An Open Research University

This is the final report of the Open University’s RCUK-funded Public Engagement with Research Catalyst, ‘An open research university’, a project designed to create the conditions in which engaged research can flourish. The report describes an evidence-based strategy designed to embed engaged research within the University’s strategic planning for research and the operational practices of researchers. This programme of organisational change was informed by action research, working collaboratively with researchers at all levels across the institution to identify and implement strategies that work for them and the stakeholders, user communities and members of the public that engage with their research. Through a combination of surveys, interviews and interventions, we identified a number of challenges and proposed solutions to address them. For example, we found that researchers have a relatively narrow view of engaged research and the communities with which they interact and very few researchers strategically evaluate their engaged research activities. The report documents some of the interventions we have introduced with the aim of broadening and deepening future researcher engagement, including a definition of engaged research and revised promotion criteria that include knowledge exchange profiles. In conclusion, we argue that there is still a battle to be won for open and engaged research. For a culture of engaged research to be sustainable in the medium to long-term requires ongoing recognition and acceptance of its progressive value(s) by researchers, universities, funders and ultimately, policy-makers

ICRH system performance during ITER-Like Wall operations at JET and the outlook for DT campaign

Performance of JET ICRH system since installation of the metal ITER-Like Wall (ILW) has been assessed statistically. The data demonstrate steady increase of the RF power coupled to plasmas over recent years with the maximum pulse-average and peak values exceeding respectively 6MW and 8MW in 2016. Analysis and extrapolation of power capabilities of conventional JET ICRH antennas is provided and key performance-limiting factors are discussed. The RF plant operational frequency options are presented highlighting the issues of efficient ICRH application within a foreseeable range of DT plasma scenarios

Primitive layered gabbros from fast-spreading lower oceanic crust

Three-quarters of the oceanic crust formed at fast-spreading ridges is composed of plutonic rocks whose mineral assemblages, textures and compositions record the history of melt transport and crystallization between the mantle and the sea floor. Despite the importance of these rocks, sampling them in situ is extremely challenging owing to the overlying dykes and lavas. This means that models for understanding the formation of the lower crust are based largely on geophysical studies and ancient analogues (ophiolites) that did not form at typical mid-ocean ridges. Here we describe cored intervals of primitive, modally layered gabbroic rocks from the lower plutonic crust formed at a fast-spreading ridge, sampled by the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program at the Hess Deep rift. Centimetre-scale, modally layered rocks, some of which have a strong layering-parallel foliation, confirm a long-held belief that such rocks are a key constituent of the lower oceanic crust formed at fast-spreading ridges. Geochemical analysis of these primitive lower plutonic rocks-in combination with previous geochemical data for shallow-level plutonic rocks, sheeted dykes and lavas-provides the most completely constrained estimate of the bulk composition of fast-spreading oceanic crust so far. Simple crystallization models using this bulk crustal composition as the parental melt accurately predict the bulk composition of both the lavas and the plutonic rocks. However, the recovered plutonic rocks show early crystallization of orthopyroxene, which is not predicted by current models of melt extraction from the mantle and mid-ocean-ridge basalt differentiation. The simplest explanation of this observation is that compositionally diverse melts are extracted from the mantle and partly crystallize before mixing to produce the more homogeneous magmas that erupt

Genetic mechanisms of critical illness in COVID-19.

Host-mediated lung inflammation is present1, and drives mortality2, in the critical illness caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Host genetic variants associated with critical illness may identify mechanistic targets for therapeutic development3. Here we report the results of the GenOMICC (Genetics Of Mortality In Critical Care) genome-wide association study in 2,244 critically ill patients with COVID-19 from 208 UK intensive care units. We have identified and replicated the following new genome-wide significant associations: on chromosome 12q24.13 (rs10735079, P = 1.65 × 10-8) in a gene cluster that encodes antiviral restriction enzyme activators (OAS1, OAS2 and OAS3); on chromosome 19p13.2 (rs74956615, P = 2.3 × 10-8) near the gene that encodes tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2); on chromosome 19p13.3 (rs2109069, P = 3.98 ×  10-12) within the gene that encodes dipeptidyl peptidase 9 (DPP9); and on chromosome 21q22.1 (rs2236757, P = 4.99 × 10-8) in the interferon receptor gene IFNAR2. We identified potential targets for repurposing of licensed medications: using Mendelian randomization, we found evidence that low expression of IFNAR2, or high expression of TYK2, are associated with life-threatening disease; and transcriptome-wide association in lung tissue revealed that high expression of the monocyte-macrophage chemotactic receptor CCR2 is associated with severe COVID-19. Our results identify robust genetic signals relating to key host antiviral defence mechanisms and mediators of inflammatory organ damage in COVID-19. Both mechanisms may be amenable to targeted treatment with existing drugs. However, large-scale randomized clinical trials will be essential before any change to clinical practice

Terapie delle distrofie vulvari

Medicon Italia srl,Roma (ITALY)199

ICRH system performance during ITER-Like Wall operations at JET and the outlook for DT campaign

Performance of JET ICRH system since installation of the metal ITER-Like Wall (ILW) has been assessed statistically. The data demonstrate steady increase of the RF power coupled to plasmas over recent years with the maximum pulse-average and peak values exceeding respectively 6MW and 8MW in 2016. Analysis and extrapolation of power capabilities of conventional JET ICRH antennas is provided and key performance-limiting factors are discussed. The RF plant operational frequency options are presented highlighting the issues of efficient ICRH application within a foreseeable range of DT plasma scenarios

ICRH system performance during ITER-Like Wall operations at JET and the outlook for DT campaign

Performance of JET ICRH system since installation of the metal ITER-Like Wall (ILW) has been assessed statistically. The data demonstrate steady increase of the RF power coupled to plasmas over recent years with the maximum pulse-average and peak values exceeding respectively 6MW and 8MW in 2016. Analysis and extrapolation of power capabilities of conventional JET ICRH antennas is provided and key performance-limiting factors are discussed. The RF plant operational frequency options are presented highlighting the issues of efficient ICRH application within a foreseeable range of DT plasma scenarios

Reinstated JET ICRF ILA: Overview and Results

The works undertaken to reinstate the JET ICRF ILA are reviewed. The vacuum matching capacitors were replaced, an extensive calibration of all the measurements in the RF circuit was carried out, new simulation tools were created and new control algorithms were implemented for the – toroidal and poloidal – phase control of the array as well as for the matching of the second stage. A review of the contribution of the reinstated ILA to the JET programme during the last campaigns is given showing namely that the new controls allowed extending the range of the operation to lower (29MHz) and higher (51MHz) frequencies than previously achieved and allowed more flexible and reliable operation. Operation with coupled power levels up to 2.8MW and voltages up to 40kV was achieved. ILA results on plasma are discussed and emphasis is given to the features of interest for ITER