| 1. |
|
|
| 2. |
- Fenstermacher, M.E., et al.
(författare)
-
DIII-D research advancing the physics basis for optimizing the tokamak approach to fusion energy
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Nuclear Fusion. - : IOP Publishing. - 0029-5515 .- 1741-4326. ; 62:4
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- DIII-D physics research addresses critical challenges for the operation of ITER and the next generation of fusion energy devices. This is done through a focus on innovations to provide solutions for high performance long pulse operation, coupled with fundamental plasma physics understanding and model validation, to drive scenario development by integrating high performance core and boundary plasmas. Substantial increases in off-axis current drive efficiency from an innovative top launch system for EC power, and in pressure broadening for Alfven eigenmode control from a co-/counter-I p steerable off-axis neutral beam, all improve the prospects for optimization of future long pulse/steady state high performance tokamak operation. Fundamental studies into the modes that drive the evolution of the pedestal pressure profile and electron vs ion heat flux validate predictive models of pedestal recovery after ELMs. Understanding the physics mechanisms of ELM control and density pumpout by 3D magnetic perturbation fields leads to confident predictions for ITER and future devices. Validated modeling of high-Z shattered pellet injection for disruption mitigation, runaway electron dissipation, and techniques for disruption prediction and avoidance including machine learning, give confidence in handling disruptivity for future devices. For the non-nuclear phase of ITER, two actuators are identified to lower the L-H threshold power in hydrogen plasmas. With this physics understanding and suite of capabilities, a high poloidal beta optimized-core scenario with an internal transport barrier that projects nearly to Q = 10 in ITER at ∼8 MA was coupled to a detached divertor, and a near super H-mode optimized-pedestal scenario with co-I p beam injection was coupled to a radiative divertor. The hybrid core scenario was achieved directly, without the need for anomalous current diffusion, using off-axis current drive actuators. Also, a controller to assess proximity to stability limits and regulate β N in the ITER baseline scenario, based on plasma response to probing 3D fields, was demonstrated. Finally, innovative tokamak operation using a negative triangularity shape showed many attractive features for future pilot plant operation.
|
|
| 3. |
- Harrison, J.R., et al.
(författare)
-
Overview of new MAST physics in anticipation of first results from MAST Upgrade
- 2019
-
Ingår i: Nuclear Fusion. - : IOP Publishing. - 1741-4326 .- 0029-5515. ; 59:11
-
Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- The mega amp spherical tokamak (MAST) was a low aspect ratio device (R/a = 0.85/0.65 ∼ 1.3) with similar poloidal cross-section to other medium-size tokamaks. The physics programme concentrates on addressing key physics issues for the operation of ITER, design of DEMO and future spherical tokamaks by utilising high resolution diagnostic measurements closely coupled with theory and modelling to significantly advance our understanding. An empirical scaling of the energy confinement time that favours higher power, lower collisionality devices is consistent with gyrokinetic modelling of electron scale turbulence. Measurements of ion scale turbulence with beam emission spectroscopy and gyrokinetic modelling in up-down symmetric plasmas find that the symmetry of the turbulence is broken by flow shear. Near the non-linear stability threshold, flow shear tilts the density fluctuation correlation function and skews the fluctuation amplitude distribution. Results from fast particle physics studies include the observation that sawteeth are found to redistribute passing and trapped fast particles injected from neutral beam injectors in equal measure, suggesting that resonances between the m = 1 perturbation and the fast ion orbits may be playing a dominant role in the fast ion transport. Measured D-D fusion products from a neutron camera and a charged fusion product detector are 40% lower than predictions from TRANSP/NUBEAM, highlighting possible deficiencies in the guiding centre approximation. Modelling of fast ion losses in the presence of resonant magnetic perturbations (RMPs) can reproduce trends observed in experiments when the plasma response and charge-exchange losses are accounted for. Measurements with a neutral particle analyser during merging-compression start-up indicate the acceleration of ions and electrons. Transport at the plasma edge has been improved through reciprocating probe measurements that have characterised a geodesic acoustic mode at the edge of an ohmic L-mode plasma and particle-in-cell modelling has improved the interpretation of plasma potential estimates from ball-pen probes. The application of RMPs leads to a reduction in particle confinement in L-mode and H-mode and an increase in the core ionization source. The ejection of secondary filaments following type-I ELMs correlates with interactions with surfaces near the X-point. Simulations of the interaction between pairs of filaments in the scrape-off layer suggest this results in modest changes to their velocity, and in most cases can be treated as moving independently. A stochastic model of scrape-off layer profile formation based on the superposition of non-interacting filaments is in good agreement with measured time-average profiles. Transport in the divertor has been improved through fast camera imaging, indicating the presence of a quiescent region devoid of filament near the X-point, extending from the separatrix to ψ n ∼ 1.02. Simulations of turbulent transport in the divertor show that the angle between the divertor leg on the curvature vector strongly influences transport into the private flux region via the interchange mechanism. Coherence imaging measurements show counter-streaming flows of impurities due to gas puffing increasing the pressure on field lines where the gas is ionised. MAST Upgrade is based on the original MAST device, with substantially improved capabilities to operate with a Super-X divertor to test extended divertor leg concepts. SOLPS-ITER modelling predicts the detachment threshold will be reduced by more than a factor of 2, in terms of upstream density, in the Super-X compared with a conventional configuration and that the radiation front movement is passively stabilised before it reaches the X-point. 1D fluid modelling reveals the key role of momentum and power loss mechanisms in governing detachment onset and evolution. Analytic modelling indicates that long legs placed at large major radius, or equivalently low at the target compared with the X-point are more amenable to external control. With MAST Upgrade experiments expected in 2019, a thorough characterisation of the sources of the intrinsic error field has been carried out and a mitigation strategy developed.
|
|
| 4. |
- Becher, Tobias H., et al.
(författare)
-
Prolonged Continuous Monitoring of Regional Lung Function in Infants with Respiratory Failure
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Annals of the American Thoracic Society. - : American Thoracic Society. - 2329-6933 .- 2325-6621. ; 19:6, s. 991-999
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Rationale: Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) allows instantaneous and continuous visualization of regional ventilation and changes in end-expiratory lung volume at the bedside. There is particular interest in using EIT for monitoring in critically ill neonates and young children with respiratory failure. Previous studies have focused only on short-term monitoring in small populations. The feasibility and safety of prolonged monitoring with EIT in neonates and young children have not been demonstrated yet.Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of long-term EIT monitoring in a routine clinical setting and to describe changes in ventilation distribution and homogeneity over time and with positioning in a multicenter cohort of neonates and young children with respiratory failure.Methods: At four European University hospitals, we conducted an observational study (NCT02962505) on 200 patients with postmenstrual ages (PMA) between 25 weeks and 36 months, at risk for or suffering from respiratory failure. Continuous EIT data were obtained using a novel textile 32-electrode interface and recorded at 48 images/s for up to 72 hours. Clinicians were blinded to EIT images during the recording. EIT parameters and the effects of body position on ventilation distribution were analyzed offline. Results: The average duration of FAT measurements was 53 +/- 20 hours. Skin contact impedance was sufficient to allow image reconstruction for valid ventilation analysis during a median of 92% (interquartile range, 77-98%) of examination time. EIT examinations were well tolerated, with minor skin irritations (temporary redness or imprint) occurring in 10% of patients and no moderate or severe adverse events. Higher ventilation amplitude was found in the dorsal and right lung areas when compared with the ventral and left regions, respectively. Prone positioning resulted in an increase in the ventilation-related EIT signal in the dorsal hemithorax, indicating increased ventilation of the dorsal lung areas. Lateral positioning led to a redistribution of ventilation toward the dependent lung in preterm infants and to the nondependent lung in patients with PMA > 37 weeks.Conclusions: EIT allows continuous long-term monitoring of regional lung function in neonates and young children for up to 72 hours with minimal adverse effects. Our study confirmed the presence of posture-dependent changes in ventilation distribution and their dependency on PMA in a large patient cohort.
|
|
| 5. |
- Seifnaraghi, Nima, et al.
(författare)
-
Model Selection Based Algorithm in Neonatal Chest EIT
- 2021
-
Ingår i: IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering. - : IEEE. - 0018-9294 .- 1558-2531. ; 68:9, s. 2752-2763
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper presents a new method for selecting a patient specific forward model to compensate for anatomical variations in electrical impedance tomography (EIT) monitoring of neonates. The method uses a combination of shape sensors and absolute reconstruction. It takes advantage of a probabilistic approach which automatically selects the best estimated forward model fit from pre-stored library models. Absolute/static image reconstruction is performed as the core of the posterior probability calculations. The validity and reliability of the algorithm in detecting a suitable model in the presence of measurement noise is studied with simulated and measured data from 11 patients. The paper also demonstrates the potential improvements on the clinical parameters extracted from EIT images by considering a unique case study with a neonate patient undergoing computed tomography imaging as clinical indication prior to EIT monitoring. Two well-known image reconstruction techniques, namely GREIT and tSVD, are implemented to create the final tidal images. The impacts of appropriate model selection on the clinical extracted parameters such as center of ventilation and silent spaces are investigated. The results show significant improvements to the final reconstructed images and more importantly to the clinical EIT parameters extracted from the images that are crucial for decision-making and further interventions.
|
|
| 6. |
- Vallo Hult, Helena, 1976-, et al.
(författare)
-
Egenmonitorering : evidenskartläggning genom sammanställning av systematiska översikter för utvalda diagnosgrupper
- 2023
-
Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- BackgroundIn Region Västra Götaland (VGR), the development of remote patient monitoring is given high priority, aiming for improvements for patients and reduction of healthcare costs. In this report we defined remote patient monitoring as continuous follow-up of relevant health-related parameters of patients located outside healthcare facilities (e.g. at home). Measurements taken by analogue or digital devices, objective and/or subjective assessments, are delivered digitally to the patient and to a healthcare professional. The healthcare professional provides the patient with feedback on the reported data (feedback may be automatically generated if data are within a predefined range). The plan in VGR is to introduce remote monitoring in selected diagnosis groups – some of which already started using remote monitoring.AimThe aim of this report was to provide an overview of systematic reviews regarding remote monitoring(as add on or replacement of visits in current standard of care) compared to standard of care in 25 selected diagnosis groups.MethodIn order to clarify how remote monitoring is intended to be used in the 25 diagnosis groups, representatives from the respective clinical areas were interviewed. As the scope of this project covered many diagnosis groups, the search was limited to systematic reviews (SRs) of randomised (RCTs) or non-randomised clinical trials. The relevance of each identified SR for our PICO(Population, Intervention, Comparator and Outcomes) was assessed by at least two project members (one clinical representative and one from HTA-centrum). Relevant SRs were assessed by at least two project members using SNABBSTAR, a tool developed by The Swedish Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Assessment of Social Services (SBU) for assessment of risk of bias/systematic errors in SRs. The tool consists of six steps and assessment of an SR is stopped as soon as the criteria for a specific level are not met.The steps are: 1. Definition of PICO and literature search; 2. Inclusion/exclusion according to PICO, listing of included studies; 3. Risk of bias assessments; 4. Evidence synthesis/meta-analyses; 5. Certainty of evidence consideration; 6. Documentation of excluded studies, conflicts of interest, and an a priori published SR protocol.SNABBSTAR evaluates how useful an SR is by assessing the methodology used in the SR. In the current project, SRs reaching at least SNABBSTAR level 4 were considered to provide relevant data synthesis. As reaching SNABBSTAR level 5 or 6 is considered necessary for reliable conclusions, we cited key conclusions only from SRs reaching these levels. We did not extract any data from the included SRs.ResultsThe literature search resulted in 3,332 hits. Of these, 279 were read in full text to assess their relevance for the PICO. Seventy-five SRs were considered relevant and were included; these were assessed by SNABBSTAR.
|
|
