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1 – 10 of 359Itaru Mutoh, Shiro Kato and Y. Chiba
Presents an alternative lower bound to the elastic buckling collapse of thin shells of revolution, in comparison with results from geometrically non‐linear elastic…
Abstract
Presents an alternative lower bound to the elastic buckling collapse of thin shells of revolution, in comparison with results from geometrically non‐linear elastic analysis. The numerical finite element method is based on axisymmetric rotational shell elements whose strain‐displacement relations are described by Koiter’s small finite deflection theory, with displacements expanded circumferentially using a Fourier series. First, compares the reduced stiffness linear analysis, based on the buckling equation without incremental linear in‐plane energy components corresponding to the lowest eigenmode (for a particular cylindrical shell under external pressure), with the results obtained by Batista and Croll. Second, the non‐linear astatic (quasi‐static) elastic analysis to clamped spherical caps under uniform external pressure is carried out in order to compare the results from a reduced stiffness analysis from viewpoints of not only buckling loads, but also total potential energy. Argues that the astatic buckling loads may relate to reductions due to a specific imperfection effect on elastic buckling collapses.
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Yohei Chiba, S.V.R.K. Prabhakar, Md. Atikul Islam and Md. Ali Akber
This paper aims to identify and prioritize key non-economic loss and damages (NELDs) caused by the 2009 Cyclone Aila in Khulna District of Bangladesh and to identify…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to identify and prioritize key non-economic loss and damages (NELDs) caused by the 2009 Cyclone Aila in Khulna District of Bangladesh and to identify appropriate practices to address the NELDs.
Design/methodology/approach
The analytic hierarchy process was applied to prioritize key criteria, NELD indicators and practices that should be integrated into disaster risk reduction decisions at the local level.
Findings
The results showed the need for prioritizing NELDs at the local level, and especially for integrating into DRR policy and planning for addressing NELDs. The results indicated that the national disaster management plan could be enhanced to address issues related to inaccessible sanitation, waterborne diseases and mental disorders, and the school discontinuation.
Research limitations/implications
The results are specific to Bangladesh. Readers may find them applicable to other similar country situations.
Practical implications
The suggested risk reduction practices for addressing NELDs are effective for policymakers to prepare for the future extreme cyclone disasters.
Social implications
The study identifies “compliance with societal value” as an important criterion for decision-making in the affected communities. Societal value can be a basis to determine effective practices to address the NELDs.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the study is the first ever effort to identify and prioritize NELDs of cyclones in the coastal areas of Bangladesh and therefore might have a greater implication for DRR policy of Bangladesh.
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Yohei Chiba, Rajib Shaw and Sivapuram Prabhakar
This paper aims to assess climate change-related non-economic loss and damage (NELD) through case studies of Bangladesh and Japan, evaluate how NELD are addressed in these…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to assess climate change-related non-economic loss and damage (NELD) through case studies of Bangladesh and Japan, evaluate how NELD are addressed in these countries and provide the ways forward for further improvement.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper reviewed the literature to examine NELD and looked into currently available methodologies and their limitations. It reviewed governmental disaster reports and plans and interviewed with communities to understand NELD in each country’s context.
Findings
This paper indicates that NELDs are not sufficiently reported in the countries studied. Underestimation of NELD may lead to limited outcomes in disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA). NELD should be measured and integrated into decision-making, through capacity-building from local to national level.
Research limitations/implications
This paper is based on the literature review and stakeholder consultations in the study countries. The results are specific to these countries. Readers may find them applicable to other country situations.
Practical implications
NELD-related information is directly relevant for preparing countries to achieve their sustainable development, CCA and DRR objectives as suggested by the recent international frameworks such as sustainable development goals (SDGs), Paris Agreement and Sendai Framework for DRR.
Social implications
This paper identifies several NELD indicators related to societal well-being in the study countries and beyond, and addressing them will have positive impact on the society.
Originality/value
Addressing NELD is a recent topic under United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and nothing much has been done on how countries can address NELD in their developmental, CCA and DRR approaches. This paper identifies the importance of integrating NELD into decision-making and the ways forward to researchers, governments and policymakers for addressing NELD.
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Gives a bibliographical review of the finite element methods (FEMs) applied for the linear and nonlinear, static and dynamic analyses of basic structural elements from the…
Abstract
Gives a bibliographical review of the finite element methods (FEMs) applied for the linear and nonlinear, static and dynamic analyses of basic structural elements from the theoretical as well as practical points of view. The range of applications of FEMs in this area is wide and cannot be presented in a single paper; therefore aims to give the reader an encyclopaedic view on the subject. The bibliography at the end of the paper contains 2,025 references to papers, conference proceedings and theses/dissertations dealing with the analysis of beams, columns, rods, bars, cables, discs, blades, shafts, membranes, plates and shells that were published in 1992‐1995.
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Vincenza Gianfredi, Francesco Ceccarelli, Milena Villarini, Massimo Moretti and Daniele Nucci
The purpose of this study is to investigate food supplement intake among gym-goers.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate food supplement intake among gym-goers.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional study, using a validated questionnaire, was conducted. All participants were gym-goers who voluntarily enrolled from eight selected gyms in Perugia. A multivariate regression analysis was performed.
Findings
In our sample, 44.9per cent (n = 57) of participants consumed dietary supplements, at least once a week, with no association with sex (p = 0.5) and educational level (p = 0.4). Supplements intake was statistically significant and associated with very low intake of mineral water (p = 0.01), diet specific for fitness programmes (p < 0.01), information about nutrition from personal trainers (p < 0.01), frequency of physical activity (p = 0.01), society’s attention to nutrition (p = 0.04) and marginally with frequency of weigh control (p = 0.05).
Originality/value
Food supplements intake seems to be extensively used among gym-goers, and it seems related to information about nutrition from personal trainers. However, specialized personnel, such as dietitian or nutritionist, should supervise supplements intake.
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Yuki Yano, David Blandford, Atsushi Maruyama and Tetsuya Nakamura
The purpose of this paper is to investigate Japanese consumer perceptions of the benefits of consuming fresh leafy vegetables.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate Japanese consumer perceptions of the benefits of consuming fresh leafy vegetables.
Design/methodology/approach
An online bulletin board survey was conducted in Japan to collect responses to an open-ended question about reasons for consuming fresh leafy vegetables. A total of 897 responses were analysed using word co-occurrence network analysis. A community detection method and centrality measures were used to interpret the resulting network map.
Findings
Using a community detection algorithm, the authors identify six major groups of words that represent respondents’ core motives for consuming leafy vegetables. While Japanese consumers view health benefits to be most important, sensory factors, such as texture, colour, and palatability, and convenience factors also influence attitudes. The authors find that centrality measures can be useful in identifying keywords that appear in various contexts of consumer responses.
Originality/value
This is the first paper to use a quantitative text analysis to examine consumer perceptions for fresh leafy vegetables. The analysis also provides pointers for creating visually interpretable co-occurrence network maps from textual data and discusses the role of community structure and centrality in interpreting such maps.
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Yanjin Lu, Yiliang Gan, Junjie Lin, Sai Guo, Songquan Wu and Jinxin Lin
The aim of the study is to obtain dense Ni-free CoCrW parts fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM) technique for dental application.
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of the study is to obtain dense Ni-free CoCrW parts fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM) technique for dental application.
Design/methodology/approach
The optimum of processing CoCrW powders was investigated by the varying laser scanning speeds between 200 and 1,500 mm/s with the other parameters fixed as constants. The investigations of density, phase, mechanical property and corrosion resistance were conducted.
Findings
It was found that a maximum relative density of 99.4 per cent was obtained with the preferable laser scanning speed of 700 mm/s; the outcome from the tensile test suggested that the 0.2 per cent yield strength of the specimen fabricated at 700 mm/s satisfied the type 5 criteria in ISO22764 for dental application, whereas the electrochemical test indicated that the specimens fabricated at 700 mm/s existed excellent corrosion resistance. The high precision dental denture could be fabricated by SLM.
Originality/value
In the study, the Ni-free CoCrW parts fabricated by SLM was investigated by the tensile and electrochemical tests. The yield strength, corrosion resistance and margin fit accuracy met requirements for dental application. It was considered that the speed of 700 mm/s with the laser powers of 95 W, the track width of 0.11 mm and the layer thickness of 25 μm are promising candidates for fabricating the CoCrW parts.
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M. Bayes, K. Chiba and Y. Kurokawa
The key to the production of high quality multilayer PWBs lies in a clear understanding of the many interactions between the chemical and mechanical processing involved…
Abstract
The key to the production of high quality multilayer PWBs lies in a clear understanding of the many interactions between the chemical and mechanical processing involved. This describes some of these interactions, namely those between oxide treatment, lamination and drilling and the subsequent chemical processing steps, up to, and including, copper electroplating. Choice of oxide treatment has consequences that are not limited to the lamination and drilling operations. Process problems, such as ‘pink ring (haloing)’ are discussed in the context of their sensitivity to particular stages in the manufacturing process.
Yvonne Mei Fong Lim, Maryati Yusof and Sheamini Sivasampu
The purpose of this paper is to assess National Medical Care Survey data quality.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess National Medical Care Survey data quality.
Design/methodology/approach
Data completeness and representativeness were computed for all observations while other data quality measures were assessed using a 10 per cent sample from the National Medical Care Survey database; i.e., 12,569 primary care records from 189 public and private practices were included in the analysis.
Findings
Data field completion ranged from 69 to 100 per cent. Error rates for data transfer from paper to web-based application varied between 0.5 and 6.1 per cent. Error rates arising from diagnosis and clinical process coding were higher than medication coding. Data fields that involved free text entry were more prone to errors than those involving selection from menus. The authors found that completeness, accuracy, coding reliability and representativeness were generally good, while data timeliness needs to be improved.
Research limitations/implications
Only data entered into a web-based application were examined. Data omissions and errors in the original questionnaires were not covered.
Practical implications
Results from this study provided informative and practicable approaches to improve primary health care data completeness and accuracy especially in developing nations where resources are limited.
Originality/value
Primary care data quality studies in developing nations are limited. Understanding errors and missing data enables researchers and health service administrators to prevent quality-related problems in primary care data.
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The purpose of this article is to examine whether officer uniform color influences impressions the public forms about the character of police officers.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to examine whether officer uniform color influences impressions the public forms about the character of police officers.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey using digitally manipulated photographic prompts was used to examine how various levels of officer race, posture, and uniform color as well as a number of other experiential, attitudinal and demographic variables influenced subjects' impressions of officers' character on factor scores constructed from a set of semantic differential scales.
Findings
Officer uniform color influences impression formation, but not in the expected manner. Black uniforms elicited more positive impressions of officers than did lighter uniforms.
Research limitations/implications
Convenience sample was drawn from university undergraduates.
Practical implications
Darker uniforms for police may enhance favorable character impressions formed by some sectors of the public.
Originality/value
The research instrument improves measurement validity over prior methods while maintaining a precise experimental control. Findings contradict the conclusions of prior research on public perceptions of darker vs lighter police uniforms.
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