Local Magnetohydrodynamic Characteristics of the Plasma Stream generated by MPC

This paper investigates the spatial distributions of electrical current which flows inside the plasma stream generated by a magnetoplasma compressor (MPC). Two different modes of MPC operation with different gas supply scenarios have been applied in the experiments presented here. The first is the operation mode with a pulse injection of xenon into the interelectrode space, and the second is the operation mode with residual helium in the chamber and local injection of xenon directly into the compression zone. The maximum value of the electric current observed outside the MPC channel is 15 ÷ 20% of the total discharge current. Electric current vortices were discovered in the plasma stream. The amplitude of the current in the vortices reaches 50% of the total discharge current. The maximum EUV radiation power was measured in the mode of MPC operation with local xenon injection. Power in the wave range 12.2 ÷ 15.8 nm achieves up to 16 ÷ 18 kW

Local Magnetohydrodynamic Characteristics of the Plasma Stream generated by MPC

This paper investigates the spatial distributions of electrical current which flows inside the plasma stream generated by a magnetoplasma compressor (MPC). Two different modes of MPC operation with different gas supply scenarios have been applied in the experiments presented here. The first is the operation mode with a pulse injection of xenon into the interelectrode space, and the second is the operation mode with residual helium in the chamber and local injection of xenon directly into the compression zone. The maximum value of the electric current observed outside the MPC channel is 15 ÷ 20% of the total discharge current. Electric current vortices were discovered in the plasma stream. The amplitude of the current in the vortices reaches 50% of the total discharge current. The maximum EUV radiation power was measured in the mode of MPC operation with local xenon injection. Power in the wave range 12.2 ÷ 15.8 nm achieves up to 16 ÷ 18 kW

Compression zone formation in magnetoplasma compressor operating with heavy gases

Present work is devoted to experimental investigations of the plasma compression zone dynamics and its influence on radiation characteristics. The construction of magneto-plasma compressor (MPC) of compact geometry with conical copper electrodes is described. Comprehensive information about dynamics of compression zone formation, it position, plasma parameters and geometric dimensions was obtained using spectral diagnostics. Plasma stream density ~ 10^18cm^-3 was measured by Stark broadening of Xe spectral lines. Electron temperature 5...7 eV was estimated using the ratio of Xe lines intensities. EUV radiation intensity was detected by registration system consisting on absolutely calibrated AXUV diodes with integrated thin-films filter for different wavelength ranges and multi-layered MoSi mirrors. Spatial distributions of electrical currents has been performed also.В центре внимания экспериментальные исследования динамики формирования плазменного пинча и его влияния на излучательные характеристики плазмы. Обсуждается конструкция магнито-плазменного компрессора (МПК) компактной геометрии с коническими медными электродами. Исчерпывающая информация о динамике формирования зоны сжатия, ее локализации, плазменных параметрах и геометрических размерах получена с помощью спектральной диагностики. Электронная плотность плазмы (~10^18 см^-3) измерена по штарковскому уширению спектральных линий Xe. Электронная температура (5...7 эВ) оценивалась по отношению интенсивностей спектральных линий Xe. Регистрирующая система, состоящая из абсолютно калиброванных AXUV диодов с покрытием для различных диапазонов длин волн и многослойного MoSi-зеркала, использовалась для регистрации ВУФ-излучения плазмы. Также представлены пространственные распределения электрических токов выноса.В центрі уваги експериментальні дослідження динаміки формування плазмового пінча і його впливу на випромінювальні характеристики плазми. Обговорюється конструкція магніто-плазмового компресора (МПК) компактної геометрії з конічними мідними електродами. Вичерпна інформація про динаміку формування компресійної зони, її локалізацію, плазмові параметри та геометричні розміри отримана за допомогою спектральної діагностики. Електронна густина плазми (~10^18 см^-3) виміряна із штарківського розширення спектральних ліній Xe. Електронна температура (5...7 еВ) визначалась по відношенню інтенсивностей спектральних ліній Xe. Реєструюча система, яка складається із абсолютно каліброваних AXUV діодів з покриттям для різних діапазонів довжин хвиль та багатошарового MoSi-дзеркала, використовувалась для реєстрації ВУФ-випромінювання плазми. Також представлено просторові розподіли електричних струмів

Diagnostic system for EUV radiation measurements from dense xenon plasma generated by MPC

Magnetoplasma compressor (MPC) of compact geometry has been designed and tested as a source of EUV radiation. In present paper diagnostic system for registration of EUV radiation is described. It was applied for radiation measurements in different operation modes of MPC. The registration system was designed on the base of combination of different types of AXUV photodiodes. Possibility to minimize the influence of electrons and ions flows from dense plasma stream on AXUV detector performance and results of the measurements has been discussed.Магнітоплазмовий компресор (МПК) компактної геометрії було розроблено і випробувано у якості джерела випромінювання ВУФ. У цій роботі описана діагностична система для реєстрації ВУФ-випромінювання. Проведено вимірювання ВУФ- випромінювання в різних режимах роботи МПК. Система реєстрації побудована на основі поєднання різних типів фотодіодів AXUV. Було досліджено вплив потоку електронів та іонів з плазми на поверхню детектора, а також видимого випромінювання на результати вимірювань.Магнитоплазменный компрессор (МПК) компактной геометрии был разработан и испытан в качестве источника излучения ВУФ. В настоящей работе описана диагностическая система для регистрации излучения ВУФ. Проведены измерения ВУФ-излучения в различных режимах работы МПК. Система регистрации построена на основе сочетания различных типов фотодиодов AXUV. Было исследовано влияние потока электронов и ионов из плазмы на поверхность детектора, а также видимого излучения на результаты измерений

A Putative Homologue of CDC20/CDH1 in the Malaria Parasite Is Essential for Male Gamete Development

Cell-cycle progression is governed by a series of essential regulatory proteins. Two major regulators are cell-division cycle protein 20 (CDC20) and its homologue, CDC20 homologue 1 (CDH1), which activate the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) in mitosis, and facilitate degradation of mitotic APC/C substrates. The malaria parasite, Plasmodium, is a haploid organism which, during its life-cycle undergoes two stages of mitosis; one associated with asexual multiplication and the other with male gametogenesis. Cell-cycle regulation and DNA replication in Plasmodium was recently shown to be dependent on the activity of a number of protein kinases. However, the function of cell division cycle proteins that are also involved in this process, such as CDC20 and CDH1 is totally unknown. Here we examine the role of a putative CDC20/CDH1 in the rodent malaria Plasmodium berghei (Pb) using reverse genetics. Phylogenetic analysis identified a single putative Plasmodium CDC20/CDH1 homologue (termed CDC20 for simplicity) suggesting that Plasmodium APC/C has only one regulator. In our genetic approach to delete the endogenous cdc20 gene of P. berghei, we demonstrate that PbCDC20 plays a vital role in male gametogenesis, but is not essential for mitosis in the asexual blood stage. Furthermore, qRT-PCR analysis in parasite lines with deletions of two kinase genes involved in male sexual development (map2 and cdpk4), showed a significant increase in cdc20 transcription in activated gametocytes. DNA replication and ultra structural analyses of cdc20 and map2 mutants showed similar blockage of nuclear division at the nuclear spindle/kinetochore stage. CDC20 was phosphorylated in asexual and sexual stages, but the level of modification was higher in activated gametocytes and ookinetes. Changes in global protein phosphorylation patterns in the Δcdc20 mutant parasites were largely different from those observed in the Δmap2 mutant. This suggests that CDC20 and MAP2 are both likely to play independent but vital roles in male gametogenesis

Artemisinin-resistant K13 mutations rewire Plasmodium falciparum's intra-erythrocytic metabolic program to enhance survival

The emergence and spread of artemisinin resistance, driven by mutations in Plasmodium falciparum K13, has compromised antimalarial efficacy and threatens the global malaria elimination campaign. By applying systems-based quantitative transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics to a panel of isogenic K13 mutant or wild-type P. falciparum lines, we provide evidence that K13 mutations alter multiple aspects of the parasite's intra-erythrocytic developmental program. These changes impact cell-cycle periodicity, the unfolded protein response, protein degradation, vesicular trafficking, and mitochondrial metabolism. K13-mediated artemisinin resistance in the Cambodian Cam3.II line was reversed by atovaquone, a mitochondrial electron transport chain inhibitor. These results suggest that mitochondrial processes including damage sensing and anti-oxidant properties might augment the ability of mutant K13 to protect P. falciparum against artemisinin action by helping these parasites undergo temporary quiescence and accelerated growth recovery post drug elimination

Screening for heterocyclic amines in chicken cooked in various ways.

Chicken cooked under well-controlled conditions and commercial chicken products were screened for heterocyclic amines (HAs). Chicken samples were boiled, deep-fried, pan-fried, oven-roasted, cooked in an unglazed clay pot or in a roasting bag in the oven, and oven broiled. 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx), 2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (4,8-DiMeIQx), 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP), 1-methyl-9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole (harman) and 9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole (norharman) were identified in several samples. Chicken cooked at low temperatures contained low amounts of HAs. In pan-fried chicken breasts, MeIQx was detected in amounts below 2 ng/g, 4,8-DiMeIQx below 0.6 ng/g, and PhIP in amounts up to 38 ng/g. Harman and norharman were detected in almost all samples (below 15 ng/g). In skin from a commercially barbecued chicken, MeIQx, 4,8-DiMeIQx and PhIP were detected, while only traces of MeIQx were detected in the meat. MeIQx was detected in a commercial chicken flavour, 0.1 ng/ml. No HAs were detected in pan-fried chicken liver. The results show that the content of HAs in chicken cooked in various ways is low if prepared at low temperatures, and increases with increasing cooking temperature. PhIP formation seems to start accelerating at cooking temperatures around or above 200 degrees C. Colour development increases with cooking temperature, but no correlation with HA content was observed

Heterocyclic amines in poultry products: a literature review.

Health risks associated with heterocyclic amines in cooked foods have been discussed and analysed since the presence of these food mutagens was first detected. Intake, metabolism, carcinogenicity and epidemiology are important parameters in the risk assessment of heterocyclic amines. It is very difficult to determine the human intake of heterocyclic amines, as the content in cooked meat is highly dependent on the type of meat and how it has been prepared. This review summarises data on estimates of the content of heterocyclic amines in heat-treated poultry products