State of art and next challenges in instrumentation for quality control in hadrontherapy centres

In this document we aim at summarising the different points so far addressed and those that are still to be resolved in instrumentation for quality control in hadrontherapy centres. This includes on line in beam PET for dose deposition monitoring, beam hodoscope and prompt gamma monitoring

First observation of Bs -> D_{s2}^{*+} X mu nu decays

Using data collected with the LHCb detector in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV, the semileptonic decays Bs -> Ds+ X mu nu and Bs -> D0 K+ X mu nu are detected. Two structures are observed in the D0 K+ mass spectrum at masses consistent with the known D^+_{s1}(2536) and $D^{*+}_{s2}(2573) mesons. The measured branching fractions relative to the total Bs semileptonic rate are B(Bs -> D_{s2}^{*+} X mu nu)/B(Bs -> X mu nu)= (3.3\pm 1.0\pm 0.4)%, and B(Bs -> D_{s1}^+ X munu)/B(Bs -> X mu nu)= (5.4\pm 1.2\pm 0.5)%, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. This is the first observation of the D_{s2}^{*+} state in Bs decays; we also measure its mass and width.Comment: 8 pages 2 figures. Published in Physics Letters

2012 Activity Report of the Regional Research Programme on Hadrontherapy for the ETOILE Center

2012 is the penultimate year of financial support by the CPER 2007-2013 for ETOILE's research program, sustained by the PRRH at the University Claude Bernard. As with each edition we make the annual review of the research in this group, so active for over 12 years now. Over the difficulties in the decision-making process for the implementation of the ETOILE Center, towards which all our efforts are focussed, some "themes" (work packages) were strengthened, others have progressed, or have been dropped. This is the case of the eighth theme (technological developments), centered around the technology for rotative beam distribution heads (gantries) and, after being synchronized with the developments of ULICE's WP6, remained so by ceasing its activities, coinciding also with the retirement of its historic leader at IPNL, Marcel Bajard. Topic number 5 ("In silico simulations") has suffered the departure of its leader, Benjamin Ribba, although the work has still been provided by Branka Bernard, a former postdoctoral fellow in Lyon Sud, and now back home in Croatia, still in contract with UCBL for the ULICE project. Aside from these two issues (and the fact that the theme "Medico-economical simulations" is now directly linked to the first one ("Medical Project"), the rest of the teams are growing, as evidenced by the publication statistics at the beginning of this report. This is obviously due to the financial support of our always faithful regional institutions, but also to the synergy that the previous years, the European projects, the arrival of the PRIMES LabEx, and the national France Hadron infrastructure have managed to impulse. The Rhone-Alpes hadron team, which naturally includes the researchers of LPC at Clermont, should also see its influence result in a strong presence in France Hadron's regional node, which is being organized. The future of this regional research is not yet fully guaranteed, especially in the still uncertain context of ETOILE, but the tracks are beginning to emerge to allow past and present efforts translate into a long future that we all want to see established. Each of the researchers in PRRH is aware that 2013 will be (and already is) the year of great challenge : for ETOILE, for the PRRH, for hadron therapy in France, for French hadrontherapy in Europe (after the opening and beginning of treatments in the German [HIT Heidelberg, Marburg], Italian [CNAO, Pavia] and Austrian [MedAustron, Wien Neuerstadt]) centers. Let us meet again in early 2014 for a comprehensive review of the past and a perspective for the future ..

The Power Board of the KM3NeT Digital Optical Module: design, upgrade, and production

The KM3NeT Collaboration is building an underwater neutrino observatory at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea consisting of two neutrino telescopes, both composed of a three-dimensional array of light detectors, known as digital optical modules. Each digital optical module contains a set of 31 three inch photomultiplier tubes distributed over the surface of a 0.44 m diameter pressure-resistant glass sphere. The module includes also calibration instruments and electronics for power, readout and data acquisition. The power board was developed to supply power to all the elements of the digital optical module. The design of the power board began in 2013, and several prototypes were produced and tested. After an exhaustive validation process in various laboratories within the KM3NeT Collaboration, a mass production batch began, resulting in the construction of over 1200 power boards so far. These boards were integrated in the digital optical modules that have already been produced and deployed, 828 until October 2023. In 2017, an upgrade of the power board, to increase reliability and efficiency, was initiated. After the validation of a pre-production series, a production batch of 800 upgraded boards is currently underway. This paper describes the design, architecture, upgrade, validation, and production of the power board, including the reliability studies and tests conducted to ensure the safe operation at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea throughout the observatory's lifespa

Prompt K_short production in pp collisions at sqrt(s)=0.9 TeV

The production of K_short mesons in pp collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 0.9 TeV is studied with the LHCb detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The luminosity of the analysed sample is determined using a novel technique, involving measurements of the beam currents, sizes and positions, and is found to be 6.8 +/- 1.0 microbarn^-1. The differential prompt K_short production cross-section is measured as a function of the K_short transverse momentum and rapidity in the region 0 < pT < 1.6 GeV/c and 2.5 < y < 4.0. The data are found to be in reasonable agreement with previous measurements and generator expectations.Comment: 6+18 pages, 6 figures, updated author lis

The issue of microplastics in marine ecosystems: A bibliometric network analysis

Human activities lead to several impacts on marine ecosystems, among which a massive input of plastic entering the marine environment. This scenario has the potential to threaten ecosystem health and integrity, also reducing the ability of marine ecosystems to provide good and services on which human well-being relies. In this study, the global scientific literature on marine microplastics was explored by combining social network analysis and bibliometrics. Network maps displayed the relationships among keywords, authors, countries, and journals dealing with the issue of microplastics in marine ecosystems. The citation analysis of journals showed that \u201cMarine Pollution Bulletin\u201d resulted the first among the scientific journals publishing articles on this subject. The results also highlighted that most research on the subject is focused on toxicology and environmental chemistry, while ecological studies focusing on the impact of microplastics at ecosystem level are still limited

Reporting Marine Microplastics Data: the Need for a Standardized Protocol

Marine microplastics have become an issue of great concern at the global level. The attention towards the issue of marine microplastics, highly recognized by international policy and scientific research, has increased considerably over the last decades. At the European level, several initiatives have been promoted addressing the reduction of plastic pollution as a high priority target, among which the Marine Strategy Framework Objective (D10) and the European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy. In addition, researchers have explored many strategies to optimize the detection and monitoring of microplastics in sediments, seawater, and organisms and to effectively demonstrate their potential ecological harm. However, since pollution dynamics, the functioning of natural ecosystems, and their relationships are very complex, there still lacks a comprehensive understanding of the impacts of microplastics on marine ecosystems. This lack of knowledge may impact the effectiveness of decision-making processes in terms of plastic reduction and waste management. In this study, we present the results of a literature review which focuses on particularly impactful marine microplastic methodological and analytical articles from 2004 to 2017 to identify possible gaps or inconsistencies in the reported data. Based on this review, a framework for a general reporting protocol (GRP) is outlined to encourage increased collaborative research efforts to harmonize the reporting of microplastics data in scientific studies. The proposed GRP outline could be useful in addressing data needs for effective ecological risk assessment. (C) 2022 L&amp;H Scientific Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved

Teaching methods in biology promoting biodiversity education

Abstract The aim of this qualitative survey was to investigate what kind of teaching methods have been used in biology to promote biodiversity education (BDE) and how the methods support biodiversity (BD) learning. We found, in total, 317 international scientific articles published since 2000 which described the teaching methods regarding BDE and the teaching, and/or the learning. From these ones 12 articles specifically addressed the teaching methods of BD. The content of these articles was analysed in detail. The detailed analysis was based on (a) the categories of the teaching methods used, (b) the conception of learning in the Finnish National Core Curricula for Secondary schools and (c) the revised Bloom’s taxonomy and Stanny’s verbs concerning the levels of taxonomy. The most used teaching methods were hands-on instruction, experiential learning, and teacher presentation. The least used ones were games, roleplay, debates, service learning, study trips, and visits. In all the articles, various teaching methods used during the lessons were described. The items concerning the teaching methods, which supported students learning were active participation and interaction—mentioned in all the articles—followed by observation, experimental work, experiential learning, and techniques for increasing environmental awareness. The understanding of the different perspectives of BD and the development of self-evaluation were addressed in only four and two of the articles, respectively. The four types of knowledge were supported by the used teaching methods in nine articles jointly. The lower levels of thinking skills were well-supported by the used teaching methods. The highest level of thinking skills, such as synthesis and evaluation, received the least amount of attention

Schwannoma Of The Nasal Septum: Evaluation Of Unilateral Nasal Mass [schwannoma De Septo Nasal: Avaliação De Massa Nasal Unilateral]

[No abstract available]793403Frosch, M.P., Anthony, D.C., de Girolami, U., O Sistema Nervoso Central (2005) Rio De Janeiro: Elsevier, pp. 1479-1480. , Em: Kumar V, Abbas AK, Fausto N, Robbins SL, Cotran RS. Patologia: Bases Patológicas das Doenças. 7a edLuchi, G.E.R., Magalhães, M.R., Lanzelotti, S.M., Jorge Júnior, J.J., Mendonça, E.A.S.F., Magalhães, S.L.B., Nasal schwanno-ma (2006) Braz J Otorhinolaryngol, 72 (5), p. 714Fujiyoshi, F., Kajiya, Y., Nakajo, M., CT and MR imaging of nasoethmoid schwannoma with intracranial extension (1997) AJR Am J Roentgenol, 169 (6), pp. 1754-1755. , http://dx.doi.org/10.2214/ajr.169.6.9393211, PMid:9393211Habesoglu, T.E., Habesoglu, M., Surmeli, M., Uresin, T., Egeli, E., Unilateral sinonasal symptoms (2010) J Craniofac Surg, 21 (6), pp. 2019-2022. , http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/SCS.0b013e3181f5389a, PMid:21119491Gillman, G., Bryson, P.C., Ethmoid schwannoma (2005) Otolaryn-gol Head Neck Surg, 132 (2), pp. 334-335. , http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.otohns.2004.04.027, PMid:15692551Küpper, D.S., Demarco, R.C., Resende, R., Anselmo-Lima, W.T., Valera, F.C.P.M.I., Endoscopic nasal dacryocys-torhinostomy: Results and advantages over the external approach (2005) Braz J Otorhinolaryngol, 71 (3), pp. 356-360. , PMid:1644694