bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Carbon monoxide down‐modulates Toll‐like receptor 4/MD2 expression on innate immune cells and reduces endotoxic shock susceptibility
Authors: Riquelme Sebastián A. , Bueno Susan M. , Kalergis Alexis M. 
Published: September 2014

SummaryCarbon monoxide (CO) has been recently reported as the main anti‐inflammatory mediator of the haem‐degrading enzyme haem‐oxygenase 1 (HO‐1). It has been shown that either HO‐1 induction or CO treatment reduces the ability of monocytes to respond to inflammatory stimuli, such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), due to an inhibition of the signalling pathways leading to nuclear factor‐κB, mitogen‐activated protein kinases and interferon regulatory factor 3 activation. Hence, it has been suggested that CO impairs the stimulation of the Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor‐2 (MD2) complex located on the surface of immune cells. However, whether CO can negatively modulate the surface expression of the TLR4/MD2 complex in immune cells remains unknown. Here we report that either HO‐1 induction or treatment with CO decreases the surface expression of TLR4/MD2 in dendritic cells (DC) and neutrophils. In addition, in a septic shock model of mice intraperitoneally injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), prophylactic treatment with CO protected animals from hypothermia, weight loss, mobility loss and death. Further, mice pre‐treated with CO and challenged with LPS showed reduced recruitment of DC and neutrophils to peripheral blood, suggesting that this gas causes a systemic tolerance to endotoxin challenge. No differences in the amount of innate cells in lymphoid tissues were observed in CO‐treated mice. Our results suggest that CO treatment reduces the expression of the TLR4/MD2 complex on the surface of myeloid cells, which renders them resistant to LPS priming in vitro, as well as in vivo in a model of endotoxic shock.
Thinking and Learning in the Tax Evasion Game
Authors: O'Doherty Mike 
Published: September 2014

AbstractEquilibrium behaviour is one of the fundamental concepts of economics: that each player's strategy is a best response to their beliefs about other players' strategies (and that these beliefs are realised). It is therefore striking that one of the most utilised economic models of tax compliance (Allingham and Sandmo, 1972) lacks this property as random audit selection is not a best response for the tax administration. The game theory literature of tax compliance has solved the equilibrium under assumptions of perfect information, full rationality and representative agents (Reinganum and Wilde, 1986; Erard and Feinstein, 1994). The recent application of behavioural economics to tax compliance (Hashimzade et al., 2014) allows richer assumptions such as heterogeneity and asymmetric information to be included in agent‐based models. This paper investigates the tax administration's best‐response audit strategy with heterogeneous taxpayers, imperfect information and evolutionary survival of taxpayers. It finds that, under these conditions, the tax administration's best‐response audit strategy is an adaptive learning approach and not a well‐defined audit function. This fits with actual practice of ‘predictive analytics’ by OECD tax administrations. Behavioural game theory also predicts that when actors are information rich, adaptive learning will dominate abstract thinking.
The Role of the External Personal Assistants for Children with Profound Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities Working in the Children's Home
Authors: Axelsson Anna Karin 
Published: September 2014

BackgroundChildren with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities need support to function in an optimal way. However, there is a limited knowledge about the role of external personal assistants working in the children's home.Materials and MethodsA mixed method study was performed including qualitative data from interviews with 11 Swedish parents and nine external personal assistants and quantitative data from questionnaires answered by 60 families.ResultsFor the child, the assistant's role was one of reinforcing, meaning supportive and empowering, and the child needed a high level of assistance. For the family, the role was one of balancing and the external personal assistant was more often found to assist in activities away from home while parents tended to assist within home and in family unit activities.ConclusionIn planning and implementation of external assistance, the child's needs as well as considerations of the whole family should be regarded.
Performance of the herb Verbascum thapsus along environmental gradients in its native and non‐native ranges
Authors: Seipel Tim , Alexander Jake M. , Daehler Curtis C. , Rew Lisa J. , Edwards Peter J. , Dar Pervaiz A. , McDougall Keith , Naylor Bridgett , Parks Catherine , Pollnac Fredric W. , Reshi Zafar A. , Schroder Mel , Kueffer Christoph 
Published: September 2014

AbstractAimWe evaluated whether the performance of individuals and populations of the invasive plant Verbascum thapsus differs between its native and non‐native ranges, across climate gradients, and in response to its position in a global‐scaled niche model.LocationIndia (Kashmir) and Switzerland (native range) and Australia and USA (Hawaii, Montana and Oregon) (non‐native range).MethodsWe measured population characteristics (density of flowering individuals, population size), plant traits (plant height, number of flowering branches) and seed germination for 50 populations of V. thapsus growing along elevational gradients in six mountain regions around the world (two in the native range, and four in the non‐native range). We fitted linear regression models to determine the relationship of plant and population level performance variables to range, region, climate and probability of occurrence from a global niche model.ResultsPlant height, number of flowering branches and population density of V. thapsus did not differ consistently between the native and non‐native ranges, but the area covered by populations in the non‐native range was on average two orders of magnitude larger than the area of native populations. Within and among regions, individual plant performance traits responded variably to precipitation and mean annual temperature, depending on the climatic range of the observed populations; however, performance was greater for populations that had a greater modelled probability of occurrence. Seed germination under controlled conditions was highest between 20 and 35 °C and consistent across populations, although germination at low temperatures was substantially higher for native populations from Kashmir.Main conclusionsThe introduction of V. thapsus to its non‐native range is not associated with consistent increases in plant performance. Instead, plant performance is more strongly influenced by position within the climate niche of the species, position along environmental gradients, and climatic or other differences among regions. We demonstrate that individual‐level and population‐level performance traits can yield different predictors of plant performance. Therefore, future studies comparing plant performance in native and non‐native ranges should include both plant and population characteristics and should also sample the target species from multiple regions in both ranges and along environmental gradients that comprehensively represent the niche of the species.
A Primer on Juvenile Protective Legislation
Authors: Abrams Douglas E. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe parens patriae doctrine is grounded in the proposition that children sometimes need the law's protection from their own improvidence or immaturity, and sometimes even from the conduct of their parents or other caretakers. Parens patriae underlies much state and federal regulation in such areas as abuse, neglect, foster care, adoption, medical decisionmaking, support, and delinquency. The doctrine also underlies the wide range of protective legislation that regulates children's conduct, the subject of this article.
The Carbon Footprint of Games Distribution
Authors: Mayers Kieren , Koomey Jonathan , Hall Rebecca , Bauer Maria , France Chris , Webb Amanda 
Published: September 2014

SummaryThis research investigates the carbon footprint of the lifecycle of console games, using the example of PlayStation®3 distribution in the UK. We estimate total carbon equivalent emissions for an average 8.8‐gigabyte (GB) game based on data for 2010. The bulk of emissions are accounted for by game play, followed by production and distribution. Two delivery scenarios are compared: The first examines Blu‐ray discs (BDs) delivered by retail stores, and the second, games files downloaded over broadband Internet. Contrary to findings in previous research on music distribution, distribution of games by physical BDs results in lower greenhouse gas emissions than by Internet download. The estimated carbon emissions from downloading only fall definitively below that of BDs for games smaller than 1.3 GB. Sensitivity analysis indicates that as average game file sizes increase, and the energy intensity of the Internet falls, the file size at which BDs would result in lower emissions than downloads could shift either up‐ or downward over the next few years. Overall, the results appear to be broadly applicable to title games within the European Union (EU), and for larger‐than‐average sized games in the United States. Further research would be needed to confirm whether similar findings would apply in future years with changes in game size and Internet efficiency. The study findings serve to illustrate why it is not always true that digital distribution of media will have lower carbon emissions than distribution by physical means when file sizes are large.
From Wall Street to Main Street: The Impact of the Financial Crisis on Consumer Credit Supply
Authors: RAMCHARAN RODNEY , VERANI STÉPHANE , VAN DEN HEUVEL SKANDER J. 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACTHow did the collapse of the asset‐backed securities (ABS) market during the 2007 to 2009 financial crisis affect the supply of credit to the broader economy? Using new data on the U.S. credit union industry, we find that ABS‐related losses are associated with a large contraction in the supply of credit to consumers, especially among those credit unions that began the crisis with weaker capitalization. We also find that this credit supply shock restricted the availability of mortgage and automobile credit. These results show how movements in the prices of financial assets can affect the real economy.
Review of 103 Swedish Healthcare Quality Registries
Authors: Emilsson L. , Lindahl B. , Köster M. , Lambe M. , Ludvigsson J. F. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackground and objectivesIn the past two decades, an increasing number of nationwide, Swedish Healthcare Quality Registries (QRs) focusing on specific disorders have been initiated, mostly by physicians. Here, we describe the purpose, organization, variables, coverage and completeness of 103 Swedish QRs.MethodsFrom March to September 2013, we examined the 2012 applications of 103 QRs to the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR) and also studied the annual reports from the same QRs. After initial data abstraction, the coordinator of each QR was contacted at least twice between June and October 2013 and asked to confirm the accuracy of the data retrieved from the applications and reports.ResultsAbout 60% of the QRs covered ≥80% of their target population (completeness). Data recorded in Swedish QRs include aspects of disease management (diagnosis, clinical characteristics, treatment and lead times). In addition, some QRs retrieve data on self‐reported quality of life (EQ5D, SF‐36 and disease‐specific measures), lifestyle (smoking) and general health status (World Health Organization performance status, body mass index and blood pressure).ConclusionDetailed clinical data available in Swedish QRs complement information from government‐administered registries and provide an important source not only for assessment and development of quality of care but also for research.
How Ideation Portfolio Management Influences Front‐End Success
Authors: Kock Alexander , Heising Wilderich , Gemünden Hans Georg 
Published: September 2014

The front end of innovation is recognized as an important driver for successful new products and business prosperity. On the one hand, companies must generate a sufficient number and variety of high‐quality ideas to obtain a well‐balanced portfolio of potentially successful innovation projects. On the other hand, companies must strictly select and prioritize promising ideas and concepts because resource constraints do not allow for the pursuit of every idea. Therefore, companies must practice ideation portfolio management to simultaneously support the variety and selection of ideas and concepts before they enter the innovation project portfolio. To date, there is no research on how ideation portfolio management affects the performance of the front end and of the eventual project portfolio.The current study addresses this research gap in an empirical cross‐industry investigation of 175 medium‐sized and large firms in Germany using a double‐informant design. Ideation portfolio management is conceptualized with three elements: ideation strategy, process formalization, and creative encouragement. We find that all three elements independently and significantly contribute to front‐end success. The results also show that front‐end success mediates the relationship between the elements of ideation portfolio management and project portfolio success. More importantly, we find significant interaction effects between creative encouragement and process formalization and between creative encouragement and ideation strategy. The findings suggest that these elements of ideation portfolio management are complementary and should be balanced to maximize the performance of the front end and the eventual innovation project portfolio.
Prognostic value of the combined use of transient elastography and fibrotest in patients with chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Park Mi Sung , Kim Seung Up , Kim Beom Kyung , Park Jun Yong , Kim Do Young , Ahn Sang Hoon , Shin Seung Hwan , Kang Wonseok , Moon Chansoo , Han Kwang‐Hyub 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackground & AimsLiver stiffness (LS) measurement using transient elastography and the FibroTest (FT) are alternatives to liver biopsy (LB) in assessing liver fibrosis. We investigated the prognostic role of the combined use of LS and FT in predicting liver‐related events (LREs) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).MethodsConsecutive patients with CHB who underwent LB, along with LS and FT on the same day were recruited. LRE was defined as hepatic decompensation, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or liver‐related death.ResultsA total of 151 patients (86 male) were analyzed. During follow‐up (median 59.9 months), overall 18 (11.9%) patients experienced LREs. The areas under receiver‐operating characteristic curves of LS, FT, LS + FT and LS × FT in predicting LRE were 0.701, 0.668, 0.702 and 0.741 respectively. After adjusting for age and histological fibrosis staging, significant variables in univariate analysis (both P < 0.05), LS + FT and LS × FT were independent predictors of LREs with hazard ratios (HRs) of 1.080 and 1.126 (all P < 0.05) respectively. When subjects were divided into three groups according to quartile stratification (low quartile, interquartile and high quartile) using LS + FT and LS × FT, cumulative LRE development rate significantly increased with a corresponding increase in value among three groups respectively (log‐rank test, all P < 0.05).ConclusionThe combined use of LS and FT significantly predicted forthcoming LRE development, but with only a slight additional benefit compared to LS or FT alone.
The proton‐motive force is required for translocation of CDI toxins across the inner membrane of target bacteria
Authors: Ruhe Zachary C. , Nguyen Josephine Y. , Beck Christina M. , Low David A. , Hayes Christopher S. 
Published: September 2014

SummaryContact‐dependent growth inhibition (CDI) is a mode of bacterial competition orchestrated by the CdiB/CdiA family of two‐partner secretion proteins. The CdiA effector extends from the surface of CDI+ inhibitor cells, binds to receptors on neighbouring bacteria and delivers a toxin domain derived from its C‐terminal region (CdiA‐CT). Here, we show that CdiA‐CT toxin translocation requires the proton‐motive force (pmf) within target bacteria. The pmf is also critical for the translocation of colicin toxins, which exploit the energized Ton and Tol systems to cross the outer membrane. However, CdiA‐CT translocation is clearly distinct from known colicin‐import pathways because ΔtolA ΔtonB target cells are fully sensitive to CDI. Moreover, we provide evidence that CdiA‐CT toxins can be transferred into the periplasm of de‐energized target bacteria, indicating that transport across the outer membrane is independent of the pmf. Remarkably, CDI toxins transferred under de‐energized conditions remain competent to enter the target‐cell cytoplasm once the pmf is restored. Collectively, these results indicate that outer‐ and inner‐membrane translocation steps can be uncoupled, and that the pmf is required for CDI toxin transport from the periplasm to the target‐cell cytoplasm.
Variation in behavioral responses of the South American sea lion to tourism disturbance: Implications for tourism management
Authors: Pavez Guido , Muñoz Lily , Barilari Fernanda , Sepúlveda Maritza 
Published: September 2014

AbstractDue to the highly predictable patterns of occupancy on land, pinnipeds are one of the main marine resources observed by tourists, which, in turn, could strongly perturb their behavior. We analyzed the behavioral responses of the South American sea lion (Otaria byronia) to the presence of tourists and its variation according to temporal (2012 vs. 2013 austral summer months), spatial (breeding vs. nonbreeding sites of the colony), and age/sex class (adult males vs. subadult males vs. females) factors, and determined the relationship between the degree of responses by sea lions and the distance of the vessel to the colony, visitation time, and tourist behavior. We recorded 1,232 boat visits during 2012 and 2013. Subadult males were the age/sex class most affected in the breeding site, followed by adult females at the nonbreeding site. More disturbing conduct by tourists, longer visitation time, and vessels closer to the colony caused greater responses by sea lions. The established minimum distance from the colony is not enforced, generating an adverse response by sea lions. We recommend the development of management plans with the local coastal communities to decrease the impact of ecotourism on the species and enhance the sustainability of this industry.
Mucormycosis in children: a study of 22 cases in a Mexican hospital
Authors: Bonifaz Alexandro , Tirado‐Sánchez Andrés , Calderón Luz , Romero‐Cabello Raúl , Kassack Juan , Ponce Rosa María , Mena Carlos , Stchigel Alberto , Cano Josep , Guarro Josep 
Published: September 2014

SummaryWe present a single‐centre, retrospective study (1985–2012) of 22 cases of mucormycosis in children. A total of 158 mucormycosis cases were identified, of which 22 (13.96%) were children. The mean age of the children was 10.3 years (range: 6 months–18 years), and 59% of the infections occurred in males. The rhinocerebral form was the main clinical presentation (77.27%), followed by the primary cutaneous and pulmonary patterns. The major underlying predisposing factors were diabetes mellitus in 68.18% of the patients and haematologic diseases in 27.7% of the patients. The cases were diagnosed by mycological tests, with positive cultures in 95.4% of the patients. Rhizopus arrhizus was the foremost aetiologic agent in 13/22 cases (59.1%). In 21 cultures, the aetiologic agents were identified morphologically and by molecular identification. In 10 cultures, the internal transcribed spacer region of the ribosomal DNA was sequenced. Clinical cure and mycological cure were achieved in 27.3% cases, which were managed with amphotericin B deoxycholate and by treatment of the underlying conditions.
Pathogenesis and host defence against Mucorales: the role of cytokines and interaction with antifungal drugs
Authors: Roilides Emmanuel , Antachopoulos Charalampos , Simitsopoulou Maria 
Published: September 2014

SummaryInnate immune response, including macrophages, neutrophils and dendritic cells and their respective receptors, plays an important role in host defences against Mucorales with differential activity against specific fungal species, while adaptive immunity is not the first line of defence. A number of endogenous and exogenous factors, such as cytokines and growth factors as well as certain antifungal agents have been found that they influence innate immune response to these organisms. Used alone or especially in combination have been shown to exert antifungal effects against Mucorales species. These findings suggest novel ways of adjunctive therapy for patients with invasive mucormycosis.
Outbreak of Microsporum audouinii in Munich – the return of infectious fungi in Germany
Authors: Zink Alexander , Papanagiotou Vasileios , Todorova Antonia , Seidl Hans‐Peter , Niedermeier Andrea , Ring Johannes , Traidl‐Hoffmann Claudia 
Published: September 2014

SummaryAfter experiencing an unusually high number of Microsporum (M.) audouinii infections at our hospital within only a few weeks, we began to investigate and control an outbreak in Munich, Germany. Main goals of our health management were to treat infected persons, identify extent and form of transmission and to prevent new infections. We analysed data from structured interviews with patients and mycological cultures of swabs taken of patients and investigated involved public facilities. Outbreak management included antifungal treatment of patients, decontamination of affected facilities, the introduction of a temporary kindergarten ban for M. audouinii positive children and the organisation of educational meetings. Between March and August 2011, 16 children and 4 adults were identified with M. audouinii infections. The fungus was brought to Munich by the index patients from a family vacation in Africa and then spread to fellow children in kindergarten and subsequently to their families. All patients were treated successfully and the epidemic was declared ceased after 40 weeks but causing considerable financial damage. Due to travelling and migration, M. audouinii infections will rise in Germany and Europe. Sufficient and sustainable strategies are needed for the management of future outbreaks of highly contagious fungi.
A Critique Of Reason For Anglican Eucharistic Theology: Dialogue Approach
Authors: Douglas Brian 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThis article provides a critique of reason for Anglican eucharistic theology. It examines the mutliformity of theological and philosophical assumptions underlying that theology and recognises the difficulty created in the discourse of the Anglican eucharistic tradition where hermeneutic idealism operates in an exclusive manner. Further, the article uses the insights of Habermas, arguing for a critique of reason for the tradition through a dialogue approach based on the intersubjectivity of communicative action where there is distinction between ‘lifeworld’ and ‘system paradigm’ and where there is subject-subject relationship.