Role of pinch in Argon impurity transport in ohmic discharges of Aditya-U Tokamak.

We present experimental results of the trace argon impurity puffing in the ohmic plasmas of Aditya-U tokamak performed to study the argon transport behaviour. Argon line emissions in visible and Vacuum Ultra Violet (VUV) spectral ranges arising from the plasma edge and core respectively are measured simultaneously. During the experiments, space resolved brightness profile of Ar1+ line emissions at 472.69 nm (3p44s 2P3/2-3p44p 2D3/2), 473.59 nm (3p44s 4P5/2-3p44p 4P3/2), 476.49 nm (3p44s 2P1/2-3p44p 2P3/2), 480.60 nm (3p44s 4P5/2-3p44p 4P5/2) are recorded using a high resolution visible spectrometer. Also, a VUV spectrometer has been used to simultaneously observe Ar13+ line emission at 18.79 nm (2s22p 2P3/2-2s2p2 2P3/2) and Ar14+ line emission at 22.11 nm (2s2 1S0-2s2p 1P1). The diffusivity and convective velocity of Ar are obtained by comparing the measured radial emissivity profile of Ar1+ emission and the line intensity ratio of Ar13+ and Ar14+ ions, with those simulated using the impurity transport code, STRAHL. Argon diffusivities ~ 12 m2/s and ~ 0.3 m2/s have been observed in the edge (ρ > 0.85) and core region of the Aditya-U, respectively. The diffusivity values both in the edge and core region are found to be higher than the neo-classical values suggesting that the argon impurity transport is mainly anomalous in the Aditya-U tokamak. Also, an inward pinch of ~ 10 m/s mainly driven by Ware pinch is required to match the measured and simulated data. The measured peaked profile of Ar density suggests impurity accumulation in these discharges.

A pilot study to assess the impact of aboriginal and torres strait islander cultural humility webinars on australian medical school students.

BACKGROUND: The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Curriculum Framework helps higher education providers to deliver safe and well-informed cultural humility education. However, there is currently a scarcity of evidence surrounding the efficacy and impact of cultural humility education. This study will use qualitative and quantitative research methods to evaluate learning outcomes from an Indigenous health educational webinar aimed at Australian medical students. METHODS: A pilot study was conducted following a group of Australian medical students who attended an educational Indigenous health (IH) culturally responsive webinar. Recruitment was conducted via the webinar hosts' social media pages. Quantitative methods involved sending one pre- and two post-webinar questionnaires to attendees. To assess participants' retention of information, one post-webinar survey was sent out immediately after the webinar and another three months after the webinar. These questionnaires were designed to reflect pre-determined learning objectives for the webinar. Qualitative methods involved a focus group discussion to identify common themes from participant feedback. RESULTS: Twenty-six participants were included in the final quantitative analysis. Most of the participants were clinical students between 18 and 24 years old who did not identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. There was a significant increase (p = 0.007) between pre-intervention (M = 0.35, SD = 0.26) and post-webinar knowledge for the learning outcome exploring the links between health and education (M = 047, SD = 0.25). No results were obtained from the three months post-intervention questionnaire. The qualitative analysis synthesized feedback from three participants and identified presenter delivery style as an important mediator of webinar effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant increase in knowledge and understanding for the learning outcome that explored the links between health and education. We attribute this partly to the engaging and conversational delivery style of the webinar presenters. The importance of Indigenous facilitators that encourage reflective teaching should not be understated. Our results suggest that cultural humility webinars can have a positive impact on medical students' understanding of the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health landscape. This pilot study warrants further research on a larger population.

Feasibility and Accuracy of Measuring Carotid Plaque Volume (Burden) With Contrast-Enhanced Tomographic 3D Ultrasound and Ultrasound Image Fusion.

BACKGROUND: Stenosis severity has been the indication for carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for 4 decades, but the annual stroke risk in asymptomatic carotid stenosis >70% is under 2%. Atherosclerotic volume has emerged as a risk factor for future stroke, but needs to be measured noninvasively. Tomographic ultrasound (tUS) is a novel technology that assembles 3D images in seconds. We evaluated accuracy of measuring Carotid Plaque Volume (CPV) with tUS in patients undergoing CEA. METHOD: Consecutive patients were imaged immediately before CEA by tUS and contrast-enhanced tUS (CEtUS). CPV was measured using tUS, CEtUS, and a fused images incorporating both tUS and CEtUS by trained vascular scientists. Precise volume of the endarterectomy specimen was measured using Archimedes technique. RESULTS: Mean ± sd (range) CPV in 129 endarterectomy specimens was 0.75 ± 0.43 cm3 (0.10-2.47 cm3). Mean ± sd CPV measured by tUS (n = 114) was 0.87 ± 0.51 cm3, CEtUS (n = 104) was 0.75 ± 0.45 cm3 and with fusion (n = 95) was 0.83 ± 0.49 cm3. Differences between specimen volume and CPV measured by tUS (0.13 ± 0.24 cm3), CEtUS (-0.01 ± 0.21 cm3) or fusion (-0.08 ± 0.20) were clinically insignificant. Intra-/interobserver differences were minimal. CONCLUSIONS: tUS accurately measures CPV with excellent intra-/interobserver agreement. CEtUS improves accuracy if precise CPV measurement is needed for research but tUS alone would be sufficient for population screening.

Initial results from near-infrared spectroscopy on ADITYA-U tokamak.

Spectroscopy in vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) and visible ranges plays an important role in the investigation and diagnosis of tokamak plasmas. However, under harsh environmental conditions of fusion grade devices, such as ITER, VUV-visible systems encounter many issues due to the degradation of optical components used in such systems. Here, near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy has become an effective tool in understanding the edge plasma dynamics. Considering its importance, a NIR spectroscopic diagnostic has been developed and installed on the ADITYA-U tokamak. The system consists of a 0.5 m spectrometer having three gratings with different groove densities, and it is coupled with a linear InGaAs photodiode array. Radiation from the ADITYA-U edge plasma has been collected using a collimating lens and optical fiber combination and transported to the spectrometer. The spectrum in the NIR range from the ADITYA-U plasma has been recorded using this system, in which Paß and Paγ along with many spectral lines from neutral and singly ionized impurities have been observed. The influxes of H and C have been estimated from measurements. The H influx value is found to be 2.8 × 1016 and 1.9 × 1016 particles cm-2 s-1 from neutral hydrogen lines Hα and Paß, respectively, and the C influx value is found to be 3.5 × 1015 and 2.9 × 1015 particles cm-2 s-1 from the neutral carbon and singly ionized carbon, respectively. A good agreement is seen between these results and the results obtained by using a routine photomultiplier tube based diagnostic.

Investigating the effect of density variation on pitch angle scattering events of runaway electrons as observed through electron cyclotron emission diagnostic at Aditya-upgrade tokamak.

Nascent observations about the influence of kinetic instabilities on electron cyclotron emission (ECE) from runaway electrons (REs) have been detected and explored at the Aditya-Upgrade (Aditya-U) tokamak. The developed broadband ECE radiometer system offers wideband measurements by integrating several radio frequency units with a fixed intermediate frequency receiver with multiple channels, which is a novel approach to meet the needs of the localized measurements at various toroidal fields and extend the system dynamic range. The low density (ne ≤ 1 × 10-19 m-3) plasma discharges at Aditya-U are consistently accompanied by a 20%-40% increase in the ECE radiometer signal amplitude within 100 µs and sporadic step-like modulations. The Pitch Angle Scattering (PAS) of REs induced by kinetic instabilities is a potential candidate for their occurrence. This steep jump in the radiometer signals was detected due to its high temporal resolution of 10 µs. A "PREDICT" code that employs the relativistic test particle model validates these experimental findings of the radiometer diagnostic for the first time for Aditya-U tokamak. Preliminary observations of the ECE radiometer signals also show that additional gas puffs can be used to vary the trigger timings of such PAS events or even lead to their complete avoidance.

Initial results from time-resolved LaBr based hard x-ray spectrometer for ADITYA-U tokamak.

Runaway electrons (REs) are passively studied by hard x-ray (HX) emissions generated by REs. A LaBr3(Ce) detector-based HX spectroscopic diagnostic (operational within ∼75 keV to 3.5 MeV) has been set up on the ADITYA-U. The diagnostic acquisition software utility is upgraded to obtain the temporal evolution of the HX spectrum to understand the RE energy distribution in plasma during its various phases. The peak position moves to lower energy for Ohmically heated discharges (200-80 keV), indicating a relative increase in the thermal particle content in the plasma. The peak position of RE energy shows a decreasing tendency with increasing ne with Ne gas puffing and termination of the electron cyclotron resonance pulse.

Maintenance therapy with a poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor in patients with newly diagnosed advanced epithelial ovarian cancer: individual patient data and trial-level meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: We synthesize the efficacy and toxicity of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPis) in patients with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We manually extracted individual patient data (IPD) for progression-free survival (PFS) from published survival curves of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared PARPi versus placebo as maintenance therapy in first-line treatment, for whole study populations and subgroups, based on BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation (germline and/or somatic) and homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) status, using WebPlotDigitizer software. The respective PFS curves for each study and combined population were reconstructed from extracted IPD. The primary outcome was PFS in combined whole population and subgroups. RESULTS: In IPD analysis of combined population from three RCTs, with 2296 patients and 1287 events, PFS was significantly longer in PARPi versus placebo [median 20.4 (95% confidence interval (CI) 18.6-21.9) versus 14.9 (95% CI 13.9-16.5) months, respectively; hazard ratio (HR) 0.67, 95% CI 0.60-0.75; P < 0.001]. In IPD subgroup analyses from four eligible RCTs (2687 patients and 1485 events), median PFS was significantly longer in PARPi versus placebo arm, in the BRCA-mutated (45.7 versus 17.7 months, respectively; HR 0.38, 95% CI 0.32-0.46; P < 0.001), HRD-positive including BRCA-mutated (34.7 versus 17.9 months, respectively; HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.38-0.54; P < 0.001), and HRD positive excluding BRCA-mutated (22.3 versus 13.1 months, respectively; HR 0.47, 95% CI 0.34-0.65; P < 0.001) subgroups, but not in the HRD-negative (15.0 versus 11.3 months, respectively; HR 0.90, 95% CI 0.76-1.05; P = 0.75) subgroup. Results of trial-level meta-analysis were concordant with IPD analysis in whole population and subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Among newly diagnosed ovarian cancer patients, PARPi maintenance therapy significantly improves PFS in those with germline and/or somatic BRCA mutation and/or HRD-positive tumor but not in those with HRD-negative tumor.

Observations of visible argon line emissions and its spatial profile from Aditya-U tokamak plasma.

The spectroscopic studies of medium and high Z impurities have been the subject of interest in fusion research due to their role in mitigating plasma disruption and reducing heat load on the plasma facing components. Line emissions from these impurities provide the rotation velocity and ion temperature measurements along with the understanding of the overall impurity behavior in plasma. In the Aditya-U tokamak, the spatially resolved Ar II line emissions have been observed using a high resolution multi-track spectroscopic diagnostic consisting of a 1 m Czerny-Turner spectrometer coupled with a charge coupled device (CCD) detector using seven lines of sight viewing plasma tangentially along the toroidal direction. The spatially resolved Ar II lines at 458.96 nm have been observed. The singly ionized Ar emission peaks at the radial location of ρ = 0.8 of the plasma having a minor radius of 25 cm. Moreover, a 0.5 m UV-visible spectrometer coupled with a CCD detector and having a line of sight passing through the plasma midplane from the radial port was used to record visible Ar survey spectra within the 670-810 nm wavelength range, and all these lines have been identified for further analysis.

Impurity toroidal rotation profile measurement using upgraded high-resolution visible spectroscopic diagnostic on ADITYA-U tokamak.

A high-resolution spectroscopic diagnostic for the measurement of spatial profiles of impurity ion toroidal rotation velocities on the ADITYA-U tokamak has been upgraded to cover the complete plasma minor radius. Earlier, the coverage of diagnostics toward the plasma edge was restricted due to the placement of collection optics on the tangential port outside the vacuum vessel. The coverage of the full plasma minor radius, from 0 to 24 cm, has been achieved using the newly designed and developed collection optics that have seven lines of sight to view the tokamak plasma mounted inside a customized re-entrant view port which is installed in the shadow of the limiter inside the vacuum vessel. The upgraded diagnostic also includes a faster charged coupled device detector with a smaller pixel size for the detection of a small wavelength shift. The complete spatial profile has been measured using the Doppler shifted passive change exchange spectral line at 529.0 nm from the C5+ ion. In this article, we present the collection optics' design, installation, calibration, and results obtained using the upgraded diagnostic.

"Randomised controlled trial of scalp cooling for the prevention of chemotherapy induced alopecia".

BACKGROUND: Randomized controlled trials (RCT) of scalp cooling (SC) to prevent chemotherapy induced alopecia (CIA) did not evaluate its effect on hair regrowth (HR) and was conducted in a predominantly taxane (T) treated population. We conducted an RCT of SC in a setting of anthracycline (A) and taxane chemotherapy (CT) and assessed its effect on CIA and HR. METHODS: Non-metastatic breast cancer women undergoing (neo) adjuvant CT were randomized to receive SC using the Paxman scalp cooling system during every cycle of CT, or no SC. The primary end point (PEP) was successful hair preservation (HP) assessed clinically and by review of photographs after CT. HR was assessed at 6 and 12 weeks. RESULTS: 51 patients were randomized to SC (34) or control arm (17) in a 2:1 ratio. Twenty-five (49%) patients received A followed by T and the two arms were balanced with respect to this factor. HP rate was significantly higher in SC arm compared to control arm (56.3% vs 0%, P = 0.000004). HR was higher in SC arm compared to control at 6 weeks (89% vs 12%; P < 0.001) and 12 weeks (100% vs 59%, P = 0.0003). Loss of hair at PEP evaluation, which was a quality of life measure, was significantly lower in SC versus control arm (45% vs 82%, P = 0.016). There were no grade 3-4 cold related adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: Women with breast cancer receiving A or T chemotherapy receiving SC were significantly more likely to have less than 50% hair loss after CT, superior hair regrowth and improvement in patient reported outcomes, with acceptable tolerance. It merits wider usage.

Design of tangential x-ray crystal spectrometer for Aditya-U tokamak.

A tangential soft x-ray crystal spectrometer has been designed to measure the x-ray spectrum of He-like argon for the Aditya-U tokamak plasma. The system enables to measure electron temperature using the intensity ratio of the resonance line to the satellite line. For this purpose, an x-ray spectral line at 3.9494 Å from He-like argon, Ar16+, is considered. The spectrometer consists of a cylindrically bent silicon (111) crystal and a CCD detector to measure the resonance spectral line and its satellite lines in the wavelength region of 3.94-4.0 Å, viewing the plasma tangentially at an angle of 26° with respect to the toroidal direction in the magnetic axis. Considering Aditya-U tokamak plasma parameters and its geometrical constraints, plasma to crystal and crystal to detector distances have been kept at 1.47 m and 0.5 m, respectively, to detect a sufficient signal. The engineering design has been optimized after adequately addressing the issues related to port geometry and machine accessibility. Details on the design of the crystal spectrometer are presented in this paper.

Plasma rotation measurement using UV and visible spectroscopy on Aditya-U tokamak.

A high resolution spectroscopic diagnostic for the measurement of the spatial profile of toroidal rotation velocity (vt) and temperature (Ti) of carbon ions has been developed and implemented on the Aditya-U tokamak. The diagnostic consists of a high resolution 1 m (f/8.7) spectrometer having an 1800 grooves/mm grating coupled with a charged couple device. The setup allows measurements from 5 toroidal lines-of-sights passing through different minor radii in the horizontal mid-plane of the Aditya-U tokamak. The carbon line emissions at 529 nm in visible and 229.6 and 227.09 nm in the ultra violet spectral range are recorded using the setup. Initial results show that typical Aditya-U plasmas have a maximum carbon ion temperature (Ti) of ∼120 eV and a rotation velocity (vt) of ∼-14 km/s in the counter plasma-current direction.

Organic zinc and copper supplementation on antioxidant protective mechanism and their correlation with sperm functional characteristics in goats.

Trace minerals feeding had significant effects on sperm production and fertility with better absorption and proper utilization within the body for optimum reproductive function. Several studies have shown that more influenced trace elements in the diets of animals are copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn). Bucks showing deficiency of this mineral might affect the quality of semen production which in turn would affect the fertility. This experiment was thus designed to test the effects of organic Cu and Zn supplementation on antioxidants enzyme activities and sperm functional attributes in fresh semen of bucks. Forty bucks (n = 40, Aged 5 months) were assigned to ten groups of four animals in each group, supplemented (for a period of 8 months) with different levels of organic Zn: 20 mg (T2), 40 mg (T3) and 60 mg (T4), organic Cu: 12.5 mg (T5), 25 mg (T6), 37.5 mg (T7) and combined organic Zn and Cu: 20 + 12.5 mg (T8), 40 + 25 mg (T9), 60 + 37.5 mg (T10), respectively, per kg dry matter and no additional mineral diet (control; T1). One hundred and sixty semen samples were collected through electro-ejaculator and analysed for sperm quantity, quality, acrosome intactness and plasma membrane integrity and correlated with the catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase enzyme activities in seminal plasma. The results indicated organic Cu and zinc supplemented bucks produced more sperm cells, had higher sperm concentrations, maintained higher (p < .01) sperm livability, plasma membrane and acrosome integrities, more motility and velocity. The increased antioxidant enzyme activities, reduced oxidative stress and lowered lipid peroxidation were positively correlated (p < .05) with the sperm functional attributes. In conclusion, organic Cu and Zn supplement to male goats showed protective roles against oxidative damage and maintained better fresh semen characteristics.