Safety Criteria Research Articles

Proposal of a fireproof design code for dwellings against the action of wildland fires

This study proposes a concept for the development of a fireproof design code for the verification of dwellings susceptible to wildfire action. There are currently structural codes for the design of buildings when subjected to indoor fires, outside fires that grow on the facade of buildings, and even fires in an accident situation due to ignitions with hydrocarbons or transportation vehicles. All of these security verification specifications are described in EC1:1–2. The current regulation in Portugal uses safety criteria and risk categories that are for indoor fires, therefore is very conservative and may not present an economic fireproof design against the action of wildfires. The aim of this work is a straight verification based on natural temperature characteristic curves that simulate wildfire heat flow by convection, radiation, and the deposits of firebrands.

Life cycle assessment of soil stabilization using cement and waste additives

Environmental measures show that the effect of global temperature rise goes beyond the natural cycle of the Earth’s environmental system, which affects the social, economical, and health conditions of humanity. In this respect, initially, the UN’s sustainable development goals were adopted where, more recently, a UN net-zero coalition was formed to cut greenhouse gas emissions to as close to zero as possible by 2050 to resist foreseen catastrophic outcomes. As a result of these overwhelming goals and regulations, many nations are setting policies to achieve those targets. Nevertheless, such targets, to the best of our knowledge, have not penetrated well into construction applications. In this study, in addition to the mechanical responses of three different waste additives (bottom ash, marble dust and tire rubber powder to replace cement to stabilize problematic soils, a life-cycle assessment was performed to evaluate environmental impacts. Furthermore, a novel impact-performance approach has been introduced to satisfy safety, performance, and sustainability criteria. In this respect, unconfined compressive strength (UCS), initial stiffness (G0), accumulated loss of mass (ALM) due to wet-dry cycles, and life-cycle analysis (LCA) were performed on artificially cemented (7%, 10%, and 13%) clay specimens, compacted at 1600 and 1800 kg/m3 and cured for 28 days. Further, bottom ash (BA) (10% and 20%), marble dust (MD) (20% and 40%), and tire rubber powder (TRP) (2.5%, 5%, 10%, and 20%) were used to replace the cement, which is known for its great environmental impact. It is reported in this study that 2.5% TRP replacement of cement at low density seems to be the optimum dosage and additive, among others, to provide the best performance (UCS, G0, and ALM). Furthermore, the increase in cement content and density results in a positive contribution to performance indicators and a negative contribution to environmental impact. However, when impact-performance is considered, the opposite was observed, i.e., the rise in cement content, additive content, and density results in favourable contributions.

Experimental Research into the Cumulative Damage Effect and Strength Anisotropy of Fresh Concrete under Blast Vibration

To evaluate influence of blast vibrations on the long-term mechanical deterioration and damage anisotropy of fresh concrete, blast vibration tests were conducted by preparing concrete test blocks at different curing ages. On this basis, the internal relationships of factors including the curing age during vibrations, vibration blast velocity, and number of blast vibrations with the damage evolution were investigated. The results show that fresh concrete is more susceptible to blasting vibration in the initial setting stage, which changes the bonding performance between cementing materials and aggregates. Then irreversible damage is generated along the main direction of vibration, and cumulative damage occurs with the increasing number of blast vibrations. Fresh concrete was affected most by blasting vibration at an age of 1 day, and the compressive strength at 28 days was reduced by 44.17% under a single vibration event. The damage increased slowly in the concrete at curing ages from 1 to 7 day. Blast vibrations with a velocity of less than 96.2 mm/s had a slight influence on changes in the compressive strength of concrete cured for 28 days. As the blast vibration velocity increased from 96.2 to 180.6 mm/s, the decrease rate of compressive strength in various directions accelerated and the strength decreased by as much as 40.59%. Therefore, it is suggested that the influence of the blast vibration velocity and the number of blast vibrations should be considered in alternating and parallel construction of blasting and concrete pouring work. Furthermore, blast vibration velocity, number of blast vibrations, and maximum attenuation coefficients of longitudinal wave velocities of vibrated concrete test blocks with the same curing age during vibrations differed along three directions, showing anisotropic characteristics. As the velocity and number of blast vibrations increased, the damage anisotropy became more significant. Therefore, the influence of anisotropy of cumulative damage evolution should be considered when establishing the safety criteria for fresh concrete subjected to blast vibrations.

Evaluation of the transmission tower and frequency-dependent soil parameters influence on the grounding potential rise waveforms

In this paper, the influence of the transmission tower and the frequency-dependent soil parameters on the grounding potential rise (GPR) waveform is evaluated. This evaluation is performed using a physically consistent electromagnetic model that determines the transient behavior of the grounding system submitted by lightning, together with the Alternative Transients Program for the representation of aerial elements (tower, phase cables and shield wires). This model was developed in the frequency domain and, in this way, allows the inclusion of frequency-dependence of soil electrical parameters. In this sense, three formulations of the dependence in question are considered, widely disseminated in the literature, and determined through systematic measurement processes. The results illustrate that the concomitant inclusion of the tower and the frequency-dependence substantially modifies the GPR waveforms, when compared with those in which isolated grounding is considered, especially for soils with high resistivity values and for first return strokes. This is of most importance when evaluating personal safety criteria in the transmission tower vicinity. In these situations, the GPR waveforms should be determined by considering the presence of the tower and not only with the isolated grounding, since the transient step and touch voltages are directly associated with GPR.

Cladding Failure Modelling for Lead-Based Fast Reactors: A Review and Prospects

Lead-cooled fast reactors (LFRs) are considered one of the most promising technologies to meet the requirements introduced for advanced nuclear systems. LFRs have higher neutron doses, higher temperatures, higher burnup and an extremely corrosive environment. The failure studies of claddings play a vital role in improving the safety criteria of nuclear reactors and promoting research on advanced nuclear materials. This paper presented a comprehensive review of the extreme environment in LFRs based on the fuel performance analyses and transient analyses of reference LFRs. It provided a clear image of cladding failure, focusing on the underlying mechanisms, such as creep, rupture, fatigue, swelling, corrosion, etc., which are resulted from the motions of defects, the development of microcracks and accumulation of fission products to some extent. Some fundamental parameters and behavior models of Ferritic/Martensitic (F/M) steels and Austenitic stainless (AuS) steels were summarized in this paper. A guideline for cladding failure modelling was also provided to bridge the gap between fundamental material research and realistic demands for the application of LFRs.

Lightweight Design and Analysis of Steering Knuckle of Formula Student Car Using Topology Optimization Method

The steering knuckle is a crucial component of student racing vehicles, designed by the Formula Society of Automotive Engineers (FSAE). Developing a lightweight (LW) vehicle that meets the requirements of the student formula car presents a challenge. This study presents a LW design of the steering knuckle using the Topology Optimization (TO) approach for the Formula Society of Automotive Engineers (FSAE) competition considering two different mass constraints (40% and 48%). Moreover, the research includes Stress–Life (SN) curves for three materials, structural steel, 4130 steel, and AISI 1020 steel, providing essential insights into the fatigue characteristics of the model. The results compare the three materials and two mass reduction levels, with steel 4130 achieving a significant mass reduction of 42.70%. Additionally, steel 4130 exhibits superior performance in weight reduction, stress, deformation, and safety aspects. The optimized design meets the criteria for strength, stiffness, and safety under various conditions. The fatigue analysis reveals that AISI 1020 and steel 4130 have superior endurance (1 × 105 and 2 × 105 cycles, respectively). This research provides significant contributions to the development of a LW, high-performance steering knuckle for student formula racing vehicles, highlighting the significance of TO and material selection in achieving optimal outcomes.

Designing safety-oriented tourist routes for heterogeneous tourist groups using an artificial multi-intelligence system

ABSTRACT The prior research on tourist route design for heterogeneous groups primarily focused on total tourist preferences and individual fairness. In this study, we present an innovative approach by incorporating safety criteria into the optimal tourist route, an aspect that has been previously overlooked. Ensuring tourist safety during travel and attractions is of utmost importance for creating a secure and enjoyable experience. Our proposed safety-focused multi-objective tourist trip design, coupled with the modified artificial multiple-intelligence system, underwent testing in a case study involving 50 attractions and 44 tourist groups (comprising a total of 140 members). The computational results demonstrate that our approach outperforms existing methods by 16.16% to 36.26%, effectively reducing total traveling and attraction visiting risk by 26.1% compared to conventional techniques proposed in the literature. Moreover, our approach enhances the total preferences and tourist fairness by 5.83% and 25.57%, respectively.

An Integrated Multi-Criteria Decision Making Model for the Assessment of Public Private Partnerships in Transportation Projects

Public–private partnership (PPP) infrastructure projects have attracted attention over the past few years. In this regard, the selection of private partners is an integral decision to ensure its success. The selection process needs to identify, scrutinize, and pre-qualify potential private partners that sustain the greatest potential in delivering the designated public–private partnership projects. To this end, this research paper proposes an integrated multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) model for the purpose of selection of the best private partners in PPP projects. The developed model (HYBD_MCDM) is conceptualized based on two tiers of multi-criteria decision making. In the first tier, the fuzzy analytical network process (FANP) is exploited to scrutinize the relative importance of the priorities of the selection criteria of private partners. In this respect, the PPP selection criteria are categorized as safety, environmental, technical, financial, political policy, and managerial. In the second tier, a set of seven multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) algorithms is leveraged to determine the best private partners to deliver PPP projects. These algorithms comprise the combined compromise solution (CoCoSo), simple weighted sum product (WISP), measurement alternatives and ranking according to compromise solution (MARCOS), combinative distance-based assessment (CODAS), weighted aggregate sum product assessment (WASPAS), technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS), and FANP. Thereafter, the Copeland algorithm is deployed to amalgamate the obtained rankings from the seven MCDM algorithms. Four real-world case studies are analyzed to test the implementation and applicability of the developed integrated model. The results indicate that varying levels of importance were exhibited among the managerial, political, and safety and environmental criteria based on the nature of the infrastructure projects. Additionally, the financial and technical criteria were appended as the most important criteria across the different infrastructure projects. It can be argued that the developed model can guide executives of governments to appraise their partner’s ability to achieve their strategic objectives. It also sheds light on prospective private partners’ strengths, weaknesses, and capacities in an attempt to neutralize threats and exploit opportunities offered by today’s construction business market.

Evaluation of Sustainable Slope Stability with Anti-Slide Piles Using an Integrated AHP-VIKOR Methodology

The sustainable design of major civil engineering projects, such as landslide management and slope stability, provides new opportunities for our society regarding the global energy crisis. These sources offer an effective solution to environmental issues and human energy needs. Slope stability, as a critical aspect of ensuring public safety and protection of infrastructure, often leads to disastrous consequences, highlighting the significance of designing effective and sustainable measures to mitigate the risks associated with landslides. Although anti-slide piles have become a widely used method to enhance slope stability, this paper investigates how the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and VlseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) methodologies can be combined to achieve a sustainable design for anti-slide piles, simultaneously considering environmental, economic, safety, and technical factors. Through the integration of AHP-VIKOR and a case study, this paper demonstrates an effective approach to prioritizing sustainability in the design process of anti-slide pile systems, evaluating five main criteria—slope stability, sustainability, anti-slide pile capacity, cost, and ease of construction—and five sub-criteria. The proposed methodology is validated through a case study, wherein various design alternatives for anti-slide piles are evaluated based on sustainable requirements. The results indicate that the slope stability criterion has the highest weight of 0.404, followed by anti-slide pile capacity (0.283), sustainability (0.129), and cost (0.146) criteria. The ease of construction has the lowest weight of 0.038. As a result of the evaluations, it has been seen that, if the sustainability criteria are included in the analyses, the anti-slide pile alternatives are determined in the range of ξ = 0.1–0.3 and s/D = 2.0–3.0, compared to the scenarios where only the economic and technical criteria are satisfied. A pile geometry of diameter, D = 1.00 m, is the most sustainable value within the selected pile spacing intervals, meeting the criteria of slope safety, pile capacity, cost, and ease of construction. This hybrid approach allows for a more balanced consideration of a multi-criteria decision, while considering the sustainability aspects of anti-slide pile selection.

Analysis of Transportation Mode Selection at Padjadjaran University Campus Jatinangor Using Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) Method

Transportation has become a very attached part of human daily life as a means of mobility in activities. Each transportation user has their own goals in transportation, so the mode of transportation travel takes effect in making it easier for users to reach their goals. At Padjadjaran University, Campus Jatinangor, there are several alternative modes of transportation, namely Odong-Odong, Easy Bike, conventional motorcycle taxis, and online motorcycle taxis. Each alternative mode of transportation has varying characteristics and user needs, so it is necessary to make the right decision. This study uses the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) method to determine priority criteria and alternative modes of transportation suitable for use on campus. The criteria used in this study include tariff, time, comfort, safety, and environmental responsibility. The results in this study obtained the order of priority criteria, is safety, comfort, time, tariff, and environmental responsibility. Moreover, the alternative priority orders are Odong-Odong, online motorcycle taxis, Easy Bike, and conventional motorcycle taxis. That can be interpreted as the safety criteria are the most considered, and Odong-Odong is the most appropriate alternative to be used at Padjadjaran University, Campus Jatinangor.

Pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of dispersible and immediate-release abacavir, dolutegravir, and lamivudine tablets in children with HIV (IMPAACT 2019): week 24 results of an open-label, multicentre, phase 1–2 dose-confirmation study

Child-friendly fixed-dose combination (FDC) antiretroviral therapy (ART) options are limited. We evaluated the pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of dispersible and immediate-release FDC abacavir, dolutegravir, and lamivudine taken once per day in children younger than 12 years with HIV. IMPAACT 2019 was an international, phase 1-2, multisite, open-label, non-comparative dose-confirmation study of abacavir, dolutegravir, and lamivudine in children younger than 12 years. Participants were enrolled across five weight bands: those weighing 6 kg to less than 25 kg received abacavir (60 mg), dolutegravir (5 mg), and lamivudine (30 mg) dispersible tablets (three to six tablets depending on body weight), and those weighing 25 kg to less than 40 kg received abacavir (600 mg), dolutegravir (50 mg), and lamivudine (300 mg) in an immediate-release tablet. At entry, participants were ART naive or ART experienced and virologically suppressed on stable ART for 6 months or more. Dose confirmation was based on pharmacokinetic and safety criteria in the first five to seven participants in each weight band to week 4; all participants were followed up to week 48. We present the results for the primary objectives to assess pharmacokinetics, confirm dosing, and evaluate safety through 24 weeks across all weight bands. The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03760458). 57 children were enrolled and initiated study drug (26 [46%] female and 31 [54%] male; 37 [65%] Black, 18 [32%] Asian, and 1 [2%] had race reported as unknown). Within each weight band, 6 kg to less than 10 kg, 10 kg to less than 14 kg, 14 kg to less than 20 kg, 20 kg to less than 25 kg, and 25 kg or higher: the geometric mean dolutegravir area under the concentration time curve over the 24 h dosing interval (AUC0-24 h) was 75·9 h·μg/mL (33·7%), 91·0 h·μg/mL (36·5%), 71·4 h·μg/mL (23·5%), 84·4 h·μg/mL (26·3%), and 71·8 h·μg/mL (13·9%); dolutegravir concentrations 24 h after dosage (C24 h) were 0·91 μg/mL (67·6%), 1·22 μg/mL (77·5%), 0·79 μg/mL (44·2%), 1·35 μg/mL (95·5%), and 0·98 μg/mL (27·9%); abacavir AUC0-24 h was 17·7 h·μg/mL (38·8%), 19·8 h·μg/mL (50·6%), 15·1 h·μg/mL (40·3%), 17·4 h·μg/mL (19·4%), and 25·7 h·μg/mL (14·6%); lamivudine AUC0-24 h was 10·7 h·μg/mL (46·0%), 14·2 h·μg/mL (23·9%), 13·0 h·μg/mL (15·6%), 14·5 h·μg/mL (16·6%), and 21·7 h·μg/mL (26·2%), respectively. Pharmacokinetic targets and safety criteria were met within each weight band, and thus dosing of abacavir, dolutegravir, and lamivudine was confirmed at the originally selected doses. 54 (95%) of participants were treatment experienced and all who continued taking the study drug remained virologically suppressed (<200 copies per mL) through week 24. Virological suppression was achieved in two of three participants who were ART naive by week 24. There were no grade 3 or higher adverse events related to abacavir, dolutegravir, and lamivudine and no discontinuations because of toxicity to week 24. Both formulations were well tolerated. Dosing of abacavir, dolutegravir, and lamivudine was confirmed in children weighing 6 kg to less than 40 kg, and both FDC formulations were safe, well tolerated, and efficacious through 24 weeks of treatment. These findings support global efforts to expand the availability of FDC abacavir, dolutegravir, and lamivudine to children with HIV. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the National Institute of Mental Health, ViiV Healthcare, and GlaxoSmithKline.

Dynamic Behavior and Safety Criteria of Buried Concrete Pipeline System under Blasting

In urban blasting engineering, researching the dynamic response of buried pipeline is a method for evaluating the stability of the pipeline. The dynamic response of buried pipeline under blasting includes peak particle velocity (PPV) and peak effective stress (PES) on the pipeline. This paper aims to analyze the dynamic response of the concrete pipeline with bell-and-spigot joints under a metro-connected aisle blasting, and provide a PPV safety criterion for evaluating the stability of the field concrete pipeline. This includes an analysis of the dynamic response of the concrete pipeline in the field monitoring and numerical simulation. The monitoring results reveal that the PPV is affected by the field factor, such as the explosion source distance, and it is noteworthy that the Sadovsky’s formula considering the influence of explosion source distance (data correlation coefficient—0.708) has higher accuracy in predicting the PPV compared to the original Sadovsky’s formula (data correlation coefficient—0.632). The dynamic response distribution characteristics of the concrete pipeline are analyzed based on the numerical simulation, and the results show that the PES of the joint is three times stronger than that of the barrel. A PPV safety criterion (1.43 cm/s) is provided for the site to evaluate the stability of the concrete pipeline according to the dynamic response of the pipeline joint.

Numerical simulation of mechanical interaction between pellet and zircaloy-4 cladding under reactivity-initiated accident conditions

Reactivity-initiated accident (RIA) is one of the accidents considered by fuel safety criteria. The power pulse caused abrupt expansion of the pellet, leading to pellet and cladding mechanical interaction (PCMI). Cladding ductility is gradually decreased in the process of oxidation and hydrogen uptake during irradiation. As a result, the extrusion of the pellet to the cladding causes the cladding to produce greater hoop stress and hoop strain, which leads to damage. A simulation of PCMI using ABAQUS was designed to analyze cladding mechanic properties. By comparing the calculation results of the simulation scheme with the data obtained in the reactor experiment, it is proved that the simulation calculation results are in good agreement with the experimental data in the reactor, and the rationality of the simulation scheme is verified. Based on the out-pile mandrel equipment simulated PCMI, the corresponding finite element model was established to study related test parameters.By analyzing the results of the simulation calculation outside the reactor, it is found that the pellet material, cladding temperature, compression rate, tensile load, friction coefficient and the cladding hoop stress and hoop strain have a certain relationship: (1) The choice of pellet material affects the reactor. The overall law of hoop stress-strain in the external simulation results basically has no effect. (2) The temperature of the cladding has effect on the hoop stress peak. (3) The compression rate has effect on the time for the cladding to reach the hoop peak stress. (4) Tensile load will affect the starting position of the hoop stress-strain of the cladding. (5) The friction coefficient has a significant influence on the stress and strain trend of the cladding. The outside experiment can be carried out more effectively, and it can provide guidance and a basis for the outside experiment.

The use of phase diagrams when choosing optimal routes in the waters of the Northern Sea Route

A method for choosing optimal shipping routes using phase diagrams is developed in the paper. The topic and purpose of the study is directly related to the tasks, the implementation of which is provided for by the Plan of the Northern Sea Route Development, approved by the decree of the Government of the Russian Federation on August 1, 2022, confirmed by the financing program for the development and implementation of the digital platform of the Northern Sea Route, approved by the Government in mid-January 2023. The assessment of the current state of the shipping routes network, navigation, hydrographic and hydro meteorological support is given. The use of the method of multi-criteria evaluation of alternative routes based on a variety of safety criteria depending on the depths, ice conditions, tightness of the water area and hydrographic study of the bottom relief is justified. The dependence of the safety criteria on the draft of the vessel, its icebreaking ability and maneuverable elements is established. A method of comparative assessment of shipping routes for settlement vessels according to four main criteria has been developed. A scheme for calculating quantitative safety indicators is proposed. A procedure for normalizing indicators has been developed. A three-level scale for assessing the safety of shipping routes has been introduced. A methodology for ranking shipping routes and culling the routes assessed as dangerous and forming a set of routes assessed as safe is proposed. The method was tested using a model of the passage of an Arc4 ice category vessel with a draft of 9 m along eight alternative routes of the East Siberian Sea. A set of phase diagrams of alternative routes constructed according to pairs of basic safety criteria is presented. The states of routes are analyzed with the application of the Pareto efficient solution rule to the selection of optimal routes. It is noted that the use of phase diagrams can be extended to a larger number of indicators affecting the efficiency and safety of vessels navigation. Recommendations on the use of the developed method are given. The main directions of further research are determined.

Search for optimal shipping routes in the Arctic seas

A method for choosing optimal shipping routes and determining the conditions under which the Northern Sea Route can be used year-round is developed in the paper. The topic and purpose of the study are directly related to the tasks, the implementation of which is provided by the Development Plan of the Northern Sea Route, approved by the decree of the Government of the Russian Federation on August 1, 2022, confirmed by the financing program for the development and implementation of the digital board of the Northern Sea Route, approved by the Government in mid-January, 2023. The assessment of the current state of the network of shipping routes, navigation, hydrographic and hydro meteorological support, as well as the structure and composition of the Arctic icebreaker and transport fleet is given. The main factors affecting the implementation of the year-round navigation program in the eastern sector of the Arctic include severe ice conditions, unreliable forecasts of the ice situation, the lack of a sufficient number of icebreakers and transport vessels capable of overcoming thick ice fields in the Arctic shallow waters. Based on the results of the review of existing methods for determining safe and cost-effective shipping routes, the basic requirements for methods of choosing optimal routes in the waters of the Arctic seas have been developed. Using the method of multi-criteria evaluation of alternative routes according to a variety of safety criteria depending on the navigation period and the method of transport vessels navigation in ice is justified. A list of information necessary for implementation of the developed multi-criteria method for finding optimal routes and a list of the main stages of its implementation have been compiled. The results of testing the method of comparative evaluation of alternative routes using a set of simulation models are presented. Recommendations on the use of the developed method are given. The main directions of further research are determined.

Neutronic and fuel cycle performance analysis of fluoride and chloride fuels in Molten Salt Fast Reactor (MSFR)

The signification of fast breeder reactors as an inexhaustible source of energy has been elucidated by many researchers. Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs) show great promise in fuel cycle performance. Fuel selection for MSRs is a key parameter due to its effect on many fundamental parameters of neutronic, safety, and fuel cycle through the neutron spectrum changes. choosing the fuel for MSRs has many degrees of freedom due to the variety of salts, carrier salts, and fissile and fertile isotope types. The foremost objective of this paper is a comparison of performance of fluoride and chloride fuels with the Th-U cycle for Molten Salt Fast Reactor (MSFR) concept. For this purpose, six fuels with start-up fissile isotopes of 233U, TRansUranium (TRU), and TRU/enrU are modeled by Monte Carlo Serpent 2 code. According to the MSFR design, the fuel compositions of three fluoride fuels are chosen from different conceptual designs. Chloride fuels, however, are selected based on the limit of the maximum melting point of salts (565 °C), criticality at the beginning of the cycle (BOC), and inherent safety criteria (temperature reactivity coefficients). The most important evaluated parameters include the energy spectrum, absorption and fission reaction rate, kinetic parameters, temperature reactivity coefficients, power density distribution, breeding ratio, and inventory changes of important isotopes during the burnup cycle. The results reveal neutron spectrum is less fast with fluoride salt; in contrast neutron leakage of chloride fuels are more than fluoride fuels due to their harder spectrum and transparency. Furthermore, the high leakage reduces the neutron budget required for breeding 232Th to 233U and the low density of chloride fuels causes a lower loading of fissile and fertile isotopes in the reactor. Therefore, using chloride fuels leads to larger core volume and need a proper reflector to reduce neutron leakage; Anyway, the U-Pu cycle shows better indications of the breeding for chloride fuels than the Th-U cycle. By the way corrosion and radioactivity of generated elements in chloride fuel circuit are serious problems.

Fulfillment of Smart Port Criteria for the Existing Terminal 2 of the New Makassar Container Port

Smart ports are an innovative solution for the world's port industry in the application of integrated technology and environmental sustainability to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of operational services. The concept of smart ports is usually widely adapted to container ports because most of the world's trade is carried by sea in containers. Terminal II of the New Makassar Container Port which is a new container port in Indonesia and is expected to develop into a gateway for world trade in Eastern Indonesia in order to improve the socio-economic region is required to innovate and keep abreast of world port trends. Therefore, to support Terminal II of the New Makassar Container Port to develop into a smart port, a study was conducted to determine the extent to which the port met the criteria for a smart port. In carrying out the research, direct observation and interview methods were used with selected respondents at Terminal II of the New Makassar Container Port. Based on the observation results, it was found that Terminal II of the New Makassar Container Port had fulfilled the productivity criteria in the operational domain and the safety and security management system criteria as well as the Integrated monitoring and optimization system.

Food Safety Monitoring of Salmonella spp. in Northern Italy 2019-2021.

Salmonella is the second most frequent bacterial pathogen involved in human gastrointestinal outbreaks in the European Union; it can enter the food-production chain from animal or environmental sources or from asymptomatic food operators. European food legislation has established microbiological criteria to ensure consumer protection. Salmonella is listed under both process hygiene criteria and food safety criteria. Each EU member state designates an agency to organize or perform controls and other official activities. This paper describes the official control plans performed by competent authorities in Northern Italy in the three-year period 2019-2021. A total of 4413 food samples were delivered to the IZS Food Safety laboratories for Salmonella detection, of which 36 (0.8%) tested positive. Salmonella was most frequently detected in poultry meat samples (25/36 positive samples) followed by other meat products and pork products. The official controls for the protection of consumer health apply the EU's farm-to-fork approach: the samples were collected during production (food production plants), from products on the market, and from collective catering (restaurants, cafeterias, canteens). This manuscript will provide information about the presence of Salmonella in foodstuffs that can help competent authorities to set control plans based on risk assessments.

Thermal-hydraulic safety analysis of radioisotope production in HANARO using MCNP6 and COMSOL multiphysics: A feasibility study

The High-flux Advanced Neutron Application Reactor (HANARO) produces radioisotopes (RIs) (131I, 192Ir, etc.) through neutron irradiation on various RI production targets. Among them, 177Lu and 166Ho are particularly promising owing to their theranostic characteristics that facilitate simultaneous diagnosis and treatment. Prior to neutron irradiation, evaluating the nuclear heating of the RI production target is essential for ensuring the thermal-hydraulic safety of HANARO. In this study, the feasibility of producing 177Lu and 166Ho using irradiation holes of HANARO was investigated in terms of thermal-hydraulic safety. The nuclear heating rates of the RI production target by prompt and delayed radiation were calculated using MCNP6. The calculated nuclear heating rates were used as an input parameter in COMSOL Multiphysics to obtain the temperature distribution in an irradiation hole. The degree of temperature increase of the 177Lu and 166Ho production targets satisfied the safety criteria of HANARO. The nuclear heating rates and temperature distribution obtained through the in silico study are expected to provide valuable insight into the production of 177Lu and 166Ho using HANARO.

Can Traditional Food Product Communication Convey Safety to the Younger Generations? The Role of Sustainable Packaging.

Traditional food products (TFPs) represent a defining part of one's culture, identity, and heritage with crucial economic, cultural, and environmental benefits in society. Younger generations have a positive idea of TFPs, even if this does not lead to actual purchase, possibly due to the fact that they are often perceived to not meet safety criteria. This study focuses on product communication (CP) and packaging referring to the territory (PT) and to sustainability (SP) in order to verify if these have a direct or mediated impact on perceived product safety (PPS). A structural equation model was conducted on a sample of 1079 young Italian cheese consumers. The results allowed us to confirm the hypothesized impact of CP on PPS through the mediation of PT and, particularly, SP. SP has a crucial communicative role in the model, demonstrating the ability to enhance the perception of the safety of TFPs. This research adds to the knowledge in the field of TFPs, focusing on communication and sustainable packaging as crucial factors conveying healthiness, nutritiousness, and perceived safety, consequently leading to a greater diffusion of the products themselves in the market.