Experimental confirmation of efficient island divertor operation and successful neoclassical transport optimization in Wendelstein 7-X

We present recent highlights from the most recent operation phases of Wendelstein 7-X, the most advanced stellarator in the world. Stable detachment with good particle exhaust, low impurity content, and energy confinement times exceeding 100 ms, have been maintained for tens of seconds. Pellet fueling allows for plasma phases with reduced ion-temperature-gradient turbulence, and during such phases, the overall confinement is so good (energy confinement times often exceeding 200 ms) that the attained density and temperature profiles would not have been possible in less optimized devices, since they would have had neoclassical transport losses exceeding the heating applied in W7-X. This provides proof that the reduction of neoclassical transport through magnetic field optimization is successful. W7-X plasmas generally show good impurity screening and high plasma purity, but there is evidence of longer impurity confinement times during turbulence-suppressed phases.EC/H2020/633053/EU/Implementation of activities described in the Roadmap to Fusion during Horizon 2020 through a Joint programme of the members of the EUROfusion consortium/ EUROfusio

The Spiral of Time: A Path to the Soul—Jewish Mystical and Depth Psychological Perspectives

This thesis utilizes an alchemical hermeneutic methodology, from a Jewish mystical and Jungian depth psychological perspective, to examine the spiral journey of the ego around the inner God image (center of the wheel of time) as a means to growth and transformation. As the ego learns to align its being with the flowing stream of time (God image), the ego is simultaneously freed from pointless struggles and battles. This perspective places individuation and self-actualization at the center of psychotherapeutic work and acknowledges the rhythmic nature of the therapeutic process that is often long, laborious, and winding, and yet leads to the aspired destination of integration and wholeness. A delineation of the yearly cycle includes aspects of the author’s personal journey of consciously following the spiral of time to demonstrate how time can be utilized as a path to grow and transcend in the image of one’s Godly soul

FUNDING AND INVESTMENTS FOR TOURISM DEVELOPMENT: AIR TRANSPORT SERVICES IN PAROS ISLAND

Tourism development in a destination may be achieved under specific conditions and circumstances which include sufficient destination accessibility and connectivity. This paper aims to highlight the contribution of funding and investments for tourism development related to the destination’s transport infrastructure focusing on air services. Paros Island is the study case since it presents high interest due to recent funding and investments actions towards air transport sector. More specifically, Public Service Obligation (PSO) route Athens-Paros and local airport expansion, partially funded by the private sector investment action, are of high interest. Research methodology includes a secondary research of passenger traffic and hotel beds. Moreover, a primary research has been undertaken with personal interviews of tourism stakeholders of Paros Island regarding funding and investments on air services and destination’s tourism development. Findings indicate that indeed air traffic flows have been significantly increased and so does tourism figures of the island.</jats:p

Ten highly sensitive thyrotropin assays compared by receiver-operating characteristic curves analysis: results of a prospective multicenter study.

Abstract We report a prospective multicenter study, undertaken to compare the efficacy of 10 highly sensitive thyrotropin assay kits for the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism. Performances of the kits were compared with a reference diagnosis based on clinical examination, pertinent biological tests, and determination by an independent laboratory of the concentrations in serum of free triiodothyronine and free thyroxin. No thyrotropin determination was used in establishing this reference diagnosis. Receiver-operating characteristic curves were obtained for results from 600 patients (217 hyperthyroid and 383 euthyroid) by each kit. Even though analyses were performed out of the working range of most kits, the clinical correlation was nevertheless excellent. The best results corresponded to a sensitivity of 97.5% associated with a specificity of 96.1% and were significantly better than those obtained with all other kits. Results of this comparison depended greatly on the heterogeneity of the "normal"/"abnormal" categories. When only diffuse hyperthyroidism was considered, sensitivity and specificity were improved for all kits, and there was no significant difference among the five best kits.</jats:p