Gianna Vivaldo

A novel algorithm for the calculation of physical and biological irradiation quantities in scanned ion beam therapy: the beamlet superposition approach.

The calculation algorithm of a modern treatment planning system for ion-beam radiotherapy should ideally be able to deal with different ion species (e.g. protons and carbon ions), to provide relative biological effectiveness (RBE) evaluations and to describe different beam lines. In this work we propose a new approach for ion irradiation outcomes computations, the beamlet superposition (BS) model, which satisfies these requirements. This model applies and extends the concepts of previous fluence-weighted pencil-beam algorithms to quantities of radiobiological interest other than dose, i.e. RBE- and LET-related quantities. It describes an ion beam through a beam-line specific, weighted superposition of universal beamlets. The universal physical and radiobiological irradiation effect of the beamlets on a representative set of water-like tissues is evaluated once, coupling the per-track information derived from FLUKA Monte Carlo simulations with the radiobiological effectiveness provided by the microdosimetric kinetic model and the local effect model. Thanks to an extension of the superposition concept, the beamlet irradiation action superposition is applicable for the evaluation of dose, RBE and LET distributions. The weight function for the beamlets superposition is derived from the beam phase space density at the patient entrance. A general beam model commissioning procedure is proposed, which has successfully been tested on the CNAO beam line. The BS model provides the evaluation of different irradiation quantities for different ions, the adaptability permitted by weight functions and the evaluation speed of analitical approaches. Benchmarking plans in simple geometries and clinical plans are shown to demonstrate the model capabilities.

Design and simulation of an optimized e-linac based neutron source for BNCT research

The paper is focused on the study of a novel photo-neutron source for BNCT preclinical research based on medical electron Linacs. Previous studies by the authors already demonstrated the possibility to obtain a mixed thermal and epithermal neutron flux of the order of 10(7) cm(-2) s(-1). This paper investigates possible Linacs modifications and a new photo-converter design to rise the neutron flux above 5 10(7) cm(-2) s(-1), also reducing the gamma contamination.

A foraminiferal δ18O record covering the last 2,200 years

Thanks to the precise core dating and the high sedimentation rate of the drilling site (Gallipoli Terrace, Ionian Sea) we were able to measure a foraminiferal δ18O series covering the last 2,200 years with a time resolution shorter than 4 years. In order to support the quality of this data-set we link the δ18O values measured in the foraminifera shells to temperature and salinity measurements available for the last thirty years covered by the core. Moreover, we describe in detail the dating procedures based on the presence of volcanic markers along the core and on the measurement of 210Pb and 137Cs activity in the most recent sediment layers. The high time resolution allows for detecting a δ18O decennial-scale oscillation, together with centennial and multicentennial components. Due to the dependence of foraminiferal δ18O on environmental conditions, these oscillations can provide information about temperature and salinity variations in past millennia. The strategic location of the drilling area makes this record a unique tool for climate and oceanographic studies of the Central Mediterranean.

A LARGE CAVITY GAMMA-RAY SPECTROMETER FOR MEASUREMENT OF COSMOGENIC RADIONUCLIDES IN ASTROMATERIALS BY WHOLE ROCK COUNTING

For resolving the ongoing debate that the Earths climate may respond to solar activity variations, it is necessary to reconstruct a high resolution time series of heliospheric magnetic field in the past and correlate it to climatic records. The solar magnetic activity modulates the galactic cosmic ray flux, which is responsible for producing radioactive nuclides in rocks on planetary surfaces and in meteorites. To measure the minute quantity of γ emitting cosmogenic radionuclides, we have set up a low background, highly specific and selective γ-ray spectrometer. Using this spectrometer, we have reconstructed the solar activity over the past 3 centuries by measuring 44Ti and 26Al in meteorite falls; in particular we have shown that the intensity of cosmic rays has linearly decreased, in agreement with some models proposed for the past solar activity. In order to improve the Ge-NaI coincidence spectrometer, crucial for selective 44Ti detection, we have developed a multiparametric acquisition system. The flexibility of optimizing appropriate energy channels allows more reliable measurement of the small activity present in meteorites.