Nuclear energy is faced with major challenges ranging from public perception and acceptance to nonproliferation and continued operation and enhanced safety of existing fleet with lessons learned from recent Fukushima Daiichi accidents. The industry itself recognizes the ultimate importance of ensuring overall safety,where research and development play an important role in supporting safe operation of nuclear power plants. Understanding the mechanisms and underlying physics and developing measures to prevent and/or mitigate decay of plant performances are still challenging tasks for utilities and technical support organizations. Having in mind the global nature of these nuclear technology issues,it is imperative that professional forums, such as international journals and technical professional meetings, provide a global communication channel to foster the exchange of ideas and critical information and to enhance cross fertilization of research and development activities through our professional community.

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