bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Building an open-source system test generation tool: lessons learned and empirical analyses with EvoMaster
Authors: Arcuri Andrea , Zhang Man , Belhadi Asma , Marculescu Bogdan , Golmohammadi Amid , Galeotti Juan Pablo , Seran Susruthan 
Published: March 2023

AbstractResearch in software testing often involves the development of software prototypes. Like any piece of software, there are challenges in the development, use and verification of such tools. However, some challenges are rather specific to this problem domain. For example, often these tools are developed by PhD students straight out of bachelor/master degrees, possibly lacking any industrial experience in software development. Prototype tools are used to carry out empirical studies, possibly studying different parameters of novel designed algorithms. Software scaffolding is needed to run large sets of experiments efficiently. Furthermore, when using AI-based techniques like evolutionary algorithms, care needs to be taken to deal with their randomness, which further complicates their verification. The aforementioned represent some of the challenges we have identified for this domain. In this paper, we report on our experience in building the open-source EvoMaster tool, which aims at system-level test case generation for enterprise applications. Many of the challenges we faced would be common to any researcher needing to build software testing tool prototypes. Therefore, one goal is that our shared experience here will boost the research community, by providing concrete solutions to many development challenges in the building of such kind of research prototypes. Ultimately, this will lead to increase the impact of scientific research on industrial practice.
Effect of sodium–glucose transporter 2 inhibitor empagliflozin on proteinuria and kidney function progression in patients with non-diabetic glomerulonephritis: a pilot superiority randomized controlled trial
Authors: Hammad Hany , Shaaban Asmaa , Philips Mariana Victor , Fayed Ahmed , Abdelaziz Tarek Samy 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
Amelioration of proteinuria is one of main treatment targets in patients with glomerulonephritis, yet the remission rates are suboptimal.

Aim of the study
To examine the effect of the sodium–glucose transporter 2 inhibitor (empagliflozin) on proteinuria and kidney function progression, in patients with glomerulonephritis not due to diabetic kidney diseases.

Subjects and methods
Fifty patients were recruited. The entry criteria were diagnosis of glomerulonephritis, and proteinuria (proteinuria ≥ 500 mg⁄g) in spite of the use of the maximal tolerated dose of RAAS blocking agents together with specific immunosuppression treatment regimens. Group 1 (Empagliflozin arm): 25 patients who received 25 mg of empagliflozin once daily for 3 months as add-on to their regular treatment protocol (RAAS blockers and immunosuppression). Group 2 (Placebo arm): 25 patients treated with RAAS blockers and immunosuppression. The primary efficacy endpoints were the change in creatinine eGFR, and proteinuria 3 months after starting treatment.

Results
Progression of proteinuria was lower with empagliflozin as compared to placebo (odds ratio, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.55 to 0.72, p = 0.002). Decline in eGFR was lower with empagliflozin as compared to placebo; however, this was statistically not significant (odds ratio, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.82 to 1.2, p = .31). The percentage change in proteinuria was greater with empagliflozin as compared to placebo (median, − 77 (− 97–105) vs − 48 (− 80–117).

Conclusion
Empagliflozin has a favorable effect on amelioration of proteinuria in patients with glomerulonephritis. Empagliflozin has tendency to preserve kidney function in patients with glomerulonephritis as compared to placebo; however, longer term studies are required.
Diagnostic tests for medullary thyroid carcinoma: an umbrella review
Authors: Trimboli Pierpaolo , Mian Caterina , Piccardo Arnoldo , Treglia Giorgio 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Purpose
To summarize the more robust evidence about the performance of tools useful for diagnosis of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) such as calcitonin (Ctn) and other circulating markers, ultrasound (US), fine-needle aspiration (FNA), and other imaging procedures.

Methods
This systematic review of systematic reviews was carried out according to a predefined protocol. A search string was created. An electronical comprehensive search of literature was performed on December 2022. Quality assessment of eligible systematic reviews was performed and main findings were described.

Results
Twenty-three systematic reviews were included and several findings were achieved. Ctn is the most reliable diagnostic marker of MTC with no evidence of improvement with stimulation test. CEA doubling time is more reliable than Ctn in identifying MTC with poorer prognosis. US sensitivity is suboptimal in MTC and only just over half of cases are at high risk according to Thyroid Imaging And Reporting Data Systems. Cytology can correctly detect MTC in just over half of cases and measuring Ctn in washout fluid from FNA is necessary. PET/CT is useful for detecting recurrent MTC.

Conclusions
Future guidelines of both thyroid nodule management and MTC diagnosis should consider these evidence-based data.
Numerical investigation of labyrinth-shaft spillway
Authors: Aydin M. Cihan , Ulu Ali Emre 
Published: March 2023

AbstractIn the present study, a new type of hybrid spillway termed labyrinth-shaft spillway was introduced to improve the discharge capacity and efficiency of the spillway. An advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technique was used to analyze the performance of the labyrinth-shaft spillway. The hydraulic performance of the new model was investigated for different labyrinth geometries with a verified computational model. The analysis results demonstrated that the discharge capacity of the labyrinth-shaft spillway was better when compared to that of the conventional shaft spillways with the same weir heads. The discharge coefficient that reflects the efficiency of the labyrinth-shaft spillway was also much better when compared to the conventional spillway, while the opposite was observed with relatively small nappe heads. Similarly, the comparison with the findings of previous studies on labyrinth weirs in the literature demonstrated that labyrinth-shaft spillways performed better when compared to the conventional labyrinth weirs in-channel flow conditions, especially with high nappe heads. A new formula was also developed in the present study with regression analysis conducted on the collected data to calculate the discharge coefficients of the labyrinth-shaft spillway for H/P > 0.2.
In Silico Evaluation of a Self-powered Venous Ejector Pump for Fontan Patients
Authors: Rasooli Reza , Giljarhus Knut Erik Teigen , Hiorth Aksel , Jolma Ingunn Westvik , Vinningland Jan Ludvig , de Lange Charlotte , Brun Henrik , Holmstrom Henrik 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Purpose
The Fontan circulation carries a dismal prognosis in the long term due to its peculiar physiology and lack of a subpulmonic ventricle. Although it is multifactorial, elevated IVC pressure is accepted to be the primary cause of Fontan's high mortality and morbidity. This study presents a self-powered venous ejector pump (VEP) that can be used to lower the high IVC venous pressure in single-ventricle patients.

Methods
A self-powered venous assist device that exploits the high-energy aortic flow to lower IVC pressure is designed. The proposed design is clinically feasible, simple in structure, and is powered intracorporeally. The device's performance in reducing IVC pressure is assessed by conducting comprehensive computational fluid dynamics simulations in idealized total cavopulmonary connections with different offsets. The device was finally applied to complex 3D reconstructed patient-specific TCPC models to validate its performance.

Results
The assist device provided a significant IVC pressure drop of more than 3.2 mm Hg in both idealized and patient-specific geometries, while maintaining a high systemic oxygen saturation of more than 90%. The simulations revealed no significant caval pressure rise (< 0.1 mm Hg) and sufficient systemic oxygen saturation (> 84%) in the event of device failure, demonstrating its fail-safe feature.

Conclusions
A self-powered venous assist with promising in silico performance in improving Fontan hemodynamics is proposed. Due to its passive nature, the device has the potential to provide palliation for the growing population of patients with failing Fontan.
Heartbeat detector from ECG and PPG signals based on wavelet transform and upper envelopes
Authors: Merino-Monge Manuel , Castro-García Juan Antonio , Lebrato-Vázquez Clara , Gómez-González Isabel María , Molina-Cantero Alberto Jesús 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe analysis of cardiac activity is one of the most common elements for evaluating the state of a subject, either to control possible health risks, sports performance, stress levels, etc. This activity can be recorded using different techniques, with electrocardiogram and photoplethysmogram being the most common. Both techniques make significantly different waveforms, however the first derivative of the photoplethysmographic data produces a signal structurally similar to the electrocardiogram, so any technique focusing on detecting QRS complexes, and thus heartbeats in electrocardiogram, is potentially applicable to photoplethysmogram. In this paper, we develop a technique based on the wavelet transform and envelopes to detect heartbeats in both electrocardiogram and photoplethysmogram. The wavelet transform is used to enhance QRS complexes with respect to other signal elements, while the envelopes are used as an adaptive threshold to determine their temporal location. We compared our approach with three other techniques using electrocardiogram signals from the Physionet database and photoplethysmographic signals from the DEAP database. Our proposal showed better performances when compared to others. When the electrocardiographic signal was considered, the method had an accuracy greater than 99.94%, a true positive rate of 99.96%, and positive prediction value of 99.76%. When photoplethysmographic signals were investigated, an accuracy greater than 99.27%, a true positive rate of 99.98% and positive prediction value of 99.50% were obtained. These results indicate that our proposal can be adapted better to the recording technology.
The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on breast surgery in Italy: a multi-centric retrospective observational study
Authors: Sgarzani R. , Macrì G. , Gurrado A. , Curcio A. , De Lorenzi F. , Galimberti V. , Garusi C. , Bocchiotti M. , Roncella M. , Rovera F. , Caputo G. , Sgarella A. , Adesi L. Barone , Terribile D. , Nonnis R. , Frittelli P. , Cagli B. , Tenna S. , Baldelli I. , Cordova A. , Elia R. , Salgarello M. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractCOVID-19 pandemic had an impact on surgical activities. The aim of this multi-centric, retrospective study was to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast surgery. The patients who operated during the pre-pandemic year 2019 were compared to those operated in 2020. Fourteen Breast Care Units provided data on breast surgical procedures performed in 2020 and 2019: total number of breast-conserving surgery (BCS), number of 1st level oncoplastic breast surgery (OBS), number of 2nd level OBS; total number of mastectomies, mastectomies without reconstruction, mastectomies with a tissue expander, mastectomies with direct to implant (DTI) reconstruction, mastectomies with immediate flap reconstruction; total number of delayed reconstructions, number of expanders to implant reconstructions, number of delayed flap reconstructions. Overall 20.684 patients were included: 10.850 (52.5%) operated during 2019, and 9.834 (47.5%) during 2020. The overall number of breast oncologic surgical procedures in all centers in 2020 was 8.509, compared to 9.383 in 2019 (− 9%). BCS decreased by 744 cases (− 13%), the overall number of mastectomies decreased by 130 cases (− 3.5%); mastectomy-BCS ratio was 39–61% in 2019, and 42–58% in 2020. Regarding immediate reconstructive procedures mastectomies with DTI reconstruction increased by 166 cases (+ 15%) and mastectomies with immediate expander reconstruction decreased by 297 cases (− 20%). Breast-delayed reconstructive procedures in all centers in 2020 were 142 less than in 2019 (− 10%). The outburst of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 determined an implemented number of mastectomies compared to BCS, an implemented number of immediate breast reconstructions, mainly DTI, and a reduction of expander reconstruction.
Tax evasion and tax amnesties in regional taxation
Authors: Angeli Andrea , Lattarulo Patrizia , Palmieri Eugenio , Pazienza Maria Grazia 
Published: March 2023

AbstractItalian governments have frequently chosen tax amnesties or concessions, with the twofold purpose of creating new budget resources and cancelling irredeemable debts. Such course of action constitutes a “shortcut” policy in terms of fighting tax evasion, which is a matter less popular among voters and more demanding in terms of efficiency and political continuity. This paper investigates the effects of the 2016–2019 tax concession, bringing empirical evidence based on the car tax paid to the Tuscany Region. The car tax is the main source of regional fiscal autonomy in Italy. In terms of revenue recovery, we found a net amount of only 1.6% of the unpaid taxes accrued. A difference-in-difference (DiD) analysis of the effects on compliance showed that those who took advantage of the tax amnesty in the past, when cheating again, were more likely to default on their tax debts, as compared to those who did not join the amnesty program. Therefore, our analysis provides original evidence of a very low budget recovery and confirms the results of literature according to which tax amnesties impact negatively on taxpayers’ behaviour.
Facilitators and barriers to creating a culture of academic integrity at secondary schools: an exploratory case study
Authors: Çelik Özgür , Razı Salim 
Published: March 2023

AbstractAcademic integrity is a vital pedagogical responsibility that educational institutions should explicitly address. One of the best ways to uphold academic integrity is to create a culture of academic integrity throughout the school. This is especially imperative at high schools where students develop their moral identity because students who act dishonestly at high school will likely behave accordingly in post-secondary education and ultimately be dishonest in familial and professional settings. Creating a culture of academic integrity is a challenging, long and multifaceted journey. In this respect, this exploratory case study set out to create a culture of academic integrity at a high school in Türkiye and explore what facilitates and impedes the process. We followed Stephens’ (2016) Multilevel Intervention Model and implemented a School-Wide Education program to guide us through the process. We conducted various activities throughout one academic year, from seminars to competitions. At the end of the term, we conducted individual and focus group interviews with the members of the school community and analyzed the interview data to identify facilitators and barriers of the process. The analysis yielded five facilitators (1) creating buy-in, (2) administrative embracement and support, (3) activities that promote student involvement, (4) external expert and school collaboration as praxis, and (5) policy as the blueprint and five barriers (1) deficiencies in responding academic misconduct, (2) prioritization of academic success over academic integrity, (3) teacher resistance against change, (4) exam-based assessment design, and (5) timing of the activities. Each theme was discussed in detail, and recommendations were made for high schools which set out on a journey of creating academic integrity culture.
Cynicism Toward Change and Career Stage: An Exploration of Work Environment and Organizational Based Characteristics Among Prison Officers in Ghana
Authors: Akoensi Thomas D. , Amankwah-Amoah Joseph 
Published: March 2023

AbstractPrison officer cynicism toward change (CTC) has received limited attention in the penal literature. In the global south, there has been very limited research on CTC among prison officers. In addressing this research gap, we utilized data from prison officers based in low- and medium- security prisons in Ghana to assess the level of CTC and whether the levels of reported CTC differed across different career stages. We also examine the impact of individual, work-environment, and organizational predictors on CTC across career stages. Our results reveal similar levels of moderate CTC among prison officers at all career stages. Organizational-based factors were stronger predictors of CTC than work-environment variables. Input into decision making was the only predictor of CTC across all career stages. We identify and examine a number of vital contributions to theory and practice.
Changes on local travel behaviors under travel reduction-related interventions during COVID-19 pandemic: a case study in Hong Kong
Authors: Shang Shujia , Jia Wei , Zhang Shiyao , Su Boni , Cheng Reynold , Li Yuguo , Zhang Nan 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe emerging Omicron variant poses a serious threat to human health. Public transports play a critical role in infection spread. Based on the data of nearly 4 billion smartcard uses, between January 1, 2019 and January 31, 2021 from the Mass Transit Railway Corporation of Hong Kong, we analyzed the subway travel behavior of different population groups (adults, children, students and senior citizens) due to the COVID-19 pandemic and human travel behavior under different interventions (e.g. work suspension, school closure). Due to the pandemic, the number of MTR passengers (the daily number of passengers in close proximity in subway carriages) decreased by 37.4% (40.8%) for adults, 80.3% (78.5%) for children, 71.6% (71.6%) for students, and 33.5% (36.1%) for senior citizens. Due to work from home (school suspension), the number of contacted adults (students/children) in the same carriage during the rush hours decreased by 39.6% (38.6%/43.2%). If all workers, students, and children were encouraged to commute avoiding rush hours, the possible repeated contacts during rush hour of adults, children and students decreased by 73.3%, 77.9% and 79.5%, respectively. Since adults accounted for 87.3% of the total number of subway passengers during the pandemic, work from home and staggered shift pattern of workers can reduce the infection risk effectively. Our objective is to find the changes of local travel behavior due to the pandemic. From the perspective of public transports, the results provide a scientific support for COVID-19 prevention and control in cities.
Potassium Fertilizer Rate Recommendations: Does Accounting for Soil Stock of Potassium Matter?
Authors: Oliver Kimberly B. , Popp Michael P. , Fang Di , Anderson John D. , Slaton Nathan A. , Drescher Gerson L. , Roberts Trenton L. , Thompson Jada 
Published: March 2023

AbstractProfitability, yield, and fertilizer use are compared across three different potassium (K) fertilizer rate recommendation ideologies. Existing agronomic, “build and maintain” rate recommendations (KE) are compared to profit-maximizing rates with and without taking long-run soil-test K (STK) implications into account. Regardless of starting STK, K use equilibrated over the course of 3 years irrespective of ideology. Since taking long-run STK into account did not alter ending STK and only led to a miniscule yield effect, we encourage producers to use annual profit-maximizing K rates that were 3–11% lower than KE rates and generated more profit with minimal yield loss.
Going Back to the Roots: Indigenous Language, Media Performance, and Change in Kenya
Authors: Kanana Erastus Fridah , Kinyua Ann H. G. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe introduction of indigenous languages to Kenyan media, following pre- and post-independence realities, opened the floodgate of communications within the country, with both positive and negative consequences. Indigenous languages found expression in creative works, civic communication, and other areas previously reserved solely for English and Kiswahili. Kanana and Kinyua discuss this trajectory within the context of media liberalization, digital migration, and gains from the period of state crackdown on media to the promulgation of the 2010 Kenyan Constitution and devolution of government units reflecting traditional boundaries. Employing secondary research methodologies, they argue the advantages of indigenous languages in the media over the disadvantages highlighted in the literature.
Mixing properties of erasing interval maps
Authors: CORONA DARIO , DELLA CORTE ALESSANDRO 
Published: March 2023

AbstractWe study the measurable dynamical properties of the interval map generated by the model-case erasing substitution$\rho $, defined by$$ \begin{align*} \rho(00)=\text{empty word},\quad \rho(01)=1,\quad \rho(10)=0,\quad \rho(11)=01. \end{align*} $$We prove that, although the map is singular, its square preserves the Lebesgue measure and is strongly mixing, thus ergodic, with respect to it. We discuss the extension of the results to more general erasing maps.
Zero entropy actions of amenable groups are not dominant
Authors: LOTT ADAM 
Published: March 2023

AbstractA probability measure-preserving action of a discrete amenable group G is said to be dominant if it is isomorphic to a generic extension of itself. Recently, it was shown that for
$G = \mathbb {Z}$
, an action is dominant if and only if it has positive entropy and that for any G, positive entropy implies dominance. In this paper, we show that the converse also holds for any G, that is, that zero entropy implies non-dominance.
Ilkhanid Wood Carvings in the Mountain Villages between Kashan and Natanz
Authors: Ghiasian Mohamad Reza , Mashhadi Nooshabadi Mohammad 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThis paper surveys some wood carvings belonging to four mosques in the villages of Firizhand, Quhrud, Abyana, and Barzuk. Carved between the years 700/1300-1 and 705/1305–6, they consist of architectural elements such as doors, columns, and capitals. The recently found woodwork evidence from the demolished Jamiʿ mosque of Barzuk reveals that this building and its decorations were executed by a multiskilled artist, who was most likely a descendant of Abu Zayd. Moreover, the newly discovered columns from the Masjid-i ʿAli in Quhrud show that, in contrast to what was previously thought, the current building is not contemporary with its dated door and was erected in later centuries. Interestingly, these wooden mosques were built during the last years of Ghazan Khan's rule and witness his order to construct mosques in all the villages of the country. This woodwork offers significant insight into the artistic and cultural situation of the early fourteenth century.