Operational domain for the new 3MW/1000s ECRH System on WEST

The ECRH system formerly used in Tore Supra is being upgraded to start on WEST in 2023, at a power level of 1MW and frequency of 105 GHz. Its ultimate 3MW/1000s capability is expected to enlarge the WEST operational domain by increasing margins with respect to H-mode access, and by providing additional flexibility in terms of achievable scenarios using impurity and/or MHD control. This flexibility is made possible using an antenna based on three steerable mirrors for controlled power injection. In order to determine an appropriate range of EC wave injection angles for WEST scenarios, the fast and reliable ray-tracing code REMA has been interfaced with the WEST IMAS database. This allows the EC power damping rate to be quickly assessed, as well as deposition profiles to be predicted in realistic plasma conditions. Based on a typical WEST discharge at central magnetic field B0~3.6 T, central line-averaged electron density nl~4 × 1019 m−3 and central electron temperature Te0~3keV, ray-tracing calculations have been performed. Comprehensive poloidal and toroidal angle scans, as well as variations of Bt, nl and Te0 with respect to the reference parameters have allowed an adequate range of injection angles to be determined for efficient use of ECRH and/or ECCD in typical WEST scenarios, and compared with the mechanical limits set by the antenna mechanical characteristics. In order to further characterize the effect of this new power source in WEST scenarios, EC wave deposition and current profiles from ray-tracing calculations have been included in integrated simulation codes. It has been shown that this additional power source could allow central electron heating to be achieved, potentially alleviating the issue of radiative collapse caused by impurities observed in some situations.

[Depression and music therapy: the receptive composite montage with a projective focus]

Depression is a frequent mood disorder that requires a consensual therapeutic arsenal combining psychotropic drugs and psychotherapies. When depression requires hospitalization, particularly in the context of a major depressive disorder, having an integrative tool that induces a state of relaxation, positive mood and anticipation within twenty minutes is useful for patients and care teams. The Receptive Projective Composite Montage is a standardized music therapy device with evaluated effectiveness that can fulfill this role.

[The MCR: A music therapy technique to support the hospitalization of depression]

INTRODUCTION

The Receptive Composite Montage (RCM) is a musical induction technique designed to cause a positive state to in-patients diagnosed with depression in a psychiatric institution. This research aims at proving that the RCM brings patients into a relaxation state and a positive mood within 20min.

METHOD

Thirty-seven in-patients with depression took part in this study. The average age of the sample was slightly under 49 years old (48.73±12.41). The relaxing aspect of the RCM was monitored thanks to data given by an oximeter, which measures the heartbeats and the oxygen saturation level in the in-patient's bloodstream. In order to complete these data, a focal-sampling observation was carried out. Positive mood induction was estimated based on interviews. The data have been processed through analytical statistics.

RESULTS

Heartbeats and oxygen saturation in the bloodstream during the relaxing phase of the montage (P<.001 and z=.018 respectively) tended to increase during the wake-up phase (P<.001) as was anticipated. In-patients who had felt a negative mood before listening to the RCM reported feeling a significant positive mood once they had listened to the RCM (z=.017).

CONCLUSION

The results obtained show that the RCM does induce a relaxation state by decreasing heartbeats and breathing cycles. Moreover, the qualitative data show that when in-patients listen to the RCM, their mood becomes positive through an emotional exercise causing their mood to shift from negative to positive.

Cancer, depression symptoms and quality of life: The role of creativity

The diagnosis of cancer is associated with the occurrence of psychopathological symptoms, which cause even more difficulties to patients. Scientific research demonstrates that creativity could help increase the general population's quality of life and regulate their negative emotions, but only a few studies are available on the link between creativity and the regulation of patients’ respective experience. This study aims at (1) measuring the impact of creativity on the patient's level of depression and quality of life and (2) evaluating the psychopathological profile of the creative person. Thirty-five subjects undergoing chemotherapy treatment (age: 61 + 11) took part in this study. The experimental protocol is composed of creativity, depression and QoL tests. The results show that creativity is negatively correlated with depression level and positively with QoL (r = −45; P = <.05 and r=.54; P = <.01 respectively). The linear regressions show that creativity is a variable, which predicts a high QoL (F = 13.83; P=.001). Also, 29.5% of the QoL variability is explained by creativity. A cluster analysis sorted out three different groups: very creative persons (VCP); mildly creative persons (MCP); slightly creative persons (SCP). VCPs have a significantly lower level of depression and have a better QoL compared to SCPs. MCPs have a level of depression between the other groups and a similar level of QoL than VCPs. These results suggest that creativity could have a noticeable influence on how patients experience their cancer. Further studies on this phenomenon will be necessary for creativity to be taken into account for psychological follow-up in oncology.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Purification of recombinant HBc antigen expressed in Escherichia coli and Pichia pastoris: comparison of size-exclusion chromatography and ultracentrifugation

Hepatitis B virus core protein (HBc) is an important serology marker of hepatitis B infection and patient follow-up. It is an M, 21,000 protein, which has the intrinsic capacity to self-assemble as a capsid-like particle. The hepatitis B core protein has been expressed in Escherichia coli and Pichia pastoris (three different constructions) in order to select a HBc recombinant antigen suitable for serodiagnosis requirements with a cost effective downstream strategy. The expression and purification of the different forms of recombinant HBc have been described. For the last step, ultracentrifugation and size-exclusion chromatography were compared. The morphology of these capsids was observed using an electron microscope. Our data shows that HBc antigen is produced in large quantities in E. coli but some contaminants remained which were associated with the E. coli HBc protein after ultracentrifugation or size-exclusion chromatography. The ultracentrifugation enables a higher purity of HBc antigen to be obtained than size-exclusion chromatography but the latter enables a higher recovery rate. P. pastoris enables the expression and extraction of a highly purified HBc antigen suitable for diagnostic purposes.