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Objective: A study analyzing perioperative outcomes related to a sudden switch from 3D to 2D-4K technology for laparoscopic sacral colpopexy by expert pelvic surgeons: are we addicted to technology? Material and methods: After a sudden transition from 3D to 2D-4K laparoscopic technology, a total of 115 consecutive pelvic prolapse patients who underwent sacral colpopexy from June 2020 to September 2021 were retrospectively assessed from our database. Perioperative parameters, operative times (OT), and intraoperative difficulty scales were assessed. One-year follow-ups were analyzed for the study. Primary endpoints were OT; secondary endpoint was the evaluation of complications linked to this procedure. Results: We found statistical differences in OT and intraoperative difficulty scales between medians of the last 3D procedures and the first ten 2D-4K surgeries, without differences between operators. Only after more than 20 surgeries, we observed no significant differences between 3D and 2D-4K sacral colpopexy. We observed no statistical differences in terms of anatomic failure, PGI-I, and intra-postoperative complications. Conclusion: The transition of urogynecology from an exclusive vaginal approach to 2D-3D-4K laparoscopy significantly increased the level of technology necessary for surgical treatment of prolapse. This could, as a result, lead to pelvic surgeons becoming increasingly dependent on technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The radiation hardness, the chemical resistance, and the capabilities to operate at high temperature conditions make diamond detectors a good option for carrying out fast neutron measurements on fusion plasma experiments or facilities using accelerator-driven neutron sources. A correct energy calibration of pulse-height spectra acquired through diamond detectors allows to perform fast neutron spectrometry. As a general rule, energy calibration of diamond detectors is performed using an alpha source, e.g. 239Pu, 241Am, 244Cm, whose characteristic emission energies are in the range from 5 to 6 MeV. Calibration at higher energies, such as those related to charged particles (about 8.4 MeV) produced by the 12C(n,alpha)9Be induced by fast neutrons coming from D-T fusion reaction, is traditionally extrapolated with the hypothesis of linearity for the energy calibration curve. In this work an evaluation of the diamond detector energy calibration based on alpha source emissions is performed at higher energies by means of a compact D-T neutron generator, able to produce neutrons within a broad energy range, by changing the accelerator voltage and the neutron emission angle. A relative deviation less than 2% between experimental and theoretical energies was observed, showing that the energy calibration through alpha sources could be still valid for fast neutrons coming from D-T fusion reactions.

In decommissioning of nuclear facilities the presence of activated steel requires the determination, along with other radionuclides, of 55Fe and 63Ni. These can be considered as hard-to-measure-radionuclides because of their low energy beta particles or X radiation emitted. Furthermore, those radionuclides are usually mixed with a relevant fraction of non-radioactive Fe and Ni. This implies that, in those cases involving very low radioactive samples close to background activity level, a significant mass of steel sample must be physically and chemically treated and analyzed to achieve the Minimum Detectable activity Concentration (MDC) required by the Authority for clearance purposes. Due to colour quenching the acquisition time is particularly long. Minimizing the colour effect is therefore important for laboratories that must perform many determinations in a reasonable time, achieving the MDC in accordance with the Authority requests. For this reason, the choice of solvent can be an important information to save analyses time. The intensity of the colour quenching is, in fact, strongly dependent on the type of acid used to solubilize the sample before the mixing with the liquid scintillation cocktail. Some types of acid can even increase the phenomenon while others can drastically reduce such an effect. The aim of this work is to offer, through a correlation study between sample concentration in the LSC vial and type of solvent used in dilution, a reliable method for quantifying 63Ni and 55Fe in steel samples with very low activity, close to the background level.

Radiochemistry laboratories and nuclear power plants are required to install aerosol monitors for real-time detection of alpha-particle emitters in air. However, common radioactive aerosol monitors are unsuited for rapid emergency response, since they are neither portable nor easily deployable. Moreover, their spectrometric capabilities are usually limited, showing particularly poor performance of radioisotope identification, which makes it difficult to correctly assess the alpha-emitter concentration in air. We developed a rugged and compact radioactive aerosol monitor, fully battery powered, which can be quickly deployed in field, as well as used as a fixed station for routine monitoring. The monitor is equipped with a silicon detector, and the acquired alpha-particle spectra are analyzed employing a patented linear deconvolution algorithm. A prototype of this device was tested to evaluate its performance of radioisotope identification by using artificial alpha-emitters. Initial encouraging tests provide evidence for alpha-emitters identification with multi-line mixed-isotope alpha sources, and in energy-degraded low-countingstatistics conditions.

Cementitious materials are the most abundant building materials even nowadays. Similarly, in the nuclear industry, concrete is the most used material for the confinement of radioactive waste, it has favorable properties, both chemical and physical, making it a desirable matrix for the encapsulation of radioactive and toxic wastes. Cemented wastes are preferred for the storage of a large varieties of fission products, such as low and intermediate level radioactive waste e.g., β—emitter 90Sr. Anyway, because of the intrinsic fragility of ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) a lot of efforts have been spent to enhance his mechanical resistance. Graphene Oxide (GO) represent an opportunity to overcome this problem. In fact, there is much evidence that GO can influence the toughness and the strength of the cement composites by regulating the morphology of the cement hydration products. 90Sr, the main strontium isotope in radioactive waste, is a by-product of the fission of uranium and plutonium in nuclear reactors. In this study we investigate the effects of strontium on mechanical properties of cement (OPC) and GO-reinforced cement. Different samples have been prepared with fixed concentration of GO. It has been observed that small quantities of GO, significantly [1] increases the compression strength of cement composites. The addition of Sr (65.0, 67.6 and 70.2 ppm) resulted in an increase of the compressive strength of 6.78%, 3.02% and 0.70% for those samples respectively, in comparison to OPC. Compression strength in samples of OPC with GO remained quite constant even in presence of Sr.

Current radiological characterization protocols applied in nuclear installations provide a valuable set of information used to assess level and distribution of radioactivity, which is a crucial information in the plant management. Nevertheless, typical routines may present limitations that novel technologies can alleviate. In this work, a new-generation 3D pixelated CdZnTe gamma imaging and spectrometer detector has been used at TRIGA RC-1 Research Reactor in ENEA Casaccia Research Centre to assess its performances in several possible tasks and effectively understand this technology readiness. In particular, three possible tasks have been considered: survey of potentially contaminated area (with determination of known and unknown hot spots), source identification and localization (including neutron sources via their gamma emissions), and quantification of isotope-specific activities in generic components thanks to the point-kernel-based algorithm the system is equipped with. The experience has demonstrated the capability to achieve reliable results in these tasks, with consequences that could impact not only the current characterization protocols but also the way some Nuclear Safeguards and Non-Proliferation operations are performed.

Holoprosencephaly is a complex human brain malformation resulting from incomplete cleavage of the prosencephalon into both hemispheres. Congenital nasal pyriform aperture stenosis (CNPAS) is sometimes found in patients with mild forms of holoprosencephaly. Surgical treatment is required. Low-invasive surgical approaches involve balloon dilation of the pyriform opening. We present the case of an 8-day-old girl diagnosed with holoprosencephaly, CNPAS, and the presence of a solitary median maxillary central incisor. Once examined by neonatologist, geneticist, pneumologist, otolaryngologist, and pediatric dentist, a combined otolaryngological–orthodontic approach was used. The obstruction of the right nasal cavity was treated by widening the nasal cavities and stabilizing them with a balloon dilation technique. After surgery, the respiratory space was increased by applying a neonatal palatal expander plate (NPEP) considering the palatal deformity: ogival shaped, anterior vertex growth direction, reduction of transverse diameters. The NPEP promoted distraction of the median palatine suture and assisted the nasal dilation. Therefore, after the insertion of NPEP, the physiological sucking–swallowing mechanism was activated. In infants with CNPAS, NPEP can be useful to ensure the safe stability of nasal dilation. A multidisciplinary approach is fundamental. In our experience, the close collaboration between an otolaryngologist and orthodontist is essential for the management of the patient with CNPAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]