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Salt sensitivity (SS) represents a risk factor for essential hypertension, which has been related to enhanced cardiovascular stress reactivity possibly mediated by increased noradrenergic susceptibility. We investigated biophysiological responses to mental stress in salt-sensitive (ss) and salt-resistant (sr) subjects, hypothesizing lower heart rate variability (HRV) and higher cortisol in the ss. A total of 48 healthy normotensive Caucasian men (age 25.6±2.6, body mass index 22.9±2.3) were phenotyped for SS (defined as significant drop in mean arterial pressure>3 mm Hg under the low-salt diet) by a 2-week high- versus low-salt diet. Subjects underwent a standardized mental stress task with continuous cardiovascular monitoring before, during and after the test (Finapres; Ohmeda, Louisville, CO, USA). Blood samples were drawn to examine cortisol and catecholamines before, after and 20 min after stress. The task elicited significant increases of systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP) and heart rate (HR) and a significant decrease of HRV (all time effects P<0.0001). The ss subjects showed lower norepinephrine (NE) and higher cortisol, indicated by significant group effects (P=0.009 and 0.025, respectively). HR increased and HRV decreased more in the ss under the stress, shown by significant time by group interactions (P=0.045 and 0.003, respectively). The observation of a more pronounced HR rise coupled with a greater decrease of HRV in healthy ss men under the influence of brief mental stress confirms their enhanced physiological stress reactivity. The lower peripheral NE may represent an effort to compensate for increased noradrenergic receptor sensitivity. The enhanced cortisol levels are backed by recent genetic findings on HSD11B2 polymorphisms and may promote hypertension.Journal of Human Hypertension (2008) 22, 423–431; doi:10.1038/jhh.2008.11; published online 13 March 2008 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Albany Cable Project team (BOC, National Grid, Sumitomo Electric, SuperPower) have built and tested a 350-m long HTS cable and cryogenic system rated at 48 MVA (800 Arms, 34.5-kV). The cable system included the world's first demonstration of an HTS cable-to-cable joint (or splice) as well as some novel design aspects in both the cryogenic refrigeration system and the terminations. The cable was installed and began operation in July 2006. This paper will summarize the testing and operational aspects of the HTS cable system and its integration into the existing National Grid 34.5-kV network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High temperature superconducting transformers offer many economic, operational, and environmental benefits over conventional power transformers for utility applications. To establish the technical and economic feasibility and benefits of HTS transformers of medium-to-large (>10 MVA) ratings, a team that includes Waukesha Electric Systems (transformer manufacturer), SuperPower, Inc. (HTS systems manufacturer), Oak Ridge National Lab, and Energy East has designed, built and tested a prototype 5/10 MVA superconducting transformer. The transformer's 4.5-ton cold mass has been successfully maintained at temperatures of 30-50 K for several months, without full-lime operator attendance. The transformer has reached its full three-phase operating current, and has been tested to 1.4 limes operating current (limited by available power supplies) in single-phase mode. It is now undergoing long-term tests at various current levels, high-voltage tests, and transient overcurrent tests at the Waukesha site. This paper summarizes the manufacturing, cooldown, and the test results achieved to date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A team consisting of SuperPower, Inc. (HTS systems manufacturer), The BOC Group (global industrial gases company), Sumitomo Electric Industries (cable manufacturer), and Niagara Mohawk (electric utility) is developing a 34.5 kV HTS cable for installation in the distribution network in downtown Albany, NY. Energization is projected for the winter of 2005. The cable will be rated for 800 Arms, with all three electrical phases in one cryostat. The 350 m long cable will be pulled through a duct that includes a 90° bend. A field installed underground cable joint will allow for the replacement of a 30 m section of the original first generation HIS cable with a section manufactured utilizing second generation superconductor, in 2006. This paper will summarize the progress made to date and outline future development work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

WEBER C.S., FLIEGE H., ARCK P.C., KREUZER K.-A., ROSE M.& KLAPP B.F. (2005) European Journal of Cancer Care 14, 155–165 Patients with haematological malignancies show a restricted body image focusing on function and emotion The diagnosis of cancer threatens the psychological and bodily integrity. Based on this assumption, we aimed to explore how newly diagnosed patients cope with special regard to the body image (BI). In total, 40 patients (32 haematological malignancies) were assessed by questionnaires on mood, complaints, self-regulation and quality of life (QOL). The BI was assessed by the‘Body Grid’ which reveals the constructs patients choose to characterize the body. The constructs were categorized using a model of six predefined categories comprising: emotion, control, activity, strength, function and appearance. Tinnitus sufferers and medical students served as comparison groups. Cancer patients showed significantly more anxious depression and a significantly lower QOL than controls. Their BI was restricted, focusing the functional status of body organs (e.g. opposing healthy vs. ill organs) as well as emotional aspects (e.g. trust vs. fear). The data convey fundamental psychological distress in newly diagnosed cancer patients. Restriction of BI and use of functional constructs may help to buffer the threat to body integrity. The emotional constructs reflect the existential impact. The data give a clear indication for the need for early psychosocial support which should aim at stabilizing the psychological and bodily integrity of the patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-temperature superconducting (HTS) cable systems are expected to be a solution for improvement of the power grid and three demonstration projects in the real grid are underway in the United States. One of these is the Albany, NY HTS Cable Project, involving the installation and operation of a 350 meter HTS cable system with a capacity of 34.5 kV, 800 A, installed between two substations in National Grid's electric utility system. A 320 meter and a 30 meter cable are installed in an underground conduit and connected together by a joint, or splice in a vault. In Phase I of this project, the cables were fabricated with DI-BSCCO wire in a 3-core-in-one cryostat structure. After the installation of the HTS cable system, the in.grid operation began on July 20, 2006 and operated successfully in unattended condition through May 1, 2007. In Phase II, the 30 meter section was replaced by a 2G (YBCO) cable. The 2G cable was fabricated with SuperPower's YBCO coated conductors in a 3 core-in-one cryostat. After replacement of the 30 meter section, the joint and one termination were reassembled and the commissioning tests that included initial cooling, critical current measurement and DC withstand voltage test were completed successfully. After the commissioning tests, the HTS cable system with a 30 meter YBCO cable and a 320 meter DI-BSCCO cable was re-energized on January 8, 2008 and started again to operate in a live utility network. This paper describes the latest status of the Albany HTS cable project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]