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Wednesday, 1 March 2017

Oxytocin improves coordination in leader-follower interaction: Study

AARHUS, DENMARK: When standing in a crowd at a concert, clapping hands along with the music on stage, it may be that people with higher levels of oxytocin are better synchronised with the beat of the music than those with lower levels of oxytocin.

A new study from Center for Music in the Brain (MIB) Aarhus University/The Royal Academy of Music, Denmark, shows that participants receiving oxytocin – a hormone known to promote social bonding – are more synchronised when finger-tapping together, than participants receiving placebo. This effect was observed when pairs of participants, placed in separate rooms tapped together in a leader/follower relationship.

The study is published in the journal Scientific Reports.

When people synchronise their movements together, for example by walking in time, clapping or making music, they seem to like each other more and report feeling a greater affiliation with each other. Oxytocin is a naturally occurring hormone that has been shown to promote social interaction, such as cooperation and affiliation. However, until now it has been unclear whether the social effect of oxytocin is a direct one, or whether oxytocin in fact primarily affects synchronisation and only secondarily social behaviours.

Highlights how music creates and maintain social cohesion

We set out to test these questions by measuring whether increased levels of oxytocin affected how pairs of participants synchronised together to a steady beat. One group of pairs received oxytocin through a nasal spray, and another group received a placebo, also through a nasal spray.

Our results indicate that oxytocin indeed affects synchronisation between participants but we did not find that oxytocin influenced how much tappers liked their tapping partners. The followers in the oxytocin group were less variable in their tapping to the beat suggesting that they were better at predicting the taps of their leaders.

Thus, oxytocin’s social effect may be explained by its role in facilitating prediction in interaction, even in the absence of subjectively experienced social affiliation. The ability to synchronise to a musical beat is largely a human skill. Our study contributes to our understanding of how this form of human behaviour is affected by socio-biological factors, such as oxytocin and leader-follower relationships. It also highlights how music creates and maintains social cohesion in an evolutionary perspective.

Banned chemical weapon used to kill Kim Jong Nam: Police

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: The banned chemical weapon VX nerve agent was used to kill Kim Jong Nam, the North Korean ruler's outcast half-brother who was attacked by two women who rubbed the substance on his face at the airport in Malaysia's capital.

VX is an extremely toxic organophosphate. A tasteless and odourless liquid with an amber-like colour, it severely disrupts the body's nervous system and is used as a nerve agent in chemical warfare.

VX is one of the world’s deadliest chemical weapons, even in minute amounts. It was detected on Kim's eyes and face, Malaysia's inspector general of police said in a written statement, citing a preliminary analysis from the country's chemistry department.

"Our preliminary finding of the chemical that caused the death was VX nerve," said inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar.

VX nerve agent has the consistency of motor oil and can take days or even weeks to evaporate. It could have contaminated anywhere Kim was afterwards, including medical facilities and the ambulance he was transported in, experts said.

Dr Bruce Goldberger, a leading toxicologist who heads the forensic medicine division at the University of Florida, said even a tiny amount of VX nerve agent — equal to a few grains of salt — is capable of killing. It can be administered through the skin, and there is an antidote that can be administered by injection. US medics and military personnel carried kits with them on the battlefield during the Iraq war in case they were exposed to the chemical weapon.

"It's a very toxic nerve agent. Very, very toxic," he said. "I'm intrigued that these two alleged assassins suffered no ill effect from exposure to VX. It is possible that both of these women were given the antidote."

He said symptoms from VX would generally occur within seconds or minutes and could last for hours starting with confusion, possible drowsiness, headache, nausea, vomiting, runny nose and watery eyes. Prior to death, a victim would likely have convulsions, seizures, loss of consciousness and paralysis.

VX is banned under the Chemical Weapons Convention, which North Korea never signed. The country is believed by outside experts to have the capacity to produce up to 4,500 metric tonnes of chemical weapons during a typical year, which it could increase to 12,000 tonnes per year during a period of crisis. Its current inventory has been estimated at 2,500 to 5,000 tonnes.

It is suspected of being particularly focused on mustard, phosgene, sarin and V-type chemical agents — substances including VX that are designed to poison through contact and remain lethal for long periods of time. The North's development of such agents has been of special concern because of fears it might try to put them in artillery shells for an attack on South Korea's capital, potentially threatening the lives of millions.

Joseph Bermudez, a well-known North Korea analyst, wrote an article for the respected 38 North websites in 2013 that said the North is capable of not only employing "significant quantities and varieties of chemical weapons" across the Korean Peninsula but also using those weapons worldwide "using unconventional methods of delivery."

He also said there is a "growing body of evidence" indicating the North has shared chemical weapons capabilities with Syria, Iran and others.

Evonik establishes digital subsidiary in Germany

ESSEN, GERMANY: Evonik Industries AG is setting itself up for the digital future by establishing its own new digital subsidiary, Evonik Digital GmbH. The new subsidiary is located in the centre of Essen and started operating early this year.

This includes a team of about 20 experts. These experts combine broad international experience, an extensive network of contacts, and expertise in social and media studies—in addition to chemistry, engineering and business management.

Under the Evonik umbrella, the company is developing new digital business models and building up digital expertise.

The team of experts at Evonik Digital GmbH will also work fast, flexible, and with a high degree of freedom, on the implementation of novel ideas. The specialists will develop digital concepts and solutions, test them, and get them off the ground within the Group. Collaboration with renowned technology companies and promising start-ups will play a crucial role here.

Digitalisation is now giving rise to change globally, and not only in business with direct customers and consumers: For some time now, there have been profound changes across production and supply networks. Evonik, therefore, expects that this digitalization initiative cutting across organisational units will also strengthen its own competitiveness and continue to distinguish it clearly from other companies.

The team is planning to present its first concrete results during this year. The current pilot projects include platform approaches for e-commerce and the topic of do-it-yourself sensor technology. This should provide an improved understanding of the needs of customers early on, for example in product development

“Digitalisation offers more than new technologies. It also creates new opportunities for collaboration and production and gives rise to new business models and marketing options. Evonik is taking a pioneering role in the chemical industry here,” said Christian Kullmann, deputy chairman of the executive board.

“We recognised early on the opportunities that digital business models could offer, and we’re very systematically organising the necessary changes in the company,” added Kullmann.

In the newly created position of chief digital officer (CDO), Henrik Hahn will now coordinate digitalization activities for the Group. This way a central contact point for technical dialogue and strategic aspects as well as Group-wide digital innovations is established. Hahn is also chairman of the management board of Evonik Digital GmbH.

“Evonik wants to comprehensively support its customers’ success—specifically through new products and services. This clear customer focus is absolutely essential for the digitalisation team. This will then also involve working jointly with the business lines to identify digital business ideas throughout the entire Group and providing strong support in their implementation,” said Henrik Hahn.

Rentokil inks deal with PCI to form joint venture

CAMBERLEY, UK: Rentokil Initial plc has entered into an agreement to form a joint venture (JV) with Pest Control Pvt Ltd (PCI) and to acquire a 57 percent stake in the new JV.

As part of the transaction, the company will merge its Indian business into the joint venture. The combined business will be the largest provider of pest control services and products in India.

Rentokil is one of the largest business services companies in the world, headquartered in Camberley, UK. The company offers route-based services including pest control, hygiene and workwear through teams of local experts.

PCI, a privately-owned company, provides a national presence in the Indian market – operating in 47 cities. It is headquartered in Mumbai, India. Rentokil has a strong presence in Southern India where there will be significant density benefits by combining the businesses.

Rentokil will have management control of the JV, which will have combined annual revenues of 4.5 billion rupees, operate from 250 locations and employ 6,900 people. In the 12 months to 31 March 2016, PCI delivered revenues of 3.7 billion rupees.

This agreement is in line with the company’s strategy of accelerating growth in its pest control business and pursuing M&A opportunities in growth and emerging markets.

As part of the transaction, which is expected to complete in March, the existing PCI business’ manufacturing facilities are being retained by the sellers and the Company has entered into an exclusive agreement to market their key pest control products in India and export them to other emerging markets. The agreement also provides the opportunity to jointly develop new innovative products.

“PCI is an outstanding business and by combining its national scale in India with our global expertise, we will create a market leader that is strongly positioned to take advantage of the increasing demand for commercial and residential pest control services over the coming years. Both companies operate similar business models with a strong commitment to colleagues and delivering great customer service,” said Andy Ransom, chief executive of Rentokil Initial.

“The growth potential in India is enormous. Economic activity, urbanisation, population growth and increasing urban middle classes are some of the key drivers of growth for pest control services, and we see these trends very clearly in India,” he added.

“The JV is the most strategic combination of the acknowledged managerial and technical skills represented by Rentokil Initial and PCI’s premier position, broad-spectrum customer base and vast experience operating on the Indian subcontinent. It is perfectly suited and timed to capitalise on the surging demand for high-quality, world-class pest management services,” said Anil Rao, chief executive of PCI.

ONGC likely to acquire Hindustan Petroleum in $6.6 bn deal

NEW DELHI, INDIA: India's state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), will take control of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) as part of the government’s plan to create an integrated public sector oil entity comparable with big global oil companies like Shell BP and ExxonMobil, top government officials told The Economic Times (ET).

The deal is worth to be Rs 44,000 crore ($6.6 billion) at current market prices.

"It is a very big decision. A Cabinet note will soon be moved. The government of India will transfer its majority shareholding (of 51.11 percent in HPCL) to ONGC, which will then become the holding company of HPCL,” said one of the officials cited above. The move will stop short of a complete merger, which may take longer but the purpose will be served with this step, said the people cited above.

“The deal comes following the government plans to integrate either HPCL or Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd (BPCL) with ONGC in line with the February 1 budget announcement to "create an integrated public sector oil major which will be able to match the performance of international and domestic private sector oil and gas companies.”

ET had also reported that the status of all other oil companies such as Oil India Ltd (OIL) and Indian Oil Corp. (IOC) would remain unchanged.

ONGC’s exploration functions will be integrated with HPCL’s refining and distribution capabilities. HPCL, which owns and operates two major refineries in Mumbai and Visakhapatnam, has India's largest lubricants unit and second largest pipeline network of 3,015 km apart from a vast marketing system.

The thinking behind such vertical integration is that it will reduce risk-high crude oil prices will boost the exploration business and when they drop, the distribution segment will benefit.

"The world over, the largest and most successful oil companies like Shell, BP and Exxon, are vertically integrated," said an official, stressing that ONGC-HPCL’s earnings will become more stable and investors will benefit from this reduced volatility.

Kraton increases prices for tall oil fatty acids

HOUSTON, US: Kraton Corporation announced a general price increase of $120 per metric tonne for the SYLFAT by Arizona Chemical Tall Oil Fatty Acids (TOFA) product line.

The price increase will take effect on 15 March 2017.

Kraton is a leading global producer of styrenic block copolymers, speciality polymers, and high-value performance products derived from pine wood pulping co-products.

Evonik current strategy chief to be next CEO: Sources

FRANKFURT, GERMANY: Evonik Industries's current chief strategic officer, Christian Kullmann will take over as the company’s new CEO in May, succeeding current chief executive officer (CEO) Klaus Engel, who is stepping down early.

Evonik said that the departure of 60-year-old Engel, highlighted by Reuters was amicable but did not provide details on why he was leaving.

Kullmann (47) joined the management board of Evonik in 2014 and became deputy CEO in May 2016, announcing his ascension to the top job. He was involved in key takeovers, including Evonik's $630 million purchase of J M Huber Corp’s silica unit in December, sources said.

He will be replaced as deputy CEO by Harald Schwager, currently responsible for chemistry and innovation, effective from 1 September, Evonik said.

Chief operating officer Ralph Sven Kaufmann is also stepping down early and will not be replaced, Evonik said, shrinking its management board to four members. It said it expected its supervisory board to take a final decision on the management reshuffle on 1 March.