Towards a new image processing system at Wendelstein 7-X: From spatial calibration to characterization of thermal events

Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) is the most advanced fusion experiment in the stellarator line and is aimed at proving that the stellarator concept is suitable for a fusion reactor. One of the most important issues for fusion reactors is the monitoring of plasma facing components when exposed to very high heat loads, through the use of visible and infrared (IR) cameras. In this paper, a new image processing system for the analysis of the strike lines on the inboard limiters from the first W7-X experimental campaign is presented. This system builds a model of the IR cameras through the use of spatial calibration techniques, helping to characterize the strike lines by using the information given by real spatial coordinates of each pixel. The characterization of the strike lines is made in terms of position, size, and shape, after projecting the camera image in a 2D grid which tries to preserve the curvilinear surface distances between points. The description of the strike-line shape is made by means of the Fourier Descriptors

Forward modeling of collective Thomson scattering for Wendelstein 7-X plasmas: Electrostatic approximation

In this paper, we present a method for numerical computation of collective Thomson scattering (CTS). We developed a forward model, eCTS, in the electrostatic approximation and benchmarked it against a full electromagnetic model. Differences between the electrostatic and the electromagnetic models are discussed. The sensitivity of the results to the ion temperature and the plasma composition is demonstrated. We integrated the model into the Bayesian data analysis framework Minerva and used it for the analysis of noisy synthetic data sets produced by a full electromagnetic model. It is shown that eCTS can be used for the inference of the bulk ion temperature. The model has been used to infer the bulk ion temperature from the first CTS measurements on Wendelstein 7-X

Experimental confirmation of efficient island divertor operation and successful neoclassical transport optimization in Wendelstein 7-X

We present recent highlights from the most recent operation phases of Wendelstein 7-X, the most advanced stellarator in the world. Stable detachment with good particle exhaust, low impurity content, and energy confinement times exceeding 100 ms, have been maintained for tens of seconds. Pellet fueling allows for plasma phases with reduced ion-temperature-gradient turbulence, and during such phases, the overall confinement is so good (energy confinement times often exceeding 200 ms) that the attained density and temperature profiles would not have been possible in less optimized devices, since they would have had neoclassical transport losses exceeding the heating applied in W7-X. This provides proof that the reduction of neoclassical transport through magnetic field optimization is successful. W7-X plasmas generally show good impurity screening and high plasma purity, but there is evidence of longer impurity confinement times during turbulence-suppressed phases.EC/H2020/633053/EU/Implementation of activities described in the Roadmap to Fusion during Horizon 2020 through a Joint programme of the members of the EUROfusion consortium/ EUROfusio

The design and production of synthetic rainwater samples

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:7628.85(WSL-LR--684(CS)) / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

The development of methods for the determination of the oil content of drill cuttings

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:7628.85(WSL-LR--642(CS)) / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Acid rain in the United Kingdom Spatial distributions and seasonal variations in 1986

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:7628.85(WSL-LR--691(AP)M) / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Nitrogen and carbohydrate reserves in the grapevine (Vitis vinifera L. 'Chasselas'): the influence of the leaf to fruit ratio

Seasonal patterns of total organic nitrogen (N) and total non-structural carbohydrate (TNC) concentrations in relation to the leaf-fruit ratio (source-sink) were measured over three years at different grapevine phenological stages in one- and two-year-old canes, trunks and roots of the cultivar 'Chasselas' (Vitis vinifera L.). The highest N and TNC concentrations were observed during the period from dormancy until budbreak. A decrease in the N and TNC reserves was measured in the different organs (canes, trunks and roots) from budbreak, reaching minimum values around flowering, except for the N concentration in the roots, which was lowest during the period between bunch closure and veraison. N storage was highest in the roots and occurred from veraison until leaf fall. The N concentration in the trunks and canes represented approximately half of that measured in the roots. TNCs accumulated preferentially in the roots and also in the trunks and canes during the growing season. The leaf area per vine (or canopy height) and yield both influenced the N concentration in the roots. High yield and low leaf area per vine decreased the N concentration in the roots. The leaf-fruit ratio, expressed as the "light-exposed leaf area per kg fruit", substantially influenced the N and TNC concentrations in the roots at harvest. The highest N and TNC concentrations in the roots were obtained when the leaf-fruit ratio approached 2.0 m2 of light-exposed leaf area per kg fruit

Effect of mannan oligosaccharides on the ileal morphometry and cecal fermentation of growing rabbits

A common problem in rabbits is the occurrence of digestive disorders just after weaning. This problem is usually associated with instability of the cecal microflora and characterized by diarrhea, loss of appetite and increased mortality. In the current study the effects of a mannan oligosaccharide (MOS, Bio-MOS ® , Alltech Inc. USA) was compared to a commonly used antibiotic (AGP, Zn-Bacitracin). The current study investigated the effects of MOS and AGP on intestinal morphometry and cecal VFA production. A total of 220 weaned mixed-sex rabbits (32d) were divided into 5 experimental treatments and housed in groups of 4 in 55 flat deck cages located in an experimental rabbit house. The 5 experimental treatments were as follow: Control (no additives);MOS 1 (1 kg MOS/t); MOS 1.5 (1.5 kg MOS/t); MOS 2 (2 kg MOS/t) and AGP (0.1 kg/t). Experimental diets were based on alfalfa, sunflower meal and wheat and beet pulp and were offered ad libitum through out the experiment. Intestinal morphology and cecal fermentation was determined in 8 rabbits per treatment slaughtered at day 46. Histologic examination showed significantly longer villi (P<0.05) in rabbits fed MOS (503.1, 518.6 and 508.8 for MOS 1, MOS 1.5 and MOS 2, respectively) or AGP (502.5) compared to the control group (403.0). This was also translated into a numerically increased absorption surface. Cecal volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration differed significantly (P<0.05) between treatments. Rabbits fed MOS at 1 kg/t had the highest total VFA concentration (98.02 vs. 51.57 in MOS 1 and Control) and higher butyric acid (14.09 vs. 4.59 in MOS 1 and Control). Furthermore cecal pH was significantly lower in rabbits fed MOS at 1 kg/t and 2 kg/t (5.79 and 5.92) compared to the control (6.33). Results for this study suggest that MOS has a stimulating effect on villi development and production of cecal VFA and reduce cecal pH, which could improve the health status of growing rabbits

Managing new oral anticoagulants in the perioperative and intensive care unit setting

Managing patients in the perioperative setting receiving novel oral anticoagulation agents for thromboprophylaxis or stroke prevention with atrial fibrillation is an important consideration for clinicians. The novel oral anticoagulation agents include direct Factor Xa inhibitors rivaroxaban and apixaban, and the direct thrombin inhibitor dabigatran. In elective surgery, discontinuing their use is important, but renal function must also be considered because elimination is highly dependent on renal elimination. If bleeding occurs in patients who have received these agents, common principles of bleeding management as with any anticoagulant (including the known principles for warfarin) should be considered. This review summarizes the available data regarding the management of bleeding with novel oral anticoagulation agents. Hemodialysis is a therapeutic option for dabigatran-related bleeding, while in vitro studies showed that prothrombin complex concentrates are reported to be useful for rivaroxaban-related bleeding. Additional clinical studies are needed to determine the best method for reversal of the novel oral anticoagulation agents when bleeding occurs. Copyright © 2013, the American Society of Anesthesiologists, Inc.SCOPUS: re.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

The effect of replacing inorganic trace minerals with selenium yeast and organic mineral chelates on broiler performance and carcass quality

The aim of the study was to compare the performance profiles of broilers fed with a commercial inorganic mineral premix (control) with the ones obtained using an organic treatment (OTM). OTM included; selenium yeast and organic mineral chelates of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe). Four identical houses with a total of 119.500 mixed-sex broiler chickens were used (2 treatments × 2 replicates). Trial was performed between 1 and 31 days of age. Birds fed the same corn/soybean based rations differing only in mineral premix. The control treatment provided Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn and Se at 8, 40, 50, 60 and 0.18 ppm, respectively. The OTM contained 5, 20, 5, 20 and 0.3 ppm, respectively. At 31 days, birds showed lower mortality with the OTM treatment, and no differences on the performance parameters. OTM improved feathering at 21 days of age (p<0.001). OTM birds showed no effect on carcass yield and lower carcass skin tearing (p<0.05). Birds with organic minerals showed redder breast meat (p<0.05 a* on days 3 and 5 after slaughter). The results show OTM treatment allows similar performance and improve carcass and meat quality