bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
NF-κB1 deficiency stimulates the progression of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in mice by promoting NKT-cell-mediated responses
Authors: Locatelli Irene , Sutti Salvatore , Vacchiano Marco , Bozzola Cristina , Albano Emanuele 
Published: September 2012

Growing evidence indicates that NF-κB (nuclear factor κB) activation contributes to the pathogenesis of NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatisis). Among the NF-κB subunits, p50/NF-κB1 has regulatory activities down-modulating NF-κB-mediated responses. In the present study, we investigated the effects of NF-κB1 deficiency on the progression of NASH induced by feeding mice on an MCD (methionine/choline-deficient) diet. Following 4 weeks on the MCD diet, steatosis, ALT (alanine aminotransferase) release, hepatocyte apoptosis, lobular inflammation and TNFα (tumour necrosis factor α) production were higher in NF-κB1−/− (NF-κB1-knockout) mice than in WT (wild-type) mice. NF-κB1−/− mice also showed appreciable centrilobular collagen deposition, an increased number of activated hepatic stellate cells and higher type-I procollagen-α and TIMP-1 (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteases-1) mRNA expression. Although NF-κB p50 homodimers regulate macrophage activation, the number of hepatic macrophages and liver mRNAs for iNOS (inducible NO synthase), IL (interleukin)-12p40, CCL2 (CC chemokine ligand 2) and CXCL10 (CXC chemokine ligand 10) were comparable in the two strains. NASH was associated with an increase in liver infiltrating T-cells that was more evident in MCD-fed NF-κB1−/− than in similarly treated WT mice. Flow cytorimetry showed that T-cell recruitment involved effector CD8+ T-cells without changes in the helper CD4+ T-cell fraction. Furthermore, although NASH lowered hepatic NKT cells [NK (natural killer) T-cells] in WT mice, the NKT cell pool was selectively increased in the livers of MCD-fed NF-κB1−/− mice. Such NKT cell recruitment was associated with an early overexpression of IL-15, a cytokine controlling NKT cell survival and maturation. In the livers of MCD-fed NF-κB1−/− mice, but not in those of WT littermates, we also observed an up-regulation in the production of NKT-related cytokines IFN (interferon)-γ and osteopontin. Taken together, these results indicate that NF-κB1 down-modulation enhanced NASH progression to fibrosis by favouring NKT cell recruitment, stressing the contribution of NKT cells in the pathogenesis of NASH.
Antenatal Diagnosis of a Giant Fetal Hepatic Hemangioma and Treatment with Maternal Corticosteroid
Authors: Schmitz R. , Heinig J. , Klockenbusch W. , Kiesel L. , Steinhard J. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractInitial diagnosis of a fetal hemangioendothelioma of the liver was made at 28 + 1 weeks of gestation. Due to the growth of the liver tumor and increasing fetal cardiac load, 4 mg dexamethasone were administered daily from 32 + 3 to 36 + 6 weeks of gestation. With this medication the fetal cardiac load was unchanged and slow further increase of the tumor size occurred. At 36 + 6 weeks of gestation, a primary caesarean section was performed due to fetal heart decompensation and pathological CTG. Maternal therapy with dexamethasone should be considered for antenatally detected Giant Fetal Hepatic Hemangioma.
Domain–domain interactions in full-length p53 and a specific DNA complex probed by methyl NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Bista Michal , Freund Stefan M. , Fersht Alan R. 
Published: September 2012

The tumor suppressor p53 is a homotetramer of 4 × 393 residues. Its core domain and tetramerization domain are linked and flanked by intrinsically disordered sequences, which hinder its full structural characterization. There is an outstanding problem of the state of the tetramerization domain. Structural studies on the isolated tetramerization domain show it is in a folded tetrameric conformation, but there are conflicting models from electron microscopy of the full-length protein, one of which proposes that the domain is not tetramerically folded and the tetrameric protein is stabilized by interactions between the N and C termini. Here, we present methyl-transverse relaxation optimized NMR spectroscopy (methyl-TROSY) investigations on the full-length and separate domains of the protein with its methionine residues enriched with13C to probe its quaternary structure. We obtained high-quality spectra of both the full-length tetrameric p53 and its DNA complex, observing the environment at 11 specific methyl sites. The tetramerization domain was as tetramerically folded in the full-length constructs as in the isolated domain. The N and C termini were intrinsically disordered in both the full-length protein and its complex with a 20-residue specific DNA sequence. Additionally, we detected in the interface of the core (DNA-binding) and N-terminal parts of the protein a slow conformational exchange process that was modulated by specific recognition of DNA, indicating allosteric processes.
Magnetism in Ge by ion implantation with Fe and Mn
Authors: Reuther H , Talut G , Mücklich A , Stromberg F 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
Previously, ferromagnetic layers of Ge were produced by co-doping with Mn and Fe. While these layers were prepared by molecular beam epitaxy, in this study ion implantation was used for preparation. Implantation conditions were chosen in such a way that a maximum doping concentration of 6 at% per dopant was achieved. One sample set was implanted at 260 °C, another one at room temperature. The samples were characterized by conversion electron Mössbauer spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry, transmission electron microscopy and Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy. Several samples were recovered by flash lamp annealing. Ferromagnetism in Ge may be induced; however, in all cases the origin of magnetism was not intrinsic but from secondary phases. Such phases were already formed due to implantation at elevated temperatures. Implantation at room temperature prevents the formation but allows the samples to remain non-ferromagnetic. Subsequent short-time annealing above a special limit will produce secondary phases or metal-rich regions and ferromagnetism; annealing below does not change the magnetic behaviour but helps in starting the diffusion processes. Although nearly identical concentration conditions as in the study first mentioned are employed, the nature of magnetism is different. It is a hint that the order/disorder state of the magnetic atoms containing a layer plays a more important role.
Investigation of the optimized parameters of microwave plasma-assisted chemical vapour deposition reactor operation in a pulsed mode
Authors: Vikharev A L , Gorbachev A M , Muchnikov A B , Radishev D B , Kopelovich E A , Troitskiy M M 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
The parameters of a pulsed microwave discharge in a 2.45 GHz chemical vapour deposition (CVD) reactor used for diamond growth are studied. It is shown that the use of the pulsed-wave mode allows one to increase the growth rate of polycrystalline diamond films by 2–3 times without deterioration of their quality for a fixed mean microwave power and a specified deposition area. An optimal pulse repetition rate is found, at which both the growth rate and the diamond film quality are higher than at the other repetition rates (for an equal mean power). We explain this effect by the increase in the near-surface atomic hydrogen density. The optimal pulse repetition rate value depends on the growth parameters (reactor geometry, gas pressure and power density), and on the growth substrate size. For the substrates 20–40 mm in diameter (and the CVD reactor used in the study), the optimal pulse repetition rate is 250 Hz. The method of graphite sample etching in hydrogen plasmas was used to measure the atomic hydrogen near-surface density. This method can be applied to the optimization of diamond film growth in CVD reactors of different types. Additionally, it can be used to compare different CVD reactors by determining the yield of atomic hydrogen. It is shown that at an equal mean power absorbed in the discharge, the maximum gas temperature during the microwave pulse increases, as the pulse repetition rate decreases. This behaviour of gas temperature can explain the similar dependence of the period-averaged intensity of the C2 radical optical emission (516.5 nm) on the pulse repetition rate.
Phylogenetics, likelihood, evolution and complexity
Authors: de Koning A.P. Jason , Gu Wanjun , Castoe Todd A. , Pollock David D. 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
Summary: Phylogenetics, likelihood, evolution and complexity (PLEX) is a flexible and fast Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo software program for large-scale analysis of nucleotide and amino acid data using complex evolutionary models in a phylogenetic framework. The program gains large speed improvements over standard approaches by implementing ‘partial sampling of substitution histories’, a data augmentation approach that can reduce data analysis times from months to minutes on large comparative datasets. A variety of nucleotide and amino acid substitution models are currently implemented, including non-reversible and site-heterogeneous mixture models. Due to efficient algorithms that scale well with data size and model complexity, PLEX can be used to make inferences from hundreds to thousands of taxa in only minutes on a desktop computer. It also performs probabilistic ancestral sequence reconstruction. Future versions will support detection of co-evolutionary interactions between sites, probabilistic tests of convergent evolution and rigorous testing of evolutionary hypotheses in a Bayesian framework.
Availability and implementation: PLEX v1.0 is licensed under GPL. Source code and documentation will be available for download at www.evolutionarygenomics.com/ProgramsData/PLEX. PLEX is implemented in C++ and supported on Linux, Mac OS X and other platforms supporting standard C++ compilers. Example data, control files, documentation and accessory Perl scripts are available from the website.
Contact: David.Pollock@UCDenver.edu
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Microbe-Associated Molecular Patterns-Triggered Root Responses Mediate Beneficial Rhizobacterial Recruitment in Arabidopsis
Authors: Lakshmanan Venkatachalam , Kitto Sherry L. , Caplan Jeffrey L. , Hsueh Yi-Huang , Kearns Daniel B. , Wu Yu-Sung , Bais Harsh P. 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
This study demonstrated that foliar infection by Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato DC3000 induced malic acid (MA) transporter (ALUMINUM-ACTIVATED MALATE TRANSPORTER1 [ALMT1]) expression leading to increased MA titers in the rhizosphere of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). MA secretion in the rhizosphere increased beneficial rhizobacteria Bacillus subtilis FB17 (hereafter FB17) titers causing an induced systemic resistance response in plants against P. syringae pv tomato DC3000. Having shown that a live pathogen could induce an intraplant signal from shoot-to-root to recruit FB17 belowground, we hypothesized that pathogen-derived microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) may relay a similar response specific to FB17 recruitment. The involvement of MAMPs in triggering plant innate immune response is well studied in the plant’s response against foliar pathogens. In contrast, MAMPs-elicited plant responses on the roots and the belowground microbial community are not well understood. It is known that pathogen-derived MAMPs suppress the root immune responses, which may facilitate pathogenicity. Plants subjected to known MAMPs such as a flagellar peptide, flagellin22 (flg22), and a pathogen-derived phytotoxin, coronatine (COR), induced a shoot-to-root signal regulating ALMT1 for recruitment of FB17. Micrografts using either a COR-insensitive mutant (coi1) or a flagellin-insensitive mutant (fls2) as the scion and ALMT1pro:β-glucuronidase as the rootstock revealed that both COR and flg22 are required for a graft transmissible signal to recruit FB17 belowground. The data suggest that MAMPs-induced signaling to regulate ALMT1 is salicylic acid and JASMONIC ACID RESISTANT1 (JAR1)/JASMONATE INSENSITIVE1 (JIN1)/MYC2 independent. Interestingly, a cell culture filtrate of FB17 suppressed flg22-induced MAMPs-activated root defense responses, which are similar to suppression of COR-mediated MAMPs-activated root defense, revealing a diffusible bacterial component that may regulate plant immune responses. Further analysis showed that the biofilm formation in B. subtilis negates suppression of MAMPs-activated defense responses in roots. Moreover, B. subtilis suppression of MAMPs-activated root defense does require JAR1/JIN1/MYC2. The ability of FB17 to block the MAMPs-elicited signaling pathways related to antibiosis reflects a strategy adapted by FB17 for efficient root colonization. These experiments demonstrate a remarkable strategy adapted by beneficial rhizobacteria to suppress a host defense response, which may facilitate rhizobacterial colonization and host-mutualistic association.
The internationalization of venture capital
Authors: Aizenman Joshua , Kendall Jake 
Published: September 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors which affect the market for international venture capital (VC) investments, relying on comprehensive deal‐level data sources, covering three decades and about 100 countries.Design/methodology/approachA gravity analysis indicates that distance, common language, and colonial ties may have been significant factors in directing these flows.FindingsThe paper documents major shifts in the nature of international flows. The presence of high‐end human capital, a better business environment, military expenditure, and deeper financial markets are important local factors that appear to attract international VC. There is some evidence indicating network effects and/or fixed costs of entry may be at work. France, Israel, Canada, India and China were consistent net importers of VC deals, with China emerging as the largest net importer of VC.Originality/valueThe paper investigates the increasing internationalization of VC investments in recent years and assesses the factors which determine the destination of cross‐border VC investment flows.
Dynamic multiplier effects of remittances in developing countries
Authors: Karpestam Roy Peter David 
Published: September 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to simulate the indirect and direct effects of remittances in developing countries.Design/methodology/approachThe paper estimates a dynamic macroeconomic model and estimates the short‐run and long‐run dynamic multiplier effects of hypothetical temporary changes in remittances, as well as simulates the permanent effects of observed remittances.FindingsThe results indicate positive multiplier effects in general, and they also reveal a substantial variability across income categories and regions. The results indicate that low‐income economies are more inclined to spend their incomes on consumption and investments than middle‐income economies and, therefore, have a higher short‐run potential gain from receiving remittances. Low‐income economies typically reside in Sub‐Saharan Africa, whereas middle‐income economies are mainly found in East Europe, Latin America and North Africa and the Middle East. However, actual gains from remittances are highest in lower middle‐income economies because these countries receive more remittances. Generally, the short‐run effects are higher than the long‐run effects due to a sustained dependence of imported goods and services.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper analyzes the effects of remittances on components in aggregate demand.Practical implicationsThe results support the World Bank's current policy recommendation that remittances should be promoted.Originality/valueThe paper corrects the algebraic solution for dynamic multiplier effects in Glytsos's work, written in 2005, and estimates the model for a macroeconomic panel containing 115 developing countries. The paper considers the effects of the net flows of remittances rather than of inflows only.
Competition among ASEAN members in the East Asia market
Authors: He Shuquan 
Published: September 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to calculate the net gains or losses for the ASEAN Members 1998‐2007 in the East Asian market.Design/methodology/approachThis paper provides a new extension to the shift‐share analysis to attribute the net shift to competing economies with a dynamic approach. This new extension is applied to analyze the competition among the ASEAN members in the East Asian market for the year from 1998‐2007.FindingsAlthough in terms of market share, Indonesia and Malaysia take the lead in East Asia, the dynamic shift‐share analysis suggests that the Philippines, Thailand and Malaysia are gainers during 1998‐2007, with positive net shifts and positive competitiveness effects.Originality/valueThere are two main contributions of this paper: one is to dynamically estimate the net shifts of the economies as compared to the traditional comparative static approach; the other is to extend the shift‐share analysis to attribute the net gains or losses to competing exporters.
Signalling by banks using loan loss provisions: the case of the European Union
Authors: Leventis Stergios , Dimitropoulos Panagiotis E. , Anandarajan Asokan 
Published: September 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate whether bank managers of countries within the European Union (EU) engage in signalling, especially after implementation of international financial reporting standards (IFRS) commencing 2005.Design/methodology/approach“Signaling” is the use of loan loss provisions (LLPs) to convey signals of fiscal prudence and future profitability to investors. The authors use data from 18 countries across the EU covering the pre and post IFRS regimes and apply univariate and multivariate tests in order to test signaling behavior under both accounting regimes.FindingsThe findings indicate insufficient evidence that financially healthy banks engage in signaling behavior. However, banks facing financial distress appear to engage in aggressive signaling relative to healthy banks. Finally, the propensity to engage in signaling behavior is more pronounced for financially distressed banks in the post IFRS regime. While IFRS, under IAS 39 sort to mitigate the discretionary component of LLPs, our finding may be attributable to lax enforcement of IFRS.Practical implicationsThe findings have implications for both investors and regulators. Investors should be aware that troubled banks engage in signaling to convey positive information about their future prospects. Regulators should be aware that financially stressed banks have a greater propensity to engage in signaling and need to ensure that the provisions of IFRS (which attempts to limit discretion in estimating LLPs) are enforced more stringently.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the growing literature on bank signaling in a number of ways. First, the authors use a sample from 18 countries within the EU which has not been done before. Second, unlike prior studies which only examined healthy banks, the authors also include financially distressed banks in the sample. Third, the authors examine signaling behavior in the pre and post IFRS regimes to understand the influence of IFRS on the propensity to engage in signaling by bank managers.
Jethro's understanding of administration and the convergence of inter‐organizational goals
Authors: Almog‐Bareket Granit , Kletz Pierre 
Published: September 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore how culture influences organizational behavior by connecting elements stemming from individuals’ social habitus with other elements pertaining to the organization itself; rejecting a “new age” approach, the paper studies how references drawn from Judaism can feed an organizational reflection process that impacts management practice.Design/methodology/approachThe paper centers on a case study about the Graduate Unit of an academic institution, which trains in the field of educational leadership.FindingsDeveloping a common social habitus during the formative years makes it more likely that compatible projects can be implemented within various complementary organizations to achieve significant impact. In this case, the common knowledge of Jewish philosophy, the common “Jewish wisdom,” served as a catalyst. Creating a common organizational culture without such common elements would be impossible.Research limitations/implicationsThe research presented here in the non‐profit field suggests that belief in a possible creation and sharing of an organizational culture to further a company's objectives is largely illusory.Originality/valueThe paper studies organizations in the third sector to understand elements in the business sector.
The broken tables of stone: a decalogue approach to corporate compliance practice
Authors: Habisch André 
Published: September 2012

PurposeCorporate compliance practices are often “coercively” structured, coined by a legal discourse and derived from individualist normative concepts. Drawing on the “logic of the Decalogue”, the purpose of this paper is to design an “enabling” approach based on a covenantal logic present within the Decalogue.Design/methodology/approachThe approach is interdisciplinary analysis summarizing exegetical, social science and business literature.FindingsWithin a covenantal and transcendental perspective, a morally literate community of employees, which have learned to reflect upon their responsibility, form the basis for compliance arrangements. They form a necessary complementary element of functional compliance systems.Practical implicationsThe covenantal logic of the Decalogue can orientate the formulation of corporate compliance programs, which intend to follow an “enabling” approach. Normative claims should be rooted in an analysis of responsibilities towards relevant stakeholder groups. The potential of “spiritual capital” should be taken into consideration.Originality/valueReflecting one of the oldest ethical documents of human civilisation in the context of the contemporary management discussion on “coercive versus enabling control”, the orientating role of practical wisdom from the Jewish tradition becomes tangible.