bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
RUG3 and ATM synergistically regulate the alternative splicing of mitochondrial nad2 and the DNA damage response in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Su Chao , Zhao Hongtao , Zhao Yankun , Ji Hongtao , Wang Youning , Zhi Liya , Li Xia 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe root apical meristem (RAM) determines both RAM activity and the growth of roots. Plant roots are constantly exposed to adverse environmental stresses that can cause DNA damage or cell cycle arrest in the RAM; however, the mechanism linking root meristematic activity and RAM size to the DNA damage response (DDR) is unclear. Here, we demonstrate that a loss of function in RCC1/UVR8/GEF-Like 3 (RUG3) substantially augmented the DDR and produced a cell cycle arrest in the RAM in rug3 mutant, leading to root growth retardation. Furthermore, the mutation of RUG3 caused increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and ROS scavengers improved the observed cell cycle arrest and reduced RAM activity level in rug3 plants. Most importantly, we detected a physical interaction between RUG3 and ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM), a key regulator of the DDR, suggesting that they synergistically modulated the alternative splicing of nad2. Our findings reveal a novel synergistic effect of RUG3 and ATM on the regulation of mitochondrial function, redox homeostasis, and the DDR in the RAM, and outline a protective mechanism for DNA damage repair and the restoration of mitochondrial function that involves RUG3-mediated mitochondrial retrograde signaling and the activation of an ATM-mediated DDR pathway.
Cargo self-assembly rescues affinity of cell-penetrating peptides to lipid membranes
Authors: Weinberger Andreas , Walter Vivien , MacEwan Sarah R. , Schmatko Tatiana , Muller Pierre , Schroder André P. , Chilkoti Ashutosh , Marques Carlos M. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractAlthough cationic cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are able to bind to cell membranes, thus promoting cell internalization by active pathways, attachment of cargo molecules to CPPs invariably reduces their cellular uptake. We show here that CPP binding to lipid bilayers, a simple model of the cell membrane, can be recovered by designing cargo molecules that self-assemble into spherical micelles and increase the local interfacial density of CPP on the surface of the cargo. Experiments performed on model giant unilamellar vesicles under a confocal laser scanning microscope show that a family of thermally responsive elastin-like polypeptides that exhibit temperature-triggered micellization can promote temperature triggered attachment of the micelles to membranes, thus rescuing by self-assembly the cargo-induced loss of the CPP affinity to bio-membranes.
In-situ preparation of hierarchical flower-like TiO2/carbon nanostructures as fillers for polymer composites with enhanced dielectric properties
Authors: Xu Nuoxin , Zhang Qilong , Yang Hui , Xia Yuting , Jiang Yongchang 
Published: March 2017

AbstractNovel three-dimensional hierarchical flower-like TiO2/carbon (TiO2/C) nanostructures were in-situ synthesized via a solvothermal method involving calcination of organic precursor under inert atmosphere. The composite films comprised of P (VDF-HFP) and as-prepared hierarchical flower-like TiO2/C were fabricated by a solution casting and hot-pressing approach. The results reveal that loading the fillers with a small amount of carbon is an effective way to improve the dielectric constant and suppress the dielectric loss. In addition, TiO2/C particles with higher carbon contents exhibit superiority in promoting the dielectric constants of composites when compared with their noncarbon counterparts. For instance, the highest dielectric constant (330.6) of the TiO2/C composites is 10 times over that of noncarbon-TiO2-filled ones at the same filler volume fraction, and 32 times over that of pristine P (VDF-HFP). The enhancement in the dielectric constant can be attributed to the formation of a large network, which is composed of local micro-capacitors with carbon particles as electrodes and TiO2 as the dielectric in between.
Tooth in Intracranial Compartment after Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Pereira Benedito , Holanda Radmila , Targino Neto José , Holanda Luciano 
Published: March 2017

AbstractA 25-year-old patient was admitted to the emergency room presenting headaches after a traumatic brain injury (TBI) 30 days before, when he collided frontally with another driver. After a skull radiography, the presence of a foreign body was observed in the frontal sinus. A cranial computed tomography (CT) scan found that it was a tooth. The patient underwent surgical treatment for the removal of the tooth. Traumatic brain injury caused by non-missile penetrating objects is unusual, and has been described in case reports in the literature. To the best of our knowledge, no similar reports can be found in the literature.
Underdiagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2 or Worse Lesion in Women with a Previous Colposcopy-Guided Biopsy Showing CIN 1
Authors: Souza Carlos André Scheler de , Discacciati Michelle Garcia , d'Otavianno Maria Gabriela , Bergo Silvia Maria , Traue Markus , Andrade Liliana Aparecida Lucci de Angelo , Zeferino Luiz Carlos 
Published: March 2017

Objective Expectant follow-up for biopsy-proven cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1 is the current recommendation for the management of this lesion. Nevertheless, the performance of the biopsy guided by colposcopy might not be optimal. Therefore, this study aimed to calculate the rate of underdiagnoses of more severe lesions in women with CIN 1 diagnosis and to evaluate whether age, lesion extent and biopsy site are factors associated with diagnostic failure.
Methods Eighty women with a diagnosis of CIN 1 obtained by colposcopy-guided biopsy were selected for this study. These women were herein submitted to large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ). The prevalence of lesions more severe than CIN 1 was calculated, and the histological diagnoses of the LLETZ specimens were grouped into two categories: “CIN 1 or less” and “CIN 2 or worse.”
Results The prevalence of lesions diagnosed as CIN 2 or worse in the LLETZ specimens was of 19% (15/80). Three women revealed CIN 3, and 1 woman revealed a sclerosing adenocarcinoma stage I-a, a rare type of malignant neoplasia of low proliferation, which was not detected by either colposcopy or previous biopsy. The underdiagnosis of CIN 2 was not associated with the women's age, lesion extension and biopsy site.
Conclusions The standard methods used for the diagnosis of CIN 1 may underestimate the severity of the true lesion and, therefore, women undergoing expectant management must have an adequate follow-up.
Texas Pulse Oximetry Project: A Multicenter Educational and Quality Improvement Project for Implementation of Critical Congenital Heart Disease Screening Using Pulse Oximetry
Authors: Gong Alice , Livingston Judith , Creel Liza , Ocampo Elena , McKee-Garrett Tiffany , Guillory Charleta 
Published: March 2017

Objective Critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) is a leading cause of death in infants. Newborn screening (NBS) by pulse oximetry allows early identification of CCHD in asymptomatic newborns. To improve readiness of hospital neonatal birthing facilities for mandatory screening in Texas, an educational and quality improvement (QI) project was piloted to identify an implementation strategy for CCHD NBS in a range of birthing hospitals.
Study Design Thirteen Texas hospitals implemented standardized CCHD screening by pulse oximetry. An educational program was devised and a tool kit was created to facilitate education and implementation. Newborn nursery nurses' knowledge was assessed using a pre- and posttest instrument.
Results The nurses' knowledge assessment improved from 71 to 92.5% (p < 0.0001). Of 11,322 asymptomatic newborns screened after 24 hours of age, 11 had a positive screen, with 1 confirmed case of CCHD. Pulse oximetry CCHD NBS had sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 99.91%, false-positive rate of 0.088%, positive predictive value of 9.09%, and negative predictive value of 100%.
Conclusion Our educational program, including a tool kit, QI processes, and standardized pulse oximetry CCHD NBS, is applicable for a range of hospital birthing facilities and may facilitate wide-scale implementation, thereby improving newborn health.
Chemical Composition, Antiprotozoal and Cytotoxic Activities of Indole Alkaloids and Benzofuran Neolignan of Aristolochia cordigera
Authors: Pereira Marcos , da Silva Tito , Aguiar Anna , Oliva Glaucius , Guido Rafael , Yokoyama-Yasunaka Jenicer , Uliana Silvia , Lopes Lucia 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThis is a comparative study on the intraspecific chemical variability of Aristolochia cordigera species, collected in two different regions of Brazil, Biome Cerrado (semiarid) and Biome Amazônia (coastal). The use of GC-MS and statistical methods led to the identification of 56 compounds. A higher percentage of palmitone and germacrene-D in the hexanes extracts of the leaves of plants from these respective biomes was observed. Phytochemical studies on the extracts led to the isolation and identification of 19 known compounds, including lignans, neolignans, aristolochic acids, indole-β-carboline, and indole alkaloids. In addition, two new indole alkaloids, 3,4-dihydro-hyrtiosulawesine and 6-O-(β-glucopyranosyl)hyrtiosulawesine, were isolated and a new neolignan, cis-eupomatenoid-7, was obtained in a mixture with its known isomer eupomatenoid-7. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods, mainly by 1D- and 2D-NMR. The occurrence of indole alkaloids is being described for the first time in the Aristolochiaceae family. Moreover, the in vitro susceptibility of intracellular amastigote and promastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis to the alkaloids and eupomatenoid-7 were evaluated. This neolignan exhibited low activity against promastigotes (IC50 = 46 µM), while the alkaloids did not show inhibitory activity. The new alkaloid 6-O-(β-glucopyranosyl)hyrtiosulawesine exhibited activity in the low micromolar range against Plasmodium falciparum, with an IC50 value of 5 µM and a selectivity index higher than 50.
Stem cell niche signals Wnt, Hedgehog, and Notch distinctively regulate Drosophila follicle precursor cell differentiation
Authors: Dai Wei , Peterson Amy , Kenney Thomas , Montell Denise J. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractAdult stem cells commonly give rise to transit-amplifying progenitors, whose progeny differentiate into distinct cell types. Signals within the stem cell niche maintain the undifferentiated state. However it is unclear whether or how niche signals might also coordinate fate decisions within the progenitor pool. Here we use quantitative microscopy to elucidate distinct roles for Wnt, Hedgehog (Hh), and Notch signalling in progenitor development in the Drosophila ovary. Follicle stem cells (FSCs) self-renew and produce precursors whose progeny adopt distinct polar, stalk, and main body cell fates. We show that a steep gradient of Wnt signalling maintains a multipotent state in proximally located progenitor cells by inhibiting expression of the cell fate determinant Eyes Absent (Eya). A shallower gradient of Hh signalling controls the proliferation to differentiation transition. The combination of Notch and Wnt signalling specifies polar cells. These findings reveal a mechanism by which multiple niche signals coordinate cell fate diversification of progenitor cells.
A game theoretical approach for distributed resource allocation with uncertainty
Authors: Xue Lei , Sun Changyin , Yu Fang 
Published: March 2017

Purpose
The paper aims to build the connections between game theory and the resource allocation problem with general uncertainty. It proposes modeling the distributed resource allocation problem by Bayesian game. During this paper, three basic kinds of uncertainties are discussed. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to build the connections between game theory and the resource allocation problem with general uncertainty.

Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, the Bayesian game is proposed for modeling the resource allocation problem with uncertainty. The basic game theoretical model contains three parts: agents, utility function, and decision-making process. Therefore, the probabilistic weighted Shapley value (WSV) is applied to design the utility function of the agents. For achieving the Bayesian Nash equilibrium point, the rational learning method is introduced for optimizing the decision-making process of the agents.

Findings
The paper provides empirical insights about how the game theoretical model deals with the resource allocation problem uncertainty. A probabilistic WSV function was proposed to design the utility function of agents. Moreover, the rational learning was used to optimize the decision-making process of agents for achieving Bayesian Nash equilibrium point. By comparing with the models with full information, the simulation results illustrated the effectiveness of the Bayesian game theoretical methods for the resource allocation problem under uncertainty.

Originality/value
This paper designs a Bayesian theoretical model for the resource allocation problem under uncertainty. The relationships between the Bayesian game and the resource allocation problem are discussed.
A framework for designing backroom areas in grocery stores
Authors: Pires Maria , Pratas Joaquim , Liz Jorge , Amorim Pedro 
Published: March 2017

PurposeThe design of retail backroom storage areas has great impact on in-store operations, customer service level and on store life-cycle costs. Moreover, backroom storage in modern retail grocery stores is critical to several functions, such as acting as a buffer against strong demand lifts yielded by an ever-increasing promotional activity, stocking seasonal peak demand and accommodating e-commerce activities. The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework to design retail backroom storage area. Furthermore, the authors aim to draw attention to the lack of literature on this topic, while clarifying the relationship between this promising research stream and the considerable body of research regarding the design and operations of conventional warehouses, as well as retail in-store operations.Design/methodology/approachThe key literature on backrooms, grocery retail, in-store operations, warehouse design and operations was reviewed. This allowed an understanding of the gap in the literature regarding the design of backrooms. Moreover, a case study methodological approach was conducted in a Portuguese retailer to extend the literature review.FindingsDespite having functions similar to conventional warehouses, backroom storage facilities have particularities that deserve a distinct analysis. Thus, the authors stress these differences and demonstrate how they influence the development of a novel backroom design framework.Originality/valueThis paper fills a gap by proposing a framework to design backroom areas. Furthermore, this research may help practitioners to better design backroom areas, since this process currently lacks a formal and standardized procedure.
Challenges and opportunities of Turkish food retail in Germany from a value chain perspective
Authors: Aygün Tanju , Oeser Gerald 
Published: March 2017

Purpose
Turkish food retail in Germany fulfils social, cultural, and economic functions, but is threatened by shifts in demand and competition. The purpose of this paper is to give a holistic, interdisciplinary, and action-oriented view of the challenges and opportunities of Turkish food retail in Germany.

Design/methodology/approach
Based on a qualitative study using expert interviews with 18 businesspersons from different parts of the Turkish food supply chain in Germany and a qualitative survey of 349 working Bachelor students of trade, industrial, and logistics management as well as business informatics, this paper takes a value chain approach.

Findings
The main opportunities of Turkish food retail in Germany lie in increasing its efficiency, using purchasing associations and brand building, targeting well-funded German consumers, offering fluent Turkish-German customer service and shopping experiences, providing appealing shop locations, designs, and layouts, product range adjustments, and promotions.

Research limitations/implications
This paper is based on a small scale qualitative study as access to Turkish food retail experts is limited. The sample was carefully selected to be a fair representation of the Turkish food supply chain. As for the consumers, only students have been surveyed so far, because they were targeted by the experts interviewed. In order to allow wider generalizations, this sample could be extended.

Originality/value
This study complements and enhances the very limited research on Turkish food retail in Germany. For the first time, the call for a holistic, interdisciplinary, and action-oriented examination of the challenges and opportunities of Turkish food retail in Germany is answered from a value chain perspective.
Understanding the linkages between lean practices and performance improvements in Indian process industries
Authors: Panwar Avinash , Nepal Bimal , Jain Rakesh , Rathore Ajay P.S. , Lyons Andrew 
Published: March 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of lean practices on performance improvement of process industries in India.

Design/methodology/approach
Based on a survey of Indian process industries, this paper proposes two sets of hypothesis to examine if there is any statistically significant impact of lean practices on certain specific performance metrics. First, the sample is classified into two classes of process industries: the adopters of lean and those who have not yet adopted the lean practices in their manufacturing operations. Then statistical tests are conducted to measure the differences in the level of performance between the two classes of Indian process industries with respect to nine performance measures. The survey results are augmented by two in-depth case studies. Case studies include one from lean adopter firms (a refinery) and another from the firms that have not yet adopted the lean practices (a primary metal manufacturing unit).

Findings
A survey result of 121 Indian process industries shows that adoption of lean practices results in a positive impact on inventory control, waste elimination, cost reduction, productivity, and quality improvement in process industries. On the other hand, based on the sample data on Indian process industries, no statistically significant improvement could be found on the lot size or space utilization between lean adopters and their counterparts.

Practical implications
This research provides guidance to the managers on how adoption of lean practices results in better performance in process industries in several operational areas.

Originality/value
To the knowledge, this study is the first attempt to analyze the impact of lean practices on a set of specific performance metrics in Indian process industry. Although this study focuses on the Indian process industry, the authors believe that findings of the research can inform other practitioners and researchers who are considering implementing lean in process industry sector in other developing countries like India.
A model to improve management of banking customers
Authors: Estrella-Ramón Antonia , Sánchez-Pérez Manuel , Swinnen Gilbert , VanHoof Koen 
Published: March 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide a customer lifetime value (CLV) model to carefully assess and classify banking customers using individual measures and covering customers’ relationships with a portfolio of products of the company.

Design/methodology/approach
The proposed model comprises two sub-models: (sub-model 1) modelling and prediction of CLV in a multiproduct context using Hierarchical Bayesian models as input to (sub-model 2) a value-based segmentation specially designed to manage customers and products using the latent class regression. The model is tested using real transaction data of 1,357 customers of a bank.

Findings
This research demonstrates which drivers of customer value better predict the contribution margin and product usage for each of the products considered in order to get the CLV measure. Using this measure, the model implements a value-based segmentation, which helps banks to facilitate the process of customer management.

Originality/value
Previous CLV models are mostly conceptual, generalisation is one of their main concerns, are usually focussed on single product categories using aggregated customer data, and they are not design with a special emphasis on their application as support for managerial decisions. In response to these drawbacks, the proposed model will enable decision makers to improve the understanding of the value of each customer and their behaviour towards different financial products.
Measuring perceived usefulness of team assignments
Authors: Simione Kathleen , Ortiz-Walters Rowena , Fullick-Jagiela Julia M. , Kelly Patricia S. 
Published: March 2017

Purpose
Team-based assignments must be constructed to contribute to the effective development of teamwork skills, an important learning objective for most schools of business. The purpose of this paper is to understand how students view the usefulness of team assignments in order to inform more effective pedagogical techniques related to team-based assignments and the development of student teamwork competencies.

Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from Likert-scale online surveys administered to students upon completion of the first-year team-based introductory business course. Survey items were developed to assess the team-related activities and components in the course and students’ perceived usefulness of team-based assignments. Results from exploratory factor analyses are presented.

Findings
Data analyses indicated that survey items contributed to students’ perceived usefulness of team-based assignments. Across three studies, the authors developed a new measure to evaluate effectiveness of team-based assignments.

Practical implications
For those educators who utilize team-based assignments in their courses, this study provides a much needed measure to assess the effectiveness of assignments intended to develop students’ teamwork competencies. The findings also serve to provide evidence of assurance of learning, and evidence of how students are developing in the area of interpersonal skills and abilities to manage interactions that most schools of business and universities deem as essential learning outcomes as a result of Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business requirements.

Originality/value
Evidence from online surveys of 755 students in a pilot study and two additional studies conducted longitudinally over a two-year period support a new measure to assess the usefulness of specific team assignments.