bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Numerical simulation and experimental calibration of additive manufacturing by blown powder technology. Part I: thermal analysis
Authors: Chiumenti Michele , Lin Xin , Cervera Miguel , Lei Wei , Zheng Yuxiang , Huang Weidong
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to address the numerical simulation of additive manufacturing (AM) processes. The numerical results are compared with the experimental campaign carried out at State Key Laboratory of Solidification Processing laboratories, where a laser solid forming machine, also referred to as laser engineered net shaping, is used to fabricate metal parts directly from computer-aided design models. Ti-6Al-4V metal powder is injected into the molten pool created by a focused, high-energy laser beam and a layer of added material is sinterized according to the laser scanning pattern specified by the user.

Design/methodology/approach

The numerical model adopts an apropos finite element (FE) activation technology, which reproduces the same scanning pattern set for the numerical control system of the AM machine. This consists of a complex sequence of polylines, used to define the contour of the component, and hatches patterns to fill the inner section. The full sequence is given through the common layer interface format, a standard format for different manufacturing processes such as rapid prototyping, shape metal deposition or machining processes, among others. The result is a layer-by-layer metal deposition which can be used to build-up complex structures for components such as turbine blades, aircraft stiffeners, cooling systems or medical implants, among others.

Findings

Ad hocFE framework for the numerical simulation of the AM process by metal deposition is introduced. Description of the calibration procedure adopted is presented.

Originality/value

The objectives of this paper are twofold: firstly, this work is intended to calibrate the software for the numerical simulation of the AM process, to achieve high accuracy. Secondly, the sensitivity of the numerical model to the process parameters and modeling data is analyzed.
Transformation of 3D object into flat ribbon for RPS additive manufacturing technology
Authors: Shulunov Vyacheslav
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This study aims to give a description of conformal transformation Cartesian coordinates into spiral coordinates using the example of roll powder sintering (RPS) additive manufacturing (AM) technology. RPS has several advantages over dominant AM processes currently available in the market. RPS allows accomplishing designs, which are impossible, very expensive and difficult to create by other methods. The technology requires slicing a 3D object with spiral scanning.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes the possibility of accurate 3D object transformation into a flat ribbon by spiral coordinate system. Parameters of conformal transformation are calculated according to the equation of equivalence between (x, y, z) and (l, z) coordinates.

Findings

As numerical examples show, it is possible to convert three-dimensional space to two-dimensional one if you know the thickness of the spatial layer. The proposed methodology can be used for the transformation of 3D computer-aided design models into 2D strip models.

Originality/value

In this paper, the author proposes a method of converting Cartesian coordinates into spiral coordinates. Conformal transformation of three-dimensional space to two-dimensional one by use of spiral coordinate system is demonstrated by RPS AM technology, which allows to produce objects with high accuracy.
Digital research notebook: a simple tool for reflective learning
Authors: Glassman Julia A. , Worsham Douglas M.
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to outline the ongoing development, implementation and evaluation of a digital research notebook designed to support hybrid and online approaches to information literacy development in one-shot, course-integrated and full course instruction.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes the authors’ collaborative creation of the research notebook and its evolution from a collection of online modules to a student-centered online learning tool focused on supporting the reflective research and writing process. A small random sampling of notebooks was used for assessment of student learning and the notebook’s effectiveness.

Findings

Hybrid approaches to library instruction that leverage direct assessment of student work as well as opportunities for students to reflect on their research process facilitate both student learning and increased understanding for library staff of how students experience the research and writing process.

Practical implications

The development of instructional tools to extend the “one-shot” model can lead to a variety of instructional innovations and open up opportunities to explore and develop new approaches. Including opportunities for students to reflect and provide feedback on their experience of the research and writing process offers important insights often missed by purely quantitative assessment methods.

Social implications

Use of the research notebook opened up more time during face to face instruction time for deeper learning, critical information literacy and discussions of social justice issues related to information production and access.

Originality/value

The paper presents an innovative, adaptable and scalable approach to addressing common challenges faced by information literacy instruction programs.
Understanding the transfer student experience using design thinking
Authors: Whang Linda , Tawatao Christine , Danneker John , Belanger Jackie , Edward Weber Stephen , Garcia Linda , Klaus Amelia
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss a 2015-2016 University of Washington Libraries project focused on understanding the needs and challenges of transfer students on the Seattle campus and developing innovative ways to support transfer student success.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses design thinking methods, including interviews and rapid iterative prototyping and feedback, to understand and emphasize the user experience.

Findings

Transfer students at the Seattle campus identify themselves as a unique group separate from other undergraduates because of their prior experience, shortened timeline at the university and their need to balance academic, work and family commitments. Because transfer students often have little time to learn about and effectively use campus resources, the authors found that working with campus partners to enrich transfer-specific student orientations and events with educational and practical content was the most effective means of supporting new students.

Research limitations/implications

This pilot study was conducted over an 11-month period with a small number of participants, but the iterative nature of design thinking allowed the authors to gather new feedback from a variety of students and staff at each phase.

Originality/value

This study showcases how design thinking methods can increase understanding of transfer student and other user needs. The design thinking approach can also enable the rapid development of library and campus services, as well as outreach efforts, to meet user needs.
The relationship of paleontology, palaeobotany and coal thickness of Taiyuan Formation, Late Carboniferous – Early Permian in Shanxi Province
Authors: Yang Wen , Hu Sherong , Ma Shimin
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to find the relationship of palaeontology, palaeobotany and coal thickness of Taiyuan Formation during Late Carboniferous – Early Permian Period in Shanxi Province.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper selects three regions, namely, Baode, Xishan and Lingchuan, to analyse the distribution characteristics of palaeontology, palaeobotany and variation of coal thickness.

Findings

It was found that in a certain period of geological history, palaeontology and palaeobotany play a dominant role in shaping of a coal-bearing basin. Coal seam thickness changes largely from the northwest to the southeast, gradually thinning in Taiyuan Formation.

Originality/value

Palaeontology and palaeobotany play a dominant role in the shaping of a coal-bearing basin.
Modeling and simulation of a deformed smart structure using piezoelectric patch
Authors: Abdelaziz Lebied , Brahim Necib , Mohamed Lakhdar Sahli
Published: April 2017

Purpose

Safety improvement and cost reduction have a strong influence on the way to achieve maintenance operations of complex structures, in particular in air transportation, in civil engineering and others. In this case, piezoelectric ceramics such as sensors and actuators have been used. The advantages of piezoelectric materials include high achievable bandwidth, reliability, compactness, lightness and ease of implementation, thus making them well-suited to be used as actuators and sensors in the case of onboard structures. In this context, this study based around the examination of health and deformation of smart structures, taking into consideration the mechanical and piezoelectric behaviour of sensors and actuators, mechanical contact as well as the initial conditions and the imposed boundary conditions. This paper aims to present an approach for modeling of an intelligent structure by the finite element method. This structure is of aluminum type beam with elastic behaviur where piezoelectric rectangular pellets discreetly spread on the surface of the beam are instrumented. The numerical results were computed and compared to the experimental tests available in the literature and the results show the effectiveness of these piezoelectric (PZT) elements, depending on their positions, and to control the deformed structure, good agreement has been found between the experimental data and numerical predictions.

Design/methodology/approach

Numerical modeling by finite elements model for the measurement of the deformation and the change in shape of a clamped-free structure composed of both elastic and piezoelectric materials have been given by using the Ansys® software. The numerical results were valid by comparisons with analytical and experimental results find in the literature.

Findings

The numerical results showing a good correlation and agree very well. It was also concluded that the actuator and the sensor will be better placed at the housing because it is the position or the actuator that has the greatest impact and where the sensor gives the greatest signal. They are said to be co-located as glues one below the other on either side of the beam.

Originality/value

These materials have an inverse piezoelectric effect allowing them to control the form and present any noise or vibration at any time or position on the structure. The study presented in this paper targets the modeling of a PZT beam device for deform generation by transforming electrical energy into usable load. In this paper, a unimorph piezoelectric cantilever with traditional geometry is investigated for micromanipulation by using the software Ansys®.
Work principle in inelastic buckling analysis of axially compressed rectangular plates
Authors: Eziefula U.G. , Onwuka D.O. , Ibearugbulem O.M.
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the inelastic buckling of a rectangular thin flat isotropic plate subjected to uniform uniaxial in-plane compression using a work principle, a deformation plasticity theory and Taylor–Maclaurin series formulation.

Design/methodology/approach

The non-loaded longitudinal edges of the rectangular plate are clamped, whereas the loaded edges are simply supported (CSCS). Total work error function is applied to Stowell’s plasticity theory in the derivation of the inelastic buckling equation. Mathematical formulation of the Taylor–Maclaurin series deflection function satisfied the boundary conditions of the CSCS rectangular plate. The critical inelastic load of the plate is then derived by applying variational principles.

Findings

Values of the plate buckling coefficient are calculated using various values of moduli ratio for aspect ratios ranging from 0.1 to 1.0, in intervals of 0.1. The accuracy of the proposed technique is validated by comparing the results obtained in the present study with solutions from a previous investigation. The percentage differences in the values of the buckling coefficient ranged from −0.122 to −4.685 per cent.

Originality/value

The results indicate that the work principle approach can be used as an alternative approximate method for analyzing inelastic buckling of rectangular thin flat isotropic plates under uniform in-plane compressive loads.
Land scale biogeography of arsenic biotransformation genes in estuarine wetland
Authors: Zhang Si‐Yu , Su Jian‐Qiang , Sun Guo‐Xin , Yang Yunfeng , Zhao Yi , Ding Junjun , Chen Yong‐Shan , Shen Yu , Zhu Guibing , Rensing Christopher , Zhu Yong‐Guan
Published: April 2017

As an analogue of phosphorus, arsenic (As) has a biogeochemical cycle coupled closely with other key elements on the Earth, such as iron, sulfate and phosphate. It has been documented that microbial genes associated with As biotransformation are widely present in As‐rich environments. Nonetheless, their presence in natural environment with low As levels remains unclear. To address this issue, we investigated the abundance levels and diversities of aioA, arrA, arsC and arsM genes in estuarine sediments at low As levels across Southeastern China to uncover biogeographic patterns at a large spatial scale. Unexpectedly, genes involved in As biotransformation were characterized by high abundance and diversity. The functional microbial communities showed a significant decrease in similarity along the geographic distance, with higher turnover rates than taxonomic microbial communities based on the similarities of 16S rRNA genes. Further investigation with niche‐based models showed that deterministic processes played primary roles in shaping both functional and taxonomic microbial communities. Temperature, pH, total nitrogen concentration, carbon/nitrogen ratio and ferric iron concentration rather than As content in these sediments were significantly linked to functional microbial communities, while sediment temperature and pH were linked to taxonomic microbial communities. We proposed several possible mechanisms to explain these results.
Did Health Care Reform Help Kentucky Address Disparities in Coverage and Access to Care among the Poor?
Authors: Benitez Joseph A. , Adams E. Kathleen , Seiber Eric E.
Published: April 2017

Objective

To evaluate the impact of Kentucky's full rollout of the Affordable Care Act on disparities in access to care due to poverty.

Data Source

Restricted version of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) for Kentucky and years 2011–2015.

Study Design

We use a difference‐in‐differences framework to compare trends before and after implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in health insurance coverage, several access measures, and health care utilization for residents in higher versus lower poverty ZIP codes.

Principal Findings

Much of the reduction in Kentucky's uninsured rate appears driven by large uptakes in coverage from areas with higher concentrations of poverty. Residents in high‐poverty communities experienced larger reductions, 8 percentage points (pp) in uninsured status and 7.5 pp in reporting unmet needs due to costs, than residents of lower poverty areas. These effects helped remove pre‐ACA disparities in uninsured rates across these areas.

Conclusion

Because we observe positive effects on coverage and reductions in financial barriers to care among those from poorer communities, our findings suggest that expanding Medicaid helps address the health care needs of the impoverished.
Heterogeneity in esophageal and gastric cardia precursor progression during six‐year endoscopic surveillance after population‐based screening in a Chinese high‐risk region
Authors: Wen Denggui , Zhang Liwei , Wang Xiaoling , Wen Xiaoduo , Yang Yi , Chen Yuetong , Wang Guiying , Akazawa Kohei , Wang Shijie , Shan Baoen
Published: April 2017

Background

The study was conducted to examine esophageal and gastric cardia precursor progression.

Methods

After population‐based baseline screening, 145 precursor and 335 chronic inflammation cases were endoscopically surveyed for six years.

Results

Surveillance of interval and baseline diagnoses for 18 severe dysplasia (SD) cases later detected were: 13, 23, 39, and 44 months since a diagnosis of chronic inflammation in four cases; 6, 6, 6, 11, 13, 16, 16, and 23 months since mild dysplasia (mD) diagnoses in eight; and 6, 9, 10, 13, 18, and 48 months since moderate dysplasia (MD) diagnoses in six. Rates for 11 carcinoma in situ (Cis) cases later detected were: 7 and 18 months since basal cell hyperplasia (Bch) diagnoses in two; and 6, 6, 9, 13, 13, 18, 35, 44, and 50 months since MD diagnoses in nine. In 10 cancer cases later detected, rates were: 6, 6, 7, 18, 19, 34, 36, and 48 months since SD diagnoses in eight cases with submucosal carcinoma; 46 months since MD diagnosis in a T
2
N
0
M
0 carcinoma case; and 52 months since Bch diagnosis in another T
2
N
0
M
0 case.

Conclusion

Esophageal and gastric cardia precursors are heterogeneous. Male gender, advanced age, family history of upper gastrointestinal cancer, and multifocal dysplasia are significant independent predictors for progression, and Bch/mD, MD, and SD constitute three distinctive entities regarding the risk of cancer.
Findings from the Families on Track Intervention Pilot Trial for Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and Their Families
Authors: Petrenko Christie L. M. , Pandolfino Mary E. , Robinson Luther K.
Published: April 2017

Background

Individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are at high risk for costly, debilitating mental health problems and secondary conditions, such as school disruption, trouble with the law, and substance use. The study objective was to pilot a multicomponent intervention designed to prevent secondary conditions in children with FASD and improve family adaptation.

Methods

Thirty children with FASD or prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) (ages 4 to 8) and their primary caregivers were enrolled. Families were randomized to either the Families on Track Integrated Preventive Intervention or an active control of neuropsychological assessment and personalized community referrals. The 30‐week intervention integrates scientifically validated bimonthly, in‐home parent behavioral consultation, and weekly child skills groups. Outcomes measured at baseline and follow‐up postintervention included intervention satisfaction, child emotional and behavioral functioning, child self‐esteem, caregiver knowledge of FASD and advocacy, caregiver attitudes, use of targeted parenting practices, perceived family needs met, social support, and self‐care. Data analysis emphasized calculation of effect sizes and was supplemented with analysis of variance techniques.

Results

Analyses indicated that families participating in the intervention reported high program satisfaction. Relative to comparison group outcomes, the intervention was associated with medium‐to‐large effects for child emotion regulation, self‐esteem, and anxiety. Medium‐sized improvements in disruptive behavior were observed for both groups. Medium and large effects were seen for important caregiver outcomes: knowledge of FASD and advocacy, attributions of behavior, use of antecedent strategies, parenting efficacy, family needs met, social support, and self‐care.

Conclusions

This pilot study yielded promising findings from the multicomponent Families on Track Integrated Preventive Intervention for child and caregiver outcomes. An important next step is to complete a randomized control trial of the Families on Track Program with a larger sample fully representative of this underserved clinical population with built‐in study of implementation parameters.
Relative importance of anthropogenic landscape characteristics for Neotropical frugivores at multiple scales
Authors: Nagy‐Reis M. B. , Estevo C. A. , Setz E. Z. F. , Ribeiro M. C. , Chiarello A. G. , Nichols J. D.
Published: April 2017

Frugivores are key components of Neotropical forests, regulating plant communities, forest structure, and plant diversity; however, they are highly threatened by human impacts worldwide. To effectively conserve this group, maintain their ecological functions, and plan management actions or establish future protected areas, we need to gather information about their relationship with the landscape attributes. Here, we used camera traps and call surveys (April 2013 to March 2014) to estimate the occupancy of seven frugivores (a rodent, two ungulates, two primates and two ground‐dwelling birds) at 45 sampling sites distributed within a protected area of Atlantic Forest (35 000 ha) in south‐east Brazil. We evaluated the relative effects of anthropogenic landscape variables, environmental attributes and geomorphometry on their occupancy at multiple scales. To achieve this, we measured landscape metrics at three spatial scales (200, 500 and 1000 m) around each sampling site and used multi‐season occupancy modeling. Factors related to human presence or disturbance, such as human accessibility, proximity to the reserve, and forest cover, were the main predictors of occupancy by frugivorous game species (paca – Cuniculus paca; brocket deer – Mazama sp.; and collared peccary – Pecari tajacu). Strictly environmental and geomorphometric variables were weaker determinants of frugivore occupancy. Our results also suggest that weather, season and habitat‐related variables can equally influence animal detection probability. Moreover, different species of frugivores responded differently to landscape attributes, and their response depended on the spatial landscape scale at which they perceive their habitat. This highlights the importance of a multi‐taxa and multi‐scale approach when assessing species‐habitat relationships and planning wildlife management actions.
Perceived harms and benefits of tobacco, marijuana, and electronic vaporizers among young adults in Colorado: implications for health education and research
Authors: Popova Lucy , McDonald Emily Anne , Sidhu Sohrab , Barry Rachel , Richers Maruyama Tracey A. , Sheon Nicolas M. , Ling Pamela M.
Published: April 2017

Aims

To evaluate how young adults perceive and compare harms and benefits of marijuana and tobacco products in the context of a legal marijuana market in Colorado.

Design

Semi‐structured qualitative interviews.

Setting

Denver, CO, USA.

Participants

Thirty‐two young adults (aged 18–26 years) who used tobacco/marijuana/vaporizers.

Measurements

Semi‐structured interviews addressed perceived harms and benefits of various tobacco and marijuana products and personal experiences with these products.

Findings

Young adults evaluated harms and benefits using five dimensions: (1) combustion—smoking was considered more harmful than non‐combustible products (e.g. e‐cigarettes, vaporizers and edibles); (2) potency—edibles and marijuana concentrates were perceived as more harmful than smoking marijuana flower because of potential to receive too large a dose of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC); (3) chemicals—products containing chemical additives were seen as more harmful than ‘pure’ or ‘natural’ plant products; (4) addiction—participants recognized physiological addiction to nicotine, but talked primarily about psychological or life‐style dependence on marijuana; and (5) source of knowledge—personal experiences, warning labels, campaigns, the media and opinions of product retailers and medical practitioners affected perceptions of harms and benefits.

Conclusions

Among young adults in Colorado, USA, perceived harms and benefits of tobacco and marijuana include multiple dimensions. Health educational campaigns could benefit from addressing these dimensions, such as the potency of nicotine and cannabis concentrates and harmful chemicals present in the organic material of tobacco and marijuana. Descriptors such as ‘natural’ and ‘pure’ in the promotion or packaging of tobacco and marijuana products might be misleading.
MATURE SOCIAL ECONOMY ENTERPRISE AND SOCIAL INNOVATION: THE CASE OF THE DESJARDINS ENVIRONMENTAL FUND
Authors: VÉZINA Martine , MALO Marie‐Claire , BEN SELMA Majdi
Published: April 2017

This study seeks to understand the nature and process of social innovation driven by mature social economy enterprises, and the innovative capability that supports it. The research examines enterprise capabilities by means of the institutional approach to social innovation and the Resource‐Based View theory (RBV). Based on grounded theory, this research focuses on a single case, the creation of the Desjardins Environment Fund (DEF). Launched 25 years ago,1DEF is the first mutual fund in North America to include extra‐financial criteria in its evaluation of business environmental management practices (fund securities) for the information of individual investors. The findings of this empirical research show how a major cooperative bank can generate social innovation and how this entails organizational innovations. The findings also reveal how these innovations benefit from the strategic and process resources that the Desjardins Movement managed to develop while taking into account both its core business (as a bank) and its purpose (as a cooperative). This study shows that the innovative potential of the mature social economy enterprise should not be underestimated.
Review article: delivering precision oncology in intermediate‐stage liver cancer
Authors: Pinato D. J. , Howell J. , Ramaswami R. , Sharma R.
Published: April 2017

Background

Intermediate‐stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), for which trans‐arterial chemoembolization (TACE) constitutes the standard of care, is a patient subgroup with significant heterogeneity in clinical outcome. Sources of variation relate to differences in tumour burden, hepatic reserve, ethnicity and treatment modalities. Increasing research efforts have been dedicated to minimise the clinical diversity of this patient population and enhance optimal provision of treatment.

Aim

To comprehensively review the diverse prognostic models that have been proposed to refine the prognostic prediction of patients withHCCundergoingTACE.

Results

A number of prognostic algorithms (HAP,ART,ABCRscore and many others) have shown potential to address the clinical heterogeneity characterising patients with intermediate‐stageHCCand facilitate early identification of patients with poor prognostic features in whom alternative treatments or best supportive care might be more appropriate thanTACE.

Conclusions

While an improved characterisation of intermediate‐stageHCCis a highly important clinical aim, current evidence suggests that novel prognostic algorithms in this patient population may offer potential benefits but non‐negligible challenges in the provision ofTACE. This review summarises the currently available evidence to facilitate the development of precision oncology in intermediate‐stageHCC.
Review article: hepatitis E—a concise review of virology, epidemiology, clinical presentation and therapy
Authors: Donnelly M. C. , Scobie L. , Crossan C. L. , Dalton H. , Hayes P. C. , Simpson K. J.
Published: April 2017

Background

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a leading cause of acute icteric hepatitis and acute liver failure in the developing world. During the last decade, there has been increasing recognition of autochthonous (locally acquired) HEV infection in developed countries. Chronic HEV infection is now recognised, and in transplant recipients this may lead to cirrhosis and organ failure.

Aim

To detail current understanding of the molecular biology of HEV, diagnostic and therapeutic strategies and propose future directions for basic science and clinical research.

Methods

PubMed was searched for English language articles using the key words “hepatitis E”, “viral hepatitis”, “autochthonous infection”, “antiviral therapy”, “liver transplantation”, “acute”, “chronic”, “HEV”, “genotype”, “transmission” “food‐borne”, “transfusion”. Additional relevant publications were identified from article reference lists.

Results

There has been increasing recognition of autochthonous HEV infection in Western countries, mainly associated with genotype 3. Chronic HEV infection has been recognised since 2008, and in transplant recipients this may lead to cirrhosis and organ failure. Modes of transmission include food‐borne transmission, transfusion of blood products and solid organ transplantation. Ribavirin therapy is used to treat patients with chronic HEV infection, but new therapies are required as there have been reports of treatment failure with ribavirin.

Conclusions

Autochthonous HEV infection is a clinical issue with increasing burden. Future work should focus on increasing awareness of HEV infection in the developed world, emphasising the need for clinicians to have a low threshold for HEV testing, particularly in immunosuppressed patients. Patients at potential risk of chronic HEV infection must also be educated and given advice regarding prevention of infection.
Feel American, Watch American, Eat American? Remote Acculturation, TV, and Nutrition Among Adolescent–Mother Dyads in Jamaica
Authors: Ferguson Gail M. , Muzaffar Henna , Iturbide Maria I. , Chu Hui , Meeks Gardner Julie
Published: April 2017

Globalization prompts remote acculturation toward U.S. culture in Jamaica; this study used a bioecological systems approach to examine its proximal impact on nutrition through U.S. cable TV consumption, and maternal influences in the home. Overall, 330 randomly selected adolescent–mother dyads from schools in Kingston, Jamaica (Madolescent_age = 13.8 years, SDadolescent_age = 1.8) completed questionnaires reporting American identity and behavioral preferences, daily time spent watching U.S.‐produced TV programs, and frequency of eating unhealthy foods. Actor–partner interdependence models revealed that girls’ American identity/behavior directly predicted their unhealthy eating, whereas girls’ mothers and boys’ American identity/behavior indirectly predicted unhealthy eating as mediated by their U.S. TV hours. Additionally, mothers’ American identity/behavior predicted daughters’ unhealthy eating as mediated by mothers’ U.S. TV hours. Remote acculturation theory may facilitate more targeted research and prevention/intervention.
Patterns of family service needs and caregiver–child relationships among families at risk of child welfare involvement
Authors: Lee JoAnn S. , Logan‐Greene Patricia
Published: April 2017

Caregivers at risk of involvement in the child welfare system report high levels of need for multiple types of services, and their children have high levels of mental health need. Caregivers from families with more service needs, as well as unmet needs, are less likely to be engaged with child welfare services and may have diminished capacity to care for their child. This study takes a family‐centered approach by using latent class analysis to identify patterns of both caregiver and child service needs among families at risk of child welfare involvement. Using data from the LONGSCAN consortium (N = 957), we identified 4 classes of service needs among child welfare‐involved families. We then examined differences between the 4 classes based on demographics, maltreatment histories, unmet service needs, and caregiver–child relationship. The caregivers were split fairly evenly among the 4 classes: low needs, medical needs, poverty support, and high needs. There were significant differences between classes on assessed variables, with higher levels of needs associated with diminished caregiver–child relationships.
Remittances as aid following major sudden‐onset natural disasters
Authors: Bragg Catherine , Gibson Glenn , King Haleigh , Lefler Ashley A. , Ntoubandi Faustin
Published: April 2017

There is a general assumption, based on macroeconomic studies, that remittances will rise following major sudden‐onset natural disasters. This is confirmed by a few assessments involving country‐specific research, and usually short‐term data. This study, questioning conventional wisdom, reviewed and graphed annual and quarterly remittance flows using International Monetary Fund and World Bank data from 2000–14 for 12 countries that confronted 18 major natural disasters. It found that, regardless of event type, annual remittances rose steadily from 2000–14 except for after the 2008–09 financial crisis. Post disaster, there was a quarterly increase in the majority of cases (confirming previous research) but there was seldom an annual increase in the year of the disaster greater than the average annual increase in 2000–14. It appears that remittance senders rush to provide assistance after a natural disaster, but since their own financial situation has not changed, the immediate increase is compensated by a later decrease.
Flood risk and inequalities between ethnic groups in the floodplains of England and Wales
Authors: Fielding Jane L.
Published: April 2017

Previous research has shown that many vulnerable communities experience disproportional exposure to flood risk. This paper, though, is the first to look at broad ethnic/racial group differences in the United Kingdom. It contends that differences in culture and language, especially those of new immigrants, bestow vulnerabilities on such communities, resulting in a lack of knowledge that enables people to be aware, to be prepared, or to recover expediently after a flood emergency. Using UK 2011 Census data and Environment Agency flood maps, the paper demonstrates that it is the non‐white communities in Wales that confront the most disproportionate level of flood risk: 23 per cent as compared to 11.4 per cent of their white neighbours. In contrast, the difference in flood risk between white and non‐white ethnic/racial groups in regions of England is within a range of plus or minus two per cent, except for in Yorkshire and The Humber where white populations face a much greater risk of flooding.
An ‘age of choice’ for external development finance? Evidence from country case studies
Authors: Prizzon Annalisa , Greenhill Romilly , Mustapha Shakira
Published: April 2017

The article presents findings from nine country case studies in sub‐Saharan Africa and Asia, mapping the expanding access of partner country governments to external development finance beyond official development assistance. The article analyzes governments’ priorities for the terms and conditions of development finance flows they would like to access. The analysis finds that (1) Chinese official finance is the largest component of external development finance flows beyond official development assistance (ODA) in the countries analyzed, far larger than global figures would suggest, (2) partner countries welcome more choice and more finance, (3) countries identify ownership, alignment with national priorities, speed of project delivery, portfolio diversification as key priorities, and (4) the rise of providers such as China has increased the potential bargaining power of recipient countries vis‐à‐vis more traditional donors.
The efficacy of thrombolysis in lacunar stroke – evidence from the Austrian Stroke Unit Registry
Authors: Eggers C. C. J. , Bocksrucker C. , Seyfang L. ,   the Austrian Stroke Unit Registry Collaborators
Published: April 2017

Background and purpose

Intravenous thrombolysis (ivT) with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator is established in acute ischaemic stroke. Little is known, however, about its efficacy in different stroke subtypes.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 128 733 patients from the Austrian Stroke Unit Registry was performed. Patients were classified as lacunar (LacS) or non‐lacunar ischaemic stroke (nonLacS) by use of the clinical syndrome and technical findings. Outcome parameters were the short term improvement in the stroke unit [the difference of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at admission and at discharge] and the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 3 months. Patients were assigned to four groups according to thrombolysis and stroke subtype. To control for confounding, patients were matched for variables identified with impact outcome and for variables of general interest (NIHSS at admission, mRS before stroke and general risk factors).

Results

There were four matched groups of 401 cases each. In LacS median short term improvement was 3 [interquartile range (IQR) 2–5] NIHSS points in the thrombolysed patients and 2 (IQR 1–4) in the non‐thrombolysed patients (P < 0.001). In the nonLacS groups median short term improvement was 3 (IQR 1–5) in the thrombolysed and 2 (IQR 0–4) in the non‐thrombolysed patients (P < 0.001). At 3‐month follow‐up, ivT was significantly associated with a better functional outcome in LacS (P < 0.001) and nonLacS patients (P < 0.001). Taking magnetic resonance imaging as a requirement for stroke subtyping led to similar results.

Conclusions

Patients with both lacunar and non‐lacunar stroke benefitted from ivT. The degree of improvement was similar in both groups.
22q11.2 deletion syndrome lowers seizure threshold in adult patients without epilepsy
Authors: Wither Robert G. , Borlot Felippe , MacDonald Alex , Butcher Nancy J. , Chow Eva W. C. , Bassett Anne S. , Andrade Danielle M.
Published: April 2017

Objective

Previous studies examining seizures in patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) have focused primarily on children and adolescents. In this study we investigated the prevalence and characteristics of seizures and epilepsy in an adult 22q11.2DS population.

Methods

The medical records of 202 adult patients with 22q11.2DS were retrospectively reviewed for documentation of seizures, electroencephalography (EEG) reports, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. Epilepsy status was assigned in accordance with 2010 International League Against Epilepsy Classification.

Results

Of 202 patients, 32 (15.8%) had a documented history of seizure. Of these 32, 23 (71.8%) had acute symptomatic seizures, usually associated with hypocalcemia and/or antipsychotic or antidepressant use. Nine patients (9/32, 28%; 9/202, 4%) met diagnostic criteria for epilepsy. Two patients had genetic generalized epilepsy; two patients had focal seizures of unknown etiology; two had epilepsy due to malformations of cortical development; in two the epilepsy was due to acquired structural changes; and in one patient the epilepsy could not be further classified.

Significance

Similarly to children, the prevalence of epilepsy and acute symptomatic seizures in adults with 22q11.2DS is higher than in the general population. Hypocalcemia continues to be a risk factor for adults, but differently from kids, the main cause of seizures in adults with 22q11.2DS is exposure to antipsychotics and antidepressants. Further prospective studies are warranted to investigate how 22q11.2 microdeletion leads to an overall decreased seizure threshold.
Comparative analysis on the application of neuro‐fuzzy models for complex engineered systems: Case study from a landfill and a boiler
Authors: Meher Saroj K. , Behera Shishir K. , Rene Eldon R. , Park Hung‐Suck
Published: April 2017

This work aims at developing an explicit neuro‐fuzzy (NF) model to characterize complex engineered systems associated with high nonlinearity, uncertainties, and multivariable couplings. The NF model synergistically exploits the advantages of fuzzy belongingness of each input variable to all output variables and learning ability of neural networks. Owing to the inherent complexities associated with 2 complex engineered systems, a landfill and a boiler were selected to develop models that provide intelligent decisions for optimizing the operational parameters. Data compiled from field‐scale investigation/real plant operation involving various operating scenarios were used to develop the models. Predicting capability of the developed models was evaluated through the correlation coefficient and mean absolute percentage error values. Superiority of the proposed NF model to other similar models has been justified and demonstrated.
Estimating regional species richness: The case of China's vascular plant species
Authors: Lu Muyang , He Fangliang
Published: April 2017

Aim

The estimation of regional species richness has been a major challenge in ecology but is crucial for setting up conservation priorities. Discovery curves are a principal tool for estimating regional richness, but they have been criticized for being too sensitive to historical fluctuations in species discovery. In this study we propose a new discovery model that considers historical influences. We have applied the model to estimate the number of vascular plant species in China, a country of mega‐biodiversity that has also suffered endless wars and social turmoil in its modern history.

Location

China.

Time period

1755–2000.

Major taxa studied

Vascular plant species.

Methods

We compiled the discovery time for each vascular species from the complete volumes ofFlora of China, leading to 31,220 valid species names. We applied our model to these data and compared the performance of our model with existing discovery models and two other methods (species–area relationships and a taxonomic rank curve model). We also tested our model with three other independent datasets and one simulation study.

Results

Our new method estimated there to be 36,554 (± 2,708) vascular plant species in China. Our model accounted very well for the effect of historical events and was robust to different periods of data that were used to estimate the total richness. Our model outperformed all other models that were compared. We found that 5,334 species remained to be discovered in China and it would take about 50 years to discover all the species should the current discovery rate of 110 species per year persist.

Main conclusions

Species discovery curves, with historical effects being properly accounted for, offer a promising tool for estimating regional species richness. Our model is robust to the effect of historical events and provides by far the most accurate and reliable estimates of species richness of test data, including vascular plant richness in China.
Crown‐of‐thorns starfish undermine the resilience of coral populations on the Great Barrier Reef
Authors: Vercelloni Julie , Caley M. Julian , Mengersen Kerrie
Published: April 2017

Aim

Increasingly frequent and intense disturbances of many kinds are reducing the populations of habitat‐forming species. For example, disturbances, including coral bleaching, storms and cyclones, coral disease and Crown‐of‐Thorns starfish (CoTS) outbreaks, have been important contributors to the global decline of coral populations. Understanding these the effects of such disturbances is challenging but necessary for their effective management. In this paper, we provide a novel spatially and temporally explicit perspective on the role of multiple and interacting disturbances on population dynamics.

Location

Great Barrier Reef (GBR), Australia.

Time period

1995–2011.

Major taxa studied

Acropora species.

Methods

A semi‐parametric Bayesian hierarchical model was used to estimate the form and strength of the cumulative effects of multiple disturbances that have affected coral populations at different locations, frequencies and intensities, and in different orders over 16 years. Boosted regression trees and random forest models were used to rank the relative importance of four types of disturbances in reducing the ability of coral populations to recover following disturbance.

Results

We show that while all the disturbance agents examined had clear negative impacts, coral predation by CoTS was the strongest contributor to the decline of coral cover and resilience of coral populations. The effects of multiple disturbances on individual reef sites were overwhelmingly additive.

Main conclusions

Reduction of coral predation through control of CoTS could substantially reduce the severity of disturbances along the GBR and promote greater resilience, and thereby recovery, of coral populations.
Carbon capture and storage in branching stage alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) by 13C pulse labeling
Authors: Man Jing , Deng Bo , Yang Shichao , Yang Fuyu
Published: April 2017

In the present study, we investigated the absorption and transfer of photosynthetic carbon among the different alfalfa parts. Alfalfa was planted under controlled conditions and pulse‐labeled with carbon–13 dioxide (13CO2; gas) during its branching stage. Then, the amounts of 13CO2 on the alfalfa leaves, stems and roots were measured, and soil samples were taken after 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 days. The carbon‐13 (13C) distribution ratios of roots, stems and leaves increased over the sampling time and reached the maximum value at day 18; after that, the values decreased but still higher than day 6 and day 12. The 13C distribution ratio in the roots increased gradually to 2.77% at day 30. Over the extended labeling time, 13C loss caused by root and microbial respiration increased. There was no clear trend visible in the 0–10 cm soil layer, but in the 10–20 cm soil layer, the 13C distribution ratio increased gradually from 2.46% at day 6 to 3.05% at day 30. The 13C content in the 0–10 cm soil layer at days 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 after labeling ranged from 0.90 ppm to 1.53 ppm and in the 10–20 cm layer increased from 0.83 ppm (6 days) to 1.12 ppm (30 days). The 13CO2 released by microbial respiration increased gradually from 2.02 mg at day 6 to 23.30 mg at day 30. The 13CO2 content released by alfalfa root respiration accounted for the majority of total respired 13C content and increased from 24.06 mg (6 days) to 54.15 mg (18 days) and remained constant hereafter. This study suggests that carbon was rapidly cycled between the different parts of alfalfa and soil by means of photosynthesis and respiration. The results obtained in this study will be of importance for building the mechanistic model of photosynthetic carbon flow in alfalfa‐soil system.
Divergence in agronomic traits and performance of pearl millet cultivars in Brazilian semiarid region
Authors: Santos Rafael , Neves Andre Luis , Pereira Luiz Gustavo , Verneque Rui , Costa Cleber Thiago , Tabosa Jose , Scherer Carolina , Gonçalves Lucio
Published: April 2017

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.) is an important forage crop for livestock in semiarid regions, but the use of Brazilian genotypes for silage production in northeastern Brazil has not been adequately described. The objective was to assess the divergence in agronomic traits of five Brazilian pearl millet cultivars, for silage production, at two Brazilian semiarid locations. The treatments were five pearl millet cultivars, ‘IPA Bulk1BF’, ‘BRS 1501’, ‘CMS‐03’, ‘CMS‐01’ and ‘ADR 300’, which were arranged in a randomized complete block design and were replicated five times. Agronomic divergence was assessed using canonical variate analysis and agglomerative hierarchical clustering. Dry matter yield ranged from 7.6 to 14.1 Mg ha−1 and digestible dry matter yield ranged from 3.7 to 7.2 Mg ha−1. The plant height ranged from 144 to 184 cm and harvest index ranged from 21.6 to 36.4%. Average panicle proportion was of 30.6%, while 13.3 and 55.9% was observed for leaf and stem proportion, respectively. Three distinct agronomic groups were identified: Group I (‘IPA Bulk1BF’ and ‘ADR 300’), Group II (‘CMS‐03’ and ‘CMS‐01’) and Group III (‘BRS 1501’). Group II had the greatest agronomic value for performance variables while Group III had the least.