Performance assessment of the antenna setup for the ITER plasma position reflectometry in-vessel systems.

The design of the in-vessel antennas for the ITER plasma position reflectometry diagnostic is very challenging due to the need to cope both with the space restrictions inside the vacuum vessel and with the high mechanical and thermal loads during ITER operation. Here, we present the work carried out to assess and optimise the design of the antenna. We show that the blanket modules surrounding the antenna strongly modify its characteristics and need to be considered from the early phases of the design. We also show that it is possible to optimise the antenna performance, within the design restrictions.

Evaluation of nutritional status by immunologic assessment in bulimia nervosa: influence of body mass index and vomiting episodes.

The nutritional status of 21 patients suffering from bulimia nervosa was evaluated by anthropometric and immunologic indexes in comparison with a control group (n = 15). In addition, the influence of body mass index (BMI; in kg/m2) values and vomiting episodes on the nutritional status of bulimic patients was assessed. Anthropometry showed no signs of malnutrition in either group, except for those patients with low weights (BMI < 19). Bulimic patients had lower lymphocyte counts than did control subjects, except for those without vomiting (NVBN). All T lymphocyte subsets tested as well as CD57 cells were lower (22% and 55%, respectively) in bulimic patients than in control subjects, but the CD19 cell subset remained unmodified. The low-weight bulimic group (LWBN) had lower CD4 cell counts than did the normal-weight (BMI > 19) bulimic group. The NVBN group had lymphocyte subpopulations similar to those in the control group, except for CD57, which was lower. The bulimic patients with vomiting had the lowest cell subset values. These results suggest a depleted nutritional status in all bulimic patients studied, even those with normal weights. The LWBN group had the most depleted nutritional status and the NVBN group was least affected at a subclinical level. CD57 can be considered a good marker of nutritional status in this syndrome because it was the only subpopulation altered in all groups.

Nutritional status assessment of HIV-positive drug addicts.

Since human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is known to lead to modifications of immune function and interrelationships among malnutrition, anergy and drug addiction have been shown, the aim of this work was to assess the nutritional status of 36 male heroin addicts under a period of detoxication (3 months). They were divided into two groups: (1) HIV negative (n = 20) and (2) HIV positive (n = 16); heights, weights and serum albumin concentration were measured and immune function was tested, using delayed hypersensitivity skin tests containing 7 antigens. No significant differences in anthropometric measurements were found between both groups, but anthropometric improvement was shown in every patient after the detoxication period. Serum albumin, often used as a classical index of malnutrition, remained within the normal values in both groups. The whole response to skin tests was depressed in both groups and no significant differences were shown between them. Therefore, these results might suggest that in spite of the apparent anthropometric recovery and the normal values of albumin, a subclinical malnutrition was indicated by the depressed immune function, which was more noticeable in the HIV-positive group.