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We aimed to compare clinical outcomes between immediate and staged complete revascularization in primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for treating ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and multivessel disease (MVD). A total of 248 patients were enrolled in a prospective, randomized, and multicenter registry. Immediate revascularization was defined as one-time PCI of culprit and non-culprit lesions at the initial procedure. Staged revascularization was defined as PCI of non-culprit lesions at a later date (mean, 4.4 days; interquartile range, 1–11.4), following initial culprit revascularization. The end points were major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE; composite of total death, recurrent myocardial infarction, and revascularization), any individual components of MACE, cardiac death, stent thrombosis, and stroke at 12 months. During a follow-up of 1 year, MACE occurred in 12 patients (11.6%) in the immediate revascularization group and in 8 patients (7.5%) in staged revascularization group (hazard ratio [HR] 1.60, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.65–3.91). The incidence of total death was numerically higher in the immediate group than in the staged group (9.7% vs 2.8%, HR 3.53, 95% CI 0.97–12.84); There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in risks of any individual component of MACE, cardiac death, stroke, and in-hospital complications, such as need for transfusion, bleeding, acute renal failure, and acute heart failure. This study was prematurely terminated due to halt of production of everolimus-eluting stents (manufactured as PROMUS Element by Boston Scientific, Natick, Massachusetts). Due to its limited power, no definite conclusion can be drawn regarding complete revascularization strategy from the present study. Further large randomized clinical trials would be warranted to confirm optimal timing of complete revascularization for patients with STEMI and MVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• To validate the newly implemented FFR model in the SPACE code, the Halden IFA-650 test is calculated. • Overall prediction with the FFR model in SPACE is well matched with experimental results. • For some tests, the best estimated clad deformation model is necessary to validate the FFR model better. • Sensitivity analyses are conducted for fragmentation, packing fraction, and threshold gap to better understand the FFR model in SPACE. The new ECCS regulations were recently considered in South Korea. One of the major concerns in this revision is the consideration of fuel fragmentation, relocation, and dispersal (FFRD) phenomena during a loss of coolant accident (LOCA). In response, the FFR model was newly implemented in the SPACE code, which is a safety analysis code. The FFR model based on the QT model, which was developed by Quantum Technology Corporation, was developed with a threshold size of fuel fragments for fuel relocation, fuel power distribution, and so on. In this study, to validate the newly developed FFR model in SPACE code, calculations using Halden IFA-650 tests are conducted. Overall, the results show that the newly developed FFR model yields results that are consistent with experimental results in terms of fuel relocation and their effects on cladding temperature. However, when the cladding deformation is not well predicted, the fuel relocation prediction is poor. Thus, the cladding deformation is the most critical parameter for the FFR phenomena. In addition, for a fresh fuel condition, the threshold fragment size is additionally proposed in the fuel relocation model. For a better understanding of the FFR model behavior during a LOCA, some sensitivity tests for major FFR model parameters are conducted. This can give valuable information to develop FFR modeling in safety analysis methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Based on the QT model, a modified FFR model, which has power conservation and relocation limitation, is developed in SPACE code. • To verify the newly developed FFR model, simple balloon problems are calculated. • To validate the newly developed FFR model, Halden IFA650 test No.4 is calculated. • The modified FFR model has good prediction for the clad temperature change by fuel relocation for higher burnup condition. Ballooning of cladding, which can happen during a loss of coolant accident (LOCA), causes relocation of fragmented fuel. Recently, consideration of fuel fragmentation, relocation, and dispersal (FFRD) phenomena for safety analyses has been requested by a regulatory body. Therefore, new models related to the fuel fragmentation, relocation, and dispersal (FFRD) in SPACE code have been developed. In this study, the FFR model, excluding dispersal, will be discussed. The fuel fragmentation and relocation models, which were developed by Quantum Technology (QT), are modified and developed in SPACE code. In particular, the fuel relocation limitation threshold parameter and the fuel power distribution during relocation are newly developed. The FFR models are also verified with simple known problems. The newly developed and implemented FFR models in SPACE are validated with calculations using Halden IFA-650 test data. The newly developed FFR model in SPACE can reasonably predict the fuel relocation and axial rod temperature distribution due to fuel mass redistribution. However, intensive validation tests including various conditions are necessary to validate the new FFR model in SPACE code. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The metal water reaction between the fuel clad and the coolant has been deemed important to safety analyses for transients for several decades. A Loss-of-coolant accident would cause the overheating of fuel clad which might involve a vigorously exothermic chemical reaction. The zirconium is widely used as a clad material and the element reacts remarkably with steam at high temperature of above 1000 K. The results of this reaction are the heat generation of level of fuel decay power, oxidized metal, and hydrogen generation. The system transient analysis code SPACE (Safety and Performance Analysis Code) which has been developed at the Korea nuclear industry has the correlation set modeling the metal-water oxidation, but the hydrogen generated by the reaction is not considered in the governing equations of the code. The governing equations were modified to model the hydrogen influx and steam extinction due to the reaction. The verification calculations for the code modification were performed using two conceptual problems. First, the modification of governing equations about the steam extinction corresponding to an inflow of hydrogen gas was reviewed by the forced hydrogen injection without a fuel model. Second, the hydrogen generation and temperature excursion due to the reaction were examined by the simulation of fuel without a nuclear heat source to investigate the validity of the redistribution of the reaction heat. Finally, the hypothetical accident of LBLOCA (Large break loss-of-coolant-accident) for the APR-1400 and the LOFT L2-5 test were calculated for a comparison with the calculation results by the original and modified codes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Irrecoverable data destruction on a mobile device is important to prevent unintentional data disclosure. In this regard, transient electronics, a form of electronics that can be made to disappear or can be destroyed in a controllable manner, has been actively researched. To erase data completely, irreversible reactions such as physical or chemical destruction have been used. However, these techniques either require external voltage or destroy a memory device so that it cannot be reused. Here, we demonstrate a novel self-powered data-erasing method for nanoscale flash memory devices which uses triboelectricity via a kill switch, which consists of a nylon pad connected to a gate electrode of the flash memory. Through a one-time touch of the kill switch by a finger wearing a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) glove, data stored in flash memory is set to the ‘1′ state on the chip scale simultaneously with low-level triboelectricity, allowing the memory to be reused afterward. Moreover, the memory can be permanently destroyed by a single touch of the kill switch with a finger without a glove that generates high-level triboelectricity. These erase methods provide a rapid and convenient means of self-powered irrecoverable data erasing in the era of the Internet of Things (IoT). Graphical abstract fx1 Highlights • First demonstration of data erasing for a silicon-based flash memory without external voltage using triboelectricity. • A memory state of the nanoscale flash memory is changed from a program state to the erase state when triboelectricity is induced to a gate electrode. • This triboelectric data erasing without external power supply is 106-fold faster than a conventional erasing method with external power supply. • First demonstration of two-level data-erasing that offers both reusable erasing and permanent destruction against threatening of hacking. • This triboelectric data erasing is applicable to commercial silicon-based flash memory, which has been used for solid-state drive (SSD) and USB memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An isogeometric topological shape optimization method is developed, using a dual evolution of NURBS curves and level sets; the NURBS curves feature the exact representation of geometry and the level sets help to detect and guide the topological variation of NURBS curves. The implicit geometry by the level sets is transformed into the parametric NURBS curves by minimizing the difference of velocity fields in both representations. A gradient-based optimization problem is formulated, based on the evolution of the NURBS curves. The control points of NURBS curves are taken as design variables. The necessary response and design sensitivity are computed by an isogeometric boundary integral equation method (BIEM) using the NURBS curves. The design sensitivity is obtained on fixed grids and utilized as the velocity to update the Hamilton–Jacobi equation for the level sets. To obtain the whole velocity field on the fixed grids, an interpolation and velocity extension scheme are employed. The developed method provides accurate response and enhanced sensitivity using isogeometric BIEM. Also, additional post-processing is not required to communicate with CAD systems since the optimal design is represented as NURBS curves. Numerical examples demonstrate the accuracy of design sensitivity on fixed grids and the feasibility of shape and topological optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Carbon fibers (CFs) were prepared by the plasma-assisted stabilization (PAS) of polyacronitrile (PAN) fibers. PAS was found to be an efficient treatment for stabilizing the precursor fibers in terms of the time, cost and mechanical properties compared to conventional thermal stabilization (CTS). The efficient stabilization of PAN by a radio-frequency capacitive plasma discharge was confirmed using FT-IR and DSC. The tensile strength and modulus of CFs from PAS were superior to those of CFs from CTS. These results suggest that PAS is an efficient treatment for the manufacture of CFs, which can save time and energy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A coupled system thermal-hydraulics (T-H) and three-dimensional reactor kinetics code, MARS/MASTER, was developed to attain more accurate predictions for nuclear system transients that involve strong interactions between neutronic and T-H phenomena. In this paper, a 12-finger control element assembly (CEA) drop event in a two-loop pressurized water reactor (PWR) plant under a full power condition was analyzed, where the 12-finger CEA that is nearest to the hot leg of Loop 2 is assumed to incidentally drop. This instantaneously results in an asymmetric radial power distribution and, in turn, asymmetric loop behavior, which may lead to a reactor trip due to a low departure from nucleate boiling (DNB) ratio at the intact side of the core or an excessive difference between the cold leg coolant temperatures. This event clearly requires a coupled calculation of system T-H and three-dimensional reactor kinetics to realistically investigate the thermal-hydraulic behavior of the reactor core. A simple theoretical modeling is also devised to evaluate the cold leg temperature difference under a quasi-steady state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Oxidative stability of sesame oil (SO) prepared from sesame seeds roasted at 213, 230, and 247°C for each 14, 21, or 28min was determined at 180°C heating condition by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), conjugated dienoic acid (CDA) value, headspace oxygen analysis, and profile changes of sesamol and sesamolin. As sesame seeds were roasted with longer time and higher temperature, more sesamol was found in SO. SO from sesame seeds roasted at 247°C for 28min had the highest oxidative stability based on the results of CDA and headspace oxygen. Absorbance of DPPH from SO roasted at 230 and 247°C showed different patterns compared to those from SO at 213°C during thermal oxidation. Sesamol was continuously generated with the decrease of sesamolin in SO from 230 to 247°C while sesamol in SO from 213°C did not increase during 180°C heating. Higher oxidative stability of SO may be related with the continuous generation of sesamol from the degradation of sesamolin during thermal oxidation rather than the initial antioxidant content. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this article, we propose to develop the first clinical micro-CT (CMCT) system for human temporal bone imaging in vivo. This CMCT system consists of medical CT and micro-CT scanners either as separate components or in a combination, a cross-modality registration mechanism such as a facial surface scanner, and associated software. This system integrates the strengths of state-of-the-art medical CT and micro-CT techniques to achieve a spatial resolution that is much higher than currently available for inner ear imaging at acceptable dose levels. Our design, analysis, and simulation results demonstrate that the CMCT system is feasible for inner ear imaging and other clinical applications. For example, the CMCT system has the potential to improve the safety of guiding cochlear implant electrodes within the inner ear and assist the placement of inner ear microcatheters for delivery of gene modification therapy or administration of neurotrophic factors. Imaging of microarchitectures of the cancellous bone would be also an important application. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper presents model parameter estimation conducted by data assimilation and associated uncertainty quantification for predictive engineering with specific application to reflood phenomena in PWR rod bundles. The uncertainties in the prediction of engineering systems are known to be originated from various non-input parameters, e.g., numerics, scaling effects, etc., as well as modeling parameters such as initial and boundary conditions, and physical models. Since the physical models are usually developed by small scale experiments and the experiments used for validation and uncertainty evaluation may not cover the real plant scale, the up-scaling capabilities of a best-estimate safety analysis code must be evaluated. The objective of this work is thus first of all, to refine the model parameters based on the Bayes’ theorem and subsequently estimate the uncertainties on parameters/responses during reflood phase. To illustrate this, reflood experiment data were collected and utilized to complete model calibration for the thermal–hydraulic parameters. The second goal of this study is to suggest optimum parameter distributions for the simulation of the multiple reflood tests performed at different facilities with different scales and dimensions. Since existing experimental data and physical models/correlations were produced from several tests performed at the small scale with limited initial and boundary conditions, scaling considerations must be addressed when simulating larger scale tests for the uncertainty analysis. Blind calculations were carried out to observe whether the a posteriori parameter samples obtained via the model calibration against a basis test, i.e., a small scale test, which was performed by compensating the scaling distortions properly simulate scaled up tests. Simulations were performed using Safety and Performance Analysis Code (SPACE) developed by multiple research institutes in Republic of Korea to predict the thermal hydraulic system behaviors of nuclear power plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to recent developments in nanotechnology, nanomaterials (NMs) such as graphene oxide (GO) may enter the soil environment with mostly unknown consequences. We investigated the effects of GO on soil microbial activity in a 59-day soil incubation study. For this, high-purity GO was prepared and characterized. Soils were treated with up to 1 mg GO g − 1 soil, and the changes in the activities of 1,4-β-glucosidase, cellobiohydrolase, xylosidase, 1,4-β-N-acetyl glucosaminidase, and phosphatase and microbial biomass were determined. 0.5–1 mg GO g − 1 soil lowered the activity of xylosidase, 1,4-β-N-acetyl glucosaminidase, and phosphatase by up to 50% when compared to that in the control soils up to 21 days of incubation. Microbial biomass in soils treated with GO was not significantly different from that in control soils throughout the incubation period, and the soil enzyme activity and microbial biomass were not significantly correlated in this study. Our results indicate that soil enzyme activity can be lowered by the entry of GO into soils in short term but it can be recovered afterwards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

KAERI (Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute) will launch an OECD/NEA project by utilizing a thermal-hydraulic integral effect test facility, ATLAS (Advanced Thermal-hydraulic Test Loop for Accident Simulation) from April, 2014. In the OECD-ATLAS project, design extension conditions (DECs) such as a station blackout (SBO) and a total loss of feed water (TLOFW) will be experimentally investigated to identify the major thermal-hydraulic phenomena of high risk multiple failure accidents considering magnified safety concerns after the Fukushima accident. A SBO is one of the most important DECs in that without any proper operator actions, a total loss of heat sink leads to core uncover, to core damage, and ultimately a core melt-down scenario under high pressure. Due to this safety importance, a SBO is considered to be a base test item of the OECD-ATLAS project. In this study, a phenomena identification ranking table (PIRT) has been developed for identifying the major parameters affecting the thermal-hydraulic phenomena in SBO transients. Development of a PIRT for the SBO transients is expected to contribute to making strategy for performing a thermal-hydraulic integral effect test with ATLAS which includes determination of proper test conditions and improvement of measurements. The primary safety criterion (PSC) was determined to be the core mixture level from the expert panel discussion. As for the major components of the nuclear power plant, the rank of the importance and the knowledge level were summarized for each of the three temporal phases. Taking into account the important phenomena from the PIRT result, it can be confirmed that ATLAS has a capability of simulating the major thermal-hydraulic phenomena during a SBO transient as realistically as possible. The present PIRT will be directly used to make strategy for performing a thermal-hydraulic integral effect test with ATLAS in the framework of the OECD-ATLAS project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To develop a new tool for gross hematuria, the Hematuria Grading Scale (HGS), and evaluate its consistency in assessing hematuria samples. Methods: The HGS was developed on the basis of an evaluation of sample brightness and saturation using a cyan, magenta, yellow, key (black) color model. Thirty hematuria samples were prepared from human blood by diluting with saline using a standard method. Twenty examiners (5 in each group, including laypeople, nurses, general practitioners, and urologists) participated. Each scored 30 hematuria samples using the HGS under the same conditions without communicating with one another. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated to assess the reliability of the datasets. Questionnaires for usefulness (Q1) and simplicity (Q2) were obtained from all examiners using a 5-point Likert scale. Results: The ICC for pooled examiner scores showed a high agreement rate (99.7%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.996-0.999). ICC values by group were 99.3% (95% CI 0.989-0.997) for laypeople, 98.8% (95% CI 0.980-0.994) for nurses, 99.1% (95% CI 0.984-0.995) for general practitioners, and 99.2% (95% CI 0.987-0.996) for urologists. Mean Q1 and Q2 scores were 4.70 ± 0.66 and 4.30 ± 1.03, respectively, indicating general satisfaction with the HGS among all examiners. Conclusion: Evaluations of gross hematuria using the HGS were in high agreement among examiners of all types, and all examiners found the HGS simple and easy to use. The HGS should be a helpful tool for assessment and communication of gross hematuria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, increasing numbers of robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) have been performed at many centers. During urethrovesical anastomosis in RALP, surgeons commonly use Large Needle Driver (Intuitive Surgical, Mountain View, Calif). In this study, we report a rare case with intraperitoneal breakage of the jaw of Large Needle Driver. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy of the treatment strategies for in-stent restenosis (ISR) of drug-eluting stents (DES) according to the morphologic pattern of restenosis. Background: Optimal treatment strategies for ISR within DES have not been adequately addressed yet. Methods: Patients with ISR of DES were randomized according to the lesion length to compare outcomes of sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) versus cutting balloon angioplasty for focal type (≤10 mm) and SES versus everolimus-eluting stent (EES) for diffuse type (>10 mm). The primary endpoint was in-segment late loss at 9 months. Overall 162 patients, 96 with focal ISR and 66 with diffuse ISR, were enrolled. Results: In focal lesions, in-segment late loss was significantly higher in the cutting balloon group (n = 48) than in the SES group (n = 48; 0.25 mm, interquartile range [IQR]: −0.01 to 0.68 mm vs. 0.06 mm, IQR: −0.08 to 0.17 mm; p = 0.04). Consequently, in-segment restenosis rate tended to be higher in the cutting balloon group than in the SES group (20.7% vs. 3.1%, p = 0.06) with comparable incidences of the composite of death, myocardial infarction, or target vessel revascularization at 12 months of clinical follow up (6.3% vs. 6.3%, p > 0.99). In 66 cases of diffuse ISR, in-segment late loss (0.11 mm, IQR: −0.02 to 0.30 mm; vs. 0.00 mm, IQR: −0.08 to 0.25 mm; p = 0.64), in-segment restenosis rate (5.0% vs. 14.3%, p = 0.32), and the composite incidence of death, myocardial infarction, or target lesion revascularization (9.6% vs. 8.8%, p > 0.99) did not differ between SES group (n = 32) and EES group (n = 34). Conclusions: For lesions of focal DES restenosis, repeat implantation of SES is more effective in reducing late luminal loss and subsequent restenosis rate than cutting balloon angioplasty. For diffuse DES restenosis, implantation of SES or EES is comparably effective in terms of angiographic and clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) has gained popularity in urology over the last few years. Objective: To report a large multi-institutional worldwide series of LESS in urology. Design, setting, and participants: Consecutive cases of LESS done between August 2007 and November 2010 at 18 participating institutions were included in this retrospective analysis. Intervention: Each group performed a variety of LESS procedures according to its own protocols, entry criteria, and techniques. Measurements: Demographic data, main perioperative outcome parameters, and information related to the surgical technique were gathered and analyzed. Conversions to reduced-port laparoscopy, conventional laparoscopy, or open surgery were evaluated, as were intraoperative and postoperative complications. Results and limitations: Overall, 1076 patients were included in the analysis. The most common procedures were extirpative or ablative operations in the upper urinary tract. The da Vinci robot was used to operate on 143 patients (13%). A single-port technique was most commonly used and the umbilicus represented the most common access site. Overall, operative time was 160±93min and estimated blood loss was 148±234ml. Skin incision length at closure was 3.5±1.5cm. Mean hospital stay was 3.6±2.7 d with a visual analog pain score at discharge of 1.5±1.4. An additional port was used in 23% of cases. The overall conversion rate was 20.8%; 15.8% of patients were converted to reduced-port laparoscopy, 4% to conventional laparoscopy/robotic surgery, and 1% to open surgery. The intraoperative complication rate was 3.3%. Postoperative complications, mostly low grade, were encountered in 9.5% of cases. Conclusions: This study provides a global view of the evolution of LESS in the field of minimally invasive urologic surgery. A broad range of procedures have been effectively performed, primarily in the academic setting, within diverse health care systems around the world. Since LESS is performed by experienced laparoscopic surgeons, the risk of complications remains low when stringent patient-selection criteria are applied. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Integral effect tests using the ATLAS facility were performed to obtain the thermal-hydraulic parameters such as dynamic and static pressures, local temperatures, and flow rates during a feedwater line break of a steam generator. The break of a feedwater line was simulated using a double rupture disc assembly in order to satisfy the requirements for the break opening time of around a few milliseconds. In the present study, estimated break opening time was less than 1.5ms and broken areas were 48.1% and 93.4% of the feedwater line, respectively. The maximum dynamic pressures of about 1.57bar were obtained inside of feedwater box that was closest to the break location of the feedwater line. After the break of the feedwater line, propagation of the pressure wave along the distance from the break location inside the steam generator was clearly and pertinently observed in all the tests. From a structural integrity point of view, however, the risk induced by this maximum dynamic load could be treated to be insignificant. Based on the present experimental data, an analysis was performed using the best-estimate thermal-hydraulic system code, MARS 3.1 with an aim of qualitatively validating the test results and also evaluating the blowdown load prediction capability of the best-estimate system code in the simulation of steam generator feedwater line break. Calculation results on overall trends of the dynamic pressure behavior are comparable with the test results which indicate the feasibility of dynamic load prediction using the MARS code. As the break opening time became shorter and the broken area became larger, the dynamic pressures were calculated to be significant values in the sensitivity analyzes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives: To evaluate the surgical outcome in, and satisfaction with treatment of, patients undergoing epididymectomy for postvasectomy pain syndrome. Methods: A total of 49 patients were included. All participants had undergone epididymectomy for chronic epididymal pain from January 2000 to June 2009. Of the 49 patients, 4 had undergone bilateral epididymectomy, and the total number of procedures was 53: 18 in patients with postvasectomy pain syndrome (group 1, n = 16), 21 in patients with chronic epididymitis and no history of vasectomy (group 2, n = 19), and 14 in patients with an epididymal cyst and no history of vasectomy (group 3, n = 14). The preoperative and postoperative pain scale scores and surgical outcome were analyzed. Results: For the total patient sample, the mean age was 52.91 ± 13.51 years, and the mean body mass index was 24.10 ± 3.22 kg/m2. The mean duration of pain was 1.3 years (range 0.25-20), and the mean duration of postoperative follow-up was 4.2 years (range 0.05-10.25). The mean preoperative pain score was 6.91 ± 0.97. The mean postoperative pain scale score was 1.92 ± 1.54 (P < .01). Statistically significant differences in the preoperative and postoperative pain scores were found for each group: group 1, 5.38 ± 1.47 (range 3-8); group 2, 4.10 ± 1.41 (range 2-6), and group 3, 5.21 ± 1.88 (range 2-8; P = .004). In group 1, excellent surgical outcomes and high patient satisfaction were reported for 94.5% (17 of 18) of the procedures performed. Conclusions: The results of our study have shown that epididymectomy is more effective in patients with a history of vasectomy than in those without. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Fetal and maternal exposure levels of two emerging pollutants, polybrominated diephenyl ethers (PBDEs) and synthetic musks, were measured in Korean general population to assess prenatal and postnatal exposures in infants. For this purpose, paired samples of breast milk, maternal and cord blood were collected from 20 Korean women in 2007. In comparison to data from other countries and previous data from Korea, relatively higher and gradually increasing concentrations for PBDEs were found in Korean breast milk (

Abstract: Development of a 600kJ superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) system is being in progress by Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI). 3-ply BSCCO-2223 wire was considered as a conductor for the winding of the SMES system and auto-tuning niching genetic algorithm was adopted for an optimization method of the HTS magnets in the 600kJ SMES system. Several constraint conditions were considered for optimal design of HTS magnet of SMES system such as operating current, length of HTS wire in piece, gap between double pancake coils, stored magnetic energy, etc. As a result, output parameters for 6 case designs of 600kJ SEMS were obtained as optimal design results according to the operating currents. In this research, one of the 6 cases was chosen to analyze magnetic field distribution of the 600kJ SMES system. AC loss for each double pancake module of SMES during discharge period was also calculated. These HTS windings will be applied to the SMES system whose purpose is stabilization of the power grid. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• A PIRT process is performed for an open-tank-in-pool research reactor. • The process includes the most commonly postulated events of research reactors. • The process is intended to extend the SPACE applicability to the research reactors. • A preliminary data set for V&V are proposed for code assessment. • Proposal on further research is given to increase knowledge levels of the RRs. The benefits of research reactor technology are always essentially accompanied by nuclear safety, which is ensured by a series of supporting analysis such as safety analysis. In order to extend the applicability of the Safety and Performance Analyzing Code (SPACE code) to safety analysis of typical open-tank-in-pool type research reactors using plate-type fuels, a Phenomena Identification and Ranking process was performed for most of the relevant internal event scenarios of a reference research reactor, i.e., the KiJang Research Reactor, designed and under development by the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI). The Structures, Systems, and Components (SSCs) important to nuclear safety of the reactor were included in the PIR processes. A summary of important results from the PIRT study on the research reactors is presented with a proposal on a preliminary set of data bases for a validation and verification matrix in addition to research issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]