| 1. |
- Fenstermacher, M.E., et al.
(author)
-
DIII-D research advancing the physics basis for optimizing the tokamak approach to fusion energy
- 2022
-
In: Nuclear Fusion. - : IOP Publishing. - 0029-5515 .- 1741-4326. ; 62:4
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)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.
|
|
| 2. |
- Chiavassa, A., et al.
(author)
-
Optical interferometry and Gaia measurement uncertainties reveal the physics of asymptotic giant branch stars
- 2020
-
In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP SCIENCES S A. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 640
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Context. Asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars are cool luminous evolved stars that are well observable across the Galaxy and populating Gaia data. They have complex stellar surface dynamics, which amplifies the uncertainties on stellar parameters and distances.Aims. On the AGB star CL Lac, it has been shown that the convection-related variability accounts for a substantial part of the Gaia DR2 parallax error. We observed this star with the MIRC-X beam combiner installed at the CHARA interferometer to detect the presence of stellar surface inhomogeneities.Methods. We performed the reconstruction of aperture synthesis images from the interferometric observations at different wavelengths. Then, we used 3D radiative hydrodynamics (RHD) simulations of stellar convection with CO5BOLD and the post-processing radiative transfer code OPTIM3D to compute intensity maps in the spectral channels of MIRC-X observations. Then, we determined the stellar radius using the average 3D intensity profile and, finally, compared the 3D synthetic maps to the reconstructed ones focusing on matching the intensity contrast, the morphology of stellar surface structures, and the photocentre position at two different spectral channels, 1.52 and 1.70 mu m, simultaneously.Results. We measured the apparent diameter of CL Lac at two wavelengths (3.299 0.005 mas and 3.053 +/- 0.006 mas at 1.52 and 1.70 mu m, respectively) and recovered the radius (R = 307 +/- 41 and R = 284 +/- 38 R-circle dot) using a Gaia parallax. In addition to this, the reconstructed images are characterised by the presence of a brighter area that largely affects the position of the photocentre. The comparison with 3D simulation shows good agreement with the observations both in terms of contrast and surface structure morphology, meaning that our model is adequate for explaining the observed inhomogenities.Conclusions. This work confirms the presence of convection-related surface structures on an AGB star of Gaia DR2. Our result will help us to take a step forward in exploiting Gaia measurement uncertainties to extract the fundamental properties of AGB stars using appropriate RHD simulations.
|
|
| 3. |
- Panyard, D. J., et al.
(author)
-
Large-scale proteome and metabolome analysis of CSF implicates altered glucose and carbon metabolism and succinylcarnitine in Alzheimer's disease
- 2023
-
In: Alzheimers & Dementia. - 1552-5260.
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- INTRODUCTIONA hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the aggregation of proteins (amyloid beta [A] and hyperphosphorylated tau [T]) in the brain, making cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) proteins of particular interest. METHODSWe conducted a CSF proteome-wide analysis among participants of varying AT pathology (n = 137 participants; 915 proteins) with nine CSF biomarkers of neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. RESULTSWe identified 61 proteins significantly associated with the AT category (P < 5.46 x 10(-5)) and 636 significant protein-biomarker associations (P < 6.07 x 10(-6)). Proteins from glucose and carbon metabolism pathways were enriched among amyloid- and tau-associated proteins, including malate dehydrogenase and aldolase A, whose associations with tau were replicated in an independent cohort (n = 717). CSF metabolomics identified and replicated an association of succinylcarnitine with phosphorylated tau and other biomarkers. DISCUSSIONThese results implicate glucose and carbon metabolic dysregulation and increased CSF succinylcarnitine levels with amyloid and tau pathology in AD. HIGHLIGHTSCerebrospinal fluid (CSF) proteome enriched for extracellular, neuronal, immune, and protein processing.Glucose/carbon metabolic pathways enriched among amyloid/tau-associated proteins.Key glucose/carbon metabolism protein associations independently replicated.CSF proteome outperformed other omics data in predicting amyloid/tau positivity.CSF metabolomics identified and replicated a succinylcarnitine-phosphorylated tau association.
|
|
| 4. |
- Boyd, Kyle, et al.
(author)
-
Usability testing and trust analysis of a mental health and wellbeing chatbot
- 2022
-
In: Proceedings of the 33rd European Conference on Cognitive Ergonomics (ECCE 2022). - New York, NY, USA : Association for Computing Machinery.
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Mental health chatbots are particularly useful for those who are isolated and may have difficulty attending services or for those who are reluctant to speak to a professional. In this study, the usability and trust of a chatbot known as ’ChatPal’ has been assessed. ChatPal has been developed by an interdisciplinary team encompassing health service providers, local authorities, charities and universities to promote positive mental wellbeing among individuals in rural areas across Europe. This study employed a usability test protocol to recruit representative users to complete a set of tasks using the ChatPal chatbot. Usability issues were assessed along with trust and users’ satisfaction on the System Usability Scale and the Chatbot Usability Questionnaire. The study shows the usability issues and trust with a mental health chatbot and highlights recommendations for improvement.
|
|
| 5. |
- Ennis, G. E., et al.
(author)
-
Insulin resistance is related to cognitive decline but not change in CSF biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease in non-demented adults
- 2021
-
In: Alzheimer's & Dementia. - : Wiley. - 1552-5260 .- 1552-5279. ; 13:1
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction We investigated whether insulin resistance (IR) was associated with longitudinal age-related change in cognition and biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology and neurodegeneration in middle-aged and older adults who were non-demented at baseline. Methods IR was measured with homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA2-IR). Core AD-related cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers and cognition were assessed, respectively, on n = 212 (1 to 5 visits) and n = 1299 (1 to 6 visits). Linear mixed models tested whether HOMA2-IR moderated age-related change in CSF biomarkers and cognition. Linear regressions tested whether HOMA2-IR x apolipoprotein E epsilon 4 allele (APOE epsilon 4) carrier status predicted amyloid beta [A beta] chronicity (estimated duration of amyloid positron emission tomography [PET] positivity) (n = 253). Results Higher HOMA2-IR was associated with greater cognitive decline but not with changes in CSF biomarkers. HOMA2-IR x APOE4 was not related to A beta chronicity but was significantly associated with CSF phosphorylated tau (P-tau)(181)/A beta(42) level. Discussion In non-demented adults IR may not be directly associated with age-related change in AD biomarkers. Additional research is needed to determine mechanisms linking IR to cognitive decline.
|
|
| 6. |
- Pirozzi, I., et al.
(author)
-
Electrohydraulic Vascular Compression Device (e-VaC) with Integrated Sensing and Controls
- 2023
-
In: Advanced Materials Technologies. - : Wiley. - 2365-709X. ; 8:4, s. 2201196-
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Right ventricular (RV) failure remains a significant clinical burden particularly during the perioperative period surrounding major cardiac surgeries, such as implantation of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), bypass procedures or valvular surgeries. Device solutions designed to support the function of the RV do not keep up with the pace of development of left-sided solutions, leaving the RV vulnerable to acute failure in the challenging hemodynamic environments of the perioperative setting. This work describes the design of a biomimetic, soft, conformable sleeve that can be prophylactically implanted on the pulmonary artery to support RV ventricular function during major cardiac surgeries, through afterload reduction and augmentation of flow. Leveraging electrohydraulic principles, a technology is proposed that is non-blood contacting and obviates the necessity for drivelines by virtue of being electrically powered. In addition, the integration of an adjacent is demonstrate, continuous pressure sensing module to support physiologically adaptive control schemes based on a real-time biological signal. In vitro experiments conducted in a pulsatile flow-loop replicating physiological flow and pressure conditions show a reduction of mean pulmonary arterial pressure of 8 mmHg (25% reduction), a reduction in peak systolic arterial pressure of up to 10 mmHg (20% reduction), and a concomitant 19% increase in diastolic pulmonary flow. Computational simulations further predict substantial augmentation of cardiac output as a result of reduced RV ventricular stress and RV dilatation.
|
|
| 7. |
- Potts, C., et al.
(author)
-
Chatbots to Support Mental Wellbeing of People Living in Rural Areas: Can User Groups Contribute to Co-design?
- 2021
-
In: Journal of Technology in Behavioral Science. - : Springer. - 2366-5963. ; 6, s. 652-665
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Digital technologies such as chatbots can be used in the field of mental health. In particular, chatbots can be used to support citizens living in sparsely populated areas who face problems such as poor access to mental health services, lack of 24/7 support, barriers to engagement, lack of age appropriate support and reductions in health budgets. The aim of this study was to establish if user groups can design content for a chatbot to support the mental wellbeing of individuals in rural areas. University students and staff, mental health professionals and mental health service users (N = 78 total) were recruited to workshops across Northern Ireland, Ireland, Scotland, Finland and Sweden. The findings revealed that participants wanted a positive chatbot that was able to listen, support, inform and build a rapport with users. Gamification could be used within the chatbot to increase user engagement and retention. Content within the chatbot could include validated mental health scales and appropriate response triggers, such as signposting to external resources should the user disclose potentially harmful information or suicidal intent. Overall, the workshop participants identified user needs which can be transformed into chatbot requirements. Responsible design of mental healthcare chatbots should consider what users want or need, but also what chatbot features artificial intelligence can competently facilitate and which features mental health professionals would endorse.
|
|
| 8. |
- Potts, Courtney, et al.
(author)
-
Insights and lessons learned from trialling a mental health chatbot in the wild
- 2021
-
In: 2021 IEEE Symposium on Computers and Communications (ISCC). - : IEEE. ; , s. 1-6
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This study reports on the development and ‘in the wild’ trialling of a chatbot (ChatPal) which promotes good mental wellbeing. A stakeholder-centered approach for design was adopted where end users, mental health professionals and service users were involved in the design which was centered around positive psychology. In the wild usage of the chatbot was investigated from Jul-20-Mar-21. Exploratory analyses of usage metrics were carried out using the event log data. User tenure, unique usage days, total chatbot interactions and average daily interactions were used in K-means clustering to identify user archetypes. The chatbot was used by a variety of age groups (18-65+) and genders, mainly those living in Ireland. K-means clustering identified three clusters: sporadic users (n=4), frequent transient users (n=38) and abandoning users (n=169) each with distinct usage characteristics. This study highlights the importance of event log data analysis for making improvements to the mental health chatbot.
|
|
| 9. |
- Sweeney, Colm, et al.
(author)
-
Can Chatbots Help Support a Person’s Mental Health? Perceptions and Views from Mental Healthcare Professionals and Experts
- 2021
-
In: ACM Transactions on Computing for Healthcare. - : ACM Digital Library. - 2691-1957 .- 2637-8051. ; 2:3
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The objective of this study was to understand the attitudes of professionals who work in mental health regarding the use of conversational user interfaces, or chatbots, to support people’s mental health and wellbeing. This study involves an online survey to measure the awareness and attitudes of mental healthcare professionals and experts. The findings from this survey show that more than half of the participants in the survey agreed that there are benefits associated with mental healthcare chatbots (65%, p < 0.01). The perceived importance of chatbots was also relatively high (74%, p < 0.01), with more than three-quarters (79%, p < 0.01) of respondents agreeing that mental healthcare chatbots could help their clients better manage their own health, yet chatbots are overwhelmingly perceived as not adequately understanding or displaying human emotion (86%, p < 0.01). Even though the level of personal experience with chatbots among professionals and experts in mental health has been quite low, this study shows that where they have been used, the experience has been mostly satisfactory. This study has found that as years of experience increased, there was a corresponding increase in the belief that healthcare chatbots could help clients better manage their own mental health.
|
|
