bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Awareness of forensic anthropology in Switzerland: a survey among forensic practitioners, police, and prosecutors
Authors: Siebke Inga , Abegg Claudine , Fracasso Tony , Moghaddam Negahnaz , Obertová Zuzana 
Published: November 2023

AbstractForensic anthropology (FA) as a specialized discipline has been practised in multi-lingual Switzerland for over a decade. A variety of expertise regarding osteological assessments as well as facial image comparison (FIC) is provided by different centres. Nevertheless, information is lacking about the awareness of FA and its benefits for forensic investigations among forensic stakeholders. Therefore, a survey was sent to Swiss anthropologists (AN) and related professions (police officers, prosecutors, and forensic pathologists) to assess three main aspects: (1) the experience of working (biological/forensic) anthropologists within FA; (2) how FA is perceived by other professions within the legal system; and (3) identify gaps (if any) in understanding of FA with the aim to suggest avenues for improvement if necessary. The results show that awareness of FA varies by occupation and cantonal regions. In areas where close collaborations between forensic anthropologists (FAs) and other stakeholders have been formally established, be it with focus on osteological analyses or FIC, the awareness of FA competencies was superior to areas where this was not the case. An overwhelming majority of forensic actors expressed interest in continuing education related to the role of FA. These findings indicate that facilitation of communication and collaboration leads to improvement in the awareness of the competencies of FAs and their contribution to forensic investigations.
Modelling inter-individual variability in acute and adaptive responses to interval training: insights into exercise intensity normalisation
Authors: Bossi Arthur Henrique , Naumann Ulrike , Passfield Louis , Hopker James 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Purpose
To investigate the influence of exercise intensity normalisation on intra- and inter-individual acute and adaptive responses to an interval training programme.

Methods
Nineteen cyclists were split in two groups differing (only) in how exercise intensity was normalised: 80% of the maximal work rate achieved in an incremental test (%$$\dot{\text{W}}$$

W
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max) vs. maximal sustainable work rate in a self-paced interval training session (%$$\dot{\text{W}}$$

W
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max-SP). Testing duplicates were conducted before and after an initial control phase, during the training intervention, and at the end, enabling the estimation of inter-individual variability in adaptive responses devoid of intra-individual variability.

Results
Due to premature exhaustion, the median training completion rate was 88.8% for the %$$\dot{\text{W}}$$

W
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max group, but 100% for the %$$\dot{\text{W}}$$

W
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max-SP the group. Ratings of perceived exertion and heart rates were not sensitive to how intensity was normalised, manifesting similar inter-individual variability, although intra-individual variability was minimised for the %$$\dot{\text{W}}$$

W
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max-SP group. Amongst six adaptive response variables, there was evidence of individual response for only maximal oxygen uptake (standard deviation: 0.027 L·min−1·week−1) and self-paced interval training performance (standard deviation: 1.451 W·week−1). However, inter-individual variability magnitudes were similar between groups. Average adaptive responses were also similar between groups across all variables.

Conclusions
To normalise completion rates of interval training, %$$\dot{\text{W}}$$

W
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max-SP should be used to prescribe relative intensity. However, the variability in adaptive responses to training may not reflect how exercise intensity is normalised, underlining the complexity of the exercise dose–adaptation relationship. True inter-individual variability in adaptive responses cannot always be identified when intra-individual variability is accounted for.
Identification and expression profile of the SMAX/SMXL family genes in chickpea and lentil provide important players of biotechnological interest involved in plant branching
Authors: Basso Marcos Fernando , Contaldi Felice , Lo Celso Fabrizio , Baratto César Milton , Grossi-de-Sa Maria Fatima , Barone Giampaolo , Ferrante Antonio , Martinelli Federico 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Main conclusion
SMAX/SMXL family genes were successfully identified and characterized in the chickpea and lentil and gene expression data revealed several genes associated with the modulation of plant branching and powerful targets for use in transgenesis and genome editing.

Abstract
Strigolactones (SL) play essential roles in plant growth, rooting, development, and branching, and are associated with plant resilience to abiotic and biotic stress conditions. Likewise, karrikins (KAR) are “plant smoke-derived molecules” that act in a hormonal signaling pathway similar to SL playing an important role in seed germination and hairy root elongation. The SMAX/SMXL family genes are part of these two signaling pathways, in addition to some of these members acting in a still little known SL- and KAR-independent signaling pathway. To date, the identification and functional characterization of the SMAX/SMXL family genes has not been performed in the chickpea and lentil. In this study, nine SMAX/SMXL genes were systematically identified and characterized in the chickpea and lentil, and their expression profiles were explored under different unstressless or different stress conditions. After a comprehensive in silico characterization of the genes, promoters, proteins, and protein-protein interaction network, the expression profile for each gene was determined using a meta-analysis from the RNAseq datasets and complemented with real-time PCR analysis. The expression profiles of the SMAX/SMXL family genes were very dynamic in different chickpea and lentil organs, with some genes assuming a tissue-specific expression pattern. In addition, these genes were significantly modulated by different stress conditions, indicating that SMAX/SMXL genes, although working in three distinct signaling pathways, can act to modulate plant resilience. Most CaSMAX/SMXL and partner genes such as CaTiE1 and CaLAP1, have a positive correlation with the plant branching level, while most LcSMAX/SMXL genes were less correlated with the plant branching level. The SMXL6, SMXL7, SMXL8, TiE1, LAP1, BES1, and BRC1 genes were highlighted as powerful targets for use in transgenesis and genome editing aiming to develop chickpea and lentil cultivars with improved architecture. Therefore, this study presented a detailed characterization of the SMAX/SMXL genes in the chickpea and lentil, and provided new insights for further studies focused on each SMAX/SMXL gene.
High density of CXCL12-positive immune cell infiltration predicts chemosensitivity and recurrence-free survival in ovarian carcinoma
Authors: Köhn Philipp , Lalos Alexandros , Posabella Alberto , Wilhelm Alexander , Tampakis Athanasios , Caner Ercan , Güth Uwe , Stadlmann Sylvia , Spagnoli Giulio C. , Piscuoglio Salvatore , Richarz Sabine , Delko Tarik , Droeser Raoul A. , Singer Gad 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Background
Ovarian carcinoma is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy because of its late diagnosis, extremely high recurrence rate, and limited curative treatment options. In clinical practice, high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) predominates due to its frequency, high aggressiveness, and rapid development of drug resistance. Recent evidence suggests that CXCL12 is an important immunological factor in ovarian cancer progression. Therefore, we investigated the predictive and prognostic significance of the expression of this chemokine in tumor and immune cells in patients with HGSC.

Methods
We studied a cohort of 47 primary high-grade serous ovarian carcinomas and their associated recurrences. A tissue microarray was constructed to evaluate the CXCL12 immunostained tumor tissue. CXCL12 expression was evaluated and statistically analyzed to correlate clinicopathologic data, overall survival, and recurrence-free survival.

Results
A high proportion of CXCL12 + positive immune cells in primary ovarian serous carcinoma correlated significantly with chemosensitivity (p = 0.005), overall survival (p = 0.021), and longer recurrence-free survival (p = 0.038). In recurrent disease, high expression of CXCL12 was also correlated with better overall survival (p = 0.040). Univariate and multivariate analysis revealed that high CXCL12 + tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TICs) (HR 0.99, p = 0.042, HR 0.99, p = 0.023, respectively) and combined CXCL12 + /CD66b + infiltration (HR 0.15, p = 0.001, HR 0.13, p = 0.001, respectively) are independent favorable predictive markers for recurrence-free survival.

Conclusion
A high density of CXCL12 + TICs predicts a good response to chemotherapy, leading to a better overall survival and a longer recurrence-free interval. Moreover, with concomitant high CXCL12/CD66b TIC density, it is an independent favorable predictor of recurrence-free survival in patients with ovarian carcinoma.
Characteristics of HPV integration in cervical adenocarcinoma and squamous carcinoma
Authors: Bi Yuxin , Hu Junbo , Zeng Ling , Chen Gang , Cai Hongning , Cao Huang , Ma Quanfu , Wu Xufeng 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Purpose
HPV integration usually occurs in HPV-related cancer, and is the main cause of cancer. But the carcinogenic mechanism of HPV integration is unclear. The study aims to provide a theoretical basis for understanding the pathogenesis of cervical adenocarcinoma (AC) and cervical squamous carcinoma (SCC).

Methods
We used HPV capture sequencing to obtain HPV integration sites in AC and SCC, and analyzed cytobands, distribution of genetic and genomic elements, identified integration hotspot genes, clinicopathological parameters, breakpoints of HPV16 and performed pathway analysis. Then we conducted immunohistochemical (IHC) assay to preliminarily verify the expression of most frequently integrated genes in AC, STARD3 and ERBB2.

Results
The results revealed that the most frequently observed integrated cytoband was 17q12 in AC and 21p11.2 in SCC, respectively. The breakpoints in both AC and SCC were more tended to occur within gene regions, compared to intergenetic regions. Compared to SCC samples, AC samples had a higher prevalence of genomic elements. In AC, HPV integration has no significantly difference with clinicopathological parameters, but in SCC integration correlated with differentiation (P < 0.05). Breakpoints of HPV in SCC located in LCR more frequently compared to AC, which destroyed the activation of promoter p97. Hotspot genes of HPV integration were STARD3 and ERBB2 in AC, and RNA45S rDNA and MIR3648-1 in SCC, respectively. Meanwhile, we preliminarily proved that the expression of STARD3 and ERBB2, the most frequently integrated genes, would increase after integration.

Conclusion
These results suggested that HPV may utilize the powerful hosts’ promoters to express viral oncogenes and overexpression of viral oncogenes plays a significant role in the carcinogenesis of SCC. In AC, HPV integration may affect hosts’ oncogenes, and the dysregulation of oncogenes may primarily contribute to progression of AC.
Thermal environment and indices: an analysis for effectiveness in operational weather applications in a Mediterranean city (Athens, Greece)
Authors: Pantavou Katerina , Kotroni Vassiliki , Lagouvardos Konstantinos 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe large number of thermal indices introduced in the literature poses a challenge to identify the appropriate one for a given application. The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of widely used indices in quantifying the thermal environment for operational weather applications within a Mediterranean climate. Eight indices (six simple and two thermo-physiological) were considered, i.e., apparent temperature, heat index, humidex, net effective temperature (NET), physiologically equivalent temperature (PET), universal thermal climate index (UTCI), wet-bulb globe temperature, and wind chill temperature. They were estimated using hourly meteorological data between 2010 and 2021, recorded in 15 stations from the Automatic Weather Station Network of the National Observatory of Athens in the Athens metropolitan area, Greece. The statistical analysis focused on examining indices’ sensitivity to variations of the thermal environment. NET, PET, and UTCI were evaluated as suitable for operational use, assessing both cool and warm environments, and extending their estimations to the entire range of their assessment scales. NET and PET often tended to classify thermal perception in the negative categories of their scales, with 63% of NET and 56% of PET estimations falling within the range of cool/slightly cool to very cold. UTCI estimations in the negative categories accounted for 25.8% (p < 0.001), while most estimations were classified in the neutral category (53.1%). The common occasions of extreme warm conditions in terms of both air temperature (Tair) and NET was 77.7%, Tair and UTCI 64.4%, and Tair and PET 33.6% (p < 0.001). According to the indices considered and the method followed, NET and UTCI satisfied sufficiently the requirements for operational use in the climate conditions of the Mediterranean climate.
Real-world evaluation of an acceptance and commitment therapy–based group programme for breast cancer survivors with fear of cancer recurrence
Authors: Sinclair Fiona , Gillanders David , Rooney Natalie , Bonathan Christine , Hendry Kirsty , McLoone Philip , Hewitt Christopher 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Purpose
To evaluate the effectiveness and acceptability of a 6-week acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)–based group programme on participants’ fear of cancer recurrence (FCR), quality of life (QoL), psychological distress and psychological flexibility at the end of the programme and 12-week follow-up.

Methods
A one-group, post-test service evaluation of a real-world psychological programme was carried out to evaluate collected outcome measures and attendance for a total of 21 groups facilitated between 2017 and 2019. Participants were breast cancer survivors who attended a 6-week group programme led by NHS clinicians. Descriptive statistics and repeated measures ANOVA analyses were carried out for each outcome measure. Attendance levels were examined to assess acceptability.

Results
A total of 97 group participants who had completed curative treatment for breast cancer took part. Of whom, 89% completed at least 4 of the 6 weekly group sessions and 76% attended the 12-week follow-up session. Eighty-four (87%) participants returned outcome measures at all three time points relative to group participation (T1 = pre, T2 = post T3 = 12-week follow-up). Group participants were female, mean age 51.9 years. FCR was highest at T1 (mean 25.2, SD 4.7), reduced T2 (mean 21.2, SD 5.4) and further lowered T3 (mean 19.5, SD 6.2). This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). QoL was lowest at T1 (mean 62.4, SD 15.7), increased T2 (mean 71.7, SD 18.1) and further increased at T3 (mean 75.9, SD 17.5). This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Psychological distress measures were shown to reduce, and psychological flexibility increased.

Conclusions
This real-world evaluation of an ACT-based group programme led to improvements in FCR, QoL, psychological distress and psychological flexibility in this population. This evaluation provides basis for further investigation to determine if these results can be replicated by controlled research design across diverse populations.
Effect of whitening toothpastes on the surface roughness and microhardness of human teeth—an in vitro study
Authors: Jamwal Navodita , Rao Ashwini , MC Gowri Shankar , K Ramya Shenoy , BH Mithun Pai , Jodalli Praveen , KS Aparna , BR Avinash 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Objective
To determine the effect of whitening toothpastes on the surface roughness and microhardness of human teeth.

Methodology
Surface roughness was estimated using the Talysurf instrument, and microhardness was estimated using the Vickers hardness tester before and after the application of whitening toothpastes on mounted extracted human teeth.

Results
In the activated charcoal group, there was a reduction in the surface roughness from 1.21 at baseline to 1.09 at 1 month and a further reduction to 1.02 at 3 months, which was found to be statistically significant. However, no statistically significant difference in surface roughness was found in the other toothpaste groups. With respect to microhardness, all 4 whitening toothpastes showed a statistically significant reduction in microhardness after 3 months of brushing. However, the reduction was significantly higher in group 2 and in group 4 compared to the others.

Conclusion
This study showed that whitening toothpaste containing activated charcoal significantly reduced the surface roughness, whereas toothpastes with blue covarine and toothpastes containing activated charcoal significantly reduced the microhardness of the tooth.

Clinical relevance
This study emphasizes the need for healthcare professionals to be aware of the potential disadvantages of whitening toothpastes and make evidence-based decisions when recommending the product to patients.
On Photos and Drawings in Baby Books. A Comparison Based on Dining Scenes
Authors: Kümmerling-Meibauer Bettina , Meibauer Jörg 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThis article offers a comparative analysis of the aesthetic functions of photos vs. drawings in baby books. Baby books are understood as books for children between 0 and 3 years of age. Since the development of food intake and eating behavior is very important at this age, appropriate pictures of dining scenes can be found in many baby books. This article compares picturebooks for babies that show dining scenes, with two photo books, Trine kan… (1955) and Se hvad vi kan! (1964), and two baby books with drawings, The Picturebook for BABY (1950) and I See (1985). The null hypothesis is that photos tend more towards documentary, authentic, and objective representation, while drawings emphasize a stereotypical, expressive, and subjective perspective. Important intermittent factors are the concept of portraiture, expressed cuteness, and the position on a scale from avant-garde to kitsch. The analysis of the images and the accompanying texts (including the peritexts) shows that the representation of babies is subject to historical changes, which is related to different constructions of what it means to be a baby. In particular, the orientation towards parental or pedagogical ideals influences the respective representations.
Estimating Income Distributions From Grouped Data: A Minimum Quantile Distance Approach
Authors: Spasova Tsvetana 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThis paper focuses on the estimation of income distribution from grouped data in the form of quantiles. We propose a novel application of the minimum quantile distance (MQD) approach and compare its performance with the maximum likelihood (ML) technique. The estimation methods are applied using three parametric distributions: the generalized beta distribution of the second kind (GB2), the Dagum distribution, and the Singh–Maddala distribution. We provide the density-quantile functions for these distributions, along with reproducible code. A simulation study is conducted to evaluate the performance of the MQD and ML methods. The proposed methods are then applied to data from 30 European countries, utilizing the aforementioned parametric distributions. To validate the accuracy of the estimates, we compare them with estimates obtained from more detailed and informative microdata sets. The findings confirm the excellent performance of the considered parametric distributions in estimating income distribution. Additionally, the MQD approach is identified as a straightforward and reliable method for this purpose. Notably, the MQD method displays superior robustness in comparison to the ML technique when it comes to selecting suitable starting values for the underlying computation algorithm, specifically when dealing with the GB2 distribution.
An empirical study on software understandability and its dependence on code characteristics
Authors: Lavazza Luigi , Morasca Sandro , Gatto Marco 
Published: November 2023

AbstractContextInsufficient code understandability makes software difficult to inspect and maintain and is a primary cause of software development cost. Several source code measures may be used to identify difficult-to-understand code, including well-known ones such as Lines of Code and McCabe’s Cyclomatic Complexity, and novel ones, such as Cognitive Complexity.ObjectiveWe investigate whether and to what extent source code measures, individually or together, are correlated with code understandability.MethodWe carried out an empirical study with students who were asked to carry out realistic maintenance tasks on methods from real-life Open Source Software projects. We collected several data items, including the time needed to correctly complete the maintenance tasks, which we used to quantify method understandability. We investigated the presence of correlations between the collected code measures and code understandability by using several Machine Learning techniques.ResultsWe obtained models of code understandability using one or two code measures. However, the obtained models are not very accurate, the average prediction error being around 30%.ConclusionsBased on our empirical study, it does not appear possible to build an understandability model based on structural code measures alone. Specifically, even the newly introduced Cognitive Complexity measure does not seem able to fulfill the promise of providing substantial improvements over existing measures, at least as far as code understandability prediction is concerned. It seems that, to obtain models of code understandability of acceptable accuracy, process measures should be used, possibly together with new source code measures that are better related to code understandability.