bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Resident Peritoneal NK Cells
Authors: Gonzaga Rosemary , Matzinger Polly , Perez-Diez Ainhoa 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
In this study, we describe a new population of NK cells that reside in the normal, uninflamed peritoneal cavity. Phenotypically, they share some similarities with the small population of CD49b−, CD27+ immature splenic NK cells, as well as liver NK cells, but they differ in their expression of CD62L, TRAIL, and EOMES. Functionally, the peritoneal NK cells resemble the immature splenic NK cells in their production of IFN-γ, GM-CSF, and TNF-α and in the killing of YAC-1 target cells. We also found that the peritoneum induces different behavior in mature and immature splenic NK cells. When transferred i.v. into RAGγc knockout mice, both populations undergo homeostatic proliferation in the spleen, but only the immature splenic NK cells are able to reach the peritoneum. When transferred directly into the peritoneum, the mature NK cells survive but do not divide, whereas the immature NK cells proliferate profusely. These data suggest that the peritoneum is not only home to a new subset of tissue-resident NK cells, but that it differentially regulates the migration and homeostatic proliferation of immature versus mature NK cells.
Antigen Targeting to Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells via Siglec-H Inhibits Th Cell-Dependent Autoimmunity
Authors: Loschko Jakob , Heink Sylvia , Hackl Daniela , Dudziak Diana , Reindl Wolfgang , Korn Thomas , Krug Anne B. 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDCs) have been shown to present Ags and to contribute to peripheral immune tolerance and to Ag-specific adaptive immunity. However, modulation of adaptive immune responses by selective Ag targeting to PDCs with the aim of preventing autoimmunity has not been investigated. In the current study, we demonstrate that in vivo Ag delivery to murine PDCs via the specifically expressed surface molecule sialic acid binding Ig-like lectin H (Siglec-H) inhibits Th cell and Ab responses in the presence of strong immune stimulation in an Ag-specific manner. Correlating with sustained low-level MHC class II-restricted Ag presentation on PDCs, Siglec-H–mediated Ag delivery induced a hyporesponsive state in CD4+ T cells leading to reduced expansion and Th1/Th17 cell polarization without conversion to Foxp3+ regulatory T cells or deviation to Th2 or Tr1 cells. Siglec-H–mediated delivery of a T cell epitope derived from the autoantigen myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein to PDCs effectively delayed onset and reduced disease severity in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by interfering with the priming phase without promoting the generation or expansion of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-specific Foxp3+ regulatory T cells. We conclude that Ag delivery to PDCs can be harnessed to inhibit Ag-specific immune responses and prevent Th cell-dependent autoimmunity.
Output performance of a foodservice R&D project
Authors: Tikkanen Irma 
Published: November 2011

PurposeThe aim of the paper is to describe the output performance of a foodservice R&D project conducted with hospitality management students. A school meal project is illustrated as a case.Design/methodology/approachThe theoretical basis refers to the discussions of R&D output performance. The output measures on three levels are illustrated.FindingsThe empirical findings indicated that the output performance was achieved on three levels. On the scientific level, seven scientific articles were published. On the project level, one project report and five articles in Finnish professional journals were published. Finally, five Bachelor's theses were successfully completed, all of which contributes to the level of learning and teaching. Moreover, further procedures involved designing a questionnaire for the project, and utilizing collected empirical quantitative data in learning and teaching.Practical implicationsThe school meal project conducted with students offered various kinds of possibilities for learning, teaching, and publishing. The published scientific articles disseminated the empirical results to international foodservice and nutrition audience, and the project report served both the local foodservice experts as well as the project financiers.Originality/valueThe value of the results is that a multilevel output performance for all actors was achieved by conducting a school meal project in cooperation with the students, the teachers, and the financiers.
Some thoughts on the decline of pension schemes
Authors: Smith Julia A. , MacLaren Jade A. 
Published: November 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a review which brings together the existing literature on the reasons for the decline in pension schemes.Design/methodology/approachAdopting a positivist stance, where the reality of man as an adaptor, in a study of systems, processes and change is observed, the authors undertake a review of the existing literature on pensions and pension accounting.FindingsWhat is absent from the existing literature is a review of the extent to which both a variety and a combination of factors affect companies' decisions to close their defined benefit pension scheme.Originality/valueThe paper provides an holistic overview of the diverse range of literature that addresses the decline in pension schemes.
Tunepal: searching a digital library of traditional music scores
Authors: Duggan Bryan , O'Shea Brendan 
Published: November 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to describe the Tunepal project as an example of a music information retrieval (MIR) system that is having an impact on how musicians access, learn and play traditional Irish music around the world.Design/methodology/approachThis paper describes the functionality of the Tunepal system: consisting of the tune corpus, the web site tunepal.org and mobile apps supporting iOS and Android OS. Tunepal facilitates query‐by‐title and query‐by‐playing music (QBP) searches and allows a musician to retrieve and playback scores amongst other supported functions.FindingsTunepal has been favorably received and musicians report that the system is being used in a variety of scenarios including archiving and the preparation of sleeve notes for commercial recordings. Tunepal has a growing user base in 25 countries.Originality/valueThe comprehensive tune corpus (over 16,000 compositions), the query‐by‐playing technology and the fact that the mobile apps provide access to the corpus in situ in traditional music sessions and classes make this project uniquely useful.
The CEO's ethical dilemma in the era of earnings management
Authors: Martin Roger 
Published: November 2011

PurposeThe paper aims to argue that stock‐based compensation for top leaders is a very recent phenomenon that is associated with lower shareholder returns, bubbles and crashes and huge corporate scandals and that it is time to bring an end to it and find a better, more authentic approach that will enable corporations, stakeholders and the financial community to thrive.Design/methodology/approachThe paper details how many executives engage in a dangerous and little‐discussed practice that comes very close to the line of illegality, one that betrays the spirit of securities laws and accounting regulation: earnings management. It concludes that far too many corporate leaders are now using their talents and corporate resources to smooth earnings, and bump up the stock price, rather than to build their companies.FindingsThe paper proposes that corporations find a way to restore the focus of the executive on the real market and on an authentic life by eliminating the use of stock‐based compensation as an incentive.Practical implicationsThe author's remedy: top executives should be prevented from selling any stock – for any reason – while serving as a corporate leader, and indeed for several years after leaving their post.Originality/valueThe author calls for an end to stock‐based compensation because it is associated with lower shareholder returns, bubbles and crashes and huge corporate scandals.
Tourists' external information search behavior model: the case of Thailand
Authors: Erawan Theera , Krairit Donyaprueth , Ba Khang Do 
Published: November 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to expand and empirically test a model of tourist external information search behaviour.Design/methodology/approachA conceptual model was developed based on the “three‐pronged approach,” an approach that is used to cross validate among the results from literature review, expert interviews, and an exploratory field study in order to confirm and propose a reliable conceptual model. A confirmatory factor analysis was then performed to ensure that the constructs were valid and reliable. Structural equation modeling was used to test the conceptual model and its hypotheses.FindingsThe results revealed six variables that are significantly related to tourists' external information search behavior. Four of these variables had not been identified previously. These are as follows: information sources usefulness and accessibility, subjective norms, perceived personal risk, and ability to search.Research limitations/implicationsThe issue of model generalization should be taken into account because the samples were limited to non‐group tour and first time visited tourists. Further research should consider other tourist groups.Practical implicationsThe results from this study provide useful information for both government and tourism‐related businesses in planning marketing communication strategies to help promote Thailand as a travel destination.Originality/valueBy proposing a managerial modeling based on theoretical foundations and methodologies, both quantitative and qualitative approaches, this study is among the first that expands the model of tourist external information search behavior by fully exploring the determinants of external information search behavior and integrates the theory of planned behavior into the model.
Fiscal and monetary institutions and policies: onward and upward?
Authors: Burdekin Richard C.K. , Banaian King , Hallerberg Mark , Siklos Pierre L. 
Published: November 2011

PurposeThe latest generation of research into macroeconomic policy has turned from more technical aspects of optimal control and expectations formation to consideration of the policymaking institutions themselves. More and more countries have moved towards greater degrees of central bank independence, including many developing economies as well the member countries of the European Central Bank. What still is not generally settled among economists is how to measure the stance of policy and the institutional features of the policymaking process. The purpose of this paper is to assess prevailing monetary and fiscal policies.Design/methodology/approachThe paper takes the form of a review encompassing many different measurements of policy stance and policymaking processes. The authors begin with monetary policy followed by an analysis of central bank institutions. The next sections turn to fiscal policy and the need to adjust budget balance for the state of the business cycle. There is then a brief concluding section.FindingsThe authors show in this review that fiscal and monetary rules, and economists' understanding of them, have changed substantially over the years. While on one level there is greater consensus, there have been new questions raised in the process that leave plenty of room for further ongoing research in these key policy areas as well as the optimal design of the design of the monetary and fiscal institutions concerned.Originality/valueThe paper provides a review of the existing literature updated and applied with reference to recent events, including the global financial crisis.
IFAS paper: a qualitative investigation into beliefs about aggression in an Indian sample
Authors: Thanzami VanLal , Archer John , Sullivan Cath 
Published: November 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate Western studies on beliefs about aggression which have found that men typically hold instrumental beliefs and women hold expressive beliefs.Design/methodology/approachTo investigate whether beliefs about aggression are qualitatively different in an Indian sample, interviews were undertaken with focus groups of 16 and 26‐year‐olds from north‐east India.FindingsIPA analysis indicated that respondents viewed their aggression in terms of: how they might appear; honour or shame; gender roles; and as a loss of self‐control. These findings indicate that beliefs about aggression held in this Indian sample are more complex than can be characterised by the instrumental/expressive dimension.Practical implicationsImplications of these findings for developing more culture‐specific measures of beliefs about aggression are discussed.
Influencing factor analysis of the investment efficiency of the environmental governance
Authors: Tao Min , Li Hongwei , Xu Huanjun 
Published: November 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to get hold of the main influence factors of the investment efficiency of environmental governance and control them to improve its efficiency sensitively and employ full use of the investment of environmental governance.Design/methodology/approachThe assessment index system of the investment efficiency of environmental governance is built. Its investment efficiency is assessed based on data envelopment analysis (DEA). The influence degree on the efficiency between each assessment index is calculated by the grey incidence degree analysis method to find the key influence factors. The efficiency of the investment in the environmental governance can be improved by managing and controlling the key factors.FindingsThe results prove that it is available by the data of 14 cities in Shandong Province in 2008. The key influence factors of the investment efficiency of the environmental governance are: total investment in the treatment of environmental pollution (F1); industrial soot removal (F3); industrial wastewater meeting discharge standards (F2); and the volume of garbage disposal (F9).Practical implicationsThe method exposed in the paper can be used to solve investment efficiency problem of the environmental governance of the other provinces, or other years and even other countries.Originality/valueThe paper succeeds in solving investment efficiency problem of the environmental governance by DEA and grey incidence degree analysis method.
Theoretical discussion of applying grey system theory in neuropsychological studies
Authors: Wei Cui , Jun‐fu Cui 
Published: November 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss the possibility and necessity of using grey system theory in neuropsychological studies.Design/methodology/approachThe paper employs a logical analysis approach.FindingsThere are three characteristics of neuropsychological studies: the particularity of the study subjects; the specialty of the study scheme; and insufficient data from traditional statistical methods. Grey system theory is appropriate for analyzing the data collected in neuropsychological studies.Originality/valueAfter several years' significant development, grey system theory has been applied in various subjects successfully. However, the application in psychology and medicine is still a rarity.
Evaluation of thyroid nodules – combined use of 99mTc‐methylisobutylnitrile scintigraphy and aspiration cytology to assess risk of malignancy and stratify patients for surgical or nonsurgical therapy – a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Leidig‐Bruckner Gudrun , Cichorowski Gerd , Sattler Peter , Bruckner Thomas , Sattler Bernd 
Published: November 2011

SummaryObjective  Thyroid nodules are a common clinical problem, and differentiation between benign and malignant nodules is essential. The aim of this study was to evaluate an approach for cold thyroid nodules including 99mTc‐methylisobutylnitrile (MIBI) scintigraphy to assess risk of malignancy and stratify patients for therapy.Design  Retrospective cohort study; 391 patients with at least one cold thyroid nodule were consecutively admitted (between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2006) and recommended for surgical or nonsurgical therapy.Measurements  Thyroid ultrasonography, 99mTc‐pertechnetate scintigraphy, laboratory tests, fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and MIBI scintigraphy.Results  57·3% (224/391) had one cold nodule, 17·9% (70/391) had several cold nodules, and 24·8% (97/391) had both cold and hot nodules. MIBI scintigraphy was classified into ‘positive’ (16·1%, 63/391), ‘weakly positive’ (19·2%, 75/391) or ‘negative’ (64·7%, 253/391). FNAC was classified into benign (87·9%, 247/281), nondiagnostic (6·8%, 19/281) or suspicious/malignant (5·3%, 15/281). 127 patients received surgery, revealing malignancy in 13·3% (17/127), predominantly papillary (64·7%, 11/17) and follicular carcinoma (23·5%, 4/17). MIBI scintigraphy was ‘positive’ (64·7%, 11/17) or ‘weakly positive’ (23·5%, 4/17) in most patients with malignant findings. FNAC was unavailable in 23·5% (4/17) with malignancy, positive in 38·5% (5/13) and negative in 61·5% (8/13). Among patients undergoing surgery, sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values for MIBI scintigraphy were 88·2%, 35·5%, 95·1% and 17·4%, for FNAC 38·5%, 90·6%, 90·6% and 38·5%, respectively, and for the combination (MIBI scan + FNAC) 92·3%, 30·6%, 96·3% and 16·9%. Benign MIBI‐positive nodules were predominantly follicular adenomas (68%, 33/48).Conclusion  Evaluation of cold thyroid nodules by MIBI scintigraphy aids therapeutic decisions: MIBI‐negative findings support nonsurgical management in about two‐thirds of patients, while MIBI‐positive findings have an increased risk of malignancy, supporting surgical therapy. However, the positive predictive value was low, which requires further research.
Examining the Interrelationship of Migraine Onset, Duration, and Time to Treatment
Authors: Landy Stephen H. , Runken M. Chris , Bell Christopher F. , Higbie Rachel L. , Haskins Lisa S. 
Published: November 2011

Objective.— The objective of this study is to investigate migraines, both longitudinally and cross‐sectionally, to understand the impact that time of treatment has on migraine duration and the patients' return to daily functioning.Background.— Several studies have explored the relationship between migraine treatment and its impact on migraine duration; however, the interrelationship of migraine onset and impact of treatment timing on migraine resolution is not completely understood.Design/Methods.— Five hundred and nine migraineurs completed 1 online baseline survey and a diary survey after each of their next 3 migraines. All subjects were 18 or older and were employed full time.Results.— Migraine episodes treated within 1 hour were significantly shorter on average than those treated after 1 hour (9.1 hours vs 12.3 hours) (P < .05). Over‐the‐counter medication was the most frequently reported first‐line treatment (44%) followed by an oral triptan (30%), another prescription medication (14%), and combination therapy (4%). Rescue treatment was reported in 57% of attacks. The majority of over‐the‐counter (69%) and another prescription (55%) treated attacks required rescue whereas only 39% of first‐line triptan attacks required rescue.Conclusions.— Treating migraines early with an oral triptan‐containing therapy appears to be a very effective method for reducing migraine duration and preventing the need for additional medication. Our findings also suggest that physicians should spend more time educating patients how to identify migraines early. Understanding the relationship between these key factors will provide insight into appropriate treatment and management of migraines, and more importantly, equip patients with the tools necessary to improve their outcomes and overall impact on functioning.(Headache 2012;52:363‐373)
Knockdown of c‐Met enhances sensitivity to bortezomib in human multiple myeloma U266 cells via inhibiting Akt/mTOR activity
Authors: QUE WENZHONG , CHEN JUNMIN , CHUANG MA , JIANG DANRONG 
Published: November 2011

Que W, Chen J, Chuang M, Jiang D. Knockdown of c‐Met enhances sensitivity to bortezomib in human multiple myeloma U266 cells via inhibiting Akt/mTOR activity. APMIS 2012; 120: 195–203.The c‐Met is a receptor tyrosine kinase that is overexpressed in human myeloma cell lines and promotes the survival and drug resistance of myeloma cells. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms by which c‐Met contributes to the chemoresistance in myeloma. Stable U266 cell line in which c‐Met was effectively knockdown was employed and treated with bortezomib. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT assay. Cell cycle profile and apoptosis were examined by cytometry analysis. The expression of cell cycle related proteins, and the activities of caspases and Akt/mTOR were detected by Western blot analysis. The c‐Met knockdown in U266 cells decreased the average IC50 of bortezomib, induced G0/G1 phase arrest, and increased caspase‐mediated apoptosis in U266 cells exposed to bortezomib. In addition, c‐Met knockdown decreased the level of cyclin D1 and increased the levels of p27 and cleaved caspase 3 and caspase 9. Moreover, the Akt/mTOR activity in U266 cells treated with bortezomib was downregulated upon c‐Met knockdown and c‐Met knockdown U266 cells recovered chemoresistance upon the overexpression of Akt and mTOR. Our data demonstrate that c‐Met is a potential therapeutic target for multiple myeloma, and Akt/mTOR is a key signaling component through which c‐Met protects multiple myeloma cells from chemotherapy‐induced growth inhibition and apoptosis.
Two Series of Multicomponent Rare Earth (Eu3+, Tb3+, Sm3+) Polymeric Hybrids: Chemically Bonded Assembly and Photophysical Properties
Authors: Yan Bing , Guo Min , Li Qiuping 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACTIn the present work, two new chemical linkages (BPDA‐PAM, BPDA‐DG) are synthesized through the reaction between 4,4′‐biphthalic anhydride (BPDA) and acrylamide (AM), diethylene glycol (DG), respectively. Then two novel series of multicomponent rare earth (Eu3+, Tb3+, Sm3+) polymeric hybrids have been assembled through the coordination bonding: one is from the linkage BPDA‐PAM to form the hybrids BPDA‐PAM‐RE‐phen(bipy) (2,2′‐bipyridine (bipy) and 1,10‐penanthroline (phen)), the other is from the linkage BPDA‐DG to compose the hybrids BPDA‐DG‐RE‐PVP and PVP (PVP = poly vinylpyridine). These hybrids are characterized and especially the photophysical properties (luminescence spectra, lifetimes and quantum efficiencies) are discussed in detail.