Correlation of in vitro cell adhesion, local shear flow and cell density.

Investigating cell adhesion behavior on biocompatible surfaces under dynamic flow conditions is not only of scientific interest but also a principal step towards development of new medical implant materials. Driven by the improvement of the measurement technique for microfluidic flow fields (scanning particle image velocimetry, sPIV), a semi-automatic correlation of the local shear velocity and the cell detachment probability became possible. The functionality of customized software entitled 'PIVDAC' (Particle Image Velocimetry De-Adhesion Correlation) is demonstrated on the basis of detachment measurements using standard sand-blasted titanium implant material. A thermodynamic rate model is applied to describe the process of cell adhesion and detachment. A comparison of the model and our experimental findings, especially in a mild regime, where the shear flow does not simply tear away all cells from the substrate, demonstrates, as predicted, an increase of detachment rate with increasing shear force. Finally, we apply the method to compare experimentally obtained detachment rates under identical flow conditions as a function of cell density and find excellent agreement with previously reported model simulations that consider pure geometrical effects. The demonstrated method opens a wide field of applications to study various cell lines on novel substrates or in time dependent flow fields.

Acoustotaxis -in vitro stimulation in a wound healing assay employing surface acoustic waves.

A novel, ultrasound based approach for the dynamic stimulation and promotion of tissue healing processes employing surface acoustic waves (SAW) on a chip is presented for the example of osteoblast-like SaOs-2 cells. In our investigations, we directly irradiate cells with SAW on a SiO2 covered piezoelectric LiNbO3 substrate. Observing the temporal evolution of cell growth and migration and comparing non-irradiated to irradiated areas on the chip, we find that the SAW-treated cells exhibit a significantly increased migration as compared to the control samples. Apart from quantifying our experimental findings on the cell migration stimulation, we also demonstrate the full bio compatibility and bio functionality of our SAW technique by using LDH assays. We safely exclude parasitic side effects such as a SAW related increased substrate temperature or nutrient flow by thoroughly monitoring the temperature and the flow field using infrared microscopy and micro particle image velocimetry. Our results show that the SAW induced dynamic mechanical and electrical stimulation obviously directly promotes the cell growth. We conclude that this stimulation method offers a powerful platform for future medical treatment, e.g. being implemented as a implantable biochip with wireless extra-corporal power supply to treat deeper tissue.

An arc control and protection system for the JET lower hybrid antenna based on an imaging system.

Arcs are the potentially most dangerous events related to Lower Hybrid (LH) antenna operation. If left uncontrolled they can produce damage and cause plasma disruption by impurity influx. To address this issue an arc real time control and protection imaging system for the Joint European Torus (JET) LH antenna has been implemented. The LH system is one of the additional heating systems at JET. It comprises 24 microwave generators (klystrons, operating at 3.7 GHz) providing up to 5 MW of heating and current drive to the JET plasma. This is done through an antenna composed of an array of waveguides facing the plasma. The protection system presented here is based primarily on an imaging arc detection and real time control system. It has adapted the ITER like wall hotspot protection system using an identical CCD camera and real time image processing unit. A filter has been installed to avoid saturation and spurious system triggers caused by ionization light. The antenna is divided in 24 Regions Of Interest (ROIs) each one corresponding to one klystron. If an arc precursor is detected in a ROI, power is reduced locally with subsequent potential damage and plasma disruption avoided. The power is subsequently reinstated if, during a defined interval of time, arcing is confirmed not to be present by image analysis. This system was successfully commissioned during the restart phase and beginning of the 2013 scientific campaign. Since its installation and commissioning, arcs and related phenomena have been prevented. In this contribution we briefly describe the camera, image processing, and real time control systems. Most importantly, we demonstrate that an LH antenna arc protection system based on CCD camera imaging systems works. Examples of both controlled and uncontrolled LH arc events and their consequences are shown.

A method for the prescription of inexpensive spectacles by non-specialist healthcare workers: S-Glasses.

PURPOSE: Globally, 153 million people are visually impaired from uncorrected refractive error. The aim of this research was to verify a method whereby autorefractors could be used by non-specialist health-workers to prescribe spectacles, which used a small stock of preformed lenses that fit frames with standardised apertures. These spectacles were named S-Glasses (Smart Glasses). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective, single-cohort exploratory study enrolled 53 patients with 94 eligible eyes having uncorrected vision of 6/18 or worse. Eyes with best-corrected vision worse than 6/12 were excluded. An autorefractor was used to obtain refractions, which were adjusted so that eyes with astigmatism less than 2.00 dioptres (D) received spherical equivalent lenses, and eyes with more astigmatism received toric lenses with a 2.50 D cylindrical element set at one of four meridians. The primary outcome was to compare S-Glasses vision with the WHO definition of visual impairment (6/18). Where astigmatism was 2.00 D or greater, comparison with spherical equivalent was made. Mixed-model analysis with repeated effect was used to account for possible correlation between the vision of fellow eyes of the same individual. RESULTS: S-Glasses corrected 100% of eyes with astigmatism less than 3.00 D and 69% of eyes with astigmatism of 3.00 D or greater. Spherical equivalent lenses corrected 25% of eyes with astigmatism of 2.00-2.99 D and 11% with astigmatism of at least 3.00 D. DISCUSSION: S-Glasses could be beneficial to resource-poor populations without trained refractionists. This novel approach, using approximate toric lenses, results in superior vision for astigmatic patients compared with the practice of providing spherical equivalent alone.

Implementation of an in-vessel calibration light source for JET.

An in-vessel calibration light source (ICLS) has been implemented for remote use during extended shutdown periods of the Joint European Torus (JET). The ICLS facilitated the in situ calibration of optical diagnostics, which previously were performed when the diagnostics were removed from JET. Since the ICLS is used to calibrate diagnostics over the entire, exact optical path as used when plasma discharge data are measured, the ICLS calibration implicitly accounts for any vignetting losses in the JET vessel viewports in addition to the vacuum window transmission. At least ten diagnostic systems have benefited from the ICLS during the extended ITER-like wall shutdown of 2009-2011. Examples of the use of the ICLS in JET are given.

Development of a mirror-based endoscope for divertor spectroscopy on JET with the new ITER-like wall (invited).

A new endoscope with optimised divertor view has been developed in order to survey and monitor the emission of specific impurities such as tungsten and the remaining carbon as well as beryllium in the tungsten divertor of JET after the implementation of the ITER-like wall in 2011. The endoscope is a prototype for testing an ITER relevant design concept based on reflective optics only. It may be subject to high neutron fluxes as expected in ITER. The operating wavelength range, from 390 nm to 2500 nm, allows the measurements of the emission of all expected impurities (W I, Be II, C I, C II, C III) with high optical transmittance (≥ 30% in the designed wavelength range) as well as high spatial resolution that is ≤ 2 mm at the object plane and ≤ 3 mm for the full depth of field (± 0.7 m). The new optical design includes options for in situ calibration of the endoscope transmittance during the experimental campaign, which allows the continuous tracing of possible transmittance degradation with time due to impurity deposition and erosion by fast neutral particles. In parallel to the new optical design, a new type of possibly ITER relevant shutter system based on pneumatic techniques has been developed and integrated into the endoscope head. The endoscope is equipped with four digital CCD cameras, each combined with two filter wheels for narrow band interference and neutral density filters. Additionally, two protection cameras in the λ > 0.95 µm range have been integrated in the optical design for the real time wall protection during the plasma operation of JET.

A new visible spectroscopy diagnostic for the JET ITER-like wall main chamber.

In preparation for ITER, JET has been upgraded with a new ITER-like wall (ILW), whereby the main plasma facing components, previously of carbon, have been replaced by mainly Be in the main chamber and W in the divertor. As part of the many diagnostic enhancements, a new, survey, visible spectroscopy diagnostic has been installed for the characterization of the ILW. An array of eight lines-of-sight (LOS) view radially one of the two JET neutral beam shine through areas (W coated carbon fibre composite tiles) at the inner wall. In addition, one vertical LOS views the solid W tile at the outer divertor. The light emitted from the plasma is coupled to a series of compact overview spectrometers, with overall wavelength range of 380-960 nm and to one high resolution Echelle overview spectrometer covering the wavelength range 365-720 nm. The new survey diagnostic has been absolutely calibrated in situ by means of a radiometric light source placed inside the JET vessel in front of the whole optical path and operated by remote handling. The diagnostic is operated in every JET discharge, routinely monitoring photon fluxes from intrinsic and extrinsic impurities (e.g., Be, C, W, N, and Ne), molecules (e.g., BeD, D(2), ND) and main chamber and divertor recycling (typically Dα, Dß, and Dγ). The paper presents a technical description of the diagnostic and first measurements during JET discharges.

Recent improvements of the JET lithium beam diagnostic.

A 60 kV neutral lithium diagnostic beam probes the edge plasma of JET for the measurement of electron density profiles. This paper describes recent enhancements of the diagnostic setup, new procedures for calibration and protection measures for the lithium ion gun during massive gas puffs for disruption mitigation. New light splitting optics allow in parallel beam emission measurements with a new double entrance slit CCD spectrometer (spectrally resolved) and a new interference filter avalanche photodiode camera (fast density and fluctuation studies).

Enhancements to the JET poloidally scanning vacuum ultraviolet∕visible spectrometers.

Enhancements to the JET poloidally scanning spectrometers are presented, which will aid the exploitation of the recently installed ITER-like wall in JET. They include the installation of visible filter∕photomultiplier tube assemblies and spectrometers and the replacement of large rotating mirrors in the JET vacuum with small oscillating mirrors outside. The upgrade has resulted in a more robust and reliable diagnostic than before, which is described. Drifts in the mirror angle reconstructed from quadrature encoder signals are found, a reference signal being required. The use of the small scanning mirrors necessitated the inclusion of focusing mirrors to maintain throughput into the vacuum ultraviolet spectrometers. The mirror design has taken account of the extreme sensitivity of the focusing to the grazing angle of incidence, an aspect of importance in the design of grazing incidence focusing components on future machines, such as ITER. The visible system has been absolutely calibrated using an in-vessel light source.

A protection system for the JET ITER-like wall based on imaging diagnostics.

The new JET ITER-like wall (made of beryllium and tungsten) is more fragile than the former carbon fiber composite wall and requires active protection to prevent excessive heat loads on the plasma facing components (PFC). Analog CCD cameras operating in the near infrared wavelength are used to measure surface temperature of the PFCs. Region of interest (ROI) analysis is performed in real time and the maximum temperature measured in each ROI is sent to the vessel thermal map. The protection of the ITER-like wall system started in October 2011 and has already successfully led to a safe landing of the plasma when hot spots were observed on the Be main chamber PFCs. Divertor protection is more of a challenge due to dust deposits that often generate false hot spots. In this contribution we describe the camera, data capture and real time processing systems. We discuss the calibration strategy for the temperature measurements with cross validation with thermal IR cameras and bi-color pyrometers. Most importantly, we demonstrate that a protection system based on CCD cameras can work and show examples of hot spot detections that stop the plasma pulse. The limits of such a design and the associated constraints on the operations are also presented.

Enhancement of JET's mirror-link near-ultraviolet to near-infrared divertor spectroscopy system.

Since 1994, JET has had a mirror-link spectroscopy system with a poloidal view of 150 mm of the outer divertor split into three ranges: near-ultraviolet (near-UV) (∼ 300­450 nm), visible (450­750 nm), and near-infrared (near-IR) (750­1200 nm). The system consists of three Czerny­Turner/charge coupled device (CCD) pairs: 1 m focal length for the near-UV, 0.75 m focal length for the visible, and 0.5 m focal length for the near-IR. All were aligned along the same optical path to the divertor. As part of the JET ITER-like wall enhancements, the diagnostic system will be upgraded in five areas: (1) frame rate, (2) quantum efficiency (QE), (3) radial coverage, (4) optical throughput, and (5) for the near-UV, spectral resolution and survey capability. New CCDs for the near-UV and visible will have increased QE and allow three times frame rate. The near-UV will benefit from a 0.75 m imaging spectrometer with three gratings. The optics have been redesigned to allow ∼ 360 mm view and greater than two times throughput. This paper will look at the design and implementation as well as the new diagnostic capabilities of the system.

A proposed in-vessel calibration light source for the Joint European Torus.

An in-vessel calibration light source (ICLS) is proposed for use during extended shutdown periods of the Joint European Torus (JET). The ICLS is primarily a 12 in. integrating sphere (4 in. opening) with four lamps (of known radiance), which can be positioned inside the JET vacuum vessel via the remote handling arm during interventions in the JET operating schedule. This will facilitate the in situ calibration of optical diagnostics, which rely on absolute light intensity measurements currently made when the diagnostics are removed from JET. The ICLS could ultimately reduce/remove the mechanical stresses associated with the repositioning of diagnostics for calibration purposes. At least 10 diagnostic systems (approximately 20 diagnostic subsystems) could benefit from the ICLS; in some instances the ICLS provides the only viable absolute-calibration strategy. Moreover, the ICLS will be a broad-spectrum white light source, enabling intensity calibrations at all visible wavelengths. A secondary benefit of the ICLS is in its use as an illumination source for making measurements of the reflectance (over a broad spectral range and at multiple angles) from the tiles lining the JET vacuum vessel. During the ITER-like wall intervention new Be, C, and W tiles will be installed in JET and their reflectance measured. Measurements made in subsequent JET interventions will provide data on the effect of high-temperature plasma operation on the reflectance of these tiles.

Carrying a rucksack on either shoulder or the back, does it matter? Load induced functional scoliosis in "normal" young subjects.

Approximately 40 million students in the United States and a similar number in Europe carry school rucksacks. The average student carries a rucksack weighing almost one fourth of his or her body weight. This has led to more than 7,000 A&E, referrals each year related to carrying school bags in the US. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of carrying a rucksack (on each shoulder or on both), on 3D spinal curvature in healthy young students. A convenience sample of 30 healthy young adults participated in this study. A Microscribe 3DX digitiser recorded the three dimensional coordinates of thirteen key anatomical landmarks along the spine in four different loading conditions; no rucksack (reference) carrying a rucksack (17% body weight) simultaneously on both shoulders and solely on the right or the left shoulder. The data obtained was analyzed using standard statistical methods. Carrying the load on both shoulders resulted in no difference in the frontal plane angle but significantly decreased the thoracic kyphosis in the sagittal plane. However, carrying the load on the right shoulder significantly increased the thoracic lateral curvature in the frontal plane and decreased the thoracic kyphosis in the sagittal plane. This study confirms that even carrying a 17% load causes significant changes in spinal alignment. It is essential that Health and Safety professionals promote the awareness and effects of diverse rucksack carriage modes and excessive rucksack weight to avoid the early onset of low back pain.

Analysis of a measles epidemic.

In January, February and March of 1989 an epidemic of rubeola occurred on the campus of Texas Tech University. A vaccination programme was initiated as soon as the epidemic was confirmed. Extensive case histories of all confirmed cases were collected by the Lubbock City Health Department and given an exhaustive statistical analysis by a group from the Department of Mathematics at Texas Tech University. The data and statistical analysis were used to formulate stochastic and deterministic models of the measles epidemic based on the standard SEIR model. The analysis and the simulations indicate that in order to prevent a measles outbreak on a university campus a high rate of immunity may be required (> 98 per cent). The assumptions in the models raise some interesting questions regarding social contacts which require further investigation.