bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A plea for modelling in ethics
Authors: Bykvist Krister , Roussos Joe 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
We present an argument about the methodology of ethics, broadly conceived, drawing on recent research on modelling in the philosophy of science. More specifically, we argue that normative ethics should adopt the methodology of modelling. We make our case in two parts. First, despite the perhaps unfamiliar terminology, modelling already happens in ethics. We identify it, and argue that its practice could be improved by recognising that it is modelling and by adopting some methodological lessons from philosophy of science. Second, modelling should be adopted more widely within normative ethics, because it fits well with various methodological ends we shall identify. Models can be used to investigate ethical questions in a manner that is systematic but relatively free of foundational theoretical commitments in first-order ethics. Models are more local, and less ambitious, than theories. They can be used to break deadlocks, by focusing attention on the particularities of a sub-domain and by providing a common tool–the surrogate model system–which each side can use to make their principles precise, illustrate the implications of their view, and identify sources of disagreement or points of agreement. We are pluralists about method, so this is not a call to abandon other philosophical methods. It is simply a plea for modelling, motivated by the method’s independent benefits and its fruitfulness in resolving some persistent methodological problems in ethics.
In vitro gas production and rumen fermentation for diets containing increasing levels of Panicum maximum cv. Mombasa with or without spirulina
Authors: Meteab M. I. , Khorshed M. M. , EL-Essawy Abeer M. , Nassar M. S. , El-Bordeny N. E. 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
This study was designed to evaluate the effect of substituting alfalfa hay with graded levels panicum maximum without or with graded levels of spirulina supplementation on rumen fermentation and nutrient degradability. The evaluation was achieved through an in vitro study, rumen fluid was obtained from adult sheep aged 2 years (fed clover hay), immediately after slaughter. Experimental diets were formulated as isonitrogenous and isocaloric and contained 40% forage. Forage composition was altered by substituting alfalfa hay with graded levels of panicum maximum hay, so that treatment diets contained 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% of the forage from panicum maximum for treatments R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5, respectively. Additionally, each treatment was further supplemented with graded levels of spirulina at the following rates: 0, 0.5, 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3 mg/g. Results indicated that gas production after 24 h per g DM, OM and DDM has a positive linear relationship with spirulina supplementation level (R2 = 0.80, 0.83, and 0.93, respectively). The gas production increased by increasing the level of Spirulina. However negative linear relationships were recorded between gas production per g DM, OM, DDM and alfalfa substitution level (R2 = 0.97, 0.95, and 0.96, respectively) which the gas production decreased as the substitution level increased. In vitro degradability of dry and organic matter was decreased by the increment of Panicum maximum and Spirulina supplementation levels and vice versa, until 2 mg/g of Spirulina (p < .0001). The addition of Spirulina significantly (p < .0001) increased total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) and NH3 concentration, until 2mg/g, while the addition of Panicum maximum hay significantly increased NH3 concentration, until it reached at (R4). In conclusion, the substitution of alfalfa hay with graded levels of Panicum maximum hay may be reduce nutrients degradability and gas production while supplementing diets with graded level of spirulina improve degradability and ruminal fermentation parameters.
The Relationship between Noise Pollution and Depression and Implications for Healthy Aging: A Spatial Analysis Using Routinely Collected Primary Care Data
Authors: Tsimpida Dialechti , Tsakiridi Anastasia 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Environmental noise is a significant public health concern, ranking among the top environmental risks to citizens’ health and quality of life. Despite extensive research on atmospheric pollution’s impact on mental health, spatial studies on noise pollution effects are lacking. This study fills this gap by exploring the association between noise pollution and depression in England, with a focus on localised patterns based on area deprivation. Depression prevalence, defined as the percentage of patients with a recorded depression diagnosis, was calculated for small areas within Cheshire and Merseyside ICS using the Quality and Outcomes Framework Indicators dataset for 2019. Strategic noise mapping for rail and road noise (Lden) was used to measure 24-h annual average noise levels, with adjustments for evening and night periods. The English Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) was employed to represent neighborhood deprivation. Geographically weighted regression and generalised structural equation spatial modeling (GSESM) assessed the relationships between transportation noise, depression prevalence, and IMD at the Lower Super Output Area level. The study found that while transportation noise had a low direct effect on depression levels, it significantly mediated other factors associated with depression. Notably, GSESM showed that health deprivation and disability were strongly linked (0.62) to depression through the indirect effect of noise, especially where transportation noise exceeds 55 dB on a 24-h basis. Understanding these variations is crucial for developing noise mitigation strategies. This research offers new insights into noise, deprivation, and mental health, supporting targeted interventions to improve quality of life and address health inequalities.
Perceived cognitive impairment and occupational functioning in prostate cancer survivors: an exploratory cross-sectional analysis
Authors: Pembroke Lorna , Sherman Kerry A. , Dhillon Haryana M. , Francis Heather , Gillatt David , Gurney Howard 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Purpose
Perceived cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) has been reported in prostate cancer survivors. Little is known about how CRCI impacts occupational functioning in working-aged prostate cancer survivors (PCS). This study aimed to investigate the association between CRCI and occupational functioning in PCS.

Methods
Data from 51 PCS, who were employed at the time of diagnosis, undergoing hormonal treatments (e.g., androgen deprivation therapy) or ‘watchful waiting’/ ‘active surveillance’, were analysed. An online survey assessed CRCI using the FACT-Cog Perceived Cognitive Impairments (PCI20) subscale, the EORTC-QLQ-30 two-item cognitive functioning scale, and a single ‘Yes/No’ CRCI item (i.e., were ‘changes in thinking (e.g., memory, attention)’ experienced as a treatment side effect). PCS also indicated ‘Yes/No’ to changes to their ability to work, performance of work duties, and decreased work hours. Logistic regression analyses examined the relationship between CRCI measures and occupational outcomes.

Results
Of the 51 PCS, 19 (37%) endorsed experiencing cognitive side effects from treatment. The single ‘Yes/No’ CRCI question was significantly associated with perceived changes in work ability and ability to perform work duties at the same level. PCI20 and the EORTC-QLQ-30 cognitive functioning scale were not significantly associated with any occupational outcomes.

Conclusion
Perceived CRCI is associated with adverse changes to occupational functioning and is important to consider when PCS are making plans to return-to-work following treatment.

Implications for Cancer Survivors
Prostate cancer survivors may experience cognitive changes, which may impact their work ability.
The Role of Ultrasonographic Assessment of Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter in Prediction of Sepsis—Associated Encephalopathy: Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Mowafy Sherif M. S. , Bauiomy Hany , Kohaf Neveen A. , Abd Ellatif Shereen E. 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
Ultrasonographic optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) is a satisfactory noninvasive intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring test. Our aim was to evaluate ONSD as an objective screening tool to predict and diagnose ICP changes early in sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE).

Methods
Our prospective observational study was conducted on patients with sepsis, and after intensive care unit (ICU) admission, the time to diagnose SAE was recorded, and patients were divided into a non-SAE group including conscious patients with sepsis and a SAE group including patients with sepsis with acute onset of disturbed conscious level. ONSD was measured within 24 h of ICU admission for all patients and then every other day for up to 10 consecutive days until ICU discharge or death. The primary outcome was to compare ONSD measurements of both groups to find if there was a correlation between ONSD and SAE occurrence.

Results
Eighty-nine patients with sepsis were divided into a non-SAE group (n = 45) and an SAE group (n = 44). ONSD showed a statistically significant difference at day 0 and a highly significant difference at days 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10. Day 2 ONSD had the best accuracy for predicting SAE, with a cutoff > 5.2 mm (sensitivity of 93.2%, specificity of 100%), a statistically positive correlation with the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (r = 0.485, P < 0.001) and ICU length of stay (r = 0.238, P < 0.001), and a statistically significant wider in patients who died compared to those who survived (P < 0.001).

Conclusions
ONSD could be an objective screening method for early diagnosis of SAE, with a cutoff > 5.2 mm.

Trial registration

NCT05849831 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05849831).
Civil Disobedience in Democratic Education
Authors: Matusov Eugene 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
The study’s goal was to examine the tension between democratic school governance, requiring its participants to obey school rules, even though they might disagree with those rules, and personal responsibility, requiring the participants to act morally, in accordance with their conscience and their sense of what is right and makes sense for them, regardless of the democratic nature of the imposed school rules. This examination was based on three sources: 1) three Open Symposia with American and Russian democratic educationalists, 2) my review of the existing literature on civil disobedience and democratic education, and 3) my empirical study based on the interviews of participants of an American private democratic school, known as The Circle School, regarding their instances of civil disobedience. The three Open Symposia allowed me to develop a working definition of civil disobedience as a particular principled disobedience. One important finding arising from these Open Symposia was that neither democratic educator could come up with an example of civil disobedience in democratic schools. My literature analysis revealed four types of civil disobedience: instrumental, existential, safeguarding, and expedient. The participants of my interviews in a democratic school – current teenage students, staff, and alumni – reported many instances of diverse types of civil disobedience, but primarily existential. Despite a lack of discussions of civil disobedience in the school, I discovered that the democratic school apparently promotes civil disobedience as its unintended curriculum by promoting and supporting students’ authorial agency, aiming at the students deciding what is good for them, and opposing educational paternalism.
Investigation of the relationship between self-perception and alexithymia levels of high-risk pregnant women
Authors: Unlu Bidik Nazli , İlcioglu Kevser , Ozgul Asude 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Alexithymia, known as emotional unresponsiveness, can occur at any time in response to extreme stress during upsetting life events. A risky pregnancy is also a challenging process associated with psychological and emotional difficulties, and pregnant women may experience perception problems. Therefore, a risky pregnancy diagnosis may trigger the development of alexithymia. This study aimed to examine the relationship between self-perception and alexithymia levels in women diagnosed with high-risk pregnancies. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 250 high-risk pregnant women admitted to the hospital between June and November 2022. Data were gathered using the “Socio-demographic Information Form”, A Alexithymia Scale” and the “Pregnant Women’s Self-Perception Scale “. The data was analyzed using the Independent T-test, One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Pearson Correlation Test, and Simple Linear Regression Analysis. The statistical significance level was accepted as p < 0.05. The mean age of the pregnant women in the study group was 30.25 ± 5.78 years. It was found that there was a significant negative correlation between the total score of the A Alexithymia Scale and the Total Score of the Motherhood Perception of Pregnancy Sub-dimension (r=-.197; p < 0.05) and the Total Score of the Body Perception of Pregnancy Sub-dimension (=-.395; p < 0.05). A one-unit increase in the pregnant women’s score on the Body Perception Sub-dimension causes a decrease of 1.822 points in the A Alexithymia Scale score. The study’s findings indicate that pregnant women with a high motherhood perception but a negative body perception have lower alexithymia levels. Therefore, alexithymia levels decrease in pregnant women who can make sense of and express their negative emotions during risky pregnancies.
Context-Aware Prediction with Secure and Lightweight Cognitive Decision Model in Smart Cities
Authors: Al-Quayed Fatima , Humayun Mamoona , Alnusairi Thanaa S. , Ullah Inam , Bashir Ali Kashif , Hussain Tariq 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Cognitive networks with the integration of smart and physical devices are rapidly utilized for the development of smart cities. They are explored by many real-time applications such as smart homes, healthcare, safety systems, and other unpredictable environments to gather data and process network requests. However, due to the external conditions and inherent uncertainty of wireless systems, most of the existing approaches cannot cope with routing disturbances and timely delivery performance. Further, due to limited resources, the demand for a secure communication system raises another potential research challenge to protect sensitive data and maintain the integrity of the urban environment. This paper presents a secured decision-making model using reinforcement learning with the combination of blockchain to enhance the degree of trust and data protection. The proposed model increases the network efficiency for resource utilization and the management of communication devices with the alliance of security. It provides a reliable and more adaptive paradigm by exploring learning techniques for dealing with the intrinsic uncertainty and imprecision of cognitive systems. Also, the incorporation of blockchain technology reduces the risk of a single point of failure, malicious vulnerabilities, and data leakage, ultimately fostering trust for urban sensor applications. It validates the incoming routing links and identifies any communication fault incurred due to malicious interference. The proposed model is rigorously tested and verified using simulations and its significance has been proven for network metrics in comparison to existing solutions.
Identifying E-Commerce Fraud Through User Behavior Data: Observations and Insights
Authors: Zhang Ziyi , Yin Hang , Rao Susie Xi , Yan Xiao , Wang Zhurong , Liang Weiming , Zhao Yang , Shan Yinan , Zhang Ruixuan , Lin Yuhao , Jiang Jiawei 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Traditional fraud detection approaches often use linking entities, such as device, email, and address, to identify fraudulent transactions and users. However, as fraud methods continue to evolve and escalate, the fraudsters can fabricate the involved entities and thus hide their real intent. To make fraud detection more robust, we incorporate user behaviors in the pipeline and consider biometric characteristics that are difficult to forge. In this work, we conduct a detailed study of how user behavior data can help identify and prevent fraudulent activity in e-commerce. We present Multi-Modal Behavioral Transformer (MMBT), where we combine both inner-page behavioral data, such as mouse trajectory, and inter-page behavioral data, such as page view sequences. We propose to construct mouse trajectory data as an image, treat each mouse position as a pixel in the image, convert the image into small patches, and hence transform the mouse trajectory into patch index sequences. Our experimental results on real-word data show that MMBT significantly outperforms baselines — the precision@recall = 0.1 increases by up to 7%. In addition, we have built an online pipeline to operationalize our model. In production, the 99th percentile latency is maintained below 500 milliseconds, allowing the platform to initiate rapid response measures and prevent potential losses.
A growth model for citations networks
Authors: Castillo-Castillo Pedro , Stevens-Navarro Enrique , Pineda-Rico Ulises , Garcia-Barrientos Abel , Castillo-Soria Francisco R. , Acosta-Elias Jesus 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
In some complex networks, nodes can continuously increase or decrease the number of their incoming and outgoing links. The World Wide Web is one such example, as webmasters can add or delete hyperlinks on web pages at any time. There are also networks where this can not happen. For instance, in citation networks of scientific articles, after an article has been published, it will start gaining incoming links as it is cited, but its outgoing links will remain unchanged. Although articles are published with a predetermined number of references, the distribution of their outgoing links follows a power law, as if they were the result of a preferential process. So, how can we explain that the number of references an author includes in a scientific article is not purely random? In this work, a growth model for citation networks is presented, proposing that the distribution of outgoing links can be shaped by the presence of communities.
Awareness as an alternative to abandonment? Critical notice of Herman Cappelen’s The Concept of Democracy
Authors: Belleri Delia 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Herman Cappelen’s book The Concept of Democracy makes a case for ‘abolitionism’, that is, abandonment of the word ‘democracy’ and related terminology (‘D-words’). Cappelen’s strategy includes a direct argument for abandonment, aiming to show that D-words are meaningless; and an indirect argument, based on a comparison of abandonment with other options (for instance, replacement or amelioration). In this critical notice, I focus on his comparative case, arguing that the competing options and their respective challenges are not so well demarcated—where this negatively affects the abandonment proposal. Furthermore, I present and defend a yet unexplored alternative: awareness. Awareness is a worthy candidate for its little costs and significant benefits in comparison to abandonment, thus deserving consideration alongside the options assessed by Cappelen.
Post-transplant cyclophosphamide plus anti-thymocyte globulin decreased serum IL-6 levels when compared with post-transplant cyclophosphamide alone after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Koh Jeong Suk , Lee Myung-Won , Pham Thi Thuy Duong , Heo Bu Yeon , Choi Suyoung , Lee Sang-Woo , Seo Wonhyoung , Kang Sora , Lee Seul Bi , Kim Chul Hee , Ryu Hyewon , Eun Hyuk Soo , Lee Hyo-Jin , Yun Hwan-Jung , Jo Deog-Yeon , Song Ik-Chan 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
Post-transplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy) and anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) are common prophylactic strategies for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT). Interleukin (IL)-6 is a surrogate marker for cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and acute GVHD.

Method
The clinical outcomes and complications of haplo-HSCT with PTCy plus ATG versus PTCy monotherapy were compared according to serum IL-6 levels at Chungnam National University Hospital (Daejeon, South Korea) from January 2019 to February 2023.

Results
Forty patients who underwent haplo-HSCT were analyzed. A significant difference in IL-6 levels was observed between the PTCy plus ATG and PTCy alone groups (7.47 ± 10.55 vs. 117.65 ± 127.67; p = 0.003). More patients in the PTCy plus ATG group had a CRS grade of 0 than in the PTCy alone group (p < 0.001). Serum IL-6 levels were associated with grades II–IV acute GVHD (r = 0.547, p < 0.001). The cumulative incidence (CI) of grades II–IV acute GVHD was significantly higher in the PTCy alone group (67.9% vs. 4.8%; p < 0.001). No significant difference in the CI for chronic GVHD was detected between the PTCy plus ATG and PTCy alone groups (72.1% vs. 82.0%; p = 0.730). The CI of 1-year non-relapse mortality was significantly higher in the PTCy alone group than in the PTCy plus ATG group (42.2% vs. 15.9%; p = 0.022). The 1-year overall survival (OS) was significantly better in the PTCy plus ATG group (75.9% vs. 35.3%; p = 0.011). The 1-year GVHD-free, relapse-free survival rate was 29.4% in the PTCy alone group and 54.0% in the PTCy plus ATG group (p = 0.038).

Conclusion
Serum IL-6 levels were higher in the PTCy alone group than in the PTCy plus ATG group. The addition of ATG before stem cell infusion affected IL-6 levels and reduced the incidences of CRS and grade II–IV acute GVHD in haplo-HSCT patients. This study suggests that PTCy plus ATG as GVHD prophylaxis in haplo-HSCT is beneficial in terms of clinical outcomes and complications of HSCT.
Preventing risks by experiencing them: effects on knowledge and behaviour
Authors: Bulterman Rob , Verwijmeren Thijs , Holland Rob W. , Veling Harm 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Safety villages are interventions that aim to boost children's knowledge and behaviour regarding risk-taking behaviours and their consequences via an experiential learning approach. In safety villages, children experience scenarios involving risks that resemble real-life situations. We investigated the extent to which desirable learning outcomes from a single-session safety village visit are visible outside the safety village context. In a well-powered quasi-experimental preregistered field study, we compared students (aged 11–13) who received experiential safety education to a control group of students who had not yet received the education on three important learning outcomes: Knowledge-application, risk-taking behaviour and general risk-taking tendencies. Data were collected outside of the safety village environment, before or after the visit, and without explicit reminders of the visit. Results show students who received experiential safety education outperformed those who did not yet receive experiential education on knowledge-application and reduced risk-taking behaviours. We found no differences on general risk-taking tendencies. These results show a single visit to a safety village visit can reduce risk-taking of risks that were experienced in the village, but not general risk-taking tendencies. Theoretical and policy implications are discussed.