Design of a Thomson scattering diagnostic for the SMall Aspect Ratio Tokamak (SMART).

We describe the design of a Thomson scattering (TS) diagnostic to be used on the SMall Aspect Ratio Tokamak (SMART). SMART is a spherical tokamak being commissioned in Spain that aims to explore positive triangularity and negative triangularity plasma scenarios at a low aspect ratio. The SMART TS diagnostic is designed to operate at high spatial resolution, 6 mm scattering length in the low-field side and 9 mm in the high-field side regions, and a wide dynamic range, electron temperature from 1 eV to 1 keV and density from 5×1018m-3 to 1×1020m-3, to resolve large gradients formed at the plasma edge and in the scrape-off layer (SOL) under different triangularities and low aspect ratios. A 2 J @1064 nm laser will be used that is capable of operating in the burst mode at 1, 2, and 4 kHz to investigate fast phenomena and at 30 Hz to study 1 s (or more) long discharges. The scattered light will be collected over an angular range of 60° - 120° from 28 spatial points in the midplane covering the entire plasma width and the outer midplane SOL. Each scattering signal will be spectrally resolved on five wavelength channels of a polychromator to obtain the electron temperature measurement. We will also present a method to monitor in situ laser alignment in the core during calibrations and plasma operations.

Validation of the synthetic model for the imaging heavy ion beam probe at the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak (invited).

Recent experiments at the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak have provided the first ever measurements from the imaging heavy-ion beam probe. In this work, we show that the developed simulation framework can reproduce qualitatively the measurement's observed shape and position. Quantitatively, we demonstrate that the model reproduces, within the experimental uncertainties, the observed signal levels. A detailed explanation of the synthetic model is presented, along with the calibration of the optical setup that reproduces the measurements.

Design and development of the magnetic diagnostic systems for the first operational phase of the SMART tokamak.

A set of magnetic diagnostics has been designed, manufactured, and calibrated for the first operational phase of the small aspect ratio tokamak. The sensor suite comprises of Rogowski coils; 2D magnetic probes; and poloidal, saddle, and diamagnetic flux loops. A set of continuous Rogowski coils has been manufactured for the measurement of plasma current and induced eddy currents in conductive elements. A set of flux loops and magnetic probes will be used as input for the reconstruction of the magnetohydrodynamic equilibrium. The quantity and position of these sensors have been verified to be sufficient with synthetic equilibrium reconstructions using the equilibrium fitting code and baseline scenarios computed with the Fiesta code. These sensors will also be used as input for the real-time control system, and magnetic probes will be used for the detection of plasma instabilities. The calibration procedure for the magnetic probes is described, and the results are shown. The signal conditioning and data acquisition systems are described.

Design, characterization, and modeling of the Charge eXchange Recombination Spectroscopy (CXRS) suite at the SMall Aspect Ratio Tokamak (SMART).

Ion temperature, rotation, and density are key parameters to evaluate the performance of present and future fusion reactors. These parameters are critical for understanding ion heat, momentum, and particle transport, making it mandatory to properly diagnose them. A common technique to measure these properties is charge exchange recombination spectroscopy (CXRS). For characterizing positive and negative triangularity plasmas at the small aspect ratio tokamak, a poloidal array of gas puff based CXRS diagnostics will be measuring the ion properties in different poloidal positions. In this work, the modeling of the expected signal and spatial coverage using the FIDASIM code is presented. Furthermore, the design and characterization of the low field side midplane CXRS diagnostic are described. Each diagnostic is composed of a gas injection system, an optical system that collects the light emitted by the plasma, and a spectrometer. These systems will provide ion temperature, rotation, and density with a radial resolution of 3.75 mm and a temporal resolution of 2.2 ms.

Simulation of a scintillator-based fast ion loss detector for steady-state operation in Wendelstein 7-X (invited).

A quantitative theoretical framework has been created to model neutral beam injection and fast ion losses in the Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) stellarator, including a novel method to develop synthetic diagnostics for fast ion loss detectors (FILDs) of many types, such as scintillating and Faraday Cup FILDs. This is the first time that this has been done in stellarator geometry with this level of fidelity, providing a way for fast ion losses to be predicted more precisely in future stellarator experiments and in W7-X. Simulations of the signal seen by a Faraday Cup FILD have been completed for multiple W7-X plasmas and show close agreement with the measured signals. This method is now applied to an actively water-cooled, scintillator-based FILD, which is currently in development to measure the fast ion loss distribution in W7-X in greater detail. The design makes use of a double slit to measure energy-and-pitch-angle-resolved losses of both co-going and counter-going fast ions. The diagnostic, which can be inserted to different radial positions, has been designed to withstand steady-state heat fluxes of up to 120 kW/m2 along with additional transient heat loads of 100 kW/m2 lasting for up to 20 s at a time. Simulations of W7-X standard magnetic configuration show up to 8 × 1013 (s-1 cm-2) ion fluxes onto the sensor from each neutral beam source and no signal from the counter-going slit. These simulations will help inform experimental proposals for future W7-X campaigns after installation of this diagnostic.

First measurements of an imaging heavy ion beam probe at the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak.

The imaging heavy ion beam probe (i-HIBP) diagnostic has been successfully commissioned at ASDEX Upgrade. The i-HIBP injects a primary neutral beam into the plasma, where it is ionized, leading to a fan of secondary (charged) beams. These are deflected by the magnetic field of the tokamak and collected by a scintillator detector, generating a strike-line light pattern that encodes information on the density, electrostatic potential, and magnetic field of the plasma edge. The first measurements have been made, demonstrating the proof-of-principle of this diagnostic technique. A primary beam of 85/87Rb has been used with energies ranging between 60 and 72 keV and extracted currents up to 1.5 mA. The first signals have been obtained in experiments covering a wide range of parameter spaces, with plasma currents (Ip) between 0.2 and 0.8 MA and on-axis toroidal magnetic field (Bt) between 1.9 and 2.7 T. Low densities appear to be critical for the performance of the diagnostic, as signals are typically observed only when the line integrated density is below 2.0-3.0 × 1019 m-2 in the central interferometer chord, depending on the plasma shape. The strike line moves as expected when Ip is ramped, indicating that current measurements are possible. Additionally, clear dynamics in the intensity of the strike line are often observed, which might be linked to changes in the edge profile structure. However, the signal-to-background ratio of the signals is hampered by stray light, and the image guide degradation is due to neutron irradiation. Finally, simulations have been carried out to investigate the sensitivity of the expected signals to plasma density and temperature. The results are in qualitative agreement with the experimental observations, suggesting that the diagnostic is almost insensitive to fluctuations in the temperature profile, while the signal level is highly determined by the density profile due to the beam attenuation.

Active Control of Alfvén Eigenmodes by Externally Applied 3D Magnetic Perturbations.

The suppression and excitation of Alfvén eigenmodes have been experimentally obtained, for the first time, by means of externally applied 3D perturbative fields with different spatial spectra in a tokamak plasma. The applied perturbation causes an internal fast-ion redistribution that modifies the phase-space gradients responsible for driving the modes, determining, ultimately their existence. Hybrid kinetic-magnetohydrodynamic simulations reveal an edge resonant transport layer activated by the 3D perturbative field as the responsible mechanism for the fast-ion redistribution. The results presented here may help to control fast-ion driven Alfvénic instabilities in future burning plasmas with a significant fusion born alpha particle population.

Fusion product measurements by nuclear diagnostics in the Joint European Torus deuterium-tritium 2 campaign (invited).

A new deuterium-tritium experimental, DTE2, campaign has been conducted at the Joint European Torus (JET) between August 2021 and late December 2021. Motivated by significant enhancements in the past decade at JET, such as the ITER-like wall and enhanced auxiliary heating power, the campaign achieved a new fusion energy world record and performed a broad range of fundamental experiments to inform ITER physics scenarios and operations. New capabilities in the area of fusion product measurements by nuclear diagnostics were available as a result of a decade long enhancement program. These have been tested for the first time in DTE2 and a concise overview is provided here. Confined alpha particle measurements by gamma-ray spectroscopy were successfully demonstrated, albeit with limitations at neutron rates higher than some 1017 n/s. High resolution neutron spectroscopy measurements with the magnetic proton recoil instrument were complemented by novel data from a set of synthetic diamond detectors, which enabled studies of the supra-thermal contributions to the neutron emission. In the area of escaping fast ion diagnostics, a lost fast ion detector and a set of Faraday cups made it possible to determine information on the velocity space and poloidal distribution of the lost alpha particles for the first time. This extensive set of data provides unique information for fundamental physics studies and validation of the numerical models, which are key to inform the physics and scenarios of ITER.

Uso de parches de capsaicina al 8 % para el tratamiento del dolor neuropático lumbar / Use of 8 % capsaicin patches for the treatment of lumbar neuropathic pain

Introducción: El dolor neuropático lumbar es una patología frecuente en la clínica diaria, con un tratamiento complejo, tanto farmacológico como intervencionista. Estos tratamientos podemos complementarlos con un parche transdérmico de capsaicina al 8 %. La capsaicina es agonista selectivo de los receptores TRPV1 (receptor transitorio vanilla de 1) cuya activación bloquea la liberación de sustancia P, muy implicada en el proceso de la inflamación. Objetivos: Valorar la utilidad del parche de capsaicina al 8 % como complemento en pacientes con dolor neuropático lumbar. Como objetivo secundario, valorar los efectos adversos del parche de capsaicina tanto en el momento de aplicación como a los 3 meses. Pacientes y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo, observacional y descriptivo, en el que se incluyeron 20 pacientes con dolor neuropático lumbar, tratados con parche de capsaicina al 8 % (Qutenza® como complemento al tratamiento habitual de esta patología. Se utilizaron 3 test para valorar el dolor: EVA (escala visual analógica del dolor), DN4 y LANSS para dolor neuropático. Los 3 test fueron pasados a los pacientes antes de la aplicación del parche y a los 3 meses de este. Resultados: Al inicio, el 95 % de los pacientes incluidos en el estudio presentaban dolor muy severo (EVA 8-9). A los 3 meses, el 85 % de los pacientes refieren dolor moderado (EVA 5-6). Con respecto al test DN4 observamos una disminución de los valores de algo más de 2 puntos. En el test LANSS encontramos una disminución de más de 5 puntos en estos 3 meses. La aplicación del parche no causó efectos secundarios significativos. Conclusiones: El parche de capsaicina al 8 % se ha mostrado eficaz y seguro como tratamiento complementario para el dolor neuropático lumbar.(AU)

Introduction: Lumbar neuropathic pain is a common pathology in daily clinical practice, with a complex treatment, both pharmacological and interventional. These treatments can be complemented with an 8 % capsaicin transdermal patch. Capsaicin is a selective agonist of TRPV1 receptors (transient receptor vanilla 1) whose activation blocks the release of substance P, which is heavily involved in the inflammatory process. Objectives: To assess the usefulness of the capsaicin 8 % patch as an adjunct in patients with lumbar neuropathic pain. As a secondary objective, to assess the adverse effects of the capsaicin patch both at the time of application and after 3 months. Patients and methods: Retrospective, observational and descriptive study, which included 20 patients with lumbar neuropathic pain, treated with capsaicin patch 8 % (Qutenza® as an adjunct to the usual treatment of this pathology. Three tests were used to assess pain: VAS (visual analogue pain scale), DN4 and LANSS for neuropathic pain. The 3 tests were administered to the patients before the application of the patch and 3 months after the patch was applied. Outcomes: At baseline, 95 % of patients included in the study had very severe pain (VAS 8-9). At 3 months, 85 % of patients reported moderate pain (VAS 5-6). With respect to the DN4 test, we observed a decrease in values of slightly more than 2 points. In the LANSS test we found a decrease of more than 5 points in these 3 months. The application of the patch did not cause significant side effects. Conclusions: The 8 % capsaicin patch has been shown to be effective and safe as an adjunctive treatment for lumbar neuropathic pain.(AU)

Self-adaptive diagnostic of radial fast-ion loss measurements on the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak (invited).

A poloidal array of scintillator-based Fast-Ion Loss Detectors (FILDs) has been installed in the ASDEX Upgrade (AUG) tokamak. While all AUG FILD systems are mounted on reciprocating arms driven externally by servomotors, the reciprocating system of the FILD probe located just below the midplane is based on a magnetic coil that is energized in real-time by the AUG discharge control system. This novel reciprocating system allows, for the first time, real-time control of the FILD position including infrared measurements of its probe head temperature to avoid overheating. This considerably expands the diagnostic operational window, enabling unprecedented radial measurements of fast-ion losses. Fast collimator-slit sweeping (up to 0.2 mm/ms) is used to obtain radially resolved velocity-space measurements along 8 cm within the scrape-off layer. This provides a direct evaluation of the neutral beam deposition profiles via first-orbit losses. Moreover, the light-ion beam probe (LIBP) technique is used to infer radial profiles of fast-ion orbit deflection. This radial-LIBP technique is applied to trapped orbits (exploring both the plasma core and the FILD stroke near the wall), enabling radial localization of internal plasma fluctuations (neoclassical tearing modes). This is quantitatively compared against electron cyclotron emission measurements, showing excellent agreement. For the first time, radial profiles of fast-ion losses in MHD quiescent plasmas as well as in the presence of magnetic islands and edge localized modes are presented.

Design and simulation of an imaging neutral particle analyzer for the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak.

An Imaging Neutral Particle Analyzer (INPA) diagnostic has been designed for the ASDEX Upgrade (AUG) tokamak. The AUG INPA diagnostic will measure fast neutrals escaping the plasma after charge exchange reactions. The neutrals will be ionized by a 20 nm carbon foil and deflected toward a scintillator by the local magnetic field. The use of a neutral beam injector (NBI) as an active source of neutrals will provide radially resolved measurements, while the use of a scintillator as an active component will allow us to cover the whole plasma along the NBI line with unprecedented phase-space resolution (<12 keV and 8 cm) and a fast temporal response (up to 1 kHz with the high resolution acquisition system and above 100 kHz with the low resolution one), making it suitable to study localized fast-ion redistributions in phase space.

Implementation of synthetic fast-ion loss detector and imaging heavy ion beam probe diagnostics in the 3D hybrid kinetic-MHD code MEGA.

A synthetic fast-ion loss (FIL) detector and an imaging Heavy Ion Beam Probe (i-HIBP) have been implemented in the 3D hybrid kinetic-magnetohydrodynamic code MEGA. First synthetic measurements from these two diagnostics have been obtained for neutral beam injection-driven Alfvén Eigenmode (AE) simulated with MEGA. The synthetic FILs show a strong correlation with the AE amplitude. This correlation is observed in the phase-space, represented in coordinates (Pϕ, E), being toroidal canonical momentum and energy, respectively. FILs and the energy exchange diagrams of the confined population are connected with lines of constant E', a linear combination of E and Pϕ. First i-HIBP synthetic signals also have been computed for the simulated AE, showing displacements in the strike line of the order of ∼1 mm, above the expected resolution in the i-HIBP scintillator of ∼100 µm.

Upgrade and absolute calibration of the JET scintillator-based fast-ion loss detector.

The JET FILD is a scintillator-based Fast-ion Loss Detector optimized to measure fusion-born alpha-particle losses. This work covers its upgrade and absolute calibration in preparation for the following JET DT experiments. A fast scintillator material (TG-Green) has been installed in the JET FILD. A heater jacket is installed around the fiber bundle, responsible for transmitting the light from the scintillator plate, to anneal the fiber obscuring due to neutron damage. The JET FILD has been upgraded with a 1 Mpx camera and 2 MHz photomultiplier data acquisition hardware. Full-orbit simulations give an estimate of the shading effects on the scintillator plate of the first wall structures and provide a synthetic signal of the JET FILD. A detector instrument function enables absolute values of fast-ion losses using calibration factors. The calibration factors are made available in a shot-to-shot basis for the characterized species and energies and with corrections for the diagnostic conditions. The fast acquisition system sets the Nyquist frequency (1 MHz) above the typical mode frequencies (≈102 kHz), thus making it possible to identify MHD-induced fast-ion losses.

Comprehensive management of dog faeces: Composting versus anaerobic digestion.

The objective of this work was to study the possibilities to manage and recycle dog faeces (DF) using biological processes, using two approaches: composting (C) and anaerobic digestion (AD). Thus, different experiments have been carried out: i) two laboratory/pilot scale experiments (self-heating and composting tests) and one, on a commercial scale; ii) two AD experiments. In both approaches, municipal waste such as the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OMSW) and urban pruning waste (GW) were used as co-substrates. The results obtained regarding the optimization of the composting process indicated that the best strategy was the use of a 1:2 ratio of DF, a 1:4 ratio of OMSW, and a 1:4 ratio of GW, according to the thermal parameters studied (temperature and cumulative quadratic exothermic index (EXI2)), and the quality of the compost obtained. A potentially limiting factor of the process was the high salinity of the DF waste. In addition, AD experiments were performed on DF, OMSW, and GW wastes in controlled anaerobic systems at a laboratory scale. In these experiments, the biogas production obtained was 229 mL biogas/g total solids for the DF residue, 248 mL biogas/g total solids for GW, and 263 mL biogas/g total solids for OMSW. The co-digestion yields a clear improvement in the efficiency of the process against the use of a single residue, increasing the production of biogas by up to 27% with respect to that of the DF waste alone during the first 25 days of AD. The results obtained with these procedures have shown the possibilities to add value to this waste in an urban context where the circular economy represents an increasingly favourable scenario, including the generation of fertilisers and/or energy at a local scale, provided that the collection of dog faeces is optimized.

A rotary and reciprocating scintillator based fast-ion loss detector for the MAST-U tokamak.

The design and unique feature of the first fast-ion loss detector (FILD) for the Mega Amp Spherical Tokamak - Upgrade (MAST-U) is presented here. The MAST-U FILD head is mounted on an axially and angularly actuated mechanism that makes it possible to independently adapt the orientation [0°, 90°] and radial position [1.40 m, 1.60 m] of the FILD head, i.e., its collimator, thus maximizing the detector velocity-space coverage in a broad range of plasma scenarios with different q95. The 3D geometry of the detector has been optimized to detect fast-ion losses from the neutral beam injectors. Orbit simulations are used to calculate the strike map and predict the expected signals. The results show a velocity-space range of [4 cm, 13 cm] in gyroradius and [30°, 85°] in pitch angle, covering the entire neutral beam ion energy range. The optical system will provide direct sight of the scintillator and simultaneous detection with two cameras, giving high spatial and temporal resolution. The MAST-U FILD will shed light on the dominant fast-ion transport mechanisms in one of the world's two largest spherical tokamaks through absolute measurements of fast-ion losses.

Observations of core ion cyclotron emission on ASDEX Upgrade tokamak.

The B-dot probe diagnostic suite on the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak has recently been upgraded with a new 125 MHz, 14 bit resolution digitizer to study ion cyclotron emission (ICE). While classic edge emission from the low field side plasma is often observed, we also measure waves originating from the core with fast fusion protons or beam injected deuterons being a possible emission driver. Comparing the measured frequency values with ion cyclotron harmonics present in the plasma places the origin of this emission on the magnetic axis, with the fundamental hydrogen/second deuterium cyclotron harmonic matching the observed values. The actual values range from ∼27 MHz at the on-axis toroidal field BT = -1.79 T to ∼40 MHz at BT = -2.62 T. When the magnetic axis position evolves during this emission, the measured frequency values track the changes in the estimated on-axis cyclotron frequency values. Core ICE is usually a transient event lasting ∼100 ms during the neutral beam startup phase. However, in some cases, core emission occurs in steady-state plasmas and lasts for longer than 1 s. These observations suggest an attractive possibility of using a non-perturbing ICE-based diagnostic to passively monitor fusion alpha particles at the location of their birth in the plasma core, in deuterium-tritium burning devices such as ITER and DEMO.

JET diagnostic enhancements testing and commissioning in preparation for DT scientific campaigns.

In order to optimize the scientific exploitation of JET (Joint European Torus) during the upcoming deuterium-tritium experiments, a set of diagnostic systems is being enhanced. These upgrades focus mainly on the experimental and operational conditions expected during tritium campaigns. It should be stressed that measurements relevant for burning plasmas are specifically targeted. Previously non-available capabilities, such as a current measurement system fully covering all poloidal field circuits, are described in detail. Instrument descriptions, performance prediction, testing, and initial commissioning results of these systems are presented.

First measurements of a scintillator based fast-ion loss detector near the ASDEX Upgrade divertor.

A new reciprocating scintillator based fast-ion loss detector has been installed a few centimeters above the outer divertor of the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak and between two of its lower Edge Localized Modes (ELM) mitigation coils. The detector head containing the scintillator screen, Faraday cup, calibration lamp, and collimator systems are installed on a motorized reciprocating system that can adjust its position via remote control in between plasma discharges. Orbit simulations are used to optimize the detector geometry and velocity-space coverage. The scintillator image is transferred to the light acquisition systems outside of the vacuum via a lens relay (embedded in a 3D-printed titanium holder) and an in-vacuum image guide. A charge coupled device camera, for high velocity-space resolution, and an 8 × 8 channel avalanche photo diode camera, for high temporal resolution (up to 2 MHz), are used as light acquisition systems. Initial results showing velocity-space of neutral beam injection prompt losses and fast-ion losses induced by a (2, 1) neoclassical tearing mode are presented.

Beam-Ion Acceleration during Edge Localized Modes in the ASDEX Upgrade Tokamak.

The acceleration of beam ions during edge localized modes (ELMs) in a tokamak is observed for the first time through direct measurements of fast-ion losses in low collisionality plasmas. The accelerated beam-ion population exhibits well-localized velocity-space structures which are revealed by means of tomographic inversion of the measurement, showing energy gains of the order of tens of keV. This suggests that the ion acceleration results from a resonant interaction between the beam ions and parallel electric fields arising during the ELM. Orbit simulations are carried out to identify the mode-particle resonances responsible for the energy gain in the particle phase space. The observation motivates the incorporation of a kinetic description of fast particles in ELM models and may contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms responsible for particle acceleration, ubiquitous in astrophysical and space plasmas.

Técnicas de tratamiento utilizadas por Terapia Ocupacional para niños con dispraxia del desarrollo / Treatment techniques used by Occupational Therapy for children with developmental dyspraxia

Objetivo. Documentar las técnicas de tratamiento utilizadas por Terapia Ocupacional para niños con dispraxia. Metodología. Revisión de literatura que incluye tesauros reconocidos en los MeSH y DeCS como «dispraxia», «desorden del desarrollo de la coordinación», «niños» y «Terapia Ocupacional». Se indagó en ProQuest, EBSCO, Scopus, Science Direct, Embase, Pubmed, OT Seeker, PEDro y National Guideline Clearinghouse. Se organizaron los hallazgos por base de datos, año, país de publicación, revista, enfoque y se procesó dicha información a través de un análisis cualitativo y de frecuencias. Resultados. Se encontraron veintisiete artículos (100%), el 20% de las publicaciones se reportó en Scopus, el 33% incluyeron el enfoque de orientación cognitiva de desempeño ocupacional como el más utilizado en los estudios, los años en los que más se publicó sobre el tema fueron 2012 y 2013 con un 33% y la revista con más publicaciones fue Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics con un 20%. Conclusión. El enfoque con mayor evidencia es orientación cognitiva de desempeño ocupacional, encaminado a mejorar el rendimiento motor en las actividades ocupacionales (AU)

Objective. To document the treatment techniques used in occupational therapy for children with dyspraxia. Methodology. Literature review that included thesauri recognized in MeSH and DeCS as «dyspraxia», «disorder developmental coordination», «children» and «Occupational Therapy». A search was conducted in the following databases: ProQuest, EBSCO, Scopus, Science Direct, Embase, Pubmed, OT Seeker, PEDro, and the National Guideline Clearinghouse. The findings were organized by database, year, country of publication, journal, and approach. This information was organized and processed through a qualitative analysis and frequency analysis. Results. Twenty-seven ítems (100%) were retrieved. Twenty percent of the publications were reported in Scopus. Thirty-three percent included the approach of cognitive orientation of occupational performance as the most widely used in the studies. The years with the greatest number of publications (33%) on the subject were 2012 and 2013. The journal with most publications (20%) was physical and Occupational Therapy in pediatrics. Conclusion. The approach supported by the greatest evidence is cognitive orientation occupational performance, which seeks to improve motor performance in occupational activities (AU)