bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of memantine, an antagonist of the NMDA glutamate receptor, in in vitro and in vivo infections by Trypanosoma cruzi
Authors: Souza Higo Fernando Santos , Rocha Sandra Carla , Damasceno Flávia Silva , Rapado Ludmila Nakamura , Pral Elisabeth Mieko Furusho , Marinho Claudio Romero Farias , Silber Ariel Mariano 
Published: February 2019

AbstractChagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is a neglected tropical disease that affects 5-6 million people in endemic areas of the Americas. Presently, chemotherapy relies on two compounds that were proposed as trypanocidal drugs four decades ago: nifurtimox and benznidazole. Both drugs are able to eliminate parasitemia and to avoid seroconversion in infected people when used in the acute phase; however, their use in the chronic phase (the time when the majority of cases are diagnosed) is limited due to their serious side effects. Memantine is a glutamate receptor antagonist in the central nervous system of mammals that has been used for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Our group previously reported memantine as a trypanocidal drug that is able to induce apoptosis-like death in T. cruzi. In the present work, we further investigated the effects of memantine on the infection of RAW 264.7 macrophages in vivo (in BALB/c mice). Here, we showed that memantine is able to diminish NO and Ca2+ entry in both LPS-activated and non-activated cells. These results, together with the fact that memantine was also able to reduce the infection of macrophages, led us to propose that this drug is able to activate a pro-oxidant non-NO-dependent cell defense mechanism. Finally, infected mice that were treated with memantine had diminished parasitemia, cardiac parasitic load, and inflammatory infiltrates. In addition, the treated mice had an increased survival rate. Taken together, these results indicate memantine to be a candidate drug for the treatment of Chagas disease.Author summaryChagas disease affects approximately 5 million people and is caused by the protist parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Until now, there are no vaccines to prevent the human infection, and the therapy relies on the use of two drugs discovered more than 50 years ago, nifurtimox and benznidazole. Both drugs are efficient during the acute phase of the disease, however their efficacy in the chronic phase, when most of patients are diagnosed is controversial. In addition, both drugs are toxic, causing severe side effects during the treatment. For these reasons, new drugs against T. cruzi are urgently needed. In this work, we report a series of experiments supporting the repositioning of memantine, a drug used for treating Alzheimer’s disease, to treat the T. cruzi infection in an experimental infection model. Our data show that infected mice treated with memantine have diminished their parasitemia, cardiac parasitic load and inflammatory infiltrates and more importantly, they have diminished their mortality. Taken together, these results prompt memantine as a promising drug for treating Chagas disease.
Plantarflexor Torque and Work is Positively Correlated with Medial Gastrocnemius Fascicle Length in Healthy Young Adults
Authors: Drazan John F , Hullfish Todd J , Baxter Josh R 
Published: February 2019

ABSTRACTAnkle kinetics are critical for ambulatory function in elite athletes, the elderly, and many patient populations. Despite the robust findings linking plantarflexor muscle structure to gross function with these populations, the link between plantarflexor fascicle length and ankle kinetics has not been established in the literature. In this study, we determined the relationship between muscle structure and peak torque and total work produced by the plantarflexors during maximal effort contractions. We measured resting fascicle length and pennation angle of the medial gastrocnemius using ultrasound in healthy adult subjects (n=12). Subjects performed contractions on a dynamometer during isokinetic and isometric conditions. Longer fascicles were positively correlated with higher peak torque and total work (R2 > 0.41, p < 0.013) across all isokinetic velocities. Higher pennation angles were negatively correlated with peak torque and total work (R2 > 0.296, p < 0.067). None of these correlations were significant in isometric conditions. This provides experimental evidence demonstrating the link between plantarflexor muscle structure and ankle kinetics in healthy young adults which has hitherto not been experimentally demonstrated in existing literature.
Intervention-Induced Changes in Cortical Connectivity and Activity in Severe Chronic Hemiparetic Stroke
Authors: Wilkins Kevin B. , Dewald Julius P.A. , Yao Jun 
Published: February 2019

AbstractObjectiveEffective interventions have demonstrated the ability to improve motor function by reengaging ipsilesional resources, which has been shown to be critical and feasible for hand function recovery even in individuals with severe chronic stroke. However, the question remains how these focal activity changes (i.e., changes in activity within motor regions) relate to altered cortico-cortico interactions within/across multiple regions.MethodsEight individuals with severe chronic stroke participated in a device-assisted intervention. Pre- and post-intervention, we collected EEG while performing hand opening with/without lifting the paretic arm. We quantified changes in focal cortical activity at movement execution and connectivity during movement preparation.ResultsPost-intervention, individuals displayed a reduction in coupling from ipsilesional M1 to contralesional M1 within gamma frequencies during movement preparation for hand opening. This was followed by a reduction in activity in contralesional primary sensorimotor cortex during movement execution. Meanwhile, during lifting and opening, a more inhibitory coupling within ipsilesional M1 from gamma to beta frequencies was accompanied by an increase in ipsilesional primary sensorimotor cortex activity.ConclusionsChanges in coupling within or between motor regions during movement preparation complement topographical activity changes at movement execution.SignificanceOur results suggest that changes in cortico-cortico interactions may lead to corresponding changes in focal cortical activity.
Life-cycle cost comparison of chip seal and striping: in-house workers versus private contractors
Authors: Shrestha Kishor , Shrestha Pramen P. , Lidder Mylinh 
Published: February 2019

Purpose
To maintain road systems in the USA, state departments of transportation (DOTs) generally use in-house workers or private contractors. Limited studies have calculated the cost savings of hiring private contractors; however, most of them have not calculated cost savings based on life-cycle costs (LCCs). The purpose of this paper is to determine whether the LCC of chip seal and stripping maintenance activities performed by in-house workers are cheaper than those performed by private contractors.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper collected the hard cost data of chip seal and stripping maintenance activities performed by state DOT in-house workers, as well as private contractors, from 2003 to 2016 from the Nevada DOT Maintenance and Asset Management division. Statistical tests were conducted to test the research hypothesis that the LCC of chip seal and stripping activities performed by in-house workers are significantly less than those performed by private contractors.

Findings
The study results showed that the cost per unit and LCC of chip seal and striping work performed by in-house workers were significantly less than those performed by private contractors in Nevada.

Research limitations/implications
The study only collected data from Nevada DOT, so readers should use caution in generalizing the findings of this study. Additionally, factors affecting the cost of these maintenance activities for private contractors are significantly different compared to in-house contractors. Therefore, these differences may be some of the potential reasons for cost difference between these two methods.

Practical implications
The practical implications of this study are that state DOT engineers need to plan for outsourcing chip seal and stripping maintenance activities only to private contractors that are cost effective, based on life-cycle cost.

Originality/value
The LCC analysis framework developed in this study will help state DOT engineers to determine cost savings by using in-house workers for road maintenance works.
Researching learning environments and students’ innovation competences
Authors: Keinänen Meiju Marika , Kairisto-Mertanen Liisa 
Published: February 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present an example of pedagogical strategy, called innovation pedagogy, and study whether its learning environments (activating teaching and learning methods, working life orientation and research, development and innovation (RDI) integration, multidisciplinary learning environments, flexible curricula, entrepreneurship and internationalization) can be associated with students’ innovation competences (creativity, critical thinking, initiative, teamwork and networking).Design/methodology/approachIn this case study, the electronic self-assessment questionnaire was distributed to third- and fourth-year bachelor students (n=236) from one Finnish university of applied sciences at the end of the Spring semester in 2017.FindingsTwo profiles of students concerning their level of innovation competences can be identified. The level of students’ innovation competences is associated with all the six elements of learning environments. The more students have experience with learning environments of innovation pedagogy, the higher they scored when assessed for their innovation competences.Research limitations/implicationsBecause of the case study setting and a limited sample, there are limitations to the generalizability of the findings.Originality/valueFocusing on different levels of innovation competences of students and approaching their study path in more detail, it could be better understood how to develop more effective education, and thus, respond to the demands of an innovation society. This study extends approaches on research in education and innovation and strengthens the understanding that learning environments should be versatile and include many-sided learning opportunities. It also shows that implementing pedagogical strategy needs lot of work to be revealed in practice.
Tacit knowledge transfer from a master to an apprentice among hairdressers
Authors: Agyemang Franklin Gyamfi , Boateng Henry 
Published: February 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to ascertain the factors affecting tacit knowledge transfer from a master to an apprentice in the informal sector among hairdressers in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachA case study was used as the research design. Convenient sampling technique was used to select 47 master hairdressers. Semi-structured interview guide was used for data collection. Data were analysed using the thematic technique.FindingsThe study found that apprenticeship fee, fear of competition, delegation reasons, joy and pride of mentorship, apprentices’ attitude and time, to be significant factors influencing tacit knowledge transfer from a master to an apprentice. It was also evident that time spent with master as he/she performs or works is crucial to learning as most of the learning is through socializing with the master.Research limitations/implicationsThe main limitation of the study is the use of the convenient sampling technique in choosing the participants. The results of this study, if it has to be generalised to all hairdressers in Ghana, it may have to be done with caution since the participants were not drawn from a pool of all master hairdressers in Ghana.Practical implicationsThe paper provides what apprentices must do to acquire the tacit knowledge of master hairdressers.Originality/valueThis paper focuses on the holder of tacit knowledge (master hairdressers) and reveals their motivations to transfer or hoard their tacit knowledge.
Circular economy and real estate: the legal (im)possibilities of operational lease
Authors: Ploeger Hendrik , Prins Matthijs , Straub Ad , Van den Brink Robert 
Published: February 2019

Purpose
A paradigm in circular economy (CE) is that suppliers retain ownership of their products and materials, and that the users “only” pay for services. In many legal systems, however, elements incorporated in a building are considered to be fixtures, and therefore legally part of the building. This means that ensuring multi-cyclic behaviour of individual building elements (e.g. the facade or a window) is not so evident. This paper explores, from the perspective of Dutch law, how to secure the ownership of the supplier or to find alternatives within the existing system of property law.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors performed a literature review of both CE and (Dutch) property law. The results of these reviews are discussed and illustrated by legal case studies.

Findings
The options principally advocated within CE to retain ownership of building parts leave legal uncertainties and do not offer a solid basis for the development of circular business models, especially considering immovables and fixtures. For these categories, buy-back and take-back contracts, and models for reuse and recycling seem more promising.

Research limitations/implications
The research is limited to a literature review. Although the legal principles discussed in this paper are valid for both civil and common law systems, and similar findings might, therefore, be expected internationally, this study focused on the specific Dutch legal context. Comparative legal research and research of best practices in the building industry is needed to test the applicability of the findings in an international context.

Practical implications
Following the findings, CE initiatives within real estate and the construction industry should focus on alternative implementations of the operational lease concept, taking into account CE’s ambitions to reduce the extraction of raw materials.

Originality/value
At the moment the challenges that property law poses CE, real estate and operational lease are hardly discussed within the literature. This paper explores this gap.
The effect of facilities management of common areas on the environment domain of quality of life or older people in private buildings
Authors: Leung Mei-yung , Liang Qi , Pynoos Jon 
Published: February 2019

PurposeThe world was facing significant aging challenges. Aging in place has long been advocated which reflected the preference of older people to stay in their own home as long as possible. A huge amount of older people resided in private buildings that consist of both indoor settings (i.e. individual unit flats) and outdoor settings (i.e. common areas like lobby and corridor). The effect of indoor environment on the quality of life of the older people has been investigated, while this paper aims to examine the different effect of common areas environment for the older people.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire survey was administered among over 300 older people living in private buildings. Multiple statistical techniques, including reliability test, correlation coefficient and multiple regression models, were used to analyze the collected data to determine the interactions between facilities management of the common areas in private buildings and the environment domain of quality of life for older people.FindingsThe final results were concluded based on the congruence of all the statistical results, which covered the identification of facilities management factors in common areas of private buildings that could influence the environment domain of quality of life for older people, including overall environment, health-care accessibility, information acquisition and transportation aspects; the overall environment was positively predicted by space and security in common areas of private building; health-care accessibility was positively affected by space, barrier-free facilities and recreational facilities; the information acquisition was only positively predicted by security; transportation was positively predicted by distance and recreational facilities; and building services of common areas in private buildings had no effect on the environment domain of quality of life for older people.Originality/valuePractical recommendations have been made to improve the facilities management of common areas in private buildings to ensure the quality of life for older people, including provision of walking assistance, motion or infrared controlled systems and so on. This study contributed to enhance current understanding of the interactions between the older people and their living environment.
Numerical simulation of annular bubble plume by vortex in cell method
Authors: Nguyen Van Luc , Degawa Tomohiro , Uchiyama Tomomi 
Published: February 2019

PurposeThis study aims to provide discussions of the numerical method and the bubbly flow characteristics of an annular bubble plume.Design/methodology/approachThe bubbles, released from the annulus located at the bottom of the domain, rise owing to buoyant force. These released bubbles have diameters of 0.15–0.25 mm and satisfy the bubble flow rate of 4.1 mm3/s. The evolution of the three-dimensional annular bubble plume is numerically simulated using the semi-Lagrangian–Lagrangian (semi-L–L) approach. The approach is composed of a vortex-in-cell method for the liquid phase and a Lagrangian description of the gas phase.FindingsFirst, a new phenomenon of fluid dynamics was discovered. The bubbly flow enters a transition state with the meandering motion of the bubble plume after the early stable stage. A vortex structure in the form of vortex rings is formed because of the inhomogeneous bubble distribution and the fluid-surface effects. The vortex structure of the flow deforms as three-dimensionality appears in the flow before the flow fully develops. Second, the superior abilities of the semi-L–L approach to analyze the vortex structure of the flow and supply physical details of bubble dynamics were demonstrated in this investigation.Originality/valueThe semi-L–L approach is applied to the simulation of the gas–liquid two-phase flows.
Mitigating e-services avoidance: the role of government cybersecurity preparedness
Authors: Abdelhamid Mohamed , Kisekka Victoria , Samonas Spyridon 
Published: February 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to understand why individuals choose to avoid using e-services due to security concerns and perceived risk when these factors are affected by the perceived degree of government cybersecurity preparedness against cyberattacks.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors adopt the information systems success model to predict the role of government security preparedness efforts in influencing the determinants of e-services avoidance. The conceptual model includes four variables: security concerns, perceived risk of cyberattacks, perceived government cybersecurity preparedness and e-services avoidance. Data from 774 participants were used to analyze our conceptual model.

Findings
First, the findings show that security concerns regarding personal information safety and perceived risk of cyberattacks are barriers to e-services use, with the former having a stronger effect. Second, the findings showed that perceived government cybersecurity preparedness significantly reduces security concerns and perceived risk of cyberattacks. Third, the post hoc group analysis between individuals with a bachelor’s degree or higher versus those without a bachelor’s degree showed that the effect of both security concerns and perceived risk of cyberattacks on e-services avoidance was greater for individuals without a bachelor’s degree. The same relationship between perceived risk of cyberattacks and e-services avoidance was not supported for individuals with a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Originality/value
Extant privacy research fails to adequately examine the role of institutional factors, such as government efforts, and how these mitigate or amplify cybersecurity concerns and risks related to e-services. This research takes the first step toward addressing this limitation by examining the influence of government cybersecurity preparedness efforts on the determinants of e-services avoidance.
An integrated framework for the adoption and continuance intention to use mobile payment apps
Authors: Humbani Michael , Wiese Melanie 
Published: February 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop and test an integrated model of the modified technology readiness index (TRI) with the extended expectation-confirmation model, in the context of information technology (E-ECM-IT) to explain the adoption and the intention to continue to use mobile payment applications (apps).

Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from 426 users of mobile payment apps across South Africa. A confirmatory factor analysis was performed to validate the factor structure of the measurement items while structural equation modelling was employed to validate the proposed model and testing the hypotheses.

Findings
The overall model explained 81 per cent of variance in adoption and 78.5 per cent in the intention to continue to use mobile payment services. “Drivers” were better predictors of adoption than “inhibitors” while satisfaction emerged as the strongest predictor of continuance intentions.

Originality/value
To the best knowledge of the authors, this study is the first to empirically test an integrated modified TRI and E-ECM-IT model to supplement the paucity of research on the topic. The results show that the integrated model provides an enhanced way to understand the factors that influence adoption and continuance intention towards mobile payment apps. The results also add to existing knowledge of mobile technology literature.
A meta-analytical study of technological acceptance in banking contexts
Authors: Santini Fernando De Oliveira , Ladeira Wagner Junior , Sampaio Cláudio Hoffmann , Perin Marcelo Gattermann , Dolci Pietro Cunha 
Published: February 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a systematic framework with a meta-analytical approach to find various types of antecedents, consequences and moderation effects of the technological acceptance model (TAM) in banking contexts.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors conducted a meta-analysis of a total of 142 articles, which generated 636 observations, in an accumulated sample of 45,781 respondents.

Findings
The findings of this meta-analysis demonstrated 18 constructs that were antecedent to the TAM and four constructs that functioned as consequences. Most of these relationships were significant and consistent. The authors also found some methodological, cultural, economic and theoretical moderations effects between TAM constructs and the attitudes/behavioural intentions of banking technological devices.

Research limitations/implications
This meta-analysis reviewed the relationships found worldwide in the literature on TAM constructs in banking contexts. It was possible to identify new avenues for future research. Some specific limitations, such as the non-use of qualitative studies and the clipping of adverse concepts, exist in the secondary data and should be registered.

Practical implications
The work could assist managers in decision-making because the findings resulting from the meta-analysis are more consistent than those from traditional primary surveys.

Originality/value
This research tested the impact of the antecedents, consequences and moderators of the TAM in the banking sector and presented important results via a meta-analytical review. This meta-analysis contributes to the marketing literature by offering a set of empirical generalisations, including relationship coefficients and calculated fail-safe numbers.