An emittance measurement system for a wide range of bunch charges

As a part of the emittance measurements planned for the FEL injector at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab), the authors have developed an emittance measurement system that covers the wide dynamic range of bunch charges necessary to fully characterize the high-DC-voltage photocathode gun. The measurements are carried out with a variant of the classical two-slit method using a slit to sample the beam in conjunction with a wire scanner to measure the transmitted beam profile. The use of commercial, ultra-low noise picoammeters makes it possible to cover the wide range of desired bunch charges, with the actual measurements made over the range of 0.25 pC to 125 pC. The entire system, including its integration into the EPICS control system, is discussed

Beam Dynamics Studies of Parallel-Bar Deflecting Cavities

We have performed three-dimensional simulations of beam dynamics for parallel-bar transverse electromagnetic mode (TEM) type RF separators: normal- and superconducting. The compact size of these cavities as compared to conventional TM110 type structures is more attractive particularly at low frequency. Highly concentrated electromagnetic fields between the parallel bars provide strong electrical stability to the beam for any mechanical disturbance. An array of eight 2-cell normal conducting cavities or a one- or two-cell superconducting structure are enough to produce the required vertical displacement at the Lambertson magnet. Both the normal and superconducting structures show very small emittance dilution due to the vertical kick of the beam

Beam Dynamics Studies for Transverse Electromagnetic Mode Type rf Deflectors

We have performed three-dimensional simulations of beam dynamics for transverse electromagnetic mode (TEM) type rf deflectors: normal and superconducting. The compact size of these cavities as compared to the conventional TM110 type structures is more attractive particularly at low frequency. Highly concentrated electromagnetic fields between the parallel bars provide strong electrical stability to the beam for any mechanical disturbance. An array of six 2-cell normal conducting cavities or a single cell superconducting structure is enough to produce the required vertical displacement at the target point. Both the normal and superconducting structures show very small emittance dilution due to the vertical kick of the beam

High Voltage Design and Evaluation of Wien Filters for the CEBAF 200 keV Injector Upgrade

High-energy nuclear physics experiments at the Jefferson Lab Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility (CEBAF) require highly spin-polarization electron beams, produced from strained super-lattice GaAs photocathodes, activated to negative electron affinity in a photogun operating at 130 kV dc. A pair of Wien filter spin rotators in the injector defines the orientation of the electron beam polarization at the end station target. An upgrade of the CEBAF injector to better support the upcoming MOLLER experiment requires increasing the electron beam energy to 200 keV, to reduce unwanted helicity correlated intensity and position systematics and provide precise control of the polarization orientation. Our contribution describes design, fabrication and testing of the high voltage system to upgrade the Wien spin rotator to be compatible with the 200 keV beam. This required Solidworks modeling, CST and Opera electro- and magnetostatic simulations, upgrading HV vacuum feedthroughs, and assembly techniques for improving electrode alignment. The electric and magnetic fields required by the Wien condition and the successful HV characterization under vacuum conditions are also presented

Bunch Length Measurements at the CEBAF Injector at 130 kV

In this work, we investigated the evolution in bunch length of beams through the CEBAF injector for low to high charge per bunch. Using the General Particle Tracer (GPT), we have simulated the beams through the beamline of the CEBAF injector and analyzed the beam to get the bunch lengths at the location of chopper. We performed these simulations with the existing injector using a 130 kV gun voltage. Finally, we describe measurements to validate these simulations. The measurements have been done using chopper scanning technique for two injector laser drive frequency modes: one with 500 MHz, and another with 250 MHz

CEBAF Injector Model for K\u3csub\u3eL\u3c/sub\u3e Beam Conditions

The Jefferson Lab KL experiment will run at the Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility with a much lower bunch repetition rate (7.80 or 15.59 MHz) than nominally used (249.5 or 499 MHz). While the proposed average current of 2.5 - 5.0 µA is relatively low compared to the maximum CEBAF current of approximately 180 µA, the corresponding bunch charge is atypically high for CEBAF injector operation. In this work, we investigated the evolution and transmission of low-rep-rate, high-bunch-charge (0.32 to 0.64 pC) beams through the CEBAF injector. Using the commercial software General Particle Tracer, we have simulated and analyzed the beam characteristics for both values of bunch charge. We performed these simulations with the existing injector using a 130 kV gun voltage. We have calculated and measured the transmission as a function of the photocathode laser spot size and pulse length. We report on the findings of these simulations and optimum parameters for operating the experiment

BMJ Open

INTRODUCTION: Worldwide, 2 million patients aged 18-50 years suffer a stroke each year, and this number is increasing. Knowledge about global distribution of risk factors and aetiologies, and information about prognosis and optimal secondary prevention in young stroke patients are limited. This limits evidence-based treatment and hampers the provision of appropriate information regarding the causes of stroke, risk factors and prognosis of young stroke patients. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The Global Outcome Assessment Life-long after stroke in young adults (GOAL) initiative aims to perform a global individual patient data meta-analysis with existing data from young stroke cohorts worldwide. All patients aged 18-50 years with ischaemic stroke or intracerebral haemorrhage will be included. Outcomes will be the distribution of stroke aetiology and (vascular) risk factors, functional outcome after stroke, risk of recurrent vascular events and death and finally the use of secondary prevention. Subgroup analyses will be made based on age, gender, aetiology, ethnicity and climate of residence. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval for the GOAL study has already been obtained from the Medical Review Ethics Committee region Arnhem-Nijmegen. Additionally and when necessary, approval will also be obtained from national or local institutional review boards in the participating centres. When needed, a standardised data transfer agreement will be provided for participating centres. We plan dissemination of our results in peer-reviewed international scientific journals and through conference presentations. We expect that the results of this unique study will lead to better understanding of worldwide differences in risk factors, causes and outcome of young stroke patients

Do managerial skills matter? An analysis of the impact of managerial features on performance for Italian football

This paper studies the impact of a set of managerial characteristics on performance in the top division (Serie A) of the Italian football league during seasons 2000/2001−2009/2010. We employ a bivariate ordered probit model applied to match‐level data, which allows for asymmetric effects at home and away matches and in goals scored and conceded. Our set of coach characteristics includes indicators of skill, experience, innate features as well as empathy with the team. We find that some managerial features matter even when we control for club power and past results. Performance is positively correlated with the manager having had experience abroad and with the manager being a former player with the club; but performance is worsened by lack of managerial experience. Other features affect only some particular aspects of performance. In particular, Italian managers are more defensive in home games while older managers are more defensive in away games. Our approach also identifies a negative effect of managerial turnover on defensive performance, an effect which is masked when a more traditional aggregated model is used

Algorithms to predict cerebral malaria in murine models using the SHIRPA protocol

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Plasmodium berghei </it>ANKA infection in C57Bl/6 mice induces cerebral malaria (CM), which reproduces, to a large extent, the pathological features of human CM. However, experimental CM incidence is variable (50-100%) and the period of incidence may present a range as wide as 6-12 days post-infection. The poor predictability of which and when infected mice will develop CM can make it difficult to determine the causal relationship of early pathological changes and outcome. With the purpose of contributing to solving these problems, algorithms for CM prediction were built.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Seventy-eight <it>P. berghei</it>-infected mice were daily evaluated using the primary SHIRPA protocol. Mice were classified as CM+ or CM- according to development of neurological signs on days 6-12 post-infection. Logistic regression was used to build predictive models for CM based on the results of SHIRPA tests and parasitaemia.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The overall CM incidence was 54% occurring on days 6-10. Some algorithms had a very good performance in predicting CM, with the area under the receiver operator characteristic (_auROC) curve ≥ 80% and positive predictive values (PV+) ≥ 95, and correctly predicted time of death due to CM between 24 and 72 hours before development of the neurological syndrome (_auROC = 77-93%; PV+ = 100% using high cut off values). Inclusion of parasitaemia data slightly improved algorithm performance.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These algorithms work with data from a simple, inexpensive, reproducible and fast protocol. Most importantly, they can predict CM development very early, estimate time of death, and might be a valuable tool for research using CM murine models.</p