Search

Between 1998 and 2009, a total of 295 patients (median age 58, 53% females) with newly diagnosed early-stage follicular lymphoma (FL) were managed at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Approximately half of patients (137, 46%) underwent initial observation and half (158, 54%) immediate treatment: radiation alone (n = 108), systemic treatment alone (n = 29), or combined modality treatment (n = 21). Median follow-up was 8.4 years (range 0.3–17.2), and 10-year overall survival (OS) was 87.2%. OS was similar between initially-observed and immediately-treated patients (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.25, 95% CI: 0.67–2.36, p = 0.49). For patients receiving radiation alone, 5-year OS was 98.0%. Patients selected for systemic therapy alone had high-risk baseline features and had shorter OS than patients treated with radiation alone (HR 3.38, 95% CI 1.29–8.86, p = 0.01). Combined modality treatment did not yield superior survival compared with radiation alone (P > 0.05) but was associated with better progression-free survival (HR 0.36, 95% CI 0.14–0.90, p = 0.03). The rate of transformation increased steadily over time and was 4.2% at 5 years and 10.8% at 10 years. This modern-era analysis rationalized the role of initial observation in patients with early-stage FL although patients receiving radiation therapy also demonstrate excellent outcome.

We attach a MOF crystallite to an atomic force microscope cantilever to realize a system for rapidly and quantitatively studying the interaction between single-crystal MOFs and polymer films. Using this method, we find evidence of polymer intercalation into MOF pores. This approach can accelerate composite design.

Professor Chia-Kuang (Frank) Tsung made his scientific impact primarily through the atomic-level design of nanoscale materials for application in heterogeneous catalysis. He approached this challenge from two directions: above and below the material surface. Below the surface, Prof. Tsung synthesized finely controlled nanoparticles, primarily of noble metals and metal oxides, tailoring their composition and surface structure for efficient catalysis. Above the surface, he was among the first to leverage the tunability and stability of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to improve heterogeneous, molecular, and biocatalysts. This article, written by his former students, seeks first to commemorate Prof. Tsung's scientific accomplishments in three parts: (1) rationally designing nanocrystal surfaces to promote catalytic activity; (2) encapsulating nanocrystals in MOFs to improve catalyst selectivity; and (3) tuning the host-guest interaction between MOFs and guest molecules to inhibit catalyst degradation. The subsequent discussion focuses on building on the foundation laid by Prof. Tsung and on his considerable influence on his former group members and collaborators, both inside and outside of the lab.

Acute SARS-CoV-2 infection results in high mortality rates in patients with cancer with patients dying from a combination of virus and inflammation-driven respiratory failure. We conducted a two-arm, single-institution phase II study of N-acetylcysteine in patients admitted to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center with severe COVID-19 from May 2020 to April 2021. A total of 42 patients were treated: 13 patients in arm A (ICU) and 29 patients in arm B (non-ICU). In total, 23% of patients in arm A and 69% of patients in arm B met the predetermined clinical definition of treatment success. Patients meeting a successful primary endpoint were more likely to exhibit decreases in systemic levels of interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein and had both higher proportions of PD-1-expressing effector memory and fewer terminally differentiated CD8+ T-cells. These results suggest that many patients with cancer and severe COVID-19 experience clinical and immunologic improvement with N-acetylcysteine therapy.

Metal–organic framework (MOF)–polymer hybrid materials have been investigated for use in personal protective equipment (PPE) for combating chemical threats. However, few of these composite material...

Mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) composed of a metal-organic framework (MOF, UiO-66) and a (poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA) copolymer were synthesized with a range of MOF loadings. The MOF pores...

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have shown promise for the catalytic decomposition of chemical weapons. Finding the best materials for the degradation of nerve agents requires the ability to screen a high number of samples and elucidate the key parameters of effective catalysis. In this work, a high-throughput screening (HTS) method has been developed to evaluate MOFs as catalysts, specifically against the V-class of nerve agents. Over 100 MOFs have been tested using the V-class simulant, O,O-diethyl S-phenyl phosphorothioate (DEPPT), revealing good activity for some UiO-66 derivatives. A medium-throughput hydrolysis assay for the nerve agent O-ethyl S-[2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl]methylphosphonothioate (VX) was also performed using six MOFs selected from HTS and was validated by 31P NMR. The results demonstrated that the DEPPT-based assay is a good indicator of V-series agent reactivity and should be considered in addition to the common (4-nitrophenyl)phosphate (DMNP) assay that is used for G-series agents.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are inherently crystalline, brittle porous solids. Conversely, polymers are flexible, malleable, and processable solids that are used for a broad range of commonly used technologies. The stark differences between the nature of MOFs and polymers has motivated efforts to hybridize crystalline MOFs and flexible polymers to produce composites that retain the desired properties of these disparate materials. Importantly, studies have shown that MOFs can be used to influence polymer structure, and polymers can be used to modulate MOF growth and characteristics. In this Review, we highlight the development and recent advances in the synthesis of MOF-polymer mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) and applications of these MMMs in gas and liquid separations and purifications, including aqueous applications such as dye removal, toxic heavy metal sequestration, and desalination. Other elegant ways of synthesizing MOF-polymer hybrid materials, such as grafting polymers to and from MOFs, polymerization of polymers within MOFs, using polymers to template MOFs, and the bottom-up synthesis of polyMOFs and polyMOPs are also discussed. This review highlights recent papers in the advancement of MOF-polymer hybrid materials, as well as seminal reports that significantly advanced the field.

PURPOSE: The double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled phase III iNNOVATE study showed sustained efficacy of ibrutinib-rituximab in Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM). Here, we present the final analysis from iNNOVATE. METHODS: Patients had confirmed symptomatic WM, either previously untreated or previously treated; patients with prior rituximab had at least a minor response to their last rituximab-based regimen. Patients were randomly assigned to once-daily ibrutinib 420 mg plus rituximab or placebo plus rituximab (n = 75 per arm). The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary end points included response rate, time to next treatment, hemoglobin improvement, overall survival, and safety. RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 50 (range, 0.5-63) months, median (95% CI) PFS was not reached (57.7 months to not evaluable) with ibrutinib-rituximab versus 20.3 months (13.0 to 27.6) with placebo-rituximab (hazard ratio, 0.250; P < .0001). PFS benefit was regardless of prior treatment status, MYD88 and CXCR4 mutation status, or key patient characteristics. Higher response rates (partial response or better) were observed with ibrutinib-rituximab (76% v 31% with placebo-rituximab; P < .0001) and were sustained over time. Median time to next treatment was not reached with ibrutinib-rituximab versus 18 months with placebo-rituximab. More patients receiving ibrutinib-rituximab versus placebo-rituximab had sustained hemoglobin improvement (77% v 43%; P < .0001). Median overall survival was not reached in either arm. Ibrutinib-rituximab maintained a manageable safety profile; the prevalence of grade ≥ 3 adverse events of clinical interest generally decreased over time. CONCLUSION: In the final analysis of iNNOVATE with a median follow-up of 50 months, ibrutinib-rituximab showed ongoing superiority across clinical outcomes in patients with WM regardless of MYD88 or CXCR4 mutation status, prior treatment, and key patient characteristics.

Hybridization of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and polymers into composites yields materials that display the exceptional properties of MOFs with the robustness of polymers. However, the realization of MOF-polymer composites requires efficient dispersion and interactions of MOF particles with polymer matrices, which remains a significant challenge. Herein, we report a simple, scalable, bench-top approach to covalently tethered nylon-MOF polymer composite materials through an interfacial polymerization technique. The copolymerization of a modified UiO-66-NH2 MOF with a growing polyamide fiber (PA-66) during an interfacial polymerization gave hybrid materials with up to around 29 weight percent MOF. The covalent hybrid material demonstrated nearly an order of magnitude higher catalytic activity for the breakdown of a chemical warfare simulant (dimethyl-4-nitrophenyl phosphate, DMNP) compared to MOFs that are non-covalently, physically entrapped in nylon, thus highlighting the importance of MOF-polymer hybridization.

A library of 26 mixed ligand UiO-66 analogs was synthesized, characterized, and screened for catalytic degradation of the chemical warfare agent (CWA) simulant dimethyl 4-nitrophenylphosphate (DMNP). The MOFs were screened and compared to physical mixtures of the same single component MOFs. Several of the MOFs display higher catalytic activity than the parent UiO-66 and other single ligand UiO-66 analogues.

Herein, a series of halogenated UiO-66 derivatives was synthesized and analyzed for the breakdown of the chemical warfare agent simulant dimethyl-4-nitrophenyl phosphate (DMNP) to analyze ligand effects. UiO-66-I degrades DMNP at a rate four times faster than the most active previously reported MOFs. MOF defects were quantified and ruled out as a cause for increased activity. Theoretical calculations suggest the enhanced activity of UiO-66-I originates from halogen bonding of the iodine atom to the phosphoester linkage allowing for more rapid hydrolysis of the P-O bond.

A survey on Anisakis simplex (sensu stricto (s.s.)) from blue whiting, Micromesistius poutassou, in the north-eastern Atlantic Ocean revealed the occurrence of high infection levels of third larval stages in visceral organs and flesh. Larvae were genetically identified with a multilocus approach as A. simplex (s.s.). Histochemical, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural observations were conducted on 30 M. poutassou specimens. Gonads, pyloric caeca and flesh harboured encapsulated larvae of A. simplex (s.s.) but no intense host reaction was encountered around the parasite in the above organs. In the liver, the most infected organ, the larvae co-occurred with the coccidian Goussia sp. Within the granuloma around the A. simplex (s.s.) larvae, two concentric layers were recognized, an inner mostly comprising electron-dense epithelioid cells and an outer layer made of less electron-dense epithelioid cells. Macrophages and macrophage aggregates (MAs) were abundant out of the granulomas, scattered in parenchyma, and inside the MAs, the presence of engulfed Goussia sp. was frequent. In liver tissue co-infected with Goussia sp. and A. simplex (s.s.), hepatocytes showed cytoplasmic rarefaction and acute cell swelling. Results suggest that the host-induced encapsulation of A. simplex (s.s.) larvae is a strategic compromise to minimize collateral tissue damage around the larval infection sites, to facilitate the survival of both parasite and host.

Fusion Fission Hybrid Systems (FFHS) could have a potential role in the management of fission reactor wastes, with (in principle) some advantage over the comparable Accelerator Driven systems, devoted to the same objective. The validation of the concept poses major challenges in the area of fusion “source” development. However, the physics of the multiplying and transmutation blanket has also to be carefully understood and validated. Simple experiments can be envisaged for that purpose. Some of these experiments have already been performed in a different research framework (i.e. validation of the ADS concepts) and could constitute a very first database. Moreover, a new series of similar experiments could be planned.

The bilateral cooperation between the Institute for Polymer, Composite and Biomaterials IPCB-CNR and the Accademia Aeronautica di Pozzuoli was founded in 2021 with ambitious expectations and development relating to the innovating projects of the new "Training Units Drones Academy Research Team" (DART) and "Academy Space Team for Research and Aerospace studies" (ASTRA). The DART Training Unit is working on the projects Black Ops and Italo: the former projects aims to develop a quadcopter drone to constitute a situational awareness increaser for the tactical operations of the Airforce Raiders, while the second one focuses on the development of the opportunity to develop a fixed-wing drone which is able to autonomously circumnavigate the globe at tropospheric height by 2025.

A high-throughput screening (HTS) method was devised to increase the rate of discovery and evaluation of nerve agent degradation catalysts. Using this HTS method, >90 solid state materials, predominantly metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), were analyzed for their ability to hydrolyze the nerve agent simulant methyl paraoxon at two pH values (8.0 and 10.0).

Fine powders composed of tellurium grains of average size less than 10 nm were produced by dry vibration milling combined with liquid-phase sedimentation techniques, starting from polycrystalline powders with average grain diameter of ca. 30 μm. A novel nanocomposite material was obtained by binding the nanosized tellurium grains with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), using a solvent mediated method. The morphological, structural and electrical properties of Te/PMMA nanocomposite films were investigated. The Raman spectroscopy points out that the prepared material was composed of Te and TeO2 crystalline phases. Infrared spectroscopy analysis indicates that the milled powder contained an increased amount of tellurium oxide as compared to the “as received” powder. The electrical properties of the films were studied in dark condition and under white light illumination turning on and off the light cyclically. Te/PMMA nanocomposite films show a linear behavior of the photocurrent under white light illumination varying the optical power density of about three order of magnitude (2-1,608 mW/cm2). The observed photoconductivity properties [1-3] make the fabricated Te/PMMA material exploitable for plastic electronic applications [4].

An advantageous micromechanical technique to deposit large area graphene nanoplatelet (GNP) thin films on a low-density polyethylene substrate is proposed. This method, based on the application of shear-stress and friction forces to a graphite platelets/ethanol paste on the surface of a polymeric substrate, allows to obtain films of overlapped nanoplatelets mainly made of 13-30 graphene layers. X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements support the occurrence of a partial exfoliation of the graphite platelets due to shear-stress and friction forces applied during film formation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations point out that the surface of the polymer is uniformly coated by GNP unities, and the TEM analysis reveals the tendency of the nanoplatelets to align parallel to the interfacial plane. It has been found that the deposited samples, under white light illumination, exhibit a negative photoconductivity and a linear photoresponse as a function of the applied voltage and the optical power density in the -120÷120 mV and 20.9÷286.2 mWcm-2 ranges, respectively. These structural and electrical characteristics will be compared to those of LDPE films coated with thin layers deposited by spraying a commercial graphite-based product.

Recently, carbon nano-rods (CNRs) have been investigated for potential applications as support for catalytic metal nanoparticles, in gas storage, electrochemical energy storage, etc. [1]. The CNRs consist of stacked graphene sheets with aspect ratios ranging from 3 to 5 and their functional properties arise from quantum-confinement and surface effects [1]. These materials have been produced by different techniques, like for example arc discharge, plasma torch, CVD, nanocasting, etc. [1]. In this work, CNRs have been obtained as byproduct of the graphene synthesis made by thermal reduction of graphite oxide (GO), using microwave heating [2]. In particular, water solutions of GO have been synthetized according to the Hummers method and dried to give GO paper. This solid material has been dissolved in N-methyl-2-pyrrolydone (NMP) by a prolonged ultrasound treatment and the achieved GO/NMP solution has been heated to the solvent boiling point (202°C) in a microwave oven. In a few minutes the solution turned into a black graphene/NMP suspension and by a filtering procedure a graphite/NMP gel and a reddish CNRs/NMP solution have been obtained. The CNRs have been recovered by solvent removal and purified by washing with ethanol. The purified product has been morphologically characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). According to the TEM micrographs shown in Figure 1, CNRs have length of several hundred nanometers (300-600 nm) and height less than 100 nm. The excitation-emission properties of these nanostructures were investigated by florescence spectroscopy.

New spectra from the FINUDA experiment of the Non Mesonic Weak Decay (NMWD) proton kinetic energy for 9(Lambda)Be, 11(Lambda)B, 12(Lambda)C, 13(Lambda)C, 15 (Lambda)N and 16(Lambda)O are presented and discussed along with the published data on 5(Lambda)He and 7(Lambda)Li. Exploiting the large mass number range and the low energy threshold (15 MeV) for the proton detection of FINUDA, an evaluation of both Final State Interactions (FSI) and the two nucleon induced NMWD contributions to the decay process has been done. Based on this evaluation, a linear dependence of FSI on the hypernuclear mass number A is found and for the two nucleon stimulated decay rate the experimental value of Gamma2/Gammap=0.43+-0.25 is determined for the first time. A value for the two nucleon stimulated decay rate to the total decay rate Gamma2/GammaNMWD=0.24+-0.10 is also extracted., 11 pages and 2 figures

This communication presents the main results about the design and in-house fabrication of a new solid-state neutron detector, which produces a DC output signal proportional to the thermal neutron fluence rate. The detector has been developed within the framework of the 3-y project NESCOFI@BTF of INFN (CSN V). Due to its sensitivity, photon rejection, low cost and minimum size, this device is suited to be used in moderator-based spectrometers.

FINUDA is the hypernuclear physics experiment carried out at DAΦNE, the e+e- ϕ-factory of the INFN Frascati Laboratory. The aim of the experiment is to study simultaneously the formation and decay of hypernuclei produced by the strangeness exchange reaction induced by the stopped K- coming from the decay of the ϕ(1020) mesons. This paper presents the first preliminary results concerning spectrometer performances, hypernuclear formation and decay from the first FINUDA data set.

Displaced fractures of the proximal medial femur in elderly patients with high functional demands are treated with the implantation of a hip replacement. The double articulation cup was used in prosthetic instability, regardless of the causes of instability, with good results. We have treated 539 consecutive patients from 2006 to 2012. The double articulation cup has proven effective in reducing the incidence of dislocations.

The small molecule Nutlin-3 is a potent antagonist of the murine double minute 2 (MDM2)/p53 interaction exhibiting promising therapeutic anti-cancer activity. Nutlin-3 has been proposed as an anti-neoplastic agent for the treatment of onco-hematological diseases characterized by a lower incidence of p53 mutation with respect to solid tumors. Indeed, based on its selective non-genotoxic p53 activation, Nutlin-3 might represent an alternative to the current cytotoxic chemotherapy. To overcome the poor bioavailability of Nutlin-3, we have assessed the potential efficacy of Nutlin-3 loaded poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NP) against hematological malignancies. To test the specificity of the anti-leukemic activity, we have used leukemic cell lines characterized by different p53 status (JVM-2 and BJAB). NP loaded with Nutlin-3 (NP-Nutlin) were rapidly taken up by the leukemic cells and were as effective as native Nutlin-3 in promoting both induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in p53 wild-type JVM-2 cells, but not in p53 mutated BJAB cells. Moreover, injection of NP-Nutlin, but not of free Nutlin-3, in a JVM-2-derived xenograft mouse model, reduced the subcutaneous tumor volume and promoted induction of apoptosis in the tumor mass. Overall, the chemical and structural characteristics of the NP-Nutlin-3, as well as their biological activity in vitro and in vivo, made them promising for further preclinical evaluations as potentially useful anti-leukemic carriers.

Non-aggregated lamellar gold crystals with regular shape (triangles, squares, pentagons, etc.) have been produced by thermal decomposition of gold chloride (AuCl) molecules in molten amorphous polymers (polystyrene and poly(methyl methacrylate)). Such covalent inorganic gold salt is high soluble into non-polar polymers and it thermally decomposes at temperatures compatible with the polymer thermal stability, producing gold atoms and chlorine radicals. At the end of the gold precipitation process, the polymer matrix resulted chemically modified because of the partial cross-linking process due to the gold atom formation reaction.

Exfoliated graphite oxide embedded into a polysiloxane matrix can be simply obtained by sonochemical approach. These nanocomposites show an electrical conductivity depending on the applied stress and have most of crucial characteristics of an electrical pressure transducer (absence of electrical hysteresis, prompt resistivity variation, etc.). The highest sensitivity for these electrical devices is obtained with exfoliated graphene oxide concentration just a little inferior to the percolation threshold (that is, 5.5wt.% of graphene).

Very small Cu2S nanoparticles have been generated inside an amorphous polystyrene matrix by thermal decomposition of Cu(I) mercaptide molecules dissolved in the polymer. The resulting nanocomposite material was transparent, yellow colored, and characterized by a quite strong red luminescence. In particular, the sample photoluminescence (PL) spectrum showed three excitation wavelengths and a quite broad emission band resulting from the combination of band-edge and trap-state emission. However, luminescence was not stable over the time and a quenching phenomenon was observed after a time period of ca. three months.

An atypical potassium feldspar deposit of real economic potential has been found at Arcu de su Bentu, Southern Sardinia, Italy. The massive mineralization occurs in the Middle Ordovician Porphyroids' metavolcanic complex, which consists of dominant metarhyolite and minor metarhyodacite lavas and/or ignimbritic flows, erupted in a sub-aerial environment. During Variscan orogenesis, the mineralized area was affected by low-grade (anchizone to greenschist facies) metamorphism. The deposit generally shows uniform macroscopic textural features over the entire outcrop, the significant presence of K-feldspar (sanidine) and quartz megacrystals, the latter being generally smaller than the former. Mafic minerals do not occur in significant proportions although minor amounts of biotite and muscovite occur locally. Besides the uncommon lithological type, the typical feature of this deposit is the unusual coarseness (10 to 20 cm in diameter) of the potassium feldspar crystals. The favourable geomorphological conditions of the area, high K2O contents (6 to 8 wt.%), high proportion of K-feldspar in the mineralized rock (35 to 51 vol.%), and large reserves (estimated at 4,368,000 t in just one restricted part of the deposit), are all favourable conditions for future economic exploitation. In spite of this, mineralogical and chemical impurities may adversely affect the possible use of K-feldspar from Arcu de su Bentu in some conventional applications (e.g., manufacture of high-quality products such as ceramics). To assess the real future economic development of the deposit, market-specific beneficiation is required, although it is important to note that the bulk raw materials, even if they have a lower market value, could be still be targeted to specific industrial sectors (e.g., red gres).

Novel data from the [Formula: see text] absorption reaction in light nuclei are presented. The data were collected by the FINUDA spectrometer running at the DAΦNE ϕ-facility, Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati (LNF), Italy.

At the ENEA TRIGA research reactor (Casaccia Research Center, Rome) a new neutron collimator has been designed and installed at the neutron tangential channel. This collimator, that is part of a neutron/X-ray facility for NDT analysis, was experimentally characterized and optimized in terms of thermal neutron fluence rate, spatial/energetic distribution, photon air KERMA and effective beam diameter. This paper shows the methodologies and the results of the experimental analysis that were carried out.

Experimental characterizations of scintillation detectors timing performance of the internal (TOFINO) and external (TOFONE) scintillator barrels used in FINUDA experiment are presented. The measurements take advantage of detecting synchronous particle pairs produced in the reactions, namely e + e - pairs from Bhabha collisions between the primary beams and K + K - pairs from φ (1020) decay. The method used for synchronizing the multiple detectors constituting the scintillator barrels is also described as being carried out in two steps: a rough one online by the injection of laser light pulses flashing the scintillators all together, and a fine one offline exploiting the timing features of e + e - and K + K - pairs.

The results of a measurement of the proton spectra following the non-mesonic weak decay of 5ΛHe, 7ΛLi and 12ΛC are presented and discussed. The experiment was performed at the ( e + e − ) collider DAΦNE at Laboratori Nazionale di Frascati of INFN. It is the first measurement for 7ΛLi, and for all the spectra the lower limit on the energy of the protons is 15 MeV, never reached before. All the spectra show a similar shape, namely a peak at around 80 MeV as expected for the free Λ p → n p weak reaction, with a low energy rise that should be due to final state interactions and/or two-nucleon induced weak processes. The decay spectrum of 5ΛHe is somehow similar to the ones reported by previous measurements and theoretical calculations, but the same does not happen for the 12ΛC one.

Correlated Λd pairs emitted after the absorption of negative kaons at rest K stop − A → Λ d A ′ in light nuclei 6Li and 12C are studied. Λ-hyperons and deuterons are found to be preferentially emitted in opposite directions. The Λd invariant mass spectrum of 6Li shows a bump whose mass is 3251 ± 6 MeV / c 2 . The bump mass (binding energy), width and yield are reported. The appearance of a bump is discussed in the realm of the [ K ¯ 3 N ] clustering process in nuclei. The experiment was performed with the FINUDA spectrometer at DAΦNE (LNF).

The FINUDA experiment studies the Λ-hypernuclei formation and decay using the reaction (K stop − , π−) induced by the low-momentum K − from the deacy of the φ-meson produced at the (e +, e−) collider DAφNE at the Laboratory Nazionali di Frascati of INFN. In this paper we present new data on the proton spectra following the weak decay of Λ 12 C.

The inelastic charge exchange reaction ( K + , K 0 ) on 7Li has been experimentally investigated close to threshold with the FINUDA spectrometer at the e + e − collider DAΦNE by searching for K S 0 decays. It is the first time that this process has been studied at such low momentum. An upper limit of 2.0 mb (at 95% confidence level) has been measured for the total cross section.

In the framework of NESCOFI@BTF and NEURAPID projects, active thermal neutron detectors were manufactured by depositing appropriate thickness of 6LiF on commercially available windowless p-i-n diodes. Detectors with different radiator thickness, ranging from 5 to 62 μm, were manufactured by evaporation-based deposition technique and exposed to known values of thermal neutron fluence in two thermal neutron facilities exhibiting different irradiation geometries. The following properties of the detector response were investigated and presented in this work: thickness dependence, impact of parasitic effects (photons and epithermal neutrons), linearity, isotropy, and radiation damage following exposure to large fluence (in the order of 1012 cm-2). © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Sardinian medieval monuments are mainly made up by volcanic rocks (pyroclastics/ignimbrites), minor granitoids and sedimentary rocks that show a more or less significant chemical-physical alteration. Mineral-petrographic features, physical properties related to petrogenetic processes, as well as manufacturing, strongly influence type and intensity of stone-decay. The granitoids show an alteration degree less than the other rock-types, due to low porosity (70%), and physical features (higher porosity, 20-45%) due to a variable welding degree. Chemical alteration is not always evident since is more slow than the physical degradation (with macroscopic forms of pitting, exfoliation, alveolation). The low porosity (25%) generally show an advanced stages of decay, giving rise to physical macroscopic forms similar to those of the pyroclastic rocks. The chemical alteration preferentially acts on the carbonatic cement. The paper makes a contribution to the preservation of Sardinian monuments, suggesting a new approach to define the different alteration-types of rocks in relation with their local exposure to the weather alteration phenomena. In particular, data on i) the changes of physical properties on surface of stone (porosity, water absorption, micro-morphology), acquired by laboratory tests and photogrammetry observations, ii) the newly-formed phases observed at the ashlars' surface (e.g., secondary minerals, soluble salts), by mineral (XRD) and chemical (XRF) investigations, will be reported and discussed.

A simple and inexpensive method to perform passive thermal neutron imaging on large areas was developed on the basis of XRQA2 GAFCHROMIC films, commonly employed for quality assurance in radiology. To enhance their thermal neutron response, the sensitive face of film was coupled with a 1 mm thick cadmium radiator, forming a sandwich. By exchanging the order of Cd filter and sensitive film with respect to the incident neutron beam direction, two different configurations (beam-Cd-film and beam-film-Cd) were identified. These configurations were tested at thermal neutrons fluence values in the range 109-1010 cm-2, using the ex-core radial thermal neutron column of the ENEA Casaccia - TRIGA reactor. The results are presented in this work. © 2015 Elsevier B.V.

Four representative paleosols in the Plio-Pleistocene alluvial fan of the River Tirso (Central-Western Sardinia, Italy) were studied for paleoenvironmental information, to describe the sedimentology of the alluvial fan, and to define a relative chronological framework for the fan. The representative depositional units and associated paleosols were characterised by fieldwork, physical, chemical, and mineralogical analyses. Pedogenesis was mostly driven by the time and climate factors. In the proximal fan location, pedogenesis was initially influenced by a warm subtropical-tropical climate of the Late Pliocene and subsequently by warm and humid interglacial phases of the Pleistocene. These phases were also responsible for soil formation in the middle fan. In the distal reaches of the fan, pedogenesis was driven by the different climatic pulses of the Late Pleistocene Tyrrhenian interglacial (MIS 5). Pleistocene eustatic sea level changes directly influenced the lowest elevations of the middle fan and the distal fan. Erosion and soil truncation mainly occurred in the proximal fan and at the highest elevations of the middle fan during glacial phases.

The production of neutron rich Λ-hypernuclei via the ( K stop − , π + ) reaction has been studied using data collected with the FINUDA spectrometer at the DAΦNE ϕ-factory (LNF). The analysis of the inclusive π + momentum spectra is presented and an upper limit for the production of H Λ 6 and H Λ 7 from 6Li and 7Li, is assessed for the first time.

A multidisciplinary study attempting to improve estimation of clay deposit potential was performed using geological–geophysical techniques at Piscina Collusco, S Sardinia, Italy, a test area where a bentonite deposit outcrops. The Very Low Frequency (VLF) Electromagnetic (EM) method, a cost-effective method suitable for detecting lateral electrically resistive host rock/electrically conductive clay deposit contacts, was applied. Geophysical investigation yielded information on the lateral and in-depth continuity of the mineralisation, e.g., geometric features, strike and dip of the mineral body, and the geological–structural features of the area. Test drilling, carried out to calibrate geophysical data, confirmed that the high-conductivity zones are related to the presence of bentonite and that the clay mineral body is developed at depth. Data integration showed that higher-conductivity values are related to the highest clay contents. Results show that this multidisciplinary approach improves resource estimation at minimum cost, and can be successfully used in mineral exploration in similar geological contexts. This could play an important role in assessing the economic potential of new industrial mineral deposits, and/or in optimising mining in active quarries. Following the interpretation of the integrated data in this case study, resources initially evaluated at 394,000 t, were found to be in the order of 3,786,000 t.

A-hypenuclei are produced and studied, with the FINUDA spectrometer, for the first time at an e(+)e(-) collider: DA Phi NE, the Frascati phi-factory. The slow negative kaons from phi(1020) decay are stopped in thin (0.2 g/cm(2)) nuclear targets, and A-hypemuclei formation is detected by measuring the momentum of the outgoing pi(-). A preliminary analysis on C-12(Lambda) shows X an energy resolution of 1.29 MeV FWHM on the hypernuclear levels, the best obtained so far with magnetic spectrometers at hadron facilities. Capture rates for the ground state and the excited ones are reported, and compared with previous experiments. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved