bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Truthful Matching with Online Items and Offline Agents
Authors: Feldman Michal , Fusco Federico , Leonardi Stefano , Mauras Simon , Reiffenhäuser Rebecca 
Published: January 2024

AbstractWe study truthful mechanisms for welfare maximization in online bipartite matching. In our (multi-parameter) setting, every buyer is associated with a (possibly private) desired set of items, and has a private value for being assigned an item in her desired set. Unlike most online matching settings, where agents arrive online, in our setting the items arrive one by one in an adversarial order while the buyers are present for the entire duration of the process. This poses a significant challenge to the design of truthful mechanisms, due to the ability of buyers to strategize over future rounds. We provide an almost full picture of the competitive ratios in different scenarios, including myopic vs. non-myopic agents, tardy vs. prompt payments, and private vs. public desired sets. Among other results, we identify the frontier up to which the celebrated $$e/(e-1)$$

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competitive ratio for the vertex-weighted online matching of Karp, Vazirani and Vazirani extends to truthful agents and online items.
ATTRACT-Studie: innovative, individualisierte Therapie in der Neuroonkologie
Authors: Urbanic Purkart Tadeja 
Published: January 2024

ZusammenfassungBiomarkerbasierte zielgerichtete Therapien brachten für einige solide Tumoren bahnbrechende Erfolge. In der Gliomtherapie beschränkt sich der Einsatz dieser Therapien auf Subgruppen, insbesondere wenn es bei fortschreitendem oder rezidivierendem Gliom keine etablierten, evidenzbasierten Therapieempfehlungen mehr gibt. Eine Testung auf seltenere molekulare Alteration und die Diskussion im molekularen Tumorboard sind obligat, für aggressive Tumoren wie Glioblastome sollte dieses Vorgehen bereits früh erwogen werden.Funktionelle Präzisionsmedizin ergänzt die biomarkerbasierten Therapiekonzepte durch Informationen zur besten pharmakologischen Wirksamkeit eines Medikaments, getestet an Tumorzellen der betroffenen Patient:innen ex vivo. Mit diesem Ansatz können noch personalisiertere Therapieempfehlungen mit umgewidmeten und neuen Medikamenten generiert werden. Die multizentrische klinische Studie „ATTRACT“ soll diesen Ansatz bei Glioblastom-Patient:innen mit unmethyliertem MGMT prüfen.
Numerische Modelle in Sicherheitsuntersuchungen für die Endlagersuche: Möglichkeiten und Grenzen
Authors: Behrens Christoph , Bjorge Merle , Renz Alexander , Müller Paulina , Gelleszun Marlene , Miro Shorash , Kreye Phillip , Rühaak Wolfram 
Published: January 2024

ZusammenfassungFür die Durchführung von Sicherheitsuntersuchungen im Rahmen des deutschen Standortauswahlverfahrens zur Suche nach einem Endlager für hochradioaktive Abfälle sind numerische Modelle ein wichtiges Instrument. Ihr Anwendungsbereich ist vielfältig und umfasst zum Beispiel Fragestellungen zur thermischen Auslegung des Endlagers und des potenziellen Austrags radioaktiver Stoffe aus der Geosphäre.Numerische Modelle werden in vielen Branchen nutzbringend eingesetzt. Allerdings hat die Aussagekraft von Modellen immer auch Grenzen. Von entscheidender Bedeutung ist es daher, die grundsätzlichen Möglichkeiten und Grenzen des Einsatzes von Modellen zu verstehen und zu berücksichtigen.Die Auswahl und das Design geeigneter, aussagekräftiger Modelle sind komplexe Aufgaben und können immer nur bezugnehmend auf den konkreten Fall erfolgen: Ein „Patentrezept“ gibt es nicht. Dennoch gibt es grundlegende Leitsätze, die in der Praxis eine große Rolle spielen. Wir erläutern einige dieser Grundsätze und untersuchen kritisch, inwieweit sie anwendbar sind und wo ihre Limitationen liegen.
Statistical Optimization of α-Amylase Production from Novel Local Isolated Bacillus spp. NRC1 and Its Textile Applications
Authors: Mostafa Faten A. , Wehaidy Hala R. , El-Hennawi Heba M. , Mahmoud Safia A. , Sharaf Samar , Saleh Shireen A. A. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBy employing Plackett–Burman design (PBD) to investigate the qualitative interactions between eleven parameters [potato shell weight, incubation time, glucose, lactose, baker's yeast, peptone, (NH4)2SO4, CuSO4, FeSO4, CaCl2, KCl], and central composite design (CCD), the production of α-amylase by a local bacterial isolate Bacillus spp. NRC1 using agro-industrial wastes was improved. Using a variety of waste materials, including corn cobs (CC), onion peels (OP), rice straw (RS), potato shells (PS), Molokhia stem (MS), okra suppression (OS), lemon peels (LP), and pea peels (PP), Bacillus spp. NRC1 was tested in the production of amylase. Out of the eight agro-industrial wastes tried, the highest amylase yield (6.99 U/ml) was reached using potato peels. The statistical optimization of enzyme production was carried out using PBD followed by CCD design, causing 2.06-fold and 1.51-fold increase, respectively. The overall increase was 3.11-fold. In PBD design, potato peels, peptone and (NH4)2SO4 were positive factors for amylase production. The crude enzyme was tested for its ability to desize cotton fabric and subsequently studying its effect on fabric dyeability. The produced amylase proved its potentials in textile industry.
Graphical Abstract
Automated Prediction of Photographic Wound Assessment Tool in Chronic Wound Images
Authors: Curti Nico , Merli Yuri , Zengarini Corrado , Starace Michela , Rapparini Luca , Marcelli Emanuela , Carlini Gianluca , Buschi Daniele , Castellani Gastone C. , Piraccini Bianca Maria , Bianchi Tommaso , Giampieri Enrico 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Many automated approaches have been proposed in literature to quantify clinically relevant wound features based on image processing analysis, aiming at removing human subjectivity and accelerate clinical practice. In this work we present a fully automated image processing pipeline leveraging deep learning and a large wound segmentation dataset to perform wound detection and following prediction of the Photographic Wound Assessment Tool (PWAT), automatizing the clinical judgement of the adequate wound healing. Starting from images acquired by smartphone cameras, a series of textural and morphological features are extracted from the wound areas, aiming to mimic the typical clinical considerations for wound assessment. The resulting extracted features can be easily interpreted by the clinician and allow a quantitative estimation of the PWAT scores. The features extracted from the region-of-interests detected by our pre-trained neural network model correctly predict the PWAT scale values with a Spearman's correlation coefficient of 0.85 on a set of unseen images. The obtained results agree with the current state-of-the-art and provide a benchmark for future artificial intelligence applications in this research field.
Trends and impacts of temperature and fire regimes in South Africa’s coastal national parks: implications for tourism
Authors: Chapungu Lazarus , Nhamo Godwell , Chikodzi David , Dube Kaitano 
Published: January 2024

AbstractClimate change poses significant risks on coastal national park-based tourism through its effect on accessibility, comfort levels, and spatiotemporal changes of attractions. Wildfires and extreme temperatures have become issues of concern. Due to the widespread occurrence of fires in national parks along coastal areas and the noticeable changes in temperature regimes, more needs to be done to deepen understanding of their trends and impacts and devise appropriate management regimes. This study analyses the trends and impacts of fires and temperature-related variables in six coastal South African national parks, namely Agulhas, Garden Route, West Coast, Table Mountain, Namaqua, and Addo Elephant National Park. The triangulation and convergence model of the mixed-methods research design was adopted as the inquiry strategy. Data on statistical weather variables from the South African Weather Services and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration were used to calculate temperature trends using Mann–Kendall trend tests and homogeneity analysis. Data collection included questionnaire surveys, key informant interviews, field observations, and document analysis. The study observed statistically significant (p < 0.05) changes in temperature-related variables in all coastal national parks. There is also an increase in the intensity and spatial spread of fires, resulting in increased fire damage over time. Despite the current efforts of the coastal parks to manage wildfires and the changing climatic patterns, the fire and temperature regimes are threatening the biophysical environment with resultant effects on tourism and the economic viability of the national parks. The need to reengineer the fire suppression mechanisms and temperature-resilient tourism facilities has been observed.
Approaching the challenge of multi-phase, multi-hazard volcanic impact assessment through the lens of systemic risk: application to Taranaki Mounga
Authors: Weir Alana M. , Wilson Thomas M. , Bebbington Mark S. , Beaven Sarah , Gordon Teresa , Campbell-Smart Craig , Mead Stuart , Williams James H. , Fairclough Roger 
Published: January 2024

AbstractEffective volcanic impact and risk assessment underpins effective volcanic disaster risk management. Yet contemporary volcanic risk assessments face a number of challenges, including delineating hazard and impact sequences, and identifying and quantifying systemic risks. A more holistic approach to impact assessment is required, which incorporates the complex, multi-hazard nature of volcanic eruptions and the dynamic nature of vulnerability before, during and after a volcanic event. Addressing this need requires a multidisciplinary, integrated approach, involving scientists and stakeholders to co-develop decision-support tools that are scientifically credible and operationally relevant to provide a foundation for robust, evidence-based risk reduction decisions. This study presents a dynamic, longitudinal impact assessment framework for multi-phase, multi-hazard volcanic events and applies the framework to interdependent critical infrastructure networks in the Taranaki region of Aotearoa New Zealand, where Taranaki Mounga volcano has a high likelihood of producing a multi-phase explosive eruption within the next 50 years. In the framework, multi-phase scenarios temporally alternate multi-hazard footprints with risk reduction opportunities. Thus, direct and cascading impacts and any risk management actions carry through to the next phase of activity. The framework forms a testbed for more targeted mitigation and response planning and allows the investigation of optimal intervention timing for mitigation strategies during an evolving eruption. Using ‘risk management’ scenarios, we find the timing of mitigation intervention to be crucial in reducing disaster losses associated with volcanic activity. This is particularly apparent in indirect, systemic losses that cascade from direct damage to infrastructure assets. This novel, dynamic impact assessment approach addresses the increasing end-user need for impact-based decision-support tools that inform robust response and resilience planning.
Microbial membrane transport proteins and their biotechnological applications
Authors: Özkan Melek , Yılmaz Hilal , Ergenekon Pınar , Erdoğan Esra Meşe , Erbakan Mustafa 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBecause of the hydrophobic nature of the membrane lipid bilayer, the majority of the hydrophilic solutes require special transportation mechanisms for passing through the cell membrane. Integral membrane transport proteins (MTPs), which belong to the Major Intrinsic Protein Family, facilitate the transport of these solutes across cell membranes. MTPs including aquaporins and carrier proteins are transmembrane proteins spanning across the cell membrane. The easy handling of microorganisms enabled the discovery of a remarkable number of transport proteins specific to different substances. It has been realized that these transporters have very important roles in the survival of microorganisms, their pathogenesis, and antimicrobial resistance. Astonishing features related to the solute specificity of these proteins have led to the acceleration of the research on the discovery of their properties and the development of innovative products in which these unique properties are used or imitated. Studies on microbial MTPs range from the discovery and characterization of a novel transporter protein to the mining and screening of them in a large transporter library for particular functions, from simulations and modeling of specific transporters to the preparation of biomimetic synthetic materials for different purposes such as biosensors or filtration membranes. This review presents recent discoveries on microbial membrane transport proteins and focuses especially on formate nitrite transport proteins and aquaporins, and advances in their biotechnological applications.
Cryopreservation of highbush blueberry, strawberry, and saskatoon using V and D cryo-plate methods and monitoring of multiplication ability of regenerated shoots
Authors: Vujović Tatjana , Anđelić Tatjana , Marković Zvjezdana , Gajdošová Alena , Hunková Júlia 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe purpose of this work was to apply V and D cryo-plate methods for cryopreservation of Vaccinium corymbosum ʻToroʼ, Fragaria × ananassa ʻCleryʼ, and Amelanchier alnifolia (Nutt.) M. Roem. and to monitor the multiplication capacity of shoots regenerated from cryopreserved explants. Shoot tips pre-cultured for 1 d at 23°C in the dark on medium containing 0.3 M sucrose were used as explants. Loading was performed in a solution containing 2 M glycerol and 0.8 M sucrose (30 min at room temperature). In the V cryo-plate, dehydration was carried out at room temperature (20 to 50 min) using the following plant vitrification solutions: original PVS2, 90% PVS2 solution, and PVS3. Regarding the D cryo-plate, dehydration was performed in closed glass containers over silica gel for 2, 2.5, or 3 h. In both protocols, rewarming was carried out in a 1.0 M sucrose solution (15 min at 25°C). Regenerated shoots were multiplied and multiplication parameters were monitored after the second subculture. Using the V cryo-plate method, the highest regrowth in highbush blueberry was obtained following 50-min treatment with all three VSs (61.7 to 80.9%). The D cryo-plate method was even more suitable with maximum regrowth of 89.4% achieved after 2.5 h of desiccation. For strawberry, 62.5% was the highest regrowth recorded using PVS3-based V cryo-plate method while 83.3% of regrowth was observed using D cryo-plate protocol. Regrowth of saskatoon reached a maximum of 50% after 50-min treatment with PVS3 while it did not exceed 40% in other treatments. By the second subculture, shoots regenerated from cryopreserved explants regained and even exceeded the multiplication capacity of shoots regenerated from non-cryopreserved explants. This study is the first to present the successful application of the V cryo-plate method in highbush blueberry, as well as the utilization of both V and D cryo-plate methods in saskatoon.
Upper partial sternal split for pediatric cardiac surgery
Authors: Shikata Fumiaki , Shah Jay , Marathe Supreet , Suna Jessica , Alphonso Nelson , Venugopal Prem 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Objectives
We introduced the use of an upper partial sternal split for pediatric cardiac surgical procedures in our unit in 2016. We report the outcomes of our experience in 51 patients using this approach.

Methods
From February 2016 to September 2022, 51 patients underwent congenital cardiac surgical procedures using an upper partial sternal split including vascular ring repair (n = 20), subaortic membrane (n = 12), ventricular septal defect closure with aortic valve resuspension (n = 9), aortic arch repair (n = 4), pulmonary artery band (n = 2), pulmonary artery sling (n = 1), supravalvular aortic stenosis (n = 1), aortic valve replacement (n = 1), and pulmonary artery plasty (n = 1). The surgical approach involved a midline skin incision, based on the manubrium, followed by an upper manubriotomy. No special surgical instrumentation was required. Median patient age was 2.9 years (IQR 1.3, 6.0); median body weight was 15 kg (IQR 9.8, 20).

Results
There was no mortality and no patient required intraoperative conversion to full sternotomy. One patient required re-exploration for bleeding when the incision was converted to a full sternotomy. There were no wound complications in any patient. Twenty-one patients (41%) were extubated on the table and of the remaining 30 patients, 23 patients (76%) were extubated within 24 h of surgery. Eleven patients did not require intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Median ICU and hospital stay was 1 day (IQR 1, 1.25) and 5 days (IQR 4, 8) ,respectively.

Conclusion
An upper partial sternal split approach is straightforward and can be performed safely with a preferable cosmetic result in selected pediatric cardiac operations.
How the digital business ecosystem affects stakeholder satisfaction: its impact on business performance
Authors: Fernández-Portillo Antonio , Ramos-Vecino Nuria , Ramos-Mariño Adelaida , Cachón-Rodríguez Gabriel 
Published: January 2024

AbstractDue to the digital transformation, organizations have incorporated technologies in all areas of the company, creating digital business ecosystems. These in turn, with the tools that compose it, influence the satisfaction of stakeholders and business performance. The objective of this research is to know how the digital business ecosystem affects customer and employee satisfaction and whether this satisfaction has an impact on business performance. To achieve this objective, a model is proposed to which a PLS technique is applied to a sample of 1319 Spanish SMEs. The results of this innovative study show, on the one hand, a positive relationship of the digital business ecosystem with the satisfaction of both stakeholders, and, on the other hand, and as the main contribution of this study, it has been found that employee satisfaction positively influences business performance. This research offers a novel model capable of relating how the satisfaction of both customers and employees in a digital environment improves business performance. It also contributes to the literature by widening the field of study and overcomes a new gap for SMEs.
Revising the core knowledge confusions scale: a measure of logical error associated with cognitive and personality traits
Authors: Williams Brenton M. , Browne Matthew , Rockloff Matthew , Stuart George 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe Core Knowledge Confusions scale (CKC) was designed to predict paranormal and spiritual beliefs, alternative health beliefs and the degree to which people assign meaning to events. It measures the likelihood of individuals' tendency to accept ontologically confused content as literally true and has been used to investigate beliefs such as the paranormal. However, the psychometric properties of the CKC have not been tested, limiting the scale’s practical utility. The CKC was revised and tested, internal consistency was checked, and associations to paranormal belief were assessed using a panel survey of 1010 Australian residents (Mage = 52, SD = 17.69, Female = 56%). Using structural equation modelling and regression, the revised scale (CKC-R) content deviated from previous findings. However, it demonstrated acceptable internal, construct, and divergent validity. External correlates of the CKC-R were aligned with expectations: associating with high verbal knowledge, an intuitive cognitive style, and the absorption personality trait (i.e., a tendency to experience altered states of consciousness). The CKC-R provides researchers with a validated measure predicting paranormal belief that is associated with both cognitive and personality-based traits. Interpretation of the CKC-R as a measure of ontological error is less clear and requires further investigation.
Serum LDL Promotes Microglial Activation and Exacerbates Demyelinating Injury in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Chen Man , Chu Yun-Hui , Yu Wen-Xiang , You Yun-Fan , Tang Yue , Pang Xiao-Wei , Zhang Hang , Shang Ke , Deng Gang , Zhou Luo-Qi , Yang Sheng , Wang Wei , Xiao Jun , Tian Dai-Shi , Qin Chuan 
Published: January 2024

AbstractNeuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an autoimmune inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) accompanied by blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption. Dysfunction in microglial lipid metabolism is believed to be closely associated with the neuropathology of NMOSD. However, there is limited evidence on the functional relevance of circulating lipids in CNS demyelination, cellular metabolism, and microglial function. Here, we found that serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) was positively correlated with markers of neurological damage in NMOSD patients. In addition, we demonstrated in a mouse model of NMOSD that LDL penetrates the CNS through the leaky BBB, directly activating microglia. This activation leads to excessive phagocytosis of myelin debris, inhibition of lipid metabolism, and increased glycolysis, ultimately exacerbating myelin damage. We also found that therapeutic interventions aimed at reducing circulating LDL effectively reversed the lipid metabolic dysfunction in microglia and mitigated the demyelinating injury in NMOSD. These findings shed light on the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the positive correlation between serum LDL and neurological damage, highlighting the potential therapeutic target for lowering circulating lipids to alleviate the acute demyelinating injury in NMOSD.
Interspecific social interaction between golden jackal (Canis aureus) and red fox (Vulpes vulpes)
Authors: Böcker Felix , Weber Hannah , Arnold Janosch , Collet Sebastian , Hatlauf Jennifer 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIn south-western Germany, a territorial single male golden jackal (Canis aureus) was repeatedly photographed showing social interaction with a red fox (Vulpes vulpes) female and her cubs. This unusual behaviour was documented in two subsequent years (August–September 2020 and May–August 2021). The interspecific actions are not limited to encounters of the two species but include interactions such as feeding and related sociopositive behaviours. Thirty-two observations with both species appearing together were recorded within the study period. The observed behaviour raises questions about the coexistence of both species and on interspecific behaviour of wild canids in general. Social isolation of the observed male golden jackal could be one of the potential drivers for the interaction, as Germany is at the current edge of golden jackal distribution in central Europe.