Achievement of Target Gain Larger than Unity in an Inertial Fusion Experiment

On December 5, 2022, an indirect drive fusion implosion on the National Ignition Facility (NIF) achieved a target gain G_{target} of 1.5. This is the first laboratory demonstration of exceeding "scientific breakeven" (or G_{target}>1) where 2.05 MJ of 351 nm laser light produced 3.1 MJ of total fusion yield, a result which significantly exceeds the Lawson criterion for fusion ignition as reported in a previous NIF implosion [H. Abu-Shawareb et al. (Indirect Drive ICF Collaboration), Phys. Rev. Lett. 129, 075001 (2022)PRLTAO0031-900710.1103/PhysRevLett.129.075001]. This achievement is the culmination of more than five decades of research and gives proof that laboratory fusion, based on fundamental physics principles, is possible. This Letter reports on the target, laser, design, and experimental advancements that led to this result.

Lawson Criterion for Ignition Exceeded in an Inertial Fusion Experiment

For more than half a century, researchers around the world have been engaged in attempts to achieve fusion ignition as a proof of principle of various fusion concepts. Following the Lawson criterion, an ignited plasma is one where the fusion heating power is high enough to overcome all the physical processes that cool the fusion plasma, creating a positive thermodynamic feedback loop with rapidly increasing temperature. In inertially confined fusion, ignition is a state where the fusion plasma can begin "burn propagation" into surrounding cold fuel, enabling the possibility of high energy gain. While "scientific breakeven" (i.e., unity target gain) has not yet been achieved (here target gain is 0.72, 1.37 MJ of fusion for 1.92 MJ of laser energy), this Letter reports the first controlled fusion experiment, using laser indirect drive, on the National Ignition Facility to produce capsule gain (here 5.8) and reach ignition by nine different formulations of the Lawson criterion.

A series of PDB-related databanks for everyday needs

We present a series of databanks (http://swift.cmbi.ru.nl/gv/facilities/) that hold information that is computationally derived from Protein Data Bank (PDB) entries and that might augment macromolecular structure studies. These derived databanks run parallel to the PDB, i.e. they have one entry per PDB entry. Several of the well-established databanks such as HSSP, PDBREPORT and PDB_REDO have been updated and/or improved. The software that creates the DSSP databank, for example, has been rewritten to better cope with π-helices. A large number of databanks have been added to aid computational structural biology; some examples are lists of residues that make crystal contacts, lists of contacting residues using a series of contact definitions or lists of residue accessibilities. PDB files are not the optimal presentation of the underlying data for many studies. We therefore made a series of databanks that hold PDB files in an easier to use or more consistent representation. The BDB databank holds X-ray PDB files with consistently represented B-factors. We also added several visualization tools to aid the users of our databanks.

Carotid Intima-media Thickness, Carotid Wall Shear Stress and Restenosis After Femoro-popliteal Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty (PTA)

OBJECTIVE

To determine the relationship between carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), carotid wall shear stress (WSS) and restenosis after femoro-popliteal percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirty-one subjects (18 men, 13 women, median age 69 years) treated with femoro-popliteal PTA for symptomatic peripheral arterial occlusive disease were enrolled. On admission, IMT, internal diameter and blood velocity of the common carotid artery (CCA) were assessed by high-resolution ultrasonography. Blood viscosity was measured and carotid WSS was calculated. Patients were followed up for 6 months for the occurrence of significant restenosis (>50%) as documented by duplex ultrasonography. Two patients were lost to follow-up.

RESULTS

Fourteen patients (48%) developed restenosis at 6 months. IMT and WSS were not different in patients without and with restenosis (IMT: 0.90 (0.85-0.97) vs. 0.89 (0.84-0.93) mm, p = 0.51; WSS: 14.1 (11.9-19.2) vs. 15.9 (12.8-21.5) dyne/cm2, p = 0.48). The hazard ratio of incident restenosis as estimated by Cox regression analysis was 0.04 for IMT (p = 0.23; 95% CI 0.0001-8.22) and 1.07 for WSS (p = 0.10; 95% CI 0.98-1.17).

CONCLUSIONS

In this pilot study involving a limited number of patients, carotid IMT and carotid WSS are not significantly related to restenosis at 6 months after femoro-popliteal PTA. This might be the result of different underlying pathophysiology for atherosclerosis and restenosis.

High wall shear stress measured by magnetic resonance is a predictor of restenosis in the femoral-artery after balloon angioplasty

AIM

Wall shear stress (WSS) has been implied in the pathogenesis of restenosis after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). Aims of the present study were to calculate WSS in the superficial femoral artery (SFA) from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and from duplex sonography in healthy controls and in patients after PTA of the SFA to evaluate the predictive value of WSS for restenosis.

METHODS

WSS was assessed by calculating the slope of velocity profiles at the vessel wall from data obtained with velocity encoded cine MR and with duplex using the formula: Shear stress=4xblood viscosityxpeak blood velocity/internal diameter. Seventeen patients were studied 1 day after successful PTA of the SFA. Restenosis was determined by duplex ultrasound at the 6-months follow-up visit.

RESULTS

In healthy controls WSS values calculated from MRI and from duplex were similar (1.86+/-0.35 N/m2 vs 1.88+/-0.34 N/m2, n.s.). In patients the values obtained with duplex were higher than those obtained with MRI (4.1+/-2.3 N/m2 vs 2.4+/-1.2 N/m2, p=0.002). With both methods post-interventional WSS was higher in patients developing restenosis (duplex 5.4+/-2.2 N/m2, MRI 3.1+/-0.9 N/m2) than in those without restenosis (duplex 2.7+/-1.4 N/m2, MRI 1.5+/-0.7 N/m2) and was revealed to be an independent predictor of restenosis (p=0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study demonstrating that increased post-interventional WSS in the SFA is predictive for restenosis. WSS values obtained with MRI and duplex were different in patients, however with both methods higher WSS was associated with restenosis.

A mutation in the gamma actin 1 (ACTG1) gene causes autosomal dominant hearing loss (DFNA20/26)

Linkage analysis in a multigenerational family with autosomal dominant hearing loss yielded a chromosomal localisation of the underlying genetic defect in the DFNA20/26 locus at 17q25-qter. The 6-cM critical region harboured the gamma-1-actin (ACTG1) gene, which was considered an attractive candidate gene because actins are important structural elements of the inner ear hair cells. In this study, a Thr278Ile mutation was identified in helix 9 of the modelled protein structure. The alteration of residue Thr278 is predicted to have a small but significant effect on the gamma 1 actin structure owing to its close proximity to a methionine residue at position 313 in helix 11. Met313 has no space in the structure to move away. Moreover, the Thr278 residue is highly conserved throughout eukaryotic evolution. Using a known actin structure the mutation could be predicted to impair actin polymerisation. These findings strongly suggest that the Thr278Ile mutation in ACTG1 represents the first disease causing germline mutation in a cytoplasmic actin isoform.

DJ-1( PARK7), a novel gene for autosomal recessive, early onset parkinsonism

Four chromosomal loci ( PARK2, PARK6, PARK7, and PARK9) associated with autosomal recessive, early onset parkinsonism are known. We mapped the PARK7 locus to chromosome 1p36 in a large family from a genetically isolated population in the Netherlands, and confirmed this linkage in an Italian family. By positional cloning within the refined PARK7 critical region we recently identified mutations in the DJ-1 gene in the two PARK7-linked families. The function of DJ-1 remains largely unknown, but evidence from genetic studies on the yeast DJ-1 homologue, and biochemical studies in murine and human cell lines, suggests a role for DJ-1 as an antioxidant and/or a molecular chaperone. Elucidating the role of DJ-1 will lead to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of DJ-1-related and common forms of Parkinson's disease.

Arm placement of the Cook titanium Petite Vital-Port: results of radiologic placement in 125 patients with cancer

OBJECTIVE

Patients with cancer require reliable venous access for therapy and phlebotomy. Traditionally, insertion of venous ports has been performed in the operating room. However, the interventional radiology service has recently become involved in the placement of a variety of venous access devices. This study examines the technique and complications associated with the placement of venous ports in the arm for patients with cancer.

METHODS

Cook titanium Petite Vital-Ports (Cook Canada, Stouffville, Ont.) were implanted in patients with cancer, and implantation was performed in the medical imaging vascular/interventional suite. Patients were followed prospectively by periodic chart review for a maximum of 42 months after port insertion. Minimum follow-up in patients who did not die from cancer was 6 months.

RESULTS

The authors implanted 125 Vital-Ports. The mean duration of port implantation was 265 days (range 2 to 1278 days, total catheter days 33 221). Venous thrombosis developed in 5 patients (4%, or 0.06 episodes/1000 catheter days). Four patients (3.2%, or 0.12 episodes/1000 catheter days) had suspected infection of the port or catheter, and 2 had culture-positive infection (1.6%, or 0.06 episodes/1000 catheter days). Two patients (1.6%, or 0.06 episodes/1000 catheter days) required port or catheter revision owing to mechanical difficulties.

CONCLUSION

The Cook titanium Petite Vital-Port, implanted in the arm in the medical imaging vascular/interventional suite, is relatively safe and effective. As a result, it has been widely accepted by the patients and clinicians at the hospital where this study was conducted.

Left ventricular hypertrophy predicts outcome of hypertension regardless of the type of ventricular arrhythmia present

Left ventricular hypertrophy is associated with an increased cardiovascular mortality in hypertension. A potential role of ventricular arrhythmias is debated but not yet determined. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the presence of arrhythmias would ascribe any additional risk to cardiovascular mortality beyond that related to the presence of left ventricular hypertrophy. From November 1988 to February 1991, 40 mild to severe hypertensive patients (mean SBP, DBP 183/117 mm Hg) were submitted to clinical, echocardiographic and electrocardiographic evaluations complemented by 24-h Holter monitoring and then followed until November 1996. The Kaplan-Meier method supplemented by the Cox multiple regression model were performed to identify the variable(s) associated with fatal cardiovascular outcome. Twelve cardiovascular fatalities occurred as a consequence of sudden death (n = 4), stroke (n = 4), heart failure (n = 2) and myocardial infarction (n = 2). In comparison with patients who survived, those dying from cardiovascular causes had a greater percentage of electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy (83 vs 36%, P = 0. 0037) and couplets of ventricular ectopic beats (58 vs 18%, P = 0. 0467). In addition, they showed larger left ventricular diastolic diameter (60 +/- 10 vs 53 +/- 8 mm), mass index (248 +/- 67 vs 154 +/- 57 g/m2) and posterior wall thickness (12 +/- 2 vs 10 +/- 2 mm), as well as shorter left ventricular fractional shortening (0.23 +/- 0.8 vs 0.32 +/- 0.9). Univariate analysis showed that electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy and strain, mass index, end-systolic wall stress, fractional shortening and the presence of couplets were significantly related to cardiovascular mortality. However, only mass index was shown to be independently associated with cardiovascular death. In conclusion, left ventricular hypertrophy predicts cardiovascular outcome, regardless of the presence of other signs of cardiac damage, including ventricular arrhythmia.

[Microneurography: technique to study cardiovascular regulation by the sympathetic nervous system in humans]

Microneurography is a valuable and safe method for direct intraneural recording of sympathetic nerve activity to muscle and skin in humans. The technique and its application for the study of autonomic function will be briefly discussed. The regulation of muscle sympathetic nerve activity will be focused in different clinical situations and or stimuli, such as: essential hypertension, mineralocorticoid induced hypertension, exercise mental arithmetic stress, cold pressor test, hyperinsulinemia, oral alcohol ingestion.

[Inhalation therapy in respiratory diseases (author's transl)]

The various techniques for aerosol therapy are described, as applied to inflammations of the upper and lower airways. Advances in treatment include dinatrium cromoglicicum and beclomethasone-dipropionate, with the latter medication improving results in patients with allergic reactions of the nasal and bronchial mucosa.