Self-consistent equilibrium calculation through a direct variational technique in tokamak plasmas

A self-consistent equilibrium calculation, valid for arbitrary aspect ratio tokamaks, is obtained through a direct variational technique that reduces the equilibrium solution, in general obtained from the 2D Grad-Shafranov equation, to a 1D problem in the radial flux coordinate rho. The plasma current profile is supposed to have contributions of the diamagnetic, Pfirsch-Schluter and the neoclassical ohmic and bootstrap currents. An iterative procedure is introduced into our code until the flux surface averaged toroidal current density (J(T)), converges to within a specified tolerance for a given pressure profile and prescribed boundary conditions. The convergence criterion is applied between the (J(T)) profile used to calculate the equilibrium through the variational procedure and the one that results from the equilibrium and given by the sum of all current components. The ohmic contribution is calculated from the neoclassical conductivity and from the self-consistently determined loop voltage in order to give the prescribed value of the total plasma current. The bootstrap current is estimated through the full matrix Hirshman-Sigmar model with the viscosity coefficients as proposed by Shaing, which are valid in all plasma collisionality regimes and arbitrary aspect ratios. The results of the self-consistent calculation are presented for the low aspect ratio tokamak Experimento Tokamak Esferico. A comparison among different models for the bootstrap current estimate is also performed and their possible Limitations to the self-consistent calculation is analysed.

Developing new radiotherapy techniques using linac based gamma radiation sources

A major challenge in cancer radiotherapy is to deliver a lethal dose of radiation to the target volume while minimizing damage to the surrounding normal tissue. We have proposed a model on how treatment efficacy might be improved by interfering with biological responses to DNA damage using exogenous electric fields as a strategy to drastically reduce radiation doses in cancer therapy. This approach is demonstrated at this Laboratory through case studies with prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryotes (yeast) cells, in which cellkilling rates induced by both gamma radiation and exogenous electric fields were measured. It was found that when cells exposed to gamma radiation are immediately submitted to a weak electric field, cell death increases more than an order of magnitude compared to the effect of radiation alone. This finding suggests, although does not prove, that DNA damage sites are reached and recognized by means of long-range electric DNA-protein interaction, and that exogenous electric fields could destructively interfere with this process. As a consequence, DNA repair is avoided leading to massive cell death. Here we are proposing the use this new technique for the design and construction of novel radiotherapy facilities associated with linac generated gamma beams under controlled conditions of dose and beam intensity.

Magnetic Field Line Escape: Comparison with Mean Free Path

In the present work, we determine the fraction of magnetic field lines that reach the tokamak wall leaving the plasma surrounded by a chaotic layer created by resonant perturbations at the plasma edge. The chaotic layer arises in a scenario where an integrable magnetic field with reversed magnetic shear is perturbed by an ergodic magnetic limiter. For each considered line, we calculate its connection length, i.e. the number of toroidal turns that the field lines complete before reaching the wall. We represent the results in the poloidal section in which the initial coordinates are chosen. We also estimate the radial profile of the fraction of field lines, for different temperatures, whose connection lengths are smaller than the electron collisional mean free path.

Evaluation of obstructive sleep apnea in obese patients scheduled for bariactric surgery

PURPOSE: To evaluate the frequency of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in obese patients scheduled for bariatric surgery and their identification for risk of OSA by Berlin Questionnaire (BQ) and excessive daytime sleepiness by Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). METHODS: Fifty nine patients were evaluated by BQ and ESS. Out of these individuals, 35 performed a full-night sleep study using a type 3 portable monitoring (PM). The questionnaire results were compared for gender and BMI. The presence and severity of OSA was correlated with gender and both questionnaires. RESULTS: 94.75% of the respondents presented high risk for OSA by BQ and 59.65% presented positivity by ESS. Taking into account the AHI> 5 per hour for OSA diagnosis, all of them presented OSA, average AHI of 45.31±26.3 per hour and 68.6% have severe OSA (AHI>30). The male patients had a higher AHI (p<0.05). There was a positive correlation between the positivity in both questionnaires as well as the severity of OSA measured by AHI (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The frequency and severe obstructive sleep apnea in the studied group is high. The Berlin Questionnaire and Epworth Sleepiness Scale had a positive correlation with the diagnosis of OSA in the group studied.

Desempenho ponderal de novilhas mestiças Holandês x Zebu submetidas a duas estratégias de suplementação mineral

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Plasma confinement in tokamaks with robust torus

We present a non-linear symplectic map that describes the alterations of the magnetic field lines inside the tokamak plasma due to the presence of a robust torus (RT) at the plasma edge. This RT prevents the magnetic field lines from reaching the tokamak wall and reduces, in its vicinity, the islands and invariant curve destruction due to resonant perturbations. The map describes the equilibrium magnetic field lines perturbed by resonances created by ergodic magnetic limiters (EMLs). We present the results obtained for twist and non-twist mappings derived for monotonic and non-monotonic plasma current density radial profiles, respectively. Our results indicate that the RT implementation would decrease the field line transport at the tokamak plasma edge. © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Controle de dinâmica caótica com toros robustos

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

O assunto do e-mail como indício de fraude: contribuições da organização da informação para a prevenção criminal

Pós-graduação em Ciência da Informação - FFC

Política educacional paulista (1995-2012): dos primórdios da reforma empresarial neoliberal à consolidação do modelo gerencial

Pós-graduação em Educação - FFC

Depósito da pulverização e controle de Tetranychus urticae Koch em crisântemo de corte com pulverizador assistido por ar e eletrostático

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Proteção de Plantas) - FCA

Estudo da apneia do sono em pacientes obesos em programação de cirurgia bariátrica

Pós-graduação em Bases Gerais da Cirurgia - FMB

A educação matemática nos anos iniciais: análise de necessidades de formação profissional de docentes no contexto do SARESP

Pós-graduação em Educação para a Ciência - FC

Efficacy of an Oral Appliance for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Purpose: The aim of this study was to validate the use of a mandibular repositioner appliance (MRA) to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and primary snoring, comparing polysomnographic and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) data obtained prior to and during MRA treatment. Materials and Methods: Sixty-three patients who presented with different degrees of OSA severity or primary snoring were fitted to a PM positioner between 2009 and 2011. The diagnosis was established by a polysomnogram (PSG) prior to treatment and after 6 months to verify the efficacy of MRA therapy. Subjective daytime sleepiness was evaluated by ESS questionnaire prior to treatment and at the follow-up. Results: Patients were divided into primary snoring and OSA groups. For the primary snoring group, PSG variables did not show significant results, except for a decrease in snoring. For the OSA group, the mean apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was reduced from 23.0 +/- 11 to 5.3 +/- 4.0 and median ESS reduced significantly from 13.0 to 8.5. Complete response (AHI < 5) was found in 25 (40%) patients and partial response (AHI <= 10) in 27 (43%) patients. Conclusion: The findings validate the efficacy of the adjustable PM positioner for the safe treatment of OSA.

Avaliação da estabilidade da capacidade de produção de cefamicina C por Streptomyces clavuligerus

Streptomyces clavuligerus é uma importante espécie industrial que produz múltiplos compostos de interesse clínico, destacando-se o antibiótico cefamicina C (CefC) e o ácido clavulânico (AC), um potente inibidor de b-lactamases produzidas por bactérias resistentes a penicilinas e cefalosporinas. Sabe-se que situações limite como subculturas sucessivas, forma inadequada de armazenamento das células, variações bruscas de condições de cultura, podem causar deleções de mais de 25% dos genes de Streptomyces sp que, embora muitas vezes não comprometam a sobrevivência do micro-organismo, acarretam perdas na capacidade produtiva. Neste trabalho, investigou-se a estabilidade da linhagem selvagem S. clavuligerus ATCC 27064 quanto à produção de CefC variando-se condições do inóculo utilizado nos cultivos submersos de obtenção do antibiótico. As fermentações foram realizadas em frascos agitados (28ºC, 260 rpm) e as amostras coletadas em 48 e 72 horas do caldo fermentativo foram analisadas quanto ao pH, biomassa (massa seca a 105ºC por 24 h) e CefC foi determinada por bioensaio de difusão em ágar (bactéria-teste Escherichia coli ESS 2235). Foi selecionado o micro-organismo melhor produtor por meio de screening, e o que apresentou a melhor produção de CefC e os menores desvios com relação à média foi utilizado para preparar novos lotes de células: ampolas de micélios liofilizados e criotubos contendo 108 esporos.mL-1 . Observou-se que a capacidade produtiva foi afetada quando foram utilizadas subculturas do micro-organismo original. A realização do screening mostrou-se eficiente na seleção de colônias superiores em termos de produção volumétrica, sendo recomendada a realização de tal procedimento periodicamente para manutenção de uma linhagem com maior potencial produtivo... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)