High-precision RF voltage measurements using longitudinal phase-space tomography in CERN PSB and SPS

Precisely determining the gap voltage and phase in an RF cavity is essential for the calibration of the LLRF feedbacks. Following the conventional approach, measured RF power is converted into gap voltage, assuming a given shunt impedance. However, power and impedance evaluations can both have large uncertainties. Alternatively, the voltage can be obtained precisely with a technique based on longitudinal phase-space tomography. From a set of bunch profiles, tomography reconstructs the bunch distribution in the longitudinal phase-space. The quality of the reconstruction strongly depends on the RF voltage and therefore allows to derive its absolute value. In this paper we describe the tomography-based voltage measurements performed in the CERN PSB and SPS, where this method allowed to detect significant voltage errors for the main RF systems. After applying the correction factors in the LLRF, 1\% accuracies were reached. We report here also the remarkable results achieved by using this technique to calibrate the voltage of the SPS higher-harmonic cavities at 800 MHz, as well as their relative phases with respect to the 200 MHz cavities.Comment: Talk presented at LLRF Workshop 2023 (LLRF2023, arXiv: 2310.03199

Security Applications of Novel Neutron Sources

The smuggling of illicit goods poses a significant threat to the safety, security and economy of all nations. Undeclared black market goods, illegal narcotics and weapons are all threats that could ideally be prevented from crossing national borders. At present cargo interrogation is primarily performed using X-rays, which can be defeated by effective shielding and disguising of objects. Neutron interrogation offers an additional line of defence against smuggling, and there are a number of techniques available, which are discussed in this thesis. In this thesis a review of the limitations of current cargo interrogation technology is given. Current technology has limitations, and these are considered. In preparation of this thesis Monte-Carlo transport codes MCNPX and Geant4 were used as well as nuclear inventory code EASY-II, and a description of their key features is given. The possible methods of interrogating cargo with neutrons is discussed. Cargo can be interrogated with a range of neutron spectra, and either the neutrons or the produced gammas can be used. The use of techniques based on detecting neutrons or gammas is discussed, and simulations of gamma production by fast inelastic neutron scattering are presented. This is followed by a review of the principles of compound nucleus based neutron sources. The produced neutron spectra and the decay isotopes are both important considerations, and the results of possible combinations of target and projectile are given. Use of deuterons to produce neutrons through compound nucleus reactions has potential, due to the high Q of some reactions. If deuterons are used there is also a possibility of dissociation, if kinetic energies above the binding energy are used. At present deuteron dissociation cannot be simulated in Geant4 or MCNPX. Two new models of deuteron dissociation, one high and one low precision, have been developed for inclusion in Geant4. The physics and operation of these models is discussed and comparison with experimental data is presented. When interrogating cargo with neutrons it is unavoidable that some level of activation will occur. In particular the activation of food is of significant concern due to the exposure caused by ingestion. To date there has been little investigation of the activation of cargo under neutron interrogation. By using up to date nuclear data libraries and numerical techniques it was possible to extend early work in this field. In addition it is claimed in literature that 24N a is the only isotope of concern, this is shown to only be valid for certain combinations of food composition and irradiating energy

Comparison of insulin detemir and insulin glargine in a Basal-Bolus regimen, with insulin aspart as the mealtime insulin, in patients with type 1 diabetes: A 52-week, multinational, randomized, open-label, parallel-group, treat-to-target noninferiority trial

Objective: The primary study objective was to determine whether insulin detemir (detemir) was noninferior to insulin glargine (glargine) as the basal insulin in a basal-bolus regimen, with insulin aspart as the mealtime insulin, in terms of glycemic control at the end of 52 weeks in patients with type I diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Methods: This multinational, open-label, parallel-group, treat-to-target, noninferiority trial enrolled patients aged >= 18 years who had had T1DM for at least 12 months, had been taking a basal-bolus insulin regimen for at least 3 months, and had a glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)) value <= 11.0% at screening. Patients were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive either detemir or glargine for 52 weeks. The basal insulin was initially administered once daily (in the evening) in both groups; if patients in the detemir group were achieving the plasma glucose (PG) target before breakfast but not before dinner, they were switched to twice-daily administration. Glargine was administered once daily throughout the trial, according to its approved labeling. Each patient attended 13 study visits and received 16 scheduled telephone calls from the trial site. The primary efficacy end point was glycemic control (HbA(1c)) after 52 weeks of treatment. Secondary end points included the number of patients achieving an HbAlc value <= 7.0%, with or without a major hypoglycemic episode in the last month of treatment; fasting PG (FPG); within-patient variation in self-monitored plasma glucose (SMPG) before breakfast and dinner; and 10-point SMPG profiles. The noninferiority margin was 0.4%, consistent with US Food and Drug Administration guidelines. Results: Four hundred forty-three patients (mean [SD] age, 42 [12] years; body mass index, 26.5 [4.0] kg/m(2); duration of diabetes, 17.2 [11.4] years; HbA(1c), 8.1% [1.1%]) received study treatment. After 52 weeks, the estimated mean HbA(1c) did not differ significantly between the detemir and glargine groups (7.57% and 7.56%, respectively; mean difference, 0.01%; 95% CI -0.13 to 0.16), consistent with the noninferiority of detemir to glargine. The corresponding estimated changes in HbA(1c) were -0.53% and -0.54%. In the 90 patients who completed the trial on once-dally detemir and the 173 patients who completed the trial on twice-daily detemir, the estimated changes in HbA(1c) were-0.49% and -0.58%, respectively. After 52 weeks, there were no significant differences in the proportions of those receiving detemir and glargine who achieved an HbA(1c) value <= 7.0% without major hypo-glycemia (31.9% and 28.9%, respectively). In addition, there were no significant differences in estimated mean FPG (8.58 and 8.81 rnmol/L; mean difference, -0.23 mmol/L; 95% CI, -1.04 to 0.58) or in basal insulin doses. The basal insulin dose was numerically higher in patients receiving detemir twice rather than once daily (0.47 vs 0.33 U/kg, respectively). The relative risks for total and nocturnal hypoglycemia with detemir versus glargine were 0.94 and 1.12, respectively (both, P = NS). Six patients (2.0%) randomized to the detemir group and 4 (2.7%) randomized to the glargine group withdrew due to adverse events. Conclusions: During 52 weeks of basal-bolus therapy in patients with T1DM, detemir was noninferior to glargine in terms of overall glycemic control (HbA(1c)). When used according to the approved labeling, detemir and glargine did not differ in tolerability or in terms of the occurrence of hypoglycemia. (Clin Ther. 2009; 31:2086-2097) (C) 2009 Excerpta Medica Inc

Beam Longitudinal Dynamics Simulation Suite BLonD

The beam longitudinal dynamics code BLonD has been developed at CERN since 2014 and has become a central tool for longitudinal beam dynamics simulations. In this paper, we present this modular simulation suite and the various physics models that can be included and combined by the user. We detail the reference frame, the equations of motion, the BLonD-specific options for radio-frequency parameters such as phase noise, fixed-field acceleration, and feedback models for the CERN accelerators, as well as the modeling of collective effects and synchrotron radiation. We also present various methods of generating multi-bunch distributions matched to a given impedance model. BLonD is furthermore a well-tested and optimized simulation suite, which is demonstrated through examples, too

Effectiveness of a tailored training programme in behaviour change counselling for community pharmacists: A pilot study

Objective: To undertake a pilot study assessing effectiveness of a tailored training programme in behaviour change counselling (BCC) for community pharmacists on, their competence and confidence in delivering behaviour change consultations, skill retention over time and impact on practice. Methods: Community pharmacists (N = 87) attending Primary Care Trust training were given study information and invited to take part. Baseline BCC competence of consenting pharmacists (n = 17) was assessed using the Behaviour Change Counselling Index (BECCI). Following BCC training, competence was reassessed at 1, 3 and 6 months. Friedman’s test was used to compare median BECCI item scores at baseline and after 6 months. Structured interviews were conducted to assess pharmacists’ confidence in BCC consultations after training. Results: Baseline BECCI scores of 0–2 demonstrated pharmacists had not reached competence threshold. Six months after training, BECCI scores improved significantly from baseline (p < 0.05). Competence in delivering BCC (scores of 3–4) was achieved at 3 months, but lost at 6 months for some items. After training, pharmacists felt confident in delivering BCC. Conclusion: Training pharmacists enabled them to deliver BCC competently and confidently. Practice implications: BCC aligns with pharmacist-patient consultations. It took 3 months to achieve competence. Ongoing support may be needed to maintain competence long-term

A role for XRCC2 gene polymorphisms in breast cancer risk and survival

Background The XRCC2 gene is a key mediator in the homologous recombination repair of DNA double strand breaks. It is hypothesised that inherited variants in the XRCC2 gene might also affect susceptibility to, and survival from, breast cancer. Methods The study genotyped 12 XRCC2 tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 1131 breast cancer cases and 1148 controls from the Sheffield Breast Cancer Study (SBCS), and examined their associations with breast cancer risk and survival by estimating ORs and HRs, and their corresponding 95% CIs. Positive findings were further investigated in 860 cases and 869 controls from the Utah Breast Cancer Study (UBCS) and jointly analysed together with available published data for breast cancer risk. The survival findings were further confirmed in studies (8074 cases) from the Breast Cancer Association Consortium (BCAC). Results The most significant association with breast cancer risk in the SBCS dataset was the XRCC2 rs3218408 SNP (recessive model p=2.3×10−4, minor allele frequency (MAF)=0.23). This SNP yielded an ORrec of 1.64 (95% CI 1.25 to 2.16) in a two-site analysis of SBCS and UBCS, and a meta-ORrec of 1.33 (95% CI 1.12 to 1.57) when all published data were included. This SNP may mark a rare risk haplotype carried by two in 1000 of the control population. Furthermore, the XRCC2 coding R188H SNP (rs3218536, MAF=0.08) was significantly associated with poor survival, with an increased per-allele HR of 1.58 (95% CI 1.01 to 2.49) in a multivariate analysis. This effect was still evident in a pooled meta-analysis of 8781 breast cancer patients from the BCAC (HR 1.19, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.36; p=0.01). Conclusions These findings suggest that XRCC2 SNPs may influence breast cancer risk and survival