Method for determining individual deposition velocities of radon progeny.

The deposition velocity of radon progeny is used to model the removal of progeny from the air by surfaces in assessing indoor air quality. It can also be used to assess radon-induced background in sensitive, low-background experiments. A single value of the deposition velocity is typically used for all radon progeny for modeling purposes. This paper presents a method for uniquely determining the individual deposition velocities of radon progeny. Measurements demonstrating the method were carried out.

ß-delayed neutron spectroscopy using trapped radioactive ions.

A novel technique for ß-delayed neutron spectroscopy has been demonstrated using trapped ions. The neutron-energy spectrum is reconstructed by measuring the time of flight of the nuclear recoil following neutron emission, thereby avoiding all the challenges associated with neutron detection, such as backgrounds from scattered neutrons and γ rays and complicated detector-response functions. (137)I(+) ions delivered from a (252)Cf source were confined in a linear Paul trap surrounded by radiation detectors, and the ß-delayed neutron-energy spectrum and branching ratio were determined by detecting the ß(-) and recoil ions in coincidence. Systematic effects were explored by determining the branching ratio three ways. Improvements to achieve higher detection efficiency, better energy resolution, and a lower neutron-energy threshold are proposed.

Tensor interaction limit derived from the α-ß-ν[over ¯] correlation in trapped 8Li ions.

A measurement of the α-ß-ν[over ¯] angular correlation in the Gamow-Teller decay (8)Li→(8)Be(*)+ν[over ¯]+ß, (8)Be(*)→α+α has been performed using ions confined in a linear Paul trap surrounded by silicon detectors. The energy difference spectrum of the α particles emitted along and opposite the direction of the ß particle is consistent with the standard model prediction and places a limit of 3.1% (95.5% confidence level) on any tensor contribution to the decay. From this result, the amplitude of any tensor component C(T) relative to that of the dominant axial-vector component C(A) of the electroweak interaction is limited to |C(T)/C(A)|<0.18 (95.5% confidence level). This experimental approach is facilitated by several favorable features of the (8)Li ß decay and has different systematic effects than the previous ß-ν[over ¯] correlation results for a pure Gamow-Teller transition obtained from studying (6)He ß decay.

Measurement of excitation functions for the (nat)Mo(d,x)99Mo and (nat)Mo(p,x)99Mo reactions.

The excitation functions for proton and deuteron induced reactions on natural molybdenum for the production of 99Mo were measured. The proton induced reaction was measured in the energy range of 11.3-49.6 MeV, and the deuteron induced reaction was measured in the energy range of 9.7-58.5 MeV. Both beams were generated by the 88" cyclotron located at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The results are compared to previously published data. Thick target yields were obtained by direct measurement, in addition to being determined by integration of the measured cross sections.

Combination of temozolomide with immunocytokine F16-IL2 for the treatment of glioblastoma.

BACKGROUND: Glioblastoma patients are still not cured by the treatments available at the moment. We investigated the therapeutic properties of temozolomide in combination with F16-IL2, a clinical-stage immunocytokine consisting of human interleukin (IL)-2 fused to the human antibody F16, specific to the A1 domain of tenascin-C. METHODS: We conducted three preclinical therapy studies, using subcutaneous and intracranial U87MG glioblastoma tumours xenografted in BALB/c nude mice. The same therapeutic schedule was used, consisting of five total administrations every third day, of 0.525 mg temozolomide, 20 microg F16-IL2, the combination, or the control solution. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical analysis of U87MG xenografts and of human glioblastoma specimens showed selective tumour staining of F16. A quantitative biodistribution confirmed the preferential tumour accumulation of radiolabelled F16-IL2. In the study with subcutaneous xenografts, the combination of F16-IL2 with temozolomide induced complete remission of the animals, which remained tumour free for over 160 days. The same treatment led to a consistent size reduction of intracranial xenografts and to a longer survival of animals. The immunocytokine promoted the recruitment of leukocytes into tumours of both models. CONCLUSION: The combined use of temozolomide with F16-IL2 deserves clinical investigations, which will be facilitated by the excellent safety profile in cynomolgus monkeys, and by the fact that F16-IL2 is in clinical trials in patients with cancer.

Measurement of the p to s wave branching ratio of 187Re beta decay from beta environmental fine structure.

The mixed occurrence of s-wave and p-wave contributions in a first forbidden unique Gamow-Teller beta decay has been investigated for the first time by measuring the beta environmental fine structure (BEFS) in a 187Re crystalline compound. The experiment has been carried out with an array of eight AgReO4 thermal detectors operating at a temperature of approximately 100 mK. A fit of the observed BEFS spectrum indicates the p-wave electron emission as the dominant channel. The complete understanding of the BEFS distortion of the 187Re beta decay spectrum is crucial for future experiments aiming at the precise calorimetric measurement of the antineutrino mass.

New limit on the neutrinoless betabeta decay of 130Te.

We report the present results of CUORICINO, a search for neutrinoless double-beta (0nu betabeta) decay of 130Te. The detector is an array of 62 TeO2 bolometers with a total active mass of 40.7 kg. The array is cooled by a dilution refrigerator shielded from environmental radioactivity and energetic neutrons, operated at approximately 8 mK in the Gran Sasso Underground Laboratory. No evidence for (0nu betabeta) decay was found and a new lower limit, T(1/2)(0nu) > or = 1.8 x 10(24) yr (90% C.L.) is set, corresponding to [m(nu)] < or = 0.2 to 1.1 eV, depending on the theoretical nuclear matrix elements used in the analysis.

A very low-background gamma-ray counting facility in the Baradello underground laboratory.

An underground station for the measurement of low-level radioactivity is in operation in Northern Italy in the town of Como under the Baradello hill. The rock cover is -300 m water equivalent. This paper reports about the preliminary measurements carried out to characterise the site of the Baradello hill and the installation of a high-purity Ge detector with a radio-pure copper shielding. Features and levels of the achieved background are reported and discussed, in comparison with other above ground and underground low-radioactivity stations. Sensitivities to radioactivity in typical environmental matrices are evaluated, confirming the very low-gamma background attained in the laboratory.

Characterization of an underground site in Northern Italy in view of low radioactivity measurements.

A low background station for the measurement of low level radioactivity is under development in Northern Italy. The rock cover is about 300 m water equivalent. We report and discuss measurements of radon concentration in air and of gamma, muon and neutron fluxes performed in the neighborhood of the station site. We present and apply a simple analytical model capable to disentangle the contribution to the measured gamma activities due to 222Rn in air from the one due to 238U and its daughters in the rocks.

[The reduction of the maternal and neonatal risk based on a new outlook for care effected with the active involvement of the nuclear family in the pregnancy and labor]. / Diminuzione del rischio gravidico e neonatale sulla base di una nuova prospettiva di assistenza attuata con un coinvolgimento attivo del nucleo familiare alla gravidanza e al parto.

A socio-analytic investigation, showing mental images of health personnel and their influence on the course of pregnancy, child birth and child nursing has been performed at the Obstetrics and Neonatology Departments of Maria Vittoria Hospital, Torino, Italy. Through a statistical analysis on the mothers population during one year (1986 Nov-1987 Nov) a significant reduction of maternal delivery stress and neonatal risk has been found in relation to the "participation to the psycho-prophylactic courses" and to the "presence of fathers during delivery". Answers of mothers to a questionnaire are reported. This work points out the importance of a child birth's humanization.

Effect of benzyladenine on the development of plastids and microbodies in excised watermelon cotyledons.

Excised watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris Schrad.) cotyledons were grown in the dark in the presence of 0.1 mM benzyladenine (BA). Under these conditions reserve breakdown and organelle differentiation progress very slowly. Treatment with BA accelerates, breakdown of reserves and stimulates development of organelles. Electron micrographs of cells from treated cotyledons show a larger number of plastids with a more developed inner membrane system. The levels of plastid pigments and enzymes are increased while starch content is reduced. Glyoxysomal enzyme levels are increased by BA during the first three days of development and their decline is accelerated thereafter. Also the activity of hydroxypyruvate reductase (EC 1.1.1.81.), a peroxisomal enzyme, is increased, but this increase is not followed by a decay phase. In water controls, hydroxypyruvate reductase bands together with glyoxysomal enzymes after equilibrium centrifugation in a sucrose gradient. In treated cotyledons the equilibrium position of glyoxysomal enzymes is uchanged while that of hydroxypyruvate reductase is shifted to a lower density.