Simulation of the response of a diamond-based radiation detector to ultra-short and intense high-energy electron pulses

Single-crystal synthetic diamond sensors have been widely used in radiation dosimetry and beam diagnostics. The foreseen harsh radiation environment in electron-positron colliders at the luminosity frontier requires a thorough investigation of diamond's response to large radiation burst, in particular, to intense high-energy electron pulses. In this article, a two-step numerical simulation approach (Sentaurus~+~LTspice) is proposed to explore this topic. Time response of the diamond detector is simulated via TCAD-Sentaurus while the transmission effect of the electronic circuit is taken into account using LTspice. Good agreement is observed between results of the numerical simulation and preliminary experimental data from detector's exposure to high-energy sub-picosecond electron pulses, on both the amplitude and the shape of the induced signals. This simulation combination is a novel approach to designing and optimising diamond detectors for radiation and beam loss monitoring in particle physics experiments

Morphological characterization, germination ecology and conservation of narrow endemic plant species of the Aeolian Islands (Sicily)

This stusy is focused on four narrow endemic species of the Aeolian fora: Anthemis aeolica, Erysimum brulloi, Cytisus aeolicus and Silene hicesiae. Morphological characterization of seeds, seed germination and dormancy regulation have been investigated for these species

Note tassonomiche e biosistematiche su Anthemis aeolica (Asteraceae).

Sono riportati i risultati relativi alla caratterizzazione morfologica, distribuzione attuale , ecologia e correlazioni sistematiche della specie endemica Anthemis aeolic

Hieracium hypochoeroides subsp. montis-scuderii (Asteraceae), a new endemic subspecies from Sicily (Italy)

Hieracium hypochoeroides subsp. montis-scuderii, a new subspecies endemic to Sicily, is described and illustrated. It is only known from the carbonate cliffs of Monte Scuderi (Peloritani Mountains, NE-Sicily). Informations on its ecology and taxonomic relationships are provided

Efficacy of oral hyposensitization in allergic contact dermatitis caused by nickel

Background. Nickel contact allergy remains common in Western countries, and the dermatitis may require prolonged treatment. The development of new strategies aimed at improving the quality of life of affected individuals is needed. Objectives. To investigate the efficacy of oral hyposensitization in nickel-allergic individuals and how this affects in vitro T cell responsiveness to the metal. Methods. Twenty-eight nickel-allergic patients received a daily dose of 50 μg of elemental nickel (given as NiSO 4·6H 2O) in cellulose capsules for 3 months. Severity of clinical manifestations, in vivo nickel responsiveness and in vitro T cell responses to the metal were assessed after 1 and 3 months. Results. Twenty-six patients finished the study. In these patients, oral hyposensitization ameliorated clinical manifestations despite continued nickel exposures, and increased the threshold of skin responsiveness to nickel. The 12 enrolled patients in the immunological study showed decreased in vitro T lymphocyte responsiveness to the metal, in terms of both cell proliferation and cytokine release. In the 1-year follow-up, 50% of the patients experienced relapses of the clinical manifestations at sites of topical exposure to nickel. Conclusions. Our study suggested therapeutic efficacy of oral hyposensitization in allergic individuals. Placebo-controlled studies are required to confirm the results and determine the optimal therapeutic regimen for prolonged beneficial effects

Facial Abrikosoff tumour. The role of the dermatologist during COVID-19 pandemic

No abstract availabl

Skin manifestations after ionizing radiation exposure. a systematic review

Morphological and functional skin alterations secondary to the action of ionizing radiation are well documented. In addition to its application in the medical field, ionizing radiation represents a public health problem for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes due to the potential risk of exposure to unexpected events, such as nuclear accidents or malicious acts. With regard to the use of ionizing radiations in the medical field, today, they constitute a fundamental therapeutic method for various neoplastic pathologies. Therefore, the onset of adverse skin events induced by radiation represents a widespread and not negligible problem, affecting 95% of patients undergoing radiotherapy. A systematic literature search was performed from July 2021 up to August 2021 using PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases. Articles were screened by title, abstract and full text as needed. A manual search among the references of the included papers was also performed. This systematic review describes the various skin reactions that can arise following exposure to ionizing radiation and which significantly impact the quality of life, especially in cancer patients

Vanadium pentoxide induces the secretion of CXCL9 and CXCL10 chemokines in thyroid cells

Vanadium is a grey metal, existing in different states of oxidation, whose most common form in commercial products is vanadium pentoxide (V2O5). All vanadium compounds have been considered toxic. A carcinogenic role of vanadium on the thyroid has recently been proposed. However no in vivo or in vitro studies have evaluated thyroid disruption in humans and/or animals after exposure to vanadium. In the present study we evaluate the effect of V2O5on proliferation, and chemokine secretion in normal thyrocytes. Our study demonstrated that V2O5has no effect on thyroid follicular cell viability or proliferation, but it is able to induce the secretion of T-helper (Th)1 chemokines into the thyroid, synergistically increasing the effect of important Th1 cytokines such as interferon (IFN)γ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α. Through this process, V2O5promotes the induction and perpetuation of an inflammatory reaction in the thyroid. Further studies are necessary to evaluate thyroid function, and nodules, in subjects occupationally exposed, or living in polluted areas

CXCL8 and CXCL11 chemokine secretion in dermal fibroblasts is differentially modulated by vanadium pentoxide

An increase in skin rashes or atopic dermatitis has been observed in individuals working with vanadium. However, to the best of our knowledge no in vivo or in vitro studies have evaluated the effect of exposure to vanadium in dermal fibroblasts. Cells viability and proliferation were assessed by WST-1 assay, cells were treated with increasing concentrations of V2O5(1, 10 and 100 nM). CXCL8 and CXCL11 concentrations were measured in the supernatants using an ELISA assay. V2O5was not observed as having a significant effect on dermal fibroblast's viability and proliferation. However, it was revealed that V2O5was able to induce the secretion of CXCL8 and CXCL11 chemokines into dermal fibroblasts. V2O5synergistically increased the effect of interferon (IFN)? on CXCL11 secretion. In addition, V2O5synergistically increased the effect of the tumor necrosis factor a on CXCL8 secretion and abolished the inhibitory effect of IFN?. V2O5induction of CXCL8 and CXCL11 chemokines may lead to the appearance and perpetuation of an inflammatory reaction into the dermal tissue. Further studies are required to evaluate dermal integrity and manifestations in subjects occupationally exposed, or living in polluted areas