bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The dynamic capabilities of AccorHotels in Brazil
Authors: Costa João Henrique de Paiva , Pereira Yákara Vasconcelos
Published: October 2019

Purpose

AccorHotels commenced operations in Brazil in the 1970s. Since then, the company has experienced several economic crises in that country and almost gone bankrupt. Using the dynamic capabilities (DCs) framework, the purpose of this paper is to understand how the company managed to maintain its competitive advantage in such a turbulent and competitive environment over the years. The study sought to identify the main DCs developed in the company between 1974 and 2018 and understand how they were developed based on the analysis of their key microfoundations.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted a qualitative approach. The data were collected in 22 interviews, including with top management and the founder of the hotel chain in Brazil. The interviews took place in three different years, 2005, 2016 and 2018. The investigation is supported by content analysis of the data.

Findings

The four main DCs identified at AccorHotels were capability to innovate; qualification capability; renewal capability; and capability to manage threats and mitigate risks. In addition to shedding light on the origins of the DCs, the importance of microfoundations is discussed.

Research limitations/implications

The model presented in the theoretical framework and results should not be generalized, since this limitation is inherent to qualitative research. On the other hand, there are academic implications relevant to the development of the DCs in the service sector by revealing four capabilities that can enable sustainable competitive advantage.

Practical implications

The results provide business practitioners in the hotel sector with information about DCs and microfoundations to face the external and competitive environment throughout its trajectory. Specifically, it shows the way to develop the capabilities that can collaborate in the exploration of opportunities.

Social implications

Executives have the responsibility to make appropriate strategic decisions to stay in the market, meeting the expectations of stakeholders. However, the demand is not only financial, employees of tourism businesses are part of family units. Given this context, society gains when studies of this type are developed, because from the socialization of the results obtained from Accor Hotels, leaders can make organizations thrive and foster the professional development of workers, and tourism industry in general.

Originality/value

This is the first study of DCs undertaken with an international hotel chain. In addition, studies on DCs in the tourism industry are still scarce, and Brazil is an environment where hotels have shown steady growth.
The design of the vaccine supply network under uncertain condition
Authors: Sadjadi Seyed Jafar , Ziaei Zahra , Pishvaee Mir Saman
Published: October 2019

Purpose

This study aims to design a proper supply chain network for the vaccine industry in Iran, which considers several features such as uncertainties in demands and cost, perishability of vaccines, wastages in storage, limited capacity and different priorities for demands.

Design/methodology/approach

This study presents a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model and using a robust counterpart approach for coping with uncertainties of model.

Findings

The presented robust model in comparison with the deterministic model has a better performance and is more reliable for network design of vaccine supply chain.

Originality/value

This study considers uncertainty in the network design of vaccine supply chain for the first time in the vaccine context It presents an MILP model where strategic decisions for each echelon and tactical decisions among different echelons of supply chain are determined. Further, it models the difference between high- and low-priority demands for vaccine.
Help or harm? The effects of ICTs usage on work–life balance
Authors: Wang Xiaoyan , Gao Liangmou , Lin Zhong
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Leveraging boundary theory and person–environment fit theory, the purpose of this paper is to propose a model that illustrates the process by which nonwork-related information and communication technologies (ICTs) usage during office hours affects family-to-work conflict (FWC) and work–family balance satisfaction (WFBS), and the moderating effect of family–work segmentation preference (FWSP) in that process.

Design/methodology/approach

Analyses using PROCESS were conducted to analyze the proposed relationships on survey-collected data.

Findings

Augmented ICTs usage led to greater perceptions of FWC, though the strength of this association was contingent on FWSP in that integration preference buffered ICTs usage’s detrimental effects. Moreover, ICTs usage was shown to exert an effect on WFBS through FWC. The results indicated a mediated moderation pattern such that the moderating role of ICTs usage and FWSP on WFBS was mediated by FWC.

Originality/value

By focusing on ICTs usage for family reasons at work, the study filled a formerly acknowledged gap in the research field regarding how nonwork-related ICTs usage at work affected work–life balance.
How to balance your technology sourcing portfolio in a developing country
Authors: Shekarchian Sajjad , Albadvi Amir
Published: October 2019

Purpose

To gain the highest performance in technological efforts, firms have to balance their technology sourcing portfolio, i.e. they have to decide how to source the required technology and whom to source from. This paper aims to tackle the issue by investigating the factors affecting the technology sourcing portfolio composition and the effect of the portfolio diversity on the performance outcome.

Design/methodology/approach

An inductive multiple case study was performed. Data of four biopharmaceutical producer firms in the period of 1998-2017 were collected. To expand the under study time span, the under study firms were all chosen from the first-comer ones. They entered the NBP arena in the 1998-2008 period, i.e. the period in which Iranian NBP industry was in its formation stage.

Findings

This paper detects the affecting technology-, firm-, industry- and national level factors in Iran biopharmaceutical industry and analyses their influencing mechanism. It is demonstrated that there are factors in a developing country, specifically Iran, which do not matter in developed countries. In addition, the synergistic effect of using various technology sources vehicles is confirmed.

Social implications

Inaccessibility to infrastructures and global communication barrier problems are features of Iran innovation system. Such features discourage the foreign firms to make long-term investments in Iran which consequently deprives Iranian firms of their knowledge and technology. The modification of these problems is suggested.

Originality/value

Factors such as access to infrastructures and global communication barrier are not prevalent in developed countries; therefore, less attention has been paid to them in the literature.
The relationship between governance structure and football club performance in Italy and England
Authors: Ruta Dino , Lorenzon Luca , Sironi Emiliano
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to verify the theoretical assumption about a weaker role of internal governance structures (namely, board and CEO) in determining sporting and financial performances in highly concentrated club ownership environment.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from the Italian and English football clubs playing in their national top divisions, over the period 2006–2015, the authors apply agency theory, property rights theory and win maximization logic to test the absence of a significant impact of internal governance structures on financial performances and clubs’ sporting performance. Ownership structure’s variables are used as control variable.

Findings

Empirical findings document an overall poor impact of board structure and CEO features on financial performances, in comparison with the influence of ownership structure; the consolidation of win maximization logic of clubs’ owners has been demonstrated in this specific context. However, the authors found that some internal governance elements have also an impact on performance even if their contribute is limited: board size results negatively associated to club profitability, board independence and CEO tenure are positively related to sporting performance; in addition, CEO tenure also increases profitability.

Originality/value

The originality of the paper lies on the contribution arising from this empirical research, since a scarcity of empirical studies analyzing the correlation between internal governance and performance in European football sector is noticed.
Real-time calibration algorithm of magnetometer for spinning projectiles
Authors: Zhang Xiaoming , Lei Chen , Liu Jun , Li Jie , Tan Jie , Lu Chen , Chao Zheng-Zheng , Wan Yu-Zhang
Published: October 2019

Purpose

In spite of the vehicle, magnetic field interference can be reduced by some measures and techniques in ammunition design and manufacturing stage, the corruption of the vehicle magnetic field can still reach hundreds to thousands of nanoteslas. Besides, the magnetic field that the ferromagnetic materials generate in response to the strong magnetic field in the vicinity of the body. So, a real-time and accurate vehicle magnetic field calibration method is needed to improve the real-time measurement accuracy of the geomagnetic field for spinning projectiles.

Design/methodology/approach

Unlike the past two-step calibration method, the algorithm uses a linear model to calibrate the magnetic measurement error in real-time. In the method, the elliptical model of magnetometer measurement is established to convert the coefficients of hard and soft iron errors into the parameters of the elliptic equation. Then, the parameters are estimated by recursive least square estimator in real-time. Finally, the initial conditions for the estimator are established using prior knowledge method or static calibration method.

Findings

Studies show the proposed algorithm has remarkable estimation accuracy and robustness and it realizes calibration the magnetic measurement error in real-time. A turntable experiments indicate that the post-calibration residuals approximate the measurement noise of the magnetometer and the roll accuracy is better than 1°. The algorithm is restricted to biaxial magnetometers’ calibration in real-time as expressed in this paper. It, however, should be possible to broaden this method’s applicability to triaxial magnetometers' calibration in real-time.

Originality/value

Unlike the past two-step calibration method, the algorithm uses a linear model to calibrate the magnetic measurement error in real-time and the calculation is small. Besides, it does not take up storage space. The proposed algorithm has remarkable estimation accuracy and robustness and it realizes calibration the magnetic measurement error in real time. The algorithm is restricted to biaxial magnetometers’ calibration in real-time as expressed in this paper. It, however, should be possible to broaden this method’s applicability to triaxial magnetometers’ calibration in real-time.
Comparison of Solute Removal Properties Between High‐Efficient Dialysis Modalities in Low Blood Flow Rate
Authors: Maduell Francisco , Broseta José Jesús , Rodas Lida , Montagud‐Marrahi Enrique , Rodriguez‐Espinosa Diana , Hermida Evelyn , Arias‐Guillén Marta , Fontseré Néstor , Vera Manel , Gómez Miquel , González Bernardino , Rico Nayra
Published: October 2019

Blood flow (Qb) is one of the dialysis parameters most strongly influencing the performance of dialysis modalities. However, few studies have compared different dialysis modalities in patients with low Qb. We conducted a prospective, single‐center study in 21 patients. Each patient underwent four dialysis sessions with routine dialysis parameters: high‐flux hemodialysis (HD), predilution hemodiafiltration (pre‐HDF), expanded HD (HDx), and postdilution HDF (post‐HDF). The removal ratios (RR) of urea, creatinine, ß2‐microglobulin, myoglobin, prolactin, α1‐microglobulin, free kappa and lambda immunoglobulin light chains (ķFLC and λFLC), α1‐acid glycoprotein, and albumin were compared intraindividually. A proportional part of the dialysate was collected to quantify albumin loss. There were no differences in urea and creatinine RRs. The β2‐microglobulin RR was higher in pre‐HDF and post‐HDF. Myoglobin and prolactin RRs were higher with HDx and post‐HDF. The α1‐microglobulin and α1‐acid glycoprotein RRs were significantly higher with post‐HDF than with other treatments, and RRs obtained with HDx were higher than obtained with HD and pre‐HDF. Free ķFLC and λFLC RRs showed the following results in ascending order: HD, pre‐HDF, HDx, and post‐HDF, most of them with statistical significance. Albumin loss varied from 0.45 g with HD to 3.5 g with post‐HDF. The global removal score values were 41.0 ± 4.8% with HD, 44.0 ± 5.2% with pre‐HDF, 49.5 ± 4.6% with HDx, and 54.8 ± 5.3% with post‐HDF, with significant differences between all treatment modalities. In conclusion, this study confirms the superiority of post‐HDF over high‐flux HD, pre‐HDF, and HDx in patients with low Qb. HDx was the closest alternative to post‐HDF and was clearly superior to HD and pre‐HDF. Finally, pre‐HDF was also superior to HD. With this Qb, there was a higher risk of underdialysis, both diffusive and convective, especially in patients with a session duration of less than 5 h.
Geological Characteristics and Metallogenic Setting of Representative Magmatic Cu‐Ni Deposits in the Tianshan‐Xingmeng Orogenic Belt, Central Asia
Authors: HAN Chunming , XIAO Wenjiao , SU Benxun , ZHANG Xiaohui , WAN Bo , SONG Dongfang , ZHANG Zhiyong , ZHANG Jien , WANG Zhongmei , XIE Mingcai
Published: October 2019

A great number of magmatic Cu‐Ni deposits (including Kalatongke in Xinjiang and Hongqiling in Jilin) are distributed over a distance of almost 3000 km across the Tianshan‐Xingmeng Orogenic Belt, from Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang in the west, to Jilin in eastern China in the east. These deposits were formed during a range of magmatic episodes from the Devonian to the Triassic. Significant magmatic Cu‐Ni‐Co‐PGE deposits were formed from the Devonian period in the Nalati arc (e.g. Jingbulake Cu‐Ni in Xinjiang), Carboniferous period in the Puerjin‐Ertai arc (e.g. Kalatongke Cu‐Ni‐Co‐PGE in Xinjiang), Carboniferous period in the Dananhu‐Touquan arc (e.g. Huangshandong, Xiangshan and Tulaergen in estern Tianshan, Xinjiang) to Triassic period in the Hulan arc (e.g. Hongqiling Cu‐Ni in Jilin). In addition to the overall tectonic, geologic and distribution of magmatic Cu‐Ni deposits in the Tianshan‐Xingmeng Orogenic Belt, the metallogenic setting, deposit geology and mineralization characteristics of each deposit mentioned above are summarized in this paper. Geochronologic data of Cu‐Ni deposits indicate that, from west to east, the metallogenic ages in the Tianshan‐Xingmeng Orogenic Belt changed with time, namely, from the Late Caledonian (∼440 Ma), through the Late Hercynian (300–265 Ma) to the Late Indosinian (225–200 Ma). Such variation could reflect a gradual scissor type closure of the paleo Asian ocean between the Siberia Craton and the North China Craton from west to east.
Early Cretaceous Adakitic Rocks in the Northern Great Xing'an Range, NE China: Implications for the Final Closure of Mongol‐Okhotsk Ocean and Regional Extensional Setting
Authors: ZHANG Lingyu , LI Shichao , CHU Xiaolei , SHANG Yinmin
Published: October 2019

A large amount of igneous rocks in NE China formed in an extensional setting during Late Mesozoic. However, there is still controversy about how the Mongol‐Okhotsk Ocean and the Paleo‐Pacific Ocean effected the lithosphere in NE China. In this paper, we carried out a comprehensive study for andesites from the Keyihe area using LA‐ICP‐MS zircon U‐Pb dating and geochemical and Hf isotopic analysis to investigate the petrogenesis and tectonic setting of these andesites. The U‐Pb dating yields an Early Cretaceous crystallization age of 128.3±0.4 Ma. Geochemically, the andesites contain high Sr (686–930 ppm) and HREE contents, low Y (11.9–19.8 ppm) and Yb (1.08–1.52 ppm) contents, and they therefore have high Sr/Y (42–63) and La/Yb (24–36) ratios, showing the characteristics of adakitic rocks. Moreover, they exhibit high K2O/Na2O ratios (0.57–0.81), low MgO contents (0.77–3.06 wt%), low Mg# value (17–49) and negative εHf(t) values (–1.7 to –8.5) with no negative Eu anomalies, indicating that they are not related to the oceanic plate subduction. Based on the geochemical and isotopic data provided in this paper and regional geological data, it can be concluded that the Keyihe adakitic rocks were affected by the Mongol‐Okhotsk tectonic regime, forming in a transition setting from crustal thickening to regional extension thinning. They were derived from the partial melting of the thickened lower crust. The closure of the Mongol‐Okhotsk Ocean may finish in early Early Cretaceous, followed by the collisional orogenic process. The southern part region of its suture belt was in a post‐orogenic extensional setting in the late Early Cretaceous.
Origin of Boron in the Gas Hure Salt Lake of Northwestern Qaidam Basin, China: Evidence from Hydrochemistry and Boron Isotopes
Authors: HAN Jibin , XU Jianxin , HUSSAIN Syed Asim , JIANG Hongchen , MA Yunqi , XU Kai , MA Haizhou
Published: October 2019

The Gas Hure Salt Lake (GHSL) in the northwestern Qaidam Basin, western China, is rich in boron (B) resources, but its B‐resource origin is hardly known. Hydrochemical compositions and B isotope characteristics of different waters were collected around the GHSL, including the river water, stream water, spring water, salt‐lake brine, intercrystalline brine, well water, drilling brine, and solar pond brine. The hydrochemical signatures suggest that silicates, carbonates and evaporates are the main B‐bearing rocks during the water dynamic. The reservoir estimation of B resources shows that the Kulamulekesay River (KLMR) and the Atekan River (ATKR) contribute annually 18.3 tons and 22.84 tons of B, respectively, with a total amount of 11.72 × 104 tons of B during the past 5.7 ka. In comparison with the known B reservoir (32.96 × 104 tons) in the GHSL, a significant amount of B in the GHSL was probably recharged from deep fluids and sediments around the GHSL. The B concentration and B‐enrichment degree are shaped by the evaporation process, which are highly elevated at the carnallite and bischofite stages.
New Evidence for a Cretaceous Age for a Mesozoic Nonmarine Bivalve Assemblage from Paekto‐dong, Sinuiju City, The Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Authors: WON CholGuk , SO KwangSik , JON SuHyang
Published: October 2019

The Sinuiju Formation in Paekto‐dong, Sinuiju City in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has yielded Mesozoic nonmarine bivalve fossils, which is the first occurrence of such in the DPRK. Based on these fossil specimens, a new Cretaceous bivalve assemblage, the Arguniella yanshanensis‐Sphaerium anderssoni Assemblage is erected. This assemblage includes Arguniella yanshanensis, A. lingyuanensis and Sphaerium anderssoni and can be compared with the Jehol Biota. The age of the Sinuiju Formation is also clarified and on the basis of the bivalves and the presence of a Eosestheria–Ephemeropsis–Lycoptera (E–E–L) assemblage, the formation is not Upper Jurassic, but Lower Cretaceous in age.
Characteristics and Genesis of the Es1 Productive Sandstone Reservoir (Paleogene), Nanpu Sag, East China
Authors: MUHAMMAD Kashif , CAO Yingchang , NAVEED Ahsan , MUHAMMAD Asif , YUAN Guanghui , XI Kelai , ZHANG Shaomin , XU Qisong , TAHIR M. Usman , ORKHAN Isgandarov
Published: October 2019

The Shahejie Formation is a fundamental rock unit for hydrocarbon exploration and production in the Nanpu Sag, Bohai Bay Basin. Methodology including thin sectioning, core observations, fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy, cathodoluminescence, fluid inclusion, laser scanning confocal microscopy and geochemical analysis (C, O isotopes) were all utilized to investigate the reservoir characteristics and origin of the Es1 Sandstone. Thin section study showed that the reservoir rock consisted of feldspathic litharenite and lithic arkose. The reservoir pores are categorized as intergranular pores, fracture pores, dissolution pores and intergranular cement dissolution pores. The studied sandstone had good porosity (0.05%–35%) and permeability (0.006–7000 mD). The Es1 reservoir is classified as a fractured reservoir, a primary intergranular pore‐associated reservoir and a dissolution reservoir. Deposition, diagenesis and tectogenesis are the main factors that played important roles in the development of the reservoir. Sedimentation is the foundation and assumption for reservoir development, but the effective reservoir is primarily controlled by primary pores, fractures, lithofacies, tectonic elements and dissolution pores. Moreover, compaction, fracture filling and cementation were the primary sources of reservoir densification. The reservoir was progressively formed through the influence of different geological and diagenetic events. The present study provides significant information and references for hydrocarbon exploration and development in the Nanpu Sag.
Zircon U‐Pb Ages and Geochemistry of Permo‐Carboniferous Mafic Intrusions in the Xilinhot Area, Inner Mongolia: Constraints on the Northward Subduction of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean
Authors: WANG Ke , LI Yilong , XIAO Wenjiao , ZHENG Jianping , BROUWER Fraukje M.
Published: October 2019

The Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) resulted from accretion during the Paleozoic subduction of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean. The Xilinhot area in Inner Mongolia is located in the northern subduction zone of the central‐eastern CAOB and outcropped a large number of late Paleozoic mafic intrusions. The characteristics of magma source and tectonic setting of the mafic intrusions and their response to the closure process of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean are still controversial. This study presents LA‐ICPMS zircon U‐Pb ages and geochemical features of mafic intrusions in the Xilinhot area to constrain the northward subduction of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean. The mafic intrusions consist of gabbro, hornblende gabbro, and diabase. Their intrusion times can be divided into three stages of 326–321 Ma, 276 Ma and 254 Ma by zircon U‐Pb ages. The first two stages of the 326–276 Ma intrusions mostly originated from subduction‐modified continental lithospheric mantle sources that underwent a variable degree partial melting (5–30%), recording the subduction of oceanic crust. The third stage of the 254 Ma mafic rocks also show arc‐related features. The primary magma compositions calculated by PRIMELT2 modeling on three samples of ∼326 Ma and two samples of ∼254 Ma show that these mafic samples are characterized by a variable range in SiO2 (47.51–51.47 wt%), Al2O3 (11.46–15.55 wt%), ΣFeO (8.27–9.61 wt%), MgO (13.01–15.18 wt%) and CaO (9.13–11.67 wt%), consisting with the features between enriched mantle and lower continental crust. The source mantle melting of mafic intrusions occurred under temperatures of 1302–1351°C and pressures of 0.92–1.30 GPa. The magmatic processes occurred near the crust‐mantle boundary at about 33–45 km underground. Combined with previous studies, it is concluded that Carboniferous to early Permian (∼326–275 Ma) northward subduction of the Paleo‐Asian oceanic crust led to the formation of the mafic magmatism in the Baolidao arc zone. The whole region had entered the collision environment at ∼254 Ma, but with subduction‐related environments locally. The final collision between the North China craton and the South Mongolian microcontinent may have lasted until ca. 230 Ma.
Smugglers, migrants, and demons
Authors: KAHN JEFFREY S.
Published: October 2019

Haitian sea migration and US maritime policing have emerged in tandem since the 1980s. During this time, many Haitians have begun to assume that migration voyages succeed only because of ritual exchanges—in particular, transactions between migrants and sea‐traversing, other‐than‐human beings. These ritual payments, along with other activities of border crossing and control, have placed ships, routes, and offshore detention centers in an interconnected constellation that spans the northern Caribbean. These cosmographically deep spatial configurations exceed concepts like “region” or “sociocultural area.” Cosmographic depth, while not unique to these spaces, is made visible in the array of entities, forces, and moral sensibilities that compose them. Seeing cosmographically highlights this depth, which is often rendered inconsequential by dominant bureaucratic registers of border securitization. [oceans, migration, space, ritual economies, cosmology, Guantánamo Bay, Haiti, Caribbean]
Raised serum Interleukin‐6 identifies patients with liver cirrhosis at high risk for overt hepatic encephalopathy
Authors: Labenz Christian , Toenges Gerrit , Huber Yvonne , Nagel Michael , Marquardt Jens U. , Schattenberg Jörn M. , Galle Peter R. , Labenz Joachim , Wörns Marcus‐Alexander
Published: October 2019

Background

Systemic inflammation is a driving force for the development of hepatic encephalopathy and recent studies demonstrated that elevated Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) serum levels are associated with the presence of minimal hepatic encephalopathy in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Aim

To test the hypothesis that IL‐6 is a suitable marker to identify patients with liver cirrhosis at high risk for the development of overt hepatic encephalopathy.

Methods

201 patients were included into this prospective cohort study and were followed for a mean time of 322 days. Covert hepatic encephalopathy was diagnosed according to the West‐Haven criteria (hepatic encephalopathy grade 1) and with the portosystemic encephalopathy (PSE) test.

Results

The cumulative incidence of overt hepatic encephalopathy was higher in patients with IL‐6 levels above the median of 9 pg/mL than in patients with IL‐6 levels at or below the median (35.6% vs 1.9%, P < .001). After adjustment for covert hepatic encephalopathy, history of overt hepatic encephalopathy, C‐reactive protein (CRP) and model for end‐stage liver disease (MELD), IL‐6 levels above the median remained independently associated with the development of overt hepatic encephalopathy. The predictive performance of IL‐6 regarding the development of overt hepatic encephalopathy during the next 180 days (AUROC, 0.931) was numerically higher than that of MELD (AUROC, 0.841) or CRP (AUROC, 0.835). In patients without prior overt hepatic encephalopathy, the predictive performance of IL‐6 (AUROC, 0.966) was even significantly higher than that of MELD (AUROC 0.843) or CRP (AUROC 0.850). The ideal cut‐off for IL‐6 in this setting was 23.5 pg/mL with a sensitivity and specificity of 89.3% and 89.5% respectively.

Conclusion

IL‐6 serum levels are closely linked to the development of overt hepatic encephalopathy in patients with liver cirrhosis.
Medicinal chemistry of oxazines as promising agents in drug discovery
Authors: Zinad Dhafer S. , Mahal Ahmed , Mohapatra Ranjan K. , Sarangi Ashish K. , Pratama Mohammad Rizki Fadhil
Published: October 2019

Oxazines have brought much synthetic interest due to their extensive biological activities. These are the important category of heterocycles, which may be formally derived from benzene and its reduction products by convenient substitution of carbon (and hydrogen) atoms by nitrogen and oxygen. In the last few decades, oxazine derivatives have documented as worthy synthetic intermediates and also blessed with notable sedative, analgesic, anticonvulsant, antipyretic, antimicrobial, antitubercular, antimalarial, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. Nowadays, it is important to develop new classes of compounds with more effective mechanisms due to drug resistance activity in which the ability of drug to effectively treat disease can be reduced. The aim of the article is to collect and make a more generalized review on the synthesis of oxazine derivatives and their pharmaceutical and biological activities. We hope this review will provide ample references for the researchers concerned with azines in generally and oxazines in particular.
Periodontitis and intake of thiamine, riboflavin and niacin among Korean adults
Authors: Lee Jung‐Hoo , Lee Sang‐Ah , Kim Hyun‐Duck
Published: October 2019

Objectives

Adequate intake of vitamin B complex could be prerequisite to health. However, few studies have been reported on the association of thiamine (vit B1), riboflavin (vit B2) and niacin (vit B3) with periodontal health. This study described the association between periodontal health and dietary vit B1, vit B2 and vit B3 intake in the Korean population.

Methods

A total of 12 750 adults aged over 19 years were selected for this study as a sub‐sample of the national data set from Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (IV and V). Periodontitis and gingivitis were defined as Community Periodontal Index (CPI) scores of 3‐4 and 1‐2, respectively. Information on dietary vit B1, vit B2 and vit B3 intake was from 24‐hour dietary recall method. Multivariable complex logistic regression analyses estimated association between vit B1, vit B2 and vit B3 intakes and periodontal health after adjusting for various potential confounders. Stratified analyses by age, sex, dyslipidemia and total energy intake were also undertaken.

Results

The overall estimated prevalence of periodontitis (CPI 3‐4) and gingivitis (CPI 1‐2) was 29.9% and 46.6%, respectively. Our data showed none of the inadequate intake of vit B1, vit B2 and B3 showed significant association with gingivitis after adjusting for potential confounders. Inadequate intake of vit B3 showed higher prevalence odds of periodontitis by 1.25 times (adjusted odds ratio = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.07‐1.46). The association of vit B3 with periodontitis was stronger in females and participants aged 40‐59 years.

Conclusions

Inadequate dietary intake of vit B3 was associated with periodontitis.
Clinical and experimental aspects of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Daou Badih J. , Koduri Sravanthi , Thompson B. Gregory , Chaudhary Neeraj , Pandey Aditya S.
Published: October 2019

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) continues to be associated with significant morbidity and mortality despite advances in care and aneurysm treatment strategies. Cerebral vasospasm continues to be a major source of clinical worsening in patients. We intended to review the clinical and experimental aspects of aSAH and identify strategies that are being evaluated for the treatment of vasospasm. A literature review on aSAH and cerebral vasospasm was performed. Available treatments for aSAH continue to expand as research continues to identify new therapeutic targets. Oral nimodipine is the primary medication used in practice given its neuroprotective properties. Transluminal balloon angioplasty is widely utilized in patients with symptomatic vasospasm and ischemia. Prophylactic “triple‐H” therapy, clazosentan, and intraarterial papaverine have fallen out of practice. Trials have not shown strong evidence supporting magnesium or statins. Other calcium channel blockers, milrinone, tirilazad, fasudil, cilostazol, albumin, eicosapentaenoic acid, erythropoietin, corticosteroids, minocycline, deferoxamine, intrathecal thrombolytics, need to be further investigated. Many of the current experimental drugs may have significant roles in the treatment algorithm, and further clinical trials are needed. There is growing evidence supporting that early brain injury in aSAH may lead to significant morbidity and mortality, and this needs to be explored further.
Skin application of glutathione and iron sulfate can inhibit elicitation of allergic contact dermatitis from hexavalent chromium
Authors: Lejding Tina , Engfeldt Malin , Bruze Magnus , Isaksson Marléne , Svedman Cecilia , Zimerson Erik , Verma Kaushal , Mowitz Martin
Published: October 2019

Background

Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) caused by hexavalent chromium, Cr(VI), is often severe and difficult to treat. The most common source of exposure to Cr(VI) in Sweden used to be cement, and more recently leather. The contact allergy can be diminished or inhibited if the exposure is decreased or ceases. Barrier creams against different kinds of allergens have been investigated for their protective properties which may offer protection against Cr(VI) exposure.

Objectives

To investigate the capacity of formulas containing glutathione (GSH) and iron sulfate to inhibit elicitation of ACD in Cr(VI)‐allergic individuals when exposed to Cr(VI).

Methods

In 18 Cr(VI)‐allergic volunteers the back was divided into eight patch test areas which were treated with preparations of possible barrier creams, prior to patch testing with a dilution series of potassium dichromate and a buffered extract of cement.

Results

A significant reduction in reactivity to Cr(VI) and cement extract on skin treated with formulas containing GSH or iron sulfate was noticed, compared with untreated skin.

Conclusion

Formulas containing GSH or iron sulfate in barrier creams inhibit ACD in individuals allergic to Cr(VI) when applied before exposure to Cr(VI) and cement extract.
The social impact of natural hazards: a multi‐level analysis of disasters and forms of trust in mainland China
Authors: Lee Juheon
Published: October 2019

This study aimed to assess the multi‐level effects of natural hazards on trust in Chinese society. Drawing on the Chinese General Social Survey conducted in 2012 and provincial disaster damage records, it examined the association between individuals’ past experiences of disasters and province‐level damage (measured by the number of affected people, deaths, and economic loss) and various forms of trust: in‐group; out‐group; generalised; and political. The findings indicate that Chinese individuals with experience of disasters have higher levels of out‐group trust but lower levels of political trust. Similarly, at the province level, damage owing to disasters over the past three years (2009–11) positively impacted on residents’ out‐group trust while negatively affecting their political trust. However, when provincial damage was aggregated for disasters over the past five years (2007–11), which included the devastating Sichuan earthquake on 12 May 2008, only total deaths had a positive effect on generalised trust.
Does ‘Manna from Heaven’ help? The role of cash transfers in disaster recovery—lessons from Fiji after Tropical Cyclone Winston
Authors: Ivaschenko Oleksiy , Doyle Jesse , Kim Jaekyun , Sibley Jonathan , Majoka Zaineb
Published: October 2019

This paper contributes to the evidence on the effectiveness of shock‐responsive social protection systems in helping affected households recover from the negative consequences of disasters. It evaluates the influence of the top‐up cash transfers provided by the Government of Fiji to poor households in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Winston, which struck the Pacific Island country on 20 February 2016. The impact evaluation strategy incorporates a sharp regression discontinuity design to define treatment and control groups, based on the eligibility threshold of the poverty benefit scheme. The results indicate that treatment households—that is, those that received cash transfers—are significantly more likely to report quicker recovery from various shocks. Female‐headed households are more likely to recover from the ramifications, whereas households with older heads are less likely to do so. The presence of a functioning market appears to be a major factor aiding the speed of recovery. Finally, the evidence points towards strong district effects on recovery.
Divergent chemosensory gene expression accompanies ecological specialisation of pea aphid morphs
Authors: Purandare Swapna R. , Brisson Jennifer A.
Published: October 2019

1. Chemosensation is fundamental to the adaptation of insects to their environments. It is used in multiple ecological contexts such as host selection, mate selection, conspecific communication, and predator defence simultaneously. Therefore, understanding the molecular genetic mechanisms underlying specific chemosensory adaptations is important.

2. Here a unique study system is used that provides a means to focus on separate aspects of chemosensory specialisation. Pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum) produce different morphs such as winged asexual females, wingless asexual females, sexual females, winged males, and wingless males during their annual life cycle. These morphs have the same or similar genotypes but distinct ecologies and chemosensory repertoires.

3. It is hypothesised that divergent chemosensory gene expression underlies ecological and thus chemosensory specialisation. RNA‐Seq data were used to compare chemosensory gene expression levels of five pea aphid morphs. The study focused on 113 genes belonging to six chemosensory gene families (odorant‐binding proteins, chemosensory proteins, odorant receptors, gustatory receptors, ionotropic receptors, and sensory neuron membrane proteins).

4. Gene expression analysis revealed that 85% of the chemosensory genes displayed significant differential expression among the five morphs. By performing pairwise morph comparisons, candidate chemosensory genes associated with the distinct chemosensory repertoires of the morphs were identified. Extensive phenotypic plasticity was also found in the expression of chemosensory genes. These results provide insights into the transcriptional variation in chemosensory genes underlying chemosensory and ecological specialisation of distinct morphs.
The relationship between measurement of in vivo brain glutamate and markers of iron metabolism: A proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study in healthy adults
Authors: Burger Antoinette , Kotze Maritha J. , Stein Dan J. , Janse van Rensburg Susan , Howells Fleur M.
Published: October 2019

Fundamental human studies which address associations between glutamate and iron metabolism are needed. Basic research reports associations between glutamate and iron metabolism. Human studies report sex differences in iron metabolism and glutamate concentrations, which suggest that these relationships may differ by sex. We hypothesised associations would be apparent between in vivo glutamate and peripheral markers of iron metabolism, and these associations would differ by sex. To test this, we recruited 40 healthy adults (20 men, 20 women) and measured (a) standard clinical biomarker concentrations for iron metabolism and (b) an in vivo proxy for glutamate concentration, glutamate with glutamine in relation to total creatine containing metabolites using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies with a two‐dimensional chemical shift imaging slice, with voxels located in bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortices, anterior cingulate cortices and frontal white matter. Only the female group reported significant associations between peripheral markers of iron metabolism and Glx:tCr concentration: (a) right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex Glx:tCr associated positively with serum transferrin (r = .60, p = .006) and negatively with transferrin saturation (r = −.62, p = .004) and (b) right frontal white matter Glx:tCr associated negatively with iron concentration (r = −.59, p = .008) and transferrin saturation (r = −.65, p = .002). Our results support associations between iron metabolism and our proxy for in vivo glutamate concentration (Glx:tCr). These associations were limited to women, suggesting a stronger regulatory control between iron and glutamate metabolism. These associations support additional fundamental research into the molecular mechanisms of this regulatory control.
Comparison between micro‐computed tomography and transverse microradiography of sound dentine treated with fluorides and demineralized by microcosm biofilm
Authors: Soares dos Santos Daiana M. , Braga Aline S. , Rizk Marta , Wiegand Annette , Magalhães Ana C.
Published: October 2019

The study aimed to apply micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT) and transverse microradiography (TMR) to measure dentine demineralization and to test the preventive effect of titanium tetrafluoride (TiF4) under microcosm biofilm. Sound dentine specimens from bovine root were treated for 6 h with: (i) 4.0% titanium tetrafluoride (TiF4) varnish [pH 1.0, 2.45% fluoride (F−); (ii) 5.42% sodium fluoride (NaF) varnish (pH 5.0, 2.45% F); (iii) 2% chlorhexidine (CHX) gel (pH 7.0); (iv) placebo varnish (pH 5.0); or (v) no agent (untreated). Dentine specimens were then exposed to human saliva mixed with McBain saliva for 8 h. Thereafter, McBain saliva containing 0.2% sucrose was applied daily, for 5 d, onto dentine specimens to stimulate formation of microcosm biofilm. Although a high correlation was found between the results of both methods regarding integrated mineral loss, the results of the methods did not show good agreement in Bland–Altman plots, with significant biases in calculations of lesion depth. Fluoride varnishes were able to reduce dentine demineralization (P < 0.05), while CHX failed to do so. Fluorides are still the best option to reduce dentine demineralization. Micro‐CT may be used to measure dentine mineral loss, but not the lesion depth, for which TMR is superior.
P63‐related disorders: Dermatological characteristics in 22 patients
Authors: Maillard Alexia , Alby Caroline , Gabison Eric , Doan Serge , Caux Frédéric , Bodemer Christine , Hadj‐Rabia Smail
Published: October 2019

In P63‐related ectodermal dysplasias (ED), the clinical characteristics focus on extra‐cutaneous manifestations. The dermatological phenotype remains incompletely characterized. We report the dermatological features of 22 patients carrying a TP63 mutation. Erosions, erythroderma and pigmentary anomalies are characteristics of P63‐related ED. Our data suggest that patients might be classified into two major P63‐related disorders: AEC and EEC. RHS and ADULT represent mild AEC and EEC forms, respectively.
Smoothed Estimators for Markov Chains with Sparse Spatial Observations
Authors: Kang Wei , Rey Sergio J.
Published: October 2019

Empirical applications of the Markov chain model and its spatial extensions suffer from issues induced by the sparse transition probability matrix, which usually results from adopting maximum likelihood estimators (MLEs). Two discrete kernel estimators with cross‐validated parameters are proposed for reducing the sparsity in the estimated transition probability matrix. Monte Carlo experiments suggest that these estimators are not only quite effective in producing a much less sparse matrix, alleviating issues related to sparsity, but also superior to MLEs in terms of lowering the mean squared error for individual and total transition probability, giving rise to the better recovery of the underlying dynamics.
Individual combinations of danger signals synergistically increase FVIII product immunogenicity
Authors: Miller Lilija , Klemm Jessica , Schmidt Carolin , Hanschmann Kay‐Martin , Bekeredjian‐Ding Isabelle , Waibler Zoe
Published: October 2019

Introduction

The most severe side effect in haemophilia A treatment is the development of antifactor VIII antibodies, also called inhibitors. Why inhibitors develop in a proportion of treated patients while others are unaffected still remains unanswered. The presence of immunological danger signals, associated with events such as infection or surgery, has been proposed to play a role. Previous studies demonstrated that the presence of the bacterial molecule lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can synergistically increase the activation of human DC and subsequent T cell activation by FVIII.

Aim and Methods

In the present study, we investigated whether a combination of two danger signals can further increase immune cell activation by FVIII. For this, human in vitro differentiated DC that were treated with combinations of danger signals were co‐cultured with autologous primary T cells, and T cell proliferation was analysed.

Results

Interestingly, by combining LPS with a second danger signal, lower LPS concentrations were sufficient to synergistically increase DC and subsequent T cell activation by FVIII. Of note, a combination of LPS and the double‐stranded RNA, polyinosinic‐polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)), was most potent in increasing FVIII immunogenicity, followed by LPS + R848 (resiquimod). However, a combination of LPS and the bacterial lipopeptide Pam3CysSK4 did not induce increased immune cell activation by FVIII.

Conclusion

Thus, individual combinations of danger signals can increase FVIII product immunogenicity. This should be considered in the treatment routine of haemophilia A patients.
Minorités ethniques en marge et détermination du salaire en Chine
Authors: MACDONALD Andrew W. , HASMATH Reza
Published: October 2019

Dans la littérature existante, les conclusions sur l'effet de l'appartenance à une minorité ethnique sur le salaire en Chine urbaine sont contrastées. Pour en savoir plus, les auteurs décident d'examiner la situation en tenant compte plus précisément du groupe d'appartenance, exploitant pour ce faire une volumineuse série de données sur les minorités chinoises. Après contrôle de l'effet de différentes variables, ils font apparaître une pénalité salariale importante aux dépens de groupes «en marge» (tibétains et turciques notamment), mais pas par rapport aux minorités considérées dans leur ensemble. Les résultats, robustes à différentes spécifications, sont riches d'enseignements sur le plan théorique comme pour l'action publique.
The Quagmire of Return and Reintegration: Challenges to Multi‐Stakeholder Co‐ordination of Involuntary Returns
Authors: Kandilige Leander , Adiku Geraldine
Published: October 2019

The institutional aspect of return migration has received little attention in the theoretical and empirical literature on return migration. This research fills the apparent lacuna by unearthing institutional challenges to multi‐stakeholder coordination, at different spatial levels in crisis situations and negative effects on reintegration of forcibly returned migrants. We use the evacuation of Ghanaian migrants from Libya who occupied very low socio‐economic positions, experienced racism and discrimination, including physical attacks and arbitrary arrests in 2011, as a case study to understand institutional challenges to forced return when migrants’ carefully tailored plans are thrown into disarray and they are forced to return unprepared. This study employed mainly qualitative research methods among six different categories of actors and engaged an adaptation of Cassarino's “returnee's preparedness framework” to expand theoretical understandings of return migration from the institutional perspective and to highlight what can go wrong when institutions are unprepared for involuntary returnees.
How to Measure Relative Bias in Media Coverage?
Authors: Dalal Siddhartha , Adlim Berkay , Lesk Michael
Published: October 2019

Mainstream media are regularly accused of being biased or of peddling “fake news”. But are the accusations fair? Does a supposedly “partisan” newspaper like the New York Times really differ in the tone of its coverage from a “neutral” newswire service like Reuters? Siddhartha Dalal, Berkay Adlim and Michael Lesk investigate
The American Statistical Association and the US Census: A Shared History
Authors: Billard Lynne
Published: October 2019

In 1839, the American Statistical Association (ASA) was formed amid concern for the “antiquated and ineffective machinery” used to conduct the United States Census. Over the next 180 years, ASA presidents and members played an integral role in shaping, refining and strengthening this central pillar of the US democratic system. Lynne Billard tells the story
Will Administrative Data Save Government Surveys?
Authors: Auerbach Jonathan , Brummet Quentin , Czajka John , Hough George C. , Hunsinger Eddie , Salvo Joseph
Published: October 2019

Government surveys are, in many ways, the foundations of our data-driven world. But those foundations are under strain. Can administrative data come to the rescue? Jonathan Auerbach, Quentin Brummet, John Czajka, George C. Hough Jr, Eddie Hunsinger and Joseph Salvo weigh the pros and cons, and the opportunities and challenges