Jefferson Lab Weekly Briefs March 19, 2014

Jefferson Lab Weekly Briefs
March 19, 2014

Physics

Hall A is prepared for the first beam in the hall since the Long Shutdown. A short run is planned for the middle to end of March to check that all systems are fully operational. Both High Resolution Spectrometers will detect scattered electrons, and it is anticipated that liquid hydrogen as well as solid targets will be utilized.

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

Center for Theoretical and Computational Physics

A new analysis from the Jefferson Lab Angular Momentum (JAM) Collaboration investigates the behavior of spin-dependent parton distribution functions (PDFs) at large parton momentum fractions x. The study explores the constraints from existing deep-inelastic scattering data, and from theoretical expectations for the leading x → 1 behavior based on hard gluon exchange in perturbative QCD. In addition, it quantifies the reduction in the PDF uncertainties that may be expected from future high-x data from Jefferson Lab at 12 GeV.

Engineering

Some of the tasks that the Metrology group (Alignment and Magnet Measurement) have completed over the past few weeks are:

  • Final alignment to the shield walls of the magnets in Lines A, B and C in the beam switchyard region of the accelerator;
  • Hall A target ladder and wire target alignment and fiducialization;
  • Hall D tagger magnet mapper checks and alignment;
  • Hall D tagger - collimator tie;
  • Finish alignment of the high-power dump, all the beam position monitors and YB magnets in the main accelerator;
  • Hall B fiducialization of the forward time-of-flights for panels 1A and 1B;
  • Measurement and building of the Hall C correctors; and
  • Highpotting of the YB repaired magnets.

JLab Calendar of Events

March 17-21: EIC14 Workshop
April 2: Teacher Night at Jefferson Lab
April 18-19: USQCD All-Hands Meeting
April 21: Safety Shoe vendor onsite
April 22-23: APEX Collaboration Meeting

 

Environment, Safety, Health and Quality

Driving Safely in Wet Weather

The National Safety Council offers safe driving tips for wet weather. Everyone thinks they know how to drive in all kinds of weather, but if you have not driven much in wet weather or in heavy rain, then maybe this quick refresher will help. 

To prevent skidding on wet roads, drive slowly and carefully, especially on curves. Also, steer and brake with a light touch, maintaining mild pressure on the brake pedal. If you find yourself in a skid despite careful driving, be sure to remain calm and ease your foot off the gas, while carefully steering in the direction you want the front of the car to go. Be prepared to turn the steering wheel again and again until the front of your car is traveling in a straight line. If your car has anti-lock brakes (ABS), brake firmly as you steer into the skid. If you don’t have ABS, avoid using your brakes.

To avoid hydroplaning, keep your tires inflated correctly and maintain good tire tread, slow down and avoid puddles; and try to drive in the tire tracks left by cars ahead of you. If you find yourself hydroplaning, do not brake or turn suddenly. Ease your foot off the gas until the car slows and you can feel the road again. If you need to brake, do it gently with light pumping actions. If your car has anti-lock brakes (ABS system), then brake normally.

Computing and Networking Infrastructure

BlueJeans Videoconferencing Now Available; Training Offered
The new BlueJeans Videoconferencing system provides multimedia collaboration and videoconferencing to Jefferson Lab staff and users. The IT Division will host a BlueJeans training session on Friday, March 28, 11 a.m.-noon in F113. BlueJeans staff will conduct the training remotely. There's no need to create a BlueJeans account, because IT has done the work for you. To log in, visit the Jefferson Lab BlueJeans site, and use the 'Login' button with your Jefferson Lab username and password. For tips and tricks on using BlueJeans from anywhere, visit the Jefferson Lab BlueJeans webpage. Have a look around and bring questions to the training session. If you have any questions about this announcement, contact the IT Division Helpdesk, x7155.

Windows XP Systems Require Upgrades By April 1
Microsoft announced the End-of-Life for Windows XP systems some time ago. Since last fall, the CNI group has been working with staff and users with XP systems to upgrade them to Windows 7 in anticipation of this date. For various reasons, some systems may not be upgraded to Windows 7 by March 31. Those systems will be moved onto a new and more secure network segment on March 31. This network segment will only have access to the Windows terminal servers (jlabts) and the public Linux servers (jlabl1-4). All other access will be denied, including access to the central file servers (J, K, L, and M drives). In the coming weeks, CNI staff will be contacting staff and users with Windows XP systems to determine when they can be upgraded to Windows 7. If a system cannot be directly upgraded, it will either be converted to a thin client connecting to a central Windows 7 Virtual Machine, or it will be moved to the secure network segment described above. If you have any questions or concerns, contact the IT Division Helpdesk, x7155.

Announcements

TED Building Entrance Closed Thursday and Friday
The Technology and Engineering Development Building main entrance will be closed on Thursday and Friday, March 20 - 21, for warranty work. The contractor will be reworking the brick pavement in front of the doors to correct the drainage. Entrance to the TED Building will be via the North Pedestrian Link between the TED Building and Test Lab Building. The egress route for these days has been changed to the west door on the north end of corridor 1530. Temporary signage in the building will direct the revised pathway. Familiarize yourself with revised egress paths and observe construction barriers. If you have any questions, contact Rebecca Yasky, Facilities Management & Logistics, at x7507.

2014 Annual T-Shirt Design Contest Ends Friday
Will your design be immortalized in a Jefferson Lab T-shirt? Jefferson Lab's Annual T-shirt Design Contest is underway! Entries are due before close of business on March 21. Each submission should include a front (pocket) and back design. "Jefferson Lab," "DOE," "JSA, LLC," and "2014" must be included in the design. Resubmission of previous non-winning designs is welcome. To enter, submit your design, username, division and telephone (contact) number to Mary Jo Bailey, x7277, Mail Stop 6B. For more information, see the JAG webpage. The lab community will vote on designs March 26-April 4.

Pressure Systems Awareness Training Offered
Two SAF130A, Pressure Systems Awareness training sessions will be held on March 21. One begins at 9:30 a.m. in ARC room 231/233, and the other is at 1 p.m. in CEBAF Center room F224-225. Registration is available through the Learning Management System. If you need this training, register and make plans to attend one of these sessions.

Student Projects, Volunteer Mentors Needed for High School Interns
Six outstanding high school students have been selected to participate in the lab's High School Summer Honors Program, which will be held June 23 - Aug. 1. Critical to the success of their internship experience are projects for the students and mentors who can oversee one or more students as they carry out their work. The students are currently in the 11th and 12th grades and have expressed interest in pursuing scientific and technical careers. Lab scientists, engineers and other technical managers who are interested in serving as a mentor to high-achieving high school students and have a project, or any number of small projects that can be accomplished over the summer, are asked to contact Brita Hampton with a description of the work to be assigned. If you have questions, email or call her at x7633. She needs ideas or proposals by May 1.

Tracking Thomas at Jefferson Lab
Little Thomas is visiting all corners of the Jefferson Lab campus. If you can identify his location this week, email Kandice Carter with your guess. Guesses are accepted through Friday.

Jared Martin correctly guessed the location for March 12. An honorable mention goes to Dick Owen. Check out Tracking Thomas on flickr for a better view of his last location and this week's new mystery photo.

 

JLab Weekly Briefs is an ongoing publication providing information on the status of safety, accelerator operations, experiments, free-electron laser, reviews, upcoming activities and special events. Deadline for submission is every Tuesday by 10 a.m. Submit new items to: Public Affairs or contact Kandice Carter at x7263.