bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transcriptional Changes in CD8+ T Cells During Antiretroviral Therapy Intensified With Raltegravir
Authors: Ouyang Zhengyu , Buzon Maria J. , Zheng Lu , Sun Hong , Yu Xu G. , Bosch Ronald J. , Mellors John W. , Eron Joseph J. , Gandhi Rajesh T. , Lichterfeld Mathias 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
Background.  Intensification of antiretroviral therapy with raltegravir does not affect levels of residual human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 viremia, but it has led to increased levels of episomal HIV-1 DNA in some patients, suggesting antiviral activity against otherwise unresponsive components of the viral reservoir. Effects of raltegravir on host cells remain less well understood.
Methods.  We used comprehensive and unbiased microarray-based transcriptional profiling to analyze gene expression changes in CD8+ T cells from participants in a randomized clinical trial (AIDS Clinical Trials Group [ACTG] A5244) comparing raltegravir-intensified to nonintensified antiretroviral therapy.
Results.  Although raltegravir intensification failed to induce statistically significant changes in HIV-1 DNA or residual plasma viremia, we observed significant increases in the expression intensity of 121 host gene transcripts. In functional annotations of these transcripts, we found that they were mainly involved in glucose and carbohydrate metabolism, immune regulation, control of cell proliferation, and tumor suppression. Two of the raltegravir-responsive gene transcripts were statistically correlated with levels of residual HIV-1 RNA, but none of the remaining 119 transcripts were associated with immunologic or virologic characteristics of the study patients.
Conclusions.  Together, these findings demonstrate that raltegravir intensification can induce previously unrecognized, statistically significant gene expression changes in host CD8+ T lymphocytes.
The ties that bind? Online musicians and their fans
Authors: Daellenbach Kate , Kusel Rachael , Rod Michel 
Published: April 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships between musician’s social network sites (SNS), the tie that fans may develop via these sites, and music acquisition, via legal and illegal means.

Design/methodology/approach
– A quantitative approach was taken, gathering 352 responses from young adults via an online survey.

Findings
– Perceptions of interactivity and sincerity on musicians’ SNS are found to lead to stronger ties, enhancing the fan’s feeling of closeness to the musician, the fan’s inclination to spread positive word-of-mouth, and the time a fan spends on the site. Pathways are found between the fan activity, sense of closeness and time spent on the SNS. In terms of acquisition, the tie strength indicator of time spent on the SNS holds a positive relationship with purchase intent. While a sense of closeness holds a negative relationship to illegal downloading activity, the fan’s activity recommending the musician has a positive influence on illegal downloading.

Research limitations/implications
– Limitations of this study include a limited amount of information on the musician and extent of fandom, suggesting future research to tease out the effects of SNS on fans with varying levels of existing commitment to musicians.

Practical implications
– Stronger ties between fans and musicians may be developed via interactive and sincere SNS. Activities which encourage the fan to give recommendations and spread positive word-of-mouth are especially influential in driving purchase intent.

Originality/value
– These results provide theoretical and practical implications in relation to how SNS may influence the online fan-celebrity “tie” and music acquisition – three elements which have not to date been examined.
Benchmarking of TQM: the case of Hikma Pharmaceuticals company
Authors: Sweis Rateb J , Al-Ghawi Hala Jamal , AlSaleh Noor Abdel-Aziz , Al-Zu'bi Zu'bi M.F , Obeidat Bader Y 
Published: April 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to gain a better understanding of internal benchmarking through the evaluation of quality management in two quality departments (Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC)) in a pharmaceutical company by utilizing total quality index (TQI).

Design/methodology/approach
– In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose a structured questionnaire was used to assess the gap between the ideal and current status of the quality management system. The mean differences between the current and ideal states for the eight critical factors were compared for the two departments using t-test.

Findings
– There is difference in the actual and ideal scores on three out of eight critical factors between the QA and QC departments.

Practical implications
– The internal benchmarking process which was applied in this case study can be applied in other pharmaceutical companies in order to improve the status of the quality management system and achieve competitive advantage.

Originality/value
– Benchmarking of total quality management (TQM) can improve the performance of organizations. The benchmarking tool used in this study TQI is an information technology-supported tool that helps managers assess a TQM program by enabling the cost-effective measurement of key organizational processes. TQI measures the ideal and actual quality management along eight critical factors synthesized by Saraph et al. (1989).
Information technology sector in India and gender inclusivity
Authors: Dutta Gupta Sangita , Raychaudhuri Ajitava , Haldar Sushil Kr. 
Published: April 2015

Purpose– This paper aims to address the issue of gender inclusivity in the information technology (IT) sector of India. The main objective of the paper is to find out the factors influencing female participation in the IT industry. It proposes some policy initiatives to support involvement of women in adequate proportion in the workforce.Design/methodology/approach– The study uses a unique set of data from 63 IT companies from three big cities of Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR), Bengaluru and Kolkata. An ordered logit model is applied to find out the determinants of female absorption in the IT industry. ANOVA is used to study the variations between and within the IT industry of female labor force participation.Findings– Result reveals that the percentage and mobility of female employees in an organization does not depend on the turnover or the total number of skilled employees in the organization. It depends on the location.Research limitations/implications– The main limitation of the paper is that many IT companies do not want to reveal data about the percentage of female employees. If more companies could have been included, more accurate results could have been found.Practical implications– The study discusses the aspect of gender inclusivity in the IT sector as well as the impact of higher skill on gender. The paper proposes some policy initiatives which can increase the number of female employees in the IT sector.Originality/value– The study fulfills the need to know about the gender inclusivity aspect of the IT sector in India.
The use of the balanced scorecard to measure knowledge work
Authors: Wake Nicholas John 
Published: April 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to question whether the balanced scorecard provides an appropriate control mechanism for management control of knowledge workers.

Design/methodology/approach
– A case study approach is taken to explore the way in which management control of employees engaged in research and development is undertaken.

Findings
– The key finding of this work is that the balanced scorecard is not in itself a useful approach to management control of knowledge workers but provides an important mechanism for ensuring that there is alignment between the strategic objectives of an organisation and the work being undertaken.

Research limitations/implications
– The inductive approach taken in a single-company case study has provided a rich data set for exploratory research, however, this research design limits the generalisability of the findings.

Practical implications
– The work provides insights into how the balanced scorecard can be used in knowledge-worker environments.

Originality/value
– The balanced scorecard is often reported as a tool that allows organisations to cascade strategic priorities down to the level of the individual though the use of measures. This research provides an alternative explanation of how the balanced scorecard can support knowledge worker control.
Enterprise resource planning and efficiency
Authors: Park Jonghyun , Park Jin 
Published: April 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the efficiency of Korean insurers that have adopted enterprise resource planning (ERP) system to improve their efficiency.

Design/methodology/approach
– The study uses Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) with several inputs and outputs to measure both technical and scale efficiency. With the efficiency measures and using the ordinary least square with the hetereoscedacity consistent standard errors, the study further investigates the factors affecting efficiency, and the association between ERP and efficiency.

Findings
– This study finds a strong positive association between ERP implementation and the insurers’ efficiency and profitability. However, firms may experience a decrease in efficiency and profitability during the first and second year after ERP implementation.

Research limitations/implications
– Although the findings of this study are consistent with extant studies, the study’s findings may lack generalizability because the samples are limited small Korean Property/Casualty (P/C) insurers.

Originality/value
– This study investigates the impact of ERP implementation on P/C insurers in an emerging market.
Finding “good enough” metrics for the UK’s research excellence framework
Authors: Stuart David 
Published: April 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to encourage discussion about the potential role of metrics in research assessment.

Design/methodology/approach
– The paper considers the results of the UK’s 2014 Research Excellence Framework, and the potential of metrics to reduce the size of future exercises.

Findings
– The paper suggests that a battery of non-robust metrics selected by the higher education institutions could support a greatly reduced peer-reviewed exercise.

Practical implications
– Policy makers should reconsider the role of metrics in research assessment.

Originality/value
– The paper provides an alternative vision of the role of metrics in research assessment, and will be of interest to policy makers, bibliometricians, and anyone interested in HEI research assessment.
Prevalence of POE in UK higher education institutions
Authors: Riley Mike , Cotgrave Alison , Kokkarinen Noora 
Published: April 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to identify the extent to which Post-occupancy evaluation (POE) is understood and applied within higher education institutions across the UK and identify users’ perceptions of its efficacy.Design/methodology/approach– A mixed methodology was applied to this research. Part one consisted of an online survey intended to generate an overview of the extent of POE use across the sector. The second phase, intended to develop greater insight and understanding of users’ perceptions of POE, relied upon in-depth interviews with a smaller sample drawn those who had completed the survey in part one.Findings– Differing models of POE are used within higher education institutions with varying degrees of complexity. Models exist that are based on standard structures and templates, whilst entirely bespoke options have been developed by some institutions. The work found that there is a clear preference for applying bespoke methods rather than standardised ones.Research limitations/implications– The research is based on a sample of Directors of Estates (DOEs) from UK Universities. The conclusions relate specifically to that sector and context. The extent for broader generalisation is limited by the research sample.Practical implications– The work shows that POE is understood to have differing purpose and effectiveness in individual Universities. As a result there has been a proliferation in the number of models developed and applied. This leads to the conclusion that more coherent and consistent understanding should be promoted within the sector.Social implications– The work has implications for the effective management of university buildings to support user satisfaction.Originality/value– This paper indicates that there is prevalence of applying POE processes in higher education institutions and that specific models have been developed for the sector. However, the extent to which the process is valued and understood is highly variable.
Scope of policy convergence approach to freshwater management in rural Jharkhand
Authors: Sanga Nafisa Priti , Ranjan Rajeev Kumar 
Published: April 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to study Indian aspects of policy convergence in the context of budgetary linkage of two nationalized flagship programs – Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and Integrated Watershed Management Program (IWMP). Therefore, in lieu of inter-departmental convergences; issues related to water resource development of Jharkhand’s (India) rain-fed areas were addressed.

Design/methodology/approach
– Centered on policy convergence strategy, present study applied comprehensive review and analysis approach for formulation of research base. A conceptual framework was thus designed for analytical purposes and therefore advancing toward conjectural knowledge base.

Findings
– Application of inter-departmental policy convergence strategy suggested ample opportunities for optimal water resource development. Presence of abundant wage labor, rich indigenous water management techniques, tested replicable models, under-harvested rainwater potential, etc., appeared as catalysts of policy convergence. Yet, State’s lack of inter-departmental coordination and grass-root institutional framework will continually challenge policy convergences in absence of good governance.

Originality/value
– An initiative of Indian government; MGNREGA has received international attention due to its wider coverage including natural resource management, besides guaranteed wage employment. Targeted at freshwater management discourse of Jharkhand; present paper reviewed prospective inter-departmental policy convergence strategy within various arena of MGNREGA, by exploring associated scopes and challenges. Similarly for cost effectiveness, related to maintenance and lift-irrigation demands of rain-fed area development; the present study suggested optimum utilization of inter-departmental funding linkages for development of sustainable water resources.
Clues to diagnosis for unusual mucosal pemphigus demonstrating undetectable anti‐desmoglein 3 serum antibodies by routine tests
Authors: Kamiya Koji , Aoyama Yumi , Yamaguchi Mari , Ukida Aya , Mizuno‐Ikeda Kazuko , Fujii Kazuyasu , Hamada Toshihisa , Tokura Yoshiki , Iwatsuki Keiji 
Published: April 2015

AbstractPemphigus is an autoimmune blistering disease caused by immunoglobulin (Ig)G autoantibodies against desmogleins (Dsg). In mucosal‐dominant pemphigus vulgaris (PV), anti‐Dsg3 antibodies play a critical role in acantholysis. We followed two mucosal‐dominant PV cases who suffered from refractory oral mucosal erosions. In these cases, anti‐Dsg3 serum antibodies were not detected by indirect immunofluorescence and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). However, direct immunofluorescence showed the intercellular IgG deposition in the epidermis and histopathological findings revealed suprabasal acantholysis. In order to analyze the pathomechanisms in these cases, we first examined the Dsg3 expression patterns in lesional sites and compared them with those of typical mucosal‐dominant PV cases. In typical PV cases, the alteration of Dsg3 distribution was observed in lesional sites by immunostaining. The aggregation of Dsg3, which is the characteristic change in PV mucosal lesions, was observed as the initial change prior to acantholysis. In our cases, a clustering of Dsg3 was observed at mucosal lesions, and the expression levels of Dsg3 in acantholytic lesions were decreased, as observed in typical mucosal‐dominant PV cases. Although anti‐Dsg3 serum antibodies could not be detected by routine tests, anti‐Dsg3 serum antibodies were detected by Dsg3 ELISA using 10‐times more concentrated sera (highly sensitive ELISA). Moreover, purified and concentrated PV IgG showed high pathogenicity when examined by dissociation assay. In conclusion, the detection of morphological changes in Dsg3 distribution and highly sensitive ELISA method could be useful for the early diagnosis of PV recurrence.
A Rare Case of an Intact Bone Plug Associated with a Gunshot Exit Wound
Authors: Bird Cate E. , Fleischman Julie M. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThis case study presents an unusual manifestation of gunshot trauma in skeletal tissue from a post‐World War II human rights abuse sample uncovered in Vilnius, Lithuania. After briefly reviewing the typical wound appearance of projectile trauma in the cranium, we discuss the presence of an intact bone plug associated with a gunshot exit wound in an individual from the Tuskulenai Case. While this individual demonstrated typical gunshot entry and exit wounds to the cranium consistent with high‐velocity trauma, the bone plug indicates that the projectile likely lost much of its kinetic energy while traveling through the cranium resulting in a low‐velocity impact at the exit site. This study reviews a similar instance of a bone plug recovered from a bioarcheological sample in Peru and emphasizes the importance of thorough archeological excavations of mass graves.
Longitudinal study of acute haematologic toxicity in cervical cancer patients treated with chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Zhu He , Zakeri Kaveh , Vaida Florin , Carmona Ruben , Dadachanji Kaivan K , Bair Ryan , Aydogan Bulent , Hasan Yasmin , Yashar Catheryn M , Mell Loren K 
Published: April 2015

AbstractIntroductionAcute hematologic toxicity (HT) limits optimal delivery of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for patients with pelvic malignancies. We tested the hypothesis that pelvic bone marrow (PBM) dose‐volume metrics were associated with weekly reductions in peripheral blood cell counts in cervical cancer patients undergoing CRT.MethodsWe included 102 cervical cancer patients treated with concurrent cisplatin (40 mg/m2/week) and pelvic radiotherapy treated at three US centres. No patient received granulocyte‐monocyte colony stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) or platelet transfusions. Using linear‐mixed effects modelling, we analysed weekly reductions in log‐transformed peripheral blood cell counts as a function of time (weeks), mean PBM dose and the PBM volume receiving ≥10 Gy (V10), 20 Gy (V20), 30 Gy (V30) and 40 Gy (V40).ResultsIncreases in mean PBM radiation dose, V20, V30 and V40 were all significantly associated with a greater weekly reduction in white blood cell (WBC) and absolute neutrophil counts (ANCs). We estimated that with every 1 Gy increase in mean PBM dose, ln(ANC) was reduced by 9.6/μL per week (95% confidence interval, 1.9–17.3, P = 0.015). Subregion analysis also identified significant associations between weekly reductions in ln(WBC) and ln(ANC) within lumbosacral spine, ischium and proximal femora, as opposed to ilium.ConclusionsPBM radiation dose‐volume metrics are significantly associated with weekly reductions in peripheral blood cell counts in cervical cancer patients undergoing CRT, particularly within the lower pelvis and lumbosacral spine.
Steady‐State Metabolism of Ethanol in Perfused Rat Livers Treated with Cyanamide: Quantitative Analysis of Acetaldehyde Effects on the Metabolic Flux Rates
Authors: Yao Chung‐Tay , Lai Ching‐Long , Yin Shih‐Jiun 
Published: April 2015

BackgroundAlcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) are principal enzymes responsible for metabolism of ethanol in mammals. The steady‐state metabolic flux of ethanol has been poorly understood.MethodsWe investigated flux rates of the individual steps of ethanol metabolism in perfused rat livers treated with ALDH inactivator cyanamide as an attempt to mimic human ALDH2 deficiency commonly seen in East Asians. The net rates of ethanol oxidation, acetaldehyde oxidation, and acetate activation were determined with a set of defined equations, based on the set influx rates of ethanol and the measured efflux rates of ethanol, acetaldehyde, and acetate.ResultsAfter intraperitoneal injections of 0.2 and 1.5 mg/kg cyanamide, hepatic activities of mitochondrial ALDH2 and cytoplasmic ALDH1A1 decreased to a similar degree, that is, 51 to 57% and 69 to 74%, compared with the corresponding controls, respectively, whereas cytoplasmic ADH1 activity remained unchanged. At infusing 2 mM ethanol, acetaldehyde oxidation rate well matched (99%) the net ethanol oxidation rate in control liver. Both the ethanol and acetaldehyde oxidation rates were significantly decreased after cyanamide treatments. At 10 mM ethanol, the efflux acetaldehyde was significantly higher than that infusing 2 mM ethanol in both control and cyanamide groups. Seventy‐eight percent of the oxidized ethanol released as efflux acetate. At 2 mM ethanol, the apparent flux control coefficients of ADH1 were assessed to be 0.78, 0.54, and 0.39, respectively, in control, low, and high cyanamide‐treated livers. Kinetic simulations revealed that inhibition by acetaldehyde may largely account for the observed reduction of ADH1 oxidation rates after cyanamide treatment.ConclusionsOur results provide the first flux evidence that ADH and ALDH are steps influencing steady‐state metabolism of ethanol in rat livers with inactivated ALDHs.
Development and evaluation of a sublingual tablet based on recombinant Bet v 1 in birch pollen‐allergic patients
Authors: Nony E. , Bouley J. , Le Mignon M. , Lemoine P. , Jain K. , Horiot S. , Mascarell L. , Pallardy M. , Vincentelli R. , Leone P. , Roussel A. , Batard T. , Abiteboul K. , Robin B. , de Beaumont O. , Arvidsson M. , Rak S. , Moingeon P. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBackgroundSublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) applied to type I respiratory allergies is commonly performed with natural allergen extracts. Herein, we developed a sublingual tablet made of pharmaceutical‐grade recombinant Bet v 1.0101 (rBet v 1) and investigated its clinical safety and efficacy in birch pollen (BP)‐allergic patients.MethodsFollowing expression in Escherichia coli and purification, rBet v 1 was characterized using chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, circular dichroism, mass spectrometry and crystallography. Safety and efficacy of rBet v 1 formulated as a sublingual tablet were assessed in a multicentre, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study conducted in 483 patients with BP‐induced rhinoconjunctivitis.ResultsIn‐depth characterization confirmed the intact product structure and high purity of GMP‐grade rBet v 1. The crystal structure resolved at 1.2 Å documented the natural conformation of the molecule. Native or oxidized forms of rBet v 1 did not induce the production of any proinflammatory cytokine by blood dendritic cells or mononuclear cells. Bet v 1 tablets were well tolerated by patients, consistent with the known safety profile of SLIT. The average adjusted symptom scores were significantly decreased relative to placebo in patients receiving once daily for 5 months rBet v 1 tablets, with a mean difference of 17.0–17.7% relative to the group treated with placebo (P < 0.025), without any influence of the dose in the range (12.5–50 μg) tested.ConclusionRecombinant Bet v 1 has been produced as a well‐characterized pharmaceutical‐grade biological drug. Sublingual administration of rBet v 1 tablets is safe and efficacious in patients with BP allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.