High performance WR-1.5 corrugated horn based on stacked rings

We present the development and characterisation of a high frequency (500-750 GHz) corrugated horn based on stacked rings. A previous horn design, based on a Winston profile, has been adapted for the purpose of this manufacturing process without noticeable RF degradation. A subset of experimental results obtained using a vector network analyser are presented and compared to the predicted performance. These first results demonstrate that this technology is suitable for most commercial applications and also astronomical receivers in need of horn arrays at high frequencies.Comment: 9 page

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)

The Economic Impacts Of Sugarcane Expansion In Brazil

Since 2001, Brazil has experienced a sharp increase in sugarcane production due to the upsurge in demand for sugar and ethanol, two products derived from sugarcane. While the increase in sugarcane production has led to income and employment opportunities in the sugar and ethanol sector, the benefits of sugarcane expansion could vary significantly by the region where sugarcane is cultivated. This dissertation consists of three studies that examine the economic impacts of the recent sugarcane expansion in Brazil. Whereas previous studies only show associations between sugarcane expansion and economic indicators, this research establishes a causal relationship using estimators based on the propensity score. The propensity score is defined in this research as the probability that a municipality expands sugarcane production, given a set of observable characteristics. One of these characteristics is the suitability of a municipality to grow sugarcane. Data on suitability of land were recently published at the national level. The first study analyzes whether municipalities in Sao Paulo state that expanded sugarcane production between 2002 and 2006 as a result experienced higher economic growth. The results indicate that there is no statistically significant impact of sugarcane expansion on GDP per capita growth. The second study examines the economic growth impacts of the increased sugarcane production in the different sugarcane producing regions in Brazil. The findings show that sugarcane expansion led to GDP per capita growth in three regions: in Brazil as a whole, in the North-Northeast and in the Center-South excluding Sao Paulo. In addition, it is demonstrated that this latter region could benefit from future sugarcane expansions. The final study investigates the underlying reasons for the findings in the first study. It examines the impact of sugarcane expansion in Sao Paulo state on growth in GDP per capita, in employment and in wages in the different sectors of the economy. The results suggest that sugarcane expansion has positive impacts on local economies in Sao Paulo state. Further research with updated data is needed to establish whether the positive influences at sector level affected total GDP data in lagged terms

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

LER-LHC injector workshop summary, and super-Ferric fast cycling injector in the SPS tunnel

A Workshop on a Low Energy Ring (LER) in the LHC tunnel as a main injector was convened at CERN on October 11-12, 2006. We present the outline of the LER based on the presentations, and respond to the raised questions and discussions including the post-workshop studies. We also outline the possibility of using the LER accelerator technologies for the fast cycling injector accelerator in the SPS tunnel (SF-SPS)

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