Total and Partial Fragmentation Cross-Section of 500 MeV/nucleon Carbon Ions on Different Target Materials

By using an experimental setup based on thin and thick double-sided microstrip silicon detectors, it has been possible to identify the fragmentation products due to the interaction of very high energy primary ions on different targets. Here we report total and partial cross-sections measured at GSI (Gesellschaft fur Schwerionenforschung), Darmstadt, for 500 MeV/n energy $^{12}C$ beam incident on water (in flasks), polyethylene, lucite, silicon carbide, graphite, aluminium, copper, iron, tin, tantalum and lead targets. The results are compared to the predictions of GEANT4 (v4.9.4) and FLUKA (v11.2) Monte Carlo simulation programs.Comment: 10pages, 13figures, 4table

Improving nanoscale terahertz field localization by means of sharply tapered resonant nanoantennas

AbstractTerahertz resonant nanoantennas have recently become a key tool to investigate otherwise inaccessible interactions of such long-wavelength radiation with nano-matter. Because of their high-aspect-ratio rod-shaped geometry, resonant nanoantennas suffer from severe loss, which ultimately limits their field localization performance. Here we show, via a quasi-analytical model, numerical simulations, and experimental evidence, that a proper tapering of such nanostructures relaxes their overall loss, leading to an augmented local field enhancement and a significantly reduced resonator mode volume. Our findings, which can also be extended to more complex geometries and higher frequencies, have profound implications for enhanced sensing and spectroscopy of nano-objects, as well as for designing more effective platforms for nanoscale long-wavelength cavity quantum electrodynamics

Accelerometry combined with heart rate telemetry in the assessment of total energy expenditure.

The aim of the present study was: (1) to develop a new method for total energy expenditure (TEE) assessment, using accelerometry (ACC) and heart rate (HR) telemetry in combination; (2) to validate the new method against the criterion measure (DLW) and to compare with two of the most common methods, FLEX-HR and ACC alone. In the first part of the study VO(2), HR and ACC counts were measured in twenty-seven subjects during walking and running on a treadmill. Considering the advantages and disadvantages of the HR and ACC methods an analysis model was developed, using ACC at intensities of low and medium levels and HR at higher intensities. During periods of inactivity, RMR is used. A formula for determining TEE from ACC, HR and RMR was developed: TEE = 1.1x(EQ(HR) x TT(HR) + EQ(ACC1) x TT(ACC1) + EQ(ACC2) x TTACC2 + RMR x TT(RMR)). In the validation part of the study a sub-sample of eight subjects wore an accelerometer, HR was logged and TEE was measured for 14 d with the DLW method. Analysis of the Bland-Altman plots with 95 % CI indicates that there are no significant differences in TEE estimated with HR-ACC and ACC alone compared with TEE measured with DLW. It is concluded that the HR-ACC combination as well as ACC alone has potential as a method for assessment of TEE during free-living activities as compared with DLW

Validación de capas convolucionales en modelos deep learning para la identificación de patrones en imágenes multiespectrales: Identificación de unidades de cultivo de palma

The convolutional neural networks (CNN) are considered as a particular case of the Deep Learning neural networks, and have been widely used for the extraction of features in images, audio files or text recognition. For the automatic extraction of features from multispectral images, many researchers have appealed to the use of CNN models, which integrate layers with different structures in context with the solution of a problem, which suggests quite a challenge. That is why, in this article, we propose a method to evaluate the stability in the design of convolutional layers for labeling and identification of palm cultivation units from multispectral images. The structure of the proposed convolutional layer will be given in terms of a fuzzy feature map, obtained as a result of the Cartesian product of three vegetation indices commonly used to evaluate plant vigor in this type of crops (NDVI, GNDVI, RVI), represented as compact maps (radial basis functions). The stability in the design will be given in terms of the dominance of the main diagonal that defines the structure of a convolutional layer obtained as a result of the Cartesian product of two compact maps that represent the same multispectral image

Wide dynamic range acquisition system for innovative radiation detectors

There is particular interest to develop low-noise and wide dynamic range data acquisition systems for silicon detectors in view of using the same acquisition readout electronics for a wide range of application fields like monitoring and characterization of radiation sources or particle beams. In the framework of a research project for the qualification of Components Off The Shelf (COTS) for their use in space, research groups from INFN-Perugia, INFN-LNS and from MAPRAD have developed a fully automated, remote controllable, wide dynamic range acquisition system for silicon strip or pixelated detectors. Its design and a basic description of the performance are given here

Terahertz three-dimensional monitoring of nanoparticle-assisted laser tissue soldering

In view of minimally-invasive clinical interventions, laser tissue soldering assisted by plasmonic nanoparticles is emerging as an appealing concept in surgical medicine, holding the promise of surgeries without sutures. Rigorous monitoring of the plasmonically-heated solder and the underlying tissue is crucial for optimizing the soldering bonding strength and minimizing the photothermal damage. To this end, we propose a non-invasive, non-contact, and non-ionizing modality for monitoring nanoparticle-assisted laser-tissue interaction and visualizing the localized photothermal damage, by taking advantage of the unique sensitivity of terahertz radiation to the hydration level of biological tissue. We demonstrate that terahertz radiation can be employed as a versatile tool to reveal the thermally-affected evolution in tissue, and to quantitatively characterize the photothermal damage induced by nanoparticle-assisted laser tissue soldering in three dimensions. Our approach can be easily extended and applied across a broad range of clinical applications involving laser-tissue interaction, such as laser ablation and photothermal therapies