77 research outputs found
On the homology of the Harmonic Archipelago
We calculate the singular homology and \v{C}ech cohomology groups of the
Harmonic archipelago. As a corollary, we prove that this space is not homotopy
equivalent to the Griffiths space. This is interesting in view of Eda's proof
that the first singular homology groups of these spaces are isomorphic
Efficient ion blocking in gaseous detectors and its application to gas-avalanche photomultipliers sensitive in the visible-light range
A novel concept for ion blocking in gas-avalanche detectors was developed,
comprising cascaded micro-hole electron multipliers with patterned electrodes
for ion defocusing. This leads to ion blocking at the 10^{-4} level, in DC
mode, in operation conditions adequate for TPCs and for gaseous
photomultipliers. The concept was validated in a cascaded visible-sensitive gas
avalanche photomultiplier operating at atmospheric pressure of Ar/CH_{4} (95/5)
with a bi-alkali photocathode. While in previous works high gain, in excess of
10^{5}, was reached only in a pulse-gated cascaded-GEM gaseous photomultiplier,
the present device yielded, for the first time, similar gain in DC mode. We
describe shortly the physical processes involved in the charge transport within
gaseous photomultipliers and the ion blocking method. We present results of ion
backflow fraction and of electron multiplication in cascaded
patterned-electrode gaseous photomultiplier with K-Cs-Sb, Na-K-Sb and Cs-Sb
visible-sensitive photocathodes, operated in DC mode.Comment: Proceeding paper to 10-th International Conference On Instrumentation
For Colliding Beam Physics, Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics, Novosibirsk,
Russia, February 28 - March 5, 2008, Submitted to NIMA, 5 pages, 7 figure
Enhancing Luminescence and X-ray Absorption Capacity of Eu3+:LaF3 Nanoparticles by Bi3+ Codoping
Bi3+ codoping has been proposed in this work with a twofold objective, namely, enhancing the luminescence emission of Eu3+:LaF3 nanoparticles (NPs) and increasing their X-ray attenuation capacity, with the purpose of obtaining a bimodal bioprobe for luminescence bioimaging and X-ray computed tomography. The synthesis method, reported here for the first time for LaF3 particles, allowed obtaining uniform, nonaggregated NPs using a homogeneous precipitation in polyol medium at room temperature in just 2 h. The simplicity of the synthesis method allows the large-scale production of NPs. LaF3 NPs with different Eu3+ contents were first synthesized to find the critical Eu3+ concentration, producing the highest emission intensity. This concentration was subsequently used to fabricate Bi3+-Eu3+-codoped LaF3 NPs using the same method. The emission intensity of the codoped NPs increased in more than one order of magnitude, thanks to the possibility of excitation through the Bi3+ ¿ Eu3+ energy-transfer band. The luminescence properties of the codoped NPs were analyzed in detail to find the mechanism responsible for the emission enhancement. Finally, it was demonstrated that the high atomic number of Bi3+, higher than that of lanthanides, was an added value of the material because it increased its X-ray attenuation capacity. In summary, the LaF3 NPs codoped with Eu3+ and Bi3+ presented in this work are promising candidates as a bimodal bioprobe for luminescence bioimaging and X-ray computed tomography
Neodymium doped lanthanide fluoride nanoparticles as contrast agents for luminescent bioimaging and X-ray computed tomography
The synthesis of uniform neodymium-doped lanthanum trifluoride nanoparticles with lenticular shape and a mean diameter around 45 nm by using a homogeneous precipitation method is reported. The luminescent properties of the synthesized samples in terms of their emission spectra and emission lifetime are analyzed as a function of the Nd content to find the optimum phosphor and its suitability for luminescent imaging in the second biological window. The X-ray attenuation properties of the optimum phosphor are evaluated to investigate their additional ability as contrast agent for X-ray computed tomography. Finally, the colloidal stability of the obtained nanoparticles in physiological medium and their cytotoxicity are also analyzed to assess their aptness for in vivo bioimaging applications.
En este trabajo se ha desarrollado un método de síntesis de nanopartículas uniformes de trifluoruro de lantano dopadas con neodimio, con forma lenticular y un diámetro medio en torno a 45 nm, basado en un proceso de precipitación homogénea en medio acuoso. Las propiedades luminiscentes de las muestras sintetizadas en términos de sus espectros de emisión y tiempo de vida de las emisiones se han analizado en función del contenido de neodimio (Nd) para determinar el nanofósforo óptimo y su idoneidad para la obtención de imágenes luminiscentes en la segunda ventana biológica. Asimismo, se han evaluado las propiedades de atenuación de rayos X del nanofósforo óptimo para valorar su capacidad adicional como agente de contraste para tomografía computarizada de rayos X. Por último, también se han analizado la estabilidad coloidal de las nanopartículas obtenidas en medio fisiológico y su citotoxicidad para determinar su aplicabilidad para la obtención de imágenes biológicas in vivo
Bimodal Nd-doped luVo4 nanoprobes functionalized with polyacrilic acid for x-ray computed tomography and NIR luminescent imaging
Uniform Nd3+-doped LuVO4 nanophosphors have been synthesized for the first time in literature by using a poliol-based method at 120 °C from Nd3+ and vanadate precursors. After optimizing the Nd doping level, these phosphors present intense luminescence in the near-infrared biological windows. The X-ray attenuation capacity of the optimum nanophosphor has been found to be higher than that of a commercial X-ray computed tomography contrast agent. After surface coating with polyacrylic acid, such nanoparticles present high colloidal stability in physiological pH medium and high cell viability. Because of these properties, the developed Nd3+-doped LuVO4 nanoparticles have potential applications as a bimodal probe for NIR luminescent bioimaging and X-ray computed tomography
Ion-induced effects in GEM & GEM/MHSP gaseous photomultipliers for the UV and the visible spectral range
We report on the progress in the study of cascaded GEM and GEM/MHSP gas
avalanche photomultipliers operating at atmospheric pressure, with CsI and
bialkali photocathodes. They have single-photon sensitivity, ns time resolution
and good localization properties. We summarize operational aspects and results,
with the highlight of a high-gain stable gated operation of a visible-light
device. Of particular importance are the results of a recent ion-backflow
reduction study in different cascaded multipliers, affecting the detector's
stability and the photocathode's liftime. We report on the significant progress
in ion-blocking and provide first results on bialkali-photocathode aging under
gas multiplication.Comment: 6 pages, 8 figure
Theranostics in Boron neutron capture therapy
Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) has the potential to specifically destroy tumor cells without damaging the tissues infiltrated by the tumor. BNCT is a binary treatment method based on the combination of two agents that have no effect when applied individually:10B and thermal neutrons. Exclusively, the combination of both produces an effect, whose extent depends on the amount of10B in the tumor but also on the organs at risk. It is not yet possible to determine the10B concentration in a specific tissue using non-invasive methods. At present, it is only possible to measure the10B concentration in blood and to estimate the boron concentration in tissues based on the assumption that there is a fixed uptake of10B from the blood into tissues. On this imprecise assumption, BNCT can hardly be developed further. A therapeutic approach, combining the boron carrier for therapeutic purposes with an imaging tool, might allow us to determine the10B concentration in a specific tissue using a non-invasive method. This review provides an overview of the current clinical protocols and preclinical experiments and results on how innovative drug development for boron delivery systems can also incorporate concurrent imaging. The last section focuses on the importance of proteomics for further optimization of BNCT, a highly precise and personalized therapeutic approach
High-gain DC-mode operated Gaseous Photomultipliers for the visible spectral range
We shortly describe recent progress in photon detectors combining bi-alkali
photocathodes and cascaded patterned gas-avalanche electron multipliers. It
permitted the development and the first feasibility demonstration of high-gain
gaseous photomultipliers sensitive in the visible spectral range, operated in
DC mode with single-photon sensitivity.Comment: Proceedings to the 5th International Conference on New Developments
In Photodetection 2008, Aix-les-Bains, France, June 15-20, 2008, submitted to
NIM
Molecular Characterization of Growth Hormone-producing Tumors in the GC Rat Model of Acromegaly
D.A.C. was supported by the Nicolás Monardes
program of the Andalusian Ministry of Health (C-0015-2014) and by a grant from the Andalusian
Ministry of Science and Innovation (CTS-7478). A.S-M and A.L.C were supported by grants from
the ISCIII-Subdirección General de Evaluación y Fomento de la Investigación co-funded with Fondos
FEDER (PI12/0143 and PI13/02043, respectively) and the Andalusian Regional Government (CTS-444)
and a grant from Pfizer Spain. R.L.C. was supported by a grant from Andalusian Ministry of Health
(PI0302-2012). R.M.L. was supported by grants from Proyecto de Investigación en Salud (FIS) PI13-
00651 (funded by Instituto de Salud Carlos III), CTS-1406, PI-0639-2012, BIO-0139 (funded by Junta
de Andalucía) and by Ayuda Merck Serono 2013. J. P. C. was funded by a grant (BFU2013-43282-R)
from Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad. CIBER is an initiative of Instituto de Salud Carlos III,
Ministerio de Sanidad, Servicios Sociales e Igualdad, Spain. J.F.M.R. is supported by the “Sara Borrell”
program from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III. R.M. Luque and J.P. Castaño have received grants and
lecture fees from Ipsen and Novartis. E. Venegas-Moreno and A. Soto-Moreno received grants and lecture
fees from Ipsen, Novartis and Pfizer. A. Leal-Cerro received grants from Novartis and Pfizer. David
Cano received a grant from Novartis
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