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Crystal Eye idea comes from the analysis of two gravitational waves events: GW170817 and GW190425. Both events were referred to neutron star mergers. In the first case Fermi-GBM and INTEGRAL claimed the detection of a short Gamma Ray Burst (GRB 170817A) and in order to follow up and target the GW electromagnetic counterparts, a huge effort has been made by other satellites and ground-based experiments. In the second case, only INTEGRAL claimed the detection of a faint GRB (GRB 190425) while Fermi satellite was in Earth occultation. Crystal Eye is a space-based X and γ ray all-sky monitor sensitive in the 10 keV - 30 MeV energy range. In its baseline configuration, it consists of a hemisphere, made by 112 pixels, with a wide (about 6 sr) field of view (FOV), a full sky coverage and a very large effective area (6 times Fermi-GBM at 1 MeV) in the energy range of interest. Given the pixel structure – a two-layer crystal scintillator and a plastic scintillator veto layer – and the hemispherical design, Crystal Eye concentrate the pointing capability of a γ-ray telescope and the sky coverage of an all-sky monitor in a single detector. Moreover, the use of Silicon Photomultiplier (SiPM) at the place of traditional PMs, besides being a challenge for their qualification for space missions, allows a more compact and less power-consuming design. A Crystal Eye pathfinder has been designed and realized to be tested in view of the mission on the Space Rider by ESA. The prototype is made by 4 pixels. The mission is aimed at testing in the space environment the LYSO crystals, the MPPC-arrays and the DAQ board.

Crusted scabies (CS) is a severe form of scabies caused by hyper-infestation of mites in the horny layer of the epidermis that thickens and forms warty crusts.1 Although it has been described mainly in immunosuppressed individuals, it has been also observed in otherwise healthy patients.1 We are living the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, that is a mild/moderate disease in children.2-4 However, SARS-CoV-2 infection may induce significant changes in the host's immune response.5,6.

This Letter presents the first observation on how a strong, 500 kG, externally applied B field increases the mode-two asymmetry in shock-heated inertial fusion implosions. Using a direct-drive implosion with polar illumination and imposed field, we observed that magnetization produces a significant increase in the implosion oblateness (a 2.5 × larger P 2 amplitude in x-ray self-emission images) compared with reference experiments with identical drive but with no field applied. The implosions produce strongly magnetized electrons ( ω e τ e ≫ 1 ) and ions ( ω i τ i > 1 ) that, as shown using simulations, restrict the cross field heat flow necessary for lateral distribution of the laser and shock heating from the implosion pole to the waist, causing the enhanced mode-two shape.

Turbulence is ubiquitous in the universe and in fluid dynamics. It influences a wide range of high energy density systems, from inertial confinement fusion to astrophysical-object evolution. Understanding this phenomenon is crucial, however, due to limitations in experimental and numerical methods in plasma systems, a complete description of the turbulent spectrum is still lacking. Here, we present the measurement of a turbulent spectrum down to micron scale in a laser-plasma experiment. We use an experimental platform, which couples a high power optical laser, an x-ray free-electron laser and a lithium fluoride crystal, to study the dynamics of a plasma flow with micrometric resolution (~1μm) over a large field of view (>1 mm2). After the evolution of a Rayleigh–Taylor unstable system, we obtain spectra, which are overall consistent with existing turbulent theory, but present unexpected features. This work paves the way towards a better understanding of numerous systems, as it allows the direct comparison of experimental results, theory and numerical simulations. Turbulence effects explored use macroscale systems in general. Here the authors generate a turbulent plasma using laser irradiation of a solid target and study the dynamics of the plasma flow at the micron-scale by using scattering of an XFEL beam.

In a recent experimental campaign, we used laser-accelerated relativistic hot electrons to ensure heating of thin titanium wire targets up to a warm dense matter (WDM) state [EPL 114, 45002 (2016)10.1209/0295-5075/114/45002]. The WDM temperature profiles along several hundred microns of the wire were inferred by using spatially resolved X-ray emission spectroscopy looking at the Ti Kα characteristic lines. A maximum temperature of ∼30 eV was reached. Our study extends this work by discussing the influence of the laser parameters on temperature profiles and the optimisation of WDM wire-based generation. The depth of wire heating may reach several hundreds of microns and it is proven to be strictly dependent on the laser intensity. At the same time, it is quantitatively demonstrated that the maximum WDM temperature doesn’t appear to be sensitive to the laser intensity and mainly depends on the deposited laser energy considering ranges of 6×1018–6×1020 W/cm2 and 50–200 J.

Direct laser acceleration (DLA) of electrons in a plasma of near critical electron density (NCD) and associated synchrotron-like radiation are discussed for moderate relativistic laser intensity (the normalized laser amplitude $a_0$ $\leq$ 4.3) and ps-long pulse. This regime is typical for kJ PW-class laser facilities designed for high energy density research. Currently, in experiments at the PHELX laser it was demonstrated that interaction of 10$^{19}$ W/cm$^{2}$ sub-ps laser pulse with sub-mm long NCD plasma results in generation of high-current well-directed super-ponderomotive electrons with effective temperature that is 10$\times$ higher than the ponderomotive potential [O. Rosmej et al., PPCF 62, 115024 (2020)]. Three-dimensional Particle-In-Cell simulations provided a good agreement with the measured electron energy distribution and were used in the current work to study synchrotron radiation of the DLA accelerated electrons. The resulting x-ray spectrum with a critical energy of 5 keV reveals an ultra-high photon number of 7$\times$10$^{11}$ in the 1-30 keV photon energy range at the focused laser energy of 20 J. Numerical simulations of a betatron x-ray phasecontrast imaging based on the DLA process for the parameters of a PHELIX laser is presented. The results are of interest for applications in high energy density (HED) experiments, which require a picosecond x-ray pulse and a high photon flux., under review at Matter and Radiation at Extremes

Fixed-dose pembrolizumab (200 mg absolute, day 1, every 3 wk) for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma did not result in survival benefit in the phase 3 PROMISE-meso trial compared with second-line chemotherapy. Because of lack of validated imaging response criteria, responder subgroups with potential survival benefit have not yet been identified. Here, we administered high-dose pembrolizumab (10 mg/kg, day 1, every 2 wk) considering the KEYNOTE-028 trial and assessed the prognostic value of PET metabolic response in patients with chemotherapy-resistant malignant mesothelioma of the pleura or peritoneum. Methods: Data from 27 patients with baseline and follow-up 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging were retrospectively analyzed. RECIST, version 1.1; modified RECIST; and PERCIST using both tumor lesion metabolic activity in a 1 cm3 spheric region of interest of up to 5 target lesions (PERCISTSULpeak) and metabolic tumor volume PERCIST (PERCISTMTV) were applied separately to categorize responders in CT and PET imaging studies. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared between responders and nonresponders using Kaplan-Meier and log-rank analyses. Programmed cell death protein 1 ligand expression status was assessed, and its association with outcome was investigated. Results: Twenty-seven patients had 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging at baseline and after at least 4 cycles pembrolizumab. Median PFS and OS were 3.4 and 15.1 mo, respectively. Response rates were 7%, 7%, 30%, and 30% based on RECIST, modified RECIST, PERCISTSULpeak, and PERCISTMTV response criteria, respectively. Response according to PERCISTMTV predicted prolonged OS or PFS (P < 0.01), whereas all other imaging criteria and programmed cell death protein 1 ligand expression did not. Conclusion:18F-FDG PET metabolic volume response predicts survival in patients with malignant mesothelioma receiving high-dose pembrolizumab. These results should prompt inclusion of PET response assessment in future phase 3 clinical trials.

Purpose: Prostate specific antigen persistence after radical prostatectomy is associated with adverse outcomes in patients with prostate cancer. We sought to define regions at risk for residual disease as well as the accuracy of prostate specific membrane antigen ligand positron emission tomography in patients with prostate specific antigen persistence. Materials and methods: At 6 participating centers a total of 191 patients who underwent 68Ga-prostate specific membrane antigen-11 positron emission tomography/computerized tomography or positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging for persistently elevated postoperative prostate specific antigen (0.1 ng/ml or greater) were retrospectively included in study. The detection rate and the positive predictive value were determined. In 33 patients with additional prostate specific membrane antigen ligand positron emission tomography before prostatectomy we also determined the rate of positron emission tomography based persistence and recurrence. Results: Prostate specific membrane antigen ligand positron emission tomography localized prostate cancer in 130 of 191 patients (68%) with prostate specific antigen persistence at a median prostate specific antigen of 1.1 ng/ml. The detection rate significantly increased with prostate specific antigen (p

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE:To determine the accuracy of 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET for the detection of pelvic nodal metastases (N1) compared to histopathology at time of radical prostatectomy (RP).METHODS:T...

1260 Objectives: Most clinical trials on castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) rely on baseline staging by conventional imaging rather than novel positron-emission-tomography (PET). We investigated the impact of PSMA-PET on PCWG3 clinical subtype classification, frequently used to define clinical trial target populations. Methods: Databases at three participating PET centers were retrospectively screened for patients with prostate cancer, for whom PSMA-PET was performed between 2014 and 2019, and who had: (a) documented CRPC, (b) PSA values ≥1 ng/mL and (c) conventional imaging (CI) i.e. bone scan and CT (78%) or whole-body MRI (22% of patients) within 6 months of the PSMA-PET without changes of therapy between the staging modalities. Clinical PCWG3 subtype, i.e. nonmetastatic (nmCRPC), locally recurrent, nodal spread, bone disease and visceral disease, as well as PROMISE stage were determined for PET versus CI by three independent blinded readers. Inter-reader agreement was assessed by Fleiss’ Kappa. Results: 67 patients were included with a median PSA level of 53.2 ng/mL (IQR 5.8-334.6 ng/mL). Median time between PSMA-PET and CI was 1 month (IQR 0-2). 37/67 patients (55%) underwent ADT plus at least one line of a second line treatment for CRPC (docetaxel, cabazitaxel, abiraterone, enzalutamide or Radium-223). Overall CI was positive in 87% (58/67) of patients whereas PSMA-PET in 92% (62/67). PCWG3 clinical subtypes identified by PSMA-PET vs. CI were: 7% (5/67) vs. 13% (9/67) for nmCRPC, 4% (3/67) vs. 0% (0/67) for locally recurrent CRPC, 10% (7/67) vs. 6% (4/67) for nodal spread, 60% (40/67) vs. 58% (39/67) for bone disease and 18% (12/67) vs. 22% (15/67) for visceral disease, respectively. Overall, PSMA-PET and CI were concordant in 70% (47/67) of patients. PSMA-PET led to up-staging in 15% (10/67) and down-staging in 15% (10/67) of patients; down-staging occurred most often for visceral disease (7/67, 10%) (Table 1). PSA at the time of PET, D’Amico risk group and number of different systemic therapies were not significantly associated with a PSMA-PET up-staging compared to CI. There was a statistically significant association between higher D’Amico risk group and a PSMA-PET down-staging compared to CI (p=0.003). PET vs. CI interobserver agreement was 0.81 vs. 0.51, 0.74 vs. 0.47, 0.95 vs. 0.72, or 0.58 vs. 0.65 for locally recurrent, nodal spread, bone disease, or visceral disease, respectively. Conclusions: In our multicenter, retrospective study, PSMA-PET demonstrates high level of concordance with CI for per-patient PCWG3 clinical subtype. PSMA-PET delivers higher reproducibility and more accurate assessment of nmCRPC as well as visceral disease and should be implemented in future enrollment/screening procedures. $$table_{5171EA87-920E-4F20-902F-8532986F59A4}$$

Fertility is a convenient but meaningless term unless the outcome measure is stipulated and accounts for dependence of male fertility on the female population. We describe outcome measures and detail the impacts of the physiological status of each female and her external environment, as well as management imposed by humans. We explain the dominant role of the female reproductive tract as a series of hurdles for sperm seeking an ovum. Each spermatozoon in an ejaculate is unique, although usually most are morphologically similar. Semen seemingly contains three subpopulations of sperm, based on fate within a female and role in hampering the success of the ultimate winning spermatozoon; we define these subpopulations. The numerical size of each subpopulation placed into a female determines the shape of the dose-response curve leading to possible live young. Heterospermic artificial insemination provides far greater sensitivity to detect differences, partly because the female environment is identical for each comparison.

An overview of the multi-messenger capabilities of the Pierre Auger Observatory is presented. The techniques and performance of searching for Ultra-High Energy neutrinos, photons and neutrons are described. Some of the most relevant results are reviewed, such as stringent upper bounds that were placed to a flux of diffuse cosmogenic neutrinos and photons, bounds placed on neutrinos emitted from compact binary mergers that were detected by LIGO and Virgo during their first and second observing runs, as well as searches for high energy photons and neutrons from the Galactic center that constrain the properties of the putative Galactic PeVatron, observed by the H.E.S.S. collaboration. The observation of directional correlations between ultra-high energy cosmic rays and either high energy astrophysical neutrinos or specific source populations, weighted by their electromagnetic radiation, are also discussed. They constitute additional multi-messenger approaches aimed at identifying the sources of high energy cosmic rays., SCOPUS: re.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Laser–plasma interaction (LPI) at intensities $10^{15}{-}10^{16}~\text{W}\cdot \text{cm}^{-2}$ is dominated by parametric instabilities which can be responsible for a significant amount of non-collisional absorption and generate large fluxes of high-energy nonthermal electrons. Such a regime is of paramount importance for inertial confinement fusion (ICF) and in particular for the shock ignition scheme. In this paper we report on an experiment carried out at the Prague Asterix Laser System (PALS) facility to investigate the extent and time history of stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) and two-plasmon decay (TPD) instabilities, driven by the interaction of an infrared laser pulse at an intensity ${\sim}1.2\times 10^{16}~\text{W}\cdot \text{cm}^{-2}$ with a ${\sim}100~\unicode[STIX]{x03BC}\text{m}$ scalelength plasma produced from irradiation of a flat plastic target. The laser pulse duration (300 ps) and the high value of plasma temperature ( ${\sim}4~\text{keV}$ ) expected from hydrodynamic simulations make these results interesting for a deeper understanding of LPI in shock ignition conditions. Experimental results show that absolute TPD/SRS, driven at a quarter of the critical density, and convective SRS, driven at lower plasma densities, are well separated in time, with absolute instabilities driven at early times of interaction and convective backward SRS emerging at the laser peak and persisting all over the tail of the pulse. Side-scattering SRS, driven at low plasma densities, is also clearly observed. Experimental results are compared to fully kinetic large-scale, two-dimensional simulations. Particle-in-cell results, beyond reproducing the framework delineated by the experimental measurements, reveal the importance of filamentation instability in ruling the onset of SRS and stimulated Brillouin scattering instabilities and confirm the crucial role of collisionless absorption in the LPI energy balance.

BACKGROUND: According to the Lugano classification (Cheson et al., JCO 2014, 32: 3059-3067) fludeoxyglucose positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) is the standard for evaluation and staging of aggressive non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL). It is a matter of debate whether FDG PET/CT is sufficient to determine bone marrow (BM) involvement. We performed a pooled analysis of data from the PETAL (EudraCT 2006-001641-33) and OPTIMAL>60 trials (EudraCT 2010-019587-36) as prospective, open-label, randomized, multicenter Phase-III trials to determine whether initial staging with FDG PET/CT would allow non-invasive diagnosis of BM involvement and thus could avoid established but potentially painful and unpleasant BM biopsy (BMB). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients treated within the trials were included if both FDG PET/CT and BMB were performed during initial staging. Only patients with a biopsy-proven, centrally confirmed diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma or follicular lymphoma grade 3b were included. FDG PET/CT images and BM findings were blinded for central review by board certified PET/CT readers. Discordant findings were documented and resolved after unblinding by interdisciplinary discussion using findings of complementary imaging and/or subsequent PET examinations. Based on literature (Berthet et al., J Nucl Med 2013), a newly defined gold standard was used to confirm BM involvement. It includes a positive BMB or a positive FDG PET confirmed by targeted biopsy, complementary CT imaging or targeted MRI, or concurrent disappearance of focal FDG-avid BM lesions with other lymphoma manifestations during immunochemotherapy. RESULTS: Out of 1,976 patients a total of 930 patients met the inclusion criteria. BMB confirmed BM involvement in 85 of 930 patients (9%). According to FDG PET/CT, BM was involved in 185 out of 930 patients (20%) with 36 discordances (4%) between negative initial FDG PET/CT and positive BMB ("false negatives" with respect to previous reference standard, PRS). Discordances between positive initial FDG PET/CT and negative BMB ("false positives" by PRS) occurred in 136 patients (15%). If only BMB is used as in the PRS, the negative predictive value (NPV) of FDG PET/CT was 709/745=95% (95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 93%-97%) with a sensitivity (Sens) of 58% (95%CI: 46%-68%) and a specificity (Spec) of 84% (95%CI: 81%-86%). After discussion of these cases, 185 out of 221 cases with BM involvement were identified as true positive, resulting in a Sens of 84% for FDG PET/CT (95%CI: 78%-88%). By means of FDG PET/CT 745 cases were negative of which 709 were confirmed as true negatives, resulting in an NPV of 95% (95%CI: 93%-97%). All 185 cases with positive FDG PET/CT were evaluated as true positive for BM involvement in the unblinded synopsis of all findings, resulting in a positive predictive value (PPV) of 100% (95%CI: 98%-100%). All 709 negative FDG PET/CT findings were finally confirmed as such, so Spec was 100% (95%CI: 99%-100%). Thus, the prevalence in our total cohort analyzed was 24%, since 221 out of 930 cases had confirmed BM involvement. Diagnostic performance parameters for BMB as compared to the newly defined gold standard were Sens 85/221=38% (95%CI: 32%-45%), Spec 709/709=100% (95%CI: 99%-100%), PPV 85/85=100% (95%CI: 96%-100%) and NPV 709/845=84% (95%CI: 81%-86%), respectively. Differences between the PRS in the diagnosis of BM involvement by only BMB and the newly defined gold standard result mainly from false negative BMB due to sampling errors, which are detected by FDG PET/CT. DISCUSSION: In the majority of patients with aggressive B-cell lymphoma, routine BMB does not give any additional relevant diagnostic or prognostic information over FDG PET/CT alone and could therefore be omitted. BMB should only be performed if results would have direct therapeutic impact e.g. in patients with limited stage disease and lack of further risk factors according to the international prognostic index (IPI). Disclosures Held: MSD: Consultancy; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Other: Travel support, Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy, Other: Travel support, Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding; Acrotech: Research Funding. Stilgenbauer:Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; GSK: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Hoffmann La-Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Duehrsen:Amgen: Consultancy; University Hospital Essen, Germany: Employment; Takeda: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Gilead: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Gilead: Consultancy; AbbVie: Consultancy; Celgene: Research Funding; CPT: Consultancy; Takeda: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; Amgen: Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding; AbbVie: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria; CPT: Honoraria. Hüttmann:University Hospital Essen: Employment; Takeda: Honoraria; Gilead: Honoraria. Poeschel:Amgen: Other: Travel, accommodations, expenses; Abbvie: Other: Travel, accomodations, expenses; Roche: Other: Travel, accomodations, expenses; Hexal: Speakers Bureau.

Scientific reports 9(1), 18805 (2019). doi:10.1038/s41598-019-55074-1, Published by Macmillan Publishers Limited, part of Springer Nature, [London]

Hot electrons role in shock generation and energy deposition to hot dense core is crucial for the shock ignition scheme implying the need for their characterization at laser intensities of interest for shock ignition. In this paper we analyze the experimental results obtained at the PALS laboratory and provide an estimation of hot electrons temperature and conversion efficiency using a semi analytical approach, including Harrach-Kidder's model., Has been accepted in Physics of Plasma journal

Parametric instabilities at laser intensities in the range (2-6) x 10(15) W/cm(2) (438 nm, 250 ps, 100-300 J) have been investigated in planar geometry at the Prague Asterix Laser System facility via calorimetry and spectroscopy. The density scalelength of the plasma was varied by using an auxiliary pulse to form a preplasma before the arrival of the main laser beam and by changing the delay between the two pulses. Experimental data show that Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS) is more effective than Stimulated Raman Scattering (SRS) in degrading laser-plasma coupling, therefore reducing the energy available for the generation of the shock wave. The level of the SBS backscatter and laser reflection is found to be in the range between 3% and 15% of the incident laser energy, while Backward SRS (BRS) reflectivity ranges between 0.02% and 0.2%, depending on the delay between the pulses. Half-integer harmonic emission is observed and provides a signature of Two Plasmon Decay (TPD) occurring around the quarter of the critical density. Data analysis suggests that SRS is driven in beam speckles with high local intensity and occurs in bursts, particularly at higher laser intensities, due to the presence of kinetic mechanisms saturating the SRS growth in the speckles. Time-resolved measurements also show that BRS occurs in the trailing part of the laser pulse, when the plasma has a longer density scalelength. Our measurements also indicate that hot electrons are predominantly produced by SRS rather than TPD. Published by AIP Publishing.

X-ray phase-contrast imaging (XPCI) is a versatile technique with applications in many fields, including fundamental physics, biology and medicine. Where X-ray absorption radiography requires high density ratios for effective imaging, the image contrast for XPCI is a function of the density gradient. In this letter, we apply XPCI to the study of laser-driven shock waves. Our experiment was conducted at the Petawatt High-Energy Laser for Heavy Ion EXperiments (PHELIX) at GSI. Two laser beams were used: one to launch a shock wave and the other to generate an X-ray source for phase-contrast imaging. Our results suggest that this technique is suitable for the study of warm dense matter (WDM), inertial confinement fusion (ICF) and laboratory astrophysics.

Ultrashort pulses imply ultrabroad spectra, as a consequence of the transform limit. Hence, femtosecond time resolution is in trade-off with meV resolution spectroscopy. Further, beamline experiments will enormously profit from preparation, optimization and data replication at home-lab plasma -based sources, where beamtime limitations do not apply. We highlight the potential of such synergy among large and compact XUV sources, and how migrating advanced high-resolution spectroscopy to benchtop setups implies more efficient data acquisition and processing methods.

Several applications in material science and magnetic holography using extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation require the measurement of the degree and state of polarization. In this work, an instrument to measure simultaneously both parameters from EUV pulses is presented. The instrument determines the Stokes parameters after a reflection on an array of multilayer mirrors at the Brewster angle. The Stokesmeter was tested at Swiss Light Source at different EUV wavelengths. The experimental Stokes patterns of the source were compared with the simulated pattern.

X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) is a widely used technique for determining the electronic structure of matter. In contrast to X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), XAS makes use of photons only, and therefore suffers less from absorption of the probe beam, i.e., electrons or photons, respectively. This is true for hard X-rays probing, e.g., the Kedges of d-metals in metal hydrides (albeit with limited chemical information). Soft X-rays, which are suited to analyze the electronic structure of hydrogen in solids, have a limited absorption length in gases. Photons with energies of less than 50 eV (“hydrogen K-edge”

We report measurements of parametric instabilities and hot electron generation in a laser intensity regime up to 6 x 10(15) W/cm(2), typical of the shock ignition approach to inertial fusion. Experiments performed at the PALS laboratory in Prague show that the incident laser energy losses are dominated by Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS) rather than by Stimulated Raman Scattering (SRS) or Two-Plasmon Decay (TPD). Results are compared to hydrodynamics simulations using a code that includes self-consistent calculations of non-linear laser plasma interactions and accounts for the laser intensity statistics contained in the beam speckles. Good agreement is found for the backscattered SRS light, and for temperature and flux of hot electrons. The effect of high-intensity speckles on backscattered SRS is also underlined numerically and experimentally. Copyright (C) EPLA, 2017

A table-top XUV-source based on pseudospark plasma-emission is operated with pure gases (Ar, O2 and N2) and mixtures (Ar/He, O2/He and N2/He) at different pressures and input voltages, and the dependence of these parameters on the source repetition rate, XUV-photon flux, XUV-power and emission spectra are discussed. Operating the source with Ar, it is shown that the repetition rate is increased if the pressure or input voltage from the power supply are increased. The intensity on the spectra and XUV photon flux (for Ar and Ar/He) are observed to decrease with increment of pure gas pressure and to increase with the addition of He to the pure gases. Repetition rates of up to 25 Hz and 1013 photons/(sr pulse) for λ between 7 and 16 nm and XUV-power of up to 10 mW/(sr) have been observed. Stability measurements and determination of optimal sample position with respect to the highest number of photons are also presented. Fluctuations on the plasma emission up to 10% are observed.

This paper describes the results of a series of experiments conducted with the PALS laser at intensities of interest for the shock ignition approach to inertial fusion. In particular, we addressed the generation of hot electrons (HE) (determining their average energy and number), as well as the parametric instabilities which are producing them. In addition, we studied the impact of HE on the formation and dynamics of strong shocks.

A prototype detection unit of the KM3NeT deep-sea neutrino telescope has been installed at 3500m depth 80 km offshore the Italian coast. KM3NeT in its final configuration will contain several hundreds of detection units. Each detection unit is a mechanical structure anchored to the sea floor, held vertical by a submerged buoy and supporting optical modules for the detection of Cherenkov light emitted by charged secondary particles emerging from neutrino interactions. This prototype string implements three optical modules with 31 photomultiplier tubes each. These optical modules were developed by the KM3NeT Collaboration to enhance the detection capability of neutrino interactions. The prototype detection unit was operated since its deployment in May 2014 until its decommissioning in July 2015. Reconstruction of the particle trajectories from the data requires a nanosecond accuracy in the time calibration. A procedure for relative time calibration of the photomultiplier tubes contained in each optical module is described. This procedure is based on the measured coincidences produced in the sea by the $$^{40}$$40K background light and can easily be expanded to a detector with several thousands of optical modules. The time offsets between the different optical modules are obtained using LED nanobeacons mounted inside them. A set of data corresponding to 600 h of livetime was analysed. The results show good agreement with Monte Carlo simulations of the expected optical background and the signal from atmospheric muons. An almost background-free sample of muons was selected by filtering the time correlated signals on all the three optical modules. The zenith angle of the selected muons was reconstructed with a precision of about 3$$^circ $$∘.

Digestate coming from an Anaerobic Digestion unit in a Biogas Plant, feeded on cow manure and vegetable waste from markets, has been used. About 8-35 L polyethylene transparent bags have been employed as cultivation container, outdoor. Different aliquots of digestate, alone or mixed with commercial liquid fertiliser, were employed to cultivate in batch Scenedesus dimorphus, a freshwater green microalga, in the ENEA facilities of Casaccia Research Center, near Rome, Italy. The cultivation period was June-July 2013. The average daily yields of dry microalgae biomass varied from 20 mg/L/d to 60 mg/L/d, mean 38.2 mg/L/d. Final dry biomass concentration varied from 0.18 to 1.29 g/L, mean 0.55 g/L. S. dimorphus proved to be very efficient in removing N and P from the culture medium. Another fact emerged from these trials is that S. dimorphus inner composition resulted to be variable in response to the tested different culture conditions. © 2015 Taylor & Francis.

The problem of dust resuspension in case of Loss Of Vacuum Accident (LOVA) in a nuclear fusion plant (ITER or DEMO like) is an important issue for the safety of workers and the security of environment. The Quantum Electronics and Plasma Physics Research Group has implemented an optical set-up to track dust during a LOVA reproduction inside the experimental facility STARDUST. The shadowgraph technique, in this work, it is applied to track dark dust (like Tungsten). The shadowgraph technique is based on an expanded collimated beam of light emitted by a laser (or a lamp) transversely to the flow field direction. Inside STARDUST the dust moving in the air flow causes variations of refractive index of light that can be detected by the means of a CCD camera. A spatial modulation of the light-intensity distribution on the camera can be measured. The resulting pattern is a shadow of the refractive index field that prevails in the region of the disturbance. The authors use an incandescent white lamp to illuminate the vacuum vessel of STARDUST facility. The light-area passes through the test section that has to be investigated and the images of the dust shadows are collected with a fast CCD camera. The images are then elaborated with mathematical algorithms to obtain information about the velocity fields of dust during the accidents reproduction. The experimental set-up together with a critical analysis of the first results are presented in this paper.

Background. The psychological discomfort associated to breast-cancer diagnosis and related treatments is universally recognized. However homogeneous modalities of intervention are lacking. The questionnaires are the most employed tools to analyze pre-morbidity personality traits and the quality of life of cancer patients, but they lack valid indicators of the patients' overall quality of life. On the other hand, counseling along with administered psychological tests allows listening and mutual relationship between patient and examiner. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the Rorschach test, a multidimensional method of collecting data on personality functioning, as an instrument to assess mood disorders, object relation, self-image and quality of life in breast cancer patients. Methods. 135 consecutive women affected by operable breast cancer underwent psychological counseling and the Rorschach test within 2–4 weeks after surgery. Results of the test were interpreted according to the structural and experiential approaches. The discrimination between “compact” and “noncompact” tables makes it possible to study the changes of patients identity during the illness, while the Experienced Stimulation and Experience Actual indices, providing information about the patient's coping to therapeutic approach, were calculated according to the Exner system. The records from a sample of 60 healthy women, equally distributed in three age groups (< 50, 50–59, > 60) coming from the same Italian region (regional sample) and the results from 736 nonpatient Italian subjects (national sample) were used as controls. Results. Quantitative results were comparable within groups, except for parameters of cognitive characteristics regulating the approach to reality (G, G+, F+, Anat, Ban). No patient fulfilled the parameter configuration corresponding to depressive disorder, but alexithymia with a state reaction interpreted as an adjustment disorder with depressive mood was recorded. This trait was correlated with lower educational levels and increasing age.

Interferon-tau (IFN-tau) is the maternal recognition of pregnancy factor in pecoran ruminants. The aims of this study were to identify the various IFN-tau transcripts in the peri-implantation caprine (ca) conceptus and to compare these nucleotide sequences phylogenetically with established mRNA sequences from the goat. Conceptuses (n = 5) were collected from Boer crossbred and Angora female goats by laparotomy at days 17 and 18 of pregnancy. Total cellular RNA was extracted and RT-PCR was performed by standard procedures using a DNA polymerase with proofreading activity and gene-specific primers complimentary to non-coding regions of the published caIFN-tau sequence. Nine distinct nucleotide sequences were isolated that encode five distinct caIFN-tau proteins. These caIFN-tau have greater sequence homology with ovine IFN-tau (94-96% nucleotide identity; 90-93% amino acid identity) than with bovine IFN-tau (

OBJECTIVE—To investigate the role of dietary factors in the development of type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—In the context of the Multinational MGSD Nutrition Study, three groups of subjects were studied: 204 subjects with recently diagnosed diabetes (RDM), 42 subjects with undiagnosed diabetes (UDM) (American Diabetes Association criteria—fasting plasma glucose [FPG] ≥126 mg/dl), and 55 subjects with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) (FPG ≥110 and RESULTS—Compared with control subjects, RDM more frequently had a family history of diabetes (49.0 vs. 14.2%; P < 0.001), exercised less (exercise index 53.5 vs. 64.4; P < 0.01), and more frequently had sedentary professions (47.5 vs. 27.4%; P < 0.001). Carbohydrates contributed less to their energy intake (53.5 vs. 55.1%; P < 0.05), whereas total fat (30.2 ± 0.5 vs. 27.8 ± 0.5%; P < 0.001) and animal fat (12.2 ± 0.3 vs. 10.8 ± 0.3%; P < 0.01) contributed more and the plant-to-animal fat ratio was lower (1.5 ± 0.1 vs. 1.8 ± 0.1; P < 0.01). UDM more frequently had a family history of diabetes (38.1 vs. 19.0%; P < 0.05) and sedentary professions (58.5 vs. 34.1%; P < 0.05), carbohydrates contributed less to their energy intake (47.6 ± 1.7 vs. 52.8 ± 1.4%; P < 0.05), total fat (34.7 ± 1.5 vs. 30.4 ± 1.2%; P < 0.05) and animal fat (14.2 ± 0.9 vs. 10.6 ± 0.7%; P < 0.05) contributed more, and the plant-to-animal fat ratio was lower (1.6 ± 0.2 vs. 2.3 ± 0.4; P < 0.05). IFG differed only in the prevalence of family history of diabetes (32.7 vs. 16.4%; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS—Our data support the view that increased animal fat intake is associated with the presence of diabetes.