Ion temperature measurements in the Maryland Spheromak

Initial spectroscopic data from MS showed evidence of ion heating as deduced from the line widths of different ion species. Detailed measurements of OIV spectral emission line profiles in space and time revealed that heating takes place at early time, before spheromak formation and is occurring within the current discharge. The measured ion temperature is several times the electron temperature and cannot be explained by classical (Spitzer) resistivity. Classically, ions are expected to have lower temperatures than the electrons and therefore, lower temperatures than observed. High ion temperatures have been observed in different RFP`s and Spheromaks but are usually associated with relaxation to the Taylor state and occur in the sustainment phase. During formation, the current delivered to start the discharge is not axisymmetric and as a consequence, X-points appear in the magnetic flux. A two dimensional analysis predicts that magnetic reconnection occurring at an X-point can give rise to high ion heating rates. A simple 0-dimensional calculation showed that within the first 20 {mu}s, a conversion of mass flow kinetic energy into ion temperature could take place due to viscosity

Study of Negative-Ion TPC Using {\mu}-PIC for Directional Dark Matter Search

Negative-ion time projection chambers(TPCs) have been studied for low-rate and high-resolution applications such as dark matter search experiments. Recently, a full volume fiducialization in a self-triggering TPC was realized. This innovative technology demonstrated a significant reduction in the background with MWPC-TPCs. We studied negative-ion TPC using the {\mu}-PIC+GEM system and obtained sufficient gas gain with CS$_{2}$gas and SF$_{6}$ gas at low pressures. We expect an improvement in detector sensitivity and angular resolution with better electronics

A comparison of the nutritional content of processed foods available on the French market, according to the type of brand, and potential impact on nutrient intakes—An Oqali study

The French Observatory of Food Quality (Oqali) aims to collect all nutrition data provided on processed food labels, at the level of brand products, in order to monitor reformulation and nutrition labeling changes over time. This work aimed to make a cross‐sectional comparison of the nutrition content of processed foods on the French market, according to their type of brand (national brands, retailer brands, entry‐level retailer brands, hard discount, and specialized retailer brands), and to study the potential impact of the differences observed on simulated nutrient intakes. A total of 16,453 branded processed foodstuffs were considered, collected between 2008 and 2011 and divided into 24 food sectors. Labeled nutrition values were compared between types of brands by family of products. Nutrition values were matched with consumption data from the French Individual and National Study on Food Consumption (INCA 2) (Afssa, 2006–2007) to determine whether the nutrition differences underlined were magnified or diminished when crossing them with consumption data. Only isolated differences in nutrient contents between types of brands could be highlighted. In the case of a theoretical and exclusive consumption of processed foodstuffs from one specific type of brand, protein intakes from first‐price products (entry‐level retailer brands and hard discount) appeared to be significantly lower than the ones from national or retailer brand products. The absence of systematic differences in the nutrition contents of processed foods from various types of brands is an encouraging result when considering social inequalities and nutrition. As protein intakes in France are currently above recommended levels (Afssa, 2007), consumption of first‐price foodstuffs does not imply any risk of deficiency for French consumers

Étiquetage des allergènes alimentaires dans les produits transformés français

Journées francophones de nutrition, Marseille 2015International audienceIntroduction et but de l’étude : L’Oqali a pour mission de suivre l’évolution de la qualité nutritionnelle de l’offre alimentaire des produits transformés (informations et composition nutritionnelles disponibles sur les emballages). Cette étude a pour objectif de réaliser un état des lieux des taux de présence dans les listes d’ingrédients et d’étiquetage de précaution des 14 catégories d’allergènes alimentaires à déclaration obligatoire : gluten, crustacés, œuf, poissons, arachide, soja, lait, fruits à coque, céleri, moutarde, sésame, sulfites, lupin et mollusques. [...

Study of Negative-Ion TPC Using μ-PIC for Directional Dark Matter Search

Negative-ion time projection chambers(TPCs) have been studied for low-rate and high-resolution applications such as dark matter search experiments. Recently, a full volume fiducialization in a self-triggering TPC was realized. This innovative technology demonstrated a significant reduction in the background with MWPC-TPCs. We studied negative-ion TPC using the μ-PIC+GEM system and obtained sufficient gas gain with CS2 gas and SF6 gas at low pressures. We expect an improvement in detector sensitivity and angular resolution with better electronics

EAACI position paper on the clinical use of the bronchial allergen challenge : Unmet needs and research priorities

Allergic asthma (AA) is a common asthma phenotype, and its diagnosis requires both the demonstration of IgE-sensitization to aeroallergens and the causative role of this sensitization as a major driver of asthma symptoms. Therefore, a bronchial allergen challenge (BAC) would be occasionally required to identify AA patients among atopic asthmatics. Nevertheless, BAC is usually considered a research tool only, with existing protocols being tailored to mild asthmatics and research needs (eg long washout period for inhaled corticosteroids). Consequently, existing BAC protocols are not designed to be performed in moderate-to-severe asthmatics or in clinical practice. The correct diagnosis of AA might help select patients for immunomodulatory therapies. Allergen sublingual immunotherapy is now registered and recommended for controlled or partially controlled patients with house dust mite-driven AA and with FEV1 ≥ 70%. Allergen avoidance is costly and difficult to implement for the management of AA, so the proper selection of patients is also beneficial. In this position paper, the EAACI Task Force proposes a methodology for clinical BAC that would need to be validated in future studies. The clinical implementation of BAC could ultimately translate into a better phenotyping of asthmatics in real life, and into a more accurate selection of patients for long-term and costly management pathways.Peer reviewe