The dependence of the proton-triton thermo-nuclear fusion reaction rate on the temperature and total energy content of the high-energy proton distribution function

The endothermic nuclear reaction between thermal tritons and high-energy protons can represent an important contribution to the total neutron yield in tokamak plasmas heated by radio-frequency waves, as the first JET experiments have demonstrated (see Mantsinen et al 2001 Nucl. Fusion 41 1815). A further study based on more recent JET experiments was reported in Santala et al 2006 (Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion 48 1233). In this letter we supplement and complete the previous analysis by reporting the first systematic measurement of the scaling of the proton-triton (pT) thermo-nuclear fusion reaction rate as a function of the total energy content and perpendicular tail temperature of the fast protons heated by radio-frequency waves. It is found that the pT-neutron rate increases almost linearly with the fast proton temperature and the total energy content

Laparoscopy in diagnosis and extension of peritoneal carcinomatosis

INTRODUÇÃO: O método laparoscópico é efetivo no diagnóstico e verificação do estádio das neoplasias malignas intra-abdominais e permite a exploração do comprometimento da serosa gástrica, folhetos peritoneais parietal e visceral, fígado, epíplons, cavidade pélvica e outros órgãos da cavidade abdominal, e coleta de líquido ascítico. OBJETIVO: Relatar a técnica do método videolaparoscópico e como realizá-lo com vistas à carcinomatose peritoneal. MÉTODO: Após a introdução sob visão direta do trocarte na região da cicatriz umbilical, esvazia-se a ascite ao máximo. Coleta-se fluido peritoneal para realização de exame citológico, evitando-se contaminação com sangue para não diminuir a sensibilidade do método. Se não houver ascite, pode-se realizar o lavado peritoneal. As liberações de bridas e aderências podem ser realizadas previamente à exploração da cavidade e também várias biópsias do peritônio parietal, diafragma, omento e cavidade pélvica para confirmação. Para se determinar se o paciente é candidato à peritoniectomia e/ou quimioterapia hipertérmica intra-abdominal, realiza-se o índice de carcinomatose peritoneal, tendo-se por base a distribuição e o tamanho dos nódulos. Para que isto ocorra é essencial a utilização de mesa operatória com capacidade de se mover para as posições de Trendelenburg, proclive e laterais. CONCLUSÃO: O método laparoscópico apresenta-se bom para se avaliar ascite, metástases hepática e peritoneal, podendo atingir eficiência, sensibilidade e especificidade de até 100% para os referidos atributos. Ele deve ser realizado quando existir suspeita clínica de difusão intraperitoneal da neoplasia não confirmada pelos métodos diagnósticos por imagem.INTRODUCTION: The laparoscopic procedure is effective in the diagnosis and verification of level of intra-abdominal malignancies and allows exploration of commitment of the serosa, parietal and visceral peritoneum, liver, epiíplon, pelvic cavity and other organs of the abdominal cavity, and permit to deal with ascites. AIM: To describe laparoscopic technique and method to accomplish the peritoneal carcinomatosis status and indications for peritoniectomies. METHODS: After the introduction of the trocar under direct vision in the region of the umbilicus it is possible to empty ascites to the fullest, and collect material for cytological examination, avoiding contamination with blood. If there is no ascites, peritoneal lavage can be performed. Releases adhesions and adhesions can be also done prior to the operation of the cavity and also several biopsies of parietal peritoneum, diaphragm, omentum and pelvic cavity for confirmation. To determine whether the patient is a candidate for peritoniectomy and / or intra-abdominal hyperthermic chemotherapy, it can permit the realization of index of peritoneal carcinomatosis. For this to occur is essential to use the operating table with the ability to move the positions of Trendelemburg, proclivity and sides. CONCLUSION: The laparoscopic method is good to evaluate ascites, hepatic and peritoneal metastases, and may achieve efficiency, sensitivity and specificity of 100% for these attributes. It should be performed when there is clinical suspicion of intraperitoneal dissemination, but no diagnostic imaging confirmation

P-Fuzzy Diffusion Equation Using Rules Base

We propose a fuzzy system that simulates dispersion of individuals whose movements are described by diffusion. We will use only the position of the population as an input variable for describing the process. We emphasize that the classical diffusion equation along with its analytical solution in no time was used for obtaining our solution

Are histological alterations observed in the gallbladder precancerous lesions?

INTRODUCTION: Gallbladder cancer, which is characterized by rapid progression and a poor prognosis, is a complex disease to treat. Unfortunately, little is known currently about its etiology or pathogenesis. A better understanding of its carcinogenesis and determining risk factors that lead to its development could help improve the available treatment options. METHOD: Based on this better understanding, the histological alterations (such as acute cholecystitis, adenomyomatosis, xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis, polyps, pyloric metaplasia, intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia, cancer and others) in gallbladders from 1,689 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for cholecystolithiasis were analyzed. The association of these gallbladder histological alterations with clinical data was studied. RESULTS: Gender analysis revealed a greater incidence of inflammatory changes in males, while dysplasia and cancer were only found in women. The incidence of cholesterolosis was greater in the patients 60 years of age and under, and the incidence of adenomyomatosis and gangrene was greater in the elderly patients. A progressive increase in the average age was observed as alterations progressed through pyloric metaplasia, intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia and then cancer, suggesting that the metaplasia-dysplasia-carcinoma sequence may occur in gallbladder cancer. Gallbladder histological alterations were also observed in asymptomatic patients. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that there could be an association between some histological alterations of gallbladder and cancer, and they also suggest that the metaplasia-dysplasia-carcinoma sequence could in fact be true in the case of gallbladder cancer. Nevertheless, further studies directed towards a perfect understanding of gallbladder carcinogenesis are required

Minority and mode conversion heating in (3He)-H JET plasma

Radio frequency (RF) heating experiments have recently been conducted in JET (He-3)-H plasmas. This type of plasmas will be used in ITER's non-activated operation phase. Whereas a companion paper in this same PPCF issue will discuss the RF heating scenario's at half the nominal magnetic field, this paper documents the heating performance in (He-3)-H plasmas at full field, with fundamental cyclotron heating of He-3 as the only possible ion heating scheme in view of the foreseen ITER antenna frequency bandwidth. Dominant electron heating with global heating efficiencies between 30% and 70% depending on the He-3 concentration were observed and mode conversion (MC) heating proved to be as efficient as He-3 minority heating. The unwanted presence of both He-4 and D in the discharges gave rise to 2 MC layers rather than a single one. This together with the fact that the location of the high-field side fast wave (FW) cutoff is a sensitive function of the parallel wave number and that one of the locations of the wave confluences critically depends on the He-3 concentration made the interpretation of the results, although more complex, very interesting: three regimes could be distinguished as a function of X[He-3]: (i) a regime at low concentration (X[He-3] < 1.8%) at which ion cyclotron resonance frequency (ICRF) heating is efficient, (ii) a regime at intermediate concentrations (1.8 < X[He-3] < 5%) in which the RF performance is degrading and ultimately becoming very poor, and finally (iii) a good heating regime at He-3 concentrations beyond 6%. In this latter regime, the heating efficiency did not critically depend on the actual concentration while at lower concentrations (X[He-3] < 4%) a bigger excursion in heating efficiency is observed and the estimates differ somewhat from shot to shot, also depending on whether local or global signals are chosen for the analysis. The different dynamics at the various concentrations can be traced back to the presence of 2 MC layers and their associated FW cutoffs residing inside the plasma at low He-3 concentration. One of these layers is approaching and crossing the low-field side plasma edge when 1.8 < X[He-3] < 5%. Adopting a minimization procedure to correlate the MC positions with the plasma composition reveals that the different behaviors observed are due to contamination of the plasma. Wave modeling not only supports this interpretation but also shows that moderate concentrations of D-like species significantly alter the overall wave behavior in He-3-H plasmas. Whereas numerical modeling yields quantitative information on the heating efficiency, analytical work gives a good description of the dominant underlying wave interaction physics

About Projections of Solutions for Fuzzy Differential Equations

In this paper we propose the concept of fuzzy projections on subspaces of , obtained from Zadeh's extension of canonical projections in , and we study some of the main properties of such projections. Furthermore, we will review some properties of fuzzy projection solution of fuzzy differential equations. As we will see, the concept of fuzzy projection can be interesting for the graphical representation of fuzzy solutions