[en] The INFN NEMO (NEutrino Mediterranean Observatory) collaboration, aims at the construction of a km³ underwater Cherenkov neutrino telescope. In this framework NEMO is installing a Test Site facility at 2000 m depth, at ∼25 km offshore the port of Catania (Sicily), that will be used to test a prototype module of the future km³ detector. The collaboration is also studying the possibility to use the thermo-acoustic technique to detect UHE neutrino fluxes. One of the major sources of uncertainty in the reliability of this technique is, presently, the lack of knowledge of the acoustic noise at large depth. For this reason NEMO has developed a station for the measurement of acoustic background, that will be installed at the Test Site. The station is equipped with four large bandwidth hydrophones (1 Hz-50 kHz) whose data, digitized underwater, will be transmitted to shore through optical fibres. The station will also be used, in collaboration with CIBRA, for research on marine mammals

[en] Computed tomography (CT) has become a major source of the population exposure to diagnostic X-rays, and acknowledge of the doses delivered by the CT equipment has become very important. Considerable efforts should be made to keep these doses to a reasonable minimum, without sacrificing the image quality. The conditions of exposure in CT are quite different from dose in conventional X-ray imaging. This has required the development of specific techniques for assessing patient dose from CT. The aims of this work were to determine the dose delivered to various organs of patients undergoing computed tomography of abdomen as measured on the surface of the body and to estimate the risk to the patients. Dosimetric measurements were performed at CT scanner Hitachi W 450 in General Hospital Karlovac. The doses absorbed by different organs (gonads, chest, thyroid and eye lens) and by the examined part of the body of 11 patients were measured with TLD-700. The doses absorbed by different organs during the diagnostic CT examination of the body depend on the technical parameters, such as the number of scans, mAs, the thickness of scans, scanning times, tube voltage and other characteristics. The type and severity of illness influence the choice of technical parameters. Clinical parameters, such as patient size and composition, and patient cooperation with regard to the control and motion, also influence the dose and the image quality. The highest dose measured in this study (112.5 mGy) was delivered to front surface of the body during CT examination of abdomen. (author)

[en] Purpose: Evaluate and compare retrospective prostate treatment plan using Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (RapidArc™ - Varian) technique with single or double arcs at COI Group. Methods: Ten patients with present prostate and seminal vesicle neoplasia were replanned as a target treatment volume and a prescribed dose of 78 Gy. A baseline planning, using single arc, was developed for each case reaching for the best result on PTV, in order to minimize the dose on organs at risk (OAR). Maintaining the same optimization objectives used on baseline plan, two copies for optimizing single and double arcs, have been developed. The plans were performed with 10 MV photon beam energy on Eclipse software, version 11.0, making use of Trilogy linear accelerator with Millenium HD120 multileaf collimator. Comparisons on PTV have been performed, such as: maximum, minimum and mean dose, gradient dose, as well as the quantity of monitor units, treatment time and homogeneity and conformity index. OARs constrains dose have been evaluated, comparing both optimizations. Results: Regarding PTV coverage, the difference of the minimum, maximum and mean dose were 1.28%, 0.7% and 0.2% respectively higher for single arc. When analyzed the index of homogeneity found a difference of 0.99% higher when compared with double arcs. However homogeneity index was 0.97% lower on average by using single arc. The doses on the OARs, in both cases, were in compliance to the recommended limits RTOG 0415. With the use of single arc, the quantity of monitor units was 10,1% lower, as well as the Beam-On time, 41,78%, when comparing double arcs, respectively. Conclusion: Concerning the optimization of patients with present prostate and seminal vesicle neoplasia, the use of single arc reaches similar objectives, when compared to double arcs, in order to decrease the treatment time and the quantity of monitor units

[en] Concern is growing that marine fauna can be affected by noise such as naval sonar, pile driving or geophysical surveys, among others. Literature reports a variety of animal reactions to human noise (from apparently null or negligible to strong). However, conclusive results on its effects on marine mammals at individual and population level are still lacking. In 2015, the Italian Environmental Impact Assessment Commission mandated seismic operators apply a standard scientific protocol comparing marine mammal presence before, during, and after offshore seismic survey. For 60 days before and after the survey, marine mammals are monitored using visual and acoustic methods. One or more acoustic autonomous recorders, depending on area size, must also be deployed throughout the three phases for continuous monitoring. Consistent data gathered from many surveys will enable robust statistical analysis of results. Diffusion of this monitoring method internationally would improve the study of far-reaching, intense, low frequency noise. - Highlights: • To date the impact of seismic surveys on marine mammal species is poorly understood. • Routine data collection following scientific method is essential to understand impacts of seismic surveys on marine mammals. • Italy mandates seismic operators to collect marine mammal presence data before, during and after seismic surveys. • Data gathered under Italian regulation will be applicable to improve mitigation of seismic surveys on marine fauna.