Drivers of early childhood vaccination success in Nepal, Senegal, and Zambia: a multiple case study analysis using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research

INTRODUCTION

The fundamental components of a vaccine delivery system are well-documented, but robust evidence is needed on how the related processes and implementation strategies - including the facilitators and barriers - contribute to improvements in childhood vaccination coverage. The purpose of this study was to identify critical facilitators and barriers to the implementation of common interventions across three countries that have dramatically increased coverage of early childhood vaccination over the past 20 years, and to qualify common or divergent themes in their success.

METHODS

We conducted 278 key informant interviews and focus group discussions with public health leaders at the regional, district, and local levels and community members in Nepal, Senegal, and Zambia to identify intervention activities and the facilitators and barriers to implementation. We used thematic analysis grounded in the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) constructs of inner and outer settings to identify immunization program key facilitators and barriers.

RESULTS

We found that the common facilitators to program implementation across the countries were the CFIR inner setting constructs of (1) networks and communications, (2) goals and feedback, (3) relative priority, and (4) readiness for implementation and outer setting constructs of (5) cosmopolitanism and (6) external policies and mandates. The common barriers were incentives and rewards, available resources, access to knowledge and information, and patients' needs and resources. Critical to the success of these national immunization programs were prioritization and codification of health as a human right, clear chain of command and shared ownership of immunization, communication of program goals and feedback, offering of incentives at multiple levels, training of staff central to vaccination education, the provision of resources to support the program, key partnerships and guidance on implementation and adoption of vaccination policies.

CONCLUSION

Adequate organizational commitment, resources, communication, training, and partnerships were the most critical facilitators for these countries to improve childhood vaccination.

Facile fabrication of Nishamalaki churna mediated silver nanoparticles with antibacterial application

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most serious threats to today's healthcare system. The prime factor behind increasing AMR is the formation of complex bacterial biofilms which acts as the protective shield between the bacterial cell and the antimicrobial drugs. Among various nanoformulations, green synthesized metallic silver nanoparticles are currently gaining research focus in safely breaking bacterial biofilms due to the inherent antimicrobial property of silver. In the current work, the aqueous extract of the ayurvedic formulation Nishamalaki churna is used to exhibit one pot green synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The physicochemical characteristics of Nishamalaki churna extract mediated AgNPs were evaluated using various analytical techniques, like UV-Visible spectrophotometer, FT-IR spectroscopy, SEM, XRD, DLS-Zeta potential analyzer etc. The synthesized spherical AgNPs were well formed within the size range of 30 nm to 80 nm. Furthermore, the synthesized AgNPs showed potent antibacterial effects against two primary AMR-causing bacterial species like Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa with the successful destruction of their biofilm formation. Additionally, these AgNPs have shown profound antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities as desirable add-on effects required by a prospective antibacterial agent.

Fortification of orange juice with microencapsulated Kocuria flava Y4 towards a novel functional beverage: Biological and quality aspects

To commercialize functional foods, probiotics must exhibit high resistance and acceptable stability under various unfavorable conditions to maintain the quality of fruit juices. This study will provide an insight into fortification of orange juice with a plant probiotic Kocuria flava Y4 by microencapsulation. Therefore, this study investigated the colony release, physicochemical and phytochemical parameters, and antioxidant activity of the orange juice exposed to microencapsulated probiotics and the one without probiotics (control). Evaluation of orange juice on the growth of probiotic bacteria showed that the fortification with alginate and psyllium micro-particles showed highest encapsulation efficiency (99.01%) and acceptable viability of probiotic cells (8.12 ± 0.077 CFU/mL) during five weeks storage at 4 °C. The morphology and functional properties of beads was studied by SEM, Zeta-potential and FTIR analysis. The sucrose and organic acids concentrations decreased significantly during fortification period (0-72 h) except ascorbic acid. Furthermore, glucose, pH, acidity, TSS were maintained. The results affirm the suitability and feasibility of developing a plant probiotic beverage using orange juice by encapsulation method.

Ocular delivery of felodipine for the management of intraocular pressure and inflammation: Effect of film plasticizer and in vitro in vivo evaluation

Glaucoma may cause irreversible eyesight loss and damage to the optic nerve. Trabecular meshwork obstruction may raise intraocular pressure (IOP) in open-angle and/or closed-angle type inflammatory glaucoma. Ocular delivery of felodipine (FEL) has been undertaken for the management of intraocular pressure and inflammation. FEL film was formulated using different plasticizers, and IOP has been assessed using a normotensive rabbit eye model. Ocular acute inflammation induced by carrageenan has also been monitored. Drug release has been enhanced significantly (93.9 % in 7 h) in the presence of DMSO (FDM) as a plasticizer in the film compared to others (59.8 to 86.2 % in 7 h). The same film also exhibited the highest ocular permeation of 75.5 % rather than others (50.5 to 61.0 %) in 7 h. Decreased IOP was maintained up to 8 h after ocular application of FDM compared to the solution of FEL only up to 5 h. Ocular inflammation has almost been disappeared within 2 h of using the film (FDM), whereas inflammation has been continued even after 3 h of the induced rabbit without film. DMSO plasticized felodipine film could be used for the better management of IOP and associated inflammation.

Hetero Cyclic Compounds in the Treatment of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Abstract:

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) holds just about 15% of all breast tumours and subtypes of breast cancer with distinct characteristics of negative expressions for the progesterone receptor, estrogen receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. Unfortunately, treatment options for TNBCs are minimal. Most currently available therapies proved inefficient in holding back this aggressive natural treatment of TNBC, in most cases calling for an immediate need for more effective and safer anti-TNBC agents. Based on research reported in recent years, this review presents the report's overview of anti-TNBC compounds and their efficacy, being classified according to the structures. Breast Cancer type 1 and type 2 genes (BRCA1/2) mutations are associated with TNBC. Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerases (PARPs) are a family of enzymes involved in numerous cellular processes, including DNA repair. PARP-1 inhibition is involved in the loss of DNA repair via BRCA-dependent mechanisms. PARP-1 inhibitors like Olaparib, Rucaparib, Niraparib, and Talazoparib have proved as promising therapeutic medications as monotherapy and in combination with cytotoxic therapy or radiotherapy in various types of cancers. This review is focused on presenting the status of therapeutics against TNBC. The critical spotlight of this review is to encapsulate the versatility and notable success of heterocyclic pharmacophores-based molecules in treating TNBC.

Effect of Strongly Magnetized Electrons and Ions on Heat Flow and Symmetry of Inertial Fusion Implosions

This Letter presents the first observation on how a strong, 500 kG, externally applied B field increases the mode-two asymmetry in shock-heated inertial fusion implosions. Using a direct-drive implosion with polar illumination and imposed field, we observed that magnetization produces a significant increase in the implosion oblateness (a 2.5× larger P2 amplitude in x-ray self-emission images) compared with reference experiments with identical drive but with no field applied. The implosions produce strongly magnetized electrons (ω_{e}τ_{e}≫1) and ions (ω_{i}τ_{i}>1) that, as shown using simulations, restrict the cross field heat flow necessary for lateral distribution of the laser and shock heating from the implosion pole to the waist, causing the enhanced mode-two shape.

Current Treatment Strategies Against Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria: A Review

There are several bacteria called superbugs that are resistant to multiple antibiotics which can be life threatening specially for critically ill and hospitalized patients. This article provides up-to-date treatment strategies employed against some major superbugs, like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus, multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli. The pathogen-directed therapeutics decrease the toxicity of bacteria by altering their virulence factors by specific processes. On the other hand, the host-directed therapeutics limits these superbugs by modulating immune cells, enhancing host cell functions, and modifying disease pathology. Several new antibiotics against the global priority superbugs are coming to the market or are in the clinical development phase. Medicinal plants possessing potent secondary metabolites can play a key role in the treatment against these superbugs. Nanotechnology has also emerged as a promising option for combatting them. There is urgent need to continuously figure out the best possible treatment strategy against these superbugs as resistance can also be developed against the new and upcoming antibiotics in future. Rational use of antibiotics and maintenance of proper hygiene must be practiced among patients.

Development and Characterization of Natural Product Derived Macromolecules Based Interpenetrating Polymer Network for Therapeutic Drug Targeting

Interpenetrating polymer network (IPN)-based bead formulations were exploited by cross-linking different hydrophilic polymers in different combinations and at different ratios. Polyvinyl alcohol, xanthan gum, guar gum, gellan gum, and sodium alginate (Na-alginate) were used in this work as hydrophilic polymers to enhance the solubility of diclofenac sodium and also to target the delivery at preferred locations. IPN beads based on polysaccharides were prepared by the ionic gelation method. Differential scanning calorimetry, powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy data showed that the IPN microbeads solubilized and encapsulated the drug within the network. We found over 83% encapsulation efficiency of the drug delivery system for the drug, and this efficiency increased with the concentration of the polymer. Ex vivo experiments using the goat intestine revealed that the IPN microbeads were able to adhere to the intestinal epithelium, a mucoadhesive behavior that could be beneficial to the drug pharmacokinetics, while in vitro experiments in phosphate buffer showed that the IPN enabled significant drug release. We believe that these IPN microbeads are an excellent drug delivery system to solubilize drug molecules and ensure adhesion to the intestinal wall, thereby localizing the drug release to enhance bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs.

Thermal decoupling of deuterium and tritium during the inertial confinement fusion shock-convergence phase

A series of thin glass-shell shock-driven DT gas-filled capsule implosions was conducted at the OMEGA laser facility. These experiments generate conditions relevant to the central plasma during the shock-convergence phase of ablatively driven inertial confinement fusion (ICF) implosions. The spectral temperatures inferred from the DTn and DDn spectra are most consistent with a two-ion-temperature plasma, where the initial apparent temperature ratio, T_{T}/T_{D}, is 1.5. This is an experimental confirmation of the long-standing conjecture that plasma shocks couple energy directly proportional to the species mass in multi-ion plasmas. The apparent temperature ratio trend with equilibration time matches expected thermal equilibration described by hydrodynamic theory. This indicates that deuterium and tritium ions have different energy distributions for the time period surrounding shock convergence in ignition-relevant ICF implosions.

Characterizing x-ray transmission through filters used in high energy density physics diagnostics

We report on the design and implementation of a new system used to characterize the energy-dependent x-ray transmission curve, Θ(E), through filters used in high-energy density physics diagnostics. Using an Amptek X-123-CdTe x-ray spectrometer together with a partially depleted silicon surface barrier detector, both the energy spectrum and total emission of an x-ray source have been accurately measured. By coupling these detectors with a custom PROTO-XRD x-ray source with interchangeable cathodes, accurate characterizations of Θ(E) for filters of varying materials and thicknesses have been obtained. The validity of the technique has been confirmed by accurately reproducing areal densities for high-purity filters with known x-ray transmission properties. In this paper, the experimental setup is described and the results of absorption calibrations performed on a variety of different filters are presented.

Ayurvedic Balarista ameliorate anti-arthritic activity in adjuvant induced arthritic rats by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Balarista is a fermented ayurvedic liquid preparation recommended as a good therapy for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. In the present investigation, the anti-arthritic activity of in-house Balarista formulation and marketed M1, M2, M3 and M4 Balarista formulations at the dose of 2.31 ml/kg were studied on Complete Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritic rat model.

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

Measurement of paw diameter, arthritic index, arthritic score, and body weight were made to assess the anti-arthritic activity. Alterations in hematological and biochemical parameters were carried out to ascertain the disease progression. The inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) were measured by the ELISA method. The oxidative stress parameters were evaluated in tissues of joint, liver, spleen and kidney. The histological and radiological changes in the ankle joint of rats were also studied.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Administration of in-house and marketed formulations exhibited significant anti-arthritic activity by reducing all the arthritic parameters. The anomalous alterations in hematological and biochemical parameters were remarkably restored. The expression level of serum pro-inflammatory cytokines was significantly suppressed in treated animals. The oxidative stress, indicated by an increase in lipid peroxidation, decreased in antioxidant enzyme i.e. superoxide dismutase and catalase along with non-enzymatic reduced glutathione in tissues, were strongly counteracted by the formulation. Abnormal changes in arthritic ankle joints shown by X-ray and histological examination were significantly protected by the formulation. The present study suggests that the administration of in-house and marketed Balarista formulations have produced a significant anti-arthritic effect by inhibiting free radicals and inflammatory cytokines.

Effect of germanium auto-diffusion on the bond lengths of Ga and P atoms in GaP/Ge(111) investigated by using X-ray absorption spectroscopy

The germanium auto-diffusion effects on the inter-atomic distance between the nearest neighbors of the Ga atom in GaP epilayers are investigated using high-resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The GaP layers grown on Ge (111) are structurally coherent and relaxed but they show the presence of residual strain which is attributed to the auto-diffusion of Ge from the results of secondary ion mass spectrometry and electrochemical capacitance voltage measurements. Subsequently, the inter-atomic distances between the nearest neighbors of Ga atom in GaP are determined from X-ray absorption fine-structure spectra performed at the Ga K-edge. The estimated local bond lengths of Ga with its first and second nearest neighbors show asymmetric variation for the in-plane and out-of-plane direction of GaP/Ge(111). The magnitude and direction of in-plane and out-of-plane microscopic residual strain present in the GaP/Ge are calculated from the difference in bond lengths which explains the presence of macroscopic residual tensile strain estimated from HRXRD. Modified nearest neighbor configurations of Ga in the auto-diffused GaP epilayer are proposed for new possibilities within the GaP/Ge hetero-structure, such as the conversion from indirect to direct band structures and engineering the tensile strain quantum dot structures on (111) surfaces.

Potential of Multi constellation Global Navigation Satellite System in Indian Missile Test Range Applications

In this paper, the potentials of using Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) techniques in the complex calibration procedure of the tracking sensors for missile test range applications have been presented. The frequently used tracking sensors in test range applications are- electro-optical tracking stations (EOTS) and tracking radars. Over the years, the EOTS are used as the reference for bias estimation of the radars. With the introduction of GPS in test range applications, especially the DGPS, the reference for bias estimation got shifted to DGPS from the EOTS. However, the achievable position solution accuracy is limited to the order of a few meters for DGPS, EOTS, and Radars. With the evolution of Multi-constellation GNSS and carrier-phase based measurement techniques in satellite navigation, achievable position solution accuracies may be improved to sub-meter level. New navigation techniques like real time kinematic (RTK) and precise point positioning have the potentials for use in the calibration procedures of the missile test ranges to the accuracies of centimeter-level. Moreover, because of the availability of a large number of navigation signals over the Indian region, multi-constellation GNSS receivers can enhance signal availability, reliability, and accuracies during the calibration of missile test ranges. Currently available compact, low-cost GNSS modules also offer the possibilities of using these for cost-effective, networked RTK for dynamic calibration of test ranges reducing cost and resource requirements.

Phytochemical profiling of Balarista formulation by GC-MS analysis

GC-MS analysis of different fractions of in-house Balarista formulation (IBF) and marketed Balarista formulations (M1, M2, M3 and M4) confirmed the presence of various active metabolites. The database of National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) library was used to identify these compounds. This study revealed the presence of benzoic acid as a predominant compound in n-hexane fraction of M3 (94.69%), M2 (61.99%) and M4 (56.67%); ethyl acetate fraction of M2 (40.68%); methanol fraction of M2 (49.10%) and M3 (24.02%) formulations. Hexan-2-ol (72.49%); 3,3-Bis(4-hydroxy-3-methylphenyl)-1H-indol-2-one (71.40%); 5-(Hydroxymethyl)furan-2-carbaldehyde (64.52%); Propan-2-ol (57.34%); 1,3,3-Trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (52.35%); (2 R,3S,4S,5R,6R)-2,3,4,5,6,7-Hexahydroxyheptanal (26.47%) are the other major compounds. Identification of benzoic acid in marketed formulations indicates indiscriminate use of sodium benzoate, which was determined as benzoic acid equivalents. Detection of benzoic acid at high concentration may affect the therapeutic efficacy of these formulations.

Hybrid target design for imprint mitigation in direct-drive inertial confinement fusion

A target design for mitigating the Rayleigh-Taylor instability is proposed for use in high energy density and direct-drive inertial confinement fusion experiments. In this scheme, a thin gold membrane is offset from the main target by several-hundred microns. A strong picket on the drive beams is incident upon this membrane to produce x rays which generate the initial shock through the target. The main drive follows shortly thereafter, passing through the ablated shell and directly driving the main target. The efficacy of this scheme is demonstrated through experiments performed at the OMEGA EP facility, showing a reduction of the Rayleigh-Taylor instability growth which scales exponentially with frequency, suppressing development by at least a factor of 5 for all wavelengths below 100 μm. This results in a delay in the time of target perforation by ∼40%.

The efficacy and safety of the novel antipsychotic cariprazine in acute exacerbation of schizophrenia

Introduction

Cariprazine is a potent D3/D2 partial agonist with preferential binding to D3 receptors.

Objectives/aims

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of cariprazine versus placebo in acute exacerbation of schizophrenia.

Methods

A multinational, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo- and active-controlled, fixed-dose trial in patients aged 18–60 years with DSM-IV-TR-defined schizophrenia, current psychotic episode < 2 weeks, and PANSS total score between 80 and 120. After 1-week washout, patients received 6-weeks treatment (cariprazine 1.5, 3.0, or 4.5 mg/d, risperidone 4.0 mg/d, or placebo) and 2-week safety follow-up. Risperidone was used to assess assay sensitivity. Primary and secondary efficacy: baseline to Week 6 change (LOCF) in PANSS total and CGI-S scores, respectively. Safety: adverse events (AEs), vital signs, laboratory measures, extrapyramidal symptom (EPS) scales.

Results

Of 732 randomized patients, 64% completed the study. Mean baseline PANSS (98) and CGI-S scores (4.8) were similar across groups. PANSS total score improvement at Week 6 was statistically significant versus placebo for cariprazine 1.5 mg/d, 3.0 mg/d, and 4.5 mg/d (placebo-adjusted improvements: −7.5, −8.9, −10.4, respectively; P < .001; LOCF) and risperidone (−15.0, P < .001, LOCF); significant improvement on CGI-S was demonstrated for all active treatments (P < .05). The most common cariprazine AEs were insomnia, EPS, akathisia, sedation, nausea, dizziness, and constipation. AE discontinuation rates were 15% for placebo, 10%, 5% and 8% for cariprazine 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 mg/d, respectively, and 9% for risperidone 4.0 mg/d.

Conclusions

Cariprazine significantly improved PANSS and CGI-S scores versus placebo in acute exacerbation of schizophrenia and was generally well tolerated.

Dataset on optimized biodiesel production from seeds of Vitis vinifera using ANN, RSM and ANFIS

This dataset disclose the investigational data on the extraction of bio-oil from seeds of Vitis vinifera through combination of mechanical pressing and soxhlet solvent extractor. Biodiesel is produced through single stage base catalysed transesterification process due to lower free fatty acid content in the Vitis vinifera bio-oil. Independent variable process parameters like molar ratio, reaction time and catalyst concentration are optimized using Artificial Neural Network, Response Surface Methodology and Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Interference System to predict the maximum biodiesel yield and the results are compared with the experimental data. Response Surface Methodology predicted a maximum Vitis vinifera biodiesel yield of 97.62% at methanol to oil molar ratio 0.2758 v/v, catalyst concentration 1.045 gm of NaOH and reaction duration of 1.11 hrs which is also confirmed with experimental results.

Tripled yield in direct-drive laser fusion through statistical modelling

Focusing laser light onto a very small target can produce the conditions for laboratory-scale nuclear fusion of hydrogen isotopes. The lack of accurate predictive models, which are essential for the design of high-performance laser-fusion experiments, is a major obstacle to achieving thermonuclear ignition. Here we report a statistical approach that was used to design and quantitatively predict the results of implosions of solid deuterium-tritium targets carried out with the 30-kilojoule OMEGA laser system, leading to tripling of the fusion yield to its highest value so far for direct-drive laser fusion. When scaled to the laser energies of the National Ignition Facility (1.9 megajoules), these targets are predicted to produce a fusion energy output of about 500 kilojoules-several times larger than the fusion yields currently achieved at that facility. This approach could guide the exploration of the vast parameter space of thermonuclear ignition conditions and enhance our understanding of laser-fusion physics.

Observations of Multiple Nuclear Reaction Histories and Fuel-Ion Species Dynamics in Shock-Driven Inertial Confinement Fusion Implosions

Fuel-ion species dynamics in hydrodynamiclike shock-driven DT^{3}He-filled inertial confinement fusion implosion is quantitatively assessed for the first time using simultaneously measured D^{3}He and DT reaction histories. These reaction histories are measured with the particle x-ray temporal diagnostic, which captures the relative timing between different nuclear burns with unprecedented precision (∼10  ps). The observed 50±10  ps earlier D^{3}He reaction history timing (relative to DT) cannot be explained by average-ion hydrodynamic simulations and is attributed to fuel-ion species separation between the D, T, and ^{3}He ions during shock convergence and rebound. At the onset of the shock burn, inferred ^{3}He/T fuel ratio in the burn region using the measured reaction histories is much higher as compared to the initial gas-filled ratio. As T and ^{3}He have the same mass but different charge, these results indicate that the charge-to-mass ratio plays an important role in driving fuel-ion species separation during strong shock propagation even for these hydrodynamiclike plasmas.

Relevance Predictability in Information Retrieval Systems

An experiment is described which attempts to derive quantitative indicators regarding the potential relevance predictability of the intermediate stimuli used to represent documents in information retrieval systems. In effect, since the decision to peruse an entire document is often predicated upon the examination of one »level of processing« of the document (e.g., the citation and/or abstract), it became interesting to analyze the properties of what constitutes »relevance«. However, prior to such an analysis, an even more elementary step had to be made, namely, to determine what portions of a document should be examined.

An evaluation of the ability of intermediate response products (IRPs), functioning as cues to the information content of full documents, to predict the relevance determination that would be subsequently made on these documents by motivated users of information retrieval systems, was made under controlled experimental conditions. The hypothesis that there might be other intermediate response products (selected extracts from the document, i.e., first paragraph, last paragraph, and the combination of first and last paragraph), that would be as representative of the full document as the traditional IRPs (citation and abstract) was tested systematically. The results showed that:

1. there is no significant difference among the several IRP treatment groups on the number of cue evaluations of relevancy which match the subsequent user relevancy decision on the document;

2. first and last paragraph combinations have consistently predicted relevancy to a higher degree than the other IRPs;

3. abstracts were undistinguished as predictors; and

4. the apparent high predictability rating for citations was not substantive.

Some of these results are quite different than would be expected from previous work with unmotivated subjects.

Feasibility and Clinical Utility of High-definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in the Treatment of Persistent Hallucinations in Schizophrenia

Persistent auditory verbal hallucination is a clinically significant problem in schizophrenia. Recent studies suggest a promising role for add-on transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in treatment. An optimised version of tDCS, namely high-definition tDCS (HD-tDCS), uses smaller electrodes arranged in a 4x1 ring configuration and may offer more focal and predictable neuromodulation than conventional tDCS. This case report illustrates the feasibility and clinical utility of add-on HD-tDCS over the left temporoparietal junction in a 4x1 ring configuration to treat persistent auditory verbal hallucination in schizophrenia.

Electron Shock Ignition of Inertial Fusion Targets

It is shown that inertial confinement fusion targets designed with low implosion velocities can be shock-ignited using laser-plasma interaction generated hot electrons (hot-e's) to obtain high energy gains. These designs are robust to multimode asymmetries and are predicted to ignite even for significantly distorted implosions. Electron shock ignition requires tens of kilojoules of hot-e's which can be produced only at a large laser facility like the National Ignition Facility, with the laser-to-hot-e conversion efficiency greater than 10% at laser intensities ∼10^{16}  W/cm^{2}.

Publisher's Note: Demonstration of Fuel Hot-Spot Pressure in Excess of 50 Gbar for Direct-Drive, Layered Deuterium-Tritium Implosions on OMEGA [Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 025001 (2016)]

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.117.025001.

Demonstration of Fuel Hot-Spot Pressure in Excess of 50 Gbar for Direct-Drive, Layered Deuterium-Tritium Implosions on OMEGA

A record fuel hot-spot pressure P_{hs}=56±7  Gbar was inferred from x-ray and nuclear diagnostics for direct-drive inertial confinement fusion cryogenic, layered deuterium-tritium implosions on the 60-beam, 30-kJ, 351-nm OMEGA Laser System. When hydrodynamically scaled to the energy of the National Ignition Facility, these implosions achieved a Lawson parameter ∼60% of the value required for ignition [A. Bose et al., Phys. Rev. E 93, 011201(R) (2016)], similar to indirect-drive implosions [R. Betti et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 114, 255003 (2015)], and nearly half of the direct-drive ignition-threshold pressure. Relative to symmetric, one-dimensional simulations, the inferred hot-spot pressure is approximately 40% lower. Three-dimensional simulations suggest that low-mode distortion of the hot spot seeded by laser-drive nonuniformity and target-positioning error reduces target performance.