(Table 3) Li concentrations and isotopic compositions in foraminiferal shells, carbonate sediments, and associated pore waters from ODP Sites 131-806 and 138-851

An improved procedure for lithium isotope analysis using Li3PO4 as the ion source has been investigated for application to geological samples. The 7Li/6Li ratio is measured using double rhenium filament thermal ionization mass spectrometry in which isotopic fractionation is minimized at high temperatures. The method produces a stable, high intensity Li+ ion beam that allows measurement of nanogram quantities of lithium. This results in a reduction in sample size of up to 1000 times relative to that required for the established Li2BO2+ method while maintaining a comparable precision of better than 1? (1 sigma). Replicate analyses of the NBS L-SVEC Li2CO3 standard yielded a mean value of 12.1047+/-0.0043 (n=21), which is close to the reported absolute value of 12.02+/-0.03. Intercalibration with a wide range of geological samples shows excellent agreement between the Li3PO4 and Li2BO2+ techniques. Replicate analyses of seawater and a fresh submarine basalt display high precision results that agree with previous measurements. Taking advantage of the high ionization efficiency of the phosphate ion source, we have made the first measurements of the lithium concentration (by isotope dilution) and isotopic composition of calcareous foraminiferal tests and other marine carbonates. Preliminary results indicate that substantial lithium exchange occurs between carbonate sediments and their interstitial waters. In addition, a possible link between lithium paleoceanography and paleoclimate during the last 1000 ky may be derived from planktonic foraminiferal tests. This highly sensitive technique can be applied in the examination of low lithium reservoirs and thereby provide insight into some fundamental aspects of lithium geochemistry.

A three-dimensional dynamical model of Amundsenisen icefield, Svalbard.

Amundsenisen is an ice field, 80 km2 in area, located in Southern Spitsbergen, Svalbard. Radio-echo sounding measurements at 20 MHz show high intensity returns from a nearly flat basal reflector at four zones, all of them with ice thickness larger than 500m. These reflections suggest possible subglacial lakes. To determine whether basal liquid water is compatible with current pressure and temperature conditions, we aim at applying a thermo mechanical model with a free boundary at the bed defined as solution of a Stefan problem for the interface ice-subglaciallake. The complexity of the problem suggests the use of a bi-dimensional model, but this requires that well-defined flowlines across the zones with suspected subglacial lakes are available. We define these flow lines from the solution of a three-dimensional dynamical model, and this is the main goal of the present contribution. We apply a three-dimensional full-Stokes model of glacier dynamics to Amundsenisen icefield. We are mostly interested in the plateau zone of the icefield, so we introduce artificial vertical boundaries at the heads of the main outlet glaciers draining Amundsenisen. At these boundaries we set velocity boundary conditions. Velocities near the centres of the heads of the outlets are known from experimental measurements. The velocities at depth are calculated according to a SIA velocity-depth profile, and those at the rest of the transverse section are computed following Nye’s (1952) model. We select as southeastern boundary of the model domain an ice divide, where we set boundary conditions of zero horizontal velocities and zero vertical shear stresses. The upper boundary is a traction-free boundary. For the basal boundary conditions, on the zones of suspected subglacial lakes we set free-slip boundary conditions, while for the rest of the basal boundary we use a friction law linking the sliding velocity to the basal shear stress,in such a way that, contrary to the shallow ice approximation, the basal shear stress is not equal to the basal driving stress but rather part of the solution.

Physical characterization of laser interaction and shock generation in laser shock processing: coupled theoretical-experimental analysis

Laser Shock Processing is developing as a key technology for the improvement of surface mechanical and corrosion resistance properties of metals due to its ability to introduce intense compressive residual stresses fields into high elastic limit materials by means of an intense laser driven shock wave generated by laser with intensities exceeding the 109 W/cm2 threshold, pulse energies in the range of 1 Joule and interaction times in the range of several ns. However, because of the relatively difficult-to-describe physics of shock wave formation in plasma following laser-matter interaction in solid state, only limited knowledge is available in the way of full comprehension and predictive assessment of the characteristic physical processes and material transformations with a specific consideration of real material properties. In the present paper, an account of the physical issues dominating the development of LSP processes from a moderately high intensity laser-matter interaction point of view is presented along with the theoretical and computational methods developed by the authors for their predictive assessment and new experimental contrast results obtained at laboratory scale.

Indoor characterization at production sccale: 200 kWp of CPV solar simulator measurements

In order to complement ISFOC’s characterization capabilities, a Helios 3198 CPV Solar Simulator was installed in summer 2010. This Solar Simulator, based on a parabolic mirror and a high-intensity, small area Xenon flash lamp was developed by the Instituto de Energía Solar in Madrid [1] and is manufactured and distributed by Soldaduras Avanzadas [2]. This simulator is used not only for R&D purposes, but as a quality control tool for incoming modules that are to be installed in ISFOC’s CPV plants. In this paper we will discuss the results of recent measurements of close to 5000 modules, the entire production of modules corresponding to a small CPV power plant (200 kWp). We scrutinize the resultant data for signs of drift in the measurements, and analyze the light quality before and after, to check for changes in spectrum or spatial uniformity.)

Effect of ion flux on helium retention in helium-irradiated tungsten

Helium retention in irradiated tungsten leads to swelling, pore formation, sample exfoliation and embrittlement with deleterious consequences in many applications. In particular, the use of tungsten in future nuclear fusion plants is proposed due to its good refractory properties. However, serious concerns about tungsten survivability stems from the fact that it must withstand severe irradiation conditions. In magnetic fusion as well as in inertial fusion (particularly with direct drive targets), tungsten components will be exposed to low and high energy ion (helium) irradiation, respectively. A common feature is that the most detrimental situations will take place in pulsed mode, i.e., high flux irradiation. There is increasing evidence on a correlation between a high helium flux and an enhancement of detrimental effects on tungsten. Nevertheless, the nature of these effects is not well understood due to the subtleties imposed by the exact temperature profile evolution, ion energy, pulse duration, existence of impurities and simultaneous irradiation with other species. Physically based Kinetic Monte Carlo is the technique of choice to simulate the evolution of radiation-induced damage inside solids in large temporal and space scales. We have used the recently developed code MMonCa (Modular Monte Carlo simulator), presented in this conference for the first time, to study He retention (and in general defect evolution) in tungsten samples irradiated with high intensity helium pulses. The code simulates the interactions among a large variety of defects and impurities (He and C) during the irradiation stage and the subsequent annealing steps. In addition, it allows us to vary the sample temperature to follow the severe thermo-mechanical effects of the pulses. In this work we will describe the helium kinetics for different irradiation conditions. A competition is established between fast helium cluster migration and trapping at large defects, being the temperature a determinant factor. In fact, high temperatures (induced by the pulses) are responsible for large vacancy cluster formation and subsequent additional trapping with respect to low flux irradiation.

Resonant absorption in a plasma step profile

Resonant absorption of p-polarized light shined on a plane-layered plasma with a step profile, is discussed as a function of wavelength (or critical density n,) of the light: for simplicity the incidence angle is assumed small. If n, lies within or above the step, the absorption A is given by Ginzburg’s result modified by strong reflections at the foot and top of the step. The absorption above is total for particular values of nc and U. For n, crossing the top of the density step the absorption is not monotonical: it exhibits a minimum that vanishes for zero radius of curvature U there and zero collision frequency 1’ (A - Iln VI-’). The results are applied to the profile produced by irradiating a solid target with a high-intensity pulse that steepens the plasma by radiation pressure.

Effect of ion flux on helium retention in helium-irradiated tungsten

Helium retention in irradiated tungsten leads to swelling, pore formation, sample exfoliation and embrittlement with deleterious consequences in many applications. In particular, the use of tungsten in future nuclear fusion plants is proposed due to its good refractory properties. However, serious concerns about tungsten survivability stems from the fact that it must withstand severe irradiation conditions. In magnetic fusion as well as in inertial fusion (particularly with direct drive targets), tungsten components will be exposed to low and high energy ion irradiation (helium), respectively. A common feature is that the most detrimental situations will take place in pulsed mode, i.e., high flux irradiation. There is increasing evidence of a correlation between a high helium flux and an enhancement of detrimental effects on tungsten. Nevertheless, the nature of these effects is not well understood due to the subtleties imposed by the exact temperature profile evolution, ion energy, pulse duration, existence of impurities and simultaneous irradiation with other species. Object Kinetic Monte Carlo is the technique of choice to simulate the evolution of radiation-induced damage inside solids in large temporal and space scales. We have used the recently developed code MMonCa (Modular Monte Carlo simulator), presented at COSIRES 2012 for the first time, to study He retention (and in general defect evolution) in tungsten samples irradiated with high intensity helium pulses. The code simulates the interactions among a large variety of defects and during the irradiation stage and the subsequent annealing steps. The results show that the pulsed mode leads to significantly higher He retention at temperatures higher than 700 K. In this paper we discuss the process of He retention in terms of trap evolution. In addition, we discuss the implications of these findings for inertial fusion.

Irradiation uniformity at the Laser MegaJoule facility in the context of the shock ignition scheme

The use of the Laser MegaJoule facility within the shock ignition scheme has been considered. In the first part of the study, one-dimensional hydrodynamic calculations were performed for an inertial confinement fusion capsule in the context of the shock ignition scheme providing the energy gain and an estimation of the increase of the peak power due to the reduction of the photon penetration expected during the high-intensity spike pulse. In the second part, we considered a Laser MegaJoule configuration consisting of 176 laser beams that have been grouped providing two different irradiation schemes. In this configuration the maximum available energy and power are 1.3 MJ and 440 TW. Optimization of the laser?capsule parameters that minimize the irradiation non-uniformity during the first few ns of the foot pulse has been performed. The calculations take into account the specific elliptical laser intensity profile provided at the Laser MegaJoule and the expected beam uncertainties. A significant improvement of the illumination uniformity provided by the polar direct drive technique has been demonstrated. Three-dimensional hydrodynamic calculations have been performed in order to analyse the magnitude of the azimuthal component of the irradiation that is neglected in twodimensional hydrodynamic simulations.

Numerical study of ultrasound induced non-linear shape and size bubble oscillations in viscoelastic media

The theoretical study of forced bubble oscillations is motivated by the importance of cavitation bubbles and oscillating encapsulated microbubbles (i.e. contrast agents) in medical sciences. In more details,theoretical studies on bubble dynamics addressing the sound-bubble interaction phenomenon provide the basis for understanding the dynamics of contrast agent microbubbles used in medical diagnosis and of non-linearly oscillating cavitation bubbles in the case of high-intensity ultrasound therapy. Moreover, the inclusion of viscoelasticity is of vital importance for an accurate theoretical analysis since most biological tissues and fluids exhibit non-Newtonian behavior.

INTERVENÇÕES LÚDICAS COM MÃES DE RECÉM-NASCIDOS PRÉ-TERMO HOSPITALIZADOS

Esta pesquisa investiga a influência de intervenções lúdicas na diminuição da ansiedade materna com mães de recém-nascidos pré-termo hospitalizados, em um hospital universitário da Grande São Paulo. São estudadas 30 mães que tiveram parto prematuro, com faixa etária entre 16 e 40 anos e escolaridade até 2º grau, por meio de estudo avaliativo-interventivo-evolutivo. Inicia-se por uma entrevista psicológica semidirigida, com o objetivo de traçar o histórico gestacional, seguida de aplicação da Escala de Ansiedade, Depressão e Irritabilidade IDA, visando identificar o nível de ansiedade materna e do Inventário de Percepção Neonatal IPN-I para verificar a expectativa das mães em relação ao comportamento de choro, alimento e vômito de seus bebês pré-termo. A seguir são efetuadas intervenções grupais lúdicas em 16 encontros, um a cada semana, de 60 minutos, segundo modelo piagetiano, que estimula processos afetivosemocionais e cognitivos. Os dados relativos ao histórico gestacional revelam que 75% das mães encontram-se na segunda gestação e já sofreram aborto ou óbito fetal; têm ida de gestacional média de 31 semanas; peso médio do bebê ao nascer de 1.640g. e tempo de internação médio de 39,93 dias. Na análise do IDA em relação à ansiedade, 75% delas apresentam escore de alta intensidade (11,25), também alto quanto à depressão (10); o escore médio (3,73) da irritabilidade exteriorizada acompanha o da irritabilidade interiorizada (3,23). A correlação entre depressão e ansiedade indica que uma reação emocional segue a outra, não havendo diferença significativa importante entre ambas (p=0,306). O IPN-I comprova que as 30 mães têm expectativas em relação ao próprio filho similares aos bebês em geral, mostrando escores médios de 8,63 e 9,20, respectivamente, confirmados pelo escore 10,0 apontado em 75% da amostra, o que configura uma alta expectativa quanto aos aspectos de sono, alimentação e vômito dos bebês. A análise qualitativa revela que a criação de grupos lúdicos mostra-se favorável, com alta adesão e motivação das mães, favorecendo a diminuição da ansiedade, a adaptação à realidade vivida e a interação mãe-bebê de forma saudável durante a internação. O estudo apresenta a trajetória interventiva de três casos emblemáticos de diferentes níveis de ansiedade, ilustrando esta evolução. Estes dados sugerem que esta modalidade de intervenção caracterize-se como uma medida de prevenção, promoção e preservação da saúde física e psíquica da mãe e do recémnascido prematuro, com repercussões na família e na sociedade.(AU)

INTERVENÇÕES LÚDICAS COM MÃES DE RECÉM-NASCIDOS PRÉ-TERMO HOSPITALIZADOS

Esta pesquisa investiga a influência de intervenções lúdicas na diminuição da ansiedade materna com mães de recém-nascidos pré-termo hospitalizados, em um hospital universitário da Grande São Paulo. São estudadas 30 mães que tiveram parto prematuro, com faixa etária entre 16 e 40 anos e escolaridade até 2º grau, por meio de estudo avaliativo-interventivo-evolutivo. Inicia-se por uma entrevista psicológica semidirigida, com o objetivo de traçar o histórico gestacional, seguida de aplicação da Escala de Ansiedade, Depressão e Irritabilidade IDA, visando identificar o nível de ansiedade materna e do Inventário de Percepção Neonatal IPN-I para verificar a expectativa das mães em relação ao comportamento de choro, alimento e vômito de seus bebês pré-termo. A seguir são efetuadas intervenções grupais lúdicas em 16 encontros, um a cada semana, de 60 minutos, segundo modelo piagetiano, que estimula processos afetivosemocionais e cognitivos. Os dados relativos ao histórico gestacional revelam que 75% das mães encontram-se na segunda gestação e já sofreram aborto ou óbito fetal; têm ida de gestacional média de 31 semanas; peso médio do bebê ao nascer de 1.640g. e tempo de internação médio de 39,93 dias. Na análise do IDA em relação à ansiedade, 75% delas apresentam escore de alta intensidade (11,25), também alto quanto à depressão (10); o escore médio (3,73) da irritabilidade exteriorizada acompanha o da irritabilidade interiorizada (3,23). A correlação entre depressão e ansiedade indica que uma reação emocional segue a outra, não havendo diferença significativa importante entre ambas (p=0,306). O IPN-I comprova que as 30 mães têm expectativas em relação ao próprio filho similares aos bebês em geral, mostrando escores médios de 8,63 e 9,20, respectivamente, confirmados pelo escore 10,0 apontado em 75% da amostra, o que configura uma alta expectativa quanto aos aspectos de sono, alimentação e vômito dos bebês. A análise qualitativa revela que a criação de grupos lúdicos mostra-se favorável, com alta adesão e motivação das mães, favorecendo a diminuição da ansiedade, a adaptação à realidade vivida e a interação mãe-bebê de forma saudável durante a internação. O estudo apresenta a trajetória interventiva de três casos emblemáticos de diferentes níveis de ansiedade, ilustrando esta evolução. Estes dados sugerem que esta modalidade de intervenção caracterize-se como uma medida de prevenção, promoção e preservação da saúde física e psíquica da mãe e do recémnascido prematuro, com repercussões na família e na sociedade.(AU)

Persistent inhibition of cell respiration by nitric oxide: Crucial role of S-nitrosylation of mitochondrial complex I and protective action of glutathione

Both reversible and irreversible inhibition of mitochondrial respiration have been reported following the generation of nitric oxide (NO) by cells. Using J774 cells, we have studied the effect of long-term exposure to NO on different enzymes of the respiratory chain. Our results show that, although NO inhibits complex IV in a way that is always reversible, prolonged exposure to NO results in a gradual and persistent inhibition of complex I that is concomitant with a reduction in the intracellular concentration of reduced glutathione. This inhibition appears to result from S-nitrosylation of critical thiols in the enzyme complex because it can be immediately reversed by exposing the cells to high intensity light or by replenishment of intracellular reduced glutathione. Furthermore, decreasing the concentration of reduced glutathione accelerates the process of persistent inhibition. Our results suggest that, although NO may regulate cell respiration physiologically by its action on complex IV, long-term exposure to NO leads to persistent inhibition of complex I and potentially to cell pathology.

Myostatin dysfunction is associated with reduction in overload induced hypertrophy of soleus muscle in mice

Acknowledgements This project was also supported by Marie Curie International Reintegration Grant 249156 (A. Lionikas) and the grants VP1-3.1-SMM-01-V-02-003 (A. Kilikevicius) and MIP-067/2012 (T. Venckunas) from the Research Council of Lithuania as well as the grant from the Ministry of Higher Education of Saudi Arabia (Y. Alhind). We wish also to thank Mrs Indre Libnickiene for her excellent technical assistance provided during the project