Surface wave control for large arrays of microwave kinetic inductance detectors

Large ultra-sensitive detector arrays are needed for present and future observatories for far infra-red, submillimeter wave (THz), and millimeter wave astronomy. With increasing array size, it is increasingly important to control stray radiation inside the detector chips themselves, the surface wave. We demonstrate this effect with focal plane arrays of 880 lens-antenna coupled Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors (MKIDs). Presented here are near field measurements of the MKID optical response versus the position on the array of a reimaged optical source. We demonstrate that the optical response of a detector in these arrays saturates off-pixel at the $\sim-30$ dB level compared to the peak pixel response. The result is that the power detected from a point source at the pixel position is almost identical to the stray response integrated over the chip area. With such a contribution, it would be impossible to measure extended sources, while the point source sensitivity is degraded due to an increase of the stray loading. However, we show that by incorporating an on-chip stray light absorber, the surface wave contribution is reduced by a factor $>$10. With the on-chip stray light absorber the point source response is close to simulations down to the $\sim-35$ dB level, the simulation based on an ideal Gaussian illumination of the optics. In addition, as a crosscheck we show that the extended source response of a single pixel in the array with the absorbing grid is in agreement with the integral of the point source measurements.Comment: accepted for publication in IEEE Transactions on Terahertz Science and Technolog

Eliminating stray radiation inside large area imaging arrays

With increasing array size, it is increasingly important to control stray radiation inside the detector chips themselves. We demonstrate this effect with focal plane arrays of absorber coupled Lumped Element microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors (LEKIDs) and lens-antenna coupled distributed quarter wavelength Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors (MKIDs). In these arrays the response from a point source at the pixel position is at a similar level to the stray response integrated over the entire chip area. For the antenna coupled arrays, we show that this effect can be suppressed by incorporating an on-chip stray light absorber. A similar method should be possible with the LEKID array, especially when they are lens coupled.Comment: arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:1707.0214

Intestinal parasites in Rupicapra spp. populations: study in the framework of the relevant italian project (PRIN)

Intestinal parasites can seriously threaten the performances and well-being of wild ungulates. In this study, we investigated the occurrence and parasitic burden of protozoans and gastro-intestinal helminths (GIH) in Rupicapra spp. From September 2013 to January 2016, 352 fresh fecal samples were collected from Rupicapra rupicapra rupicapra in the Alps (N=262) and from Rupicapra pyrenaica ornata in the Apennines (N=90). Samples were examined using standard copro-parasitological methods for Eimeria and GIH and an immunofluorescence test for Cryptosporidium and Giardia duodenalis. Parts of gp60 and ssRNA/gdh/βgiardin genes were used to identify these protozoa species/genotypes. In R.r.rupicapra and in R.p.ornata, 7 and 6 parasite taxa were identified, respectively, with a mean number of 1.7 species/host (min-max 0-5) and 2.05 (min-max: 0-4), respectively. Overall, 85.3% (95%, C.I.=81.5-89.1) of the animals investigated scored microscopically positive to Eimeria spp. with a mean intensity of emission (m.i.e.) of up to 776 o.p.g.; 5.4% (95%, C.I.=3.07.7) were positive to G. duodenalis and 82% (95%, C.I. 77.91-86.15) to GIH with a m.i.e. of up to 147 e.p.g. Prevalence in R.r.rupicapra was 81.2% with a m.i.e. of 380 o.p.g. for Eimeria, 6.87% for Giardia, and 77.45% for GIH with a m.i.e. of 142 e.p.g. Prevalence in R.p.ornata was 94.4% with m.i.e. of 1,093 o.p.g. for Eimeria, 1.1% for G.duodenalis, and 94.4% for GIH with a m.i.e. of 151 e.p.g. Assemblages A/AI and E were identified in R.r.rupicapra and assemblage A/AIII in R.p.ornata. None of the animals tested positive for Cryptosporidium. The results show that the prevalence of Eimeria, G.duodenalis and GIH in both host species is nonnegligible, with a significantly higher parasitic burden in R.p.ornata. The detection of G. duodenalis in Rupicapra spp. is noteworthy. This study updates the data on parasitic fauna of these wild bovids. The impact of these parasites on chamois population dynamics will be inferred from the results/variables obtained throughout the entire interdisciplinary project

Spazi Comuni. Scenari universitari per il ritorno alla a-normalità

L’idea di ricerca consiste nella mappatura e valutazione comparativa di ipotesi progettuali per il riavvio delle attività in ambito universitario, che prevedono la convivenza di esperienze in presenza e da remoto. Lo studio propone di esplorare le azioni quotidiane che caratterizzano gli spazi fisici universitari attraverso l’approccio user journey map al fine di progettare la comunicazione e la fruizione avvalendosi di aggiornate tecniche hcd e ux

Proof-of-Concept Demonstration of Vector Beam Pattern Measurements of Kinetic Inductance Detectors

We present results from the first vector beam pattern measurement ofmicrowave kinetic inductance detectors (MKIDs). Vector beam patterns require sampling of the E-field of the receiver in both amplitude and phase. MKIDs are inherently direct detectors and have no phase response to incoming radiation. We map the amplitude and phase patterns of the detector beam profile by adapting a two-source heterodyne technique. Our testing strategy recovers the phase information by creating a reference signal to trigger data acquisition. The reference is generated by mixing the slightly offset low-frequency signals from the output of the two synthesizers used to drive the submillimeter sources. The key requirement is that the time-series record always begins at the same set phase of the reference signal. As the source probe is scanned within the receiver beam, the wavefront propagation phase of the receiver changes and causes a phase offset between the detector output and reference signals. We demonstrated this technique on the central pixel of a test array operating at 350 GHz. This methodology will enable vector beam pattern measurements to be performed on direct detectors, which have distinct advantages reducing systematic sources of error, allowing beam propagation, and removing the far-field measurement requirement such that complicated optical systems can be measured at a point that is easily accessible, including the near field

Setting of Methods for Analysis of Mucosal Antibodies in Seminal and Vaginal Fluids of HIV Seropositive Subjects from Cambodian and Italian Cohorts

International audienceBACKGROUND: Genital mucosae play a key role in protection from STD and HIV infection, due to their involvement in both horizontal and vertical disease transmission. High variability of published observations concerning IgA isolation and quantification underlies the strong requirement of specific methods able to maximize investigation on HIV-specific IgA. METHODOLOGY: Genital fluids from 109 subjects, including male and female cohorts from Italy and Cambodia, were collected, aliquoted and processed with different techniques, to assess optimal conditions maximizing mucosal antibody recovery. Three sampling techniques, up to sixteen preservation conditions, six ELISA methods and four purifications protocols were compared. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The optimal method here described took advantage of Weck-Cel sampling of female mucosal fluids. Immediate processing of genital fluids, with the addition of antibiotics and EDTA, improved recovery of vaginal IgA, while the triple addition of EDTA, antibiotics and protease inhibitors provided the highest amount of seminal IgA. Due to low amount of IgA in mucosal fluids, a high sensitive sandwich ELISA assay was set; sensitivity was enhanced by milk-based overcoating buffer and by a two-step biotin-streptavidin signal amplification. Indeed, commercial antisera to detect human immunoglobulins showed weak cross-reactivity to different antibody types. Three-step affinity purification provided reproducible immunoglobulin recovery from genital specimens, while conventional immuno-affinity IgA purification was found poorly manageable. Affinity columns were suitable to isolate mucosal IgA, which are ten-fold less concentrated than IgG in genital specimens, and provided effective separation of IgA monomers, dimers, and J-chains. Jacalin-bound resin successfully separated IgA1 from IgA2 subfraction. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Specific, effective and reliable methods to study local immunity are key items in understanding host mucosal response. The sequence of methods here described is effective and reliable in analysing humoral local responses, and may provide a solid advance to identify and measure the effective mucosal responses to HIV

Differences Between Plasma and Cerebrospinal Fluid p-tau181 and p-tau231 in Early Alzheimer's Disease

Plasma phosphorylated tau species have been recently proposed as peripheral markers of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. In this cross-sectional study including 91 subjects, plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) p-tau181 and p-tau231 levels were elevated in the early symptomatic stages of AD. Plasma p-tau231 and p-tau181 were strongly related to CSF phosphorylated tau, total tau and amyloid and exhibited a high accuracy-close to CSF p-tau231 and p-tau181-to identify AD already in the early stage of the disease. The findings might support the use as diagnostic and prognostic peripheral AD biomarkers in both research and clinical settings

Secreting Germ Cell Tumors of the Central Nervous System: A Long-Term Follow-up Experience

Simple Summary Nongerminomatous germ cell tumors of the central nervous system are rare tumours. Differently from germinomas, they have a severe prognosis above all when presenting with high alfafetoprotein levels. We report the results of a combined chemo- and radiotherapy approach in 28 patients affected by this disease with craniospinal irradiation and a boost tailored on the response to pre-radiant chemotherapy. Metastatic patients and high-risk disease are discussed as well. The 5 years overall survival and event-free survival were both 81% while at 10 years they were 81% and 76% respectively. Our series, even if small, concerns nongerminomatous germ cell tumors only (whereas in some papers they are mixed with pure germinomas), furthermore our patients had a very long follow-up (over 11 years) with encouraging survival data for localized and metastatic disease. Improving survival while trying to contain/avoid the long-term sequelae of chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the main goals of future studies. Introduction: Due to the rarity of nongerminomatous germ cell tumors (NGGCT) with non-standard treatment as yet, we report retrospectively our 30 year experience with chemotherapy followed by craniospinal irradiation (CSI), plus a boost of whole ventricular irradiation (WVI)/tumor bed (TB), tailored to pre-radiation chemotherapy response. Methods: Between 1988 and 2016, 28 patients received four cycles of PEB (cisplatin/etoposide/bleomycin), then CSI, and two further PEB cycles. Between 1988 and1994, CSI was 25.5 Gy for patients in complete remission (CR), 30 Gy if in partial remission (PR) or metastatic, with a boost to TB up to 45-54 Gy. In the period of 1995-2010, the boost included WVI and any extra-ventricular tumor sites up to 45 Gy. After 2010, CSI was reduced to 25.5 Gy for all non-metastatic patients, and a boost was given only to TB up to 40.5/45.5 Gy, depending on patients' CR/PR status. After 2003, patients with alfafetoprotein (alpha FP) > 1000 ng/mL received intensified treatment, also including autologous stem cell transplantation. Results: Among 28 patients (23 males; median age 12 years, 6 metastatic), 25 responded to PEB, and three progressed (PD) after one to four cycles; 26 received radiotherapy obtaining 13 CR, 7 PR and 5 stable disease (SD), 1 PD; 6 (21%) died (5 for disease, 1 for pneumonia while in CR). Five-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were both 81%; 10 year OS and PFS 81% and 76%, respectively (median follow-up 11 years). Conclusions: Survival for children with NGGCT, independently from disease extent, was encouraging. Further studies should elucidate which patients could benefit from reduced volume and dose irradiation

Whole Lung Irradiation after High-Dose Busulfan/Melphalan in Ewing Sarcoma with Lung Metastases: An Italian Sarcoma Group and Associazione Italiana Ematologia Oncologia Pediatrica Joint Study

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The lung is the most frequent site of metastasis in Ewing sarcoma, the second most common bone cancer affecting children, adolescents and young adults. The five-year overall survival of patients with isolated lung metastasis is approximately 50% after multimodal treatments including chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the feasibility and the predictors of survival in 68 Ewing sarcoma patients with lung metastases who received high-dose chemotherapy with busulfan and melphalan, followed by reduced dose whole-lung irradiation, as part of two prospective and consecutive treatment protocols. This combined treatment strategy is feasible and might contribute to the disease control in lung metastatic Ewing sarcoma with responsive disease. Furthermore, the results of this study provide support to explore the treatment stratification for lung metastatic Ewing sarcoma based on the histological response of the primary tumor. ABSTRACT: Purpose: To analyze toxicity and outcome predictors in Ewing sarcoma patients with lung metastases treated with busulfan and melphalan (BU-MEL) followed by whole-lung irradiation (WLI). Methods: This retrospective study included 68 lung metastatic Ewing Sarcoma patients who underwent WLI after BU-MEL with autologous stem cell transplantation, as part of two prospective and consecutive treatment protocols. WLI 12 Gy for <14 years old and 15 Gy for ≥14 years old patients were applied at least eight weeks after BU-MEL. Toxicity, overall survival (OS), event-free survival (EFS) and pulmonary relapse-free survival (PRFS) were estimated and analyzed. Results: After WLI, grade 1–2 and grade 3 clinical toxicity was reported in 16.2% and 5.9% patients, respectively. The five-year OS, EFS and PRFS with 95% confidence interval (CI) were 69.8% (57.1–79.3), 61.2% (48.4–71.7) and 70.5% (56.3–80.8), respectively. Patients with good histological necrosis of the primary tumor after neoadjuvant chemotherapy showed a significant decreased risk of pulmonary relapse or death compared to patients with poor histological necrosis. Conclusions: WLI at recommended doses and time interval after BU-MEL is feasible and might contribute to the disease control in Ewing sarcoma with lung metastases and responsive disease. Further studies are needed to explore the treatment stratification based on the histological response of the primary tumor