Mechanism of edge localized mode mitigation by resonant magnetic perturbations

A possible mechanism of edge localized modes (ELMs) mitigation by resonant magnetic perturbations (RMPs) is proposed based on the results of nonlinear resistive magnetohydrodynamic modeling using the jorek code, realistic JET-like plasma parameters and an RMP spectrum of JET error-field correction coils (EFCC) with a main toroidal number n=2 were used in the simulations. Without RMPs, a large ELM relaxation is obtained mainly due to the most unstable medium-n ballooning mode. The externally imposed RMP drives nonlinearly the modes coupled to n=2 RMP which produce small multimode relaxations, mitigated ELMs. The modes driven by RMPs exhibit a tearinglike structure and produce additional islands. Mitigated ELMs deposit energy into the divertor mainly in the structures ("footprints") created by n=2 RMPs, however, slightly modulated by other nonlinearly driven even harmonics. The divertor power flux during a ELM phase mitigated by RMPs is reduced almost by a factor of 10. The mechanism of ELM mitigation by RMPs proposed here reproduces generic features of high collisionality RMP experiments, where large ELMs are replaced by small, much more frequent ELMs or magnetic turbulence. Total ELM suppression was also demonstrated in modeling at higher RMP amplitude.

Nerve cells culture from lumbar spinal cord on surfaces modified by plasma pyrrole polymerization

Currently, there are several techniques for modified cell culture surfaces under research to improve cell growth and adhesion. Recently, different methods have been used for surface coating, using biomolecules that enhance cell attachment and growth of nerve cells from spinal cord, such as the use of Poly-DL-Ornithine/Laminin. Plasma-polymerized pyrrole (PPy)-treated surfaces have showed improvement on surfaces biocompatibility with the cells in culture since they do not interfere with any of the biological cell functions. In the present work, we present a novel mouse nerve cell culture technique, using PPy-treated cell culture surfaces. A comparative study of cell survival using Poly-DL-Ornithine/Laminin-treated surfaces was performed. Our results of cell survival when compared with data already reported by other investigators, show that cells cultured on the PPy-modified surface increased survival up to 21 days when compared with Poly-DL-Ornithine/Laminin-coated culture, where 8 days cell survival was obtained. There were electrical and morphological differences in the nerve cells grown in the different surfaces. By comparing the peak ion currents of Poly-DL-Ornithine/Laminin-seeded cells for 8 days with cells grown for 21 days on PPy, an increase of 516% in the Na(+) current and 127% in K(+) currents in cells seeded on PPy were observed. Immunofluorescence techniques showed the presence of cell synapses and culture viability after 21 days. Our results then showed that PPy-modified surfaces are an alternative culture method that increases nerve cells survival from lumbar spinal cord cell culture by preserving its electrical and morphological features.

The NHGRI GWAS Catalog, a curated resource of SNP-trait associations

The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) Catalog of Published Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) Catalog provides a publicly available manually curated collection of published GWAS assaying at least 100,000 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and all SNP-trait associations with P <1 × 10(-5). The Catalog includes 1751 curated publications of 11 912 SNPs. In addition to the SNP-trait association data, the Catalog also publishes a quarterly diagram of all SNP-trait associations mapped to the SNPs' chromosomal locations. The Catalog can be accessed via a tabular web interface, via a dynamic visualization on the human karyotype, as a downloadable tab-delimited file and as an OWL knowledge base. This article presents a number of recent improvements to the Catalog, including novel ways for users to interact with the Catalog and changes to the curation infrastructure.

The NHGRI GWAS Catalog, a curated resource of SNP-trait associations

The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) Catalog of Published Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) Catalog provides a publicly available manually curated collection of published GWAS assaying at least 100,000 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and all SNP-trait associations with P <1 × 10(-5). The Catalog includes 1751 curated publications of 11 912 SNPs. In addition to the SNP-trait association data, the Catalog also publishes a quarterly diagram of all SNP-trait associations mapped to the SNPs' chromosomal locations. The Catalog can be accessed via a tabular web interface, via a dynamic visualization on the human karyotype, as a downloadable tab-delimited file and as an OWL knowledge base. This article presents a number of recent improvements to the Catalog, including novel ways for users to interact with the Catalog and changes to the curation infrastructure.

Locus Reference Genomic: reference sequences for the reporting of clinically relevant sequence variants

Locus Reference Genomic (LRG; http://www.lrg-sequence.org/) records contain internationally recognized stable reference sequences designed specifically for reporting clinically relevant sequence variants. Each LRG is contained within a single file consisting of a stable ‘fixed’ section and a regularly updated ‘updatable’ section. The fixed section contains stable genomic DNA sequence for a genomic region, essential transcripts and proteins for variant reporting and an exon numbering system. The updatable section contains mapping information, annotation of all transcripts and overlapping genes in the region and legacy exon and amino acid numbering systems. LRGs provide a stable framework that is vital for reporting variants, according to Human Genome Variation Society (HGVS) conventions, in genomic DNA, transcript or protein coordinates. To enable translation of information between LRG and genomic coordinates, LRGs include mapping to the human genome assembly. LRGs are compiled and maintained by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI). LRG reference sequences are selected in collaboration with the diagnostic and research communities, locus-specific database curators and mutation consortia. Currently >700 LRGs have been created, of which >400 are publicly available. The aim is to create an LRG for every locus with clinical implications.

Evaluation of specific absorbed fractions from internal photon sources in the ICRP Reference Male Phantom

In order to estimate the dose caused by internal radiation, it is necessary to know the specific absorbed fraction (SAF) values; through this work these values have been calculated using the Adult Male Reference Computational Phantom (RCP-AM) from the Publication 110 of the International Commission Radiologic Protection and the Monte Carlo transport code MCNPX. These values were calculated for a combination of 980 pairs of source and target organs, for a total of 12 energies. The results were validated and compared with the results reported by other authors: Hadid et al. (RCP-AM), Petoussi-Henss and Zankl (Golem) and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) stylised model reported by Cristy and Eckerman. Mostly, the SAF values calculated with the RCP-AM do not present significant differences in relation to its previous model Golem. When comparing the SAF values of RCP-AM with that of the ORNL stylised model, huge differences were found. These differences can be explained by the shape of the organs and their relative positions, which are more realistic in the voxelised phantoms.

[Medium-term results of arthroscopic debridement in osteochondral talar lesions]

BACKGROUND

Retrospective review of the clinical and functional results and the degree of satisfaction of patients with osteochondral talar lesions treated with arthroscopic debridement, curettage and microfractures at our center.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Between January 2008 and December 2011, a total of 30 patients with osteochondral talar lesions were seen. They all had failed conservative treatment and underwent arthroscopic debridement, curettage and microfractures. The data analyzed included etiology, location and size of the lesion, and lesion grade according to the Berndt & Hardy classification. The functional clinical assessment was done using the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society classification and the visual analog scale. The degree of satisfaction was assessed using a simple survey. Associated lesions, complications and reoperations were also recorded.

RESULTS

Mean follow-up was 12 months; mean age was 43 years. The main cause was trauma (10/30 patients). Mean size of lesions was 0.86 cm2. The mean American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society score was 92 and the visual analog scale dropped from 7 to 1. All patients were satisfied with the treatment they received. No complications or reoperations were recorded.

CONCLUSIONS

Osteochondral talar lesions in patients over 40 years of age have specific characteristics and the results of arthroscopic treatment are similar to those seen in the younger population.

Zinc oxide at low supplementation level improves productive performance and health status of piglets

Use of ZnO at high doses (3000 ppm) for diarrhea prophylaxis in piglets is widely extended in postweaning Spanish diets, in compliance with the national veterinary regulation. However, European feed legislation limits total dietary Zn to a maximum of 150 mg/kg of complete feed. The objective of this study was to compare a new potentiated form of ZnO, HiZox (Animine), at nutritional level (150 ppm) with pharmacological dosage (3000 ppm) of regular ZnO in starter diets on the productive performance and health status of piglets in a medium-low health status farm. A total of 144 pigs at weaning (28 d of age) were distributed in 6 piglets/pen and 12 pens/treatment. In the prestarter phase (28 to 42 d of age), all pigs received the same commercial feed, including 3000 ppm ZnO. In the starter phase (42 to 63 d of age) (T1) included 3000 ppm of regular ZnO (2500 ppm Zn), and (T2) was supplemented with 110 ppm Zn from potentiated ZnO (HiZox). Average daily feed intake, ADG, G:F, and pig-MAP serum concentration, an acute phase protein commonly used as unspecific biomarker of disease or other acute phase reactions, were measured at 42 and 63 d of life. Pen of 6 piglets was the experimental unit and data were analyzed using the GLM procedure of SAS version 9.0. Piglets fed with T2-HiZox had improved ADG and G:F (P < 0.001) compared to piglets fed with T1-ZnO. In addition, at 63 d of age, the T2 group had a lower pig-MAP serum concentration than T1 group (1.71 vs. 0.95 μg/mL; P < 0.05) indicating higher health status in the T2 group. In conclusion, in low-medium sanitary conditions and in compliance with European regulation, HiZox significantly increased piglet growth compared to pharmacological dosage of regular ZnO in the starter phase. This can be explained by a better health of pigs expressed by a lower level of inflammatory protein pig-MAP.

Prevention of accidental exposure in radiotherapy: the risk matrix approach

Knowledge and lessons from past accidental exposures in radiotherapy are very helpful in finding safety provisions to prevent recurrence. Disseminating lessons is necessary but not sufficient. There may be additional latent risks for other accidental exposures, which have not been reported or have not occurred, but are possible and may occur in the future if not identified, analyzed, and prevented by safety provisions. Proactive methods are available for anticipating and quantifying risk from potential event sequences. In this work, proactive methods, successfully used in industry, have been adapted and used in radiotherapy. Risk matrix is a tool that can be used in individual hospitals to classify event sequences in levels of risk. As with any anticipative method, the risk matrix involves a systematic search for potential risks; that is, any situation that can cause an accidental exposure. The method contributes new insights: The application of the risk matrix approach has identified that another group of less catastrophic but still severe single-patient events may have a higher probability, resulting in higher risk. The use of the risk matrix approach for safety assessment in individual hospitals would provide an opportunity for self-evaluation and managing the safety measures that are most suitable to the hospital's own conditions.

Three-dimensional effective mass Schrödinger equation: harmonic and Morse-type potential solutions

In this work, a scheme to generate exact wave functions and eigenvalues for the spherically symmetric three-dimensional position-dependent effective mass Schrödinger equation is presented. The methodology is implemented by means of separation of variables and point canonical transformations that allow to recognize a radial dependent equation with important differences as compared with the one-dimensional position dependent mass problem, which has been widely studied. This situation deserves to consider the boundary conditions of the emergent problem. To obtain specific exact solutions, the methodology requires known solutions of ordinary one-dimensional Schrödinger equations. We have preferred those applications that use the harmonic oscillator and the Morse oscillator solutions.

The use of heart rate variability in assessing precompetitive stress in high-standard judo athletes

The objective of this study is to examine the sensitivity to and changes in heart rate variability (HRV) in stressful situations before judo competitions and to observe the differences among judo athletes according to their competitive standards in both official and unofficial competitions. 24 (10 male and 14 female) national- and international-standard athletes were evaluated. Each participant answered the Revised Competitive State Anxiety Inventory (CSAI-2R) and their HRV was recorded both during an official and unofficial competition. The MANOVA showed significant main effects of the athlete's standard and the type of competition in CSAI-2R, in HRV time domain, in HRV frequency domain and in HRV nonlinear analysis (p<0.05). International-standard judo athletes have lower somatic anxiety, cognitive anxiety, heart rate and low-high frequency ratio than national-standard athletes (p<0.05). International-standard athletes have a higher confidence, mean RR interval, standard deviation of RR, square root of the mean squared difference of successive RR intervals, number of consecutive RR that differ by more than 5 ms, short-term variability, long-term variability, long-range scaling exponents and short-range scaling exponent than national-standard judo athletes. In conclusion, international-standard athletes show less pre-competitive anxiety than the national-standard athletes and HRV analysis is sensitive to changes in pre-competitive anxiety.

On the performances of CuxO-TiO2 (x = 1, 2) nanomaterials as innovative anodes for thin film lithium batteries

CuxO-TiO2 (x = 1, 2) nanomaterials are synthesized on polycrystalline Ti substrates by a convenient chemical vapor deposition (CVD) approach, based on the initial growth of a CuxO matrix (at 400 and 550 °C for x = 1 and 2, respectively) and the subsequent overdispersion of TiO2 at 400 °C. All CVD processes are carried out in an oxygen atmosphere saturated with water vapor. The obtained systems are investigated by means of glancing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and electrochemical experiments. Galvanostatic charge/discharge measurements indicate that Cu2O-TiO2 nanomaterials exhibit very attractive high-rate capabilities (∼400 mA h g(-1) at 1 C; ∼325 mA h g(-1) at 2 C) and good stability after 50 operating cycles, with a retention of 80% of the initial capacity. This phenomenon is mainly due to the presence of TiO2 acting as a buffer material, i.e., minimizing volume changes occurring in the electrochemical conversion. In a different way, CuO-TiO2 systems exhibit worse electrochemical performances as a consequence of their porous morphology and higher thickness. In both cases, the obtained values are among the best ever reported for CuxO-based systems, candidating the present nanomaterials as extremely promising anodes for eventual applications in thin film lithium batteries.