Measurement of the Gamma-Ray-to-Neutron Branching Ratio for the Deuterium-Tritium Reaction in Magnetic Confinement Fusion Plasmas.

At present, magnetic confinement fusion devices rely solely on absolute neutron counting as a direct way of measuring fusion power. Absolute counting of deuterium-tritium gamma rays could provide the secondary neutron-independent technique required for the validation of scientific results and as a licensing tool for future power plants. However, this approach necessitates an accurate determination of the gamma-ray-to-neutron branching ratio.

Development of a measuring technique based on JET second D-T campaign (DTE2) experience for assessing fusion power at ITER during D-T operation using the radial gamma-ray spectrometer.

The ITER Radial Gamma-Ray Spectrometer (RGRS) consists of three gamma-ray detectors observing the plasma through three collimated, coplanar, radial lines of sight (LoS). The system was initially designed to monitor the runaway electron emission and the alpha-particle density profile [Nocente et al., Nucl.

Design solutions for the hodoscope of the magnetic proton recoil neutron spectrometer of the SPARC tokamak.

A new 14 MeV neutron spectrometer utilizing the magnetic proton recoil (MPR) technique is under development for the SPARC tokamak. This instrument measures neutrons by converting them into protons, whose momenta are subsequently analyzed using a series of magnets before detection by an array of scintillators known as the hodoscope. In this work, we explore various solutions for the hodoscope detectors through laboratory tests with radioactive sources and simulations.

Conceptual design of a GEM (gas electron multiplier) based gas Cherenkov detector for measurement of 17 MeV gamma rays from T(D, γ)He in magnetic confinement fusion plasmas.

The only method for assessing the fusion power throughput of a deuterium-tritium (DT) reactor presently relies on determining the absolute number of 14 MeV neutrons produced in the DT plasma. An independent method, developed and investigated during the recent DT campaign at the Joint European Torus, is based on the absolute counting of 17 MeV gamma rays produced by the competing T(D, γ)He reaction that features a very weak branching ratio (about 3-6 × 10) when compared to the main T(D, n)He reaction. The state-of-the-art spectrometer used for gamma-ray measurements in magnetic confinement fusion plasmas is LaBr(Ce) scintillator detectors, although they require significant neutron shielding to extract a relatively weak gamma-ray signal from a much more abundant neutron field.

A high-resolution neutron spectroscopic camera for the SPARC tokamak based on the Jet European Torus deuterium-tritium experience.

Dedicated nuclear diagnostics have been designed, developed, and built within EUROFUSION enhancement programs in the last ten years for installation at the Joint European Torus and capable of operation in high power Deuterium-Tritium (DT) plasmas. The recent DT Experiment campaign, called DTE2, has been successfully carried out in the second half of 2021 and provides a unique opportunity to evaluate the performance of the new nuclear diagnostics and for an understanding of their behavior in the record high 14 MeV neutron yields (up to 4.7 × 10 n/s) and total number of neutrons (up to 2 × 10 n) achieved on a tokamak.

Fusion product measurements by nuclear diagnostics in the Joint European Torus deuterium-tritium 2 campaign (invited).

A new deuterium-tritium experimental, DTE2, campaign has been conducted at the Joint European Torus (JET) between August 2021 and late December 2021. Motivated by significant enhancements in the past decade at JET, such as the ITER-like wall and enhanced auxiliary heating power, the campaign achieved a new fusion energy world record and performed a broad range of fundamental experiments to inform ITER physics scenarios and operations. New capabilities in the area of fusion product measurements by nuclear diagnostics were available as a result of a decade long enhancement program.

A new dedicated signal processing system for gamma-ray spectrometers in high power deuterium-tritium plasma scenarios in tokamaks.

The most performant deuterium-tritium (DT) plasma discharges realized by the Joint European Torus (JET) tokamak in the recent DT campaign have produced neutron yields on the order of 10 n/s. At such high neutron yields, gamma-ray spectroscopy measurements with scintillators are challenging as events from the neutron-induced background often dominate over the signal, leading to a significant fraction of pileup events and instability of the photodetector gain along with the consequent degradation of the reconstructed spectrum. Here, we describe the solutions adopted for the tangential lanthanum bromide spectrometer installed at JET.

Role of neutron attenuators for gamma-ray measurements in deuterium-tritium magnetic confinement plasmas.

The Joint European Torus (JET) is the only tokamak in the world able to operate in Deuterium-Tritium (DT) plasmas. A successful DT experimental campaign, the DTE2, has recently been carried out, providing unique opportunities for studying both physics and technological aspects. In particular, it allowed us to investigate and benchmark the solutions adopted to attenuate the significant 14 MeV neutron flux, needed to enable high-resolution gamma-ray spectroscopy measurements on a tokamak.

A new tangential gamma-ray spectrometer for fast ion measurements in deuterium and deuterium-tritium plasmas of the Joint European Torus.

A new tangential gamma-ray spectrometer has been developed for fast ion measurements in deuterium and deuterium-tritium plasmas of the Joint European Torus (JET). The instrument is based on a LaBr crystal with a photo-multiplier tube and replaces a pre-existing bismuth germanate detector, providing enhanced energy resolution and a counting rate capability in the MHz range. The line of sight is equipped with a LiH attenuator, which reduces the background due to 14 MeV neutron interactions with the crystal by more than two orders of magnitude and enables the observation of gamma-ray emission from confined α particles in JET deuterium-tritium plasmas.

First spatially resolved measurements of the D-He α-particle source with the upgraded JET gamma-ray camera.

The Joint European Torus (JET) gamma-ray camera has been recently upgraded with the installation of new gamma-ray detectors, based on LaBr(Ce) scintillation crystals, which add spectroscopic capability to the existing system allowing measurements with good energy resolution (5% at 0.622 MeV), a dynamic range from hundreds of keV up to about 30 MeV, and high counting rate capabilities of MCps. First gamma-ray measurements during the C38 campaign of the JET have been successfully carried out, in particular, in D-He plasmas from three-ion ion cyclotron resonance heating experiments, where the detection of 16.

Trends and determinants of Emergency Room admissions for asthma: A retrospective evaluation in Northeast Italy.

Background: Asthma still represents a cause of death and hospital admissions worldwide. Our study aimed at analyzing the trend of Emergency Room (ER) asthma admissions in Northeast Italy in order to investigate the relevance of specific patient-related determinants and environmental triggers (pollens, mold spores, and pollutants).

Methods: Retrospective data from admissions for asthma exacerbations registered between the years 2013 and 2015 in two main ERs in Northeast Italy were collected.

Immunological treatments for occupational allergy.

Although avoidance of occupational triggers remains the primary step in the management of work-related allergies, immunological treatments (including biological agents and specific immunotherapy) can be regarded as potential therapeutic options for IgE-mediated diseases; for example, many studies with allergen-specific immunotherapy have been carried out on latex allergy, showing overall favorable results, at least with sublingual immunotherapy. On the other hand, only few case reports have suggested the efficacy of immunotherapy in baker's asthma as well as in laboratory animal-induced asthma. The new technologies, including component-resolved diagnosis and recombinant allergens, are expected to improve the quality and efficacy of specific immunotherapy in the future.

Efficacy of venom immunotherapy given every 3 or 4 months: a prospective comparison with the conventional regimen.

Background: Standard venom immunotherapy involves the administration of the maintenance dose every 4 to 6 weeks. This regimen may have adherence problems, especially in the long term; thus, extended intervals have been proposed.

Objective: We prospectively compared the efficacy of 3- or 4-month extended maintenance dose vs the conventional regimen.

Occupational diseases due to allergic and toxic chemicals in health care workers: fitness for work.

The purpose of this review is to suggest job fitness criteria for health care workers exposed to sensitizing or chemical agents. These recommendations are derived from a comparison between previous documents on prevention and management of allergic and chemical risks in health care settings and updated evidence; the job fitness criteria and the main documents on these topics are summarized in tables. Glove allergy, in particular latex allergy, is still a significant problem but we should remember that a wide choice of alternative materials is now easily available; many different alternative health products are also currently available when an allergy to disinfectants or detergents is diagnosed.

[Consensus Document. Update on latex exposure and use of gloves in Italian health care settings].

This consensus document was prepared by an Italian working group including occupational health professionals involved for many years in the management of glove- and latex-related problems in health care settings. The aim of this document was to address the most significant technical, epidemiological, clinical, environmental and prevention problems related to the use of gloves and latex. The group's recommendations are based on scientific evidence and practical experience but they cannot be considered as final.

How to prevent immunological reactions in leprosy patients and interrupt transmission of Mycobacterium leprae to healthy subjects: two hypotheses.

The basis of World Health Organization strategy for leprosy elimination is that the only source and reservoir for infection are patients with the disease. It was assumed that multi drug therapy (MDT) would reduce transmission of Mycobacterium leprae, but there is no convincing evidence for this. Furthermore, even if MDT has been proved to be extremely effective against the infectious disease, a noticeable proportion of leprosy patients can suffer from immunologic hypersensitivity reactions which are now the most significant issue in the managements of the disease.

[Latex allergy. Preventive measures in health care workers: a comparison of Italian experiences].

Background: We have performed a transversal study in different Italian Regions to underline the problem related to natural latex allergy.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the glove use on the basis of the materials gloves were made of, to identify the departments and the qualifications mainly interested in the latex allergy problem, to check the required features for gloves and other rubber devices at the moment of the purchase, as well as the presence of guidelines, of training and information activities for health care workers and procedures for sensitized patients.

Methods: We sent a questionnaire to the local public Health Authorities (HA) in different Italian Regions.

[Natural latex allergy. Patient management: from clinic to prevention. A review].

The widespread use of latex devices has been followed, in the last 25 years, by an increase in IgE mediated sensitization. The clinical manifestations of latex allergy affect the skin (urticaria and angioneurotic oedema), the lower and the upper respiratory tracts (rhinoconjunctivitis, asthma and glottis oedema), and the cardiovascular system (anaphylaxis). There is also an anaphylactic risk during surgery and invasive diagnostic procedures.

CXCR3/CXCL10 interactions in the development of hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

Background: Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is an interstitial lung disease caused by repeated inhalations of finely dispersed organic particles or low molecular weight chemicals. The disease is characterized by an alveolitis sustained by CD8(+) cytotoxic T lymphocytes, granuloma formation, and, whenever antigenic exposition continues, fibrosis. Although it is known that T-cell migration into the lungs is crucial in HP reaction, mechanisms implicated in this process remain undefined.

[Follow-up of latex-induced occupational asthma].

We studied 29 subjects with latex-induced occupational asthma in a follow-up of 5 +/- 3 years. Initial and follow-up visits included a questionnaire and measurement of lung volumes, bronchial responsiveness to methacholine (PD20FEV1), and latex-specific serum IgE levels. At follow-up, 17 subjects were no longer exposed to latex, whereas 12 subjects had reduced exposure.

T cells in the lung of patients with hypersensitivity pneumonitis accumulate in a clonal manner.

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is characterized by an alveolitis sustained by CD8(+) T lymphocytes showing a limited expression of the T cell receptor (TCR). We previously demonstrated that a bias in T cell selection occurs in the lower respiratory tract of patients with HP, with a compartmentalization in the lung of CD8(+) T cells bearing (TCR)-beta variable (TCRBV) #2, 3, 5, 6, 8, and 13 gene segments. We herein characterized the clonal T cell populations present in the lung and in the blood of patients with HP.

Exposure to diesel exhaust enhances total IgE in non-atopic dockers.

Objectives: Diesel exhaust particles (DEPs) containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons stimulate the formation of IgE in humans following single and acute exposure. The aim of the present study was to ascertain whether long-standing occupational exposure to DEPs carries a risk of enhanced serum IgE, and of rhinitis or asthma.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, findings in 76 dockers were compared with those in 63 reference subjects.

An epidemiological survey on the allergological importance of some emerging pollens in Italy.

Epidemiological studies on the pollens responsible for allergic diseases throughout Italy are lacking. Routine diagnostic panels consist prevalently of grass, Parietaria, weeds, birch, olive and mugwort. Considering the great variety of Italian geographical areas and the observation of the growing allergological importance of new botanical species (e.