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Chirping Alfvén modes are considered as potentially harmful for the confinement of energetic particles in burning tokamak plasmas. In fact, by changing their frequency, they are able to extract as much power as possible from these particles, possibly increasing their transport. In this paper, the nonlinear evolution of a single-toroidal-number chirping mode is analyzed by numerical particle simulation. The relevant resonant structures are identified by numerical techniques based on the use of a coordinate system including two constants of motion: the magnetic moment and a suitable function of the initial particle coordinates. The analysis is focused on the dynamics of two different resonant structures in the particle phase space: those yielding the largest drive during the linear and the nonlinear phase, respectively. It is shown that, for each resonant structure, a density-flattening region is formed around the respective resonance radius, with a radial width that increases as the mode amplitude grows. It is delimited by two steepened negative density gradients, drifting inwards and outward. If the mode frequency were constant, phase-space density flattening would quench the resonant-structure drive as the steepened gradients leave the original resonance region. The frequency chirping, however, causes the resonance radius and the resonance region to drift inwards. This drift, along with a relevant increase in the resonance width, delays the moment in which the inner density gradient reaches the inner boundary of the resonance region, leaving it. On the other hand, the island evolves consistently with the resonance radius; as a consequence, the steepened density gradient further moves inward. This process continues as long as it allows to keep the steepened gradient within the resonance region. When this is no longer possible, the resonant structure ceases to be effective in driving the mode. To further extract energy from the particles, the mode has to tap a different resonant structure, possibly making use of additional frequency variations.

Since the 2018 IAEA FEC Conference, FTU operations have been devoted to several experiments covering a large range of topics, from the investigation of the behaviour of a liquid tin limiter to the runaway electrons mitigation and control and to the stabilization of tearing modes by electron cyclotron heating and by pellet injection. Other experiments have involved the spectroscopy of heavy metal ions, the electron density peaking in helium doped plasmas, the electron cyclotron assisted start-up and the electron temperature measurements in high temperature plasmas. The effectiveness of the laser induced breakdown spectroscopy system has been demonstrated and the new capabilities of the runaway electron imaging spectrometry system for in-flight runaways studies have been explored. Finally, a high resolution saddle coil array for MHD analysis and UV and SXR diamond detectors have been successfully tested on different plasma scenarios.

One of the major challenges in magnetic confinement thermonuclear fusion research concerns the confinement of the energetic particles (EPs) produced by fusion reactions and/or by additional heating systems. In such experiments, EPs can resonantly interact with the shear Alfven waves. In the frame of the EUROfusion 2019- 2020 Enabling Research project "Multi-scale Energetic particle Transport in fusion devices" (MET), a detailed benchmark activity has been undertaken among few of the state-of-the-art codes available to study the self-consistent interaction of an EP population with the shear Alfven waves. In this paper linear studies of EP driven modes with toroidal mode number n = 1 will be presented, in real magnetic equilibria and in regimes of interest for the forthcoming generation devices (e.g., ITER, JT-60SA, DTT). The codes considered are HYMAGYC, MEGA, and ORB5, the first two being hybrid MHD-Gyrokinetic codes (bulk plasma is represented by MHD equations, while the EP species is treated using the gyrokinetic formalism), the third being a global electromagnetic gyrokinetic code. The so-called NLED-AUG reference case has been considered, both for the peaked on-axis and peaked off-axis EP density profile cases, using its shaped cross section version. Comparison of the spatial mode structure, growth rate and real frequency of the modes observed will be considered in detail. The dependence of mode characteristics when several parameters are varied, as, e.g., the ratio between EP and bulk ion density and energetic particle temperature, will be presented. A remarkable agreement is observed among the three codes for the peaked off-axis case, obtaining all of them a TAE localized close to the magnetic axis. On the other hand, some differences are observed when considering the peaked on-axis case, where two modes are observed (a TAE localized in the radial external region, and a RSAE around mid-radius). A careful analysis of the stability of this equilibrium, in particular by varying self-consistently the EP drive, will allow to reconcile the results of the three codes.

We performed a systematic review of oNJ literature with keyword and MeSH terms referred to pain and its treatment, on PubMed and other literature sources on 2014-2018 years. out of 2957 publications citing oNJ and published in the period, 350 papers reported about pain anyhow.

In this work, the FALCON code is adopted for illustrating the features of shear Alfvén and sound continuous spectra in toroidal fusion plasmas. The FALCON codes employ the local Floquet analysis discussed in (Phys. Plasmas, vol. 26, issue 8, 2019, 082502) for computing global structures of continuous spectra in general toroidal geometry. As particular applications, reference equilibria for the divertor tokamak test and ASDEX Upgrade plasmas are considered. In particular, we illustrate the importance of mode polarization for recognizing the physical relevance of the various branches of the continuous spectra in the ideal magnetohydrodynamics limit. We also analyse the effect of plasma compression and the validity of the slow sound approximation.

The results of a set of simulations of Alfvén modes driven by an energetic particle population are presented, with the specific aim of comparing single-n and multiple-n simulations (n being the toroidal mode number). The hybrid reduced O(ϵ0 3) MHD gyrokinetic code HMGC is used ( being the inverse aspect ratio of the torus, with a and R 0 the minor and major radius, respectively), retaining both fluid (wave-wave) and energetic particle nonlinearities. The code HMGC retains self-consistently, in the time evolution, the wave spatial structures as modified by the energetic particle (EP) term. Simulations with toroidal mode numbers 1 < n < 15 have been considered. For the specific energetic particle drive considered, single-n simulations are either stable (n = 1), or weakly unstable (n = 2,3,13,14,15), or strongly unstable (4 < n < 12), with 4 < n < 12 modes exhibiting similar growth-rates, while n = 4 the largest saturated amplitude. A variety of modes are observed (TAEs, upper and lower KTAEs, EPMs). Nevertheless, no appreciable global modification of the EP density profile is observed at saturation. On the contrary, a multi-n, fully nonlinear simulation exhibits an appreciable broadening of the EP radial density profile at saturation, thus demonstrating an enhanced radial transport w.r.t. the single-n simulations. Moreover, the sub-dominant modes are strongly modified by nonlinear coupling which results both from the MHD and from the EP terms. © EURATOM 2018.

Introduction FTU is conducting an extensive program aimed at controlling and mitigating purposely generated runaway electron (RE) beams in natural and induced disruptions [1, 2]. During the latest experimental campaign different mitigation techniques have been tested, which involved injection of Laser Blow Off (LBO) metal impurities and of multiple Deuterium pellets (1÷2×1020 atoms). A large number of discharges has been analysed correlating various plasma signals to REs behaviour. The injections have been performed both during the plasma current flat top, with seed REs embedded in a hot plasma, and also after current quench (CQ), with current mainly carried by REs, in order to extrapolate information for ITER predictions. The main RE measurements used in this work were the following diagnostic systems: BF3 chambers, only sensitive to neutrons; NEU213 organic liquid scintillator, sensitive both to neutrons and hard X-rays (HXR); Gamma camera to measure HXR produced by the REs through bremsstrahlung in the plasma; Cherenkov probes to detect REs escaping the plasma [2,3].

SPARC-X is a two branch project consisting in the SPARC test facility dedicated to the development and test of critical subsystems such as high brightness photoinjector and a modular expandable undulator for SASE-FEL experiments at 500 nm with seeding, and the SPARK facility aiming at generation of high brilliance coherent radiation in the 1.5-13 nm range, based on the achieved expertise. The projects are supported by MIUR (Research Department of Italian Government) and Regione Lazio. SPARC has completed the commissioning phase of the photoinjector in November 2006. The achieved experimental results are here summarized together with the status of the second phase commissioning plans. The SPARK project is based on the generation of ultra high peak brightness electron beams at the energy of 1 and 2 GeV generating radiation in the 1.5-13 nm range. The construction is at the moment planned in two steps starting with a 1 GeV Linac. The project layout including both RF-compression and magnetic chicane techniques has been studied.

Nonlinear dynamics of single toroidal number Alfvén eigenmodes destabilised by the the resonant interaction with fast ions is investigated, in tokamak equilibria, by means of Hamiltonian mapping techniques. The results obtained by two different simulation codes, XHMGC and HAGIS, are presented for n = 2 Beta induced Alfvén eigenmodes and, respectively n = 6 toroidal Alfvén eigenmodes. Simulations of the bump-on-tail instability performed by a 1-dimensional code, PIC1DP, are also analysed for comparison. As a general feature, modes saturate as the resonant-particle distribution function is flattened over the whole region where mode-particle power transfer can take place in the linear phase. Such region is limited by the narrowest of resonance width and mode width. In the former case, mode amplitude at saturation exhibits a quadratic scaling with the linear growth rate; in the latter case, the scaling is linear. These results are explained in terms of the approximate analytic solution of a nonlinear pendulum model. They are also used to prove that the radial width of the single poloidal harmonic sets an upper limit to the radial displacement of circulating fast ions produced by a single-toroidal-number gap mode in the large n limit, irrespectively of the possible existence of a large global mode structure formed by many harmonics. © 2017 Associazione Euratom-ENEA sulla Fusione.

Internal kink instabilities exhibiting fishbone like behavior have been observed in a variety of experiments where a high energy electron population, generated by strong auxiliary heating and/or current drive systems, was present. After briefly reviewing the experimental evidences of energetic electrons driven fishbones, and the main results of linear and nonlinear theory of electron fishbones, the results of global, self-consistent, nonlinear hybrid MHD-Gyrokinetic simulations will be presented. To this purpose, the extended/hybrid MHD-Gyrokinetic code XHMGC will be used. Linear dynamics analysis will enlighten the effect of considering kinetic thermal ion compressibility and diamagnetic response, and kinetic thermal electrons compressibility, in addition to the energetic electron contribution. Nonlinear saturation and energetic electron transport will also be addressed, making extensive use of Hamiltonian mapping techniques, discussing both centrally peaked and off-axis peaked energetic electron profiles. It will be shown that centrally peaked energetic electron profiles are characterized by resonant excitation and nonlinear response of deeply trapped energetic electrons. On the other side, off-axis peaked energetic electron profiles are characterized by resonant excitation and nonlinear response of barely circulating energetic electrons which experience toroidal precession reversal of their motion. © 2016 EUROfusion.

The artisanal cheese from Corrientes (from the Spanish acronym QAC-Queso Artesanal de Corrientes/Artisanal Cheese from Corrientes) is a soft cheese elaborated with raw cow milk and an artisanal coagulant agent. Lactic bacteria contitute the main flora of this cheese although yeasts are also present in high quantities as secondary microbiota and might play a relevant role in cheese ripening. The aim of this work was to evaluate yeast occurrence during QAC elaboration and ripening, and the effect of seasonal variation. Yeasts were isolated and purified from raw materials and cheese at different ripening stagesl elaborated during the different seasons. Yeast sample counts were in the order of 10

Objective—To identify the most common sites of and possible predisposing factors for nonunions in cats with fractures of the appendicular skeleton.Design—Retrospective study.Animals—344 cats treated for fractures between 1998 and 2002, 18 of which developed nonunions.Procedures—Information collected from the medical records included signalment; type of trauma; fracture location, orientation, and type; degrees of displacement and comminution; treatment; and outcome.Results—The tibia and proximal portion of the ulna were identified as the most common sites for nonunions. Factors significantly associated with development of a nonunion included age, body weight, affected bone, fracture type, degree of comminution, and fixation type, with older cats, heavier cats, cats with fractures of the tibia or proximal portion of the ulna, cats with open fractures, cats with comminuted fractures, and cats with fractures stabilized with a type II external skeletal fixator being significantly more likely to develop a nonunion. Eleven of the 18 cats with nonunions had a successful outcome following treatment of the nonunion.Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggest that in cats, fractures involving the tibia and proximal portion of the ulna are more likely to develop nonunions than are fractures involving other sites but that many factors may increase the risk of nonunion. Use of excessively large and rigid type II external skeletal fixators may be associated with development of nonunions; however, type II external skeletal fixators were commonly used to stabilize fractures in sites predisposed to nonunion. (J Am Vet Med Assoc2005;226:77–82)

The aim of this project is about valuing these themes, not only in order to increase physiological genres knowledge or the responsible use of contraceptives, but is mainly about growing sexual psychosocial features awareness. Treating these themes in a psychoeducational intervention means: minimize sexually-transmitted diseases, prevent psychotic patients from quitting psychopharmacological treatment and favour the birth and the development of intimate relationships that may help patients leaving an unhelpful isolation condition.Increase the awareness of different sexual and affection aspects: physiological, anatomic and reproductive, relational and communicative, emotional, social and cultural, playful and pleasant ones.The 18 meetings interventions were done using a psychoeducational model; an active leading group manner (role plays and simulations) was used in order to ease the exchange of views between patients and the group leader.We did a first round of meetings with ten patients who participated actively; we also submitted to them a questionnaire – before and after the intervention – in which we collected knowledge and opinions about different themes (contraceptives, risk awareness, affective relationships etc.).From a qualitative analysis of the results we saw a knowledge-improvement about the dealt themes, and also, in some cases, we identified a modification in some problematic behaviours. The sample it's still too small for statistical analysis.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

FELs based on SASE are believed to be powerful tools to explore the frontiers of basic sciences, from physics to chemistry to biology. Intense R&D programs have started in the USA and Europe in order to understand the SASE physics and to prove the feasibility of these sources. The allocation of considerable resources in the Italian National Research Plan (PNR) brought about the formation of a CNR–ENEA–INFN–University of Roma “Tor Vergata” study group. A conceptual design study has been developed and possible schemes for linac sources have been investigated, leading to the SPARX proposal. We report in this paper the results of a preliminary start to end simulation concerning one option we are considering based on an S-band normal conducting linac with high-brightness photoinjector integrated in an RF compressor.

A new type of broadband printed loop antenna is presented. The antenna produces backfire linearly polarised signals over a wide band of frequencies 1.2 to 2.2 GHz, with

A phylogenetic tree showing diversities among 116 partial (499-bp) Lactobacillus hsp60 (groEL, encoding a 60-kDa heat shock protein) nucleotide sequences was obtained and compared to those previously described for 16S rRNA and tuf gene sequences. The topology of the tree produced in this study showed a Lactobacillus species distribution similar, but not identical, to those previously reported. However, according to the most recent systematic studies, a clear differentiation of 43 single-species clusters was detected/identified among the sequences analyzed. The slightly higher variability of the hsp60 nucleotide sequences than of the 16S rRNA sequences offers better opportunities to design or develop molecular assays allowing identification and differentiation of either distant or very closely related Lactobacillus species. Therefore, our results suggest that hsp60 can be considered an excellent molecular marker for inferring the taxonomy and phylogeny of members of the genus Lactobacillus and that the chosen primers can be used in a simple PCR procedure allowing the direct sequencing of the hsp60 fragments. Moreover, in this study we performed a computer-aided restriction endonuclease analysis of all 499-bp hsp60 partial sequences and we showed that the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) patterns obtainable by using both endonucleases AluI and TacI (in separate reactions) can allow identification and differentiation of all 43 Lactobacillus species considered, with the exception of the pair L. plantarum/L. pentosus. However, the latter species can be differentiated by further analysis with Sau3AI or MseI. The hsp60 PCR-RFLP approach was efficiently applied to identify and to differentiate a total of 110 wild Lactobacillus strains (including closely related species, such as L. casei and L. rhamnosus or L. plantarum and L. pentosus) isolated from cheese and dry-fermented sausages.

One of the main FAST (Fusion Advanced Studies Torus) goals is to have a flexible experiment capable to test tools and scenarios for safe and reliable tokamak operation, in order to support ITER and help the final DEMO design. In particular, in this paper, we focus on operation close to a possible border of stability related to low-q operation. To this purpose, a new FAST scenario has then been designed at I-p = 10 MA, B-T = 8.5 T, q(95) approximate to 2.3. Transport simulations, carried out by using the code JETTO and the first principle transport model GLF23, indicate that, under these conditions, FAST could achieve an equivalent Q approximate to 3.5. FAST will be equipped with a set of internal active coils for feedback control, which will produce magnetic perturbation with toroidal number n = 1 or n = 2. Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) mode analysis and feedback control simulations performed with the codes MARS, MARS-F, CarMa (both assuming the presence of a perfect conductive wall and using the exact 3D resistive wall structure) show the possibility of the FAST conductive structures to stabilize n = 1 ideal modes. This leaves therefore room for active mitigation of the resistive mode (down to a characteristic time of 1 ms) for safety purposes, i.e., to avoid dangerous MHD-driven plasma disruption, when working close to the machine limits and magnetic and kinetic energy density not far from reactor values.

We present a series of numerical simulation experiments set up to illustrate the fundamental physics processes underlying the nonlinear dynamics of Alfvénic modes resonantly excited by energetic particles in tokamak plasmas and of the ensuing energetic particle transports. These phenomena are investigated by following the evolution of a test particle population in the electromagnetic fields computed in self-consistent MHD-particle simulation performed by the HMGC code. Hamiltonian mapping techniques are used to extract and illustrate several features of wave-particle dynamics. The universal structure of resonant particle phase space near an isolated resonance is recovered and analyzed, showing that bounded orbits and untrapped trajectories, divided by the instantaneous separatrix, form phase space zonal structures, whose characteristic non-adiabatic evolution time is the same as the nonlinear time of the underlying fluctuations. Bounded orbits correspond to a net outward resonant particle flux, which produces a flattening and/or gradient inversion of the fast ion density profile around the peak of the linear wave-particle resonance. The connection of this phenomenon to the mode saturation is analyzed with reference to two different cases: a Toroidal Alfvén eigenmode in a low shear magnetic equilibrium and a weakly unstable energetic particle mode for stronger magnetic shear. It is shown that, in the former case, saturation is reached because of radial decoupling (resonant particle redistribution matching the mode radial width) and is characterized by a weak dependence of the mode amplitude on the growth rate. In the latter case, saturation is due to resonance detuning (resonant particle redistribution matching the resonance width) with a stronger dependence of the mode amplitude on the growth rate.

The Fusion Advanced Study Torus (FAST) has been proposed as a high magnetic field, compact size tokamak providing a flexible integrated environment to study physics and technology issues in ITER and DEMO relevant conditions. FAST has a quite large natural toroidal field ripple (around 1.5%) due to its compactness and to the number of access ports: this ripple must be lowered to an acceptable level to allow safe operations and a good confinement quality. An Active Ripple Compensating System (ARCS) has been designed, based on a set of poloidal coils placed between the plasma chamber and the Toroidal Field Coils (TFCs). These ARCS coils will be fed with adjustable currents, opposite in direction respect to the TFC currents, and will allow lowering the ripple up to zero and beyond. The CAD model of FAST including the ARCS coils has been completed and preliminary electromagnetic and thermal analyses have been carried out. Moreover, a Feedback Active Control System (FACS) composed of two arrays of in-vessel saddle coils has been designed to allow safe high plasma current, low safety factor operation and to mitigate possibly large ELMs effects in FAST. These FACS coils will be fed by a feedback system to control MHD modes: a first engineering assessment of the current requirements has been carried out. © 2013 Euratom-ENEA Association sulla Fusione.

The Fusion Advanced Study Torus (FAST) has been proposed as a possible European satellite, in view of ITER and DEMO, in order to: (a) explore plasma wall interaction in reactor relevant conditions, (b) test tools and scenarios for safe and reliable tokamak operation up to the border of stability, and (c) address fusion plasmas with a significant population of fast particles. A new FAST scenario has been designed focusing on low-q operation, at plasma current IP = 10 MA, toroidal field BT = 8.5 T, with a q 95 ≈ 2.3 that would correspond to IP ≈ 20 MA in ITER. The flat-top of the discharge can last a couple of seconds (i.e. half the diffusive resistive time and twice the energy confinement time), and is limited by the heating of the toroidal field coils. A preliminary evaluation of the end-of-pulse temperatures and of the electromagnetic forces acting on the central solenoid pack and poloidal field coils has been performed. Moreover, a VDE plasma disruption has been simulated and the maximum total vertical force applied on the vacuum vessel has been estimated. © 2013 Euratom-ENEA Association sulla Fusione.

A core element for the treatment of psychiatric patients in mental health services is the Psychosocial Rehabilitation. In this work we mainly refer to a training whose targets are fundamental components of the Emotional Intelligence (EI), which is, according to the original Salovey and Mayer's definition (1990), “a set of skills hypothesized to contribute to the accurate appraisal and expression of emotion in oneself and in others, the effective regulation of emotion in self and others, and the use of feelings to motivate, plan, and achieve in one's life”.The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of Emotional Management Training and to compare our emotional management assessment to standardized emotional intelligence assessment instruments.Twenty adult inpatients (from 18 to 55 years of age) were enrolled: ten subjects were assigned to a one year lasting emotional management training (clinical target group) and ten subjects were assigned to a clinical control group; furthermore twenty subjects were selected and assigned to a non-clinical control group. Outcome measures were: emotional management assessment, Schutte Emotional Intelligence Scale (SEIS) and Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20).Emotional management assessment outcomes confirm the efficacy of emotional management training. Preliminary results also confirm the effectiveness of the assessment compared to standardized emotional intelligence scales.Emotional management training improves psychiatric patient competence in terms of: emotions definition and acknowledgement, self-emotion identification, self-emotion sharing, management of stressing situation and intense emotions.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

A new polymer has been developed with extraordinary heat, oxidation and chemical resistance for a hydrocarbon elastomer. The polymer, based on a controlled brominated derivative of poly (isobutylene-co-paramethyl styrene), is completely saturated with low levels of benzylic bromides for functionality important to vulcanization and chemical activity for adhesion and other functional modifications. This paper will describe several mining applications where the unique attributes of this new polymer system enhanced performances in mining operations. Innerliners based on the new polymer in OTR tires for open mining vehicular operations give vastly improved heat/flex resistance in prolonging the life of the expensive, large OTR tires. Conveyor belting performance will benefit from use of the new polymer in prolonged operations where flex and heat resistance are important especially in composite constructions. Other applications will be described demonstrating the latitude in properties capable with the new polymer system.

New FTU ohmic discharges with a liquid lithium limiter at I P = 0.7–0.75 MA, B T = 7 T and n e0 ⩾ 5 × 1020 m−3 confirm the spontaneous transition to an enhanced confinement regime, 1.3–1.4 times ITER-97-L, when the density peaking factor is above a threshold value of 1.7–1.8. The improved confinement derives from a reduction of electron thermal conductivity (χe) as density increases, while ion thermal conductivity (χi) remains close to neoclassical values. Linear microstability reveals the importance of lithium in triggering a turbulent inward flux for electrons and deuterium by changing the growth rates and phase of the ion-driven turbulence, while lithium flux is always directed outwards. A particle diffusion coefficient, D ∼ 0.07 m2 s−1, and an inward pinch velocity, V ∼ 0.27 m s−1, in qualitative agreement with Bohm–gyro-Bohm predictions are inferred in pellet fuelled lithized discharges. Radio frequency heated plasmas benefit from cleaner plasmas with edge optimized conditions. Lower hybrid waves penetration and current drive effects are clearly demonstrated at and above ITER densities thanks to a good control of edge parameters obtained by plasma operations with the external poloidal limiter, lithized walls and pellet fuelling. The electron cyclotron (EC) heating system is extensively exploited in FTU for contributing to ITER-relevant issues such as MHD control: sawtooth crash is actively controlled and density limit disruptions are avoided by central and off-axis deposition of 0.3 MW of EC power at 140 GHz. Fourier analysis shows that the density drop and the temperature rise, stimulated by modulated EC power in low collisionality plasmas are synchronous, implying that the heating method is the common cause of both the electron heating and the density drop. Perpendicularly injected electron cyclotron resonance heating is demonstrated to be more efficient than the obliquely injected one, reducing the minimum electric field required at breakdown by a factor of 3. Theoretical activity further develops the model to interpret high-frequency fishbones on FTU and other experiments as well as to characterize beta-induced Alfvén eigenmodes induced by magnetic islands in ohmic discharges. The theoretical framework of the general fishbone-like dispersion relation is used for implementing an extended version of the HMGC hybrid MHD gyrokinetic code. The upgraded version of HMGC will be able to handle fully compressible non-linear gyrokinetic equations and 3D MHD.

Twenty-two patients with operable bladder carcinoma (stage T3, T2, and T1m “high risk”), all G3–G4 except 2, have been recommended for 3 courses of methotrexate, vinblastine, epirubicin, and cisplatin (M-VEC). Eight pathological Complete Responses (38%) and 4 Partial Responses (19%) have been observed. Preliminary survival data are encouraging (3 year disease-free period: 67% of all the patients, 83% and 75% in complete and partial response) and warrant further studies of neoadjuvant therapy.

In this Letter we report the first experiments aimed at the simultaneous demonstration of the emittance compensation process and velocity bunching in a high brightness electron source, the SPARC photoinjector in INFN-LNF. While a maximum compression ratio up to a factor 14 has been observed, in a particular case of interest a compression factor of 3, yielding a slice current of 120 A with less than 2 microm slice emittance, has been measured. This technique may be crucial in achieving high brightness beams in photoinjectors aiming at optimized performance of short wavelength single-pass free electron lasers or other advanced applications in laser-plasma accelerators.

Progress in thermonuclear fusion energy research based on deuterium plasmas magnetically confined in toroidal tokamak devices requires the development of efficient current drive methods. Previous experiments have shown that plasma current can be driven effectively by externally launched radio frequency power coupled to lower hybrid plasma waves. However, at the high plasma densities required for fusion power plants, the coupled radio frequency power does not penetrate into the plasma core, possibly because of strong wave interactions with the plasma edge. Here we show experiments performed on FTU (Frascati Tokamak Upgrade) based on theoretical predictions that nonlinear interactions diminish when the peripheral plasma electron temperature is high, allowing significant wave penetration at high density. The results show that the coupled radio frequency power can penetrate into high-density plasmas due to weaker plasma edge effects, thus extending the effective range of lower hybrid current drive towards the domain relevant for fusion reactors.

Recent result of clinical trial on carcinoma of stomach demonstrate an advantage to adjuvant postoperative chemo-radiotherapy witch is now used more commonly for gastric cancer. However remain some doubt for toxicity as for the optimal chemotherapy regimen as for the optimal method of radiation delivery. To increase the biological effectiveness and, at same time, to reduce toxicity of conventional radiotherapy we tested many alternative fractionation schemes of dose radiation, using a biological equivalent Histogram Dose Volume (DVH) for prior analysis and as tool for the assessment and choice of fractionation dose biologically more effective.

Since the 2012 IAEA-FEC Conference, FTU operations have been largely devoted to runaway electrons generation and control, to the exploitation of the 140GHz electron cyclotron (EC) system and to liquid metal limiter elements. Experiments on runaway electrons have shown that the measured threshold electric field for their generation is larger than predicted by collisional theory and can be justified considering synchrotron radiation losses. A new runaway electrons control algorithm was developed and tested in presence of a runaway current plateau, allowing to minimize the interactions with plasma facing components and safely shut down the discharges. The experimental sessions with 140GHz EC system have been mainly devoted to experiments on real-time control of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) instabilities using the new EC launcher with fast steering capability. Experiments with central EC injection have shown the onset of 3/2 and 2/1 tearing modes, while EC assisted breakdown experiments have been focused on ITER start-up issues, exploring the polarization conversion at reflection from inner wall and the capability to assure plasma start-up even in presence of a large stray magnetic field. A new actively cooled lithium limiter has been installed and tested. The lithium limiter was inserted in the scrape-off layer, without any damage to the limiter surface. First elongated FTU plasmas with EC additional heating were obtained with the new cooled limiter. Density peaking and controlled MHD activity driven by neon injection were investigated at different plasma parameters. A full real-time algorithm for disruption prediction, based on MHD activity signals from Mirnov coils, was developed exploiting a large database of disruptions. Reciprocating Langmuir probes were used to measure the heat flux e-folding length in the scrape-off layer, with the plasma kept to lay on thea internal limiter to resemble the ITER start-up phase. New diagnostics were successfully installed and tested, as a diamond probe to detect Cherenkov radiation produced by fast electrons and a gamma camera for runaway electrons studies. Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy measurements were performed under vacuum and with toroidal magnetic field, so demonstrating their capability to provide useful information on the surface elemental composition and fuel retention in present and future tokamaks, such as ITER. © 2015 EURATOM.

Twenty-six symptomatic patients with diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma (DMPM) were enrolled in a Phase II Italian Lung Cancer Task Force (FONICAP) study to assess the activity and toxicity of doxorubicin and cisplatin combination chemotherapy. The drug schedule was as follows; 60 mg/m2 of doxorubicin and 60 mg/m2 of cisplatin both given intravenously (IV) on day 1 every 3 to 4 weeks. Of the 24 evaluable patients, 6 objective partial responses (25%; 95% confidence limits, 9.77% to 46.71%) were observed. Twelve of 24 patients (50%), including 6 with no radiologic evidence of response, had a clinical improvement as demonstrated by an objective reduction of symptom or performance status scores along treatment. The overall median survival time was 10 months. Toxicity was mild and dose reductions or suspensions were not required. The combination of doxorubicin and cisplatin is effective and well tolerated. It might be considered for palliation of symptomatic patients with DMPM.

Several papers have been written on the subject of lumped small-signal models of the GaAs MESFET. It becomes very difficult for designers of semiconductor circuits who are not familiar with recent developments in the area of computer-aided design to choose the simplest and most suitable model for their applications. The main purpose of this paper is to make a classification of these models, based on the inherent stability of the device, and the frequency range in which the designer is interested, to make it easier to choose the most suitable model. A complete description and comparison of two suggested numerical algorithms for the evaluation of circuit elements of a general model are indicated. Special attention is drawn to modelling accuracy based on predicted S-parameters rather than those published in the manufacturer's data.

In the framework of the DS4 EUROFEL collaboration, a research work plan at the SPARC free-electron laser (FEL) test facility aiming at the investigation of seeded and cascaded FEL configurations is under implementation. The main goal of the collaboration is to study and test the amplification and the FEL harmonic generation process of an input seed signal obtained as higher-order harmonics generated both in crystals (400 and 266 nm) and in gases (266,160,114 nm). The SPARC FEL can be configured to test several cascaded FEL configurations. In this paper we introduce SPARC and its main parameters and we analyze the superradiant cascade and the harmonic cascade seeded with a signal with the typical time structure of the harmonics generated in gas. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The new generation of linac injectors driving free electron lasers in the self-amplified stimulated emission (SASE-FEL) regime requires high brightness electron beams to generate radiation in the wavelength range from UV to x rays. The choice of the injector working point and its matching to the linac structure are the key factors to meet this requirement. An emittance compensation scheme presently applied in several photoinjectors worldwide is known as the "Ferrario" working point. In spite of its great importance there was, so far, no direct measurement of the beam parameters, such as emittance, transverse envelope, and energy spread, in the region downstream the rf gun and the solenoid of a photoinjector to validate the effectiveness of this approach. In order to fully characterize the beam dynamics with this scheme, an innovative beam diagnostic device, the emittance meter, consisting of a movable emittance measurement system, has been designed and built. With the emittance meter, measurements of the main beam parameters in both transverse phase spaces can be performed in a wide range of positions downstream the photoinjector. These measurements help in tuning the injector to optimize the working point and provide an important benchmark for the validation of simulation codes. We report the results of these measurements in the SPARC photoinjector and, in particular, the first experimental evidence of the double minimum in the emittance oscillation, which provides the optimized matching to the SPARC linac. © 2008 The American Physical Society.

The dynamics of beta-induced Alfven eigenmodes driven by anisotropic co-passing or counter-passing fast ions, in a low-shear magnetic equilibrium, is investigated by self-consistent hybrid MHD-particle simulations with the XHMGC code. Though the modes exhibit similar structure and frequency in both cases and the linear growth rate is 10% larger for counter-passing ions than for co-passing ions, the nonlinear saturation amplitude is much larger in co-passing case. Moreover, different scalings for the saturation amplitude with increasing growth rates are observed in the two cases. It is shown that these differences are caused by the different radial dependence of resonance frequencies of co-passing and counter-passing fast ions: flat in the former case, steep in the latter case, so that the resonance width is, respectively, larger (in the former case) or smaller (in the latter case) than the mode width.

The management of metastatic germ cell tumours (GCTs) with platinum-based chemotherapy represents a major success story. However, patients with poor-prognosis1 non-seminomatous GCTs (NSGCTs) with high tumour markers, non-pulmonary visceral metastases, or a mediastinal primary site at presentation have a less certain outcome. This group achieved cure rates

Two hundred sixteen patients with unresectable non-small cell lung carcinoma were randomly allocated to receive etoposide (120 mg/m2, days 1-3) either alone or in combination with high-dose cisplatin (60 mg/mz, days 1-2). The patients’ distribution and characteristics were similar in the two treatment arms. The objective response rate for etoposide was 7% versus 25.8% for etoposide plus cisplatin (P < 0.005). Median progression-free survival in etoposide arm was 3.5 months versus 5 months in the combination arm (P = 0.43). The median survival time for etoposide was 6 months compared with 8 months for etoposide combined with cisplatin (P = 0.87). Significantly more nausea/vomiting (P < 0.005), serum creatinine elevation (P < 0.0051, hearing loss and/or tinnitus (P < 0.005), peripheral neuropathy (P < 0.005), leukopenia (P < 0.025), and anemia (P < 0.005) occurred in the etoposide plus cisplatin arm. No statistically significant difference was recorded between the two arms in terms of performance status changes. In conclusion the addition of high-dose cisplatin to single-agent etoposide significantly increases the chance of obtaining tumor response in advanced non-small cell lung cancer at the cost of an increased toxicity without any significant long-term impact on survival and progression-free survival. Cancer 66:130-134,1990. HE TREATMENT of inoperable non-small cell lung

Wake fields effects in addition to space charge forces may have an important impact during the emittance compensation process in a high brightness photo-injector. To study this effect we developed an upgraded version of the Homdyn code including off axis beam dynamics and wake fields. Homdyn describes a bunch as a uniformly charged cylinder, divided in cylindrical slices; in the upgraded version each slice's centroid can be transversally displaced from the nominal axis thus inducing wake fields. When the bunch is short as compared to the beam pipe radius, wake fields for a single cavity are calculated using methods of diffraction theory; instead we use, for a periodic collection of cavities, an asymptotic wake field obtained numerically at SLAC and then fitted to a simple function. As a first application we studied and verified a correction scheme for the SPARC photo-injector to control the bunch trajectory and angle at the entrance of the undulator. The correction scheme consists of a number of steering magnets and beam position monitors placed along the photo-injector. Two different steering approaches are analyzed and the emittance degradation is studied. The code demonstrates the steering positions and number do correct the bunch's orbit and angle and gives good results concerning the emittance degradation. The emittance and energy spread degradation due to wake fields in the emittance meter experiment is also discussed.

In the frame of the R&D activity foreseen for the first phase of the SPARX project, the SPARXINO test facility is meant to provide an ultra-high electron beam at 1.2-1.5 GeV, able to drive SASE and seeded FEL experiments in the 10-3 nm range. The proposed layout is analyzed regarding its sensitivity to laser pulse jitter effects and microbunching instability limitations. First simulation results are presented.