bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spanish registry of hemoglobinopathies and rare anemias (REHem-AR): demographics, complications, and management of patients with β-thalassemia
Authors: Bardón-Cancho Eduardo J. , Marco-Sánchez José Manuel , Benéitez-Pastor David , Payán-Pernía Salvador , Llobet Anna Ruiz , Berrueco Rubén , García-Morin Marina , Beléndez Cristina , Senent Leonor , Acosta María José Ortega , Pleguezuelos Irene Peláez , Velasco Pablo , Collado Anna , Moreno-Carbonell Marta , Argilés Bienvenida , de Soto Inmaculada Pérez , del Mar Bermúdez María , Salido Fiérrez Eduardo J. , Blanco-Álvarez Adoración , Navarro Pablo González , Cela Elena 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Introduction
The increase in the number of patients with hemoglobinopathies in Europe in recent decades highlights the need for more detailed epidemiological information in Spain. To fulfil this need, the Spanish Society of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (SEHOP) sponsored the creation of a national registry of hemoglobinopathies known as REHem-AR (Spanish Registry of Hemoglobinopathies and Rare Anemias). Data from the transfusion-dependent (TDT) and non–transfusion-dependent (NTDT) β-thalassemia cohorts are described and analyzed.

Methods
We performed an observational, multicenter, and ambispective study, which included patients of any age with TDT and NTDT, registered up to December 31, 2021.

Results
Among the 1741 patients included, 168 cases of thalassemia were identified (103 TDT and 65 NTDT-patients). Survival at 18 years was 93% for TDT and 100% for NTDT. Regarding management, 80 patients with TDT (77.7%) and 23 patients with NTDT (35.4%) started chelation treatment during follow-up, with deferasirox being the most widely used. A total of 76 patients within the TDT cohort presented at least 1 complication (73.8%), the most frequent being hemosiderosis and osteopenia-osteoporosis. Comparison of both cohorts revealed significant differences in the diagnosis of hepatic hemosiderosis (p = 0.00024), although these were not observed in the case of cardiac iron overload (p = 0.27).

Discussion
Our registry enabled us to describe the management of β thalassemia in Spain and to analyze the morbidity and mortality of the cohorts of patients with TDT and NTDT. Complications related to iron overload in TDT and NTDT account for most of the morbidity and mortality of the disease, which is associated with a considerable social, psychological, and economic impact, although cardiac, osteopathy and endocrinological complications requiring more attention. The convenience and simplicity of online registries make it possible to homogenize variables and periodically update data, thus providing valuable information on these diseases.
Illumination matters Part III: Impact of light obstruction on illuminance from flexible ureteroscopes — a comparative PEARLS analysis
Authors: Kwok Jia-Lun , Ventimiglia Eugenio , De Coninck Vincent , Sierra Alba , Panthier Frédéric , Corrales Mariela , Barghouthy Yazeed , Gauhar Vineet , Kranzbühler Benedikt , Schmid Florian Alexander , Poyet Cédric , Eberli Daniel , Traxer Olivier , Keller Etienne Xavier 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Artifacts from poor ureteroscopes’ light design with shadowing and dark areas in the field of view have been reported. The aim was to quantify effects of light obstruction in a kidney calyx model.

Methods
We evaluated a series of contemporary flexible ureteroscopes including the Storz Flex-Xc and Flex-X2s, Olympus V3 and P7, Pusen 7.5F and 9.2F, as well as OTU Wiscope using an enclosed 3D-printed pink in vitro kidney calyx model submerged in saline, where the field of light was intentionally partially obstructed alternatively at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock. A color spectrometer was used for illuminance measurements at a 45° opening position in the background of the model.

Results
Overall and mean background illuminance for each obstructive situation were significantly different between scopes for both 50% and 100% brightness settings (ANOVA p < 0.001). At 50% brightness setting, almost all scopes had their highest and lowest background illuminance with the 6 o’clock and 3 o’clock obstructive situation, respectively. At 100% brightness setting, these became 6 o’clock and 12 o’clock obstructive situations. Considering each obstructive situation individually, the Flex-Xc was consistently the scope with highest background illuminance and the Pusen 7.5F the lowest. Background illuminance for each obstructive situation varied significantly for each scope individually, with the greatest range of variability for Pusen 7.5F and V3.

Conclusions
Illuminance performance of ureteroscopes within an obstructed calyx model differ significantly for various obstructive situations. Urologists should be aware of this to help guide their choice of ureteroscope.
Investigation of central pattern generators in the spinal cord of chicken embryos
Authors: Gutiérrez-Ibáñez Cristián , Wylie Douglas R. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractFor most quadrupeds, locomotion involves alternating movements of the fore- and hindlimbs. In birds, however, while walking generally involves alternating movements of the legs, to generate lift and thrust, the wings are moved synchronously with each other. Neural circuits in the spinal cord, referred to as central pattern generators (CPGs), are the source of the basic locomotor rhythms and patterns. Given the differences in the patterns of movement of the wings and legs, it is likely that the neuronal components and connectivity of the CPG that coordinates wing movements differ from those that coordinate leg movements. In this study, we used in vitro preparations of embryonic chicken spinal cords (E11–E14) to compare the neural responses of spinal CPGs that control and coordinate wing flapping with those that control alternating leg movements. We found that in response to N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) or a combination of NMDA and serotonin (5-HT), the intact chicken spinal cord produced rhythmic outputs that were synchronous both bilaterally and between the wing and leg segments. Despite this, we found that this rhythmic output was disrupted by an antagonist of glycine receptors in the lumbosacral (legs), but not the brachial (wing) segments. Thus, our results provide evidence of differences between CPGs that control the wings and legs in the spinal cord of birds.
Exploring mitochondrial biomarkers for Friedreich's ataxia: a multifaceted approach
Authors: Stovickova Lucie , Hansikova Hana , Hanzalova Jitka , Musova Zuzana , Semjonov Valerij , Stovicek Pavel , Hadzic Haris , Novotna Ludmila , Simcik Martin , Strnad Pavel , Serbina Anastaziia , Karamazovova Simona , Schwabova Paulasova Jaroslava , Vyhnalek Martin , Krsek Pavel , Zumrova Alena 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis study presents an in-depth analysis of mitochondrial enzyme activities in Friedreich's ataxia (FA) patients, focusing on the Electron Transport Chain complexes I, II, and IV, the Krebs Cycle enzyme Citrate Synthase, and Coenzyme Q10 levels. It examines a cohort of 34 FA patients, comparing their mitochondrial enzyme activities and clinical parameters, including disease duration and cardiac markers, with those of 17 healthy controls. The findings reveal marked reductions in complexes II and, specifically, IV, highlighting mitochondrial impairment in FA. Additionally, elevated Neurofilament Light Chain levels and cardiomarkers were observed in FA patients. This research enhances our understanding of FA pathophysiology and suggests potential biomarkers for monitoring disease progression. The study underscores the need for further clinical trials to validate these findings, emphasizing the critical role of mitochondrial dysfunction in FA assessment and treatment.
Xylem safety in relation to the stringency of plant water potential regulation of European beech, Norway spruce, and Douglas-fir trees during severe drought
Authors: Schumann Katja , Schuldt Bernhard , Fischer Miriam , Ammer Christian , Leuschner Christoph 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Key message
Norway spruce operates with larger hydraulic safety margins (HSM) than beech and Douglas-fir despite the known drought sensitivity of spruce, questioning a pivotal role of HSM in drought tolerance.

Abstract
The exceptional 2018/2019 drought exposed Central Europe’s forests to severe stress, highlighting the need to better understand stomatal regulation strategies and their relationship to xylem safety under extreme drought. We studied diurnal, seasonal, and inter-annual variation in stomatal conductance (gs) and leaf water potential (ΨLeaf) in co-occurring European beech (F. sylvatica), Norway spruce (P. abies), and Douglas-fir (P. menziesii) trees in the two summers and related them to hydraulic traits characterizing drought resistance. In 2018, F. sylvatica exhibited a continuous ΨLeaf decline from June to September, as is characteristic for an anisohydric strategy, while P. abies closed stomata early and reached the least negative ΨLeaf-values at the end of summer. P. menziesii showed low ΨLeaf-values close to P12 (the xylem pressure at onset of embolism) already in July. Both conifers closed stomata when approaching P12 and maintained low gs-levels throughout summer, indicative for isohydric regulation. In 2019, all three species showed a linear decline in ΨLeaf, but F. sylvatica crossed P12 in contrast to the conifers. The three species exhibited similar water potentials at turgor loss point (− 2.44 to − 2.51 MPa) and branch P50 (xylem pressure at 50% loss of hydraulic conductance; − 3.3 to − 3.8 MPa). Yet, F. sylvatica and P. menziesii operated with smaller hydraulic safety margins (HSM means: 0.79 and 0.77 MPa) than P. abies (1.28 MPa). F. sylvatica reduced leaf size and specific leaf area in 2019 and increased Huber value. Our species comparison during extreme drought contradicts the general assumption that conifers operate with larger HSMs than angiosperm trees. Contrary to expectation, P. abies appeared as hydraulically less vulnerable than Douglas-fir.
Optimal and typical $$L^2$$ discrepancy of 2-dimensional lattices
Authors: Borda Bence 
Published: March 2024

AbstractWe undertake a detailed study of the $$L^2$$

L
2

discrepancy of 2-dimensional Korobov lattices and their irrational analogues, either with or without symmetrization. We give a full characterization of such lattices with optimal $$L^2$$

L
2

discrepancy in terms of the continued fraction partial quotients, and compute the precise asymptotics whenever the continued fraction expansion is explicitly known, such as for quadratic irrationals or Euler’s number e. In the metric theory, we find the asymptotics of the $$L^2$$

L
2

discrepancy for almost every irrational, and the limit distribution for randomly chosen rational and irrational lattices.
Riparian buffer zones in production forests create unequal costs among forest owners
Authors: Bakx Tristan R. M. , Akselsson Cecilia , Droste Nils , Lidberg William , Trubins Renats 
Published: March 2024

AbstractRiparian buffer zones (RBZs) are an important instrument for environmental policies for water and biodiversity protection in managed forests. We investigate the variation of the cost of implementing RBZs within different property size classes across the size range of non-industrial forest owner properties in Southern Sweden. Using the Heureka PlanWise decision support system, we quantified the cost of setting aside RBZs or applying alternative management in them, as the relative loss of harvest volume and of net present value per property. We did this for multiple simulated as well as real-world property distributions. The variation of cost distribution among small properties was 4.2–6.9 times higher than among large properties. The interproperty cost inequality decreased non-linearly with increasing property size and levelled off from around 200 ha. We conclude that RBZs, due to the irregular distribution of streams, cause highly unequal financial consequences for owners, with some small property owners bearing a disproportionally high cost. This adds to previous studies showing how environmental considerations differentially affect property owners. We recommend decision makers to stimulate the uptake of RBZs by alleviating these inequalities between forest owners by including appropriate cost sharing or compensation mechanisms in their design.
Yttrium and zirconium sorption on iron tin functionalized with silica: preparation, characterization, isotherm, and kinetic modelling
Authors: Mahrous Sara S. , Abou-Lilah R. A. , Abass M. R. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe sorption of Zr(IV) and Y(III) was examined using an iron-tin silicate (FeSnSi) composite prepared by the co-precipitation technique. The analytical tools that characterize prepared composite are FT-IR, SEM, EDX, XRD, and XRF. The effects of temperature, pH, ion concentrations, and shaking time are all considered in the sorption studies conducted on Zr(IV) and Y(III). The sorption of studied metal ions depends on pH, and the pseudo-2nd-order model governs the kinetics of reactions. Negative Gibbs energy values confirmed the excellent feasibility and spontaneity of the sorption process. Positive enthalpy values indicate that this process was endothermic. Positive entropy values demonstrated that the disorder between the solid and liquid phases was enhanced during adsorption. Freundlich and Langmuir models are used to study isotherms. The results of the binary system verify that Zr(IV) may be separated from the Zr-Y system at various pHs. According to the findings, the produced composite may effectively remove Zr(IV) and Y(III) from aqueous solutions. It may also be viable for purifying wastewater contaminated with these metal ions.
Black-winged kite algorithm: a nature-inspired meta-heuristic for solving benchmark functions and engineering problems
Authors: Wang Jun , Wang Wen-chuan , Hu Xiao-xue , Qiu Lin , Zang Hong-fei 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis paper innovatively proposes the Black Kite Algorithm (BKA), a meta-heuristic optimization algorithm inspired by the migratory and predatory behavior of the black kite. The BKA integrates the Cauchy mutation strategy and the Leader strategy to enhance the global search capability and the convergence speed of the algorithm. This novel combination achieves a good balance between exploring global solutions and utilizing local information. Against the standard test function sets of CEC-2022 and CEC-2017, as well as other complex functions, BKA attained the best performance in 66.7, 72.4 and 77.8% of the cases, respectively. The effectiveness of the algorithm is validated through detailed convergence analysis and statistical comparisons. Moreover, its application in solving five practical engineering design problems demonstrates its practical potential in addressing constrained challenges in the real world and indicates that it has significant competitive strength in comparison with existing optimization techniques. In summary, the BKA has proven its practical value and advantages in solving a variety of complex optimization problems due to its excellent performance. The source code of BKA is publicly available at https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/161401-black-winged-kite-algorithm-bka.
VeLeRo: an inflected verbal lexicon of standard Romanian and a quantitative analysis of morphological predictability
Authors: Herce Borja , Pricop Bogdan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis paper presents VeLeRo, an inflected lexicon of Standard Romanian which contains the full paradigm of 7297 verbs in phonological form. We explain the process by which the resource was compiled, and how stress, diphthongs and hiatus, consonant palatalization, and other relevant issues were handled in phonemization. On the basis of the most token-frequent verbs in VeLeRo, we also perform a quantitative analysis of morphological predictability in Romanian verbs, whose complexity patterns are presented within the broader Romance context.
Systems analysis for energy assets of Iraq influenced by water scarcity
Authors: Marcellin Megan C. , Pavur Gigi , Loose Davis C. , Cardenas John J. , Denehy David , Almashhadani Mustafa , Waheed Saddam Q. , Trump Benjamin D. , Polmateer Thomas L. , Linkov Igor , Lakshmi Venkataraman , Lambert James H. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractWater security in arid and semi-arid Middle Eastern climates has been severely impacted by effects of climate change such as reduced precipitation, diminished storage, increased evapotranspiration, and prolonged heat waves. These climate effects are compounded in Iraq, where populations, agriculture, industry, and energy rely heavily on varying transboundary water flows to meet water demands. Iraq’s most profitable sector, energy, is especially threatened by insufficient water supply, which complicates government decision making in energy infrastructure development. The goal of this paper is to develop a scenario-based multi-criteria analysis framework to prioritize infrastructure investments in the context of climate change and scarcity of natural resources. Infrastructure facilities are evaluated against social, economic, climate, and hydrologic criteria across a set of disruptive climatological, economic, and social scenarios to identify robust initiatives and the most and least disruptive scenarios to the system. A particular innovation of this paper is the evaluation of hydrology data derived from satellites in determining water scarcity impact on individual energy facilities. The methods are demonstrated for a critical sector of Iraq’s economy: oil and natural gas. The demonstration includes 13 system-order criteria, 44 oil and gas initiatives within Iraq, and seven risk scenarios. The results include an accounting of the most and least disruptive scenarios to energy sector priorities and scenario-based system orderings to guide stakeholders in investment prioritization.
A Case Study on Advanced CPT Data Interpretation: From Stratification to Soil Parameters
Authors: Marzouk Islam , Granitzer Andreas-Nizar , Rauter Stefan , Tschuchnigg Franz 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe cone penetration test (CPT) is considered as one of the most reliable in-situ tests and has found numerous applications in the geotechnical engineering field. Traditional CPT interpretation includes, but are not limited to the identification of the soil stratification and the determination of soil parameters. This paper presents a case study concerning a test site located in Salzburg, Austria, in which we focus on the interpretation of CPTs from different perspectives. The manuscript is divided into three main sections dealing with three different aspects of CPT interpretation, namely stratification, ground variability and soil parameters. The first strategy introduces a machine learning based stratification identification strategy to detect soil layer boundaries from CPT measurements. A comparison with reference solutions demonstrates relative merits of this approach to classical filter algorithms based on empirical CPT classifications. The second strategy introduces an intuitive approach to evaluate the ground variability. This is achieved by calculating the level of fluctuation on the basis of CPT measurements and could be used as a data-driven decision-making tool for the improved design of CPT investigation layouts. The third strategy is embedded in an ongoing research project that aims to determine constitutive model parameters from in-situ tests using a graph-based methodology. In the present work, the developed automated parameter determination framework is applied to evaluate the soil parameters of one selected soil layer identified from the CPT interpretations. Potential lines of research in the context of CPT interpretation are explored throughout this work and may serve as valuable reference in future research.
A DfT Strategy for Guaranteeing ReRAM’s Quality after Manufacturing
Authors: Copetti T. S. , Fieback M. , Gemmeke T. , Hamdioui S. , Poehls L. M. Bolzani 
Published: March 2024

AbstractMemristive devices have become promising candidates to complement the CMOS technology, due to their CMOS manufacturing process compatibility, zero standby power consumption, high scalability, as well as their capability to implement high-density memories and new computing paradigms. Despite these advantages, memristive devices are susceptible to manufacturing defects that may cause faulty behaviors not observed in CMOS technology, significantly increasing the challenge of testing these novel devices after manufacturing. This work proposes an optimized Design-for-Testability (DfT) strategy based on the introduction of a DfT circuitry that measures the current consumption of Resistive Random Access Memory (ReRAM) cells to detect not only traditional but also unique faults. The new DfT circuitry was validated using a case study composed of a 3x3 word-based ReRAM with peripheral circuitry implemented based on a 130 nm Predictive Technology Model (PTM) library. The obtained results demonstrate the fault detection capability of the proposed strategy with respect to traditional and unique faults. In addition, this paper evaluates the impact related to the DfT circuitry’s introduced overheads as well as the impact of process variation on the resolution of the proposed DfT circuitry.
Cut vs. fire: a comparative study of the temporal effects of timber harvest and wildfire on ecological indicators of the boreal forest
Authors: Best Ian N. , Brown Leonie , Elkin Che , Finnegan Laura , McClelland Cameron J. R. , Johnson Chris J. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Context
Large-scale natural disturbances are crucial drivers of ecosystem function and composition for many forested ecosystems. In the last century, the prevalence of anthropogenic disturbances has increased across Canada’s boreal forest. Habitat disturbance from timber harvest and wildfire is linked to declines of boreal species, including woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou).

Objectives
We tested how disturbances influenced the recovery trajectory of ecological indicators of timber, biodiversity, and wildlife habitat through time following timber harvest and wildfire across the boreal forest of Alberta, Canada.

Methods
During 2021 and 2022, we collected field data from 251 timber harvested and 264 burned stands (0–40 years since disturbance), as well as 256 older forest stands used by caribou (> 40 years since disturbance). Field data included metrics of stand attributes (e.g., basal area, stems per hectare), coarse woody debris (CWD), and abundance of forage for caribou, moose (Alces americanus), and bears (black bear: Ursus americanus, grizzly bear: Ursus arctos).

Results
Basal area of trees and stems per hectare recovered more quickly in timber harvest sites when compared to wildfire sites, but as time since disturbance increased there were no differences in these attributes among timber harvest, wildfire, and caribou use sites. CWD was greatest in recently burned sites, but declined over time to be similar in quantity as in harvested stands and older forest stands. Terrestrial lichens, important forage for caribou, were most abundant in the older caribou use sites, whereas forage for moose and bears, including shrubs, was most abundant in younger timber harvest and wildfire sites.

Conclusions
Our results demonstrate that timber harvesting may result in a quicker development of timber volume when compared to wildfire. However, this anthropogenic disturbance is less advantageous for the development of caribou habitat.