On a CP Anisotropy Measurement in the Dalitz Plot

We describe a novel use of the Dalitz plot to probe CP symmetry in three-body modes of $B$ and $D$ mesons. It is based on an observable inspired by astronomers' practice, namely the significance in the difference between corresponding Dalitz plot bins. It provides a model independent mapping of local CP asymmetries. We illustrate the method for probing CP symmetry in the complementary cases of B decays, where sizable or even large effects can be expected, yet have to be differentiated against leading Standard Model contributions, and $D$ decays, where one cannot count on sizable effects, yet has to deal with much less Standard Model background.Comment: 27 pages, 16 figures Version that will appear in PRD, that typos have been corrected, references and clarifications adde

Final state hadronic interactions and non-resonant B±→K±π+π−B^\pm\to K^\pm\pi^+\pi^- decays

We evaluate the non-resonant decay amplitude of the process $B^\pm\to K^\pm\pi^+ \pi^-$ using an approach based on final state hadronic interactions described in terms of meson exchanges. We conclude that this mechanism generates inhomogeneities in the Dalitz plot of the B decay.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures. Major changes. Version accepted for publication in Phys. Lett.

Gas Gain Uniformity Tests performed on Multi Wire Proportional Chambers for the LHCb Muon System

We present the experimental setup and the results of the gas gain uniformity tests performed as part of the quality control of the multiwire proportional chambers produced at CERN for the LHCb Muon system. The test provides a relative gas gain measurement over the whole chamber sensitive area. It is based on the analysis of the pulse height spectrum obtained when the chamber is exposed to {a^241}Am radioactive source. Since the measurement is normalized to the peak of a precise pulse generator, the gain uniformity can also be evaluated among different gas gaps and different chambers

Results of the MWPC gas gain uniformity tests performed at CERN

We present the results of the gas gain uniformity tests performed as part of the quality control of the multiwire proportional chambers produced at CERN for the LHCb Muon system, along with a description of the last hardware and software upgrades. The test provides a relative gas gain measurement over the whole chamber sensitive area. It is based on the analysis of the spectrum obtained when the chamber is exposed to a $^{241}$Am radioactive source. Since the measurement is normalized to the peak of a precise pulse generator, the gain uniformity can also be evaluated among different gas gaps and different chambers

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

Patologia urologica ed andrologica

Il libro \ue8 composto da 37 capitoli, elaborati da 80 tra medici specialisti e accademici, che mostrano \u201clo stato dell\u2019arte\u201d nelle cure delle problematiche relative alla Sindrome di Down nella propria materia, basandosi su un\u2019attenta analisi della letteratura specialistica filtrata dall\u2019esperienza diretta. Questo testo non vuole essere uno strumento che induca ad una medicalizzazione delle persone con Sindrome di Down, per le quali invece bisogna preferire all\u2019ottica di \u201cpaziente\u201d, quella dell\u2019individuo. Questi, pu\uf2 essere soggetto a diversi rischi clinici da individuare e controllare, esercitando una medicina preventiva a tutti i livelli, ma l\u2019obiettivo \ue8 comunque quello che possa vivere serenamente la propria vita, esprimendo al meglio le proprie capacit\ue0. L\u2019intento \ue8 quello di diffondere maggiormente una corretta e completa conoscenza tra i Medici di base o gli Specialisti che si trovano a trattare, magari per la prima volta, con persone con Sindrome di Down

In Vivo evaluation of the Chemical Composition of Urinary Stones Using Dual-Energy CT

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this article is to evaluate in vivo the chemical composition of urinary stones using dual-source and dual-energy CT, with crystallography as the reference standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Forty patients (mean [\ub1 SD] age, 49 \ub1 17 years) with known or suspected nephrolithiasis underwent unenhanced abdominal CT for urinary tract evaluation using a dual-energy technique (tube voltages, 140 and 80 kVp). For each stone 5 mm or larger in diameter, we evaluated the site, diameter, CT density, surface (smooth vs rough), and stone composition. Patients were treated with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (n = 34), percutaneous nephrolithotomy (n = 4), or therapeutic ureterorenoscopy (n = 2). Collected stones underwent crystallography, and the agreement with the results of dual-energy CT was calculated with the Cohen kappa coefficient. The correlation among stone composition, diameter, and CT density was estimated using the Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS. Thirty-one patients had a single stone and nine had multiple stones, for a total of 49 stones. Forty-five stones were in the kidneys, and four were in the ureters; 23 had a smooth surface and 26 had a rough surface. The mean stone diameter was 12 \ub1 6 mm; mean CT density was 783 \ub1 274 HU. According to crystallography, stone composition was as follows: 33 were calcium oxalate, seven were cystine, four were uric acid, and five were of mixed composition. Dual-energy CT failed to identify four stones with mixed composition, resulting in substantial agreement between dual-energy CT and crystallography (Cohen \u3ba = 0.684). Stone composition was not correlated with either stone diameter (p = 0.920) or stone CT density (p = 0.185). CONCLUSION. CT showed excellent accuracy in classifying urinary stone chemical composition, except for uric acid\u2013hydroxyapatite mixed stones

TC DOUBLE SOURCE DUAL ENERGY PRE SWL: PREDICTION OF STONE COMPOSITION AND TREATMENT RESULTS

Aim of the study The composition and density of urinary stones determine the treatment choice ( SWL, URS, RIRS, PCNL) and influence treatment results. Thereafter preoperative knowledge of these two parameters is considered usefull. TCDS (SOMATOM Definition Dual Source Siemens) is a multislice computerized tomography with 2 x-ray sources using two different voltages (140 Kv and 80 Kv respectively) and 2 detectors laid at 90° angle . The system works as a traditional CT : is able to epitomize the stone in terms of chemical composition through the application of a dedicated software ( Leonardo DE Kidney Stone) and to indicate stone density in Hounsfield units. We investigate how these two parameters influence SWL success rate in a subset of calcium oxalate stones Material and Methods In February through July 2008 40 patients underwent TCDS dual energy: out of them 28 patients were diagnosed by TCDS to be affected by calcium oxalate stones ( renal stones 23 pts., ureteral stones 5 pts). . The Hounsfield density was 1000 HU (10 pts). All the patients underwent SWL (HMT Lithotron LSH 171). The fragments passed were analyzed FT-IR Nicolet IS10 ThermoFisher. We considered the treatment successful if the patient was at three months follow-up stone free or with fragments < 4mm. Results SWL success rate was 100% and 88,2% in treating stones below 500 HU and between 500 and 1000 HU respectively, while it proved to be uneffective in patients with calcium oxalate stones above 1000 HU (10% success rate). Statistical analisys with the χ2 test showed a correlation between calcium oxalate stones, whose composition was identified by TCDS, stone density in HU and stone free rate (p<0.001). Conclusions. Dual Energy TCDS allows for a more accurate evaluation of urolithiasis than traditional multislice CT scan with respect to chemical composition and HU density. These parameters showed a significant impact for treatment efficacy in our test subjects. High density calcium oxalate stones in have a dense structure as a possible result of the presence of monohydrate calcium oxalate. The definition of chemical composition and density in urinary stones supplies usefull parameters that are able to predict SWL results. High HU density calcium oxalate lithiasis showed an extreme , indipendent from stone size, resistance to ESWL in our stud