Spatial periodic and homogeneous transverse stress loading on ITER TF Nb3Sn bronze and internal tin strand

The transport properties of the superconducting Nb3Sn layers in the strands strongly depend on the strain state. Knowledge of the influence of axial strain, periodic bending and contact stress on the critical current (Ic) of the used Nb3Sn strands is inevitable to gain sufficient confidence in an economic design and stable operation of ITER CICCs. In the past years we have measured the Ic and n-value of various ITER Nb3Sn strands with different layout in the TARSIS facility, when subjected to spatial periodic contact stress at a temperature of 4.2 K and in a magnet field of 12 T. Recently we have made the setup suitable for application of homogeneous load along the length of the wire (125 mm) in order to evaluate possible differences related to spatial stress and possible current distribution. We present an overview of the results obtained so far on an ITER TF bronze and internal tin strand.Comment: to be published in IEEE Trans Appl Supercon

Fully three-dimensional sound speed-corrected multi-wavelength photoacoustic breast tomography

Photoacoustic tomography is a contrast agent-free imaging technique capable of visualizing blood vessels and tumor-associated vascularization in breast tissue. While sophisticated breast imaging systems have been recently developed, there is yet much to be gained in imaging depth, image quality and tissue characterization capability before clinical translation is possible. In response, we have developed a hybrid photoacoustic and ultrasound-transmission tomographic system PAM3. The photoacoustic component has for the first time three-dimensional multi-wavelength imaging capability, and implements substantial technical advancements in critical hardware and software sub-systems. The ultrasound component enables for the first time, a three-dimensional sound speed map of the breast to be incorporated in photoacoustic reconstruction to correct for inhomogeneities, enabling accurate target recovery. The results demonstrate the deepest photoacoustic breast imaging to date namely 48 mm, with a more uniform field of view than hitherto, and an isotropic spatial resolution that rivals that of Magnetic Resonance Imaging. The in vivo performance achieved, and the diagnostic value of interrogating angiogenesis-driven optical contrast as well as tumor mass sound speed contrast, gives confidence in the system's clinical potential.Comment: 33 pages Main Body, 9 pages Supplementary Materia

Osteogenic protein-1 (BMP-7) accelerates healing of scaphoid non-union with proximal pole sclerosis

We randomly assigned 17 patients with scaphoid non-union at the proximal pole to three treatment groups: (1) autologous iliac graft (n=6), (2) autologous iliac graft + osteogenic protein-1 (OP-1; n=6), and (3) allogenic iliac graft + OP-1 (n=5). Radiographic, scintigraphic, and clinical assessments were performed throughout the follow-up period of 24 months. OP-1 improved the performance of both autologous and allogenic bone implants and reduced radiographic healing time to 4 weeks compared with 9 weeks in group 1. Helical CT scans and scintigraphy showed that in OP-1-treated patients sclerotic bone was replaced by well-vascularised bone. The addition of OP-1 to allogenic bone implant equalised the clinical outcome with the autologous graft procedure. Consequently the harvesting of autologous graft can be avoided