Measurement of electromagnetic waves from runaway electrons.

Electromagnetic waves emitted during a tokamak discharge can be partially ascribed to coupling with plasma waves. In particular, in the presence of runaway electrons, the electromagnetic waves deliver information, otherwise inaccessible, about kinetic instabilities excited by the fast particles. Experiments aimed at studying radio frequency emissions from runaway electron scenarios during different stages of plasma discharge have been carried out at the Frascati Tokamak Upgrade. Frequencies in the range of lower hybrid and whistler waves have been explored, in the presence of relativistic electrons with different energies, ranging from a few to tens of MeV. A pronounced sensitivity of the radio frequency measurements in detecting driven instabilities is observed, providing the possibility to exploit this kind of technique as a monitor of the instability processes and for studies of the fast electron activity. In particular, in this work, we propose a simplified analysis of the frequency scaling of a specific family of kinetic instabilities arising at the lower hybrid frequency range during the current ramp-up stage. The study is performed with respect to the density profile and the wave vector coupling conditions and is aimed at obtaining a rough estimate of the most likely radial location of the interaction between the runaway electron beam and plasma waves at the emission times of the observed signals.

First Intrashot Observation of Runaway-Electron-Driven Instabilities at the Lower-Hybrid Frequency Range under ITER-Relevant Plasma-Wave Dispersion Conditions.

Kinetic instabilities driven by runaway electrons (REs) have recently received attention in the fusion community as a means to control and diagnose REs in a tokamak. Experiments aimed at studying such kinetic instabilities have been performed at the Frascati Tokamak Upgrade (FTU), where different families of waves have been identified, from wide-band bursting emissions to quasi-monochromatic waves and sharp lines, in the presence of REs with energies from a few to tens of MeV. A specific family of waves with intense kinetic drive was directly observed for the first time, during both the early Ohmic plasma start-up and the current ramp-up. A clear wave frequency scaling with respect to the electron density was demonstrated. This scaling, with the complementary analysis of signals observed at different magnetic fields, allowed the identification of these instabilities as lower-hybrid waves. The relevant analysis shown in this Letter is based on a continuous intrashot detection of the RE-driven wave, which is reported for the first time for this kind of instability. We demonstrated that unstable waves are excited already at the very beginning of a tokamak discharge, opening the way to new possible research on the exploitation of this kind of measurement for monitoring seed REs formation at the early plasma stage, while most diagnostics still have limited capabilities. The conditions for plasma wave dispersion at the early phase of the FTU discharge are very similar to the ones expected during the ITER start-up, when analogous instabilities might, hence, come to light, in case of formation of suprathermal populations.

Runaway electron imaging spectrometry (REIS) system.

A portable Runaway Electron Imaging and Spectrometry System (REIS) was developed in ENEA-Frascati to measure synchrotron radiation spectra from in-flight runaway electrons in tokamaks. The REIS is a wide-angle optical system collecting simultaneously visible and infrared emission spectra using an incoherent bundle of fibers, in a spectral range that spans from 500 nm to 2500 nm, and visible images using a CCD color microcamera at a rate of 25 frames/s. The REIS system is supervised and managed using a dedicated LabVIEW program to acquire data simultaneously from three spectrometers every 20 ms (configurable down to 10 ms). An overview of the REIS architecture and acquisition system and resulting experimental data obtained in FTU are presented and discussed in this paper.

An evaluation of an animal model of cerebral palsy: the effects on the morphology of the extensor digitorum longus muscle / Evaluación de un modelo animal de parálisis cerebral: los efectos sobre la morfología del músculo extensor largo de los dedos

Cerebral Palsy (CP) refers to chronic childhood encephalopathy. The objective of this study was to verify effects of CP model that combines prenatal exposure to LPS, perinatal anoxia and sensorimotor restriction on EDL muscle. Male Wistar rat pups were separated: a) Control - pups of mothers injected with saline during pregnancy and b) Cerebral Palsy - pups of mothers injected with LPS during pregnancy, and submitted to perinatal anoxia and sensorimotor restriction. The CP group presented hypertrophy in the type IIB fibers and increase of nuclei/fiber and capillary/fiber ratios. The intrafusal fibers of CP group presented 26 % atrophy in the crosssectional area and intramuscular collagen volume increase 34 %. CP group showed myofibrillar disruption and Z-line disorganization and the NMJs presented increases of 22 % in area.This animal model of CP produces motor deficits and macro and microscopic alterations and in the ultrastructure of the EDL muscle.

La parálisis cerebral (PC) se refiere a la encefalopatía crónica infantil. El objetivo de este estudio fue verificar los efectos del modelo PC que combina la exposición prenatal a LPS, la anoxia perinatal y la restricción sensitivo-motora en el músculo extensor largo de los dedos (MELD). Se separaron las crías de ratas Wistar machos: a) Control: crías de madres inyectadas con solución salina durante la preñez y b) Parálisis cerebral: crías de madres inyectadas con LPS durante la preñez y sometidas a anoxia perinatal y restricción sensitivo-motora. El grupo PC presentó hipertrofia en las fibras tipo IIB y aumento de la relación núcleo / fibra y capilar / fibra. Las fibras intrafusales del grupo PC presentaron un 26 % de atrofia en el área de la sección transversal y el volumen de colágeno intramuscular aumentó un 34 %. El grupo PC mostró disrupción miofibrilar y desorganización de la línea Z y los NMJ presentaron aumentos de 22 % en el área. Este modelo animal de PC produce déficit motores y alteraciones macro y microscópicas y cambios en la ultraestructura del MELD.

MHD marking using the MSE polarimeter optics in ILW JET plasmas.

In this communication we propose a novel diagnostic technique, which uses the collection optics of the JET Motional Stark Effect (MSE) diagnostic, to perform polarimetry marking of observed MHD in high temperature plasma regimes. To introduce the technique, first we will present measurements of the coherence between MSE polarimeter, electron cyclotron emission, and Mirnov coil signals aiming to show the feasibility of the method. The next step consists of measuring the amplitude fluctuation of the raw MSE polarimeter signals, for each MSE channel, following carefully the MHD frequency on Mirnov coil data spectrograms. A variety of experimental examples in JET ITER-Like Wall (ILW) plasmas are presented, providing an adequate picture and interpretation for the MSE optics polarimeter technique.

Survey of Anisakis sp. and Hysterothylacium sp. in sardines and anchovies from the North Adriatic Sea.

The occurrence of larval Anisakidae and Raphidascarididae in anchovies and sardines from the North Adriatic Sea has been estimated. Anisakis pegreffii and Hysterothylacium aduncum were reported, with low prevalence values. In brief, a total amount of 7650 fish specimens collected between September 2011 and 2012 were analysed using three different inspection analyses: a visual inspection of the coelomic cavity, an examination of the viscera exploiting the positive hydro-tropism of the larvae (modified Baermann technique) and enzymatic digestion of muscular tissue pools. Low level of infestation was reported for Anisakis sp. in both in anchovies and sardines, while higher values were reported for Hysterothylacium sp. Subsamples of nematodes collected were characterized at species level using the molecular diagnostic key based on ITS nuclear ribosomal region, and A. pegreffii and H. aduncum were identified. The low prevalence of Anisakis sp. in sardines and anchovies from the North Adriatic Sea could be related to the peculiar distribution of cetaceans and carnivorous zooplankton in the investigated region and could be used as a potential tag to define oily fishes from this specific fishing area as at low-risk for anisakiasis.

Dynamics of tearing modes during strong electron cyclotron heating on the FTU tokamak.

The localized electron cyclotron resonance heating power that can suppress sawteeth reconnection often drives m = 2 tearing modes in a tokamak operating at constant current. The dynamics of mode onset and coupled mode evolution is described in detail and compared with a nonlinear theoretical model that identifies the effects of mode coupling, finite inertia of the rotating islands, and wall braking.

Chronic oral administration of lansoprazole does not affect the hypothalamic pituitary gonadal axis in healthy young men.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of chronic oral administration of standard doses of lansoprazole on the luteinizing hormone pulsatile pattern and on follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone levels in young men. DESIGN AND METHODS: Eleven healthy volunteers were studied on three separate occasions, before and after two 3-week periods of treatment with lansoprazole (30 mg every morning) or a placebo, according to a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, cross-over design. On each study day, blood samples were taken every 15 min for 8 h. The pulsatile pattern of luteinizing hormone, mean concentrations of FSH and total testosterone plasma levels were determined for each patient using specific radioimmunoassays. RESULTS: Lansoprazole did not significantly affect mean plasma levels, the pulsatile pattern of luteinizing hormone, or mean plasma concentrations of FSH and testosterone compared with the placebo. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that chronic oral administration of standard doses of lansoprazole does not affect the concentrations of gonadal hypothalamic pituitary or sex steroid hormones.

Beta-endorphin response to exogenous corticotrophin-releasing hormone in obese women with different patterns of body fat distribution.

Obese individuals may be characterized by higher than normal basal and stimulated beta-endorphin plasma concentrations, which suggests an increased activity of the opioid system. This study was carried out to investigate whether the regulation of beta-endorphin secretion may be different in different phenotypes of obesity. Twenty-two obese women (body mass index greater than 30 kg/m2) without other endocrine and metabolic abnormalities were investigated. A group of seven normal weight healthy women matched for age served as controls. According to the protocol, obese women included in the study had a waist-to-hip ratio higher than 0.85 (n = 9) or lower than 0.80 (n = 13). The former were defined as having abdominal type and the latter peripheral type body fat distribution. Both groups were matched for body mass index. All women randomly underwent a corticotrophin-releasing hormone test (human CRF, 1 microgram/kg body weight) and a control saline study, with blood samples for beta-endorphin determination taken at regular intervals. Basal beta-endorphin levels were not significantly different between the three groups. No significant variation in the hormone levels occurred during the control study in either group. After CRF injection, however, beta-endorphin rose significantly in all women, but the hormone concentrations were significantly higher in obese women with abdominal fat distribution than in those with peripheral fat distribution and in controls. These results indicate that, among obese women, only those with the abdominal phenotype seem to have increased opioid activity.

Treatment of obese patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS): effect of weight loss and interference of otorhinolaryngoiatric pathology.

The role of weight loss in the therapy of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) was investigated in 23 affected patients with various degrees of obesity (body mass index range 26.6-61.0) free of cranio-facial malformations. Weight loss resulted 18.5 +/- 14.7 (s.d.) kg and was significantly correlated with baseline BMI value (r = 0.94; P less than 0.0001). Weight loss significantly reduced the number of apneas + hypopneas per hour of sleep ((A + H)I) from 66.5 +/- 23.0 to 33.0 +/- 26.2 (P less than 0.0001) and improved the mean of oxygen desaturation peaks during apneas (mSaO2) from 81.9 +/- 6.9 to 87.6 +/- 3.9; P less than 0.001). A significant correlation was found between weight loss and changes in the (A + H)I (r = -0.55; P less than 0.01) and the mSaO2 (r = 0.46; P less than 0.05). The (A + H)I significantly improved in both patients who lost more than 10 kg (basal BMI: 42.3 +/- 10.0) and in those who lost less than 10 kg (basal BMI: 30.2 +/- 2.3), whereas the mSaO2 improved only in the former. Obese patients with moderate to heavy ORL pathological findings had worse pretreatment and final OSAS parameters than those with absent or mild ORL lesions. However, both groups showed a significant, although quantitatively different, improvement of the (A + H)I and mSaO2 after weight loss. Compared to those who were cured or improved after the treatment, patients who failed to obtain significant effects on OSAS clinical presentation also had a significantly higher prevalence of ORL pathology. It is concluded that: (1) weight loss improves parameters and clinical presentation of OSAS in the majority of affected obese patients; (2) a relationship exists between the entity of weight loss and that of improvement of the syndrome; (3) weight loss must be encouraged even in patients with mild to moderate overweight; (4) the presence of ORL pathology may represent a confusing factor in the interpretation of the results obtained after weight loss.

Urinary excretion rate of C-peptide in fed and fasted obese humans.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the reliability of urinary excretion rate of C-peptide as a marker of B-cell function during fasting. Ten obese subjects of both sexes fasted for 5 days. Diurnal serum C-peptide was collected before and on the 5th day; morning serum samples (for glucose, insulin and C-peptide) and 12-h urine samples (7.00 to 19.00 h) were collected daily. Body weight decreased from 138.7 +/- 15.9 to 132.9 +/- 15.6 kg. Morning glucose, insulin (-40%) and C-peptide (-50%) fell significantly throughout the study. Mean diurnal C-peptide values were 2.19 +/- 0.69 nmol/l before and 0.60 +/- 0.19 nmol/l after fasting (P less than 0.0001) and its secretion rate was 909.4 +/- 297.9 and 244.4 +/- 83.9 nmol/12 h (P less than 0.005), respectively. Excretion rate of C-peptide fell progressively from basal (11.2 +/- 4.2 nmol/12 h) to a nadir value of 1.3 +/- 0.8 nmol/12 h (P less than 0.0005); similarly, the C-peptide to creatinine clearance ratio fell from 0.062 +/- 0.035 to 0.028 +/- 0.015 (P less than 0.05). These results indicate that fasting modifies renal metabolism of C-peptide thus creating several complications in the quantitative interpretation of urinary levels as an index of its secretion rate from the B-cell.

Estimation of B-cell function by the urinary excretion rate of C-peptide in diabetic patients: comparison with C-peptide response to glucagon and to a mixed meal.

This study examined the relationship between the C-peptide response to intravenous glucagon and mixed meal stimulation and the 24 h urinary excretion rate of C-peptide and its urinary excretion during the glucagon test in nine control subjects, eighteen Type 1 (insulin-dependent) and twenty-two Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic patients. Compared to controls (61.0 +/- 7.1 micrograms), the 24-h urine excretion rate of C-peptide was 8.2 +/- 3.1 micrograms (p less than 0.001) in Type 1 and 89.8 +/- 12.9 micrograms (p = NS) in Type 2 diabetic patients. C-peptide urinary excretion rate during the glucagon test was 6.92 +/- 1.11 micrograms, 0.42 +/- 0.10 microgram (p less than 0.001) and 6.47 +/- 1.13 micrograms (p = NS) respectively. Fasting serum C-peptide values were 1.53 +/- 0.16 ng/ml in controls, 0.42 +/- 0.09 ng/ml in Type 1 (p less than 0.0001) and 2.08 +/- 0.22 ng/ml in Type 2 diabetics (p = NS); C-peptide areas under the curve after glucagon stimulation were, respectively, 241.6 +/- 20.3 ng/ml, 29.2 +/- 5.9 ng/ml (p less than 0.0001) and 170.9 +/- 17.9 ng/ml (p less than 0.03) and after the meal test they were 204.7 +/- 15.6, 68.7 +/- 19.8 ng/ml (p less than 0.0001) and 265.5 +/- 32.9 ng/ml (p = NS).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)