Enhancement of photoacoustic detection of inhomogeneities in polymers

We report a series of experiments on laser pulsed photoacoustic excitationin turbid polymer samples addressed to evaluate the sound speed in the samples and the presence of inhomogeneities in the bulk. We describe a system which allows the direct measurement of the speed of the detected waves by engraving the surface of the piece under study with a fiduciary pattern of black lines. We also describe how this pattern helps to enhance the sensitivity for the detection of an inhomogeneity in the bulk. These two facts are useful for studies in soft matter systems including, perhaps, biological samples. We have performed an experimental analysis on Grilon(R) samples in different situations and we show the limitations of the method.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figure

Coulomb Sum Rule for \u3csup\u3e4\u3c/sup\u3eHE

We determine the Coulomb sum for 4He using the world data on 4He(e,e′) and compare the results to calculations based on realistic interactions and including two-body components in the nuclear charge operator. We find good agreement between theory and experiment when using free-nucleon form factors. The apparent reduction of the in-medium GEp implied by IA-interpretation of the L/T-ratios measured in 4He(e,e′p) and 4He(e→,e′p→) is not confirmed

On the nature of bright compact radio sources at z>4.5

High-redshift radio-loud quasars are used to, among other things, test the predictions of cosmological models, set constraints on black hole growth in the early universe and understand galaxy evolution. Prior to this paper, 20 extragalactic radio sources at redshifts above 4.5 have been imaged with very long baseline interferometry (VLBI). Here we report on observations of an additional ten z>4.5 sources at 1.7 and 5 GHz with the European VLBI Network (EVN), thereby increasing the number of imaged sources by 50%. Combining our newly observed sources with those from the literature, we create a substantial sample of 30 z>4.5 VLBI sources, allowing us to study the nature of these objects. Using spectral indices, variability and brightness temperatures, we conclude that of the 27 sources with sufficient information to classify, the radio emission from one source is from star formation, 13 are flat-spectrum radio quasars and 13 are steep-spectrum sources. We also argue that the steep-spectrum sources are off-axis (unbeamed) radio sources with rest-frame self-absorption peaks at or below GHz frequencies and that these sources can be classified as gigahertz peaked-spectrum (GPS) and megahertz peaked-spectrum (MPS) sources.Comment: Accepted for publication in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 18 pages, 1 figure, 7 table

The radio/gamma-ray connection from 120 MHz to 230 GHz

Radio loud active galactic nuclei are composed of different spatial features, each one characterized by different spectral properties in the radio band. Among them, blazars are the most common class of sources detected at gamma-rays by Fermi, and their radio emission is dominated by the flat spectrum compact core. In this contribution, we explore the connection between emission at high energy revealed by Fermi and at radio frequencies. Taking as a reference the strong and very highly significant correlation found between gamma rays and cm-λ radio emission, we explore the different behaviours found as we change the energy range in gamma rays and in radio, therefore changing the physical parameters of the zones involved in the emitted radiation. We find that the correlation weakens when we consider (1) gamma rays of energy above 10 GeV (except for high synchrotron peaked blazars) or (2) low frequency radio data taken by the Murchison Widefield Array; on the other hand, the correlation strengthens when we consider mm-λ data taken by Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA)

Glatiramer acetate : a complex drug beyond biologics

Complex drugs may be either biological, if the active ingredients are derived from a biological source, or non-biological, if obtained by chemical synthesis. In both cases, their quality depends considerably on the manufacturing process. In the case of Non Biological Complex Drugs (NBCDs), complexity may arise either from the active substance, as in the case of glatiramer acetate, or from other sources, such as the formulation, as in the case of liposomes. In this paper, the case of glatiramer acetate (GA) - a NBCD relevant for clinical and economic reasons - is considered and the differences between US and EU regulatory approaches to GA marketing authorization are highlighted. Indeed, though US and EU regulatory agencies have chosen a generic approach integrated with additional data the implementation is different in the two jurisdictions. In the US, the additional data required are listed in a product specific guideline and copies of Copaxone\uae have been approved as generics. In the EU, instead regulatory agencies followed a hybrid approach requiring an additional comparative study, and interchangeability policies and substitution schemes have been left to national agencies

OC47 – NICUs and family-centred care, from the leadership to the design, the results of a survey in Italy (by FCC Italian NICU study group)

Introduction: Family-centered care (FCC) in NICUs is related to staff culture and the organization of the unit. Aim: To describe the organizational characteristics and services for families in Italian NICUs. Methods: This survey involved 105 NICUs in Italy. The Italian version of the ‘FCC in the NICUs: A Self-Assessment Inventory’ developed by the Institute for FCC was sent to the nurse managers in January 2015. Results: Forty-seven NICUs answered (49%). The means of the NICU characteristics are number of beds: 20; newborns discharged/year: 331, of which very low birth weight infant: 68; unit’s rooms: 3.7). The total mean score of the 10 areas explored by questionnaire was 2.6 (on 5 points Likert scale) for the ‘status’ and of 2.3 (on 3 points scale) for priority for change. Conclusion: The results show an organizational lack, but also the consciousness of the need of change. Sharing new organizational strategies could be an important issue for the future

Quality of primary care for children: Autism Spectrum Disorders and Immunization indicators in the EU MOCHA project

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Chitosan-alginate microparticles of Andrographis paniculata and Annona muricata extracts for Controlled Release

This study investigates the properties of microparticles prepared from Andrographis paniculata (AP) and Annona muricata (AM) aqueous extracts for controlled release. Extracts obtained by maceration of the dried powdered plant leaves were microencapsulated by counterion coacervation method. Microcapsules were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared-spectroscopy (FTIR), x-ray difractometry (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).In vitro release studies were carried out at pH 1.2 for 2 h and 6.8 for a further 10 h. Release was monitored at274 and 230 nm for AM and AP, respectively. Encapsulation efficacy was less than 52% for AP and 70% for AM. In vitro drug release at pH 1.2 showed less than 40% release from the microcapsules after 2h while over 90% of extract was released after 6h at pH 6.8. Conventional capsules released the content within 1 h in simulated gastric fluid. FTIR, XRD and DSC results indicate the stable character of the extract within the microcapsules. Microencapsulation with chitosan- alginate controlled the release of Andrographis paniculata (AP) and Annona muricata (AM) aqueous extracts

Proton tracking in a high-granularity Digital Tracking Calorimeter for proton CT purposes

Radiation therapy with protons as of today utilizes information from x-ray CT in order to estimate the proton stopping power of the traversed tissue in a patient. The conversion from x-ray attenuation to proton stopping power in tissue introduces range uncertainties of the order of 2-3% of the range, uncertainties that are contributing to an increase of the necessary planning margins added to the target volume in a patient. Imaging methods and modalities, such as Dual Energy CT and proton CT, have come into consideration in the pursuit of obtaining an as good as possible estimate of the proton stopping power. In this study, a Digital Tracking Calorimeter is benchmarked for proof-of-concept for proton CT purposes. The Digital Tracking Calorimeteris applied for reconstruction of the tracks and energies of individual high energy protons. The presented prototype forms the basis for a proton CT system using a single technology for tracking and calorimetry. This advantage simplifies the setup and reduces the cost of a proton CT system assembly, and it is a unique feature of the Digital Tracking Calorimeter. Data from the AGORFIRM beamline at KVI-CART in Groningen in the Netherlands and Monte Carlo simulation results are used to in order to develop a tracking algorithm for the estimation of the residual ranges of a high number of concurrent proton tracks. The range of the individual protons can at present be estimated with a resolution of 4%. The readout system for this prototype is able to handle an effective proton frequency of 1 MHz by using 500 concurrent proton tracks in each readout frame, which is at the high end range of present similar prototypes. A future further optimized prototype will enable a high-speed and more accurate determination of the ranges of individual protons in a therapeutic beam.Comment: 21 pages, 8 figure