Effect of flow pattern at pipe bends on corrosion behaviour of low carbon steek and its challenges

Recent design work regarding seawater flow lines has emphasized the need to identify, develop, and verify critical relationships between corrosion prediction and flow regime mechanisms at pipe bend. In practice this often reduces to an pragmatic interpretation of the effects of corrosion mechanisms at pipe bends. Most importantly the identification of positions or sites, within the internal surface contact areas where the maximum corrosion stimulus may be expected to occur, thereby allowing better understanding, mitigation, monitoring and corrosion control over the life cycle. Some case histories have been reviewed in this context, and the interaction between corrosion mechanisms and flow patterns closely determined, and in some cases correlated. Since the actual relationships are complex, it was determined that a risk based decision making process using selected ‘what’ if corrosion analyses linked to ‘what if’ flow assurance analyses was the best way forward. Using this in methodology, and pertinent field data exchange, it is postulated that significant improvements in corrosion prediction can be made. This paper outlines the approach used and shows how related corrosion modelling software data such as that available from corrosion models Norsok M5006, and Cassandra to parallel computational flow modelling in a targeted manner can generate very noteworthy results, and considerably more viable trends for corrosion control guidance. It is postulated that the normally associated lack of agreement between corrosion modelling and field experience, is more likely due to inadequate consideration of corrosion stimulating flow regime data, rather than limitations of the corrosion modelling. Applications of flow visualization studies as well as computations with the k-ε model of turbulence have identified flow features and regions where metal loss is a maximu

Estimating soil degradation in montane grasslands of North-eastern Italian Alps (Italy)

Grasslands cover a large portion of the terrestrial ecosystems, and are vital for biodiversity conservation, environmental protection and livestock husbandry. However, grasslands are degraded due to unreasonable management worldwide, i.e., soil erosion indirectly due to the damage of overgrazing on vegetation coverage and soil texture. An in-depth investigation is necessary to quantify soil erosion in alpine pastures, in order to manage grasslands more sustainably. In this work, we collected freely available satellite images and carried out intensive field surveys for the whole Autonomous Province of Trento (Northeastern Italian Alps) in 2016. The area (and volume) of soil erosions were then estimated and shown in maps. The average of the depths of soil erosion measured in field was used as a reference for estimating soil erosion of the entire study area. High-resolution DEMs difference in soil surface conditions was also computed in two representative areas between pre- and post-degradation to estimate the volume and the average depth of eroded soils. The degradation of soil in the study areas has been estimated in 144063 m2 and an estimated volume of 33610 ± 1800 m3. Results indicate that our procedure can serve as a low-cost approach for a rapid estimation of soil erosion in mountain areas. Mapping soil erosion can improve the sustainability of grazing management system and reduce the risk of pastureland degradation at large spatial scales

Barnyardgrass shows sensitivity to reduced doses of topramezone at different growth stages

Using less than the labelled dose of herbicides depends mostly on weed spectrum and growth stage of target weeds. The aim of the greenhouse experiment was to determine the efficacy of recommended (67.2 g a.i. ha-1) and reduced doses (44.8, 33.6, 22.4, 16.8 and 8.4 g a.i. ha-1) of topramezone combined with adjuvants (NIS and MSO) on barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli [L.] P. Beauv.) at two different growth stages: BBCH 13 and BBCH 21\u201322. The results showed unsatisfactory efficacy of topramezone applied alone at the recommended dose on both growth stages (>50%). When applied with adjuvants (MSO or NIS) at BBCH 13, topramezone 100% visually damaged barnyardgrass and reduced biomass >90%, at each applied dose. In contrast, at BBCH 21\u201322 only topramezone double dose achieved 73% visual damage. Reduced topramezone doses applied with adjuvants gave insufficient barnyardgrass control at tillering stage (< 40%). Results indicate the possibility of reducing the topramezone dose to more than 87% by adding adjuvants (MSO or NIS) but only when applied at early growth stage of barnyardgrass (BBCH 13). At BBCH 21\u201322 satisfactory barnyardgrass control cannot be achieved by using topramezone either alone or with adjuvants

Evaluación de la Abundancia y Diversidad de Lombrices de tierra en relación con el Uso del Suelo en el Cinturón Hortícola de Santa Fe (Argentina)

Las lombrices de tierra constituyen un componente importante en la fauna del suelo contribuyendo activa y beneficiosamente en su estructura y fertilidad. Estos organismos son sensibles ante distintos manejos y grados de perturbación del suelo respondiendo como bioindicadores de la «salud» del mismo. El Cinturón Hortícola Santafesino (Santa Fe, Argentina) exhibe diferencias no sólo en tipos de cultivos sino también en sistemas de producción y condiciones de trabajo. El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la abundancia y diversidad de la oligoquetofauna en los suelos con distintos tipos de manejo en las localidades de Ángel Gallardo y Monte Vera (Dpto. La Capital, Santa Fe - Argentina). Se seleccionaron tres agroecosistemas: labranza convencional (LC), siembra directa orgánica (SDO) y siembra directa (SD). En cada campo se realizaron dos muestreos, correspondiendo uno a la estación verano y el otro a otoño de 2008. Se analizaron algunas propiedades físicas y químicas de los suelos como también residuos de plaguicidas. La densidad de oligoquetos presentó diferencias por estación y sistemas de producción (p = 0,001) destacándose el sitio de SDO con el mayor número de individuos en las dos estaciones muestreadas. La taxocenosis constó de dos familias: Lumbricidae y Megascolecidae, y tres especies: Aporrectodea rosea, Aporrectodea trapezoides y Amynthas morrisi. La diversidad fue baja (H’= 0,33), siendo A. rosea la especie más común en los sitios muestreados y A. trapezoides la más abundante, incorporándose esta última a la lista de oligoquetos para la zona hortícola ya que en estudios anteriores no se hallaba registrada. La composición y estructura de la taxocenosis de lombrices de tierra se ve afectada no sólo por las condiciones ambientales y labores de producción, sino también por los parámetros físicos y químicos del suelo, que en conjunto condicionan la sensibilidad de la oligoquetofauna.Earthworms are an important component of soil fauna, contributing actively to improve soil structure and fertility. These organisms are highly sensitive to different soil managements and degrees of soil disturbance and were therefore adopted as biomarkers of the soil «health». The Cinturón Hortícola Santafesino (Santa Fe, Argentina) exhibits a large variability in crop species, production systems and working conditions. The aim of this study was to determine the abundance and diversity of earthworms in soils under different types of managements near the villages of Ángel Gallardo and Monte Vera (Dept. La Capital, Santa Fe, Argentina). The three agroecosystems selected were: conventional tillage (LC), notillage with added organic amendments (SDO) and no-tillage (SD). Two samplings were conducted in each field: one in summer and the other in fall of 2008. In addition, some physical and chemical properties of soils were analyzed, as well as the presence of pesticide residues. The density of oligochaetes showed significant differences between seasons and production systems (= 0.001). The SDO site had the greatest number of individuals in the two sampled seasons. The taxocenosis consisted of two families: Lumbricidae and Megacolescidae, and three species: Aporrectodea rosea, Aporrectodea trapezoides and Amynthas morrisi. The diversity was low (H’= 0.33), resulting A. rosea the most common and A. trapezoides the most abundant species, respectively. A. trapezoides was incorporated to the earthworm records of the area because it had never been reported in previous studies. The composition and structure of the earthworm’s taxonomy is not only affected by the different agricultural practices and the edaphic and environmental conditions, but also by the soil´s physical and chemical properties that influence the oligoquetofauna sensitivity.Fil: Masin, Carolina Elisabet. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguez, Alba Rut. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias; ArgentinaFil: Maitre, Maria Ines. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Santa Fe. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química (i); Argentin

Economic modeling of urban pollution and climate policy interactions

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2003.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 75-77).by Ardoin Valpergue de Masin.S.M

R-matrix calculations of electron impact electronic excitation of BeH

The R-matrix method is used to perform high-level calculations of electron collisions with beryllium mono-hydride at its equilibrium geometry with a particular emphasis on electron impact electronic excitation. Several target and scattering models are considered. The calculations were performed using (1) the UKRMol suite which relies on the use of Gaussian type orbitals (GTOs) to represent the continuum and (2) using the new UKRMol+ suite which allows the inclusion of B-spline type orbitals in the basis for the continuum. The final close-coupling scattering models used the UKRMol+ code and a frozen core, valence full configuration interaction, method based on a diffuse GTO atomic basis set. The calculated electronic properties of the molecule are in very good agreement with state-of-the-art electronic structure calculations. The use of the UKRMol+ suite proved critical since it allowed the use of a large R-matrix sphere (35 Bohr), necessary to contain the diffuse electronic states of the molecule. The corresponding calculations using UKRMol are not possible due to numerical problems associated with the combination of GTO-only continuum and a large R-matrix sphere. This work provides the first demonstration of the utility and numerical stability of the new UKRMol+ code. The inelastic cross sections obtained here present a significant improvement over the results of earlier studies on BeH

Heterodimerization of Munc13 C2A domain with RIM regulates synaptic vesicle docking and priming

The presynaptic active zone protein Munc13 is essential for neurotransmitter release, playing key roles in vesicle docking and priming. Mechanistically, it is thought that the C2A domain of Munc13 inhibits the priming function by homodimerization, and that RIM disrupts the autoinhibitory homodimerization forming monomeric priming-competent Munc13. However, it is unclear whether the C2A domain mediates other Munc13 functions in addition to this inactivation–activation switch. Here, we utilize mutations that modulate the homodimerization and heterodimerization states to define additional roles of the Munc13 C2A domain. Using electron microscopy and electrophysiology in hippocampal cultures, we show that the C2A domain is critical for additional steps of vesicular release, including vesicle docking. Optimal vesicle docking and priming is only possible when Munc13 heterodimerizes with RIM via its C2A domain. Beyond being a switching module, our data suggest that the Munc13-RIM heterodimer is an active component of the vesicle docking, priming and release complex

A Comparative Effectiveness Study of the Trauma Recovery Empowerment Model (TREM) and an Attachment-Informed Variation of TREM

Abstract A Comparative Effectiveness Study of the Trauma Recovery Empowerment Model (TREM) and an Attachment-Informed Variation of TREM (ATREM) Melanie Masin-Moyer, University of Pennsylvania Dr. Phyllis Solomon, Dissertation Chair, University of Pennsylvania Dr. Malitta Engstrom, Dissertation Committee Member, University of Pennsylvania Objective: An evidenced-based women’s trauma group was modified to create a new protocol, Attachment-Informed Trauma Recovery Empowerment Model (ATREM), which included attachment-based concepts and strategies to determine if well-being could be enhanced beyond the Trauma Recovery Empowerment Model (TREM). A quasi-experimental design was used to test the hypothesis that ATREM would be associated with greater improvement in attachment security, perceived social support, emotion regulation, substance use, depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms than TREM. Methods: Sixty-nine women completed the group interventions (n = 37 ATREM; n = 32 TREM), along with pre- and-post-test questionnaires. The questionnaires included sociodemographic questions and the following standardized scales: Relationship Scale Questionnaire, Social Group Attachment Scale, Social Support Scale, Difficulties in Emotional Regulation, Brief Symptom Inventory 18, PTSD Symptom Scale, and modified versions of the Lifetime Stressor Checklist Revised and the Addiction Severity Index. The continuous variables were analyzed using paired t-tests for within-group comparisons and independent t-tests for between-group comparisons, and the categorical variables were analyzed using Chi-Square or Fisher’s Exact Test. Results: Both ATREM and TREM were associated with statistically significant within-group improvement in individual and group attachment styles, perceived social support, emotion regulation capacities, depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Only ATREM was associated with statistically significant improvement in individual attachment avoidance. The gains associated with ATREM did not exceed those associated with TREM as hypothesized. Conclusion: This pilot study extends prior findings on TREM by demonstrating that novel infusions of attachment-focused strategies into this evidence-based practice can facilitate comparable growth across a variety of measures of well-being. ATREM was also able to promote significant reductions in individual attachment avoidance, a style of interacting often considered challenging to modify. ATREM’s integrated design with cognitive-behavioral and psychodynamic elements holds potential to enhance responsiveness and effectiveness of TREM in meeting the diverse needs of women who have experienced trauma. Further, this study demonstrates the effectiveness of brief trauma-focused group therapy and provides insight into the emerging concept of group attachment style

Music as an Expression of Traumatic Pasts and Conflicting Futures

Chad Abushanab’s “On the Dred Ranch Road Just off 283” and Emily Dickinson’s “Better—Than Music!” use their poetic forms to express the idea of music as being representative of each of their speakers’ spectrum of experiences and troubles. Despite the two poems being separated by hundreds of years and completely different life experiences, both speakers use the premise of music to establish their troubled pasts. The two poems begin to diverge when they also use music as a means of conveying their expectations for the future. Abushanab’s speaker laments his father’s alcoholism and the speaker has convinced himself the he will suffer the same dismal fate of his father. The music he expresses is dark and shows overwhelmed and depressed view of his fears. Dickinson’s speaker, on the other hand, knows how disheartening her past has been (although she never reveals specifically what has happened), but looks forward to the future as hears beautiful music as a sound of hope of what is to come. Both speakers have reason to fear their respective futures but take conflicting approaches as how to reconcile those fears. Music is able to express an extreme range of emotions where words often fall short and each poet employs the language of music to convey their acute fear, despair, joy, and hope that their speakers feel at this point of conflict in their lives. Abushanab and Dickinson are able to employ both form and content to express the vivid musicality of abstract emotions. Although each speaker ends in a different place in their respective emotional journeys, they use similar modes of communication to work through their traumatic pasts to create conflicting visions of their potential futures