12 GeV Upgrade

At the request of DOE's Office of Nuclear Physics, Stephen Meador, Director of the Office of Project Assessment in DOE's Office of Science, convened a team of 17 experts and seven observers in an Independent Project Review of the 12 GeV CEBAF Upgrade Project at Jefferson Lab, Nov. 18-20. The purpose of the review was to assess all aspects of the project, including technical, cost, schedule, management and ES&H. The review team provided valuable feedback in all areas, and a total of nine recommendations were given in the Close-out Report. The committee congratulated the 12 GeV Team on the early completion of accelerator commissioning and the successful start of commissioning of the Hall D systems. The committee also highlighted the significant progress made on the superconducting magnets, as well as the project’s safety record and completion of four Accelerator Readiness Reviews. .

Physics

Jefferson Lab Published Journal Articles Nov. 24 - 28

• Y. Zhang et al. (Jefferson Lab Hall A Collaboration). "Measurement of pretzelosity asymmetry of charged pion production in Semi-Inclusive Deep Inelastic Scattering on a polarized 3He target." Phys. Rev. C 90 055209 (2014). 
• Tech Note: Keith Welch. "Review of Calculations Related to Groundwater Activation at Hall D Tagger." JLAB-TN-14-031

Remember to submit your papers for approval to the Jefferson Lab Publications database.

Center for Theoretical and Computational Physics

Processes studied with CLAS, like γp to K⁺K^-p, include strange baryon resonances that decay to K^-p, and meson states that decay to K⁺K^-. Mesons and baryons are interlinked. Making cuts to isolate one or the other information on this interlinking is lost. A step towards understanding the overlap of baryon and meson interactions, a model called B₅, is studied in a new paper from the JPAC (Joint Physics Analysis Center). Further steps underway will allow a more complete picture of the dynamics of all such multiparticle reactions.

Jefferson Lab Calendar of Events

Dec. 8-9: Hall A Collaboration meeting
Dec. 10: Colloquium: Energy Critical Elements: More Precious than Gold
Dec. 15-16: PREX/CREX Collaboration meeting
Dec. 17: Colloquium: Assembling Carbon Nanotubes for Advanced Applications
Dec. 24-Jan. 2: Holidays and Shutdown Days, Jefferson Lab closed

Environment, Safety, Health and Quality

Personal Work Planning Event
Recently, a Jefferson Lab worker related that during his recovery from a bicycle accident, he had time to reflect on how he could have used the lab's work planning process to avoid his event. He was riding at a good speed while on a new route, turned to make a wide turn but was thinking of issues at work and not focused on the ride. He hit some wet leaves in the turn and crashed and slid many feet. He avoided a  more serious injury by wearing a helmet.

While at home, nursing bruises, aches and pains, he thought about how he could have avoided his predicament. It dawned on him that if he had:

1.  Stopped to think about a change in the activity - i.e. change of route, he may have recognized a different turn;
2. Reconsidered a change of conditions that affected the turn i.e. wet leaves, which are notorious slipping hazards, even for cars; and
3. Wasn't distracted by thinking of work and focused on the road and conditions, he may have slowed down or recognized the changing conditions.

With the holidays coming, we all need to be aware of the same conditions that are part of work planning: 

• Changing environments - wet, ice, amount and type of lighting, type of footwear, etc;
• Distractions from the task at hand;
• Last-minute change in plans for which we are not properly prepared to handle; and
• Having the correct emergency supplies for traveling in adverse weather we may not encounter very often.

If we take just a few seconds to stop and think, many hazards can be avoided, and we all can have a safe and wonderful holiday.

Computing and Networking Infrastructure

Zimbra Email and Calendar Upgrade
The Zimbra email and calendar system will be upgraded on Jan. 2, 2015. During the upgrade, there will be intermittent outages as systems are upgraded and rebooted. Current plans are to start the upgrade at around 8 a.m. All email should be back up and stable by 8 p.m. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this upgrade, contact the IT Division Helpdesk at helpdesk@jlab.org or x7155.

Announcements

Tornado Warning Siren Test Set for Friday, Dec. 5

Jefferson Lab's tornado warning siren will undergo its monthly operational test at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 5. Don't respond to the siren; this is a test of the siren system and not a personnel response exercise. Individuals planning to be in the Central Materials Storage Area (where the siren is located) while the test is taking place must have with them and wear two layers of hearing protection.

2015 General Access RWP Ready for Review
The 2015 General Access Radiological Work Permit is now available for signature. If you are a radiation worker at Jefferson Lab, you must read and electronically sign the new RWP before Dec. 31 to retain your accelerator site access. This year’s RWP contains new restrictions/policies. Be sure to read this document in its entirety. You may access this document from off-site. The document can be found here. If you have trouble with the links or with signing the document, contact Becky Mosbrucker at becky@jlab.org or 757-269-7236. If you have any other questions regarding this permit, contact the Radiation Control Department at 876-1743.

Colloquium: Energy Critical Elements: More Precious than Gold
Elements that were once laboratory curiosities, like neodymium, tellurium, and terbium, now figure centrally when novel energy systems are discussed. Many of these elements are not at present mined, refined, or traded in large quantities. New technologies can only impact our energy needs, however, if they can be scaled from laboratory, to demonstration, to massive implementation. As a result, some previously unfamiliar elements will be needed in great quantities. Although every element has its unique story, these Energy Critical Elements have many features in common. Robert Jaffe, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, will describe the shared characteristics of these elements, their roles in emerging technologies, potential constraints on their availability, and government actions that can help avoid disruptive shortages. As an example, he will focus especially on elements that are required for photovoltaic technologies. The talk will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 3 p.m. in the CEBAF Center auditorium.

Hotel Cancellation Policy Changes
The Hilton and Marriott Hotel chains are revising their cancellation policy. Starting Jan. 1, 2015, these chains will charge a penalty, equivalent to one nights’ lodging, for reservations that are not canceled the day before the scheduled arrival. This policy is stiffer than previous policy, which generally required cancellation by 4 p.m. on the day of scheduled arrival. Contact Jefferson Lab’s subcontract travel agency, CI Travel, 757-461-0022, or your travel administrator whenever travel plans change. When a hotel has been reserved through CI Travel, the agency may have leverage to get the penalty waived.

TIAA-CREF 401(k) GSRA Open Enrollment is Underway
The 401(k) Group Supplemental Retirement Annuity open enrollment for 2015 is offered through Dec. 12. All elections will be reflected in the Jan. 15, 2015, paycheck. If you wish to contribute more or less than the 5 percent default contribution, or opt out of this program, you must enter the on-line system no later than close of business (5 p.m.) on Dec.12. If you do not enter the on-line system prior to this time, you will automatically be enrolled in the default employee 5 percent contribution plan that is based on your current salary. Human Resources is providing web-based enrollment for your convenience. To access the 401(k) GSRA enrollment link, go to the lab's Insight page, under Announcements. You can change your contribution amount any time during the year by submitting a new Salary Reduction Agreement form. These forms are located in the Human Resources Office in the SSC building. If you have questions, contact Treva Ferguson, x7291, or Doug Roeder, x7576.

Mobile Mammography Comes to Jefferson Lab
The Sentara Mobile Mammography Unit will be here at Jefferson Lab on Dec. 11, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Mammography detects breast cancer and The American Cancer Society recommends scheduling your first or baseline mammogram at age 40. It only takes 15 minutes! This service is open to all employees as well as their family members or friends as personal health insurances will be billed. To make an appointment, visit www.sentara.com and find Mobile Mammography Screenings under Screenings and Events or call 1-800-SENTARA (736-8272).

Freestock Item Reduction and Stored Property Review
Next week, Freestock items will be significantly reduced. The last chance to review and select items before they are processed for donation or disposal is this week. Stop by the Stockroom, located in room 108 in the Experimental Equipment Lab (Bldg. 90), to check out the items. Do not drop off any items without approval from Stockroom personnel. For assistance with Freestock, contact Lawrence Ferbee (x6297), Angela Stanley or Christian Whalen.

Property items may only be stored for one year, and then stored items must be reviewed per the "Equipment Held For Future Projects" guidance in the Property Manual. Property items being stored as "Spares" also must be reviewed for their relevance and condition needed for current operations. Once you review your stored and spare items and determine that continued storage is necessary, you may fill out and submit the renewal forms online. For assistance with this process, contact Christian Whalen, x5899.

Holiday Party for Jefferson Lab Children and the Young at Heart
The JAG Holiday Party is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the CEBAF Center lobby. All employees, contractors, users and their children are invited. Families are encouraged to bring a new, unopened toy for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve's Toys for Tots program. Get your picture taken with Santa Claus, who plans to drop by with the snow dogs, Nikko and Tally. (Owners Dan and Kim Young are members of the JAG Dog Training Club, and Nikko and Tally are trained service dogs). Come and enjoy holiday-themed games, crafts and light snacks. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Volunteers Needed to Help With the Children's Holiday Party
Volunteers are needed to help with the JAG holiday party. Sign up online today. Positions include:

• Craft-Table Monitors – All crafts and supplies are provided;
• Game Helpers – Monitor participants and hand out prizes;
• Snack Area Elves – Replenish platters and general area maintenance; and
• Santa's Helpers – General lobby monitoring and crowd control.            

Toys for Tots Toy Drive
Jefferson Lab will again participate in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve's annual Toys for Tots toy drive. Bring your new, unwrapped toy donations for children 1-12 years old. Collection boxes are available near the main entrances of CEBAF Center, MCC, SSC, ARC and TED Buildings. The toy donations will be delivered to the Marines on Dec. 6 at the JAG Children’s Holiday Party.

Ready, Set, Hang Those Decorations
The JAG is sponsoring a Holiday Office Door/Cubicle Decorating Contest. Prizes will be awarded to Best Decorated, Most Original, and Silliest. All employees, users and contractors with an office or cubicle may enter the contest (individuals or groups). Include your name(s), building number and office/cube location. Judging will take place Thursday, Dec. 18. Winning entries will be announced Friday, Dec. 19. Decorations may go up as early as Dec. 1 and should be taken down by Jan. 6. Decorating materials must be fire resistant and only UL-approved lighting/electronics may be used. No unwrapped food items are allowed. To enter, email JAG Chair Mary Jo Bailey by COB Dec. 16.