bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biological control agents (BCAs) of verticillium wilt: influence of application rates and delivery method on plant protection, triggering of host defence mechanisms and rhizosphere populations of BCAs
Authors: Angelopoulou D. J. , Naska E. J. , Paplomatas E. J. , Tjamos S. E. 
Published: January 2014

Verticillium dahliae causes severe yield reductions in a variety of important annual crops worldwide. Control of verticillium wilt has relied on soil fumigation; however, the use of the main soil fumigant, methyl bromide, has been banned in the European Union since 2010, creating a demand for novel crop protectants. As such, the use of biocontrol agents (BCAs) is an appealing management strategy. Prerequisites for the development of a successful BCA are an understanding of the modes of action of the antagonist, its ecological fitness and an efficient and economically feasible delivery system. Therefore, two BCAs (Paenibacillus alvei K165 or the nonpathogenic Fusarium oxysporum F2) and two release strategies (seed coating or amendment of the transplant soil plug) were assessed against verticillium wilt of aubergine (eggplant). Mixing the transplant soil plug with K165 or F2, at a rate of 10 and 20% (v/v), respectively, reduced verticillium wilt symptom development. Furthermore, a positive correlation was revealed between the release strategy and the BCA rhizosphere population. Correlation analysis also showed that disease severity was negatively correlated to the rhizosphere size of the BCA population. In addition, qPCR analysis showed that both BCAs induced the expression of the pathogenesis‐related (PR) proteins PR1 and PR4 in the stem of aubergines before and after inoculation with V. dahliae in a manner that suggests a link with the rhizosphere size of the BCA population.
Deep incision in an Aptian carbonate succession indicates major sea‐level fall in the Cretaceous
Authors: Bover‐Arnal Telm , Salas Ramon , Guimerà Joan , Moreno‐Bedmar Josep Anton 
Published: January 2014

AbstractLong‐term relative sea‐level cycles (0·5 to 6 Myr) have yet to be fully understood for the Cretaceous. During the Aptian, in the northern Maestrat Basin (Eastern Iberian Peninsula), fault‐controlled subsidence created depositional space, but eustasy governed changes in depositional trends. Relative sea‐level history was reconstructed by sequence stratigraphic analysis. Two forced regressive stages of relative sea‐level were recognized within three depositional sequences. The first stage is late Early Aptian age (intra Dufrenoyia furcata Zone) and is characterized by foreshore to upper shoreface sedimentary wedges, which occur detached from a highstand carbonate platform, and were deposited above basin marls. The amplitude of relative sea‐level drop was in the order of tens of metres, with a duration of <1 Myr. The second stage of relative sea‐level fall occurred within the Late Aptian and is recorded by an incised valley that, when restored to its pre‐contractional attitude, was >2 km wide and cut ≥115 m down into the underlying Aptian succession. With the subsequent transgression, the incision was backfilled with peritidal to shallow subtidal deposits. The changes in depositional trends, lithofacies evolution and geometric relation of the stratigraphic units characterized are similar to those observed in coeval rocks within the Maestrat Basin, as well as in other correlative basins elsewhere. The pace and magnitude of the two relative sea‐level drops identified fall within the glacio‐eustatic domain. In the Maestrat Basin, terrestrial palynological studies provide evidence that the late Early and Late Aptian climate was cooler than the earliest part of the Early Aptian and the Albian Stage, which were characterized by warmer environmental conditions. The outcrops documented here are significant because they preserve the results of Aptian long‐term sea‐level trends that are often only recognizable on larger scales (i.e. seismic), such as for the Arabian Plate.
Facies analysis and palaeoclimatic significance of ironstones formed during the Eocene greenhouse
Authors: Salama Walid , El Aref Mortada , Gaupp Reinhard 
Published: January 2014

AbstractLower and middle Eocene ironstone sequences of the Naqb and Qazzun formations from the north‐east Bahariya Depression, Western Desert, Egypt, represent a proxy for early Palaeogene climate and sea‐level changes. These sequences represent the only Palaeogene economic ooidal ironstone record of the Southern Tethys. These ironstone sequences rest unconformably on three structurally controlled Cenomanian palaeohighs (for example, the Gedida, Harra and Ghorabi mines) and formed on the inner ramp of a carbonate platform. These palaeohighs were exposed and subjected to subaerial lateritic weathering from the Cenomanian to early Eocene. The lower and middle Eocene ironstone sequences consist of quiet water ironstone facies overlain by higher energy ironstone facies. The distribution of low‐energy ironstone facies is controlled by depositional relief. These deposits consist of lagoonal, burrow‐mottled mud‐ironstone and laterally equivalent tidal flat, stromatolitic ironstones. The agitated water ironstone facies consist of shallow subtidal–intertidal nummulitic–ooidal–oncoidal and back‐barrier storm‐generated fossiliferous ironstones. The formation of these marginal marine sequences was associated with major marine transgressive–regressive megacycles that separated by subaerial exposure and lateritic weathering. The formation of lateritic palaeosols with their characteristic dissolution and reprecipitation features, such as colloform texture and alveolar voids, implies periods of humid and warm climate followed major marine regressions. The formation of the lower to middle Eocene ironstone succession and the associated lateritic palaeosols can be linked to the early Palaeogene global warming and eustatic sea‐level changes. The reworking of the middle Eocene palaeosol and the deposition of the upper Eocene phosphate‐rich glauconitic sandstones of the overlying Hamra Formation may record the initial stages of the palaeoclimatic transition from greenhouse to icehouse conditions.
Effect of azithromycin mass drug administration for trachoma on spleen rates in Gambian children
Authors: Hart John D. , Edwards Tansy , Burr Sarah E. , Harding‐Esch Emma M. , Takaoka Kensuke , Holland Martin J. , Sillah Ansumana , Mabey David C. W. , Bailey Robin L. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the effect of azithromycin mass drug administration regimens on spleen rates in children aged 0–5 years.MethodsClinical assessment of spleen size was carried out during a cluster‐randomised trial of azithromycin mass treatment for trachoma elimination in The Gambia. Twenty‐four communities received three annual mass treatments with azithromycin, and 24 communities received treatment at baseline only.ResultsAt the 30‐month follow‐up, 3646 children aged 0–5 years had spleen examination and measurement. Palpable splenomegaly was significantly lower in annually treated vs. baseline‐only treatment communities and in treated vs. untreated children at 24 months in the annual treatment arm.ConclusionThe results suggest an effect of azithromycin on spleen rates at the individual level and are most plausibly due to the antimalarial effects of azithromycin.
Stress and Strain Fields in the Hemispherical Head of an FCC Regenerator During the Lifting Maneuver in Cyclone Replacement
Authors: Garrido Erik , Casanova Euro 
Published: January 2014

The Oil and Gas industry is constantly seeking for improvements in the design of mechanical equipment. Each refining process is the subject of continuous research, which is frequently addressed in the revisions of the corresponding standard. Nevertheless, particular technologies such as the Fluid Catalytic Cracking Units (FCCU) are not governed by any International Standard but by designs developed and patented by specialized licensors. The implementation of new designs requires special studies of the original equipment in order to assess the feasibility of the related works and the required provisions to accomplish the revamp. This work studies the stress and displacement fields occurring in the hemispherical head of an FCC regenerator during the lifting maneuver for a typical cyclone replacement.
A parametric finite element model was developed and stress and total displacement charts are presented as a function of diameters and thicknesses of hemispherical heads commonly found in the industry. Sensitivity analyses are presented with respect to a variation of ±15% of the applied loads and the size of the plenum chamber. Therefore, the results shown in this work present a reference framework for the replacement of cyclones in FCC regenerators when removing their hemispherical heads.
Prediction of the Inner Temperatures in a Duct Based on Outer Thermocouples Measurements
Authors: Gervais Stéphane , Girard Alexandre 
Published: January 2014

Nuclear power plants (NPP) include connections of branches conveying fluids at different temperatures. Some thermohydraulics phenomena such as stratification may affect the inner wall of the ducts and lead to fatigue damage. They are then defined in a conservative way for fatigue evaluation. In order to improve the definitions of these phenomena EDF plans to install thermocouples rings on the outer surfaces of some ducts.
The aim of this article is to define a methodology to derive thermal loadings from outer measurements.
To estimate the temperature of the inner skin duct through measurements on the outer surface of the ducts, we propose to use optimal control (with quadratic cost functions) to compare the outer temperatures calculated with a finite element model and the measurements.
Different methods are investigated: first, a method based on Nelder-Mead algorithm [3] and second, an advanced method based on gradient computation.
The advantage of the latter is to explicitly compute the gradient and a Hessian approximation of the cost function with respect to the water temperatures, which is time saving for computation-wise. To enhance the robustness of the methodology, additional conditions on the regularity of the fluid temperature field are added.
Design Analysis and Qualification of Buried Metallic Pipe
Authors: Antaki George , Becht Charles , Shipley Michael 
Published: January 2014

In this paper we review and compile the design equations for buried metallic pipe. The nomenclature is provided at the back of the paper, and is not repeated with each equation.
The methods and criteria presented here are applicable to safety-related, or non-safety-related, buried piping systems designed and qualified to ASME III Class 2 or 3, ASME B31.7 (Ref. 4), or ASME B31.1. As is always the case with safety-related piping systems, the engineer should verify the compatibility of the equations presented here with the licensing basis of the plant.
It is not our intent to introduce new methods or criteria in this paper. Instead, our objective is to compile existing theories, methods and criteria that are dispersed in several standards, publications, and textbooks, so as to provide a structured approach to the design process.
Study on the Control of Displacement for Base Isolation Systems Utilizing High-Viscous Liquid (Effects of Eccentricity)
Authors: Ito Tomohiro , Nishimatsu Naoto , Shintani Atsuhiko , Nakagawa Chihiro 
Published: January 2014

In Japan, ensuring the structural integrity of cask systems during seismic events is becoming increasingly important. Cask systems, which are free-standing cylindrical structures that contain spent fuel assemblies, are considered as sliding isolation systems. Thus far, analytical studies conducted by the authors have already indicated that cask systems subjected to strong seismic motions, undergo large sliding motions, and in the worst case, may collide with one another. Therefore, reducing the sliding motions of casks to avoid mutual collisions and consequent contamination of radioactive substances is critical.
To suppress sliding motions for very heavy free-standing structures such as cask systems, the authors proposed a sliding motion suppression system that uses high-viscous liquid and coaxial circular cylinders. This system is installed at the bottom end of the structure and the annular space is filled with a high-viscous liquid. A previous study showed that high-viscous liquid in annular spaces provides added damping effects of considerable magnitude, and thus allows the sliding motion to be suppressed.
In this study, the added damping effects of the annular space liquid are clarified using a fundamental testing device for various liquid viscosities, ratios of diameters for the inner and outer cylinders, and eccentricities of the inner cylinder. Moreover, shaking table tests are conducted to confirm that the added damping effects suppress excessive displacement.
Residual Stress Measurements and Modelling for Temper Bead Qualification
Authors: Ficquet Xavier , Robin Vincent , Kingston Ed , Courtin Stéphan , Yescas Miguel 
Published: January 2014

This paper presents results from a programme of through thickness residual stress measurements and finite element analysis (FEA) modelling carried out on a temper bead mock-up. Emphasis is placed on results comparison rather than the measurement technique and procedure, which is well documented in the accompanying references. Temper bead welding processes have been developed to simulate the tempering effect of post-weld heat treatment and are used to repair reactor pressure vessel components to alleviate the need for further heat-treatment.
The Temper Bead Mock-up comprised of a rectangular block with dimension 960mm × 189mm × 124mm was manufactured from a ferritic steel forged block with an austenitic stainless steel buttering and a nickel alloy temper bead cladding. The temper bead and buttering surfaces were machined after welding. Biaxial residual stresses were measured at a number of locations using the standard Deep-Hole Drilling (DHD) and Incremental DHD (iDHD) techniques on the Temper Bead Mock-up and compared with FEA modelling results. An excellent correlation existed between the iDHD and the modelled results, and highlighted the need for the iDHD technique in order to account for plastic relaxation during the measurement process.
Maximum tensile residual stresses through the thickness were observed near the austenitic stainless steel surface at 298MPa. High compressive stresses were observed within the ferritic base plate beneath the bimetallic interface between austenitic and ferritic steels with peak stresses of −377MPa in the longitudinal direction.
The Delivery of Technical Training Within the European Style Project
Authors: Toft Adam , Sharples John 
Published: January 2014

The STYLE project considers structural integrity for lifetime management of non-reactor pressure vessel components of nuclear power plant. The project is funded under the seventh European Commission framework programme. A broad objective of the project is to assess, optimise and develop application of advanced tools for structural integrity assessment of reactor coolant pressure boundary components other than the reactor pressure vessel.
One aspect of the STYLE project is intended to address the issue of succession planning within the European nuclear industry. With many key technical experts now approaching retirement it is essential to progress the technical expertise of those at an earlier stage of their career in the industry.
The paper describes how technical training has been delivered as an integral part of the STYLE project to support retention of the current level of technical capability in future.
Diverse aspects of training are described. These include participation in experimental work, numerical modelling and simulation, application of engineering assessment procedures, leak-before-break, probabilistic fracture mechanics and materials behaviour. An illustrative case study is described, in which trainees received practical instruction in the essential steps for technical justification of a leak-before-break argument.
Development of Non-Idealized Surface to Through-Wall Crack Transition Model
Authors: Shim Do-Jun , Kurth Robert , Rudland David 
Published: January 2014

Recent work by the authors have shown that a subcritical surface crack (SC) can transition to a through-wall crack (TWC) with significant differences between the inner diameter (ID) and outer diameter (OD) crack lengths. In the current versions of the xLPR code (Ver. 1.0), an idealized through-wall crack (which has the same area as the final surface crack) is formed once the surface crack penetrates the wall thickness. This type of crack transition was selected since no general stress intensity factor (K) and crack-opening displacement (COD) solutions were available for crack shapes that would form during the transitioning stages, i.e., non-idealized through-wall cracks. However, it has been demonstrated that this idealized through-wall crack may result in an overestimate of the leak rate. Thus, it is necessary to further investigate and develop a model that can handle the surface crack to through-wall crack transition.
In this paper, a surface to through-wall crack transition model was proposed using existing K and COD solutions for non-idealized through-wall cracks. This model includes a criterion for transitioning the final surface crack to the initial non-idealized through-wall crack which determines when the transition should occur (based on surface crack depth) and determines the two crack lengths (at ID and OD surfaces) of the initial non-idealized through-wall crack. Furthermore non-idealized through-wall crack growth can be conducted using the proposed model. Example results (crack shape and COD) obtained from the proposed model were compared to those obtained from the natural crack growth simulations for a circumferential crack. Results presented in this paper demonstrated the applicability of the proposed model for simulating crack transition. Limitation of the present model and plans for future work are also discussed in the paper.
The Consequences of Macroscopic Segregation on the Transformation Behaviour of a Pressure-Vessel Steel
Authors: Pickering Ed , Bhadeshia Harry 
Published: January 2014

It is important that the material used to produce high-integrity pressure vessels has homogeneous properties which are reproducible and within specification. Most heavy pressure vessels comprise large forgings derived from ingots, and are consequently affected by the chemical segregation that occurs during ingot casting. Of particular concern are the compositional variations that arise from macrosegregation, such as the channels of enriched material commonly referred to as A-segregates. By causing corresponding variations in microstructure, the segregation may be detrimental to mechanical properties. Given the scale of the pressure vessel casting, the segregation cannot be removed by practically feasible heat treatments.
Here we describe an investigation on the consequences of macrosegregation on the development of microstructure in a pressure-vessel steel, SA508 Grade 3. It is demonstrated that the kinetics of transformation are sensitive to the segregation, resulting in a dramatic spatial variations in microstructure. It is likely therefore that some of the scatter in mechanical properties as observed for such pressure vessels can be attributed to macroscopic casting-induced chemical segregation.
Response of Piping Tees to Propagating Detonations
Authors: Ligon Thomas C. , Gross David J. , Shepherd Joseph E. 
Published: January 2014

This paper reports the results of experiments and finite element simulations on the structural response of piping systems to internal detonation loading. Specifically, the work described in this paper focuses on the forces that are produced at tee-junctions that lead to axial and bending structural responses of the piping system.
Detonation experiments were conducted in a 2-in. (50 mm) diameter schedule 40 piping system that was fabricated using 304 stainless steel and welded to ASME B31.3 standards. The 4.1 m (162-in.) long piping system included one tee and was supported using custom brackets and cantilever beams fastened to steel plates that were bolted to the laboratory walls. Nearly-ideal detonations were used in a 30/70 H2-N2O mixture at 1 atm initial pressure and 300 K. Pressure and hoop, axial, and support strains were measured using a high-speed (1 MHz) digital data acquisition system and calibrated signal conditioners.
It was concluded that detonations propagate through the run of a 90° tee with relatively little disturbance in either direction. The detonation load increases by approximately a factor of 2 when the detonation enters through the branch. The deflections of the cantilever beam supports and the hoop and axial pipe strains could be adequately predicted by finite element simulations. The support loads are adequately predicted as long as the supports are constrained to the piping.
This paper shows that with relatively simple models, quantitative predictions of tee forces can be made for the purposes of design or safety analysis of piping systems subject to internal detonations.
Damage-Based Modeling and Analysis of Reactor Vessels With Numerous Base Metal Ultrasonic Indications
Authors: Rashid Joseph Y. R. , Hardin Timothy , Rashid Mark M. , Dunham Robert S. , Kubischta Keith 
Published: January 2014

The numerous indications recently found by UT-inspection in the reactor pressure vessel shell forgings at two Belgian nuclear power plants have raised some concerns about the effects of such indications on the vessel integrity and fitness for continued service. The UT indications have been attributed to hydrogen flaking, and preliminary estimates give a density of ∼40 indications per liter, with diameter of about 10–14 mm, oriented at a shallow ∼10° angle to the vessel inner surface. This type of high-density indications would not be characterized as geometric flaws with well defined crack-tip geometry that permits high-fidelity application of traditional fracture mechanics methods. An alternative analysis approach, with higher fidelity simulation of this type of “distributed discontinuities”, is proposed, as described in this paper.
From a behavioral standpoint, the UT indications at Doel 3 and Tihange 2 represent material discontinuities whose mechanical effect can be evaluated using a damage-mechanics-based constitutive model. Previously, a special multiphase damage model was developed for cladding with zirconium hydrides, of similar morphology to the Doel 3 indications, in which the metal matrix and the hydride platelets are treated as separate material phases interacting at their interfaces with appropriate constraint conditions between them to ensure strain and stress compatibility. The hydride precipitates are represented as a brittle material and the metal matrix is modeled as a ductile elastic-plastic material. This damage model was implemented in a finite element computer program, and was validated using ring-tension and ring-compression tests of cladding specimens with various hydride morphologies. The model was able to predict specimens complete stress-strain curves and failure states with very high accuracy.
The above described damage model is adapted to the high-density UT indications, morphology and distribution similar to the conditions of the Doel 3 vessel. The “hydrogen flakes” are characterized in the model as distributed damage of known orientation and volume fraction. A vessel of typical geometry and radiation-dependent mechanical properties is analyzed for various values of volume fraction of hydrogen flakes, and considering a transient loading scenario that conservatively simulates pressurized thermal shock. Interlinking of the “hydrogen flakes” and propagation of damage through the wall under the specified loading condition are part of the model’s capability of directly predicting whether or not vessel failure will occur. Thus, vessel susceptibility to failure and failure margin are judged by the degree of damage propagation through the wall.