13 research outputs found

    The Future role of inorganic crystal scintillators in dark matter investigations

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    Crystal scintillators and in particular inorganic scintillators play an important role in the investigation of Dark Matter (DM) and other rare processes. The investigation of a DM signature, as the annual modulation, or the directionality technique requires the use of highly radiopure detectors able to explore the very low energy region maintaining a high stability of the running conditions. In this paper, the cases of NaI(Tl), ZnWO4 and SrI2(Eu) crystal scintillators are described in the framework of our activities at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory of the INFN. Their role, the obtained results in DM investigation, as well as their potential and perspectives for the future are reviewed

    The ways of business digitalization in global corporations

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    Research background: Under the conditions of post-industrial economy, market subjects tend to use digital technologies more intensively. Many authors define digital technologies as innovation, describe possibilities of automatization and try to find out some limitations of smart technologies implementation. In this research, we consider that Industry 4.0 and digital technologies can transform traditional business model radically. That is why, it is very important to highlight the ways of digitalization in business and to justify the choice of the most effective smart technologies during the period of business transformation. Purpose of the article: to highlight the local ways of digitalization in global corporations and to discover the most effective ones among them. Methods: in this research, we run comparative analysis of new business models using recent articles in scientific journals and empirical evidence from open sources. Also, we use the results of expert assessments based on depth-in interviews. Findings & Value added: the most perspective ways of digitalization in global corporations are highlighted: digital automatization implementation, during which the existent process in traditional business model is digitized; new IT service appearance, that improves the traditional business model; digital transformation of traditional business model into the new one with a digital platform core. A visual model of monitoring the digitalization process within the company is proposed. It is proved that smart technologies can transform business model radically. These technologies affect the structure of companies’ supply and can change market structure (including global market) through active company strategy and behavior

    The ways of business digitalization in global corporations

    No full text
    Research background: Under the conditions of post-industrial economy, market subjects tend to use digital technologies more intensively. Many authors define digital technologies as innovation, describe possibilities of automatization and try to find out some limitations of smart technologies implementation. In this research, we consider that Industry 4.0 and digital technologies can transform traditional business model radically. That is why, it is very important to highlight the ways of digitalization in business and to justify the choice of the most effective smart technologies during the period of business transformation. Purpose of the article: to highlight the local ways of digitalization in global corporations and to discover the most effective ones among them. Methods: in this research, we run comparative analysis of new business models using recent articles in scientific journals and empirical evidence from open sources. Also, we use the results of expert assessments based on depth-in interviews. Findings & Value added: the most perspective ways of digitalization in global corporations are highlighted: digital automatization implementation, during which the existent process in traditional business model is digitized; new IT service appearance, that improves the traditional business model; digital transformation of traditional business model into the new one with a digital platform core. A visual model of monitoring the digitalization process within the company is proposed. It is proved that smart technologies can transform business model radically. These technologies affect the structure of companies’ supply and can change market structure (including global market) through active company strategy and behavior

    New Conjugates Based on AIS/ZnS Quantum Dots and Aluminum Phthalocyanine Photosensitizer: Synthesis, Properties and Some Perspectives

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    Today, fluorescent diagnostics and photodynamic therapy are promising methods for diagnosing and treating oncological diseases. The development of new photosensitizers (PS) is one of the most important tasks to improve the efficiency of both laser-induced diagnostics and therapy. In our study, we conjugated PS with AIS/ZnS triple quantum dots (QDs) to obtain non-aggregated complexes. It was shown that the conjugation of PS with QDs does not change the PS fluorescence lifetime, which is a marker of the preservation of PS photophysical properties. In particular, efficient resonant Förster energy transfer (FRET), from QDs to PS molecules in the conjugate, increases the PS luminescence response. The FRET from QD to PS molecules with different ratios of donor and acceptors are shown. It has been demonstrated that the average efficiency of FRET depends on the ratio of PS and QD and reaches a maximum value of 80% at a ratio of 6 PS molecules per 1 QD molecule. Thus, these studies could help to contribute to the development of new complexes based on QD and PS to improve the efficiency of phototheranostics

    Effect of ligand and shell densities on surface structure of core-shell nanoparticles self-assembled from function-spacer-lipid constructs

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    Biomolecular corona is the major obstacle in clinical translation of nanomedicines. To overcome this problem, comprehensive studies of the processes leading to the formation of a biomolecular corona are required. Since such dynamical studies require high spatial and temporal resolution, nanoparticles utilized in it should enable combined experimental and simulation studies. Interactions at nano-bio interface are defined by nanoparticle surface properties such as topography, charge and surface chemistry. Hence, as the preliminary step towards deep understanding of the processes of corona formation it is necessary to develop nanoparticles employing various biocompatible materials and characterize their surface properties. In this work, we applied molecular dynamics simulation to study surface structure of organic core-shell nanoparticles formed by self-assembly of synthetic molecules composed of DOPE lipid, carboxymethylglycine spacer and biotin. Lipid moieties form the hydrophobic core, spacer motifs serve as a hydrophilic shell and biotin residues function as targeting ligand. By mixing such function-spacer-lipid, spacer-lipid and lipid-only constructs at various molar ratios, densities of the ligand and spacer on nanoparticle surface were modified. For convenient analysis of the structure and dynamics of all regions of nanoparticles’ surface, we compiled topography maps based on atomic coordinates. It was shown that an increase in the density of the shell does not reduce exposure of the core, but increases shell average thickness. Biotin, due to its alkyl valeric acid chain and spacer flexibility, is localized primarily near the hydrophobic core and its partial presentation on the surface occurs only in nanoparticles with higher ligand densities. However, an increase in biotin density leads to its clustering. In turn, ligand clustering diminishes stealth properties of the shell and targeting efficiency. Based on nanoparticle surface structures we determined the optimal density of biotin. Experimental studies reported in the literature confirm these conclusions. We also suggest design tips to achieve preferred biotin presentation. Simulation results are consistent with the synchrotron SAXS profile. We believe that such studies will contribute to the better understanding of nano-bio interactions towards the rational design of efficient drug delivery systems

    Recent Developments and Results on Double Beta Decays with Crystal Scintillators and HPGe Spectrometry

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    International audienceRecent developments, results, and perspectives arising from double beta decay experiments at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory (LNGS) of the INFN by using HPGe detectors and crystal scintillators and by exploiting various approaches and different isotopes are summarized. The measurements here presented have been performed in the experimental set-ups of the DAMA collaboration. These setups are optimized for low-background studies and operate deep underground at LNGS. The presented results are of significant value to the field, and the sensitivity achieved for some of the considered isotopes is one of the best available to date
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