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The European H2020 project, entitled “effective Container inspection at BORDer control points” (C-BORD), aims to develop a framework of Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) technologies, for containers and large-volume freight at the EU borders. In this article the first results of the field trials of the Rapidly Relocatable Tagged Neutron Inspection System (RRTNIS) are reported. The tests were carried out at the customs administration of the Netherlands' (DCA) facility in the seaport of Rotterdam, the Netherlands. For the tests mock-up cargo containers were prepared. The containers were analyzed using the whole set of NII subsystems of the C-BORD framework. Each container underwent a session of subsequent scans with all the subsystems, in order to realistically reproduce the normal flow of inspections at the customs facility. The RRTNIS was tested under these realistic conditions, as well. The system was able to separate and identify the target materials, in mock-up containers, and improve the state-of-the-art in terms of the detected quantities.

In this paper we propose a method of fast neutron flux estimation from a pulsed D-T neutron generator with application of single CaF2 scintillation crystal. The analysis method relies on 19F(n, α)16N threshold activation reaction having neutron energy threshold at 1.6 MeV. As a result, the 16N undergo β− decay with half-life of 7.1 s, emitting β particles with endpoint up to 10.4 MeV in the scintillator medium. Integration of the β distribution curve, preceded by calculation of (n, α) rate on F with Monte Carlo N-Particle Transport Code v6 (MCNP6) for fixed geometry, allows to estimate the neutron flux in 4π per second within few minutes.

This report presents a concept of constructing a detector dedicated for detection of muons observed during measurements carried out at the MPD (Multi-Purpose Detector) detector that is currently under construction at the NICA facility, Russia, Dubna. It has been proposed to design and build an additional detector that will complement the current MPD set and increase its measurement capabilities. The main goal of this project is to provide information from cosmic muons that pass the MPD detector in both in-beam and off-beam experiments. Hence, the detector is called the MPD COsmic Ray Detector (MCORD).The conceptual design of MCORD is proposed by a Polish consortium NICA-PL comprising several Polish scientific institutions. The data from cosmic ray muons could be used as a trigger for calibration of other detection systems comprising the MPD detector. Large surface covered by the MCORD offers also possibility for efficient registration of muons generated in expanding atmospheric showers induced by distant sources. Moreover, beyond some energy threshold, observation of muons originating from decays of collision products will also be possible. In this report examples of the MCORD functionality as a part of the MPD detector are presented. The MCORD is designed as a universal, fast triggering system built as a modular reconfigurable construction. The detection system will be based on plastic scintillators equipped with wavelength shifting fibers, and silicon photomultipliers (SiPM) will be used for scintillation readout. The online analysis of received signals will be performed using digital FPGA modules. Due to the modular design, the same system (its small part) can be used for both laboratory testing of other MPD sub-detectors, and the calibration of these detectors after placing them inside the MPD in off-beam mode. The full detector will support these systems as an additional trigger, calibrator, and muon identifier during the normal operation of the MPD detector with the beam. Thanks to its unique construction, it will expand the possibilities of collecting scientific data of the MPD detector with astrophysical observations. The publication will show the assumptions of the mechanical structure and electronic systems of the planned detector. The installation site of the detector as part of the MPD detector will be described in detail. In the following, the results of simulations made in preparation for this project will be presented. In particular, simulations with the CORSIKA code present angular distributions of particles in cosmic showers in the Dubna city region. Since muons dominate the cosmic ray showers, the MPD detector response to expected cosmic muon flux was also simulated. The results provide information about the muon cut-off thresholds depending on the MPD detector composition during the installation campaign. Simulations of muon events that could be used for MPD subsystems calibration were also performed. The results shown for various configuration of MCORD detector modules will enable the estimation of the time necessary to perform such tests in the future. Simulations with UrQMD model shows the muon abundances due to beam-beam collisions. Approximately 90% of muons are created from pions, whereas the number of muons that reach the MCORD detector is 10 times greater than the number of pions. The MPD detector response was also simulated under the influence of a stream of various particles, especially muons. It shows energy dependence of muon transmission coefficient for MPD with and without ECal assembled. Assuming requirement for muon transmission above 95%, the muon cut-off thresholds are 1.6 GeV and 2.0 GeV, respectively. MCORD detector performance evaluation is also reported. In the case when we used scintillators with one fiber with a diameter of 1 mm, the time resolution of about 1.0 ns was recorded, which corresponds to the positional accuracy (σx) of 7.1 cm. The results of laboratory tests show that application of a 2 mm diameter WLS fiber instead of the previously used 1 mm diameter fiber improves the time resolution to 0.80 ns.

The main detector system at the Nuclotron-based Ion Collider fAcility (NICA) located in Dubna, Russia is the Multi-Purpose Detector (MPD). For better calibration reason, the MPD needs an additional trigger system for an off-beam calibration of MPD sub-detectors and for rejection (veto) of cosmic muons. The system should also be useful for practical astrophysics observations of cosmic showers. The consortium NICA-PL group defines goals and basic assumptions for the MPD Cosmic Ray Detector (MCORD). This article describes the conceptual design and simulation plans of the MCORD detector based on plastic scintillators with SiPM photodetectors and electronic digital system based on the MicroTCA crate.

Multi-Purpose Detector (MPD) is a part of Nuclotron-based Ion Collider fAcility (NICA) located in Dubna, Russia. For full functionality, the MPD needs an additional trigger system for off-beam calibration of MPD subdetectors and for rejection of cosmic ray particles (mainly muons). The system could also be useful for astrophysics observations of cosmic showers initiated by high energy primary particles. The consortium NICA-PL comprised of several Polish scientific institutions has been formed to define goals and basic assumptions for MPD Cosmic Ray Detector (MCORD). This article describes the early stage design of the MCORD detector based on plastic scintillators with silicon photomultiplier photodetectors for scintillation readout and electronic system based on MicroTCA crate. Plans for simulations of MCORD detector performance are also presented.

This article reports a detailed description of the integration tests of the first Rapidly Relocatable Tagged Neutron Inspection System (RRTNIS) carried out at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre in Ispra (Italy). This technology allows the detection and identification of suspicious or illicit materials (such as narcotics, explosives, contraband goods, etc.) inside a cargo container using active neutron interrogation, with the so-called associated particle technique. The method is based on the measurement of the gamma photons emitted by the de-excitation of nuclei that undergo, mainly, inelastic scatterings with incident fast neutrons (En ∼ 14 MeV). A set of scintillation detectors (NaI:Tl and LaBr3:Ce) is employed to perform gamma spectroscopy. The data acquisition system is based on fast signal digitizers and customized data acquisition software. A general technical description of the detection module and an outline of the data acquisition system (DAQ) are given. Also, we present the results of the integration tests, in particular, some examples of the performance of the system in the laboratory are shown, specifically, when using no target (background measurement) and when using mono-elemental and an explosive simulant target. Obtained results suggest that all technical requirements are achieved, and the next step will be the field trials.

Multi-Purpose Detector (MPD) is a main part of a new Ion Collider fAcility (NICA) located in Dubna, Russia. To increase MPD functionality, it was proposed to add an additional muon trigger system for off-beam calibration of the MPD sub-detectors and for rejection of cosmic ray background during experiments. The system could also be very useful for astrophysical observations of cosmic showers initiated by high energy primary particles. This article describes the main goals of MCORD detector and the early stage of MCORD design, based on plastic scintillators with silicon photomultiplier photodetectors (SiPM) for scintillation readout and electronic system based on MicroTCA standard.

The European H2020 project entitled “effective container inspection at border control point” (C-BORD) focuses on the development and in-situ tests of a comprehensive, cost-effective solution for the generalized non-intrusive inspection (NII) of containers and large-volume freight at the European Union border. The opening procedures of suspect containers are time consuming and expensive for economical and safety reasons; therefore, to reduce such operations, the C-BORD project aims to develop a set of technologies that can improve the quality of NII. Among these techniques, a tagged neutron inspection system is being developed in the C-BORD project. It will be a second-line defense system, to be used on sealed containers to detect explosives, illicit drugs, and chemical agents in suspect voxels (elementary volume units). This method employs a beam of tagged neutrons and a set of NaI(Tl) and LaBr[Formula: see text](Ce) scintillators, which will be used to detect prompt gamma rays produced by the neutron interactions. Here we report the advances on the development of the C-BORD’s rapidly relocatable tagged neutron inspection system, in particular the comprehensive characterization of the NaI(Tl) and LaBr[Formula: see text](Ce) gamma detectors (time and energy resolutions, high-count-rate behavior), the digital analysis for time-coincidence measurements and the data acquisition system (DAQ).

In this paper we present the prompt photofission neutron detection performance of undoped CaF2 scintillator using Threshold Activation Detection (TAD). The study is carried out in the frame of C-BORD Horizon 2020 project, during which an efficient toolbox for high volume freight non-intrusive inspection (NII) is under development. Technologies for radiation monitoring are the part of the project. Particularly, detection of various radiological threats on country borders plays an important significant role in Homeland Security applications. Detection of illegal transfer of Special Nuclear Material (SNM) - 235U, 233U and 239Pu - is particular due to the potential use for production of nuclear weapon as well as radiological dispersal device (RDD) V known also as a “dirty bomb”. This technique relies on activation of 19F nuclei in the scintillator medium by fast neutrons and registration of high-energy β particles and γ-rays from the decay of reaction products. The radiation from SNM is detected after irradiation in order to avoid detector blinding. Despite the low 19F(n,α)16N or 19F(n,p)19O reaction cross-section, the method could be a good solution for detection of shielded nuclear material. Results obtained with the CaF2 detector were compared with the previous study done for BaF2 and 3He detector. These experimental results were obtained using 252Cf source and 9 MeV Varian Linatron M9 linear accelerator (LINAC). Finally, performance of the prompt neutron detection system based on CaF2 will be validated at Rotterdam Seaport during field trails in 2018.

International audience; In the frame of the C-BORD project, five innovate technology pillars for Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) are under development. Freight containers are potential means for smuggling, drug trafficking and transport of dangerous or illicit substances. The goal of the C-BORD project is to increase interdiction of illicit or dangerous materials in containerized freight and deliver new capabilities against critical operational requirements and constrains. Particularly, the aim of the project is to increase throughput of the container per time unit, reduce cost and time of cargo inspection and minimize the false negative and false positive alarm ratios. Finally, thanks to field trials organized during the project, capability of these systems will be proven and the C-BORD Toolbox usefulness will be validated by end users under real conditions at sea and border crosses.

The linearity of a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) response depends on the number of APD cells and its effective recovery time and it is related to the intensity and duration of the detected light pulses. The aim of this study was to determine the effective recovery time on the basis of the measured SiPM response to light pulses of different durations. A closer analysis of the SiPM response to the light pulses shorter than the effective recovery time of APD cells led to a method for the evaluation of the single photoelectron response of the devices where the single photoelectron peak cannot be clearly measured. This is necessary in the evaluation of the number of fired APD cells (or the number of photoelectrons) in measurements with light pulses of various durations. Measurements were done with SiPMs manufactured by two companies: Hamamatsu and SensL.

International audience; The European project entitled "effective Container inspection at BORDer control points" (C-BORD) focuses on the development and in-situ tests of a comprehensive cost-effective solution for the generalized Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) of containers and large-volume freight at the European Union (EU) border. It copes with a large range of targets, including explosives, chemical warfare agents, illicit drugs, tobacco and Special Nuclear Materials. Within the C-BORD project, a new generation of Tagged Neutron Inspection System (TNIS) for cargo containers is foreseen. Unlike its predecessors, this system would be the first Rapidly Relocatable TNIS (RRTNIS). It will be a second-line defense system, to be used on sealed containers in order to detect explosives, illicit drugs and chemical agents in a suspect voxel (elementary volume unit). We report on the status of the RRTNIS system, in particular the overall design, the characterization of the large-volume NaI(Tl) gamma detectors, the digital analysis of the time measurements and the Data Acquisition System (DAQ).

International audience; Within the framework of the European H2020 C-BORD project, aiming at improving container inspection technologies, a compact and "Rapidly Relocatable Tagged Neutron Inspection System", called RRTNIS, is being developed taking into account past EURITRACK experience with a portal TNIS, and the latest technologies in terms of associated particle neutron generator and data acquisition electronics. A dedicated shield surrounding the neutron generator has been designed with MCNP6 to limit the size of the restricted area and the count rate on gamma detectors, which are located very close to the generator. This new design with "reflection" detectors only, i.e. in backscattering position, is indeed more efficient to detect suspect items, like explosives or illicit drugs, in bottom regions of the container, compared to EURITRACK detectors which were mainly located above the container. It also allows designing a relocatable system for different inspection sites like seaports, borders, or other checkpoints. Dose and count rate calculations are presented to determine the restricted area and facilitate the design of the data acquisition electronics, respectively.

Conference of 2016 IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium, Medical Imaging Conference and Room-Temperature Semiconductor Detector Workshop, NSS/MIC/RTSD 2016 ; Conference Date: 29 October 2016 Through 6 November 2016; Conference Code:131365; International audience; For several years, detection of various threats on country borders plays a significant role in the frame of Homeland Security applications. One of this threat is the illicit trafficking of nuclear materials (especially including Special Nuclear Material - SNM - 235U, 233U or 239Pu), which can be potentially used for production of nuclear weapon as well as radiological dispersal device (RDD) - known also as a "dirty bomb". In order to detect the potentially hidden nuclear material, systems using linear accelerators and a group of detectors are developed by several scientific groups around the world. Besides solutions focusing on detection of delayed γ-rays or neutrons, also the systems dedicated for prompt neutron detection were proposed. One of the possible prompt neutron detection technique is known as Threshold Activation Detection (TAD). This technique relies on activation of 19F nuclei in the scintillator medium by fast neutrons and registration of high-energy particles and γ-rays from the decay of reaction products (for example, 19F(n,α)16N or 19F(n,p)19O). Recent studies in the frame of the European Horizon 2020 C-BORD project showed that, despite the low 19F(n,α)16N or 19F(n,p)19O reaction cross-section, the method could be a good solution for detection of shielded nuclear material. A benchmark of the TAD technique based on fluorine detectors with reference method focused on delayed neutron detection with 3He detectors will be presented in this paper. These experimental results were obtained using 9 MeV Varian Linatron M9 linear accelerator (LINAC).

The aim of this work is the characterization of a ∅ 9×9 mm CsI:Tl scintillator at a wide temperature range of −40 °C to +22 °C. A tested crystal with dimensions of ∅ 9×9 mm was coupled to a 16 mm diameter large area Avalanche photodiode (LAAPD). The crystal and the LAAPD were cooled down in a cryostat with a built-in Peltier element. Properties such as the number of electron–hole pairs per 1 MeV, the nonproportionality, the energy resolution and the intrinsic resolution were inspected with eight different peaking times – i.e., 0.6 μs, 1.2 μs, 2.4 μs, 4.8 μs, 7.2 μs, 9 μs, 14.4 μs, 28.8 μs – and discussed in terms of the light pulse shapes measured by a single photon method.

The aim of this work is to provide the characteristics of MPPC as a part of neutron detector based on scintillators with n/γ discrimination capabilities. Measurements presented in the work cover: characterization of n/γ discrimination properties by means of Figure of Merit (FOM); comparison of scintillation light pulse shape measured with MPPC and PMT (rise time and fall time) and its influence on the ZC method; estimation of the number of photoelectrons per energy unit (phe/MeV) done by Bartolaccini method.

The aim of this work is to provide the characteristics of MPPC arrays with an active area of 6x6 mm2 in gamma-ray spectrometry with 5x5x5mm3 CsI:TI scintillator at a wide temperature range. The measurements presented in this work covered: characteristics of breakdown voltage, selection of MPPC optimum operating voltage, verification of excess noise factor, measurement of energy resolution and the number of photoelectrons per 1 MeV. All measurements were carried out as a function of temperature and compared with similar results obtained previously with CsI:TI crystal coupled to a Large Area Photodiode (LAAPD).

Current standards in the management of Helicobacter pylori infection according to the guidelines by European (Maastricht 2-2000 Consensus Report) and Polish Study Group (IX Congress of Polish Gastroenterology Association) were presented in this paper. The comparison analysis was performed as well as the diagnostic methods were described. The indications for Helicobacter pylori infection treatment especially in gastric and duodenal ulcer disease (also complicated by bleeding), gastric precancerous conditions, functional dyspepsia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory therapy were discussed. The acceptable schedules of the first and second-line therapy as well as the problem of drug resistance were presented. The special attention was drown to differences between the two sets of guidelines with respect to latest scientific reports.

The aim of this work is to provide the characteristics of two samples of Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK) high-density SiPMs with an active area of 2.2 × 2.2 mm2 (15 × 15 μm2 single cell size) and 4 × 4 mm2 (30 × 30 μm2 single cell size) in gamma-ray spectrometry with LSO and CsI:Tl scintillators. The measurements presented in this work covered: measurements of spectra with low number of detected photons (one to a few fired APD cells), characteristics of the breakdown voltage versus temperature, verification of the excess noise factor, selection of the optimum operating voltage for energy resolution, verification of the linearity of the SiPM response for both used scintillators, verification of the number of fired APD cells and gamma-ray spectrometry for a wide range of X and gamma ray energies from 22.1 to 1408 keV.

The aim of this work is to provide the characteristics of S10985-025C MPPC arrays with an active area of 6 × 6 mm in gamma-ray spectrometry with 5 × 5×5 mm CsI:Tl scintillator over a wide temperature range (−20°C, −10°C, 0°C, +10°C, +21°C). The crystal and the MPPC array were cooled down in a cryostat with a built-in Peltier element. The measurements presented in this work covered: characteristics of breakdown voltage, selection of MPPC optimum operating voltage, verification of excess noise factor, measurement of energy resolution and the number of photoelectrons per MeV. All measurements were carried out as a function of temperature and compared with similar results obtained previously with CsI:Tl crystal coupled to the Large Area Photodiode (LAAPD).

In this study an original left ventricular assist device is tested on an open loop modular physical circuit reproducing Starling's law of the heart to set an optimal control strategy for heart recovery. It is assumed that the goals of the assistance are reduction of oxygen consumption, external work and improvement of cardiac mechanical efficiency. The assistance is evaluated by the position of a working point on the characteristic surfaces of the ventricle defined by peripheral resistance, atrial pressure and selected variables pertaining to energy (pressure-volume area, external work and cardiac mechanical efficiency). In this frame an optimal assistance for heart recovery is a compromise among different requirements corresponding to a restricted set of control parameters values: driving pressure PZB = 35 kPa and timing values T1 and T2 (systole beginning and systole ending in relation to QRS complex and cardiac cycle duration T) T1 = 0.55.T and T2 = 0.73.T.

In this study an original left ventricular assist device is tested on an open loop modular physical circuit reproducing Starling's law of the heart to set an optimal control strategy for heart recovery. It is assumed that the goals of the assistance are reduction of oxygen consumption, external work and improvement of cardiac mechanical efficiency. The assistance is evaluated by the position of a working point on the characteristic surfaces of the ventricle defined by peripheral resistance, atrial pressure and selected variables pertaining to energy (pressure-volume area, external work and cardiac mechanical efficiency). In this frame an optimal assistance for heart recovery is a compromise among different requirements corresponding to a restricted set of control parameters values: driving pressure PZB = 35 kPa and timing values T1 and T2 (systole beginning and systole ending in relation to QRS complex and cardiac cycle duration T) T1 = 0.55.T and T2 = 0.73.T.