Applying design principles to fusion reactor configurations for propulsion in space

The application of fusion power to space propulsion requires rethinking the engineering-design solution to controlled-fusion energy. Whereas the unit cost of electricity (COE) drives the engineering-design solution for utility-based fusion reactor configurations; initial mass to low earth orbit (IMLEO), specific jet power (kW(thrust)/kg(engine)), and reusability drive the engineering-design solution for successful application of fusion power to space propulsion. We applied three design principles (DP's) to adapt and optimize three candidate-terrestrial-fusion-reactor configurations for propulsion in space. The three design principles are: provide maximum direct access to space for waste radiation, operate components as passive radiators to minimize cooling-system mass, and optimize the plasma fuel, fuel mix, and temperature for best specific jet power. The three candidate terrestrial fusion reactor configurations are: the thermal barrier tandem mirror (TBTM), field reversed mirror (FRM), and levitated dipole field (LDF). The resulting three candidate space fusion propulsion systems have their IMLEO minimized and their specific jet power and reusability maximized. We performed a preliminary rating of these configurations and concluded that the leading engineering-design solution to space fusion propulsion is a modified TBTM that we call the Mirror Fusion Propulsion System (MFPS)

Compliance with pathology testing guidelines in Australian general practice: Protocol for a secondary analysis of electronic health record data

© 2018 Author(s). Introduction In Australia, general practitioners usually are the first point of contact for patients with non-urgent medical conditions. Appropriate and efficient utilisation of pathology tests by general practitioners forms a key part of diagnosis and monitoring. However overutilisationand underutilisation of pathology tests have been reported across several tests and conditions, despite evidence-based guidelines outlining best practice in pathology testing. There are a limited number of studies evaluating the impact of these guidelines on pathology testing in general practice. The aim of our quantitative observational study is to define how pathology tests are used in general practice and investigate how test ordering practices align with evidence-based pathology guidelines. Methods and analysis Access to non-identifiable patient data will be obtained through electronic health records from general practices across three primary health networks in Victoria, Australia. Numbers and characteristics of patients, general practices, encounters, pathology tests and problems managed over time will be described. Overall rates of encounters and tests, alongside more detailed investigation between subcategories (encounter year, patient's age, gender, and location and general practice size), will also be undertaken. To evaluate how general practitioner test ordering coincides with evidence-based guidelines, five key candidate indicators will be investigated: Full blood counts for patients on clozapine medication; international normalised ratio measurements for patients on warfarin medication; glycated haemoglobin testing for monitoring patients with diabetes; vitamin D testing; and thyroid function testing. Ethics and dissemination Ethics clearance to collect data from general practice facilities has been obtained by the data provider from the RACGP National Research and Evaluation Ethics Committee (NREEC 17-008). Approval for the research group to use these data has been obtained from Macquarie University (5201700872). This study is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health Quality Use of Pathology Program (Agreement ID: 4-2QFVW4M). Findings will be reported to the Department of Health and disseminated in peer-reviewed academic journals and presentations (national and international conferences, industry forums)

Appendix A. Details of study sites, weather, sample preparation and the relationships between indexed ring widths and rainfall, and the number of rings and stem diameter.

Details of study sites, weather, sample preparation and the relationships between indexed ring widths and rainfall, and the number of rings and stem diameter

Paleolimnological Assessment of Six Lakes on the Kissimmee Chain, with Implications for Restoration of the Kissimmee–Okeechobee–Everglades system, Florida, USA

Whitmore TJ, Riedinger-Whitmore MA, Reed, ZE, Curtis, JH, Yang H, Evans DE, Cropper NR, Alvarado KS, Lauterman FM, Scott A, Leonard DE, Franklin DL. 2020. Paleolimnological assessment of six lakes on the Kissimmee Chain, with implications for restoration of the Kissimmee–Okeechobee–Everglades systerm, Florida, USA. Lake Resrv Manage. XX:XX–XX. The Kissimmee Basin in south central Florida contains a large, freshwater network that includes the Kissimmee River and nearly 2 dozen lakes that are headwaters of the Florida Everglades. Management of these lakes is an important part of Everglades restoration. We report a paleolimnological investigation of 6 lakes in the Upper Kissimmee Basin. Engineering activities connected the lakes and permanently altered hydrology in the 19th and 20th centuries. The lakes were naturally meso-eutrophic, but changes in lake levels and nutrient loading contributed to different degrees of eutrophication. Cyanobacteria were present historically at low levels in Lakes East Tohopekaliga, Cypress, and Tohopekaliga, but increased during the 20th century. Lake Jackson lacked cyanobacteria until recently, but Lakes Kissimmee and Marian have had high levels of cyanobacteria since predisturbance times. Profound changes in the lakes occurred after engineering activities eliminated natural large fluctuations in water levels that periodically dried large portions of the basins. Salt-tolerant biological indicators previously alternated with freshwater organisms. Large water-level fluctuations moderated aquatic-plant standing crops and reduced organic matter accumulation. Lakes Kissimmee and Marian showed greatest evidence of former associated wetlands, but lacked large variations in water levels. We recommend disconnecting these lakes from each other and from the Kissimmee River to reestablish large, natural fluctuations in water levels that were part of healthy ecosystem function. Former wetlands should be restored to slow the downstream cascade of nutrients to Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades. This study demonstrates that paleolimnology is useful for assessing hydrological changes that potentially affect lake restoration efforts

1999 Proceedings. Ohio Grape-Wine Short Course

Pinot noir clonal research in New York / R. M. Pool, T. Henick-Kling, G. E. Howard, B. K. Gavitt and T. J. Johnson -- Preliminary results from an Oregon pinot noir clonal trial / S. F. Price and B. T. Watson -- Effects of macerating pectinase enzymes on color, phenolic profile, and sensory character of pinot noir wines / B. Watson, N. Goldberg, H-P. Chen, M. McDaniel -- The visible antioxidants in grape juice and wine / T. M. Bray -- Food Quality Protection Act; first year update / B. Deveny -- Grape rootstock performance / G. S. Howell -- Setting up a lab; winemaker's perspective / N. Ferrante -- Anthracnose of grape in Ohio / M. A. Ellis -- Vineyard sprayers and calibration / R. C. Derksen -- Bioluminescence testing for microbiological safety in wine / V. Saunders -- Optimum training systems for French-American hybrids / G. S. Howell -- Managing winery record keeping through computers / L. Klingshirn -- Weed control; vineyard herbicide sprayer / D. Rechsteiner -- Mechanical harvesting of premium wine grapes for estate quality wines / T. Debevc -- Concepts for TechENOLOGY transfer / C. E. Butzke -- Production and sensory evaluation of California pot still brandy / C. E. Butzke -- Caneros Alambic Distillery overview: port and sherry production / J. Danalchak -- Port and sherry production at Meier's Wine Cellars / R. Distler -- Porto: facts, stats and figures / R. Riesen -- Comparison of Seyval blanc in four training systems / D. Ferree, G. Johns, D. Scurlock, R. Riesen, T. Steiner and J. Gallander -- Effects of skin contact temperature on the composition and quality of Vignoles wine / J. Gallander -- Follow-up on ice wines / G. Pollman -- Soil and Plant tissue testing for grapevines / M. V. Brown -- Managing employees / F. Massaro -- Open house: Cabernet franc reception / R. Riesen -- Setting up a laboratory for quality wine analysis / N. Ferrante, T. Steine