bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cell extrinsic alterations in splenic B cell maturation in Flt3‐ligand knockout mice
Authors: Dolence Joseph J. , Gwin Kimberly A. , Shapiro Mariya B. , Hsu Fan‐Chi , Shapiro Virginia S. , Medina Kay L. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractB lymphopoiesis in bone marrow (BM) is critical for maintaining a diverse peripheral B cell pool to fight infection and establish lifelong immunity. The generation of immature B cells is reduced in Flt3‐ligand (FL‐/‐) mice leading to deficiencies in splenic B cells. Here, we sought to understand the cellular basis of the spleen B cell deficiency in FL‐/‐ mice. Significant reductions in transitional (TS) and follicular (FO) B cells were found in FL‐/‐ mice, and increased frequencies, but not absolute numbers, of marginal zone (MZ) B cells. BAFF‐R expression on splenic B cells and serum levels of B cell activating factor (BAFF) was comparable to wildtype (WT) mice. Mixed BM chimeras revealed that the reductions in TS and FO B cells were cell extrinsic. FL administration into FL‐/‐ mice restored the deficiency in TS B cells and normalized the MZ compartment. Ki67 analysis revealed a significant decrease in the proliferative capacity of TS B cells in FL‐/‐ mice. A Bcl2 transgene did not rescue TS cells in FL‐/‐ mice, uncoupling FL‐deficiency to Bcl2‐dependent survival pathways. Upregulation of CD1d expression and adoptive transfer experiments suggested MZ skewing in FL‐/‐ mice. These findings support an integral role for Flt3 signaling in peripheral B cell maturation.
Technology Gaps and Capacity Issues in African Insurance Companies: Selected Country Evidence
Authors: Barros Carlos Pestana , Wanke Peter 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThis paper describes a variety of approaches used to assess the efficiency of a sample of major insurance companies in Angola and Mozambique between 2003 and 2012. Several data envelopment analysis estimates were generated using bootstrap technique, as this allowed the use of confidence intervals and the correction of a biased perception noted in the core estimates, in order to test the significant differences identified in efficiency levels and the input‐decreasing/output‐increasing potentials in the meta‐frontier analysis in both countries. Findings indicate that there seems to be a scarcity of opportunities to accommodate future demands, pinpointing that the technological gap ratio of the meta‐frontier is negligible. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Oscillatory head movements in cervical dystonia: Dystonia, tremor, or both?
Authors: Shaikh Aasef G. , Zee David S. , Jinnah H. A. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractCervical dystonia is characterized by abnormal posturing of the head, often combined with tremor‐like oscillatory head movements. The nature and source of these oscillatory head movements is controversial, so they were quantified to delineate their characteristics and develop a hypothetical model for their genesis. A magnetic search coil system was used to measure head movements in 14 subjects with cervical dystonia. Two distinct types of oscillatory head movements were detected for most subjects, even when they were not clinically evident. One type had a relatively large amplitude and jerky irregular pattern, and the other had smaller amplitude with a more regular and sinusoidal pattern. The kinematic properties of these two types of oscillatory head movements were distinct, although both were often combined in the same subject. Both had features suggestive of a defect in a central neural integrator. The combination of different types of oscillatory head movements in cervical dystonia helps to clarify some of the current debates regarding whether they should be considered as manifestations of dystonia or tremor and provides novel insights into their potential pathogenesis. © 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
On the application of the method of difference potentials to linear elastic fracture mechanics
Authors: Woodward W. H. , Utyuzhnikov S. , Massin P. 
Published: April 2015

SummaryThe Difference Potential Method (DPM) proved to be a very efficient tool for solving boundary value problems (BVPs) in the case of complex geometries. It allows BVPs to be reduced to a boundary equation without the knowledge of Green's functions. The method has been successfully used for solving very different problems related to the solution of partial differential equations. However, it has mostly been considered in regular (Lipschitz) domains. In the current paper, for the first time, the method has been applied to a problem of linear elastic fracture mechanics. This problem requires solving BVPs in domains containing cracks. For the first time, DPM technology has been combined with the finite element method. Singular enrichment functions, such as those used within the extended finite element formulations, are introduced into the system in order to improve the approximation of the crack tip singularity. Near‐optimal convergence rates are achieved with the application of these enrichment functions. For the DPM, the reduction of the BVP to a boundary equation is based on generalised surface projections. The projection is fully determined by the clear trace. In the current paper, for the first time, the minimal clear trace for such problems has been numerically realised for a domain with a cut. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Engaging consumers in esthetic offerings: conceptualizing and developing a measure for arts engagement
Authors: Kemp Elyria 
Published: April 2015

As the arts face a number of challenges, including changing audience tastes and inconsistent ticket purchasing behavior, there have been calls for innovative approaches to marketing. Experts in the field have suggested that “engaging experiences” in the arts be cultivated to aid in audience development efforts. However, in the literature, little attention has been devoted to defining what encompasses an “engaging experience” in the arts. This research addresses this gap by exploring the concept of “engagement in the arts” and developing a measurement tool, which accesses overall “arts engagement.” It applies emerging theories from the customer engagement and brand experience literatures to conceptualize “arts engagement.” In four studies, an arts engagement scale is tested for its validity, reliability, and its relationship with important outcomes in the consumption experience. Implications are discussed for marketing the arts as well as other consumption contexts that incorporate performance and artistic‐based elements, including service delivery and experiential marketing. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Soluble factors regulated by epithelial–mesenchymal transition mediate tumour angiogenesis and myeloid cell recruitment
Authors: Suarez‐Carmona Meggy , Bourcy Morgane , Lesage Julien , Leroi Natacha , Syne Laïdya , Blacher Silvia , Hubert Pascale , Erpicum Charlotte , Foidart Jean‐Michel , Delvenne Philippe , Birembaut Philippe , Noël Agnès , Polette Myriam , Gilles Christine 
Published: April 2015

AbstractEpithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) programmes provide cancer cells with invasive and survival capacities that might favour metastatic dissemination. Whilst signalling cascades triggering EMT have been extensively studied, the impact of EMT on the crosstalk between tumour cells and the tumour microenvironment remains elusive. We aimed to identify EMT‐regulated soluble factors that facilitate the recruitment of host cells in the tumour. Our findings indicate that EMT phenotypes relate to the induction of a panel of secreted mediators, namely IL‐8, IL‐6, sICAM‐1, PAI‐1 and GM‐CSF, and implicate the EMT‐transcription factor Snail as a regulator of this process. We further show that EMT‐derived soluble factors are pro‐angiogenic in vivo (in the mouse ear sponge assay), ex vivo (in the rat aortic ring assay) and in vitro (in a chemotaxis assay). Additionally, conditioned medium from EMT‐positive cells stimulates the recruitment of myeloid cells. In a bank of 40 triple‐negative breast cancers, tumours presenting features of EMT were significantly more angiogenic and infiltrated by a higher quantity of myeloid cells compared to tumours with little or no EMT. Taken together, our results show that EMT programmes trigger the expression of soluble mediators in cancer cells that stimulate angiogenesis and recruit myeloid cells in vivo, which might in turn favour cancer spread. Copyright © 2015 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Whom are you promoting? Positive voluntary public disclosures and executive turnover
Authors: Stern Ithai , James Sharon D. 
Published: April 2015

Research summary: This paper uses signaling theory to bring together two complementary research streams that have largely ignored each other: strategic human resource management and media relations management. We argue that when publicly traded firms voluntarily and publicly disclose positive information about their value creation and appropriation activities, they also send positive signals to managerial labor markets regarding executives' capabilities. Accordingly, we hypothesize a positive association between public disclosures and voluntary executive turnover. An analysis of pharmaceutical and communications equipment firms from 1990 to 2004 supports this prediction, underscoring the need to understand better the effects of voluntary public disclosures on a firm's ability to protect its human capital. More generally, our results highlight the importance of considering the impact of a single signal on multiple receivers.Managerial summary: Given the organizational benefits of positive media coverage, the considerable effort that firms put into managing their image in the media is not surprising. We argue and show, however, that when a firm enhances its public image it also improves its executives' positions in the managerial labor market and, by so doing, increases their likelihood of voluntarily leaving the firm. In particular, we find that corporate press releases, an important mechanism for managing information released in the public domain to signal a firm's competitive advantages, may result in unintentional loss of senior management talent. This trade‐off suggests that firms should increase coordination between their strategy, human resources, and corporate communications/investor relations departments to ensure that they collectively weigh the benefits and costs of publicly disclosing value‐relevant information. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Market frictions and the competitive advantage of internal labor markets
Authors: Belenzon Sharon , Tsolmon Ulya 
Published: April 2015

Research summary: We show that frictions in labor and capital markets can be a source of competitive advantage for affiliates of corporate groups over stand‐alone firms in environments where benefits from internal markets' flexibility are high. We argue that the advantage of flexibility in changing labor inputs is related to how difficult it is to change capital inputs. We predict that if substituting labor with capital is difficult, the group advantage of flexibly changing labor would be stronger in countries with high levels of financial development. Consistent with this prediction, we find a stronger competitive advantage for group affiliates in countries with rigid labor markets but flexible capital markets. In these environments, group affiliates are more prevalent and outperform stand‐alone firms in terms of growth and profitability.Managerial summary: This research shows that the capacity to redeploy workers across internal units of the firm can be a source of competitive advantage in countries that impose strict employment protection laws. We show that the strategic advantage of labor flexibility is affected by how difficult it is to change capital inputs and that labor flexibility is a stronger source of competitive advantage in countries where developed financial markets allow for more flexible capital adjustment. In these settings, strategies designed to lower costs of internal mobility (e.g., locations of greater geographic concentration between units and in regions with less competitive external markets), development of corporate culture supportive of frequent change, and personnel development through internal rotation can result in substantial financial payoffs. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Green Luminescence of Divalent Europium in the Hydride Chloride EuHCl
Authors: Kunkel Nathalie , Rudolph Daniel , Meijerink Andries , Rommel Stefan , Weihrich Richard , Kohlmann Holger , Schleid Thomas 
Published: April 2015

AbstractLuminescence properties of divalent europium in the mixed‐anion hydride chloride EuHCl were studied for the first time. Olive‐green single crystals of EuHCl (PbFCl‐type structure: tetragonal, P4/nmm, a = 406.58(3) pm, c = 693.12(5) pm, c/a = 1.705, Z = 2) resulted from the reaction of elemental europium (Eu), sodium hydride (NaH) and sodium chloride (NaCl), while powder samples were prepared from the binary components europium dihydride (EuH2) and dichloride (EuCl2). Low temperature X‐ray powder diffraction proved the absence of phase transitions for 12(2) K ≤ T ≤ 295(2) K. Bright green emission was observed under UV‐excitation and assigned to the 4f65d1–4f7 transition of divalent europium. Temperature‐dependent luminescence absorption and emission, as well as lifetime measurements were carried out on single crystal and powder samples. Surprisingly, only limited concentration quenching was found. Additionally, two emission bands (485 and 510 nm) are observed, whose intensity ratio depends strongly on temperature. In order to explain this behavior for a single Eu2+ site, we suggest either a dynamical Jahn–Teller effect in the excited 5d1 state or emission from both a 4f65d1 state and a trapped exciton state.
Tolerance Factor and Cation–Anion Orbital Interactions Differentiating the Polar and Antiferrodistortive Structures of Perovskite Oxides ABO3
Authors: Whangbo Myung‐Hwan , Gordon Elijah E. , Bettis Jerry L. , Bussmann‐Holder Annette , Köhler Jürgen 
Published: April 2015

AbstractWe explored under what conditions perovskite oxides ABO3 adopt a polar or an antiferrodistortive structure from the viewpoint of the tolerance factor τ and the orbital interactions of the empty orbitals of the A and B cations with the filled orbitals of their surrounding O2– ions. Polar structures require the presence of a substantial size‐mismatch as well as strong cation‐anion orbital interactions at A or B cation sites. A tetragonal polar structure is preferred when the A cation empty orbitals are extended or when the B‐cation empty orbitals are contracted. A trigonal polar structure is favored in opposite cases. An antiferrodistortive structure is found for perovskites with weak size‐mismatch or those with substantial size‐mismatch if both A and B cations do not generate strong cation‐anion orbital interactions. Antiferrodistortive structures result from interactions involving the A cations with the O4 squares of the face‐sharing AO8 square‐prisms in a two‐in‐two‐out manner, and are found only when the A/O cation‐anion interactions are substantial.
Changes in soil and vegetation with stabilization of dunes in a desert–oasis ecotone
Authors: Wang Guohua , Zhao Wenzhi , Liu Hu , Zhang Gefei , Li Fang 
Published: April 2015

AbstractRevegetation of indigenous plants in a desert–oasis ecotone is an effective way of maintaining the stability of oases. Understanding the changes in vegetation and soil is crucial for restoration management. The properties of soil and vegetation at stabilized sites of different ages were investigated in a typical desert–oasis ecotone, located in the Hexi Corridor region in arid northwestern China, over a period of 40 years. The results indicated that after 40 years the organic matter, total‐N and available‐P at 0–2 cm soil depth increased from 0.1, 0.1 g kg−1, 7 mg kg−1 to 2.0, 0.9 g kg−1, and 75 mg kg−1, respectively. At 2–5 cm the organic matter, total‐N and available‐P increased from 0.4, 0.1 g kg−1, and 7 mg kg−1 to 2.3, 0.4 g kg−1, and 38 mg kg−1, respectively. The number of herbaceous species increased from 4 to 9 and the herbaceous cover increased from 6 to 28 % after 40 years. The height and cover of the sand‐binding vegetation Haloxylon ammodendron (H. ammodendron) reached the highest levels of 446 cm and 68 % after 25 years. After 35 years H. ammodendron dwindled and its belowground and aboveground biomass both decreased significantly. With effective natural regeneration, after 40 years the population of H. ammodendron remained stable and its cover and density remained at 38 % and 1870 ha−1 respectively. The positive mutual feedback between vegetation and soil permitted the sand‐binding vegetation community to become stable over time.
Buffered l‐ascorbic acid, alone or bound to KMUP‐1 or sildenafil, reduces vascular endothelium growth factor and restores endothelium nitric oxide synthase in hypoxic pulmonary artery
Authors: Wu Jiunn‐Ren , Kao Li‐Pin , Wu Bin‐Nan , Dai Zen‐Kong , Wang Yi‐Ya , Chai Chee‐Yin , Chen Ing‐Jun 
Published: April 2015

AbstractAscorbic acid bound to KMUP‐1 and sildenafil were examined for their antioxidant effects on vascular endothelium growth factor (VEGF) and endothelium nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in hypoxic pulmonary artery (PA). Inhaled KMUP‐1 and oral sildenafil released NO from eNOS. The effect of buffered l‐ascorbic acid, alone and bound to KMUP‐1 or sildenafil, for treating pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is unclear. In this study, the antioxidant capacity of ascorbic acid increased the beneficial effects of KMUP‐1 on PAH. KMUP‐1A and sildenafil‐A (5 mg/kg/d) were administered to hypoxic PAH rats. Pulmonary artery blood pressure, and VEGF, Rho kinase II (ROCK II), eNOS, soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC‐α), and protein kinase G expression in lung tissues were measured to link PAH and right ventricular hypertrophy. Hypoxic rats had higher pulmonary artery blood pressure, greater PA medial wall thickness and cardiac weight, and a higher right ventricle/left ventricle + septum [RV/(LV+S)] ratio than normoxic rats. Oral KMUP‐1A or sildenafil‐A for 21 days in hypoxia prevented the rarefaction of eNOS in immunohistochemistry (IHC), reduced the IHC of VEGF in PAs, restored eNOS/protein kinase G/phosphodiesterase 5A; unaffected sGC‐α and inactivated ROCK II expression were also found in lung tissues. In normoxic PA, KMUP‐1A/Y27632 (10μM) increased eNOS and reduced ROCK II. ROCK II/reactive oxidative species was increased and eNOS was reduced after long‐term hypoxia for 21 days. KMUP‐1A or Y27632 blunted ROCK II in short‐term hypoxic PA at 24 hours. l‐Ascorbic acid + l‐sodium ascorbate (40, 80μM) buffer alone directly inhibited the IHC of VEGF in hypoxic PA. Finally, KMUP‐1A or sildenafil‐A reduced PAH and associated right ventricular hypertrophy.
Doing things with numbers: The Danish National Audit Office and the governing of university teaching
Authors: Triantafillou Peter 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
Like the Supreme Audit Institutions of many other OECD countries, the Danish National Audit Office has stepped up its performance auditing of public administrations and agencies in order to ensure that they provide value for money. But how do performance audits contribute to making state institutions change their conduct? Based on the case of the Danish National Audit Office's auditing of the quality of teaching at Danish universities, this paper seeks to show, first, that the quantification and, by the same token, simplification of the practices subjected to performance auditing are key to understand how SAIs render complex activities amenable to assessment. Secondly, the paper seeks to show how the quantification of the quality of university teaching contributed to make academic staff and universities, groups that have a large room of professional autonomy, viewing, assessing and, ultimately, govern their teaching activities differently.
An Analysis of Wine Critic Consensus: A Study of Washington and California Wines
Authors: Stuen Eric T. , Miller Jon R. , Stone Robert W. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractWe examine the degree of consensus in quality ratings of prominent U.S. wine publications. For the purposes of wine consumption and research, are ratings on the ubiquitous 100-point scale reliable measures of quality? The value of expert judgment has been called into question by a number of studies, especially in the context of wine competitions and tasting events. Using data on 853 wines, we find a moderately high level of consensus, measured by the correlation coefficient, between most pairs of publications, similar to the level found by Ashton (2013). Rank and intraclass correlations are similar. Consensus is not found to be related to the blinding policies (or lack thereof) of the critical publications. (JEL Classifications: C93, D46)
GSK-3β-dependent downregulation of γ-taxilin and αNAC merge to regulate ER stress responses
Authors: Hotokezaka Y , Katayama I , van Leyen K , Nakamura T 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe signaling pathway leading to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress responses has not been fully elucidated. Here we showed that glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β)-dependent downregulation of γ-taxilin and nascent polypeptide-associated complex α-subunit (αNAC) mediates hypoxia-induced unfolded protein responses (UPRs) and the subsequent apoptotic and autophagic pathways. The degradation of γ-taxilin or αNAC was sufficient to initiate UPRs in normoxic cells. However, the ER stress signaling pathways initiated by γ-taxilin or αNAC were distinct, triggering different ER stress sensors and activating different downstream pathways. Hypoxia caused GSK-3β-dependent tau hyperphosphorylation and cleavage in neuronal cells, but γ-taxilin ablation induced tau hyperphosphorylation alone and αNAC ablation induced neither changes. Notably, downregulation of γ-taxilin and αNAC occurs in the brain of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. These results suggest that GSK-3β-dependent downregulation of γ-taxilin and αNAC, which differently activate the UPRs, merge to regulate hypoxia-induced ER stress responses and provide a new insight into the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases.
Enhanced functional connectivity and increased gray matter volume of insula related to action video game playing
Authors: Gong Diankun , He Hui , Liu Dongbo , Ma Weiyi , Dong Li , Luo Cheng , Yao Dezhong 
Published: April 2015

AbstractResearch has shown that distinct insular subregions are associated with particular neural networks (e.g., attentional and sensorimotor networks). Based on the evidence that playing action video games (AVGs) facilitates attentional and sensorimotor functions, this study examined the relation between AVG experience and the plasticity of insular subregions and the functional networks therein that are related to attentional and sensorimotor functions. By comparing AVG experts and amateurs, we found that AVG experts had enhanced functional connectivity and grey matter volume in insular subregions. Furthermore, AVG experts exhibited increased functional connectivity between the attentional and sensorimotor networks and the experience-related enhancement was predominantly evident in the left insula, an understudied brain area. Thus, AVG playing may enhance functional integration of insular subregions and the pertinent networks therein.