bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fabrication and investigation on the properties of ilmenite (FeTiO3)-based Al composite by accumulative roll bonding
Authors: Elwan Medhat , Fathy A , Wagih A , Essa A R S , Abu-Oqail A , EL-Nikhaily Ahmed E
Published: September 2019

In the present study, the aluminum (Al) 1050–FeTiO3 composite was fabricated through accumulative roll bonding process, and the resultant mechanical properties were evaluated at different deformation cycles at ambient temperature. The effect of the addition of FeTiO3 particle on the microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of the composite during accumulative roll bonding was investigated. The Al–2, 4, and 8 vol.% FeTiO3 composites were produced by accumulative roll bonding at room temperature. The results showed improvement in the dispersions of the particles with the increase in the number of the rolling cycles. In order to study the mechanical properties, tensile and hardness tests were applied. It was observed that hardness and tensile strength improve with increasing accumulative roll bonding cycles. The microhardness and tensile strength of the final composites are significantly improved as compared to those of original raw material Al 1050 and increase with increasing volume fraction of FeTiO3, reaching a maximum of ∼75 HV and ∼169 MPa for Al–8 vol.% FeTiO3 at seventh cycle, respectively.
Between Utopianism and Realism: The Limits of Partisanship as an Academic Methodology
Authors: Bellamy Richard
Published: September 2019

Taking debates about democracy in the EU as an example, Fabio Wolkenstein proposes that normative theorists should adopt a ‘partisan’ approach that engages with ‘formative agents’ to advocate for transformative political and societal change, such as the creation of a transnational democracy at the EU level. He criticises those he calls ‘democratic intergovernmentalists’ for adopting a ‘first principles’ approach that forecloses both contestation and political agency by treating the principles underlying the status quo as universal. This comment disputes both the validity of his criticisms of the work of myself and others, and the coherence of the particular partisan approach motivating them. At its heart lies a dispute as to the relationship between facts and principles, and the possibility of a utopian realism of the Rawlsean kind. It is argued that Rawls’ position proves more democratic and plausible and possesses greater critical and political leverage than Wolkenstein’s partisanship alternative.
School segregation in contemporary cities: Socio-spatial dynamics, institutional context and urban outcomes
Authors: Boterman Willem , Musterd Sako , Pacchi Carolina , Ranci Costanzo
Published: September 2019

Social and social-spatial inequality are on the rise in the Global North. This has resulted in increasing segmentation between population groups with different social and ethnic backgrounds, and in differentiated access to cultural and material assets. With these changes, the relation between segregation in the educational sphere and segregation in the residential sphere has become crucial for understanding social reproduction and intergenerational social mobility. However, knowledge about this relation is still limited. We argue that the institutional and spatial contexts are key dimensions to consider if we want to expand this knowledge. The institutional context regards the extent of public funding, the degree to which parental choice and/or geographical proximity drive school selection, the role and status of private schools and the religious and pedagogical pluralism of the educational system. The spatial context refers to the geographies of education: the ethnic and social composition of school populations and their reputations; the underlying levels and trends of residential segregation; and the spatial distribution of schools in urban space. In this introduction to the special issue we will address these interrelated dimensions, with reference to theoretical and empirical contributions from the existing body of literature; and with reference to the contributions in this special issue. School segregation emerges from the studies included in this special issue as a relevant issue, differently framed according to the institutional and spatial contexts. A comparative typology will be proposed to illustrate how school segregation is peculiarly shaped in different national and local contexts.
Voice Quality After Radiotherapy and Cordectomy in Early-Stage Glottic Carcinomas
Authors: Mehel Dursun Mehmet , Özgür Abdulkadir , Şahin Nilgün , Vural Aslı Aybüke , Yemiş Tuğba , Çelebi Mehmet , Aydemir Samet , Özdemir Doğukan , Akgül Gökhan
Published: September 2019

Laryngeal carcinomas are the most common upper respiratory tract cancers and most commonly involve the glottic region. The aim of this study is to evaluate the voice quality after radiotherapy (RT) and microsurgical cordectomy (MC) treatments using Voice Handicap Index (VHI) and Grade, Roughness, Breathiness, Astenicity, and Strain (GRBAS) perceptual evaluation scale in patients with early-stage glottic carcinoma. A total of 37 patients with early-stage glottic carcinomas, 19 patients had RT and 18 patients with MC, were included in our study. The patients were evaluated in terms of their sound quality by using VHI-10 and GRBAS perceptual assessment scale 3 months after the treatment was completed. Although the findings were better in favor of RT according to GRBAS perceptual assessment scale of patients who received RT (n = 19) and MC (n = 18), no statistically significant difference was found between the 2 groups ( P = .613). Patients in both groups were evaluated with VHI-10, emotional ( P = .036) and physiological ( P = .038) scores were significantly higher in MC group and no significant difference was found in functional scores ( P = .192). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of voice quality ( P = .185). In early-stage (Tis, T1a, T1b) glottic carcinoma, there was no significant difference between RT and MC in terms of voice quality. Therefore, the choice of treatment modality in patients with early-stage glottic carcinoma should be taken into account in terms of the patient’s occupation, comorbid diseases, cost of treatment, hospital stay, and, most importantly, patient preference.
Tenacious Goal Pursuit, Flexible Goal Adjustment, and Life Satisfaction Among Chinese Older Adult Couples
Authors: Zhang Jinfeng
Published: September 2019

We aimed to examine the roles of tenacious goal pursuit (TGP) and flexible goal adjustment (FGA), mediated by positive self-perceptions of aging (PSA), in Chinese older couples’ life satisfaction. Using a cross-sectional design, 245 Chinese older couples (age range: 55–93 years) completed measures of TGP, FGA, PSA, and life satisfaction. The results showed that (a) spousal interrelations existed for TGP and FGA; (b) TGP and FGA had significant actor effects on life satisfaction, with FGA having a stronger effect; (c) although the partner effect of FGA did not differ between husbands and wives, husbands’ TGP was positively associated with wives’ life satisfaction, but not vice versa; and (d) PSA mediated the effects of TGP and FGA on life satisfaction at the actor and partner levels. These results have implications for developing couple-based interventions to enhance successful aging, with a focus on promoting both partners’ accommodative coping and positive age beliefs.
Harmonizing Small-Group Cohesion and Status in Creative Collaborations: How Songwriters Facilitate and Manipulate the Cowriting Process
Authors: Skaggs Rachel
Published: September 2019

Because of economically induced changes in record label contracts, recording artists are now required to cowrite their songs. Despite this obligation, many recording artists are unskilled as writers. For their professional songwriter teammates, using face-work to save the recording artist from the embarrassment of being an unskilled songwriter can be at odds with status maintenance in the larger social community if the collaboration results in a bad song. Interviews with 39 country songwriters revealed two key strategies for orienting the songwriting process toward writing a song that will allow for status maintenance among peers while still attending to group cohesion. Of the two strategies for achieving this goal, most common was a process of commercially oriented “bespoke facilitation” to match songs’ lyrical content to artists’ personal branding goals. In a second strategy, referred to as a “manipulation dance,” songwriters prewrite songs or portions of songs to guide the creative process toward content that will contribute to their status among industry peers. Both strategies rely on songwriters using face-work to be perceived as a “good hang” to keep the recording artist happy while still ensuring that the song is well crafted and will help to build and maintain their status. This study contributes to understanding how an individual working in a collaborative group might orient efforts toward maintaining status in a wider community while attending to group cohesion when the group has mismatched goals, skills, or tastes.
Value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound for detection of synovial vascularity in experimental rheumatoid arthritis: an exploratory study
Authors: Liu Hui , Huang Chao , Chen Shuqiang , Zheng Qing , Ye Yuhong , Ye Zhen , Lv Guorong
Published: September 2019

Objective

This study aimed to examine the associations between contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging and synovial hypervascularity and synovitis score in a rabbit model of antigen-induced arthritis (AIA), compared with power Doppler ultrasound (PDUS).

Methods

We investigated 50 knee joints in 25 AIA rabbits (AIA group), and 10 knee joints in five sham-injected rabbits (control group). PDUS and CEUS images were evaluated at the 8th week. Ultrasound-guided synovial biopsies were targeted in the area with hypervascularity, and synovial microvessel density (MVD) was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining of CD31.

Results

The PDUS score was significantly higher in the AIA group (2.61 ± 0.78) compared with the control group (0.50 ± 0.53). CEUS in the AIA group revealed a fast-in/slow-out pattern of contrast enhancement. MVD revealed by CD31+ vessel count and the synovitis score were significantly higher in the AIA group compared with the control group. In the AIA group, CEUS findings showed a better correlation with MVD revealed by CD31+ and synovitis score than PDUS findings.

Conclusion

CEUS is superior to PDUS for estimating synovial hypervascularity and hyperplasia in experimental rheumatoid arthritis.
Is central obesity associated with diabetic retinopathy in Chinese individuals? An exploratory study
Authors: Zhou Jian-Bo , Yuan Jing , Tang Xing-Yao , Zhao Wei , Luo Fu-Qiang , Bai Lu , Li Bei , Cong Jia , Qi Lu , Yang Jin-Kui
Published: September 2019

Objective

To our knowledge, the independent association between central obesity, defined by waist circumference (WC) or waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and diabetic retinopathy (DR) remains unknown in Chinese individuals.

Method

The study was conducted in two stages. First, the relationship between WC or WHR and DR was estimated in a case-control set (DR vs. non-DR) for the whole population before and after propensity score matching. Subsequently, a systematic review and meta-analysis was performed on evidence from the literature to validate the relationship.

Results

Of 511 eligible patients, DR (N = 156) and non-DR (N = 156) patients with similar propensity scores were included in the propensity score matching analyses. Central obesity (defined by WC) was associated with risk of DR (odds ratio [OR] 1.07, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] (1.03–1.10). The meta-analysis showed that central obesity significantly increased the risk of DR by 12% (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.02–1.22). Analysis of data from 18 studies showed a significant association between continuous body mass index and risk of proliferative DR (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.93–0.98; I2 = 50%).

Conclusion

Central obesity, particularly as defined by WC, is associated with the risk of DR in the Chinese population.
The Interaction Between Self-Control and Perceived Sanction Risk: An Analysis From the Viewpoint of Different Theories
Authors: Hirtenlehner Helmut
Published: September 2019

The present article studies the interplay of self-control and perceived sanction risk in crime causation. Several hypotheses are formulated. The General Theory of Crime suggests that sanction certainty effects are greater for individuals of high self-control. Their inability to devote thought to the negative long-term consequences of their behavior renders persons characterized by low self-control immune to the risk of formal punishment. From Situational Action Theory (SAT), it follows that sanction certainty effects are larger for persons with low self-control ability. Individuals with a poor capacity for self-control will more often feel tempted to engage in criminal behavior, which brings perceived sanction risk into play as a potential deterrent. The theory’s emphasis on the moral filter as a determinant of the nature of the perceived action alternatives implies additionally that the self-control/deterrence interaction may be stronger for those holding weak law-consistent moral beliefs. The various hypotheses are tested using longitudinal data from the British Peterborough Adolescent and Young Adult Development Study. Results provide more support for the propositions derived from SAT. An individual’s level of self-control conditions the impact of perceived sanction risk, with sanction certainty estimates being most influential among adolescents of low self-control. There is also some indication of a three-way interaction according to which the observed interplay of self-control and deterrence is most pronounced among persons characterized by weak morality.
Setting surface wipe limits for skin sensitizers
Authors: Naumann Bruce D , Arnold Susan F
Published: September 2019

Guidance for managing potential dermal exposures has historically been qualitative in nature, for example, in the form of a DSEN notation. We propose a method that can provide quantitative guidance on how to establish and use surface wipe limits for skin sensitizers. The murine local lymph node assay (LLNA) is a validated test that not only identifies potential skin sensitizers but also provides an effective concentration (EC3) value. This provides quantitative dose–response information on induction of skin sensitization that permits estimates of sensitization thresholds and potency. Building upon the previously established correlation between LLNA EC3 values and human repeat insult patch testing no-effect levels, we present a quantitative method for setting surface wipe guidelines using the LLNA EC3. These limits can be used to assign compounds to occupational exposure bands and provide handling guidance for skin sensitizers of varying potency, supporting both exposure assessment and control strategies. A table is included that suggests a band of reasonable surface wipe limits (mg/100 cm2) for potentially all chemical sensitizers. When used in conjunction with a comprehensive industrial hygiene program that includes hazard communication, engineering controls, and personal protective equipment, skin exposure and consequent skin sensitization risks in the workplace can be minimized.
A Retrospective Study of the Prevalence of First Premolars in 306 Thoroughbred Yearlings
Authors: Tanner R. Brad
Published: September 2019

The equine first premolar is now considered a vestigial tooth that does not play a role in mastication. For centuries, this tooth has been blamed for a number of abnormalities. Given its anatomical location, the tooth is often implicated by riders to cause biting issues. Treatment of this tooth is considered controversial, with some clinicians extracting all equine first premolars prior to bit introduction and others choosing to remove only those shown to cause bite-related problems. In a private veterinary hospital in Lexington, Kentucky, dental charts of 306 Thoroughbred yearlings, average age 14.73 months (range: 8-22.7 months), were reviewed. In this group, 72.9% of horses, average age 14.99 months, had erupted first premolars at the time of the examination. This percentage increased with age, and by 18 months, 90% of Thoroughbred yearlings had erupted maxillary first premolars. Sexual dimorphism is present in the study group, as significantly fewer males than females have first premolars at 67.4% and 77.6%, respectively, P ≤ .05. Mandibular and supernumerary first premolars are rarely reported in the literature and were not present in this group, suggesting they may erupt at a later age or are less common in Thoroughbreds. Maxillary first premolars are common in Thoroughbred yearlings and continue to erupt to 18 months of age in this breed, later than previously reported in some text.
Review of self-induced roll oscillations and its attenuation for low-aspect-ratio wings
Authors: Hu Tianxiang
Published: September 2019

Micro aerial vehicles are currently receiving growing interest because of their broad applications in many fields. In their flight tests, the onset of unwanted large amplitude roll oscillations was reported, which resulted in difficulties with flight control, and this has become one of the major challenges of current micro aerial vehicles design. In this review type of article, the low Reynolds number flow characteristics of a low-aspect-ratio wing are reviewed, and the self-induced roll oscillations are discussed with special attention being payed to the interaction between the three-dimensional flow structure and wing in reciprocatively rolling motion. The roll attenuation methods are introduced via flow control approaches, which can suppress the roll oscillations effectively by manipulating the leading-edge flow separation and tip vortices of the low-aspect-ratio wings.
Adjusting a subject-specific time of event in longitudinal studies
Authors: Cho Hyunkeun Ryan , Kim Seonjin , Lee Myung Hee
Published: September 2019

Biomedical studies often involve an event that occurs to individuals at different times and has a significant influence on individual trajectories of response variables over time. We propose a statistical model to capture the mean trajectory alteration caused by not only the occurrence of the event but also the subject-specific time of the event. The proposed model provides a post-event mean trajectory smoothly connected with the pre-event mean trajectory by allowing the model parameters associated with the post-event mean trajectory to vary over time of the event. A goodness-of-fit test is considered to investigate how well the proposed model is fit to the data. Hypothesis tests are also developed to assess the influence of the subject-specific time of event on the mean trajectory. Theoretical and simulation studies confirm that the proposed tests choose the correctly specified model consistently and examine the effect of the subject-specific time of event successfully. The proposed model and tests are also illustrated by the analysis of two real-life data from a biomarker study for HIV patients along with their own time of treatment initiation and a body fatness study in girls with different age of menarche.
Linking Personality Trait Variance in Self-Managed Teams to Team Innovation
Authors: den Hartog Sophie C. , Runge J. Malte , Reindl Gudrun , Lang Jonas W. B.
Published: September 2019

Researchers have suggested that some personality traits are associated with better team functioning when team members are homogeneous, whereas other personality traits improve team functioning when team members are heterogeneous. This article extends these ideas to team innovation and examines (a) how team variance in extraversion, agreeableness, openness, and conscientiousness relates to innovation in teams; and (b) how these relationships dynamically evolve over time. Our study included 704 surveys completed by 243 team members in 32 teams, at three time points. Results revealed that teams with less variance in extraversion showed higher levels of team innovation. For agreeableness and openness, we did not find main effects of team heterogeneity on team innovation. For teams with low heterogeneity in agreeableness, however, team innovation decreased over time. Team variance in conscientiousness was negatively associated with team innovation. Our findings provide support that team personality plays a role for innovation.
Low-Value Back Imaging in the Care of Medicare Beneficiaries: A Comparison of Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants
Authors: O’Reilly-Jacob Monica , Perloff Jennifer , Buerhaus Peter
Published: September 2019

Little is known about practice pattern differences between nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs). We compared the rates of low-value back images ordered by NPs and PAs. For this comparison, we used 2012-2013 Medicare Part B claims for all beneficiaries in 18 hospital referral regions and a measure of low-value back imaging from the Choosing Wisely recommendations. Models included a random clinician effect and fixed effects for beneficiary age, disability, Elixhauser comorbidities, clinician type, the emergency department setting, and region. NPs ( N = 234) order low-value back images significantly less than PAs ( N = 204) (NPs 25.5% vs. PAs 39.2%, p < .0001). Controlling for relevant factors, NPs are 10.0 percentage points ( p < .0001) less likely to order a low-value back image than PAs. NPs and PAs have distinct patterns of low-value back imaging, which is likely a reflection of their different practice settings.
Service-Women’s Responses to Sexual Harassment: The Importance of Identity Work and Masculinity in a Gendered Organization
Authors: Bonnes Stephanie
Published: September 2019

Using data from in-depth interviews with 38 U.S. service-women, this article explores women’s responses to sexual harassment in the military workplace. I argue that in an extremely gendered and masculine institution, sexual harassment threatens service-women’s identities as military insiders, presenting an identity dilemma for them. To resolve this dilemma, women prioritize their masculinity and downplay and excuse harassment. In contrast, service-women who have experienced sexual assault or combat confront sexual harassment. I argue that this is possible because for these two groups of women, sexual harassment does not present an identity dilemma. I show how masculinity is used to downplay and normalize harassment as well as to resist it.
Hidden harmony: Converging interests in the development of prison reform
Authors: Mazur Lucas B , Sztuka Mariusz
Published: September 2019

The “agonistic perspective” on criminal justice posits that tensions are ubiquitous in the field irrespective of time, place, and the given paradigm. While the study of conflict and contestation is important, it is equally necessary to study harmony and shared interests. In the present article, we explore a period in the history of European penal reform that was marked by such a convergence of interests, and which would in Poland wed institutional reactions to crime with pedagogy, rather than the field of law as seen in many other nations. Macro-level shifts following the First World War allowed for the convergence of three broad “currents” of the day: national penal reform; the field of pedagogy; and the self-ascribed social mission of the Polish intelligentsia. By taking seriously practical collaboration and ideological harmony we are also reminded that the (penal) systems of the West (particularly the USA and the UK) are not obvious, automatic, or necessary.
Surface anatomy site for thoracostomy using the axillary hairline
Authors: O’Keeffe Francis , Surendran Nanda , Yazbek Carl , Pandji Priscilla , Varma Dinesh , Fitzgerald Mark C , Mitra Biswadev
Published: September 2019

Objective

Procedural complication rates associated with tube thoracostomy for pleural decompression is estimated to be between 2 and 25%, with incorrect insertion site being a common problem. We hypothesised that the inferior-most hair follicle in the axillary region would provide an accurate biometric marker to identify the fourth to sixth intercostal space.

Methods

A prospective cohort of patients requiring computed tomography scan of the chest was recruited from February 2015 to March 2016 at The Alfred Hospital. The inferior-most hair follicle on the patient’s axillary region was tagged with a paperclip, and a radiologist reported this location with reference to the corresponding intercostal spaces.

Results

Of the 254 enrolled patients, a total of 310 paperclip positions over intercostal spaces were analysed. There were 101 (32.5%) paperclips positioned in the fourth and fifth intercostal spaces with the remainder at the second or third intercostal spaces, and no paperclips placed at the sixth intercostal space or lower.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that the inferior-most hair follicle in the axilla corresponded to an area between the second and fifth intercostal spaces. Recognition of this surface anatomy has the potential to eliminate iatrogenic injuries to the diaphragm and sub-diaphragmatic organs, but should not be used as the sole marker due to potential risks from high placement of pleural drains.
Hispanics, Mental Health, and Discriminating Policies: Brief Report
Authors: Brenes Francisco
Published: September 2019

Hispanics, the largest minority group in the United States, are a heterogeneous group that contains a large portion of immigrants from Latin America. Recently, anti-immigrant policies and anti-Hispanic discriminatory practices have heightened at state and national levels. These policies and practices serve to endanger the mental health of Hispanics and play a major role in health care disparities. Positive correlations have been found between chronic discrimination and depression as well as other comorbid conditions, such as anxiety and substance use, and physical disorders. This report provides an overview of the changes in law/policy in recent history that negatively affect the well-being of Hispanics. Recommendations for health care professionals, educators, and researchers are presented.
Everyday states and water infrastructure: Insights from a small secondary city in Africa, Bafatá in Guinea-Bissau
Authors: Neves Alves Susana
Published: September 2019

A rich body of work on everyday governance and urban infrastructure has produced nuanced understandings of the situated power relations and manifold practices shaping urban infrastructure in diverse cities. However, there is little research focusing on the practices and relations of state actors, and examining how these might shape different infrastructural configurations and relate to broader processes of state formation. This is particularly the case for secondary cities in Africa. This article draws on anthropological explorations of the state and debates on local ownership in aid to examine how state practices and relations have shaped water infrastructure in a small secondary city (Bafatá, Guinea-Bissau), and how the state is constituted in this process. Based on extensive ethnographic work, this research demonstrates that in a context of aid dependency, state influence is necessarily constituted through its relations with non-state organisations. Formal state presence therefore depends on the subtle and erratic recognition bestowed on the state by non-state organisations. However, local state actors continue to shape water provision in Bafatá in fundamental ways not through following policy and regulatory frameworks, but through their (informal) decisions, practices and interactions with non-state organisations. Overall, it is argued that anthropological explorations of states open our analytical lens to the mundane ways in which states shape different types of urban infrastructure, and the ways these practices relate to broader processes of state formation, particularly in context where states appear elusive.
Host-pathogen interaction for larvae oysters with salinity dependent transmission
Authors: Sunthawanic Kalanyu , Bunwong Kornkanok , Sae-jie Wichuta
Published: September 2019

Mathematical models of host-pathogen interactions are proposed and analyzed. Here hosts are oyster population in a free-swimming larval stage and assumably live in the closed homogeneous environment. In terms of an epidemic, they are classified into two states, namely susceptible and infectious hosts. The epidemic model of oyster hosts with seasonal forced transmission is firstly described by the SIS model where the region of attraction, the existence of equilibrium points, their stability conditions, and upper and lower bounds on the attack rate are investigated. Then free-living pathogen is introduced in the oyster area. Numerical simulations are finally carried out by making use of the various salinity-dependent transmissions in support of the hypothesis that the lower the salinity level, the lower oyster’s immunity.
Simultaneous identification of initial field and spatial heat source for heat conduction process by optimizations
Authors: Wang Bingxian , Yang Bin , Xu Mei
Published: September 2019

Consider the simultaneous identification of the initial field and spatial heat source for heat conduction process from extra measurements with the two additional measurement data at different times. The uniqueness and conditional stability for this inverse problem are established by using the properties of a parabolic equation and the representation of solution after reforming the equation. By combining the least squares method with the regularization technique, the inverse problem is transformed into an optimal control problem. Based on the existence and uniqueness of the minimizer of the cost functional, an alternative iteration process is built to solve this optimizing problem by the variational adjoint method. The negative gradient direction is selected as the first search direction. For further iterations, the alternative iteration algorithm is used for the initial field and heat source identification. The efficiency of the proposed scheme is tested by the numerical simulation experiments.
Il Parmenide phusikos e il meccanismo di Antikitera
Authors: Rossetti Livio
Published: September 2019

Il Parmenide phusikos e il meccanismo di Antikitera: Risposta alle osservazioni di N.-L. Cordero (Archai 25, 2019)
Effect of dietary supplementation of formic acid, butyric acid or their combination on carcass and meat characteristics of broiler chickens
Authors: Sugiharto S. , Yudiarti T. , Isroli I. , Widiastuti E. , Wahyuni H. I. , Sartono T. A. , Nurwantoro N. , Al-Baarri A. N.
Published: September 2019

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the impact of dietary supplementation of formic acid, butyric acid or their combination on carcass and meat characteristics of broiler chicks. A number of 288 day-old-chicks (Lohmann MB-202 meat broilers) were distributed to four groups, including CONT (basal diet with no additive as a control), FORM (basal diet containing 0.1% formic acid), BUTR (basal diet with 0.03% butyric acid) and FORM+BUTR (basal diet with 0.1% formic and 0.03% butyric acid). At day 35 the birds were slaughtered and eviscerated, and from which the breast meat was obtained. Carcass and cut yields of broilers were not different (P>0.05) among CONT, FORM and BUTR birds. The combination of formic and butyric acids increased (P<0.05) the relative weight of back of broilers. Meat pH value was higher (P<0.05) in organic acids treated than in non-treated birds. Organic acids lowered (P<0.05) drip loss of broiler meat. Butyric acid increased (P<0.05) moisture and decreased (P<0.05) the content of meat protein. Formic acid increased (P<0.05), whereas butyric acid and combination of formic and butyric acids decreased (P<0.05) lightness values of breast meat. Yellowness values of meat increased (P<0.05) with organic acid administration. Intense bands of 25 kDa (phosphoglycerate mutase) was observed in most of meat samples from the treated birds, but not in meat from the control birds. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of organic acids was capable of improving the meat quality of broiler meats. The treatments may prevent the pale, soft and exudative (PSE)-like condition in broiler meats.
Dual Treatment of Milk Processing Industry Wastewater Using Electro Fenton Process Followed by Anaerobic Treatment
Authors: Thirugnanasambandham K. , Ganesamoorthy R.
Published: September 2019

Milk processing industry produced in large amounts wastewater with high pH, temperature and toxic matters. These effluents can exhibit serious environmental problems and public health concerns if improperly disposed. In this present study, an attempt has been made to investigate the efficiency of combined treatment for milk processing industry wastewater. Advanced oxidation process used as primary treatment where as biological process is applied as post treatment to degrade the toxic matters. Parameters affecting the combined process on the percentage removal of turbidity and chemical oxygen (COD) demand were studied in detail. Under the optimum conditions, 93 % of turbidity and 97 % of COD were removed. These results indicated that the proposed technique could be used to degrade the maximum turbidity and chemical oxygen demand from milk processing industry wastewater.
Characterization and corrosion resistance of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene composite coatings reinforced with tungsten carbide particles in hydrochloric acid medium
Authors: Adesina Akeem Yusuf , Khan Muhammad Faizan , Azam Muhammad Umar , Abdul Samad Mohammed , Sorour Ahmad A.
Published: September 2019

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) composite coatings reinforced with different concentrations (1, 3, 6, and 9 wt%) of submicron tungsten carbide (WC) particles were synthesized using electrostatic sprayed method, characterized and evaluated for corrosion resistance in 1 m HCl electrolytic solution. Results showed that the mechanical properties and adhesion strength of the coatings improved with the increasing WC content to an optimum loading of 6 wt%. These properties slightly dropped when the WC content was further increased to 9 wt% due to agglomeration of the WC particles. Furthermore, both the potentiodynamic polarization test and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurement confirmed the high corrosion protection efficiency of the UHMWPE/WC composite coatings over the pristine UHMWPE coating to a minimum of 80% improvement. The 1 wt% WC reinforced UHMWPE coating exhibited the highest corrosion resistance due to better dispersion of the WC particles in the matrix.
Significant improvement of the low-temperature toughness of PVC/ASA/NBR ternary blends through the concept of mismatched thermal expansion coefficient
Authors: Zhang Xueqiang , Mao Zepeng , Zhang Jun
Published: September 2019

In this study, poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylic terpolymer (ASA)/acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) ternary blends were designed based on the concept of mismatched thermal expansion coefficient between different components, resulting in significant improvement of the low-temperature toughness. The large difference in thermal expansion coefficients strengthened the interfacial tensile force (i.e. negative pressure) on NBR phase and reduced its glass transition temperature (T
g

) by nearly 20°C, which was attributed to the improvement in the free volume of NBR. As a result, the low-temperature toughness of PVC/ASA/NBR ternary blends improved significantly. With the incorporation of 12.5 phr NBR in the PVC/ASA (100/15, w/w) matrix, the blends could achieve the highest impact strength of 76.2 kJ/m2 at 0°C and 10.7 kJ/m2 at −30°C. Simultaneously, the brittle-ductile transition (BDT) of the toughness shifted to the high NBR content region with the decrease of temperature. However, the improvement in the toughness of PVC/ASA/NBR ternary blends was at the expense of a decrease in rigidity.
The effect of Diplotaenia turcica root extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
Authors: Özdek Uğur , Yıldırım Serkan , Değer Yeter
Published: September 2019

Background

Diplotaenia turcica has been used traditionally to diabetes treatment. In this study, the effects of D. turcica root extract (DT) on diabetes mellitus induced by streptozotocin (STZ) were investigated.

Materials and methods

In this study, 78 male rats were used, rats were divided into 9 groups randomly. In diabetic groups, STZ was given a single dose of 45 mg/kg by intraperitoneally. DT (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) and glibenclamide (5 mg/kg) were given by orally. Blood and pancreas tissue samples were taken for biochemical and pathological tests.

Results

It was found that glucose levels decreased, and insulin levels increased in the treatment groups compared with the diabetes group. In addition, only in 200 mg/kg DT dose group was found to decrease HbA1c levels. Pancreatic tissue analysis showed that MDA levels decreased and GSH levels and CAT, SOD, GSH-Px and GSH-R activities increased in diabetic rats treated with DT. Histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations of the pancreas showed significant improvements in the treatment with DT.

Conclusion

These results clearly show the antioxidant property of DT. The findings of this study showed that increased doses of DT may have a therapeutic effect on STZ-induced pancreatic damage.
K-Einfang beim natürlich aktiven Cassiopeium
Authors: Flammersfeld Arnold
Published: September 2019

Die von dem natürlich aktiven 176Cp ausgesandte durchdringende Strahlung wurde durch Absorption in Kupfer, Cadmium und Blei untersucht. Außer der bereits bekannten γ-Strahlung von 260 KeV wurde noch eine K-Strahlung gleicher Intensität nachgewiesen. Durch Vergleich mit den Ergebnissen von W. Bothe am 6,8-Tage-Cp wurden beide Strahlungen auf K-Einfang zurückgeführt, so daß auch der Grundzustand 176 Cp dual zerfällt. Der K-Einfang ist 2 ± 0,4-mal so häufig wie der ß-Übergang, so daß die Halbwertszeit des Isotops 176Cp nur ⅓ des von Libby aus der ß-Aktivität bestimmten Wertes, nämlich 2,4 × 1010 Jahre, beträgt.
Anomale D+ -und OD– -Ionenbeweglichkeit in schwerem Wasser
Authors: Gierer A.
Published: September 2019

Es wurden Messungen über die Temperaturabhängigkeit der Leitfähigkeit von DCl, NaOD und NaCl in schwerem und Gemischen von leichtem und schwerem Wasser angestellt. In D2O wurde durcb Extrapolation die Äquivalentleitfähigkeit bei unendlicher Verdünnung, in Gemischen von H2O und D2O die Abweichung vom linearen Verlauf mit dem Molenbruch H2O in D2O bestimmt. Diese Meßergebnisse wurden mit den Erwartungen verglichen, die sich aus der Theorie der anomal hohen Beweglichkeit der H+-und OH--bzw. D+-und OD--Ionen ergeben. Hiernach liegt ein besonderer Wanderungsmechanismus von Protonen und Deuteronen über Wasserstoffbrücken vor, der durch die Anomalien der Wasserstruktur in charakteristischer Weise beeinflußt wird. Die Theorie, die für H+-Ionen die Experimente wiedergibt, bestätigt sich auch für D+-Ionen. Mit dem theoretischen Zusammenhang der Beweglichkeit von D+-und OD--Ionen sind die Experimente verträglich. Die Abweichung der Extrabeweglichkeit von der Linearität in Mischungen von H2O und D2O läßt sich mit unabhängig ermittelten Größen in Zusammenhang bringen und auch in ihrer Temperaturabhängigkeit erklären.
On the meaning of time-reversal invariance violation
Authors: Merwe P. du T. van der
Published: September 2019

The possible effect of a cosmological background (such as proton-neutron preponderance) on the meaning of time"reversal violation is discussed in the context of the Dürr-Heisenberg degenerate vacuum theory of strangeness.
Pressure Effects of Foreign Gases on the 535.0 nm Fluorescence Line of Thallium
Authors: Lisicki E. , Bielski A. , Szudy J. , Wolnikowski J.
Published: September 2019

Results of a series of experiments on pressure effects caused by various foreign gases on the 535.0 nm Tl fluorescence line emitted due to the photodissociation of TlI-molecules are summarized and some aspects of the Doppler and pressure broadening of this line are discussed. The impact broadening- and shift-cross sections are determined for two sets of mean relative velocities ū of the emitter-perturber pair. An attempt is made to analyse the cross-sections for different perturbers by investigating their dependence on the quantity (α/ū)2/5, where α is the polarizability of the perturber.
The role of beryllium in alloys, Zintl phases and intermetallic compounds
Authors: Janka Oliver , Pöttgen Rainer
Published: September 2019

Although beryllium is widely used as alloying component in diverse light-weight alloys, the crystal chemistry of beryllium containing Zintl phases and intermetallic compounds is only scarcely developed and only few phase diagrams, mostly the industrially relevant ones, have been studied in detail. The present review summarizes the crystal chemical data of binary and ternary beryllium intermetallic compounds along with the results of the few documented physical property studies.
Effect of injection of botulinum toxin on decreasing the symptoms and signs of masticatory muscles in patients with temporomandibular dysfunction
Authors: Ghavimi Mohammad Ali , Yazdani Javad , Afzalimehr Atena , Ghoreyshizadeh Arezoo , Dehnad Seyed Vahid
Published: September 2019

Background. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) is a term that describes problems in the masticatory system, including the temporomandibular joint, the dento-muscular system and the supporting bones. Injection of botulinum toxin, as a noninvasive technique, might be useful in decreasing symptoms such as muscular spasm, dystonia, migraine headaches and TMD. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of injection of botulinum toxin on decreasing the symptoms and signs of masticatory muscles in patients with TMD. Methods. A total of 61 patients were consecutively included in the present study in 2016‒2017. All the subjects received a 50-unit injection of Dysport botulinum toxin in the masseter muscles using an extraoral injection technique. The results of the injection were evaluated in terms of pain severity using VAS, clinical evaluations of the joint click through palpation and by determining the inter-incisal distance. The patients underwent follow-up examinations at 1-week, 3-month and 6-month intervals after injection. Data were analyzed with appropriate statistical tests. Results. Comparison of pain severity and articular clicks at different intervals showed decreases in these parameters over time, with significant differences between the time intervals (P<0.05). Comparison of mouth opening at different intervals showed increases in mouth opening over time. Conclusion. The results of the present study showed that injection of botulinum toxin can be used in patients with TMD as a non-invasive treatment modality
An An Open-Label, Single Center, Retrospective Study to Evaluate Clinical Outcomes with Surgical Sealant in Bentall Procedures: A Cohort Study
Authors: Gu Jiawei , Lai Hao , Li Jun , Sun Yongxin , Liu Chen , Wang Yulin , Zhang Zhiqi , Kang Le , Huang Ben , Wang Chunsheng
Published: September 2019

Background: Cardiovascular surgery is associated with substantial risk for postoperative bleeding with increased patient morbidity and mortality. Numerous intraoperative techniques have been utilized to reduce this risk. This study was to assess postoperative bleeding-related parameters following Bentall procedures and to examine the impact of intraoperative surgical sealant application.
Method: The medical/surgical records of 100 consecutive Bentall procedure cases were examined retrospectively for perioperative surgical sealant use and postoperative bleeding-related outcomes.
Results: Of the 100 patient cases, three died during the postoperative period, and 97 were evaluable. Surgical sealant was utilized in 56 patient cases (57.8%). The utilization versus no utilization of surgical sealant was associated with significant reductions in most postoperative bleeding-related parameters, including less drainage (P = .028), resternotomy for hemorrhage (P = .036), transfusion of red blood cells (P = .022 at 48 hours; P = .027 total in-hospital), transfusion of fresh frozen plasma (P = .04 at 48 hours; P = .004 total in-hospital), and a higher percentage of cases not needing blood transfusion (P = .002). The surgical sealant group had longer cardiopulmonary bypass circuit (P = .016) and aortic cross-clamp time (P = .001), with no significant between-group differences in intubation time (P = .636) or intensive care unit duration (P = .294). When excluding urgent cases or Stanford type A aortic dissections, intensive care unit duration significantly was shorter in the surgical sealant group (P = .017). Surgical sealant use was not associated with any adverse events.
Conclusion: The application of surgical sealant to the anastomosis suture line in Bentall procedures reduces postoperative drainage, bleeding, and transfusion utilization. Further studies are warranted to investigate these benefits in prospective, randomized clinical trials.
Problemática en la toma de decisiones financieras en las empresas familiares
Authors: Fernández Calle Paula Andrea , Guaca Velásquez Verónica Alejandra , Uribe Cardona Luisa Fernanda
Published: September 2019

El 87 % de las empresas activas en Antioquia son de índole familiar, aporte significativo a los sectores de la economía nacional. Pero, la ausencia de un protocolo adecuado para tomar decisiones financieras, no les permite alcanzar su madurez económica. Este trabajo comprendió el análisis de los principales obstáculos en el proceso de toma de decisiones financieras a través del estudio de dos casos empresariales, para identificar los factores que inciden en su proceder frente a temas financieros; a través de una metodología cualitativa bajo el método analítico e inductivo. Ambos casos analizados arrojan, en los indicadores de rentabilidad, liquidez y diagnóstico, tendencias bajistas, incluso negativas, que reflejan inadecuadas prácticas de administración en decisiones con criterios subjetivos, conocimiento empírico y satisfacción de necesidades según la oportunidad del negocio, que dificultan el control de los costos y gastos, la conversión de ventas en utilidad y el retorno del capital invertido al inversionista.
Survey of lungworm infection of domestic cats in Hungary
Authors: Kiszely Sára , Gyurkovszky Mónika , Solymosi Norbert , Farkas Róbert
Published: September 2019

From 61 settlements of 12 Hungarian counties, 303 domestic cats were included in this survey. Between autumn 2016 and spring 2018, fresh faecal samples were randomly collected and examined by flotation and by the Baermann–Wetzel method for the presence of lungworm infection. No eggs of Eucoleus aerophilus were detected. Morphological identification of first instar larvae (L1) was also carried out. In the faeces of 60 cats (19.8%) from 17 settlements and Budapest, L1 of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus were found. More than half of the cats were from the western part of the country. The average number of larvae per gram of faeces was 190.2 ± 304.88. These results are in line with the former findings on the prevalence of aelurostrongylosis of domestic cats in Hungary. In addition, Oslerus rostratus was also found for the first time in the faecal samples of three cats from the eastern part of the country, infected also with Ae. abstrusus. The average age (2.51 ± 1.26 years) of infected cats indicates that lungworm infection is more common among younger cats. No relationship was found between the lung-worm infection and the sex of cats. Non-neutered cats had a significantly higher proportion of lungworm infections. Two-thirds of the infected cats were apparently healthy, and only 19 individuals showed clinical signs of respiratory disorders.