Measurement of the muon decay spectrum with the ICARUS liquid Argon TPC

Examples are given which prove the ICARUS detector quality through relevant physics measurements. We study the muon decay energy spectrum from a sample of stopping muon events acquired during the test run of the ICARUS T600 detector. This detector allows the spatial reconstruction of the events with fine granularity, hence, the precise measurement of the range and dE/dx of the muon with high sampling rate. This information is used to compute the calibration factors needed for the full calorimetric reconstruction of the events. The Michel rho parameter is then measured by comparison of the experimental and Monte Carlo simulated muon decay spectra, obtaining rho = 0.72 +/- 0.06(stat.) +/- 0.08(syst.). The energy resolution for electrons below ~50 MeV is finally extracted from the simulated sample, obtaining (Emeas-Emc)/Emc = 11%/sqrt(E[MeV]) + 2%.Comment: 16 pages, 8 figures, LaTex, A4. Some text and 1 figure added. Final version as accepted for publication in The European Physical Journal

The NOMAD experiment at the CERN SPS

The NOMAD experiment is a short base-line search for $\nu_{\mu}\rightarrow \nu_{\tau}$ oscillations in the CERN neutrino beam. The $\nu_{\tau}$'s are searched for through their charged-current interactions followed by the observation of the resulting $\tau^{-}$ through its electronic, muonic or hadronic decays. These decays are recognized using kinematical criteria necessitating the use of a light target which enables the reconstruction of individual particles produced in the neutrino interactions. This paper describes the various components of the NOMAD detector: the target and muon drift chambers, the electromagnetic and hadronic calorimeters, the preshower and transition radiation detectors, and the veto and trigger scintillation counters. The beam and data acquisition system are also described. The quality of the reconstruction of individual particles is demonstrated through the ability of NOMAD to observe K$^0_{\rm s}$'s, $\Lambda^0$'s and $\pi^0$'s. Finally, the observation of $\tau^{-}$ through its electronic decay being one of the most promising channels in the search, the identification of electrons in NOMAD is discussed

Studi greci e latini per Giuseppina Matino

This volume contains twenty-nine essays on Greek and Latin texts, presented to the renowned Hellenist Giuseppina Matino by members of the ‘Sciences of Antiquity’ Unit at the Department of Humanities of the University Federico II in Naples. The papers range from Greek language and literature to Latin language and literature, classical philology, papyrology, humanistic Latin literature, Byzantine philology, and classical reception. Such a variety of subjects reflects the multiple research fields that are being pursued at the ‘Sciences of Antiquity’ Unit, of which Giuseppina Matino has been in charge during the latest years of her academic career

Intravascular Papillary Endothelial Hyperplasia (Masson's Tumor) of the Supraclavicular Region: Management of a Rare Case

Objective: Rare diseaseBackground: Masson's tumor, also known as IPEH (intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia), is a rare benign vascular process, comprising approximately 2% of vascular tumors of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. IPEH presenting as a neck mass is rare, with only 5 reports of anterior neck mass and 7 cases of lateral neck lesions, of which 1 was in an external jugular vein aneurysm. To the best of our knowledge, the localization of intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia in the supraclavicular region is rarely reported.Case Report: We describe our management of a non-traumatic and non-painful mass on the right supraclavicular region in 24-year-old woman. Ultrasound revealed a heterogeneously hypoechoic mass with intense vascularization. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a formation with lobulated contours and closely related to muscular layers of serratus anterior muscle. The findings of ultrasound-guided biopsy (FNA) were inconclusive. Complete removal of the mass was performed. Histopathological examination showed a well-circumscribed lesion with numerous small papillary structures. The papillae had hyalinized hypocellular cores covered by flattened endothelium. Immunohistochemical analysis showed endothelial positivity for CD34 and CD31. These features are typical of IPEH. No recurrence had occurred at 12 months after surgery. Conclusions: The differential diagnosis of malignant tumors like angiosarcoma is important because the prognosis significantly differs. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice. In our experience, the size of the lesion and its critical landmarks have not influenced the outcomes of the surgical procedure in terms of potential functional damages

Stapes Surgery in Far-Advanced Otosclerosis

Introduction: Surgical treatment of patients with far-advanced otosclerosis (FAO) has not yet been standardized. Patients with FAO are the candidates for stapes surgery or cochlear implant (CI). Although many surgeons consider stapes surgery as the first choice, other authors prefer CI because of the excellent hearing results. Objective: The authors discuss their experience in the treatment of patients with FAO, potentially candidates for CI, who underwent stapedotomy. Materials and Methods: Eleven adult patients with FAO underwent stapedotomy from 2006 to 2016. Pure-tone average (PTA) between 0.5-1-2-3 kHz and speech perception test with hearing aids were determined before and after stapedotomy. Results: The results show a statistically significant improvement in air condition threshold (PTA) and satisfactory results with regard to speech recognition in 9 (81.8%) cases. Postoperative results are not influenced by the type of stapedotomy prosthesis employed and do not change during follow-up (3 years). Conclusions: The authors suggest first performing stapes surgery in patients with FAO and reserving CI in case of failure