Effects of 12 weeks of water aerobics on body composition in those affected by breast cancer.

Exercise may prevent changes in body composition and provide an effective means of improving the side effects of treatment without causing lymphedema. PURPOSE: Test the effectiveness of a 12-week water aerobics program on body composition and lymphedema risk in breast cancer survivors. METHODS: Body composition analysis was completed at weeks 0, 6, and 12 weeks. RESULTS: Ten females completed all testing. Baseline subject characteristics were as follows: age (59.40 ± 8.22 years), weight (169.91 ± 41.70 lbs), body fat percent (%BF) (40.15 ± 9.84%), body fat mass (BFM) (71.27 ± 31.50 lbs), lean body mass (LBM) (98.66 ± 13.24 lbs), skeletal muscle mass (SMM) (53.17 ± 8.09 lbs), intracellular water (ICW) (44.24 ± 6.18 lbs), and extracellular water (ECW) (28.91 ± 3.62 lbs). One-way ANOVA showed no statistically significant differences over time as determined for weight (F(2.27) = 0.002, P = 0.96), %BF (F(2.27) = 0.004, P = 0.97), BFM (F(2.27) = 0.001, P = 0.97), LBM (F(2.27) = 0.013, P = 0.95), SMM (F(2.27) = 0.027, P = 0.91), ICW (F(2.27) = 0.021, P = 0.93), and ECW (F(2.27) = 0.01, P = 0.94) across the 12 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: A water aerobics program for 12 weeks was not enough to observe changes in body composition nor did it increase the risk for lymphedema and may be a safe exercise method for breast cancer survivors.

Evaluation of low-frequency operational limit of proposed ITER low-field-side reflectometer waveguide run including miter bends.

The present design concept for the ITER low-field-side reflectometer transmission line (TL) consists of an ∼40 m long, 6.35 cm diameter helically corrugated waveguide (WG) together with ten 90° miter bends. This paper presents an evaluation of the TL performance at low frequencies (33-50 GHz) where the predicted HE11 mode ohmic and mode conversion losses start to increase significantly. Quasi-optical techniques were used to form a near Gaussian beam to efficiently couple radiation in this frequency range into the WG. It was observed that the output beams from the guide remained linearly polarized with cross-polarization power levels of ∼1.5%-3%. The polarization rotation due to the helical corrugations was in the range ∼1°-3°. The radiated beam power profiles typically show excellent Gaussian propagation characteristics at distances >20 cm from the final exit aperture. The round trip propagation loss was found to be ∼2.5 dB at 50 GHz and ∼6.5 dB at 35 GHz, showing an inverse increase with frequency. This was consistent with updated calculations of miter bend and ohmic losses. At low frequencies (33-50 GHz), the mode purity remained very good at the exit of the waveguide, and the losses are perfectly acceptable for operation in ITER. The primary challenge may come from the future addition of a Gaussian telescope and other filter components within the corrugated guide, which will likely introduce additional perturbations to the beam profile and an increase in mode-conversion loss.

An eight-channel Doppler backscattering system in the experimental advanced superconducting tokamak.

Doppler backscattering system can measure the perpendicular velocity and fluctuation amplitude of the density turbulence with intermediate wavenumber. An eight-channel Doppler backscattering system has been installed in the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), which can probe eight different radial locations simultaneously by launching eight fixed frequencies (55, 57.5, 60, 62.5, 67.5, 70, 72.5, 75 GHz) into plasma. The quasi-optical system consists of circular corrugated waveguide transmission, a fixed parabolic mirror, and a rotatable parabolic mirror which are integrated with quasi-optics front-end of the profile reflectometer inside the vacuum vessel. The incidence angle can be chosen from 5° to 12°, and the wavenumber range is 2-15/cm with the wavenumber resolution Δk/k≤0.21. Ray tracing simulations are used to calculate the scattering locations and the perpendicular wavenumber. The dynamic range of this new eight-channel Doppler backscattering system can be as large as 40 dB in the EAST. In this article, the hardware design, the ray tracing, and the preliminary experimental results in the EAST will be presented.

Front-end antenna system design for the ITER low-field-side reflectometer system using GENRAY ray tracing.

A monostatic antenna array arrangement has been designed for the microwave front-end of the ITER low-field-side reflectometer (LFSR) system. This paper presents details of the antenna coupling coefficient analyses performed using GENRAY, a 3-D ray tracing code, to evaluate the plasma height accommodation capability of such an antenna array design. Utilizing modeled data for the plasma equilibrium and profiles for the ITER baseline and half-field scenarios, a design study was performed for measurement locations varying from the plasma edge to inside the top of the pedestal. A front-end antenna configuration is recommended for the ITER LFSR system based on the results of this coupling analysis.

A novel technique for real-time estimation of edge pedestal density gradients via reflectometer time delay data.

A new model-based technique for fast estimation of the pedestal electron density gradient has been developed. The technique uses ordinary mode polarization profile reflectometer time delay data and does not require direct profile inversion. Because of its simple data processing, the technique can be readily implemented via a Field-Programmable Gate Array, so as to provide a real-time density gradient estimate, suitable for use in plasma control systems such as envisioned for ITER, and possibly for DIII-D and Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak. The method is based on a simple edge plasma model with a linear pedestal density gradient and low scrape-off-layer density. By measuring reflectometer time delays for three adjacent frequencies, the pedestal density gradient can be estimated analytically via the new approach. Using existing DIII-D profile reflectometer data, the estimated density gradients obtained from the new technique are found to be in good agreement with the actual density gradients for a number of dynamic DIII-D plasma conditions.

Performance and data analysis aspects of the new DIII-D monostatic profile reflectometer system.

A new frequency-modulated profile reflectometer system, featuring a monostatic antenna geometry (using one microwave antenna for both launch and receive), has been installed on the DIII-D tokamak, providing a first experimental test of this measurement approach for profile reflectometry. Significant features of the new system are briefly described in this paper, including the new monostatic arrangement, use of overmoded, broadband transmission waveguide, and dual-polarization combination/demultiplexing. Updated data processing and analysis, and in-service performance aspects of the new monostatic profile reflectometer system are also presented. By using a raytracing code (GENRAY) to determine the approximate trajectory of the probe beam, the electron density (ne) profile can be successfully reconstructed with L-mode plasmas vertically shifted by more than 10 cm off the vessel midplane. Specifically, it is demonstrated that the new system has a capability to measure ne profiles with plasma vertical offsets of up to ±17 cm. Examples are also presented of accurate, high time and spatial resolution density profile measurements made over a wide range of DIII-D conditions, e.g., the measured temporal evolution of the density profile across a L-H transition.

Observation of a critical gradient threshold for electron temperature fluctuations in the DIII-D Tokamak.

A critical gradient threshold has been observed for the first time in a systematic, controlled experiment for a locally measured turbulent quantity in the core of a confined high-temperature plasma. In an experiment in the DIII-D tokamak where L(T(e))(-1) = |∇T(e)|/T(e) and toroidal rotation were varied, long wavelength (k(θ)ρ(s) ≲ 0.4) electron temperature fluctuations exhibit a threshold in L(T(e))(-1): below, they change little; above, they steadily increase. The increase in δT(e)/T(e) is concurrent with increased electron heat flux and transport stiffness. Observations were insensitive to rotation. Accumulated evidence strongly enforces the identification of the experimentally observed threshold with ∇T(e)-driven trapped electron mode turbulence.

Design of a millimeter-wave polarimeter for NSTX-Upgrade and initial test on DIII-D.

Polarimetry is a powerful diagnostic technique to probe plasma equilibria and magnetic fluctuations in fusion plasmas. In a high beta plasma such as the National Spherical Torus eXperiment (NSTX), these measurements are important to understand plasma stability and anomalous transport. A 288 GHz polarimeter operating along a major radial chord in retroreflection geometry has been developed and is being tested on the DIII-D tokamak to prepare for future implementation on NSTX-Upgrade. The system launches a rotating linearly polarized beam and detects the phase shift directly related to the polarization change caused by the plasma. To accomplish this, a pair of orthogonal linearly polarized beams with a stable difference frequency is generated using a single sideband modulation technique, then combined and transformed to be counter-rotating circularly polarized. To improve phase resolution, quasi-optical isolation, using Faraday rotators and polarizers, is utilized to eliminate a multi-path feedback effect, which is found to be the primary source of phase error. The bench tests in the laboratory and DIII-D power supply test discharges indicate ≤1° phase resolution.

Role of zonal flow predator-prey oscillations in triggering the transition to H-mode confinement.

Direct evidence of zonal flow (ZF) predator-prey oscillations and the synergistic roles of ZF- and equilibrium E×B flow shear in triggering the low- to high-confinement (L- to H-mode) transition in the DIII-D tokamak is presented. Periodic turbulence suppression is first observed in a narrow layer at and just inside the separatrix when the shearing rate transiently exceeds the turbulence decorrelation rate. The final transition to H mode with sustained turbulence and transport reduction is controlled by equilibrium E×B shear due to the increasing ion pressure gradient.

A correlation electron cyclotron emission diagnostic and the importance of multifield fluctuation measurements for testing nonlinear gyrokinetic turbulence simulations.

A correlation electron cyclotron emission (CECE) diagnostic has been used to measure local, turbulent fluctuations of the electron temperature in the core of DIII-D plasmas. This paper describes the hardware and testing of the CECE diagnostic and highlights the importance of measurements of multifield fluctuation profiles for the testing and validation of nonlinear gyrokinetic codes. The process of testing and validating such codes is critical for extrapolation to next-step fusion devices. For the first time, the radial profiles of electron temperature and density fluctuations are compared to nonlinear gyrokinetic simulations. The CECE diagnostic at DIII-D uses correlation radiometry to measure the rms amplitude and spectrum of the electron temperature fluctuations. Gaussian optics are used to produce a poloidal spot size with w(o) approximately 1.75 cm in the plasma. The intermediate frequency filters and the natural linewidth of the EC emission determine the radial resolution of the CECE diagnostic, which can be less than 1 cm. Wavenumbers resolved by the CECE diagnostic are k(theta) < or = 1.8 cm(-1) and k(r) < or = 4 cm(-1), relevant for studies of long-wavelength turbulence associated with the trapped electron mode and the ion temperature gradient mode. In neutral beam heated L-mode plasmas, core electron temperature fluctuations in the region 0.5 < r/a < 0.9, increase with radius from approximately 0.5% to approximately 2%, similar to density fluctuations that are measured simultaneously with beam emission spectroscopy. After incorporating "synthetic diagnostics" to effectively filter the code output, the simulations reproduce the characteristics of the turbulence and transport at one radial location r/a = 0.5, but not at a second location, r/a = 0.75. These results illustrate that measurements of the profiles of multiple fluctuating fields can provide a significant constraint on the turbulence models employed by the code.

Multitude of core-localized shear Alfvén waves in a high-temperature fusion plasma.

Evidence is presented for a multitude of discrete frequency Alfvén waves in the core of magnetically confined high-temperature fusion plasmas. Multiple diagnostic instruments confirm wave excitation over a wide spatial range from the device size at the longest wavelengths down to the thermal ion Larmor radius. At the shortest scales, the poloidal wavelengths are comparable to the scale length of electrostatic drift wave turbulence. Theoretical analysis confirms a dominant interaction of the modes with particles in the thermal ion distribution traveling well below the Alfvén velocity.

Suppression of large edge-localized modes in high-confinement DIII-D plasmas with a stochastic magnetic boundary.

A stochastic magnetic boundary, produced by an applied edge resonant magnetic perturbation, is used to suppress most large edge-localized modes (ELMs) in high confinement (H-mode) plasmas. The resulting H mode displays rapid, small oscillations with a bursty character modulated by a coherent 130 Hz envelope. The H mode transport barrier and core confinement are unaffected by the stochastic boundary, despite a threefold drop in the toroidal rotation. These results demonstrate that stochastic boundaries are compatible with H modes and may be attractive for ELM control in next-step fusion tokamaks.

Slow L-H transitions in DIII-D plasmas.

The transition from the low to the high mode of plasma confinement ( L-H transition) is studied in the DIII-D by an experimental technique which allows an arbitrarily slow transition. During an initial transition, periodic turbulent instability bursts are observed near the separatrix which inhibit the full transition. These bursts are damped by self-generated shear flows, and a predator-prey-type relationship is shown to give a good description of the data. As the neutral-beam power is raised, the oscillations change to type III edge localized modes. Another transition then leads to a quiet H mode.

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. The barriers are separated by a narrow region of high transport associated with a zero crossing in the E x B shearing rate.

Incidence and risk of work-related fracture injuries: experience of a state-managed workers' compensation system.

Incidence rates of occupational fractures at various anatomic sites and associated risk factors have not been well documented. We identified 3490 work-related fractures from a West Virginia Workers Compensation database that occurred between July 1, 1994, and June 30, 1995. The annual incidence rate was 55 per 10,000 workers, which is substantially higher than the work-related fracture rates reported previously. The incidence rate of fracture was highest in the agricultural sector, followed by the mining, construction, and manufacturing sectors (202.0, 165.2, 116.7, and 88.0 per 10,000 workers, respectively). The age-specific gender distribution comparing fracture and non-fracture injuries showed a bimodal distribution, with greater proportions of female employees at the younger and older age groups. Fracture of the phalanges was the most common, followed by fractures of the foot bone and carpal bone (15.8, 9.5, and 7.9 per 10,000 workers, respectively). In a multiple logistic regression analysis, age, gender, occupation, caught in-between objects, fall, struck by or against object, and vehicle collision were significant independent predictors of fracture (all sites combined). We believe work-related fractures to be a bigger problem than previously reported. The association among gender, age, occupation, and causes of fractures identified in this study will be useful in developing gender- and occupation-specific prevention intervention.

Gender differences in work-related injury/illness: analysis of workers compensation claims.

BACKGROUND: Risk of work-related injuries/illnesses among females has not been well documented. This study compares compensable work-related injuries/illnesses between females and males across all major industrial sectors and occupations using a state-managed Workers Compensation database. METHODS: Incidence rates were calculated by dividing the number of compensable injuries/illnesses among West Virginia Workers Compensation claimants by the total number of female and male workers in each specific industry class (based on SIC codes). Gender-specific denominators for occupations were estimated using 1990 U.S. Census data. RESULTS: The overall injury/illness rate was significantly lower in females than males (5. 5 vs. 11.5 per 100 employees), a trend that extended to all major industrial classes with the exception of service and agricultural sectors. The distribution of types of injury/illness varied by gender, occupation, and industry with significantly higher risk of carpal tunnel syndrome, burn, sprain, and fracture in females compared to males. CONCLUSIONS: Female workers have a greater risk of specific injury/illness compared to males in various industries. Further research will be needed to understand the role of differential job-tasks within each occupation in explaining the risk difference.

Epidemiology of work-related burn injuries: experience of a state-managed workers' compensation system.

BACKGROUND: Population-based incidence rates of work-related burn injuries and associated risk factors specific to anatomic sites and degree of burn are not known. METHODS: Using a state-managed workers' compensation database, we estimated incidence rates of work-related burn injuries and identified high-risk occupations and associated exposures. RESULTS: The annual incidence rate of occupational burn was 26.4 per 10,000 workers, with the highest rate observed in the manufacturing sector for males and in the service sector for females. Welders, cooks, laborers, food service workers, and mechanics had higher incidence rates of burn injury compared with other occupations. Wrist and hand burns accounted for a majority of burn injuries, with females experiencing greater incidence of these distal upper extremity burns (8.9 in females and 6.7 in males per 10,000 workers, respectively). Third-degree burns (incidence rate, 1.3 per 10,000 workers) were also most frequently observed in the upper extremities compared with other anatomic sites. The majority of wrist and hand burns were caused by hot liquids/ objects, whereas the majority of eye burns were associated with chemical exposures. Younger cooks and food service workers were at greater risk of burn than older coworkers. CONCLUSION: Specific occupations are associated with degree of burn, anatomic site, and exposures. This information will be useful for targeted intervention among high-risk occupations and work groups.

Epidemiology of compensable work-related ocular injuries and illnesses: incidence and risk factors.

Incidence rates of work-related compensable ocular injuries/illnesses and associated risk factors were estimated by using a state-managed workers' compensation database. The annual incidence rate was estimated to be 537 per 100,000 employees. The majority of the ocular injuries and illnesses resulted from foreign bodies in the external eye (incidence rate 194 per 100,000 employees). Incidence rates for superficial eye injury, atopic conjunctivitis, burn, keratitis, chronic conjunctivitis, and contusion were 168.3, 30.9, 28.0, 23.4, 17.9, and 15.3 per 100,000 employees, respectively. The highest incidence rate was observed in the agricultural sector, with male employees having higher rates than female employees. Cooks, housekeepers, and food service workers had higher risk of atopic conjunctivitis (relative risk, 3.2 to 7.3) compared with other workers. The majority of the atopic conjunctivitis illnesses and burn injuries were associated with chemical exposures. Reduction of exposures and targeted intervention among high-risk workers should reduce the incidence of work-related ocular injuries and illnesses.

Carpal tunnel syndrome and occupation in U.S. Navy enlisted personnel.

The objectives of this study were to (a) describe demographic factors associated with high rates of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), cubital tunnel syndrome, and other neuritis of the arm and hand, and (2) identify the high-risk occupations associated with these disorders in the Navy. Computerized records of first hospitalizations of all active-duty Navy-enlisted personnel were searched for all cases of CTS, cubital tunnel syndrome, and other neuritis of the arm and hand (ICD-9 CM codes 354.0-354.9) during 1980-1988. There were 1039 first hospitalizations (including 493 cases of CTS) for all neuritis of the arm and hand in 4095708 person-years in men and 186 first hospitalizations (including 90 cases of CTS) in 365668 person-years in women. Incidence rates of hospitalized cases with CTS rose with age for both sexes. Rates in white women were approximately three times those in white men (p < .0001), but rates in black women were not significantly different from those in black men. Rates of cubital tunnel syndrome also increased with age in both sexes and were higher in white women than white men (p < .05). Occupations with significantly high standardized incidence ratios (p < .05) for CTS in men included aviation-support equipment technician, engineman, hull-maintenance technician, boatswain's mate, and machinist's mate. In women, occupations with significantly high standardized incidence ratios included boatswain's mate, engineman, hospital corpsman, ocean-systems technician, and personnelman. Several occupations for each sex had significantly high standardized incidence ratios for cubital tunnel syndrome, with high rates in hospital corpsmen of both sexes (p < .05). Gender and race differences according to occupation did not account for the occupations at highest risk. Further research is needed to determine the extent to which CTS and related disorders could be prevented by modifying the motions currently performed in occupations with the highest standardized incidence ratios.

Uptake of BRL 41897A, a C(7) alpha-formamido substituted cephalosporin, via the ferri-pyochelin transport system of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Several catechol-substituted cephalosporin antibiotics are transported into Gram-negative organisms via components of the iron uptake system. We provide evidence that the C(7) alpha-formamido substituted cephalosporin BRL 41897A enters Pseudomonas aeruginosa via the high molecular weight pyochelin transport system. No MIC could be recorded when cells were grown under iron-replete conditions, but when grown in iron-depleted succinate medium strain PAO1 the MIC was 4 mg/L. A derivative of PAO1 that is deficient in the biosynthesis of pyochelin and pyoverdin, IA1, was more resistant, having MIC of 16 mg/L. This was reduced to 4 mg/L by growing the cells in the presence of pyochelin, which specifically induces the pyochelin uptake system. Growth in the presence of pyochelin also increased the rate and extent of uptake of a radiolabelled iron-antibiotic complex. Growth in the presence of 1/8 of the MIC resulted in significant reduction in expression of the ferripyochelin receptor in the outer membrane, coupled with decreased sensitivity to the agent.