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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]

We present experimental and numerical investigations of water flow in a microsystem induced by microwave electric fields. Microwave dielectric heating induces gradients of temperature which produce spatial variations in mass density and dielectric permittivity that lead to buoyancy and dielectric forces in the liquid, respectively. The experimental system consists of a microchannel, filled with water, which is built on top of a coplanar waveguide operating in the fundamental transversal electromagnetic (TEM) mode at frequencies in the range 1-4 GHz. The flow originated by standing waves is studied. Maxima and minima of electric field amplitude lead to maxima and minima of fluid flow. This observation allows us to measure the TEM wavelength and good agreement is found with the theoretical results for the TEM mode inside the microchannel. We also present three dimensional finite-element calculations of the electric, temperature and fluid velocity fields in the microchannel. In a first approach, the calculations are performed using the equations in the limit of small temperature variations, which allows us to decouple the electrical, mechanical and thermal equations. These calculations show a good agreement with the velocity profiles. Subsequently, the effect of considering finite increments of temperature is taken into account and the new numerical results improve the quantitative comparison with experimental velocities. [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]

Background Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is the most frequent liver abnormality observed in overweight or obese children and is strongly associated with metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. Objectives (i) To evaluate the effect of a 22-week multidisciplinary intervention program on hepatic fat fraction in overweight or obese children and (ii) to examine the effect of the intervention on cardiometabolic risk factors, self-esteem and well-being. Methods A total of 160 children, 9–11 years, will be recruited by pediatricians and randomly assigned to control (N = 80) or intervention (N = 80) groups. The control group will receive a family-based lifestyle and psycho-educational program (2 days/month), while the intervention group will attend the same lifestyle education and psycho-educational program plus the exercise program (3 days/week). The duration of training sessions will be 90 min of exercise, including warm-up, moderate to vigorous aerobic activities, and strength exercises. The primary outcome is the change in hepatic fat fraction (magnetic resonance imaging, MRI). Secondary outcomes include cardiometabolic risk factors such as total adiposity (dual X-ray absorptiometry), visceral adiposity (MRI), functional peak aerobic capacity (cardiopulmonary exercise testing), blood pressure, muscular fitness, speed–agility, and fasting blood insulin, glucose, C-reactive protein, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma glutamyltransferase, lipid profile and psychological measurements (questionnaires). All the measurements will be evaluated at baseline prior to randomization and after the intervention. Discussion This study will provide insight in the efficacy of a multidisciplinary intervention program including healthy lifestyle education, psycho-education and supervised exercise to reduce hepatic fat and cardiometabolic risk in overweight children. [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]

Spatial separation of male and female reproductive structures (herkogamy) is a widespread floral trait that has traditionally been viewed as an adaptation that reduces the likelihood of self-pollination. Here we propose that increased herkogamy may also influence another important aspect of plant mating: the diversity of pollen donors siring seeds within fruits. We test this hypothesis in Narcissus longispathus, a wild daffodil species with extensive variation in anther-stigma separation. To study the morphological basis of variation in herkogamy, floral measurements were undertaken in 16 populations of N. longispathus. We then quantified multilocus outcrossing rates and the correlation of outcrossed paternity in three of these populations sampled over several years. Mating system estimates were calculated for each population and year, and also separately for groups of plants that differed markedly in herkogamy within each population and year. In N. longispathus herkogamy was much more variable than other floral traits, and was more closely related to style length than to anther position. Averaged across populations and years, plants with high herkogamy had similar outcrossing rates (0.683) to plants with intermediate (0.648) or low herkogamy (0.590). However, a significant linear trend was found for correlation of outcrossed paternity, which increased monotonically from high herkogamy (0.221), through intermediate herkogamy (0.303) to low herkogamy (0.463) plants. The diversity of pollen donors siring seeds of high herkogamy Narcissus flowers was thus consistently greater than the diversity of pollen donors siring seeds of low herkogamy flowers. Results of this study contribute to the emerging consensus that floral traits can simultaneously influence several aspects of plant mating system in complex ways, thus extending the traditional focus centred exclusively on patterns and relative importance of self- and cross-fertilisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerical calculations in the single liquid phase and optical observations in the two-phase cavitating flow regime have been performed on microdiaphragms and microventuris fed with deionized water. Simulations have confirmed the influence of the shape of the shrinkage upon the contraction of the jet, and so on the localisation of possible cavitating area downstream. Observations of cavitating flow patterns through hybrid silicon-pyrex microdevices have been performed either via a laser excitation with a pulse duration of 6 ns, or with the help of a high-speed camera. Recorded snapshots and movies are presented. Concerning microdiaphragms, it is confirmed that very high shear rates downstream the diaphragms are the cause of bubbly flows. Concerning microventuris, a gaseous cavity forms on a boundary downstream the throat. As a consequence of a microsystem instability, the cavity displays a high frequency pulsation. Low values Strouhal numbers are associated to such a sheet cavitation. Moreover, when the intensity of the cavitating flow is reduced, there is a mismatch between the frequency of the pulsation of the cavity and the frequency of shedded clouds downstream the channel. That may be the consequence of viscous effects limiting the impingement of a re-entrant liquid jet on the attached cavity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experimental study of hydrodynamic cavitation downstream microdiaphragms and microventuris is presented. Deionized water and nanofluids have been characterized within silicon-Pyrex micromachined devices with hydraulic diameters ranging from 51 μm to 104 μm. The input pressure could reach up to 10 bars, and the flow rate was below 1 liter per hour. The output pressure of the devices was fixed at values ranging from 0.3 bar to 2 bars, so that it was possible to study the evolution of the cavitation number as a function of the Reynolds number in the orifice of the diaphragms or in the throat of the venturis. A delay on the onset of cavitation has been recorded for all the devices when they are fed with deionized water, because of the metastability of the liquid and because of the lack of roughness of the walls. For the first time, hydrodynamic cavitation of nanofluids (nanoparticles dispersed into the liquid) has been considered. The presence of nano-aggregates in the liquid does not exhibit any noticeable effect on the cavitation threshold through the venturis. However, such a presence has a strong influence on the cavitation onset in microdiaphragms: above a critical volume solid concentration of ≈10-5, the metastability is broken and the nanofluids behave as tap water filled up with large nuclei. These microdevices, where a low amount of fluid is required to reach cavitating flows, appear to be useful tools in order to study cavitating phenomena in localized area with specific fluids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the capability of the exopolysaccharides (EPS) produced by lactobacilli and bifidobacteria from human and dairy origin to antagonize the cytotoxic effect of bacterial toxins. The cytotoxicity of Bacillus cereus extracellular factors on Caco-2 colonocytes in the presence/absence of the EPS was determined by measuring the integrity of the tissue monolayer and the damage to the cell membrane (extracellular lactate dehydrogenase activity). Additionally, the protective effect of EPS against the haemolytic activity of the streptolysin-O was evaluated on rabbit erythrocytes. The EPS produced by Bifidobacterium animalis ssp . lactis A1 and IPLA-R1, Bifidobacterium longum NB667 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG were able to counteract the toxic effect of bacterial toxins on the eukaryotic cells at 1 mg ml EPS concentration. The EPS A1 was the most effective in counteracting the effect of B. cereus toxins on colonocytes, even at lower doses (0·5 mg ml), whereas EPS NB667 elicited the highest haemolysis reduction on erythrocytes. The production of EPS by lactobacilli and bifidobacteria could antagonize the toxicity of bacterial pathogens, this effect being EPS and biological marker dependent. This work allows gaining insight about the mechanisms that probiotics could exert to improve the host health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The efficiency of thermal energy storage and solar collector systems is improved if the water tank is stratified. There are many parameters to characterize stratification but no work compares their suitability. This paper identifies the most used dimensionless numbers to characterize stratification in water tanks and studies their suitability. Experiments with different flow rates were done and the dimensionless numbers were determined. Richardson is the best number to define stratification in a water tank, while Mix number presents some problems and a bad behaviour. The other numbers do not clearly characterize stratification but can be useful combined with Richardson. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

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]

Repetitive plant parts such as seeds can be characterized at the within-individual level not only by average values but also by higher moments of their distributions, such as the standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis. These parameters can potentially be adaptive and shaped by selection like any other individual trait, but tend to be understudied. We present an example of how within-individual variation might be studied. We used a diallel crossing design to investigate the sources of phenotypic variance of among- and within-individual variation in seed and germination traits of the endemic columbine Aquilegia pyrenaica subsp. cazorlensis (Heywood) Galiano & Rivas Martínez. Individual plants and even fruits have their characteristic mean, standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis and therefore these parameters could potentially respond to selection. However, we only found evidence of genetic variance in mean within-fruit seed mass, mean time to seedling emergence, and number of seeds: these effects were attributable to maternal effects. Variance in higher moments of the within-fruit distributions in this species could instead reflect developmental instability or plastic responses to localized environmental conditions as fruits develop. Large sample sizes are required to make final conclusions in this case, but this study illustrates how the novel approach of considering high moments of intra-individual variation will enhance our view of plant trait evolution. [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]

Although water is a cheap and effective medium for thermal energy storage, other options are currently being studied, to increase the storage density or to reduce the cost of the storage. The authors have been developing a system which combines the advantages of stratified sensible heat storage and latent, phase change heat storage; i.e. a hot water storage tank with stratification where a phase change material (PCM) is included into a spiral tube installed in the top of the tank. The PCM used was a granular PCM–graphite compound of about 90 vol.% of sodium acetate trihydrate and 10 vol.% graphite. This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation of the performance of the new storage concept, and of a conventional hot water storage tank for comparison. The data are further analysed with respect to the energetic and exergetic performance of the two systems. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An effective string theory in physically relevant cosmological and black hole space–times is reviewed. Explicit computations of the quantum string entropy, partition function and quantum string emission by black holes (Schwarzschild, rotating, charged, asymptotically flat, de Sitter dS and anti-de Sitter AdS space–times) in the framework of effective string theory in curved backgrounds provide an amount of new quantum gravity results as: (i) gravitational phase transitions appear with a distinctive universal feature: a square-root branch point singularity in any space–time dimensions. This is of the type of the de Vega–Sánchez transition for the thermal self-gravitating gas of point particles. (ii) There are no phase transitions in AdS alone. (iii) For dS background, upper bounds of the Hubble constant H are found, dictated by the quantum string phase transition. (iv) The Hawking temperature and the Hagedorn temperature are the same concept but in different (semiclassical and quantum) gravity regimes respectively. (v) The last stage of black hole evaporation is a microscopic string state with a finite string critical temperature which decays as usual quantum strings do in nonthermal pure quantum radiation (no information loss). (vi) New lower string bounds are given for the Kerr–Newman black hole angular momentum and charge, which are entirely different from the upper classical bounds. (vii) Semiclassical gravity states undergo a phase transition into quantum string states of the same system, these states are duals of each other in the precise sense of the usual classical–quantum (wave–particle) duality, which is universal irrespective of any symmetry or isommetry of the space–time and of the number or the kind of space–time dimensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

We compute the quantum string entropy Ss(m, H) from the microscopic string density of states ρs(m, H) of mass m in de Sitter space–time. We find for high m (high Hm → c/α') a new phase transition at the critical string temperature Ts = (1/2πkB)Lcl c2/α', higher than the flat space (Hagedorn) temperature ts (Lcl = c/H, the Hubble constant H acts at the transition, producing a smaller string constant α' and thus, a higher tension). Ts is the precise quantum dual of the semiclassical (QFT Hawking–Gibbons) de Sitter temperature Tsem = ħ c/(2πkBLcl). By precisely identifying the semiclassical and quantum (string) de Sitter regimes, we find a new formula for the full de Sitter entropy Ssem(H), as a function of the usual Bekenstein–Hawking entropy $S_{\rm sem}^{(0)}(H)$. For Lcl ≫ ℓPlanck, i.e. for low $H\ll c/\ell_{\rm Planck}, S_{\rm sem}^{(0)}(H)$ is the leading term, but for high H near c/ℓPlanck, a new phase transition operates and the whole entropy Ssem (H) is drastically different from the Bekenstein–Hawking entropy $S_{\rm sem}^{(0)}(H)$. We compute the string quantum emission cross-section σstring by a black hole in de Sitter (or asymptotically de Sitter) space–time (bhdS). For Tsem bhdS ℓ Ts (early evaporation stage), it shows the QFT Hawking emission with temperature Tsem bhdS (semiclassical regime). For Tsem bhdS → Ts, σstring exhibits a phase transition into a string de Sitter state of size $L_{\rm s} = \ell_{\rm s}^{2}/L_{\rm cl}$, $(\ell_{\rm s}= \sqrt{\hbar \alpha'/c})$, and string de Sitter temperature Ts. Instead of featuring a single pole singularity in the temperature (Carlitz transition), it features a square root branch point (de Vega–Sanchez transition). New bounds on the black hole radius rg emerge in the bhdS string regime: it can become rg = Ls/2, or it can reach a more quantum value, rg = 0.365 ℓs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the SL(2,R) WZWN string model describing bosonic string theory in AdS3 spacetime as a deformed oscillator together with its mass spectrum and the string modified SL(2,R) uncertainty relation. The SL(2,R) string oscillator is far more quantum (with higher quantum uncertainty) and more excited than the non-deformed one. This is accompassed by the highly excited string mass spectrum which is drastically changed with respect to the low excited one. The highly excited quantum string regime and the low excited semiclassical regime of the SL(2,R) string model are described and shown to be the quantum-classical dual of each other in the precise sense of the usual classical-quantum duality. This classical-quantum realization is not assumed nor conjectured. The quantum regime (high curvature) displays a modified Heisenberg's uncertainty relation, while the classical (low curvature) regime has the usual quantum mechanics uncertainty principle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combination of both quantum field theory (QFT) and string theory in curved backgrounds in a consistent framework, the string analogue model, allows us to provide a full picture of the Kerr–Newman black hole and its evaporation going beyond the current picture. We compute the quantum emission cross-section of strings by a Kerr–Newman black hole (KNbh). It shows the black hole emission at the Hawking temperature Tsem in the early stage of evaporation and the new string emission featuring a Hagedorn transition into a string state of temperature Ts at the last stages. New bounds on J and Q emerge in the quantum string regime (besides the known ones of the classical/semiclassical QFT regime). The last state of evaporation of a semiclassical Kerr–Newman black hole with mass M > mPl, angular momentum J and charge Q is a string state of temperature Ts, string mass Ms, J = 0 and Q = 0, decaying as usual quantum strings do into all kinds of particles. (Naturally, in this framework, there is no loss of information, (there is no paradox at all).) We compute the string entropy Ss(m, j) from the microscopic string density of states of mass m and spin mode j, ρ(m, j). (Besides the Hagedorn transition at Ts) we find for high j (extremal string states j → m2α′c), a new phase transition at a temperature $T_{sj} = \sqrt{j/\hbar}T_s$, higher than Ts. By precisely identifying the semiclassical and quantum (string) gravity regimes, we find a new formula for the Kerr black hole entropy Ssem(M, J), as a function of the usual Bekenstein–Hawking entropy $S_{\rm sem}^{(0)}$. For M ≫ mPl and J < GM2/c, $S_{\rm sem}^{(0)}$ is the leading term, but for high angular momentum, (nearly extremal case J = GM2/c), a gravitational phase transition operates and the whole entropy Ssem is drastically different from the Bekenstein–Hawking entropy $S_{\rm sem}^{(0)}$. This new extremal black hole transition occurs at a temperature Tsem J = (J/ℏ)Tsem, higher than the Hawking temperature Tsem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We compute the quantum string entropy Ss(m, H) from the microscopic string density of states ρs(m, H) of mass m in Anti-de Sitter space–time. For high m, (high Hm → c/α′), no phase transition occurs at the Anti-de Sitter string temperature Ts = (1/2πkB)Lclc2/α′, which is higher than the flat space (Hagedorn) temperature ts. (Lcl = c/H, the Hubble constant H acts as producing a smaller string constant α′ and thus, a higher tension). Ts is the precise quantum dual of the semiclassical (QFT) Anti-de Sitter temperature scale Tsem = ℏc/(2πkBLcl). We compute the quantum string emission σstring by a black hole in Anti-de Sitter (or asymptotically Anti-de Sitter) space–time (bhAdS). For Tsem bhAdS ≪ Ts (early evaporation stage), it shows the QFT Hawking emission with temperature Tsem bhAdS (semiclassical regime). For Tsem bhAdS → Ts, it exhibits a phase transition into a Anti-de Sitter string state of size $L_s = \ell_s^2/L_{\rm cl}$, $(\ell_s = \sqrt{\hbar\alpha^\prime/c})$, and Anti-de Sitter string temperature Ts. New string bounds on the black hole emerge in the bhAdS string regime. The bhAdS string regime determines a maximal value for H : Hmax = 0.841c/ls. The minimal black hole radius in Anti-de Sitter space–time turns out to be rg min = 0.841ls, and is larger than the minimal black hole radius in de Sitter space–time by a numerical factor equal to 2.304. We find a new formula for the full AdS entropy Ssem(H), as a function of the usual Bekenstein–Hawking entropy $S_{\rm sem}^{(0)}(H)$. For Lcl ≫ ℓPlanck, i.e. for low H ≪ c/ℓPlanck, or classical regime, $S_{\rm sem}^{(0)}(H)$ is the leading term with its logarithmic correction, but for high H ≥ c/ℓPlanck or quantum regime, no phase transition operates, in contrast to de Sitter space, and the entropy Ssem(H) is very different from the Bekenstein–Hawking term $S_{\rm sem}^{(0)}(H)$. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

A ℛ "dual" transform is introduced which relates Quantum Field Theory and String regimes, both in a curved background with D-non-compact dimensions. This operation maps the characteristic length of one regime into the other (and, as a consequence, mass domains as well). The ℛ-transform is not an assumed or a priori imposed symmetry but is revealed by the QFT and String dynamics in curved backgrounds. The Hawking–Gibbons temperature and the string maximal or critical temperature are ℛ-mapped one into the other. If back reaction of quantum matter is included, Quantum Field Theory and String phases appear, and ℛ-relations between them manifest as well. These ℛ-transformations are explicitly shown in two relevant examples: Black Hole and de Sitter spacetimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

Our objective was to identify individual- and school-level contextual factors related to adherence to the recommendations for physical activity in adolescents. The study used a representative sample of 15,902 students from 328 schools aged 11-18 years participating in the Spanish Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey 2006. In addition to the student questionnaire, the school management board completed a questionnaire about school-based policies related to physical activity. Adherence to the recommendations was defined as 'having carried out moderate and/or vigorous physical activity for at least 60 min a day on five or more days during the last week'. Analysis was undertaken using multilevel logistic regression models. Individual factors associated in a statistically significant way with a higher non-compliance were: being female; being older; immigrants; tobacco smoking; being overweight or obese; low consumption of fruit and vegetables; low level of satisfaction with life; not having a high level of academic achievement; and spending a lot of time studying. The family variables were: not undertaking sports activities with the family; low socioeconomic status; and a low level of satisfaction with family relationships. Compared with schools that have a low level of policies to promote physical activities, those with a high level of promotion had an odds ratio of 0.76 (CI 95 %, 0.61-0.94). In summary, irrespective of personal and family factors, students from schools with better policies of promotion of physical activity showed a higher compliance with the recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Alveolar bricks are being introduced in building sector due to the simplicity of their construction system and to the elimination of the insulation material. Nevertheless, it is not clear if this new system is energetically efficient and which is its thermal behaviour. This paper presents an experimental and theoretical study to evaluate the thermal behaviour of the alveolar brick construction system, compared with a traditional Mediterranean brick system with insulation. The experimental study consists of measuring the thermal performance of four real house-like cubicles. The thermal transmittance in steady-state, also known as U-value, is calculated theoretically and experimentally for each cubicle, presenting the insulated cubicles as the best construction system, with differences around 45% in comparison to the alveolar one. On the other hand, experimental results show significantly smaller differences on the energy consumption between the alveolar and insulated construction systems during summer period (around 13% higher for the alveolar cubicle). These values demonstrate the high thermal efficiency of the alveolar system. In addition, the lack of agreement between the measured energy consumption and the calculated U-values, guides the authors to analyze the thermal inertia of the different building components. Therefore, several transient parameters, extracted from the heat transfer matrix and from experimental data, are also evaluated. It can be concluded that the alveolar brick construction system presents higher thermal inertia than the insulated one, justifying the low measured energy consumption. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

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]

The interaction of the dihydroxyanthraquinones, emodin (1), aloe-emodin (2), and rhein (3) with human serum albumin (HSA) has been studied through fluorescence spectroscopy. Quenching studies and the association constant of the anthraquinoid compounds 1, 2, and 3 in the presence of HSA were estimated. The binding and quenching studies suggest that only emodin (1) may serve as a useful fluorescence probe for structure/function studies of different emodin binding proteins. No photoinduced binding was observed after irradiation of compounds 1, 2, and 3 in presence of human serum albumin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

Sharks have been of great cultural and socioeconomic importance in Mexico since the late 19th century, when the first fisheries were prosecuted in the Gulf of California to export fins to China. Mexican shark and ray fisheries are classified mainly by the size of the fishing vessel and include small- (7.5-10m), medium- (10-27 m), and large-sized (> 27 m) fisheries. All are multispecies fisheries that use longline or gillnet gear, with their relative productivity varying over time. Off the Pacific coast, early shark small size vessel fisheries in the Gulf of California were driven by the need for vitamin A from livers, especially during World War II. As this fishery declined, new shark fishing opportunities arose because of government support and the development of the medium-sized fishery, which was capable of farther offshore excursions. Shark meat became an important part of the diets of poor and impoverished citizens during the 1950s and 1960s. The establishment of a Mexican Exclusive Economic Zone in 1976 pushed foreign vessels from Asia out of Mexican waters and led to the development of the large-sized vessel fishery to exploit pelagic sharks in offshore waters. By the early 1980s, Mexico shark fisheries were among the most productive in the world; however, a national economic crisis reduced effort and landings until the late 1980s, when several new fisheries emerged. Landings from Pacific states fluctuated between ~ 13,000 and 24,000 t (dressed weight) during 1987-2012 but expanded steadily thereafter because of government support and offshore fleet expansion. Shark fisheries landings from the Mexican Pacific are currently at their highest recorded levels, exceeding 31,000 t; however, a lack of species-specific landings and life history information has precluded population assessments of targeted stocks. In addition, though several recent management measures have been enacted to protect Mexican shark and ray fishery resources, the enforcement of these regulations is severely lacking. Therefore, the long-term sustainability of current fishing levels is unknown but should engender concern based on anecdotal evidence of serial depletion among historical elasmobranch targets in the Mexican Pacific. [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]

Lactobacillus plantarum CIDCA 8327 is an exopolysaccharide (EPS)-producer strain isolated from kefir with promising properties for the development of functional foods. The aim of the present study was to characterize the structure of the EPS synthesized by this strain grown in skim milk or semidefined medium (SDM). Additionally, genes involved in EPS synthesis were detected by PCR. L. plantarum produces an EPS with a molecular weight of 10 4 Da in both media. When grown in SDM produce an heteropolysaccharide composed mainly of glucose, glucosamine and rhamnose meanwhile the EPS produced in milk was composed exclusively of glucose indicating the influence of the sugar source. FTIR spectra of this EPS showed signals attributable to an α-glucan. Both by 1 H NMR and methylation analysis it was possible to determine that this polysaccharide is a branched α-(1 → 4)- d -glucan composed of 80% linear α-(1 → 4)- d -glucopyranosyl units and 19% (1 → 4)- d -glucopyranosyl units substituted at O-3 by single α- d -glucopyranosil residues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Samples of the shovelnose guitarfish Pseudobatos productus were collected on board a vessel and at landings of artisanal commercial fisheries in the Gulf of California from May 2004 to June 2007. Samples of 650 females, 2047 embryos and 484 uterine eggs were examined. The reproductive cycle is annual, ovulation and parturition occur in July, the uterine eggs are in diapause for 9 months (July-March) before an accelerated growth of embryos of 3 months. Histological analyses of the uterine wall of pregnant females suggested that no secretions were used for embryo nourishment. The standard percentage of water content was 48·6% in fertilized eggs and 80·75% in full-term embryos. Dry mass loss during embryonic development was 16·3% and the chemical balance of development was 0·84. This indicates that P. productus is a strictly lecithotrophic, viviparous species, that makes no maternal contribution of nutrients during embryonic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]