Search

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a multifactorial disease that has a strong genetic component. The HLA-Gis a nonclassical HLAclass I locus that is associated with immunomodulatory functions, including downregulation of innate and adaptive immune responses and induction of immune tolerance. However, there is currently limited information about the involvement of HLA-Gin T1D susceptibility. This case-control study aims to investigate the T1D susceptibility association of alleles and genotypes of a widely investigated 14-bp insertion/deletion polymorphism in the HLA-Gand to provide further evidence of the frequency distribution of class II HLA-DR-DQ-risk genotypes in T1D children and adolescents in the Brazilian population. The deletion allele and the homozygous deletion genotype are associated with susceptibility to T1D and the insertion allele and the heterozygous deletion/insertion genotype are associated with protection from T1D. We also confirm that genetic susceptibility to T1D is associated with the DRB1*03:01-DQA1*05:01-DQB1*02:01and DRB1*04-DQA1*03:01-DQB1*03:02haplotypes in Brazilian northeast region. The DR3-DQ2/DR4-DQ8 genotype conferred the highest detected risk for T1D. Our results identify a novel association of the 14-bp deletion allele and the homozygous deletion genotype with T1D development and provide additional evidence of the importance of HLAclass II heterozygous DR3-DQ2/DR4-DQ8 genotype in T1D susceptibility.

AbstractIn GAMMA 10/PDX, the divertor simulation experiment has been performed recently. Ion cyclotron range of frequency (ICRF) waves are used for plasma production and ion heating. It is necessary for obtaining better controllability and extending the operational regime to understand the excitation, propagation, and absorption of the waves. The density fluctuations accompanied by the ICRF waves propagating in the inner region of plasma has been measured by using a microwave reflectometer on the antenna-phasing experiments, where the propagation of the ICRF waves is actively controlled. The phase difference between two axially separated ICRF antennas remarkably affects the global plasma parameters. The density fluctuation caused by the interfered ICRF waves is shown to depend clearly on the phase difference between the waves excited from two antennas. The availability of a reflectometer for the evaluation of the internal wave propagation is shown.

AbstractOn the GAMMA 10 tandem mirror, divertor simulation experiments progress with high-temperature plasmas produced by waves in ion-cyclotron range of frequency (ICRF) and open magnetic fields. In these experiments, high-temperature and high-density plasmas are required to be produced and controlled. In order to enhance the ion heating in the anchor cell, phase-control experiments, which use two ICRF antennas installed in the central cell and the anchor cell, are introduced. In these experiments, ICRF waves in the same frequency (10 MHz) are excited. Ion heating in the anchor cell is performed more effectively with phase control. In order to analyze wave propagation in the phase-control experiments, a three-dimensional full wave code (TASK/WF), in which parallel processing has been implemented recently, is introduced. In this technical note, we discuss ICRF wave excitation and propagation in the phase-control experiments. It is clearly observed by the experiments and wave analysis that the enhancement of ion heating in the anchor cell is performed by phase-control experiments.

AbstractRecent ICRF heating experiments performed in GAMMA 10/PDX are reported. Owing to antenna-phasing technique and four ICRF antennas installed in the mirror cells other than the central cell, the operational regime of GAMMA 10/PDX is significantly extended. Several ICRF heating schemes to increase the parameters (plasma density in the central cell, particle flux flowing to the machine end and its ion temperature parallel to the field lines) are demonstrated. These results present positive progress in the ongoing divertor simulation experiments on GAMMA 10/PDX.

AbstractThis paper describes the recent results of divertor simulation research toward the realization of the detached plasma using the end-mirror of a large tandem mirror device. The additional ion cyclotron range of frequency heating in the anchor-cells for higher particle flux generation significantly increases the density, which attained the highest particle flux up to 1.76 × 1023particles/·m2at the end-mirror exit. Massive gas injection (H2and noble gases) into the divertor simulation experimental module (D-module) was performed, and a remarkable reduction of the electron temperature on the target plate was successfully achieved associated with the strong reduction of particle and heat fluxes in D-module. Two-dimensional images of Hα emission in D-module observed with a high-speed camera showed strong emission in the upstream region and significant reduction near the target plate. These results clarified the effect of radiation cooling and formation of detached plasma due to gas injection. It is also found that Xe gas is much more effective in achieving detached plasma than Ar gas. Numerical simulation studies also have been performed toward the understanding of the cooling mechanism of divertor plasma. The above results will contribute to establishment of detached plasma control and clarification of the radiation cooling mechanism toward the development of future divertor systems.

AbstractIn the GAMMA 10 tandem mirror, divertor simulation experiments that utilize particle flux toward the west end region (called end-loss flux) have been implemented. Since a positive correlation has been reported between the end-loss flux and the central-cell density, an increase of the central-cell density is important for obtaining a higher end-loss flux on the divertor simulation experiments. By arranging the ion cyclotron range of frequency (ICRF) systems so as to excite strong ICRF waves in both anchor cells simultaneously, we have succeeded in producing high-density plasmas (line density of 1.2 × 1014cm−2) in both anchor cells. As a result, a higher central-cell density of 4.4 × 1012cm−3and a higher end-loss flux of more than 1023m−2s−1have been obtained. One of the possible mechanisms of the high density production is a formation of positive potentials on both anchor cells. Plasmas in the central cell are confined due to those potentials.

The article discusses a modified cone jolt test used by researchers at Western Michigan University to compare gravity and aeration sand filling technique. It offers information on the modifications in the cone jolt toughness test over the last three years, including the ability to monitor changes in green sand properties caused by small changes in clay and moisture levels. Information is provided on the laboratory procedure used at the university to perform the cone jolt test.

In GAMMA 10, a divertor simulation study has been started with open magnetic field configuration in the end region. High heat and particle fluxes are required along the magnetic field line to the end region. Plasmas with high ion-temperature of several keV and strong temperature anisotropy of more than 10 have been produced by using ion-cyclotron range of frequency (ICRF) heating in the central cell. Direct anchor heating experiments with new anchor antennas have been performed and the enhancement of the MHD stabilization has been observed. High energy ions whose energy is more than 50 keV have been observed in the end-loss ions. The axial transport of high-energy ions due to loss processes other than the classical Coulomb scattering has been discussed. Alfvén-ion-cyclotron (AIC) waves are spontaneously excited owing to such the strong temperature anisotropy and considerable energy transport along the magnetic field line due to the AIC waves is expected. In this review, recent ICRF heating experiments for the divertor simulation study are described.

In the new research plan of Plasma Research Center of the University of Tsukuba, a high heat-flux divertor simulator (E-Divertor) was proposed by using an end-mirror exit of a large tandem mirror GAMMA 10/PDX device. Experiments for characterization of end-loss plasma flux have been extensively performed at the end-mirror region of GAMMA 10/PDX and detailed behavior of end-loss particles has been investigated. In standard hot-ion mode plasmas (ne0~ 2×1018m-3, Ti0~ 5 keV), the energy analysis of ion flux was performed by using end-loss ion energy analyzer (ELIEA). It was found that the high ion temperature (100 - 400 eV) is generated and has a liner relationship between diamagnetism in the central-cell. The ion temperature determined from the probe and calorimetric measurements gives a good agreement with the ELIEA measurement. Additional ICRF heating in the anchor-cell showed a significant increase of particle flux, which indicated an effectiveness of additional plasma heating in adjacent cells. Superimposing the ECH pulse of 380 kW, 5 ms induces a remarkable enhancement of heat flux and a peak value in the net heat-flux density more than 10 MW/m2was attained during the ECH injection, which comes up to the heat-load level of the divertor plate of ITER. Recently a large-scale divertor simulation experimental module (D-module) was installed in the west end-cell and the first plasma irradiation experiments onto a new tungsten V-shaped target were successfully performed. A number of interesting results such as neutral compression, enhancement of recycling and impurity radiation during noble gas injection, have been observed.

A two-channel reflectometer has been developed and successfully applied to the GAMMA10 central cell to investigate the spatial structure of spontaneously excited Alfven ion-cyclotron (AIC) waves. At the frequencies of externally applied ICRF waves and AIC waves, good correlations of well above the statistical noise level are obtained between two density fluctuations at axially separated positions in the central cell. Density fluctuations at various radial positions and two axially separated positions show that the power distribution among the AIC waves changes much both in radial and axial directions especially in the earlier period just after the excitation and in the core region of r/a< 0.3. Phase differences of the AIC waves at axially separated positions show features of the transformation of the AIC waves from propagating to standing waves. The pass of the node of the standing wave is also observed. The time of the pass is different by AIC waves, which clearly indicates difference of the axial wavelengths of the simultaneously excited AIC waves.

GAMMA 10/PDX project is the development of the mirror devices to aim the fusion-reactor relevant research using the potential control and the end loss as the particle and heat fluxes for transport, divertor plasma physics and Plasma Wall Interaction (PWI) studies. It was obtained that more than 10 MW/m2heat flux density for PWI studies. The closed divertor-simulator module has been newly installed. The first studies of this module have been done and obtained the expected plasma flow. We will strengthen the module functions and diagnostic capability and heating systems to enable to be more reactor-relevant simulator. In the core transport control by the ECH, correlation studies of the radial electric field profile and the fluctuations are made and the high coherency is confirmed by using the new two-point potential detector of the Gold Neutral Beam Probe(GNBP). The maximum electron temperature obtained so far is - 150 eV during the ECH by Thomson Scattering, but we need more studies for the high power ECH optimization. As one of the key tools for the new GAMMA 10/PDX project, 2 MW gyrotron development at 28 GHz has been started, based on the success of 77 GHz-1.9 MW output. The maximum outputs of 1 MW at 28 GHz in short pulse and 540kW for 2 s are obtained.

AbstractWe summarize historical perspective of the transuranium elements, neptunium (Np) through lawrencium (Lr), and recent progress on production, and nuclear and chemical properties of these elements. Exotic decay properties of heavy nuclei are also introduced. Chemical properties of transuranium elements in aqueous and solid states are summarized based on the actinide concept.

A direct energy converter (DEC) designed for thermal ions escaping from a fusion reactor consists of a cusp magnetic field and one or two stage decelerating electrodes. The electrons are deflected along the field lines and consequently separated from thermal ions that are not fully magnetized. The ions are led to the electrodes to produce DC power. For basic investigation of this type of DEC, the CUSPDEC, a small-scale experimental device is constructed and its characteristics have been investigated by using a low-energy plasma source. In this paper, the device is applied to the GAMMA 10 tandem mirror in order to investigate the capability of separation of charged particles as well as to demonstrate energy conversion from ions in much more reactor-relevant environment. The separation of electrons and ions with energies of the order of keV is achieved by using a slanted cusp magnetic field for the first time. It is also found that the separated ions are decelerated by the electric field in front of ion collectors and flow into the collectors at a high potential to produce DC power.

The tandem mirror remains an attractive magnetic confinement geometry for fusion. The absence of toroidal curvature and relatively weak internal plasma parallel current gives the system strongly favorable stability and transport properties. Recent GAMMA-10 experiments demonstrate that sheared plasma rotation suppresses turbulent radial losses. Total energy confinement times calculated for the GAMMA-10 are found to be significantly larger than the corresponding empirical confinement times in toroidal devices. The tandem mirror appears to have a qualitatively different form of drift wave radial transport from that in toroidal devices.

(1) Four-time progress in ion-confining potentials Φcto 3.0 kV in comparison to Φcattained 1992-2002 is achieved in the hot-ion mode (Ti=several keV). A scaling of Φc, which favorably increases with plug electron-cyclotron heating (ECH) powers (PPECH), is obtained. (2) The advance in Φcleads to a finding of remarkable effects of radially sheared electric fields (dEr/dr) on turbulence suppression and transverse-loss reduction. (3) A weak decrease in Φcwith increasing ncto ˜1019m-3with the recovery of Φcwith increasing PPECHis obtained. (4) The first achievement of active control and formation of an internal transport barrier (ITB) has been carried out with the improvement of transverse energy confinement. Off-axis ECH in an axisymmetric barrier mirror produces a cylindrical layer with energetic electrons, which flow through the central cell and into the end region. The layer, which produces a localized bumped ambipolar potential Φc, generates a strong Ershear and peaked vorticity with the direction reversal of Err× Bsheared flow near the Φcpeak. Intermittent vortex-like turbulent structures near the layer are suppressed in the central cell. This results in Teand Tirises surrounded by the layer. The phenomena are analogous to those in tokamaks with ITB. (5) Preliminary central ECH (170 kW, 20 ms) in a standard tandem-mirror operation raises Te0from 70 to 300 eV together with Ti[perpendicular]0from 4.5 to 6.1 keV, and Ti//0from 0.5 to 1.2 keV with τp0=95 ms for Φc(=1.4 kV) trapped ions. The on-axis particle to energy confining ratio of τp0/τE0is observed to be 1.7 for Φctrapped ions (consistent with Pastukhov’s theory) and 2.4 for central mirror-trapped ions with 240-kW plug ECH and 90-kW ICH (ηICH˜0.3; nlc=4.5×1017m-2). (6) Recently, a 200 kW central ECH with 430 kW plug ECH produces stable central-cell plasmas (Te=600 eV and Ti=6.6 keV) with azimuthal Er×Bsheared flow. However, in the absence of the shear flow, hot plasmas migrate unstably towards vacuum wall with plasma degradation.

Generalized scaling laws for the formation of plasma confining potentials are investigated to find the physics essentials common to representative tandem-mirror operational modes in GAMMA 10. These modes are characterized in terms of (i) a high-potential mode and (ii) a hot-ion mode. The potential-formation scalings in these modes are consolidated and generalized on the basis of the consistency with finding of the wider validity of Cohen’s strong electron-cyclotron heating (ECH) theory covering over both modes. A plateau-shaped electron distribution function is observed when a plug electron-confining potential is formed in the hot ion mode of GAMMA 10, as predicted in terms of the strong ECH theory.

Abstract: Fifty-three patients with benign bone tumours were treated with curettage and filling with a purified beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP). Recurrences occurred in two cases. There was neither a postoperative infection nor adverse reaction due to the material. Postoperative fractures did not occur in any patients. Radiographically, complete resorption of the material and bone remodelling were achieved in 23 cases (43%). Of these 23 cases, there was a statistical correlation between the filling volume and the time taken for complete resorption (p<0.05). We concluded that purified β-TCP was an ideal bone graft substitute for the treatment of benign bone tumours because of its good biocompatibility and resorption characteristics.

Chemical studies on element 104, rutherfordium (Rf), at JAERI (Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute) are reviewed. The transactinide nuclide 261Rf has been produced in the reaction 248Cm(18O, 5n) at the JAERI tandem accelerator with the production cross section of about 13 nb. On-line anion-exchange experiments on Rf together with the lighter homologues, group-4 elements Zr and Hf, in acidic solutions have been conducted with a rapid ion-exchange separation apparatus. From the systematic study of the anion-exchange behavior of Rf, it has been found that the properties of Rf in HCl and HNO3solutions are quite similar to those of Zr and Hf, definitely confirming that Rf is a member of the group-4 elements. However, we have observed an unexpected chemical behavior of Rf in HF solutions; the fluoride complex formation of Rf is significantly different from those of the homologues. Prospects of extending chemical studies on transactinide elements in the near future at JAERI are briefly considered.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of the C161T polymorphism of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) gene in Brazilian subjects with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and controls residing in Sao Paulo City, Brazil. Methods: Genomic DNA was obtained from 207 patients with T2DM and 170 unrelated normoglycemic individuals (CG). Anthropometric data included: body mass index, waist, hip, waist-to-hip ratio; biochemical parameters: fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, glycated hemoglobin and insulin. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure was also measured. Screening for mutations in the entire coding region of the PPARγ gene was carried out by PCR, single strand conformational polymorphism analysis (SSCP) and sequencing. C161T polymorphism was analyzed by PCR-RFLP. Results: The C161T polymorphism was the only variant found in exon 6 of the PPARγ gene. The frequency of the 161T allele in T2DM (0.10) was similar to that found in CG (0.07, p=0.210). Serum triglycerides (p=0.040), VLDL-cholesterol (p=0.040) and Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP; p=0.003) were significantly lower in 161T allele carriers than non-carriers in women of the T2DM group. Conclusions: Our results show that the C161T polymorphism in the PPARγ gene is not associated with variables related to T2DM or insulin resistance in the Brazilian population. However, a reduction of serum triglycerides and AIP was observed in women with 161T allele of the C161T polymorphism of the PPARγ gene.

Abstract The transforming growth factor ß (TGF-ß) family controls an extremely wide range of biological activities, such as the growth and differentiation of cells, and immunological events against infectious agents. Although TGF-ß homologs appear to be widely present in metazoan animals, studies of parasite-derived molecules are relatively few. Using antibodies against anti-mouse TGF-ß1, -ß2, and -ß3, we show the expression of TGF-ß-like molecules in Schistosoma japonicum cercariae, schistosomula, eggs and adult worms. Intense immunoreactivity was found on the surface of free-living cercarial bodies. In transverse sections of cercariae, the molecules were localized in the tegument and subtegumental cells, and the number and distribution of producing cells significantly differed with each antibody. In the skin-migrating stage, the expression in the tegumental surface gradually decreased and became almost negative within 48 h of exposure. In adult worms and eggs, the reactivity was found in subtegumental cells and in cells of a tubular structure, respectively. In western blot analysis, the detection of conventional TGF-ß molecules failed. The expression of TGF-ß-like molecules was distinctly regulated at each developmental stage.

Abstract. Objective: Mammalian myeloid and epithelial cells express various peptide antibiotics (such as defensins and cathelicidins) that contribute to the innate host defense against invading micro-organisms. Among these, human cathelicidin CAP18/LL-37 (L1-S37) possesses potent antibacterial activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. In this study, to develop peptide derivatives with improved bactericidal actions, we utilized the amphipathic 18-mer peptide (K15–V32) of LL-37 as a template, and evaluated the activities of modified peptides.

Scaling laws of potential formation and associated effects are theoretically and experimentally investigated in the GAMMA 10 tandem mirror. In GAMMA 10, the main tandem-mirror operations from 1979 to 2003 are characterized in terms of (i) a high-potential mode having kV-order plasma-confining potentials, and (ii) a hot-ion mode yielding fusion neutrons with 10-20 keV bulk-ion temperatures. In this paper, the externally controllable parameter scaling including electron cyclotron heating (ECH) powers for potential formation covering over these two representative operational modes is investigated; that is, the construction of “the central-cell plasma-confining potentials” Φcformation scaling with plug ECH is studied on the basis of the electron energy-balance equation and Cohen’s strong electron cyclotron heating (ECH) theory for investigating the formation physics of plasma confining potentials.It is found that our proposed scaling formulae are in good agreement with the experimental data in the two representative operational modes of the high-potential and hot-ion modes in the GAMMA 10 tandem mirror.This scaling shows a favorable increase in confining potentials with installing more powerful ECH sources by the use of ECH powers over the present 250 kW. On the basis of the scaling prediction, we also report the design of a newly developed 500 kW gyrotron for an application to investigate the validity of the abovedescribed Φcformation scaling with plug ECH aiming at achieving higher plasma parameters.

In the GAMMA 10 tandem mirror device, an experimental plan of high power ECRH is now under way. As the first step, operation of existing gyrotrons for plug ECRH has been carried out at a power exceeding their nominal powers of 200 kW. In this step, the highest recorded value of [varphi]cfor a hot ion mode plasma is 1.4 kV at Pplug= 240 kW. The effective temperature Teffof the end loss electrons as a scaling factor of the axial potential distribution has attained to 3 keV at a heating power of 260 kW and the potential difference ΔΦ between the plug to the end plate has exceeded 5 kV. Then, the potential range of the scaling between ΔΦ and Teffhas been expanded. Use of a new gyrotron delivering much higher power is the second step. The first experimental campaign with this gyrotron has just started.

Following the 2002 Conference on Open Magnetic Systems for Plasma Confinement, a three times progress in the formation of ion-confining potential height is achieved in the hot-ion mode. The advance in the potential formation leads to a finding of remarkable effects of radially produced shear of electric fields dEr/dr on the suppression of not only coherent drift waves but turbulence-like fluctuations for the first time in GAMMA 10. Also, the progress in the potential formation is made in line with the extension of our proposed physics scaling of potential formation covering over representative tandem-mirror operational modes, characterized in terms of (a) a high-potential mode having kV-order plasmaconfining potentials and (b) a hot-ion mode yielding fusion neutrons with 10-20 keV bulk-ion temperatures (Ti).

We performed magnetic stimulation at the level of foramen magnum in healthy subjects to evaluate the long latency response in lower limb muscle. Subjects assumed an upright stance and we recorded electromyographic activities in soleus muscle. A late response at the onset latency of approximately 40 ms was elicited. The late response wasn't induced in other lower limb muscles; anterior tibial muscle, quadriceps femoris muscle, and biceps femoris muscle. Additionally, magnetic stimulation to foot motor cortex, basal occiput and cervical nerve roots did not evoke the response with latency of 40 ms. These results reveal the late response in soleus muscle that has not been previously reported. We speculate that it is involved with the long-loop reflex.

Objective: The action of antibacterial cathelicidin CAP11 (cationic antibacterial polypeptide of 11 kDa) on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced suppression of neutrophil apoptosis was evaluated in vitro.

We report a molecular dynamics simulation study of lanthanide(iii) diphenyldimethylpyridinyl-dicarboxyamide (Ph₂Me₂PDA) complexes in water and methanol, with nitrate (NO₃−) counter-ions. Depending on the cation size (La3+, Eu3+, and Lu3+) and on the number of PDA ligands initially located in the cation's first sphere of coordination, two opposite behaviors are observed. In the case of a 1∶3 cation∶ligand stoichiometry with nitrates far from the cation, the PDA ligands partially move in the second sphere for La3+ and Eu3+, whereas they remain in the first coordination sphere for the smaller cation. In the case of a 1∶2 cation∶ligand stoichiometry with nitrates coordinated to the cation, the PDA ligands remain tridentate for the larger cation (La3+), whereas they partly move to the second sphere for the smaller cations, without dissociation. In the case of second sphere ligands, solvent molecules located in the cation's first coordination sphere provide a H-bond bridge between the cation and the amidic oxygen of the ligand remaining in the second sphere.

We report a molecular dynamics simulation study of lanthanideiii diphenyldimethylpyridinyl-dicarboxyamide Ph2Me2PDA complexes in water and methanol, with nitrate NO3− counter-ions. Depending on the cation size La3, Eu3, and Lu3 and on the number of PDA ligands initially located in the cation's first sphere of coordination, two opposite behaviors are observed. In the case of a 13 cationligand stoichiometry with nitrates far from the cation, the PDA ligands partially move in the second sphere for La3and Eu3, whereas they remain in the first coordination sphere for the smaller cation. In the case of a 12 cationligand stoichiometry with nitrates coordinated to the cation, the PDA ligands remain tridentate for the larger cation La3, whereas they partly move to the second sphere for the smaller cations, without dissociation. In the case of second sphere ligands, solvent molecules located in the cation's first coordination sphere provide a H-bond bridge between the cation and the amidic oxygen of the ligand remaining in the second sphere.

Summary The life cycle and social behaviour of the sweat bee Lasioglossum ( Evylaeus) baleicum (Cockerell) was investigated in two geographically separate populations in Hokkaido, northern Japan. Colonies were excavated throughout the brood rearing season from an aggregation in Nishioka forest park, Sapporo, and near Kawakita in eastern Hokkaido during 2000 and 2001. The Nishioka population produced two discrete broods during the year and was weakly eusocial; 57% of workers were mated and 28% exhibited some ovarian development, 12–16% of the first brood was male, and workers were on average 4.5% smaller than their respective queen. In contrast, the population at Kawakita was solitary, and produced a single brood per year with an unbiased sex ratio. In addition however, there were some solitary colonies in the Nishioka population and evidence of a partial second brood in some colonies at Kawakita, suggesting differences between the populations are not fixed and that this species is truly socially polymorphic. L. ( E.) baleicum is a member of the fulvicorne species group, which includes other examples of social polymorphic species as well as solitary and eusocial species, though this is the only species of this group so far known to exhibit a solitary/non-delayed eusocial polymorphism. Recent studies suggest that social polymorphism has both genetic and environmental influences, raising questions as to the relative import of each.

GAMMA 10 experiments have advanced in high density experiments after the last IAEA fusion energy conference in 2000 where we reported the production of the high density plasma through use of ion cyclotron range of frequency heating at a high harmonic frequency and neutral beam injection in the anchor cells. However, the diamagnetic signal of the plasma decreased when electron cyclotron resonance heating was applied for the potential formation. Recently a high density plasma has been obtained without degradation of the diamagnetic signal and with much improved reproducibility than before. The high density plasma was attained through adjustment of the spacing of the conducting plates installed in the anchor transition regions. The potential confinement of the plasma has been extensively studied. Dependences of the ion confinement time, ion-energy confinement time and plasma confining potential on plasma density were obtained for the first time in the high density region up to a density of 4×10¹⁸ m⁻³.

Scaling laws of potential formation and associated effects along with their physical interpretations are consolidated on the basis of experimental verification using the GAMMA 10 tandem mirror. A proposal of extended consolidation and generalization of the two major theories—(i) Cohen's strong electron cyclotron heating (ECH) theory for the formation physics of plasma confining potentials and (ii) the generalized Pastukhov theory for the effectiveness of the produced potentials on plasma confinement is made through the use of the energy balance equation. This proposal is then followed by verification using experimental data from two representative operational modes of GAMMA 10, characterized in terms of (i) a high-potential mode having plasma confining potentials of the order of kilovolts and (ii) a hot ion mode yielding fusion neutrons with bulk ion temperatures of 10–20 keV. The importance of the validity of the proposed physics-based scaling is highlighted by the possibility of extended capability inherent in Pastukhov's prediction of requiring an ion confining potential of ~30 kV for a fusion Q value of unity on the basis of an application of Cohen's potential formation method. In addition to the above potential physics scaling, an externally controllable parameter scaling of the potential formation increasing with either plug or barrier ECH powers is summarized. The combination of (i) the physics-based scaling of the proposed consolidation of potential formation and effects with (ii) the externally controllable practical ECH power scaling provides a new direction for future tandem mirror studies.

A method is proposed for obtaining radial profiles of plasma temperatures of both plasma ion (T_i) and electron (T_e) simultaneously by the use of a semiconductor detector array. The method is based on our developed particle-response model for a semiconductor detector; in particular, the response theory is constructed for giving the applicability in particle energies ranging down to a kiloelectronvolt. Calculated results from our model are in fairly good agreement with experimental data on the detector response of incident particle beams with energies in the range 100 eV to a few kiloelectronvolts. On the basis of the verification of the proposed model, an idea of the use of a developed semiconductor detector array covered with `reliably unbreakable' ultrathin SiO<sub>2</sub> `dead-layer filters' having various nanometre-order thicknesses is applied for simultaneous T_i and T_e analyses by using charge-exchange neutral particles and x-rays from plasmas. Radial profiles of T_i and T_e are obtained in a single plasma discharge alone, and the data reliability is independently cross-checked by a radial scan of a conventional charge-exchange neutral-particle analyser system as well as a 50-channel microchannel plate x-ray diagnostics system in the GAMMA 10 tandem mirror.

Generalization and consolidation of scaling laws of potential formation and associated effects are investigated in the GAMMA 10 tandem mirror. The scaling covers over representative tandem-mirror operational modes, characterized in terms of (i) a high-potential mode having kV-order plasma-confining potentials, and (ii) a hot-ion mode yielding fusion neutrons with 10-20 keV bulk-ion temperatures. A novel proposal of extended consolidation and generalization of the two major theories of (i) Cohen's strong electron cyclotron heating (ECH) theory for the formation physics of plasma confining potentials, and (ii) the generalized Pastukhov theory for the effectiveness of the produced potentials on plasma confinement has been made through the use of the energy-balance equation. This proposal is then followed by the verification on the basis of experimental data from the above two representative modes in GAMMA 10. The importance of the validity of this proposed consolidation is highlighted by a possibility of extended capability inherent in Pastukhov's prediction of requiring ion-confining potential (ɸc) of 30 kV for a fusion Q value of unity through an application of Cohen's potential formation method. In addition to the above potential physics scaling, an externally controllable parameter scaling including ECH powers for potential formation is investigated: The construction of the ɸcformation scaling with both plug and barrier ECH is carried out. Data on ɸc. [kV] (or equivalently ɸhwith np/ncfrom the strong ECH theory) as a function of externally controllable plug and barrier ECH powers, (PPECH[kW] and PBECH[kW], respectively), and nc[1018m−3] are summarized as follows:ɸc= 1.0×10−4(1+5.0×10−3×PBECH1.04±0.02) PPECH1.73±0.02× [c (np/nc)2/3-1]exp [-(0.33±0.05) nc]. Here, c=9-11 and 7-9 for the hot-ion and high-potential modes, respectively. The present paper covers the following updated results: (i) A verification of our novel proposal for potential formation and effects is carried out so as to consolidate two major (Pastukhov's and Cohen's) theories by the use of the “third mode” with the central ECH. The validity of the theory provides a future scenario for combining present representative modes so as to upgrade to hot-ion plasmas with high potentials. (ii) A novel efficient scaling of ɸcformation with both plug and barrier ECH is summarized. The combination of the physics scaling of (i) with the externally controllable practical power scaling of (ii) provides a scalable way for the future tandem-mirror researches.

Quantum chemical simulations have been performed on Lniiipyridine-dicarboxy-amide1complexes in order to describe the interaction between the lanthanide cations Laiii, Euiii, and Luiii and the ligand R2R′2PDA. In particular, the influence of substituents R R2R′2  H4, Me4, Ph2Me2, Ph4 on the interaction between the cation and the R4PDA ligand has been discussed. The substitution of H4by Me4on the ligand stabilizes the Lniii–ligand interaction of 33 kcal mol−1Laiii to 38 kcal mol−1Luiii, and the Ph4substitution of 69 kcal mol−1Laiii and 75 kcal mol−1Luiii. Although the LniiiH4PDA1and LniiiPh4PDA1complexes have a C2vsymmetry, the four methyl substituents reduce the symmetry of the complex to Cs, placing the cation out of the central pyridinyl plane. These results also emphasize that, for a given ligand, the lutetium complexes are more stable than the lanthanum complexes, which can be linked to the increasing experimental separation factors inside the lanthanide family.

Quantum chemical simulations have been performed on Lniii(pyridine-dicarboxy-amide)₁ complexes in order to describe the interaction between the lanthanide cations (Laiii, Euiii, and Luiii) and the ligand (R₂R'₂PDA). In particular, the influence of substituents R (R₂R'₂ = H₄, Me₄, Ph₂Me₂, Ph₄) on the interaction between the cation and the R₄PDA ligand has been discussed. The substitution of H₄ by Me₄ on the ligand stabilizes the Lniii–ligand interaction of 33 kcal mol−1 (Laiii) to 38 kcal mol−1 (Luiii), and the Ph₄ substitution of 69 kcal mol−1 (Laiii) and 75 kcal mol−1 (Luiii). Although the Lniii(H₄PDA)₁ and Lniii(Ph₄PDA)₁ complexes have a C_2v symmetry, the four methyl substituents reduce the symmetry of the complex to C_s, placing the cation out of the central pyridinyl plane. These results also emphasize that, for a given ligand, the lutetium complexes are more stable than the lanthanum complexes, which can be linked to the increasing experimental separation factors inside the lanthanide family.

High-density experiments using newly applied ioncyclotron range of frequency (ICRF) wave and neutral beam injection (NBI) in the GAMMA 10 tandem mirror are described. A new ICRF wave system (RF3) with high harmonic frequency has been introduced for achieving high density. In addition, neutral beam injectors were recently installed at the central and anchor cells for fueling to target plasmas produced by ICRF waves. Arrays of Hα line-emission detectors are installed from the midplane of the central-cell to the anchor-cell in order to evaluate the particle source density around these regions. In a typical ICRF-heated hot-ion-mode plasma, both anchor and central NB's are injected together with the RF3 wave and the significant increase of the line-density in the central-cell up to ~8×1012cm−2was attained during the potential formation. It is confirmed that this high density is achieved under the ion temperature of three times higher than the value expected from the usual empirical boundary without using these new heating systems. An analysis of neutral particle transport using the Monte Carlo simulation code is developed to calculate the spatial profile of neutral density in non-axisymmetric region, such as anchor cell. Particle source rate is estimated based on detailed measurements of Hα line-emission from the central-cell to the east anchor-cell together with the neutral transport simulation.

The hemolytic behavior of a novel cytoprotective agent, DY‐9760e (3‐[2‐[4‐(3‐chloro‐2‐methylphenyl)‐1‐piperazinyl]ethyl]‐5,6‐dimethoxy‐1‐(4‐imidazolylmethyl)‐1H‐indazole dihydrochloride 3.5 hydrate) was investigated using rabbit erythrocytes. Further, the effects of water‐soluble cyclodextrin derivatives, such as 2‐hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (HP‐β‐CyD) and sulfobutyl ether of β‐cyclodextrin (SBE‐β‐CyD), on the hemolytic activity of DY‐9760e were studied. DY‐9760e induced hemolysis at concentrations >0.2–0.3 mM in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) of pH 4.0 and 6.0, where DY‐9760e is predominantly in dicationic and monocationic forms, respectively. The hemolytic activity of the monocationic DY‐9760e was higher than that of the dicationic species, and the hemolysis at pH 4.0 involved the formation of methemoglobin. DY9760e induced the morphological change of erythrocytes towards membrane invagination at both pH 4.0 and 6.0. SBE7‐β‐CyD significantly suppressed the DY‐9760e‐induced hemolysis and morphological change at both pH 4.0 and 6.0, as well as the formation of methemoglobin at pH 4.0. On the other hand, HP‐β‐CyD suppressed only the hemolysis, but neither the morphological change nor the formation of methemoglobin. In addition, the inhibitory effect of SBE7‐β‐CyD on the hemolysis was greater than that of HP‐β‐CyD. The superior inhibitory effect of SBE7‐β‐CyD on the DY‐9760‐induced hemolysis, the morphological change, and the formation of methemoglobin may be attributable to the formation of a stable inclusion complex with DY‐9760e and to the weaker hemolytic activity of SBE7β‐CyD than HP‐β‐CyD. These results suggest potential use of SBE7‐β‐CyD as a parenteral carrier for DY‐9760e. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmaceutical Association J Pharm Sci 91:2382–2389, 2002

The hemolytic behavior of a novel cytoprotective agent, DY-9760e (3-[2-[4-(3-chloro-2-methylphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-5,6-dimethoxy-1-(4-imidazolylmethyl)-1H-indazole dihydrochloride 3.5 hydrate) was investigated using rabbit erythrocytes. Further, the effects of water-soluble cyclodextrin derivatives, such as 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CyD) and sulfobutyl ether of β-cyclodextrin (SBE-β-CyD), on the hemolytic activity of DY-9760e were studied. DY-9760e induced hemolysis at concentrations >0.2–0.3 mM in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) of pH 4.0 and 6.0, where DY-9760e is predominantly in dicationic and monocationic forms, respectively. The hemolytic activity of the monocationic DY-9760e was higher than that of the dicationic species, and the hemolysis at pH 4.0 involved the formation of methemoglobin. DY9760e induced the morphological change of erythrocytes towards membrane invagination at both pH 4.0 and 6.0. SBE7-β-CyD significantly suppressed the DY-9760e-induced hemolysis and morphological change at both pH 4.0 and 6.0, as well as the formation of methemoglobin at pH 4.0. On the other hand, HP-β-CyD suppressed only the hemolysis, but neither the morphological change nor the formation of methemoglobin. In addition, the inhibitory effect of SBE7-β-CyD on the hemolysis was greater than that of HP-β-CyD. The superior inhibitory effect of SBE7-β-CyD on the DY-9760-induced hemolysis, the morphological change, and the formation of methemoglobin may be attributable to the formation of a stable inclusion complex with DY-9760e and to the weaker hemolytic activity of SBE7β-CyD than HP-β-CyD. These results suggest potential use of SBE7-β-CyD as a parenteral carrier for DY-9760e. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmaceutical Association J Pharm Sci 91:2382–2389, 2002