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A compact seeded terahertz (THz) free-electron laser (FEL) amplifier is under development at the Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University. The system consists of a 1.6-cell S-band BNL-type photocathode radio frequency (RF) gun, a focusing solenoid magnet, a magnetic bunch compressor, focusing quadrupoles, a short planar undulator and a THz parametric generator for seeding. The accelerator system will generate a high brightness ultra-short electron bunch injected to the short undulator. Since characteristics of the emitted radiation strongly depend on the electron beam properties, the beam dynamics of the system has been investigated. As the result, the system should be operated at the high accelerating voltage of 80 MV/m to avoid the space-charge effect which causes serious bunch lengthening. The laser with the uniform temporal distribution and the injection phase of 12 degree is suitable for the bunch compression in the chicane. This condition provides the electron beam injected to the undulator with the peak current of more than 300 A and the FWHM bunch length of 0.36 ps at the bunch charge of 200 pC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Active interrogation in 235U was demonstrated with LaBr3:Ce scintillation detectors using the nuclear resonance fluorescence (NRF) technique. An NRF experiment was performed at the High Intensity y-ray Source (HlyS) facility using quasi-monochromatic circularly or linearly polarized y-ray beams. Photons scattered at 90o relative to the incident beam were detected with two different sizes of cylindrical LaBr3:Ce detectors. Clear NRF peaks at 1733 and 1815 keV corresponding to de-excitations to the ground state and/or low-lying levels in 235U were observed within 77minutes of beam time even under the high background due to the self-activity of LaBr3:Ce and the radioactive decay of 214Bi nuclei existing in the 235U target. The present study shows a possibility of using LaBr3:Ce detector to perform NRF experiments, promoting many options for inspection of special nuclear materials. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A laser-driven RF gun with a Cs2Te photocathode, a device modeled after the BNL-IV RF gun, has been in development at KEK since 2002. This gun has been operated as an electron source for the Accelerator Test Facility (ATF) and generates a beam with an operational intensity of up to 3.2nC per bunch. Based on successful results at the ATF, this gun has been applied several times for new research at universities. From 2002 onwards, successive improvements have been incorporated into newer models of the RF gun. Most recently, in 2008, a new gun incorporating all of the earlier modifications was produced for the ATF. Tests have confirmed a significant improvement of the Q-value of the latest model. A typical transverse emittance of 1.3 π mmmrad has been obtained under the following conditions: solenoid field of 0.18T, beam intensity of 1.6nC per bunch, and RF power of 9MW. This RF gun equipped with the Cs2Te photocathode is being used for the advanced research programs at the ATF. A survey of its performance has recently been completed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background Ramucirumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody (IgG1) developed for the treatment of solid tumors. To reduce the risk of an infusion-related reaction (IRR) with ramucirumab, H1-antihistamines are recommended as premedication. However, IRR is hardly observed in clinical practice in the ramucirumab regimen. The H1-antihistamines have several side effects, such as drowsiness and dizziness, and the use of H1-antihistamines might be restricted for the patients who need to drive a car or for elderly patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety of ramucirumab without H1-antihistamines as a premedication in patients with solid cancer. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the solid tumour patients who received ramucirumab, including regimen without H1-antihistamines at our institution between 2017 and 2019. The patients who received antiemetic steroid for cytotoxic chemotherapy was also included. The primary endpoint was the incidence of IRR during the infusion in the first cycle. The secondary endpoints were the incidence of IRR at any time and other ramucirumab related adverse events. Results Of the 51 patients enrolled (median age, 69.5 years; range 41 - 83), 28 (55%) were male. The origins of cancer were gastric cancer (n = 22), lung cancer (n = 26), and colon cancer (n = 3), respectively. Forty-two patients (82%) received ramucirumab in combination with antiemetic steroid for cytotoxic chemotherapy, and nine patients (18%) received ramucirumab monotherapy without steroid. No IRR was observed in this study (IRR rate, 0%; 95% CI 0 - 0.69). Among the overall 272 infusions, there were no events of IRRs or other ramucirumab related adverse events. Conclusions There was no IRRs without H1-antihistamines in our retrospective study. Ramucirumab without H1-antihistamines as premedication would be a favourable option for the patients who had trouble with the side effects of H1 antihistamine. Legal entity responsible for the study The authors. Funding Has not received any funding. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]