bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oculomotor nerve palsy recovery following microsurgery vs. endovascular treatment of posterior communicating artery aneurysms: a comparative meta-analysis of short- and long-term outcomes
Authors: Abo Kasem Rahim , Cunningham Conor , Elawady Sameh Samir , Sowlat Mohammad Mahdi , Babool Sofia , Hulou Saad , Hubbard Zachary , Orscelik Atakan , Musmar Basel , Spiotta Alejandro M. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractRecent advancements in endovascular treatment (EVT) and different views on optimal management for posterior communicating artery (PComA) aneurysms with oculomotor nerve palsy (ONP) highlight a need to compare recovery timelines between microsurgery and EVT; heterogeneous outcomes and influencing factors may also affect results. A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted by searching PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. The extracted data encompassed patient demographics, details on treatment modalities and timing, and characteristics of PComA aneurysms ONP caused by either unruptured or ruptured aneurysms. The primary outcome was ONP favorable recovery, defined as the resolution of admission symptoms, except for subtle ptosis and mild pupillary asymmetry. We used random effect models to calculate odds ratios (OR) and pool prevalence with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). A total of 40 studies met the inclusion criteria. Overall, microsurgical clipping of PComA aneurysms demonstrated a significantly higher likelihood of ONP recovery compared to EVT at 1,3,6, and 12 months follow-up. However, recovery rates were comparable in long-term follow-up [18 months: (0.87 vs. 0.64, P-value = 0.36); ≥24 months: (0.86 vs. 0.72 P-Value = 0.26)]. The recovery outcomes for early treatment were similar when assessed during the 6-month follow-up (0.75 vs. 0.56, P-value = 0.07). Our findings suggest microsurgery leads to prompt ONP recovery from PComA aneurysms, while EVT shows potential for delayed favorable recovery; both treatments yield short-term recovery when administered early. A case-by-case approach is recommended, emphasizing a comprehensive understanding of patient factors in relation to the immediate and sustained effects of each treatment.
Efficacy of androgen receptor signaling inhibitors in combination with androgen deprivation therapy for castration-sensitive metastatic prostate cancer: a retrospective analysis in a Japanese cohort
Authors: Taga Minekatsu , Sasaki Takeshi , Higashi Shinichiro , Kimura Shoichi , Sawada Atsuro , Tsuchiyama Katsuki , Inoue Takahiro , Kamoto Toshiyuki , Terada Naoki 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background
This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of androgen receptor signaling inhibitors (ARSIs) combined with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for treating castration-sensitive metastatic prostate cancer in Japanese patients, focusing on the effects on time to the development of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and overall survival (OS).

Methods
This retrospective muti-institutional analysis included 332 patients diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer in Japan between 2018 and 2023. The patients were categorized into two groups: patients receiving ADT combined with ARSI (ARSI group) and those receiving ADT alone or with bicalutamide (ADT group). Data on demographics, treatments, and outcomes were compared using the Kaplan–Meier method with propensity score matching.

Results
We found an increasing trend in ARSI use over time. The median time to CRPC was significantly longer in the ARSI group than in the ADT group (47.1 vs. 15.2 months, p < 0.001); however, no significant differences in OS were observed before or after propensity score matching. The 1-year-survival rate of patients in the ARSI group tended to be higher than that of patients in the ADT group in subgroups with high tumor volume (96.1% vs. 85.0%) and high Gleason grade (98.1% vs. 85.9%).

Conclusions
Adding ARSI to ADT extended the time to CRPC but did not significantly affect OS. However, it potentially suppressed the short-term risk of death in high-risk subgroups. This study highlights the need for further research to explore the characteristics of Japanese patients with metastatic prostate cancer in whom upfront ARSIs are effective.
Thompson sampling-based recursive block elimination for dynamic assignment under limited budget in pure-exploration
Authors: Parambath Shameem Puthiya , Anagnostopoulos Christos , Alfahad Saleh Abdullah M. 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
In this paper, we investigate Thompson sampling-based sequential block elimination approaches for dynamic assignment problems in a pure-exploration Multi-Armed Bandit (MAB) setting with limited budget constraints. The problem can be considered as a bandit game-play between the environment and a decision-maker in a metric space. Many instances of problems in fields such as e-commerce, logistics, mobility management, data management and operations research can be framed as dynamic assignment problems with budget constraints. Given an l-dimensional action space representing l variants of an entity and a budget for exploring the action space, the optimal dynamic assignment problem refers to the task of identifying the values to be assigned to different variants of the entity that maximizes the total reward by utilizing at most the given budget of rounds of play. We contribute a class of block elimination-based MAB algorithms specifically designed for the dynamic assignment problem with limited budget. Our algorithms begin by discretizing the continuous action space into a finite set of discrete actions, then proceed with a recursive block elimination procedure to remove sub-optimal actions. The elimination is carried out by calculating confidence bounds over blocks of actions. We explore two different confidence bound estimation techniques. We perform comprehensive experiments on two problem instances from distributed data management and logistics. Our results showcase that our approach yields a lower misidentification probability (i.e., the probability of recommending a non-optimal action) compared to state-of-the-art elimination-based pure-exploration MAB algorithms.
Should automated vehicles communicate their state or intent? Effects of eHMI activations and non-activations on pedestrians’ trust formation and crossing behavior
Authors: Eisele Daniel , Kraus Johannes , Schlemer Magdalena Maria , Petzoldt Tibor 
Published: December 2024

AbstractIn recent years, there has been a debate on whether automated vehicles (AVs) should be equipped with novel external human–machine interfaces (eHMIs). Many studies have demonstrated how eHMIs influence pedestrians’ attitudes (e.g., trust in AVs) and behavior when they activate (e.g., encourage crossing by lighting up). However, very little attention has been paid to their effects when they do not activate (e.g., discourage crossing by not lighting up). We conducted a video-based laboratory study with a mixed design to explore the potential of two different eHMI messages to facilitate pedestrian-AV interactions by means of activating or not activating. Our participants watched videos of an approaching AV equipped with either a state eHMI (“I am braking”) or intent eHMI (“I intend to yield to you”) from the perspective of a pedestrian about to cross the road. They indicated when they would initiate crossing and repeatedly rated their trust in the AV. Our results show that the activation of both the state and intent eHMI was effective in communicating the AV’s intent to yield and both eHMIs drew attention to a failure to yield when they did not activate. However, the two eHMIs differed in their potential to mislead pedestrians, as decelerations accompanied by the activation of the state eHMI were repeatedly misinterpreted as an intention to yield. Despite this, user experience ratings did not differ between the eHMIs. Following a failure to yield, trust declined sharply. In subsequent trials, crossing behavior recovered quickly, while trust took longer to recover.
Maternal health and child socio-emotional development: findings from the growing up in New Zealand study
Authors: Huang Yanshu , Silva-Goncalves Juliana , Lam Jack , Baxter Janeen 
Published: December 2024

AbstractWe study the influence of maternal chronic illness and disability on the socio-emotional development of children across early to mid-childhood using the Growing Up in New Zealand study. Controlling for a host of relevant maternal, household and child characteristics, our results show a negative link between maternal chronic illness and disability and child socio-emotional outcomes at eight years of age. At earlier ages, the evidence of a relationship between maternal health and child socio-emotional outcomes is weaker. We also find that maternal parenting style and depression mediate the relationship between maternal chronic illness and disability and child socio-emotional outcomes. Specifically, parenting style mediates the relationship between maternal chronic illness and disability and child socio-emotional outcomes in early childhood, at age 2, but not at age 5, and for boys after commencement of formal education, at age 8. In contrast, maternal depression consistently mediates the relationship between maternal chronic illness and disability and child socio-emotional outcomes from early to mid-childhood, and for both boys and girls. Our findings stress the need to better understand both direct and indirect effects of maternal health on the formation of skills in childhood that influence future life chances.
Generic skills development in European liberal arts and sciences programs: a student perspective
Authors: Dekker Teun J. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractEuropean advocates of Liberal Arts and Sciences education often claim that this educational model is highly effective at teaching students a range of generic, transferable, or 21st-century skills, which are thought to be vital for success in the labour market of the future. However, there is little empirical research into whether and how these programs do so. This paper examines how European Liberal Arts and Sciences students experience how their programs teach them generic skills. It is based on a significant number of interviews with students from a range of programs across Europe. It concludes that a multidisciplinary curriculum with significant freedom of choice, active student-centred pedagogy with open assessment, and an emphasis on academic community are experienced as key features that foster the development of generic skills. This finding both confirms and expands the current theoretical understanding of generic skills acquisition, as well as yielding several suggestions for how other programs might teach these skills better.
Transformative science–policy interfacing: the case of biodiversity and ecosystem services
Authors: Sarkki Simo , Young Juliette C. , Vandewalle Marie , Heikkinen Hannu I. , Norum Roger , Stenseke Marie , Nesshöver Carsten , Wittmer Heidi 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Science–policy interfaces (SPI), such as IPCC and IPBES, are key mechanisms by which scientists can contribute to policy making to tackle socio-environmental problems. To capture recent and ongoing developments, we examine the evolution of global and European SPI landscapes in the biodiversity domain grounding a novel concept of “transformative science–policy interfacing”, which is a collective effort to enable fundamental societal change by enhancing connectivity between co-production of knowledge and policy implementation. We consider that transformative science–policy interfacing is not in conflict with, but rather extends the currently prevailing co-production paradigm into directions that rethink the relationships between science, SPI, and policy. It shifts the balance of knowledge co-production from “making sense together” towards “enabling transformative change”. It employs the Science & Technology Studies concept of “co-production of science and social order” by focusing on orchestration of the science–policy interface landscape with a normative agenda leaning towards transformative change. Based on the overview of the evolution of SPI landscape in global and European biodiversity domains, we identify and discuss eight key directions for transformative science–policy interfacing. Further work will be needed to test whether the development towards transformative science–policy interfacing can be observed also in domains beyond environmental topics.
Another philosophical look at twistor theory
Authors: Gajic Gregor , Lilani Nikesh , Read James 
Published: December 2024

AbstractDespite its being one of Roger Penrose’s greatest contributions to spacetime physics, there is a dearth of philosophical literature on twistor theory. The one exception to this is Bain (2006)—but although excellent, there remains much to be said on the foundations and philosophy of twistor theory. In this article, we (a) present for philosophers an introduction to twistor theory, (b) consider how the spacetime–twistor correspondence interacts with the philosophical literature on theoretical equivalence, and (c) explore the bearing which twistor theory might have on philosophical issues such as the status of dynamics, the geometrisation of physics, spacetime ontology, the emergence of spacetime, and symmetry-to-reality inferences. We close with an elaboration of a variety of further opportunities for philosophical investigation into twistor theory.
Achieving sustainable environment through climate smart irrigation management: a call from an emerging economy
Authors: Wang Jianhui , Naseem Warda , Muneer Saqib , Bhatti Saad Mahmood , Butt Rehan Sohail , Naveed Rana Tahir 
Published: December 2024

AbstractSouth Asia, the home of 23% population of the world, is adversely affected by climate change, global warming, floods, hurricanes and heat waves. Pakistan, as a member country of South Asia, is the 5th country in the world which is most vulnerable to climatic changes. The country has faced many challenges including deaths of 9989 individuals, economic loss of worth $ 3.8 billion, and more than 150 unexpected weathers during last two decades. Global climate index also mentioned that Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change will rise even further in coming years. Pollution from agriculture sector is believed to be the largest significant contributor for this situation that accounts for 41% of total pollution. The above stats paint a bleak picture of future for the country and calls for emergency measures, to be taken on war like footings, if future climatic impact is to be minimized. With this background, we argue that climate smart agriculture (CSA) may be a strategic option that can help the country for improving agricultural productivity and income, as well as building resilience to climate change and environmental management. The present research study highlights the importance of CSA in the context of an emerging economy like Pakistan and suggests some strategic considerations for policy makers in order to improve the current environmental situation, mainly caused by widespread pollution in the country.
Generation Z's appetite for traditional food: unveiling the interplay of sustainability values as higher order construct and food influencers in Indonesia
Authors: Kristia Kristia , Kovács Sándor , Erdey László 
Published: December 2024

AbstractPromoting traditional food consumption has the potential to accelerate the achievement of sustainable goals since these foods are generally produced with natural local ingredients, are affordable and widely available, support local economies, and suit the tastes of many young Indonesians. This study aims to examine the unique interplay between sustainability value of traditional food as a higher-order construct, food influencer, hedonic attitude, utilitarian attitude and interest in traditional food consumption among Generation Z Indonesians within the framework of Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) and Value-Attitude-Behaviour (V-A-B) theories. This study analysed 1,292 valid questionnaire responses using Partial Least Squares Path Modelling through SMART-PLS 4 software. The results showed that despite having a significant influence, sustainability value and food influencers have a minimal effect on promoting traditional food consumption. Notably, the utilitarian attitude had a more prominent mediating effect than the hedonic attitude. To optimise the sustainable impact of traditional food consumption, policymakers are advised to educate young people more about the positive environmental impact of these foods through food influencers and other educational institutions. They should also collaborate with traditional food producers to carry out sustainable production but maintain their cost efficiency in production so that they can still provide meals that are affordable, satiating, and nutritious, following the utilitarian preferences of young consumers.
Meaningfulness, feasibility, and usability of quality-of-care measures for maternal and infant health: A structured mixed-methods review
Authors: Theis Ryan P. , Mkuu Rahma S. , Marmol Hannah , Silva Lauren , Reeder Callie , Bahorski Jessica , Smith Erica , Smulian John C. , Wen Tony S. , Redinger Amanda , Blake Tabresha , Shenkman Elizabeth A. , Lemas Dominick J. 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Objectives:
Improving access to and quality of maternal and infant healthcare are important leverage points to address worsening maternal and infant health disparities in the USA. This study evaluates the comprehensiveness of existing maternal and infant quality-of-care measures to identify aspects of quality that need greater attention in quality measurement.

Study design:
We conducted a structured, team-based qualitative review of 88 maternal and infant health measures indexed by the National Quality Forum (NQF), the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). We assessed discrete elements relevant to meaningfulness, feasibility, and usability following AHRQ National Quality Strategy (NQS) criteria, with input from researcher, clinician, and citizen scientist investigators. Descriptive statistics on coded measures were calculated using SPSS.

Results:
The most common AHRQ NQS priorities addressed were mortality (60%) and safety (48%). Average scores across elements were 59% for feasibility, 61% for practice usability, and 31% for policy usability. Fewer measures addressed coordination, affordability, or patient engagement in the postpartum period. Only 23% of measures were endorsed by NQF, only 17% of measures had publicly available benchmarks, and only 14% had specifications updated in the year prior to review.

Conclusions:
Findings from this study can inform the specification of a comprehensive, updated system for maternal and infant quality-of-care evaluation and can facilitate the development of new quality-of-care measures that address underrepresented maternal and infant health issues.
Política de clases y confianza en los sindicatos en América Latina
Authors: Pérez-Ahumada Pablo , Carrasco Kevin 
Published: December 2024

Resumen
En este artículo, estudiamos qué factores individuales y contextuales explican la confianza en los sindicatos latinoamericanos. Utilizando datos de Latinobarómetro (2018–2020), mostramos que la confianza en los sindicatos es mayor entre personas de clase trabajadora y clase media asalariada, así como entre quienes se identifican con la izquierda y confían más en las instituciones políticas. A nivel contextual, la confianza es mayor en países neo-desarrollistas (por ejemplo, Brasil y Uruguay) y menor en países capitalistas tercerizados (por ejemplo, México y países centroamericanos). Contrario a nuestra hipótesis, también encontramos que la confianza en los sindicatos es alta en Chile (un país liberal-rentista con sindicatos débiles) y baja en algunos países redistributivo-rentistas (Venezuela) y neo-desarrollistas (Argentina). Para explicar estos resultados, analizamos cómo la confianza en los sindicatos depende de aspectos contextuales como la informalidad laboral, el desempleo, la inflación, el poder de los partidos de izquierda y el nivel de movilización social.
Luminescence and radiocarbon chronology of Bhagatrav: A Sorath Harappan camp site in South Gujarat
Authors: Kanungo Alok Kumar , Kaushal Rahul Kumar , Bhushan Ravi , Chauhan Naveen , Kharakwal Jeewan Singh , Ansari Shahida 
Published: December 2024

AbstractExcavation at the site of Bhagatrav yielded four layers of cultural deposits: the lowermost being the Sorath Harappan, the upper two are medieval, and layer three caps the Sorath Harappan layer. A horn-deity painted dish was found in a stratified context at the lowest level. The medieval deposit includes turquoise glazed and celadon wares, followed by an abundance of Monochrome Glazed Ware, which is otherwise known as Khambhat ware. The date of the Sorath Harappan layer of the site, the time and space of the horn-deity motif in the Harappan world, and the date of Khambhat ware have long been subjects of discussion. With the help of a series of absolute dating (radiocarbon and luminescence), this paper attempts to place the site, horn-deity motif, and the Khambhat ware in the cultural chronology of Gujarat.
Unforgotten shadows: exploring the dynamics of Biafra agitation in south-east Nigeria
Authors: Obi-Ani Ngozika Anthonia 
Published: December 2024

AbstractSince 2015, the south-eastern region of Nigeria has experienced sporadic outbursts of aggression spearheaded by Biafran separatist agitators. However, the latter part of the 2010s has witnessed a marked increase in the fervent endeavours of Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) activists within the same area as they passionately pursue their aspirations for self-determination. Central to their approach is enforcing a compulsory weekly ‘sit-at-home’ policy, effectively establishing a quasi-sovereign enclave within the region. The prevalence of social media has provided a prominent platform for propagating secessionist sentiments. IPOB also advocates vigilante justice against individuals who dare to flout the mandated Monday sit-at-home order. An alarming manifestation of this stance can be gleaned from a tweet containing a chilling threat: ‘[I]f you come out, we will kill you, hang your head, and upload it.’ In response to these developments, the Nigerian state has assumed a resolute stance, taking action to proscribe IPOB and declaring any social gatherings of south-eastern youths a ‘state of exception’. As this article examines IPOB’s sit-at-home directive and the escalating focus on fear and retribution against transgressors in the south-eastern region, it adopts a comprehensive methodology that integrates oral interviews, focus group discussions, analysis of newspaper editorials, books and journal articles, and the tracking of relevant online hashtags for the purpose of data generation and analysis. Adopting securitization theory, this article offers an interpretative lens to comprehend the intricate issues at stake.