bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Growth hormone increase by luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone reflects gonadotroph-related characteristics in acromegaly
Authors: Mitsui Yuto , Mukai Kosuke , Otsuki Michio , Oshino Satoru , Saitoh Youichi , Kohara Masaharu , Morii Eiichi , Fukuhara Atsunori , Shimomura Iichiro 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Purpose
We previously showed the clinical characteristics of acromegaly with a paradoxical growth hormone (GH) response to oral glucose or thyrotropin-releasing hormone. However, the clinical characteristics of acromegaly with an increased GH response to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH responders) remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics, especially gonadotroph-related characteristics of LHRH responders in acromegaly.

Methods
The clinical characteristics of 33 LHRH responders and 81 LHRH nonresponders were compared.

Results
No differences in age, sex or basal serum levels of GH, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and gonadotropin were observed between the two groups. Steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1), gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR), and LH expression was more frequently observed in LHRH responders (P < 0.05). In addition, a greater increased rate of GH after LHRH loading, and the proportion of GnRHR and gonadotropin expression was observed in pituitary tumor with SF-1 expression than that without the expression (P < 0.01). LHRH responders showed a greater GH decrease in the octreotide test and a greater IGF-1 decrease after first-generation somatostatin ligand than LHRH nonresponders (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the proportion of hypointense pituitary tumors on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and tumors with densely granulated type was higher in LHRH responders than in LHRH nonresponders, respectively (P < 0.05). No difference between the two groups was observed in either somatostatin receptor 2 or 5 expression.

Conclusions
The increased GH response to LHRH is associated with the gonadotroph-related characteristics. This response may reflect the biological characteristics of somatotroph tumors.
Application of the Extended Log Quad Model to Municipal Life Tables
Authors: Horiguchi Yu 
Published: July 2024

AbstractIn this study, we improve on the research results of relational models that enable life table estimates from a small number of demographic indices, such as the Log Quad Model by Wilmoth et al. (Popul Stud 66(1):1–28, 2012) and the Extended Log Quad Model 1 by Horiguchi (J Popul Stud 58:13–28, 2022). Consequently, we propose the Extended Log Quad Model 2. This is a mortality rate model that reflects the remarkable improvement in old-age mortality rates in Japan since the 1970s. This is intended for application to the estimation of municipal life tables in Japan. The Extended Log Quad Model 2 is useful for municipal policymaking because it is possible to estimate future life tables with a high level of accuracy by projecting only life expectancy at the age of 65. It is also suggested that the Extended Log Quad Model 2 will be applicable to other developed countries, such as Australia, Canada, France, and New Zealand.
Innovation strategies and firm performance
Authors: Bogetoft Peter , Kroman Lene , Smilgins Aleksandrs , Sørensen Anders 
Published: July 2024

AbstractInnovation is often seen as crucial for firm survival and as a way for firms to differentiate themselves from their rivals. However, innovation studies are vague about the actual importance of different innovation strategies. In this study, we distinguish between pure product, process, organizational, and marketing innovations and their combinations. We use a (balanced) panel data set with more than 15,000 firm-year observations for manufacturing firms to analyze the performance of firms with different innovation strategies. Additionally, we investigate from a societal perspective whether innovation facilitates less efficient firms to catch up, or whether firms already utilizing best practices are the main beneficiaries. Using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), we find the highest increase in firms’ performance among the firms with innovation strategies that combine product innovation with other innovation types. This finding applies to both the short and the longer term. We also conclude that catch-up is strongest among the firms adopting pure process innovation, whereas the other innovation strategies are primarily associated with frontiers shifts.
Exploring the profiles of foreign language learners’ writing self-regulation: focusing on individual differences
Authors: Zhang Jianhua , Zhang Lawrence Jun 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe available classifications of self-regulated learners may not be applicable to second or foreign language writing due to the contextual nature of self-regulated learning. This study intended to fill the gap by exploring the profiles of English as a foreign language (EFL) learners’ writing self-regulation and their association with writing-relevant individual differences. A total of 391 tertiary students from Southwest China were recruited to participate in the current study, including freshmen, sophomores, and juniors. Their writing self-regulation was measured by the Writing Strategies for Self-Regulated Learning Questionnaire. Latent profile analyses discovered two profiles of self-regulated learners in EFL writing: “highly self-regulated group” and “moderately self-regulated group”. Moreover, ANOVA and Welch’s Test showed that the participants assigned to the two profiles differed significantly in L2 grit, writing achievement goals, and writing self-efficacy rather than language aptitude and working memory. Perseverance of effort, mastery goals, and self-regulatory self-efficacy are found to predict profile membership significantly. Additionally, the results of path analyses revealed that the profiles varied in the predictive effect of individual differences on EFL learners’ writing regulation. These findings contributed to furthering our understanding of classification of self-regulated learners and the role of individual differences in the classification.
Enhancing Learners’ Conceptual Understanding of Reaction Kinetics Using Computer Simulations – A Case Study Approach
Authors: Jere Samuel , Mpeta Mamotena 
Published: July 2024

AbstractOne of the critical goals of teaching chemistry is to enable learners to gain conceptual understanding. Traditional instruction has often been associated with rote memorisation, resulting in learners failing to explain observed chemical phenomena, make predictions based on acquired concepts, advance convincing arguments, and engage in meaningful problem-solving and critical thinking. Therefore, the study aimed to describe the conceptual understanding of the learners taught Reaction Kinetics using computer simulations supported by the Predict-Observe-Explain strategy. The study was guided by Holme, Luxford, and Brandriet’s five categories of conceptual understanding—transfer, translation, problem-solving, prediction, and depth as the conceptual framework. This was a descriptive study in which a case study research approach was used. Five purposively sampled grade 12 learners participated in the study, representing the range of cognitive abilities from a secondary school class of 53 learners. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. The responses of the five participants were analysed using the qualitative content analysis. The findings were that most of the learners’ responses were in the sound understanding sub-category, some were in the partial understanding sub-category, and a few were in the no understanding sub-category, which made us conclude that computer simulations supported by the Predict-Observe-Explain strategy assisted the learners in conceptual understanding. The learners gained an understanding of most concepts, although their responses in the partial understanding sub-category showed difficulties related to depth, transfer, and translation. These findings are expected to assist chemistry teachers, teacher educators, and curriculum planners in improving learners’ conceptual understanding of chemistry.
A New Game Theoretic Semantics (GTS-2) for Weak Kleene Logics
Authors: Carrara Massimiliano , Mancini Filippo , Pra Baldi Michele , Zhu Wei 
Published: July 2024

AbstractHintikka’s game theoretical approach to semantics has been successfully applied also to some non-classical logics. A recent example is Başkent (A game theoretical semantics for logics of nonsense, 2020. arXiv:2009.10878), where a game theoretical semantics based on three players and the notion of dominant winning strategy is devised to fit both Bochvar and Halldén’s logics of nonsense, which represent two basic systems of the family of weak Kleene logics. In this paper, we present and discuss a new game theoretic semantics for Bochvar and Halldén’s logics, GTS-2, and show how it generalizes to a broader family of logics of variable inclusions.
Proteo: a framework for the generation and evaluation of malleable MPI applications
Authors: Martín-Álvarez Iker , Aliaga José I. , Castillo Maribel , Iserte Sergio 
Published: July 2024

AbstractApplying malleability to HPC systems can increase their productivity without degrading or even improving the performance of running applications. This paper presents Proteo, a configurable framework that allows to design benchmarks to study the effect of malleability on a system, and also incorporates malleability into a real application. Proteo consists of two modules: SAM allows to emulate the computational behavior of iterative scientific MPI applications, and MaM is able to reconfigure a job during execution, adjusting the number of processes, redistributing data, and resuming execution. An in-depth study of all the possibilities shows that Proteo is able to behave like a real malleable or non-malleable application in the range [0.85, 1.15]. Furthermore, the different methods defined in MaM for process management and data redistribution are analyzed, concluding that asynchronous malleability, where reconfiguration and application execution overlap, results in a 1.15$$\times$$
×
speedup.
Plasma metabolomic and lipidomic profiles accurately classify mothers of children with congenital heart disease: an observational study
Authors: Mires Stuart , Sommella Eduardo , Merciai Fabrizio , Salviati Emanuela , Caponigro Vicky , Basilicata Manuela Giovanna , Marini Federico , Campiglia Pietro , Baquedano Mai , Dong Tim , Skerritt Clare , Eastwood Kelly-Ann , Caputo Massimo 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Introduction
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common congenital anomaly, representing a significant global disease burden. Limitations exist in our understanding of aetiology, diagnostic methodology and screening, with metabolomics offering promise in addressing these.

Objective
To evaluate maternal metabolomics and lipidomics in prediction and risk factor identification for childhood CHD.

Methods
We performed an observational study in mothers of children with CHD following pregnancy, using untargeted plasma metabolomics and lipidomics by ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS). 190 cases (157 mothers of children with structural CHD (sCHD); 33 mothers of children with genetic CHD (gCHD)) from the children OMACp cohort and 162 controls from the ALSPAC cohort were analysed. CHD diagnoses were stratified by severity and clinical classifications. Univariate, exploratory and supervised chemometric methods were used to identify metabolites and lipids distinguishing cases and controls, alongside predictive modelling.

Results
499 metabolites and lipids were annotated and used to build PLS-DA and SO-CovSel-LDA predictive models to accurately distinguish sCHD and control groups. The best performing model had an sCHD test set mean accuracy of 94.74% (sCHD test group sensitivity 93.33%; specificity 96.00%) utilising only 11 analytes. Similar test performances were seen for gCHD. Across best performing models, 37 analytes contributed to performance including amino acids, lipids, and nucleotides.

Conclusions
Here, maternal metabolomic and lipidomic analysis has facilitated the development of sensitive risk prediction models classifying mothers of children with CHD. Metabolites and lipids identified offer promise for maternal risk factor profiling, and understanding of CHD pathogenesis in the future.
Laboratory Efficacy of Essential Oils Against Pectobacterium carotovorum Subsp. carotovorum and Pectobacterium atrosepticum Causing Soft Rot of Potato Tubers
Authors: Jílková Barbora , Víchová Jana , Holková Ludmila , Pluháčková Helena , Michutová Markéta , Kmoch Martin 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe antibacterial activity of essential oils (EOs) from Carum carvi, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Cuminum cyminum, Eugenia caryophyllus, Foeniculum vulgare, Melaleuca alternifolia, Mentha × piperita, Origanum vulgare, Rosmarinus officinalis and Thymus vulgaris was tested against Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (Pcc) and Pectobacterium atrosepticum (Pa), which cause soft rot of potato tubers. In disc diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) tests, cinnamon EO was found to be most effective against both bacteria. The inhibition zones ranged from 20.46 to 29.58 mm for a concentration of 100 μL/mL. The minimum inhibitory concentration was 0.5 μL/mL, and MBC was between 0.5 and 5 μL/mL. The higher sensitivity of bacteria was manifested in clove (Pcc and Pa), mint (Pcc), oregano (Pa) and thyme (Pa) EOs. Rosemary EO was the least effective. The results of the in vivo test were not entirely consistent with those of the in vitro tests. The most significant antibacterial effect was achieved with mint EO. The treatment of potato tuber discs with mint EO at a concentration of 3 μL/mL for Pcc and 3–10 μL/mL for Pa was 100% effective. The efficacy of the essential oils of caraway (5–10 μL/mL), thyme (10 μL/mL) and oregano (5 μL/mL) also ranged from 95.7 to 99.7%. Based on the results of the in vivo test, it may be recommended that mint EO and potentially caraway, oregano and thyme EOs be further tested for pickling potato tubers against bacteria of the genus Pectobacterium.
Tracking longitudinal thalamic volume changes during early stages of SCA1 and SCA2
Authors: Grisoli Marina , Nigri Anna , Medina Carrion Jean Paul , Palermo Sara , Demichelis Greta , Giacosa Chiara , Mongelli Alessia , Fichera Mario , Nanetti Lorenzo , Mariotti Caterina 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Spinocerebellar ataxia SCA1 and SCA2 are adult-onset hereditary disorders, due to triplet CAG expansion in their respective causative genes. The pathophysiology of SCA1 and SCA2 suggests alterations of cerebello-thalamo-cortical pathway and its connections to the basal ganglia. In this framework, thalamic integrity is crucial for shaping efficient whole-brain dynamics and functions. The aims of the study are to identify structural changes in thalamic nuclei in presymptomatic and symptomatic SCA1 and SCA2 patients and to assess disease progression within a 1-year interval.

Material and methods
A prospective 1-year clinical and MRI assessment was conducted in 27 presymptomatic and 23 clinically manifest mutation carriers for SCA1 and SCA2 expansions. Cross-sectional and longitudinal changes of thalamic nuclei volume were investigated in SCA1 and SCA2 individuals and in healthy participants (n = 20).

Results
Both SCA1 and SCA2 patients had significant atrophy in the majority of thalamic nuclei, except for the posterior and partly medial nuclei. The 1-year longitudinal evaluation showed a specific pattern of atrophy in ventral and posterior thalamus, detectable even at the presymptomatic stage of the disease.

Conclusion
For the first time in vivo, our exploratory study has shown that different thalamic nuclei are involved at different stages of the degenerative process in both SCA1 and SCA2. It is therefore possible that thalamic alterations might significantly contribute to the progression of the disease years before overt clinical manifestations occur.
Good governance in autocratic international organizations
Authors: Hafner-Burton Emilie , Pevehouse Jon C. W. , Schneider Christina J. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractA large and growing number of international organizations (IOs) are made up and governed by illiberal or outright authoritarian regimes. Many of these authoritarian IOs (AIOs) formally adopt good governance mandates, linking goals like democracy promotion, anti-corruption policies and human rights to their broader mission. Why do some AIOs adopt good governance mandates that appear to conflict with the norms and standards these regimes apply at home? We argue that AIOs adopt good governance mandates when they face substantial pressure from inside or outside the IO to adopt them. Central to our argument is that not all aspects of good governance are inherently or equally threatening to autocratic regimes. They pursue strategies that minimize the threat by externalizing policy outside the membership and strategically defining the goals to avoid or enact. This allows autocratic governments to uptake good governance talk but lessen any deep commitment to the norms and sometimes even to use them strategically to project their own power outside of the organization. Using data on 48 regional IOs with primarily autocratic membership between 1945 and 2015, we demonstrate that AIOs facing pressure from external good governance promoters will adopt good governance mandates but strategically shape those mandates in their favor if they can form bargaining coalitions with like-minded governments. The findings have sobering implications for the future of good governance promotion through IOs.
Non-Inferiority Trials: A Systematic Review on Methodological Quality and Reporting Standards
Authors: Sengul Anthony , Escobar Edison , Flores John R. , Kwok Michelle , Kono Shogo , Guyatt Gordon , Jackevicius Cynthia A. 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Background
Non-inferiority (NI) trials require unique trial design and methods, which pose challenges in their interpretation and applicability, risking introduction of inferior therapies in clinical practice. With the abundance of novel therapies, NI trials are increasing in publication. Prior studies found inadequate quality of reporting of NI studies, but were limited to certain specialties/journals, lacked NI margin evaluation, and did not examine temporal changes in quality. We conducted a systematic review without restriction to journal type, journal impact factor, disease state or intervention to evaluate the quality of NI trials, including a comprehensive risk of bias assessment and comparison of quality over time.

Methodology
We searched PubMed and Cochrane Library databases for NI trials published in English in 2014 and 2019. They were assessed for: study design and NI margin characteristics, primary results, and risk of bias for blinding, concealment, analysis method and missing outcome data.

Results
We included 823 studies. Between 2014 and 2019, a shift from publication in specialty to general journals (15% vs 28%, p < 0.001) and from pharmacological to non-pharmacological interventions (25% vs 38%, p = 0.025) was observed. The NI margin was specified in most trials for both years (94% vs 95%). Rationale for the NI margin increased (36% vs 57%, p < 0.001), but remained low, with clinical judgement the most common rationale (30% vs 23%), but more 2019 articles incorporating patient values (0.3% vs 21%, p < 0.001). Over 50% of studies were open-label for both years. Gold standard method of analyses (both per protocol + (modified) intention to treat) declined over time (43% vs 36%, p < 0.001).

Discussion
The methodological quality and reporting of NI trials remains inadequate although improving in some areas. Improved methods for NI margin justification, blinding, and analysis method are warranted to facilitate clinical decision-making.
“Take your responsibility”: the politics of green sacrifice for just low-carbon transitions in rural Portugal
Authors: van Meer Dominique , Zografos Christos 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe EU has recently taken important climate action, notably through the launching of the European Green Deal. However, EU action has been criticized for its potential to generate a heavy increase in mining of ‘critical minerals’ necessary for renewables technologies, and so create green sacrifice zones both overseas and within Europe. We explore the politics of green sacrifice making through an analysis of green governance practices and opposition to them in a case of a lithium mining conflict in rural northern Portugal. We find that institutional rearrangements attempt to reconfigure lithium mining as a force for sustainability in ways that enable capital accumulation. Such reconfigurations clash with concerns about maintaining a meaningful life in localities where mining would take place, as well as alternative definitions of the logic of the circular economy and of what the proper scales of decision-making for marginalized territories should be. Government and corporate action attempt to resolve these clashes by promoting a discourse of ‘responsibility’, which assigns public institutions the role of convincing communities to accept ‘green’ mining; to corporations the role of exercising corporate social responsibility; and to affected populations the role of subjects whose political action should conform to their consumption habits and help deliver a distinctive ‘European way’ of being responsible in a warming world. We conclude that green sacrifice is essential for maintaining economic growth and a liberal order of governance, delivered through a biopolitics of inclusion that exists side-by-side with attempts at self-constitution. We highlight a contradiction between what such praxis tries to achieve and ways in which some critical constituencies seek to address democracy challenges of just transitions.
Is Blockchain a game-changer for social currency systems? Some reflections in light of the experience of Moneda PAR in Argentina
Authors: Valdecantos Sebastian , Orzi Ricardo , Porcherot Raphaël , Camargo Federico José 
Published: July 2024

AbstractSocial currencies can make a valuable contribution to sustainability as they strengthen solidarity markets, a specific exchange practice that enhances the resilience of their surrounding environmental, social and human systems. Until now, the need to secure trust in a currency has been a major challenge for social currency initiatives not backed by the State. The emergence of Blockchain, which offers security, transparency and auditability to currencies and transactions it supports, seemingly circumvents this issue. This raises the question that this paper seeks to address: is Blockchain a game-changer for bottom-up solidarity economy initiatives? The methodological approach draws on a multidimensional conceptualisation of trust that recognises three components: ethical, hierarchical and methodical trust. It uses Moneda PAR, an Argentinian Blockchain-based social currency, as a case study and draws on use data, participant surveys and direct observation by the authors as action researchers to explore social currency and solidarity economy development in relation to currency performance on each dimension of trust. Findings from the case show that despite strengthening hierarchical and methodical trust, Blockchain needs to be articulated with additional market-building strategies to be a true game-changer in the development of social currency systems.