The study of the machine-induced background and its applications at the LHC

We present the recent advances in the analysis of the machine-induced background generation and formation at the LHC. Different aspects of the study of the machine background problem at the LHC are reviewed, including the background production at the different stages of the machine operation, the role and influence on the background from the collimators in the experimental insertions and the background shielding. The potential use of the machine background for the purposes of detector testing and alignment is also discussed

Tertiary halo and tertiary background in the low luminosity experimental insertion IR8 of the LHC

In our report we present the results for numerical simulation of tertiary halo and tertiary background in the LHC. We study the case of the proton losses in the betatron cleaning insertion IR7 with the subsequent tertiary halo generation in the downstream experimental insertion IR8. We analyze the formation of tertiary background in the experimental area of the IR8 and evaluate the performance of the machine-detector interface shielding with respect to this source of the background. The results obtained are compared with the previous estimates of the machine-induced background in the low luminosity insertions of the LHC, and the balance between different sources of the background is discussed

Prioritizing testing of organic compounds detected as gas phase air pollutants: structure-activity study for human contact allergens.

Organic compounds that are used or generated anthropogenically in large quantities in cities can be identified through their presence in the urban atmosphere and in air pollutant source emissions. Compounds identified by this method were screened to evaluate their potential to act as contact allergens. The CASE and MULTICASE computer programs, which are based on the detection of structure-activity relationships (SAR), were used to evaluate this potential. These relationships first are determined by comparing chemical structures to biological activity within a learning set comprised of 458 compounds, each of which had been tested experimentally in human trials for its sensitization potential. Using the information contained in this learning set, CASE and MULTICASE predicted the activity of 238 compounds found in the atmosphere for their ability to act as contact allergens. The analysis finds that 21 of 238 compounds are predicted to be active contact allergens (probability >0.5), with potencies ranging from mild to very strong. The compounds come from chemical classes that include chlorinated aromatics and chlorinated hydrocarbons, N-containing compounds, phenols, alkenes, and an S-containing compound. Using the measured airborne concentrations or emission rates of these compounds as an indication of the extent of their use, together with their predicted potencies, provides an efficient method to prioritize the experimental assessment of contact sensitization of untested organic compounds that can be detected as air pollutants

Laparoscopic anterior resection for cancer : a step-by-step technique

These videos show our step-by-step technique for laparoscopic low anterior resection (LAR) for rectal cancer with total mesorectal excision (TME). The procedure starts in the usual fashion with a high central ligation of the inferior mesenteric vessels, complete excision of the mesorectum, fluorescence angiography for perfusion control and end-to-end anastomosis. The splenic flexure is not mobilized routinely, but just when it is necessary to perform a tension free anastomosis

Measurement of zero degree single photon energy spectra for sqrt(s) = 7TeV proton-proton collisions at LHC

In early 2010, the Large Hadron Collider forward (LHCf) experiment measured very forward neutral particle spectra in LHC proton-proton collisions. From a limited data set taken under the best beam conditions (low beam-gas background and low occurance of pile-up events), the single photon spectra at sqrt(s)=7TeV and pseudo-rapidity (eta) ranges from 8.81 to 8.99 and from 10.94 to infinity were obtained for the first time and are reported in this paper. The spectra from two independent LHCf detectors are consistent with one another and serve as a cross check of the data. The photon spectra are also compared with the predictions of several hadron interaction models that are used extensively for modeling ultra high energy cosmic ray showers. Despite conservative estimates for the systematic errors, none of the models agree perfectly with the measurements. A notable difference is found between the data and the DPMJET 3.04 and PYTHIA 8.145 hadron interaction models above 2TeV where the models predict higher photon yield than the data. The QGSJET II-03 model predicts overall lower photon yield than the data, especially above 2TeV in the rapidity range 8.81<eta<8.99

Measurement of the 240Pu(n,f) cross-section at the CERN n-TOF facility : First results from experimental area II (EAR-2)

The accurate knowledge of the neutron-induced fission cross-sections of actinides and other isotopes involved in the nuclear fuel cycle is essential for the design of advanced nuclear systems, such as Generation-IV nuclear reactors. Such experimental data can also provide the necessary feedback for the adjustment of nuclear model parameters used in the evaluation process, resulting in the further development of nuclear fission models. In the present work, the 240Pu(n,f) cross-section was measured at CERN's n-TOF facility relative to the well-known 235U(n,f) cross section, over a wide range of neutron energies, from meV to almost MeV, using the time-of-flight technique and a set-up based on Micromegas detectors. This measurement was the first experiment to be performed at n-TOF's new experimental area (EAR-2), which offers a significantly higher neutron flux compared to the already existing experimental area (EAR-1). Preliminary results as well as the experimental procedure, including a description of the facility and the data handling and analysis, are presented