Heavy ion beam probe for Wendelstein 7-X measurement capabilities as projected through its design.

A heavy ion beam probe (HIBP) diagnostic is being developed for studies of plasma equilibrium and turbulence in the optimized Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) stellarator. Operation of W7-X has experimentally demonstrated that its optimized magnetic field results in improved neoclassical particle confinement and, as a result, turbulence is the predominant cause of energy transport. The HIBP will have the unique ability to provide experimental data needed to complement models of both neoclassical and turbulent transport. It will acquire direct measurements in the W7-X plasma interior of the electric potential (needed for understanding ambipolar particle flux) and fluctuations of electron density and potential (needed for understanding turbulence). The HIBP for W7-X will inject singly charged ion beams with energies of up to 2 MeV and is designed to access the upper cross section of the W7-X plasma. We use trajectory simulations to illustrate the plasma coverage that the diagnostic can achieve in the reference magnetic configurations of W7-X. We calculate beam signal levels, discuss anticipated measurement sensitivity of broadband fluctuations of electron density and plasma potential, and show how they depend on plasma density. We also discuss the diagnostic sensitivity to equilibrium plasma potential.

Conceptual design of a heavy ion beam probe diagnostic for the Wendelstein 7-X Stellarator.

This article describes the current state of the design of the heavy ion beam probe (HIBP) for Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X). It will be the first HIBP diagnostic on an optimized stellarator and is designed to study electric fields and ion scale turbulence in all W7-X reference magnetic configurations. The use of an existing 2 MV accelerator, located outside of the torus hall, results in the need for a circuitous primary beamline. This increases the complexity of the ion optics design to deliver a focused beam to the plasma. To access most of the magnetic configuration space of W7-X, the secondary beamline and an energy analyzer are designed to pivot, thereby redirecting a wider range of secondary beam trajectories. Signal level estimates indicate that the equilibrium potential can be measured at all radii and that the radial coverage for potential and density fluctuations measurements depends on the plasma density.

First Observation of a Stable Highly Dissipative Divertor Plasma Regime on the Wendelstein 7-X Stellarator.

For the first time, the optimized stellarator Wendelstein 7-X has operated with an island divertor. An operation regime in hydrogen was found in which the total plasma radiation approached the absorbed heating power without noticeable loss of stored energy. The divertor thermography recorded simultaneously a strong reduction of the heat load on all divertor targets, indicating almost complete power detachment. This operation regime was stably sustained over several energy confinement times until the preprogrammed end of the discharge. The plasma radiation is mainly due to oxygen and is located at the plasma edge. This plasma scenario is reproducible and robust at various heating powers, plasma densities, and gas fueling locations. These experimental results show that the island divertor concept actually works and displays good power dissipation potential, producing a promising exhaust concept for the stellarator reactor line.

Tracer-Encapsulated Solid Pellet (TESPEL) injection system for Wendelstein 7-X.

Impurity confinement in fusion plasmas is mainly determined by transport mechanisms in the core region. For the Wendelstein 7-X stellarator, its island divertor is expected to screen effectively external impurity sources in the scrape-off layer at higher densities. However, the unique feature of Tracer-Encapsulated Solid Pellet (TESPEL) injection, releasing impurities at a well-localized radial position directly in the core plasma, enables investigating such transport mechanisms. This paper reports on the detailed design of a completely new TESPEL injection system, which has been designed by the National Institute for Fusion Science, Toki, Japan, and is currently being installed at Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik, Greifswald, Germany, for the Wendelstein 7-X. This injector consists of a storage and injection unit, attached to a system of guiding tubes which run through 3 successive differential pumping stages. A light-gate system and an optical observation system are used to determine the location of the deposited tracers. Laboratory tests carried out by shooting TESPELs onto a sample foil showed good performance after careful realignment of the guiding tubes.

Staff training in cognitive-behavioral family intervention in mental illness using the multiple-family group approach: a pilot study.

This article describes a pilot project in which eight Community Mental Health Centre staff were trained in a cognitive-behavioral intervention for families of 37 mentally ill clients. After involvement in training, the staff demonstrated more regular inclusion of family members in routine clinical practice, and a trend towards an increase in relevant knowledge. After involvement in the program, the families experienced a decrease in burden (Family Burden Interview Schedule) even though the primary clients' functioning (Global Assessment of Functioning) did not change. The results are encouraging, indicating that it is possible to train staff in ordinary clinical settings in effective cognitive-behavioral family interventions. The findings need to be replicated in a controlled study with larger samples.

Cognitive-behavioural assessment and treatment of maladaptive help-seeking behaviour in a patient with schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE: Maladaptive help-seeking behaviour in psychiatric patients is a significant problem for public mental health services, yet it is not addressed in the mainstream literature. We present a report on the successful treatment of a person with schizophrenia who displayed this common dilemma for patients and clinicians. CLINICAL PICTURE: A 31-year-old man with borderline intellectual functioning had a 10-year history of schizophrenia marked by negative features. He frequently presented in crisis to public mental health services, the local hospital, and his general practitioner; this resulted in excessive use of services, including admissions. TREATMENT: The patient was reassessed from a cognitive-behavioural perspective rather than a syndromal perspective. Specific behaviours were modified, cognitions were identified, challenged and restructured, and other service providers were provided with an alternative to admission or acute community care. OUTCOME: At 24 months the maladaptive behaviour remains in remission. CONCLUSIONS: Behavioural problems in persons with chronic schizophrenia may be effectively treated by reconceptualising the behaviour as distinct from the major diagnosis.

[Observations on abattoir personnel on the use of prodding sticks on slaughter pigs in the entrance area of the restrainer]. / Beobachtungen an Schlachthofpersonal zum Treibhilfeneinsatz bei Schlachtschweinen im Restrainereintrittsbereich.

The impact of four animal handler with varying degrees of experience was evaluated by examining the behaviour of a total of 656 slaughter pigs in the entrance area of the restrainer. The evaluation of the handler was directly based on the behaviour of pigs that was ultimately influenced by the use of electric prods and sticks. The usage of prods and sticks varied to a great extent between handlers (i.e., one handler used the electric prod in 96.4% of all cases). From protection of animals point of view is the assessment of usage in this area different. The majority of animals (> or = 50%) only enter the restrainer after being pushed by a prod or stick. The desired voluntary entrance of pigs into the restrainer was only realized by a few animals. Increasing the number of pigs that voluntarily enter the restrainer is the ultimate goal that can only be achieved after clearly identifying the reasons for disturbance and through improvement of construction details that consider the behaviour of the animal.

Alteration of pancreatic B-cells in Wistar rats treated with non-diabetogenic doses of cyclosporin A.

We have investigated the effect of non-immunosuppressive cyclosporin A (CS-A) doses on glucose tolerance, pancreatic insulin content, insulin content of isolated islets and insulin secretion in vitro in response to glucose. Within 12 weeks animals treated permanently with a dose of 2.5 mg CS-A/kg b.wt. developed glucose intolerance (but not hyperglycaemia) accompanied by a decrease of pancreatic insulin content due to a decrease of islet insulin content, whereas the relative B-cell volume density was not changed. Isolated islets obtained from rats treated for 4 weeks had a diminished sensitivity for glucose, whereas islets obtained from animals treated for greater than 4 weeks showed a diminished half-maximum and maximum secretion rate. Rats treated for 12 weeks with 1.25 mg CS-A/kg b.wt. developed an impaired glucose tolerance after 8 weeks accompanied by a diminished pancreatic insulin content. Despite continued treatment the pancreatic insulin content was able to increase and the glucose tolerance to normalize, indicating an adaptation of pancreatic B-cells to CS-A. The results support the theory that a potential toxic effect of cyclosporin A can be diagnosed by functional tests (e.g. insulin secretion in response to a stepwise increase of glucose) before the irreversible (e.g. morphological) alterations occur.

Morphology of the endocrine pancreas in cyclosporine-treated glucose-intolerant Wistar rats.

The toxic effect of Cyclosporin A (CS-A) (1.25-50.0 mg/kg body weight) on the endocrine pancreas of Wistar rats was morphologically investigated. The treatment of animals with CS-A doses above 5 mg/kg for 2 weeks resulted in a disturbed glucose tolerance, a reduced B-cell volume density and degranulation, vacuolization and decreased mitotic activity of the B-cells. After withdrawal of the drug the impaired parameters were stepwise normalized, starting with regranulation of pancreatic B-cells, followed by a stimulation of mitotic activity, and increase of B-cell volume density. When continuing the CS-A treatment with doses lower than 5.0 mg/kg for longer periods we observed a decreased body weight gain and reduced pancreatic insulin content.

Is the cyclosporin A toxicity on rat pancreatic B-cells modulated by the MHC?

High Cyclosporin A doses (50 mg/kg b.w.) were given male Wistar rats either homozygous for RT1a or RT1u. Both rat strains are characterized by a similar diminished body weight gain. Cyclosporin A exerted in both strains an increased fed plasma glucose, decreased glucose tolerance and diminished pancreatic insulin content, however, the Wistar rat strain with the MHC RT1u was more sensitive to the effect of Cyclosporin A, indicated by a more marked alteration of pancreatic B-cells and a delayed recovery after drug withdrawal. We concluded that the MHC modulated either the Cyclosporin A metabolism (degradation) or the pancreatic B-cell sensitivity to toxic damage.

[Acute abdomen in the puerperium]. / Das akute Abdomen im Wochenbett.

Reporting 6 cases as examples the problems of symptoms and diagnosis of peritonitis in puerperium are discussed. Main source of the peritonitis is the ascending of pathogenic germs. The unknown bacteriologic vaginal milieu and the behaviour of the physician associated with caesarean section and premature rupture of the membranes play an important role for developing a peritonitis. Laparotomy with removing of uterus in time is the singlest method to rescue life threatening maternal situations.

[Effects of various anesthesia procedures used in forceps delivery on the cardiopulmonary adaptation of the newborn infant. 1. Modification of cardiac adaptation]. / Die Auswirkungen verschiedener zur Forcepsentbindung angewandter mütterlicher Anästhesieverfahren auf die kardiopulmonale Adaptation des Neugeborenen. 1. Mitteilung: Die Beeinflussung der kardialen Adaptation.

Healthy, spontaneously born infants, delivered at the calculated time shows a postnatal tachycardia combined with harrowing of oscillation. But then there is a normalisation in heart action. This phenomenon is nearly the same both in spontaneous delivery and intubation anesthesia for forceps delivery starting with propanidid. Therefore propanidid is of less risk for the neonate. But after hexobarbital anesthesia our results reveal a lingering cardial adaption of the neonate, which is statistical significant. This points to possible cardiac depressive side effects of this drug. Therefore the usage of hexobarbital anesthesia should be well considered in obstetrics.

[Effects of various anesthesia procedures used in forceps delivery on the cardiopulmonary adaptation of the newborn infant. 2. Modification of pulmonary adaptation]. / Die Auswirkungen verschiedener zur Forcepsentbindung angewandter mütterlicher Anästhesieverfahren auf die kardiopulmonale Adaptation des Neugeborenen. 2. Mitteilung: Die Beeinflussung der pulmonalen Adaptation.

Mature newborns reveal the same pulmonal adaption to extrauterine conditions after forceps delivery in general anesthesia for the mother beginning with propanidid or hexobarbital as newborns after spontaneous delivery. Intervalls of apnoe, being physiological during neonatal adaption up to the fourth life-hour, occurred in all three tested groups in the same frequency. Genuine apnoe in combination with following bradycardia and cyanosis couldn't be observed. Moreover during the whole examination time all mean values of respiration frequency were physiological. Therefore we believe that there is no fundamental deterioration of newborns respiration, i.e. a depression in nerve-centre, caused by propanidid or by hexobarbital, despite of repeatedly contrary description.

[Obstetrical neuroleptanalgesia as a procedure for pain control in the peripartal period of the problem patient]. / Die geburtshilfliche Neuroleptanalgesie als Verfahren zur Schmerzbekämpfung in der peripartalen Periode der Problempatientin.

Report on 35 patients treated by obstetric neuroleptanalgesia in the course of labour. This method doesn't appear to be qualified for general application. Nevertheless this kind of analgesia offers an additional possibility to influence the progress of labour favourably.

[Diaplacental influence on the disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in an asphyxia model. I. Influence on the vasal tonus and on the vasal wall (author's transl)]. / Diaplazentare Einwirkung auf die disseminierte intravasale Gerinnung (DIC) im Asphyxiemodell I. Gefässtonus- und Gefässwandbeeinflussung.

With the aid of an asphyxia model in rabbit fetuses the possibility of diaplacental influence on the hypoxic effects of the fetal organism has been investigated. The trial to change the vasotonia during the asphyctic shock by sympathicomimetic or -lytic drugs (Dilatol, Obsidan, Ergocomb, Regitin) remained to be without any effect on the DIC in the fetal organism. Trying to seal the vascular wall by the high-molecular-weight basic polypeptide Aprotinin there seemed rather to be an increase of the intravascular fibrin sedimentation.