bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of commercial targeted amplicon sequencing assays for human remains identification casework
Authors: McNevin Dennis , Watson Jessica , Grisedale Kelly , Dahal Ayusha , Goodwin Corey , Ward Jodie 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Targeted amplicon sequencing (TAS) facilitates the genotyping of forensically informative single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using massively parallel sequencing (MPS). For human remains identification, where any extracted DNA is likely to be degraded, TAS may succeed when short tandem repeat (STR) profiling using capillary electrophoresis fails. Further, as well as yielding identity information, SNPs can provide information about ancestry, phenotype, kinship and paternal lineage (Y chromosome haplotypes). Two TAS platforms were compared in this study: Ion AmpliSeq™ panels coupled with Ion Torrent sequencing on an Ion GeneStudio™ S5 Plus System, manufactured by Thermo Fisher Scientific, and the ForenSeq® Kintelligence Kit coupled with Illumina sequencing on the MiSeq FGx® Sequencing System, manufactured by QIAGEN. Four Ion AmpliSeq™ panels (Precision ID Identity, Precision ID Ancestry, DNA Phenotyping and HID Y-SNP) share 177 SNPs with the ForenSeq® Kintelligence Kit and all five were used to profile the DNA extracted from the petrous part of the temporal bone from six skeletonised cadavers. Of the 6 × 177 = 1,062 SNP genotype comparisons, 1,055 (99%) were concordant between the Ion AmpliSeq™ panels and Kintelligence Kit. Of the seven (< 1%) non-concordant SNPs, only three of them (0.3%) would have resulted in erroneous genotypes being reported as a result of allele dropout by either assay, using our optimised relative variant frequency windows for allele calling. We conclude that both the Ion AmpliSeq™ panels and the ForenSeq® Kintelligence Kit were suitable for TAS applied to the human remains in this study.
Anti-factor is FPT Parameterized by Treewidth and List Size (but Counting is Hard)
Authors: Marx Dániel , Sankar Govind S. , Schepper Philipp 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
In the general AntiFactor problem, a graph G and, for every vertex v of G, a set

$$X_v\subseteq {\mathbb {N}}$$

X
v

⊆
N

of forbidden degrees is given. The task is to find a set S of edges such that the degree of v in S is not in the set

$$X_v$$

X
v

. Standard techniques (dynamic programming plus fast convolution) can be used to show that if M is the largest forbidden degree, then the problem can be solved in time

$$(M+2)^{{\operatorname {tw}}}\cdot n^{{\mathcal {O}}(1)}$$

(
M
+
2
)

tw

·

n

O
(
1
)

if a tree decomposition of width

$${\operatorname {tw}}$$

tw

is given. However, significantly faster algorithms are possible if the sets

$$X_v$$

X
v

are sparse: our main algorithmic result shows that if every vertex has at most

$$x$$

x

forbidden degrees (we call this special case AntiFactor
x), then the problem can be solved in time

$$(x+1)^{{\mathcal {O}}({\operatorname {tw}})}\cdot n^{{\mathcal {O}}(1)}$$

(
x
+
1
)

O
(
tw
)

·

n

O
(
1
)

. That is, AntiFactor
x is fixed-parameter tractable parameterized by treewidth

$${\operatorname {tw}}$$

tw

and the maximum number

$$x$$

x

of excluded degrees. Our algorithm uses the technique of representative sets, which can be generalized to the optimization version, but (as expected) not to the counting version of the problem. In fact, we show that #AntiFactor
1 is already #

$$[1]$$

[
1
]

-hard parameterized by the width of the given decomposition. Moreover, we show that, unlike for the decision version, the standard dynamic programming algorithm is essentially optimal for the counting version. Formally, for a fixed nonempty set

$$X$$

X

, we denote by

$$X$$

X

-AntiFactor the special case where every vertex v has the same set

$$X_v=X$$

X
v

=
X

of forbidden degrees. We show the following lower bound for every fixed set

$$X$$

X

: if there is an

$$\epsilon >0$$

ϵ
>
0

such that #

$$X$$

X

-AntiFactor can be solved in time

$$(\max X+2-\epsilon )^{{\operatorname {tw}}}\cdot n^{{\mathcal {O}}(1)}$$

(
max
X
+
2
-
ϵ
)

tw

·

n

O
(
1
)

given a tree decomposition of width

$${\operatorname {tw}}$$

tw

, then the counting strong exponential-time hypothesis (#SETH) fails.
Realizations of Multiassociahedra via Rigidity
Authors: Crespo Ruiz Luis , Santos Francisco 
Published: October 2024

AbstractLet$$\Delta _{k}(n)$$Δk(n)denote the simplicial complex of$$(k+1)$$(k+1)-crossing-free subsets of edges in$${\left( {\begin{array}{c}[n]\\ 2\end{array}}\right) }$$[n]2. Here$$k,n\in \mathbb {N}$$k,n∈Nand$$n\ge 2k+1$$n≥2k+1. Jonsson (2003) proved that [neglecting the short edges that cannot be part of any$$(k+1)$$(k+1)-crossing],$$\Delta _{k}(n)$$Δk(n)is a shellable sphere of dimension$$k(n-2k-1)-1$$k(n-2k-1)-1, and conjectured it to be polytopal. The same result and question arose in the work of Knutson and Miller (Adv Math 184(1):161-176, 2004) on subword complexes. Despite considerable effort, the only values of (k, n) for which the conjecture is known to hold are$$n\le 2k+3$$n≤2k+3(Pilaud and Santos, Eur J Comb. 33(4):632–662, 2012.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejc.2011.12.003) and (2, 8) (Bokowski and Pilaud, On symmetric realizations of the simplicial complex of 3-crossing-free sets of diagonals of the octagon. In: Proceedings of the 21st annual Canadian conference on computational geometry, 2009). Using ideas from rigidity theory and choosing points along the moment curve we realize$$\Delta _{k}(n)$$Δk(n)as a polytope for$$(k,n)\in \{(2,9), (2,10) , (3,10)\}$$(k,n)∈{(2,9),(2,10),(3,10)}. We also realize it as a simplicial fan for all$$n\le 13$$n≤13and arbitraryk, except the pairs (3, 12) and (3, 13). Finally, we also show that for$$k\ge 3$$k≥3and$$n\ge 2k+6$$n≥2k+6no choice of points can realize$$\Delta _{k}(n)$$Δk(n)via bar-and-joint rigidity with points along the moment curve or, more generally, via cofactor rigidity with arbitrary points in convex position.
Utility of routine postoperative imaging in adults undergoing primary ventriculoperitoneal shunts
Authors: Alnaser Adnan R. , Alnsour Abed , Pathmanaban Omar N. , Maye Helen , McMahon Catherine , Bailey Matthew , Waqar Mueez 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
There is currently no consensus on the usefulness of postoperative imaging after ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt insertion in adults. The aim of this study was to investigate the utility of routine postoperative imaging (CT head scans and radiographs) following primary VP shunt insertion in a general adult population treated at a tertiary neurosurgical centre.

Methods
Patients undergoing primary VP shunt insertion between 2017–2021 were included. Actions taken based on routine postoperative imaging and need for subsequent shunt revision were recorded.

Results
236 patients were included. The median age was 63 years (range 17–90). There was a slight female preponderance (121/236, 51.3%). The median follow-up was 38.5 months (3.1 – 60.5 months). Acute intervention was employed in 9 patients (3.9%) on the basis of routine postoperative CT head scan. Routine postoperative radiographs did not result in reoperation. Around a quarter (28.8%) of patients had a shunt revision, most of whom underwent urgent primary shunt insertions. Postoperative ventricular catheter characteristics (position of shunt tip, tip relation to septum pellucidum, and intraventricular catheter distance) were not predictive of shunt revision. Surgical urgency (emergency vs. elective procedures) was associated with long-term shunt revision (OR = 2.80, 95% CI 1.42 – 5.53, p = 0.003).

Conclusions
Routine postoperative imaging rarely led to reoperation in adult patients undergoing primary VP shunt insertion. Patients undergoing emergency shunt insertions were at the highest risk for requiring revision.
Exact methods for the Selective Assessment Routing Problem
Authors: Salvà Soler Joan , Hemmelmayr Vera C. , Raidl Günther R. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThe Selective Assessment Routing Problem (SARP) is a problem in humanitarian logistics addressing the site selection and routing decisions of rapid needs assessment teams which aim to evaluate the post-disaster conditions of different community groups, each carrying a distinct characteristic. The aim is to construct an assessment plan that maximizes the covering of different characteristics in a balanced way. We explore exact approaches based on mixed integer linear programming. Different mathematical formulations are presented, and theoretical results regarding their strengths are derived. The models are experimentally evaluated on a set of test instances including a real-world scenario.
Sexual and Affectionate Behaviors and Satisfaction for Adults in Romantic Relationships: A Latent Profile Analysis
Authors: Clark Alyssa N. , Lefkowitz Eva S. 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Engaging in both sexual and affectionate behaviors with a romantic partner is often beneficial for adults’ sexual and relationship satisfaction and promotes relationship stability. However, prior research has primarily examined either adults’ sexual or affectionate behaviors, and has yet to explore patterns of sexual and affectionate behaviors and their associations with sexual and relationship satisfaction. In the current paper, we used a person-centered approach and latent profile analysis to identify specific profiles of adults’ physical behaviors in same-gender and mixed-gender relationships, and examined associations of these profiles with sexual and relationship satisfaction. Adults (N = 336, 85.4% LGBTQ+; 45% women, 30% men, 38.6% gender-diverse; M

age
= 29.07 years) who were currently in a committed romantic partner relationship for at least six months completed online surveys. We found that a 3-profile solution best fit the data and identified the following profiles: Infrequent Physical Behaviors, Affection-focused Behaviors, and Comprehensive Physical Behaviors. Adults in the Infrequent Physical Behaviors profile were less sexually and relationally satisfied than adults in the other profiles. Adults in the Comprehensive Physical Behaviors profile were more sexually satisfied than the two other profiles. Further, profiles did not differ for mixed-gender compared to same-gender or gender-diverse couples. Our findings have implications for understanding the diversity in adults’ physical behavior patterns, including how clinicians might better support adults’ sexual and relationship satisfaction.
A Psychometric Evaluation of the Body Image Questionnaire Child and Adolescent Version
Authors: Blacker L. , Gupta M. , Quinn R. , Monzani B. , Jassi A. , Veale D. , Mataix-Cols D. , Krebs G. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractBody dysmorphic disorder (BDD) typically develops during adolescence, but there has been little research evaluating assessment tools for BDD in youth. This study sought to provide a comprehensive psychometric evaluation of a brief self-report questionnaire of BDD symptoms, the Body Image Questionnaire Child and Adolescent version (BIQ-C), in both clinical and non-clinical adolescent samples. Properties of the BIQ-C were examined in 479 adolescents recruited through schools and 118 young people with BDD attending a specialist clinic. Sensitivity to change was additionally examined in a subgroup of the clinical sample who received treatment (n = 35). Exploratory factor analysis indicated that a two-factor structure provided the best fit for the data in the non-clinical sample. The two-factor solution was corroborated through confirmatory factor analysis as the best solution in the clinical sample, although it did not fulfil predefined fit thresholds The first factor encompassed preoccupation and repetitive behaviours, while the second included items assessing functional impairment. The BIQ-C showed good internal consistency across both samples, and convergent validity with other measures of BDD. Among those in the clinical sample who received treatment, BIQ-C scores decreased significantly, and BIQ-C change scores were highly correlated with change scores on the gold-standard clinician-rated measure of BDD symptom severity. These findings indicate that the BIQ-C is a suitable tool for assessing BDD symptoms in young people and measuring change during treatment.
Gesture Imitation Performance and Visual Exploration in Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Latrèche Kenza , Kojovic Nada , Pittet Irène , Natraj Shreyasvi , Franchini Martina , Smith Isabel M. , Schaer Marie 
Published: October 2024

AbstractMost studies in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) support a decrement in imitation performance. Factors related to visual attention and motor execution have been proposed to explain this phenomenon in ASD. However, studies investigated imitation with various methods, leading to inconsistent findings. Here, we examine imitation performance related to visual attention and motor execution. We focused on the imitation of meaningful and meaningless gestures, consistently reported as more affected than imitation of actions with objects in ASD. The imitation eye-tracking task consisted of a video of an actor demonstrating gestures and prompting children to imitate them. The demonstrations comprised meaningful and meaningless hand gestures, and meaningless facial gestures. We measured the fixation duration to the actor’ face during child-directed speech and gesture demonstrations. We video-recorded children to assess their performance. Our sample comprised 100 participants (3.55 ± 1.11 years old), including 84 children with ASD. The ASD and typically developing groups displayed the same visual attention toward gesture demonstrations, although children with ASD spent less time looking at the face during facial stimuli. Visual exploration of actors’ gestures did not influence imitation performance. Imitation of meaningful gestures was associated with less severe autistic symptoms, whereas imitation of meaningless gestures was correlated with higher non-verbal cognitive and fine-motor skills. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the complexity of imitation. We delineated the distinct nature of imitation of meaningful and meaningless gestures in children with ASD. We discuss clinical implications in relation to assessment and intervention programs.
Entrepreneurial University governance: The case of a Cooperative University
Authors: Rodríguez-Aceves Lucía , Couto-Ortega Maite , Minola Tommaso , Markuerkiaga Leire , Hahn Davide 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThis article presents a case study of the Cooperative University of Mondragon to explore the intricate processes through which higher education institutions (HEIs) adopt an entrepreneurial university (EU) framework across their three core missions: teaching, research, and community outreach. Using a qualitative research design, this study examines the organizational strategies that Mondragon University’s engineering faculty (MGEP) employs to embrace entrepreneurial behaviors (EBs), specifically by building on its peculiar cooperative governance model. The findings shed light on how MGEP, as a prominent example, leverages a long-term vision that centers its decision-making processes on entrepreneurship and the management tools and governance elements that favor collective participation and intrinsic motivation. This research advances our understanding of the evolving landscape of higher education and its entrepreneurial drift in the following ways: (1) by addressing the need for further exploration of governance in EUs; (2) by complementing existing studies on the role of university leadership in the adoption of EBs; and (3) by identifying strategies to overcome inherent barriers within large organizations that impede universities from being entrepreneurial. Overall, this study offers practical implications for the adoption of EBs in HEIs.
Assessing Territorial Units’ Contribution to Convergence Beyond Aggregate Measures: The Role of Neighbourhood
Authors: Bárcena-Martín Elena , García-Pardo Francisca , Muñoz-Fernández Ana , Pérez-Moreno Salvador 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
This paper provides an analytical framework for the study of spatial income dynamics using the classical measures of

$$\sigma$$

σ

-convergence (reduction in dispersion) and

$$\beta$$

β

-convergence (poor areas grow more quickly than rich ones) linked by a re-ranking metric and reinterpreted based on the ‘leave no one behind’ principle. Our approach allows identifying the contribution of each territorial unit to each of the three facets of distributional change (

$$\sigma$$

σ

-convergence,

$$\beta$$

β

-convergence, and re-ranking), as well as gauging the part of each component of distributional change that corresponds to geographically neighbouring and non-neighbouring units. We illustrate our proposal by examining convergence across the census tracts of Malaga – the sixth most populated city of Spain – before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. We find that while income convergence across Malaga’s census tracts tended to improve over the period 2015–2019, this process was interrupted during the first year of the pandemic, affecting some specific census tracts. We examine our outcomes by grouping the results into deciles and districts made up of specific census tracts. Finally, we analyse the impact of neighbours on regional convergence and each of its components. This spatial decomposition highlights the crucial role of the spatial component in the convergence process.
Effect of metallic materials on magnetic resonance image uniformity: a quantitative experimental study
Authors: Shimamoto Hiroaki , Felemban Doaa , Uchimoto Yuka , Matsuda Nobuhiko , Takagawa Naoko , Takeshita Ami , Iwamoto Yuri , Okahata Ryoko , Tsujimoto Tomomi , Kreiborg Sven , Mallya Sanjay M. , Yang Fan-pei Gloria 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Objective
To assess quantitatively the effect of metallic materials on MR image uniformity using a standardized method.

Methods
Six types of 1 cm cubic metallic materials (i.e., Au, Ag, Al, Au–Ag–Pd alloy, Ti, and Co–Cr alloy) embedded in a glass phantom filled were examined and compared with no metal condition inserted as a reference. The phantom was scanned five times under each condition using a 1.5-T MR superconducting magnet scanner with an 8-channel phased-array brain coil and head and neck coil. For each examination, the phantom was scanned in three planes: axial, coronal, and sagittal using T1-weighted spin echo (SE) and gradient echo (GRE) sequences in accordance with the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) F2119-07 standard. Image uniformity was assessed using the non-uniformity index (NUI), which was developed by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), as an appropriate standardized measure for investigating magnetic field uniformity.

Results
T1-GRE images with Co–Cr typically elicited the lowest uniformity, followed by T1-GRE images with Ti, while all other metallic materials did not affect image uniformity. In particular, T1-GRE images with Co–Cr showed significantly higher NUI values as far as 6.6 cm at maximum equivalent to 11 slices centering around it in comparison with the measurement uncertainty from images without metallic materials.

Conclusion
We found that MR image uniformity was influenced by the scanning sequence and coil type when Co–Cr and Ti were present. It is assumed that the image non-uniformity in Co–Cr and Ti is caused by their high magnetic susceptibility.
Quantifying of highly radioactive and radiotoxic polonium-210 intake from cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.): impacts of different smoking and vaporization techniques
Authors: Wieczorek Jarosław , Boryło Alicja 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThis study investigates the radiation dose that humans receive from naturally occurring uranium-series radionuclides, with a focus on alpha-emitting polonium-210 (210Po), which has a half-life of 138.4 days. Polonium is efficiently absorbed by living organisms and is estimated to contribute approximately 7% of the total effective dose from ingested natural internal radiation. The primary source of atmospheric 210Po is the decay of radon-222 (222Rn), which precipitates onto land and water surfaces, including crops. In Cannabis sativa, 210Po accumulates primarily through direct deposition on leaf surfaces and from fertilizers, particularly phosphate fertilizers. This study examined 10 samples of dried hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) legally available in Poland, assessing 210Po concentrations through radiochemical analysis. Various consumption methods were analyzed, including smoking with a glass pipe, a water pipe (bong), a cigarette (joint or spliff), and vaporization. The desorption of 210Po during combustion and vaporization was measured, revealing significant differences based on the method used. Results showed that smoking with a glass pipe resulted in the highest desorption of 210Po (approximately 80%), while water pipe and blunt smoking exhibited lower desorption rates (around 40%). The efficiency of 210Po adsorption in filters varied, with water filters showing about 8% absorption and cellulose filters about 20%. Vaporization results indicated that the desorption of 210Po increased with temperature. These findings underscore the importance of considering the method of consumption when calculating the radiation dose from 210Po, as the differences can significantly impact the accuracy of dose assessments. The study highlights the need for further research to optimize safety guidelines for cannabis consumption in relation to radioactive contaminants.
Dual-energy CT late arterial phase iodine maps for the diagnosis of acute non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia
Authors: D’Angelo Tommaso , Bucolo Giuseppe M. , Yel Ibrahim , Koch Vitali , Gruenewald Leon D. , Martin Simon S. , Alizadeh Leona S. , Vogl Thomas J. , Ascenti Giorgio , Lanzafame Ludovica R. M. , Mazziotti Silvio , Blandino Alfredo , Booz Christian 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Purpose
To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of dual-energy CT (DECT) iodine maps in comparison to conventional CT series for the assessment of non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI).

Material and Methods
We evaluated data from 142 patients (72 men; 50.7%) who underwent DECT between 2018 and 2022, with surgically confirmed diagnosis of NOMI. One board-certified radiologist performed region of interest (ROI) measurements in bowel segments on late arterial (LA) and portal venous (PV) phase DECT iodine maps as well as LA conventional series, in both ischemic and non-ischemic bowel loops, using surgical reports as reference standard, and in a control group of 97 patients. Intra- and inter-reader agreement with a second board-certified radiologist was also evaluated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to calculate the optimal threshold for discriminating ischemic from non-ischemic bowel segments. Subjective image rating of LA and PV iodine maps was performed.

Results
DECT-based iodine concentration (IC) measurements showed significant differences in LA phase iodine maps between ischemic (median:0.72; IQR 0.52–0.91 mg/mL) and non-ischemic bowel loops (5.16; IQR 3.45–6.31 mg/ml) (P <.0001). IC quantification on LA phase revealed an AUC of 0.966 for the assessment of acute bowel ischemia, significantly higher compared to both IC quantification based on PV phase (0.951) and attenuation values evaluated on LA conventional CT series (0.828). Excellent intra-observer and strong inter-observer agreements were observed for the quantification of iodine concentration. Conversely, weak inter-observer agreement was noted for conventional HU assessments. The optimal LA phase-based IC threshold for assessing bowel ischemia was 1.34 mg/mL, yielding a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 96.48%.

Conclusion
Iodine maps based on LA phase significantly improve the diagnostic accuracy for the assessment of NOMI compared to conventional CT series and PV phase iodine maps.