bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Immunosuppressive therapy in elderly patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: a retrospective multicentre study
Authors: Kim Ki Hoon , Chung Yeon Hak , Min Ju-Hong , Han Hee Jo , Kim Seung Woo , Shin Ha Young , Kwon Young Nam , Kim Sung-Min , Lim Young-Min , Kim Hyunjin , Lee Eun-Jae , Jeong Seong Ho , Hyun Jae-Won , Kim Su-Hyun , Kim Ho Jin 
Published: May 2024

BackgroundThe risk–benefit relationship of immunosuppressive therapies (ISTs) for elderly patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is not well established. This study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of IST in elderly patients with NMOSD.MethodsThis retrospective study analysed IST efficacy and safety in 101 patients with aquaporin-4 antibody-positive NMOSD aged over 65 years, treated for at least 6 months at five Korean referral centres, focusing on relapse rates, infection events and discontinuation due to adverse outcomes.ResultsThe mean age at disease onset was 59.8 years, and female-to-male ratio was 4:1. Concomitant comorbidities at NMOSD diagnosis were found in 87 patients (86%). The median Expanded Disability Status Scale score at the initiation of IST was 3.5. The administered ISTs included azathioprine (n=61, 60%), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) (n=48, 48%) and rituximab (n=41, 41%). Over a median of 5.8 years of IST, 58% of patients were relapse-free. The median annualised relapse rate decreased from 0.76 to 0 (p<0.001), and 81% experienced improved or stabilised disability. Patients treated with rituximab had a higher relapse-free rate than those treated with azathioprine or MMF (p=0.022). During IST, 21 patients experienced 25 severe infection events (SIEs) over the age of 65 years, and 3 died from pneumonia. 14 patients (14%) experienced 17 adverse events that led to switching or discontinuation of IST. When comparing the incidence rates of SIEs and adverse events, no differences were observed among patients receiving azathioprine, MMF and rituximab.ConclusionIn elderly patients with NMOSD, IST offers potential benefits in reducing relapse rates alongside a tolerable risk of adverse events.
Hospice care and the value of a statistical life year (VSLY)
Authors: Sweis Nadia J 
Published: May 2024

IntroductionIn this study, we aim to refine the value of a statistical life (VSL) framework to align with hospice care’s focus on quality over quantity of life, recognising the necessity for age-sensitive economic assessments.MethodsWe developed an adapted VSL model that incorporates patient and family preferences, which may guide resource distribution and policymaking in end-of-life care. Methods include a multidisciplinary analysis that merges economic and humanistic perspectives to advocate for policies that support adequate funding and compassionate care.ResultsResults indicate that our adjusted VSL model promotes a more equitable assessment of hospice care, advocating for enhanced patient dignity and comfort.ConclusionsThis paper presents a novel, ethically and economically balanced approach to evaluating hospice care, emphasising dignity and comfort in terminal care.
Evaluating the effects of red osier dogwood extract and grape pomace on growth performance, plasma biochemistry, intestinal morphology and microbiota, and immune and antioxidant status of broiler chickens challenged with heat stress
Authors: Oretomiloye Fisayo , Adewole Deborah 
Published: May 2024

A total of 288 1-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly allotted into four dietary treatments: (1) Control (CON; corn–wheat–soybean-based diet), (2) CON + 0.05% bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD), (3) CON + 0.3% red osier dogwood extract (ROD), and (4) CON + 2.5% grape pomace (GP) and raised for 28 days. On days 21–27, birds were exposed to either a thermoneutral (TN; 24 ± 1 °C) or heat stress (HS; 32–34 °C for 8 h/day) environment. On day 28, 12 male birds per treatment/temperature group were euthanized for measuring blood and intestinal health parameters. 0.05% BMD and 0.3% ROD inclusion improved (P ≤ 0.05) the average body weight gain and feed conversion ratio, compared to CON. HS reduced ( P ≤ 0.05) average feed intake, bursa and spleen weights, plasma alanine transferase, lipase, and creatinine kinase but increased ( P ≤ 0.05) alanine phosphatase and serum immunoglobulins compared to TN birds. HS further reduced ( P ≤ 0.05) duodenal villus height (VH):crypt depth (CD), jejunal VH, and VH:CD but this was reversed by ROD and GP, and 0.05% BMD and 2.5% GP increased ( P < 0.001) the relative abundance of Blautia and Sellimonas compared to the CON diet. ROD increased ( P = 0.010) the relative abundance of Faecalibacterium compared to the BMD diet. The results suggest that 0.3% ROD extract may function as an alternative to antibiotics in improving broiler growth performance and intestinal health.
Comparison of the economic performance of organic and conventional corn–soybean–winter wheat rotations in southwestern Ontario, Canada
Authors: Yang Xueming , Drury Craig F. , Reynolds W. Daniel , Reeb Mary-Anne 
Published: May 2024

The economic viability of using summer-seeded legume cover crops (crimson clover, red clover, and hairy vetch) as a primary nitrogen (N) source for an organic corn ( Zea mays L.)–soybean ( Glycine max (L.) Merr.)–winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) rotation was determined on a sandy loam soil in southwestern Ontario, Canada, by comparing gross profit for organic production (organic sources of N and phosphorus, no herbicides) to conventional production (no cover crops, synthetic fertilizers and herbicides added). Profits were determined for the initial 3-year transition period from conventional to organic production (2015–2017), and for 5 years of certified organic production (2018–2022). During the transition period when conventional crop prices applied to both production systems, organic production profits (CAD $1148–$1869 ha−1 per rotation) were lower than conventional profits (CAD $2126 ha−1 per rotation). During the certified organic period when price premiums were applied, organic soybean and corn profits (CAD $1995–$2274 ha−1 and $2819–$3195 ha−1 per year, respectively) were significantly greater than conventional soybean and corn profits (CAD $536 ha−1 and $1926 per ha−1, respectively). Winter wheat profits were slightly higher for organic production (CAD $426–$825 ha−1 per year) than for conventional production (CAD $371 ha−1 per year). During the certified organic production period, profits from the 3-year rotations were CAD $5533–$6153 ha−1 for organic production, and CAD $2860 ha−1 for conventional production. It was concluded that an organic rotation of corn–soybean–winter wheat/legume cover crop can be economically viable and more profitable than conventional production on sandy loam soil in southwestern Ontario.
Desiderata for Normative Models of Synaptic Plasticity
Authors: Bredenberg Colin , Savin Cristina 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Normative models of synaptic plasticity use computational rationales to arrive at predictions of behavioral and network-level adaptive phenomena. In recent years, there has been an explosion of theoretical work in this realm, but experimental confirmation remains limited. In this review, we organize work on normative plasticity models in terms of a set of desiderata that, when satisfied, are designed to ensure that a given model demonstrates a clear link between plasticity and adaptive behavior, is consistent with known biological evidence about neural plasticity and yields specific testable predictions. As a prototype, we include a detailed analysis of the REINFORCE algorithm. We also discuss how new models have begun to improve on the identified criteria and suggest avenues for further development. Overall, we provide a conceptual guide to help develop neural learning theories that are precise, powerful, and experimentally testable.
Associative Learning of an Unnormalized Successor Representation
Authors: Verosky Niels J. 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
The successor representation is known to relate to temporal associations learned in the temporal context model (Gershman et al., 2012), and subsequent work suggests a wide relevance of the successor representation across spatial, visual, and abstract relational tasks. I demonstrate that the successor representation and purely associative learning have an even deeper relationship than initially indicated: Hebbian temporal associations are an unnormalized form of the successor representation, such that the two converge on an identical representation whenever all states are equally frequent and can correlate highly in practice even when the state distribution is nonuniform.
An information-theoretic framework for conditional causality analysis of brain networks
Authors: Ning Lipeng 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Identifying directed network models for multivariate time series is a ubiquitous problem in data science. Granger causality measure (GCM) and conditional GCM (cGCM) are widely used methods for identifying directed connections between time series. Both GCM and cGCM have frequency-domain formulations to characterize the dependence of time series in the spectral domain. However, the original methods were developed using a heuristic approach without rigorous theoretical explanations. To overcome the limitation, the minimum-entropy (ME) estimation approach was introduced in our previous work (Ning & Rathi, 2018) to generalize GCM and cGCM with more rigorous frequency-domain formulations. In this work, this information-theoretic framework is further generalized with three formulations for conditional causality analysis using techniques in control theory, such as state-space representations and spectral factorizations. The three conditional causal measures are developed based on different ME estimation procedures that are motivated by equivalent formulations of the classical minimum mean squared error estimation method. The relationship between the three formulations of conditional causality measures is analyzed theoretically. Their performance is evaluated using simulations and real neuroimaging data to analyze brain networks. The results show that the proposed methods provide more accurate network structures than the original approach.
Population status of a nocturnal primate (the Philippine tarsier – Carlito syrichta, Linnaeus, 1758) in an agricultural area of Subayon, Bilar, Bohol
Authors: Wojciechowski Filip J. , Beaumont Maria C. , Nakaya Hikari , Duerst-Beamish Phoenix 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
The destruction of wildlife habitats due to the exponential growth of human population and its encroachment into wild areas is a major threat to many species around the world. In order to understand the effects of human disturbance on the Philippine tarsier (Carlito syrichta), we evaluated its population status by quantifying the species’ population density in an agricultural habitat and assessed the degree of human disturbance in the area. We did the study in Subayon, Bilar, Bohol, where we surveyed 32 ha out of the total 115 ha of the village between April and June 2017. We predominantly used vocal activity to identify the presence and absence of tarsiers, supplementing the data with incidental sightings. In addition, human disturbances were assessed and described qualitatively. We estimated the population density on 75 individuals per square kilometer. The human disturbance was evidenced in 28 out of 32 plots, which indicates that the entire area has already been disturbed. This study showed that the Philippine tarsier could inhabit highly altered habitats such as agricultural landscapes and suggest that Subayon village might be important for the conservation of this species. We provided another example of the ecological flexibility of otherwise specialised nocturnal primates able to inhabit agricultural areas. To avoid conflicts with humans and to conserve such a species in the future, education, outreach and active involvement of local people are essential.
Conversion to Judaism and Hostility toward Jews in the Roman Empire
Authors: Berthelot Katell 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Hellenistic texts on Jews hardly ever refer to people converting to Judaism. Roman authors’ criticism and condemnation of people who had converted to Judaism thus appears as a new feature of anti-Jewish discourse. The relative prominence of references to Judaizers and converts in Roman literary texts may be explained by the number and visibility of proselytes in Rome, but also perhaps by the perception, within certain Roman circles, of conversion to Judaism as a betrayal of Roman values. Tacitus best illustrates this trend. This article seeks to shed light on his hostile remarks on converts through a comparison with Philo’s highly positive comments on proselytes. The comparison reveals surprising points of agreement between the two authors and helps us understand what was at stake in the phenomenon of conversion and how it could generate tensions between proselytes and their native environment.
Prophecy in Plutarch and Philo of Alexandria
Authors: Klem Matthew J. 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
David Winston distinguishes two types of Mosaic prophecy in Philo’s De vita Mosis, noetic and ecstatic. Noetic prophecy, which corresponds to Moses’s delivery of the special laws, is active and rational. Ecstatic prophecy, which corresponds to Moses’s predictive prophecies, is passive and irrational, though while some Greek authors view ecstasy in terms of a total possession by the god, Philo takes a more moderate view that can also be found in Plutarch. Winston’s appeal to Plutarch is the basis of this article. It explores ecstasy in Plutarch’s two dialogues on the Pythian oracle and applies Plutarch’s categories to Mosaic prophecy in De vita Mosis. In light of Plutarch’s discussion, noetic prophecy is actually passive, and ecstatic prophecy is actually active.
Diagnosing Decline
Authors: Edwards David R. 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
In this study, I argue that Josephus’ interpretation of the period of the biblical judges, following the conquest of Canaan and settlement in the land, mirrors Greco-Roman rhetoric that traced the origins of Rome’s decline to the middle and late republic. Survey of Greco-Roman writers shows that Josephus modelled his diagnosis of the decline of Israel during the period of the judges on the causes of Roman decline identified by many Greek and Latin writers, these being: (1) influx of foreign wealth; (2) discharge of veterans and turn toward agricultural living; and (3) growth of rural elite estates. Beyond serving as his own inspiration, this literary milieu informed Josephus’ elite Greco-Roman audience, thus ensuring that they would read his interpretation of the period of the judges in light of tropes about Roman decline that were popular in their day.
Decolonising the Selectivity Debate in Military Humanitarian Intervention
Authors: Rahmani Hesam 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Selectivity is often understood as global powers using military intervention in certain humanitarian crises but not in others based on perceived strategic interests at stake. Though the scholarship has acknowledged selectivity’s practice, more disputed has been its ‘problematic’ ascription. Critics have correctly identified selectivity as a problem of hypocrisy, while advocates have construed it as necessary and even pragmatic. Importantly, however, both camps have premised selectivity as a problem of ‘inaction’ towards ‘non-intervened’ crises. In contrast to this existing ‘bystander complicity’ paradigm of selectivity, this article argues that selectivity must be reinterpreted as a problem of global power ‘active complicity’ to better understand and appreciate its problematic ascription. The proposed active complicity paradigm reveals the neglected colonial and imperial underpinnings within selectivity. It destabilises and challenges the idea that global powers simply ‘stand by’ as onlookers to disassociated, faraway crises, and instead highlights their key role in enabling and perpetuating them.
New volvovirus isolate from Thai domesticated house cricket, Acheta domesticus (Orthoptera: Gryllidae)
Authors: Homchan S. , Gupta Y.M. 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
This study investigated the genomic characteristics of Acheta domesticus volvovirus (AdVVV) in a commercial cricket farming operation. BLAST analysis of the Acheta domesticus genome assembly identified sequences with high similarity to the AdVVV-Japan genome, suggesting AdVVV presence. PCR confirmed AdVVV infection in the A. domesticus breeding population from Nakhon Ratchasima farm, Thailand. The complete 2,516 nucleotide AdVVV-Thailand genome was reconstructed through targeted primer amplification and sequencing. It contained four open reading frames encoding hypothetical proteins, with a characteristic hairpin structure at the termini, consistent with other AdVVV isolates. Phylogenetic analysis revealed AdVVV-Thailand’s closer genetic affiliation with AdVVV-Japan compared to other isolates. Comparative analysis of coding sequences across five AdVVV isolates showed the highest variability in the hypothetical protein/putative capsid protein ORF1, with 64 variable sites out of 1086 bases, suggesting its significance in genetic diversity. In contrast, ORF2, ORF3, and ORF4 exhibited minimal variability. The majority of variations were singletons, with 85.33% confined to ORF1. This study confirmed AdVVV presence in a commercial cricket farm, reconstructed the AdVVV-Thailand genome, provided insights into its phylogeny and genetic diversity across isolates, highlighting the putative capsid protein’s role in driving variability. These findings enhance understanding of AdVVV genomics and evolutionary dynamics within cricket populations.
West African Monsoon System’s Responses to Global Ocean–Regional Atmosphere Coupling
Authors: Tamoffo Alain T. , Weber Torsten , Cabos William , Monerie Paul-Arthur , Cook Kerry H. , Sein Dmitry V. , Dosio Alessandro , Klutse Nana A. B. , Akinsanola Akintomide A. , Jacob Daniela 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
This study explores the added value (AV) of a regional Earth system model (ESM) compared to an atmosphere-only regional climate model (RCM) in simulating West African monsoon (WAM) rainfall. The primary goals are to foster discussions on the suitability of coupled RCMs for WAM projections and deepen our understanding of ocean–atmosphere coupling’s influence on the WAM system. The study employs results from dynamical downscaling of the ERA-Interim reanalysis and Max Plank Institute ESM, low resolution (MPI-ESM-LR), by two RCMs, atmosphere only (REMO) and REMO coupled with Max Planck Institute Ocean Model (MPIOM) (ROM), at ∼25-km horizontal resolution. Results show that in regions distant from coupling domain boundaries such as West Africa (WA), constraint conditions from ERA-Interim are more beneficial than coupling effects. REMO, reliant on oceanic sea surface temperatures (SSTs) from observations and influenced by ERA-Interim, is biased under coupling conditions, although coupling offers potential advantages in representing heat and mass fluxes. Contrastingly, as intended, coupling improves SSTs and monsoon fluxes’ relationships under ESM-forced conditions. In this latter case, the coupling features a dipole-like spatial structure of AV, improving precipitation over the Guinea Coast but degrading precipitation over half of the Sahel. Our extensive examination of physical processes and mechanisms underpinning the WAM system supports the plausibility of AV. Additionally, we found that the monsoonal dynamics over the ocean respond to convective activity, with the Sahara–Sahel surface temperature gradient serving as the maintenance mechanism. While further efforts are needed to enhance the coupled RCM, we advocate for its use in the context of WAM rainfall forecasts and projections.
An Abdominal Seat Belt Sign is Associated With Similar Incidence of Hollow Viscus Injury but Increased In-Hospital Mortality in Older Adult Trauma Patients: A PCSA Multicenter Study
Authors: Sullivan Brittany G. , Delaplain Patrick T. , Manasa Morgan , Tay-Lasso Erika , Biffl Walter L. , Schaffer Kathryn B. , Sundel Margaret , Behdin Samar , Ghneim Mira , Costantini Todd W. , Santorelli Jarrett E. , Switzer Emily , Schellenberg Morgan , Keeley Jessica A. , Kim Dennis Y. , Wang Andrew , Dhillon Navpreet K. , Patel Deven , Campion Eric M. , Robinson Caitlin K. , Kartiko Susan , Quintana Megan T. , Estroff Jordan M. , Kirby Katharine A. , Nahmias Jeffry 
Published: May 2024

Background The abdominal seat belt sign (SBS) is associated with an increased risk of hollow viscus injury (HVI). Older age is associated with worse outcomes in trauma patients. Thus, older trauma patients ≥65 years of age (OTPs) may be at an increased risk of HVI with abdominal SBS. Therefore, we hypothesized an increased incidence of HVI and mortality for OTPs vs younger trauma patients (YTPs) with abdominal SBS. Study Design This post hoc analysis of a multi-institutional, prospective, observational study (8/2020-10/2021) included patients >18 years old with an abdominal SBS who underwent abdominal computed tomography (CT) imaging. Older trauma patients were compared to YTPs (18-64 years old) with bivariate analyses. Results Of the 754 patients included in this study from nine level-1 trauma centers, there were 110 (14.6%) OTPs and 644 (85.4%) YTPs. Older trauma patients were older (mean 75.3 vs 35.8 years old, P < .01) and had a higher mean Injury Severity Score (10.8 vs 9.0, P = .02). However, YTPs had an increased abdominal abbreviated-injury scale score (2.01 vs 1.63, P = .02). On CT imaging, OTPs less commonly had intraabdominal free fluid (21.7% vs 11.9%, P = .02) despite a similar rate of abdominal soft tissue contusion ( P > .05). Older trauma patients also had a statistically similar rate of HVI vs YTPs (5.5% vs 9.8%, P = .15). Despite this, OTPs had increased mortality (5.5% vs 1.1%, P < .01) and length of stay (LOS) (5.9 vs 4.9 days P < .01). Conclusion Despite a similar rate of HVI, OTPs with an abdominal SBS had an increased rate of mortality and LOS. This suggests the need for heightened vigilance when caring for OTPs with abdominal SBS.
An Exploration of the Relationship Between Public Infrastructure and Economic Growth in Northeast India: A Panel Data Approach
Authors: Das Nihaljyoti , Dutta Parag 
Published: May 2024

In this article, we have used a panel data approach to explore the relationship between public infrastructure and economic growth in Northeast India using data from all eight states from 2004–05 to 2018–19. The findings reveal that all public infrastructures do not contribute productively to economic growth. Certain infrastructure sectors, such as agriculture-related and healthcare-related infrastructure, affect the growth prospects of the northeastern region of India. One plausible reason could be the current level of some public infrastructure, which is not developed sufficiently enough. Therefore, India must address the infrastructural gap in its northeastern region in order to leverage the region’s trade potential and establish it as the country’s growth engine. To meet the infrastructure demand with limited fiscal space, the government needs to foster an environment that encourages public–private partnerships in infrastructure. Sharing benefits with private participation could be another way to attract private investment in the infrastructure sector of the region. JEL Codes: C23, H54, O47, R53