bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Breaking the flow: a study of contradictions in information systems development (ISD)
Authors: Dennehy Denis , Conboy Kieran
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine contradictions (specifically tertiary and quaternary contradictions) that can disrupt the flow of work in contemporary systems development methods.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses Activity theory (AT) as a theoretical lens to: examine ISD flow as an interrelated activity system; and identify contradictions. AT is pertinent in the context of this study as rather than view contradictions as a threat to prematurely abandon the use of flow tools and metrics, it shows how contradictions can act as a motor for change and continuity. This study adopts a longitudinal single case study approach including face-to-face interviews with management and software development project teams, as well as direct observations and document analysis.

Findings

This study identifies tertiary and quaternary contradictions, and highlights the influence of contradictions on flow-based systems development.

Social implications

This study provides a set of contradictions for researchers and practitioners. It shows that contradictions can be culturally or politically challenging to confront, and even when resolved, can have intended or unintended consequences.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils an identified need to study ISD flow from the perspective of interrelated activity systems and beyond its initial implementation phase.
Cactus young cladodes improves unbalanced glycemic control, dyslipidemia, prooxidant/antioxidant stress biomarkers and stimulate lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase and paraoxonase activities in young rats after cafeteria diet exposure
Authors: Chekkal Hadjera , Harrat Nour el Imane , Affane Fouad , Bensalah Fatima , Louala Sabrine , Lamri-Senhadji Myriem
Published: August 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate the protective potential of prickly pear cactus fresh cladodes (opuntia ficus indica (OFI)) on glycemic disorders, dyslipidemia, prooxidant/antioxidant stress biomarkers and reverse cholesterol transport (by evaluating the activity of lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT)) and paraoxonase (PON1) in rats prematurely exposed to cafeteria diet (CD).

Design/methodology/approach

Sixteen young rats were divided into two groups fed CD containing 50 per cent of hyperlipidic diet (HLD) and 50 per cent of junk food mix supplemented or not with 50 g of fresh young cladodes of OFI to 100 g of CD, during 30 days.

Findings

OFI cladodes supplementation decreased significantly body weight (p < 0.001), food intake (p < 0.05), adipose tissue weight (p < 0.01), fasting glycemia and glycosylated hemoglobin (p < 0.01), homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) and insulinemia (p < 0.001), levels of cholesterol (C) (p < 0.05) and triacylglycerols (TG) (p < 0.01) in serum and in very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL-Cp < 0.05 and VLDL-TGp < 0.01) and improves reverse cholesterol transport by increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesteryl-esters concentrations (p < 0.001) and by stimulating LCAT activity. Moreover, they attenuated lipid peroxidation in VLDL and low-density lipoproteins by increasing atheroprotective activity of PON-1 and in liver and adipose tissue by enhancing enzymatic antioxidant defence.

Social implications

The young cladodes of OFI because of their antiobesity benefits could constitute a novel functional ingredient in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications.

Originality/value

Young cladodes of OFI in rat precociously submitted to a hyperlipidic diet/junk food (cafeteria model) seem to prevent metabolic disorders associated with obesity.
Legal framework challenges to e-banking in Tanzania
Authors: Kato Charles Ishengoma
Published: August 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the legal challenges to electronic banking and initiatives taken to address them in Tanzania. It is based on the results of a comparative analysis of policies and laws of other countries from which Tanzania can pick a leaf on how to deal with challenges brought by information and communication technology-induced innovations in the banking sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The study upon which this paper is based employed comparative analysis methods by analysing different policies and laws of Tanzania in line with attendant laws of other jurisdictions such as the USA, Malaysia, South Africa, Rwanda and Kenya and international instruments in a bid to establish the best practice pertaining to controlling and containing legal challenges brought by developments in electronic banking.

Findings

This paper confirms that, the prevailing laws guiding electronic banking in Tanzania do not adequately address the challenges the banks and customers face during electronic banking transactions. Thus, there is a need to amend the Tanzanian laws guiding this sector to put in place legislation capable of facilitating the development of electronic banking whilst addressing the associated challenges the users encounter.

Originality/value

This paper underscores the value of amending existing or enacting new laws in line with the development of technology/innovation to protect consumers in nascent electronic banking of the country. Moreover, it advocates for the development of innovation in banking sector should not be left to grow without amending/enacting laws that will promote its development and at the same time protect the users to avoid far-reaching and often unpleasant implications.
Does ownership concentration affect cost of debt? Evidence from an emerging market
Authors: Jabbouri Imad , Naili Maryem
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how ownership concentration affects cost of debt (CoD) in one of the most important emerging markets in the Middle East and North Africa, Morocco.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs panel data analysis using non-financial firms listed on Casablanca Stock Exchange (CSE) between 2004 and 2016. To unveil the hidden facets of the relationship between ownership concentration and CoD, and examine if this relationship changes with market conditions, we conduct a pre–post-crisis analysis.

Findings

The results demonstrate that controlling shareholders promote decent governance as long as they are able to generate appropriate returns. However, this behavior seems to change during the post-crisis period. In their attempts to increase their returns adversely affected by the financial crisis, controlling shareholders switch from guardians of decent governance and firm’s resources to a menace to creditors’ interests.

Practical implications

Our results expose the severity of agency problems in CSE. It is the duty of all market participants including regulators, board of directors, financial analysts, shareholders and creditors to scrutiny and reinforce governance mechanisms to alleviate expropriation by controlling shareholders. Improving country and firm-level governance mechanisms would enhance investors’ protection, attract international investors and boost the economic activity.

Originality/value

Prior research is inconclusive about the impact of ownership concentration on CoD. Hence, it is worthwhile to seek new evidence in a new market on the nature of this relationship.
Why Indian cities are so chaotic? Decoding from the urban development efforts of Chandigarh
Authors: Biswas Arindam
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare and learn from Chandigarh in addressing an orderly urbanisation in India. Chandigarh is considered as a benchmark for city design in India. The aim is recapitulate the city design process and garner useful inputs towards city design process in India.

Design/methodology/approach

Considering the purpose of the study, two research methodologies are identified – namely “case study” and “analytical narrative”. A case study method is usually focused on certain urban systems with a view to explain why certain systems were a success and why some ended up being a failure. It mostly concerns itself with questions of efficiency. A narrative analysis seeks to understand urban development process and change. It appeared in disciplines such as policy analysis, urban history, social science, political science and economics. Analytical narrative evaluates the explanatory performance of new genre, using some philosophy.

Findings

This paper contributes in reinvigorating the aura of Chandigarh and its contribution in developing an Indian city with its own identity. It also reflects upon the series of failure among the recent city planning endeavours, and its avenue of differences from the successful case.

Originality/value

The paper contributes in understanding the existing shortcomings of city design approaches in India from the perspective of a relatively successful case of a functional Indian city. It also helps to point out the forgotten dimensions of city design that contributes in creating a functional city.
Surveying Lifelong Learning in the German National Educational Panel Study
Authors: Anger Silke , Laible Marie‐Christine , Trahms Annette , Vicari Basha
Published: August 2019

This article outlines the German National Educational Panel Study, which collects comprehensive data on lifelong learning in a multi‐cohort sequence design, covering early childhood, childhood, adolescence, young adulthood and adulthood. It outlines data collection for all the cohorts and educational phases across the life course whilst focusing on the educational stage ‘Adult Education and Lifelong Learning’. Data can be accessed for academic purposes as scientific use files under data contract.
The Pacific Emergency Medicine Mentoring Program: A model for medical mentoring in the Pacific region
Authors: Phillips Georgina , Lee Dennis , Shailin Shivani , O'Reilly Gerard , Cameron Peter
Published: August 2019

Objective

To describe the development and implementation of a Pacific medical mentoring programme and to evaluate the programme after the first year.

Methods

The mentoring programme was adapted from Australasian College for Emergency Medicine resources and involved Australian emergency physicians mentoring Pacific Island Country doctors. Using a prospective, cross‐sectional survey of all participants, researchers collected data that were analysed for content using deductive and inductive methods. Content analysis aimed to generate new concepts that could apply to different components of mentoring, and overarching themes that apply to the mentoring programme overall.

Results

Nineteen doctors participated in the first year of the programme; 11 mentees from three different Pacific Island Countries and eight Australasian College for Emergency Medicine Fellow mentors. The survey was completed with a 100% response rate. Five core themes were identified from the data: vital face‐to‐face communication (the key to effective communication); supportive personal relationship (valued and desired by mentees); motivating professional relationship (including a regional Pacific network); substantial challenges (time, distance, remote communication); and issues around the mentoring model (goal‐orientation, mentor‐driven, culture).

Conclusions

The present study suggests a new model of Pacific mentoring that recognises the centrality of the mentoring relationship, and allows for flexible communication, shared responsibility of mentors and mentees as co‐drivers and a broad understanding of goals and timelines. Future programmes should incorporate funding for in‐person meetings and educational opportunities to enhance contextual and cultural understanding. These lessons can inform future medical mentorship programmes across the Pacific.
Intrathoracic amyloid tumors that presented as yellowish multinodular endobronchial protrusions with irregular vascularity and easy bleeding
Authors: Tomono Hiromi , Soda Hiroshi , Fukuda Yuichi , Tanaka Yasuhiro , Ono Sawana , Shimada Midori , Iwasaki Keisuke , Hisanaga Masashi , Yamaguchi Hiroyuki , Mukae Hiroshi
Published: August 2019

Immunoglobulin light‐chain (AL) amyloidosis is a monoclonal plasma cell neoplasm that has a tendency to bleed easily. However, the potential risks of transbronchial biopsy in such cases have not been fully proven. Here, we report a case of parotid and intrathoracic AL amyloid tumors that presented as endobronchial protrusions that bled easily. Bronchoscopy under conventional white light and narrow band imaging revealed yellowish multinodular protrusions, in which irregular tortuous or dotted vessels were observed. Unexpectedly, biopsy of the lesion resulted in persistent bleeding. The biopsy specimen showed a large amount of amyloid deposition and calcification directly under the bronchial epithelium, as well as amyloid deposits in the blood vessel walls. In patients suspected to have amyloidosis, the presence of yellowish multinodular endobronchial protrusions, particularly with irregular vascularity, should prompt careful attention to avoid fatal postprocedural bleeding.
Computer‐mediated communication and social support among community‐dwelling older adults: A systematic review of cross‐sectional data
Authors: Fuss Belinda G. , Dorstyn Diana , Ward Lynn
Published: August 2019

Objective

To systematically assess the relationship between computer‐mediated communication and social function in older adults aged 55 or older.

Methods

Embase, PsycINFO and PubMed were searched (database inception to December 2018). Where available, effect sizes (correlation r) with 95% confidence intervals and P values were calculated for individual studies. Of 4,139 eligible articles retrieved, 17 studies involving a pooled sample of 17,640 participants were included.

Results

Frequent computer‐mediated communication was significantly, albeit weakly, associated with higher levels of social support and connectedness (r range = 0.08 to 0.33, P < 0.05). One discrepant negative relationship was noted (r = −0.16, 95% CI [−0.30, −0.02], P = 0.03), involving a distinct sample of gamers.

Conclusions

Computer‐mediated communication is related to amount of social functioning in older adults, although the causal nature of this relationship requires further longitudinal investigation. Sample confounds (eg socio‐economic status and successful ageing) may limit the interpretation of these findings.
Application of the slope‐ratio growth assay technique to estimate tryptophan availability in soybean meal fed to young rats
Authors: Sato Hiroyuki , Miura Makoto , Fujieda Takeshi , Toyomizu Masaaki
Published: August 2019

The slope‐ratio assay for rat was used to determine whether tryptophan (Trp) availability in soybean meal (SBM) is affected by the presence of other amino acids (AAs). In a preliminary study, rats were fed graded levels of Trp‐supplemented diets to establish the Trp concentration range over which the weight gain response was linear. This range was found to be from 0.04% to 0.12% Trp. Subsequently, rats were fed basal (0.045% Trp) or Trp‐supplemented diets from three different sources: l‐Trp alone, SBM, or l‐Trp mixed with other AAs to reflect AA levels in the test SBM (AA‐mix). Weight gain in rats increased linearly with supplemental Trp intake (p < .05) for all Trp sources. Compared to the slope achieved with l‐Trp alone, the estimated availability of Trp in SBM was 84.4%, while for the AA‐mix it was 93.4%. It is evident that the 6.6% reduction in l‐Trp availability in AA‐mix is due to metabolic costs derived from excess levels of other AAs beside Trp, given that the absorption of crystalline l‐Trp in the small intestine is 100%. In conclusion, the Trp availability of SBM was estimated to be around 90.4% (i.e., 84.4/93.4 × 100) after correcting for the effects of the other AAs in SBM.
Effects of sulfanilamide on boar sperm quality, bacterial composition, and fertility during liquid storage at 17°C
Authors: Feng Tian‐Yu , Ren Fa , Fang Qian , Dai Gui‐Chao , Li Yu , Li Qian , Xi Hua‐Ming , Li Hao , Hao Yang‐Yi , Hu Jian‐Hong
Published: August 2019

Sulfanilamide (SA) is an effective broad‐spectrum antibacterial agent in human and veterinary medicine. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of SA on boar sperm quality during liquid storage at 17°C and determine the optimal concentration of SA and its effects on bacterial growth, microbial composition, and maternal fertility. Boar ejaculates were diluted with a basic extender, containing different concentrations of SA, and stored in a 17°C incubator for 6 days. The sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity, and acrosome integrity were measured daily. The results showed that when the concentration of SA was 0.02 g/L, the sperm quality parameters were significantly higher than those of all other treatment groups (p < .05). We also monitored the bacterial growth and compared the differences in the microbial species between the 0.02 g/L SA group and the control by 16S rDNA sequencing. The results revealed that some bacteria, such as Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas, were considerably lower in the 0.02 g/L SA group than in the control group (p < .05). In addition, preserved semen was used for artificial insemination, and results showed that 0.02 g/L SA group had a higher litter size, and its pregnancy rate was 92.5%.
Vancomycin is commonly under‐dosed in critically ill children and neonates
Authors: Sosnin Natasha , Curtis Nigel , Cranswick Noel , Chiletti Roberto , Gwee Amanda
Published: August 2019

Aims

Vancomycin is frequently used in critically ill children in whom the drug pharmacokinetics are significantly altered as a result of changes in renal clearance and volume of distribution. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is recommended to achieve vancomycin trough concentrations between 10 and 20 mg/L. In this study we reviewed vancomycin dosing, TDM and treatment outcomes in paediatric and neonatal intensive care unit patients.

Methods

We reviewed the medical records of all patients receiving intravenous vancomycin in a tertiary paediatric and neonatal intensive care unit over a 10‐month period. Demographic, vancomycin dosing, TDM and drug‐related adverse effects data were collected.

Results

In total, 115 children received 126 courses of vancomycin and had at least 1 TDM blood sample taken at steady state. In only 38/126 (30%) courses was the target concentration (10–20 mg/L) achieved at the initial steady state trough sample. Of the 88 courses that had initial trough concentrations outside the target range, the dose was adjusted in only 49 (56%). Overall, minimum doses of 30 mg/kg/day in neonates with a corrected gestational age of <35 weeks, and 50 mg/kg/day in older children, were required to achieve target vancomycin concentrations. Vancomycin‐attributable nephrotoxicity occurred in 10/126 (8%) courses and there were no episodes of red man syndrome.

Conclusion

In critically ill children, individualised dosing is needed. In the absence of Bayesian model‐based dosing, in children with normal renal function, empiric vancomycin doses of at least 30 mg/kg/day in neonates of <35 weeks corrected gestational age, and 50 mg/kg/day in older children, should be considered. Optimisation of TDM practices through the development of protocols, ideally built into electronic medical records, should be considered.
The heart of educational data infrastructures = Conscious humanity and scientific responsibility, not infinite data and limitless experimentation
Authors: Johanes Petr , Thille Candace
Published: August 2019

Education and education research are experiencing increased digitization and datafication, partly thanks to the rise in popularity of massively open online courses (MOOCs). The infrastructures that collect, store and analyse the resulting big data have received critical scrutiny from sociological, epistemological, ethical and analytical perspectives. These critiques tend to highlight concerns and/or warnings about the lack of the infrastructures' and builders' understanding of various nontechnical aspects of big data research (eg seeing data as neutral rather than as products of social processes). These critiques have primarily come from outside of the builder community, rendering the conversation largely one‐sided and devoid of the voices of the builders themselves. The purpose of this paper is to re‐balance the conversation by reporting the results of interviews with 11 data infrastructure builders in higher education institutions. The interviews reveal that builders engage deeply with the issues the critiques outline, not only thinking about them, but also developing practices to address them. The paper focuses the findings on three themes: designing a productive science, navigating ubiquitous ethics and achieving real human impact. Researchers, policymakers and infrastructure builders can use these accounts to better understand the building process and experience.
Motivational profiles and their correlates among students in virtual school foreign language courses
Authors: Zhang Yining , Lin Chin‐Hsi
Published: August 2019

Motivation is a key factor in predicting K‐12 students' online learning success. Drawing on self‐determination theory, this study used a person‐centered approach to identify the motivational profiles of students taking online high school language courses, and to examine such profiles' relationships to their learning outcomes, genders and reasons for enrollment. Cluster analysis of 466 students revealed the existence of four profiles: high and low quantity, and good and poor quality. Students in the high‐quantity profile demonstrated comparable learning outcomes to those in the good quality profile; and there was significant gender and enrollment reason differences across the four motivational profiles.

Practitioner Notes

What is already known about this topic

Motivation is of considerable importance to the success of online learning.

Autonomous motivation is more adaptive than controlled motivation.

Most studies have used a variable‐centered approach to investigating the unique and independent roles of motivation types in online learning.

What this paper adds

This study is believed to be the first to use a person‐centered approach to identify motivational profiles (ie, good quality, high quantity, low quantity and poor quality) among virtual‐school students taking foreign‐language courses.

It confirms the positive effect of autonomous motivation on learning, and extends exploration of this effect to online learning.

Students in the high‐quantity profile achieved comparable learning outcomes to those in the good quality profile.

Females were overrepresented in the good quality profile (ie, more females than would be expected by chance).

Motivational profiles differed significantly across enrollment reasons (ie, credit recovery, elective or requirement).

Implications for practice and/or policy

Teachers should not simply place each student in a box as having either autonomous or controlled motivation.

Online learning content and activities should be designed in ways that promote autonomous motivation.

Online educators need to be aware of potential gender and enrollment reason effects on students' motivations.
A social cartography of analytics in education as performative politics
Authors: Prinsloo Paul
Published: August 2019

Data—their collection, analysis and use—have always been part of education, used to inform policy, strategy, operations, resource allocation, and, in the past, teaching and learning. Recently, with the emergence of learning analytics, the collection, measurement, analysis and use of student data have become an increasingly important research focus and practice. With (higher) education having access to more student data, greater variety and nuanced/granularity of data, as well as collecting and using real‐time data, it is crucial to consider the data imaginary in higher education, and, specifically, analytics as performative politics. Data and data analyses are often presented as representing “reality” and, as such, are seminal in institutional “truth‐making,” whether in the context of operational or student learning data. In the broader context of critical data studies (CDS), this social cartography examines and maps the “data frontier” and the “data gaze” within the context of the dominant narrative of evidence‐based management and the data imaginary in higher education. Following an analysis of the main assumptions in evidence‐based management and the power of metrics, this paper presents a social cartography of data analytics not only as representational, but as actant, and as performative politics.

Practitioner Notes

What is already known about this topic

Student data in higher education are increasingly used not only to inform operational and strategic planning, but to inform and shape curricula, pedagogy and student learning.

The collection, measurement, analysis and use of student data are informed by a particular data imaginary in service of evidence‐based management.

Data and analytics are seen as objective, neutral representations of reality and used as basis for informing policy, operational planning, resource allocation, and, increasingly, learning analytics and student facing dashboards.

What this paper adds

Critically examines data analytics in higher education as “truth‐making” and never neutral, and always as provisional snapshots of “reality” serving particular, often undeclared, assumptions and interests.

Situates learning analytics as the collection, measurement, analysis and use of student data in the broader context of the data imaginary and student data as “data frontier”.

Provides evidence that data analytics is not only representational, but, increasingly, performative and political.

Implications for practice and/or policy

Makes explicit some of the theoretical, political, epistemological and ontological assumptions underpinning and sustaining the data imaginary in higher education.

Foregrounds the need for more critical approaches to our expectations, collections, analyses and use of student data.

Argues the need for policy and practitioners to recognise the inherent political and performative nature of data and data analysis, and the need for transparency, accountability and care.
Audience Design in Multiparty Conversation
Authors: Yoon Si On , Brown‐Schmidt Sarah
Published: August 2019

How do speakers design what they say in order to communicate effectively with groups of addressees who vary in their background knowledge of the topic at hand? Prior findings indicate that when a speaker addresses a pair of listeners with discrepant knowledge, that speakers Aim Low, designing their utterances for the least knowledgeable of the two addressees. Here, we test the hypothesis that speakers will depart from an Aim Low approach in order to efficiently communicate with larger groups of interacting partners. Further, we ask whether the cognitive demands of tracking multiple conversational partners' perspectives places limitations on successful audience design. We find that speakers can successfully track information about what up to four of their partners do and do not know in conversation. When addressing groups of 3–4 addressees at once, speakers design language based on the combined knowledge of the group. These findings point to an audience design process that simultaneously represents the perspectives of multiple other individuals and combines these representations in order to design utterances that strike a balance between the different needs of the individuals within the group.
Interaction Promotes the Adaptation of Referential Conventions to the Communicative Context
Authors: Castillo Lucía , Smith Kenny , Branigan Holly P.
Published: August 2019

Coordination between speakers in dialogue requires balancing repetition and change, the old and the new. Interlocutors tend to reuse established forms, relying on communicative precedents. Yet linguistic interaction also necessitates adaptation to changing contexts or dynamic tasks, which might favor abandoning existing precedents in favor of better communicative alternatives. We explored this tension using a maze game task in which individual participants and interacting pairs had to describe figures and their positions in one of two possible maze types: a regular maze, in which the grid‐like structure of the maze is highlighted, and an irregular maze, in which specific parts of the maze are salient. Participants repeated this task several times. Both individuals and interacting pairs were affected by the different maze layouts, initially using more idiosyncratic description schemes for irregular mazes and more systematic schemes for regular mazes. Interacting pairs, but not individuals, abandoned their unsystematic initial descriptions in favor of a more systematic approach, which was better adapted for repeated interaction. Our results show communicative conventions are initially shaped by context, but interaction opens up the possibility for change if better alternatives are available.
Final countdown for biodiversity hotspots
Authors: Habel Jan C. , Rasche Livia , Schneider Uwe A. , Engler Jan O. , Schmid Erwin , Rödder Dennis , Meyer Sebastian T. , Trapp Natalie , Sos del Diego Ruth , Eggermont Hilde , Lens Luc , Stork Nigel E.
Published: August 2019

Most of Earth's biodiversity is found in 36 biodiversity hotspots, yet less than 10% natural intact vegetation remains. We calculated models projecting the future state of most of these hotspots for the year 2050, based on future climatic and agroeconomic pressure. Our models project an increasing demand for agricultural land resulting in the conversion of >50% of remaining natural intact vegetation in about one third of all hotspots, and in 2–6 hotspots resulting from climatic pressure. This confirms that, in the short term, habitat loss is of greater concern than climate change for hotspots and their biodiversity. Hotspots are most severely threatened in tropical Africa and parts of Asia, where demographic pressure and the demand for agricultural land is highest. The speed and magnitude of pristine habitat loss is, according to our models, much greater than previously shown when combining both scenarios on future climatic and agroeconomic pressure.
Predator‐induced selection on urchin activity level depends on urchin body size
Authors: Pretorius Justin D. , Lichtenstein James L. L. , Eliason Erika J. , Stier Adrian C. , Pruitt Jonathan N.
Published: August 2019

Temporally consistent individual differences in behavior impact many ecological processes. We simultaneously examined the effects of individual variation in prey activity level, covering behavior, and body size on prey survival with predators using an urchin–lobster system. Specifically, we tested the hypothesis that slow‐moving purple sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) and urchins who deploy extensive substrate (pebbles and stones) covering behavior will out‐survive active urchins that deploy little to no covering behavior when pitted against a predator, the California spiny lobster (Panulirus interruptus). We evaluated this hypothesis by first confirming whether individual urchins exhibit temporally consistent differences in activity level and covering behavior, which they did. Next, we placed groups of four urchins in mesocosms with single lobster and monitored urchin survival for 108 hr. High activity level was negatively associated with survival, whereas urchin size and covering behavior independently did not influence survival. The negative effect of urchin activity level on urchin survival was strong for smaller urchins and weaker for large urchins. Taken together, these results suggest that purple urchin activity level and size jointly determine their susceptibility to predation by lobsters. This is potentially of great interest, because predation by recovering lobster populations could alter the stability of kelp forests by culling specific phenotypes, like foraging phenotypes, from urchin populations.
Temporal variation in spatial genetic structure during population outbreaks: Distinguishing among different potential drivers of spatial synchrony
Authors: Larroque Jeremy , Legault Simon , Johns Rob , Lumley Lisa , Cusson Michel , Renaut Sébastien , Levesque Roger C. , James Patrick M. A.
Published: August 2019

Spatial synchrony is a common characteristic of spatio‐temporal population dynamics across many taxa. While it is known that both dispersal and spatially autocorrelated environmental variation (i.e., the Moran effect) can synchronize populations, the relative contributions of each, and how they interact, are generally unknown. Distinguishing these mechanisms and their effects on synchrony can help us to better understand spatial population dynamics, design conservation and management strategies, and predict climate change impacts. Population genetic data can be used to tease apart these two processes as the spatio‐temporal genetic patterns they create are expected to be different. A challenge, however, is that genetic data are often collected at a single point in time, which may introduce context‐specific bias. Spatio‐temporal sampling strategies can be used to reduce bias and to improve our characterization of the drivers of spatial synchrony. Using spatio‐temporal analyses of genotypic data, our objective was to identify the relative support for these two mechanisms to the spatial synchrony in population dynamics of the irruptive forest insect pest, the spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana), in Quebec (Canada). AMOVA, cluster analysis, isolation by distance, and sPCA were used to characterize spatio‐temporal genomic variation using 1,370 SBW larvae sampled over four years (2012–2015) and genotyped at 3,562 SNP loci. We found evidence of overall weak spatial genetic structure that decreased from 2012 to 2015 and a genetic diversity homogenization among the sites. We also found genetic evidence of a long‐distance dispersal event over >140 km. These results indicate that dispersal is the key mechanism involved in driving population synchrony of the outbreak. Early intervention management strategies that aim to control source populations have the potential to be effective through limiting dispersal. However, the timing of such interventions relative to outbreak progression is likely to influence their probability of success.
Successful treatment of two horses after perforation of the small intestine by fine wire
Authors: Crosby D. E. , Wise J. , Hilbert B. J.
Published: August 2019

This paper describes the successful surgical management of two horses with fine wire penetration of the small intestine. Exploratory laparotomy in Case 1 revealed an adhesion between adjacent loops of jejunum. Dissection of the adhesion revealed a small length of fine wire. In Case 2, exploratory laparotomy revealed a dense adhesion between the jejunum and the ventral abdominal wall. Dissection of the adhesion also revealed fine wire extending from the jejunum. Neither case required intestinal resection, and both horses made uncomplicated recoveries from the surgical procedures and were discharged 5 days after surgery.
Fish communities diverge in species but converge in traits over three decades of warming
Authors: McLean Matthew , Mouillot David , Lindegren Martin , Villéger Sébastien , Engelhard Georg , Murgier Juliette , Auber Arnaud
Published: August 2019

Describing the spatial and temporal dynamics of communities is essential for understanding the impacts of global environmental change on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Trait‐based approaches can provide better insight than species‐based (i.e. taxonomic) approaches into community assembly and ecosystem functioning, but comparing species and trait dynamics may reveal important patterns for understanding community responses to environmental change. Here, we used a 33‐year database of fish monitoring to compare the spatio‐temporal dynamics of taxonomic and trait structure in North Sea fish communities. We found that the majority of variation in both taxonomic and trait structure was explained by a pronounced spatial gradient, with distinct communities in the southern and northern North Sea related to depth, sea surface temperature, salinity and bed shear stress. Both taxonomic and trait structure changed significantly over time; however taxonomically, communities in the south and north diverged towards different species, becoming more dissimilar over time, yet they converged towards the same traits regardless of species differences. In particular, communities shifted towards smaller, faster growing species with higher thermal preferences and pelagic water column position. Although taxonomic structure changed over time, its spatial distribution remained relatively stable, whereas in trait structure, the southern zone of the North Sea shifted northward and expanded, leading to homogenization. Our findings suggest that global environmental change, notably climate warming, will lead to convergence towards traits more adapted for novel environments regardless of species composition.
Improved properties of low‐carbon MgO‐C refractories with the addition of multilayer graphene/MgAl2O4 composite powders
Authors: Ding Donghai , Lv Lihua , Xiao Guoqing , Luo Jiyuan , Lei Changkun , Ren Yun , Yang Shoulei , Yang Pan , Hou Xing
Published: August 2019

The paper investigated the effects of different amounts (0%, 3%, 6%, 9%) of in situ multilayer graphene/MgAl2O4 composite powders on the slag resistance, thermal shock resistance, and oxidation resistance of low‐carbon MgO‐C refractories. Comparing with commercial MgAl2O4, the MgAl2O4 in in situ multilayer graphene/MgAl2O4 composite powders has higher lattice strain of crystal, which can trap more Mn and Fe ions, resulting in the better slag resistance. The oxidation decarbonation layer of MgO‐C specimen with 3% composite powders is 9.71 mm, which is lower than not only the specimen with other contents but also specimen containing carbon black/MgAl2O4 powders. Moreover, the residual strength ratio of the specimen C/MA‐3 was 47.47%, which is 28.5% and 8.08% higher than specimens with no additive and with carbon black/MgAl2O4 powders, respectively. Both improving thermal shock and oxidation resistance properties are related with the unique nano structure, multilayer graphene in situ formed between MgAl2O4 grains, of added composite powders. The former is due to higher strain energy consumed by multi‐deflection of cracks inside the multilayer graphene/MgAl2O4 composite powders. And the latter is due to the higher energy of oxidation activation of multilayer graphene/MgAl2O4 composite powders due to effective protection of multilayer graphene by MgAl2O4.
Synthesis of Si3N4 whiskers by rapid nitridation of silicon droplets
Authors: Yang Jinguang , Wu Ping , Zhang Yanping , Yan Dan , Zhang Shiping , Li Ya‐nan , Wang Li
Published: August 2019

Belt‐like β‐Si3N whiskers were successfully synthesized by nitriding of liquid silicon without catalysts at 1500°C by using micron‐sized silicon powders within 10 minutes. Silicon droplets formed by the melting of silicon particles greatly facilitates the diffusion of nitrogen. Several whiskers cling together to form a whisker‐cluster. The whisker‐clustermorphology results from nitriding of separate silicon droplets. The growth of the belt‐like β‐Si3N4 whisker was controlled by vapor‐liquid‐solid mechanism. The synthesis of silicon nitride whiskers can be effectively improved by nitriding liquid phase silicon.
Chemical fractionation of caseins by differential precipitation: influence of pH, calcium addition, protein concentration and temperature on the depletion in α‐ and β‐caseins
Authors: Kern Loïc , Fabre Olivier , Scher Joël , Petit Jeremy
Published: August 2019

The impact of pH, calcium and casein concentrations, and temperature on the efficiency of the differential precipitation of caseins by calcium affinity was investigated, using native phosphocaseinate as starting material. We adapted one of the most recent methods for the separation of caseins that is based on the addition of calcium at alkaline pH. Increasing the pH to 11 disturbed the micellar structure by enhancing electrostatic repulsion of caseins, leading to a marked viscosity increase and a significant particle size decrease, indicating casein micelle disruption. This pH‐driven increase in negative charges enhanced the affinity of individual caseins for calcium, proportionally to the number of phosphate groups carried by each casein. The addition of calcium first led to a progressive increase in the proportion of precipitated caseins, before reaching a plateau. Hence, an optimal calcium/casein molar ratio of about 40 was evidenced to optimise casein precipitation (and fractionation), leading to significant depletion of α‐casein (around 80%) and, in a lesser extent, β‐casein (around 65%) and κ‐casein (around 55%). This method led to relative proportions of caseins significantly differing from the starting material: 31% α‐casein, 45% β‐casein and 24% κ‐casein.
Laminar flow cleaning of gelatinised, partially hydrolysed starch
Authors: Zahn Susann , Otto Clemens , Rohm Harald
Published: August 2019

The cleanability of food contact materials is, among others, determined by the physico‐chemical properties of the soiling material. In the current study, starch of different origin was gelatinised and partially hydrolysed with diastase. The degree of hydrolysis was determined as the reducing capacity in terms of dextrose equivalents, and by the changes in apparent viscosity and surface tension. After spreading the starch paste on electropolished stainless steel coupons and subsequent drying, the removal was studied with a laboratory flow cell. These cleaning tests revealed a higher cleaning effectivity for smaller dextrins, which can be attributed to corresponding changes in solubility. Furthermore, the addition of commercially available diastase to demineralised water increased the cleaning effectivity of starch and dextrin soils at 25 °C. The results indicate that smaller starch breakdown products require reduced energy for removal so that cleaning processes can be adequately adjusted.
Controllable ultra‐broadband visible and near‐infrared photoemissions in Bi‐doped germanium‐borate glasses
Authors: Liu Xueyun , Cheng Cuimei , Li Xiaoman , Jiao Qing , Dai Shixun
Published: August 2019

The design of functional materials with tunable broadband luminescence performance is still of great interest in the fields of lighting, solar cells, tunable lasers, and optical amplifiers. Here, via a melt‐quenching method, a series of bismuth (Bi)‐doped germanium‐borate glasses with composition of 40GeO2–25B2O3–25Gd2O3–10La2O3–xBi2O3 have been prepared, in which multiple Bi active centers can be stabilized simultaneously. Dual‐modulating modes of visible (380‐750 nm) and near‐infrared (NIR) (1000‐1600 nm) broadband photoemissions were effectively controlled under flexible excitation scheme. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra at low temperature 10‐298 K were appropriately employed to interpret such an unusual wide visible emission band. To further illustrate the origin of NIR component, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurement was carried out. It is demonstrated experimentally that the visible emission mainly originates from the collective contribution of the 3P1/3P01S0 transitions of Bi3+, while the broadband NIR luminescence should be related to the formation of low valent Bi+ and (or) Bi0 centers. This work may help to enhance the knowledge of the complex luminescence mechanism for the Bi species and it also enables such transparent glass materials to be a promising candidate for the multifunctional tunable light source.
Response of narrow QRS tachycardia in a patient with surgical closure of atrial septal defect to atrial overdrive pacing: What is the mechanism?
Authors: Mohanan Nair Krishna Kumar , Namboodiri Narayanan , Kevadiya Hiren , Debasish Das , Valaparambil Ajitkumar
Published: August 2019

A 57‐year old woman who had pericardial patch closure of ostium secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) at the age of 23 years presented with shortness of breath. Her echocardiogram showed no residual ASD, good biventricular function and normal pulmonary artery pressures.
Three randomized studies of dentine hypersensitivity reduction after short‐term SnF2 toothpaste use
Authors: Creeth Jonathan , Maclure Robert , Seong Joon , Gomez‐Pereira Paola , Budhawant Chandrashekhar , Sufi Farzana , Holt Jonathan , Chapman Nicholas , West Nicola
Published: August 2019

Aim

To evaluate effects of a 0.454% stannous fluoride test toothpaste on dentine hypersensitivity (DH) applied by fingertip, then 3 days’ brushing, versus a sodium monofluorophosphate‐based control.

Materials and Methods

In three randomized clinical studies, DH was assessed using evaporative (Schiff scale) and tactile (Yeaple probe) stimuli. Participants applied toothpaste to two sensitive teeth by fingertip (60 s each); DH was re‐assessed, prior to brushing. Test treatment participants brushed their sensitive teeth, with all participants then brushing all teeth for ≥60 s, twice daily for 3 days. DH was re‐assessed. Data were analysed by study and then pooled.

Results

In two studies, test treatment significantly reduced DH versus control treatment after fingertip application and 3 days’ brushing (both measures). In one study, both treatments significantly reduced DH without between‐treatment differences. Mean Schiff differences (95% confidence intervals) for fingertip/3d were as follows: Study 1: −0.09 (−0.280, 0.092)/ −0.18 (−0.442, 0.072); Study 2: −0.72 (−0.839, −0.610)/ −1.02 (−1.150, −0.882); and Study 3: −0.26 (−0.387, −0.123)/ −0.92 (−1.055, −0.793). Pooled analysis indicated test treatment significantly reduced DH versus control (both timepoints, both measures). Toothpastes were generally well‐tolerated.

Conclusion

Studies indicated that single, fingertip application of a SnF2 toothpaste reduced DH versus a control. DH relief increased over 3 days.
Establishment and characterization of a fin tissue cell line derived from silver pomfret, Pampus argenteus
Authors: Li Jianhuan , Jia Peng , Chen Xueji , Lai Mingyan , Jin Fanming , Liu Wei , Yi Meisheng , Jia Kuntong
Published: August 2019

A cell line (PaF) derived from the fin tissue of silver pomfret (Pampus argenteus) was established and characterized in this study. The cell line has been subcultured for more than 50 times in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) containing 15% foetal bovine serum (FBS) since the initial primary culture. PaF cells grew well at temperatures from 24°C to 28°C in DMEM supplemented with 15% FBS. Partial amplification and sequence analysis of the cytochrome B gene indicated that PaF originated from silver pomfret. Cytogenetic analysis demonstrated that the modal chromosome number was 48. A significant cytopathic effect was observed in PaF cells during viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) infection, and the VHSV replication was confirmed by qRT‐PCR and viral titre assays. In contrast, PaF cells were resistant to red‐spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus infection. Moreover, PaF cells could respond to VHSV and lipopolysaccharide treatments, as indicated by the expression of immune‐related genes, TLR5 and TLR9. In conclusion, the establishment of PaF cell line will provide an appropriate in vitro tool for the study of mechanisms of pathogen–silver pomfret interaction.
“We Came for the Cartilla but We Stayed for the Tortilla”: Enlisting in the Military as a Form of Migration for Zapotec Men
Authors: Sandoval‐Cervantes Ivan
Published: August 2019

En años recientes se ha discutido de manera extensa el papel del ejército Mexicano. Sin embargo, aún sabemos poco de las vidas de los soldados mismos. Este artículo analiza las experiencias de hombres Zapotecos que son parte del ejército Mexicano y establece dos puntos: (1) La relación entre comunidades indígenas y el ejército Mexicano se entrelaza con fenómenos políticos y económicos más amplios; y (2) las experiencias de soldados indígenas deben de ser analizadas no sólo en términos ocupacionales, sino como una forma de migración. En relación a este último punto, concluyo que existen conexiones y paralelismos importantes entre la experiencia de enlistarse en el ejército y de migrar a los Estados Unidos.