Branch Connections Research Articles

KSpheres – an efficient algorithm for joining skinning surfaces

Besides classical point based surface design, sphere based creation of characters and other surfaces has been introduced by some of the recently developed modeling tools in computer graphics. ZSpheres® by Pixologic, or Spore™ by Electronic Arts are just two prominent examples of these softwares. In this paper we introduce a new sphere based modeling tool, which allows us to create smooth, tubular-like surfaces by skinning a user-defined set of spheres. The main advantage of the new method is to provide a parametric surface with more natural and smoother shape, especially at the connection of branches than the surfaces provided by the existing softwares and methods.

Current status of steam dryer performance under power uprate in Boiling Water Reactors

This work is a compilation of the current status of the steam dryer performance after the implementation of power uprates in Boiling Water Reactors (BWR). Some Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) have reported failures and cracking in the steam dryer by acoustic resonances that cause excessive vibration due to the increase of steam flow. The replacement of the steam dryer, structural reinforcement and the connection of Acoustic Side Branches (ASB) are the main solutions adopted in order to avoid mechanical failures.The signal analysis of the vibration of the main steam lines in a typical BWR5, was performed using the Short-Time Fourier Transform (STFT). Signals were collected by the strain gauges located around the main steam lines (MSL). Two scenarios are analyzed; the first, is the signal obtained before the installation of the ASB, and the second, the signal obtained after installation. The results show the effectiveness of the ASB to damp the strong resonances when the steam flow increases, which represents an important reduction in the acoustic loads to the steam dryer.

Concept of Repairing Branch Pipes on High-Pressure Pipelines by Using Split Sleeve

Repairs of branch connections defects on high-pressure pipelines allied to gas-escape are nowadays difficult processes. The reason is necessity of performing sections of damaged pipeline that is connected with transport medium layoff or with using technology of by-pass installing around damaged part of pipeline. In article, a concept of technology of branch connections repairing by split pressure sleeve is presented, which is in recent times realised only at straight sections of pipelines. Concept consist of split sleeve design along with wall thickness optimization in simulation software ANSYS. Concept of internal space of sleeve sealing up from welding workspace using appropriate seals placed at its sealant carriers is presented, too. Dimensions, material of carriers and sealant location were designed according to experimental measure of temperature, together with subsequent validation of heat transfer by numerical simulation in software SYSWELD. Described repairing method concept seems to be an appropriate alternative of branch connection repairing that allows fast and safe correction with lowered operational costs on realisation of repair and possibility of speeding-up and simplifying emergency conditions solution.

An historical perspective on ulnar intraneural ganglion cysts and their joint origins.

An historical perspective on ulnar intraneural ganglion cysts and their joint origins.

Modelling and Output Power Evaluation of Series-Parallel Photovoltaic Modules

Solar energy has received attention in the Middle East given the abundant and free irradiance and extended sunny weather. Although photovoltaic panels were introduced decades ago, they have recently become economical and gained traction. We present a mathematical model for series-parallel photovoltaic modules, evaluate the model, and present the I-V and P-V characteristic plots for various temperatures, irradiance, and diode ideality factors. The power performance results are then analyzed and recommendations are made. Unlike other related work, our evaluation uses standard spreadsheet software avoiding commercial simulation packages and application programming. Results indicate improved power performance with irradiance and parallel connections of cell series branches. Given the hot weather in our region, increasing the number of cells connected in series from 36 to 72 is not recommended. I. INTRODUCTION The push for renewable energy solutions is steady to reduce carbon emissions, protect the environment and population health, and effect climate and sea water level changes. Solar energy has received attention in the Middle East given the abundant and free irradiance and sunny weather. Although photovoltaic (PV) panels were introduced decades ago, they have recently become economical and gained traction. Saudi Arabia recently saw the successful installation of a 3.5 megawatt photovoltaic field, the largest solar power plant built in the country, and has plans to install 41 Gigawatts of solar power over the next 20 years. PV fields geographically distributed can be located near loads and cut down on fuel consumed by power generating plants. PV cells generate DC electricity during the day, which can be immediately consumed or stored in batteries for future consumption. An inverter is used to convert the generated power from DC to AC. The PV panel has a number of solar cells connected in series (typically 36 or 72) with the possibility to connect PV cell series branches in parallel. The solar cell is a p-n junction fabricated in a silicon (or other material) wafer or semiconductor layer. The photovoltaic effect causes the electromagnetic radiation of the solar energy hitting the PV cells to generate electricity. Photons with energy greater than the band gap energy of the wafer's semiconductor material are absorbed, creating electron-hole pairs, which in turn create a photocurrent in the presence of the p-n junction's internal electric field. The photocurrent's magnitude rises with the number of electron-hole pairs created, which is dependent on the irradiance level. Therefore the magnitude of the current generated by the PV module is proportional to the amount of incident solar radiation. PV module models have evolved to include detailed parameters and even multiple piecewise linear regions or better accuracy. However, most have focused on modeling a number of PV cells in series and stopped short of modeling multiple parallel branches of serially connected PV cells. In this paper, we present a mathematical model for series- parallel photovoltaic modules, evaluate the model, and present the I-V (module current vs. module voltage) and P-V (module power vs. voltage) characteristic plots for various temperatures, irradiance and diode ideality factors. The power performance results are then analyzed and recommendations are made. Unlike others' work, we model series-parallel PV cells with multiple parallel branches each consisting of a number of PV cells in series, and evaluate the model with a basic spreadsheet application, avoiding application programming and commercial simulators. This is facilitated by the mathematical technique (i.e. Newton-Raphson) used in the model evaluation which makes the model evaluation possible with a spreadsheet application. Thus, a key advantage of our approach is that our model can be reused by a larger population of researchers with no access to commercial simulator packages.

Exploring the Role of Insomnia in the Relation Between PTSD and Pain in Veterans With Polytrauma Injuries

Soldiers returning from Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom experience polytrauma injuries including traumatic brain injury. Traumatic brain injury is often complicated by symptoms of insomnia, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and pain that can impact treatment and rehabilitation. The medical records of 137 veterans seen at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center Polytrauma clinic who sustained traumatic brain injury in combat were reviewed for this study. Demographic variables include age, sex, ethnicity, military branch, and service connection. Outcome measures include PTSD, pain, and insomnia. Analyses revealed a high prevalence of PTSD, insomnia, and pain co-occurring in 51.8% of veterans. Increased PTSD symptomatology was significantly correlated with reports of more pain severity (r = 0.53), pain interference (r = 0.61), and insomnia (r = 0.67). Further analyses, controlling for service connection, indicated that insomnia partially mediated the relation between PTSD and both pain severity and interference. These results highlight the overlap and complexity of presenting complaints in veterans and help identify the role of sleep disturbances in complicating diagnosis and treatment of veterans. As sleep problems reduce pain tolerance and exacerbate other symptoms, such as cognitive deficits and irritability, failure to address sleep disturbances may compromise rehabilitation efforts, suggesting the importance of a multidisciplinary team approach to assessing and treating these veterans.

A New Surgical Approach to Scimitar Syndrome

A wide variety of surgical strategies has been described to treat scimitar syndrome. However, the incidence of pathway obstruction remains high. An alternative approach is described, in which the pulmonary venous return is widely connected to the left atrium through a tunnel constructed with the in-situ pericardium.

The Danger of Piping Failure Due to Acoustic-Induced Fatigue in Infrequent Operations: Two Case Studies

Failure in piping due to acoustic-induced fatigue can be considered catastrophic as it could happen only after a few minutes of operation. Acoustic-induced fatigue occurs mainly in gas piping systems with high velocity where high energy is dissipated through pressure reducing stations and pipe branch connections. It usually results in pipe through wall longitudinal cracks, pipe detachment from saddle supports, and complete shear off of branch connections. There are existing design criteria to avoid acoustic-induced fatigue based on comparison of generated power level to an acceptable power level. This criterion is normally used for the design of pressure relief and flare piping where high gas velocity exceeding 50% of the speed of sound (i.e., 0.5 Mach) is expected. However, acoustic-induced fatigue has been experienced in systems due to intermittent operations. Two case studies are presented in this paper. The first one is during a steam-out operation to clean a newly constructed steam header. During the cleaning operation, an orifice plate was used to control the flow in the steam header. Several pipe vents and drains failed due to fatigue in less than 1 h. The second case is for drainage of compressed natural gas during process upset condition. Because of the high level buildup in the liquefied gas separator vessel, the drain valve was opened to release the pressurized liquefied gas to the relief system to reduce the level buildup. Wall cracks and several pipe support detachments were found in the system after the upset condition. This paper presents the engineering analysis and material failure analysis conducted to find the root causes of the failures. Moreover, it highlights the recommendations and lessons learned from these two failures.

Beam Dynamics Design Using Analytical Methods for Optimizing Heat Transfer Platens Dynamics Behavior

The paper presents results of using continuous beam analytical differential equation method to dynamics behavior design of complex heat transfer orthotropic platens which are used in the recovery boilers. The goal is to obtain a predictive model for increasing the reliable useful operation time. The platens are supported vertically with fixed ends. They are loaded by hot flue gas and by accumulating mass loads due to operation conditions. The loads cause alternating stresses fracturing tube branch connections. The beam deflection and bending stress histories at the junction of tube and chamber are obtained using an analytical beam model. The model gives the lowest eigenfrequency close to the measured value which is somewhat larger than that obtained by FEM model. The beam model can be used for further optimal redesign of the tube branch connections and the mean time to failure of the process equipment.

Branch Loop Antenna for the Mobile Handset

It`s introduced a BLA(Branch Loop Antenna) that is modified from conventional loop, and verified antenna performances for applying to mobile handset. Branch elements are added to a rectangular loop, and low resonance is obtained by the length of the branch line. When resonance frequency of a single loop is 2.5GHz, BLA had near 900 MHz under the same antenna size. Multiple resonances are established by the locations of branch connection and their lengths. By the implementation and measurement for the dual band BLA, it`s showed 75MHz -10dB bandwidth and -3.03~-1.46dBi average gains with 49.73~71.39% efficiencies at GSM900 band, and 90MHz -6dB bandwidth and -8.14~-2.17dBi average gains with 15.34~60.62% efficiencies at DCS1900 band. And H-plane radiation patterns were omni-directional. These performances are good for the mobile handset antenna.

Stress Indices for Non-Radial Branch Connections for Piping

Abstract Procedure for determining the stress indices for non radial branch connections is discussed. A typical non radial branch connection, commonly used in the piping system of FRFCF is modeled and analyzed using CAST-3M for calculation various stress indices for the connection. B2 Stress indices for the branch connection for in plane bending and out of plane bending is arrived at based on nonlinear finite element analysis and limit load approach. K2 factor is determined using Peterson's curve, based on the curvature at the junction of run pipe and branch connection. Stress index C2 and the stress intensification factor i are determined by employing the relations of these factors with other stress indices.

La pensée et le mouvant. La frontière du Rhin dans les Commentaires de César

Political Thoughts and Change. The Border of the Rhine in Caesar’s Gallic War The Gallic War, written by Julius Caesar, is generally considered to lie at the origins of the concept of the “ Border of the Rhine”. A more critical and in-depth reading however, reveals that the description of the river varies according to the needs of narrative and the author’s political thoughts underlying it. On the other hand, the constant changes in the world or worlds which Caesar encountered in Gaul are clear demonstrations of the concepts of “ branch connection” and “ tribal zone” developed by scholars in human and social sciences.

ВплиВ об'ємУ гідромоторА нА параметрИ гідрооб'ємно-меХанічниХ трансмісіЙ (схемА “диференціаЛ нА вході”)

When creating a new hydrovolumetric-mechanical transmission developers face a number of difficult issues: the choice of optimal structural chart, determination of necessary parameters of hydrovolumetric transmission and many others. The article studies the influence of volume of a hydromotor on the main parameters of hydrovolumetric and mechanical transmissions, working according to the chart at the input. The article presents the kinematic charts of hydrovolumetric-mechanical transmissions with different connections of mechanical and hydraulic branches with links of the planetary train (with a sun gear, a crown gear, and a drove). We have defined the kinematic, force and energy parameters of the transmissions, efficiency of the hydrovolumetric transmission and transmission in general at different volumes of the hydromotor. The analysis of the hydrovolumetric-mechanical transmission with the differential at the input showed: the reviewed hydrovolumetric-mechanical transmissions with unregulated hydromotor (whether the maximum hydraulic capacity is 130 cm 3 or 250 cm 3 ), according to all parameters (efficiency , engine power, pressure drop), yield to similar hydrovolumetric-mechanical transmissions with adjustable hydromotor. When using hydromotor with the maximum volume of 250 cm 3 instead of 130 cm 3 , we have observed, depending on the circuit, the reduction of the maximum value of the pressure drop at 1.18 - 20, 53%, of the maximum value of efficiency at 0.35 - 3.16%, of the maximum angular velocity of the shaft of the hydromotor at 17.38 - 38.92%, and the increase of the maximum engine power at 0.77 - 4.12%. Other parameters have not undergone significant changes (the maximum angular velocity of satellites, the maximum angular velocity of the shaft of the hydromotor)

Measured residual stresses and integrity of pipeline girth welds

Pipeline girth welds were made by manual metal arc and semiautomatic flux cored arc welding processes, both without post-weld heat treatment. The residual stresses in these welds were measured by neutron diffraction on ANSTO’s strain scanner, Kowari. The two welds had similar residual stress values and profiles. An integrity assessment of the welded branch connection was performed with a conservative estimate based on the measured values of residual stress, and values of residual stress predicted by BS 7910. The critical crack size based on the measurements was almost twice as large, showing the value of these measurements.

Pervasive Synaptic Branch Removal in the Mammalian Neuromuscular System at Birth

Using light and serial electron microscopy, we show profound refinements in motor axonal branching and synaptic connectivity before and after birth. Embryonic axons become maximally connected just before birth when they innervate ∼10-fold more muscle fibers than in maturity. In some developing muscles, axons innervate almost every muscle fiber. At birth, each neuromuscular junction is coinnervated by approximately ten highly intermingled axons (versus one in adults). Extensive die off of terminal branches occurs during the first several postnatal days, leading to much sparser arbors that still span the same territory. Despite the extensive pruning, total axoplasm per neuron increases as axons elongate, thicken, and add more synaptic release sites on their remaining targets. Motor axons therefore initially establish weak connections with nearly all available postsynaptic targets but, beginning at birth, massively redistribute synaptic resources, concentrating many more synaptic sites on many fewer muscle fibers. Analogous changes in connectivity may occur in the CNS.

Effect of residual stress on the integrity of a branch connection

A new connection to an existing gas pipeline was made by hot-tapping, welding directly onto a pressurised pipeline. The welds were not post-weld heat treated, causing significant residual stresses. The critical weld had residual stresses determined by neutron diffraction using ANSTO's residual stress diffractometer, Kowari. The maximum measured residual stress (290 MPa) was 60% of the yield strength. The magnitudes of errors from a number of sources were estimated.An integrity assessment of the welded branch connection was performed with the measured residual stress values and with residual stress distributions from the BS 7910 and API 579 analysis codes. Analysis using estimates of residual stress from API 579 overestimated the critical crack size.

Individual tree branch‐level simulation of light attenuation and water flow of threeF. sylvatica L. trees

A leaf stomatal conductance model was combined with a hydrological tree and soil water flow model and a spatially explicit three‐dimensional canopy light model. The model was applied to single, old‐growthFagus sylvaticaL. trees, and the measured daily values of stem sap flux could be reproduced with a normalized root mean square error of 0.10 for an observation period of 32 days in the summer of 2009. The high temporal resolution of the model also makes it possible to simulate the diurnal dynamics of transpiration, stem sap flux, and root water uptake. We applied new data‐processing algorithms to information from terrestrial laser scans to represent the canopies of the functional‐structural model. The high spatial resolution of the root and branch geometry and connectivity makes the detailed modeling of the water usage of single trees possible and allows for the analysis of the interaction between single trees and the influence of the canopy light regime on the water flow inside the xylem. In addition to the laser scans of the observed trees, the model needs tree‐species‐specific physiological input parameters, which are easy to obtain. The model can be applied at various sites and to different tree species, allowing the up‐scaling of the water usage of single trees to the total transpiration of mixed stands.

Sural Intraneural Ganglion Cysts Are Joint-related

The recent article by Kim and Kim [1] provides a valuable case of a rare sural intraneural ganglion cyst to the literature. We offer yet another example to highlight recent developments in our understanding of this entity. A 42-year-old woman presented with a 6 month history of the spontaneous onset of moderately severe pain developing in the right lateral rearfoot in the retrolateral malleolar region with radiating dysesthesias into the dorsolateral foot. Symptoms were worse with standing or with activity. Exam revealed a 3×2 cm soft tissue tubular mass along the course of the sural nerve which had features consistent with a ganglion cyst. It was tender to palpation. Percussion produced radiating paresthesias in the sural nerve distribution. Sensation was intact on the dorsal foot to light touch. Magnetic reconance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a sural intraneural ganglion cyst with a joint connection to the subtalar joint (Figs. 1, ​,2).2). At operation, this articular branch connection was identified, ligated and resected. The patient had full recovery immediately postoperatively; there was no clinical evidence of persistent pain or cyst at last follow-up examination. Fig. 1 Conventional MRI of a patient with sural intraneural ganglion originating from subtalar joint. Serial coronal T2-weighted fast spin echo (FSE) images with fat suppression from posterior to anterior demonstrates an intraneural cyst arising from the lateral ... Fig. 2 Three-dimensional rendering of conventional magnetic resonance images obtained in this patient with a sural intraneural ganglion cyst. Maximum intensity projection image created from the same series as Fig. 1 shows the entire course of the cyst (asterisk) ... As Kim and Kim [1] point out, the pathogenesis of these cysts has been controversial and poorly understood. Recent reports have clarified this. Layers of robust evidence have substantiated an articular origin for all types of intraneural cysts first at the prototypic site (the common fibular nerve) and then at other joints throughout the appendicular skeleton and axial spine [2,3]. The unifying articular (synovial) theory has been shown to be generalizable and universal. Joint connections must be assumed to be present. We have emphasized the difficulties in identifying the joint connection with imaging and at operation. Experience with both can reliably and reproducibly identify the joint connection. High resolution imaging (MRI or computed tomography imaging with or without arthrography; or ultrasound) with conventional or 3-dimensional renderings may show convincingly a seemingly occult joint connection [3,4], even when reported by others not to be present. The consistent articular connection has fostered an understanding of the principles of these cysts. A capsular defect allows the passage of joint fluid to pass from the joint (often degenerative) along an articular branch and into the parent nerve. Propagation follows the pass of least resistance within the epineurium of nerve. Intra-articular pressure and pressure fluxes influence cyst dimensions. We have identified 9 cases of sural intraneural ganglia (Appendix). Of these, joint connections were only found in 3 instances: twice to the subtalar joint and once to the calcaneocuboid joint. Nevertheless, we are confident that joint connections were present in all of the remaining cases in the literature, including the one by Kim and Kim [1]. These joint connections can be predicted and must be anticipated. The articular branch anatomy of the sural nerve [5] would explain all of the locations of these cysts (Fig. 3). The unifying articular theory could explain all of their patterns of propagation [2,3]. Fig. 3 The anatomy and pathoanatomy of known and potential sites of sural intraneural ganglion cysts. The drawing of the normal anatomy was based on descriptions by anatomists [5]. The confirmed joint-related sites of origin (subtalar and calcaneocuboid joints) ... Understanding the pathogenesis can help target surgery so as to simplify it. Surgery should include ligating or resecting the articular branch near the joint. The cyst itself need not be resected as it will be resorbed as long as the connection is disrupted. This approach minimizes intraneural dissection and eliminates intraneural recurrence, which is known to occur with high rates and was documented in several of these sural examples (Appendix). We believe that such recurrence would likely have been present in other patients (even those who were asymptomatic) if postoperative imaging had been performed. Resecting the nerve, while possible in the case of a distal cutaneous nerve (such as the sural nerve) and has been performed in several cases, could still result in intraneural (distal) recurrence. Furthermore, nerve sacrifice can not be extrapolated to other cases of intraneural ganglia involving major mixed peripheral nerves. Knowledge of current pathogenesis and experience with the imaging and operative findings with these rare cysts will improve outcomes and eliminate intraneural recurrences.

A new synaptic player leading to autism risk: Met receptor tyrosine kinase

The validity for assigning disorder risk to an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) candidate gene comes from convergent genetic, clinical, and developmental neurobiology data. Here, we review these lines of evidence from multiple human genetic studies, and non-human primate and mouse experiments that support the conclusion that the MET receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) functions to influence synapse development in circuits relevant to certain core behavioral domains of ASD. There is association of both common functional alleles and rare copy number variants that impact levels of MET expression in the human cortex. The timing of Met expression is linked to axon terminal outgrowth and synaptogenesis in the developing rodent and primate forebrain, and both in vitro and in vivo studies implicate this RTK in dendritic branching, spine maturation, and excitatory connectivity in the neocortex. This impact can occur in a cell-nonautonomous fashion, emphasizing the unique role that Met plays in specific circuits relevant to ASD.

Repair of persistent truncus arteriosus without a conduit: sleeve resection of the pulmonary trunk from the aorta and direct right ventricle-pulmonary artery anastomosis☆

Establishing a new continuity between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery is the mainstay of repair for persistent truncus arteriosus. We used the Tran Viet-Neveux technique without a Lecomte maneuver to construct the connection without a conduit. Here, we retrospectively review the mid-term surgical results to examine the effectiveness of this approach. A cylindrical segment incorporating both pulmonary artery branches was sleeve-resected from the truncal artery. The cylindrical segment was cut in the middle and two truncal arterial flaps were combined to form the posterior floor of the new pulmonary arterial trunk. The edge of the floor was attached directly to the superior margin of an oblique incision made in the left-anterior wall of the right ventricle. A polytetrafluoroethylene monocusp was attached to the lower half margin of the right ventricular incision. A large glutaraldehyde-treated pericardial patch was used to form the anterior hood of the new right ventricular outflow tract. Both great arteries were located in a normal spiral configuration. Ten babies (range: 3 days to 9 months of age) underwent this procedure. The Collett-Edwards classification of persistent truncus arteriosus was type I in five cases and type II in five others. There was one hospital death due to severe respiratory distress. During follow-up (36-60 months, median 54 months), only one re-operation was required to enlarge a left branch pulmonary artery stenosis. Follow-up echocardiography showed pulmonary regurgitation (mild two, moderate seven, and severe one) and mild flow acceleration in the left pulmonary artery branch and right ventricle-pulmonary artery connection in one case. This simple modification for surgical correction of persistent truncus arteriosus may be an effective alternative that overcomes conduit-related problems.