Post-test simulations for the NACIE-UP benchmark by STH codes

This paper illustrates the results obtained in the last phase of the NACIE-UP benchmark activity foreseen inside the EU SESAME Project. The purpose of this research activity, performed by system thermal–hydraulic (STH) codes, is finalized to the improvement, development and validation of existing STH codes for Heavy Liquid Metal (HLM) systems. All the participants improved their modelling of the NACIE-UP facility, respect to the initial blind simulation phase, adopting the actual experimental boundary conditions and reducing as much as possible sources of uncertainty in their numerical model. Four different STH codes were employed by the participants to the benchmark to model the NACIE-UP facility, namely: CATHARE for ENEA, ATHLET for GRS, RELAP5-3D© for the “Sapienza” University of Rome and RELAP5/Mod3.3(modified) for the University of Pisa. Three reference tests foreseen in the NACIE-UP benchmark and carried out at ENEA Brasimone Research Centre were analysed from four participants. The data from the post-test analyses, performed independently by the participant using different STH codes, were compared together and with the available experimental results and critically discussed

HLMC Fuel Pin Bundle characterization in CIRCE-ICE pool facility

Abstract. This work, carried out at the DICI of Pisa University, in collaboration with ENEA Brasimone R.C., deals with the analysis and a preliminary discussion of the experimental tests performed in the Integral Circulation Experiment (ICE) configuration of the Circulation Eutectic (CIRCE) facility aiming to investigate the heat transfer in fuel rod bundle. The facility test section basically consists of an electrical bundle (FPS) made up of 37 pins arranged in a hexagonal wrapped lattice with a pitch to diameter ratio of 1.8. Along the FPS active length, two sections were instrumented to monitor the heat transfer coefficient along the bundle as well as the cladding temperatures at different ranks of the sub-channels. In particular, forced circulation condition tests were performed imposing a temperature difference through the FPS and a LBE mass flow rate through the FPS. Nusselt number in the sub-channels was calculated as function of the Peclet number and obtained results were compared to Nusselt numbers computed from correlations available in Heavy Liquid Metals (HLM) literature. Results shown that the Nu is slightly lower in the middle section (section 1) if compared with the ones into the upper section (section 3), and that behaviour is probably due to the turbulence of the flow which seems to be fully developed only in the upper part of the fuel pin bundle. Anyway the Nu number, calculated as function of the Pe number in the range Pe~1500÷3000 (forced circulation condition), matches well the numerical correlation available for HLM fuel pin bundle, (i.e. Ushakov and Mikityuk)

Simulation of operational conditions of HX-HERO in the CIRCE facility with CFD/STH coupled codes

Abstract The paper describes the application of a coupled methodology between Fluent CFD code and RELAP5 System Thermal-Hydraulic code developed at the DICI (Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile e Industriale) of the University of Pisa. The methodology was applied specifically to the LBE-water heat exchanger HERO located inside the S100 vessel of the CIRCE facility, built at ENEA Brasimone Research Centre, to investigate the capabilities of this component. In the proposed methodology, the primary side of the HX-HERO, containing LBE, is simulated by the CFD code, while the secondary side, containing a two phase mixture of water and vapour, is reproduced by the System Thermal-Hydraulic code. During the calculation the two codes exchange, at the coupled boundaries: the bulk temperature and heat transfer coefficient of the ascending water (RELAP5 to Fluent) and the wall temperature at the water side surface of the pipes (Fluent to RELAP5). The coupling technique was tested by comparing the numerical results with the experimental data recently obtained by ENEA; the numerical results predicted well the qualitative trend of the temperature and provided an overall good prediction of the temperature also from a quantitative point of view. It is worth noticing that this good performance remained reliable for all the cases simulated, proving the general applicability of the methodology

Borrelia Lyme Group

Borreliaceae is a family of the phylum Spirochaetales and includes two genera, Borrelia and Cristispira genus. Borrelia genus is divided into three groups, namely Lyme group (LG), Echidna‐Reptile group (REPG) and Relapsing Fever group (RFG). All Borrelia species have an obligate parasitic lifestyle, as they depend on their hosts for most of their nutritional needs. Borreliæ are transmitted among vertebrate hosts by arthropod vectors (ticks and lice). Transtadial transmission within their carriers occurs for the Borreliæ RF Group, while this does not (or rarely occurs) for the Borreliæ Lyme Group. Phylogenetic data demonstrated that these two groups are genetically similar but distinct, forming independent clades sharing a common ancestor. In nature, the vectors of LB belong to the genus Ixodes spp. frequently found in the Northern Hemisphere, while the vectors of RF are usually the soft-ticks (Ornithodoros spp.). Borreliae share a unique genomic structure consisting of a single highly conserved linear chromosome and several linear and circular extrachromosomal plasmids which can vary widely between strains. In addition to Lyme and RF borreliosis, an intermediate group, called Echidna-Reptile borreliosis, has recently been identified. Lyme disease (LD) is caused by the spirochæte Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) and transmitted to humans by the bite of a hard tick of the genus Ixodes, and LD reservoir are usually small rodents. LD is present in America, Eurasia, Africa, while its presence in Australia is not yet well documented. Not all Borreliæ Lyme Groups cause this disease in humans. Of the 23 Borreliæ burgdorferi s.l. currently known only 9 have been identified in human infection, namely Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. afzelii, B. bavarensis, B. bissettii, B. garinii, B. lusitaniae, B. spielmani, B. valaisiana, and B. mayonii. LD is an organotropic infection, but there is also a spirochætemic form, caused by Borrelia mayonii, which gives fever similarly to the Borreliosis RF Group. A third variant of LD is Baggio-Yoshinari Syndrome (BYS), which is transmitted by another hard tick, Amblyomma cajennense. This Borrelia has not been isolated in culture, therefore its membership in the Lyme Group is not yet proven. All three of these Sub-Groups can manifest early with erythema migrans. Clinical features of LD are wide and variable, with clinical manifestations linked to distinct tissue tropisms of specific Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. genospecies. The early infection is localized and, in the absence of treatment, the spirochete can spread. The organs most frequently involved are skin, joints, muscles, nervous system, heart and eyes. B. burgdorferi s.s. is more often associated with Lyme arthritis, Borrelia garinii with neuroborreliosis and B. afzelii with acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans

TOpic: rare and special cases, the real "Strange cases"

Introduction: The bladder hernia represents approximately 1-3% of all inguinal hernias, where patients aged more than 50 years have a higher incidence (10%). Many factors contribute to the development of a bladder hernia, including the presence of a urinary outlet obstruction causing chronic bladder distention, the loss of bladder tone, pericystitis, the perivesical bladder fat protrusion and the obesity

Heavy Liquid Metal Natural Circulation in a One -Dimensional Loop

ABSTRACT The ENEA Brasimone Research Centre since 1999 is strongly involved in the national and European research programmes performed in the field of heavy liquid metal technology aiming at the development of critical (LFR) and subcritical (ADS) nuclear systems. In particular, in the frame of the IP-EUROTRANS, (6th Framework Program EU), ENEA assumed the commitment to perform an integral experiment with the aim to reproduce the primary flow path of a HLM pool-type nuclear reactor, cooled by Lead Bismuth Eutectics (LBE). This new experimental activity, named ICE "Integral Circulation Experiment", will be performed by an appropriate test section designed to be installed in the CIRCE facility. In order to support the ICE activity, as well as characterise the natural and gas enhanced circulation flow regimes in a HLM loop, qualify test procedures, components nuclear relevant, a new facility was designed and built up by Brasimone Research Centre, named NACIE "NAtural CIrculation Experiment". The paper reports a detailed description of the loop and the main experimental results carried out from the natural circulation tests already performed on the NACIE loop. Numerical simulations have been performed in collaboration with the University of Pisa, adopting the RELAP5/Mod3.3 system code modified to allow for LBE as a cooling fluid. The aim of the performed post-test calculations is to compare the code response with the experimental results under the natural circulation flow regime, allowing to qualify the adopted nodalisation as well as the performance of the code when employed on HLM loop

Polymyxins and quinazolines are LSD1/KDM1A inhibitors with unusual structural features

Because of its involvement in the progression of several malignant tumors, the histone lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) has become a prominent drug target in modern medicinal chemistry research. We report on the discovery of two classes of noncovalent inhibitors displaying unique structural features. The antibiotics polymyxins bind at the entrance of the substrate cleft, where their highly charged cyclic moiety interacts with a cluster of positively charged amino acids. The same site is occupied by quinazoline-based compounds, which were found to inhibit the enzyme through a most peculiar mode because they form a pile of five to seven molecules that obstruct access to the active center. These data significantly indicate unpredictable strategies for the development of epigenetic inhibitors

Countering the Australian 'ndrangheta: The criminalisation of mafia behaviour in Australia between national and comparative criminal law

Mafia-type criminal groups belonging to, or originated from, the Calabrian ‘ndrangheta from Southern Italy, have been object of recent academic research and media attention in Australia. The Australian ‘ndrangheta, as qualified form of organised crime, poses new challenges for law enforcement in the country. This paper briefly looks at the strategies to fight organised crime in Australia, with specific focus on anti-association laws. By using a comparative approach, the paper will look at the criminalisation of mafias as qualified forms of organised crime in other two jurisdictions, Italy and the USA, to advocate for an effective mafia criminalisation in Australia. In conclusion, this paper will argue that, in order to also fight mafia phenomena, criminal law in Australia should focus on behaviours of organised crime groups rather than only on the criminalisation of proscribed associations and their illegal activities

The evolution of the Australian ‘ndrangheta. An historical perspective

This paper explores the phenomenon of the ‘ndrangheta – a criminal organisation from Calabria, South of Italy and allegedly the most powerful among the Italian mafias – through its migrating routes. In particular, by focusing on the peculiar case of Australia, the paper aims to show the overlapping of migrating flows with criminal colonisation, which has proven to be a strategy of this particular mafia. The paper uses the very thin literature on the subject alongside official reports and newspaper articles on migration and crime, mainly from Italian sources, to trace an historical journey on the migration of people from Calabria to Australia in various moments of the last century. The aim is to present the evolution and growth of Calabrian clans in Australia. The topic is largely unexplored and is still underreported among Australian institutions and scholars, which is why the paper chooses an historical approach to describe the principal paths in this very new field of research