Overview of ASDEX Upgrade results

Recent results from the ASDEX Upgrade experimental campaigns 2001 and 2002 are presented. An improved understanding of energy and particle transport emerges in terms of a 'critical gradient' model for the temperature gradients. Coupling this to particle diffusion explains most of the observed behaviour of the density profiles, in particular, the finding that strong central heating reduces the tendency for density profile peaking. Internal transport barriers (ITBs) with electron and ion temperatures in excess of 20 keV (but not simultaneously) have been achieved. By shaping the plasma, a regime with small type II edge localized modes (ELMs) has been established. Here, the maximum power deposited on the target plates was greatly reduced at constant average power. Also, an increase of the ELM frequency by injection of shallow pellets was demonstrated. ELM free operation is possible in the quiescent H-mode regime previously found in DIII-D which has also been established on ASDEX Upgrade. Regarding stability, a regime with benign neoclassical tearing modes (NTMs) was found. During electron cyclotron current drive (ECCD) stabilization of NTMs, βN could be increased well above the usual onset level without a reappearance of the NTM. Electron cyclotron resonance heating and ECCD have also been used to control the sawtooth repetition frequency at a moderate fraction of the total heating power. The inner wall of the ASDEX Upgrade vessel has increasingly been covered with tungsten without causing detrimental effects on the plasma performance. Regarding scenario integration, a scenario with a large fraction of noninductively driven current (≥50%), but without ITB has been established. It combines improved confinement (τE/τITER98 ≈ 1.2) and stability (βN ≤ 3.5) at high Greenwald fraction (ne/nGW ≈ 0.85) in steady state and with type II ELMy edge and would offer the possibility for long pulses with high fusion power at reduced current in ITER

Annexin A7 is a critical regulator of Ca2+ mobilization and lipid metabolism during platelet activation and arterial thrombosis

Abstract Background Platelet activation after contact to subendothelial collagen following atherosclerotic plaque rupture can lead to arterial thrombosis with acute thrombotic vascular occlusion. Annexin A7 (AnxA7) is an intracellular Ca2+- and phospholipid-binding protein that participates in the regulation of prostaglandin production in inflammatory diseases, but also in cell survival and tumor growth. Objective In the present study, we aimed to determine the role of AnxA7 for platelet Ca2+ signaling and lipid metabolism in platelet activation and arterial thrombosis in gene-targeted mice lacking annexin A7 (Anxa7−/−). Results AnxA7 is strongly expressed in platelets of platelet-rich human coronary thrombi aspirated from patients with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction. Functionally, platelet aggregation and dense granule secretion were significantly abrogated in Anxa7−/− platelets as compared to wildtype platelets (Anxa7+/+) after activation with collagen or collagen-related peptide (CRP), a specific agonist of the major platelet collagen receptor glycoprotein VI (GPVI). Further, in vitro thrombus formation on a collagen-coated surface under high arterial shear rates was significantly diminished in Anxa7-deficient platelets, and thrombotic vascular occlusion after FeCl3-induced injury in vivo was blunted in Anxa7−/−bone marrow chimeric mice, but no prolongation of bleeding time was observed. Moreover, Anxa7−/− platelets showed a significant reduction of IP3 production due to an abolished phospholipase C (PLC) gamma2 phosphorylation resulting in an abolished increase of [Ca2+]i after platelet activation with CRP. Moreover, we could show by quantitative lipidomics analysis that annexin A7 critically affects platelet oxylipid metabolism following activation of GPVI-dependent platelet signalling since Anxa7−/− platelets showed a significant reduction of the bioactive metabolites thromboxane A2 and 12(S)-hydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acid (12(S)-HETE) levels as well as significantly reduced levels of several other prostaglandins following stimulation with collagen or CRP. Finally, defective PLCgamma2 phosphorylation, IP1 production and blunted increase of [Ca2+]i in Anxa7−/− platelets could be rescued by exogenous addition of 12(S)-HETE indicating that AnxA7 is a critical regulator of the platelet oxygenase 12-lipoxygenase (12-LOX) in GPVI-dependent platelet Ca2+ signalling during arterial thrombosis following activation by collagen. Conclusions The present study reveals annexin A7 as a critical regulator of oxylipid metabolism and Ca2+ signaling in GPVI-dependent platelet activation. Anxa7-deficiency further results in decreased in vitro and in vivo thrombus formation, but does not affect bleeding time. In conclusion, annexin A7 plays an important role in platelet signaling during arterial thrombosis and thus, may reflect a promising target for novel antiplatelet strategies. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, DFG) </jats:sec

Technische, analytische, organisatorische und rechtliche Massnahmen zur Verminderung der Klaerschlammbelastung mit relevanten organischen Schadstoffen: Positionen 1 und 2: Einleitung; Stoffberichte Abschlussberichte

Gegenstand der Arbeit war die Beurteilung der Relevanz von dreizehn organischen Stoffklassen fuer die landwirtschaftliche Verwertung von Klaerschlaemmen. Dazu wurden fuer alle Stoffe Daten ueber Produktionsmengen, Anwendungsmuster und Emissionen zusammengefasst. Phthalsaeureester und zinnorganische Verbindungen wurden zusaetzlich auf weitere umweltrelevante Eigenschaften untersucht. Fuer die Stoffgruppen der Phthalate, Zinnorganika, Tenside, PAK, Mineraloelkohlenwasserstoffe und Chlorparaffine wurden Massnahmen zur Minderung der Klaerschlammgehalte vorgeschlagen und hinsichtlich ihrer Wirksamkeit bewertet. Weiterhin wurden Klaerschlammzuschlagsstoffe auf ihre Bedeutung als Schadstoffquelle in Klaerschlaemmen untersucht. Aus der Vielzahl der in privaten Haushalten verwendeten Chemikalien konnte den Tensiden eine Bedeutung fuer den Klaerschlamm zugeordnet werden. Parallel zu den Literaturarbeiten wurden 53 Klaerschlammproben aus Anlagen aus dem ganzen Bundesgebiet entnommen, auf Phthalate, Zinnorganika, Tenside und PAK untersucht und unter verschiedenen Gesichtspunkten ausgewertet. Nach den vorliegenden Ergebnissen besitzt die Groesse der Klaeranlagen nur einen untergeordneten Einfluss auf die Klaerschlammgehalte, waehrend die Auslastung der Anlagen und die Schlammbehandlung die Konzentrationen in den Klaerschlaemmen beeinflussen. (orig.)Subject of the report has been the judgement of the relevance of thirteen groups of organic compounds to the utilization of sewage in agriculture. In this connection for all compounds data upon production, preferred use and related emissions have been collected. Additionally phthalate plasticizers and tin organic compounds have been examined for other characteristics, having an impact on the environment. For the following groups of organic compounds, measures to reduce their concentration in sewage sludge have been proposed and judged for their effectiveness: phthalate plasticizers, tin organic compounds, tensides, PAH, mineral oil hydrocarbons and chlorinated paraffines. Furthermore additives to sewage sludge have been examined for their importance as sources of pollutants in the same. From the wide variety of chemicals used in households, tensides have been assigned to be an important factor for the sewage sludge. In parallel to papers from literature, 53 samples of sewage sludge have been taken from different plants all over the Federal Republic of Germany and analyzed for phthalate plasticizers, tin organic compounds, tensides and PAH and examined under various aspects. According to the results available, the size of the sewage sludge plant has a minor influence on the pollutants in the sewage sludge, whereas the degree of capacity utilization of the plant as well as the treatment of the sludge are influencing the concentration of the pollutants in the sewage sludge. (orig.)Also published as UBA-Texte 35/98SIGLEAvailable from TIB Hannover: RN 8908(98-037,1) / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekUmweltbundesamt, Berlin (Germany); Bundesministerium fuer Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit, Bonn (Germany)DEGerman