The ALICE High Momentum Particle IDentification (HMPID) is a Ring Imaging Cherenkov detector that identifies π, k and p in the transverse momentum interval 1 < pT < 5 GeV/c. The HMPID consists of ...seven proximity focusing RICH modules, 1.3 × 1.3 m2 each. They are based on liquid C6F14 as Cherenkov radiator, and on MWPCs equipped with CsI pad segmented photocathodes as photon detector. During the LHC Long Shutdown 2 (LS2, 2019–2021) the HMPID underwent upgrading activities that increased the event read out rate up to ∼20 kHz, 10 times faster than in Run 2. The performance of the read-out electronics and the MWPCs status after a stop of 4 years, using the first Run 3 data (2022), are presented. The HMPID will also constraint the measurement of the inelastic (anti-)deuteron inelastic cross section in the momentum interval 0.2–2 GeV/c. For such aim during LS2 two aluminium absorbers 1.3 × 1.3 m2, one with a thickness of 8 cm, half interaction length, and the other with a thickness of 4 cm, were installed in front of two RICH modules. Preliminary Monte Carlo results on the expected uncertainties on the cross section measurement are given. Finally, the projection of the CsI photocathodes stability at the end of Run 3 after the absorption of a charge dose ten times higher than in Run 2, is discussed.
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) plays a key role in mammals as the major inhibitory neurotransmitter of the central nervous system. Although GABA may not be able to cross the human blood-brain ...barrier, it was approved as a food ingredient because of its benefits to the host after oral administration including anti-hypertensive, anti-depressant and anti-inflammatory activities. Considering the current trend toward the development of new functional and natural products and that microbial fermentation is one of the most promising methods to produce this non-protein amino acid, the
production of GABA through fermentation of strawberry and blueberry juices by the efficient GABA producer strain,
(formerly known as
) CRL 2013, was evaluated. A high GABA production (262 mM GABA) was obtained after fermenting strawberry juice supplemented with yeast extract for 168 h, being GABA yield significantly higher in strawberry juices than in the blueberry ones. Thus, GABA-enriched fermented strawberry juice (FSJ) was selected to carry out
and
studies. The
functional analysis of the GABA-enriched FSJ demonstrated its ability to significantly decrease the expression of
gene in LPS stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. In addition,
studies in mice demonstrated that both,
CRL 2013 and the GABA-enriched FSJ were capable of reducing the levels of peritoneal, intestinal and serum TNF-α, IL-6, and CXCL1, and increasing IL-10 and IFN-γ in mice exposed to an intraperitoneal challenge of LPS. Of note, the GABA-enriched FSJ was more efficient than the CRL 2013 strain to reduce the pro-inflammatory factors and enhance IL-10 production. These results indicated that the CRL 2013 strain exerts anti-inflammatory effects in the context of LPS stimulation and that this effect is potentiated by fermentation. Our results support the potential use of
CRL 2013 as an immunomodulatory starter culture and strawberry juice as a remarkable vegetable matrix for the manufacture of GABA-enriched fermented functional foods capable of differentially modulating the inflammatory response triggered by TLR4 activation.
The early detection of dangerous events, such as large-scale fires, is critical to prevent the subsequent loss in term of human lives and damage to infrastructure. Here we report about the latest ...evaluation of the performance of solar blind flat-panel sensors developed by us, for the detection of flames, sparks and smoke. These developments will make it possible to build detectors almost 1000 times more sensitive than the best commercial flame sensor presently available on the market, with 100 times better time resolution, and with ultraviolet imaging capability for flame visualization.
Dupilumab, an anti-IL-4 receptor a monoclonal antibody, was recently approved for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and moderate-to-severe asthma. Onset of its ...clinical effects is rapid. CRSwNP is characterized by extended type 2 inflammatory involvement that can be assessed using extended nitric oxide analysis. We investigated whether dupilumab was associated with a rapid improvement in extended nitric oxide parameters, lung function, and clinical outcomes in patients with CRSwNP.
Consecutive patients with CRSwNP and an indication for dupilumab were evaluated for extended nitric oxide analysis (exhaled, FeNO; bronchial, JawNO; alveolar, CalvNO; nasal, nNO) and lung function 15 and 30 days after initiation of treatment and for clinical outcomes (nasal polyps score NPS, quality of life questionnaires, visual analog scale VAS for the main symptoms, and the Asthma Control Test ACT) 30 days after initiation of treatment.
We enrolled 33 patients. All extended nitric oxide and lung function parameters improved significantly after 15 days of treatment, remaining stable at 30 days. Scores on the NPS, VAS for the main RSwNP symptoms, quality of life questionnaires, and the ACT improved significantly 30 days after initiation of treatment.
Dupilumab is associated with very rapid improvement in type 2 inflammation in all airway areas. This is associated with improved lung function and clinical parameters in patients with CRSwNP.
Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a non-protein amino acid that is widely distributed in nature and its physiological importance goes beyond its role as an inhibitory neurotransmitter of the central ...nervous system in mammals. Since microbial fermentation is one of the most promising methods to obtain GABA, the production of this metabolite by several strains of lactic acid bacteria isolated from quinoa and amaranth sourdoughs was investigated. Lactobacillus brevis CRL 2013 produced the highest GABA levels, reaching 265 mM when optimal culture conditions were set up. The fermentative profile showed that CRL 2013 was able to catabolize carbohydrates through the phosphoketolase pathway yielding variable amounts of lactic acid, acetate and ethanol, which depended on the type of carbon source available and the presence of external electron acceptors such as fructose. Enhanced growth parameters and low GABA synthesis were associated to pentose fermentation. This impairment on GABA production machinery was partially overpassed by the addition of ethanol to the culture media. These results support the potential use of L. brevis CRL 2013 as a starter culture for the manufacture of GABA-enriched functional foods and provide further insights to the understanding of the GAD system regulation in lactic acid bacteria.
•L. brevis CRL 2013, isolated from quinoa sourdough, produced high levels of GABA.•Final GABA production is among the highest for lactobacilli grown in batch culture.•Enhanced growth rates and low GABA synthesis were associated to pentose fermentation.•The impairment on GABA production was partially restored by the addition of ethanol.
In the period June 2015–September 2016 the LHC has delivered pp and Pb-Pb collisions respectively at √s=13TeV and √sNN=5.02TeV for a total integrated luminosity in ALICE of 14pb−1. The High Momentum ...Particle IDentification detector (HMPID) is part of the ALICE experiment. It is based on seven Ring Imaging Cherenkov (RICH) modules, 1.3×1.3m2 each, with a proximity focusing geometry. The Cherenkov photon detection is achieved by pad segmented photocathodes, coated with 300nm thick Caesium Iodide layer, installed in multiwire proportional chambers. Liquid C6F14 (perfluorohexane) with n=1.2989 at λ=175nm is used as Cherenkov radiator. The HMPID identifies with three sigma separation charged π and K in the momentum range 1–3GeV/c and protons in the range 1.5–5GeV/c. The scatter plots of the Cherenkov angle for both pp and Pb-Pb events are presented as preliminary Particle Identification (PID) performance. After the good results shown during 2010–2013, in this paper the HMPID performance in the period 2015–2016, with emphasis on the CsI quantum efficiency stability, are presented. Finally the perspectives of the detector operation in the period HL-LHC 2019–2022, are briefly discussed.
The High Momentum Particle IDentification (HMPID) detector is a proximity focusing Ring Imaging Cherenkov (RICH) for charged hadron identification. The HMPID is based on liquid C
6F
14 as the ...radiator medium and on a 10
m
2 CsI coated, pad segmented photocathode of MWPCs for UV Cherenkov photon detection. To ensure full remote control, the HMPID is equipped with a detector control system (DCS) responding to industrial standards for robustness and reliability. It has been implemented using PVSS as Slow Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) environment, Programmable Logic Controller as control devices and Finite State Machines for modular and automatic command execution. In the perspective of reducing human presence at the experiment site, this paper focuses on DCS evolution towards an expert and adaptive control system, providing, respectively, automatic error recovery and stable detector performance. HAL9000, the first prototype of the HMPID expert system, is then presented. Finally an analysis of the possible application of the adaptive features is provided.
The performance of CsI photocathodes for the ALICE/HMPID detector with regard to long term stability and ageing effects has been investigated and monitored during the production phase and in ...dedicated ageing tests. During normal storage and test beam operations none of the monitored PCs has showed a decrease in quality within a time-frame of two years. In accelerated ageing tests with ion-bombardment in the detector caused by ionizing particles, pronounced ageing effects could be observed for charge doses
⩾
1
mC
/
cm
2
, whereas irradiations with
⩽
0.2
mC
/
cm
2
showed no effect.
The aim of this paper is to present the design, the implementation and the operational modes of the Liquid Circulation System (LCS) built to circulate, purify and monitor the liquid perfluorohexane ...(C
6F
14) in the ALICE HMPID. The HMPID RICH uses C
6F
14 as Cherenkov radiator medium circulating in 21 quartz trays.
LCS features a pressure-regulated closed circuit, ensuring the C
6F
14 highest transparency to ultraviolet light. Intrinsically safe working conditions are obtained, thanks to a novel liquid distribution “cascade” system.
Moreover the system is protected against anomalous working conditions by a dedicated Control System, which operates it in both automatic and manual mode, locally and remotely, safeguarding the quartz radiator vessels.
We report on studies of layout and performance of a new Ring Imaging Cherenkov detector using for the first time pressurized C4F8O radiator gas and a photon detector consisting of a MWPC equipped ...with a CsI photocathode. In particular, we present here the results of beam tests of a MWPC having an adjustable anode–cathode gap, aiming at the optimization of single photoelectron detection and Cherenkov angle resolution. This system was proposed as a Very High Momentum Particle Identification (VHMPID) upgrade for the ALICE experiment at LHC to provide charged hadron track-by-track identification in the momentum range 5–25GeV/c.
•The concept and design of a novel RICH counter operated with pressurized gaseous Cherenkov radiator have been validated.•We used for the first time C4F8O gaseous Cherenkov radiator pressurized up to 3.5atm in a RICH counter.•The refractive index of C4F8O in the UV range is similar to the per-mil level to that of C4F10.•A variable gap MWPC has been used to optimize the layout of the gaseous photon counter, based on CsI photocathodes and MWPC, for the detection of single photoelectrons.
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