SU-E-J-17: A Study of Accelerator-Induced Cerenkov Radiation as a Beam Diagnostic and Dosimetry Tool

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bateman, F; Tosh, R

2014-06-01

Purpose: To investigate accelerator-induced Cerenkov radiation imaging as a possible beam diagnostic and medical dosimetry tool. Methods: Cerenkov emission produced by clinical accelerator beams in a water phantom was imaged using a camera system comprised of a high-sensitivity thermoelectrically-cooled CCD camera coupled to a large aperture (f/0.75) objective lens with 16:1 magnification. This large format lens allows a significant amount of the available Cerenkov light to be collected and focused onto the CCD camera to form the image. Preliminary images, obtained with 6 MV photon beams, used an unshielded camera mounted horizontally with the beam normal to the water surface,more » and confirmed the detection of Cerenkov radiation. Several improvements were subsequently made including the addition of radiation shielding around the camera, and altering of the beam and camera angles to give a more favorable geometry for Cerenkov light collection. A detailed study was then undertaken over a range of electron and photon beam energies and dose rates to investigate the possibility of using this technique for beam diagnostics and dosimetry. Results: A series of images were obtained at a fixed dose rate over a range of electron energies from 6 to 20 MeV. The location of maximum intensity was found to vary linearly with the energy of the beam. A linear relationship was also found between the light observed from a fixed point on the central axis and the dose rate for both photon and electron beams. Conclusion: We have found that the analysis of images of beam-induced Cerenkov light in a water phantom has potential for use as a beam diagnostic and medical dosimetry tool. Our future goals include the calibration of the light output in terms of radiation dose and development of a tomographic system for 3D Cerenkov imaging in water phantoms and other media.« less

Bismuth germanate coupled to near ultraviolet silicon photomultipliers for time-of-flight PET.

PubMed

Kwon, Sun Il; Gola, Alberto; Ferri, Alessandro; Piemonte, Claudio; Cherry, Simon R

2016-09-21

Bismuth germanate (BGO) was a very attractive scintillator in early-generation positron emission tomography (PET) scanners. However, the major disadvantages of BGO are lower light yield and longer rise and decay time compared to currently popular scintillators such as LSO and LYSO. This results in poorer coincidence timing resolution and it has generally been assumed that BGO is not a suitable scintillator for time-of-flight (TOF) PET applications. However, when a 511 keV photon interacts in a scintillator, a number of Cerenkov photons are produced promptly by energetic electrons released by photoelectric or Compton interactions. If these prompt photons can be captured, they could provide a better timing trigger for PET. Since BGO has a high refractive index (increasing the Cerenkov light yield) and excellent optical transparency down to 320 nm (Cerenkov light yield is higher at shorter wavelengths), we hypothesized that the coincidence timing resolution of BGO can be significantly improved by efficient detection of the Cerenkov photons. However, since the number of Cerenkov photons is far less than the number of scintillation photons, and they are more abundant in the UV and blue part of the spectrum, photosensors need to have high UV/blue sensitivity, fast temporal response, and very low noise in order to trigger on the faint Cerenkov signal. In this respect, NUV-HD silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) (FBK, Trento, Italy) are an excellent fit for our approach. In this study, coincidence events were measured using BGO crystals coupled with NUV-HD SiPMs. The existence and influence of Cerenkov photons on the timing measurements were studied using different configurations to exploit the directionality of the Cerenkov emissions. Coincidence resolving time values (FWHM) of ~270 ps from 2  ×  3  ×  2 mm 3 BGO crystals and ~560 ps from 3  ×  3  ×  20 mm 3 BGO crystals were obtained. To our knowledge, these are the best coincidence resolving time values reported for BGO to date. With these values, BGO can be considered as a relevant scintillator for TOF PET scanners, especially if photodetectors with even better near UV/blue response can be developed to further improve the efficiency of Cerenkov light detection.

A threshold gas Cerenkov detector for the spin asymmetries of the nucleon experiment

DOE PAGES

Armstrong, Whitney R.; Choi, Seonho; Kaczanowicz, Ed; ...

2015-09-26

In this study, we report on the design, construction, commissioning, and performance of a threshold gas Cerenkov counter in an open configuration, which operates in a high luminosity environment and produces a high photo-electron yield. Part of a unique open geometry detector package known as the Big Electron Telescope Array, this Cerenkov counter served to identify scattered electrons and reject produced pions in an inclusive scattering experiment known as the Spin Asymmetries of the Nucleon Experiment E07-003 at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (TJNAF) also known as Jefferson Lab. The experiment consisted of a measurement of double spin asymmetriesmore » A || and A ⊥ of a polarized electron beam impinging on a polarized ammonia target. The Cerenkov counter's performance is characterised by a yield of about 20 photoelectrons per electron or positron track. Thanks to this large number of photoelectrons per track, the Cerenkov counter had enough resolution to identify electron-positron pairs from the conversion of photons resulting mainly from π 0 decays.« less

Spectral method for the correction of the Cerenkov light effect in plastic scintillation detectors: A comparison study of calibration procedures and validation in Cerenkov light-dominated situations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Guillot, Mathieu; Gingras, Luc; Archambault, Louis

2011-04-15

Purpose: The purposes of this work were: (1) To determine if a spectral method can accurately correct the Cerenkov light effect in plastic scintillation detectors (PSDs) for situations where the Cerenkov light is dominant over the scintillation light and (2) to develop a procedural guideline for accurately determining the calibration factors of PSDs. Methods: The authors demonstrate, by using the equations of the spectral method, that the condition for accurately correcting the effect of Cerenkov light is that the ratio of the two calibration factors must be equal to the ratio of the Cerenkov light measured within the two differentmore » spectral regions used for analysis. Based on this proof, the authors propose two new procedures to determine the calibration factors of PSDs, which were designed to respect this condition. A PSD that consists of a cylindrical polystyrene scintillating fiber (1.6 mm{sup 3}) coupled to a plastic optical fiber was calibrated by using these new procedures and the two reference procedures described in the literature. To validate the extracted calibration factors, relative dose profiles and output factors for a 6 MV photon beam from a medical linac were measured with the PSD and an ionization chamber. Emphasis was placed on situations where the Cerenkov light is dominant over the scintillation light and on situations dissimilar to the calibration conditions. Results: The authors found that the accuracy of the spectral method depends on the procedure used to determine the calibration factors of the PSD and on the attenuation properties of the optical fiber used. The results from the relative dose profile measurements showed that the spectral method can correct the Cerenkov light effect with an accuracy level of 1%. The results obtained also indicate that PSDs measure output factors that are lower than those measured with ionization chambers for square field sizes larger than 25x25 cm{sup 2}, in general agreement with previously published Monte Carlo results. Conclusions: The authors conclude that the spectral method can be used to accurately correct the Cerenkov light effect in PSDs. The authors confirmed the importance of maximizing the difference of Cerenkov light production between calibration measurements. The authors also found that the attenuation of the optical fiber, which is assumed to be constant in the original formulation of the spectral method, may cause a variation of the calibration factors in some experimental setups.« less

Development of new UV-I. I. Cerenkov Viewing Device

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kuribara, Masayuki; Nemoto, Koshichi

1994-02-01

The Cerenkov glow images from boiling-water reactors (BWR) and pressurized-water reactors (PWR) irradiated fuel assemblies are generally used for inspections. However, sometimes it is difficult or impossible to identify the image by the conventional Cerenkov Viewing Device (CVD), because of the long cooling time and/or low burnup. Now a new UV-I.I. (Ultra-Violet light Image Intensifier) CVD has been developed, which can detect the very weak Cerenkov glow from spent fuel assemblies. As this new device uses the newly developed proximity focused type UV-I.I., Cerenkov photons are used efficiently, producing better quality Cerenkov glow images. Moreover, since the image is convertedmore » to a video signal, it is easy to improve the signal to noise ratio (S/N) by an image processor. The new CVD was tested at BWR and PWR power plants in Japan, with fuel burnups ranging from 6,200--33,000 MWD/MTU (megawatt days per metric ton of uranium) and cooling times ranging from 370 to 6,200 d. The tests showed that the new CVD is superior to the conventional STA/CRIEPI CVD, and could detect very feeble Cerenkov glow images using an image processor.« less

First human Cerenkography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spinelli, Antonello Enrico; Ferdeghini, Marco; Cavedon, Carlo; Zivelonghi, Emanuele; Calandrino, Riccardo; Fenzi, Alberto; Sbarbati, Andrea; Boschi, Federico

2013-02-01

Cerenkov luminescence imaging is an emerging optical preclinical modality based on the detection of Cerenkov radiation induced by beta particles when traveling though biological tissues with a velocity greater than the speed of light. We present the first human Cerenkography obtained by detecting Cerenkov radiation escaping the thyroid gland of a patient treated for hyperthyroidism. The Cerenkov light was detected using an electron multiplied charge coupled device and a conventional C-mount lens. The system set-up has been tested by using a slab of ex vivo tissue equal to a 1 cm slice of chicken breast in order to simulate optical photons attenuation. We then imaged for 2 min the head and neck region of a patient treated orally 24 h before with 550 MBq of I-131. Co-registration between photographic and Cerenkov images showed a good localization of the Cerenkov light within the thyroid region. In conclusion, we showed that it is possible to obtain a planar image of Cerenkov photons escaping from a human tissue. Cerenkography is a potential novel medical tool to image superficial organs of patients treated with beta minus radiopharmaceuticals and can be extended to the imaging of beta plus emitters.

Proton radiography based on near-threshold Cerenkov radiation

DOEpatents

van Bibber, Karl A.; Dietrich, Frank S.

2003-01-01

A Cerenkov imaging system for charged particle radiography that determines the energy loss of the charged particle beam passing through an object. This energy loss information provides additional detail on target densities when used with traditional radiographic techniques like photon or x-ray radiography. In this invention a probe beam of 800 MeV to 50 GeV/c charged particles is passed through an object to be imaged, an imaging magnetic spectrometer, to a silicon aerogel Cerenkov radiator where the charged particles emitted Cerenkov light proportional to their velocity. At the same beam focal plane, a particle scintillator produces a light output proportional to the incident beam flux. Optical imaging systems relay the Cerenkov and scintillator information to CCD's or other measurement equipment. A ratio between the Cerenkov and scintillator is formed, which is directly proportional to the line density of the object for each pixel measured. By rotating the object, tomographic radiography may be performed. By applying pulses of beam, discrete time-step movies of dynamic objects may be made.

Air core detectors for Cerenkov-free scintillation dosimetry of brachytherapy β-sources.

PubMed

Eichmann, Marion; Thomann, Benedikt

2017-09-01

Plastic scintillation detectors are used for dosimetry in small radiation fields with high dose gradients, e.g., provided by β-emitting sources like 106 Ru/ 106 Rh eye plaques. A drawback is a background signal caused by Cerenkov radiation generated by electrons passing the optical fibers (light guides) of this dosimetry system. Common approaches to correct for the Cerenkov signal are influenced by uncertainties resulting from detector positioning and calibration procedures. A different approach to avoid any correction procedure is to suppress the Cerenkov signal by replacing the solid core optical fiber with an air core light guide, previously shown for external beam therapy. In this study, the air core concept is modified and applied to the requirements of dosimetry in brachytherapy, proving its usability for measuring water energy doses in small radiation fields. Three air core detectors with different air core lengths are constructed and their performance in dosimetry for brachytherapy β-sources is compared with a standard two-fiber system, which uses a second fiber for Cerenkov correction. The detector systems are calibrated with a 90 Sr/ 90 Y secondary standard and tested for their angular dependence as well as their performance in depth dose measurements of 106 Ru/ 106 Rh sources. The signal loss relative to the standard detector increases with increasing air core length to a maximum value of 58.3%. At the same time, however, the percentage amount of Cerenkov light in the total signal is reduced from at least 12.1% to a value below 1.1%. There is a linear correlation between induced dose and measured signal current. The air core detectors determine the dose rates for 106 Ru/ 106 Rh sources without any form of correction for the Cerenkov signal. The air core detectors show advantages over the standard two-fiber system especially when measuring in radiation fields with high dose gradients. They can be used as simple one-fiber systems and allow for an almost Cerenkov-free scintillation dosimetry of brachytherapy β-sources. © 2017 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

In Vivo 18-FDG/18-Choline-Mediated Cerenkov Radiation Energy Transfer (CRET) Multiplexed Optical Imaging for Human Prostate Carcinoma Detection and Staging

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-12-01

AWARD NUMBER: W81XWH-13-1-0138 TITLE: In Vivo 18-FDG/18-Choline-Mediated Cerenkov Radiation Energy Transfer (CRET) Multiplexed Optical...18Ffluorocholine/ 18F-FDG Cerenkov radiation energy transfer (CRET) coupled with TF- and ErbB2/3- molecularly targeted nearinfrared (NIR) QDs can be used to detect...to examine whether internal illumination via 18F-fluorocholine Cerenkov radiation energy transfer (CRET) coupled with TF- and ErbB2/3- molecularly

Spent fuel burnup estimation by Cerenkov glow intensity measurement

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kuribara, Masayuki

1994-10-01

The Cerenkov glow images from irradiated fuel assemblies of boiling-water reactors (BWR) and pressurized-water reactors (PWR) are generally used for inspections. For this purpose, a new UV-I.I. CVD (ultra-violet light image intensifier Cerenkov viewing device), has been developed. This new device can measure the intensity of the Cerenkov glow from a spent fuel assembly, thus making it possible to estimate the burnup of the fuel assembly by comparing the Cerenkov glow intensity to the reference intensity. The experiment was carried out on BWR spent fuel assemblies and the results show that burnups are estimated within 20% accuracy compared to themore » declared burnups for the tested spent fuel assemblies for cooling times ranging from 900--2.000 d.« less

Development of gamma-photon/Cerenkov-light hybrid system for simultaneous imaging of I-131 radionuclide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamamoto, Seiichi; Suzuki, Mayumi; Kato, Katsuhiko; Watabe, Tadashi; Ikeda, Hayato; Kanai, Yasukazu; Ogata, Yoshimune; Hatazawa, Jun

2016-09-01

Although iodine 131 (I-131) is used for radionuclide therapy, high resolution images are difficult to obtain with conventional gamma cameras because of the high energy of I-131 gamma photons (364 keV). Cerenkov-light imaging is a possible method for beta emitting radionuclides, and I-131 (606 MeV maximum beta energy) is a candidate to obtain high resolution images. We developed a high energy gamma camera system for I-131 radionuclide and combined it with a Cerenkov-light imaging system to form a gamma-photon/Cerenkov-light hybrid imaging system to compare the simultaneously measured images of these two modalities. The high energy gamma imaging detector used 0.85-mm×0.85-mm×10-mm thick GAGG scintillator pixels arranged in a 44×44 matrix with a 0.1-mm thick reflector and optical coupled to a Hamamatsu 2 in. square position sensitive photomultiplier tube (PSPMT: H12700 MOD). The gamma imaging detector was encased in a 2 cm thick tungsten shield, and a pinhole collimator was mounted on its top to form a gamma camera system. The Cerenkov-light imaging system was made of a high sensitivity cooled CCD camera. The Cerenkov-light imaging system was combined with the gamma camera using optical mirrors to image the same area of the subject. With this configuration, we simultaneously imaged the gamma photons and the Cerenkov-light from I-131 in the subjects. The spatial resolution and sensitivity of the gamma camera system for I-131 were respectively 3 mm FWHM and 10 cps/MBq for the high sensitivity collimator at 10 cm from the collimator surface. The spatial resolution of the Cerenkov-light imaging system was 0.64 mm FWHM at 10 cm from the system surface. Thyroid phantom and rat images were successfully obtained with the developed gamma-photon/Cerenkov-light hybrid imaging system, allowing direct comparison of these two modalities. Our developed gamma-photon/Cerenkov-light hybrid imaging system will be useful to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of these two modalities.

EAS Cerenkov measurements of the composition of the cosmic ray flux around 10 to the 16th power eV

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dawson, B. R.; Prescott, J. R.; Clay, R. W.

1985-01-01

Information can be obtained about the nature of a primary cosmic ray by looking at the way in which an extensive air shower (EAS) develops in the atmosphere. Heavy nuclei give rise to showers that develop high in the atmosphere and the depth of maximum development is subjected to much smaller fluctuations than is the case for showers originating from protons. This development is followed by optical methods based on the observations of Cerenkov light or fluorescence light. The Cerenkov observations have two complementary techniques: measurement of the time profile of the Cerenkov pulse with resolution of a few nanoseconds and measurement of the lateral distribution of the Cerenkov light. In each case the measured quantities must be related to some characteristic development parameters.

An investigation of high-multiplicity gamma events in pp collisions with c.m. energies between 22 and 62 GeV

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dell, G. F.; Uto, H.; Yuan, L. C. L.; Amaldi, E.; Beneventano, M.; Borgia, B.; Pistilli, P.; Sestili, I.; Dooher, J.

1976-01-01

An experiment was conducted at the CERN intersecting storage rings using colliding proton beams to investigate high-multiplicity gamma-ray events. The objective of the study was to reveal certain features of multiple pion production as well as other possible mechanisms of gamma-ray production. The detector system consisted of ten planes of spark chambers, three scintillation counter hodoscopes and two arrays of lead-glass Cerenkov counters, the first array containing 16 counters and the second, 60 counters. The event trigger was obtained from the Cerenkov counters, and the energies in all the Cerenkov counters after trigger, as well as the information on all the charged particles given by the scintillation counters and spark chambers were recorded on magnetic tape. The relationship between the number of gamma-rays per event and the number of Cerenkov counters triggered by a neutral secondary was established by means of a Monte Carlo calculation.

Cosmic ray isotope measurements with a new Cerenkov X total energy telescope

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Webber, W. R.; Kish, J. C.; Schrier, D. A.

1985-01-01

Measurements of the isotopic composition of cosmic nuclei with Z = 7-20 are reported. These measurements were made with a new version of a Cerenkov x total E telescope. Path length and uniformity corrections are made to all counters to a RMS level 1%. Since the Cerenkov counter is crucial to mass measurements using the C x E technique - special care was taken to optimize the resolution of the 2.4 cm thick Pilot 425 Cerenkov counter. This counter exhibited a beta = 1 muon equivalent LED resolution of 24%, corresponding to a total of 90 p.e. collected at the 1st dynodes of the photomultiplier tubes.

The hump in the Cerenkov lateral distribution of gamma ray showers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sinha, S.; Sao, M. V. S.

1985-01-01

The lateral distribution of atmospheric Cerenkov photons emitted by gamma ray showers of energy 100 GeV is calculated. The lateral distribution shows a characteristic hump at a distance of approx. 135 meter from the core. The hump is shown to be due to electrons of threshold energy 1 GeV, above which the mean scattering angle becomes smaller than the Cerenkov angle.

Light flash phenomena induced by HzE particles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcnulty, P. J.; Pease, V. P.

1980-01-01

Astronauts and Apollo and Skylab missions have reported observing a variety of visual phenomena when their eyes are closed and adapted to darkness. These phenomena have been collectively labelled as light flashes. Visual phenomena which are similar in appearance to those observed in space have been demonstrated at the number of accelerator facilities by expressing the eyes of human subjects to beams of various types of radiation. In some laboratory experiments Cerenkov radiation was found to be the basis for the flashes observed while in other experiments Cerenkov radiation could apparently be ruled out. Experiments that differentiate between Cerenkov radiation and other possible mechanisms for inducing visual phenomena was then compared. The phenomena obtained in the presence and absence of Cerenkov radiation were designed and conducted. A new mechanism proposed to explain the visual phenomena observed by Skylab astronauts as they passed through the South Atlantic Anomaly, namely nuclear interactions in and near the sensitive layer of the retina, is covered. Also some studies to search for similar transient effects of space radiation on sensors and microcomputer memories are described.

The Track Imaging Cerenkov Experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wissel, S. A.; Byrum, K.; Cunningham, J. D.; Drake, G.; Hays, E.; Horan, D.; Kieda, D.; Kovacs, E.; Magill, S.; Nodulman, L.;

Method for monitoring irradiated fuel using Cerenkov radiation

DOEpatents

Dowdy, E.J.; Nicholson, N.; Caldwell, J.T.

1980-05-21

A method is provided for monitoring irradiated nuclear fuel inventories located in a water-filled storage pond wherein the intensity of the Cerenkov radiation emitted from the water in the vicinity of the nuclear fuel is measured. This intensity is then compared with the expected intensity for nuclear fuel having a corresponding degree of irradiation exposure and time period after removal from a reactor core. Where the nuclear fuel inventory is located in an assembly having fuel pins or rods with intervening voids, the Cerenkov light intensity measurement is taken at selected bright sports corresponding to the water-filled interstices of the assembly in the water storage, the water-filled interstices acting as Cerenkov light channels so as to reduce cross-talk. On-line digital analysis of an analog video signal is possible, or video tapes may be used for later measurement using a video editor and an electrometer. Direct measurement of the Cerenkov radiation intensity also is possible using spot photometers pointed at the assembly.

Cerenkov imaging - a new modality for molecular imaging

PubMed Central

Thorek, Daniel LJ; Robertson, Robbie; Bacchus, Wassifa A; Hahn, Jaeseung; Rothberg, Julie; Beattie, Bradley J; Grimm, Jan

2012-01-01

Cerenkov luminescence imaging (CLI) is an emerging hybrid modality that utilizes the light emission from many commonly used medical isotopes. Cerenkov radiation (CR) is produced when charged particles travel through a dielectric medium faster than the speed of light in that medium. First described in detail nearly 100 years ago, CR has only recently applied for biomedical imaging purposes. The modality is of considerable interest as it enables the use of widespread luminescence imaging equipment to visualize clinical diagnostic (all PET radioisotopes) and many therapeutic radionuclides. The amount of light detected in CLI applications is significantly lower than other that in other optical imaging techniques such as bioluminescence and fluorescence. However, significant advantages include the use of approved radiotracers and lack of an incident light source, resulting in high signal to background ratios. As well, multiple subjects may be imaged concurrently (up to 5 in common bioluminescent equipment), conferring both cost and time benefits. This review summarizes the field of Cerenkov luminescence imaging to date. Applications of CLI discussed include intraoperative radionuclide-guided surgery, monitoring of therapeutic efficacy, tomographic optical imaging capabilities, and the ability to perform multiplexed imaging using fluorophores excited by the Cerenkov radiation. While technical challenges still exist, Cerenkov imaging has materialized as an important molecular imaging modality. PMID:23133811

SU-E-QI-15: Single Point Dosimetry by Means of Cerenkov Radiation Energy Transfer (CRET)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Volotskova, O; Jenkins, C; Xing, L

2014-06-15

Purpose: Cerenkov light is generated when a charged particles with energy greater then 250 keV, moves faster than the speed of light in a given medium. Both x-ray photons and electrons produce optical Cerenkov photons during the static megavoltage linear accelerator (LINAC) operational mode. Recently, Cerenkov radiation gained considerable interest as possible candidate as a new imaging modality. Optical signals generated by Cerenkov radiation may act as a surrogate for the absorbed superficial radiation dose. We demonstrated a novel single point dosimetry method for megavoltage photon and electron therapy utilizing down conversion of Cerenkov photons. Methods: The custom build signalmore » characterization system was used: a sample holder (probe) with adjacent light tight compartments was connected via fiber-optic cables to a photon counting photomultiplier tube (PMT). One compartment contains a medium only while the other contains medium and red-shifting nano-particles (Q-dots, nanoclusters). By taking the difference between the two signals (Cerenkov photons and CRET photons) we obtain a measure of the down-converted light, which we expect to be proportional to dose as measured with an adjacent ion chamber. Experimental results are compared to Monte Carlo simulations performed using the GEANT4 code. Results: The signal correlation between CR signal, CRET readings and dose produced by LINAC at a single point were investigated. The experimental results were compared with simulations. The dose linearity, signal to noise ratio and dose rate dependence were tested with custom build CRET based probe. Conclusion: Performance characteristics of the proposed single point CRET based probe were evaluated. The direct use of the induced Cerenkov emission and CRET in an irradiated single point volume as an indirect surrogate for the imparted dose was investigated. We conclude that CRET is a promising optical based dosimetry method that offers advantages over those already proposed.« less

SU-F-J-46: Feasibility of Cerenkov Emission for Absorption Spectroscopy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Oraiqat, I; Rehemtulla, A; Lam, K

2016-06-15

Purpose: Cerenkov emission (CE) is a promising tool for online tumor microenvironment interrogation and targeting during radiotherapy. In this work, we utilize CE generated during radiotherapy as a broadband excitation source for real-time absorption spectroscopy. We demonstrate the feasibility of CE spectroscopy using a controlled experiment of materials with known emission/absorption properties. Methods: A water tank is irradiated with 20 MeV electron beam to induce Cerenkov emission. Food coloring dyes (Yellow #5, Red #40, and Blue #1), which have known emission/absorption properties were added to the water tank with increasing concentration (1 drop (0.05 mL), 2 drops, and 4 dropsmore » from a dispenser bottle). The signal is collected using a condensing lens which is coupled into a 20m optical fiber that is fed into a spectrometer that measures the emitted spectra. The resulting spectra from water/food coloring dye solutions were normalized by the reference spectrum, which is the Cerenkov spectrum of pure water, correcting for both the nonlinearity of the broadband Cerenkov emission spectrum as well as the non-uniform spectral response of the spectrometer. The emitted spectra were then converted into absorbance and their characteristics were analyzed. Results: The food coloring dye had a drastic change on the Cerenkov emission, shifting its wavelength according to its visible color. The collected spectra showed various absorbance peaks which agrees with tabulated peak positions of the dyes added within 0.3% for yellow, 1.7% for red, and 0.16% for blue. The CE peak heights proportionally increased as the dye concentration is increased. Conclusion: This work shows the potential for real-time functional spectroscopy using Cerenkov emission during radiotherapy. It was demonstrated that molecule identification as well as relative concentration can be extracted from the Cerenkov emission color shift.« less

SYNCHROTRON RADIATION, FREE ELECTRON LASER, APPLICATION OF NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY, ETC. Employing a Cerenkov detector for the thickness measurement of X-rays in a scattering background

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Shu-Wei; Kang, Ke-Jun; Wang, Yi; Li, Jin; Li, Yuan-Jing; Zhang, Qing-Jun

2010-12-01

The variation in environmental scattering background is a major source of systematic errors in X-ray inspection and measurement systems. As the energy of these photons consisting of environmental scattering background is much lower generally, the Cerenkov detectors having the detection threshold are likely insensitive to them and able to exclude their influence. A thickness measurement experiment is designed to verify the idea by employing a Cerenkov detector and an ionizing chamber for comparison. Furthermore, it is also found that the application of the Cerenkov detectors is helpful to exclude another systematic error from the variation of low energy components in the spectrum incident on the detector volume.

Activation of photodynamic therapy in vitro with Cerenkov luminescence generated from Yttrium-90 (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hartl, Brad A.; Hirschberg, Henry; Marcu, Laura; Cherry, Simon R.

2016-03-01

Translation of photodynamic therapy to the clinical setting has primarily been limited to easily accessible and/or superficial diseases where traditional light delivery can be performed noninvasively. Cerenkov luminescence, as generated from medically relevant radionuclides, has been suggested as a means to deliver light to deeper tissues noninvasively in order to overcome this depth limitation. We report on the use of Cerenkov luminescence generated from Yttrium-90 as a means to active the photodynamic therapy process in monolayer tumor cell cultures. The current study investigates the utility of Cerenkov luminescence for activating both the clinically relevant aminolevulinic acid at 1.0 mM and also the more efficient photosensitizer TPPS2a at 1.2 µM. Cells were incubated with aminolevulinic acid for 6 hours prior to radionuclide addition, as well as additional daily treatments for three days. TPPS2a was delivered as a single treatment with an 18 hour incubation time before radionuclide addition. Experiments were completed for both C6 glioma cells and MDA-MB-231 breast tumor cells. Although aminolevulinic acid proved ineffective for generating a therapeutic effect at any activity for either cell line, TPPS2a produced at least a 20% therapeutic effect at activities ranging from 6 to 60 µCi/well for the C6 cell line. Current results demonstrate that it may be possible to generate a therapeutic effect in vivo using Cerenkov luminescence to activate the photodynamic therapy process with clinically relevant photosensitizers.

TH-CD-BRA-12: Impact of a Magnetic Field On the Response From a Plastic Scintillation Detector

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Therriault-Proulx, F; Wen, Z; Ibbott, G

Purpose: To study the effect of a strong magnetic field on the scintillation and the stem effect from a plastic scintillation detector (PSD) and evaluate its accuracy to measure dose. Methods: A plastic scintillation detector and a bare plastic fiber were placed inside a magnet of adjustable field strength (B=0−1.5T) and irradiated by a 6-MV photon beam (Elekta Versa HD LINAC). The PSD was built in-house using a scintillating fiber (BCF-60, 3-mm long × 1-mm diameter) coupled to an optical fiber similar to the bare fiber (PMMA, 12-m long, 1-mm diameter). Light output spectra were acquired with a spectrometer. Intensitymore » and shape of the output spectra were compared as a function of the magnetic field strength. The bare fiber was used to study the behavior of the stem effect (composed of Cerenkov and fluorescence). The spectrometry setup allowed to perform a previously demonstrated hyperspectral stem-effect removal and calculated dose was studied as a function of the magnetic field strength. Results: Signal intensities were shown to increase with the magnetic field strength by up to 19% and 79% at 1.5T in comparison to the irradiation without a magnetic field, for respectively the PSD and the bare fiber. The light produced by Cerenkov effect in the optical fiber was shown to be the major component affected by the magnetic field. Effect of the magnetic field on the electrons trajectory may explain this behavior. Finally, accounting for the stem effect using the hyperspectral approach led to accuracy in dose measurement within 2.6%. Interestingly, variations in accuracy were negligible for values over 0.3T. Conclusion: Dependence of PSDs to magnetic field is mainly due to the Cerenkov light. When accounting for it, PSDs become a candidate of choice for both quality assurance and in vivo dosimetry of therapy under strong magnetic fields (e.g. for MRI-Linacs).« less

In Vivo 18-FDG/18-Choline-Mediated Cerenkov Radiation Energy Transfer (CRET) Multiplexed Optical Imaging for Human Prostate Carcinoma Detection and Staging

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-10-01

Transfer ( CRET ) Multiplexed Optical Imaging for Human Prostate Carcinoma Detection and Staging PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Susan L. Deutscher...SUBTITLE 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER In Vivo 18-FDG/18-Choline-Mediated Cerenkov Radiation Energy Transfer ( CRET ) Multiplexed Optical Imaging for Human...internal illumination via 18F-fluorocholine Cerenkov radiation energy transfer ( CRET ) coupled with TF- and ErbB2/3- molecularly targeted near-infrared

Cerenkov Maser and Cerenkov Laser Devices.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-12-01

The principle goal of the work was the development of high power Cerenkov sources in the lower mm wavelength range. It was demonstrated that a...it is • Subject catecory name: approximately one kw. At the present-time the-beam i-s High Power icr ave collected on a mirror set at a 450 angle to...differences in the boundary-scat- This process shows potential as a tunable source of fared phonon conductivity are predicted along the prim- highs power

Radiation detection system

DOEpatents

Nelson, Melvin A.; Davies, Terence J.; Morton, III, John R.

1976-01-01

A radiation detection system which utilizes the generation of Cerenkov light in and the transmission of that light longitudinally through fiber optic wave guides in order to transmit intelligence relating to the radiation to a remote location. The wave guides are aligned with respect to charged particle radiation so that the Cerenkov light, which is generated at an angle to the radiation, is accepted by the fiber for transmission therethrough. The Cerenkov radiation is detected, recorded, and analyzed at the other end of the fiber.

Results from the CACTI experiment: Air-Cerenkov and particle measurements of PeV air showers at Los Alamos

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Paling, S.; Hillas, A.M.; Berley, D.

1997-07-01

An array of six wide angle Cerenkov detectors was constructed amongst the scintillator and muon detectors of the CYGNUS II array at Los Alamos National Laboratory to investigate cosmic ray composition in the PeV region through measurements of the shape of Cerenkov lateral distributions. Data were collected during clear, moonless nights over three observing periods in 1995. Estimates of depths of shower maxima determined from the recorded Cerenkov lateral distributions align well with existing results at higher energies and suggest a mixed to heavy composition in the PeV region with no significant variation observed around the knee. The accuracy ofmore » composition determination is limited by uncertainties in the expected levels of depth of maximum predicted using different Monte-Carlo shower simulation models.« less

In vivo nanoparticle-mediated radiopharmaceutical-excited fluorescence molecular imaging

PubMed Central

Hu, Zhenhua; Qu, Yawei; Wang, Kun; Zhang, Xiaojun; Zha, Jiali; Song, Tianming; Bao, Chengpeng; Liu, Haixiao; Wang, Zhongliang; Wang, Jing; Liu, Zhongyu; Liu, Haifeng; Tian, Jie

2015-01-01

Cerenkov luminescence imaging utilizes visible photons emitted from radiopharmaceuticals to achieve in vivo optical molecular-derived signals. Since Cerenkov radiation is weak, non-optimum for tissue penetration and continuous regardless of biological interactions, it is challenging to detect this signal with a diagnostic dose. Therefore, it is challenging to achieve useful activated optical imaging for the acquisition of direct molecular information. Here we introduce a novel imaging strategy, which converts γ and Cerenkov radiation from radioisotopes into fluorescence through europium oxide nanoparticles. After a series of imaging studies, we demonstrate that this approach provides strong optical signals with high signal-to-background ratios, an ideal tissue penetration spectrum and activatable imaging ability. In comparison with present imaging techniques, it detects tumour lesions with low radioactive tracer uptake or small tumour lesions more effectively. We believe it will facilitate the development of nuclear and optical molecular imaging for new, highly sensitive imaging applications. PMID:26123615

Constraints on Lorentz violation from gravitational Cerenkov radiation

DOE PAGES

Kostelecký, V. Alan; Tasson, Jay D.

2015-08-31

Limits on gravitational Cerenkov radiation by cosmic rays are obtained and used to constrain coefficients for Lorentz violation in the gravity sector associated with operators of even mass dimensions, including orientation-dependent effects. We use existing data from cosmic-ray telescopes to obtain conservative two-sided constraints on 80 distinct Lorentz-violating operators of dimensions four, six, and eight, along with conservative one-sided constraints on three others. Existing limits on the nine minimal operators at dimension four are improved by factors of up to a billion, while 74 of our explicit limits represent stringent first constraints on nonminimal operators. As a result, prospects aremore » discussed for future analyses incorporating effects of Lorentz violation in the matter sector, the role of gravitational Cerenkov radiation by high-energy photons, data from gravitational-wave observatories, the tired-light effect, and electromagnetic Cerenkov radiation by gravitons.« less

Nanoparticles as multimodal photon transducers of ionizing radiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pratt, Edwin C.; Shaffer, Travis M.; Zhang, Qize; Drain, Charles Michael; Grimm, Jan

2018-05-01

In biomedical imaging, nanoparticles combined with radionuclides that generate Cerenkov luminescence are used in diagnostic imaging, photon-induced therapies and as activatable probes. In these applications, the nanoparticle is often viewed as a carrier inert to ionizing radiation from the radionuclide. However, certain phenomena such as enhanced nanoparticle luminescence and generation of reactive oxygen species cannot be completely explained by Cerenkov luminescence interactions with nanoparticles. Herein, we report methods to examine the mechanisms of nanoparticle excitation by radionuclides, including interactions with Cerenkov luminescence, β particles and γ radiation. We demonstrate that β-scintillation contributes appreciably to excitation and reactivity in certain nanoparticle systems, and that excitation by radionuclides of nanoparticles composed of large atomic number atoms generates X-rays, enabling multiplexed imaging through single photon emission computed tomography. These findings demonstrate practical optical imaging and therapy using radionuclides with emission energies below the Cerenkov threshold, thereby expanding the list of applicable radionuclides.

Endoscopic Cerenkov luminescence imaging: in vivo small animal tumor model validation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Tianming; Bao, Chengpeng; Hu, Zhenhua; Wang, Kun; Liu, Xia; Tian, Jie

2015-03-01

Background: Cerenkov luminescence imaging (CLI) provides a great potential for clinical translation of optical molecular imaging techniques through using clinical approved radiotracers. However, it is difficult to obtain the Cerenkov luminescence signal of deeper biological tissues due to the small magnitude of the signal. To efficiently acquire the weak Cerenkov luminescence, we developed an endoscopic Cerenkov luminescence imaging (ECLI) system to reduce the in vivo imaging depth with minimum invasion, and validated the system on small animal tumor models. Methods: For the ECLI system, the laparoscope was connected to a high sensitive charge-couple device (CCD) camera (DU888+, Andor, UK) by a custom made adapter. We conducted a series of in vitro and in vivo experiments by use of the system. In the in vitro experiment, the endoscopic luminescence images of the 18F-FDG with various activities in EP tubes were acquired using ECLI system, and the sensitivity was compared with conventional CLI system. In the in vivo tumor experiment, 18F-FDG with the activity of 200μCi were intravenously injected into 3 tumor mice. Then the ECLI system was used to acquire the optical images for both non-invasive and invasive conditions. Conclusion: Experimental data showed the ECLI system could detect the 18F-FDG with the activity as low as 1μCi. Furthermore, our preliminary results indicated the possibility of ECLI technique for detecting Cerenkov signals inside the tumor tissue with deeper depth and guiding the surgical operation of tumor excision. We believe that this technique can help to accelerate the clinical translation of CLI.

TH-C-17A-02: New Radioluminescence Strategies Based On CRET (Cerenkov Radiation Energy Transfer) for Imaging and Therapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Volotskova, O; Sun, C; Pratx, G

2014-06-15

Purpose: Cerenkov photons are produced when charged particles, emitted from radionuclides, travel through a media with a speed greater than that of the light in the media. Cerenkov radiation is mostly in the UV/Blue region and, thus, readily absorbed by biological tissue. Cerenkov Radiation Energy Transfer (CRET) is a wavelength-shifting phenomenon from blue Cerenkov light to more penetrating red wavelengths. We demonstrate the feasibility of in-depth imaging of CRET light originating from radionuclides realized by down conversion of gold nanoclusters (AuNCs, a novel particle composed of few atoms of gold coated with serum proteins) in vivo. Methods: Bovine Serum Albumin,more » Human Serum Albumin and Transferrin conjugated gold nanoclusters were synthesized, characterized and examined for CRET. Three different clinically used radiotracers: 18F-FDG, 90Y and 99mTc were used. Optical spectrum (440–750 nm) was recorded by sensitive bioluminescence imaging system at physiological temperature. Dose dependence (activity range from 0.5 up to 800uCi) and concentration dependence (0.01 to 1uM) studies were carried out. The compound was also imaged in a xenograft mouse model. Results: Only β+ and β--emitting radionuclides (18F-FDG, 90Y) are capable of CRET; no signal was found in 99mTc (γ-emitter). The emission peak of CRET by AuNCs was found to be ∼700 nm and was ∼3 fold times of background. In vitro studies showed a linear dependency between luminescence intensity and dose and concentration. CRET by gold nanoclusters was observed in xenografted mice injected with 100uCi of 18F-FDG. Conclusion: The unique optical, transport and chemical properties of AuNCs (gold nanoclusters) make them ideal candidates for in-vivo imaging applications. Development of new molecular imaging probes will allow us to achieve substantially improved spatiotemporal resolution, sensitivity and specificity for tumor imaging and detection.« less

SU-F-J-50: Study On the Magnetic Field Effect On the Exradin W1 Plastic Scintillation Detector

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wen, Z; Therriault-Proulx, F; Owens, C

2016-06-15

Purpose: To study the response of the Exradin W1 plastic scintillator detector to a 6 MV photon field in the presence of a strong magnetic field (B). Methods: An Exradin W1 scintillator detector coupled to a SuperMax two-channel electrometer, both manufactured by Standard Imaging, Inc., was first calibrated in a Co-60 beam. The Cerenkov Light Ratio (CLR) was obtained following the procedure recommended by the manufacturer. Subtracting signal in channel 2 multiplied by CLR from the signal in channel 1 should lead to a Cerenkov-free signal. The W1 scintillator was placed in a plastic phantom inside a dipole electromagnet (GMWmore » Associates) that could produce a strong B field, and irradiated using a 6 MV beam from an Elekta Versa HD LINAC. Signals from both channels of the W1 scintillator were acquired as a function of B (0 - 1.5 T). Results: The signals from both channels increased as a function of the B field strength. At 1.5 T, channel 1 increased by 11% compared to the baseline (B=0 T), while channel 2 increased by 22%. Applying the recommended Cerenkov correction led to a 2% difference between dose measurement with and without a magnetic field. The values between B=0.3 T and B=1.5 T remained constant. Conclusion: Signals from the Exradin W1 plastic scintillation detector increased as the B field increased. This increase mainly comes from a change in the amount of Cerenkov light coupled within the optical fiber. Removing the Cerenkov component following the procedure recommended by the manufacturer showed to be an effective way to measure dose accurately in strong magnetic fields. The cause for the residual 2% difference is currently under investigation. We acknowledge research support from Elekta AB.« less

Cerenkov radiation-induced phototherapy for depth-independent cancer treatment (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akers, Walter J.; Achilefu, Samuel; Kotagiri, Nalinikanth

2017-02-01

Light emitted as the result of high-energy particle transport through biological tissues (Cerenkov radiation) can be exploited for noninvasive diagnostic imaging using high sensitivity scientific cameras. We have investigated the energy transfer potential of Cerenkov radiation, discovering a new phototherapeutic technique for treatment of localized and disseminated cancers. This technique, Cerenkov radiation-induced phototherapy (CRIT), like photodynamic therapy, requires the presence of both light and photosensitive agent together to induce cytotoxicity and effective cancer treatment. But unlike conventional phototherapy strategies in which tissue ablation or activation of photoactive molecules is limited to superficial structures, radiation-induced phototherapy enables phototherapy delivery to the tumor sites throughout the body. Titanium oxide nanoparticles, which produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species upon irradiation with UV light, were targeted to tumor tissue by surface decoration with transferrin. Subsequent administration of tumor-avid radiotracer, 18-fluorodeoxyglucose (18FDG) provided localized UV light source via Cerenkov radiation. Treatment of tumor-bearing mice with the combination of Titanium nanoparticles and 18FDG resulted in effective reduction in tumor growth, while individual agents were not therapeutic. This new strategy in cancer therapy extends the reach of phototherapy beyond what was previously possible, with potential for treatment of cancer metastases and rescue from treatment resistance.

Cerenkov Radiation Energy Transfer (CRET) Imaging: A Novel Method for Optical Imaging of PET Isotopes in Biological Systems

PubMed Central

Dothager, Robin S.; Goiffon, Reece J.; Jackson, Erin; Harpstrite, Scott; Piwnica-Worms, David

2010-01-01

Background Positron emission tomography (PET) allows sensitive, non-invasive analysis of the distribution of radiopharmaceutical tracers labeled with positron (β+)-emitting radionuclides in small animals and humans. Upon β+ decay, the initial velocity of high-energy β+ particles can momentarily exceed the speed of light in tissue, producing Cerenkov radiation that is detectable by optical imaging, but is highly absorbed in living organisms. Principal Findings To improve optical imaging of Cerenkov radiation in biological systems, we demonstrate that Cerenkov radiation from decay of the PET isotopes 64Cu and 18F can be spectrally coupled by energy transfer to high Stokes-shift quantum nanoparticles (Qtracker705) to produce highly red-shifted photonic emissions. Efficient energy transfer was not detected with 99mTc, a predominantly γ-emitting isotope. Similar to bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), herein we define the Cerenkov radiation energy transfer (CRET) ratio as the normalized quotient of light detected within a spectral window centered on the fluorophore emission divided by light detected within a spectral window of the Cerenkov radiation emission to quantify imaging signals. Optical images of solutions containing Qtracker705 nanoparticles and [18F]FDG showed CRET ratios in vitro as high as 8.8±1.1, while images of mice with subcutaneous pseudotumors impregnated with Qtracker705 following intravenous injection of [18F]FDG showed CRET ratios in vivo as high as 3.5±0.3. Conclusions Quantitative CRET imaging may afford a variety of novel optical imaging applications and activation strategies for PET radiopharmaceuticals and other isotopes in biomaterials, tissues and live animals. PMID:20949021

Cerenkov radiation energy transfer (CRET) imaging: a novel method for optical imaging of PET isotopes in biological systems.

PubMed

Dothager, Robin S; Goiffon, Reece J; Jackson, Erin; Harpstrite, Scott; Piwnica-Worms, David

2010-10-11

Positron emission tomography (PET) allows sensitive, non-invasive analysis of the distribution of radiopharmaceutical tracers labeled with positron (β(+))-emitting radionuclides in small animals and humans. Upon β(+) decay, the initial velocity of high-energy β(+) particles can momentarily exceed the speed of light in tissue, producing Cerenkov radiation that is detectable by optical imaging, but is highly absorbed in living organisms. To improve optical imaging of Cerenkov radiation in biological systems, we demonstrate that Cerenkov radiation from decay of the PET isotopes (64)Cu and (18)F can be spectrally coupled by energy transfer to high Stokes-shift quantum nanoparticles (Qtracker705) to produce highly red-shifted photonic emissions. Efficient energy transfer was not detected with (99m)Tc, a predominantly γ-emitting isotope. Similar to bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), herein we define the Cerenkov radiation energy transfer (CRET) ratio as the normalized quotient of light detected within a spectral window centered on the fluorophore emission divided by light detected within a spectral window of the Cerenkov radiation emission to quantify imaging signals. Optical images of solutions containing Qtracker705 nanoparticles and [(18)F]FDG showed CRET ratios in vitro as high as 8.8±1.1, while images of mice with subcutaneous pseudotumors impregnated with Qtracker705 following intravenous injection of [(18)F]FDG showed CRET ratios in vivo as high as 3.5±0.3. Quantitative CRET imaging may afford a variety of novel optical imaging applications and activation strategies for PET radiopharmaceuticals and other isotopes in biomaterials, tissues and live animals.

Development of a wavelength-separated type scintillator with optical fiber (SOF) dosimeter to compensate for the Cerenkov radiation effect

PubMed Central

Ishikawa, Masayori; Nagase, Naomi; Matsuura, Taeko; Hiratsuka, Junichi; Suzuki, Ryusuke; Miyamoto, Naoki; Sutherland, Kenneth Lee; Fujita, Katsuhisa; Shirato, Hiroki

2015-01-01

Abstract The scintillator with optical fiber (SOF) dosimeter consists of a miniature scintillator mounted on the tip of an optical fiber. The scintillator of the current SOF dosimeter is a 1-mm diameter hemisphere. For a scintillation dosimeter coupled with an optical fiber, measurement accuracy is influenced by signals due to Cerenkov radiation in the optical fiber. We have implemented a spectral filtering technique for compensating for the Cerenkov radiation effect specifically for our plastic scintillator-based dosimeter, using a wavelength-separated counting method. A dichroic mirror was used for separating input light signals. Individual signal counting was performed for high- and low-wavelength light signals. To confirm the accuracy, measurements with various amounts of Cerenkov radiation were performed by changing the incident direction while keeping the Ir-192 source-to-dosimeter distance constant, resulting in a fluctuation of <5%. Optical fiber bending was also addressed; no bending effect was observed for our wavelength-separated SOF dosimeter. PMID:25618136

Surface-coupling of Cerenkov radiation from a modified metallic metamaterial slab via Brillouin-band folding.

PubMed

Bera, Anirban; Barik, Ranjan Kumar; Sattorov, Matlabjon; Kwon, Ohjoon; Min, Sun-Hong; Baek, In-Keun; Kim, Seontae; So, Jin-Kyu; Park, Gun-Sik

2014-02-10

Metallic metamaterials with positive dielectric responses are promising as an alternative to dielectrics for the generation of Cerenkov radiation [J.-K. So et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 97(15), 151107 (2010)]. We propose here by theoretical analysis a mechanism to couple out Cerenkov radiation from the slab surfaces in the transverse direction. The proposed method based on Brillouin-zone folding is to periodically modify the thickness of the metamaterial slab in the axial direction. Moreover, the intensity of the surface-coupled radiation by this mechanism shows an order-of-magnitude enhancement compared to that of ordinary Smith-Purcell radiation.

Cerenkov Radiator Driven by a Superconducting RF Electron Gun

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Poole, B R; Harris, J R

2011-03-07

The Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), Niowave, Inc., and Boeing have recently demonstrated operation of the first superconducting RF electron gun based on a quarter wave resonator structure. In preliminary tests, this gun has produced 10 ps long bunches with charge in excess of 78 pC, and with beam energy up to 396 keV. Initial testing occurred at Niowave's Lansing, MI facility, but the gun and diagnostic beam line are planned for installation in California in the near future. The design of the diagnostic beam line is conducive to the addition of a Cerenkov radiator without interfering with other beam linemore » operations. Design and simulations of a Cerenkov radiator, consisting of a dielectric lined waveguide will be presented. The dispersion relation for the structure is determined and the beam interaction is studied using numerical simulations. The characteristics of the microwave radiation produced in both the short and long bunch regimes will be presented.« less

Activating Photodynamic Therapy in vitro with Cerenkov Radiation Generated from Yttrium-90

PubMed Central

Hartl, Brad A.; Hirschberg, Henry; Marcu, Laura; Cherry, Simon R.

2017-01-01

The translation of photodynamic therapy (PDT) to the clinical setting has primarily been limited to easily accessible and/or superficial diseases, for which traditional light delivery can be performed noninvasively. Cerenkov radiation, as generated from medically relevant radionuclides, has been suggested as a means to deliver light to deeper tissues noninvasively to overcome this depth limitation. This article investigates the utility of Cerenkov radiation, as generated from the radionuclide yttrium-90, for activating the PDT process using clinically approved aminolevulinic acid at 1.0 mm and also the more efficient porphyrin-based photosensitizer mesotetraphenylporphine with two sulfonate groups on adjacent phenyl rings (TPPS2a) at 1.2 μM. Experiments were conducted with monolayer cultured glioma and breast tumor cell lines. Although aminolevulinic acid proved to be ineffective for generating a therapeutic effect at all but the highest activity levels, TPPS2a produced at least a 20% therapeutic effect at activities ranging from 6 to 60 μCi/well for the C6 glioma cell line. Importantly, these results demonstrate for the first time, to our knowledge, that Cerenkov radiation generated from a radionuclide can be used to activate PDT using clinically relevant photosensitizers. These results therefore provide evidence that it may be possible to generate a phototherapeutic effect in vivo using Cerenkov radiation and clinically relevant photosensitizers. PMID:27481495

Comparison of the energy response of an ionization spectrometer for pions and protons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, W. V.; Verma, S. D.

1971-01-01

An ionization spectrometer consisting of a sandwich of iron absorbers and plastic scintillation counters was used to measure the energy of pions and protons in the interval 10 to 1000 GeV. For the limited energy interval of 10 to 40 GeV, pions and protons were identified by an air cerenkov counter. Interactions in carbon were studied in a multiplate cloud chamber placed between the cerenkov counter and the spectrometer. Knowledge of these interactions were used in conjunction with a Monte Carlo simulation of the cascade process to study differences in the response of the spectrometer to pions and protons.

Role of Cerenkov radiation in the eye-flashes observed by Apollo astronauts.

PubMed

McNulty, P J; Pease, V P; Bond, V P

1976-01-01

Visual phenomena in the form of colorless flashes of light were observed by astronauts in deep space when their eyes were closed and adapted to darkness. We describe in this paper laboratory experiments and calculations which indicate that many of these flashes are the result of visible light generated within the astronauts' eyeball in the form of Cerenkov radiation when a relativistic HZE particle traverses it. The sensitivity to Cerenkov radiation measured for three subjects exposed to pulses of pions and muons and the visual phenomena observed were found to be consistent with the reports of flashes observed at rates as high as 2 per minute on Apollo missions 11 through 17.

Flying high-altitude balloon-borne telescopes 50 years ago

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fazio, Giovanni G.

Based on theoretical predictions of cosmic gamma-ray fluxes by P. Morrison (1958) and M. Savedoff (1959), we started, at the University of Rochester, a program in high-energy gammaray astronomy to search for these sources using high-altitude balloon-borne telescopes. The first flight occurred in 1959 from Sioux Falls, SD, using scintillator/Cerenkov detectors. In 1962 I initiated a gamma-ray astronomy program at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) using vidicon spark chambers. Later Henry Helmken (SAO) developed a program in low-energy gamma-ray astronomy based on a gas Cerenkov detector. During the 1960's more flights followed from San Angelo, TX; Holloman AFB, NM; Hyderabad, India, and finally, Palestine, TX. All of these flights just produced upper limits to the cosmic gamma-ray flux. We also entered a collaboration with the Cornell Group (K. Greisen) to fly a large gas-Cerenkov telescope to search for ˜ 100 MeV gamma-rays. In the early 1970's, using this telescope, gammarays from the Crab Nebula pulsar were detected (McBreen et al. 1973). It soon became evident that gamma-ray astronomy, to be successful, had to be performed from space telescopes. In 1970, somewhat frustrated, I changed fields and started at SAO/Harvard the construction of a 1-meter balloon-borne telescope for far-infrared astronomy. This was a collaborative program with the University of Arizona (F. Low). This program was extremely successful, resulting in 19 flights over 20 years, and produced the first far-infrared high-resolution maps of many new galactic regions and detection of solar system sources. Experience gained from these programs later led to the development and flight of space gamma-ray and infrared telescopes and many of the participants were, and some still are, active in numerous space programs.

Development of a wavelength-separated type scintillator with optical fiber (SOF) dosimeter to compensate for the Cerenkov radiation effect.

PubMed

Ishikawa, Masayori; Nagase, Naomi; Matsuura, Taeko; Hiratsuka, Junichi; Suzuki, Ryusuke; Miyamoto, Naoki; Sutherland, Kenneth Lee; Fujita, Katsuhisa; Shirato, Hiroki

2015-03-01

The scintillator with optical fiber (SOF) dosimeter consists of a miniature scintillator mounted on the tip of an optical fiber. The scintillator of the current SOF dosimeter is a 1-mm diameter hemisphere. For a scintillation dosimeter coupled with an optical fiber, measurement accuracy is influenced by signals due to Cerenkov radiation in the optical fiber. We have implemented a spectral filtering technique for compensating for the Cerenkov radiation effect specifically for our plastic scintillator-based dosimeter, using a wavelength-separated counting method. A dichroic mirror was used for separating input light signals. Individual signal counting was performed for high- and low-wavelength light signals. To confirm the accuracy, measurements with various amounts of Cerenkov radiation were performed by changing the incident direction while keeping the Ir-192 source-to-dosimeter distance constant, resulting in a fluctuation of <5%. Optical fiber bending was also addressed; no bending effect was observed for our wavelength-separated SOF dosimeter. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Japan Radiation Research Society and Japanese Society for Radiation Oncology.

High resolution Cerenkov and range detectors for balloon-borne cosmic-ray experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ahlen, S. P.; Cartwright, B. G.; Tarle, G.

1975-01-01

A combination of an active Cerenkov detector and passive range detectors is proposed for the high resolution measurement of isotopic composition in the neighborhood of iron in the galactic cosmic rays. A large area (4,300 sq cm) Cerenkov counter and passive range detectors were tested. Tests with heavy ions (2.1 GeV/amu C-12, 289 MeV/amu Ar-40, and 594 MeV/amu Ne-20) revealed the spatial uniformity of response of the Cerenkov counter to be better than 1% peak-to-peak. Light collection efficiency is independent of projectile energy and incidence angle to within at least 0.5%. Passive Lexan track recorders to measure range in the presence of the nuclear interaction background which results from stopping particles through 0.9 interaction lengths of matter were also tested. It was found that nuclear interactions produce an effective range straggling distribution only approximately 75% wider than that expected from range straggling alone. The combination of these tested techniques makes possible high mass resolution in the neighborhood of iron.

Does the Iron K and Alpha: Line of Active Galactic Nuclei Arise from the Cerenkov Line-like Radiation?

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

You, J. H.; Liu, D. B.; Chen, W. P.; Chen, L.; Zhang, S. N.

2003-01-01

When thermal relativistic electrons with isotropic distribution of velocities move in a gas region or impinge upon the surface of a cloud that consists of a dense gas or doped dusts, the Cerenkov effect produces peculiar atomic or ionic emission lines, which is known as the Cerenkov line - like radiation. This newly recognized emission mechanism may find wide applications in high-energy astrophysics. In this paper we tentatively adopt this new line emission mechanism to discuss the origin of the iron Kα feature of active galactic nuclei (AGNs). The motivation of this research is to attempt a solution to a problem encountered by the "disk fluorescence line" model, i.e. , the lack of temporal response of the observed iron Kα line flux to the changes of the X-ray continuum flux. If the Cerenkov line emission is indeed responsible significant ly for the iron Kα feature, the conventional scenario around the central supermassive black holes of AGNs would need to be modified to accomodate more energetic, more violent, and much denser environments than previously thought.

The DosiMap, a new 2D scintillating dosimeter for IMRT quality assurance: characterization of two Cerenkov discrimination methods.

PubMed

Frelin, A M; Fontbonne, J M; Ban, G; Colin, J; Labalme, M; Batalla, A; Vela, A; Boher, P; Braud, M; Leroux, T

2008-05-01

New radiation therapy techniques such as IMRT present significant efficiency due to their highly conformal dose distributions. A consequence of the complexity of their dose distributions (high gradients, small irradiation fields, low dose distribution, ...) is the requirement for better precision quality assurance than in classical radiotherapy in order to compare the conformation of the delivered dose with the planned dose distribution and to guarantee the quality of the treatment. Currently this control is mostly performed by matrices of ionization chambers, diode detectors, dosimetric films, portal imaging, or dosimetric gels. Another approach is scintillation dosimetry, which has been developed in the last 15 years mainly through scintillating fiber devices. Despite having many advantages over other methods it is still at an experimental level for routine dosimetry because the Cerenkov radiation produced under irradiation represents an important stem effect. A new 2D water equivalent scintillating dosimeter, the DosiMap, and two different Cerenkov discrimination methods were developed with the collaboration of the Laboratoire de Physique Corpusculaire of Caen, the Comprehensive Cancer Center François Baclesse, and the ELDIM Co., in the frame of the MAESTRO European project. The DosiMap consists of a plastic scintillating sheet placed inside a transparent polystyrene phantom. The light distribution produced under irradiation is recorded by a CCD camera. Our first Cerenkov discrimination technique is subtractive. It uses a chessboard pattern placed in front of the scintillator, which provides a background signal containing only Cerenkov light. Our second discrimination technique is colorimetric. It performs a spectral analysis of the light signal, which allows the unfolding of the Cerenkov radiation and the scintillation. Tests were carried out with our DosiMap prototype and the performances of the two discrimination methods were assessed. The comparison of the dose measurements performed with the DosiMap and with dosimetric films for three different irradiation configurations showed discrepancies smaller than 3.5% for a 2 mm spatial resolution. Two innovative discrimination solutions were demonstrated to separate the scintillation from the Cerenkov radiation. It was also shown that the DosiMap, which is water equivalent, fast, and user friendly, is a very promising tool for radiotherapy quality assurance.

Its Cerenkov Radiation

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-12-01

Report 2b Declassification Downgrading Schedule Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. 4 Performing Organization Report Number(s) 5...Monitoring Organization Report Number(s) 6a Name of Performing Organization 6b Office Symbol 7a Name of Monitoring Organization Naval Postraduate School (if... Prodcution Ratio. DS vs. MIT........................ 29 Figure 15. Cerenkov Weights at Detector ........... I.................... 30 Figure 16. Ratio at

Cerenkov luminescence endoscopy: Improved molecular sensitivity with β --emitting radiotracers

DOE PAGES

Carpenter, Colin M.; Ma, Xiaowei; Liu, Hongguang; ...

2014-10-09

Cerenkov luminescence endoscopy (CLE) is an optical technique that captures the Cerenkov photons emitted from highly energetic moving charged particles (β + or β $-$) and can be used to monitor the distribution of many clinically available radioactive probes. A main limitation of CLE is its limited sensitivity to small concentrations of radiotracer, especially when used with a light guide. We investigated the improvement in the sensitivity of CLE brought about by using a β $-$ radiotracer that improved Cerenkov signal due to both higher β-particle energy and lower γ noise in the imaging optics because of the lack ofmore » positron annihilation. Here, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 90Y was compared with that of 18F in both phantoms and small-animal tumor models. Sensitivity and noise characteristics were demonstrated using vials of activity both at the surface and beneath 1 cm of tissue. Rodent U87MG glioma xenograft models were imaged with radiotracers bound to arginine-glycine-aspartate (RGD) peptides to determine the SNR. As a result, γ noise from 18F was demonstrated by both an observed blurring across the field of view and a more pronounced fall-off with distance. A decreased γ background and increased energy of the β particles resulted in a 207-fold improvement in the sensitivity of 90Y compared with 18F in phantoms. 90Y-bound RGD peptide produced a higher tumor-to-background SNR than 18F in a mouse model. In conclusion, the use of 90Y for Cerenkov endoscopic imaging enabled superior results compared with an 18F radiotracer.« less

T-cell tracking using Cerenkov and Radioluminescence imaging.

PubMed

Boschi, F; De Sanctis, F; Ugel, S; Spinelli, A E

2018-05-16

Cancer immunotherapy is a promising strategy based on the ability of the immune system to kill selected cells. In the development of an effective T-cell therapy the non-invasive cell tracking methods play a crucial role. Here we investigate the potentialities of T-cell marked with radionuclides in order to detect their localization with imaging techniques in small animal rodents. A protocol to label T-cells with 32 P-ATP was tested and evaluated. The homing of 32 P-ATP labeled T lymphocytes was investigated by Cerenkov luminescence imaging and radioluminescence imaging The first approach relies on the acquisition of Cerenkov photons produced by the beta particles emitted by the 32 P internalized by lymphocytes; the second one on the detection of photons coming from the conversion of radioactive energy in light done by scintillator crystals layered on the animals. The results show that T-cell biodistribution can be optically observed by both Cerenkov and radioluminescence imaging in small animal rodents in in-vivo and ex-vivo acquisitions. T-cell localization in the tumor mass was definitively confirmed by flow cytometry. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Gamma-ray astronomy: From Fermi up to the HAWC high-energy {gamma}-ray observatory in Sierra Negra

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Carraminana, Alberto; Collaboration: HAWC Collaboration

Gamma-rays represent the most energetic electromagnetic window for the study of the Universe. They are studied both from space at MeV and GeV energies, with instruments like the Fermi{gamma}-ray Space Telescope, and at TeV energies with ground based instruments profiting of particle cascades in the atmosphere and of the Cerenkov radiation of charged particles in the air or in water. The Milagro gamma-ray observatory represented the first instrument to successfully implement the water Cerenkov technique for {gamma}-ray astronomy, opening the ground for the more sensitive HAWC {gamma}-ray observatory, currently under development in the Sierra Negra site and already providing earlymore » science results.« less

SU-E-T-108: An Investigation of Cerenkov Light Production in the Exradin W1 Scintillator Under Various Measurement Conditions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Simiele, E; Culberson, W

2015-06-15

Purpose: To investigate the effects of depth, fiber-optic cable bends, and incident radiation angle on Cerenkov production in the Standard Imaging Exradin W1. Methods: Measurements were completed using a Varian Clinac 21EX linear accelerator with an Exradin W1 scintillator as well as a cable-only scintillator (no scintillation material) to isolate the Cerenkov signal. The effects of cable bend radius and location were investigated by bending the fiber-optic cable into a circle with radii ranging from 1.0 to 10.8 cm and positioning the center of the coil at distances ranging from 10.0 to 175.0 cm from the photodiode. The effects ofmore » depth and incident radiation angle were investigated by performing measurements in water at depths ranging from 1.0 cm to 25.0 cm and angles ranging from 0° to 80°. Eclipse treatment-planning software was utilized to ensure a consistent dose was delivered to the W1 regardless of depth or angle. Results: Measured signal in both channels of the cable-only scintillator decreased as the bend radius decreased and as the distance between the bend and photodiode increased. A fiber bend of 1.0 cm radius produced a 17.1% decrease in the green channel response in the cable-only scintillator. The effect of depth was less severe; a maximum increase of 6.6% in the green channel response was observed at a depth of 25.0 cm in the W1. In the angular dependence investigation, the signal in both channels of the W1 peaked at an angle of 40°; which is in agreement with the nominal Cerenkov emission angle of 45°. Conclusion: The green channel response in the W1 (mainly Cerenkov signal) varied with depth, fiber-optic cable bends, and incident radiation angle. Fully characterizing Cerenkov production is essential to ensure it is properly accounted for in scintillator measurements. Research funding and materials received by Standard Imaging, Inc. (Middleton WI)« less

Light shift from ultraviolet to near infrared light: Cerenkov luminescence with gold nanocluster - near infrared (AuNc-NIR) conjugates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoo, Su Woong; Mun, Hyoyoung; Oh, Gyungseok; Ryu, Youngjae; Kim, Min-Gon; Chung, Euiheon

2015-03-01

Cerenkov luminescence (CL) is generated when a charged particle moves faster than the speed of light in dielectric media. Recently CL imaging becomes an emerging technique with the use of radioisotopes. However, due to relatively weak blue light production and massive tissue attenuation, CL has not been applied widely. Therefore, we attempted to shift the CL emission to more near infrared (NIR) spectrum for better tissue penetration by using Cerenkov Radiation Energy Transfer (CRET). Gold nanoclusters were conjugated with NIR dye molecules (AuNc-IR820 and AuNc-ICG) to be activated with ultraviolet light. We found optimal conjugate concentrations of AuNc-NIR conjugates by spectroscopy system to generate maximal photon emission. When exposed by ultraviolet light, the emission of NIR light from the conjugates were verified. In quantitative analysis, AuNc-NIR conjugates emit brighter light signal than pure AuNc. This result implies that NIR fluorescent dyes (both IR820 and ICG) can be excited by the emission from AuNc. Following the above baseline experiment, we mixed F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (F-18 FDG) radioisotope to the AuNc- NIR conjugates, to confirm NIR emission induced from Cerenkov radiation. Long pass filter was used to block Cerenkov luminescence and to collect the emission from AuNc-NIR conjugates. Instead of one long exposure imaging with CCD, we used multiple frame scheme to eliminate gamma radiation strike in each frame prior to combination. In summary, we obtained NIR emission light from AuNc-NIR conjugated dyes that is induced from CL. We plan to perform in vivo small animal imaging with these conjugates to assess better tissue penetration.

A method for unique identification of relativistic /greater than 0.5/ magnetic monopoles with a fast film Cerenkov detector

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pinsky, L. S.; Hagstrom, R.

1975-01-01

A magnetic monopole traversing a dielectric medium at a velocity greater than the phase velocity of light in that medium, will give rise to Cerenkov radiation with the electric field tangent to the cone generated by the photon wave propagation vector, and the magnetic field normal to that surface. This is the opposite polarization to that encountered with an electric charge. It is proposed that either by inserting a linearly polarizing layer between the radiator and the photographic emulsion, or by selecting a linearly polarizing material as the radiator, one could directly observe the field polarization by examining the photographic image and thus uniquely identify a magnetic monopole. The ability of the detector is further enhanced by the index of refraction dependence of the Cerenkov output from a magnetic monopole.

Multi-grid finite element method used for enhancing the reconstruction accuracy in Cerenkov luminescence tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Hongbo; He, Xiaowei; Liu, Muhan; Zhang, Zeyu; Hu, Zhenhua; Tian, Jie

2017-03-01

Cerenkov luminescence tomography (CLT), as a promising optical molecular imaging modality, can be applied to cancer diagnostic and therapeutic. Most researches about CLT reconstruction are based on the finite element method (FEM) framework. However, the quality of FEM mesh grid is still a vital factor to restrict the accuracy of the CLT reconstruction result. In this paper, we proposed a multi-grid finite element method framework, which was able to improve the accuracy of reconstruction. Meanwhile, the multilevel scheme adaptive algebraic reconstruction technique (MLS-AART) based on a modified iterative algorithm was applied to improve the reconstruction accuracy. In numerical simulation experiments, the feasibility of our proposed method were evaluated. Results showed that the multi-grid strategy could obtain 3D spatial information of Cerenkov source more accurately compared with the traditional single-grid FEM.

Cerenkov luminescence tomography based on preconditioning orthogonal matching pursuit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Haixiao; Hu, Zhenhua; Wang, Kun; Tian, Jie; Yang, Xin

2015-03-01

Cerenkov luminescence imaging (CLI) is a novel optical imaging method and has been proved to be a potential substitute of the traditional radionuclide imaging such as positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). This imaging method inherits the high sensitivity of nuclear medicine and low cost of optical molecular imaging. To obtain the depth information of the radioactive isotope, Cerenkov luminescence tomography (CLT) is established and the 3D distribution of the isotope is reconstructed. However, because of the strong absorption and scatter, the reconstruction of the CLT sources is always converted to an ill-posed linear system which is hard to be solved. In this work, the sparse nature of the light source was taken into account and the preconditioning orthogonal matching pursuit (POMP) method was established to effectively reduce the ill-posedness and obtain better reconstruction accuracy. To prove the accuracy and speed of this algorithm, a heterogeneous numerical phantom experiment and an in vivo mouse experiment were conducted. Both the simulation result and the mouse experiment showed that our reconstruction method can provide more accurate reconstruction result compared with the traditional Tikhonov regularization method and the ordinary orthogonal matching pursuit (OMP) method. Our reconstruction method will provide technical support for the biological application for Cerenkov luminescence.

UHE Cosmic Ray Observations Using the Cygnus Water - Array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dion, Cynthia L.

1995-01-01

The CYGNUS water-Cerenkov array, consisting of five surface water-Cerenkov detectors, was built in the CYGNUS extensive air shower array at Los Alamos, New Mexico (latitude 36^circ N, longitude 107^circ W, altitude 2310 meters) to search for point sources of ultra-high energy particles (>1014 eV per particle) with the CYGNUS extensive air shower array. The water-Cerenkov detectors are used to improve the angular resolution of the extensive air shower array. This experiment searches for point sources of UHE gamma-radiation that may be of galactic or extra-galactic origin. The data set from December 1991 to January 1994 consists of data from both the water-Cerenkov array and the CYGNUS extensive air shower array. These data are combined, and the angular resolution of this combined data set is measured to be 0.34^circ+0.03 ^circ-0.04^circ. The measurement is made by observing the cosmic-ray shadowing of the Sun and the Moon. Using a subset of these data, three potential sources of UHE emission are studied: the Crab Pulsar, and the active galactic nuclei Markarian 421 and Markarian 501. A search is conducted for continuous emission from these three sources, and emission over shorter time scales. This experiment is particularly sensitive to emission over these shorter time scales. There is no evidence of UHE emission from these three sources over any time scales studied, and upper bounds to the flux of gamma radiation are determined. The flux upper limit for continuous emission from the Crab Pulsar is found to be 1.2times10^ {-13}/rm cm^2/s above 70 TeV. The flux upper limit for continuous emission from Markarian 421 is found to be 1.3times10^ {-13}/rm cm^2/s above 50 TeV. The flux upper limit for continuous emission from Markarian 501 is found to be 3.8times10^ {-13}/rm cm^2/s above 50 TeV.

The TRIGA Reactor Facility at the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute: A Simplified Technical Description.

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-05-01

COUNT Technical FROM_ TO May 1986 20 16. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTATION 17. COSATI CODES 18. SUBJECT TERMS iConitinue on reverse if neceasary and identify by...Reactor, Modes of Operation, The AFRRI Reactor, Exposure Facilities, and Cerenkov Radiation. I- 20 DISTRISUTIONIAVAILABILITY OF ABSTRACT 21. ABSTRACT...6 Exposure Facilities 12 Cerenkov Radiation 17 Acoessiofl For NTIS GRA&I DT.C TABUnamnnounced [] UusnriOfltond -. By IZ Distribution/ Availability

Preliminary experimental investigation of an X-band Cerenkov-type high power microwave oscillator without guiding magnetic field.

PubMed

Guo, Liming; Shu, Ting; Li, Zhiqiang; Ju, Jinchuan; Fang, Xiaoting

2017-02-01

Among high power microwave (HPM) generators without guiding magnetic field, Cerenkov-type oscillator is expected to achieve a relatively high efficiency, which has already been realized in X-band in our previous simulation work. This paper presents the preliminary experimental investigations into an X-band Cerenkov-type HPM oscillator without guiding magnetic field. Based on the previous simulation structure, some modifications regarding diode structure were made. Different cathode structures and materials were tested in the experiments. By using a ring-shaped graphite cathode, microwave of about one hundred megawatt level was generated with a pure center frequency of 9.14 GHz, and an efficiency of about 1.3%. As analyzed in the paper, some practical issues reduce the efficiency in experiments, such as real features of the electron beam, probable breakdown regions on the cathode surface which can damage the diode, and so forth.

Cerenkov emissions of ion acoustic-like waves generated by electron beams emitted during TSS 1R

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, C. Y.; Burke, W. J.; Hardy, D. A.; Gough, M. P.; Olson, D. G.; Gentile, L. C.; Gilchrist, B. E.; Bonifazi, C.; Raitt, W. J.; Thompson, D. C.

During the Tethered Satellite System reflight the Spacecraft Particle Correlation Experiment detected fluxes of energetic electrons and ions that were simultaneously modulated at low frequencies during firings of both the fast pulsed electron gun (FPEG) and the electron generator assembly (EGA). The modulations have been interpreted as signatures of large-amplitude, ion acoustic-like waves excited in Cerenkov interactions between electron beams and ambient plasmas as the shuttle moved at supersonic speeds across the ionospheric magnetic field. We present examples of particle modulations observed during steady beam emissions. Measurements show that (1) most electron modulations were at frequencies of several hundred Hertz and (2) ions modulated at similar frequencies appeared at spectral energy peaks during shuttle negative charging events. Detection of modulated ion fluxes confirms the Cerenkov emission hypothesis. Observed frequency variations indicate that the EGA beam underwent more spatial spreading than the FPEG beam.

Unsupervised analysis of small animal dynamic Cerenkov luminescence imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spinelli, Antonello E.; Boschi, Federico

2011-12-01

Clustering analysis (CA) and principal component analysis (PCA) were applied to dynamic Cerenkov luminescence images (dCLI). In order to investigate the performances of the proposed approaches, two distinct dynamic data sets obtained by injecting mice with 32P-ATP and 18F-FDG were acquired using the IVIS 200 optical imager. The k-means clustering algorithm has been applied to dCLI and was implemented using interactive data language 8.1. We show that cluster analysis allows us to obtain good agreement between the clustered and the corresponding emission regions like the bladder, the liver, and the tumor. We also show a good correspondence between the time activity curves of the different regions obtained by using CA and manual region of interest analysis on dCLIT and PCA images. We conclude that CA provides an automatic unsupervised method for the analysis of preclinical dynamic Cerenkov luminescence image data.

Generation and propagation of electromagnetic waves in the magnetosphere. Ph.D. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Taylor, W. W. L.

1973-01-01

Characteristics of broadband ELF, VLF, and LF emissions in the magnetosphere were calculated assuming incoherent Cerenkov radiation from magnetospheric electrons with energies from 50 eV to 50 keV. Calculations were included to determine the ray paths of the emitted waves. A diffusive equilibrium model of the magnetosphere with an ionosphere, plasmapause, and a centered dipole magnetic field was used. Ray path calculations were done in three dimensions. Using simultaneous energetic electron and VLF data, comparisons were made between calculated and observed VLF hiss. Assuming a wave normal angle six degrees from the resonance cone angle, the calculated spectral densities are both two orders of magnitude below the observed spectral densities. It seems unlikely that VLF hiss is produced by incoherent Cerenkov radiation. The observed spectral shape of V-shaped VLF hiss is similar to that calculated from incoherent Cerenkov radiation.

Quantitative assessment of Cerenkov luminescence for radioguided brain tumor resection surgery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klein, Justin S.; Mitchell, Gregory S.; Cherry, Simon R.

2017-05-01

Cerenkov luminescence imaging (CLI) is a developing imaging modality that detects radiolabeled molecules via visible light emitted during the radioactive decay process. We used a Monte Carlo based computer simulation to quantitatively investigate CLI compared to direct detection of the ionizing radiation itself as an intraoperative imaging tool for assessment of brain tumor margins. Our brain tumor model consisted of a 1 mm spherical tumor remnant embedded up to 5 mm in depth below the surface of normal brain tissue. Tumor to background contrast ranging from 2:1 to 10:1 were considered. We quantified all decay signals (e±, gamma photon, Cerenkov photons) reaching the brain volume surface. CLI proved to be the most sensitive method for detecting the tumor volume in both imaging and non-imaging strategies as assessed by contrast-to-noise ratio and by receiver operating characteristic output of a channelized Hotelling observer.

Noise limitations of multiplier phototubes in the radiation environment of space

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Viehmann, W.; Eubanks, A. G.

1976-01-01

The contributions of Cerenkov emission, luminescence, secondary electron emission, and bremsstrahlung to radiation-induced data current and noise of multiplier phototubes were analyzed quantitatively. Fluorescence and Cerenkov emission in the tube window are the major contributors and can quantitatively account for dark count levels observed in orbit. Radiation-induced noise can be minimized by shielding, tube selection, and mode of operation. Optical decoupling of windows and cathode (side-window tubes) leads to further reduction of radiation-induced dark counts, as does reducing the window thickness and effective cathode area, and selection of window/cathode combinations of low fluorescence efficiency. In trapped radiation-free regions of near-earth orbits and in free space, Cerenkov emission by relativistic particles contributes predominantly to the photoelectron yield per event. Operating multiplier phototubes in the photon (pulse) counting mode will discriminate against these large pulses and substantially reduce the dark count and noise to levels determined by fluorescence.

An experiment to study the nuclear component of primary cosmic rays

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Paul, J. M.; Verma, S. D.

1971-01-01

An apparatus has been designed and is being fabricated to study the charge composition, fluxes, and energy spectra of light nuclei in the energy region from 1 GeV to 100 GeV. The apparatus essentially consists of an array of a large number of particle detectors operated in coincidence and serving as a charged particle telescope. A mosaic silicon semiconductor detector, a plastic scintillation counter and a lucite Cerenkov detector are used to measure the charges of the incident nuclei. Two one-inch thick CsI detectors are used to study low energy particles. An ionization spectrometer is utilized to measure primary energies in the 1 to 100 GeV energy interval. A gas Cerenkov counter is being designed to distinguish between electrons and protons. It is planned to calibrate the apparatus at an accelerator using particles of known energy.

The Philosophy and Feasibility of Dual Readout Calorimetry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hauptman, John

2006-10-27

I will discuss the general physical ideas behind dual-readout calorimetry, their implementation in DREAM (Dual REAdout Module) with exact separation of scintillation and Cerenkov light, implementation with mixed light in DREAM fibers, anticipated implementation in PbWO4 crystals with applications to the 4th Concept detector and to CMS, use in high energy gamma-ray and cosmic ray astrophysics with Cerenkov and N2 fluorescent light, and implementation in the 4th Concept detector for muon identification.

Intra-operative Cerenkov Imaging for Guiding Breast Cancer Surgery and Assessing Tumor Margins

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-03-01

from 10 million to 100 billion, the simulation time followed a linear trend [Fig. 6( a ), r2 = 0.9998]. Each in - cremental one million...field. Cerenkov luminescence was detected up to a depth of 5 mm ( in tissue-mimicking material, given 100 uCi of activity ). We found that one of the ...distributed calculation of the intersection of a set of rays with a triangular mesh is challenging on the GPU. Monte

Optical fiber design and the trapping of Cerenkov radiation.

PubMed

Law, S H; Fleming, S C; Suchowerska, N; McKenzie, D R

2006-12-20

Cerenkov radiation is generated in optical fibers immersed in radiation fields and can interfere with signal transmission. We develop a theory for predicting the intensity of Cerenkov radiation generated within the core of a multimode optical fiber by using a ray optic approach and use it to make predictions of the intensity of radiation transmitted down the fiber in propagating modes. The intensity transmitted down the fiber is found to be dominated by bound rays with a contribution from tunneling rays. It is confirmed that for relativistic particles the intensity of the radiation that is transmitted along the fiber is a function of the angle between the particle beam and the fiber axis. The angle of peak intensity is found to be a function of the fiber refractive index difference as well as the core refractive index, with larger refractive index differences shifting the peak significantly toward lower angles. The angular range of the distribution is also significantly increased in both directions by increasing the fiber refractive index difference. The intensity of the radiation is found to be proportional to the cube of the fiber core radius in addition to its dependence on refractive index difference. As the particle energy is reduced into the nonrelativistic range the entire distribution is shifted toward lower angles. Recommendations on minimizing the quantity of Cerenkov light transmitted in the fiber optic system in a radiation field are given.

Cerenkov luminescence imaging of medical isotopes

PubMed Central

Ruggiero, Alessandro; Holland, Jason P.; Lewis, Jason S.; Grimm, Jan

2011-01-01

The development of novel multimodality imaging agents and techniques represents the current frontier of research in the field of medical imaging science. However, the combination of nuclear tomography with optical techniques has yet to be established. Here, we report the use of the inherent optical emissions from the decay of radiopharmaceuticals for Cerenkov luminescence imaging (CLI) of tumors in vivo and correlate the results with those obtained from concordant immuno-PET studies. Methods In vitro phantom studies were used to validate the visible light emission observed from a range of radionuclides including the positron emitters 18F, 64Cu, 89Zr, and 124I; β-emitter 131I; and α-particle emitter 225Ac for potential use in CLI. The novel radiolabeled monoclonal antibody 89Zr-desferrioxamine B-[DFO-J591 for immuno-PET of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) expression was used to coregister and correlate the CLI signal observed with the immuno-PET images and biodistribution studies. Results Phantom studies confirmed that Cerenkov radiation can be observed from a range of positron-,β-, and α-emitting radionuclides using standard optical imaging devices. The change in light emission intensity versus time was concordant with radionuclide decay and was also found to correlate linearly with both the activity concentration and the measured PET signal (percentage injected dose per gram). In vivo studies conducted in male severe combined immune deficient mice bearing PSMA-positive, subcutaneous LNCaP tumors demonstrated that tumor-specific uptake of 89Zr-DFO-J591 could be visualized by both immuno-PET and CLI. Optical and immuno-PET signal intensities were found to increase over time from 24 to 96 h, and biodistribution studies were found to correlate well with both imaging modalities. Conclusion These studies represent the first, to our knowledge, quantitative assessment of CLI for measuring radiotracer uptake in vivo. Many radionuclides common to both nuclear tomographic imaging and radiotherapy have the potential to be used in CLI. The value of CLI lies in its ability to image radionuclides that do not emit either positrons or γ-rays and are, thus, unsuitable for use with current nuclear imaging modalities. Optical imaging of Cerenkov radiation emission shows excellent promise as a potential new imaging modality for the rapid, high-throughput screening of radiopharmaceuticals PMID:20554722

SU-G-TeP2-15: Feasibility Study of Fiber-Optic Cerenkov Radiation Sensors for in Vivo Measurement: Dosimetric Characterization and Clinical Application in Proton Beams

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lah, J; Son, J; Kim, G

Purpose: To evaluate the possibility of a fiber-optic Cerenkov radiation sensor (FCRS) for in vivo dose verification in proton therapy. Methods: The Cerenkov radiation due to the proton beam was measured using a homemade phantom, consisting of a plastic optical fiber (POF, PGSCD1001-13-E, Toray, Tokyo, Japan) connected to each channel of a multianode photomultiplier tube (MAPMT:H7546, Hamamatsu Photonics, Shizuoka, Japan). Data were acquired using a multi-anode photomultiplier tube with the NI-DAQ system (National Instruments Texas, USA). The real-time monitoring graphic user interface was programmed using Labview. The FCRS was analyzed for its dosimetrics characteristic in proton beam. To determine themore » accuracy of the FCRS in proton dose measurements, we compared the ionization chamber dose measurements using a water phantom. We investigated the feasibility of the FCRS for the measurement of dose distributions near the superficial region for proton plans with a varying separation between the target volume and the surface of 3 patients using a humanoid phantom. Results: The dose-response has good linearity. Dose-rate and energy dependence were found to be within 1%. Depth-dose distributions in non-modulated proton beams obtained with the FCRS was in good agreement with the depth-dose measurements from the ionization chamber. To evaluate the dosimetric accuracy of the FCRS, the difference of isocenter dose between the delivery dose calculated by the treatment planning system and that measured by the FCRS was within 3%. With in vivo dosimetry using the humanoid phantom, the calculated surface doses overestimated measurements by 4%–8% using FCRS. Conclusion: In previous study, our results indicate that the performance of the array-type FCRS was comparable to that of the currently used a multi-layer ion chamber system. In this study, we also believe that the fiber-optic Cerenkov radiation sensor has considerable potential for use with in vivo patient proton dosimetry.« less

Substructures in the temporal distribution of atmospheric Cerenkov light in EAS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bosia, G.; Navarra, G.; Saavedra, O.; Boehm, E.

1980-06-01

Particle density and arrival time distribution of atmospheric Cerenkov light (ACL) was measured simultaneously in individual air showers at Pic du Midi. Substructures were observed in the arrival time distribution of the ACL. The arrival time is related to a position in the shower plane which indicates the existence of density variations, i.e., substructures in the lateral distribution of particles. The frequency of substructures is a few percent, and core distances of up to tens of meters were observed.

Utilizing the power of Cerenkov light with nanotechnology.

PubMed

Shaffer, Travis M; Pratt, Edwin C; Grimm, Jan

2017-02-07

The characteristic blue glow of Cerenkov luminescence (CL) arises from the interaction between a charged particle travelling faster than the phase velocity of light and a dielectric medium, such as water or tissue. As CL emanates from a variety of sources, such as cosmic events, particle accelerators, nuclear reactors and clinical radionuclides, it has been used in applications such as particle detection, dosimetry, and medical imaging and therapy. The combination of CL and nanoparticles for biomedicine has improved diagnosis and therapy, especially in oncological research. Although radioactive decay itself cannot be easily modulated, the associated CL can be through the use of nanoparticles, thus offering new applications in biomedical research. Advances in nanoparticles, metamaterials and photonic crystals have also yielded new behaviours of CL. Here, we review the physics behind Cerenkov luminescence and associated applications in biomedicine. We also show that by combining advances in nanotechnology and materials science with CL, new avenues for basic and applied sciences have opened.

Calculation of the decay rate of tachyonic neutrinos against charged-lepton-pair and neutrino-pair Cerenkov radiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jentschura, Ulrich D.; Nándori, István; Ehrlich, Robert

2017-10-01

We consider in detail the calculation of the decay rate of high-energy superluminal neutrinos against (charged) lepton pair Cerenkov radiation, and neutrino pair Cerenkov radiation, i.e., against the decay channels ν \\to ν {e}+ {e}- and ν \\to ν \\overline{ν } ν . Under the hypothesis of a tachyonic nature of neutrinos, these decay channels put constraints on the lifetime of high-energy neutrinos for terrestrial experiments as well as on cosmic scales. For the oncoming neutrino, we use the Lorentz-covariant tachyonic relation {E}ν =\\sqrt{{p}2-{m}ν 2}, where m ν is the tachyonic mass parameter. We derive both threshold conditions as well as on decay and energy loss rates, using the plane-wave fundamental bispinor solutions of the tachyonic Dirac equation. Various intricacies of rest frame versus lab frame calculations are highlighted. The results are compared to the observations of high-energy IceCube neutrinos of cosmological origin.

Utilizing the power of Cerenkov light with nanotechnology

PubMed Central

Shaffer, Travis M.; Pratt, Edwin C.; Grimm, Jan

2017-01-01

The characteristic blue glow of Cerenkov luminescence (CL) arises from the interaction between a charged particle travelling faster than the phase velocity of light and a dielectric medium, such as water or tissue. As CL emanates from a variety of sources, such as cosmic events, particle accelerators, nuclear reactors and clinical radionuclides, it has been used in applications such as particle detection, dosimetry, and medical imaging and therapy. The combination of CL and nanoparticles for biomedicine has improved diagnosis and therapy, especially in oncological research. Although radioactive decay itself cannot be easily modulated, the associated CL can be through the use of nanoparticles, thus offering new applications in biomedical research. Advances in nanoparticles, metamaterials and photonic crystals have also yielded new behaviours of CL. Here, we review the physics behind Cerenkov luminescence and associated applications in biomedicine. We also show that by combining advances in nanotechnology and materials science with CL, new avenues for basic and applied sciences have opened. PMID:28167827

Utilizing the power of Cerenkov light with nanotechnology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shaffer, Travis M.; Pratt, Edwin C.; Grimm, Jan

2017-02-01

The characteristic blue glow of Cerenkov luminescence (CL) arises from the interaction between a charged particle travelling faster than the phase velocity of light and a dielectric medium, such as water or tissue. As CL emanates from a variety of sources, such as cosmic events, particle accelerators, nuclear reactors and clinical radionuclides, it has been used in applications such as particle detection, dosimetry, and medical imaging and therapy. The combination of CL and nanoparticles for biomedicine has improved diagnosis and therapy, especially in oncological research. Although radioactive decay itself cannot be easily modulated, the associated CL can be through the use of nanoparticles, thus offering new applications in biomedical research. Advances in nanoparticles, metamaterials and photonic crystals have also yielded new behaviours of CL. Here, we review the physics behind Cerenkov luminescence and associated applications in biomedicine. We also show that by combining advances in nanotechnology and materials science with CL, new avenues for basic and applied sciences have opened.

Monte Carlo simulations support non-Cerenkov radioluminescence production in tissue

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ackerman, Nicole L.; Boschi, Federico; Spinelli, Antonello E.

2017-08-01

There is experimental evidence for the production of non-Cerenkov radioluminescence in a variety of materials, including tissue. We constructed a Geant4 Monte Carlo simulation of the radiation from P32 and Tc99m interacting in chicken breast and used experimental imaging data to model a scintillation-like emission. The same radioluminescence spectrum is visible from both isotopes and cannot otherwise be explained through fluorescence or filter miscalibration. We conclude that chicken breast has a near-infrared scintillation-like response with a light yield three orders of magnitude smaller than BGO.

The UCD/FLWO extensive air shower array at Mt. Hopkins Arizona

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gillanders, G. H.; Fegan, D. J.; McKeown, P. K.; Weekes, T. C.

The design and operation of an extensive air shower (EAS) array being installed around the 10-m optical Cerenkov reflector at F.L. Whipple Observatory on Mt. Hopkins for high-energy gamma-ray astronomy are described. The advantages of an EAS array colocated with a Cerenkov facility at a mountain location are reviewed; the arrangement of the 13 1-sq m scintillation detectors in the array is indicated; the signal-processing and data-acquisition procedures are explained; and preliminary calibration data indicating an effective energy threshold of 60 TeV are presented.

On the determination of the depth of EAS development maximum using the lateral distribution of Cerenkov light at distances 150 m from EAS axis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Aliev, N.; Alimov, T.; Kakhkharov, M.; Makhmudov, B. M.; Rakhimova, N.; Tashpulatov, R.; Kalmykov, N. N.; Khristiansen, G. B.; Prosin, V. V.

1985-01-01

The Samarkand extensive air showers (EAS) array was used to measure the mean and individual lateral distribution functions (LDF) of EAS Cerenkov light. The analysis of the individual parameters b showed that the mean depth of EAS maximum and the variance of the depth distribution of maxima of EAS with energies of approx. 2x10 to the 15th power eV can properly be described in terms of Kaidalov-Martirosyan quark-gluon string model (QGSM).

High energy cosmic ray iron spectrum experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arens, J. F.; Balasubrahmanyan, V. K.; Ormes, J. F.; Schmidt, W. K. H.; Simon, M.; Spiegelhauer, H.

1978-01-01

An instrument containing a gas Cerenkov counter and an iron ionization spectrometer was constructed in order to measure the cosmic-ray iron spectrum to 300 GeV/nucleon. Trajectories of particles were determined by entopistic or position-determining scintillator systems. The geometric factors with and without the gas Cerenkov counter were 0.3 and 0.6 sq m-ster, respectively. The instrument was successfully flown in June 1976 without the spectrometer and in October 1976 with the spectrometer from Palestine, Texas. The June flight yielded 14.5 h of data; the October flight, 25 h.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yeh, G.P.; /Fermilab

Studies of requirements and specifications of crystals are necessary to develop a new generation of crystals for dual readout crystal hadron or total absorption calorimeter. This is a short and basic study of the characteristics and hadron energy measurement of PbWO4 and BGO crystals for scintillation and Cerenkov Dual Readout hadron calorimeter.

The Hadron Blind Ring Imaging Cherenkov Detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blatnik, Marie; Zajac, Stephanie; Hemmick, Tom

2013-10-01

Heavy Ion Collisions in the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) at Brookhaven Lab have hinted at the existence of a new form of matter at high gluon density, the Color Glass Condensate. High energy electron scattering off of nuclei, focusing on the low-x components of the nuclear wave function, will definitively measure this state of matter. However, when a nucleus contributes a low x parton, the reaction products are highly focused in the electron-going direction and have large momentum in the lab system. High-momentum particle identification is particularly challenging. A particle is identifiable by its mass, but tracking algorithms only yield a particle's momentum based on its track's curvature. The particle's velocity is needed to identify the particle. A ring-imaging Cerenkov detector is being developed for the forward angle particle identification from the technological advancements of PHENIX's Hadron-Blind Detector (HBD), which uses Gas Electron Multipliers (GEMs) and pixelated pad planes to detect Cerenkov photons. The new HBD will focus the Cerenkov photons into a ring to determine the parent particle's velocity. Results from the pad plane simulations, construction tests, and test beam run will be presented.

Pixel-based parametric source depth map for Cerenkov luminescence imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Altabella, L.; Boschi, F.; Spinelli, A. E.

2016-01-01

Optical tomography represents a challenging problem in optical imaging because of the intrinsically ill-posed inverse problem due to photon diffusion. Cerenkov luminescence tomography (CLT) for optical photons produced in tissues by several radionuclides (i.e.: 32P, 18F, 90Y), has been investigated using both 3D multispectral approach and multiviews methods. Difficult in convergence of 3D algorithms can discourage to use this technique to have information of depth and intensity of source. For these reasons, we developed a faster 2D corrected approach based on multispectral acquisitions, to obtain source depth and its intensity using a pixel-based fitting of source intensity. Monte Carlo simulations and experimental data were used to develop and validate the method to obtain the parametric map of source depth. With this approach we obtain parametric source depth maps with a precision between 3% and 7% for MC simulation and 5-6% for experimental data. Using this method we are able to obtain reliable information about the source depth of Cerenkov luminescence with a simple and flexible procedure.

A simple model for deep tissue attenuation correction and large organ analysis of Cerenkov luminescence imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Habte, Frezghi; Natarajan, Arutselvan; Paik, David S.; Gambhir, Sanjiv S.

2014-03-01

Cerenkov luminescence imaging (CLI) is an emerging cost effective modality that uses conventional small animal optical imaging systems and clinically available radionuclide probes for light emission. CLI has shown good correlation with PET for organs of high uptake such as kidney, spleen, thymus and subcutaneous tumors in mouse models. However, CLI has limitations for deep tissue quantitative imaging since the blue-weighted spectral characteristics of Cerenkov radiation attenuates highly by mammalian tissue. Large organs such as the liver have also shown higher signal due to the contribution of emission of light from a greater thickness of tissue. In this study, we developed a simple model that estimates the effective tissue attenuation coefficient in order to correct the CLI signal intensity with a priori estimated depth and thickness of specific organs. We used several thin slices of ham to build a phantom with realistic attenuation. We placed radionuclide sources inside the phantom at different tissue depths and imaged it using an IVIS Spectrum (Perkin-Elmer, Waltham, MA, USA) and Inveon microPET (Preclinical Solutions Siemens, Knoxville, TN). We also performed CLI and PET of mouse models and applied the proposed attenuation model to correct CLI measurements. Using calibration factors obtained from phantom study that converts the corrected CLI measurements to %ID/g, we obtained an average difference of less that 10% for spleen and less than 35% for liver compared to conventional PET measurements. Hence, the proposed model has a capability of correcting the CLI signal to provide comparable measurements with PET data.

Preliminary Therapy Evaluation of 225Ac-DOTA-c(RGDyK) Demonstrates that Cerenkov Radiation Derived from 225Ac Daughter Decay Can Be Detected by Optical Imaging for In Vivo Tumor Visualization

PubMed Central

Pandya, Darpan N.; Hantgan, Roy; Budzevich, Mikalai M.; Kock, Nancy D.; Morse, David L.; Batista, Izadora; Mintz, Akiva; Li, King C.; Wadas, Thaddeus J.

2016-01-01

The theranostic potential of 225Ac-based radiopharmaceuticals continues to increase as researchers seek innovative ways to harness the nuclear decay of this radioisotope for therapeutic and imaging applications. This communication describes the evaluation of 225Ac-DOTA-c(RGDyK) in both biodistribution and Cerenkov luminescence imaging (CLI) studies. Initially, La-DOTA-c(RGDyK) was prepared as a non-radioactive surrogate to evaluate methodologies that would contribute to an optimized radiochemical synthetic strategy and estimate the radioactive conjugate's affinity for αvβ3, using surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy. Surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy studies revealed the IC50 and Ki of La-DOTA-c(RGDyK) to be 33 ± 13 nM and 26 ± 11 nM, respectively, and suggest that the complexation of the La3+ ion to the conjugate did not significantly alter integrin binding. Furthermore, use of this surrogate allowed optimization of radiochemical synthesis strategies to prepare 225Ac-DOTA-c(RGDyK) with high radiochemical purity and specific activity similar to other 225Ac-based radiopharmaceuticals. This radiopharmaceutical was highly stable in vitro. In vivo biodistribution studies confirmed the radiotracer's ability to target αvβ3 integrin with specificity; specificity was detected in tumor-bearing animals using Cerenkov luminescence imaging. Furthermore, tumor growth control was achieved using non-toxic doses of the radiopharmaceutical in U87mg tumor-bearing nude mice. To our knowledge, this is the first report to describe the CLI of αvβ3+ tumors in live animals using the daughter products derived from 225Ac decay in situ. This concept holds promise to further enhance development of targeted alpha particle therapy. PMID:27022417

Preliminary Therapy Evaluation of (225)Ac-DOTA-c(RGDyK) Demonstrates that Cerenkov Radiation Derived from (225)Ac Daughter Decay Can Be Detected by Optical Imaging for In Vivo Tumor Visualization.

PubMed

Pandya, Darpan N; Hantgan, Roy; Budzevich, Mikalai M; Kock, Nancy D; Morse, David L; Batista, Izadora; Mintz, Akiva; Li, King C; Wadas, Thaddeus J

2016-01-01

The theranostic potential of (225)Ac-based radiopharmaceuticals continues to increase as researchers seek innovative ways to harness the nuclear decay of this radioisotope for therapeutic and imaging applications. This communication describes the evaluation of (225)Ac-DOTA-c(RGDyK) in both biodistribution and Cerenkov luminescence imaging (CLI) studies. Initially, La-DOTA-c(RGDyK) was prepared as a non-radioactive surrogate to evaluate methodologies that would contribute to an optimized radiochemical synthetic strategy and estimate the radioactive conjugate's affinity for αvβ3, using surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy. Surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy studies revealed the IC50 and Ki of La-DOTA-c(RGDyK) to be 33 ± 13 nM and 26 ± 11 nM, respectively, and suggest that the complexation of the La(3+) ion to the conjugate did not significantly alter integrin binding. Furthermore, use of this surrogate allowed optimization of radiochemical synthesis strategies to prepare (225)Ac-DOTA-c(RGDyK) with high radiochemical purity and specific activity similar to other (225)Ac-based radiopharmaceuticals. This radiopharmaceutical was highly stable in vitro. In vivo biodistribution studies confirmed the radiotracer's ability to target αvβ3 integrin with specificity; specificity was detected in tumor-bearing animals using Cerenkov luminescence imaging. Furthermore, tumor growth control was achieved using non-toxic doses of the radiopharmaceutical in U87mg tumor-bearing nude mice. To our knowledge, this is the first report to describe the CLI of αvβ3 (+) tumors in live animals using the daughter products derived from (225)Ac decay in situ. This concept holds promise to further enhance development of targeted alpha particle therapy.

A Cerenkov-Range analysis of the isotopic composition of cosmic rays with Z from 6 to 26

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fisher, A. J.; Hagen, F. A.; Maehl, R.; Ormes, J. F.

1975-01-01

High-altitude balloon data on the isotopic composition of heavy cosmic rays are reported. The experiment used a Cerenkov detector, arrays of scintillators, and a digitized wire spark chamber. Peaks assigned to the mono-isotopic elements F and Na indicate that an absolute mass scale can be derived from the data. Even-Z elements in the Z range from 12 through 16 are represented mainly by alpha-particle nuclei. Neutron-rich components dominate in the case of neon present. Mass histograms are plotted for C, O, N, Ne, Mg, and Fe.

EAS development curve at energy of 10(16) - 10(18) eV measured by optical Cerenkov light

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hara, T.; Daigo, M.; Honda, M.; Kamata, K.; Kifune, T.; Mizumoto, Y.; Nagano, M.; Ohno, Y.; Tanahasni, G.

1985-01-01

The data of optical Cerenkov light from extensive air shower observed at the core distance more than 1 Km at Akeno are reexamined. Applying the new simulated results, the shower development curves for the individual events were constructed. For the showers of 10 to 17th power eV the average depth at the shower maximum is determined to be 660 + or - 40 gcm/2. The shower curve of average development is found to be well described by a Gaisser-Hillas shower development function with above shower maximum depth.

Optical search for extraterrestrial intelligence with Air Cerenkov telescopes.

PubMed

Eichler, D; Beskin, G

2001-01-01

We propose using large Air Cerenkov telescopes (ACTs) to search for optical, pulsed signals from extraterrestrial intelligence. Such dishes collect tens of photons from a nanosecond-scale pulse of isotropic equivalent power of tens of solar luminosities at a distance of 100 pc. The field of view for giant ACTs can be on the order of 10 square degrees, and they will be able to monitor 10-100 stars simultaneously for nanosecond pulses of about 6th magnitude or brighter. Using the Earth's diameter as a baseline, orbital motion of the planet could be detected by timing the pulse arrivals.

SU-F-T-174: Patient-Specific Point Dose Measurement Using Fiber Optic Radiation Sensor Using Cerenkov Radiation for Proton Therapeutic Beam

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Son, J; National Cancer Center, Goyang-si; Kim, M

Purpose: A fiber-optic radiation sensor using Cerenkov radiation (FOCR) has been widely studied for use as a dosimeter for proton therapeutic beam. We developed the FOCR, and it applied to patient-specific point dose measurement in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the FOCR system for proton therapy QA. Methods: Calibration of FOCR was performed with an ionization chamber whose absolute doses were determined according to the IAEA TRS-398 protocol. To determine the calibration curve, the FOCR was irradiated perpendicularly to the proton beam at the 13 dose levels steps. We selected five actual patient treatment plans performed at proton therapymore » center and compared the resulting FOCR measurements with the ionization chamber measurements. Results: The Cerenkov light yield of the FOCR increases linearly with as the dose measured using the ionization chamber increases from 0 cGy to 500 cGy. The results indicate that the fitting curve is linear, suggesting that dose measurement based on the light yield of the FOCR is possible. The results of proton radiation dose QA performed using the FOCR for 10 proton fields and five patients are good agreement with an ionization chamber. Conclusion: We carried out the patient QA using the FOCR for proton therapeutic beam and evaluated the effectiveness of the FOCR as a proton therapy QA tool. Our results indicate that the FOCR is suitable for use in patient QA of clinical proton beams.« less

The Role of Cerenkov Radiation in the Pressure Balance of Cool Core Clusters of Galaxies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lieu, Richard

2017-03-01

Despite the substantial progress made recently in understanding the role of AGN feedback and associated non-thermal effects, the precise mechanism that prevents the core of some clusters of galaxies from collapsing catastrophically by radiative cooling remains unidentified. In this Letter, we demonstrate that the evolution of a cluster's cooling core, in terms of its density, temperature, and magnetic field strength, inevitably enables the plasma electrons there to quickly become Cerenkov loss dominated, with emission at the radio frequency of ≲350 Hz, and with a rate considerably exceeding free-free continuum and line emission. However, the same does not apply to the plasmas at the cluster's outskirts, which lacks such radiation. Owing to its low frequency, the radiation cannot escape, but because over the relevant scale size of a Cerenkov wavelength the energy of an electron in the gas cannot follow the Boltzmann distribution to the requisite precision to ensure reabsorption always occurs faster than stimulated emission, the emitting gas cools before it reheats. This leaves behind the radiation itself, trapped by the overlying reflective plasma, yet providing enough pressure to maintain quasi-hydrostatic equilibrium. The mass condensation then happens by Rayleigh-Taylor instability, at a rate determined by the outermost radius where Cerenkov radiation can occur. In this way, it is possible to estimate the rate at ≈2 M ⊙ year-1, consistent with observational inference. Thus, the process appears to provide a natural solution to the longstanding problem of “cooling flow” in clusters; at least it offers another line of defense against cooling and collapse should gas heating by AGN feedback be inadequate in some clusters.

The Role of Cerenkov Radiation in the Pressure Balance of Cool Core Clusters of Galaxies

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lieu, Richard

2017-03-20

Despite the substantial progress made recently in understanding the role of AGN feedback and associated non-thermal effects, the precise mechanism that prevents the core of some clusters of galaxies from collapsing catastrophically by radiative cooling remains unidentified. In this Letter, we demonstrate that the evolution of a cluster's cooling core, in terms of its density, temperature, and magnetic field strength, inevitably enables the plasma electrons there to quickly become Cerenkov loss dominated, with emission at the radio frequency of ≲350 Hz, and with a rate considerably exceeding free–free continuum and line emission. However, the same does not apply to themore » plasmas at the cluster's outskirts, which lacks such radiation. Owing to its low frequency, the radiation cannot escape, but because over the relevant scale size of a Cerenkov wavelength the energy of an electron in the gas cannot follow the Boltzmann distribution to the requisite precision to ensure reabsorption always occurs faster than stimulated emission, the emitting gas cools before it reheats. This leaves behind the radiation itself, trapped by the overlying reflective plasma, yet providing enough pressure to maintain quasi-hydrostatic equilibrium. The mass condensation then happens by Rayleigh–Taylor instability, at a rate determined by the outermost radius where Cerenkov radiation can occur. In this way, it is possible to estimate the rate at ≈2 M {sub ⊙} year{sup −1}, consistent with observational inference. Thus, the process appears to provide a natural solution to the longstanding problem of “cooling flow” in clusters; at least it offers another line of defense against cooling and collapse should gas heating by AGN feedback be inadequate in some clusters.« less

Synchrotron emission in air

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rafat, M. Z.; Melrose, D. B.

2015-05-01

A conventional astrophysical treatment of synchrotron emission is modified to include the refractive index of air, written as n = 1 + 1/(2γ 02), with γ0 ≫ 1. The angular distribution of emission by an electron with Lorentz factor γ is broadened, from a range of |θ - α| ≈ 1/γ in vacuo (θ = emission angle, α = pitch angle) to |θ - α| ≈ max{1/γ, 1/γ0} in air. The emission spectrum in air is almost unchanged from that in vacuo at sufficiently low frequencies and it is modified by extending to higher frequencies with increasing γ/γ0 < 1, and to arbitrarily high frequencies for γ/γ0 ≥ 1. We estimate the frequency at which this enhancement starts, and show that it decreases with increasing γ/γ0 > 1. We interpret the enhanced high-frequency emission as Cerenkov-like, and attribute it to the formation of caustic surfaces that sweep across the observer; we use a geometric model based on Huygens construction to support this interpretation. The geometric model predicts that the so-called Cerenkov ring present at high frequencies may be circular, elliptical, or crescent shaped. In the astrophysical treatment of synchrotron emission, the dependence on azimuthal angle is lost in the expression for emissivity. A motivation for this investigation is the application to extensive air showers, and for this purpose the loss of azimuthal dependence is a limitation. We comment on methods to overcome this limitation. We show that when an observer can see emission from inside the Cerenkov cone, emission from outside the Cerenkov cone, on either side of it, arrives simultaneously; there are three emission times for a given observation time.

SU-E-T-167: Characterization of In-House Plastic Scintillator Detectors Array for Radiation Therapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhu, T; Liu, H; Dimofte, A

Purpose: To characterize basic performance of plastic scintillator detectors (PSD) array designed for dosimetry of radiation therapy. Methods: An in-house PSD array has been developed by placing single point PSD into customized 2D holder. Each point PSD is a plastic scintillating fiber-based detector designed for highly accurate measurement of small radiotherapy fields used in patient plan verification and machine commissioning and QA procedures. A parallel fiber without PSD is used for Cerenkov separation by subtracting from PSD readings. Cerenkov separation was confirmed by optical spectroscopy. Alternative Cerenkov separation approaches are also investigated. The optical signal was converted to electronic signalmore » with a photodiode and then subsequently amplified. We measured its dosimetry performance, including percentage depth dose and output factor, and compared with reference ion chamber measurements. The PSD array is then placed along the radiation beam for multiple point dose measurement, representing subsets of PDD measurements, or perpendicular to the beam for profile measurements. Results: The dosimetry results of PSD point measurements agree well with reference ion chamber measurements. For percentage depth dose, the maximal differences between PSD and ion chamber results are 3.5% and 2.7% for 6MV and 15MV beams, respectively. For the output factors, PSD measurements are within 3% from ion chamber results. PDD and profile measurement with PSD array are also performed. Conclusions: The current design of multichannel PSD array is feasible for the dosimetry measurement in radiation therapy. Dose distribution along or perpendicular to the beam path could be measured. It might as well be used as range verification in proton therapy.A PS hollow fiber detector will be investigated to eliminate the Cerenkov radiation effect so that all 32 channels can be used.« less

SU-E-T-159: Characteristics of Fiber-Optic Radiation Sensor for Proton Therapeutic Beam

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Son, J; Kim, M; Hwang, U

Purpose: A fiber-optic radiation sensor using Cerenkov radiation has been widely studied for use as a dosimeter for proton therapeutic beam. Although the fiber-optic radiation sensor has already been investigated for proton therapeutic, it has been examined relatively little work for clinical therapeutic proton beams. In this study, we evaluated characteristics of a fiber-optic radiation sensor for clinical therapeutic proton beams. We experimentally evaluated dose-rate dependence, dose response and energy dependence for the proton beam. Methods: A fiber-optic radiation sensor was placed in a water phantom. Beams with energies of low, middle and high were used in the passively-scattered protonmore » therapeutic beam at the National Cancer Center in Korea. The sensor consists of two plastic optical fibers (POF). A reference POF and 2 cm longer POF were used to utilize the subtraction method for having sensitive volume. Each POF is optically coupled to the Multi-Anode Photo Multiplier Tube (MAPMT) and the MAPMT signals are processed using National Instruments Data Acquisition System (NI-DAQ). We were investigated dosimetric properties including dose-rate dependence, dose response and energy dependence. Results: We have successfully evaluated characteristics of a fiber optic radiation sensor using Cerenkov radiation. The fiber-optic radiation sensor showed the dose response linearity and low energy dependence. In addition, as the dose-rate was increased, Cerenkov radiation increased linearly. Conclusion: We evaluated the basic characteristics of the fiber optic radiation sensor, the dosimetry tool, to raise the quality of proton therapy. Based on the research, we developed a real time dosimetry system of the optic fiber to confirm the real time beam position and energy for therapeutic proton pencil beam.« less

Relativistic astrophysics. [design analysis and performance tests of Cerenkov counters for detection of iron isotopes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Price, P. B.

1976-01-01

The design, experimental testing, and calibration (error analysis) of a high resolution Cerenkov-scintillation detector is presented. The detector is capable of detecting iron isotopes and heavy ions of cosmic rays, and of performing direct measurements of individual neighboring isotopes at charge resolution 26. It utilizes Lexan (trademark) sheets, and has been used in flight packages of balloons and on the Skylab. The detector will be able to provide more information on violet astrophysical processes, such as thermonuclear reactions on neutron stars. Ground support and display equipment which are to be used in conjunction with the detector are also discussed.

Control Software for the VERITAS Cerenkov Telescope System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krawczynski, H.; Olevitch, M.; Sembroski, G.; Gibbs, K.

2003-07-01

The VERITAS collab oration is developing a system of initially 4 and ˇ eventually 7 Cerenkov telescopes of the 12 m diameter class for high sensitivity gamma-ray astronomy in the >50 GeV energy range. In this contribution we describe the software that controls and monitors the various VERITAS subsystems. The software uses an object-oriented approach to cop e with the complexities that arise from using sub-groups of the 7 VERITAS telescopes to observe several sources at the same time. Inter-pro cess communication is based on the CORBA object Request Broker proto col and watch-dog processes monitor the sub-system performance.

Status of the Whipple Observatory Cerenkov air shower imaging telescope array

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Akerlof, C. W.; Cawley, M. F.; Fegan, D. J.; Fennell, S.; Freeman, S.; Frishman, D.; Harris, K.; Hillas, A. M.; Jennings, D.; Lamb, R. C.

1992-01-01

Recently the power of the Cerenkov imaging technique in Very High Energy gamma-ray astronomy was demonstrated by the detection of the Crab nebula at high statistical significance. In order to further develop this technique to allow the detection of weaker or more distant sources a second 10 m class reflector was constructed about 120 m from the original instrument. The addition of the second reflector will allow both a reduction in the energy threshold and an improvement in the rejection of the hadronic background. The design and construction of the second reflector, Gamma Ray Astrophysics New Imaging TElescope (GRANITE) is described.

Fast Photon Monte Carlo for Water Cherenkov Detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Latorre, Anthony; Seibert, Stanley

2012-03-01

We present Chroma, a high performance optical photon simulation for large particle physics detectors, such as the water Cerenkov far detector option for LBNE. This software takes advantage of the CUDA parallel computing platform to propagate photons using modern graphics processing units. In a computer model of a 200 kiloton water Cerenkov detector with 29,000 photomultiplier tubes, Chroma can propagate 2.5 million photons per second, around 200 times faster than the same simulation with Geant4. Chroma uses a surface based approach to modeling geometry which offers many benefits over a solid based modelling approach which is used in other simulations like Geant4.

Innovations in Nuclear Imaging Instrumentation: Cerenkov Imaging.

PubMed

Tamura, Ryo; Pratt, Edwin C; Grimm, Jan

2018-07-01

Cerenkov luminescence (CL) is blue glow light produced by charged subatomic particles travelling faster than the phase velocity of light in a dielectric medium such as water or tissue. CL was first discovered in 1934, but for biomedical research it was recognized only in 2009 after advances in optical camera sensors brought the required high sensitivity. Recently, applications of CL from clinical radionuclides have been rapidly expanding to include not only preclinical and clinical biomedical imaging but also an approach to therapy. Cerenkov Luminescence Imaging (CLI) utilizes CL generated from clinically relevant radionuclides alongside optical imaging instrumentation. CLI is advantageous over traditional nuclear imaging methods in terms of infrastructure cost, resolution, and imaging time. Furthermore, CLI is a truly multimodal imaging method where the same agent can be detected by two independent modalities, with optical (CL) imaging and with positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. CL has been combined with small molecules, biomolecules and nanoparticles to improve diagnosis and therapy in cancer research. Here, we cover the fundamental breakthroughs and recent advances in reagents and instrumentation methods for CLI as well as therapeutic application of CL. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Runaway tails in magnetized plasmas

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moghaddam-Taaheri, E.; Vlahos, L.; Rowland, H. L.; Papadopoulos, K.

1985-01-01

The evolution of a runaway tail driven by a dc electric field in a magnetized plasma is analyzed. Depending on the strength of the electric field and the ratio of plasma to gyrofrequency, there are three different regimes in the evolution of the tail. The tail can be (1) stable with electrons accelerated to large parallel velocities, (2) unstable to Cerenkov resonance because of the depletion of the bulk and the formation of a positive slope, (3) unstable to the anomalous Doppler resonance instability driven by the large velocity anisotropy in the tail. Once an instability is triggered (Cerenkov or anomalous Doppler resonance) the tail relaxes into an isotropic distribution. The role of a convection type loss term is also discussed.

Portable instrument for inspecting irradiated nuclear-fuel assemblies in a water-filled storage pond by measurement of induced Cerenkov radiation

DOEpatents

Nicholson, N.; Dowdy, E.J.; Holt, D.M.; Stump, C.J. Jr.

1982-05-13

A portable instrument for measuring induced Cerenkov radiation associated with irradiated nuclear fuel assemblies in a water-filled storage pond is disclosed. The instrument includes a photomultiplier tube and an image intensifier which are operable in parallel and simultaneously by means of a field lens assembly and an associated beam splitter. The image intensifier permits an operator to aim and focus the apparatus on a submerged fuel assembly. Once the instrument is aimed and focused, an illumination reading can be obtained with the photomultiplier tube. The instrument includes a lens cap with a carbon-14/phosphor light source for calibrating the apparatus in the field.

Cerenkov and radioluminescence imaging of brain tumor specimens during neurosurgery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spinelli, Antonello Enrico; Schiariti, Marco P.; Grana, Chiara M.; Ferrari, Mahila; Cremonesi, Marta; Boschi, Federico

2016-05-01

We presented the first example of Cerenkov luminescence imaging (CLI) and radioluminescence imaging (RLI) of human tumor specimens. A patient with a brain meningioma localized in the left parietal region was injected with 166 MBq of Y90-DOTATOC the day before neurosurgery. The specimens of the tumor removed during surgery were imaged using both CLI and RLI using an optical imager prototype developed in our laboratory. The system is based on a cooled electron multiplied charge coupled device coupled with an f/0.95 17-mm C-mount lens. We showed for the first time the possibility of obtaining CLI and RLI images of fresh human brain tumor specimens removed during neurosurgery.

Ring Imaging Cerenkov Detector for CLAS12

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muhoza, Mireille; Aaron, Elise; Smoot, Waymond; Benmokhtar, Fatiha

2017-09-01

The CLAS12 detector at Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (TJNAF) is undergoing an upgrade. One of the additions to this detector is a Ring Imaging Cherenkov (RICH) detector to improve particle identification in the 3-8 GeV/c momentum range. Approximately 400 multi anode photomultiplier tubes (MAPMTs) will be used to detect Cherenkov Radiation in the single photoelectron spectra (SPS). Detector tests are taking place at Jefferson Lab, while analysis software development is ongoing at Duquesne. I will be summarizing the work done at Duquesne on the Database development and the analysis of the ADC and TDCs for the Hamamatsu Multi-Anode PMTs that are used for Cerenkov light radiation. National Science Foundation, Award 1615067.

Hybrid model based unified scheme for endoscopic Cerenkov and radio-luminescence tomography: Simulation demonstration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Lin; Cao, Xin; Ren, Qingyun; Chen, Xueli; He, Xiaowei

2018-05-01

Cerenkov luminescence imaging (CLI) is an imaging method that uses an optical imaging scheme to probe a radioactive tracer. Application of CLI with clinically approved radioactive tracers has opened an opportunity for translating optical imaging from preclinical to clinical applications. Such translation was further improved by developing an endoscopic CLI system. However, two-dimensional endoscopic imaging cannot identify accurate depth and obtain quantitative information. Here, we present an imaging scheme to retrieve the depth and quantitative information from endoscopic Cerenkov luminescence tomography, which can also be applied for endoscopic radio-luminescence tomography. In the scheme, we first constructed a physical model for image collection, and then a mathematical model for characterizing the luminescent light propagation from tracer to the endoscopic detector. The mathematical model is a hybrid light transport model combined with the 3rd order simplified spherical harmonics approximation, diffusion, and radiosity equations to warrant accuracy and speed. The mathematical model integrates finite element discretization, regularization, and primal-dual interior-point optimization to retrieve the depth and the quantitative information of the tracer. A heterogeneous-geometry-based numerical simulation was used to explore the feasibility of the unified scheme, which demonstrated that it can provide a satisfactory balance between imaging accuracy and computational burden.

Stability and linearity of luminescence imaging of water during irradiation of proton-beams and X-ray photons lower energy than the Cerenkov light threshold

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamamoto, Seiichi; Koyama, Shuji; Yabe, Takuya; Komori, Masataka; Tada, Junki; Ito, Shiori; Toshito, Toshiyuki; Hirata, Yuho; Watanabe, Kenichi

2018-03-01

Luminescence of water during irradiations of proton-beams or X-ray photons lower energy than the Cerenkov-light threshold is promising for range estimation or the distribution measurements of beams. However it is not yet obvious whether the intensities and distributions are stable with the water conditions such as temperature or addition of solvable materials. It remains also unclear whether the luminescence of water linearly increases with the irradiated proton or X-ray energies. Consequently we measured the luminescence of water during irradiations of proton-beam or X-ray photons lower energy than the Cerenkov-light threshold with different water conditions and energies to evaluate the stability and linearity of luminescence of water. We placed a water phantom set with a proton therapy or X-ray system, luminescence images of water with different conditions and energies were measured with a high-sensitivity cooled charge coupled device (CCD) camera during proton or X-ray irradiations to the water phantom. In the stability measurements, imaging was made for different temperatures of water and addition of inorganic and organic materials to water. In the linearity measurements for the proton, we irradiated with four different energies below Cerenkov light threshold. In the linearity measurements for the X-ray, we irradiated X-ray with different supplied voltages. We evaluated the depth profiles for the luminescence images and evaluated the light intensities and distributions. The results showed that the luminescence of water was quite stable with the water conditions. There were no significant changes of intensities and distributions with the different temperatures. Results from the linearity experiments showed that the luminescence of water linearly increased with their energies. We confirmed that luminescence of water is stable with conditions of water. We also confirmed that the luminescence of water linearly increased with their energies.

MO-G-BRF-07: Optical Characterization of Novel Terbium-Doped Nanophosphors Excited by Clinical Electron and Photon Beams for Potential Use in Molecular Imaging Or Photodynamic Therapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Darafsheh, A; Paik, T; Tenuto, M

Purpose: Optical properties of terbium (Tb3+)-doped gadolinium trifluoride (GdF3) nanoplates irradiated by electron and photon beams were investigated for their potential as optical probes. The contribution of induced Cerenkov radiation in exciting the nanophosphors was investigated as well. Methods: The emission spectra of Terbium-doped GdF3 dispersed in hexane, embedded in tissue mimicking phantoms were collected by an optical fiber connected to a CCD-coupled spectrograph, while the samples were irradiated by a medical linear accelerator with electron beams of energies 6, 9, 12, 16, and 20 MeV or X-ray beams of energies of 6, and 15 MV. The contribution of inducedmore » Cerenkov radiation in exciting the nanophosphores was investigated in a dedicated experimental apparatus through optical isolation of the samples and also by using 125 kVp X-ray beams whose energy is below the threshold for generating Cerenkov radiation in that medium. Results: Terbium-doped GdF3 nanoplates show characteristic cathodoluminescence emission peaks at 488, 543, 586, and 619 nm, which are responsible for the characteristic f-f transition of terbium ion. In a series of experiments, the contribution of Cerenkov radiation in the luminescence of such nanophosphors was ruled out. Conclusion: We have characterized the optical properties of Terbium-doped GdF3 nanoplates. Such nanocrystals with emission tunability and high surface area that facilitates attachment with targeting reagents are promising in situ light source candidates for molecular imaging or exciting a photosensitizer for ultralow fluence photodynamic therapy. This work is supported by the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Pennsylvania, the American Cancer Society through IRG-78-002-28, and the University of Pennsylvania's Nano/Bio Interface Center through NSEC DMR08-32802.« less

Cerenkov emission of acoustic phonons electrically generated from three-dimensional Dirac semimetals

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kubakaddi, S. S., E-mail: sskubakaddi@gmail.com

2016-05-21

Cerenkov acoustic phonon emission is theoretically investigated in a three-dimensional Dirac semimetal (3DDS) when it is driven by a dc electric field E. Numerical calculations are made for Cd{sub 3}As{sub 2} in which mobility and electron concentration are large. We find that Cerenkov emission of acoustic phonons takes place when the electron drift velocity v{sub d} is greater than the sound velocity v{sub s}. This occurs at small E (∼few V/cm) due to large mobility. Frequency (ω{sub q}) and angular (θ) distribution of phonon emission spectrum P(ω{sub q}, θ) are studied for different electron drift velocities v{sub d} (i.e., differentmore » E) and electron concentrations n{sub e}. The frequency dependence of P(ω{sub q}, θ) shows a maximum P{sub m}(ω{sub q}, θ) at about ω{sub m} ≈ 1 THz and is found to increase with the increasing v{sub d} and n{sub e}. The value of ω{sub m} shifts to higher region for larger n{sub e}. It is found that ω{sub m}/n{sub e}{sup 1/3} and P{sub m}(ω{sub q}, θ)/n{sub e}{sup 2/3} are nearly constants. The latter is in contrast with the P{sub m}(ω{sub q}, θ)n{sub e}{sup 1/2 }= constant in conventional bulk semiconductor. Each maximum is followed by a vanishing spectrum at nearly “2k{sub f} cutoff,” where k{sub f} is the Fermi wave vector. Angular dependence of P(ω{sub q}, θ) and the intensity P(θ) of the phonon emission shows a maximum at an emission angle 45° and is found to increase with increasing v{sub d}. P(θ) is found to increase linearly with n{sub e} giving the ratio P(θ)/(n{sub e}v{sub d}) nearly a constant. We suggest that it is possible to have the controlled Cerenkov emission and generation of acoustic phonons with the proper choice of E, θ, and n{sub e}. 3DDS with large n{sub e} and mobility can be a good source of acoustic phonon generation in ∼THz regime.« less

Multimodal molecular 3D imaging for the tumoral volumetric distribution assessment of folate-based biosensors.

PubMed

Ramírez-Nava, Gerardo J; Santos-Cuevas, Clara L; Chairez, Isaac; Aranda-Lara, Liliana

2017-12-01

The aim of this study was to characterize the in vivo volumetric distribution of three folate-based biosensors by different imaging modalities (X-ray, fluorescence, Cerenkov luminescence, and radioisotopic imaging) through the development of a tridimensional image reconstruction algorithm. The preclinical and multimodal Xtreme imaging system, with a Multimodal Animal Rotation System (MARS), was used to acquire bidimensional images, which were processed to obtain the tridimensional reconstruction. Images of mice at different times (biosensor distribution) were simultaneously obtained from the four imaging modalities. The filtered back projection and inverse Radon transformation were used as main image-processing techniques. The algorithm developed in Matlab was able to calculate the volumetric profiles of 99m Tc-Folate-Bombesin (radioisotopic image), 177 Lu-Folate-Bombesin (Cerenkov image), and FolateRSense™ 680 (fluorescence image) in tumors and kidneys of mice, and no significant differences were detected in the volumetric quantifications among measurement techniques. The imaging tridimensional reconstruction algorithm can be easily extrapolated to different 2D acquisition-type images. This characteristic flexibility of the algorithm developed in this study is a remarkable advantage in comparison to similar reconstruction methods.

New Results from the DREAM project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meoni, E.; Dream Collaboration

2011-06-01

Dual-Readout calorimetry is a promising new technique for high precision measurements of hadronic showers and jets. The DREAM Collaboration is exploiting the possibilities offered by this technique, a key aspect of which is the simultaneous measurement of the scintillation light and the Cerenkov light generated in the shower development process. By comparing these two signals, the electromagnetic shower fraction can be measured event by event, eliminating the effects of its fluctuations, that are the dominant contribution to the hadronic energy resolution. In the first detector of this type the two signals were provided by two independent active media: scintillating fibers and quartz fibers. In follow-up studies, we have explored the possibilities of heavy crystals such as BGO and PbWO4. The use of homogeneous detectors has the advantage that it eliminates the effects of fluctuations that limit the resolution of the fiber calorimeter: sampling fluctuations and quantum fluctuations in the Cerenkov signals. A very important tool turnes out to be a detailed measurement of the time structure of the signals. In this paper, the latest results of this project will be presented.

The response of a scintillation counter below an emulsion chamber to heavy nucleus interactions in the chamber

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burnett, T. H.; Dake, S.; Derrickson, J. H.; Fountain, W. F.; Fuki, M.; Gregory, J. C.; Hayashi, T.; Hayashi, T.; Holynski, R.; Iwai, J.;

A Cerenkov-delta E-Cerenkov detector for high energy cosmic ray isotopes and an accelerator study of Ar-40 and Fe-56 fragmentation. Ph.D. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lau, K. H.

1985-01-01

A high energy cosmic ray detector--the High Energy Isotope Spectrometer Telescope (HEIST) is described. It is a large area (0.25 m(swp 2) SR) balloon borne isotope spectrometer designed to make high resolution measurements of isotopes in the element range from neon to nickel (10 Z 28) at energies of about 2 GeV/nucleon. HEIST determines the mass of individual nuclei by measuring both the change in the Lorentz factor (delta gamma) that results from traversing the NaI stack, and the energy loss (delta E) in the stack. Since the total energy of an isotope is given by E = (gamma M), the mass M can be determined by M = delta E/delta, gamma. The instrument is designed to achieve a typical mass resolution of 0.2 amu. The isotopic composition of the fragments from the breakup of high energy An-40 and Fe-56 nuclei are measured experimentally. Isotope yields are compared with calculated yields based on semi-empirical cross-section formulae.

Elemental abundances of cosmic rays with Z 33 as measured on HEAO-3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Newport, B. J.; Stone, E. C.; Waddington, C. J.; Binns, W. R.; Garrard, T. L.; Israel, M. H.; Klarmann, J.

1985-01-01

The Heavy Nuclei Experiment on (HEAO-3) high energy astronomy observatory 3 uses a combination of ion chambers and a Cerenkov counter. During analysis, each particle is assigned two parameters, Z sub c and Z sub i, proportional to the square roots of the Cerenkov and mean ionization signals respectively. Because the ionization signal is double valued, a unique assignment of particle charge, Z, is not possible in general. Previous work was limited to particles of either high rigidity or low energy, for which a unique charge assignment was possible, although those subsets contain less than 50% of the total number of particles observed. The maximum likelihood technique was used to determine abundances for the complete data set from approx. 1.5 to approx. 80 GeV/amu.

Possibilities For The LAGUNA Projects At The Fréjus Site

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mosca, Luigi

2010-11-01

The present laboratory (LSM) at the Fréjus site and the project of a first extension of it, mainly aimed at the next generation of dark matter and double beta decay experiments, are briefly reviewed. Then the main characteristics of the LAGUNA cooperation and Design Study network are summarized. Seven underground sites in Europe are considered in LAGUNA and are under study as candidates for the installation of Megaton scale detectors using three different techniques: a liquid Argon TPC (GLACIER), a liquid scintillator detector (LENA) and a Water Cerenkov (MEMPHYS), all mainly aimed at investigation of proton decay and properties of neutrinos from SuperNovae and other astrophysical sources as well as from accelerators (Super-beams and/or Beta-beams from CERN). One of the seven sites is located at Fréjus, near the present LSM laboratory, and the results of its feasibility study are presented and discussed. Then the physics potential of a MEMPHYS detector installed in this site are emphasized both for non-accelerator and for neutrino beam based configurations. The MEMPHYNO prototype with its R&D programme is presented. Finally a possible schedule is sketched.

Definition phase study of the grand tour missions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Simpson, J. A.; Meyer, P.

1972-01-01

The research to define an energetic particle experiment for the OPTGT-MJS missions is reported. The studies reported include: (1) the use of silicon dectectors for low energy, low flux level measurements in the presence of RTG radiation and trapped electrons, (2) high energy proton damage of lithium-drifted and surface barrier silicon detectors, (3) the gas Cerenkov counter, (4) systems for detection of trapped high-energy protons in the presence of trapped electrons, and (5) reliability and redundancy.

Cosmic ray experimental observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Balasubrahmanyan, V. K.; Mcdonald, F. B.

1974-01-01

The current experimental situation in cosmic ray studies is discussed, with special emphasis on the development of new detector systems. Topics covered are the techniques for particle identification, energy measurements, gas Cerenkov counters, magnet spectrometers, ionization spectrometers, track detectors, nuclear emulsions, multiparameter analysis using arrays of detectors, the Goddard ionization spectrometer, charge spectra, relative abundances, isotope composition, antinuclei in cosmic rays, electrons, the measurement of cosmic ray arrival directions, and the prehistory of cosmic rays.

Quantitative imaging of disease signatures through radioactive decay signal conversion

PubMed Central

Thorek, Daniel LJ; Ogirala, Anuja; Beattie, Bradley J; Grimm, Jan

2013-01-01

In the era of personalized medicine there is an urgent need for in vivo techniques able to sensitively detect and quantify molecular activities. Sensitive imaging of gamma rays is widely used, but radioactive decay is a physical constant and signal is independent of biological interactions. Here we introduce a framework of novel targeted and activatable probes excited by a nuclear decay-derived signal to identify and measure molecular signatures of disease. This was accomplished utilizing Cerenkov luminescence (CL), the light produced by β-emitting radionuclides such as clinical positron emission tomography (PET) tracers. Disease markers were detected using nanoparticles to produce secondary Cerenkov-induced fluorescence. This approach reduces background signal compared to conventional fluorescence imaging. In addition to information from a PET scan, we demonstrate novel medical utility by quantitatively determining prognostically relevant enzymatic activity. This technique can be applied to monitor other markers and facilitates a shift towards activatable nuclear medicine agents. PMID:24013701

TeV gamma rays from 3C 279 - A possible probe of origin and intergalactic infrared radiation fields

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stecker, F. W.; De Jager, O. C.; Salamon, M. H.

1992-01-01

The gamma-ray spectrum of 3C 279 during 1991 June exhibited a near-perfect power law between 50 MeV and over 5 GeV with a differential spectral index of -(2.02 +/- 0.07). If extrapolated, the gamma-ray spectrum of 3C 279 should be easily detectable with first-generation air Cerenkov detectors operating above about 0.3 TeV provided there is no intergalactic absorption. However, by using model-dependent lower and upper limits for the extragalactic infrared background radiation field, a sharp cutoff of the 3C 279 spectrum is predicted at between about 0.1 and about 1 TeV. The sensitivity of present air Cerenkov detectors is good enough to measure such a cutoff, which would provide the first opportunity to obtain a measurement of the extragalactic background infrared radiation field.

Elimination of the asymmetric modes in a Ka-band super overmoded coaxial Cerenkov oscillator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bai, Zhen; Zhang, Jun; Zhong, Huihuang; Zhao, Xuelong; Yang, Fuxiang

2017-12-01

The issue of asymmetric modes output of a Ka-band super overmoded coaxial Cerenkov oscillator is analyzed in this paper. Due to serious passband overlapping in a super overmoded coaxial slow wave structure (SWS), the asymmetric competition mode EH11 can hardly be suppressed thoroughly by the methods adopted in moderately overmoded devices, especially in the startup of oscillation. If the output structures reflect the asymmetric modes, the asymmetric mode competition in SWS will be aggravated and the normal operation state will be destroyed. In order to solve this problem, a taper waveguide is inserted at a specific position to achieve the destructive interference of the reflected TM11, and a special support structure is designed to avoid reflection of TE11. With these methods, asymmetric mode competition can be successfully eliminated, and the oscillator is capable of achieving a steady fundamental mode operation performance.

Suppression of the asymmetric modes for experimentally achieving gigawatt-level radiation from a Ku-band Cerenkov type oscillator

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, Hua; Shu, Ting, E-mail: mrtingshu@qq.com; Ju, Jinchuan

2014-08-15

We present the analysis and suppression of asymmetric modes in a Ku-band Cerenkov-type oscillator numerically and experimentally. The asymmetric modes generated in the initial experiments were identified to be HE{sub 11}, HE{sub 21}, and HE{sub 31} modes, respectively, by analyzing of the dispersion relationships, the simulation results and the experiment phenomenon. The factors, such as the cathode emission uniformity, the diode voltage, guiding magnetic field, and the concentricity play key roles in the excitation and suppression of these asymmetric modes. In the improved experiments, the asymmetric modes were suppressed effectively. In the improved experiments the asymmetric modes are suppressed effectively,more » and the designed TM{sub 01} mode microwave is generated at a frequency of 13.76 GHz with a power of 1.1 GW, which is in good agreement with numerically predications.« less

The DIRC front-end electronics chain for BaBar

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bailly, P.; Beigbeder, C.; Bernier, R.; Breton, D.; Bonneaud, G.; Caceres, T.; Chase, R.; Chauveau, J.; Del Buono, L.; Dohou, F.; Ducorps, A.; Gastaldi, F.; Genat, J. F.; Hrisoho, A.; Imbert, P.; Lebbolo, H.; Matricon, P.; Oxoby, G.; Renard, C.; Roos, L.; Sen, S.; Thiebaux, C.; Truong, K.; Tocut, V.; Vasileiadis, G.; Va'Vra, J.; Verderi, M.; Warner, D.; Wilson, R. J.; Wormser, G.; Zhang, B.; Zomer, F.

2000-12-01

Recent results from the Front-End electronics of the Detector of Internally Reflected Cerenkov light (DIRC) for the BaBar experiment at SLAC (Stanford, USA) are presented. It measures to better than 1 ns the arrival time of Cerenkov photoelectrons detected in a 11000 phototubes array and their amplitude spectra. It mainly comprises 64-channel DIRC Front-End Boards (DFB) equipped with eight full-custom analog chips performing zero-cross discrimination with 2 mV threshold and pulse shaping, four full-custom digital time to digital chips (TDC) for timing measurements with 500 ps binning and a readout logic selecting hits in the trigger window, and DIRC Crate Controller cards (DCC) serializing the data collected front up to 16 DFBs onto a 1.2 Gb/s optical link. Extensive test results of the pre-production chips are presented, as well as system tests.

The performance of the CASTOR calorimeter during LHC Run 2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van de Klundert, Merijn H. F.; CMS Collaboration

2017-11-01

CASTOR is an electromagnetic and hadronic tungsten-quartz sampling Cerenkov calorimeter located at the Compact Muon Solenoid experiment at the Large Hadron Collider. The detector has pseudorapidity borders at -5.2 and -6.6. An overview is presented on the various aspects of CASTOR’s performance and their relations during LHC Run 2. The equalisation of CASTOR’s channels is performed using beam-halo muons. Thereafter, CASTOR’s pedestal spectrum is studied. It is shown that noise estimates which are extracted using a fit, give on average a 10% lower threshold than statistical estimates. Gain correction factors, which are needed for the intercalibration, are obtained using a statistical, in-situ applicable method. The results of this method are shown to be reasonably consistent with laboratory measurements. Penultimately the absolute calibration is discussed, with emphasis on the relation between the scale uncertainty and CASTOR’s alignment. It is shown that the alignment’s contribution to the systematic uncertainty is decreased by over 50% in LHC Run 2 w.r.t. LHC Run 1. Finally generalisations of the conclusions to other subsystems and future improvements are discussed.

A balloon measurement of the isotopic composition of galactic cosmic ray iron

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Grove, J.E.

1989-01-01

The isotopic composition of galactic cosmic ray iron in the energy interval of approximately 1550 to 2200 MeV/nucleon was measured using a balloon-borne mass spectrometer. The instrument was flown from Palestine, Texas, in May 1984 for greater than 35 hours at an atmospheric depth of approximately 6 g/sq cm. Masses were derived by the Cerenkov-Energy technique. The Cerenkov counter employed a silica aerogel radiator with an index of refraction n = 1.1. Particle energies were measured in a stack of NaI(Tl) scintillators, which also provided particle trajectories. A detailed discussion of the sources of mass uncertainty is presented, including anmore » analytic model of the contribution from fluctuations in the Cerenkov yield from knock-on electrons. The achieved mass resolution is approximately 0.65 amu, which is consistent with the theoretical estimate. An Fe-54/Fe-56 abundance ratio of 0.14(sup +0.18)(sub -0.11) and an 84 percent confidence upper limit of Fe-58/Fe-56 is less than or = to 0.07 at the top of the atmosphere is reported. Combining the data with those of precious measurements of the composition of iron at lower energies, and using a model of the galactic propagation, cosmic-ray source abundance ratios of Fe-54/Fe-56 = 0.064(sup +0.032)(sub -0.027) and Fe-58/F3-56 is less than or = to 0.062 were derived. These values are consistent with the composition of solar system iron and place restrictions on the conditions under which cosmic-ray iron is synthesized.« less

Investigations of large area electron beam diodes for excimer lasers. Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

1993-12-31

This report summarizes the results of a one year research program at the University of Michigan to investigate the physics and technology of microsecond electron beam diodes. These experiments were performed on the Michigan Electron Long Beam Accelerator (MELBA) at parameters: Voltage {equals} {minus}0.65 to {minus}0.9 MV, current {equals} 1 {minus}50 kA, and pulselength {equals} 0.5 {minus} 5 microseconds. Major accomplishments include: (1) the first two-wavelength (CO2 and HeNe) laser deflection measurements of diode plasma and neutrals; (2) measurements of the effects on magnetic field gradient on microsecond diode closure; (3) demonstration of good fidelity of processed x-ray signals asmore » a diagnostic of beam voltage; (4) extended-pulselength scaling of electron beam diode arcing and diode closure; and (5) innovative Cerenkov plate diagnostics of e-beam dynamics.« less

Large aperture and wide field of view space telescope for the detection of ultra high energy cosmic rays and neutrinos

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mazzinghi, Piero; Bratina, Vojko; Gambicorti, Lisa; Simonetti, Francesca; Zuccaro Marchi, Alessandro

2017-11-01

New technologies are proposed for large aperture and wide Field of View (FOV) space telescopes dedicated to detection of Ultra High Energy Cosmic Rays and Neutrinos flux, through observation of fluorescence traces in atmosphere and diffused Cerenkov signals. The presented advanced detection system is a spaceborne LEO telescope, with better performance than ground-based observatories, detecting up to 103 - 104 events/year. Different design approaches are implemented, all with very large FOV and focal surface detectors with sufficient segmentation and time resolution to allow precise reconstructions of the arrival direction. In particular, two Schmidt cameras are suggested as an appropriate solution to match most of the optical and technical requirements: large FOV, low f/#, reduction of stray light, optionally flat focal surface, already proven low-cost construction technologies. Finally, a preliminary proposal of a wideFOV retrofocus catadioptric telescope is explained.

A Study of Heavy Trans-Iron Primary Cosmic Rays (Z More than or Equal to 55) with a Fast Film Cerenkov Detector. Ph.D. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pinsky, L. S.

1972-01-01

The detection and measurement of the cosmic ray charge spectrum for nuclei heavier than iron (Fe, Z = 26) are discussed. These trans-iron nuclei are of great interest for several reasons. They promise to be one of the more sensitive clocks for use in determining the age of cosmic rays. The discovery of radioactive nuclides and their decay products in the primary flux, will allow an estimation of the elapsed time since these cosmic rays were synthesized. In addition, the relatively short interaction length of the very heavy trans-iron particles makes their relative abundance a source of information regarding the amount of interstellar matter that they had to traverse to reach the earth. A study of the trans-iron cosmic rays may provide clues as to the very processes of nucleosyntheses by which the bulk of the trans-iron nuclei in the universe are produced. This in turn may shed light on the mechanics of the supernova, which is postulated to be the major source of all cosmic rays. Finally, trans-iron cosmic ray experiments may demonstrate the existence of the recently postulated super-heavy nuclei.

Cosmic ray nuclei of energy 50 GeV/NUC

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Balasubrahmanyan, V. K.; Streitmatter, R. E.; Ormes, J. F.

1985-01-01

Preliminary results from the High Energy Gas Cerenkov Spectrometer indicate that the sub-iron to iron ratio increases beyond 100 GeV/nucleon. This surprising finding is examined in light of various models for the origin and propagation of galactic cosmic rays.

Three-dimensional noninvasive monitoring iodine-131 uptake in the thyroid using a modified Cerenkov luminescence tomography approach.

PubMed

Hu, Zhenhua; Ma, Xiaowei; Qu, Xiaochao; Yang, Weidong; Liang, Jimin; Wang, Jing; Tian, Jie

2012-01-01

Cerenkov luminescence tomography (CLT) provides the three-dimensional (3D) radiopharmaceutical biodistribution in small living animals, which is vital to biomedical imaging. However, existing single-spectral and multispectral methods are not very efficient and effective at reconstructing the distribution of the radionuclide tracer. In this paper, we present a semi-quantitative Cerenkov radiation spectral characteristic-based source reconstruction method named the hybrid spectral CLT, to efficiently reconstruct the radionuclide tracer with both encouraging reconstruction results and less acquisition and image reconstruction time. We constructed the implantation mouse model implanted with a 400 µCi Na(131)I radioactive source and the physiological mouse model received an intravenous tail injection of 400 µCi radiopharmaceutical Iodine-131 (I-131) to validate the performance of the hybrid spectral CLT and compared the reconstruction results, acquisition, and image reconstruction time with that of single-spectral and multispectral CLT. Furthermore, we performed 3D noninvasive monitoring of I-131 uptake in the thyroid and quantified I-131 uptake in vivo using hybrid spectral CLT. Results showed that the reconstruction based on the hybrid spectral CLT was more accurate in localization and quantification than using single-spectral CLT, and was more efficient in the in vivo experiment compared with multispectral CLT. Additionally, 3D visualization of longitudinal observations suggested that the reconstructed energy of I-131 uptake in the thyroid increased with acquisition time and there was a robust correlation between the reconstructed energy versus the gamma ray counts of I-131 (r(2) = 0.8240). The ex vivo biodistribution experiment further confirmed the I-131 uptake in the thyroid for hybrid spectral CLT. Results indicated that hybrid spectral CLT could be potentially used for thyroid imaging to evaluate its function and monitor its treatment for thyroid cancer.

Primordial Black Holes: Observational characteristics of the final evaporation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ukwatta, T. N.; Stump, D. R.; Linnemann, J. T.

For many early universe theories predict the creation of Primordial Black Holes (PBHs). PBHs could have masses ranging from the Planck mass to 105 solar masses or higher depending on the size of the universe at formation. A Black Hole (BH) has a Hawking temperature which is inversely proportional to its mass. Hence a sufficiently small BH will quasi-thermally radiate particles at an ever-increasing rate as emission lowers its mass and raises its temperature. Moreover, the final moments of this evaporation phase should be explosive and its description is dependent on the particle physics model. In this work we investigatemore » the final few seconds of BH evaporation, using the Standard Model and incorporating the most recent Large Hadron Collider (LHC) results, and provide a new parameterization for the instantaneous emission spectrum. We calculate for the first time energy-dependent PBH burst light curves in the GeV/TeV energy range. Moreover, we explore PBH burst search methods and potential observational PBH burst signatures. We have found a unique signature in the PBH burst light curves that may be detectable by GeV/TeV gamma-ray observatories such as the High Altitude Water Cerenkov (HAWC) observatory. Finally, the implications of beyond the Standard Model theories on the PBH burst observational characteristics are also discussed, including potential sensitivity of the instantaneous photon detection rate to a squark threshold in the 5–10 TeV range.« less

Primordial Black Holes: Observational characteristics of the final evaporation

DOE PAGES

Ukwatta, T. N.; Stump, D. R.; Linnemann, J. T.; ...

2016-07-01

For many early universe theories predict the creation of Primordial Black Holes (PBHs). PBHs could have masses ranging from the Planck mass to 105 solar masses or higher depending on the size of the universe at formation. A Black Hole (BH) has a Hawking temperature which is inversely proportional to its mass. Hence a sufficiently small BH will quasi-thermally radiate particles at an ever-increasing rate as emission lowers its mass and raises its temperature. Moreover, the final moments of this evaporation phase should be explosive and its description is dependent on the particle physics model. In this work we investigatemore » the final few seconds of BH evaporation, using the Standard Model and incorporating the most recent Large Hadron Collider (LHC) results, and provide a new parameterization for the instantaneous emission spectrum. We calculate for the first time energy-dependent PBH burst light curves in the GeV/TeV energy range. Moreover, we explore PBH burst search methods and potential observational PBH burst signatures. We have found a unique signature in the PBH burst light curves that may be detectable by GeV/TeV gamma-ray observatories such as the High Altitude Water Cerenkov (HAWC) observatory. Finally, the implications of beyond the Standard Model theories on the PBH burst observational characteristics are also discussed, including potential sensitivity of the instantaneous photon detection rate to a squark threshold in the 5–10 TeV range.« less

Measurement of the proton $$A_1$$ and $$A_2$$ spin asymmetries. Probing Color Forces

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Armstrong, Whitney

The Spin Asymmetries of the Nucleon Experiment (SANE) measured the proton spin structure functionmore » $$g_2$$ in a range of Bjorken x, 0.3 < x < 0.8, where extraction of the twist-3 matrix element $$d_2^p$$ (an integral of $$g_2$$ weighted by $x^2$) is most sensitive. The data was taken from $Q^2$ equal to 2.5 $GeV^2$ up to 6.5 $GeV^2$. In this polarized electron scattering off a polarized hydrogen target experiment, two double spin asymmetries, A∥ and A⊥ were measured using the BETA (Big Electron Telescope Array) Detector. BETA consisted of a scintillator hodoscope, gas Cerenkov counter, lucite hodoscope and a large lead glass electromagnetic calorimeter. With a unique open geometry, a threshold gas Cerenkov detector allowed BETA to cleanly identify electrons for this inclusive experiment. A measurement of $$d_2^p$$ is compared to lattice QCD calculations.« less

Quantitative Modeling of Cerenkov Light Production Efficiency from Medical Radionuclides

PubMed Central

Beattie, Bradley J.; Thorek, Daniel L. J.; Schmidtlein, Charles R.; Pentlow, Keith S.; Humm, John L.; Hielscher, Andreas H.

2012-01-01

There has been recent and growing interest in applying Cerenkov radiation (CR) for biological applications. Knowledge of the production efficiency and other characteristics of the CR produced by various radionuclides would help in accessing the feasibility of proposed applications and guide the choice of radionuclides. To generate this information we developed models of CR production efficiency based on the Frank-Tamm equation and models of CR distribution based on Monte-Carlo simulations of photon and β particle transport. All models were validated against direct measurements using multiple radionuclides and then applied to a number of radionuclides commonly used in biomedical applications. We show that two radionuclides, Ac-225 and In-111, which have been reported to produce CR in water, do not in fact produce CR directly. We also propose a simple means of using this information to calibrate high sensitivity luminescence imaging systems and show evidence suggesting that this calibration may be more accurate than methods in routine current use. PMID:22363636

Ariel 6 measurements of ultra-heavy cosmic ray fluxes in the region Z or = 48

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fowler, P. H.; Masheder, M. R. W.; Moses, R. T.; Walker, R. N. F.; Worley, A.; Gay, A. M.

1985-01-01

For this re-analysis of the Ariel VI data, the contribution of non Z square effects to the restricted energy loss and to Cerenkov radiation in the Bristol sphere has been evaluated using the Mott cross section ratios and the non-relativistic Bloch correction. Results obtained were similar in form to those derived for HEAO3 but with maximum deviations approximately 10% rather than 15% for the Mott term, corresponding to a thinner detector. Because of the large uncertainties in the parameters involved, no relativistic Bloch term was included. In addition the experiments on the HEAO detector make the application of a correction to the Cerenkov response of doubtful justification and none was applied in this analysis. An energy dependent correction was made using an effective energy calculated from the vertical cut-off for a given event. The maximum value of this correction was about 0.6% in Z for low cut-offs, declining to approximately zero by 10 GV.

Search for Primordial Black Holes with the Whipple Atmospheric Cerenkov Telescope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Linton, Eric

2005-04-01

Stephen Hawking's prediction that black holes should radiate like black bodies has several important consequences, including the possibility for the detection of small (˜10^15 g) black holes created in the very early universe. The detection of such primordial black holes (PBHs) would not only validate Hawking's theory, but would provide useful insights into the history of the early universe. A search through 5.5 years of archival data from the Whipple Atmospheric Cerenkov Telescope was made for TeV gamma-ray bursts on 1 s, 3 s, and 5 s timescales. Based on a null result, an upper-limit on the evaporation rate of PBHs of 2.69 x10^6 pc-3 yr^- 1 (99% CL) was made, assuming the Standard Model of particle physics. When combined with the results of an earlier search through Whipple data, this limit was lowered to 1.33 x10^6 pc-3 yr-1, which is nearly a factor of 2 better than the previous limit at this energy range.

Use of relativistic rise in ionization chambers for measurement of high energy heavy nuclei

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barthelmy, S. D.; Israel, M. H.; Klarmann, J.; Vogel, J. S.

1983-01-01

A balloon-borne instrument has been constructed to measure the energy spectra of cosmic-ray heavy nuclei in the range of about 0.3 to about 100 GeV/amu. It makes use of the relativistic rise portion of the Bethe-Bloch curve in ionization chambers for energy determination in the 10- to 100-GeV/amu interval. The instrument consists of six layers of dual-gap ionization chambers for energy determination above 10 GeV/amu. Charge is determined with a NE114 scintillator and a Pilot 425 plastic Cerenkov counter. A CO2 gas Cerenkov detector (1 atm; threshold of 30 GeV/amu) calibrates the ion chambers in the relativistic rise region. The main emphasis of the instrument is the determination of the change of the ratio of Iron (26) to the Iron secondaries (21-25) in the energy range of 10 to 100 GeV/amu. Preliminary data from a balloon flight in the fall of 1982 from Palestine, TX is presented.

Field analysis of the Cerenkov doubling of infrared coherent radiation utilizing an organic crystal core bounded by a glass capillary

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hayata, K.; Yanagawa, K.; Koshiba, M.

1990-12-01

A mode field analysis is presented of the second-harmonic electromagnetic wave that radiates from a nonlinear core bounded by a dielectric cladding. With this analysis the ultimate performance of the organic crystal-cored single-mode optical fiber waveguide as a guided-wave frequency doubler is evaluated through the solution of nonlinear parametric equations derived from Maxwell's equations under some assumptions. As a phase-matching scheme, a Cerenkov approach is considered because of advantages in actual device applications, in which the phase matching is achievable between the fundamental guided LP01 mode and the second-harmonic radiation (leaky) mode. Calculated results for organic cores made of benzil, 4-(N,N-dimethyl-amino)-3-acetamidonitrobenzen, 2-methyl-4-nitroaniline, and 4'-nitrobenzilidene-3-acetoamino-4-metxianiline provide useful data for designing an efficient fiber-optic wavelength converter utilizing nonlinear parametric processes. A detailed comparison is made between results for infinite and finite cladding thicknesses.

Simulation of a gigawatt level Ku-band overmoded Cerenkov type oscillator operated at low guiding magnetic field

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, Hua; Shu, Ting, E-mail: mrtingshu@qq.com; Ju, Jinchuan

2014-03-15

We present the simulation results of a Ku-band overmoded Cerenkov type high power microwave oscillator. A guiding magnetic field as low as 0.6 T has been operated in the device. Overmoded slow wave structures with gradually tapered vanes are used in order to increase power capacity and the efficiency of beam-wave interaction. The drift cavity is adopted to enhance the beam-wave interaction of the device. After numerical optimization, the designed generator with an output microwave power of 1.2 GW, a frequency of 13.8 GHz, and a power conversion efficiency as high as 38% can be achieved, when the diode voltage and currentmore » are, respectively, 540 kV and 5.8 kA. The power compositions of TM{sub 0n} modes of the output microwave have been analyzed, the results of which show that TM{sub 01} mode takes over almost 95% of the power proportion.« less

IceCube

Science.gov Websites

written the portions of the offline software and simulations that involve the electronics and calibrations resonsible for the pieces of the detector calibration and simulation that are connected to the electronics electronics that process and capture the signal produce by Cerenkov light in the photomultiplier tubes. It

Interaction of Electrons and Electromagnetic Waves in Periodic Structures.

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-02-01

spontaneous and stimulated Cerenkov-Smith-Purcell experiments.shown sche- matically in Fig. 1. Analitical Work A new kind of FEL mechanism based on...from Fig. C-9 for 0 > 0.50 the experimental transmission is much higher than the theoretical prediction . A fact that strongly suggest that the theory is

Visual sensations induced by Cherenkov radiation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

McNulty, P.J.; Pease, V.P.; Bond, V.P.

1975-08-01

Pulses of relativistic singly charged particles entering the eyeball induce a variety of visual phenomena by means of Cerenkov radiation generated during their passage through the vitreous. These phenomena are similar in appearance to many of the visual sensations experienced by Apollo astronauts exposed to the cosmic rays in deep space. (auth)

Towards the final word on neutralino dark matter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bramante, Joseph; Desai, Nishita; Fox, Patrick; Martin, Adam; Ostdiek, Bryan; Plehn, Tilman

2016-03-01

We present a complete phenomenological prospectus for thermal relic neutralinos. Including Sommerfeld enhancements to relic abundance and halo annihilation calculations, we obtain direct, indirect, and collider discovery prospects for all neutralinos with mass parameters M1 , M2 , |μ |<4 TeV , which freeze out to the observed dark matter abundance, with scalar superpartners decoupled. Much of the relic neutralino sector will be uncovered by the direct detection experiments Xenon1T and LZ, as well as indirect detection with Cerenkov Telescope Array. We emphasize that thermal relic Higgsinos will be found by next-generation direct detection experiments, so long as M1 ,2<4 TeV . Charged tracks at a 100 TeV hadron collider complement indirect searches for relic winos. Thermal relic bino-winos still evade all planned experiments, including disappearing charged-track searches. However, they can be discovered by compressed electroweakino searches at a 100 TeV collider, completing the full coverage of the relic neutralino surface.

A Measurement of the Energy Spectra of Cosmic Rays from 20 to 1000 GeV Per Amu

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gregory, J. C.; Thoburn, C.; Smith, A. E.; Petruzzo, J. J., III; Austin, R. W.; Derrickson, J. H.; Parnell, T. A.; Masheder, M. R. W.; Fowler, P. H.

1997-01-01

The design features and operational performance from the test flight of the fourth generation of spherical geometry cosmic ray detectors developed at Bristol University (Bristol University Gas Scintillator 4 - BUGS-4) are presented. The flight from Ft. Sumner (NM) in Sept. 1993 was the premier flight of a large (1m radius) spherical drift chamber which also gave gas scintillation and Cerenkov signals. The combinations of this chamber with one gas and two solid Cerenkov radiators lead to a large aperture factor (4.5 m2sr), but low (approximately 3.5 g/sq cm) instrument mass over the energy sensitive range 1 to several hundred GeV/a. Moreover, one simple timing measurement determined the impact parameter which provided a trajectory (path length) correction for all detector elements. This innovative and efficient design will be of interest to experimental groups engaged in studies of energetic charged particles. Although there were technical problems on the flight, which were compounded by the total destruction of BUGS-4 by fire while landing in Oklahoma, there was a period of stable operation during which the instrument was exposed at float altitude (approximately 125,000 ft.) to high energy cosmic rays. We present the performance of the instrument as determined from the analysis of these data and an appraisal of its novel design features. Suggestions for design improvements in a future instrument are made.

System for testing optical fibers

DOEpatents

Davies, Terence J.; Franks, Larry A.; Nelson, Melvin A.

1981-01-01

A system for nondestructively determining the attenuation coefficient, .alpha.(.lambda.), of low-loss optical fiber wave guides. Cerenkov light pulses are generated at a plurality of locations in the fiber by a beam of charged particles. The transit times of selected spectral components and their intensities are utilized to unfold the .alpha.(.lambda.) values over the measured spectrum.

Self-filling and self-purging apparatus for detecting spontaneous radiation from substances in fluids

DOEpatents

Larson, I. Lauren; Chiles, Marion M.; Miller, V. Clint

1993-01-01

Disclosed herein is a radiation detector providing for the in situ automatic sampling of fluids containing substances emitting radiation, especially Cerenkov radiation. The detector permits sampling within well casings and is self-purging such that no additional provisions must be established for the storage and disposal of contaminated fluids.

Galactic Diffuse Gamma Ray Emission Is Greater than 10 Gev

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hunter, Stanley D.; White, Nicholas E. (Technical Monitor)

2000-01-01

AGILE and Gamma-ray Large Area Telescope (GLAST) are the next high-energy gamma-ray telescopes to be flown in space. These instruments will have angular resolution about 5 times better than Energetic Gamma-Ray Experiment Telescope (EGRET) above 10 GeV and much larger field of view. The on-axis effective area of AGILE will be about half that of EGRET, whereas GLAST will have about 6 times greater effective area than EGRET. The capabilities of ground based very high-energy telescopes are also improving, e.g. Whipple, and new telescopes, e.g. Solar Tower Atmospheric Cerenkov Effect Experiment (STACEE), Cerenkov Low Energy Sampling and Timing Experiment (CELESTE), and Mars Advanced Greenhouse Integrated Complex (MAGIC) are expected to have low-energy thresholds and sensitivities that will overlap the GLAST sensitivity above approximately 10 GeV. In anticipation of the results from these new telescopes, our current understanding of the galactic diffuse gamma-ray emission, including the matter and cosmic ray distributions is reviewed. The outstanding questions are discussed and the potential of future observations with these new instruments to resolve these questions is examined.

Towards time-of-flight PET with a semiconductor detector.

PubMed

Ariño-Estrada, Gerard; Mitchell, Gregory S; Kwon, Sun Il; Du, Junwei; Kim, Hadong; Cirignano, Leonard J; Shah, Kanai S; Cherry, Simon R

2018-02-16

The feasibility of using Cerenkov light, generated by energetic electrons following 511 keV photon interactions in the semiconductor TlBr, to obtain fast timing information for positron emission tomography (PET) was evaluated. Due to its high refractive index, TlBr is a relatively good Cerenkov radiator and with its wide bandgap, has good optical transparency across most of the visible spectrum. Coupling an SiPM photodetector to a slab of TlBr (TlBr-SiPM) yielded a coincidence timing resolution of 620 ps FWHM between the TlBr-SiPM detector and a LFS reference detector. This value improved to 430 ps FWHM by applying a high pulse amplitude cut based on the TlBr-SiPM and reference detector signal amplitudes. These results are the best ever achieved with a semiconductor PET detector and already approach the performance required for time-of-flight. As TlBr has higher stopping power and better energy resolution than the conventional scintillation detectors currently used in PET scanners, a hybrid TlBr-SiPM detector with fast timing capability becomes an interesting option for further development.

Towards time-of-flight PET with a semiconductor detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ariño-Estrada, Gerard; Mitchell, Gregory S.; Kwon, Sun Il; Du, Junwei; Kim, Hadong; Cirignano, Leonard J.; Shah, Kanai S.; Cherry, Simon R.

2018-02-01

The feasibility of using Cerenkov light, generated by energetic electrons following 511 keV photon interactions in the semiconductor TlBr, to obtain fast timing information for positron emission tomography (PET) was evaluated. Due to its high refractive index, TlBr is a relatively good Cerenkov radiator and with its wide bandgap, has good optical transparency across most of the visible spectrum. Coupling an SiPM photodetector to a slab of TlBr (TlBr-SiPM) yielded a coincidence timing resolution of 620 ps FWHM between the TlBr-SiPM detector and a LFS reference detector. This value improved to 430 ps FWHM by applying a high pulse amplitude cut based on the TlBr-SiPM and reference detector signal amplitudes. These results are the best ever achieved with a semiconductor PET detector and already approach the performance required for time-of-flight. As TlBr has higher stopping power and better energy resolution than the conventional scintillation detectors currently used in PET scanners, a hybrid TlBr-SiPM detector with fast timing capability becomes an interesting option for further development.

Strontium-90 in deciduous teeth in Finland. A follow-up study.

PubMed

Kolehmainen, L; Rytömaa, I

1975-01-01

Deciduous teeth of Finnish children born in 1958-1967 were analysed for strontium-90 by means of Cerenkov radiation. The strontium-90 content was about 9 pCi/gCa in children born in 1963--1964; the values decreased strongly in the subsequent cohorts of children. The strontium-90 content of the deciduous teeth varied in perfect unison with that of cow's milk (r=+0.99). The results confirm that deciduous teeth provide a practical and accurate indicator of the total body burden of bone-seeking environmental pollutants.

Practical use of a plastic scintillator for quality assurance of electron beam therapy.

PubMed

Yogo, Katsunori; Tatsuno, Yuya; Tsuneda, Masato; Aono, Yuki; Mochizuki, Daiki; Fujisawa, Yoshiki; Matsushita, Akihiro; Ishigami, Minoru; Ishiyama, Hiromichi; Hayakawa, Kazushige

2017-06-07

Quality assurance (QA) of clinical electron beams is essential for performing accurate and safe radiation therapy. However, with advances in radiation therapy, QA has become increasingly labor-intensive and time-consuming. In this paper, we propose a tissue-equivalent plastic scintillator for quick and easy QA of clinical electron beams. The proposed tool comprises a plastic scintillator plate and a charge-coupled device camera that enable the scintillation light by electron beams to be recorded with high sensitivity and high spatial resolution. Further, the Cerenkov image is directly subtracted from the scintillation image to discriminate Cerenkov emissions and accurately measure the dose profiles of electron beams with high spatial resolution. Compared with conventional methods, discrepancies in the depth profile improved from 7% to 2% in the buildup region via subtractive corrections. Further, the output brightness showed good linearity with dose, good reproducibility (deviations below 1%), and dose rate independence (within 0.5%). The depth of 50% dose measured with the tool, an index of electron beam quality, was within  ±0.5 mm of that obtained with an ionization chamber. Lateral brightness profiles agreed with the lateral dose profiles to within 4% and no significant improvement was obtained using Cerenkov corrections. Field size agreed to within 0.5 mm with those obtained with ionization chamber. For clinical QA of electron boost treatment, a disk scintillator that mimics the shape of a patient's breast is applied. The brightness distribution and dose, calculated using a treatment planning system, was generally acceptable for clinical use, except in limited zones. Overall, the proposed plastic scintillator plate tool efficiently performs QA for electron beam therapy and enables simultaneous verification of output constancy, beam quality, depth, and lateral dose profiles during monthly QAs at lower doses of irradiation (small monitor units, MUs).

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jornet, N; Carrasco de Fez, P; Jordi, O

Purpose: To evaluate the accuracy in total scatter factor (Sc,p) determination for small fields using commercial plastic scintillator detector (PSD). The manufacturer's spectral discrimination method to subtract Cerenkov light from the signal is discussed. Methods: Sc,p for field sizes ranging from 0.5 to 10 cm were measured using PSD Exradin (Standard Imaging) connected to two channel electrometer measuring the signals in two different spectral regions to subtract the Cerenkov signal from the PSD signal. A Pinpoint ionisation chamber 31006 (PTW) and a non-shielded semiconductor detector EFD (Scanditronix) were used for comparison. Measures were performed for a 6 MV X-ray beam.more » The Sc,p are measured at 10 cm depth in water for a SSD=100 cm and normalized to a 10'10 cm{sup 2} field size at the isocenter. All detectors were placed with their symmetry axis parallel to the beam axis.We followed the manufacturer's recommended calibration methodology to subtract the Cerenkov contribution to the signal as well as a modified method using smaller field sizes. The Sc,p calculated by using both calibration methodologies were compared. Results: Sc,p measured with the semiconductor and the PinPoint detectors agree, within 1.5%, for field sizes between 10'10 and 1'1 cm{sup 2}. Sc,p measured with the PSD using the manufacturer's calibration methodology were systematically 4% higher than those measured with the semiconductor detector for field sizes smaller than 5'5 cm{sup 2}. By using a modified calibration methodology for smalls fields and keeping the manufacturer calibration methodology for fields larger than 5'5cm{sup 2} field Sc,p matched semiconductor results within 2% field sizes larger than 1.5 cm. Conclusion: The calibration methodology proposed by the manufacturer is not appropriate for dose measurements in small fields. The calibration parameters are not independent of the incident radiation spectrum for this PSD. This work was partially financed by grant 2012 of Barcelona board of the AECC.« less

Three-dimensional Noninvasive Monitoring Iodine-131 Uptake in the Thyroid Using a Modified Cerenkov Luminescence Tomography Approach

PubMed Central

Qu, Xiaochao; Yang, Weidong; Liang, Jimin; Wang, Jing; Tian, Jie

2012-01-01

Background Cerenkov luminescence tomography (CLT) provides the three-dimensional (3D) radiopharmaceutical biodistribution in small living animals, which is vital to biomedical imaging. However, existing single-spectral and multispectral methods are not very efficient and effective at reconstructing the distribution of the radionuclide tracer. In this paper, we present a semi-quantitative Cerenkov radiation spectral characteristic-based source reconstruction method named the hybrid spectral CLT, to efficiently reconstruct the radionuclide tracer with both encouraging reconstruction results and less acquisition and image reconstruction time. Methodology/Principal Findings We constructed the implantation mouse model implanted with a 400 µCi Na131I radioactive source and the physiological mouse model received an intravenous tail injection of 400 µCi radiopharmaceutical Iodine-131 (I-131) to validate the performance of the hybrid spectral CLT and compared the reconstruction results, acquisition, and image reconstruction time with that of single-spectral and multispectral CLT. Furthermore, we performed 3D noninvasive monitoring of I-131 uptake in the thyroid and quantified I-131 uptake in vivo using hybrid spectral CLT. Results showed that the reconstruction based on the hybrid spectral CLT was more accurate in localization and quantification than using single-spectral CLT, and was more efficient in the in vivo experiment compared with multispectral CLT. Additionally, 3D visualization of longitudinal observations suggested that the reconstructed energy of I-131 uptake in the thyroid increased with acquisition time and there was a robust correlation between the reconstructed energy versus the gamma ray counts of I-131 (). The ex vivo biodistribution experiment further confirmed the I-131 uptake in the thyroid for hybrid spectral CLT. Conclusions/Significance Results indicated that hybrid spectral CLT could be potentially used for thyroid imaging to evaluate its function and monitor its treatment for thyroid cancer. PMID:22629431

Correlation between positron emission tomography and Cerenkov luminescence imaging in vivo and ex vivo using 64Cu-labeled antibodies in a neuroblastoma mouse model.

PubMed

Maier, Florian C; Schmitt, Julia; Maurer, Andreas; Ehrlichmann, Walter; Reischl, Gerald; Nikolaou, Konstantin; Handgretinger, Rupert; Pichler, Bernd J; Thaiss, Wolfgang M

2016-10-11

Antibody-based therapies gain momentum in clinical therapy, thus the need for accurate imaging modalities with respect to target identification and therapy monitoring are of increasing relevance. Cerenkov luminescence imaging (CLI) are a novel method detecting charged particles emitted during radioactive decay with optical imaging. Here, we compare Position Emission Tomography (PET) with CLI in a multimodal imaging study aiming at the fast and efficient screening of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) designated for targeting of the neuroblastoma-characteristic epitope disialoganglioside GD2. Neuroblastoma-bearing SHO mice were injected with a 64Cu-labeled GD2-specific mAb. The tumor uptake was imaged 3 h, 24 h and 48 h after tracer injection with both, PET and CLI, and was compared to the accumulation in GD2-negative control tumors (human embryonic kidney, HEK-293). In addition to an in vivo PET/CLI-correlation over time, we also demonstrate linear correlations of CLI- and γ-counter-based biodistribution analysis. CLI with its comparably short acquisition time can thus be used as an attractive one-stop-shop modality for the longitudinal monitoring of antibody-based tumor targeting and ex vivo biodistribution.These findings suggest CLI as a reliable alternative for PET and biodistribution studies with respect to fast and high-throughput screenings in subcutaneous tumors traced with radiolabeled antibodies. However, in contrast to PET, CLI is not limited to positron-emitting isotopes and can therefore also be used for the visualization of mAb labeled with therapeutic isotopes like electron emitters.

Research on techniques for laser ranging to optical corner reflectors on the moon. Research on laser techniques and single photo-electron detection and timing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Alley, C. O.

1976-01-01

Experimental studies using a pulsed LED, Cerenkov source, and a 100 ps laser were made of various photomultipliers and discriminator combinations. In addition, a new type of neodymium-YAG frequency doubled laser was used as the basis for the development of a stable, short pulse, high repetition rate laser system. This laser was then used in conjunction with atomic clocks to study the effect of gravitational potential on elapsed time. Avenues to promote the development of international cooperation in the area of lunar laser ranging were also explored.

Intrinsically Radioactive [64Cu]CuInS/ZnS Quantum Dots for PET and Optical Imaging: Improved Radiochemical Stability and Controllable Cerenkov Luminescence

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

Functionalized quantum dots (QDs) have been widely explored for multimodality bioimaging and proven to be versatile agents. Attaching positron-emitting radioisotopes onto QDs not only endows their positron emission tomography (PET) functionality, but also results in self-illuminating QDs, with no need for an external light source, by Cerenkov resonance energy transfer (CRET). Traditional chelation methods have been used to incorporate the radionuclide, but these methods are compromised by the potential for loss of radionuclide due to cleavage of the linker between particle and chelator, decomplexation of the metal, and possible altered pharmacokinetics of nanomaterials. Herein, we described a straightforward synthesis of intrinsically radioactive [64Cu]CuInS/ZnS QDs by directly incorporating 64Cu into CuInS/ZnS nanostructure with 64CuCl2 as synthesis precursor. The [64Cu]CuInS/ZnS QDs demonstrated excellent radiochemical stability with less than 3% free 64Cu detected even after exposure to serum containing EDTA (5 mM) for 24 h. PEGylation can be achieved in situ during synthesis, and the PEGylated radioactive QDs showed high tumor uptake (10.8% ID/g) in a U87MG mouse xenograft model. CRET efficiency was studied as a function of concentration and 64Cu radioactivity concentration. These [64Cu]CuInS/ZnS QDs were successfully applied as an efficient PET/self-illuminating luminescence in vivo imaging agents. PMID:25549258

Intrinsically radioactive [64Cu]CuInS/ZnS quantum dots for PET and optical imaging: improved radiochemical stability and controllable Cerenkov luminescence.

PubMed

Guo, Weisheng; Sun, Xiaolian; Jacobson, Orit; Yan, Xuefeng; Min, Kyunghyun; Srivatsan, Avinash; Niu, Gang; Kiesewetter, Dale O; Chang, Jin; Chen, Xiaoyuan

2015-01-27

Functionalized quantum dots (QDs) have been widely explored for multimodality bioimaging and proven to be versatile agents. Attaching positron-emitting radioisotopes onto QDs not only endows their positron emission tomography (PET) functionality, but also results in self-illuminating QDs, with no need for an external light source, by Cerenkov resonance energy transfer (CRET). Traditional chelation methods have been used to incorporate the radionuclide, but these methods are compromised by the potential for loss of radionuclide due to cleavage of the linker between particle and chelator, decomplexation of the metal, and possible altered pharmacokinetics of nanomaterials. Herein, we described a straightforward synthesis of intrinsically radioactive [(64)Cu]CuInS/ZnS QDs by directly incorporating (64)Cu into CuInS/ZnS nanostructure with (64)CuCl2 as synthesis precursor. The [(64)Cu]CuInS/ZnS QDs demonstrated excellent radiochemical stability with less than 3% free (64)Cu detected even after exposure to serum containing EDTA (5 mM) for 24 h. PEGylation can be achieved in situ during synthesis, and the PEGylated radioactive QDs showed high tumor uptake (10.8% ID/g) in a U87MG mouse xenograft model. CRET efficiency was studied as a function of concentration and (64)Cu radioactivity concentration. These [(64)Cu]CuInS/ZnS QDs were successfully applied as an efficient PET/self-illuminating luminescence in vivo imaging agents.

Study of fast charged particles with a Cerenkov detector on the KOSMOS-900 orbiter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gorchakov, E. V.; Afanas'ev, V. G.; Afanas'ev, K. G.; Ignat'ev, P. P.; Iozenas, V. A.; Ternovskaya, M. V.

1987-10-01

Experimental data, for the period from April 30, 1977 to October 10, 1979, on the spatial distribution of secondary electrons with energy greater than 15 MeV and protons with energy greater than 400 MeV at an altitude of ˜500 km as well as data on the fluxes of relativistic electrons with energy exceeding 15 MeV, arising in the decay phase of magnetic storms and trapped in the outer radiation belt, are presented. The results of measurements of solar cosmic rays (SCR) in the vent on November 22, 1977 are discussed.

Study of fast charged particles with a Cerenkov detector on the Kosmos-900 orbiter

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gorchakov, E.V.; Afanas'ev, V.G.; Afanas'ev, K.G.

1988-04-01

Experimental data, for the period form April 30, 1977 to October 10, 1979, on the spatial distribution of secondary electrons with energy greater than 15 MeV and protons with energy greater than 400 MeV at an altitude of /approximately/500 km as well as data on the fluxes of relativistic electrons with energy exceeding 15 MeV, arising in the decay phase of magnetic storms and trapped in the outer radiation belt, are presented. The results of measurements of solar cosmic rays in the vent on November 22, 1977 are discussed.

Periodic gamma-ray emissions from Geminga at or = 10(12) eV

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kaul, R. K.; Rawat, H. S.; Sanecha, V. K.; Rannot, R. C.; Sapru, M.; Tickoo, A. K.; Qazi, R. A.; Bhat, C. L.; Razdan, H.; Tonwar, S. C.

1985-01-01

Analysis of data from an atmospheric Cerenkov telescope indicated the periodic emission of gamma rays of energy 10 to the 12th power eV, at 60.25 second period, from 2CG 195+4. The gamma ray flux at 99% confidence level is estimated to be 9.5 x 10 to 12 photons/sq cm/s.

Particle identification at an asymmetric B Factory

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Coyle, P.; Eigen, G.; Hitlin, D.

1991-09-01

Particle identification systems are an important component of any detector at a high-luminosity, asymmetric B Factory. In particular, excellent hadron identification is required to probe CP violation in B{sup 0} decays to CP eigenstates. The particle identification systems discussed below also provide help in separating leptons from hadrons at low momenta. We begin this chapter with a discussion of the physics motivation for providing particle identification, the inherent limitations due to interactions and decays in flight, and the requirements for hermiticity and angular coverage. A special feature of an asymmetric B Factory is the resulting asymmetry in the momentum distributionmore » as a function of polar angle; this will also be quantified and discussed. In the next section the three primary candidates, time-of-flight (TOF), energy loss (dE/dx), and Cerenkov counters, both ring-imaging and threshold, will be briefly described and evaluated. Following this, one of the candidates, a long-drift Cerenkov ring-imaging device, is described in detail to provide a reference design. Design considerations for a fast RICH are then described. A detailed discussion of aerogel threshold counter designs and associated R D conclude the chapter. 56 refs., 64 figs., 13 tabs.« less

Enhancement and wavelength-shifted emission of Cerenkov luminescence using multifunctional microspheres

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Joanne; Dobrucki, Lawrence W.; Marjanovic, Marina; Chaney, Eric J.; Suslick, Kenneth S.; Boppart, Stephen A.

2015-01-01

Cerenkov luminescence (CL) imaging is a new molecular imaging modality that utilizes the photons emitted during radioactive decay when charged particles travel faster than the phase velocity of light in a dielectric medium. Here we present a novel agent to convert and increase CL emission at longer wavelengths using multimodal protein microspheres (MSs). The 64Cu-labeled protein microspheres contain quantum dots (QDs) encapsulated within a high-refractive-index-oil core. Dark box imaging of the MSs was conducted to demonstrate the improvement in CL emission at longer wavelengths. To illustrate the versatile design of these MSs and the potential of CL in disease diagnosis, these MSs were utilized for in vitro cell targeting and ex vivo CL-excited QD fluorescence (CL-FL) imaging of atherosclerotic plaques in rats. It was shown that by utilizing both QDs and MSs with a high-refractive-index-oil core, the CL emission increases by four-fold at longer wavelengths. Furthermore, we demonstrate that these MSs generate both an in vivo and ex vivo contrast signal. The design concept of utilizing QDs and high-index core MSs may contribute to future developments of in vivo CL imaging.

High energy ion collisions. Final technical report, December 14, 1995--March 17, 1997

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jacak, B.V.

1997-12-31

This grant supported one year of work on Relativistic Heavy Ion Collisions at the University of New Mexico. The Principal Investigator, an Adjunct Associate Professor at UNM, recruited a student (Mikhail Kopytine), sent him to CERN for several months to participate in the final data taking period of the NA44 experiment at CERN, then initiated analysis of the data collected during the run. A Hewlett-Packard workstation was purchased and Mr. Kopytine performed calibration, software development, and data analysis using it. A collaboration between Los Alamos National Laboratory and other faculty members at the University of New Mexico was begun, withmore » the goal of working closely together on the PHENIX experiment for RHIC. At this time, a close collaboration continues, centered around the Muon tracking detectors for PHENIX. Station 1 of the tracking system is under construction at UNM, while stations 2 and 3 are the responsibility of LANL. The following accomplishments were made: (1) Participation in final data taking period of NA44; (2) Work on commissioning of aerogel Cerenkov trigger and performed offline analysis to demonstrate its performance; (3) Calibration of the uranium calorimeter in NA44 in preparation for Data Summary Tape production; (4) An optimized DST production for tapes with single pion, kaon, and proton triggers for Pb+Pb collisions was performed; (5) Analysis of pion and kaon distributions and production cross sections from Pb+Pb collisions; and (6) Participation in MVD development meetings and contributed to planning of the analysis software for MVD.« less

Measurement of the iron spectrum from 60 to 200 GeV per nucleon

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Streitmatter, R. E.; Balasubrahmanyan, V. K.; Ormes, J. F.; Acharya, B. S.

1985-01-01

The high energy gas Cerenkov Spectrometer (HEGCS) was flown by balloon from Palestine, Texas on September 30, 1983. The instrument maintained an altitude of 118,000 ft (4.7 g/sq cms) for 6 hours. Details of the ongoing data analysis and preliminary results on the Fe spectrum to 10 to the 13th power eV/nucleus are given.

SU-E-T-111: Development of Proton Dosimetry System Using Fiber-Optic Cerenkov Radiation Sensor Array

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Son, J; Kim, M; Shin, D

2014-06-01

Purpose: We had developed and evaluated a new dosimetric system for proton therapy using array of fiber-optic Cerenkov radiation sensor (FOCRS) which can measure a percent depth dose (PDD) instantly. In this study, the Bragg peaks and spread out Bragg peak (SOBP) of the proton beams measured by FOCRS array were compared with those measured by an ion chamber. Methods and Method: We fabricated an optical fiber array of FOCRS in a handmade phantom which is composed of poly-methyl methacrylate (PMMA). There are 75 holes of 1mm diameter inside the phantom which is designed to be exposed in direction ofmore » beam when it is emerged in water phantom. The proton beam irradiation was carried out using IBA cyclotron PROTEUS 235 at national cancer center in Korea and a commercial data acquisition system was used to digitize the analog signal. Results: The measured Bragg peak and SOBP for the proton ranges of 7∼ 20 cm were well matched with the result from ion chamber. The comparison results show that the depth of proton beam ranges and the width of SOBP measured by array of FOCRS are comparable with the measurement from multi-layer ion chamber (MLIC) although there are some uncertainty in the measurement of FOCRS array for some specific beam ranges. Conclusion: The newly developed FOCRS array based dosimetric system for proton therapy can efficiently reduce the time and effort needed for proton beam range measurement compared to the conventional method and has the potential to be used for the proton pencil beam application.« less

Prompt Electron Production in Electron-Positron Annihilations at 29 GEV.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koop, Dale E.

We have studied the production of prompt electrons in high statistics sample (118 pb('-1)) of multihadron events produced in electron positron annihilations at 29 Gev. The experiment was performed using the DELCO facility on the PEP storage ring at SLAC. Electron identification was done primarily with a large acceptance threshold Cerenkov counter. Both the momentum and the transverse momentum spectra are measured in terms of a differential cross section for electrons having momenta in the range 0.5 < P < 5.5 Gev/c. We measure the inclusive cross section in this momentum range to be 35.8 (+OR-) 3.1 pb. The final distribution of candidates in the P - P(,(PERP)) plane are fit well using a Monte Carlo having a combination of bottom and charm quark decays with the semielectronic branching ratios of (15.0 (+OR-) 2.9)% and (8.9 (+OR-) 1.4)%. We observe no evidence of electron production from new sources and determine a cross section upper limit of 11.6 pb (90% CL) for this process. We find that the fragmentation functions are hard for both b and c quarks, characterized by the values < z(,b) > = 0.77 + 0.05 and < z(,c) > = 0.68 (+OR -) 0.06, where z is the fraction of the heavy quark's energy that is retained by the primary hadron containing the heavy quark. The fragmentation function is fit well by the form. (DIAGRAM, TABLE OR GRAPHIC OMITTED...PLEASE SEE DAI). Finally, we observe events having two electrons with an inclusive cross section of 2.8 (+OR-) 1.3 pb for this process, which is consistent with the rate expected from the measured semielectronic rates.

Single photon emission computed tomography-guided Cerenkov luminescence tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Zhenhua; Chen, Xueli; Liang, Jimin; Qu, Xiaochao; Chen, Duofang; Yang, Weidong; Wang, Jing; Cao, Feng; Tian, Jie

2012-07-01

Cerenkov luminescence tomography (CLT) has become a valuable tool for preclinical imaging because of its ability of reconstructing the three-dimensional distribution and activity of the radiopharmaceuticals. However, it is still far from a mature technology and suffers from relatively low spatial resolution due to the ill-posed inverse problem for the tomographic reconstruction. In this paper, we presented a single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)-guided reconstruction method for CLT, in which a priori information of the permissible source region (PSR) from SPECT imaging results was incorporated to effectively reduce the ill-posedness of the inverse reconstruction problem. The performance of the method was first validated with the experimental reconstruction of an adult athymic nude mouse implanted with a Na131I radioactive source and an adult athymic nude mouse received an intravenous tail injection of Na131I. A tissue-mimic phantom based experiment was then conducted to illustrate the ability of the proposed method in resolving double sources. Compared with the traditional PSR strategy in which the PSR was determined by the surface flux distribution, the proposed method obtained much more accurate and encouraging localization and resolution results. Preliminary results showed that the proposed SPECT-guided reconstruction method was insensitive to the regularization methods and ignored the heterogeneity of tissues which can avoid the segmentation procedure of the organs.

Design of pulsed guiding magnetic field for high power microwave generators.

PubMed

Ju, J-C; Zhang, H; Zhang, J; Shu, T; Zhong, H-H

2014-09-01

In this paper, we present a comprehensive study on designing solenoid together with the corresponding power supply system to excite pulsed magnetic field required for high power microwave generators. Particularly, a solenoid is designed and the excited magnetic field is applied to a Ku-band overmoded Cerenkov generator. It is found in experiment that the electron beam is properly guided by the magnetic field and a 1.1 GW high power microwave is achieved at a central frequency of 13.76 GHz. Pulsed solenoid system has the advantages of compactness and low energy consumption, which are of great interest for repetitive operation. The reported studies and results can be generalized to other applications which require magnetic fields.

All sky Northern Hemisphere 10(15) EV gamma-ray survey

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baltrusaitis, R. M.; Cassiday, G. L.; Cooper, R.; Elbert, J. W.; Gerhardy, P. R.; Loh, E. C.; Mizumoto, Y.; Sokolsky, P.; Sommers, P.; Steck, D.

1985-01-01

Flux limits in the range 10 to the minus 13th power-10 to the minus 12 power/sq cm/s have been obtained by observing Cerenkov flashes from small air showers. During 1983, a 3.5 sigma excess of showers was observed during the phase interval 0.2 to 0.3 of the 4.8h period of Cygnus X-3, but no excess was found in 1984 observations.

High power microwave generator

DOEpatents

Ekdahl, Carl A.

1986-01-01

A microwave generator efficiently converts the energy of an intense relativistic electron beam (REB) into a high-power microwave emission using the Smith-Purcell effect which is related to Cerenkov radiation. Feedback for efficient beam bunching and high gain is obtained by placing a cylindrical Smith-Purcell transmission grating on the axis of a toroidal resonator. High efficiency results from the use of a thin cold annular highly-magnetized REB that is closely coupled to the resonant structure.

The calorimeter system of the new muon g-2 experiment at Fermilab

DOE PAGES

Alonzi, L. P.; Anastasi, A.; Bjorkquist, R.; ...

2015-12-02

The electromagnetic calorimeter for the new muon ( g–2) experiment at Fermilab will consist of arrays of PbF 2 Cerenkov crystals read out by large-area silicon photo-multiplier (SiPM) sensors. Here, we report here the requirements for this system, the achieved solution and the results obtained from a test beam using 2.0–4.5 GeV electrons with a 28-element prototype array.

Spectrometer of high energy gamma quantums

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Blokhintsev, I. D.; Melioranskiy, A. S.; Kalinkin, L. F.; Nagornykh, Y. I.; Pryakhin, Y. A.

1979-01-01

A detailed description of the apparatus GG-2M is given. The spectrometer contains a Cerenkov and scintillation (including anticoincidence) counter. The energies of the gamma quantums are measured by a shower calorimeter, in which scintillation counters are used in the capacity of detectors. Results are given for tuning the device on mu-mesons of cosmic rays. The data of physical tuning allow more reliable interpretation of the results of measurements which are received on the satellites.

High power microwave generator

DOEpatents

Ekdahl, C.A.

1983-12-29

A microwave generator efficiently converts the energy of an intense relativistic electron beam (REB) into a high-power microwave emission using the Smith-Purcell effect which is related to Cerenkov radiation. Feedback for efficient beam bunching and high gain is obtained by placing a cylindrical Smith-Purcell transmission grating on the axis of a toroidal resonator. High efficiency results from the use of a thin cold annular highly-magnetized REB that is closely coupled to the resonant structure.

Controlling the numerical Cerenkov instability in PIC simulations using a customized finite difference Maxwell solver and a local FFT based current correction

DOE PAGES

Li, Fei; Yu, Peicheng; Xu, Xinlu; ...

2017-01-12

In this study we present a customized finite-difference-time-domain (FDTD) Maxwell solver for the particle-in-cell (PIC) algorithm. The solver is customized to effectively eliminate the numerical Cerenkov instability (NCI) which arises when a plasma (neutral or non-neutral) relativistically drifts on a grid when using the PIC algorithm. We control the EM dispersion curve in the direction of the plasma drift of a FDTD Maxwell solver by using a customized higher order finite difference operator for the spatial derivative along the direction of the drift (1ˆ direction). We show that this eliminates the main NCI modes with moderate |k 1|, while keepsmore » additional main NCI modes well outside the range of physical interest with higher |k 1|. These main NCI modes can be easily filtered out along with first spatial aliasing NCI modes which are also at the edge of the fundamental Brillouin zone. The customized solver has the possible advantage of improved parallel scalability because it can be easily partitioned along 1ˆ which typically has many more cells than other directions for the problems of interest. We show that FFTs can be performed locally to current on each partition to filter out the main and first spatial aliasing NCI modes, and to correct the current so that it satisfies the continuity equation for the customized spatial derivative. This ensures that Gauss’ Law is satisfied. Lastly, we present simulation examples of one relativistically drifting plasma, of two colliding relativistically drifting plasmas, and of nonlinear laser wakefield acceleration (LWFA) in a Lorentz boosted frame that show no evidence of the NCI can be observed when using this customized Maxwell solver together with its NCI elimination scheme.« less

Controlling the numerical Cerenkov instability in PIC simulations using a customized finite difference Maxwell solver and a local FFT based current correction

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li, Fei; Yu, Peicheng; Xu, Xinlu

In this study we present a customized finite-difference-time-domain (FDTD) Maxwell solver for the particle-in-cell (PIC) algorithm. The solver is customized to effectively eliminate the numerical Cerenkov instability (NCI) which arises when a plasma (neutral or non-neutral) relativistically drifts on a grid when using the PIC algorithm. We control the EM dispersion curve in the direction of the plasma drift of a FDTD Maxwell solver by using a customized higher order finite difference operator for the spatial derivative along the direction of the drift (1ˆ direction). We show that this eliminates the main NCI modes with moderate |k 1|, while keepsmore » additional main NCI modes well outside the range of physical interest with higher |k 1|. These main NCI modes can be easily filtered out along with first spatial aliasing NCI modes which are also at the edge of the fundamental Brillouin zone. The customized solver has the possible advantage of improved parallel scalability because it can be easily partitioned along 1ˆ which typically has many more cells than other directions for the problems of interest. We show that FFTs can be performed locally to current on each partition to filter out the main and first spatial aliasing NCI modes, and to correct the current so that it satisfies the continuity equation for the customized spatial derivative. This ensures that Gauss’ Law is satisfied. Lastly, we present simulation examples of one relativistically drifting plasma, of two colliding relativistically drifting plasmas, and of nonlinear laser wakefield acceleration (LWFA) in a Lorentz boosted frame that show no evidence of the NCI can be observed when using this customized Maxwell solver together with its NCI elimination scheme.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Williams, S.H.; Oxoby, G.J.; Trang, Q.H.

The advent of the personal microcomputer provides a new tool for the debugging, calibration and monitoring of small scale physics apparatus; e.g., a single detector being developed for a larger physics apparatus. With an appropriate interface these microcomputer systems provide a low cost (1/3 the cost of a comparable minicomputer system), convenient, dedicated, portable system which can be used in a fashion similar to that of portable oscilloscopes. Here we describe an interface between the Apple computer and CAMAC which is now being used to study the detector for a Cerenkov ring-imaging device. The Apple is particularly well-suited to thismore » application because of its ease of use, hi-resolution graphics peripheral buss and documentation support.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Oxoby, G.J.; Trang, Q.H.; Williams, S.H.

The advent of the personal microcomputer provides a new tool for the debugging, calibration and monitoring of small scale physics apparatus, e.g., a single detector being developed for a larger physics apparatus. With an appropriate interface these microcomputer systems provide a low cost (1/3 the cost of a comparable minicomputer system), convenient, dedicated, portable system which can be used in a fashion similar to that of portable oscilloscopes. Here, an interface between the Apple computer and CAMAC which is now being used to study the detector for a Cerenkov ring-imaging device is described. The Apple is particularly well-suited to thismore » application because of its ease of use, hi-resolution graphics, peripheral bus and documentation support.« less

Final Report for DoE Grant DE-SC-0011689 - Studies of Particle Astrophysics at the Cosmic Frontier

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nitz, David F.; Fick, Brian E.

Our research focuses on the “Cosmic Frontier”, one of the three principle thrusts of the DoE Office of Science High Energy Physics research program. The 2013 community summer study “Snowmass on the Mississippi” catalyzed joint work to describe the status and future prospects of this research thrust. Over its history, the field of cosmic ray studies has provided many discoveries of central importance to the the progress of high energy physics, including the identification of new elementary particles, measurements of particle interactions far above accelerator energies, and the confirmation of neutrino oscillations. In our research we continued this tradition, employingmore » 2 instruments (the Auger Observatory and the HAWC Observatory) to study high energy physics questions using cosmic rays. One approach to addressing particle physics questions at the cosmic frontier is to study the very highest energy cosmic rays. This has been the major thrust of our research effort. The two largest currently operating ultra-high energy cosmic ray (UHECR) observatories are the Pierre Auger Observatory in the Southern hemisphere, covering an area of 3000 km 2 and the Telescope Array (TA) in the Northern hemisphere, covering about 700 km 2. The observatories sample the cosmic ray air showers at ground level (with 1660 water Cerenkov stations in the Auger surface detector), and also measure the longitudinal development of air showers on clear moonless nights (approx. 10% of the events) using atmospheric fluorescence detectors. The observatories have recently installed low energy extensions, which provide an overlap with the LHC energy regime. The Auger and TA teams have established joint working groups to discuss experimental methods, compare data analyses and modeling, and perform cross calibrations. Another approach is to study high energy gamma rays. The High Altitude Water Cerenkov (HAWC) gamma-ray observatory is located at 4100 m above sea level near Pico de Orizaba in central Mexico. HAWC is the most sensitive, wide field of view, TeV gamma-ray observatory in operation. After 4 years of construction, operation of the full detector began in March 2015. The HAWC detector contains 300 tanks each 7.3 m in diameter and 4.5 m deep containing pure water. Each water tank is instrumented with 4 upward-viewing photomultiplier tubes mounted at their bottom. The water tanks record the energy deposited by and arrival times of the constituent components of impinging extensive air showers (EAS). The tanks are close-packed to optimize the spatial sampling of the shower front. The distribution of deposited energy across the shower is used for gamma-hadron rejection. Showers with large energy deposit away from the core are rejected as being hadron-initiated. The detector operates at full efficiency above 3 TeV. The angular resolution above that energy approaches 0.1 degree. As the detector operates both day and night, the wide field of view of ~2 sr, allows ~2/3 of the sky to be observed each day.« less

Excitation of Kelvin Helmholtz instability by an ion beam in a plasma with negatively charged dust grains

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rani, Kavita; Sharma, Suresh C.

2015-02-15

An ion beam propagating through a magnetized dusty plasma drives Kelvin Helmholtz Instability (KHI) via Cerenkov interaction. The frequency of the unstable wave increases with the relative density of negatively charged dust grains. It is observed that the beam has stabilizing effect on the growth rate of KHI for low shear parameter, but for high shear parameter, the instability is destabilized with relative density of negatively charged dust grains.

Cerenkov radiation allows in vivo optical imaging of positron emitting radiotracers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spinelli, Antonello E.; D'Ambrosio, Daniela; Calderan, Laura; Marengo, Mario; Sbarbati, Andrea; Boschi, Federico

2010-01-01

In this paper, we showed that Cerenkov radiation (CR) escaping from the surface of small living animals injected with 18F-FDG can be detected with optical imaging techniques. 18F decays by emitting positrons with a maximum energy of 0.635 MeV; such positrons, when travelling into tissues faster than the speed of light in the same medium, are responsible of CR emission. A detailed model of the CR spectrum considering the positron energy spectrum was developed in order to quantify the amount of light emission. The results presented in this work were obtained using a commercial optical imager equipped with charged coupled detectors (CCD). Our data open the door to optical imaging (OI) in vivo of the glucose metabolism, at least in pre-clinical research. We found that the heart and bladder can be clearly identified in the animal body reflecting the accumulation of the 18F-FDG. Moreover, we describe two different methods based on the spectral analysis of the CR that can be used to estimate the depth of the source inside the animal. We conclude that 18F-FDG can be employed as it is as a bimodal tracer for positron emission tomography (PET) and OI techniques. Our results are encouraging, suggesting that it could be possible to apply the proposed approach not only to β+ but also to pure β- emitters.

Cerenkov radiation allows in vivo optical imaging of positron emitting radiotracers.

PubMed

Spinelli, Antonello E; D'Ambrosio, Daniela; Calderan, Laura; Marengo, Mario; Sbarbati, Andrea; Boschi, Federico

2010-01-21

In this paper, we showed that Cerenkov radiation (CR) escaping from the surface of small living animals injected with (18)F-FDG can be detected with optical imaging techniques. (18)F decays by emitting positrons with a maximum energy of 0.635 MeV; such positrons, when travelling into tissues faster than the speed of light in the same medium, are responsible of CR emission. A detailed model of the CR spectrum considering the positron energy spectrum was developed in order to quantify the amount of light emission. The results presented in this work were obtained using a commercial optical imager equipped with charged coupled detectors (CCD). Our data open the door to optical imaging (OI) in vivo of the glucose metabolism, at least in pre-clinical research. We found that the heart and bladder can be clearly identified in the animal body reflecting the accumulation of the (18)F-FDG. Moreover, we describe two different methods based on the spectral analysis of the CR that can be used to estimate the depth of the source inside the animal. We conclude that (18)F-FDG can be employed as it is as a bimodal tracer for positron emission tomography (PET) and OI techniques. Our results are encouraging, suggesting that it could be possible to apply the proposed approach not only to beta(+) but also to pure beta(-) emitters.

Performance of a Quintuple-GEM Based RICHDetector Prototype

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Blatnik, Marie; Dehmelt, Klaus; Deshpande, Abhay

2015-12-17

Cerenkov technology is often the optimal choice for particle identification in high energy particle collision applications. Typically, the most challenging regime is at high pseudorapidity (forward) where particle identification must perform well at high laboratory momenta. For the upcoming electron ion collider (EIC), the physics goals require hadron (π, K, p) identification up to ~50 GeV/c. In this region Cerenkov ring-imaging (RICH) is the most viable solution. The speed of light in a radiator medium is inversely proportional to the refractive index. Hence, for particle identification (PID) reaching out to high momenta a small index of refraction is required. Unfortunately,more » the lowest indices of refraction also result in the lowest light yield ([(dNγ)/dx] ∝ sin2(θC)) driving up the radiator length and thereby the overall detector cost. In this paper we report on a successful test of a compact RICH detector (1 meter radiator) capable of delivering in excess of 10 photoelectrons per ring with a low index radiator gas (CF4). The detector concept is a natural extension of the PHENIX hadron-blind detector (HBD) achieved by adding focusing capability at low wavelength and adequate gain for high efficiency detection of single-electron induced avalanches. Our results indicate that this technology is indeed a viable choice in the forward direction of the EIC. The setup and results are described within.« less

Gradients and anisotropies of high energy cosmic rays in the outer heliosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fillius, W.; Roelof, E. C.; Smith, E. J.; Wood, D.; Ip, W. H.

1985-01-01

Previous studies at lower energies have shown that the cosmic ray density gradients vary in space and time, and many authors currently are suggesting that the radial gradient associated with solar cycle modulation is supported largely by narrow barriers which encircle the Sun and propagate outward with the solar wind. If so, the anisotropy is a desirable way to detect spatial gradients, because it can be associated with the local solar wind and magnetic field conditions. With this in mind, the anisotropy measurements made by the UCSD Cerenkov detectors on Pioneers 10 and 11 are studied. It is shown that the local anisotropy varies greatly, but that the long term average is consistent with the global radial gradient measured between two spacecraft over a baseline of many AU.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ouyang, Z; Ngwa, W; Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School

Purpose: This study investigates the feasibility of exploiting the Cerenkov radiation (CR) present during external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) for significant therapeutic gain, using titanium dioxide nanoparticles (titania) delivered via a new design of radiotherapy biomaterials. Methods: Recently published work has shown that CR generated by radionuclides during PET imaging could substantially enhance damage to cancer cells in the presence of 0.625 µg/g titania. We hypothesize that equal or greater damage can be achieved during EBRT. To test this hypothesis, Monte Carlo simulation was done using GEANT4 in order to get the total CR yield inside a tumor volume during EBRTmore » compared to that of the radionuclides. We considered a novel approach where a sufficiently potent concentration of the titania was delivered directly into the tumor using radiotherapy biomaterials (e.g. fiducials) loaded with the titania. The intra-tumor distribution/diffusion of titania released from the fiducials was calculated. An in-vitro MTS assay experiment was also carried out to establish the relative non-toxicity of titania for concentrations of up to 1 µg/g. Results: For a radiotherapy biomaterial loaded with 15 µg/g of 2-nm titania, at least 0.625 µg/g could be delivered through out a tumor sub-volume of 2-cm diameter after 14 days. This concentration level could inflict substantial damage to tumor cells during EBRT. The Monte Carlo results showed the CR yield in tumor by 6 MV radiation was higher than the radionuclides and hence potentially greater damage may be obtained during EBRT. No significant cell viability change was observed for 1 µg/g titania. Conclusion: Altogether, these preliminary findings demonstrate a potential new approach that can be used to take advantage of the CR present during megavoltage EBRT to boost damage to tumor cells. The results provide significant impetus for further experimental studies towards development of nanoparticle-aided EBRT powered by the Cerenkov effect.« less

Character of energy flow in air shower core

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mizushima, K.; Asakimori, K.; Maeda, T.; Kameda, T.; Misaki, Y.

1985-01-01

Energy per charged particle near the core of air showers was measured by 9 energy flow detectors, which were the combination of Cerenkov counters and scintillators. Energy per particle of each detector was normalized to energy at 2m from the core. The following results were obtained as to the energy flow: (1) integral frequency distribution of mean energy per particle (averaged over 9 detectors) is composed of two groups separated distinctly; and (2) showers contained in one group show an anisotropy of arrival direction.

Isotopic composition of cosmic ray nuclei with Z greater than or equal to 10

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Webber, W. R.; Lezniak, J. A.; Kish, J.

1974-01-01

Results of measurements of the isotopic composition of Z greater than or equal to 10 cosmic ray nuclei using a new technique employing a combination of Cerenkov and total energy counters. An effective mass resolution of about 0.4 AMU is obtained for particles with energies between 400 and 500 MeV/nuc and charges between 12 and 16. The preliminary mass distribution of nuclei with charges from 12 to 28 is presented and discussed.

Stimulated Cerenkov-Raman Scattering.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-12-14

operate well into the infrared portion of the spectrum. This will be discussed further in a later section. V -37- II D. THE EFFECT OF BEAM VELOCITY SPREAD... discussed . Cercn.ov ri.itsn at kilawatt nower levels in tne *Submitted by L. R. Ra-.lh~n nili~,et.er reg:cn. her. a descrition of tcn experime:ntal...systems will be discussed . Olin 14al, Room 126 at 9:00 A.M. 1. D. Kapilow and .E. Walsh, Bull. A m. Phys. Soc., P. Glans. p esiding ZS, 6 (1980

Intraoperative Cerenkov Imaging for Guiding Breast Cancer Surgery and Assessing Tumor Margins

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-12-01

Radiation Oncology. I regularly meet with both my mentor and co-mentor to discuss research progress. Over the summer, I have also taught a class on ...detection with a scintillator. Overall, due to the positron range, direct beta detection with a scintillator was limited to sources of radiation less than...luminescence was detected up to a depth of 5 mm (in tissue-mimicking material, given 100 uCi of activity). We found that one of the advantages of the

A method for characterizing after-pulsing and dark noise of PMTs and SiPMs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Butcher, A.; Doria, L.; Monroe, J.; Retière, F.; Smith, B.; Walding, J.

2017-12-01

Photo-multiplier tubes (PMTs) and silicon photo-multipliers (SiPMs) are detectors sensitive to single photons that are widely used for the detection of scintillation and Cerenkov light in subatomic physics and medical imaging. This paper presents a method for characterizing two of the main noise sources that PMTs and SiPMs share: dark noise and correlated noise (after-pulsing). The proposed method allows for a model-independent measurement of the after-pulsing timing distribution and dark noise rate.

Measurement of the cosmic-ray iron spectrum between 60 and 200 GeV per nucleon

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Esposito, Joseph A.; Streitmatter, Robert E.; Balasubrahmanyan, V. K.; Ormes, Jonathan F.

1990-01-01

A measurement of the spectral index of Galactic cosmic-ray (GCR) iron has been made using a high-energy gas Cerenkov spectrometer. The spectral index of GCR iron is found to be 2.56 + or - 0.11 in the energy range 57-200 GeV/ nucleon. This result indicates that the source spectrum of GCR iron is similar to that of other primary GCR nuclei and is consistent with the simplest models of GCR propagation.

Engineering electromagnetic metamaterials and methanol fuel cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yen, Tajen

2005-07-01

Electromagnetic metamaterials represent a group of artificial structures, whose dimensions are smaller than subwavelength. Due to electromagnetic metamaterials' collective response to the applied fields, they can exhibit unprecedented properties to fascinate researchers' eyes. For instance, artificial magnetism above terahertz frequencies and beyond, negative magnetic response, and artificial plasma lower than ultraviolet and visible frequencies. Our goal is to engineer those novel properties aforementioned at interested frequency regions and further optimize their performance. To fulfill this task, we developed exclusive micro/nano fabrication techniques to construct magnetic metamaterials (i.e., split-ring resonators and L-shaped resonators) and electric metamaterials (i.e., plasmonic wires) and also employed Taguchi method to study the optimal design of electromagnetic metamaterials. Moreover, by integrating magnetic and electric metamaterials, we have been pursuing to fabricate so-called negative index media---the Holy Grail enables not only to reverse conventional optical rules such as Snell's law, Doppler shift, and Cerenkov radiation, but also to smash the diffraction limit to realize the superlensing effect. In addition to electromagnetic metamaterials, in this dissertation we also successfully miniaturize silicon-based methanol fuel cells by means of micro-electrical-mechanical-system technique, which promise to provide an integrated micro power source with excellent performance. Our demonstrated power density and energy density are one of the highest in reported documents. Finally, based on the results of metamaterials and micro fuel cells, we intend to supply building blocks to complete an omnipotent device---a system with sensing, communication, computing, power, control, and actuation functions.

Mode analysis for energetics of a moving charge in Lorentz- and C P T -violating electrodynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

DeCosta, Richard; Altschul, Brett

2018-03-01

In isotropic but Lorentz- and C P T -violating electrodynamics, it is known that a charge in uniform motion does not lose any energy to Cerenkov radiation. This presents a puzzle, since the radiation appears to be kinematically allowed for many modes. Studying the Fourier transforms of the most important terms in the modified magnetic field and Poynting vector, we confirm the vanishing of the radiation rate. Moreover, we show that the Fourier transform of the field changes sign between small and large wave numbers. This enables modes with very long wavelengths to carry negative energies, which cancel out the positive energies carried away by modes with shorter wavelengths. This cancelation had previously been inferred but never explicitly demonstrated.

Luminescence imaging of water during alpha particle irradiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamamoto, Seiichi; Komori, Masataka; Koyama, Shuji; Toshito, Toshiyuki

2016-05-01

The luminescence imaging of water using the alpha particle irradiation of several MeV energy range is thought to be impossible because this alpha particle energy is far below the Cerenkov-light threshold and the secondary electrons produced in this energy range do not emit Cerenkov-light. Contrary to this consensus, we found that the luminescence imaging of water was possible with 5.5 MeV alpha particle irradiation. We placed a 2 MBq of 241Am alpha source in water, and luminescence images of the source were conducted with a high-sensitivity, cooled charge-coupled device (CCD) camera. We also carried out such imaging of the alpha source in three different conditions to compare the photon productions with that of water, in air, with a plastic scintillator, and an acrylic plate. The luminescence imaging of water was observed from 10 to 20 s acquisition, and the intensity was linearly increased with time. The intensity of the luminescence with the alpha irradiation of water was 0.05% of that with the plastic scintillator, 4% with air, and 15% with the acrylic plate. The resolution of the luminescence image of water was better than 0.25 mm FWHM. Alpha particles of 5.5 MeV energy emit luminescence in water. Although the intensity of the luminescence was smaller than that in air, it was clearly observable. The luminescence of water with alpha particles would be a new method for alpha particle detection and distribution measurements in water.

An instrument employing electronic counters and an emulsion chamber for studying heavy cosmic ray interactions (JACEE-3)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Austin, R. W.; Meegan, C. A.; Parnell, T. A.; Selig, W. J.; Watts, J. W.; Burnett, T. H.; Iwai, J.; Lord, J. J.; Strauscz, S.; Wilkes, R. J.;

In Vivo 18 FDG/18 Choline Mediated Cerenkov Radiation Energy Transfer (CRET) Multiplexed Optical Imaging for Human Prostate Carcinoma Detection and Staging

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-10-01

human prostate cancer xenografts. We have selected peptides from bacteriophage display libraries that target TF and ErbB2/ErbB3. The peptides have been...facilitate biomarker-specific diagnosis. The specific aims of the proposal are to: 1) select peptides that target the ErbB2/3 heterodimer using novel...parallel in vitro/in vivo phage display techniques; 2) generate NIR-QDs decorated with TF- and ErbB2/3-avid peptides for in vivo molecular

Estimation of composition of cosmic rays with E sub zero approximately equals 10(17) - 10(18) eV

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Glushkov, A. V.; Efimov, N. N.; Efremov, N. N.; Makarov, I. T.; Pravdin, M. I.; Dedenko, L. I.

1985-01-01

Fluctuations of the shower maximum depth obtained from analysis of electron and muon fluctuations and the extensive air showers (EAS) Cerenkov light on the Yakutsk array data and data of other arrays are considered. On the basis of these the estimation of composition of primaries with E sub 0 = 5.10 to the 17th power eV is received. Estimation of gamma-quanta flux with E sub 0 10 to the 17th power eV is given on the poor-muon showers.

The thickness of the shower disc as observed in showers produced by primaries above 10 (19)eV

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lawrence, M. A.; Watson, A. A.; West, A. A.

1985-01-01

The thickness of the shower disk has been measured in showers initiated by primaries of energy to 10 the 19th power eV using the large area water Cerenkov detectors of the Haverah Park array. Results are presented which (1) provide supporting evidence for the accuracy of analysis procedures in giant showers, (2) offer an evaluation of the mini-array technique for the detection of giant showers and (3) extend earlier work on developmental fluctuations above 10 to the 19th power eV.

High-Power Copper Gratings for a Sheet-Beam Traveling-Wave Amplifier at G-Band

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-01-01

respectively). A. Two-Port CTF The CTF was CNC machined from OFHC copper. The gratings were tightly clamped into place in the fixture. The results of the... CNC machined such that only ten slots were exposed, followed by a short for the rest of the grating. Adaptors to standard WR5 and WR10 waveguides were...of low-voltage grating Cerenkov amplifiers,” Phys. Plasmas , vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 176–188, Jan. 1994. [11] C. D. Joye, J. P. Calame, K. T. Nguyen, and M

Current status of the expanded GRAPES collaboration experiment at Ooty in India

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gupta, S.K.; Anita, H.M.; Iyer, A.; Jagadeesan, P.; Jain, A.; Karthikeyan, S.; Manoharan, P.K.; Mohanty, P.K.; Nayak, P.K.; Rao, B.S.; Ravindran, K.C.; Tanaka, H.; Tonwar, S.C.; Ogio, S.; Okuda, T.; Oshima, A.; Shimizu, N.; Yoshikoshi, T.; Badruddin; Hasan, R.; Ahmad, Shakeel; Mishra, A.P.; Shrivastava, P.K.; Koul, R.; Shah, G.N.; Mir, T.A.; Mufti, S.; Raha, S.; Ghosh, S.; Joarder, P.; Saha, S.; Boruah, K.; Datta, P.; Boruah, P.K.; Baruah, A.G.; Baishya, R.; Saikia, J.; Banerjee, D.; Subramanian, P.; Bhadra, A.; Kumar, S.; Agarwal, R.; Dubey, S.K.; Bhattacharjee, P.

GRAPES-3 experiment employs a high-density array of scintillators and a large area tracking muon telescope. The GRAPES collaboration is being expanded with addition of several major facilities. These include a Cerenkov telescope and low frequency dipole array for the measurement of shower energy. Addition of several modules of muon telescopes to cover a larger area, expansion of the scintillator array with greater separation between detectors. Installation of a neutron monitor is also planned. The current status of the experiment would be summarized.

Lead, platinum, and other heavy elements in the primary cosmic radiation: HEAO-3 results ssc wg032961 cb553097

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Waddington, C. J.; Binns, W. R.; Brewster, N. R.; Fixsen, D. J.; Garrard, T. L.; Israel, M. H.; Klarmann, J.; Newport, B. J.; Stone, E. C.

1985-01-01

An observation of the abundances of cosmic-ray lead and platinum-group nuclei using data from the HEAO-3 Heavy Nuclei Experiment (HNE) which consisted of ion chambers mounted on both sides of a plastic Cerenkov counter is reported. Further analysis with more stringent selections, inclusion of additional data, and a calibration at the LBL Bevalac, have allowed obtaining the abundance ratio of lead and the platinum group of elements for particles that had a cutoff rigidity R sub c 5 GV.

Department of the Air Force Supporting Data for Fiscal Year 1983, Budget Estimates Submitted to Congress February 1982. Descriptive Summaries. Research, Development, Test and Evaluation.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-02-01

effects in plasmas has led to near millimeter wave production from the world’s shortest wavelength Cerenkov source. This source offers the...repaired runways led to interim guidance for operation of the fleet and potential modifications to improve fleet capabilities, (4) an advanced...technology developed under this project has led to the qualification of Department of Defense fuels and lubricants such as JP-4, JP-5, JP-/, JP-8, JP-9, JP

Special technical services for investigation of light flash phenomena

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1973-01-01

Details are presented of an investigation aimed at an explanation of the phenomenon of light flashes observed by Apollo crew members. The various theories considered include: penetration of the eye by cosmic particles resulting in retinal stimulation; production of phosphenes or sensations of light through ionization or excitation; appearance of heavily ionized single tracks misinterpreted as light flashes; Cerenkov radiation; and direct excitation of neural tissue by penetrating cosmic rays. It is concluded that the latter two theories are the likeliest mechanisms for the development of a definitive explanation.

The University of Chicago cosmic ray electrons and nuclei experiment on the H spacecraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Meyer, P.; Evenson, P.

1978-01-01

The University of Chicago instrument on the Heliocentric spacecraft (MEH experiment) will measure the energy spectrum of cosmic electrons in the range 5-400 MeV. In addition, the energy spectra and relative abundances of nuclei from protons to the iron group, with energies ranging from 30 MeV/n to 15 GeV/n, will be determined. Primary scientific objectives involve the study of the long and short term variability of these components as a probe of the structure of the heliosphere. Particles are identified by multiparameter analysis using the pulse height analyzed signals from eight active detectors - silicon solid state, plastic and crystal scintillators are solid and gas Cerenkov counters. Data return is optimized by a three level priority logic scheme.

Cerenkov Luminescence Imaging as a Modality to Evaluate Antibody-Based PET Radiotracers

PubMed Central

D’Souza, Jimson W.; Hensley, Harvey; Doss, Mohan; Beigarten, Charles; Torgov, Michael; Olafsen, Tove; Yu, Jian Q.

2017-01-01

Antibodies, and engineered antibody fragments, labeled with radioisotopes are being developed as radiotracers for the detection and phenotyping of diseases such as cancer. The development of antibody-based radiotracers requires extensive characterization of their in vitro and in vivo properties, including their ability to target tumors in an antigen-selective manner. In this study, we investigated the use of Cerenkov luminescence imaging (CLI) as compared with PET as a modality for evaluating the in vivo behavior of antibody-based radiotracers. Methods: The anti–prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) huJ591 antibody (IgG; 150 kDa) and its minibody (Mb; 80 kDa) format were functionalized with the chelator 1,4,7-triazacyclononane-1-glutaric acid-4,7-diacetic acid (NODAGA) and radiolabeled with the positron-emitting radionuclide 64Cu (half-life, 12.7 h). Immunoreactive preparations of the radiolabeled antibodies were injected into NCr nu/nu mice harboring PSMA-positive CWR22Rv1 and PSMA-negative PC-3 tumor xenografts. Tumor targeting was evaluated by both PET and CLI. Results: 64Cu-NODAGA-PSMA-IgG and 64Cu-NODAGA-PSMA-Mb retained the ability to bind cell surface PSMA, and both radiotracers exhibited selective uptake into PSMA-positive tumors. Under the experimental conditions used, PSMA-selective uptake of 64Cu-NODAGA-PSMA-IgG and 64Cu-NODAGA-PSMA-Mb was observed by CLI as early as 3 h after injection, with tumor-to-background ratios peaking at 24 (IgG) and 16 (Mb) h after injection. Targeting data generated by CLI correlated with that generated by PET and necropsy. Conclusion: CLI provided a rapid and simple assessment of the targeting specificity and pharmacokinetics of the antibody-based PET radiotracers that correlated well with the behavior observed by standard PET imaging. Moreover, CLI provided clear discrimination between uptake kinetics of an intact IgG and its small-molecular-weight derivative Mb. These data support the use of CLI for the evaluation of radiotracer performance. PMID:27539844

The Aerogel Cerenkov detector for the SHMS magnetic spectrometer in Hall C at Jefferson Lab

DOE PAGES

Horn, T.; Mkrtchyan, H.; Ali, S.; ...

2016-10-28

Hadronic reactions producing strange quarks such as exclusive or semi-inclusive kaon production, play an important role in studies of hadron structure and the dynamics that bind the most basic elements of nuclear physics. The small-angle capability of the new Super High Momentum Spectrometer (SHMS) in Hall C, coupled with its high momentum reach - up to the anticipated 11-GeV beam energy in Hall C - and coincidence capability with the well-understood High Momentum Spectrometer, will allow for probes of such hadron structure involving strangeness down to the smallest distance scales to date. To cleanly select the kaons, a threshold aerogelmore » Cerenkov detector has been constructed for the SHMS. The detector consists of an aerogel tray followed by a diffusion box. Four trays for aerogel of nominal refractive indices of n=1.030, 1.020, 1.015 and 1.011 were constructed. The tray combination will allow for identification of kaons from 1 GeV/c up to 7.2 GeV/c, reaching 10 -2 proton and 10 -3 pion rejection, with kaon detection efficiency better than 95%. The diffusion box of the detector is equipped with 14 five-inch diameter photomultiplier tubes. Its interior walls are covered with Gore diffusive reflector, which is superior to the commonly used Millipore paper and improved the detector performance by 35%. The inner surface of the two aerogel trays with higher refractive index is covered with Millipore paper, however, those two trays with lower aerogel refractive index are again covered with Gore diffusive reflector for higher performance. The measured mean number of photoelectrons in saturation is ~12 for n=1.030, ~8 for n=1.020, ~10 for n=1.015, and ~5.5 for n=1.011. Here the design details, the results of component characterization, and initial performance tests and optimization of the detector are presented.« less

X-ray luminescence imaging of water, air, and tissue phantoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lun, Michael C.; Li, Changqing

2018-02-01

X-ray luminescence computed tomography (XLCT) is an emerging hybrid molecular imaging modality. In XLCT, high energy x-ray photons excite phosphors emitting optical photons for tomographic image reconstruction. During XLCT, the optical signal obtained is thought to only originate from the embedded phosphor particles. However, numerous studies have reported other sources of optical photons such as in air, water, and tissue that are generated from ionization. These sources of optical photons will provide background noise and will limit the molecular sensitivity of XLCT imaging. In this study, using a water-cooled electron multiplying charge-coupled device (EMCCD) camera, we performed luminescence imaging of water, air, and several tissue mimicking phantoms including one embedded with a target containing 0.01 mg/mL of europium-doped gadolinium oxysulfide (GOS:Eu3+) particles during x-ray irradiation using a focused x-ray beam with energy less than the Cerenkov radiation threshold. In addition, a spectrograph was used to measure the x-ray luminescence spectrum. The phantom embedded with the GOS:Eu3+ target displayed the greatest luminescence intensity, followed by the tissue phantom, and finally the water phantom. Our results indicate that the x-ray luminescence intensity from a background phantom is equivalent to a GOS:Eu3+ concentration of 0.8 μg/mL. We also found a 3-fold difference in the radioluminescence intensity between liquid water and air. From the measurements of the emission spectra, we found that water produced a broad spectrum and that a tissue-mimicking phantom made from Intralipid had a different x-ray emission spectrum than one made with TiO2 and India ink. The measured spectra suggest that it is better to use Intralipid instead if TiO2 as optical scatterer for future XLCT imaging.

DUMAND Summer Workshop, University of California, La Jolla, Calif., July 24-September 2, 1978, Proceedings. Volume 3 - Oceanographic and ocean engineering studies. [Deep Underwater Muon and Neutrino Detector

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilkins, G.

1979-01-01

The DUMAND (Deep Underwater Muon and Neutrino Detector) array, a hexagon 800 m on a side, 673 m high, and consisting of 22,698 sensor modules, is designed to detect neutrinos in the TeV range, hadronic cascades, muons and Cerenkov radiation. Its engineering, signal processing, and logistic aspects are considered, as are its optical detection (photomultiplier tubes) system and electronics. Geological and bottom current surveys were made at two proposed sites for the array (the Maui and Keahole Point basins of Hawaii), and a study of the steady-state response of a sensor string to current drag forces is reported. Biological interference with the DUMAND array, including mechanical entanglement by large animals, bioluminescence, and especially biofouling are considered, as well as the deployment, implantment and maintenance of the array.

The detection of high charge cosmic ray nuclei. [by balloon-borne electronic particle telescope

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Scarlett, W. R.; Freier, P. S.; Waddington, C. J.

1975-01-01

A large-area, light-weight electronic particle telescope was flown on a high altitude balloon in the summer of 1974 to study the heavy nuclei in the cosmic radiation. This telescope consisted of a double Cerenkov-double scintillator array composed of four 1.22 m diameter disk radiators mounted in light diffusion boxes, each looked at by multiple photomultipliers. The impact point of each particle on the scintillation radiators was determined by studying the relative signals observed by three equally spaced peripheral photomultipliers and one mounted at the center of the diffusion boxes. This telescope was flown in a configuration having a geometric factor of 0.45 sq m sr and observed some 5 x 10 to the 4 nuclei with Z exceeding 14 in a 11 hr exposure. The response and sensitivity of this telescope are discussed in detail.

Preliminary research on overmoded high-power millimeter-wave Cerenkov generator with dual-cavity reflector in low guiding magnetic field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ye, Hu; Chen, Changhua; Ning, Hui; Tan, Weibing; Teng, Yan; Shi, Yanchao; Wu, Ping; Song, Zhimin; Cao, Yibing; Du, Zhaoyu

2015-12-01

This paper presents preliminary research on a V-band overmoded Cerenkov generator with dual-cavity reflector operating in a low guiding magnetic field. It is found that the fluctuation of the electron envelope in the low guiding magnetic field can be predicted using an equivalent coaxial model of a foilless diode, and a dual-cavity reflector based on the model matching method can provide strong reflection at the front end of the overmoded structures so that any microwave power that leaks into the diode region can be effectively suppressed. Numerical simulations indicate that the control of the beam envelope and the use of the dual-cavity reflector ease generator operation in the low guiding magnetic field. In the experimental research, the fluctuation of the annular electron beam with the outer radius of 7.5 mm measures approximately 0.7 mm, which is in good agreement with the theoretical results. The disturbance caused by power leaking from the overmoded slow wave structure is eliminated by the dual-cavity reflector. With accurate fabrication and assembly processes, an operating frequency of 61.6 GHz is attained by the fifth harmonic heterodyne method, and the output power is measured to be approximately 123 MW by the far-field measurement method at a diode voltage of 445 kV, a beam current of 4.45 kA, and under a guiding magnetic field of 1.45 T. The output mode is measured using an array of neon flash bulbs, and the pulse shortening phenomenon is both observed and analyzed.

Luminescence imaging of water during irradiation of X-ray photons lower energy than Cerenkov- light threshold

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamamoto, Seiichi; Koyama, Shuji; Komori, Masataka; Toshito, Toshiyuki

2016-10-01

Luminescence imaging of water using X-ray photon irradiation at energy lower than maximum energy of 200 keV is thought to be impossible because the secondary electrons produced in this energy range do not emit Cerenkov- light. Contrary to this consensus assumption, we show that the luminescence imaging of water can be achieved by X-ray irradiation at energy lower than 120 keV. We placed water phantoms on a table with a conventional X-ray imaging system, and luminescence images of these phantoms were measured with a high-sensitivity, cooled charge coupled device (CCD) camera during X-ray photon irradiation at energy below 120 keV. We also carried out such imaging of an acrylic block and plastic scintillator. The luminescence images of water phantoms taken during X-ray photon irradiation clearly showed X-ray photon distribution. The intensity of the X-ray photon images of the phantom increased almost proportionally to the number of X-ray irradiations. Lower-energy X-ray photon irradiation showed lower-intensity luminescence at the deeper parts of the phantom due to the higher X-ray absorption in the water phantom. Furthermore, lower-intensity luminescence also appeared at the deeper parts of the acrylic phantom due to its higher density than water. The intensity of the luminescence for water was 0.005% of that for plastic scintillator. Luminescence imaging of water during X-ray photon irradiation at energy lower than 120 keV was possible. This luminescence imaging method is promising for dose estimation in X-ray imaging systems.

Binding of 2-[18F]fluoro-CP-118,954 to mouse acetylcholinesterase: microPET and ex vivo Cerenkov luminescence imaging studies.

PubMed

Kim, Dong Hyun; Choe, Yearn Seong; Choi, Joon Young; Lee, Kyung-Han; Kim, Byung-Tae

2011-05-01

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) has been an important cholinergic factor for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), because of reduced AChE activity in the postmortem brains of AD patients. We previously developed 5,7-dihydro-3-(2-(1-(2-[(18)F]fluorobenzyl)-4-piperidinyl)ethyl)-6H-pyrrolo(3,2,f)-1,2-benzisoxazol-6-one (2-[(18)F]fluoro-CP-118,954) for in vivo studies of AChE in mice. In the present study, we automated the synthesis of 2-[(18)F]fluoro-CP-118,954 for the routine use and evaluated the radioligand by microPET and ex vivo Cerenkov luminescence imaging of mouse AChE. 4-[(18)F]Fluoro-donepezil, another AChE inhibitor, was used for comparison. Automated syntheses of 2-[(18)F]fluoro-CP-118,954 and 4-[(18)F]fluoro-donepezil resulted in high radiochemical yields (25-33% and 30-40%) and high specific activity (27.1-35.4 and 29.7-37.3 GBq/μmol). Brain microPET images of two ICR mice injected with 2-[(18)F]fluoro-CP-118,954 demonstrated high uptake in the striatum (ROI analysis: 5.1 %ID/g for the first 30 min and 4.1 %ID/g for another 30 min), and a blocking study with injection of CP-118,954 into one of the mice at 30 min after radioligand injection led to complete blocking of radioligand uptake in the striatum (ROI analysis: 1.9 %ID/g), whereas (18)F-labeled donepezil did not show specific uptake in the striatum. In another set of experiments, the brain tissues (striatum, parietal cortex, frontal cortex and cerebellum) were excised after brain microPET/CT imaging of mouse injected with 2-[(18)F]fluoro-CP-118,954, and a high striatal uptake was also detected in ex vivo optical and microPET images (ROI analysis: 1.4 %ID/g) and in γ-counting data (2.1 %ID/g at 50 min post-injection) of the brain tissues. Taken together, these results demonstrated that 2-[(18)F]fluoro-CP-118,954 specifically binds to AChE in mouse brains. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Dynamics of runaway tails with time-dependent sub-Dreicer dc fields in magnetized plasmas

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moghaddam-Taaheri, E.; Vlahos, L.

1987-01-01

The evolution of runaway tails driven by sub-Dreicer time-dependent dc fields in a magnetized plasma are studied numerically using a quasi-linear code based on the Ritz-Galerkin method and finite elements. It is found that the runaway tail maintained a negative slope during the dc field increase. Depending on the values of the dc electric field at t = 0 and the electron gyrofrequency to the plasma frequency ratio the runaway tail became unstable to the anomalous Doppler resonance or remained stable before the saturation of the dc field at some maximum value. The systems that remained stable during this stage became unstable to the anomalous Doppler or the Cerenkov resonances when the dc field was kept at the saturation level or decreased. Once the instability is triggered, the runaway tail is isotropized.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Swallow, E.C.

This paper discusses developments in light collection which had their origin in efforts to construct high performance gas Cerenkov detectors for precision studies of hyperon beta decays at the ZGS. The resulting devices, know generally as {open_quotes}compound parabolic concentrators,{close_quotes} have found applications ranging from nuclear and particle physics experiments to solar energy concentration, instrument illumination, and understanding the optics of visual receptors. Interest in these devices and the ideas underlying them stimulated the development of a substantial new subfield of physics: nonimaging optics. This progression provides an excellent example of some ways in which unanticipated - and often unanticipatable -more » applied science and {open_quotes}practical{close_quotes} devices naturally emerge from first-rate basic science. The characteristics of this process suggest that the term {open_quotes}spinoff{close_quotes} commonly used to denote it is misleading and in need of replacement.« less

Particle propagation effects on wave growth in a solar flux tube

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

White, S. M.; Melrose, D. B.; Dulk, G. A.

1986-09-01

The evolution of a distribution of electrons is followed after they are injected impulsively at the top of a coronal magnetic loop, with the objective of studying the plasma instabilities which result. At early times the downgoing electrons have beamlike distributions and amplify electrostatic waves via the Cerenkov resonance; the anomalous Doppler resonance is found to be less important. Slightly later, while the electrons are still predominantly downgoing, they are unstable to cyclotron maser generation of z-mode waves with omega(p) much less than Omega, or to second harmonic x-mode waves. The energetics of these instabilities, including saturation effects and heating of the ambient plasma, are discussed. It is suggested that coalescence of two z-mode waves generated by cyclotron maser emission of the downgoing electrons may produce the observed microwave spike bursts.

Observations of potential ultra high energy gamma-ray sources above 10(15) eV

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lambert, A.; Lloyd-Evans, J.; Perrett, J. C.; Watson, A. A.; West, A. A.

1985-01-01

The Haverah Park 50 m water-Cerenkov array has been used to examine a number of periodic sources for ultra high energy gamma-ray emission above 10 to the 15th power eV. The data, recorded between 1 Jan. 1979 and 31 Dec. 1984, feature a modest angular resolution of approx 3 deg with millisecond arrival time resolution post 1982. The sources investigated include the Crab pulsar, Her X-1, Au0115 + 63 and Geminga. All objects have been detected by workers in the TeV region, with varying degrees of confidence.

Apollo-Soyuz light-flash observations.

PubMed

Budinger, T F; Tobias, C A; Huesman, R H; Upham, F T; Wieskamp, T F; Hoffman, R A

1977-01-01

While dark adapted, two Apollo-Soyuz astronauts saw eighty-two light flash events during a complete 51 degrees orbit which passed near the north magnetic pole and through the South Atlantic Anomaly. The frequency of events at the polar parts of the orbit is 25 times that noted in equatorial latitudes and no increased frequency was noted in the South Atlantic Anomaly at the 225-km altitude. The expected flux of heavy particles at the northern and southern points is 1-2 min-1 per eye, and the efficiency for seeing HZE particles which were below the Cerenkov threshold is 50%.

Nonlocal theory of beam-driven electron Bernstein waves

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jain, V.K.; Tripathi, V.K.

A nonlocal theory of electron Bernstein waves driven unstable by an axial beam (V = V/sub b/z-italic-circumflex) of finite width has been developed. Assuming a parabolic density profile for the background plasma, an equation describing the mode structure of the wave is obtained in the slab geometry. The eigenfunctions are found to be Hermite polynomials. Expressions for the growth rates of the instabilities caused by Cerenkov and slow cyclotron interactions are derived. The results of the theory are applied to explain some of the experimental observations of Jain and Christiansen (Phys. Lett. A 82, 127 (1981)).

Atomic Number Dependence of Hadron Production at Large Transverse Momentum in 300 GeV Proton--Nucleus Collisions

DOE R&D Accomplishments Database

Cronin, J. W.; Frisch, H. J.; Shochet, M. J.; Boymond, J. P.; Mermod, R.; Piroue, P. A.; Sumner, R. L.

1974-07-15

In an experiment at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory we have compared the production of large transverse momentum hadrons from targets of W, Ti, and Be bombarded by 300 GeV protons. The hadron yields were measured at 90 degrees in the proton-nucleon c.m. system with a magnetic spectrometer equipped with 2 Cerenkov counters and a hadron calorimeter. The production cross-sections have a dependence on the atomic number A that grows with P{sub 1}, eventually leveling off proportional to A{sup 1.1}.

Evidence that pitch angle scattering is an important loss mechanism for energetic electrons in the inner radiation belt of Jupiter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fillius, W.; Mcilwain, C.; Mogro-Campero, A.; Steinberg, G.

1976-01-01

Analysis of data from the Pioneer 10 flyby discloses that pitch angle scattering plays an important part in determining the distribution of energetic electrons in the inner magnetosphere of Jupiter. Angular distributions measured by a Cerenkov detector reveal that redistribution takes place in pitch angle. Additionally, the radial profile of phase space density along the equator demands simultaneous particle losses. The loss rates are too high to be accounted for by synchrotron radiation loss, but are reasonably attributed to pitch angle scattering into the planetary loss cone.

Preliminary research on overmoded high-power millimeter-wave Cerenkov generator with dual-cavity reflector in low guiding magnetic field

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ye, Hu; Wu, Ping; Science and Technology on High Power Microwave Laboratory, Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710024

2015-12-15

This paper presents preliminary research on a V-band overmoded Cerenkov generator with dual-cavity reflector operating in a low guiding magnetic field. It is found that the fluctuation of the electron envelope in the low guiding magnetic field can be predicted using an equivalent coaxial model of a foilless diode, and a dual-cavity reflector based on the model matching method can provide strong reflection at the front end of the overmoded structures so that any microwave power that leaks into the diode region can be effectively suppressed. Numerical simulations indicate that the control of the beam envelope and the use ofmore » the dual-cavity reflector ease generator operation in the low guiding magnetic field. In the experimental research, the fluctuation of the annular electron beam with the outer radius of 7.5 mm measures approximately 0.7 mm, which is in good agreement with the theoretical results. The disturbance caused by power leaking from the overmoded slow wave structure is eliminated by the dual-cavity reflector. With accurate fabrication and assembly processes, an operating frequency of 61.6 GHz is attained by the fifth harmonic heterodyne method, and the output power is measured to be approximately 123 MW by the far-field measurement method at a diode voltage of 445 kV, a beam current of 4.45 kA, and under a guiding magnetic field of 1.45 T. The output mode is measured using an array of neon flash bulbs, and the pulse shortening phenomenon is both observed and analyzed.« less

Controlling the numerical Cerenkov instability in PIC simulations using a customized finite difference Maxwell solver and a local FFT based current correction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Fei; Yu, Peicheng; Xu, Xinlu; Fiuza, Frederico; Decyk, Viktor K.; Dalichaouch, Thamine; Davidson, Asher; Tableman, Adam; An, Weiming; Tsung, Frank S.; Fonseca, Ricardo A.; Lu, Wei; Mori, Warren B.

2017-05-01

In this paper we present a customized finite-difference-time-domain (FDTD) Maxwell solver for the particle-in-cell (PIC) algorithm. The solver is customized to effectively eliminate the numerical Cerenkov instability (NCI) which arises when a plasma (neutral or non-neutral) relativistically drifts on a grid when using the PIC algorithm. We control the EM dispersion curve in the direction of the plasma drift of a FDTD Maxwell solver by using a customized higher order finite difference operator for the spatial derivative along the direction of the drift (1 ˆ direction). We show that this eliminates the main NCI modes with moderate |k1 | , while keeps additional main NCI modes well outside the range of physical interest with higher |k1 | . These main NCI modes can be easily filtered out along with first spatial aliasing NCI modes which are also at the edge of the fundamental Brillouin zone. The customized solver has the possible advantage of improved parallel scalability because it can be easily partitioned along 1 ˆ which typically has many more cells than other directions for the problems of interest. We show that FFTs can be performed locally to current on each partition to filter out the main and first spatial aliasing NCI modes, and to correct the current so that it satisfies the continuity equation for the customized spatial derivative. This ensures that Gauss' Law is satisfied. We present simulation examples of one relativistically drifting plasma, of two colliding relativistically drifting plasmas, and of nonlinear laser wakefield acceleration (LWFA) in a Lorentz boosted frame that show no evidence of the NCI can be observed when using this customized Maxwell solver together with its NCI elimination scheme.

The Capabilities of the upgraded MIPP experiment with respect to Hypernuclear physics

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Raja, Rajendran

2012-01-01

We describe the state of analysis of the MIPP experiment, its plans to upgrade the experiment and the impact such an upgraded experiment will have on hypernuclear physics. The upgraded MIPP experiment is designed to measure the properties of strong interaction spectra form beams {pi}{sup {+-}}, K{sup {+-}}, and p{sup {+-}}, for momenta ranging from 1 GeV/c to 120 GeV/c. The layout of the apparatus in the data taken so far can be seen in Figure 1. The centerpiece of the experiment is the time projection chamber, which is followed by the time of flight counter, a multi-cell Cerenkov detectormore » and the RICH detector. The TPC can identify charged particles with momenta less than 1 GeV/c using dE/dx, the time of flight will identify particles below approximately 2 GeV/c, the multi-cell Cerenkov detector is operational from 2.5 GeV/c to 14 GeV/c and the RICH detector can identify particles up to 120 GeVc. Following this is an EM and hadronic calorimeter capable of detecting forward going neutrons and photons. The experiment has been busy analyzing its data taken on various nuclei and beam conditions. The table 2 shows the data taken by MIPP I to date. We have almost complete acceptance in the forward hemisphere in the lab using the TPC. The reconstruction capabilities of the TPC can be seen in Figure 3. The particle identification capabilities of the TPC can be seen in Figure 4. The time of flight system provides further measurement of the particles with momenta less than 2 GeV/c. Figure 5 shows the time of flight data where a kaon peak is clearly visible.« less

Light in Thermal Environments (LITE) Workshop

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1993-01-01

Light emitted from high temperature black smokers (350 C) at mid-ocean ridge spreading centers has been documented, but the source of this light and its photochemical and biological consequences have yet to be investigated. Preliminary studies indicate that thermal radiation alone might account for the 'glow' and that a novel photoreceptor in shrimp colonizing black smoker chimneys may detect this 'glow.' A more controversial question is whether there may be sufficient photon flux of appropriate wavelengths to support geothermally-driven photosynthesis (GDP) by microorganisms. Although only a very low level of visible and near infrared light may be emitted from any single hydrothermal vent, several aspects of the light make it of more than enigmatic interest. First, the light is clearly linked to geophysical (and perhaps geochemical) processes; its attributes may serve as powerful index parameters for monitoring change in these processes. Second, while the glow at a vent orifice is a very local phenomenon, more expansive subsurface environments may be illuminated, thereby increasing the spatial scale at which biological consequences of this light might be considered. Third, in contrast to intermittent bioluminescent light sources in the deep sea, the light emitted at vents almost certainly glows or flickers continuously over the life of the individual black smokers (years to decades); collectively, light emitted from black smokers along the ocean's spreading centers superimposed on background Cerenkov radiation negates the concept of the deep sea as an environment devoid of abiotic light. Finally, the history of hydrothermal activity predates the origin of life; light in the deep sea has been a continuous phenomenon on a geological time scale and may have served either as a seed or refugium for the evolution of biological photochemical reactions or adaptations.

A method to improve observations of gamma-ray sources near 10 (15) eV

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sommers, P.; Elbert, J. W.

1985-01-01

Now that sources of gamma rays near 10 to the 15th power eV have been identified, there is a need for telescopes which can study in detail the high energy gamma ray emissions from these sources. The capabilities of a Cerenkov detector which can track a source at large zenith angle (small elevation angle) are analyzed. Because the observed showers must then develop far from the detector, the effective detection area is very large. During a single half-hour hot phase of Cygnus X-3, for example, it may be possible to detect 45 signal showers compared with 10 background showers. Time structure within the hot phase may then be discernible. The precise capabilities of the detector depend on its mirror size, angular acceptance, electronic speed, coincidence properties, etc. Calculations are presented for one feasible design using mirrors of an improved Fly's Eye type.

GUST LAT Multiwavelength Planning

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thompson, D. J.

2004-01-01

Because gamma-ray astrophysics profits in powerful ways from multi-wavelength studies, the GLAST Large Area Telescope (LAT) Collaboration has started multiwavelength planning well before the scheduled 2007 launch. Many aspects of this program are of direct interest to observers using VERITAS and other atmospheric Cerenkov telescopes, whose capabilities complement those of GLAST. This talk with describe some of the current developmental concepts for GLAST LAT multiwavelength work, including release of data for transient sources, nearly-continuous monitoring of selected time-variable sources, pulsar timing, follow-on observations for source identification, coordinated blazar campaigns, and cross-calibration with other high-energy telescopes. Although few details are firm at this stage of preparation for GLAST, the LAT Collaboration looks forward to cooperation with a broad cross-section of the multiwave-length community. The GLAST Large Area Telescope is an international effort, with U.S. funding provided by the Department of Energy and NASA.

Apollo-Soyuz light-flash observations. [ionizing radiation effects measurement

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Budinger, T. F.; Tobias, C. A.; Huesman, R. H.; Upham, F. T.; Wieskamp, T. F.; Hoffman, R. A.

1977-01-01

While dark adapted, two Apollo-Soyuz astronauts saw eighty-two light flash events during a complete 51 deg orbit which passed near the north magnetic pole and through the South Atlantic Anomaly. The frequency of events at the polar parts of the orbit is 25 times that noted in equatorial latitudes and no increased frequency was noted in the South Atlantic Anomaly at the 225-km altitude. The expected flux of heavy particles at the northern and southern points is 1-2/min per eye, and the efficiency for seeing high Z-high energy (HZE) particles which were below the Cerenkov threshold is 50%.

Mean isotopic composition of cosmic rays with 12 less than Z less than or equal to 26 at 2.7 to 3.0 GV

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Maehl, R. C.; Israel, M. H.; Klarmann, J.

1974-01-01

Results are presented from a high-altitude balloon flight in September 1972 near 3-GV geomagnetic cutoff. The detector is a combination of ionization chambers and a Lucite Cerenkov counter with a charge resolution of 0.34 charge units. Following the technique described by Lund et al. (1971), use is made of the geomagnetic rigidity cutoff and measured momentum-per-nucleon spectra of individual elements to determine values of A/Z for even Z elements of 16 less than or equal to Z less than or equal to 26 relative to A/Z of silicon.

Interface extinction and subsurface peaking of the radiation pattern of a line source

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Engheta, N.; Papas, C. H.; Elachi, C.

1981-01-01

The radiation pattern of a line source lying along the plane interface of two dielectric half-spaces is calculated. It is found that the pattern at the interface has a null (interface extinction); that the pattern in the upper half-space, whose index of refraction is taken to be less than that of the lower half-space, has a single lobe with a maximum normal to the interface; and that the pattern in the lower half-space (subsurface region) has two maxima (peaks) straddling symmetrically a minimum. Interpretation of these results in terms of ray optics, Oseen's extinction theorem, and the Cerenkov effect are given.

Solar Energetic Particle Spectrum on 2006 December 13 Determined by IceTop

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abbasi, R.; Ackermann, M.; Adams, J.; Ahlers, M.; Ahrens, J.; Andeen, K.; Auffenberg, J.; Bai, X.; Baker, M.; Baret, B.; Barwick, S. W.; Bay, R.; Bazo Alba, J. L.; Beattie, K.; Becka, T.; Becker, J. K.; Becker, K. H.; Berghaus, P.; Berley, D.; Bernardini, E.; Bertrand, D.; Besson, D. Z.; Bieber, J. W.; Blaufuss, E.; Boersma, D. J.; Bohm, C.; Bolmont, J.; Böser, S.; Botner, O.; Braun, J.; Breder, D.; Burgess, T.; Castermans, T.; Chirkin, D.; Christy, B.; Clem, J.; Cowen, D. F.; D'Agostino, M. V.; Danninger, M.; Davour, A.; Day, C. T.; De Clercq, C.; Demirörs, L.; Depaepe, O.; Descamps, F.; Desiati, P.; de Vries-Uiterweerd, G.; DeYoung, T.; Diaz-Velez, J. C.; Dreyer, J.; Dumm, J. P.; Duvoort, M. R.; Edwards, W. R.; Ehrlich, R.; Eisch, J.; Ellsworth, R. W.; Engdegaard, O.; Euler, S.; Evenson, P. A.; Fadiran, O.; Fazely, A. R.; Filimonov, K.; Finley, C.; Foerster, M. M.; Fox, B. D.; Franckowiak, A.; Franke, R.; Gaisser, T. K.; Gallagher, J.; Ganugapati, R.; Gerhardt, L.; Gladstone, L.; Goldschmidt, A.; Goodman, J. A.; Gozzini, R.; Grant, D.; Griesel, T.; Gross, A.; Grullon, S.; Gunasingha, R. M.; Gurtner, M.; Ha, C.; Hallgren, A.; Halzen, F.; Han, K.; Hanson, K.; Hardtke, D.; Hardtke, R.; Hasegawa, Y.; Heise, J.; Helbing, K.; Hellwig, M.; Herquet, P.; Hickford, S.; Hill, G. C.; Hoffman, K. D.; Hoshina, K.; Hubert, D.; Hülss, J. P.; Hulth, P. O.; Hultqvist, K.; Hundertmark, S.; Imlay, R. L.; Inaba, M.; Ishihara, A.; Jacobsen, J.; Japaridze, G. S.; Johansson, H.; Joseph, J. M.; Kampert, K. H.; Kappes, A.; Karg, T.; Karle, A.; Kawai, H.; Kelley, J. L.; Kiryluk, J.; Kislat, F.; Klein, S. R.; Klepser, S.; Kohnen, G.; Kolanoski, H.; Köpke, L.; Kowalski, M.; Kowarik, T.; Krasberg, M.; Kuehn, K.; Kuwabara, T.; Labare, M.; Laihem, K.; Landsman, H.; Lauer, R.; Leich, H.; Leier, D.; Lucke, A.; Lundberg, J.; Lünemann, J.; Madsen, J.; Maruyama, R.; Mase, K.; Matis, H. S.; McParland, C. P.; Meagher, K.; Meli, A.; Merck, M.; Messarius, T.; Mészáros, P.; Miyamoto, H.; Mohr, A.; Montaruli, T.; Morse, R.; Movit, S. M.; Münich, K.; Nahnhauer, R.; Nam, J. W.; Niessen, P.; Nygren, D. R.; Odrowski, S.; Olivas, A.; Olivo, M.; Ono, M.; Panknin, S.; Patton, S.; Pérez de los Heros, C.; Petrovic, J.; Piegsa, A.; Pieloth, D.; Pohl, A. C.; Porrata, R.; Potthoff, N.; Pretz, J.; Price, P. B.; Przybylski, G. T.; Pyle, R.; Rawlins, K.; Razzaque, S.; Redl, P.; Resconi, E.; Rhode, W.; Ribordy, M.; Rizzo, A.; Robbins, W. J.; Rodrigues, J.; Roth, P.; Rothmaier, F.; Rott, C.; Roucelle, C.; Rutledge, D.; Ryckbosch, D.; Sander, H. G.; Sarkar, S.; Satalecka, K.; Schlenstedt, S.; Schmidt, T.; Schneider, D.; Schultz, O.; Seckel, D.; Semburg, B.; Seo, S. H.; Sestayo, Y.; Seunarine, S.; Silvestri, A.; Smith, A. J.; Song, C.; Spiczak, G. M.; Spiering, C.; Stanev, T.; Stezelberger, T.; Stokstad, R. G.; Stoufer, M. C.; Stoyanov, S.; Strahler, E. A.; Straszheim, T.; Sulanke, K. H.; Sullivan, G. W.; Swillens, Q.; Taboada, I.; Tarasova, O.; Tepe, A.; Ter-Antonyan, S.; Tilav, S.; Tluczykont, M.; Toale, P. A.; Tosi, D.; Turcan, D.; van Eijndhoven, N.; Vandenbroucke, J.; Van Overloop, A.; Viscomi, V.; Vogt, C.; Voigt, B.; Walck, C.; Waldenmaier, T.; Waldmann, H.; Walter, M.; Wendt, C.; Westerhoff, S.; Whitehorn, N.; Wiebusch, C. H.; Wiedemann, C.; Wikström, G.; Williams, D. R.; Wischnewski, R.; Wissing, H.; Woschnagg, K.; Xu, X. W.; Yodh, G.; Yoshida, S.

2008-12-01

On 2006 December 13 the IceTop air shower array at the South Pole detected a major solar particle event. By numerically simulating the response of the IceTop tanks, which are thick Cerenkov detectors with multiple thresholds deployed at high altitude with no geomagnetic cutoff, we determined the particle energy spectrum in the energy range 0.6-7.6 GeV. This is the first such spectral measurement using a single instrument with a well-defined viewing direction. We compare the IceTop spectrum and its time evolution with previously published results and outline plans for improved resolution of future solar particle spectra.

Signal Conditioning for Satellite Borne Energetic-Charged-Particle Experiments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ludwig, George H.

1961-01-01

Many of the spacecraft launched thus far have carried detectors for investigating cosmic rays, solar protons, solar plasmas, and the geomagnetically trapped radiation. These detectors, which will find continued application in the future, include ion chambers; proportional, Geiger-Muller, scintillation, Cerenkov, and solid state detectors; ion collectors; and nuclear emulsions. The instrumentation required to condition the signals from these detectors prior to telemetering is steadily growing more complex in order to permit more meaningful measurements. This report describes a number of instrumentation elements typical of the present state of the art, and a present-generation three-detector system which illustrates the integration of such basic elements into a complex system.

Portable instrument for inspecting irradiated nuclear fuel assemblies

DOEpatents

Nicholson, Nicholas; Dowdy, Edward J.; Holt, David M.; Stump, Jr., Charles J.

1985-01-01

A portable instrument for measuring induced Cerenkov radiation associated with irradiated nuclear fuel assemblies in a water-filled storage pond is disclosed. The instrument includes a photomultiplier tube and an image intensifier which are operable in parallel and simultaneously by means of a field lens assembly and an associated beam splitter. The image intensifier permits an operator to aim and focus the apparatus on a submerged fuel assembly. Once the instrument is aimed and focused, an illumination reading can be obtained with the photomultiplier tube. The instrument includes a lens cap with a carbon-14/phosphor light source for calibrating the apparatus in the field.

Excitation of terahertz radiation by an electron beam in a dielectric lined waveguide with rippled dielectric surface

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tripathi, Deepak; Uma, R.; Tripathi, V. K.

A relativistic electron beam propagating through a dielectric lined waveguide, with ripple on the dielectric surface, excites a free electron laser type instability where ripple acts as a wiggler. The spatial modulation of permittivity in the ripple region couples a terahertz radiation mode to a driven mode of lower phase velocity, where the beam is in Cerenkov resonance with the slow mode. Both the modes grow at the expanse of beam energy. The terahertz frequency increases as the beam velocity increases. The growth rate of the instability goes as one third power of beam density.

Data Analysis for the Scintillating Optical Fiber Calorimeter (SOFCAL)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Christl, Mark J.

1997-01-01

The scintillating optical fiber calorimeter is a hybrid instrument with both active and passive components for measuring the proton and helium cosmic ray spectra from 0.2 to IO TeV kinetic energy. A thin emulsion/x-ray film chamber is situated between a cerenkov counter and an imaging calorimeter. Scintillating optical fibers sample the electromagnetic showers that develop in the calorimeter and identify the trajectory of cosmic rays that interact in SOFCAL. The emulsion/x-ray film data provide an in flight calibration for SOFCAL. The data reduction techniques used will be discussed and interim results of the analysis from a 20 hour balloon flight will be presented.

SU-F-T-663: Cerenkov Radiation Enhanced Radiotherapy with Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticle: A Monte Carlo Study

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liu, B; Sajo, E; Ouyang, Z

2016-06-15

Purpose: A recent publication has shown that by delivering titanium dioxide nanoparticles (titania) as a photosensitizer into tumors, Cerenkov radiation (CR) produced by radionuclides could be used for substantially boosting damage to cancer cells. The present work compares CR production by various clinically relevant radiation sources including internal radionuclides and external beam radiotherapy (EBRT), and provides preliminarily computational results of CR absorption by titania. Methods: 1) Geant4.10.1 was used to simulate ionizing radiation-induced CR production in a 1cm diameter spherical volume using external radiotherapy sources: Varian Clinac IX 6MV and Eldorado {sup 60}Co, both with 10*10 cm{sup 2} field size.more » In each case the volume was placed at the maximum dose depth (1.5cm for 6MV source and 0.5cm for {sup 60}Co). In addition, {sup 18}F, {sup 192}Ir and {sup 60}Co were simulated using Geant4 radioactive decay models as internal sources. Dose deposition and CR production spectra in 200nm-400nm range were calculated as it is the excitation range of titania. 2) Using 6MV external source, the absorption by titania was calculated via the track length of CR in the spherical volume. The nanoparticle concentration was varied from 0.25 to 5µg/g. Results: Among different radioactive sources, results showed that {sup 18}F induced the highest amount of CR per disintegration, but {sup 60}Co had the highest yield per unit dose. When compared with external sources, 6MV source was shown to be the most efficient for the the same delivered dose. Simulations indicated increased absorption for increasing concentrations, with up to 68% absorption of generated CR for 5µg/g titania concentration. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that 6MV beam is favored with a higher CR yield, compared to radionuclides, and that the use of higher concentrations of titania may increase photosensitization. From the findings, we propose that if sufficiently potent concentrations of titania are delivered to tumors this could substantially boost EBRT.« less

AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF THE DIRECT PRODUCTION OF PI MESONS BY HIGH-ENERGY ELECTRONS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hand, L.N.

1962-04-01

The direct production of pi mesons by high-energy electrons was studied experimentally as an indirect measurement of the charge and magnetic structure of the neutron. The reactions of interest are: e/sup -/ + p/sup +/ yields e/sup -/ + p/sup ~+/ + i/sup 0/ and e/sup -/ + p/sup +/ yields e/sup -/ + n/sup 0/ + pi /sup +/. Only the final electro n is observed. Physically the experiment consists of passing a beam of electrons through a liquid hydrogen target. Electrons scattered at a given angle and having momenta within a certain range about a selected value aremore » analyzed with a magnetic spectrometer and counted by virtue of their Cerenkov light in a counter filled with paraffin oil. This counter has been designed to minimize the background. Counting rates for positive and negative particles are recorded for each momentum setting. The initial and final energies may be programmed to vary either the pionnucleon dynamics or the invariant four-momentum transfer (q/sup 2/) independently. The behavior of the cross section as a function of the latter variable is in part determined by charge and magnetic moment distributions of the proton and neutron and by the charge distribution of the pion. It is unfortunate that the sensitivity of the present experiment to the pion size is rather low, as no published information exists on this quantity. One important difference between electroproduction and the more usual gamma-ray excitation of mesons is the possibility of inducing the above reactions with the electric field possessed by the electron along its direction of motion. A simple proof was found of a theorem which permits a purely experimental determination of the amount of this longitudinal interaction relative to the transverse interaction occurring in both the electron and gamma-ray production of pions. This theorem is applicable to a wide class of electron scattering experiments. The results indicate the absence of any longitudinal pion production in the energy region covered by this experiment. This work represents a continuation and extension of two previous experiments done at Stanford. An unsuccessful search was made at high energies for effects of the socalled second resonance'' in the pion-nucleon interaction. Several experimental checks were raade on the validity of from deuteriura.« less

Mechanisms of phosphene generation in ocular proton therapy as related to space radiation exposure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chuard, D.; Anthonipillai, V.; Dendale, R.; Nauraye, C.; Khan, E.; Mabit, C.; De Marzi, L.; Narici, L.

2016-08-01

Particle therapy provides an opportunity to study the human response to space radiation in ground-based facilities. On this basis, a study of light flashes analogous to astronauts' phosphenes reported by patients undergoing ocular proton therapy has been undertaken. The influence of treatment parameters on phosphene generation was investigated for 430 patients treated for a choroidal melanoma at the proton therapy centre of the Institut Curie (ICPO) in Orsay, France, between 2008 and 2011. 60% of them report light flashes, which are predominantly (74%) blue. An analysis of variables describing the patient's physiology, properties of the tumour and dose distribution shows that two groups of tumour and beam variables are correlated with phosphene occurrence. Physiology is found to have no influence on flash triggering. Detailed correlation study eventually suggests a possible twofold mechanism of phosphene generation based on (i) indirect Cerenkov light in the bulk of the eye due to nuclear interactions and radioactive decay and (ii) direct excitation of the nerve fibres in the back of the eye and/or radical excess near the retina.

Detailed observations of the source of terrestrial narrowband electromagnetic radiation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kurth, W. S.

1982-01-01

Detailed observations are presented of a region near the terrestrial plasmapause where narrowband electromagnetic radiation (previously called escaping nonthermal continuum radiation) is being generated. These observations show a direct correspondence between the narrowband radio emissions and electron cyclotron harmonic waves near the upper hybrid resonance frequency. In addition, electromagnetic radiation propagating in the Z-mode is observed in the source region which provides an extremely accurate determination of the electron plasma frequency and, hence, density profile of the source region. The data strongly suggest that electrostatic waves and not Cerenkov radiation are the source of the banded radio emissions and define the coupling which must be described by any viable theory.

High intensity, plasma-induced electron emission from large area carbon nanotube array cathodes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liao Qingliang; Yang Ya; Qi Junjie

2010-02-15

The plasma-induced electron emission properties of large area carbon nanotube (CNT) array cathodes under different pulse electric fields were investigated. The formation and expansion of cathode plasmas were proved; in addition, the cathodes have higher emission current in the double-pulse mode than that in the single-pulse mode due to the expansion of plasma. Under the double-pulse electric field of 8.16 V/mum, the plasma's expansion velocity is about 12.33 cm/mus and the highest emission current density reached 107.72 A/cm{sup 2}. The Cerenkov radiation was used to diagnose the distribution of electron beams, and the electron beams' generating process was plasma-induced emission.

Frequency doubling in poled polymers using anomalous dispersion phase-matching

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kowalczyk, T.C.; Singer, K.D.; Cahill, P.A.

1995-10-01

The authors report on a second harmonic generation in a poled polymer waveguide using anomalous dispersion phase-matching. Blue light ({lambda} = 407 nm) was produced by phase-matching the lowest order fundamental and harmonic modes over a distance of 32 {micro}m. The experimental conversion efficiency was {eta} = 1.2 {times} 10{sup {minus}4}, in agreement with theory. Additionally, they discuss a method of enhancing the conversion efficiency for second harmonic generation using anomalous dispersion phase-matching to optimize Cerenkov second harmonic generation. The modeling shows that a combination of phase-matching techniques creates larger conversion efficiencies and reduces critical fabrication requirements of the individualmore » phase-matching techniques.« less

Results of a search for deuterium at 25-50 GC/c using a magnetic spectrometer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Golden, R. L.; Stephens, S. A.; Webber, W. R.

1985-01-01

A method is presented for separately identifying isotopes using a Cerenkov detector and a magnet spectrometer. Simulations of the method are given for separating deuterium from protons. The simulations are compared with data gathered from the 1979 flight of the New Mexico State University balloonborne magnet spectrometer. The simulation and the data show the same general characteristics lending credence to the technique. The data show an apparent deuteron signal which is (11 + or - 3)% of the total sample in the rigidity region 38.5 to 50 GV/c. Until further background analysis and subtraction is performed this should be regarded as an upper limit to the deuteron/(deuteron+proton) ratio.

Addition of luminescence process in Monte Carlo simulation to precisely estimate the light emitted from water during proton and carbon-ion irradiation.

PubMed

Yabe, Takuya; Sasano, Makoto; Hirano, Yoshiyuki; Toshito, Toshiyuki; Akagi, Takashi; Yamashita, Tomohiro; Hayashi, Masateru; Azuma, Tetsushi; Sakamoto, Yusuku; Komori, Masataka; Yamamoto, Seiichi

2018-06-20

Although luminescence of water lower in energy than the Cerenkov-light threshold during proton and carbon-ion irradiation has been found, the phenomenon has not yet been implemented for Monte Carlo simulations. The results provided by the simulations lead to misunderstandings of the physical phenomenon in optical imaging of water during proton and carbon-ion irradiation. To solve the problems, as well as to clarify the light production of the luminescence of water, we modified a Monte Carlo simulation code to include the light production from the luminescence of water and compared them with the experimental results of luminescence imaging of water. We used GEANT4 for the simulation of emitted light from water during proton and carbon-ion irradiation. We used the light production from the luminescence of water using the scintillation process in GEANT4 while those of Cerenkov light from the secondary electrons and prompt gamma photons in water were also included in the simulation. The modified simulation results showed similar depth profiles to those of the measured data for both proton and carbon-ion. When the light production of 0.1 photons/MeV was used for the luminescence of water in the simulation, the simulated depth profiles showed the best match to those of the measured results for both the proton and carbon-ion compared with those used for smaller and larger numbers of photons/MeV. We could successively obtain the simulated depth profiles that were basically the same as the experimental data by using GEANT4 when we assumed the light production by the luminescence of water. Our results confirmed that the inclusion of the luminescence of water in Monte Carlo simulation is indispensable to calculate the precise light distribution in water during irradiation of proton and carbon-ion.

Transient self-amplified Cerenkov radiation with a short pulse electron beam

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Poole, B. R.; Blackfield, D. T.; Camacho, J. F.

2009-08-01

An analytic and numerical examination of the slow wave Cerenkov free electron maser is presented. We consider the steady-state amplifier configuration as well as operation in the self-amplified spontaneous emission (SASE) regime. The linear theory is extended to include electron beams that have a parabolic radial density inhomogeneity. Closed form solutions for the dispersion relation and modal structure of the electromagnetic field are determined in this inhomogeneous case. To determine the steady-state response, a macroparticle approach is used to develop a set of coupled nonlinear ordinary differential equations for the amplitude and phase of the electromagnetic wave, which are solved in conjunction with the particle dynamical equations to determine the response when the system is driven as an amplifier with a time harmonic source. We then consider the case in which a fast rise time electron beam is injected into a dielectric loaded waveguide. In this case, radiation is generated by SASE, with the instability seeded by the leading edge of the electron beam. A pulse of radiation is produced, slipping behind the leading edge of the beam due to the disparity between the group velocity of the radiation and the beam velocity. Short pulses of microwave radiation are generated in the SASE regime and are investigated using particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations. The nonlinear dynamics are significantly more complicated in the transient SASE regime when compared with the steady-state amplifier model due to the slippage of the radiation with respect to the beam. As strong self-bunching of the electron beam develops due to SASE, short pulses of superradiant emission develop with peak powers significantly larger than the predicted saturated power based on the steady-state amplifier model. As these superradiant pulses grow, their pulse length decreases and forms a series of solitonlike pulses. Comparisons between the linear theory, macroparticle model, and PIC simulations are made in the appropriate regimes.

SU-E-I-88: The Effect of System Dead Time On Real-Time Plastic and GOS Based Fiber-Optic Dosimetry Systems

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hoerner, M; Hintenlang, D

Purpose: A methodology is presented to correct for measurement inaccuracies at high detector count rates using a plastic and GOS scintillation fibers coupled to a photomultiplier tube with digital readout. This system allows temporal acquisition and manipulation of measured data. Methods: The detection system used was a plastic scintillator and a separate gadolinium scintillator, both (0.5 diameter) coupled to an optical fiber with a Hamamatsu photon counter with a built-in microcontroller and digital interface. Count rate performance of the system was evaluated using the nonparalzable detector model. Detector response was investigated across multiple radiation sources including: orthovoltage x-ray system, colbat-60more » gamma rays, proton therapy beam, and a diagnostic radiography x-ray tube. The dead time parameter was calculated by measuring the count rate of the system at different exposure rates using a reference detector. Results: The system dead time was evaluated for the following sources of radiation used clinically: diagnostic energy x-rays, cobalt-60 gamma rays, orthovoltage xrays, particle proton accelerator, and megavoltage x-rays. It was found that dead time increased significantly when exposing the detector to sources capable of generating Cerenkov radiation, all of the sources sans the diagnostic x-rays, with increasing prominence at higher photon energies. Percent depth dose curves generated by a dedicated ionization chamber and compared to the detection system demonstrated that correcting for dead time improves accuracy. On most sources, nonparalzable model fit provided an improved system response. Conclusion: Overall, the system dead time was variable across the investigated radiation particles and energies. It was demonstrated that the system response accuracy was greatly improved by correcting for dead time effects. Cerenkov radiation plays a significant role in the increase in the system dead time through transient absorption effects attributed to electron hole-pair creations within the optical waveguide.« less

SU-E-T-610: Phosphor-Based Fiber Optic Probes for Proton Beam Characterization

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Darafsheh, A; Soldner, A; Liu, H

2015-06-15

Purpose: To investigate feasibility of using fiber optics probes with rare-earth-based phosphor tips for proton beam radiation dosimetry. We designed and fabricated a fiber probe with submillimeter resolution (<0.5 mm3) based on TbF3 phosphors and evaluated its performance for measurement of proton beam including profiles and range. Methods: The fiber optic probe with TbF3 phosphor tip, embedded in tissue-mimicking phantoms was irradiated with double scattering proton beam with energy of 180 MeV. Luminescence spectroscopy was performed by a CCD-coupled spectrograph to analyze the emission spectra of the fiber tip. In order to measure the spatial beam profile and percentage depthmore » dose, we used singular value decomposition method to spectrally separate the phosphors ionoluminescence signal from the background Cerenkov radiation signal. Results: The spectra of the TbF3 fiber probe showed characteristic ionoluminescence emission peaks at 489, 542, 586, and 620 nm. By using singular value decomposition we found the contribution of the ionoluminescence signal to measure the percentage depth dose in phantoms and compared that with measurements performed with ion chamber. We observed quenching effect at the spread out Bragg peak region, manifested as under-responding of the signal, due to the high LET of the beam. However, the beam profiles were not dramatically affected by the quenching effect. Conclusion: We have evaluated the performance of a fiber optic probe with submillimeter resolution for proton beam dosimetry. We demonstrated feasibility of spectral separation of the Cerenkov radiation from the collected signal. Such fiber probes can be used for measurements of proton beams profile and range. The experimental apparatus and spectroscopy method developed in this work provide a robust platform for characterization of proton-irradiated nanophosphor particles for ultralow fluence photodynamic therapy or molecular imaging applications.« less

On the Age of Cosmic Rays as Derived from the Abundance of Be-10. Ph.D. Thesis - Maryland Univ.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hagen, F. A.

1976-01-01

The isotopic composition of cosmic ray Be, B, C, and N was studied using a new range versus total light technique. Special emphasis was placed on the Be isotopes and in particular, on the radioactive isotope Be-10 due to its mean lifetime against decay. The experiment consisted of a thin trigger scintillator, an acrylic plastic Cerenkov detector and a spark chamber, followed by a totally active stack of 14 scintillation detectors. This stack of scintillators made possible the measurement of range, and also permitted the removal of interacting events by continuously monitoring their identities along their trajectories. The experiment was carried by balloon to atmospheric depths ranging from 3.5 to 5.0 g sq cm residual atmosphere for a total exposure time of 23 hr. Results indicate the survival of ( 55 + or -21) % of the Be-10 in the arriving cosmic rays; the data were interpreted using the leaky box model of cosmic ray propagation.

Ion beam driven ion-acoustic waves in a plasma cylinder with negative ions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sharma, Suresh C.; Gahlot, Ajay

2008-07-15

An ion beam propagating through a magnetized plasma cylinder containing K{sup +} positive ions, electrons, and SF{sub 6}{sup -} negative ions drives electrostatic ion-acoustic (IA) waves to instability via Cerenkov interaction. Two electrostatic IA wave modes in presence of K{sup +} and SF{sub 6}{sup -} ions are studied. The phase velocity of the sound wave in presence of positive and negative ions increase with the relative density of negative ions. The unstable wave frequencies and the growth rate of both the modes in presence of positive and negative ions increase with the relative density of negative ions. The growth ratemore » of both the unstable modes in presence of SF{sub 6}{sup -} and K{sup +} ions scales as the one-third power of the beam density. Numerical calculations of the phase velocity, growth rate, and mode frequencies have been carried out for the parameters of the experiment of Song et al. [Phys. Fluids B 3, 284 (1991)].« less

Gradients and anisotropies of high energy cosmic rays in the outer heliosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fillius, W.; Roelof, E. C.; Smith, E. J.; Wood, D.; Ip, W. H.

1985-01-01

Two cosmic rays which pass through the same point going in opposite directions will, in the absence of scattering and inhomogeneities in the magnetic field, trace helices about adjacent flux tubes, whose centerlines are separated by one gyrodiameter. A directional anisotropy at the point suggests a difference in the number of cosmic rays loading the two flux tubes; that is, a density gradient over the baseline of a gyrodiameter. Previous studies at lower energies have shown that the cosmic ray density gradients vary in time and space. It is suggested that the radial gradient associated with solar cycle modulation is supported largely by narrow barriers which encircle the sun and propagate outward with the solar wind. If so, the anisotropy is a desirable way to detect spatial gradients, because it can be associated with the local solar wind and magnetic field conditions. Anisotropic measurements made by Cerenkov detectors on Pioneers 10 and 11 were studied. It was found that local anisotropy varies greatly, but that the long term average is consistent with the global radial gradient measured between two spacecraft over a baseline of many AU.

First Mass-resolved Measurement of High-Energy Cosmic-Ray Antiprotons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bergström, D.; Boezio, M.; Carlson, P.; Francke, T.; Grinstein, S.; Khalchukov, F.; Suffert, M.; Hof, M.; Kremer, J.; Menn, W.; Simon, M.; Stephens, S. A.; Ambriola, M. L.; Bellotti, R.; Cafagna, F.; Ciacio, F.; Circella, M.; De Marzo, C.; Finetti, N.; Papini, P.; Piccardi, S.; Spillantini, P.; Bartalucci, S.; Ricci, M.; Casolino, M.; De Pascale, M. P.; Morselli, A.; Picozza, P.; Sparvoli, R.; Bonvicini, V.; Schiavon, P.; Vacchi, A.; Zampa, N.; Mitchell, J. W.; Ormes, J. F.; Streitmatter, R. E.; Bravar, U.; Stochaj, S. J.

2000-05-01

We report new results for the cosmic-ray antiproton-to-proton ratio from 3 to 50 GeV at the top of the atmosphere. These results represent the first measurements, on an event-by-event basis, of mass-resolved antiprotons above 18 GeV. The results were obtained with the NMSU-WIZARD/CAPRICE98 balloon-borne magnet spectrometer equipped with a gas-RICH (Ring-Imaging Cerenkov) counter and a silicon-tungsten imaging calorimeter. The RICH detector was the first ever flown that is capable of identifying charge-one particles at energies above 5 GeV. The spectrometer was flown on 1998 May 28-29 from Fort Sumner, New Mexico. The measured p/p ratio is in agreement with a pure secondary interstellar production.

Observation of electrons with energy above 40 MeV at the altitudes 300-350 KM

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Galper, A. M.; Grachev, V. M.; Dmitrenko, V. V.; Kirillov-Ugriumov, V. G.; Liakhov, V. A.; Rossomakhina, N. G.; Riumin, V. V.; Ulin, S. E.

The paper presents observations of electrons by the small, scintillator-gas Cerenkov gamma-telescope Elena-F at energies above 40 MeV and at altitudes of 300-350 km. Dependences of the electron fluxes at the 45-250 MeV and 60-460 MeV energy ranges from the vertical cutoff rigidity were measured, and for the equatorial region, the electron fluxes were found to be 193 plus or minus 32 and 160 plus or minus 30 e/sq m-s-sr, respectively, for the two energy ranges. The measured power law index of the differential energy spectrum 2.1 plus or minus 0.3. Results of observations in the region of the Brazil magnetic anomaly are discussed.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bahena, A.; Villasenor, L.

We describe a simple experimental setup to measure the rate of arrival of muons at the surface of the Earth by using a single water Cerenkov detector and home-made electronics. We find a strong anti-correlation between the muon rates averaged over one-hour periods and the atmospheric pressure, with a measured correlation coefficient of -0.67% per hPa. After applying this correction we achieve sufficient sensitivity to observe long term (hours) variations in the averaged muon rates which are greater than 2%. Forbush decreases as big as 4% have been observed with muon detectors located at similar magnetic rigidities compared to Morelia,more » therefore our experimental setup will detect Forbush decreases as soon as the Sun enters into a more active phase.« less

Very high energy gamma ray astronomy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grindlay, J. E.

1976-01-01

Recent results in ground based very high energy gamma ray astronomy are reviewed. The various modes of the atmospheric Cerenkov technique are described, and the importance of cosmic ray rejection methods is stressed. The positive detections of the Crab pulsar that suggest a very flat spectrum and time-variable pulse phase are discussed. Observations of other pulsars (particularly Vela) suggest these features may be general. Evidence that a 4.8 hr modulated effect was detected from Cyg X-3 is strengthened in that the exact period originally proposed agrees well with a recent determination of the X-ray period. The southern sky observations are reviewed, and the significance of the detection of an active galaxy (NGC 5128) is considered for source models and future observations.

The AMANDA Search for High Energy Neutrinos From Gamma Ray Bursts

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hardtke, Rellen

2004-09-28

We have searched three and a half years of AMANDA data for high energy muon neutrinos from gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). The data was recorded from 1997 through 1999 by the AMANDA-B10 detector and in 2000 by the AMANDA-II detector. AMANDA is a Cerenkov detector embedded 1.5 to 2 km deep in the transparent ice of the South Polar plateau. We searched for neutrino candidates from the direction of, and coincident with, GRBs detected by the Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE). The current result is consistent with no signal. A preliminary event upper limit for GRB neutrino emission is presentedmore » as well as a description of AMANDA's cubic-kilometer successor, IceCube.« less

SHMS Hodoscopes and Time of Flight System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Craycraft, Kayla; Malace, Simona

2017-09-01

As part of the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility's (Jefferson Lab) upgrade from 6 GeV to 12 GeV, a new magnetic focusing spectrometer, the Super High Momentum Spectrometer (SHMS), was installed in experimental Hall C. The detector stack consists of horizontal drift chambers for tracking, gas Cerenkov and Aerogel detectors and a lead glass calorimeter for particle identification. A hodoscope system consisting of three planes of scintillator detectors (constructed by James Madison University) and one plane of quartz bars (built by North Carolina A&T State University) is used for triggering and time of flight measurements. This presentation consists of discussion of the installation, calibration, and characterization of the detectors used in this Time of Flight system. James Madison University, North Carolina A&T State University.

Experimental Neutrino Physics and Astrophysics with the IMB-3 Detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Casper, David William

1990-01-01

Description of the universe on the smallest (elementary particle physics) and largest (cosmology) scales has become dependent on the properties of the most weakly interacting fundamental particle known, the neutrino. The IMB experiment, designed to study nucleon decay, is also the world's largest detector of neutrinos. The experiment uses 6800 tons (3300 tons fiducial) of water as both target and detecting medium. Relativistic charges particles traversing the water radiate Cerenkov light. The distinctive ring patterns are imaged by 2048 light collectors (each a photo-multiplier tube coupled with a wavelength-shifting plate) distributed over the surfaces of the tank. This dissertation describes the IMB-3 detector, a four-fold increase in sensitivity over the original apparatus. Neutrino interactions of both atmospheric and extragalactic origin were collected during a 3.4 kiloton-year exposure. A consequence of non-zero neutrino mass could be oscillation of neutrino flavor. The energies and long flight distances of atmospheric neutrinos offer a unique opportunity to explore this possibility. To study the composition of the atmospheric neutrinos, single-ring events are classified as showering or non-showering using the geometry of the Cerenkov pattern. A simulation of neutrino interactions and a model of atmospheric neutrino production are used to predict the composition of the sample. The showering/non-showering character of an event is strongly correlated with the flavor of its neutrino parent. In the lepton momentum range p < 1500 MeV/c, non-showering events comprise 41 +/- 3(stat.) +/- 2(syst.)% of the total. The fraction expected is 51 +/- 5(syst.)%. Although this is evidence for an anomaly in the composition of atmospheric neutrinos, the 2sigma deviation is not sufficient to require neutrino oscillations. Eight interactions recorded over a six second interval on February 23, 1987 are coincident with the discovery of Supernova 1987a. These data, together with simultaneous signals in a least one other detector, confirm transport of energy by neutrinos, a lynchpin of stellar collapse models. Prompt arrival of neutrinos from ~ 50 kiloparsec distant places many constraints on the properties of neutrinos which rival those from terrestrial experimentation. Some solutions to the missing mass or "dark matter" problem result in high-energy neutrino production within the Sun. A model of dark matter capture and annihilation in the Sun predicts the resulting neutrino fluxes at Earth. No evidence of the phenomenon is observed, but for canonical values of dark matter density and velocity in the solar system, greater exposure will be required to verify or exclude the expected signal.

Extensive air showers (HE-4)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clay, R. W.

1986-01-01

Ultra high energy (UHE) gamma ray astronomy is an exciting area which has added a new sense of purpose to ground based array work. There is much to be done before UHE gamma ray showers can be understood properly and it is important to remain conservative with claims while the properties of such showers are still not clear. The muon content is only one of the properties that needs to be clarified. It remains to be seen how well progress occurs on the second order problem of detailed interaction parameters once the gross features are clarified. The shower disk thickness has become an area of intense study with interest in Linsley's technique for measuremnts of giant showers and in the study of structure near the core for improving fast timing and studying delayed subshowers. Perhaps the most significant area of promise for the future is individual shower develpments with Cerenkov and, particularly, air fluorescence techniques. The importance and potential of having relatively complete information on a complete set of individual showers can hardly be overestimated. A complete understanding of the observation process is needed to determine whether or not the recorded data set is complete at a given energy, apparent core distance, and zenith angle.

Measurement of Dielectron Invariant Mass Spectra in Au + Au Collisions at p sNN = 200GeV with HBD in PHENIX

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Jiayin

Dileptons are emitted throughout the entire space-time evolution of heavy ion collisions. Being colorless, these electromagnetic probes do not participate in the final-state strong interactions during the passage through the hot medium, and retain the information on the conditions of their creation. This characteristic renders them valuable tools for studying the properties of the Quark Gluon Plasma created during ultra-relativistic heavy ion collisions. The invariant mass spectra of dileptons contain a wealth of information on every stage of the evolution of heavy ion collisions. At low mass, dilepton spectra consist mainly of light meson decays. The medium modification of the light vector mesons gives insight on the chiral symmetry restoration in heavy ion collisions. At intermediate and high mass, there are significant contributions from charm and bottom, with a minor contribution from QGP thermal radiation. The region was utilized to measure cross sections of open charm and open bottom, as well as quarkonium suppression as demonstrated by PHENIX. An earlier PHENIX measurement of dielectron spectra in heavy ion collisions, using data taken in 2004, shows significant deviations from the hadronic decay expectations. The measurement, however, suffered from an unfavorable signal to background ratio. Random combination of electron-positron pairs from unrelated sources, mostly Dalitz decay of pi0 and external conversion of decay photon to electrons, is the main contributor to the background. Mis-identified hadrons are another major background source. To improve the situation, the Hadron Blind Detector (HBD), a windowless proximity focusing Cerenkov detector, is designed to reduce this background by identifying electron tracks from photon conversions and pi. 0 Dalitzdecays. The detector has been installed and operated in PHENIX in 2009 and 2010, where reference p+p and Au+Au data sets were successfully taken. We will present the dielectron results from the analysis of the Au+Au collisions, and compare the measured mass spectra to theoretical expectations.

Hard quark-quark scattering with exclusive reactions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Barton, D.S.; Bunce, G.M.; Carroll, A.S.

1984-07-19

We have begun a program designed to study hard quark-quark scattering with exclusive reactions, focusing on quasi-elastic two-body reactions with all possible quark flavor exchanges. Examples are ..pi../sup -/p ..-->.. ..pi../sup -/p, rho/sup -/p, ..pi../sup +/..delta../sup -/, K/sup +/..sigma../sup -/, or K..lambda... Of the two-body exclusives, only elastic scattering had been measured at such large t previous to our experiment. By comparing the relative importance of different final states, the energy dependence of the production ratios of these states, the prominence of resonances such as rho/sup -/ over background in this region, and measuring polarizations where accessible, we have collectedmore » a large body of data on hard scattering in a completely new domain. Previously, essential all short distance QCD tests have been for inclusive processes. We have taken data with both negative and positive incident beam at 10 GeV/c on a hydrogen target and will present the first results, for ..pi../sup -/p ..-->.. ..pi../sup -/p and rho/sup -/p at THETA/sub cm/ = 90/sup 0/, -t = 9 GeV/sup 2//c/sup 2/. The apparatus consists of a magnetic spectrometer, with Cerenkov particle identification, which selects stable charged particles (protons in this case) at high momentum near 90/sup 0/ in the center-of-mass. A large aperture array of PWCs observes the recoil particle or charged decay products. Cross sections are extremely low, approximately a 1 nb/(GeV/c)/sup 2/ for elastic scattering. We will report on a sample of more than 1000 ..pi../sup -/p elastic events, and on rho/sup -/p, where the rho/sup -/ decay distribution was observed. We find a surprisingly large rho/sup -/p cross section in this large momentum transfer region, with rho/sup -/p about half the elastic cross section, and a striking spin alignment of the rho/sup -/.« less

Recent Advances of Light-Mediated Theranostics

PubMed Central

Ai, Xiangzhao; Mu, Jing; Xing, Bengang

2016-01-01

Currently, precision theranostics have been extensively demanded for the effective treatment of various human diseases. Currently, efficient therapy at the targeted disease areas still remains challenging since most available drug molecules lack of selectivity to the pathological sites. Among different approaches, light-mediated therapeutic strategy has recently emerged as a promising and powerful tool to precisely control the activation of therapeutic reagents and imaging probes in vitro and in vivo, mostly attributed to its unique properties including minimally invasive capability and highly spatiotemporal resolution. Although it has achieved initial success, the conventional strategies for light-mediated theranostics are mostly based on the light with short wavelength (e.g., UV or visible light), which may usually suffer from several undesired drawbacks, such as limited tissue penetration depth, unavoidable light absorption/scattering and potential phototoxicity to healthy tissues, etc. Therefore, a near-infrared (NIR) light-mediated approach on the basis of long-wavelength light (700-1000 nm) irradiation, which displays deep-tissue penetration, minimized photo-damage and low autofluoresence in living systems, has been proposed as an inspiring alternative for precisely phototherapeutic applications in the last decades. Despite numerous NIR light-responsive molecules have been currently proposed for clinical applications, several inherent drawbacks, such as troublesome synthetic procedures, low water solubility and limited accumulation abilities in targeted areas, heavily restrict their applications in deep-tissue therapeutic and imaging studies. Thanks to the amazing properties of several nanomaterials with large extinction coefficient in the NIR region, the construction of NIR light responsive nanoplatforms with multifunctions have become promising approaches for deep-seated diseases diagnosis and therapy. In this review, we summarized various light-triggered theranostic strategies and introduced their great advances in biomedical applications in recent years. Moreover, some other promising light-assisted techniques, such as photoacoustic and Cerenkov radiation, were also systemically discussed. Finally, the potential challenges and future perspectives for light-mediated deep-tissue diagnosis and therapeutics were proposed. PMID:27877246

Classical strongly coupled quark-gluon plasma. VII. Energy loss

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cho, Sungtae; Zahed, Ismail

2010-12-01

We use linear response analysis and the fluctuation-dissipation theorem to derive the energy loss of a heavy quark in the SU(2) classical Coulomb plasma in terms of the l=1 monopole and nonstatic structure factor. The result is valid for all Coulomb couplings Γ=V/K, the ratio of the mean potential to kinetic energy. We use the Liouville equation in the collisionless limit to assess the SU(2) nonstatic structure factor. We find the energy loss to be strongly dependent on Γ. In the liquid phase with Γ≈4, the energy loss is mostly metallic and soundless with neither a Cerenkov nor a Mach cone. Our analytical results compare favorably with the SU(2) molecular dynamics simulations at large momentum and for heavy quark masses.

Sporadic emission of ultra high energy gamma rays from Crab pulsar

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhat, P. N.; Gupta, S. K.; Ramana Murthy, P. V.; Sreekantan, B. V.; Tonwar, S. C.; Vishwanath, P. R.

A 24 hr emission variability of the Crab pulsar was examined. The data were gathered in the energy range up to 500 GeV using the Oota Atmospheric Cerenkov array. Analysis proceeded in terms of one second curves with retention of only those data within 5 sigma of the nominal values. The mean time between events was about 125 msec, while some microbursts occurred at a rate of one per 0.5 msec and could happen twice within a minute (macroburst). A coincidence of pulse occurrence and phase was noted. Phasograms were generated for the events coming from the Crab pulsar, which displayed peak emissions for only 0.0001 of the observing time. It is concluded that traditional averaging analysis can mask periods of intense emissions.

Nanoparticles and Radiotracers: Advances toward Radio-Nanomedicine

PubMed Central

Pratt, Edwin C.; Shaffer, Travis M.; Grimm, Jan

2016-01-01

Here, we cover the convergence of radiochemistry for imaging and therapy with advances in nanoparticle (NP) design for biomedical applications. We first explore NP properties relevant for therapy and theranostics and emphasize the need for biocompatibility. We then explore radionuclide-imaging modalities such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), and Cerenkov Luminescence (CL) with examples utilizing radiolabeled NP for imaging. PET and SPECT have served as diagnostic workhorses in the clinic, while preclinical NP design examples of multimodal imaging with radiotracers show promise in imaging and therapy. CL expands the types of radionuclides beyond PET and SPECT tracers to include high-energy electrons (β−) for imaging purposes. These advances in radionanomedicine will be discussed, showing the potential for radiolabeled NPs as theranostic agents. PMID:27006133

The Cosmic-Ray Proton and Helium Spectra between 0.4 and 200 GV

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boezio, M.; Carlson, P.; Francke, T.; Weber, N.; Suffert, M.; Hof, M.; Menn, W.; Simon, M.; Stephens, S. A.; Bellotti, R.; Cafagna, F.; Castellano, M.; Circella, M.; De Marzo, C.; Finetti, N.; Papini, P.; Piccardi, S.; Spillantini, P.; Ricci, M.; Casolino, M.; De Pascale, M. P.; Morselli, A.; Picozza, P.; Sparvoli, R.; Barbiellini, G.; Bravar, U.; Schiavon, P.; Vacchi, A.; Zampa, N.; Mitchell, J. W.; Ormes, J. F.; Streitmatter, R. E.; Golden, R. L.; Stochaj, S. J.

1999-06-01

We report on the hydrogen nuclei (protons and deuterons) spectrum from 0.15 to 200 GeV and on the helium nuclei spectrum over the energy range from 0.2 to 100 GeV nucleon-1 at the top of the atmosphere measured by the balloon-borne experiment Cosmic Antiparticle Ring-Imaging Cerenkov Experiment (CAPRICE), which was flown from Lynn Lake, Manitoba, Canada, on 1994 August 8-9. We also report on the proton spectrum over the energy range from 0.15 to 4.2 GeV. The experiment used the NMSU-WiZard/CAPRICE balloon-borne magnet spectrometer equipped with a solid radiator Ring-Imaging Cerenkov (RICH) detector and a silicon-tungsten calorimeter for particle identification. This was the first time a RICH was used together with an imaging calorimeter in a balloon-borne experiment. These detectors allowed for clear particle identification, as well as excellent control of the detector efficiencies. The data were collected during 18 hr at a residual mean atmospheric depth of 3.9 g cm-2. With this apparatus 516,463 hydrogen and 32,457 helium nuclei were identified in the rigidity range 0.4 to 200 GV and 1.2 to 200 GV, respectively. The observed energy spectrum at the top of the atmosphere can be represented by (1.1+/-0.1)×104 E-2.73+/-0.06 particles (m2 GeV sr s)-1 for hydrogen (E in GeV) between 20 and 200 GeV and (4.3+/-0.9)×102 E-2.65+/-0.07 particles (m2 GeV nucleon-1 sr s)-1 for helium nuclei (E in GeV nucleon-1) between 10 and 100 GeV nucleon-1. These spectra are in good agreement with other recent measurements above 10 GeV. The observed spectra flatten below 10 GeV due to solar modulation and are consistent with earlier measurements when solar modulation is taken into account. Between 5 and 200 GV the hydrogen to helium ratio as a function of rigidity was found to be approximately constant at 6.1+/-0.1.

High energy gamma-ray astronomy; Proceedings of the International Conference, ANN Arbor, MI, Oct. 2-5, 1990

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matthews, James

The present volume on high energy gamma-ray astronomy discusses the composition and properties of heavy cosmic rays greater than 10 exp 12 eV, implications of the IRAS Survey for galactic gamma-ray astronomy, gamma-ray emission from young neutron stars, and high-energy diffuse gamma rays. Attention is given to observations of TeV photons at the Whipple Observatory, TeV gamma rays from millisecond pulsars, recent data from the CYGNUS experiment, and recent results from the Woomera Telescope. Topics addressed include bounds on a possible He/VHE gamma-ray line signal of Galactic dark matter, albedo gamma rays from cosmic ray interactions on the solar surface, source studies, and the CANGAROO project. Also discussed are neural nets and other methods for maximizing the sensitivity of a low-threshold VHE gamma-ray telescope, a prototype water-Cerenkov air-shower detector, detection of point sources with spark chamber gamma-ray telescopes, and real-time image parameterization in high energy gamma-ray astronomy using transputers. (For individual items see A93-25002 to A93-25039)

Evaluation of 89Zr-rituximab tracer by Cerenkov luminescence imaging and correlation with PET in a humanized transgenic mouse model to image NHL.

PubMed

Natarajan, Arutselvan; Habte, Frezghi; Liu, Hongguang; Sathirachinda, Ataya; Hu, Xiang; Cheng, Zhen; Nagamine, Claude M; Gambhir, Sanjiv Sam

2013-08-01

This research aimed to study the use of Cerenkov luminescence imaging (CLI) for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) using 89Zr-rituximab positron emission tomography (PET) tracer with a humanized transgenic mouse model that expresses human CD20 and the correlation of CLI with PET. Zr-rituximab (2.6 MBq) was tail vein-injected into transgenic mice that express the human CD20 on their B cells (huCD20TM). One group (n=3) received 2 mg/kg pre-dose (blocking) of cold rituximab 2 h prior to tracer; a second group (n=3) had no pre-dose (non-blocking). CLI was performed using a cooled charge-coupled device optical imager. We also performed PET imaging and ex vivo studies in order to confirm the in vivo CLI results. At each time point (4, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h), two groups of mice were imaged in vivo and ex vivo with CLI and PET, and at 96 h, organs were measured by gamma counter. huCD20 transgenic mice injected with 89Zr-rituximab demonstrated a high-contrast CLI image compared to mice blocked with a cold dose. At various time points of 4-96 h post-radiotracer injection, the in vivo CLI signal intensity showed specific uptake in the spleen where B cells reside and, hence, the huCD20 biomarker is present at very high levels. The time-activity curve of dose decay-corrected CLI intensity and percent injected dose per gram of tissue of PET uptake in the spleen were increased over the time period (4-96 h). At 96 h, the 89Zr-rituximab uptake ratio (non-blocking vs blocking) counted (mean±standard deviation) for the spleen was 1.5±0.6 for CLI and 1.9±0.3 for PET. Furthermore, spleen uptake measurements (non-blocking and blocking of all time points) of CLI vs PET showed good correlation (R2=0.85 and slope=0.576), which also confirmed the corresponding correlations parameter value (R2=0.834 and slope=0.47) obtained for ex vivo measurements. CLI and PET of huCD20 transgenic mice injected with 89Zr-rituximab demonstrated that the tracer was able to target huCD20-expressing B cells. The in vivo and ex vivo tracer uptake corresponding to the CLI radiance intensity from the spleen is in good agreement with PET. In this report, we have validated the use of CLI with PET for NHL imaging in huCD20TM.

Optical Imaging of Ionizing Radiation from Clinical Sources

PubMed Central

Shaffer, Travis M.; Drain, Charles Michael

2016-01-01

Nuclear medicine uses ionizing radiation for both in vivo diagnosis and therapy. Ionizing radiation comes from a variety of sources, including x-rays, beam therapy, brachytherapy, and various injected radionuclides. Although PET and SPECT remain clinical mainstays, optical readouts of ionizing radiation offer numerous benefits and complement these standard techniques. Furthermore, for ionizing radiation sources that cannot be imaged using these standard techniques, optical imaging offers a unique imaging alternative. This article reviews optical imaging of both radionuclide- and beam-based ionizing radiation from high-energy photons and charged particles through mechanisms including radioluminescence, Cerenkov luminescence, and scintillation. Therapeutically, these visible photons have been combined with photodynamic therapeutic agents preclinically for increasing therapeutic response at depths difficult to reach with external light sources. Last, new microscopy methods that allow single-cell optical imaging of radionuclides are reviewed. PMID:27688469

Measurement of ν μ-induced charged-current neutral pion production cross sections on mineral oil at E vϵ0.5–2.0 GeV

DOE PAGES

Aguilar-Arevalo, A. A.; Anderson, C. E.; Bazarko, A. O.; ...

2011-03-23

Using a custom 3-Cerenkov ring fitter, we report cross sections for ν μ-induced charged-current single π⁰ production on mineral oil (CH₂) from a sample of 5810 candidate events with 57% signal purity over an energy range of 0.5–2.0 GeV. This includes measurements of the absolute total cross section as a function of neutrino energy, and flux-averaged differential cross sections measured in terms of Q², μ⁻ kinematics, and π⁰ kinematics. The sample yields a flux-averaged total cross section of (9.2±0.3 stat±1.5 syst)×10⁻³⁹ cm²/CH² at mean neutrino energy of 0.965 GeV.

The DarkSide direct dark matter search with liquid argon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Edkins, E.; Agnes, P.; Alexander, T.; Alton, A.; Arisaka, K.; Back, H. O.; Baldin, B.; Biery, K.; Bonfini, G.; Bossa, M.; Brigatti, A.; Brodsky, J.; Budano, F.; Cadonati, L.; Calaprice, F.; Canci, N.; Candela, A.; Cao, H.; Cariello, M.; Cavalcante, P.; Chavarria, A.; Chepurnov, A.; Cocco, A. G.; Crippa, L.; D'Angelo, D.; D'Incecco, M.; Davini, S.; De Deo, M.; Derbin, A.; Devoto, A.; Di Eusanio, F.; Di Pietro, G.; Empl, A.; Fan, A.; Fiorillo, G.; Fomenko, K.; Forster, G.; Franco, D.; Gabriele, F.; Galbiati, C.; Goretti, A.; Grandi, L.; Gromov, M.; Guan, M. Y.; Guardincerri, Y.; Hackett, B.; Herner, K.; Humble, P.; Hungerford, E. V.; Ianni, Al.; Ianni, An.; Jollet, C.; Keeter, K.; Kendziora, C.; Kobychev, V.; Koh, G.; Korablev, D.; Korga, G.; Kurlej, A.; Li, P. X.; Loer, B.; Lombardi, P.; Love, C.; Ludhova, L.; Luitz, S.; Ma, Y. Q.; Machulin, I.; Mandarano, A.; Mari, S.; Maricic, J.; Marini, L.; Martoff, C. J.; Meregaglia, A.; Meroni, E.; Meyers, P. D.; Milincic, R.; Montanari, D.; Montuschi, M.; Monzani, M. E.; Mosteiro, P.; Mount, B.; Muratova, V.; Musico, P.; Nelson, A.; Odrowski, S.; Okounkova, M.; Orsini, M.; Ortica, F.; Pagani, L.; Pallavicini, M.; Pantic, E.; Papp, L.; Parmeggiano, S.; Parsells, R.; Pelczar, K.; Pelliccia, N.; Perasso, S.; Pocar, A.; Pordes, S.; Pugachev, D.; Qian, H.; Randle, K.; Ranucci, G.; Razeto, A.; Reinhold, B.; Renshaw, A.; Romani, A.; Rossi, B.; Rossi, N.; Rountree, S. D.; Sablone, D.; Saggese, P.; Saldanha, R.; Sands, W.; Sangiorgio, S.; Segreto, E.; Semenov, D.; Shields, E.; Skorokhvatov, M.; Smirnov, O.; Sotnikov, A.; Stanford, C.; Suvorov, Y.; Tartaglia, R.; Tatarowicz, J.; Testera, G.; Tonazzo, A.; Unzhakov, E.; Vogelaar, R. B.; Wada, M.; Walker, S.; Wang, H.; Wang, Y.; Watson, A.; Westerdale, S.; Wojcik, M.; Wright, A.; Xiang, X.; Xu, J.; Yang, C. G.; Yoo, J.; Zavatarelli, S.; Zec, A.; Zhu, C.; Zuzel, G.

2017-11-01

The DarkSide-50 direct dark matter detector is a liquid argon time projection chamber (TPC) surrounded by a liquid scintillator neutron veto (LSV) and a water Cerenkov muon veto (WCV). Located under 3800 m.w.e. at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso, Italy, it is the only direct dark matter experiment currently operating background free. The atmospheric argon target was replaced with argon from underground sources in April, 2015. The level of 39Ar, a β emitter present in atmospheric argon (AAr), has been shown to have been reduced by a factor of (1.4 ± 0.2) x 103. The combined spin-independent WIMP exclusion limit of 2.0 x 10-44 cm2 (mχ = 100 GeV/c2) is currently the best limit on a liquid argon target.

Electromagnetic plasma wave emissions from the auroral field lines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gurnett, D. A.

1977-01-01

The most important types of auroral radio emissions are reviewed, both from a historical perspective as well as considering the latest results. Particular emphasis is placed on four types of electromagnetic emissions which are directly associated with the plasma on the auroral field lines. These emissions are (1) auroral hiss, (2) saucers, (3) ELF noise bands, and (4) auroral kilometric radiation. Ray tracing and radio direction finding measurements indicate that both the auroral hiss and auroral kilometric radiation are generated along the auroral field lines relatively close to the earth, at radial distances from about 2.5 to 5 R sub e. For the auroral hiss the favored mechanism appears to be amplified Cerenkov radiation. For the auroral kilometric radiation several mechanisms have been proposed, usually involving the intermediate generation of electrostatic waves by the precipitating electrons.

Sporadic emission of ultra high energy gamma rays from Crab pulsar

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bhat, P.N.; Gupta, S.K.; Ramana Murthy, P.V.

1984-01-01

A 24 hr emission variability of the Crab pulsar was examined. The data were gathered in the energy range up to 500 GeV using the Oota Atmospheric Cerenkov array. Analysis proceeded in terms of one second curves with retention of only those data within 5 sigma of the nominal values. The mean time between events was about 125 msec, while some microbursts occurred at a rate of one per 0.5 msec and could happen twice within a minute (macroburst). A coincidence of pulse occurrence and phase was noted. Phasograms were generated for the events coming from the Crab pulsar, whichmore » displayed peak emissions for only 0.0001 of the observing time. It is concluded that traditional averaging analysis can mask periods of intense emissions. 7 references.« less

Orbital science's 'Bermuda Triangle'

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sherrill, Thomas J.

1991-02-01

The effects of a part of the inner Van Allen belt lying closest to the earth, known as the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) upon spacecraft including the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), are discussed. The area consists of positively charged ions and electrons from the Van Allen Belt which become trapped in the earth's dipole field. Contor maps representing the number of protons per square centimeter per second having energies greater than 10 million electron volts are presented. It is noted that the HST orbit causes it to spend about 15 percent of its time in the SAA, but that, unlike the experience with earlier spacecraft, the satellite's skin, internal structure, and normal electronic's packaging provides sufficient protection against eletrons, although some higher energy protons still get through. Various charged particle effects which can arise within scientific instruments including fluorescence, Cerenkov radiation, and induced radioactivity are described.

Naked Gold Nanoparticles and hot Electrons in Water.

PubMed

Ghandi, Khashayar; Wang, Furong; Landry, Cody; Mostafavi, Mehran

2018-05-08

The ionizing radiation in aqueous solutions of gold nanoparticles, stabilized by electrostatic non-covalent intermolecular forces and steric interactions, with antimicrobial compounds, are investigated with picosecond pulse radiolysis techniques. Upon pulse radiolysis of an aqueous solution containing very low concentrations of gold nanoparticles with naked surfaces available in water (not obstructed by chemical bonds), a change to Cerenkov spectrum over a large range of wavelengths are observed and pre-solvated electrons are captured by gold nanoparticles exclusively (not by ionic liquid surfactants used to stabilize the nanoparticles). The solvated electrons are also found to decay rapidly compared with the decay kinetics in water. These very fast reactions with electrons in water could provide an enhanced oxidizing zone around gold nanoparticles and this could be the reason for radio sensitizing behavior of gold nanoparticles in radiation therapy.

An Empirical Determination of the Intergalactic Background Light Using Near-Infrared Deep Galaxy Survey Data Out to 5 Micrometers and the Gamma-Ray Opacity of the Universe

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Scully, Sean T.; Malkan, Matthew A.; Stecker, Floyd W.

2014-01-01

We extend our previous model-independent determination of the intergalactic background light, based purely on galaxy survey data, out to a wavelength of 5 micrometers. Our approach enables us to constrain the range of photon densities, based on the uncertainties from observationally determined luminosity densities and colors. We further determine a 68% confidence upper and lower limit on the opacity of the universe to gamma-rays up to energies of 1.6/(1 + z) terraelectron volts. A comparison of our lower limit redshift-dependent opacity curves to the opacity limits derived from the results of both ground-based air Cerenkov telescope and Fermi-LAT observations of PKS 1424+240 allows us to place a new upper limit on the redshift of this source, independent of IBL modeling.

Beam-plasma instabilities and the beam-plasma discharge

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kellogg, P. J.; Boswell, R. W.

1986-01-01

Using a new waves on magnetized beams and turbulence (WOMBAT) 0-450 eV electron gun, measurements bearing on the generation of beam-plasma discharge (BPD) are made. The new gun has a narrower divergence angle than the old, and the BPD ignition current is found to be proportional to the cross-sectional area of the plasma. The high-frequency instabilities are identified with the two Trivelpiece-Gould modes, (1959). The upper frequency is identified as a Cerenkov resonance with the upper Trivelpiece-Gould mode, and the lower frequency with a cyclotron resonance with the lower mode, in agreement with theoretical expectations. Convective growth rates are found to be small. A mechanism involving the conversion of a convective instability to an absolute one by trapping of the unstable waves in the density perturbations of the low-frequency waves, is suggested for the low-frequency wave control of the onset of the high frequency precursors to the BPD.

Direct stimulation of the retina by the method of virtual-quanta for heavy cosmic-ray nuclei

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcnulty, P. J.; Madey, R.

1972-01-01

The contribution to the frequency of visual sensations induced in the dark-adapted eye by the virtual photon field was calculated, this field is associated with the heavy nuclei that exist in space beyond the geomagnetic field. In order to determine the probability that the virtual photon field induces a light flash, only the portion of the virtual photon spectrum that corresponds to the known frequency dependence of the sensitivity of human rods to visible light was utilized. The results can be expressed as a curve of the mean frequency of light flashes induced by the absorption of at least R virtual photons versus the threshold number R. The contribution to the light flash frequency from the virtual photon field of heavy cosmic ray nuclei is smaller than that from Cerenkov photons. The flux and energy spectra of galactic cosmic ray nuclei helium to iron were used.

Magnetospheric electron density measurements from upper hybrid resonance noise observed by IMP-6

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shaw, R. R.; Gurnett, D. A.

1972-01-01

A band of natural radio noise between the local electron plasma frequency and the upper hybrid resonance frequency is observed by the IMP-6 satellite. The band exists over a large range of geocentric radial distances extending from inside the plasmapause boundary to greater than 10 earth radii in the outer magnetosphere. The center frequency of the noise band decreases with increasing radial distance, and changes abruptly at the plasmapause boundary. The broadband electric field strength of this noise is very small, seldom exceeding 10 microvolts/meter, and probably could not be detected without using long electric antennas of IMP-6. It is believed that this noise is produced by incoherent Cerenkov emission from super-thermal electrons. In some cases a second very narrow noise band was observed at a frequency slightly above the second harmonic of the electron gyrofrequency.

An empirical determination of the intergalactic background light using near-infrared deep galaxy survey data out to 5 μm and the gamma-ray opacity of the universe

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Scully, Sean T.; Malkan, Matthew A.; Stecker, Floyd W., E-mail: Floyd.W.Stecker@nasa.gov

2014-04-01

We extend our previous model-independent determination of the intergalactic background light, based purely on galaxy survey data, out to a wavelength of 5 μm. Our approach enables us to constrain the range of photon densities, based on the uncertainties from observationally determined luminosity densities and colors. We further determine a 68% confidence upper and lower limit on the opacity of the universe to γ-rays up to energies of 1.6/(1 + z) TeV. A comparison of our lower limit redshift-dependent opacity curves to the opacity limits derived from the results of both ground-based air Cerenkov telescope and Fermi-LAT observations of PKSmore » 1424+240 allows us to place a new upper limit on the redshift of this source, independent of IBL modeling.« less

DERIVATION OF A RELATION FOR THE STEEPENING OF TeV-SELECTED BLAZAR {gamma}-RAY SPECTRA WITH ENERGY AND REDSHIFT

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Stecker, Floyd William; Scully, Sean T.

2010-02-01

We derive a relation for the steepening of blazar {gamma}-ray spectra between the multi-GeV Fermi energy range and the TeV energy range observed by atmospheric Cerenkov telescopes. The change in spectral index is produced by two effects: (1) an intrinsic steepening, independent of redshift, owing to the properties of emission and absorption in the source and (2) a redshift-dependent steepening produced by intergalactic pair production interactions of blazar {gamma}-rays with low-energy photons of the 'intergalactic background light' (IBL). Given this relation, with good enough data on the mean {gamma}-ray spectral energy distribution of TeV-selected BL Lac objects, the redshift evolutionmore » of the IBL can, in principle, be determined independently of stellar evolution models. We apply our relation to the results of new Fermi observations of TeV-selected blazars.« less

Optical Imaging of Ionizing Radiation from Clinical Sources.

PubMed

Shaffer, Travis M; Drain, Charles Michael; Grimm, Jan

2016-11-01

Nuclear medicine uses ionizing radiation for both in vivo diagnosis and therapy. Ionizing radiation comes from a variety of sources, including x-rays, beam therapy, brachytherapy, and various injected radionuclides. Although PET and SPECT remain clinical mainstays, optical readouts of ionizing radiation offer numerous benefits and complement these standard techniques. Furthermore, for ionizing radiation sources that cannot be imaged using these standard techniques, optical imaging offers a unique imaging alternative. This article reviews optical imaging of both radionuclide- and beam-based ionizing radiation from high-energy photons and charged particles through mechanisms including radioluminescence, Cerenkov luminescence, and scintillation. Therapeutically, these visible photons have been combined with photodynamic therapeutic agents preclinically for increasing therapeutic response at depths difficult to reach with external light sources. Last, new microscopy methods that allow single-cell optical imaging of radionuclides are reviewed. © 2016 by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Inc.

Search for neutrino generated air shower candidates with energy ≥ 1019 eV and Zenith angle θ

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Knurenko, Stanislav; Petrov, Igor; Sabourov, Artem

2017-06-01

The description of the methodology and results of searching for air showers generated by neutral particles such as high energy gamma quanta and astroneutrinos are presented. For this purpose, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the data: the electron, the muon and the EAS Cerenkov light, and their response time in scintillation and Cherenkov detectors. Air showers with energy more than 5·1018 eV and zenith angle θ ≥ 55∘ are selected and analyzed. Search results indicate a lack of air shower events formed by gamma-rays or high-energy neutrinos, but it does not mean that such air showers do not exist in nature; for example, experiments that recorded showers having a marked low muon content, i.e., "Muonless", are likely to be candidates for showers produced by neutral primary particles.

Roles Played by Electrostatic Waves in Producing Radio Emissions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cairns, Iver H.

2000-01-01

Processes in which electromagnetic radiation is produced directly or indirectly via intermediate waves are reviewed. It is shown that strict theoretical constraints exist for electrons to produce nonthermal levels of radiation directly by the Cerenkov or cyclotron resonances. In contrast, indirect emission processes in which intermediary plasma waves are converted into radiation are often favored on general and specific grounds. Four classes of mechanisms involving the conversion of electrostatic waves into radiation are linear mode conversion, hybrid linear/nonlinear mechanisms, nonlinear wave-wave and wave-particle processes, and radiation from localized wave packets. These processes are reviewed theoretically and observational evidence summarized for their occurrence. Strong evidence exists that specific nonlinear wave processes and mode conversion can explain quantitatively phenomena involving type III solar radio bursts and ionospheric emissions. On the other hand, no convincing evidence exists that magnetospheric continuum radiation is produced by mode conversion instead of nonlinear wave processes. Further research on these processes is needed.

Development Of Nonimaging Optics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Winston, Roland

1984-01-01

This paper is concerned with the new field of nonimaging optics. Roughly this may be defined as the collection and redirection of light (or, more generally, electromagnetic radiation) by means of optical systems which do not make use of image formation concepts in their design. A non-trivial example is the compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) invented in 1965 for collecting Cerenkov radiation from large volumes of gas and concentrating it onto the relatively small area of a photomultiplier cathode. This task would, according to conventional optical practice, be performed by a lens or mirror image-forming system of high numerical aperture, but much greater concentration was achieved by a comparatively simple de-vice, the CPC. The key was to abandon the principle of imaging with high numerical aperture and instead to get the collected rays into as small an area as possible without attempting to produce an image.

The HALO / HALO-2 Supernova Neutrino Detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yen, Stanley; HALO Collaboration; HALO-2 Collaboration

2016-09-01

The Helium and Lead Observatory (HALO) is a dedicated supernova neutrino detector in SNOLAB, which is built from 79 tons of surplus lead and the helium-3 neutron detectors from the SNO experiment. It is sensitive primarily to electron neutrinos, and is thus complementary to water Cerenkov and organic scintillation detectors which are primarily sensitive to electron anti-neutrinos. A comparison of the rates in these complementary detectors will enable a flavor decomposition of the neutrino flux from the next galactic core-collapse supernova. We have tentative ideas to build a 1000-ton HALO-2 detector in the Gran Sasso laboratory by using the lead from the decommissioned OPERA detector. We are exploring several neutron detector technologies to supplement the existing helium-3 detectors. We welcome new collaborators to join us. This research is supported by the NRC and NSERC (Canada), the US DOE and NSF, and the German RISE program.

Cosmic-ray elemental abundances from 1 to 10 GeV per amu for boron through nickel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dwyer, Robert; Meyer, Peter

1987-01-01

The relative abundances of cosmic-ray nuclei in the charge range boron through nickel over the energy range 1-10 GeV per amu were measured with a balloon-borne detector. The instrument consists of a scintillation and Cerenkov counter telescope with a multiwire proportional chamber hodoscope and has been flown in four high-altitude balloon flights. Good charge resolution (sigma = 0.2 charge units at iron) and high statistical accuracy have been achieved. These data are used to derive the energy dependence of the leakage path length using the leaky box model of propagation and confinement in the galaxy. This energy dependence is found to be best fit by lambda = E(tot) exp -n, where n = 0.49 + or - 0.06 over 1-10 GeV per amu. Relative abundances at the source are consistent with an energy-independent composition.

Gamma-ray astronomy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ramaty, R.; Lingenfelter, R. E.

1982-01-01

Cosmic gamma rays, the physical processes responsible for their production and the astrophysical sites from which they were seen are reported. The bulk of the observed gamma ray emission is in the photon energy range from about 0.1 MeV to 1 GeV, where observations are carried out above the atmosphere. There are also, however, gamma ray observations at higher energies obtained by detecting the Cerenkov light produced by the high energy photons in the atmosphere. Gamma ray emission was observed from sources as close as the Sun and the Moon and as distant as the quasar 3C273, as well as from various other galactic and extragalactic sites. The radiation processes also range from the well understood, e.g. energetic particle interactions with matter, to the still incompletely researched, such as radiation transfer in optically thick electron positron plasmas in intense neutron star magnetic fields.

Analysis of the hot-cavity mode composition of an X-band overmoded relativistic backward wave oscillators

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yuan, Yuzhang; Zhang, Jun; Zhong, Huihuang

Overmoded RBWO (Relativistic Backward Wave Oscillators) is utilized more and more often for its high power capacity. However, both sides of SWS (Slow Wave Structure) of overmoded RBWO consist multi TM{sub 0n} modes; in order to achieve the design of reflector, it is essential to make clear of the mode composition of TM{sub 0n}. NUDT (National University of Defence Technology) had done research of the output mode composition in overmoded O-type Cerenkov HPM (High Power Microwave) Oscillators in detail, but in the area where the electron beam exists, the influence of electron beam must be taken into account. Hot-cavity dispersionmore » equation is figured out in this article first, and then analyzes the hot-cavity mode composition of an X-band overmoded RBWO tentatively. The results show that in collimating hole, the hot-cavity mode analysis is more accurate.« less

Status of the evidence for a magnetic monopole

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Price, P. B.

1975-01-01

The experimental evidence supporting the detection of a moving magnetic monopole, using a balloon-borne array of track detectors, was presented. Although the results cannot be proved to have been produced by a monopole, they do not seem to have been produced by any nucleus. The very high, roughly constant ionization rate inferred from track etch rate measurements in a stack of Lexan detectors implies passage of a minimum-ionizing particle more highly charged than any known nucleus, yet the Cerenkov film detectors indicated a velocity less than about 0.68 times the speed of light and the size of the track in the nuclear emulsion indicated a velocity approximately equal to 0.5 times the speed of light. At this velocity the ionization rate of a highly electrically charged particle would have changed dramatically with pathlength unless its mass to charge ratio were far greater than that of a nucleus.

A water bag theory of autoresonant Bernstein-Greene-Kruskal modes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Khain, P.; Friedland, L.

2007-08-15

The adiabatic water bag theory describing formation and passage through phase-space of driven, continuously phase-locked (autoresonant) coherent structures in plasmas [L. Friedland et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 96, 225001 (2006)] and of the associated Bernstein-Greene-Kruskal (BGK) modes is developed. The phase-locking is achieved by using a chirped frequency ponderomotive drive, passing through kinetic Cerenkov-type resonances. The theory uses the adiabatic invariants (conserved actions of limiting trajectories) in the problem and, for a flat-top initial distribution of the electrons, reduces the calculation of the self-field of the driven BGK mode to solution of a few algebraic equations. The adiabatic multiwater bagmore » extension of the theory for applications to autoresonant BGK structures with more general initial distributions is suggested. The results of the theories are in very good agreement with numerical simulations.« less

Oscillation effects and time variation of the supernova neutrino signal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kneller, James P.; McLaughlin, Gail C.; Brockman, Justin

2008-02-01

The neutrinos detected from the next galactic core-collapse supernova will contain valuable information on the internal dynamics of the explosion. One mechanism leading to a temporal evolution of the neutrino signal is the variation of the induced neutrino flavor mixing driven by changes in the density profile. With one and two-dimensional hydrodynamical simulations we identify the behavior and properties of prominent features of the explosion. Using these results we demonstrate the time variation of the neutrino crossing probabilities due to changes in the Mikheyev-Smirnov-Wolfenstein (MSW) neutrino transformations as the star explodes by using the S-matrix—Monte Carlo—approach to neutrino propagation. After adopting spectra for the neutrinos emitted from the proto-neutron star we calculate for a galactic supernova the evolution of the positron spectra within a water Cerenkov detector and find that this signal allows us to probe of a number of explosion features.

Isotopic composition of cosmic ray nitrogen at 1.5 GeV/amu

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dwyer, R.; Meyer, P.

1975-01-01

For any location, the earth's magnetic field acts as a filter for incoming cosmic rays, allowing only particles above a certain rigidity. The relative isotopic composition of abundant elements can be measured with a detector sensitive to the velocity of particles in the penumbra of the earth's magnetic field. In this paper, the nitrogen velocity spectrum is compared with that of carbon plus oxygen as a reference, since in this case Z-dependent effects are minimal. The form of the energy spectrum of carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen, needed for proper correction, was measured in the same experiment. The results were obtained using a scintillator-Cerenkov counter telescope with a geometric factor of 0.25 sq in sr, flown twice on high-altitude balloons from Palestine, Texas, obtaining an exposure factor of 20 sq m sr hr. Results are presented on the isotopic composition of nitrogen at about 1.5GeV/amu.

Fast Pb-glass neutron-to-light converter for ICF (Inertial Confinement Fusion) target burn history measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lerche, R. A.; Cable, M. D.; Phillion, D. W.

1990-09-01

We are developing a streak camera based instrument to diagnose the fusion reaction rate (burn history) within laser-driven ICF targets filled with D-T fuel. Recently, we attempted measurements using the 16.7 MeV gamma ray emitted in the T(d,gamma)He(5) fusion reaction. Pb glass which has a large cross section for pair production acts as a gamma-ray-to-light converter. Gamma rays interact within the glass to form electron-positron pairs that produce large amounts (1000 photons/gamma ray) of prompt (less than 10 ps) Cerenkov light as they slow down. In our experimental instrument, an f/10 Cassegrain telescope optically couples light produced within the converter to a streak camera having 20-ps resolution. Experiments using high-yield (10(exp 13) D-T neutrons), direct-drive targets at Nova produced good signals with widths of 200 ps. Time-of-flight measurements show the signals to be induced by neutrons rather than gamma rays. The Pb glass appears to act as a fast neutron-to-light converter. We continue to study the interactions process and the possibility of using the 16.7 MeV gamma rays for burn time measurements.

Observation of Gamma-Ray Emission from the Galaxy M87 above 250 GeV with VERITAS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Acciari, V. A.; Beilicke, M.; Blaylock, G.; Bradbury, S. M.; Buckley, J. H.; Bugaev, V.; Butt, Y.; Celik, O.; Cesarini, A.; Ciupik, L.; Cogan, P.; Colin, P.; Cui, W.; Daniel, M. K.; Duke, C.; Ergin, T.; Falcone, A. D.; Fegan, S. J.; Finley, J. P.; Finnegan, G.; Fortin, P.; Fortson, L. F.; Gibbs, K.; Gillanders, G. H.; Grube, J.; Guenette, R.; Gyuk, G.; Hanna, D.; Hays, E.; Holder, J.; Horan, D.; Hughes, S. B.; Hui, M. C.; Humensky, T. B.; Imran, A.; Kaaret, P.; Kertzman, M.; Kieda, D. B.; Kildea, J.; Konopelko, A.; Krawczynski, H.; Krennrich, F.; Lang, M. J.; LeBohec, S.; Lee, K.; Maier, G.; McCann, A.; McCutcheon, M.; Millis, J.; Moriarty, P.; Mukherjee, R.; Nagai, T.; Ong, R. A.; Pandel, D.; Perkins, J. S.; Pohl, M.; Quinn, J.; Ragan, K.; Reynolds, P. T.; Rose, H. J.; Schroedter, M.; Sembroski, G. H.; Smith, A. W.; Steele, D.; Swordy, S. P.; Syson, A.; Toner, J. A.; Valcarcel, L.; Vassiliev, V. V.; Wakely, S. P.; Ward, J. E.; Weekes, T. C.; Weinstein, A.; White, R. J.; Williams, D. A.; Wissel, S. A.; Wood, M. D.; Zitzer, B.

2008-05-01

The multiwavelength observation of the nearby radio galaxy M87 provides a unique opportunity to study in detail processes occurring in active galactic nuclei from radio waves to TeV γ-rays. Here we report the detection of γ-ray emission above 250 GeV from M87 in spring 2007 with the VERITAS atmospheric Cerenkov telescope array and discuss its correlation with the X-ray emission. The γ-ray emission is measured to be pointlike with an intrinsic source radius less than 4.5'. The differential energy spectrum is fitted well by a power-law function: dΦ/dE = (7.4 +/- 1.3stat +/- 1.5sys)(E/TeV)(- 2.31 +/- 0.17stat +/- 0.2sys) 10-9 m-2 s-1 TeV-1. We show strong evidence for a year-scale correlation between the γ-ray flux reported by TeV experiments and the X-ray emission measured by the ASM RXTE observatory, and discuss the possible short-timescale variability. These results imply that the γ-ray emission from M87 is more likely associated with the core of the galaxy than with other bright X-ray features in the jet. Corresponding author: .

Measurements of Amplified Magnetic Field and Cosmic-Ray Content in Supernova Remnants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Uchiyama, Yasunobu

Supernova explosions drive collisionless shocks in the interstellar (or circumstellar) medium. Such shocks are mediated by plasma waves, resulting in the shock transition on a scale much smaller than the collisional mean free path. Galactic cosmic rays are widely considered to be accelerated at collisionless shocks in supernova remnants via diffusive shock acceleration. New high-energy data coming from the X-ray and gamma-ray satellites and from imaging air Cerenkov telescopes are making possible to study physics of particle acceleration at supernova shocks, such as magnetic field amplification which is considered to be realized as part of shock acceleration process and the energy content of cosmic-ray particles in the supernova shell. In particular, GeV observations with the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope offer the prime means to establish the origin of the gamma-rays, and to measure the cosmic-ray content. Moreover they provide a new opportunity to learn about how particle acceleration responds to environ-mental effects. I will present recent observational results from the Chandra and Suzaku X-ray satellites and new results from the LAT onboard Fermi, and discuss their implications to the origin of galactic cosmic rays.

Measurement of Dielectron Spectra with the Hadron Blind Detector in PHENIX

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Jiayin

2013-04-01

Dielectrons are an important color neutral probe for studying the evolution of the hot dense medium created by heavy ion collisions at RHIC. At low mass region, dielectron spectra consists mainly of direct photons and light vector mesons, and give insight on the earliest stages of the collisions and thus constrain theoretical models on thermalization and chiral symmetry restoration in heavy ion collisions. At intermediate and high mass region, there are significant contributions from charm and bottom. The region was utilized to measure cross sections of open charm and open bottom, as well as quarkonium suppression. The measurement of the dielectron spectra, however, suffers from an unfavorable signal to background ratio. Random combination of electron positron pairs from unrelated sources, mostly Dalitz decay of π0 and external conversion of decay photon to electrons, are the main contributor to the background. The Hadron Blind Detector, a windowless proximity focusing Cerenkov detector, is designed to reduce this background by identifying electron tracks from photon conversions and π0 Dalitz decays. The detector has been installed and operated in PHENIX in 2009 and 2010, where Au+Au and reference p+p data sets were taken. Results from these data sets will be presented.

Whistlers in space plasma, their role for particle populations in the inner magnetosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shklyar, David

Of many wave modes, which propagate in the plasmaspheric region of the magnetosphere, whistler waves play the most important role in the dynamics of energetic particles (chiefly elec-trons, but not excepting protons), as their resonant interactions are very efficient. There are three main sources of whistler mode waves in the magnetosphere, namely, lightning strokes, VLF transmitter signals, and far and away various kinds of kinetic instabilities leading to generation of whistler mode waves. Resonant interactions of energetic electrons with whistlers may lead to electron acceleration, scattering into loss-cone, and consequent precipitation into the iono-sphere and atmosphere. While electron resonant interaction with lightning-induced whistlers and VLF transmitter signals may, to a certain approximation, be considered as particle dy-namics in given electromagnetic fields, resonant wave-particle interaction in the case of plasma instability is intrinsically a self-consistent process. An important aspect of whistler-electron interactions (particularly in the case of plasma instability) is the possibility of energy exchange between different energetic electron populations. Thus, in many cases, whistler wave growth rate is determined by "competition" between the first cyclotron and Cerenkov resonances, one (depending on energetic electron distribution) leading to wave growth and the other one to wave damping. Since particles which give rise to wave growth loose their energy, while parti-cles which lead to wave damping gain energy at the expense of the wave, and since the first cyclotron and Cerenkov resonances correspond to different particle energies, wave generation as the result of plasma instability may lead, at the same time, to energy exchange between two populations of energetic particles. While the role of whistlers in dynamics of energetic electrons in the magnetosphere is gener-ally recognized, their role for protons seems to be underestimated. At the same time, quasi-electrostatic lower-hybrid resonance (LHR) waves (to which non-ducted whistler mode waves originating from lightning strokes naturally evolve while propagating in the magnetosphere) may efficiently interact with energetic protons at higher order cyclotron resonances. Thus, whistler mode waves may mediate energy transfer not only between different populations of energetic electrons, but also between various plasma species. Theoretical discussion of various aspects of resonant wave-particle interactions in the magne-tosphere, those mentioned above and others, will be the subject of the report.

A simulation study of spectral Čerenkov luminescence imaging for tumour margin estimation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Calvert, Nick; Helo, Yusef; Mertzanidou, Thomy; Tuch, David S.; Arridge, Simon R.; Stoyanov, Danail

2017-03-01

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the world. Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) is a standard surgical treatment for breast cancer with the key objective of removing breast tissue, maintaining a negative surgical margin and providing a good cosmetic outcome. A positive surgical margin, meaning the presence of cancerous tissues on the surface of the breast specimen after surgery, is associated with local recurrence after therapy. In this study, we investigate a new imaging modality based on Cerenkov luminescence imaging (CLI) for the purpose of detecting positive surgical margins during BCS. We develop Monte Carlo (MC) simulations using the Geant4 nuclear physics simulation toolbox to study the spectrum of photons emitted given 18F-FDG and breast tissue properties. The resulting simulation spectra show that the CLI signal contains information that may be used to estimate whether the cancerous cells are at a depth of less than 1 mm or greater than 1 mm given appropriate imaging system design and sensitivity. The simulation spectra also show that when the source is located within 1 mm of the surface, the tissue parameters are not relevant to the model as the spectra do not vary significantly. At larger depths, however, the spectral information varies significantly with breast optical parameters, having implications for further studies and system design. While promising, further studies are needed to quantify the CLI response to more accurately incorporate tissue specific parameters and patient specific anatomical details.

Fiber-Coupled, Time-Gated { {Al}}_{2}{ {O}}_{3} : { {C}} Radioluminescence Dosimetry Technique and Algorithm for Radiation Therapy With LINACs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Magne, Sylvain; Deloule, Sybelle; Ostrowsky, Aimé; Ferdinand, Pierre

2013-08-01

An original algorithm for real-time In Vivo Dosimetry (IVD) based on Radioluminescence (RL) of dosimetric-grade Al2O3:C crystals is described and demonstrated in reference conditions with 12-MV photon beams from a Saturne 43 linear accelerator (LINAC), simulating External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT) treatments. During the course of irradiation, a portion of electrons is trapped within the Al2O3:C crystal while another portion recombines and generates RL, recorded on-line using an optical fiber. The RL sensitivity is dose-dependent and increases in accordance with the concentration of trapped electrons. Once irradiation is completed, the Al2O3:C crystal is reset by laser light (reusable) and the resultant OSL (Optically Stimulated Luminescence) is also collected back by the remote RL-OSL reader and finally integrated to yield the absorbed dose. During irradiation, scintillation and Cerenkov lights generated within the optical fiber (“stem effect”) are removed by a time-discrimination method involving a discriminating unit and a fiber-coupled BGO scintillator placed in the irradiation room, next to the LINAC. The RL signals were then calibrated with respect to reference dose and dose rate data using an ionization chamber (IC). The algorithm relies upon the integral of the RL and provides the accumulated dose (useful to the medical physicist) at any time during irradiation, the dose rate being derived afterwards. It is tested with both step and arbitrary dose rate profiles, manually operated from the LINAC control desk. The doses measured by RL and OSL are both compared to reference doses and deviations are about ±2% and ±1% respectively, thus demonstrating the reliability of the algorithm for arbitrary profiles and wide range of dose rates. Although the calculation was done off-line, it is amenable to real-time processing during irradiation.

In vivo dosimeters for HDR brachytherapy: a comparison of a diamond detector, MOSFET, TLD, and scintillation detector.

PubMed

Lambert, Jamil; Nakano, Tatsuya; Law, Sue; Elsey, Justin; McKenzie, David R; Suchowerska, Natalka

2007-05-01

The large dose gradients in brachytherapy necessitate a detector with a small active volume for accurate dosimetry. The dosimetric performance of a novel scintillation detector (BrachyFOD) is evaluated and compared to three commercially available detectors, a diamond detector, a MOSFET, and LiF TLDs. An 192Ir HDR brachytherapy source is used to measure the depth dependence, angular dependence, and temperature dependence of the detectors. Of the commercially available detectors, the diamond detector was found to be the most accurate, but has a large physical size. The TLDs cannot provide real time readings and have depth dependent sensitivity. The MOSFET used in this study was accurate to within 5% for distances of 20 to 50 mm from the 192Ir source in water but gave errors of 30%-40% for distances greater than 50 mm from the source. The BrachyFOD was found to be accurate to within 3% for distances of 10 to 100 mm from an HDR 192Ir brachytherapy source in water. It has an angular dependence of less than 2% and the background signal created by Cerenkov radiation and fluorescence of the plastic optical fiber is insignificant compared to the signal generated in the scintillator. Of the four detectors compared in this study the BrachyFOD has the most favorable combination of characteristics for dosimetry in HDR brachytherapy.

Output power fluctuations due to different weights of macro particles used in particle-in-cell simulations of Cerenkov devices

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bao, Rong; Li, Yongdong; Liu, Chunliang

2016-07-15

The output power fluctuations caused by weights of macro particles used in particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations of a backward wave oscillator and a travelling wave tube are statistically analyzed. It is found that the velocities of electrons passed a specific slow-wave structure form a specific electron velocity distribution. The electron velocity distribution obtained in PIC simulation with a relative small weight of macro particles is considered as an initial distribution. By analyzing this initial distribution with a statistical method, the estimations of the output power fluctuations caused by different weights of macro particles are obtained. The statistical method is verified bymore » comparing the estimations with the simulation results. The fluctuations become stronger with increasing weight of macro particles, which can also be determined reversely from estimations of the output power fluctuations. With the weights of macro particles optimized by the statistical method, the output power fluctuations in PIC simulations are relatively small and acceptable.« less

Reactor antineutrino detector iDREAM.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gromov, M. B.; Lukyanchenko, G. A.; Novikova, G. J.; Obinyakov, B. A.; Oralbaev, A. Y.; Skorokhvatov, M. D.; Sukhotin, S. V.; Chepurnov, A. S.; Etenko, A. V.

2017-09-01

Industrial Detector for Reactor Antineutrino Monitoring (iDREAM) is a compact (≈ 3.5m 2) industrial electron antineutrino spectrometer. It is dedicated for remote monitoring of PWR reactor operational modes by neutrino method in real-time. Measurements of antineutrino flux from PWR allow to estimate a fuel mixture in active zone and to check the status of the reactor campaign for non-proliferation purposes. LAB-based gadolinium doped scintillator is exploited as a target. Multizone architecture of the detector with gamma-catcher surrounding fiducial volume and plastic muon veto above and below ensure high efficiency of IBD detection and background suppression. DAQ is based on Flash ADC with PSD discrimination algorithms while digital trigger is programmable and flexible due to FPGA. The prototype detector was started up in 2014. Preliminary works on registration Cerenkov radiation produced by cosmic muons were established with distilled water inside the detector in order to test electronic and slow control systems. Also in parallel a long-term measurements with different scintillator samples were conducted.

Average features of the muon component of EAS or = 10(17) eV

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Blake, P. R.; Luksys, M.; Nash, W. F.; Sephton, A. J.

1985-01-01

Three 10 sq m liquid scintillators were situated at approximately 0 m, 150 m and 250 m from the center of the Haverah Park array. The detectors were shielded by lead/barytes giving muon detection thresholds of 317 MeV, 431 MeV and 488 MeV respectively. During part of the operational period the 431 MeV threshold was lowered to 313 MeV for comparison purposes. For risetime measurement fast phototubes were used and the 10% to 70% amplitude time interval was parameterized by T sub 70. A muon lateral density distribution of the form rho mu (R theta) = krho(500)0.94 1/R(1 + R/490)-eta has been fitted to the data for 120 m R 600 m and 0.27 (500) 2.55. The shower size parameter (500) is the water Cerenkov response at 500 m from the core of the extensive air showers (EAS) and is relatable to the primary energy. The results show general consistency.

Ariel 6 measurements of ultra-heavy cosmic ray fluxes in the region 34 or = Z or = 48

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fowler, P. H.; Masheder, M. R. W.; Moses, R. T.; Walker, R. N. F.; Worley, A.; Gay, A. M.

1985-01-01

The Ariel VI satellite was launched by NASA on a Scout rocket on 3rd June 1979 from Wallops Island, Virginia, USA, into a near circular 625 km orbit inclined at 55 deg. It carried a spherical cosmic ray detector designed by a group from Bristol University. A spherical aluminum vessel of diameter 75 cm contains a gas scintillation mixture and a thin spherical shell of Pilot 425 plastic, and forms a single optical cavity viewed by 16 photomultipliers. Particle tracks through the detector may be characterized by their impact parameter p and by whether or not they pass through the cup of plastic scintillator placed between the sphere and the spacecraft body (referred to below as the Anti-Coincidence Detector or ACD). Individual particle charges are determined by separately measuring the gas scintillation and the Cerenkov emission from the plastic shell. This is possible because of the quite different distribution in time of these emissions.

Radiation patterns of interfacial dipole antennas

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Engheta, N.; Papas, C. H.; Elachi, C.

1982-01-01

The radiation pattern of an infinitesimal electric dipole is calculated for the case where the dipole is vertically located on the plane interface of two dielectric half spaces and for the case where the dipole is lying horizontally along the interface. For the vertical case, it is found that the radiation pattern has nulls at the interface and along the dipole axis. For the horizontal case, it is found that the pattern has a null at the interface; that the pattern in the upper half space, whose index of refraction is taken to be less than that of the lower half space, has a single lobe whose maximum is normal to the interface; and that in the lower half space, in the plane normal to the interface and containing the dipole, the pattern has three lobes, whereas in the plane normal to the interface and normally bisecting the dipole, the pattern has two maxima located symmetrically about a minimum. Interpretation of these results in terms of the Cerenkov effect is given.

Spectrum of Very High Energy Gamma-Rays from the blazar 1ES 1959+650 during Flaring Activity in 2002

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Daniel, M. K.; Badran, H. M.; Bond, I. H.; Boyle, P. J.; Bradbury, S. M.; Buckley, J. H.; Carter-Lewis, D. A.; Catanese, M.; Celik, O.; Cogan, P.; Cui, W.; D'Vali, M.; de la Calle Perez, I.; Duke, C.; Falcone, A.; Fegan, D. J.; Fegan, S. J.; Finley, J. P.; Fortson, L. F.; Gaidos, J. A.; Gammell, S.; Gibbs, K.; Gillanders, G. H.; Grube, J.; Hall, J.; Hall, T. A.; Hanna, D.; Hillas, A. M.; Holder, J.; Horan, D.; Humensky, T. B.; Jarvis, A.; Jordan, M.; Kenny, G. E.; Kertzman, M.; Kieda, D.; Kildea, J.; Knapp, J.; Kosack, K.; Krawczynski, H.; Krennrich, F.; Lang, M. J.; Le Bohec, S.; Linton, E.; Lloyd-Evans, J.; Milovanovic, A.; Moriarty, P.; Müller, D.; Nagai, T.; Nolan, S.; Ong, R. A.; Pallassini, R.; Petry, D.; Power-Mooney, B.; Quinn, J.; Quinn, M.; Ragan, K.; Rebillot, P.; Reynolds, P. T.; Rose, H. J.; Schroedter, M.; Sembroski, G. H.; Swordy, S. P.; Syson, A.; Vassiliev, V. V.; Wakely, S. P.; Walker, G.; Weekes, T. C.; Zweerink, J.

2005-03-01

The blazar 1ES 1959+650 was observed in a flaring state with the Whipple 10 m Imaging Atmospheric Cerenkov Telescope in 2002 May. A spectral analysis has been carried out on the data from that time period, and the resulting very high energy gamma-ray spectrum (E>=316 GeV) can be well fitted by a power law of differential spectral index α=2.78+/-0.12stat+/-0.21sys. On 2002 June 4, the source flared dramatically in the gamma-ray range without any coincident increase in the X-ray emission, providing the first unambiguous example of an ``orphan'' gamma-ray flare from a blazar. The gamma-ray spectrum for these data can also be described by a simple power-law fit with α=2.82+/-0.15stat+/-0.30sys. There is no compelling evidence for spectral variability or for any cutoff to the spectrum.

Hadronic Lorentz violation in chiral perturbation theory including the coupling to external fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kamand, Rasha; Altschul, Brett; Schindler, Matthias R.

2018-05-01

If any violation of Lorentz symmetry exists in the hadron sector, its ultimate origins must lie at the quark level. We continue the analysis of how the theories at these two levels are connected, using chiral perturbation theory. Considering a 2-flavor quark theory, with dimension-4 operators that break Lorentz symmetry, we derive a low-energy theory of pions and nucleons that is invariant under local chiral transformations and includes the coupling to external fields. The pure meson and baryon sectors, as well as the couplings between them and the couplings to external electromagnetic and weak gauge fields, contain forms of Lorentz violation which depend on linear combinations of quark-level coefficients. In particular, at leading order the electromagnetic couplings depend on the very same combinations as appear in the free particle propagators. This means that observations of electromagnetic processes involving hadrons—such as vacuum Cerenkov radiation, which may be allowed in Lorentz-violating theories—can only reliably constrain certain particular combinations of quark coefficients.

Ultraviolet converter transients induced by electrons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kernell, R. L.; Becher, J.; Reft, C. S.

1984-01-01

The output of ultraviolet converters typically used in satellite astronomy was monitored during irradiation with electrons from a sealed SR-90 source which approximated the peak flux in earth's outer electron belt. The signal induced by irradiation was attributed to two mechanisms: (1) photoelectrons resulting from photons created in the MgF2 window and (2) the direct impact of electrons on the phosphor. For irradiation at about 1 x 10 to the 7th e/sq cm sec, these two effects produced signals which were, in order of magnitude, the same as those produced by an incident UV flux (254 nm) of 10 to the 8th and 10 to the 7th photons/sq cm sec, respectively. In addition, the induced signal was investigated as a function of electron energy by irradiating another converter with 0.4-1.8-MeV electrons from a Van de Graaff. These results suggest that the dominant contribution to the electron-induced signal is Cerenkov photon production in the MgF2 window.

Super-Kamiokande Solar Neutrino Results and NSI Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weatherly, Pierce; Super-Kamiokande Collaboration

2017-09-01

Super-Kamiokande (SK) detects the Cerenkov light from elastic scattering of solar 8B neutrinos with electrons in its ultra-pure water. The directionality, energy, and timing of the recoil electrons determines the interaction rate, the flight path, as well as the energy dependence of the 8B neutrinos’ electron-flavor survival probability P ee . While the P ee below 1 MeV is equivalent to averaged vacuum neutrino flavor oscillations, the P ee above 7 MeV is suppressed by the Mikheyev-Smirnov-Wolfenstein (MSW) resonance resulting from the interaction of the solar neutrinos with solar matter. In the same way, Earth matter effects influence Pee, leading to an apparent Day/Night effect. Non-standard interactions (NSI) extend the MSW model to include interactions between the quarks in matter and neutrinos, thereby modifying P ee . We present the signatures of matter effects on solar neutrinos in Super-Kamiokande and present limits on NSI parameters, in particular couplings to the down quark.

Ground-based very high energy gamma ray astronomy: Observational highlights

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Turver, K. E.

1986-01-01

It is now more than 20 years since the first ground based gamma ray experiments involving atmospheric Cerenkov radiation were undertaken. The present highlights in observational ground-based very high energy (VHE) gamma ray astronomy and the optimism about an interesting future for the field follow progress in these areas: (1) the detection at increased levels of confidence of an enlarged number of sources so that at present claims were made for the detection, at the 4 to 5 sd level of significance, of 8 point sources; (2) the replication of the claimed detections with, for the first time, confirmation of the nature and detail of the emission; and (3) the extension of gamma ray astronomy to the ultra high energy (UHE) domain. The pattern, if any, to emerge from the list of sources claimed so far is that X-ray binary sources appear to be copious emitters of gamma rays over at least 4 decades of energy. These X-ray sources which behave as VHE and UHE gamma ray emitters are examined.

The Mexican participation at the Pierre Auger Observatory: Recent results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Román, S.; Alcaráz, F.; Cantoral, E.; Castro, J.; Cordero, A.; Fernández, A.; López, R.; Pacheco, C.; Rubín, M.; Salazar, H.; Valdés, J.; Vargas, M.; Villaseñor, L.; Zepeda, A.

1998-02-01

In this work we present the participations of the Mexican group at development of the Pierre Auger Observatory. We have been working in both parts of the hybrid proposed for the Auger detector, the fluorescence and the surface detectors. In the part of fluorescence, we have analyzed the resolution of the Hi-Res optical design of the fluorescence detector observatory. We have found a heterogeneus image resolution. We propose to use a lensless Schmidt camera (with spherical image surface) to duplicate the field of view to 30×30 degrees and simultaneously guarantee a resolution of one degree over of the whole field of view. By the Surface Detector, a water Čerenkov detector (WCD) prototype of reduced dimensions (cylinder 1.54 diameter filled with purified water up to 1.20 m high) is used to obtain preliminary experimental results that validate the concept of remote calibration and monitoring of WCDs. We use muons that stop and decay inside the WCD and, in a complementary way, muons that croos the WCD. We used a moun telescope trigger in order to study the charge distribution of vertical muons, their pulse amplitude decay and the Cerenkov light attenuation length of those secondary cosmic muons we include the bacteria population content for the four months of operation to validate the monitoring method.

The Future of Black Hole Astrophysics in the LIGO-VIRGO-LPF Era

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blandford, Roger; Anantua, Richard

2017-05-01

There is a resurgence of interest in black holes sparked by the LIGO-VIRGO detection of stellar black hole mergers and recent astronomical investigations of jets and accretion disks which probe the spacetime geometry of black holes with masses ranging from a few times the mass of the sun to tens of billions of solar masses. Many of these black holes appear to be spinning rapidly. Some new approaches are described to studying how accreting black holes function as cosmic machines paying special attention to observations of AGN jets, especially with VLBI and γ-ray telescopes. It is assumed that these jets are powered by the electromagnetic extraction of the spin energy of their associated black holes, which are described by the Kerr metric, and that they become simpler and more electromagnetically dominated as the event horizon is approached. The major uncertainty in these models is in describing acceleration and transport of relativistic electrons and positrons and simple phenomenological prescriptions are proposed. The application of these ideas to M87 and 3C279 is outlined and the prospects for learning more, especially from the Event Horizon Telescope and the Cerenkov Telescope Array, are discussed. The main benefit of a better understanding of black hole astrophysics to the LISA mission should be a firmer understanding of the source demographics.

Buried plastic scintillator muon telescope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sanchez, F.; Medina-Tanco, G.A.; D'Olivo, J.C.; Paic, G.; Patino Salazar, M.E.; Nahmad-Achar, E.; Valdes Galicia, J.F.; Sandoval, A.; Alfaro Molina, R.; Salazar Ibarguen, H.; Diozcora Vargas Trevino, M.A.; Vergara Limon, S.; Villasenor, L.M.

Muon telescopes can have several applications, ranging from astrophysical to solar-terrestrial interaction studies, and fundamental particle physics. We show the design parameters, characterization and end-to-end simulations of a detector composed by a set of three parallel dual-layer scintillator planes, buried at fix depths ranging from 0.30 m to 3 m. Each layer is 4 m2 and is composed by 50 rectangular pixels of 4cm x 2 m, oriented at a 90 deg angle with respect to its companion layer. The scintillators are MINOS extruded polystyrene strips with two Bicron wavelength shifting fibers mounted on machined grooves. Scintillation light is collected by multi-anode PMTs of 64 pixels, accommodating two fibers per pixel. The front-end electronics has a time resolution of 7.5 nsec. Any strip signal above threshold opens a GPS-tagged 2 micro-seconds data collection window. All data, including signal and background, are saved to hard disk. Separation of extensive air shower signals from secondary cosmic-ray background muons and electrons is done offline using the GPS-tagged threefold coincidence signal from surface water cerenkov detectors located nearby in a triangular array. Cosmic-ray showers above 6 PeV are selected. The data acquisition system is designed to keep both, background and signals from extensive air showers for a detailed offline data.

Shape-Controlled Synthesis of Isotopic Yttrium-90-Labeled Rare Earth Fluoride Nanocrystals for Multimodal Imaging.

PubMed

Paik, Taejong; Chacko, Ann-Marie; Mikitsh, John L; Friedberg, Joseph S; Pryma, Daniel A; Murray, Christopher B

2015-09-22

Isotopically labeled nanomaterials have recently attracted much attention in biomedical research, environmental health studies, and clinical medicine because radioactive probes allow the elucidation of in vitro and in vivo cellular transport mechanisms, as well as the unambiguous distribution and localization of nanomaterials in vivo. In addition, nanocrystal-based inorganic materials have a unique capability of customizing size, shape, and composition; with the potential to be designed as multimodal imaging probes. Size and shape of nanocrystals can directly influence interactions with biological systems, hence it is important to develop synthetic methods to design radiolabeled nanocrystals with precise control of size and shape. Here, we report size- and shape-controlled synthesis of rare earth fluoride nanocrystals doped with the β-emitting radioisotope yttrium-90 ((90)Y). Size and shape of nanocrystals are tailored via tight control of reaction parameters and the type of rare earth hosts (e.g., Gd or Y) employed. Radiolabeled nanocrystals are synthesized in high radiochemical yield and purity as well as excellent radiolabel stability in the face of surface modification with different polymeric ligands. We demonstrate the Cerenkov radioluminescence imaging and magnetic resonance imaging capabilities of (90)Y-doped GdF3 nanoplates, which offer unique opportunities as a promising platform for multimodal imaging and targeted therapy.

A technology demonstrator for development of ultra-lightweight, large aperture, deployable telescope for space applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zuccaro Marchi, Alessandro; Gambicorti, Lisa; Simonetti, Francesca; Salinari, Piero; Lisi, Franco; Bursi, Alessandro; Olivier, Massimiliano; Gallieni, Daniele

2017-11-01

This work presents the latest results of new technological concepts for large aperture, lightweight telescopes using thin deployable active mirrors. The study is originally addressed to a spaceborne DIAL (Differential Absorption Lidar) at 935.5 nm for the measurement of water vapour profile in atmosphere, as an output of an ESA contract (whose preliminary results were presented at ICSO 2006). The high versatility of these concepts allows to exploit the presented technology for any project willing to consider large aperture, segmented lightweight telescopes. A possible scientific application is for Ultra High Energy Cosmic Rays detection through the fluorescence traces in atmosphere and diffused Cerenkov signals observation via a Schmidt-like spaceborne LEO telescope with large aperture, wide Field of View (FOV) and low f/#. A technology demonstrator has been manufactured and tested in order to investigate two project critical areas identified during the preliminary design: the performances of the long-stroke actuators used to implement the mirror active control and the mirror survivability to launch. In particular, this breadboard demonstrates at first that the mirror actuators are able to control with the adequate accuracy the surface shape and to recover a deployment error with their long stroke; secondly, the mirror survivability has been demonstrated using an electrostatic locking between mirror and backplane able to withstand without failure a vibration test representative of the launch environment.

MODELING THE EARLY MULTIWAVELENGTH EMISSION IN GRB 130427A

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fraija, N.; Lee, W.; Veres, P., E-mail: nifraija@astro.unam.mx, E-mail: wlee@astro.unam.mx, E-mail: pv0004@uah.edu

2016-02-20

One of the most powerful gamma-ray bursts, GRB 130427A was swiftly detected from GeV γ-rays to optical wavelengths. In the GeV band, the Large Area Telescope (LAT) on board the Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope observed the highest-energy photon ever recorded of 95 GeV and a bright peak in the early phase followed by emission temporally extended for more than 20 hr. In the optical band, a bright flash with a magnitude of 7.03 ± 0.03 in the time interval from 9.31 to 19.31 s after the trigger was reported by RAPTOR in r band. We study the origin of the GeV γ-ray emission, using the multiwavelengthmore » observation detected in X-ray and optical bands. The origin of the temporally extended LAT, X-ray, and optical flux is naturally interpreted as synchrotron radiation, and the 95 GeV photon and the integral flux upper limits placed by the high-altitude water Cerenkov observatory are consistent with synchrotron self-Compton from an adiabatic forward shock propagating into the stellar wind of its progenitor. The extreme LAT peak and the bright optical flash are explained through synchrotron self-Compton and synchrotron emission from the reverse shock, respectively, when the ejecta evolves in the thick-shell regime and carries a significant magnetic field.« less

Self-Illuminating 64Cu-Doped CdSe/ZnS Nanocrystals for in Vivo Tumor Imaging

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

Construction of self-illuminating semiconducting nanocrystals, also called quantum dots (QDs), has attracted much attention recently due to their potential as highly sensitive optical probes for biological imaging applications. Here we prepared a self-illuminating QD system by doping positron-emitting radionuclide 64Cu into CdSe/ZnS core/shell QDs via a cation-exchange reaction. The 64Cu-doped CdSe/ZnS QDs exhibit efficient Cerenkov resonance energy transfer (CRET). The signal of 64Cu can accurately reflect the biodistribution of the QDs during circulation with no dissociation of 64Cu from the nanoparticles. We also explored this system for in vivo tumor imaging. This nanoprobe showed high tumor-targeting ability in a U87MG glioblastoma xenograft model (12.7% ID/g at 17 h time point) and feasibility for in vivo luminescence imaging of tumor in the absence of excitation light. The availability of these self-illuminating integrated QDs provides an accurate and convenient tool for in vivo tumor imaging and detection. PMID:24401138

Observation of Multi-TeV Gamma Rays from the Crab Nebula using the Tibet Air Shower Array.

PubMed

Amenomori; Ayabe; Cao; Danzengluobu; Ding; Feng; Fu; Guo; He; Hibino; Hotta; Huang; Huo; Izu; Jia; Kajino; Kasahara; Katayose; Labaciren; Li; Lu; Lu; Luo; Meng; Mizutani; Mu; Nanjo; Nishizawa; Ohnishi; Ohta; Ouchi; Ren; Saito; Sakata; Sasaki; Shi; Shibata; Shiomi; Shirai; Sugimoto; Taira; Tan; Tateyama; Torii; Utsugi; Wang; Wang; Xu; Yamamoto; Yu; Yuan; Yuda; Zhang; Zhang; Zhang; Zhang; Zhang; Zhaxisangzhu; Zhaxiciren; Zhou; Collaboration)

1999-11-10

The Tibet experiment, operating at Yangbajing (4300 m above sea level), is the lowest energy air shower array, and the new high-density array constructed in 1996 is sensitive to gamma-ray air showers at energies as low as 3 TeV. With this new array, the Crab Nebula was observed in multi-TeV gamma-rays and a signal was detected at the 5.5 sigma level. We also obtained the energy spectrum of gamma-rays in the energy region above 3 TeV which partially overlaps those observed with imaging atmospheric Cerenkov telescopes. The Crab spectrum observed in this energy region can be represented by the power-law fit dJ&parl0;E&parr0;&solm0;dE=&parl0;4.61+/-0.90&parr0;x10-12&parl0;E&solm0;3 TeV&parr0;-2.62+/-0.17 cm-2 s-1 TeV-1. This is the first observation of gamma-ray signals from point sources with a conventional air shower array using scintillation detectors.

Preparation and validation of gross alpha/beta samples used in EML`s quality assessment program

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Scarpitta, S.C.

1997-10-01

A set of water and filter samples have been incorporated into the existing Environmental Measurements Laboratory`s (EML) Quality Assessment Program (QAP) for gross alpha/beta determinations by participating DOE laboratories. The participating laboratories are evaluated by comparing their results with the EML value. The preferred EML method for measuring water and filter samples, described in this report, uses gas flow proportional counters with 2 in. detectors. Procedures for sample preparation, quality control and instrument calibration are presented. Liquid scintillation (LS) counting is an alternative technique that is suitable for quantifying both the alpha ({sup 241}Am, {sup 230}Th and {sup 238}Pu) andmore » beta ({sup 90}Sr/{sup 90}Y) activity concentrations in the solutions used to prepare the QAP water and air filter samples. Three LS counting techniques (Cerenkov, dual dpm and full spectrum analysis) are compared. These techniques may be used to validate the activity concentrations of each component in the alpha/beta solution before the QAP samples are actually prepared.« less

1985 Nuclear Science Symposium, 32nd, and 1985 Symposium on Nuclear Power Systems, 17th, San Francisco, CA, October 23-25, 1985, Proceedings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1986-01-01

The present conference ranges over topics in high energy physics instrumentation, detectors, nuclear medical applications, health physics and environmental monitoring, reactor instrumentation, nuclear spacecraft instrumentation, the 'Fastbus' data acquisition system, circuits and systems for nuclear research facilities, and the development status of nuclear power systems. Specific attention is given to CCD high precision detectors, a drift chamber preamplifier, a Cerenkov ring imaging detector, novel scintillation glasses and scintillating fibers, a modular multidrift vertex detector, radial wire drift chambers, liquid argon polarimeters, a multianode photomultiplier, the reliability of planar silicon detectors, the design and manufacture of wedge and strip anodes, ultrafast triode photodetectors, photomultiplier tubes, a barium fluoride plastic scintillator, a fine grained neutron hodoscope, the stability of low leakage silicon photodiodes for crystal calorimeters, and X-ray proportional counters. Also considered are positron emission tomography, single photon emission computed tomography, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, Geiger-Muller detectors, nuclear plant safeguards, a 32-bit Fastbus computer, an advanced light water reactor, and nuclear plant maintenance.

High Frequency, High Gradient Dielectric Wakefield Acceleration Experiments at SLAC and BNL

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rosenzweig, James; /UCLA; Travish, Gil

Given the recent success of >GV/m dielectric wakefield accelerator (DWA) breakdown experiments at SLAC, and follow-on coherent Cerenkov radiation production at the UCLA Neptune, a UCLA-USC-SLAC collaboration is now implementing a new set of experiments that explore various DWA scenarios. These experiments are motivated by the opportunities presented by the approval of FACET facility at SLAC, as well as unique pulse-train wakefield drivers at BNL. The SLAC experiments permit further exploration of the multi-GeV/m envelope in DWAs, and will entail investigations of novel materials (e.g. CVD diamond) and geometries (Bragg cylindrical structures, slab-symmetric DWAs), and have an over-riding goal ofmore » demonstrating >GeV acceleration in {approx}33 cm DWA tubes. In the nearer term before FACET's commissioning, we are planning measurements at the BNL ATF, in which we drive {approx}50-200 MV/m fields with single pulses or pulse trains. These experiments are of high relevance to enhancing linear collider DWA designs, as they will demonstrate potential for efficient operation with pulse trains.« less

First results from Spacelab 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Urban, E. W.

1986-01-01

Preliminary results of physical experiments carried out during the Spacelab 2 Shuttle mission are summarized. Attention is given to experiments in the fields of plasma dynamics; solar physics; high-energy astrophysics; and astronomy. Plasma experiments included an ejectable plasma diagnosics package and measurements of the passive charging of the Shuttle vehicle in the surrounding space plasma. The solar physics instrument package consisted of a solar spectral irradiance monitor; a solar optical universal polarimeter (SOUP); and a solar helium abundance high-resolution telescope and spectrograph (HRTS). Astronomical observations were performed using a scanning infrared telescope (IRT) which consisted of a highly baffled herschelian telescope and 10 detectors covering wavelengths from 2 to 120 microns. Cosmic-ray nuclei were detected and analyzed using gas Cerenkov counters and a transition radiation detector. Addition experiments included a thin film fluid dynamics payload and analysis of blood samples taken from the mission specialists. Complete data records from the experiments have now been distributed for an analysis period which will take at least a year. A table listing the Spacelab 2 experiments and their principal investigators is provided.

A stochastic model for photon noise induced by charged particles in multiplier phototubes of the space telescope fine guidance sensors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Howell, L. W.; Kennel, H. F.

1984-01-01

The Space Telescope (ST) is subjected to charged particle strikes in its space environment. ST's onboard fine guidance sensors utilize multiplier phototubes (PMT) for attitude determination. These tubes, when subjected to charged particle strikes, generate spurious photons in the form of Cerenkov radiation and fluorescence which give rise to unwanted disturbances in the pointing of the telescope. A stochastic model for the number of these spurious photons which strike the photocathode of the multiplier phototube which in turn produce the unwanted photon noise are presented. The model is applicable to both galactic cosmic rays and charged particles trapped in the Earth's radiation belts. The model which was programmed allows for easy adaption to a wide range of particles and different parameters for the phototube of the multiplier. The probability density functions for photons noise caused by protons, alpha particles, and carbon nuclei were using thousands of simulated strikes. These distributions are used as part of an overall ST dynamics simulation. The sensitivity of the density function to changes in the window parameters was also investigated.

Stochastic model for photon noise induced by charged particles in multiplier phototubes of the Hubble Space Telescope fine guidance sensors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Howell, L. W.; Kennel, H. F.

1986-01-01

The Space Telescope (ST) is subjected to charged particle strikes in its space environment. ST's onboard fine guidance sensors utilize multiplier phototubes (PMT) for attitude determination. These tubes, when subjected to charged particle strikes, generate spurious photons in the form of Cerenkov radiation and fluorescence which give rise to unwanted disturbances in the pointing of the telescope. A stochastic model for the number of these spurious photons which strike the photocathodes of the multiplier phototube which in turn produce the unwanted photon noise are presented. The model is applicable to both galactic cosmic rays and charged particles trapped in the earth's radiation belts. The model which was programmed allows for easy adaption to a wide range of particles and different parameters for the phototube of the multiplier. The probability density functions for photons noise caused by protons, alpha particles, and carbon nuclei were using thousands of simulated strikes. These distributions are used as part of an overall ST dynamics simulation. The sensitivity of the density function to changes in the window parameters was also investigated.

First result from Q weak

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Armstrong, David S.; Battaglieri, M.; D'Angelo, A.

2014-01-01

Initial results are presented from the recently-completed Q{sub weak} experiment at Jefferson Lab. The goal is a precise measurement of the proton's weak charge Q{sub w}{sup p}, to yield a test of the standard model and to search for evidence of new physics. The weak charge is extracted from the parity-violating asymmetry in elastic {rvec e}p scattering at low momentum transfer, Q{sup 2} = 0.025GeV{sup 2}. A 180 {micro} A longitudinally-polarized 1.16 GeV electron beam was scattered from a 35 cm long liquid hydrogen at small angles, 6 {degrees} < {theta} < 12 {degrees} Scattered electrons were analyzed in amore » toroidal magnetic field and detected using an array of eight Cerenkov detectors arranged symmetrically about the beam axis. The initial result, from 4% of the complete data set, is Q{sub W}{sup p} = 0.064 ± 0.012, in excellent agreement with the standard model expectation. Full analysis of the data is expected to yield a value for the weak charge to about 5% precision.« less

Relativistic heavy cosmic rays

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mewaldt, R. A.; Fernandez, J. I.; Israel, M. H.; Klarmann, J.; Binns, W. R.

1972-01-01

During three balloon flights of a 1 sq m sr ionization chamber/Cerenkov counter detector system, measurements were made of the atmospheric attenuation, flux, and charge composition of cosmic ray nuclei with 16 is less than or = Z is less than or = 30 and rigidity greater than 4.5 GV. The attenuation mean free path in air of VH (20 less than or = Z less than or = 30) nuclei is found to be 19.7 + or - 1.6 g/sq cm, a value somewhat greater than the best previous measurement. The attenuation mean free path of iron is found to be 15.6 + or - 2.2 g/sq cm, consistent with predictions of geometric cross-section formulae. An absolute flux of VH nuclei 10 to 20% higher than earlier experiments at similar geomagnetic cutoff and level of solar activity was measured. The relative abundances of even-charged nuclei are found to be in good agreement with results of other recent high resolution counter experiments. The observed cosmic ray chemical composition implies relative abundances at the cosmic ray source of Ca/Fe = 0.12 + or - 0.04 and S/Fe = 0.14 + or - 0.05.

Hybrid lymph node imaging using 64Cu-labeled mannose-conjugated human serum albumin with and without indocyanine green.

PubMed

Kang, Choong Mo; An, Gwang Il; Choe, Yearn Seong

2015-10-01

Human serum albumin (HSA), which has 58 Lys residues, one Cys residue, and indocyanine green (ICG) adsorption sites, can be used as a multifunctional platform for the development of hybrid imaging probes. In this study, we prepared 64Cu-labeled mannose-conjugated HSA with and without ICG ([64Cu]1-ICG and [64Cu]1, respectively) and compared hybrid PET/near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging with positron emission tomography (PET)/Cerenkov luminescence (CL) imaging of lymph nodes (LNs). 1,4,7,10-Tetraazacyclododecane-N,N',N'',N'''-tetraacetic acid (DOTA)/mannose-conjugated HSA (1) was synthesized by conjugating mannose molecules to Lys residues and a DOTA molecule to a Cys residue of HSA. Compound 1 was then labeled with Cu ([64Cu]1), and the resulting [64Cu]1 was adsorbed with ICG ([64Cu]1-ICG). PET/NIRF or PET/CL imaging and subsequent biodistribution studies were performed in ICR mice after injection of the probes into the foot pads. The numbers of mannose and DOTA molecules conjugated to HSA were 7.17 ± 0.49 and 0.95 ± 0.18, respectively. The site-specific conjugation of one DOTA molecule to HSA was sufficient for 64Cu-labeling with high efficiency (96.0 ± 1.1%). PET/NIRF and PET/CL imaging and subsequent biodistribution studies demonstrated that the probes were avidly taken up by the popliteal LNs (PO), with a slightly higher uptake ratio of the PO to the lumbar LNs by [64Cu]1. In-vivo studies suggest that [64Cu]1 has more specific and selective binding to mannose receptors in the PO than [64Cu]1-ICG.

Dosimetric characterization of small fields using a plastic scintillator detector: A large multicenter study.

PubMed

Mancosu, Pietro; Pasquino, Massimo; Reggiori, Giacomo; Masi, Laura; Russo, Serenella; Stasi, Michele

2017-09-01

In modern radiation therapy accurate small fields dosimetry is a challenge and its standardization is fundamental to harmonize delivered dose in different institutions. This study presents a multicenter characterization of MLC-defined small field for Elekta and Varian linear accelerators. Measurements were performed using the Exradin W1 plastic scintillator detector. The project enrolled 24 Italian centers. Each center performed Tissue Phantom Ratio (TPR), in-plane and cross-plane dose profiles of 0.8×0.8cm 2 field, and Output Factor (OF) measurements for square field sizes ranging from 0.8 to 10cm. Set-up conditions were 10cm depth in water phantom at SSD 90cm. Measurements were performed using two twin Exradin W1 plastic scintillator detectors (PSD) correcting for the Cerenkov effect as proposed by the manufacturer. Data analysis from 12 Varian and 12 Elekta centers was performed. Measurements of 7 centers were not included due to cable problems. TPR measurements showed standard deviations (SD)<1%; SD<0.4mm for the profile penumbra was obtained, while FWHM measurements showed SD<0.5mm. OF measurements showed SD<1.5% for field size greater than 2×2cm 2 . Median OFs values were in agreement with the recent bibliography. High degree of consistency was registered for all the considered parameters. This work confirmed the importance of multicenter dosimetric intercomparison. W1 PSD could be considered as a good candidate for small field measurements. Copyright © 2017 Associazione Italiana di Fisica Medica. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cross sections and Rosenbluth separations from kaon electroproduction on protons up to Q(2) = 2.35(GeV/c)(2)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coman, Marius

The kaon electroproduction reaction H(e, e 'K+)Λ was studied as a function of the four momentum transfer, Q2, for different values of the virtual photon polarization parameter. Electrons and kaons were detected in coincidence in two High Resolution Spectrometers (HRS) at Jefferson Lab. Data were taken at electron beam energies ranging from 3.4006 to 5.7544 GeV. The kaons were identified using combined time of flight information and two Aerogel Cerenkov detectors used for particle identification. For different values of Q2 ranging from 1.90 to 2.35 GeV/c2 the center of mass cross sections for the Λ hyperon were determined for 20 kinematics and the longitudinal, sigma L, and transverse, sigmaT, terms were separated using the Rosenbluth separation technique. Comparisons between available models and data have been studied. The comparison supports the t-channel dominance behavior for kaon electroproduction. All models seem to underpredict the transverse cross section. An estimate of the kaon form factor has been explored by determining the sensitivity of the separated cross sections to variations of the kaon EM form factor. From comparison between models and data we can conclude that interpreting the data using the Regge model is quite sensitive to a particular choice for the EM form factors. The data from the E98-108 experiment extends the range of the available kaon electroproduction cross section data to an unexplored region of Q2 where no separations have ever been performed.

A new computer-controlled multi-channel high voltage supply system for GRACE instrumentation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manna, A.; Chakrabarti, S.; Mukhopadhayay, P. K.

2002-03-01

The high energy gamma ray telescopes being set up by the Bhabha Atomic Research Institute Centre (BARC) at Mt. Abu, Rajasthan, as part of the GRACE project, require a very large number (~ 1000) of programmable high voltage power supplies for biasing photomultiplier tubes for the detection and characterization of the atmospheric Cerenkov events. These HV supplies need to be very compact, lightweight and rugged, as they will be mounted on the base of the moving telescope. This paper describes the design aspects of the overall HV system and the performance of the prototype HV modules developed for such applications. In the new design, the inverter switching frequency of the HV supplies has been increased threefold as compared to the earlier design, and surface mounted devices have been used to achieve overall size and weight reductions. The system consists of multiple HV modules, each containing 16 independently programmable HV supplies. Each HV module has an on-board micro-controller for doing control and supervisory functions and is interconnected via a serial 12C bus. The HV supplies have built in over voltage/current, thermal overload protections with output voltage readback and adjustable slew rate control facilities.

Early Results from the Qweak Experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Androic, D.; Armstrong, D. S.; Asaturyan, A.; Averett, T.; Balewski, J.; Beaufait, J.; Beminiwattha, R. S.; Benesch, J.; Benmokhtar, F.; Birchall, J.; Carlini, R. D.; Cates, G. D.; Cornejo, J. C.; Covrig, S.; Dalton, M. M.; Davis, C. A.; Deconinck, W.; Diefenbach, J.; Dowd, J. F.; Dunne, J. A.; Dutta, D.; Duvall, W. S.; Elaasar, M.; Falk, W. R.; Finn, J. M.; Forest, T.; Gaskell, D.; Gericke, M. T. W.; Grames, J.; Gray, V. M.; Grimm, K.; Guo, F.; Hoskins, J. R.; Johnston, K.; Jones, D.; Jones, M.; Jones, R.; Kargiantoulakis, M.; King, P. M.; Korkmaz, E.; Kowalski, S.; Leacock, J.; Leckey, J.; Lee, A. R.; Lee, J. H.; Lee, L.; MacEwan, S.; Mack, D.; Magee, J. A.; Mahurin, R.; Mammei, J.; Martin, J.; McHugh, M. J.; Meekins, D.; Mei, J.; Michaels, R.; Micherdzinska, A.; Mkrtchyan, A.; Mkrtchyan, H.; Morgan, N.; Myers, K. E.; Narayan, A.; Ndukum, L. Z.; Nelyubin, V.; Nuruzzaman; van Oers, W. T. H.; Opper, A. K.; Page, S. A.; Pan, J.; Paschke, K.; Phillips, S. K.; Pitt, M. L.; Poelker, M.; Rajotte, J. F.; Ramsay, W. D.; Roche, J.; Sawatzky, B.; Seva, T.; Shabestari, M. H.; Silwal, R.; Simicevic, N.; Smith, G. R.; Solvignon, P.; Spayde, D. T.; Subedi, A.; Subedi, R.; Suleiman, R.; Tadevosyan, V.; Tobias, W. A.; Tvaskis, V.; Waidyawansa, B.; Wang, P.; Wells, S. P.; Wood, S. A.; Yang, S.; Young, R. D.; Zhamkochyan, S.

2014-03-01

A subset of results from the recently completed Jefferson Lab Qweak experiment are reported. This experiment, sensitive to physics beyond the Standard Model, exploits the small parity-violating asymmetry in elastic e{{p}} scattering to provide the first determination of the proton's weak charge Q_w^p. The experiment employed a 180 μA longitudinally polarized 1.16 GeV electron beam on a 35 cm long liquid hydrogen target. Scattered electrons in the angular range 6° < θ < 12° corresponding to Q2 = 0.025 GeV2 were detected in eight Cerenkov detectors arrayed symmetrically around the beam axis. The goals of the experiment were to provide a measure of e{{p}} to 4.2% (combined statisstatistical and systematic error), which implies a measure of sin2(θw) at the level of 0.3%, and to help constrain the vector weak quark charges C1u and C1d. The experimental method is described, with particular focus on the challenges associated with the world's highest power LH2 target. The new constraints on C1u and C1d provided by the subset of the experiment's data analyzed to date will also be shown, together with the extracted weak charge of the neutron.

PET and NIR Optical Imaging Using Self-Illuminating 64Cu-Doped Chelator-Free Gold Nanoclusters

PubMed Central

Hu, Hao; Huang, Peng; Weiss, Orit Jacobson; Yan, Xuefeng; Yue, Xuyi; Zhang, Molly Gu; Tang, Yuxia; Nie, Liming; Ma, Ying; Niu, Gang; Wu, Kaichun; Chen, Xiaoyuan

2014-01-01

Self-illuminating fluorescence imaging without autofluorescence background interference has recently aroused more research interests in molecular imaging. Currently, only a few self-illuminating probes were developed, based mainly on toxic quantum dots such as CdSe, CdTe. Herein, we report a novel design of nontoxic self-illuminating gold nanocluster (64Cu-doped AuNCs) for dual-modality positron emission tomography (PET) and near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging based on Cerenkov resonance energy transfer (CRET). PET radionuclide 64Cu was introduced by a chelator-free doping method, which played dual roles as the energy donor and the PET imaging source. Meanwhile, AuNCs acted as the energy acceptor for NIR fluorescence imaging. 64Cu-doped AuNCs exhibited efficient CRET-NIR and PET imaging both in vitro and in vivo. In a U87MG glioblastoma xenograft model, 64Cu-doped AuNCs showed high tumor uptake (14.9%ID/g at 18 h) and produced satisfactory tumor self-illuminating NIR images in the absence of external excitation. This self-illuminating nanocluster with non-toxicity and good biocompatibility can be employed as a novel imaging contrast agent for biomedical applications, especially for molecular imaging. PMID:25224367

PET and NIR optical imaging using self-illuminating (64)Cu-doped chelator-free gold nanoclusters.

PubMed

Hu, Hao; Huang, Peng; Weiss, Orit Jacobson; Yan, Xuefeng; Yue, Xuyi; Zhang, Molly Gu; Tang, Yuxia; Nie, Liming; Ma, Ying; Niu, Gang; Wu, Kaichun; Chen, Xiaoyuan

2014-12-01

Self-illuminating fluorescence imaging without autofluorescence background interference has recently aroused more research interests in molecular imaging. Currently, only a few self-illuminating probes were developed, based mainly on toxic quantum dots such as CdSe, CdTe. Herein, we report a novel design of nontoxic self-illuminating gold nanocluster ((64)Cu-doped AuNCs) for dual-modality positron emission tomography (PET) and near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging based on Cerenkov resonance energy transfer (CRET). PET radionuclide (64)Cu was introduced by a chelator-free doping method, which played dual roles as the energy donor and the PET imaging source. Meanwhile, AuNCs acted as the energy acceptor for NIR fluorescence imaging. (64)Cu-doped AuNCs exhibited efficient CRET-NIR and PET imaging both in vitro and in vivo. In a U87MG glioblastoma xenograft model, (64)Cu-doped AuNCs showed high tumor uptake (14.9 %ID/g at 18 h) and produced satisfactory tumor self-illuminating NIR images in the absence of external excitation. This self-illuminating nanocluster with non-toxicity and good biocompatibility can be employed as a novel imaging contrast agent for biomedical applications, especially for molecular imaging. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

A Newtonian approach to extraordinarily strong negative refraction.

PubMed

Yoon, Hosang; Yeung, Kitty Y M; Umansky, Vladimir; Ham, Donhee

2012-08-02

Metamaterials with negative refractive indices can manipulate electromagnetic waves in unusual ways, and can be used to achieve, for example, sub-diffraction-limit focusing, the bending of light in the 'wrong' direction, and reversed Doppler and Cerenkov effects. These counterintuitive and technologically useful behaviours have spurred considerable efforts to synthesize a broad array of negative-index metamaterials with engineered electric, magnetic or optical properties. Here we demonstrate another route to negative refraction by exploiting the inertia of electrons in semiconductor two-dimensional electron gases, collectively accelerated by electromagnetic waves according to Newton's second law of motion, where this acceleration effect manifests as kinetic inductance. Using kinetic inductance to attain negative refraction was theoretically proposed for three-dimensional metallic nanoparticles and seen experimentally with surface plasmons on the surface of a three-dimensional metal. The two-dimensional electron gas that we use at cryogenic temperatures has a larger kinetic inductance than three-dimensional metals, leading to extraordinarily strong negative refraction at gigahertz frequencies, with an index as large as -700. This pronounced negative refractive index and the corresponding reduction in the effective wavelength opens a path to miniaturization in the science and technology of negative refraction.

A new measurement of the flux of the light cosmic-ray nuclei at high energies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Buckley, J.; Dwyer, J.; Mueller, D.; Swordy, S.; Tang, K. K.

1994-01-01

A new cosmic-ray detector utilizing a ring-imaging Cerenkov counter to determine the energy of light cosmic-ray nuclei was flown on high-altitude balloon from Fort Sumner, NM, in 1991 September. We describe the design and performance of this instrument and discuss the data analysis procedures. The measurement provides a new determination of the absolute flux and differential energy spectrum of the primary cosmic-ray species helium between 40 and 320 GeV/nucleon. The experiment also yields the spectra of carbon and oxygen and some information on the intensities of the secondary nuclei Li, Be, and B. A comparison between our results and previous measurements of heavier nuclei (Z greater than or equal to 4) from HEAO 3 and Spacelab 2 indicates good consistency between these measurements. The data set is compared with the results of a leaky box propagation model. We find good agreement with this model if the abundance of helium relative to oxygen at the source is taken to be 25 +/- 6 and if the source spectrum is given by a power law in energy proportional to E(exp -2.15).

Design of a multimodal fibers optic system for small animal optical imaging.

PubMed

Spinelli, Antonello E; Pagliazzi, Marco; Boschi, Federico

2015-02-01

Small animals optical imaging systems are widely used in pre-clinical research to image in vivo the bio-distribution of light emitting probes using fluorescence or bioluminescence modalities. In this work we presented a set of simulated results of a novel small animal optical imaging module based on a fibers optics matrix, coupled with a position sensitive detector, devoted to acquire bioluminescence and Cerenkov images. Simulations were performed using GEANT 4 code with the GAMOS architecture using the tissue optics plugin. Results showed that it is possible to image a 30 × 30 mm region of interest using a fiber optics array containing 100 optical fibers without compromising the quality of the reconstruction. The number of fibers necessary to cover an adequate portion of a small animal is thus quite modest. This design allows integrating the module with magnetic resonance (MR) in order to acquire optical and MR images at the same time. A detailed model of the mouse anatomy, obtained by segmentation of 3D MRI images, will improve the quality of optical 3D reconstruction. Copyright © 2014 Associazione Italiana di Fisica Medica. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

a Search for Nucleon Decay with Multiple Muon Decays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Phillips, Thomas James

A search was made for nucleon decays which result in multiple delayed muon decays using the HPW (Harvard -Purdue-Wisconsin) water Cerenkov detector. The HPW detector consists of 680 metric tons of purified water instrumented with 704 five-inch photomultiplier tubes. The phototubes are situated on a volume array with a lattice spacing of approximately one meter, and the inside walls of the detector are lined with mirrors. This combination of mirrors and a volume array of phototubes gives the HPW detector a low trigger energy threshold and a high muon decay detection efficiency. The detector is surrounded by wire chambers to provide an active shield, and is located at a depth of 1500 meters-of-water-equivalent in the Silver King Mine in Park City, Utah. The entire HPW data set, consisting of 17.2 million events collec- ted during 282 live days between May 1983 and October 1984, was analyzed. No contained events with multiple muon decays were found in a 180 ton fiducial volume. This is consistent with the background rate from neutrino interactions, which is expected to be 0.7 (+OR-) 0.2 events. The calculated lower lifetime limit for the decay mode p (--->) (mu)('+)(mu)('+)(mu)('-) is: (tau)/B.R. = 1 x 10('31) years (90% C.L.). Limits are calculated for ten other proton decay modes and five bound neutron decay modes, most of which are around 4 x 10('30) years (90% C.L.). No previous studies have reported results from direct searches for eight of these modes.

Polymer Crosslinked 3-D Assemblies of Nanoparticles: Mechanically Strong Lightweight Porous Materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leventis, Nicholas

2005-01-01

In analogy to supramolecular assemblies, which are pursued because of properties above and beyond those of the individual molecules, self-standing monolithic three-dimensional assemblies of nanoparticles also have unique properties attributed to their structure. For example, ultra low-density 3-D assemblies of silica nanoparticles, known as silica aerogels, are characterized by large internal void space, high surface area and very low thermal conductivity. Aerogels, however, are also extremely fragile materials, limiting their application to a few specialized environments, e.g., in nuclear reactors as Cerenkov radiation detectors, in space (refer to NASA's Stardust Program) and aboard certain planetary vehicles (thermal insulators on Mars Rovers in 1997 and 2004). The fragility problem is traced to well-defined weak points in the aerogel skeletal framework, the interparticle necks. Using the surface functionality of the nanoparticle building blocks as a focal point, we have directed attachment of a conformal polymer coating over the entire framework, rendering all necks wider. Thus, although the bulk density may increase only by 3x, the mesoporosity (pores in the range 2-50 nm) remains unchanged, while the strength of the material increases by up to 300... Having addressed the fragility problem, aerogels are now robust materials, and a variety of applications, ranging from thermal/acoustic insulators to catalyst supports, to platform for sensors, and dielectrics are all within reach. Our approach employs molecular science to manipulate nanoscopic matter for achieving useful macroscopic properties, and in our view it resides at the core of what defines nanotechnology. In that spirit, this technology is expandable in three directions. Thus, we have already crosslinked successfully amine-modified silica, and we anticipate that more rich chemistry will be realized by been creative with the nanoparticle surface modifiers. On the other hand, although we do not expect orders-of-magnitude increase in strength, nevertheless, by varying the polymer we expect to impart other properties such as hydrophobicity, thermal stability and perhaps electrical conductivity. Besides polymers, crosslinkers will include metals and ceramics (e.g., through POSS precursors). Finally, network morphology directs load dissipation, and of approximately 30 different crosslinked oxide aerogels, vanadia, whose structure is fibrous rather than particulate, yields a much stronger (by 4..) material than silica of the same density. It seems imperative to implement control of network morphology, even through templating.

CONSTRAINTS ON COSMIC RAYS, MAGNETIC FIELDS, AND DARK MATTER FROM GAMMA-RAY OBSERVATIONS OF THE COMA CLUSTER OF GALAXIES WITH VERITAS AND FERMI

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Arlen, T.; Aune, T.; Bouvier, A.

2012-10-01

Observations of radio halos and relics in galaxy clusters indicate efficient electron acceleration. Protons should likewise be accelerated and, on account of weak energy losses, can accumulate, suggesting that clusters may also be sources of very high energy (VHE; E > 100 GeV) gamma-ray emission. We report here on VHE gamma-ray observations of the Coma galaxy cluster with the VERITAS array of imaging Cerenkov telescopes, with complementing Fermi Large Area Telescope observations at GeV energies. No significant gamma-ray emission from the Coma Cluster was detected. Integral flux upper limits at the 99% confidence level were measured to be on themore » order of (2-5) Multiplication-Sign 10{sup -8} photons m {sup -2} s {sup -1} (VERITAS, >220 GeV) and {approx}2 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup -6} photons m {sup -2} s {sup -1} (Fermi, 1-3 GeV), respectively. We use the gamma-ray upper limits to constrain cosmic rays (CRs) and magnetic fields in Coma. Using an analytical approach, the CR-to-thermal pressure ratio is constrained to be <16% from VERITAS data and <1.7% from Fermi data (averaged within the virial radius). These upper limits are starting to constrain the CR physics in self-consistent cosmological cluster simulations and cap the maximum CR acceleration efficiency at structure formation shocks to be <50%. Alternatively, this may argue for non-negligible CR transport processes such as CR streaming and diffusion into the outer cluster regions. Assuming that the radio-emitting electrons of the Coma halo result from hadronic CR interactions, the observations imply a lower limit on the central magnetic field in Coma of {approx}(2-5.5) {mu}G, depending on the radial magnetic field profile and on the gamma-ray spectral index. Since these values are below those inferred by Faraday rotation measurements in Coma (for most of the parameter space), this renders the hadronic model a very plausible explanation of the Coma radio halo. Finally, since galaxy clusters are dark matter (DM) dominated, the VERITAS upper limits have been used to place constraints on the thermally averaged product of the total self-annihilation cross section and the relative velocity of the DM particles, ({sigma}v).« less

Constraints on Cosmic Rays, Magnetic Fields, and Dark Matter from Gamma-ray Observations of the Coma Cluster of Galaxies with VERITAS and FERMI

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arlen, T.; Aune, T.; Beilicke, M.; Benbow, W.; Bouvier, A.; Buckley, J. H.; Bugaev, V.; Byrum, K.; Cannon, A.; Cesarini, A.;

High Power Microwave Tubes: Basics and Trends, Volume 2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kesari, Vishal; Basu, B. N.

2018-01-01

Volume 2 of the book begins with chapter 6, in which we have taken up conventional MWTs (such as TWTs, klystrons, including multi-cavity and multi-beam klystrons, klystron variants including reflex klystron, IOT, EIK, EIO and twystron, and crossed-field tubes, namely, magnetron, CFA and carcinotron). In chapter 7, we have taken up fast-wave tubes (such as gyrotron, gyro-BWO, gyro-klystron, gyro-TWT, CARM, SWCA, hybrid gyro-tubes and peniotron). In chapter 8, we discuss vacuum microelectronic tubes (such as klystrino module, THz gyrotron and clinotron BWO); plasma-assisted tubes (such as PWT, plasma-filled TWT, BWO, including PASOTRON, and gyrotron); and HPM (high power microwave) tubes (such as relativistic TWT, relativistic BWO, RELTRON (variant of relativistic klystron), relativistic magnetron, high power Cerenkov tubes including SWO, RDG or orotron, MWCG and MWDG, bremsstrahlung radiation type tube, namely, vircator, and M-type tube MILO). In Chapter 9, we provide handy information about the frequency and power ranges of common MWTs, although more such information is provided at relevant places in the rest of the book as and where necessary. Chapter 10 is an epilogue that sums up the authors' attempt to bring out the various aspects of the basics of and trends in high power MWTs.

Application of TDCR-Geant4 modeling to standardization of 63Ni.

PubMed

Thiam, C; Bobin, C; Chauvenet, B; Bouchard, J

2012-09-01

As an alternative to the classical TDCR model applied to liquid scintillation (LS) counting, a stochastic approach based on the Geant4 toolkit is presented for the simulation of light emission inside the dedicated three-photomultiplier detection system. To this end, the Geant4 modeling includes a comprehensive description of optical properties associated with each material constituting the optical chamber. The objective is to simulate the propagation of optical photons from their creation in the LS cocktail to the production of photoelectrons in the photomultipliers. First validated for the case of radionuclide standardization based on Cerenkov emission, the scintillation process has been added to a TDCR-Geant4 modeling using the Birks expression in order to account for the light-emission nonlinearity owing to ionization quenching. The scintillation yield of the commercial Ultima Gold LS cocktail has been determined from double-coincidence detection efficiencies obtained for (60)Co and (54)Mn with the 4π(LS)β-γ coincidence method. In this paper, the stochastic TDCR modeling is applied for the case of the standardization of (63)Ni (pure β(-)-emitter; E(max)=66.98 keV) and the activity concentration is compared with the result given by the classical model. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Overmoded subterahertz surface wave oscillator with pure TM{sub 01} mode output

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wang, Guangqiang; Zeng, Peng; Wang, Dongyang

2016-02-15

Overmoded O-type Cerenkov generators using annular electron beams are facing the problem of multi-modes output due to the inevitable structural discontinuities. A simple but effective method to achieve the pure TM{sub 01} mode output is applied on the 0.14 THz overmoded surface wave oscillator (SWO) in this paper. In spite of still using an overmoded slow wave structure to ensure the easy fabrication, the followed smooth circular waveguide is shrinkingly tapered to the output waveguide with appropriate radius that it cuts off other higher modes except TM{sub 01} mode. Moreover, the modified device here has the same power capacity as themore » previous one according to the numerical analysis. By optimized lengths of the transition waveguide and tapered waveguide, particle-in-cell simulation results indicate that the subterahertz wave with output power increased 14.2% at the same frequency is obtained from the proposed SWO under the previous input conditions, and importantly, the output power is all carried by TM{sub 01} mode as expected. Further simulation results in the pulse regime confirm the feasibility of the optimized structure in the actual experiments. This simple and viable design is also applicable to overmoded devices in the lower frequency band of subterahertz wave.« less

Evidence for neutrino oscillations in the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Marino, Alysia Diane

2004-01-01

The Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO) is a large-volume heavy water Cerenkov detector designed to resolve the solar neutrino problem. SNO observes charged-current interactions with electron neutrinos, neutral-current interactions with all active neutrinos, and elastic-scattering interactions primarily with electron neutrinos with some sensitivity to other flavors. This dissertation presents an analysis of the solar neutrino flux observed in SNO in the second phase of operation, while ~2 tonnes of salt (NaCl) were dissolved in the heavy water. The dataset here represents 391 live days of data. Only the events above a visible energy threshold of 5.5 MeV and inside a fiducial volume within 550 cm of the center of the detector are studied. The neutrino flux observed via the charged-current interaction is [1.71 ± 0.065(stat.)±more » $$0.065\\atop{0.068}$$(sys.)±0.02(theor.)] x 10 6cm -2s -1, via the elastic-scattering interaction is [2.21±0.22(stat.)±$$0.12\\atop{0.11}$$(sys.)±0.01(theor.)] x 10 6cm -2s -1, and via the neutral-current interaction is [5.05±0.23(stat.)±$$0.31\\atop{0.37}$$(sys.)±0.06(theor.)] x 10 6cm -2s -1. The electron-only flux seen via the charged-current interaction is more than 7σ below the total active flux seen via the neutral-current interaction, providing strong evidence that neutrinos are undergoing flavor transformation as they travel from the core of the Sun to the Earth. The most likely origin of the flavor transformation is matter-induced flavor oscillation.« less

Novel fusion for hybrid optical/microcomputed tomography imaging based on natural light surface reconstruction and iterated closest point

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ning, Nannan; Tian, Jie; Liu, Xia; Deng, Kexin; Wu, Ping; Wang, Bo; Wang, Kun; Ma, Xibo

2014-02-01

In mathematics, optical molecular imaging including bioluminescence tomography (BLT), fluorescence tomography (FMT) and Cerenkov luminescence tomography (CLT) are concerned with a similar inverse source problem. They all involve the reconstruction of the 3D location of a single/multiple internal luminescent/fluorescent sources based on 3D surface flux distribution. To achieve that, an accurate fusion between 2D luminescent/fluorescent images and 3D structural images that may be acquired form micro-CT, MRI or beam scanning is extremely critical. However, the absence of a universal method that can effectively convert 2D optical information into 3D makes the accurate fusion challengeable. In this study, to improve the fusion accuracy, a new fusion method for dual-modality tomography (luminescence/fluorescence and micro-CT) based on natural light surface reconstruction (NLSR) and iterated closest point (ICP) was presented. It consisted of Octree structure, exact visual hull from marching cubes and ICP. Different from conventional limited projection methods, it is 360° free-space registration, and utilizes more luminescence/fluorescence distribution information from unlimited multi-orientation 2D optical images. A mouse mimicking phantom (one XPM-2 Phantom Light Source, XENOGEN Corporation) and an in-vivo BALB/C mouse with implanted one luminescent light source were used to evaluate the performance of the new fusion method. Compared with conventional fusion methods, the average error of preset markers was improved by 0.3 and 0.2 pixels from the new method, respectively. After running the same 3D internal light source reconstruction algorithm of the BALB/C mouse, the distance error between the actual and reconstructed internal source was decreased by 0.19 mm.

Broadband Observations and Modeling of the Shell-Type Supernova Remnant G347.3-0.5

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ellison, Donald C.; Slane, Patrick O.; Gaensler, Bryan M.

2002-01-01

The supernova remnant G347.3-0.5 emits a featureless power law in X-rays, thought to indicate shock acceleration of electrons to high energies. We here produce a broadband spectrum of the bright northwest limb of this source by combining radio observations from the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA), X-ray observations from the Advanced Satellite for Cosmology and Astrophysics (ASCA), and TeV gamma-ray observations from the CANGAROO imaging Cerenkov telescope. We assume that this emission is produced by an electron population generated by diffusive shock acceleration at the remnant forward shock. The nonlinear aspects of the particle acceleration force a connection between the widely different wavelength bands and between the electrons and the unseen ions, presumably accelerated simultaneously with the electrons. This allows us to infer the relativistic proton spectrum and estimate ambient parameters such as the supernova explosion energy, magnetic field, matter density in the emission region, and efficiency of the shock acceleration process. We find convincing evidence that the shock acceleration is efficient, placing greater than 25% of the shock kinetic energy flux into relativistic ions. Despite this high efficiency, the maximum electron and proton energies, while depending somewhat on assumptions for the compression of the magnetic field in the shock, are well below the observed 'knee' at 10(exp 15) eV in the Galactic cosmic-ray spectrum.

Clay Nanocomposite/Aerogel Sandwich Structures for Cryotanks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miller, Sandi; Leventis, Nicholas; Johnston, J. Chris; Meador, Michael

2006-01-01

GRC research has led to the development of epoxy-clay nanocomposites with 60-70% lower gas permeability than the base epoxy resin. Filament wound carbon fiber reinforced tanks made with this nanocomposite had a five-fold lower helium leak rate than the corresponding tanks made without clay. More recent work has produced new composites with more than a 100-fold reduction in helium permeability. Use of these advanced, high barrier composites would eliminate the need for a liner in composite cryotanks, thereby simplifying construction and reducing propellant leakage. Aerogels are attractive materials for use as cryotank insulation because of their low density and low thermal conductivity. However, aerogels are fragile and have poor environmental stability, which have limited their use to certain applications in specialized environments (e.g., in certain types of nuclear reactors as Cerenkov radiation detectors, and as thermal insulators aboard space rovers on Mars). New GRC developed polymer crosslinked aerogels (X-Aerogels) retain the low density of conventional aerogels, but they demonstrate a 300-fold increase in their mechanical strength. Currently, our strongest materials combine a density of approx. 0.45 g/cc, a thermal conductivity of approx. 0.04 W/mK and a compressive strength of 185 MPa. Use of these novel aerogels as insulation materials/structural components in combination with the low permeability of epoxy-clay nanocomposites could significantly reduce cryotank weight and improve durability.

A new search for primordial black hole evaporations using the Whipple gamma-ray telescope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Linton, E. T.; Atkins, R. W.; Badran, H. M.; Blaylock, G.; Boyle, P. J.; Buckley, J. H.; Byrum, K. L.; Carter-Lewis, D. A.; Celik, O.; Chow, Y. C. K.; Cogan, P.; Daniel, M. K.; Dowdall, C.; Falcone, A. D.; Fegan, D. J.; Fegan, S. J.; Finley, J. P.; Fortin, P.; Guiterrez, K. J.; Hall, J.; Hanna, D.; Holder, J.; Horan, D.; Hughes, S. B.; Humensky, T. B.; Jung, I.; Kenny, G. E.; Kertzman, M.; Kieda, D. B.; Kildea, J.; Knapp, J.; Krawczynski, H.; Lang, M. J.; LeBohec, S.; Maier, G.; Moriarty, P.; Ong, R. A.; Perkins, J. S.; Pizlo, F.; Pohl, M.; Quinn, J.; Ragan, K.; Rebillot, P. F.; Reynolds, P. T.; Sembroski, G. H.; Steele, D.; Swordy, S. P.; Valcarcel, L.; Wakely, S. P.; Weekes, T. C.; White, R. J.

2006-01-01

Stephen Hawking's prediction that black holes should radiate like black bodies has several important consequences, including the possibility of the detection of small (~1015 g) black holes created in the very early universe. The detection of such primordial black holes (PBHs) would be an important discovery, not only confirming Hawking's theory, but also providing valuable insights into the history of the early universe. A search through 5.5 years of archival data from the Whipple Atmospheric Cerenkov Telescope is made for TeV gamma-ray bursts on 1, 3, and 5 s timescales. On the basis of a null result from this direct search for PBH evaporations, an upper limit of 1.08 × 106 pc-3 yr-1 (99% CL) is set on the PBH evaporation rate in the local region of the galaxy, assuming the Standard Model of particle physics. This is more than a factor of two better than the previous limit at this energy range and includes longer timescales than have previously been explored. Comparison of this result with previous limits on the fraction of the critical density comprised by PBHs, Ωpbh, depends strongly on assumptions made about PBH clustering; in models predicting strong PBH clustering, the limit in this work could be as many as ten orders of magnitude more stringently than those set by diffuse MeV gamma-ray observations.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kertzscher, G; Beddar, S

Purpose: To study the promising potential of inorganic scintillator detectors (ISDs) and investigate various unwanted luminescence properties which may compromise their accuracy. Methods: The ISDs were comprised of a ruby crystal coupled to a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) fiber-optic cable and a charged coupled device camera. A new type of ISD was manufactured and included a long-pass filter that was sandwiched between the crystal and the fiber-optic cable. The purpose of the filter was to suppress the Cerenkov and fluorescence background light induced in the PMMA (the stem signal) from striking the ruby crystal, generating unwanted ruby excitation. A variety ofmore » experiments were performed to characterize the ruby based ISDs. The relative contribution of the induced ruby signal and the stem signal were quantified while exposing the detector and a bare fiber-optic cable to a high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy (BT) source, respectively. The unwanted ruby excitation was quantified while irradiating the fiber-optic cable with the detector volume shielded. Other experiments addressed time-dependent luminescence properties and a comparison to other commonly used organic scintillator detectors (BCF-12, BCF-60). Results: When the BT source dwelled 0.5 cm away from the fiber-optic cable, the unwanted ruby excitation amounted to >5% of the total signal if the source-distance from the scintillator was >7 cm. However, the unwanted excitation was suppressed to <1% if the ISD incorporated an optic filter. The stem signal was suppressed with a 20 nm band-pass filter and was <3% as long as the source-distance was <7 cm. The ruby based ISDs generated signal up to 20(40) times that of BCF-12(BCF-60). Conclusion: The study presents solutions to unwanted luminescence properties of ruby based ISDs for HDR BT. An optic filter should be sandwiched between the scintillator volume and the fiber-optic cable to prevent the stem signal to excite the ruby crystal.« less

Study of Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Rays from Extensive Air Showers Radio Emission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petrov, Igor; Kozlov, Vladimir; Petrov, Zim; Knurenko, Stanislav; Pravdin, Mikhail

The study of cosmic rays with the help of radio detection from extensive air showers may be an alternative to traditional detecting methods, which use a large area array installed with hundreds and thousands of scintillation detectors for charged particles, or the detectors of measuring the emission produced by relativistic particles of EAS in the optical wavelengths. Processes that lead to the emission of electromagnetic radiation are well known and calculations show that the air shower radio emission depends on the processes of development of the electromagnetic cascade, i.e. related with the longitudinal development of the shower, with the magnetic field near sea level etc. In this regard, there is a question to establish the correlation between characteristics of EAS both longitudinal and lateral development and radio emission parameters observed when air shower particles pass through the atmosphere. For this purpose, in Yakutsk, radio array for detecting air shower radio emission was established. The array consists of the antenna field on which crossed antennas are installed; antennas oriented E - W and N - S. Radio emission measurements are conducted at frequency 32 MHz, free from industrial noise. In 2008 - 2013 years, Yakutsk array has measured several seasons of registration of EAS events, including showers with energies above 10 (19) eV. In the course of the data analysis the following results were obtained: a) lateral distribution of the radio signal plotted as a function of distance from the shower axis ; b) a correlation between the amplitude of the radio signal with the energy of the shower, which is determined by measuring the fluxes of charged particles , muons and EAS Cerenkov radiation (energy balance method); c) we made evaluation of the depth of maximum development of the shower using form of radio emission LDF measured in ultra-high energy showers; g) a comparison of the Yakutsk array data with data from other arrays.

Applications of Beta Particle Detection for Synthesis and Usage of Radiotracers Developed for Positron Emission Tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dooraghi, Alex Abreu

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a noninvasive molecular imaging tool that requires the use of a radioactive compound or radiotracer which targets a molecular pathway of interest. We have developed and employed three beta particle radiation detection systems to advance PET. Specifically, the goals of these systems are to: 1. Automate dispensing of solutions containing a positron emitting isotope. 2. Monitor radioactivity on-chip during synthesis of a positron emitting radiotracer. 3. Assay cellular uptake on-chip of a positron emitting radiotracer. Automated protocols for measuring and dispensing solutions containing radioisotopes are essential not only for providing an optimum environment for radiation workers, but also to ensure a quantitatively accurate workflow. For the first project, we describe the development and performance of a system for automated radioactivity distribution of beta particle emitting radioisotopes such as fluorine-18 (F-18). Key to the system is a radiation detector in-line with a peristaltic pump. The system demonstrates volume accuracy within 5 % for volumes of 20 muL or greater. When considering volumes of 20 muL or greater, delivered radioactivity is in agreement with the requested radioactivity as measured with the dose calibrator. The integration of the detector and pump leads to a flexible system that can accurately dispense solutions containing F-18 in radioactivity concentrations directly produced from a cyclotron (~ 0.1-1 mCi/muL), to low activity concentrations intended for preclinical mouse scans (~ 1-10 muCi/muL), and anywhere in between. Electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD) is an attractive microfluidic platform for batch synthesis of PET radiotracers. Visualization of radioisotopes on-chip is critical for synthesis optimization and technological development. For the second project, we describe the development and performance of a Cerenkov/real-time imaging system for PET radiotracer synthesis on EWOD. We also investigate fundamental physical characteristics of Cerenkov photon yield at different stages of [F-18]FDG synthesis on the EWOD platform. We are able to use this imaging system to optimize the mixing protocol as well as identify and correct for loss of radioactivity due to the migration of radioactive vapor outside of the EWOD heater, enabling an overall increase in the crude radiochemical yield from 50 +/- 3% (n = 3) to 72 +/- 13% (n = 5). Clinical use of PET has proven to be a critical tool for monitoring cancer treatment response. For the third project, we describe the redesign and performance of Betabox, a specialized device that incorporates PET radiotracers in an assay that gives clinicians and researchers the ability to assess the effectiveness of a drug therapy in-vitro by isolating small samples of patient tumor cells incubated in a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic chip. We find that Betabox is a high sensitivity and low noise charged particle imaging system that can operate without significant impairment of its performance at both room and at elevated temperatures, such as those suitable for cell culture. The dark count rate is within range of the expected signal from cosmic rays, dictating a low detection limit that allows quantitative imaging of very small amounts of radioactivity. This system demonstrates the potential of direct cellular radioassay of small samples of cells (~100 cells per measurement).

AGN jets as pion factories

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mannheim, Karl

There has been a dramatic revolution in gamma-ray astronomy throughout the last few years. Beginning with the discovery made by the spark chamber EGRET on board the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory that AGN with jets are the most powerful quasi-steady gamma-ray sources in the Universe, air-Cerenkov telescopes have soon after succeeded in detecting gamma-rays up to TeV energies. In the last year, it has become clear that these AGN emit photons even up to 10 TeV and more. This is a strong indication for proton acceleration going on in them, since protons owing to their large mass suffer weaker energy losses than electrons and can thus reach higher energies. Nucleons escaping from the AGN jets contribute to the local flux of cosmic rays at highest energies. If AGN produce the diffuse gamma-ray background, they would also be able to produce all the cosmic rays above the ankle in the local spectrum. The majority of AGN resides at large distances, indicated by their cosmological redshifts, and can therefore not be seen through the fog of electron-positron pairs which they produce interacting with diffuse infrared radiation from the era of galaxy formation. To observe the cosmic accelerators at large redshifts, neutrino observations are required. It is important to understand the astrophysical neutrino sources in order to be able to recognize signatures of new physics, e.g. due to decaying or annihilating particles from the early phases of the Universe.

Molecular imaging of prostate cancer: translating molecular biology approaches into the clinical realm.

PubMed

Vargas, Hebert Alberto; Grimm, Jan; F Donati, Olivio; Sala, Evis; Hricak, Hedvig

2015-05-01

The epidemiology of prostate cancer has dramatically changed since the introduction of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening in the 1980's. Most prostate cancers today are detected at early stages of the disease and are considered 'indolent'; however, some patients' prostate cancers demonstrate a more aggressive behaviour which leads to rapid progression and death. Increasing understanding of the biology underlying the heterogeneity that characterises this disease has led to a continuously evolving role of imaging in the management of prostate cancer. Functional and metabolic imaging techniques are gaining importance as the impact on the therapeutic paradigm has shifted from structural tumour detection alone to distinguishing patients with indolent tumours that can be managed conservatively (e.g., by active surveillance) from patients with more aggressive tumours that may require definitive treatment with surgery or radiation. In this review, we discuss advanced imaging techniques that allow direct visualisation of molecular interactions relevant to prostate cancer and their potential for translation to the clinical setting in the near future. The potential use of imaging to follow molecular events during drug therapy as well as the use of imaging agents for therapeutic purposes will also be discussed. • Advanced imaging techniques allow direct visualisation of molecular interactions in prostate cancer. • MRI/PET, optical and Cerenkov imaging facilitate the translation of molecular biology. • Multiple compounds targeting PSMA expression are currently undergoing clinical translation. • Other targets (e.g., PSA, prostate-stem cell antigen, GRPR) are in development.

Ruby-based inorganic scintillation detectors for 192Ir brachytherapy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kertzscher, Gustavo; Beddar, Sam

2016-11-01

We tested the potential of ruby inorganic scintillation detectors (ISDs) for use in brachytherapy and investigated various unwanted luminescence properties that may compromise their accuracy. The ISDs were composed of a ruby crystal coupled to a poly(methyl methacrylate) fiber-optic cable and a charge-coupled device camera. The ISD also included a long-pass filter that was sandwiched between the ruby crystal and the fiber-optic cable. The long-pass filter prevented the Cerenkov and fluorescence background light (stem signal) induced in the fiber-optic cable from striking the ruby crystal, which generates unwanted photoluminescence rather than the desired radioluminescence. The relative contributions of the radioluminescence signal and the stem signal were quantified by exposing the ruby detectors to a high-dose-rate brachytherapy source. The photoluminescence signal was quantified by irradiating the fiber-optic cable with the detector volume shielded. Other experiments addressed time-dependent luminescence properties and compared the ISDs to commonly used organic scintillator detectors (BCF-12, BCF-60). When the brachytherapy source dwelled 0.5 cm away from the fiber-optic cable, the unwanted photoluminescence was reduced from  >5% to  <1% of the total signal as long as the ISD incorporated the long-pass filter. The stem signal was suppressed with a band-pass filter and was  <3% as long as the source distance from the scintillator was  <7 cm. Some ruby crystals exhibited time-dependent luminescence properties that altered the ruby signal by  >5% within 10 s from the onset of irradiation and after the source had retracted. The ruby-based ISDs generated signals of up to 20 times that of BCF-12-based detectors. The study presents solutions to unwanted luminescence properties of ruby-based ISDs for high-dose-rate brachytherapy. An optic filter should be sandwiched between the ruby crystal and the fiber-optic cable to suppress the photoluminescence. Furthermore, we recommend avoiding ruby crystals that exhibit significant time-dependent luminescence.

Ruby-based inorganic scintillation detectors for 192Ir brachytherapy

PubMed Central

Kertzscher, Gustavo; Beddar, Sam

2016-01-01

We tested the potential of ruby inorganic scintillation detectors (ISDs) for use in brachytherapy and investigated various unwanted luminescence properties that may compromise their accuracy. The ISDs were composed of a ruby crystal coupled to a poly(methyl methacrylate) fiber-optic cable and a charge-coupled device camera. The ISD also included a long-pass filter that was sandwiched between the ruby crystal and the fiber-optic cable. The long-pass filter prevented the Cerenkov and fluorescence background light (stem signal) induced in the fiber-optic cable from striking the ruby crystal, which generates unwanted photoluminescence rather than the desired radioluminescence. The relative contributions of the radioluminescence signal and the stem signal were quantified by exposing the ruby detectors to a high-dose-rate brachytherapy source. The photoluminescence signal was quantified by irradiating the fiber-optic cable with the detector volume shielded. Other experiments addressed time-dependent luminescence properties and compared the ISDs to commonly used organic scintillator detectors (BCF-12, BCF-60). When the brachytherapy source dwelled 0.5 cm away from the fiber-optic cable, the unwanted photoluminescence was reduced from > 5% to < 1% of the total signal as long as the ISD incorporated the long-pass filter. The stem signal was suppressed with a band-pass filter and was < 3% as long as the source distance from the scintillator was < 7 cm. Some ruby crystals exhibited time-dependent luminescence properties that altered the ruby signal by > 5% within 10 s from the onset of irradiation and after the source had retracted. The ruby-based ISDs generated signals of up to 20 times that of BCF-12-based detectors. The study presents solutions to unwanted luminescence properties of ruby-based ISDs for high-dose-rate brachytherapy. An optic filter should be sandwiched between the ruby crystal and the fiber-optic cable to suppress the photoluminescence. Furthermore, we recommend avoiding ruby crystals that exhibit significant time-dependent luminescence. PMID:27740947

Ruby-based inorganic scintillation detectors for 192Ir brachytherapy.

PubMed

Kertzscher, Gustavo; Beddar, Sam

2016-11-07

We tested the potential of ruby inorganic scintillation detectors (ISDs) for use in brachytherapy and investigated various unwanted luminescence properties that may compromise their accuracy. The ISDs were composed of a ruby crystal coupled to a poly(methyl methacrylate) fiber-optic cable and a charge-coupled device camera. The ISD also included a long-pass filter that was sandwiched between the ruby crystal and the fiber-optic cable. The long-pass filter prevented the Cerenkov and fluorescence background light (stem signal) induced in the fiber-optic cable from striking the ruby crystal, which generates unwanted photoluminescence rather than the desired radioluminescence. The relative contributions of the radioluminescence signal and the stem signal were quantified by exposing the ruby detectors to a high-dose-rate brachytherapy source. The photoluminescence signal was quantified by irradiating the fiber-optic cable with the detector volume shielded. Other experiments addressed time-dependent luminescence properties and compared the ISDs to commonly used organic scintillator detectors (BCF-12, BCF-60). When the brachytherapy source dwelled 0.5 cm away from the fiber-optic cable, the unwanted photoluminescence was reduced from  >5% to  <1% of the total signal as long as the ISD incorporated the long-pass filter. The stem signal was suppressed with a band-pass filter and was  <3% as long as the source distance from the scintillator was  <7 cm. Some ruby crystals exhibited time-dependent luminescence properties that altered the ruby signal by  >5% within 10 s from the onset of irradiation and after the source had retracted. The ruby-based ISDs generated signals of up to 20 times that of BCF-12-based detectors. The study presents solutions to unwanted luminescence properties of ruby-based ISDs for high-dose-rate brachytherapy. An optic filter should be sandwiched between the ruby crystal and the fiber-optic cable to suppress the photoluminescence. Furthermore, we recommend avoiding ruby crystals that exhibit significant time-dependent luminescence.

UCLA Final Technical Report for the "Community Petascale Project for Accelerator Science and Simulation”.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mori, Warren

The UCLA Plasma Simulation Group is a major partner of the “Community Petascale Project for Accelerator Science and Simulation”. This is the final technical report. We include an overall summary, a list of publications, progress for the most recent year, and individual progress reports for each year. We have made tremendous progress during the three years. SciDAC funds have contributed to the development of a large number of skeleton codes that illustrate how to write PIC codes with a hierarchy of parallelism. These codes cover 2D and 3D as well as electrostatic solvers (which are used in beam dynamics codesmore » and quasi-static codes) and electromagnetic solvers (which are used in plasma based accelerator codes). We also used these ideas to develop a GPU enabled version of OSIRIS. SciDAC funds were also contributed to the development of strategies to eliminate the Numerical Cerenkov Instability (NCI) which is an issue when carrying laser wakefield accelerator (LWFA) simulations in a boosted frame and when quantifying the emittance and energy spread of self-injected electron beams. This work included the development of a new code called UPIC-EMMA which is an FFT based electromagnetic PIC code and to new hybrid algorithms in OSIRIS. A new hybrid (PIC in r-z and gridless in φ) algorithm was implemented into OSIRIS. In this algorithm the fields and current are expanded into azimuthal harmonics and the complex amplitude for each harmonic is calculated separately. The contributions from each harmonic are summed and then used to push the particles. This algorithm permits modeling plasma based acceleration with some 3D effects but with the computational load of an 2D r-z PIC code. We developed a rigorously charge conserving current deposit for this algorithm. Very recently, we made progress in combining the speed up from the quasi-3D algorithm with that from the Lorentz boosted frame. SciDAC funds also contributed to the improvement and speed up of the quasi-static PIC code QuickPIC. We have also used our suite of PIC codes to make scientific discovery. Highlights include supporting FACET experiments which achieved the milestones of showing high beam loading and energy transfer efficiency from a drive electron beam to a witness electron beam and the discovery of a self-loading regime a for high gradient acceleration of a positron beam. Both of these experimental milestones were published in Nature together with supporting QuickPIC simulation results. Simulation results from QuickPIC were used on the cover of Nature in one case. We are also making progress on using highly resolved QuickPIC simulations to show that ion motion may not lead to catastrophic emittance growth for tightly focused electron bunches loaded into nonlinear wakefields. This could mean that fully self-consistent beam loading scenarios are possible. This work remains in progress. OSIRIS simulations were used to discover how 200 MeV electron rings are formed in LWFA experiments, on how to generate electrons that have a series of bunches on nanometer scale, and how to transport electron beams from (into) plasma sections into (from) conventional beam optic sections.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vandervoort, E.; Szanto, J.; Christiansen, E.

Plastic scintillation dosimeters (PSDs) have favourable characteristics for small and composite field dosimetry in radiosurgery, however, imperfect corrections for the Cerenkov radiation contamination could limit their accuracy for complex deliveries. In this work, we characterize the dose and dose-rate linearity, directional dependence, and compare output factors with other stereotactic detectors for a new commercially available PSD (Exradin W1). We provide some preliminary comparisons of planned and measured dose for composite fields delivered clinically by a Cyberknife radiosurgery system. The W1 detector shows good linearity with dose (<0.5%) and dose rate (<0.8%) relative to the signal obtained using an ion chambermore » under the same conditions. A maximum difference of 2% was observed depending on the detector's angular orientation. Output factors for all detectors agree within a range of ±3.2% and ±1.5% for the 5 and 7.5 mm collimators, respectively, provided Monte-Carlo corrections for detector effects are applied to diode and ion chambers (without corrections the range is ±5.5% and ±3.1% for these two collimators). For clinical beam deliveries using 5 and 7.5 mm collimators, four of the six patients showed better agreement with planned dose for the PSD detector compared to a micro ion chamber. Two of the six patients investigated, however, showed 5% differences between PSD and planned dose, film measurements and the ratio of PSD and micro ion chamber signal suggest that further investigation is warranted for these plans. The W1 detector is a promising tool for stereotactic plan verification under the challenging dosimetric conditions of stereotactic radiosurgery.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liu, H; Lin, H; Darafsheh, A

Purpose: To characterize basic performance of plastic scintillator detectors (PSD) designed for dosimetry of radiation therapy. Methods: The Exradin W1 Scintillator is a plastic scintillating fiber-based detector designed for highly accurate measurement of small radiotherapy fields used in patient plan verification and machine commissioning and QA procedures. The Cerenkov emissions were corrected using spectral separation. The optical signal was converted to electronic signal with a photodiode. We measured its dosimetry performance, including percentage depth dose, output factor, dose and dose rate linear response. We compared the dosimetry results with reference ion chamber measurements. Results: The dosimetry results of PSD agreemore » well with reference ion chamber measurements. For percentage depth dose, the differences between PSD and ion chamber results are on average 1.7±1.1% and 0.8±0.8% with a maximum of 3.5% and 2.7% for 6MV and 15MV beams, respectively. For the output factors, PSD measurements are within 2% from ion chamber results. The dose linear response is within 1% when dose is larger than 20 MU for both 6 MV and 15 MV. The dose rate linear response is within 1% for the entire dose rate used (100 MU/min to 600MU/min). Conclusions: The current design of PSD is feasible for the dosimtry measurement in radiation therapy. This combination of PSD and photodiode system could be extended to multichannel array detection of dose distribution. It might as well be used as range verification in proton therapy. The work is partially supported by: DOD (W81XWH-09-2-0174) and American Cancer Society (IRG-78-002-28)« less

The Flux Variability of Markarian 501 in Very High Energy Gamma Rays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Quinn, J.; Bond, I. H.; Boyle, P. J.; Bradbury, S. M.; Breslin, A. C.; Buckley, J. H.; Burdett, A. M.; Gordo, J. Bussons; Carter-Lewis, D. A.; Catanese, M.; Cawley, M. F.; Fegan, D. J.; Finley, J. P.; Gaidos, J. A.; Hall, T.; Hillas, A. M.; Krennrich, F.; Lamb, R. C.; Lessard, R. W.; Masterson, C.; McEnery, J. E.; Moriarty, P.; Rodgers, A. J.; Rose, H. J.; Samuelson, F. W.; Sembroski, G. H.; Srinivasan, R.; Vassiliev, V. V.; Weekes, T. C.

1999-06-01

The BL Lacertae object Markarian 501 was identified as a source of γ-ray emission at the Whipple Observatory in 1995 March. Here we present a flux variability analysis on several timescales of the 233 hr data set accumulated over 213 nights (from March 1995 to July 1998) with the Whipple Observatory 10 m atmospheric Cerenkov imaging telescope. In 1995, with the exception of a single night, the flux from Markarian 501 was constant on daily and monthly timescales and had an average flux of only 10% that of the Crab Nebula, making it the weakest very high energy source detected to date. In 1996, the average flux was approximately twice the 1995 flux and showed significant month-to-month variability. No significant day-scale variations were detected. The average γ-ray flux above ~350 GeV in the 1997 observing season rose to 1.4 times that of the Crab Nebula--14 times the 1995 discovery level--allowing a search for variability on timescales shorter than 1 day. Significant hour-scale variability was present in the 1997 data, with the shortest, observed on MJD 50,607, having a doubling time of ~2 hr. In 1998 the average emission level decreased considerably from that of 1997 (to ~20% of the Crab Nebula flux), but two significant flaring events were observed. Thus the emission from Markarian 501 shows large amplitude and rapid flux variability at very high energies, as does Markarian 421. It also shows large mean flux level variations on year-to-year timescales, behavior that has not been seen from Markarian 421 so far.

BL-Lacs in X-Ray Outburst

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Remillard, Ronald A.; Urry, C. Megan; Aharonian, Felix; Pian, Elena; Sambruna, Rita; Coppi, Paolo

2000-01-01

We conducted a multifrequency campaign for the TeV blazar Markarian 421 in 1998 April. The campaign started from a pronounced high-amplitude flare recorded by BeppoSAX and Whipple; the Advanced Satellite for Cosmology and Astrophysics (ASCA) observation started three days later. In the X-ray data, we detected multiple flares, occurring on timescales of about one day. ASCA data clearly reveal spectral variability. The comparison of the data from ASCA, the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer, and the Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer indicates that the variability amplitudes in the low-energy synchrotron component are larger at higher photon energies. In TeV and gamma-rays, large intraday variations-which were correlated with the X-ray flux-were observed when results from three Cerenkov telescopes were combined. The rms variability of TeV and gamma-rays was similar to that observed in hard X-rays, above ten keV. The X-ray light curve reveals flares that are almost symmetric for most cases, implying that the dominant timescale is the light crossing time through the emitting region. The structure function analysis based on the continuous X-ray light curve of seven days indicates that the characteristic timescale is approx. 0.5 days. The analysis of ASCA light curves in various energy bands appears to show both soft (positive) and hard (negative) lags. These may not be real, as systematic effects could also produce these lags, which are all much smaller than an orbit. If the lags of both signs are real, these imply that the particle acceleration and X-ray cooling timescales are similar.

Positive visual phenomena in space: A scientific case and a safety issue in space travel.

PubMed

Sannita, Walter G; Narici, Livio; Picozza, Piergiorgio

2006-07-01

Most astronauts on Apollo, Skylab, and MIR reported 'flashes of light' occurring in different shapes and apparently moving across the visual field, in the absence of auditory, somatosensory, or olfactory abnormal percepts. A temporal correlation with heavy nuclei or protons has been documented in space and comparable phosphenes were observed by volunteers whose eyes were exposed to accelerated heavy ions at intensities below the threshold for Cerenkov visible radiation. An interaction between heavy ions and the retina was suggested. However, the biophysics of heavy ions or protons action remains undefined, the effects on photoreceptors and neuroretina have not been differentiated, and some direct action on the visual cortex never ruled out. Phosphenes are common in migraine and are known to occur also in response to the electrical stimulation of ganglion cells (in retinas without photoreceptors), optic pathways or visual cortex, with mechanisms that bypass the chemically gated channels. Intrinsic photosensitive ganglion cells exist in the retina of teleost fish and mammals. In the hypothesis of a peculiar sensitivity to subatomic particles of the visual system, phosphenes due to the activation of processes by-passing the photoreceptors would raise questions about human safety in space. The issue is particularly relevant with experiments of increasing duration being now operative in the International Space Station (ISS) and with plans of space travel outside the geomagnetic shield. Research is in progress both in the ISS and on animal models, in the framework of the NASA/ESA actions to improve the astronauts' health in space.

Simultaneous Constraints on the Spectrum of the Extragalactic Background Light and the Intrinsic TeV Spectra of Markarian 421, Markarian 501, and H1426+428

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dwek, Eli; Krennrich, Frank

2005-01-01

Very high energy (~TeV) γ-rays from blazars are attenuated by photons from the extragalactic background light (EBL). Observations of blazars can therefore provide an ideal opportunity for determining the EBL intensity if their intrinsic spectrum is known. Conversely, knowledge of the EBL intensity can be used to determine the intrinsic blazar spectrum. Unfortunately, neither the EBL intensity nor the intrinsic blazar spectrum is known with high enough precision to accurately derive one quantity from the other. In this paper we use the most recent data on the EBL to construct 12 different realizations representing all possible permutations between EBL limits and the detections in the different wavelength regions. These realizations explore a significantly larger range of allowable EBL spectra than any previous studies. We show that these realizations can be used to explore the effects of the EBL on the inferred spectra of blazars. Concentrating on the two relatively nearby (z~0.03) blazars Mrk 421 and 501, we derive their intrinsic spectra and peak γ-ray energies for the different EBL realizations. Some EBL spectra give rise to ``unphysical'' intrinsic blazar spectra, characterized by an exponential rise at high TeV energies. We use the F-test to show that some of these exponential rises are statistically insignificant. Consequently, statements regarding the existence of an ``IR background-TeV γ-ray crisis'' are unfounded on the basis of our present knowledge of the EBL. EBL spectra that do give rise to unphysical blazar spectra are regarded as invalid realizations of the EBL. Those that do not thus define new constraints on the EBL spectrum and are used to derive new limits on the intensity and the peak γ-ray energy of these two blazars. In particular, we derive an upper limit of ~15 nW m-2 sr-1 on the 60 μm EBL intensity and find the peak energies of the Mrk 421 and Mrk 501 sources to be very similar, between 0.5-1.2 and 0.8-2.5 TeV, respectively. We also show that the intrinsic spectrum of Mrk 421 during a period of intense flaring activity has a peak energy that seems to shift to higher energies at higher flux states. For the most distant blazar H1426+428 (z=0.129), most EBL realizations give rise to spectra that peak between ~1 and 5 TeV, with some suggesting peaks below 400 GeV and above ~10 TeV. These results provide important constraints on the different particle acceleration mechanisms and the generation of the γ-ray emission. Finally, we also show that uncertainties in the absolute calibration of the γ-ray energies with atmospheric Cerenkov telescopes have an important impact on the intrinsic blazar spectra. These systematic uncertainties will be improved with the next generations of telescopes that will also cover a wider range of γ-ray energies, providing further insights into the intrinsic spectrum of TeV blazars.

The Cosmic-Ray Electron and Positron Spectra Measured at 1 AU during Solar Minimum Activity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boezio, M.; Carlson, P.; Francke, T.; Weber, N.; Suffert, M.; Hof, M.; Menn, W.; Simon, M.; Stephens, S. A.; Bellotti, R.; Cafagna, F.; Castellano, M.; Circella, M.; De Marzo, C.; Finetti, N.; Papini, P.; Piccardi, S.; Spillantini, P.; Ricci, M.; Casolino, M.; De Pascale, M. P.; Morselli, A.; Picozza, P.; Sparvoli, R.; Barbiellini, G.; Bravar, U.; Schiavon, P.; Vacchi, A.; Zampa, N.; Grimani, C.; Mitchell, J. W.; Ormes, J. F.; Streitmatter, R. E.; Golden, R. L.; Stochaj, S. J.

2000-03-01

We report on a new measurement of the cosmic-ray electron and positron spectra. The data were collected by the balloon-borne experiment CAPRICE94, which was flown from Lynn Lake, Canada, on 1994 August 8-9 at an altitude corresponding to 3.9 g cm-2 of average residual atmosphere. The experiment used the NMSU-WIZARD/CAPRICE94 balloon-borne magnet spectrometer equipped with a solid radiator Ring Imaging Cerenkov (RICH) detector, a time-of-flight system, a tracking device consisting of drift chambers and multiwire proportional chambers, and a silicon-tungsten calorimeter. This was the first time a RICH detector was used together with an imaging calorimeter in a balloon-borne experiment. A total of 3211 electrons, with a rigidity at the spectrometer between 0.3 and 30 GV, and 734 positrons, between 0.3 and 10 GV, were identified with small backgrounds from other particles. The absolute energy spectra were determined in the energy region at the top of the atmosphere between 0.46 and 43.6 GeV for electrons and between 0.46 and 14.6 GeV for positrons. We found that the observed positron spectrum and the positron fraction are consistent with a pure secondary origin. A comparison of the theoretically predicted interstellar spectrum of electrons shows that the injection spectrum of primary electrons is steeper than that of the nucleonic components of cosmic rays. Furthermore, the observed electron and positron spectra can be reproduced from the interstellar spectra by a spherically symmetric model for solar modulation; hence, the modulation is independent of the sign of the particle charge.

A CBLT and MCST capable VME slave interface

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wuerthwein, F.; Strohman, C.; Honscheid, K.

1996-12-31

We report on the development of a VME slave interface for the CLEO III detector implemented in an ALTERA EPM7256 CPLD. This includes the first implementation of the chained block transfer protocol (CBLT) and multi-cast cycles (MCST) as defined by the VME-P task group of VIPA. Within VME64 there is no operation that guarantees efficient readout of large blocks of data that are sparsely distributed among a series of slave modules in a VME crate. This has led the VME-P task group of VIPA to specify protocols that enable a master to address many slaves at a single address. Whichmore » slave is to drive the data bus is determined by a token passing mechanism that uses the *IACKOUT, *IACKIN daisy chain. This protocol requires no special features from the master besides conformance to VME64. Non-standard features are restricted to the VME slave interface. The CLEO III detector comprises {approximately}400,000 electronic channels that have to be digitized, sparsified, and stored within 20{mu}s in order to incur less than 2% dead time at an anticipated trigger rate of 1000Hz. 95% of these channels are accounted for by only two detector subsystems, the silicon microstrip detector (125,000 channels), and the ring imaging Cerenkov detector (RICH) (230,400 channels). After sparsification either of these two detector subsystems is expected to provide event fragments on the order of 10KBytes, spread over 4, and 8 VME crates, respectively. We developed a chip set that sparsifies, tags, and stores the incoming digital data on the data boards, and includes a VME slave interface that implements MCST and CUT protocols. In this poster, we briefly describe this chip set and then discuss the VME slave interface in detail.« less

Axisymmetric charge-conservative electromagnetic particle simulation algorithm on unstructured grids: Application to microwave vacuum electronic devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Na, Dong-Yeop; Omelchenko, Yuri A.; Moon, Haksu; Borges, Ben-Hur V.; Teixeira, Fernando L.

2017-10-01

We present a charge-conservative electromagnetic particle-in-cell (EM-PIC) algorithm optimized for the analysis of vacuum electronic devices (VEDs) with cylindrical symmetry (axisymmetry). We exploit the axisymmetry present in the device geometry, fields, and sources to reduce the dimensionality of the problem from 3D to 2D. Further, we employ 'transformation optics' principles to map the original problem in polar coordinates with metric tensor diag (1 ,ρ2 , 1) to an equivalent problem on a Cartesian metric tensor diag (1 , 1 , 1) with an effective (artificial) inhomogeneous medium introduced. The resulting problem in the meridian (ρz) plane is discretized using an unstructured 2D mesh considering TEϕ-polarized fields. Electromagnetic field and source (node-based charges and edge-based currents) variables are expressed as differential forms of various degrees, and discretized using Whitney forms. Using leapfrog time integration, we obtain a mixed E - B finite-element time-domain scheme for the full-discrete Maxwell's equations. We achieve a local and explicit time update for the field equations by employing the sparse approximate inverse (SPAI) algorithm. Interpolating field values to particles' positions for solving Newton-Lorentz equations of motion is also done via Whitney forms. Particles are advanced using the Boris algorithm with relativistic correction. A recently introduced charge-conserving scatter scheme tailored for 2D unstructured grids is used in the scatter step. The algorithm is validated considering cylindrical cavity and space-charge-limited cylindrical diode problems. We use the algorithm to investigate the physical performance of VEDs designed to harness particle bunching effects arising from the coherent (resonance) Cerenkov electron beam interactions within micro-machined slow wave structures.

78 FR 44592 - Final General Management Plan, Final Wilderness Study, and Final Environmental Impact Statement...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-07-24

... General Management Plan and Wilderness Study (Final EIS/GMP/WS) for Fort Pulaski National Monument... national monument, the Final EIS/GMP/WS will guide the management of the national monument over the next 20... publication of the Environmental Protection Agency's Notice of Availability of the Final EIS/GMP/WS in the...

Inorganic scintillation detectors based on Eu-activated phosphors for 192Ir brachytherapy

PubMed Central

Kertzscher, Gustavo; Beddar, Sam

2017-01-01

The availability of real-time treatment verification during high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy is currently limited. Therefore, we studied the luminescence properties of the widely commercially available scintillators using the inorganic materials Eu-activated phosphors Y2O3:Eu, YVO4:Eu, Y2O2S:Eu, and Gd2O2S:Eu to determine whether they could be used to accurately and precisely verify HDR brachytherapy doses in real time. The suitability for HDR brachytherapy of inorganic scintillation detectors (ISDs) based on the 4 Eu-activated phosphors in powder form was determined based on experiments with a 192Ir HDR brachytherapy source. The scintillation intensities of the phosphors were 16 to 134 times greater than that of the commonly used organic plastic scintillator BCF-12. High signal intensities were achieved with an optimized packing density of the phosphor mixture and with a shortened fiber-optic cable. The influence of contaminating Cerenkov and fluorescence light induced in the fiber-optic cable (stem signal) was adequately suppressed by inserting between the fiber-optic cable and the photodetector a 25-nm band-pass filter centered at the emission peak. The spurious photoluminescence signal induced by the stem signal was suppressed by placing a long-pass filter between the scintillation detector volume and the fiber-optic cable. The time-dependent luminescence properties of the phosphors were quantified by measuring the non-constant scintillation during irradiation and the afterglow after the brachytherapy source had retracted. We demonstrated that a mixture of Y2O3:Eu and YVO4:Eu suppressed the time-dependence of the ISDs and that the time-dependence of Y2O2S:Eu and Gd2O2S:Eu introduced large measurement inaccuracies. We conclude that ISDs based on a mixture of Y2O3:Eu and YVO4:Eu are promising candidates for accurate and precise real-time verification technology for HDR BT that is cost effective and straightforward to manufacture. Widespread dissemination of this technology could lead to an improved understanding of error types and frequencies during BT and to improved patient safety during treatment. PMID:28475494

Pioneer 10 and 11 Data Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fillius, Walker

1997-01-01

This report finishes the work of NASA Grant NAS2-153, which supported data analysis for the UCSD instruments on Pioneers 10 and 11. The data analyzed under this grant span 22 years of interplanetary measurements in the inner and outer heliosphere. The UCSD instruments made their mark in cosmic ray research based upon their high energy thresholds, directional responses, and reliable data streams. one of their primary scientific objectives concerns the size, configuration, and time behavior of the heliosphere. The size scale is inferred from the radial intensity gradient, which is measured between the two spacecraft and extrapolated to interstellar intensity levels at the cosmic ray modulation boundary. This boundary still eludes us, and its position, motion, and the best method of extrapolation are ongoing problems. Current projections place the boundary beyond 100 AU, which may be beyond the termination shock, and raises the question of possible modulation in the heliosheath. Probably our only hope of seeing this region in the immediate future rides on the possibility that the boundary will move inward. Our instruments have recorded many Forbush, or transient, decreases in the outer heliosphere. These observations led us to a model that attributes many of the decreases to solar wind stream-stream interactions, and relates the cosmic ray variations to the locally observed magnetic field magnitude. As the cosmic ray variations in this model result only from topological changes in the modulation integral, the model is a tool for studying the possibility that the 11 year cosmic ray modulation cycle can be accounted for by a superposition of Forbush decreases. The cosmic ray angular distribution function is measurable, given a good telemetry rate, by the UCSD Cerenkov detector which counts particles of energy greater than 500 MeV/n. We obtained statistically significant samples from 1 to 9 AU, at 13 AU, and at 34 AU. The anisotropy tends to be a few tenths of a per cent at all radial distances. A quasiperiodic variation in the east-west anisotropy with period of about 50 days remains unexplained.

Inorganic scintillation detectors based on Eu-activated phosphors for 192Ir brachytherapy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kertzscher, Gustavo; Beddar, Sam

2017-06-01

The availability of real-time treatment verification during high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy is currently limited. Therefore, we studied the luminescence properties of the widely commercially available scintillators using the inorganic materials Eu-activated phosphors Y2O3:Eu, YVO4:Eu, Y2O2S:Eu, and Gd2O2S:Eu to determine whether they could be used to accurately and precisely verify HDR brachytherapy doses in real time. The suitability for HDR brachytherapy of inorganic scintillation detectors (ISDs) based on the 4 Eu-activated phosphors in powder form was determined based on experiments with a 192Ir HDR brachytherapy source. The scintillation intensities of the phosphors were 16-134 times greater than that of the commonly used organic plastic scintillator BCF-12. High signal intensities were achieved with an optimized packing density of the phosphor mixture and with a shortened fiber-optic cable. The influence of contaminating Cerenkov and fluorescence light induced in the fiber-optic cable (stem signal) was adequately suppressed by inserting between the fiber-optic cable and the photodetector a 25 nm band-pass filter centered at the emission peak. The spurious photoluminescence signal induced by the stem signal was suppressed by placing a long-pass filter between the scintillation detector volume and the fiber-optic cable. The time-dependent luminescence properties of the phosphors were quantified by measuring the non-constant scintillation during irradiation and the afterglow after the brachytherapy source had retracted. We demonstrated that a mixture of Y2O3:Eu and YVO4:Eu suppressed the time-dependence of the ISDs and that the time-dependence of Y2O2S:Eu and Gd2O2S:Eu introduced large measurement inaccuracies. We conclude that ISDs based on a mixture of Y2O3:Eu and YVO4:Eu are promising candidates for accurate and precise real-time verification technology for HDR BT that is cost effective and straightforward to manufacture. Widespread dissemination of this technology could lead to an improved understanding of error types and frequencies during BT and to improved patient safety during treatment.

The Aerogel Čerenkov detector for the SHMS magnetic spectrometer in Hall C at Jefferson Lab

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Horn, T.; Mkrtchyan, H.; Ali, S.; Asaturyan, A.; Carmignotto, M.; Dittmann, A.; Dutta, D.; Ent, R.; Hlavin, N.; Illieva, Y.; Mkrtchyan, A.; Nadel-Turonski, P.; Pegg, I.; Ramos, A.; Reinhold, J.; Sapkota, I.; Tadevosyan, V.; Zhamkochyan, S.; Wood, S. A.

2017-01-01

Hadronic reactions producing strange quarks such as the exclusive p (e , e ‧K+) Λ and p (e , e ‧K+)Σ0 reactions, or the semi-inclusive p (e , e ‧K+) X reaction, play an important role in studies of hadron structure and the dynamics that bind the most basic elements of nuclear physics. The small-angle capability of the new Super High Momentum Spectrometer (SHMS) in Hall C, coupled with its high momentum reach - up to the anticipated 11-GeV beam energy in Hall C - and coincidence capability with the well-understood High Momentum Spectrometer (HMS), will allow for probes of such hadron structure involving strangeness down to the smallest distance scales to date. To cleanly select the kaons, a threshold aerogel Cerenkov detector has been constructed for the SHMS. The detector consists of an aerogel tray followed by a diffusion box. Four trays for aerogel of nominal refractive indices of n=1.030, 1.020, 1.015 and 1.011 were constructed. The tray combination will allow for identification of kaons from 1 GeV/c up to 7.2 GeV/c, reaching ∼10-2 proton and 10-3 pion rejection, with kaon detection efficiency better than 95%. The diffusion box of the detector is equipped with 14 five-inch diameter photomultiplier tubes. Its interior walls are covered with Gore diffusive reflector, which is superior to the commonly used Millipore paper and improved the detector performance by 35%. The inner surface of the two aerogel trays with higher refractive index is covered with Millipore paper, however, those two trays with lower aerogel refractive index are again covered with Gore diffusive reflector for higher performance. The measured mean number of photoelectrons in saturation is ∼12 for n=1.030, ∼8 for n=1.020, ∼10 for n=1.015, and ∼5.5 for n=1.011. The design details, the results of component characterization, and initial performance tests and optimization of the detector are presented.

76 FR 71601 - Record of Decision, Long Walk National Historic Trail Feasibility Study/Abbreviated Final...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-11-18

... National Historic Trail Feasibility Study/Abbreviated Final Environmental Impact Statement, National Trails... Decision on the Abbreviated Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Long Walk National Historic Trail... Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Long Walk National Historic Trail Feasibility Study...

Benefits of an automated GLP final report preparation software solution.

PubMed

Elvebak, Larry E

2011-07-01

The final product of analytical laboratories performing US FDA-regulated (or GLP) method validation and bioanalysis studies is the final report. Although there are commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) software/instrument systems available to laboratory managers to automate and manage almost every aspect of the instrumental and sample-handling processes of GLP studies, there are few software systems available to fully manage the GLP final report preparation process. This lack of appropriate COTS tools results in the implementation of rather Byzantine and manual processes to cobble together all the information needed to generate a GLP final report. The manual nature of these processes results in the need for several iterative quality control and quality assurance events to ensure data accuracy and report formatting. The industry is in need of a COTS solution that gives laboratory managers and study directors the ability to manage as many portions as possible of the GLP final report writing process and the ability to generate a GLP final report with the click of a button. This article describes the COTS software features needed to give laboratory managers and study directors such a solution.

Verb-Final Typology

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ogihara, Saeko

2010-01-01

This dissertation is a typological study of verb-final languages, the purpose of which is to examine various grammatical phenomena in verb-final languages to discover whether there are correlations between the final position of the verb and other aspects of grammar. It examines how finality of the verb interacts with argument coding in simple…

Tests Enhance the Transfer of Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rohrer, Doug; Taylor, Kelli; Sholar, Brandon

2010-01-01

Numerous learning studies have shown that if the period of time devoted to studying information (e.g., casa-house) includes at least 1 test (casa-?), performance on a final test is improved--a finding known as the "testing effect". In most of these studies, however, the final test is identical to the initial test. If the final test…

Predictors of performance of students in biochemistry in a doctor of chiropractic curriculum.

PubMed

Shaw, Kathy; Rabatsky, Ali; Dishman, Veronica; Meseke, Christopher

2014-01-01

Objective : This study investigated the effect of completion of course prerequisites, undergraduate grade point average (GPA), undergraduate degree, and study habits on the performance of students in the biochemistry course at Palmer College of Chiropractic Florida. Methods : Students self-reported information regarding academic preparation at the beginning of the semester using a questionnaire. Final exam grade and final course grade were noted and used as measures of performance. Multivariate analysis of variance was used to determine if number of prerequisites completed, undergraduate GPA, undergraduate degree, hours spent studying in undergraduate study, and hours spent studying in the first quarter of the chiropractic program were associated significantly with the biochemistry final exam grade or the final grade for the biochemistry course. Results : The number of prerequisites completed, undergraduate degree, hours spent studying in undergraduate study, and hours spent studying in the first quarter of the chiropractic program did not significantly affect the biochemistry final exam grade or the final grade for the biochemistry course, but undergraduate GPA did. Subsequent univariate analysis and Tukey's post hoc comparisons revealed that students with an undergraduate GPA in the 3.5 to 3.99 range earned significantly higher final course grades than students with an undergraduate GPA in the 2.5 to 2.99 range. Conclusion : No single variable was determined to be a factor that determines student success in biochemistry. The interrelationship between the factors examined warrants further investigation to understand fully how to predict the success of a student in the biochemistry course.

Limiting Superluminal Electron and Neutrino Velocities Using the 2010 Crab Nebula Flare and the IceCube PeV Neutrino Events

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stecker, Floyd W.

2014-01-01

The observation of two PetaelectronVolt (PeV)-scale neutrino events reported by Ice Cube allows one to place constraints on Lorentz invariance violation (LIV) in the neutrino sector. After first arguing that at least one of the PetaelectronVolt IceCube events was of extragalactic origin, I derive an upper limit for the difference between putative superluminal neutrino and electron velocities of less than or equal to approximately 5.6 x 10(exp -19) in units where c = 1, confirming that the observed PetaelectronVolt neutrinos could have reached Earth from extragalactic sources. I further derive a new constraint on the superluminal electron velocity, obtained from the observation of synchrotron radiation from the Crab Nebula flare of September, 2010. The inference that the greater than 1 GigaelectronVolt gamma-rays from synchrotron emission in the flare were produced by electrons of energy up to approx. 5.1 PetaelectronVolt indicates the nonoccurrence of vacuum Cerenkov radiation by these electrons. This implies a new, strong constraint on superluminal electron velocities delta(sub e) less than or equal to approximately 5 x 10(exp -21). It immediately follows that one then obtains an upper limit on the superluminal neutrino velocity alone of delta(sub v) less than or equal to approximately 5.6 x 10(exp -19), many orders of magnitude better than the time-of-flight constraint from the SN1987A neutrino burst. However, if the electrons are subluminal the constraint on the absolute value of delta(sub e) less than or equal to approximately 8 x 10(exp -17), obtained from the Crab Nebula gamma-ray spectrum, places a weaker constraint on superluminal neutrino velocity of delta(sub v) less than or equal to approximately 8 x 10(exp -17).

Observations of TeV Gamma Rays from Supernova Remnants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Buckley, James H.

1994-12-01

Measurements of the gamma ray flux from a number of supernova remnants (SNRs) at energies above 250 GeV have been made with the Whipple Imaging air \\v Cerenkov detector. Observation of the gamma ray emission of SNRs at energies above 1 GeV should provide a sensitive test of shock acceleration models of particle acceleration in SNRs. Gamma-ray luminosities of supernova remnants are well constrained by the observed supernova rate and the cosmic ray flux if supernovae are indeed the source of cosmic rays. Drury et al. (Astron. Astrophys. 287, 959 (1994)) predict that the luminosity of nearby Sedov-phase SNRs should be observable by the Whipple telescope. In this model, diffusive shock acceleration produces energetic charged particles which interact with the ambient medium forming gamma rays. There is an indication that a number of unidentified EGRET sources may correspond to supernova remnants (G. Kanbach, private communication), although at these energies (>100 MeV) the diffuse background is somewhat uncertain. Measurements of the gamma-ray flux with the Whipple instrument have a similar sensitivity to the EGRET detector for a source spectral index of 2.15, and less sensitivity to diffuse background. A number of observations of SNRs including: Tycho, W66, IC443, and others have been made. Currently for Tycho an upper limit of 9times 10(-12) cm(-2) sec(-1) is obtained. The status of these observations will be presented, and it will be shown that these measurements combined with the EGRET observations are beginning to provide a useful constraint on models of cosmic ray origin. Gamma-ray observations may also be used to constrain models of particle acceleration in SNRs exhibiting pulser-powered synchrotron nebula (plerions). The status of observations of this class of objects, including the Crab nebula, will also be presented. Supported in part by the U.S. Dept. of Energy.

A systematic characterization of the low-energy photon response of plastic scintillation detectors.

PubMed

Boivin, Jonathan; Beddar, Sam; Bonde, Chris; Schmidt, Daniel; Culberson, Wesley; Guillemette, Maxime; Beaulieu, Luc

2016-08-07

To characterize the low energy behavior of scintillating materials used in plastic scintillation detectors (PSDs), 3 PSDs were developed using polystyrene-based scintillating materials emitting in different wavelengths. These detectors were exposed to National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)-matched low-energy beams ranging from 20 kVp to 250 kVp, and to (137)Cs and (60)Co beams. The dose in polystyrene was compared to the dose in air measured by NIST-calibrated ionization chambers at the same location. Analysis of every beam quality spectrum was used to extract the beam parameters and the effective mass energy-absorption coefficient. Monte Carlo simulations were also performed to calculate the energy absorbed in the scintillators' volume. The scintillators' expected response was then compared to the experimental measurements and an energy-dependent correction factor was identified to account for low-energy quenching in the scintillators. The empirical Birks model was then compared to these values to verify its validity for low-energy electrons. The clear optical fiber response was below 0.2% of the scintillator's light for x-ray beams, indicating that a negligible amount of fluorescence contamination was produced. However, for higher-energy beams ((137)Cs and (60)Co), the scintillators' response was corrected for the Cerenkov stem effect. The scintillators' response increased by a factor of approximately 4 from a 20 kVp to a (60)Co beam. The decrease in sensitivity from ionization quenching reached a local minimum of about [Formula: see text] between 40 keV and 60 keV x-ray beam mean energy, but dropped by 20% for very low-energy (13 keV) beams. The Birks model may be used to fit the experimental data, but it must take into account the energy dependence of the kB quenching parameter. A detailed comprehension of intrinsic scintillator response is essential for proper calibration of PSD dosimeters for radiology.

A systematic characterization of the low-energy photon response of plastic scintillation detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boivin, Jonathan; Beddar, Sam; Bonde, Chris; Schmidt, Daniel; Culberson, Wesley; Guillemette, Maxime; Beaulieu, Luc

2016-08-01

To characterize the low energy behavior of scintillating materials used in plastic scintillation detectors (PSDs), 3 PSDs were developed using polystyrene-based scintillating materials emitting in different wavelengths. These detectors were exposed to National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)-matched low-energy beams ranging from 20 kVp to 250 kVp, and to 137Cs and 60Co beams. The dose in polystyrene was compared to the dose in air measured by NIST-calibrated ionization chambers at the same location. Analysis of every beam quality spectrum was used to extract the beam parameters and the effective mass energy-absorption coefficient. Monte Carlo simulations were also performed to calculate the energy absorbed in the scintillators’ volume. The scintillators’ expected response was then compared to the experimental measurements and an energy-dependent correction factor was identified to account for low-energy quenching in the scintillators. The empirical Birks model was then compared to these values to verify its validity for low-energy electrons. The clear optical fiber response was below 0.2% of the scintillator’s light for x-ray beams, indicating that a negligible amount of fluorescence contamination was produced. However, for higher-energy beams (137Cs and 60Co), the scintillators’ response was corrected for the Cerenkov stem effect. The scintillators’ response increased by a factor of approximately 4 from a 20 kVp to a 60Co beam. The decrease in sensitivity from ionization quenching reached a local minimum of about 11%+/- 1% between 40 keV and 60 keV x-ray beam mean energy, but dropped by 20% for very low-energy (13 keV) beams. The Birks model may be used to fit the experimental data, but it must take into account the energy dependence of the kB quenching parameter. A detailed comprehension of intrinsic scintillator response is essential for proper calibration of PSD dosimeters for radiology.

a Study of Charged d* Mesons Produced in Electron - Annihilation at Center-Of Energy = 29 GEV

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamamoto, Hitoshi

Charged D* mesons produced in e('+)e('-) annihilation at a center- of-mass energy of 29 GeV have been studied with the DELCO detec- tor at the PEP storage ring. The selection criteria of D* candidates exploit the (pi)/K separation capability in the momentum range from 2.6 GeV/c to 9.2 GeV/c provided by the gas Cerenkov counter. The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 147 pb(' -1). We have measured the total production cross section of D*('(+OR-)) to be 0.16 (+OR-) 0.02(statistical) (+OR -) 0.02(systematic) nb x (TBOND) P(,D*)/(E(,beam)('2) - M(,D*)('2))(' 1/2) > 0.35 , and (0.18 (+OR-) 0.02 (+OR -) 0.03) nb (x > 0) if the contribution from bottom quarks is subtracted. The branching fractions used are Br(D*('+) (--->) D('0)(pi)('+)) = 64% and Br(D('0) (--->) K('-)(pi)('+)) = 3%. The systematic errors due to the branching ratios are not included in the errors. With Br(D('0) (--->) K(' -)(pi)('+)) = 4.9%, which is a recent measurement by the MARK III group, the above two cross sections become 0.10 (+OR-) 0.02 (+OR-) 0.02 nb (x > 0.35) and 0.11 (+OR-) 0.02 (+OR-) 0.02 nb (x > 0 and after the sub- traction of the contribution from b quarks). The charm fragmentation function is harder than that for light quarks, and the shape is found to be consistent with the prediction of the string model with a uniform string-breaking probability. Assuming the string model, the string-breaking probability is determined to be (0.019 (+OR-) 0.05 (+OR-) 0.09) GeV/c('2). We have also determined the lifetime of D('0) meson which is detec- ted in the D* decay, with the result. (DIAGRAM, TABLE OR GRAPHIC OMITTED...PLEASE SEE DAI). Together with the semileptonic branching fraction of D('0) measured elsewhere, the semileptonic decay rate of D('0) is estimated to be (1.4 (+OR-) 0.5) x 10('11) sec('-1), which corresponds to an effective charm quark mass of (1.54 (+OR-) 0.12) GeV/c('2). Using part of the D* candidates, we have set an upper limit on D('0)-(')D('0) mixing: r (TBOND) P(D('0) (--->) (')D('0)/P(D('0) (--->) D('0) or (')D('0)) < 8.3% (90% c.l.), leading to a stringent limit on charm-changing neutral currents.

SU-E-T-526: On the Linearity, Stability and Beam Energy Dependence of CdSe Quantum Dots as Scintillating Probes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Delage, M-E; Centre Hospitalier Universityde Quebec, Quebec, QC; Lecavalier, M-E

2014-06-01

Purpose: Structure and energy transfer mechanisms confer colloidal quantum dots (cQDs) interesting properties, among them their potential as scintillators. CdSe multi-shell cQDs in powder were investigated under photons irradiation. The purpose of this work is to characterize signal to dose linearity, stability with time and to quantify the dependence of their light output with beam energy. Methods: The cQDs are placed at the extremity of a non-scintillating plastic collecting fiber, with the other extremity connected to an Apogee U2000C CCD camera. The CCD camera collects the fluorescence light from irradiated cQDs from which the delivered dose is extracted. This signalmore » is corrected for Cerenkov contamination at MV energies using the chromatic technique. The detector was irradiated with two devices: Xstrahl 200 orthovoltage unit for 120, 180 and 220 kVp and a Varian Clinac iX for 6 and 23 MV. Results: Linear output response with varying dose is observed for all beam energies with R2 factors > 0,999. Reproducibility measurements were performed at 120 kVp: the same set-up was irradiated at different time intervals (one week and three months). The results showed only a small relative decrease of light output of 3,2 % after a combine deposited dose of approximately 95 Gy. CdSe nanocrystals response has been studied as a function of beam energy. The output increases with decreasing energy from 120 kVp to 6 MV and increase again for 23 MV. This behavior could be explained in part by the cQDs high-Z composition. Conclusion: The fluorescence light output of CdSe cQDs was found to be linear as a function of dose. The results suggest stability of the scintillation output of cQDs over time. The specific composition of cQDs is the main cause of the observed energy dependence. We will further look into particle beam dependence of the cQDs. Bourse d'excellence aux etudes graduees du CRC (Centre de Recherche sur le Cancer, Universite Laval) Bourse d'excellence aux etudes graduees du CRC (Centre de Recherche sur le Cancer, Universite Laval)« less

Perceived stress at transition to workplace: a qualitative interview study exploring final-year medical students’ needs

PubMed Central

Moczko, Tobias R; Bugaj, Till J; Herzog, Wolfgang; Nikendei, Christoph

2016-01-01

Objectives This study was designed to explore final-year medical students’ stressors and coping strategies at the transition to the clinical workplace. Methods In this qualitative study, semi-standardized interviews with eight final-year medical students (five male, three female; aged 25.9±1.4 years) were conducted during their internal medicine rotation. After verbatim transcription, a qualitative content analysis of students’ impressions of stress provoking and easing factors during final-year education was performed. Results Students’ statements regarding burdens and dealing with stress were classified into four main categories: A) perceived stressors and provoking factors, B) stress-induced consequences, C) personal and external resources for preventing and dealing with stress, and D) final-year students’ suggestions for workplace improvement. Conclusion Final-year medical students perceived different types of stress during their transition to medical wards, and reported both negative consequences and coping resources concerning perceived stress. As supervision, feedback, and coping strategies played an important role in the students’ perception of stress, final-year medical education curricula development should focus on these specifically. PMID:26834503

Potential sources of variation that influence the final moisture content of kiln-dried hardwood lumber

Treesearch

Hongmei Gu; Timothy M. Young; William W. Moschler; Brian H. Bond

2004-01-01

Excessive variability in the final moisture content (MC) of hardwood lumber may have a significant impact on secondary wood processing and final product performance. Sources of final MC variation during kiln- drying have been studied in prior research. A test examining the final MC of red oak (Quercus spp.) and yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) lumber after kiln-...

49 CFR 268.21 - Down-selection of one or more Maglev projects for further study and selection of one project for...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... further study and selection of one project for final design, engineering, and construction funding. 268.21... and selection of one project for final design, engineering, and construction funding. (a) Upon... analyses necessary prior to initiation of construction. Final design and engineering work will also be...

49 CFR 268.21 - Down-selection of one or more Maglev projects for further study and selection of one project for...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... further study and selection of one project for final design, engineering, and construction funding. 268.21... and selection of one project for final design, engineering, and construction funding. (a) Upon... analyses necessary prior to initiation of construction. Final design and engineering work will also be...

49 CFR 268.21 - Down-selection of one or more Maglev projects for further study and selection of one project for...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... further study and selection of one project for final design, engineering, and construction funding. 268.21... and selection of one project for final design, engineering, and construction funding. (a) Upon... analyses necessary prior to initiation of construction. Final design and engineering work will also be...

49 CFR 268.21 - Down-selection of one or more Maglev projects for further study and selection of one project for...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... further study and selection of one project for final design, engineering, and construction funding. 268.21... and selection of one project for final design, engineering, and construction funding. (a) Upon... analyses necessary prior to initiation of construction. Final design and engineering work will also be...

49 CFR 268.21 - Down-selection of one or more Maglev projects for further study and selection of one project for...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... further study and selection of one project for final design, engineering, and construction funding. 268.21... and selection of one project for final design, engineering, and construction funding. (a) Upon... analyses necessary prior to initiation of construction. Final design and engineering work will also be...

Autism in Virginia: A Statewide Study. Summary. [and] A Study of Statewide Services for Persons with Autism in Virginia. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bauserman, Deborah; And Others

The two documents combined here both pertain to the same 18 month study of autism in the state of Virginia. "Autism in Virginia" is a six page summary of the 250 page final report; it is intended for parents and professionals needing to get at the highlights of the larger document. The final report presents detailed findings from a study…

Analyzing the impacts of final demand changes on total output using input-output approach: The case of Japanese ICT sectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zuhdi, Ubaidillah

2014-03-01

The purpose of this study is to analyze the impacts of final demand changes on total output of Japanese Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) sectors in future time. This study employs one of analysis tool in Input-Output (IO) analysis, demand-pull IO quantity model, in achieving the purpose. There are three final demand changes used in this study, namely (1) export, (2) import, and (3) outside households consumption changes. This study focuses on "pure change" condition, the condition that final demand changes only appear in analyzed sectors. The results show that export and outside households consumption modifications give positive impact while opposite impact could be seen in import change.

Studies on the Inhalation Toxicity of Dyes Present in Colored Smoke Munitions. Phase III, Studies: Four-Week Inhalation Exposures of Rats to Dye Aerosols.

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-09-10

0") AD STUDIES ON THE INHALATION TOXICITY CO• OF DYES PRESENT IN COLORED Ln SMOKE MUNIlIONS U FINAL REPORT FOR PHASE III STUDIES : SFOUR- ELK...3 RECIIEPIT’S CATA6.0G NUMBE.• 4. TITLE (and ,ubiltI.e) S. TYPE OF REPORT & PERIOD COygC r., Studies on the Inhalation Toxicity of Dyes Final: Phase...III Present in Colored Smoke Munitions. Final Report Fh for Phase 111 Studies : FoLr-Week Inhalation G. PERFORMING ORO. REPORT N,’,ER Exposures of Rats

Final Draft Feedback in First-Year Composition: A Case Study of Non-Native English Speaking Students in North America

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nash, J. Gail

2012-01-01

Scope and Methods: This dissertation examines final draft feedback in a semester long first-year composition class consisting of both native and non-native speakers of English (NES & NNES) attending university. In addition to examining the teacher's commentary on final drafts and the students' responses to it, this study investigated effects…

Do substantial BMI reduction episodes among Swedish schoolchildren have any impact on their final height?

PubMed

Nilsen, Bente B; Yngve, Agneta; Werner, Bo

2018-07-01

This study investigated whether substantial body mass index (BMI) reductions in Swedish schoolchildren aged seven years to 19 years, caused by disease, healthy or unhealthy behaviour, had any impact on their final height. We used height and weight data on 6572 subjects from two nationally representative longitudinal samples of Swedish children born in 1973 and 1981. These provided information on their final height and any BMI reduction episodes. Of the 6572 subjects (50.9% boys), among individuals with information on final height, 1118 had a BMI reduction of 5% and <10%, and 346 had at least one substantial BMI reduction of 10% or more. On a group level, there was no statistically significant difference in the final height of individuals with BMI reductions of 10% or more and those without. The findings were independent of age and the subject's BMI at the start of the reduction episode. However, there were a number of cases where a substantial BMI reduction probably had an impact on the subject's final height. Our study found no evidence that a substantial BMI reduction had any impact on final height on a group level, but further analyses of specific case studies are necessary to determine whether substantial BMI reduction might have an impact on final height. ©2018 Foundation Acta Paediatrica. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

[DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT STRATEGY IN FOLLICULAR TUMOR OF THYROID GLAND].

PubMed

Mikhaĭlova, M V; Zubarovskiĭ, I N; Osipenko, S K

2015-01-01

The article is based on the treatment results of 44 patients with follicular tunor of thyroid gland. A staged morphological assessment of thyroid nodes was performed for all patients: in case of preoperative fine-needle biopsy, urgent intraoperative study and according to results of final histological research. The urgent histological study of surgical material was conducted for 44 patients with diagnosis "follicular tumor" according to fine-needle biopsy. The data of final histological study were matched with findings of intraoperative research. A micro-follicular adenoma was detected in 22 patients (50%) and 6 (13,6%) patients had this diagnosis combined with autoimmune thyroiditis. The general part of patients didn't changed in final study, but the rate of diagnosis "micro-follicular adenoma against the background of autoimmune thyroiditis" increased. Papillary carcinoma was revealed in 5 (11,4%) patients and follicular cancer had 4 (9,1%) patients detected in intraoperative study and 3 (6,8%) more patients according to data of final research. The histopathologic feature of colloid goiter was observed in 7 (15,9%) cases and a part of such patients reduced to 6,8% during final study. One of the patients (2,3%) had final diagnosis "oncocytoma". In case of thyroid nodules detection the needle biopsy should be carried out regardless to the size of nodule. The authors recommended performing the surgery with the urgent histological study in case of undetermined histological report. The following surgical strategy was specified by the results of the urgent histological report.

Seattle To Portland Inter-City ITS Corridor Study And Communications Plan, Final Report

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1996-03-01

THIS DOCUMENT IS THE FINAL REPORT PRESENTING THE SEATTLE TO PORTLAND INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM (ITS) EARLY DEPLOYMENT PLAN. THE FINAL REPORT SYNTHESIZES INFORMATION FROM TECHNICAL MEMORANDUMS 1 THROUGH 5; INCLUDING EXISTING AND FUTURE CONDITI...

Long Term Deck Deterioration : final report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1990-09-01

In May of 1981 the Oregon State Highway Division was asked by the Federal Highway Administration to participate in a long term deck deterioration study. The study, an extension of an earlier study was finalized in 1979, was to run through 1990. Revie...

Orange County Intelligent Vehicle/Highway Systems Study, Draft Final Report

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1993-06-01

THIS DOCUMENT REPRESENTS THE FINAL REPORT FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY INTELLIGENT VEHICLE-HIGHWAY SYSTEMS (IVHS) STUDY, PREPARED FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (OCTA). THE PURPOSE OF THIS REPORT IS TO DOCUMENT THE FINDINGS OF THE IVHS STUDY...

Boys with a simple delayed puberty reach their target height.

PubMed

Cools, B L M; Rooman, R; Op De Beeck, L; Du Caju, M V L

2008-01-01

Final height in boys with delayed puberty is thought to be below target height. This conclusion, however, is based on studies that included patients with genetic short stature. We therefore studied final height in a group of 33 untreated boys with delayed puberty with a target height >-1.5 SDS. Standing height, sitting height, weight and arm span width were measured in each patient. Final height was predicted by the method of Greulich and Pyle using the tables of Bailey and Pinneau for retarded boys at their bone age (PAH1) and the tables of Bailey and Pinneau for average boys plus six months (PAH2). Mean final height (175.8 +/- 6.5 cm) was appropriate for the mean target height (174.7 +/- 4.5 cm). The prediction method of Bailey and Pinneau overestimated the final height by 1.4 cm and the modified prediction method slightly underestimated the final height (-0.15 cm). Boys with untreated delayed puberty reach a final height appropriate for their target height. Final height was best predicted by the method of Bailey and Pinneau using the tables for average boys at their bone age plus six months. Copyright 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.

1979 Special Report on the NIE Compensatory Education Study.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Advisory Council on the Education of Disadvantaged Children, Washington, DC.

This document examines the National Institute of Education's (NIE) Final Report on its study of compensatory education. Objectives of the NIE study and strategies used by NIE to accomplish these objectives are summarized. The five main chapters of the Final Report dealing respectively with demonstration studies, teacher training, the Instructional…

Enabling Logistics With Portable and Wireless Technology Study. Volume 1

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-08-06

Project”, Ubiquitous Computing Group Microsoft Research, 2001. 102 Enabling Logistics with Portable and Wireless Technology Study ...Enabling Logistics with Portable and Wireless Technology Study Final Report FINAL REPORT...Volume I) Enabling Logistics with Portable and Wireless Technology Study AUTHORS School of Industrial Engineering Dr. Soundar Kumara

Final definition and preliminary design study for the initial atmospheric cloud physics laboratory, a Spacelab mission payload

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1976-01-01

The following areas related to the final definition and preliminary design study of the initial atmospheric cloud physics laboratory (ACPL) were covered: (1) proposal organization, personnel, schedule, and project management, (2) proposed configurations, (3) study objectives, (4) ACPL experiment program listing and description, (5) mission/flight flexibility and modularity/commonality, (6) study plan, and (7) description of following tasks: requirement analysis and definition task flow, systems analysis and trade studies, subsystem analysis and trade studies, specifications and interface control documents, preliminary design task flow, work breakdown structure, programmatic analysis and planning, and project costs. Finally, an overview of the scientific requirements was presented.

The use of sunscreen products among final year medicine and pharmacy students: A cross-sectional study of knowledge, attitude, practice, and perception

PubMed Central

Awadh, Ammar Ihsan; Jamshed, Shazia; Elkalmi, Ramadan M.; Hadi, Hazrina

2016-01-01

Objective: To evaluate the knowledge, attitude, perception, and practice of medical and pharmacy students toward the usage of sunscreen as protection for the skin against ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among final year medical and pharmacy undergraduates at the International Islamic University Malaysia. Validated questionnaires were distributed to 134 medical students and 100 pharmacy students. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used where appropriate. Findings: One hundred and sixty-one out of 234 participants completed the questionnaires. The participants comprised 101 medical students (75.4%) and sixty pharmacy students (60.0%). The majority of the respondents were females (102; 63.4%), and 59 (36.6%) were males. The median of the knowledge scores of the final year medical students was significantly lower than that of the final year pharmacy students (P < 0.001). The female students showed significantly higher knowledge scores than the male students (P = 0.027). This study reported that 24 (39.3%) pharmacy students were influenced by the media to use sunscreen, whereas 35 (34.7%) medical students were influenced the most by friends to use sunscreen. The final year pharmacy students had a better perception compared to the medical students, with the total perception score of the final year pharmacy students being significantly higher than that of the final year medical students (P = 0.020). Most of the participants were also aware of the harmful effects of UV radiation and had a positive reaction toward the usage of sunscreen to prevent those harmful effects. Conclusion: The knowledge and perception of final year pharmacy students were significantly higher than the knowledge and perception of final year medical students with regard to the usage of sunscreen. PMID:27512711

On the role of final-state interactions in Dalitz plot studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kubis, Bastian; Niecknig, Franz; Schneider, Sebastian P.

2012-04-01

The study of Dalitz plots of heavy-meson decays to multi-hadron final states has received intensified interest by the possibility to gain access to precision investigations of CP violation. A thorough understanding of the hadronic final-state interactions is a prerequisite to achieve a highly sensitive, model-independent study of such Dalitz plots. We illustrate some of the theoretical tools, predominantly taken from dispersion theory, available for these and related purposes, and discuss the low-energy decays ω,ϕ→3π in some more detail.

Kinetics of degradation of enalapril maleate in dosage forms.

PubMed

Stanisz, Beata

2004-01-01

The effect of humidity and temperature on the stability of enalapril maleate (ENA) in tablets have been studied. Tablets with ENA were stored in final packs (blisters) and without final packs in the atmosphere of increased humidity (76.4 % RH) and in the temperature range from 313 K to 333 K (forced degradation test). Degradation of ENA in tablets stored in final packs and without final packs followed the first order reaction model. During this study, the product of hydrolysis of the ester group and intramolecular cyclization have been observed. Thermodynamic parameters (activation energies, enthalpy and entropy) for the decomposition of ENA in tablets were calculated.

Clinical, biochemical and genetic features with nonclassical 21-hydroxylase deficiency and final height.

PubMed

Savaş-Erdeve, Şenay; Çetinkaya, Semra; Abalı, Zehra Yavaş; Poyrazoğlu, Şükran; Baş, Firdevs; Berberoğlu, Merih; Sıklar, Zeynep; Korkmaz, Özlem; Buluş, Derya; Akbaş, Emine Demet; Güran, Tülay; Böber, Ece; Akın, Onur; Yılmaz, Gülay Can; Aycan, Zehra

2017-07-26

The clinical, laboratory, genetic properties and final height of a large cohort of patients with nonclassical 21-hydroxylase deficiency (NC21OHD) in Turkey were analyzed. This multicenter, nationwide web-based study collected data. The mean age was 9.79±4.35 years (229 girls, 29 boys). The most common symptoms were premature pubarche (54.6%) and hirsutism (28.6%). The peak cortisol was found below 18 μg/dL in three (15.45%) patients. A mutation was detected in the CYP21A2 gene of 182 (87.5%) patients. The most common mutation was V281L. Final height in female patients who were diagnosed and treated before attaining final height or near final height was found to be shorter than the final height in female patients who were diagnosed after attaining final height or near final height. The final height of the patients who were treated during childhood was found to be shorter than the final height of patients during the adolescent period.

Preparing Teachers for Diversity: The Role of Initial Teacher Education. Annex 2 To the Final Report to DG Education, Youth, Sport and Culture of the European Commission. Case Study Summaries

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

European Commission, 2017

2017-01-01

"Preparing Teachers for Diversity: The Role of Initial Teacher Education. Annex 2 To the Final Report to DG Education, Youth, Sport and Culture of the European Commission. Case Study Summaries" is designed as a companion document to the final report "Preparing Teachers for Diversity: The Role of Initial Teacher Education. Final…

Effect of Thermomechanical Processing on Microstructure, Texture Evolution, and Mechanical Properties of Al-Mg-Si-Cu Alloys with Different Zn Contents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, X. F.; Guo, M. X.; Chen, Y.; Zhu, J.; Zhang, J. S.; Zhuang, L. Z.

2017-07-01

The effect of thermomechanical processing on microstructure, texture evolution, and mechanical properties of Al-Mg-Si-Cu alloys with different Zn contents was studied by mechanical properties, microstructure, and texture characterization in the present study. The results show that thermomechanical processing has a significant influence on the evolution of microstructure and texture and on the final mechanical properties, independently of Zn contents. Compared with the T4P-treated (first preaged at 353 K (80 °C) for 12 hours and then naturally aged for 14 days) sheets with high final cold rolling reduction, the T4P-treated sheets with low final cold rolling reduction possess almost identical strength and elongation and higher average r values. Compared with the intermediate annealed sheets with high final cold rolling reduction, the intermediate annealed sheets with low final cold rolling reduction contain a higher number of particles with a smaller size. After solution treatment, in contrast to the sheets with high final cold rolling reduction, the sheets with low final cold rolling reduction possess finer grain structure and tend to form a weaker recrystallization texture. The recrystallization texture may be affected by particle distribution, grain size, and final cold rolling texture. Finally, the visco-plastic self-consistent (VPSC) model was used to predict r values.

Space station final study report. Volume 1: Executive summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1987-01-01

Volume 1 of the Final Study Report provides an Executive Summary of the Phase B study effort conducted under contract NAS8-36526. Space station Phase B implementation resulted in the timely establishment of preliminary design tasks, including trades and analyses. A comprehensive summary of project activities in conducting this study effort is included.

Academic procrastination and academic performance: An initial basis for intervention.

PubMed

Goroshit, Marina

2018-01-01

Academic procrastination is a prevalent phenomenon with a range of negative outcomes. Many studies focused on causes and correlates of academic procrastination; however, the study of interventions for academic procrastination is scarce. The present study is an initial effort to study the relationship between academic procrastination, online course participation, and achievement, as a basis for developing an intervention for academic procrastination. Findings indicated that studying procrastination was negatively associated with final exam grade as well as with the three online course participation measures. Final exam grade was positively associated with two of the online course participation measures, and they positively correlated with each other. In addition, results indicated that studying procrastination, in combination with online course participation measures, explained about 50% of variance in final exam's grade. Frequency of activities in course Web site had the strongest positive effect on final exam's grade. These findings strengthen the notion that studying procrastination is an impediment to students' academic performance and outcomes and clarifies the need to develop and study academic interventions for academic procrastination as a means to decrease its prevalence in academic settings.

Short communication: final year students' deficits in physical examination skills performance in Germany.

PubMed

Krautter, Markus; Diefenbacher, Katja; Koehl-Hackert, Nadja; Buss, Beate; Nagelmann, Lars; Herzog, Wolfgang; Jünger, Jana; Nikendei, Christoph

2015-01-01

The physical examination of patients is an important diagnostic competence, but little is known about the examination skills of final-year medical students. To investigate physical examination skills of final-year medical students. In a cross-sectional study, 40 final-year students were asked to perform a detailed physical examination on standardized patients. Their performances were video-recorded and rated by independent video assessors. Video ratings showed a mean success rate of 40.1 % (SD 8.2). As regards accompanying doctor-patient communication, final-year students achieved a mean of no more than 36.7 % (SD 8.9) in the appropriate use of the corresponding communication items. Our study revealed severe deficits among final-year medical students in performing a detailed physical examination on a standardized patient. Thus, physical examination skills training should aim to improve these deficits while also paying attention to communicative aspects. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier GmbH.

Technical support for geopressured-geothermal activities in Louisiana. Final geological report, 1 November 1981-31 October 1982

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pilger, R.H.

1984-06-25

This report contains the component Site-Specific Studies-Geophysics, Diagenesis, Geochemistry. Work for Site-Specific Studies is finished, and the results presented in this report are final. Individual studies have been entered separately into the data base. (ACR)

Nanomaterial Case Study: Nanoscale Silver in Disinfectant Spray (Final Report)

EPA Science Inventory

EPA announced the release of the final report, Nanomaterial Case Study: Nanoscale Silver in Disinfectant Spray. This report represents a case study of engineered nanoscale silver (nano-Ag), focusing on the specific example of nano-Ag as possibly used in disinfectant spr...

Zachary-Fort Lauderdale pipeline construction and conversion project: final supplement to final environmental impact statement. Docket No. CP74-192

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

None

This Final Supplement to the Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final Supplement) evaluates the economic, engineering, and environmental aspects of newly developed alternatives to an abandonment/conversion project proposed by Florida Gas Transmission Company (Florida Gas). It also updates the staff's previous FEIS and studies revisions to the original proposal. Wherever possible, the staff has adopted portions of its previous FEIS in lieu of reprinting portions of that analysis which require no change. 60 references, 8 figures, 35 tables.

75 FR 77897 - Long Walk National Historic Trail Feasibility Study, Abbreviated Final Environmental Impact...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-12-14

... DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service [7700-1104-SZS] Long Walk National Historic Trail Feasibility Study, Abbreviated Final Environmental Impact Statement, National Trails Intermountain Region, NM... Environmental Impact Statement for the Long Walk National Historic Trail Feasibility Study. SUMMARY: Pursuant to...

DLI-IBM Joint Feasibility Study in Computer-Assisted Foreign Language Instruction. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Adams, Edward N.; Rosenbaum, Peter S.

This document is the final report on a study of the use of computer assisted instruction (CAI). The objective of the study was to evaluate the potential applicability and usefulness of CAI in the instructional environment of the Defense Language Institute (DLI). The operational phases of the study were implemented in the Russian Aural…

A New School of Health Professions. Volume 2. Appendices to the Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA. School of Medical Sciences.

The document contains 22 appendixes which were cross-referenced in the final report of a study on the University of the Pacific's interdisciplinary program called School of Health Professions (SHP). Items include the following: (1-A) obesity study guide; (1-B) diabetes mellitus study guide; (1-C) hypertension study guide; (2) identification and…

An Investigation of the Outward Bound Final Expedition

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bobilya, Andrew J.; Kalisch, Ken; Daniel, Brad

2011-01-01

Research of wilderness programs indicates a clear need for additional investigation of specific program components and their influence on participant outcomes. This study examines one component of the Outward Bound wilderness program--the Final Expedition. The Final Expedition is a student-led wilderness expedition and is also referred to as an…

Northeast Corridor Improvement Project Electrification - New Haven, CT to Boston, MA : Final Environmental Statement/Report : v. 2. Technical Studies

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1994-10-31

This document is the final environmental impact statement and final environmental impact report (FEIS/R) on the proposal by the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) to complete the electrification of the Northeast Corridor main line by ex...

21 CFR 58.206 - Final order on disqualification.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Final order on disqualification. 58.206 Section 58.206 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES GENERAL GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE FOR NONCLINICAL LABORATORY STUDIES Disqualification of Testing Facilities § 58.206 Final...

21 CFR 58.206 - Final order on disqualification.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Final order on disqualification. 58.206 Section 58.206 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES GENERAL GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE FOR NONCLINICAL LABORATORY STUDIES Disqualification of Testing Facilities § 58.206 Final...

East End transportation study final report September 17, 2009

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2009-09-17

This report is the final component of a multi-year transit feasibility study conducted by the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center on behalf fo the five Towns of the East End. The initial transit conceptunder evaluation, a proposed Coordinate...

Polarized 3He target and Final State Interactions in SiDIS

DOE PAGES

Del Dotto, Alessio; Kaptari, Leonid; Pace, Emanuele; ...

2017-01-03

Jefferson Lab is starting a wide experimental program aimed at studying the neutron’s structure, with a great emphasis on the extraction of the parton transverse-momentum distributions (TMDs). To this end, Semi-inclusive deep-inelastic scattering (SiDIS) experiments on polarized $^3$He will be carried out, providing, together with proton and deuteron data, a sound flavor decomposition of the TMDs. Here, given the expected high statistical accuracy, it is crucial to disentangle nuclear and partonic degrees of freedom to get an accurate theoretical description of both initial and final states. In this contribution, a preliminary study of the Final State Interaction (FSI) in themore » standard SiDIS, where a pion (or a Kaon) is detected in the final state is presented, in view of constructing a realistic description of the nuclear initial and final states.« less

Study of D J meson decays to D +π-, D 0π+ and D ∗+π- final states in pp collisions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aaij, R.; Adeva, B.; Adinolfi, M.; Adrover, C.; Affolder, A.; Ajaltouni, Z.; Albrecht, J.; Alessio, F.; Alexander, M.; Ali, S.; Alkhazov, G.; Cartelle, P. Alvarez; Alves, A. A.; Amato, S.; Amerio, S.; Amhis, Y.; Anderlini, L.; Anderson, J.; Andreassen, R.; Andrews, J. E.; Appleby, R. B.; Gutierrez, O. Aquines; Archilli, F.; Artamonov, A.; Artuso, M.; Aslanides, E.; Auriemma, G.; Baalouch, M.; Bachmann, S.; Back, J. J.; Baesso, C.; Balagura, V.; Baldini, W.; Barlow, R. J.; Barschel, C.; Barsuk, S.; Barter, W.; Bauer, Th.; Bay, A.; Beddow, J.; Bedeschi, F.; Bediaga, I.; Belogurov, S.; Belous, K.; Belyaev, I.; Ben-Haim, E.; Bencivenni, G.; Benson, S.; Benton, J.; Berezhnoy, A.; Bernet, R.; Bettler, M.-O.; van Beuzekom, M.; Bien, A.; Bifani, S.; Bird, T.; Bizzeti, A.; Bjørnstad, P. M.; Blake, T.; Blanc, F.; Blouw, J.; Blusk, S.; Bocci, V.; Bondar, A.; Bondar, N.; Bonivento, W.; Borghi, S.; Borgia, A.; Bowcock, T. J. V.; Bowen, E.; Bozzi, C.; Brambach, T.; van den Brand, J.; Bressieux, J.; Brett, D.; Britsch, M.; Britton, T.; Brook, N. H.; Brown, H.; Burducea, I.; Bursche, A.; Busetto, G.; Buytaert, J.; Cadeddu, S.; Callot, O.; Calvi, M.; Gomez, M. Calvo; Camboni, A.; Campana, P.; Perez, D. Campora; Carbone, A.; Carboni, G.; Cardinale, R.; Cardini, A.; Carranza-Mejia, H.; Carson, L.; Akiba, K. Carvalho; Casse, G.; Garcia, L. Castillo; Cattaneo, M.; Cauet, Ch.; Cenci, R.; Charles, M.; Charpentier, Ph.; Chen, P.; Chiapolini, N.; Chrzaszcz, M.; Ciba, K.; Vidal, X. Cid; Ciezarek, G.; Clarke, P. E. L.; Clemencic, M.; Cliff, H. V.; Closier, J.; Coca, C.; Coco, V.; Cogan, J.; Cogneras, E.; Collins, P.; Comerma-Montells, A.; Contu, A.; Cook, A.; Coombes, M.; Coquereau, S.; Corti, G.; Couturier, B.; Cowan, G. A.; Craik, D. C.; Cunliffe, S.; Currie, R.; D'Ambrosio, C.; David, P.; David, P. N. Y.; Davis, A.; De Bonis, I.; De Bruyn, K.; De Capua, S.; De Cian, M.; De Miranda, J. M.; De Paula, L.; De Silva, W.; De Simone, P.; Decamp, D.; Deckenhoff, M.; Del Buono, L.; Déléage, N.; Derkach, D.; Deschamps, O.; Dettori, F.; Di Canto, A.; Dijkstra, H.; Dogaru, M.; Donleavy, S.; Dordei, F.; Suárez, A. Dosil; Dossett, D.; Dovbnya, A.; Dupertuis, F.; Durante, P.; Dzhelyadin, R.; Dziurda, A.; Dzyuba, A.; Easo, S.; Egede, U.; Egorychev, V.; Eidelman, S.; van Eijk, D.; Eisenhardt, S.; Eitschberger, U.; Ekelhof, R.; Eklund, L.; El Rifai, I.; Elsasser, Ch.; Falabella, A.; Färber, C.; Fardell, G.; Farinelli, C.; Farry, S.; Fave, V.; Ferguson, D.; Albor, V. Fernandez; Rodrigues, F. Ferreira; Ferro-Luzzi, M.; Filippov, S.; Fiore, M.; Fitzpatrick, C.; Fontana, M.; Fontanelli, F.; Forty, R.; Francisco, O.; Frank, M.; Frei, C.; Frosini, M.; Furcas, S.; Furfaro, E.; Torreira, A. Gallas; Galli, D.; Gandelman, M.; Gandini, P.; Gao, Y.; Garofoli, J.; Garosi, P.; Tico, J. Garra; Garrido, L.; Gaspar, C.; Gauld, R.; Gersabeck, E.; Gersabeck, M.; Gershon, T.; Ghez, Ph.; Gibson, V.; Giubega, L.; Gligorov, V. V.; Göbel, C.; Golubkov, D.; Golutvin, A.; Gomes, A.; Gordon, H.; Gándara, M. Grabalosa; Diaz, R. Graciani; Cardoso, L. A. Granado; Graugés, E.; Graziani, G.; Grecu, A.; Greening, E.; Gregson, S.; Griffith, P.; Grünberg, O.; Gui, B.; Gushchin, E.; Guz, Yu.; Gys, T.; Hadjivasiliou, C.; Haefeli, G.; Haen, C.; Haines, S. C.; Hall, S.; Hamilton, B.; Hampson, T.; Hansmann-Menzemer, S.; Harnew, N.; Harnew, S. T.; Harrison, J.; Hartmann, T.; He, J.; Head, T.; Heijne, V.; Hennessy, K.; Henrard, P.; Morata, J. A. Hernando; van Herwijnen, E.; Hicheur, A.; Hicks, E.; Hill, D.; Hoballah, M.; Hombach, C.; Hopchev, P.; Hulsbergen, W.; Hunt, P.; Huse, T.; Hussain, N.; Hutchcroft, D.; Hynds, D.; Iakovenko, V.; Idzik, M.; Ilten, P.; Jacobsson, R.; Jaeger, A.; Jans, E.; Jaton, P.; Jawahery, A.; Jing, F.; John, M.; Johnson, D.; Jones, C. R.; Joram, C.; Jost, B.; Kaballo, M.; Kandybei, S.; Kanso, W.; Karacson, M.; Karbach, T. M.; Kenyon, I. R.; Ketel, T.; Keune, A.; Khanji, B.; Kochebina, O.; Komarov, I.; Koopman, R. F.; Koppenburg, P.; Korolev, M.; Kozlinskiy, A.; Kravchuk, L.; Kreplin, K.; Kreps, M.; Krocker, G.; Krokovny, P.; Kruse, F.; Kucharczyk, M.; Kudryavtsev, V.; Kvaratskheliya, T.; La Thi, V. N.; Lacarrere, D.; Lafferty, G.; Lai, A.; Lambert, D.; Lambert, R. W.; Lanciotti, E.; Lanfranchi, G.; Langenbruch, C.; Latham, T.; Lazzeroni, C.; Le Gac, R.; van Leerdam, J.; Lees, J.-P.; Lefèvre, R.; Leflat, A.; Lefrançois, J.; Leo, S.; Leroy, O.; Lesiak, T.; Leverington, B.; Li, Y.; Gioi, L. Li; Liles, M.; Lindner, R.; Linn, C.; Liu, B.; Liu, G.; Lohn, S.; Longstaff, I.; Lopes, J. H.; Lopez-March, N.; Lu, H.; Lucchesi, D.; Luisier, J.; Luo, H.; Machefert, F.; Machikhiliyan, I. V.; Maciuc, F.; Maev, O.; Malde, S.; Manca, G.; Mancinelli, G.; Maratas, J.; Marconi, U.; Märki, R.; Marks, J.; Martellotti, G.; Martens, A.; Sánchez, A. M´ın; Martinelli, M.; Santos, D. Martinez; Tostes, D. Martins; Massafferri, A.; Matev, R.; Mathe, Z.; Matteuzzi, C.; Maurice, E.; Mazurov, A.; Skelly, B. Mc; McCarthy, J.; McNab, A.; McNulty, R.; Meadows, B.; Meier, F.; Meissner, M.; Merk, M.; Milanes, D. A.; Minard, M.-N.; Rodriguez, J. Molina; Monteil, S.; Moran, D.; Morawski, P.; Mordà, A.; Morello, M. J.; Mountain, R.; Mous, I.; Muheim, F.; Müller, K.; Muresan, R.; Muryn, B.; Muster, B.; Naik, P.; Nakada, T.; Nandakumar, R.; Nasteva, I.; Needham, M.; Neubert, S.; Neufeld, N.; Nguyen, A. D.; Nguyen, T. D.; Nguyen-Mau, C.; Nicol, M.; Niess, V.; Niet, R.; Nikitin, N.; Nikodem, T.; Nomerotski, A.; Novoselov, A.; Oblakowska-Mucha, A.; Obraztsov, V.; Oggero, S.; Ogilvy, S.; Okhrimenko, O.; Oldeman, R.; Orlandea, M.; Goicochea, J. M. Otalora; Owen, P.; Oyanguren, A.; Pal, B. K.; Palano, A.; Palutan, M.; Panman, J.; Papanestis, A.; Pappagallo, M.; Parkes, C.; Parkinson, C. J.; Passaleva, G.; Patel, G. D.; Patel, M.; Patrick, G. N.; Patrignani, C.; Pavel-Nicorescu, C.; Alvarez, A. Pazos; Pellegrino, A.; Penso, G.; Altarelli, M. Pepe; Perazzini, S.; Trigo, E. Perez; Yzquierdo, A. Pérez-Calero; Perret, P.; Perrin-Terrin, M.; Pessina, G.; Petridis, K.; Petrolini, A.; Phan, A.; Olloqui, E. Picatoste; Pietrzyk, B.; Pilař, T.; Pinci, D.; Playfer, S.; Casasus, M. Plo; Polci, F.; Polok, G.; Poluektov, A.; Polycarpo, E.; Popov, A.; Popov, D.; Popovici, B.; Potterat, C.; Powell, A.; Prisciandaro, J.; Pritchard, A.; Prouve, C.; Pugatch, V.; Navarro, A. Puig; Punzi, G.; Qian, W.; Rademacker, J. H.; Rakotomiaramanana, B.; Rangel, M. S.; Raniuk, I.; Rauschmayr, N.; Raven, G.; Redford, S.; Reid, M. M.; dos Reis, A. C.; Ricciardi, S.; Richards, A.; Rinnert, K.; Molina, V. Rives; Romero, D. A. Roa; Robbe, P.; Roberts, D. A.; Rodrigues, E.; Perez, P. Rodriguez; Roiser, S.; Romanovsky, V.; Vidal, A. Romero; Rouvinet, J.; Ruf, T.; Ruffini, F.; Ruiz, H.; Valls, P. Ruiz; Sabatino, G.; Silva, J. J. Saborido; Sagidova, N.; Sail, P.; Saitta, B.; Guimaraes, V. Salustino; Salzmann, C.; Sedes, B. Sanmartin; Sannino, M.; Santacesaria, R.; Rios, C. Santamarina; Santovetti, E.; Sapunov, M.; Sarti, A.; Satriano, C.; Satta, A.; Savrie, M.; Savrina, D.; Schaack, P.; Schiller, M.; Schindler, H.; Schlupp, M.; Schmelling, M.; Schmidt, B.; Schneider, O.; Schopper, A.; Schune, M.-H.; Schwemmer, R.; Sciascia, B.; Sciubba, A.; Seco, M.; Semennikov, A.; Senderowska, K.; Sepp, I.; Serra, N.; Serrano, J.; Seyfert, P.; Shapkin, M.; Shapoval, I.; Shatalov, P.; Shcheglov, Y.; Shears, T.; Shekhtman, L.; Shevchenko, O.; Shevchenko, V.; Shires, A.; Coutinho, R. Silva; Sirendi, M.; Skwarnicki, T.; Smith, N. A.; Smith, E.; Smith, J.; Smith, M.; Sokoloff, M. D.; Soler, F. J. P.; Soomro, F.; Souza, D.; De Paula, B. Souza; Spaan, B.; Sparkes, A.; Spradlin, P.; Stagni, F.; Stahl, S.; Steinkamp, O.; Stevenson, S.; Stoica, S.; Stone, S.; Storaci, B.; Straticiuc, M.; Straumann, U.; Subbiah, V. K.; Sun, L.; Swientek, S.; Syropoulos, V.; Szczekowski, M.; Szczypka, P.; Szumlak, T.; T'Jampens, S.; Teklishyn, M.; Teodorescu, E.; Teubert, F.; Thomas, C.; Thomas, E.; van Tilburg, J.; Tisserand, V.; Tobin, M.; Tolk, S.; Tonelli, D.; Topp-Joergensen, S.; Torr, N.; Tournefier, E.; Tourneur, S.; Tran, M. T.; Tresch, M.; Tsaregorodtsev, A.; Tsopelas, P.; Tuning, N.; Garcia, M. Ubeda; Ukleja, A.; Urner, D.; Ustyuzhanin, A.; Uwer, U.; Vagnoni, V.; Valenti, G.; Vallier, A.; Van Dijk, M.; Gomez, R. Vazquez; Regueiro, P. Vazquez; Sierra, C. Vázquez; Vecchi, S.; Velthuis, J. J.; Veltri, M.; Veneziano, G.; Vesterinen, M.; Viaud, B.; Vieira, D.; Vilasis-Cardona, X.; Vollhardt, A.; Volyanskyy, D.; Voong, D.; Vorobyev, A.; Vorobyev, V.; Voß, C.; Voss, H.; Waldi, R.; Wallace, C.; Wallace, R.; Wandernoth, S.; Wang, J.; Ward, D. R.; Watson, N. K.; Webber, A. D.; Websdale, D.; Whitehead, M.; Wicht, J.; Wiechczynski, J.; Wiedner, D.; Wiggers, L.; Wilkinson, G.; Williams, M. P.; Williams, M.; Wilson, F. F.; Wimberley, J.; Wishahi, J.; Witek, M.; Wotton, S. A.; Wright, S.; Wu, S.; Wyllie, K.; Xie, Y.; Xing, Z.; Yang, Z.; Young, R.; Yuan, X.; Yushchenko, O.; Zangoli, M.; Zavertyaev, M.; Zhang, F.; Zhang, L.; Zhang, W. C.; Zhang, Y.; Zhelezov, A.; Zhokhov, A.; Zhong, L.; Zvyagin, A.

2013-09-01

A study of D +π-, D 0π+ and D ∗+π- final states is performed using pp collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.0 fb-1, collected at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV with the LHCb detector. The D 1(2420)0 resonance is observed in the D ∗+π- final state and the resonance is observed in the D +π-, D 0π+ and D ∗+π- final states. For both resonances, their properties and spin-parity assignments are obtained. In addition, two natural parity and two unnatural parity resonances are observed in the mass region between 2500 and 2800 MeV. Further structures in the region around 3000 MeV are observed in all the D ∗+π-, D +π- and D 0π+ final states. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

Impacts of Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) development on recreation and tourism. Volume 2. Final report and case studies

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

The final report for the project is comprised of five volumes. The volume presents the study conclusions, summarizes the methodology used (more detail is found in Volume 3), discusses four case study applications of the model, and contains profiles of coastal communities in an Appendix.

Preservation Planning Project Study Team. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pittsburgh Univ., PA. Libraries.

This final report is a product of a comprehensive 14-month Preservation Planning Program (PPP) self-study conducted by the University of Pittsburgh Libraries, working with the Association of Research Libraries' (ARL) Office of Management Studies. The PPP is designed to put self-help tools into the hands of library staff responsible for developing…

The General Phonetic Characteristics of Languages. Final Report-1967-1968.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Delattre, Pierre

In this final stage of a series of three linguistic studies conducted at the University of California, Santa Barbara, four topics are presented. The longest is a study of consonant gemination in German, Spanish, French, and American English from acoustic, perceptual, and radiographic points of view. Pharyngeal features are studied in the…

CBSS Outreach Project: Computer-Based Study Strategies for Students with Learning Disabilities. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Anderson-Inman, Lynne; Ditson, Mary

This final report describes activities and accomplishments of the four-year Computer-Based Study Strategies (CBSS) Outreach Project at the University of Oregon. This project disseminated information about using computer-based study strategies as an intervention for students with learning disabilities and provided teachers in participating outreach…

Transportation library connectivity and development pooled fund study, final report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-12-01

This report is a record of the major activities and accomplishments of the Transportation Library : Connectivity and Development pooled fund study, TPF-5(237), from its approval by FHWA in : 2010 through its fifth and final annual meeting in August 2...

Attitudes toward the Elderly among Students of Health Care Related Studies at the University of Salamanca, Spain

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bernardini Zambrini, Diego A.; Moraru, Manuela; Hanna, Minna; Kalache, Alex; Macias Nunez, Juan F.

2008-01-01

Introduction: This study uses a cross-sectional approach in terms of evaluating attitudes toward the elderly among health sciences students. The aim of this study was to measure attitudes among final year pregraduate students of seven health care careers. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted with final year students of medicine (M),…

[Burdened into the job -- final-year students' empathy and burnout].

PubMed

Koehl-Hackert, Nadja; Schultz, Jobst-Hendrik; Nikendei, Christoph; Möltner, Andreas; Gedrose, Benjamin; van den Bussche, Hendrik; Jünger, Jana

2012-01-01

Empathy is a central element in daily patient care. The burnout syndrome seems to be a potential factor influencing physicians' empathic behavior negatively. In Germany up to 20 % of practicing physicians experience burnout. So far, there have been no studies measuring empathy and the degree of burnout among final-year medical students in Germany. The aim of the current study was to investigate final-year students' self-reported empathy, burnout and the association of job satisfaction and occupational self-efficacy with regard to potential gender differences. 127 medical students at the end of their final year (82 f, 45 m; 26.8 years of age) were surveyed using the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy (JSPE), the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and items addressing job satisfaction and occupational self-efficacy. The mean JSPE score of all final-year students was 113.25 ± 10.21 (20=lowest possible empathy score, 140=highest possible empathy score). Based on the three dimensions of burnout, the students fell in the moderate burnout category in all subscales of the MBI. There was an association between a lower empathy score and a higher burnout score. Also, the MBI correlated negatively with final-year students' job satisfaction and occupational self-efficacy. Despite high self-rated empathy scores, the experience of burnout symptoms in medical students may begin as early as their final year of studies, where higher levels of burnout are associated with lower self-rated empathy scores. The number of final-year medical students affected by clinically significant burnout (up to 20 %) was just as high as among practicing physicians. Female students were found to be particularly affected. Given the rising numbers of female graduates, this shows that urgent action is required. Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier GmbH.

FHR Process Instruments

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Holcomb, David Eugene

2015-01-01

Fluoride salt-cooled High temperature Reactors (FHRs) are entering into early phase engineering development. Initial candidate technologies have been identified to measure all of the required process variables. The purpose of this paper is to describe the proposed measurement techniques in sufficient detail to enable assessment of the proposed instrumentation suite and to support development of the component technologies. This paper builds upon the instrumentation chapter of the recently published FHR technology development roadmap. Locating instruments outside of the intense core radiation and high-temperature fluoride salt environment significantly decreases their environmental tolerance requirements. Under operating conditions, FHR primary coolant salt ismore » a transparent, low-vapor-pressure liquid. Consequently, FHRs can employ standoff optical measurements from above the salt pool to assess in-vessel conditions. For example, the core outlet temperature can be measured by observing the fuel s blackbody emission. Similarly, the intensity of the core s Cerenkov glow indicates the fission power level. Short-lived activation of the primary coolant provides another means for standoff measurements of process variables. The primary coolant flow and neutron flux can be measured using gamma spectroscopy along the primary coolant piping. FHR operation entails a number of process measurements. Reactor thermal power and core reactivity are the most significant variables for process control. Thermal power can be determined by measuring the primary coolant mass flow rate and temperature rise across the core. The leading candidate technologies for primary coolant temperature measurement are Au-Pt thermocouples and Johnson noise thermometry. Clamp-on ultrasonic flow measurement, that includes high-temperature tolerant standoffs, is a potential coolant flow measurement technique. Also, the salt redox condition will be monitored as an indicator of its corrosiveness. Both electrochemical techniques and optical spectroscopy are candidate fluoride salt redox measurement methods. Coolant level measurement can be performed using radar-level gauges located in standpipes above the reactor vessel. While substantial technical development remains for most of the instruments, industrially compatible instruments based upon proven technology can be reasonably extrapolated from the current state of the art.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Papaconstadopoulos, P; Archambault, L; Seuntjens, J

Purpose: To investigate the accuracy of the Exradin W1 (SI) and of an “in-house” plastic scintillation dosimeter (CHUQ PSD) in small radiation fields. Methods: Output factor (OF) measurements with the W1 and CHUQ PSD were performed for field sizes of 0.5 x 0.5, 1 x 1 and 2 x 2 cm{sup 2}. Both detectors were placed parallel to the central axis (CAX) in water. The spectrum discrimination calibration method was performed in each set-up to account for the Cerenkov (CRV) signal created in the fiber. The OFs were compared to the expected field factors in water derived using i) Montemore » Carlo (MC) simulations of an accurate accelerator model and ii) microLion (PTW) and D1V diode (SI) OFs. MC-derived correction factors were applied to both the microLion and D1V OFs. For the CHUQ PSD the calibration was repeated in water (// CAX), solid water (perpendicular to CAX) and under a shielded configuration. The signal was collected using a spectrometer (wavelength range = 185–1100 nm). Spectral analysis was performed to evaluate potential changes of the spectral distributions under the various calibration set-up configurations. Results: The W1 OFs presented an over-response for the 0.5 x 0.5 cm{sup 2} in the range of 3 – 4.1% relative to the expected field factor. The CHUQ PSD presented an under-response in the range of 1.5 – 2.7%, without accounting for volume averaging. The CRV spectra under the various calibration procedures appeared similar to each other and only minor changes were observed to the respective OFs. Conclusion: The W1 and CHUQ PSD can be used in small fields down to a 1 x 1 cm{sup 2} field size. Discrepancies were encountered between the two detectors for the smallest field size of 0.5 x 0.5 cm{sup 2} with the CHUQ PSD exhibiting a closer agreement to the expected field factor. Funding sources: 1) Alexander S. Onassis Public Benefit Foundation in Greece and 2) CREATE Medical Physics Research Training Network grant of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, Grant number: 432290, RGPIN-2014-06475.« less

Flexible radioluminescence imaging for FDG-guided surgery

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

King, Martin T., E-mail: mking@lroc.harvard.edu; J

Purpose: Flexible radioluminescence imaging (Flex-RLI) is an optical method for imaging {sup 18}F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-avid tumors. The authors hypothesize that a gadolinium oxysulfide: terbium (GOS:Tb) flexible scintillator, which loosely conforms to the body contour, can enhance tumor signal-to-background ratio (SBR) compared with RLI, which utilizes a flat scintillator. The purpose of this paper is to characterize flex-RLI with respect to alternative modalities including RLI, beta-RLI (RLI with gamma rejection), and Cerenkov luminescence imaging (CLI). Methods: The photon sensitivity, spatial resolution, and signal linearity of flex-RLI were characterized with in vitro phantoms. In vivo experiments utilizing 13 nude mice inoculated with themore » head and neck (UMSCC1-Luc) cell line were then conducted in accordance with the institutional Administrative Panel on Laboratory Animal Care. After intravenous injection of {sup 18}F-FDG, the tumor SBR values for flex-RLI were compared to those for RLI, beta-RLI, and CLI using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results: With respect to photon sensitivity, RLI, beta-RLI, and flex-RLI produced 1216.2, 407.0, and 98.6 times more radiance per second than CLI. Respective full-width half maximum values across a 0.5 mm capillary tube were 6.9, 6.4, 2.2, and 1.5 mm, respectively. Flex-RLI demonstrated a near perfect correlation with {sup 18}F activity (r = 0.99). Signal uniformity for flex-RLI improved after more aggressive homogenization of the GOS powder with the silicone elastomer during formulation. In vivo, the SBR value for flex-RLI (median 1.29; interquartile range 1.18–1.36) was statistically greater than that for RLI (1.08; 1.02–1.14; p < 0.01) by 26%. However, there was no statistically significant difference in SBR values between flex-RLI and beta-RLI (p = 0.92). Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference in SBR values between flex-RLI and CLI (p = 0.11) in a more limited dataset. Conclusions: Flex-RLI provides high quality images with SBRs comparable to those from CLI and beta-RLI in a single 10 s acquisition.« less

Prediction of adult height by Tanner-Whitehouse method in young Caucasian male athletes.

PubMed

Ostojic, S M

2013-04-01

Although the accuracy of final height prediction using skeletal age development has been confirmed in many studies for children treated for congenital primary hypothyroidism, short normal children, constitutionally tall children, no studies compared the predicted adult height at young age with final stature in athletic population. In this study, the intention was to investigate to what extent the Tanner-Whitehouse (TW) method is adequate for prediction of final stature in young Caucasian male athletes. Prospective observational study. Plain radiographs of the left hand and wrist were obtained from 477 athletic children (ranging in age from 8.0 to 17.9 years) who came to the outpatient clinic between 2000 and 2011 for adult height estimation, with no orthopedic trauma suspected. Adult height was estimated using bone age rates according to TW method. Height was measured both at baseline and follow-up (at the age of 19 years). No significant difference was found between the estimated adult height (184.9 ± 9.7 cm) and final stature (185.6 ± 9.6 cm) [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.61-3.01, P = 0.55]. The relationship between estimated and final adult height was high (r = 0.96). Bland-Altman analysis confirmed that the 95% of differences between estimated adult height and final stature lie between limits of agreement (mean ± 2 SD) (-5.84 and 4.52 cm). TW method is an accurate method of predicting adult height in male normal-growing athletic boys.

Does mediator use contribute to the spacing effect for cued recall? Critical tests of the mediator hypothesis.

PubMed

Morehead, Kayla; Dunlosky, John; Rawson, Katherine A; Bishop, Melissa; Pyc, Mary A

2018-04-01

When study is spaced across sessions (versus massed within a single session), final performance is greater after spacing. This spacing effect may have multiple causes, and according to the mediator hypothesis, part of the effect can be explained by the use of mediator-based strategies. This hypothesis proposes that when study is spaced across sessions, rather than massed within a session, more mediators will be generated that are longer lasting and hence more mediators will be available to support criterion recall. In two experiments, participants were randomly assigned to study paired associates using either a spaced or massed schedule. They reported strategy use for each item during study trials and during the final test. Consistent with the mediator hypothesis, participants who had spaced (as compared to massed) practice reported using more mediators on the final test. This use of effective mediators also statistically accounted for some - but not all of - the spacing effect on final performance.

Vocational & Social Outcomes with Mentally Handicapped Adults: A Longitudinal Study. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Keystone Area Education, Elkader, IA.

This final report concentrates on conclusions and recommendations from a three-year longitudinal study of 48 mentally retarded adults who were graduates or dropouts from senior high schools in six rural Iowa school districts during academic years 1976-1982. Using data from structured interviews, the study sought to assess social and vocational…

Preservation Planning Program. Study Report. Iowa State University Library. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Galejs, John; And Others

This final report is a product of a Preservation Planning Program (PPP) self-study conducted by the Iowa State University, working with the Association of Research Libraries' (ARL) Office of Management Studies. The PPP is designed to put self-help tools into the hands of library staff responsible for developing plans and procedures for preserving…

Placement-Based Learning and Learner Engagement: Findings from a New University in the UK

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Murphy, Timothy R. N.; Folgueiras Bertomeu, Pilar; Mannix McNamara, Patricia

2016-01-01

This paper addresses the potential for engaged learning among final-year undergraduate Education Studies students at a new, post-1992. It discusses a case study analysis of a "Directed Experiential Learning" (DEL) intervention in the final year of an education studies degree designed to engage and motivate students and emphasise the…

Description of the supporting factors of final project in Mathematics and Natural Sciences Faculty of Syiah Kuala University with multiple correspondence analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rusyana, Asep; Nurhasanah; Maulizasari

2018-05-01

Syiah Kuala University (Unsyiah) is hoped to have graduates who are qualified for working or creating a field of work. A final project course implementation process must be effective. This research uses data from the evaluation conducted by Mathematics and Natural Sciences Faculty (FMIPA) of Unsyiah. Some of the factors that support the completion of the final project are duration, guidance, the final project seminars, facility, public impact, and quality. This research aims to know the factors that have a relationship with the completion of the final project and identify similarities among variables. The factors that support the completion of the final project at every study program in FMIPA are (1) duration, (2) guidance and (3) facilities. These factors are examined for the correlations by chi-square test. After that, the variables are analyzed with multiple correspondence analysis. Based on the plot of correspondence, the activities of the guidance and facilities in Informatics Study Program are included in the fair category, while the guidance and facilities in the Chemistry are included in the best category. Besides that, students in Physics can finish the final project with the fastest completion duration, while students in Pharmacy finish for the longest time.

Void Growth and Coalescence Simulations

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-08-01

distortion and damage, minimum time step, and appropriate material model parameters. Further, a temporal and spatial convergence study was used to...estimate errors, thus, this study helps to provide guidelines for modeling of materials with voids. Finally, we use a Gurson model with Johnson-Cook...spatial convergence study was used to estimate errors, thus, this study helps to provide guidelines for modeling of materials with voids. Finally, we

Climate Change Vulnerability Assessments: Four Case Studies of Water Utility Practices (2011 Final)

EPA Science Inventory

EPA has released the final report titled, Climate Change Vulnerability Assessments: Four Case Studies of Water Utility Practices. This report was prepared by the National Center for Environmental Assessment's Global Climate Research Staff in the Office of Research and D...

Strategic Planning Study Team. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tennessee Univ., Chattanooga.

This final report presents the results of a University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's (UTC) strategic planning study team, which was charged with documenting computerized services currently available and recommending to the UTC administration areas in which new services should be introduced at the university. A questionnaire was administered to…

BASINs and WEPP Climate Assessment Tools (CAT): Case Study Guide to Potential Applications (Final Report)

EPA Science Inventory

EPA announced the release of the final report, BASINs and WEPP Climate Assessment Tools (CAT): Case Study Guide to Potential Applications. This report supports application of two recently developed water modeling tools, the Better Assessment Science Integrating point & ...

Uncertainty and Variability in Physiologically-Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) Models: Key Issues and Case Studies (Final Report)

EPA Science Inventory

EPA announced the availability of the final report, Uncertainty and Variability in Physiologically-Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) Models: Key Issues and Case Studies. This report summarizes some of the recent progress in characterizing uncertainty and variability in physi...

Increasing Prediction the Original Final Year Project of Student Using Genetic Algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saragih, Rijois Iboy Erwin; Turnip, Mardi; Sitanggang, Delima; Aritonang, Mendarissan; Harianja, Eva

2018-04-01

Final year project is very important forgraduation study of a student. Unfortunately, many students are not seriouslydidtheir final projects. Many of studentsask for someone to do it for them. In this paper, an application of genetic algorithms to predict the original final year project of a studentis proposed. In the simulation, the data of the final project for the last 5 years is collected. The genetic algorithm has several operators namely population, selection, crossover, and mutation. The result suggest that genetic algorithm can do better prediction than other comparable model. Experimental results of predicting showed that 70% was more accurate than the previous researched.

Effective Classroom Management and Instruction: An Exploration of Models. Executive Summary of Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Evertson, Carolyn M.; And Others

A summary is presented of the final report, "Effective Classroom Management and Instruction: An Exploration of Models." The final report presents a set of linked investigations of the effects of training teachers in effective classroom management practices in a series of school-based workshops. Four purposes were addressed by the study: (1) to…

Spelling in African American Children: The Case of Final Consonant Devoicing

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Treiman, Rebecca; Bowman, Margo

2015-01-01

This study examined the effect of dialect variation on children's spelling by using devoicing of final /d/ in African American Vernacular English (AAVE) as a test case. In line with the linguistic interference hypothesis, African American 6-year-olds were significantly poorer at spelling the final "d" of words such as "salad"…

A Comparison of Attitudes and Final Grades among Freshman Dental Students.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lee, Mickey M.; And Others

1981-01-01

A study examined students' change in attitudes toward dental education, themselves, and gross anatomy based on their experience in a difficult anatomy course and their final grades. Change occurred only in their attitudes about dental education, but it is concluded that specific aspects of the environment can be used to predict a final grade. (MSE)

Senate Select Committee on Higher Education To Study Tuition Policy at Michigan Colleges and Universities: Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Michigan State Legislature, Lansing.

This report contains the final recommendations of the Michigan Senate Select Committee on Higher Education on tuition policy at Michigan public colleges and universities. The report presents its findings and recommendations in three large parts. The first section contains the final recommendations of the Committee including goals of affordability…

Interactive Negotiation of Perspectives in Japanese: Predicate-Final Structure as a Resource to Organize Interaction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nakamura, Kanae

2009-01-01

While the predicate-final structure of the Japanese language has been considered one of the main causes of its late projectability (Tanaka, 1999), this study demonstrates that the final predicate component of a "turn constructional unit" (TCU) furnishes a useful resource for conversational participants to negotiate various aspects of interaction.…

Using Insider Research in MEd Final Projects to Bridge the Theory/Practice Gap

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Arar, Khalid

2018-01-01

This paper aims to identify key issues involved in MEd final project supervision and to highlight the potential of supervision from an academic institution to change educational reality through the postgraduate student-teachers' work-based final project as insider researchers in Israeli schools. It draws on analysis of case-study data from two…

USDA’s Corner

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The 17a-methyltestosterone Target Animal Safety study with tilapia was completed early this summer and we are finalizing the QA audit with an ‘in-life study’ report. We are also assisting AADAP with compiling a draft of the Final Study Report for FDA. We will present findings with respect to acute...

Nanomaterial Case Studies: Nanoscale Titanium Dioxide in Water Treatment and in Topical Sunscreen (Final)

EPA Science Inventory

EPA announced the availability of the final report, Nanomaterial Case Studies: Nanoscale Titanium Dioxide in Water Treatment and in Topical Sunscreen. This report is a starting point to determine what is known and what needs to be known about selected nanomaterials as par...

An Exploratory Study: Assessment of Modeled Dioxin Exposure in Ceramic Art Studios (Final Report, 2008)

EPA Science Inventory

EPA announced the availability of the final report, An Exploratory Study: Assessment of Modeled Dioxin Exposure in Ceramic Art Studios. This report investigates the potential dioxin exposure to artists/hobbyists who use ball clay to make pottery and related products. Derm...

"Type Ia Supernovae: Tools for Studying Dark Energy" Final Technical Report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Woosley, Stan; Kasen, Dan

2017-05-10

Final technical report for project "Type Ia Supernovae: Tools for the Study of Dark Energy" awarded jointly to scientists at the University of California, Santa Cruz and Berkeley, for computer modeling, theory and data analysis relevant to the use of Type Ia supernovae as standard candles for cosmology.

A Predictive Study of Pre-Service Teachers and Success in Final Student Internship

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ingle, Karen M.

2017-01-01

Student teaching provides the final pre-service clinical teaching experience of an initial teacher preparation program. Research that specifically studies the pre-service student teacher and predictive factors of student teaching is limited. Identifying predictive factors that contribute to the success of student interns' student teaching…

Maintaining Students' Speaking Fluency through Exhibition Examination in Sociolinguistic Studies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yuliatuty, Khusnul Qhotimah

2013-01-01

Using exhibition for the final project in Sociolinguistic study is really interesting for Universitas Siswa Bangsa Internasional students, especially for 2011 English Department students. Exhibition becomes interesting because this is the new thing to conduct the final project for English Department students' cohort 2011 at Universitas Siswa…

Solucion de Problemas y Procesos Cognoscitivos (Problem Solving and Cognitive Processes). Publication No. 41.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rimoldi, Horacio J. A.

The study of problem solving is made through the analysis of the process that leads to the final answer. The type of information obtained through the study of the process is compared with the information obtained by studying the final answer. The experimental technique used permits to identify the sequence of questions (tactics) that subjects ask…

Research Results of the National Day Care Study. Final Report of the National Day Care Study. Volume II.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Travers, Jeffrey; And Others

This final report of the National Day Care Study (NDCS), Volume II, provides researchers, social scientists and lay readers with information for judging the soundness of the evidence underlying NDCS conclusions about relationships between regulatable center characteristics and the outcome of care for the child. Thus, Volume II makes free use of…

7 CFR 1737.71 - Interest rate to be considered for the purpose of assessing feasibility for loans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

...-year Treasury rate will be used in all feasibility studies for loans with a final maturity of at least... rate used in feasibility studies for loans with final maturities of less than 30 years. (c) The... “date of determination” means the date of the feasibility study used in support of the loan...

An Approach to Using Toxicogenomic Data in U.S. EPA Human Health Risk Assessments: A Dibutyl Phthalate Case Study (Final Report, 2010)

EPA Science Inventory

EPA announced the availability of the final report, An Approach to Using Toxicogenomic Data in U.S. EPA Human Health Risk Assessments: A Dibutyl Phthalate Case Study. This report outlines an approach to evaluate genomic data for use in risk assessment and a case study to ...

Studying the Cost and Value of Library Services: Final Report. Technical Report APLAB/94-3/1,2,3,4.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kantor, Paul B.; And Others

This is the final technical report (in three parts) of a 15-month long project to study the costs and value of library functions at five major research libraries. Twenty-one services or service aspects were studied, and numerous measures of the importance or benefit of the service to the users were made. These measures were studied together to lay…

An Inquiry into Testing of Information Retrieval Systems. Comparative Systems Laboratory Final Technical Report, Part III: CSL Related Studies.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zull, Carolyn Gifford, Ed.; And Others

This third volume of the Comparative Systems Laboratory (CSL) Final Technical Report is a collection of relatively independent studies performed on CSL materials. Covered in this document are studies on: (1) properties of files, including a study of the growth rate of a dictionary of index terms as influenced by number of documents in the file and…

Career Plans of Final-Year South African Student Teachers: Migration to "Greener Pastures"?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

de Villiers, J. J. R.

2017-01-01

Teacher loss due to migration is a global phenomenon that impacts both developed and developing nations the world over. The aim of this study was to find out about the career plans of final-year South African student teachers. A group of final-year Bachelor of Education student teachers from a South African university responded to a questionnaire…

Behind the Final Grade in Hybrid v. Traditional Courses: Comparing Student Performance by Assessment Type, Core Competency, and Course Objective

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bain, Lisa Z.

2012-01-01

There are many different delivery methods used by institutions of higher education. These include traditional, hybrid, and online course offerings. The comparisons of these typically use final grade as the measure of student performance. This research study looks behind the final grade and compares student performance by assessment type, core…

The role of prominence in determining the scope of boundary-related lengthening in Greek.

PubMed

Katsika, Argyro

2016-03-01

This study aims at examining and accounting for the scope of the temporal effect of phrase boundaries. Previous research has indicated that there is an interaction between boundary-related lengthening and prominence such that the former extends towards the nearby prominent syllable. However, it is unclear whether this interaction is due to lexical stress and/or phrasal prominence (marked by pitch accent) and how far towards the prominent syllable the effect extends. Here, we use an electromagnetic articulography (EMA) study of Greek to examine the scope of boundary-related lengthening as a function of lexical stress and pitch accent separately. Boundaries are elicited by the means of a variety of syntactic constructions.. The results show an effect of lexical stress. Phrase-final lengthening affects the articulatory gestures of the phrase-final syllable that are immediately adjacent to the boundary in words with final stress, but is initiated earlier within phrase-final words with non-final stress. Similarly, the articulatory configurations during inter-phrasal pauses reach their point of achievement later in words with final stress than in words with non-final stress. These effects of stress hold regardless of whether the phrase-final word is accented or de-accented. Phrase-initial lengthening, on the other hand, is consistently detected on the phrase-initial constriction, independently of where the stress is within the preceding, phrase-final, word. These results indicate that the lexical aspect of prominence plays a role in determining the scope of boundary-related lengthening in Greek. Based on these results, a gestural account of prosodic boundaries in Greek is proposed in which lexical and phrasal prosody interact in a systematic and coordinated fashion. The cross-linguistic dimensions of this account and its implications for prosodic structure are discussed.

The effects of solar Reimers η on the final destinies of Venus, the Earth, and Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Jianpo; Lin, Ling; Bai, Chunyan; Liu, Jinzhong

2016-04-01

Our Sun will lose sizable mass and expand enormously when it evolves to the red giant branch phase and the asymptotic giant branch phase. The loss of solar mass will push a planet outward. On the contrary, solar expansion will enhance tidal effects, and tidal force will drive a planet inward. Will our Sun finally engulf Venus, the Earth, and Mars? In the literature, one can find a large number of studies with different points of view. A key factor is that we do not know how much mass the Sun will lose at the late stages. The Reimers η can describe the efficiency of stellar mass-loss and greatly affect solar mass and solar radius at the late stages. In this work, we study how the final destinies of Venus, the Earth, and Mars can be depending on Reimers η chosen. In our calculation, the Reimers η varies from 0.00 to 0.75, with the minimum interval 0.0025. Our results show that Venus will be engulfed by the Sun and Mars will most probably survive finally. The fate of the Earth is uncertain. The Earth will finally be engulfed by the Sun while η <0.4600, and it will finally survive while η ≥ 0.4600. New observations indicate that the average Reimers η for solar-like stars is 0.477. This implies that Earth may survive finally.

OBSERVATIONAL STUDY OF FINAL CLEANING AND AHERA CLEARANCE SAMPLING AT ASBESTOS-ABATEMENT SITES IN NEW JERSEY

EPA Science Inventory

A study was conducted during the summer of 1988 to document final cleaning procedures and evaluate Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) clearance air sampling practices used at 20 asbestos-abatement sites in New Jersey. Each abatement took place in a school building and...

Multicultural Sex-Role Development in Young Children: Intervention Strategies. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Busch, Judith W.; Schau, Candace Garrett

This is the final report of a project that studied sex role stereotyping behavior among children in four preschools in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and attempted to intervene in the development of such stereotyping. The three phases of the study, which included contacting the schools, data collection and analysis, and information dissemination, are…

76 FR 74076 - Notice of Random Assignment Study To Evaluate the YouthBuild Program; Final Notice

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-11-30

... Evaluate the YouthBuild Program; Final Notice AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration (ETA), Labor... rigorous, nationally-representative estimates of the net impacts of the YouthBuild program. The Department... study. In the sites randomly selected to participate in this evaluation, all applicants for YouthBuild...

The Longitudinal Assessment Study (LAS): Eighteen Year Follow-Up. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Glenn, Christopher M.

Premised on the view that students with more years of Montessori education (MEY) would possess to a higher degree those qualities emphasized in the Montessori environment and that Montessori students would be as successful as students more traditionally educated, this report presents the final assessment for the Longitudinal Assessment Study,…

Digital-Computer Processing of Graphical Data. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Freeman, Herbert

The final report of a two-year study concerned with the digital-computer processing of graphical data. Five separate investigations carried out under this study are described briefly, and a detailed bibliography, complete with abstracts, is included in which are listed the technical papers and reports published during the period of this program.…

Communication Skills in Standardized-Patient Assessment of Final-Year Medical Students: A Psychometric Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Guiton, Gretchen; Hodgson, Carol S.; Delandshere, Ginett; Wilkerson, Luann

2004-01-01

The purpose of this study is to investigate the content-specificity of communication skills. It investigates the reliability and dimensionality of standardized patient (SP) ratings of communication skills in an Objective Structured Clinical Examination(OSCE) for final year medical students. An OSCE consisting of seven standardized patient(SP)…

The Amherst Project. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hampshire Coll., Amherst, MA.

This final report submitted by the Committee on the Study of History at Hampshire College describes the Amherst Project, a research and development project devoted to fostering the newer inquiry approaches in the study of United States history. The project's main focus has been on secondary schools, but has also encompassed junior high and adult…

Long-Term, Open-Label Safety and Efficacy of Atomoxetine in Adults with ADHD: Final Report of a 4-Year Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Adler, Lenard A.; Spencer, Thomas J.; Williams, David W.; Moore, Rodney J.; Michelson, David

2008-01-01

Objective: Previously, data from 97 weeks of open-label atomoxetine treatment of adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were reported. This final report of that study presents results from over 4 years of treatment. Method: Results were derived from the study of 384 patients (125 patients remaining in the open-label trial…

Neural Mechanisms of Recognizing Camouflaged Objects: A Human fMRI Study

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-07-30

Unlimited Final Report: Neural Mechanisms of Recognizing Camouflaged Objects: A Human fMRI Study The views, opinions and/or findings contained in this...27709-2211 Visual search, Camouflage, Functional magnetic resonance imaging ( fMRI ), Perceptual learning REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE 11. SPONSOR...ABSTRACT Number of Papers published in peer-reviewed journals: Final Report: Neural Mechanisms of Recognizing Camouflaged Objects: A Human fMRI Study

African Social Studies Program-1, 1988-89. Final Report. A Master's Degree Program for African Social Studies Leaders.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Indiana Univ., Bloomington.

This paper presents the final report on a project that brought African social studies education leaders to Indiana University (Bloomington) to take part in a Master's Degree program. The report contains a brief history of the program, a description of the program, a discussion of issues relating to acculturation, an evaluation, a list of…

Film Evaluations of Eskimo Education. The National Study of American Indian Education, Series III, No. 4, Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Collier, John, Jr.

As a part of the Final Report of the National Study of American Indian Education, the educational environments of schools in 2 Alaskan tundra villages, in a state-consolidated school in Bethel, and in Anchorage public schools were filmed to provide empirical evidence for the evaluation of Eskimo education. This film study was pointed toward…

A Study on the Attitudes of Students, Instructors, and Educational Principals to Electronic Administration of Final-Semester Examinations in Payame Noor University in Iran

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Omidian, Faranak; Nedayeh Ali, Farzaneh

2015-01-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the attitudes of students, instructors, and educational principals to electronic administration of final-semester examinations at undergraduate and post- graduate levels in Payame Noor University in Khuzestan. The statistical population of this study consisted of all educational principals, instructors, of…

Longitudinal Study of the Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program. Final Report 2: VR Services and Outcomes.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hayward, Becky J.; Schmidt-Davis, Holly

This report is the second in a series of four final reports that present the findings of the Longitudinal Study of the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services Program. Initiated in fall 1992, the study has tracked VR participation and post-VR experiences of applicants to and consumers of VR services (n=8,500) for up to 3 years following exit from…

A Field Experimental Approach to the Study of Relevance Assessments in Relation to Document Searching. Final Report to the National Science Foundation. Volume I.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rees, Alan M; Schultz, Douglas G.

An empirical study of the nature and variability of the relevance judgment process was conducted from July 1, 1965 to September 30, 1967. Volume I of the final report presents a literature review and statement of the theoretical framework of the study, a discussion of the experimental design and a summary of data analyses. The study had two…

Study on the Effect of Surface Energy of Polypropylene/Polyamide12 polymer Hybrid Matrix Reinforced with Virgin and Recycled Carbon Fiber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sena Maia, Bruno

The presented work is focused on characterization of thermal treated recycled and virgin carbon fibers. Their thermal performances, chemical surface composition and its influence on interfacial adhesion phenomena on PP/PA12 hybrid matrix were compared using TGA, FTIR and XPS analysis. Additionally, differences between hybrid matrix structural performances of PP/PA12 using both surface modifiers PMPPIC and MAPP were investigated. Final mechanical properties improvements between 8% up to 17% were reached by addition of PMPPIC in PP/PA12 hybrid matrix. For PP/PA12 matrix reinforcement using virgin and recycled carbon fibers, impact energy was improved up to 98% compared with MAPP modified matrix leading to a novel composite with good energy absorption. Finally, wettability studies and surface free energy analysis of all materials studied support the effect of the addition of PMPPIC, MAPP and carbon fibers in final composite surface thermodynamics bringing important data correlation between interfacial adhesion mechanisms and final composite performance.

Final height in elite male artistic gymnasts.

PubMed

Georgopoulos, Neoklis A; Theodoropoulou, Anastasia; Roupas, Nikolaos D; Armeni, Anastasia K; Koukkou, Eftychia; Leglise, Michel; Markou, Kostas B

2012-01-01

Elite male artistic gymnasts (AG) are exposed to high levels of physical and psychological stress during adolescence and experience a significant late maturation in both linear growth and pubertal development. The aim of the present study was to determine the impact of intensive physical training on the adult final height in elite male AG. This study is unique in character, as all variables were measured on the field of competition. The study was prospective and longitudinal; however, the current analysis of data is cross-sectional. Data from 86 elite male AG were obtained during the gymnastics competitions of European and World Championships. Clinical evaluation included height and weight measurements, as well as assessment of pubic hair and genital development according to Tanner's stages of pubertal development. The laboratory investigation included determination of skeletal maturation. All athletes completed a questionnaire that included questions on personal (onset and intensity of training, number of competitions per year) and family data (paternal and maternal heights). Male AG were below the 50th percentile for both final height and weight. Elite male AG had final height standard deviation score (SDS) lower than their genetic predisposition. Final height SDS was correlated positively with target height SDS (r = 0.430, p < 0.001) and weight SDS (r = 0.477, p < 0.001) and negatively to the intensity of training (r = -0.252, p = 0.022). The main factors influencing final height, by multiple regression analysis were weight SDS (p < 0.001) and target height SDS (p = 0.003). In elite maleAG, final height falls short of genetic predisposition, still well within normal limits. Considering medical and psychological risks in general, and based on the results of this research project, the International Federation of Gymnastics has increased the age limit for participants in international gymnastics competitions by 1 year.

Comparison of Written and Oral Examinations in a Baccalaureate Medical-Surgical Nursing Course.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rushton, Patricia; Eggett, Dennis

2003-01-01

Of four groups of medical-surgical nurses, 55 took one final and three midterm written exams, 150 took one each (written), 45 took an oral final, 92 took both written and oral, and 47 took a written test with licensure questions and an oral final. Oral exams resulted in higher scores, more effective study habits, and increased application. (SK)