The use of WIMS and CITATION codes in fuel loading required for the conversion of HEU MNSR core to LEU

The Nigerian Research Reactor-1 (NIRR-1) falls in the category of Miniature Neutron Source Reactors (MNSR) using a fuel of 90% HEU. It is therefore desirable to convert it from this enrichment to LEU (less than 20%) in conformity with the new global trend of making research reactor fuel as unattractive as possible to groups that may be interested in using such highly enriched cores for non-peaceful purposes. In this work, we have developed a computational scheme based on WIMS and CITATION that would theoretically achieve this objective as easily as possible. The scheme systematically reduces the enrichment from 90% (or any other initial values) to less than 20% in steps of 5% or any desired percentage variation. Two fuel types (UAl₄ and UO₂) are considered in here, while maintaining the size and geometry of the core as well as the excess reactivity (between 3.5 and 4 mk). Our results show that the U-235 loading increases sharply as enrichment decreases. It has also been noticed that at 5% enrichment the fuel loading for both types is 2505 g. However, at 90% enrichment, the loading drops sharply to 998 g for UAl₄ fuel and 946 g for UO₂ fuel. Below the enrichment of 5%, the operation of NIRR-1 with both fuel types can be considered unrealistic as this requires structural adjustment which the work tries to maintain constant.     

A stochastic mathematical model of 4D tumour spheroids with real-time fluorescent cell cycle labelling

In vitro tumour spheroids have been used to study avascular tumour growth and drug design for over 50 years. Tumour spheroids exhibit heterogeneity within the growing population that is thought to be related to spatial and temporal differences in nutrient availability. The recent development of real-time fluorescent cell cycle imaging allows us to identify the position and cell cycle status of individual cells within the growing spheroid, giving rise to the notion of a four-dimensional (4D) tumour spheroid. We develop the first stochastic individual-based model (IBM) of a 4D tumour spheroid and show that IBM simulation data compares well with experimental data using a primary human melanoma cell line. The IBM provides quantitative information about nutrient availability within the spheroid, which is important because it is difficult to measure these data experimentally.     

Aluminium exchanged Indian clay as an efficient reusable green catalyst for synthesis of 2, 3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-one derivatives

Aluminium exchanged Indian clay (Al³⁺-ExIC) catalyzed synthesis of 2, 3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-one derivatives in good to excellent yields has been reported. The catalyst has been characterized for its physico-chemical properties. Effects of solvent, molar ratio, amount of catalyst and reaction time on the yield of 2-phenyl-2, 3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-one and recyclability of the catalyst have been investigated. Various 2, 3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-one derivatives have been obtained in good to excellent yields.     

Improving the effectiveness of drinking-driving enforcement through increased efficiency

After reviewing previous enforcement programs designed to reduce driving while impaired (DWI). it is proposed that DWI enforcement could be more effective if it is conducted more efficiently. A number of legislative changes which may improve efficiency are discussed including: per se laws, lower legal limits, random roadside checks, random breath testing, mandatory blood tests for injured drivers, administrative adjudication and short-term licence suspensions. Several operational changes are also addressed: police officer selection and training, use of visual detection cues, timing and location of enforcement. It is concluded that DWI enforcement could be more effective if highly publicized, periodic, night-time random breath testing blitzes were conducted in an unpredictable fashion as far as time and location.     

Catalytic reduction of oxygen and hydrogen peroxide by nanoporous gold

Nanoporous gold (NPG) made by dealloying silver/gold alloys is a mesoporous metal combining high surface area and high conductivity. Recently, NPG has been shown to exhibit some of the high catalytic activity previously associated only with supported gold nanoparticles. Here we describe how NPG acts as a catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction in both gas phase (in fuel cells) and aqueous environments (using rotating disk electrochemistry). NPG was found to reduce oxygen via an effectively 4-four electron route comprised of a first reduction of oxygen to hydrogen peroxide, and then an unusually active further catalytic reduction of hydrogen peroxide to water.     

Magnetic flux pinning and flux jumps in polycrystalline MgB2

MgB₂ polycrystalline samples were fabricated under varying conditions of isostatic pressing in argon gas. The critical current densities (J_C) were determined through measurements of hysteresis loops, and the highest value of J_C at 10 K was 1.9 × 10⁴ A/cm² at 4.8 T. The depinning temperatures were measured at various magnetic fields using the vibrating reed technique. Flux jumps appeared below 7.4 K. The hysteresis loops were carefully examined to determine the temperature and magnetic field range where flux jumps appeared.     

Synthesis of sustainable integrated biorefinery via reaction pathway synthesis: Economic,incremental enviromental burden and energy assessment with multiobjective optimization

With the increasing attention toward sustainable development, biomass has been identified as one of the most promising sources of renewable energy. To convert biomass into value‐added products and energy, an integrated processing facility, known as an integrated biorefinery is needed. To date, various biomass conversion systems such as gasification, pyrolysis, anaerobic digestion and fermentation are well established. Due to a large number of technologies available, systematic synthesis of a sustainable integrated biorefinery which simultaneously considers economic performance, environmental impact, and energy requirement is a challenging task. To address this issue, multiobjective optimization approaches are used in this work to synthesize a sustainable integrated biorefinery. In addition, a novel approach (incremental environmental burden) to assess the environmental impact for an integrated biorefinery is presented. To illustrate the proposed approach, a palm‐based biomass case study is solved. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 132–146, 2015