bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diversion of the host humoral response: a novel virulence mechanism ofHaemophilus influenzaemediated via outer membrane vesicles
Authors: Deknuydt Florence , Nordström Therése , Riesbeck Kristian 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThe respiratory tract pathogen Haemophilus influenzae frequently causes infections in humans. In parallel with all Gram-negative bacteria, H. influenzae has the capacity to release OMV. The production of these nanoparticles is an intriguing and partly unexplored phenomenon in pathogenesis. Here, we investigated how purified human peripheral blood B lymphocytes respond to OMV derived from unencapsulated, i.e., NTHi and the nonpathogenic Haemophilus parainfluenzae. We found that H. influenzae OMV directly interacted with the IgD BCR, as revealed by anti-IgD pAb and flow cytometry. Importantly, H. influenzae OMV-induced cellular activation via IgD BCR cross-linking and TLR9 resulted in a significant proliferative response. OMV isolated from the related species H. parainfluenzae did not, however, interact with B cells excluding that the effect by H. influenzae OMV was linked to common membrane components, such as the LOS. We also observed an up-regulation of the cell surface molecules CD69 and CD86, and an increased IgM and IgG secretion by B cells incubated with H. influenzae OMV. The Igs produced did not recognize H. influenzae, suggesting a polyclonal B cell activation. Interestingly, the density of the cell surface receptor TACI was increased in the presence of OMV that sensitized further the B cells to BAFF, resulting in an enhanced IgG class-switch. In conclusion, the ability of NTHi OMV to activate B cells in a T cell-independent manner may divert the adaptive humoral immune response that consequently promotes bacterial survival within the human host.
Event-Free Survival at 24 Months Is a Robust End Point for Disease-Related Outcome in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Treated With Immunochemotherapy
Authors: Maurer Matthew J. , Ghesquières Hervé , Jais Jean-Philippe , Witzig Thomas E. , Haioun Corinne , Thompson Carrie A. , Delarue Richard , Micallef Ivana N. , Peyrade Frédéric , Macon William R. , Jo Molina Thierry , Ketterer Nicolas , Syrbu Sergei I. , Fitoussi Olivier , Kurtin Paul J. , Allmer Cristine , Nicolas-Virelizier Emmanuelle , Slager Susan L. , Habermann Thomas M. , Link Brian K. , Salles Gilles , Tilly Hervé , Cerhan James R. 
Published: February 2014

Purpose Studies of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) are typically evaluated by using a time-to-event approach with relapse, re-treatment, and death commonly used as the events. We evaluated the timing and type of events in newly diagnosed DLBCL and compared patient outcome with reference population data. Patients and Methods Patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL treated with immunochemotherapy were prospectively enrolled onto the University of Iowa/Mayo Clinic Specialized Program of Research Excellence Molecular Epidemiology Resource (MER) and the North Central Cancer Treatment Group NCCTG-N0489 clinical trial from 2002 to 2009. Patient outcomes were evaluated at diagnosis and in the subsets of patients achieving event-free status at 12 months (EFS12) and 24 months (EFS24) from diagnosis. Overall survival was compared with age- and sex-matched population data. Results were replicated in an external validation cohort from the Groupe d'Etude des Lymphomes de l'Adulte (GELA) Lymphome Non Hodgkinien 2003 (LNH2003) program and a registry based in Lyon, France. Results In all, 767 patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL who had a median age of 63 years were enrolled onto the MER and NCCTG studies. At a median follow-up of 60 months (range, 8 to 116 months), 299 patients had an event and 210 patients had died. Patients achieving EFS24 had an overall survival equivalent to that of the age- and sex-matched general population (standardized mortality ratio [SMR], 1.18; P = .25). This result was confirmed in 820 patients from the GELA study and registry in Lyon (SMR, 1.09; P = .71). Simulation studies showed that EFS24 has comparable power to continuous EFS when evaluating clinical trials in DLBCL. Conclusion Patients with DLBCL who achieve EFS24 have a subsequent overall survival equivalent to that of the age- and sex-matched general population. EFS24 will be useful in patient counseling and should be considered as an end point for future studies of newly diagnosed DLBCL.
Trends and Variation in Use of Breast Reconstruction in Patients With Breast Cancer Undergoing Mastectomy in the United States
Authors: Jagsi Reshma , Jiang Jing , Momoh Adeyiza O. , Alderman Amy , Giordano Sharon H. , Buchholz Thomas A. , Kronowitz Steven J. , Smith Benjamin D. 
Published: February 2014

Purpose Concerns exist regarding breast cancer patients' access to breast reconstruction, which provides important psychosocial benefits. Patients and Methods Using the MarketScan database, a claims-based data set of US patients with employment-based insurance, we identified 20,560 women undergoing mastectomy for breast cancer from 1998 to 2007. We evaluated time trends using the Cochran-Armitage test and correlated reconstruction use with plastic-surgery workforce density and other treatments using multivariable regression. Results Median age of our sample was 51 years. Reconstruction use increased from 46% in 1998 to 63% in 2007 (P < .001), with increased use of implants and decreased use of autologous techniques over time (P < .001). Receipt of bilateral mastectomy also increased: from 3% in 1998 to 18% in 2007 (P < .001). Patients receiving bilateral mastectomy were more likely to receive reconstruction (odds ratio [OR], 2.3; P < .001) and patients receiving radiation were less likely to receive reconstruction (OR, 0.44; P < .001). Rates of reconstruction receipt varied dramatically by geographic region, with associations with plastic surgeon density in each state and county-level income. Autologous techniques were more often used in patients who received both reconstruction and radiation (OR, 1.8; P < .001) and less frequently used in patients with capitated insurance (OR, 0.7; P < .001), patients undergoing bilateral mastectomy (OR, 0.5; P < .001), or patients in the highest income quartile (OR, 0.7; P = .006). Delayed reconstruction was performed in 21% of patients who underwent reconstruction. Conclusion Breast reconstruction has increased over time, but it has wide geographic variability. Receipt of other treatments correlates with the use of and approaches toward reconstruction. Further research and interventions are needed to ensure equitable access to this important component of multidisciplinary treatment of breast cancer.
Notch Signaling Regulates Ovarian Follicle Formation and Coordinates Follicular Growth
Authors: Vanorny Dallas A. , Prasasya Rexxi D. , Chalpe Abha J. , Kilen Signe M. , Mayo Kelly E. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractOvarian follicles form through a process in which somatic pregranulosa cells encapsulate individual germ cells from germ cell syncytia. Complementary expression of the Notch ligand, Jagged1, in germ cells and the Notch receptor, Notch2, in pregranulosa cells suggests a role for Notch signaling in mediating cellular interactions during follicle assembly. Using a Notch reporter mouse, we demonstrate that Notch signaling is active within somatic cells of the embryonic ovary, and these cells undergo dramatic reorganization during follicle histogenesis. This coincides with a significant increase in the expression of the ligands, Jagged1 and Jagged2; the receptor, Notch2; and the target genes, Hes1 and Hey2. Histological examination of ovaries from mice with conditional deletion of Jagged1 within germ cells (J1 knockout [J1KO]) or Notch2 within granulosa cells (N2 knockout [N2KO]) reveals changes in follicle dynamics, including perturbations in the primordial follicle pool and antral follicle development. J1KO and N2KO ovaries also contain multi-oocytic follicles, which represent a failure to resolve germ cell syncytia, and follicles with enlarged oocytes but lacking somatic cell growth, signifying a potential role of Notch signaling in follicle activation and the coordination of follicle development. We also observed decreased cell proliferation and increased apoptosis in the somatic cells of both conditional knockout lines. As a consequence of these defects, J1KO female mice are subfertile; however, N2KO female mice remain fertile. This study demonstrates important functions for Jagged1 and Notch2 in the resolution of germ cell syncytia and the coordination of somatic and germ cell growth within follicles of the mouse ovary.
In regards to the question of Christian philosophy of law (from Russian history of legal thought)
Authors: Рутман Владимир , Rutman Vladimir 
Published: February 2014

The article is dedicated to relationships between human
morality and religion. Main emphasis is put to the analysis of views
of E.V. Spektorsky (1875–1951), a famous Russian lawyer, sociologist
and philosopher, who has established a positive value of Christianity
to the culture in general, and to development of law and the
state in particular.
The Role of the State in Strategic HRM at Enterprises in Agriculture
Authors: Мельникова  , Melnikova Marina , Анисимова  , Anisimova Galina , Дроздова  , Drozdova Ekaterina , Палагутина  , Palagutina N. 
Published: February 2014

Urgency of enterprises and personnel strategic management is constantly growing, especially after Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organization. The
subject and essence of strategic human resource management (HRM) are considered, peculiarities of agricultural enterprises functioning in this country are
highlighted, and in particllar — the case of the JSC «Zelenoye pole» enterprise. Based on the revealed problems and forecasted perspectives of the Primorsky
Krai agricultural enterprises’s sufficiency with qualified personnel, the authors prove the need for strategic HRM and specify the role of state in formation and
development of labor potential in agriculture. Among the primary aspects of strategic HRM at agricultural enterprises the authors emphasize the need to
carry out career guidance and vocational education and training of highly professional engineering staff with the state participation and support. The proposals,
presented in this paper, are of profound practical value.
Further Training and Professional Retraining Standard As a Tool for Human Resource Training Management
Authors: Садовникова  , Sadovnikova Nadezhda 
Published: February 2014

Human resource training is one of the major ways to enrich organization’s HR-potential. So the ever-urgent issue is how to design and then manage the HReducation/
training system. Based on analytical review of foreign and domestic authors’ works the concept of “personnel training” is defined; types of education/
training are featured and essence of training for the staff of any organization is proved. Main elements of the HR-training system are outlined the essence of
consistency and continuity principles application for the efficiency of teaching process in emphasized. Further Training and Professional Retraining Standard
is suggested as a tool for the HR-education process management. The Standard is a document reflecting sets of standards, rules and requirement serving as a
model for designing HR-education process in the organization. The Standard is applicable to all units and all types of workers (new recruits and old-timers), as
well as to students of higher educational and vocational education establishments, who undergo their internship in the organization.
Postsecondary Education for People With Intellectual Disability: Current Issues and Critical Challenges
Authors: Grigal Meg , Hart Debra , Weir Cate 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
Increasingly, people with intellectual disability are seeking, accessing, and benefiting from higher education. This article presents an overview of current legislative and policy issues as they related to postsecondary education for people with intellectual disability, including the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and state vocational rehabilitation program policies. Policy actions are suggested. In describing existing and emerging practices, critical issues and future challenges are reviewed by the authors. Finally, current research on the impact of postsecondary education on the systems and people involved is shared and recommendations for future areas of exploration are provided.
Adapting outdated content standards: Complications of teaching the Middle East in the California K-12 setting
Authors: Hall Barbara 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
This article examines why California secondary school teachers rarely include units on the Middle East in their classrooms despite the importance of the region in the world today. In order to explain this gap, it will consider the massive knowledge demands on history teachers, state and federal testing practices, content standards that define what teachers must cover and how the students and parents themselves all limit a teacher’s ability to include the Middle East in the public school classroom from kindergarten through grade twelve. After an examination of the issues involved, a few solutions are offered to assist in increasing education about the Middle East.
Magneto-Mechano-Electric (MME) Energy Harvesting Properties of Piezoelectric Macro-fiber Composite/Ni Magnetoelectric Generator
Authors: Kambale Rahul C. , Kang Ju-Eun , Yoon Woon-Ha , Park Dong-Soo , Choi Jong-Jin , Ahn Cheol-Woo , Kim Jong-Woo , Hahn Byung-Dong , Jeong Dae-Yong , Kim Yang-Do , Dong Shuxiang , Ryu Jungho 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
Asymmetric and symmetric magnetoelectric (ME) laminates structures of piezoelectric macro-fiber composite (MFC)/nickel (Ni) were fabricated and investigated their ME and magneto-mechano-electric (MME) energy harvesting responses to an applied magnetic/mechanical stimulations. Both the structures strongly revealed the dependence of ME voltage coefficient (α
ME) on applied magnetic field directions with an important feature of a zero-bias field ME response. This is much more beneficial for designing the magnetic field sensors. The fabricated MFC/Ni structures exhibited good energy harvesting response to applied simultaneous magnetic/mechanical vibrations of lab magnetic stirrer. The electric power was successfully harnessed from magneto-mechanical stimulations; the resulting potential and power were up to ~20 V
p–p
and ~6 μW respectively, which are quite enough power to light a commercial red LED with traditional rectifier circuit and capacitor. Hence, the present MFC/Ni ME generators provide their future feasibility having self-biasing feature for designing the magnetic field sensors as well as for powering small consumer electronic devices and wireless sensor network systems by exploiting mechanical/magnetic stimulations from surrounding.
On the
upper bound for Bi
(K)Bi
(K*
)
Authors: Zhao Chang-Jian 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
In this paper, we establish the least upper bound
of the product Bi
(K)Bi
(K*
) for width-integrals of index i
of a convex body K. Further, the least upper bound of the product
A

p,i
(K)A

q,i
(K*
) for mixed width-integrals of index p
(q) is given.
Use of Experimental Designs to Establish a Kinetic Law for a Gas Phase Photocatalytic Process
Authors: Raillard Cécile , Maudhuit Audrey , Héquet Valérie , Le Coq Laurence , Sablayrolles Jean , Molins Laurent 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
The photocatalytic degradation of three common indoor VOCs – acetone, toluene and heptane – is investigated in a dynamic photocatalytic oxidation loop using Box–Behnken designs of experiments. Thanks to the experimental results and the establishment of a kinetic rate law based on a simplified mechanism, a predictive model for the VOC degradation involving independent factors is developed. The parameters under investigation are initial concentration, light intensity and air velocity through the photocatalytic medium. The obtained model fits properly the experimental curves in the range of concentration, light intensity and air flow studied.
Imaging of fetal thymus in pregnant women with rheumatic diseases
Authors: Warby Ann-Christin , Amler Susanne , Jacobi Annett M. , Hammer Kerstin , Möllmann Ute , Falkenberg Maria K. , Möllers Mareike , Kiesel Ludwig , Klockenbusch Walter , Schmitz Ralf 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether certain rheumatic diseases will affect the fetal thymus diameter when compared to uncomplicated singleton pregnancies. Additionally, we created a reference chart for fetal thymus size in healthy singleton pregnancies from 19 to 37 weeks of gestation.

Methods: Sonographic fetal thymus size was retrospectively evaluated in 190 healthy pregnant women, and 84 pregnancies of mothers suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus, antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), or Sjögren’s syndrome between 19 and 37 weeks of gestation. These fetuses were matched one-to-one for gestational age with control fetuses. The thymic-thoracic ratio (TT-ratio) was defined as the quotient of the anteroposterior thymic and the intrathoracic mediastinal diameter.

Results: Rheumatic diseases often affect pregnancy outcome, especially in case of primary APS. The TT ratio of fetuses of mothers suffering from rheumatic disease was equal to controls (P=0.807).

Conclusions: Ours is the first study to assess the correlation of fetal thymus size in high-risk pregnancies with rheumatic diseases in comparison to controls. Women with rheumatic diseases deal with pregnancy complications more frequently than controls. Our data suggest that maternal rheumatic diseases do not affect the fetal thymus size.
Bioaccessibility, release kinetics, and molecular speciation of arsenic and lead in geo-dusts from the Iron King Mine Federal Superfund site in Humboldt, Arizona
Authors: Menka Nazune , Root Rob , Chorover Jon 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
Mine tailings contain multiple toxic metal(loid)s that pose a threat to human health via inhalation and ingestion. The goals of this research include understanding the speciation and molecular environment of these toxic metal(loid)s (arsenic and lead) as well as the impacts particle size and residence time have on their bioaccessibilty in simulated gastric and lung fluid. Additionally, future work will include smaller size fractions (PM10 and PM2.5) of surface mine tailings, with the goal of increasing our understanding of multi-metal release from contaminated geo-dusts in simulated bio-fluids. This research is important to environmental human health risk assessment as it increases the accuracy of exposure estimations to toxic metal(loid)s.
The fossil record and macroevolutionary history of North American ungulate mammals: standardizing variation in intensity and geography of sampling
Authors: Marcot Jonathan D. 
Published: February 2014

The record of the taxonomic evolution of North American ungulates is critical to our understanding of mammalian evolution and environmental change throughout the Cenozoic. The distribution of sampling in the ungulate fossil record over time and geographic space and the degree to which this biases the observed patterns of taxonomic evolution is poorly understood. To address these issues, I placed fossil collections and occurrences drawn from the Paleobiology Database into 2-Myr time intervals between 55 and 1 Ma. I determined the variation in numbers of fossil collections and occurrences, using three metrics to measure geographic variation: first, the area of the convex hull containing all collections in an interval, to determine the areal coverage of sampling; second, the mean pairwise geographic distance among collections as a measurement of the dispersion of collections within that area; and third, the interval-to-interval migration of the geographic centroid of all collections, to calculate changes in the geographic location of sampling. Each of these showed considerable variation over the Cenozoic, and both the area of the convex hull (ACH) encompassing all collections in an interval, and mean pairwise distance (MPWD) among them showed increasing trends over time.To minimize the effect of variation in numbers of fossil samples over time, I used standard sample-standardization procedures. To minimize the effect of geographic variation in sampling over time, I standardized the area of sampling among intervals. I also employed both standardizations sequentially. Each standardization procedure had surprisingly little effect on observed patterns of taxonomic richness and rates. This indicates that, for North American ungulates, neither variation in number nor geographic distribution of fossil samples exerts an overwhelming influence on perceived macroevolutionary patterns. These results confirm the ungulate fossil record as a critical and faithful record for our understanding of Cenozoic environmental change and the mammalian evolutionary response.
Turf wars: experimental tests for alternative stable states in a two‐phase coastal ecosystem
Authors: Brownstein Gretchen , Lee William G. , Pritchard Daniel W. , Wilson J. Bastow 
Published: February 2014

Alternative stable states have long been thought to exist in natural communities, but direct evidence for their presence and for the environmental switches that cause them has been scarce. Using a combination of greenhouse and field experiments, we investigated the environmental drivers associated with two distinctive herbaceous communities in coastal ecosystems in New Zealand.In a mosaic unrelated to micro‐topography, a community dominated largely by native turf species (notably Leptinella dioica, Samolus repens, and Selliera radicans) alternates with vegetation comprising exotic (i.e., nonnative) pasture species (notably Agrostis stolonifera, Holcus lanatus, Lolium perenne, and Trifolium repens). The species of these two communities differ in functional characters related to leaf longevity and growth rate, and occupy soils of differing nitrogen levels.Both spatial and environmental factors influenced the species composition locally. Reciprocal transplants of soil, with and without associated vegetation, showed that a native turf community developed when sward or soil from either community was bounded by turf, and a pasture community developed when sward or soil from either community was surrounded by pasture. In artificial mixed communities in the greenhouse, turf was able to invade the pasture community where the vegetation was clipped to simulate grazing, and also where Trifolium was removed and/or salt spray was applied. The pasture community invaded the turf where Trifolium was present or nitrogen was added. These results were supported by trends in experimentally manipulated field plots, where the amount of turf cover increased when nitrogen was kept low and when salt spray was applied, whereas pasture cover increased in the absence of salt spray.Thus, persistence of the native turf community is dependent on grazing, both directly and via its effect on keeping nitrogen levels low by excluding the exotic, nitrogen‐fixing Trifolium, and by exposing the vegetation to salt spray. If any of these factors change, there could be a state change to pasture dominance that might be resistant to reversion to turf. Managing such coastal herbaceous communities therefore requires an understanding of the environmental and species characteristics that maintain alternative states.