Evaluation of methods for seismic analysis of mixed-oxide fuel fabrication plants

Guidelines are needed for selecting appropriate methods of structural analyses to evaluate the seismic hazard of mixed-oxide fuel fabrication plants. This study examines the different available methods and their applicability to fabrication plants. These results should provide a basis for establishing guidelines recommending methods of analysis to ensure safe design against seismic hazards. Using the Westinghouse Recycle Fuels Plant as representative of future mixed-oxide fuel fabrication plants, critical structures and equipment (systems, components, and piping/ducting) were identified. These included the manufacturing building and 11 different pieces of equipment. After examination of the dynamic response characteristics of the building and the different methods available to analyze equipment, appropriate methods of analyses were recommended. Because critical equipment analysis and test methods generally use floor-response spectra as their seismic input loading, several methods used to generate floor spectra were also examined. These include the time-history approach and the Kapur and Biggs approximate methods. The examination included the effect of site characteristics and both horizontal and vertical structural response. (auth

Field Estimates of Parentage Reveal Sexually Antagonistic Selection on Body Size in a Population of Anolis Lizards

Sexual dimorphism evolves when selection favors different phenotypic optima between the sexes. Such sexually antagonistic selection creates intralocus sexual conflict when traits are genetically correlated between the sexes and have sex‐specific optima. Brown anoles are highly sexually dimorphic: Males are on average 30% longer than females and 150% heavier in our study population. Viability selection on body size is known to be sexually antagonistic, and directional selection favors large male size whereas stabilizing selection constrains females to remain small. We build on previous studies of viability selection by measuring sexually antagonistic selection using reproductive components of fitness over three generations in a natural population of brown anoles. We estimated the number of offspring produced by an individual that survived to sexual maturity (termed RSV), a measure of individual fitness that includes aspects of both individual reproductive success and offspring survival. We found directional selection on male body size, consistent with previous studies of viability selection. However, selection on female body size varied among years, and included periods of positive directional selection, quadratic stabilizing selection, and no selection. Selection acts differently in the sexes based on both survival and reproduction and sexual conflict appears to be a persistent force in this species

A search for the Perseus flasher and the limits on optical burst rates

We conducted a study of the error box of the possible optical burster, reported by Katz et al. (1986). This “Perseus Flasher” was subsequently identified with satellite glints by Maley (1987), a conclusion with which we fully concur. Our study, completed before Maley’s report, involved a search for highly-variable objects on archival and newly-taken plates, with a total integration time of about 260 hours, a proper-motion survey of the area, deep optical imaging with a CCD, and a single-dish radio monitoring. We found no optical or radio bursts or any other unusual objects in this area. Our upper limit to the optical flash rate from the error box of the flash photographed by Katz et al. is at least 20 times lower than the flash rate reported by those authors. Similar negative results were achieved independently by other groups; like them, we conclude that the photographed flash was most likely caused by an Earth-orbiting artifact and that most of the remaining, visually-detected flashes were spurious. From our data, we derive limits on the optical flash rates from astrophysically-interesting sources

Overview of crash and impact analysis at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

This work provides a brief overview of past and ongoing efforts at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in the area of finite-element modeling of crash and impact problems. The process has been one of evolution in several respects. One aspect of the evolution has been the continual upgrading and refinement of the DYNA, NIKE, and TOPAZ family of finite-element codes. The major missions of these codes involve problems where the dominant factors are high-rate dynamics, quasi-statics, and heat transfer, respectively. However, analysis of a total event, whether it be a shipping container drop or an automobile/barrier collision, may require use or coupling or two or more of these codes. Along with refinements in speed, contact capability, and element technology, material model complexity continues to evolve as more detail is demanded from the analyses. A more recent evolution has involved the mix of problems addressed at LLNL and the direction of the technology thrusts. A pronounced increase in collaborative efforts with the civilian and private sector has resulted in a mix of complex problems involving synergism between weapons applications (shipping container, earth penetrator, missile carrier, ship hull damage) and a more broad base of problems such as vehicle impacts as discussed herein

A Unique Concept for Liquid Level and Void Fraction Detection in Severe Fuel Damage Tests

This report describes a direct-contacting liquid level and void fraction detection system that is being developed by Pacific Northwest Laboratory. The measurement technique could be used in the severe fuel damage tests that will be conducted at the Power Burst Facility, Idaho Falls, Idaho, and at the ESSOR reactor, Ispra, Italy. The detection system could also be retrofitted for commercial operating reactors to provide definitive thermal-hydraulic information. The technique can provide unambiguous, real-time data on liquid level and void fraction during normal reactor operation as well as during shutdown and accident conditions

Characterization of a Monanema nematode in Ixodes scapularis

Background Metagenomic studies have revealed the presence of a filarial nematode in Ixodes scapularis. The phylogeny of this agent, and its potential for human infection, are unknown. Methods We used existing metagenomic data from I. scapularis to determine the phylogeny of this tick-associated nematode and employed quantitative PCR to determine if the presence of this agent had an effect on the burden of Borrelia burgdorferi. We also developed a Luciferase Immunoprecipitation System assay using the Av33 antigen as a target to investigate the presence of antibodies against this nematode in 128 serum specimens from patients with Lyme disease and babesiosis. To demonstrate assay utility, we used 15 sera from patients with onchocerciasis as controls. Results We show that this agent is a new species in the genus Monanema and its presence in vector ticks does not impact the burden of B. burgdorferi. We did not detect IgG antibodies to this agent in 127 of 128 sera from patients with Lyme disease or babesiosis. One sample had reactivity above the threshold, but at the low-level equivalent to the least reactive onchocerciasis sera. This low positive signal could be a result of cross-reacting antibodies, antibodies from a previous infection with a filarial nematode, or, less likely, a exposure to the Ixodes scapularis-associated nematode. Conclusions We found no evidence that this nematode contributes to the spectrum of human tick-borne infections