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Background: Several studies have described a potential anti-tumour effect of cannabinoids (CNB). CNB receptor 2 (CB2) is mostly present in hematopoietic stem cells (HSC). The present study evaluates the anti-leukaemic effect of CNB. Methods: Cell lines and primary cells from acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients were used and the effect of the CNB derivative WIN-55 was evaluated in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo. Results: We demonstrate a potent antileukemic effect of WIN-55 which is abolished with CB antagonists. WIN-treated mice, xenografted with AML cells, had better survival as compared to vehicle or cytarabine. DNA damage-related genes were affected upon exposure to WIN. Co-incubation with the PARP inhibitor Olaparib prevented WIN-induced cell death, suggesting PARP-mediated apoptosis which was further confirmed with the translocation of AIF to the nucleus observed in WIN-treated cells. Nicotinamide prevented WIN-related apoptosis, indicating NAD+ depletion. Finally, WIN altered glycolytic enzymes levels as well as the activity of G6PDH. These effects are reversed through PARP1 inhibition. Conclusions: WIN-55 exerts an antileukemic effect through Parthanatos, leading to translocation of AIF to the nucleus and depletion of NAD+, which are reversed through PARP1 inhibition. It also induces metabolic disruptions. These effects are not observed in normal HSC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ITER WAVS (visible and infrared Wide Angle Viewing System) provides measurements of surface temperature for the plasma facing components by infrared thermography. One of its most important roles of WAVS is to protect the plasma facing components from damage. It also takes images of the plasma visible spectral range emission. The WAVS diagnostic consists of 15 views distributed in four equatorial ports (3, 9, 12 and 17), and it will contribute to Machine protection, Basic control and Physics analysis. The final design of the WAVS system in the equatorial port 12 (EP12) includes three lines of sight (LoS) that have to installed for ITER first plasma. This paper is focussed on the final design for the opto-mechanical ex-vessel components in equatorial port 12 (EP12). The most important function of the ex-vessel optics is to relay the image produced by the Port Plug optics at the vacuum window, up to the detectors placed at the backend of the optical chain in the Port Cell, while keeping the required performance. The image relays through the Interspace, Bioshield and Port Cell covers around 10 m in length before reaching the cameras. The ex-vessel optics is arranged in several optical modules, assembled on the EP12 support structures, i.e. Interspace Support Structure (ISS) and Port Cell Support Structure (PCSS). A detailed description of the opto-mechanical design that supports the optical modules, including the alignment capabilities, will be presented in the paper. Moreover, the assembly and alignment strategies planned for the ex-vessel subsystems, taking into account all constraints imposed on the site, are also described in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Characterization of refractive materials with transparent properties able to endure the harsh environment of ITER. • BaF 2 -Parylene-C, Sapphire and YAG with Broad Band Anti-Reflective (BBAR) have been tested with neutronic and gamma radiation. • Parylene-C is not suitable with neutrons instead BBAR protection appears to be compatible with neutrons. • Parylene-C can be used up to 110° C but after gamma radiation at 332 kGy and 50° C, the optical coating is damaged too. • Sapphire and YAG are the best candidates as refractive substrates for the WAVS diagnostic. The aim is to provide an assessment of radiation damage in coated films on refractive substrates that could be used as relevant information to protect the field lenses in optical diagnostics for ITER. Radiation-resistant optical materials with transparent properties should transfer light from plasma to detectors through the interspace until the port cell area where they are located (more than 10 m from the vacuum window). These optical coatings and substrates should have resilience enough to withstand neutron and gamma irradiation without significant degradation of their transmittance. Coated sapphire (Al 2 O 3 windows), YAG with Broad Band Anti-Reflective (BBAR) and substrates of BaF 2 /CaF 2 protected with anti-humidity coating (Parylene-C) were extensively tested. After testing, transmission measurements and analysis of optical surfaces yield significant discoveries. All substrates showed good refractive performance under gamma radiation. On the contrary, Parylene-C did not resist temperatures above 100 degrees Celsius as expected, according to manufacturing specifications. In addition, it was observed that with an energy dose of 332 kGy of gamma rays and a significantly lower temperature of 50 degrees Celsius, the Parylene-C protection is also damaged. Coated sapphire had the best overall performance with respect to the neutron irradiation tests. Nevertheless, the decrease in transmission observed in the YAG and BaF2 coated samples is not significant for the expected cumulative neutron dose that these samples will receive at their location within the diagnostic. This information was considered for the selection of the best candidates as refractive lenses and optical coatings for the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) of ex-vessel components that will integrate the Wide-Angle Viewing System (WAVS) for ITER Equatorial Port 12. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To characterize the visual and ocular morbidity of the population treated in Colombia based on the reports from the individual records of the provision of health services (RIPS), Chapter VII of the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Version (ICD-10), years 2009-2010. Materials and methods: A descriptive retrospective observational study was conducted of the visual and ocular morbidity of the population treated in Colombia according to the RIPS reports; the 58 diagnostic codes were reclassified into 18 categories, according to the Reisvo classification; the demographic variables of age, gender and health protection scheme were taken into consideration, as well as the clinical variable of diagnosis code; univariate and bivariate analysis were performed. Results: 775,989 RIPS from 2009 and 1,605,714 from 2010 were analyzed, corresponding to Chapter VII of ICD-10; most of them were female, 54.3% from 2009 and 58.4% from 2010. The predominant health scheme was the contributive scheme, with 73% for both years. The most frequent diagnostic groups in 2009 were disorders of the conjunctiva (55.9 %), accommodation and refractive disorders (23.1 %), eyelid disorders (9.9%), blindness and decreased visual acuity (2.2 %); for 2010, they were: accommodation and refractive disorders (44 %), disorders of the conjunctiva (23.4 %), eyelid disorders (4.4 %), blindness and decreased visual acuity (3.8 %) and glaucoma (3.7 %). Conclusions: The most prevalent diagnoses in the two years evaluated were: accommodation and refractive disorders, and disorders of the conjunctiva. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose Excitatory amino acid transporters ( EAATs) in the CNS contribute to the clearance of glutamate released during neurotransmission. The aim of this study was to explore the role of EAATs in the regulation of locus coeruleus ( LC) neurons by glutamate. Experimental Approach We measured the effect of different EAAT subtype inhibitors/enhancers on glutamate- and KCl-induced activation of LC neurons in rat slices. EAAT2-3 expression in the LC was also characterized by immunohistochemistry. Key Results The EAAT2-5 inhibitor DL-threo-β-benzyloxaspartic acid (100 μM), but not the EAAT2, 4, 5 inhibitor L-trans-pyrrolidine-2,4-dicarboxylic acid (100 μM) or the EAAT2 inhibitor dihydrokainic acid ( DHK; 100 μM), enhanced the glutamate- and KCl-induced activation of the firing rate of LC neurons. These effects were blocked by ionotropic, but not metabotrobic, glutamate receptor antagonists. DHK (100 μM) was the only EAAT inhibitor that increased the spontaneous firing rate of LC cells, an effect that was due to inhibition of EAAT2 and subsequent AMPA receptor activation. Chronic treatment with ceftriaxone (200 mg·kg−1 i.p., once daily, 7 days), an EAAT2 expression enhancer, increased the actions of glutamate and DHK, suggesting a functional impact of EAAT2 up-regulation on the glutamatergic system. Immuhistochemical data revealed the presence of EAAT2 and EAAT3 surrounding noradrenergic neurons and EAAT2 on glial cells in the LC. Conclusions and Implications These results remark the importance of EAAT2 and EAAT3 in the regulation of rat LC by glutamate. Neuronal EAAT3 would be responsible for terminating the action of synaptically released glutamate, whereas glial EAAT2 would regulate tonic glutamate concentrations in this nucleus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Phase change materials (PCM) possess a great capacity of accumulation of energy in their temperature of fusion thanks to the latent heat. These materials are used in applications where it is necessary to store energy due to the temporary phase shift between the offer and demand of thermal energy. Thus, possible applications are the solar systems as well as the recovery of residual heat for its posterior use in other processes. In spite of this great potential, the practical feasibility of latent heat storage with PCM is still limited, mainly due to a rather low thermal conductivity. This low conductivity implies small heat transfer coefficients and, consequently, thermal cycles are slow and not suitable for most of the potential applications. This work investigates experimentally the heat transfer process during melting (charge) and solidification (discharge) of five small heat exchangers working as latent heat thermal storage systems. Commercial paraffin RT35 is used as PCM filling one side of the heat exchanger and water circulates through the other side as heat transfer fluid. Average thermal power values are evaluated for various operating conditions and compared among the heat exchangers studied. When the comparison is done for average power per unit area and per average temperature gradient, results show that the double pipe heat exchanger with the PCM embedded in a graphite matrix (DPHX-PCM matrix) is the one with higher values, in the range of 700–800W/m2-K, which are one order of magnitude higher than the ones presented by the second best. On the other hand, the compact heat exchanger (CompHX-PCM) is by large the one with the highest average thermal power (above 1kW), as it has the highest ratio of heat transfer area to external volume. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Two sets of silica particles have been synthesized and dispersed in both 1-propanol and toluene-ethanol mixture. The conductivity of the suspensions has been measured as a function of their concentration, by means of a device and experimental procedure developed by the authors. It has been observed that the conductivity increases linearly with the solid fraction for values smaller than 5%. Additionally, the water content has also been measured, to evaluate its effect on the conductivity of suspensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Distributed generation (DG) of combined cooling, heat, and power (CCHP) has been gaining momentum in recent years as an efficient, secure alternative for meeting increasing power demands in the world. One of the most critical and emerging markets for DG-CCHP systems is commercial and institutional buildings. The present study focuses analysis on the main economic, energy-efficiency, and environmental impacts of the integration of three types of advanced DG technologies (high-temperature fuel cells, micro-turbines, and photovoltaic solar panels) into four types of representative generic commercial building templates (small office building, medium office building, hospital, and college/school) in southern California (e.g., mild climate), using eQUEST as energy simulation tool. Detailed load profiles for the four commercial building types during times of peak electric and peak gas consumption were analyzed and complementary strategies to further increase overall building energy efficiencies such as energy efficiency measures (e.g., day lighting, exterior shading, improved HVAC performance) and thermally activated absorption cooling were also investigated. Results show that the high-temperature fuel cell (HTFC) performance is best matched with the hospital energy loads, resulting in a 98% DG capacity factor, 85% DG heat recovery factor, and $860,000 in energy savings (6 years payback). The introduction of thermally driven double-effect absorption cooling (AC) in the college building with HTFC reduces significantly the building electricity-to-thermal load ratio and boosts the heat recovery factor from 37% to 97%. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The study of different power conversion cycles have been performed in the framework of the DEMO scoping studies to provide technical information focused on the selection of DEMO parameters. The purpose of this study has been the investigation of “advanced cycles” in order to get an improvement on the thermodynamic efficiency. Starting from the “near term” He-cooled blanket concepts (HCLL, HCPB), developed within the Power Plant Conceptual Studies (PPCS) and currently considered for DEMO, conversion cycles based on a standard Rankine cycle were shown to yield net efficiencies (net power/thermal power) of approximately 28%. Two main features limit these efficiencies. Firstly, the heat sources in the reactor: the blanket which provides over 80% of the total thermal power, only produces moderate coolant temperatures (300–500°C). The remaining thermal power is deposited in the divertor with a more respectable coolant temperature (540–717°C). Secondly, the low inlet temperature of blanket coolant limits the possibilities to achieve efficient heat exchange with cycle. The parameters of HCLL model AB have been used for the analysis of the following cycles: (a) supercritical steam Rankine, (b) supercritical CO2 indirect Brayton and (c) separate cycles: independent cycles for the blanket and divertor. A comparison of the gross and net efficiencies obtained from these alternative cycles alongside the standard superheated Rankine cycle will be discussed in the paper. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

As a first step in determining the identity and relative importance of the evolutionary forces promoting the speciation process in two closely related European taxa of Aquilegia, we investigated the levels of morphological variation in floral and vegetative characters over the narrow region where their ranges enter into contact, and evaluate the relative importance of both types of traits in their differentiation. A total of 12 floral and ten vegetative characters were measured on 375 plants belonging to seven A. vulgaris populations and six A. pyrenaica subsp. cazorlensis populations located in southeastern Spain. Floral and vegetative morphological differentiation occur between taxa and among populations within taxa, but only vegetative characters (particularly plant height and leaf petiolule length) contribute significantly to the discrimination between taxa. Differentiation among populations within taxa is mostly explained by variation in floral traits. Consequently, morphological divergence between the two taxa cannot be interpreted as an extension of among-population differences occurring within taxa. Multivariate vegetative, but not floral, similarity between populations could be predicted from geographical distance. Moreover, the key role of certain vegetative traits in the differentiation of A. vulgaris and A. p. cazorlensis could possibly be attributable to the contrasting habitat requirements and stress tolerance strategies of the two taxa. These preliminary findings seem to disagree with the currently established view of the radiation process in the genus Aquilegia in North America, where the differentiation of floral traits seems to have played a more important role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although in gynodioecious populations male steriles require a fecundity advantage to compensate for their gametic disadvantage, southern Spanish populations of the long-lived shrub Daphne laureola do not show any fecundity advantage over hermaphrodites in terms of seed production and early seedling establishment. By using allozyme markers, we assess the mating system of this species in five populations differing in sex ratio, and infer levels of inbreeding depression over the whole life cycle by comparing the inbreeding coefficients at the seed and adult plant stages. Extremely low outcrossing rates (0.001

In hermaphrodite plants, variations in structural gender (defined as the ratio between male and female gametes) may occur at different levels (among flowers, plants, and populations). In this study, we investigated variation in four traits influencing structural gender (number of carpels, ovules per carpel, stamens, and pollen grains per stamen) within and among six distant populations of the hermaphrodite perennial herb Helleborus foetidus (Ranunculaceae) in the Iberian Peninsula. Our results show that the four traits investigated varied significantly at all levels considered. Traits influencing the female sexual component (number of carpels and ovules per carpel) showed greater variation at the lowermost levels (within flower and plant) than traits influencing the male component, which in turn varied more markedly among populations. Number of carpels per flower and number of pollen grains per anther were the most important traits affecting between-plant variation in structural gender. There was no evidence of significant plant-level trade-offs or correlations between the various male and female traits, which covaried differently across populations. The observed between-population variation in structural gender of Helleborus foetidus can be explained as a consequence of differences in self-pollination levels related to a flower’s “mating environment”. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The studies carried out to evaluate and select a candidate site for International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) construction in Spain are presented in this paper. The ITER design, completed in July 2001, considered a number of technical requirements that must be fulfilled by the selected site. Several assumptions concerning the ITER site were made in order to carry on the design before final site selection. In the studies undertaken for ITER site selection in Spain, the referred technical requirements and assumptions were applied across the whole of Spain and two areas were identified as being preferential. These areas are on the Mediterranean coast and are situated in the Catalan and Valencian regions. A comparative evaluation based on technical characteristics for the concrete plots, proposed within the preferential areas, has been done. The result of these studies was the selection of a site that was deemed to be the most competitive—Vandello´s (Tarragona)—and it was proposed to the European Commission for detailed studies in order to be considered as a possible European site for ITER construction. Another key factor for hosting ITER in Spain, is the licensing process. The present status is summarised in this paper. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• The manuscript shows the preliminary opto-mechanical design of the ex-vessel components for the wide angle viewing system (WAVS) for ITER equatorial port 12. The design of the diagnostic in this port is well advanced since it has to be operative for the ITER first plasma (scheduled for the end of 2025). • The WAVS ex-vessel optics relay the exit image of the port plug at the vacuum window up to the cameras placed inside a shielded cabinet in the port cell. • The ex-vessel optics based on mirrors and refractive elements are arranged in opto-mechanical modules that can be assembled, integrated and verified as independent sub-systems. • The optical hinge is the first component of the ex-vessel optical chain that aims to compensate the differential motion between the vacuum vessel and the building, in normal operation and baking. The mechanical assembly and operation of this critical component is also presented in the manuscript. The ITER equatorial visible and infrared Wide Angle Viewing System (WAVS) provides surface temperature measurements of plasma facing components by infrared (IR) thermography being one of its main roles to protect them from damage. It also images the plasma emission in the visible range. The diagnostic, which comprises 15 lines of sight distributed in four equatorial ports (3, 9, 12 and 17), will contribute to Machine protection, Basic control and Physics analysis in ITER. The design of the diagnostic in the equatorial port 12 (EP12) - comprising three lines of sight - is currently being developed within a Framework Partnership Agreement through a Specific Grant granted by F4E to the Consortium formed by CEA, Ciemat and Bertin Technologies. EP12 has to be operative for the ITER first plasma. The overview of the WAVS opto-mechanical design for the ex-vessel components in EP12 will be presented in the paper. The ex-vessel optics are composed of mirrors and refractive elements which relay the exit image of the port plug at the vacuum window up to the cameras placed inside a shielded cabinet in the Port Cell. The image relay through the Interspace, Bioshield and Port Cell has to cover a length of almost 10 m in order to reach the detectors. The refractive elements are arranged in sub-assemblies (optical modules) mechanically mounted in barrels and next assembled on a support structure. The assembly of these modules on site will be also presented in the paper. Furthermore, the Optical Hinge which is the first component of the ex-vessel optical chain (formed by two folding mirrors) aims to compensate the differential motion between the vacuum vessel and the building, in normal operation and baking. The mechanical assembly and the operation of this component will be also described in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ITER Visible/Infrared Wide Angle Viewing System (WAVS) is a machine protection optical diagnostic that is being developed for ITER. The first two ex-vessel components of WAVS are the Optical Hinge (OH) and Optical Relay Unit (ORU) and both share a common support structure. Equatorial Port 12 (EP12) WAVS should be operational for the first plasma and its facing its Final Design Review (FDR). It is being developed by the Consortium constituted by CEA, CIEMAT, INTA and Bertin Technologies through a Grant Agreement financed by F4E. To compensate vacuum vessel vertical displacements respect to the building during operation, an Optical Hinge (OH) will be placed at the beginning of the ex-vessel area for each Line of Sight (LoS). Each OH is formed by a pair of mirrors one of which is moveable using a piezoactuator. The OHs are attached to the common support which is, in turn, fixed to the Interspace Support Structure. To assure the optical performance, the common support structure has to withstand operational loads with low deviation and tilt. In addition, the structural integrity of the common structure has to be maintained in case of seismic or accidental loads as it is classified as a Safety Relevant component. This work exposes the analyses performed to face the FDR of ex-vessel WAVS in EP12. It comprises the structural analyses performed by CIEMAT for the OH ORU common support structure to assure its integrity according to RCC-MR Code and the detailed model of one OH LoS to check also the diagnostic optical requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main function of the Collective Thomson Scattering (CTS) diagnostic system for ITER is to diagnose the alpha particles resulting from Deuterium-Tritium fusion reactions. It consists of a microwave scattering diagnostic with a probing frequency of 60 GHz and emitted power of 1.2 MW from the gyrotron, with one launcher and nine receiver transmission lines. The CTS will be installed in the equatorial port EP#12, which is one of the ports that have to be operational for the ITER First Plasma. The transmission lines outside the Port Plug (Ex-PP) are routed through the Interspace, Port Cell, Gallery, Assembly Building and Diagnostic Building, reaching more than 100 m in length. The preliminary design of the ex-PP components is currently being undertaken in the framework of an Implementing Agreement between ITER Organization, the Instituto Superior Técnico (IST) and CIEMAT. Within this collaboration, CIEMAT is responsible for the structural analyses and calculations required to ensure the structural integrity and performance of the preliminary design of the Ex-PP transmission line components, which will be summarized in this paper. In this work, the required analysis and calculations will be presented together with the redesign performed for the transmission lines in order to guarantee that their components will withstand the loads defined in the Ex-PP CTS Load Specifications. The evaluation of the structural integrity of the CTS Ex-PP components will be carried out in accordance with the 2007 RCC-MR Code for mechanical components in nuclear installations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• 3D ANSYS Maxwell FEM model developed for the EM analysis of the IAM at FDR level. • ISS modelled to calculate the flowing eddy currents between IAM and structure. • Found presumed convergence errors in sharp inner boundary corners of Maxwell models. • Calculated IAM forces are not design driving so do not compromise the final design. The ITER Visible and Infrared Wide Angle Viewing System (WAVS) is a diagnostic aiming to optically monitor the tokamak first wall and divertor for machine protection, plasma control and physics analysis. The Interspace Afocal Module (IAM) is a refractive optical system, being one of the WAVS components located in the Interspace area. In order to assure the optical performance, the IAM has to withstand all the relevant loads defined for the Final Design, including the electromagnetic (EM) loads developed in the Interspace area under EM events. Volumetric forces during transient EM events arise from the interaction of the background magnetic field with the eddy currents induced in the conductive components when they experience time-varying magnetic fields. In case of Category III and IV loads, including load combinations with certain Major Disruption and Vertical Displacement Event cases, the IAM integrity has to be ensured since its structure is classified as Safety Relevant. The EM volumetric loads are calculated through a 3D Finite element model and will serve as inputs for the later structural analysis. The paper summarizes the EM analysis of the IAM, performed by CIEMAT, to validate its Final Design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We briefly review the motivation to search for sterile neutrinos in the keV mass scale, as dark matter candidates, and the prospects to find them in beta decay or electron capture spectra, with a global perspective. We describe the fundamentals of the neutrino flavor-mass eigenstate mismatch that opens the possibility of detecting sterile neutrinos in such ordinary nuclear processes. Results are shown and discussed for the effect of heavy neutrino emission in electron capture in Holmium 163 and in two isotopes of Lead, 202 and 205, as well as in the beta decay of Tritium. We study the deexcitation spectrum in the considered cases of electron capture and the charged lepton spectrum in the case of Tritium beta decay. For each of these cases, we define ratios of integrated transition rates over different regions of the spectrum under study and give new results that may guide and facilitate the analysis of possible future measurements, paying particular attention to forbidden transitions in Lead isotopes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: It is well known that it is necessary to insulate the buildings to decrease the thermal demand and to decrease the use of heating and cooling. Due to the high cost of fossil fuels and to the necessity to reduce CO2 emissions, and also due to the new building regulations more attention is paid to the insulation of buildings. Different insulation materials are available in the market. Usually, they are compared by their thermal conductivity and with theoretical calculations, but there are no experimental comparisons available, where the behavior of such insulation materials in a building is compared over time. This is why the authors started a comparison of three typical insulation materials, polyurethane, polystyrene, and mineral wool. For this purpose, four house-like cubicles were constructed (with a size of 2.4m×2.4m×2.4m) and their thermal performance throughout the time was measured. The cubicles were built under a conventional Mediterranean construction system, differing only in the insulation material used. During 2008 and the first months of 2009 the performance of these cubicles was evaluated, and the results are presented in this paper. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This work presents the results of an experimental set-up to test phase change materials with two typical construction materials (conventional and alveolar brick) for Mediterranean construction in real conditions. Several cubicles were constructed and their thermal performance throughout the time was measured. For each construction material, macroencapsulated PCM is added in one cubicle (RT-27 and SP-25 A8). The cubicles have a domestic heat pump as a cooling system and the energy consumption is registered to determine the energy savings achieved. The free-floating experiments show that the PCM can reduce the peak temperatures up to 1°C and smooth out the daily fluctuations. Moreover, in summer 2008 the electrical energy consumption was reduced in the PCM cubicles about 15%. These energy savings resulted in a reduction of the CO2 emissions about 1–1.5kg/year/m2. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: For steady-state magnetic thermonuclear fusion devices which need large power exhaust capability, actively cooled plasma facing components have been developed. In order to guarantee the integrity of these components during the required lifetime, their thermal and mechanical behaviour must be assessed. Before the procurement of the ITER Divertor, the examination of the heat sink to armour joints with non-destructive techniques is an essential topic to be addressed. Defects may be localised at different bonding interfaces. In order to improve the defect detection capability of the SATIR technique, the possibility of merging the infrared thermography test data coming from SATIR results with the ultrasonic test data has been identified. The data merging of SATIR and ultrasonic results has been performed on Carbon Fiber Composite (CFC) monoblocks with calibrated defects, identified by their position and extension. These calibrated defects were realised with machining, with “stop-off” or by a lack of CFC activation techniques, these last two representing more accurately a real defect. A batch of 56 samples was produced to simulate each possibility of combination with regards to interface location, position and extension and way of realising the defect. The use of a data merging method based on Dempster–Shafer theory improves significantly the detection sensibility and reliability of defect location and size. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Distributed generation (DG) is generally defined as the operation of many small stationary power generators throughout an urban air basin. Although DG has the potential to supply a significant portion of the increased power demands in California and the rest of the United States, it may lead to increased levels of in-basin pollutants and adversely impact urban air quality. This study focuses on two main objectives: (1) the systematic characterization of DG installation in urban air basins, and (2) the simulation of potential air quality impacts using a state-of-the-art three-dimensional computational model. A general and systematic approach is devised to construct five realistic and 21 spanning scenarios of DG implementation in the South Coast Air Basin (SoCAB) of California. Realistic scenarios reflect an anticipated level of DG deployment in the SoCAB by the year 2010. Spanning scenarios are developed to determine the potential impacts of unexpected outcomes. Realistic implementations of DG in the SoCAB result in small differences in ozone and particulate matter concentrations in the basin compared to the baseline simulations. The baseline accounts for population increase, but does not consider any future emissions control measures. Model results for spanning implementations with extra high DG market penetration show that domain-wide ozone peak concentrations increase significantly. Also, air quality impacts of spanning implementations when DG operate during a 6-h period are larger than when the same amount of emissions are introduced during a 24-h period. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study shows the development and performance assessment of a novel set-up that enables the research of structural materials for fusion reactors, by making possible simultaneous application of temperature (up to 450 °C) and magnetic field (close to 0.6 T) during irradiation experiments. These aspects become critical as structural materials in fusion reactors are exposed to intense radiation levels under the presence of strong magnetic fields. Moreover, material microstructure could be modified by radiation-induced propagating defects, which are thought to be sensitive to magnetic fields. The device has three main components: magnetic closure, sample holder with integrated heater, and radiation shield. It is provided with a thermal shield to prevent other elements of the device to heat up and fail. A mapping of the magnetic flux in the region where sample and heater are located has been modeled by finite elements simulation software and correlated with magnetic measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need for a steam ingress environmental experiment is very significant to understand the impact of accidental in-vessel coolant leaks at ITER and to study the exposure of optical diagnostics to steam and humid conditions. This could happen as a result of the damage to the cooling pipes due to runaway electrons generated during plasma disruptions in ITER. In order to know the scope of this potential impact, an assessment was carried out to simulate and to study the exposure of optical elements to strong and hostile moisture conditions. After test, different measurements on optical mirrors were performed to characterize the reflectance properties, observed both in the visible and infrared spectral ranges, as well as the analysis of wavefront error, coating adherence test, and X-ray spectroscopy. Modification of properties and fluctuations in the physical behavior of optical materials and components were observed. Substrates and coatings were affected at different levels due to corrosion and oxidative depositions that modify their optical performances. In general, there are large differences in the results obtained for the same material manufactured by different manufacturing processes. Steam and humidity affected, especially substrates and metal coatings. Substrates made of silicon carbide and stainless steel were the least affected by corrosion. Rhodium coating suffered less damage than the molybdenum coating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The equatorial visible and infrared Wide Angle Viewing System (WAVS) for ITER is one of the key diagnostics for machine protection, plasma control and physics analysis. To achieve these objectives, the WAVS will monitor the surface temperature of the Plasma Facing Components (PFCs) by infrared (IR) thermography (3–5 μm range) and will image the edge plasma emission in the visible range. It will be composed of 15 lines of sight installed in four equatorial ports (no. 3, 9, 12 and 17) in order to survey at least 80% of the overall area of the vacuum vessel. This paper presents the optical design of port-plug which has to cope with both challenging performances (wide field of view, wide temperature range 200–2000 °C, high measurement accuracy required lower than 20%) and severe constraints such as harsh nuclear environment, complex interfaces. Indeed the optical components are embedded within the ITER Diagnostic Shielding Module, DSM, which is not usual for diffraction limited instruments. It is shown that nominal optical performance of the Port-Plug are limited by the diffraction only. In operation, this design has demonstrated its superiority on the former ones since it is much less sensitive to tolerance variations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Piezoelectric technology is suitable for working under ITER conditions, with a good behavior in radiation environments. • The tested piezo actuator can work after being irradiated, although its maximum speed has been reduced by around 12%. • The controller to drive the piezo actuator can be located up to 110 m away, to keep electronics away from radiation. The Wide Angle Viewing System (WAVS) for ITER is a major diagnostic for machine protection, plasma control and physics analysis. The diagnostic will measure the surface temperature of the plasma facing components by infrared thermography being one of its main roles to protect them from damage. It will also image the plasma emission in the visible range. The full system is composed of 15 lines of sights located in four equatorial ports (3, 9, 12 and 17). As part of the ex-vessel optics, the first element of the optical chain is the Optical Hinge (OH). It is constituted by two folding mirrors which face the port plug exit optical beam. The mission of this component is to compensate the differential motion between the vacuum vessel and the building, during normal operation and baking. This function will be performed by means of a piezo actuator coupled to the OH upper mirror (and a set of reference switches) to drive the vertical displacement of the mirror in order to get the desired alignment position of the optical beam. The piezo actuator has been identified as the main critical item of the OH what has motivated the fabrication of an OH prototype (for one line of sight) aimed at performing a set of tests to validate the piezo actuator under operation conditions. The tests have consisted in the characterization of the piezo actuator behavior with the nominal load after being irradiated to 272.40 kGy of total accumulated gamma dose, which is the dose expected in ITER. Moreover, additional tests have been conducted to find out the influence of the cable length from the piezo actuator to the controller in the performance. A description of these tests and the results obtained will be presented in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The JT-60SA superconducting tokamak is being constructed under dual projects, the EU-JA international collaboration framework and Japanese national programme. To suppress magnetic field error to less than 0.01% with respect to the toroidal magnetic field for good confinement of plasma, QST has developed a precise onsite assembly technology of tokamak components such as vacuum vessel (VV) and toroidal magnetic field coils (TFC) with size of over 10-m scale. Prior to an onsite assembly, the assembly process is carefully simulated in a three dimension CAD model, through which the location and number of the reference points for the assembly are evaluated to determine each component position. In the onsite assembly, the tokamak components are positioned by measuring with the laser tracker of a 0.5 mm spatial resolution and assembled by adjusting with shims and splice plates. The onsite assembly of the VV 340° sector has been succeeded in an allowable accuracy of +8/−4 mm with the 10 m diameter by welding sectors, each of which was circumferentially segmented and manufactured by taking into account the deformation due to the welding. The remaining 20° sector will be installed after the TF coils installation. The metrology developed for the onsite assembly of the JT-60SA is expected to be applicable to ITER whose size is the double of JT-60SA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amblyopia is the most common cause of visual loss in children and young adults. This condition limits the ability to perform activities of learning and development. Optical prescription for ametropias and a timely diagnosis can prevent this, while providing the visual conditions required for an adequate performance in school. Objective: To review the relationship between refractive and strabismic amblyopia and visual-motor and visualperceptual conditions in the reading process. Similarly, to describe visual-motor conditions and alterations in amblyopia, as well as their relationship to reading. Methodology: A literature search was conducted in databases and in texts published until 2015, in English and in Spanish, with search words such as amblyopia, reading, learning, visual-motor conditions, and visual-perceptual conditions. Conclusions: Refractive and strabismic amblyopia affect the development of visual-motor and visual-perceptual skills such as fixation, oculomotor movements, tracking and saccades, accommodation, contrast sensitivity, and, in some cases, vergences, all of them indispensable in the reading process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The beam dump of the LIPAc consists of a long and thin copper cone where the ions are stopped, cooled by water flowing along its outer surface. The high water velocity (between 4 and 8 m/s) and the turbulent regimes involved may compromise the mechanical stability of the slender beam dump structure and cause damages due to flow induced vibrations. Since the system is too complex to be studied theoretically, some tests have been carried out to evaluate its behavior in normal operating conditions. These tests, performed on a model built at 1:1 scale and replicating exactly the final version, have been focused on finding experimentally the main vibration modes and the responses to the different working flow rates. This modal analysis, together with the results of the measurements of the vibration characteristics obtained at several positions of the cone, is presented here. With amplitudes not greater than 500 mg rms in any case, the structure has proved its practical immunity to flow induced vibrations, thus validating its design and construction methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shutdown dose rate (SDDR) calculations have been performed to give support to the design of the Interspace (IS) VIS/IR WAVS diagnostic components of the Equatorial Port 12 (EP12), in the framework of the F4E-FPA-407 SG04 project. The Vis/IR WAVS comprises the viewing systems in four Equatorial Ports: 3, 9, 12 and 17, reminding that the present results are relative to the EP12 specifically. The Vis/IR WAVS is an optical diagnostic aimed at monitoring in visible and infrared radiation the ITER plasma facing components for machine protection. This paper describes the methodology used and shows the results obtained. The objective of the assessment is to evaluate whether the design meets the ALARA criteria in the IS area. In this work, once the materials have been selected to contribute as less as possible to the activation, the main criterion is that the contribution of all diagnostics installed in the port should not overcome the target of the biological dose rate of 100 μSv/h in the IS area after 106s of decay time. The main conclusion of the analysis is that the contribution of the VIS/IR WAVS IS components to the SDDR meets with the ALARA criterion in the IS. The contribution of the VIS/IR WAVS IS components to the SDDR in the IS, concerning the contribution of the whole ITER model, is about 9.6% in the left corridor and 5.5% in the right corridor. Besides, the percentage of contribution of the SS316L structure with respect to the total SDDR induced by the IS VIS/IR WAVS components is 99.3% in the left corridor and 99.5% in the right corridor. However, it has to be taken into account that these values have been obtained using a local model, therefore these values will be lower than the realistic values. Therefore, these values should be taken only as relative values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Thermo-hydraulic analysis of the equatorial port plug (EPP) is currently being performed by CIEMAT within the framework of the engineering activities related to the ITER port plug diagnostic integration launched by EFDA. This study is focussed on calculating the main hydraulic parameters for the reference cooling circuit, and analyzing different piping configurations, in order to achieve a balanced circuit, this being a key point for obtaining an homogeneous refrigeration of the port plug. It also analyzes the cooling requirements for the Diagnostic Shield Modules (DSM), considering not only the reference circuit design, where the piping cooling circuits run through those parts that need to be cooled, but also a new design proposal which entails a port plug cooling system based on the thermal contact between the DSM and the port plug itself. The overall study represents not only an improvement in the equatorial port plug cooling system design, but also a better understanding of the whole system so as to foresee the weak points that will need to be taken into account in the subsequent detailed design. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The conceptual design of a new type of fusion reactor based on the helium-cooled lithium–lead (HCLL) blanket has been performed within the European Power Plant Conceptual Studies. As part of this activity, a new attachment system suitable for the HCLL blanket modules had to be developed. This attachment is composed of two parts. The first one is the connection between module and the first part of a shield, called high temperature shield, which operates at a temperature around 500°C, close to that of the blanket module. This connection must be made at the lateral walls, in order to avoid openings through the first wall and breeding zone thus avoiding complex design and fabrication issues of the module. The second connection is the one between the high temperature shield and a second shield called low temperature shield, which has a temperature during reactor operation around 150°C. The design of this connection is complex because it must allow the large differential thermal expansion (up to 30mm) between the two components. Design proposals for both connections are presented, together with the results of finite element mechanical analyses which demonstrate the feasibility to support the blanket and shield modules during normal and accidental operation conditions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A carbon fiber composite (CFC) target calorimeter has been installed at TJ-II to study in situ the power density distribution of the neutral beams. The thermographic print of the beam can be recorded and analysed in a reliable way due to the highly anisotropic thermal conductivity of the target material. Direct conversion from temperature to power density is possible due to the independent thermocouple measurements on two adiabatically mounted copper buttons. With the combined thermographic and calorimetric measurements it has been possible to determine the power density distribution of the beams. It has been found that a large beam halo is present, which can be explained by the extreme misalignment of the grids. This kind of halo has a deleterious effect on beam transport and must be minimized in order to improve the plasma heating capability of the beams. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The present status of the main components of the TJ-II Electron Bernstein Waves (EBW) heating system are presented. The O-X-B scenario has been chosen for first harmonic (28GHz) heating. One 300kW, 100ms gyrotron has been checked and is ready for installation. The design of a new high voltage power supply unit is finished. The microwave power will be transmitted by an oversized corrugated waveguide. Two ellipsoidal mirrors optimise the gaussian beam parameters at the input of the waveguide and two corrugated ones get the required polarization. A movable internal mirror is needed to accomplish the restrictive launching conditions. The present cooling system of the ECRH system is being upgraded to cool the 28GHz-complex. The start of the experiments is scheduled for the end of 2005. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Neutral beam injection (NBI) heating has been used on the TJ-II stellarator for the first time. The beam has a port-through power between 200 and 400kW and injection energy 28kV. Beam transmission is limited by beam interception at the injection port and the first toroidal field coil, therefore, beam steering optimization is of critical importance. The beam interaction areas inside TJ-II vacuum chamber are surveyed by infrared thermography. Beam reionization can be a problem due to the presence of residual gas in the duct region. Halpha emission is used to monitor the reionization at the duct. A careful optimization of the injected gas has been carried out. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Familial Alzheimer's disease (AD[MIM 104300]) has been a focus of intense investigation, primarily in Caucasian families from Europe and North America families. Although the late-onset form of familial AD, beginning after age 65 years, has been linked to regions on chromosomes 10q and 12p, the specific genetic variants have not yet been consistently identified. Using a unique cohort of families of Caribbean Hispanics ancestry, we screened the genome using 340 markers on 490 family members from 96 families with predominantly late-onset AD. We observed the strongest support for linkage on 18q (LOD=3.14). However, 17 additional markers (chromosomes 1-6, 8, 10, 12, and 14) exceeded a two-point LOD score of 1.0 under the affecteds-only autosomal dominant model or affected sibpair model. As we previously reported the fine-mapping effort on 12p showing modest evidence of linkage, we focused our fine-mapping efforts on two other candidate regions in the current report, namely 10q and 18q. We added 31 family members and eight additional Caribbean Hispanic families to fine map 10q and 18q. With additional microsatellite markers, the evidence for linkage for 18q strengthened near 112?cM, where the two-point LOD score for D18S541 was 3.37 and the highest NPL score in that region was 3.65 (P=0.000177). This narrow region contains a small number of genes expressed in the brain. However, at 10q (134-138?cM), the NPL score decreased from 3.15 (P=0.000486) to 2.1 (P=0.0218), but two broad peaks remained overlapping with previously reported peaks. Our results provide modest support for linkage on 10q and 12p in this cohort of Caribbean Hispanic families with familial Alzheimer's disease, and strong evidence for a new locus on 18q.Molecular Psychiatry (2004) 9, 1042-1051. doi:10.1038/sj.mp.4001538 Published online 6 July 2004 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pre- and post-dispersal Helleborus foetidus (Ranunculaceae) seed predation by mice Apodemus sylvaticus as well as post-dispersal seed removal by ants was studied, during two years, in six plant populations within three geographical regions (Caurel, Cazorla and Mágina) of the Iberian Peninsula. An observational approach revealed strong interregional differences in seed predation by mice during the pre-dispersal phase, with high and similar rates of predation in Cazorla and Mágina and much lower rates in Caurel. There were also significant inter-annual variations on pre-dispersal seed predation by mice, while the existing habitat-related differences (of lower magnitude) were not consistent across regions. Field experiments based on seed-offering exclosures, showed that, despite some interregional variation, post-dispersal seed removal by ants was consistently high through all spatial and temporal scales considered, with most seeds being removed within 48 h. Conversely, post-dispersal seed predation by mice was highly variable among regions, being very high in Cazorla and minimal or absent in Caurel and Mágina. Interestingly, in Cazorla, in presence of mice, the number of seeds removed was rather independent of the presence/absence of ants, while under mice exclusion, it was determined by the presence/absence of ants. Conversely, in Caurel, the number of seeds removed by each remover agent (ants or mice) was independent of the presence/absence of the other agent. Thus, though uniquely in Cazorla, mice limited the number of seeds available to ants and, therefore, in this region could potentially have interfered on the development of seed traits that enable ants to efficiently harvest them. Our results support the notion that geographical variation over the Iberian Peninsula of mice seed predation may have promoted a mosaic of well-matching and mismatching situations between H. foetidus diaspore traits and the characteristics of ant communities, which is consistent with some recent theories on the geographical structure of interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]