Shock Scenario Research Articles

Piezoelectric-Augmented Thermoelectric Ionogels for Self-Powered Multimodal Medical Sensors.

A paradigm ionogel consisting of ionic liquid (IL) and PVDF-HFP composites is made, which inherently possesses dual-function ionic thermoelectric (iTE) and piezoelectric (PE) attributes. This study investigates an innovative "PE-enhanced iTEs" effect, wherein the ionic thermopower exhibits a 58% enhancement while the ionic conductivity arises more than 2× within a PE-induced internal electric field. By harnessing these multifaceted features, fully self-powered, multimodal sensors demonstrate their superior energy conversion capabilities, which possessed minimum sensitivities of 0.13mVkPa-1 and 0.96mVK-1 in pressure and temperature alterations, respectively. The PE augmentation of iTEs is maximized by ≈3× under rising water pressure. Their swift and sophisticated responses to various in vivo vital signs simultaneously in a hemorrhagic shock scenario, indicative of good prospects in the clinical medicine field are showcased.

Evaluating health system resilience testing; what makes this practice successful?

Abstract Issue Health system resilience is an important and desirable attribute of health systems. We have evaluated the operationalization of our step-by-step guide for conducting a resilience test. Description of the problem Preparedness planning is often siloed and does not take the entire health system into account. The objective was to develop a new methodology for policy making that is adaptable to any health system context and shock scenario. Resilience testing uses a mixed-method approach to assess resilience by understanding health system strengths and weaknesses in relation to a hypothetical shock scenario. A programme logic model, semi-structured interviews and an online questionnaire were used to evaluate the methodology and to answer the following questions: Can resilience tests be used to identify strengths and weaknesses in different health system contexts? What are the determinants for successful resilience testing? Results Three resilience tests were conducted in Finland, Greece and the Asturias region of Spain. All resilience tests identified health system strengths and weaknesses. 97% of participants agreed that the test identified broader vulnerabilities. However, 76% thought that a different scenario would identify different strengths and vulnerabilities. 94% of participants agreed or strongly agreed that the test was a valuable exercise. The semi-structured interviews consistently found that successful resilience testing requires neutral facilitation and carefully selected test participants. Lessons Resilience test results have been used in 2 out of 3 cases to develop health policy. Resilience testing needs to be initiated and supported by the ministry of health to ensure results are considered in the policy making process. Key messages • Health system resilience tests can identify health system strengths, weaknesses, and steps towards remedial policy action to improve resilience in different European health system contexts. • Successful health system resilience testing requires carefully selected facilitators and test participants as well as support from the Ministry of Health.

Fracture studies on cruciform bend specimens of pressure vessel steel subjected to thermo-mechanical loading

The safety of a nuclear power plant during incidents, such as a Loss of Coolant Accident (LOCA), heavily relies on conducting a comprehensive structural integrity assessment of both the Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV) and its components, specifically to withstand Pressurized Thermal Shock (PTS). PTS is characterized by a combination of steep temperature gradient, resulting from the injected emergency coolant during a LOCA, and internal pressure within the RPV. Majority of the reported fracture assessment studies on RPV steel, whether experimental or numerical investigations, have predominantly focused on standard uniaxial specimens at iso-thermal loading conditions. To better simulate the thermal shock scenario in RPVs, the present work aims to assess the impact of a biaxial stress field on both fracture parameters (crack mouth opening displacement and J-integral) and plastic collapse load. This assessment is conducted through experimental and numerical investigations, both with and without prior transient thermal load. Fracture experiments are performed on cruciform bend specimens, featuring two different biaxiality ratios (1:1 and 2:1). Moreover, numerical studies on cruciform specimens are conducted using finite element analysis to validate and corroborate the observations derived from the fracture experiments.

X-Ray and Multiwavelength Polarization of Mrk 501 from 2022 to 2023

We present multiwavelength polarization measurements of the luminous blazar Mrk 501 over a 14 month period. The 2–8 keV X-ray polarization was measured with the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) with six 100 ks observations spanning from 2022 March to 2023 April. Each IXPE observation was accompanied by simultaneous X-ray data from NuSTAR, Swift/XRT, and/or XMM-Newton. Complementary optical–infrared polarization measurements were also available in the B, V, R, I, and J bands, as were radio polarization measurements from 4.85 GHz to 225.5 GHz. Among the first five IXPE observations, we did not find significant variability in the X-ray polarization degree and angle with IXPE. However, the most recent sixth observation found an elevated polarization degree at >3σ above the average of the other five observations. The optical and radio measurements show no apparent correlations with the X-ray polarization properties. Throughout the six IXPE observations, the X-ray polarization degree remained higher than, or similar to, the R-band optical polarization degree, which remained higher than the radio value. This is consistent with the energy-stratified shock scenario proposed to explain the first two IXPE observations, in which the polarized X-ray, optical, and radio emission arises from different regions.

State of the art treatment with Impella® in cardiac surgery inAustria.

Since 2022, the mechanical left ventricular support system Impella5.5® has been used in Austria for patients with cardiogenic shock, advanced heart failure, post-cardiotomy and low output syndrome. The surgical insertion of the Impella5.5 via the subclavian artery or alternatively via the ascending aorta has become an established procedure for medium-term treatment in patients with cardiogenic shock and bridging scenarios, such as bridge to recovery, bridge to left ventricular assist device (LVAD), bridge to decision, and bridge to heart transplant (HTx) in Austria. All Impella left ventricular heart pumps share the common feature of unloading the left ventricle, with the Impella5.5 achieving afull cardiac output of 5.5l/min. The stable positioning via transaxillary or transaortic insertion enables rapid extubation and mobilization of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), leading to asignificantly shorter ICU stay. The combined support of Impella5.5 with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) has also proven effective in certain scenarios. Several nonrandomized studies demonstrated the effectiveness and safety of the Impella5.5 in practice, which have been included in multiple international guidelines. The advantages of the Impella5.5 in practice include the easy handling with high positional stability, and low complications rates. This article describes the significance of surgical Impella treatment in Austria from the perspective of Austrian clinical experts.

State of the art treatment with Impella® in cardiac surgery in Austria

Since 2022, the mechanical left ventricular support system Impella 5.5® has been used in Austria for patients with cardiogenic shock, advanced heart failure, post-cardiotomy and low output syndrome. The surgical insertion of the Impella 5.5 via the subclavian artery or alternatively via the ascending aorta has become an established procedure for medium-term treatment in patients with cardiogenic shock and bridging scenarios, such as bridge to recovery, bridge to left ventricular assist device (LVAD), bridge to decision, and bridge to heart transplant (HTx) in Austria. All Impella left ventricular heart pumps share the common feature of unloading the left ventricle, with the Impella 5.5 achieving a full cardiac output of 5.5l/min. The stable positioning via transaxillary or transaortic insertion enables rapid extubation and mobilization of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), leading to a significantly shorter ICU stay. The combined support of Impella 5.5 with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) has also proven effective in certain scenarios. Several nonrandomized studies demonstrated the effectiveness and safety of the Impella 5.5 in practice, which have been included in multiple international guidelines. The advantages of the Impella 5.5 in practice include the easy handling with high positional stability, and low complications rates. This article describes the significance of surgical Impella treatment in Austria from the perspective of Austrian clinical experts.

Active control vibrations of aircraft wings under dynamic loading: Introducing PSO-GWO algorithm to predict dynamical information

This study presents an innovative approach to mitigate vibrations induced by external shock on composite structures through the application of an intelligent controller. Leveraging the first-order shear deformation panel theory, a sophisticated controller scheme is developed, integrating methodologies such as the differential quadrature approach and Laplace transform. Furthermore, deep neural network (DNN) and support vector regression (SVR) techniques are employed to enhance prediction accuracy and control efficiency. Additionally, two optimized hybrid models are proposed, incorporating Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO) algorithms, to further refine the controller's performance. The proposed methodology aims to address the challenges associated with vibrations in composite structures by providing a comprehensive and adaptive control solution. By utilizing advanced optimization algorithms and machine learning techniques, the controller can effectively adapt to dynamic changes in external shock conditions, thereby minimizing vibrations and ensuring structural integrity. The integration of ANN and SVR enhances the controller's predictive capabilities, enabling it to anticipate and respond to varying shock scenarios with precision. Through theoretical analysis and numerical simulations, the effectiveness of the proposed intelligent controller is demonstrated in reducing vibrations and enhancing the structural stability of composite systems. The optimized hybrid models, employing PSO and GWO algorithms, further improve the controller's performance by fine-tuning its parameters for optimal control efficiency. Overall, this research contributes to the development of robust control strategies for mitigating vibrations in composite structures subjected to external shock, with potential applications in aerospace, automotive, and civil engineering industries.

We Need a Combination of Approaches to Evaluate Health System Resilience Comment on "Re-evaluating Our Knowledge of Health System Resilience During COVID-19: Lessons From the First Two Years of the Pandemic".

Health system resilience has become a desirable health system attribute in the current permacrisis environment. The article by Saulnier and colleagues reviews the literature on health system resilience and refines the concept, pinpointing dimensions of resilience governance that have not reached consensus, or that are missing from the literature. In this commentary we complement the findings by discussing different conceptual frameworks for understanding resilience and introducing resilience testing, a method to assess health system resilience using a hypothetical shock scenario. Resilience testing is a mixed-methods approach that combines a review of existing data with a structured workshop, where health system experts collaboratively assess the resilience of their health system. The new method is proposed as a tool for policy-making, as the results can identify attributes of the current health system that may hinder or boost a resilient response to the next crisis.

Determining effective sampling frequencies for transient pressure events in water distribution systems optimal sampling for WDS transients

This study introduces a novel methodology for determining the optimal frequency for pressure data acquisition in water distribution systems (WDSs) in response to transient-flow events such as pipe ruptures. By leveraging actual design and operational data, we simulated potential rupture scenarios and their resultant pressure wave patterns through transient-flow analysis. Harmonic series modeling was used to identify significant periods that closely replicate the observed pressure-wave time series. This allowed the derivation of recommended data acquisition intervals tailored to each monitoring site within the network. The proposed approach facilitates comprehensive analysis of all possible hydraulic shock scenarios, which can provide insights into both the existing monitoring infrastructure and strategic planning in the design phase of the WDS. Although the methodology focuses on rupture events, its application can extend to various water-quality indicators and flow rates, albeit with consideration of their typically static behavior.

The extreme coronal line emitter AT 2022fpx: varying optical polarization properties and late-time X-ray flare

ABSTRACT Supermassive black holes disrupt passing stars, producing outbursts called tidal disruption events (TDEs). TDEs have recently gained attention due to their unique dynamics and emission processes, which are still not fully understood. Especially, the so-called optical TDEs are of interest as they often exhibit delayed or obscured X-ray emission from the accretion disc, making the origin of the prompt emission unclear. In this paper, we present multiband optical polarization observations and optical spectrometry of a recent TDE candidate AT 2022fpx, alongside monitoring observations in optical, ultraviolet, and X-rays. The optical spectra of AT 2022fpx show Bowen fluorescence as well as highly ionized iron emission lines, which are characteristic of extreme coronal line emitters. Additionally, the source exhibits variable but low-polarized continuum emission at the outburst peak, with a clear rotation of the polarization angle. X-ray emission observed approximately 250 d after the outburst peak in the decay appear flare-like but is consistent with constant temperature blackbody emission. The overall outburst decay is slower than for typical TDEs, and resembles more the ones seen from Bowen fluorescence flares. These observations suggest that AT 2022fpx could be a key source in linking different long-lived TDE scenarios. Its unique characteristics, such as extreme coronal line emission, variable polarization, and delayed X-ray flare, can be attributed to the outer shock scenario or a clumpy torus surrounding the supermassive black hole. Further studies, especially in the context of multiwavelength observations, are crucial to fully understand the dynamics and emission mechanisms of these intriguing astrophysical events.

Cyborg insect repeatable self-righting locomotion assistance using bio-inspired 3D printed artificial limb

Cyborg insects have emerged as a promising solution for rescue missions, owing to their distinctive and advantageous mobility characteristics. These insects are outfitted with electronic backpacks affixed to their anatomical structures, which endow them with imperative communication, sensing, and control capabilities essential for effecting survivor retrieval. Nevertheless, the attachment of supplementary loads to the insect’s body can exert adverse effects on their intrinsic self-righting locomotion when confronted with fall or shock scenarios. To address this challenge, the present study introduces a bio-inspired 3D-printed artificial limb that serves to facilitate the maneuverability of cyborg insects amidst unpredictable conditions. Drawing inspiration from the natural self-righting motion exhibited by Coccinellidae, we have successfully identified a solution that can be transferred to the electronic backpack utilized by G. portentosa. Incorporation of the bio-inspired artificial wing-like limb has notably enabled the cyborg insect to achieve a remarkable tilting angle of 112°, thereby significantly amplifying the success ratio of self-righting under conditions closely emulating those prevalent in disaster areas. Moreover, we have replicated the expansion and contraction kinematics to ensure seamless motion progression within confined spaces. Importantly, the fabricated device proffered in this study has been meticulously designed for facile reproducibility employing commonly available tools, thereby serving as an inspirational catalyst for fellow researchers engaged in the advancement of 3D-printed limb development aimed at expanding the functional capacities of cyborg insects.

The Effect of the Countercyclical Capital Buffer on the Stability of the Housing Market

AbstractAfter the great turmoil of the latest financial crisis, the criticism of the regulatory frameworks became increasingly stronger. The rules that banks needed to comply with are presumed to be procyclical and unable to prevent and mitigate the extent of strong financial and economic cycles. As a result, Basel III introduced a set of macroprudential tools to overcome these regulatory shortfalls. One tool that strives to counteract the issue of procyclicality is the countercyclical capital buffer ($$CCyB$$ CCyB ). This paper introduces a heterogeneous agent-based model that investigates the implication of the new regulatory measure. We develop a housing and a financial market where economic agents trade residential property that is financed by financial institutions. To examine the macroeconomic performance of the $$CCyB$$ CCyB , we evaluate the dynamics of key stability indicators of the housing and the financial market under four different market conditions: in an undisturbed market and in times of three different structural shocks. Computational experiments reveal that the $$CCyB$$ CCyB is effective in stabilizing the housing and the financial market in all market settings. The new macroprudential tool helps to mitigate economic fluctuations and to stabilize market conditions, especially in the aftermath of a crisis. It is not able to prevent any of the crises tested. However, the extent of the stabilizing effect varies according to market conditions. In the shock scenarios, the $$CCyB$$ CCyB performs better in dampening market fluctuations and increasing banking soundness than in the base scenario.

The calibration of initial shocks in bank stress test scenarios: An outlier detection based approach

The shock scenarios used in the practice of stress testing are often based on ad hoc hypotheses concerning the evolution of risk factors. Consequently, they have been criticized for reflecting mild and temporary shocks maintained over very short periods. The aim of this article is to propose methodological improvements to the design and calibration of initial shocks based on the detection of outliers and structural breaks in (macro)economic and financial data. Our results of the real-world implementation of outlier detection algorithms show that the dynamics of shocks, the length of the stress horizons, and their magnitude are sensitive to the type and nature of the considered risk factor. The inferred stress horizon is longer (one to two years) for macroeconomic variables like GDP, real estate or oil prices, than for interest rate variables and the slope of the yield curve (six months).

Global Shocks and Local Impacts: A CGE Analysis on the Impact of COVID-19 and Russia-Ukraine Conflict on Pakistan's Wheat Sector

Wheat is one of the most important and vital sectors of Pakistan adding around 2% to the country's GDP growth each year. The crop has been in turmoil for the past four years. The primary drivers of this turmoil are the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which have impacted wheat production. The current study employs a Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model focusing on the individual and combined effects of these two global shock scenarios. The study initiates by exploring the baseline scenario which assumes that there is no existence of Covid-19 or Russia Ukraine Conflict, then the results are calculated firstly for the productivity loss due to pandemic and then due to the Russian Ukraine conflict. Finally, both the productivity shocks are combined to study the shared effect of both the losses. The results indicate that the sector has experienced a significant loss, with spillover effects on its subsidiaries, including flour mills, bakery and confectionary industries, animal feed industries, and processed food industries. The labor and export markets shocks are also simulated highlighting the loss in both sectors attributing to disrupted supply chains and restrictions in covid nineteen and high dependency on Ukraine and Russia wheat imports. Welfare analysis has also been done for all the four scenarios to capture the welfare losses faced in the previous 4 years and the results are compared to the baseline scenario to compare the damage. To mitigate these losses, two policy scenarios are proposed: an expansionary fiscal policy and increased subsidies, followed by increased tariffs and a shift towards locally produced wheat instead of relying on imports.

Validation of coupled ATHLET-OpenFOAM simulation on a large-scale single- and two-phase flow experiment

Abstract System thermal-hydraulics (STH) codes are successfully used in the last decades for design and analysis of the physical behavior of nuclear power plants (NPPs). These programs provide reliable results at comparatively low computational cost, but have limited capabilities to predict complex 3D flow phenomena, which is possible with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools. In order to combine the advantages of STH and CFD codes, algorithms to couple these are developed. At GRS, a new OpenFOAM solver, based on the volume of fluid (VOF) method, was developed together with new coupling boundary conditions to couple the CFD program OpenFOAM with the system code ATHLET. In a next step, verification and validation activities were carried out. These included the analysis of a Pressurized Thermal Shock (PTS) scenario. For this purpose, data from the OECD/NEA ROSA V Test 1.1, carried out in the Japanese Large-Scale Test Facility (LSTF) was used. The experiment investigated the temperature stratification after emergency core cooling (ECC) injection under single- and two-phase natural circulation conditions in the primary cooling circuit of a pressurized water reactor (PWR). This paper discusses the results of the coupled simulations, compares the numerical results with experimental data, and identifies areas for future improvements.

Modeling X-Ray and Gamma-Ray Emission from Redback Pulsar Binaries

We investigated the multiband emission from the pulsar binaries XSS J12270−4859, PSR J2039−5617, and PSR J2339−0533, which exhibit orbital modulation in the X-ray and gamma-ray bands. We constructed the sources’ broadband spectral energy distributions and multiband orbital light curves by supplementing our X-ray measurements with published gamma-ray results, and we modeled the data using intrabinary shock (IBS) scenarios. While the X-ray data were well explained by synchrotron emission from electrons/positrons in the IBS, the gamma-ray data were difficult to explain with the IBS components alone. Therefore, we explored other scenarios that had been suggested for gamma-ray emission from pulsar binaries: (1) inverse-Compton emission in the upstream unshocked wind zone and (2) synchrotron radiation from electrons/positrons interacting with the kilogauss magnetic field of the companion. Scenario (1) requires that the bulk motion of the wind substantially decelerates to ∼1000 km s−1 before reaching the IBS for increased residence time, in which case the formation of a strong shock is untenable, inconsistent with the X-ray phenomenology. Scenario (2) can explain the data if we assume the presence of electrons/positrons with a Lorentz factor ∼ 108 (∼0.1 PeV) that pass through the IBS and tap a substantial portion of the pulsar voltage drop. These findings raise the possibility that the orbitally modulating gamma-ray signals from pulsar binaries can provide insights into the flow structure and energy conversion within pulsar winds and particle acceleration nearing PeV energies in pulsars. These signals may also yield greater understanding of kilogauss magnetic fields potentially hosted by the low-mass stars in these systems.

Assessing High-Voltage Shore Connection Safety: An In-Depth Study of Grounding Practices in Shore Power Systems

There is growing concern regarding air pollutants (NOx, SOx, and PM) and carbon emissions from ocean-going vessels in harbor areas and the role of high-voltage shore connection (HVSC) systems in mitigating these emissions during vessel berthing. The HVSC operates as a TN grounding system in humid environments, and it needs a proper grounding design to ensure safety when faults occur. This article intends to examine the overvoltage resulting from fault currents and its implications for the safety of operators when a single line-to-ground fault takes place within the design of HVSC grounding systems. The assessment is carried out by employing actual scenarios and parameters from a container berth at Kaohsiung Harbor in Taiwan. Considering site conditions, such as the wet ground surface, human body resistance, and electric shock duration, the tolerable safe voltage level is derived using IEEE Std. 80 and IEC 60479-1. Based on the shore power system grounding architecture specified in IEEE/IEC 80005-1, an equivalent circuit model is constructed to calculate the fault currents using symmetrical component analysis. The actual touch voltages generated in various locations are analyzed under scenarios of connecting or disconnecting the equipotential bonding between the ship and the shore using neutral grounding resistor (NGR) designs. This article delves into the scenarios of electric shock that may occur during the operation of an actual container ship’s shore power system. It evaluates whether various contact voltage values exceed current international standards and verifies the grounding design and safety voltage specifications of IEEE/IEC 80005-1. According to the results of this study, the use of NGR and protective earthed neutral (PEN) conductors in HVSC is crucial. This can limit fault currents, reduce touch voltage, and ensure the safety of personnel and equipment. Therefore, ensuring and monitoring equipment conductors and adopting NGRs of appropriate sizes are crucial elements in maintaining electrical safety in HVSC systems.

Enhancing Urban Resilience Through Spatial Interaction-Based City Management Zoning

Good city management is essential in mitigating the impact of various crisis events and thus enhances urban resilience. The current zoning system that underlies China’s city management system, however, hardly meets the resilient requirements in failing to appropriately and flexibly allocate patrol personnel under normal and various crisis scenarios. We propose an optimization method that gives rise to a resilient city management zoning system by introducing spatial interaction. We realize this through community detection in a spatially embedded patrol passage cost network. Illustrated by a case in Jiangbei District, Ningbo, China, we show that the optimized zoning system has significant advantages in terms of event coverage, response efficiency, and workload balance in the normal scenario as compared to the status quo with up to 3.6 percent, 5.9 percent, and 34.0 percent performance improvement, respectively. Moreover, the method also achieves similar performance improvement in three typical shock scenarios in city management: epidemic, typhoon, and crowd gathering. We conclude the article with discussions on the findings’ significance in urban resilience building and their methodological and theoretical implications in applied urban sciences.

Impact of specific liquidity shocks on the bank's solvency

PurposeThis study aims to demonstrate and measure the impact of liquidity shocks on a bank’s solvency, especially when the bank does not hold sufficient liquid assets.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed model is an extension of Merton’s (1974) model. It assesses the bank’s probability of default over one or two (short) periods relative to liquidity shocks. The shock scenarios are materialised by different net demands for the withdrawal of funds (NDWF) and may lead the bank to sell illiquid assets at a depreciated value. We consider the possibility of second-round effects at the beginning of the second period by introducing the probability of their occurrence. This probability depends on the proportion of illiquid assets put up for sale following the initial shock in different dependency scenarios.FindingsWe observe a positive relationship between the initial NDWF and the bank’s probability of default (particularly over the second period, which is conditional on the second-round effects). However, this relationship is not linear, and a significant proportion of liquid assets makes it possible to attenuate or even eliminate the effects of shock scenarios on bank solvency.Practical implicationsThe proposed model enables banks to determine the necessary level of liquid assets, allowing them to resist (i.e. remain solvent) different liquidity shock scenarios for both periods (including eventual second-round effects) under the assumptions considered. Therefore, it can contribute to complementing or improving current internal liquidity adequacy assessment processes (ILAAPs).Originality/valueThe proposed microprudential approach consists of measuring the impact of liquidity risk on a bank’s solvency, complementing the current prudential framework in which these two topics are treated separately. It also complements the existing literature, in which the impact of liquidity risk on solvency risk has not been sufficiently studied. Finally, our model allows banks to manage liquidity using a solvency approach.

Direct numerical simulation of a pressurized thermal shock scenario at higher reynolds number

Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) is performed for a pressurized thermal shock scenario in a reactor downcomer geometry. In the present work, a simplified representative geometry is adopted where cold fluid injected from a square duct is injected in a planar downcomer. A secondary hot inlet at the top of the downcomer is employed to enforce a downward flow of the injected emergency core cooling water, to mimic the effect of density driven flow. The Reynolds number of the impinging flow, based on bulk velocity and duct height, equals 12,500, while a unity Prandtl number fluid is used. The simulation is performed for two thermal boundary conditions, namely an isotemperature condition and an adiabatic condition, representing the two extreme scenarios of a conjugate heat transfer problem. The instantaneous and mean fields are first analysed in order to study the flow pattern and formation of vortical structures within the downcomer. The impinging flow is deflected radially outwards in the vicinity of the barrel wall, which then interacts with the surrounding hot fluid forming large vortical structures and bringing the cold fluid back to the vessel wall. The mixing of flow and penetration of colder temperatures in the downcomer is observed to be greatly influenced by interaction of these vortical structures. The descending cold plume in the downcomer is observed to form three branches separated by low-speed regions. The maximum values of turbulent kinetic energy are observed only in the vicinity of flow impingement, while high values of its production and dissipation are also observed within the shear layers of the descending plume. The maximum values of temperature fluctuations are found at the interface of the descending cold plume and surrounding hot fluid, while relatively high values are also seen at the locations of large vortical strucutres. Anisotropy in turbulence is also analysed using the componentality contour approach and a modified barycentric colour mapping scheme. Also reported herein is a comparison of mean and statistical profiles with those at lower Reynolds number reported in the literature. At higher Reynolds number, the cold impinging jet is deflected farther outwards in the downcomer. The locations of peak fluctuations in velocity and temperature are also farther away from the impingement. The magnitudes of fluctuating temperature and turbulent kinetic energy are observed to be higher for the present higher Reynolds number case. The peak Nusselt number at the barrel wall is observed to scale with a factor of Re1/2 in the present configuration.