First operation in SPIDER and the path to complete MITICA

The requirements of ITER neutral beam injectors (1 MeV, 40 A negative deuterium ion current for 1 h) have never been simultaneously attained; therefore, a dedicated Neutral Beam Test Facility (NBTF) was set up at Consorzio RFX (Padova, Italy). The NBTF includes two experiments: SPIDER (Source for the Production of Ions of Deuterium Extracted from Rf plasma), the full-scale prototype of the source of ITER injectors, with a 100 keV accelerator, to investigate and optimize the properties of the ion source; and MITICA, the full-scale prototype of the entire injector, devoted to the issues related to the accelerator, including voltage holding at low gas pressure. The present paper gives an account of the status of the procurements, of the timeline, and of the voltage holding tests and experiments for MITICA. As for SPIDER, the first year of operation is described, regarding the solution of some issues connected with the radiofrequency power, the source operation, and the characterization of the first negative ion beam.

Final design of the beam source for the MITICA injector

The megavolt ITER injector and concept advancement experiment is the prototype and the test bed of the ITER heating and current drive neutral beam injectors, currently in the final design phase, in view of the installation in Padova Research on Injector Megavolt Accelerated facility in Padova, Italy. The beam source is the key component of the system, as its goal is the generation of the 1 MeV accelerated beam of deuterium or hydrogen negative ions. This paper presents the highlights of the latest developments for the finalization of the MITICA beam source design, together with a description of the most recent analyses and R&D activities carried out in support of the design.

Factors affecting the changes in molecular epidemiology of acute hepatitis B in a Southern Italian area

To explore changes in molecular epidemiology of acute viral hepatitis B (AVH-B), hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes were determined by direct sequencing of the Pre-S-S region in 123 consecutive patients, with AVH-B observed in Naples or its surroundings in the last decade (group AVH-B) and in 123 HBV chronic carriers [chronic carrier of HBV (CC-B) group] from the same areas, who had been hepatitis B surface antigen-positive for more than 10 years. Genotype D was less frequently detected in patients with AVH-B than in those in the CC-B group (76.4%vs 97.5%, P < 0.0001). In the AVH-B group, intravenous drug addiction (IVDA) was the prevalent risk factor (55.3%) for acquiring HBV in the 94 patients with HBV genotype D, but it was rarely recorded (6.9%) in the 29 patients with genotypes non-D (P < 0.0001); unsafe sexual intercourse was prevalent in patients with genotype non-D (72.3%) and less frequent in those with genotype D (28.8%, P < 0.005). In the AVH-B group, the prevalence of non-D genotypes increased during the observation period from 11.1% in 1999-2003 to 41.1% in 2004-2008 (P < 0.0005), paralleling the increase in the prevalence of patients with unsafe sexual intercourse; similarly, the progressive decrease in IVDA paralleled the decrease in the prevalence of genotype D (from 88.3% in 1999-2003 to 11.7% in 2004-2008). The prevalence of HBV non-D genotypes recorded in the last 10 years in AVH-B in this area shows a progressive increase, most probably because of recent changes in HBV epidemiology, namely, the HBV mass vaccination campaign and increased immigration from areas with high HBV endemicity.

Feedback stabilization of multiple resistive wall modes

Active feedback stabilization of multiple independent resistive wall modes is experimentally demonstrated in a reversed-field pinch plasma. A reproducible simultaneous suppression of several nonresonant resistive wall modes is achieved. Coupling of different modes due to the limited number of the feedback coils is observed in agreement with theory. The feedback stabilization of nonresonant RWMs also has an effect on tearing modes that are resonant in the central plasma, leading to a significant prolongation of the discharge pulse.

The breast cancer information core: database design, structure, and scope

The Breast Cancer Information Core (BIC) is an open access, on-line mutation database for breast cancer susceptibility genes. In addition to creating a catalogue of all mutations and polymorphisms in breast cancer susceptibility genes, a principle aim of the BIC is to facilitate the detection and characterization of these genes by providing technical support in the form of mutation detection protocols, primer sequences, and reagent access. Additional information at the site includes a literature review compiled from published studies, links to other internet-based, breast cancer information and research resources, and an interactive discussion forum which enables investigators to post or respond to questions and/or comments on a bulletin board. Hum Mutat 16:123-131, 2000. Published 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.