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The sea cucumber or holothurian is a marine species which has been prized in some Asian countries for its nutritional qualities. The purpose of this work was to study the biochemical composition and free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities of Holothuria tubulosa tegument from the Bizerta lagoon in northern Tunisia. The obtained data demonstrated that the extract of sea cucumber teguments exhibited high biochemical levels (such as moisture 80.77%, protein 7.07%, lipids 10.21%, energy value 13.64 Kcal/g ww), and an important nutritional value (including n-3/n-6: 2.11, EPA+DHA: 20.96, AI: 1.38 and TI: 0.54). High antioxidant activities were recorded in the integument by the radical scavenging tests of ABTS and DPPH as well as by the total antioxidant capacity and the FRAP in comparison with the BHT standard. Our results showed that H. tubulosa tegument has high nutritional value with high antioxidant activities and could be considered a nutraceutical product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to estimate the nutritional quality of Sander lucioperca fillets and alterations in lipid quality following hot and cold smoking processes. Our results revealed that the total fat content of zander fil-lets was 1.86 g/100g. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were higher than saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids in fresh tissue samples. Arachidonic, docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids were the most abundant PUFAs. Differences in the fatty acid compositions of the smoked and fresh fillet were significant, with a decrease in (PUFAs) in the proportion of total fatty acids. The fatty acid profile of the neutral lipids was unchanged after the cold smoking process, whereas PUFAs decreased significantly during both smoking processes, especially the hot smoking process. Our findings showed a partial alteration of polar lipids. Both smoking treatments produced lipoperoxidation and lipid oxidation in the fillets. Other investigational smoking conditions should be tested to reduce such oxidation and hydrolysis in fillets, which could be susceptible to off-flavors and off-odors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to provide information about the changes in fatty acid composition and quality in Ruditapes decussatus tissue after four culinary treatments (steamed, baked, grilled and fried). All treated samples showed a significant decrease in moisture and protein. In contrast, a significant increase in fat content resulted from the grilled and fried treatments. Saturated fatty acid was significantly higher in fresh clams than all cooking processes, except in fried ones. Monounsaturated fatty acid and polyunsaturated fatty acid varied significantly between fresh and cooked clams with high values recorded for fried clams. The n-3/n-6 ratio, peroxide index, EPA+DHA and atherogenicity index decreased significantly after the cooking processes particularly in fried clams. The mineral levels (Mg, Ca and Mn) of cooked clams decreased considerably with grilled and fried treatments. The impacts of cooking on the fatty acid composition and protein content in clam tissue was evaluated by lipid peroxidation (TBARS, PV, FFA, TOR) and protein oxidation (AOPP and PCO), which varied statistically in fried, steamed, grilled and baked samples; indicating alterations in cooked clam tissues structure. Based on our results, steaming is recommended for the preparation of clams because it preserves the most nutritional tissue quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of the Power To Melt and Maneuverability (P2M) Simulation Exercise on past fuel melting irradiation experiments, organized within the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development/Nuclear Energy Agency Framework for IrraDiation ExperimentS (FIDES) framework by the Core Group (CEA, EDF, and SCK‧CEN) and open to all FIDES members. The exercise consisted in simulating two past power ramps where fuel melting was detected: (1) the xM3 staircase power transient [ramp terminal level (RTL) 70 kW‧m−1, average burnup 27 GWd‧tU−1], carried out in 2005 in the R2 reactor at Studsvik (Sweden), where the rodlet maintained its integrity, and (2) the HBC4 fast power transient (RTL 66 kW‧m−1, average burnup 48 GWd‧tU−1), carried out in 1987 in the BR2 reactor at SCK‧CEN (Belgium), where the cladding failed during the experiment. The exercise was joined by 13 organizations from 9 countries using 11 different fuel performance codes. In this paper, the main results of the Simulation Exercise are presented and compared to available postirradiation examinations (PIE) or on-line measurements during the power ramps (fuel and clad diameters, rod elongation, pellet-clad gap, and fission gas release). Since the focus of the Simulation Exercise is on fuel melting assessment, determination of the boundary between melted/nonmelted fuel and the consequent definition of a melting radius from PIE are first discussed. During the HBC4 ramp, fuel melting was predicted by most of the codes despite differences in the melting models. Higher discrepancies were observed for the xM3 rod that can be attributed partly to power uncertainty and partly to the limited capability of the models to describe partial melting of the fuel during this ramp. Finally, possible code developments to improve simulation results are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract French GENIV sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR) system could include Americium (Am) recycling in the radial fertile blankets located in the outer core regions. An issue related to this option is the lack of knowledge regarding the in-pile behaviour of the Am-bearing blanket (AmBB). The DIAMINO separate-effect experiment was irradiated in the OSIRIS Material Test Reactor (MTR) with the goal of studying AmBB gaseous release and swelling as a function of temperature, AmBB microstructure and gas production rate. A brief description of the experiment is first provided, in terms of objectives and planning. The innovative design developed for the DIAMINO experiment is described in details. The DIAMINO irradiation time history is then summarized and the first results of non-destructive post-irradiation examinations are given. The LICOS fuel design code of the PLEIADES platform was used for the thermo-mechanical modelling of the DIAMINO experiment. The Pleiades platform, co-developed by CEA and its industrial partners EDF and FRAMATOME, gathers several fuel performance codes, each generally dedicated to the fuel element of a particular nuclear system. For its part, the LICOS code allows performing studies on innovative fuel elements or on the design of irradiation devices for instance. The thermo-mechanical modelling of the DIAMINO experiment device using the LICOS code is detailed in the paper together with the validation of the computations on the basis of some experimental temperature measurements performed on an in-pile mock-up of the experiment. The use of the simulation tool for the monitoring of the AmBB sample temperature under irradiation and for the post-irradiation calculations is explained and illustrated through some examples. Highlights • French Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor system may include Americium recycling in the radial fertile blankets. • DIAMINO experiment aims at measuring gaseous release and swelling of Am-bearing blankets as a function of temperature. • The innovative design, the irradiation-time history and the first results of the experiment are presented in the paper. • The LICOS fuel performance code was used to design the DIAMINO innovative experimental device. • The LICOS thermomechanical simulations and the in-pile experimental validation are presented in the article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lake and coastal Tunisian areas are rich biodiversity habitats, although little information is available about the distribution of food sources for the inhabitant species. In this study, a fatty acid analysis was used to study the trophic ecology of Venerupis decussatac ommunities from 10 sites located along the Tunisian Coast. The richest population in fatty acids was found in S4 followed by S5 and S8, while that of S1, S3 and S10 were the least rich. Results from multivariate analysis confirmed the ecological position of the studied population based on their fatty acid composition. Our results divided the ten studied populations into three similar groups according to their ecological and geographical positions in relation to environmental parameters and food and trophic links. A principal component analysis revealed that diatoms and dinoflagellates were the predominate diets in all the sampling stations. Bacteria and urban discharge dominated the dietary source of clams from S10 and S9. Zooplankton were the preferred diet of V. decussata harvested from the two S2 and S3 lakes; although green algae, phytoplankton and detritus were absent from the dietary source of the two previous populations. Despite spatial differences, clams from the north and the south could be easily distinguished from each other, which indicates the utility of this method in the dietary analysis of different food chain links. This study proves that geographic, ecologic and abiotic factors as well as their mutual interaction should be properly investigated in studies focusing on the trophic chains of aquatic ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The optical properties of soot have been studied for many years with a particular attention focused on refractive index. In the present study, the two-excitation wavelength laser-induced incandescence technique has been applied to determine the ratio of the soot absorption function as a function of the wavelength. The advantage of this technique is to provide the determination of the E( m) ratio using a non-intrusive laser-based method without being disturbed by scattering. Measurements have been carried out in a methane premixed flat flame and in a diesel turbulent spray one. Four pairs of wavelength have been used to evaluate the spectral behavior of E( m) ratios from ultraviolet (UV) to near infrared (NIR). The two-excitation wavelength LII method implies heating soot the same way using two different laser excitations. Particular operating conditions must be selected to insure the equality of the LII signals, such an equality being necessary to derive the E( m) ratio. A laser excitation at 1064 nm has been chosen as a reference, and the obtained results have been compared with those issued from the use of UV and visible wavelengths of 266, 355, 532 and 660 nm. Results show a significant decrease of the E( m) ratio from UV to visible while it tends to become constant from 532 nm to NIR. The use of different experimental conditions allows to analyze the dependence of the E( m) ratios with the height above the burner, the fuel type and the soot temperature. No significant influence of these parameters has been pointed out on the relative E( m) values determined in the flame conditions investigated here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Effects induced by the use of rapeseed methyl ester (RME) as additive or Diesel substitute on the soot formation process have been studied in turbulent spray flames. Investigations have been carried out by coupling Laser-Induced Incandescence and Fluorescence (LII/LIF) at 1064, 532 and 266nm. LII and LIF profiles obtained with fuels containing various amounts of ester (from 10 to 100vol.%) showed that the addition of RME to a European low-sulphur Diesel or to a Diesel surrogate (a n-decane/1-methylnaphthalene blend derived from the ‘IDEA’ fuel) induces significant reductions of the quantities of soot and soot precursors (including high-number ring aromatic species and light soot precursors). The study of different RME surrogates (n-decane, n-hexadecane, 1-octadecene and methyl oleate) also revealed that the details of the oxidation of biodiesels could be mimicked only using large methyl esters as surrogates. N-alkanes and n-alkenes were found to be unable to reproduce the soot formation process occurring during the combustion of large fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) such as those contained in RME. The analysis of the correlation existing between the threshold soot index (TSI) and the peak soot volume fraction measured in flames of m-IDEA/RME blends containing up to 80% of ester allowed the identification of the different effects involved in the soot reduction (i.e. the dilution and the ester functional group effects). The estimation of their relative contribution has also been investigated. Finally, the LII fluence curves and time decays obtained at different heights above the burner in flames burning Diesel and a Diesel/RME mixture have been compared. By this way, it has been demonstrated that biodiesel soot are bigger than Diesel ones in the soot formation region. On the other hand, particles oxidize much faster when RME is added to Diesel. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The knowledge of the relationship between porosity and transport properties of concrete is a point of major importance to run properly the models coupling chemistry, transport and mechanics in order to simulate the engineered barrier degradations in the context of the nuclear waste deep repository. The present work proposes a simplified composite model aiming at linking microstructure and effective diffusivity of cement pastes. The proposed analytical method allows the estimation of the evolution of effective diffusivity of such materials submitted to porosity opening or plugging, at the scale of the Representative Elementary Volume (REV). The method is then applied to Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) pastes. The porosity–diffusion evolutions determined from the composite model for various OPC pastes are implemented into simplified chemo-transport simulations aiming at describing the leaching of cementitious materials. Using these evolutions, OPC paste leaching simulations are in good agreement with the available experimental data, indicating a good reliability of the simplified composite model. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The effects of cold and hot smoking and the addition of Dunaliella salina polyphenol extract on the biochemical quality and shelf-life of Sander lucioperca fillets after storage for 90 days at 0-4 °C were examined. The results showed a significant increase in protein, lipid, free fatty acid, and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl contents, and a decrease in peroxide and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and volatile base nitrogen levels in cold (CSF) and hot (HSF) smoked fillets covered with or without extract and stored for 1, 20, and 90 days compared to fresh fillets (FF). Saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids exhibited a significant increase in FF and CSF and HSF covered with or without extract. The total polyunsaturated fatty acids revealed a significant decrease in FF and CSF and HSF with or without extract. Therefore, cold and hot smoking and polyphenol extract improved the biochemical quality and storage shelf-life of fillets for 90 days at 0-4 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reveals information for the first time about the total lipid (TL) content and fatty acid composition (FA) of Mactra stultorum (M. corallina). Three edible organs (foot, mantle and adductor muscle) were the subjects of this research in order to determine the most favorable periods for their consumption in relation to seasonal variability. The results showed lower lipid content in the adductor muscles in summer (12.73 ± 2.55 mg/g dry matter); while a higher content was observed in winter (28.97 ± 3.50 mg/g dry matter). However, similar lipid contents were observed in the mantle and foot tissues among the seasons. The fatty acid composition of Mactra stultorum adductor muscles, mantle and foot was dominated by saturated fatty acids (SFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Palmitic acid (16:0) was the major saturated fatty acid (SFA) and reached higher levels during summer in the foot (26%), mantle (21%) and adductor muscles (25%). Among PUFA, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) showed significant variation among seasons with high levels recorded during winter and spring. Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) did not show any remarkable variation among seasons for the three studied tissues. Seasonal changes in fatty acids were observed for all samples, reaching a maximum level in winter or spring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Fuel tested: Am0.15·U0.85·O1.94; with two densities. [•] The MARIOS irradiation has been concluded, as planned, successfully. [•] The objectives of the experiment, temperature and burn-up, have been fulfilled. [•] The irradiation of such kind of nuclear fuel did not show any particular problems. [•] The pellets used are still intact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Americium is a strong contributor to the long term radiotoxicity of high activity nuclear waste. Transmutation by irradiation in nuclear reactors of long-lived nuclides like 241Am is, therefore, an option for the reduction of radiotoxicity and residual power packages as well as the repository area. The MARIOS irradiation experiment is the latest of a series of experiments on americium transmutation (e.g. EFTTRA-T4, EFTTRA-T4bis, HELIOS). MARIOS experiment is carried out in the framework of the 4-year project FAIRFUELS of the EURATOM 7th Framework Programme (FP7). During the past years of experimental work in the field of transmutation and tests of innovative nuclear fuel containing americium, the release or trapping of helium as well as swelling has shown to be the key issue for the design of such kinds of target. Therefore, the main objective of the MARIOS experiment is to study the in-pile behaviour of UO2 containing minor actinides (MAs) in order to gain knowledge on the role of the microstructure and of the temperature on the gas release and on fuel swelling. The MARIOS experiment will be conducted in the HFR (high flux reactor) in Petten (The Netherlands) and will start in the beginning of 2011. It has been planned that the experiment will last 11 cycles, corresponding to 11 months. This paper covers the description of the objective of the experiment, as well as a general description of the design of the experiment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Americium (Am) is a strong contributor to the long-term radiotoxicity of high-level waste from nuclear fuels. Transmutation of long-lived nuclides like 241Am by irradiation in nuclear reactors is therefore an option for the reduction of radiotoxicity and heat production of waste volumes to be stored in a repository. The MARINE irradiation experiment is the latest in a series of European experiments on americium transmutation (e.g. EFTTRA-T4, EFTTRA-T4bis, HELIOS, MARIOS, SPHERE) performed in the High Flux Reactor (HFR) in Petten (The Netherlands). The development and irradiation of MARINE was carried out in the framework of the collaborative research project PELGRIMM of the EURATOM 7th Framework Programme (FP7). Dismantling was completed and post-irradiation examinations (PIE) were started within the Dutch national research programme PIONEER. Destructive PIE is foreseen within the Euratom H2020 funded project PATRICIA. The main objective of the MARINE experiment is to study the in-pile behaviour of uranium oxide fuel containing 13% of americium and to compare the behaviour of sphere-pac versus pellet fuel, in particular the role of microstructure and temperature on fission gas and helium release dynamics on fuel swelling. The MARINE experiment was irradiated for 359 Full Power Days in the HFR in 2016 and 2017. This paper discusses results from irradiation, i.e. power and temperature history and transmutation rates as well as preliminary results from post irradiation examinations, assessing a.o. clad strains and helium and fission gas release and first ceramographic observations, putting a preliminary upper bound on fuel swelling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vanillin, a widely used flavoring agent, has antimutagenic and antioxidant properties. The current study was performed to evaluate its beneficial role against hepatotoxicity induced by maneb, a dithiocarbamate fungicide. Mice were divided into four groups of six each: group 1, serving as negative controls which received by intraperitoneal way only distilled water, a solvent of maneb; group 2, received daily, by intraperitoneal way, maneb (30 mg kg−1 body weight (BW)); group 3, received maneb at the same dose of group 2 and 50 mg kg−1 BW of vanillin by intraperitoneal way; and group 4, serving as positive controls, received daily only vanillin. After 10 days of treatment, mice of all groups were killed. Our results showed that vanillin significantly reduced the elevated hepatic levels of malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and advanced oxidation protein product and attenuated DNA fragmentation induced by maneb. In addition, vanillin modulated the alterations of antioxidant status: enzymatic (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase) and nonenzymatic (reduced glutathione, nonprotein thiol, and vitamin C) antioxidants in the liver of maneb-treated mice. This natural compound was also able to ameliorate plasma biochemical parameters (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, and total protein). The protective effect of vanillin was further evident through the histopathological changes produced by maneb in the liver tissue. Thus, we concluded that vanillin might be beneficial against maneb-induced hepatic damage in mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The copepod Lernaeosera lusci is a common ectoparasite of the hake Merluccius merluccius, which constitutes its definitive host. The present study is the first to investigate the impact of L. lusci and its infection intensity on the fatty acid (FA) composition and oil quality of its host. The results revealed a substantial decrease in the total FA content, which dropped by 50, 70 and 83% when fish was infected by one (L1), two (L2) and three (L3) parasites, respectively. The lipid profile showed a tendency for a significant decrease in the saturated fatty acid (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) levels in all parasitized groups and in a parasite load dependant manner (p < 0.05). The same tendency was observed for the most commonly analysed FA and in particular for essential FA, such as e arachidonic (ARA), eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids, which showed smaller amounts associated with L. lusci co-infection. From a nutritional standpoint, our findings revealed that L. lusci is able to cause severe deterioration in the nutritional quality of its host oil. In addition to the increase in the thrombogenicity index (IT) and the high atherogenicity index (IA) values, the low hypocholesterolemic / hypercholesterolemic fatty acid ratio (H/H) and the modest amount of DHA+EPA (20 and 10 mg/100g) recorded at heavy infection levels make the parasitized fish inadequate sources of these PUFA and unsuitable for consumers with special dietary needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Americium is a strong contributor to the long term radiotoxicity of high activity nuclear waste. Transmutation by irradiation in nuclear reactors of long-lived nuclides like 241 Am is therefore an option for the reduction of radiotoxicity and heat production of waste packages to be stored in a repository. The MARINE irradiation experiment is the latest of a series of European experiments on americium transmutation (e.g. EFTTRA-T4, EFTTRA-T4bis, HELIOS, MARIOS, SPHERE) performed in the High Flux Reactor (HFR). The MARINE experiment is developed and carried out in the framework of the collaborative research project PELGRIMM of the EURATOM 7th Framework Programme (FP7). During the past years of experimental works in the field of transmutation and tests of innovative nuclear fuels, the release or trapping of helium as well as swelling have been shown to be the key issues for the design of such kind of fuel both as drivers and even more for Am-bearing blanket targets (due to the higher Am contents). The main objective of the MARINE experiment is to study the in-pile behaviour of uranium oxide fuel containing 13% of americium and to compare the behaviour of sphere-pac versus pellet fuel, in particular the role of microstructure and temperature on fission gas release and He on fuel swelling. The MARINE experiment will be irradiated in 2016 in the HFR in Petten (The Netherlands) and is expected to be completed in spring 2017. This paper discusses the rationale and objective of the MARINE experiment and provides a general description of its design for which some innovative features have been adopted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laser-induced incandescence (LII) is a powerful and robust optical method for in situ determination of soot volume fraction and/or soot absorption/emission properties in flames and engine exhaust. The laser-induced signal is interpreted as thermal emission based on the Planck law. Up to now, the evaluation and interpretation of LII signal have been largely based on contributions from isolated primary particles that are assumed much smaller than wavelengths. In the present paper, the morphology, wavelength, and aggregate size-dependent effects of multiple scattering within fractal soot aggregates on their absorption and emission cross sections are taken into account in the evaluation of LII signal by proposing correction terms to the traditional model. The impact of accounting for the correction to soot aggregate emission due to multiple scattering on LII signal and on the two excitation wavelength-induced incandescence method for inferring the soot absorption function, E( m), is discussed. For wavelengths shorter than 532 nm, E( m, λ)/E( m, 1064 nm) increases more significantly with decreasing wavelength. For wavelengths longer than 532 nm, the wavelength dependence of E( m, λ)/E( m, 1064 nm) becomes very small and can be neglected. The proposed corrections, along with the soot morphology, are applied to re-analyze the experimental data of Bejaoui et al. (Appl Phys B Lasers Opt, 116:313, ) for deriving the relative soot absorption function variation with wavelength at different locations in a rich premixed methane flat flame at atmospheric pressure. The present analysis showed that the soot absorption function varies with the height above the burner exit and can be correlated with the degree of soot maturation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Americium is a strong contributor to the long term radiotoxicity of high activity nuclear waste. Transmutation by irradiation in nuclear reactors of long-lived nuclides like 241 Am is therefore an option for the reduction of radiotoxicity of waste packages to be stored in a repository. The SPHERE irradiation experiment is the latest of a series of European experiments on americium transmutation (e.g. EFTTRA-T4, EFTTRA-T4bis, HELIOS, MARIOS) performed in the HFR (High Flux Reactor). The SPHERE experiment is carried out in the framework of the 4-year project FAIRFUELS of the EURATOM 7th Framework Programme (FP7). During the past years of experimental works in the field of transmutation and tests of innovative nuclear fuels, the release or trapping of helium as well as helium induced fuel swelling have been shown to be the key issues for the design of Am-bearing targets. The main objective of the SPHERE experiment is to study the in-pile behaviour of fuel containing 3% of americium and to compare the behaviour of sphere-pac fuel to pellet fuel, in particular the role of microstructure and temperature on fission gas release (mainly He) and on fuel swelling. The SPHERE experiment is being irradiated since September 2013 in the HFR in Petten (The Netherlands) and is expected to be terminated in spring 2015. The experiment has been designed to last up to 18 reactor cycles (corresponding to 18 months) but may reach its target earlier. This paper discusses the rationale and objective of the SPHERE experiment and provides a general description of its design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

n experiment investigating the behavior of different fuel compositions with high content of plutonium for the conditions of a BOR-60 reactor was performed in 1996-2007. The results of post-reactor studies of the experimental fuel elements with 40% PuN + 60% ZrN and 40% PuO + 60% MgO are presented here. The microstructure, density change, crystal lattice parameters of the fuel compositions, and the fission product distribution were investigated. Burnup ~19% was attained. The swelling per 1% burnup of the fuel was 0.1% for the nitride composition and 0.7-0.9% for the oxide composition. The gas release did not exceed 1% for the nitride fuel and 9% for the oxide fuel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]