Implementing Faraday effect measurement constraints into the Grad-Shafranov equilibrium fitting code EFIT.

A new tool for the exploration and diagnosis of the internal magnetic field of plasmas in the DIII-D tokamak in the form of a constraint on the EFIT (Equilibrium Fitting) Grad-Shafranov code based on the Faraday-effect Radial Interferometer-Polarimeter (RIP) diagnostic is presented, including description, verification, and sample application. The physics underlying the diagnostic and its implementation into EFIT are discussed, and the results showing the verification of the model are given, and the model's limitations are discussed. The influence of the diagnostic's input on the resulting equilibrium parameters is characterized.

Using motional Stark splitting of emission to constrain MHD equilibrium analysis in DIII-D plasmas.

We report tests of an alternate technique for constraining MHD equilibrium analysis in tokamak plasmas using internal magnetic field measurements based on | | measurements from the motional Stark splitting of D spectral lines emitted by a neutral heating beam (MSE-LS). We compare results using MSE-LS with those of the standard equilibrium analysis technique based on line polarization of the D emission (MSE-LP). An alternative to MSE-LP is needed in future devices such as ITER where MSE-LP will be difficult due to a plasma-induced coating of the first optical element.

Controlled-release nanotherapeutics: State of translation.

This is a review of nanotherapeutic systems, specifically those that exhibit controlled release of the encapsulated bioactive compound. The survey includes the delivery of a range of bioactive compounds, from lipophilic small molecules to hydrophilic proteins and siRNA molecules. The research into enabling sustained delivery of these compounds from nanocarriers has been prolific, but clinical success has been harder to achieve.

A method for determining poloidal rotation from poloidal asymmetry in toroidal rotation (invited).

A new diagnostic has been developed on DIII-D that determines the impurity poloidal rotation from the poloidal asymmetry in the toroidal angular rotation velocity. This asymmetry is measured with recently added tangential charge exchange viewchords on the high-field side of the tokamak midplane. Measurements are made on co- and counter-current neutral beams, allowing the charge exchange cross section effect to be measured and eliminating the need for atomic physics calculations.

An upgrade of the magnetic diagnostic system of the DIII-D tokamak for non-axisymmetric measurements.

The DIII-D tokamak magnetic diagnostic system [E. J. Strait, Rev.

Modeling of drug release from bulk-degrading polymers.

This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of the various models or simulations for predicting drug release from bulk-degrading systems. A brief description of bulk degradation processes and factors affecting the degradation rate, and consequently the release kinetics, is presented first. Next, several important classical models, often used as the basis for subsequent model development, are discussed.

Evolution of a constitutional dynamic library driven by self-organisation of a helically folded molecular strand.

Conversion of macrocyclic imine entities into helical strands was achieved through three- and four-component exchange reactions within constitutionally dynamic libraries. The generation of sequences of the intrinsic helicity codon, based on the hydrazone-pyrimidine fragment obtained by condensation of pyrimidine dialdehyde A with pyrimidine bis-hydrazine B, shifted the equilibrium between all the possible macrocycles and strands towards the full expression (>98%) of helical product [A/B]. Furthermore, it was shown that chain folding accelerated the dynamic exchange reactions among the library members.

Release of hydrophilic drug from biodegradable polymer blends.

This paper reports on the release behavior of the drug lidocaine-HCl from a immiscible polymeric blend. Biodegradable polymer blends of poly(L-lactic acid)/poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLLA/PLGA) were loaded with lidocaine-HCl, and the release of lidocaine-HCl from these blends was monitored. It was found that the release profiles were significantly affected by the affinity and subsequent partitioning of the drug into one of the two phases in the blends.

A novel model and experimental analysis of hydrophilic and hydrophobic agent release from biodegradable polymers.

Many factors affect the rate of drug release from biodegradable polymers. Here, we focus on investigating the effect of drug type on the degradation of P(DL)LGA 53/47 films and their ultimate release profiles. A freely water-soluble drug (metoclopramide monohydrochloride) exhibited an initial burst, whereas a water-insoluble drug (paclitaxel) exhibited an initial latent period with very little drug release.

Adjustable paclitaxel release kinetics and its efficacy to inhibit smooth muscle cells proliferation.

Despite the success of drug-eluting stents in the field of interventional cardiology, very little work has been reported on the role of drug (paclitaxel) release kinetics on smooth muscle cell proliferation. This paper demonstrates how paclitaxel release from degradable polymers was successfully tailored from fast release rate to moderate and slow by changing the matrix composition. Cell counting and proliferation assays were employed to investigate the efficacy of each type of release kinetics in preventing human coronary artery smooth muscle cells proliferation.

Modeling of drug release from biodegradable polymer blends.

Numerous mathematical models that predict drug release from degradable systems have been reported. Most of these models cater only to single step, diffusion-controlled release while a few attempt to describe bi-phasic release. All these models, however, are only applicable to drug release from single (unblended) degradable polymer systems.

Paclitaxel release from single and double-layered poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide)/poly(L-lactide) film for biodegradable coronary stent application.

Our laboratory has been developing a completely biodegradable coronary stent which is made of bilayers of biodegradable polyesters. This article presents the preliminary work done to exploit the drug delivery potential of such a polymeric stent. An antiproliferative drug (paclitaxel) was added either only to the top layer or to both layers and the in vitro release profiles were monitored for up to 90 days.

Magnetic and hydrogel composite materials for hyperthermia applications.

Micron-sized magnetic particles (Fe3O4) were dispersed in a polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel to study their potential for hyperthermia applications. Heating characteristics of this ferrogel in an alternating magnetic field (375 kHz) were investigated. The results indicate that the amount of heat generated depends on the Fe3O4 content and magnetic field amplitude.

Measurement of pressure-gradient-driven currents in tokamak edge plasmas.

Localized currents driven by pressure gradients play a pivotal role in the magnetohydrodynamic stability of toroidal plasma confinement devices. We have measured the currents generated in the edge of L- (low) and H- (high confinement) mode discharges on the DIII-D tokamak, utilizing the Zeeman effect in an injected lithium beam to obtain high resolution profiles of the poloidal magnetic field. We find current densities in excess of 1 MA/m2 in a 1 to 2 cm region near the peak of the edge pressure gradient.

Modification of the current profile in high-performance plasmas using off-axis electron-cyclotron-current drive in DIII-D.

Recent DIII-D experiments using off-axis electron cyclotron current drive (ECCD) have demonstrated the ability to modify the current profile in a plasma with toroidal beta near 3%. The resulting plasma simultaneously sustains the key elements required for Advanced Tokamak operation: high bootstrap current fraction, high beta, and good confinement. More than 85% of the plasma current is driven by noninductive means.

Quiescent double barrier regime in the DIII-D tokamak.

A new sustained high-performance regime, combining discrete edge and core transport barriers, has been discovered in the DIII-D tokamak. Edge localized modes (ELMs) are replaced by a steady oscillation that increases edge particle transport, thereby allowing particle control with no ELM-induced pulsed divertor heat load. The core barrier resembles those usually seen with a low (L) mode edge, without the degradation often associated with ELMs.