The MAgnet Design Explorer (MADE) is a Tokamak design algorithm developed initially for the DTT CS, and largely extended within the EUROfusion DEMO project 1. MADE could function as a valuable tool ...for navigating the initial design stage of a tokamak project. In response to the technological developments in recent years, it has been deemed necessary to define a means capable of estimating how machine size and performance change in response to the target parameters imposed by plasma physics and by the performance of the superconducting magnet system. The MADE algorithm previously included two sequenced macro-blocks, the first dedicated to defining the toroidal magnetic field system, and the second to define the central solenoid of the machine. These macro-blocks generate two of the three main magnetic systems of the Tokamak. This paper describes the studies completed to define and implement the third macro-block, which models the poloidal coil system and the plasma vertical stability. The resulting suite of algorithms are now combined to reach an optimized winding pack architecture for all major tokamak coils at a given plant operating point. A case study based on ITER is presented in this work.
Adjuvant System 04 (AS04) combines the TLR4 agonist MPL (3-O-desacyl-4'-monophosphoryl lipid A) and aluminum salt. It is a new generation TLR-based adjuvant licensed for use in human vaccines. One of ...these vaccines, the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Cervarix, is used in this study to elucidate the mechanism of action of AS04 in human cells and in mice. The adjuvant activity of AS04 was found to be strictly dependent on AS04 and the HPV Ags being injected at the same i.m. site within 24 h of each other. During this period, AS04 transiently induced local NF-kappaB activity and cytokine production. This led to an increased number of activated Ag-loaded dendritic cells and monocytes in the lymph node draining the injection site, which further increased the activation of Ag-specific T cells. AS04 was also found to directly stimulate those APCs in vitro but not directly stimulate CD4(+) T or B lymphocytes. These AS04-induced innate responses were primarily due to MPL. Aluminum salt appeared not to synergize with or inhibit MPL, but rather it prolonged the cytokine responses to MPL at the injection site. Altogether these results support a model in which the addition of MPL to aluminum salt enhances the vaccine response by rapidly triggering a local cytokine response leading to an optimal activation of APCs. The transient and confined nature of these responses provides further supporting evidence for the favorable safety profile of AS04 adjuvanted vaccines.
We present the first real attempt to directly and continuously measure GEM through a Lumex RA-915 M, designed for real-time detection of mercury vapor, mounted on an UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, ...namely a heavy-lift octocopter), inside and outside the former Hg-mining area of Abbadia San Salvatore (Mt. Amiata, Italy), known as a GEM source. We tested the effectiveness of the UAV-Lumex combination at different heights in selected sites pertaining to both mining facilities and surrounding urban zones, shedding light on the GEM spatial distribution and concentration variability. The Lumex great sensitivity and the octocopter optimal versatility and maneuverability, both horizontally and vertically, allowed to depict the GEM distribution in the atmosphere up to 60 m above the ground. The acquisition system was further optimized by: i) synchronizing Lumex and UAV GPS data by means of a stand-alone GPS that was previously synchronized with Lumex; ii) using a vertical sampling tube (1.20 m high) connected to the Lumex inlet to overcome the rotors strong airflows and turbulence that would have affected GEM measurements; iii) supplying the octocopter with batteries for power supply to avoid the release of exhaust gases; iv) taking the advantage of the UAV ability to land in small spaces and stop at selected altitudes.
The resulting dot-map graphical representations, providing a realistic 3D picture of GEM vertical profiling during the flights in near real-time, were useful to verify whether the guideline concentrations indicated by competent authorities were exceeded. The results showed that the GEM concentrations in the urban area, located a few hundred meters from the mining structures, and close to already reclaimed areas remained at relatively low values. Contrarily, GEM contents showed significant variations and the highest concentrations above the facilities containing the old furnaces, where increasing GEM concentrations were recorded at decreasing heights or downwind.
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•First attempt to measure GEM in near real-time with a Lumex RA-915 M on an UAV.•Test in selected sites of mining and urban zones of Abbadia San Salvatore (Italy).•The method shed light on GEM spatial distribution and concentration variability.•3D dot-maps allowed to verify whether the guideline concentrations were exceeded.•GEM contents achieved the highest concentrations above the old furnaces facilities.
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•ZnO nanoparticles were anchored to SiO2 spherical nanoparticles by sol–gel method.•ZnO/SiO2 nanoparticles were used to prepare cured isoprene rubber nanocomposites.•ZnO/SiO2 ...nanoparticles act as curing activator and simultaneously reinforcing filler.•In ZnO/SiO2 Zn2+-ions are highly dispersed and accessible to the curing reactants.•The efficiency of the rubber curing is improved, reducing the amount of used ZnO.
ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) were anchored to SiO2 spherical nanoparticles by hydrolysis and condensation of Zn(CH3COO)2 in the presence of SiO2. The ZnO/SiO2 NPs were then blended with isoprene rubber. The immobilization of ZnO NPs on the silica surface, due to covalent SiOZn bonds provides a homogeneous dispersion of zinc in the rubber matrix and increases the accessibility of the curative reactants to Zn2+ ions. This improves the efficiency of the rubber curing and reduces the amount of used ZnO.
A Volumetric Neutron Source (VNS) is proposed as a compact tokamak to serve as a qualification testbed for fusion in-vessel components, breeding blanket in particular. The main goal is to determine ...the minimum size of the machine while maximizing the Neutron Wall Load (NWL). This paper discusses the design parameters and constraints involved in specifying the magnetic cage for VNS. The focus of the study is on sizing the TF (toroidal field) coils and related structures with the plasma magnetic field, as well as assessing how various design constraints influence the machine performance at higher magnetic field strengths. In particular, the trade-off between TF neutron heat load and dose and shielding efficiency. A very preliminary (and still evolving) design point for VNS is presented and discussed.
The Roadmap to Fusion Electricity draws on innovative experiments pivotal for the accomplishment of the European DEMO, i.e., the demonstration fusion power plant by the EUROfusion Consortium. At the ...end of the pre-conceptual design phase, the machine comprises three main magnetic systems: 6 poloidal field (PF) coils, 16 toroidal field (TF) coils and the central solenoid (CS), primary member of the ideal transformer in which the induced plasma is the secondary. Tokamak reactor operates under extremely heterogeneous and demanding loading conditions, leading structures, and components near to the material mechanical limits. All the structures must be assessed under the static and fatigue structural viewpoint. This work presents the advanced global model for the DEMO machine. This model consists of the main magnetic system, structures, auxiliary components, and joint connections. All the updated timepoints of the actual Single Null scenario have been analysed via a dedicated electromagnetic FEM model. The routine adopted allows to analyse each magnet and each component with a fully detailed submodel and/or with a homogenised model and equivalent thermoelastic material properties.
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•Free radical mechanisms detected in the sulphur-only vulcanization of polybutadiene.•No effects observed on free radical mechanisms by the sulphenamide/Zn catalysts.•Molecular ...sulphur is found to be an efficient allyl radicals scavenger.•Delocalized stable radicals reckoned with sulphur induced dehydrogenation reactions.•Polysulphanyl radicals and the other possible intermediates analysed by EPR and DFT.
The EPR investigation of the sulphur-only vulcanization of polybutadiene has afforded evidence of free radical activity and proposals for the identification of the paramagnetic intermediates are forwarded. Some of the species (polysulphonyl and sulphuranyl radicals) are thought to be direct evidence of a free radical component in the vulcanization mechanism. Indirect evidence of a vulcanization free radical mechanism comes also from other species, like stable tertiary carbon radicals and delocalized thiyl radicals which are characterised by absence of α and β hydrogen atoms. This structural feature is reckoned with sulphur induced dehydrogenation reactions which are known to be dominant at higher temperatures but are suggested to start to be active, as minor mechanism, already at the vulcanization temperatures. As a necessary support for the present and future vulcanization studies based on the EPR methodology, part of the work is devoted to a survey of all the possible radical intermediates and their properties which have been investigated with the help of DFT M.O. computations and specific ancillary EPR experiments to implement the available literature information. Amongst the results obtained is the observation that the g tensor of the polysulphanyl radicals RSn (n⩾2) is invariant with respect to he number of sulphur atoms in the polysulphane chains; however, in conditions of high sulphur atoms concentration (as in molten sulphur), a significant decrease of gav is predicted to occur as a consequence of through-space spin exchange phenomena. Other results concern the free radical vulcanization chemistry of sulphur whose attitude to act as scavenger of polybutadiene allyl radicals has been assessed. The vulcanization carried out in presence of t-butyl benzothiazole sulphenamide and Zn stearate has afforded very similar EPR spectra together with a moderately faster radicals forming kinetics; this result is considered proof that no change of the vulcanization free radical component into polar or concerted mechanisms is induced by the catalyst and the promoter
Bad oral habits: a review of the literature Giannini, L; Galbiati, G; Cressoni, P ...
Journal of biological regulators and homeostatic agents,
2021 Jan-Feb, Letnik:
35, Številka:
1
Journal Article
To report long-term outcomes of relapsed prostate cancer (PC) patients treated in a prospective single-arm study with extended-nodal radiotherapy (ENRT) and 11C-choline positron emission tomography ...(PET)/computed tomography (CT)-guided simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) to positive lymph nodes (LNs).
From 12/2009 to 04/2015, 60 PC patients with biochemical relapse and positive LNs only were treated in this study. ENRT at a median total dose (TD) = 51.8 Gy/28 fr and PET/CT-guided SIB to positive LNs at a median TD = 65.5 Gy was prescribed. Median PSA at relapse was 2.3 (interquartile range, IQR:1.3-4.0) ng/ml. Median number of positive LNs: 2 (range: 1-18). Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) was prescribed for 48 patients for a median of 30.7 (IQR: 18.5-43.1) months.
Median follow-up from the end of salvage treatment was 121.8 (IQR: 116.1, 130.9) months; 3-, 5-, and 10-year BRFS were 45.0%, 36.0%, and 24.0%, respectively; DMFS: 67.9%, 57.2%, and 45.2%; CRFS: 62.9%, 53.9%, and 42.0%; and OS: 88.2%, 76.3%, and 47.9%, respectively. Castration resistance (p < 0.0001) and ≥ 6 positive LN (p = 0.0024) significantly influenced OS at multivariate analysis. Castration resistance (p < 0.0001 for both) influenced DMFS and CRFS in multivariate analysis.
In PC relapsed patients treated with ENRT and 11C-choline-PET/CT-guided SIB for positive LNs, with 10-year follow-up, a median Kaplan-Meier estimate CRFS of 67 months and OS of 110 months were obtained. These highly favorable results should be confirmed in a prospective, randomized trial.
Cell interaction with adhesive proteins or growth factors in the extracellular matrix initiates Ras/mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase signaling. Evidence is provided that MAP kinase (ERK1 and ...ERK2) influences the cells' motility machinery by phosphorylating and, thereby, enhancing myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) activity leading to phosphorylation of myosin light chains (MLC). Inhibition of MAP kinase activity causes decreased MLCK function, MLC phosphorylation, and cell migration on extracellular matrix proteins. In contrast, expression of mutationally active MAP kinase kinase causes activation of MAP kinase leading to phosphorylation of MLCK and MLC and enhanced cell migration. In vitro results support these findings since ERK-phosphorylated MLCK has an increased capacity to phosphorylate MLC and shows increased sensitivity to calmodulin. Thus, we define a signaling pathway directly downstream of MAP kinase, influencing cell migration on the extracellular matrix.
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