1. |
- Murari, A., et al.
(author)
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A control oriented strategy of disruption prediction to avoid the configuration collapse of tokamak reactors
- 2024
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In: Nature Communications. - 2041-1723 .- 2041-1723. ; 15:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The objective of thermonuclear fusion consists of producing electricity from the coalescence of light nuclei in high temperature plasmas. The most promising route to fusion envisages the confinement of such plasmas with magnetic fields, whose most studied configuration is the tokamak. Disruptions are catastrophic collapses affecting all tokamak devices and one of the main potential showstoppers on the route to a commercial reactor. In this work we report how, deploying innovative analysis methods on thousands of JET experiments covering the isotopic compositions from hydrogen to full tritium and including the major D-T campaign, the nature of the various forms of collapse is investigated in all phases of the discharges. An original approach to proximity detection has been developed, which allows determining both the probability of and the time interval remaining before an incoming disruption, with adaptive, from scratch, real time compatible techniques. The results indicate that physics based prediction and control tools can be developed, to deploy realistic strategies of disruption avoidance and prevention, meeting the requirements of the next generation of devices.
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2. |
- Joffrin, E., et al.
(author)
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Overview of the JET preparation for deuterium-tritium operation with the ITER like-wall
- 2019
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In: Nuclear Fusion. - : IOP Publishing. - 1741-4326 .- 0029-5515. ; 59:11
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- For the past several years, the JET scientific programme (Pamela et al 2007 Fusion Eng. Des. 82 590) has been engaged in a multi-campaign effort, including experiments in D, H and T, leading up to 2020 and the first experiments with 50%/50% D-T mixtures since 1997 and the first ever D-T plasmas with the ITER mix of plasma-facing component materials. For this purpose, a concerted physics and technology programme was launched with a view to prepare the D-T campaign (DTE2). This paper addresses the key elements developed by the JET programme directly contributing to the D-T preparation. This intense preparation includes the review of the physics basis for the D-T operational scenarios, including the fusion power predictions through first principle and integrated modelling, and the impact of isotopes in the operation and physics of D-T plasmas (thermal and particle transport, high confinement mode (H-mode) access, Be and W erosion, fuel recovery, etc). This effort also requires improving several aspects of plasma operation for DTE2, such as real time control schemes, heat load control, disruption avoidance and a mitigation system (including the installation of a new shattered pellet injector), novel ion cyclotron resonance heating schemes (such as the three-ions scheme), new diagnostics (neutron camera and spectrometer, active Alfven eigenmode antennas, neutral gauges, radiation hard imaging systems...) and the calibration of the JET neutron diagnostics at 14 MeV for accurate fusion power measurement. The active preparation of JET for the 2020 D-T campaign provides an incomparable source of information and a basis for the future D-T operation of ITER, and it is also foreseen that a large number of key physics issues will be addressed in support of burning plasmas.
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7. |
- Labit, B., et al.
(author)
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Dependence on plasma shape and plasma fueling for small edge-localized mode regimes in TCV and ASDEX Upgrade
- 2019
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In: Nuclear Fusion. - : IOP Publishing. - 1741-4326 .- 0029-5515. ; 59:8
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- © 2019 Institute of Physics Publishing. All rights reserved. Within the EUROfusion MST1 work package, a series of experiments has been conducted on AUG and TCV devices to disentangle the role of plasma fueling and plasma shape for the onset of small ELM regimes. On both devices, small ELM regimes with high confinement are achieved if and only if two conditions are fulfilled at the same time. Firstly, the plasma density at the separatrix must be large enough (ne,sep/nG ∼ 0.3), leading to a pressure profile flattening at the separatrix, which stabilizes type-I ELMs. Secondly, the magnetic configuration has to be close to a double null (DN), leading to a reduction of the magnetic shear in the extreme vicinity of the separatrix. As a consequence, its stabilizing effect on ballooning modes is weakened.
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8. |
- Coda, S., et al.
(author)
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Physics research on the TCV tokamak facility: From conventional to alternative scenarios and beyond
- 2019
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In: Nuclear Fusion. - : IOP Publishing. - 1741-4326 .- 0029-5515. ; 59:11
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The research program of the TCV tokamak ranges from conventional to advanced-tokamak scenarios and alternative divertor configurations, to exploratory plasmas driven by theoretical insight, exploiting the device's unique shaping capabilities. Disruption avoidance by real-time locked mode prevention or unlocking with electron-cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH) was thoroughly documented, using magnetic and radiation triggers. Runaway generation with high-Z noble-gas injection and runaway dissipation by subsequent Ne or Ar injection were studied for model validation. The new 1 MW neutral beam injector has expanded the parameter range, now encompassing ELMy H-modes in an ITER-like shape and nearly non-inductive H-mode discharges sustained by electron cyclotron and neutral beam current drive. In the H-mode, the pedestal pressure increases modestly with nitrogen seeding while fueling moves the density pedestal outwards, but the plasma stored energy is largely uncorrelated to either seeding or fueling. High fueling at high triangularity is key to accessing the attractive small edge-localized mode (type-II) regime. Turbulence is reduced in the core at negative triangularity, consistent with increased confinement and in accord with global gyrokinetic simulations. The geodesic acoustic mode, possibly coupled with avalanche events, has been linked with particle flow to the wall in diverted plasmas. Detachment, scrape-off layer transport, and turbulence were studied in L- and H-modes in both standard and alternative configurations (snowflake, super-X, and beyond). The detachment process is caused by power 'starvation' reducing the ionization source, with volume recombination playing only a minor role. Partial detachment in the H-mode is obtained with impurity seeding and has shown little dependence on flux expansion in standard single-null geometry. In the attached L-mode phase, increasing the outer connection length reduces the in-out heat-flow asymmetry. A doublet plasma, featuring an internal X-point, was achieved successfully, and a transport barrier was observed in the mantle just outside the internal separatrix. In the near future variable-configuration baffles and possibly divertor pumping will be introduced to investigate the effect of divertor closure on exhaust and performance, and 3.5 MW ECRH and 1 MW neutral beam injection heating will be added.
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10. |
- Zaborowski, AM, et al.
(author)
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Microsatellite instability in young patients with rectal cancer: molecular findings and treatment response
- 2022
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In: The British journal of surgery. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1365-2168 .- 0007-1323. ; 109:3, s. 251-255
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In this study of 400 patients with early-onset rectal cancer, 12.5 per cent demonstrated microsatellite instability (MSI). MSI was associated with a reduced likelihood of nodal positivity, an increased rate of pathological complete response, and improved disease-specific survival.
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11. |
- Moiseenko, V. E., et al.
(author)
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Stellator research at IPP KIPT : Status and prospects
- 2019
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In: PROBLEMS OF ATOMIC SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. - : KHARKOV INST PHYSICS & TECHNOLOGY. - 1562-6016. ; :1, s. 3-8
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Features of the recent Uragan-2M campaign are reviewed together with some theoretical advances. They include experiments with B4C limiter, studies of various 1. . . 20 kHz oscillations, development of a new in-situ diagnostics for wall conditions, i.e. the thermal desorption probe, the improved numerical model of RF plasma production in stellarators in the ion cyclotron and electron-cyclotron frequency ranges, a new positive-definite form of time-harmonic Maxwell's equations and plasma start-up studies.
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12. |
- Cervino, L. I., et al.
(author)
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An in vitro study for the dosimetric and radiobiological validation of respiratory gating in conventional and hypofractionated radiotherapy of the lung: effect of dose, dose rate, and breathing pattern
- 2019
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In: Physics in Medicine and Biology. - : IOP Publishing. - 0031-9155 .- 1361-6560. ; 64:13
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) of the lung has become a standard of care for early-stage inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A common strategy to manage respiratory motion is gating, which inevitably results in an increase in treatment time, especially in irregularly-breathing patients. Flattening-filter free (FFF) beams allow for delivery of the treatment at a higher dose rate, therefore counteracting the lengthened treatment time due to frequent interruption of the beam during gated radiotherapy. In this study, we perform our in vitro evaluation of the dosimetric and radiobiological effect of gated lung SBRT with simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) using both flattened and FFF beams. A moving thorax-shaped phantom with inserts and applicators was used for simulation, planning, gated treatment delivery measurements and in vitro tests. The effects of gating window, dose rate, and breathing pattern were evaluated. Planned doses represented a typical conventional fractionation, 200 cGy per fraction with SIB to 240 cGy, flattened beam only, and SBRT, 800 cGy with SIB to 900 cGy, flattened and FFF beams. Ideal, as well as regular and irregular patient-specific breathing patterns with and without gating were used. A survival assay for lung adenocarcinoma A549 cell line was performed. Delivered dose was within 6% for locations planned to receive 200 and 800 cGy and within 4% for SIB locations. Time between first beam-on and last beam-off varied from approximately 1.5 min for conventional fractionation, 200/240 cGy, to 10.5 min for gated SBRT, 800/900 cGy doses, flattened beam and irregular breathing motion pattern. With FFF beams dose delivery time was shorter by a factor of 2-3, depending on the gating window and breathing pattern. We have found that, for the most part, survival depended on dose and not on dose rate, gating window, or breathing regularity.
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13. |
- Thor, M., et al.
(author)
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Inter-institutional analysis demonstrates the importance of lower than previously anticipated dose regions to prevent late rectal bleeding following prostate radiotherapy
- 2018
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In: Radiotherapy and Oncology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0167-8140. ; 127:1, s. 88-95
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: To investigate whether inter-institutional cohort analysis uncovers more reliable dose-response relationships exemplified for late rectal bleeding (LRB) following prostate radiotherapy. Material and methods: Data from five institutions were used. Rectal dose-volume histograms (DVHs) for 989 patients treated with 3DCRT or IMRT to 70-86.4 Gy@1.8-2.0 Gy/fraction were obtained, and corrected for fractionation effects (alpha/beta = 3 Gy). Cohorts with best-fit Lyman-Kutcher-Burman volume-effect parameter a were pooled after calibration adjustments of the available LRB definitions. In the pooled cohort, dose-response modeling (incorporating rectal dose and geometry, and patient characteristics) was conducted on a training cohort (70%) followed by final testing on the remaining 30%. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to build models with bootstrap stability. Results: Two cohorts with low bleeding rates (2%) were judged to be inconsistent with the remaining data, and were excluded. In the remaining pooled cohorts (n = 690; LRB rate = 12%), an optimal model was generated for 3DCRT using the minimum rectal dose and the absolute rectal volume receiving less than 55 Gy (AUC = 0.67; p = 0.0002; Hosmer-Lemeshow p-value, p(HL) = 0.59). The model performed nearly as well in the hold-out testing data (AUC = 0.71; p < 0.0001; p(HL) = 0.63), indicating a logistically shaped dose-response. Conclusion: We have demonstrated the importance of integrating datasets from multiple institutions, thereby reducing the impact of intra-institutional dose-volume parameters explicitly correlated with prescription dose levels. This uncovered an unexpected emphasis on sparing of the low to intermediate rectal dose range in the etiology of late rectal bleeding following prostate radiotherapy. (C) 2018 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved. Radiotherapy and Oncology 127 (2018) 88-95
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15. |
- Chernitskiy, S. V., et al.
(author)
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Neutronic Model Of A Fusion Neutron Source
- 2013
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In: Problems of Atomic Science and Technology. - 1562-6016. ; :1, s. 61-63
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The MCNPX numerical code has been used to model a fusion neutron source based on a combined stellarator-mirror trap. Calculation results for the neutron spectrum near the inner wall and radial leakage of neutrons through the mantle surface of the fusion neutron source are presented.
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16. |
- Chernitskiy, S. V., et al.
(author)
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Neutronic Model of a Stellarator-Mirror Fusion-Fission Hybrid
- 2012
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In: PROBL ATOM SCI TECH. - 1562-6016. ; :6, s. 58-60
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The MCNPX numerical code has been used to model a compact concept for a fusion-fission reactor based on a combined stellarator-mirror trap. Calculation results for the radial leakage of neutrons through the mantle surface of the fission reactor are presented.
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17. |
- Chernitskiy, S. V., et al.
(author)
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Static neutronic calculation of a subcritical transmutation stellarator-mirror fusion-fission hybrid
- 2014
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In: Annals of Nuclear Energy. - : Elsevier BV. - 0306-4549 .- 1873-2100. ; 72, s. 413-420
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The MCNPX Monte-Carlo code has been used to model the neutron transport in a sub-critical fast fission reactor driven by a fusion neutron source. A stellarator-mirror device is considered as the fusion neutron source. The principal composition for a fission blanket of a mirror fusion-fission hybrid is devised from the calculations. Heat load on the first wall, the distribution of the neutron fields in the reactor, the neutron spectrum and the distribution of energy release in the blanket are calculated. The possibility of tritium breeding inside the installation in quantities that meet the needs of the fusion neutron source is analyzed. The portion of the plasma column generates fusion neutrons that mainly do not reach the fission reactor core is proposed to be surrounded by a vessel filled with borated water to absorb the flying out neutrons. The flux of the neutrons escaping from the device to surrounding space is also calculated.
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18. |
- Kovtun, Yurii, et al.
(author)
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ICRF production of plasma with hydrogen minority in Uragan-2M stellarator by two-strap antenna
- 2024
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In: Physics of Plasmas. - : American Institute of Physics (AIP). - 1070-664X .- 1089-7674. ; 31:4
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The experiments on medium-size stellarator Uragan-2M (U-2M) in Kharkiv, Ukraine, are carried on in support of the Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) experimental program. The scenario ion cyclotron frequency range (ICRF) plasma production at the hydrogen minority regime had been experimentally tested on U-2M and was qualified at the Large Helical Device (LHD). The paper presents the results of further research on the ICRF plasma production. The ICRF discharge studies were carried out in a H2 + He mixture with a controlled hydrogen concentration ranging from few percents to 75%. The two-strap like antenna mimicks the W7-X antenna operated in monopole phasing. The applied RF power was in the range of ∼100 kW. Relatively dense plasma of up to Ne ∼ 1019 m−3 was produced near the first harmonic of the hydrogen cyclotron frequency. The maximum temperature of the electrons and ions was not more than a few tens of electron volt. The characteristic features of RF plasma production and the propagation of electromagnetic waves in the experimental conditions are discussed. The experiments on U-2M and LHD indicate that the minority scenario of ICRF plasma production appears to be scalable and could be used in large stellarator machines. This is, in particular, important for the future experiments ICRF production of target plasma in W-7X in conditions where electron cyclotron resonance heating start-up is not possible.
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19. |
- Moiseenko, Vitali, et al.
(author)
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A Primer on Dose-Response Data Modeling in Radiation Therapy.
- 2021
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In: International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics. - : Elsevier BV. - 1879-355X .- 0360-3016. ; 110:1, s. 11-20
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- An overview of common approaches used to assess a dose response for radiation therapy-associated endpoints is presented, using lung toxicity data sets analyzed as a part of the High Dose per Fraction, Hypofractionated Treatment Effects in the Clinic effort as an example. Each component presented (eg, data-driven analysis, dose-response analysis, and calculating uncertainties on model prediction) is addressed using established approaches. Specifically, the maximum likelihood method was used to calculate best parameter values of the commonly used logistic model, the profile-likelihood to calculate confidence intervals on model parameters, and the likelihood ratio to determine whether the observed data fit is statistically significant. The bootstrap method was used to calculate confidence intervals for model predictions. Correlated behavior of model parameters and implication for interpreting dose response are discussed.
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21. |
- Moiseenko, Vladimir, et al.
(author)
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Fast wave heating in a mirror during plasma build-up
- 2010
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In: European Physical Journal D. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1434-6060 .- 1434-6079. ; 56:3, s. 359-367
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A heating method for partially ionized plasma has been described in reference [V.E. Moiseenko, Sov. J. Plasma Phys. 12, 427 (1986)]. It exploits the collisional damping of fast waves that is large owing to the high rate of charge exchange collisions. Since the time of heating is limited by the duration of neutral gas ionization, the heating needs to be strong enough to achieve a high final ion temperature. This heating method has been studied numerically in the framework of MHD-like (magneto-hydrodynamic) equations in inhomogeneous cylindrical plasma. The influences of the ratio of the mean free path of the neutral atoms to the plasma radius, the initial ion concentration, the characteristics of the interaction of the neutral atoms with the chamber wall and other parameters on the plasma heating dynamics are examined. A scenario for RF plasma heating in one central cell of the multi-mirror device GOL3 (Novosibirsk, Russia) is developed, in which the final ion temperature exceeds the ion oscillation energy in the RF field by one order of magnitude. The energy efficiency is high; only a small portion of the power is transferred by the neutral atoms to the chamber wall.
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