bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Research on Inter-Cultural Conflicts in Russia: A Case Study of Korean Companies Extending to Russia
Authors: Jung Yoo Eui 
Published: January 2012

In this research, a case-focused research was made to collect and analyse inter-cultural conflict cases of the Koreans in Russia on the basis of results of the former two stages. While the first and the second stages were focusing on forming a fundamental basis for inter-cultural interpretation and management method, this third phase is purposed to collect actual cases and to apply them in inter-cultural management. In this third research, as a priority research task, it's purpose was to collect and analyse actual conflict cases of Korean companies which were aroused because of cultural differences and to present our own new inter-cultural management methods for Russian culture. In this final report, the concept of conflict, universality and speciality of inter-national culture was investigated as a theoretical background. In chapter III, the background of Russian culture's formation and cultural code was examined to understand the speciality of Russian culture. In Chapter IV, conflict cases of Korean companies who have entered Russian markets suffering from cultural differences are collected and examined and recent changes of Russia and its business culture are investigated. In the last chapter, successful cases of Korean companies are introduced and inter-cultural management method is presented to understand, accept and apply Russian culture in future relations.
Microfinance in India: SHG-Bank Linkage Program
Authors: Jung Dong Hyeon 
Published: January 2012

Microfinance, a provision of small loans (mostly without collateral) to poor people and accepting tiny savings deposits, has existed in different forms for a long period of time across the world. Modern microfinance was born in Bangladesh in the 1970s, when Professor Muhammad Yunus, an economics professor at University of Chittagong, Bangladesh, and the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate in 2006, began an experimental research project providing credit to the rural poor by establishing Grameen Bank. Today, Grameen Bank is replicated in five continents and microfinance has shaken up the world of international development. Many banks or banking institutions are now specializing comprehensively on microfinance. In 2005, the UN designated the year as the “International Year of Micro-credit.” The critical device that has brought the success in microfinance is group-lending: this has achieved very high rate of repayment rates, thus, has made the lending sustainable. It also transfers the responsibility from bank staffs to borrowers, making lenders feel free from taking high risks. The most common group-lending model in India is “SHG (self-help group)-bank linkages” and it is primarily providing small loans from banks to groups of SHGs. Micro-saving is also its important target. Beside borrowing and saving, SHGs in India play additional roles in spheres of local politics, social harmony, social justice and its contribution to community. While the SHG model and bank-linkage program continue to be popular, many commercial and cooperative banks are now entering into the microfinance market, and there is an India-wide trend towards the formal registration of MFIs (Mocrofinance institution) as For-profit Non-bank Finance Companies (NBFCs). It also diversifies its activities into the micro-insurances and remittances. The growth of India's microfinance over the past 16 years is remarkable - and it has been accelerated for the last three years, being improved both qualitatively and quantitatively.
Ostpolitik Revisited: The Lessons and the Remaining Consequences of Nordpolitik
Authors: Kim Jangho 
Published: January 2012

This paper argues that the South Korean government's policy during the entire post Cold War period, from Roh Tae-woo's administration to the current Lee Myung-bak administration, did little to resolve the issues pertaining to the conflictual North-South relationship. This is because the problems of today, including the North Korean nuclear problem, were largely the consequences of the failure of Nordpolitik. North Korea's nuclear ambition as well as its go ahead started in the very sensitive entry period in to the post Cold War era (1988–1993). Despite all its claimed success in dealing with China, the Soviet Union, and the rest of the formerly communist countries, South Korea's Nordpolitik failed to penetrate North Korea to produce any foundation on which the problem of division could be dealt with. In fact, President Roh Tae-woo's Nordpolitik had the impact of solidifying the partition of the Korean peninsula, isolating the already fragile regime in the North - pushing it in to the embrace of nuclear arms. Thus, the questions to be asked here are: What when wrong? And, if any, what can the South Korean Government salvage from such an experience? Upon addressing these questions, the paper delves in to West Germany's successful policy of Ostpolitik to seek out lessons from it.
Globalisation, a New Model?
Authors: Raphanel Jacques 
Published: January 2012

There are different ways of looking at the experience of reality. In the topic here discussed I wished to emphasise on the difference between the economical and political one (or philosophical to take it at its actual level of understanding). In my reflection I start by asking if it is wise to believe in names. Are we doomed to globalisation? Do we have to share the neo-Darwinian ideal of universal competition? What is future about? That happens to be, also, a philosophical question. Two instances taken from modern life illustrate two different attitudes towards the idea of future. French cafes exhibit a political conception of social life. U.S. campuses wholly computerised, as in Dartmouth College, may lead to difficulties in coping with the demands of society. Is there not an anti-European attitude in the U.S.? May this not shape some of the political choices in Korean politics as the majority of Korean social elite receives its education in America? To this can be added Geo.-political considerations, differences of attitudes between Europe and the U.S.A. or Korea. Could not globalisation be regarded as a new kind of colonialism? The European model of society is quite different from the American one. We should not be confused with our North-American cousins. We hardly share the same conception about life. If the notion of globalisation is reductive, the apparent helps it seems to think the modern world might very easily turn into a major mistake if it leads to ignore cultural differences.
The Disintegrating Nature of American Politics
Authors: Kim Wook 
Published: January 2012

The American political system is unique in the world, and its political process, in particular, is clearly distinguished from that of most other democratic countries. Although this distinguishing feature of the American political process has been described in many different ways, it can be characterized most succinctly as the “politics of disintegration,” or “politics of fragmentation.” In this paper, we examine this disintegrating nature of American politics, first by pointing out several institutional factors responsible for the fragmentation of interests, and then by looking at its empirical manifestation in the policy making process. After examining two negative consequences of the disintegration, we also discuss whether and how the problem of disintegration can be cured.
HIV-1 envelope-dependent restriction of CXCR4-using viruses in child but not adult untransformed CD4+ T-lymphocyte lines
Authors: Mariani Samanta A. , Brigida Immacolata , Kajaste-Rudnitski Anna , Ghezzi Silvia , Rocchi Alessia , Plebani Anna , Vicenzi Elisa , Aiuti Alessandro , Poli Guido 
Published: January 2012

AbstractPhytohemagglutin-stimulated child and adult leukocytes equally supported CCR5-dependent (R5) and CXCR4-dependent (X4) HIV-1 replication. In contrast, when phytohemagglutin-stimulated leukocytes from either healthy or congenitally immunodeficient children were cultured on feeder cells, they well supported R5, but not X4 HIV-1 replication, whereas both viruses equally spread in adult cells maintained in similar conditions. Both child and adult cells showed similar levels of proliferation and surface expression of CD4, CCR5, CXCR4, CD25, CD69, and HLA-DR. Lack of X4 HIV-1 replication in child versus adult cells was not caused by a differential expression of several known HIV-1 restriction factors. Similar levels of HIV DNA synthesis occurred in child cells infected with R5 and X4 viruses up to 48 hours after infection when R5 HIV-1 showed a significantly superior capacity to spread in culture than X4 virus. Cultured child cells well supported single round vescicular stomatitis virus-G pseudotyped virus replication, whereas superinfection of R5-infected cells with X4 HIV-1 (or vice versa) rescued the replication of this latter virus. Thus, child cells exposed to feeder cell culture represent a novel model system in which the superior capacity of R5 versus X4 viruses to spread can be investigated in primary, untransformed CD4+ cells.
Interim 18-FDG-PET/CT failed to predict the outcome in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients treated at the diagnosis with rituximab-CHOP
Authors: Pregno Patrizia , Chiappella Annalisa , Bellò Marilena , Botto Barbara , Ferrero Simone , Franceschetti Silvia , Giunta Francesca , Ladetto Marco , Limerutti Giorgio , Menga Massimo , Nicolosi Maura , Priolo Giorgio , Puccini Benedetta , Rigacci Luigi , Salvi Flavia , Vaggelli Luca , Passera Roberto , Bisi Gianni , Vitolo Umberto 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
Role of interim-PET (I-PET) in diffuse large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) is controversial. To determine predictive value of I-PET on progression-free survival (PFS), we enrolled 88 first-line DLBCL patients treated with 6-8 R-CHOP courses regardless of I-PET. PET/CT were performed at diagnosis, after 2 to 4 courses and at the end of therapy with central reviewing according to visual dichotomous criteria. Results are as follows: I-PET, 72% negative, 28% positive; final-PET (F-PET), 88% negative, 12% positive; clinical complete response 90%. Concordance between clinical response and F-PET negativity was 97% because of 2 false positive. With a median follow-up of 26.2 months, 2-year overall survival and PFS were 91% and 77%, respectively. Two-year PFS for I-PET and F-PET negative versus positive were as follows: I-PET 85% versus 72% (P = .0475); F-PET 83% versus 64% (P < .001). Because of a small number of events, 2 independent bivariate Cox models were tested for PFS. In model 1, F-PET contradicted I-PET (hazard ratio [HR] = 5.03, P = .015 vs 1.27, P = 691); in model 2, F-PET (HR = 4.54) and International propnostic Index score (HR = 5.36, P = .001) remained independent prognostic factors. In conclusion, positive I-PET is not predictive of a worse outcome in DLBCL; larger prospective studies and harmonization of I-PET reading criteria are needed.
Comparative outcome of initial therapy for younger patients with mantle cell lymphoma: an analysis from the NCCN NHL Database
Authors: LaCasce Ann S. , Vandergrift Jonathan L. , Rodriguez Maria A. , Abel Gregory A. , Crosby Allison L. , Czuczman Myron S. , Nademanee Auayporn P. , Blayney Douglas W. , Gordon Leo I. , Millenson Michael , Vanderplas Ann , Lepisto Eva M. , Zelenetz Andrew D. , Niland Joyce , Friedberg Jonathan W. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractFew randomized trials have compared therapies in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), and the role of aggressive induction is unclear. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) Database, a prospective cohort study collecting clinical, treatment, and outcome data at 7 NCCN centers, provides a unique opportunity to compare the effectiveness of initial therapies in MCL. Patients younger than 65 diagnosed between 2000 and 2008 were included if they received RHCVAD (rituximab fractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, adriamycin, and dexamethasone), RCHOP+HDT/ASCR (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone + high-dose therapy/autologous stem cell rescue), RHCVAD+HDT/ASCR, or RCHOP. Clinical parameters were similar for patients treated with RHCVAD (n = 83, 50%), RCHOP+HDT/ASCR (n = 34, 20%), RCHOP (n = 29, 17%), or RHCVAD+HDT/ASCR (n = 21, 13%). Overall, 70 (42%) of the 167 patients progressed and 25 (15%) expired with a median follow-up of 33 months. There was no difference in progression-free survival (PFS) between aggressive regimens (P > .57), which all demonstrated superior PFS compared with RCHOP (P < .004). There was no difference in overall survival (OS) between the RHCVAD and RCHOP+HDT/ASCR (P = .98). RCHOP was inferior to RHCVAD and RCHOP+HDT/ASCR, which had similar PFS and OS. Despite aggressive regimens, the median PFS was 3 to 4 years. Future trials should focus on novel agents rather than comparing current approaches.
Prostaglandin E2 restrains macrophage maturation via E prostanoid receptor 2/protein kinase A signaling
Authors: Zasłona Zbigniew , Serezani Carlos H. , Okunishi Katsuhide , Aronoff David M. , Peters-Golden Marc 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is a lipid mediator that acts by ligating 4 distinct G protein–coupled receptors, E prostanoid (EP) 1 to 4. Previous studies identified the importance of PGE2 in regulating macrophage functions, but little is known about its effect on macrophage maturation. Macrophage maturation was studied in vitro in bone marrow cell cultures, and in vivo in a model of peritonitis. EP2 was the most abundant PGE2 receptor expressed by bone marrow cells, and its expression further increased during macrophage maturation. EP2-deficient (EP2−/−) macrophages exhibited enhanced in vitro maturation compared with wild-type cells, as evidenced by higher F4/80 expression. An EP2 antagonist also increased maturation. In the peritonitis model, EP2−/− mice exhibited a higher percentage of F4/80high/CD11bhigh cells and greater expression of macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor (M-CSFR) in both the blood and the peritoneal cavity. Subcutaneous injection of the PGE2 analog misoprostol decreased M-CSFR expression in bone marrow cells and reduced the number of peritoneal macrophages in wild-type mice but not EP2−/− mice. The suppressive effect of EP2 ligation on in vitro macrophage maturation was mimicked by a selective protein kinase A agonist. Our findings reveal a novel role for PGE2/EP2/protein kinase A signaling in the suppression of macrophage maturation.
Emerging role of serpinE2/protease nexin-1 in hemostasis and vascular biology
Authors: Bouton Marie-Christine , Boulaftali Yacine , Richard Benjamin , Arocas Véronique , Michel Jean-Baptiste , Jandrot-Perrus Martine 
Published: January 2012

AbstractSerine protease inhibitors, termed serpins, are key regulators in many biologic events. Protease nexin-1 (PN-1) is a serpin that is barely detectable in plasma but found in many organs and produced by most cell types, including monocytes, platelets, and vascular cells. It has a large inhibition spectrum because it is the most efficient tissue inhibitor of thrombin but also a powerful inhibitor of plasminogen activators and plasmin. It has a high affinity for glycosaminoglycans, such as heparan sulfates, which potentiate its activity toward thrombin and target it to the pericellular space. PN-1 has been previously largely described as a crucial regulator of the proteolytic activity in nerves and of central and peripheral nervous system function. In contrast, little was known about its involvement in hemostasis and vascular biology. This article reviews recent data underlining its emerging role as a key factor in the responses of vessels to injury. Indeed, studies of PN-1–deficient mice have established important antithrombotic and antifibrinolytic properties of this serpin that have heretofore gone unrecognized. The roles of PN-1 in the areas of hemostasis and thrombosis summarized here provide insights that may allow the development of drugs and treatment strategies to prevent or limit thrombotic disorders.
HOXA13 and HOXD13 expression during development of the syndactylous digits in the marsupial Macropus eugenii
Authors: Chew Keng Yih , Yu Hongshi , Pask Andrew J , Shaw Geoffrey , Renfree Marilyn B 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackgroundKangaroos and wallabies have specialised limbs that allow for their hopping mode of locomotion. The hindlimbs differentiate much later in development but become much larger than the forelimbs. The hindlimb autopod has only four digits, the fourth of which is greatly elongated, while digits two and three are syndactylous. We investigated the expression of two genes,HOXA13 and HOXD13, that are crucial for digit patterning in mice during formation of the limbs of the tammar wallaby.ResultsWe describe the development of the tammar limbs at key stages before birth. There was marked heterochrony and the hindlimb developed more slowly than the forelimb. Both tammarHOXA13andHOXD13have two exons as in humans, mice and chickens.HOXA13had an early and distal mRNA distribution in the tammar limb bud as in the mouse, but forelimb expression preceded that in the hindlimb.HOXD13mRNA was expressed earlier in the forelimb than the hindlimb and was predominantly detected in the interdigital tissues of the forelimb. In contrast, the hindlimb had a more restricted expression pattern that appeared to be expressed at discrete points at both posterior and anterior margins of the limb bud, and was unlike expression seen in the mouse and the chicken.ConclusionsThis is the first examination ofHOXAandHOXDgene expression in a marsupial. The gene structure and predicted proteins were highly conserved with their eutherian orthologues. Interestingly, despite the morphological differences in hindlimb patterning, there were no modifications to the polyalanine tract of eitherHOXA13orHOXD13when compared to those of the mouse and bat but there was a marked difference between the tammar and the other mammals in the region of the first polyserine tract ofHOXD13. There were also altered expression domains for both genes in the developing tammar limbs compared to the chicken and mouse. Together these findings suggest that the timing ofHOXgene expression may contribute to the heterochrony of the forelimb and hindlimb and that alteration toHOXdomains may influence phenotypic differences that lead to the development of marsupial syndactylous digits.
Heavy burden of non-communicable diseases at early age and gender disparities in an adult population of Burkina Faso: world health survey
Authors: Miszkurka Malgorzata , Haddad Slim , Langlois Étienne V , Freeman Ellen E , Kouanda Seni , Zunzunegui Maria Victoria 
Published: January 2012

Abstract

Background
WHO estimates suggest that age-specific death rates from non-communicable diseases are higher in sub-Saharan Africa than in high-income countries. The objectives of this study were to examine, in Burkina Faso, the prevalence of non-communicable disease symptoms by age, gender, socioeconomic group and setting (rural/urban), and to assess gender and socioeconomic inequalities in the prevalence of these symptoms.

Methods
We obtained data from the Burkina Faso World Health Survey, which was conducted in an adult population (18 years and over) with a high response rate (4822/4880 selected individuals). The survey used a multi-stage stratified random cluster sampling strategy to identify participants. The survey collected information on socio-demographic and economic characteristics, as well as data on symptoms of a variety of health conditions. Our study focused on joint disease, back pain, angina pectoris, and asthma. We estimated prevalence correcting for the sampling design. We used multiple Poisson regression to estimate associations between non-communicable disease symptoms, gender, socioeconomic status and setting.

Results
The overall crude prevalence and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were: 16.2% [13.5; 19.2] for joint disease, 24% [21.5; 26.6] for back pain, 17.9% [15.8; 20.2] for angina pectoris, and 11.6% [9.5; 14.2] for asthma. Consistent relationships between age and the prevalence of non-communicable disease symptoms were observed in both men and women from rural and urban settings. There was markedly high prevalence in all conditions studied, starting with young adults. Women presented higher prevalence rates of symptoms than men for all conditions: prevalence ratios and 95% CIs were 1.20 [1.01; 1.43] for joint disease, 1.42 [1.21; 1.66] for back pain, 1.68 [1.39; 2.04] for angina pectoris, and 1.28 [0.99; 1.65] for asthma. Housewives and unemployed women had the highest prevalence rates of non-communicable disease symptoms.

Conclusions
Our work suggests that social inequality extends into the distribution of non-communicable diseases among social groups and supports the thesis of a differential vulnerability in Burkinabè women. It raises the possibility of an abnormally high rate of premature morbidity that could manifest as a form of premature aging in the adult population. Increased prevention, screening and treatment are needed in Burkina Faso to address high prevalence and gender inequalities in non-communicable diseases.
Altered CXCR3 isoform expression regulates prostate cancer cell migration and invasion
Authors: Wu Qian , Dhir Rajiv , Wells Alan 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackgroundCarcinoma cells must circumvent the normally suppressive signals to disseminate. While often considered 'stop' signals for adherent cells, CXCR3-binding chemokines have recently been correlated positively with cancer progression though the molecular basis remains unclear.ResultsHere, we examined the expression and function of two CXCR3 variants in human prostate cancer biopsies and cell lines. Globally, both CXCR3 mRNA and protein were elevated in localized and metastatic human cancer biopsies compared to normal. Additionally, CXCR3A mRNA level was upregulated while CXCR3B mRNA was downregulated in these prostate cancer specimens. In contrast to normal prostate epithelial cells (RWPE-1), CXCR3A was up to half the receptor in the invasive and metastatic DU-145 and PC-3 prostate cancer cells, but not in the localized LNCaP cells. Instead of inhibiting cell migration as in RWPE-1 cells, the CXCR3 ligands CXCL4/PF4 and CXCL10/IP10 promoted cell motility and invasiveness in both DU-145 and PC-3 cells via PLCβ3 and μ-calpain activation. CXCR3-mediated diminution of cell motility in RWPE-1 cells is likely a result of cAMP upregulation and m-calpain inhibition via CXCR3B signal transduction. Interestingly, overexpression of CXCR3B in DU-145 cells decreased cell movement and invasion.ConclusionThese data suggest that the aberrant expression of CXCR3A and down-regulation of CXCR3B may switch a progression "stop" to a "go" signal to promote prostate tumor metastasis via stimulating cell migration and invasion.