bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
“My Autism is Linked with Everything”: at the Crossroads of Autism and Diabetes
Authors: Vinayagam Ritwika , Tanner Christopher , Harley David , Karatela Shamshad , Brooker Katie 
Published: July 2023

AbstractAutistic adults experience stark health disparities and difficulties accessing health care. Their realities of managing complex health conditions are unknown. Our research explored the experience of Autistic adults self-managing diabetes. Interviews with Autistic adults with diabetes and their support people were thematically analysed to identify three key themes. The Autistic experience influenced diabetes self-management, including autism-unique challenges and strengths. Participants prioritised avoiding Autistic burnout over diabetes self-management; mitigating the psychosocial pressures of neurotypical systems took precedence. Health professionals often separated autism and diabetes subsequently overlooking key factors impacting diabetes self-management. To better meet the needs of Autistic adults, diabetes care and health management more broadly should be considered within the context of autism, including supports for self-management during Autistic burnout.
Indigenous Autism in Canada: A Scoping Review
Authors: Bruno Grant , Chan Titus A , Zwaigenbaum Lonnie , Coombs Emily ,   The Indigenous Relations Circle, Nicholas David 
Published: July 2023

AbstractCurrently there is a severe lack of research on autism and Indigenous people in Canada. This scoping review explores this literature gap and assesses the same literature from an Indigenous perspective. Scoping reviews are an effective means to explore the literature in a specific area, in this case, autism and Indigenous people in Canada. We explored existing literature as it pertains to Indigenous populations and autism in Canada. To support this review, the Indigenous Quality Assessment Tool (QAT) was adapted to appraise the quality of literature. In total, there were a total of 212 articles identified of which 24 met the inclusion criteria: (1) some focus on autism, (2) a component specific to Indigenous people, and (3) specific to Canada. Of the 24 articles and reports, 15 were peer-reviewed and the rest considered grey literature. Most articles focused on program delivery with some literature using primary data (quantitative and/or qualitative). Overall, the quality of the research was appraised as poor, as determined by the QAT. Findings reaffirm the critical need for research that addresses autism in Indigenous communities within Canada and show the importance of having research done in full partnership with, or led by, Indigenous people.
Systematic review and meta-analysis: does pre-implantation genetic testing for aneuploidy at the blastocyst stage improve live birth rate?
Authors: Kasaven Lorraine S. , Marcus Diana , Theodorou Efstathios , Jones Benjamin P. , Saso Srdjan , Naja Roy , Serhal Paul , Ben-Nagi Jara 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

Purpose
To establish if preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) at the blastocyst stage improves the composite outcome of live birth rate and ongoing pregnancy rate per embryo transfer compared to conventional morphological assessment.

Methods
A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane database from 1st March 2000 until 1st March 2022. Studies comparing reproductive outcomes following in vitro fertilisation using comprehensive chromosome screening (CCS) at the blastocyst stage with traditional morphological methods were evaluated.

Results
Of the 1307 citations identified, six randomised control trials (RCTs) and ten cohort studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The pooled data identified a benefit between PGT-A and control groups in the composite outcome of live birth rate and ongoing pregnancy per embryo transfer in both the RCT (RR 1.09, 95% CI 1.02–1.16) and cohort studies (RR 1.50, 95% CI 1.28–1.76). Euploid embryos identified by CCS were more likely to be successfully implanted amongst the RCT (RR 1.20, 95% CI 1.10–1.31) and cohort (RR 1.69, 95% CI 1.29–2.21) studies. The rate of miscarriage per clinical pregnancy is also significantly lower when CCS is implemented (RCT: RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.56–0.96 and cohort: RR 0.48, 95% CI 0.32–0.72).

Conclusions
CCS-based PGT-A at the blastocyst biopsy stage increases the composite outcome of live births and ongoing pregnancies per embryo transfer and reduces the rate of miscarriage compared to morphological assessment alone. In view of the limited number of studies included and the variation in methodology between studies, future reviews and analyses are required to confirm these findings.
ROS End-Effector: A Hardware-Agnostic Software and Control Framework for Robotic End-Effectors
Authors: Torielli Davide , Bertoni Liana , Fusaro Fabio , Tsagarakis Nikos , Muratore Luca 
Published: July 2023

AbstractIn recent years, several robotic end-effectors have been developed and made available in the market. Nevertheless, their adoption in industrial context is still limited due to a burdensome integration, which strongly relies on customized software modules specific for each end-effector. Indeed, to enable the functionalities of these end-effectors, dedicated interfaces must be developed to consider the different end-effector characteristics, like finger kinematics, actuation systems, and communication protocols. To face the challenges described above, we present ROS End-Effector, an open-source framework capable of accommodating a wide range of robotic end-effectors of different grasping capabilities (grasping, pinching, or independent finger dexterity) and hardware characteristics. The ROS End-Effector framework, rather than controlling each end-effector in a different and customized way, allows to mask the physical hardware differences and permits to control the end-effector using a set of high-level grasping primitives automatically extracted. By leveraging on hardware agnostic software modules including hardware abstraction layer (HAL), application programming interfaces (APIs), simulation tools and graphical user interfaces (GUIs), ROS End-Effector effectively facilitates the integration of diverse end-effector devices. The proposed framework capabilities in supporting different robotics end-effectors are demonstrated in both simulated and real hardware experiments using a variety of end-effectors with diverse characteristics, ranging from under-actuated grippers to anthropomorphic robotic hands. Finally, from the user perspective, the manuscript provides a set of examples about the use of the framework showing its flexibility in integrating a new end-effector module.
Non-Linear Lymphatic Anatomy in Breast Cancer Patients Prior to Axillary Lymph Node Dissection: A Risk Factor For Lymphedema Development
Authors: Kinney JacqueLyn R. , Friedman Rosie , Kim Erin , Tillotson Elizabeth , Shillue Kathy , Lee Bernard T. , Singhal Dhruv 
Published: July 2023

AbstractImmediate lymphatic reconstruction (ILR) at the time of axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) has become increasingly utilized for the prevention of breast cancer related lymphedema. Preoperative indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography is routinely performed prior to an ILR procedure to characterize baseline lymphatic anatomy of the upper extremity. While most patients have linear lymphatic channels visualized on ICG, representing a non-diseased state, some patients demonstrate non-linear patterns. This study aims to determine potential inciting factors that help explain why some patients have non-linear patterns, and what these patterns represent regarding the relative risk of developing postoperative breast cancer related lymphedema in this population. A retrospective review was conducted to identify breast cancer patients who underwent successful ILR with preoperative ICG at our institution from November 2017—June 2022. Among the 248 patients who were identified, 13 (5%) had preoperative non-linear lymphatic anatomy. A history of trauma or surgery of the affected limb and an increasing number of sentinel lymph nodes removed prior to ALND appeared to be risk factors for non-linear lymphatic anatomy. Furthermore, non-linear anatomy in the limb of interest was associated with an increased risk of postoperative lymphedema development. Overall, non-linear lymphatic anatomy on pre-operative ICG lymphography appears to be a risk factor for developing ipsilateral breast cancer-related lymphedema. Guided by the study’s findings, when breast cancer patients present with baseline non-linear lymphatic anatomy, our institution has implemented a protocol of prophylactically prescribing compression sleeves immediately following ALND.
Zebrafish as a model for cardiac disease; Cryo-EM structure of native cardiac thin filaments from Danio Rerio
Authors: Bradshaw Marston , Squire John M. , Morris Edward , Atkinson Georgia , Richardson Rebecca , Lees Jon , Caputo Massimo , Bigotti Giulia M. , Paul Danielle M. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractActin, tropomyosin and troponin, the proteins that comprise the contractile apparatus of the cardiac thin filament, are highly conserved across species. We have used cryo-EM to study the three-dimensional structure of the zebrafish cardiac thin and actin filaments. With 70% of human genes having an obvious zebrafish orthologue, and conservation of 85% of disease-causing genes, zebrafish are a good animal model for the study of human disease. Our structure of the zebrafish thin filament reveals the molecular interactions between the constituent proteins, showing that the fundamental organisation of the complex is the same as that reported in the human reconstituted thin filament. A reconstruction of zebrafish cardiac F-actin demonstrates no deviations from human cardiac actin over an extended length of 14 actin subunits. Modelling zebrafish homology models into our maps enabled us to compare, in detail, the similarity with human models. The structural similarities of troponin-T in particular, a region known to contain a hypertrophic cardiomyopathy ‘hotspot’, confirm the suitability of zebrafish to study these disease-causing mutations.
Bifurcation analysis of a rear axle tramp car model
Authors: Smith Shaun , Knowles James , Mason Byron , Biggs Sean 
Published: July 2023

AbstractAxle tramp is a self-sustaining vibration in the driven axle of a vehicle with a beam axle layout, known to occur under heavy braking or acceleration. A 6DOF mathematical model of this phenomenon is used to identify how the key parameters of driveline stiffness, axle mass and fore/aft stiffness change the system’s dynamics. A bifurcation analysis is performed to study this nonlinear system’s dynamics. Four Hopf bifurcations in the underlying equilibria, along with a fold bifurcation in the outermost limit cycle branch, are shown to bound the parameter space where tramp occurs. The severity of tramp was found to be minimised by increasing drivetrain stiffness, reducing axle mass or increasing fore/aft stiffness: the trade-off for minimising tramp severity is that it may be easier to excite tramp when the drivetrain stiffness is increased, and the speed range over which tramp can occur is increased as fore/aft stiffness is increased. A key outcome from this work is that future electrified powertrains may experience more tramp, albeit at a reduced magnitude, than their combustion-powered counterparts.
Learning from experience and conditionalization
Authors: Brössel Peter 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBayesianism can be characterized as the following twofold position: (i) rational credences obey the probability calculus; (ii) rational learning, i.e., the updating of credences, is regulated by some form of conditionalization. While the formal aspect of various forms of conditionalization has been explored in detail, the philosophical application to learning from experience is still deeply problematic. Some philosophers have proposed to revise the epistemology of perception; others have provided new formal accounts of conditionalization that are more in line with how we learn from perceptual experience. The current investigation argues that Bayesian epistemology is still incomplete; the epistemology of perception and the epistemology of rational reasoning have not been reconciled.
Flexible non-parametric regression models for compositional response data with zeros
Authors: Tsagris Michail , Alenazi Abdulaziz , Stewart Connie 
Published: July 2023

AbstractCompositional data arise in many real-life applications and versatile methods for properly analyzing this type of data in the regression context are needed. When parametric assumptions do not hold or are difficult to verify, non-parametric regression models can provide a convenient alternative method for prediction. To this end, we consider an extension to the classicalk- Nearest Neighbours (k-NN) regression, that yields a highly flexible non-parametric regression model for compositional data. A similar extension of kernel regression is proposed by adopting the Nadaraya–Watson estimator. Both extensions involve a power transformation termed the$$\alpha $$α-transformation. Unlike many of the recommended regression models for compositional data, zeros values (which commonly occur in practice) are not problematic and they can be incorporated into the proposed models without modification. Extensive simulation studies and real-life data analyses highlight the advantage of using these non-parametric regressions for complex relationships between compositional response data and Euclidean predictor variables. Both the extendedK-NNand kernel regressions can lead to more accurate predictions compared to current regression models which assume a, sometimes restrictive, parametric relationship with the predictor variables. In addition, the extendedk-NNregression, in contrast to current regression techniques, enjoys a high computational efficiency rendering it highly attractive for use with large sample data sets.
Single layer centrifugation as a method for bacterial reduction in bull semen for assisted reproduction
Authors: Cojkic Aleksandar , Hansson Ingrid , Johannisson Anders , Axner Eva , Morrell Jane M. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractSemen samples contain bacteria originating from the animal urogenital tract, environment, and/or contamination during semen processing, negatively affecting sperm quality by producing toxins and/or competing for nutrients in extenders. The aims of this study were to evaluate two methods of Single-layer centrifuges (SLC), high and low density colloid, as a method for bacterial removal from bull semen, and to evaluate sperm quality after treatment. In total, semen samples from 20 bulls (3 ejaculates per bull) were used in this study. Bacterial reduction was evaluated by bacterial quantification (colony forming unit - CFU/mL) while bacterial identification was performed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) after culturing bacteria on blood agar. Sperm motility parameters were evaluated by Computer Assisted Sperm Analyses (CASA), and sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) by Flow cytometry. Both, High and Low density SLC reduced number of bacteria significantly (p < 0.001) compared with control. The difference in bacterial count between High and Low SLC was also significant (p < 0.001). Furthermore, High density SLC was successful in removing almost allBacillusandProteusspp. Most CASA parameters were significantly improved after both treatments (p < 0.001, p < 0.01, p < 0.05). The Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragmentation index evaluated by SCSA in High (p < 0.01) and Low (p < 0.05) SLC group differed significantly compared with control. Single-layer centrifugation (SLC) with either a high or a low density colloid is a suitable method for bacterial removal in bull semen.
Purification of Acid Sulfate Soil Runoff Water Using Biochar: a Meso-Scale Laboratory Experiment
Authors: Kinnunen Niko , Laurén Annamari , Pumpanen Jukka , Nieminen Tiina Maileena , Palviainen Marjo 
Published: July 2023

AbstractAcid sulfate soils worldwide pose a risk to water bodies due to acidic, metal-rich runoff. Efficient water protection methods to reduce this diffuse load in forestry sites do not exist currently. Biochar is a promising adsorbent due to its high porosity and ion exchange capacity but has not been studied for water protection for forestry in acid sulfate soils. Our objective was to study the metal adsorption capacity of biochar for acid sulfate soil runoff water, where several metals are competing for the adsorption. We also assessed whether the use of wood ash in biochar reactors can improve adsorption. Furthermore, we studied if desorption occurs when the metal concentrations in the water decrease. In a meso-scale laboratory experiment, hundreds of liters of runoff water from acid sulfate soils were circulated through biochar and biochar-ash filled reactors. We extracted water samples from the inlet and outlet of the reactors and determined the metal concentrations (Al, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Cd). These were used to construct adsorption kinetics models. We studied desorption by diluting the water and measuring the concentration changes. Biochar increased the solution pH and adsorbed multiple metals simultaneously. The adsorption capacity and rate were higher in biochar-ash reactors than in the biochar reactors. Biochar-ash reactors adsorbed 70–99% of six of the seven metals. However, Al was released from ash. We observed no significant desorption after the dilutions. Therefore, biochar could be considered as a potential water protection tool in forests located on acid sulfate soils.
App-based detection of vulnerable implementations of OTP SMS APIs in the banking sector
Authors: Aparicio Amador , Martínez-González M. Mercedes , Cardeñoso-Payo Valentín 
Published: July 2023

AbstractTwo Factor Authentication (2FA) using One Time Password (OTP) codes via SMS messages is widely used. In order to improve user experience, Google has proposed APIs that allow the automatic verification of the SMS messages without the intervention of the users themselves. They reduce the risks of user error, but they also have vulnerabilities. One of these APIs is the SMS Retriever API for Android devices. This article presents a method to study the vulnerabilities of these OTP exchange APIs in a given sector. The most popular API in the sector is selected, and different scenarios of interaction between mobile apps and SMS OTP servers are posed to determine which implementations are vulnerable. The proposed methodology, applied here to the banking sector, is nevertheless simple enough to be applied to any other sector, or to other SMS OTP APIs. One of its advantages is that it proposes a method for detecting bad implementations on the server side, based on analyses of the apps, which boosts reusability and replicability, while offering a guide to developers to prevent errors that cause vulnerabilities. Our study focuses on Spain’s banking sector, in which the SMS Retriever API is the most popular. The results suggest that there are vulnerable implementations which would allow cybercriminals to steal the users SMS OTP codes. This suggests that a revision of the equilibrium between ease of use and security would apply in order to maintain the high level of security which has traditionally characterized this sector.
Embracing the future of circular bio-enabled economy: unveiling the prospects of microbial fuel cells in achieving true sustainable energy
Authors: Unuofin John Onolame , Iwarere Samuel Ayodele , Daramola Michael Olawale 
Published: July 2023

AbstractSustainable development and energy security, highlighted by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), necessitate the use of renewable and sustainable energy sources. However, upon careful evaluation of literature, we have discovered that many existing and emerging renewable energy systems (RESs) prioritize renewability over true sustainability. These systems not only suffer from performance inconsistencies and lack of scalability but also fall short in fully embodying the principles of sustainability and circular economy. To address this gap, we propose considering microbial fuel cells (MFCs) as a viable alternative and integral part of the renewable energy ecosystem. MFCs harness the omnipresence, abundance, and cost-effectiveness of their essential components, making them a promising candidate. Through our comprehensive analysis, we shed light on the limitations and advancements of this technology, which underscore the remarkable potential of MFCs to revolutionize our perception of clean, sustainable energy.
Emergent (branched bur-reed—Sparganium erectum L.) and submergent (river water-crowfoot—Ranunculus fluitans Wimm., 1841) aquatic plants as metal biosorbents under varying water pH conditions in laboratory conditions
Authors: Senze Magdalena , Kowalska-Góralska Monika , Czyż Katarzyna 
Published: July 2023

AbstractA laboratory experiment was performed to find out the potential bioaccumulation of metals (Al, Cu, Cd, Ni, Pb, Fe, Mn) in aquatic plants acting as natural biosorbents in the environment depending on the variation of water pH. Two plants were selected for the study: branched bur-reed—Sparganium erectum L., as a representative of emergent plants; and river water-crowfoot—Ranunculus fluitans Wimm., 1841, as a representative of submergent plants. The bioaccumulation of metals in plants relative to water (BCFW) was determined, and the metal pollution index (MPI) was calculated. The metal content in water and plants before the experiment was arranged in the following series of increasing values: Cd = Ni < Cu < Pb < Mn < Al < Fe (water) and Cd < Cu < Ni < Pb < Al < Fe < Mn (in both plants). The lowest concentration of cadmium was found in water both at the end and beginning of the experiment. In turn, aluminum level increased, and its concentration was the highest in both acidic and alkaline water. This suggests that aluminum is definitely more available to the organisms living in it under such conditions, and in higher concentrations may be a limiting factor for them. Bioaccumulation of metals (BCFW) in neutral and alkaline environments was higher in branched bur-reed, and in acidic conditions in river water-crowfoot. This may provide a basis for using specific plant species to selectively accumulate metals depending on the range of water pH. This is also supported by the MPI values, which indicate that they have a very high and often the highest impact on metal pollution levels. The observed variability of metals bioaccumulation against the condition of hydromacrophytes makes it possible to consider these plants as biosorbents used in constructed biological treatment plants, which, depending on the species placed there, can selectively absorb particular trace elements. The plants used in the experiment are common hydromacrophytes of Europe, so they can be used in the construction of artificial wetlands across the continent. The apparent diversity of metal accumulation in relation to hydromacrophytes indicates that this type of site can be inhabited by specific species, which can significantly improve the purification of natural or anthropogenic water reservoirs, i.e., those that are intended to perform a filtering function.
Model-based clustering using a new multivariate skew distribution
Authors: Tomarchio Salvatore D. , Bagnato Luca , Punzo Antonio 
Published: July 2023

AbstractQuite often real data exhibit non-normal features, such as asymmetry and heavy tails, and present a latent group structure. In this paper, we first propose the multivariate skew shifted exponential normal distribution that can account for these non-normal characteristics. Then, we use this distribution in a finite mixture modeling framework. An EM algorithm is illustrated for maximum-likelihood parameter estimation. We provide a simulation study that compares the fitting performance of our model with those of several alternative models. The comparison is also conducted on a real dataset concerning the log returns of four cryptocurrencies.