bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Engineered Pressure Vessels for Marine Service Using ASME Section VIII, Division 2 and Division 3 Pressure Vessel Codes
Authors: Hayden Louis E. , Sims J. Robert 
Published: May 2019

The need for more efficient and cost effective design of ship board equipment has never been greater. Pressure vessels on board ships can account for significant volume and weight and thus affect the overall performance of the vessel. Classically ship board pressure vessels have been designed to ASME Section VIII, Division 1. This code requires pressure vessels that are designed using a basic design by rule approach with a 3.5 to 1 design margin on specified minimum tensile strength. In recent years the ASME Standards Committee that is responsible for Section VIII has developed two design codes, Section VIII, Division 2 Alternative Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels and Section VIII, Division 3 Alternative Rules for Construction of High Pressure Vessels. These pressure vessel design codes offer lower design margins, an improved design by rule approach for Division 2 and allow or require design by analysis based on the vessel operating conditions and environment such as cyclic service. Use of these codes can improve ship board vessel design by lowering the weight of vessels while providing a safe reliable pressure vessel.
Paper published with permission.
Regulatory Perspectives on ASME OM Code, Mandatory Appendix IV, Revision 0, “Inservice Testing of Air-Operated Valves in Light-Water Reactor Nuclear Power Plants”
Authors: Carneal Jason 
Published: May 2019

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Code for Operation and Maintenance of Nuclear Power Plants (OM Code) establishes the requirements for preservice and inservice testing and examination of certain components to assess their operational readiness in light-water reactor nuclear power plants. The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) endorses and mandates the use of the ASME OM Code for testing air-operated valves in 10 CFR 50.55a(b)(3)(ii) and 10 CFR 50.55a(f)(4), respectively.
ASME has recently approved Mandatory Appendix IV, Revision 0. NRC currently anticipates that Mandatory Appendix IV will first appear in the 2014 Edition of the ASME OM Code. Publication of the 2014 Edition of the ASME OM Code begins the NRC rulemaking process to modify 10 CFR 50.55a to incorporate the 2014 Edition of the ASME OM Code by reference. NRC staff has actively participated in the development of Mandatory Appendix IV, Revision 0, through participation in the ASME OM Code Subgroup on Air-Operated Valves (SG-AOV). The purpose of this paper is to provide NRC staff perspectives on the contents and implementation of Mandatory Appendix IV, Revision 0. This paper specifically discusses Mandatory Appendix IV, Sections IV-3100, “Design Review,” IV-3300, “Preservice Test,” IV-3400, “Inservice Test,” IV-3600, “Grouping of AOVs for Inservice Diagnostic Testing,” and IV-3800, “Risk Informed AOV Inservice Testing.” These topics were selected based on input received during NRC staff participation in the SG-AOV and other industry meetings. The goal of this paper is to provide NRC staff perspectives on the topics of most interest to NRC staff and members of the SG-AOV.
Paper published with permission.
Overcoming Common Engineering-Program Problems With a Software Solution
Authors: Files Christina , Johnson Tim 
Published: May 2019

The nuclear utility Inservice Testing (IST) Program Engineer is faced with a number of challenges on a daily basis. The burden of additional responsibility has been increasing dramatically in recent years because of personnel departure without staff replacement. This condition has increased the reliance on software to assist the program engineer in performing their assigned duties.
IST Program administration and implementation software can be the IST Program Engineer’s “best friend” when properly used. Newer Web-based software such as the Engineering Programs EP-Plus ENGAGE™ IST Software is designed to meet and exceed the requirements of ASME (formerly the American Society of Mechanical Engineers) Operations and Maintenance of Nuclear Power Plants (OM Code) and regulatory expectations while simultaneously improving the IST Program Engineer’s “quality of life.”
Web-based, fully supported, readily accessible IST software is one of the IST Program Engineer’s most important tools. The EP-Plus ENGAGE Software Suite is aligned with corporate strategies and objectives by using the latest technology to improve the way that engineering programs are managed. The standardized common platform can be cost-effectively expanded to include any engineering program at the unit, station, or fleet level.
The EP-Plus ENGAGE Suite covers the full range of engineering programs and provides the opportunity to realize benefits in an expedited manner while also allowing improvement in efficiency and cost reduction.
A series of figures and associated narrative text is used to provide the IST Program Engineer with information pertaining to the features and functionality of today’s IST software and associated engineering-program software solutions.
Paper published with permission.
New Reactors and New Engineering Programs for Motor-Operated Valves
Authors: Comstock Shawn , Gowin Mark 
Published: May 2019

Several new reactors are currently under construction in the USA. Based on current construction schedules, Watts Bar 2 will be the first new reactor to go online for commercial generation since Watts Bar 1 was issued its operating license in 1996. New engineering programs will be going online with new reactors like Watts Bar 2. The startup of these new engineering programs is not without its own set of challenges. One of the programs has undergone a significant transformation since the last nuclear power plant started commercial operation in terms of industry implementation methods and regulatory requirements.
In 1996, the NRC issued Generic Letter 96-05 to communicate issues related to periodic verification (PV) of motor-operated valves (MOVs) and to request action by operating commercial power reactors to establish an MOV PV program. Subsequently, the regulations were revised to include a requirement to have an MOV PV program in Title 10, “Energy,” of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) 50.55a(b)(3)(ii). Generic Letters 89-10 (on MOV surveillance and testing) and 96-05 have been closed and today stand as historical references. Their provisions do not directly apply to new reactors, but there are many lessons available from MOV PV programs at operating sites in terms of safety, implementation, and cost.
There is only one consensus standard available to describe the requirements for an acceptable MOV PV program. This is contained in the ASME’s Operation and Maintenance of Nuclear Power Plants (OM Code) as Mandatory Appendix III. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) previously endorsed this approach as a Code Case and is preparing a proposed change to 10 CFR 50.55a to incorporate by reference the ASME OM Code edition that includes Appendix III. This paper conveys the technical complexities and financial concerns faced by plant staff in making the right technical decisions for new program implementation at a new reactor in the USA.
Paper published with permission.
Regulatory Treatment of Nonsafety Systems in Passive Advanced Light-Water Reactors
Authors: Scarbrough Thomas 
Published: May 2019

Some new nuclear power plants have advanced light-water reactor (ALWR) designs with passive safety systems that rely on natural forces, such as density differences, gravity, and stored energy, to supply safety-injection water and to provide reactor-core and containment cooling. Active systems in such passive ALWR designs are categorized as nonsafety systems with limited exceptions. Active systems in passive ALWR designs provide the first line of defense to reduce challenges to the passive systems in the event of a transient at the nuclear power plant. Active systems that provide a defense-in-depth function in passive ALWR designs need not meet all of the acceptance criteria for safety-related systems. However, there should be a high level of confidence that these active systems will be available and reliable when challenged. Multiple activities will provide confidence in the capability of these active systems to perform their defense-in-depth functions; these are collectively referred to as the Regulatory Treatment of Nonsafety Systems (RTNSS) program. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) addresses policy and technical issues associated with RTNSS equipment in passive ALWRs in several documents. This paper discusses the NRC staff’s review of pumps, valves, and dynamic restraints within the scope of the RTNSS program in passive ALWRs.
Paper published with permission.
Vibration Qualification of Piping Systems
Authors: Olson David 
Published: May 2019

A number of industry and U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) requirements exist for the quantification and qualification of piping-system vibrations. An ASME Operating and Maintenance (OM) Standard was written to provide methods for obtaining piping vibration measurements and to define acceptance criteria for the evaluation and qualification of the vibrations. Described herein is an overview of this standard, ASME OM-3, “Vibration Testing of Piping Systems,” along with discussions of the acceptance criteria (Reference 1).
Paper published with permission.
Design and Test for a High-Temperature Molten Salt Pump
Authors: Li Zhong , Fu Yuan , Zhang Jianyu , Lin Liancheng , Huang Jianping , Mao Wenyu , Yang Dongsheng , Zhao Dandan , Wang Xiao 
Published: May 2019

A high-temperature molten salt pump, described as mechanical, free-surface, centrifugal, vertical-shaft, sump type, working at 500°C [932°F] to 600°C [1112°F], has been developed for the Thorium-Based Molten Salt Reactor (TMSR). Flow passage components of the pump are made of Hastelloy C-276 to ensure sufficient strength and corrosion resistance at high temperature. Also, a heat shield plug with air-cooled channels was designed to separate the drive motor, seal elements, and bearings from intense radioactivity and to keep the temperature of the flange seal below 150°C [302°F] and the temperature of the bearing below 80°C [176°F]. A dry gas seal was used so that there is zero leakage. Furthermore, some analysis of hydraulics characteristics, temperature field, thermal stress, and strain was performed to research the pump’s performance, and then the temperature field and the hydraulics were measured to validate the analysis results. The results show that the hydraulics, thermal stress, and strain meet the design value very well. The pump has been successfully operated on a LiF-NaF-KF test loop for over 250 hr. at temperatures of 500°C [932°F] to 600°C [1112°F], speeds of 1050 to 1450rpm, and flows of 15 m3/h [66 gpm] to 25 m3/h [110 gpm].
Paper published with permission.
Addressing the Accuracy Concerns of Measuring MOV Stem Nut Wear From Diagnostic Testing
Authors: Reames Carter (Chuck) 
Published: May 2019

Excessive stem nut thread wear represents a potential common-cause failure mode that could impact all rising-stem valves. The consequence of unexpected failure of stem nuts emphasizes the importance of improving condition monitoring and maintenance practice activities by identifying, quantifying and minimizing stem nut thread wear.
In the nuclear industry, motor-operated valve (MOV) diagnostics estimate stem nut thread wear on safety-related valves using the stem-to-stem nut transition time (zero plateau). But the stem-to-stem nut transition time could also be affected by other variables that would lead to an inaccurate calculation of wear. Using stem-to-stem nut transition time to estimate wear, coupled with generally erring on the conservative side, usually indicates wear that is more severe than actual. This method, combined with all of the unknown variables, results in nuclear plants using valuable outage resources and dose to pull good stem nuts unnecessarily. This white paper identifies some of the variables that can be mistakenly construed as wear and offers a method that more accurately and efficiently validates this wear.
Paper published with permission.
Qualification of Pumps and Valves for the Safety Injection Path of Nuclear Power Plants
Authors: Ganzmann Ingo , Schmidt Holger 
Published: May 2019

The reliability of a nuclear power plant depends on the safe functioning of its components during its lifetime: from design through construction, operation and maintenance. This is valid for new build projects as well as for the current fleet. As plants undergo modifications for increased performance or extended lifetimes, component integrity becomes a critical factor in those efforts, particularly for safety-related plant functions. This paper focuses on the qualification of pumps and valves of the safety-injection path, considering new requirements. Going back to the Barsebäck event in the year 1992, it is known that insulation material may cause clogging. Consequently, the presence of debris material in the water may have an impact on the functioning of pumps and valves. For this purpose, AREVA has built new thermo-hydraulic test loops in its accredited test and inspection body (according to International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 17025 and 17020) to consider this effect as it relates to components qualification (Ref. 1). The main relevant aspects of these tests will be discussed together with corresponding thermal shock tests.
Paper published with permission.
Outcomes related to 10-min Apgar scores of zero in Japan
Authors: Shibasaki Jun , Mukai Takeo , Tsuda Kennosuke , Takeuchi Akihito , Ioroi Tomoaki , Sano Hiroyuki , Yutaka Nanae , Takahashi Akihito , Sobajima Hisanori , Tamura Masanori , Hosono Shigeharu , Nabetani Makoto , Iwata Osuke 
Published: May 2019

ObjectiveApgar scores of zero at 10 min strongly predict mortality and morbidity in infants. However, recent data reported improved outcomes among infants with Apgar scores of zero at 10 min. We aimed to review the mortality rate and neurodevelopmental outcomes of infants with Apgar scores of zero at 10 min in Japan.DesignObservational study.PatientsTwenty-eight of 768 infants registered in the Baby Cooling Registry of Japan between 2012 and 2016, at >34 weeks’ gestation, with Apgar scores of zero at 10 min who were treated with therapeutic hypothermia.InterventionsWe investigated the time of first heartbeat detection in infants with favourable outcomes and who had neurodevelopmental impairments or died.Main outcome measuresClinical characteristics, mortality rate and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 18–22 months of age were evaluated.ResultsNine (32%) of the 28 infants died before 18 months of age; 16 (57%) survived, but with severe disabilities and 3 (11%) survived without moderate-to-severe disabilities. At 20 min after birth, 14 of 27 infants (52%) did not have a first heartbeat, 13 of them died or had severe disabilities and one infant, who had the first heartbeat at 20 min, survived without disability.ConclusionOur study adds to the recent evidence that neurodevelopmental outcomes among infants with Apgar scores of zero at 10 min may not be uniformly poor. However, in our study, all infants with their first heartbeat after 20 min of age died or had severe disabilities.
Financial incentives for physical activity in adults: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mitchell Marc S , Orstad Stephanie L , Biswas Aviroop , Oh Paul I , Jay Melanie , Pakosh Maureen T , Faulkner Guy 
Published: May 2019

ObjectiveThe use of financial incentives to promote physical activity (PA) has grown in popularity due in part to technological advances that make it easier to track and reward PA. The purpose of this study was to update the evidence on the effects of incentives on PA in adults.Data sourcesMedline, PubMed, Embase, PsychINFO, CCTR, CINAHL and COCH.Eligibility criteriaRandomised controlled trials (RCT) published between 2012 and May 2018 examining the impact of incentives on PA.DesignA simple count of studies with positive and null effects (‘vote counting’) was conducted. Random-effects meta-analyses were also undertaken for studies reporting steps per day for intervention and post-intervention periods.Results23 studies involving 6074 participants were included (64.42% female, mean age = 41.20 years). 20 out of 22 studies reported positive intervention effects and four out of 18 reported post-intervention (after incentives withdrawn) benefits. Among the 12 of 23 studies included in the meta-analysis, incentives were associated with increased mean daily step counts during the intervention period (pooled mean difference (MD), 607.1; 95% CI: 422.1 to 792.1). Among the nine of 12 studies with post-intervention daily step count data incentives were associated with increased mean daily step counts (pooled MD, 513.8; 95% CI:312.7 to 714.9).ConclusionDemonstrating rising interest in financial incentives, 23 RCTs were identified. Modest incentives ($1.40 US/day) increased PA for interventions of short and long durationsandafter incentives were removed, though post-intervention ‘vote counting’ and pooled results did not align. Nonetheless, and contrary to what has been previously reported, these findings suggest a short-term incentive ‘dose’ may promote sustained PA.
Life expectancy and disparities in survival among HIV-infected people receiving antiretroviral therapy: an observational cohort study in Kathmandu, Nepal
Authors: Bhatta Dharma N , Adhikari Ruchi , Karki Sushil , Koirala Arun K , Wasti Sharada P 
Published: May 2019

IntroductionThe advent of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has dramatically slowed down the progression of HIV. This study assesses the disparities in survival, life expectancy and determinants of survival among HIV-infected people receiving ART.MethodsUsing data from one of Nepal’s largest population-based retrospective cohort studies (in Kathmandu, Nepal), we followed a total of 3191 HIV-infected people aged 15 years and older who received ART over the period of 2004–2015. We created abridged life tables with age-specific survival rates and life expectancy, stratified by sex, ethnicity, CD4 cell counts and the WHO-classified clinical stage at initiation of ART.ResultsHIV-infected people who initiated ART with a CD4 cell count of >200 cells/cm3at 15 years had 27.4 (22.3 to 32.6) years of additional life. People at WHO-classified clinical stage I and 15 years of age who initiated ART had 23.1 (16.6 to 29.7) years of additional life. Life expectancy increased alongside the CD4 cell count and decreased as clinical stages progressed upward. The study cohort contributed 8484.8 person years, with an overall survival rate of 3.3 per 100 person years (95% CI 3.0 to 3.7).ConclusionsThere are disparities in survival among HIV-infected people in Nepal. The survival payback of ART is proven; however, late diagnosis or the health system as a whole will affect the control and treatment of the illness. This study offers evidence of the benefits of enrolling early in care in general and ART in particular.
Design and rationale of the MyHeartMate study: a randomised controlled trial of a game-based app to promote behaviour change in patients with cardiovascular disease
Authors: Gallagher Robyn , Chow Clara , Parker Helen , Neubeck Lis , Celermajer David , Redfern Julie , Tofler Geoffrey , Buckley Thomas , Schumacher Tracy , Ferry Cate , Whitley Alexandra , Chen Lily , Figtree Gemma 
Published: May 2019

IntroductionRecurrence of cardiac events is common after a first event, leading to hospitalisations and increased health burden. Patients have difficulties achieving the lifestyle changes required for secondary prevention and access to secondary prevention programs is limited. This study aims to evaluate the impact of a game-based mobile app, MyHeartMate, which is designed to motivate engagement in secondary prevention behaviours for cardiovascular risk factors.Methods and analysisThe MyHeartMate study is a randomised controlled trial with 6-month follow-up and blinded assessment of the primary outcome. Participants (n=394) with coronary heart disease will be recruited from hospitals in metropolitan Sydney and randomly allocated to standard care or the MyHeartMate app intervention. The intervention group will receive the app, which uses game techniques to promote engagement and lifestyle behaviour change for secondary prevention. The primary outcome is difference between the groups in physical activity (metabolic equivalent of task minutes/week) at 6 months. Secondary outcomes include change in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, medication adherence, body mass index, waist circumference, mood and dietary changes at 6 months. Data on app engagement, and patient perspectives of usability and acceptability, will also be analysed.Ethics and disseminationThe study has received ethics approval from Northern Sydney Local Health District Human Research Ethics Committee. The study findings will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publications and presentation at international scientific meetings/conferences.Trial registration numberACTRN12617000869370; Pre-results.
A longitudinal observational study of back pain incidence, risk factors and occupational physical activity in Swedish marine trainees
Authors: Monnier Andreas , Larsson Helena , Nero Håkan , Djupsjöbacka Mats , Äng Björn O 
Published: May 2019

ObjectivesTo evaluate the occurrence of low back pain (LBP) and LBP that limits work ability, to identify their potential early risks and to quantify occupational physical activity in Swedish Armed Forces (SwAF) marines during their basic 4 month marine training course.DesignProspective observational cohort study with weekly follow-ups.ParticipantsFifty-three SwAF marines entering the training course.OutcomesIncident of LBP and its related effect on work-ability and associated early risks. Occupational physical activity, as monitored using accelerometers and self-reports.ResultsDuring the training course, 68% of the marines experienced at least one episode of LBP. This yielded a LBP and LBP limiting work ability incidence rate of 13.5 (95% CI 10.4 to 17.8) and 6.3 (95% CI 4.2 to 10.0) episodes per 1000 person-days, respectively. Previous back pain and shorter body height (≤1.80 m) emerged as independent risks for LBP (HR 2.5, 95% CI 1.4 to 4.3; HR 2.0, 95% CI 1.2 to 3.3, respectively), as well as for LBP that limited work ability (HR 3.6, 95% CI 1.4 to 8.9; HR 4.5, 95% CI 2.0 to 10.0, respectively). Furthermore, managing fewer than four pull-ups emerged as a risk for LBP (HR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2 to 3.0), while physical training of fewer than three sessions per week emerged as a risk for LBP that limited work ability (HR 3.0, 95% CI 1.2 to 7.4). More than 80% of the work time measured was spent performing low levels of ambulation, however, combat equipment (≥17.5 kg) was carried for more than half of the work time.ConclusionsIncidents of LBP are common in SwAF marines’ early careers. The link between LBP and previous pain as well as low levels of exercise highlights the need for preventive actions early on in a marine’s career. The role of body height on LBP needs further investigation, including its relationship with body-worn equipment, before it can effectively contribute to LBP prevention.