55 research outputs found

    An analytic technique for the estimation of the light yield of a scintillation detector

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    A simple model for the estimation of the light yield of a scintillation detector is developed under general assumptions and relying exclusively on the knowledge of its optical properties. The model allows to easily incorporate effects related to Rayleigh scattering and absorption of the photons.The predictions of the model are benchmarked with the outcomes of Monte Carlo simulations of specific scintillation detectors. An accuracy at the level of few percent is achieved. The case of a real liquid argon based detector is explicitly treated and the predicted light yield is compared with the measured value.Comment: 17 pages, 5 figure

    The Long-Baseline Neutrino Experiment: Exploring Fundamental Symmetries of the Universe

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    The preponderance of matter over antimatter in the early Universe, the dynamics of the supernova bursts that produced the heavy elements necessary for life and whether protons eventually decay --- these mysteries at the forefront of particle physics and astrophysics are key to understanding the early evolution of our Universe, its current state and its eventual fate. The Long-Baseline Neutrino Experiment (LBNE) represents an extensively developed plan for a world-class experiment dedicated to addressing these questions. LBNE is conceived around three central components: (1) a new, high-intensity neutrino source generated from a megawatt-class proton accelerator at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, (2) a near neutrino detector just downstream of the source, and (3) a massive liquid argon time-projection chamber deployed as a far detector deep underground at the Sanford Underground Research Facility. This facility, located at the site of the former Homestake Mine in Lead, South Dakota, is approximately 1,300 km from the neutrino source at Fermilab -- a distance (baseline) that delivers optimal sensitivity to neutrino charge-parity symmetry violation and mass ordering effects. This ambitious yet cost-effective design incorporates scalability and flexibility and can accommodate a variety of upgrades and contributions. With its exceptional combination of experimental configuration, technical capabilities, and potential for transformative discoveries, LBNE promises to be a vital facility for the field of particle physics worldwide, providing physicists from around the globe with opportunities to collaborate in a twenty to thirty year program of exciting science. In this document we provide a comprehensive overview of LBNE's scientific objectives, its place in the landscape of neutrino physics worldwide, the technologies it will incorporate and the capabilities it will possess.Comment: Major update of previous version. This is the reference document for LBNE science program and current status. Chapters 1, 3, and 9 provide a comprehensive overview of LBNE's scientific objectives, its place in the landscape of neutrino physics worldwide, the technologies it will incorporate and the capabilities it will possess. 288 pages, 116 figure

    CO2/CH4 separation by hot potassium carbonate absorption for biogas upgrading

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    In biogas upgrading to biomethane, the release of CO2 off-gas into the atmosphere is generally regarded as a carbon-neutral emission, but a significant loss of CH4 can occur in this step: considering the global warming potential of this latter compound, methane slip can worsen or even nullify the CO2 savings associated to biomethane. This study investigates a novel approach for biogas upgrading to biomethane, aimed at reducing the methane loss. A plant based on hot potassium carbonate was fed with 150–200 Nm3 h−1 of biogas from municipal waste. CO2 is removed in a K2CO3 absorption column, with negligible CH4 absorption. An assessment of biomethane quality was performed to check its compliance with recent National and European standard specifications. Results show that a methane slip below 0.1% can be achieved with this technology, thus significantly reducing the greenhouse gas emissions associated to biomethane industry. This leads to a lower capital expenditure because no off-gas post-treatment is required. Heat and electricity consumption were monitored, and operational expense resulted to be lower than membrane separation in the specific case study, by applying life cycle cost (LCC) methodology

    Diffusion volume (DV) measurement in endometrial and cervicalcancer: A new MRI parameter in the evaluation of the tumor gradingand the risk classification

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    tPurpose: A new MRI parameter representative of active tumor burden is proposed: diffusion volume(DV), defined as the sum of all the voxels within a tumor with apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) valueswithin a specific range. The aims of the study were: (a) to calculate DV on ADC maps in patients withcervical/endometrial cancer; (b) to correlate DV with histological grade (G) and risk classification; (c) toevaluate intra/inter-observer agreement of DV calculation.Materials and methods: Fifty-three patients with endometrial (n = 28) and cervical (n = 25) cancers under-went pelvic MRI with DWI sequences. Both endometrial and cervical tumors were classified on the basisof G (G1/G2/G3) and FIGO staging (low/medium/high-risk).A semi-automated segmentation procedure was used to calculate the DV. A freehand closed ROI out-lined the whole visible tumor on the most representative slice of ADC maps defined as the slice with themaximum diameter of the solid neoplastic component. Successively, two thresholds were generated onthe basis of the mean and standard deviation (SD) of the ADC values: lower threshold (LT = “mean minusthree SD”) and higher threshold (HT = “mean plus one SD”). The closed ROI was expanded in 3D, includingall the contiguous voxels with ADC values in the range LT-HT × 10–3 mm2/s.A Kruskal–Wallis test was used to assess the differences in DV among G and risk groups.Intra-/inter-observer variability for DV measurement was analyzed according to the method of Blandand Altman and the intraclass-correlation–coefficient (ICC).Results: DV values were significantly different among G and risk groups in both endometrial (p < 0.05) andcervical cancers (p ≀ 0.01). For endometrial cancer, DV of G1 (mean ± sd: 2.81 ± 3.21 cc) neoplasms weresignificantly lower than G2 (9.44 ± 9.58 cc) and G3 (11.96 ± 8.0 cc) ones; moreover, DV of low risk cancers(5.23 ± 8.0 cc) were significantly lower than medium (7.28 ± 4.3 cc) and high risk (14.7 ± 9.9 cc) ones.For cervical cancer, DV of G1 (0.31 ± 0.13 cc) neoplasms was significantly lower than G3 (40.68 ± 45.65cc) ones; moreover, DV of low risk neoplasms (6.98 ± 8.08 cc) was significantly lower than medium(21.7 ± 17.13 cc) and high risk (62.9 ± 51.12 cc) ones and DV of medium risk neoplasms was significantlylower than high risk ones.The intra-/inter-observer variability for DV measurement showed an excellent correlation for bothcancers (ICC ≄ 0.86).Conclusions: DV is an accurate index for the assessment of G and risk classification of cervical/endometrialcancers with low intra-/inter-observer variability

    Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE), Far Detector Technical Design Report, Volume I Introduction to DUNE

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    International audienceThe preponderance of matter over antimatter in the early universe, the dynamics of the supernovae that produced the heavy elements necessary for life, and whether protons eventually decay—these mysteries at the forefront of particle physics and astrophysics are key to understanding the early evolution of our universe, its current state, and its eventual fate. The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) is an international world-class experiment dedicated to addressing these questions as it searches for leptonic charge-parity symmetry violation, stands ready to capture supernova neutrino bursts, and seeks to observe nucleon decay as a signature of a grand unified theory underlying the standard model. The DUNE far detector technical design report (TDR) describes the DUNE physics program and the technical designs of the single- and dual-phase DUNE liquid argon TPC far detector modules. This TDR is intended to justify the technical choices for the far detector that flow down from the high-level physics goals through requirements at all levels of the Project. Volume I contains an executive summary that introduces the DUNE science program, the far detector and the strategy for its modular designs, and the organization and management of the Project. The remainder of Volume I provides more detail on the science program that drives the choice of detector technologies and on the technologies themselves. It also introduces the designs for the DUNE near detector and the DUNE computing model, for which DUNE is planning design reports. Volume II of this TDR describes DUNE's physics program in detail. Volume III describes the technical coordination required for the far detector design, construction, installation, and integration, and its organizational structure. Volume IV describes the single-phase far detector technology. A planned Volume V will describe the dual-phase technology

    Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE), Far Detector Technical Design Report, Volume II: DUNE Physics

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    The preponderance of matter over antimatter in the early universe, the dynamics of the supernovae that produced the heavy elements necessary for life, and whether protons eventually decay -- these mysteries at the forefront of particle physics and astrophysics are key to understanding the early evolution of our universe, its current state, and its eventual fate. DUNE is an international world-class experiment dedicated to addressing these questions as it searches for leptonic charge-parity symmetry violation, stands ready to capture supernova neutrino bursts, and seeks to observe nucleon decay as a signature of a grand unified theory underlying the standard model. The DUNE far detector technical design report (TDR) describes the DUNE physics program and the technical designs of the single- and dual-phase DUNE liquid argon TPC far detector modules. Volume II of this TDR, DUNE Physics, describes the array of identified scientific opportunities and key goals. Crucially, we also report our best current understanding of the capability of DUNE to realize these goals, along with the detailed arguments and investigations on which this understanding is based. This TDR volume documents the scientific basis underlying the conception and design of the LBNF/DUNE experimental configurations. As a result, the description of DUNE's experimental capabilities constitutes the bulk of the document. Key linkages between requirements for successful execution of the physics program and primary specifications of the experimental configurations are drawn and summarized. This document also serves a wider purpose as a statement on the scientific potential of DUNE as a central component within a global program of frontier theoretical and experimental particle physics research. Thus, the presentation also aims to serve as a resource for the particle physics community at large

    Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) Near Detector Conceptual Design Report

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    International audienceThe Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) is an international, world-class experiment aimed at exploring fundamental questions about the universe that are at the forefront of astrophysics and particle physics research. DUNE will study questions pertaining to the preponderance of matter over antimatter in the early universe, the dynamics of supernovae, the subtleties of neutrino interaction physics, and a number of beyond the Standard Model topics accessible in a powerful neutrino beam. A critical component of the DUNE physics program involves the study of changes in a powerful beam of neutrinos, i.e., neutrino oscillations, as the neutrinos propagate a long distance. The experiment consists of a near detector, sited close to the source of the beam, and a far detector, sited along the beam at a large distance. This document, the DUNE Near Detector Conceptual Design Report (CDR), describes the design of the DUNE near detector and the science program that drives the design and technology choices. The goals and requirements underlying the design, along with projected performance are given. It serves as a starting point for a more detailed design that will be described in future documents
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