Is the CERN recommended SCADA useable for the ST division?

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems are widely used at CERN and in industrial control environments. In order to limit the costs of purchase, maintenance and support, a recommendation for one SCADA system is in preparation by the SCADA working group. This SCADA system should be used for all CERN in-house developed applications as they exist today e.g. in the Technical Control Room (TCR). This presentation will show the actual environment for the control and monitoring of the technical infrastructure at CERN and the needs for the future LHC infrastructure monitoring. The presentation will cover the control activities of all ST groups represented in the ST Control System WG. A possible solution for the integration of the technical infrastructure data into a SCADA system and a solution for the data exchange with the accelerators and the experiments will be presented. This includes a short term planning for the evaluation period as well as the long-term strategy on how to implement the chosen solution

TCR remote monitoring for the LHC technical infrastructure

The remote monitoring of the LHC technical infrastructure will mainly be done in CERN’s Technical Control Room (TCR). The technical infrastrucure consists of specialised equipment from different groups and divisions, mainly cooling and ventilation and electrical equipment. The responsibility for the definition, operation and maintenance of the equipment is covered by the relevant equipment group. However the monitoring and alerting for action in case of equipment failure is initiated by the TCR and is based on alarms that are sent by the equipment. This implies the correct integration of the equipment and the establishment of rules to follow during the commissioning and start-up of the equipment in order to ensure proper operation. This paper shows the integration possibilities and the different tasks and steps to follow by the different parties for smooth equipment integration and avoiding organizational problems

CERN LHC Technical Infrastructure Monitoring (TIM)

The CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC) will start to deliver particles to its experiments in the year 2005. However, all the primary services such as electricity, cooling, ventilation, safety systems and others such as vacuum and cryogenics will be commissioned gradually between 2001 and 2005. This technical infrastructure will be controlled using industrial control systems, which have either already been purchased from specialized companies or are currently being put together for tender. This paper discusses the overall architecture and interfaces that will be used by the CERN Technical Control Room (TCR) to monitor the technical services at CERN and those of the LHC and its experiments. The issue of coherently integrating existing and future control systems over a period of five years with constantly evolving technology is addressed. The paper also summarizes the functionality of all the tools needed by the control room such as alarm reporting, data logging systems, man machine interfaces and the console manager. Particular attention is paid to networking aspects, so that reliable and timely transmission of data can be assured. A pyramidal layered component architecture is compared with a complete SCADA solution

Effect of external PEEP in patients under controlled mechanical ventilation with an auto-PEEP of 5 cmH2O or higher.

In some patients with auto-positive end-expiratory pressure (auto-PEEP), application of PEEP lower than auto-PEEP maintains a constant total PEEP, therefore reducing the inspiratory threshold load without detrimental cardiovascular or respiratory effects. We refer to these patients as complete PEEP-absorbers. Conversely, adverse effects of PEEP application could occur in patients with auto-PEEP when the total PEEP rises as a consequence. From a pathophysiological perspective, all subjects with flow limitation are expected to be complete PEEP-absorbers, whereas PEEP should increase total PEEP in all other patients. This study aimed to empirically assess the extent to which flow limitation alone explains a complete PEEP-absorber behavior (i.e., absence of further hyperinflation with PEEP), and to identify other factors associated with it.One hundred patients with auto-PEEP of at least 5 cmH2O at zero end-expiratory pressure (ZEEP) during controlled mechanical ventilation were enrolled. Total PEEP (i.e., end-expiratory plateau pressure) was measured both at ZEEP and after applied PEEP equal to 80 % of auto-PEEP measured at ZEEP. All measurements were repeated three times, and the average value was used for analysis.Forty-seven percent of the patients suffered from chronic pulmonary disease and 52 % from acute pulmonary disease; 61 % showed flow limitation at ZEEP, assessed by manual compression of the abdomen. The mean total PEEP was 7 ± 2 cmH2O at ZEEP and 9 ± 2 cmH2O after the application of PEEP (p < 0.001). Thirty-three percent of the patients were complete PEEP-absorbers. Multiple logistic regression was used to predict the behavior of complete PEEP-absorber. The best model included a respiratory rate lower than 20 breaths/min and the presence of flow limitation. The predictive ability of the model was excellent, with an overoptimism-corrected area under the receiver operating characteristics curve of 0.89 (95 % CI 0.80-0.97).Expiratory flow limitation was associated with both high and complete PEEP-absorber behavior, but setting a relatively high respiratory rate on the ventilator can prevent from observing complete PEEP-absorption. Therefore, the effect of PEEP application in patients with auto-PEEP can be accurately predicted at the bedside by measuring the respiratory rate and observing the flow-volume loop during manual compression of the abdomen

X-ray accretion signatures in the close CTTS binary V4046 Sgr

We present Chandra HETGS observations of the classical T Tauri star (CTTS) V4046 Sgr. The He-like triplets of O VII, Ne IX, and Si XIII are clearly detected. Similar to the CTTS TW Hya and BP Tau, the forbidden lines of O VII and Ne IX are weak compared to the intercombination line, indicating high plasma densities in the X-ray emitting regions. The Si XIII triplet, however, is within the low-density limit, in agreement with the predictions of the accretion funnel infall model with an additional stellar corona. V4046 Sgr is the first close binary exhibiting these features. Together with previous high-resolution X-ray data on TW Hya and BP Tau, and in contrast to T Tau, now three out of four CTTS show evidence of accretion funnels.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure

Coronal properties of the EQ Peg binary system

The activity indicators of M dwarfs are distinctly different for early and late types. The coronae of early M dwarfs display high X-ray luminosities and temperatures, a pronounced inverse FIP effect, and frequent flaring to the extent that no quiescent level can be defined in many cases. For late M dwarfs, fewer but more violent flares have been observed, and the quiescent X-ray luminosity is much lower. To probe the relationship between coronal properties with spectral type of active M dwarfs, we analyze the M3.5 and M4.5 components of the EQ Peg binary system in comparison with other active M dwarfs of spectral types M0.5 to M5.5. We investigate the timing behavior of both components of the EQ Peg system, reconstruct their differential emission measure, and investigate the coronal abundance ratios based on emission-measure independent line ratios from their Chandra HETGS spectra. Finally we test for density variations in different states of activity. The X-ray luminosity of EQ Peg A (M3.5) is by a factor of 6-10 brighter than that of EQ Peg B (M4.5). Like most other active M dwarfs, the EQ Peg system shows an inverse FIP effect. The abundances of both components are consistent within the errors; however, there seems to be a tendency toward the inverse FIP effect being less pronounced in the less active EQ Peg B when comparing the quiescent state of the two stars. This trend is supported by our comparison with other M dwarfs. As the X-ray luminosity decreases with later spectral type, so do coronal temperatures and flare rate. The amplitude of the observed abundance anomalies, i.e. the inverse FIP effect, declines; however, clear deviations from solar abundances remain.Comment: 14 pages, accepted by A&

Circulating haematopoietic and endothelial progenitor cells are decreased in COPD

Circulating CD34+ cells are haemopoietic progenitors that may play a role in tissue repair. No data are available on circulating progenitors in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Circulating CD34+ cells were studied in 18 patients with moderate-to-severe COPD (age: mean+/-sd 68+/-8 yrs; forced expiratory volume in one second: 48+/-12% predicted) and 12 controls, at rest and after endurance exercise. Plasma concentrations of haematopoietic growth factors (FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (Flt3) ligand, kit ligand), markers of hypoxia (vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)) and stimulators of angiogenesis (VEGF, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)) and markers of systemic inflammation (tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8) were measured. Compared with the controls, the COPD patients showed a three-fold reduction in CD34+ cell counts (3.3+/-2.5 versus 10.3+/-4.2 cells.microL-1), and a 50% decrease in AC133+ cells. In the COPD patients, progenitor-derived haemopoietic and endothelial cell colonies were reduced by 30-50%. However, four COPD patients showed progenitor counts in the normal range associated with lower TNF-alpha levels. In the entire sample, CD34+ cell counts correlated with exercise capacity and severity of airflow obstruction. After endurance exercise, progenitor counts were unchanged, while plasma Flt3 ligand and VEGF only increased in the COPD patients. Plasma HGF levels were higher in the COPD patients compared with the controls and correlated inversely with the number of progenitor-derived colonies. In conclusion, circulating CD34+ cells and endothelial progenitors were decreased in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients and could be correlated with disease severity

Hemopoietic and angiogenetic progenitors in healthy athletes: different responses to endurance and maximal exercise

J Appl Physiol. 2010 Jul;109(1):60-7. Epub 2010 May 6. Hemopoietic and angiogenetic progenitors in healthy athletes: different responses to endurance and maximal exercise. Bonsignore MR, Morici G, Riccioni R, Huertas A, Petrucci E, Veca M, Mariani G, Bonanno A, Chimenti L, Gioia M, Palange P, Testa U. SourceBiomedical Department, Internal and Specialistic Medicine (DIBIMIS), Section of Pneumology, University of Palermo, Via Trabucco, 180, 90146 Palermo, Italy. [email protected] Abstract The effects of endurance or maximal exercise on mobilization of bone marrow-derived hemopoietic and angiogenetic progenitors in healthy subjects are poorly defined. In 10 healthy amateur runners, we collected venous blood before, at the end of, and the day after a marathon race (n = 9), and before and at the end of a 1.5-km field test (n = 8), and measured hemopoietic and angiogenetic progenitors by flow cytometry and culture assays, as well as plasma or serum concentrations of several cytokines/growth factors. After the marathon, CD34(+) cells were unchanged, whereas clonogenetic assays showed decreased number of colonies for both erythropoietic (BFU-E) and granulocyte-monocyte (CFU-GM) series, returning to baseline the morning post-race. Conversely, CD34(+) cells, BFU-E, and CFU-GM increased after the field test. Angiogenetic progenitors, assessed as CD34(+)KDR(+) and CD133(+)VE-cadherin(+) cells or as adherent cells in culture expressing endothelial markers, increased after both endurance and maximal exercise but showed a different pattern between protocols. Interleukin-6 increased more after the marathon than after the field test, whereas hepatocyte growth factor and stem cell factor increased similarly in both protocols. Plasma levels of angiopoietin (Ang) 1 and 2 increased after both types of exercise, whereas the Ang-1-to-Ang-2 ratio or vascular endothelial growth factor-A were little affected. These data suggest that circulating hemopoietic progenitors may be utilized in peripheral tissues during prolonged endurance exercise. Endothelial progenitor mobilization after exercise in healthy trained subjects appears modulated by the type of exercise. Exercise-induced increase in growth factors suggests a physiological trophic effect of exercise on the bone marrow. PMID:20448032[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE

Osteoma of external acoustic meato: report of nine cases and literature review

The osteoma of external acoustic meatus corresponds to an abnormal and benign bony growth, that is developed under the skin of the auditory canal and that can cause total or partial obstruction of the external acoustic meatus. STUDY DESIGN: Serie study. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We reported in this study nine cases of osteoma of external acoustic meatus. The patients' ages varied between 23 and 70 years old, being the average age 40,6 years. These patients were 5 of the feminine sex and 4 were of the masculine sex. RESULTS: The more common symptoms were hipoacusia, caused by the partial or total obstruction of the canal, appealing external otitis and also the accumulation of cerumen deep in the external auditory canal with difficult removal. CONCLUSION: We recommended in the presented cases surgical treatment, which had good evolution, with no recidivism.Osteoma de meato acústico externo corresponde a um crescimento ósseo anormal e benigno, que se desenvolve abaixo da pele do conduto e pode causar obstrução total ou parcial do meato acústico externo. FORMA DE ESTUDO: Estudo de série. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Apresentamos neste estudo nove casos de osteoma de meato acústico externo. A idade dos pacientes variou de 23 anos (idade mínima) e 70 anos (idade máxima), sendo a média 40,6 anos. Desses nove pacientes, 5 eram do sexo feminino e 4 eram do sexo masculino. RESULTADO: Os sintomas mais comuns foram: hipoacusia, causada pela obstrução parcial ou total do conduto, otites externas recorrentes e também impactação de cerume de difícil remoção. CONCLUSÃO: A conduta nos casos apresentados foi cirúrgica, com boa evolução, não ocorrendo recidivas.UNIFESP-EPMHospital Paulista de OtorrinolaringologiaUNIFESP, EPMSciEL

The "Solar Model Problem" Solved by the Abundance of Neon in Stars of the Local Cosmos

The interior structure of the Sun can be studied with great accuracy using observations of its oscillations, similar to seismology of the Earth. Precise agreement between helioseismological measurements and predictions of theoretical solar models has been a triumph of modern astrophysics (Bahcall et al. 2005). However, a recent downward revision by 25-35% of the solar abundances of light elements such as C, N, O and Ne (Asplund et al. 2004) has broken this accordance: models adopting the new abundances incorrectly predict the depth of the convection zone, the depth profiles of sound speed and density, and the helium abundance (Basu Antia 2004, Bahcall et al. 2005). The discrepancies are far beyond the uncertainties in either the data or the model predictions (Bahcall et al. 2005b). Here we report on neon abundances relative to oxygen measured in a sample of nearby solar-like stars from their X-ray spectra. They are all very similar and substantially larger than the recently revised solar value. The neon abundance in the Sun is quite poorly determined. If the Ne/O abundance in these stars is adopted for the Sun the models are brought back into agreement with helioseismology measurements (Antia Basu 2005, Bahcall et al. 2005c).Comment: 13 pages, 3 Figure