Integrating RFID and Security Devices for an Innovative System to Manage Classified Documents

This paper presents an innovative RFID solution to manage sensitive document archives. The system aims at: i) automatically tracing all document accesses at level of each page (who read the document and when); ii) knowing at any time where a document is; iii) providing periodical archive inventory; and iv) automatically signaling anomalies detected in the archive. The system represents an important tool for national/international security, as it allows a quick document recovery in case of emergencies. Moreover, with the proposed system the institution in charge of sensitive document archives can demonstrate the secure management of the entrusted material. This paper describes how the system has been implemented and reports tests performed in laboratory by simulating different scenarios, showing that the solution allows a reliable management of sensitive documents.JRC.DG.G.7-Traceability and vulnerability assessmen

Preliminary studies on remote inspection for JRC CANDUSealing Systems

This paper presents the current implementation status of the JCSS (JRC Candu Sealing System): seals, reading system, seals database. The number of deployed seals and inspections is expected to grow in the next years, and there is a strong demand for a way to optimize the inspection procedure. One possible solution may be remote inspections, where an inspector is present in the initial sealing phase, but the following periodical verifications can be performed also by the site operator. The current system is designed to be used only by a nuclear inspector. Design modifications and improvements needed to achieve a safe and reliable remote inspection are analyzed. Conclusions on possible scenarios and future developments are providedJRC.E.8-Nuclear security (Ispra

The JRC Advanced Safeguards Measurement, Monitoring and Modelling Laboratory

The innovative aspect of the Advanced Safeguards Measurement, Monitoring and Modelling Laboratory, AS3ML, subject of this paper, is that it aims to complement the classical approach of implementing nuclear safeguards by providing an innovative method to monitor the process of sensitive facilities such as Gas Centrifuge Enrichment and Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing plants and/or deploy innovative / smart sensors and technologies. AS3ML endeavors to enhance the “traditional safeguards measures” by the focus on and analysis of (other) process parameters, that may be used to understand & monitor better the whole plant. Some of new technologies investigated include: Indoor localization (RFID, UWB, Laser positioning), 2D/3D Camera, ID (OCR) of cans, Investigative Inspector, pulse shape generator to simulate Gamma and Neutron detectors The AS3ML is conceived as an R&D location, test bed, demo facility and training centre for innovative safeguards approaches where researchers, inspectors (and operators) can conceive and analyse different approaches (including competing technologies) for safeguarding nuclear facilities. The paper will describe techniques and approaches, not currently used in routine safeguards applications, including some recent return of experience on deploying AS3ML based approaches for a new way of safeguarding a plutonium storage location and an enrichment facility.JRC.G.II-Nuclear Security and Safeguards Department (Ispra

Advanced Safeguards Measurement, Monitoring and Modelling Laboratory (AS3ML)

Safeguarding declared nuclear facilities is a main duty of the nuclear safeguards inspectorates. Depending upon the amounts of nuclear materials present (and physical/chemical form), a certain inspection approach (and corresponding dedicated techniques and equipment) is developed. This approach will be very different for an item facility compared to a bulk-material handling process, whereby in each case we strive to a maximum efficiency and effectiveness of the safeguards system. Traditionally these safeguards measurements are executed with independent, safeguards approved, measurement equipment, complementary to the existing plant equipment and focusing on a variety of nuclear material diversion scenarios (and statistical considerations) The innovative aspect of the Advanced Safeguards Measurement, Monitoring and Modelling Laboratory, AS3ML, subject of this paper, is that it aims to complement the above approach by providing an alternative method to monitor the process of sensitive facilities such as Gas Centrifuge Enrichment and Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing plants. It endeavours thus to enhance the “traditional safeguards measures” by the focus on and analysis of (other) process parameters, which a priority each individually might not have a highly significant value, but which, taken all together, might allow to get a very good insight in the proper operation (thrust building measures) or alternatively to the deviations from the “theoretical” values of the behaviour of a facility. The AS3ML is thus conceived as an R&D location, test bed, demo facility and training centre for innovative safeguards approaches where researchers, inspectors (and operators) can conceive and analyse different approaches (including competing technologies) for safeguarding nuclear facilities. Techniques and approaches, not currently used in routine safeguards applications, will be discussed including a reference to a recent achievement for a fully new way of safeguarding a plutonium storage location which is presented elsewhere in this symposium.JRC.E.8-Nuclear securit

3D-printed chitosan-based scaffolds: An in vitro study of human skin cell growth and an in-vivo wound healing evaluation in experimental diabetes in rats

The fabrication of porous 3D printed chitosan (CH) scaffolds for skin tissue regeneration and their behavior in terms of biocompatibility, cytocompatibility and toxicity toward human fibroblasts (Nhdf) and keratinocytes (HaCaT), are presented and discussed. 3D cell cultures achieved after 20 and 35 days of incubation showed significant in vitro qualitative and quantitative cell growth as measured by neutral red staining and MTT assays and confirmed by scanning electron microphotographs. The best cell growth was obtained after 35 days on 3D scaffolds when the Nhdf and HaCaT cells, seeded together, filled the pores in the scaffolds. An early skin-like layer consisting of a mass of fibroblast and keratinocyte cells growing together was observed. The tests of 3D printed scaffolds in wound healing carried out on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats demonstrate that 3D printed scaffolds improve the quality of the restored tissue with respect to both commercial patch and spontaneous healing

Early rehabilitation in post-acute COVID-19 patients: data from an Italian COVID-19 rehabilitation unit and proposal of a treatment protocol. A cross-sectional study

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is quickly spreading, putting under heavy stress health systems worldwide and especially Intensive Care Units (ICU). Rehabilitation Units have a crucial role in reducing disability in order to reintroduce patients in the community. Aim: The aim of this study is to characterize pulmonary function and disability status and to propose an early rehabilitation protocol in a cohort of post-acute COVID-19 patients admitted to an Italian Rehabilitation Unit. Design: Cross-sectional observational study. Setting: Inpatients Rehabilitation Unit. Population: Post-acute COVID-19 patients. Methods: Demographic, anamnestic and clinical characteristics, laboratory exams and medical imaging findings were collected for the entire cohort. Outcome measures evaluated at the admission in Rehabilitation Unit were: type of respiratory supports needed, fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2), partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2), FiO2/PaO2, Barthel Index (BI), modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) Dyspnoea Scale, and 6-Minute Walking Test (6-MWT). Furthermore, we proposed an early rehabilitation protocol for COVID-19 patients based on baseline FiO2. Results: We included 32 post-acute COVID-19 patients (22 male and 10 female), mean aged 72.6±10.9 years. BI was 45.2±27.6, with patients in need of higher FiO2 (≥40%) showing lower values: 39.6±25.7 vs. 53.3±29.3. All patients had grade 4 or 5 on the mMRC Dyspnea Scale. Only 14 COVID-19 patients were able to walk (43.7%). 6-MWT was feasible in 6 (18.8%) patients with a mean distance of 45.0±100.6 meters. Conclusions: Taken together, our findings suggest that post-acute COVID-19 patients suffered from dyspnea and shortness of breath even for minimal activities, with a resulting severe disability, and only a few of them were able to perform 6-MWT with poor results. An early rehabilitation protocol was proposed according to the baseline conditions of the patients. Clinical rehabilitation impact: This study could provide an accurate description of COVID-19 sub-acute patients admitted to a Rehabilitation Unit along with a proposal of treatment to help physicians to tailor the best possible rehabilitative treatment

3D Printed Masks for Powders and Viruses Safety Protection Using Food Grade Polymers: Empirical Tests

The production of 3D printed safety protection devices (SPD) requires particular attention to the material selection and to the evaluation of mechanical resistance, biological safety and surface roughness related to the accumulation of bacteria and viruses. We explored the possibility to adopt additive manufacturing technologies for the production of respirator masks, responding to the sudden demand of SPDs caused by the emergency scenario of the pandemic spread of SARS-COV-2. In this study, we developed different prototypes of masks, exclusively applying basic additive manufacturing technologies like fused deposition modeling (FDM) and droplet-based precision extrusion deposition (db-PED) to common food packaging materials. We analyzed the resulting mechanical characteristics, biological safety (cell adhesion and viability), surface roughness and resistance to dissolution, before and after the cleaning and disinfection phases. We showed that masks 3D printed with home-grade printing equipment have similar performances compared to the industrial-grade ones, and furthermore we obtained a perfect face fit by customizing their shape. Finally, we developed novel approaches to the additive manufacturing post-processing phases essential to assure human safety in the production of 3D printed custom medical devices