bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biological characterization of adipose‐derived regenerative cells used for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence
Authors: Okabe Yuka Tsukagoshi , Shimizu Shinobu , Suetake Yukihiro , Matsui‐Hirai Hisako , Hasegawa Shizuka , Takanari Keisuke , Toriyama Kazuhiro , Kamei Yuzuru , Yamamoto Tokunori , Mizuno Masaaki , Gotoh Momokazu
Published: December 2020

Objective

To assess the characteristics of adipose‐derived regenerative cells, and provide supportive data explaining the mechanism of efficacy observed for the use of these cells in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence.

Methods

Adipose tissues were harvested by abdominal liposuction from healthy donors and patients with stress urinary incontinence. Adipose‐derived regenerative cells were isolated from tissues using the Celution system, and assessed for their characteristics and ability to differentiate into smooth muscle cells.

Results

Adipose‐derived regenerative cells isolated by the Celution system developed into fibroblastic colonies. Flow cytometric analysis of adipose‐derived stem cell markers showed that adipose‐derived regenerative cells were positive for CD34 and CD44, and negative for CD31. Immunofluorescence staining after differentiation showed that colony‐forming cells were positive for alpha‐smooth muscle actin, calponin and desmin, which are smooth muscle cell markers. A cytokine release assay showed that adherent cells secreted cytokines associated with angiogenesis, including vascular endothelial growth factor‐A, angiopoietin‐2 and placental growth factor.

Conclusions

Adipose‐derived regenerative cells collected by the Celution system might have clonogenic capacity and an angiogenetic function. These properties might contribute to the mechanisms through which regenerative cell therapy by periurethral injection of autologous adipose‐derived regenerative cells ameliorates stress urinary incontinence.
Data Integration by Combining Big Data and Survey Sample Data for Finite Population Inference
Authors: Kim Jae‐Kwang , Tam Siu‐Ming
Published: December 2020

The statistical challenges in using big data for making valid statistical inference in the finite population have been well documented in literature. These challenges are due primarily to statistical bias arising from under‐coverage in the big data source to represent the population of interest and measurement errors in the variables available in the data set. By stratifying the population into a big data stratum and a missing data stratum, we can estimate the missing data stratum by using a fully responding probability sample and hence the population as a whole by using a data integration estimator. By expressing the data integration estimator as a regression estimator, we can handle measurement errors in the variables in big data and also in the probability sample. We also propose a fully nonparametric classification method for identifying the overlapping units and develop a bias‐corrected data integration estimator under misclassification errors. Finally, we develop a two‐step regression data integration estimator to deal with measurement errors in the probability sample. An advantage of the approach advocated in this paper is that we do not have to make unrealistic missing‐at‐random assumptions for the methods to work. The proposed method is applied to the real data example using 2015–2016 Australian Agricultural Census data.
Forty‐eight weeks of statin therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with lower extremity atherosclerotic disease: Comparison of the effects of pitavastatin and atorvastatin on lower femoral total plaque areas
Authors: Zhou Xieda , Wu Liting , Chen Yan , Xiao Huangmeng , Huang Xiaoyu , Li Yanbing , Xiao Haipeng , Cao Xiaopei
Published: December 2020

Aims/Introduction

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is correlated with systemic atherosclerosis. Statin therapies have been proved to reduce low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) level, protecting type 2 diabetes mellitus patients from cardiovascular events. Recently, more interest has been focused on the regression of lower extremity atherosclerotic disease (LEAD) for the potential prevention of amputation. However, the effects of pitavastatin and atorvastatin on LEAD in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients have not been directly compared.

Materials and Methods

This study compared the effects of pitavastatin and atorvastatin on femoral total plaque areas (FTPA), and lipids and glucose metabolism in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with elevated LDL‐C level and LEAD. Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with LDL‐C level >2.6 mmol/L and LEAD were randomly assigned to receive either pitavastatin 2 mg/day or atorvastatin 10 mg/day for 48 weeks. FTPA were measured at baseline and the end of the study. Levels of glucose and lipids profile were measured periodically. The efficacy was evaluated in 63 patients.

Results

The percentage change in FTPA measurements was similar between the pitavastatin group and atorvastatin group (−17.79 ± 21.27% vs −14.34 ± 16.33%), as were the changes in LDL‐C (−44.0 ± 18.0% vs −40.3 ± 18.2%) and triglyceride (17.6 ± 20.0% vs 16.2 ± 17.0%). However, the level of high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly higher in the pitavastatin group compared with the atorvastatin group after 48 weeks of treatment (12.9 ± 10.3% vs 7.2 ± 11.7%, P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between groups for the measurements of glucose metabolism.

Conclusion

In type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with elevated LDL‐C level and LEAD, 48 weeks of treatment with either pitavastatin or atorvastatin was associated with significant regression of FTPA. Pitavastatin treatment resulted in a significantly higher high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol level compared with atorvastatin treatment.
Effects of tray drying, vacuum infrared drying, and vacuum microwave drying techniques on quality characteristics and aroma profile of orange peels
Authors: Bozkir Hamza , Tekgül Yeliz , Erten Edibe Seda
Published: December 2020

This study aimed to dry orange peels using tray drying (TD), vacuum infrared drying (VID), and vacuum microwave drying (VMD) techniques and to investigate the effects of different drying techniques on the drying kinetics, physical, chemical characteristics, and volatile compounds. The VMD raised the drying rate and the effective water diffusivity compared to the TD and the VID. It was detected that the TD, VID, and VMD at 50°C required 300, 106, and 20.67 min, respectively. The VMD showed the highest vitamin C, total phenolic substance, total carotenoid content, whereas the TD indicated the lowest color values. A total of 63 volatile compounds which consist of 16 aldehydes and ketones, 4 esters, 34 terpenes, and 9 other types of compounds were determined in dried orange peels. It was determined that the VID technique caused the least destructing in volatile compounds, whereas the TD technique was the most destructive.

Practical Applications

Drying is a common preservation method used for the long‐term durability of foods. Drying of orange peel conduces not only to decrease environmental problems but also to provide economic benefits. Dried orange peel is used in herbal teas and food products because it is rich in aromatic flavor and odor components. Orange peel was dried using tray drying, vacuum infrared drying, and vacuum microwave drying. The vacuum microwave drying increased the drying rate and effective water diffusivity to others. The vacuum microwave drying and vacuum infrared drying protected quality characteristics, and volatile compounds of orange peels. This study demonstrated that the waste orange peels could be dried with different drying methods and converted into products with high nutritional components.
Religion, Crime, and Social Trust in Historic Germany: Are Catholics More Inclined to Violate Social Norms than Protestants?
Authors: Graeff Peter , Svendsen Gert Tinggaard
Published: December 2020

Are Catholics more inclined to violate social norms than Protestants? A tentative answer is yes due to this confession's attitude towards absolution of sins. Opportunities existed for Christians around Reformation times, for example as sales of indulgences. Catholics and Protestants arguably differed historically in their understanding of whether penitence is feasible or not, resulting in different conditions under which Catholics and Protestants decide in situations of social exchange. This is illustrated by ethical game theory and exemplified by historical data. The analysis points to the tentative suggestion that religious socialisation can affect social payoffs of crime and social trust in a long‐term perspective.
Oesophagostomy tube complications in azotaemic dogs: 139 cases (2015 to 2019)
Authors: Perondi F. , Stefanescu A. , Marchetti V. , Gori E. , Pierini A. , Vitalaru B. A. , Lippi I.
Published: December 2020

Objectives

To retrospectively assess the rate of oesophagostomy tube‐related complications in azotaemic dogs, the influence of the oesophagostomy tube (o‐tube) duration and the therapeutic approach (medical versus haemodialysis) on the complication rate.

Materials and Methods

Medical records were retrospectively reviewed in order to identify azotaemic dogswhich underwent o‐tube placement. o‐Tube duration (short‐term versus long‐term), time of o‐tube change, therapeutic approach (medical versus haemodialysis), prevalence of minor (malposition, suture related, inflammation, muco‐purulent discharge, abscess) and major (haemorrhage, malposition, obstruction, dislodgement, vomiting of the tube, food coming from the stoma) o‐tube‐related complications were extracted. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to identify the risk factors for o‐tube‐related complications.

Results

Tube‐related complications were reported in 74 of 139 dogs (53%). Minor complications were reported in 66 of 74 (89%) and major complications in eight of 74 (11%). In azotaemic dogs, o‐tube indwelling time (odds ratio (OR) 1.03; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01 to 1.05), and the use of haemodialysis (OR 40.12; 95% CI 9.18 to 175.20) were risk factors for o‐tube‐related complications.

Clinical Significance

The majority of o‐tube‐related complications were minor, and easily manageable, with no need of hospitalisation, tube‐removal or euthanasia. In azotaemic dogs, the use of haemodialysis was strongly associated with a higher risk of o‐tube‐related complications, possibly as a consequence of the presence of the neck bandage.
Pharmacokinetics of a sulfadiazine and trimethoprim suspension in neonatal foals
Authors: Swain O'Fallon Elsbeth , McCue Patrick , Rao Sangeeta , Gustafson Daniel L.
Published: December 2020

There is limited investigation of neonatal foal pharmacokinetic parameters for the antimicrobial combination of sulfadiazine (SDZ) and trimethoprim (TMP). Neonatal pharmacokinetic investigation of the sulfadiazine–trimethoprim combination is required to ensure safe and effective utilization in this population. The purpose of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics of sulfadiazine–trimethoprim in five healthy neonatal foals with oral administration at 24 mg/kg every 12 hr (hrs) for 10 days. Blood samples were collected at serial time points at approximately 72 hr of age (steady‐state) and at days 5 and 10 to monitor the influence of age within the neonatal period. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined using a one‐compartment model analysis, and mean ± SDwas calculated. Cmaxwas 37.8 ± 13.4 μg/ml (SDZ) and 1.92 ± 0.25 μg/ml (TMP). Tmaxwas 1.4 ± 0.6 hr (SDZ) and 1.4 ± 0.4 hr (TMP). Cminfor SDZ and TMP was 16.84 ± 8.46 μg/ml and 0.46 ± 0.24 μg/ml, respectively. Elimination half‐life was 10.8 ± 6.1 hr (SDZ) and 6.5 ± 2 hr (TMP). AUC0 → ∞was 667 ± 424 μg × hr/ml (SDZ) and 21.1 ± 5.3 μg × hr/ml (TMP). Foals remained healthy, and the plasma concentration of sulfadiazine–trimethoprim reached levels above MIC(90)forStreptococcus equissp. (SDZ/TMP): 9.5/0.5 μg/ml).
Physiological parameter values for physiologically based pharmacokinetic models in food‐producing animals. Part II: Chicken and turkey
Authors: Wang Yu‐Shin , Li Miao , Tell Lisa A. , Baynes Ronald E. , Davis Jennifer L. , Vickroy Thomas W. , Riviere Jim E. , Lin Zhoumeng
Published: December 2020

Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models are growing in popularity due to human food safety concerns and for estimating drug residue distribution and estimating withdrawal intervals for veterinary products originating from livestock species. This paper focuses on the physiological and anatomical data, including cardiac output, organ weight, and blood flow values, needed for PBPK modeling applications for avian species commonly consumed in the poultry market. Experimental and field studies from 1940 to 2019 for broiler chickens (1–70 days old, 40 g ‐ 3.2 kg), laying hens (4–15 months old, 1.1–2.0 kg), and turkeys (1 day−14 months old, 60 g −12.7 kg) were searched systematically using PubMed, Google Scholar, ProQuest, and ScienceDirect for data collection in 2019 and 2020. Relevant data were extracted from the literature with mean and standard deviation (SD) being calculated and compiled in tables of relative organ weights (% of body weight) and relative blood flows (% of cardiac output). Trends of organ or tissue weight growth during different life stages were calculated when sufficient data were available. These compiled data sets facilitate future PBPK model development and applications, especially in estimating chemical residue concentrations in edible tissues to calculate food safety withdrawal intervals for poultry.
Roost elevation and ambient temperature best predict use of summer heterothermy in eastern red bats
Authors: Monarchino M. N. , Johnson J. S.
Published: December 2020

Temperate bat species cope with environmental temperatures outside their thermoneutral zone through physiological responses, habitat selection, and social roosting. While there have been several studies examining these factors in bat species that form maternity colonies in tree cavities, underneath bark, or in manmade structures, such studies rarely focus on bats that roost solitarily in tree foliage. To better understand the thermal environment of a foliage‐roosting bat and how they respond to thermal stimuli, we used temperature‐sensitive radio‐telemetry and environmental dataloggers to study the eastern red bat (Lasiurus borealis) in southeast Ohio. We collected skin temperatures from eight male and nine reproductive female bats in combination with microclimate data from 25 bat roosts and 15 random trees. We found that elevation, minimum ambient temperature, and maximum ambient temperature best predicted bat skin temperatures, while sex had little effect. We also found that trees located at higher elevations had warmer canopy microclimates than those at lower elevations, but temperatures did not differ between roost and random trees. These results show that solitary, foliage‐roosting species use torpor extensively in response to cool temperatures during summer. These results have conservation implications, indicating that areas on the landscape with warmer conditions are important for reducing the cost of maintaining euthermic body temperatures. In southeastern Ohio, this includes upland forests, but our data suggest that temperatures at slope positions, and not the elevation itself, are the important habitat feature for eastern red bats.
Large‐scale multi‐trophic co‐response models and environmental control of pelagic food webs in Québec lakes
Authors: Taranu Zofia E. , Pinel‐Alloul Bernadette , Legendre Pierre
Published: December 2020

Environmental heterogeneity plays a fundamental role in driving species distributions by, for one, fostering niche dimensionality. Within lake ecosystems, species distributions and concordance patterns are driven by both local and regional heterogeneity, though their relative importance across trophic levels has rarely been explored. We developed a statistical framework to compare responses of taxa from different trophic levels to abiotic factors and determine how this affected multi‐trophic network structures. In particular, we used multi‐species concordance modelling (concordance analysis and RV coefficient) to determine species associations and correlations within and among three trophic levels (phytoplankton, zooplankton and fish communities sampled across 49 southern Québec lakes, covering eight hydrological regions). We then used multiple factor analysis, latent variable modelling and local contributions of sites to beta diversity to assess the relative importance of major environmental gradients in structuring species co‐responses and species interaction turnover across the landscape. Our analyses confirmed that concordant species within each trophic level varied jointly or segregated into different pelagic food webs in Québec lakes where important acidification and eutrophication took place. Some keynote species were indicators of different food web compartments and distinguished groups of lakes along multiple environmental niche dimensions. Among the three trophic levels examined, zooplankton depicted the highest proportion of species concordance and appeared to act as a trophic linkage between phytoplankton and fish. Ultimately, the losses or gains in species richness and species interactions were strongly driven by environmental gradients. This study provides for the first time a combined analysis of the effects of environmental heterogeneity on ecological communities belonging to three trophic levels sampled near simultaneously across an 800 km broad lacustrine landscape. The new framework developed in this study has a great potential to better understand the complex response of aquatic ecosystems in a world increasingly affected by multiple, cumulative stressors.
Prevalence of Wilson disease based on genome databases in Japan
Authors: Yamaguchi Hiroshi , Nagase Hiroaki , Tokumoto Shoichi , Tomioka Kazumi , Nishiyama Masahiro , Takeda Hiroki , Ninchoji Takeshi , Nagano China , Iijima Kazumoto , Nozu Kandai
Published: December 2020

Background

Wilson disease (WD) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the ATP7B gene. In 1984, Scheinberg and Sternlieb estimated the prevalence of WD to be 1:30 000. However, recent epidemiological studies have reported increasing prevalence rates in different populations. The carrier frequency of ATP7B variants and the prevalence of WD in the Japanese population have not been reported using multiple databases.

Methods

Multiple public databases were used. First, we included mutations in the ATP7B gene that were registered in the Human Gene Mutation Database (HGMD) Professional, where 885 ATP7B variants were identified as pathogenic. Next, we investigated the allele frequencies of these 885 variants in Japanese individuals using the Human Genetic Variation Database (HGVD) and the Japanese Multi Omics Reference Panel (jMorp).

Results

Of the 885 variants of ATP7B, 7 and 12 missense and nonsense variants, zero and three splicing variants, and zero and two small deletions were found in the HGVD and in jMorp, respectively. The total allele frequencies of the ATP7B mutations were 0.011 in the HGVD and 0.014 in the jMorp. According to these data, the carrier frequencies were 0.022 (2.2%) and 0.028 (2.8%), respectively, and patient frequencies were 0.000121 (1.21/10 000 individuals) and 0.000196 (1.96/10 000 individuals), respectively.

Conclusions

This is the first study to report the carrier frequency of ATP7B variants and the prevalence of WD in Japan using multiple databases. The calculated prevalence of WD was comparatively higher than that of previous reports, indicating previous underdiagnosis or the existence of less severe phenotypes.
Selecting Talented Migrants: Majority and Minority Perspectives
Authors: Gale Jessica , Staerklé Christian
Published: December 2020

Many countries seek to specifically attract talented migrants in order to match the needs of national economies. In addition to the well‐known intergroup antagonism between natives and immigrants, such immigration policies targeting talented migrants imply differentiation within the immigrant group, using normative criteria to distinguish desirable and economically useful immigrants from undesirable ones. Based on European Social Survey data (Round 7, N = 9856) comprised of national citizens from six multinational countries, we show that national majorities support individualized, “cherry picking” immigration policies to a greater degree than historical national minorities and that this support is associated with national majorities' stronger sense of identification with the country and its individualistic norms. We thereby conceptualize a novel facet of multiculturalism based on individual justice principles that is rarely at the forefront of research on immigration and multiculturalism.
Mental representations of daily activities throughout the course of dementia
Authors: Ross Sabrina D. , Rodriguez Francisca S.
Published: December 2020

Background

Since dementia is a result of cognitive rather than physical impairment, cognitive aspects are important for care planning. This mixed‐model study aims to understand how the loss of cognitive functioning affects mental representations of daily activities.

Methods

Mental representations were assessed via the script generation task of daily activities (grocery shopping, dentist appointment, doing laundry, leaving the house, car accident) and a qualitative semi‐structured interview from 25 people (age (mean: 67.64; SD: 23.625), gender (f: 14 (56%); m: 17 (68%)). Cognitive status was assessed via the Montreal Cognitive Assessment.

Results

Mental representations of daily activities loose content and get inaccurate throughout the disease (i.e. number of actions, abstractions, unemotional content) with poorer cognitive status. People with mild dementia report the most strategies and extend their mental representation by including strategies to circumvent experienced problems. Overall, mental representations of daily activities seem to be largely intact throughout the course of dementia (i.e. sequencing, personalisations, intrusions, examples, emotional content).

Conclusion

This study outlines that even though the content of mental representations decreases with dementia, the mental representations themselves remain in good order. Performance of daily activities throughout dementia may be hampered by the loss of content of the generated actions.
Failure on all fronts: Qualitative analysis of the oral health care experience in individuals with intellectual disability
Authors: Hassona Yazan , Aljafari Ahmad , Atef Ala'a , Abdalfattah Leen , Hosey Marie Therese
Published: December 2020

Aim

To explore the oral health care experience of individuals with intellectual disability and their families.

Methods

A qualitative approach utilising face‐to‐face semi‐structured interviews with parents of individuals with intellectual disability. All interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim, and Qualitative Framework Analysis was used to present the results.

Results

Twenty‐six parents of 26 individuals with intellectual disability were interviewed. The interviewees were 10 males and 16 females, and their average age was 46.4 ± 11.2 years (range 28‐66). The average age of individuals with intellectual disability was 17.9 ± 9.2 years (range 6‐48), and there were 11 (42.3%) males and 15 (57.7%) females. The interviewees reported that challenges to oral health care do occur on multiple levels: (a) home environment; (b) primary dental care; (c) secondary dental care facilities; (d) health and education policies and systems; and (e) societal views on individuals with intellectual disability.

Conclusion

Individuals with intellectual disability and their families are being failed at multiple levels of oral health care, leaving parents feeling frustrated, isolated, and sometimes helpless. Collaborative efforts are needed to train families to prevent oral health disease at home, establish better primary and secondary oral health care systems, and overcome wider cultural, social, and economic barriers.
Bicuspid aortic valve and sports: From the echocardiographic evaluation to the eligibility for sports competition
Authors: D’Ascenzi Flavio , Valentini Francesca , Anselmi Francesca , Cavigli Luna , Bandera Francesco , Benfari Giovanni , D’Andrea Antonello , Di Salvo Giovanni , Esposito Roberta , Evola Vincenzo , Malagoli Alessandro , Elena Mandoli Giulia , Santoro Ciro , Galderisi Maurizio , Mondillo Sergio , Cameli Matteo ,   the Working Group of Echocardiography of the Italian Society of Cardiology (SIC)
Published: December 2020

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most common congenital heart defect in adults. Although a BAV may remain without clinical consequences for a lifetime, it can deteriorate in aortic valve stenosis and regurgitation and aortic dilatation. Unfortunately, the impact of regular training on patients with BAV and its natural course is not fully understood, although preliminary evidence suggests that the progression of valvular disease occurs primarily in an independent manner from sports practice. The current review aims to report how to perform a comprehensive echocardiographic examination in athletes with BAV and analyze the current literature on the influence of sports practice and how it impacts the aortic valve in athletes with BAV. The article also summarizes the current recommendations on sports eligibility and disqualification for competitive athletes with BAV.
Humor and satire in politics: Introducing cultural sociology to the field
Authors: Tesnohlidkova Olivera
Published: December 2020

The landscape of political humor and satire is changing rapidly, and it is becoming an increasingly relevant aspect of our culture. Although scholars have been actively trying to capture this change, majority of the existing frameworks for understanding humor and satire in politics still reduce these phenomena to mere genres or rhetoric tools. In addition, they provide insufficient accounts concerning the reception of humor and satire, and neglect to interpret and explain what they communicate. In the article, a general understanding of humor and satire outside of a political context, followed by an overview of studies discussing humor and satire in politics through their applications in social movements, as leadership tools, and through their manifestations in mass media has been presented. Lastly, a cultural sociological perspective to the field has been introduced. It has been argued that approaching humor and satire in politics through a structural hermeneutic method of the Strong Program will enable us to recognize and treat political humor and satire as autonomous and complex cultural systems which carry an internal power to move people.
Key patterns of S‐type granitic gneiss to define the baric (low‐ to high‐pressure) nature of Phanerozoic basement terranes
Authors: Massonne Hans‐Joachim
Published: December 2020

S‐type granitic gneiss is a major rock type in exposed Phanerozoic basement areas. However, it is hardly used to decipher the metamorphic evolution of such areas formed by the collision of tectonic plates. It is demonstrated by thermodynamic modelling of the metamorphism of common to evolved S‐type granite that mineralogical key patterns can elucidate the baric nature of granitic gneiss. Low‐ to medium‐grade granitic gneiss shows increasing and decreasing contents of potassic white mica and biotite, respectively, with rising pressure. Pressures above c. 12 kbar (500°C) result in considerable amounts of Na‐rich clinopyroxene. A relatively precise peak‐pressure estimate can be obtained by the determination of the Si content in potassic white mica but only for water pressures below 13–15 kbar. Thus, eclogite facies granitic gneiss can only be recognized by the presence of Na‐rich clinopyroxene. Silicon contents in biotite might have a geobarometric potential as potassic white mica. Titanium minerals in S‐type granitic gneiss are of limited baric potential.
Effect of multiple head positions on intraocular pressure in healthy, anesthetized horses during hoisting
Authors: Alling Christopher R. , Cremer Jeannette , Liu Chin‐Chi , Lewin Andrew C. , Camacho‐Luna Pilar , Carter Renee T.
Published: December 2020

Objective

To evaluate changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) with variable head position in healthy, anesthetized horses in hoisted inversion and to assess the influence of various cofactors (age, sex, body weight, body condition score, and neck length) on IOP changes during hoisting.

Animals studied

Seventeen healthy adult horses without significant ocular abnormalities.

Procedures

Subjects were administered intravenous xylazine/butorphanol premedication and ketamine/midazolam induction with xylazine/ketamine boluses for anesthetic maintenance. While hoisted, IOP was measured in triplicate for each eye via rebound tonometry (TonoVet) at neutral head position (ie, eyes level with the withers), at multiple 5 cm increments above and below neutral (−20 cm through +20 cm) using foam pads for head support, and with eyes above heart level via manual support.

Results

In hoisted positions, IOP ranged from 18 to 51 mmHg. Intraocular pressure significantly decreased with head position elevated ≥+15 cm from neutral and significantly increased when lowered ≤−5 cm from neutral. Neck length significantly influenced IOP (P = .0328) with linear regression indicating a median (range) increase of 0.244 (0.034‐0.425) mmHg in IOP for every 1 cm increase in neck length. Age, sex, breed, body weight, body condition score, and eye (OD vs OS) did not significantly influence IOP. Intraocular pressure only varied significantly between eyes at +10 cm above neutral (OS > OD, 1.7 ± 0.6 mm Hg,P = .0044).

Conclusions

Intraocular pressure in healthy, anesthetized horses varies with head position during hoisting; increased neck length may be associated with larger changes in IOP during hoisting.
Two-Dimensional Versus Three-Dimensional Symmetric Lifting Motion Prediction Models: A Case Study
Authors: Zaman Rahid , Xiang Yujiang , Cruz Jazmin , Yang James
Published: December 2020

Symmetric lifting is a common manual material handling strategy in daily life and is the main cause of low back pain. In the literature, symmetric lifting is mainly simulated by using two-dimensional (2D) models because of their simplicity and low computational cost. In practice, however, symmetric lifting can generate asymmetric kinetics especially when the lifting weight is heavy and symmetric lifting based on 2D models misses this important asymmetric kinetics information. Therefore, three-dimensional (3D) models are necessary for symmetric lifting simulation to capture asymmetric kinetics. The purpose of this single-subject case study is to compare the optimization formulations and simulation results for symmetric lifting by using 2D and 3D human models and to identify their pros and cons. In this case study, a 10-degrees-of-freedom (DOFs) 2D skeletal model and a 40-DOFs 3D skeletal model are employed to predict the symmetric maximum weight lifting motion, respectively. The lifting problem is formulated as a multi-objective optimization (MOO) problem to minimize the dynamic effort and maximize the box weight. An inverse dynamic optimization approach is used to determine the optimal lifting motion and the maximum lifting weight considering dynamic joint strength. Lab experiments are carried out to validate the predicted motions. The predicted lifting motion, ground reaction forces (GRFs), and maximum box weight from the 2D and 3D human models for Subject #8 are compared with the experimental data. Recommendations are given.
Study on Acoustic Emission Detection Technology of Fiber Reinforced Plastic Pressure Vessel
Authors: Wei Daoxiang , Yang Yuqing , Si Jun , Wen Xiang
Published: December 2020

Fiber reinforced plastics are used in pressure vessel manufacturing because of their high strength and corrosion resistance.Defects may occur in the manufacture and use of the pressure vessel. To ensure safe operation of the pressure vessel, it is necessary to conduct periodic safety assessment of the pressure vessel put into operation. It is difficult to evaluate the safety status of fiber-reinforced plastic pressure vessels by conventional nondestructive testing.Acoustic emission detection technology is a dynamic detection method, which has obvious advantages for the performance and fracture process of fiber reinforced plastic materials. ASME section V or ASTM section on acoustic emission detection of FRP pressure vessels, in which the localization of defects is mainly based on acoustic emission instruments. Due to the anisotropy of FRP material, the instrument can only give the area of the defect, and then use other non-destructive testing methods supplementary detection, so the author proposes a regional positioning method, which can locate defects more accurately. In this paper, acoustic emission detection method and lead breaking method were used to simulate the deficiency, and acoustic velocity attenuation and variation of fiber reinforced plastics were studied, and confirmative tests were carried out to obtain the positioning accuracy of the deficiency in different areas.In order to achieve the acoustic emission (AE) response behavior of stretching damage of glass fiber composites with fiber pre-broken and weak bonding, stretching tests and real-time AE monitoring of glass fiber composites were conducted.Experimental results showed that damage model such as matrix cracking and fiber fracture and bending could be occurred in the process of damage and failure. The composition and content of signal frequency of AE is also different because of difference of preset defect.
A Code Case Concerning the Effect of Embrittlement on Index Temperature Metrics
Authors: Kirk Mark , Erickson Marjorie
Published: December 2020

The ASME Section XI Working Groups on Operating Plant Criteria (WGOPC) and on Flaw Evaluation (WGFE) have undertaken an effort to develop a new Code Case (Record # 19-1113) to address the following inquiry:

What method(s) are acceptable for obtaining RTNDT, RTTo and/or T0 that account for embrittlement for analytical evaluations performed in accordance with Nonmandatory Appendices A, E, G, or K in lieu of the current requirements of these Appendices?

Accounting for embrittlement in Code calculations in an appropriate manner is a critical element to the operating safety of nuclear power plants. The intent of responding to this inquiry is to ensure that Code guidance on this matter is comprehensive, up-to-date with the current state of knowledge and applications, and appropriate for international use. The work on the Code Case aims to unify guidance on the following topics throughout the Code, and to fill gaps as needed:

• Source of embrittlement data,

• Forecasting of embrittlement trends,

• Accounting for embrittlement in the inter-relationships between various toughness properties, and

• Accounting for uncertainties associated with embrittlement.

This paper outlines the overall structure of the Code Case, and summarizes the progress achieved to date.
Measurement of the Hydrogen Permeability of Various Polymers for High Pressure Hydrogen Storage Vessels and Valves
Authors: Jang Jin-Seob , Chung Nak-Kwan
Published: December 2020

We have been studied on the physical property evaluation in high-pressure hydrogen environment for components and materials used in hydrogen infrastructure such as hydrogen refueling station and hydrogen fuel cell vehicle for safe use and dissemination of hydrogen energy. Hydrogen is small and light and easily leaks out of storage containers or parts. For safety, it is important to measure the permeability of the material and parts for high pressure hydrogen vessel. We will present the measurement of hydrogen permeability of polymer materials used in hydrogen storage containers and O-rings. Hydrogen permeability was measured by differential pressure method, and the permeability of several polymers such as EPDM, NBR, FKM, and HDPE was measured. Their diffusivity could be calculated using the obtained permeability graph, and their solubility was also obtained. We will measure the permeability by changing the type and the amount of additives and fillers in polymers. We will also measure the change in permeability with various hydrogen pressure and temperature.
Critical Review of ASME III Plasticity Correction Factors for Fatigue Design-by-Analysis of Nuclear Power Plant Components
Authors: Clarkson David M. , Bell Christopher D. , Mackenzie Donald
Published: December 2020

Despite significant technological progress in recent years, elastic-plastic fatigue analysis of pressure-retaining components remains a time-consuming venture. Accordingly, nuclear pressure vessel design codes such as ASME Section III provide simplified elastic-plastic analysis procedures as a practical alternative. This approach can be excessively conservative under certain conditions due to the bounding nature of the applied plasticity correction factor, Ke. Whilst this overconservatism was tolerable in the past, recent technical challenges arising due to consideration of environmentally-assisted fatigue (EAF) and design for long-term operation have posed difficulty in achieving acceptable fatigue usage based on extant Code assessment procedures for certain components. The incorporation of more accurate Ke factors has since been identified as a nuclear industry priority.

This paper presents a critical review of Ke factors within ASME Section III, with particular attention given to a recently proposed approach by Ranganath, which is currently being considered for inclusion as an ASME Section III Code Case. Correction factors adopted within other nuclear and non-nuclear codes and standards (C&S) were also considered. The code-based Ke factors were comparied with Ke factors obtained directly from various elastic-plastic finite element (FE) models of representative plant components. The results revealed a considerable difference in conservatism between the code-based methods. Based on the elastic-plastic FE results, an alternative improved plasticity correction method was proposed. The need for a harmonized approach to determining Ke based on elastic-plastic FE analysis is discussed and identified as a desirable industry objective.
INCEFA-PLUS Project: Review of the Test Programme
Authors: Bruchhausen Matthias , McLennan Alec , Cicero Roman , Huotilainen Caitlin , Mottershead Kevin , le Roux Jean-Christophe , Vankeerberghen Marc
Published: December 2020

The European Project INCEFA-PLUS (INcreasing Safety in NPPs by Covering gaps in Environmental Fatigue Assessment) characterizes environmentally assisted fatigue of stainless steels in light water reactor environments. The project includes a major test programme during which more than 200 fatigue tests have been carried out in different laboratories across Europe.

The test campaign was structured in three successive phases with slightly different foci. All testing programmes were optimized by means of the Design of Experiment method. The majority of the tests were carried out on a single batch of 304L which were complemented by tests on different batches of 304L and on X6 CrNiTi 18 10, a Ti stabilized steel used in VVERs.

The influences of mean strain, surface roughness and hold time on fatigue life in air and water environment at a given environmental fatigue correction factor Fen were investigated.

Besides the main test campaign, additional activities on the effects of mean stress, testing at reduced Fen, and different applications of hold time as well as biaxial fatigue tests have been carried out.

The paper is part of a special session for the dissemination of the project results. It summarizes the tests performed during the project and provides the basis for the project conclusions in a different paper in the same session.
Method and Application of Pipeline Integrity Management Performance Evaluation
Authors: Yang Jing , Li Ming , Shi Lei , Li Xue
Published: December 2020

Pipeline integrity management has been highly admitted by the international pipeline industry as its nature of proactive prevention. And since it was introduced into China, it has been widely favored by Chinese oil and gas pipeline operators. With more than 10 years’ continuous absorption, practice and technical innovation, China has achieved some progress in key technologies such as risk assessment, integrity evaluation and maintenance. However, it is undeniable that there is still a gap between domestic technology and the international advanced technology. In addition, the integrity management level of different pipeline enterprises in China varies. As a result, it is indispensable and advisable to set up a scientific management thinking of continuous improvement and to establish a long-term effective management mechanism. As the last step in the integrity management cycle, performance evaluation is the key to realize the improvement of integrity management level constantly by cycle. In this paper a performance evaluation method is established based on implementation process and management effect of integrity management. On account of requirements of current documents and standards, specific scoring rules concerning integrity management are proposed, and an evaluation tool is developed accordingly. With application of developed evaluation method and tool, the performance of a certain pipeline operator in a certain management period is evaluated, and problems and deficiencies have been identified during the management process, thus measures and suggestions for improvement given specifically. In the end, it is suggested this performance evaluation method be promoted and applied to realize its function of feedback and improvement.
Improved Bayesian Update Method on Flaw Distributions Reflecting Non-Destructive Inspection Result
Authors: Katsuyama Jinya , Miyamoto Yuhei , Lu Kai , Mano Akihiro , Li Yinsheng
Published: December 2020

We have developed a probabilistic fracture mechanics (PFM) analysis code named PASCAL4 for evaluating the failure frequency of reactor pressure vessels (RPVs) through consideration of neutron irradiation embrittlement and transients such as pressurized thermal shock events. It is well-known that flaw distributions, including flaw size and density, have an important role in the failure frequency calculations of a PFM analysis. NUREG-2163 report provides a methodology to obtain much more realistic flaw distributions based on a Bayesian updating approach by reflecting the non-destructive inspection (NDI) results, which is applicable for case when there are flaw indications through NDI. There may, however, be no flaw indications resulting after inspection of some RPVs. Therefore, we proposed likelihood functions applicable for both cases when flaws are detected and when there is no flaw indication as the NDI results. In the Bayesian updating method, the likelihood functions were applied to independently acquire the posterior distributions of flaw depth and density using the same NDI results. In this study, we further improve the likelihood functions to enable them to update flaw depth and density simultaneously. Based on this improved likelihood function, several application examples are presented where the flaw distributions are estimated by reflecting the NDI results through Bayesian update. In addition, PFM analyses are also performed considering those estimated flaw distributions. All the results indicate that the improved likelihood functions are useful for estimating flaw distributions.
Constraint Effect on Fracture Mechanics Evaluation for an Under-Clad Crack in a Reactor Pressure Vessel Steel
Authors: Shimodaira Masaki , Tobita Tohru , Takamizawa Hisashi , Katsuyama Jinya , Hanawa Satoshi
Published: December 2020

For structural integrity assessment of the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) in JEAC 4206-2016, it is required that the fracture toughness (KJc) be higher than the stress intensity factor at the crack tip of a postulated under-clad crack (UCC) near the inner surface of RPV steel under the pressurized thermal shock event. Previous analytical studies showed a low constraint effect at the crack tip of an UCC, compared with that of a normal surface crack. Such a low constraint effect may increase the apparent KJc. In this study, we performed three-point bending (3PB) fracture toughness tests and finite element analysis (FEA) for RPV steel containing an UCC or a surface crack to quantitatively investigate the effect of cladding on the KJc. The FEAs considering the anisotropic property of the cladding successfully reproduced the load vs. load-line displacement curves obtained from the tests. We found that the apparent KJc for the UCC was considerably higher than that for the surface crack. FEA also showed that the constraint effect for the 3PB test specimen with the UCC was lower than that for the specimen with the surface crack owing to the cladding. Thus, a low constraint effect from an UCC may increase the apparent KJc.
Bayesian Uncertainty Evaluation of Charpy Ductile-to-Brittle Transition Temperature for Reactor Pressure Vessel Steels
Authors: Takamizawa Hisashi , Nishiyama Yutaka , Hirano Takashi
Published: December 2020

The irradiation embrittlement of reactor pressure vessel steels can be predicted using the ductile-to-brittle transition temperature (DBTT) shift obtained from Charpy impact tests. For the structural integrity assessment considering irradiation embrittlement, it is necessary to set margins for various uncertainties. It is important to understand what and how much factors contribute to the uncertainty. In the present study, a 34% credible interval value of Charpy DBTT at a 41J energy level (T41J) was evaluated by estimating the probability distributions of Charpy test data using Bayesian statistics. To fit the Charpy transition curves, a hyperbolic tangent with coefficients whose uncertainties depend on the test temperature was used. The probability distribution of T41J was estimated using Monte Carlo sampling and Bayesian inference. It was clarified that 34% of the credible-interval values of T41J before and after irradiation unchanged for base and weld metals when the number of specimens and test temperature were equivalent under un-irradiated and irradiated conditions. When the Charpy transition curve was determined by 12 specimens loaded in a surveillance test capsule, the estimated uncertainty of T41J was about 5 °C.
Qualification of a Non-Standard Piping Component for ASME Pressure Piping Applications
Authors: Haupt Ronald , Hirschberg Paul , Sindelar Mark , Kassar Maher
Published: December 2020

In 1991 one of the authors of this paper coauthored a paper [1] on how to qualify a non-standard piping component for ASME B31.1 and B31.3 services. Since that time a number of ASME piping qualification standards have been written or are under development that affect how piping components should be qualified.

This paper updates the 1991 paper and uses a non-standard piping component, in this case a mechanical joint, to demonstrate a method to qualify non-standard piping components for ASME non-nuclear and nuclear services. The herein documented testing applies the various more current qualification requirements to meet ASME B31 and Section III, Class 2 and 3 Code service rules. The paper explains the intention of the various Code requirements, outlining the mechanical tests and calculations used to demonstrate ASME Code conformance.

This paper also discusses non-traditional piping failure mechanisms, mechanisms other than rupture and fatigue, such as component disassembly due to the component being a compression fitting. Similar non-traditional failure mechanisms are often encountered in other types of non-standard components such as clamps, flared and flareless joints, rolled and expanded joints, and proprietary components. The discussion of non-traditional failure mechanisms is extended to include how the tests for these failure mechanisms could translate into ASME pressure piping requirements to assure a safe piping system. The paper concludes with recommendations for improving the ASME pressure piping Code requirements as they apply to non-standard piping component qualification.