bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Geometrically nonlinear analysis of functionally graded plates using isogeometric analysis
Authors: Yin Shuohui , Yu Tiantang , Bui Tinh Quoc , Nguyen Minh Ngoc 
Published: April 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to propose an efficient and accurate numerical model that employs isogeometric analysis (IGA) for the geometrically nonlinear analysis of functionally graded plates (FGPs). This model is utilized to investigate the effects of boundary conditions, gradient index, and geometric shape on the nonlinear responses of FGPs.

Design/methodology/approach
– A geometrically nonlinear analysis of thin and moderately thick functionally graded ceramic-metal plates based on IGA in conjunction with first-order shear deformation theory and von Kármán strains is presented. The displacement fields and geometric description are approximated with nonuniform rational B-splines (NURBS) basis functions. The Newton-Raphson iterative scheme is employed to solve the nonlinear equation system. Material properties are assumed to vary along the thickness direction with a power law distribution of the volume fraction of the constituents.

Findings
– The present model for analysis of the geometrically nonlinear behavior of thin and moderately thick FGPs exhibited high accuracy. The shear locking phenomenon is avoided without extra numerical efforts when cubic or high-order NURBS basis functions are utilized.

Originality/value
– This paper shows that IGA is particularly well suited for the geometrically nonlinear analysis of plates because of its exact geometrical modelling and high-order continuity.
An EFG-SBM based partitioning algorithm for two-dimensional elastic analysis of cyclically symmetrical structures
Authors: Guo Xiaofeng , He Yiqian , Yang Haitian 
Published: April 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to exploit the cyclic symmetry to reduce the computational expense of scaled boundary method (SBM) which may cumber its further application.

Design/methodology/approach
– A partitioning EFG-SB (Element-free Galerkin-SB) algorithm is proposed for the two-dimensional elastic analysis of cyclically symmetric structures.

Findings
– By utilizing the cyclic symmetry and partitioning algorithm, the whole computational cost can be significantly reduced. Three numerical examples are given to illustrate the advantages of the proposed algorithm.

Originality/value
– It is proved that the matrices of eigenvalue and system equations of EFG-SBM for cyclically symmetric structures are block-circulant so long as a kind of symmetry-adapted reference coordinate system is adopted. No matter whether displacement constraints are cyclically symmetric or not, the partition is available for the eigenvalue equations. Therefore the major computational cost can be saved via the proposed partitioning algorithm. This paper provides an efficient algorithm for the two-dimensional elastic analysis of cyclically symmetric structures using EFG-SBM. A higher computing efficiency can be expected since the proposed partitioning algorithm facilitates parallel processing.
Leasing or borrowing and buying decision: a case study of Bright Soap
Authors: Akhtar Muhammad , Zada Najeeb , Ahmad Irfan , Zaman Nazim 
Published: April 2015

Subject area
Accounting, Finance, Human Resource Management and Marketing.

Study level/applicability
BBA, MBA, MS, PHD.

Case overview
Leasing or borrowing and buy decisions are very crucial in the industrial era. Every company does not possess sufficient resources to meet their investing needs. The leasing options have provided a decent way to congregate fixed assets requirements in manufacturing industry. This case mainly focuses on the dynamics of business survival.

Expected learning outcomes
To be able to evaluate the different financial and marketing options available with the company. Understand the relevance of the theory of diversification as applied to financial and production aspects; be able to evaluate the leasing, borrowing and buying options that are available in financing of fixed assets; understand the disclosure requirements in the financial statements according to International Accounting Standards (17); be able to evaluate marketing strategies including pricing options, product diversification, reaction to competition and innovation; and consider human resource policy decisions at times of change including cost-cutting measures.

Supplementary materials
Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.
Applied improvisation training for disaster readiness and response
Authors: Tint Barbara S. , McWaters Viv , van Driel Raymond 
Published: April 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to introduce applied improvisation (AI) as a tool for training humanitarian aid workers. AI incorporates principles and practices from improvisational theatre into facilitation and training. It is an excellent modality for training aid workers to deal with crisis and disaster scenarios where decision-making and collaboration under pressure are critical.Design/methodology/approach– This paper provides a theoretical base for understanding skills needed in disaster response and provides a case for innovative training that goes beyond the current standard. AI principles, activities and case examples are provided. Interviews with development experts who have participated in AI training are excerpted to reveal the impact and promise of this methodology.Findings– Different from typical training and games, which simulate potential crisis scenarios, AI works with participants in developing the skills necessary for success in disaster situations. The benefit is that workers are better prepared for the unexpected and unknown when they encounter it.Research limitations/implications– The current paper is based on author observation, experience and participant interviews. While AI is consistently transformative and successful, it would benefit from more rigorous and structured research to ground the findings more deeply in larger evidence based processes.Practical implications– The authors offer specific activities, resources for many others and practical application of this modality for training purposes.Social implications– Its application has tremendous benefits in training for specific skills, in creating greater cohesion and satisfaction in work units and breaking down culture and language barriers.Originality/value– This work is original in introducing these training methods to humanitarian aid contexts in general, and disaster preparedness and response in particular.
Navigating service sector innovation using co-creation partnerships
Authors: Burdon Stephen , Mooney Grant Richard , Al-Kilidar Hiyam 
Published: April 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to analyse a series of engineering services partnerships to better understand requisites needed in building high value co-creation alliances – especially where innovation is the strategic goal.

Design/methodology/approach
– Using a combination of quantitative surveys, qualitative “deep-dive” assessments and a small number of in-situ mini-case investigations this research sets out to analyse 99 joint-venture innovation partnerships. These ventures represent a variety of asymmetric and symmetric alliances within the engineering services sector. Particular emphasis is given to those where the prerequisites for co-creative innovation are either in place or could be built.

Findings
– Partnering and progressing innovative ideas are important behaviours for organisations seeking higher levels of commercial success and competitive advantage. Navigating the partnering dynamic can also be harder than expected, potentially hindered by misunderstandings and differing expectations between enterprises. Particularly for symmetric endeavours, success often hinges upon not only having clarity in the degree of innovation sought but also alignment as to the depth and stage of the partnering dynamic itself. However, when such collaboration works customer satisfaction and associated contract retention can increase significantly.

Originality/value
– Most inter-company innovation projects historically seem to occur where one firm is significantly larger than the other. In contrast, this study highlights issues encountered when innovation co-creation projects are undertaken by a mature (as opposed to maturing) organisation in collaboration with partners where the power balance is similar between the two enterprises. In such cases, customer satisfaction surveys can be useful tools for objectively navigating the innovation co-creation experience.
Applying Halliday’s linguistic theory in qualitative data analysis
Authors: To Vinh , Lê Quynh , Lê Thao 
Published: April 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to discuss the usefulness of Halliday’s linguistic theory known as Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) in analysing qualitative data. In order to do this, it initially presents an overview of SFL, and then explains how and why four linguistic features namely, nominalisation, grammatical metaphor, thematic structure and lexical density are useful in examining qualitative data. The paper also discusses three social metafunctions of language known as the ideational, the interpersonal and the textual metafunctions which are significant for understanding and interpreting texts.Design/methodology/approach– This paper employs SFL as the main theoretical framework to discussing the usefulness of this linguistics theory in qualitative data analysis.Findings– SFL can be seen as a paradigm shift in linguistic theory moving away from the traditional focus on syntax to the inclusion of the interface between language and pragmatics. The focus of SFL is language in use. It deals with texts in social contexts, which is the main focus in qualitative data analysis. Thus, SFL provides both research tools and theoretical insights for understanding and interpreting texts.Originality/value– This paper provides significant insights into language which are crucial for understanding and interpreting texts in social contexts.
Gender discrimination in the way the Vietnamese talk about face thê diên
Authors: Nguyen Thi Quynh Trang 
Published: April 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to provide a view of gender discrimination in Vietnam via the lens of thê diên – the Vietnamese face concept.

Design/methodology/approach
– The paper reports on results of a PhD exploratory study of the Vietnamese face concept thê diên. Semi-structured indepth interviews were conducted with 15 Vietnamese college teachers about the notion of thê diên in relation with several areas including gender.

Findings
– There are two ways in which gender discrimination is reflected in the participants’ perceptions of thê diên. First, there is discrimination in terms of the different language used for men and women in terms of face. Second, there are different social expectations for men and women in terms of thê diên. Specifically, in order to maintain thê diên, men are expected to prove themselves as sources of the family income and social status. Meanwhile, women are only supposed to maintain their men’s face.

Originality/value
– While the gender situation in Vietnam has been examined via various social, economical, and political perspectives, it has never been filtered through the lens of face, a cultural concept that deeply reflects living and behaving principles of a cultural community in a certain time.
Action researching power in an ESL and academic writing classroom
Authors: Abraham Alison 
Published: April 2015

Purpose
– The teaching of English and academic writing in universities has largely been explored in western higher education settings by native English speakers from the UK, USA or Anglo-countries. The purpose of this paper is to use action research as a methodology to unravel local complexities in power relations within and beyond her ESL academic writing classroom, in a British Malaysian university setting.

Design/methodology/approach
– Power relations are examined in conjunction with the lens of Academic Literacies as a theory to think about teaching academic writing. The author’s action research cycles allow her to gain an insider perspective on her students’ academic writing and learning problems.

Findings
– Through the use of stories collected from diaries, interviews and letters, the author is able to make sense of their learning experiences in a way that connects the individual with the social.

Research limitations/implications
– Although time-consuming, the action research cycles helped the author to gauge what does or does not work in the classroom and how she can best improve her practice and the students learning, once she reflected on the findings. However, given the oppressive nature of hierarchical institutions that can deter the raising of issues, the limits of action research in making more widespread changes to teaching and English language usage in a former colony’s institution are explored.

Originality/value
– It appears that the internal power relations between teacher and student can alter somewhat, although not massively, within the confines of one classroom, but there is less potential for effecting broader institutional change from the positioning of one junior lecturer.
Rebounding triad (severe itching, dryness and burning) after facial corticosteroid discontinuation defines a specific class of corticosteroid‐dependent dermatitis
Authors: Xiao Xiao , Xie Hongfu , Jian Dan , Deng Yuxuan , Chen Xiang , Li Ji 
Published: April 2015

AbstractIn patients with dermatitis, the sudden discontinuation of topical corticosteroid (TC) use after long‐term treatment could cause flaring symptoms (named “rebounding responses”). Diagnostic criteria for facial corticosteroid‐dependent dermatitis (FCDD) are vague and uncertain. We aim to define a category of patients with clinical rebounding triad including severe itching, dryness and burning. Patients with FCDD (n = 268) were evaluated to determine distinctive rebounding triad manifestations after TC cessation. Data on history of facial TC use and rebounding presentations were collected. A group of chronic dermatitis patients (n = 83) with rebounding triad after TC discontinuation were enrolled and added to patients with FCDD presenting triad symptoms. Patients without triad were compared with triad‐positive patients. Eighty‐five patients who displayed triad manifestations after TC cessation showed longer (93.1 ± 53.6 vs 9.6 ± 5.5 weeks, P < 0.001) and more frequent (7.7 ± 4.5 vs 2.3 ± 1.6 times/week, P < 0.001) use of TC. Similar results were observed after adding 83 dermatitis patients who experienced triad after TC cessation. Multivariate analysis showed that mean duration of TC use (odds ratio [OR] = 1.83, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 1.042–3.218, P = 0.035) and mean frequency of TC use (OR = 2.802, 95% CI = 1.135–6.918, P = 0.025) were independent predictors of rebounding triad after TC cessation. Duration and frequency of TC use were the main factors predicting rebounding triad.
Inpatient management of gout in a New Zealand hospital: a retrospective audit
Authors: Kennedy Nicholas J. , Healy Paul J. , Harrison Andrew A. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractAimTo review inpatient management of acute gout in a New Zealand hospital.MethodsA retrospective file review of all acute episodes of gout at Hutt Hospital, Wellington, New Zealand over a 1 year period.ResultsIn the course of a year, there were 90 admissions for, or complicated by, acute gout. In 31 cases, gout was the primary diagnosis. Median length of stay was 5 days and readmissions were common. The majority of patients (87%) were known to have gout before admission, yet only 50% of these patients were on uric acid lowering treatment. Serum urate was measured in only 60% of patients with a mean level of 0.471 mmol/L. Treatment for the acute attack was evenly split between monotherapy (49%) and polytherapy (49%). Treatment modalities used were: prednisone (61%), non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatories (40%), colchicine (40%), adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) (15%) and intrarticular steroids (7%). Patients were generally treated in a timely manner with few patients experiencing delays. Patients seen by the Rheumatology Department were more likely to receive polytherapy, be treated with intra‐articular steroids or ACTH and to start allopurinol. The ‘treat‐to‐target’ approach to the management of elevated serum urate was mentioned in only 9% of cases.ConclusionThere was considerable variability in the investigation and management of acute gout, with significant deviation from published protocols. The ‘treat‐to‐target’ approach to the management of elevated urate has not yet been widely adopted by the physicians in this New Zealand hospital.
Risk factors associated with secondary enucleation after fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy in uveal melanoma
Authors: van den Bosch Thomas , Vaarwater Jolanda , Verdijk Rob , Muller Karin , Kiliç Emine , Paridaens Dion , de Klein Annelies , Naus Nicole 
Published: April 2015

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate risk factors for secondary enucleation after fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (fSRT) in uveal melanoma.MethodsIn this retrospective study, clinical data of 118 consecutive patients who had initially been treated with fSRT between 1999 and 2009 were collected and analysed. The patients who had undergone secondary enucleation were identified and examined for clinical, histopathological and cytogenetical (fluorescence in situ hybridization determined) data. Also, the reasons for secondary enucleation, such as treatment failure (progressive tumour growth or tumour recurrence) or complications following fSRT (painful blind eye), were recorded and examined.ResultsThe secondary enucleation rate was 16% after a median follow‐up of 4.7 years, with 5% due to treatment failure and 11% due to complications. In the univariate analysis, large tumour diameter (p = 0.019) and large tumour height (p = 0.001) were associated with secondary enucleation, tumour involvement of the optic disc showed borderline significance (p = 0.068). Cox regression multivariate analysis displayed large tumour height as independent prognostic factor (HR 1.42, 95% CI 1.12–1.81, p = 0.004). Following secondary enucleation, mitotic figures were present in five of 18 tumours, and gain of chromosome 8q was also present in five tumours. Within the subgroup of patients who required secondary enucleation due to failed tumour control by fSRT (N = 6), mitotic figures were present in four of six tumours while gain of 8q was present in three of six tumours.ConclusionSecondary enucleation after previous fSRT was associated with large tumour height. High mitotic counts and gain of chromosome 8q were frequently found in secondary enucleations and possibly indicate a more aggressive or radiation‐resistant tumour.
Comparative diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance elastography vs. eight clinical prediction rules for non‐invasive diagnosis of advanced fibrosis in biopsy‐proven non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease: a prospective study
Authors: Cui J. , Ang B. , Haufe W. , Hernandez C. , Verna E. C. , Sirlin C. B. , Loomba R. 
Published: April 2015

SummaryBackgroundTwo‐dimensional magnetic resonance elastography (2D‐MRE) is an advanced magnetic resonance method with high diagnostic accuracy for predicting advanced fibrosis in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients. However, no prospective, head‐to‐head comparisons between 2D‐MRE and clinical prediction rules (CPRs) have been performed in patients with biopsy‐proven NAFLD.AimTo compare the diagnostic utility of 2D‐MRE against that of eight CPRs (AST:ALT ratio, APRI, BARD, FIB‐4, NAFLD Fibrosis Score, Bonacini cirrhosis discriminant score, Lok Index and NASH CRN model) for predicting advanced fibrosis in a prospective cohort with paired liver biopsy as the gold standard.MethodsThis is a cross‐sectional analysis of a prospective study of 102 patients (58.8% women) with biopsy‐proven NAFLD, 2D‐MRE and clinical research assessment within 90 days of biopsy. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to assess the performance of 2D‐MRE and CPRs for predicting advanced fibrosis.ResultsThe mean (±s.d.) age and BMI were 51.3 (±14.0) years and 31.7 (±5.5) kg/m2 respectively. 48, 26, 9, 13 and 6 patients had stage 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 fibrosis respectively. The area under ROC curve (AUROC) was 0.957 for 2D‐MRE and between 0.796 and 0.861 for the CPRs. FIB‐4 was the best‐performing CPR at predicting advanced fibrosis with AUROC of 0.861. In head‐to‐head comparisons using the DeLong test, 2D‐MRE had significantly better AUROC (P < 0.05) than each CPR for predicting advanced fibrosis.ConclusionCompared to clinical prediction rules, 2D‐MRE provides significantly higher accuracy for the diagnosis of advanced fibrosis in NAFLD patients.
Disparities in health‐related quality of life among healthy adolescents in a developing country – the impact of gender, ethnicity, socio‐economic status and weight status
Authors: Loh D. A. , Moy F. M. , Zaharan N. L. , Mohamed Z. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBackgroundPhysical functioning and psychological resilience in adulthood is shaped during adolescence. Self‐reported health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) assessments during this life phase are important first‐hand accounts of their well‐being. This study aimed, firstly, to identify differences in HRQoL according to gender, ethnicity, socio‐economic status and weight status; and secondly, to examine associations between weight status and HRQoL among an urban sample of multi‐ethnic adolescents in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.MethodsA cross‐sectional study involving 652 adolescents (aged 13 years) was conducted in Kuala Lumpur. Weight and height were measured. Body mass index z‐scores were categorized according to the International Obesity Task Force criteria. HRQoL was assessed using the Malay version of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 Generic Core Scales. Univariate analyses of differences in HRQoL according to gender, ethnicity (Malays, Chinese and Indians), maternal education level and weight status were performed. Complex samples general linear model was used to examine the associations between HRQoL and weight status, adjusted for confounders.ResultsFemale adolescents reported significantly lower emotional functioning scores (mean, 95% confidence interval: 59.25, 57.33–61.17). When the three main ethnic groups were studied, Malay adolescents scored significantly lower emotional functioning scores (59.00, 57.13–60.87) compared with their Chinese peers. Adolescents with tertiary‐educated mothers reported lower emotional functioning scores (57.45, 53.85–61.06) compared with those with primary‐educated mothers. Obese adolescents reported poorer HRQoL scores with significantly impaired physical and social functioning after controlling for confounders.ConclusionsThese findings detected disparities in HRQoL among the adolescents when gender, ethnicity, maternal education level and weight status were considered. Further studies should address these health inequalities by implementing gender‐specific and culturally appropriate measures to attain optimal well‐being and avoid potential burden of disease.