Generic and Layered Framework Components for the Control of a Large Scale Data Acquisition System

The complexity of today's experiments in High Energy Physics results in a large amount of readout channels which can count up to a million and above. The experiments in general consist of various subsystems which themselves comprise a large amount of detectors requiring sophisticated DAQ and readout electronics. We report here on the structured software layers to control such a data acquisition system for the case of LHCb which is one of the four experiments for LHC. Additional focus is given on the protocols in use as well as the required hardware. An abstraction layer was implemented to allow access on the different and distinct hardware types in a coherent and generic manner. The hierarchical structure which allows propagating commands down to the subsystems is explained. Via finite state machines an expert system with auto-recovery abilities can be modeled

Few smooth d-polytopes with n lattice points

We prove that, for fixed n there exist only finitely many embeddings of Q-factorial toric varieties X into P^n that are induced by a complete linear system. The proof is based on a combinatorial result that for fixed nonnegative integers d and n, there are only finitely many smooth d-polytopes with n lattice points. We also enumerate all smooth 3-polytopes with at most 12 lattice points. In fact, it is sufficient to bound the singularities and the number of lattice points on edges to prove finiteness.Comment: 20+2 pages; major revision: new author, new structure, new result

On the effect of heterovalent substitutions in ruthenocuprates

We discuss the properties of superconducting derivatives of the RuSr2GdCu2O8 (1212-type) ruthenocuprate, for which heterovalent doping has been achieved through partial substitution of Cu ions into the RuO2 planes (Ru1-xSr2GdCu2+xO8-d, 0<x<0.75, Tcmax=72 K for x=0.3-0.4) and Ce ions into the Gd sites (RuSr2Gd1-yCeyCu2O8, 0<y<0.1). The measurements of XANES, thermopower, and magnetization under external pressure reveal an underdoped character of all compounds. Muon spin rotation experiments indicate the presence of magnetic order at low temperatures (Tm=14-2 K for x=0.1-0.4). Properties of these two series lead us to the qualitative phase diagram for differently doped 1212-type ruthenocuprates. The difference in temperature of magnetic ordering found for superconducting and non-superconducting RuSr2GdCu2O8 is discussed in the context of the properties of substituted compounds. The high pressure oxygen conditions required for synthesis of Ru1-xSr2RECu2+xO8-d, have been extended to synthesis of a Ru1-xSr2Eu2-yCeyCu2+xO10-d series. The Cu->Ru doping achieved in these phases is found to decrease the temperature for magnetic ordering as well the volume fraction of the magnetic phase.Comment: Proceedings of the 3rd Polish-US Workshop on Magnetism and Superconductivity of Advanced Materials, July 14-19, 2002, Ladek Zdroj (Poland) to appear in Physica

Performance of the CMS Cathode Strip Chambers with Cosmic Rays

The Cathode Strip Chambers (CSCs) constitute the primary muon tracking device in the CMS endcaps. Their performance has been evaluated using data taken during a cosmic ray run in fall 2008. Measured noise levels are low, with the number of noisy channels well below 1%. Coordinate resolution was measured for all types of chambers, and fall in the range 47 microns to 243 microns. The efficiencies for local charged track triggers, for hit and for segments reconstruction were measured, and are above 99%. The timing resolution per layer is approximately 5 ns

Performance and Operation of the CMS Electromagnetic Calorimeter

The operation and general performance of the CMS electromagnetic calorimeter using cosmic-ray muons are described. These muons were recorded after the closure of the CMS detector in late 2008. The calorimeter is made of lead tungstate crystals and the overall status of the 75848 channels corresponding to the barrel and endcap detectors is reported. The stability of crucial operational parameters, such as high voltage, temperature and electronic noise, is summarised and the performance of the light monitoring system is presented

Randomized trial on adjuvant treatment with FOLFIRI followed by docetaxel and cisplatin versus 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid for radically resected gastric cancer

Some trial have demonstrated a benefit of adjuvant fluoropirimidine with or without platinum compounds compared with surgery alone. ITACA-S study was designed to evaluate whether a sequential treatment of FOLFIRI [irinotecan plus 5-fluorouracil/folinic acid (5-FU/LV)] followed by docetaxel plus cisplatin improves disease-free survival in comparison with 5-FU/LV in patients with radically resected gastric cancer. Patients with resectable adenocarcinoma of the stomach or gastroesophageal junction were randomly assigned to either FOLFIRI (irinotecan 180 mg/m(2) day 1, LV 100 mg/m(2) as 2 h infusion and 5-FU 400 mg/m(2) as bolus, days 1 and 2 followed by 600 mg/m(2)/day as 22 h continuous infusion, q14 for four cycles) followed by docetaxel 75 mg/m(2) day 1, cisplatin 75 mg/m(2) day 1, q21 for three cycles (sequential arm) or De Gramont regimen (5-FU/LV arm). From February 2005 to August 2009, 1106 patients were enrolled, and 1100 included in the analysis: 562 in the sequential arm and 538 in the 5-FU/LV arm. With a median follow-up of 57.4 months, 581 patients recurred or died (297 sequential arm and 284 5-FU/LV arm), and 483 died (243 and 240, respectively). No statistically significant difference was detected for both disease-free [hazard ratio (HR) 1.00; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.85-1.17; P = 0.974] and overall survival (OS) (HR 0.98; 95% CI: 0.82-1.18; P = 0.865). Five-year disease-free and OS rates were 44.6% and 44.6%, 51.0% and 50.6% in the sequential and 5-FU/LV arm, respectively. A more intensive regimen failed to show any benefit in disease-free and OS versus monotherapy

Identification of epidemiological risk factors for spotty liver disease in cage-free layer flocks in houses with fully slatted flooring in Australia

Spotty liver disease (SLD) is recognized to be caused by infection with Campylobacter hepaticus in adult layer hens farmed in cage-free environments. SLD is an emerging disease as cage-free egg production increases in popularity in response to desires for improved welfare of poultry. Outbreaks of SLD are frequently experienced around peak egg production in flocks, commonly between 25 and 40 wk of age. The disease becomes manifest with increased exposure and access of the birds to the feces of the flock. This study follows from a previous epidemiological survey of free-range and barn flocks in Australia which identified the presence of a scratch area within the laying house as a major risk factor for the occurrence of SLD. However, that survey also observed SLD occurrence in 45% of houses with a fully slatted floor (no scratch area). The present study describes a further analytical survey aimed at identification of risk factors for SLD in houses with fully slatted flooring. A comprehensive questionnaire was completed for 49 cage-free flocks from point of lay until 40 wk of age across Australia, retrieving information on house design, bird breed, flock size, stocking densities, bird growth, and performance and the occurrence of SLD. Multiple logistic regression model building was used to separate factors and identify important management factors that may be amenable to modify the occurrence of SLD in egg layers. Key determinants of SLD identified from the analyses were that houses with mechanical ventilation (such as tunnel ventilation) have some protection from SLD and an increase of an extra 1 bird/m2 of nest space increased odds of occurrence of SLD by 1.172 times. A recommendation to not exceed 112 brown egg layer hens/m2 of nest space in naturally ventilated houses with a full slat floor was suggested. A delay in birds reaching 60% hen day production (HD) by 1 wk is suggested as a possible predictor for a subsequent outbreak of SLD

Povezanost novog polimorfizma pojedinačnog nukleotida u eksonu 2 gena za inzulinu sličan faktor rasta 1 (IGF1) s fenotipskim varijantama u koza

The Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 plays a key role in foetal development and post natal growth. The objectives of this study were to characterise the complete coding sequence of caprine IGF1 gene in two indigenous goat breeds of India: Malabari and Attappady Black, to detect polymorphisms of IGF1 gene, to investigate their effects on body size traits and to ascertain the relative expression of IGF1 mRNA in muscle tissues of goats belonging to low and high body weight groups. All the four exons of caprine IGF1 gene were amplified and characterized by PCR-SSCP in 298 goats, revealing two genotypes (CC and CT) at exon 2. Sequencing of the PCR products from each genotype revealed a novel SNP, g.80C>T (GenBank accession No. KM974180), which caused a non-synonymous mutation (Thr48Met),causing differences in IGF1 protein structure. Association analysis of the loci indicated CT genotypes have higher body length (P0.05). The results of the present study suggest that the alleles of the IGF1 gene could be considered as strong targets for improvement of growth traits in goats.Inzulinu sličan faktor rasta 1 (IGF1) ima ključnu ulogu u razvoju ploda i postnatalnom rastu. Cilj je ovog istraživanja bio okarakterizirati cijelu kodirajuću sekvenciju IGF1 gena koza u dvije autohtone pasmine iz Indije: malabari i crna atapadi. S tim u vezi željelo se utvrditi polimorfizme IGF1 gena i istražiti njihove učinke na obilježja tjelesne razvijenosti, te ustanoviti relativnu ekspresiju IGF1 mRNA u mišićnom tkivu koza s malom i velikom tjelesnom masom. Kod 298 koza umnožena su sva 4 eksona IGF1 gena i okarakterizirana uz pomoć PCR-SSCP. Na eksonu 2 utvrđena su dva genotipa (CC i CT). Analiza sekvencije PCR produkata od svakog genotipa pokazala je novi polimorfizam pojedinačnog nukleotida, g. 80C>T (GenBank No. KM974180) koja je uzrokovala neistovjetnu mutaciju (Thr48Met) i razlike u strukturi proteina IGF1. Analiza povezanosti lokusa pokazala je da CT genotipovi imaju u odnosu na CC genotipove veću dužinu tijela (P0,05) u ekspresiji IGF1 mRNA u mišićnom tkivu koza s malim i velikim tjelesnim masama. Rezultati istraživanja upućuju da bi alele IGF1 gena mogli smatrati ciljanom skupinom za unaprjeđenju obilježja rasta u koza

Biological control of citrus canker by endophytic bacteria

Citrus is an important fruit crop in India, playing a significant role in the agricultural economy and experiencing high demand due to its rich nutritional content. Despite its economic importance, citrus canker, caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri, poses a significant threat to citrus production globally, including in India. This study focuses on using endophytic bacteria, specifically Bacillus amyloliquefaciens ESK-8 and Bacillus subtilis EPM-3, for the biological management of this pathogen. A roving survey in major citrus cultivating areas of Tamil Nadu revealed varying disease prevalence rates (21% - 65%). The citrus canker pathogen and endophytic Bacillus isolates were isolated from the surveyed locations and identified based on biochemical and molecular analyses using 16S rDNA sequences. In vitro assays through agar well diffusion method using culture filtrates of various Bacillus isolates revealed significant inhibition rates, with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens ESK-8 and Bacillus subtilis EPM-3 exhibiting inhibition diameters of 14.1 mm and 11.6 mm, respectively, compared to the control. GC-MS analysis of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens ESK-8 and Bacillus subtilis EPM-3 unraveled important antibacterial compounds such as bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, n-hexadecanoic acid, D-erythro-pentose, 2-deoxy, hexadecanoic acid, octadecanoic acid, and tridecane. Furthermore, the metabolic pathways related to these compounds include glycerolipid metabolism, glutamate metabolism, and tryptophan metabolism, all of which play significant roles in plant growth and antagonism-promoting activities. Additionally, pot culture studies confirmed the antagonistic potential of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens ESK-8 and Bacillus subtilis EPM-3 against the citrus canker pathogen. This research highlights the potential of endophytic Bacillus isolates for the sustainable management of citrus canker disease