RadioLab project: knowledge of radon gas in Italy

RadioLab is an Italian project, addressed to school-age people, and designed for the dissemination of scientific culture on the theme of environmental radioactivity, with particular regards to the importance of knowledge of radon gas exposure. The project is a nationwide initiative promoted by the National Institute of Nuclear Physics- INFN. First tool used by the project, and of immediate impact to assess the public awareness on radon, is the administration of the survey "do you know the radon gas?". In the survey, together with the knowledge of radon and of its sources, information on personal, cultural and territorial details regarding the interviewees are also taken. Reasonably, the survey invests not only young people, but also their relatives, school workers and, gradually, the public. The survey is administrated during exhibitions or outreach events devoted to schools, but also open to the public. The survey is in dual form: printed and online. The online mode clearly leads RadioLab project even outside the school environment. Based on the results of the survey, several statistical analyses have been performed and many conclusions are drawn about the knowledge of the population on the radon risk. The RadioLab benefit and the requirement to carry on the project goals, spreading awareness of environmental radioactivity from radon, emerge. The dataset involves all twenty Italian regions and consists of 28,612 entries covering the 5-year period 2018-2022.

Absorbed dose evaluation of a blood irradiator with alanine, TLD-100 and ionization chamber

Irradiation of blood bags using X-ray irradiators and dosimetry services are required to ensure uniform dose levels in the range 25-50 Gy to prevent Transfusion Associated Graft versus Host Disease (TA-GvHD). An absorbed dose characterization of a Raycell MK2 X-Irradiator was performed using three different dosimetric systems. Results showed a dosimetric accuracy of the ionization chamber together with the Alanine dosimeter. TLDs measurements exhibited a small overestimation by 4% of the absorbed dose. The Dose Uniformity Ratio (DUR), between maximum and minimum dose levels in the canister, was in good agreement with the manufacturer specifications (≤1.5).

Search for Lepton Number and Flavor Violation in K^{+} and π^{0} Decays

Searches for the lepton number violating K^{+}→π^{-}μ^{+}e^{+} decay and the lepton flavor violating K^{+}→π^{+}μ^{-}e^{+} and π^{0}→μ^{-}e^{+} decays are reported using data collected by the NA62 experiment at CERN in 2017-2018. No evidence for these decays is found and upper limits of the branching ratios are obtained at 90% confidence level: B(K^{+}→π^{-}μ^{+}e^{+})<4.2×10^{-11}, B(K^{+}→π^{+}μ^{-}e^{+})<6.6×10^{-11} and B(π^{0}→μ^{-}e^{+})<3.2×10^{-10}. These results improve by 1 order of magnitude over previous results for these decay modes.

A new cylindrical borehole detector for radiographic imaging with muons

Muon radiography is a methodology which enables measuring the mass distribution within large objects. It exploits the abundant flux of cosmic muons and uses detectors with different technologies depending on the application. As the sensitive surface and geometric acceptance are two fundamental parameters for increasing the collection of muons, the optimization of the detectors is very significant. Here we show a potentially innovative detector of size and shape suitable to be inserted inside a borehole, that optimizes the sensitive area and maximizes the angular acceptance thanks to its cylindrical geometry obtained using plastic arc-shaped scintillators. Good spatial resolution is obtained with a reasonable number of channels. The dimensions of the detector make it ideal for use in 25 cm diameter wells. Detailed simulations based on Monte Carlo methods show great cavity detection capability. The detector has been tested in the laboratory, achieving overall excellent performance.

Development of radon transport model in different types of dwellings to assess indoor activity concentration

The influence of different building types on the activity concentration of Radon indoor is studied through transport models in soil and building materials. The numerical solutions of the relevant transport equations are solved by the finite differences method (FDM) and used to evaluate the indoor Radon activity concentration. Several boundary conditions are introduced to simulate the Radon entry into the buildings from soils and to assess the Radon activity concentration at the different floors. The types of dwelling investigated differ in the position of the lower floor respect to the ground. Comparisons are made to modeling assessments obtained considering different soil characteristics underneath the building and building materials to simulate indoor Radon activity concentration. These investigations lead to the conclusion that, in addition to the nature of the soil and building materials, the position of lower floor of dwellings plays a significant role in determining the amount of radon entry into residential buildings. This work is effective to assess the health hazards coming from the Radon accumulation in living environments.

STUDY OF 222RN CONTINUOUS MONITORING TIME SERIES AND DOSE ASSESSMENT IN SIX EUROPEAN CAVES

The present work aims to assess the effective doses from long-term continual radon monitoring in six European caves (Slovenia, Slovakia and the Czech Republic), including influencing environmental factors. Caves are important radiation protection subjects because of elevated radon activity concentration (~kBq/m3), mostly due to the low natural ventilation. The sources of radon gas are most often underground rock layers and clastic sediments. The radon activity concentrations show seasonal variations, for which the outside temperature is the main driving force. The human health impact due to the radon inhalation in monitored caves was estimated through the annual effective dose, using the methodology provided by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP Publication 137). The annual effective dose could reach several tens of mSv, depending on the working hours spent in the underground.

ANALYSIS BY SCANNER OF TRACKS PRODUCED BY RADON ALPHA PARTICLES IN CR-39 DETECTORS

The most used passive detectors for Radon measurement are the CR39s, both for the good stability of the material and for the practicality of use. But, commercial reading systems are expensive and not always fast. The aim of the present work was the development of a method for a rapid, efficient and economic evaluation of the result of the indoor Radon measurement performed with CR39 detectors. The analysis and acquisition of detector images were performed using a photo scanner and the free ImageJ software. Several groups of CR-39 detectors were exposed, developed and analysed. Calibration curve was obtained in a wide range of exposure values (200-12 000 kBq·h·m -3) to allow the procedure to be applied in all possible measurement environments. Furthermore, a statistical study was carried out on the shape and size of nuclear tracks after chemical development. The dependence of the track size on Radon exposure was effective in showing the trace saturation effect as well.

Advantages of Damage Control Strategy With Abdominal Negative Pressure and Instillation in Patients With Diffuse Peritonitis From Perforated Diverticular Disease

Purpose. To evaluate the results of Damage Control Strategy (DCS) in the treatment of generalized peritonitis from perforated diverticular disease in patients with preoperative severe systemic diseases. Methods. All the patients with diffuse peritonitis (Hinchey 3 and 4) and the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score ≥3 were included and underwent DCS consisting of a 2-step procedure. The first was peritoneal lavage, perforated colon-stapled resection, and temporary abdominal closure with negative pressure wound therapy combined with instillation. The second step, 48 hours later, included the possibility of restoring intestinal continuity basing on local and general patients' conditions. Results. Thirty patients (18 [60%] women and 12 [40%] men, median age 68.5 [range = 35-84] years) were included (18 [60%] ASA III, 11 [36.7%] ASA IV, and 1 [0.03%] ASA V). Seven patients (23.3%) showed sepsis and 1 (3.33%) septic shock. At second surgery, 24 patients (80%) received a colorectal anastomosis and 6 patients (20%) underwent a Hartmann's procedure. Median hospital stay was 18 days (range = 12-62). Postoperative morbidity rate was 23.3% (7/30) and included 1 anastomotic leak treated with Hartmann's procedure. Consequently, at discharge from hospital, 23 patients (76.6%) were free of stoma. Primary fascial closure was possible in all patients. Conclusions. DCS with temporary abdominal closure by negative pressure wound therapy combined with instillation in patients with diffuse peritonitis from complicated diverticulitis could represent a feasible surgical option both in hemodynamically stable and no stable patients, showing encouraging results including a low stoma rate and an acceptable morbidity rate.

Mathematical and geophysical methods for searching anomalies of the Radon signal related to earthquakes

A detailed analysis of a time-series of the Radon (222Rn) specific activity is carried out to identify anomalies that can be correlated with earthquakes occurrence in the monitored area. New hybrid methods are developed for this purpose and the advantages of each single component method are exploited. These methods are applied to two-years data series recorded continuously in the soils of a site within the seismo-volcanic area of Phlegrean Fields (Naples-Italy). Since the measurement system distinguishes and separately measures the 222Rn and 220Rn, an alternative estimation of the remote fraction of the gas and its anomalies has been also performed using the 220Rn trend. The results of different methods are compared to recognize and to highlight Radon anomalies. Clear relationships have been found between anomalies and earthquakes of local origin and selected according to a specific formula of the earthquake preparation zone. The effectiveness of the methods and the goodness of the results are established by the high values of the cross correlation factors between the anomalies and the occurrence of the earthquakes.

Applications of muon absorption radiography to the fields of archaeology and civil engineering

Muon radiography, also known as muography, is an imaging technique that provides information on the mass density distribution inside large objects. Muons are naturally produced in the interactions of cosmic rays in the Earth's atmosphere. The physical process exploited by muography is the attenuation of the muon flux, that depends on the thickness and density of matter that muons cross in the course of their trajectory. A particle detector with tracking capability allows the measurement of the muons flux as a function of the muon direction. The comparison of the measured muon flux with the expected one gives information on the distribution of the density of matter, in particular, on the presence of cavities. In this article, the measurement performed at Mt. Echia in Naples (Saracino 2017 Sci. Rep. 7, 1181. (doi:10.1038/s41598-017-01277-3)), will be discussed as a practical example of the possible application of muography in archaeology and civil engineering.This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Cosmic-ray muography'.

Volcanoes in Italy and the role of muon radiography

Cosmic-ray muon radiography (muography), an imaging technique that can provide measurements of rock densities within the top few 100 m of a volcanic cone, has now achieved a spatial resolution of the order of 10 m in optimal detection conditions. Muography provides images of the top region of a volcano edifice with a resolution that is considerably better than that typically achieved with other conventional methods (i.e. gravimetric). We expect such precise measurements, to provide us with information on anomalies in the rock density distribution, which can be affected by dense lava conduits, low-density magma supply paths or the compression with the depth of the overlying soil. The MUon RAdiography of VESuvius (MURAVES) project is now in its final phase of construction and deployment. Up to four muon hodoscopes, each with a surface of roughly 1 m², will be installed on the slope of Vesuvius and take data for at least 12 months. We will use the muographic profiles, combined with data from gravimetric and seismic measurement campaigns, to determine the stratigraphy of the lava plug at the bottom of the Vesuvius crater, in order to infer potential eruption pathways. While the MURAVES project unfolds, others are using emulsion detectors on Stromboli to study the lava conduits at the top of the volcano. These measurements are ongoing: they have completed two measurement campaigns and are now performing the first data analysis.This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Cosmic-ray muography'.

The MURAVES project and other parallel activities on muon absorption radiography

The MURAVES (MUon RAdiography of VESuvius) project is a joint activity participated by INGV, INFN and the Universities of Naples “Federico II” and Florence. The collaboration, following the experience gained within the previous INFN R&D project Mu-Ray, is currently completing the production of a robust four square meter low power consumption detector to be installed on the flank of Mount Vesuvius, an active volcano located on the western coast of Italy. The detector is supposed to collect data for at least one year, thus allowing performing a scan of the structure of the Vesuvius volcanic cone. In this work the status of the project and some parallel activities on muon radiography are presented.

Analysis of the factors influencing the outcome of bleeding of the lower digestive tract. A report of 15 consecutives cases

The authors present a series of 15 patients with lower gastrointestinal bleeding. 11 (73%) out of 15 patients, were directly subjected to surgery, and 4 (37%) attempted to stop hemorrhage with angiography. In the group of patients undergoing surgery we had a mortality of 1 out of 12 (8%). In the group of patients undergoing embolization, two of four died with 50% of mortality. All patients undergoing surgery had received from a minimum of two to a maximum of four blood bags before surgery. 8 out of 12 patients (67%) received more than two bags. In 10 (67%) out of 15 patients TC scan preoperatively identified the site of bleeding. 10 cases out of 15 patients was evident Anticoagulant or antiplatelet use. In the group of patients undergoing surgical treatment with haemorrhage stopping 60% (6 out of 10) did not take these drugs. No patient had significant alterations to the INR value. Patients undergoing Surgical treatment without haemorrhage stopping had an average age significantly higher than the group with haemorrhage stopping (84 aa vs 54.2). In this group CT scan had identified the source of bleeding in one patient on two (50%) and all patients In the group of deceased patients, the average age was 78 aa, the tac had never identified the site of bleeding, and all had antiaggregates. In the group of deceased patients, the average age was 78 aa, CT scan had never identified the site of bleeding, and all In the group of deceased patients, the average age was 78 aa, the tac had never identified the site of bleeding, and all had antiaggregates KEY WORDS: Lower gastrointestinal bleeding, Prognostic factors, Surgical management.

NA62 and NA48/2 results on search for Heavy Neutral Leptons

In this paper we present new results on upper limits for the search of Heavy Neutral Leptons (HNL) with data collected by NA48/2 (2003-2004), NA62-RK (2007) and NA62 (2015) CERN experiments. The data collected with different trigger configuration allow to search for both long and short living heavy neutrinos in the mass range below the kaon mass. In addition the status of the search for K+ → π+vv with the NA62 detector will be briefly presented.

SIGNAL DECOMPOSITION AND ANALYSIS FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF PERIODIC AND ANOMALOUS PHENOMENA IN RADON TIME-SERIES

This work concerns continuous monitoring of radon and thoron specific activity in soil gas within the framework of identifying possible anomalies. It is based on the analysis of a medium-term data record obtained from soil gas in an area of geophysical interest. The RaMonA spectrometric system is also used to measure the climatic parameters and a specific analysis of the alpha spectra is performed to better determine the alpha lines intensity. Since radon emission is also influenced by meteorological parameters, it is mandatory to differentiate the changes due to the deep phenomena. Different procedures are utilized to reach the above objective: statistical analysis using the Empirical Mode Decomposition technique, the Multiple Linear Regression method and the Remote Radon Estimation by using of the thoron trend to eliminate the locally produced radon fraction. The results of such methods are compared to recognize and to highlight radon anomalies.

Imaging of underground cavities with cosmic-ray muons from observations at Mt. Echia (Naples)

Muography is an imaging technique based on the measurement of absorption profiles for muons as they pass through rocks and earth. Muons are produced in the interactions of high-energy cosmic rays in the Earth’s atmosphere. The technique is conceptually similar to usual X-ray radiography, but with extended capabilities of investigating over much larger thicknesses of matter thanks to the penetrating power of high-energy muons. Over the centuries a complex system of cavities has been excavated in the yellow tuff of Mt. Echia, the site of the earliest settlement of the city of Naples in the 8th century BC. A new generation muon detector designed by us, was installed under a total rock overburden of about 40 metres. A 26 days pilot run provided about 14 millions of muon events. A comparison of the measured and expected muon fluxes improved the knowledge of the average rock density. The observation of known cavities proved the validity of the muographic technique. Hints on the existence of a so far unknown cavity was obtained. The success of the investigation reported here demonstrates the substantial progress of muography in underground imaging and is likely to open new avenues for its widespread utilisation.

Acute symptomatic Meckel diverticulum management. Our experience on seven consecutive cases

Meckel's diverticulum (MD ) is the most common congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract. We revalued clinical records of patients discharged from Unit of Urgent and General Surgery of Highly Specialized Hospital "A.O.R.N. Antonio Cardarelli" of Naples with diagnosis of acute pathology associated to complicated MD from 1(st) January 2011 to 30(th) November 2012. Seven consecutive cases have been chosen: five males (71,4%) and two females (28,6%). The age ranges over from 13 to 50 years with a 28 years average. Four of them were submitted to emergency surgical intervention for hemorrhage from gastro-enteric tract (57%), two for bowel obstruction (29%) and one for acute appendicitis (14%). In all cases sample was send to histological examination. Two samples showed normal epithelial mucosa. Four of them showed ectopic mucosa inside the diverticulum: three gastric and one pancreatic ectopic mucosa focal areas. The last case showed normal epithelial cells but with ulcerated and hemorrhagic areas. Four samples of patients with hemorrhage from gastroenteric tract showed at histological examination: a case of normal mucosa, a case of gastric mucosa areas, one of pancreatic ectopic tissue and the last with normal mucosa but ulcerated and with bleeding areas.In our experience we never speculated that acute symptomatology depended on complicated MD and diagnosis was always done during laparotomy. We think that MD removal is always the correct choice, so that future complications such as neoplasm can be avoided. MD simple resection by Stapler at the base of diverticulum is the correct choice.

[Jejunal perforation from metastatic choriocarcinoma. Case report and review of the literature]

Choriocarcinoma is a rare malignant genital tract tumor, arising in the uterus or in the testis. Primary or metastatic choriocarcinomas of the gastrointestinal tract are infrequent. We report a case of a testis choriocarcinoma presenting as jejunal metastasis with perforation. Histology revealed the origin of this metastatic tumor, allowing us to recognize the primary neoplasm of the testis. A review of literature with PubMed since 1964 and of the references of the papers retrieved was performed. Since 1933 only 30 cases of jejunal choriocarcinomas have been described in literature. In 13 cases jejunal choriocarcinoma presented gastrointestinal hemorrhage, in 4 intestinal intussusception and in 1 case upper abdominal pain and vomiting. Only 5 cases of jejunal perforation have been described. The case presented is the first in literature of jejunal perforation from a metastatic choriocarcinoma of the testis.

[Use of Permacol in complicated incisional hernia]

Polypropylene mesh repair is the gold standard for primary inguinal hernia and incisional hernia. Wound infection and small bowel fistulas are contraindications to polypropylene mesh repair. In addition, synthetic meshes are known to cause severe peritoneal adhesions and enteric fistulas if located close to the bowel. Porcine intestinal submucosa has been used successfully in experimental studies in dogs and rats to repair large abdominal wall defects. A new porcine dermal collagen graft has been used in man for groin hernia repair, incisional hernia repair and other surgical procedures without complications. We describe 6 cases of complicated incisional hernia operated in emergency using porcine dermal collagen grafts. In one woman the incisional hernia was associated with an enterovaginal fistula. Three cases presented severe wound infections, two of which related to a previous polypropylene mesh repair, while another had an irreducible recurrent incisional hernia and one woman presented complete evisceration. None of the patients had postoperative or porcine-graft-related complications. Over a follow-up period of 3-24 months we have had no recurrence or wound infection. The results of these few cases confirm the safety and efficacy of the porcine dermal collagen mesh also in incisional hernia repair.

[The ultrasound microbubble contrast in the diagnosis and the decisional iter of the treatment of the traumatic spleen lesions]

AIM OF THE STUDY

To estimate our 3-year experience on the diagnosis and monitoring of the spleen traumatic lesions with the employment of ultrasound microbubbles contrast.

METHOD

From the 174 patients who were joints to our department in regimen of urgency for abdominal traumatic lesions, we have estimated 24 patiens including our criteria. The selected patients have been subordinate to the echographic examination with microbubbles contrast and to TC multi-detector (MDCT) with contrast with multiphasic technique.

RESULTS

The echographic examination has evidenced 4 patients with abdominal fluid deposit without spleen parenchimal damage and 8 patients with morphofunctional alterations of the spleen. After the introduction of the contrast in 12 patients it has been evidenced a homogenous enhancement of the spleen parenchyma and in the remaining 12 patients the enhancement has turned out dishomogenous. From 24 patients examinated with CT with contrast, the traumatic breach of the spleen was demonstrated in same the 12 patients.

CONCLUSION

It comes noticed the increased sensibility of the methodical CT with contrast and microbubbles contrast, that reaches up the 100% respect of the traditional echography whose sensibility turns out 66%. The CT remains the methodical gold-standard for the spleen traumatic lesions. Our experience suggests that the microbubbles contrast introduces the same one sensibility and it is preferred for follow-up and the corrected management of the patient.

Naltrexone plus benzodiazepine aids abstinence in opioid-dependent patients

Naltrexone (NTX) is widely used to prevent relapse of opioid-dependent patients but its association with insomnia and "hyperexcitability" can result in treatment withdrawal. We evaluated whether NTX combined with the benzodiazepine prazepam was more effective than NTX in keeping patients opioid-free. We determined the relapse rate over 6 months in 56 opioid-dependent subjects, divided into 4 equal groups. All groups received psychological support and underwent urine tests for drug metabolites twice weekly. Group 1 did not receive pharmacological treatment (controls). Group 2 received NTX alone (one 50-mg tablet daily); group 3 received NTX (one 50-mg tablet daily) plus placebo (one tablet twice daily); and group 4 received NTX (one 50-mg tablet daily) plus prazepam (one 10-mg tablet twice daily). Ten patients of group 1 relapsed within 3 months, one after 6 months and three remained opioid-free. Six patients of group 2 relapsed within three months, two after 6 months, and six remained opioid-free. Seven patients of group 3 relapsed three months, one after 6 months and six patients remained opioid-free. In group 4, one patient relapsed within 3 months and one patient after 6 months; 12 patients of this group remained opioid-free. At urine tests, a significantly higher percent patients of group 4 remained free of Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol versus patients of groups 2 and 3. In conclusion, many patients remained opioid-free on NTX alone or combined with prazepam, with a significant advantage for the NTX plus prazepam group.

Leiomyosarcoma of the scrotum arising from the dartos muscle: a rare clinicopathological entity

Scrotal leiomyosarcoma is a rare tumour arising from the dartos layer: We describe a case of scrotal leiomyosarcoma in a 40-year-old man. The patient was treated by a wide surgical excision and no recurrence has been recognized 36 months later. A review of the literature is presented, summarizing the principal clinical and morphological characteristics of this rare tumor.

Papillary pneumocytoma of the lung simulating a pleomorphic adenoma

A rare case of papillary pneumocytoma of the lung is reported. The immunohistochemical positivities for EMA, cytokeratin and TTF-l strongly support the hypothesis that the neoplastic cells are originated from type 2 pneumocytes. The tumour also presented areas displaying stroma of non-specific mixoid appearance, simulating a benign tumour of the salivary gland type. We propose that these mixoid areas constitute structures of metaplastic origin.

[Upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage of unusual etiology: clinical case and technical note]

The Authors report a case of upper digestive tract haemorrhage at atypical side, the diagnosis being often difficult as well as therapeutical options, particularly referent to the surgical solutions adopted.