bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cytomegalovirus-Seropositive Children Show Inhibition of In Vitro EBV Infection That Is Associated with CD8+CD57+ T Cell Enrichment and IFN-γ
Authors: Sohlberg Ebba , Saghafian-Hedengren Shanie , Rasul Eahsan , Marchini Giovanna , Nilsson Caroline , Klein Eva , Nagy Noémi , Sverremark-Ekström Eva 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
EBV, a human herpesvirus, is commonly acquired during childhood and persists latently in B cells. EBV seropositivity has been connected to immunomodulatory effects such as altered T and NK cell functional responses as well as protection against early IgE sensitization; however, owing to the asymptomatic presentation during childhood little is known regarding the infection process in children of different ages. In this study, we used mononuclear cells from cord blood and from 2- and 5-y-old EBV-naive children for in vitro EBV infection. We show that the degree of EBV-induced B cell activation and expansion differs between age groups and in particular in relationship to IFN-γ production capacity. EBV infection induced redistribution between B cell subsets with enrichment of IgD+CD27+ cells (commonly referred to as non–switched memory) in infected cord blood cell cultures, and of IgD−CD27+ cells (switched memory) in cell cultures from older children. We also related results to serostatus to CMV, a persistent herpesvirus that can affect differentiation status of T and NK cells. As compared with CMV− children, the EBV-induced enrichment of IgD−CD27+ B cells was significantly reduced in infected cell cultures from CMV+ children. This effect was associated with high levels of IFN-γ and frequencies of highly mature CD8+CD57+ T cells in CMV+ children. Our results demonstrate that both a child’s age and serostatus to CMV will have an impact on EBV-induced B cell activation and expansion, and they point to the ability of viruses with immunomodulatory functions, such as CMV, to affect immune responses within the host system.
TNF-like Ligand 1A (TL1A) Gene Knockout Leads to Ameliorated Collagen-Induced Arthritis in Mice: Implication of TL1A in Humoral Immune Responses
Authors: Wang Xuehai , Hu Yan , Charpentier Tania , Lamarre Alain , Qi Shijie , Wu Jiangping , Luo Hongyu 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
TNF-like ligand 1A (TL1A), also known as TNFSF15, is a member of the TNF superfamily. Its known receptor is death receptor 3 (DR3). In humans, TL1A also binds to a secreted TNF family member called decoy receptor 3, which interferes with the interaction between TL1A and DR3. TL1A/DR3 signal has been implicated in several autoimmune diseases in animal models as well as in clinical conditions. We generated TL1A gene knockout (KO) mice to assess its role in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), a mouse model of human rheumatoid arthritis. The KO mice were fertile and had no visible anomalies. Their lymphoid organ size and cellularity, T and B cell subpopulations, Th cell and regulatory T cell development in vivo and in vitro, and antiviral immune responses were comparable to those of wild-type mice. However, the KO mice presented ameliorated CIA in terms of clinical scores, disease incidence, and pathological scores. The KO mice had reduced titers of pathogenic anti-collagen Abs in the sera. No apparent defect was found in the function of follicular Th cells. We revealed that plasma cells but not B cells expressed high levels of DR3 and were direct targets of TL1A. In the presence of TL1A, they survived better and produced more pathogenic Ab. This study presented novel knowledge about the role of TL1A in humoral immune responses and its mechanism of action in CIA pathogenesis.
Article Commentary: Pediatric Palliative Care: A Reflection on Terminology
Authors: Bergstraesser Eva 
Published: October 2013

The definition of palliative care is the cornerstone of a medical subspecialty that plays a particular role for all who need it, for all who practice it, and increasingly for those who try to understand it. The difficulties around the definition and terminology arise from problems in separating it from other concepts such as supportive care, constructs such as “palliative care is only about dying”, or, in children, the rather vague use of terms like life-threatening and life-limiting diseases. These weaknesses have been recognized and important steps have been taken. This review discusses current definitions as well as efforts to overcome their weaknesses and make the term palliative care—for both children and adults—more intelligible.
Long-Lived Asset Impairments in the Shipping Industry and the Impact on Financial Statement Ratios: Comparing U.S. GAAP and IFRS Standards
Authors: Penner James , Kreuze Jerry , Langsam Sheldon 
Published: October 2013

In this paper, we investigate asset impairment standards particularly as they relate to differences between United States generally accepted accounting principles (US GAAP) and international financial reporting standards (IFRS) for the impairment of long-lived assets in the shipping industry and the corresponding impact on financial statement analysis ratios. Our study provides evidence that return on assets and asset turnover ratios diverge significantly as a result of the difference between US GAAP and IFRS on asset impairments within the shipping industry. Reporting differences between US GAAP and IFRS can impede the comparability of financial reporting. Asset impairment accounting differences can have significant differences for companies reporting under these two accounting standards.
Research on the Effect of Financial Contagion in the Subprime Crisis
Authors: Jebri Aymen , Jilani Faouzi , Liouane Naoufel 
Published: October 2013

In this paper, we are interested in the propagation of the mortgage crisis " subprime " throughout the stock markets of the five developed economies namely the United States, being the country of origin of the crisis, France, Great Britain, Germany and Japan during the period ranging from 03/01/2006 to 25/02/2009, i.e. 778 observations for each country on a daily frequency. To verify the existence of financial contagion, we used the techniques of simple and adjusted correlations and the study of causality and co-integration in order to clarify the relationship of temporal combination and dynamic analysis of residues in series with modeling multivariate GARCH. We have, thus, shown that the relationship that did not exist during the tranquil period, did play an important role during the crisis period, demonstrating a phenomenon of “ pure contagion” and not of " normal interdependencies ".
Private Benefits of Control and Dynamics of Board Structure Adjustment - Evidence from the CSRC’s Compulsory Introduction of Independent Directors
Authors: Liu Hao , Zhao Liangyu , Liu Fenfen 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Building upon the property rights theory, this paper develops a theoretical framework that shows that in emerging markets where large shareholders’ shares are non-transferable and the legal protection for property rights is weak, large shareholders’ dominance over the board of directors is endogenously determined by their pursuit of benefits of control. We use a natural experiment, the compulsory introduction of independent directors in August 2001 by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), to empirically test the effect of large shareholders’ benefits of control on the dynamics of board structure adjustment. Consistent with our argument that large shareholders minimise monitoring from independent directors, who should comprise at least a third of board members according to the CSRC’s requirement, we make the following findings: (1) Firms with more large shareholders’ private benefits are more likely to decrease the number of non-independent directors to meet the requirement; (2) such firms are also more likely to delay compliance; and (3) descriptive statistics show that directors from the largest shareholder make up a higher proportion of a board after the adjustment, thus increasing the largest shareholder’s control over the board. The policy implication of this paper is that the corporate governance of Chinese listed firms is largely determined by large shareholders’ pursuit of private benefits. However, one rule does not fit all firms.
Coherent transmission of upstream waves to polar latitudes through magnetotail lobes
Authors: Regi M. , Francia P. , De Lauretis M. , Glassmeier K. H. , Villante U. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractWe studied the transmission of upstream waves to polar latitudes through the Earth's magnetotail lobes, statistically examining the correspondence between magnetospheric waves detected by Cluster and geomagnetic fluctuations at Dome C, in Antarctica (λ ~ 88.84°S). The analysis was restricted to time intervals when Cluster was in the southern magnetotail lobe, on field lines with footprints close to Dome C. During the day, the coherence between geomagnetic and magnetospheric signals is significantly high, indicating a common source, in the frequency range 20–35 mHz, at typical upstream wave frequencies, and particularly in the early morning sector, when a higher occurrence of upstream waves is typically expected, and Dome C is relatively unaffected by dayside phenomena. The highest coherence is observed between fluctuations in the horizontal components on the ground and transversal components of the magnetospheric field. Such results suggest that upstream waves, convected by the solar wind along the magnetosphere flanks and transmitted as compressional waves into the magnetotail lobes, are partially converted to shear Alfven waves and propagate, traveling along the open field lines, up to the polar cap. A case study provides explicit evidence of the proposed path. It shows that fluctuations in the D component are delayed with respect to the corresponding waves in the transversal field measured by Cluster; the delay time being consistent with the ground propagation of Alfven waves along the field line connected with the satellite position; the weak correspondence with the H component suggests that the local ionosphere does not rotate efficiently the magnetospheric signals.
Current Evidence of Anti–Tumor Necrosis Factor α Treatment Efficacy in Childhood Chronic Uveitis: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis Approach of Individual Drugs
Authors: Simonini Gabriele , Druce Katie , Cimaz Rolando , Macfarlane Gary J. , Jones Gareth T. 
Published: October 2013

ObjectiveTo summarize evidence regarding the effectiveness of anti–tumor necrosis factor α (anti‐TNFα) treatments in childhood autoimmune chronic uveitis (ACU), refractory to previous disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).MethodsA systematic search between January 2000 and October 2012 was conducted using EMBase, Ovid Medline, Evidence‐Based Medicine (EBM) Reviews: American College of Physicians Journal Club, Cochrane libraries, and EBM Reviews. Studies investigating the efficacy of anti‐TNFα therapy, in children ages ≤16 years, as the first treatment with a biologic agent for ACU, refractory to topical and/or systemic steroid therapy and at least 1 DMARD, were eligible for inclusion. The primary outcome measure was the improvement of intraocular inflammation, as defined by the Standardization of Uveitis Nomenclature Working Group criteria. We determined a combined estimate of the proportion of children responding to anti‐TNFα treatment, including etanercept (ETA), infliximab (INF), or adalimumab (ADA).ResultsWe initially identified 989 articles, of which 148 were potentially eligible. In total, 22 retrospective chart reviews and 1 randomized clinical trial were deemed eligible, thus including 229 children (ADA: n = 31, ETA: n = 54, and INF: n = 144). On pooled analysis of observational studies, the proportion of responding children was 87% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 75–98%) for ADA, 72% (95% CI 64–79%) for INF, and 33% (95% CI 19–47%) for ETA. There was no difference in the proportion of responders between ADA and INF (χ2 = 3.06, P = 0.08), although both showed superior efficacy compared with ETA (ADA versus ETA: χ2 = 20.9, P < 0.001 and INF versus ETA: χ2 = 20.9, P < 0.001).ConclusionAlthough randomized controlled trials are needed, the available evidence suggests that INF and ADA provide proven similar benefits in the treatment of childhood ACU, and they are both superior to ETA.
Impact of lifestyle changes on stress in a modernizing rural population in Hainan Island, China
Authors: Yazawa Aki , Inoue Yosuke , Li Dandan , Du Jianwei , Jin Yuming , Chen Yan , Nishitani Masaru , Watanabe Chiho , Umezaki Masahiro 
Published: October 2013

ObjectiveLittle is known about inter‐individual variation in psychological stress in modernizing rural populations in developing countries. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) antibody titer, a biomarker of psychological stress, and lifestyle parameters in rural communities in Hainan Island, China.MethodsEBV antibody titer was measured in dried blood spot (DBS) samples collected from 240 adults living in rural communities in Hainan Island. Measures of two major lifestyle changes in rural areas of Hainan Island, i.e., diet and commercial goods possession, were examined by using information on the weekly frequency of pork consumption and monthly mobile phone fees. Both parameters were standardized to create two composite scores: a total affluence index (TAI—the sum of these scores), and an investment tendency index (ITI—the difference between them). Least‐squares regression analysis was used to investigate the association between EBV antibody titer and these lifestyle parameters.ResultsA positive association was found between the frequency f pork consumption and EBV antibody titer (P = 0.040), whereas a negative association was found between mobile phone fees and EBV antibody titer (P = 0.028). A negative association was also observed between ITI and EBV antibody titer (P = 0.002) after adjusting for the effect of TAI.ConclusionPsychological stress among local residents was linked to the type of lifestyle changes they had experienced, where the adoption of a more market‐oriented lifestyle, irrespective of current affluence, was associated with less psychological stress. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 26:36–42, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Thin film composite sodium alginate membranes for dehydration of acetic acid and isobutanol
Authors: Badiger Hemalata , Shukla Sushumna , Kalyani Swayampakula , Sridhar Sundergopal 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTDehydration of widely used organic solvents such as acetic acid (AA) and isobutanol (IB) is challenging tasks, which form close boiling mixtures with water. Sodium alginate (SA) thin film composite membranes were prepared and crosslinked with 2,4‐toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and glutaraldehyde for dehydration of IB and AA/water mixtures through pervaporation (PV). The crosslinked and uncrosslinked SA composite membranes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and universal testing machine for intermolecular interactions, crystalline nature, thermal stability, surface morphology, and tensile strength, respectively. At a feed composition of 98 wt % IB and 95 wt % AA aqueous solutions, the TDI crosslinked SA composite membrane exhibited separation factors of 3229 and 708 with reasonable fluxes of 0.021 and 0.012 kg m−2 h−1, respectively. The results obtained in the study for IB and AA systems were compared with other SA membranes reported in the literature. The membranes appeared to have potential for commercial PV ability to dehydrate the solvents up to desirable purity levels (>99%) and feasibility of preparing them in a composite form which would enable scale‐up into modular configurations. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2014, 131, 40018.
Rheology, adhesion, and debonding mechanisms in fluorosilicone polymer gels
Authors: Wyatt Nicholas B. , Grillet Anne M. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractPolymer gels are complex materials used in myriad applications and industries including foods, consumer products, and adhesives. We examine the rheology and adhesion characteristics of three fluorosilicone gels of varying equilibrium modulus. Adhesion is studied in terms of confinement and separation velocity or initial strain rate. Further, the role of debonding mechanism on the adhesion properties is also elucidated. At low initial strain rates or low degrees of confinement, interfacial failure dominates while at high initial strain rates or high degrees of confinement bulk cavitation is the dominant debonding mechanism. We also report for the first time a transition region where both interfacial failure and bulk cavitation are observed. The adhesion results are explained in light of the rheological properties of the gels examined. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2014, 131, 40034.
Kinetic monitoring methods for ethylene coordination polymerization in a laboratory reactor
Authors: Infante‐Martínez José Ramiro , Saldívar‐Guerra Enrique , Pérez‐Camacho Odilia , Comparán‐Padilla Víctor , García‐Zamora Maricela 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTThe kinetic performance of metallocene type catalysts as well as their instantaneous activity is determined on line by two independent methods in the semi‐batch polymerization of ethylene via metallocenes. The first‐principle basis of both methods is described and guidelines for their implementation at a laboratory scale reactor are offered. Polymerization tests were conducted with two heterogenized metallocene catalysts showing that the direct method (based on ethylene flow measurement) and the calorimetric method (based on energy balances and developed here) report equivalent high quality information. This last method can be readily used by the chemical practitioner as the notions and tools required for its implantation are easily grasped; it also has the advantage of requiring a low cost instrumentation (only thermocouples), whereas the direct method needs a relatively more sophisticated equipment (mass flow meter). © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.,2014,131, 40035.
Synthesis of biodegradable high molecular weight polycarbonates from 1,3‐trimethylene carbonate and 2,2‐dimethyltrimethylene carbonate
Authors: Pastusiak Malgorzata , Dobrzynski Piotr , Kasperczyk Janusz , Smola Anna , Janeczek Henryk 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTThe possibility to obtain biodegradable high molecular weight aliphatic polycarbonates from trimethylene carbonate (TMC) and 2,2‐dimethyltrimethylene carbonate (DTC) monomers with designed composition of comonomeric units was presented. Zinc(II) acetylacetonate monohydrate was used as a catalyst. A detailed analysis of copolymer chain structure was performed by means of high resolution 13C‐NMR spectroscopy. The equations for calculation of characteristic parameters of copolymer chain such as average length of blocks, randomization and transesterification coefficients were shown. The copolymerization reactivity ratios were determined (rTMC = 1.17 ± 0.20 and rDTC= 0.42 ± 0.09). Significant differences in the reactivity of comonomers and the low transesterification result in gradient chain microstructure. The synthesized copolymer containing about 80 mol % of DTC units is a semicrystalline material with good mechanical properties, allowing for application of this material in the formation of bioresorbable flexible implants or scaffolds. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2014, 131, 40037.
Catalytic Hydrogenation for Bio‐Oil Upgrading by a Supported NiMoB Amorphous Alloy
Authors: Zhang M. J. , Li W. Z. , Zu S. , Huo W. , Zhu X. F. , Wang Z. Y. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractA method of ultrasound‐assisted reduction of a nickel‐ammonia complex with borohydride in aqueous solution was used to prepare NiMoB/MCM‐41 and NiMoB/SBA‐15 supported amorphous alloy catalysts. These catalysts were used to upgrade bio‐oil at mild temperatures ranging from 100 to 160 °C and recycling of these two supported catalysts and of unsupported NiMoB was carried out. Then, fresh and third time used catalysts were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron spectra, and transmission electron microscopy. Quantitative results were obtained from the analysis of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Through mild upgrading, 1‐hydroxy‐2‐propanone, furfural, and 2‐methoxy‐4‐vinylphenol in the bio‐oil were converted to relevant alcohols and saturated phenols. The conversion rates were 45.7, 71.5, and 57.1 %, respectively, when crude bio‐oil was upgraded using NiMoB/MCM‐41 at 160 °C. The two supported catalysts, especially NiMoB/MCM‐41, had smaller amorphous NiMoB particles and exhibited more uniform dispersion on mesoporous silica, leading to higher reaction activity and stability than unsupported NiMoB. Deactivation of these catalysts resulted from the reduction of Ni0, B0, and Mo4+ species on the surface, the transition from the amorphous to the crystalline state, particle agglomeration, and coke deposition on the surface.
Process Control Using Advanced Particle Analyzing Systems: Applications from Crystallization to Fermentation Processes
Authors: Helmdach Lydia , Schwartz Friedel , Ulrich Joachim 
Published: October 2013

AbstractAn advanced particle analyzing system (APAS) was applied to track information on size, shape, and number of particles in suspension. The measurement principle is based on laser reflection. In comparison to conventional laser reflection methods like focused beam reflectance measurement which determines chord/arc lengths, APAS sensors allow to measure exposed particle surface areas (EPSA). Furthermore, APAS is capable to collect information on the particle shape by evaluation of the reflection raw signals. The technique was tested for two different application fields to monitor crystallization and fermentation processes in case studies with L‐glutamic acid as well as with cancer cells and Escherichia coli bacteria. It could be demonstrated that improvements in design and technology, coupled with the use of new software, permit to track changes of particle shape, size, and density as well as to analyze features such as cell vitality by the obscuration factor, cell proliferation, and growth effects by the distance of particles. The case studies proved that the innovations of the APAS, i.e., EPSA and particle shape, offer specific enhancement, enabling users to understand, monitor, and optimize products and processes more effectively.
Synthesis and Bonding in Carbene Complexes of an Unsymmetrical Dilithio Methandiide: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study
Authors: Gessner Viktoria H. , Meier Florian , Uhrich Diana , Kaupp Martin 
Published: October 2013

AbstractHerein, we report the preparation of a new unsymmetrical, bis(thiophosphinoyl)‐substituted dilithio methandiide and its application for the synthesis of zirconium‐ and palladium‐carbene complexes. These complexes were found to exhibit remarkably shielded13C NMR shifts, which are much more highfield‐shifted than those of “normal” carbene complexes. DFT calculations were performed to determine the origin of these observations and to distinguish the electronic structure of these and related carbene complexes compared with the classical Fischer and Schrock‐type complexes. Various methods show that these systems are best described as highly polarized Schrock‐type complexes, in which the metal–carbon bond possesses more electrostatic contributions than in the prototype Schrock systems, or even as “masked” methandiides. As such, geminal dianions represent a kind of “extreme” Schrock‐type ligands favoring the ionic resonance structure M+CR2−as often used in textbooks to explain the nucleophilic nature of Schrock complexes.