bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Yeast Biodiversity of Karst Waters: Interest of Four Culture Media and an Improved MALDI-TOF MS Database
Authors: Grandhay Clément , Prétot Emma , Klaba Victor , Celle Hélène , Normand Anne-Cécile , Bertrand Xavier , Grenouillet Frédéric 
Published: January 2024

AbstractKarst aquifers are a significant source of drinking water and highly vulnerable to pollution and microbial contamination. Microbiological regulations for the quality of drinking water mostly focus on bacterial levels and lack guidance concerning fungal contamination. Moreover, there is no standardised microbial analysis methodology for identifying fungi in water. Our main objective was to establish the most effective culture and identification methodology to examine yeast diversity in karst waters. We assessed the comparative efficacy of four culture media (CHROMagar Candida, dichloran glycerol 18% [DG18], dichloran rose Bengal chloramphenicol [DRBC], and SYMPHONY agar) for yeast isolation from karst water samples. Furthermore, we investigated the comprehensiveness of databases used in MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) for identifying environmental yeast species. In total, we analysed 162 water samples, allowing the identification of 2479 yeast isolates. We demonstrate that a combination of four culture media, each with distinct specifications, more efficiently covers a wide range of yeast species in karst water than a combination of only two or three. Supplementation of a MALDI-TOF MS database is also critical for analysing environmental microbial samples and improved the identification of yeast biodiversity. This study is an initial step towards standardising the analysis of fungal biodiversity in karst waters, enabling a better understanding of the significance of this environmental reservoir in relation to public health.
Real-world outcomes of nivolumab plus ipilimumab and pembrolizumab with platinum-based chemotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a multicenter retrospective comparative study
Authors: Matsumoto Kinnosuke , Shiroyama Takayuki , Tamiya Motohiro , Minami Toshiyuki , Kinehara Yuhei , Tamiya Akihiro , Suga Yasuhiko , Kuge Tomoki , Mori Masahide , Suzuki Hidekazu , Tobita Satoshi , Ueno Kiyonobu , Namba Yoshinobu , Tetsumoto Satoshi , Niki Toshie , Morimura Osamu , Osa Akio , Nishino Kazumi , Nagatomo Izumi , Takeda Yoshito , Kijima Takashi , Kumanogoh Atsushi 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Introduction
Nivolumab plus ipilimumab with chemotherapy (NICT) and pembrolizumab with chemotherapy (PCT) are commonly used in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Compared with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) monotherapy, ICI combination therapy can increase immune-related toxicity instead of prolonging survival. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of NICT and PCT to decide on the favorable treatment.

Methods
We conducted a multi-center retrospective cohort study on patients who underwent NICT or PCT between December 2018 and May 2022. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed with the variables age, sex, smoking status, performance status, stage, histology, and programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1). The Kaplan–Meier method was used to compare survival for the matched patients.

Results
Six hundred consecutive patients were included. After PSM, 81 and 162 patients were enrolled in the NICT and PCT groups, respectively. The baseline characteristics were well-balanced. The median progression-free survival was equivalent (11.6 vs. 7.4 months; P = 0.582); however, the median overall survival (OS) was significantly longer in the NICT group than in the PCT group (26.0 vs. 16.8 months; P = 0.005). Furthermore, OS was better in PD-L1-negative patients who underwent NICT than in those who underwent PCT (26.0 vs. 16.8 months; P = 0.045). Safety profiles did not differ significantly in terms of severe adverse event and treatment-related death rates (P = 0.560, and 0.722, respectively).

Conclusions
Real-world data suggests that NICT could be a favorable treatment option compared with PCT for patients with advanced NSCLC. Further follow-up is needed to determine the long-term prognostic benefit.
Geriatric distal femoral fractures: post-operative complications and nine-year mortality—a retrospective analysis of two tertiary trauma centres
Authors: Delgadillo Camilo A. , Rojas Lievano Jorge , Olarte Carlos M. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to estimate the mortality at various post-operative intervals and explore influential variables for these outcomes in elderly patients with distal femur fractures (DFF).

Methods
A retrospective observational study was conducted across two tertiary care institutions, between 2014 and 2020. The primary outcomes were mortality rates at 30-day, six month, and one year post-surgery. Secondary outcomes included 1-year readmission and reintervention rates along with their correlated complications.

Results
A total of 37 DFF in 35 patients was analyzed; average age was 83.6 years (range, 65–98 years). The overall mortality rate at a maximum follow-up of 8.8 years was 74% (26/35 patients). The median survival time was 3.2 years and the survival probability at five years was 27% (95% confidence interval [CI], 13 to 43%). Mortality rates at 30 days, six months, and one year after surgery were 8.6% (3 patients), 23% (8 patients), and 34% (12 patients), respectively. Overall mortality rate was 64% (15/24 patients) for native distal femur fractures, and 92% (13/14 patients) for periprosthetic fractures (p = 0.109). Patients older than 85 years and male gender were identified as risk factors for mortality within the first year post-operatively.

Conclusion
Elderly fractures have a high mortality at eight years of follow-up. Mortality at one year was much higher than in other studies of the same nature. We did not find statistically significant differences when comparing native bone fractures with periprosthetic fractures. Factors that impact mortality were being a man, advanced age, elevated index comorbidity, and dementia. There is no relationship between the time to be taken to the surgical procedure and mortality results.
Comparison of novel flexible and traditional ureteral access sheath in retrograde intrarenal surgery
Authors: Yu Yue , Chen Yujun , Zhou Xiaochen , Li Xunwen , Liu Wei , Cheng Xiaofeng , Chen Luyao , Yang Heng , Wang Gongxian , Xi Haibo 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Objectives
To compare the efficiency and safety of a novel flexible ureteral access sheath (f-UAS) and traditional ureteral access sheath (UAS) during retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS).

Patients and methods
Between January 2022 and September 2022, a total of 152 consecutive cases with renal stones underwent RIRS with the f-UAS. Their outcomes were compared with those of another 152 consecutive cases undergoing RIRS with traditional UAS using a 1:1 scenario matched-pair analysis, with matching parameters including age and stone size. The f-UAS is a novel UAS with a 10-cm-long tube at the tip that can follow the bends of flexible ureteroscope (f-URS).

Results
Baseline characteristics were found to be similar between the two groups. The f-UAS group demonstrated significantly higher SFR (76.3% vs. 7.2%; P < 0.001) at 1 day postoperatively and a higher clearance rate of stone volume (98.11% vs. 91.78%; P < 0.001). The f-UAS group also had lower total complications rate (9.9% vs. 22.4%; P = 0.003), lower incidence of fever (5.9% vs 11.9%; P = 0.001), shorter operative times (56.5 min vs. 59.9 min; P = 0.047), and lower usage rate of baskets (17.1% vs. 100%; P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in SFR at 1 month postoperatively (P = 0.627) and in the length of postoperative hospital stay between the two groups (P = 0.225).

Conclusion
Compared to the traditional UAS during RIRS, the f-UAS showed several advantages, including higher SFR at 1 day postoperatively, shorter operative times, lower incidence of complications, and less use of basket.
Improved Breitung and Roling estimator for mixed-frequency models with application to forecasting inflation rates
Authors: Omer Talha , Månsson Kristofer , Sjölander Pär , Kibria B. M. Golam 
Published: January 2024

AbstractInstead of applying the commonly used parametric Almon or Beta lag distribution of MIDAS, Breitung and Roling (J Forecast 34:588–603, 2015) suggested a nonparametric smoothed least-squares shrinkage estimator (henceforth $${SLS}_{1}$$

SLS

1

) for estimating mixed-frequency models. This $${SLS}_{1}$$

SLS

1

approach ensures a flexible smooth trending lag distribution. However, even if the biasing parameter in $${SLS}_{1}$$

SLS

1

solves the overparameterization problem, the cost is a decreased goodness-of-fit. Therefore, we suggest a modification of this shrinkage regression into a two-parameter smoothed least-squares estimator ($${SLS}_{2}$$

SLS

2

). This estimator solves the overparameterization problem, and it has superior properties since it ensures that the orthogonality assumption between residuals and the predicted dependent variable holds, which leads to an increased goodness-of-fit. Our theoretical comparisons, supported by simulations, demonstrate that the increase in goodness-of-fit of the proposed two-parameter estimator also leads to a decrease in the mean square error of $${SLS}_{2},$$

SLS

2

,

compared to that of $${SLS}_{1}$$

SLS

1

. Empirical results, where the inflation rate is forecasted based on the oil returns, demonstrate that our proposed $${SLS}_{2}$$

SLS

2

estimator for mixed-frequency models provides better estimates in terms of decreased MSE and improved R2, which in turn leads to better forecasts.
Task performance errors and rewards affect voluntary task choices
Authors: Spitzer Markus Wolfgang Hermann , Musslick Sebastian , Janz Janina , Kiesel Andrea , Dignath David 
Published: January 2024

AbstractHumans are remarkably flexible in adapting their behavior to current demands. It has been suggested that the decision which of multiple tasks to perform is based on a variety of factors pertaining to the rewards associated with each task as well as task performance (e.g., error rates associated with each task and/or error commission on the previous trial). However, further empirical investigation is needed to examine whether task performance still influences task choices if task choices are rewarded but task performance is not. Accordingly, we exposed participants to a novel reward-varying voluntary task switching paradigm where the reward for the performed task gradually decreased while the reward associated for the alternative task was unchanged. Importantly, we rewarded participants’ task choices before participants performed the task to investigate the effect of rewards independent from task performance. We examined the effect of (i) reward, (ii) error rates associated with each of the two tasks, and (iii) error commission in the previous trial on voluntary task choices. As expected, we found that participants’ task selection was influenced by reward differences between task choices. In addition, error rates associated with a task also influenced task selection, with participants requiring larger reward differences to switch to a task associated with relatively higher error rates, compared to switching to a task with relatively lower error rates. However, errors in n − 1 did not influence participants’ probability to switch to the alternative task. These findings contribute to an ongoing discussion on the influence of task performance on task selection.
Annealed quantitative estimates for the quadratic 2D-discrete random matching problem
Authors: Clozeau Nicolas , Mattesini Francesco 
Published: January 2024

AbstractWe study a random matching problem on closed compact 2-dimensional Riemannian manifolds (with respect to the squared Riemannian distance), with samples of random points whose common law is absolutely continuous with respect to the volume measure with strictly positive and bounded density. We show that given two sequences of numbers n and $$m=m(n)$$

m
=
m
(
n
)

of points, asymptotically equivalent as n goes to infinity, the optimal transport plan between the two empirical measures $$\mu ^n$$

μ
n

and $$\nu ^{m}$$

ν
m

is quantitatively well-approximated by $$\big (\text {Id},\exp (\nabla h^{n})\big )_\#\mu ^n$$

(

Id
,
exp

(
∇

h
n

)

)

#

μ
n

where $$h^{n}$$

h
n

solves a linear elliptic PDE obtained by a regularized first-order linearization of the Monge–Ampère equation. This is obtained in the case of samples of correlated random points for which a stretched exponential decay of the $$\alpha $$
α
-mixing coefficient holds and for a class of discrete-time sub-geometrically ergodic Markov chains having a unique absolutely continuous invariant measure with respect to the volume measure.
Accuracy of augmented reality-assisted pedicle screw placement: a systematic review
Authors: Youssef Salma , McDonnell Jake M. , Wilson Kielan V. , Turley Luke , Cunniffe Gráinne , Morris Seamus , Darwish Stacey , Butler Joseph S. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Objective
Conventional freehand methods of pedicle screw placement are associated with significant complications due to close proximity to neural and vascular structures. Recent advances in augmented reality surgical navigation (ARSN) have led to its adoption into spine surgery. However, little is known regarding its overall accuracy. The purpose of this study is to delineate the overall accuracy of ARSN pedicle screw placement across various models.

Methods
A systematic review was conducted of Medline/PubMed, Cochrane and Embase Library databases according to the PRISMA guidelines. Relevant data extracted included reports of pedicle screw placement accuracy and breaches, as defined by the Gertzbein–Robbins classification, in addition to deviation from pre-planned trajectory and entry point. Accuracy was defined as the summation of grade 0 and grade 1 events per the Gertzbein–Robbins classification.

Results
Twenty studies reported clinically accurate placed screws. The range of clinically accurate placed screws was 26.3–100%, with 2095 screws (93.1%) being deemed clinically accurate. Furthermore, 5.4% (112/2088) of screws were reported as grade two breaches, 1.6% (33/2088) grade 3 breaches, 3.1% (29/926) medial breaches and 2.3% (21/926) lateral breaches. Mean linear deviation ranged from 1.3 to 5.99 mm, while mean angular/trajectory deviation ranged 1.6°–5.88°.

Conclusion
The results of this study highlight the overall accuracy of ARSN pedicle screw placement. However, further robust prospective studies are needed to accurately compare to conventional methods of pedicle screw placement.
Electrochemistry and band structure of semiconductors (TiO2, SnO2, ZnO): Avoiding pitfalls and textbook errors
Authors: Kavan Ladislav 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis paper reviews selected problems, which appear in literature dealing with TiO2, SnO2, and ZnO. Some of them have more universal impact to semiconductor electrochemistry. The electronic band structure is a key for understanding fundamental properties and for rational design of applications, but the uncertainty of specific values determined experimentally or by theoretical calculations should not be ignored. The inappropriate use of Mott-Schottky plot for characterization of certain semiconductor electrodes is another source of problems. Some other technical and formal issues in research and development of semiconductors are discussed.
High-order methods beyond the classical complexity bounds: inexact high-order proximal-point methods
Authors: Ahookhosh Masoud , Nesterov Yurii 
Published: January 2024

AbstractWe introduce a Bi-level OPTimization (BiOPT) framework for minimizing the sum of two convex functions, where one of them is smooth enough. The BiOPT framework offers three levels of freedom: (i) choosing the order p of the proximal term; (ii) designing an inexact pth-order proximal-point method in the upper level; (iii) solving the auxiliary problem with a lower-level non-Euclidean method in the lower level. We here regularize the objective by a $$(p+1)$$

(
p
+
1
)

th-order proximal term (for arbitrary integer $$p\ge 1$$

p
≥
1

) and then develop the generic inexact high-order proximal-point scheme and its acceleration using the standard estimating sequence technique at the upper level. This follows at the lower level with solving the corresponding pth-order proximal auxiliary problem inexactly either by one iteration of the pth-order tensor method or by a lower-order non-Euclidean composite gradient scheme. Ultimately, it is shown that applying the accelerated inexact pth-order proximal-point method at the upper level and handling the auxiliary problem by the non-Euclidean composite gradient scheme lead to a 2q-order method with the convergence rate $${\mathcal {O}}(k^{-(p+1)})$$

O
(

k

-
(
p
+
1
)

)

(for $$q=\lfloor p/2\rfloor $$

q
=
⌊
p
/
2
⌋

and the iteration counter k), which can result to a superfast method for some specific class of problems.
Habitability of low-lying socio-ecological systems under a changing climate
Authors: Spencer Tom , Magnan Alexandre K. , Donner Simon , Garschagen Matthias , Ford James , Duvat Virginie K. E. , Wabnitz Colette C. C. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractClimate change will push the planet worryingly close to its boundaries, across all latitudes and levels of development. One question therefore is the extent to which climate change does (and will) severely affect societies’ livelihoods, health, well-being, and cultures. This paper discusses the “severe climate risks” concept developed under Working Group II’s contribution to the Fifth and Sixth Assessment Reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, AR5, and AR6). Focusing on low-lying coastal socio-ecological systems (LCS) and acknowledging that attempts to define “severe” climate risk have been problematic at the level of global syntheses, we argue for a more place- and people-based framing relating to “habitability under a changing climate.” We summarize habitability in terms of five habitability pillars: land, freshwater, food, settlement and infrastructure, and economic and subsistence activities; we acknowledge social and cultural factors (including perceptions, values, governance arrangements, human agency, power structures) as critical underlying factors rather than as separate pillars. We further develop the habitability framing and examine climate risk to future human health and habitability for three climate “hotspot” archetypes (arctic coasts, atoll islands, densely populated urban areas). Building on the IPCC AR6 framing of severe climate risks, we discuss three key parameters describing severe climate risks in LCS: the point of irreversibility of changes, physical and socio-ecological thresholds, and cascading effects across various habitability dimensions. We also highlight the variability of severe risk conditions both between coastal archetypes and within each of them. Further work should consist of refining the case study framing to find the right balance between capturing context-specificities through real-world local case studies and commonalities derived from more generic archetypes. In addition, there is a need to identify appropriate methods to assess irreversibility, thresholds, and cascading effects, and thus severe climate risks to habitability.
From Barter to Market: an Agent-Based Model of Prehistoric Market Development
Authors: Kim Jangsuk , Conte Matthew , Oh Yongje , Park Jiyoung 
Published: January 2024

AbstractDespite interest in preindustrial markets, archaeological discussions have largely been limited to proposing methods to determine the presence or absence of market exchange in ancient societies. While these contributions are important, methodological limitations have prevented theoretical considerations of the emergence and evolution of marketplaces and market exchange in prehistory. We propose that agent-based modeling provides a window to explore physical conditions and agent behaviors that facilitate the emergence of customary exchange locations and how such locations may evolve into socially embedded institutions. The model we designed suggests that simple bartering rules among agents can generate concentrated locations of exchange and that spatial heterogeneity of resources is the most important factor in facilitating the emergence of such locales. Furthermore, partner-search behaviors and exchange of information play a key role in the institutionalization of the marketplace. The results of our simulation suggest that marketplaces can develop, even with the absence of formalized currency or central planning, as a consequence of collective strategies taken up by agents to reduce exchange partner-search costs and make transactions more frequent and predictable. The model also suggests that, once established as a social institution, marketplaces may become highly conservative and resistant to change. As such, it is inferred that bottom-up and/or top-down interventions may have often been required to establish new marketplaces or relocate marketplaces to incorporate new resources, resolve supply–demand imbalances, or minimize rising economic costs that arise as a result of social, political, and economic change.
Systematic comparison of software agents and Digital Twins: differences, similarities, and synergies in industrial production
Authors: Reinpold Lasse M. , Wagner Lukas P. , Gehlhoff Felix , Ramonat Malte , Kilthau Maximilian , Gill Milapji S. , Reif Jonathan T. , Henkel Vincent , Scholz Lena , Fay Alexander 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
To achieve a highly agile and flexible production, a transformational shift is envisioned whereby industrial production systems evolve to be more decentralized, interconnected, and intelligent. Within this vision, production assets collaborate with each other, exhibiting a high degree of autonomy. Furthermore, information about individual production assets is accessible throughout their entire life-cycles. To realize this vision, the use of advanced information technology is required. Two commonly applied software paradigms in this context are Software Agents (referred to as Agents) and Digital Twins (DTs). This work presents a systematic comparison of Agents and DTs in industrial applications. The goal of the study is to determine the differences, similarities, and potential synergies between the two paradigms. The comparison is based on the purposes for which Agents and DTs are applied, the properties and capabilities exhibited by these software paradigms, and how they can be allocated within the Reference Architecture Model Industry 4.0. The comparison reveals that Agents are commonly employed in the collaborative planning and execution of production processes, while DTs are generally more applied to monitor production resources and process information. Although these observations imply characteristic sets of capabilities and properties for both Agents and DTs, a clear and definitive distinction between the two paradigms cannot be made. Instead, the analysis indicates that production assets utilizing a combination of Agents and DTs would demonstrate high degrees of intelligence, autonomy, sociability, and fidelity. To achieve this, further standardization is required, particularly in the field of DTs.
Low-level tritium measurements in freshwater and seawater samples
Authors: Dymecka Małgorzata , Szaciłowski Grzegorz , Rzemek Katarzyna , Ośko Jakub 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe aim of this study was to test two potential tritium determination methods (with and without electrolysis enrichment) suitable for low-level measurements. Both methodologies were applied to water samples from the Baltic Sea and ten Polish rivers providing new data on tritium activity concentration. Optimization steps carried out to the standard method lowered minimum detectable activity concentration (MDC) from 3.1 to 1.8 Bq L–1 (at 95% confidence level) enabling to apply it to environmental water samples. However, electrolytic enrichment method of MDC of 0.20 Bq L–1 provided more accurate results for tritium activity concentration in surface waters.