bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interphase-arrestedDrosophilaembryos initiate Mid-Blastula Transition at a low nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio
Authors: Strong Isaac , Yuan Kai , O’Farrell Patrick H. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractExternally deposited eggs begin development with an immense cytoplasm and a single overwhelmed nucleus. Rapid mitotic cycles restore normality as the ratio of nuclei to cytoplasm (N/C) increases. At the 14th cell cycle inDrosophilaembryos, the cell cycle slows, transcription increases, and morphogenesis begins at the Mid-Blastula Transition (MBT). To explore the role of N/C in MBT timing, we blocked N/C-increase by downregulating cyclin/Cdk1 to arrest early cell cycles. Embryos arrested in cell cycle 12 cellularized, initiated gastrulation movements and activated transcription of genes previously described as N/C dependent. Thus, occurrence of these events is not directly coupled to N/C-increase. However, N/C might act indirectly. Increasing N/C promotes cyclin/Cdk1 downregulation which otherwise inhibits many MBT events. By experimentally inducing downregulation of cyclin/Cdk1, we bypassed this input of N/C-increase. We describe a regulatory cascade wherein the increasing N/C downregulates cyclin/Cdk1 to promote increasing transcription and the MBT.Impact statementBy showing that cell-cycle arrest allows earlyDrosophilaembryos to progress to later stages, this work eliminates numerous models for embryonic timing and shows the dominating influence of cell-cycle slowing.
Recency order judgments in short term memory: Replication and extension of Hacker (1980)
Authors: Singh Inder , Howard Marc W. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe classic finding from short-term relative JOR tasks is that correct response time (RT) depends on the lag to the more recent item but not to the less recent item (Hacker, 1980). For decades, researchers have argued that this finding is consistent with a self-terminating backward scanning model (Muter, 1979; Hacker, 1980; Hockley, 1984; McElree & Dosher, 1993). This finding has taken on new importance in light of recent proposal that many forms of memory depend on a compressed representation of the past (Howard, Shankar, Aue, & Criss, 2015). This paper replicates and extends the results of the classic papers. A Bayesian t-test showed substantial evidence for the null effect of lag to the less recent item on correct RT. In addition, this paper reports that correct RT is a sub-linear function of lag to the more recent probe and replicates the classic finding that error RT depends on lag to the less recent probe. These findings place new constraints on models of short-term memory scanning.
AVarroa destructorprotein atlas reveals molecular underpinnings of developmental transitions and sexual differentiation
Authors: McAfee Alison , Chan Queenie WT , Evans Jay , Foster Leonard J 
Published: June 2017

SummaryVarroa destructoris the most economically damaging honey bee pest, weakening colonies by simultaneously parasitizing bees and transmitting harmful viruses. Despite these impacts on honey bee health, surprisingly little is known about its fundamental molecular biology. Here we present aVarroaprotein atlas crossing all major developmental stages (egg, protonymph, deutonymph and adult) for both male and female mites as a web-based interactive tool (http://foster.nce.ubc.ca/varroa/index.html). By intensity-based label-free quantitation, 1,433 proteins were differentially expressed across developmental stages, including two distinct viral polyproteins. Enzymes for processing carbohydrates and amino acids were among many of these differences as well as proteins involved in cuticle formation. Lipid transport involving vitellogenin was the most significantly enriched biological process in the foundress (reproductive female) and young mites. In addition, we found that 101 proteins were sexually regulated and functional enrichment analysis suggests that chromatin remodeling may be a key feature of sex determination. In a proteogenomic effort, we identified 519 protein-coding regions (169 of which were differentially expressed) supported by 1,464 peptides which were previously unannotated. Since this is a recurring trend with annotating genomes of non-model species, we analyzed their amino acid and nucleotide composition as well as their orthology to other species to suggest reasons why they may have been missed initially. Overall, this work provides a first-of-its-kind interrogation of the patterns of gene expression that govern theVarroalife cycle and the tools we have developed will support further research on this threatening honey bee pest.
Paracrine Activin-A signaling promotes melanoma growth and metastasis through immune evasion
Authors: Donovan Prudence , Dubey Olivier A. , Kallioinen Susanna , Rogers Katherine W. , Muehlethaler Katja , Müller Patrick , Rimoldi Donata , Constam Daniel B. 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACTThe secreted growth factor Activin-A of the TGFβ family and its receptors can promote or inhibit several cancer hallmarks including tumor cell proliferation and differentiation, vascularization, lymphangiogenesis and inflammation. However, a role in immune evasion and its relationship with tumor-induced muscle wasting and tumor vascularization, and the relative contributions of autocrine versus paracrine Activin signaling remain to be evaluated. To address this, we compared the effects of truncated soluble Activin receptor II B as a ligand trap, or constitutively active mutant type IB receptor versus secreted Activin-A or the related ligand Nodal in mouse and human melanoma cell lines and tumor grafts. We found that while cell-autonomous receptor activation arrested tumor cell proliferation, Activin-A secretion stimulated melanoma cell dedifferentiation and tumor vascularization by functional blood vessels, and it increased primary and metastatic tumor burden and muscle wasting. Importantly, in mice with impaired adaptive immunity, the tumor-promoting effect of Activin-A was lost despite sustained vascularization and cachexia, suggesting that Activin-A promotes melanoma progression by inhibiting anti-tumor immunity. Paracrine Activin-A signaling emerges as a potential target for personalized therapies, both to reduce cachexia and to enhance the efficacy of immunotherapies.
Actin impacts the late stages of prion formation and prion propagation
Authors: Lyke Douglas R. , Dorweiler Jane E. , Legan Emily R. , Wisniewski Brett T. , Davis Emily E. , Manogaran Anita L. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractIn yeast, the [PSI+] and [PIN+] prions are aggregated forms of the Sup35 and Rnq1 proteins, respectively. The cellular mechanisms that underlie the formation and propagation of these prion states are not clearly understood. Our previous work suggested that actin networks play a role in early and late steps of the formation of [PSI+]. To further explore how actin impacts yeast prions, we turned to a set of actin point mutants. We found that the disruption of actin cables, either by an actin destabilizing drug or theact1-101mutant, can enhance prion formation during the later stages of prion formation. Our data suggest that under normal conditions, actin cables play a role in limiting the inheritance of newly made prion particles to daughter cells. We also found actin can impact prion propagation. Theact1-122mutant, which contains a substitution in the fimbrin binding region, destabilized the [PIN+] prion over time. This is the first evidence that actin has a role in [PIN+] propagation. Taken together, our findings reveal novel roles for actin in the formation and propagation of prions.
Detection of human disease conditions by single-cell morpho-rheological phenotyping of whole blood
Authors: Toepfner Nicole , Herold Christoph , Otto Oliver , Rosendahl Philipp , Jacobi Angela , Kräter Martin , Stächele Julia , Menschner Leonhard , Herbig Maik , Ciuffreda Laura , Ranford-Cartwright Lisa , Grzybek Michal , Coskun Ünal , Reithuber Elisabeth , Garriss Geneviève , Mellroth Peter , Henriques-Normark Birgitta , Tregay Nicola , Suttorp Meinolf , Bornhäuser Martin , Chilvers Edwin R. , Berner Reinhard , Guck Jochen 
Published: June 2017

AbstractBlood is arguably the most important bodily fluid and its analysis provides crucial health status information. A first routine measure to narrow down diagnosis in clinical practice is the differential blood count, determining the frequency of all major blood cells. What is lacking to advance initial blood diagnostics is an unbiased and quick functional assessment of blood that can narrow down the diagnosis and generate specific hypotheses. To address this need, we introduce the continuous, cell-by-cell morpho-rheological (MORE) analysis of whole blood, without labeling, enrichment or separation, at rates of 1,000 cells/sec. In a drop of blood we can identify all major blood cells and characterize their pathological changes in several disease conditions in vitro and in patient samples. This approach takes previous results of mechanical studies on specifically isolated blood cells to the level of application directly in whole blood and adds a functional dimension to conventional blood analysis.
Relationally integrated value networks (RIVANS) for total facilities management (TFM)
Authors: De Silva Nayanthara , Weerasinghe R.P.N.P. , Madhusanka H.W.N. , Kumaraswamy Mohan 
Published: June 2017

Purpose
A case is made for developing “Relationally Integrated Value Networks for Total Facilities Management” (RIVANS-TFM) by synergistically connecting significant stakeholders of the project management (PM) and facilities management (FM) phases to deliver substantially better value for the end users of built infrastructure. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach
A structured questionnaire survey enabled identification of typically significant stakeholders in the PM and FM phases. In total, 14 key stakeholders were identified through t-test analysis in this Sri Lankan study. Semi-structured interviews unveiled relationships among the aforementioned stakeholders and the findings were used to develop the “required” RIVANS-TFM, as well as the “existing” RIVANS-TFM, using the UCINET social network analysis software package. Social network theory of relationships was applied to analyze the networks in terms of “Structural Holes” or missing links and “Brokerage Potentials.”

Findings
Structural holes analysis highlighted the existing setup to be more vulnerable to missing links than the “required”/targeted setup. Furthermore, brokerage potentials analysis revealed that owners, project managers, facility managers, maintenance engineers, main contractors, designers, principal consultants, and other specialist consultants can act as “brokers” to bridge the gaps or minimize structural holes, thereby uplifting and reinforcing the existing network to deliver better performance and value in TFM.

Originality/value
By revealing existing and required levels of integration of each stakeholder in RIVANS-TFM, clients are provided a great opportunity to identify the stakeholders who should be engaged more, or less – in order to best achieve clients’ long-term aspirations and project objectives. Furthermore, the findings also indicate appropriate levels of stakeholder relationships to target, in order to maintain efficient flows of information, material and services in the supply chains while enhancing TFM life-cycle values.
Maintaining focus on clients’ requirements using the DQI tool
Authors: Kamara John M. 
Published: June 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the contribution of the design quality indicator (DQI) tool in the management of client requirements in construction projects, and propose a requirements-oriented project process (ROPP) to ensure continued focus on client requirements throughout the lifecycle of a project.

Design/methodology/approach
Direct participant involvement and case studies of building projects that have used the DQI tool are used to analyse the extent to which DQI contributes to the management of client requirements.

Findings
Case study analysis suggests that the DQI enhances focus on client and project stakeholder requirements through the initial quality aspirations set out at the beginning of a project, but it is limited in its scope to address a more comprehensive requirements profile.

Research limitations/implications
The proposed ROPP model is conceptual and requires further development to test its effectiveness in enhancing focus on client requirements. However, given current developments in automated checking in BIM and other environments, this offers scope for further research in this area.

Originality/value
Maintaining focus on client requirements throughout the process is a key criterion for project success. However, given the many stakeholders involved, and the progressive translation into various project documents, there is a risk that focus on the original/evolving requirements of the client can be lost. Current approaches such as the DQI have limitations and a robust ROPP is, therefore, a key contribution to securing clients’ objectives over the project lifecycle.
Communicating with stakeholders when bad news is uncertain
Authors: Baker Scott , Hernandez Morela 
Published: June 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the question of if and when leaders should communicate bad news to their stakeholders. Previous research in the crisis communication literature has highlighted the need to communicate quickly and persuasively to minimize losses; however, the authors argue that such tactics assume certainty in negative outcomes and tend to generate predominantly one-way, company-centric communication. In this paper, the authors propose that under conditions of uncertainty (i.e. when the bad news has an unknown outcome or cause) different communication strategies are needed.

Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on the stakeholder theory, the authors argue that organizational decision makers have a clear moral obligation to share bad news with affected stakeholders. The authors then review the existing approach to crisis communication and discuss its limitations under conditions of uncertainty. Finally, the authors develop a set of scenarios to guide the communication of bad news under conditions of uncertainty.

Findings
The authors formulate a framework to guide leaders on how to communicate with stakeholders when the nature of the bad news is uncertain and open to multiple interpretations. The authors propose a situational approach for responding to stakeholders that emerges from the context of the bad news.

Originality/value
The authors propose a situational framework for communicating bad news that overcomes the current limitations of extant crisis communication strategies under conditions of uncertainty. This involves balancing existing crisis communication recommendations with a more collaborative sensemaking approach.
Cultural resonance of global brands in Brazilian social movements
Authors: Suarez Maribel , Belk Russell 
Published: June 2017

Purpose
The research analyzes the presence of two global brands – Fiat and International Federation of Association Football – in Brazilian demonstrations in conjunction with the 2014 World Cup. The purpose of this paper is to extend the brand cultural resonance construct and highlights its boundary-straddling nature. The analysis reveals the dynamics of brand meanings established including why some brands have their meanings enriched through collective appropriation, while others become vessels of negative content and targets of anti-consumption movements.

Design/methodology/approach
A multimethod approach, which included observation, analysis of cultural texts and in-depth interviews with 21 demonstrators, was adopted for the study.

Findings
The study extends the construct of brand cultural resonance proposing an additional facet, named Institutional Resonance. This dimension relates to the meanings that arise from a brand’s institutional role and interactions with other social institutions, like governments, the economy, religious, and educational systems. Institutional Resonance occurs when a certain brand becomes the archetypal representation of a social institution. This study also presents two forms of brand cultural resonance: arrows or targets. As arrows, brands lend their symbolic resources to the construction of protesters’ messages helping them to communicate their ideas. As targets, brands become social enemies and represent negative poles of social contradictions.

Originality/value
This study investigates consumer appropriation of marketers’ actions. The research depicts Institutional Resonance as an interactive and acute phenomenon which promotes a social negotiation on a playing field where different agents forge brand meanings and reputations.
How global brands incorporating local cultural elements increase consumer purchase likelihood
Authors: He Jiaxun , Wang Cheng Lu 
Published: June 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of incorporating Chinese elements in global brands on consumer purchase likelihood.

Design/methodology/approach
Six global brand products from three categories that utilized Chinese elements are used to test hypotheses. The Total Effect Moderation Model is used to analyze by combining moderation and mediation under a general analytical framework.

Findings
The results show that cultural compatibility has direct positive effect, in addition to an indirect effect (through local iconness) on purchase likelihood. Meanwhile, consumer cultural identity is found to moderate the impact of brand local iconness on purchase likelihood.

Practical implications
Evaluation and improvement of cultural compatibility in a global brand that incorporates Chinese elements is recommended for multinational marketers entering Chinese consumer markets. Meanwhile, marketers should pay attention to consumer cultural identity in the market segmentation process.

Originality/value
This paper takes a unique perspective to investigate whether and how global brands can succeed when adding local cultural elements to the product design, packaging and promotion in emerging markets like China.
Consumer perceptions and willingness to pay for cassava-wheat composite bread in Ghana
Authors: Owusu Victor , Owusu-Sekyere Enoch , Donkor Emmanuel , Darkwaah Nana Ama , Adomako-Boateng Jr Derrick 
Published: June 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for composite flour bread produced with a blend of 15-40 per cent cassava flour blended with wheat flour in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis is based on interviews with 350 consumers in the Ashanti and Eastern Regions of Ghana to assess their awareness, perceptions and WTP for cassava-wheat composite bread. From these consumer interviews, a hedonic regression model was applied to evaluate consumers’ WTP for various attributes of composite flour bread. Price-related and health-related perceptions of consumers on cassava-wheat composite bread were investigated with perception indices. Multi-attribute preference-based contingent ratings that rate product attributes in terms of importance to consumers was employed. The implicit prices of the product attributes representing the contribution of the product attributes to the WTP amount were also computed.FindingsThe paper finds that consumers who are aware of cassava-blended flour bread and who like its taste and texture are willing to pay more than consumers who are unaware. This leads to a policy recommendation advocating increased advertising of the economic and nutritional benefits of cassava-wheat blended composite flour bread.Research limitations/implicationsFuture studies should explore the choice experiments to examine preferences for the food product.Originality/valueThis paper evaluates consumers’ WTP for composite flour bread produced with a blend of 15-40 per cent cassava flour and wheat flour. Given widespread reliance on imported wheat flour and the simultaneously large volumes of locally available cassava, it is important to consider opportunities for import substitution (and possible cost reduction for consumers) of blended flour products such as cassava-wheat composite flours. Nigeria has imposed a 10 per cent blending requirement for this reason. Ghana has taken important measures recently for the development of high-quality cassava flour, and so research on its potential and actual uptake is welcomed and highly relevant to food security and agribusiness development.
Real Estate Investments, Product Market Competition and Stock Returns
Authors: Diop Moussa 
Published: June 2017

AbstractBy limiting operating flexibility, real estate investments are found to increase firm risk, thus expected returns. This study introduces product market competition as a critical determinant of the relation between real estate investments and stock returns. As part of capacity strategies, these investments are generally associated with increased market power and lower cash flow volatility in oligopolistic industries. I present a simple model of oligopolistic competition showing a negative relation between real estate holdings and firm beta, and empirically confirm this prediction. Controlling for product market competition enhances identification of the endogenous relation between real estate investments and stock returns.
Application of Enhanced Point Estimators to a Sample of In Vivo CT‐derived Facial Soft Tissue Thicknesses
Authors: Parks Connie L. , Kyllonen Kelsey M. , Monson Keith L. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractFacial approximations based on facial soft tissue depth measurement tables often utilize the arithmetic mean as a central tendency estimator. Stephan et al. (J Forensic Sci 2013;58:1439) suggest that the shorth and 75‐shormax statistics are better suited to describe the central tendency of non‐normal soft tissue depth data, while also accommodating normal distributions. The shorth, 75‐shormax, arithmetic mean, and other central tendency estimators were evaluated using a CT‐derived facial soft tissue depth dataset. Differences between arithmetic mean and shorth mean for the tissue depths examined ranged from 0 mm to +2.3 mm (average 0.6 mm). Differences between the arithmetic mean plus one standard deviation (to approximate the same data points covered by the 75‐shormax) and 75‐shormax values ranged from −0.8 mm to +0.7 mm (average 0.2 mm). The results of this research suggest that few practical differences exist across the central tendency point estimators for the evaluated soft tissue depth dataset.
Tape Lift Sampling of Chemical Threat Agents
Authors: Brady Krista , Stilley Becky , Olds Maria , O'Neill Terry , Egan James , Durnal Evan 
Published: June 2017

AbstractCommercial‐off‐the‐shelf (COTS) materials were evaluated as surface samplers for the Department of Homeland Security Chemical Forensics Program. The program helps evidence collectors identify trace chemical residues at incident scenes. COTS items are widely available, produced in large lots, and with strict controls. Chemical attribution signatures were collected from common surfaces. Eight tape lift candidates were considered, five were chosen based on performance and tested for analytical interferences and extraction efficiencies with 14 chemicals. Three products (duct tape, print lifters, command strips) were evaluated for uptake from common interior surfaces (glass, tile, ABS plastic). Duct tape provided highest recoveries across all surfaces. Even the most volatile analytes were detected in the ABS plastic samples (nondetections in others), regardless of tape lift material used. The porous plastic substrate provides better target retention than glass and tile surfaces. Forensic field operators should sample surfaces made of ABS plastic (keyboards, remotes, phones, etc.) whenever possible.