Indirect neutron radiography experiment on dummy nuclear fuel rods for pressurized water reactors at CMRR

Nuclear energy is a vital source of clean energy that will continue to play an essential role in global energy production for future generations.Nuclear fuel rods are core components of nuclear power plants,and their safe utilization is paramount.Due to its inherent high radioactivity,indirect neutron radiography(INR)is currently the only viable technology for irradiated nuclear fuel rods in the field of energy production.This study explores the experimental technique of indirect neutron computed tomography(INCT)for radioactive samples.This project includes the development of indium and dysprosium conversion screens of different thicknesses and conducts resolution tests to assess their performance.Moreover,pressurized water reactor(PWR)dummy nuclear fuel rods have been fabricated by self-developing substitute materials for cores and outsourcing of mechanical processing.Experimental research on the INR is performed using the developed dummy nuclear fuel rods.The sparse reconstruction technique is used to reconstruct the INR results of 120 pairs of dummy nuclear fuel rods at different angles,achieving a resolution of 0.8 mm for defect detection using INCT.

Numerical Analysis of Steady Smoldering of Biomass Rods

Understanding the steady mechanism of biomass smoldering plays a great role in the utilization of smoldering technology.In this study numerical analysis of steady smoldering of biomass rods was performed.A two-dimensional(2D)steady model taking into account both char oxidation and pyrolysis was developed on the basis of a calculated propagation velocity according to empirical correlation.The model was validated against the smoldering experiment of biomass rods under natural conditions,and the maximum error was smaller than 31%.Parameter sensitivity analysis found that propagation velocity decreases significantly while oxidation area and pyrolysis zone increase significantly with the increasing diameter of rod fuel.

Review of Computational Approaches to Optimization Problems in Inhomogeneous Rods and Plates

In this paper,we review computational approaches to optimization problems of inhomogeneous rods and plates.We consider both the optimization of eigenvalues and the localization of eigenfunctions.These problems are motivated by physical problems including the determination of the extremum of the fundamental vibration frequency and the localization of the vibration displacement.We demonstrate how an iterative rearrangement approach and a gradient descent approach with projection can successfully solve these optimization problems under different boundary conditions with different densities given.

Low-Level Antibiotic Resistance among Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-Negative Pathogens from Infected Skin and Soft Tissues in Rural Kenya

Introduction: Bacterial skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are a cause of frequent inpatient and outpatient care visits whose causative agents are associated with a high antimicrobial resistance burden. For insights on antimicrobial susceptibilities in a rural setting, we examined specimens from suspected SSTIs from two public health facilities in Kenya. We additionally assessed antibiotic use, appropriateness of empiric therapy and risk factors for SSTI. Methodology: Between 2021 and 2023, 265 patients at Kisii and Nyamira County Referral hospitals were enrolled. Wound swabs/aspirates were collected and processed following standard microbiological procedures. Identification and antimicrobial susceptibility were performed using the VITEK 2 Compact platform. Demographic, clinical, and microbiological data were analyzed with R Statistical software. Results: S. aureus was isolated in 16.2% (43/265) of patients with a methicillin resistance (MRSA) proportion of 14% (6/43). While 13/15 drugs elicited susceptibilities ranging from 84% - 100%, penicillin (16%) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole [TMP-SXT] (23%) yielded the lowest susceptibilities. Escherichia coli (n = 33), Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 8), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 8), and Citrobacter species (n = 4) were the most commonly isolated gram-negative species. Gram-negative strains showed high susceptibilities to most of the tested drugs (71% - 100%) with the exception of ampicillin (18%), TMP-SXT (33%), and first and second generation cephalosporins. Conclusions: The low MRSA prevalence and generally high antibiotic susceptibilities for S. aureus and gram-negative bacteria present opportunities for antibiotic stewardship in the study setting. Diminished susceptibilities against penicillin/ampicillin and TMP-SXT accord with prevailing local data and add a layer of evidence for their cautious empiric use.

Metallo-β-lactamase producing nonfermentative gram-negative bacteria:An increasing clinical threat among hospitalized patients

Objective:To detect and evaluate the various methods for metallo-β-lactamases(MBL) production in Pseudomonas aeruginosa(P.aeruginosa) and Acinetobacter species.Methods:A total of 109 P.aeruginosa and 85 Acinetobacter species were screened for imipenem resistance by Kirby- Bauer disc diffusion methods.Detection of MBL production was(lone by imipenem-EDTA combined disc test,double disc synerygy test(DDST) and imipenem-EDTA MBL E test.Results: A total of 63(57.8%) strains of P.aeruginosa and 46(54.1%) strains of Acinetobacter spp.were found to be resistant to imipenem.Of the 63 imipenem resistant P.aeruginosa tested for MBL production.44(69.89;) were found to be positive and among 46 imipenem resistant Acinetobacter. 19(41.3%) were shown to be the MBL producers.Conclusions:Imipenem-EDTA combined disc test and MBL E test are equally effective for MBL detection in both P.aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp.,but given the cost-constraints,combined disc can be used as a convenient screening method in the clinical microbiology laboratory.

Detection of the Production of Klebsiella Pneumoniae Carbapenemase, New Delhi Metallo-Beta-Lactamase and Oxacillinase-48-Type Carbapenemases by Gram-Negative Bacilli in Resource-Limited Setting

Background: The increasing resistance of bacteria to various antibiotics is a worldwide public health issue. Carbapenems that have elicited great hope in treating infections caused by multidrug-resistant germs have seen their efficacy narrowed over time with the emergence of other novel resistance mechanisms, notably the production of Carbapenemases. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2017 to May 2018 in Douala (Cameroon) to detect carbapenemase-producing Gram-negative bacilli. Isolated strains were identified using the Vitek2TM system. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method on agar plates with 20 selected commercially available antibiotic discs. The bacterial strains were tested for the production of three Carbapenemases (OXA-48, NDM, KPC), using an immuno-chromatographic technique, with the “RESIST-3 O.K.N. K-SeT” rapid detection kit. Results: During the study period, 1687 strains of Gram-negative bacilli were isolated in selected laboratories with a total of 200 multi-resistant strains identified (11.9%). Among the multi-resistant strains, E. coli was the species most represented in Enterobacteriaceae (27.5%) followed by K. pneumoniae (15.5%) and the non-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli were predominantly P. aeruginosa (20.5%). These strains mainly came from urine and pus, i.e. 41% and 32% respectively. Thirty-two (16%) strains produced one of the Carbapenemases with a higher frequency at the General Hospital (84%). NDM-type carbapenemase was the most frequently identified (8.5%), OXA-48 type 7.5%, and no KPC production was observed. Among the Enterobacteriaceae 22.9% produced Carbapenemases and only 5.1% of the non-fermenting bacilli produced these enzymes. The isolates strains were completely resistant to all antibiotics except Amikacin and Fosfomycin. The strains producing the NDM-type carbapenemase showed higher rates of resistance to almost all of the antibiotics tested. Conclusion: Multidrug-resistant strains are experiencing an increase in evolution. The apparition of strains producing Carbapenemases prominently, the NDM and OXA-48 favor this increase. The activities of antibiotics with high efficacies on these strains are low.

Linear-Polarization Optical Property of CdSe Quantum Rods

The linear-polarization optical property of CdSe quantum rods is studied in the framework of effectivemass envelope function theory. The effects of shape and magnetic field on the linear polarization factors are investigated. It is found that CdSe quantum spheres have negative polarization factors （xy-polarized emission）and quantum long rods with small radius have positive linear polarization factors （z-polarized emission）. The z-direction is the direction of the c axis. Quantum long rods with large radius have negative linear polarization factors,due to the hexagonal crystal symmetry and the crystal field splitting energy. The linear polarization factors decrease and may change from a positive value to a negative value;i, e. ,the z-polarized emissions decrease relative to xy-polarized emissions as the magnetic field applied along the z direction increases.

Anti-rods/rings autoantibody generation in hepatitis Cpatients during interferon-α/ribavirin therapy

Chronic inflammation associated with hepatitis C virus(HCV) infection can lead to disabling liver diseases with progression to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite the recent availability of more effective and less toxic therapeutic options, in most parts of the world the standard treatment consists of a weekly injection of pegylated interferon α(IFN-α) together with a daily dose of ribavirin. HCV patients frequently present circulating non-organ-specific autoantibodies demonstrating a variety of staining patterns in the indirect immunofluorescence assay for antinuclear antibodies(ANA). Between 20% to 40% of HCV patients treated with IFN-α and ribavirin develop autoantibodies showing a peculiar ANA pattern characterized as rods and rings(RR) structures. The aim of this article is to review the recent reports regarding RR structures and anti-rods/rings(antiRR) autoantibody production by HCV patients after IFN-α/ribavirin treatment. Anti-RR autoantibodies first appear around the sixth month of treatment and reach a plateau around the twelfth month. After treatment completion, anti-RR titers decrease/disappear in half the patients and remain steady in the other half. Some studies have observed a higher frequency of anti-RR antibodies in relapsers, i.e., patients in which circulating virus reappears after initially successful therapy. The main target of anti-RR autoantibodies in HCV patients is inosine-5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase 2(IMPDH2), the rate-limiting enzyme involved in the guanosine triphosphate biosynthesis pathway. Ribavirin is a direct IMPDH2 inhibitor and is able to induce the formation of RR structures in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, these observations led to the hypothesis that anti-RR autoantibody production is a human model of immunologic tolerance breakdown that allows us to explore the humoral autoimmune response from the beginning of the putative triggering event: exposure to ribavirin and interferon.

Use of a plane jet for flow-induced noise reduction of tandem rods

Unsteady wake from upstream components of landing gear impinging on downstream components could be a strong noise source.The use of a plane jet is proposed to reduce this flow-induced noise.Tandem rods with different gap widths were utilized as the test body.Both acoustic and aerodynamic tests were conducted in order to validate this technique.Acoustic test results proved that overall noise emission from tandem rods could be lowered and tonal noise could be removed with use of the plane jet.However,when the plane jet was turned on,in some frequency range it could be the subsequent main contributor instead of tandem rods to total noise emission whilst in some frequency range rods could still be the main contributor.Moreover,aerodynamic tests fundamentally studied explanations for the noise reduction.Specifically,not only impinging speed to rods but speed and turbulence level to the top edge of the rear rod could be diminished by the upstream plane jet.Consequently,the vortex shedding induced by the rear rod was reduced,which was confirmed by the speed,Reynolds stress as well as the velocity fluctuation spectral measured in its wake.This study confirmed the potential use of a plane jet towards landing gear noise reduction.

Numerical simulation and analysis of drill rods vibration during roof bolt hole drilling in underground mines

Structural deterioration in the roof in an underground mine can easily cause roof fall, and deterioration is difficult to detect. When drilling holes for roof bolts, there is a relationship between the vibration of the drill rod and the properties of the rock being drilled. This paper analyzes transverse, longitudinal, and torsional vibrations in the drill rod by using vibration theory. Characteristic indexes for three kinds of vibration are determined. Using the finite element analysis software ABAQUS, a model for drill rod vibration during the drilling of roof bolt holes was established based on the geological and mining conditions in the Guyuan Coal Mine, northern China. Results from the model determined that the transverse and the longitudinal vibration decrease as the rock hardness decreases. In descending order, sandstone,sandy mudstone, mudstone, and weak interbeds cause progressively less vibration when being drilled.The ranking for strata that cause decreasing torsional vibration is slightly different, being, in descending order, mudstone, sandstone, sandy mudstone, and weak interbeds. These results provide a theoretical basis for predicting dangerous roof conditions and the presence of weak interbeds to allow for adjusting bolt support schemes.

Three kinds of nonlinear dispersive waves in elastic rods with finite deformation

On the basis of classical linear theory on longitudinal, torsional and flexural waves in thin elastic rods, and taking finite deformation and dispersive effects into consideration, three kinds of nonlinear evolution equations are derived. Qualitative analysis of three kinds of nonlinear equations are presented. It is shown that these equations have homoclinic or heteroclinic orbits on the phase plane, corresponding to solitary wave or shock wave solutions, respectively. Based on the principle of homogeneous balance, these equations are solved with the Jacobi elliptic function expansion method. Results show that existence of solitary wave solution and shock wave solution is possible under certain conditions. These conclusions are consistent with qualitative analysis.

PREPARATION AND PROPERTIES OF HIGH STRENGTH RODS FROM L-AND D,L-LACTIDE COPOLYMER

Starling with the L- and D,L-lactide copolymer (L:DL = 9:1) [P(L-DL)LA] of M-W = 32.1 x 10(4), rods were obtained through a two stage process: (1) melt-extrusion at 155 degreesC, and (2) hot-drawing at 90 degreesC to various drawing ratios. The molecular weight of P(L-DL)LA fell to 9.3 x 10(4) as a consequence of the production process. The crystallization and molecular orientation of P(L-DL)LA developed as a result of the hot-drawing. The mechanical strengths of the rods increase with the drawing ratio; The maximum for tensile strength, bending strength, bending modulus, and shear strength are 329 MPa, 237 MPa, 8.8 GPa, and 157 MPa, respectively.

ANALYSIS OF THERMAL POST-BUCKLING OF HEATED ELASTIC RODS

Based on the nonlinear geometric theory of extensible rods, an exact mathematical model of thermal post_buckling behavior of uniformly heated elastic rods with axially immovable ends is developed, in which the arc length s(x) of axial line and the longitudinal displacement u(x) are taken as the basic unknown functions. This is a two point boundary value problem of first order ordinary differential equations with strong non_linearity. By using shooting method and analytical continuation, the nonlinear boundary value problems are numerically solved. The thermal post_buckled states of the rods with transversely simply supported and clamped ends are obtained respectively and the corresponding numerical data tables and characteristic curves are also given.

Analytical models for the penetration of semi-infinite targets by rigid,deformable and erosive long rods

A theoretical study is presented herein on the pen- etration of a semi-infinite target by a spherical-headed long rod for Yp 〉 S, where Yp is the penetrator strength and S is the static target resistance. For Yp 〉 S, depending upon initial impact velocity, there exist three types of penetration, namely, penetration by a rigid long rod, penetration by a deforming non-erosive long rod and penetration by an erosive long rod. If the impact velocity of the penetrator is higher than the hydrodynamic velocity （VH）, it will penetrate the target in an erosive mode; if the impact velocity lies between the hydrodynamic velocity （VH） and the rigid body velocity （VR）, it will penetrate the target in a deformable mode; if the impact velocity is less than the rigid body velocity （VR）, it will penetrate the target in a rigid mode. The critical conditions for the transition among these three penetration modes are proposed. It is demonstrated that the present model predictions correlate well with the experimental observations in terms of depth of penetration （DOP） and the critical transition conditions.

High mortality associated with gram-negative bacterial bloodstream infection in liver transplant recipients undergoing immunosuppression reduction

BACKGROUND Immunosuppression is an important factor in the incidence of infections in transplant recipient.Few studies are available on the management of immunosuppression(IS)treatment in the liver transplant(LT)recipients complicated with infection.The aim of this study is to describe our experience in the management of IS treatment during bacterial bloodstream infection(BSI)in LT recipients and assess the effect of temporary IS withdrawal on 30 d mortality of recipients presenting with severe infection.AIM To assess the effect of temporary IS withdrawal on 30 d mortality of LT recipients presenting with severe infection.METHODS A retrospective study was conducted with patients diagnosed with BSI after LT in the Department of Liver Surgery,Renji Hospital from January 1,2016 through December 31,2017.All recipients diagnosed with BSI after LT were included.Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis of risk factors for 30 d mortality was conducted in the LT recipients with Gram-negative bacterial(GNB)infection.RESULTS Seventy-four episodes of BSI were identified in 70 LT recipients,including 45 episodes of Gram-positive bacterial(GPB)infections in 42 patients and 29 episodes of GNB infections in 28 patients.Overall,IS reduction(at least 50%dose reduction or cessation of one or more immunosuppressive agent)was made in 28(41.2%)cases,specifically,in 5(11.9%)cases with GPB infections and 23(82.1%)cases with GNB infections.The 180 d all-cause mortality rate was 18.5%(13/70).The mortality rate in GNB group(39.3%,11/28)was significantly higher than that in GPB group(4.8%,2/42)(P=0.001).All the deaths in GNB group were attributed to worsening infection secondary to IS withdrawal,but the deaths in GPB group were all due to graft-versus-host disease.GNB group was associated with significantly higher incidence of intra-abdominal infection,IS reduction,and complete IS withdrawal than GPB group(P<0.05).Cox regression showed that rejection(adjusted hazard ratio 7.021,P=0.001)and complete IS withdrawal(adjusted hazard ratio 12.65,P=0.019)were independent risk factors for 30 d mortality in patients with GNB infections after LT.CONCLUSION IS reduction is more frequently associated with GNB infection than GPB infection in LT recipients.Complete IS withdrawal should be cautious due to increased risk of mortality in LT recipients complicated with BSI.

Investigation on the penetration of jacketed rods with striking velocities of 0.9-3.3 km/s into semi-infinite targets

In this study, a combined experimental, numerical and theoretical investigation is conducted on the penetration of semi-infinite 4340 steel targets by a homogeneous 93 W rod and two types of jacketed rods with striking velocities of 0.9-3.3 km/s. The results show that the jacketed rods produced typical“co-erosion” damage at all test velocities, except for the 93 W/1060 Al jacketed rod, which switched from an early “bi-erosion” damage to later “co-erosion” damage at a striking velocity of 936 m/s. However, the homogeneous 93 W rod always forms a large mushroom head during the penetration process. The damage mechanisms of these two types of jacketed rods differ for striking velocities of 0.9-2.0 km/s, but this difference gradually decreases with increased striking velocity. For velocities of 2.0-3.3 km/s, all three types of projectiles exhibit typical hydrodynamic penetration characteristics, and the damage mechanisms of the two types of jacketed rods are almost identical. For the same initial kinetic energy, the penetration performance of the jacketed rods is distinctly superior to that of the homogeneous 93 W rods.Compared with jacket density, jacket strength shows a more significant influence on the damage mechanism and penetration performance of the jacketed rod. Finally, an existing theoretical prediction model of the penetration depth of jacketed rods on semi-infinite targets in the co-erosion mode is modified. It transpires that-in terms of penetration depth-the modified theoretical model is in good agreement with the experimental and numerical observations for 93 W/TC4 and 93 W/1060 Al jacketed rods penetrating semi-infinite 4340 steel targets.

Frame-invariance in finite element formulations of geometrically exact rods

This article is concerned with finite element implementations of the three- dimensional geometrically exact rod. The special attention is paid to identifying the con- dition that ensures the frame invariance of the resulting discrete approximations. From the perspective of symmetry, this requirement is equivalent to the commutativity of the employed interpolation operator I with the action of the special Euclidean group SE（3）, or I is SE（3）-equivariant. This geometric criterion helps to clarify several subtle issues about the interpolation of finite rotation. It leads us to reexamine the finite element for- mulation first proposed by Simo in his work on energy-momentum conserving algorithms. That formulation is often mistakenly regarded as non-objective. However, we show that the obtained approximation is invariant under the superposed rigid body motions, and as a corollary, the objectivity of the continuum model is preserved. The key of this proof comes from the observation that since the numerical quadrature is used to compute the integrals, by storing the rotation field and its derivative at the Gauss points, the equiv- ariant conditions can be relaxed only at these points. Several numerical examples are presented to confirm the theoretical results and demonstrate the performance of this al- gorithm.

On the geometric phase in the spatial equilibria of nonlinear rods

Geometric phases have natural manifestations in large deformations of geometrically exact rods. The primary concerns of this article are the physical implications and observable consequences of geometric phases arising from the deformed patterns exhibited by a rod subjected to end moments. This mechanical problem is classical and has a long tradition dating back to Kirchhoff. However, the perspective from geometric phases seems to go more deeply into relations between local strain states and global geometry of shapes, and infuses genuinely new insights and better understanding, which enable one to describe this kind of deformation in a neat and elegant way. On the other hand, visual representations of these deformations provide beautiful illustrations of geometric phases and render the meaning of the abstract concept of holonomy more direct and transparent.

Fast synchrotron X-ray tomography study of the packing structures of rods with different aspect ratios

We present a fast synchrotron X-ray tomography study of the packing structures of rods with different aspect ratios. Utilizing the high flux of the X-rays generated from the third-generation synchrotron source, we can complete a high- resolution tomography scan within a short period of time, after which the three-dimensional （3D） packing structure can be obtained for the subsequent structural analysis. The image phase-retrieval procedure has been implemented to enhance the image contrast. We systematically investigated the effects of particle shape and aspect ratio on the structural properties including packing density and contact number. It turns out that large aspect ratio rod packings will have wider distributions of free volume fraction and larger mean contact numbers.

Singularity Theory on Buckling of Compressible Slender Rods with Deformation of Cross Section

The crucial effect of compressibility of rods on their instability is novelly demonstrated via singularity theory. It is shown that the critical load of compressible rod is always greater than the one of the Euler rod, and a subcritical pitchfork bifurcation, which cannot occur for the Euler rod, may occur for a compressible rod. A whole bifurcation diagram of compressible rods is as follows ： when the original slenderness ratio of a compressible rod, $o is smaller than （1 ＋ v/3 √3π/2,, the rod does not buckle; when So∈ [1＋ v/3）3√3π/2 ,（1＋v/5）5 5√5π/4）,the rod may undergo a subcritical pitchfork bifurcation and a collapse may occur; when So ∈ [1＋ v/5）5√5π/4 ＋ ∞）, the rod may undergo a supercritical pitchfork bifurcation. The deformation of cross section of rods causes a little shift of bifurcation points towards to the one corresponding to larger slenderness ratio.