Why do we need to Introduce Temporal Behavior in Both Modern Science and Modern Computing, with an Outlook to Researching Modern Effects/Materials and Technologies

Classic science seemed to be completed more than a century ago, facing only a few (but growing number of!) unexplained issues. Introducing time-dependence into classic science explained those issues, and its consequent use led to the birth of a series of modern sciences, including relativistic and quantum physics. Classic computing is based on the paradigm proposed by von Neumann for vacuum tubes only, which seems to be completed in the same sense. Von Neumann warned, however, that implementing computers under more advanced technological conditions, using the paradigm without considering the transfer time (and especially attempting to imitate neural operation), would be unsound. However, classic computing science persists in neglecting the transfer time and is facing a few (but growing number of!) unexplained issues, and its development stalled in most of its fields. Introducing time-dependence into the classic computing science explains those issues and discovers the reasons for its experienced stalling. It can lead to a revolution in computing, resulting in a modern computing science, in the same way, as it resulted in modern science's birth

Continued safe operation of nuclear power generation plants during the Covid-19 pandemic

An important goal of any pandemic response strategy is to assure the continued reliability of the electricity grid. Electricity production and delivery, two of the most important elements of economic and social infrastructure, must remain reliable during a pandemic because many parts of the infrastructure (e.g. food supply, water, transportation, public health) cannot function without a stable, reliable supply of electricity. More than 100 nuclear power reactor units are currently in operation in the EU and their continued operation during a pandemic is essential to maintain grid stability and ensure the needed power supplies in combination with the other sources of power generation. This report provides an overview of the findings of an investigation into the pandemic preparedness and response actions of nuclear power plant operating organisations in EU and some third countries operating nuclear power reactors. The investigation has been performed by means of media monitoring and information gathering during approximately three weeks, from 16 March – 3 April 2020.JRC.G.10-Knowledge for Nuclear Security and Safet

Cooperation between SSTC NRS and the EU in the area of nuclear safety

The paper first briefly outlines the main characteristics of the EU assistance programs aimed to enhance nuclear safety in the Beneficiary countries. Then EU assistance provided to the Ukrainian regulator (SNRIU) is detailed, with specific emphasis on projects enhancing the capabilities of SSTC NRS as technical support organisation (TSO) to SNRIU, including training and tutoring (T&T) activities. The changing role of SSTC NRS in the cooperation activities is described as well. The broad range of cooperation is then illustrated by some selected projects focusing on various technical areas (e.g. severe accident management and mitigation, radioactive waste and spent fuel management, NPP service time extension, plant performance monitoring and operating experience feedback). Finally, the paper briefly discusses the future perspectives of the nuclear safety cooperation between the EU and Ukraine.JRC.G.I.4-Nuclear Reactor Safety and Emergency Preparednes

IMPROVING RESEARCH REACTOR ACCIDENT RESPONSE CAPABILITY AT THE HUNGARIAN NUCLEAR SAFETY AUTHORITY

The paper describes the design and implementation of an on-line operation monitoring and accident response support system to be used at the emergency response centre of the Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority (HAEA). The system is called CERTA VITA and it is able to monitor the four VVER-440 units of the Hungarian Paks nuclear power plant (NPP) during their normal operation and during emergencies (including severe accidents). As a result from the analyses following the severe accident at Fukushima the HAEA decided to extend the CERTA VITA system on the Budapest Research Reactor (BRR), which is a tank type research reactor with 10 MW thermal power. The extension of the present system was realized in co-operation with the Centre for Energy Research, the operator of BRR. It is believed that by the introduction of this new on-line system the accident response capabilities of HAEA will be further enhanced and the BRR emergencies will be handled at the same professional level as potential emergencies at Paks NPP.JRC.F.5-Nuclear Reactor Safety Assessmen

VERONA V6.22 – An enhanced reactor analysis tool applied for continuous core parameter monitoring at Paks NPP

Between 2003 and 2007 the Hungarian Paks NPP performed a large modernization project to upgrade its VERONA core monitoring system. The modernization work resulted in a state-of-the-art system that was able to support the reactor thermal power increase to 108% by more accurate and more frequent core analysis. Details of the new system are given in Végh J. et al. (2008), the most important improvements were as follows: complete replacement of the hardware and the local area network; application of a new operating system and porting a large fraction of the original application software to the new environment; implementation of a new human-system interface; and last but not least, introduction of new reactor physics calculations. Basic novelty of the modernized core analysis was the introduction of an on-line core-follow module based on the standard Paks NPP core design code HELIOS/C-PORCA. New calculations also provided much finer spatial resolution, both in terms of axial node numbers and within the fuel assemblies. The new system was able to calculate the fuel applied during the first phase of power increase accurately, but it was not tailored to determine the effects of burnable absorbers as gadolinium. However, in the second phase of the power increase process the application of fuel assemblies containing three fuel rods with gadolinium content was intended (in order to optimize fuel economy), therefore off-line and on-line VERONA reactor physics models had to be further modified, to be able to handle the new fuel according to the accuracy requirements. In the present paper first a brief overview of the system version (V6.0) commissioned after the first modernization step is outlined; then details of the modified off-line and on-line reactor physics calculations are described. Validation results for new modules are treated extensively, in order to illustrate the extent and complexity of the V&V procedure associated with the development and licensing of the new calculations running in version V6.22 of VERONA. Some details on the experience collected during the operation of the new reactor physics calculations are also discussed. Finally conceptual plans for the next system modification phase are outlined briefly; these changes are induced by the forthcoming introduction of 15 month long fuel cycles (instead of the present 12 month long cycles).JRC.F.5-Nuclear Reactor Safety Assessmen

Stimulating effect of tuftsin and its analogues on the defective monocyte chemotaxis in systemic lupus erythematosus

Monocytes and macrophages are engaged at various levels of cellular immune reactivity. In addition to their function in the defensive mechanism directed at infective agents, they also play a basic role in immune complex elimination and antigen handling. Previous experiments revealed that systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the main representative of the autoimmune diseases, is associated with impaired monocyte chemotaxis. The endogenous basic tetrapeptide tuftsin and 6 of its analogues were examined in vitro for their stimulating capacity on the chemotactic responsiveness of monocytes derived from patients with SLE. The monocyte migration assay was carried out by a modified Boyden technique and quantified by the leading front distance method and by counting the total distance covered by the monocyte locomotion. Tuftsin and 3 of its analogues significantly increased the defective chemotaxis in SLE. The tetrapeptides effective on chemotaxis also stimulated random migration and phagocytosis of the monocytes, albeit to a lesser extent. Structure-activity relationships, as well as the influence of the clinical stage of the disease were also examined. Experimental evidence leads to a favourable prediction for the immunotherapeutic value of these oligopeptides for the control of infections and the progression of the disease in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

European Union International Cooperation to Improve Regulatory Effectiveness in Nuclear Safety

The European Union (EU) promotes a high level of nuclear safety worldwide, through the "Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation" (INSC) since 2007. An overview of the approved planned projects and their purpose will show the actual activities of the EU and how the lessons from the past are implemented and will be implemented in the present INSC 2014-2020 period, which has a total budget of 225M€. For 2015 the support to approved projects was up to almost 60 M€ and included the following regulatory projects: "Enhancing the capabilities of the Armenian Nuclear Regulatory Authority in preparedness for and response to a nuclear or radiological emergency", "Support and assistance to strengthen the capabilities of the Belarusian Nuclear Regulatory Authority MES/Gosatomnadzor in the field of Nuclear Emergency Preparedness and Response", "Enhancing the capacity and regulatory capabilities of the Chinese National Nuclear Safety Administration in the areas of waste management, emergency preparedness and response, transport and national R&D Base", "Support to the Regulatory Body of Morocco for capacity building and for enhancing the regulatory framework for nuclear and radiation safety", "Strengthening of State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine (SNRIU) capabilities relevant for the regulation of nuclear activities", and a specific contribution to IAEA activities. Examples of recent successful INSC projects, bilateral and multilateral will be presented, including lessons learned. For 2016, the proposed nuclear safety regulatory cooperation projects include: " Enhancing the capabilities of the Armenian Nuclear Regulatory Authority", "Support and assistance to strengthen the capabilities of the Belarusian Nuclear Regulatory Authority", "Enhancing the capabilities of the Iranian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (INRA)", "Support to the Regulatory Authority of Turkey" and "Multinational and regional Training and Tutoring for experts of the National Regulatory Authorities and their Technical Support Organisations for developing or strengthening their regulatory and technical capabilities".JRC.G.10-Knowledge for Nuclear Security and Safet

Long-term Efficacy, Safety, and Immunogenicity of Biosimilar Infliximab after One Year in a Prospective Nationwide Cohort

Background: It has been previously shown that biosimilar infliximab CT-P13 is effective and safe in inducing remission in inflammatory bowel diseases. We report here the 1-year outcomes from a prospective nationwide inflammatory bowel disease cohort. Methods: A prospective, nationwide, multicenter, observational cohort was designed to examine the efficacy and safety of CT-P13 in the induction and maintenance treatment of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Demographic data were collected and a harmonized monitoring strategy was applied. Clinical remission, response, and biochemical response were evaluated at weeks 14, 30, and 54, respectively. Safety data were registered. Results: Three hundred fifty-three consecutive inflammatory bowel disease (209 CD and 144 UC) patients were included, of which 229 patients reached the week 54 endpoint at final evaluation. Age at disease onset: 24/28 years (median, interquartile range: 19-34/22-39) in patients with CD/UC. Forty-nine, 53, 48% and 86, 81 and 65% of patients with CD reached clinical remission and response by weeks 14, 30, and 54, respectively. Clinical remission and response rates were 56, 41, 43% and 74, 66, 50% in patients with UC. Clinical efficacy was influenced by previous anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) exposure in patients with a drug holiday beyond 1 year. The mean C-reactive protein level decreased significantly in both CD and UC by week 14 and was maintained throughout the 1-year follow-up (both UC/CD: P < 0.001). Thirty-one (8.8%) patients had infusion reactions and 32 (9%) patients had infections. Antidrug antibody positivity rates were significantly higher throughout patients with previous anti-TNF exposure; concomitant azathioprine prevented antidrug antibody formation in anti-TNF-naive patients with CD. Conclusions: Results from this prospective nationwide cohort confirm that CT-P13 is effective and safe in inducing and maintaining long-term remission in both CD and UC. Efficacy was influenced by previous anti-TNF exposure; no new safety signals were detected