bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic analysis of railway with locally continuous supported superstructures
Authors: Metin Muzaffer , Ulu Arif , Demir Ozgur , Arikoglu Aytac
Published: August 2019

Purpose

In this study, a railway superstructure is modeled with a new approach called locally continuous supporting, and its behavior under the effect of moving load is analyzed by using analytical and numerical techniques. The purpose of the study is to demonstrate the success of the new modeling technique.

Design/methodology/approach

In the railway superstructure, the support zones are not modeled with discrete spring-damping elements. Instead of this, it is considered to be a continuous viscoelastic structure in the local areas. To model this approach, the governing partial differential equations are derived by Hamilton’s principle and spatially discretized by the Galerkin’s method, and the time integration of the resulting ordinary differential equation system is carried out by the Newmark–Beta method.

Findings

Both the proposed model and the solution technique are verified against conventional one-dimensional and three-dimensional finite element models for a specific case, and a very good agreement between the results is observed. The effects of geometric, structural, and loading parameters such as rail-pad length, rail-pad stiffness, rail-pad damping ratio, the gap between rail pads and vehicle speed on the dynamic response of railway superstructure are investigated in detail.

Originality/value

There are mainly two approaches to the modeling of rail pads. The first approach considers them as a single spring-damper connected in parallel located at the centroid of the rail pad. The second one divides the rail pad into several parts, with each of part represented by an equivalent spring-damper system. To obtain realistic results with minimum CPU time for the dynamic response of railway superstructure, the rail pads are modeled as continuous linearly viscoelastic local supports. The mechanical model of viscoelastic material is considered as a spring and damper connected in parallel.
Convergence improvement of the simultaneous relaxation method used in the finite element analysis of incompressible fluid flows
Authors: Kohno Haruhiko
Published: August 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to present an improved finite element method used for achieving faster convergence in simulations of incompressible fluid flows. For stable computations of incompressible fluid flows, it is important to ensure that the flow field satisfies the equation of continuity in each element of a generally distorted mesh. The study aims to develop a numerical approach that satisfies this requirement based on the highly simplified marker-and-cell (HSMAC) method and increases computational speed by introducing a new algorithm into the simultaneous relaxation of velocity and pressure.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the paper shows that the classical HSMAC method is equivalent to a Jacobi-type method in terms of the simultaneous relaxation of velocity and pressure. Then, a Gauss–Seidel or successive over-relaxation (SOR)-type method is introduced in the Newton–Raphson iterations to take into account all the derivative terms in the first-order Taylor series expansion of a nodal-averaged error explicitly. Here, the nine-node quadrilateral (Q2–Q1) elements are used.

Findings

The new finite element approach based on the improved HSMAC algorithm is tested on fluid flow problems including the lid-driven square cavity flow and the flow past a circular cylinder. The results show significant improvement of the convergence property with the accuracy of the numerical solutions kept unchanged even on a highly distorted mesh.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, the idea of using the Gauss–Seidel or SOR method in the simultaneous relaxation procedure of the HSMAC method has not been proposed elsewhere.
Influence of airflow dynamics on vortices in the human nasal cavity
Authors: Dohare Punjan , Bhondekar Amol P. , Sharma Anupma , Ghanshyam C.
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the effect of airflow dynamics on vortices for different flow rates using the human nose three-dimensional model.

Design/methodology/approach

Olfaction originates with air particles travelling from an external environment to the upper segment of the human nose. This phenomenon is generally understood by using the nasal airflow dynamics, which enhances the olfaction by creating the vortices in the human nose. An anatomical three-dimensional model of the human nasal cavity from computed tomography (CT) scan images using the MIMICS software (Materialise, USA) was developed in this study. Grid independence test was performed through volume flow rate, pressure drop from nostrils and septum and average velocity near the nasal valve region using a four computational mesh model. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was used to examine the flow pattern and influence of airflow dynamics on vortices in the nasal cavity. Numerical simulations were conducted for the flow rates of 7.5, 10, 15 and 20 L/min using numerical finite volume methods.

Findings

At coronal cross-sections, dissimilar nasal airflow patterns were observed for 7.5, 10, 15 and 20 L/min rate of fluid flow in the human nasal cavity. Vortices that are found at the boundaries with minimum velocity creates deceleration zone in the nose vestibule region, which is accompanied by flow segregation. Maximum vortices were observed in the nasal valve region and the posterior end of the turbinate region, which involves mixing and recirculation and is responsible for enhancing the smelling process.

Practical implications

The proposed analysis is applicable to design the sensor chamber for electronic noses.

Originality/value

In this paper, the influence of airflow dynamics on vortices in the human nasal cavity is discussed through numerical simulations.
Graduates’ satisfaction with the Chilean basic education teacher training degree program
Authors: Espinoza Oscar , González Luis , Sandoval Luis , McGinn Noel , Loyola Javier , Castillo Dante
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to improve future teacher training by assessment of university graduates’ satisfaction with their preparation in Basic Education teaching.

Design/methodology/approach

This descriptive study employed a self-administered survey questionnaire to a representative sample of 235 graduates between 2014 and 2016 from three universities in Chile. The questionnaire generated information about the graduates’ background (age, gender, parents’ education and prestige of secondary school attended); an evaluation of three dimensions of their degree program (instructional quality, infrastructure and employability), and experiences in the labor market (including salary). Analysis of variance was used to assess relationships between satisfaction, and other variables.

Findings

In general, graduates were satisfied with all aspects of their training. Satisfaction levels were higher from those assumed to have lower expectations. Contrary to this hypothesis, university prestige is not directly related to satisfaction. Instead, expectations and employability moderate the effect of prestige.

Research limitations/implications

The sample is not representative of the 59 universities in Chile nor of the many other degree programs offered in those universities.

Practical implications

Program directors concerned about improving the public reputation or prestige of their program will benefit from efforts to improve the quality of the program and its infrastructure, and relevance for entrance into the world of work.

Originality/value

This study provides information not previously available about graduate satisfaction in teaching degree programs in Chile.
Emergency preparedness in the hospitality industry in Sri Lanka
Authors: Chandrasekera Tilanka , Hebert Paulette
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the emergency preparedness of the hospitality industry in Sri Lanka, focusing on hotels and restaurants in the southern coastal belt.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire on emergency preparedness was provided to 30 randomly recruited participants from the industry. The survey consisted of 30 open and closed-ended questions, focusing on basic demographic information, information about emergency preparedness of the facility, food safety and issues regarding power management.

Findings

The findings of this study provide insight on the emergency preparedness of the hospitality industry in Sri Lanka.

Research limitations/implications

In its current iteration, the sample size was a major limitation. The study was conducted by using an online questionnaire, and that affected the number of responses received.

Social implications

The results provide insight into how improvements can be made in future developments of similar nature especially in terms of emergency mitigation efforts. These findings also provide suggestions on areas that need to be improved through educating the industry.

Originality/value

This study is a part of a larger project where the research team is investigating emergency preparedness in the hospitality industry in different regions of the world.
Ant-based delay-bounded and power-efficient data aggregation in wireless sensor networks
Authors: Benaouda Nadjib , Lahlouhi Ammar
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a novel delay-bounded and power-efficient routing for in-network data aggregation, called DPIDA, which aims to ensure a compromise between the energy consumed during the collection of data sensed by a set of source sensor nodes and their timely delivery to the sink node.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the ant-colony-optimization metaheuristic, the proposal establishes a routing structure that maximizes the number of overlapping routes and minimizes the total transmission power while ensuring delay-bounded paths and a symmetric transmission power assignment to reliably deliver the sensed data.

Findings

The proposal was extensively compared to two other known protocols regarding different keys factors. Simulation results, including topology snapshots, show the ability of DPIDA to ensure the energy–latency tradeoff. They also show the superiority of DPIDA compared to the two considered protocols.

Originality/value

This paper presents a novel ant-based protocol that uses in-network data aggregation and transmission power-adjustment techniques to conserve the energy of nodes while ensuring delay-bounded paths and a reliable deliverance of data which is ensured by providing a symmetric transmission power assignment.
How organizational culture influences performance measurement systems in SMEs
Authors: Jardioui Meriam , Garengo Patrizia , El Alami Semma
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Literature highlights the impact of culture on managerial processes in general and the performance measurement system (PMS) in particular. However, understanding how organizational culture (OC) influences the PMS remains a challenge, especially in SMEs as in these companies the studies are very limited. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how OC influences PMSs in manufacturing SMEs.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve the above purpose, a case study approach has been adopted. Four manufacturing SMEs with heterogeneous OC were investigated by means of companies’ documents reviews, participant observations and semi-structured interviews. A conceptual framework based on the competing value framework proposed by Cameron and Quinn (1999) and the PMS typology proposed by Garengo (2009) has been used to investigate the impact of OC on PMS.

Findings

According to the results, OC has a huge impact on PMS in manufacturing SMEs. The dimensions of “internal/external focus” influence strategy formalization, monitoring of the external environment and performance review. The “flexibility/control” dimensions influence the adoption of the balanced (or unbalanced) set of performance measures a company uses.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to clarifying how OC influences PMSs in manufacturing SMEs. Moreover, the study of interplay between flexibility/control dimensions and internal/external dimensions supports the identification of three theoretical propositions and four PMS types related to the four different OCs identified by Cameron and Quinn (1999).
Reciprocating compressor valve damage estimation under varying speeds through the acoustic emission technique
Authors: Sim Hoi-Yin , Ramli Rahizar , Saifizul Ahmad
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of reciprocating compressor speeds and valve conditions on the roor-mean-square (RMS) value of burst acoustic emission (AE) signals associated with the physical motion of valves. The study attempts to explore the potential of AE signal in the estimation of valve damage under varying compressor speeds.

Design/methodology/approach

This study involves the acquisition of AE signal, valve flow rate, pressure and temperature at the suction valve of an air compressor with speed varrying from 450 to 800 rpm. The AE signals correspond to one compressor cycle obtained from two simulated valve damage conditions, namely, the single leak and double leak conditions are compared to those of the normal valve plate. To examine the effects of valve conditions and speeds on AE RMS values, two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) is conducted. Finally, regression analysis is performed to investigate the relationship of AE RMS with the speed and valve flow rate for different valve conditions.

Findings

The results showed that AE RMS values computed from suction valve opening (SVO), suction valve closing (SVC) and discharge valve opening (DVO) events are significantly affected by both valve conditions and speeds. The AE RMS value computed from SVO event showed high linear correlation with speed compared to SVC and DVO events for all valve damage conditions. As this study is conducted at a compressor running at freeload, increasing speed of compressor also results in the increment of flow rate. Thus, the valve flow rate can also be empirically derived from the AE RMS value through the regression method, enabling a better estimation of valve damages.

Research limitations/implications

The experimental test rig of this study is confined to a small pressure ratio range of 1.38–2.03 (free-loading condition). Besides, the air compressor is assumed to be operated at a constant speed.

Originality/value

This study employed the statistical methods namely the ANOVA and regression analysis for valve damage estimation at varying compressor speeds. It can enable a plant personnel to make a better prediction on the loss of compressor efficiency and help them to justify the time for valve replacement in future.
Media richness, social presence and loyalty to mobile instant messaging
Authors: Tseng Fan-Chen , Cheng T.C.E. , Yu Pei-Ling , Huang Tzu-Ling , Teng Ching-I.
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Mobile instant messaging (MIM) apps could provide rich and instant information in employees’ communication. However, how media richness impacts MIM user loyalty is unknown. The purpose of this paper is to adopt media richness and social presence theories as theoretical foundations to address this insufficiency.

Design/methodology/approach

Collecting 247 responses from an online survey, the authors use structural equation modelling for data analysis and hypothesis testing.

Findings

The authors found that immediate feedback and personal focus are the main aspects of media richness that are positively related to social presence, relatedness need satisfaction and user loyalty to MIM.

Originality/value

This is the first study using two pertinent theories to explain how aspects of media richness affect user loyalty to MIM. The present findings suggest that firms developing MIM apps focus on immediate feedback and personal focus as effective means to encourage user loyalty.
The mediating effect of service provider expertise on the relationship between institutional trust, dispositional trust and trust intakafulservices
Authors: Mohy-Ul-Din Sajid , Samad Sarminah , Rehman Mohsin Abdur , Ali Mirza Zaar , Ahmad Usman
Published: August 2019

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the relationship between institutional trust, dispositional trust and trust intakafulproducts with the mediating effect of service-provider expertise.

Design/methodology/approach

The data for this study were collected from 385takafulpolicyholders from Lahore and Islamabad, Pakistan. The relationship is estimated with PLS-SEM using the bias-corrected bootstrapping method.

Findings

For paths 1 and 2, the results suggest a significant positive relationship between institutional trust, dispositional trust, service provider expertise and trust intakafulproducts. Results for the bias-corrected bootstrapping model revealed that service provider expertise mediates the relationship between intuitional trust, dispositional trust and trust intakafulproducts.

Research limitations/implications

Data were collected from provincial and federal capital cities of Pakistan where institutional setting is much much as compared to other cities

Practical implications

From the managerial perspective, the dispositional trust would help them in choosing appropriate marketing strategy, segmentation, new product development, targeting and positioning to increase penetration. At the same time,takafulcompanies need to improve their expertise, knowledge and information-sharing mechanism for fostering overall consumer perception of trust intakafulproducts.

Social implications

Insurance, conventional or Islamic, is meant to transfer risk to the third party. Regulators need to improve overall institutional factors because improvement will strengthen the trust level of the general public. Stringent institutional settings act as a sense of strong structural assurance and situational normality. A rise in trust level would induce people to purchase more policies and carry on risky investments that would ultimately result in higher economic growth.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no empirical study has been conducted to examine the impact of institutional and dispositional trust on trust intakafulproducts with the mediating effect of service provider expertise
Analysing online reviews to investigate customer behaviour in the sharing economy
Authors: Lee Carmen Kar Hang , Tse Ying Kei , Zhang Minhao , Ma Jie
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate attributes that influence Airbnb customer experience by analysing online reviews from users staying in London. It presents a text mining approach to identify a set of broad themes from the textual reviews. It aims to highlight the customers’ changing perception of good quality of accommodations.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper analyses 169,666 reviews posted by Airbnb users who stayed in London from 2011 to 2015. Hierarchical clustering algorithms are used to group similar words into clusters based on their co-occurrence. Longitudinal analysis and seasonal analysis are conducted for a more coherent understanding of the Airbnb customer behaviour.

Findings

This paper provides empirical insights about how Airbnb users’ mindset of good quality of accommodations changes over a five-year timespan and in different seasons. While there are common attributes considered important throughout the years, exclusive attributes are discovered in particular years and seasons.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is confined to Airbnb experiences in London. Researchers are encouraged to apply the proposed methodology to investigate Airbnb experiences in other cities and detect any change in customer perception of quality stay.

Practical implications

This paper offers implications for the prioritisation of customer concerns to design and improve services offerings and for alignment of services with customer expectations in the sharing economy.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils an identified need to examine the change in customer expectation across the timespan and seasons in the case of Airbnb. It also contributes by illustrating how big data can be used to uncover key attributes that facilitate the engagement with the sharing economy.
Money supply and inflation impact on economic growth
Authors: Doan Van Dinh
Published: August 2019

Purpose

At present, countries are concerned about inflation and the impact of inflation on each country’s economic growth. This inflation has been said by economists that inflation is a phenomenon of currency and currency, which has caused inflation in some countries by their monetary policy. According to the economic theory of Karl Marx, Irving Fisher, Friedman, inflation is caused by a continuous increase in the money supply.

Design/methodology/approach

The economic theories of Fisher, Friedman and an econometric model are applied to analyse the relationship between money supply and inflation. Besides, Vietnam’s and China’s research data are also collected in the period of 2012-2016.

Findings

It is found out that the continuous increase in the money supply causes inflation in the long-term, but the continuous increase in the money supply growth does not cause inflation in a short time, this was analyzed based on the theory of monetary quantity. Moreover, Chia’s and Vietnam’s correlations of the money supply growth and inflation are 99.1 per cent. These correlations are very close.

Originality/value

Research results show that money supply and inflation are closely related, and the money supply directly affects economic growth. Therefore, the government should have the relevant monetary policy to grow the economy and proposals to make monetary policy, control inflation levels and stimulate economic growth.
Multi-objective optimization in wire-EDM process using grey relational analysis method (GRA) and backpropagation neural network–genetic algorithm (BPNN–GA) methods
Authors: Soepangkat Bobby Oedy Pramoedyo , Norcahyo Rachmadi , Rupajati Pathya , Effendi Mohammad Khoirul , Agustin Helena Carolina Kis
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate prediction and optimization of multiple performance characteristics in the wire electrical discharge machining (wire-EDM) process of SKD 61 (AISI H13) tool steel.

Design/methodology/approach

The experimental studies were conducted under varying wire-EDM process parameters, which were arc on time, on time, open voltage, off time and servo voltage. The optimized responses were recast layer thickness (RLT), surface roughness (SR) and surface crack density (SCD). Arc on time was set at two different levels, whereas the other four parameters were set at three different levels. Based on Taguchi method, an L18 mixed-orthogonal array was selected for the experiments. Further, three methods, namely grey relational analysis (GRA), backpropagation neural network (BPNN) and genetic algorithm (GA), were applied separately. GRA was performed to obtain a rough estimation of optimum drilling parameters. The influences of drilling parameters on multiple performance characteristics were determined by using percentage contributions. BPNN architecture was determined to predict the multiple performance characteristics. GA method was then applied to determine the optimum wire-EDM parameters.

Findings

The minimum RLT, SR and SCD could be obtained by setting arc on time, on time, open voltage, off time and servo voltage at 2 ms, 3 ms, 90 volt, 10 ms and 38 volt, respectively. The experimental confirmation results showed that BPNN-based GA optimization method could accurately predict and significantly improve all of the responses.

Originality/value

There were no publications regarding multi-response optimization using a combination of GRA and BPNN-based GA methods during wire-EDM process available.
Right-first-time dyeing: a design of experiments approach for the optimisation of dyeing-processes using hard water
Authors: Faisal Saira , Tronci Aurelio , Ali Muhammad , Bashir Erum , Lin Long
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to optimise the dyeing conditions to achieve right-first-time dyeing in hard water. Owing to the persistent water scarcity for more than two decades now, the textile industry in Pakistan is forced to rely on high-mineral-content ground water for use in textile wet processing. Furthermore, the limited amount of municipal water that is at the disposal of the textile industry is also high in mineral content. Thus, on the large scale, water hardness has become an acute problem for the textile processor. In particular, in the dyeing process, water hardness is known to have crucial effects. However, to-date, no systematic study has been conducted on this aspect of textile dyeing.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, 32full factorial design was used to optimise the dyeing conditions to achieve right-first-time dyeing in hard water. Thus, cotton fabric was dyed with Red Reactive dye (of dyebath concentration at 5, 10 and 15 g/L) in prepared hard water (of hardness at 10, 40 and 70°dH), respectively. Analysis of variance, coefficient of determination (R2) andp-values for the models were used to evaluate the adequacy of the predictive models. The surface plots of the effects were studied to further examine the interactions of two independent variables. Derringer’s desirability function was used to determine the optimum levels of each variable.

Findings

Three levels for both independent variables generate second-order polynomial models to predict the colour strength, lightness, red/green, yellow/blue and total colour difference values of dyed cotton. The obtained predictive models point out the considerable influence of both water hardness and dye concentration on right-first-time dyeing.

Originality/value

Such a finding enabled the dye-mill to produce the correct shade at water hardness of 10°dH and 15 g/L dye concentration, without the need for corrective reprocessing.
Consumer behaviour analysis and non-adoption of behavioural interventions: implications for managerial action
Authors: Ntinas Konstantinos M.
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Direct care staff may be resistant to the use of behavioural interventions. Whilst some research suggests that resistance to the cost of behavioural interventions is one factor of influence, there is lack of research exploring why staff are influenced by the cost. The purpose of this paper is to explore this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the phenomenon of resistance is analysed with the help of behavioural economics and of the behavioural perspective model (BPM).

Findings

The resistance to the cost of behavioural interventions is correlated with the low quality of the working environment and ways in which staff might attend to factors which protect their own well-being.

Practical implications

Services might need to focus on the ways in which behavioural interventions protect staff’s well-being.

Originality/value

This paper explores the use of the BPM and of behavioural economics as conceptual tools for the analysis of the factors leading to non-adoption of behavioural interventions.
Earlier plant growth helps compensate for reduced carbon fixation after 13 years of warming
Authors: Winkler Daniel E. , Grossiord Charlotte , Belnap Jayne , Howell Armin , Ferrenberg Scott , Smith Hilda , Reed Sasha C.
Published: August 2019

Drylands play a dominant role in global carbon cycling and are particularly vulnerable to increasing temperatures, but our understanding of how dryland ecosystems will respond to climatic change remains notably poor. Considering that the area of drylands is projected to increase by 11%–23% by 2,100, understanding the impacts of warming on the functions and services furnished by these arid and semi‐arid ecosystems has numerous implications.

In a unique 13‐year ecosystem warming experiment in a south‐western U.S. dryland, we investigated the consequences of rising temperature on Achnatherum hymenoides, a widespread, keystone grass species on the Colorado Plateau. We tracked individual‐ and population‐level responses to identify optimal strategies that may have been masked if considering only one level of plant response.

We found several factors combined to affect the timing and magnitude of plant responses during the 13th year of warming. These included large warming‐induced biomass increases for individual plants, an 8.5‐day advancement in the growing season and strong reductions in photosynthetic rates and population cover.

Importantly, we observed a lack of photosynthetic acclimation and, thus, a warming‐induced downregulation of photosynthetic rates. However, these physiological responses were concurrent with warmed‐plant increases in growing season length and investment in photosynthetic surfaces, demonstrating the species’ ability to balance carbon fixation limitations with warming.

These results, which bring together ecophysiological, phenological, reproductive and morphological assessments of plant responses to warming, suggest that the extent of change in A.  hymenoides populations will be based upon numerous adaptive responses that vary in their direction and magnitude. Plant population responses to climatic warming remain poorly resolved, particularly for Earth's drylands, and our in situ experiment assessing multiple strategies offers a novel look into a warmer world.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Life in the dark: far‐red absorbing cyanobacteria extend photic zones deep into terrestrial caves
Authors: Behrendt Lars , Trampe Erik L. , Nord Nadia B. , Nguyen Jen , Kühl Michael , Lonco Danijela , Nyarko Alex , Dhinojwala Ali , Hershey Olivia S. , Barton Hazel
Published: August 2019

Chlorophyll (Chl) f and d are the most recently discovered chlorophylls, enabling cyanobacteria to harvest near‐infrared radiation (NIR) at 700–780 nm for oxygenic photosynthesis. Little is known about the occurrence of these pigments in terrestrial habitats. Here, we provide first details on spectral photon irradiance within the photic zones of four terrestrial cave systems in concert with a detailed investigation of photopigmentation, light reflectance and microbial community composition. We frequently found Chl f and d along the photic zones of caves characterized by low light enriched in NIR and inhabited by cyanobacteria producing NIR‐absorbing pigments. Surprisingly, deeper parts of caves still contained NIR, an effect likely attributable to the reflectance of specific wavelengths by the surface materials of cave walls. We argue that the stratification of microbial communities across the photic zones of cave entrances resembles the light‐driven species distributions in forests and aquatic environments.
How does being part of a pediatric accountable care organization impact health service use for children with disabilities?
Authors: Song Paula H. , Xu Wendy Yi , Chisolm Deena J. , Alexy Emily R. , Ferrari Renée M. , Hilligoss Brian , Domino Marisa Elena
Published: August 2019

Objective

To examine the impact of a Medicaid‐serving pediatric accountable care organization (ACO) on health service use by children who qualify for Medicaid by virtue of a disability under the “aged, blind, and disabled” (ABD) eligibility criteria.

Data Sources/Study Setting

We evaluated a 2013 Ohio policy change that effectively moved ABD Medicaid children into an ACO model of care using Ohio Medicaid administrative claims data for years 2011‐2016.

Study Design

We used a difference‐in‐difference design to examine changes in patterns of health care service use by ABD‐enrolled children before and after enrolling in an ACO compared with ABD‐enrolled children enrolled in non‐ACO managed care plans.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

We identified 17 356 children who resided in 34 of 88 counties as the ACO “intervention” group and 47 026 ABD‐enrolled children who resided outside of the ACO region as non‐ACO controls.

Principal Findings

Being part of the ACO increased adolescent preventative service and decreased use of ADHD medications as compared to similar children in non‐ACO capitated managed care plans. Relative home health service use decreased for children in the ACO.

Conclusions

Our overall results indicate that being part of an ACO may improve quality in certain areas, such as adolescent well‐child visits, though there may be room for improvement in other areas considered important by patients and their families such as home health service.
Reevaluation of a rightward shift in colorectal cancer: A single‐center retrospective study in Tianjin
Authors: Wu Jing Yi , Chen Dan Feng , Liu Tian Yu , Dong Wen Xiao , Liu Xiang , Wang Si Nan , Xie Run Xiang , Liu Wen Tian , Wang Bang Mao , Cao Hai Long
Published: August 2019

Objectives

Some Western reports have shown a proximal shift in colorectal cancer (CRC), but there are few studies in China. This study aimed to provide more information for the management and screening of CRC by investigating trends in the anatomic distribution of CRC among the Chinese population in recent years.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted on patients with CRC admitted to the Digestive Endoscopy Center of Tianjin Medical University General Hospital between January 2000 and December 2017. Patients were divided into a left‐sided colorectal cancer (LSCRC) group and a right‐sided colon cancer (RSCC) group. The detection rates of LSCRC and RSCC based on patients' age and sex, and on the time periods were analyzed.

Results

A total of 2319 cases were diagnosed with CRC among 75 183 consecutive patients. The prevalence of CRC showed a significant reduction from 2000‐2008 to 2009‐2017 (3.8% vs 2.7%, P < .001). The proportion of RSCC presented a downtrend from 2000‐2008 to 2009‐2017 (40.6% vs 37.7%, P > .05). There were slightly more RSCCs in female patients than in male patients, with no significant difference (40.9% vs 36.5%, P > .05). The proportion of RSCC in patients aged ≥50 years was similar to that in younger patients. The alarming symptoms between LSCRC and RSCC showed a significant difference (P < .05).

Conclusions

In the present study, the prevalence of CRC declined significantly with time. However, there did not appear to be a rightward shift in CRC among the patients in Tianjin over the past 18 years.
Prognostic value of pretreatment inflammatory biomarkers in primary small cell carcinoma of the esophagus
Authors: Wang Nan , Li Xue , Luo Hui , Sun Yanan , Zheng Xiaoli , Fan Chengcheng , Wang Hao , Ye Ke , Ge Hong
Published: August 2019

Background

Growing evidence indicates that several inflammatory biomarkers may predict survival in patients with malignant tumors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of pretreatment biomarkers in patients with primary small‐cell carcinoma of the esophagus (PSCCE).

Methods

A total of 73 PSCCE patients enrolled between January 2009 and December 2017 at the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University. The total lymphocyte counts (TLC), neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR) prior to anticancer therapy were collected as inflammation biomarkers. The cutoff value was determined by Receiver operating characteristic (ROC). The Kaplan‐Meier method was utilized to analyze overall survival (OS). Cox proportional hazards regression was used to identify univariate and multivariate prognostic factors.

Results

Univariate analysis showed that high NLR group (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.685; 95% CI: 1.001–2.838; P = 0.047) and high PLR group (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.716; 95% CI: 1.039–2.834; P = 0.033) were associated with poor OS, and TLC was not correlated with OS. On multivariate analysis, high PLR (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.751; 95% CI: 1.042–2.945; P = 0.035) was an independent prognostic factor of unfavorable OS.

Conclusions

Pretreatment PLR and NLR are correlated with OS. These biomarkers are easily accessible, cost effective, and can serve as a marker to identify high‐risk patients for further designing personalized treatment and predicting treatment outcomes.
Stress‐induced cortical dopamine response is altered in subjects at clinical high risk for psychosis using cannabis
Authors: Schifani Christin , Pruessner Jens , Tseng Huai‐Hsuan , Rao Naren , Tagore Abanti , Wilson Alan A. , Houle Sylvain , Rusjan Pablo M. , Mizrahi Romina
Published: August 2019

Stress and cannabis use are risk factors for the development of psychosis. We have previously shown that subjects at clinical high risk for psychosis (CHR) exhibit a higher striatal dopamine response to stress compared with healthy volunteers (HV), with chronic cannabis use blunting this response. However, it is unknown if this abnormal dopamine response extends to the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Here, we investigated dorsolateral PFC (dlPFC) and medial PFC (mPFC) dopamine release using [11C]FLB457 positron emission tomography (PET) and a validated stress task. Thirty‐three participants completed two PET scans (14 CHR without cannabis use, eight CHR regular cannabis users [CHR‐CUs] and 11 HV) while performing a Sensory Motor Control Task (control scan) and the Montreal Imaging Stress Task (stress scan). Stress‐induced dopamine release (ΔBPND) was defined as percent change in D2/3 receptor binding potential between both scans using a novel correction for injected mass of [11C]FLB457. ΔBPND was significantly different between groups in mPFC (F(2,30) = 5.40, .010), with CHR‐CUs exhibiting lower ΔBPND compared with CHR (.008). Similarly, salivary cortisol response (ΔAUCI) was significantly lower in CHR‐CU compared with CHR (F(2,29) = 5.08, .013; post hoc .018) and positively associated with ΔBPND. Furthermore, CHR‐CUs had higher attenuated psychotic symptoms than CHR following the stress task, which were negatively associated with ΔBPND. Length of cannabis use was negatively associated with ΔBPND in mPFC when controlling for current cannabis use. Given the global trend to legalize cannabis, this study is important as it highlights the effects of regular cannabis use on cortical dopamine function in high‐risk youth.
Microclimates of Urban Reproduction: The Limits of Automating Environmental Control
Authors: Lockhart Andy , Marvin Simon
Published: August 2019

Enclosed, controlled environments, stretching from sites of luxury consumption to urban food production, are proliferating in cities around the world, utilising increasingly advanced techniques for (re)creating and optimising microclimatic conditions for different purposes. However, the role of automated control systems—to filter, reprocess and reassemble atmospheric and metabolic flows with growing precision—remains under‐researched. In this article, we explore the phenomenon of automated environmental control at three sites in the UK city of Sheffield: a botanical glasshouse, a luxury hotel and a university plant growth research lab. In doing so, we first show how controlled environments are constituted through specific relations between the inside and outside, which are embedded in inherently political urban contexts and processes. Second, we identify the technical and ecological tensions and limits of indoor environmental control at each site which limit the scope of automation, and the considerable amount of hidden labour and energy required to maintain and restabilise desired conditions. Drawing on these more established examples of ecological interiorisation in a key moment of transition, we raise urgent questions for critical urban and environmental geographers about the possible futures of controlled environments, their practical or selective scalability, and who and what will be left “outside”, when they are emerging as a strategic form of urban adaptation and immunisation in the face of converging ecological pressures.
Intra‐abdominal desmoid tumor after laparoscopic low anterior resection for rectal cancer: A case report
Authors: Maemoto Ryo , Miyakura Yasuyuki , Tamaki Sawako , Takahashi Jun , Takayama Noriya , Fukuda Rintaro , Ishikawa Hideki , Tsujinaka Shingo , Lefor Alan K , Rikiyama Toshiki
Published: August 2019

Desmoid tumors are monoclonal fibroblastic proliferations arising from soft tissue classified as intra‐abdominal, extra‐abdominal and abdominal wall types. We present a patient with an intra‐abdominal desmoid tumor diagnosed 20 months after laparoscopic resection of rectal cancer. A 70‐year‐old woman with hematochezia was diagnosed with advanced rectal cancer. Preoperative chemoradiotherapy followed by laparoscopic low anterior resection was performed. During follow‐up, a nodular soft‐tissue density measuring 28 mm was detected in the presacral region. Metastasis from rectal cancer was diagnosed and four courses of chemotherapy were given, including capecitabine, oxaliplatin and bevacizumab. Computed tomography scan showed that the mass slightly decreased in size and surgical resection was performed. Histopathological examination revealed a proliferation of spindle‐shaped cells and collagenous stroma diagnosed as a desmoid tumor. This report highlights the possibility of a desmoid tumor in the differential diagnosis of an intra‐abdominal mass found during follow‐up after resection of colorectal cancer including following laparoscopic resection.
Osteology of the Asian narrow‐mouth toad Kaloula borealis (Amphibia, Anura, Microhylidae) with comments on its osteological adaptation to fossorial life
Authors: Zhang Meihua , Chen Xiaohong , Ye Changyuan , Fei Liang , Li Pipeng , Jiang Jianping , Wang Bin
Published: August 2019

Osteology of vertebrates plays an indispensable role in taxonomy, form‐function evolution and ecological adaptations. The Asian narrow‐mouth toad genus Kaloula is an interesting group that is known for many species having a fossorial life. However, to date, there has been no comprehensive osteological account of Kaloula. Herein, we present the osteology of K. borealis with the help of micro‐CT scanning and double‐staining technologies, which is the first detailed osteological description of the genus. Osteological comparisons with other members of Microhylinae indicate that K. borealis is characterized by the following traits: skull obviously wider than long; suture between frontoparietals narrow; parasphenoid posterior to vomer; premaxilla, maxilla and vomer edentate; clavicles absent; procoracoids small; omosternum and sternum cartilaginous; crista femoris present and large; femur longer than tibiofibula; prehallux including one element. Remarkably, the species possesses a series of osteological specializations that probably are adaptations for the hindlimbs‐first burrowing and a fossorial life, including stout hindlimb, robust crista femoris, tibiofibula shorter than femur, enlarged prehallux, long anterior ramus of the pterygoid and branched bronchial processes of the cricoid. These findings will contribute to the systematics of microhylids and evolutionary interpretations of the osteological adaptation to fossorial life.
Helping parents to help children overcome fear: The influence of a short video tutorial
Authors: Ewing Donna , Pike Alison , Dash Suzanne , Hughes Zoe , Thompson Ellen Jo , Hazell Cassie , Ang Chian Mei , Kucuk Nesya , Laine Amie , Cartwright‐Hatton Sam
Published: August 2019

Objectives

Anxiety runs in families, and its transmission is largely environmental. However, studies rarely explore this process in clinically anxious parents or ask participants to face a genuine fear. We also do not know whether this process is modifiable. This study will explore these questions using a sample of clinically anxious parents.

Design

Experimental design comparing clinically anxious parents with non‐anxious parents, and exploring the effects of a tutorial intervention versus a control group.

Methods

Parents with and without anxiety disorders and their children (5–9 years) participated (N = 72). Children chose two fearful animal stimuli. Parents helped the child approach the first in graded steps. The following parental behaviours were recorded: positive/negative verbal information; positive/negative modelling; encouragement/praising of approach/avoidance behaviours. Half the parents were then randomly assigned to a short video tutorial advising how to help children cope with fearful situations. The remainder watched a control video. The approach task was repeated with the second stimulus.

Results

Parenting behaviours fell into two categories: ‘approach parenting’ (encouraging/praising/modelling approach; positive verbal information) and ‘avoidance parenting’ (encouraging/praising/modelling avoidance; negative verbal information). The parenting tutorial increased ‘approach parenting’ and decreased ‘avoidance parenting’ and was associated with increased child approach towards fearful stimuli. This was not moderated by parent or child anxiety.

Conclusions

Parenting, particularly ‘avoidance parenting’, is associated with children's approach and avoidance. A short video tutorial modified these parenting behaviours and reduced avoidance. These effects were apparent regardless of parent or child anxiety level.

Practitioner points

Avoidance and approach parenting may influence children's response to fearful stimuli.

Avoidance parenting may be more problematic than lack of approach parenting.

Approach and avoidance parenting are amenable to manipulation by short video tutorial.

Parenting improvement resulted in increased approach behaviour in children.
Fostering water resource governance and conservation in the Brazilian Cerrado biome
Authors: Latrubesse Edgardo M. , Arima Eugenio , Ferreira Manuel E. , Nogueira Sergio H. , Wittmann Florian , Dias Murilo S. , Dagosta Fernando C. P. , Bayer Maximiliano
Published: August 2019

The Brazilian Cerrado, one of the most threatened biomes of our planet, illustrates the challenges and opportunities of reconciling economic development with conservation of land and water ecosystems. Here, we assess the state of the art of and present new information on the impacts of agricultural expansion, dams, and water use, and make recommendations for basin management, conservation, and restoration of water‐related Cerrado ecosystems and rivers. The conservation of the Cerrado requires not only the preservation of remnants of its vegetation but also the ability to keep the hydro‐geomorphological and ecological functionality of its rivers, particularly the Araguaia River, the last large well preserved and unregulated system. If business as usual continues, the Cerrado riverine ecosystems may never rebound.
Geographic Spread of Currency Trading: The Renminbi and Other Emerging Market Currencies
Authors: Cheung Yin‐Wong , McCauley Robert N , Shu Chang
Published: August 2019

This paper studies the ongoing diffusion of renminbi (RMB) trading across the globe, the first of such research of an international currency. It analyses the distribution in offshore RMB trading in 2013 and 2016 using comprehensive data from the Triennial Central Bank Survey of foreign exchange markets. In 2013, Asian centers favored by the policy of RMB internationalization had disproportionate shares in global RMB trading. Over the following three years, RMB trading seemed to converge to the spatial pattern of all currencies, with a half‐life of seven to eight years. The previously most traded emerging market currency, the Mexican peso, shows a similar pattern, although it is converging to the global norm more slowly. Three other emerging market currencies show a qualitatively similar evolution in the geography of their offshore trading. Overall, the RMB's internationalization is tracing an arc from the influence of administrative measures to the working of market forces.
Intraoperative touch cytology for an orbital tumour
Authors: Izu Asami , Homma Taku , Shijo Katsunori , Maebayashi Toshiya , Hao Hiroyuki
Published: August 2019

Granulofilamentous meningioma is a rare variant of benign meningioma characterized by eosinophilic intracytoplasmic globular inclusions on cytopathology and histopathology. Therefore, malignant brain tumors with globular inclusions, such as rhabdoid meningioma and atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors should be considered in the differential diagnosis.