Calculations of neutron fluxes and isotope conversion rates in a thorium-fuelled MYRRHA reactor, using GEANT4 and MCNPX

The operation efficiency and safety of pressure vessels in the oil and gas industry profits from an accurate knowledge about the inner filling distribution. However, an accurate and reliable estimation of the multi-phase height levels in such objects is a challenging task, especially when considering the high demands in practicability, robustness in harsh environments and safety regulations. Most common systems rely on impractical instrumentation, lack the ability to measure solid phases or require additional safety precautions due to their working principle. In this work, another possibility to determine height levels by attenuation tomography with guided elastic waves is proposed. The method uses a complete instrumentation on the outer vessel shell and is based on the energy conversion rates along the travel path of the guided waves. Noisy data and multiple measurements from sparsely distributed sensor networks are translated into filling levels with accuracies in the centimeter range by solving a constrained optimization problem. It was possible to simultaneously determine sand, water, and oil phases on a mock-up scale experiment, even for artificially created sand slopes. The accuracy was validated by artificial benchmarking for a horizontal vessel, giving references for constructing an affordable prototype system.

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Evaluating the Potentiality of Sentinel-2 for Change Detection Analysis Associated to LULUCF in Wallonia, Belgium

Land ◽

10.3390/land10010055 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 55

Author(s):

Odile Close ◽

Sophie Petit ◽

Benjamin Beaumont ◽

Eric Hallot

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Land Use ◽

Change Detection ◽

Signal To Noise Ratio ◽

Land Conversion ◽

Sustainable Resources ◽

Detection Techniques ◽

Detection Analysis ◽

Conversion Rates ◽

Sentinel 2

Land Use/Cover changes are crucial for the use of sustainable resources and the delivery of ecosystem services. They play an important contribution in the climate change mitigation due to their ability to emit and remove greenhouse gas from the atmosphere. These emissions/removals are subject to an inventory which must be reported annually under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. This study investigates the use of Sentinel-2 data for analysing lands conversion associated to Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry sector in the Wallonia region (southern Belgium). This region is characterized by one of the lowest conversion rates across European countries, which constitutes a particular challenge in identifying land changes. The proposed research tests the most commonly used change detection techniques on a bi-temporal and multi-temporal set of mosaics of Sentinel-2 data from the years 2016 and 2018. Our results reveal that land conversion is a very rare phenomenon in Wallonia. All the change detection techniques tested have been found to substantially overestimate the changes. In spite of this moderate results our study has demonstrated the potential of Sentinel-2 regarding land conversion. However, in this specific context of very low magnitude of land conversion in Wallonia, change detection techniques appear to be not sufficient to exceed the signal to noise ratio.

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AB0327 DRUG-INDUCED LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS SECONDARY TO ANTI-TNF-Α AGENTS IN PATIENTS WITH SPONDYLOARTHRITIS AND PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases ◽

10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-eular.2953 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. 1188.2-1189

Author(s):

A. Martins ◽

D. Santos Oliveira ◽

F. R. Martins ◽

M. Rato ◽

F. Oliveira Pinheiro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Psoriatic Arthritis ◽

Clinical Features ◽

Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Disease Duration ◽

Age At Diagnosis ◽

Categorical Variables ◽

Drug Induced ◽

Laboratory Findings ◽

Conversion Rates ◽

Tnf Α

Background:Induction of autoantibodies is frequently observed in patients treated with TNF-α antagonist and the possible development of drug-induced lupus erythematosus (DILE) remains a matter of concern. The prevalence of DILE secondary to anti-TNF-α therapy is estimated around 0.5-1% and clinical features include arthritis/arthralgia, rash, serositis, fever, myalgias, cytopenias, among others. According to the literature, DILE secondary to anti-TNF-α agents differs in several ways from the clinical and laboratory findings typically associated with classic DILE.Objectives:To estimate the incidence of induction of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and DILE in a monocentric cohort of patients with spondyloarthritis and psoriatic arthritis treated with anti-TNF-α agents. To describe the clinical and laboratorial features and outcomes of patients with DILE.Methods:We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with spondyloarthritis and psoriatic arthritis treated with anti-TNF-α agents, from our University Hospital, who have been registered on the Portuguese Rheumatic Diseases Register (Reuma.pt) between July 2001 and December 2020. Patients with positive ANA (titer > 1/100) before the anti-TNF-α therapy were excluded. Because specific criteria for the diagnosis of DILE have not been established, we considered the diagnosis in case of a temporal relationship between clinical manifestations and anti-TNF-α treatment and fulfillment of ACR/EULAR 2019 classification criteria for SLE. In patients with DILE, clinical features, laboratory findings, systemic therapies and outcome after discontinuation of medication were collected from reuma.pt and medical records. For the clinical and demographic predictors, continuous variables were analyzed using a two-sided t-test and categorical variables using a Fisher’s exact test. P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results:In the spondyloarthritis group, 290 patients were included (44.8% females, mean age at diagnosis of 33.3 ± 11.5 years and mean disease duration of 15.1 ± 10.4 years) and in the psoriatic arthritis group, 116 patients were included (50.0% females, mean age at diagnosis of 40.1 ± 11.0 years and mean disease duration of 13.1 ± 6.8 years). In our study, we observed high serology conversion rates (positive ANA in 67.9% and 58.6% of patients with Spondyloarthritis and Psoriatic Arthritis, respectively), with similar conversion rates between different anti-TNF drugs. Three patients with spondyloarthritis (1.0%) and 1 patient with psoriatic arthritis (0.9%) developed DILE. Etanercept was the causative agent in 2 cases, infliximab and adalimumab in 1 case, each. Peripheral arthritis (new onset or abrupt worsening) occurred in 2 patients, serositis in 1 patient, constitutional symptoms in 2 patients, subnephrotic proteinuria in 1 patient, lymphopenia in 2 patients and hypocomplementemia in 1 patient. Specific treatment was prescribed to the 4 patients (oral corticosteroids) and they achieved complete recovery. After anti–TNF-α treatment interruption, no patient had recurrent disease. We observed that patients with DILE had a significantly longer disease duration (> 8.4 years; p=0.04) and a significantly longer duration of therapy with anti-TNF (> 4.0 years; p=0.04) when compared to patients without DILE.Conclusion:Despite the frequent induction of autoantibodies, the development of DILE secondary to anti–TNF-α agents is rare. Our study demonstrates an incidence rate similar to other studies reported before. The clinical and laboratorial characteristics of our patients with DILE attributable to anti–TNF-α agents differ significantly from DILE due to more traditional agents, as is described in literature. Overall, patients in this study had mild disease that improved after therapy discontinuation, without recurrence of the disease. It seems that a longer disease duration and a longer period under anti-TNF-α therapy may increase the risk of DILE development.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

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Navigating the London-French Transnational Space: The Losses and Gains of Language as Embodied and Embedded Symbolic Capital

Languages ◽

10.3390/languages6010057 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 57

Author(s):

Saskia Huc-Hepher

Keyword(s):

Identity Construction ◽

Analytical Approach ◽

Pierre Bourdieu ◽

Third Space ◽

Symbolic Capital ◽

Community Identity ◽

Everyday Language ◽

Ethnographic Interviews ◽

Conversion Rates ◽

Transnational Space

In this article, an interdisciplinary lens is applied to French migrants’ reflections on their everyday language practices, investigating how embodied and embedded language, such as accent and London-French translanguaging, serve as both in-group and out-group symbolic markers in different transnational spaces. Key sociological concepts developed by Pierre Bourdieu are deployed, including field, habitus, hysteresis and symbolic capital, to assess the varying symbolic conversion rates of the migrants’ languaging practices across transnational spaces. A mixed-methodological and analytical approach is taken, combining narratives from ethnographic interviews and autobiography. Based on the data gathered, the article posits that the French accent is an embodied symbolic marker, experienced as an internalised dialectic: a barrier to inclusion/belonging in London and an escape from the symbolic weight of the originary accent in France. Subsequently, it argues that the migrants’ translanguaging functions as a spontaneous insider vernacular conducive to community identity construction in the postmigration space, but (mis)interpreted as an exclusionary articulation of symbolic distinction in the premigration context. Finally, the article asks whether participants’ linguistic repertoires, self-identifications and spatialities go beyond the notion of the ‘cleft habitus’, or even hybridity, to a post-structural, translanguaging third space that transcends borders.

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Robotic natural-orifice IntraCorporeal anastomosis with Extraction (NICE procedure) for complicated diverticulitis

Surgical Endoscopy ◽

10.1007/s00464-021-08350-z ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Eric M. Haas ◽

Thais Reif de Paula ◽

Roberto Luna-Saracho ◽

Melissa Sara Smith ◽

Jean-Paul J. LeFave

Keyword(s):

Complicated Diverticulitis ◽

Intracorporeal Anastomosis ◽

Natural Orifice ◽

Abdominal Incision ◽

Stepwise Approach ◽

Stapling Device ◽

Video Recordings ◽

Conversion Rates ◽

Technical Modifications ◽

Instrument Control

Abstract Background Totally intracorporeal surgery for left-sided resection carries numerous potential advantages by avoiding crossing staple lines and eliminating the need for an abdominal incision. For those with complicated diverticulitis, minimally invasive surgery is known to be technically challenging due to inflamed tissue, distorted pelvic anatomy, and obliterated tissue planes, resulting in high conversion rates. We aim to illustrate the stepwise approach and modifications required to successful complete the robotic Natural-orifice IntraCorporeal anastomosis with transrectal specimen Extraction (NICE) procedure in this cohort. Methods Consecutive, elective, unselected patients presenting with complicated diverticulitis defined as fistula, abscess and stricture underwent the NICE procedure over a 24-month period. Demographic and intraoperative data were collected, and video recordings were reviewed and edited on encrypted server. Results A total of 60 patients (50% female) underwent the NICE procedure for complicated diverticulitis with a mean age of 58.9 years and mean BMI of 30.7 kg/m2. The mean operative time was 231.6 min. All cases (100%) were achieved with intracorporeal anastomosis using a circular stapling device. All but one patient (98.3%) had successful transrectal extraction of the specimen. Forty-four (73%) of the specimens required a specimen-thinning maneuver to successfully extract the specimen and there were no conversions. We identified seven key technical modifications and considerations to facilitate successful completion of the procedure which are illustrated, including early release of the disease, mesentery-sparing dissection, dual instrument control of the mesenteric vasculature, release of the rectal reflection, use of NICE back table, specimen-thinning maneuver, and closure of the rectal cuff. Conclusion We present a stepwise approach with key modifications to successfully achieve totally robotic intracorporeal resection for those presenting with complicated diverticulitis. This approach may help overcome the technical challenges and provide a foundation for reproducible results.

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Nickel Phosphide Catalysts as Efficient Systems for CO2 Upgrading via Dry Reforming of Methane

Catalysts ◽

10.3390/catal11040446 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 446

Author(s):

Miriam González-Castaño ◽

Estelle le Saché ◽

Cameron Berry ◽

Laura Pastor-Pérez ◽

Harvey Arellano-García ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Supported Catalysts ◽

Lower Surface ◽

Catalytic Performance ◽

Dry Reforming Of Methane ◽

Oxidation Reactions ◽

Surface Areas ◽

Ceo2 Sample ◽

Conversion Rates ◽

Ni Oxidation ◽

Catalytic Behaviour

This work establishes the primordial role played by the support’s nature when aimed at the constitution of Ni2P active phases for supported catalysts. Thus, carbon dioxide reforming of methane was studied over three novel Ni2P catalysts supported on Al2O3, CeO2 and SiO2-Al2O3 oxides. The catalytic performance, shown by the catalysts’ series, decreased according to the sequence: Ni2P/Al2O3 > Ni2P/CeO2 > Ni2P/SiO2-Al2O3. The depleted CO2 conversion rates discerned for the Ni2P/SiO2-Al2O3 sample were associated to the high sintering rates, large amounts of coke deposits and lower fractions of Ni2P constituted in the catalyst surface. The strong deactivation issues found for the Ni2P/CeO2 catalyst, which also exhibited small amounts of Ni2P species, were majorly associated to Ni oxidation issues. Along with lower surface areas, oxidation reactions might also affect the catalytic behaviour exhibited by the Ni2P/CeO2 sample. With the highest conversion rate and optimal stabilities, the excellent performance depicted by the Ni2P/Al2O3 catalyst was mostly related to the noticeable larger fractions of Ni2P species established.

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Kinetic Modeling and Degradation Study of Liquid Polysulfide Resin-Clay Nanocomposite

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules26030635 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (3) ◽

pp. 635

Author(s):

Mohamadreza Shakiba ◽

Arash Kakoei ◽

Iman Jafari ◽

Erfan Rezvani Ghomi ◽

Mohammadreza Kalaee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Experimental Data ◽

Kinetic Modeling ◽

Degradation Kinetics ◽

Nitrogen Atmosphere ◽

Gravimetric Analysis ◽

Degradation Kinetic ◽

Kinetic Evaluation ◽

Degradation Study ◽

Clay Nanoparticles ◽

Conversion Rates

Kinetic modeling and degradation study of liquid polysulfide (LPS)/clay nanocomposite is possible through Ozawa–Flynn–Wall (OFW) and Kissinger methods. Comparing the results of these models with experimental data leads to provide an accurate degradation kinetic evaluation of these materials. To this aim, the morphology and distribution of clay nanoparticles (CNPs) within the LPS matrix were investigated using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). To evaluate the interaction between the LPS and the CNPs, the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) identification was utilized. Furthermore, to investigate the kinetics of degradation, the thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and derivative thermogravimetry (DTG) of the samples were used in the nitrogen atmosphere with the help of Kissinger and Ozawa–Flynn–Wall (OFW) models. The characterization results confirmed the homogenous dispersion of the CNPs into the LPS matrix. In addition, the presence of CNPs increased the thermal stability and activation energy (Ea) of the samples at different conversion rates. Moreover, the OFW method was highly consistent with the experimental data and provided an appropriate fit for the degradation kinetics.

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Taiwan’s ecological footprint and overshoot day

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-94540-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yung-Jaan Lee ◽

Lei Chai ◽

Po-Shu Wu

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Development ◽

Carbon Footprint ◽

Ecological Footprint ◽

Sustainable Development Goals ◽

Climate Change Policy ◽

The Earth ◽

Change Policy ◽

Conversion Rates ◽

Development Goals ◽

Global Population

AbstractThis study examines Taiwan’s ecological footprint (EF) and its Overshoot Day from 2000 to 2018. The latest EF calculation method is used to determine the conversion rates and equivalent factors of bioproductive lands in each year to establish a database of Taiwan’s EF in that period. The results reveal that Taiwan’s EF was 7.69 gha/person in 2000, dropping steadily to 6.46 gha/person in 2018. Taiwan’s carbon footprint accounted for about 61% of Taiwan’s total EF, slightly higher than the world average (60%). The carbon footprint as a proportion of the total EF has been increasing annually. This study adopts social communication tools, such as the overshoot day and the earth clock, to promote sustainable development goals and climate change policy initiatives. Global Footprint Network (GFN) updates the overshoot day of each country in its database yearly, based on each country’s EF and biocapacity. Since Taiwan is not included in GFN, this study adopts the same method and finds out that Taiwan's Overshoot Day in 2018 was March 14th, meaning that on March 14th, 2018, Taiwan exhausted all of the biological resources that its bioproductive lands can regenerate in the year. If the global population lived like Taiwanese, four Earths would be required to provide the resources used. This result not only reflects the consumption of natural resources in Taiwan, but also indicates that Taiwan should focus on sustainable development and reduce that consumption.

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