Proposal to Increase the LEP Energy with Horizontal Orbit Correctors

In an e+ e- collider the beam energy depends only on the bending field integral "Bds while the synchrotron radiation power scales with "B2ds and is sensitive to the details of the field distribution. With fixed RF acceleration voltage it is thus possible to attain higher energies by increasing the effective bending magnet length. We propose to use the horizontal orbit correctors to exploit this effect. To control the orbit perturbations, 79 unused correctors in the regular arcs and 14 unused correctors in the dispersion suppressors will have to be powered. An energy increase of approximatively 0.18 GeV per beam might be obtained

Construction and measurement of the pre-series twin aperture resistive quadrupole magnet for the LHC beam cleaning insertions

CERN's Large Hadron Collider (LHC) requires 48 twin aperture resistive quadrupoles in the beam cleaning insertions. Canada is contributing these magnets to CERN in the framework of the TRIUMF-LHC collaboration contracts. A pre-series magnet was produced by Canadian industry and delivered in March 2001. This magnet incorporates important design changes that resulted from experience with a prototype magnet. The construction of this pre-series magnet and the measurements made at ALSTOM and at CERN are reported. A comparison is made between high precision pole distance measurements and the magnetic measurements performed with a rotating coil mole. Conclusions for series production and possibilities for multipole corrections are outlined. (6 refs)

Differential cartilaginous tissue formation by human synovial membrane, fat pad, meniscus cells and articular chondrocytes

Objective: To identify an appropriate cell source for the generation of meniscus substitutes, among those which would be available by arthroscopy of injured knee joints. Methods: Human inner meniscus cells, fat pad cells (FPC), synovial membrane cells (SMC) and articular chondrocytes (AC) were expanded with or without specific growth factors (Transforming growth factor-betal, Fibroblast growth factor-2 and Plate let-derived growth factor bb, TFP) and then induced to form three-dimensional cartilaginous tissues in pellet cultures, or using a hyaluronan-based scaffold (Hyaff(R)-11), in culture or in nude mice. Human native menisci were assessed as reference. Results: Cell expansion with TFP enhanced glycosaminoglycan (GAG) deposition by all cell types (up to 4.1-fold) and messenger RNA expression of collagen type II by FPC and SMC (up to 472-fold) following pellet culture. In all models, tissues generated by AC contained the highest fractions of GAG (up to 1.9 were positively stained for collagen type II (specific of the inner avascular region of meniscus), type IV (mainly present in the outer vascularized region of meniscus) and types I, III and VI (common to both meniscus regions). Instead, inner meniscus, FPC and SMC developed tissues containing negligible GAG and no detectable collagen type II protein. Tissues generated by AC remained biochemically and phenotypically stable upon ectopic implantation. Conclusions: Under our experimental conditions, only AC generated tissues containing relevant amounts of GAG and with cell phenotypes compatible with those of the inner and outer meniscus regions. Instead, the other investigated cell sources formed tissues resembling only the outer region of meniscus. It remains to be determined whether grafts based on AC will have the ability to reach the complex structural and functional organization typical of meniscus tissue. (C) 2006 Osteoarthritis Research Society International. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights rese

APOE and the risk of PD with or without dementia in a population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: To study the association between APOE genotype and PD with or without dementia. METHODS: The study formed part of the Rotterdam Study, a prospective, population-based cohort study on the frequency, etiology, and prognosis of chronic diseases. The cohort examined for PD consisted of 6,969 independently living or institutionalized i

Final Report on the Consequences of LHC Civil Engineering for the SPS and LEP

The excavation of the shafts and caverns for the ATLAS and CMS experiments and the transfer lines between the SPS and LHC will start whilst LEP and the SPS are running. This will be during a period when LEP should be at its peak performance and the SPS will be providing beams for LEP, fixed target physics and LHC test beams. Simulations show that movements of the machine tunnels can be expected during the excavation and it is essential that this does not affect the performance of the SPS and LEP. The predicted movements are of sufficient amplitude to prevent machine operation if no precautions are taken. This report contains the conclusions of the working group which has been studying these problems

The challenge of return to work in workers with cancer : employer priorities despite variation in social policies related to work and health

This study explored employer's perspectives on (1) their experience of good practice related to workers diagnosed with cancer and their return to work (RTW), and (2) their perceived needs necessary to achieve good practice as reported by employers from nine separate countries. Twenty-five semi-structured interviews were held in eight European countries and Israel with two to three employers typically including HR managers or line managers from both profit and non-profit organisations of different sizes and sectors. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. A grounded theory/thematic analysis approach was completed. Employers' experience with RTW assistance for workers with cancer appears to be a dynamic process. Results indicate that good practice includes six phases: (1) reacting to disclosure, (2) collecting information, (3) decision-making related to initial actions, (4) remaining in touch, (5) decision-making on RTW, and (6) follow-up. The exact details of the process are shaped by country, employer type, and worker characteristics; however, there was consistency related to the need for (1) structured procedures, (2) collaboration, (3) communication skills training, (4) information on cancer, and (5) financial resources for realizing RTW support measures. Notwithstanding variations at country, employer, and worker levels, the employers from all nine countries reported that good practice regarding RTW assistance in workers with a history of cancer consists of the six phases above. Employers indicate that they would benefit from shared collaboration and resources that support good practice for this human resource matter. Further research and development based on the six phases of employer support as a framework for a tool or strategy to support workers with a history of cancer across countries and organisations is warranted

Developing new ways to assess neural control of pelvic organ function in spinal conditions: ICI-RS 2023

Objectives: Several central nervous system (CNS) centers affect muscle groups of the lower urinary tract (LUT) and anorectal tract (ART) via autonomic and somatic pathways, working in different modes (storage or expulsion). Hence spinal cord dysfunction can affect the LUT and ART by several possible mechanisms. Methods: This review reports the discussions of a workshop at the 2023 meeting of the International Consultation on Incontinence Research Society, which reviewed uncertainties and research priorities of spinal dysfunction. Results: Discussion focussed on the levator ani nerve, mechanisms underpinning sensory function and sensation, functional imaging, dyssynergia, and experimental models. The following key research questions were identified. (1) Clinically, how can we evaluate the levator ani muscle to support assessment and identify prognosis for effective treatment selection? (2) How can we reliably measure levator ani tone? (3) How can we evaluate sensory information and sensation for the LUT and the ART? (4) What is the role of functional CNS imaging in development of scientific insights and clinical evaluation? (5) What is the relationship of detrusor sphincter dyssynergia to renal failure? Conclusions: Spinal cord dysfunction can fundamentally disrupt LUT and ART function, with considerable clinical impact. The evaluation needs to reflect the full scope of potential problems, and new clinical and diagnostic approaches are needed, for prognosis and treatment. The preclinical science evaluating spinal cord function in both LUT and ART storage and elimination remains a major priority, even though it is a challenging experimental context. Without this underpinning evidence, development of new clinical evidence may be held back

Fast cycled superconducting magnets for the upgrade of the LHC injector complex

An upgrade of the LHC injection chain, and especially the sequence of PS and SPS, up to an extraction energy of 1 TeV, is one of the steps considered to improve the performance of the whole LHC accelerator complex. The magnets for this upgrade require central magnetic field from 2 T (for a PS upgrade) to 4.5 T (for an SPS upgrade), and field ramp rate ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 T/s. In this paper we discuss under which conditions superconducting magnets are attractive in this range of operating field and field ramp-rate, and we list the outstanding issues to be adddressed by a dedicated R&D