A parametric study of metal-to-metal contact flanges with optimised geometry for safe stress and no-leak conditions

This paper presents the results of a parametric study of the behaviour of metal-to-metal contact flanges that have different surface profiles. Using a finite element analysis approach, the important stress values in the flange and bolts and flange rotation/displacement have been obtained for variations in flange thickness, bolt pre-stress and taper angle (different surface profiles) whilst maintaining other leading flange dimensions (hub length and hub thickness) constant, when the vessel/flange component is subjected to internal pressure. In addition, results are compared for the flange geometry with no taper angle on the flange surface with the predictions obtained from the appropriate sections of the ASME, PD5500 and new European unfired pressure vessel standard EN 13445 Part 3. Based on the results of this study, the best flange dimensions are recommended for 'no leak' conditions from the joint

Analysis and Optimization of Deep Counterfactual Value Networks

Recently a strong poker-playing algorithm called DeepStack was published, which is able to find an approximate Nash equilibrium during gameplay by using heuristic values of future states predicted by deep neural networks. This paper analyzes new ways of encoding the inputs and outputs of DeepStack's deep counterfactual value networks based on traditional abstraction techniques, as well as an unabstracted encoding, which was able to increase the network's accuracy.Comment: Long version of publication appearing at KI 2018: The 41st German Conference on Artificial Intelligence (http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-00111-7_26). Corrected typo in titl

Screen theory and film culture, 1977-1987.

My work in the 1970s and 1980s was developed with the evolving body of work now loosely called 'c e theory'. It centred on notions of authorship, spectatorship and art cinema with specific reference to the films of Carl Dreyer. In my research and writing on Dreyer's film Vampyr I applied the literary concept of the fantastigue to cinema, one of the first substantial theoretical contributions to a now established area of publication and research. According to one writer' this work was "probably the most ambitious attempt to apply Todorov's approach to cinema", a "notable exception" in the theoretical writing of that time. This was part of the wider movement associated with SEFT and Screen to interrogate the uncritical realism which dominated 1970s film studies. In my subsequent writing on Dreyer I explored a structuralist but more psychoanalytically informed discussion of genre, developing the concept of the "Dreyer text" as a way of bringing psychoanalytic concepts to compliment and complicate structuralist notions of authorship and genre. I was part of a loose group at Screen which was passionate both about cinema and ideas. While polemically defending the new concepts we were bringing to bear on cinema, we were equally concerned with their institutional placing. Our work concentrated both on regimes of looking allowed to the spectator by texts and their institutional placing. We focussed on political and discursive structures of the cinematic institution and developed a concept of `cinema as social practice'. In particular I pushed for a cultural critique of British Independent cinema and its institutions, which was continued in my work on screen acting. I was also instrumental in extending Screen theory to other visual arts. I felt that the sometime parochialism of film studies lay in part in its separation from analysis of other forms of visual culture. In my full context statement I wish to explore limitations in the political, semiotic and psychoanalytic models which I (as did many others) adopted at the time. What I now see as Screen theory's 'blind spots' in relation to issues of sexual orientation and race can be traced back to the problematic of this period. My own subsequent research on gay and lesbian cinema as well as film and television projects on screen acting (Acting Tapes) psychoanalysis (Between Two Worlds) and Frantz Fanon (Frantz Fanon: Black Skin White Mask) came out of dissatisfaction with that earlier project as it was then conceived. The form chosen - the essay and review - reflects the difficulty of thinking through these issues. [James Donald (ed), 'Fantasy and the Cinema', British Film Institute, London 1989] In essence my proposal involves looking back at my work around Dreyer and what one could broadly call my `film culture' work, and arguing that what was sometimes felt and described as a theory: practice division between these two domains could be more usefully thought of in retrospect in terms of two overlapping modes of theoretical production involving different notions of institution, conjuncture, subject etc. In looking again at the strengths and weaknesses of the work I am submitting here, however, I still expect key terms of subject and history, discourse and institution, to remain in place, modified and nuanced by the substantial range of work in psychoanalysis, cultural studies and queer theory that Screen in part engendered and which my work participated in

A mixed methods approach to exploring mental health nurses diabetes education and skills needs

Diabetes is emerging as a clinical practice and educational concern in mental healthcare. However, there is little research into the diabetes education and skills needs of practitioners such as Mental Health Nurses. Furthermore, there is very little research into Mental Health Service Users experiences of diabetes or diabetes care and how these could be used to enhance the education and training of Mental Health Nurses in this area. This research project used a mixed methods research approach to explore Mental Health Nurses diabetes education and skills needs from the view of both Mental Health Nurses and Mental Health Service Users. A quantitative Training Needs Analysis survey was undertaken in 2008 with a sample of 220 Mental Health Nurses regarding their diabetes care education and skills needs. 146 responded giving a response rate of 66%. The results of this survey where used to develop a qualitative interview schedule to explore the experiences of diabetes care of a purposive sample of seven Mental Health Service Users in 2011 and how these experiences could be used to inform Mental Health Nurses diabetes education and training. This study found that diabetes care is becoming a frequent care activity for Mental Health Nurses. While the sample reported prior training in diabetes care, this was predominantly in the period of student nurse training. This has an implication for the currency of clinical skills and knowledge. Mental Health Nurses reported varying levels of general and specific knowledge of diabetes. They also reported varying levels of confidence in aspects of diabetes care such as recognising symptoms of diabetes, knowledge of local diabetes services and liaison with local diabetes services. There was a recognition that further training was required and the sample reported high levels of motivation to attend training and retain diabetes care as an area of Mental Health Nursing practice. Mental Health Service Users reported negative experiences of diabetes care. This consisted of stigma, diagnostic overshadowing, a splitting of mental and physical health and low levels of confidence in Mental Health Nurses ability to provide diabetes care. Service Users broadly agreed with Mental Health Nurses expressed training needs but felt that education and training on stigma and how this can be a barrier to diabetes care is a priority area for education. This study recommends that Mental Health Service Users experiences of physical illness, in this instance diabetes, should be a foundation part of any training and education of Mental Health Nurses in this area. This is because these experiences can promote critical reflection on practice and encourage professionals to reflect on negative attitudes that may be an unwitting barrier to care. It also recommends that service users are more involved in identifying education and training needs so that education is responsive not only to the needs of nurses and Higher Education Institutions, but service users also

Review of Ruegen herring larvae survey project 2011

At the request of the Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institut (vTI), IOR Rostock, a return review of the German Rügen herring larval survey (RHLS) project took place on the 24th to 26th January 2011, following on from a similar review in November 2006. Mark Dickey-Collas (Wageningen IMARES) and Richard D.M. Nash (IMR, Norway) lead the review. This report represents the opinions of these two external reviewers. The current aim of the programme is to maintain and develop the time series of ichthyoplankton surveys in the spring and summer in the Greifswalder Bodden and stimulate spin off research. The review was designed to address the role of the survey in the framework of providing both management advice and research outputs. The external reviewers were given documents on the current survey. They also viewed presentations from research students and staff on their work and the proposed direction of the programme. The review included a “brainstorming” session on future research and potential gaps in the project

Room temperature self-assembly of mixed nanoparticles into complex material systems and devices

The ability to manufacture nanomaterials with complex and structured composition using otherwise incompatible materials increasingly underpins the next generation of technologies. This is translating into growing efforts integrating a wider range of materials onto key technology platforms1 - in photonics, one such platform is silica, a passive, low loss and robust medium crucial for efficient optical transport2. Active functionalisation, either through added gain or nonlinearity, is mostly possible through the integration of active materials3, 4. The high temperatures used in manufacturing of silica waveguides, unfortunately, make it impossible to presently integrate many organic and inorganic species critical to achieving this extended functionality. Here, we demonstrate the fabrication of novel waveguides and devices made up of complex silica based materials using the self-assembly of nanoparticles. In particular, the room temperature fabrication of silica microwires integrated with organic dyes (Rhodamine B) and single photon emitting nanodiamonds is presented.Comment: Key words: nanotechnology, nanoparticles, self-assembly, quantum science, singel photon emitters, telecommunications, sensing, new materials, integration of incompatible materials, silica, glass, breakthrough scienc

The stamina of non-gasketed, flanged pipe connections

Stress variations showing flange yielding, flange rotation, effects of joint tightening sequence, identification of the mode of response to loading (static or dynamic) is discussed. In addition the effects of re-tightening, importance of high quality bolting with proper surface treatment and use of proper tooling are also discussed

Matrix methods for calculating zeros, coefficients, Christoffel numbers, and derivatives of some orthogonal polynomials

Jacobi matrix method for calculating zeros, coefficients, Christoffel numbers, and derivatives of orthogonal polynomial

Rail Privatisation: The Practice – An Analysis of Seven Case Studies

After a brief description of the proposals for rail privatisation in Great Britain, this paper contrasts these with the proposals and experience in other countries around the world. The proposals and experience in other countries contain some elements of the British proposals, however, the 'open access' element that features strongly in the British proposals has never been experienced on any significant scale elsewhere. In conclusion, experience elsewhere may shed light on the likely outcome of some aspects of the British proposals, but other aspects such as 'open access' and vertical separation are still unknowns