Effects of single- and simultaneous triple-ion-beam irradiation on an oxide dispersion-strengthened Fe12Cr steel

Oxide dispersion-strengthened (ODS) steels are main candidates for structural applications in future fusion reactors. Understanding their irradiation-induced behaviour is a key in building optimised components with enhanced radiation resistance. In this work, the stability of an ODS Fe12Cr steel was investigated by transmission electron microscopy after single- (Fe4+) and simultaneous triple-ion-beam irradiation (Fe8+, He+ and H+) at room temperature to doses of 4.4 and 10 dpa. The irradiations were accomplished at the JANNUS-Saclay facility. Results after single-ion-beam irradiation were also compared with those from a reference Fe12Cr steel produced following the same route. Analyses focused on determining the irradiation-induced loop size and density in the ODS and reference materials, investigating the grain boundary microchemistry and studying the evolution of the secondary phases present. These experiments show that the Y-rich nanoparticles present in the ODS steel are quite stable under these irradiation conditions although evolution of larger Cr-rich carbides could be taking place. Loop sizes are smaller for the ODS steel than for the reference material and appear to increase with dose. Cr segregates at some of the grain boundaries, though this segregation also occurs in the absence of irradiation.This investigation was supported by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (Contract ENE2010-17462), the European Commission through the European Fusion Development Agreement (EFDA), the EPSRC Grant No. EP/H018921/1, the FP7-EU Program under Grant Agreement 312483 - ESTEEM2 (Integrated Infrastructure Initiative-I3) and the Royal Society International Exchanges Scheme 2011/R1 (ref. IE110136)

The PRS Rainbow Classification for Assessing Postbariatric Contour Deformities

Background: There is a need for a reliable classification system to grade contour deformities and to inform reimbursement of body contouring surgery after massive weight loss. We developed the PRS Rainbow Classification, which uses select photographs to provide standardized references for evaluating patient photographs, to classify contour deformities in postbariatric patients. To assess the reliability of the PRS Rainbow Classification to classify contour deformities in massive weight loss patients. Methods: Ten independent experienced plastic surgeons, 7 experienced medical advisors of the healthcare insurance company, and 10 laypersons evaluated 50 photographs per anatomical region (arms, breast, abdomen, and medial thighs). Each participant rated the patient photographs on a scale of 1-3 in an online survey. The inter-observer and the intra-observer reliabilities were determined using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs). The ICC analyses were performed for each anatomical region. Results: Inter-observer reliability was moderate to good in the body regions "arms," "abdomen," "medial thighs," with mean ICC values of 0.678 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.591-0.768], 0.685 (95% CI, 0.599-0.773), and 0.658 (95% CI, 0.569-0.751), respectively. Inter-observer reliability was comparable within the 3 different professional groups. Intra-observer reliability (test-retest reliability) was moderate to good, with a mean overall ICC value of 0.723 (95% CI, 0.572-0.874) for all groups and all 4 body regions. Conclusions: The moderate to good reliability found in this study validates the use of the PRS Rainbow Classification as a reproducible and reliable classification system to assess contour deformities after massive weight loss. It holds promise as a key part of instruments to classify body contour deformities and to assess reimbursement of body contouring surgery

Machine learning-based corrosion-like defect estimation with shear-horizontal guided waves improved by mode separation

Shear Horizontal (SH) guided waves have been extensively used to estimate and detect defects in structures like plates and pipes. Depending on the frequency and plate thickness, more than one guided-wave mode propagates, which renders signal interpretation complicated due to mode mixing and complex behavior of each individual mode interacting with defects. This paper investigates the use of machine learning models to analyse the two lowest order SH guided modes, for quantitative size estimation and detection of corrosion-like defects in aluminium plates. The main contribution of the present work is to show that mode separation through machine learning improves the effectiveness of predictive models. Numerical simulations have been performed to generate time series for creating the estimators, while experimental data have been used to validate them. We show that a full mode separation scheme decreased the error rate of the final model by 30% and 67% in defect size estimation and detection respectively

Kinetoplastids:related protozoan pathogens, different diseases

Kinetoplastids are a group of flagellated protozoans that include the species Trypanosoma and Leishmania, which are human pathogens with devastating health and economic effects. The sequencing of the genomes of some of these species has highlighted their genetic relatedness and underlined differences in the diseases that they cause. As we discuss in this Review, steady progress using a combination of molecular, genetic, immunologic, and clinical approaches has substantially increased understanding of these pathogens and important aspects of the diseases that they cause. Consequently, the paths for developing additional measures to control these “neglected diseases” are becoming increasingly clear, and we believe that the opportunities for developing the drugs, diagnostics, vaccines, and other tools necessary to expand the armamentarium to combat these diseases have never been better

Microsatellite Constellation for Mars Communication and Navigation

Exploration of Mars and establishment of human settlement have been of sharp interest for several decades. Since the turn of the century, efforts have been ramped up to make these a reality. With the execution of multiple robotic exploration missions and several more planned missions in the next two decades, as well as serious plans for human landing missions, a key need is the establishment of accurate, reliable, expansive, and cost-effective positioning and communication service for several users in the Mars environment. The Mars Communication and Navigation (MCN) mission is a multi-satellite constellation at Mars that shall provide data relay and positioning services for the identified possible users, that are orbiters, landers, ascenders, autonomous rovers, and human landing missions. The aim of MCN is to investigate and prototype key technologies for a Mars positioning and communication system using small satellites, in order to enable the development and operations of a wide range of Mars missions, providing a backbone Earth–Mars communication and navigation infrastructure. This work focuses on the critical architectural aspects of the MCN. The end-to-end (E2E) system architecture is presented, in order to provide an overview of the space and ground segments along with the operations concepts. Concerning the orbital configuration, the constellation and its deployment strategy are discussed. The MCN constellation baseline comprises 24 microsatellites operating in a Walker-like orbital configuration at Mars to provide service for more than 70 users potentially. Moreover, a Relay/Gateway link is utilized to serve as a communication bridge between Earth ground segment and the MCN constellation. Concerning the communication and navigation aspects, their architectures and possible solutions are highlighted, together with an overview of the related critical technologies required to achieve the mission objectives

GRB 130831a: Rise and demise of a magnetar at z = 0.5

Open Access.--14th Marcel Grossman Meeting On Recent Developments in Theoretical and Experimental General Relativity, Astrophysics and Relativistic Field Theories; University of Rome "La Sapienza"Rome; Italy; 12 July 2015 through 18 July 2015; Code 142474.-- http://www.icra.it/mg/mg14/Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are the brightest explosions in the universe, yet the properties of their energy sources are far from understood. Very important clues, however, can be deduced by studying the afterglows of these events. We present observations of GRB 130831A and its afterglow obtained with Swift, Chandra, and multiple ground-based observatories. This burst shows an uncommon drop in the X-ray light curve at about 100 ks after the trigger, with a decay slope of α 7. The standard Forward Shock (FS) model offers no explanation for such a behaviour. Instead, a model in which a newly born magnetar outflow powers the early X-ray emission is found to be viable. After the drop, the X-ray afterglow resumes its decay with a slope typical of FS emission. The optical emission, on the other hand, displays no clear break across the X-ray drop and its decay is consistent with that of the late X-rays. Using both the X-ray and optical data, we show that the FS model can explain the emission after 100 ks. We model our data to infer the kinetic energy of the ejecta and thus estimate the efficiency of a magnetar “central engine” of a GRB. Furthermore, we break down the energy budget of this GRB into prompt emission, late internal dissipation, kinetic energy of the relativistic ejecta, and compare it with the energy of the accompanying supernova, SN 2013fu. Copyright © 2018 by the Editors.All rights reserved.Peer reviewe

Preoperative biliary drainage for periampullary tumors causing obstructive jaundice; DRainage vs. (direct) OPeration (DROP-trial)

BACKGROUND: Surgery in patients with obstructive jaundice caused by a periampullary (pancreas, papilla, distal bile duct) tumor is associated with a higher risk of postoperative complications than in non-jaundiced patients. Preoperative biliary drainage was introduced in an attempt to improve the general condition and thus reduce postoperative morbidity and mortality. Early studies showed a reduction in morbidity. However, more recently the focus has shifted towards the negative effects of drainage, such as an increase of infectious complications. Whether biliary drainage should always be performed in jaundiced patients remains controversial. The randomized controlled multicenter DROP-trial (DRainage vs. Operation) was conceived to compare the outcome of a 'preoperative biliary drainage strategy' (standard strategy) with that of an 'early-surgery' strategy, with respect to the incidence of severe complications (primary-outcome measure), hospital stay, number of invasive diagnostic tests, costs, and quality of life. METHODS/DESIGN: Patients with obstructive jaundice due to a periampullary tumor, eligible for exploration after staging with CT scan, and scheduled to undergo a "curative" resection, will be randomized to either "early surgical treatment" (within one week) or "preoperative biliary drainage" (for 4 weeks) and subsequent surgical treatment (standard treatment). Primary outcome measure is the percentage of severe complications up to 90 days after surgery. The sample size calculation is based on the equivalence design for the primary outcome measure. If equivalence is found, the comparison of the secondary outcomes will be essential in selecting the preferred strategy. Based on a 40% complication rate for early surgical treatment and 48% for preoperative drainage, equivalence is taken to be demonstrated if the percentage of severe complications with early surgical treatment is not more than 10% higher compared to standard treatment: preoperative biliary drainage. Accounting for a 10% dropout, 105 patients are needed in each arm resulting in a study population of 210 (alpha = 0.95, beta = 0.8). DISCUSSION: The DROP-trial is a randomized controlled multicenter trial that will provide evidence whether or not preoperative biliary drainage is to be performed in patients with obstructive jaundice due to a periampullary tumor