[en] An overview of recent measurements of the neutron and proton electromagnetic form factors from double polarization experiments. Spin observables are sensitive to the product of nucleon form factor which allows access to the small nucleon electric form factors

[en] We propose to measure the semi-inclusive double-spin asymmetries in deep-inelastic (,eh)X and (,eh)X reactions (h = +, -, K+ and K-) on longitudinally polarized NH3 and LiD targets. The high statistic data will allow a leading order five-flavor decomposition (Delta u, Delta d, Delta u, Delta d, Delta s ) of the nucleon spin structure in the region of x = 0.12 ∼ 0.43 at a Q2 of 1.21 ∼ 3.22 GeV2. The combined spin dependent pi+ + pi- yield ratios will be measured, since the acceptance and the hadron efficiencies of the detectors can be accurately determined. Independent of fragmentation functions and parton distributions, the z-dependence (z = 0.38 ∼ 0.71) of the combined ratios provides a build-in test of factorization at the moderate Q2. We estimate statistical uncertainties associated with such measurements

[en] The hydrostatic system that has been devised meets the specifications for the vertical alignment of the CLIC machine, but it is subject to requiring an exceptionally precise knowledge of the geometry of the gravitational field. Research has been identified to determine whether such a degree of understanding can be achieved. If this proves to be possible, the solution that is proposed should provide a satisfactory response to the vertical alignment requirements of CLIC. (author)

[en] The CNGS (CERN Neutrinos to Gran Sasso) project aims to investigate the oscillation' of neutrinos. A beam extracted from the CERN SPS accelerator will produce a beam consisting uniquely of muon-type neutrinos that will be directed underground to their destination, the Gran Sasso National Laboratory (LNGS) in Italy, 730 km from CERN. For the CNGS project it is evident that our knowledge of the relative position of the two Laboratories, indeed the relative position of the neutrino target at CERN and the detector at Gran Sasso, is essential. Up until the CNGS Project the position of the CERN accelerators on a global scale has not been critical. Two GPS campaigns carried out in 1998, have now resolved this question to a high degree of accuracy, and a GPS survey campaign at Gran Sasso has provided us with the relative position. The parameters for the civil engineering work that started in September 2000 are all based upon the information from these two GPS campaigns. However, consultation with the national surveying bodies in France (IGN) and Switzerland (OFT) showed that the geoid model used for the LEP would probably need to be updated for the alignment of the CNGS accelerator components. Based upon the 1998 Swiss geoid model (CHGEO98) a new model of the geoid and technique for its exploitation has been implemented at CERN (CG2000). The parameters establishing the position of the CERN Laboratory together with those of the CNGS beam line have now been refined again. This new geoid model is currently being incorporated into our various algorithms. (author)

[en] The Mary Rose is a 16th century English warship that was sunk in 1545 in Portsmouth harbour, raised in 1982 and is currently being conserved prior to public display in a new custom-built museum. Like many water-logged ships the Mary Rose timbers are subject to the 'sulfur problem', namely the degradation of the wood by sulfuric acid. We are currently exploring the use of nanocrystalline strontium carbonate impregnation to neutralise the acid and to act as an alkaline reservoir to prevent further attack. Here we present some of the preliminary results in the characterisation of the materials and the effect of the treatment.

[en] Purpose: We have previously reported that relative intrinsic cellular radiosensitivity in a range of human in-vitro cell lines was related to high endogenous expression of the protein product of the full length c-raf-1 proto-oncogene. Further studies involving PCR and sequencing of cDNA for p53 in 15 of these human cell lines have shown 7 to be wild type (wtp53) and 9 to contain functional mutations (mp53) within the 11 exons of the p53 gene. Cell lines expressing mutations in p53 mRNA were significantly more radioresistant than cell lines expressing wild type p53. The wild type p53 cell lines, however, still demonstrated the full range of radiation sensitivities. We have thus investigated whether high c-raf-1 expression in addition to wtp53 status was required for high intrinsic radiosensitivity in human in vitro cell lines. Materials and Methods: The 16 cell lines, their growth requirements and characteristics and response to radiation as determined by multiple clonogenic assays of each cell line, have been previously described as has their p53 status and RAF protein levels (Warenius et al. 1994, 1996a). In addition G2 delay following 2 Gy of radiation has been measured in 6 of these cell lines by flow cytometric analysis of DNA histograms following propidium iodide staining (Warenius et al 1996b). Results: Cell lines which expressed mp53 were all relatively radioresistant, did not show a wide range of radiosensitivities and exhibited a slight but non-significant relationship between RAF protein and cellular radiosensitivity (r = 0.61, p = 0.08). Cell lines expressing wtp53, however, showed a strong relationship between c-raf-1 protein levels and the radiosensitivity parameter alpha (r = 0.88, p 0.008). RAF protein was expressed at higher levels in wtp53 cells than in mp53 cells. We also examined the putative relationship between c-raf-1 expression and post-irradiation perturbation of G2 in 6 of the wtp53 human cell lines. Cell lines which expressed high levels of c-raf-1 protein and wtp53 appeared to exit more rapidly from G2 (r = 0.93, p = 0.006) and were also more radiosensitive (r = -0.91, p = 0.01). Conclusion: These results suggest a possible co-operative role for wtp53 and c-raf-1 proto-oncogene in determining cellular radiosensitivity in human cancer which may involve control of the G2/M checkpoint

[en] Highlights: • FN, CPPT, and VN are effective coating reagents for MSCs in the Quantum bioreactor. • MSCs cultured using FN, CPPT, and VN as coating reagents meet ISCT standards. • No differences were seen among FN, CPPT, or VN as coatings for the Quantum system. -- Abstract: The addition of a coating reagent to promote cell adherence is necessary to prepare the membrane surface of the Quantum® Cell Expansion System hollow-fiber bioreactor for the culture of mesenchymal stem cells. In this study, the efficacy of 8 potential coating reagents has been compared in terms of the doubling times of their cell populations, cell morphology, characterization via flow cytometry, and capacity for trilineage differentiation. Human fibronectin (FN), pooled human cryoprecipitate (CPPT), and recombinant human vitronectin (VN) were successful as coating reagents, and each product has advantages in different cell culture contexts. Mesenchymal stem cells harvested from Quantum cultured with each of these 3 compounds as coating reagents all met International Society for Cellular Therapy standards for plastic adherence, surface marker expression, and successful trilineage differentiation. No significant differences were observed among the doubling times from Quantum harvests using FN, CPPT, or VN as coating reagents (P = 0.31). Coating with gelatin, human serum albumin, collagen I, poly‑l‑lysine, and poly‑d‑lysine resulted in significantly lower harvest yield; these agents are not recommended for use as coating reagents in the Quantum system.

[en] Samples of β and O-sialon with different levels of substitution (i.e. z = 1 and 4 for β-sialon and x = 0.05 and 0.2 for O-sialon) have been synthesized by both reaction bonding and silicothermal reduction techniques in a nitrogen atmosphere. The possibility of obtaining dense sialon materials by these lower cost production methods has been investigated using a statistical design methodology. The influence of different parameters (temperature, gas pressure and additive type) on the densification and decomposition has been studied and will be discussed in this presentation.

[en] Er₃N rate at C₈₀ exhibits sharp optical emission lines in the near-infrared attributed to fluorescence from the Er³⁺ ion. Here we demonstrate that high magnetic fields cause this spectrum to split, corresponding to transitions from the lowest field-split Kramers doublet of the ⁴I_13/2 manifold to the four lowest field-split levels of the ⁴I_15/2 manifold. The internal structure of these fullerenes can be spatially aligned with a preferred orientation under high magnetic field; the effect of alignment is to reduce the broadening associated with the isotropic spatial averaging characteristic of powder or frozen-solution spectra. Using a tunable 1.5 μm laser, we directly observe non-cage-mediated optical interactions with the Er³⁺ ion. This spectroscopic method provides the opportunity to map the energy level structure of the incarcerated ion and to coherently control its quantum state. These qualities suggest that rare-earth endohedral fullerenes have characteristics that could be employed as a readout pathway for fullerene-based quantum information processing. (copyright 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim) (orig.)

[en] This work describes the formation of Hydroxyaptite, Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂, from waste mussel shells from the New Zealand aquaculture industry. The raw shells are first calcined to produce lime (CaO) and then reacted in a purpose built reactor to form the Hydroxyapatite (HA) in a low temperature batch process. The calcination was studied in terms of the effects of temperature, heating rate, holding time, nitrogen flow rate and particle size. The crystals formed in the batch reactor were characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) and X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). Optimised conditions in the calcination stage resulted in powder with around 95% conversion to lime. The as-produced HA showed poor crystallinity and the presence of impurities, although both of these features were improved by a suitable post heat treatment process. The post treated material showed good crystallinity and was comparable to commercially produced material. Preliminary biocompatibility experiments showed that the HA stimulated cell growth and promoted mineralization. The production of HA from mussel shells in a room temperature, ambient pressure process is not only a sustainable use of waste material, but also from an industrial point of view the process has considerable potential for reducing costs associated with both starting materials and energy.