High-n Rydberg transition spectroscopy for heavy impurity transport studies in W7-X (invited).

Here, we present a novel spectroscopy approach to investigate impurity transport by analyzing line-radiation following high-n Rydberg transitions. While high-n Rydberg states of impurity ions are unlikely to be populated via impact excitation, they can be accessed by charge exchange (CX) reactions along the neutral beams in high-temperature plasmas. Hence, localized radiation of highly ionized impurities, free of passive contributions, can be observed at multiple wavelengths in the visible range.

The CXSFIT spectral fitting code: Past, present and future.

Magnetically confined plasma experiments generate a wealth of spectroscopic data. The first step toward extracting physical parameters is to fit a spectral model to the often complex spectra. The CXSFIT (Charge eXchange Spectroscopy FITting) spectral fitting code was originally developed for fitting charge exchange spectra on JET from the late 1980s onward and has been further developed over decades to keep up with the needs of the users.

Results from a synthetic model of the ITER XRCS-Core diagnostic based on high-fidelity x-ray ray tracing.

A high-fidelity synthetic diagnostic has been developed for the ITER core x-ray crystal spectrometer diagnostic based on x-ray ray tracing. This synthetic diagnostic has been used to model expected performance of the diagnostic, to aid in diagnostic design, and to develop engineering tolerances. The synthetic model is based on x-ray ray tracing using the recently developed xicsrt ray tracing code and includes a fully three-dimensional representation of the diagnostic based on the computer aided design.

What do the narratives tell us? Exploring the implementation of the Athena SWAN Ireland Charter.

Due to the systemic inequalities enduring in career progression pathways in the Irish higher education sector, the Athena SWAN Ireland Charter (ASIC), a gender equality accreditation program, is being implemented. Using a theoretical approach, blending insights from feminist institutionalism with literature on the role of narratives in policy implementation, this article reveals the complex nature of subjective engagement with policy implementation processes. This article discusses an empirical study of Athena SWAN Ireland Charter implementation across three purposively chosen Irish universities, interviewing 26 key institutional actors tasked with implementing the ASIC locally.

Novel dual-reflection design applied for ITER core x-ray spectrometer.

A novel dual-reflection configuration is introduced for the International Tokamak Experimental Reactor (ITER) core x-ray spectrometer to fit the allocated space where it will be placed accompanied by moving the detectors backward to reduce the incident radiation dose. The highly oriented pyrolytic graphite, which has a mosaic structure of microscopic crystallites, is chosen for the front reflector motivated by higher x-ray throughput and stronger misalignment tolerance compared to the perfect crystal reflector. In the ITER core x-ray spectrometer, a combination of several reflector-deflected Lines of Sight (LOSs) and a direct LOS is proposed for the first time named X-Ray Crystal Spectroscopy Core (XRCS-Core).

Conceptual study of energy resolved x-ray measurement and electron temperature reconstruction on ITER with low voltage ionization chambers.

In tokamaks with tungsten-based plasma facing components, such as ITER, pollution of the plasma by heavy impurities is a major concern as it can lead to radiative breakdown. The radiation emitted by such impurities is mainly composed of x-rays in the [0.1; 100] keV range.

Consideration of signal to noise ratio for an imaging bolometer for ITER.

An infrared imaging video bolometer (IRVB) is proposed for ITER having a tangential view of the entire ITER cross section. For the initial estimate of the signal level, a 840 m plasma is assumed to uniformly radiate 67.3 MW.

Modeling a low voltage ionization chamber based tomography system on ITER.

Soft x-ray (SXR) tomography is a key diagnostic method for impurity transport study in tokamaks since it allows for local impurity density reconstruction. The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) radiative environment in deuterium-deuterium and deuterium-tritium phases will limit the choices of SXR detector technologies, and gas detectors are one of the most promising solutions. In this paper, we, thus, investigate the SXR tomography possibilities on ITER using Low Voltage Ionization Chambers (LVICs).

In situ wavelength calibration of the edge CXS spectrometers on JET.

A method for obtaining an accurate wavelength calibration over the entire focal plane of the JET edge CXS spectrometers is presented that uses a combination of the fringe pattern created with a Fabry-Pérot etalon and a neon lamp for cross calibration. The accuracy achieved is 0.03 Å, which is the same range of uncertainty as when neglecting population effects on the rest wavelength of the CX line.

Polycapillary lenses for soft x-ray transmission in ITER: Model, comparison with experiments, and potential application.

Measuring Soft X-Ray (SXR) radiation [0.1 keV; 15 keV] in tokamaks is a standard way of extracting valuable information on the particle transport and magnetohydrodynamic activity. Generally, the analysis is performed with detectors positioned close to the plasma for a direct line of sight.

'It sounds like a great idea but…': a qualitative study of GPs' attitudes towards the development of a national diabetes register.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the attitudes of general practitioners (GPs) to the development of a national diabetes register as a way of improving the quality of care.

Design: Qualitative study using semistructured interviews.

Setting: General practice, Ireland.

Implementing the legal provisions for HIA in Slovakia: an exploration of practitioner perspectives.

Background: Health Impact Assessment (HIA) is an instrument used in many countries across the world to assess and report on negative and positive health impacts of projects, programmes and policies. It was included in the Protection, Support and Development of Public Health Act (355/2007) of the Slovak Republic in 2007, thus legislating for HIA. Due to this novel move to legislate for HIA, exploratory research was conducted in order to inquire into the perceptions of key informants and practitioners of the upcoming enforcement of the HIA part of legislation (to take place from January 2011).

Differences in the structure of outpatient diabetes care between endocrinologist-led and general physician-led services.

Background: Despite a shift in diabetes care internationally from secondary to primary care, diabetes care in the Republic of Ireland remains very hospital-based. Significant variation in the facilities and resources available to hospitals providing outpatient diabetes care have been reported in the UK. The aim of this study was to ascertain the structure of outpatient diabetes care in public hospitals in the Republic of Ireland and whether differences existed in services provided across hospitals.

Trends in age-adjusted coronary heart disease mortality rates in Slovakia between 1993 and 2009.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and especially coronary heart disease (CHD) are the main causes of death in the Slovak Republic (SR). The aim of this study is to explore trends in age-adjusted coronary heart disease mortality rates in the whole Slovak population and in the population of working age between the years 1993 and 2009. A related indicator - potential years of life lost (PYLL) due to CHD--was calculated in the same period for males and females.

Barriers to, and facilitators in, introducing integrated diabetes care in Ireland: a qualitative study of views in general practice.

Objective: To examine the barriers to, and facilitators in, improving diabetes management from the general practice perspective, in advance of the implementation of an integrated model of care in Ireland.

Design: Qualitative using semistructured interviews.

Setting: Primary care in the Republic of Ireland.

Bragg x-ray survey spectrometer for ITER.

Several potential impurity ions in the ITER plasmas will lead to loss of confined energy through line and continuum emission. For real time monitoring of impurities, a seven channel Bragg x-ray spectrometer (XRCS survey) is considered. This paper presents design and analysis of the spectrometer, including x-ray tracing by the Shadow-XOP code, sensitivity calculations for reference H-mode plasma and neutronics assessment.

Predictors of depression symptoms in patients with diabetes in Slovakia.

Objective: The patterns of relationships between diabetes and depression in countries of central and eastern Europe (CEE) might differ from those in countries of western Europe and the United States. Among the reasons are specifics of transitioning healthcare systems (including mental health) and the general social, cultural, and economic background of these countries. The aim of this article is to analyze the prevalence of depression symptoms in patients with diabetes in Slovakia and to identify its predictors.

Development of a spatially resolving x-ray crystal spectrometer for measurement of ion-temperature (T(i)) and rotation-velocity (v) profiles in ITER.

Imaging x-ray crystal spectrometer (XCS) arrays are being developed as a US-ITER activity for Doppler measurement of T(i) and v profiles of impurities (W, Kr, and Fe) with ∼7 cm (a/30) and 10-100 ms resolution in ITER. The imaging XCS, modeled after a prototype instrument on Alcator C-Mod, uses a spherically bent crystal and 2D x-ray detectors to achieve high spectral resolving power (E/dE>6000) horizontally and spatial imaging vertically. Two arrays will measure T(i) and both poloidal and toroidal rotation velocity profiles.

Informing the development of a national diabetes register in Ireland: a literature review of the impact of patient registration on diabetes care.

Background: Research suggests that a structured approach to diabetes care can lead to improved patient outcomes. In order to enable greater organisation of care, an electronic patient registration system is required. As part of the development of a national disease register in Ireland, we conducted a review of literature relating to the impact of registration systems on processes and outcomes of care.

Diabetes care in Ireland: a survey of general practitioners.

Aim: To investigate the organisation of diabetes care in general practice in Ireland and identify areas for future development.

Methods: Survey of a representative sample of 600 general practitioners (GPs). The questionnaire contained closed and open-ended questions addressing 4 topics; characteristics of the practice, diabetes care delivery, use of services and opportunities for developing diabetes care.

Modeling the effect of reflection from metallic walls on spectroscopic measurements.

A modification of JET is presently being prepared to bring operational experience with ITER-like first wall (Be) and divertor (W) materials, geometry and plasma parameters. Reflectivity measurements of JET sample tiles have been performed and the data are used within a simplified model of the JET and ITER vessels to predict additional contributions to quantitative spectroscopic measurements. The most general method to characterize reflectivity is the bidirectional reflection distribution function (BRDF).

Collisional-radiative study of lithium plasmas.

The sensitivity of lithium plasma models to the underlying atomic data is investigated. Collisional-radiative modeling is carried out with both the Los Alamos and ADAS suite of codes. The effects of plane-wave Born, distorted-wave, and nonperturbative R -matrix with pseudostates and time-dependent close-coupling electron impact atomic data on derived plasma quantities such as the ionization balance and radiated power are studied.