Development and Performance Evaluation of High Resolution TOF-PET Detectors Suitable for Novel PET Scanners

Tesis por compendio[ES] La Tomografía por Emisión de Positrones (PET) es una de las técnicas más importantes en la medicina de diagnóstico actual y la más representativa en el campo de la Imagen Molecular. Esta modalidad de imagen es capaz de producir información funcional única, que permite la visualización en detalle, cuantificación y conocimiento de una variedad de enfermedades y patologías. Áreas como la oncología, neurología o la cardiología, entre otras, se han beneficiado en gran medida de esta técnica. A pesar de que un elevado número de avances han ocurrido durante el desarrollo del PET, existen otros que son de gran interés para futuras investigaciones. Uno de los principales pilares actualmente en PET, tanto en investigación como en desarrollo, es la obtención de la información del tiempo de vuelo (TOF) de los rayos gamma detectados. Cuando esto ocurre, aumenta la sensibilidad efectiva del PET, mejorando la calidad señal-ruido de las imágenes. Sin embargo, la obtención precisa de la marca temporal de los rayos gamma es un reto que requiere, además de técnicas y métodos específicos, compromisos entre coste y rendimiento. Una de las características que siempre se ve afectada es la resolución espacial. Como discutiremos, la resolución espacial está directamente relacionada con el tipo de centellador y, por lo tanto, con el coste del sistema y su complejidad. En esta tesis, motivada por los conocidos beneficios en imagen clínica de una medida precisa del tiempo y de la posición de los rayos gamma, proponemos configuraciones de detectores TOF- PET novedosos capaces de proveer de ambas características. Sugerimos el uso de lo que se conoce como métodos de "light-sharing", tanto basado en cristales monolíticos como pixelados de tamaño diferente al del fotosensor. Estas propuestas hacen que la resolución espacial sea muy alta. Sin embargo, sus capacidades temporales han sido muy poco abordadas hasta ahora. En esta tesis, a través de varios artículos revisados, pretendemos mostrar los retos encontrados en esta dirección, proponer determinadas configuraciones y, además, indagar en los límites temporales de éstas. Hemos puesto un gran énfasis en estudiar y analizar las distribuciones de la luz centellante, así como su impacto en la determinación temporal. Hasta nuestro conocimiento, este es el primer trabajo en el que se estudia la relación de la determinación temporal y la distribución de luz de centelleo, en particular usando SiPM analógicos y ASICs. Esperamos que esta tesis motive y permita otros muchos trabajos orientados en nuevos diseños, útiles para instrumentación PET, así como referencia para otros trabajos. Esta tesis esta organizada como se describe a continuación. Hay una introducción compuesta por tres capítulos donde se resumen los conocimientos sobre imagen PET, y especialmente aquellos relacionados con la técnica TOF-PET. Algunos trabajos recientes, pero aún no publicados se muestran también, con el objetivo de corroborar ciertas ideas. En la segunda parte se incluyen las cuatro contribuciones que el candidato sugiere para el compendio de artículos.[CA] La Tomografia per Emissió de Positrons (PET) és una de les tècniques més importants en la medicina de diagnòstic actual i la més representativa en el camp de la Imatge Molecular. Esta modalitat d'imatge és capaç de produir informació funcional única, que permet la visualització en detall, quantificació i coneixement d'una varietat de malalties i patologies. Àrees com l'oncologia, neurologia o la cardiologia, entre altres, s'han beneficiat en gran manera d'aquesta tècnica. Tot i que un elevat nombre d'avanços han ocorregut durant el desenvolupament del PET, hi ha altres que són de gran interés per a futures investigacions. Un dels principals pilars actuals en PET, tant en investigació com en desenvolupament, és l'obtenció de la informació del temps de vol (TOF en anglès) dels raigs gamma detectats. Quan açò ocorre, augmenta la sensibilitat efectiva del PET, millorant la qualitat senyal-soroll de les imatges. No obstant això, l'obtenció precisa de la marca temporal dels raigs gamma és un repte que requerix, a més de tècniques i mètodes específics, compromisos entre cost i rendiment. Una de les característiques que sempre es veu afectada és la resolució espacial. Com discutirem, la resolució espacial està directament relacionada amb el tipus de centellador, i per tant, amb el cost del sistema i la seua complexitat. En aquesta tesi, motivada pels coneguts beneficis en imatge clínica d'una mesura precisa del temps i de la posició dels raigs gamma, proposem nouves configuracions de detectors TOF-PET capaços de proveir d'ambduess característiques. Suggerim l'ús del que es coneix com a mètodes de "light-sharing", tant basat en cristalls monolítics com pixelats de diferent tamany del fotosensor. Aquestes propostes fan que la resolució espacial siga molt alta. No obstant això, les seues capacitats temporals han sigut molt poc abordades fins ara. En aquesta tesi, a través de diversos articles revisats, pretenem mostrar els reptes trobats en aquesta direcció, proposar determinades configuracions i, a més, indagar en els límits temporals d'aquestes. Hem posat un gran èmfasi a estudiar i analitzar les distribucions de la llum centellejant, així com el seu impacte en la determinació temporal. Fins al nostre coneixement, aquest és el primer treball en què s'estudia la relació de la determinació temporal i la distribució de llum de centelleig, en particular utilitzant SiPM analògics i ASICs. Esperem que aquesta tesi motive i permeta molts altres treballs orientats en nous dissenys, útils per a instrumentació PET, així com referència per a altres treballs. Aquesta tesi esta organitzada com es descriu a continuació. Hi ha una introducció composta per tres capítols on es resumeixen els coneixements sobre imatge PET i, especialmente, aquells relacionats amb la tècnica TOF-PET. Alguns treballs recents, però encara no publicats es mostren també, amb l'objectiu de corroborar certes idees. La segona part de la tesi conté els quatre articles revisats que el candidat suggereix.[EN] Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is one of the greatest tools of modern diagnostic medicine and the most representative in the field of molecular imaging. This imaging modality, is capable of providing a unique type of functional information which permits a deep visualization, quantification and understanding of a variety of diseases and pathologies. Areas like oncology, neurology, or cardiology, among others, have been well benefited by this technique. Although numerous important advances have already been achieved in PET, some other individual aspects still seem to have a great potential for further investigation. One of the main trends in modern PET research and development, is based in the extrapolation of the Time- Of-Flight (TOF) information from the gamma-ray detectors. In such case, an increase in the effective sensitivity of PET is accomplished, resulting in an improved image signal-to-noise ratio. However, the direction towards a precise decoding of the photons time arrival is a challenging task that requires, besides specific approaches and techniques, tradeoffs between cost and performance. A performance characteristic very habitually compromised in TOF-PET detector configurations is the spatial resolution. As it will be discussed, this feature is directly related to the scintillation materials and types, and consequently, with system cost and complexity. In this thesis, motivated by the well-known benefits in clinical imaging of a precise time and spatial resolution, we propose novel TOF-PET detector configurations capable of inferring both characteristics. Our suggestions are based in light sharing approaches, either using monolithic detectors or crystal arrays with different pixel-to-photosensor sizes. These approaches, make it possible to reach a precise impact position determination. However, their TOF capabilities have not yet been explored in depth. In the present thesis, through a series of peer-reviewed publications we attempt to demonstrate the challenges encountered in these kinds of configurations, propose specific approaches improving their performance and eventually reveal their limits in terms of timing. High emphasis is given in analyzing and studying the scintillation light distributions and their impact to the timing determination. To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the first works in which such detailed study of the relation between light distribution and timing capabilities is carried out, especially when using analog SiPMs and ASICs. Hopefully, this thesis will motivate and enable many other novel design concepts, useful in PET instrumentation as well as it will serve as a helpful reference for similar attempts. The present PhD thesis is organized as follows. There is an introduction part composed by three detailed sections. We attempt to summarize here some of the knowledge related to PET imaging and especially with the technique of TOF-PET. Some very recent but still unpublished results are also presented and included in this part, aiming to support statements and theories. The second part of this thesis lists the four peer-reviewed papers that the candidate is including.This project has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (grant agreement No 695536). It has also been supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad under Grants No. FIS2014-62341-EXP and TEC2016-79884-C2-1-R. Efthymios Lamprou has also been supported by Generalitat Valenciana under grant agreement GRISOLIAP-2018-026.Lamprou, E. (2021). Development and Performance Evaluation of High Resolution TOF-PET Detectors Suitable for Novel PET Scanners [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/162991TESISCompendi

In-depth evaluation of TOF-PET detectors based on crystal arrays and the TOFPET2 ASIC

[EN] In recent years high efforts have been devoted to enhance spatial and temporal resolutions of PET detectors. However, accurately combining these two main features is, in most of the cases, challenging. Typically, a compromise has to be made between the number of readout channels, scintillator type and size, and photosensors arrangement if aiming for a good system performance, while keeping a moderate cost. In this work, we have studied several detector configurations for PET based on a set of 8x8 Silicon Photomultiplier (SiPMs) of 3x3 mm(2) active area, and LYSO crystal arrays with different pixel sizes. An exhaustive evaluation in terms of spatial, energy and timing resolution was made for all detector configurations. In some cases, when using pixel sizes different than SiPM active area, a significant amount of scintillation light may spread among several SiPMs. Therefore, we made use of a calibration method considering the different SiPM timing contributions. Best Detector Time Resolution (DTR) of 156 ps FWHM was measured when using 3x3 mm(2) crystal pixels directly coupled to the 3x3 mm(2) SiPMs. However, when using 1.5 mm crystal pixels with the same photosensor array, although we could clearly resolve all crystal pixels, an average DTR of 250 ps FWHM was achieved. We also shed light in this work on the timing dependency of the crystal pixel and photosensor alignment.This project has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (grant agreement No. 695536) and by the Spanish Ministerio de Economia, Industria y Competitividad under Grant TEC2016-79884-C2-1-R. The first author has also been supported by Generalitat Valenciana, Spain under grant agreement GRISOLIAP-2018-026.Lamprou, E.; Sánchez Martínez, F.; Benlloch Baviera, JM.; González Martínez, AJ. (2020). In-depth evaluation of TOF-PET detectors based on crystal arrays and the TOFPET2 ASIC. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A Accelerators Spectrometers Detectors and Associated Equipment. 977:1-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2020.164295S18977Jones, T., & Townsend, D. (2017). History and future technical innovation in positron emission tomography. Journal of Medical Imaging, 4(1), 011013. doi:10.1117/1.jmi.4.1.011013Surti, S. (2014). Update on Time-of-Flight PET Imaging. Journal of Nuclear Medicine, 56(1), 98-105. doi:10.2967/jnumed.114.145029Lecoq, P. (2017). Pushing the Limits in Time-of-Flight PET Imaging. IEEE Transactions on Radiation and Plasma Medical Sciences, 1(6), 473-485. doi:10.1109/trpms.2017.2756674Surti, S., & Karp, J. S. (2016). Advances in time-of-flight PET. Physica Medica, 32(1), 12-22. doi:10.1016/j.ejmp.2015.12.007Gundacker, S., Auffray, E., Pauwels, K., & Lecoq, P. (2016). Measurement of intrinsic rise times for various L(Y)SO and LuAG scintillators with a general study of prompt photons to achieve 10 ps in TOF-PET. Physics in Medicine and Biology, 61(7), 2802-2837. doi:10.1088/0031-9155/61/7/2802González-Montoro, A., Sánchez, F., Bruyndonckx, P., Cañizares, G., Benlloch, J. M., & González, A. J. (2019). Novel method to measure the intrinsic spatial resolution in PET detectors based on monolithic crystals. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, 920, 58-67. doi:10.1016/j.nima.2018.12.056Moses, W. W. (2011). Fundamental limits of spatial resolution in PET. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, 648, S236-S240. doi:10.1016/j.nima.2010.11.092Lamprou, E., Gonzalez, A. J., Sanchez, F., & Benlloch, J. M. (2020). Exploring TOF capabilities of PET detector blocks based on large monolithic crystals and analog SiPMs. Physica Medica, 70, 10-18. doi:10.1016/j.ejmp.2019.12.004Lamprou, E., Aguilar, A., González-Montoro, A., Monzó, J. M., Cañizares, G., Iranzo, S., … Benlloch, J. M. (2018). PET detector block with accurate 4D capabilities. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, 912, 132-136. doi:10.1016/j.nima.2017.11.002A. Di Francesco, R. Bugalho, L. Oliveira, L. Pacher, A. Rivetti, M. Rolo, et al. TOFPET2: A high-performance ASIC for time and amplitude measurements of SiPM signals in time-of-flight applications, J. Instrum. 11 (03) C03042.Van Dam, H. T., Borghi, G., Seifert, S., & Schaart, D. R. (2013). Sub-200 ps CRT in monolithic scintillator PET detectors using digital SiPM arrays and maximum likelihood interaction time estimation. Physics in Medicine and Biology, 58(10), 3243-3257. doi:10.1088/0031-9155/58/10/3243V. Nadig, D. Schug, B. Weissler, V. Schulz, Evaluation Of The PETsys TOFPET2 ASIC In Multi-Channel Coincidence Experiments, arXiv:1911.08156.Gundacker, S., Turtos, R. M., Auffray, E., Paganoni, M., & Lecoq, P. (2019). High-frequency SiPM readout advances measured coincidence time resolution limits in TOF-PET. Physics in Medicine & Biology, 64(5), 055012. doi:10.1088/1361-6560/aafd52Gundacker, S., Acerbi, F., Auffray, E., Ferri, A., Gola, A., Nemallapudi, M. V., … Lecoq, P. (2016). State of the art timing in TOF-PET detectors with LuAG, GAGG and L(Y)SO scintillators of various sizes coupled to FBK-SiPMs. Journal of Instrumentation, 11(08), P08008-P08008. doi:10.1088/1748-0221/11/08/p0800

Exploring TOF Capabilities of PET Detector Blocks Based on Large Monolithic Crystals and Analog SiPMs

[EN] Monolithic scintillators are more frequently used in PET instrumentation due to their advantages in terms of accurate position estimation of the impinging gamma rays both planar and depth of interaction, their increased efficiency, and expected timing capabilities. Such timing performance has been studied when those blocks are coupled to digital photosensors showing an excellent timing resolution. In this work we study the timing behaviour of detectors composed by monolithic crystals and analog SiPMs read out by an ASIC. The scintillation light spreads across the crystal towards the photosensors, resulting in a high number of SiPMs and ASIC channels fired. This has been studied in relation with the Coincidence Timing Resolution (CTR). We have used LYSO monolithic blocks with dimensions of 50 x 50 x 15 mm(3) coupled to SiPM arrays (8 x 8 elements with 6 x 6 mm(2) area) which compose detectors suitable for clinical applications. While a CTR as good as 186 ps FWHM was achieved for a pair of 3 x 3 x 5 mm(3) LYSO crystals, when using the monolithic block and the SiPM arrays, a raw CTR over 1 ns was observed. An optimal timestamp assignment was studied as well as compensation methods for the time-skew and time-walk errors. This work describes all steps followed to improve the CTR. Eventually, an average detector time resolution of 497 ps FWHM was measured for the whole thick monolithic block. This improves to 380 ps FWHM for a central volume of interest near the photosensors. The timing dependency with the photon depth of interaction and planar position are also included.This project has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (grant agreement No 695536). It has also been supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Economia, Industria y Competitividad under Grant TEC2016-79884-C2-1-R.Lamprou, E.; González Martínez, AJ.; Sánchez Martínez, F.; Benlloch Baviera, JM. (2020). Exploring TOF Capabilities of PET Detector Blocks Based on Large Monolithic Crystals and Analog SiPMs. Physica Medica. 70:10-18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejmp.2019.12.004101870Surti, S. (2014). Update on Time-of-Flight PET Imaging. Journal of Nuclear Medicine, 56(1), 98-105. doi:10.2967/jnumed.114.145029Spanoudaki, V. C., & Levin, C. S. (2010). Photo-Detectors for Time of Flight Positron Emission Tomography (ToF-PET). Sensors, 10(11), 10484-10505. doi:10.3390/s101110484Szczesniak, T., Moszynski, M., Swiderski, L., Nassalski, A., Lavoute, P., & Kapusta, M. (2009). Fast Photomultipliers for TOF PET. IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science, 56(1), 173-181. doi:10.1109/tns.2008.2008992Renker, D. (2007). New trends on photodetectors. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, 571(1-2), 1-6. doi:10.1016/j.nima.2006.10.016Kim, C. L., Wang, G.-C., & Dolinsky, S. (2009). Multi-Pixel Photon Counters for TOF PET Detector and Its Challenges. IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science, 56(5), 2580-2585. doi:10.1109/tns.2009.2028075Moses, W. W. (2002). Current trends in scintillator detectors and materials. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, 487(1-2), 123-128. doi:10.1016/s0168-9002(02)00955-5Gundacker, S., Auffray, E., Pauwels, K., & Lecoq, P. (2016). Measurement of intrinsic rise times for various L(Y)SO and LuAG scintillators with a general study of prompt photons to achieve 10 ps in TOF-PET. Physics in Medicine and Biology, 61(7), 2802-2837. doi:10.1088/0031-9155/61/7/2802Gundacker, S., Acerbi, F., Auffray, E., Ferri, A., Gola, A., Nemallapudi, M. V., … Lecoq, P. (2016). State of the art timing in TOF-PET detectors with LuAG, GAGG and L(Y)SO scintillators of various sizes coupled to FBK-SiPMs. Journal of Instrumentation, 11(08), P08008-P08008. doi:10.1088/1748-0221/11/08/p08008Surti, S., & Karp, J. S. (2016). Advances in time-of-flight PET. Physica Medica, 32(1), 12-22. doi:10.1016/j.ejmp.2015.12.007Gundacker, S., Knapitsch, A., Auffray, E., Jarron, P., Meyer, T., & Lecoq, P. (2014). Time resolution deterioration with increasing crystal length in a TOF-PET system. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, 737, 92-100. doi:10.1016/j.nima.2013.11.025Marcinkowski, R., España, S., Van Holen, R., & Vandenberghe, S. (2014). Optimized light sharing for high-resolution TOF PET detector based on digital silicon photomultipliers. Physics in Medicine and Biology, 59(23), 7125-7139. doi:10.1088/0031-9155/59/23/7125González-Montoro, A., Sánchez, F., Martí, R., Hernández, L., Aguilar, A., Barberá, J., … González, A. J. (2018). Detector block performance based on a monolithic LYSO crystal using a novel signal multiplexing method. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, 912, 372-377. doi:10.1016/j.nima.2017.10.098Xi, D., Xie, Q., Zhu, J., Lin, L., Niu, M., Xiao, P., … Kao, C.-M. (2012). Optimization of the SiPM Pixel Size for a Monolithic PET Detector. Physics Procedia, 37, 1497-1503. doi:10.1016/j.phpro.2012.04.101Gonzalez-Montoro A, Aguilar A, Canizares G, Conde P, Hernandez L, Vidal LF, et al. Performance Study of a Large Monolithic LYSO PET Detector With Accurate Photon DOI Using Retroreflector Layers. IEEE Trans Rad Plasma Med Sci. PP. 1-1. DOI: 10.1109/TRPMS.2017.2692819.Krishnamoorthy, S., Blankemeyer, E., Mollet, P., Surti, S., Van Holen, R., & Karp, J. S. (2018). Performance evaluation of the MOLECUBES β-CUBE—a high spatial resolution and high sensitivity small animal PET scanner utilizing monolithic LYSO scintillation detectors. Physics in Medicine & Biology, 63(15), 155013. doi:10.1088/1361-6560/aacec3González-Montoro, A., Sánchez, F., Bruyndonckx, P., Cañizares, G., Benlloch, J. M., & González, A. J. (2019). Novel method to measure the intrinsic spatial resolution in PET detectors based on monolithic crystals. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, 920, 58-67. doi:10.1016/j.nima.2018.12.056Van Dam, H. T., Borghi, G., Seifert, S., & Schaart, D. R. (2013). Sub-200 ps CRT in monolithic scintillator PET detectors using digital SiPM arrays and maximum likelihood interaction time estimation. Physics in Medicine and Biology, 58(10), 3243-3257. doi:10.1088/0031-9155/58/10/3243Di Francesco A, Bugalho R, Oliveira L, Pacher L, Rivetti A, Rolo M, et al. TOFPET2: A high-performance ASIC for time and amplitude measurements of SiPM signals in time-of-flight applications. Journal of Instrumentation, vol. 11, no. 03, p. C03042.TOFPET2 ASIC Evaluation kit - Hardware User Guide (v1.2), v1.2, PETsys Electronics SA., 2018.Lamprou, E., Aguilar, A., González-Montoro, A., Monzó, J. M., Cañizares, G., Iranzo, S., … Benlloch, J. M. (2018). PET detector block with accurate 4D capabilities. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, 912, 132-136. doi:10.1016/j.nima.2017.11.002Acerbi, F., & Gundacker, S. (2019). Understanding and simulating SiPMs. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, 926, 16-35. doi:10.1016/j.nima.2018.11.118Schug D, Nadig V, Weissler B, Gebhardt P, Schulz V. Initial Measurements with the PETsys TOFPET2 ASIC Evaluation Kit and a Characterization of the ASIC TDC IEEE Trans Rad Plasma Med Sci. PP. 1-1. DOI: 10.1109/TRPMS.2018.2884564.Seifert, S., van Dam, H. T., Vinke, R., Dendooven, P., Lohner, H., Beekman, F. J., & Schaart, D. R. (2012). A Comprehensive Model to Predict the Timing Resolution of SiPM-Based Scintillation Detectors: Theory and Experimental Validation. IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science, 59(1), 190-204. doi:10.1109/tns.2011.2179314Vinke R, Olcott PD, Cates JW, Levin CS. The lower timing resolution bound for scintillators with non-negligible optical photon transport time in time-of-flight PET. Phys. Med. Phys. Med. Biol. 59 6215. Phys Med Biol. 2014; 59(20): 6215–29.Gonzalez AJ, Sanchez F, Benlloch JM. 2018 Organ-Dedicated Molecular Imaging Systems. IEEE Trans Ratiat Plasma Med Sci. 2017; 2(5): 388–403

PET detector block with accurate 4D capabilities

[EN] In this contribution, large SiPM arrays (8 x 8 elements of 6 x 6 mm(2) each) are processed with an ASIC-based readout and coupled to a monolithic LYSO crystal to explore their potential use for TOF-PET applications. The aim of this work is to study the integration of this technology in the development of clinical PET systems reaching sub-300 ps coincidence resolving time (CRT). The SiPM and readout electronics have been evaluated first, using a small size 1.6 mm (6 mm height) crystal array (32 x 32 elements). All pixels were well resolved and they exhibited an energy resolution of about 20% (using Time-over-Threshold methods) for the 511 keV photons. Several parameters have been scanned to achieve the optimum readout system performance, obtaining a CRT as good as 330 +/- 5 ps FWHM. When using a black-painted monolithic block, the spatial resolution was measured to be on average 2.6 +/- 0.5 mm, without correcting for the source size. Energy resolution appears to be slightly above 20%. CRT measurements with the monolithic crystal detector were also carried out. Preliminary results as well as calibration methods specifically designed to improve timing performance, are being analyzed in the present manuscript.This project has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (grant agreement No 695536). It has also been supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Economia, Industria y Competitividad under Grants No. FIS2014-62341-EXP and TEC2016-79884-C2-1-R.Lamprou, E.; Aguilar -Talens, A.; Gonzalez-Montoro, A.; Monzó Ferrer, JM.; Cañizares-Ledo, G.; Iranzo-Egea, S.; Vidal San Sebastian, LF.... (2018). PET detector block with accurate 4D capabilities. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A Accelerators Spectrometers Detectors and Associated Equipment. 912:132-136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2017.11.002S13213691

Pharmaceutical cognitive enhancement in Greek university students: differences between users and non-users in social cognitive variables, burnout and engagement

Pharmaceutical cognitive enhancement (PCE) represents the non-medical use of prescribed medication for the improvement of cognitive functioning and academic performance. Although there are some studies about PCE prevalence, it is less clear how users and non-users of PCE substances differ with respect to their positive and negative student experiences (e.g., academic burnout, engagement with studies) and in social cognitive variables that relate to decision-making and self-regulation of PCE use. The present study assessed whether students with different experiences of PCE substance use displayed differences in academic burnout, study engagement and social cognitive variables relevant to PCE use. Three hundred and forty seven University students (M age = 22.15, SD = 1.69; 54% females) completed a battery of anonymous questionnaires on academic burnout, engagement with studies, social cognitive variables relevant to PCE use, and self-reported use of PCE substances and non-prescribed nutritional supplements. Three user groups emerged, namely, non-users (51.9%, n = 180), single users of non-prescribed dietary supplements (25.4%, n = 88), and dual users of both non-prescribed dietary supplements and PCE (22.8%, n = 79). Multivariate analysis of variance indicated significant differences among the three user groups in intentions, attitudes, social norms, and anticipated regret towards PCE use. No significant differences were observed with respect to academic burnout and work engagement. The findings show that University students may engage in PCE use independently of their student experiences. Rather, a chemically-assisted performance enhancement mindset seems to differentiate users from non-users of PCE substances

Dispositivo para la detección de rayos gamma con codificación de profundidad de interacción y tiempo de vuelo

Dispositivo para la detección de rayos gamma con codificación de profundidad de interacción y tiempo de vuelo. La invención se refiere a dispositivo de detección de rayos gamma, que presenta una alta resolución en la posición en tres dimensiones del impacto del rayo gamma dentro de uno o más bloques (1) de cristal centelleante acoplados a una matriz (2) de foto-sensores, para la determinación de la energía de impacto de dicho rayo gamma, la determinación del instante temporal en el que se ha producido dicho impacto, la profundidad de interacción y la determinación del tiempo de vuelo. En dicho dispositivo, ventajosamente, los bloques (1) de detección de cristal centelleante se encuentran ópticamente aislados, de forma que la luz de centelleo únicamente puede abandonar dichos bloques (1) a través de la región de salida (4); y los bloques (1) de detección de cristal centelleante y la matriz (2) de foto-sensores se encuentran dispuestos en acoplamiento óptico directo.Peer reviewedUniversitat Politècnica de València, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)A1 Solicitud de patente con informe sobre el estado de la técnic

Dispositivo para la detección de rayos gamma con codificación de profundidad de interacción y tiempo de vuelo

La invención se refiere a dispositivo de detección de rayos gamma, que presenta una alta resolución en la posición en tres dimensiones del impacto del rayo gamma dentro de uno o más bloques (1) de cristal centelleante acoplados a una matriz (2) de foto-sensores, para la determinación de la energía de impacto de dicho rayo gamma, la determinación del instante temporal en el que se ha producido dicho impacto, la profundidad de interacción y la 10 determinación del tiempo de vuelo. En dicho dispositivo, ventajosamente, los bloques (1) de detección de cristal centelleante se encuentran ópticamente aislados, de forma que la luz de centelleo únicamente puede abandonar dichos bloques (1) a través de la región de salida (4); y los bloques (1) de detección de cristal centelleante y la matriz (2) de foto-sensores se encuentran dispuestos en acoplamiento óptico directo. [ES]The invention relates to a device for the detection of gamma rays, presenting a high resolution in the three-dimensional position of the impact of the gamma ray within one or more scintillation crystal blocks (1) coupled to an array (2) of photosensors, for the determination of the impact energy of said gamma ray, the determination of the instant in time when said impact occurred, the interaction depth and the determination of the time-of-flight. Advantageously, in said device, the scintillation crystal detection blocks (1) are optically isolated, in such a way that the scintillation light can only exit said blocks (1) via the outlet region (4); and the scintillation crystal detection blocks (1) and the array (2) of photosensors are disposed in direct optical coupling. [EN]Peer reviewedUniversitat Politècnica de València, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)A1 Solicitud de patente con informe sobre el estado de la técnic