812 research outputs found
Parametric dependence of ion temperature and relative density in the NASA Lewis SUMMA facility
Further hot-ion plasma experiments were conducted in the SUMMA superconducting magnetic mirror facility. A steady-state ExB plasma was formed by applying a strong radially inward dc electric field between cylindrical anodes and hollow cathodes located near the magnetic mirror maxima. Extending the use of water cooling to the hollow cathodes, in addition to the anodes, resulted in higher maximum power input to the plasma. Steady-state hydrogen plasmas with ion kinetic temperatures as high as 830 eV were produced. Functional relations were obtained empirically among the plasma current, voltage, magnetic flux density, ion temperature, and relative ion density. The functional relations were deduced by use of a multiple correlation analysis. Data were obtained for midplane magnetic fields from 0.5 to 3.37 tesla and input power up to 45 kW. Also, initial absolute electron density measurements are reported from a 90 deg Thomson scattering laser system
Hot ion plasma production in HIP-1 using water-cooled hollow cathodes
A steady-state ExB plasma was formed by applying a strong radially inward dc electric field near the mirror throats. Most of the results were for hydrogen, but deuterium and helium plasmas were also studied. Three water-cooled hollow cathodes were operated in the hot-ion plasma mode with the following results: (1) thermally emitting cathodes were not required to achieve the hot-ion mode; (2) steady-state operation (several minutes) was attained; (3) input powers greater than 40 kW were achieved; (4) cathode outside diameters were increased from 1.2 cm (uncooled) to 4.4 cm (water-cooled); (5) steady-state hydrogen plasma with ion temperatures from 185 to 770 eV and electron temperatures from 5 to 21 eV were produced. Scaling relations were empirically obtained for discharge current, ion temperature, electron temperature, and relative ion density as a function of hydrogen gas feed rate, magnetic field, and cathode voltage. Neutrons were produced from deuterium plasma, but it was not established whether thay came from the plasma volume or from the electrode surfaces
Hot ion plasma heating experiments in SUMMA
Initial results are presented for the hot-ion plasma heating experiments conducted in the new SUMMA (superconducting magnetic mirror apparatus) at NASA Lewis Research Center. A discharge is formed by applying a radially inward dc electric field between cylindrical anodes and hallow cathodes located at the peak of the mirrors. Data were obtained at midplane magnetic field strengths from 1.0 to 3.5 tesla. Charge-exchange neutral particle energy analyzer data were reduced to ion temperatures using a plasma model that included a Maxwellian energy distribution superimposed on an azimuthal drift, finite ion orbits, and radial variations in density and electric field. The best ion temperatures in a helium plasma were 5 keV and in hydrogen the H2(+) and H(+) ions were 1.2 keV and 1 keV respectively. Optical spectroscopy line broadening measurements yielded ion temperatures about 50 percent higher than the charge-exchange neutral particle analyzer results. Spectroscopically obtained electron temperature ranged from 3 to 30 eV. Ion temperature was found to scale roughly linearly with the ratio of power input-to-magnetic field strength, P/B
Reconstruction of a function from its spherical (circular) means with the centers lying on the surface of certain polygons and polyhedra
We present explicit filtration/backprojection-type formulae for the inversion
of the spherical (circular) mean transform with the centers lying on the
boundary of some polyhedra (or polygons, in 2D). The formulae are derived using
the double layer potentials for the wave equation, for the domains with certain
symmetries. The formulae are valid for a rectangle and certain triangles in 2D,
and for a cuboid, certain right prisms and a certain pyramid in 3D. All the
present inversion formulae yield exact reconstruction within the domain
surrounded by the acquisition surface even in the presence of exterior sources.Comment: 9 figure
A mathematical model and inversion procedure for Magneto-Acousto-Electric Tomography (MAET)
Magneto-Acousto-Electric Tomography (MAET), also known as the Lorentz force
or Hall effect tomography, is a novel hybrid modality designed to be a
high-resolution alternative to the unstable Electrical Impedance Tomography. In
the present paper we analyze existing mathematical models of this method, and
propose a general procedure for solving the inverse problem associated with
MAET. It consists in applying to the data one of the algorithms of
Thermo-Acoustic tomography, followed by solving the Neumann problem for the
Laplace equation and the Poisson equation.
For the particular case when the region of interest is a cube, we present an
explicit series solution resulting in a fast reconstruction algorithm. As we
show, both analytically and numerically, MAET is a stable technique yilelding
high-resolution images even in the presence of significant noise in the data
Young people's understanding, attitudes and involvement in decision-making about genome sequencing for rare diseases: A qualitative study with participants in the UK 100,000 genomes project
Genome sequencing (GS) will have a profound impact on the diagnosis of rare and inherited diseases in children and young people. We conducted 27 semi-structured interviews with young people aged 11-19 having GS through the UK 100,000 Genomes Project. Participants demonstrated an understanding of the role and function of genes and DNA, however the terms 'genome' and 'genome sequencing' were less well understood. Participants were primarily motivated to take part to get a diagnosis or identify the gene causing their condition. The majority of participants understood they might not receive a diagnostic result. Most were unconcerned about data security or access, however anxieties existed around what the results might show and the potential for disappointment if the result was negative. Signing an assent form empowered young people, formalised the process and instilled a sense of responsibility for their choice to participate. Most young people (≥16 years) had consented to receive secondary findings and had come to that decision without parental influence. Our research suggests that at least some young people are capable of making informed decisions about taking part in GS, and that involving them in discussions about testing can empower them to take responsibility over healthcare decisions that affect them
Inverse Diffusion Theory of Photoacoustics
This paper analyzes the reconstruction of diffusion and absorption parameters
in an elliptic equation from knowledge of internal data. In the application of
photo-acoustics, the internal data are the amount of thermal energy deposited
by high frequency radiation propagating inside a domain of interest. These data
are obtained by solving an inverse wave equation, which is well-studied in the
literature. We show that knowledge of two internal data based on well-chosen
boundary conditions uniquely determines two constitutive parameters in
diffusion and Schroedinger equations. Stability of the reconstruction is
guaranteed under additional geometric constraints of strict convexity. No
geometric constraints are necessary when internal data for well-chosen
boundary conditions are available, where is spatial dimension. The set of
well-chosen boundary conditions is characterized in terms of appropriate
complex geometrical optics (CGO) solutions.Comment: 24 page
Decision-making, attitudes, and understanding among patients and relatives invited to undergo genome sequencing in the 100,000 Genomes Project: A multisite survey study
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess decisions, attitudes, and understanding of participants (patients, parents, relatives) having genome sequencing for rare disease diagnosis. METHODS: This study involved a cross-sectional observational survey with participants in the 100,000 Genomes Project. RESULTS: Survey response rate was 51% (504/978). Most participants self-reported that they had decided to undergo genome sequencing (94%) and that this was an informed decision (84%) with low decisional conflict (95%). Most self-reported that they had chosen to receive additional findings (88%) and that this was an informed decision (89%) with low decisional conflict (95%). Participants were motivated more by the desire to help others via research than by the belief it would help them obtain a diagnosis (Z = 14.23, P = 5.75 × 10-46), although both motivations were high. Concerns were relatively few but, where expressed, were more about the potential psychological impact of results than data sharing/access (Z = 9.61, P = 7.65 × 10-22). Concerns were higher among male, Asian or Asian British, and more religious participants. General and context-specific understanding of genome sequencing were both moderately high (means 5.2/9.0 and 22.5/28.0, respectively). CONCLUSION: These findings are useful to inform consent guidelines and clinical implementation of genome sequencing
Inverse Transport Theory of Photoacoustics
We consider the reconstruction of optical parameters in a domain of interest
from photoacoustic data. Photoacoustic tomography (PAT) radiates high frequency
electromagnetic waves into the domain and measures acoustic signals emitted by
the resulting thermal expansion. Acoustic signals are then used to construct
the deposited thermal energy map. The latter depends on the constitutive
optical parameters in a nontrivial manner. In this paper, we develop and use an
inverse transport theory with internal measurements to extract information on
the optical coefficients from knowledge of the deposited thermal energy map. We
consider the multi-measurement setting in which many electromagnetic radiation
patterns are used to probe the domain of interest. By developing an expansion
of the measurement operator into singular components, we show that the spatial
variations of the intrinsic attenuation and the scattering coefficients may be
reconstructed. We also reconstruct coefficients describing anisotropic
scattering of photons, such as the anisotropy coefficient in a
Henyey-Greenstein phase function model. Finally, we derive stability estimates
for the reconstructions
Uniqueness of reconstruction and an inversion procedure for thermoacoustic and photoacoustic tomography
The paper contains a simple approach to reconstruction in Thermoacoustic and
Photoacoustic Tomography. The technique works for any geometry of point
detectors placement and for variable sound speed satisfying a non-trapping
condition. A uniqueness of reconstruction result is also obtained
- …