bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Critical Role for Human Caspase-4 in Endotoxin Sensitivity
Authors: Kajiwara Yuji , Schiff Tamar , Voloudakis Georgios , Gama Sosa Miguel A. , Elder Gregory , Bozdagi Ozlem , Buxbaum Joseph D. 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
Response to endotoxins is an important part of the organismal reaction to Gram-negative bacteria and plays a critical role in sepsis and septic shock, as well as other conditions such as metabolic endotoxemia. Humans are generally more sensitive to endotoxins when compared with experimental animals such as mice. Inflammatory caspases mediate endotoxin-induced IL-1β secretion and lethality in mice, and caspase-4 is an inflammatory caspase that is found in the human, and not mouse, genome. To test whether caspase-4 is involved in endotoxin sensitivity, we developed a transgenic mouse expressing human caspase-4 in its genomic context. Caspase-4 transgenic mice exhibited significantly higher endotoxin sensitivity, as measured by enhanced cytokine secretion and lethality following LPS challenge. Using bone marrow–derived macrophages, we then observed that caspase-4 can support activation of caspase-1 and secretion of IL-1β and IL-18 in response to priming signals (LPS or Pam3CSK4) alone, without the need for second signals to stimulate the assembly of the inflammasome. These findings indicate that the regulation of caspase-1 activity by human caspase-4 could represent a unique mechanism in humans, as compared with laboratory rodents, and may partially explain the higher sensitivity to endotoxins observed in humans. Regulation of the expression, activation, or activity of caspase-4 therefore represents targets for systemic inflammatory response syndrome, sepsis, septic shock, and related disorders.
Hemin Controls T Cell Polarization in Sickle Cell Alloimmunization
Authors: Zhong Hui , Bao Weili , Friedman David , Yazdanbakhsh Karina 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) often require transfusions to treat and prevent worsening anemia and other SCD complications. However, transfusions can trigger alloimmunization against transfused RBCs with serious clinical sequelae. Risk factors for alloimmunization in SCD remain poorly understood. We recently reported altered regulatory T cell (Treg) and Th responses with higher circulating Th1 (IFN-γ+) cytokines in chronically transfused SCD patients with alloantibodies as compared with those without alloantibodies. Because monocytes play a critical role in polarization of T cell subsets and participate in clearance of transfused RBCs, we tested the hypothesis that in response to the RBC breakdown product hemin, monocyte control of T cell polarization will differ between alloimmunized and non-alloimmunized SCD patients. Exogenous hemin induced Treg polarization in purified T cell/monocyte cocultures from healthy volunteers through the monocyte anti-inflammatory heme-degrading enzyme heme oxygenase-1. Importantly, hemin primarily through its effect on CD16+ monocytes induced an anti-inflammatory (higher Treg/lower Th1) polarization state in the non-alloimmunized SCD group, whereas it had little effect in the alloimmunized group. Non-alloimmunized SCD CD16+ monocytes expressed higher basal levels of heme oxygenase-1. Furthermore, IL-12, which contributed to a proinflammatory polarization state (low Treg/high Th1) in SCD, was dampened in hemin-treated stimulated monocytes from non-alloimmunized SCD patients, but not in the alloimmunized group. These data suggest that unlike alloimmunized patients, non-alloimmunized SCD CD16+ monocytes in response to transfused RBC breakdown products promote an anti-inflammatory state that is less conducive to alloimmunization.
Binding of AID to DNA Does Not Correlate with Mutator Activity
Authors: Matthews Allysia J. , Husain Solomon , Chaudhuri Jayanta 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
The DNA deaminase activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) initiates somatic hypermutation (SHM) and class switch recombination (CSR) by deaminating cytidines to uridines at V region (V) genes and switch (S) regions. The mechanism by which AID is recruited to V genes and S region DNA is poorly understood. In this study, we used the CH12 B lymphoma line to demonstrate that, although S regions can efficiently recruit AID and undergo mutations and deletions, AID neither binds to nor mutates the V gene, thus clearly demonstrating intraimmunoglobulin locus specificity. Depletion of the RNA-binding protein polypyrimidine tract binding protein-2, previously shown to promote recruitment of AID to S regions, enables stable association of AID with the V gene. Surprisingly, AID binding to the V gene does not induce SHM. These results unmask a striking lack of correlation between AID binding and its mutator activity, providing evidence for the presence of factors required downstream of AID binding to effect SHM. Furthermore, our findings suggest that S regions are preferred targets for AID and, aided by polypyrimidine tract binding protein-2, act as “sinks” to sequester AID activity from other genomic regions.
The Thyroxine-Containing Thyroglobulin Peptide (aa 2549–2560) Is a Target Epitope in Iodide-Accelerated Spontaneous Autoimmune Thyroiditis
Authors: Kolypetri Panayota , Carayanniotis Karen , Rahman Shofiur , Georghiou Paris E. , Magafa Vassiliki , Cordopatis Paul , Carayanniotis George 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
Enhanced iodide ingestion is known to accelerate the incidence and severity of spontaneous autoimmune thyroiditis [iodide-accelerated spontaneous autoimmune thyroiditis (ISAT)] in NOD.H2h4 mice. CD4+ cells are required for the development and maintenance of ISAT, but their target epitopes remain unknown. In this study, we show that the previously identified thyroglobulin (Tg) T cell epitope p2549–2560 containing thyroxine at position 2553 (T4p2553) induces thyroiditis as well as strong specific T and B cell responses in NOD.H2h4 mice. In ISAT, activated CD4+ T cells specific for T4p2553 are detected before the disease onset in thyroid-draining cervical lymph nodes only in mice placed on an iodide-rich diet and not in age-matched controls. In addition, selective enrichment of CD4+ IFN-γ+ T4p2553-specific cells is observed among cervical lymph node cells and intrathyroidal lymphocytes. T4p2553 was equally detectable on dendritic cells obtained ex vivo from cervical lymph node cells of NaI-fed or control mice, suggesting that the iodide-rich diet contributes to the activation of autoreactive cells rather than the generation of the autoantigenic epitope. Furthermore, spontaneous T4p2553-specific IgG are not detectable within the strong Tg-specific autoantibody response. To our knowledge, these data identify for the first time a Tg T cell epitope as a spontaneous target in ISAT.
The effectiveness of accounting information systems in Jordanian private higher education institutions
Authors: Abu Taber Thaer Ahmad , Alaryan Laith Abdullah , Abu Haija Ayman Ahmad 
Published: May 2014

This study aimed to explore the factors that affecting the accounting information systems in Jordanian private higher education institutions. In doing so, this study distributed 94 questionnaires, only 54 questionnaires were returned. The results showed that the human resources, hardware, software, and data bases have a positive significant relationship with efficiency of AIS. More studies are needed to explore other factors that affecting accounting information systems efficiency since the R2 of current study is 63.8% which means there are 36.2% of factors did not explored yet
Executive Compensation and Earning Management
Authors: Hassen Rim Ben 
Published: May 2014

Given the growing complexity of business, the need for financial reporting to include more reliable information is increased. For this information to be relevant, they must be conducted in an implementation of an efficient system of control to ensure a high quality result. The directors of listed companies may be required to affect the quality of accounting earnings as their compensation depends. Therefore, it would be wise to examine the relationship between the elements of executive compensation and earning management. The objective of this paper is to examine one of the motivations that could encourage managers to manage the accounting results, namely the managerial remuneration. The results of this study show that executive compensation is determined by the requirements of earning management. Specifically, our litters indicate that total compensation is negatively related to the absolute value of accruals. This result confirms the theoretical hypothesis alignment of interests of executives with those of shareholders.
Co-integration of Karachi Stock Exchange with major South Asian Stock Exchanges
Authors: Khan Salleh Nawaz , Aslam Mohamad Saad 
Published: May 2014

International cross listing have amplified the interest of academics and investors to the subject of co movement among the stock markets of the world . This study investigates the co integration of Pakistan stock exchange (KSE 100 index) with major stock exchanges of south Asia . The results reveals that there is no co integration of Pakistan’s stock market (KSE100 index) with china and Japan stock markets. However there is co integration of Pakistan’s stock market (KSE 100 index) with the stock market of India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.
Risk Comparison of Karachi Stock Exchange with Next Eleven Countries: A Country Beta Approach
Authors: Abbas Aqeel , Baig Sajjad Ahmad , Zia-ur-Rehman Muhammad , Abrar Muhammad 
Published: May 2014

This study is based on the Country risk of different stock exchanges of the world. Here Country risk is derived from the Country Beta Approach, as this approach is described by the Erb, Harvey and Viskanta (1996). Specifically, this study is based on the risk comparison of KSE 100 with next eleven countries (South Korea, Iran, Mexico, Philippine, Indonesia, Turkey, Egypt, Nigeria, Pakistan, Vietnam and Bangladesh), which are defined by the Goldman Sachs (2005). For this purpose, the stock exchange's data of these countries is compared with the global index. Actually, the global index is consisted on the 44 countries of the world. Here only one factor is discussed, which is a country risk (country beta). Actually the riskiness is measured in this study on the basis of beta, higher the beta means higher the risk; lower the beta means low the risk. The result shows that the performance of KSE is much better than the next eleven economies but Nigerian stock exchange has less risk than the KSE 100.
Lean Production Role in Improving Public Service Performance in Egypt: Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Omran Aly Wael 
Published: May 2014

For decades, Egypt strives to adopt development administration principles and techniques; in order to transform their conventional traditional public service into modern developing new one; able to meet people expectations. While Current conventional public service in Egypt deals with regulatory aspects of administration such as law and order, judicial administration and revenue collection; new public service is concerned with the socio-economic developmental activities relevant to new public management principles.Thus, traditional public service is structure-oriented while new public service is action- oriented. Many third world countries failed in realizing such desired shift by converting its conventional public service to effective new public service; able to satisfy people needs by implementing plans, policies, programs and projects necessary for sustainable development purposes. Such bad governance would lead the frustrated people to go up against such government; as it happens lately in Egypt. Hence, in this paper we aim to shed light on lean production techniques; as a suggested philosophy that can be adopted by the crippled government of Egypt; to convert its traditional ineffective public service performance into effective new one; able to fulfill the desired developmental programs and projects that meet people needs and aspirations
Decent Termination: A Moral Case for Severance Pay
Authors: Kim Tae Wan 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT:People are often involuntarily laid off from their jobs through no fault of their own. Employees who are dismissed in this manner cannot always legitimately hold employers accountable for these miserable situations because the decision to implement layoffs is often the best possible outcome given the context—that is, layoffs in and of themselves may be “necessary evils.” Yet, even in circumstances in which layoffs qualify as “necessary evils,” morality demands that employers respect the dignity of those whose employment is involuntarily terminated. In this paper I argue that to preserve the dignity of employees who are involuntarily terminated, in most cases employers have a substantial reason to offer a special kind of unemployment benefit, “severance pay.” To support my claim I draw and expand upon Bernard Williams’s analysis of “agent-regret,” which I believe greatly helps to address and articulate employers’ obligations in the context of involuntary termination.
Practices, Governance, and Politics: Applying MacIntyre’s Ethics to Business
Authors: Sinnicks Matthew 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT:This paper argues that attempts to apply Alasdair MacIntyre’s positive moral theory to business ethics are problematic, due to the cognitive closure of MacIntyre’s concept of a practice. I begin by outlining the notion of a practice, before turning to Moore’s attempt to provide a MacIntyrean account of corporate governance. I argue that Moore’s attempt is mismatched with MacIntyre’s account of moral education. Because the notion of practices resists general application I go on to argue that a negative application, which focuses on regulation, is more plausible. Large-scale regulation, usually thought antithetical to MacIntyre’s advocacy of small-scale politics, has the potential to facilitate practice-based work and reveals that MacIntyre’s own work can be used against his pessimism about the modern order. Furthermore, the conception of regulation I defend can show us how management is more amenable to ethical understanding than MacIntyre’s work is often taken to imply.
SOX implementation can be a savior or a burden: scholars’ & practitioners’ review
Authors: Daniel Tse W K 
Published: May 2014

AbstractWith the rapid evolution of computer systems in business organizations worldwide, use of computer systems must be controlled. Because of the characteristics of information, they may give rise to the security problems of information. Most business organizations rely on business information for decision making and even status reporting to stockholders, misuse of accounting information, fraudulent business activities or misrepresentation of company financial status may arise if there is no control over the data subject, data user and data custodian. Corporate governance is required in this regard. SOX implementation is one of the corporate governance tools and has been compulsorily adopted by all American-related companies as well as being widely adopted by non-American companies globally. This paper reviews past literature on SOX implementation in order to establish whether it can help to eradicate the above problems or only bring burdens to stakeholders.
Load Allocation in Academic Environment: A Multi Objective PSO Approach
Authors: Rout Sushri Samita , Misra Bijan Bihari , Samanta Sasmita 
Published: May 2014

AbstractIn an Organization, mapping the competency of personnel with different level of expertise, skill set, and experience in professional fields is a tough, complex but essential task. In this work, we have considered an Engineering College with moderate number of faculties with different level of experience, expertise and research exposure. Here we have considered the load assignment to the faculties at the beginning of a semester as the competency mapping task. Each faculty having capabilities of teaching different subjects out of the total set of papers needs to take about two theory papers with or without laboratory component. The decisive factors for subject assignment may be depth of knowledge, sincerity, class management, contribution towards research, text book publication. Further preference of the faculty member should be considered with top priority unless there are some valid constraints. Again the teaching personnel in a department hold different designations and different administrative responsibility, therefore each of them cannot be assigned equal hours of teaching load. The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) guidelines is considered as a baseline for assignment of teaching load. The decisive factors are considered as objectives to be optimized and multi-objective particle Swarm optimization (MOPSO) is employed to perform the competency mapping task. The simulation results show the effectiveness of this approach.
Ouya: The Launch of a New Video Game Paradigm
Authors: Kissinger Jonathon , Morelli Tony 
Published: May 2014

AbstractRecently a new approach to console video gaming, Ouya, was released. This console is relatively inexpensive, and offers all of its games on a free to play basis. This paper compares the release of Ouya to the Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and the Wii U as well as investigates how games on Ouya are utilizing unique control features, including a touchpad on the controller itself. We found that when comparing the first 12 weeks after launch of the systems, Ouya had a significantly higher number of games released when compared to the other three consoles, and the ratio of games being released since launch when compared to the launch day was significantly higher than the other three consoles. We also found that only 12.5% of Ouya games made use of the touch pad.
Music Training Interface for Visually Impaired through a Novel Approach to Optical Music Recognition
Authors: Kiriella Dawpadee B. , Kumari Shyama C. , Ranasinghe Kavindu C. , Jayaratne Lakshman 
Published: May 2014

AbstractSome inherited barriers which limits the human abilities can be surprisingly win through technology. This research focuses on defining a more reliable and a controllable interface for visually impaired people to read and study eastern music notations which are widely available in printed format. One of another concept behind was that differently-abled people should be assisted in a way which they can proceed interested tasks in an independent way. The research provide means to continue on researching the validity of using a controllable auditory interface instead using Braille music scripts converted with the help of 3rd parties. The research further summarizes the requirements aroused by the relevant users, design considerations, evaluation results on user feedbacks of proposed interface.
Mathematics Ability and Anxiety, Computer and Programming Anxieties, Age and Gender as Determinants of Achievement in Basic Programming
Authors: Owolabi J , Olanipekun P , Iwerima J 
Published: May 2014

AbstractComputer programming which forms the major component of most technological inventions is perceived by most computer science students as difficult. Some researchers have also reported that failure rates in programming courses are between 30% and 40%. It has therefore become necessary to study factors that could influence achievement in programming. This study therefore investigated the interaction between some selected factors (mathematics ability, mathematics anxiety, computer anxiety, programming anxiety, age and gender) and achievement in Basic programming. The study adopted a correlational design with achievement in Basic programming as the dependent variable, while mathematics ability, mathematics anxiety, computer anxiety, programming anxiety, age and gender serve as the independent variables. Three scales namely; mathematics anxiety (r = 0.82), computer anxiety (r = 0.82) and programming anxiety (r = 0.82) rating scales were used for data collection. Data collected were analysed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) coefficient and multiple regression analyses.The result of the analysis showed that the correlation between mathematics ability and achievement in Basic programming are positive and significant. The composite effect of the factors under study on achievement in Basic programming is 20.8%. Efforts should be made to motivate students to improve their mathematics ability so as to improve programming performance and consequently improve efficiency in programming.
Simulation of magnetic cloud erosion during propagation
Authors: Manchester W. B. , Kozyra J. U. , Lepri S. T. , Lavraud B. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractWe examine a three‐dimensional (3‐D) numerical magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulation describing a very fast interplanetary coronal mass ejection (ICME) propagating from the solar corona to 1 AU. In conjunction with its high speed, the ICME evolves in ways that give it a unique appearance at 1 AU that does not resemble a typical ICME. First, as the ICME decelerates far from the Sun in the solar wind, filament material at the back of the flux rope pushes its way forward through the flux rope. Second, diverging nonradial flows in front of the filament transport poloidal flux of the rope to the sides of the ICME. Third, the magnetic flux rope reconnects with the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). As a consequence of these processes, the flux rope partially unravels and appears to evolve to an entirely unbalanced configuration. At the same time, filament material at the base of the flux rope moves forward and comes in direct contact with the shocked plasma in the CME sheath. We find evidence that such remarkable behavior has actually occurred when we examine a very fast CME that erupted from the Sun on 2005 January 20. In situ observations of this event near 1 AU show very dense cold material impacting the Earth following immediately behind the CME sheath. Charge state analysis shows this dense plasma is filament material. Consistent with the simulation, we find the poloidal flux (Bz) to be entirely unbalanced, giving the appearance that the flux rope has eroded. The dense solar filament material and unbalanced positive IMF Bz produced a number of anomalous features in a moderate magnetic storm already underway, which are described in a companion paper by Kozyra et al. (2014).
Nanolithography Based on Metalized DNA Templates for Graphene Patterning
Authors: Jin Zhong , Sun Wei , Yin Peng , Strano Michael S. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractDNA self‐assembly, such as DNA origami and single‐stranded tile (SST) assembly, can create complex nanostructures with prescribed two‐dimensional (2‐D) and three‐dimensional (3‐D) shapes. Distinct patterned DNA nanostructures can be used as templates or shadow masks for the lithographic patterning of 2‐D thin‐film materials for nanodevices. The protocols in this article describe a general procedure of metalized DNA nanolithography based upon DNA metalization and subsequent etching to transfer the shape information from DNA templates to graphene, such that the shape of complex graphene nanostructures can be rationally programmed. Spatial information within the predesigned DNA patterns, such as width, orientation, curvature, and angles, can be successfully transferred to the graphene nanostructures with sub–10 nm resolution. This method could be further generalized to enable patterning of nano‐sized modules of graphene and other 2‐D electronic materials with predesigned shapes for complex electronic and quantum circuits. Curr. Protoc. Chem. Biol. 6:53‐64 © 2014 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.