Search results for "Beni culturali"

TRANS-CRANIAL MRI-GUIDED FOCUSED ULTRASOUND SURGERY (TCMRGFUS): ITALIAN AND WORLD-FIRST EXPERIENCE AT 1.5 TESLA

2016

Introduction: Transcranial magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound surgery (tcMRgFUS) is a promising new technology for the noninvasive treatment of various brain disorders. Here, we present our preliminary results achieved with the first Italian installation of a transcranial MRI-guided focused ultrasound surgery (tcMRgFUS) certified system for functional neurosurgery. Technical issues faced to achieve a safe and effective treatment will be discussed focusing on MR high-resolution live imaging and thermometry sequences optimization. Materials and Methods: Patient enrollment was based on indication for functional neurosurgery and evidence of medication-refractory disease; a detailed me…

GEL DOSIMETERS FOR RADIOTHERAPY APPLICATIONS: RESULTS OF A “RESEARCH PROJECT OF NATIONAL INTEREST” (PRIN)

2016

Introduction: Gel dosimeters for three-dimensional mapping of radiotherapy doses were introduced at Yale University in the mid-1980’s. Soon after, research and development in this field also started in Italy. Early work was done at the Istituto Superiore di Sanità and at the Universities of Pisa and Milan. Several institutes now collaborate on this topic with the goal of developing new formulations of hydrogel matrices with improved characteristics of stability, sensitivity and spatial resolution compared to those of earlier Fricke-gel and polymer-gel systems. Materials and methods: Contrary to earlier gels based on natural gelling agents, such as porcine skin gelatin and/or agarose, which …

Application of remote experiments in a secondary school using MOOC approach

2017

This paper presents first attempt to incorporate remote and virtual experiments in MOOC environment for the secondary school instruction. In case study the VISIR+ remote experiment of the WebLab-Deusto was used. The basic topic of physics “Resistors in series” was suggested for the mentioned above experiment. The open edX platform was employed to build the MOOC for the school lesson — we named it ‘micro-MOOC’. The results could be helpful for secondary school sector representatives, education instructors, parents and policy makers to respond to current and future education needs.

Release of phosphorus under reducing and simulated open drainage conditions from overfertilised soils

2014

Does removal of cations from soil solution during soil reduction stimulate phosphorus (P) release? An ion-exchange resin system was employed to provide a sink during the incubation of twelve soils under fully reducing conditions. This experimental design was considered to better simulate the loss of ions likely to occur under field conditions than more routine batch type closed extraction systems where solutes build-up in the extract solution. The small solute concentrations that remain in the equilibrating solution suggest the mixed resin system acted as an effective sink over the whole experimental period. By maintaining a small P concentration the resin system mimics soil drainage condit…

The distribution of phthalate esters in indoor dust of Palermo (Italy).

2013

In this work, phthalic acid esters (PAEs): dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-n-butyl phthalate, benzyl butyl phthalate, bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, and di-n-octyl phthalate in indoor dust (used as passive sampler) were investigated. The settled dust samples were collected from thirteen indoor environments from Palermo city. A fast and simple method using Soxhlet and GC–MS analysis has been optimized to identify and quantify the phthalates. Total phthalates concentrations in indoor dusts ranged from 269 to 4,831 mg/kg d.w. (d.w. = dry weight). The data show a linear correlation between total PAEs concentration and a single compound content, with the exclusion of the two …

Fractionation of mercury in sediments during draining of Augusta (Italy) coastal area by modified Tessier method

2013

Abstract A modified Tessier method was applied to sediments dredged from Augusta (Italy) coastal area with the purpose of establishing the amount and the forms in which mercury is present in the different sediment fractions. The mercury fractionation was made by measuring the concentration of the metal ion on the solutions and directly on the sediment fractions obtained by sequential extraction. The measurements on the solutions as well as that on the solid fractions were carried out by using a Direct Mercury Analyser, DMA 80. This new instrument does not require sample preparation, and gives results comparable to those obtained with CV-AAS and ICP-MS and few minutes are necessary for each …

Dispositivo per estrarre e purificare analiti da una matrice

2013

A 2D-FEM Model of Nonlinear Ultrasound Propagation in Trans-cranial MRgFUS Technique

2022

Magnetic Resonance guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS) is a non-invasive technique based on the thermal ablation of a target using high intensity focused ultrasound. MRgFUS treatment applied to brain is challenging due to the skull presence that attenuates ultrasound, leading to heating effects in bone region. In this study, we simulate trans-cranial nonlinear ultrasound propagation considering the detailed structure of bone tissue. We developed a 2D Finite Element (FE) model that mimics the propagation of focused ultrasound through skin, skull and brain tissue. The skull is represented as a three-layered system with two cortical tables packing a layer of trabecular bone. We assume that the …

Mammogram Segmentation by Contour Searching and Mass Lesions Classification with Neural Network

2006

The mammography is the most effective procedure for an early diagnosis of the breast cancer. In this paper, an algorithm for detecting masses in mammographic images will be presented. The database consists of 3762 digital images acquired in several hospitals belonging to the MAGIC-5 collaboration (Medical Applications on a Grid Infrastructure Connection). A reduction of the whole image's area under investigation is achieved through a segmentation process, by means of a ROI Hunter algorithm, without loss of meaningful information. In the following classification step, feature extraction plays a fundamental role: some features give geometrical information, other ones provide shape parameters.…

First Characterization of Novel Silicon Carbide Detectors with Ultra-High Dose Rate Electron Beams for FLASH Radiotherapy

2023

Ultra-high dose rate (UHDR) beams for FLASH radiotherapy present significant dosimetric challenges. Although novel approaches for decreasing or correcting ion recombination in ionization chambers are being proposed, applicability of ionimetric dosimetry to UHDR beams is still under investigation. Solid-state sensors have been recently investigated as a valuable alternative for real-time measurements, especially for relative dosimetry and beam monitoring. Among them, Silicon Carbide (SiC) represents a very promising candidate, compromising between the maturity of Silicon and the robustness of diamond. Its features allow for large area sensors and high electric fields, required to avoid ion r…