The CLIC Programme: Towards a Staged e+e- Linear Collider Exploring the Terascale : CLIC Conceptual Design Report

This report describes the exploration of fundamental questions in particle physics at the energy frontier with a future TeV-scale e+e- linear collider based on the Compact Linear Collider (CLIC) two-beam acceleration technology. A high-luminosity high-energy e+e- collider allows for the exploration of Standard Model physics, such as precise measurements of the Higgs, top and gauge sectors, as well as for a multitude of searches for New Physics, either through direct discovery or indirectly, via high-precision observables. Given the current state of knowledge, following the observation of a 125 GeV Higgs-like particle at the LHC, and pending further LHC results at 8 TeV and 14 TeV, a linear e+e- collider built and operated in centre-of-mass energy stages from a few-hundred GeV up to a few TeV will be an ideal physics exploration tool, complementing the LHC. In this document, an overview of the physics potential of CLIC is given. Two example scenarios are presented for a CLIC accelerator built in three main stages of 500 GeV, 1.4 (1.5) TeV, and 3 TeV, together with operating schemes that will make full use of the machine capacity to explore the physics. The accelerator design, construction, and performance are presented, as well as the layout and performance of the experiments. The proposed staging example is accompanied by cost estimates of the accelerator and detectors and by estimates of operating parameters, such as power consumption. The resulting physics potential and measurement precisions are illustrated through detector simulations under realistic beam conditions.Comment: 84 pages, published as CERN Yellow Report https://cdsweb.cern.ch/record/147522

Evaluating IMF intervention ten years after the Russian crisis: modelling the impact of macroeconomic fundamentals and economic policy

The ongoing global financial crisis has become prominently visible since September 2008. This crisis affected the whole world and enhanced the importance of policy implementation to mitigate financial crises in future. Many academics blamed insufficient domestic regulation as the reason of crises, others pointed to the lack of overseas financial regulation and inappropriate actions by international organizations, such as the IMF and World Bank. This whole discussion encouraged a look back and analyzes of a previous crisis in a small country such as Russia. This paper evidently shows the inefficiency of IMF policy during the Russia Crisis in 1998 by implementing a new monetary balance- of-payment model in Russian data. This model identified the role of macroeconomic fundamentals and international economic policy implications on the likelihood and the timing of the currency crisis in Russia. For the period from December 1995 to December 1998 it was found that, the increase in domestic credit growth gradually undermined confidence in the fixed exchange rate regime. The most dangerous point was at the end of 1998, when the collapse probability was above 90 percent. This result called to doubt the IMF’s July packet 1998 and revealed the political aspects of this financial help

Air Traffic Control

Improving air traffic control and air traffic management is currently one of the top priorities of the global research and development agenda. Massive, multi-billion euro programs like SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research) in Europe and NextGen (Next Generation Air Transportation System) in the United States are on their way to create an air transportation system that meets the demands of the future. Air traffic control is a multi-disciplinary field that attracts the attention of many researchers, ranging from pure mathematicians to human factors specialists, and even in the legal and financial domains the optimization and control of air transport is extensively studied. This book, by no means intended to be a basic, formal introduction to the field, for which other textbooks are available, includes nine chapters that demonstrate the multi-disciplinary character of the air traffic control domain

Characterisation and functional test of the full readout chain of a microdosimeter using scintillating plastic optical fibres

Tese de Mestrado Integrado, Engenharia Física, 2022, Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de CiênciasInstruments with a high spatial resolution are necessary to measure dosimetric quantities at a cellular level in order to have a better delineation of treatment plans in radiotherapy. The work here described is within a project aiming to develop a new detector capable of measuring real time absorbed dose with sub-millimetre resolution. The device is constructed using juxtaposed scintillating plastic optical fibres (SPOF) readout by a multi-anode photomultiplier (MAPMT, Hamamatsu H8500D) and a data acquisition (DAQ) system. In this thesis a first validation of the full readout chain is done, going through the characterisation of the different elements composing this detector. Using a dedicated test bench SPOFS (Kuraray SCSF-78) of 1 mm and 0.5 mm were optically characterised, measuring basic properties, such as light yields and attenuation lengths, before measuring the crosstalk between juxtaposed optical fibres. Methods of analysis were designed to compare the signal from an isolated and ribbon SPOF. Next, the MAPMT’s key characteristics were studied using a UV-LED exciting SPOF, to guide the light to individual MAPMT cells, and a picoammeter as a readout system. Concerning the assembly of the MAPMT in a detector assembly, the ideal conditions to achieve a light tight setup were evaluated. The full readout chain was completed by including a costumed DAQ board. Pulsed LEDs were firstly used to evaluate main limitations in signal response of the readout chain. Radioactive sources were then used to test the sensibility to particles (betas, gammas and alphas). In terms of results, the crosstalk study needs further revision, specially quantifying its value. The MAPMT’s performance was characterised and validated, whereas the DAQ board observed saturation and response to particles needs more understanding. However, the integration of the three elements of the microdosimeter was achieved and could be implemented into a first prototype

The computer simulation and prediction of rock fall

This thesis deals with the study of rock falls using a mathematical model, codified for computer use, entitled GeoFall. GeoFall, which was developed by the author, allows predictions to be made of rock fall trajectories, run out distances and kinetic energies for a rock of any arbitrary shape. Its main purpose is to assist in the design of remedial works. The mathematical model is based on rigid body mechanics, and analyses a fall in 2D space using a new theory of impact dynamics developed by Brach (1991). The main features and algorithms of the program are presented in this thesis. The performance of GeoFall was evaluated by comparing actual rock fall events described in several published papers with the output created by GeoFall. Also the output from GeoFall has been compared with the output from other rock fall simulation programs used to simulate the documented rockfalls. A new rock slope inventory system entitled the Rock Fall Risk Assessment System (RFRAS) has been developed by the author to determine the rock fall risk at specific rock fall sites. It consists of three phases of inspection, the slope survey, and the preliminary and detailed rating phases. The detailed rating phase uses 13 parameters that when assessed, evaluated and totalled, numerically differentiates slopes from the least to the most hazardous producing an overall rating in the range 21-1926. It not only allows the relative risk of rockfall between slopes to be assessed but it also categorises the rock fall risk and the potential number of future rockfalls. It has been tested on 18 slopes at ten locations in County Durham. The final part of the thesis details a new laboratory based procedure that can be used to determine the coefficients of restitution for any type of rock material. The normal coefficient of restitution has been determined for seven different types of rock, and the tangential coefficient of restitution has been determined for a local sandstone. Some tentative correlations between the normal coefficient of restitution and the rocks physical properties, such as its Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) have been presented

The effect of compaction on the design life of rehabilitated insitu cement powder stabilised pavements

[Abstract]: This project involves conducting visual inspections and Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) tests on a number of road pavements which have been reconstructed over the last eighteen months by cement powder insitu stabilisation. The roads are within the area serviced by the Mackay District of the Department of Main Roads, Queensland. The results of these tests are compared with the compaction dry density test results, taken for quality control purposes at the time of construction, to ascertain whether there is a correlation between the two values and whether failure to meet the specified requirement of 100 percent standard compaction affects the “cured” pavement strength. The results indicate that there is no correlation between the field dry density and the modulus of the pavement found by the FWD tests. While plots of modulus and Relative Dry Density (RDD) suggest a similarity where the higher field density results often correspond to high modulus values, many of the comparisons exhibit the opposite behaviour. The investigation identifies that the modulus valves used in the design of pavements often appear to be relatively conservative with some of the tests achieving modulus values up to twenty times the targeted value. Of the 21 lots investigated only 2 lots passed the requirement of 100% standard compaction, however, using the same statistical analysis method on the moduli values, 19 of the 21 lots passed. Failure to meet the specified 100% RDD requirement does not mean that the required strength has not been obtained. It is concluded that the current processes for the design and construction of cement powder insitu-stabilisation are providing satisfactory results, however there appears to be a need for more controlled investigations into obtaining the design data and forecasting the resulting modulus of the stabilised layer after treatment

Automatic Control and Routing of Marine Vessels

Due to the intensive development of the global economy, many problems are constantly emerging connected to the safety of ships’ motion in the context of increasing marine traffic. These problems seem to be especially significant for the further development of marine transportation services, with the need to considerably increase their efficiency and reliability. One of the most commonly used approaches to ensuring safety and efficiency is the wide implementation of various automated systems for guidance and control, including such popular systems as marine autopilots, dynamic positioning systems, speed control systems, automatic routing installations, etc. This Special Issue focuses on various problems related to the analysis, design, modelling, and operation of the aforementioned systems. It covers such actual problems as tracking control, path following control, ship weather routing, course keeping control, control of autonomous underwater vehicles, ship collision avoidance. These problems are investigated using methods such as neural networks, sliding mode control, genetic algorithms, L2-gain approach, optimal damping concept, fuzzy logic and others. This Special Issue is intended to present and discuss significant contemporary problems in the areas of automatic control and the routing of marine vessels

NMR investigation of ion-pair modulation of protein structure and dynamics and their relation to protein stability

Salt ions differ in their ability to salt out or salt in proteins from aqueous solutions. Their effects on protein stability are known to be connected to ion hydration, ion pairing and ion-specific interactions with the protein. In general, cations follow the Hofmeister series for protein stabilisation behaviour, while for anions this is only true for proteins where the backbone effect is stronger than that of the positively charged side chains. Since at low concentrations electrostatic effects are expected to be the most significant, ion-specific effects become dominant at high salt concentrations. However, the molecular details of how ions interact with proteins have not yet been fully understood. In this thesis, using different nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methodologies and ionic liquids (ILs) as models for the investigation of salt and/or ion-pair effects on protein stability, I prove that molecular mechanisms which result in protein stabilisation or destabilisation are opposed (in enthalpic and entropic terms). These mechanisms depend not only on physical and chemical nature of ions but also on the protein properties. The variety of combinations to form ILs allowed the investigation of the effects of choline glutamate ([Ch][Glu], stabiliser) or 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide ([Bmim][dca], denaturant) on two model proteins with distinct stability and structural properties: GB1 (DGF→U ~ 7 kcal/mol) and drkN SH3 (DGF→U ~ 0 kcal/mol). The possibility of ion-specific interactions with the protein was studied and the changes of protein structure, diffusion, dynamics, and solvent exchange in the presence of IL were characterized. The data gathered for GB1 and drkN SH3 revealed that [Ch][Glu] at high concentrations (> 1 M) stabilises proteins, not only via electrostatic contacts, but also through a preferential accumulation mechanism at the protein surface, in agreement with an entropicdriven mechanism due to excluded-volume effects. At low IL concentrations, a preferential hydration of the protein is not entirely excluded, which could lead to an initial protein destabilisation. On the other hand, [Bmim][dca] denatures proteins by preferential and direct but unfavourable hydrophobic interactions. These interactions occur not only with the core of the folded state, but also with the unfolded state (slowing the folding process). This was revealed by structural and thermodynamic studies with drkN SH3 where it was possible to directly evaluate the perturbations on the unfolded state due to the slow exchange between the two states. This interaction leads to a stabilisation of a residual helical structure in the unfolded ensemble, which contradicts the random coil-like structure typically found in the presence of denaturing agents. The data gathered provided a thorough understanding of ILprotein interactions as well as the mechanism by which they can affect protein’s equilibrium thermodynamics and kinetics, illustrating the importance of the unfolded state and a possible impact in the rational design of solvents in biotechnological processes, for example, increasing not only the catalytic activity but also the enzyme thermostability in such media.Os sais diferem na sua capacidade de promover a precipitação ou a solubilização de proteínas em soluções aquosas. Os seus efeitos na estabilidade das proteínas são normalmente descritos tomando em consideração a hidratação dos iões, a força do par iónico e as interações especificas do catião/anião com a proteína. Em geral, em termos de efeito sobre a estabilidade de proteínas, os catiões seguem a série de Hofmeister, enquanto que para os aniões a ordem de estabilidade de Hofmeister é apenas seguida se os efeitos sobre a cadeia principal da proteína forem superiores àqueles com as cadeias laterais carregadas positivamente. Uma vez que a baixas concentrações prevalecem os contactos electroestáticos inespecíficos, que podem destabilizar a proteína, os efeitos específicos dos iões são dominantes a altas concentrações. Apesar de toda a literatura existente, o mecanismo de ação dos iões sobre a estabilidade das proteínas não está totalmente elucidado ao nível molecular. Nesta tese, utilizando diferentes metodologias de ressonância magnética nuclear (RMN) e líquidos iónicos (LIs), como modelos para a investigação de efeitos de sais e/ou pares iónicos sobre a estabilidade e estrutura de proteínas, eu demonstro que os mecanismos moleculares dependem não só das propriedades físicas e químicas dos iões, mas também da proteína. A versatilidade de combinações possíveis para formar LIs permitiu investigar os efeitos do glutamato de colina ([Ch][Glu], estabilizador) e do dicianamida de 1-butil-3-metilimidazólio ([Bmim][dca], desnaturante) em proteínas-modelo com estabilidade e estrutura muito distintas: GB1 (DGF→U ~ 7 kcal/mol) e drkN SH3 (DGF→U ~ 0 kcal/mol). Entre outros aspetos, foram estudadas a ocorrência de interações especificas ião/proteína e foram caracterizadas as alterações estruturais, difusionais, de permuta e de dinâmica das proteínas na presença dos LIs. Os dados recolhidos para a GB1 e a drkN SH3 indicam que a concentrações altas o [Ch][Glu] (> 1 M) estabiliza as proteínas modelo não apenas por contactos electroestáticos, mas também por acumulação preferencial na superfície da proteína, de acordo com um mecanismo geral entrópico por efeito de volume excluído. Para concentrações baixas deste LI, a hidratação preferencial da proteína não é totalmente excluída, o que poderá levar a uma desestabilização da proteína. Em contraste, o [Bmim][dca] desestabiliza fortemente as proteínas através de interações preferenciais, diretas e hidrofóbicas. Estas interações ocorrem não apenas com o núcleo do estado enrolado mas também com estados da população sem enrolamento. Utilizando a drkN SH3, devido à permuta lenta entre os dois estados na escala de tempo do desvio químico em RMN, foi possível avaliar diretamente as perturbações dos estados enrolado e sem enrolamento. Para o estado sem enrolamento, esta interação leva à estabilização de uma estrutura residual de hélice, o que contradiz a estrutura de enrolamento aleatório (random coil) normalmente observada na presença de agentes desnaturantes. Os resultados desta tese ilustram uma metodologia que permite uma compreensão detalhada, a nível molecular, das interações proteína-líquido iónico, bem como do mecanismo através do qual é afetada a termodinâmica e cinéticas do equilíbrio entre estados enrolado e sem enrolamento. Trata-se de uma contribuição importante para o desenho e otimização racional de solventes para utilização em processos biotecnológicos, como por exemplo, para o aumento da termoestabilidade e da atividade catalítica de enzimas