ITER plasma-facing components Merola, Mario; Loesser, D.; Martin, A. ...
Fusion engineering and design,
12/2010, Letnik:
85, Številka:
10
Journal Article, Conference Proceeding
Recenzirano
The ITER plasma-facing components directly face the thermonuclear plasma and include the divertor, the blanket and the test blanket modules with their corresponding frames.
The divertor is located at ...the bottom of the plasma chamber and is aimed at exhausting the major part of the plasma thermal power (including alpha power) and at minimising the helium and impurity content in the plasma.
The blanket system provides a physical boundary for the plasma transients and contributes to the thermal and nuclear shielding of the vacuum vessel and external machine components. It consists of modular shielding elements known as blanket modules which are attached to the vacuum vessel. Each blanket module consists of two major components: a plasma-facing first wall panel and a shield block.
The test blanket modules are mock-ups of DEMO breeding blankets. There are three ITER equatorial ports devoted to test blanket modules, each of them providing for the allocation of two breeding modules inserted in a steel frame and in front of a shield block.
LGI Proteins and Epilepsy in Human and Animals Pakozdy, A.; Patzl, M.; Zimmermann, L. ...
Journal of veterinary internal medicine,
July/August 2015, Letnik:
29, Številka:
4
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Leucine‐rich glioma‐inactivated (LGI) protein was first thought to have a suppressor effect in the formation of some cancers. Developments in physiology and medicine made it possible to characterize ...the function of the LGI protein family and its crucial role in different conditions more precisely. These proteins play an important role in synaptic transmission, and dysfunction may cause hyperexcitability. Genetic mutation of LGI1was confirmed to be the cause of autosomal dominant lateral temporal lobe epilepsy in humans. The LGI2 mutation was identified in benign familial juvenile epilepsy in Lagotto Romagnolo (LR) dogs. Cats with familial spontaneous temporal lobe epilepsy have been reported, and the etiology might be associated with LGI protein family dysfunction. In addition, an autoimmune reaction against LGI1 was detected in humans and cats with limbic encephalitis. These advances prompted a review of LGI protein function and its role in different seizure disorders.
Sulfuric acid, amines and oxidized organics have been found to be important compounds in the nucleation and initial growth of atmospheric particles. Because of the challenges involved in determining ...the chemical composition of objects with very small mass, however, the properties of the freshly nucleated particles and the detailed pathways of their formation processes are still not clear. In this study, we focus on a challenging size range, i.e., particles that have grown to diameters of 10 and 15 nm following nucleation, and measure their water uptake. Water uptake is useful information for indirectly obtaining chemical composition of aerosol particles. We use a nanometer-hygroscopicity tandem differential mobility analyzer (nano-HTDMA) at subsaturated conditions (ca. 90 % relative humidity at 293 K) to measure the hygroscopicity of particles during the seventh Cosmics Leaving OUtdoor Droplets (CLOUD7) campaign performed at CERN in 2012. In CLOUD7, the hygroscopicity of nucleated nanoparticles was measured in the presence of sulfuric acid, sulfuric acid–dimethylamine, and sulfuric acid–organics derived from α-pinene oxidation. The hygroscopicity parameter κ decreased with increasing particle size, indicating decreasing acidity of particles. No clear effect of the sulfuric acid concentration on the hygroscopicity of 10 nm particles produced from sulfuric acid and dimethylamine was observed, whereas the hygroscopicity of 15 nm particles sharply decreased with decreasing sulfuric acid concentrations. In particular, when the concentration of sulfuric acid was 5.1 × 106 molecules cm−3 in the gas phase, and the dimethylamine mixing ratio was 11.8 ppt, the measured κ of 15 nm particles was 0.31 ± 0.01: close to the value reported for dimethylaminium sulfate (DMAS) (κDMAS ∼ 0.28). Furthermore, the difference in κ between sulfuric acid and sulfuric acid–imethylamine experiments increased with increasing particle size. The κ values of particles in the presence of sulfuric acid and organics were much smaller than those of particles in the presence of sulfuric acid and dimethylamine. This suggests that the organics produced from α-pinene ozonolysis play a significant role in particle growth even at 10 nm sizes.
Background. For the licensing of new pneumococcal vaccines, it is vital to be able to predict their protective efficacy on the basis of immunogenicity. However, the serological correlates of ...protection have not been established for pneumococcal diseases. Methods. A total of 1666 children were immunized with the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. Acute otitis media (AOM) events swere identified, and middle-ear fluid was cultured for pneumococci. The association between the concentration of antibodies against serotypes 6B, 19F, and 23F and the risk of AOM caused by the homologous serotypes or by the cross-reactive serotype 6A was assessed. An association model was used to predict efficacy at different geometric mean concentrations (GMCs). Results. An association between antibody concentration and risk of AOM was found, but with large differences between serotypes. On the basis of the association, the predicted efficacy for 19F was negligible up to the highest GMC tested. In contrast, 6B was found to be highly efficacious (<65%) at a GMC of 0.5 µg/mL. Conclusions. The results challenge the view that a new vaccine candidate should always induce antibody concentrations that are not inferior to those produced by the licensed vaccine. Furthermore, the differences between serotypes caution against defining a common correlate of protection that is applicable to all serotypes.
Sulfuric acid is an important gas influencing atmospheric new particle formation (NPF). Both the binary (H2SO4-H2O) system and the ternary system involving ammonia (H2SO4-H2O-NH3) may be important in ...the free troposphere. An essential step in the nucleation of aerosol particles from gas-phase precursors is the formation of a dimer, so an understanding of the thermodynamics of dimer formation over a wide range of atmospheric conditions is essential to describe NPF. We have used the CLOUD chamber to conduct nucleation experiments for these systems at temperatures from 208 to 248 K. Neutral monomer and dimer concentrations of sulfuric acid were measured using a chemical ionization mass spectrometer (CIMS). From these measurements, dimer evaporation rates in the binary system were derived for temperatures of 208 and 223 K. We compare these results to literature data from a previous study that was conducted at higher temperatures but is in good agreement with the present study. For the ternary system the formation of H2SO4.NH3 is very likely an essential step in the formation of sulfuric acid dimers, which were measured at 210, 223, and 248 K. We estimate the thermodynamic properties (dH and dS) of the H2SO4.NH3 cluster using a simple heuristic model and the measured data. Furthermore, we report the first measurements of large neutral sulfuric acid clusters containing as many as 10 sulfuric acid molecules for the binary system using chemical ionization-atmospheric pressure interface time-of-flight (CI-APi-TOF) mass spectrometry.
Sulfuric acid is widely recognized as a very important substance driving atmospheric aerosol nucleation. Based on quantum chemical calculations it has been suggested that the quantitative detection ...of gas phase sulfuric acid (H2SO4) by use of Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry (CIMS) could be biased in the presence of gas phase amines such as dimethylamine (DMA). An experiment (CLOUD7 campaign) was set up at the CLOUD (Cosmics Leaving OUtdoor Droplets) chamber to investigate the quantitative detection of H2SO4 in the presence of dimethylamine by CIMS at atmospherically relevant concentrations. For the first time in the CLOUD experiment, the monomer sulfuric acid concentration was measured by a CIMS and by two CI‐APi‐TOF (Chemical Ionization‐Atmospheric Pressure interface‐Time Of Flight) mass spectrometers. In addition, neutral sulfuric acid clusters were measured with the CI‐APi‐TOFs. The CLOUD7 measurements show that in the presence of dimethylamine (<5 to 70 pptv) the sulfuric acid monomer measured by the CIMS represents only a fraction of the total H2SO4, contained in the monomer and the clusters that is available for particle growth. Although it was found that the addition of dimethylamine dramatically changes the H2SO4 cluster distribution compared to binary (H2SO4‐H2O) conditions, the CIMS detection efficiency does not seem to depend substantially on whether an individual H2SO4 monomer is clustered with a DMA molecule. The experimental observations are supported by numerical simulations based on A Self‐contained Atmospheric chemistry coDe coupled with a molecular process model (Sulfuric Acid Water NUCleation) operated in the kinetic limit.
Key Points
H2SO4 concentration measured by CIMS in CLOUD was influenced by the presence of dimethylamine
CIMS's detection efficiency is not substantially influenced by the presence of dimethylamine
Information of sulfuric acid cluster composition by CI‐APi‐TOF explains most of the observed effect
Background
In the last decade, a disorder characterized by episodes of involuntary movements and dystonia has been recognized in Border Terriers.
Objectives
To define clinical features of paroxysmal ...dyskinesia (PD) in a large number of Border Terriers and to study the genetics of the disease.
Animals
110 affected and 128 unaffected client‐owned Border Terriers.
Methods
A questionnaire regarding clinical characteristics of PD was designed at Utrecht University and the University of Helsinki. Thirty‐five affected Border Terriers underwent physical examination and blood testing (hematology and clinical biochemistry). Diagnostic imaging of the brain was performed in 17 affected dogs and electroencephalograms (EEG) between episodes were obtained in 10 affected dogs. A genomewide association study (GWAS) was performed with DNA of 110 affected and 128 unaffected dogs.
Results
One hundred forty‐seven questionnaires were included in the study. The most characteristic signs during episodes were dystonia, muscle fasciculations, and falling over. The majority of owners believed that their dogs remained conscious during the episodes. A beneficial effect of anti‐epileptic therapy was observed in 29 of 43 dogs. Fifteen owners changed their dogs’ diet to a hypoallergenic, gluten‐free diet, and all reported reasonable to good improvement of signs. Clinical examinations and diagnostic test results were unremarkable. The GWAS did not identify significantly associated chromosome regions.
Conclusions and Clinical Importance
The survey results and EEG studies provided further evidence that the observed syndrome is a PD rather than epilepsy. Failure to achieve conclusive results by GWAS indicates that inheritance of PD in Border Terriers probably is complex.
This case series describes four cases of concomitant dermoid sinus and spina bifida in a Chinese crested dog, two Swedish vallhunds and a Burmese cat. The diagnosis was confirmed by computed ...tomography, computed tomography fistulography and pathology. Two dogs that showed abnormalities during neurological examination underwent magnetic resonance imaging. One of them had imaging findings interpreted as syringohydromyelia. All the dogs underwent surgery and the outcome was considered good in all the cases. Based on clinical and pathological examination as well as diagnostic imaging findings, two of the dermoid sinuses were classified as type IV, and two of them showed a previously unreported type of dermoid sinus. This new type is suggested here as type VI.
► We developed the laser and TIG welding tool head to apply the blanket hydraulic connection. ► We optimized the welding conditions and determined allowable misalignments for both weldings. ► We ...comparatively assessed the laser and TIG welding taking into account the remote handling compatibility.
The shield blanket in ITER has an active cooling structure necessitating hydraulic connections to the cooling water manifold. To maintain or replace the blanket, welding the hydraulic connection by remote handling is necessary. Access for the welding is limited in a small hole in the first wall because of spatial constraints related to neutron and heat fluxes. A bore welding tool is required. Laser and TIG welding tools have been developed, and the welding conditions have been optimized for all position welding to horizontally located pipes. Obtained parameters such as the weld heat input, allowable misalignment, the lifetime of the tools, and the amounts of spatter and fumes, are assessed comparatively. Considering additional aspects related to the remote handling compatibility, for example, the optical fiber or power cable handling, the preferable welding technique for the blanket remote maintenance is discussed.
This study presents the difference between oxidised organic compounds formed by α-pinene oxidation under various conditions in the CLOUD environmental chamber: (1) pure ozonolysis (in the presence of ...hydrogen as hydroxyl radical (OH) scavenger) and (2) OH oxidation (initiated by nitrous acid (HONO) photolysis by ultraviolet light) in the absence of ozone. We discuss results from three Atmospheric Pressure interface Time-of-Flight (APi-TOF) mass spectrometers measuring simultaneously the composition of naturally charged as well as neutral species (via chemical ionisation with nitrate). Natural chemical ionisation takes place in the CLOUD chamber and organic oxidised compounds form clusters with nitrate, bisulfate, bisulfate/sulfuric acid clusters, ammonium, and dimethylaminium, or get protonated. The results from this study show that this process is selective for various oxidised organic compounds with low molar mass and ions, so that in order to obtain a comprehensive picture of the elemental composition of oxidation products and their clustering behaviour, several instruments must be used. We compare oxidation products containing 10 and 20 carbon atoms and show that highly oxidised organic compounds are formed in the early stages of the oxidation.