bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Business school learning goals: Alignment with evidence-based models and accreditation standards
Authors: Brink Kyle E , Palmer Timothy B , Costigan Robert D 
Published: July 2017

AbstractProgrammatic learning goals serve as the foundation for an educational institution’s curriculum design and assurance of learning processes. The purpose of our study is to determine the relevance or alignment of undergraduate business school learning goals. We identify the learning goals of US undergraduate business programs accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business-International (AACSB) and determine the extent to which the goals are aligned with (a) evidence-based competencies that are needed for managerial success (including the ‘Great Eight’ and the ‘hyperdimensional taxonomy’) and (b) content areas identified in AACSB’sEligibility Procedures and Accreditation Standards for Business Accreditation. We found that learning goals conform to AACSB Standards and evidence-based managerial competencies, but goals are most closely aligned with AACSB Standards, followed by the Great Eight, and the hyperdimensional taxonomy, respectively. We discuss the implications of our findings with respect to business schools’ assurance of learning processes and provide recommendations for AACSB, business schools, the broader academy, and future research.
Ultra-bright keV X-ray source generated by relativistic femtosecond laser pulse interaction with thin foils and its possible application for HEDS investigations
Authors: Faenov A.Y. , Pikuz T.A. , Vergunova G.A. , Pikuz S.A. , Skobelev I.Y. , Andreev A. , Zhidkov A. , Kodama R. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractIt was shown (Faenov et al., 2015b) that the energy of femtosecond laser pulses with relativistic intensity approaching to ~1021 W/cm2 is efficiently converted to X-ray radiation and produces exotic states in solid density plasma periphery. We propose and show by one-dimensional two-temperature hydrodynamic modeling, that applying two such unique ultra-bright X-ray sources with intensities above 1017 W/cm2 – allow to generate shock waves with strength of up to some hundreds Mbar, which could give new opportunities for studies of matter in extreme conditions.
“Not Left-Wing, Just Human”: The Integration of Personal Morality and Structural Critique in Progressive Religious Talk
Authors: Fuist Todd Nicholas 
Published: July 2017

AbstractResearchers have posited a bifurcated discursive field with regard to United States politics, with secular progressives at one pole and religious conservatives at the other. This division is typically understood to be both ideological and stylistic, with secular liberals possessing a robust language for speaking about structural inequality but lacking transcendent rhetoric about morality, and conservatives having the opposite discourses available to them. Yet this view steers us away from groups that complicate this picture, such as progressive religious communities. This article uses qualitative data collected among progressive religious groups to demonstrate that, through their ability to integrate discussions of structural inequality and personal morality, these communities create a rhetorical style that blends critical discourses with calls for righteousness. To understand different rhetorical positions, we have to examine the on-the-ground meaning making represented by politicized talk within communities that provide actors with the categories of identification which make social action possible.
Effects of water level regulation on the seed germination and production of annual plant Xanthium sibiricum in the water-level-fluctuating-zone of Three Gorges Reservoir
Authors: Liu Jianhui , Lin Feng , Shi Shaohua , Ayi Qiaoli , Liu Songping , Zeng Bo 
Published: July 2017

AbstractVegetation effectively slows down the deterioration rate of the ecosystem in the water-level fluctuation zone (WLFZ). In this study, we investigated the impact of impoundment on the germination of seeds from Xanthium sibiricum fruits with various degrees of maturity and produced by X. sibiricum plants growing at different elevations in the WLFZ. Seed production by X. sibiricum under the current water level regulation mode was also investigated. Seeds were collected from seven elevations of the WLFZ of Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) and exposed at these elevations to submergence. Seed production of the plants germinated from X. sibiricum seeds was observed. The maturity degree of X. sibiricum fruits from different elevations has no influence on the seed production by the plants that are produced from the fruits. Under the present water-level regulation mode, X. sibiricum growing above 155 m are able to generate mature seeds and thus provide seed sources for population maintenance, although the plants growing at an elevation below 165 m failed to produce fruits in 2010 due to unusual flooding. This study is useful for the vegetation recovery and reconstruction in other regions with hydrological characteristics similar to that of the TGR.
Inhibitory effects of local anesthetics on the proteasome and their biological actions
Authors: Bahrudin Udin , Unno Masaki , Nishio Kazuya , Kita Akiko , Li Peili , Kato Masaru , Inoue Masashi , Tsujitani Shunichi , Murakami Takuto , Sugiyama Rina , Saeki Yasushi , Obara Yuji , Tanaka Keiji , Yamaguchi Hiroshi , Sakane Isao , Kawata Yasushi , Itoh Toshiyuki , Ninomiya Haruaki , Hisatome Ichiro , Morimoto Yukio 
Published: July 2017

AbstractLocal anesthetics (LAs) inhibit endoplasmic reticulum-associated protein degradation, however the mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we show that the clinically used LAs pilsicainide and lidocaine bind directly to the 20S proteasome and inhibit its activity. Molecular dynamic calculation indicated that these LAs were bound to the β5 subunit of the 20S proteasome, and not to the other active subunits, β1 and β2. Consistently, pilsicainide inhibited only chymotrypsin-like activity, whereas it did not inhibit the caspase-like and trypsin-like activities. In addition, we confirmed that the aromatic ring of these LAs was critical for inhibiting the proteasome. These LAs stabilized p53 and suppressed proliferation of p53-positive but not of p53-negative cancer cells.
Obesity-induces Organ and Tissue Specific Tight Junction Restructuring and Barrier Deregulation by Claudin Switching
Authors: Ahmad Rizwan , Rah Bilal , Bastola Dhundy , Dhawan Punita , Singh Amar B. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractObesity increases susceptibility to multiple organ disorders, however, underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The subclinical inflammation assisted by obesity-induced gut permeability may underlie obesity-associated co-morbidities. Despite eminent clinical significance of the obesity led gut barrier abnormalities, its precise molecular regulation remains unclear. It is also unknown whether barrier deregulations, similar to the gut, characterize other vital organs in obese individuals. The claudin family of proteins is integral to the tight junction (TJ), the apical cell-cell adhesion and a key regulator of the epithelial barrier. Using comprehensive physiological and biochemical analysis of intestinal and renal tissues from high-fat diet fed mice, critical for maintaining metabolic homeostasis, this study demonstrates that profound TJ-restructuring by organ and tissue-specific claudin switching characterize obese organs. Protein expression and cellular distribution were examined. In-silico analysis further highlighted potential association of select claudins, modulated by the obesity, with signaling and metabolic pathways of pathological significance. In vitro studies using Leptin or DCA-treatment suggested causal significance of obesity-induced changes in tissue microenvironment in regulating barrier deregulations in tissue-specific manner. Overall, current findings advances our understanding of the molecular undertakings of obesity associated changes that help predispose to specific diseases and also identifies novel windows of preventive and/or therapeutic interventions.
Gene-gene and gene-environment interactions influence platinum-based chemotherapy response and toxicity in non-small cell lung cancer patients
Authors: Cui Jia-Jia , Wang Lei-Yun , Zhu Tao , Gong Wei-Jing , Zhou Hong-Hao , Liu Zhao-Qian , Yin Ji-Ye 
Published: July 2017

AbstractPlatinum-based chemotherapy is a major therapeutic regimen of lung cancer. Various single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) reported were associated with platinum-based chemotherapy response and drug toxicity. However, neither of the studies explored this association from SNP-SNP interaction perspective nor taking into effects of SNP-environment consideration simultaneously. We genotyped 504 polymorphisms and explore the association of gene-gene and gene-environment interactions with platinum-based chemotherapy response and toxicity in 490 NSCLC patients. 16 SNPs were found significantly associated with platinum-based chemotherapy, and they were picked out as study object in the validation cohort. We recruited 788 patients in the validation cohort. We found that HSPD1 rs17730989-SUMF1 rs2633851 interaction was associated with platinum-based chemotherapy-induced hematologic toxicity (adjusted OR = 0.233, P = 0.018). In addition, the combined effect of ABCG2 rs2231142-CES5A rs3859104 was significantly associated with overall toxicity (adjusted OR = 8.044, P = 4.350 × 10−5). Besides, the model of ARHGAP26 rs3776332-ERCC6 rs2228528-SLC2A1 rs4658-histology was associated with platinum-based chemotherapeutic response. Gene-gene and gene-environment interactions have been identified to contribute to chemotherapy sensitivity and toxicity. They can potentially predict drug response and toxicity of platinum-based chemotherapy in NSCLC patients.
The PSMP-CCR2 interactions trigger monocyte/macrophage-dependent colitis
Authors: Pei Xiaolei , Zheng Danfeng , She Shaoping , Ma Jing , Guo Changyuan , Mo Xiaoning , Zhang Yingmei , Song Quansheng , Zhang Yu , Ma Dalong , Wang Ying 
Published: July 2017

AbstractMonocytes/macrophages have been found to be an important component of colitis. However, the key chemokine that initiates the CCR2+ monocytes migration from circulation to colitis tissue remains to be undiscovered. PC3-secreted microprotein (PSMP) is a novel chemokine whose receptor is CCR2. The physiological and pathological functions of PSMP have not yet been reported. In this study, PSMP was found to be expressed in colitis and colonic tumor tissues from patients and significantly up-regulated in mouse DSS-induced colitis tissues. PSMP overexpression in the colon aggravated the DSS-induced colitis and the anti-PSMP neutralizing antibody mollified the colitis by reducing macrophage infiltration and inhibiting the expression of IL-6, TNF-α and CCL2. Furthermore, we demonstrated that lipopolysaccharide and muramyl dipeptide induced PSMP expression in the colonic epithelial cells. PSMP was up-regulated in the initial stage prior to IL-6, TNF-α and CCL2 up-regulated expression in DSS colitis and promoted the M1 macrophages to produce CCL2. PSMP chemo-attracted Ly6Chi monocytes in a CCR2 dependent manner via in situ chemotaxis and adoptive transfer assays. Our data identify PSMP as a key molecule in ulcerative colitis, which provides a novel mechanism of monocyte/macrophage migration that affects gut innate immunity and makes PSMP a potential target for controlling colitis.
Prototype of a bistable polariton field-effect transistor switch
Authors: Suchomel H. , Brodbeck S. , Liew T. C. H. , Amthor M. , Klaas M. , Klembt S. , Kamp M. , Höfling S. , Schneider C. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractMicrocavity exciton polaritons are promising candidates to build a new generation of highly nonlinear and integrated optoelectronic devices. Such devices range from novel coherent light emitters to reconfigurable potential landscapes for electro-optical polariton-lattice based quantum simulators as well as building blocks of optical logic architectures. Especially for the latter, the strongly interacting nature of the light-matter hybrid particles has been used to facilitate fast and efficient switching of light by light, something which is very hard to achieve with weakly interacting photons. We demonstrate here that polariton transistor switches can be fully integrated in electro-optical schemes by implementing a one-dimensional polariton channel which is operated by an electrical gate rather than by a control laser beam. The operation of the device, which is the polariton equivalent to a field-effect transistor, relies on combining electro-optical potential landscape engineering with local exciton ionization to control the scattering dynamics underneath the gate. We furthermore demonstrate that our device has a region of negative differential resistance and features a completely new way to create bistable behavior.
Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 augments myoblast adhesion and fusion through homophilic trans-interactions
Authors: Pizza Francis X. , Martin Ryan A. , Springer Evan M. , Leffler Maxwell S. , Woelmer Bryce R. , Recker Isaac J. , Leaman Douglas W. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe overall objective of the study was to identify mechanisms through which intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) augments the adhesive and fusogenic properties of myogenic cells. Hypotheses were tested using cultured myoblasts and fibroblasts, which do not constitutively express ICAM-1, and myoblasts and fibroblasts forced to express full length ICAM-1 or a truncated form lacking the cytoplasmic domain of ICAM-1. ICAM-1 mediated myoblast adhesion and fusion were quantified using novel assays and cell mixing experiments. We report that ICAM-1 augments myoblast adhesion to myoblasts and myotubes through homophilictrans-interactions. Such adhesive interactions enhanced levels of active Rac in adherent and fusing myoblasts, as well as triggered lamellipodia, spreading, and fusion of myoblasts through the signaling function of the cytoplasmic domain of ICAM-1. Rac inhibition negated ICAM-1 mediated lamellipodia, spreading, and fusion of myoblasts. The fusogenic property of ICAM-1-ICAM-1 interactions was restricted to myogenic cells, as forced expression of ICAM-1 by fibroblasts did not augment their fusion to ICAM-1+ myoblasts/myotubes. We conclude that ICAM-1 augments myoblast adhesion and fusion through its ability to self-associate and initiate Rac-mediated remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton.
A Five-Region Hypothesis Test for Exposure-Disease Associations
Authors: Shih Han-Yi , Lee Wen-Chung 
Published: July 2017

AbstractCharacterizing exposure-disease associations is a central issue in epidemiology, one which epidemiologists often approach by adopting the index of the odds ratio and presenting its point estimate, p-value and confidence interval. In this study, the parameter space of the odds ratio is partitioned into five mutually exclusive regions corresponding to ‘strong protective factor’, ‘weak protective factor’, ‘no association’, ‘weak risk factor’, and ‘strong risk factor’, respectively. The authors presented a suite of statistical methods tailored to such a five-region demarcation, including methods for hypothesis testing, confidence interval estimation and calculation of the sample size needed to obtain the desired level of statistical power. The authors show that the five-region methods can efficiently and informatively describe a putative exposure-disease association, including its presence or absence, as well as its direction and strength (if any association exists). Three published results were re-analyzed to demonstrate the methods. R code is provided for convenience as well. The five-region methods are recommended for routine use during the analysis of epidemiologic data.
A novel STK1-targeted small-molecule as an “antibiotic resistance breaker” against multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Kant Sashi , Asthana Shailendra , Missiakas Dominique , Pancholi Vijay 
Published: July 2017

AbstractSer/Thr protein kinase (STK1) plays a critical role in cell wall biosynthesis of and drug resistance in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). MRSA strains lacking STK1 become susceptible to failing cephalosporins, such as Ceftriaxone and Cefotaxime. STK1, despite being nonessential protein for MRSA survival, it can serve as an important therapeutic agent for combination therapy. Here, we report a novel small molecule quinazoline compound, Inh2-B1, which specifically inhibits STK1 activity by directly binding to its ATP-binding catalytic domain. Functional analyses encompassing in vitro growth inhibition of MRSA, and in vivo protection studies in mice against the lethal MRSA challenge indicated that at high concentration neither Inh2-B1 nor Ceftriaxone or Cefotaxime alone was able to inhibit the growth of bacteria or protect the challenged mice. However, the growth of MRSA was inhibited, and a significant protection in mice against the bacterial challenge was observed at a micromolar concentration of Ceftriaxone or Cefotaxime in the presence of Inh2-B1. Cell-dependent minimal to no toxicity of Inh2-B1, and its abilities to down-regulate cell wall hydrolase genes and disrupt the biofilm formation of MRSA clearly indicated that Inh2-B1 serves as a therapeutically important “antibiotic-resistance-breaker,” which enhances the bactericidal activity of Ceftriaxone/Cefotaxime against highly pathogenic MRSA infection.
Sustainable Electrochemical Depolymerization of Lignin in Reusable Ionic Liquids
Authors: Dier Tobias K. F. , Rauber Daniel , Durneata Dan , Hempelmann Rolf , Volmer Dietrich A. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractLignin’s aromatic building blocks provide a chemical resource that is, in theory, ideal for substitution of aromatic petrochemicals. Moreover, degradation and valorization of lignin has the potential to generate many high-value chemicals for technical applications. In this study, electrochemical degradation of alkali and Organosolv lignin was performed using the ionic liquids 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate and triethylammonium methanesulfonate. The extensive degradation of the investigated lignins with simultaneous almost full recovery of the electrolyte materials provided a sustainable alternative to more common lignin degradation processes. We demonstrate here that both the presence (and the absence) of water during electrolysis and proton transport reactions had significant impact on the degradation efficiency. Hydrogen peroxide radical formation promoted certain electrochemical mechanisms in electrolyte systems “contaminated” with water and increased yields of low molecular weight products significantly. The proposed mechanisms were tentatively confirmed by determining product distributions using a combination of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas-chromatography-mass spectrometry, allowing measurement of both polar versus non-polar as well as volatile versus non-volatile components in the mixtures.
Mutual influence between current-induced giant magnetoresistance and radiation-induced magnetoresistance oscillations in the GaAs/AlGaAs 2DES
Authors: Samaraweera R. L. , Liu H.-C. , Wang Z. , Reichl C. , Wegscheider W. , Mani R. G. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractRadiation-induced magnetoresistance oscillations are examined in the GaAs/AlGaAs 2D system in the regime where an observed concurrent giant magnetoresistance is systematically varied with a supplementary dc-current, I
dc
. The I
dc
tuned giant magnetoresistance is subsequently separated from the photo-excited oscillatory resistance using a multi-conduction model in order to examine the interplay between the two effects. The results show that the invoked multiconduction model describes the observed giant magnetoresistance effect even in the presence of radiation-induced magnetoresistance oscillations, the magnetoresistance oscillations do not modify the giant magnetoresistance, and the magnetoresistance oscillatory extrema, i.e., maxima and minima, disappear rather asymmetrically with increasing I
dc
. The results suggest the interpretation that the I
dc
serves to suppress scattering between states near the Fermi level in a strong magnetic field limit.
AhpC of the mycobacterial antioxidant defense system and its interaction with its reducing partner Thioredoxin-C
Authors: Wong Chui Fann , Shin Joon , Subramanian Manimekalai Malathy Sony , Saw Wuan Geok , Yin Zhan , Bhushan Shashi , Kumar Arvind , Ragunathan Priya , Grüber Gerhard 
Published: July 2017

AbstractDespite the highly oxidative environment of the phagosomal lumen, the need for maintaining redox homeostasis is a critical aspect of mycobacterial biology. The pathogens are equipped with the sophisticated thioredoxin- (Trx) and peroxiredoxin system, including TrxC and the alkyl hydroperoxide reductase subunit C (AhpC), whereby TrxC is one of the reducing partners of AhpC. Here we visualize the redox modulated dodecamer ring formation of AhpC from Mycobacterium bovis (BCG strain; MbAhpC) using electron microscopy and present novel insights into the unique N-terminal epitope (40 residues) of mycobacterial AhpC. Truncations and amino acid substitutions of residues in the unique N-terminus of MbAhpC provide insights into their structural and enzymatic roles, and into the evolutionary divergence of mycobacterial AhpC versus that of other bacteria. These structural details shed light on the epitopes and residues of TrxC which contributes to its interaction with AhpC. Since human cells lack AhpC, the unique N-terminal epitope of mycobacterial AhpC as well as the MbAhpC-TrxC interface represent an ideal drug target.
Repression of Abd-B by Polycomb is critical for cell identity maintenance in adult Drosophila testis
Authors: Zhang Shuo , Pan Chenyu , Lv Xiangdong , Wu Wei , Chen Hao , Wu Wenqing , Wu Hailong , Zhang Lei , Zhao Yun 
Published: July 2017

AbstractHox genes play a fundamental role in regulating animal development. However, less is known about their functions on homeostasis maintenance in adult stem cells. Here, we report that the repression of an important axial Hox gene, Abdominal-B (Abd-B), in cyst stem cells (CySCs) is essential for the homeostasis and cell identity maintenance in the adult Drosophila testis. Derepression of Abd-B in CySCs disrupts the proper self-renewal of both germline stem cells (GSCs) and CySCs, and leads to an excessive expansion of early stage somatic cells, which originate from both lineages. We further demonstrate that canonical Polycomb (Pc) and functional pathway of Polycomb group (PcG) proteins are responsible for maintaining the germline cell identity non-autonomously via repressing Abd-B in CySCs in the adult Drosophila testis.
Enhancement of carrier transport characteristic in the Sb2Se2Te topological insulators by N2 adsorption
Authors: Huang Shiu-Ming , Huang Shih-Jhe , Hsu Ching , Wadekar Paritosh V. , Yan You-Jhih , Yu Shih-Hsun , Chou Mitch 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe carrier transport characteristics of Sb2Se2Te topological insulators were investigated, after exposure to different levels of nitrogen gas. The magnetoresistance (MR) slope for the Sb2Se2Te crystal increased by approximately 100% at 10 K after 2-days of exposure. The Shubnikov-de Haas (SdH) oscillation amplitude increased by 30% while oscillation frequencies remained the same. MR slopes and the mobilities had the same dependency on temperature over a wide temperature range. All measured data conformed to a linear correlation between MR slope and mobility, supporting our hypothesis that the MR increase and the SdH oscillation enhancement might be caused by mobility enhancement induced by adsorbed N2 molecular.