bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
SARS-CoV2 sero-survey among adults involved in health care and health research in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa
Authors: Benn Christine Stabell , Salinha Alberto , Mendes Sabado , Cabral Carlos , Martins Cesario , Nielsen Sebastian , Bærent Fisker Ane , Schaltz-Buchholzer Frederik , Sværke Jørgensen Charlotte , Aaby Peter 
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACTBackgroundMany African countries have reported fewer COVID-19 cases than countries elsewhere. By the end of 2020, Guinea-Bissau, West Africa, had <2500 PCR-confirmed cases corresponding to 0.1% of the ∼1.8 million national population. We assessed the prevalence of SARS-CoV2 antibodies in urban Guinea-Bissau.MethodsWe measured IgG antibody in point-of-care rapid tests among 140 staff and associates at a biometric research field station in Bissau, the capital of Guinea-Bissau, during November 2020.ResultsOf 140 participants, 25 (18%) were IgG-positive. Among IgG-positives, 12 (48%) reported an episode of illness since the onset of the pandemic. Twenty-five (18%) participants had been PCR-tested between May and September; 7 (28%) were PCR-positive. Four of these 7 tested IgG-negative in the present study. Five participants reported a death in their house, corresponding to a crude annual death rate of 4.5/1000 people; no death was attributed to COVID-19.ConclusionsIn spite of low official number of COVID-19 cases, our serosurvey found a high prevalence of IgG-positivity. Most IgG-positives had not been ill. The official number of PCR-confirmed COVID-19 cases grossly underestimates the prevalence during the pandemic. The observed overall mortality rate is not higher than the official Guinean mortality rate of 9.6/1000 people.
In vivo co-registered hybrid-contrast imaging by successive photoacoustic tomography and magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Zhang Shuangyang , Qi Li , Li Xipan , Liang Zhichao , Wu Jian , Huang Shixian , Liu Jiaming , Zhuang Zhijian , Feng Yanqiu , Feng Qianjin , Chen Wufan 
Published: March 2021

AbstractMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and photoacoustic tomography (PAT) are two advanced imaging modalities that offer two distinct image contrasts: MRI has a multi-parameter contrast mechanism that provides excellent anatomical soft tissue contrast, whereas PAT is capable of mapping tissue physiological metabolism and exogenous contrast agents with optical specificity. Attempts have been made to integrate these two modalities, but rigid and reliable registration of the images for in vivo imaging is still challenging. In this paper, we present a complete hardware-software solution for the successive acquisition and co-registration of PAT and MRI images inin vivoanimal studies. Based on commercial PAT and MRI scanners, our solution includes a 3D-printed dual-modality animal imaging bed, a 3-D spatial image co-registration algorithm with bi-model markers, and a robust modality switching protocol for in vivo imaging studies. Using the proposed solution, we successfully demonstrated co-registered hybrid-contrast PAT-MRI imaging that simultaneously display multi-scale anatomical, functional and molecular characteristics on healthy and cancerous living mice. Week-long longitudinal dual-modality imaging of tumor development reveals information on size, border, vascular pattern, blood oxygenation, and molecular probe metabolism of the tumor micro-environment at the same time. Additionally, by incorporating soft-tissue information in the co-registered MRI image, we further show that PAT image quality could be enhanced by MRI-guided light fluence correction. The proposed methodology holds the promise for a wide range of pre-clinical research applications that benefit from the PAT-MRI dual-modality image contrast.
Knowledge, Attitude and Practices towards COVID-19 Guidelines among Students in Bangladesh
Authors: Kumar Bezon , Pinky Susmita Dey , Nurudden Ashike Md. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis paper explores the level of knowledge, attitude and practices of COVID-19 guidelines among the students in Bangladesh. In achieving this objective, this paper uses primary data collected from 1822 students and three different Likert scales and a one-way ANOVA test are used to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) scores and mean differences with respect to different variables. The research reveals that the majority of students have a higher level of knowledge and a positive attitude towards the COVID-19 guidelines. In contrary, only 0.22 percent students show strong compliance towards COVID-19 guidelines while majority students (60.54 percent) have rather a poor adherence which is an alarming finding. Reopening the educational institutions in Bangladesh is, therefore, not advisable yet and reinforcing the preventive measures through campaigns and online discussion to persuade people to follow the preventive guidelines is highly recommended to contain this global disease.What We Already KnowMajority papers revealed the KAP of general people or medical related people.Majority people have moderate level of knowledge towards COVID-19.No research is found on KAP of the students in Bangladesh.What This Article AddsThe KAP of COVID-19 guidelines among the students in Bangladesh.Majority students have the higher level of knowledge towards COVID-19 guideline among students.Only 0.22 percent students show strong compliance towards COVID-19 guidelines which recommends not reopening educational institutions now.
A Macro-scale Comparison Algorithm for Analysis of TCR Repertoire Completeness
Authors: Esponda Fernando , Šulc Petr , Blattman Joseph , Forrest Stephanie 
Published: March 2021

AbstractRecent advances in biotechnology are beginning to generate wholeimmunomedatasets, which will enable the comparison of immune repertoires between individuals, e.g., to assess immunocompetence. Existing algorithms cluster cell types based on the relative expression abundance of about 20 000 genes, but such algorithms have limited utility when comparing immunome datasets with many higher orders of magnitude (>1012) of variation, such as occurs in immunoreceptor sequences in highly polyclonal naive repertoires.In this paper we present a method for comparing immune repertoires by identifying macro-level features that are conserved between similar individuals. Our method allows us to detect some blind spots in naive populations and to assess whether a repertoire is likely complete by examining only a sample of its sequences.Author SummaryIn this paper we present a method for comparing the immune repertoire of different individuals. Repertoires are represented by a sample of genetic sequences. Our technique coarse grains each individual’s data into groups, matches groups between individual’s and finds significant differences.
An integrative approach leads to the discovery of a novel anti-leukemic peptide from human milk
Authors: Chiangjong Wararat , Panachan Jirawan , Vanichapol Thitinee , Pongsakul Nutkridta , Pongphitcha Pongpak , Siriboonpiputtana Teerapong , Lerksuthirat Tassanee , Nuntnarumit Pracha , Supapannachart Sarayut , Srisomsap Chantragan , Svasti Jisnuson , Hongeng Suradej , Chutipongtanate Somchai 
Published: March 2021

AbstractChemotherapy in childhood leukemia is associated with late morbidity in leukemic survivors, while certain patient subsets are relatively resistant to standard chemotherapy. It is therefore important to identify new agents with sensitivity and selectivity towards leukemic cells, while having less systemic toxicity. Peptide-based therapeutics has gained much attention during the last few years. Here, we used an integrative workflow combining mass spectrometric peptide library construction,in silicoanticancer peptide screening, andin vitroleukemic cell studies to discover a novel anti-leukemic peptide having 3+charges and alpha-helical structure, namely HMP-S7, from human breast milk. HMP-S7 showed cytotoxic activity against four distinct leukemic cell lines in a dose-dependent manner but had no effect on solid malignancies or representative normal cells. HMP-S7 induced leukemic cell death by penetrating the plasma membrane to enter the cytoplasm and cause leakage of lactate dehydrogenase, thus acting in a membranolytic manner. Importantly, HMP-S7 exhibited anti-leukemic effect against patient-derived leukemic cellsex vivo. In conclusion, HMP-S7 is a selective anti-leukemic peptide with promise which requires further validation in preclinical and clinical studies.TeaserIn silicoscreening of naturally occurring human milk peptides discovers a new anticancer peptide that kills leukemic cellsin vitroandex vivo.
Actomyosin activity-dependent apical targeting of Rab11 vesicles reinforces apical constriction
Authors: Chen Wei , He Bing 
Published: March 2021

AbstractDuring tissue morphogenesis, cell shape changes resulting from cell-generated forces often require active regulation of intracellular trafficking. How mechanical stimuli influence intracellular trafficking and how such regulation impacts tissue mechanics are not fully understood. In this study, we identify an actomyosin dependent mechanism involving Rab11- mediated trafficking in regulating apical constriction in theDrosophilaembryo. DuringDrosophilamesoderm invagination, apical actin and Myosin II (actomyosin) contractility induces apical accumulation of Rab11-marked vesicle-like structures (“Rab11 vesicles”) by promoting a directional bias in dynein mediated vesicle transport. At the apical domain, Rab11 vesicles are enriched near the adherens junctions (AJs). The apical accumulation of Rab11 vesicles is essential to prevent fragmented apical AJs, breaks in the supracellular actomyosin network and a reduction in the apical constriction rate. This Rab11 function is separate from its role in promoting apical Myosin II accumulation. These findings suggest a feedback mechanism between actomyosin activity and Rab11-mediated intracellular trafficking that regulates the force generation machinery during tissue folding.
CBL-C E3 ubiquitin ligase acts as a host defense to mediate ubiquitin-proteasomal degradation of enteropathogenicEscherichia coliTir protein
Authors: Ryu Jinhyeob , Otsubo Ryota , Ashida Hiroshi , Iida Tamako , Abe Akio , Sasakawa Chihiro , Mimuro Hitomi 
Published: March 2021

SummaryTranslocated intimin receptor (Tir) is an essential bacterial factor for enteropathogenicEscherichia coli(EPEC) to establish Tir-intimin interaction-mediated adherence to the epithelial cell and to form actin pedestal structures beneath the adherent bacteria. However, it remains unclear how the host cells eliminate Tir protein after infection. Here we show that intracellular translocated Tir is degraded via the host ubiquitin- proteasome system. We found that host CBL-C, an E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase, bound to and ubiquitinated the 454 tyrosine-phosphorylated Tir protein. Tir ubiquitination leads to proteasome-dependent degradation and attenuated EPEC colonization of the epithelial cell. UsingCitrobacter rodentium, a mouse model for EPEC, we demonstrated that infection withC.rodentiummutant expressing a tyrosine- phenylalanine-substituted Tir (CBL-C resistant) showed increased bacterial loads in the colon and lethality compared with infection withC.rodentiumexpressing wild-type Tir. These results indicate that CBL-C is a critical host defense factor that determines the fate of cytosolic Tir and terminates bacterial colonization.Graphical Abstracts
GFI1 cooperates with IKAROS/IKZF1 to activate gene expression in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Sun Wenxiang , Guo Jingtao , McClellan David , Poeschla Alexandra , Bareyan Diana , Casey Mattie J. , Cairns Bradley R. , Tantin Dean , Engel Michael E. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractGrowth factor independence-1 (GFI1) is a transcriptional repressor and master regulator of normal and malignant hematopoiesis. Repression by GFI1 is attributable to recruitment of LSD1-containing protein complexes via its SNAG domain. However, the full complement of GFI1 partners in transcriptional control is not known. We show that in T-ALL cells, GFI1 and IKAROS are transcriptional partners that co-occupy regulatory regions of hallmark T cell development genes. Transcriptional profiling reveals a subset of genes directly transactivated through the GFI1—IKAROS partnership. Among these isNOTCH3, a key factor in T-ALL pathogenesis. Surprisingly,NOTCH3transactivation by GFI1 and IKAROS requires the GFI1 SNAG domain but occurs independent of SNAG—LSD1 binding. GFI1 variants deficient in LSD1 binding fail to transactivateNOTCH3, but conversely, small molecules that disrupt the SNAG—LSD1 interaction while leaving the SNAG primary structure intact stimulateNOTCH3expression. These results identify a non-canonical transcriptional control mechanism in T-ALL which supports GFI1-mediated transactivation in partnership with IKAROS and suggest competition between LSD1-containing repressive complexes and others favoring transactivation.
An integrated framework for analysing performance indicators of Indian microfinance institutions: a multi-stakeholder perspective
Authors: Bardhan Amit Kumar , Nag Barnali , Mishra Chandra Sekhar , Tarei Pradeep Kumar 
Published: March 2021

PurposeAn amalgamation of Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) and Analytical Network Process (ANP) has been performed to develop a decision-making framework for improving the overall performance of the microfinance institutions. A primary survey was conducted to collect real-time data from the heterogeneous stakeholders of microfinance institutions across India. The validation of the proposed framework is performed by comparing the results against the conventional method of Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP).Design/methodology/approachThis study identifies various dimensions and indicators for measuring the performance of Indian microfinance institutions. Additionally, the ranking and prioritisation of the performance dimensions and indicators is obtained by considering the mutual interrelation between them.FindingsThe study indicates that there exists a significant dyadic relationship between financial performance and social performance for improving the overall performance of the microfinance institutions. Governance is found to unidirectionally influence both financial and social performance. Among all the considered dimensions, financial performance of a microfinance institution is the most critical dimension for improving the overall performance. The top five performance indicators of the Indian microfinance institutions are funding source, borrowing and overhead cost, size of the firm, end-use of the money and depth of outreach.Research limitations/implicationsThe study was conducted in the context of Indian microfinance institutions; hence the scope of generalisation of the results is limited. This research considers both subjective and objective aspect of the performance dimensions and indicators from the perspective of multiple stakeholders (i.e. firm, society and regulator). The integrated framework is expected to aid in improving overall performance of microfinance institutions by focusing on the most critical (high prioritised) performance indicators.Originality/valueAn integrated DEMATEL-ANP framework is used in the domain of microfinance to assess the performance dimensions. This study is unique in terms of analysing performance of microfinance institutions from the perspective of heterogeneous stakeholders.
Does road accessibility benefit rural poor? Evidence on the extent of household off-farm employment from 2004 to 2018
Authors: Bai Yunli , Zhou Tianhao , Ma Zhiyuan , Zhang Linxiu 
Published: March 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the role of infrastructure on the income growth and poverty reduction of rural household in China by estimating the impact of road accessibility on the extent of household off-farm employment and its heterogeneous effects among the groups with different income level and earning capacity.Design/methodology/approachUsing nationally representative panel data collected in 100 villages about 2000 households across five provinces in 2005, 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2019. This study adopts Tobit model with panel data, zero-inflated Poisson model and static nonbalanced panel model to yield consistent results.FindingsWe find that road accessibility generally has no effect on the number of off-farm laborers and duration of off-farm employment. However, road accessibility is not beneficial for the households in the low-income villages or with low educational attainment, but it benefits the households in the high-income villages by promoting local off-farm employment or with high educational attainment by increasing the duration of migrant off-farm employment.Originality/valueThis study identifies the heterogeneous effects of road accessibility on the extent of off-farm employment among rural households, which narrows the research gap and enriches the literature. The empirical findings imply that road accessibility widens the gap between rich and poor in off-farm employment, which is of great important to the alleviation of relative poverty after 2020 in China.
Assessment methods in entrepreneurship education, challenges and opportunities in developed and developing nations: a comparative study of Nigeria and England
Authors: Babatunde Simeon , El-Gohary Hatem , Edwards David 
Published: March 2021

PurposeWith the growth of entrepreneurship education adoption in higher education institutions (HEIs), the importance of assessments as a tool to gauge and enhance learning is of utmost importance. The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence and appropriateness of current assessment methods for engineering and technology students in Nigerian and British HEIs.Design/methodology/approachThe study employs a qualitative research method with a case study approach to investigate the impact and suitability of assessment methods currently used within entrepreneurship education in Nigeria and England.FindingsThe results reveal that lecturers across both countries believed that assessment methods currently in use were appropriate, but were not uniform in its influence on learning. However, students were unanimous in that most assessment methods currently used were not effective at enhancing their learning, not very appropriate, and were not a good judge of their work and effort. The results were used in building a framework to understand the importance of assessment methods in entrepreneurship education.Originality/valueIn light of the inadequate literature, this paper covers an acute gap in the field. This will allow policymakers and different interested parties to reassess the development of suitable assessment methods to involve students as key stakeholders.
Assessing information security behaviour: a self-determination theory perspective
Authors: Gangire Yotamu , Da Veiga Adéle , Herselman Marlien 
Published: March 2021

Purpose
This paper outlines the development of a validated questionnaire for assessing information security behaviour. The purpose of this paper is to present data from the questionnaire validation process and the quantitative study results.

Design/methodology/approach
Data obtained through a quantitative survey (N = 263) at a South African university were used to validate the questionnaire.

Findings
Exploratory factor analysis produced 11 factors. Cronbach’s alpha for the 11 factors were all above 0.7, suggesting that the questionnaire is valid and reliable. The responses show that autonomy questions received positive perception, followed by competence questions and lastly relatedness questions. The correlation analysis results show that there was a statistically significant relationship between competence factors and autonomy factors. There was a partial significant relationship between autonomy and relatedness factors, and between competence and relatedness factors. The study results suggest that competence and autonomy could be more important than relatedness in fostering information security behaviour among employees.

Research limitations/implications
This study used a convenience sampling, a cross-sectional design, and was carried out in a single organisation. This could pose limitations when generalising the study results. Future studies could use random sampling and consider other universities for further validation.

Practical implications
Universities can use the questionnaire to identify developmental areas to improve information security from a behaviour perspective.

Originality/value
This paper provides a research instrument for assessing information security behaviour from the perspective of the self-determination theory.
The impact of inventory productivity on new venture survival
Authors: Lin Yu , Wang Jiannan , Shi Yingjie 
Published: March 2021

PurposeThis paper explores the relationship between inventory productivity and the likelihood of venture survival and then examines how financial constraints moderate the inventory productivity–survival linkage.Design/methodology/approachAccelerated failure time (AFT) model is employed to study the link between inventory productivity and venture survival by using small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) data from Chinese Annual Survey of Industrial Firms (CASIF) database over the period 1999–2007.FindingsThe paper demonstrates a converseU-curve relation between inventory productivity and venture survival. Additionally, financial constraints as the moderator weaken the marginal effect of inventory productivity on venture survival.Practical implicationsManagers should pay more attention to the important inventory performance indicator: inventory productivity. In the context of prominent financing difficulties, managers should be rapid to adjust the competitive strategy and optimize the internal production process according to the inherent nature of risks in a friction environment, and thus generate resources that enterprises cannot raise in the financial market.Originality/valueThis study may be the first to practically investigate the role of inventory productivity on venture survival and the moderating effect of financing constraints on this relationship. It adds to abundant articles as regards the interface between operation management and venture survival by exploring how financial constraints moderate the inventory productivity–survival linkage.
Comparing young adult responses to rational and emotional sports product advertisements: the moderating role of product type and gender
Authors: Ghasemi Siani Mojtaba , Mohammadi Sardar , Soltan Hosseini Mohammad , Dickson Geoff 
Published: March 2021

PurposeThe purpose of the study was to compare young adult responses to rational and emotional sports product advertisements. The moderating roles of product type and gender were also examined.Design/methodology/approachThe study utilized a 2 (advertising appeal: emotional vs rational) ×2 (gender: male vs female)×2 (sport product type: utilitarian vs hedonic) research design. Data were collected from 160 sport product users. The collected data were analyzed using three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).FindingsThe results indicated that emotional advertising has a greater impact on the attitude toward advertising and the intention to purchase sports products. The results also revealed that rational advertising appeals have more impact for utilitarian sports products and that emotional advertising appeals are more effective for hedonic sports products. However, there were no significant effects for gender as a moderating variable.Originality/valueThis is the first study to examine responses to rational and emotional appeals in sports product advertisements.