Cannizzaro F

Concentration measurements of 7Be at ground level air at Palermo, Italy—comparison with solar activity over a period of 21 years

Air activity concentrations of (7)Be in Palermo determined for the period January 1995-December 2002 by gamma-ray spectrometric analysis of particulate samples collected on paper filter by a high-volume sampler (approximately 900 m(3) h(-1)) are reported. The temporal behaviour of (7)Be concentration presents the same characteristics already observed in the measurements carried out over the previous 13-year (1982-1994) investigated period. The mean value of 5.06 mBq m(-3) obtained from the analysis of the 4636 particulate samples collected from 1982 to 2002 can be considered a representative value of (7)Be air concentration at ground level in our geographical zone. The comparison of long-term variation in the (7)Be concentrations with the cyclic solar activity-extended to the whole period of 21 years-confirms the inverse correlation between the two quantities.

Determination of 210Pb concentration in the air at ground-level by gamma-ray spectrometry.

210Pb activity concentrations in the air of Palermo were determined by gamma-ray spectrometric analysis of 323 particulate samples collected in the period September 1995-December 1996. For each sample, the air filtered through a cellulose filter paper was 8600 m3 on average. The values of the daily activity concentration of 210Pb were ranging from 136 to 3390 microBq/m3.

HRCT and scleroderma: semiquantitative evaluation of lung damage and functional abnormalities

PurposeThis study sought to validate the Warrick score in the assessment of lung involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc) and correlate the results with functional abnormalities. In addition, we propose the use of highresolution computed tomography (HRCT) indices of alveolitis and fibrosis to discriminate between different stages of the disease.Materials and methodsThirty-one patients with SSc (16 with the diffuse form and 15 with the limited form) underwent functional and HRCT evaluations of the lung. The semiquantitative evaluation of radiological involvement, as proposed by Warrick, provides a score for each lesion based on the severity and the extent of the pulmonary damage. In addition to the total score, indices for alveolitis and fibrosis were created. The association between each score and functional abnormalities was tested.ResultsThe total Warrick score was 16±7.7 [mean±standard deviation (SD)]. The total score correlated inversely with total lung capacity (TLC) (percentage of predicted TLC) (r=−0.38; p=0.04), diffusion lung capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) (percentage of predicted DLCO) (r=−0.43; p=0.02) and with forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) (percentage of predicted FEV1) (r=−0.36; p=0.05). The alveolitis and fibrosis indices were 1.9±1.1 and 14.2±7.4, respectively. The alveolitis index correlated significantly with percentage of predicted DLCO (r=−0.46; p=0.01) but not with percentage of predicted TLC (r=−0.28; p=0.13). The fibrosis index correlated both with percentage of predicted DLCO (r=−0.38; p=0.04) and with percentage of predicted TLC (r=−0.35; p=0.05).ConclusionsOur findings confirm the diagnostic role of HRCT in assessing the extent of lung damage in SSc. Furthermore, the two indices (alveolitis and fibrosis) provide new tools for evaluating the relationship between pulmonary involvement and systemic impairment in SSc.RiassuntoObiettivoScopo del lavoro è stato contribuire alla validazione del metodo del punteggio (score) radiologico di Warrick nella valutazione del danno polmonare nella sclerosi sistemica (ScS) e di correlare i risultati con le alterazioni della funzionalità respiratoria. Proponiamo inoltre l’introduzione di punteggi parziali relativi rispettivamente ad un indice di alveolite e di fibrosi per una migliore caratterizzazione delle diverse forme della malattia.Materiali e metodiTrentuno pazienti affetti da ScS, 16 da forma diffusa (dScS), 15 da forma limitata (lScS), sono stati sottoposti a valutazione respiratoria funzionale e radiologica tramite HRCT. La valutazione semiquantitativa della compromissione radiologica è stata effettuata mediante il metodo di Warrick, che attribuisce un punteggio alle varie lesioni secondo un criterio di gravità (score di severità del danno) e di estensione delle stesse alterazioni all’interno del parenchima polmonare (score di estensione del danno). Oltre allo score totale, sono stati arbitrariamente distinti un indice di “alveolite” e un indice di “fibrosi”. I punteggi ottenuti sono stati correlati ai risultati dei test di funzionalità respiratoria.RisultatiLo score totale di Warrick è risultato pari a 16±7,7 (media±DS). Lo score totale è risultato inversamente correlato con la capacità polmonare totale (TLC% del teorico) (r=−0,38 e p=0,04), con la diffusione al monossido di carbonio (DLCO% del teorico) (r=−0,43 e p=0,02), e con il FEV1% del teorico (r=−0,36 e p=0,05). L’indice di alveolite e l’indice di fibrosi sono risultati rispettivamente pari a 1,9±1,1 e 14,2±7,4. L’indice di alveolite si è dimostrato significativamente correlato alla DLCO% del teorico (r=−0,46, p=0,01) ma non alla TLC% del teorico (r=−0,28, p=0,13); al contrario, l’indice di fibrosi correlava significativamente sia con la DLCO% del teorico (r=−0,38, p=0,04) che con la TLC% del teorico (r=−0,35, p=0,05).ConclusioniI risultati del presente studio confermano il valore diagnostico dell’HRCT nel rappresentare il tipo e l’estensione del danno polmonare determinato dalla ScS. Inoltre, la suddivisione in punteggi parziali (alveolite e fibrosi) apre una ulteriore prospettiva di valutazione dei rapporti tra interessamento polmonare e compromissione sistemica.

Study of background characteristics of a low-level HPGe spectrometer with passive shielding in various configurations

Abstract A low-background germanium spectrometer has been investigated with different combinations of shielding materials in two locations at ground level. In particular, seven shielding configurations have been tested in a room with thick walls and ceiling. The background components, peaks and continuum in the 50–2600 keV energy region, obtained in the several experimental conditions are reported and discussed.

A low-level spectrometer with a planar low-energy HPGe: shielding arrangement tests and system performance for 210Pb determination in air filter samples.

A system for low-energy photon spectrometry using a planar germanium detector with appropriate specifications is presented. A spectrometric background investigation has been carried out with various detector shielding arrangements. The characteristics of the system for measurements of 210Pb in air-particulate matter on filters have been determined.

Search for neutrons as evidence of cold fusion

In this paper investigations performed at the University of Palermo in an attempt to reproduce the cold fusion experiment are reported. The search was devoted to detecting neutron emission from palladium electrodes electrolytically charged with deuterium. In no test was neutron emission significantly over the background observed, either in bursts or continuous. Results of a few tests are reported. For the more sensitive test, an upper limit for D(d,n) cold fusion (at 98% confidence level) of {lambda}{sub f} {lt} 3.6 {times} 10{sup {minus}24} fusion/s {center dot} d-d pair is determined.