Measurement of disruption forces in JET using fiber-optic sensors

Monitoring the forces induced on the vacuum vessel when a disruption occurs is essential for the protection of the machine. Since divertor coils have been installed in JET, during disruptions a significant difference between the forces measured on the top and the bottom of the machine has been observed. In order to investigate these further, optical fiber transducers FBGs (Fiber Bragg Gratings) were installed in addition to the currently used strain gauges. During VDE (Vertical Displacement Event) tests, these new transducers were used to measure different level of disruptions ranging from 80T up to 230T vertical forces. The results were then compared with the strain gauges. The FBG measurement was carried out using a broadband light source illuminating an array of 4 FBGs through a combination of directional couplers, connectors and fiber-optic cable. The forces measured both by FBG and by the strain gauges are within the same range, except for the initial swing where large random differences are observed. The tests have demonstrated that the FBG-based force measurement system has adequate resolution (±1.52strain corresponding to a force of 4kN due to the geometry of the leg) and measurement range (50002strain or 13000kN) for this application

Investigating the cultural and contextual determinants of antimicrobial stewardship programmes across low-, middle- and high-income countries—A qualitative study

Background Most of the evidence on antimicrobial stewardship programmes (ASP) to help sustain the effectiveness of antimicrobials is generated in high income countries. We report a study investigating implementation of ASP in secondary care across low-, middle- and high-income countries. The objective of this study was to map the key contextual, including cultural, drivers of the development and implementation of ASP across different resource settings. Materials and methods Healthcare professionals responsible for implementing ASP in hospitals in England, France, Norway, India, and Burkina Faso were invited to participate in face-to face interviews. Field notes from observations, documentary evidence, and interview transcripts were analysed using grounded theory approach. The key emerging categories were analysed iteratively using constant comparison, initial coding, going back the field for further data collection, and focused coding. Theoretical sampling was applied until the categories were saturated. Cross-validation and triangulation of the findings were achieved through the multiple data sources. Results 54 participants from 24 hospitals (England 9 participants/4 hospitals; Norway 13 participants/4 hospitals; France 9 participants/7 hospitals; India 13 participants/ 7 hospitals; Burkina Faso 8 participants/2 hospitals) were interviewed. Across Norway, France and England there was consistency in ASP structures. In India and Burkina Faso there were country level heterogeneity in ASP. State support for ASP was perceived as essential in countries where it is lacking (India, Burkina Faso), and where it was present, it was perceived as a barrier (England, France). Professional boundaries are one of the key cultural determinants dictating involvement in initiatives with doctors recognised as leaders in ASP. Nurse and pharmacist involvement was limited to England. The surgical specialty was identified as most difficult to engage with in each country. Despite challenges, one hospital in India provided the best example of interdisciplinary ASP, championed through organisational leadership. Conclusions ASP initiatives in this study were restricted by professional boundaries and hierarchies, with lack of engagement with the wider healthcare workforce. There needs to be promotion of interdisciplinary team work including pharmacists and nurses, depending on the available healthcare workforce in different countries, in ASP. The surgical pathway remains a hard to reach, but critical target for ASP globally. There is a need to develop contextually driven ASP targeting the surgical pathway in different resource settings

Groupoids and an index theorem for conical pseudo-manifolds

We define an analytical index map and a topological index map for conical pseudomanifolds. These constructions generalize the analogous constructions used by Atiyah and Singer in the proof of their topological index theorem for a smooth, compact manifold $M$. A main ingredient is a non-commutative algebra that plays in our setting the role of $C_0(T^*M)$. We prove a Thom isomorphism between non-commutative algebras which gives a new example of wrong way functoriality in $K$-theory. We then give a new proof of the Atiyah-Singer index theorem using deformation groupoids and show how it generalizes to conical pseudomanifolds. We thus prove a topological index theorem for conical pseudomanifolds

Experiences and perspectives of implementing antimicrobial stewardship in five French hospitals: a qualitative study

Objective To describe current antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) in France, both at policy level and at local implementation level, and to assess how ASP leaders (ASPL) worked and prioritised their activities. Methods We conducted a qualitative study based on face-to-face semi-structured interviews with healthcare professionals responsible for ASP across five French hospitals. Five infectious disease specialists and one microbiologist were interviewed between April and June 2016. Results Stewards had dedicated time to perform ASP activities in two university-affiliated hospitals while in the other hospitals (one university, one general and one semi-private), ASPLs had to balance these activities with clinical practice. Consequently, they had to adapt interventions according to their resources (IT or human). Responding to colleagues' consultation requests formed baseline work. Systematic and pro-active measures allowed for provision of unsolicited counselling, while direct counselling on wards required appropriate staffing. ASPL aimed at increasing clinicians' ability to prescribe adequately and awareness of the unintended consequences of inappropriate use of antibiotics. Thus, persuasive e.g. education measures were preferred to coercive ones. ASPL faced several challenges in implementing ASP: overcoming physicians' or units' reluctance, and balancing the influence of medical hierarchy and professional boundaries. Conclusion Beyond resources constraints, ASPLs' conceptions of their work, as well as contextual and cultural aspects, led them to adopt a persuasive and collaborative approach of counselling. This is the first qualitative study about ASP in France exploring stewards' experiences and points of view

Advanced breast cancer clinical nursing curriculum: review and recommendations

Purpose The needs and concerns of patients with advanced breast cancer are changing at every phase of the care intervention. Management and coordination of hospital resources and services are also steadily evolving. The objective of the present expert report is to define a new oncology nursing role specialising in advanced breast cancer, to help guide patients throughout the whole healthcare itinerary. Methods A group of eight experts in oncology nursing and medical oncology defined the content index of the curriculum document. A systematic review of bibliography was carried out, and the relevant contents were extracted. Based on these contents and the participants’ experience recommendations were formulated and validated through a Delphi questionnaire and a participative meeting. Results The advanced breast cancer clinical nurse (ABCCN) should develop a clinical, psychosocial role focused on coordinating patients in the healthcare network. The nurse would be in charge of evaluating and supervising the care administered and the healthcare resources used. The ABCCN should be aware and participate in the protocols and available resources, be able to solve conflicts, deal with burn-out signs and have clinical, coaching and team-working abilities. The proposed curriculum provides a specific process for the care of patients, as well as an implementation process. Conclusions The ABCCN’s role is crucial to assume the best care and the optimisation of available resources. This review and consensus document provides the required tools for the implementation in hospitalsThe development of this work has been possible thanks to the financial support of Novartis Oncolog

Situation, challenges, and SEOM recommendations for the future of undergraduate education in Oncology in Spain

Purpose The Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM, for its Spanish acronym) would like to attest to the relevance of training in Oncology as part of the undergraduate education in Medicine program and issue recommendations to improve said training, with the aim of responding better to the challenges that cancer poses to our society. Materials and methods The curricula of 42 schools of medicine were reviewed with interviews with at least one teaching medical oncologist from each faculty. The qualitative and opinion analysis was completed by means of an online questionnaire targeting lecturers, resident tutors, and residents in Medical Oncology (MO), enabling the detection of needs and areas for improvement at an organizational level and in terms of skill acquisition. Results While the number of medical schools with a specific, mandatory program in MO has grown by up to 90%, it has not been accompanied by an increase in independent programs. Instead, they largely consist of programs shared with other specialties (61% of the medical faculties). In most of the undergraduate education programs, Oncology contents are fragmented and approached from the perspective of each organ system. Conclusions Despite the positive evolution in recent years, the heterogeneity in Oncology contents during undergraduate education training continues to be remarkable. Cross-sectional programs with an integral vision, taught in the final years of undergraduate medical education would be desirable. Among the recommendations for improvement of training in Medical Oncology, the SEOM proposes that updated, theoretical content be incorporated and clinical practice in Medical Oncology departments be promotedThis study was funded as an unrestricted grant by Jansse