bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Utility and Cost Effectiveness of Routine, Histologic Evaluation of the Mastectomy Scar in Two-Stage, Implant-Based Reconstruction during Expander-to-Implant Exchange
Authors: Fishman Jordan E. , Pang John Henry Y. , Dabbs David , De La Cruz Carolyn 
Published: November 2018

Background:
Routine histologic analysis of the mastectomy scar is well studied in the delayed breast construction population; no data regarding its utility in the immediate, staged reconstruction cohort have been published.

Methods:
A retrospective review of all of the senior author’s (C.D.C.) patients who underwent immediate, staged reconstruction was performed. The mastectomy scar was analyzed routinely at the time of expander-to-implant exchange. Six hundred forty-seven breasts were identified. The mastectomy scar, time between expander and permanent implant, average patient age, and mastectomy indication were calculated. A cost analysis was completed.

Results:
All scar pathologic results were negative for in-scar recurrence. The majority, 353 breasts, underwent mastectomy for carcinoma, 94 for germline mutations, 15 for high-risk lesions, six for high family risk, and 179 for contralateral symmetry/risk reduction. The average age at mastectomy/expander placement was 47.7 ± 10.3 years, and the average time between expander placement and implant exchange was 254 ± 152 days. The total histologic charge per breast was $602.

Conclusions:
A clinically silent in-scar recurrence is, at most, a rare occurrence. Routine histologic analysis of the mastectomy scar can be safely avoided in the immediate, staged reconstruction cohort.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:
Therapeutic, IV.
Generation of Cynomolgus Monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) Embryos with ICSI Based on the MII-Stage Oocytes Acquired by Personalized Superovulation Protocol
Authors: Huang Zhangqiong , Li Yun , Jiang Qinfang , Wang Yixuan , Ma Kaili , Li Qihan 
Published: November 2018

ABSTRACTThe use of cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) has facilitated the establishment of gene-modified animal models, and the appropriate number of high-quality mature oocytes (MII-stage oocytes) are crucial in assisted reproductive technologies (ART) of cynomolgus macaques. In this study we performed 3 different superovulation protocols on 24 female cynomolgus monkeys aimed to improve the proportion of MII-stage oocyte retrieval. The results suggested some differences in the proportion of MII-stage oocytes between the personalized superovulation protocol and the superovulation protocols I and II. Afterwards, we performed Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) on 22 MII-stage oocytes derived from one animal with personalized superovulation protocol, obtained 15 embryos of 2-4-cells, 2 cases of successful pregnancy after transferring to 4 surrogate female, and obtained 3 aborted fetuses. These results suggested that personalized superovulation protocol incorporated the menstrual cycle length of each cynomolgus monkey, and the timing of oocytes retrieval based on the equation: menstrual cycle length/2 ± 1, which increased the rate of MII-stage oocytes acquired and generation of cynomolgus monkeys embryos with ICSI based on these oocytes, and finally could successfully develop into fetus under conditions that effectively guarantee the synchronization of the surrogate mothers.SUMMARY STATEMENTThe personalized superovulation protocol based on the menstrual cycle length of each cynomolgus monkey can increase the rate of MII-stage oocytes acquired, and finally could successfully develop into fetus under conditions that minimize damage to the surrogate mothers and effectively guarantee the synchronization of the surrogate mothers.
ParB dynamics and the critical role of the CTD in DNA condensation unveiled by combined force-fluorescence measurements
Authors: Madariaga-Marcos Julene , Pastrana Cesar L. , Fisher Gemma L. M. , Dillingham Mark S. , Moreno-Herrero Fernando 
Published: November 2018

AbstractBacillus subtilis ParB forms multimeric networks involving non-specific DNA binding leading to DNA condensation. In our previous work (Fisher et al., 2017), we found that an excess of the free C-terminal domain (CTD) of ParB impeded DNA condensation or promoted decondensation of pre-assembled networks. However, interpretation of the molecular basis for this phenomenon was complicated by our inability to uncouple protein binding from DNA condensation. Here, we have combined lateral magnetic tweezers with TIRF microscopy to simultaneously control the restrictive force against condensation and to visualize ParB protein binding by fluorescence. At non-permissive forces for condensation, ParB binds non-specifically and highly dynamically to DNA. Our new approach concluded that the free CTD blocks the formation of ParB networks by heterodimerization with full length DNA-bound ParB. This strongly supports a model in which the CTD acts as a key bridging interface between distal DNA binding loci within ParB networks.Significance StatementUsing combined Magnetic Tweezers and TIRF microscopy we show that the CTD of ParB blocks ParB network formation by heterodimerization with the full-length protein, which remains bound to the DNA.
The mechanism of Ccr4-Not recruitment to specific mRNAs involves sequence-selective tethering by RNA-binding proteins
Authors: Webster Michael W , Stowell James A W , Passmore Lori A 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe Ccr4-Not complex removes mRNA poly(A) tails to regulate eukaryotic mRNA stability and translation. RNA-binding proteins contribute to specificity but this is not fully understood. Here, we reconstitute accelerated and selective deadenylation of RNAs containing AU-rich elements (AREs) and Pumilio-response elements (PREs). We find that the fission yeast homologues of Tristetraprolin/TTP and Pumilio/Puf (Zfs1 and Puf3) act as molecular tethers: They recruit Ccr4-Not via multiple regions within low-complexity sequences, and bind specific RNA sequences via RNA-binding domains. Using a two-color assay to simultaneously monitor poly(A) tail removal from different RNAs, we demonstrate that Puf3 can distinguish between RNAs of very similar sequence. This is primarily due to differences in the dissociation rate constants. As a result, motif quality is a major determinant of mRNA stability for Puf3 targets in vivo. Together, we provide new insight into the selective deadenylation of specific mRNAs by Ccr4-Not, and the prediction of targeted mRNAs.
Gene knock out of honey bee trypanosomatid parasite, Lotmaria passim, by CRISPR/Cas9 system
Authors: Liu Qiushi , Kadowaki Tatsuhiko 
Published: November 2018

AbstractTwo trypanosomatid species, Lotmaria passim and Crithidia mellificae, have been shown to parasitize honey bees to date. L. passim appears to be more prevalent than C. mellificae and specifically infects the honey bee hindgut. Although the genomic DNA has been sequenced, the effects of infection on honey bee health and colony are poorly understood. To identify the genes that are important for infecting honey bees and to understand their functions, we applied the CRISPR/Cas9 system to establish a method to manipulate L. passim genes. By electroporation of plasmid DNA and subsequent selection by antibiotics, we first established an L. passim clone expressing tdTomato, GFP, or Cas9. We also successfully knocked out the endogenous miltefosine transporter and tyrosine amino transferase genes by replacement with antibiotics (hygromycin) resistant gene using the CRISPR/Cas9-induced homology-directed repair pathway. The L. passim clones expressing fluorescent markers, as well as the simple method for knocking out specific genes, could become useful approaches to understand the underlying mechanisms of honey bee-trypanosomatid parasite interactions.
Clustering-based optimization method of reference set selection for improved CNV callers performance
Authors: Kuśmirek Wiktor , Szmurło Agnieszka , Wiewiórka Marek , Nowak Robert , Gambin Tomasz 
Published: November 2018

AbstractBackgroundThere are over 25 tools dedicated for the detection of Copy Number Variants (CNVs) using Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) data based on read depth analysis.The tools reported consist of several steps, including: (i) calculation of read depth for each sequencing target, (ii) normalization, (iii) segmentation and (iv) actual CNV calling. The essential aspect of the entire process is the normalization stage, in which systematic errors and biases are removed and the reference sample set is used to increase the signal-to-noise ratio.Although some CNV calling tools use dedicated algorithms to obtain the optimal reference sample set, most of the advanced CNV callers do not include this feature.To our knowledge, this work is the first attempt to assess the impact of reference sample set selection on CNV detection performance.MethodsWe used WES data from the 1000 Genomes project to evaluate the impact of various methods of reference sample set selection on CNV calling performance of three chosen state-of-the-art tools: CODEX, CNVkit and exomeCopy. Two naive solutions (all samples as reference set and random selection) as well as two clustering methods (k-means and k nearest neighbours with a variable number of clusters or group sizes) have been evaluated to discover the best performing sample selection method.Results and ConclusionsThe performed experiments have shown that the appropriate selection of the reference sample set may greatly improve the CNV detection rate. In particular, we found that smart reduction of reference sample size may significantly increase the algorithms’ precision while having negligible negative effect on sensitivity. We observed that a complete CNV calling process with the k-means algorithm as the selection method has significantly better time complexity than kNN-based solution.
Corporate social responsibility in hotels: a stakeholder approach
Authors: Farmaki Anna 
Published: November 2018

PurposeThis study aims to examine stakeholder interests in and influence on corporate social responsibility (CSR) implementation in hotels through an instrumental stakeholder theory lens.Design/methodology/approachSemi-structured interviews with 54 managers from several sectors of the Cyprus tourism industry were undertaken using purposive sampling.FindingsThere is a dominance of supply-chain stakeholder interests which in turn outline the CSR orientation of hotels, whereas stakeholder influence, largely shaped by the interdependent, multi-faceted nature of the tourism industry, conditions the implementation of CSR in hotels. Interestingly, stakeholder influence on CSR in hotels is not corresponding to stakeholders’ perceived saliency, indicating that stakeholder analysis needs to move beyond the consideration of salient stakeholders’ interests.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the focus of this study has been the perceptions of tourism stakeholders in Cyprus, the exploratory approach adopted in the study sets the ground for further research to consider stakeholder issues regarding CSR in hotels from an instrumental perspective. In addition, insights from this study might inform practitioners in similar destinations.Originality/valueIn encouraging a holistic approach to strategic CSR in hotels, this study contributes a framework of stakeholder roles, emanating from stakeholder responsibility and stakeholder involvement in CSR in the hotel sector that will be of interest to both academics and practitioners.
Effects of individual and job characteristics on hotel contact employees’ work engagement and their performance outcomes
Authors: Grobelna Aleksandra 
Published: November 2018

PurposeThis study aims to examine the effects of individual and job-related characteristics on employees’ work engagement and its influence on their performance outcomes. This study develops and tests the research model where the impact of positive affectivity, polychronicity and task significance on employees’ work engagement is investigated, and its consequences for employees’ job performance are analyzed.Design/methodology/approachThe relationships between study constructs were tested using the structural equation modeling. Data were collected from 222 hotel contact employees from the Pomeranian Voivodeship, a tourist destination of northern Poland.FindingsThe study findings confirmed that positive affectivity and polychronicity, as personality characteristics and task significance as a job characteristic exert a significant and positive impact on hotel employees’ work engagement, which in turn enhances the level of their job performance. Additionally, polychronicity was significantly related to hotel employees’ job performance. Of all the analyzed predictors, task significance appeared to be the strongest driver of hotel employees’ work engagement. A direct relationship between polychronicity and hotel employees’ job performance was also confirmed by this study.Practical implicationsHotel organizations are recommended to modify the standards of their recruitment and selection process and incorporate additional techniques to be more successful in hiring employees with an adequate personality profile (high in positive affectivity and polychronic tendency). The recruited suitable candidates should be guided effectively with appropriate human resource management practices, especially those that increase hotel employees’ experience of work meaningfulness. Therefore, they should be constantly assured, through a variety of management actions, about the influence and importance of their roles and the contribution to the service and organizational success.Originality/valueThis study contributes to a better understanding of the relationships between personality and job characteristics among frontline hotel employees, extending the study results to the context of East-Central Europe, where, to the best of the author’s knowledge, studies on simultaneous effects of individual and job-related factors on hotel employees’ work engagement and its behavioral consequences are still limited.
Production models of multiple products using a single machine under quality screening and reworking policies
Authors: Taleizadeh Ata Allah , Yadegari Mahshid , Sana Shib Sankar 
Published: November 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to formulate two multi-product single-machine economic production quantity (EPQ) models by considering imperfect products. Two policies are assumed to deal with imperfect products: selling them at discount and applying a reworking process.Design/methodology/approachA screening process is used to identify imperfect items during and after production. Selling the imperfect items at a discount is examined in the first model and the reworking policy in the second model. In both models, demand during the production process is satisfied only by perfect items. Data collected from a case company are used to illustrate the performance of the two models. Moreover, a sensitivity analysis is carried out by varying the most important parameters of the models.FindingsThe case study in this research is used to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed models, i.e. the EPQ model with salvaging and reworking imperfect items. The models are applied to a high-tech un-plasticized polyvinyl chloride (UPVC) doors and windows manufacturer that produces different types of doors and windows. ROGAWIN Co. is a privately owned company that started in 2001 with fully automatic production lines. Finally, the results of applying the different ways of handling the imperfect items are discussed, along with managerial insights.Originality/valueIn real-world production systems, manufacturing imperfect products is unavoidable. That is why, it is important to make a proper decision about imperfect products to reduce overall production costs. Recently, applying a reworking strategy has gained the most interest when it comes to handling this problem. The principal idea of this research is to maximize the total profit of manufacturing systems by optimizing the period length under some capacity constraints. The proposed models were applied to a company of manufacturing UPVC doors and windows.
Exploring crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) and students’ fear of crime at an Australian university campus using prospect and refuge theory
Authors: Cozens Paul , Sun Mu Yao 
Published: November 2018

Purpose
Crime and fear of crime in and around the university campus can affect enrolments and retention rates as well as compromising the safety, security and well-being of students and staff. The purpose of this paper is to explore user perceptions of personal safety using the “Prospect and Refuge Model” and crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED).

Design/methodology/approach
The study used a fear of crime survey of 88 students at a university in Western Australia. The respondents were asked to identify on a map, three locations perceived to be “safe” and three locations perceived to be “unsafe”. The six most commonly identified sites were then visually audited to measure the levels of “prospect” and “refuge” and CPTED features at each location.

Findings
The findings indicate the top three “fear spots” were associated with low levels of “prospect” and high levels of “refuge” – and generally, with poor opportunities for natural surveillance and CPTED qualities. The top three “safe spots” had consistently higher levels of “prospect” and lower levels of “refuge” in the site audits and responses to the surveys. Increased opportunities for surveillance were therefore associated with increased levels of personal safety.

Research limitations/implications
The survey is relatively small (88) and a larger study is certainly required to underpin these findings. The methodology is transferable to other universities and facilities seeking to manage crime and fear of crime. The research develops more finely nuanced measures for the concepts of prospect and refuge.

Practical implications
Interestingly, surveillance opportunities and perceptions of personal safety were perceived to be mediated by distance from buildings and by the construction of new buildings and infrastructure being carried out across the campus. This has implications for the construction of new universities and for those which are expanding. Recommendations are provided for new and existing universities and for those undergoing redevelopment.

Social implications
Improving students’ perception of personal safety can enhance their performance and retention at university.

Originality/value
No studies have investigated the campus design and layout and students’ perceptions of personal safety in Australia in this way. The approach is more “bottom-up” by first exploring users’ perceptions of “unsafe” locations, then assessing these sites in terms of the presence or absence of measures for CPTED and prospect-refuge.
Foliar phosphorus fractions reveal how tropical plants maintain photosynthetic rates despite low soil phosphorus availability
Authors: Mo Qifeng , Li Zhi’an , Sayer Emma J. , Lambers Hans , Li Yingwen , Zou Bi , Tang Jianwu , Heskel Mary , Ding Yongzhen , Wang Faming 
Published: November 2018

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are essential nutrients for plant metabolism, and their availability often limits primary productivity. Whereas the effects of N availability on photosynthetic capacity are well established, we still know relatively little about the effects of P availability at a foliar level, especially in P‐limited tropical forests.

We examined photosynthetic capacity, leaf mass per area (LMA) and foliar P fractions in five woody plant species after 6 years of N and P fertilization in a lowland tropical forest.

Foliar N:P ratios indicated P limitation of the unfertilized plants; accordingly, photosynthetic P‐use efficiency (PPUE) and LMA decreased with P addition, and foliar N and P concentrations increased, whereas N addition had little effect on measured foliar traits. However, P addition enhanced photosynthetic capacity only in one species and not in other four species. We then assessed plant acclimation to low P availability by quantifying four fractions of foliar P representing different functional pools: structural P, metabolic P (including inorganic P), nucleic acid P, and residual P. We found that P addition enhanced the concentrations of metabolic, structural, and nucleic acid P fractions in all species, but the magnitude of the effect was species‐specific.

Our findings indicate that tropical species acclimate to low P availability by altering allocation of foliar P to meet the demand of P for photosynthesis. Importantly, species typical of lowland tropical forests in East Asia maintained their photosynthetic rate under low P availability. We conclude that P limitation of leaf photosynthetic capacity may not be as common as previously assumed due to plant acclimation mechanisms in low‐P tropical forests. Species‐specific strategies to allocate P to different foliar fractions represent a potentially important adaptive mechanism for plants in P‐limited systems.
Soil types select for plants with matching nutrient‐acquisition and ‐use traits in hyperdiverse and severely nutrient‐impoverished campos rupestres and cerrado in Central Brazil
Authors: Abrahão Anna , Costa Patricia de Britto , Lambers Hans , Andrade Sara Adrián L. , Sawaya Alexandra Christine Helena Frankland , Ryan Megan H. , Oliveira Rafael Silva 
Published: November 2018

Abstract

Understanding the mechanisms that underlie the generation of beta‐diversity remains a challenge in ecology. Underground plant adaptations to environmental gradients have received relatively little attention.

We studied plant nutrient‐acquisition strategies and nutrient‐use efficiency at three stages of pedogenesis in infertile soils from campos rupestres and on less infertile soil from cerrado sensu stricto in Brazil. All soils support very high plant diversity with high species turnover between soil types at small spatial scales (metres). We expected that differences in nutrient‐acquisition and ‐use strategies would be associated with this high species turnover. With severely decreasing phosphorus (P) availability, we expected the effectiveness of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbioses for plant P acquisition to decrease, and reliance on nonmycorrhizal strategies (NM) to increase, while maintaining efficient nutrient use.

Concentrations of total soil P and nitrogen (N) were greater in soils in cerrado than in those from campos rupestres, and the more weathered soils from campos rupestres were severely P and N impoverished. The proportion of the root length colonized by AM fungi was 71% in the soils from the cerrado and <1% in the most P‐impoverished soil type from campos rupestres. Conversely, the proportion of species with nonmycorrhizal P‐acquisition strategies such as rhizosheaths was greater in the most P‐impoverished soils. Leaf [P] and [N] were very low and decreased with decreasing soil [P] and [N]. Leaf N:P ratios suggest P limitation of plant productivity in the campos rupestres but N‐P colimitation in the cerrado. Photosynthetic rates decreased with increasing P impoverishment, but photosynthetic P‐use efficiency was very high and photosynthetic N‐use efficiency moderately high on all soils. Most species had very high P‐remobilization efficiency during leaf senescence (>70%), but only moderate N‐remobilization efficiency (~50%).

Synthesis. We observed very high P‐use efficiency and moderately high N‐use efficiency in campos rupestres and cerrado species, consistent with plant productivity being more strongly limited by P than by N. Our findings demonstrate that different soil characteristics (nutrient availability and soil texture) select for species differing in nutrient‐acquisition and ‐use strategies (especially below‐ground traits) which is likely key for the very high species turnover at a very small scale between soil types (i.e., beta‐diversity) in campos rupestres and cerrado.