ACCIDENT ANALYSIS FOR ATUCHA II NUCLEAR POWER PLANT

The intent of this part is to describe the NPP Atucha II with an net electrical power of 692 MW. The plant is equipped with a heavy water pressure vessel reactor of the same type as used in the Atucha I NPP with a net electrical output of 340 MW. The NPP Atucha II has been designed by the KRAFTWERK UNION AG Erlangen, West Germany, with engineering participation of Empresa Nuclear Argentina de Centrales Electricas S.A., Buenos Aires., and it is located adjacent to the Atucha I approx. 110 Km north-west of Buenos Aires at the southern banks of the Rio Parana’ de las Palmas

International Standard Problem No 50 – The University of Pisa contribution

The present paper deals with the participation of the University of Pisa in the last International Standard Problem (ISP) focused on system thermal hydraulic, which was led by the Korean Atomic Energy Research Institution (KAERI). The selected test was a Direct Vessel Injection (DVI) line break carried out at the ATLAS facility. University of Pisa participated, together with other eighteen institutions, in both blind and open phase of the analytical exercise pursuing its methodology for developing and qualifying a nodalization. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the code results have been performed for both ISP-50 phases, the latter adopting the Fast Fourier Transfer Based Method (FFTBM). The experiment has been characterized by three dimensional behavior in downcomer and core region. Even though an attempt to reproduce these phenomena, by developing a fictitious three-dimensional nodalization has been realized, the obtained results were generally acceptable but not fully satisfactory in replicating 3D behavio

Targeted probiotic therapy in irritable bowel syndrome: a clinical evaluation on Clostridium butyricum CBM588 and Bifidobacterium longum W11.

Background: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a chronic functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits. Probiotic-based strategies are increasingly being explored for IBS management, with growing interest in strain-specific applications. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Clostridium butyricum CBM588 and Bifidobacterium longum W11 in IBS patients with diarrhea-predominant (IBS-D) and constipation-predominant (IBS-C) symptoms, respectively. Methods: A total of 51 IBS patients were recruited and stratified into two groups: IBS-D patients received C. butyricum CBM588 (Butirrisan®), while IBS-C patients received B. longum W11 (Bowell®). Symptom severity was assessed using the Irritable Bowel Syndrome Severity Scoring System (IBS-SSS) before and after a 3-month intervention. Generalized linear models and regression analyses were used to evaluate treatment effects. Results: Both probiotic formulations significantly reduced IBS-SSS scores, particularly improving bloating, abdominal pain, and overall quality of life. The impact of treatment was independent of age, though greater improvements in bloating and life interference were observed in older IBS-C patients. A direct correlation between baseline symptom severity and symptom reduction was identified, suggesting higher efficacy in more severe cases. Conclusion: This study supports the use of C. butyricum CBM588 and B. longum W11 as effective probiotic interventions for IBS-D and IBS-C, respectively. Their strain-specific benefits highlight the potential of targeted probiotic strategies in IBS management. Future studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are recommended to confirm and expand these findings

C-Si hybrid photonic structures by full infiltration of conjugated polymers into porous silicon rugate filters

Loading of one-dimensional (1-D) porous silicon photonic crystals (PS-PhCs), known as rugate filters, with luminescent materials is generally limited by the potential for (undesired) "pore clogging," in relation to the size of the nanoparticles (e.g. quantum dots) or molecular species, and so far mainly restricted to small molecular weight materials or small nanocrystals, or in situ polymerized dyes. Here we report the infiltration 1-D PS-PhCs with a green-emitting commercial luminescent polymer (F8BT, poly[(9,9-di-n-octylfluorenyl-2,7-diyl)-alt-(benzo[ 2,1,3]thiadiazol-4,8-diyl)]), with a molecular weight of approximately 46 kDa across their whole depth (approximately 7.5 mu m), thereby showing that pore clogging is not a concern for these structures. We also characterize the modification of the photoluminescence (PL) and decay rates, and investigate the detailed inner morphology of the filters with the help of (scanning) transmission electron microscopy. We observe both suppression (in the stop-band) and enhancement (at the high-energy band-edge) of the PL. We also find that the photonic stop-band is red-shifted after polymer infiltration, due to the increased effective refractive index of the polymer-infiltrated nanostructured system. The presence of just one unbroadened peak in the reflectance spectra after infiltration confirms that infiltration extends for the whole depth of the rugate filters

Limits of normality of quantitative thoracic CT analysis

INTRODUCTION: Despite computed tomography (CT) being widely used to investigate different pathologies, quantitative data from normal population is scarce. Reference values may be useful to estimate the anatomical or physiological changes induced by various diseases. METHODS: We analyzed 100 helical CT scans taken for clinical purposes and referred as non pathological by the radiologist. Profiles were manually outlined on each CT scan slice and each voxel was classified according to its gas/tissue ratio. For regional analysis lungs were divided into 10 sterno-vertebral levels. RESULTS: We studied 53 males and 47 females (age 64+/-13 years); males had a greater total lung volume, lung gas volume and lung tissue. Not inflated tissue averaged 7+/-4% of the total lung weight, poorly inflated tissue averaged 18+/-3%, normally inflated tissue averaged 65+/-8% and over inflated tissue averaged 11+/-7%. We found a significant correlation between lung weight and subject's height (p<0.0001, r2=0.49); the total lung capacity in supine position was 4066+/-1190 ml, ~1800 mL less than the predicted total lung capacity in sitting position. Superimposed pressure averaged 2.6+/-0.5 cmH2O. CONCLUSIONS: Subjects without lung disease present significant amounts of poorly inflated and over inflated tissue. Normal lung weight can be predicted from patient's height with reasonable confidenc

Cochlear implantation after head and neck radiotherapy: A multicentric study and systematic review

Objective: The objective of this study is to assess whether cochlear implantation is feasible in patients treated with radiotherapy of the temporal bone (for diseased other than vestibular schwannoma), in terms of surgical management and auditory outcome. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed, screening PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases, according to PRISMA criteria, retrieving 12 articles. Moreover, 9 cases coming from a multicentric study involving Padova and Pisa University Hospitals, were added, for a total of 62 cases of irradiated patients receiving cochlear implantation. Results: In our multicentric study we included a total of 9 patients, 6 males, and 3 females (mean age at first cochlear implantation was 53.89 years +/- 21.07), while from the literature we considered 53 cases (mean age at first cochlear implantation 48.78 years +/- 12.41). We considered for both groups a set of preoperative imaging abnormalities, intraoperative complications and possible postoperative complications. In our cohort, the preoperative pure tone average (PTA) in the implanted ear was 105.6 dB, and the postoperative one was 34.6 dB. In the literature the preoperative PTA was 111.5 dB (when reported), and the postoperative one 52.8 dB. Conclusion: Both our experience and the literature suggest that cochlear implantation in an irradiated ear is feasible with a good auditory outcome. Surgical difficulties and fitting challenges can be easily managed by professionals aware of these findings, making these patients good candidates to this rehabilitative option

L’infezione congenita da CMV: follow-up a lungo termine in bambini con diagnosi precoce tramite screening neonatale

Objectives: Congenital cytomegalovirus infection (cCMV) can cause long-term neurocognitive, auditory, and visual sequelae. This study describes the long-term clinical sequelae and neuroradiological abnormalities in children identified through neonatal screening for congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection and followed for at least 2 years at a Tertiary Level Audiology Center. Methods: Neonatal and follow-up audiological data, clinical and virological assessments at birth, and ophthalmological, neuropsychiatric, and neuroradiological abnormalities compatible with cCMV were collected. Spearman’s correlation coefficient (rho-ρ) was used to assess correlations between parameters. Results: 61 neonates with cCMV were identified through neonatal screening for cCMV, with diagnosis primarily confirmed by PCR on urine collected within the first 15 days of life. 17 children were premature (average: 33.5 weeks). 16 patients (26.2%) were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. Among the 35 symptomatic neonates (57.3%), 19 received antiviral therapy. 20 children presented with sensorineural hearing loss, of which 85% were referred after neonatal hearing screening, while 15% received Pass results at the neonatal hearing screening. 5/20 children (25%) had isolated hearing loss, while 15/20 (75%) had it in association with other sequelae. In 5/20 patients (25%), progression of the hearing threshold was observed. 13/20 children received hearing aids, and of these, 8 subsequently underwent cochlear implantation. 24 patients (34.3%) had neurocognitive abnormalities, and 10 (17%) had ophthalmological abnormalities. 30 children underwent magnetic resonance imaging, which showed abnormalities compatible with cCMV in 63.3% of cases. Conclusions: This study highlights the long-term sequelae of cCMV in children identified early, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and multidisciplinary follow-up

Mdm4 (Mdmx) Regulates p53-Induced Growth Arrest and Neuronal Cell Death during Early Embryonic Mouse Development

We report here the characterization of a mutant mouse line with a specific gene trap event in the Mdm4 locus. Absence of Mdm4 expression results in embryonic lethality (10.5 days postcoitum [dpc]), which was rescued by transferring the Mdm4 mutation into a Trp53-null background. Mutant embryos were characterized by overall growth deficiency, anemia, improper neural tube closure, and dilation of lateral ventricles. In situ analysis demonstrated increased levels of p21(CIP1/Waf1) and lower levels of Cyclin E and proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression. Consistent with lack of 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine incorporation, these data suggest a block of mutant embryo cells in the G(1) phase of the cell cycle. Accordingly, Mdm4-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts manifested a greatly reduced proliferative capacity in culture. Moreover, extensive p53-dependent cell death was specifically detected in the developing central nervous system of the Mdm4 mutant embryos. These findings unambiguously assign a critical role for Mdm4 as a negative regulator of p53 and suggest that Mdm4 could contribute to neoplasias retaining wild-type Trp53. Finally, we provide evidence indicating that Mdm4 plays no role on cell proliferation or cell cycle control that is distinct from its ability to modulate p53 function