FAST: a scintillating tracker for antiproton cross section measurements

A scintillating fiber tracker (FAST, Fiber Antiproton Scintillating Tracker) has been developed in the framework of the ASACUSA collaboration to perform a low energy antiproton cross section measurement at the Antiproton Decelerator at CERN; this PhD Thesis will discuss the design, the development, the commissioning of the FAST detector and the preliminary results of the data taking held in July 2007. Chap. 1 is a review of the topical results in Antiproton Physics during the last 50 years. Chap. 2 focuses on detectors; since the detector chosen for our experiment is a scintillating fiber tracker, the most advanced fiber detection systems are reviewed. Chap. 3 describes the detector, a 2500 channel scintillating fiber tracker readout by 42 multianode photomultipliers a custom electronics. The design has been validated with montecarlo simulations and with dedicated beam tests on prototypes. The tracker has been tested with cosmic rays to characterize the efficiency, the time resolution and the spatial resolution. Chap. 4 describes the commissioning phase and reports the results of the data collected on the Antiproton Decelerator. In the last Chap. 3 applications of the system developed for FAST in different physics fields are shown. The electronics has been used in Medical Physics, allowing a ToF neutron detection in a radiotherapic environment, in imaging applications, connected to a GEM pad detector and as a beam profile monitor with high rate capabilities at the CERN SPS H8 beam line

Functional fat injection in the treatment of dysphagia following surgery

Functional fat injection under local anesthesia could be useful in the treatment of chronic dysphagia in selected patients with tissue loss secondary to laryngeal surgery

Reliabiliy and clinical validity of the italian reflux symptom index

Currently, there is no Italian version of the Reflux Symptom Index (RSI). The aim of this study was to develop an Italian RSI and to evaluate its internal consistency, reliability, and clinical validity. The study design used was a cross-sectional survey study. Eighty patients with a Reflux Finding Score (RFS) >7, and 193 asymptomatic subjects were included in the study. For the RSI reliability analysis, the appositely developed Italian RSI was filled twice, with a week interval, by the 80 patients and 80 control subjects. The test-retest reliability was assessed through the Pearson correlation test, whereas the Cronbach's \u3b1 coefficient was used for internal consistency analysis. For the clinical validity assessment, the scores obtained in the pathological group were compared with the data from the asymptomatic individuals through the Student's t test. Finally, the correlation between RSI and RFS in the 80 patients was assessed. All of the patients filled in the entire questionnaire autonomously. The test-retest reliability in the patients, as well as in the control group, was very high (r > 0.90); the internal consistency also showed very high values (\u3b1 = 0.99). The mean RSI score in the patients was 21.1 \ub1 6.6, whereas in the control group it was 6.3 \ub1 5.6; the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.0001). The mean RFS score in the 80 patients was 9.2 \ub1 2.7 and the correlation between RFS score and RSI score was rather high (r = 0.89). The Italian RSI is easily administered, highly reproducible, and exhibits excellent clinical validity

Surgical management of a life-threatening retro-pharyngeal haematoma following trans-oesophageal echocardiography = Trattamento chirurgico di un pericoloso ematoma retrofaringeo, sviluppatosi a seguito di un\u2019ecocardiografia transesofagea

Nonostante siano state descritte complicanze potenzialmente letali, l\u2019ecocardiografia transesofagea viene considerata una procedura diagnostica sicura. Scopo del presente lavoro \ue8 sottolineare come, nei casi di voluminosi ematomi secondari a tale procedura, possa diventare indispensabile il ricorso alla chirurgia per tutelare la vita del paziente. Nel caso qui descritto, un paziente affetto da spondilosi cervicale e in terapia anticoagulante ha sviluppato, a seguito di un\u2019ecocardiografia transesofagea, un ematoma retrofaringeo tanto voluminoso da determinare un\u2019ostruzione delle vie aeree superiori. Per assicurarne la perviet\ue0 \ue8 stato necessario ricorrere a una tracheotomia, l\u2019ematoma, invece, \ue8 stato drenato per via transcervicale. Il paziente \ue8 guarito completamente in 10 giorni. Il chirurgo otorinolaringoiatrico dovrebbe essere a conoscenza, non solo di questa rara complicanza, ma anche della necessit\ue0 di un suo trattamento chirurgico.Trans-oesophageal echocardiography is generally considered a safe procedure, but occasional life-threatening complications have been reported. The aim of this clinical investigation is to outline the need of surgical management in cases of large retro-pharyngeal haematoma following trans-oesophageal echocardiography. In the case reported here, a patient with cervical spondylosis on anti-coagulant therapy was referred to the Head and Neck Department because of a retro-pharyngeal haematoma with severe upper airway obstruction following transoesophageal echocardiography. Tracheotomy was required to guarantee respiratory function, while trans-cervical surgery was performed to evacuate the haematoma. Total recovery was achieved within 10 days. In conclusion, the head and neck surgeon should consider the need of surgical management in cases of retro-pharyngeal haematoma following trans-oesophageal echocardiography

Functional fat injection under local anesthesia to treat severe postsurgical dysphagia, case report

Background: In this study, we present the first application of functional fat injection performed under local anesthesia in the treatment of severe dysphagia secondary to head and neck cancer surgery. Methods: Functional fat injection was performed using a transcervical approach. Control of injection depth and site was performed through a transnasal flexible endoscope. The effect of surgery was evaluated through videofluoroscopy (VFS), Fiberendoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES), Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), and Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10). Results: Before the functional fat injection, the patient was dependent on permanent tube feeding; the VFS and FEES revealed a severe impairment of swallowing abilities. The EAT-10 scored 26. Twelve months after surgery, the patient was on oral diet, the VFS demonstrated mild to moderate dysphagia, the FEES demonstrated aspiration only with liquids and the EAT-10 improved. Conclusion: Functional fat injection under local anesthesia could be useful in the treatment of chronic dysphagia in selected patients

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the voice handicap index into Italian

Objectives. To evaluate the internal consistency, reliability, and clinical validity of the Italian version of the Voice Handicap Index (VHI). Study Design. Cross-sectional survey study was carried out. Methods. One hundred and seventy-five patients with voice disorders, divided in four groups according to the etiology of the disease (neurogenic, structural, functional, and inflammatory), and 84 asymptomatic subjects were included in the study. Internal consistency was analyzed through Cronbach alpha coefficient. For the VHI test-retest reliability analysis, the Italian VHI was filled twice by 56 patients and 56 control subjects. The test-retest reliability was assessed through the Pearson correlation test. For the clinical validity assessment, the scores obtained in the pathological group were compared with those found in asymptomatic individuals through the Kruskal-Wallis test. Also, the correlation between VHI and the grade of voice disorder was assessed. Finally, the effect of age and gender on overall VHI and its three subscales was analyzed. Results. Optimal internal consistency was found (alpha = 0.93); the test-retest reliability in both groups was high (r > 0.86). Nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance for the overall VHI score and its three domains revealed a significant main effect for group (P = 0.000). The control group scored significantly lower than the four groups of voice-disordered patients. The overall VHI score positively correlated with the grade of voice disorder (r = 0.43). In the voice-disorder group, age and gender were not correlated to the overall VHI score and to their three domains. Conclusion. The Italian VHI is highly reproducible, and exhibits excellent clinical validity

Characterization of a thinned back illuminated MIMOSA V sensor as a visible light camera

Abstract This paper reports the measurements that have been performed both in the Silicon Detector Laboratory at the University of Insubria (Como, Italy) and at the Instituto Ricerche SOlari Locarno (IRSOL) to characterize a CMOS pixel particle detector as a visible light camera. The CMOS sensor has been studied in terms of Quantum Efficiency in the visible spectrum, image blooming and reset inefficiency in saturation condition. The main goal of these measurements is to prove that this kind of particle detector can also be used as an ultra fast, 100% fill factor visible light camera in solar physics experiments

Translation, Cross-Cultural Adaptation, and Preliminary Validation of the Transsexual Voice Questionnaire for Male-to-Female Transsexuals (I-TVQ MtF) Into Italian

Summary: Objective.To perform a cross-cultural adaptation into Italian and to analyse reliability and valid-ity of the Transsexual Voice Questionnaire for male-to-female transsexuals (I-TVQMtF).Study Design.Cross-sectional nonrandomized survey study.Methods.For item-generation, a cross-cultural adaptation and translation process was performed followingstandard guidelines. Transgender women were consecutively recruited and asked tofill out the I-TVQMtFand aform on social, demographic and transition-related variables. Firstly, data collected from participants were usedto perform confirmatory factor analysis, and to evaluate internal consistency and test-retest reliability Subse-quently, convergent validity was evaluated comparing I-TVQMtFtotal scores with the two extra items addressingself-perception (SPVF) and aspiration (AVF) of voice femininity. To evaluate convergent validity, scores of theItalian version of the Voice Handicap Index were considered for comparisons. A correlation analysis was per-formed to verify potential association between I-TVQMtFscores and social, demographic and transition-relatedvariables.Results.Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated that a two-factor modelfits data better than the unidimen-sional one. Both internal consistency and test retest reliability of the I-TVQMtFwere satisfactory. Negative corre-lations were highlighted between I-TVQMtFscores on one side and self-perception vocal functioning andaspiration vocal functioning on the other. Positive correlations between I-TVQMtFand Italian version of theVoice Handicap Index scores were also found. Finally, negative correlations were demonstrated between I-TVQMtFscores and time spent living in the female role.Conclusion.The I-TVQMtFappears to be a reliable and valid instrument for the assessment of voice-relatedquality of life in transgender women

The Relationship between Socioeconomic Status and Narrative Abilities in a Group of Italian Normally Developing Children

OBJECTIVE: Only limited and conflicting information is available regarding the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and narrative abilities. Besides, the role fathers' SES plays in the development of their children's narrative abilities has never been investigated. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between fathers' and mothers' SES and narrative abilities of their children assessed with the Italian version of the Bus Story Test (I-BST). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 505 normally developing Italian children were enrolled in the study. Information regarding parents' educational level and employment was collected for each child. Narrative abilities were evaluated using the I-BST. The relationships between parents' employment, educational level, and I-BST scores were analyzed by univariate and multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: In univariate analysis, both fathers' and mothers' education and employment were associated with most I-BST subscale scores, especially when higher educational and employment levels were contrasted with the lowest educational and employment levels. In multiple regression analysis, significant associations were found only between the fathers' working status and educational level and I-BST subscale scores. CONCLUSIONS: Parental education and employment might impact narrative abilities of children. When both fathers' and mothers' SES variables are considered together, only fathers' education and working status seemed to be associated with I-BST scores