The extreme light infrastructure-nuclear physics (ELI-NP) facility: new horizons in physics with 10 PW ultra-intense lasers and 20 MeV brilliant gamma beams.

The European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) has selected in 2006 a proposal based on ultra-intense laser fields with intensities reaching up to 1022-1023 W cm-2 called 'ELI' for Extreme Light Infrastructure. The construction of a large-scale laser-centred, distributed pan-European research infrastructure, involving beyond the state-of-the-art ultra-short and ultra-intense laser technologies, received the approval for funding in 2011-2012. The three pillars of the ELI facility are being built in Czech Republic, Hungary and Romania. The Romanian pillar is ELI-Nuclear Physics (ELI-NP). The new facility is intended to serve a broad national, European and International science community. Its mission covers scientific research at the frontier of knowledge involving two domains. The first one is laser-driven experiments related to nuclear physics, strong-field quantum electrodynamics and associated vacuum effects. The second is based on a Compton backscattering high-brilliance and intense low-energy gamma beam (<20 MeV), a marriage of laser and accelerator technology which will allow us to investigate nuclear structure and reactions as well as nuclear astrophysics with unprecedented resolution and accuracy. In addition to fundamental themes, a large number of applications with significant societal impact are being developed. The ELI-NP research centre will be located in Magurele near Bucharest, Romania. The project is implemented by 'Horia Hulubei' National Institute for Physics and Nuclear Engineering (IFIN-HH). The project started in January 2013 and the new facility will be fully operational by the end of 2019. After a short introduction to multi-PW lasers and multi-MeV brilliant gamma beam scientific and technical description of the future ELI-NP facility as well as the present status of its implementation of ELI-NP, will be presented. The science and examples of societal applications at reach with these electromagnetic probes with much improved performances provided at this new facility will be discussed with a special focus on day-one experiments and associated novel instrumentation.

Observation of the Isovector Giant Monopole Resonance via the

The (^{10}Be,^{10}B^{*}[1.74 MeV]) charge-exchange reaction at 100 AMeV is presented as a new probe for isolating the isovector (ΔT=1) nonspin-transfer (ΔS=0) response of nuclei, with ^{28}Si being the first nucleus studied. By using a secondary ^{10}Be beam produced by fast fragmentation of ^{18}O nuclei at the NSCL Coupled Cyclotron Facility, applying the dispersion-matching technique with the S800 magnetic spectrometer to determine the excitation energy in ^{28}Al, and performing high-resolution γ-ray tracking with the Gamma-Ray Energy Tracking In-beam Nuclear Array (GRETINA) to identify the 1022-keV γ ray associated with the decay from the 1.74-MeV T=1 isobaric analog state in ^{10}B, a ΔS=0 excitation-energy spectrum in ^{28}Al was extracted. Monopole and dipole contributions were determined through a multipole-decomposition analysis, and the isovector giant dipole resonance and isovector giant monopole resonance (IVGMR) were identified. The results show that this probe is a powerful tool for studying the elusive IVGMR, which is of interest for performing stringent tests of modern density functional theories at high excitation energies and for constraining the bulk properties of nuclei and nuclear matter. The extracted distributions were compared with theoretical calculations based on the normal-modes formalism and the proton-neutron relativistic time-blocking approximation. Calculated cross sections based on these strengths underestimate the data by about a factor of 2, which likely indicates deficiencies in the reaction calculations based on the distorted wave Born approximation.

Development of an ultra-fast photomultiplier tube for gamma-ray Cherenkov detectors at the National Ignition Facility (PD-PMT).

A new ultra-fast photomultiplier tube and associated drivers have been developed for use in the next generation of gamma-ray high pressure gas Cherenkov detectors for inertial confinement fusion experiments at the National Ignition Facility. Pulse-dilation technology has been applied to a standard micro-channel-plate-based photomultiplier tube to improve the temporal response by about 10×. The tube has been packaged suitably for deployment on the National Ignition Facility, and remote electronics have been designed to deliver the required non-linear waveforms to the pulse dilation electrode. This is achieved with an avalanche pulse generator system capable of generating fast arbitrary waveforms over the useful parameter space. The pulse is delivered via fast impedance-matching transformers and isolators, allowing the cathode to be ramped on a sub-nanosecond time scale between two high voltages in a controlled non-linear manner. This results in near linear pulse dilation over several ns. The device has a built-in fiducial system that allows easy calibration and testing with fiber optic laser sources. Results are presented demonstrating the greatly improved response time and other parameters of the device.

Cherenkov detector analysis for implosions with multiple nuclear reactions.

Nuclear reactions that produce γ rays occur in inertial fusion implosions and are commonly measured with Cherenkov detectors. Typically a detector is primarily sensitive to a single reaction, but in some implosions, multiple fusion reactions can occur and are combined in the data. We discuss an analysis technique using multiple thresholded detectors to reproduce the individual burn histories from reactions like DT and HT fusion, which is applicable to separated-reactant mix experiments. Requirements for this technique and resulting analysis uncertainties are quantified using synthetic data.

Diffusion-dominated mixing in moderate convergence implosions.

High-Z material mixed into the fuel degrades inertial fusion implosions and can prevent ignition. Mix is often assumed to be dominated by hydrodynamic instabilities, but we report Omega data, using shells with ∼150nm deuterated layers to gain unprecedented resolution, which give strong evidence that the dominant mix mechanism is diffusion for these moderate temperature (≲6 keV) and convergence (∼12) implosions. Small-scale instability-driven or turbulent mix is negligible.

Characterisation of a sub-20 ps temporal resolution pulse dilation photomultiplier tube.

A pulse-dilation photomultiplier tube (PD-PMT) with sub-20 ps temporal resolution has been developed for use with γ-ray-sensitive gas Cherenkov detectors at the National Ignition Facility to improve the diagnosis of nuclear fusion burn history and the areal density of the remaining capsule ablator. The pulse-dilation mechanism entails the application of a time-dependent, ramp waveform to a photocathode-mesh structure, introducing a time-dependent photoelectron accelerating potential. The electric field imparts axial velocity dispersion to outgoing photoelectrons. The photoelectron pulse is dilated as it transits a drift region prior to amplification in a microchannel plate and read out with a digital oscilloscope. We report the first measurements with the prototype PD-PMT demonstrating nominal <20 ps FWHM across a 400 ps measurement window and <30 ps FWHM for an extracted charge up to 300 pC. The output peak areas are linear to within 20% over 3 orders of magnitude of input intensity. 3D particle in cell simulations, which included space charge effects, have been carried out to investigate the device temporal magnification, resolution, and linearity.

Pulse dilation gas Cherenkov detector for ultra-fast gamma reaction history at the NIF (invited).

The Cherenkov mechanism used in Gas Cherenkov Detectors (GCDs) is exceptionally fast. However, the temporal resolution of GCDs, such as the Gamma Reaction History diagnostic at the National Ignition Facility (NIF), has been limited by the current state-of-the-art photomultiplier tube technology to ∼100 ps. The soon-to-be deployed Pulse Dilation Photomultiplier Tube (PD-PMT) at NIF will allow for temporal resolution comparable to that of the gas cell or ∼10 ps. Enhanced resolution will contribute to the quest for ignition in a crucial way through precision measurements of reaction history and ablator areal density (ρR) history, leading to better constrained models. Features such as onset of alpha heating, shock reverberations, and burn truncation due to dynamically evolving failure modes may become visible for the first time. Test measurements of the PD-PMT at Atomic Weapons Establishment confirmed that design goals have been met. The PD-PMT provides dilation factors of 2 to 40× in 6 increments. The GCD-3 recently deployed at the NIF has been modified for coupling to a PD-PMT and will soon be making ultrafast measurements.

Progress on next generation gamma-ray Cherenkov detectors for the National Ignition Facility.

Fusion reaction history and ablator areal density measurements for Inertial Confinement Fusion experiments at the National Ignition Facility are currently conducted using the Gamma Reaction History diagnostic (GRH_6m). Future Gas Cherenkov Detectors (GCDs) will ultimately provide ∼100x more sensitivity, reduce the effective temporal response from ∼100 to ∼10 ps, and lower the energy threshold from 2.9 to 1.8 MeV, relative to GRH_6m. The first phase toward next generation GCDs consisted of inserting the existing coaxial GCD-3 detector into a reentrant well which puts it within 4 m of the implosion. Reaction history and ablator gamma measurement results from this Phase I are discussed here. These results demonstrate viability for the follow-on Phases of (II) the use of a revolutionary new pulse-dilation photomultiplier tube to improve the effective measurement bandwidth by >10x relative to current PMT technology; and (III) the design of a NIF-specific "Super" GCD which will be informed by the assessment of the radiation background environment within the well described here.

First measurements of remaining shell areal density on the OMEGA laser using the Diagnostic for Areal Density (DAD).

A glass Cherenkov detector, called the Diagnostic for Areal Density (DAD), has been built and implemented at the OMEGA laser facility for measuring fusion gammas above 430 keV, from which remaining shell ⟨ρR⟩ abl can be determined. A proof-of-principle experiment is discussed, where signals from a surrogate gas Cherenkov detector are compared with reported values from the wedge range filter and charged particle spectrometer and found to correlate strongly. The design of the more compact port-based DAD diagnostic and results from the commissioning shots are then presented. Once absolutely calibrated, the DAD will be capable of reporting remaining shell ⟨ρR⟩ abl for plastic and glass capsules within minutes of a shot and with potentially higher precision than existing techniques.

Next generation gamma-ray Cherenkov detectors for the National Ignition Facility.

The newest generation of Gas Cherenkov Detector (GCD-3) employed in Inertial Confinement Fusion experiments at the Omega Laser Facility has provided improved performance over previous generations. Comparison of reaction histories measured using two different deuterium-tritium fusion products, namely gamma rays using GCD and neutrons using Neutron Temporal Diagnostic (NTD), have provided added credibility to both techniques. GCD-3 is now being brought to the National Ignition Facility (NIF) to supplement the existing Gamma Reaction History (GRH-6m) located 6 m from target chamber center (TCC). Initially it will be located in a reentrant well located 3.9 m from TCC. Data from GCD-3 will inform the design of a heavily-shielded "Super" GCD to be located as close as 20 cm from TCC. It will also provide a test-bed for faster optical detectors, potentially lowering the temporal resolution from the current ∼100 ps state-of-the-art photomultiplier tubes (PMT) to ∼10 ps Pulse Dilation PMT technology currently under development.

Blood and urinary magnesium kinetics after oral magnesium supplements.

A study was conducted to compare the pharmacokinetic profile of three oral magnesium supplements--magnesium chloride solution, slow-release magnesium chloride tablets, and magnesium gluconate tablets--at 16 mmol/dose. Twelve healthy normomagnesemic subjects were evaluated during an initial baseline study, followed by three magnesium supplementation studies. Supplements were administered in a randomized, crossover fashion at weekly intervals. During each of the four trials, subjects followed the same routines and consumed identical diets. Magnesium concentrations were measured in urine samples collected from 0 to 4, 4 to 8, 8 to 12, and 12 to 24 hours. Intraleukocyte, total serum, and ultrafiltrable magnesium were measured in blood samples drawn at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours. Compared with baseline, 24-hour urinary magnesium excretion significantly increased (P < 0.05) after the administration of the magnesium chloride solution and also increased after the administration of the other supplements, but the difference was not significant. The 24-hour areas under the curve (AUCs) for total serum, ultrafiltrable, and leukocyte magnesium were greater after the administration of each of the supplements when compared with baseline, although the differences were not statistically significant. Differences in delta AUCs (supplement AUC minus baseline AUC) for total magnesium, ultrafiltrable magnesium, and 24-hour urinary magnesium excretion were statistically different from zero or between supplements. Statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) in total serum, ultrafiltrable, and leukocyte magnesium concentrations were observed at various time points. These results suggest that there were no major differences in the overall effect of these supplements on total serum, ultrafiltrable, and leukocyte magnesium concentrations but do reveal differences in the time-concentration profiles in magnesium levels in blood and urine among the three supplement forms.

Effects of dietary calcium from dairy products on ambulatory blood pressure in hypertensive men.

The effect of consumption of 400 mg vs 1,500 mg of dietary calcium per day was examined in 13 male volunteers who had been diagnosed as hypertensive. Dietary calcium consumption was varied by manipulation of the intake of dairy products over 4-week periods. Caffeine intake (mean = 500 mg/day) was monitored. Neither laboratory blood pressure measured by standard sphygmomanometry nor ambulatory blood pressure monitored by automated sphygmomanometry varied significantly among men consuming baseline, low-calcium, or high-calcium diets (laboratory blood pressure = 136/83, 133/83, and 137/84 mm Hg, respectively; ambulatory blood pressure = 136/86, 138/87, and 138/87 mm Hg, respectively). Serum ionized calcium values did not vary with the three diets (1.25, 1.26, and 1.25 mmol/L, respectively). The parathyroid hormone level decreased (39 mmol/L vs 37 mmol/L) and the urinary calcium:creatinine ratio was elevated (0.41 vs 0.50) in the high-calcium diet. Consumption of a diet containing 1,500 mg calcium per day over 4 weeks did not produce a significant decrease in blood pressure or alterations in calcium metabolic indexes.

Substituting milk for apple juice does not increase kidney stone risk in most normocalciuric adults who form calcium oxalate stones.

OBJECTIVE: Increasing intake of dietary calcium from less than 400 mg to 800 mg daily may decrease the absorption of dietary oxalate, which in turn would decrease urinary oxalate excretion. The effect of substituting milk for apple juice on urine composition and risk of calcium oxalate precipitability was studied. SUBJECTS: Twenty-one normocalciuric adults with a history of at least 1 calcium oxalate stone and urinary oxalate excretion exceeding 275 micromol/day on their self-selected diet. DESIGN: Randomized crossover trial. INTERVENTION: Each participant consumed two moderate-oxalate (2,011 micromol/day) study diets, which were identical except that one contained 360 mL milk and the other contained 540 mL apple juice as the beverage with meals. SETTING: Four days free-living then 2 days in the metabolic unit of a university nutrition department. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Tiselius risk index for calcium oxalate precipitability calculated from urine composition. STATISTICAL ANALYSES: Paired t tests. RESULTS: Twenty-four hour urinary oxalate excretion was 18% lower (P<.0001) on the milk diet vs the juice diet: 423 vs 514 micromol, respectively. Calcium excretion was 17% higher (P<.05) on the milk vs juice diet: 4.7 vs 3.9 mmol, respectively. Urinary magnesium and citrate excretion, volume, and Tiselius risk index did not differ between diets. APPLICATIONS: Substituting 360 mL milk daily for apple juice with meals in a diet containing moderate amounts of dietary oxalate from whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables does not increase the risk index of calcium oxalate precipitability in most normocalciuric adults who form stones.

Diets with either beef or plant proteins reduce risk of calcium oxalate precipitation in patients with a history of calcium kidney stones.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of substituting equal amounts of dietary protein as animal protein (beef) for plant protein (legumes, seeds, nuts, and grains) on urinary components associated with calcium oxalate precipitability risk. DESIGN: Randomized crossover trial. SUBJECTS: Twenty-three normocalciuric patients with a history of calcium kidney stones (8 women and 15 men, mean age 50.7+/-14.6 years) with 24-hour urinary calcium < or =10.3 micromol, 24 hour urinary oxalate excretion between 228 and 963 micromol, and a urinary calcium increase of < or =1.0 micromol in 4 hours after a 25 micromol oral calcium load. SETTING: Four-day, free-living adaptation period, followed by 2-day metabolic unit study. INTERVENTION: The study compared consumption of 2 servings of beef (43 g protein for women and 50 g for men) daily with an equal amount of protein from plant foods including legumes, nuts, and grains. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Tiselius risk index (TRI) for calcium oxalate precipitability calculated from urinary calcium, oxalate, magnesium, citrate, and volume. STATISTICAL ANALYSES: Paired t tests. RESULTS: Urinary calcium, oxalate, magnesium, citrate, phosphorus, volume, and TRI did not differ between diets. Urinary sodium and potassium were higher for patients on the plant protein diet. After correcting for variations in urinary sodium and potassium between diets, the difference in urinary calcium remained insignificant. TRI was lower on both beef- and plant-protein diets compared with self-selected prestudy diets for all participants. CONCLUSION/APPLICATIONS: Balanced diets containing moderate amounts of either beef or plant protein are equally effective in reducing calcium oxalate kidney stone risk based on changes in urinary composition.

Managed community health: an integrated health model.

As hospitals and physicians pursue integrated health delivery models, they may be overlooking the most effective locations and partnerships for maintaining and improving health outcomes: those in the community. Since the early 1990s, a St. Louis area group known as the Archbishop's Commission on Community Health has been involved in implementing community-based health and wellness programs and services. The programs have been successful because they focus on keeping people healthy in homes, schools, churches, and neighborhoods. This article describes these holistic approaches that include attention to the physical, mental, social, and spiritual needs of members of the community.

Extraction of weak transition strengths via the (3He, t) reaction at 420 MeV.

Differential cross sections for transitions of known weak strength were measured with the (3He, t) reaction at 420 MeV on targets of 12C, 13C, 18O, 26Mg, 58Ni, 60Ni, 90Zr, 118Sn, 120Sn, and 208Pb. Using these data, it is shown that the proportionalities between strengths and cross sections for this probe follow simple trends as a function of mass number. These trends can be used to confidently determine Gamow-Teller strength distributions in nuclei for which the proportionality cannot be calibrated via beta-decay strengths. Although theoretical calculations in the distorted-wave Born approximation overestimate the data, they allow one to understand the main experimental features and to predict deviations from the simple trends observed in some of the transitions.

Effect of caffeine on circadian excretion of urinary calcium and magnesium.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if later renal conservation occurs in calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) excretion after morning caffeine-induced increases in urinary Ca and Mg excretion. DESIGN: Before-after trial of caffeine abstinance and consumption was conducted on two consecutive days in a metabolic ward while subjects ate a controlled diet containing 11.3 mmol Ca and 12.7 mmol Mg. 17 healthy males and females, ages 17-41 yr volunteered. Two caffeine doses of 3 mg/kg lean body mass caffeine were consumed at 7 and 10 a.m. on second day. Salivary caffeine concentrations and urinary Ca, Mg, sodium and creatinine excretion were measured. RESULTS: Salivary caffeine peaked at 4.7 umol/mL at 11:30 a.m. and declined with a half-life of 7.3 hours. Urinary Ca and Mg were elevated significantly (p = 0.01 and p = 0.04) for six h after the second caffeine dose. Caffeine had no significant effect on urinary calcium or magnesium excretion between 4 p.m. and 1 a.m. Between 1 and 4 a.m., urinary Ca and Mg excretion was decreased after caffeine (p = 0.04 and p = 0.01). Creatinine excretion was not different at any time. CONCLUSIONS: Nighttime compensatory renal conservation was insufficient to offset morning caffeine-induced mineral losses, resulting in net 24-hour urinary increases of 0.32 mmol Ca and 0.16 mmol Mg.

Excitation and decay of the isovector giant monopole resonances via the 208Pb(3He,t p) reaction at 410 MeV.

The excitation and subsequent proton decay of the isovector spin-flip giant monopole resonance (IVSGMR) is studied via the 208Pb(3He,t) reaction at 410 MeV. In the inclusive spectrum (60+/-5)% of the non-energy-weighted sum-rule strength for this 2 variant Planck's over 2h omega resonance was found in the region 29