bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synergistic effects of conductivity and cell-imprinted topography of chitosan-polyaniline based scaffolds for neural differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells
Authors: Eftekhari Behnaz Sadat , Eskandari Mahnaz , Janmey Paul , Samadikuchaksaraei Ali , Gholipurmalekabadi Mazaher 
Published: June 2020

AbstractSmart nano-environments that mimic the stem cell niche can guide cell behavior to support functional repair and regeneration of tissues. The specific microenvironment of nervous tissue is composed of several physical signaling factors, including proper topography, flexibility, and electric conductance. In this study, a cell-imprinting technique was used to obtain a hierarchical topographical conductive scaffold based on chitosan-polyaniline (PANI) hydrogels for directing the neural differentiation of rat adipose-derived stem cells (rADSCs). A chitosan-polyaniline hydrogel was synthesized, followed by characterization tests, such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), electrical conductivity, Young modulus, and contact angle measurements. A chitosan-PANI scaffold with a biomimetic topography was fabricated by molding it on a chemically fixed culture of PC12 cells. This substrate was used to test the hypothesis that the PC12 cell-imprinted chitosan-PANI hydrogel provides the required hierarchical topographical surface to induce neural differentiation. To test the importance of spatial imprinting, rADSCs were seeded on these conductive patterned substrates, and the resulting cultures were compared to those of the same cells grown on flat conductive chitosan-polyaniline, and flat pure chitosan substrates for evaluation of adhesion, cell viability, and expression of neural differentiation markers. The morphology of rADSCs grown on conductive patterned scaffolds noticeably was significantly different from that of stem cells cultivated on flat scaffolds. This difference suggests that the change in cell and nuclear shape imposed by the patterned conductive substrate leads to altered gene expression and neural differentiation of cultured cells. In summary, a conductive chitosan-polyaniline scaffold with biomimetic topography demonstrates a promising method for enhancing the neural differentiation of rADSCs for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
Ultra-compact Dual-band Smart NEMS Magnetoelectric Antennas for Simultaneous Wireless Energy Harvesting and Magnetic Field Sensing
Authors: Zaeimbashi Mohsen , Nasrollahpour Mehdi , Khalifa Adam , Romano Anthony , Liang Xianfeng , Chen Huaihao , Sun Neville , Matyushov Alexei , Lin Hwaider , Dong Cunzheng , Xu Ziyue , Mittal Ankit , Martos-Repath Isabel , Jha Gaurav , Mirchandani Nikita , Das Diptashree , Onabajo Marvin , Shrivastava Aatmesh , Cash Sydney , Sun Nian X. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractUltra-compact wireless implantable medical devices (IMDs) are in great demand for healthcare applications, in particular for neural recording and stimulation. Current implantable technologies based on miniaturized micro-coils suffer from low wireless power transfer efficiency (PTE) and are not always compliant with the specific absorption rate imposed by the Federal Communications Commission, particularly for deep brain implantation where field attenuation and tissue loss are significant. Moreover, current implantable devices are reliant on recordings of voltage or current. This has two major weaknesses: 1) the necessary direct contact between electrode and tissue degrades over time due to electrochemical fouling and tissue reactions, and 2) the necessity for differential recordings across space. Here, we report, for the first time, an ultra-compact dual-band smart nanoelectromechanical systems magnetoelectric (ME) antenna with a size of 250×174 μm2that can efficiently perform wireless energy harvesting and sense ultra-small magnetic fields such as those arising from neural activities. The proposed smart ME antenna has a wireless PTE 1~2 orders of magnitude higher than any other reported miniaturized micro-coil, allowing the wireless IMDs to be compliant with the specific absorption rate (SAR) limit and to operate under safe exposure of radio frequency energy. Furthermore, the magnetic sensing capability of the proposed smart ME antenna, with a limit of detection of 300~500pT at > 200Hz, should allow the IMDs to record neural magnetic fields from the brain without requiring differential recording.
Insufficient social distancing may be related to COVID-19 outbreak: the case of Ijuí city in Brazil
Authors: Heck Thiago Gomes , Frantz Rafael Zancan , Frizzo Matias Nunes , François Carlos Henrique Ramires , Ludwig Mirna Stela , Mesenburg Marilia Arndt , Buratti Giovano Pereira , Franz Lígia Beatriz Bento , Berlezi Evelise Moraes 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe coronavirus disease initiated in 2019 (COVID-19) has proven to be highly contagious and quickly became a pandemic. Nowadays, it presents higher transmission rates worldwide, chiefly in small Brazilian cities, as Ijuí. Located in the northwestern of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (RS) with 83,475 inhabitants, Ijuí was selected to receive a population-based survey organized in five steps, involving 2,222 subjects. Subjects were tested for the presence of antibodies against coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and answered questions regarding social distance adherence (SDA), daily preventive routine (DPR), comorbidities, and sociodemographic characteristics. In parallel, the local government registered the official COVID-19 cases in Ijuí, and the mobile social distancing index (MSDI) was also registered. In this study, we demonstrate the decrease in the levels of SDA, DPR and MSDI before the beginning of COVID-19 community transmission in Ijuí. Also, we provide predictions for cases, hospitalization, and deaths in the city. We concluded that the insufficient social distancing, evidenced by different methods, might have a strong relationship with the rapid increase of COVID-19 cases in Ijuí. Our study predicts a closer outbreak of community infection of COVID-19, which could be avoided or attenuated if the levels of the social distancing in the population increase.
Different innate and adaptive immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection of asymptomatic, mild and severe cases
Authors: Carsetti Rita , Zaffina Salvatore , Mortari Eva Piano , Terreri Sara , Corrente Francesco , Capponi Claudia , Palomba Patrizia , Mirabella Mattia , Cascioli Simona , Palange Paolo , Cuccaro Ilaria , Milito Cinzia , Zumla Alimuddin , Maeurer Markus , Camisa Vincenzo , Vinci Maria Rosaria , Santoro Annapaola , Cimini Eleonora , Marchioni Luisa , Nicastri Emanuele , Palmieri Fabrizio , Agrati Chiara , Ippolito Giuseppe , Porzio Ottavia , Concato Carlo , Muda Andrea Onetti , Raponi Massimiliano , Quintarelli Concetta , Quinti Isabella , Locatelli Franco 
Published: June 2020

ABSTRACTSARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus, not encountered before by humans. The wide spectrum of clinical expression of SARS-CoV-2 illness suggests that individual immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 play a crucial role in determining the clinical course after first infection.Immunological studies have focussed on patients with moderate to severe disease, demonstrating excessive inflammation in tissues and organ damage. In order to understand the basis of the protective immune response in COVID-19, we performed a longitudinal follow-up, flow-cytometric and serological analysis of innate and adaptive immunity in 64 adults with a spectrum of clinical presentations: 28 healthy SARS-CoV-2-negative contacts of COVID-19 cases; 20 asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2-infected cases; 8 patients with Mild COVID-19 disease and 8 cases of Severe COVID-19 disease. Our data show that high frequency of NK cells and early and transient increase of specific IgA, IgM and, to a lower extent, IgG are associated to asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. By contrast, monocyte expansion and high and persistent levels of IgA and IgG, produced relatively late in the course of the infection, characterize severe disease. Modest increase of monocytes and different kinetics of antibodies are detected in mild COVID-19. The importance of innate NK cells and the short-lived antibody response of asymptomatic individuals and patients with mild disease suggest that only severe COVID-19 may result in protective memory established by the adaptive immune response.
Impact of cattle on joint dynamics and disease burden of Japanese encephalitis and leptospirosis
Authors: Zahid Mondal Hasan , Kribs Christopher M. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractJapanese encephalitis (JE) is a mosquito-borne neglected tropical disease. JE is mostly found in rural areas where people usually keep cattle at home for their needs. Cattle in households reduce JE virus infections since they distract vectors and act as a dead-end host for the virus. However, the presence of cattle introduces risk of leptospirosis infections in humans. Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that spreads through direct or indirect contact of urine of the infected cattle. Thus, cattle have both positive and negative impacts on human disease burden. This study uses a mathematical model to study the joint dynamics of these two diseases in the presence of cattle and to identify the net impact of cattle on the annual disease burden in JE-prevalent areas. Analysis indicates that the presence of cattle helps to reduce the overall disease burden in JE-prevalent areas. However, this reduction is dominated by the vector’s feeding pattern. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the joint dynamics of JE and leptospirosis.
BCG vaccination in infancy does not protect against COVID-19. Evidence from a natural experiment in Sweden
Authors: de Chaisemartin Clément , de Chaisemartin Luc 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) tuberculosis vaccine has immunity benefits against respiratory infections. Accordingly, it has been hypothesized that it may have a protective effect against COVID-19. Recent research found that countries with universal Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) childhood vaccination policies tend to be less affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, such ecological studies are biased by numerous confounders. Instead, this paper takes advantage of a rare nationwide natural experiment that took place in Sweden in 1975, where discontinuation of newborns BCG vaccination led to a dramatic fall of the BCG coverage rate from 92% to 2%, thus allowing us to estimate the BCG’s effect without all the biases associated with cross-country comparisons.MethodsNumbers of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations were recorded for birth cohorts born just before and just after that change, representing 1,026,304 and 1,018,544 individuals, respectively. We used regression discontinuity to assess the effect of BCG vaccination on Covid-19 related outcomes. This method used on such a large population allows for a high precision that would be hard to achieve using a classical randomized controlled trial.ResultsThe odds ratio for Covid-19 cases and Covid-19 related hospitalizations were 0·9997 (CI95: [0·8002-1·1992]) and 1·1931 (CI95: [0·7558-1·6304]), respectively. We can thus reject with 95% confidence that universal BCG vaccination reduces the number of cases by more than 20% and the number of hospitalizations by more than 24%ConclusionsWhile the effect of a recent vaccination must be evaluated, we provide strong evidence that receiving the BCG vaccine at birth does not have a protective effect against COVID-19.
On Dynamical Analysis of the Data-Driven SIR model (COVID-19 Outbreak in Indonesia)
Authors: Sulaiman Albert 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAn archipelago country such as Indonesia has a different beginning of the outbreak, therefore the management of epidemics not uniform. For this reason, the results in the data of confirmed cases COVID-19 to fluctuate and difficult to predict. We use the data-driven SIR model to analyze the dynamics and behavior of the evolution of the disease. We run the data-driven SIR model gradually and found that there are shifting of the peak and the distance of saturation point. We found that a transmission acceleration of the outbreak occurring in Indonesia where it could be seen from increasing of the time the saturation and the confirmed cases. It is finally argued that a new parameter can be used to guidance the condition when the new normal begins.
EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO FRAGILITY FRACTURES IN INDIANS
Authors: Singh Vaibhav , Pal Ananda Kisor , Biswas Dibyendu , Ghosh Alakendu , Singh Brijesh P 
Published: June 2020

ABSTRACTObjectiveOsteoporosis causes fragility fractures that also occur in patients with bone mineral density (BMD) in the normal or osteopenic range, suggesting role of risk factors that are unrelated or partially related to BMD. The study aims at highlighting the link between 3 conditions, that are environment and occupation related risk factors and that are widely prevalent in India, and development of fragility fractures.MethodsA Case Control study was done by recruiting 110 Cases with history of recent fragility fractures and 84 Controls with no history of recent fractures. 3 study parameters, village dwelling, conventional farming, and poverty, were chosen the presence or absence of which were documented in participants. This was followed by an ODDS ratio analysis.ResultsThe Odds of village dwellers, conventional farmers, and socioeconomically poor individuals to develop fragility fractures were both significant and large.ConclusionUrbanization is a risk in the development of fragility fractures. However, this study points that village dwelling in India is associated with the development of fragility fractures. Similarly, Odds of farmers exposed to pesticides and agrochemicals to develop fragility fractures is large and significant. Pesticides and agrochemicals act as endocrine disruptors and bone health is closely linked to endocrine system. Fragility fractures among farmers may be due to endocrine disrupting properties of pesticides and agrochemicals. Socioeconomic deprivation is a known risk in the development of osteoporosis. This study too highlights that the odds of individuals living in poverty to develop fragility fractures is significant and large.
Exploring drivers and barriers for organic poultry consumption
Authors: Schipmann-Schwarze Christin , Hamm Ulrich 
Published: June 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify drivers and barriers for the demand of organic poultry to provide recommendations for market actors.Design/methodology/approach644 consumers were interviewed through computer-assisted self-interviews in four regions (north, south, east and west) of Germany in front of conventional supermarkets and organic food shops. The survey data were analysed differentiating between three consumer segments. In addition to descriptive analysis, an explorative factor analysis was conducted and a multinomial logit model was applied.FindingsThe results show that consumer preferences, attitudes and determinants of purchase decisions differ significantly between consumer groups. Price sensitivity, appreciation of animal-welfare, belief in altruistic benefits of organic poultry production, as well as the influence of media reports are important determinants for the purchase decision of different consumer segments.Practical implicationsThis study provides information for market actors regarding which strategies to adopt to increase the sales potential of organic poultry indifferent consumer segments.Originality/valueThe organic poultry market has great potential as it can meet the growing demand for healthy and sustainable products which are produced in an animal-friendly way. However, its market share still lies far below the overall organic market share for food products in total. Reasons for the low market share were not explored in-depth until now.
The paradox of community involvement: rebuilding Minamisanriku
Authors: Cheek Wesley 
Published: June 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the barriers to community participation in post-disaster reconstruction in Minamisanriku, Japan.Design/methodology/approachThis paper utilizes the extended case method. 31 in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with local residents as well as 15 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with professionals working on reconstruction efforts. Multiple site visits were made to conduct participant observation and ethnographic research. The data from these interviews and fieldwork were triangulated with archival research.FindingsThe results from this research show that at least six major barriers to community participation in post-disaster reconstruction were present in Minamisanriku. These barriers were: predetermined tsunami risk levels, a disaster reconstruction menu, existing patterns of government, construction of seawalls, an existing lack of participation and administrative mergers. These barriers were not a product of the disaster event itself, but rather of the pre-existing conditions in Minamisanriku, and Japan in general.Originality/valueThis study pinpoints the actually existing barriers to the worldwide call for participatory measures and community involvement in post-disaster reconstruction.
Strategic drivers to promote employee suggestion schemes in GCC organizations
Authors: Jabeen Fauzia , Mehmood Khalid , Mehrajunnisa Mehrajunnisa 
Published: June 2020

PurposeThis study applies a decision support tool to prioritize the various drivers that influence employee suggestion schemes (ESSs) in both public and private organizations based in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries for better organizational performance.Design/methodology/approachUsing theories of organizational creativity, an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) model was developed with 5 criteria and 24 sub-criteria. Data were collected from executives (n = 48) from both public and private organizations in the GCC. Later, the data were interpreted with a priority vector assigned to each criterion and sub-criterion.FindingsThe results indicate that leaders/management support, individual traits and organization culture are the key drivers that influence employees' involvement in an ESS.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is limited to a small sample size, and data were collected only in three GCC countries. The study provides insights into ESS in the context of developing countries and is a relevant contribution to both theory and practice. The results will be of interest to businesses and academics for improving understanding on the various enablers of successful employee participation programme implementation and subsequent increase in organizational performance in the GCC.Originality/valueThe novelty of this study is that it resolves the lack of empirical research in the Middle East countries/GCC. The transition phase of knowledge-based economies highlights the significance of innovation and creativity through active employee participation to improve business results. The study attempts to prioritise both individual- and organizational-level drivers for promoting ESS by leveraging theories of creativity in alignment with the GCC National Innovation Agenda. This study can be generalized from the GCC context due to homogeneity in organizational governance and cultural aspects.
Changing roles and environments in experiential learning
Authors: Amigó María Florencia , Lloyd Justine 
Published: June 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to report on the implications of new and unfamiliar roles for educators, students and employers generated by experiential learning (EL) activities. It considers how a series of tensions and instabilities in traditional role identities for each group arise from an expanded definition of university learning environments.Design/methodology/approachThe paper thus uses the concept of liminality, or “in-between-ness”, to explore processes of role transition via EL. This theme emerged from analysis of qualitative data gathered via focus groups and interviews with academic unit convenors, workplace supervisors and students across a range of disciplines.FindingsBecause none of the cohorts were fully supported in or securely ascribed to these new roles, the unsettled nature of EL is argued to be both a key benefit and challenge to educators.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper was based on a small-scale study of a specific EL programme. As such, it could be complemented by longitudinal and broader-scale research across different sites and national contexts, as well as with cohorts that the authors do not canvas here: university administrators, policy advisors and employers more broadly.Practical implicationsThe paper reflects on how higher education institutions can support participants in these new educational settings, as well as raising the question of whether new roles are still emerging from this process.Social implicationsThe paper canvasses impacts of EL on individual participants as well as the sector itself.Originality/valueThe authors believe that understanding EL activities through the lens of liminality provides a new approach to its impact at individual, institutional and social levels.
Effects of COVID-19 on hotel marketing and management: a perspective article
Authors: Jiang Yangyang , Wen Jun 
Published: June 2020

PurposeThis paper aims to discuss the effects of COVID-19 on hotel marketing and management practices and outlines a three-pronged research agenda to stimulate knowledge development in the hotel sector.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is based on an overview of the relevant literature on hotel marketing and management and the hotel guest behavior. The authors also investigated hospitality service trends to propose a research agenda.FindingsThis paper presents a research agenda from three dimensions – artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, hygiene and cleanliness and health and health care. First, different types of AI (mechanical, thinking and feeling) might open up distinct research streams at the intersection of health crises and hotel management, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, this paper recommends that researchers move beyond typical perspectives on the antecedents and outcomes of hotel hygiene and cleanliness to delve into guests’ perceptions of the cleanliness of specific hotel surfaces. Furthermore, a more in-depth analysis is warranted about the evolving relationship between hotels and the health-care sector.Practical implicationsThe recommended research areas are intended to advance the knowledge base to help hotels recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The suggested research streams are expected to provide actionable insights to promote the development and sustainability of the hotel sector.Originality/valueThis paper appears to be a frontier study, critically examining possible effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on hotel marketing and management practices and how hoteliers may respond to such challenges to recover after this pandemic.