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• All 3 doses of VAX-24 were well tolerated, with a safety profile similar to PCV20. • All treatment arms resulted in robust increases in OPA GMTs and IgG GMCs. • VAX-24 achieved higher serotype valency and enhanced immune responses versus PCV20. Despite current polysaccharide and conjugate vaccine use, pneumococcal diseases remain prevalent in older adults. VAX-24 is a 24-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) containing eCRM, a proprietary carrier protein with non-native amino acids (para -azidomethyl-L-phenylalanine) that undergo site-specific conjugation to pneumococcal polysaccharides that have been activated with a small-molecule linker (dibenzocyclooctyne). Site-specific conjugation utilizing click chemistry enables consistent exposure of T-cell epitopes, reduction in carrier protein to pneumococcal polysaccharide ratio, and enhances manufacturing process consistency to improve PCVs by increasing serotype coverage while minimizing carrier suppression. Healthy adults aged 65 or older were randomized in a 1:1:1:1 ratio to receive a single injection of VAX-24 at 1 of 3 dose levels (1.1, 2.2, or a mixed dose of 2.2 or 4.4 mcg) or Prevnar 20® (PCV20) in a phase 2, blinded study. Primary outcome measures were solicited local and systemic events within 7 days post-vaccination, unsolicited adverse events (AEs) within 1 month, and serious AEs, medically attended AEs, or new onset of chronic disease within 6 months of vaccination. Serotype-specific opsonophagocytic activity (OPA) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) were measured pre-vaccination and at 1 month post-vaccination. Of 207 participants enrolled, 200 completed the trial. Safety profiles were comparable across the three VAX-24 doses and PCV20. Robust OPA and IgG immune responses were seen for all 24 serotypes. On average, immune responses to VAX-24 2.2 mcg dose were similar or higher compared to PCV20. In adults ≥ 65 years, VAX-24 had a safety profile similar to PCV20 through six months post-vaccination and induced robust OPA and IgG responses to all 24 serotypes, supporting prior data showing that site-specific conjugation allows for increased serotype coverage with similar or higher immune response vs other PCVs. The outcome of this phase 2 study further supports use of VAX-24 2.2 mcg dose in phase 3 trials. Clinicaltrials.gov : NCT05297578. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic reconnection is a fundamental process that quickly releases magnetic energy stored in a plasma. Identifying from simulation outputs where reconnection is taking place is nontrivial and, in general, has to be performed by human experts. Hence, it would be valuable if such an identification process could be automated. Here, we demonstrate that a machine-learning algorithm can help to identify reconnection in 2D simulations of collisionless plasma turbulence. Using a Hybrid Vlasov Maxwell model, a data set containing over 2000 potential reconnection events was generated and subsequently labeled by human experts. We test and compare two machine-learning approaches with different configurations on this data set. The best results are obtained with a convolutional neural network combined with an "image cropping" step that zooms in on potential reconnection sites. With this method, more than 70% of reconnection events can be identified correctly. The importance of different physical variables is evaluated by studying how they affect the accuracy of predictions. Finally, we also discuss various possible causes for wrong predictions from the proposed model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a 3‐D two‐fluid simulation using plasma parameters as measured by MMS on 8 September 2015 concerning the nonlinear development of the Kelvin‐Helmholtz instability at the Earth's magnetopause. We observe an extremely rich nonlinear dynamics including the development of a complex magnetic topology, vortex merging, and secondary Kelvin‐Helmholtz instability driven by large‐scale vortices distributed asymmetrically in latitude. Vortex induced and midlatitude magnetic reconnection coexist and produce an asymmetric distribution of magnetic reconnection events. These results are in good agreement with MMS observations on the same day, in particular for the presence of both equatorial and off‐equator reconnection. Regarding the latter only, we note a predominance of reconnection in the Southern Hemisphere during the early nonlinear phase. The estimated effective diffusion coefficient associated with the dynamics is found to be large enough to account for the observed mass transport at the Earth's magnetospheric flanks. Key Points: We present a 3‐D two‐fluid simulation using plasma parameters as measured by MMS on 8 September 2015We observe that (Kelvin‐Helmholtz) vortex induced and midlatitude magnetic reconnection coexist and cooperateWe estimate the effective diffusion associated with reconnection, obtaining Deff  ≃ 1010 m2/s, large enough to explain the observed mixing [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Positional plagiocephaly (PP) denotes flattening of the skull that occurs frequently in healthy infants. Aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of positional plagiocephaly and to identify the risk factors in a cohort of healthy infants in order to help prevention of PP. In a prospective design, all healthy full-term infants, ranging from 8 to 12 weeks of age, who presented at the public immunization clinic in Ferrara, were eligible for the study. After obtaining informed consent, we interviewed the parents and examined the infants using the Argenta's assessment tool. Of 283 infants examined, 107 (37.8%) were found to have PP at 8-12 weeks of age. In 64.5%, PP was on the right side, 50.5% were male and 15% presented also with brachycephaly. Risk factors significantly associated were lower head circumference, advanced maternal age, Italian compared to African, and supine sleep position, in particular for infants born at 37 weeks, preference for one side of the head. In logistic regression, risk factors significantly associated were lower birth weight, advanced maternal age, and supine sleep position.Conclusions: Positional plagiocephaly is a common issue faced by pediatricians; our results reinforce the need of improving prevention both of sudden infant death and positional plagiocephaly, through uniform messages provided prenatally and postnatally by different health professionals. "What is Known:" •The incidence of positional plagiocephaly varies due to population studied and measuring methods. •Different factors are considered in the literature as being associated to positional plagiocephaly (infant factors, obstetric factors, infant care practices, sociodemographic factors). "What is New:" •This is one of the few European studies quantifying positional plagiocephaly prevalence in a population of unselected healthy infants. •In this study, positional plagiocephaly is confirmed as a common issue, related to some factor (as supine sleep position and positional head prevalence) that should be addressed in pre and postnatal counseling. •The prone sleepers rate in our population highlight the need to improve parental awareness regarding SIDS prevention, in particular in borderline gestational age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

FLARES is a project for an innovative detector technology to be applied to rare event searches, and in particular to neutrinoless double beta decay experiments. Its novelty is the enhancement and optimization of the collection of the scintillation light emitted by ultra-pure crystals through the use of arrays of high performance silicon photodetectors cooled to 120 K. This would provide scintillation detectors with 1% level energy resolution, with the advantages of a technology offering relatively simple low cost mass scalability and powerful background reduction handles, as requested by future neutrinoless double beta decay experimental programs. The performances of a first production of matrices of Silicon Drift Detectors are presented and discussed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Vegetables of Rubus species are known to have antimicrobial properties mainly due to its high content in phenolic compounds. Among the 37 potentially pathogenic fungi screened with crude methanolic extract from micropropagated shoots of Rubus ulmifolius Schott, we show that the 70% of the species resulted variably sensitive to methanolic extract. Of the phenolic fractions obtained from the crude methanolic extract by hydrophobic interaction chromatography, those rich in tannins resulted active against the fungal strains tested, whereas those containing chlorogenic, caftaric acid and caffeoyl derivatives resulted partially effective. Our results suggest a potential utilization of the in vitro plant cultures of R. ulmifolius to provide standardized extracts from plant material grown in uniform conditions and available year round, which could be useful as natural antifungal agents. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In the Standard Model of electroweak interactions an important input parameter is still missing: the absolute value of the mass of one of the neutrinos. In this paper we report the final results of the Milano electron anti-neutrino mass experiment after having measured for about one year the beta spectrum of 187Re with 10AgReO4 microcalorimeters. We describe the experimental set-up, the detector performance and the measuring conditions. We present the updated limit on the electron anti-neutrino mass which is the most stringent so far obtained with thermal detectors. We also give the most precise estimates for the 187Re transition energy and lifetime. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The antifungal activity of fresh, aqueous Brassica oleracea var. botrytis juice against Candida albicans and other pathogenic fungi was investigated. The juice was found to be effective both in inhibiting the growth of blastoconidia and reducing the appearance of C. albicans germ tubes. Furthermore, the juice inhibited the growth of some pathogenic, filamentous fungi. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Evaluates the environmental impact of microbial aerosols generated by wastewater treatment plants. Value of microbial concentrations above the tanks; Correlation of the quantity of sewage treated and the entities of microbial aerosol dispersion; Dispersion of airborne bacteria and fungi from the tanks supplied with oxygen.

• Challenges of using thermography in gas turbine environments are addressed. • A review of infrared calibration techniques in turbomachinery tests is presented. • Strengths and limitations of error estimation methods and calibrations are compared. • A methodology to improve the accuracy of infrared measurement techniques is outlined. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the calibration techniques for infrared (IR) measurements in the field of gas turbines. When performing IR thermography in challenging environments, such those of gas turbine experiments, particular attention must be paid to (i) the target emissivity, function of temperature, surface conditions and observation angle, (ii) the surroundings reflected radiation and (iii) the optical pathway transmittance. This review study aims at understanding and describing how the aforementioned sources of error affect the measurement accuracy when using pyrometers and IR cameras. Many developments and recent advances are presented, including numerous calibration methods and advanced image processing techniques. The relative strengths and limitations are outlined by comparing past studies in the literature. The results will help to identify a methodology for future researchers to improve the IR measurement accuracy for gas turbine experiments. The fundamental understanding of the measurement error contributions is also applicable to other research fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porcelain stoneware traditionally contains low Fe 2 O 3 (<1 wt%), limiting research on iron's effects beyond coloration to date. However, recent changes in the supply chain induced a shift towards resource efficiency and circular economy, which led to body formulations with Fe 2 O 3 up to 2.5 wt%. This study investigates the impact of iron-rich clays on the firing behaviour of porcelain stoneware, focusing on sintering processes, Fe speciation, and physical properties of the vitreous phase. Results show that red clays influence vitrification paths and maximum densification temperature, as well as composition and properties of the melt. This occurs not only because the relatively high iron percentage (up to 1.7 wt%), but for a set of factors, like the overall mineralogical and chemical composition of batches. Iron turns to be crucial for the stability of ceramic bodies at high temperatures, since Fe3+ can partially reduce to Fe2+, releasing gases and contributing to bloating phenomena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methanolic extracts of micropropagated Rubus ulmifolius plantlets were tested for antimicrobial activity against different strains of food-borne pathogenic bacteria. Crude methanolic extract effectively reduced the growth (up to 70 and 90%) of seven Escherichia coli and five Salmonella strains, and caused a 40% and 10% growth inhibition on one strain of Pseudomonas spp. and Listeria monocytogenes, respectively. Tannin-rich fractions, obtained by crude extract fractionation, were active against E. coli (about 65% inhibition), while fractions containing chlorogenic acid or caftaric acid and caffeoyl derivatives were almost ineffective (about 10% inhibition). The results suggest that in vitro cultures of R. ulmifolius could be a source of secondary metabolites to be used as preservatives in food products and as antimicrobial agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the framework of rare event searches, the identification of radioactive contaminants in ultra-pure samples is a challenging task, because the signal is often at the same level of the instrumental background. This is a rather common situation for α -spectrometers and other detectors used for low-activity measurements. In order to obtain the target sensitivity without extending the data taking live-time, analysis strategies that highlight the presence of the signal sought should be developed. In this paper, we show how to improve the contaminant tagging capability relying on the time-correlation of radioactive decay sequences. We validate the proposed technique by measuring the impurity level of both contaminated and ultra-pure copper samples, demonstrating the potential of this analysis tool in disentangling different background sources and providing an effective way to mitigate their impact in rare event searches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work is based on an object-oriented approach for the modeling and simulation of the reactor dynamics. The model is applied and validated on a TRIGA Mark II reactor. The aim of this work is to investigate the neutronic reactivity model, accounting for the temperature feedback of the fuel and of the moderator, as well as the poisons accumulation effects. The reactivity model is validated on experimental data from extended transients of the system temperature, at nominal power. In particular, the positive value of moderator temperature coefficient and the negative value of fuel temperature coefficient are estimated at nominal power. There is good agreement of the extended experimental transients with the whole reactivity and thermodynamics model of the plant. The model simulation shows a good reliability against experimental data and a good trade-off to computational time. In the extended transients, the model tracks the effects of the reactor pool thermal inertia on the system dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, an application of silicon drift detectors (SDDs) as photodetectors for large inorganic scintillators is presented. In particular, a $2.3\times 2.3\times 1.5$ cm3 CdWO4 crystal has been coupled to a $3\times 2$ matrix of $8\times 8$ mm2 SDDs both cooled at 125 K, obtaining a scintillation detector whose performances are tested by measuring the $\gamma $ rays emitted by a 228Th source. The SDDs, characterized by high quantum efficiency and low electronic noise, are suitable candidates as photodetectors for high-resolution gamma-ray spectroscopy detectors. On the other hand, CdWO4 is an interesting crystal for the study of rare nuclear decays, such as the possible neutrinoless double beta decay ( $0\nu \beta \beta $ ) of 116Cd. With this prototype, a full-width at half-maximum resolution of 3.09 ± 0.05% at 2615 keV has been measured. This result provides a first validation of the application of this technology to rare event searches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

FLARES is an innovative project in the field of rare events searches, such as the search for the neutrinoless double beta decay. It aims at demonstrating the high potential of a technique that combines ultra-pure scintillating crystals with arrays of high performance silicon drift detectors, operated at about 120 K, to reach a 1% level energy resolution. The proposed technique will combine in a single device all the demanding features needed by an ideal experiment looking for rare events. The performance of a first production of matrices of silicon drift detectors as well as first measurements of the low temperature light yield of a selection of high purity scintillating crystals will be presented and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microcalorimeter array for a rhenium experiment (MARE) project aims at the direct and calorimetric measurement of the electron neutrino mass with sub-eV sensitivity. The design is based on large arrays of thermal detectors to study the beta decay of $$^{187}$$ Re and the electron capture of $$^{163}$$ Ho. One of the activities of the project, MARE 1 in Milan, has started in Milan using one array of 6 $$\times $$ 6 silicon implanted thermistors equipped with AgReO $$_4$$ absorbers. The purposes of MARE 1 in Milan are to achieve a sensitivity on the neutrino mass of a few eV and to investigate the systematics of $$^{187}$$ Re neutrino mass measurements, focusing on those caused by the beta environmental fine structure and the beta spectrum theoretical shape. In parallel, the MARE collaboration is performing an R&D work for producing absorbers embedded with radioactive metal $$^{163}$$ Ho. We report here the status of MARE using Re as beta source and the preliminary results obtained with $$^{163}$$ Ho. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A methodological approach based on Monte Carlo code for the neutronic analysis of the TRIGA Mark II research reactor of the University of Pavia in the configuration of cold and clean nuclear fuel is presented. The complete implementation of the code is based on the construction characteristics with the validation of the results obtained by benchmarking the experimental and operational data reported in the reactor Fist Criticality Final Report. The 3-D continuous-energy Monte Carlo code MCNP5 was used. The description of the geometrical structure of the reactor core and the fuel configuration were designed with great accuracy and good detail. The comparison between simulated and measured data allows the creation of a complete reconstruction model of the TRIGA Mark II reactor. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The neutron flux is a crucial parameter for the analysis of nuclear reactors, because it affects the reaction rate and thus the fuel burnup. Moreover, a very precise knowledge of the flux in the irradiation positions is helpful for benchmarking the simulation models of the reactor. In particular, an MCNP model of the TRIGA Mark II reactor installed at LENA (Laboratory of Applied Nuclear Energy) of the University of Pavia was developed in the recent years, describing the geometries and the materials of the whole reactor with very good accuracy. In this article, we present the results of the neutron flux measurements in four irradiation positions. The neutron activation technique was used to perform an absolute measurement of the flux. Various samples containing a known amount of elements were irradiated in the reactor facilities and the activation rate of a large number of isotopes was measured through γ-ray spectroscopy with very low background HPGe detectors. In order to accurately calculate the activation rate, Monte Carlo codes based on GEANT4 were developed to evaluate the γ-ray detection efficiency for every radioisotope of interest. The samples were measured with three different HPGe detectors and the measurements were repeated in various geometric configurations in order to assess the reliability and repeatability of this analysis technique. The MCNP reactor model was used to evaluate the energetic neutron flux distributions in the irradiation positions. The effective activation cross sections were computed from these distributions, testing the dependence on the MCNP simulation results. Finally, the neutron flux was calculated from the data of activation rate and effective cross section of each isotope. The good agreement in the results of the flux calculations from the many different activated samples confirms the reliability of the adopted methodology. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The external shell of the CUORE cryostat is a large cryogen-free system designed to host the dilution refrigerator and the bolometers of the CUORE experiment in a low radioactivity environment. The three vessels that form the outer shell were produced and delivered to the Gran Sasso underground Laboratories in July 2012. In this paper, we describe the production techniques and the validation tests done at the production site in 2012. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We have measured a large number of proton-induced radionuclide production cross sections from tellurium targets of natural isotopic composition at incident energies of 0.80, 1.4, and 23GeV. The results of these measurements are compared to semi-empirical calculations and the contribution of this cosmogenic activity to the background of the CUORE experiment, presently being realized, is evaluated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In calorimetric neutrino mass experiments, where the shape of a beta decay spectrum has to be precisely measured, the understanding of the detector response function is a fundamental issue. In the MIBETA neutrino mass experiment, the X-ray lines measured with external sources did not have Gaussian shapes, but exhibited a pronounced shoulder towards lower energies. If this shoulder were a general feature of the detector response function, it would distort the beta decay spectrum and thus mimic a non-zero neutrino mass. An investigation was performed to understand the origin of the shoulder and its potential influence on the beta spectrum. First, the peaks were fitted with an analytic function in order to determine quantitatively the amount of events contributing to the shoulder, also depending on the energy of the calibration X-rays. In a second step, Monte Carlo simulations were performed to reproduce the experimental spectrum and to understand the origin of its shape. We conclude that at least part of the observed shoulder can be attributed to a surface effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The international project MARE (Microcalorimeter Array for a Rhenium Experiment) aims at the direct and calorimetric measurement of the electron neutrino mass with sub-eV sensitivity. Although the baseline of the MARE project consists in a large array of rhenium based thermal detectors, a different option for the isotope is also being considered. The different option is Ho. The potential of using Re for a calorimetric neutrino mass experiment has been already demonstrated. On the contrary, no calorimetric spectrum of Ho has been so far measured with the precision required to set a useful limit on the neutrino mass. The first phase of the project (MARE-1) is a collection of activities with the aim of sorting out both the best isotope and the most suited detector technology to be used for the final experiment. One of the MARE-1 activities is carried out in Milan by the group of Milano-Bicocca in collaboration with NASA/GSFC and Wisconsin groups. The Milan MARE-1 arrays are based on semiconductor thermistors, provided by the NASA/GSFC group, with dielectric silver perrhenate absorbers, AgReO. The experiment, which is presently being assembled, is designed to host up to 8 arrays. With 288 detectors, a sensitivity of 3 eV at 90% CL on the neutrino mass can be reached within 3 years. This contribution gives an outlook for the MARE activities for the active isotope selection. In this contribution the status and the perspectives of the MARE-1 in Milan are also reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large-mass bolometers are today extensively used for dark matter and double beta decay searches, in both cases the ultimate experimental sensitivity is defined by the background level reached in such devices. The most common background sources and the techniques used for their identification and reduction are here reviewed, with a particular focus on double beta decay searches. The relevant role played by Monte Carlo simulations in this field is discussed. As a real case, the background optimization in the MiDBD experiment is described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In the early stages of running of the CRESST dark matter search using sapphire detectors at very low temperature, an unexpectedly high rate of signal pulses appeared. Their origin was finally traced to fracture events in the sapphire due to the very tight clamping of the detectors. During extensive runs the energy and time of each event was recorded, providing large data sets for such phenomena. We believe this is the first time the energy release in fracture has been directly and accurately measured on a microscopic event-by-event basis. The energy threshold corresponds to the breaking of only a few hundred covalent bonds, a sensitivity some orders of magnitude greater than that of previous technique. We report some features of the data, including energy distributions, waiting time distributions, autocorrelations and the Hurst exponent. The energy distribution appear to follow a power law, , similar to the power law for earthquake magnitudes, and after appropriate translation, with a similar exponent. In the time domain, the waiting time w or gap distribution between events has a power law behavior at small w and an exponential fall-off at large w, and can be fit . The autocorrelation function shows time correlations lasting for substantial parts of an hour. An asymmetry is found around large events, with higher count rates after, as opposed to before, the large event. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We present our circuit solution for the implementation of a very simple temperature stabilization system of an array of 62 large mass bolometric detectors, CUORICINO. The implemented instrument exploits one of the front-end channels to close the feedback loop between a thermistor and a heather, both of them located on the detector holder in the refrigerating system. A very compact layout was developed that avoids any possible presence of EMI interference, which would otherwise be introduced if a commercial instrument were adopted. The stabilized temperature is obtained exploiting the offset correcting circuit of the remotely programmable front-end channel to autogene rate the reference operating point for the feedback loop. Thanks to the adopted configuration, the instability of the cryogenic apparatus, which induced a drift corresponding to about 50 keV/day, was reduced to less than about 0.5 keV/day. To model the system behavior, we have reformulated the bolometer theory of operation using the concept of a feedback network. The obtained results will be shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the final results of a series of experiments on double beta decay of 130Te carried out with an array of twenty cryogenic detectors. The set-up is made with crystals of TeO2 with a total mass of 6.8 kg, the largest operating one for a cryogenic experiment. Four crystals are made with isotopically enriched materials: two in 128Te and two others in 130Te. The remaining ones are made with natural tellurium, which contains 31.7% and 33.8% 128Te and 130Te, respectively. The array was run under a heavy shield in the Gran Sasso Underground Laboratory at a depth of about 3500 m.w.e. By recording the pulses of each detector in anticoincidence with the others a lower limit of 2.1×1023 years has been obtained at the 90% C.L. on the lifetime for neutrinoless double beta decay of 130Te.In terms of effective neutrino mass this leads to the most restrictive limit in direct experiments, after those obtained with Ge diodes. Limits on other lepton violating decays of 130Te and on the neutrinoless double beta decay of 128Te to the ground state of 128Xe are also reported and discussed. An indication is presented for the two neutrino double beta decay of 130Te. Some consequences of the present results in the interpretation of geochemical experiments are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Describes the front-end electronics designed for the readout of the CUORICINO experiment's array of bolometers. System description; Features of the bolomoters; System noise performance of the bolometers.

Describes a simple circuit configuration that allows the characterization of noise of very large value resistors. Discussion on the resistor noise theory; Circuit configuration for resistor noise measurements; Measurement of thick-film resistors.

Developing detectors operating in time coincidence is a possible way to increase the sensitivity in gamma spectroscopy. Such design allows both the selection of specific events and the rejection of background. In this work we present a new low background detector mainly developed for the determination of radioactive contamination of liquid samples. The system was constructed by combining a liquid organic scintillator, for the detection of alpha and beta particles, and a High Purity Germanium for the detection of correlated gamma rays. Despite being located in a non-underground laboratory, the instrument can reach sensitivities in the range of tens mBq/kg for 238U, 235U and 232Th, exploiting alpha–gamma and beta–gamma coincidence events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prognosis in patients with primary brain tumors treated with surgery, radiotherapy and conventional chemotherapy remains poor. To improve outcome, combination high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) has been explored in children, but rarely in adults. This study was performed to determine the tolerability of three-drug combination high-dose thiotepa (T) and etoposide (E)-based regimens in pediatric and adult patients with high-risk or recurrent primary brain tumors. Thirty-one patients (13 children and 18 adults) with brain tumors were treated with high-dose chemotherapy: 19 with BCNU (B) and TE (BTE regimen), and 12 with carboplatin (C) and TE (CTE regimen). Patients received growth factors and hematopoietic support with marrow (n = 15), peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC) (n = 11) or both (n = 5). The 100 day toxic mortality rate was 3% (1/31). Grade III/IV toxicities included mucositis (58%), hepatitis (39%) and diarrhea (42%). Five patients had seizures and two had transient encephalopathy (23%). All patients had neutropenic fever and all pediatric patients required hyperalimentation. Median time to engraftment with absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >0.5 × 109/l was 11 days (range 8–37 days). Time to ANC engraftment was significantly longer (P = 0.0001) in patients receiving marrow (median 14 days, range 10–37) than for PBPC (median 9.5 days, range 8–10). Platelet engraftment >50 × 109/l was 24 days (range 14–53 days) in children. In adults, platelet engraftment >20 × 109/l was 12 days (range 9–65 days). In 11 patients supported with PBPC, there was a significant inverse correlation between CD34+ dose and days to ANC (rho = -0.87, P = 0.009) and platelet engraftment (rho = -0.85, P = 0.005), with CD34+ dose predicting time to engraftment following HDC. Overall, 30% of evaluable patients (7/24) had a complete response (CR) (n = 3) or partial response (PR) (n... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In the early stages of running of the CRESST dark matter search with sapphire crystals as detectors, an unexpectedly high rate of signal pulses appeared. Their origin was finally traced to fracture events in the sapphire due to the very tight clamping of the detectors. During extensive runs the energy and time of each event was recorded, providing large data sets for such phenomena. We believe this is the first time that the energy release in fracture has been accurately measured on a microscopic event-by-event basis. The energy distributions appear to follow a power law, , similar to the Gutenberg–Richter power law for earthquake magnitudes, and after appropriate translation, with a similar exponent. In the time domain, the autocorrelation function shows time correlations lasting for substantial parts of an hour. Some remarks are made concerning the possible role of such mechanical stress release processes in the noise of sensitive cryodetectors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We report here the preliminary results of the R&D for a new neutrino mass experiment. This experiment is prepared in the framework of the Microcalorimeters Arrays for a Rhenium Experiment (MARE) project. First tests were made on silicon implanted and germanium NTD arrays with AgReO4 crystals. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The front-end approach for the readout of two arrays of bolometric detectors is described. The first front-end is for an array of μ-bolometers, while the second is for an array of macro-bolometers. Analogies and differences in the adopted strategies are put into evidence. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this paper we discuss the perspectives for a new generation of neutrino mass experiments using thermal detectors to reach interesting sensitivities before and after the KATRIN experiment. By scaling the performance of the present Milano neutrino mass experiment with Monte Carlo simulations, we show how a new experiment can validate the present limit of few eV set by spectrometers before the KATRIN experiment starts. We also show how such a result can be used to design a very large thermal detector experiment to reach sensitivities beyond the KATRIN expected one. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Develops a detector consisting of a cryogenic calorimeter with a scintillating crystal as an absorber and a second calorimeter for the detection of a scintillation light. Discrimination between nuclear recoils and electron recoils under a specific suppression factor; Applications of the research for background rejection in matter research.

Abstract: The international project “Microcalorimeter Arrays for a Rhenium Experiment” (MARE) aims at the direct and calorimetric measurement of the electron anti-neutrino mass with sub-electronvolt sensitivity. The experimental strategy consists in studying the beta spectrum of 187Re near the end-point looking for the spectral distortion expected for a finite anti-neutrino mass. The MARE project has a staged approach: in the final experimental phase (MARE-2), several large arrays with as many as 10000 detectors each will be deployed to collect the statistics required to probe the anti-neutrino mass with a sensitivity of at least 0.2eV, comparable to the one expected for the Katrin experiment (KATRIN LoI, 2001, ). In the short term, smaller scale experiments are planned to reach sensitivities of the order of 1eV (MARE-1). This contribution reports on the Milano group activity for the MARE project. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

An abstract of the article "Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs in Emilia-Romagna, Italy ," by A. Pan1, C. Gagliotti, M. Arlotti, P. Bassi, L. Bertozzi, M. Borsari, C. Cancellieri, R. Carletti, S. Giordani, M. Libanore, G. Magnani, P. Marchegiano, E. Mazzini, S. Mezzadri, M. Minghetti, S. Nola, C. Puggioli, P. Ragni, G. Ratti, M. Sisti, C. Vandelli, P. Viale, P. Vitali and M. L. Moro is presented.