Development Of Innovating Na Leak Detector On Pipes

International audienceWithin the ASTRID reactor project, CEA, EDF and AREVA NP, have launched a RetD program focused on the low leak rates detection of sodium on pipes. This program is focused on the development of innovating detectors, multilayer-type and Optic Fiber, involving tests in the FUTUNa sodium loop. This loop is designed to produce very accurate sodium leak rates within a range around 1cm$^3$/min, the tests being performed at different temperature (up to 550DC) on large-diameter pipe mock-ups (D 800 mm) at ambient atmosphere. This paper presents the first series of tests carried out with various materials of the first and second layer of the detector. The results are compared and discussed as well as the observations made after removing the mock-ups. The most interesting result of the overall tests is a detection time less than 2 hours for the two types of detectors

Identification of selective hepatitis delta virus ribozyme inhibitors by high-throughput screening of small molecule libraries

Background & Aims: Chronic hepatitis delta is the most severe form of chronic viral hepatitis and is associated with faster progression towards cirrhosis, liver decompensation, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatitis delta virus (HDV)’s tight dependency on hepatitis B virus and the host cell machinery for its life cycle limits the development of direct-acting antivirals. Thus, we aimed to identify compounds that could block HDV replication by targeting its antigenomic ribozyme. Methods: We generated stable Huh7 human hepatoma cells expressing a reporter gene (Gaussia luciferase) either downstream (Gluc-2xRz) or upstream (2xRz-Gluc) of two HDV antigenomic ribozyme sequences. We performed high-throughput screening of three small molecule libraries. The secreted luciferase was measured as a readout of ribozyme inhibition upon addition of the molecules. Each plate was considered valid when the Z factor was >0.4. Specificity and toxicity evaluations were performed for the hits with a Z-score >5 and half-maximal inhibitory concentration was calculated by performing a dose-response experiment. Results: A dose-dependent induction of luciferase expression was detected in Gluc-2xRz-transfected cells incubated with the antisense morpholino, suggesting that the catalytic activity of the ribozyme cloned downstream of the reporter gene was efficiently inhibited. Among the 6,644 compounds screened, we identified four compounds that showed a specific inhibitory effect on the HDV antigenomic ribozyme in Gluc-2xRz cells, i.e. three histone deacetylase inhibitors and the purine analogue 8-azaguanine. The latter also significantly decreased HDV replication (by 40%) in differentiated HepaRG cells six days post infection. Conclusion: Using a novel cell culture model, we identified four small molecules active against the antigenomic HDV ribozyme. These results may provide insights into the structural requirements of molecules designed for the potent and specific inhibition of HDV replication. Impact and implications: Chronic hepatitis delta is the most severe form of chronic viral hepatitis and is associated with faster progression towards cirrhosis, liver decompensation, and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite the current development of several new compounds, there is still a need for efficient antiviral treatments specifically targeting hepatitis delta virus (HDV). This work describes a novel cell culture model that allows for the high-throughput screening of compounds able to inhibit HDV ribozymes. We identified four small molecules active against the antigenomic HDV ribozyme (the ribozyme involved in the early step of HDV replication), with the strongest activity shown by 8-azaguanine, a purine analogue. Our data may provide insights into the structural requirements of molecules designed to inhibit HDV

Distributed temperature monitoring for liquid sodium leakage detection using OFDR-based Rayleigh backscattering

23rd International Conference on Optical Fibre Sensors, Santander, SPAIN, JUN 02-06, 2014International audienceFor the first time, a gold coated single mode optical fiber has been used to detect a liquid sodium leakage on a pipe of secondary circuit pipe mock-up of nuclear fast reactor (Gen IV) by means of Optical Frequency Domain Reflectometry-based on Rayleigh backscattering. During 150 min of the experiment we were able to detect and monitor the evolution of a liquid sodium leakage on the surface of the pipe

Lipid goal achievements after acute myocardial infarction: the gap between real-life and ESC 2019 guidelines

International audienceNo abstract availabl

Experimental and numerical analyses of the magnetic field spatial measurement inside an electromagnetic pump channel duct

International audienceIn the framework of the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) R&D program developing theAdvanced Sodium Technological Reactor for Industrial Demonstration (ASTRID), it has been proposed to use in secondarycooling circuit an electromagnetic induction pump (EMP) due to its superior safety features such as: no moving parts inliquid metal and absolutely hermetic construction. However, detailed studies should be carried out in order to masteroperation of EMP and prevent undesirable phenomenon called MHD instability, which influence both the pump efficiencyand operation