CLYC as a neutron detector in low background conditions

We report on the thermal neutron flux measurements carried out at the Laboratorio Subterráneo de Canfranc (LSC) with two commercial 2 × 2 CLYC detectors. The measurements were performed as part of an experimental campaign at LSC with He detectors, for establishing the sensitivity limits and use of CLYCs in low background conditions. A careful characterization of the intrinsic α and γ -ray background in the detectors was required and done with dedicated measurements. It was found that the α activities in the two CLYC crystals differ by a factor of three, and the use of Monte Carlo simulations and a Bayesian unfolding method allowed us to determine the specific α activities from the U and Th decay chains. The simulations and unfolding also revealed that the γ -ray background registered in the detectors is dominated by the intrinsic activity of the components of the detector such as the aluminum housing and photo-multiplier and that the activity within the crystal is low in comparison. The data from the neutron flux measurements with the two detectors were analyzed with different methodologies: one based on an innovative α /neutron pulse shape discrimination method and one based on the subtraction of the intrinsic α background that masks the neutron signals in the region of interest. The neutron sensitivity of the CLYCs was calculated by Monte Carlo simulations with MCNP6 and GEANT4. The resulting thermal neutron fluxes are in good agreement with complementary flux measurement performed with He detectors, but close to the detection limit imposed by the intrinsic α activity

Cytogenetics of two central Amazonian species of Colostethus

A cytogenetic study of two central Amazonian species of Colostethus with nidicolous tadpoles indicated that Colostethus stepheni had 2n=24 chromosomes, whereas Colostethus nidicola had 2n=22 chromosomes. These species also differed in their NOR localization and C-banding pattern. These results suggest that karyotypic variation with a probable reduction in chromosome number and the presence of nidicolous tadpoles are independent events that may have occurred more than once during dendrobatid evolution. © 2003 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

Latin American consensus on guidelines for chronic migraine treatment

Chronic migraine is a condition with significant prevalence all around the world and high socioeconomic impact, and its handling has been challenging neurologists. Developments for understanding its mechanisms and associated conditions, as well as that of new therapies, have been quick and important, a fact which has motivated the Latin American and Brazilian Headache Societies to prepare the present consensus. The treatment of chronic migraine should always be preceded by a careful diagnosis review; the detection of possible worsening factors and associated conditions; the stratification of seriousness/ impossibility to treat; and monitoring establishment, with a pain diary. The present consensus deals with pharmacological and nonpharmacological forms of treatment to be used in chronic migraine

Latin American Consensus On Guidelines For Chronic Migraine Treatment

Chronic migraine is a condition with significant prevalence all around the world and high socioeconomic impact, and its handling has been challenging neurologists. Developments for understanding its mechanisms and associated conditions, as well as that of new therapies, have been quick and important, a fact which has motivated the Latin American and Brazilian Headache Societies to prepare the present consensus. The treatment of chronic migraine should always be preceded by a careful diagnosis review; the detection of possible worsening factors and associated conditions; the stratification of seriousness/ impossibility to treat; and monitoring establishment, with a pain diary. The present consensus deals with pharmacological and nonpharmacological forms of treatment to be used in chronic migraine.717478486(2004) International Classification of Headache Disorders, 24, pp. S1-S160. , International Headache Society Classification Subcommittee 2nd edition. 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Preliminary results (2004) Arq Neuropsiquiatr, 62, pp. 513-518Hill, C.H., Miner, J.R., Martel, M.L., Olanzapine versus dropendol for the treatment of primary headache in the emergency department (2008) Acad Emerg Med, 15, pp. 806-811Silberstein, S.B., Peres, M.R., Olanzapine in the treatment of refractory headache (2002) Headache, 42, pp. 515-518Mendes, P.M., Silberstein, S.D., Young, W.B., Intravenous propofol in the treatment of refractory headache (2002) Headache, 42, pp. 638-641Dusitanond, P., Young, W.B., Neuroleptics and migraine (2009) Cent Nerv Syst Agents Med Chem, 9, pp. 63-70Krymchantowski, A.V., Jevoux, C., Moreira, P.R., An open pilot study assessing the benefits of quetiapine for the prevention of migraine refractory to the combination of atenolol, nortriptyline, and flunarizine (2010) Pain Med, 11, pp. 48-52Obermann, M., Katsarava, Z., Management of medication-overuse headache (2007) Expert Rev Neurother, 7, pp. 1145-1155Pageler, L., Katsarava, Z., Diener, H.C., Prednisone vs. Placebo in withdrawal therapy following medication overuse headache (2008) Cephalalgia, 28, pp. 152-156Katsarava, Z., Holle, D., Diener, H.C., Medication overuse headache (2009) Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep, 9, pp. 115-119Zeeberg, P., Olesen, J., Jensen, R., Discontinuation of medication overuse in headache patients: Recovery of therapeutic responsiveness (2006) Cephalalgia, 26, pp. 1192-1198Rossi, R., Jensen, R., Nappi, G., A narrative review on the management of medication overuse headache: The steep road from experience to evidence (2009) J Headache Pain, 10, pp. 407-417Dodick, D.W., Türkei, C.C., DeGryse, R.E., Onabotulinumtoxma for treatment of chronic migraine: Pooled results from the double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled phases of the PREEMPT clinical program (2010) Headache, 50, pp. 921-936. , PREEMPT Chronic Migraine Study GroupDiener, H.C., Dodick, D.W., Aurora, S.K., Onabotulinumtoxin A for treatment of chronic migraine: Results from the double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled phase of the PREEMPT 2 trial (2010) Cephalalgia, 30, pp. 804-814. , PREEMPT 2 Chronic Migraine Study GroupSilberstein, S.D., Lipton, R.B., Dodick, D.W., Efficacy and safety of topiramate for the treatment of chronic migraine: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (2007) Headache, 47, pp. 170-180. , TopiramateChronic Migraine Study GroupSilvestrini, M., Bartolini, M., Coccia, M., Topiramate in the treatment of chronic migraine (2003) Cephalalgia, 23, pp. 820-824Diener, H.C., Bussone, G., Van Oene, J.C., Topiramate reduces headache days in chronic migraine: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (2007) Cephalalgia, 27, pp. 814-823. , TOPMAT-MIG-201 (TOP-CHROME) Study GroupYurekli, V.A., Akhan, G., Kutluhan, S., The effect of sodium valproate on chronic daily headache and its subgroups (2008) J Headache Pain, 9, pp. 37-41Silberstein, S.D., Neto, W., Schmitt, J., Topiramate in migraine prevention: Results of a large controlled trial (2004) Arch Neurol, 61, pp. 490-495. , MIGR-001 Study GroupBrandes, J.L., Saper, J.R., Diamond, M., Topiramate for migraine prevention: A randomized controlled trial (2004) JAMA, 291, pp. 965-973. , MIGR-002 Study GroupSilberstein, S.D., Hulihan, J., Karim, M.R., Efficacy and tolerability of topiramate 200 mg/d in the prevention of migraine with/without aura in adults: A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, 12-week pilot study (2006) Clin Ther, 28, pp. 1002-1011Silberstein, S., Lipton, R., Dodick, D., Topiramate treatment of chronic migraine: A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of quality of life and other efficacy measures (2009) Headache, 49, pp. 1153-1162Hering, R., Kuntzky, A., Sodium valproate in the prophylactic treatment of migraine: A double-blind study versus placebo (1992) Cephalalgia, 12, pp. 81-84Silberstein, S.D., Collins, S.D., Long-term safety of depakote in headache prophylaxis study group (1999) Headache, 39, pp. 633-643. , Safety of divalproex sodium in migraine prophylaxis: an open-label, long-term studyFreitag, F.G., Collins, S.D., Carlson, H.A., Depakote, E.R., A randomized trial of divalproex sodium extended-release tablets in migraine prophylaxis (2002) Neurology, 58, pp. 1652-1659. , Migraine Study GroupRowe, A., Lachinski, R., Rizelio, V., Hospital management of intractable headaches. 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Pushing the high count rate limits of scintillation detectors for challenging neutron-capture experiments

One of the critical aspects for the accurate determination of neutron capture cross sections when combining time-of-flight and total energy detector techniques is the characterization and control of systematic uncertainties associated to the measuring devices. In this work we explore the most conspicuous effects associated to harsh count rate conditions: dead-time and pile-up effects. Both effects, when not properly treated, can lead to large systematic uncertainties and bias in the determination of neutron cross sections. In the majority of neutron capture measurements carried out at the CERN n_TOF facility, the detectors of choice are the C6D6 liquid-based either in form of large-volume cells or recently commissioned sTED detector array, consisting of much smaller-volume modules. To account for the aforementioned effects, we introduce a Monte Carlo model for these detectors mimicking harsh count rate conditions similar to those happening at the CERN n_TOF 20 m flight path vertical measuring station. The model parameters are extracted by comparison with the experimental data taken at the same facility during 2022 experimental campaign. We propose a novel methodology to consider both, dead-time and pile-up effects simultaneously for these fast detectors and check the applicability to experimental data from 197Au(n, γ), including the saturated 4.9 eV resonance which is an important component of normalization for neutron cross section measurements.One of the critical aspects for the accurate determination of neutron capture cross sections when combining time-of-flight and total energy detector techniques is the characterization and control of systematic uncertainties associated to the measuring devices. In this work we explore the most conspicuous effects associated to harsh count rate conditions: dead-time and pile-up effects. Both effects, when not properly treated, can lead to large systematic uncertainties and bias in the determination of neutron cross sections. In the majority of neutron capture measurements carried out at the CERN n_TOF facility, the detectors of choice are the C$_{6}$D$_{6}$ liquid-based either in form of large-volume cells or recently commissioned sTED detector array, consisting of much smaller-volume modules. To account for the aforementioned effects, we introduce a Monte Carlo model for these detectors mimicking harsh count rate conditions similar to those happening at the CERN n_TOF 20~m fligth path vertical measuring station. The model parameters are extracted by comparison with the experimental data taken at the same facility during 2022 experimental campaign. We propose a novel methodology to consider both, dead-time and pile-up effects simultaneously for these fast detectors and check the applicability to experimental data from $^{197}$Au($n$,$\gamma$), including the saturated 4.9~eV resonance which is an important component of normalization for neutron cross section measurements

Overview of the dissemination of n_TOF experimental data and resonance parameters

The n_TOF neutron time-of-flight facility at CERN is used for nuclear data measurements. The n_TOF Collaboration works closely with the Nuclear Reaction Data Centres (NRDC) network to disseminate the experimental data through the international EXFOR library. In addition, the Collaboration helps integrate the results in the evaluated library projects. The present contribution describes the dissemination status of n_TOF results, their impact on evaluated libraries and ongoing efforts to provide n_TOF resonance parameters in ENDF-6 format for further use by evaluation projects

First measurement of the 94Nb(n,γ) cross section at the CERN n_TOF facility

One of the crucial ingredients for the improvement of stellar models is the accurate knowledge of neutron capture cross-sections for the different isotopes involved in the s-,r- and i- processes. These measurements can shed light on existing discrepancies between observed and predicted isotopic abundances and help to constrain the physical conditions where these reactions take place along different stages of stellar evolution. In the particular case of the radioactive 94Nb, the 94Nb(n,γ) cross-section could play a role in the determination of the s-process production of 94Mo in AGB stars, which presently cannot be reproduced by state-of-the-art stellar models. There are no previous 94Nb(n,γ) experimental data for the resolved and unresolved resonance regions mainly due to the difficulties in producing highquality samples and also due to limitations in conventional detection systems commonly used in time-of-flight experiments. Motivated by this situation, a first measurement of the 94Nb(n,γ) reaction was carried out at CERN n_TOF, thereby exploiting the high luminosity of the EAR2 area in combination with a new detection system of small-volume C6D6-detectors and a high quality 94Nb-sample. The latter was based on hyper-pure 93Nb material activated at the high-flux reactor of ILL-Grenoble. An innovative ring-configuration detection system in close geometry around the capture sample allowed us to significantly enhance the signal-to-background ratio. This set-up was supplemented with two conventional C6D6-detectors and a highresolution LaCl3(Ce)-detector, which will be employed for addressing reliably systematic effects and uncertainties. At the current status of the data analysis, 18 resonance in 94Nb+n have been observed for the first time in the neutron energy range from thermal up to 10 keV.Title in Web of Science: First measurement of the Nb-94(n,gamma) cross section at the CERN n_TOF facility</p

The CERN n TOF NEAR station for astrophysics- and application-related neutron activation measurements

A new experimental area, the NEAR station, has recently been built at the CERN n TOF facility, at a short distance from the spallation target (1.5 m). The new area, characterized by a neutron beam of very high flux, has been designed with the purpose of performing activation measurements of interest for astrophysics and various applications. The beam is transported from the spallation target to the NEAR station through a hole in the shielding wall of the target, inside which a collimator is inserted. The new area is complemented with a γ-ray spectroscopy laboratory, the GEAR station, equipped with a high efficiency HPGe detector, for the measurement of the activity resulting from irradiation of a sample in the NEAR station. The use of a moderator/filter assembly is envisaged, in order to produce a neutron beam of Maxwellian shape at different thermal energies, necessary for the measurement of Maxwellian Averaged Cross Sections of astrophysical interest. A new fast-cycling activation technique is also being investigated, for measurements of reactions leading to isotopes of very short half life

Advances and new ideas for neutron-capture astrophysics experiments at CERN n_TOF

This article presents a few selected developments and future ideas related to the measurement of $(n,\gamma)$ data of astrophysical interest at CERN n_TOF. The MC-aided analysis methodology for the use of low-efficiency radiation detectors in time-of-flight neutron-capture measurements is discussed, with particular emphasis on the systematic accuracy. Several recent instrumental advances are also presented, such as the development of total-energy detectors with $\gamma$-ray imaging capability for background suppression, and the development of an array of small-volume organic scintillators aimed at exploiting the high instantaneous neutron-flux of EAR2. Finally, astrophysics prospects related to the intermediate $i$ neutron-capture process of nucleosynthesis are discussed in the context of the new NEAR activation area