bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quiescent Innate Response to Infective Filariae by Human Langerhans Cells Suggests a Strategy of Immune Evasion
Authors: Boyd Alexis , Bennuru Sasisekhar , Wang Yuanyuan , Sanprasert Vivornpun , Law Melissa , Chaussabel Damien , Nutman Thomas B. , Semnani Roshanak Tolouei 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACT

Filarial infection is initiated by mosquito-derived third-stage larvae (L3) deposited on the skin that transit through the epidermis, which contains Langerhans cells (LC) and keratinocytes (KC), among other cells. This earliest interaction between L3 and the LC likely conditions the priming of the immune system to the parasite. To determine the nature of this interaction, human LC (langerin
+
E-cadherin
+
CD1a
+
) were generated
in vitro
and exposed to live L3. LC exposed to live L3 for 48 h showed no alterations in the cell surface markers CD14, CD86, CD83, CD207, E-cadherin, CD80, CD40, and HLA-DR or in mRNA expression of inflammation-associated genes, such as those for interleukin 18 (IL-18), IL-18BP, and caspase 1. In contrast to L3, live tachyzoites of
Toxoplasma gondii
, an intracellular parasite, induced production of CXCL9, IP-10, and IL-6 in LC. Furthermore, preexposure of LC to L3 did not alter Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3)- or TLR4-mediated expression of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β, gamma interferon (IFN-γ), IL-6, or IL-10. Interestingly, cocultures of KC and LC produced significantly more IL-18, IL-1α, and IL-8 than did cultures of LC alone, although exposure of the cocultures to live L3 did not result in altered cytokine production. Microarray examination of
ex vivo
LC from skin blisters that were exposed to live L3 also showed few significant changes in gene expression compared with unexposed blisters, further underscoring the relatively muted response of LC to L3. Our data suggest that failure by LC to initiate an inflammatory response to the invasive stage of filarial parasites may be a strategy for immune evasion by the filarial parasite.
Batting head injury in professional cricket: a systematic video analysis of helmet safety characteristics
Authors: Ranson Craig , Peirce Nicholas , Young Mark 
Published: February 2013

BackgroundBatters in cricket are continuing to sustain head and facial injuries despite wearing protective helmets.ObjectiveTo gain an understanding of the types and mechanisms of head injuries sustained by batters wearing a helmet.MethodsInjury type, location and mechanism were categorised via analysis of 35 videos of National or International cricketers sustaining a head injury while batting.Results53% of the injuries occurred following ball impact to either the helmet faceguard and peak, or the faceguard alone. Ten injuries (29%) resulted from the ball penetrating the gap between the helmet peak and faceguard. 29% of the injuries involved the ball contacting the face following penetration of the gap between the helmet peak and faceguard. Fractures, lacerations and contusions were the most common injuries associated with face or faceguard impacts while concussion was more commonly associated with impacts to the side or rear of the helmet shell. Many of the injuries described resulted in prolonged or permanent absence from cricket.ConclusionsSignificant head and facial injuries occur in cricket batters despite wearing of helmets. Cricket helmet design and associated National and International Safety Standards should be improved to provide increased protection against head injury related to ball impact to the faceguard and shell of the helmet.
Dramatic impact of using protective equipment on the level of hurling-related head injuries: an ultimately successful 27-year programme
Authors: Crowley Patrick J , Crowley Michael J 
Published: February 2013

BackgroundMajor head injuries are not uncommon in the Irish national game of hurling. Historically, helmets were not worn.MethodsWe report a multistage campaign to facilitate and encourage the use of appropriate headgear among the estimated 100 000 hurling players in Ireland. This campaign lasted for 27 years between 1985 and 2012, and involved a number of different stages including: (1) facilitating the establishment of a business dedicated to developing head protection equipment suitable for hurling, (2) placing a particular emphasis on continual product enhancement to the highest industrial standards, (3) engaging continually with the game's controlling body, the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), with the ultimate objective of securing a mandatory usage policy for protective helmets and faceguards, (4) longitudinal research to monitor hurling injury, equipment usage and players’ attitudes and (5) widely communicating key research findings to GAA leaders and members, as well as to 1000 clubs and schools.ResultsOne of our three relevant studies included 798 patients and identified a dramatic association between the type of head protection used by a player, if any, and the site of the injury requiring treatment. While 51% of the injured players without head protection suffered head trauma, this rate was only 35% among the players wearing helmets and 5% among players who were wearing full head protection (both a helmet and faceguard).ConclusionThe GAA responded in three stages to the accumulating evidence: (1) they introduced a mandatory regulation for those aged less than 18 years in 2005; (2) this ruling was extended to all players under 21 years in 2007 and (3) finally extended to all players irrespective of age, gender or grade from January 2010. The latter ruling applied to both games and organised training sessions.
ALTools Case Study: How ESTsoft Lays Golden Eggs
Authors: Ahn JoongHo , Ha Sangwook , Baek Hyunmi 
Published: February 2013

ALTools is a suite of utility software offered by ESTsoft, a Korean software company. ALTools includes eight programs: ALZip (compression and archiving utility), ALSee (image viewer and editor), ALFTP (FTP client and server), ALSong (music player with lyrics), ALShow (media player), ALToolbar (toolbar for Internet Explorer), ALPass (password manager for websites) and ALYac (antivirus). As of 2010, according to KoreanClick market research, over 20 million people were using ALTools in Korea and many of the ALTools programs were ranked first in their respective product categories. ALZip, the first ALTools application, was initially created for internal use, for an employee at the ESTsoft company who did not know how to use an English file archiver program. But after it generated significant public interest, ESTsoft decided to expand the “AL” series product line, releasing ALFTP in July 2000, ALSee in August 2000, ALPass in October 2002, ALShow in July 2004, ALSong in November 2004, ALToolbar in May 2007, and ALYac in December 2007. To manage the expansion of its product line, the company packaged them into one software suite, named ALTools in 2002 and developed an additional program that could assist users in keeping the AL series software titles up to date. It also commercialized ALTools in 2002, adding banner ads in ALTools products and selling software licenses to public institutions and private companies. However, they offered ALTools for free to individual users. ESTsoft is now looking for new business opportunities in the global market for ALTools. In February 2010, ESTsoft established ESTsoft, Inc. in the United States and entered the U.S. market directly. This is its second overseas branch, following ESTsoft Japan (September 2007). Do you think ALTools will be able to continue its success in other countries, outside of Korea? What challenges might it face?
Russian Restaurant with Japanese Cuisine Makes Foreign Markets' Selection: The Case of Two Sticks
Authors: Panibratov Andrei 
Published: February 2013

The case considers the problem of the expansion strategy of the Russian Japanese restaurant Dve Palochki (Two Sticks). The focus of the case is the exploration of the regional and international opportunities for the company, particularly the Chinese market. This case is recommended for discussion in study groups in an international business strategy course when considering the following issues: choosing a foreign market entry strategy; internationalization of SME; the marketing and HR policy of a firm that is in the process of initial internationalization. This case is intended for analysis of the decisions a medium-sized enterprise's management has to make regarding its foreign expansion. Students are expected to examine the problems linked to quality management, the development of marketing activities, the adjustment of the brand concept, and the organizational restructuring. The analysis can be carried out with the following aims: to evaluate the business environment of newly internationalizing firms in the Japanese restaurant sector as it exists today in the Russian market; to realize the perspectives and difficulties of working in developing and developed markets for a firm in the process of internationalization; to carry out comparative analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of foreign strategies based on strong marketing and HR policies; to examine the promotion process of the restaurant in Russia and evaluate the options for implementing its principles in new overseas locations.
Reducing Delay of Carotid Endarterectomy in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients
Authors: Witt Agnes Hauschultz , Johnsen Soren Paaske , Jensen Leif Panduro , Hansen Allan Kornmaaler , Hundborg Heidi Holmager , Andersen Grethe 
Published: February 2013

Background and Purpose—
Guidelines recommend carotid endarterectomy (CEA) within 2 weeks from an ischemic event. However, previous studies have shown that only a minority of patients undergo CEA within this period. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a multidisciplinary nationwide initiative aimed at reducing time to CEA after acute ischemic stroke.

Methods—
We examined a historic population-based observational cohort based on individual patient-level records from the Danish Stroke Registry and the Danish Vascular Registry. The implementation of early ultrasound examination of the carotids (within 4 days from admission) in medical departments coupled with fast CEA after referral to a department of vascular surgery were monitored and audited systematically from 2008 and onward.

Results—
A total of 813 acute ischemic stroke patients underwent CEA during 2007-2010. The percentage of patients undergoing CEA within 2 weeks increased from 13% in 2007 to 47% in 2010 (adjusted odds ratio, 5.8 [95% CI, 3.4–10.1]). The overall median time decreased from 31 days to 16 days. The percentage of relevant acute ischemic stroke patients receiving early ultrasound examination of the carotids increased from 41% in 2008 to 72% in 2010. The time from referral to operation at a vascular department was reduced by ≈40%.

Conclusions—
Establishing time limits of 4 days to ultrasound examination of the carotids and of 2 weeks to CEA from onset of stroke followed by a systematic multidisciplinary monitoring and auditing of processes was associated with a substantial increase in the proportion of acute ischemic stroke patients who undergo CEA within 2 weeks in Denmark.
Long-Term Evaluation of Temperature Profiles Measured by an Operational Raman Lidar
Authors: Newsom Rob K. , Turner David D. , Goldsmith John E. M. 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
This study investigates the accuracy and calibration stability of temperature profiles derived from an operational Raman lidar over a 2-yr period from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2010. The lidar, which uses the rotational Raman technique for temperature measurement, is located at the U.S. Department of Energy's Atmospheric Radiation Measurement site near Billings, Oklahoma. The lidar performance specifications, data processing algorithms, and the results of several test runs are described. Calibration and overlap correction of the lidar is achieved using simultaneous and collocated radiosonde measurements. Results show that the calibration coefficients exhibit no significant long-term or seasonal variation but do show a distinct diurnal variation. When the diurnal variation in the calibration is not resolved the lidar temperature bias exhibits a significant diurnal variation. Test runs in which only nighttime radiosonde measurements are used for calibration show that the lidar exhibits a daytime warm bias that is correlated with the strength of the solar background signal. This bias, which reaches a maximum of ~2.4 K near solar noon, is reduced through the application of a correction scheme in which the calibration coefficients are parameterized in terms of the solar background signal. Comparison between the corrected lidar temperatures and the noncalibration radiosonde temperatures show a negligibly small median bias of −0.013 K for altitudes below 10 km AGL. The corresponding root-mean-square difference profile is roughly constant at ~2 K below 6 km AGL and increases to about 4.5 K at 10 km AGL.
Leading questions: The end of leadership – redux
Authors: Kellerman Barbara 
Published: February 2013

The article proposes that patterns of dominance and deference have changed throughout human history. It further proposes that in the last half century such change has – due to culture and technology – accelerated. These fundamental shifts have not, however, had an impact on the leadership industry, which continues, erroneously, to presume that leaders are all-important, that followers are unimportant, and that context is other than central. It is concluded that leadership education and development must themselves adapt to the changing times – times in which leaders generally are losing power and influence, while followers generally are gaining.
In vitro antitumor actions of extracts from endemic plant Helichrysum zivojinii
Authors: Matić Ivana Z , Aljančić Ivana , Žižak Željko , Vajs Vlatka , Jadranin Milka , Milosavljević Slobodan , Juranić Zorica D 
Published: February 2013

Abstract

Background
The aim of this research was to determine the intensity and mechanisms of the cytotoxic actions of five extracts isolated from the endemic plant species Helichrysum zivojinii Černjavski & Soška (family Asteraceae) against specific cancer cell lines. In order to evaluate the sensitivity of normal immunocompetent cells implicated in the antitumor immune response, the cytotoxicity of extracts was also tested against healthy peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).

Methods
The aerial parts of the plants were air-dried, powdered, and successively extracted with solvents of increasing polarity to obtain hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl-acetate, n-butanol and methanol extracts. The cytotoxic activities of the extracts against human cervix adenocarcinoma HeLa, human melanoma Fem-x, human myelogenous leukemia K562, human breast adenocarcinoma MDA-MB-361 cells and PBMC were evaluated by the MTT test. The mode of HeLa cell death was investigated by morphological analysis. Changes in the cell cycle of HeLa cells treated with the extracts were analyzed by flow cytometry. The apoptotic mechanisms induced by the tested extracts were determined using specific caspase inhibitors.

Results
The investigated Helichrysum zivojinii extracts exerted selective dose-dependent cytotoxic actions against selected cancer cell lines and healthy immunocompetent PBMC stimulated to proliferate, while the cytotoxic actions exerted on unstimulated PBMC were less pronounced. The tested extracts exhibited considerably stronger cytotoxic activities towards HeLa, Fem-x and K562 cells in comparison to resting and stimulated PBMC. It is worth noting that the cytotoxicity of the extracts was weaker against unstimulated PBMC in comparison to stimulated PBMC. Furthermore, each of the five extracts induced apoptosis in HeLa cells, through the activation of both intrinsic and extrinsic signaling pathways.

Conclusion
Extracts obtained from the endemic plant Helichrysum zivojinii may represent an important source of novel potential antitumor agents due to their pronounced and selective cytotoxic actions towards malignant cells.
Phase I study of hypofractionated intensity modulated radiation therapy with concurrent and adjuvant temozolomide in patients with glioblastoma multiforme
Authors: Jastaniyah Noha , Murtha Albert , Pervez Nadeem , Le Duc , Roa Wilson , Patel Samir , Mackenzie Marc , Fulton Dorcas , Field Colin , Ghosh Sunita , Fallone Gino , Abdulkarim Bassam 
Published: February 2013

Abstract

Purpose
To determine the safety and efficacy of hypofractionated intensity modulated radiation therapy (Hypo-IMRT) using helical tomotherapy (HT) with concurrent low dose temozolomide (TMZ) followed by adjuvant TMZ in patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).

Methods and materials
Adult patients with GBM and KPS > 70 were prospectively enrolled between 2005 and 2007 in this phase I study. The Fibonacci dose escalation protocol was implemented to establish a safe radiation fractionation regimen. The protocol defined radiation therapy (RT) dose level I as 54.4 Gy in 20 fractions over 4 weeks and dose level II as 60 Gy in 22 fractions over 4.5 weeks. Concurrent TMZ followed by adjuvant TMZ was given according to the Stupp regimen. The primary endpoints were feasibility and safety of Hypo-IMRT with concurrent TMZ. Secondary endpoints included progression free survival (PFS), pattern of failure, overall survival (OS) and incidence of pseudoprogression. The latter was defined as clinical or radiological suggestion of tumour progression within three months of radiation completion followed by spontaneous recovery of the patient.

Results
A total of 25 patients were prospectively enrolled with a median follow-up of 12.4 months. The median age at diagnosis was 53 years. Based on recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) criteria, 16%, 52% and 32% of the patients were RPA class III, class IV and class V, respectively. All patients completed concurrent RT and TMZ, and 19 patients (76.0%) received adjuvant TMZ. The median OS was 15.67 months (95% CI 11.56 - 20.04) and the median PFS was 6.7 months (95% CI 4.0 – 14.0). The median time between surgery and start of RT was 44 days (range of 28 to 77 days). Delaying radiation therapy by more than 6 weeks after surgery was an independent prognostic factor associated with a worse OS (4.0 vs. 16.1 months, P = 0.027). All recurrences occurred within 2 cm of the original gross tumour volume (GTV). No cases of pseudoprogression were identified in our cohort of patients. Three patients tolerated dose level I with no dose limiting toxicity and hence the remainder of the patients were treated with dose level II according to the dose escalation protocol. Grade 3–4 hematological toxicity was limited to two patients and one patient developed Grade 4 Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia.

Conclusion
Hypo-IMRT using HT given with concurrent TMZ is feasible and safe. The median OS and PFS are comparable to those observed with conventional fractionation. Hypofractionated radiation therapy offers the advantage of a shorter treatment period which is imperative in this group of patients with limited life expectancy.
Boron Segregation and Out-diffusion in Single-Crystal Si 1-y C y
Authors: Stewart E. J. , Sturm J.C. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBoron segregation and its effect on carbon diffusion is studied in single-crystal Si1-yCy. We find that boron segregates from silicon to Si0.996C0.004 at a level m=[B]SiC/[B]Si = 1.7 during a 2 hour, 850°Cannealin N2. After this anneal, if most of the carbon is then removed from the Si1-yCy layer (via an oxidation-enhanced out-diffusion process), most of the boron segregation is removed as well. This argues against immobile B-C defects as the predominant mechanism driving the segregation. Boron is shown to increase carbon diffusion during the N2 anneal, but also appears to enhance carbon precipitation during a subsequent oxidation.
Physics-Based Diffusion Simulations for Preamorphized Ultrashallow Junctions
Authors: Cowern N.E.B. , Colombeau B. , Lampin E. , Cristiano F. , Claverie A. , Lamrani Y. , Duffy R. , Venezia V. , Heringa A. , Wang C.C. , Zechner C. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractIn recent years there have been major advances in our understanding of the energetics, Ostwald ripening and transformations between various types of extended self-interstitial defect in Si and Ge ion-implanted silicon. As a result we can now predict the detailed time- and temperature-dependent supersaturation of interstitials during thermal evolution of these defects. This opens the way to predictive simulation of transient enhanced diffusion and dose loss in preamorphized ultrashallow junctions, where dopant movement is driven by free interstitials emitted by self-interstitial “end-of-range” defects. We present recent progress on this topic, emphasizing novel effects in highly doped ultrashallow junctions. Two key influences – the chemical pump effect due to the high concentration of dopants in ultrashallow junctions, and the ‘long hop’ behaviour of the dopant – are discussed in detail. The paper concludes by presenting simulation results that explain the recent observation of ‘uphill diffusion’ of B ultrashallow junction profiles.
Capital Structure, Earnings Management, and Sarbanes-Oxley: Evidence from Canadian and U.S. Firms
Authors: Carter Kelly E. 
Published: February 2013

SYNOPSIS
I examine Sarbanes-Oxley's (SOX) effect on capital structure. I find that SOX is associated with higher long-term debt ratios, as firms listed in the U.S. raise their long-term debt ratios by 2 to 3 percentage points. This finding is consistent with the idea that, although the reduction in information asymmetry associated with SOX could prompt managers to increase equity financing, debt is still safer and less costly than equity in the SOX era. Further analysis shows that the increase in debt occurs in the two quarters prior to SOX, suggesting that firms anticipate a higher cost of debt after SOX and acquire debt while it is relatively cheap. Also, firms that heavily (lightly) manage earnings prior to SOX use less (more) debt after SOX. This result is consistent with the view that firms that aggressively manage earnings before SOX reveal intrinsically weaker earnings after SOX, casting doubt on those firms' ability to repay debt and relegating those firms to issue equity for financing purposes.
JEL Classifications: G32; G38.
Data Availability: Data available upon request.
Digital Concentration-Distribution Models – tools for a describing heterogeneity of the hybridized magmatic mass as reflected in elemental concentration of growing crystal
Authors: Śmigielski Michał , Słaby Ewa , Domonik Andrzej 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACT
Śmigielski, M., Słaby, E. and Domonik, A. 2012. Digital Concentration-Distribution Models - tools for a describing heterogeneity of the hybridized magmatic mass as reflected in elemental concentration of growing crystal. ActaGeologica Polonica, 62 (1), 129-141. Warszawa. Raster digital models (digital concentration-distribution models - DC-DMs) as interpolations of geochemical data are proposed as a new tool to depict the crystal growth mechanism in a magmatic environment. The Natural Neighbour method is proposed for interpolation of Electron Microprobe Analysis (EMPA) data; the Natural Neighbour method and Kriging method are proposed for interpolating data collected by the LA-ICP-MS method. The crystal growth texture was analysed with the application of DC-DM derivatives: 3D surface models, shaded relief images, aspect and slope maps. The magmatic mass properties were depicted with the application of solid models. Correlation between the distributions of two elements on a single crystal transect was made by operations on the obtained raster DC-DMs. The methodology presented is a universal one but it seems to be significant for the depiction of magma mixing processes and the heterogeneity of the magmatic mass.