Nd:YAG laser Thomson scattering diagnostics for a laboratory magnetosphere

A new Nd:YAG laser Thomson scattering (TS) system has been developed to explore the mechanism of high-beta plasma formation in the RT-1 device. The TS system is designed to measure electron temperatures (Te) from 10 eV to 50 keV and electron densities (ne) of more than 1.0 × 1017 m−3. To measure at the low-density limit, the receiving optics views the long scattering length (60 mm) using a bright optical system with both a large collection window (260-mm diameter) and large collection lenses (300-mm diameter, a solid angle of ∼68 × 10−3 str). The scattered light of the 1.2-J Nd:YAG laser (repetition frequency: 10 Hz) is detected with a scattering angle of 90° and is transferred via a set of lenses and an optical fiber bundle to a polychromator. After Raman scattering measurement for the optical alignment and an absolute calibration, we successfully measured Te = 72.2 eV and ne = 0.43 × 1016 m−3 for the coil-supported case and Te = 79.2 eV and ne = 1.28 × 1016 m−3 for the coil-levitated case near the inner edge in the magnetospheric plasmas

Multi-functional Diagnostic Method with Tracer-encapsulated Pellet Injection

In order to obtain a better understanding of impurity transport in magnetically confined plasmas, a Tracer-Encapsulated Soild PELlet (TESPEL) has been developed. The essential points of the TESPEL are as follows: the TESPEL has a double-layered structure, and a tracer impurity, the amount of which can be known precisely, is embedded as an inner core. This structure enables us to deposit the tracer impurity locally inside the plasma. From experiences of developing the TESPEL production technique and its injection experiments, it became clear that various plasma properties can be studied by the TESPEL injection. There are not only impurity transport in the plasma but also transport both outside and inside of the magnetic island O-point, heat transport and high-energy neutral particle flux. Therefore, the TESPEL injection has a favorable multi-functional diagnostic capability. Furthermore a Tracer-Encapsulated Cryogenic PELlet (TECPEL) has been also developed. The TECPEL has an advantage over the TESPEL in terms of no existence of carbons in the outer layer. The TECPEL injector was installed at LHD in December 2005, and the preliminary injection experiments have been carried out

Calibrations of the LHD Thomson scattering system

The Thomson scattering diagnostic systems are widely used for the measurements of absolute local electron temperatures and densities of fusion plasmas. In order to obtain accurate and reliable temperature and density data, careful calibrations of the system are required. We have tried several calibration methods since the second LHD experiment campaign in 1998. We summarize the current status of the calibration methods for the electron temperature and density measurements by the LHD Thomson scattering diagnostic system. Future plans are briefly discussed

Kinase inhibitors for the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune disorders

Drugs targeting inhibition of kinases for the treatment of inflammation and autoimmune disorders have become a major focus in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry. Multiple kinases from different pathways have been the targets of interest in this endeavor. This review describes some of the recent developments in the search for inhibitors of IKK2, Syk, Lck, and JAK3 kinases. It is anticipated that some of these compounds or newer inhibitors of these kinases will be approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, organ transplantation, and other autoimmune diseases

Overexpression of Chitinase 3-Like 1/YKL-40 in Lung-Specific IL-18-Transgenic Mice, Smokers and COPD

We analyzed the lung mRNA expression profiles of a murine model of COPD developed using a lung-specific IL-18-transgenic mouse. In this transgenic mouse, the expression of 608 genes was found to vary more than 2-fold in comparison with control WT mice, and was clustered into 4 groups. The expression of 140 genes was constitutively increased at all ages, 215 genes increased gradually with aging, 171 genes decreased gradually with aging, and 82 genes decreased temporarily at 9 weeks of age. Interestingly, the levels of mRNA for the chitinase-related genes chitinase 3-like 1 (Chi3l1), Chi3l3, and acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase) were significantly higher in the lungs of transgenic mice than in control mice. The level of Chi3l1 protein increased significantly with aging in the lungs and sera of IL-18 transgenic, but not WT mice. Previous studies have suggested Chi3l3 and AMCase are IL-13-driven chitinase-like proteins. However, IL-13 gene deletion did not reduce the level of Chi3l1 protein in the lungs of IL-18 transgenic mice. Based on our murine model gene expression data, we analyzed the protein level of YKL-40, the human homolog of Chi3l1, in sera of smokers and COPD patients. Sixteen COPD patients had undergone high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) examination. Emphysema was assessed by using a density mask with a cutoff of −950 Hounsfield units to calculate the low-attenuation area percentage (LAA%). We observed significantly higher serum levels in samples from 28 smokers and 45 COPD patients compared to 30 non-smokers. In COPD patients, there was a significant negative correlation between serum level of YKL-40 and %FEV1. Moreover, there was a significant positive correlation between the serum levels of YKL-40 and LAA% in COPD patients. Thus our results suggest that chitinase-related genes may play an important role in establishing pulmonary inflammation and emphysematous changes in smokers and COPD patients