) of all abdominal hernias were diaphragmatic. There was an approximately equal distribution of the ventral (28.7%) and inguinal (24.3%) hernia. Each hernia type had a different relationship with obesity: The odds of having a ventral hernia increased with BMI in both sexes: BMI 25–29.9 kg/m2 odds ratio (OR) = 1.65, (CI 1.56–1.74); BMI 30–39.9 kg/m2 OR = 2.42 (CI 2.29–2.56), BMI 40–49.9 kg/m2 OR = 2.28 (CI 2.05–2.54) and BMI >  = 50 kg/m2 OR = 2.54 (CI 2.03–3.17) all relative to normal BMI. In contrast, the odds of having an inguinal hernia decreased with obesity relative to normal weight [obesity (BMI 30–39.9 kg/m2): OR = 0.60 (CI 0.56–0.65)], morbid obesity (BMI 40–49.9 kg/m2): OR = 0.29 (CI 0.23–0.37). The OR for diaphragmatic hernia peaks with obesity in women and overweight status in men but was found to decrease with morbid obesity [OR = 1.18 (CI 1.07–1.30)]. There was no significant difference between men and women in the prevalence of femoral hernia (men: 0.7/per10,000, women: 0.9/per10,000, p = 0.19).

Conclusions
The relationship between hernia and obesity is complex with some hernias decreasing in prevalence as obesity increases. Further research is needed to better understand this paradoxical relationship.
Metacognition in Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata): does impulsivity explain unnecessary looks in the tubes task?
Authors: Subias Lorraine , Katsu Noriko , Yamada Kazunori 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Potential metacognitive abilities, such as monitoring and controlling cognitive processes, have been revealed in some primate species. In the tubes task, apes and macaques showed higher content-checking behavior when unaware of a reward’s location, but they also periodically inspected the tubes when aware, especially when a more appealing reward was involved. Some attribute this to the pleasure of looking at the reward. This study investigates whether the unnecessary tube-checking behavior observed in nine wild Japanese macaques, previously tested for metacognition using the tubes task, can be solely attributed to impulsivity. The macaques’ propensity to look inside a single tube containing food they cannot immediately reach was measured and compared to their behavior in the tubes task. Results indicated that looking inside the baited tube increased as reward quality improved. However, macaques displaying unnecessary tube inspections in metacognitive tests showed less impulsivity to look. This intriguing result counters the notion that excessive looking in the tubes task is solely due to impulsive looking, prompting us to advocate for further research into the relationship between inhibition and metacognitive performance.
Kaczmarz Projection Algorithms with Rank Two Gain Update
Authors: Stotsky Alexander 
Published: May 2024

AbstractNew Kaczmarz algorithms with rank two gain update, extended orthogonality property and forgetting mechanism which includes both exponential and instantaneous forgetting (implemented via a proper choice of the forgetting factor and the window size) are introduced and systematically associated in this paper with well-known Kaczmarz algorithms with rank one update. The parameter convergence was proved using Lyapunov method and convergence of the inverse of the information matrix can be used for further performance improvement. The performance of new algorithms is examined in the problem of estimation of the grid events in the presence of significant harmonic emissions.