LAGOVirtual: A Collaborative Environment for the Large Aperture GRB Observatory

We present the LAGOVirtual Project: an ongoing project to develop platform to collaborate in the Large Aperture GRB Observatory (LAGO). This continental-wide observatory is devised to detect high energy (around 100 GeV) component of Gamma Ray Bursts, by using the single particle technique in arrays of Water Cherenkov Detectors (WCD) at high mountain sites (Chacaltaya, Bolivia, 5300 m a.s.l., Pico Espejo, Venezuela, 4750 m a.s.l., Sierra Negra, Mexico, 4650 m a.s.l). This platform will allow LAGO collaboration to share data, and computer resources through its different sites. This environment has the possibility to generate synthetic data by simulating the showers through AIRES application and to store/preserve distributed data files collected by the WCD at the LAGO sites. The present article concerns the implementation of a prototype of LAGO-DR adapting DSpace, with a hierarchical structure (i.e. country, institution, followed by collections that contain the metadata and data files), for the captured/simulated data. This structure was generated by using the community, sub-community, collection, item model; available at the DSpace software. Each member institution-country of the project has the appropriate permissions on the system to publish information (descriptive metadata and associated data files). The platform can also associate multiple files to each item of data (data from the instruments, graphics, postprocessed-data, etc.).Comment: Second EELA-2 Conference Choroni, Venezuela, November 25th to 27th 200

Ultra high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for cyclosporine a quantification in biological samples and lipid nanosystems

Cyclosporine A (CyA) is an immunosuppressant cyclic undecapeptide used for the prevention of organ transplant rejection and in the treatment of several autoimmune disorders. An ultra high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method (UHPLC–MS/MS) to quantify CyA in lipid nanosystems and mouse biological matrices (whole blood, kidneys, lungs, spleen, liver, heart, brain, stomach and intestine) was developed and fully validated. Chromatographic separation was performed on an Acquity UPLC® BEH C18 column with a gradient elution consisting of methanol and 2 mM ammonium acetate aqueous solution containing 0.1% formic acid at a flow rate of 0.6 mL/min. Amiodarone was used as internal standard (IS). Retention times of IS and CyA were 0.69 min and 1.09 min, respectively. Mass spectrometer operated in electrospray ionization positive mode (ESI+) and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) transitions were detected, m/z 1220.69 → 1203.7 for CyA and m/z 646 → 58 for IS. The extraction method from biological samples consisted of a simple protein precipitation with 10% trichloroacetic acid aqueous solution and acetonitrile and 5 μL of supernatant were directly injected into the UHPLC–MS/MS system. Linearity was observed between 0.001 μg/mL–2.5 μg/mL (r ≥ 0.99) in all matrices. The precision expressed in coefficient of variation (CV) was below 11.44% and accuracy in bias ranged from −12.78% to 7.99% including methanol and biological matrices. Recovery in all cases was above 70.54% and some matrix effect was observed. CyA was found to be stable in post-extraction whole blood and liver homogenate samples exposed for 6 h at room temperature and 72 h at 4 °C. The present method was successfully applied for quality control of lipid nanocarriers as well as in vivo studies in BALB/c mice

The Large Aperture GRB Observatory

The Large Aperture GRB Observatory (LAGO) is aiming at the detection of the high energy (around 100 GeV) component of Gamma Ray Bursts, using the single particle technique in arrays of Water Cherenkov Detectors (WCD) in high mountain sites (Chacaltaya, Bolivia, 5300 m a.s.l., Pico Espejo, Venezuela, 4750 m a.s.l., Sierra Negra, Mexico, 4650 m a.s.l). WCD at high altitude offer a unique possibility of detecting low gamma fluxes in the 10 GeV - 1 TeV range. The status of the Observatory and data collected from 2007 to date will be presented.Comment: 4 pages, proceeding of 31st ICRC 200

Water Cherenkov Detectors response to a Gamma Ray Burst in the Large Aperture GRB Observatory

In order to characterise the behaviour of Water Cherenkov Detectors (WCD) under a sudden increase of 1 GeV - 1 TeV background photons from a Gamma Ray Burst (GRB), simulations were conducted and compared to data acquired by the WCD of the Large Aperture GRB Observatory (LAGO). The LAGO operates arrays of WCD at high altitude to detect GRBs using the single particle technique. The LAGO sensitivity to GRBs is derived from the reported simulations of the gamma initiated particle showers in the atmosphere and the WCD response to secondaries.Comment: 5 pages, proceeding of the 31st ICRC 200

Results from Visual Inspection and Laboratory Testing for ASR in Existing Concrete Cores from Bridges and Pavements in California

The overall goal of this project was to evaluate with available cores the presence of alkali-silica reaction (ASR) in California bridges and pavements, to develop procedures for evaluation of ASR by Caltrans staff, and, potentially, to investigate several locations suspected of having ASR damage. This report summarizes the creation of an inventory for cores taken from bridges and pavements in previous projects, the results of visual inspection and strength testing to identify the potential presence of ASR, and the development of a draft approach for Caltrans staff to evaluate the potential for ASR in bridges and pavements. A spreadsheet database was prepared for storing inventory data for 265 pavement cores with four inch (100 mm) diameter and 311 bridge cores with two inch (50 mm) diameter. Most of the bridge cores were from the San Francisco Bay Area, while the pavement cores were collected from across the state. Visual inspection was performed on 259 of the pavement cores (including multiple samples from some of the pavement cores) and 80 of the bridge cores (those with lengths greater than the three-inch minimum required for evaluation of ASR) using the Damage Rating Index (DRI) method. None of the cores showed the likelihood of an ASR issue, as defined by a DRI greater than 2,000, although a few cores showed a small number of ASR features. Comparison of the ages of the bridges and the ASR damage rating index for the cores showed almost no trend, and showed no apparent differences between cores from bridges built before and after 1995, approximately when Caltrans changed specifications to reduce the risk of ASR. Most of the pavement cores tested had unconfined compressive strength (UCS) less than 8,700 psi (60 MPa) and the median of the UCS of the pavement cores was approximately 6,100 psi (42 MPa). Most of the pavement cores tested had densities less than 156 pcf (2,500 kg/m3 ) and the median of the UCS of the pavement cores was approximately 147 pcf (2,350 kg/m3 ). No significant correlation was found between the UCS and the density of the pavement cores tested, although the UCS strengths generally increased with increased density. The bridge cores were too small in diameter for strength and density testing. An integrated spreadsheet database was prepared for storing all relevant data for all cores, including test results from all tasks (DRI, UCS, and density). A draft guideline was developed for visual inspection of concrete cores to identify signs of potential ASR-related distresses and to support decisions regarding the need for a further detailed investigation for ASR. The guideline describes step-by-step inspection procedures and selection criteria for a further detailed examination, with relevant example pictures showing different severity levels of potential ASR distresses

Acute Ascending Necrotizing Myelitis After COVID-19 Infection: A Clinicopathologic Report

Objectives Neurologic manifestations of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) infection are common and varied. The objective of this report was to describe clinicopathologic findings of rare acute ascending necrotizing myelitis (ANM) and briefly summarize similar COVID-19–associated longitudinally extended transverse myelitis cases. Methods We described the clinical presentation, disease course, diagnostic workup, therapeutic measures, and pathologic findings of ANM associated with COVID-19 infection. Results A 31-year-old previously healthy woman developed a longitudinally extensive lower thoracic myelopathy 3 weeks after COVID-19 infection. The thoracic spinal cord lesion extended to cervical level in 1 week and to the lower medullary level in 2 more weeks. Thoracic laminectomy at T5-T6 level and cord biopsy revealed necrobiotic changes without viral particles or microglial nodules. The clinical deficit stabilized after immunomodulatory and eculizumab therapies. Discussion COVID-19 infection can cause ANM. It adds to the spectrum of reported cases of COVID-19 –associated encephalitis and myelitis

Ultra high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for cyclosporine a quantification in biological samples and lipid nanosystems

Cyclosporine A (CyA) is an immunosuppressant cyclic undecapeptide used for the prevention of organ transplant rejection and in the treatment of several autoimmune disorders. An ultra high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method (UHPLC–MS/MS) to quantify CyA in lipid nanosystems and mouse biological matrices (whole blood, kidneys, lungs, spleen, liver, heart, brain, stomach and intestine) was developed and fully validated. Chromatographic separation was performed on an Acquity UPLC® BEH C18 column with a gradient elution consisting of methanol and 2 mM ammonium acetate aqueous solution containing 0.1% formic acid at a flow rate of 0.6 mL/min. Amiodarone was used as internal standard (IS). Retention times of IS and CyA were 0.69 min and 1.09 min, respectively. Mass spectrometer operated in electrospray ionization positive mode (ESI+) and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) transitions were detected, m/z 1220.69 → 1203.7 for CyA and m/z 646 → 58 for IS. The extraction method from biological samples consisted of a simple protein precipitation with 10% trichloroacetic acid aqueous solution and acetonitrile and 5 μL of supernatant were directly injected into the UHPLC–MS/MS system. Linearity was observed between 0.001 μg/mL–2.5 μg/mL (r ≥ 0.99) in all matrices. The precision expressed in coefficient of variation (CV) was below 11.44% and accuracy in bias ranged from −12.78% to 7.99% including methanol and biological matrices. Recovery in all cases was above 70.54% and some matrix effect was observed. CyA was found to be stable in post-extraction whole blood and liver homogenate samples exposed for 6 h at room temperature and 72 h at 4 °C. The present method was successfully applied for quality control of lipid nanocarriers as well as in vivo studies in BALB/c mice

EUPVSEC 2017

Producción CientíficaElectroluminescence (EL) is nowadays a well-recognized tool for the inspection of solar cells and panels, particularly interesting for the inspection of large plants. Routinely, when the modules are mounted at the PV site, EL measurements are carried out during nighttime and collected with Si CCDs (including conventional - modified - cameras), with good spatial resolutions and relatively low prices. However, daylight EL systems with InGaAs CCDs are promising tools for EL inspection, due to the possibility to analyse the solar panels during the day, which will be beneficial regarding the cost, practicability and module risk mitigation associated to the testing service. Also, in order to reduce production losses, the measurements should be conducted in a fast and reliable way. In this paper, we present a friendly daylight EL system using a cost-effective InGaAs CCD and appropriate filter setup. Good-quality images at high irradiations (above 1000 W/m2) can be obtained in less than 20 s. Additionally, high-quality photoluminescence (PL) imaging can be registered by this friendly, cost-effective system.Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad-CDTI (Proyect IDI-20151194)Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (Project ENE2014-56069-C4-4-R)Junta de Castilla y León (programa de apoyo a proyectos de investigación - Ref. CP16/58