Studio delle prestazioni del calorimetro elettromagnetico dell'esperimento MEG per la ricerca del decadimento ì -> e + gamma

L’esperimento MEG si prefigge di studiare le violazione del sapore leptonico misurando il rapporto B = ì -> e + gamma / ì -> TOT con sensibilit´a di 10−13, migliorando di due ordini di grandezza le precedenti misure dell’esperimento MEGA, grazie alle migliori risoluzioni dei rivelatori progettati e all’utilizzo di un fascio continuo di muoni, a differenza di quello impulsato usato da MEGA. Il Modello Standard (MS) delle interazioni elettrodeboli, attualmente il modello di riferimento nel campo della fisica delle particelle elementari, non prevede questa violazione a nessun ordine. Anche introducendo correzioni dovute alle masse non nulle dei neutrini, il Modello Standard prevede un B non misurabile(B < 10 alla −40). Alcuni modellli di grande unificazione supersimmetrica (SUSYGUT) in cui il MS viene inglobato come sottogruppo a pi´u basse energie, danno invece previsioni di questo rapporto poco al di sotto del limite sperimentale attuale, che rendono MEG importante per la ricerca della fisica oltre il modello standard. La segnatura dell’evento ì in e + gamma sono un positrone e un fotone emessi contemporaneamente, nella stessa linea di volo, con uguale energia, pari a met´a della massa del muone (ì/2 =52.8 MeV ). Per raggiungere la sensibilit´a prefissata, sono stati messi appunto sistemi di rivelazione molto precisi dell’energia, della direzione e del tempo di arrivo delle due particelle. In particolare l’energia, la direzione e il tempo di arrivo del fotone saranno misuarati da un calorimetro a Xenon liquido, gas nobile con un numero di fotoni prodotti per scintillazione paragonabile a quello dello ioduro di sodio ma con un tempo di scintillazione molto inferiore. I fotoni di scintillazione saranno raccolti da 848 fotubi montati sulla superfice interna del calorimetro, e i loro segnali, digitalizzati, saranno analizzati da un programma di analisi chiamato Rome, operante in ambiente Root e svillupato apposta per l’esperimento MEG. I fotomoltiplicatori sono stati testati tramite due sistemi: una piccola postazione presso i laboratori dell’INFN di Pisa che consente il test di un fototubo alla volta (Photomultiplier Test Facility PMT), ed un prototipo da 67 litri del calorimetro a Xenon liquido presente al PSI, che consente il test di circa 228 fototubi per volta (Large Prototype LP). Il mio lavoro ´e consistito nel testare parte dei fototubi nella PMT presente a Pisa e di sviluppare in Rome degli algoritmi per la determinazione dei parametri dei fotomoltiplicatori nel LP poi implementati o implementabili nel programma di analisi del calorimetro finale. La misura delle caratteristiche dei PMT ´e estremamente importante per il raggiungimento delle risoluzioni sperimentali richieste per il calorimetro. Nella parte finale della tesi mostro con una simulazione MonteCarlo che se le caratteristiche dei PMT in esperimento saranno quelle da noi misurate in laboratorio, la risoluzione in energia del calorimetro finale, sui fotoni del decadimento ì in e + gamma, sar´a inferiori al 5% FWHM

Experimental Issues of the Search for μ -> e + g decay in the MEG experiment at Paul Scherrer Institut

The Standard Model (SM) of electroweak interactions assumes complete conservation of the lepton flavor. Even introducing corrections due to neutrinos masses, the SM predicts an unmeasurable branching ratio for this decay (B< 10−55). Supersymmetric grand unification models (SUSY-GUT), in which the SM is incorporated as a low energy subgroup, provide estimates of μ -> e + g decay just below the current experimental limit (< 1.2 × 10−11): searching for lepton flavor violation in this channel will therefore lead to the first observation of physics beyond the standard model, or set strong constraints on those theories. The MEG experiment at PSI searches for the μ -> e + g decay with a sensitivity around 10−13, thus improving the present best experimental limit of roughly two orders of magnitude. The experiment is in operation since 2007, while physics data taking started officially in 2008 and will last until 2012. The first chapter of this thesis begins by showing a short summary of theoretical motivations supporting the search of μ -> e + g (principles of SM and SUSY-GUT models). After a historical introduction to the μ-> e + g decay searches, the event signature, backgrounds and experimentalsensitivity are discussed. In the second chapter we describe the MEG apparatus: the beam line setup, the magnetic spectrometer, the data acquisition system and the analysis software. In the third, fourth and fifth chapters we discuss in detail the innovative liquid xenon photon detector, its calibration methods and reconstruction algorithms. The performances of the calorimeter and the other MEG detectors during 2008 MEG run are presented in chapters 6 and 7. Chapter 8 shows the physics analysis procedure and the final result from 2008 data. Finally in chapter 9 a short look at preliminary 2009 MEG run results are shown

Emergency treatment of complicated colorectal cancer

Aim: To find evidence to suggest the best approach in patients admitted as an emergency for complicated colorectal cancer. Methods: The medical records of 131 patients admitted as an emergency with an obstructing, perforated, or bleeding colorectal cancer to Noble’s Hospital, Isle of Man, and the Umberto I University Hospital, Rome, were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were divided in 3 groups on the basis of the emergency treatment they received, namely 1) immediate resection, 2) damage control procedure and elective or semielective resection, and 3) no radical treatment. Demographic variables, clinical data, and treatment data were considered, and formed the basis for the comparison of groups. Primary endpoints were 90-day mortality and morbidity. Secondary endpoints were length of stay, number of lymph nodes analyzed, rate of radical R0 resections, and the number of patients who had chemoradiotherapy. Results: Forty-two patients did not have any radical treatment because the cancer was too advanced or they were too ill to tolerate an operation, 78 patients had immediate resection and 11 had damage control followed by elective resection. There was no statistically significant difference between immediate resections and 2-stage treatment in 90-day mortality and morbidity (mortality: 15.4% vs 0%; morbidity: 26.9% vs 27.3%), number of nodes retrieved (16.6±9.4 vs 14.9±5.7), and rate of R0 resections (84.6% vs 90.9%), but mortality was slightly higher in patients who underwent immediate resection. The patients who underwent staged treatment had a higher possibility of receiving a laparoscopic resection (11.5% vs 36.4%). Conclusion: The present study failed to demonstrate a clear superiority of one treatment with respect to the other, even if there is an interesting trend favoring staged resection

The Environmental Performance of Glass and PET Mineral Water Bottles in Italy

Worldwide the environmental weight of the packaging has overtaken the threshold, both due to the waste and the emissions generated. This issue stimulated the European Union (EU) to provide for a stringent regulation to tackle this burden. Particularly, the consumption of mineral water packed is very significant, as regards the use of plastic bottles, especially in the small size, which stresses the need for a boosted management of packaging by the governments, industries, and consumers (Botto et al. in Environ Sci Policy 14:388–395, 2011). Over the years, the EU has shown increasing consumption of mineral water-packed, and Italy, with 222 L per capita is the first European consumer country and the third worldwide. This chapter investigated the glass and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) packaging to analyse their environmental impact and undertake a comparison among them (Vellini and Savioli in Energy 34:2137–2143, 2009). Particularly the research provides a twofold analysis. Firstly, it assesses the impacts of 1 kg of hollow glass through the Life Cycle Assessment methodology (Schmitz et al. in Energy Policy 39:142–155, 2011;Vinci et al. in Trends in beverage packaging 16:105–133, 2019;) and makes a comparison with a 1 kg of PET ( Marathe KV, Chavan K, Nakhate P (2017) Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Bottles—Indian Perspective. http://www.in-beverage.org/lca-pet/ICT Final Report on% 20LCA of PET Bottles_for P ACE_01_01_2018.pdf. Accessed 2 March 2021). Secondly, the Greenhouse gas emissions of still water bottled based on the current Italian consumption is evaluated using the Carbon Footprint methodology, to highlight which among the glass and PET mineral water bottles have the better environmental performance (Kouloumpis et al. in Sci Total Environ 727, 2020). Finally, according to the European 2030–2050 climate and energy framework, an improved eco-friendly performance scenario based on post-consumption options for both materials, was investigated regarding the Italian mineral water bottles consumption

Sustainable options for paints through a life cycle assessment method

In recent years, the paint industry has addressed the development of products, technologies, and packaging to build conditions to improve environmental performance in accordance to the circular economy goals. For these reasons, a life cycle thinking approach allows for the understanding of the most important steps for pursuing closed-loop strategies and related goals. This paper provides a twofold analysis: first, a comparison of two paints, characterised by different chemical compositions, has been carried out according to the current production cycle (baseline scenario); second, for each product, two additional and alternative scenarios have been hypothesised. These scenarios focus on the use of waste paint blended with virgin paint, and the use of a high rate of recycled inputs of packaging materials. The aim is first to assess the environmental impacts of the life cycles of the paints and identify feasible measures to reduce these impacts. The second aim is to choose the better option between scenarios, according to a circular economy approach. The results highlight that the production and supply of raw materials have the greatest impact on both paints, for all impact indicators. Consequently the use of waste paint reduces environmental impacts by roughly 48%, on average. Furthermore, the packaging options allow us to determine that the use of 50% recycled polypropylene had a better environmental performance than 100% recycled aluminium, although the contribution of packaging is negligible in the total impact indicators. Confirming the results, the sensitivity analysis on the waste paint use has been undertaken

An evaluation of morphological and functional multi-parametric MRI sequences in classifying non-muscle and muscle invasive bladder cancer

Objectives: Our goal is to determine the ability of multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) to differentiate muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) from non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Methods: Patients underwent mpMRI before tumour resection. Four MRI sets, i.e. T2-weighted (T2W) + perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI), T2W plus diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), T2W + DWI + PWI, and T2W + DWI + PWI + dif-fusion tensor imaging (DTI) were interpreted qualitatively by two radiologists, blinded to histology results. PWI, DWI and DTI were also analysed quantitatively. Accuracy was determined using histopathology as the reference standard. Results: A total of 82 tumours were analysed. Ninety-six percent of T1-labeled tumours by the T2W + DWI + PWI image set were confirmed to be NMIBC at histopathology. Overall accuracy of the complete mpMRI protocol was 94% in differentiating NMIBC from MIBC. PWI, DWI and DTI quantitative parameters were shown to be significantly different in cancerous versus non-cancerous areas within the bladder wall in T2-labelled lesions. Conclusions: MpMRI with DWI and DTI appears a reliable staging tool for bladder cancer. If our data are validated, then mpMRI could precede cystoscopic resection to allow a faster recognition of MIBC and accelerated treatment pathways. Key Points: • A critical step in BCa staging is to differentiate NMIBC from MIBC. • Morphological and functional sequences are reliable techniques in differentiating NMIBC from MIBC. • Diffusion tensor imaging could be an additional tool in BCa staging

Secreted miR-210-3p as non-invasive biomarker in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

The most common subtype of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is clear cell RCC (ccRCC). It accounts for 70-80% of all renal malignancies representing the third most common urological cancer after prostate and bladder cancer. The identification of non-invasive biomarkers for the diagnosis and responsiveness to therapy of ccRCC may represent a relevant step-forward in ccRCC management. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether specific miRNAs deregulated in ccRCC tissues present altered levels also in urine specimens. To this end we first assessed that miR-21-5p, miR-210-3p and miR-221-3p resulted upregulated in ccRCC fresh frozen tissues compared to matched normal counterparts. Next, we evidenced that miR-210-3p resulted significantly upregulated in 38 urine specimens collected from two independent cohorts of ccRCC patients at the time of surgery compared to healthy donors samples. Of note, miR- 210-3p levels resulted significantly reduced in follow-up samples. These results point to miR-210-3p as a potential non-invasive biomarker useful not only for diagnosis but also for the assessment of complete resection or response to treatment in ccRCC management

Multiparametric MRI of the bladder: inter-observer agreement and accuracy with the Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) at a single reference center

Objectives: To evaluate accuracy and inter-observer variability using Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) for discrimination between non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Methods: Between September 2017 and July 2018, 78 patients referred for suspected bladder cancer underwent multiparametric MRI of the bladder (mpMRI) prior to transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT). All mpMRI were reviewed by two radiologists, who scored each lesion according to VI-RADS. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated for each VI-RADS cutoff. Receiver operating characteristics curves were used to evaluate the performance of mpMRI. The Ƙ statistics was used to estimate inter-reader agreement. Results: Seventy-five patients were included in the final analysis, 53 with NMIBC and 22 with MIBC. Sensitivity and specificity were 91% and 89% for reader 1 and 82% and 85% for reader 2 respectively when the cutoff VI-RADS &gt; 2 was used to define MIBC. At the same cutoff, PPV and NPV were 77% and 96% for reader 1 and 69% and 92% for reader 2. When the cutoff VI-RADS &gt; 3 was used, sensitivity and specificity were 82% and 94% for reader 1 and 77% and 89% for reader 2. Corresponding PPV and NPV were 86% and 93% for reader 1 and 74% and 91% for reader 2. Area under curve was 0.926 and 0.873 for reader 1 and 2 respectively. Inter-reader agreement was good for the overall score (Ƙ = 0.731). Conclusions: VI-RADS is accurate in differentiating MIBC from NMIBC. Inter-reader agreement is overall good. Key Points: • Traditionally, the local staging of bladder cancer relies on transurethral resection of bladder tumor. • However, transurethral resection of bladder tumor carries a significant risk of understaging a cancer; therefore, more accurate, faster, and non-invasive staging techniques are needed to improve outcomes. • Multiparametric MRI has proved to be the best imaging modality for local staging; therefore, its use in suitable patients has the potential to expedite radical treatment when necessary and non-invasive diagnosis in patients with poor fitness

Urinary estrogen metabolites and prostate cancer : a case-control study and meta-analysis

Objective: To investigate prostate cancer (Pca) risk in relation to estrogen metabolism, expressed as urinary 2-hydroxyestrone (2-OHE1), 16α-hydroxyestrone (16α-OHE1) and 2-OHE1 to 16α-OHE1 ratio. Methods: We conducted a case-control study within the Western New York Health Cohort Study (WNYHCS) from 1996 to 2001. From January 2003 through September 2004, we completed the re-call and follow-up of 1092 cohort participants. Cases (n = 26) and controls (n = 110) were matched on age, race and recruitment period according to a 1:4 ratio. We used the unconditional logistic regression to compute crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confident interval (CI) of Pca in relation to 2-OHE1, 16αOHE1 and 2-OHE1 to 16α-OHE1 by tertiles of urine concentrations (stored in a biorepository for an average of 4 years). We identified age, race, education and body mass index as covariates. We also conducted a systematic review of the literature which revealed no additional studies, but we pooled the results from this study with those from a previously conducted case-control study using the DerSimonian-Laird random effects method. Results: We observed a non-significant risk reduction in the highest tertile of 2-OHE1 (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.25-2.10). Conversely, the odds in the highest tertile of 16α-OHE1 showed a non-significant risk increase (OR 1.76 95% CI 0.62-4.98). There was a suggestion of reduced Pca risk for men in the highest tertile of 2-OHE1 to 16α-OHE1 ratio (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.19-1.68). The pooled estimates confirmed the association between an increased Pca risk and higher urinary levels of 16α-OHE1 (third vs. first tertile: OR 1.82, 95% CI 1.09-3.05) and the protective effect of a higher 2-OHE 1 to 16α-OHE1 ratio (third vs. first tertile: OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.31-0.90). Conclusion: Our study and the pooled results provide evidence for a differential role of the estrogen hydroxylation pathway in Pca development and encourage further study

Negative multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging for prostate cancer: what's next?

Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) of the prostate has excellent sensitivity in detecting clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa). Nevertheless, the clinical utility of negative mpMRI (nMRI) is less clearMultiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) of the prostate has excellent sensitivity in detecting clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa). Nevertheless, the clinical utility of negative mpMRI (nMRI) is less clear. OBJECTIVE: To assess outcomes of men with nMRI and clinical follow-up after 7 yr of activity at a reference center. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: All mpMRI performed from January 2010 to May 2015 were reviewed. We selected all patients with nMRI and divided them in group A (naïve patients) and group B (previous negative biopsy). All patients without a diagnosis of PCa had a minimum follow-up of 2 yr and at least two consecutive nMRI. Patients with positive mpMRI were also identified to assess their biopsy outcomes. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: A Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to assess both any-grade PCa and csPCa diagnosis-free survival probabilities. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression models were fitted to identify predictors of csPCa diagnosis. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: We identified 1545 men with nMRI, and 1255 of them satisfied the inclusion criteria; 659 belonged to group A and 596 to group B. Any-grade PCa and csPCa diagnosis-free survival probabilities after 2 yr of follow-up were 94% and 95%, respectively, in group A; in group B, they were 96%. After 48 mo of follow-up, any-grade PCa diagnosis-free survival probability was 84% in group A and 96% in group B (log rank p&lt;0.001). Diagnosis-free survival probability for csPCa was unchanged after 48 mo of follow-up. On multivariable Cox regression analysis, increasing age (p=0.005) was an independent predictor of lower csPCa diagnosis probability, while increasing prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and PSA density (&lt;0.001) independently predicted higher csPCa diagnosis probability. The prevalence of and positive predictive value for csPCa were 31.6% and 45.5%, respectively. Limitations include limited follow-up and the inability to calculate true csPCa prevalence in the study population. CONCLUSIONS: mpMRI is highly reliable to exclude csPCa. Nevertheless, systematic biopsy should be recommended even after nMRI, especially in younger patients with high or raising PSA levels