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The possibility to detect thermal neutrons with single gap resistive plate chambers (RPCs) has been investigated. The development of the detector has been performed in the frame of the detection and imaging of antipersonnel land-mine by neutron back-scattering (DIAMINE) European Project for humanitarian de-mining. The RPCs are simple devices widely used in many particles physics experiments as trigger detectors because of their fast response and good spatial resolution. The RPC detects the charged particles generated by neutrons via the (n,α) reaction on boron. A 10B4C thin coating on the inner surface of one RPC electrode is used as thermal neutron converter. A simulation study has been performed to optimize the converter thickness and the RPC working parameters. Tests on converter samples have been performed with a thermalized 252Cf source in order to evaluate the conversion efficiency. A first detector prototype has been realized and tested with cosmic rays and thermal neutrons. Results of simulation and experimental measurements of conversion efficiency, together with the description of the RPC prototype, are presented. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose of Review: Over the past 2 years, the COVID-19 pandemic has had short-term and long-term effects on the delivery of cancer care. Some European countries faced an unprecedented widespread crisis during the first year of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, only being able afterwards to gradually recover, thanks to the improvement in preventive measures, changes in public health and reactive processes in cancer care and a better understanding of the ongoing heath emergency., Recent Findings: The development of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and COVID-19 specific treatments, the growing testing and tracking capability to limit virus diffusion, and research efforts to better define areas of action have all greatly limited the negative impact of the health emergency on routine cancer care.The need to protect those more vulnerable and to ensure continuity of care for oncology patients has been balanced across the pandemic, with the aim to guarantee an optimal standard of care., Summary: This article aims to provide an overview on the evolving scenario of cancer care throughout the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe, focusing on the particular features that characterized the pandemic course as well as the main differences that were observed across it., (Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Fertility and pregnancy-related issues are major concerns for young breast cancer patients. Limited data are available on physicians' knowledge, attitudes and practice in these fields., Methods: A 26-item questionnaire exploring 3 different topics (fertility preservation, pregnancy after breast cancer and breast cancer during pregnancy) was sent by email to physicians attending the 2016 3rd European School of Oncology (ESO) - European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Breast Cancer in Young Women Conference (BCY3) and the 15th St. Gallen International Breast Cancer Conference 2017 (BCC 2017). Given the selected sample, survey respondents were expected to have a higher than average interest in the management of breast cancer patients. Descriptive analyses were performed., Results: A total of 273 physicians (105 at BCY3 and 168 at BCC 2017) completed the survey; 37.0%, 46.9% and 34.8% reported never having consulted the available international guidelines on fertility preservation, pregnancy after breast cancer and management of breast cancer during pregnancy, respectively. Up to 18.3% of respondents did not know if the different fertility preservation options were available in their country; 22.3% suggested that controlled ovarian stimulation should not be considered safe in patients with hormone receptor-positive disease. A total of 30.4% of respondents agreed or were neutral on the statement that pregnancy in breast cancer survivors may increase the risk of recurrence. Regarding breast cancer during pregnancy, 23.8% and 38.1% disagreed or were neutral on the statements that endocrine therapy and anti-HER2 agents should be avoided during pregnancy, respectively., Conclusions: Further educational initiatives are needed to improve physicians' knowledge and adherence to available guidelines when addressing fertility and pregnancy-related issues in young breast cancer patients., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)