arXiv subjects

P. Cerello

Publications and source records attributed to P. Cerello.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Toward High-Resolution Detection of Target Fragmentation: TEA-Sensitized NIT for Proton Therapy Applications

Nano Imaging Trackers (NIT) are fine-grained nuclear emulsions capable of tracking charged particles with sub-micrometric spatial resolution. The DAMON (Direct Measurement of Target Fragmentation) experiment recently employed NIT to detect target-fragmentation events relevant to proton therapy in direct kinematics. These measurements showed that the small crystal size, while providing high spatial resolution, limits the reconstruction efficiency for primary proton tracks and high-energy secondary protons. This work reports an enhancement of NIT sensitivity achieved through alternative chemical sensitization methods, namely gold-plus-sulfur (Au-S) and triethanolamine (TEA), together with the use of the GR-1 developer. The detector response was evaluated with gamma-ray, carbon-ion and proton exposures, including clinically relevant proton energies.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2025

Cross Section Measurements of Large Angle Fragments Production in the Interaction of Carbon Ion Beams with Thin Targets

The fragmentation cross sections of carbon ion beams with kinetic energies of $115 - 353~\text{MeV/u}$ impinging on thin targets of graphite (C), polyvinyl-toluene (C$_9$H$_{10}$) and PMMA (C$_2$O$_5$H$_8$) have been measured at 90$^{\text{o}}$ and 60$^{\text{o}}$ at the CNAO particle therapy center (Pavia, Italy). The presented measurements are a complete reanalysis by the FOOT collaboration of already published elemental cross section on composite targets, in order to refine the analysis, improve the systematic uncertainties and show the comparison with the FLUKA Monte Carlo code calculations. In this work, the kinetic energy at production of measured fragments has been completely redefined, together with the efficiencies computation. The new analysis strategy has been successfully validated against the Monte Carlo cross sections. Two detection arms were positioned at two different angles to perform the measurement at 90$^{\text{o}}$ and 60$^{\text{o}}$. The fragment species have been identified in charge (Z$_{id}$ = H) and mass (M$_{id}$ = $^1$H, $^2$H, $^3$H) combining the information of the deposited energy in thin plastic scintillators, of the deposited energy in a thick LYSO crystal and of the fragments Time of Flight (ToF) measurement. The ToF was also used to compute the fragments measured kinetic energy. The cross sections are presented as a function of the fragments kinetic energy at production thanks to an unfolding technique applied to the data.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2024

Angular differential and elemental fragmentation cross sections of a $400\,\text{MeV/nucleon}$ $^{16}\text{O}$ beam on a graphite target with the FOOT experiment

This paper presents the measurements of the angular differential cross sections for the forward production of He, Li, Be, B, C and N nuclei in the fragmentation process of a 400$\text{MeV/nucleon}$ $^{16}\text{O}$ beam interacting with a graphite target. Due to the limited data available in this energy regime, these measurements of nuclear fragmentation cross sections are relevant to improve nuclear interaction models for Particle Therapy and space radioprotection applications. The data analyzed in this paper were collected during a measurement campaign carried out at the GSI Helmholtz Center for Heavy Ion Research facility in Darmstadt (Germany) by the FOOT collaboration. The results are compared with similar results found in the literature and with a previous FOOT measurement of the same process, using the same setup, from a previous pilot run performed at GSI. The pilot run data, however, had limited statistics and only allowed for the measurement of elemental fragmentation cross sections integrated in the setup acceptance. This data set, with statistics more than 100 times larger compared to the data collected in the previous run, enabled the measurement of angular differential cross sections, fully exploiting the granularity of the FOOT $\Delta \text{E}$-TOF system. Furthermore, a better comprehension of the FOOT apparatus allowed to improve the analysis techniques, leading to a reduction in the final systematic uncertainties.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2022

Analysis methods for in-beam PET images in proton therapy treatment verification: a comparison based on Monte Carlo simulations

Background and purpose: In-beam Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is one of the modalities that can be used for in-vivo non-invasive treatment monitoring in proton therapy. PET distributions obtained during various treatment sessions can be compared in order to identify regions that have anatomical changes. The purpose of this work is to test and compare different analysis methods in the context of inter-fractional PET image comparison for proton treatment verification. Methods: For our study we used the FLUKA Monte Carlo code and artificially generated CT scans to simulate in-beam PET distributions at different stages during proton therapy treatment. We compared the Beam-Eye-View method, the Most-Likely-Shift method, the Voxel-Based-Morphology method and the gamma evaluation method to compare PET images at the start of treatment, and after a few weeks of treatment. The results were compared to the CT scan. Results and conclusions: Three-dimensional methods like VBM and gamma are preferred above two-dimensional methods like MLS and BEV if much statistics is available, since the these methods allow to identify the regions with anomalous activity. The VBM approach has as disadvantage that a larger number of MC simulations is needed. The gamma analysis has the disadvantage that no clinical indication exist on tolerance criteria. In terms of calculation time, the BEV and MLS method are preferred. We recommend to use the four methods together, in order to best identify the location and cause of the activity changes.

physics.med-ph↗

arXiv2016

INFN What Next: Ultra-relativistic Heavy-Ion Collisions

This document was prepared by the community that is active in Italy, within INFN (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare), in the field of ultra-relativistic heavy-ion collisions. The experimental study of the phase diagram of strongly-interacting matter and of the Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP) deconfined state will proceed, in the next 10-15 years, along two directions: the high-energy regime at RHIC and at the LHC, and the low-energy regime at FAIR, NICA, SPS and RHIC. The Italian community is strongly involved in the present and future programme of the ALICE experiment, the upgrade of which will open, in the 2020s, a new phase of high-precision characterisation of the QGP properties at the LHC. As a complement of this main activity, there is a growing interest in a possible future experiment at the SPS, which would target the search for the onset of deconfinement using dimuon measurements. On a longer timescale, the community looks with interest at the ongoing studies and discussions on a possible fixed-target programme using the LHC ion beams and on the Future Circular Collider.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2010

Charge collection in the Silicon Drift Detectors of the ALICE experiment

A detailed study of charge collection efficiency has been performed on the Silicon Drift Detectors (SDD) of the ALICE experiment. Three different methods to study the collected charge as a function of the drift time have been implemented. The first approach consists in measuring the charge at different injection distances moving an infrared laser by means of micrometric step motors. The second method is based on the measurement of the charge injected by the laser at fixed drift distance and varying the drift field, thus changing the drift time. In the last method, the measurement of the charge deposited by atmospheric muons is used to study the charge collection efficiency as a function of the drift time. The three methods gave consistent results and indicated that no charge loss during the drift is observed for the sensor types used in 99% of the SDD modules mounted on the ALICE Inner Tracking System. The atmospheric muons have also been used to test the effect of the zero-suppression applied to reduce the data size by erasing the counts in cells not passing the thresholds for noise removal. As expected, the zero suppression introduces a dependence of the reconstructed charge as a function of drift time because it cuts the signal in the tails of the electron clouds enlarged by diffusion effects. These measurements allowed also to validate the correction for this effect extracted from detailed Monte Carlo simulations of the detector response and applied in the offline data reconstruction.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2007

Lung Nodule Detection in Screening Computed Tomography

A computer-aided detection (CAD) system for the identification of pulmonary nodules in low-dose multi-detector helical Computed Tomography (CT) images with 1.25 mm slice thickness is presented. The basic modules of our lung-CAD system, a dot-enhancement filter for nodule candidate selection and a neural classifier for false-positive finding reduction, are described. The results obtained on the collected database of lung CT scans are discussed.

physics.med-ph↗

arXiv2006

Production of $^{6}_Λ$H and $^{7}_Λ$H with the (K$^{-}_{stop}$,$π^+$) reaction

The production of neutron rich $Λ$-hypernuclei via the ($K^-_stop$,$π^+$) reaction has been studied using data collected with the FINUDA spectrometer at the DA$Φ$NE $ϕ$-factory (LNF). The analysis of the inclusive $π^+$ momentum spectra is presented and an upper limit for the production of $^6_Λ$H and $^7_Λ$H from $^6$Li and $^7$Li, is assessed for the first time.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2006

A study of the proton spectra following the capture of $K^-$ in $^6$Li and $^{12}$C with FINUDA

Momenta spectra of protons emitted following the capture of $K^-$ in $^6$Li and $^{12}$C have been measured with 1% resolution. The $^{12}$C spectrum is smooth whereas for $^6$Li a well defined peak appears at about 500 MeV/$c$. The first observation of a structure in this region was identified as a strange tribaryon or, possibly, a $\bar K$-nuclear state. The peak is correlated with a $π^-$ coming from $Σ^-$ decay in flight, selected by setting momenta larger than 275 MeV/$c$. The $Σ^-$ could be produced, together with a 500 MeV/$c$ proton, by the capture of a $K^-$ in a deuteron-cluster substructure of the $^6$Li nucleus. The capture rate for such a reaction is $(1.62\pm 0.23_{stat} ^{+0.71}_{-0.44}(sys))%/K^-_{stop}$, in agreement with the existing observations on $^4$He targets and with the hypothesis that the $^6$Li nucleus can be interpreted as a $(d+α)$ cluster.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2004

GPCALMA: a Grid-based tool for Mammographic Screening

The next generation of High Energy Physics (HEP) experiments requires a GRID approach to a distributed computing system and the associated data management: the key concept is the Virtual Organisation (VO), a group of distributed users with a common goal and the will to share their resources. A similar approach is being applied to a group of Hospitals which joined the GPCALMA project (Grid Platform for Computer Assisted Library for MAmmography), which will allow common screening programs for early diagnosis of breast and, in the future, lung cancer. HEP techniques come into play in writing the application code, which makes use of neural networks for the image analysis and proved to be useful in improving the radiologists' performances in the diagnosis. GRID technologies allow remote image analysis and interactive online diagnosis, with a potential for a relevant reduction of the delays presently associated to screening programs. A prototype of the system, based on AliEn GRID Services, is already available, with a central Server running common services and several clients connecting to it. Mammograms can be acquired in any location; the related information required to select and access them at any time is stored in a common service called Data Catalogue, which can be queried by any client. The result of a query can be used as input for analysis algorithms, which are executed on nodes that are in general remote to the user (but always local to the input images) thanks to the PROOF facility. The selected approach avoids data transfers for all the images with a negative diagnosis (about 95% of the sample) and allows an almost real time diagnosis for the 5% of images with high cancer probability.

physics.med-ph↗

arXiv2004

GPCALMA: A Tool For Mammography With A GRID-Connected Distributed Database

The GPCALMA (Grid Platform for Computer Assisted Library for MAmmography) collaboration involves several departments of physics, INFN sections, and italian hospitals. The aim of this collaboration is developing a tool that can help radiologists in early detection of breast cancer. GPCALMA has built a large distributed database of digitised mammographic images (about 5500 images corresponding to 1650 patients) and developed a CAD (Computer Aided Detection) software which is integrated in a station that can also be used for acquire new images, as archive and to perform statistical analysis. The images are completely described: pathological ones have a consistent characterization with radiologist's diagnosis and histological data, non pathological ones correspond to patients with a follow up at least three years. The distributed database is realized throught the connection of all the hospitals and research centers in GRID tecnology. In each hospital local patients digital images are stored in the local database. Using GRID connection, GPCALMA will allow each node to work on distributed database data as well as local database data. Using its database the GPCALMA tools perform several analysis. A texture analysis, i.e. an automated classification on adipose, dense or glandular texture, can be provided by the system. GPCALMA software also allows classification of pathological features, in particular massive lesions analysis and microcalcification clusters analysis. The performance of the GPCALMA system will be presented in terms of the ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic) curves. The results of GPCALMA system as "second reader" will also be presented.

physics.med-ph↗

arXiv2003

GPCALMA: a Grid Approach to Mammographic Screening

The next generation of High Energy Physics experiments requires a GRID approach to a distributed computing system and the associated data management: the key concept is the "Virtual Organisation" (VO), a group of geographycally distributed users with a common goal and the will to share their resources. A similar approach is being applied to a group of Hospitals which joined the GPCALMA project (Grid Platform for Computer Assisted Library for MAmmography), which will allow common screening programs for early diagnosis of breast and, in the future, lung cancer. HEP techniques come into play in writing the application code, which makes use of neural networks for the image analysis and shows performances similar to radiologists in the diagnosis. GRID technologies will allow remote image analysis and interactive online diagnosis, with a relevant reduction of the delays presently associated to screening programs.

physics.med-ph↗

arXiv2003

The CALMA system: an artificial neural network method for detecting masses and microcalcifications in digitized mammograms

The CALMA (Computer Assisted Library for MAmmography) project is a five years plan developed in a physics research frame in collaboration between INFN (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare) and many Italian hospitals. At present a large database of digitized mammographic images (more than 6000) was collected and a software based on neural network algorithms for the search of suspicious breast lesions was developed. Two tools are available: a microcalcification clusters hunter, based on supervised and unsupervised feedforward neural network, and a massive lesions searcher, based on a hibrid approach. Both the algorithms analyzed preprocessed digitized images by high frequency filters. Clinical tests were performed to evaluate sensitivity and specificity of the system, considering the system as alone and as secon reader. Results show that the system is ready to be implemented by medical industry. The CALMA project, just ended, has its natural development in the GPCALMA (Grid Platform for CALMA) project, where distributed users join common resources (images, tools, statistical analysis).

physics.med-ph↗

arXiv2003

A Computer Aided Detection system for mammographic images implemented on a GRID infrastructure

The use of an automatic system for the analysis of mammographic images has proven to be very useful to radiologists in the investigation of breast cancer, especially in the framework of mammographic-screening programs. A breast neoplasia is often marked by the presence of microcalcification clusters and massive lesions in the mammogram: hence the need for tools able to recognize such lesions at an early stage. In the framework of the GPCALMA (GRID Platform for Computer Assisted Library for MAmmography) project, the co-working of italian physicists and radiologists built a large distributed database of digitized mammographic images (about 5500 images corresponding to 1650 patients) and developed a CAD (Computer Aided Detection) system, able to make an automatic search of massive lesions and microcalcification clusters. The CAD is implemented in the GPCALMA integrated station, which can be used also for digitization, as archive and to perform statistical analyses. Some GPCALMA integrated stations have already been implemented and are currently on clinical trial in some italian hospitals. The emerging GRID technology can been used to connect the GPCALMA integrated stations operating in different medical centers. The GRID approach will support an effective tele- and co-working between radiologists, cancer specialists and epidemiology experts by allowing remote image analysis and interactive online diagnosis.

physics.med-ph↗

arXiv2003

AliEn - EDG Interoperability in ALICE

AliEn (ALICE Environment) is a GRID-like system for large scale job submission and distributed data management developed and used in the context of ALICE, the CERN LHC heavy-ion experiment. With the aim of exploiting upcoming Grid resources to run AliEn-managed jobs and store the produced data, the problem of AliEn-EDG interoperability was addressed and an in-terface was designed. One or more EDG (European Data Grid) User Interface machines run the AliEn software suite (Cluster Monitor, Storage Element and Computing Element), and act as interface nodes between the systems. An EDG Resource Broker is seen by the AliEn server as a single Computing Element, while the EDG storage is seen by AliEn as a single, large Storage Element; files produced in EDG sites are registered in both the EDG Replica Catalogue and in the AliEn Data Catalogue, thus ensuring accessibility from both worlds. In fact, both registrations are required: the AliEn one is used for the data management, the EDG one to guarantee the integrity and access to EDG produced data. A prototype interface has been successfully deployed using the ALICE AliEn Server and the EDG and DataTAG Testbeds.

physics.comp-ph↗

arXiv2003

HEP Applications Evaluation of the EDG Testbed and Middleware

Workpackage 8 of the European Datagrid project was formed in January 2001 with representatives from the four LHC experiments, and with experiment independent people from five of the six main EDG partners. In September 2002 WP8 was strengthened by the addition of effort from BaBar and D0. The original mandate of WP8 was, following the definition of short- and long-term requirements, to port experiment software to the EDG middleware and testbed environment. A major additional activity has been testing the basic functionality and performance of this environment. This paper reviews experiences and evaluations in the areas of job submission, data management, mass storage handling, information systems and monitoring. It also comments on the problems of remote debugging, the portability of code, and scaling problems with increasing numbers of jobs, sites and nodes. Reference is made to the pioneeering work of Atlas and CMS in integrating the use of the EDG Testbed into their data challenges. A forward look is made to essential software developments within EDG and to the necessary cooperation between EDG and LCG for the LCG prototype due in mid 2003.

cs.DC↗