FIRST experiment: measurements of differential cross sections in 12C fragmentation for hadron-therapy and space applications

The aim of the present work is to describe some preliminary results obtained within the experiment FIRST (Fragmentation of Ions Relevant for Space and Therapy). This experiment main goal is to measure the differential cross-sections in energy and angle of nuclear fragmentation processes, in a wide energy range (between 100 and 1000 MeV/n). The knowledge of these cross sections will be useful for cancer therapy and space radiation protection. This experiment was carried out because there is a strong need of high-quality experimental data concerning 12 C, 16 O and 56 Fe fragmentation on different targets. The first data taking has been performed at SIS (Heavy Ion Synchrotron) accelerator of GSI Laboratory in Darmstadt (Germany) during August 2011. Different sets of data have been collected using a 400 MeV/n carbon beam impinging on carbon and gold targets. Experimental data of single and double-differential cross sections for C-ions at energies less or equal to 400 MeV/n are needed to improve treatment plannings in particle-therapy. In particular accurate measurements of cross sections of light ions are urgently needed for improving transport codes to be used in cancer therapy. Algorithms that deal with the transport of charged particle in matter are essential for accurate treatment plannings, in order to evaluate possible long term side effects of dose released in healthy tissue. Unfortunately, the production of light fragments and their angular distribu- tions are affected by large uncertainties and various Monte Carlo codes may differ up to one order of magnitude in their predictions. Moreover, codes used for space radiation transport in shielding materials need more information on the fragmentation effects. Recently, NASA completed a large database of these measurements and observed that there are ion species and kinetic energy ranges not yet evaluated. The FIRST experiment aims to contribute to the knowledge of these nu- clear processes and to investigate the secondary effects on human tissues of hadron’s irradiation. In fact, most of the measurements carried out in the past are limited to fragment yields and to total fragmentation cross-sections, while the required measurements of single or double-differential cross-sections are deficient

‘Il problema sei tu!’: uno sguardo clinico sul conflitto in terapia di coppia

Oggi le coppie si rivolgono sempre di più ai terapeuti per essere aiutate ad affrontare situazioni che da sole faticano a riconoscere e gestire, ed in cui si trovano a reiterare degli schemi di relazione e dei comportamenti disfunzionali. Tale fenomeno si inscrive all’interno di un profondo mutamento sociale avvenuto negli ultimi decenni che ha permesso di superare l’idea che sia necessario rimanere insieme a tutti i costi per salvare le ‘apparenze’ pur trovandosi in una relazione fonte di sofferenza. Tra i temi che le coppie portano all’attenzione dei clinici uno dei più frequenti è quello del conflitto, che spesso conduce a un circolo vizioso di ‘vittima-colpevole’ in cui i partner sono dentro a recriminazioni e accuse reciproche. [...

Risposta al commento delle colleghe

Presentare un contributo su un caso clinico caratterizzato dal conflitto è stata per noi un’occasione stimolante per riflettere su come le diverse lenti di osservazione provenienti dai propri modelli di riferimento possano guidare i terapeuti nella messa a fuoco degli elementi utili a pensare ed attuare il proprio intervento clinico in situazioni in cui le dinamiche relazionali agite in seduta risultano di difficile gestione. In questo senso i vari commenti hanno permesso di evidenziare la complessità del tema e la molteplicità degli sguardi che sul caso di Clara e Paride si possono attivare. Ringraziamo perciò le colleghe per le idee e le riflessioni offerte, che abbiamo letto con cura e grande attenzione. [...

A machine learning approach for stride speed estimation based on a head-mounted IMU

Walking speed in real-life conditions is typically estimated through wearable inertial sensors mounted on waist, lower limbs, or wrists. Very recently, head-mounted inertial sensors are emerging for gait assessment. The present study explores the feasibility of measuring the stride speed with a head-mounted inertial sensor in both laboratory and real-world settings. The developed algorithm exploits a Temporal Convolutional Network for the detection of the gait events and a Gaussian Process Regression for the stride speed estimation. The experimental evaluation was carried out on healthy young participants during both standardised indoor and real-world walking trials. For indoor trials, errors were smaller than previous studies (0.05 m/s). As expected, errors increased at lower speed regimes due to a reduced signals amplitude. During 2.5-hours real-world evaluation, errors were slightly larger but acceptable (0.1 m/s). Reported results are encouraging and show the feasibility of estimating gait speed with a single head-worn inertial sensor

FIRST experiment: Fragmentation of Ions Relevant for Space and Therapy

Nuclear fragmentation processes are relevant in different fields of basic research and applied physics and are of particular interest for tumor therapy and for space radiation protection applications. The FIRST (Fragmentation of Ions Relevant for Space and Therapy) experiment at SIS accelerator of GSI laboratory in Darmstadt, has been designed for the measurement of different ions fragmentation cross sections at different energies between 100 and 1000 MeV/nucleon. The experiment is performed by an international collaboration made of institutions from Germany, France, Italy and Spain. The experimental apparatus is partly based on an already existing setup made of the ALADIN magnet, the MUSIC IV TPC, the LAND2 neutron detector and the TOFWALL scintillator TOF system, integrated with newly designed detectors in the interaction Region (IR) around the carbon removable target: a scintillator Start Counter, a Beam Monitor drift chamber, a silicon Vertex Detector and a Proton Tagger for detection of light fragments emitted at large angles (KENTROS). The scientific program of the FIRST experiment started on summer 2011 with the study of the 400 MeV/nucleon 12C beam fragmentation on thin (8mm) carbon targe

Microbe-assisted seedling crop improvement by a seaweed extract to address fucalean forest restoration

In the Mediterranean, Cystoseira sensu lato (s.l.) (Phaeophyceae) forests have sharply declined and restoration measures are needed to compensate for the loss. Assisted regeneration through the outplanting of seedlings grown ex-situ has proven to be a sustainable option. Optimizing mesocosm culture can maximize survival of the most critical embryonic stages and reduce long-term maintenance costs. Host-microbiome interactions could also play a crucial role in seedling development and welfare. In this context, we aimed to advance a cultivation protocol that stimulates the growth and fitness of Ericaria amentacea (Phaeophyceae) seedlings and identify the associated microbial biofilm communities. Seedlings were cultured in 6 treatments [i.e., filtered seawater (SW, C, Control), von Stoch-enriched SW (VS), VS + algal extract (VSA), algal extract-enriched SW: A1< A2< A3]. After the field, A2 seedlings had the highest cover (1372 ± 53.66 mm2), which was 1.8 and 1.9 times greater than in VS and VSA, respectively. The addition of the algal extract and nutrients significantly affected the structure and composition of the microbial community that shifted over time in each culture medium. We identified a treatment-specific microbial fingerprint. After the mesocosm phase, A2 was characterized by 4 unique taxa: Postechiella, Winogradskyella, Roseovarius and Arenibacter (Bacteria). Given the success of A2 seedlings, we propose the probiotic consortia candidates characterized by the unique treatment-taxa in conjunction with the shared taxon Psychroserpens (Bacteria, present in A1, A2, VSA, VS) and the reminder community. Within the holobiont concept, the effect of algal extract or nutrients on the algae and/or biofilm could have important consequences for tuning the overall interaction networks. Our study has shown that macroalgal restoration could benefit from both the use of commercial algal extract and tailored nutrient enrichment in ex-situ cultures and the identification of probiotic consortia candidates that promote seedling growth

Lamin A and the LINC complex act as potential tumor suppressors in Ewing Sarcoma

Lamin A, a main constituent of the nuclear lamina, is involved in mechanosignaling and cell migration through dynamic interactions with the LINC complex, formed by the nuclear envelope proteins SUN1, SUN2 and the nesprins. Here, we investigated lamin A role in Ewing Sarcoma (EWS), an aggressive bone tumor affecting children and young adults. In patients affected by EWS, we found a significant inverse correlation between LMNA gene expression and tumor aggressiveness. Accordingly, in experimental in vitro models, low lamin A expression correlated with enhanced cell migration and invasiveness and, in vivo, with an increased metastatic load. At the molecular level, this condition was linked to altered expression and anchorage of nuclear envelope proteins and increased nuclear retention of YAP/TAZ, a mechanosignaling effector. Conversely, overexpression of lamin A rescued LINC complex organization, thus reducing YAP/TAZ nuclear recruitment and preventing cell invasiveness. These effects were also obtained through modulation of lamin A maturation by a statin-based pharmacological treatment that further elicited a more differentiated phenotype in EWS cells. These results demonstrate that drugs inducing nuclear envelope remodeling could be exploited to improve therapeutic strategies for EWS

MORFEO enters final design phase

MORFEO (Multi-conjugate adaptive Optics Relay For ELT Observations, formerly MAORY), the MCAO system for the ELT, will provide diffraction-limited optical quality to the large field camera MICADO. MORFEO has officially passed the Preliminary Design Review and it is entering the final design phase. We present the current status of the project, with a focus on the adaptive optics system aspects and expected milestones during the next project phase