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Nuclear energy is increasingly being considered for such targeted energy applications as data centers in light of their high capacity factors and low carbon emissions. This paper focuses on assessing the tradeoffs between economies of scale versus mass production to identify promising reactor sizes to meet data center demands. A framework is then built using the best cost estimates from the literature to identify ideal reactor power sizes for the needs of the given data center. Results should not be taken to be deterministic but highlight the variability of ideal reactor power output against the required demand. While certain advocates claim that with the gigawatts of clean, firm energy needed, large plants are ideal, others advocate for SMRs that can be deployed in large quantities and reap the benefits from learning effects. The findings of this study showcase that identifying the optimal size for a reactor is likely more nuanced and dependent on the application and its requirements. Overall, the study does show potential economic promise for coupling nuclear reactors to data centers and industrial heat applications under certain key conditions and assumptions.

Nuclear energy is increasingly being considered for such targeted energy applications as data centers in light of their high capacity factors and low carbon emissions. This paper focuses on assessing the tradeoffs between economies of scale versus mass production to identify promising reactor sizes to meet data center demands. A framework is then built using the best cost estimates from the literature to identify ideal reactor power sizes for the needs of the given data center. Results should not be taken to be deterministic but highlight the variability of ideal reactor power output against the required demand. While certain advocates claim that with the gigawatts of clean, firm energy needed, large plants are ideal, others advocate for SMRs that can be deployed in large quantities and reap the benefits from learning effects. The findings of this study showcase that identifying the optimal size for a reactor is likely more nuanced and dependent on the application and its requirements. Overall, the study does show potential economic promise for coupling nuclear reactors to data centers and industrial heat applications under certain key conditions and assumptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Automated truck platooning may cause up to 85% reduction in truck following distance compared to conventional vehicles and therefore reduces rest periods between loading cycles on pavement materials. Fatigue cracking is one of the major distresses in asphalt pavement structures, and pavement fatigue life is highly dependent on rest periods between loading cycles. In this paper, Artificial Neural Network (ANN) modeling was applied on the existing NCHRP 09-44A project's database of extensive laboratory beam fatigue testing results on asphalt mixtures with various rest periods. The developed ANN model was used to predict number of cycles to failure as a function of rest periods and to estimate the impact of truck platooning on pavement fatigue life. In addition, a stand-alone linear multivariate regression equation of fatigue life was developed independently from the ANN model. Based on the results, an 85% reduction in the following distance of platooned trucks may lead to between 7% and 25% reduction in pavement fatigue life. The Platooning Fatigue Life Ratio (PFLR) was found to be dependent on temperature, applied strain level, and mixture parameters. Finally, the applied strain level was the most significant testing factor and binder grade was the most significant mixture parameter on PFLR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Balloon angioplasty for native coarctation of the aorta in infants and children is gaining acceptance as an alternative to surgery in discrete membranous obstruction . The aim of this study was to assess the immediate and intermediate-term effectiveness and safety of balloon angioplasty in infants and children with discrete membranous obstruction and mild complex arch anomalies. We performed a retrospective study evaluating the immediate and intermediate-term results of balloon angioplasty in 46 consecutive patients with native coarctation of the aorta done between March 1998 and June 2003. Isolated discrete fibromembranous obstruction occurred in 32 patients, and 14 patients had mild complex arch anomalies. Follow-up was obtained in 40 patients. There was no early mortality. The procedure was initially successful in 43 patients (93%). There were three immediate failures. Of the 40 patients who were followed, 32 (80%) had maintained a cuff pressure gradient of 20 mmHg across the dilated area. Four patients developed restenosis, which was successfully treated by repeated balloon angioplasty. The other four patients continued to have mild gradient (20–22 mmHg) with systolic hypertension and without angiographic evidence of restenosis but with isthmus hypoplasia; they received atenolol and captopril. Serial echocardiographic measurement of left ventricular dimension and function revealed significant improvement after balloon angioplasty of aortic coarctation in patients with the echocardiographic picture of hypertensive cardiomyopathy. Balloon angioplasty may be considered as a tool in the armamentarium of management of aortic coarctation in different anatomic variants, taking into consideration the clinical presentation and patient age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]