Design, optimization and experimental characterization of RF injectors for high brightness electron beams and plasma acceleration

In this article, we share our experience related to the new photo-injector commissioning at the SPARC\_LAB test facility. The new photo-injector was installed into an existing machine and our goal was not only to improve the final beam parameters themselves but to improve the machine handling in day-to-day operations as well. Thus, besides the pure beam characterization, this article contains information about the improvements, that were introduced into the new photo-injector design from the machine maintenance point of view, and the benefits, that we gained by using the new technique to assemble the gun itself

On the densities of certain bounded diffusion processes

A comprehensive outline is presented for obtaining the Laplace transforms of the transition probability density functions and of the first-passage-time densities for one-dimensional time-homogeneous diffusion processes in the presence of absorbing and/or reflecting boundaries. In particular, the Laplace transform of the transition probability density function in the presence of pairs of reflecting boundaries are explicitly obtained. Symmetric diffusion processes are then specifically considered and explicit closed-form relations are then obtained for the hyperbolic diffusion process in the presence of absorbing and/or reflecting boundaries. The special cases of the Brownian motion and of the Hongler process are finally analyzed

Preparation and Characterization of Silver(I) Ethylcellulose Thin Films as Potential Food Packaging Materials

Ag(I)-containing ethylcellulose (EC) films suitable as antbacterial packaging materials have been prepared and fully characterized. Different preparation methods, including the use of green casting solvents, are proposed. The Ag(I) acylpyrazolonato complexes, [Ag(Qpy,CF3)(L)], L=benzylimidazole (Bzim) and L=ethylimidazole (EtimH), used as active additives, display different modes of interactions with EC, depending on their structural features. A thorough investigation of the EC liquid-crystalline lyotropic phase and its changes with the introduction of silver additives, has been conducted, revealing either the inclusion of complex molecules into the inner structure of the EC matrix or their dispersion on its surface. Moreover, the bactericidal activity of the prepared Ag(I) films seems to be related to the interaction between silver additives and the polymeric EC matrix. Indeed, the EC-2b films show a particularly good performance even with a low silver content, with a relative bacterial killing of about 100 %. Tests for Ag(I) migration have been performed by using three food stimulants under two assay conditions. Low values of silver release are recorded, particularly at low concentration of silver content, in the case of all new prepared Ag(I) films

Building process optimization through an efficient data management

A building process optimization needs a systemic approach in order to correctly manage its complexity. Despite many important contributions have been provided in the last few years, both from a procedural point of view and from a normative one, building process management is often fragmented. This may cause repercussions on building quality and inefficiency in cost and time management. That is why, the research project INNOVance has developed an unambiguous classification system for every object and informative attribute for construction, creating a unique database to smartly store and share information. This through a proper definition of the content of data sheets which can be collected and easily shared together with their complementary attributes by different stakeholders. Unambiguous language and standardized information, in and of themselves, increase building process efficiency. If we then consider that data exchange is possible through the exploitation of a user friendly web portal and some interoperable web services, efficiency and economic savings in the entire construction chain could be extremely relevant. The present paper describes the results achieved during the last year of the research project, in terms of information standardization and data collection

Usefulness of intracardiac echocardiography during pulmonary vein isolation with the novel multipolar irrigated ablation catheter (nMARQ(TM)

Background: Previous studies reported the usefulness of an irrigated circular radiofrequency ablation catheter (nMARQTM, Biosense Webster) for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). We evaluated the role of intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) to optimize the manipulation of nMARQTM catheter. Methods: Thirty-seven patients (pts), (mean age 55 \uc2\ub1 12\uc2\ua0years; 28 males) were enrolled to perform PVI. All pts underwent PVI with the nMARQTM catheter. In 20 pts (group 1), we utilized ICE to guide nMARQTM catheter positioning at the PV ostia; in the other 17 pts (group 2), nMARQTM catheter was positioned at the PV ostia guided by fluoroscopy and TissueConnectTM technology. Results: Radiofrequency (RF) applications were significantly lower in group 1 compared to group 2 [left PVs: 6 (range 3 to 12) in group 1 and 12 (range 5 to 16) in group 2 (p < 0.001); right PVs: 7 (range 4 to 14) in group 1 and 10 (range 5 to 16) in group 2 (p = 0.04)]; similarly regarding the time of RF delivery [left PVs: 318 \uc2\ub1 194\uc2\ua0s in group 1 vs. 542 \uc2\ub1 104\uc2\ua0s in group 2 (p < 0.001); right PVs: 410 \uc2\ub1 270\uc2\ua0s in group 1 vs. 550 \uc2\ub1 156\uc2\ua0s in group 2 (p = 0.05)]. Fluoroscopy time (23 \uc2\ub1 9\uc2\ua0min vs. 28 \uc2\ub1 5\uc2\ua0min; p = 0.05), procedural time (83 \uc2\ub1 23\uc2\ua0min vs. 160 \uc2\ub1 42\uc2\ua0min; p < 0.001), and radiation dose (109 \uc2\ub1 20\uc2\ua0Gy/cm2 vs. 127 \uc2\ub1 29\uc2\ua0Gy/cm2; p = 0.04) were significantly lower in group 1 compared to group 2. Conclusion: ICE might be a useful tool to guide nMARQTM catheter position in the left atrium during atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation procedures

Design, optimization and experimental characterization of RF injectors for high brightness electron beams and plasma acceleration

In this article, we share our experience related to the new photo-injector commissioning at the SPARC_LAB test facility. The new photo-injector was installed into an existing machine and our goal was not only to improve the final beam parameters themselves but to improve the machine handling in day-to-day operations as well. Thus, besides the pure beam characterization, this article contains information about the improvements, that were introduced into the new photo-injector design from the machine maintenance point of view, and the benefits, that we gained by using the new technique to assemble the gun itself