bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Industrial Intensification and Energy Embodied in Trade: Long‐Run Energy Perspective of the Planned Economy of Czechoslovakia
Authors: Nielsen Hana
Published: December 2017

This paper examines the role of foreign trade in the consumption of energy in Czechoslovakia through a bottom‐up approach in accounting for energy embodied in trade with manufactured goods. It provides a unique analysis of annual changes in energy embodied in trade in a country characterized by changing political regimes. On the whole, Czechoslovakia has been a net exporter of energy throughout the twentieth century with an average 12% of domestic energy consumption embodied in exports. The role of central planning was found to have a significant effect on the absolute levels of energy embodied in trade, which reached its peak in 1972, when Czechoslovakia had net exports of embodied energy of 29 gigajoules per capita, well above those of Sweden in 1970 or China in 2013. Increased product specialization with a shift toward heavy industrial goods also had a clear impact on the composition of energy embodied in exports. Despite this development, the energy intensity curve of Czechoslovakia does not change substantially when adjusted for foreign trade.
It is not a flat world after all: Tax repatriation costs and cash value
Authors: Fabrizi Michele , Ipino Elisabetta , Parbonetti Antonio
Published: December 2017

US corporations have accumulated record‐high amounts of cash, and most of it is trapped in foreign accounts. This study tests the hypothesis that the marginal value of cash decreases in the presence of tax repatriation costs, as these costs are a strong indication that part of the cash is trapped abroad. Cash abroad is not readily available to the company because it is subject to an additional layer of tax before it can be used or distributed. Moreover, uncertainty surrounds the potential use of foreign cash, and research documents that firms holding high amounts of cash abroad are likely to invest in negative net present value activities. Finally, possible changes in tax regulation are an additional source of uncertainty. Consequently, foreign cash should be worth less than domestic cash. Using a large sample of US firms drawn from COMPUSTAT during the 1991–2012 period, the analysis suggests that shareholders value an extra dollar of cash at $1.086. However, this result changes dramatically when the change in cash is interacted with the tax cost of repatriating the earnings. That is, the marginal value of cash decreases significantly in the presence of tax repatriation costs, and shareholders discount cash when it is likely to be held abroad. This study contributes to the literature on cash holding by investigating whether tax repatriation costs affect the value of corporate cash. Moreover, the findings show that there are important economic consequences linked to the phenomenon of cash accumulation in foreign countries and therefore provide regulators with a sound foundation on which to take additional actions to require more disclosure of and transparency in the actual location of firms’ cash holdings.
Associations of Nurse Staffing and Education With the Length of Stay of Surgical Patients
Authors: Cho Eunhee , Park Jeongyoung , Choi Miyoung , Lee Hye Sun , Kim Eun‐Young
Published: December 2017

Purpose

To examine the association of nurse staffing and education with the length of stay of surgical patients in acute care hospitals in South Korea.

Design

A cross‐sectional survey design was used for a nurse survey in acute hospitals collected between 2008 and 2009. The survey data (N = 1,665) were linked with patient discharge data (N = 113,438) and hospital facility data from 58 hospitals with 100 or more beds in South Korea.

Methods

The dependent variable was the length of stay, that is, the number of days a patient remained in the hospital. The independent variables were nurse staffing (number of patients per nurse) and nurses’ education level (percentage of nurses with a bachelor of science in nursing [BSN] degree). A multilevel analysis was used to analyze the associations of nurse staffing and education level with the length of stay by controlling for both hospital and patient characteristics.

Findings

The average proportion of nurses with a BSN in all the hospitals was 30.86%, while the average number of patients per nurse was 14.31. The median length of hospital stay for patients was about 7 days. The multilevel analysis showed that nurse staffing and nurse education level were significantly associated with the length of stay of surgical patients in acute care hospitals. A 10% increase in the average number of patients per nurse increased the length of stay by 0.284 days (p = .037). When the number of nurses with a BSN was increased by 1%, the length of stay decreased by 0.42 days (p = .025).

Conclusions

Nurse staffing and nurses’ education levels were significantly associated with the length of stay of surgical patients in South Korean hospitals. The findings from this study suggest that the South Korea healthcare system should develop appropriate strategies to improve the nurse staffing and education levels to ensure high‐quality patient care in hospitals.

Clinical Relevance

Healthcare policymakers and nurse managers need to modify adequate nurse staffing and education levels in order to reduce the length of stay of patients.
Learning by supporting others—experienced parents’ development process when supporting other parents with a child with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Boman Åse
Published: December 2017

Aims and objectives

To describe and analyse coach‐parents’ development process when supporting parents of children recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

Background

It has been found repeatedly that providing social support for families with a child diagnosed with T1DM promotes health and well‐being for both the child and the parents. Less explored are the processes experienced by those who provide this support. However, research has found that acting as a provider of social support promotes personal development, strengthens communication skills and increases self‐confidence.

Methods

The study design was based on Constructivist Grounded Theory, and data were collected, through repeated focus‐group discussions, from eight coach‐parents at a Swedish hospital from 2012–2015.

Results

The core category in the data was identified as a learning process where coach‐parents emphasised their own learning in the dyad supporter—supported, and in the interaction with other parents in the repeated focus‐group discussions. The coach‐parents’ motivation for participation was a wish to learn more and to help other parents in a life‐changing situation. They also pointed out hindrances and their frustration when unable to provide support.

Conclusions

This study leads to the conclusion that people who provide support benefit from doing so. Encountering people with similar experiences in a supportive situation promotes a reciprocal learning process, based on the supporter's wish to help people in a situation they recognise. A further conclusion is that social support is not only essential initially, but is also important over a longer period and that it follows various life stages.

Relevance to clinical practice

Setting up repeated focus‐group discussions might be a relevant and effective tool for paediatric diabetes nurses to use in promoting health and well‐being for both families with a newly diagnosed child and experienced families.
Urine sodium concentrations are predictive of hypoadrenocorticism in hyponatraemic dogs: a retrospective pilot study
Authors: Lennon E. M. , Hummel J. B. , Vaden S. L.
Published: December 2017

Objectives

To determine if a urine sodium concentration could be used to rule out hypoadrenocorticism in hyponatraemic dogs.

Materials and Methods

Medical records were reviewed for hyponatraemic dogs (serum sodium<135 mmol/L) that had recorded urine sodium concentrations. Twenty hyponatraemic dogs were included: 11 diagnosed with classical hypoadrenocorticism and nine with non‐adrenal causes of hyponatraemia. A Wilcoxon rank‐sum test was used to compare results between groups.

Results

No dog with hypoadrenocorticism had a urine sodium concentration less than 30 mmol/L. Urine sodium concentration in dogs with hypoadrenocorticism was significantly higher (median 103 mmol/L, range: 41 to 225) than in dogs with non‐adrenal illness (median 10 mmol/L, range: 2 to 86) (P<0·0005). Serum sodium concentrations were not significantly different between dogs with hypoadrenocorticism and dogs with non‐adrenal illness.

Clinical Significance

These results suggest that urine sodium concentrations can be used to prioritise a differential diagnosis of hypoadrenocorticism in hyponatraemic dogs. A urine sodium concentration less than 30 mmol/L in a hyponatraemic dog makes classical hypoadrenocorticism an unlikely cause of the hyponatraemia. Nevertheless, because of the small sample size our results should be interpreted with caution and a larger follow‐up study would be valuable.
The effect of daytime napping and full‐night sleep on the consolidation of declarative and procedural information
Authors: van Schalkwijk Frank J. , Sauter Cornelia , Hoedlmoser Kerstin , Heib Dominik P. J. , Klösch Gerhard , Moser Doris , Gruber Georg , Anderer Peter , Zeitlhofer Josef , Schabus Manuel
Published: December 2017

Many studies investigating sleep and memory consolidation have evaluated full‐night sleep rather than alternative sleep periods such as daytime naps. This multi‐centre study followed up on, and was compared with, an earlier full‐night study (Schabus et al., 2004) investigating the relevance of daytime naps for the consolidation of declarative and procedural memory. Seventy‐six participants were randomly assigned to a nap or wake group, and performed a declarative word‐pair association or procedural mirror‐tracing task. Performance changes from before to after a 90‐min retention interval filled with sleep or quiet wakefulness were evaluated between groups. Associations between performance changes, sleep architecture, spindles, and slow oscillations were investigated. For the declarative task we observed a trend towards stronger forgetting across a wake period compared with a nap period, and a trend towards memory increase over the full‐night. For the procedural task, accuracy was significantly decreased following daytime wakefulness, showed a trend to increase with a daytime nap, and significantly increased across full‐night sleep. For the nap protocol, neither sleep stages, spindles, nor slow oscillations predicted performance changes. A direct comparison of day and nighttime sleep revealed that daytime naps are characterized by significantly lower spindle density, but higher spindle activity and amplitude compared with full‐night sleep. In summary, data indicate that daytime naps protect procedural memories from deterioration, whereas full‐night sleep improves performance. Given behavioural and physiological differences between day and nighttime sleep, future studies should try to characterize potential differential effects of full‐night and daytime sleep with regard to sleep‐dependent memory consolidation.
Flower wars
Authors: Pauw Anton
Published: December 2017

The role of competition in structuring plant communities has recently entered a new phase by considering interactions with pollinators. In this issue of Journal of Vegetation Science, Fantinato et al. show that co‐occurring grassland plants tend to use different pollinators or diverge in anther morphology. The study opens the door for investigation of the ecological and evolutionary processes that generate this pattern.
Experimental Evaluation of the Halophyte, Salicornia virginica, for Biomitigation of Dissolved Nutrients in Effluent from a Recirculating Aquaculture System for Marine Finfish
Authors: Watanabe Wade O. , Farnell Robert D.
Published: December 2017

The ability of the halophyte, Salicornia virginica, planted in drainage lysimeters to biomitigate dissolved nutrients in effluent from a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) for marine finfish was evaluated. Seawater effluent from a RAS producing black sea bass, Centropristis striata (filtered to reduce total suspended solids), was used as irrigant. Plant growth and dissolved N and P removal were determined as a function of leachate fraction (LF%) – that is, proportion of irrigant that leaches from the plant‐substrate lysimeter. Lysimeters were irrigated weekly to produce 30, 40, and 50% LF. A control (unplanted) lysimeter was included at the 30% LF. Plant growth was excellent in all LF% treatments until Day 141 when salt buildup in the lysimeter substrate inhibited nutrient uptake. Salt accumulation was mitigated at higher LF%, so that plant biomass and net removal (μg) of dissolved N and P by the p‐s lysimeter remained higher (P < 0.05) at the 40 and 50% than at the 30% LF. On Day 141, percent removal efficiency at the 50% LF was 79.2% for inorganic N and 73.9% for total phosphorus. Through Day 355, substrate salinity was minimized and plant biomass and nutrient removal were maximized at the 50% LF. S. virginica is an effective biofilter for dissolved nutrients in effluent from an RAS for marine finfish.
Effectiveness of a risk–need–responsivity‐based treatment program for violent and sexual offenders: Results of a retrospective, quasi‐experimental study
Authors: Seewald Katharina , Rossegger Astrid , Gerth Juliane , Urbaniok Frank , Phillips Gary , Endrass Jérôme
Published: December 2017

Purpose

Relapse prevention is an important goal in correctional settings. Although there is strong evidence for the effectiveness of certain treatment programs for juvenile offenders, those for adults lack such evidence. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a risk–need–responsivity (RNR)‐based intervention.

Methods

A quasi‐experimental, observational study design and cox regression analysis were used to compare treated violent and sexual offenders (n = 171) with untreated offenders (n = 241).

Results

Both groups were observed for an average of 7.9 years. Recidivism rates of treated offenders (11.7%, n = 20) were similar to those of control offenders (15.8%, n = 38; p = .25). When controlling for confounding variables, the hazard of recidivism in the treatment group was 5.2% lower than that in the control group. Subdividing the treatment group resulted in lower hazard ratios for offenders still in therapy when released and offenders cancelling therapy. However, none of the group differences was statistically significant.

Conclusion

Our results show that control and RNR‐based treatment groups had comparable recidivism rates with a trend towards a positive treatment effect, especially for people in outpatient treatment. However, criminal history, age at the start of follow‐up, and actuarial risk of recidivism were significantly associated with recidivism. Future research needs to apply elaborate methodological approaches to detect robust treatment effects and consider different criteria of treatment effectiveness. Furthermore, the influence of prison climate, motivational factors, intervention quality, and factors supporting the success of outpatient treatment should be considered in future studies of larger offender samples.
The unusual reproductive system of head and body lice (Pediculus humanus)
Authors: DE LA FILIA A. G. , ANDREWES S. , CLARK J. M. , ROSS L.
Published: December 2017

Insect reproduction is extremely variable, but the implications of alternative genetic systems are often overlooked in studies on the evolution of insecticide resistance. Both ecotypes of Pediculus humanus (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae), the human head and body lice, are human ectoparasites, the control of which is challenged by the recent spread of resistance alleles. The present study conclusively establishes for the first time that both head and body lice reproduce through paternal genome elimination (PGE), an unusual genetic system in which males transmit only their maternally derived chromosomes. Here, we investigate inheritance patterns of parental genomes using a genotyping approach across families of both ecotypes and show that heterozygous males exclusively or preferentially pass on one allele only, whereas females transmit both in a Mendelian fashion. We do however observe occasional transmission of paternal chromosomes through males, representing the first known case of PGE in which whole‐genome meiotic drive is incomplete. Finally, we discuss the potential implications of this finding for the evolution of resistance and invite the development of new theoretical models of how this knowledge might contribute to increasing the success of pediculicide‐based management schemes.
Cryptococcosis with AIDS: therapeutic strategies
Authors: Ruf B.
Published: December 2017

Die Cryptococcose ist die hauflgste lebensbedrohliche Pilzerkrankung bei AIDS. Die Kombinationstherapie von Amphotericin B/Flucytosin ist trotz Einführung von Fluconazol in die Akuttherapie der Cryptococcose auch weiterhin die Therapie der ersten Wahl. Bei einer Therapiedauer von sechs Wochen ist die Kombinationstherapie nahezu immer erfolgreich; eine kürzere Behandlungszeit führt zu schlechteren Behandlungserfolgen. Da es bei AIDS‐Patienten nicht zu einer Erregereliminierung kommt, ist eine Rezidivprophylaxe notwendig. In der Rezidivprophylaxe ist Fluconazol hochwirksam und derzeit das Mittel der ersten Wahl. Es ist gleichwirksam wie Amphotericin B und bietet zusätzlich den Vorteil einer oralen Applikationsmöglichkeit.
Natural Occurrence of Mycotoxins in Some Cereals
Authors: Pande Neeta , Saxena J. , Pandey H.
Published: December 2017

Thirty samples each of wheat and rice and 22 of maize were screened qualitatively and quantitatively for the presence of mycotoxins out of which 13, 15 and 7 samples respectively were found to be contaminated with different mycotoxins. Aflatoxin was present in 37.4 % samples and besides aflatoxin, ochratoxin A, sterigmatocystin, citrinin, rubratoxin and zearalenone were also present in the cereals. The quantity of aflatoxin was highest in rice samples in comparison to wheat and maize. During the preliminary bioassay no external changes were observed in the mice except for slight weight loss when fed with grain samples, while a high rate of mortality was observed when treated with lethal doses of mycotoxins.
Antifungal action of latex saps from Lactuca sativa L. and Asclepias curassavica L
Authors: Moulin-Traffort J. , Giordani R. , Régli P.
Published: December 2017

Asclepias curassavica and Lactuca sativa latex saps inhibit the growth of Candida albicans because they degrade a great number of yeasts. This was confirmed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy observations. After a contact of 4 h and 6 h yeasts are deformed and emptied of their cytoplasmic content. Moreover, it appears that these saps, particularly Asclepias, also act on the cell wall: the substances presumed to be responsible for these effects were probably terpens and cardenolids but also enzymes, in particular glucanases.
Fluconazole in the treatment of oropharyngeal candidosis in HIV‐positive patients
Authors: Just-Nübling Gudrun , Gentschew Gabriele , Döhle Monika , Böttinger C. , Helm Eilke-Brigitte , Stille W.
Published: December 2017

106 HIV‐positive patients with 129 episodes of oropharyngeal Candida Infection were treated with fluconazole (50–300 mg/d). Treatment lasted from 4 to 23 days. The majority of patients were in more advanced stages of HIV infection (82 % AIDS cases). Therapy with fluconazole led to complete healing or improvement of clinical symptoms in 93 % of all treatment courses. However, according to cultural findings, an elimination or recession of pathogens was achieved in only 70 % of cases. Cultural monitoring showed a slow reduction of pathogens, as opposed to a fairly rapid clinical improvement. Candida albicans was the most frequently isolated Candida species (n = 128); the most selected Candida species during treatment were C. glabrata, C. krusei, and C. inconspicua. It is remarkable that C. glabrata, a low‐grade pathogen, caused enanthema in 2 patients and a typical oral thrush in 1 patient. Fluconazole was well‐tolerated, and apart from mild gastro‐intestinal symptoms in 1 patient, no severe side effects were observed.
Sellar and suprasellar granular cell tumor of the neurohypophysis: A rare case report and review of the literature
Authors: Jiang Biying , Shi Xiuying , Fan Chuifeng
Published: December 2017

Granular cell tumors of the neurohypophysis are rare tumors with a WHO grade of I. Symptomatic tumors are even more rare. In this case, we present a 50‐year‐old patient with a sellar and suprasellar granular cell tumor of the neurohypophysis, who reported headaches, blurred vision and unsteady gait. CT imaging showed a sellar and suprasellar mass approximately 2.9 cm in diameter with clear boundaries. Histologically, the tumor lacked any obvious atypia and contained densely arranged polygonal tumor cells with abundant granular eosinophilic cytoplasm. Staining for Alpha‐1 AntiChymotrypsin (AACT), TTF‐1 and PAS was diffusely positive, and S‐100 staining was focally positive in the tumor cells. CD34, CK, EMA, GFAP and HMB45 staining were negative. The Ki‐67 index was < 1%. According to these findings, the tumor was diagnosed as a symptomatic granular cell tumor of the neurohypophysis. We suggest that identifying the location of the tumor with imaging is helpful for understanding the granular cell tumor of the neurohypophysis. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are critical for patients.
Inflammatory biomarkers of low back pain and disc degeneration: a review
Authors: Khan Aysha N. , Jacobsen Hayley E. , Khan Jansher , Filippi Christopher G. , Levine Mitchell , Lehman Ronald A. , Riew K. Daniel , Lenke Lawrence G. , Chahine Nadeen O.
Published: December 2017

Biomarkers are biological characteristics that can be used to indicate health or disease. This paper reviews studies on biomarkers of low back pain (LBP) in human subjects. LBP is the leading cause of disability, caused by various spine‐related disorders, including intervertebral disc degeneration, disc herniation, spinal stenosis, and facet arthritis. The focus of these studies is inflammatory mediators, because inflammation contributes to the pathogenesis of disc degeneration and associated pain mechanisms. Increasingly, studies suggest that the presence of inflammatory mediators can be measured systemically in the blood. These biomarkers may serve as novel tools for directing patient care. Currently, patient response to treatment is unpredictable with a significant rate of recurrence, and, while surgical treatments may provide anatomical correction and pain relief, they are invasive and costly. The review covers studies performed on populations with specific diagnoses and undefined origins of LBP. Since the natural history of LBP is progressive, the temporal nature of studies is categorized by duration of symptomology/disease. Related studies on changes in biomarkers with treatment are also reviewed. Ultimately, diagnostic biomarkers of LBP and spinal degeneration have the potential to shepherd an era of individualized spine medicine for personalized therapeutics in the treatment of LBP.
Initial experience with a novel electrophysiology mapping simulator
Authors: Seslar Stephen P. , Patton Kristen K.
Published: December 2017

Background

Despite data supporting the use of simulation training in procedural specialties and accreditation requirements, few options exist for electrophysiology (EP) training. We aimed to develop a low‐cost, accessible simulator for training in EP mapping, and to test the simulator in a group of novice users.

Methods

Our mapping simulator is composed of three components: an acrylic case representing torso and thigh; three‐dimensional (3D) printed cardiac models; and a commercially available mapping system. Using a proprietary flexible material that mimics the consistency of human heart tissue, we created an anatomically accurate model of a normal right atrium (RA) from computed tomography data. We developed a test protocol consisting of two activities: creation of a RA shell and timed navigation to specific locations within the RA shell. Seventeen participants were randomized to either practice versus no practice on the simulator, and repeated simulator and self‐assessment tests were performed after 1 week. We measured volume of the RA map and time taken and distance from the target sites for each target location.

Results

Both groups showed improvement in generation of geometry, volume, time to target, and self‐assessed comfort level after initial exposure to the simulator. Compared with no‐practice, the practice group demonstrated an improved sense of confidence in mapping.

Conclusions

Focused training in EP mapping using a novel simulator created with 3D printed heart models and a standard mapping system is feasible for use in the training environment. Exposure to the simulator is associated with improved mapping skills and trainee comfort level.
How a demanding employment relationship relates to affective commitment in public organizations: A multilevel analysis
Authors: Audenaert Mieke , George Bert , Decramer Adelien
Published: December 2017

It has recently been recognized in the public administration literature that multiple reforms coexist in public organizations, ranging from the Weberian bureaucracy to New Public Management and, more recently, new public governance. This study develops a typology of the employment relationship with features of these macro‐level changes and tests their impact on the civil servant's affective commitment by including the individual‐level social exchange relationship. This multilevel model is tested with data from 936 employees in a public organization. The findings confirm the existence of different approaches to the employment relationship: overdemanding, mutual investment and moderately demanding. Civil servants in a mutual investment employment relationship are most affectively committed, and civil servants in a moderately demanding employment relationship benefit most from a positive social exchange relationship. Implications for public management theory and practice are discussed.
REGIONAL GROWTH AND BUSINESS CYCLES IN JAPAN
Authors: Ohtsuka Yoshihiro , Kakamu Kazuhiko
Published: December 2017

This study examines the consistency and gaps in national and regional business cycles in Japan from a Bayesian point of view. The Tokyo monopolar system started in the mid‐1970s, and recent descriptive statistics, such as migration and per capita income, show that the system continues, despite severe crises such as the burst of the 1990s economic bubble and the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy. We explore the relationship between national and regional business cycles in the system using a spatio‐temporal Markov‐switching model with the Markov chain Monte Carlo method. Our empirical results show that overall, the regional business cycle in the Kanto region, including Tokyo, is identical to the national business cycle. Moreover, we find that switches in the degree of spatial dependency occur around the turning points of business cycles, and that the degree of spatial dependency tends to be higher during a recession.
Overcoming the species hybridization barrier by ploidy manipulation in the genus Oryza
Authors: Tonosaki Kaoru , Sekine Daisuke , Ohnishi Takayuki , Ono Akemi , Furuumi Hiroyasu , Kurata Nori , Kinoshita Tetsu
Published: December 2017

In most eudicot and monocot species, interspecific and interploidy crosses generally display abnormalities in the endosperm that are the major cause of a post‐zygotic hybridization barrier. In some eudicot species, however, this type of hybridization barrier can be overcome by the manipulation of ploidy levels of one parental species, suggesting that the molecular mechanisms underlying the species hybridization barrier can be circumvented by genome dosage. We previously demonstrated that endosperm barriers in interspecific and interploidy crosses in the genus Oryza involve overlapping but different mechanisms. This result contrasts with those in the genus Arabidopsis, which shows similar outcomes in both interploidy and interspecific crosses. Therefore, we postulated that an exploration of pathways for overcoming the species hybridization barrier in Oryza endosperm, by manipulating the ploidy levels in one parental species, might provide novel insights into molecular mechanisms. We showed that fertile hybrid seeds could be produced by an interspecific cross of female tetraploid Oryza sativa and male diploid Oryza longistaminata. Although the rate of nuclear divisions did not return to normal levels in the hybrid endosperm, the timing of cellularization, nucellus degeneration and the accumulation of storage products were close to normal levels. In addition, the expression patterns of the imprinted gene MADS87 and YUCCA11 were changed when the species barrier was overcome. These results suggest that the regulatory machinery for developmental transitions and imprinted gene expression are likely to play a central role in overcoming species hybridization barriers by genome dosage in the genus Oryza.
How do countries respond to anti‐dumping filings? Dispute settlement and retaliatory anti‐dumping
Authors: Feinberg Robert M. , Reynolds Kara M.
Published: December 2017

Empirical studies have found that countries may respond strategically to the anti‐dumping petition filed against their exporters through their own retaliatory actions. Although most previous studies have focused on retaliatory anti‐dumping filings, in this paper we explore another potential avenue for strategic response—filing a complaint under the World Trade Organization's (WTO) dispute settlement understanding. Using a panel of global anti‐dumping filings between 1995 and 2011, we analyse under what conditions countries will choose to retaliate through either an anti‐dumping petition or a WTO dispute, and to what degree these two strategies are complementary or act as substitutes. We find statistical evidence that countries are more likely to file a WTO dispute when they have also filed a retaliatory anti‐dumping petition, suggesting that these two strategies may be complementary.
Experiences of 5th Grade Students Participating in Active Gaming-Assisted Physical Education Lessons
Authors: Yüksel Hidayet Suha , Tuncel Fehmi
Published: December 2017

The aim of present study is to explore the experiences of 5th grade students, who participated in physical education courses structured based on the active gaming program. The qualitative case study model was employed in this study. Twelve 5th grade students attending the physical education lessons were involved in present study. The physical education lessons were taught by using “SMART Trainer” system having 3 wall units for 12 weeks. The data were collected using semi-structured focus group discussions, observation notes, rubric, and video records. The content analysis method was used in analyzing the data. The findings were gathered under two categories, two main themes, and four sub-themes. In first category, the previous experiences of students regarding the physical education lessons are to play same games, to watch movies or to take other lessons when they were in the classroom, and to play traditional games or to be left free when they were outside. The fun, the skill-difficulty level, the decrease in awareness of time, the visual-auditory stimulants and the teacher support, which are reflected to the physical education lessons under the motivation theme, are among the important experiences playing role in motivation of students. In physical competence and confidence dimension, the fundamental movement skills assessments made by practitioners as their main function indicate that the majority of students are at adequate levels, whereas it was determined that the self-confidence from the physical aspect developed in parallel with the development of fundamental movement abilities that teachers perceive from their students.
Gain scheduling linear model of an electro-hydraulic actuator
Authors: Onat Cem , Daskin Mahmut , Turan Abdullah
Published: December 2017

In different industrial processes in which position and force control are desired, electro-hydraulic systems have a widespread area of utilization. Models of electro-hydraulic systems include high order nonlinearity. In this study, a gain scheduling linear model corresponded with nonlinear model of a hydraulic force actuator system is developed. The proposed model is constituted in two distinct and consecutive stages. In the first step, nonlinear terms caused to nonlinearity are described by the means of measurable or observable system parameters and embedded in a nonlinear scheduling parameter. Thus, the scheduling parameter is continuously extracted from main system. In the second step, the nonlinear system equation is rearranged by the scheduling parameter and by this way parameter varying linear model is obtained. The simulations which are performed by use of Matlab-Simulink computer program show that the proposed model rightly fits to the nonlinear system model.
Development of Welding P92 Pipes Using the Reduced Pressure Electron Beam Welding Process for a Study of Creep Performance
Authors: Bagshaw Nick , Punshon Chris , Rothwell John
Published: December 2017

Boiler and steam piping components in power plants are fabricated using creep strength enhanced ferritic (CSEF) steels, which often operate at temperatures above 550°C. Modification of alloy content within these steels has produced better creep performance and higher operating temperatures, which increases the process efficiency of power plants. The improved materials, however, are susceptible to type IV cracking at the welded regions. A better understanding of type IV cracking in these materials is required and is the basis of the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) UK funded VALID (Verified Approaches to Life Management & Improved Design of High Temperature Steels for Advanced Steam Plants) project. In order to study the relationship between creep performance and heat input during welding, several welds with varying amounts of heat input and resultant HAZ widths were produced using the electron beam welding process. The welding parameters were developed with the aid of weld process modeling using the finite element (FE) method, in which the welding parameters were optimized to produce low, medium and high heat input welds. In this paper, the modeling approach and the development of electron beam welds in ASTM A387 grade P92 pipe material are presented. Creep specimens were extracted from the welded pipes and testing is ongoing.

The authors acknowledge the VALID project partners, contributors and funding body: Air Liquide, Metrode, Polysoude, E.ON New Build & Technology Ltd, UKE.ON, Doosan, Centrica Energy, SSE, Tenaris, TU Chemnitz, The University of Nottingham, The Open University and UK TSB.

Paper published with permission.
Influence of Shot Peening on the Steam Oxidation Behavior of HR3C and TEMPALOY A-3 Tubes at 750°C
Authors: Tang Liying , Zhou Rongcan , Guo Yan , Wang Bohan , Hou Shufang
Published: December 2017

The effect of shot peening on the steam oxidation behavior of HR3C and TEMPALOY A-3 tubing was investigated at 750 °C for up to 600 hrs. The results indicated that shot peening can significantly improve the steam oxidation resistance of the 22∼25%Cr austenitic stainless steels. The scales formed on shot-peened tubes were essentially composed of Cr2O3 and MnCr2O4. However the scales formed on the as-received tubes had a two-layer structure, consisting of an outer layer of Fe3O4 and Fe2O3 and an inner layer of Fe3O4 and (Fe,Cr)3O4.

Paper published with permission.
Out-of-Phase and In-Phase Thermo-Mechanical Fatigue Response Simulations of Haynes 230
Authors: Ahmed Raasheduddin , Barrett Paul R. , Hassan Tasnim
Published: December 2017

Temperatures at critical locations in propulsion turbine engine combustor components can be as high as 982°C (1800°F). High temperature thermal gradients, and start-up and shut-down operations of gas turbines, induce thermo-mechanical fatigue (TMF) failure. Dwell periods at high temperatures accompanied by repeated loading cycles, eventually lead to failure of the components through creep-fatigue processes. In an effort to decipher the complex high temperature phenomena, a large set of isothermal and thermo-mechanical fatigue experiments have been carried out on the gas turbine combustor liner material, Haynes 230. The out-of-phase strain-controlled TMF experiments with compressive peak hold result in mean stress evolution in the tensile direction, whereas the in-phase TMF experiments with tensile peak hold result in mean stress evolution in the compressive direction. Experimental results indicate that the maximum temperature in the loading cycle influences the material property evolution with cycle. A unified viscoplastic constitutive model based on the Chaboche type nonlinear kinematic hardening rule was developed, including the added features of strain range dependence, rate dependence, temperature rate dependence, static recovery, mean stress evolution, and maximum temperature influence. The new constitutive model was validated against stress-strain responses of Haynes 230 under TMF loading.

Paper published with permission.
High Temperature Testing and Analysis of a Class 300 Bolted Flange Joint
Authors: Mann J. Adin , Hilsabeck Jeremy , Mckoon Cale
Published: December 2017

When class 300 flange bolted joints are held at temperatures in the material creep range, it is documented that the bolt loads can relax. Tests and analysis are being performed with the goal of developing a validated FEA simulation approach to predicting the impact of creep on the bolt loads. The bolt load and gasket geometry are evaluated upon bolt up and after being heated to 1100 deg F. Tests are performed with and without a gasket to separate the impact of the gasket relaxation and flange material creep. The results of the tests and analysis approaches will be presented.

Paper published with permission.
A Comparative Creep and Creep Fatigue Analysis of an Austenitic Steam Superheater
Authors: Di Lillo Patrizio , Gaetani Luca , Germoni Lorenzo , Masia Alessandro
Published: December 2017

A steam superheater is a component which operates at elevated temperature in the creep regime.

The component is normally not working in cycling conditions. Due to operation failures, the component has been subjected to several unplanned start-ups and shutdown. The SSH has reported a very high level of damage of the tubesheet to shell junction in field (high deformation and weld cracks).

Several investigations have been performed to analyze the effect of temperature, pressure and external loads on the equipment with finite element techniques and different creep and creep-fatigue evaluation approaches: ASME III subsection NH, simplified inelastic analysis and a full creep model have been used. A comparison of the results is reported in this paper.

Paper published with permission.
Cracking in Grade 23 Weldments at Elevated Temperatures
Authors: Foulds Jude R. , Siefert John A.
Published: December 2017

Recent, brittle fracture in Grade 23 power plant components at relatively low temperatures has increased the need to assess the cracking behavior of this material. Time-dependent cracking in the heat-affected zone of Grade 23 weldments was assessed using crack growth testing of subsize compact tension specimens at a temperature (482°C, 900°F) characteristic of the upper portion of a furnace wall in supercritical boilers. Results of additional testing at a higher, typical design temperature (566°C, 1050°F) for superheater and reheater tubing and headers will be reported later. Post-test metallurgical evaluation of the cracking morphology was conducted using traditional light microscopy and laser microscopy. Although large-scale creep deformation is absent under these lower test temperature conditions, significant weldment heat-affected zone intergranular cracking was documented. An example of application of the data to the inservice integrity and life assessment of a furnace tube is also described, providing preliminary perspective on the factors controlling lifetime and manageability of integrity.

Paper published with permission.
An R5 Based Creep-Fatigue Critical Flaw Assessment of an In-Service Reformer Piping Tee Using Finite Element Analysis
Authors: Prueter Phillip E. , Dewees David J. , Brown Robert G.
Published: December 2017

This study employs three dimensional (3D) non-linear, finite element analysis (FEA) to supplement a critical flaw sizing assessment of an in-service reformer piping tee. The analysis is guided by the EDF (Électricité de France) Assessment Procedure R5 (formerly from British Energy Generation LTD. or BEGL) as well as Part 10 of API 579-1/ASME FFS-1. Specifically, Volume 4/5 of R5, which addresses crack growth, is used to determine the largest permissible flaw as a function of operational cycles and time at temperature. Required stresses are generated using FEA as well as the simplified reference stress techniques of R5 as appropriate. The analysis explicitly considers thermal transients, as well as cyclic plasticity. Furthermore, modeling of steady state operating conditions considers creep in the FEA material model. Additionally, creep-fatigue flaw growth is considered for a range of initial defect sizes. The targeted inelastic, non-linear FEA is leveraged to remove significant uncertainty and conservatism, and the simplified techniques of R5 are employed wherever reasonable to give the most efficient analysis possible. This investigation provides estimates of flaw propagation rates based on historical cyclic operation and permits determination of reasonable inspection intervals for the reformer tee in question.

Paper published with permission.
Simplified Methods for Elevated Temperature Structural Design: An Overview of Some Current Activities
Authors: Jetter Robert I. , Wang Yanli , Carter Peter , Sham T.-L. (Sam)
Published: December 2017

Elevated temperature design criteria for Class 1 nuclear components employ two fundamental approaches for evaluation of structural integrity in the temperature regime where creep effects are significant: full inelastic analysis to predict the actual stress and strain resulting from time dependent loading conditions and simplified methods which bound the actual response with, conceptually, simpler material models and analytical procedures. However, the current simplified methods have been found to be more complex for real component design applications than originally envisioned. There is an added complication that the current simplified methods are considered inappropriate in the very high temperature regime where there is no distinction between plasticity and creep. Recently, some improved, less complex methods have been proposed which would overcome these objections. One set of criteria are based on elastic-perfectly plastic (E-PP) analysis methods. Draft code cases have been prepared which address the use of the E-PP methodology to primary loading, strain limits and creep-fatigue damage evaluation. Another proposed criterion is based on the use of test specimens which include the effects of stress and strain redistribution due to plasticity and creep to develop creep-fatigue damage evaluation design curves. An overview of the key features, associated analytical and experimental verification, status and path forward are presented. Although targeted to nuclear components, these criteria also have potential application to non-nuclear components and operating temperatures below the creep regime.

Paper published with permission.
Observation of the Transformation in Microstructure and Vickers Hardness of Ferrous Model Alloy by Electromagnetic Induction Heating to Form a High Temperature Gradient
Authors: Ye Changqing , Li Qiulin , Wu Ping , Tang Guoyi , Liu Wei
Published: December 2017

Nuclear radiation can induce hardening and embrittlement of RPV steel. Solute defect copper rich precipitate / clusters is considered harden the base steel. Reduce or delay the irradiation hardening and embrittlement of RPV steel could be effective to ensure the safe operation of nuclear power. Furthermore, the expected target of the improved RPV steel will assist consummate nuclear power evaluation to decide whether feasible to extend the service lifetime of nuclear power plant from 40 to 60 years facing at present in China nuclear industry.

In order to study the precipitate phase Cu rich clusters, but different from the traditional methods, the present work employed a new technique, electromagnetic induction heating to produce a high temperature gradient along the model rod Fe-1.2wt.%Cu alloy sample. The results exhibit that this method can speed up the research process and is convenient to study the transformation in microstructure and hard / brittle defect phase formation of copper solute rich clusters. In addition, the change of Vickers hardness along the high temperature gradient assist denote the transformation in microstructure and the Cu rich clusters in quantity roughly. And large rolling deformation can promote formation of Cu rich cluster.
Improvement of Probabilistic Fracture Mechanics Analysis Code PASCAL-SP With Regard to Primary Water Stress Corrosion Cracking
Authors: Mano Akihiro , Yamaguchi Yoshihito , Katsuyama Jinya , Li Yinsheng
Published: December 2017

Structural integrity assessments for cracked nuclear components are currently performed on the basis of deterministic fracture mechanics in accordance with the Rules on Fitness-for-Service for Nuclear Power Plant of the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers. On the other hand, probabilistic fracture mechanics (PFM) is expected as a rational method for a structural integrity assessment because it can account for the uncertainties and scatters of various influencing factors and can evaluate quantitative values such as the failure probabilities of the components as the solutions. In the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), a PFM analysis code PASCAL-SP was developed in order to evaluate the failure probability of nuclear pipe by taking into account aging degradation mechanisms such as inter-granular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) and fatigue in the boiling water reactor (BWR) environment.

Recently, a number of cracks due to primary water stress corrosion cracking (PWSCC) have been detected in nickel-based alloy welds in the primary piping of pressurized water reactors (PWRs). Therefore, the structural integrity assessment for primary piping taking PWSCC into consideration has become important.

This paper details the improvement of PASCAL-SP to evaluate the failure probability of primary pipe taking PWSCC into consideration. We introduce several probabilistic evaluation models such as crack initiation, crack growth and crack detection models related to PWSCC into PASCAL-SP. As numerical examples, the failure probabilities for circumferential and axial cracks in nickel-based alloy weld in pipe in the PWR primary water environment are calculated. We also evaluate the influence of non-destructive inspection on failure probabilities. On the basis of the numerical results, we conclude that the improved PASCAL-SP is useful for evaluating the failure probability of primary pipe taking PWSCC into account.
Isogeometric Analysis of Pipe System in Nuclear Power Plant
Authors: Shen Le , Xia Yang
Published: December 2017

The security of pipe system is an important problem in nuclear power plant. The displacement field and vibration frequency of the pipeline system under given loads and displacement boundary conditions are calculated with isogeometric analysis. Comparisons with commercial softwares are given to prove its effectiveness. In isogeometric analysis the non-uniform rational B-spline (NURBS) basis functions are used to accurately describe the geometry of pipeline, which can be imported directly from the geometry model designed by computer aided design (CAD) tools for numerical analysis. The quarter bend pipes are described precisely with only limited control points and the approximation by straight line elements in finite element method based simulation is replaced. Present simulation with isogeometric analysis can simplify the modelling process of pipeline system and improve the efficiency of the simulation with great accuracy.