bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of technocratic and socio-ideological controls in managing tensions when integrating international subsidiaries
Authors: Carlsson-Wall Martin , Hirner Peter , Kraus Kalle , von Lewinski Adrian
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse how a multinational organisation uses technocratic and socio-ideological controls to manage tensions arising when integrating its international subsidiaries.

Design/methodology/approach

Through interviews and company documentation, the authors analyse how a global German family business firm integrates its international subsidiaries into the corporate context.

Findings

The findings suggest that technocratic and socio-ideological controls in combination help the firm manage three tensions – vertical vs lateral relations, standardisation vs differentiation of practices and centralisation vs decentralisation of decision-making – arising in the course of internationalisation. These results have important analytical implications for the understanding of how a high level of compliance to technocratic control initiatives is achieved. Prior work has, in the main, focussed on the resistance to technocratic controls without paying much attention to compliance. Specifically, the authors show how managers can use socio-ideological control to achieve a high level of compliance among employees when implementing technocratic controls.

Practical implications

The results suggest that managers in multinational firms need to pay careful attention to the tensions that are created when they internationalise and to apply a combination of technocratic and socio-ideological controls to manage these tensions.

Originality/value

There is limited knowledge of how managers use socio-ideological control to enact a particular form of experience for their employees and to create a highly valued sense of purpose. The findings suggest that these controls, in combination with technocratic ones, serve important roles when organisations expand internationally.
Low-cost planar vibration sensor using a modified computer mouse
Authors: Xia Wei , Kong Lingwen , Zhang Jiahuan , Hao Hui , Wang Yiping , Ni Xiaoqi , Wang Ming , Guo Dongmei
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study aims to modify a self-mixing laser mouse as an extremely cost-effective displacement sensor to measure the mechanical oscillation of a commercial shaker and a nano-positioning stage.

Design/methodology/approach

This kind of laser mouse, mostly consisting of a pair of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers, two photodiodes and an integrated signal processing unit, is capable of directly giving the x-axis and y-axis components of the measured vibrating displacement. Based on the laser self-mixing interference, the velocity of the object is coded into the Doppler frequency shift of the feedback light, which allows accurate determination of the vibration of the object.

Findings

A commercial shaker has been used to provide standard harmonic oscillation to test the displacement sensor. Within a vibrating frequency range of 110 Hz, the experimental results show that the micrometer scale resolution has been achieved at the velocity of up to 2 m/s, which is much improved compared with the image-based optical mouse. Furthermore, the measurements of the two dimensional displacement of a nano-positioning stage are performed as well. The minimum measurable velocity limit for this sensor has been discussed in detail, and the relative measurement error can be greatly reduced by appropriate selection of the modulation frequency of the triangular injection current.

Originality/value

These results demonstrate the feasibility of this device for the industrial vibration sensing applications.
Modifying the Functional Properties of Egg Proteins Using Novel Processing Techniques: A Review
Authors: Liu Ya‐Fei , Oey Indrawati , Bremer Phil , Carne Alan , Silcock Pat
Published: June 2019

Egg proteins can be used in a wide range of food products, owing to their excellent foaming, emulsifying, and gelling properties. Another important functional property is the susceptibility of egg proteins to enzymatic hydrolysis, as protein digestion is closely related to its nutritional value. These functional properties of egg proteins are likely to be changed during food processing. Conventional thermal processing can easily induce protein denaturation and aggregation and consequently reduce the functionality of egg proteins due to the presence of heat‐labile proteins. Accordingly, there is interest from the food industry in seeking novel nonthermal or low‐thermal techniques that sustain protein functionality. To understand how novel processing techniques, including high hydrostatic pressure, pulsed electric fields, ionizing radiation, ultraviolet light, pulsed light, ultrasound, ozone, and high pressure homogenization, affect protein functionality, this review introduces the mechanisms involved in protein structure modification and describes the structure–functionality relationships. Novel techniques differ in their mechanisms of protein structure modification and some have been shown to improve protein functionality for particular treatment conditions and product forms. Although there is considerable industrial potential for the use of novel techniques, further studies are required to make them a practical reality, as the processing of egg proteins often involves other influencing factors, such as different pH and the presence of other food additives (for example, salts, sugar, and polysaccharides).
‘Chatham's Ghost’ and the Enduring Spectre of Lord Bute's Secret Influence: A Political Negotiation of 1778
Authors: Gilding Ben , Connors Richard
Published: June 2019

Hints about the rise, fall, and reformulations of ministries were common currency in 18th‐century British political rhetoric. However, in 1778, chief among such rumours were three purported negotiations between the earls of Bute and Chatham, aimed at bringing one or both of them into administration. So damaging were these rumours to the political legacies of both individuals and their families, however, that they resorted to a ‘press war’ in order to absolve their respective kinsmen of any involvement. Drawing on previously neglected sources, this work examines these negotiations of 1778 and the subsequent press war in order to highlight the longevity, potency, and significance of the myth of Lord Bute's secret influence 15 years after his resignation from high office. In doing so, this work seeks to correct the common narrative that Lord Bute ceased to be a potent political symbol for constitutional issues following the publication of Edmund Burke's Thoughts on the Cause of the Present Discontents in 1770. Far from being merely an anomalous and spontaneous revival of ill‐sentiments towards Lord Bute, this episode should be seen as a flashpoint in a process of vilification and traducement of the Scottish earl that had never, in fact, ceased and was symptomatic of the continuation of symbolic, or hieroglyphic, depictions of arguments concerning the significant constitutional issues which had been raised by Bute's political presence since the accession of George III.
The Liberal Party, Free Trade and the 1841 Election
Authors: Rowe Christopher
Published: June 2019

It is a paradox that the Liberal Party's electoral defeat in 1841 attested to its underlying strength and vitality. This article focuses on the impact on party unity of the free trade measures advocated by the ministry in the months preceding its fall. The Liberal Party's bold electoral platform antagonised its protectionist MPs, a group previously overlooked in the historiography, but fell short of the demands of its radical wing for political reform. While all the ingredients for fragmentation existed, unity prevailed. Protestations of loyalty to the leadership could be heard from the mouths of Liberal MPs of all shades, from stalwart protectionists who coalesced around the ministry on traditional foreign policy grounds through to the most fervent radicals who celebrated its ‘new’ direction. Such findings of cohesion contradict accounts which have hitherto viewed the 1841 electoral defeat as evidence of the party's inchoateness. Indeed, this article shifts the historiographical narrative away from addressing why the Liberals lost to the more pertinent issue of why the losses suffered were not greater. In answering that question, both the sensitivity with which the financial agenda was presented by ministers and the flexibility of different sections of the Liberal Party in interpreting and presenting the free trade measures to the electorate are underlined. Above all, Lord John Russell is rehabilitated as a ‘popular’ leader and his importance in the development of the nascent Liberal Party is unearthed.
Detoxification of Cassava Leaves by Thermal, Sodium Bicarbonate, Enzymatic, and Ultrasonic Treatments
Authors: Latif Sajid , Zimmermann Sonja , Barati Ziba , Müller Joachim
Published: June 2019

Cassava leaves are a valuable source of protein but the cyanogenic potential limits their use as food and feed. Four different treatments were investigated to detoxify cassava leaves. Thermal (55 °C for 6 hr), sodium bicarbonate (0.4% NaHCO3, 55 °C for 6 hr), enzymatic (0.32% Multifect® GC Extra, 4 hr), and ultrasonic treatments (500 W, 35 kHz, 55 °C, 0.25 hr) reduced the total cyanide (µg HCN equivalents per g fresh leaf or ppm) content by 90%, 93%, 82%, and 84% while the cyanide content reduction in the respective controls was 85%, 90%, 79%, and 84%, respectively. The sodium bicarbonate treatment was found to be the most effective treatment. Therefore, it was further optimized by varying time and temperature. A significant effect on the cyanide content was observed by changing the incubation time while no significant effect of temperature was noticed. Nevertheless, extended incubation time during sodium bicarbonate treatment reduced ascorbic acid content by 7% and 39% when leaves were incubated with sodium bicarbonate for 0.5 hr and 48 hr, respectively.

Practical Application

Cyanogenic glucosides are the major toxic compound in cassava leaves, which limits their use as food and feed. The methods proposed in this study can be used to detoxify cassava leaves, which are generally considered as an inferior by‐product. Hence, detoxified cassava leaves may contribute to fulfil world protein demand in an eco‐sustainable way.
Novel mutation in the DSG1 gene causes autosomal‐dominant striate palmoplantar keratoderma in a large Syrian family
Authors: Abi Zamer Batoul , Mahfood Mona , Saleh Batoul , Al Mutery Abdullah Fahd , Tlili Abdelaziz
Published: June 2019

Palmoplantar keratoderma (PPK) is a heterogenous group of skin disorders characterized by a persistent thickening of the palms of the hands and sometimes soles of the feet. PPK can be classified into many types, including diffuse, transgradient, and focal or striate, where the areas of palmoplantar skin are alternatively thickened. Mutations in four main genes, keratin 9 (KRT9), keratin 1 (KRT1), desmoglein (DSG1), and desmoplakin (DSP), have been associated with PPK. Striate PPK (SPPK) is commonly caused by mutations in DSG1. However, DSP and KRT1 gene mutations have been identified in some cases. In this study, fragment and sequencing analysis were performed for a large Syrian family with dominant SPPK. Segregation analysis showed a linkage with DSG1 gene. Direct Sanger sequencing identified a new mutation c.dup165_168AGCA. This frameshift mutation was heterozygous in all affected family members and absent in all normal individuals.
Risk factors and indicators of severe systemic insect sting reactions
Authors: Stoevesandt Johanna , Sturm Gunter J. , Bonadonna Patrizia , Oude Elberink Joanna N.G. , Trautmann Axel
Published: June 2019

Hymenoptera venom allergy ranks among the top three causes of anaphylaxis worldwide, and approximately one‐quarter of sting‐induced reactions are classified as severe. Fatal sting reactions are exceedingly rare, but certain factors may entail a considerably higher risk. Delayed administration of epinephrine and upright posture are situational risk factors which may determine an unfavorable outcome of the acute anaphylactic episode and should be addressed during individual patient education. Systemic mastocytosis and senior age are major, unmodifiable long‐term risk factors and thus reinforce the indication for venom immunotherapy. Vespid venom allergy and male sex likewise augment the risk of severe or even fatal reactions. Further studies are required to assess the impact of specific cardiovascular comorbidities. Available data regarding potential effects of beta‐blockers and/or ACE inhibitors in coexisting venom allergy are inconclusive and do not justify recommendations to discontinue guideline‐directed antihypertensive treatment. The absence of urticaria/angioedema during sting‐induced anaphylaxis is indicative of a severe reaction, serum tryptase elevation, and mast cell clonality. Determination of basal serum tryptase levels is an established diagnostic tool for risk assessment in Hymenoptera venom‐allergic patients. Measurement of platelet‐activating factor acetylhydrolase activity represents a complementary approach but is not available for routine diagnostic use.
Supraventricular tachyarrhythmias that responded dramatically to bisoprolol transdermal patches in two patients undergoing hemodialysis
Authors: Matsumoto Takahiro , Tamiya Eiji , Yamamoto Shouichi , Kamiyama Takashi , Takabe Tomosato , Kanoh Tatsuji , Daida Hiroyuki
Published: June 2019

We here report two patients with atrial flutter (AFL) and paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) who were undergoing hemodialysis and returned quickly to normal sinus rhythm without hypotension when treated with bisoprolol transdermal patches (Bisono® Tape) (TOA EIYO, Tokyo, Japan). Spontaneous rhythm reversion had not occurred prior to these events in either patient. Our findings indicate that Bisono® Tape may be a new and more effective treatment for AFL and PSVT in patients undergoing hemodialysis.
Genotype‐phenotype relationships in mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I): Insights from the International MPS I Registry
Authors: Clarke Lorne A. , Giugliani Roberto , Guffon Nathalie , Jones Simon A. , Keenan Hillary A. , Munoz‐Rojas Maria V. , Okuyama Torayuki , Viskochil David , Whitley Chester B. , Wijburg Frits A. , Muenzer Joseph
Published: June 2019

Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder resulting from pathogenic variants in the α‐L‐iduronidase (IDUA) gene. Clinical phenotypes range from severe (Hurler syndrome) to attenuated (Hurler‐Scheie and Scheie syndromes) and vary in age of onset, severity, and rate of progression. Defining the phenotype at diagnosis is essential for disease management. To date, no systematic analysis of genotype‐phenotype correlation in large MPS I cohorts have been performed. Understanding genotype‐phenotype is critical now that newborn screening for MPS I is being implemented. Data from 538 patients from the MPS I Registry (380 severe, 158 attenuated) who had 2 IDUA alleles identified were examined. In the 1076 alleles identified, 148 pathogenic variants were reported; of those, 75 were unique. Of the 538 genotypes, 147 (27%) were unique; 40% of patients with attenuated and 22% of patients with severe MPS I had unique genotypes. About 67.6% of severe patients had genotypes where both variants identified are predicted to severely disrupt protein/gene function and 96.1% of attenuated patients had at least one missense or intronic variant. This dataset illustrates a close genotype/phenotype correlation in MPS I but the presence of unique IDUA missense variants remains a challenge for disease prediction.
Adsorption and precipitation of myo‐inositol hexakisphosphate onto kaolinite
Authors: Hu Zhen , Jaisi Deb P. , Yan Yupeng , Chen Hongfeng , Wang Xiaoming , Wan Biao , Liu Fan , Tan Wenfeng , Huang Qiaoyun , Feng Xionghan
Published: June 2019

Sorption of myo‐inositol hexakisphosphate (IHP), a common type of organic phosphorus in soils, largely controls its mobility and bioavailability. Research on the interaction between IHP and phyllosilicate minerals such as kaolinite, which is commonly present in highly weathered soils, has often been neglected, probably due to the common assumption that negatively charged phyllosilicate minerals have low sorption capacity and binding affinity to IHP and thus do not play any significant role in its fate. Here, the interaction between IHP and poorly crystallized kaolinite (KGa‐2) was investigated in batch experiments using Zeta (ζ) potential measurement and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The results showed that dissolved Al(III) concentration at the adsorption initiation stage increased with increasing IHP concentration at pH 4.0. From pH 2.5 to 9.0, IHP presented a maximum sorption capacity (50 μmol g−1) at pH 4.0 at 24 hr. With IHP sorption, the ζ potential of kaolinite first decreased sharply to a negative value, then gradually increased with resorption of Al(III) released from kaolinite dissolution at acidic pH, and finally approached the original value of the pure kaolinite. 31P NMR spectroscopy and ζ potential analyses revealed that IHP formed inner‐sphere surface complexes and aluminium phytate precipitated on kaolinite at low pH (2.5 and 4.0), whereas the formation of inner‐sphere surface complexes was the dominant sorption mechanism at pH ≥ 5.5. This study implies that various mechanisms, depending on ambient pH condition, can dominate the IHP sorption onto kaolinite, which impacts the mobility and bioavailability of phosphorus in highly weathered soils.

Highlights

IHP promotes the dissolution of kaolinite mainly through the formation of aluminium phytate complex.

IHP sorption presents a sharp maximum at pH 4.0.

IHP forms inner‐sphere complexes at the surface of kaolinite.

Formation of aluminium phytate surface precipitates is favourable at relatively low pH.
Clay content and mineralogy, organic carbon and cation exchange capacity affect water vapour sorption hysteresis of soil
Authors: Arthur Emmanuel , Tuller Markus , Moldrup Per , de Jonge Lis W.
Published: June 2019

The hysteretic behaviour of the dry region (<−1.5 MPa) of the soil water characteristic, which is of the essence for accurate characterization and modelling of bio‐physicochemical soil processes under dry conditions, is well documented. However, knowledge about how to best quantify water vapour sorption hysteresis and about the effects of soil properties on dry‐region hysteretic behaviour is limited. To overcome this knowledge gap, we proposed a new method for quantifying sorption hysteresis and evaluated its applicability based on measured sorption isotherms of four source clay minerals and 147 soil samples. Furthermore, the effects of clay mineralogy, clay content, soil organic carbon (SOC) and cation exchange capacity (CEC) on the magnitude of sorption hysteresis were investigated. For the clay minerals, kaolinite did not exhibit hysteretic behaviour, illite showed some hysteresis, whereas Na‐ and Ca‐smectite exhibited strong hysteretic behaviour. The average hysteresis, corrected for clay and SOC contents, was strongly reflective of the dominant clay mineralogy of the soil samples. For the soil samples with low SOC content, the average hysteresis significantly increased with increasing clay content (R2 = 0.92), except for the kaolinite‐rich samples (R2 = 0.35). The SOC‐rich samples that exhibited illitic clay mineralogy and similar soil texture showed a significant increase in average hysteresis with increasing organic carbon content (R2 = 0.93). For all soil samples combined, the CEC was the strongest indicator for the magnitude of water vapour sorption hysteresis.

Highlights

A new index for quantification of soil vapour sorption hysteresis was proposed

Large SOC and clay content increased sorption hysteresis

For soil samples, dominant clay mineralogy controlled the magnitude of hysteresis

Cation exchange capacity was the best predictor of hysteresis for all soil types
Stand age‐related effects on soil respiration in rubber plantations (Hevea brasiliensis) in southwest China
Authors: Gao Jinbo , Zhang Yiping , Song Qinghai , Lin Youxing , Zhou Ruiwu , Dong Yuxin , Zhou Liguo , Li Jing , Jin Yanqiang , Zhou Wenjun , Liu Yuntong , Sha Liqing , Grace John , Liang Naishen
Published: June 2019

The land use change from tropical forests to rubber plantations has had a great influence on ecosystem‐level carbon (C) exchange and soil C dynamics. This study aimed to assess the variation of soil respiration and its components in rubber plantations of different stand age. A trenching method was used to partition soil respiration (RS) into autotrophic respiration (RA) and heterotrophic respiration (RH) for 3 years in 12, 24, 32 and 49‐year‐old rubber plantations. Our results showed that RS changed significantly among rubber plantations, with the highest RS in the old‐growth rubber plantation (49‐year plantation, 147.30 ± 6.91 mg CO2‐C m−2 hr−1) followed by the mature (137.16 ± 7.68 and 108.10 ± 4.83 in 24‐year and 32‐year plantations, respectively) and the young (12‐year plantation, 78.43 ± 3.84 mg CO2‐C m−2 hr−1) rubber plantations. RS was significantly and exponentially related to soil temperature (p < .0001) rather than soil water content, which led to higher RS in the rainy season than in the dry season. The contribution of RA to RS was higher in the mature rubber plantation than in the young (27%) and the old‐growth (20%) rubber plantations. The sensitivity of RS to increasing temperature (Q10) was higher in 32‐ and 49‐year plantations than in 12‐ and 24‐year rubber plantations. The largest Q10 value of RH and RA was found in the old‐growth (49‐year plantation, 2.95) and the mature (32‐year plantation, 8.01) rubber plantations, respectively. Our results highlight the importance of environmental factors in determining the variation in RS in rubber plantations with different stand age. However, further studies are still required to elucidate the mechanisms impacting stand age‐related effects on soil respiration, such as the differences in photosynthesis in rubber plantations.

Highlights

Soil respiration (RS) in four rubber plantations of different stand age was examined.

RS tended to increase with the increasing stand age.

The contribution of autotrophic respiration (RA) to RS was higher in the mature stands.

Q10 values of heterotrophic respiration (RH) and RA were higher in old‐growth and mature stands, respectively.
Lifetime estimation of mechanical assemblies under constant amplitude fretting fatigue loading
Authors: Carpinteri Andrea , Vantadori Sabrina , Zanichelli Andrea
Published: June 2019

In the present paper, a new analytical methodology to estimate both crack path and lifetime of metallic structural components under fretting fatigue elastic partial slip loading condition is proposed. Such a methodology consists in the joint application of (a) the criterion by Carpinteri et al for metallic structures under multiaxial constant amplitude fatigue loading in high‐cycle fatigue regime, (b) the critical direction method by Araújo et al, and (c) the critical distance method by Taylor, in the form of the line method. The accuracy of the above methodology is evaluated through experimental tests available in the literature, performed employing two cylindrical fretting pads pressed with a constant normal load against a dog‐bone type test specimen subjected to a cyclic axial load. All these components are made of Al 7075‐T651 aluminium alloy.
TWO CULTURES OF THE POSTHUMAN FUTURE
Authors: SIMON ZOLTÁN BOLDIZSÁR
Published: June 2019

The posthuman has been looming large on the human horizon lately. Yet there is no shared understanding of what a posthuman future could possibly mean, and the tension between a technological‐scientific prospect of posthumanity and the critical posthumanist scholarship of the humanities is growing palpable. Whereas the former harbors a novel sense of historicity signaled by the expectation of an evental change to bring about the technological posthuman as a previously nonexistent and other‐than‐human central subject, the latter theorizes a postanthropocentric subjectivity of beings still human. In doing so, it extends the already familiar emancipatory concerns of the human world over the nonhuman, with special attention paid to the ecological other. Despite the occasional claims of critical posthumanism to bring humanities and technological‐scientific approaches to a shared platform, the prospect of technological beings of unparalleled power and the ecotopia of species equality do not fit together very well. In this article I argue that, in their present shape, technological posthumanity and critical posthumanism represent hardly reconcilable social imaginaries and two cultures of the posthuman future. My intervention is a plea for developing a more profound and mutual understanding of both. Instead of advocating particular agendas that nevertheless claim validity for the entirety of planetary life and the entire scholarly enterprise of knowledge‐production, we could invest more in efforts to come to grips with both social imaginaries and venture jointly into the creation of the conceptual tools of a new knowledge economy of understanding the rapidly changing world and our own (post)human prospects.
THE VIRTUE OF A HISTORIAN: A DIALOGUE BETWEEN HERMAN PAUL AND CHINESE THEORISTS OF HISTORY
Authors: ROGACZ DAWID
Published: June 2019

This article reflects on the role of scholarly virtues in the Chinese theory of history and compares it with the recent approach proposed by Herman Paul. The first three parts reconstruct what might be called a “Chinese virtue epistemology of history,” starting from Confucian views on sincerity in writing history and then turns to concepts of an “unbiased mind” and the “responsibility of a historian.” The latter ideas were developed by Zhang Xuecheng (1738–1801), who introduced the concept of “the virtue of a historian (shide),” treating it as a sympathetic understanding toward the narrated characters. Interpretations of shide changed along with modern Chinese theorists of history, some of whom elaborated on it in the positivist manner. Thereafter, the article outlines Paul's view on the function of epistemic virtues in the formation of “historical persona.” In the summary, I will draw upon the main similarities and differences between Paul's position and the traditional Chinese view in order to point out the main directions for further research on this topic.
Association between lactic acid sting test scores, self‐assessed sensitive skin scores and biophysical properties in Chinese females
Authors: Ding D.‐M. , Tu Y. , Man M.‐Q. , Wu W.‐J. , Lu F.‐Y. , Li X. , Li Y. , Yang J.‐T. , Jin Y.‐M. , Yang C.‐Y. , He L.
Published: June 2019

Background

Lactic acid sting test (LAST) is a classical method to identify sensitive skin. However, some subjects with self‐perceived sensitive skin are negative for LAST.

Objective

To determine whether LAST scores are associated with specific phenotype of sensitive skin.

Methods

A total of 292 subjects with self‐perceived sensitive skin were enrolled in this study. The Sensitive Scale was used to evaluate the severity of burning, stinging, itching, tautness, erythema and scaling based on 0–10 scale scores. In addition to the assessment of LAST scores, epidermal biophysical properties were measured using an MPA system.

Results

The Sensitive Scale scores of stinging, itching, tautness and scaling were significantly different between the LAST‐positive and ‐negative groups. However, burning and erythema scores did not differ between the LAST‐positive and ‐negative groups. LAST scores were positively correlated with the Sensitive Scale scores for stinging, itching, tautness and scaling, but not for burning and erythema scores. Moreover, LAST scores negatively correlated with stratum corneum hydration, but positively with transepidermal water loss (TEWL) rates.

Conclusions

Lactic acid sting test scores positively correlated with TEWL rates. LAST scores could be used to identify subjects with sensitive skin characterized mainly by stinging and itching, but not those mainly by burning and erythema.
A simple approach for improving high‐temperature mechanical and insulation performance in chamotte with added zircon
Authors: Xiang Ruofei , Li Yuanbing , Li Shujing , Xue Zhengliang , He Zhiyong , Wang Liwang
Published: June 2019

Chamotte is one of the most commonly used raw materials for aluminosilicate refractories. The present work concerns the high‐temperature performance of the chamotte‐zircon composite. The crystalline phase, mechanical property, and thermal conductivity were evaluated. In addition, the finite element method was applied to analyze stress distribution. Zircon accelerated the melting of cristobalite in chamotte during sintering. After adding zircon, a drastic elastic modulus change at about 230°C was avoided, and the infrared shielding effect of zircon reduced the thermal conductivity when the temperature was greater than 500°C. At last, based on the results of finite element method, increasing zircon content reduced stress concentration.
Role of Regional Consultative Processes in the lead up to the Negotiations of Global Compact on Migration: The Case of Africa
Authors: Maiyegun Olawale
Published: June 2019

Regional consultative process was part of the preparations for the negotiations of the Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM). In Africa, the process was managed by the AU, UNECA and IOM and produced the Continental Report that fed into the global report of the UN Secretary General and the Common African Position (CAP) to the GCM. They were endorsed at the highest political level and guided the African states during the compact's negotiations. The article examines the regional consultations and development of these two documents, and highlights their history and normative contents that reflected on the performance of Africa during the negotiations and contributions to the outcome of the GCM. The African member states negotiated as a group, they spoke with one voice and made constructive alliances. Through process‐tracing, the article determines that Africa impacted and made significant contributions to the outcome of the GCM.
Chemical modification in and on single phase [NiO]0.5[Al2O3]0.5 nanopowders produces “chocolate chip‐like” Nix@[NiO]0.5‐x[Al2O3]0.5 nanocomposite nanopowders
Authors: Wang Fei , Sun Kai , Yi Eongyu , Laine Richard M.
Published: June 2019

Phase‐pure [NiO]0.5[Al2O3]0.5 spinel nanoparticles (NPs) with limited aggregation were obtained via liquid‐feed flame spray pyrolysis (LF‐FSP) by combusting metalloorganic precursor solutions. Thereafter “chocolate chip‐like” Nix[NiO0.5‐x][Al2O3]0.5 nanoparticles consisting of primary [NiO0.5‐x][Al2O3]0.5 particles with average particle sizes of 40‐60 nm decorated with Ni metal particles (<10 nm in diameter) dispersed on the surface were synthesized by heat treating the spinel NPs at 800°C/7 h in flowing 5% H2:N2 100 mL/min in a fluidized bed reactor. The synthesized materials were characterized using TEM, XRD, FTIR, and TGA/DTA. The Ni depleted areas consist primarily of γ‐Al2O3. The Ni content (800°C) was determined by TGA to be ≈11.3 wt.% based on TGA oxidation behavior. The successful synthesis of such nanocomposites with limited aggregation on a high temperature support provides a facile route to synthesize well‐defined NP catalysts. This work serves as a baseline study for an accompanying paper, wherein thin, flexible, dense films made from these same NPs are used as regenerable catalysts for carbon nanotube syntheses.
Causation and Liability to Defensive Harm
Authors: Christie Lars
Published: June 2019

An influential view in the ethics of self‐defence is that causal responsibility for an unjust threat is a necessary requirement for liability to defensive harm. In this article, I argue against this view by providing intuitive counterexamples and by revealing weaknesses in the arguments offered in its favour. In response, adherents of the causal view have advanced the idea that although causally inefficacious agents are not liable to defensive harm, the fact that they may deserve harm can justify harming them in the course of defending oneself. I argue that this strategy is ad hoc and leads to more problems than it solves. Once we allow normative facts outside our account of liability to affect a person's moral protection against harm, the lieability verdicts cannot tell us whether there is a relevant moral asymmetry between the victim and the target of defence. In conclusion, the causal view is wrong and causal responsibility for an unjust threat is not a necessary requirement for liability to defensive harm.
Bipolar ablation of refractory atrial and ventricular arrhythmias: Importance of temperature values of intracardiac return electrodes
Authors: Futyma Piotr , Ciąpała Kamil , Głuszczyk Ryszard , Sander Jarosław , Futyma Marian , Kułakowski Piotr
Published: June 2019

Introduction

Bipolar radiofrequency catheter ablation (Bi‐RFCA) emerged as an option for treatment of arrhythmias resistant to the conventional approach. Data on safety issues of Bi‐RFCA, including temperature values of intracardiac return electrode (IRE) are lacking.

Objective

To determine the safety profile of Bi‐RFCA regarding temperature measurements obtained from nonirrigated IRE of different sizes.

Methods

The study group consisted of consecutive patients after failed conventional RFCA who underwent Bi‐RFCA.

Results

Out of 1510 RFCA performed in our center, 19 patients underwent Bi‐RFCA due to refractory to previous RFCA ventricular arrhythmias (15 patients) or typical atrial flutter (four patients). Nonirrigated small (4 mm) and large (8 mm) tip catheters were used as IRE in 14 (including three cross‐overs to 8 mm IRE) and five patients, respectively. A total number of 164 bipolar applications were performed (128 for 4 mm and 36 for 8 mm IRE). Maximal temperatures of 4 mm IRE were significantly higher than those of 8 mm IRE (63°C ± 16°C vs 43°C ± 4°C; P = .027). A significant rise of temperature and steam‐pops, preventing further Bi‐RFCA, occurred in seven patients treated with 4 mm IRE. Bi‐RFCA using 4 mm IRE operated at significantly higher impedance values (211 ± 83 vs 143 ± 38; P = .04) and lower power values (mean 20 W ± 6 W vs 32 W ± 7 W, P = .0005; max 29 W ± 9 W vs 39 W ± 10 W, P = .027).

Conclusion

The use of 8 mm IRE for Bi‐RFCA is associated with lower temperatures of the catheter used as ground and lower incidence of steam‐pops which may suggest a better safety profile than 4 mm IRE. Determination of safety/efficacy balance requires further studies.
Prognostic value of high‐sensitive troponin T for predicting cardiovascular events after atrial fibrillation ablation
Authors: Tamura Shota , Doi Atsushi , Matsuo Masanori , Katayama Hisashi , Yoshiyama Tomotaka , Tatsumi Hiroaki , Izumiya Yasuhiro , Yoshiyama Minoru
Published: June 2019

Background and Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the utility of high‐sensitive troponin T (hs‐TnT) for predicting AF recurrence and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) after AF ablation.

Methods and Results

A total of 227 consecutive patients with AF (mean age, 66 ± 10 years; persistent AF, n = 98) who underwent an initial ablation were enrolled. We measured hs‐TnT before AF ablation and divided the patients into three groups according to the hs‐TnT level: low, lesser than or equal to 0.005 µg/L (n = 54); medium, 0.006–0.013 µg/L (n = 127); and high, greater than or equal to0.014 µg/L (n = 46). We evaluated the composite endpoint of AF recurrence or MACE (including death, stroke, acute coronary syndrome, and heart failure hospitalization) after the ablation. The median hs‐TnT level was 0.008 µg/L. The values of chronic kidney disease prevalence, CHA2DS2‐VASc score, B‐type natriuretic peptide level, and left atrial diameter were the highest in the high hs‐TnT group among the three groups. During a mean follow‐up of 15 ± 8 months, AF recurrence and MACE occurred in 56 (25%) and 9 (4%) patients, respectively. The high hs‐TnT group had the highest incidence of AF recurrence and MACE among the three groups (high: 39% and 15%, medium: 22% and 2%, and low: 19% and 0%, respectively; log‐rank P < .05). In multivariate analysis, hs‐TnT greater than or equal to 0.014 µg/L and persistent AF were independent predictors of the composite endpoint.

Conclusion

Hs‐TnT may be a useful marker for predicting AF recurrence or MACE after AF ablation.
Factors influencing clinical practice guideline uptake by South African physiotherapists: A qualitative investigation of barriers and facilitators
Authors: Stander Jessica , Grimmer Karen , Brink Yolandi
Published: June 2019

Rationale

Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) should provide busy health care professionals with easy‐to‐use tools that support efficient uptake of current best evidence in daily clinical practice. However, CPG uptake rarely occurs at the speed of evidence production. The aim of this study was to explore the factors influencing CPG uptake among South African (SA) physiotherapists (PTs).

Method

An exploratory, descriptive qualitative study design was used, within an interpretative research paradigm. A phenomenological approach was taken, as the study aimed to explore the phenomenon of CPG uptake by SA PTs and how the themes and subthemes related to each other within this phenomenon. Semistructured interviews were undertaken via telephone calls that were audiotaped and independently transcribed. An inductive and deductive thematic content analysis approach was taken where the transcript content was analysed by hand.

Findings

Thirty‐one PTs from the private, public, and education sectors participated in the interviews. The main themes identified were resources, training, and organizational factors. The SA PT workforce, particularly that in the public sector, is limited and patient load and need is high. Time to implement and stay up‐to‐date with current evidence were barriers for many interviewees. Participants also perceived CPG uptake as not being financially rewarding. Training in CPG uptake was mostly perceived as a facilitator, and the PTs felt that they would be more inclined to implement CPGs if they felt more confident in how to source and use CPGs, particularly if they were incentivized to undertake such training. Roles, responsibilities, and power in the health care team were perceived as being both organizational barriers and, conversely, facilitators, depending on work environments.

Conclusions

The findings of this study generally concur with previous studies about PT barriers to CPG uptake; however, it provides novel information on barrier contexts in one LMIC with complex PT service delivery.
Which patients with unprovoked venous thromboembolism should receive extended anticoagulation with direct oral anticoagulants? A systematic review, network meta‐analysis, and decision analysis
Authors: Djulbegovic Mia , Lee Alfred Ian , Chen Kevin
Published: June 2019

Introduction

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) effectively prevent recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, it is unknown which agents should be used to prevent recurrent VTE and which patients with unprovoked VTE should receive extended anticoagulation. We therefore sought to compare the efficacy and safety among DOACs for secondary prevention of VTE. We also determined a risk‐adapted threshold for initiating extended anticoagulation based on the likelihood of VTE recurrence (without treatment) and bleeding (with treatment) in patients with unprovoked VTE.

Methods

Our systematic review of randomized controlled trials compares extended anticoagulation with DOACs to another DOAC, aspirin, or placebo for the prevention of recurrent VTE. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Registry of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) in October 2018. Our outcomes of interest were VTE recurrence, major bleeding, and all clinically relevant bleeding. We used network meta‐analysis to make indirect comparisons among DOACs. We populated the threshold decision‐analytic model with data from our meta‐analysis to determine the risk of VTE recurrence above which the benefits of extended anticoagulation outweigh the harms compared with no treatment.

Results

We included four, high‐quality, randomized trials comprising 8386 participants. Low‐dose apixaban, full‐dose apixaban, low‐dose rivaroxaban, full‐dose rivaroxaban, and dabigatran reduce VTE recurrence compared with placebo (RR = 0.19, 95% CI, 0.12‐0.31; RR = 0.20, 95% CI, 0.12‐0.32; RR = 0.08, 95% CI, 0.03‐0.27; RR = 0.14, 95% CI, 0.06‐0.35; RR = 0.19, 95% CI, 0.09‐0.40, respectively). No DOACs increased major bleeding risk compared with placebo. A VTE recurrence risk above 0.3% to 0.4% at approximately 1 year is the threshold to treat a patient with unprovoked VTE with extended anticoagulation (with any DOAC).

Conclusions

All DOACs exhibit comparable efficacy for the prevention of recurrent VTE. Given that the risk of VTE recurrence is much higher than the calculated threshold for treatment, extended thromboprophylaxis should be considered in all patients with unprovoked VTE who do not have increased bleeding risk.
One‐year bleaching efficacy using two HP products with different pH: A double‐blind randomized clinical trial
Authors: Bersezio Cristian , Martín Javier , Prieto María V. , Meneses Pablo , Angel Pablo , Eduardo Fernández G. , Loguercio Alessandro
Published: June 2019

Objectives

This split‐mouth, double‐blind, randomized clinical trial evaluated the 1‐year bleaching efficacy produced by two hydrogen peroxide gels with different pHs.

Materials and Methods

Twenty‐eight patients were divided into two groups corresponding to two different products: Pola Office (pH = 2.0/SDI) and Pola Office Plus (pH = 7.0/SDI). The treatment was assessed during and after the bleaching procedure up to 12 months post‐treatment. The assessment consisted of two bleaching scales shade guide units (ΔSGU) and spectrophotometric device (ΔE, ΔE00, and Whiteness Index) of both maxillary quadrants. Results for ΔSGUs in both scales and ΔE00 and Whiteness Index were compared using Mann Whitney test and ΔE measurements through the t‐Student test for paired samples in each evaluation time. The color rebound (1‐ vs 12‐month postbleaching data) was evaluated with Wilcoxon test (alpha = .05).

Results

During the different times of evaluation, the color variation was similar for both products (P > .05), both for subjective (ΔSGUs) and objective assessments (ΔE, ΔE00, and Whiteness Index). Also, both products showed a slight rebound after 12‐month postbleaching (P > .05).

Conclusions

Concerning the stability of color, in‐office dental whitening with two hydrogen peroxide gels of different pHs produced similar results, with no significant of regression, for 12 months postwhitening.

Clinical Significance

Bleaching using a neutral (pH = 7.0) in‐office gel demonstrated similar stability and rebound effect than an acidic one (pH = 2.0).
Temporal changes in size‐at‐maturity of black dogfish Centroscyllium fabricii
Authors: Hedeholm Rasmus , Qvist Trine , Nielsen Julius , Grønkjær Peter
Published: June 2019

By examining the maturity of 283 black dogfish Centroscyllium fabricii from Greenland waters, a shift in size‐at‐maturity in both sexes over the past 25 years is observed. Size‐at‐first maturity decreased approximately 10 cm in both sexes, and L50 and L95 shifted similarly in males, but not in females. It is argued that bycatch in the Greenland halibut Reinhardtius hippoglossoides fishery has contributed to the observed shift, but also emphasised that such a distinct change could have a methodological component as well as being subject to effects of environmental change.
Systematic relationships of sympatric pipefishes (Syngnathus spp.): A mismatch between morphological and molecular variation
Authors: Garcia Eric , Rice Cristy A. , Eernisse Douglas J. , Forsgren Kristy L. , Quimbayo Juan P. , Rouse Greg W.
Published: June 2019

Analyses of mitochondrial DNA and morphological variation were performed on specimens of all five currently recognised Syngnathus pipefish species from the eastern Pacific Ocean with type localities currently considered to lie within the Californian marine biogeographic province: kelp pipefish Syngnathus californiensis, bay pipefish S. leptorhynchus, barred pipefish S. auliscus, barcheek pipefish S. exilis and chocolate pipefish S. euchrous. Results consistently differentiate S. auliscus from the other species and fail to distinguish all other specimens as distinct species, as indicated by extensive morphological overlap as well as incomplete lineage sorting and considerably low genetic divergence for 16s and coI genes(<1%). This study presents a taxonomic revision of eastern Pacific Syngnathus spp. and proposes the synonymy of S. leptorhynchus, S. euchrous and S. exilis, under the senior synonym, S. californiensis. There is still a need to study populations of Syngnathus spp. from north and south of the Californian province to assess whether these too are synonyms of the two‐species recognised here.
Anti‐apoptotic traits in gingival tissue from patients with severe generalized chronic periodontitis
Authors: Figueredo Carlos Marcelo , Alves Juliana Cardoso , de Souza Breves Beiler Tatiane Flôr Coelho , Fischer Ricardo Guimarães
Published: June 2019

Aim

In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the cytosolic and nuclear‐mitochondrial expression of pro‐apoptotic and anti‐apoptotic markers in gingival tissue from patients with severe generalized chronic periodontitis (sGCP).

Methods

Twenty‐four patients participated in the study: 15 (54.3 + 8.3 years) with sGCP and nine (38.2 + 5.4 years) with gingivitis alone. Gingival tissue was collected using a 1.5‐mm diameter punch and homogenized using a cell disruptor. The supernatants were analyzed for the cytosolic and nuclear‐mitochondrial fractions of caspase‐3, Bax, Bak, Smac, lamin B, Bad, Bim, survivin, Bcl‐xL, Mcl‐1, and of the dimers Bcl‐2/Bax, Bcl‐xL/Bak and Mcl‐1/Bak using a multiplex immunoassay.

Results

Significantly higher levels of cytosolic Bcl‐xL/Bak, nuclear‐mitochondrial Mcl‐1/Bak, and cytosolic Bcl‐xL were observed in gingival tissues from periodontitis patients compared to controls (P = 0.03, 0.03, and 0.05, respectively). The patients with gingivitis presented significantly increased levels of nuclear‐mitochondrial Bad, cytosolic and nuclear‐mitochondrial Bcl‐2/Bax, and cytosolic Bim compared to the patients with periodontitis (P < 0.001, 0.03, 0.05, and 0.04, respectively).

Conclusion

Significantly higher levels of anti‐apoptotic markers, such as Bcl‐xL/Bak, Mcl‐1/Bak, and Bcl‐xL, and lower levels of pro‐apoptotic markers Bad and Bim in inflamed tissues indicate an anti‐apoptotic trait in patients with sGCP.
Evaluation of serum level of omentin‐1 in females with hirsutism
Authors: Kenawi Mohammed Z. , Akl Essam M. , Sabry Jehan H. , Mostafa Sara T.
Published: June 2019

Background

Hirsutism is a common clinical condition encountered in day‐to‐day practice. The androgenic causes account for more than 80% of these patients and include polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which affects about 70%‐80% of hirsute women. The second most common cause is idiopathic hirsutism. Omentin‐1 is an adipokine mainly produced by visceral adipose tissue.

Aim

The current study aimed at evaluating omentin‐1 levels in hirsute females with PCOS and in idiopathic hirsutism.

Patients and Methods

Eighty‐five females were included in this study. They were classified into three groups: thirty hirsute patients with PCOS, thirty females with idiopathic hirsutism, and twenty‐five healthy control females. The participants were subjected to history taking, physical and dermatological examination. A gynecological history and radiological examination of the ovary also were done. Serum testosterone and omentin‐1 were measured by ELISA.

Results

Serum testosterone was statistically elevated in PCOS than other groups. Serum omentin‐1 in females with idiopathic hirsutism was statistically significantly higher than control and PCOS. There was a significant inverse correlation between serum testosterone level and serum omentin‐1 level.

Conclusion

Omentin‐1 may be involved in the pathogenic process of hirsutism.