bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sacrospinous ligament fixation with uterine preservation reduces the risk of anatomical recurrence in pelvic organ prolapse
Authors: Chou Yu‐Min , Chuang Fei‐Chi , Kung Fu‐Tsai , Yang Tsai‐Hwa , Wu Ling‐Ying , Huang Kuan‐Hui 
Published: December 2020

AbstractObjectivesThis study investigated the effectiveness of sacrospinous ligament fixation (SSLF) and whether uterine preservation reduces the anatomical recurrence rate.MethodsThe medical records of 82 patients who received SSLF in a single medical center were reviewed retrospectively. Anatomical recurrence was defined as Pelvic Organ Prolapse‐Quantification stage 2 or higher in any compartment. The primary outcome was intergroup analysis for uterine preservation and concomitant hysterectomy patients. The secondary outcomes were anatomical recurrence risk factors and the incidence of adverse events. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to adjust for demographic differences between groups.ResultsThe anatomical recurrence rate was 19.5%, and the retreatment rate was 11.0% (mean follow‐up duration: 22.9 months). Cystocele was the most common recurrent compartment (17.1%). The uterine preservation group (n = 66) was younger, had lower parity, and had fewer stage 3 to 4 cystoceles and uterine prolapses than the concomitant hysterectomy group (n = 16). Shorter operation times (99.4 minutes vs 153.7 minutes, P = .002) and lower anatomical recurrence rates (11.5% vs 45.5%, P = .039) were found in the uterine preservation group before and after PSM. Previous pelvic organ prolapse surgery (hazard ratio 3.14) and concomitant hysterectomy (hazard ratio 4.08) were identified as risk factors for anatomical recurrence. The most common adverse event was buttock pain (14.6%), which resolved spontaneously within 4 weeks.ConclusionsSSLF is an effective surgical method using native tissue for pelvic reconstruction. Compared with concomitant hysterectomy, SSLF with uterine preservation reduces the anatomical recurrence rate.
Mantle–melt partitioning of the highly siderophile elements: New results and application to Mars
Authors: Righter K. , Rowland R. , Danielson L. R. , Humayun M. , Yang S. , Mayer (Waeselmann) N. , Pando K. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractTrace elements and extant and extinct isotopic attributes in Martian meteorites have been used to argue that Mars accreted quickly, differentiated into core and mantle, and established several mantle reservoirs, possibly within 10 Ma of T0. The partitioning of trace elements in the deep mantle has been relatively unstudied, despite the need for such knowledge in understanding magma ocean crystallization and the origin of depleted and enriched mantle reservoirs. The siderophile element composition of the Martian mantle and lithophile isotopic systems such as Sr, Hf, and Nd are thought to record evidence for early metal–silicate equilibrium and deep magma ocean at an intermediate depth and pressure of 800 km or 14 GPa. We have carried out experiments across this pressure range to better understand the mineral/melt partitioning of a wide range of elements. These new data are used to evaluate differentiation models for Mars and to help interpret the available isotopic data. The relatively incompatible nature of Re compared to mildly compatible Os means that the crystallization of a deep magma ocean will lead to residual liquids with superchondritic Re/Os, and solids with subchondritic Re/Os. Such material available in the mantle could be the source of enriched isotopic reservoir that produced shergottites with +γOs values. Slightly subchondritic Re/Os ratios in the crystallizing solids would provide a reservoir that could produce −γOs values. Melting of mixtures of these two enriched and depleted endmembers could explain the Nd‐Os isotopic correlations and systematics of shergottites.
Defending Indigenous Midwifery: Finding a Common Path Among Researchers, Midwives, and Activists
Authors: El Kotni Mounia 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn this essay, I reflect on six years of collaboration between myself and an organization of indigenous midwives in Mexico. I interrogate the process of finding common grounds between researchers and activists, which includes building a shared political vision of indigenous midwifery and negotiating disagreements on the different ways to impulse change. Building on my experience with Mexican midwives and activists, I share some of the tools we have used, both from within and outside of academia, to contribute to social change. I build on Shannon Speed's call for a “critically engaged activist research” to raise awareness on the urgency of moving from applied anthropology to activist anthropology.
Transformation of α‐EXPA1 gene leads to an improved fibre quality in Gossypium hirsutum
Authors: Yaqoob Amina , Bashir Samina , Rao Abdul Q. , Shahid Ahmad A. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe Expansin protein is known for its multifaceted roles in plant growth, especially cell walls. However, very few studies have been done so far to assess the effects of expansin genes on Cotton fibre development. The present study is a successful effort to fill this gap, where the α‐EXPA1 gene transformed into a local cotton variety, Gossypium hirsutum, through Agrobacterium‐mediated transformation under Gossypium hirsutum Seed coat and Fibre‐specific promoter (GhSCFP). The transgenic cotton plants underwent molecular characterization and fibre trait evaluation. Our results indicated that α‐EXPA1 showed an up‐regulated expression during the transition phase of secondary cell wall synthesis and resulted in improving the fibre parameters, especially micronaire value. Transgenic cotton fibre also showed a finer twisting under the Scanning electron microscope (SEM) as compared to non‐transgenic cotton fibre samples. The fibre production is influenced by more than nine thousand genes, and the fibre improvement cannot be just achieved through a single gene transformation. However, α‐EXPA1 is one of the potential candidates for cotton fibre research as it significantly improved the cotton fibre.
Sedimentary structure of inferred cyclic‐step bedforms in submarine volcaniclastic slope deposits, Cuatro Calas, south‐east Spain
Authors: van den Berg Jan H. , Lang Jörg 
Published: December 2020

AbstractCyclic steps are widespread on submarine slopes of many modern insular volcanoes. This paper provides the first detailed description and interpretation of the sedimentary structures and depositional architecture of cyclic‐step deposits of such bedforms formed on the submarine slope of an ancient volcano. The partially depositional cyclic steps are preserved in a 67 m thick coset of 1 to 12 m thick cobble‐based units of middle Miocene submarine volcaniclastics, exposed along a cliff outcrop in south‐east Spain. The main structure in the units is unidirectional crude low‐angle cross‐bedding passing upward to centimetre to decimetre‐scale diffuse stratification more or less parallel to the unit bounding surfaces. The depositional architecture produced by inferred sinuous to straight‐crested cyclic steps is compared with deposits of crescent‐shaped cyclic steps formed in confined settings. With a novel method, a maximum cyclic step height and length of 22 m and 460 m, respectively, have been calculated. The architecture of some of the thicker cyclic‐step units is complicated by structures that were formed as cyclic‐step trough‐fills, by superimposed cyclic steps or downstream migrating antidunes. These structures possibly reflect adaptation processes of the bedform morphology to a lower strength of the hydraulic jumps and related density flows. In the upper, less well‐exposed part of the succession more steeply inclined gravel backsets that probably represent deposits of crescent‐shaped cyclic steps accreted in a more energetic, confined setting proximal to the coastal source of the density flows. A facies model of straight‐crested cyclic steps is presented that may aid in the identification of similar bedforms in submarine volcaniclastic environments and comparable non‐volcanic settings.
Wearable Motion Capture System Evaluation for Biomechanical Studies for Hip Joints
Authors: Mihcin Senay , Ciklacandir Samet , Kocak Mertcan , Tosun Aliye 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Human motion capture (MOCAP) systems are vital while determining the loads occurring at the joints. Most of the clinical MOCAP systems are very costly, requiring investment and infrastructure. Therefore, alternative technologies are in demand. In this study, a novel markerless wearable MOCAP system was assessed for its compatibility with a biomechanical modeling software. To collect evidence, experiments were designed in two stages for quantifying the range of motion (ROM) of the hip joint, in vitro and in vivo. Three constrained single-plane motions—abduction/adduction, flexion/extension, and internal/external rotation movements of the active leg—were analyzed. The data were collected from 14 healthy volunteers, using the wearable system and a medical grade optoelectronic MOCAP system simultaneously and compared against. For the in vitro study, the root-mean-square error (RMSE) for the abduction/adduction motion of the hip joint was calculated as 0.11 deg/0.30 deg and 0.11 deg/0.09 deg, respectively, for the wearable and the opto-electronic system. The in vivo Bland–Altman plots showed that the two system data are comparable. The simulation software is found compatible to run the simulations in offline mode. The wearable system could be utilized in the field of biomechanics software for running the kinetic simulations. The results demonstrated that the wearable system could be an alternative in the field of biomechanics based on the evidence collected.
Uncertainty Analysis of Piezoelectric Vibration Energy Harvesters Using a Finite Element Level-Based Maximum Entropy Approach
Authors: Wang X. Q. , Liao Yabin , Mignolet Marc P. 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Quantifying effects of system-wide uncertainties (i.e., affecting structural, piezoelectric, and/or electrical components) in the analysis and design of piezoelectric vibration energy harvesters have recently been emphasized. The present investigation proposes first a general methodology to model these uncertainties within a finite element model of the harvester obtained from an existing finite element software. Needed from this software are the matrices relating to the structural properties (mass, stiffness), the piezoelectric capacitance matrix as well as the structural-piezoelectric coupling terms of the mean harvester. The thermal analogy linking piezoelectric and temperature effects is also extended to permit the use of finite element software that do not have piezoelectric elements but include thermal effects on structures. The approach is applied to a beam energy harvester. Both weak and strong coupling configurations are considered, and various scenarios of load resistance tuning are discussed, i.e., based on the mean model, for each harvester sample, or based on the entire set of harvesters. The uncertainty is shown to have significant effects in all cases even at a relatively low level, and these effects are dominated by the uncertainty on the structure versus the one on the piezoelectric component. The strongly coupled configuration is shown to be better as it is less sensitive to the uncertainty and its variability in power output can be significantly reduced by the adaptive optimization, and the harvested power can even be boosted if the target excitation frequency falls into the power saturation band of the system.
An Inerter-Based Dynamic Vibration Absorber With Concurrently Enhanced Energy Harvesting and Motion Control Performances Under Broadband Stochastic Excitation Via Inertance Amplification
Authors: Giaralis Agathoklis 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
This paper examines the performance of a regenerative dynamic vibration absorber, dubbed energy harvesting-enabled tuned mass-damper-inerter (EH-TMDI), for simultaneous vibration suppression and energy harvesting in white-noise-excited damped linear primary structures. Both single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) structures under force and base excitations and multi-degrees-of-freedom (MDOF) structures under correlated random forces are studied. The EH-TMDI includes an electromagnetic motor (EM), assumed to behave as a shunt damper, sandwiched between a secondary mass and an inerter element connected in series. The latter element resists relative acceleration at its ends through a constant termed inertance known to be readily scalable in actual inerter device implementations. In this regard, attention is herein focused on gauging the available energy for harvesting at the EM and the displacement variance of the primary structure as the inertance increases through comprehensive parametric investigations. This is supported by adopting simplified inertance-dependent tuning formulae for the EH-TMDI stiffness and damping properties and deriving in closed-form the response of white-noise-excited EH-TMDI-equipped SDOF and MDOF systems through linear random vibration analyses. It is found that lightweight EH-TMDIs, having 1% the mass of the primary structure, achieve improved vibration suppression and energy harvesting performance as inertance amplifies. For SDOF structures with grounded inerter, the rate of improvement is higher as the inherent structural damping reduces and the EM shunt damping increases. For MDOF structures with nongrounded inerter, improvement rate is higher as the primary structure flexibility between the two EH-TMDI attachment points increases.
Fitness for Service Assessment of a Propylene Heat Exchanger Subjected to Fire Damage
Authors: Shao Shanshan , Cao Luowei , Jia Guodong , Han Zhiyuan 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Pressurized equipments maybe deform partially or wholly, and the mechanical properties of the construction material would be degraded due to a fire event. Fitness for service assessment can help to minimize reconstruction costs and allow safe resumption of unit operation as fast as possible. A propylene heat exchanger was exposed to overheating for about 3 hours due to a fire accident five or six meters far away. A fitness for service assessment was conducted according to API 579-1/ASME FFS-1. The material of the propylene heat exchanger is 09MnNiDR. The possible damage was examined by dimensional checks, hardness testing, in-situ field metallography, ultrasonic testing and magnetic particle testing. The heat exposure temperature of the propylene heat exchanger during the fire accident was estimated through the comparison between the results of in-situ field metallography examination and heat exposure simulation experiments. The heat exposure zones were identified based on the results of visual inspection and conjectural heat exposure temperature. The level 2 assessment was adopted to evaluate the heat exposure zones of V and VI. The approximate ultimate tensile strengths for the shell and the eastern head were converted from the hardness testing results. The caculated MAWP of the shell side is higher than the design pressure of the heat exchanger. The finite element method was adopted to evaluate the influence of the bulge in the upper part of the shell. The analytical results showed that the bulge had no significant effect on the operation of the heat exchanger before next inspection.
Fracture Toughness Characterization in the Transition and Ductile Regime of an A508 Type Weld Metal With the Mini-CT Geometry Before and After Irradiation
Authors: Lambrecht Marlies , Chaouadi Rachid , Uytdenhouwen Inge , Gérard Robert 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
The mini-CT geometry is being adopted worldwide for application to measure the fracture toughness properties. This geometry is particularly adapted for irradiated materials given the limited space available for irradiation in high flux material test reactors such as the BR2 reactor. A series of twenty (20) mini-CT specimens taken from an A508-type weld were irradiated in the BR2 reactor at 290 °C to a fluence level of ∼5 × 1019 n/cm2, E &gt; 1MeV. They were precracked and 20 % side grooved before irradiation. In parallel, twenty four (24) unirradiated mini-CT specimens were available for testing.
The main objective of this paper is to measure fracture toughness in the transition and ductile regime before and after irradiation and to compare the results with low flux surveillance data.
Further Development of Fatigue Crack Growth Expressions for Austenitic Stainless Steels in PWR Water and Additional Validation of the WTKR Method
Authors: Mann Jonathan , Currie Chris , Borg Jennifer , Platts Norman 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
The primary water environment in a Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR) can have a significantly detrimental effect on the Fatigue Crack Growth (FCG) rates of Austenitic Stainless Steels. Expressions to describe FCG in these materials are provided in ASME Code Case N-809, which was based on results from tests performed under isothermal, simple waveform loading. A previous re-analysis of a much larger database of FCG results highlighted improvements to the N-809 model for nominally low carbon material grades. For non-isothermal and/or complex mechanical loading conditions, further improvements of the prediction of FCG rates were demonstrated by using the Weighted Temperature and K-Rate (WTKR) method. The combined use of improved FCG expressions and the WTKR method is expected to provide significant reductions in over-conservatism when used to assess plant-realistic loading transients.
This paper describes the further development of revised expressions to describe the effect of PWR environments on FCG in austenitic stainless steels. The analysis is extended to a wider range of different types of stainless steel, including nominally high carbon 304 variants and 316-type materials. The analysis highlights that previously specified differences in FCG behaviour between nominally low and high carbon materials are minimal, and that 316-type materials exhibit improved performance in these environments.
Further testing has also been performed using non-isothermal and complex waveform loading conditions, and these results are used as additional validation of the WTKR methodology.
Application of ASME Code Section XI Appendix L Using 3-D Finite Element Analyses
Authors: Fourcade Charles , Fong Minji , Axline James , Shim Do Jun , Lohse Chris , Tomes Charles , Farooq Mohammed 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
As part of a fatigue management program for subsequent license renewal, a flaw tolerance evaluation based on ASME Code, Section XI, Appendix L may be performed. The current ASME Code, Section XI, Appendix L flaw tolerance methodology requires determination of the flaw aspect ratio for initial flaw size calculation. The flaw aspect ratios listed in ASME Section XI, Appendix L, Table L-3210-2, for austenitic piping for example, are listed as a function of the membrane-to-gradient cyclic stress ratio. The Code does not explicitly describe how to determine the ratio, especially when utilizing complex finite element analyses (FEA), involving different loading conditions (i.e. thermal transients, piping loads, pressure, etc.). The intent of the paper is to describe the methods being employed to determine the membrane-to-gradient cyclic stress ratios, and the corresponding flaw aspect ratios (a/l) listed in Table L-3210-2, when using finite element analysis methodology. Included will be a sample Appendix L evaluation, using finite element analysis of a pressurized water reactor (PWR) pressurizer surge line, including crack growth calculations for circumferential flaws in stainless steel piping. Based on this example, it has been demonstrated that, unless correctly separated, the membrane-to-gradient cyclic stress ratios can result in extremely long initial flaw lengths, and correspondingly short crack growth durations.
An Assessment of Uncertainty in Design Factors and Strain-Rate Inputs for Environmentally-Assisted Fatigue and Related Margins
Authors: Garud Y. S. 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
In the case of ASME Class 1 pressure vessels and piping code, as in other similar codes, the design adequacy for fatigue is based on the cumulative usage factor (CUF), with recent augmentation to account for possible environmental effects. This deterministic quantification utilizes several engineering parameters (inputs) and (multiplicative) empirical factors. Although the fixed values of some of these design factors and S–N curves are based on underlying experimental data, the associated uncertainties are not explicit in the resulting fatigue assessment that is effectively based on the singular, calculated quantities of CUF and Fen, projected for a specified service. As such, the resulting fatigue margin and associated conservatism remain implicit or inconsistent and unquantifiable.
At the same time, there is an increased demand for either extending the life of existing systems or for new systems with economically viable or better optimized fatigue designs. One approach to address this is to use a more realistic evaluation offered by probabilistic techniques that take into account the various uncertainties. Such an approach to supplement the deterministic analysis was recently proposed by the author keeping the existing and familiar framework of CUF based assessment, while satisfying acceptable component reliability to meet the fatigue design adequacy. The CUF formulation includes an explicit consideration of the k-factors (for material, loading history, surface and size effects) as adjustments to the S–N data. The objective of this paper is to assess the impact of k-factors and their uncertainty on the failure probability and on the number of load-cycles for specified target reliability. Also, similar assessment is made for the impact of strain-rate variable and its uncertainty on the allowable load-cycles. This is illustrated with a typical application of the CUF analysis of a safety injection nozzle safe-end. The approach taken consists of parametric analysis of the CUF-based probability of failure by individually removing the factors and/or their uncertainty, and comparing the results with the base case where all factors and associated uncertainties are maintained at their original values. Results of this analysis and their implications are discussed, along with a generally applicable relation between the deterministic CUF and the probability of failure.
Example Application of Code Case N-894 Rules for Weld Overlay of Thermal Fatigue Cracking
Authors: Lohse Christopher , Bax Richard , Fong Minji , Fourcade Charles , Shim Do Jun 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
The ASME Code, Section XI is working on guidance for application of weld overlay repairs to repair thermal fatigue cracking in nuclear piping systems. This new guidance will eventually be published as Code Case N-894 with the original technical basis in PVP2019-93360. Weld overlays have been extensively used in boiling water reactors (BWRs) and pressurized water reactors (PWRs) to mitigate stress corrosion cracking (SCC). The weld overlays applied to date mitigate SCC by putting the flaw into compression and they use materials that are resistant to SCC. Mitigation of thermal fatigue requires the crack to be in compression so that it does not achieve tensile cycling under the thermal fatigue loading condition. Code Case N-894 allows for the use of either stainless steel or nickel alloy filler metals to repair thermal fatigue flaws. This paper will evaluate the use of both filler metals for the weld overlay process to assess the performance difference between the two filler metals such that the welding advantages of stainless steel over nickel alloys can be quantified. Specifically, this paper assesses the residual stress state difference for nominal sized weld overlays on a six-inch pipe. Various cyclic thermal loading conditions are postulated, and the stress intensity factors are determined for both filler metals to assess the difference in mitigation of thermal fatigue flaws.