bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The first annually resolved analysis of slash-and-burn practices in the boreal Eurasia suggests their strong climatic and socio-economic controls
Authors: Drobyshev Igor , Aleinikov Alexei , Lisitsyna Olga , Aleksutin Vadim , Vozmitel Foma , Ryzhkova Nina 
Published: August 2023

AbstractSlash-and-burn (SAB) was a widespread agricultural practice across large parts of the boreal region until the early 20th century. Despite its paramount importance in the procurement of food and particularly in supporting frontier populations of settlers during the colonization of the Eurasian boreal zone, analyses of spatial and temporal patterns in the use of SAB at annual and sub-annual scales are currently missing. We present the first such analysis of climatic and social controls of SAB practices in a remote region in the northern Ural mountains from 1880 to 1894. We observed a significant positive correlation between the total number of burns and the village population (p = 0.005, R2 = 0.26), indicating that the frequency of burns directly reflected the local demand for food. The amount of agricultural land, regarded as a cumulative measure of burning activity over multiple decades, showed a strong positive correlation with the village population (p < 0.001, R2 = 0.60). This result supported our interpretation of burns as an important food procurement tool, probably also positively affected by higher labour availability in larger villages. Villages where the number of burns were higher than predicted by the “the population vs. burns” regression tended (p = 0.15) to have larger areas of arable land than predicted by the “population vs. arable land” regression. This pattern implied that variability in the local environmental and/or socio-economic settings of the villages made some of them more (or otherwise less) favourable for agricultural activities based on SAB. Most reported burns occurred in June and July. The three years with the maximum number of reported burns had a tendency to be wetter during these months when compared to the same period during an “average” year (p = 0.19). The pattern suggested that farmers preferred conducting burns during years with a below-average climatological fire hazard. An earlier start of the fire season favoured burning activity (p = 0.10 R2 = 0.33), while its later ending had no significant effect on the number of burns (p = 0.53). Our study documented strong climatic controls of SAB practices at the annual scale and their social controls at above-annual scales. These patterns emerged despite the common use of slash-and-burn to mitigate generally limited food availability in the northern Ural mountain region and likely conservative estimates of these practices in available records.
Improving the power of hypothesis tests in sparse contingency tables
Authors: Nicolussi Federica , Cazzaro Manuela , Rudas Tamás 
Published: August 2023

AbstractWhen analyzing data in contingency tables it is frequent to deal with sparse data, particularly when the sample size is small relative to the number of cells. Most analyses of this kind are interpreted in an exploratory manner and even if tests are performed, little attention is paid to statistical power. This paper proposes a method we call redundant procedure, which is based on the union–intersection principle and increases test power by focusing on specific components of the hypothesis. This method is particularly helpful when the hypothesis to be tested can be expressed as the intersections of simpler models, such that at least some of them pertain to smaller table marginals. This situation leads to working on tables that are naturally denser. One advantage of this method is its direct application to (chain) graphical models. We illustrate the proposal through simulations and suggest strategies to increase the power of tests in sparse tables. Finally, we demonstrate an application to the EU-SILC dataset.
Providing open imaging data at scale: An EMBL-EBI perspective
Authors: Hartley Matthew , Iudin Andrii , Padwardhan Ardan , Sarkans Ugis , Yoldaş Aybüke Küpcü , Kleywegt Gerard J. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBiological imaging is one of the primary tools by which we understand living systems across scales from atoms to organisms. Rapid advances in imaging technology have increased both the spatial and temporal resolutions at which we examine those systems, as well as enabling visualisation of larger tissue volumes. These advances have huge potential but also generate ever increasing amounts of imaging data that must be stored and analysed. Public image repositories provide a critical scientific service through open data provision, supporting reproducibility of scientific results, access to reference imaging datasets and reuse of data for new scientific discovery and acceleration of image analysis methods development. The scale and scope of imaging data provides both challenges and opportunities for open sharing of image data. In this article, we provide a perspective influenced by decades of provision of open data resources for biological information, suggesting areas to focus on and a path towards global interoperability.
Surgical outcomes in elective sigmoid resection for diverticulitis stratified according to indication: a propensity-score matched cohort study with 903 patients
Authors: Nocera Fabio , Haak Fabian , Posabella Alberto , Angehrn Fiorenzo Valente , Peterli Ralph , Müller-Stich Beat P. , Steinemann Daniel C. 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Objective
Weighing the perioperative risk of elective sigmoidectomy is done regardless of the specific diverticulitis classification. The aim of this study is to evaluate surgical outcomes according to the classification grade and the indication.

Methods
All patients who underwent elective colonic resection for diverticulitis during the ten-year study period were included. They were divided into two groups: relative surgery indication (RSI) and absolute surgery indication (ASI). RSI included microabscess and recurrent uncomplicated disease. ASI included macroabscess and recurrent complicated disease. Propensity score-matching (PSM, 1:1) was performed.

Results
585 patients fulfilled criteria for RSI and 318 patients fulfilled criteria for ASI. In the univariate analysis, RSI patients were younger (62 vs. 67.7 years, p < 0.001), had a higher physical status (ASA score 1 or 2 in 80.7% vs. 60.8%, p < 0.001), were less immunosuppressed (3.4% vs. 6.9%, p = 0.021) and suffered less often from coronary heart disease (3.8% vs. 7.2%, p = 0.025). After PSM, 318 RSI vs. 318 ASI patients were selected; baseline characteristics results were comparable. The proportion of planned laparoscopic resection was 93% in RSI versus 75% in ASI (p < 0.001), and the conversion rate to open surgery for laparoscopic resection was 5.0% and 13.8% in RSI versus ASI, respectively (p < 0.001). Major morbidity (Clavien/Dindo ≥ IIIb) occurred less frequently in RSI (3.77% vs. 10%, p = 0.003). A defunctioning stoma was formed in 0.9% and 11.0% in RSI vs ASI, respectively (p < 0.001).

Conclusion
The lower risk for postoperative morbidity, the higher chance for a laparoscopic resection and the decreased rate of stoma formation are attributed to patients with recurrent uncomplicated diverticulitis or diverticulitis including a microabscess as compared to patients with complicated diverticulitis or diverticulitis and a macroabscess, and this applies even after PSM.
Probing real-world Central European population midfacial skeleton symmetry for maxillofacial surgery
Authors: Franke Adrian , Hofmann Elisabeth Claudia , Steinberg Anna , Lauer Günter , Kitzler Hagen , Leonhardt Henry 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Objectives
Symmetry is essential for computer-aided surgical (CAS) procedures in oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS). A critical step for successful CAS is mirroring the unaffected side to create a template for the virtual reconstruction of the injured anatomical structure. The aim was to identify specific anatomical landmarks of the midfacial skeleton, to evaluate the symmetry in a group of the real-world Central European population, and to use these landmarks to assess midfacial symmetry in CT scans.

Material and methods
The retrospective cross-sectional study defined landmarks of the midface’s bony contour using viscerocranial CT data. The distances of the skeletal landmarks (e.g., the frontozygomatic suture and temporozygomatic suture) of the left and right sides from the midline were measured and statistically compared. Midfacial symmetry for reference points was defined as a difference within 0 mm and their mean difference plus one standard deviation.

Results
We examined a total of 101 CT scans. 75% of our population shows symmetrical proportions of the midface. The means of the differences for the left and right sides ranged from 0.8 to 1.3 mm, averaging 1.1 ± 0.2 mm for all skeletal landmarks. The standard deviations ranged from 0.6 to 1.4 mm, with a computed mean of 0.9 ± 0.3 mm.

Conclusion
We established a methodology to assess the symmetry of the bony midface. If the determined differences were equal to or lower than 2.5 mm in the mentioned midfacial skeletal landmarks, then the symmetry of the bony midface was considered present, and symmetry-based methods for CAS procedures are applicable.

Clinical relevance
Many CAS procedures require facial symmetry. We provide an easy-to-apply method to probe for symmetry of the midface. The method may be used for population-based research, to check for proper reduction of fractures after reposition or to screen for symmetry prior to CAS planning.
On Semisimple Classes and Component Groups in Type $$\textsf{D}$$
Authors: Cabanes Marc , Späth Britta 
Published: August 2023

AbstractIn adjoint simple algebraic groups $$\textbf{H}$$
H
of type $$\textsf{D}$$
D
we show that for every semisimple element s, its centralizer splits over its identity component, i.e. $$ C _{\textbf{H}}(s)= C _{\textbf{H}}(s)^{\circ }\rtimes \check{A}$$

C
H

(
s
)

=

C
H

(
s
)

∘

⋊

A
ˇ

for some complement $$\check{A}$$

A
ˇ

with strong stability properties. We derive several consequences about the action of automorphisms on semisimple conjugacy classes. This helps to parametrize characters of the finite groups $$\textsf{D}_{l,\text {sc}}(q)$$

D

l
,
sc

(
q
)

and $$^2\textsf{D}_{l,\text {sc}}(q)$$

2

D

l
,
sc

(
q
)

and describe the action of automorphisms on them. It is also a contribution to the final proof of the McKay conjecture for the prime 3, see (B. Späth: 2023).
Has intraoperative neuromonitoring changed the surgery for unruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysms? A retrospective comparative study
Authors: Skrap Benjamin , Di Bonaventura Rina , Di Domenico Michele , Sturiale Carmelo Lucio , Auricchio Anna Maria , Maugeri Rosario , Giammalva Giuseppe Roberto , Iacopino Domenico Gerardo , Olivi Alessandro , Marchese Enrico , Albanese Alessio 
Published: August 2023

AbstractIntraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) represents one of the available technologies able to assess ischemia and aimed to improve surgical outcome reducing the treatment related morbidity in surgery for intracranial aneurysms. Many studies analyzing the impact of IONM are poised by the heterogeneity bias affecting the cohorts. We report our experience with IONM for surgery of unruptured middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysm in order to highlight its influence on functional and radiological outcome and surgical strategy. We retrospectively reviewed all MCA unruptured aneurysms treated between January 2013 and June 2021 by our institutional neurovascular team. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the use of IONM. A total of 153 patients were included in the study, 52 operated on without IONM and 101 with IONM. The groups did not differ preoperatively regarding clinical status and aneurysm characteristics. Patients operated with IONM had better functional outcomes at discharge as well as at follow-up (p= 0.048, p=0.041) due to lower symptomatic ischemia and better radiological outcome due to lower rate of unexpected aneurysmal remnants (p= 0.0173). The introduction of IONM changed the use of temporary clipping (TeC), increasing its average duration (p= 0.01) improving the safety of dissecting and clipping the aneurysm. IONM in surgery for unruptured MCA aneurysm could improve the efficacy and safety of clipping strategy in the way it showed a role in changing the use of TeC and was associated to the reduction of unexpected aneurysmal remnants’ rate and improvement in both short- and long-term patient’s outcome.
Red List for British seaweeds: evaluating the IUCN methodology for non-standard marine organisms
Authors: Brodie Juliet , Wilbraham Joanna , Maggs Christine A. , Baldock Lin , Bunker Francis , Mieszkowska Nova , Scanlan Clare , Tittley Ian , Wilkinson Martin , Yesson Chris 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is an authoritative tool in biodiversity conservation. Whilst IUCN criteria have been applied successfully to groups such as birds and mammals, a Red List assessment of British seaweeds in 2021 revealed that the categories to which seaweed species were assigned were dependent on how the criteria were applied. Here, this seaweed assessment is used as a case study with which to evaluate the IUCN methodology for use with ‘non-standard’ groups of organisms. A data-driven assessment of red (Rhodophyta), green (Chlorophyta) and brown (Phaeophyceae) seaweeds, which applied three (A, B and D) of the five IUCN criteria (A–E), categorized 13% of 617 British species as threatened. Following peer review, only 7% of species were categorized as threatened (1% Critically Endangered—CR, 3% Endangered—EN, 3% Vulnerable—VU), and 55% as Data Deficient. This reduction in species categorized as threatened suggests that strict application of the IUCN criteria may, at least for the seaweeds, over-estimate threat. As a result of this assessment, recommendations include the need for a more unified monitoring system and a review of the suitability for/application of the IUCN assessment criteria to some types of organisms. For example, in clonal populations, it is not possible to count individuals, and complex life histories cause additional complications. IUCN criteria must be applicable to a wide range of organisms, including seaweeds.
Preeclampsia, antihypertensive medication use in pregnancy and risk of childhood cancer in offspring
Authors: Askins Lexie , Orimoloye Helen T. , Deng Chuanjie , Hansen Johnni , Olsen Jorn , Ritz Beate , Janzen Carla , Heck Julia E. 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication that presents a significant risk to both the mother and the fetus. Preeclampsia and medications associated with its treatment are potentially linked to increased childhood cancer risk. Therefore, we examined the association between preeclampsia, antihypertensive medications, and childhood cancer in offspring.

Methods
Cases (n = 6,420) and controls (n = 160,484) were obtained from Danish national registries. We performed conditional logistic regression analyses to estimate the association between preeclampsia and childhood cancer risk, and examined the effects of antihypertensive medication use in pregnancy in relation to childhood cancer risk in the offspring with adjustment for relevant covariates.

Results
We observed an increased risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) among those whose mothers had preeclampsia (OR = 1.36, 95% CI 1.03, 1.79), especially for severe preeclampsia (OR = 2.36, 95% CI 1.37, 4.08). We also estimated an increased cancer risk in children born to mothers who were prescribed diuretics during pregnancy [OR = 2.09, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.39, 3.14]. Intake of other antihypertensive medications was not associated with childhood cancer (OR = 0.78, 95% CI 0.50, 1.23). Among women who did not take diuretics in pregnancy, preeclampsia was associated with neuroblastoma (OR = 2.22, 95% CI 1.08, 4.55).

Conclusion
Our findings suggested an increased risk for certain types of cancer in the offspring of mothers with preeclampsia and an increased risk of cancer with diuretic intake during pregnancy.
Income-related inequality in obesity and its determinants in Spain: What happens beyond the obesity threshold?
Authors: Raftopoulou Athina , Gil Trasfi Joan 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThis paper computes and decomposes income-related inequalities in three metrics of obesity, namely, status, depth and severity, for Spain, a European country characterized by a universal health care system with very high and rising obesity prevalence rates. Furthermore, this paper investigates the main determinants of the reduction in obesity inequalities observed over time among the female Spanish population. To compute these inequality indexes, we use cross-sectional and individual-level data gathered from the Spanish National Health Survey. We document income-related inequalities in obesity, that are more pronounced in depth and severity and are to the detriment of poor women in Spain. University education is the most important determinant for all three inequality indexes. We further report that inequalities in obesity tend to decline over time for women, which is explained mainly by a substantial decrease in the degree of inequality in secondary education and a large decrease in the income elasticity of obesity.
Mental Health, Well-Being, and Adolescent Extremism: A Machine Learning Study on Risk and Protective Factors
Authors: Haghish E. F. , Obaidi Milan , Strømme Thea , Bjørgo Tore , Grønnerød Cato 
Published: August 2023

AbstractWe examined the relationship between adolescents’ extremist attitudes with a multitude of mental health, well-being, psycho-social, environmental, and lifestyle variables, using state-of-the-art machine learning procedure and nationally representative survey dataset of Norwegian adolescents (N = 11,397). Three key research questions were addressed: 1) can adolescents with extremist attitudes be distinguished from those without, using psycho-socio-environmental survey items, 2) what are the most important predictors of adolescents’ extremist attitudes, and 3) whether the identified predictors correspond to specific latent factorial structures? Of the total sample, 17.6% showed elevated levels of extremist attitudes. The prevalence was significantly higher among boys and younger adolescents than girls and older adolescents, respectively. The machine learning model reached an AUC of 76.7%, with an equal sensitivity and specificity of 70.5% in the test dataset, demonstrating a satisfactory performance for the model. Items reflecting on positive parenting, quality of relationships with parents and peers, externalizing behavior, and well-being emerged as significant predictors of extremism. Exploratory factor analysis partially supported the suggested latent clusters. Out of the 550 psycho-socio-environmental variables analyzed, behavioral problems, individual and social well-being, along with basic needs such as a secure family environment and interpersonal relationships with parents and peers emerged as significant factors contributing to susceptibility to extremism among adolescents.
On the relative importance of land use, landscape characteristics, bird and plant assemblages as drivers of Mediterranean ecosystem functioning
Authors: Lopezosa Paula , Berdugo Miguel , Soliveres Santiago 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Context
Mediterranean landscapes are undergoing severe transformations (land-use change and homogenization) that threatens biodiversity and the services these ecosystems provide. These effects can differ amongst biodiversity facets (plants vs. birds, taxonomic vs. functional) and ecosystem functions (e.g., seed dispersal, forest regeneration, pest control), although these are still poorly understood in Mediterranean landscapes.

Objectives
Our study aims at understanding how Mediterranean landscape characteristics and land use (tree croplands, shrublands and pine, oak and mixed forest) affect the diversity of birds and plants, and how these changes in biodiversity could affect ecosystem functioning.

Methods
In 2020–2021, we sampled 49 (5 × 5 m) plots in South-eastern Spain and from five different land uses: tree croplands, shrublands, and pine, oak and mixed forests. We measured land use, habitat diversity and size, together with birds and plant diversity. We assessed both direct and indirect (via bird and plant diversity) effects of landscape characteristics on 6 different ecosystem functions related to forest regeneration, predation, herbivory or aboveground biomass, which imply interactions between birds, plants and their environment.

Results
Plant communities responded mainly to local features (land use), whereas birds did so to habitat size and landscape diversity (within 500 m radius). Seed and caterpillar predation were more affected by bird’s diversity, whereas regeneration capacity of woody species was driven by both plants and birds. Land use was amongst the most important drivers of all measured functions, with generally higher functioning levels in oak and mixed forests than in the rest of land uses.

Conclusions
Our results emphasize the complementary information obtained when considering multiple biodiversity facets in studying the consequences of landscape transformation. We also show that these multiple biodiversity changes can be as important as those of land-use or landscape characteristics for ecosystem functioning.
Internal Categoricity, Truth and Determinacy
Authors: Fischer Martin , Zicchetti Matteo 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThis paper focuses on the categoricity of arithmetic and determinacy of arithmetical truth. Several ‘internal’ categoricity results have been discussed in the recent literature. Against the background of the philosophical position called internalism, we propose and investigate truth-theoretic versions of internal categoricity based on a primitive truth predicate. We argue for the compatibility of a primitive truth predicate with internalism and provide a novel argument for (and proof of) a truth-theoretic version of internal categoricity and internal determinacy with some positive properties.
Transport in a stochastic double diffusivity model
Authors: Chattopadhyay Amit K. , Parisis Konstantinos , Konstantinidis Avraam , Aifantis Elias C. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractA recent study analyzed the role of stochastic perturbations on the interface dynamics of two interacting species within a double-diffusivity framework, involving double diffusion models. The model relied on a restricted translation–reflection (TR) symmetry manifold, leading to a single variable description. The present study generalizes this model for a TR symmetry violating system that does not permit reduction to a single variable dynamics, leading to a hitherto unseen stochastic resonance (SR), a mechanism that indicates discrete, rather than a continuous, mode of energy transport. The SR exhibited by the model captures the signature fast transport observed in stochastically driven dynamics of nanopolycrystals, that previous deterministic models failed to emulate. We show that the speed of transfer relates to the strength of energy cross-correlations between the two diffusing species communicating through interface dynamics that eventually drives the energy throughput and identifies the role of stochasticity in nanopolycrystalline transport.