bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The GHP Scaling Limit of Uniform Spanning Trees in High Dimensions
Authors: Archer Eleanor , Nachmias Asaf , Shalev Matan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractWe show that the Brownian continuum random tree is the Gromov–Hausdorff–Prohorov scaling limit of the uniform spanning tree on high-dimensional graphs including the d-dimensional torus $${\mathbb {Z}}_n^d$$

Z
n
d

with $$d>4$$

d
>
4

, the hypercube $$\{0,1\}^n$$

{
0
,
1
}

n

, and transitive expander graphs. Several corollaries for associated quantities are then deduced: convergence in distribution of the rescaled diameter, height and simple random walk on these uniform spanning trees to their continuum analogues on the continuum random tree.
ROP-ET: a prospective phase III trial investigating the efficacy and safety of ropeginterferon alfa-2b in essential thrombocythemia patients with limited treatment options
Authors: Kiladjian Jean-Jacques , Marin Francisca Ferrer , Al-Ali Haifa Kathrin , Alvarez-Larrán Alberto , Beggiato Eloise , Bieniaszewska Maria , Breccia Massimo , Buxhofer-Ausch Veronika , Cerna Olga , Crisan Ana-Manuela , Danaila Catalin Doru , De Stefano Valerio , Döhner Konstanze , Empson Victoria , Gora-Tybor Joanna , Griesshammer Martin , Grosicki Sebastian , Guglielmelli Paola , García-Gutierrez Valentin , Heidel Florian H. , Illés Arpád , Tomuleasa Ciprian , James Chloe , Koschmieder Steffen , Krauth Maria-Theresa , Krejcy Kurt , Lazaroiu Mihaela-Cornelia , Mayer Jiri , Nagy Zsolt György , Nicolini Franck-Emmanuel , Palandri Francesca , Pappa Vassiliki , Reiter Andreas Johannes , Sacha Tomasz , Schlager Stefanie , Schmidt Stefan , Terpos Evangelos , Unger Martin , Wölfler Albert , Cirici Blanca Xicoy , Klade Christoph 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Interferon-based therapies, such as ropeginterferon alfa-2b have emerged as promising disease-modifying agents for myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), including essential thrombocythemia (ET). Current ET treatments aim to normalize hematological parameters and reduce the thrombotic risk, but they do not modify the natural history of the disease and hence, have no impact on disease progression. Ropeginterferon alfa-2b (trade name BESREMi®), a novel, monopegylated interferon alfa-2b with an extended administration interval, has demonstrated a robust and sustained efficacy in polycythemia vera (PV) patients. Given the similarities in disease pathophysiology and treatment goals, ropeginterferon alfa-2b holds promise as a treatment option for ET. The ROP-ET trial is a prospective, multicenter, single-arm phase III study that includes patients with ET who are intolerant or resistant to, and/or are ineligible for current therapies, such as hydroxyurea (HU), anagrelide (ANA), busulfan (BUS) and pipobroman, leaving these patients with limited treatment options. The primary endpoint is a composite response of hematologic parameters and disease-related symptoms, according to modified European LeukemiaNet (ELN) criteria. Secondary endpoints include improvements in symptoms and quality of life, molecular response and the safety profile of ropeginterferon alfa-2b. Over a 3-year period the trial assesses longer term outcomes, particularly the effects on allele burden and clinical outcomes, such as disease-related symptoms, vascular events and disease progression. No prospective clinical trial data exist for ropeginterferon alfa-2b in the planned ET study population and this study will provide new findings that may contribute to advancing the treatment landscape for ET patients with limited alternatives.

Trial registration
EU Clinical Trials Register; EudraCT, 2023-505160-12-00; Registered on October 30, 2023.
Grazing by nano- and microzooplankton on heterotrophic picoplankton dominates the biological carbon cycling around the Western Antarctic Peninsula
Authors: Böckmann Sebastian , Trimborn Scarlett , Schubert Hendrik , Koch Florian 
Published: March 2024

AbstractOver the past 40 years, the significance of microzooplankton grazing in oceanic carbon cycling has been highlighted with the help of dilution experiments. The ecologically relevant Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) ecosystem in the Southern Ocean (SO), however, has not been well studied. Here we present data from dilution experiments, performed at three stations around the northern tip of the WAP to determine grazing rates of small zooplankton (hetero- and mixotrophic members of the 0.2–200 µm size fraction, SZP) on auto- and heterotrophic members of the < 200 µm plankton community as well as their gross growth. While variable impacts of SZP grazing on carbon cycling were measured, particulate organic carbon, not the traditionally used parameter chlorophyll a, provided the best interpretable results. Our results suggested that heterotrophic picoplankton played a significant role in the carbon turnover at all stations. Finally, a comparison of two stations with diverging characteristics highlights that SZP grazing eliminated 56–119% of gross particulate organic carbon production from the particulate fraction. Thus, SZP grazing eliminated 20–50 times more carbon from the particulate fraction compared to what was exported to depth, therefore significantly affecting the efficiency of the biological carbon pump at these SO sites.
Pulse pressure variation guided goal-direct
fluid therapy decreases postoperative complications in elderly patients undergoing
laparoscopic radical resection of colorectal cancer: a randomized controlled
trial
Authors: Wu Qiu-Rong , Zhao Zi-Zuo , Fan Ke-Ming , Cheng Hui-Ting , Wang Bin 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Objective
The use of goal-directed fluid therapy (GDFT) has been shown to
reduce complications and improve prognosis in high-risk abdominal surgery
patients. However, the utilization of pulse pressure variation (PPV) guided GDFT
in laparoscopic surgery remains a subject of debate. We hypothesized that
utilizing PPV guidance for GDFT would optimize short-term prognosis in elderly
patients undergoing laparoscopic radical resection for colorectal cancer
compared to conventional fluid therapy.

Methods
Elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic radical resection of
colorectal cancer were randomized to receive either PPV guided GDFT or
conventional fluid therapy and explore whether PPV guided GDFT can optimize the
short-term prognosis of elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic radical
resection of colorectal cancer compared with conventional fluid therapy.

Results
The incidence of complications was significantly lower in the PPV
group compared to the control group (32.8% vs. 57.1%, P = .009). Additionally, the PPV group had a lower occurrence of
gastrointestinal dysfunction (19.0% vs. 39.3%, P = .017) and postoperative pneumonia (8.6% vs. 23.2%, P = .033) than the control group.

Conclusion
Utilizing PPV as a monitoring index for GDFT can improve short-term
prognosis in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic radical resection of
colorectal cancer.

Registration number
ChiCTR2300067361; date of registration: January 5, 2023.
Analgesic effect of local anaesthetic in haemorrhoid banding: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Watson Eleanor G. R. , Ong Hwa Ian , Shearer Nicholas J. W. , Smart Philip J. , Burgess Adele N. , Proud David M. , Mohan Helen M. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Rubber band ligation of haemorrhoids can be,painful and there is no consensus regarding the optimal analgesic strategy. This study aims to determine whether there is a difference in post-procedural pain in adults undergoing haemorrhoid banding who have received local anaesthetic, a pudendal nerve block or no regional or local analgesia.

Methods
MEDLINE, Embase, Google Scholar and clinical trial registries were searched for randomised trials of local anaesthetic or pudendal nerve block use in banding. Primary outcomes were patient-reported pain scores. The quality of the evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach.

Results
Seven studies were included in the final review. No articles were identified that studied pudendal nerve blocks. The difference in numerical pain scores between treatment groups favoured the local anaesthetic group at all timepoints. The mean difference in scores on a 10-point scale was at 1 h,—1.43 (95% CI—2.30 to—0.56, p < 0.01, n = 342 (175 in treatment group)); 6 h,—0.52 (95% CI—1.04 to 0.01, p = 0.05, n = 250 (130 in treatment group)); and 24 h,—0.31 (95% CI—0.82 to 0.19, p = 0.86, n = 247 (127 in treatment group)). Of reported safety outcomes, vasovagal symptoms proceeded to meta-analysis, with a risk ratio of 1.01 (95% CI 0.64–1.60). The quality of the evidence was rated down to ‘low’ due to inconsistency and imprecision.

Conclusion
This review supports the use of LA for reducing early post-procedural pain following haemorrhoid banding. The evidence was limited by small sample sizes and substantial heterogeneity across studies.

Registration
PROSPERO (ID CRD42022322234)
The role of advanced endoscopy in appendiceal polyp management and outcomes
Authors: Justiniano Carla F. , Ozgur Ilker , Liska David , Valente Michael A. , Steele Scott R. , Gorgun Emre 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Appendiceal orifice lesions are often managed operatively with limited or oncologic resections. The aim is to report the management of appendiceal orifice mucosal neoplasms using advanced endoscopic interventions.

Methods
Patients with appendiceal orifice mucosal neoplasms who underwent advanced endoscopic resections between 2011 and 2021 with either endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), endoscopic mucosal dissection (ESD), hybrid ESD, or combined endoscopic laparoscopic surgery (CELS) were included from a prospectively collected dataset. Patient and lesion details and procedure outcomes are reported.

Results
Out of 1005 lesions resected with advanced endoscopic techniques, 41 patients (4%) underwent appendiceal orifice mucosal neoplasm resection, including 39% by hybrid ESD, 34% by ESD, 15% by EMR, and 12% by CELS. The median age was 65, and 54% were male. The median lesion size was 20 mm. The dissection was completed piecemeal in 49% of patients. Post-procedure, one patient had a complication within 30 days and was admitted with post-polypectomy abdominal pain treated with observation for 2 days with no intervention. Pathology revealed 49% sessile-serrated lesions, 24% tubular adenomas, and 15% tubulovillous adenomas. Patients were followed up for a median of 8 (0–48) months. One patient with a sessile-serrated lesion experienced a recurrence after EMR which was re-resected with EMR.

Conclusion
Advanced endoscopic interventions for appendiceal orifice mucosal neoplasms can be performed with a low rate of complications and early recurrence. While conventionally lesions at the appendiceal orifice are often treated with surgical resection, advanced endoscopic interventions are an alternative approach with promising results which allow for cecal preservation.
Association of body mass index and blood pressure variability with 10-year mortality and renal disease progression in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Fava Stephen , Reiff Sascha 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Variability in biological parameters may be associated with adverse outcomes. The aim of the study was to determine whether variability in body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure is associated with all-cause, cardiovascular mortality and cancer mortality or with renal disease progression in subjects with type 2 diabetes.

Methods
The diabetes database was accessed, and all the information on patient visits (consultations) carried out in the study period (1 January 2008–31 December 2019) was extracted and linked to the laboratory database and the mortality register.

Results
The total number of patients included in the study population was 26,261, of whom 54.4% were male. Median (interquartile range, IQR) age was 60.2 (51.8–68.3) years. The coefficient of variability of BMI was independently associated with increased all-cause and cardiovascular, but not cancer, mortality. Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) was associated with increased all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality as well as with renal progression. Variability in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and pulse pressure was associated with increased all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in bivariate, but not in multivariate, analyses.

Conclusions
Variability in BMI was associated with increased all-cause and cardiovascular, but not cancer, mortality in a large real-world contemporary population. Our results also confirm the association of HbA1c with increased all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality as well as with renal progression.
Using major ions and stable isotopes to improve conceptualisation of a spring-aquifer system in the Galilee Basin, Australia
Authors: Keegan-Treloar Robin , Banks Eddie W. , Cartwright Ian , Irvine Dylan J. , Webb John A. , Werner Adrian D. , Currell Matthew J. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Developing conceptual models is a critical step in hydrogeological studies that should utilise multiple lines of evidence and data types to minimise conceptual uncertainty, particularly in data-sparse systems. This study used new and existing major ion and isotope (O, H, Sr, C) data sets to refine a previous hydraulic-head-based conceptual model of the Galilee Basin (Australia). The analyses provide evidence for the locations of recharge and discharge areas and determine hydrochemical processes along flow paths to improve understanding of potential source waters to the Doongmabulla Springs Complex (DSC) and to infer mixing within, or exchange between aquifer units. There was good agreement between previously inferred recharge and discharge areas defined using hydraulic head data and interpretations from hydrochemical evolution along groundwater flow pathways, at least where data were available. Major ion and isotope data suggest that the DSC likely receives water from both a relatively shallow, local flow path and a deeper regional flow path. This observation is relevant to previous concerns about threats to the DSC, as mine-induced drawdown may impact the relative contributions to spring discharge from different recharge sources and aquifers. Silicate weathering in the deeper Clematis Formation and Dunda Beds, and evapotranspiration in the overlying Moolayember Formation have strong control on the total dissolved solids content. These findings suggest that the Clematis Formation and Dunda Beds are hydrochemically distinct from the Moolayember Formation, with limited exchange between these aquifers, which has important implications for model conceptualisation and ongoing monitoring of mining activities in the Galilee Basin.
Hydrogel membrane composite reduces fouling and retains ammonium efficiently
Authors: Gonzales Ralph Rolly , Li Jing , Zhang Pengfei , Xu Ping , Li Zhan , Hu Mengyang , Mai Zhaohuan , Guan Kecheng , Matsuyama Hideto 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe recovery of pure water and valuable substances from wastewater is a major challenge in the context of the circular economy, requiring advanced separation methods. However, actual membrane separation techniques such as forward osmosis are limited by membrane fouling and selectivity. Here, we synthesized composite membranes by crosslinking polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel, using both glutaraldehyde and borax as crosslinking agents, on top of cellulose ester membranes. We tested these composite membranes on model and real wastewater. Results show that the composite membranes retain ammonium effectively, maintain surface electroneutrality, and exhibit remarkable resistance to fouling by organic and biological contaminants. This is explained by the high hydrophilicity of the membrane surface after application of a hydrogel layer.
Forest history from a single tree species perspective: natural occurrence, near extinction and reintroduction of European yew (Taxus baccata L.) on the Darss-Zingst peninsula, southern Baltic Sea coast
Authors: Kaiser Knut , Theuerkauf Martin , van der Maaten Ernst , van der Maaten-Theunissen Marieke , Beil Annette 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe forests along the southern Baltic Sea coast harbour some stands of the rare and endangered European yew (Taxus baccata L.), which are hypothesised to be autochthonous. Using the example of an occurrence on the Darss-Zingst peninsula, the population dynamics of the yew since the late Holocene are interdisciplinarily investigated and linked to the forest history of this area. Pollen analysis shows that yew has been present in the study area for at least 2600 years and thus indeed represents an autochthonous tree species in the area. The yew was probably originally part of a second tree storey and of forest margins within a mixed forest mainly consisting of several deciduous tree species and Scots pine. Historical evidence reveals that yew was still occurring in the forest in the middle of the eighteenth century, but then had nearly disappeared by the end of the nineteenth century. This was caused by several factors including forest grazing by livestock, high game populations and clear-cutting. First replanting of yew took place in the 1930s/1940s and 1950s/1960s, followed by planting campaigns in the 1990s and 2000s. Planting material from local and regional autochthonous relict populations was used, at least in part. The current yew population mainly comprises young individuals with a total number of ca. 1300 trees. It has thus been possible here to re-establish an autochthonous yew occurrence that was nearly extinct in historical times. This local example of targeted re-enrichment of native tree diversity may also encourage further measures to give this species a new chance again elsewhere in the wider region.
Conditioning and spectral properties of isogeometric collocation matrices for acoustic wave problems
Authors: Zampieri Elena , Pavarino Luca F. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe conditioning and spectral properties of the mass and stiffness matrices for acoustic wave problems are here investigated when isogeometric analysis (IGA) collocation methods in space and Newmark methods in time are employed. Theoretical estimates and extensive numerical results are reported for the eigenvalues and condition numbers of the acoustic mass and stiffness matrices in the reference square domain with Dirichlet, Neumann, and absorbing boundary conditions. This study focuses in particular on the spectral dependence on the polynomial degree p, mesh size h, regularity k, of the IGA discretization and on the time step size $$\Delta t$$

Δ
t

and parameter $$\beta $$
β
of the Newmark method. Results on the sparsity of the matrices and the eigenvalue distribution with respect to the number of degrees of freedom and the number of nonzero entries are also reported. The results show that the spectral properties of the IGA collocation matrices are comparable with the available spectral estimates for IGA Galerkin matrices associated with the Poisson problem with Dirichlet boundary conditions, and in some cases, the IGA collocation results are better than the corresponding IGA Galerkin estimates, in particular for increasing p and maximal regularity $$k=p-1$$

k
=
p
-
1

.
Characteristics of torsional ground motions obtained for Turkey and their appraisal against Eurocode 8
Authors: Sisman Rafet , Taciroglu Ertugrul 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIn current engineering practice, the torsional effects of ground motions are only considered implicitly through “accidental eccentricity coefficients". In seismic design codes, these coefficients account for not only the unintended (or uncertain) asymmetric distributions of structural mass and stiffness in the plan but also the torsional components of ground motions. The torsional effects may develop due to wave passage effects or the incoherency of translational ground motions along the foundation systems. While it is possible to obtain torsional components of ground motions directly from seismic records with modern instruments, such sensors are uncommon. Therefore, several numerical procedures have been proposed in the literature for estimating torsional components of ground motions from translational measurements. In this study, the Single Station Procedure (SSP)—based on the deconstruction of translational ground motions into body waves and the subsequent reconstruction of rotational ground motions—is employed to obtain torsional ground motions for seven different seismic events in Turkey. Additionally, the corresponding accidental eccentricity coefficients that can cause the same response modification with torsional ground motions are determined. First, a conventional procedure is utilized to obtain the corresponding accidental eccentricity coefficients. Various drawbacks of the conventional procedure, such as negative eccentricity coefficients, are addressed. Then, a relatively obscure definition of accidental eccentricity is revived to propose a novel procedure for determining accidental eccentricity coefficients. It is observed that the proposed procedure yields higher values for the accidental eccentricity coefficients than the conventional procedure. It also observed that the torsional spectrum provided in Eurocode 8 provisions requires higher eccentricity values than those implied by the recorded ground motions from Turkey.
What is known, unknown, and needed to be known about damage caused by wild pigs
Authors: VerCauteren Kurt C. , Pepin Kim M. , Cook Seth M. , McKee Sophie , Pagels Abigail , Kohen Keely J. , Messer Ingrid A. , Glow Michael P. , Snow Nathan P. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractDamage assessments provide evidence for initiating and evaluating management programs that protect natural resources and human livelihoods against invasive species. Wild pigs (Sus scrofa) cause extensive damage in their native and non-native ranges, but the extent of current damage and efficacy of management of the damage (i.e., population control of wild pigs, exclusion fencing, etc.) remains poorly described. We conducted a systematic review of physical damage caused by wild pigs to summarize what is known and identify knowledge gaps for damage assessment. Wild pig damage assessments have been overwhelmingly qualitative (84% of studies) and measured differently across studies, which prevents the determination of typical damage amounts to a particular resource and comparison across studies. Key priorities going forward are to standardize damage assessments quantitatively and measure population density (or index of such) of wild pigs concurrently with damage assessments to determine the relationship between damage and population levels. We provide a framework for inferring damage in new areas and assessing the benefits of management—to evaluate and optimize landscape-scale management programs. Overall, we recommend future studies strive for: (1) report the amount of damages in a standardized fashion (e.g., area damaged/area surveyed), (2) evaluate and report the amount of damage relative to the density of wild pigs, and (3) when reporting economic costs of damages incurred and management actions, describe the economic valuation method used along with the year of reference for the valuation. Capturing these elements are necessary steps to predict the benefits of management for an area with particular profile of resources and wild pig density, even in areas where damage assessments are not available. Meeting these criteria with allow for more generalizable results that can inform managers across the nearly global distribution of wild pigs.