Effect of a dual-purpose cask payload increment of spent fuel assemblies from VVER 1000 Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant on basket criticality.

Dual-purpose casks can be utilized for dry interim storage and transportation of the highly radioactive spent fuel assemblies (SFAs) of Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant (NPP). Criticality safety analysis was carried out using the MCNP code for the cask containing 12, 18, or 19 SFAs. The basket materials of borated stainless steel and Boral (Al-B4C) were investigated, and the minimum required receptacle pitch of the basket was determined.

Thermal stability of catalases active in dormant saffron (Crocus sativus L.) corms.

Catalase activity was detected in crude extract prepared from dormant saffron (Crocus sativus L.) corms. The activity was independent of pH in the range 6.0-11.0. Thermostability studies suggested the presence of three isoenzymes with transition temperatures of 30 degrees C, 45 degrees C and 60 degrees C, respectively, as given by Arrhenius plots. When stained for catalase activity gel electropherograms of extract revealed 3 distinct bands with apparent molecular weight of 323,000, 295,000 and 268,000, respectively. Thus it appeared that at least three isoenzymes of catalase were present in dormant saffron corms.