Initial Tests on First Full-size ECAL Endcap Crystals
At the end of last year the first full size ECAL endcap crystals were delivered to CERN.Thirty in number, they were produced to the final geometrical specifications; 220mm long with a rear square face of 30mm and a front square face of 28.6mm. All were delivered polished. The visual inspection , dimension, transmission, light yield and light yield uniformity tests carried out since are discussed , with particular emphasis on the light yield uniformity. The results are very encouraging. suggesting that the endcap crystals will not need uniformisation.
Low dose-rate irradiation set-up for scintillating crystals
Abstract With a 1 Ci 60 Co-source we measured the radiation damage and its recovery in PbWO 4 crystals. The method consists in measuring the anode current produced in the silicon diode of a Hybrid PhotoMultiplier Tube (HPMT) during the irradiation of the crystal. At regular time intervals, we took photon counting spectra with the same HPMT. By checking the resulting channel positions of the photoelectron peaks, we controlled the stability of our experimental set-up. Temperature control and monitoring were achieved by forced thermostatized water circulation inside the irradiation box and by using a PT100 and two AD590 temperature probes. First results on irradiations of a few PbWO 4 crystals are presented and future plans are communicated.
Inequality trends in health and future health risk among English children and young people, 1999–2009
Objective To investigate trends in health inequality among children and young people between 1999 and 2009, using outcomes consistent with the current NHS reforms. Design/data Secondary analysis of participants aged 0–24 in the Health Surveys for England (HSE) undertaken in 1999, 2004, 2006 and 2009. Main outcome measures Changes in the absolute and relative risks of four health outcomes by deprivation tertiles, based on occupation of the head of household ▸ self/parent-reported general health, ▸ presence of a long-standing illness (LSI), ▸ obesity ▸ smoking. Results No indicator showed a reduction in relative or absolute inequality between 1999 and 2009. For children (0–12 years), the relative risk comparing the most and least deprived tertiles increased significantly for poor general health (1999:1.6 (95% CI 1.2 to 2.2); 2009:3.9 (2.4 to 6.2), while the absolute difference in LSI prevalence(%) increased from 1.3 (−2.9 to 5.5) to 7.4 (3.6 to 11.4). Among young people (13–24 years), the absolute difference in LSI prevalence increased from −5.9 (−10.9 to −1.1) to 3.1 (−4.1 to 10.7). Absolute inequality in having tried smoking among children aged 8–15(%) increased significantly in the first half of the decade before decreasing in the second half (1999:3.3 (−1.1 to 7.7); 2004:14.1 (9.6 to 18.8); 2009:4.1 (0.1 to 8.8)). However, the increase in absolute inequality for smoking prevalence among young adults (16–24 years) was maintained throughout the decade (1999:−7.0 (−15.6 to 1.3); 2004:11.6 (3.7 to 20.0); 2009:8.2 (−0.3 to 16.9)). Conclusions The national programme between 1999 and 2009 was not successful in reducing inequality in four key indicators of health status and future health risk among children and young people. Some inequality measures for general health, LSI prevalence and smoking increased over this time.