Post mortem analysis of a tungsten coated tile from the outer divertor strike point region of ASDEX upgrade

AbstractIn the present study, the structure and the composition of co-deposited layers developed at the outer divertor strike point tile 1 in ASDEX Upgrade during three campaigns from 2009 to 2013 were examined. The samples were cut from representative locations which differed in received flux: private flux, strike point, the highest plasma fluence and “moderate" flux regions. High resolution scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (HRSTEM) combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and optical profilometry have been used to identify deposits composition and morphology as well as to assess coating degradation. The aim of the post-mortem analyses was the evaluation of materials mixing and evidence of plasma-induced damage.Our results confirm that the outer divertor of AUG is generally a net erosion region for tungsten, however, the strong deposition of eroded tungsten takes place close to the outer strike point (private flux region). The observations on cross-sections of the tungsten coatings revealed micro-cracks around the strike point region. These cracks are caused by thermal stresses due to periodic heating and cooling of the layer during ELMs

Qualitätsprodukt Erziehungsberatung. Empfehlungen zu Leistungen, Qualitätsmerkmalen und Kennziffern

Neben einer Beschreibung der Leistung Erziehungs- und Familienberatung - Beratung und Therapie, präventive Angebote und Vernetzungsaktivitäten - werden ihre Qualitätsmerkmale - gegliedert nach Struktur-, Prozess- und Ergebnisqualität - ausführlich dargestellt und Kennziffern zu ihrer quantitativen Erfassung vorgeschlagen. Der Anhang enthält u.a. eine Kurzfassung der vorliegenden Empfehlungen zu Leistungen, Qualitätsmerkmalen und Kennziffern. (DIPF/Autor

Fabrication of corrugated Ge-doped silica fibers

We present a method of fabricating Ge-doped SiO2 fibers with corrugations around their full circumference for a desired length in the longitudinal direction. The procedure comprises three steps: hydrogenation of Ge-doped SiO2 fibers to increase photosensitivity, recording of Bragg gratings with ultraviolet light to achieve modulation of refractive index, and chemical etching. Finite-length, radially corrugated fibers may be used as couplers. Corrugated tapered fibers are used as high energy throughput probes in scanning near-field optical microscopy

Effect of Cu on Amorphization of a TiNi Alloy during HPT and Shape Memory Effect after Post‐Deformation Annealing.

A ternary TiNiCu memory alloy was subjected to high‐pressure torsion (HPT) followed by post‐deformation annealing (PDA) to study the effect of Cu (5 at%) on amorphization after HPT processing and also the microstructural evolution and shape memory effect (SME) after PDA. The results show that even after 20 revolutions the ternary alloy contains nanocrystalline areas and the microstructure is not fully amorphous. An easier martensite to austenite transformation and minor remaining austenite in the ternary alloy are responsible for suppressing amorphization. PDA at 673 K provides nanocrystalline microstructures containing an R‐phase with a minor martensitic B19' phase in the ternary alloy. The SME of this alloy after PDA is not as satisfactory as for the binary alloy processed through similar conditions because of the existence of a high volume fraction of the R‐phase. Nevertheless, the total recovered strain of the ternary alloy after PDA for 30 min has a maximum value of 6.5%

Relationship between anti-DFS70 autoantibodies and oxidative stress

Background: The anti-DFS70 autoantibodies are one of the most commonly and widely described agent of unknown clinical significance, frequently detected in healthy individuals. It is not known whether the DFS70 autoantibodies are protective or pathogenic. One of the factors suspected of inducing the formation of anti-DFS70 antibodies is increased oxidative stress. We evaluated the coexistence of anti-DFS70 antibodies with selected markers of oxidative stress and investigated whether these antibodies could be considered as indirect markers of oxidative stress. Methods: The intensity of oxidative stress was measured in all samples via indices of free-radical damage to lipids and proteins such as total oxidant status (TOS), concentrations of lipid hydroperoxides (LPH), lipofuscin (LPS), and malondialdehyde (MDA). The parameters of the non-enzymatic antioxidant system, such as total antioxidant status (TAS) and uric acid concentration (UA), were also measured, as well as the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD). Based on TOS and TAS values, the oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated. All samples were also tested with indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and 357 samples were selected for direct monospecific anti DFS70 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) testing. Results: The anti-DFS70 antibodies were confirmed by ELISA test in 21.29% of samples. Compared with anti-DFS70 negative samples we observed 23% lower concentration of LPH (P =.038) and 11% lower concentration of UA (P =.005). TOS was 20% lower (P =.014). The activity of SOD was up to 5% higher (P =.037). The Pearson correlation showed weak negative correlation for LPH, UA, and TOS and a weak positive correlation for SOD activity. Conclusion: In samples positive for the anti-DFS70 antibody a decreased level of oxidative stress was observed, especially in the case of samples with a high antibody titer. Anti-DFS70 antibodies can be considered as an indirect marker of reduced oxidative stress or a marker indicating the recent intensification of antioxidant processes. © The Author(s) 2022. **Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 30 including Federation University Australia affiliate “Fadi Charchar” is provided in this record*

Analysis of the impact of sex and age on the variation in the prevalence of antinuclear autoantibodies in Polish population: a nationwide observational, cross-sectional study

The detection of antinuclear autoantibody (ANA) is dependent on many factors and varies between the populations. The aim of the study was first to assess the prevalence of ANA in the Polish adult population depending on age, sex and the cutoff threshold used for the results obtained. Second, we estimated the occurrence of individual types of ANA-staining patterns. We tested 1731 patient samples using commercially available IIFA using two cutoff thresholds of 1:100 and 1:160. We found ANA in 260 participants (15.0%), but the percentage of positive results strongly depended on the cutoff level. For a cutoff threshold 1:100, the positive population was 19.5% and for the 1:160 cutoff threshold, it was 11.7%. The most prevalent ANA-staining pattern was AC-2 Dense Fine speckled (50%), followed by AC-21 Reticular/AMA (14.38%) ANA more common in women (72%); 64% of ANA-positive patients were over 50 years of age. ANA prevalence in the Polish population is at a level observed in other highly developed countries and is more prevalent in women and elderly individuals. To reduce the number of positive results released, we suggest that Polish laboratories should set 1:160 as the cutoff threshold

Zwiększona bioaktywnosc powłok fosforanowo-wapniowych otrzymanych metodą bezpośredniego elektroosadzania na powierzchni Ti z roztworu Hanka

The main requirements for titanium biomaterials are: (a) biocompatibility, (b) resistance to biological corrosion and (c) antisepticity. These requirements may be met by a new generation of titanium biomaterials with a specific surface layer of strictly defined microstructure, chemical and phase composition. Recently, various surface modifications have been applied to form a bioactive layer on Ti surface, which is known to accelerate osseointegration. The purpose of this study was to investigate bioactivity of porous calcium phosphate coatings prepared by a direct electrodeposition on Ti surface from a modified Hanks’ solution. The thick 200 nm coatings, were prepared via cathodic polarization at constant voltage -1.5 V vs. OCP in a Hanks’ solution. In order to evaluate the potential use of the coatings for biomedical applications, the adsorption of bovine serum albumin (BSA), the most abundant protein in blood, and living cells attachment (osteoblasts, U2OS) were studied. The observed differences in living cells attachment suggest a more promising initial cellular response of Ca-P coatings with a pre-adsorbed albumin. The topography and a cross-section view of the Ca-P coatings were characterized using SEM and STEM techniques. The surface analytical techniques (AES, XPS, and FTIR) were used to characterize their chemical composition before and after protein BSA adsorption.Wymagania stawiane biomateriałom tytanowym to przede wszystkim: (a) biozgodność, (b) odporność na korozję oraz (c) antyseptyczność. Wymagania te mogą zostać spełnione poprzez wytworzenie nowej generacji biomateriałów tytanowych o określonej powierzchni właściwej, z ściśle określoną mikrostrukturą, składem fazowym i chemicznym. Współczesnie znane są różne metody modyfikacji powierzchni Ti prowadzące do formowania bioaktywnych warstw, które przyspieszają proces osteointegracji. Celem naszych badań było zbadanie bioaktywności porowatych powłok fosforanowo-wapniowych (Ca-P) przygotowanych poprzez bezpośrednie elektroosadzanie na powierzchni Ti z roztworu Hanka. Grubość wytworzonych powłok wynosiła około 200 nm, przy parametrach procesu elektroosadzania: napięcie - 1.5 V vs. OCP, czas 8000 s, roztwór Hanka. W celu dokonania oceny możliwości zastosowania badanych powłok dla potrzeb biomedycznych zastosowano adsorpcje albuminy surowicy bydlecej (BSA), która jest najczęstszą występującą proteina we krwi oraz testy komórkowe przyłączania się osteoblastów (linia komórkowa U2OS). Obserwowane zmiany podczas testów z żywymi komórkami sugerują bardziej obiecujacą początkową odpowiedz dla powłok fosforanowo-wapniowych z wstępnie zaadsorbowana albumina. Do obserwacji topografii powierzchni otrzymanych powłok oraz struktury na przekroju zastosowano mikroskopie wysokorozdzielczą SEM oraz TEM. Zastosowano również techniki powierzchniowo czułe: AES, XPS, FTIR w celu okreslenia składu chemicznego warstw przed oraz po adsorpcji protein na ich powierzchni

Antibacterial Composite Layers on Ti: Role of ZnO Nanoparticles

Problem of Post-operative infections of implant materials caused by bacterial adhesion to their surfaces is very serious. Enhancement of antibacterial properties is potentially beneficial for biomaterials value. Therefore, the metallic and metallic oxide nanoparticles attract particular attention as antimicrobial factors. The aim of this work was to create nanotubular (NT) oxide layers on Ti with the addition of ZnO nanoparticles, designed for antibacterial biomedical coatings. Antimicrobial activities of titanium, TiO2 NT and ZnO/TiO2 NT surfaces were evaluated against bacterial strain typical for orthopaedic infections: S. epidermidis. TiO2 NT alone killed the free bacterial cells significantly but promoted their adhesion to the surfaces. The presence of moderate amount of ZnO nanoparticles significantly reduced the S. epidermidis cells adhesion and viability of bacterial cells in contact with modified surfaces. However, higher amount of loaded nanoZnO showed the reduced antimicrobial properties than the medium amount, suggesting the overdose effect