Continuous pulse advances in the negative ion source NIO1

Consorzio RFX and INFN-LNL have designed, built and operated the compact radiofrequency negative ion source NIO1 (Negative Ion Optimization phase 1) with the aim of studying the production and acceleration of H- ions. In particular, NIO1 was designed to keep plasma generation and beam extraction continuously active for several hours. Since 2020 the production of negative ions at the plasma grid (the first grid of the acceleration system) has been enhanced by a Cs layer, deposited though active Cs evaporation in the source volume. For the negative ion sources applied to fusion neutral beam injectors, it is essential to keep the beam current and the fraction of co-extracted electrons stable for at least 1 h, against the consequences of Cs sputtering and redistribution operated by the plasma. The paper presents the latest results of the NIO1 source, in terms of caesiation process and beam performances during continuous (6{\div}7 h) plasma pulses. Due to the small dimensions of the NIO1 source (20 x (diam.)10 cm), the Cs density in the volume is high (10^15 \div 10^16 m^-3) and dominated by plasma-wall interaction. The maximum beam current density and minimum fraction of co-extracted electrons were respectively about 30 A/m^2 and 2. Similarly to what done in other negative ion sources, the plasma grid temperature in NIO1 was raised for the first time, up to 80 {\deg}C, although this led to a minimal improvement of the beam current and to an increase of the co-extracted electron current.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figures. Contributed paper for the 8th International symposium on Negative Ions, Beams and Sources - NIBS'22. Revision 1 of the preprint under evaluation at Journal of Instrumentation (JINST

Efficacy of silymarin-phospholipid complex in reducing the toxicity of aflatoxin B1 in broilers chicks

Silymarin, the standardized extract of Silybum marianum, is used as a hepatoprotector in man, and is a potent antihepatotoxic agent. This study focused on the effects of a silymarin-phospholipid complex in reducing the toxic effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in broiler chickens. Twenty-one 14-d-old male commercial broilers were randomly allotted to 3 groups and treated as follows: basal diet alone [Group C (Control)]; AFB1 at 0.8 mg/kg of feed [Group B1]; AFB1 at 0.8 mg/kg of feed plus silymarin phytosome, a silymarin complexed form with phospholipids from soy, at 600 mg/kg of BW [Group B1+Sil]. Considering the whole growth cycle, BW gain and feed intake were lower in AFB1-treated birds with respect to controls (P < 0.05). In the B1+Sil group, BW gain and feed intake were higher with respect to birds receiving AFB1 alone (P < 0.05), and not different from the control birds. Serum biochemistry showed no difference among groups, except for a decrease of alanine amino transferase (ALT) in chicks treated only with AFB1. Alanine amino transferase activity in AFB1 plus silymarin phytosome treated birds was not different from the controls. No treatment differences were noted on liver weight. In conclusion, our results suggest that silymarin phytosome can provide protection against the negative effects of AFB1 on performance of broiler chicks

Refinement of a macaque transplantation model: application of a subcutaneous port as a means for long-term enteral drug administration and nutritional supplementation.

A new application of a device enabling the long-term enteral administration of drugs or nutritional supplementation was developed for implementing in research entailing the use of macaques (Macaca fascicularis). After implanting a subcutaneous port, a surgically-placed gastrostomy (SPG) was completed to afford access to the gastric lumen and enable the administration of substances. In this study, the device was left in place for a period ranging between two and 12 months in macaques (n = 16). In five cases, the SPG was used successfully for 8-12 months, until the experimental endpoint was reached. In six cases, the SPG had to be removed earlier due to local infection at the implant site, which promptly regressed after the SPG was removed and antibiotic treatment was administered. One SPG-implanted macaque was euthanized for reasons unrelated to the SPG or the xenotransplantation procedure. In four cases, the SPG was implanted without any complications but has yet to be used to administer substances to the animals. From an ethical standpoint, the SPG device described here minimizes the forced handling of macaques otherwise needed for the oral administration of viscous or unpalatable substances by gavage. The device thus represents an effective refinement that fully complies with the tenet of the '3 Rs' that should be considered by primate centres exposing non-human primates to the long-term daily administration of substances by oral gavage

Expert Systems for Predicting the Bioavailability of Sun Filters in Cosmetic Products, Software vs. Expert Formulator: The Benzophenone-3 Case

There are only a limited number of molecules in a cosmetic formulation, which can passively cross the stratum corneum and be absorbed into the skin layers. However, some actives should never cross the skin in large concentrations due to their potential for side effects, for example, sunscreens. Artificial intelligence is gaining an increasing role as a predictive tool, and in this regard, we selected the Formulating for Efficacy® Software to forecast the changes in bioavailability of selected topical cosmetic compounds. Using the Franz diffusion cell methodology, various oils were selected as those with low release capability, and these were compared to those suggested by the software in Benzophenone-3-containing formulations. The software was able to predict the lipophilic phases, which, if utilized in the emulsion, were stable and sometimes even more pleasant in appearance and consistency than the reference emulsions prepared by the formulator. To date, however, Formulating for Efficacy® Software still has limitations as far as predicting the hydrophilic phase, as well as not being able to choose the emulsifier or the preservative system