1,141 research outputs found
A laser-driven electron accelerator for radiobiology experiments
A novel concept laser-driven electron accelerator is described, whose operation regime and setup was optimized for radiobiology experiments. A brief account is given first of the motivations of our work, aimed at allowing irradiation campaigns of in vitro biological samples; the ultimate goal is to check the biological effectiveness of laser-driven electron beams against conventionally accelerated ones. A description of the electron source is then given; finally, the main results of the activity aimed at characterizing the source from a dosimetric point of view are presented
Bone mineral density in patients on home parenteral nutrition: a follow-up study.
Home artificial nutrition
Acceleration with Self-Injection for an All-Optical Radiation Source at LNF
We discuss a new compact gamma-ray source aiming at high spectral density, up
to two orders of magnitude higher than currently available bremsstrahlung
sources, and conceptually similar to Compton Sources based on conventional
linear accelerators. This new source exploits electron bunches from
laser-driven electron acceleration in the so-called self-injection scheme and
uses a counter-propagating laser pulse to obtain X and gamma-ray emission via
Thomson/Compton scattering. The proposed experimental configuration inherently
provides a unique test-bed for studies of fundamental open issues of
electrodynamics. In view of this, a preliminary discussion of recent results on
self-injection with the FLAME laser is also given.Comment: 8 pages, 10 figures, 44 references - Channeling 2012 conferenc
Light Ion Accelerating Line (L3IA): Test Experiment at ILIL-PW
The construction of a novel Laser driven Light Ions Acceleration Line(L3IA)
is progressing rapidly towards the operation, following the recent upgrade of
the ILIL-PW laser facility. The Line was designed following the pilot
experimental activity carried out earlier at the same facility to define design
parameters and to identify main components including target control and
diagnostic equipment, also in combination with the numerical simulations for
the optimization of laser and target parameters. A preliminary set of data was
acquired following the successful commissioning of the laser system >100 TW
upgrade. Data include output from a range of different ion detectors and
optical diagnostics installed for qualification of the laser-target
interaction. An overview of the results is given along with a description of
the relevant upgraded laser facility and features.Comment: 6 pages, 7 figures, 18 references, presented at the EAAC 201
An Overview of the Obese-Asthma Phenotype in Children
Asthma is the most common chronic disease in childhood. Overweight and obesity are included among the comorbidities considered in patients with difficult-to-treat asthma, suggesting a specific phenotype of the disease. Therefore, the constant increase in obesity prevalence in children and adolescents raises concerns about the parallel increase of obesity-associated asthma. The possible correlation between obesity and asthma has been investigated over the last decade by different authors, who suggest a complex multifactorial relationship. Although the particular non-eosinophilic endotype of obesity-related asthma supports the concept that high body weight precedes asthma development, there is ongoing debate about the direct causality of these two entities. A number of mechanisms may be involved in asthma in combination with obesity disease in children, including reduced physical activity, abnormal ventilation, chronic systemic inflammation, hormonal influences, genetics and additional comorbidities, such as gastroesophageal reflux and dysfunctional breathing. The identification of the obesity-related asthma phenotype is crucial to initiate specific therapeutic management. Besides the cornerstones of asthma treatment, lifestyle should be optimized, with interventions aiming to promote physical exercise, healthy diet, and comorbidities. Future studies should clarify the exact association between asthma and obesity and the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of these two related conditions with the aim to define personalized therapeutic strategies for asthma management in this population
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