Overview of ASDEX Upgrade results

Recent results from the ASDEX Upgrade experimental campaigns 2001 and 2002 are presented. An improved understanding of energy and particle transport emerges in terms of a 'critical gradient' model for the temperature gradients. Coupling this to particle diffusion explains most of the observed behaviour of the density profiles, in particular, the finding that strong central heating reduces the tendency for density profile peaking. Internal transport barriers (ITBs) with electron and ion temperatures in excess of 20 keV (but not simultaneously) have been achieved. By shaping the plasma, a regime with small type II edge localized modes (ELMs) has been established. Here, the maximum power deposited on the target plates was greatly reduced at constant average power. Also, an increase of the ELM frequency by injection of shallow pellets was demonstrated. ELM free operation is possible in the quiescent H-mode regime previously found in DIII-D which has also been established on ASDEX Upgrade. Regarding stability, a regime with benign neoclassical tearing modes (NTMs) was found. During electron cyclotron current drive (ECCD) stabilization of NTMs, βN could be increased well above the usual onset level without a reappearance of the NTM. Electron cyclotron resonance heating and ECCD have also been used to control the sawtooth repetition frequency at a moderate fraction of the total heating power. The inner wall of the ASDEX Upgrade vessel has increasingly been covered with tungsten without causing detrimental effects on the plasma performance. Regarding scenario integration, a scenario with a large fraction of noninductively driven current (≥50%), but without ITB has been established. It combines improved confinement (τE/τITER98 ≈ 1.2) and stability (βN ≤ 3.5) at high Greenwald fraction (ne/nGW ≈ 0.85) in steady state and with type II ELMy edge and would offer the possibility for long pulses with high fusion power at reduced current in ITER

Where are the returns to lifelong learning?

Participation in formal education during adulthood (ages 25 to 54) is a key part of lifelong learning. Employing unique longitudinal data for Australia, we highlight the prevalence of such study, the varied reasons for undertaking it (consumption, career development, job and home disruption), and investigate whether it is socially valuable. Our more detailed estimates of the labour market return to adult education (wage rates, employment, hours of work and occupational status) confirm previous studies that generally found such returns to be small and isolated. We contribute to this literature by also estimating the effect of adult education on job satisfaction and satisfaction with employment opportunities. Increases in satisfaction help rationalise the education enrolment decisions of these adults

Integrated biochemical and chemical processing of municipal bio-waste to obtain bio based products for multiple uses. The case of soil remediation

In line with the Green Supply Chain Management, Sustainable Supply Chain Management and Natural-Resource-Based Views (NRBV), the present study is as further step of a long range research program initiated in 2004. The project aims to demonstrate municipal bio-waste (MBW) as feedstock to produce bio based chemicals alternative to fossil sourced products. Previous work demonstrated MBW as source of polymeric biosurfactants (BPS) with multiple properties for use in chemical and agriculture sectors. The present paper reports now a new BPS feature, i.e. that BPS are efficient active principles for soil remediation. The study involves three BPS obtained by alkaline hydrolysis from different streams of an MBW treatment plant: the anaerobic digestate of food kitchen waste (FORSUD), the compost (CV) of gardening residues and the compost (CVDF) of a mix of gardening residues, digestate and sewage sludge. The BPS have 5 to over 750 kg/mol molecular weight, characterized by the presence of aliphatic C chains substituted by aromatic moieties and several different acid and basic functional groups. They were used at 0.1–100 g L−1 in aqueous solution to wash soil sampled from an Italian metal polluted site. Collected data statistical analysis was carried out by ANOVA. The recovered washing solutions were analyzed for Cu, Cr, Ni, Zn, Pb. The 50–100 g/L CVDF BPS solutions exhibited 98-81% extraction efficiency, compared to 70-60% for CV and FORSUD. Compared to conventional commercial extractants, CVDF BPS extraction efficiency ranked as CVDF = diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid > ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid > sodium dodecyl sulphate. A new two steps process was studied: (1) use of BPS solution for washing the polluted soil; (2) treating the recovered solution by acidification and membrane filtration to separate a pollutant concentrate from water for further use. Results indicate membrane filtration more efficient and/or sustainable. They confirm BPS as value added products upgrading MBW from societal cost to source of benefits

Archaeological site of Persepolis (Iran): study of the finishing technique of the bas-reliefs and architectural surfaces

One of the aims of the 5-year Iranian/Italian project for Persepolis, called \u2018From Palace to Town\u2019 was to contribute to the conservation of the stone monuments of the imperial site. As part of the activities dedicated to this purpose, a diagnostic study was carried out. Various aspects were considered: petrographic characterization of the stone, forms and factors of decay, and in situ testing of suitable conservation treatments. The present paper reports on the unexpected results of the study on the finishing of architectural surfaces. The results obtained on a limited, but nevertheless significant, number of samples collected from the monuments of the imperial Terrace, allow us to state that the dark grey limestone used for several (or many?) monuments was covered on purpose with a thin, fine whitish layer containing fluorapatite, as major component, and calcite. It is highly probable that the fluorapatite was obtained from calcined animal bones and that slaked lime was used as a binder. Further evidence for this is the discovery of a kiln with the remains of calcined bones and, nearby, a waste pit with animal bones containing fluorapatite. A second white layer, obtained with barium sulphate, was detected in one of the samples beneath the external, earthy encrustation. It could be perhaps interpreted as the remnants of a polychrome finishing

A smart use of biomass derivatives to template an: Ad hoc hierarchical SAPO-5 acid catalyst

A smart design of hierarchical SAPO-5 acid catalyst using biomass derived monosaccharides as sustainable and low-cost mesoporogens has been developed. The hierarchical SAPO-5 was characterized by several physico-chemical techniques to elucidate structure-properties relationships and was tested as a catalyst in the MW-assisted glucose transformation in 5-HMF using \u3b3-valerolactone (GVL) as green solvent. This journal i

Synthesis of 3-aryl-4-methyl-1,2-benzenedisulfonimides, new chiral Brønsted acids. A combined experimental and theoretical study

We have recently reported the use, in catalytic amounts, of 1,2-benzenedisulfonimide as a safe Brønsted acid in some acid-catalyzed organic reactions. With the design of new and chiral acid organocatalysts with the structure of 1,2-benzenedisulfonimide in mind, we herein propose a synthesis of 1,2-benzenedisulfonimide derivatives bearing an aryl group in the 3-position with good overall yields. The chirality of these compounds is due to the hindered rotation of the aryl group (atropisomerism). We resolved the atropisomers of one of these compounds. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Synthesis of 3-aryl-4-methyl-1,2-benzenedisulfonimides, new chiral Bronsted acids. A combined experimental and theoretical study

We have recently reported the use, in catalytic amounts, of 1,2-benzenedisulfonimide as a safe Bronsted acid in some acid-catalyzed organic reactions. With the design of new and chiral acid organocatalysts with the structure of 1,2-benzenedisulfonimide in mind, we herein propose a synthesis of 1,2-benzenedisulfonimide derivatives bearing an aryl group in the 3-position with good overall yields. The chirality of these compounds is due to the hindered rotation of the aryl group (atropisomerism). We resolved the atropisomers of one of these compounds

Chemical exposure in Cultural Heritage restoration: questionnaire to define the state of art.

The use of chemicals in art restoration involves the potential exposure to risk factors for worker\u2019s health and environment. The broad range of non-standardizedrestoration techniques employed during the interventions on Cultural Heritage,often involves the use of solvent mixtures without a real understanding of risksconnected with their use. Frequently, artworks must be restored on-site, withoutany adequate ventilation. Additionally, restoration workers do not always wearappropriate individual protection and monitoring devices (I.P.D.), which couldreduce their overall exposure, despite the national rules on workplace safety.Moreover, the treatment of produced chemical wastes may be very expensive andhave damaging effects on environment if not handled properly performed.Restorers must be conscious and able to minimize their exposure risk by replacinghigher toxicity reagents and procedures with new methods and materials or safersolvents. The goal of a useful prevention plan in Cultural Heritage restorationshould be based on a suitable training program for restorers, aimed to raise theawareness on chemical risk and to replace the hazardous products. To that purpose a national meeting was organized in Rome to discuss on \u201cSustainable Restoration\u201d. As a conclusion of the meeting, the promotion of a questionnaire to understand the state of the art about the safety conditions of restorers and chemicals used by 530 restorers and the potential risk factors of exposure was a clear need. In this paper,the design and the validation of the questionnaire are shown