bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Corporate Philanthropy: A Study of Consumer Perceptions
Authors: Rampal Megha , Bawa Anupam 
Published: August 2011

The purpose of this research is to examine the perceptions that consumers have about corporate philanthropy and to determine the similarity or differences in perception across different socio demographic groups. Perceptions have been examined with the help of the model of information processing for consumer decision making. This research assumes importance because of lack of similar research in India and the likelihood of increasing corporate philanthropy in India. Data was collected from 102 respondents selected randomly through multistage area sampling. Nine hypotheses were tested. In addition answers were sought to two research questions. The study reveals that while the Indian consumers perceive corporate philanthropy to be important they attach more importance to quality, price and brand popularity than to corporate philanthropy. The interpretation of corporate philanthropic activities is mixed. The motive for corporate philanthropy is largely perceived to be self interest although on some counts corporate philanthropy leads to gain in reputation. Corporate philanthropy is not likely to translate into greater patronage from consumers. The perceptions of different socio demographic groups are largely similar. While the communication of corporate philanthropic efforts needs to be improved the corporate philanthropic efforts themselves may be designed keeping in mind people's preference for progressive and secular issues.
Innovations and Evolution of Software SMEs: Exploring the Trajectories for Sustainable Growth
Authors: Nirjar Abhishek 
Published: August 2011

This paper aims to understand the role of innovativeness in ensuring the sustained performance of entrepreneurial enterprises. The paper is set in the high technology industry and focuses on the Indian small and medium sized enterprises engaged in software development. Based on the options of growth available to firms in the software sector, the paper sets out to present a model of evolution for indicating the stages of firms' growth vis-à-vis its innovative capability. The innovation capability of the firm is being represented by an ‘index of innovativeness’ which is derived from data on measures of firm innovativeness collected through a questionnaire survey of 244 software firms across India. The dimensions of technological growth adopted in this research are concerned with performing technologically more complex tasks by means of (i) moving up the software value ladder and/or (ii) by entering new industry sectors. The model and index can be utilised for further studies on high technology firms.
Attitude of Indian Business Executives towards Managerial Decision Making
Authors: Singh Deepali , Varshney J. C. 
Published: August 2011

Effective and productive decisions are the mechanisms through which an organisation reduces the gap between actual and desired states, reaches new heights and indicates its present growth and success. As decision makers are constantly faced with complex, critical and challenging problems, business executives have to value and emphasise the process of decision making, acquaint themselves with adequate knowledge and facts, possess high degree of positive attitude towards importance of managerial decision making and problem solving capabilities. This paper examines the attitude of Indian business executives towards Executive Decision Making, compares the attitude of top and middle level executives, analyses reasons for the differences and suggests the measures to reduce this gap.
Gene induction and repression during terminal erythropoiesis are mediated by distinct epigenetic changes
Authors: Wong Piu , Hattangadi Shilpa M. , Cheng Albert W. , Frampton Garrett M. , Young Richard A. , Lodish Harvey F. 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
It is unclear how epigenetic changes regulate the induction of erythroid-specific genes during terminal erythropoiesis. Here we use global mRNA sequencing (mRNA-seq) and chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled to high-throughput sequencing (CHIP-seq) to investigate the changes that occur in mRNA levels, RNA polymerase II (Pol II) occupancy, and multiple posttranslational histone modifications when erythroid progenitors differentiate into late erythroblasts. Among genes induced during this developmental transition, there was an increase in the occupancy of Pol II, the activation marks H3K4me2, H3K4me3, H3K9Ac, and H4K16Ac, and the elongation methylation mark H3K79me2. In contrast, genes that were repressed during differentiation showed relative decreases in H3K79me2 levels yet had levels of Pol II binding and active histone marks similar to those in erythroid progenitors. We also found that relative changes in histone modification levels, in particular, H3K79me2 and H4K16ac, were most predictive of gene expression patterns. Our results suggest that in terminal erythropoiesis both promoter and elongation-associated marks contribute to the induction of erythroid genes, whereas gene repression is marked by changes in histone modifications mediating Pol II elongation. Our data map the epigenetic landscape of terminal erythropoiesis and suggest that control of transcription elongation regulates gene expression during terminal erythroid differentiation.
Noninvasive bioluminescent imaging of primary patient acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a strategy for preclinical modeling
Authors: Barrett David M. , Seif Alix E. , Carpenito Carmine , Teachey David T. , Fish Jonathan D. , June Carl H. , Grupp Stephan A. , Reid Gregor S. D. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractThe efficient engraftment in immune-deficient mice achieved with both acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cell lines and primary samples has facilitated identification of the antileukemia activity of a wide variety of agents. Despite widespread usage, however, little is known about the early ALL localization and engraftment kinetics in this model, limiting experimental read-outs primarily to survival and endpoint analysis at high disease burden. In this study, we report that bioluminescent imaging can be reproducibly achieved with primary human ALL samples. This approach provides a noninvasive, longitudinal measure of leukemia burden and localization that enhances the sensitivity of treatment response detection and provides greater insight into the mechanism of action of antileukemia agents. In addition, this study reveals significant cell line– and species-related differences in leukemia migration, especially early in expansion, which may confound observations between various leukemia models. Overall, this study demonstrates that the use of bioluminescent primary ALL allows the detection and quantitation of treatment effects at earlier, previously unquantifiable disease burdens and thus provides the means to standardize and expedite the evaluation of anti-ALL activity in preclinical xenograft studies.
Cereblon expression is required for the antimyeloma activity of lenalidomide and pomalidomide
Authors: Zhu Yuan Xiao , Braggio Esteban , Shi Chang-Xin , Bruins Laura A. , Schmidt Jessica E. , Van Wier Scott , Chang Xiu-Bao , Bjorklund Chad C. , Fonseca Rafael , Bergsagel P. Leif , Orlowski Robert Z. , Stewart A. Keith 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
The precise molecular mechanism of action and targets through which thalidomide and related immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) exert their antitumor effects remains unclear. We investigated the role of cereblon (CRBN), a primary teratogenic target of thalidomide, in the antimyeloma activity of IMiDs. CRBN depletion is initially cytotoxic to human myeloma cells, but surviving cells with stable CRBN depletion become highly resistant to both lenalidomide and pomalidomide, but not to the unrelated drugs bortezomib, dexamethasone, and melphalan. Acquired deletion of CRBN was found to be the primary genetic event differentiating isogenic MM1.S cell lines cultured to be sensitive or resistant to lenalidomide and pomalidomide. Gene expression changes induced by lenalidomide were dramatically suppressed in the presence of CRBN depletion, further demonstrating that CRBN is required for lenalidomide activity. Downstream targets of CRBN include interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) previously reported to also be a target of lenalidomide. Patients exposed to, and putatively resistant to, lenalidomide had lower CRBN levels in paired samples before and after therapy. In summary, CRBN is an essential requirement for IMiD activity and a possible biomarker for the clinical assessment of antimyeloma efficacy.
Necessary and sufficient conditions for a class of functions and their reciprocals to be logarithmically completely monotonic
Authors: Lv Yu-Pei , Sun Tian-Chuan , Chu Yu-Ming 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
We prove that the function F

α,β
(x) = x

α
Γ
β
(x)/Γ(βx) is strictly logarithmically completely monotonic on (0, ∞) if and only if (α, β) ∈ {(α, β) : β > 0, β ≥ 2α + 1, β ≥ α + 1}\{(α, β) : α = 0, β = 1} and that [F

α,β
(x)]-1 is strictly logarithmically completely monotonic on (0, ∞) if and only if (α, β) ∈ {(α, β ) : β > 0, β ≤ 2α + 1, β ≤ α + 1}\{(α, β ) : α = 0, β = 1}.

2010 Mathematics Subject Classification: 33B15; 26A48.
JNK suppression is essential for 17β-Estradiol inhibits prostaglandin E2-Induced uPA and MMP-9 expressions and cell migration in human LoVo colon cancer cells
Authors: Hsu Hsi-Hsien , Hu Wei-Syun , Lin Yueh-Min , Kuo Wei-Wen , Chen Li-Mien , Chen Wei-Kung , Hwang Jin-Ming , Tsai Fuu-Jen , Liu Chung-Jung , Huang Chih-Yang 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Background
Epidemiological studies demonstrate that the incidence and mortality rates of colorectal cancer in women are lower than in men. However, it is unknown if 17β-estradiol treatment is sufficient to inhibit prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)-induced cellular motility in human colon cancer cells.

Methods
We analyzed the protein expression of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), matrix metallopeptidases (MMPs), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), and the cellular motility in PGE2-stimulated human LoVo cells. 17β-Estradiol and the inhibitors including LY294002 (Akt activation inhibitor), U0126 (ERK1/2 inhibitor), SB203580 (p38 MAPK inhibitor), SP600125 (JNK1/2 inhibitor), QNZ (NFκB inhibitor) and ICI 182 780 were further used to explore the inhibitory effects of 17β-estradiol on PGE2-induced LoVo cell motility. Student's t-test was used to analyze the difference between the two groups.

Results
Upregulation of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and matrix metallopeptidases (MMPs) is reported to associate with the development of cancer cell mobility, metastasis, and subsequent malignant tumor. After administration of inhibitors including LY294002, U0126, SB203580, SP600125 or QNZ, we found that PGE2 treatment up-regulated uPA and MMP-9 expression via JNK1/2 signaling pathway, thus promoting cellular motility in human LoVo cancer cells. However, PGE2 treatment showed no effects on regulating expression of tPA, MMP-2, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, -2, -3 and -4 (TIMP-1, -2, -3 and -4). We further observed that 17β-estradiol treatment inhibited PGE2-induced uPA, MMP-9 and cellular motility by suppressing activation of JNK1/2 in human LoVo cancer cells.

Conclusions
Collectively, these results suggest that 17β-estradiol treatment significantly inhibits PGE2-induced motility of human LoVo colon cancer cells.
The major leucyl aminopeptidase of Trypanosoma cruzi (LAPTc) assembles into a homohexamer and belongs to the M17 family of metallopeptidases
Authors: Cadavid-Restrepo Gloria , Gastardelo Thiago S , Faudry Eric , de Almeida Hugo , Bastos Izabela MD , Negreiros Raquel S , Lima Meire M , Assumpção Teresa C , Almeida Keyla C , Ragno Michel , Ebel Christine , Ribeiro Bergmann M , Felix Carlos R , Santana Jaime M 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Background
Pathogens depend on peptidase activities to accomplish many physiological processes, including interaction with their hosts, highlighting parasitic peptidases as potential drug targets. In this study, a major leucyl aminopeptidolytic activity was identified in Trypanosoma cruzi, the aetiological agent of Chagas disease.

Results
The enzyme was isolated from epimastigote forms of the parasite by a two-step chromatographic procedure and associated with a single 330-kDa homohexameric protein as determined by sedimentation velocity and light scattering experiments. Peptide mass fingerprinting identified the enzyme as the predicted T. cruzi aminopeptidase EAN97960. Molecular and enzymatic analysis indicated that this leucyl aminopeptidase of T. cruzi (LAPTc) belongs to the peptidase family M17 or leucyl aminopeptidase family. LAPTc has a strong dependence on neutral pH, is mesophilic and retains its oligomeric form up to 80°C. Conversely, its recombinant form is thermophilic and requires alkaline pH.

Conclusions
LAPTc is a 330-kDa homohexameric metalloaminopeptidase expressed by all T. cruzi forms and mediates the major parasite leucyl aminopeptidolytic activity. Since biosynthetic pathways for essential amino acids, including leucine, are lacking in T. cruzi, LAPTc could have a function in nutritional supply.
Knowledge engineering tools for reasoning with scientific observations and interpretations: a neural connectivity use case
Authors: Russ Thomas A , Ramakrishnan Cartic , Hovy Eduard H , Bota Mihail , Burns Gully APC 
Published: August 2011

AbstractBackgroundWe address the goal of curating observations from published experiments in a generalizable form; reasoning over these observations to generate interpretations and then querying this interpreted knowledge to supply the supporting evidence. We present web-application software as part of the 'BioScholar' project (R01-GM083871) that fully instantiates this process for a well-defined domain: using tract-tracing experiments to study the neural connectivity of the rat brain.ResultsThe main contribution of this work is to provide the first instantiation of a knowledge representation for experimental observations called 'Knowledge Engineering from Experimental Design' (KEfED) based on experimental variables and their interdependencies. The software has three parts: (a) the KEfED model editor - a design editor for creating KEfED models by drawing a flow diagram of an experimental protocol; (b) the KEfED data interface - a spreadsheet-like tool that permits users to enter experimental data pertaining to a specific model; (c) a 'neural connection matrix' interface that presents neural connectivity as a table of ordinal connection strengths representing the interpretations of tract-tracing data. This tool also allows the user to view experimental evidence pertaining to a specific connection. BioScholar is built in Flex 3.5. It uses Persevere (anoSQLdatabase) as a flexible data store and PowerLoom®(a mature First Order Logic reasoning system) to execute queries using spatial reasoning over the BAMS neuroanatomical ontology.ConclusionsWe first introduce the KEfED approach as a general approach and describe its possible role as a way of introducing structured reasoning into models of argumentation within new models of scientific publication. We then describe the design and implementation of our example application: the BioScholar software. This is presented as a possible biocuration interface and supplementary reasoning toolkit for a larger, more specialized bioinformatics system: the Brain Architecture Management System (BAMS).
New genomic resources for switchgrass: a BAC library and comparative analysis of homoeologous genomic regions harboring bioenergy traits
Authors: Saski Christopher A , Li Zhigang , Feltus Frank A , Luo Hong 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Background
Switchgrass, a C4 species and a warm-season grass native to the prairies of North America, has been targeted for development into an herbaceous biomass fuel crop. Genetic improvement of switchgrass feedstock traits through marker-assisted breeding and biotechnology approaches calls for genomic tools development. Establishment of integrated physical and genetic maps for switchgrass will accelerate mapping of value added traits useful to breeding programs and to isolate important target genes using map based cloning. The reported polyploidy series in switchgrass ranges from diploid (2X = 18) to duodecaploid (12X = 108). Like in other large, repeat-rich plant genomes, this genomic complexity will hinder whole genome sequencing efforts. An extensive physical map providing enough information to resolve the homoeologous genomes would provide the necessary framework for accurate assembly of the switchgrass genome.

Results
A switchgrass BAC library constructed by partial digestion of nuclear DNA with Eco RI contains 147,456 clones covering the effective genome approximately 10 times based on a genome size of 3.2 Gigabases (~1.6 Gb effective). Restriction digestion and PFGE analysis of 234 randomly chosen BACs indicated that 95% of the clones contained inserts, ranging from 60 to 180 kb with an average of 120 kb. Comparative sequence analysis of two homoeologous genomic regions harboring orthologs of the rice OsBRI1 locus, a low-copy gene encoding a putative protein kinase and associated with biomass, revealed that orthologous clones from homoeologous chromosomes can be unambiguously distinguished from each other and correctly assembled to respective fingerprint contigs. Thus, the data obtained not only provide genomic resources for further analysis of switchgrass genome, but also improve efforts for an accurate genome sequencing strategy.

Conclusions
The construction of the first switchgrass BAC library and comparative analysis of homoeologous harboring OsBRI1 orthologs present a glimpse into the switchgrass genome structure and complexity. Data obtained demonstrate the feasibility of using HICF fingerprinting to resolve the homoeologous chromosomes of the two distinct genomes in switchgrass, providing a robust and accurate BAC-based physical platform for this species. The genomic resources and sequence data generated will lay the foundation for deciphering the switchgrass genome and lead the way for an accurate genome sequencing strategy.
Assessment of LED fluorescence microscopy for the diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum infections in Gabon
Authors: Lenz Dominic , Kremsner Peter G , Lell Bertrand , Biallas Barbara , Boettcher Michael , Mordmüller Benjamin , Adegnika Ayola A 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Background
Rapid and accurate diagnosis of malaria is central to clinical management and the prevention of drug-overuse, which may lead to resistance development, toxicity and economic losses. So far, light microscopy (LM) of Giemsa-stained thick blood smears is the gold standard. Under optimal conditions the procedure is fast and reliable; nevertheless a gain in speed would be a great advantage. Rapid diagnosis tests are an alternative, although they cost more and give qualitative instead of quantitative results. Light-emitting diode (LED) fluorescence microscopy (ledFM 400 ×, 1000 ×) may offer a reliable and cheap alternative, which can be used at the point of care.

Methods
LedFM and conventional fluorescence microscopy (uvFM) were compared to LM in 210 samples from patients with history of fever in the last 24 hours admitted to the Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Lambaréné, Gabon.

Results
Sensitivities were 99.1% for ledFM and 97.0% for uvFM, specificities 90.7% for ledFM 400 × and 92.6% for ledFM 1000 × and uvFM. High agreement was found in Bland-Altman-plot and Kappa coefficient (ledFM 1000 ×: 0.914, ledFM 400 × and uvFM: 0.895). The time to diagnosis for both FM methods was shorter compared to LM (LM: 43 min, uvFM: 16 min, ledFM 1000 ×: 14 min, ledFM 400 ×: 10 min).

Conclusion
ledFM is a reliable, accurate, fast and inexpensive tool for daily routine malaria diagnosis and may be used as a point of care diagnostic tool.
Environmental, entomological, socioeconomic and behavioural risk factors for malaria attacks in Amerindian children of Camopi, French Guiana
Authors: Stefani Aurélia , Hanf Matthieu , Nacher Mathieu , Girod Romain , Carme Bernard 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Background
Malaria is a major health issue in French Guiana. Amerindian communities remain the most affected. A previous study in Camopi highlighted the predominant role of environmental factors in the occurrence of malaria. However, all parameters involved in the transmission were not clearly identified. A new survey was conducted in order to clarify the risk factors for the presence of malaria cases in Camopi.

Methods
An open cohort of children under seven years of age was set up on the basis of biologically confirmed malaria cases for the period 2001-2009. Epidemiological and observational environmental data were collected using two structured questionnaires. Data were analysed with a multiple failures multivariate Cox model. The influence of climate and the river level on malaria incidence was evaluated by time-series analysis. Relationships between Anopheles darlingi human biting rates and malaria incidence rates were estimated using Spearman's rank correlation.

Results
The global annual incidence over the nine-year period was 238 per 1,000 for Plasmodium falciparum, 514 per 1,000 for Plasmodium visa and 21 per 1,000 for mixed infections. The multivariate survival analysis associated higher malaria incidence with living on the Camopi riverside vs. the Oyapock riverside, far from the centre of the Camopi hamlet, in a home with numerous occupants and going to sleep late. On the contrary, living in a house cleared of all vegetation within 50 m and at high distance of the forest were associated with a lower risk. Meteorological and hydrological characteristics appeared to be correlated with malaria incidence with different lags. Anopheles darlingi human biting rate was also positively correlated to incident malaria in children one month later.

Conclusions
Malaria incidence in children remains high in young children despite the appearance of immunity in children around three years of age. The closeness environment but also the meteorological parameters play an important role in malaria transmission among children under seven years of age in Camopi.
Ignored adult primary hypothyroidism presenting chiefly with persistent ovarian cysts: a need for increased awareness
Authors: Shu Jing , Xing Lili , Zhang Lingyan , Fang Suhua , Huang Hefeng 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Background
Ovarian cysts are a common cause for gynecological surgery. However, some cysts are a direct result of endocrine disorders and do not require surgery. This report describes an unusual case in which persistent ovarian cysts are associated with primary hypothyroidism in a young woman. The data were collected by history-taking, physical examination, laboratory tests, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and a histo-pathological study. In addition, the exons of the gene encoding the human follicle-stimulating hormone receptor were sequenced.

Discussion
The patient had markedly elevated levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone and an enlarged pituitary gland. After treatment with thyroid hormone replacement, regression of the enlarged pituitary and the ovarian cysts was observed. The possible mechanisms of the pathophysiology are discussed below.

Summary
It is necessary to consider hypothyroidism and other endocrine disorders in the differential diagnosis of adult patients with ovarian multiple cyst formation in order to prevent inadvertent ovarian surgery.