bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
KL-6 in adult polymyositis and dermatomyositis patients and its correlation with interstitial lung disease
Authors: Khalil Mayada , Fouda Ali Ibrahim , Amin Nashwa Ahmed , Ali Ahmed Saied Mohammed , Shams Ghada Mohammed , Sheiha Soheir Hussein 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background
Pulmonary involvement is still regarded as a common cause of morbidity in Polymyositis/Dermatomyositis. Interstitial lung disease can result in potentially fatal consequences such as ventilatory failure, secondary pulmonary arterial hypertension, or cor pulmonale. Early diagnosis of interstitial lung disease is hence a top priority in Polymyositis/Dermatomyositis patients. Krebs von den Lungen-6 is a transmembrane mucoprotein that has recently been identified as a promising marker for interstitial lung disease diagnosis and progression. As a result, it is regarded as a powerful predictor of interstitial lung disease severity. Thirty polymyositis/dermatomyocitis patients were enrolled in this study. Thirty age and sex matched healthy individuals were selected as control group. Cutaneous Dermatomyositis Disease Area Severity index(CDASI) was used for evaluation of skin severity, KL6 was measured using Elisa kit, High-resolution computed tomography, pulmonary function tests were made.

Results
Sixteen female and 14 male patients had a mean age of 41.64–8.02 and amedian of the disease duration of 4 years. Fifteen patients (50%) had normal readings on High-resolution computed tomography of the chest HRCT chest, while the other half had significant HRCT chest findings. KL-6 concentrations were seen to be higher in Polymyositis/Dermatomyositis patients mainly those with ILD (mean ± SD 38.66 ± 22.98), compared to the control group (Mean ± S 589.04 ± 409) and in patients without ILD (Mean ± SD 86.70 ± 8.99), (p < 0.001). KL-6 serum concentrations were shown to have a significant connection with the HRCT score (r = 0.803, P < 0.001). Forced vital capacity (FVC%) (r =  − 0.910, P < 0.001), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1%) (r =  − 0.767, P < 0.001), and FEV1/FVC% (r =  − 0.228, P = 0.112) were all inversely related to KL-6 concentrations.

Conclusion
Individuals with PM and DM with concomitant ILD have increased KL-6 serum concentrations in comparison to myositis individuals without ILD, denoting its potential role in diagnosis and follow up of PM/DM with ILD. Further studies are needed to discuss the role of KL6 in large sample of the patient's population, and its correlation with other organ affection rather than ILD. Also to clarify the potentiality of adding the KL6 biomarker to the guidelines of treat to target for Rheumatic diseases with lung affection and to see the effect of treatment on KL6 serum level.
Galectin-3 and its correlation with carotid ultrasound in rheumatoid arthritis patients
Authors: Amer Arwa S. , Soliman Amal Fathy , Fahem Mohamed “ Mohamed Hosny” , AL-Tabbakh A L-Shaimaa Mahmoud , Hussein Samah Abdelbaset 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease resulting in disability as well as joint damage. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for improving outcomes. RA patients have a twofold elevated risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) development compared to the general population. Carotid ultrasound is a noninvasive imaging modality that can detect early signs of atherosclerosis and plaque buildup in the carotid arteries, which are strongly associated with CVD risk. Galectin-3 (Gal-3), a protein involved in inflammation and fibrosis, is suggested as one of the potential RA markers. Despite the growing interest in galectin-3 as a biomarker for CVD, few studies have investigated its role in RA patients. To our knowledge, only two studies have examined the correlation between galectin-3 and CVD in RA patients, and they have yielded conflicting results. This study aimed to determine the serum level of Gal-3 as well as its correlation with carotid ultrasound assessment for cardiovascular involvement in RA patients.

Results
RA cases demonstrated substantially elevated Gal-3 levels than controls (P < 0.001), and a 3.38 pg/mL cut-off value was proven to be an excellent predictor of RA diagnosis (AUC, 0.98). Gal-3 levels were proven to be positively associated with DAS-28, Larsen score, and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) (P-value 0.006, 0.026, < 0.001, respectively). A positive association was also detected between right (RT) and left (LT) CIMT and disease duration (P-values of 0.040 and 0.042, respectively).

Conclusions
Gal-3 is a biomarker for RA that is not only associated with activity and severity of the disease but it is also related to the chronicity of the disease and is a predictor of cardiovascular comorbidity.
The use of steel X-bracing combined with shear link to seismically upgrading reinforced concrete frames
Authors: Osman Ashraf , Farouk Ahmed E. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThis study examines the feasibility of utilizing steel concentrically X-bracing rigidly connected to shear link to retrofit seismically defected reinforced concrete (RC) frames. It involves examining the lateral behavior of two hypothetical frames strengthened using this proposed system, a single story-single bay RC frame, and a five-story RC office building. For the former, both elastic and inelastic push-over analyses were performed to examine the lateral behavior of strengthened and original RC frames, while the original and strengthened five-story frames were analyzed under the action of monotonically increasing lateral loads and nonlinear time histories. In detailing the strengthening scheme, procedure complying with the capacity design concept was adopted whereby the shear links were detailed to yield prior to RC frames structural elements to reduce the demand on them. The stiffnesses, strengths, and plastic hinging formation patterns for original and strengthened frames under the action of different loading conditions were determined and evaluated. Story shears and maximum story displacements were recorded and examined. It was concluded that this system is feasible for seismically strengthening the defected RC frames. Guidelines for detailing this scheme were provided within the context of this research study.
Computational modelling of reinforcement learning and functional neuroimaging of probabilistic reversal for dissociating compulsive behaviours in gambling and cocaine use disorders
Authors: Zühlsdorff Katharina , Verdejo-Román Juan , Clark Luke , Albein-Urios Natalia , Soriano-Mas Carles , Cardinal Rudolf N. , Robbins Trevor W. , Dalley Jeffrey W. , Verdejo-García Antonio , Kanen Jonathan W. 
Published: December 2023

Background
Individuals with cocaine use disorder or gambling disorder demonstrate impairments in cognitive flexibility: the ability to adapt to changes in the environment. Flexibility is commonly assessed in a laboratory setting using probabilistic reversal learning, which involves reinforcement learning, the process by which feedback from the environment is used to adjust behavior.

Aims
It is poorly understood whether impairments in flexibility differ between individuals with cocaine use and gambling disorders, and how this is instantiated by the brain. We applied computational modelling methods to gain a deeper mechanistic explanation of the latent processes underlying cognitive flexibility across two disorders of compulsivity.

Method
We present a re-analysis of probabilistic reversal data from individuals with either gambling disorder (n = 18) or cocaine use disorder (n = 20) and control participants (n = 18), using a hierarchical Bayesian approach. Furthermore, we relate behavioural findings to their underlying neural substrates through an analysis of task-based functional magnetic resonanceimaging (fMRI) data.

Results
We observed lower ‘stimulus stickiness’ in gambling disorder, and report differences in tracking expected values in individuals with gambling disorder compared to controls, with greater activity during reward expected value tracking in the cingulate gyrus and amygdala. In cocaine use disorder, we observed lower responses to positive punishment prediction errors and greater activity following negative punishment prediction errors in the superior frontal gyrus compared to controls.

Conclusions
Using a computational approach, we show that individuals with gambling disorder and cocaine use disorder differed in their perseverative tendencies and in how they tracked value neurally, which has implications for psychiatric classification.
International Pooled Analysis of Leisure-Time Physical Activity and Premenopausal Breast Cancer in Women From 19 Cohorts
Authors: Timmins Iain R. , Jones Michael E. , O'Brien Katie M. , Adami Hans-Olov , Aune Dagfinn , Baglietto Laura , Bertrand Kimberly A. , Brantley Kristen D. , Chen Yu , Clague DeHart Jessica , Clendenen Tess V. , Dossus Laure , Eliassen A. Heather , Fletcher Olivia , Fournier Agnès , Håkansson Niclas , Hankinson Susan E. , Houlston Richard S. , Joshu Corinne E. , Kirsh Victoria A. , Kitahara Cari M. , Koh Woon-Puay , Linet Martha S. , Park Hannah Lui , Lynch Brigid M. , May Anne M. , Mellemkjær Lene , Milne Roger L. , Palmer Julie R. , Ricceri Fulvio , Rohan Thomas E. , Ruddy Kathryn J. , Sánchez Maria-Jose , Shu Xiao-Ou , Smith-Byrne Karl , Steindorf Karen , Sund Malin , Vachon Celine M. , Vatten Lars J. , Visvanathan Kala , Weiderpass Elisabete , Willett Walter C. , Wolk Alicja , Yuan Jian-Min , Zheng Wei , Nichols Hazel B. , Sandler Dale P. , Swerdlow Anthony J. , Schoemaker Minouk J. 
Published: December 2023

PURPOSE There is strong evidence that leisure-time physical activity is protective against postmenopausal breast cancer risk but the association with premenopausal breast cancer is less clear. The purpose of this study was to examine the association of physical activity with the risk of developing premenopausal breast cancer. METHODS We pooled individual-level data on self-reported leisure-time physical activity across 19 cohort studies comprising 547,601 premenopausal women, with 10,231 incident cases of breast cancer. Multivariable Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for associations of leisure-time physical activity with breast cancer incidence. HRs for high versus low levels of activity were based on a comparison of risk at the 90th versus 10th percentiles of activity. We assessed the linearity of the relationship and examined subtype-specific associations and effect modification across strata of breast cancer risk factors, including adiposity. RESULTS Over a median 11.5 years of follow-up (IQR, 8.0-16.1 years), high versus low levels of leisure-time physical activity were associated with a 6% (HR, 0.94 [95% CI, 0.89 to 0.99]) and a 10% (HR, 0.90 [95% CI, 0.85 to 0.95]) reduction in breast cancer risk, before and after adjustment for BMI, respectively. Tests of nonlinearity suggested an approximately linear relationship ( Pnonlinearity = .94). The inverse association was particularly strong for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–enriched breast cancer (HR, 0.57 [95% CI, 0.39 to 0.84]; Phet = .07). Associations did not vary significantly across strata of breast cancer risk factors, including subgroups of adiposity. CONCLUSION This large, pooled analysis of cohort studies adds to evidence that engagement in higher levels of leisure-time physical activity may lead to reduced premenopausal breast cancer risk.
Survey of second harmonic generation in commercial germanium-doped fibers
Authors: Gemechu Wasyhun Asefa , Minoni Umberto , Modotto Daniele , Duport Patrice , Tonello Alessandro , Couderc Vincent 
Published: December 2023

Seeded optical poling is a promising and simple method to write an effective quadratic coefficient in silica optical fibers doped with germanium. We considered commercial solid core fibers since these fibers could allow for a wide adoption of optical poling. For each fiber, we optimized the poling process and analyzed the second harmonic conversion efficiencies in relation with the fiber chemical composition as obtained resorting to energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Our comprehensive investigation shows that segments of fibers spanning 20 cm, featuring a germanium content of around 6%, can effectively convert 30 mW of 1064 nm light with efficiencies hovering around 1%.
Enhanced opposite Imbert–Fedorov shifts of vortex beams for precise sensing of temperature and thickness
Authors: Zhu Guiyuan , Gao Binjie , Ye Linhua , Zhang Junxiang , Wang Li-Gang 
Published: December 2023

The Imbert–Fedorov (IF) shift, which refers to a tiny transverse
splitting induced by spin–orbit interaction at a reflection/refraction
interface, is sensitive to the refractive index of a medium and
momentum state of incident light. Most studies have focused on the
shift for an incident light beam with a spin angular momentum (SAM),
i.e., circular polarization. We demonstrate experimentally that
the relative IF shifts of vortex beams with large opposite orbital
angular momentums (OAMs) are highly enhanced in resonant structures
when light refracts through a double-prism structure (DPS), in which
the thickness and temperature of the air gap are precisely sensed via
the observed relative IF shifts. The thickness and temperature
sensitivities increase as the absolute value of opposite OAMs
increases. Our results offer a technological and practical platform
for applications in sensing of thickness and temperature, ingredients
of environment gas, spatial displacement, chemical substances and
deformation structure.
Laser-cavity locking utilizing beam ellipticity: accessing the 10−7 instability scale relative to cavity linewidth
Authors: Diorico Fritz , Zhutov Artem , Hosten Onur 
Published: December 2023

Frequency-stable lasers form the back bone of precision measurements in science and technology. Such lasers typically attain their stability through frequency locking to reference cavities. State-of-the-art locking performances to date had been achieved using frequency modulation based methods, complemented with active drift cancellation systems. We demonstrate an all passive, modulation-free laser-cavity locking technique (squash locking) that utilizes changes in spatial beam ellipticity for error signal generation, and a coherent polarization post-selection for noise resilience. By comparing two identically built proof-of-principle systems, we show a frequency locking instability of 5×10−7 relative to the cavity linewidth at 10 s averaging. The results surpass the demonstrated performances of methods engineered over the last five decades, potentially enabling an advancement in the precision control of lasers, while creating avenues for bridging the performance gaps between industrial grade lasers with scientific ones due to the afforded simplicity and scalability.
24.9-GHz-bandwidth VCSEL enables 170-Gbit/s OFDM, GFDM, and DMT transmissions
Authors: Wu Wei-Li , Cheng Chih-Hsien , Matsumoto Atsushi , Akahane Kouichi , Yang Yun-Cheng , Su Borching , Wu Chao-Hsin , Feng Milton , Lin Gong-Ru 
Published: December 2023

The direct modulation and fiber transmission performances of a bi-layer-oxide-confined 850-nm vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) containing an emission aperture size of 3.5 μm with versatile novel complex data formats are compared. With delivering quadrature amplitude modulation-orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (QAM-OFDM), generalized frequency-division multiplexing (GFDM), and discrete multi-tone (DMT) data streams, the highest data rate allowable for encoding the 3.5-μm-aperture VCSEL is demonstrated under back-to-back (BtB) and 100-m OM5-multi-mode fiber (OM5-MMF) transmissions. The newly designed 3.5-μm-aperture VCSEL contains InGaAs/AlGaAs multiple quantum wells and bi-layer-oxide-confined aperture to enhance its differential gain, reduce its thermal resistance, and improve its parasitic resistance for providing broader encoding bandwidth. Optimizing the VCSEL bias at 9 mA (11Ith) makes the lasing with three to four transverse modes suffer from a low modal dispersion effect, which also provides its 3-dB bandwidth as wide as 24.9 GHz and suppresses its RIN level to −138.0  dBc/Hz for broadband OFDM/GFDM/DMT data encoding. By using the pre-distortion technique on the OFDM to compensate the SNR degradation, the OFDM modified with a pre-leveling slope of 0.5 dB/GHz can provide 160 Gbit/s for BtB and 140 Gbit/s for 100-m OM5-MMF transmissions. By dividing the N OFDM subcarriers into K equally-sized GFDM subcarriers and M equally-sized GFDM subsymbols, the QAM-GFDM with K=2 can effectively enhance the out-of-band suppression to 35.9 dB and reduce the peak-to-average-power ratio to 9.7 dB, which can support 168 Gbit/s under BtB and 144 Gbit/s in 100-m OM5-MMF transmissions. To achieve the maximal spectral-usage efficiency, the DMT with the adaptive bit-loading algorithm is employed to improve the data rate up to 172 Gbit/s for BtB and 146 Gbit/s for 100-m OM5-MMF conditions. These advanced pre-leveled 16-QAM OFDM, GFDM, and DMT formats carried by the bi-oxide-layer-confined 3.5-μm-aperture VCSEL have shown their promising and brilliant future for supporting ultrahigh-speed intra-data-center links.
Is the parti-coloured bat Vespertilio murinus Linnaeus, 1758 a common bat species in Slovenia?
Authors: Presetnik Primož , Podgorelec Monika , Petrinjak Alenka 
Published: December 2023

In the last overview of bats in Slovenia, the parti-coloured bat Vespertilio murinus was one of the rarest species listed. However, in the past few years (June 2005 - April 2013) we have found 98 new locations. In this article, we present new data on mating sites, summer roosts and hibernacula, as well as other chance encounters. Although V. murinus is a permanent part of the bat fauna in Slovenia, it is much more evident during the colder part of the year, when migrating individuals possibly reach their wintering area. We argue that this bat species is much more common in Slovenia and its neighbouring regions than previously assumed.
Results of the pioneer survey of potential bat hibernacula in Albania (2012–2015)
Authors: Théou Philippe , Loce Ervis , Đurović Marina 
Published: December 2023

For the first time at a national scale in Albania, a winter bat population census in potential hibernacula has been implemented during the four winters (early 2012, 2012/2013, 2013/2014 and 2014/15). 178 potential hibernation sites have been visited. During the visits of natural caves, bunkers, tunnels, buildings and mines we recorded at least 9 bat species: Rhinolophus ferrumequinum (28 sites), R. hipposideros (36 sites), R. blasii (1 site), R. euryale (3 sites), Myotis myotis/oxygnatus (blythii) (4 sites), M. capaccinii (6 sites), Pipistrellus sp. (2 sites), Hypsugo savii (1 site) and Miniopterus schreibersii (9 sites). The data presented are substantial additions to knowledge on the distribution of these species and their roosts in Albania, and will form a basis for bat population monitoring and, at the same time, for improving conservation measures in Albania and the wider region.
First confirmations of the greater noctule bat <i>Nyctalus lasiopterus</i> (Schreber, 1780) presence in Slovenia after more than 85 years
Authors: Presetnik Primož , Knapič Tea 
Published: December 2023

During a transect count using ultrasound detectors within the framework of the national bat monitoring scheme, three foraging Nyctalus lasiopterus were observed on 27. 6. 2014, and eventually confirmed by an analysis of their echolocation calls recorded in the forest clearing Šetinov laz near the hamlet of Leskova dolina close to Mt. Snežnik in southern Slovenia. The re-examination of recordings made at the same site during 15 other transect counts in the 2007–2014 period revealed that N. lasiopterus was also present there on 14. 10. 2013. These observations are the first confirmations of this rare species’ occurrence in over 85 years, and opens up questions about the regular presence of N. lasiopterus in Slovenia.
Nihilismus und „Wirtschafts-Gesamtverwaltung der Erde“
Authors: Vitali Rolando 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
The contribution offers an interpretation of the last phase of Nietzsche’s production, based on the influence of some economic concepts. In 1887, Nietzsche encountered the work of the proto-marginalist economist Emmanuel Herrmann and his book “Cultur und Natur: Studien im Gebiete der Wirthschaft”. At the time, Nietzsche was working on the attempt – later abandoned – to offer a comprehensive interpretation of Western metaphysics and history. aimed at a “transvaluation of all values” and based on the idea of will to power. Herrmann’s economic theory played a significant role in this project, offering a model capable of articulating all social and natural processes – and particularly life – in terms of purely immanent relations. By linking the ideas of transvaluation and will-to-power to the logic of capitalistic accumulation and of market society, we can gain an understanding of the influence of economical concepts on Nietzsche’s project, which should in turn allow a better evaluation of its historical relevance.
Die Ausrichtung des Denkens aufs Fiktive
Authors: Schürmann Eva 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
What distinguishes aesthetic thinking from other forms of thinking, such as logical, for instance? In order to clarify this question, the following contribution deals with a reception-aesthetic problem that has been controversially discussed in English-language aesthetics for decades as the ‘paradox of fiction’. It will be shown that the intentional orientation of mind and imagination towards the non-existent, the counterfactual, and the fictive belongs to the decisive peculiarity of aesthetic thinking. Its productivity consists in the process of playing through the possible and imaginable and thereby transcending and thwarting the given and the existing.
The effect of uterine closure technique on cesarean scar niche development after multiple cesarean deliveries
Authors: Meyer Jessica A. , Silverstein Jenna , Timor-Tritsch Ilan E. , Antoine Clarel 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Objectives
To use saline infusion sonohysterography (SIS) to evaluate the effect of uterine closure technique on niche formation after multiple cesarean deliveries (CDs).

Methods
Patients with at least one prior CD were evaluated for niche via SIS. Subgroups of any number repeat CD (>1 prior), lower-order CD (<4 prior), and higher-order CD (≥4 prior) were analyzed, stratifying by hysterotomy closure technique at last cesarean preceding imaging; techniques included Technique A (endometrium-free double-layer closure) and Technique B (single- or double-layer routine endo-myometrial closure). Niche defects were quantified (depth, length, width, and residual myometrial thickness). The primary outcome was clinically significant niche, defined as depth >2 mm. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square, ANOVA, t-test, Kruskal-Wallis, and multiple logistic regression, with p-values of <0.05 were statistically significant.

Results
A total of 172 post-cesarean SIS studies were reviewed: 105 after repeat CDs, 131 after lower-order CDs, and 41 after higher-order CDs. Technique A was associated with a shorter interval to imaging and more double-layer closures. Technique B was associated with more clinically significant niches across all subgroups, and these niches were significantly longer and deeper when present. Multiple logistic regression demonstrated a 5.6, 8.1, and 11-fold increased adjusted odds of clinically significant niche following Technique B closure in the repeat CD (p<0.01), lower-order CD (p<0.001), and higher-order CD (p=0.04) groups, respectively.

Conclusions
While multiple CDs are known to increase risk for niche defects and their sequelae, hysterotomy closure technique may help to reduce niche development and severity.