Penalization modeling of a limiter in the Tokamak edge plasma

International audienceAn original penalization method is applied to model the interaction of magnetically confined plasma with limiter in the frame of minimal transport model for ionic density and parallel momentum. The limiter is considered as a pure particle sink for the plasma and consequently the density and the momentum are enforced to be zero inside. Comparisons of the numerical results with one dimensional analytical solutions show a very good agreement. In particular, presented method provides a plasma velocity which is almost sonic at the boundaries obstacles as expected from the sheath conditions through the Bohm criterion. The new system being solved in an obstacle free domain, an efficient pseudo-spectral algorithm based on a Fast Fourier transform is also proposed, and associated with an exponential filtering of the unphysical oscillations due to Gibbs phenomenon. Finally, the efficiency of the method is illustrated by investigating the flow spreading from the plasma core to the Scrape Off Layer at the wall in a two-dimensional system with one then two limiters neighboring

Sodium fast reactor gaps analysis of computer codes and models for accident analysis and reactor safety.

This report summarizes the results of an expert-opinion elicitation activity designed to qualitatively assess the status and capabilities of currently available computer codes and models for accident analysis and reactor safety calculations of advanced sodium fast reactors, and identify important gaps. The twelve-member panel consisted of representatives from five U.S. National Laboratories (SNL, ANL, INL, ORNL, and BNL), the University of Wisconsin, the KAERI, the JAEA, and the CEA. The major portion of this elicitation activity occurred during a two-day meeting held on Aug. 10-11, 2010 at Argonne National Laboratory. There were two primary objectives of this work: (1) Identify computer codes currently available for SFR accident analysis and reactor safety calculations; and (2) Assess the status and capability of current US computer codes to adequately model the required accident scenarios and associated phenomena, and identify important gaps. During the review, panel members identified over 60 computer codes that are currently available in the international community to perform different aspects of SFR safety analysis for various event scenarios and accident categories. A brief description of each of these codes together with references (when available) is provided. An adaptation of the Predictive Capability Maturity Model (PCMM) for computational modeling and simulation is described for use in this work. The panel's assessment of the available US codes is presented in the form of nine tables, organized into groups of three for each of three risk categories considered: anticipated operational occurrences (AOOs), design basis accidents (DBA), and beyond design basis accidents (BDBA). A set of summary conclusions are drawn from the results obtained. At the highest level, the panel judged that current US code capabilities are adequate for licensing given reasonable margins, but expressed concern that US code development activities had stagnated and that the experienced user-base and the experimental validation base was decaying away quickly

Biodiversity of soils and farming innovations for improved resilience of European wheat agrosystems (BIOFAIR)

BIOFAIR holistically determines soil biodiversity under different farming practices and environmental stressors to anticipate negative impacts of climate change on belowground processes and provide adaptation strategies. The BIOFAIR project comprehensively addresses the diversity of soil organisms, from microbes to mites, and how they link to soil functioning in terms of disease suppression and carbon and nutrient cycling. On the crop site, a specific focus is given to grain quality parameters such as vitamin and mineral nutrient contents essential for many human body functions, and to technological bread making properties such as flour viscosity, to ensure the crops of the future have a high nutritious value and are suitable for food production.2. Zero hunger3. Good health and well-being12. Responsible consumption and production13. Climate action15. Life on land17. Partnerships for the goal

Expansion of Regulatory T Cells in Patients with Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis

Frederic Geissmann and colleagues find that Langerhans cell accumulation in Langerhans cell histiocytosis results from survival rather than uncontrolled proliferation, and is associated with the expansion of regulatory T cells

Biodiversity of soils and farming innovations for improved resilience of European wheat agrosystems (BIOFAIR)

IOFAIR holistically determines soil biodiversity under different farming practices and environmental stressors to anticipate negative impacts of climate change on belowground processes and provide adaptation strategies. The BIOFAIR project comprehensively addresses the diversity of soil organisms, from microbes to mites, and how they link to soil functioning in terms of disease suppression and carbon and nutrient cycling. On the crop site, a specific focus is given to grain quality parameters such as vitamin and mineral nutrient contents essential for many human body functions, and to technological bread making properties such as flour viscosity, to ensure the crops of the future have a high nutritious value and are suitable for food production

Time travelling with Triticum: An Ecotron experiment to study the wheat of the future

2. Zero hunger3. Good health and well-being12. Responsible consumption and production13. Climate action15. Life on land17. Partnerships for the goal

Sodium fast reactor safety and licensing research plan. Volume II.

Expert panels comprised of subject matter experts identified at the U.S. National Laboratories (SNL, ANL, INL, ORNL, LBL, and BNL), universities (University of Wisconsin and Ohio State University), international agencies (IRSN, CEA, JAEA, KAERI, and JRC-IE) and private consultation companies (Radiation Effects Consulting) were assembled to perform a gap analysis for sodium fast reactor licensing. Expert-opinion elicitation was performed to qualitatively assess the current state of sodium fast reactor technologies. Five independent gap analyses were performed resulting in the following topical reports: (1) Accident Initiators and Sequences (i.e., Initiators/Sequences Technology Gap Analysis), (2) Sodium Technology Phenomena (i.e., Advanced Burner Reactor Sodium Technology Gap Analysis), (3) Fuels and Materials (i.e., Sodium Fast Reactor Fuels and Materials: Research Needs), (4) Source Term Characterization (i.e., Advanced Sodium Fast Reactor Accident Source Terms: Research Needs), and (5) Computer Codes and Models (i.e., Sodium Fast Reactor Gaps Analysis of Computer Codes and Models for Accident Analysis and Reactor Safety). Volume II of the Sodium Research Plan consolidates the five gap analysis reports produced by each expert panel, wherein the importance of the identified phenomena and necessities of further experimental research and code development were addressed. The findings from these five reports comprised the basis for the analysis in Sodium Fast Reactor Research Plan Volume I

A cross‐sectional analysis of patient care pathways and profiles in a dental emergency department

International audienceIntroduction: Hospital dental emergency (DE) departments are assumed to improve access to emergency care. Patients use these facilities at night and during weekends, mainly because private care is not available at these times. However, motivation for using hospital care during office hours remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics and care pathways of patients consulting a DE department during office hours and to identify the profiles of DE department users. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in the DE department of La Timone Hospital (Marseille, France). Structured interviews were conducted with 150 patients. The interview guide explored sociodemographic data, dental care behaviour, characteristics of the emergency visit, care pathway and follow-up. Descriptive statistics and a multiple correspondence analysis were used for statistical analysis of the data collected. Results: The main motivation for seeking care was pain (76%), and 59.3% of the patients attended the DE department as a first intention. The main reasons for coming to the hospital were trust in hospital practitioners (42%) and convenience of care accessibility (40.1%). Two contrasting profiles of patients were identified: young patients with a low income (regular users of DE departments, seeking acute pain relief); and elderly patients (infrequent users of DE departments, seeking follow-up care). Conclusion: This study highlighted that hospitals can be a primary pathway to DE care even though private care may be available. However, serious limitations regarding the continuity of care in the hospital exist, regardless of patient profile