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Objectives Perioperative hyperglycemia is associated with poor postoperative recovery, including compromised immune function and increased risk of infection. A closed-loop glycemic control system (artificial pancreas) has demonstrated strict safe perioperative glycemic control without hypoglycemia risk. The authors hypothesized that the artificial pancreas would reduce surgical site infections (SSIs) and postoperative inflammatory reactions. This study aimed to assess the effect of the artificial pancreas on SSIs and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels after cardiac surgery. Design A single-center retrospective, propensity score–matched analysis. Setting A university hospital. Participants In total, 295 patients who underwent cardiovascular surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass were included. Interventions Patients were divided into two groups: artificial pancreas (target blood glucose: 120-150 mg/dL) and intravenous insulin infusion (conventional insulin therapy, target blood glucose: Measurements and Main Results The differences in the incidence of SSIs and CRP levels between the two groups were assessed. After 1:1 propensity score matching based on their covariates, 101 matched patients were selected from each group. The incidence of SSIs was reduced by 3%, 5% (conventional insulin therapy), and 2% (artificial pancreas), but the reduction was not statistically significant (p = 0.45). The postoperative maximum CRP level was significantly lower in the artificial pancreas group than in the conventional insulin therapy group, mean (standard deviation)14.53 (5.64) mg/dL v 16.57 (5.58) mg/dL; p = 0.01. Conclusions The artificial pancreas did not demonstrate a significant reduction in the incidence of SSIs. However, the artificial pancreas was safe and suppressed postoperative inflammation compared with conventional insulin therapy.

Surface-activated bonding (SAB), also called room-temperature bonding, is used in three-dimensional integration technology for semiconductor devices. An Ar fast atom beam (FAB) is used for SAB. However, conventional FAB guns must be replaced after hundreds of minutes of irradiation because carbon abrasion powders are generated by Ar ions sputtering in the gun. Therefore, this study develops a novel FAB gun with improved lifetime. The proposed FAB gun applies magnetic fields to guide Ar ions to reduce sputtering in the gun and improve irradiation efficiency. The proposed FAB gun indicates the possibility of improving gun lifetime.

Purpose: There have been contradictory findings regarding the effects of sevoflurane on the oncogenic properties of cancer cells. This study was conducted to gain insights into the fundamental rules governing the differential effects of sevoflurane exposure on various cancer cells derived from multiple origins. Methods: A series of cancer cell lines were exposed to 1% (v/v) sevoflurane for 2–8 h and then assessed for their proliferation, Matrigel invasion, and apoptotic cell death, in comparison with their untreated counterparts. Cell proliferation and Matrigel invasion assays were performed using Coulter counter and Boyden chamber techniques, respectively. Apoptosis was evaluated by staining cells with Annexin V and 7-AAD followed by fluorescence flow cytometry. In addition, the expression of cleaved caspase-3 protein, another marker of apoptosis, was assessed using immunoblotting. Results: Proliferation was significantly enhanced after sevoflurane exposure in six of eight cancer cell lines (NCI-H1299, MDA-MB-231, HCT116, DLD-1, HT29, and RKO). In contrast, sevoflurane attenuated proliferation in the last two cancer cell lines, A549 and MCF-7, as well as in the non-cancerous MCF10A cell line. Cell biological assays using four cancer cell lines demonstrated that accelerated but not attenuated cancer cell proliferation after sevoflurane exposure is associated with enhanced Matrigel invasion and suppressed apoptosis. Conclusion: Sevoflurane augmented or hampered cell proliferation and Matrigel invasion depending on the cancer cell line examined. Loss of sevoflurane-induced apoptosis occurring in cancer cell lines is likely to be correlated with their enhanced proliferation after sevoflurane exposure., ファイル公開：2021/02/01

Sodium and, in a lesser way, potassium atomic components of surface-bounded exospheres are among the brightest elements that can be observed from the Earth in our Solar System. Both species have been intensively observed around Mercury, the Moon and the Galilean Moons. During the last decade, new observations have been obtained thanks to space missions carrying remote and in situ instrumentation that provide a completely original view of these species in the exospheres of Mercury and the Moon. They challenged our understanding and modelling of these exospheres and opened new directions of research by suggesting the need to better take into account the relationship between the surface-exosphere and the magnetosphere. In this paper, we first review the large set of observations of Mercury and the Moon Sodium and Potassium exospheres. In the second part, we list what it tells us on the sources and sinks of these exospheres focusing in particular on the role of their magnetospheres of these objects and then discuss, in a third section, how these observations help us to understand and identify the key drivers of these exospheres.

Background Increased arterial stiffness characterize by aging. It is reported that age-related increases in muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) may be one of contributing factor for arterial stiffness. Arterial reflected wave was composed of SNA and aging. Increased arterial reflected wave partly plays an important role in blood pressure. Recently, we reported that arterial velocity pulse index (AVI), a novel index of arterial reflected waves, was associated with MSNA in hypertensive patients. It is still uncertain the effect of age on the association between AVI and SNA in hypertensive patients. Method Patients with essential HT and matched non-hypertensive control subjects were included in this study. HT was diagnosed as systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥90 mmHg. AVI was measured from left upper arm by NAS-1000. SNA was evaluated by direct recording of muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) from peroneal nerves. Results 45 HT patients and 46 control subjects were included. Age, SBP and DBP were significantly increased in HT group compared to control (Age 63±14 vs 42±16 years, p160 mmHg subjects in group 2, significant correlation was clarified between AVI and MSNA (r=0.62, p Conclusion The relationship between AVI and MSNA in HT patients is preserved regardless of aging, however, high blood pressure over 160mmHg might obscure its correlation. These results indicate that AVI is useful to estimate sympathetic nerve activity in high aging HT patient treated Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Introduction Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) is the main cause of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). LVDD is related not only to arterial stiffness but also sympathetic nerve activity (SNA). Recent study demonstrated that increased muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) may be one of contributing factor for arterial stiffness. In clinical practice, Cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) provides a reproducible index of arterial stiffness, independent of blood pressure (BP). Recently, Arterial Velocity pulse Index (AVI), which is an index of arterial reflected waves, have been proposed as new index of arterial stiffness. We reported that AVI was associated with MSNA in hypertensive (HT) patients. However, it is still uncertain the effect of LVDD on the association between AVI and SNA in HT patients. Thus, we tested the hypothesis that AVI would be increased and related to MSNA in HT patients with LVDD. Methods Patients with essential HT subjects were included in this study. HT was diagnosed as systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥140mmHg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥90mmHg. Patients with secondary HT was excluded. AVI was measured from left upper arm by NAS-1000 (Nihon Koden, Japan). CAVI was measured by VaSera VS-1500A (Fukuda Denshi, Japan). Transthoracic echocardiography was performed by trained sonographers. SNA was evaluated by direct recording of MSNA from peroneal nerves. Results 25 HT patients were included (age 63±14 years, Male/Female 9/16). They were divided into two groups according to E/e' (no LVDD group, E/e' ≤9, N=12; LVDD group, E/e' >9, N=13). There were no significant differences between no LVDD and LVDD groups in age (63±9 vs 69±9 years p=0.205), body mass index (23±3 vs 24±4 p=0.355), BP (SBP 139±16 vs 144±20mmHg p=0.524, DBP 87±15 vs 78±14mmHg p=0.167). LV Ejection Fraction (EF) and Stroke Volume (SV) did not differ between two groups (EF 66±7 vs 69±6% p=0.471, SV 58±7 vs 62±14ml p=0.599). MSNA had tendency to increase in LVDD group compared to no LVDD group (MSNA 53±10 vs 44±12 bursts/100 heartbeats, p=0.052). Contrary to our hypothesis, AVI and CAVI did not differ between two groups (AVI 27±7 vs 29±7 p=0.398, CAVI 8.7±1.4 vs 8.6±1.4 p=0.894). However, a significant correlation was seen between AVI and MSNA in no LVDD group (r=0.57, p Conclusion AVI was significantly associated with MSNA in HT patients without LVDD, but not with LVDD. CAVI was related to AVI in HT patients with LVDD, but not without LVDD. MSNA was slightly increased in HT patients with LVDD compared to without LVDD. These results indicate that augmented SNA could contribute to the increase in arterial stiffness in HT patients without LVDD, however, this contribution might be attenuated in HT patients with LVDD. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Recent Critical Heat Flux (CHF) experimental results in the range of 40 MW/m2 obtained on small scale tungsten (W) monoblock mock-ups with reduced minimum W thickness above the coolant tube compared to the nominal 6 mm planned for ITER are presented. The CHF margin during ITER operations is further assessed, taking into account design and manufacturing aspects, demonstrating that an absorbed top surface heat flux of 20 MW/m2 should not be exceeded during ITER operations if the factor 1.4 margin to CHF, which must be respected for ITER monoblocks, is to be preserved.

This study focused on investigating the influence of processing undoped, dense lead telluride (PbTe) either via mechanical grinding (MG) or mechanical alloying (MA), based on the milling rotation speed (1.5–3.0 Hz), followed by hot pressing (HP) on the grain size and phonon thermal conductivity (κphonon). The samples prepared via MG-HP were single-phased, had high relative densities (> 99%), and exhibited uniform morphologies. For a milling rate of 2.5 Hz, the minimum κphonon of MG-HP was 0.90 W m−1 K−1 and the average grain size was 0.47 µm. Furthermore, the grains produced by MG-HP and milled at 2.5 Hz comprised subgrains with a size of approximately 50 nm. The samples prepared using MA-HP showed higher theoretical relative densities. For a milling rate of 2.0 Hz, the minimum κphonon of MA-HP was 1.36 W m−1 K−1 and the average grain size was 0.52 µm. The electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient of MG-HP and MA-HP were similar to those of the p-type doped materials. Thus, the MG-HP process is an appropriate method for producing undoped PbTe with a high Seebeck coefficient and a low κphonon.

J H Beigel et al conduct a study to examine the clinical efficacy and safety of remdesivir in hospitalized adults with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 and with evidence of lower respiratory tract involvement The double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial took place between Feb 21, 2020 and Apr 19, 2020 at 60 trial sites and 13 subsites in the US, Denmark, the UK, Greece, Germany, Korea, Mexico, Spain, Japan, and Singapore Participants had evidence of lower respiratory tract infection at the time of enrolment The study found that remdesivir, compared to placebo, significantly shortened time to recovery in adult patients hospitalized with COVID-19 who had evidence of lower respiratory tract infection

ITER divertor outer vertical target (OVT) consists of 22 plasma facing units (PFUs) and 2 stainless support structures (SSSs) including a complex internal structure for coolant water. Pressure drop and flow rate in each PFU are identified as important parameters for acceptable range in terms of the pumping power of cooling water system and performance of heat removal. In this study, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and a transient reactor analysis code (TRAC-PF1) which is simpler simulation than the CFD have been performed to estimate the pressure drop and flow distribution in 11 PFUs mounted on an OVT SSS (half of the OVT). Results of both prediction methods showed the proper pressure drop and the homogeneous flow distribution within acceptable range of design requirement. To verify these numerical simulations, the results were compared to experimentally measured values in the flow test. This study demonstrated that the TRAC-PF1 as well as the CFD are applicable tools for further optimization of the divertor OVT cooling structure in view of manufacturing.

The refined design of full-W ITER divertor outer vertical targets (OVT) has the combination of plasma-facing units (PFUs) variants with bevelled W monoblocks to prevent leading edge overheating. Full-length PFU prototypes have withstood against the repetitive heat load of 20MW/m2 and they met the requirements for W technologies qualification programed by the IO. Upon the successful results, JADA has launched series of qualification programs toward the mass production of components. Furthermore, JADA successfully verified the water flow design inside the OVT is fulfilling the ITER requirements. The flow test was done using a OVT prototype with dummy cooling tubes.

The shaping of the ITER divertor vertical targets has been refined as a consequence of manufacturing and engineering considerations during the prototype manufacturing activities. In this paper, the optimized ITER divertor design is presented together with design validation by 3D field line tracing calculation and thermo-mechanical analysis by finite element calculations. Furthermore, the reduction of W monoblock armour thickness to 6 mm is also discussed.

During the qualification program of the tungsten divertor vertical targets, the tested mock-ups (250 tested tungsten monoblocks in total) successfully demonstrate their thermal performances and structural integrity. However, some of the tested monoblocks, in average 30%, showed macro-cracks in the tungsten. This paper presents the results of 3D elastic-plastic thermo-mechanical analysis of the tungsten monoblock under stationary thermal loads for two cases of tungsten material properties: (1) stress-relieved and (2) recrystallized. The comparison pointed out that the recrystallized tungsten monoblock accumulated more damages at the loaded than stress-relieved tungsten. In addition, recrystallization may lead to early development of cracks on the monoblock either due to progressive deformation or fatigue while the non-recrystallized monoblock has a much smaller probability to develop cracks, as long as the exposed surfaces are free from defects.

Since the signatures of ITER divertor Procurement Arrangements, material purchases, process qualification as well as manufacturing of full-scale prototypes have progressed. This paper provides a brief summary of the ITER divertor materials, the requirements for these materials, and the requirements for manufacturing and inspection of the divertor components. Experiences to be acquired through the prototype manufacturing activities are also discussed.

The ITER project aims to demonstrate scientific and technological feasibility of controlled energy production through thermonuclear fusion and the IAEA plays a pro-active role in catalyzing innovation and enhancing the worldwide commitment to fusion. The 3rd Joint IAEA-ITER Technical Meeting on ITER Materials & Technologies, held in November 2015 has been aimed to contribute to the development of a knowledge base of properties, processes and technologies relevant to ITER structural and plasma-facing materials/components. This paper is a summary of the presentations and discussions of the meeting, which was mainly devoted to materials and technologies for ITER, while those relevant beyond, like a DEMO were considered as well within the scope.

In 2015, as part of ITER Full-Tungsten Divertor Qualification Program, Institute of Plasma Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences (ASIPP) manufactured six small-scale Tungsten (W) monoblock mock-ups that were tested at the electron beam facility, ITER Divertor Test Facility (IDTF, St Petersburg, RF). The high heat flux (HHF) tests consisted of 5000 cycles at 10 MW/m 2 , followed by 300 cycles at 20 MW/m 2 and additional 700 cycles at 20 MW/m 2 . All mock-ups fulfilled the requirements of high heat flux performance successfully. One (WTC-5) of the six mock-ups was then selected to carry out critical heat flux (CHF) test with local heat flux up to 37–39 MW/m 2 . After HHF test, ultrasonic test (UT) and destructive tests were performed to characterize the damages of monoblocks. The debonding of the Cu/CuCrZr interface was detected by both nondestructive and destructive tests. Intergranular rupture of W was observed by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The recrystallization was found in the W monoblocks and the recrystallized depth were analyzed by metallography and Vickers hardness measurement.

The key remaining physics design issue for the ITER tungsten (W) divertor is the question of monoblock (MB) front surface shaping in the high heat flux target areas of the actively cooled targets. Engineering tolerance specifications impose a challenging maximum radial step between toroidally adjacent MBs of 0.3mm. Assuming optical projection of the parallel heat loads, magnetic shadowing of these edges is required if quasi-steady state melting is to be avoided under certain conditions during burning plasma operation and transiently during edge localized mode (ELM) or disruption induced power loading. An experiment on JET in 2013 designed to investigate the consequences of transient W edge melting on ITER, found significant deficits in the edge power loads expected on the basis of simple geometric arguments, throwing doubt on the understanding of edge loading at glancing field line angles. As a result, a coordinated multi-experiment and simulation effort was initiated via the International Tokamak Physics Activity (ITPA) and through ITER contracts, aimed at improving the physics basis supporting a MB shaping decision from the point of view both of edge power loading and melt dynamics. This paper reports on the outcome of this activity, concluding first that the geometrical approximation for leading edge power loading on radially misaligned poloidal leading edges is indeed valid. On this basis, the behaviour of shaped and unshaped monoblock surfaces under stationary and transient loads, with and without melting, is compared in order to examine the consequences of melting, or power overload in context of the benefit, or not, of shaping. The paper concludes that MB top surface shaping is recommended to shadow poloidal gap edges in the high heat flux areas of the ITER divertor targets. Keywords: ITER, Tungsten, Divertor, Shaping, Melting, MEMOS

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For the series production of the divertor outer vertical target (OVT) of the ITER, approximately 200,000 tungsten (W) monoblocks as plasma-facing material are planned to be manufactured. However, thus far, the variation in the properties of the W monoblocks has not been investigated. In this study, the chemical impurity level, material properties, and response to cyclic heat loading (i.e., durability and surface deformation) of W monoblocks manufactured using W plates supplied by A.L.M.T. Corp., Japan (ALMT) and Nidec Sankyo CMI Corp., Japan (NSCM) were investigated. On examining the manufactured lots (four from ALMT and two from NSCM), it was concluded that the variation in the material properties might have been caused by variations in the impurity level of the raw powder, contamination during manufacturing, and changes in the processing parameters. The results of the high heat flux test indicated that all the examined lots met the acceptance criteria. Hence, the variations observed in the chemical impurity level and material properties (e.g., density, Vickers hardness, and grain size) of the W plates supplied by ALMT and NSCM were acceptable. Therefore, W from the two suppliers will be employed in the full-scale plasma-facing unit prototype, which will be used for the final qualification of the material and OVT manufacturing technology.