The n_TOF NEAR Station Commissioning and first physics case

The NEAR Station is a new experimental area developed at the n_TOF Facility at CERN. The activation station of NEAR underwent a characterization of the beam following the installation of the new n_TOF Spallation Target. The commissioning of the neutron beam comprises a set of simulations made with the FLUKA code and experimental verification. The experimental determination of the neutron spectrum was made using activation techniques with three separate set-ups. Two set-ups were based on the Multi-foil Activation technique (MAM-1 and MAM-2), and the third set-up relied on the process of neutron moderation and activation of a single material (ANTILoPE). The three set-ups are presented. Also the present plans and future perspectives of the activation station of NEAR are discussed

Pushing the high count rate limits of scintillation detectors for challenging neutron-capture experiments

One of the critical aspects for the accurate determination of neutron capture cross sections when combining time-of-flight and total energy detector techniques is the characterization and control of systematic uncertainties associated to the measuring devices. In this work we explore the most conspicuous effects associated to harsh count rate conditions: dead-time and pile-up effects. Both effects, when not properly treated, can lead to large systematic uncertainties and bias in the determination of neutron cross sections. In the majority of neutron capture measurements carried out at the CERN n\_TOF facility, the detectors of choice are the C$_{6}$D$_{6}$ liquid-based either in form of large-volume cells or recently commissioned sTED detector array, consisting of much smaller-volume modules. To account for the aforementioned effects, we introduce a Monte Carlo model for these detectors mimicking harsh count rate conditions similar to those happening at the CERN n\_TOF 20~m fligth path vertical measuring station. The model parameters are extracted by comparison with the experimental data taken at the same facility during 2022 experimental campaign. We propose a novel methodology to consider both, dead-time and pile-up effects simultaneously for these fast detectors and check the applicability to experimental data from $^{197}$Au($n$,$\gamma$), including the saturated 4.9~eV resonance which is an important component of normalization for neutron cross section measurements

Advances and new ideas for neutron-capture astrophysics experiments at CERN n_TOF

This article presents a few selected developments and future ideas related to the measurement of (n,γ) data of astrophysical interest at CERN n_TOF. The MC-aided analysis methodology for the use of low-efficiency radiation detectors in time-of-flight neutron-capture measurements is discussed, with particular emphasis on the systematic accuracy. Several recent instrumental advances are also presented, such as the development of total-energy detectors with γ-ray imaging capability for background suppression, and the development of an array of small-volume organic scintillators aimed at exploiting the high instantaneous neutron-flux of EAR2. Finally, astrophysics prospects related to the intermediate i neutron-capture process of nucleosynthesis are discussed in the context of the new NEAR activation area

Prognostic value of COX-2, P53, and EZH-2 evaluated by quantitative image analysis in premalignant and malignant breast lesions

Background Cytological differential diagnosis of atypical hyperplasia and well differentiated breast carcinoma may be challenging, because sometimes there is an overlap between the cytomorphological features of these lesions. The aim of the study was to investigate COX-2, EZH-2, p53 expression in carcinomas and the gray zone of breast cytology categories of atypical hyperplastic lesions with regard to biological behavior of the tumor. Methods FNA speciments from 100 patients with breast hyperplastic lesions and cancer were investigated by immunocytochemistry and a quantitative analysis for COX-2, p53, and EZH-2. Results Extent of staining for COX-2 correlated with percentage of positive for EZH-2 (P-<-0.0001) and p53 nuclei (P-<-0.001). The intensity of COX-2 was lower in the carcinoma group (118.57-±-12.43) than in the hyperplastic (127.16-±-11.71) group (P-=-0.006). On the contrary the mean value of staining extent was greater in the adenocarcinoma cases (15.96-±-13.03) than in hyperplastic (4.04-±-1.94) cases (P-<-0.0001). The percentage of EZH-2 and p53 positive cells correlated with the histological type of the lesions (P-=-0.001 and P-=-0.011, respectively). There was also a statistically significant relation between tumor size and expression of COX-2 (P-=-0.007) and EZH-2 (P-=-0.010). Conclusion Our study showed that the expression of COX-2, EZH-2, and p53 as determined by immunocytochemistry at quantitative level may be a predictor for distinguishing cytologically atypical hyperplastic from malignant breast lesions and may be regarded as potential prognostic factor in breast cancer patients. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Fear and Loaning in Athens: Shifting Perspectives of Space

UrbanismArchitecture and The Built Environmen

Expression of substance P, vasoactive intestinal peptide and heat shock protein 70 in nasal mucosal smears of patients with allergic rhinitis: Investigation using a liquid-based method

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate expression of the neuropeptides substance P, vasoactive intestinal peptide and heat shock protein 70 in the nasal mucosa cells of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis, in order to obtain more information on the pathophysiological and immunological role of these markers in allergic rhinitis. Material and methods: Nasal epithelium specimens obtained from 42 patients with allergic rhinitis were studied, using Shandon's Papspin liquid-based cytology method. Smears were immunostained with antibodies against substance P, vasoactive intestinal peptide and heat shock protein 70, and the results were correlated with the clinical features of seasonal allergic rhinitis. Results: A positive reaction for substance P, vasoactive intestinal peptide and heat shock protein 70 was observed in 73.8, 66.7 and 69.0 per cent of the allergic rhinitis mucosal smears, respectively. The Pearson chi-square test showed that 40.5 per cent of the immunostained smears had a positive reaction for one or two of the markers studied (i.e. substance P, vasoactive intestinal peptide or heat shock protein 70), and that 47.6 per cent of the smears had a positive reaction for all the markers (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: We found a high level of expression of substance P and vasoactive intestinal peptide in the nasal mucosa smears of patients suffering from allergic rhinitis. This indicates a role for these neuropeptides in the neuroregulation of immunity and hypersensivity in this disease. Furthermore, expression of heat shock protein 70 may contribute to the development of allergic rhinitis. © 2008 JLO (1984) Limited

Immunocytochemical expression of P53, PTEN, FAS (CD95), P16INK4A and HPV L1 major capsid proteins in ThinPrep cervical samples with squamous intraepithelial lesions

The aim of this study was to further investigate the immunocytochemical expression of p53, PTEN, Fas, p16, and HPV L1 capsid proteins in cervical smears with low and high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL and HSIL, respectively). A total of 92 ThinPrep cervical samples, comprising 11 cases of HSIL, 61 cases of LSIL, and 20 negative cases were studied by immunocytochemical methods. The results obtained in LSIL cases were correlated with the available follow up data. Abnormal p53, PTEN, or Fas expression was found in a subset of HSIL cases, while positive expression for p16 was significantly associated with the diagnosis of HSIL (P < 0.0001, P = 0.001, P < 0.0001, and P < 0.0001, respectively). Among cases positive for p16 expression, the staining pattern was weak in 88.9% of LSIL cases and strong in 80% of HSIL cases (P < 0.0001). The p16 negative/L1 positive and p16 positive/L1 negative staining patterns were significantly associated with the presence of LSIL and HSIL, respectively (P < 0.0001). None of these markers had a significant prognostic value in LSIL cases (P > 0.05). Our results suggest that loss of PTEN or Fas expression and p53 overexpression may be involved in the process of neoplastic transformation of the cervical epithelium. Furthermore, negative or weak immunocytochemical staining for p16 in a Pap smear may strongly argue against the presence of a high grade lesion, while the combined p16/L1 staining pattern may be useful as a diagnostic adjunct for differentiating between LSIL and HSIL. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2014;42:465-475. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Correlation between depression, anxiety, and polymorphonuclear cells' resilience in ulcerative colitis: The mediating role of heat shock protein 70

10.1186/1471-230X-14-77BMC Gastroenterology1417