Digital Neutron-Gamma Discrimination Performance of Stilbene in Comparison with Plastic Scintillators

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Investigations of excitation energy transfer and intramolecular interactions in a nitrogen corded distrylbenzene dendrimer system.

The photophysics of an amino-styrylbenzene dendrimer (A-DSB) system is probed by time-resolved and steady state luminescence spectroscopy. For two different generations of this dendrimer, steady state absorption, emission, and photoluminescence excitation spectra are reported and show that the efficiency of energy transfer from the dendrons to the core is very close to 100%. Ultrafast time-resolved fluorescence measurements at a range of excitation and detection wavelengths suggest rapid (and hence efficient) energy transfer from the dendron to the core. Ultrafast fluorescence anisotropy decay for different dendrimer generations is described in order to probe the energy migration processes. A femtosecond time-scale fluorescence depolarization was observed with the zero and second generation dendrimers. Energy transfer process from the dendrons to the core can be described by a Förster mechanism (hopping dynamics) while the interbranch interaction in A-DSB core was found to be very strong indicating the crossover to exciton dynamics

In Vitro Toxicity Assessment of Stilbene Extract for Its Potential Use as Antioxidant in the Wine Industry

The reduction of sulfur dioxide in wine is a consumer’s demand, considering the allergic effects that may occur in people who are sensitive to it. Stilbenes are candidates of great interest for this purpose because of their antioxidant/antimicrobial activities and health properties, and also because they are naturally found in the grapevine. In the present study, the in vitro toxicity of an extract from grapevine shoots (with a stilbene richness of 45.4%) was assessed in two human cell lines. Significant damage was observed from 30 μg/mL after 24 h, and 40 µg/mL after 48 h of exposure. Similarly, the ultrastructural study revealed a significant impairment of cell growing. The extract was able to protect cells against an induced oxidative stress at all concentrations studied. In view of the promising results, a more exhaustive toxicological assessment of the extract is needed to confirm the safety of its further use as additive in wine.España,Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad and INIA for the financial support for this project (RTA2015-00005-C02-02

Metal-Oxo Photo-oxidants, Photochemistry and Photophysics of trans-[Os^(VI)(tmc)(O)_2]^(2+)(tmc = 1,4,8,11-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetra-azacyclotetradecane) and trans-[Os^(VI)(CN)_4(O)_2]^(2-)

trans-[Os^(VI)(tmc)(O)_2]^(2+)(tmc = 1,4,8,11-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetra-azacyclotetradecane) and trans-[Os^(VI)(CN)_4(O)_2]^(2-) are emissive in the solid state and in fluid solutions at room temperature (τ~ 1.0–1.5 µs); the (^3)E_g state of trans-[Os^(VI)(tmc)(O)_2]^(2+) is a powerful one-electron oxidant {[Os^(VI)(O)_2]^(2+) + e^– → [Os^V (O)_2]+, E^0_f > 2.0 V vs. normal hydrogen electrode} in aqueous solution, reacting with PPh3 and ((PhCH_2)_2)S to give O=PPh_3 and ((PhCH_2)_2)S=O, respectively

Scintillator gamma-ray detectors with silicon photomultiplier readouts for high-energy astronomy

Space-based gamma-ray detectors for high-energy astronomy face strict constraints of mass, volume, and power, and must endure harsh operating environments. Scintillator materials have a long history of successful operation under these conditions, and new materials offer greatly improved performance in terms of efficiency, time response, and energy resolution. The use of scintillators in space remains constrained, however, by the mass, volume, and fragility of the associated light readout device, typically a vacuum photomultiplier tube (PMT). Recently developed silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) offer gains and efficiencies similar to those of PMTs, but with greatly reduced mass and volume, high ruggedness, and no high-voltage requirements. We have therefore been investigating the use of SiPM readouts for scintillator gamma-ray detectors, with an emphasis on their suitability for space- and balloonbased instruments for high-energy astronomy. We present our most recent results, including spectroscopy measurements for lanthanum bromide scintillators with SiPM readouts, and pulse-shape discrimination using organic scintillators with SiPM readouts. We also describe potential applications of SiPM readouts to specific highenergy astronomy instrument concepts

Picosecond-jet spectroscopy and photochemistry. Energy redistribution and its impact on coherence, isomerization, dissociation and solvation

The development of the picosecond-jet technique is presented. The applications of the technique to the studies of coherence (quantum beats), photodissociation, isomerization and partial solvation of molecules in supersonic-jet beams are detailed with emphasis on the role of intramolecular energy redistribution. Experimental evidence for intramolecular threshold effect for rates as a function of excess molecular energy is given and explained using simple theory for the redistribution of energy among certain modes. Comparison with R.R.K.M. calculation is also made to assess the nature of the statistical behaviour of the energy redistribution