bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A review of 3D printing processes and materials for soft robotics
Authors: Yap Yee Ling , Sing Swee Leong , Yeong Wai Yee 
Published: June 2020

PurposeSoft robotics is currently a rapidly growing new field of robotics whereby the robots are fundamentally soft and elastically deformable. Fabrication of soft robots is currently challenging and highly time- and labor-intensive. Recent advancements in three-dimensional (3D) printing of soft materials and multi-materials have become the key to enable direct manufacturing of soft robots with sophisticated designs and functions. Hence, this paper aims to review the current 3D printing processes and materials for soft robotics applications, as well as the potentials of 3D printing technologies on 3D printed soft robotics.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviews the polymer 3D printing techniques and materials that have been used for the development of soft robotics. Current challenges to adopting 3D printing for soft robotics are also discussed. Next, the potentials of 3D printing technologies and the future outlooks of 3D printed soft robotics are presented.FindingsThis paper reviews five different 3D printing techniques and commonly used materials. The advantages and disadvantages of each technique for the soft robotic application are evaluated. The typical designs and geometries used by each technique are also summarized. There is an increasing trend of printing shape memory polymers, as well as multiple materials simultaneously using direct ink writing and material jetting techniques to produce robotics with varying stiffness values that range from intrinsically soft and highly compliant to rigid polymers. Although the recent work is done is still limited to experimentation and prototyping of 3D printed soft robotics, additive manufacturing could ultimately be used for the end-use and production of soft robotics.Originality/valueThe paper provides the current trend of how 3D printing techniques and materials are used particularly in the soft robotics application. The potentials of 3D printing technology on the soft robotic applications and the future outlooks of 3D printed soft robotics are also presented.
Digitalization in organized sport – usage of digital instruments in voluntary sports clubs depending on club's goals and organizational capacity
Authors: Ehnold Peter , Faß Eric , Steinbach Dirk , Schlesinger Torsten 
Published: June 2020

PurposeThe intention of this paper is to identify the scope and purpose of the use of digital tools in voluntary sports clubs (VSCs) and to identify club-specific factors that influence their usage behavior.Design/methodology/approachAn online survey was conducted among VSCs in Austria and in Germany (n = 787). To answer the key questions, patterns of digital use in VSCs were analyzed in relation to the overall organizational goals and organizational capacity. In addition to the description of the clubs' usage behavior patterns, a multiple linear regression model (blockwise) and quantile regression models were estimated.FindingsThe descriptive results show that digital instruments are most used in the areas of “internal/external communication” (93.7%) and “to report membership data to federations” (82.1%). The OLS and quantile regression models indicate that user behavior is primarily influenced by the following factors: the goals of “commitment/success in competitive sports” and “cooperation with other institutions”; the organizational factors “digital processes do not fit with our club culture”, “proportion of volunteers with administrative tasks”, “we do not yet have a clear digitalization strategy for our club” and “lack of financial resources for necessary IT investments”.Originality/valueDigital technologies appear to be promising for organizational development in VSCs. However, what the usage behavior of digital instruments in VSCs currently is, and by which factors this usage is influenced, has not been the focus of empirical analysis yet. The study provides initial insights into the understanding of digitalization in VSCs that can be used for consulting and ongoing research.
Measuring competitive intensity in sports leagues
Authors: Wagner Fabio , Preuss Holger , Könecke Thomas 
Published: June 2020

PurposeFor managers of sports leagues, it is crucial to produce an attractive competition. For that to happen, it is vital to consider that leagues frequently have more sub-competitions than “just” the championship. In European top football leagues, for instance, four sub-competitions are common (championship, qualification for Champions- or Europa League, avoiding relegation). This paper introduces a new method for measuring competitive intensity (CI) in round-robin sports leagues considering all relevant sub-competitions and applies it to Germany's Bundesliga.Design/methodology/approachThe newly developed model calculates a CI-Index for each sub-competition and the league as a whole. The application to the Bundesliga analyzes its viability and the development of the league's CI over the past 22 seasons.FindingsThe newly introduced CI-Indices prove to be a viable tool for evaluating a league's competitive intensity. The application to the Bundesliga shows that the seasonal CI dropped after 2009/10, which can mainly be attributed to a decline in the championship's CI.Practical implicationsThe results show that it is important to facilitate a high CI in each of Bundesliga's four sub-competitions. Efforts have to be made to ensure that especially the Europa League remains as attractive as possible for the participating teams and their fans because this sub-competition constantly makes the greatest contribution to the seasonal CI.Originality/valueThe new method measures competitive intensity by quantifying the different sub-competitions and their contribution to the seasonal CI. This allows the organizers of sports leagues to assess the intensity of the individual sub-competitions as well as the league as a whole.
Social impact of a participative small-scale sporting event
Authors: Parra-Camacho David , González-García Rómulo Jacobo , Alonso-Dos-Santos Manuel 
Published: June 2020

PurposeTo examine the social impact of a small-scale sporting event and its influence on the willingness to support future events.Design/methodology/approachA self-supplied questionnaire was used with 248 residents-sportspeople that participated in the Valencia Triathlon. Descriptive analysis, exploratory and confirmatory factorials were done through SPSS, FACTOR and EQS.FindingsThree dimensions of positive impacts were identified; sporting participation and city image, social development and human capital and economic development. The impacts in sporting participation and in the improvement to the image of the city contribute to positively explaining the willingness to support the holding of sporting events. Local sportspeople highlight their participative component and the projection of the city image as key factors to endorse holding future sporting events as a strategy for tourism.Research limitations/implicationsThe convenience sampling limits the extrapolation of the results.Practical implicationsMaking the most of the intangible aspects is recommended due to the great potential these events have to generate social capital and increase the networks of social collaboration. Give a more active role to volunteers and local organizers in an organization. Transmit the pride of the community and the sense of belonging to this community to the media and advertising communication.Social implicationsSmall scale sporting events can contribute to improving the quality of life, increasing pride, the sense of belonging of the residents, opportunities for entertainment and encouraging local participation.Originality/valueA contribution to the empirical analysis of the social impact of small-scale sporting events from the perspective of local participants.
Conceptualizing reverse logistics to plastics recycling system
Authors: Tesfaye Wogene , Kitaw Daniel 
Published: June 2020

Purpose
Plastics waste management is a critical agenda for the global community. Recycling is the most important strategy option for recovering plastics wastes. This study aims to review reverse logistics (RL) implementation practices and conceptualizing it to the plastic recycling system.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper is organized after evaluating the studies related to plastics waste recycling and analyzing the available frameworks to use RL as a strategic tool.

Findings
The paper has investigated that previous research on RL implementation focused on a few stages of RL activities and did not include the most important issues. However, for successful RL implementation, taking into account the whole stage and including the most important factors is very important. To elaborate on this finding a new conceptual framework is developed.

Research limitations/implications
The paper is fully based on literature review and international reports. The developed framework is required for further empirical validation in the plastics sector.

Practical implications
The paper has considered the important issues and the applications of those factors that can improve plastics recycling performances.

Social implications
This study can enhance the active involvement of main actors (plastics producers, users, municipal and recyclers) in the plastics recycling system.

Originality/value
This paper deliberates on how RL can be conceptualized and implemented in plastics recycling systems in considering the most important factors for plastics recycling.
Perceptions and satisfaction of human–animal encounters in protected areas
Authors: Dell'Eva Martina , Nava Consuelo Rubina , Osti Linda 
Published: June 2020

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to assess the role of animals in creating a satisfactory experience at a natural park by investigating the impact on visitors of the exposure to, or absence of, fauna, towards the visitors’ overall experience.

Design/methodology/approach
The work is based on a quantitative data collection of tourists visiting a nature park. Altogether, 532 valid questionnaires were collected and used for the analysis. A series of factor analyses was conducted on pull and push factors for animal encounters. The resulting factor domains (FDs) were used as independent variables in ordinal logistic regression models to describe customer satisfaction.

Findings
The results of this study show that important FDs characterize the main visitor characteristics. Although human–animal encounters are an important factor for some visitors, the encounters should be encouraged in the most natural manner possible and not in captivity. This brings us to the concept of “Interpretation”, where guides and guided tours can help with the encounters. Information given prior to and during the visit can ensure visitors are aware that animal encounters are subject to nature and cannot be guaranteed.

Originality/value
The presence of areas where a number of animals are in captivity and can be viewed by visitors is an important decision for national parks and protected areas, as animals represent a potential attraction for visitors. Nevertheless, this decision creates an ethical dilemma in relation to the exploitation of animals, exacerbated by recent and increasing pressure on sustainable management. This study provides valuable results for guiding park managers in making reasoned decisions.
Comprehensive social competence and social entrepreneurial action: the mediating role of entrepreneurial tenacity
Authors: Nsereko Isa 
Published: June 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this study is twofold: (1) to examine the relationship between comprehensive social competence, entrepreneurial tenacity and social entrepreneurial action and (2) to test the mediating role of entrepreneurial tenacity in the relationship between comprehensive social competence and social entrepreneurial action among social ventures in Uganda.Design/methodology/approachThe study is cross-sectional and quantitative. Data were analyzed with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences and analysis of moment structures.FindingsResults show that both comprehensive social competence and entrepreneurial tenacity are significantly associated with social entrepreneurial action. Results further indicate that entrepreneurial tenacity partially mediates the relationship between comprehensive social competence and social entrepreneurial action.Originality/valueTo the authors' knowledge, this study provides initial empirical evidence on the relationship between comprehensive social competence, entrepreneurial tenacity and social entrepreneurial action using evidence from a developing African country – Uganda. Mostly, this provides an initial evidence of the mediating role of entrepreneurial tenacity on the relationship between comprehensive social competence and social entrepreneurial action.
A strategy for the identification of paracrine regulators of cancer cell migration
Authors: Chavez Bernardo , Farmaki Elena , Zhang Youwen , Altomare Diego , Hao Ji , Soltnamohammadi Elham , Shtutman Michael , Chatzistamou Ioulia , Kiaris Hippokratis 
Published: June 2020

AbstractWe hypothesized that the correlation of the whole transcriptome with quantifiable phenotypes may unveil genes contributing to the regulation of the corresponding response. We tested this hypothesis in cultured fibroblasts exposed to diverse pharmacological and biological agents, to identify genes influencing chemoattraction of breast cancer cells. Our analyses revealed several genes that correlated, either positively or negatively with cell migration, suggesting that they may operate as activators or inhibitors of this process. Survey of the scientific literature showed that genes exhibiting positive or negative association with cell migration had frequently been linked to cancer and metastasis before, while those with minimal association were not. The current methodology may formulate the basis for the development of novel strategies linking genes to quantifiable phenotypes.
Functional surface proteomic profiling reveals the host heat‐shock protein A8 as a mediator of Lichtheimia corymbifera recognition by murine alveolar macrophages
Authors: Hassan Mohamed I. Abdelwahab , Kruse Janis M. , Krüger Thomas , Dahse Hans‐Martin , Cseresnyés Zoltán , Blango Matthew G. , Slevogt Hortense , Hörhold Franziska , Ast Volker , König Rainer , Figge Marc Thilo , Kniemeyer Olaf , Brakhage Axel A. , Voigt Kerstin 
Published: June 2020

SummaryMucormycosis is an emergent, fatal fungal infection of humans and warm‐blooded animals caused by species of the order Mucorales. Immune cells of the innate immune system serve as the first line of defence against inhaled spores. Alveolar macrophages were challenged with the mucoralean fungus Lichtheimia corymbifera and subjected to biotinylation and streptavidin enrichment procedures followed by LC–MS/MS analyses. A total of 28 host proteins enriched for binding to macrophage–L. corymbifera interaction. Among those, the HSP70‐family protein Hspa8 was found to be predominantly responsive to living and heat‐killed spores of a virulent and an attenuated strain of L. corymbifera. Confocal scanning laser microscopy of infected macrophages revealed colocalization of Hspa8 with phagocytosed spores of L. corymbifera. The amount of detectable Hspa8 was dependent on the multiplicity of infection. Incubation of alveolar macrophages with an anti‐Hspa8 antibody prior to infection reduced their capability to phagocytose spores of L. corymbifera. In contrast, anti‐Hspa8 antibodies did not abrogate the phagocytosis of Aspergillus fumigatus conidia by macrophages. These results suggest an important contribution of the heat‐shock family protein Hspa8 in the recognition of spores of the mucoralean fungus L. corymbifera by host alveolar macrophages and define a potential immunomodulatory therapeutic target.
Access to savings and household welfare evidence from a household survey in The Gambia
Authors: Jawara Hamidou 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIn this study, we provide evidence on the impact of access to formal savings on household well‐being in The Gambia. Specifically, we study how access to formal savings can impact household outcomes such as total spending, ownership of durable assets, health spending, and education spending. Using a representative household survey and kernel ridge regression method, we find that household access to formal savings has a positive and statistically significant impact on all outcomes except health spending. Furthermore, we find that the largest effect size of access to savings is on education spending. However, the impact estimates on education and food expenditure are not very robust to a mild presence of hidden bias. Overall, we find a robust impact for total spending and asset ownership. Hence, increasing household access to formal savings can improve household well‐being in The Gambia.
Social networks, rice value chain participation and market performance of smallholder farmers in Ghana
Authors: Abdul‐Rahaman Awal , Abdulai Awudu 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThis paper examines the impact of rice value chain participation and social networks on smallholder farmers' market performance outcomes (paddy price, quantity of paddy traded, and net returns), using data from a recent survey of 458 smallholder rice farmers in northern Ghana. We employed a treatment effects model to account for potential selection bias associated with observable and unobservable factors. The empirical results reveal that smallholder farmers' participation in a rice value chain is associated with increased paddy price, quantity traded, and net returns. We also find that value chain participation decisions and market performance are positively and significantly influenced by social networks. The empirical results also suggest that sex, farm size, mobile phone ownership, and access to credit significantly increase paddy prices, quantity traded, and net returns of smallholder rice farmers in the value chain.
Natural phenolic antioxidants electrochemistry: Towards a new food science methodology
Authors: Chiorcea‐Paquim Ana‐Maria , Enache Teodor Adrian , De Souza Gil Eric , Oliveira‐Brett Ana Maria 
Published: June 2020

AbstractNatural phenolic compounds are abundant in the vegetable kingdom, occurring mainly as secondary metabolites in a wide variety of chemical structures. Around 10,000 different plant phenolic derivatives have been isolated and identified. This review provides an exhaustive overview concerning the electron transfer reactions in natural polyphenols, from the point of view of theirin vitroantioxidant and/or pro‐oxidant mode of action, as well as their identification in highly complex matrixes, for example, fruits, vegetables, wine, food supplements, relevant for food quality control, nutrition, and health research. The accurate assessment of polyphenols’ redox behavior is essential, and the application of the electrochemical methods in routine quality control of natural products and foods, where the polyphenols antioxidant activity needs to be quantifiedin vitro, is of the utmost importance. The phenol moiety oxidation pathways and the effect of substituents and experimental conditions on their electrochemical behavior will be reviewed. The fundamental principles concerning the redox behavior of natural polyphenols, specifically flavonoids and other benzopyran derivatives, phenolic acids and ester derivatives, quinones, lignins, tannins, lignans, essential oils, stilbenes, curcuminoids, and chalcones, will be described. The final sections will focus on the electroanalysis of phenolic antioxidants in natural products and the electroanalytical evaluation ofin vitrototal antioxidant capacity.
Quantifying Long‐Term and Event‐Scale Baseflow Effects across the Flood Frequency Curve
Authors: Spellman Patricia , Webster Veronica 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThough metrics that quantify the long‐term water balance of a catchment have been known to influence the statistics of flood frequency data, little has been done to understand exactly what the substantive links are that causes baseflow to impact instantaneous annual maximum flows (IAMF). As abrupt changes to baseflow can occur via climate change and human disturbances, understanding the effects of baseflow on IAMF behavior can provide insight into how groundwater alterations and climate change can impact flood risk assessment, particularly for regional data aggregation. We thus seek to quantify baseflow impacts across the flood frequency curve considering a top down approach enumerating the differential impacts of baseflow (as Baseflow Index) across the IAMF flood frequency curve and then analyzing the impact of baseflow at the event‐scale. Results show that baseflow exerts significant influence over the entire flood frequency curve, showing a slight increase in effect with higher return period flows. At the event‐scale, the permeability of the catchment (proxied by baseflow rate during rising limb), significantly impacted the variability in IAMF and had more of an effect than antecedent moisture of the catchment (proxied by antecedent discharge). Furthermore, the effects of each of the event‐scale variables changed across climate regions and return periods, suggesting that changes to climate and groundwater abstractions would greatly affect the flood frequency curve.
Tooth loss, denture wearing and implants: Findings from the National Study of Adult Oral Health 2017–18
Authors: Peres Marco A , Lalloo Ratilal 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundWe aimed to describe the prevalence of different tooth loss outcomes along with the use of dentures and implants among Australians aged 15+ years across socioeconomic and demographic groups. In addition, we performed time trend analyses of tooth loss.MethodsData from the National Study of Adult Oral Health 2017–18 included gender, age, residential location, household income, Socio‐Economic Indexes for Areas, possession of dental insurance and pattern of dental visiting. Outcomes were complete tooth loss, inadequate dentition, average number of missing teeth, denture wearing and implants. We compared our findings with data from previous surveys carried out in 1987–88 and 2004–06.ResultsTooth loss decreased from 14.4% in 1987–88 to 6.4% in 2004–06, and to 4.0% in 2017–18. The proportion of people with lack of functional dentition halved from 20.6% 1987–88 to 10.2% in 2017–18; the average number of teeth lost due for any reason slightly reduced from 2004–06 (6.1) to 2017–18 (5.7). Tooth loss increased with age and was higher among socioeconomically disadvantaged, uninsured and those with unfavourable pattern of dental visiting groups than in their counterparts.ConclusionsAn overall improvement in tooth retention was identified over the last decades. However, socioeconomic inequalities persist.