Coupled Modeling and Simulation of Phase Transformation in Zircaloy-4 Fuel Cladding Under Loss-of-Coolant Accident Conditions

Under loss-of-coolant conditions, the temperature on fuel cladding will increase rapidly (up to 1000–1500 K), which will not only cause a dramatic oxidation reaction of Zircaloy-4 and an increase in hydrogen concentration but also cause an allotropic phase transformation of Zircaloy-4 from hexagonal (α-pahse) to cubic (β-phase) crystal structure. As we all know, thermophysical properties have a close relationship with the microstructure of the material. Moreover, because of an important influence of the phase transformation on the creep resistance and the ductility of the fuel rod, studying the crystallographic phase transformation kinetics is pivotal for evaluating properties for fuel rod completeness. We coupled the phase transformation model together with the existing physical models for reactor fuel, gap, cladding, and coolant, based on the finite element analysis and simulation software COMSOL Multiphysics. The critical parameter for this transformation is the evolution of the volume fraction of the favored phase described by a function of time and temperature. Hence, we choose two different volume fractions (0 and 10%) of BeO for UO2-BeO enhanced thermal conductivity nuclear fuel and zircaloy cladding as objects of this study. In order to simulate loss-of-coolant accident conditions, five relevant parameters are studied, including the gap size between fuel and cladding, the temperature at the extremities of the fuel element, the coefficient of heat transfer, the linear power rate, and the coolant temperature, to see their influence on the behavior of phase transformation under non-isothermal conditions. The results show that the addition of 10vol%BeO in the UO2 fuel decreased the phase transformation effect a lot, and no significant phase transformation was observed in Zircaloy-4 cladding with UO2-BeO enhanced thermal conductivity nuclear fuel during existing loss-of-coolant accident conditions

Nanostructured Pure and Doped Zirconia: Synthesis and Sintering for SOFC and Optical Applications

Zirconia is a multifunctional material with potential applications in wide domains. Rare-earth doped zirconia and stabilized zirconia yield interesting properties based on the phase transitions induced by the sintering conditions. Zirconia nanopowders were prepared by hydrothermal technique. Synthesis methods of zirconia with various rare earths are discussed here. An overview of the sintering of zirconia-based ceramics is presented in particular for SOFC and sensors and optical applications

Performance of positive pressure fan-pad cooling system and cooling load model for Chinese solar greenhouse

Year-round and efficient production for crop products of high yield, quality and cleanliness is the development trend of the Chinese solar greenhouse (CSG). However, this is limited by unfavorable climate conditions inside the CSG, such as high air temperature in warm seasons. The fan-pad cooling system, normally adopting negative pressure ventilation, has been widely used for greenhouse cultivation. But it generates a large air temperature gradient in greenhouse, limits the greenhouse dimensions. Above deficiencies are more serious in the CSG. Because CSG always has a long distance between the sidewalls, fans and gaskets are installed separately on the sidewalls. In order to overcome the limitations of negative fan-pad cooling system and improve ability of the CSG in coping with high temperature, a positive pressure fan-pad cooling system (PPFPCS) was designed in this study. By using this system, the cold and humid air enters the CSG from bottom of south roof, and then hot air leaves the CSG through roof vents. Performance of the PPFPCS was tested in a CSG without crops in Beijing area during summer. Results showed that in typical summer hot days, the PPFPCS cooperating with external shading net could decrease mean air temperature of the CSG experimental area to 30.7-33.4 ℃, which was lower than that in the CSG contrast area using natural ventilation combination with external shading net by 5.4-11.1 ℃. Air temperature of the CSG experimental area was also lower than that outside the CSG with a temperature difference of 2.4-5.4 ℃. Nevertheless, both natural and mechanical ventilations were tested to have limited cooling capacity to meet climate requirement for CSG cultivation. The PPFPCS could also decrease the CSG air temperature at night, but had a poorer performance in comparison with daytime cooling due to the smaller vapor pressure deficit (VPD). The contrast area of CSG encountered an extreme low air humidity state with mean VPD of 3.4-6.1 kPa. PPFPCS could effectively alleviate low humidity stress: the average relative humidity in CSG experimental area was between 49.8% and 62.3%, which was 13.6% - 21.2% higher than that in CSG control area and 13.6%-24.6% higher than that in outdoor area. Wind velocity inside the CSG experimental area ranged from 0.35 to 1 m/s, which indicated a relative uniform air flow distribution. Cooling efficiency of the PPFPCS was about 91%, which was over 10 percentage points higher than that of the traditional negative pressure fan-pad cooling system. Low temperature of the PPFPCS circling water contributed to the high cooling efficiency. Average water consumption rate of the PPFPCS used for CSG cooling was 0.035-0.079 g/(m2·s) during the test. It had a positive linear correlation with VPD of outdoor air, that is drier outdoor air anticipates larger water consumption and better cooling performance. Both cooling load model of the CSG and selection method for fan-pad cooling system were derived. Cooling load model is the basis for capacity calculation of cooling equipment to be installed. Cooling load of the CSG in summer was 299.1 W/m2. Contribution ratios of convective heat transfer between north wall and indoor air, convective heat transfer between greenhouse floor with indoor air, hot air infiltration, as well as heat transfer between indoor and outdoor air though south roof, north roof and side walls were 11.0%, 73.3%, 1.3% and 14.4%, respectively. The maximum specific ventilation rate of the PPFPCS used for CSG cooling was recommended to be 0.067 m/s. This study can provide technical support for the application of PPFPCS in CSG cultivation and provide theoretical basis for the climate control of CSG production in summer. 摘 要：负压湿帘风机降温被广泛应用于温室生产中，但存在降温均匀性差、限制温室长度及对温室密闭性要求高等不 足。为克服负压湿帘风机降温的局限性，提高日光温室降温能力，该研究设计了日光温室正压湿帘冷风降温系统，其气 流组织方式为湿冷空气从南屋面底部进入日光温室，热空气由顶开窗排出室外。在北京地区无作物的日光温室对系统夏 季降温增湿效果及性能进行试验，试验结果表明：在典型夏季高温白天，正压湿帘冷风降温系统配合遮阳网可将日光温 室试验区内平均气温控制在 30.7～33.4 ℃，比采用自然通风配合遮阳网的对照区低 5.4～11.1 ℃，比室外低 2.4～5.4 ℃， 降温效果良好；夜间系统对温室降温幅度减小。该系统可有效缓解低湿胁迫，日光温室试验区空气平均相对湿度为49.8%～ 62.3%，比对照区及室外分别高 13.6%～21.2%和 13.6%～24.6%。室内风速 0.35～1 m/s，气流分布差异性较小。试验条件 下，正压湿帘冷风降温系统的平均降温效率为91%，比传统的负压湿帘风机高10个百分点以上；实际平均耗水量为0.035～ 0.079 g/(m2 ·s)，且耗水量与室外空气水蒸气饱和压差（VPD，vapor pressure deficit）呈正相关（P<0.01，r=0.64）。同时， 研究构建了日光温室冷负荷计算模型及湿帘冷风降温设备合理选型方法，其中冷负荷模型是降温设备选型的基础，普遍 适用于各种日光温室降温方法的研究。计算得到日光温室夏季降温冷负荷为 299.1 W/m2，应安装的正压湿帘冷风降温系 统最大比通风量为 0.067 m/s。该研究为日光温室正压湿帘冷风降温方法的工程应用提供了技术参考，为日光温室安全越 夏生产环境控制提供了理论基础。 关键词：温室；温度；模型；日光温室；正压通风；湿帘风机；降温；冷负

The Helicobacter pylori duodenal ulcer promoting gene, dupA in China

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The prevalence of <it>H. pylori </it>is as high as 60–70% in Chinese population. Although duodenal ulcer and gastric cancer are both caused by <it>H. pylori</it>, they are at opposite ends of the spectrum and as such are considered mutually exclusive. Duodenal ulcer promoting (<it>dupA</it>) gene was reported to be associated with duodenal ulcer development. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of <it>dupA </it>gene of <it>Helicobacter pylori </it>in patients with various gastroduodenal diseases and to explore the association between the gene and other virulence factors.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p><it>H. pylori </it>were isolated from gastric biopsies of patients with chronic gastritis, duodenal ulcer (DU), gastric ulcer (GU), or non-cardia gastric carcinoma. The <it>dupA</it>, <it>cagA</it>, <it>vacA</it>, <it>iceA </it>and <it>babA2 </it>genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction. Histological features of gastric mucosal biopsy specimens were graded based on the scoring system proposed by the updated Sydney system. IL-1β polymorphism was investigated using restriction fragment length polymorphism.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Isolates from 360 patients including 133 with chronic gastritis, 101 with DU, 47 with GU, and 79 with non-cardia gastric carcinoma were examined. The <it>dupA </it>gene was detected in 35.3% (127/360) and the prevalence DU patients was significantly greater than that in gastric cancer or GU patients (45.5% vs. 24.1% and 23.4%, <it>P </it>< 0.05). Patients infected with <it>dupA</it>-positive strains had higher scores for chronic inflammation compared to those with <it>dupA</it>-negative strains (2.36 vs. 2.24, p = 0.058). The presence of <it>dupA </it>was not associated with the <it>cagA</it>, <it>vacA, iceA </it>and <it>babA 2 </it>genotypes or with IL-1β polymorphisms.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In China the prevalence of <it>dupA </it>gene was highest in DU and inversely related to GU and gastric cancer.</p

KL-6 levels in the connective tissue disease population: typical values and potential confounders–a retrospective, real-world study

BackgroundKrebs von den Lungen 6 (KL-6) is a potential biomarker for determining the severity of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in patients with connective tissue disease (CTD). Whether KL-6 levels can be affected by potential confounders such as underlying CTD patterns, patient-associated demographics, and comorbidities needs further investigation.MethodsFrom the database created by Xiangya Hospital, 524 patients with CTD, with or without ILD, were recruited for this retrospective analysis. Recorded data included demographic information, comorbidities, inflammatory biomarkers, autoimmune antibodies, and the KL-6 level at admission. Results of CT and pulmonary function tests were collected one week before or after KL-6 measurements. The percent of predicted diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO%) and computed tomography (CT) scans were used to determine the severity of ILD.ResultsUnivariate linear regression analysis showed that BMI, lung cancer, TB, lung infections, underlying CTD type, white blood cell (WBC) counts, neutrophil (Neu) counts, and hemoglobin (Hb) were related to KL-6 levels. Multiple linear regression confirmed that Hb and lung infections could affect KL-6 levels independently; the β were 9.64 and 315.93, and the P values were 0.015 and 0.039, respectively. CTD-ILD patients had higher levels of KL-6 (864.9 vs 463.9, P &lt; 0.001) than those without ILD. KL-6 levels were closely correlated to the severity of ILD assessed both by CT and DLCO%. Additionally, we found that KL-6 level was an independent predictive factor for the presence of ILD and further constructed a decision tree model to rapidly determine the risk of developing ILD among CTD patients.ConclusionKL-6 is a potential biomarker for gauging the incidence and severity of ILD in CTD patients. To use this typical value of KL-6, however, doctors should take Hb and the presence of lung infections into account

Association of Genetic Variants of Melatonin Receptor 1B with Gestational Plasma Glucose Level and Risk of Glucose Intolerance in Pregnant Chinese Women

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to explore the association of MTNR1B genetic variants with gestational plasma glucose homeostasis in pregnant Chinese women. METHODS: A total of 1,985 pregnant Han Chinese women were recruited and evaluated for gestational glucose tolerance status with a two-step approach. The four MTNR1B variants rs10830963, rs1387153, rs1447352, and rs2166706 which had been reported to associate with glucose levels in general non-pregnant populations, were genotyped in these women. Using an additive model adjusted for age and body mass index (BMI), association of these variants with gestational fasting and postprandial plasma glucose (FPG and PPG) levels were analyzed by multiple linear regression; relative risk of developing gestational glucose intolerance was calculated by logistic regression. Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium was tested by Chi-square and linkage disequilibrium (LD) between these variants was estimated by measures of D' and r(2). RESULTS: In the pregnant Chinese women, the MTNR1B variant rs10830963, rs1387153, rs2166706 and rs1447352 were shown to be associated with the increased 1 hour PPG level (p=8.04 × 10(-10), 5.49 × 10(-6), 1.89 × 10(-5) and 0.02, respectively). The alleles were also shown to be associated with gestational glucose intolerance with odds ratios (OR) of 1.64 (p=8.03 × 10(-11)), 1.43 (p=1.94 × 10(-6)), 1.38 (p=1.63 × 10(-5)) and 1.24 (p=0.007), respectively. MTNR1B rs1387153, rs2166706 were shown to be associated with gestational FPG levels (p=0.04). Our data also suggested that, the LD pattern of these variants in the studied women conformed to that in the general populations: rs1387153 and rs2166706 were in high LD, they linked moderately with rs10830963, but might not linked with rs1447352;rs10830963 might not link with rs1447352, either. In addition, the MTNR1B variants were not found to be associated with any other traits tested. CONCLUSIONS: The MTNR1B is likely to be involved in the regulation of glucose homeostasis during pregnancy

Using RNA-Seq for gene identification, polymorphism detection and transcript profiling in two alfalfa genotypes with divergent cell wall composition in stems

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Alfalfa, [<it>Medicago sativa </it>(L.) sativa], a widely-grown perennial forage has potential for development as a cellulosic ethanol feedstock. However, the genomics of alfalfa, a non-model species, is still in its infancy. The recent advent of RNA-Seq, a massively parallel sequencing method for transcriptome analysis, provides an opportunity to expand the identification of alfalfa genes and polymorphisms, and conduct in-depth transcript profiling.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Cell walls in stems of alfalfa genotype 708 have higher cellulose and lower lignin concentrations compared to cell walls in stems of genotype 773. Using the Illumina GA-II platform, a total of 198,861,304 expression sequence tags (ESTs, 76 bp in length) were generated from cDNA libraries derived from elongating stem (ES) and post-elongation stem (PES) internodes of 708 and 773. In addition, 341,984 ESTs were generated from ES and PES internodes of genotype 773 using the GS FLX Titanium platform. The first alfalfa (<it>Medicago sativa</it>) gene index (MSGI 1.0) was assembled using the Sanger ESTs available from GenBank, the GS FLX Titanium EST sequences, and the <it>de novo </it>assembled Illumina sequences. MSGI 1.0 contains 124,025 unique sequences including 22,729 tentative consensus sequences (TCs), 22,315 singletons and 78,981 pseudo-singletons. We identified a total of 1,294 simple sequence repeats (SSR) among the sequences in MSGI 1.0. In addition, a total of 10,826 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were predicted between the two genotypes. Out of 55 SNPs randomly selected for experimental validation, 47 (85%) were polymorphic between the two genotypes. We also identified numerous allelic variations within each genotype. Digital gene expression analysis identified numerous candidate genes that may play a role in stem development as well as candidate genes that may contribute to the differences in cell wall composition in stems of the two genotypes.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results demonstrate that RNA-Seq can be successfully used for gene identification, polymorphism detection and transcript profiling in alfalfa, a non-model, allogamous, autotetraploid species. The alfalfa gene index assembled in this study, and the SNPs, SSRs and candidate genes identified can be used to improve alfalfa as a forage crop and cellulosic feedstock.</p