bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of MCDM-based TOPSIS method for the selection of optimal process parameter in turning of pure titanium
Authors: Khan Akhtar , Maity Kalipada
Published: August 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methodology to determine an optimal combination of process parameters that is capable of generating favorable dimensional accuracy and product quality during turning of commercially pure titanium (CP-Ti) grade 2.

Design/methodology/approach

The present paper recommends an optimal combination of cutting parameters with an aim to minimize the cutting force (Fc), surface roughness (Ra), machining temperature (Tm) and to maximize the material removal rate (MRR) after turning of CP-Ti grade 2. This was achieved by the simultaneous optimization of the aforesaid output characteristics (i.e. Fc, Ra, Tm, and MRR) using the MCDM-based TOPSIS method. Taguchi’s L9 orthogonal array was used for conducting the experiments. The output responses (cutting force: Fc, surface roughness: Ra, machining temperature: Tm and MRR) were integrated together and presented in terms of a single signal-to-noise ratio using the Taguchi method.

Findings

The results of the proposed methodology depict that the higher MRR with desirable surface quality and the lower cutting force and machining temperature were observed at a combination of cutting variables as follows: cutting speed of 105 m/min, feed rate of 0.12 mm/rev and depth of cut of 0.5 mm. The analysis of variance test was conducted to evaluate the significance level of process parameters. It is evident from the aforesaid test that the depth of cut was the most significant process parameter followed by cutting speed.

Originality/value

The selection of an optimal parametric combination during the machining operation is becoming more challenging as the decision maker has to consider a set of distinct quality characteristics simultaneously. This situation necessitates an efficient decision-making technique to be used during the machining operation. From the past literature, it is noticed that only a few works were reported on the multi-objective optimization of turning parameters using the TOPSIS method so far. Thus, the proposed methodology can help the decision maker and researchers to optimize the multi-objective turning problems effectively in combination with a desirable accuracy.
Agile manufacturing: a systematic review of literature and implications for future research
Authors: Potdar Pavan Kumar , Routroy Srikanta , Behera Astajyoti
Published: August 2017

Purpose

Agile manufacturing (AM) has evolved as a revolutionary way of manufacturing the products while managing the uncertainties, product introduction time, responsiveness, innovation, superior quality, etc. along the supply chain to satisfy the ever increasing customer demand and to maximize the profit. The purpose of this paper is to critically analyze the literature related to various dimensions of AM and to report the findings.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents the reviews of 300 scholarly articles from 1993 to 2016 by various researchers and practitioners on AM collected from different sources, i.e. Google Scholar and ResearchGate. The information related to AM is also captured during industrial visits to different Indian manufacturing plants.

Findings

AM definitions are reported along divergent scopes and objectives in the literature. The researchers have given importance on performance measurement and process analysis through empirical and descriptive analysis whereas its implementation issues are neglected. It is also observed that the effort made on AM is significant for manufacturing industries which is overlooked in service industries.

Practical implications

This literature review has identified many research gaps in AM which were not paid attention before. Researchers can address these research gaps for strengthening the AM implementation.

Originality/value

In total, 300 research papers are reviewed and analyzed to capture the various aspects of AM and its related issues but not restricted to research methodologies, author profiles, types of industries, tools/techniques/methodology used, etc.
Does foreign direct investment spillover total factor productivity growth? A study of Indian drugs and pharmaceutical industry
Authors: Arora Nitin , Lohani Preeti
Published: August 2017

Purpose

Foreign firms have certain advantages which may spillover to domestic firms in the form of improvements in total factor productivity (TFP) growth. The purpose of this paper is to empirically observe the presence of TFP spillovers of foreign direct investment (FDI) to domestic firms through analyzing source of TFP growth in Indian drugs and pharmaceutical industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines the sources of TFP spillovers of FDI in Indian drugs and pharmaceutical industry over the period 1999 to 2014. The data of 304 firms has been used for estimation of the growth rates of TFP and its sources under stochastic frontier analyses based Malmquist productivity index framework. For frontier estimation, the Wang and Ho (2010) model has been executed using translog form of production function.

Findings

The results show that there exists significant TFP spillover effect from the presence of foreign equity in drugs and pharmaceutical industry of India. The results also show that the major source of TFP fluctuations in the said industry is managerial efficiency that has been significantly affected by FDI spillover variables. In sum, the phenomenon of significant Intra-industry (horizontal) efficiency led productivity spillovers of FDI found valid in case of Indian drugs and pharmaceutical industry.

Research limitations/implications

The number of foreign firms is very less to imitate the significant impact of foreign investment on TFP growth of Indian pharmaceutical industry at aggregated level; and the Wang and Ho (2010) model is failing to capture direct impact of FDI on technological change under Malmquist framework.

Practical implications

Since, there exists dominance of domestic firms in Indian drugs and pharmaceutical industry, the planners should follow the policy which not only attract FDI but also benefit domestic firms; for example, developing modern infrastructure and institution which will further help domestic firms to absorb spillovers provided by the Multinational Corporations and also accelerate the growth and development of the economy.

Social implications

In no case, the foreign firms should dominate the market share otherwise the efficiency spillover effect will be negative and the domestic firms will be destroyed under the self-centric approach of foreign firms protected by the recent patent laws.

Originality/value

The study is a unique attempt to discuss the production structure and sources of TFP spillovers of FDI in Indian drugs and pharmaceutical industry with such a wide coverage of 304 firms over a period of 16 years under Wang and Ho (2010) model’s framework. The existing studies on TFP spillovers are using either a small sample size of firms or based upon traditional techniques of measuring spillover effects.
Physician verbal compliance-gaining strategies and patient satisfaction
Authors: Olynick Janna , Iliopulos Alexandra , Li Han Z.
Published: August 2017

Purpose

The patient healthcare experience is a complex phenomenon, as is encouraging patient compliance with medical advice. To address this multifaceted relationship, the purpose of this paper is to explore the ways resident physicians verbally encourage patient compliance and the relationship between these compliance-seeking strategies and patient satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 40 medical interviews between resident physicians and patients were audio-recorded, transcribed, coded, and analysed. Patient questionnaires were also administered and analysed.

Findings

It was found that resident physicians used indirect orders most frequently, followed by motivation, persuasion, scheduling, and direct orders. It was also found that female patients received (marginally) more messages than male patients; female residents used more messages with female patients than with male patients; female residents used more persuasion messages with female patients than with male patients; male residents were less likely than female residents to use motivational messages with female patients; and compliance was significantly correlated with expertise satisfaction, overall satisfaction, and communication satisfaction.

Originality/value

This study advances existing research by examining various ways in which residents verbally encourage patient compliance and the relationship between these messages and patient satisfaction. Findings can be used to inform physicians on strategies to encourage patient adherence to medication regimen, appointments, and lifestyle changes.
Effect of local instability on fire response of steel beams
Authors: Kodur Venkatesh , Naser Mohannad Z.
Published: August 2017

Purpose

This purpose of this paper is to quantify the effect of local instability arising from high shear loading on response of steel girders subjected to fire conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

A three-dimensional nonlinear finite element model able to evaluate behavior of fire-exposed steel girders is developed. This model, is capable of predicting fire response of steel girders taking into consideration flexural, shear and deflection limit states.

Findings

Results obtained from numerical studies show that shear capacity can degrade at a higher pace than flexural capacity under certain loading scenarios, and hence, failure can result from shear effects prior to attaining failure in flexural mode.

Originality/value

The developed model is unique and provides valuable insight (and information) to the fire response of typical hot-rolled steel girder subjected to high shear loading.
An Evidence‐Based Forensic Taxonomy of Windows Phone Communication Apps
Authors: Cahyani Niken Dwi Wahyu , Martini Ben , Choo Kim‐Kwang Raymond , Ab Rahman Nurul Hidayah , Ashman Helen
Published: August 2017

Communication apps can be an important source of evidence in a forensic investigation (e.g., in the investigation of a drug trafficking or terrorism case where the communications apps were used by the accused persons during the transactions or planning activities). This study presents the first evidence‐based forensic taxonomy of Windows Phone communication apps, using an existing two‐dimensional Android forensic taxonomy as a baseline. Specifically, 30 Windows Phone communication apps, including Instant Messaging (IM) and Voice over IP (VoIP) apps, are examined. Artifacts extracted using physical acquisition are analyzed, and seven digital evidence objects of forensic interest are identified, namely: Call Log, Chats, Contacts, Locations, Installed Applications, SMSs and User Accounts. Findings from this study would help to facilitate timely and effective forensic investigations involving Windows Phone communication apps.
Muslims’ tolerance towards outgroups: Longitudinal evidence for the role of respect
Authors: Simon Bernd , Schaefer Christoph Daniel
Published: August 2017

We employed a longitudinal design to test two hypotheses concerning Muslims’ respect for and tolerance towards disapproved outgroups. In support of the outgroup respect–tolerance hypothesis derived from the disapproval–respect model of social tolerance, our results strongly suggest that respect for disapproved outgroups is not just a correlate of tolerance towards those groups, but a causal antecedent. In support of the intergroup respect–reciprocity hypothesis, we identified respect from disapproved outgroups as an effective source of respect for disapproved outgroups and therefore also as a (distal) source of tolerance towards those groups. Normative and political implications are discussed.
The effects of hydropeaking on riverine plants: a review
Authors: Bejarano María D. , Jansson Roland , Nilsson Christer
Published: August 2017

Hydropeaking refers to frequent, rapid and short‐term fluctuations in water flow and water levels downstream and upstream of hydropower stations. Such fluctuations are becoming increasingly common worldwide and are known to have far‐reaching effects on riverine vegetation. Novel hydrology caused by hydropeaking has no natural correspondence in freshwater systems, and hence few species have adaptations to all its aspects. Here, we review the literature on hydropeaking effects on riverine plants and define the state of the information on this human alteration of riverine ecosystems. We focus on riparian plants, but also draw on information from aquatic plant species, which exhibit a wide variety of adaptations to inundation and associated processes. Riparian plants face both physiological and physical constraints because of the shifts between submergence and drainage, and erosion of substrates. At the population level, hydropeaking may favour dispersal within, but not between, reservoirs, but may hamper germination, establishment, growth and reproduction. At the community level, strong filtering towards easily dispersed, flexible, flood‐tolerant and amphibious plants is expected, although few species share these traits. Hence, most riparian plant species are expected to disappear or be pushed towards the upper boundaries of the regulated river margin. Future research should examine more closely global variation in hydropeaking effects, including other taxonomic groups of species and the diversity of hydropeaking regimes. There is also a need for studies focusing on identifying the boundaries within which hydropeaking could operate without impairing plant life.
Transition Programming for Sustainable Livelihoods Beyond Institutional Care in Zimbabwe: Service Providers’ Perspectives
Authors: Berejena Mhongera Pamhidzayi
Published: August 2017

This article explores the perspectives and programme needs of transition service providers (institutions and the government) in preparing and supporting adolescent girls leaving institutional care in Harare, Zimbabwe. Key informant interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with institutional staff from Institution A (government‐owned) and Institution B (privately owned) and social services officers from the Department of Child Welfare and Probation Services. Service providers define successful transition programming as the provision of comprehensive services and support to facilitate the achievement of sustainable livelihoods beyond care and recommend the development of well‐resourced transition models for adolescent girls leaving institutional care.
Community sensitization and decision‐making for trial participation: A mixed‐methods study from The Gambia
Authors: Dierickx Susan , O'Neill Sarah , Gryseels Charlotte , Immaculate Anyango Edna , Bannister‐Tyrrell Melanie , Okebe Joseph , Mwesigwa Julia , Jaiteh Fatou , Gerrets René , Ravinetto Raffaella , D'Alessandro Umberto , Peeters Grietens Koen
Published: August 2017

Background

Ensuring individual free and informed decision‐making for research participation is challenging. It is thought that preliminarily informing communities through ‘community sensitization’ procedures may improve individual decision‐making. This study set out to assess the relevance of community sensitization for individual decision‐making in research participation in rural Gambia.

Methods

This anthropological mixed‐methods study triangulated qualitative methods and quantitative survey methods in the context of an observational study and a clinical trial on malaria carried out by the Medical Research Council Unit Gambia.

Results/discussion

Although 38.7% of the respondents were present during sensitization sessions, 91.1% of the respondents were inclined to participate in the trial when surveyed after the sensitization and prior to the informed consent process. This difference can be explained by the informal transmission of information within the community after the community sensitization, expectations such as the benefits of participation based on previous research experiences, and the positive reputation of the research institute. Commonly mentioned barriers to participation were blood sampling and the potential disapproval of the household head.

Conclusion

Community sensitization is effective in providing first‐hand, reliable information to communities as the information is cascaded to those who could not attend the sessions. However, further research is needed to assess how the informal spread of information further shapes people's expectations, how the process engages with existing social relations and hierarchies (e.g. local political power structures; permissions of heads of households) and how this influences or changes individual consent.
Association of transcallosal motor fibres with function of both hands after unilateral neonatal arterial ischemic stroke
Authors: Groeschel Samuel , Hertz‐Pannier Lucie , Delion Matthieu , Loustau Sébastien , Husson Béatrice , Kossorotoff Manoelle , Renaud Cyrille , Nguyen The Tich Sylvie , Chabrier Stéphane , Dinomais Mickael ,   the AVCnn study group
Published: August 2017

Aim

The objective of this study was to investigate the involvement of the motor fibres of the corpus callosum after unilateral neonatal arterial ischemic stroke (NAIS) of the middle cerebral artery territory and the relationship to both ipsilesional and contralesional hand function.

Method

Using high‐resolution structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional MRI, and magnetic resonance diffusion‐tractography, we compared the midsagittal area of the motor part of the corpus callosum (defined by the fibres connecting the precentral gyri) between 33 7‐year‐old children after unilateral NAIS and 31 typically developing 7‐year‐old children. Hand motor performance was assessed by the box and blocks test.

Results

Children after NAIS showed on average significantly smaller motor corpus callosum area compared to typically developing children (p<0.001, without differences of the non‐motor corpus callosum area). In addition, there was a significant positive association between the motor part of the corpus callosum and both contralesional (Pr(>|t|)=0.034) and ipsilesional hand motor performance (Pr(>|t|)=0.006) after controlling for lesion volume and sex. In a post‐hoc analysis the additional contribution of corticospinal tract damage was evaluated.

Interpretation

Compared to typically developing children, children after NAIS exhibited a smaller motor part of their corpus callosum associated with reduced contralesional but also ipsilesional manual dexterity. These results indicate that the affection of transcallosal motor fibres in unilateral NAIS might be of functional relevance and an important part of the involved structural network that should be elucidated in further studies.
PRICES, INFLATION, AND SMOKING ONSET: THE CASE OF ARGENTINA
Authors: Guindon G. Emmanuel , Paraje Guillermo R. , Chávez Ricardo
Published: August 2017

This article examines the effect of tobacco prices on the decision to start smoking in Argentina. Argentina is an interesting case to explore given its high smoking rates, its recent experience with periods of very high and hyperinflation, and the mixed evidence of the effect of prices on smoking onset, particularly in low‐ and middle‐income countries. We used data from four cycles of two large national surveys conducted between 2005 and 2011 and discrete‐time hazard models. We found that tobacco prices had a statistically significant and fairly large impact on the hazard of smoking onset, and these findings were robust to alternative specifications. We also found that prices had little effect on the hazards of smoking onset during periods of hyper‐ and very high inflation, which provide some support for the notion that prices lose their informational role in such periods. Governments need to be cognizant that their most important policy tool to reduce tobacco use—taxes that increase real tobacco prices—is likely no longer effective during these times. (JELC41, H20, I12, I18)
Forward or Back: The Future of European Integration and the Impossibility of the Status Quo
Authors: McCrea Ronan
Published: August 2017

This article considers how the legal and political order of the EU can cope if the ‘Ever Closer Union’ envisaged by the Treaties ceases to be inevitable. In particular, it focuses on what are the likely consequences if previously successful integration mechanisms such as integration through law (including adventurous pro‐integration interpretation by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU)) and functional integration can no longer successfully push forward the integration process. It considers whether it is possible for the Union to ‘stand still’, that is, to maintain the current level of integration without either moving forward to more intensive integration or engaging in costly and disruptive disintegration. In order to substantiate this claim, the article looks at three areas, the law of citizenship, the Eurozone and the legislative structures of the Union, showing in each case that the neither the current degree of integration nor methods used in recent times to move the integration process forward provide a long term basis for policy.
Milk with different somatic cells counts and the physicochemical, microbiological characteristics and fatty acid profile of pasteurised milk cream: is there an association?
Authors: Coelho Viviane R. P. , Rodrigues Christianne E. C. , Corassin Carlos H. , Balthazar Celso F. , Cappato Leandro P. , Ferreira Marcus Vinicius S. , Cruz Adriano G. , Oliveira Carlos A. F.
Published: August 2017

In this study, raw cow milk containing somatic cells counts (SCC) at mean levels of 39 000 cells mL−1 (low), 349 000 cells mL−1 (intermediate) and 1 297 000 cells mL−1 (high) was used for the production of pasteurised cream. Physicochemical (pH, fat and fatty acid profile) and microbiological analyses (mesophilic and psychrotrophs) were performed in the obtained creams during 30 days of refrigerated storage at 5 °C ± 2. No interactions (P > 0.05) were found between SCC, storage time and the physicochemical and microbiological variables studied. Fatty acid profile was similar among the SCC creams, except for oleic acid (C18:1), which decreased (P < 0.05) in intermediate and high SCC creams. Considering the technological aspect, our findings suggest that milk cream manufacture can be an interesting option for the use of high SCC milk.
Wrong‐patient incidents during medication administrations
Authors: Härkänen Marja , Tiainen Maijaterttu , Haatainen Kaisa
Published: August 2017

Aims and objectives

To describe the factors pertaining to medication being administered to the wrong patient and to describe how patient identification is mentioned in wrong‐patient incident reports.

Background

Although patient identification has been given high priority to improve patient safety, patient misidentifications occur, and wrong‐patient incidents are common.

Design

A descriptive content analysis.

Methods

Incident reports related to medication administration (n = 1,012) were collected from two hospitals in Finland between 1 January 2013–31 December 2014. Of those, only incidents involving wrong‐patient medication administration (n = 103) were included in this study.

Results

Wrong‐patient incidents occurred due for many reasons, including nurse‐related factors (such as tiredness, a lack of skills or negligence) but also system‐related factors (such as rushing or heavy workloads). In 77% (n = 79) of wrong‐patient incident reports, the process of identifying of the patient was not described at all.

Conclusions

There is need to pay more attention to and increase training in correct identification processes to prevent wrong‐patient incidents, and it is important to adjust system factors to support nurses.

Relevance to clinical practice

Active patient identification procedures, double‐checking and verification at each stage of the medication process should be implemented. More attention should also be paid to organisational factors, such as division of work, rushing and workload, as well as to correct communication. The active participation of nurses in handling incidents could increase risk awareness and facilitate useful protection actions.
Gender disparities among patients with peripheral arterial disease treated via endovascular approach: A propensity score matched analysis
Authors: Doshi Rajkumar , Shah Priyank , Meraj Perwaiz
Published: August 2017

Background

Remarkable improvement in the treatment of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) has led to changes in revascularization strategies from traditional open surgery to less invasive endovascular management. However, few studies are available on gender disparities in patients with PAD treated via an endovascular approach. This study was designed to analyze gender related differences with respect to in‐hospital outcomes in PAD patients.

Methods

Our data was obtained from National Inpatient Sample (NIS) 2012 through 2014. We used International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification diagnostic and procedural codes appropriate for PAD and endovascular treatment. Endovascular treatment included drug eluting stent, bare metal stent, atherectomy or angioplasty of lower extremity arteries. A propensity score matching was performed to adjust for imbalances between variables.

Results

Females presented late with more comorbidities and underwent more emergent/urgent procedures. After performing propensity score matched analysis, 25 758 patients were included in each group. There was no difference in in‐hospital mortality between males and females in matched cohorts (2.3% vs 2.4%, P = 0.25). Acute renal failure, gangrene, infection, and composite of all complications were higher in males. Only blood transfusion was noted higher in females.

Conclusion

This study revealed no difference in in‐hospital mortality between males and females undergoing endovascular peripheral intervention. Males have a higher rate of complications compared to females which explains the higher cost of care in males. Further research with long‐term follow up is needed to see if there is any difference with regards to long‐term outcomes and re‐admission.
Incorporating translation into sociolinguistic research: Translation policy in an international non‐governmental organisation
Authors: Tesseur Wine
Published: August 2017

This article explores aspects of translation, multilingualism and language policy in the field of transnational civil society. By focusing on translation policies at Amnesty International, an international non‐governmental organisation that performs a key role in global governance, this article seeks to contribute to a globalisation‐sensitive sociolinguistics. It argues that combining a sociolinguistic approach – more precisely linguistic ethnography – with translation studies leads to an increased understanding of the language practices under study. Furthermore, the article calls for more interdisciplinary research, stating that there is space for sociolinguistics and translation studies to contribute to research in international relations and development studies by highlighting the role of multilingualism and challenging the traditionally powerful position of English in transnational civil society.
A model‐based approach to characterize individual inbreeding at both global and local genomic scales
Authors: Druet T. , Gautier M.
Published: August 2017

Inbreeding results from the mating of related individuals and may be associated with reduced fitness because it brings together deleterious variants in one individual. In general, inbreeding is estimated with respect to an arbitrary base population consisting of ancestors that are assumed unrelated. We herein propose a model‐based approach to estimate and characterize individual inbreeding at both global and local genomic scales by assuming the individual genome is a mosaic of homozygous‐by‐descent (HBD) and non‐HBD segments. The HBD segments may originate from ancestors tracing back to different periods in the past defining distinct age‐related classes. The lengths of the HBD segments are exponentially distributed with class‐specific parameters reflecting that inbreeding of older origin generates on average shorter stretches of observed homozygous markers. The model is implemented in a hidden Markov model framework that uses marker allele frequencies, genetic distances, genotyping error rates and the sequences of observed genotypes. Note that genotyping errors, low‐fold sequencing or genotype‐by‐sequencing data are easily accommodated under this framework. Based on simulations under the inference model, we show that the genomewide inbreeding coefficients and the parameters of the model are accurately estimated. In addition, when several inbreeding classes are simulated, the model captures them if their ages are sufficiently different. Complementary analyses, either on data sets simulated under more realistic models or on human, dog and sheep real data, illustrate the range of applications of the approach and how it can reveal recent demographic histories among populations (e.g., very recent bottlenecks or founder effects). The method also allows to clearly identify individuals resulting from extreme consanguineous matings.
BMI, nephroangiosclerosis and glomerulonephritis: Is there any meeting point?
Authors: Gigante Antonietta , Giannakakis Konstantinos , Di Mario Francesca , Barbano Biagio , Rosato Edoardo , Pofi Riccardo , Di Paolo Marcello , Rocca Anna Rachele , Cianci Rosario
Published: August 2017

Aim

Overweight has been related to renal arteriolosclerosis and is able to modify intrarenal haemodynamics. Increasing evidence suggests an association between weight in excess and primary glomerulonephritis (GN). The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between nutritional status and intrarenal arterial stiffness in primary GN associated to arteriolosclerosis. We have considered the glomerular diameter (GD) as morphological parameter in overweight and obese patients.

Methods

Clinical, laboratory, anthropometric data and renal Doppler ultrasound were performed immediately before kidney biopsy.

Results

Primary GN was diagnosed in 92 patients. Mild arteriolosclerosis was found in 19.6% of patients, moderate in the 20.6%, severe in the 10.9% while nephroangiosclerosis was diagnosed in 8.7% of patients. A positive correlation was found between body mass index (BMI) and renal resistive index (RRI) (P < 0.01, r = 0.34). RRI were significantly higher in patients with severe arteriolosclerosis at kidney biopsy (P < 0.05). Furthermore, higher BMI (P < 0.01) was found in patients with renal arteriolosclerosis than patients without renal arteriolosclerosis (26.1 ± 4.4 kg/m2 vs. 24.4 ± 4.5 kg/m2). Finally, in overweight and obesity patients we found a positive correlation between maximal GD and BMI (P < 0.01) and maximal GD and RRI (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

In overweight and obese patients affected by primary GN, it might be found not only glomerular but also renal vascular lesions. Finally, we believe that nephroangiosclerosis, in combination with weight in excess, is able to modify intrarenal haemodynamic parameters. Moreover, in response to these changes, the renal tissue morphologically promotes a GD increase regardless of the underlying GN.
Resveratrol for Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Sawda Christine , Moussa Charbel , Turner R. Scott
Published: August 2017

The amyloid hypothesis suggests that the progressive accumulation and deposition of central nervous system (CNS) amyloid with aging is the proximate cause of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Thus, targeting molecular mechanisms of aging may be a viable treatment approach. Caloric restriction prevents diseases of aging, including AD, in animal models, perhaps by activation of sirtuins. The sirtuins (e.g., mammalian SIRT1) are deacetylases that link energy balance (NAD+/NADH) to regulation of gene transcription. Resveratrol is a potent activator of SIRT1, and thus may mimic caloric restriction to prevent diseases of aging. We conducted a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, phase II trial of resveratrol for individuals with mild‐to‐moderate AD. Resveratrol (1) is detectable in cerebrospinal fluid (at low nanomolar levels), (2) is safe and well tolerated, (3) alters AD biomarker trajectories, (4) preserves blood–brain barrier integrity, and (5) modulates the CNS immune response. Further studies are needed to determine the safety and efficacy of resveratrol and the validity of this approach in the treatment and prevention of AD and other diseases of aging.
Identifying the Causes of Issue Attention and Policy Change: Evidence from U.S. Offshore Oil and Natural Gas Drilling Policy, 2008
Authors: Hughes Tyler
Published: August 2017

The flow of attention in the policy process is dynamic and disruptive. While we know changes in issue attention often result in policy change, the causal mechanisms underlying the different stages of the attention allocation process remain unclear. This article uses Punctuated Equilibrium Theory to examine an underdeveloped aspect of issue attention within policy‐making institutions: how specific policy indicators influence the entry and exit of issues on policy‐making agendas. Partisan issue attention in the House of Representatives is used to analyze a significant change to U.S. offshore oil and natural gas drilling policy in 2008. The results highlight how historically high gasoline prices precipitated a shift in attention to offshore drilling and subsequent policy change. Moreover, gasoline prices Granger‐cause attention to energy policy in partisan speeches over time. The analysis further reveals how competing policy frames and a salient focusing event shaped congressional and public discourse, leading to subsequent changes in attention. Taken together, the findings broaden our understanding of the policy process by identifying the specific forces behind the entry and exit of issues on the policy‐making agenda.
Measuring Volunteerability and the Capacity to Volunteer among Non‐volunteers: Implications for Social Policy
Authors: Haski‐Leventhal Debbie , Meijs Lucas C.P.M. , Lockstone‐Binney Leonie , Holmes Kirsten , Oppenheimer Melanie
Published: August 2017

As volunteering and its benefits gain global recognition, social policymakers can sustain and increase volunteering through social policy, legislation and other types of involvement. A key performance practice is to measure the rate of volunteering based on the percentage of the population that volunteer or the number of hours donated. The focus of this article, however, is on the capacity to volunteer by non‐volunteers as well as by volunteers. The concept and theory of volunteerability (an individual's ability to overcome related obstacles and volunteer, based on his or her willingness, capability and availability) offers a richer understanding of how people can be assisted to overcome barriers to maximize their volunteer potential and thus increase volunteering. The article details the definitions and benefits of volunteering and covers examples of related social policy, as well as explaining the concept of volunteerability and how it can be measured using existing and new scales. Based on a mixed methods study in Australia, the article offers specific measures to examine the concept of volunteerability and reveals important differences between volunteers and non‐volunteers. The article also details major barriers to volunteering and how social policies can be developed to overcome them.
Assessing human risk of illness with West Nile virus mosquito surveillance data to improve public health preparedness
Authors: Karki S. , Westcott N. E. , Muturi E. J. , Brown W. M. , Ruiz M. O.
Published: August 2017

Surveillance for West Nile virus (WNV) and other mosquito‐borne pathogens involves costly and time‐consuming collection and testing of mosquito samples. One difficulty faced by public health personnel is how to interpret mosquito data relative to human risk, thus leading to a failure to fully exploit the information from mosquito testing. The objective of our study was to use the information gained from historic West Nile virus mosquito testing to determine human risk relative to mosquito infection and to assess the usefulness of our mosquito infection forecasting models to give advance warning. We compared weekly mosquito infection rates from 2004 to 2013 to WNV case numbers in Illinois. We then developed a weather‐based forecasting model to estimate the WNV mosquito infection rate one to 3 weeks ahead of mosquito testing both statewide and for nine regions of Illinois. We further evaluated human illness risk relative to both the measured and the model‐estimated infection rates to provide guidelines for public health messages. We determined that across 10 years, over half of human WNV cases occurred following the 29 (of 210) weeks with the highest mosquito infection rates. The values forecasted by the models can identify those time periods, but model results and data availability varied by region with much stronger results obtained from regions with more mosquito data. The differences among the regions may be related to the amount of surveillance or may be due to diverse landscape characteristics across Illinois. We set the stage for better use of all surveillance options available for WNV and described an approach to modelling that can be expanded to other mosquito‐borne illnesses.
Experimental and Numerical Characterization of the Mechanical Masseter Muscle Response During Biting
Authors: Weickenmeier J. , Jabareen M. , Le Révérend B. J. D. , Ramaioli M. , Mazza E.
Published: August 2017

Predictive simulations of the mastication system would significantly improve our understanding of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders and the planning of cranio-maxillofacial surgery procedures. Respective computational models must be validated by experimental data from in vivo characterization of the mastication system's mechanical response. The present pilot-study demonstrates the feasibility of a combined experimental and numerical procedure to validate a computer model of the masseter muscle. An experimental setup is proposed that provides a simultaneous bite force measurement and ultrasound-based visualization of muscle deformation. The direct comparison of the experimentally observed and numerically predicted muscle response demonstrates the predictive capabilities of such anatomically accurate biting models. Differences between molar and incisor biting are investigated; muscle deformation is recorded for three different bite forces in order to capture the effect of increasing muscle fiber recruitment. The three-dimensional (3D) muscle deformation at each bite position and force-level is approximatively reconstructed from ultrasound measurements in five distinct cross-sectional areas (four horizontal and one vertical cross section). The experimental work is accompanied by numerical simulations to validate the predictive capabilities of a constitutive muscle model previously formulated. An anatomy-based, fully 3D model of the masseter muscle is created from magnetic resonance images (MRI) of the same subject. The direct comparison of experimental and numerical results revealed good agreement for maximum bite forces and masseter deformations in both biting positions. The present work therefore presents a feasible in vivo measurement system to validate numerically predicted masseter muscle contractions during mastication.
Modeling of the Grinding Wheel Topography Depending on the Recipe-Dependent Volumetric Composition
Authors: Barth Sebastian , Rom Michael , Wrobel Christian , Klocke Fritz
Published: August 2017

The prediction of the grinding process result, such as the workpiece surface quality or the state of the edge zone depending on the used grinding wheel is still a great challenge for today's manufacturers and users of grinding tools. This is mainly caused by an inadequate predictability of force and temperature affecting the process. The force and the temperature strongly depend on the topography of the grinding wheel, which comes into contact with the workpiece during the grinding process. The topography of a grinding wheel mainly depends on the structure of the grinding wheel, which is determined by the recipe-dependent volumetric composition of the tool. So, the structure of a grinding tool determines its application behavior strongly. As result, the knowledge-based prediction of the grinding wheel topography and its influence on the machining behavior will only be possible if the recipe-dependent grinding wheel structure is known. This paper presents an innovative approach for modeling the grinding wheel structure and the resultant grinding wheel topography. The overall objective of the underlying research work was to create a mathematical-generic grinding tool model in which the spatial arrangement of the components, grains, bond, and pores, is simulated in a realistic manner starting from the recipe-dependent volumetric composition of a grinding wheel. This model enables the user to determine the resulting grinding wheel structure and the grinding wheel topography of vitrified and synthetic resin-bonded cubic boron nitride (CBN) grinding wheels depending on their specification and thus to predict their application behavior. The originality of the present research results is a generic approach for the modeling of grinding tools, which takes into account the entire grinding wheel structure to build up the topography. Therefore, original mathematical methods are used. The components of grinding wheels are analyzed, and distribution functions of the component's positions in the tools are determined. Thus, the statistical character of the grinding wheel structure is taken into account in the developed model. In future, the presented model opens new perspectives in order to optimize and to increase the productivity of grinding processes.
A Roll-Stack Contact Mechanics Model to Predict Strip Profile in Rolling Mills With Asymmetric, Continuously Variable Crown Rolls
Authors: Zhang Feng , Malik Arif
Published: August 2017

Introduced is an efficient new model to compute the roll-stack deflections and contact mechanics behaviors for metal rolling mills with asymmetric roll crowns. The new model expands the simplified mixed finite element (FE) method to consider complex antisymmetric contact conditions of continuously variable crown (CVC) roll diameter profiles designed for use with work-roll (WR) shifting on four-high mills, and intermediate-roll (IR) shifting on six-high mills. Conventional roll-stack deflection models are either more computationally expensive or exploit more simplifying assumptions. Moreover, almost all existing approaches fail to adequately simulate the antisymmetric CVC contact problem required for model-based control of thickness profile and flatness in hot and cold CVC rolling mills. The presented model efficiently captures bending, shear, and flattening deformations while computing contact interference forces, binary contact locations, and net effects of roll and strip crowns. Strip thickness profiles and contact force distributions predicted by the new model are checked against known theoretical solutions, and compared to predictions from large-scale FE simulations for a four-high mill with WR CVC shifting, and a thin-strip six-high mill with IR CVC shifting.
Mitigating Online Product Rating Biases Through the Discovery of Optimistic, Pessimistic, and Realistic Reviewers
Authors: Lim Sunghoon , Tucker Conrad S.
Published: August 2017

The authors of this work present a model that reduces product rating biases that are a result of varying degrees of customers' optimism/pessimism. Recently, large-scale customer reviews and numerical product ratings have served as substantial criteria for new customers who make their purchasing decisions through electronic word-of-mouth. However, due to differences among reviewers' rating criteria, customer ratings are often biased. For example, a three-star rating can be considered low for an optimistic reviewer. On the other hand, the same three-star rating can be considered high for a pessimistic reviewer. Many existing studies of online customer reviews overlook the significance of reviewers' rating histories and tendencies. Considering reviewers' rating histories and tendencies is significant for identifying unbiased customer ratings and true product quality, because each reviewer has different criteria for buying and rating products. The proposed customer rating analysis model adjusts product ratings in order to provide customers with more objective and accurate feedback. The authors propose an unsupervised model aimed at mitigating customer ratings based on rating histories and tendencies, instead of human-labeled training data. A case study involving real-world customer rating data from an electronic commerce company is used to validate the method.
A Computational Fluid Dynamics Modified Bulk Flow Analysis for Circumferentially Shallow Grooved Liquid Seals
Authors: San Andrés Luis , Wu Tingcheng , Maeda Hideaki , Tomoki Ono
Published: August 2017

In straight-through centrifugal pumps, a grooved seal acts as a balance piston to equilibrate the full pressure rise across the pump. As the groove pattern breaks the development of fluid swirl, this seal type offers lesser leakage and lower cross-coupled stiffnesses than a similar size and clearance annular seal. Bulk-flow models (BFMs) predict expediently the static and dynamic force characteristics of annular seals; however they lack accuracy for grooved seals. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods give more accurate results, but are not computationally efficient. This paper presents a modified BFM to predict the rotordynamic force coefficients of shallow depth, circumferentially grooved liquid seals with an accuracy comparable to a CFD solution but with a simulation time of bulk-flow analyses. The procedure utilizes the results of CFD to evaluate the bulk flow velocity field and the friction factors for a 73 grooves annular seal (depth/clearance dg/Cr = 0.98 and length/diameter L/D = 0.9) operating under various sets of axial pressure drop and rotor speed. In a groove, the flow divides into a jet through the film land and a strong recirculation zone. The penetration angle (α), specifying the streamline separation in the groove cavity, is a function of the operating conditions; an increase in rotor speed or a lower pressure difference increases α. This angle plays a prominent role to evaluate the stator friction factor and has a marked influence on the seal direct stiffness. In the bulk-flow code, the friction factor model (f = nRem) is modified with the CFD extracted penetration angle (α) to account for the flow separation in the groove cavity. The flow rate predicted by the modified bulk-flow code shows good agreement with the measured result (6% difference). A perturbation of the flow field is performed on the bulk-flow equations to evaluate the reaction forces on the rotor surface. Compared to the rotordynamic force coefficients derived from the CFD results, the modified bulk-flow code predicts rotordynamic force coefficients within 10%, except that the cross-coupled damping coefficient is over-predicted up to 14%. An example test seal with a few grooves (L/D = 0.5, dg/Cr = 2.5) serves to further validate the predictions of the modified BFM. Compared to the original bulk-flow analysis, the current method shows a significant improvement in the predicted rotordynamic force coefficients, the direct stiffness and damping coefficients, in particular.