Sequence variation in the haemagglutinin-neuraminidase gene of human parainfluenza virus type 3 isolates in the UK

The sequence variation in a 934 base-pair region of the gene encoding the haemagglutinin-neuraminidase of five human parainfluenza virus type 3 (HPIV3) isolates was determined together with that of a prototype UK strain. All of the clinical isolates were from the Manchester area of the UK and were obtained in 1990. 1991 and 1993. The gene segment was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction using HPIVB-specific oligonucleotide primers. The nucleotide homology of the strains was high, around 99% and specific differences in the UK sequences when compared with that of the US prototype strain were identified. In addition, a number of isolate-specific differences were seen. No correlation was detected between the observed nucleotide mutations and the year of isolation, which supports the hypothesis that HPIV3 shows cocirculation of a heterogeneous population of viruses rather than varying with time in a linear fashion. However, the data suggested that geographically-defined genetic lineages of HPIV3 may exist

Results from Commissioning of the Energy Extraction Facilities of the LHC Machine

The risk of damage to the superconducting magnets, bus bars and current leads of the LHC machine in case of a resistive transition (quench) is being minimized by adequate protection. The protection is based on early quench detection, bypassing the quenching magnets by cold diodes, energy density dilution in the quenching magnets using heaters and, eventually, energy extraction. For two hundred and twenty-six LHC circuits (600 A and 13 kA) extraction of the stored magnetic energy to external dump resistors was required. All these systems are now installed in the machine and the final hardware commissioning has been undertaken. After a short description of the topology and definitive features, layouts and parameters of these systems the paper will focus on the results from their successful commissioning and an analysis of the system performance

Cooling process of the LHC energy extraction resistors

The energy stored in all the LHC dipoles, about 11 GJ, can potentially cause severe damage to the magnets, bus bars and current leads. In order to protect the superconducting elements after a resistive transition, the energy is dissipated into dump resistors switched in series with the magnet chains. This paper describes the cooling process of the resistors and explains the choice process for the main components of the cooling equipment

Performance of the Main Dipole Magnet Circuits of the LHC during Commissioning

During hardware commissioning of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), 8 main dipole circuits are tested at 1.9 K and up to their nominal current. Each dipole circuit contains 154 magnets of 15 m length, and has a total stored energy of up to 1.3 GJ. All magnets are wound from Nb-Ti superconducting Rutherford cables, and contain heaters to quickly force the transition to the normal conducting state in case of a quench, and hence reduce the hot spot temperature. In this paper the performance of the first three of these circuits is presented, focussing on quench detection, heater performance, operation of the cold bypass diodes, and magnet-to-magnet quench propagation. The results as measured on the entire circuits will be compared to the test results obtained during the reception tests of the individual magnets

The stranding anomaly as population indicator: the case of Harbour Porpoise <i>Phocoena phocoena</i> in North-Western Europe

Ecological indicators for monitoring strategies are expected to combine three major characteristics: ecological significance, statistical credibility, and cost-effectiveness. Strategies based on stranding networks rank highly in cost-effectiveness, but their ecological significance and statistical credibility are disputed. Our present goal is to improve the value of stranding data as population indicator as part of monitoring strategies by constructing the spatial and temporal null hypothesis for strandings. The null hypothesis is defined as: small cetacean distribution and mortality are uniform in space and constant in time. We used a drift model to map stranding probabilities and predict stranding patterns of cetacean carcasses under H-0 across the North Sea, the Channel and the Bay of Biscay, for the period 1990-2009. As the most common cetacean occurring in this area, we chose the harbour porpoise <i>Phocoena phocoena</i> for our modelling. The difference between these strandings expected under H-0 and observed strandings is defined as the stranding anomaly. It constituted the stranding data series corrected for drift conditions. Seasonal decomposition of stranding anomaly suggested that drift conditions did not explain observed seasonal variations of porpoise strandings. Long-term stranding anomalies increased first in the southern North Sea, the Channel and Bay of Biscay coasts, and finally the eastern North Sea. The hypothesis of changes in porpoise distribution was consistent with local visual surveys, mostly SCANS surveys (1994 and 2005). This new indicator could be applied to cetacean populations across the world and more widely to marine megafauna

Design and operational aspects of a bi-polar semi-conductor switch as possible candidate for replacement of electro-mechanical switchgear in energy extraction systems for the LHC corrector magnet circuits

More than 600 DC opening switches assure the role of energy extraction in the powering circuits of the bipolar, superconducting beam corrector magnet chains in the LHC collider at CERN. Although the operational experience from several years of extensive use has proven the high reliability of the electro-mechanical breakers, their relatively high need for regular, preventive maintenance and subtle adjustments as well as their limited lifetime has stimulated the interest in considering alternative solutions. The paper presents the development and operational performance details of a prototype, 1 kA, bipolar extraction switch based on back-to-back IGCT's with blocking diodes. The specific features related to the zero-current passing are described and quantified. The associated difficulties for the controls of a powering system to assure the necessary current stability at the transitory points are analyzed, considering the requirements from the beam dynamics. Parameters of various solutions are described in details