Development of Superconducting Tuning Quadrupole Corrector (MQT) Prototypes for the LHC

The main quadrupoles of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) are connected in families of focusing and defocusing magnets. In order to make tuning corrections in the machine a number of quadrupole corrector magnets (designated MQT) are necessary. These 56 mm diameter aperture magnets have to be compact, with a maximum length of 395 mm and a coil radial thickness of 5 to 7.5 mm, while generating a minimum field gradient of 110 T/m. Two design options have been explored, both using the "counter-winding" system developed at CERN for the fabrication of low cost corrector coils. The first design, with the poles composed of two double-pancake coils, each counter-wound using a single wire, superposed to create 4-layer coils, was developed and built by ACCEL Instruments GmbH. A second design where single coils were counter-wound using a 3-wire ribbon to obtain 6-layer coils was developed at CERN. This paper describes the two designs and reports on the performance of the prototypes during testing

Procoagulant microparticles promote coagulation in a factor XI-dependent manner in human endotoxemia

Human endotoxemia is characterized by acute inflammation and activation of coagulation, as well as increased numbers of circulating microparticles (MPs). Whether these MPs directly promote coagulation and through which pathway their actions are mediated, however, has not been fully explored

The Gutštejn castle tower from archaeological point of view

An unusual situation was revealed in a probe situated by the tower of Gutštejn castle (Tachov District) during an archaeological research in 1998. It was discovered that the tower foundations don’t fit closely to the bedrock but to layers which contain archaeological material – particularly ceramic containers. The contribution represents an evaluation of these findings whose presence can suggest that the tower is older than the latest building-historical researches dealing with this part of the castle

On the Issue of the Typological Definition of the So-called “Central European Castell”

Typology is one of the fundamental archaeological methods that helps to organise large amounts of data and facilitates their handling. It is also used in castellology, where it categorises castles into various types, for example, on the basis of their layout, as observed in Czech castellology. Among these classifications, the socalled Central European castell has proved to be particularly problematic. Nevertheless, none of the representatives within this group completely aligns with the definition formulated by T. Durdík. The best-explored representatives of this group, which come closest to meeting the definition, are the castles in Písek and Kadaň. For this reason, they served as analogies for other supposed representatives, forming the basis for the conceptualisation of the original form. Recent research has cast doubts on their inclusion in this typological group. In contrast to the examples mentioned above, there are other sites that come close to the definition, yet their classification into the group of so-called Central European castell has been questioned, to say the least. The issues discussed in this article underscore the insufficient level of knowledge available regarding the representatives of the so-called Central European castell, effectively challenging the legitimacy of using this type in terms of an archaeological method. A potential solution to this situation lies in reclassifying them into another typological group, preferably within the category of castles with a perimeter layout, which would allow their further use. Moreover, such a merger would eliminate the artificial boundaries currently separating these related sites. Nevertheless, typology should primarily be regarded as a method that helps and simplifies the handling of accumulated data. Existing groups require revision to make them more applicable for further research. This should not be limited to the assessment of architectural and historical qualities; it should also incorporate other approaches that have been underutilised thus far. This will help to create a more nuanced understanding and improved comprehension of castle sites

Performance of the single and twin-aperture models of the 6 kA superconducting quadrupole for the LHC insertions

The LHC dispersion suppressors and matching sections will be equipped with individually powered superconducting quadrupoles with an aperture of 56 mm. In order to optimise the parameters and cost of the magnets and of their powering, the quadrupole has been designed on the basis of an 8.2 mm wide Rutherford-type cable for a nominal current of 5300 A, corresponding to a gradient of 200 T/m at 1.9 K. In order to validate the design two 1-m single-aperture quadrupoles and one twin-aperture quadrupole have been built and tested. In this report we describe the construction features of the magnets and present the results of the magnet tests. (4 refs)

Changing the interpretation of monuments for the purpose of influencing the Czechoslovak collective identity through Rudé Právo and presidential speeches (1948-1957)

CHARLES UNIVERSITY IN PRAGUE FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES Institute of International Studies Elisabeth Anna Hobl Changing the interpretation of monuments for the purpose of influencing the Czechoslovak collective identity through Rudé Právo and presidential speeches (1948-1957) Masters thesis Prague 2015 Abstract Komunistická Strana Československa (KSČ) se snažila ovlivnit výklad československé národní historie v její vlastní prospěch. Kolektivní pamět je jedna součást národní identity. Změna ve kolektivní paměti může teoreticky časem pusobit na národní identitu. Práce zkoumá rané pokusy měnít kolektivní pamět v období 1948-1957. Protože se kolektivní pamět skládá se vícero součástí se tenhle výskum zaměřuje na změnu významu některých historických událostí, které jsou symbolizované konkrétními památkami. Význam památek vyplývá z diskurzu a tradic. Analýza dobových textů ukázala, že články Rudého Práva a prezidentské projevy byly použity ke změně významu památek vybraných jako případové studie: Betlémská kaple a Jan Hus měly symbolizovat historický husitský odkaz k jehož naplněni se hlasila KSČ; památník národního osvobození měl připomínat pádlé vojáky Druhé Světové války a významné komunisty; Památník sovětských tankistů representoval tvrzení Rudé armády že je jediným osvoboditelem Československa. Tyto...CHARLES UNIVERSITY IN PRAGUE FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES Institute of International Studies Elisabeth Anna Hobl Changing the interpretation of monuments for the purpose of influencing the Czechoslovak collective identity through Rudé Právo and presidential speeches (1948-1957) Masters thesis Prague 2015 Abstract The Communist Party of Czechoslovak (KSČ) tried self-servingly to shape the interpretation of Czechoslovak history. National identity can theoretically change over time by adapting amongst others collective memory. As collective memory also consists of several components the thesis focuses on early attempts to influence Czechoslovak national identity by altering the meaning of certain historical events represented by specific monuments in the period 1948- 1957. A monument's meaning derives from discourse and traditions. The analysis shows that Rudé Právo articles and Presidential speeches were part of a discourse used to influence the meaning of monuments. The case studies: Bethlehem Chapel was to symbolize the historical Hussite legacy continued by the KSČ; the Monument of National Liberation was to commemorate World War Two soldiers and important communists; the Monument of the Soviet Tank Drivers was to commemorate the Red Army as Czechoslovakia's sole liberator. These interpretations were meant...Katedra ruských a východoevropských studiíDepartment of Russian and East European StudiesFaculty of Social SciencesFakulta sociálních vě

Effects of low glycaemic index/low glycaemic load vs. high glycaemic index/ high glycaemic load diets on overweight/obesity and associated risk factors in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The objective of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to synthesize the available literature data investigating the effects of low glycaemic index/low glycamic load dietary regimens on anthropometric parameters, blood lipid profiles, and indicators of glucose metabolism in children and adolescents. Literature search was performed using the electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of trials with restrictions to randomized controlled trials, but no limitations concerning language and publication date. Parameters taken into account were: body weight, body mass index, z-score of body mass index, fat mass, fat-free mass, height, waist cicrumference, hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, diastolic and systolic blood pressure, fasting serum glucose, fasting serum insulin, HOMA-index, glycosylated haemoglobin, and C-reactive protein. Meta-analyses were performed for each parameter to assess pooled effect in terms of weighted mean differences between the post-intervention (or differences in means) of the low glycaemic index diets and the respective high glycaemic index counterparts. Data analysis was performed using the Review Manager 5.3. software. Nine studies enrolling 1.065 children or adolescents met the inclusion criteria. Compared to diets providing a high gylcaemic index, low glycaemic index protocols resulted in significantly more pronounced decreases in serum triglycerides [mean differences −15.14 mg/dl, 95 %-CI (−26.26, −4.00)] and HOMA-index [mean difference −0.70, 95 %-CI (−1.37, −0.04), fixed-effects model only]. Other parameters under investigation were not affected by either low or high glycaemic indices. The present systematic review and meta-analysis provides evidence of a beneficial effect of a low glycaemic index/load diet in children and adolescents being either overweight or obese. Regarding the limitations of this analysis, further studies adopting a homogenous design are necessary to assure the present findings. Since low glycaemic index/load regimens were not associated with a deterioration of the outcome parameters, these diets should not be categorically excluded when looking for alternatives to change lifestyle habits in this age group