Search

ITER divertor is built with tungsten monoblocks that contain a tungsten–copper interface. There, hydrogen isotopes could possibly accumulate leading to safety and mechanical issues. As a consequence, the tungsten–copper interface has to be modeled and characterized, which is here performed at the atomic-scale by means of density functional theory calculations. In order to build the model, we selected the tungsten and copper orientations that minimizes the mismatch between both networks; this results in the W(001)/Cubcc(001) and W(001)/Cufcc(001)R45° interfaces. After relaxation, both systems converge to the same Wbcc(001)/Cuhcp(112̄0) structure, which is consistent with previous experimental observations. Such reconstruction of the copper network has the effect of changing the charge density in the copper part of the interface, with possible effects on hydrogen interaction.

Rate equation modelling is performed to simulate ${\mathrm{D_2}}$ and ${\mathrm{D_2}}+{\mathrm{D}_2^+}$ exposure of the ${\mathrm{W}(110)}$ surface with varying coverage of oxygen atoms (O) from the clean surface up to 0.75 monolayer of O. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculated energetics are used as inputs for the surface processes and desorption energies are optimized to best reproduce the Thermal Desorption Spectrometry (TDS) experiments obtained for ${\mathrm{D_2}}$ exposure. For the clean surface, the optimized desorption energies (1.10 eV–1.40 eV) are below the DFT ones (1.30 eV–1.50 eV). For the O covered surface, the main desorption peak is reproduced with desorption energies of 1.10 eV and 1.00 eV for 0.50 and 0.75 monolayer of O respectively. This is slightly higher than the DFT predicted desorption energies. In order to simulate satisfactorily the total retention obtained experimentally for ${\mathrm{D_2}}+{\mathrm{D}_2^+}$ exposure, a sputtering process needs to be added to the model, describing the sputtering of adsorbed species (D atoms) by the incident D ions. The impact of the sputtering process on the shape of the TDS spectra, on the total retention and on the recycling of D from the wall is discussed. In order to better characterize the sputtering process, especially its products and yields, atomistic calculations such as molecular dynamics are suggested as a next step for this study.

In this work we investigated the adsorption of oxygen and the co-adsorption of oxygen and hydrogen on the (110) surface of tungsten by means of Density Functional calculations. The absorption, recombination and release mechanisms of hydrogen across the (110) surface with oxygen are further established at saturation and above saturation of the surface. It is found that hydrogen and oxygen both adsorb preferentially at three-fold sites. The saturation limit was determined to one monolayer in adsorbate. Oxygen is found to lower the binding energy of hydrogen on the surface and to lower the activation barrier for the recombination of molecular hydrogen. Finally, as on the clean surface, oversaturation in adsorbate is shown to lower both activation barriers for hydrogen absorption and for molecular hydrogen recombination on the (110) surface of tungsten.

Beryllium oxide (BeO) and deuteroxide (BeOxDy) have been found on the melted zone of a beryllium tile extracted from the upper dump plate of JET-ILW (2011–2012 campaign). Results have been obtained using Raman microscopy, which is sensitive to both the chemical bond and crystal structure, with a micrometric lateral resolution. BeO is found with a wurtzite crystal structure. BeOxDy is found as three different types which are not the β-phase but behaves as molecular species like Be(OD)2, O(Be-D)2 and DBeOD. The presence of a small amount of trapped D2O is also suspected. Our results therefore strongly suggest that D trapping occurs after melting through the formation of deuteroxides. The temperature increase favors the formation of crystal BeO which favors deuterium trapping through OD bonding. Keywords: Beryllium oxide, Beryllium deuteroxide, D trapping, Melting

Beryllium will be used as a plasma-facing material for ITER and will retain radioactive tritium fuel under normal operating conditions; this poses a safety issue. Vacancies play one the key roles in the trapping of tritium. This paper presents a first-principles investigation dedicated to point defect in hcp beryllium. After showing the bulk properties calculated herein agree well with experimental data, we calculated the formation energy of a single-vacancy and henceforth propose an estimate of 0.72 eV. This value is discussed with regard to previous theoretical and experimental studies.

Cryogenic matrix isolation experiments have allowed the measurement of the UV absorption spectra of the high-energy non-chelated isomers of acetylacetone, these isomers being produced by UV irradiation of the stable chelated form. Their identification has been done by coupling selective UV-induced isomerization, infrared spectroscopy, and harmonic vibrational frequency calculations using density functional theory. The relative energies of the chelated and non-chelated forms of acetylacetone in the S0 state have been obtained using density functional theory and coupled-cluster methods. For each isomer of acetylacetone, we have calculated the UV transition energies and dipole oscillator strengths using the excited-state coupled-cluster methods, including EOMCCSD (equation-of-motion coupled-cluster method with singles and doubles) and CR-EOMCCSD(T) (the completely renormalized EOMCC approach with singles, doubles, and non-iterative triples). For dipole-allowed transition energies, there is a very good agreement between experiment and theory. In particular, the CR-EOMCCSD(T) approach explains the blue shift in the electronic spectrum due to the formation of the non-chelated species after the UV irradiation of the chelated form of acetylacetone. Both experiment and CR-EOMCCSD(T) theory identify two among the seven non-chelated forms to be characterized by red-shifted UV transitions relative to the remaining five non-chelated isomers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein we investigate absorption and desorption of hydrogen in the sub-surface of tungsten via density functional theory. Both the near-surface diffusion and recombination of a bulk hydrogen atom with a hydrogen atom adsorbed upon the W(1 1 0) and W(1 0 0) surfaces are investigated at various surface adsorption coverage ratios. This study intends to model the desorption processes occurring during thermal-desorption spectroscopy experiments and the absorption of hydrogen during gaseous or low energy atomic exposure. Since the diffusion and recombination processes are expected to change as the hydrogen coverage of the surface varies, different coverage ratios were investigated on both surfaces. We found that at a saturation coverage of hydrogen on both surfaces, the activation barriers for the recombination of molecular hydrogen are below 0.8 eV. On the contrary, below saturation, the activation barriers for recombination rise to 1.35 eV and 1.51 eV depending on the coverage and on the orientation of the surface. Regarding the absorption of atomic hydrogen from the surface into the bulk, the activation barrier raises from less than 1.0 eV at saturation to around 1.7 eV below saturation on both surfaces. These results indicate that surface mechanisms certainly play a significant role in the kinetics of desorption of hydrogen from tungsten; it is also expected that surface mechanisms affect the total amount on hydrogen absorbed in tungsten during implantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study demonstrates that Raman microscopy is a suitable technique for future post mortem analyses of JET and ITER plasma facing components. We focus here on laboratory deposited and bombarded samples of beryllium and beryllium carbides and start to build a reference spectral databases for fusion relevant beryllium-based materials. We identified the beryllium phonon density of states, its second harmonic and E2G and B2G second harmonic and combination modes for defective beryllium in the spectral range 300–700 and 700–1300 cm−1, lying close to Be–D modes of beryllium hydrides. We also identified beryllium carbide signature, Be2C, combining Raman microscopy and DFT calculation. We have shown that, depending on the optical constants of the material probed, in depth sensitivity at the nanometer scale can be performed using different wavelengths. This way, we demonstrate that multi-wavelength Raman microscopy is sensitive to in-depth stress caused by ion implantation (down to  ≈30 nm under the surface for Be) and Be/C concentration (down to 400 nm or more under the surface for Be+C), which is a main contribution of this work. The depth resolution reached can then be adapted for studying the supersaturated surface layer found on tokamak deposits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is general consensus that an improper diet negatively impacts health and that nutrition is a primary tool for the prevention of non-communicable diseases. Unfortunately, the importance of studying body composition, which can reveal early predictors of gender-related diseases, is still not well understood in this context. Currently, individuals are still classified as obese based solely on their body mass index, without considering the amount of fat, its distribution, and the quantity of muscle and bone mass. In this regard, the body composition phenotype defined as "osteosarcopenic obesity" affects approximately 6-41 % of postmenopausal women, with prevalence increasing with age due to the hormonal and metabolic changes that occur during this period. This particular phenotype arises from the strong relationship between visceral fat, muscle, bone, and gut microbiota and predispose postmenopausal women to frailty. Frailty is a complex clinical phenomenon with significant care and economic implications for our society. Recent studies suggest that women have a higher prevalence of frailty syndrome and its individual components, such as osteoporosis, fractures and sarcopenia, compared to men. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of recent advances regarding the impact of gender on body composition and frailty. Furthermore, we reflect on the crucial importance of personalized nutritional interventions, with a focus on reducing visceral fat, increasing protein intake and optimizing vitamin D levels. A review of the scientific literature on this topic highlights the importance of studying body composition for a personalized and gender-specific approach to nutrition and dietetics, in order to identify frailty syndrome early and establish personalized treatments. This new method of researching disease predictors could likely help clarify the controversial results of studies on vitamin D, calcium and proteins, translate into practical wellness promotion across diverse elderly populations., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: In an era when telemedicine is becoming increasingly essential, the development and validation of miniaturized Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) devices for accurate and reliable body composition assessment is crucial. This study investigates the BIA Metadieta, a novel miniaturized BIA device, by comparing its performance with that of standard hospital BIA equipment across a diverse demographic. The aim is to enhance remote health monitoring by integrating compact and efficient technology into routine healthcare practices., Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 154 participants from the Clinical Nutrition Unit. The study compared resistance (R), reactance (Xc), and phase angle (PhA) measurements obtained from the BIA Metadieta device and a traditional hospital-based BIA device., Results: Analysis revealed strong positive correlations between the BIA Metadieta and the hospital-based device for R (r = 0.988, P < 0.001), Xc (r = 0.946, P < 0.001), and PhA (r = 0.929, P < 0.001), indicating the miniaturized device's high accuracy and reliability. These correlations were consistent across different genders and BMI categories, demonstrating the device's versatility., Conclusions: The BIA Metadieta device, with its miniaturized form factor, represents a significant step forward in the field of remote health monitoring, providing a reliable, accurate, and accessible means for assessing body composition., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Metallic interfaces are locations where hydrogen (H) is expected to segregate and lead to the formation and stabilization of defects. This work focuses on the tungsten/copper (W/Cu) interface built according to theWbcc(001)/Cuhcp(112-0)orientation. H behavior is subsequently determined at the interface and in its vicinity with electronic structure calculations based on the density functional theory (DFT). The electronic and vibrational properties determined in this way followed a thermodynamic treatment to deliver the solubility of H as a function of the temperature and chemical potential. The 96 interstitial positions we investigated reveal that H predominantly occupies the octahedral (Oh) sites in the copper network. Reversely, H exclusively occupies the tetrahedral (Td) sites in the tungsten network. The solubility of H is higher in the interface plane where both octahedral and tetrahedral sites are occupied. Despite this work is a first step toward kinetic modeling of hydrogen transport across the W/Cu interface, we conclude that theWbcc(001)/Cuhcp(112-0)would behave like a sink where hydrogen isotopes could accumulate., (© 2024 IOP Publishing Ltd. All rights, including for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies, are reserved.)

Purpose: Although numerous studies have investigated the impact of dietary factors on the prevention of decreased muscle mass and function, limited research has examined the relationship between dietary patterns and sarcopenia. This study aimed to assess the associations between dietary patterns, and sarcopenia, muscle strength, and mass in adults following a Mediterranean diet residing in southern Italian cities., Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized data from an existing database, comprising 528 individuals aged 50 years or older who underwent health-screening tests at the Clinical Nutrition Unit of the "R.Dulbecco" University Hospital. Strength was assessed through handgrip strength, and appendicular skeletal muscle mass was estimated using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Dietary intake information was collected through a food frequency questionnaire linked to the MetaDieta 3.0.1 nutrient composition database. Principal Component Analysis, a statistical technique identifying underlying relationships among different nutrients, was employed to determine dietary patterns. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to estimate the odds ratio for sarcopenia or low handgrip strength in relation to the lowest tertile of dietary pattern adherence compared to the highest adherence., Results: The participants had a mean age of 61 ± 8 years. Four dietary patterns were identified, with only the Western and Mediterranean patterns showing correlations with handgrip strength and appendicular skeletal muscle mass. However, only the Mediterranean pattern exhibited a correlation with sarcopenia (r =  - 0.17, p = 0.02). The highest tertile of adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern demonstrated significantly higher handgrip strength compared to the lowest tertile (III Tertile: 28.3 ± 0.5 kg vs I Tertile: 26.3 ± 0.5 kg; p = 0.01). Furthermore, even after adjustment, the highest tertile of adherence to the Mediterranean pattern showed a significantly lower prevalence of sarcopenia than the lowest adherence tertile (4% vs 16%, p = 0.04). The lowest adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern was associated with increased odds of having low muscle strength (OR = 2.38; p = 0.03; 95%CI = 1.05-5.37) and sarcopenia (OR = 9.69; p = 0.0295; %CI = 1.41-66.29)., Conclusion: A high adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern, characterized by increased consumption of legumes, cereals, fruits, vegetables, and limited amounts of meat, fish, and eggs, is positively associated with handgrip strength and appendicular skeletal muscle mass. The highest adherence to this dietary model is associated with the lowest odds of low muscle strength and sarcopenia. Despite the changes brought about by urbanization in southern Italy compared to the past, our findings continue to affirm the superior benefits of the Mediterranean diet in postponing the onset of frailty among older adults when compared to other dietary patterns that are rich in animal foods., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Understanding the intricate relationship between nutrition, hormonal balance, and gender-specific factors is crucial for developing targeted interventions to mitigate obesity-related endocrine disruptions and improve metabolic health. This narrative review examines the impact of various dietary patterns on hormonal regulation in both men and women, focusing on their effects on hormonal balance and metabolic health in the context of obesity. Calorie restriction, the Western diet, high-fat diets, low-CHO diets, plant-based diets, and the Mediterranean diet are analyzed in relation to their influence on obesity-related endocrine disruptions and metabolic health. Future research directions include investigating the specific mechanisms underlying dietary influences on hormonal regulation, addressing the gender-specific metabolic differences and body fat distribution, and exploring the dietary needs of individuals undergoing gender transition. Personalized dietary interventions tailored to individual metabolic and hormonal profiles are essential for optimizing health outcomes across the gender spectrum. By integrating gender-specific considerations into dietary recommendations, healthcare professionals can better support individuals in achieving optimal metabolic health and hormonal balance.

Objective: Polyphenol intake may prevent hepatic steatosis and cardiovascular disease by potentially improving endothelial function. The purposes of this study are to investigate the association between fatty liver disease and endothelial dysfunction and to test the effects of a nutraceutical containing extracts made from Citrus bergamia and Cynara cardunculus on peripheral vascular endothelial function in adults with liver steatosis., Methods: We analyzed data from 32 individuals with hepatic steatosis and endothelial dysfunction (reactive hyperemia index ≤ 1.67). Sixteen subjects took 1 capsule/d (300 mg/d) containing Cynara cardunculus extract and bergamot polyphenol fraction, while the other 16 subjects matched for age, sex, and body mass index took 1 capsule/d of placebo (maltodextrin) for 12 wk. All anthropometric parameters were assessed at baseline and after 12 wk as were lipids, glucose, and reactive hyperemia index using an EndoPAT 2000., Results: The mean age was 52 ± 9 y. The mean reactive hyperemia index was 1.15 ± 0.4. After 12 wk, we found a greater increase in reactive hyperemia index in the participants taking the nutraceutical rather than placebo (0.58 ± 0.5 versus 0.13 ± 0.5; P = 0.02, respectively). The stepwise multivariable analysis confirmed a positive association between reactive hyperemia index change and the nutraceutical treatment (B = 0.38; P = 0.025) and negative association with reactive hyperemia index values at baseline (B = -0.81; P < 0.001). No association was found between the reduction in the amount of intrahepatic fat and the improvement of endothelial function (B = 0.002; P = 0.56)., Conclusions: A nutraceutical containing bergamot and artichoke extracts improves peripheral vascular endothelial function in adults with hepatic steatosis and early phase of atherosclerosis., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None., (Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Endometriosis is characterized by ectopic endometrial tissue and severe pain; frequently, women afflicted by this condition resort to non-medical interventions, such as dietary modifications. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of endometriosis on dietary patterns and quality of life., Methods: An online survey was conducted among Italian women with endometriosis to gather self-reported demographic, clinical, dietary habit, and daily life data post-diagnosis., Results: A total of 4,078 participants were included. Following an endometriosis diagnosis, 66% reported changes in eating habits, and 92% experienced a decline in daily life. Respondents chose dietary interventions: gluten-free (15%), anti-inflammatory (8%), Mediterranean (7.1%), or ketogenic (4%) diets, to improve health and reduce symptoms. The study revealed a shift in eating habits, with increased consumption of vegetables, fruits (10%), cereals, legumes (6.6%), and fish (4.5%), while reducing dairy products (18.4%), soy-containing foods (6.7%), and high saturated fats (8%). Eating habit changes correlated with endometriosis stages and worsened daily life. Educational level, endometriosis stages, years of symptoms, and eating habit changes linked to changes in daily life., Conclusion: Our findings emphasize the importance of monitoring eating behaviors to prevent unhealthy habits and malnutrition in women with endometriosis. Further studies are needed to evaluate how different diets impact symptoms and enhance daily life for these individuals., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Mazza, Troiano, Mazza, Ferro, Abbinante, Agneta, Montalcini and Pujia.)

The aim of this study was to assess the available evidence regarding the effect of a variety of fasting-like regimens on preventing chemotherapy-related side effects. PubMed, Scopus and Embase were used to select the studies for this review, which concluded on 24 November 2022. All types of clinical trials and case series reporting chemotherapy toxicity associated with fasting regimens and any comparison were considered. A total of 283 records were identified, of which 274 were excluded, leaving only nine studies that met the inclusion criteria. Five of these trials were randomized. Overall, moderate to high-quality evidence showed that several fasting regimens did not provide benefits compared to a conventional diet or other comparators in reducing the risk of adverse events. The overall pooled estimate for a variety of fasting regime when compared to non-fasting, indicated no significant difference in the side effects (RR = 1.10; 95% CI: 0.77-1.59; I 2 = 10%, p = 0.60), including neutropenia alone (RR = 1.33; 95% CI: 0.90-1.97; I 2 = 0%, p = 0.15). A sensitivity analysis confirmed these results. Based on our systematic review and meta-analysis, there is currently no evidence supporting the superiority of therapeutic fasting over non-fasting in preventing chemotherapy toxicity. The development of cancer treatment that do not entail toxicities remains imperative.

Aesthetic and cosmetic medical practices have attracted considerable consumer attention globally. However, possible complications vary and range from mild, self-resolving ecchymoses or edema to more persistent complications. The aim of this review is to identify the nutritional deficits or excesses associated with the major complications of reconstructive surgery, aesthetic surgery, and mini-invasive aesthetic procedures. An additional goal is to provide a bundle of actions for professionals working in the industry in order to reduce the risks of aesthetic procedures and improve the clinical outcomes. Granulomas, hypertrophic scars and keloids, seromas, infections and xerosis, hyperpigmentation, petechiae, livedo reticularis, slower wound healing, and other poor outcomes are frequently associated with nutritional deficiencies. Nutritional status can markedly affect wound healing and tissue repair following surgical interventions, as well as the outcomes of aesthetic and cosmetic medical practices. Professionals working in this industry, therefore, need to consider the nutritional aspects of their patients to obtain the best results.

Background: Milk proteins (MPs) and their derivative whey proteins (WPs) are important components of human diet that might prevent bone loss. We aimed to investigate the effects of MP on the bones of postmenopausal women, along with the effects of WP on osteoblast cells. Methods: We conducted a feasibility controlled clinical study with 62 postmenopausal women who were asked to consume an MP-enriched ice cream. We also investigated the effect of WP on the ERK1/2 and AKT pathways, RUNX2, alkaline phosphatase, RANKL/OPG ratio, and COL1A of Saos-2. Results: After 12 weeks, we found a greater bone mineral density and bone alkaline phosphatase reduction in women who consumed the MP-enriched ice cream compared to the control group (p = 0.03 and p = 0.02, respectively). In Saos-2 cells, WP upregulated ERK1/2 and AKT pathways (p = 0.002 and p = 0.016), cell proliferation (p = 0.03), and osteoblast differentiation markers, along with downregulating RANKL/OPG (p < 0.001). Moreover, the inhibition of ERK1/2 by PD184253 reverted the effects on both the RUNX2 and ALP mRNA expression and cells proliferation (p = 0.028, p = 0.004, and p = 0.003, respectively) when treated with WP. Conclusions: WP upregulates cell proliferation, RUNX2, and alkaline phosphatase through the activation of the ERK1/2 pathways on Saos-2. These mechanisms probably contribute to preventing bone loss in postmenopausal women.

Objective: Orthorexia Nervosa (ON) is an eating disorder of growing interest that is characterized by an obsession with healthy eating. Nowadays, people spend an increasing amount of time on social media, which may negatively impact eating behaviors. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between social media usage and risk of ON., Subjects and Methods: We conducted an online survey using the 10-item Italian-Düsseldorf Orthorexia Scale questionnaire (I-DOS). A total of 4,107 individuals participated and were classified according to sex, age, education level, marital status, BMI, main occupation, and diet., Results: The prevalence of ON was 28.5%. Participants who reported using social media for over 60 minutes per day had a higher prevalence of ON than those using social media for less than 15 minutes per day., Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that longer time spent on social media is associated with ON.

Background and Objectives: Hyperuricemia and liver steatosis are risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and mortality. The use of natural compounds could be a safe and effective alternative to drugs for the treatment of fatty liver and hyperuricemia. Polyphenolic fraction of Citrus Bergamia in association with the extract of Cynara Cardunculus, as nutraceutical, is able to reduce body weight, hepatic steatosis and markers of oxidative stress. Then, we performed a secondary analysis of a double-blind placebo-controlled trial to examine the effects of this nutraceutical on serum uric acid levels in adults with fatty liver. Materials and Methods: The study included 94 individuals with hepatic steatosis. For six weeks, the intervention group was given a nutraceutical (300 mg/day) comprising a Bergamot polyphenol fraction and Cynara Cardunculus extract. The control group received a daily pill of placebo. Serum uric acid, lipids, glucose and anthropometric parameters were assessed at baseline and after 6 weeks. Results: We found a greater reduction in serum uric acid in the participants taking the nutraceutical rather than placebo (−0.1 ± 0.7 mg/dL vs. 0.3 ± 0.7 mg/dL, p = 0.004), and especially in those with moderate/severe hepatic steatosis also after adjustment for confounding variables. In addition, we analysed the two groups according to tertiles of uric acid concentration. Among participants taking the nutraceutical, we found in those with the highest baseline serum uric acid (>5.4 mg/dL) the greater reduction compared to the lowest baseline uric acid (−7.8% vs. +4.9%; adjusted p = 0.04). The stepwise multivariable analysis confirmed the association between the absolute serum uric acid change and nutraceutical treatment (B = −0.43; p = 0.004). Conclusions: A nutraceutical containing bioactive components from bergamot and wild cardoon reduced serum uric acid during 6 weeks in adults with fatty liver. Future investigations are needed to evaluate the efficacy of this nutraceutical in the treatment of hyperuricaemia.