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Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) are the state-of-the-art technology in single-photon detection with solid-state detectors. Single Photon Avalanche Diodes (SPADs), the key element of SiPMs, can now be manufactured in CMOS processes, facilitating the integration of a SPAD array into custom monolithic ASICs. This allows implementing features such as signal digitization, masking, full hit-map readout, noise suppression, and photon counting in a monolithic CMOS chip. The complexity of the off-chip readout chain is thereby reduced. These new features allow new applications for digital SiPMs, such as 4D-tracking of charged particles, where spatial resolutions of the order of $10 \mu m$ and timestamping with time resolutions of a few tens of ps are required. A prototype of a digital SiPM was designed at DESY using the LFoundry $150 nm$ CMOS technology. Various studies were carried out in the laboratory and at the DESY II test-beam facility to evaluate the sensor performance in Minimum Ionizing Particles (MIPs) detection. The direct detection of charged particles was investigated for bare prototypes and assemblies coupling dSiPMs and thin LYSO crystals. Spatial resolution $\sim20 \mu m$ and a full-system time resolution of $\sim50 ps$ are measured using bare dSiPMs in direct MIP detection. Efficiency $>99.5 \%$, low noise rate and time resolution $<1 ns$ can be reached with the thin radiator coupling., Comment: 4 pages, 6 figures, Conference proceedings

The optimisation of the sensitive region of CMOS sensors with complex non-uniform electric fields requires precise simulations, and this can be achieved by a combination of electrostatic field simulations and Monte Carlo methods. This paper presents the guiding principles of such simulations, using a CMOS pixel sensor with a small collection electrode and a high-resistivity epitaxial layer as an example. The full simulation workflow is described, along with possible pitfalls and how to avoid them. For commercial CMOS processes, detailed doping profiles are confidential, but the presented method provides an optimisation tool that is sufficiently accurate to investigate sensor behaviour and trade-offs of different sensor designs without knowledge of proprietary information. The workflow starts with detailed electric field finite element method simulations in TCAD, using generic doping profiles. Examples of the effect of varying different parameters of the simulated sensor are shown, as well as the creation of weighting fields, and transient pulse simulations. The fields resulting from TCAD simulations can be imported into the Allpix Squared Monte Carlo simulation framework, which enables high-statistics simulations, including modelling of stochastic fluctuations from the underlying physics processes of particle interaction. Example Monte Carlo simulation setups are presented and the different parts of a simulation chain are described. Simulation studies from small collection electrode CMOS sensors are presented, and example results are shown for both single sensors and multiple sensors in a test beam telescope configuration. The studies shown are those typically performed on sensor prototypes in test beam campaigns, and a comparison is made to test beam data, showing a maximum deviation of 4% and demonstrating that the approach is viable for generating realistic results., Comment: 22 pages, 25 figures, submitted to Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A

Analogue test structures were fabricated using the Tower Partners Semiconductor Co. CMOS 65 nm ISC process. The purpose was to characterise and qualify this process and to optimise the sensor for the next generation of Monolithic Active Pixels Sensors for high-energy physics. The technology was explored in several variants which differed by: doping levels, pixel geometries and pixel pitches (10-25 $\mu$m). These variants have been tested following exposure to varying levels of irradiation up to 3 MGy and $10^{16}$ 1 MeV n$_\text{eq}$ cm$^{-2}$. Here the results from prototypes that feature direct analogue output of a 4$\times$4 pixel matrix are reported, allowing the systematic and detailed study of charge collection properties. Measurements were taken both using $^{55}$Fe X-ray sources and in beam tests using minimum ionizing particles. The results not only demonstrate the feasibility of using this technology for particle detection but also serve as a reference for future applications and optimisations.

Monolithic active pixel sensors (MAPS) produced in a 65 nm CMOS imaging technology are being investigated for applications in particle physics. The MAPS design has a small collection electrode characterized by an input capacitance of ~fF, granting a high signal-to-noise ratio and low power consumption. Additionally, the 65 nm CMOS imaging technology brings a reduction in material budget and improved logic density of the readout circuitry, compared to previously studied technologies. Given these features, this technology was chosen by the TANGERINE project to develop the next generation of silicon pixel sensors. The sensor design targets temporal and spatial resolutions compatible with the requirements for a vertex detector at future lepton colliders. Simulations and test-beam characterization of technology demonstrators have been carried out in close collaboration with the CERN EP R&D program and the ALICE ITS3 upgrade. TCAD device simulations using generic doping profiles and Monte Carlo simulations have been used to build an understanding of the technology and predict the performance parameters of the sensor. Technology demonstrators of a 65 nm CMOS MAPS with a small collection electrode have been characterized in laboratory and test-beam facilities by studying performance parameters such as cluster size, charge collection, and efficiency. This work compares simulation results to test-beam data. The experimental results establish this technology as a promising candidate for a vertex detector at future lepton colliders and give valuable information for improving the simulation approach., Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures, submitted to Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A as a conference proceeding for the 13th International "Hiroshima" Symposium on the Development and Application of Semiconductor Tracking Detectors

Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) are state-of-the-art photon detectors used in particle physics, medical imaging, and beyond. They are sensitive to individual photons in the optical wavelength regime and achieve time resolutions of a few tens of picoseconds, which makes them interesting candidates for timing detectors in tracking systems for particle physics experiments. The Geiger discharges triggered in the sensitive elements of a SiPM, Single-Photon Avalanche Diodes (SPADs), yield signal amplitudes independent of the energy deposited by a photon or ionizing particle. This intrinsically digital nature of the signal motivates its digitization already on SPAD level. A digital SiPM (dSiPM) was designed at Deutsches Elektronen Synchrotron (DESY), combining a SPAD array with embedded CMOS circuitry for on-chip signal processing. A key feature of the DESY dSiPM is its capability to provide hit-position information on pixel level, and one hit time stamp per quadrant at a 3 MHz readout-frame rate. The pixels comprise four SPADs and have a pitch of about 70 um. The four time stamps are provided by 12 bit Time-to-Digital Converters (TDCs) with a resolution better than 100 ps. The chip was characterized in the laboratory to determine dark count rate, breakdown voltage, and TDC characteristics. Test-beam measurements are analyzed to assess the DESY dSiPMs performance in the context of a 4D-tracking applications. The results demonstrate a spatial hit resolution on a pixel level, a minimum-ionizing particle detection efficiency of about 30 % and a time resolution in the order of 50 ps., Comment: 6 pages, 8 figures, presented at 13th International "Hiroshima" Symposium on the Development and Application of Semiconductor Tracking Detectors (HSTD13), Vancouver

This paper presents the design and characterization of a monolithic integrated circuit (IC) including digital silicon photomultipliers (dSiPMs) arranged in a 32$~\times~$32 pixel matrix at 70$~\mu$m pitch. The IC provides per-quadrant time stamping and hit-map readout, and is fabricated in a standard 150-nm CMOS technology. Each dSiPM pixel consists of four single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) sharing a quenching and subsequent processing circuitry and has a fill factor of 30$~\%$. A sub-100$~$ps precision, 12-bit time-to-digital converter (TDC) provides timestamps per quadrant with an acquisition rate of 3$~$MHz. Together with the hit map, the total sustained data throughput of the IC amounts to 4$~$Gbps. Measurements obtained in a dark, temperature-stable environment as well as by using a pulsed laser environment show the full dSiPM-IC functionality. The dark-count rate (DCR) as function of the overvoltage and temperature, the TDC resolution, differential and integral nonlinearity (DNL/INL) as well as the propagation-delay variations across the matrix are presented. With aid of additional peripheral test structures, the main building blocks are characterized and key parameters are presented., Comment: 16 pages, 13 figures, 1 table

Over the years, the nation's large urban school districts have consistently learned from the progress of their peer districts across the country. Great City School districts that have embraced the challenge of educating America's urban children have recognized the value of benchmarking their performance and growth against the progress of others. This report presents a number of different ways that member districts can analyze the data themselves by disaggregating results, showing trends, and combining variables. The companion online dashboard adds the ability to conduct several comparisons and analysis beyond what is presented in this report. To access this system, go to www.edwires.org. This report focuses on the data collection and analysis of the following Academic KPIs: (1) Pre-K enrollment relative to Kindergarten enrollment; (2) Algebra I completion rates for credit by grade 9; (3) Ninth grade course failure rates -- at least one core course; (4) Ninth graders with B average (GPA) or better; (5) Absentee rates by grade level; (6) Suspension rates; (7) Instructional days missed per 100 students due to suspensions; (8) AP participation rates; (9) AP-equivalent participation rates; (10) AP exam pass rates; and (11) Four-year graduation rate. [For the 2021 report, see ED617442.]

This paper describes the new concept of the double-LGAD. The goal is to increase the charge at the input of the electronics, keeping a time resolution equal or better than a standard (single) LGAD; this has been realized by adding the charges of two coupled LGADs while still using a single front-end electronics. The study here reported has been done starting from single LGAD with a thickness of 25 \textmu{m}, 35 \textmu{m} and 50 \textmu{m}., Comment: arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:2208.05717

In this paper, different Silicon PhotoMultiplier (SiPM) sensors have been tested with charged particles to characterize the Cherenkov light produced in the sensor protection layer. A careful position scan of the SiPM response has been performed with different prototypes, confirming the large number of firing cells and proving almost full efficiency, with the SiPM filling factor essentially negligible. This study also allowed us to study the time resolution of such devices as a function of the number of firing cells, reaching values below 20 ps. These measurements provide significant insight into the capabilities of SiPM sensors in direct detection of charged particles and their potential for several applications.

Monolithic CMOS sensors in a 65 nm imaging technology are being investigated by the CERN EP Strategic R&D Programme on Technologies for Future Experiments for an application in particle physics. The appeal of monolithic detectors lies in the fact that both sensor volume and readout electronics are integrated in the same silicon wafer, providing a reduction in production effort, costs and scattering material. The Tangerine Project WP1 at DESY participates in the Strategic R&D Programme and is focused on the development of a monolithic active pixel sensor with a time and spatial resolution compatible with the requirements for a future lepton collider vertex detector. By fulfilling these requirements, the Tangerine detector is suitable as well to be used as telescope planes for the DESY-II Test Beam facility. The project comprises all aspects of sensor development, from the electronics engineering and the sensor design using simulations, to laboratory and test beam investigations of prototypes. Generic TCAD Device and Monte-Carlo simulations are used to establish an understanding of the technology and provide important insight into performance parameters of the sensor. Testing prototypes in laboratory and test beam facilities allows for the characterization of their response to different conditions. By combining results from all these studies it is possible to optimize the sensor layout. This contribution presents results from generic TCAD and Monte-Carlo simulations, and measurements performed with test chips of the first sensor submission., Comment: 7 pages, 8 figures, submitted to IEEE Xplore as conference record for 2022 IEEE NSS/MIC/RTSD

Great City School districts that have embraced the challenge of educating America's urban children have recognized the value of benchmarking their performance and growth against the progress of others. This report presents a number of different ways that member districts can analyze the data themselves by disaggregating results, showing trends, and combining variables. The 2021 report presents an updated set of data through school year 2019-20. This year, a companion online dashboard was released that added the ability to conduct several comparisons and analysis beyond what is presented in this report. This report focuses on the data collection and analysis of the following Academic Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): (1) Pre-K enrollment relative to Kindergarten enrollment; (2) Algebra I completion rates for credit by grade 9; (3) Ninth grade course failure rates -- at least one core course; (4) Ninth graders with B average (GPA) or better; (5) Absentee rates by grade level; (6) Suspension rates; (7) Instructional days missed per 100 students due to suspensions; (8) AP participation rates; (9) AP-equivalent participation rates; (10) AP exam pass rates; and (11) Four-year graduation rate. The analysis is divided into four sections: (1) elementary achievement indicators; (2) secondary achievement indicators; (3) attendance indicators; and (4) disciplinary indicators. [For the 2020 report, see ED610783.]

In this paper evidence that the increased response of SiPM sensors to the passage of charged particles is related mainly to Cherenkov light produced in the protection layer is reported. The response and timing properties of sensors with different protection layers have been studied.

A new generation of Monolithic Active Pixel Sensors (MAPS), produced in a 65 nm CMOS imaging process, promises higher densities of on-chip circuits and, for a given pixel size, more sophisticated in-pixel logic compared to larger feature size processes. MAPS are a cost-effective alternative to hybrid pixel sensors since flip-chip bonding is not required. In addition, they allow for significant reductions of the material budget of detector systems, due to the smaller physical thicknesses of the active sensor and the absence of a separate readout chip. The TANGERINE project develops a sensor suitable for future Higgs factories as well as for a beam telescope to be used at beam-test facilities. The sensors will have small collection electrodes (order of $\mu$m) to maximize the signal-to-noise ratio, which makes it possible to minimize power dissipation in the circuitry. The first batch of test chips, featuring full front-end amplifiers with Krummenacher feedback, was produced and tested at the Mainzer Mikrotron (MAMI) at the end of 2021. MAMI provides an electron beam with currents up to 100 $\mu$A and an energy of 855 MeV. The analog output signal of the test chips was recorded with a high bandwidth oscilloscope and used to study the charge-sensitive amplifier of the chips in terms of waveform analysis. A beam telescope was used as a reference system to allow for track-based analysis of the recorded data., Comment: 3 pages, 2 figures, presented at 15th Pisa Meeting on Advanced Detectors

Education is often depicted as one of the best ways out of poverty. At the same time, research over many decades finds that most educational outcomes are strongly correlated to poverty. It is not likely that these two themes are true at the same time. Either schools are windows of opportunity and help overcome or mitigate poverty and other barriers or they are mirrors of society's inequities. The question in this report is a straightforward one: Are urban public schools, which have the largest numbers and concentrations of poor students in the nation, windows or mirrors? The Council of the Great City Schools used the latest ten years of data in reading and mathematics at the fourth- and eighth-grade levels from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) to answer this question. What they found suggests that poverty was not necessarily destiny in urban public education. Students in Large City public schools scored higher than predicted on NAEP and showed greater district effects over the study period than other schools in the aggregate across the country. These Large City School students were about 50 percent more likely to be poor, twice as likely to be English learners, twice as likely to be Black or Hispanic, and about 50 percent more likely to have a parent who did not finish high school as students in All Other Schools. To explore what drove district progress, the Council conducted site visits to six districts that seemed to do a better job than others in overcoming or mitigating barriers and two counterfactual districts. Case studies of these districts indicated that those who overcame barriers to some extent benefitted from many of the same strategies and characteristics, including strong and stable leadership that was uniquely focused on student instruction; high academic standards and well-defined instructional guidance and support; human capital strategies aimed at raising the capacity of leaders and teachers; the cohesion and differentiation of professional development; the ability to act at scale; strong accountability systems and cultures of collaboration; the ability to see opportunities in the challenges they faced; their district, school and special population strategies; and their community investments and engagement efforts. [This report was written with Ricki Price-Baugh, Robin Hall, and Denise Walston.]

This paper presents the measurements on first very thin Ultra Fast Silicon Detectors (UFSDs) produced by Fondazione Bruno Kessler; the data have been collected in a beam test setup at the CERN PS, using beam with a momentum of 12 GeV/c. UFSDs with a nominal thickness of 25 $\mu$m and 35 $\mu$m and an area of 1 $\times$ 1 $\text{mm}^2$ have been considered, together with an additional HPK 50-$\mu$m thick sensor, taken as reference. Their timing performances have been studied as a function of the applied voltage and gain. A time resolution of about 25 ps and of 22 ps at a voltage of 120 V and 240 V has been obtained for the 25 and 35 $\mu$m thick UFSDs, respectively.

The Tangerine project aims to develop new state-of-the-art high-precision silicon detectors. Part of the project has the goal of developing a monolithic active pixel sensor using a novel 65 nm CMOS imaging process, with a small collection electrode. This is the first application of this process in particle physics, and it is of great interest as it allows for an increased logic density and reduced power consumption and material budget compared to other processes. The process is envisioned to be used in for example the next ALICE inner tracker upgrade, and in experiments at the electron-ion collider. The initial goal of the three-year Tangerine project is to develop and test a sensor in a 65 nm CMOS imaging process that can be used in test beam telescopes at DESY, providing excellent spatial resolution and high time resolution, and thus demonstrating the capabilities of the process. The project covers all aspects of sensor R&D, from electronics and sensor design using simulations, to prototype test chip characterisation in labs and at test beams. The sensor design simulations are performed by using a powerful combination of detailed electric field simulations using technology computer-aided design and high-statistics Monte Carlo simulations using the Allpix Squared framework. A first prototype test chip in the process has been designed and produced, and successfully operated and tested both in labs and at test beams., Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures. Proceedings of VCI 2022: The 16th Vienna Conference on Instrumentation, submitted to Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. A

The direct response of Silicon PhotoMultipliers being traversed by a MIP charged particle have been studied in a systematic way for the first time. Using beam test data, time resolution and the crosstalk probability have been measured. A characterization of the SiPM by means of a laser beam is also reported. The results obtained for different sensors indicate a measured time resolution around 40-70 ps. Although particles are expected to traverse only one SPAD per event, crosstalk measurements on different sensors indicate an unexpected higher value with respect to the one related to the sensor noise., Comment: 10 pages, 7 figures

This study sought to answer the following questions: (1) Is it feasible to develop Academic Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and collect data on them across member urban school districts? (2) Are comparisons between districts on academic performance measures valid and reliable? (3) Do districts collect and maintain requested KPI data in a way that they can easily retrieve and format them? (4) Are data collection tools clear and easy to use? (5) Do the results of data analysis provide valuable insights into district academic performance and student achievement? and (6) How should the indicators be refined going forward? To answer these questions, the Council of the Great City Schools (Council) staff organized a process to develop and collect KPIs in three phases. The first phase involved the development of academic performance and cost KPIs. The second phase involved a small pilot of performance and cost KPIs in eight districts. These districts included Albuquerque, Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Houston, Los Angeles, Kansas City (MO), and Milwaukee. The final phase assessed the viability of collecting comparable performance indicators across all Council member districts. The current phase of the work, which has resulted in this report, involved updating the indicators and working with member districts on the accuracy of their data across multiple years. This report illustrates the current use of the performance indicators as viable measures of student achievement outcomes across all member districts. The data are based on results from about 48 member districts. The analysis presented here is divided into four sections: (1) elementary achievement indicators; (2) secondary achievement indicators; (3) attendance indicators; and (4) disciplinary indicators. This report focuses on the data collection and analysis of the following Academic KPIs: (1) Percent of 4th and 8th graders proficient in reading and math on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP); (2) Algebra I completion rates for credit by grade 9; (3) Ninth grade course failure rates -- at least one core course; (4) Ninth graders with B average (GPA) or better; (5) Absentee rates by grade level; (6) Suspension rates; (7) Instructional days missed per 100 students due to suspensions; (8) Advanced placement (AP) participation rates; (9) AP-equivalent participation rates; (10) AP exam pass rates; (11) Four-year graduation rate; (12) National Assessment of Educational Progress Achievement, 2019; and (13) National Assessment of Educational Progress Trends, 2009 to 2019. This year, a companion online dashboard was released that added the ability to conduct several comparisons and analysis beyond what is presented in this report. To access this system, go to www.edwires.org. [For the 2019 report, see ED603169.]

Over the years, the nation's large urban school districts have consistently learned from the progress of their peer districts across the country. In 2002, the board of directors of the Council of the Great City Schools (Council) authorized what became known as the Performance Measurement and Benchmarking Project to develop and implement key performance indicators across the member school districts in operations, business services, finances, human resources, and technology. These performance indicators in operations have evolved over the years and are now reported annually by the Council in its "Managing for Results in America's Great City Schools" series. Because of that information gap, the board of directors took the next step in authorizing the development of "Academic" Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in October 2014. To put the board's wishes into place, teams of educators from Council member districts came together to begin drafting initial indicators in general instruction, special education, English language learners, and a number of academic cost indicators. Based on the pilot, data-collection surveys and the indicators themselves were further refined, and all Council member districts were asked to participate in a full-scale pilot of the Academic Key Performance Indicators in 2016. A third pilot was conducted in 2017 and included the collection of data across three school years. The 2019 report presents an updated set of data through school year 2017-18. This report presents a number of different ways that member districts can analyze the data themselves by disaggregating results, showing trends, and combining variables. This report focuses on the data collection and analysis of the following Academic KPIs: (1) Pre-K enrollment relative to Kindergarten enrollment; (2) Percent of 4th and 8th graders proficient in reading and math on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP); (3) Algebra I completion rates for credit by grade 9; (4) Ninth grade course failure rates -at least one core course; (5) Ninth graders with B average (GPA) or better; (6) Absentee rates by grade level; (7) Suspension rates; (8) Instructional days missed per 100 students due to suspensions; (9) AP participation rates; (10) AP-equivalent participation rates; (11) AP exam pass rates; (12) Four-year graduation rate; (13) National Assessment of Educational Progress Achievement, 2019; and (14) National Assessment of Educational Progress Trends, 2009 to 2019. This report illustrates the current use of the performance indicators as viable measures of student achievement outcomes across all member districts. [For the 2018 report, see ED593592.]

Over the years, the nation's large urban school districts have consistently learned from the progress of their peer districts across the country. In 2002, the board of directors of the Council of the Great City Schools (Council) authorized what became known as the Performance Measurement and Benchmarking Project to develop and implement key performance indicators across the member school districts in operations, business services, finances, human resources, and technology. These performance indicators in operations have evolved over the years and are now reported annually by the Council in its "Managing for Results in America's Great City Schools" series. However, one critical element was not included in these annual reports: academic performance. Because of that information gap, the board of directors took the next step in authorizing the development of "Academic" Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in October 2014. Based on the pilot, data-collection surveys and the indicators themselves were further refined, and all Council member districts were asked to participate in a full-scale pilot of the Academic Key Performance Indicators in 2016. A third pilot was conducted in 2017 and included the collection of data across three school years. The 2018 report presents an updated set of data through school year 2016-17. This report presents a number of different ways that member districts can analyze the data themselves by disaggregating results, showing trends, and combining variables. This report focuses on the data collection and analysis of the following Academic KPIs: (1) Pre-K enrollment relative to Kindergarten enrollment; (2) Percent of 4th and 8th graders proficient in reading and math on NAEP; (3) Algebra I completion rates for credit by grade 9; (4) Ninth grade course failure rates -- at least one core course; (5) Ninth graders with B average (GPA) or better; (6) Absentee rates by grade level; (7) Suspension rates; (8) Instructional days missed per student due to suspensions; (9) AP participation rates; (10) AP-equivalent participation rates; (11) AP exam pass rates; (12) Early college enrollment; and (13) Four-year graduation rate.

The slaughterhouse is very useful in monitoring the health status of livestock, the profitability of their breeding and the effectiveness of therapeutic and/or prophylactic strategies. Over the years, a number of methods have been developed to quantify lesions - especially those effecting the respiratory tract, observed in slaughtered animals. Among these is the "Slaughterhouse Pleurisy Evaluation System" (SPES), which is widely used to score pleural lesions caused by Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae. The aim of the present study is to develop and assess an alternative method to score pleurisy in slaughtered pigs, based on the inspection of the parietal pleura. This method has been compared with the SPES grid, which is considered as the "gold standard" in this field of study. Preliminary data indicate that the two methods provide almost overlapping results, showing very high correlation coefficients. Scoring pleurisy on the parietal pleura proved to be fast and easy, it could represent a valuable alternative to the SPES method., Comment: Proceedings of SIPAS, 2018