Realisation and characterisation of Cu-based references for neutron imaging calibration purposes and first results

The long-term purpose of this study is to assess the capabilities of the new Neutron Imaging beamline developed at the LENA facility of Pavia (Italy) for the characterisation of bronze artefacts. In this preliminary work, a set of Cu-based reference alloys has been produced and analysed in order to test and calibrate the facility. The first step involved the production of Cu-based alloys with chemical composition and microstructure similar to ancient artefacts. The chemical composition of the reference alloys was analysed by Optical Emission Spectroscopy. Secondly, some samples were artificially patinated with different chemical treatments obtaining an artificial corrosion products layer comparable to natural corrosion. X-Ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Raman Spectroscopy have been used to characterise the corrosion patina. The main corrosion products on sulphate-induced patina are cuprite and brochantite, whereas atacamite and clinoatacamite were detected on chloride-induced patinas. Finally, preliminary Neutron Imaging measurements were performed on a first set of coated and uncoated specimens in order to try to correlate the neutrons attenuation coefficients with the chemical compositions with promising results

Robust T cell immunity in convalescent individuals with asymptomatic or mild COVID-19

SARS-CoV-2-specific memory T cells will likely prove critical for long-term immune protection against COVID-19. Here, we systematically mapped the functional and phenotypic landscape of SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell responses in unexposed individuals, exposed family members, and individuals with acute or convalescent COVID-19. Acute-phase SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells displayed a highly activated cytotoxic phenotype that correlated with various clinical markers of disease severity, whereas convalescent-phase SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells were polyfunctional and displayed a stem-like memory phenotype. Importantly, SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells were detectable in antibody-seronegative exposed family members and convalescent individuals with a history of asymptomatic and mild COVID-19. Our collective dataset shows that SARS-CoV-2 elicits broadly directed and functionally replete memory T cell responses, suggesting that natural exposure or infection may prevent recurrent episodes of severe COVID-19

Micro-Particle-Induced X-ray Emission and Micro-IonoLuminescence techniques applied to the provenance study of lapis lazuli

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Lifetime measurements with fast-timing scintillators

Lifetime of a nuclear excited state is one of the main observables in the nuclear structure studies. The lifetime determines the reduced electromagnetic transition probability which is used to be compared with predictions derived by using theoretical nuclear structure models and thus provides an essential nuclear observable to test the model dependent structure of the nuclear excited states. There are different ways to measure lifetime of an excited state and their use depends on the magnitude of the value we are interested in. In this research we focused on the - coincidence technique and its implementation with the scintillation detectors, especially the inorganic LaBr3(Ce) scintillators. In the first part of this work, the main characteristics and components of a scintillator detector, together with the main pick-off methods in timing measurements, are discussed. In the second part, timing performance and some important linked properties of seven LaBr3(Ce) scintillators of two different kind, equipped with a 3"x3" cylindrical crystal and a 1.5"x1.5"x1" truncated cone crystal respectively, are analysed. Energy resolution, efficiency and time resolution have been evaluated by using different radioactive type of sources and the detector time response has been optimized by the tuning of the electronics parameters, especially the constant fraction discriminator parameters. Finally, the lifetime of the 121keV-energy state of 152Sm has been measured thanks to the slope method. The experiment was performed at the Legnaro National Laboratory as part of the GALILEO project

Sudden-Onset Disaster Mass-Casualty Incident Response: A Modified Delphi Study on Triage, Prehospital Life Support, and Processes

: The application and provision of prehospital care in disasters and mass-casualty incident response in Europe is currently being explored for opportunities to improve practice. The objective of this translational science study was to align common principles of approach and action and to identify how technology can assist and enhance response. To achieve this objective, the application of a modified Delphi methodology study based on statements derived from key findings of a scoping review was undertaken. This resulted in 18 triage, eight life support and damage control interventions, and 23 process consensus statements. These findings will be utilized in the development of evidence-based prehospital mass-casualty incident response tools and guidelines