Inertial confinement fusion is one of two primary approaches to the production of fusion energy for power generation. Due to the high cost of experimentation for large scale systems such as Laser Inertial Fusion Energy (Laser IFE), the ability to accurately simulate the expected performance using properly validated models is of critical importance. The evolution of the chamber environment from target injection through the generation of fusion energy is a key issue for the success of Laser IFE. Because burn emissions have the potential to damage IFE chamber walls, chamber gas is investigated to protect the wall. In the research presented, a new fluid algorithm for gas mixtures is created through the extension and correction of a prior single gas algorithm for IFE chamber gases. Once validated, this algorithm is applied to an array of chamber gases, densities, and geometric configurations. Resulting chamber states are used to estimate direct-drive target survival within the gas. This defines a new safe design window for chamber gas. This work also highlights key areas of future research to minimize uncertainty in the system design window

Inertial confinement fusion is one of two primary approaches to the production of fusion energy for power generation. Due to the high cost of experimentation for large scale systems such as Laser Inertial Fusion Energy (Laser IFE), the ability to accurately simulate the expected performance using properly validated models is of critical importance. The evolution of the chamber environment from target injection through the generation of fusion energy is a critical issue for the success of Laser IFE. In the research presented, the output of a radiation hydrodynamics code is used as the initial condition for evolving the chamber gas dynamics up until a subsequent target injection. To perform these simulations, our group has developed a 2D/3D-Axisymmetric Navier-Stokes fluids code that includes an additional radiation source term. The work presented here has been to extend this code to include the effects of multiple gas species and higher order mechanisms such as diffusion from the Dufour and Soret effects. Validation of the numerical method is demonstrated in the case of separation of Helium and Xenon gas in a shock wave. It is also shown that the code uses reasonably accurate transport coefficients for He:Xe mixtures based on curve fits produced by the ChemKin preprocessor. Numerical simulations of the Laser IFE configuration using the augmented system track the mixing of the Xe gas in the chamber with cold Xe gas from jets on the wall. Simulations using cold He:Xe mixture jets of varying composition are also investigated

In the area of brain injury and neurodegenerative diseases, a plethora of experimental and clinical evidence strongly indicates the promise of therapeutically exploiting the endogenous adaptive system at various levels like triggers, mediators and the end-effectors to stimulate and mobilize intrinsic protective capacities against brain injuries. It is believed that ischemic pre-conditioning and post-conditioning are actually the strongest known interventions to stimulate the innate neuroprotective mechanism to prevent or reverse neurodegenerative diseases including stroke and traumatic brain injury. Recently, studies showed the effectiveness of ischemic per-conditioning in some organs. Therefore the term ischemic conditioning, including all interventions applied pre-, per- and post-ischemia, which spans therapeutic windows in 3 time periods, has recently been broadly accepted by scientific communities. In addition, it is extensively acknowledged that ischemia-mediated protection not only affects the neurons but also all the components of the neurovascular network (consisting of neurons, glial cells, vascular endothelial cells, pericytes, smooth muscle cells, and venule/veins). The concept of cerebroprotection has been widely used in place of neuroprotection. Intensive studies on the cellular signaling pathways involved in ischemic conditioning have improved the mechanistic understanding of tolerance to cerebral ischemia. This has added impetus to exploration for potential pharmacologic mimetics, which could possibly induce and maximize inherent protective capacities. However, most of these studies were performed in rodents, and the efficacy of these mimetics remains to be evaluated in human patients. Several classical signaling pathways involving apoptosis, inflammation, or oxidation have been elaborated in the past decades. Newly characterized mechanisms are emerging with the advances in biotechnology and conceptual renewal. In this review we are going to focus on those recently reported methodological and mechanistic discoveries in the realm of ischemic conditioning. Due to the varied time differences of ischemic conditioning in different animal models and clinical trials, it is important to define optimal timing to achieve the best conditioning induced neuroprotection. This brings not only an opportunity in the treatment of stroke, but challenges as well, as data is just becoming available and the procedures are not yet optimized. The purpose of this review is to shed light on exploiting these ischemic conditioning modalities to protect the cerebrovascular system against diverse injuries and neurodegenerative disorders.

Ferrotorryweiserite, Rh5Fe10S16, occurs as small grains (≤20 μm) among droplet-like inclusions (up to 50 μm in diameter) of platinum-group minerals (PGM), in association with oberthürite or Rh-bearing pentlandite, laurite, and a Pt-Pd-Fe alloy (likely isoferroplatinum and Fe-Pd-enriched platinum), hosted by placer grains of Os-Ir alloy (≤0.5 mm) in the River Ko deposit. The latter is a part of the Sisim placer zone, which is likely derived from ultramafic units of the Lysanskiy layered complex, southern Krasnoyarskiy kray, Russia. The mineral is opaque, gray to brownish gray in reflected light, very weakly bireflectant, not pleochroic to weakly pleochroic (grayish to light brown tints), and weakly anisotropic. The calculated density is 5.93 g∙cm–3. Mean results (and ranges) of four WDS analyses are: Ir 18.68 (15.55–21.96), Rh 18.34 (16.32–20.32), Pt 0.64 (0.19–1.14), Ru 0.03 (0.00–0.13), Os 0.07 (0.02–0.17), Fe 14.14 (13.63–14.64), Ni 13.63 (12.58–14.66), Cu 4.97 (3.42–6.41), Co 0.09 (0.07–0.11), S 29.06 (28.48–29.44), and total 99.66 wt. %. They correspond to the following formula calculated for a total of 31 atoms per formula unit: (Rh3.16Ir1.72Pt0.06Ru0.01Os0.01)Σ4.95(Fe4.48Ni4.11Cu1.38Co0.03)Σ10.00S16.05. The results of synchrotron micro-Laue diffraction studies indicate that ferrotorryweiserite is trigonal; its probable space group is R3 m (#166) based on its Ni-analog, torryweiserite. The unit-cell parameters refined from 177 reflections are a = 7.069 (2) Å, c = 34.286 (11) Å, V = 1484 (1) Å3, and Z = 3. The c:a ratio is 4.8502. The strongest eight peaks in the X-ray diffraction pattern derived from results of micro-Laue diffraction study [d in Å(hkil)(I)] are 2.7950 (2025) (100); 5.7143 (0006) (60); 1.7671 (2240) (44.4); 3.0486 (2021) (39.4); 5.7650 (1012) (38.6); 2.5956 (2027) (37.8); 3.0058 (1126) (36.5); and 1.5029 (42 212) (35.3). Ferrotorry-weiserite and the associated PGM crystallized from microvolumes of residual melt at late stages of crystallization of grains of Os- and Ir-dominant alloys occurred in lode zones of chromitites of the Lysanskiy layered complex. In a particular case, the residual melt is disposed peripherally around a core containing a disequilibrium association of magnesian olivine (Fo72.9–75.6) and albite (Ab81.6–86.4), with the development of skeletal crystals of titaniferous augite: Wo40.8–43.2En26.5–29.3Fs20.3–22.6Aeg6.9–9.5 (2.82–3.12 wt. % TiO2). Ferrotorryweiserite represents the Fe-dominant analog of torryweiserite. We also report occurrences of ferrotorryweiserite in the Marathon deposit, Coldwell Complex, Ontario, Canada, and infer the existence of the torryweiserite–ferrotorryweiserite solid solution in other deposits and complexes.

We describe a potentially new species of a platinum cupride–stannide mineral (PCSM) of composition Pt(Cu0.67 Sn0.33 ). It occurs in a placer deposit in the River Bolshoy Khailyk, southern Krasnoyarskiy kray, Russia. A synthetic equivalent of PCSM was obtained and characterized. The PCSM occurs as anhedral or subhedral grains up to 15 µm × 30 µm in association with various platinum-group minerals, Rh–Co-rich pentlandite and magnetite, all hosted by a placer grain of Cu– Au–Pt alloy. Synchrotron micro-Laue diffraction studies indicate that the PCSM mineral is tetragonal and belongs to the inferred space-group P4/mmm (#123). Its unit-cell parameters are a = 2.838 (3) Å, c = 3.650 (4) Å, and V = 29.40 (10) Å3, and Z = 1. The c:a ratio calculated from the unit-cell parameters is 1.286. These characteristics are in good agreement with those obtained for specimens of synthetic Pt(Cu0.67 Sn0.33 ). A review on related minerals and unnamed phases is provided to outline compositional variations and extents of solid solutions in the relevant systems PtNi–PtFe–PtCu, PdCu–PdHg–PdAu, PdHg–PtHg, and AuCu–PtCu. The PCSM-bearing mineralization appears to be related genetically with an ophiolitic source-rock of the Aktovrakskiy complex of the western Sayans. The unnamed phase likely crystallized from microvolumes of a highly fractionated melt rich in Cu and Sn.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI), defined as an alteration in brain functions caused by an external force, is responsible for high morbidity and mortality around the world. It is important to identify and treat TBI victims as early as possible. Tracking and monitoring TBI with neuroimaging technologies, including functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), positron emission tomography (PET), and high definition fiber tracking (HDFT) show increasing sensitivity and specificity. Classical electrophysiological monitoring, together with newly established brain-on-chip, cerebral microdialysis techniques, both benefit TBI. First generation molecular biomarkers, based on genomic and proteomic changes following TBI, have proven effective and economical. It is conceivable that TBI-specific biomarkers will be developed with the combination of systems biology and bioinformation strategies. Advances in treatment of TBI include stem cell-based and nanotechnology-based therapy, physical and pharmaceutical interventions and also new use in TBI for approved drugs which all present favorable promise in preventing and reversing TBI.

Fleetite, Cu2RhIrSb2, a new species of platinum-group mineral (PGM), was discovered intergrown with an Os–Ir–Ru alloy in the Miass Placer Zone (Au–PGE), southern Urals, Russia. A single grain 50 lm across was found. Osmium, ruthenium, and iridium are the main associated minerals; also present are Pt–Fe alloys, laurite, Sb-rich irarsite, Rh-rich tolovkite, kashinite, anduoite, ferronickelplatinum, heazlewoodite, PGE-bearing pentlandite and digenite, as well as micrometric inclusions of forsterite (Fo93.7), chromite–magnesiochromite, and Mg-rich edenite. In reflected light, fleetite is light gray; it is opaque, isotropic, non-pleochroic, and non-bireflectant. We report reflectance values measured in air. A mean of seven point-analyses (wavelength-dispersive spectrometry) gave Cu 13.93, Ni 8.60, Fe 0.10, Ir 28.07, Rh 7.91, Ru 1.96, Sb 39.28, total 99.85 wt.%, corresponding to (Cu1.41Ni0.58Fe0.01)R2.00(Rh0.49Ni0.36Ru0.12)R0.97Ir0.95Sb2.08 on the basis of six atoms per formula unit, taking into account the structural results. The calculated density is 10.83 g/cm3. Single-crystal X-ray studies show that fleetite is cubic, space group Fd3m (#227), a = 11.6682(8) Å, V = 1588.59(19) Å3, and Z = 16. A least-squares refinement of X-ray powder-diffraction data gave a = 11.6575(5) Å and V = 1584.22(19) Å3. The strongest five reflections in the powder pattern [d in Å(I)(hkl)] are: 6.70(75)(111), 4.13(100)(220), 3.52(30)(311), 2.380(50)(422), 2.064(40)(440). Results of synchrotron micro-Laue diffraction experiments are consistent [a ¼ 11.66(2) Å]. The crystal structure of fleetite was solved and refined to R ¼ 0.0340 based upon 153 reflections with Fo . 4r(Fo). It is isotypic with Pd11Bi2Se2 and best described as intermetallic, with all metal atoms in 12-fold coordination. Fleetite and other late exotic phases were formed by reaction of the associated alloy phases with a fluid phase enriched in Sb, As, and S in circulation in the cooling ophiolite source-rock. The mineral is named after Michael E. Fleet (1938–2017) in recognition of his significant contributions to the Earth Sciences.

Tetra-auricupride, ideally AuCu, represents the only species showing the coexistence of Au with an elevated level of Pt, as in the case of a detrital grain studied structurally for the first time, from an ophiolite-associated placer at Bolshoy Khailyk, western Sayans, Russia. We infer that tetra-auricupride can incorporate as much as ~30 mol. % of a “PtCu” component, apparently without significant modification of the unit cell. The unit-cell parameters of platiniferous tetra-auricupride are: a 2.790(1) Å, c 3.641(4) Å, with c/a = 1.305, which are close to those reported for ordered AuCu(I) in the system Au–Cu, and close also to the cell parameters of tetraferroplatinum (PtFe), which both appear to crystallize in the same space group, P4/mmm. These intermetallic compounds and natural alloys are thus isostructural. The closeness of their structures presumably allows Pt to replace Au atoms so readily. The high extent of Cu + Au enrichment is considered to be a reflection of geochemical evolution and buildup in levels of the incompatible Cu and Au with subordinate Pt in a remaining volume of melt at low levels of fO 2 and fS 2 in the system.

Abstract: We describe the new species ognitite, NiBiTe, and a Co-rich variety of maucherite, hitherto unreported; both were discovered in the Ognit ultramafic complex of Neoproterozoic age in Eastern Sayans, Russia. The mean composition of ognitite (n = 7) is: Ni 17.05, Fe 0.07, Cu 0.14, Pd 0.14, Te 32.53, Bi 49.64, total 99.57 wt.%, corresponding to: (Ni1.11Cu0.008Fe0.005Pd0.005)Σ1.13Bi0.90Te0.97 (Σ atoms = 3 apfu). Ognitite is trigonal, space group P3m1 [R1 = 0.0276 for 81 reflections with Fo > 4σ(Fo)]. The unit-cell parameters derived from the single-crystal X-ray diffraction data are: a = 3.928(1) Å, c = 5.385(1) Å and V = 71.95(4) Å3, with Z = 1. The c:a ratio is 1.37. The powder X-ray diffraction data obtained on the same fragment used for the single-crystal study are: a = 3.9332(4) Å, c = 5.3920(6) Å and V = 72.24(1) Å3. Ognitite exhibits the brucite-type structure with edge-sharing NiTe3Bi3 octahedra forming sheets parallel to (0001). It is related to melonite, but is distinct compositionally by the extreme Bi-enrichment (melonite and its synthetic analogue contain <0.4 Bi apfu), and structurally as Bi and Te are ordered at two distinct sites, leading to the loss of the centre of symmetry in ognitite. At more than 9 wt.% Co, or ~2 apfu Co, the core of Co-rich maucherite [(Ni,Co)11As8] in a zoned crystal, which is surrounded by Co-depleted orcelite, far surpasses the norm (≤1 and up to 3.9 wt.% Co). The unit-cell parameters of the Co-rich maucherite are: a = 6.85(2) and c = 21.83(5) Å, which are based on results of synchrotron micro-Laue diffraction. The host rock consists of serpentine, clinochlore (Mg# 95–97) and skeletal chromite. We favour the metastable crystallisation of fluid-saturated globules of a sulfide–arsenide melt to explain the anomalous compositions of ore minerals at Ognit. These anomalies seem consistent with rapid cooling in a fluid-enriched system, possibly related to late-stage degassing of the magma, as reflected in a prominent metasomatic aureole at the contact with the enclosing gneissic rocks.