81 research outputs found
Integrated structural analysis tool using linear matching method part 2 : Application and verification
In an accompanying paper, a new integrated structural analysis tool using the LMM framework for the assessment of design limits in plasticity including load carrying capacity, shakedown limit, ratchet limit and steady state cyclic response of structures was developed using Abaqus CAE plug-‐ins with graphical user interfaces. In the present paper, a demonstration of the use of this new LMM analysis tool is provided. A header branch pipe in a typical AGR power plant is analysed as a worked example of the current demonstration and verification of the LMM tool within the context of an R5 assessment. The detailed shakedown analysis, steady state cycle and ratchet analysis are carried out for the chosen header branch pipe. The comparisons of the LMM solutions with the results based on the R5 procedure and the step-‐by-‐step elastic-‐plastic FEA verify the accuracy, convenience and efficiency of this new integrated LMM structural analysis tool
Do interdisciplinary research teams deliver higher gains to science?
The present paper takes its place in the stream of studies that analyze the
effect of interdisciplinarity on the impact of research output. Unlike previous
studies, in this study the interdisciplinarity of the publications is not
inferred through their citing or cited references, but rather by identifying
the authors' designated fields of research. For this we draw on the scientific
classification of Italian academics, and their publications as indexed in the
WoS over a five-year period (2004-2008). We divide the publications in three
subsets on the basis the nature of co-authorship: those papers coauthored with
academics from different fields, which show high intensity of inter-field
collaboration ("specific" collaboration, occurring in 110 pairings of fields);
those papers coauthored with academics who are simply from different
"non-specific" fields; and finally co-authorships within a single field. We
then compare the citations of the papers and the impact factor of the
publishing journals between the three subsets. The results show significant
differences, generally in favor of the interdisciplinary authorships, in only
one third (or slightly more) of the cases. The analysis provides the value of
the median differences for each pair of publication subsets
Mechanical grading in PGI Tropea red onion post harvest operations
The growing interest expressed by consumers toward food products quality as well as toward their linkage to the territory, has led producers to fit to the continuous rising demand for “typical products”, and to look for new and more efficient production and marketing strategies. An emblematic case is represented by Tropea red onion that, as a typical product, plays an important role in economical and rural development of the territory to which it is linked. The organoleptic features offered by “Tropea Red Onion”, PGI certified (Calabria), have to be associated as well to the quality of services that accompanies its processing. Technology application in post-harvest operations, has certainly contributed to make faster and less tiring all processing tasks. The main problem related to the mechanization of Tropea red onion post-harvest operations lies in the removal of the various layers of the external tunic, making it impossible for optical or electronic grader to achieve this task in a satisfactory way since the sensors are not able yet to separate the “bulb” from its involucre. In this context, the current study aims to assess the productivity of three different machines used for round Tropea red onion grading, and determine their work efficiency. The carried out analysis highlighted the ability of the studied machines to ensure a high work capacity, while maintaining a high level of precision during calibration process. Such precision allows to decrease laborer employment and increase processing chain speed, rising as well the annual use of the machines, allowing consequently processing cost savings. For a more profitable employment of such graders, it is, however, necessary from one hand, to properly form the technicians responsible of processing plants management, and from the other hand, to be able to take advantage of a technical assistance network, able to serve users in a short time
Quantitative Analysis of the Italian National Scientific Qualification
The Italian National Scientific Qualification (ASN) was introduced in 2010 as
part of a major reform of the national university system. Under the new
regulation, the scientific qualification for a specific role (associate or full
professor) and field of study is required to apply to a permanent professor
position. The ASN is peculiar since it makes use of bibliometric indicators
with associated thresholds as one of the parameters used to assess applicants.
Overall, more than 59000 applications were submitted, and the results have been
made publicly available for a short period of time, including the values of the
quantitative indicators for each applicant. The availability of this wealth of
information provides an opportunity to draw a fairly detailed picture of a
nation-wide evaluation exercise, and to study the impact of the bibliometric
indicators on the qualification results. In this paper we provide a first
account of the Italian ASN from a quantitative point of view. We show that
significant differences exist among scientific disciplines, in particular with
respect to the fraction of qualified applicants, that can not be easily
explained. Furthermore, we describe some issues related to the definition and
use of the bibliometric indicators and thresholds. Our analysis aims at drawing
attention to potential problems that should be addressed by decision-makers in
future ASN rounds.Comment: ISSN 1751-157
Cholesterol affects African swine fever virus infection
African swine fever virus (ASFV) enters cells by receptor mediated endocytosis and requires a fusion event between the viral envelope and the limiting membrane of the endosome at low pH. In order to investigate the role of cholesterol in the early stages of ASFV infection, we have studied the effect of the removal of cell and viral membrane cholesterol by cholesterol oxidase treatment of cells and virions, as well as the effect of some inhibitors of cholesterol synthesis on the infectious pathway. In addition, we have investigated viral infection in cholesterol-depleted Vero cells. Both cholesterol-depleted and cholesterol oxidase-treated Vero cells were unaltered in their ability to bind or internalize the virus, but were blocked in ASFV fusion and subsequent virus replication. Our results indicate that ASFV infection is affected by cholesterol in the target membrane.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6T1X-3V3N06F-2/1/e52e3430df628f470dc4b0b8400b4b2
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