Laser irradiated foam targets: absorption and radiative properties

An experimental campaign to characterize the laser radiation absorption of foam targets and the subsequent emission of radiation from the produced plasma was carried out in the ABC facility of the ENEA Research Center in Frascati (Rome). Different targets have been used: plastic in solid or foam state and aluminium targets. The activated different diagnostics allowed to evaluate the plasma temperature, the density distribution, the fast particle spectrum and the yield of the X-Ray radiation emitted by the plasma for the different targets. These results confirm the foam homogenization action on laser-plasma interaction, mainly attributable to the volume absorption of the laser radiation propagating in such structured materials. These results were compared with simulation absorption models of the laser propagating into a foam target

Diagnostic Methodologies of Laser-Initiated 11B(p,α)2α Fusion Reactions

The detection of the ionic products of low-rate fusion reactions, and in particular of the 11B(p,α)2α, is one of the recognized main problems in experiments where these reactions are initiated by tailored interaction of intense and high-energy lasers with matter. A thorough description of this important issue, with a critical comparison of the diagnostic opportunities, is indeed so far. In this work, we describe the common diagnostic methodologies used for the detection of the alpha particles generated by the 11B(p,α)2α reaction and, for each, we outline advantages and limitations, with considerations that can also be applied to other low-rate fusion reactions. We show here that, in general, the univocal characterization of the α products coming from this reaction can be achieved by the simultaneous use of several diagnostic tools placed in close proximity

Second-line and rescue therapies for Helicobacter pylori eradication in clinical practice

Abstract Background & Aims. A levofloxacin-based triple therapy and a rifabutin-based regimen are advised as secondline and rescue therapies in the current Italian guidelines for H. pylori eradication. However, no data are available for the efficacy of these treatments in clinical practice. Methods. A total of 86 consecutive patients who failed a standard, first-line, triple therapy for H. pylori infection were treated with a 10-day triple therapy including omeprazole 20 mg, amoxycillin 1 g, and levofloxacin 250 mg or 500 mg, each given twice daily. Eradication failure patients received a 10-day rescue therapy with omeprazole 20 mg, amoxycillin 1 g, and rifabutin 150 mg, each given twice daily. A further therapeutic attempt was performed with a 14-day, high-dose dual therapy (esomeprazole 40 mg and amoxicillin 1 g, each thrice daily). Results. Following the second-line therapy, H. pylori infection was cured in 76.4% (95% CI = 67.8-85.0) and 79.5% (95% CI = 70.8-88.2) at intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analysis, respectively. After the rescue therapy, bacterial eradication was achieved in 84.6% (95% CI = 65-100). Two patients with persistent infection were successfully cured with the high-dose dual therapy. Conclusion. The efficacy of levofloxacin-based second-line therapy seems to be decreasing, whilst rescue therapy with rifabutin would appear a valid third-line therapy, and a highdose dual therapy may be used as a further rescue therapy

Directional Track Selection Technique in CR39 SSNTD for lowyield reaction experiments

There is a great interest in the study of p-11B aneutronic nuclear fusion reactions, both for energy production and for determination of fusion cross-sections at low energies. In this context we performed experiments at CELIA in which energetic protons, accelerated by the laser ECLIPSE, were directed toward a solid Boron target. Because of the small cross-sections at these energies the number of expected reactions is low. CR39 Solid-State Nuclear Track Detectors (SSNTD) were used to detect the alpha particles produced. Because of the low expected yield, it is difficult to discriminate the tracks due to true fusion products from those due to natural background in the CR39. To this purpose we developed a methodology of particle recognition according to their direction with respect to the detector normal, able to determine the position of their source. We applied this to the specific experiment geometry, so to select from all the tracks those due to particles coming from the region of interaction between accelerated protons and solid boron target. This technique can be of great help on the analysis of SSNTD in experiments with low yield reactions, but can be also generally applied to any experiment where particles reach the track detector with known directions, and for example to improve the detection limit of particle spectrometers using CR39

Functional hearing results in revision stapes surgery

Objective: The object of our study was to review the results of 63 revision stapes surgeries performed from 1978 to 1994. Results: The most common cause of failure was the displacement of the prosthesis, followed by ossicular chain problems and oval window fibrosis. Postoperative hearing improvement within a 20-dB air-borne gap was achieved in 58.7% of the patients. Hearing gain was closely linked to the operative findings. Better results occurred when prosthesis problems were found. Evaluation of the hearing results by using Glasgow benefit plot gave evidence of symmetric normal hearing in only 40% of the cases. Conclusions: Prevention of the cause of failure during the primary stapes surgeries, lessening the surgical trauma, seems to provide the most favorable hearing results

Unilateral acoustic neuroma associated with a tenth cranial nerve schwannoma

[No abstract available

Pleomorphic adenoma of the tongue base

[No abstract available

Medial meatal fibrosis: Current approach

Medial meatal fibrosis is a rare entity which is linked to inflammatory and traumatic factors. This pathology significantly benefits from surgical management. Criteria for achieving successful results are strict and concern the complete removal of the fibrous tissue and covering of the bony canal with skin graft. The aim of this paper is to present our experience with this rare pathology and to discuss current approaches