Feasibility of a laboratory X-ray laser pumped by ultrashort UV laser pulses.

In order to allow widespread application of soft X-ray lasers there is a strong effort worldwide to use as small as possible pump lasers for plasma production. Short pulse lasers (τ ≈ 1 ps), particularly in the UV, have attracted much interest, since extremely high intensities (up to 1018 W/cm2) can be achieved with a relatively high repetition rate. In this article we discuss their merit for soft X-ray laser pumping and possible solutions to the specific problems, for instance pulse front distortion, nonlinear absorption in window materials, plasma formation by short laser pulses and the relatively low total pump energy

“Angular resolution expected from iCHORD orientation maps through a revisited ion channeling model”

International audienceCrystalline orientation maps are obtained in a Focused Ion Beam (FIB) microscope using the ion CHanneling ORientation Determination (iCHORD) method, which relies on the channeling phenomenon observed in ion-induced secondary electron images. The current paper focuses on the angular resolution that can be expected from such orientation maps, obtained using a revisited ion channeling model. A specific procedure was developed to evaluate the angular resolution, based on the distribution of orientation errors when evaluating controlled sample disorientation. The main advantage is that no external reference is required. An angular resolution of 1° is obtained on a nickel based sample using standard acquisition conditions. This value fulfills most of the needs in terms of microstructural characterization usually carried out by Electron Back Scattered Diffraction

ENTRAP and its potential interaction with European networks

AbstractENTRAP comprises a pan-European cooperation of leading scientific institutions and regulatory bodies in the field of nuclear-waste characterization and its quality assurance for the safe disposal of radioactive waste. Here, the scope of this cooperation is presented and explained and links or interfaces for a potential collaboration with partners fulfilling tasks of IDG-TP are pursued

Endemicity of Zoonotic Diseases in Pigs and Humans in Lowland and Upland Lao PDR: Identification of Socio-cultural Risk Factors

In Lao People's Democratic Republic pigs are kept in close contact with families. Human risk of infection with pig zoonoses arises from direct contact and consumption of unsafe pig products. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Luang Prabang (north) and Savannakhet (central-south) Provinces. A total of 59 villages, 895 humans and 647 pigs were sampled and serologically tested for zoonotic pathogens including: hepatitis E virus (HEV), Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and Trichinella spiralis; In addition, human sera were tested for Taenia spp. and cysticercosis. Seroprevalence of zoonotic pathogens in humans was high for HEV (Luang Prabang: 48.6%, Savannakhet: 77.7%) and T. spiralis (Luang Prabang: 59.0%, Savannakhet: 40.5%), and lower for JEV (around 5%), Taenia spp. (around 3%) and cysticercosis (Luang Prabang: 6.1, Savannakhet 1.5%). Multiple correspondence analysis and hierarchical clustering of principal components was performed on descriptive data of human hygiene practices, contact with pigs and consumption of pork products. Three clusters were identified: Cluster 1 had low pig contact and good hygiene practices, but had higher risk of T. spiralis. Most people in cluster 2 were involved in pig slaughter (83.7%), handled raw meat or offal (99.4%) and consumed raw pigs' blood (76.4%). Compared to cluster 1, cluster 2 had increased odds of testing seropositive for HEV and JEV. Cluster 3 had the lowest sanitation access and had the highest risk of HEV, cysticercosis and Taenia spp. Farmers which kept their pigs tethered (as opposed to penned) and disposed of manure in water sources had 0.85 (95% CI: 0.18 to 0.91) and 2.39 (95% CI: 1.07 to 5.34) times the odds of having pigs test seropositive for HEV, respectively. The results have been used to identify entry-points for intervention and management strategies to reduce disease exposure in humans and pigs, informing control activities in a cysticercosis hyper-endemic village