Numerical and techno-economic analysis of batch annealing performance improvements in tinplate manufacturing

The present study examines the performance improvement in the batch annealing process used in tinplate manufacturing by enhancing the heat transfer towards the steel coils and altering annealing cycle parameters. Presently, the heat transfer in the furnace is non-uniform, resulting in non-uniform temperature profiles and recrystallisation inside the coils, affecting the final coated steel quality. This study modelled a current furnace and four improvement proposals utilising transient computational fluid dynamics, to produce coil temperature profiles and rank the cases by the highest coil temperature uniformity achieved at the end of soaking. By increasing the soaking temperature and time, as well as the coiling tension before annealing and altering the coil size, the aim was to achieve higher and more uniform coil temperatures that could ensure successful recrystallisation with less defects, especially at the cold spot area in the middle of the coil. Then, a techno-economic analysis compared the cost-effectiveness of the scenarios based on the associated costs and the improvement in the scratching defects of the batch-annealed steel. Overall, most cases exhibited positive results regarding temperature uniformity enhancement, but increasing the coiling tension was considered the most promising option, due to the combination of a large defect reduction potential and cost savings per cycle

Performance-based form-finding and material distribution of free form roof structures: Implementation in the Post Rotterdam Case Study

The redevelopment of the Post Rotterdam building and, in particular, the design proposal of the vertical foyer initiated this research project. The foyer has a special design and as a result, a special analysis method has to be used. The desired material is steel, consequently stiffened steel shell structure was deemed the most appropriate structure. Since the preliminary analysis of the proposed shape showed an excess of material usage, a research on modification of the shape and material distribution was decided to be undertaken, in order to reduce the estimated required material. A design process is being proposed in the research that includes the use of a genetic algorithm for the optimisation of the structure’s geometry, Python scripted algorithms for the distribution of the material and finite element analysis, given in the form of a design tool. The tool is created according to the requirements of the vertical foyer but it is also oriented for the analysis of other similar projects.Building EngineeringStructural EngineeringCivil Engineering and Geoscience

The impact of the disclosed r & d expenditure on the value relevance of the accounting information: Evidence from greek listed firms

Although many empirical studies have focused on R & D performance models for markets globally, the available financial information for R & D expenditure is limited. In other words, can we assume that the reported accounting information for R & D investment is adequate and valuable? This study empirically investigates the effect of R & D reported information on the value relevance of the accounting information of firms' financial statements. Specifically, using Ohlson's equation, it is examined whether changes in stock prices are explained better when R & D factors are included in models, in conjunction with changes in book value and abnormal earnings. We focus on listed firms on the Athens Stock Exchange in order to explore whether R & D expenses are value relevant, in a market which has been affected for a long period by the global economic crisis of 2007. In our findings, we observe that the reported R & D expenses do not have any significant influence on the investors' choices, in contrast to expectations based on the prior literature. Moreover, the panel data analysis employed in the paper overcomes common methodological problems (such as autocorrelation, multicollinearity, and heteroscedasticity) and allows the estimation of unbiased and efficient estimators. © 2020 by the authors

Entrapment of Lactobacillus casei ATCC393 in the viscus matrix of Pistacia terebinthus resin for functional myzithra cheese manufacture

This study links Horney’s account of human growth and neurosis to authenticity by examining aggressive responses on the point subtraction aggressive paradigm, providing the first empirical test of whether authenticity can predict objective behavior. Data from undergraduate, postgraduate, and mature students demonstrate that when controlling for age, gender, trait-anger, agreeableness, and functional dimensions of coping, individuals who measure high on authentic-living respond less aggressively to attacks and counter-attacks in unfair situations. Authentic-living uniquely accounted for 14.2% of variance in aggressive-responses (r = −.37). The findings suggest that inauthenticity is a strong predictor of aggressive behavior, and therefore increasing levels of authenticity in counseling practice may reduce maladaptive levels of anger. We suggest future exploration between authenticity and models of emotional regulation will unearth the cause and effects of aggression within inauthentic individuals

Evaluation of application methods and biocontrol efficacy of paenibacillus alvei strain K-165, against the cotton black root rot pathogen thielaviopsis basicola

Due to limited means for control, the black root rot fungus, Thielaviopsis basicola constitutes a major threat to organic and conventional cotton production worldwide. Despite the substantial yield loss and reduced fiber quality caused by the fungus, little attention has been drawn to the biological control of black root rot disease. In the present study, the efficacy of the biocontrol agent K-165 to control T. basicola on cotton was evaluated. Paenibacillus alvei strain K-165 is a biocontrol agent that has been studied extensively in the past against the soilborne pathogen Verticillium dahliae. K-165 inhibited T. basicola growth in vitro through antibiosis and reduced significantly root discoloration and hypocotyl lesions on cotton seedlings compared to the control treatment, under greenhouse conditions. In the in planta experiments three different application methods of the biocontrol agent were tested. It was shown that a seed coating treatment consisting of K-165 xanthan gum and talc was the most effective in reducing disease symptoms and increasing plant height and fresh weight compared to two other treatments (seed coating or pellets) based on sodium alginate. The efficacy of the K-165 xanthan gum-talc treatment was attributed to the higher bacterial concentration delivered to the seed and the subsequent higher bacterial population on the rhizosphere and soil compared to the other two application methods. K-165 was proven to be an efficient root and soil colonizer inhibiting extensive root colonization by T. basicola as it was shown by qPCR analysi

Viaggio e paesaggio

Le teorie del paesaggio e la letteratura di viaggio nell'Europa del periodo romantico. Il volume, doppio, contiene autorevoli saggi sulla letteratura del Grand Tour, sul concetto e la moda del pittoresco in Francia e in Inghilterra, sui libri di viaggio (in Italia) di Lady Morgan, sulle tecniche espressive di Ann Radcliffe, sulla poesia del paesaggio di P.B.Shelley e sulla retorica delle pittura di paesaggio di Ruskin