First tests of the applicability of γ\gamma-ray imaging for background discrimination in time-of-flight neutron capture measurements

In this work we explore for the first time the applicability of using $\gamma$-ray imaging in neutron capture measurements to identify and suppress spatially localized background. For this aim, a pinhole gamma camera is assembled, tested and characterized in terms of energy and spatial performance. It consists of a monolithic CeBr$_3$ scintillating crystal coupled to a position-sensitive photomultiplier and readout through an integrated circuit AMIC2GR. The pinhole collimator is a massive carven block of lead. A series of dedicated measurements with calibrated sources and with a neutron beam incident on a $^{197}$Au sample have been carried out at n_TOF, achieving an enhancement of a factor of two in the signal-to-background ratio when selecting only those events coming from the direction of the sample.Comment: Preprint submitted to Nucl. Instr. and Meth.

Crop growth models for the -omics era: the EU-SPICY project

The prediction of phenotypic responses from genetic and environmental information is an area of active research in genetics, physiology and statistics. Rapidly increasing amounts of phenotypic information become available as a consequence of high throughput phenotyping techniques, while more and cheaper genotypic data follow from the development of new genotyping platforms. , A wide array of -omics data can be generated linking genotype and phenotype. Continuous monitoring of environmental conditions has become an accessible option. This wealth of data requires a drastic rethinking of the traditional quantitative genetic approach to modeling phenotypic variation in terms of genetic and environmental differences. Where in the past a single phenotypic trait was partitioned in a genetic and environmental component by analysis of variance techniques, nowadays we desire to model multiple, interrelated and often time dependent, phenotypic traits as a function of genes (QTLs) and environmental inputs, while we would like to include transcription information as well. The EU project 'Smart tools for Prediction and Improvement of Crop Yield' (KBBE-2008-211347), or SPICY, aims at the development of genotype-to-phenotype models that fully integrate genetic, genomic, physiological and environmental information to achieve accurate phenotypic predictions across a wide variety of genetic and environmental configurations. Pepper (Capsicum annuum) is chosen as the model crop, because of the availability of genetically characterized populations and of generic models for continuous crop growth and greenhouse production. In the presentation the objectives and structure of SPICY as well as its philosophy will be discussed

Cytotoxicity of three new triazolo-pyrimidine derivatives against the plant trypanosomatid: Phytomonas sp isolated from Euphorbia characias

There is no effective chemotherapy against diseases caused by Phytomonas sp., a plant trypanosomatid responsible for economic losses in major crops. We tested three triazolo-pyrimidine complexes [two with Pt(II), and another with Ru(III)] against promastigotes of Phytomonas sp. isolated from Euphorbia characias. The incorporation of radiolabelled precursors, ultrastructural alterations and changes in the pattern of metabolite excretion were examined. Different degrees of toxicity were found for each complex: the platinun compound showed an inhibition effect on nucleic acid synthesis, provoking alterations on the levels of mitochondria, nucleus and glycosomes. These results, together with others reported previously in our laboratory about the activity of pyrimidine derivatives, reflect the potential of these compounds as agents in the treatment of Phytomonas sp.Financial support Universidad de Granada (Spain), grant BIO 2000-1429

Sensor de humedad del suelo de bajo coste para control de regadíos

This paper presents a low-cost system to measure soil humidity for application in irrigation control. It is based in the simultaneous measurement of the real and imaginary parts of the impedance of a volume of soil comprised between two conducting electrodes. The separation of real and imaginary parts allows for an accurate measurement of water contents even in soils with high salinity. An ASIC is being developed which acts as interface between a capacitive probe and a microcontroller. Satisfactory laboratory tests have been completed on a first prototype. The system will be used to reduce the water consumption in agriculture by determining the optimum volume of water to use.Se presenta un sistema de medida de humedad del suelo para aplicaciones en el control de riegos. Basado en la medida de las componentes real e imaginaria de la impedancia presentada por el volumen de suelo comprendido entre dos electrodos, permite determinar de forma fiable el contenido de humedad incluso en suelos salinos. Se está desarrollando un ASIC que actúa como interfase entre una sonda capacitiva y un microcontrolador y se han completado las pruebas de laboratorio sobre un primer prototipo. El sistema será empleado como medidor de humedad de suelo para regadíos, al objeto de decidir el momento y volumen de agua óptimo a emplear en cada turno de riego, minimizando así el consumo de agua.Fondo Europeo para el Desarrollo Regional (FEDER)Programa Nacional de Tecnologías de Información y las Comunicaciones I+

Fast Scramblers, Horizons and Expander Graphs

We propose that local quantum systems defined on expander graphs provide a simple microscopic model for thermalization on quantum horizons. Such systems are automatically fast scramblers and are motivated from the membrane paradigm by a conformal transformation to the so-called optical metric.Comment: 22 pages, 2 figures. Added further discussion in section 3. Added reference

Seguimiento farmacoterapéutico ¿por dónde empiezo?”

Objetivos: Proporcionar los conocimientos y habilidades básicos para realizar Seguimiento Farmacoterapéutico (SFT) en el ámbito dela oficina de Farmacia. Promover la motivación y el cambio en la conducta hacia la realización del servicio de SFT en la farmacia. Método: Talleres limitados para 12 alumnos. Se desarrollan tres sesiones. En las dos primeras, celebradas en días consecutivos, seimparten los conocimientos básicos para realizar el SFT. Primera sesión: se realiza una entrevista real a un paciente. Después se elabora el estado de situación de este caso, participando todoel grupo. Segunda sesión: se realiza la fase de estudio, dividiéndose los alumnos en pequeños grupos por las patologías a estudiar. Tercera sesión: se desarrolla tres semanas después, para que el farmacéutico disponga del tiempo necesario para captar y hacer SFTa un paciente. Cada alumno hace una exposición de su caso de SFT. Resultados: Se han impartido tres Talleres, participando un total de 33 farmacéuticos.Resolución de casos de pacientes por los alumnos: RNM detectados: 76; Nº de intervenciones realizadas: 82; RNM resueltos: 56Evaluación del Taller (duración, recursos materiales utilizados): Nota media: 9,31Evaluación del Profesorado: Nota media: 9,77 Conclusiones: Los profesores detectan el cambio de los alumnos en su actitud profesional ante el paciente y su tratamiento. El posiblebeneficio clínico que se obtengalleva a plantear nuevas estrategias para el formato futuro de esta actividad formativa

Seguimiento farmacoterapéutico ¿por dónde empiezo?”

Objetivos: Proporcionar los conocimientos y habilidades básicos para realizar Seguimiento Farmacoterapéutico (SFT) en el ámbito dela oficina de Farmacia. Promover la motivación y el cambio en la conducta hacia la realización del servicio de SFT en la farmacia. Método: Talleres limitados para 12 alumnos. Se desarrollan tres sesiones. En las dos primeras, celebradas en días consecutivos, seimparten los conocimientos básicos para realizar el SFT. Primera sesión: se realiza una entrevista real a un paciente. Después se elabora el estado de situación de este caso, participando todoel grupo. Segunda sesión: se realiza la fase de estudio, dividiéndose los alumnos en pequeños grupos por las patologías a estudiar. Tercera sesión: se desarrolla tres semanas después, para que el farmacéutico disponga del tiempo necesario para captar y hacer SFTa un paciente. Cada alumno hace una exposición de su caso de SFT. Resultados: Se han impartido tres Talleres, participando un total de 33 farmacéuticos.Resolución de casos de pacientes por los alumnos: RNM detectados: 76; Nº de intervenciones realizadas: 82; RNM resueltos: 56Evaluación del Taller (duración, recursos materiales utilizados): Nota media: 9,31Evaluación del Profesorado: Nota media: 9,77 Conclusiones: Los profesores detectan el cambio de los alumnos en su actitud profesional ante el paciente y su tratamiento. El posiblebeneficio clínico que se obtengalleva a plantear nuevas estrategias para el formato futuro de esta actividad formativa

Neutronic design for ESS-Bilbao neutron source

The European Spallation Source-Bilbao (ESS-Bilbao) project plans to build an accelerator facility compliant with the ESS-AB requirements which will be able to drive several experimental stations for research purposes involving intense proton beams with currents up to 75 mA, 50 MeV of final energy, 1.5 ms of pulse length and up to 50 Hz repetition rate. The accelerator will also drive a compact neutron source which will provide useful neutron beams to carry out experiments on moderator optimization, neutron optics devices and general neutron instrumentation as well as preparation work for experiments to be carried out by neutron beam users at the large facilities

First tests of the applicability of γ-ray imaging for background discrimination in time-of-flight neutron capture measurements

In this work we explore for the first time the applicability of using γ-ray imaging in neutron capture measurements to identify and suppress spatially localized background. For this aim, a pinhole gamma camera is assembled, tested and characterized in terms of energy and spatial performance. It consists of a monolithic CeBr3 scintillating crystal coupled to a position-sensitive photomultiplier and readout through an integrated circuit AMIC2GR. The pinhole collimator is a massive carven block of lead. A series of dedicated measurements with calibrated sources and with a neutron beam incident on a 197Au sample have been carried out at n_TOF, achieving an enhancement of a factor of two in the signal-to-background ratio when selecting only those events coming from the direction of the sample.España, Ministerio de Economía y Competitivdad FPA2011-24553España, Ministerio de Economía y Competitivdad FPA2013-45083-PEspaña, Ministerio de Economía y Competitivdad SEV-2014-039