Ultra-sensitive in-beam \gamma -ray spectroscopy for nuclear astrophysics at LUNA

Ultra-sensitive in-beam -ray spectroscopy studies for nuclear astrophysics are performed at the LUNA (Laboratory for Underground Nuclear Astrophysics) 400 kV accelerator, deep underground in Italy’s Gran Sasso laboratory. By virtue of a specially constructed passive shield, the laboratory -ray background for < 3 MeV at LUNA has been reduced to levels comparable to those experienced in dedicated offline underground -counting setups. The -ray background induced by an incident -beam has been studied. The data are used to evaluate the feasibility of sensitive in-beam experiments at LUNA and, by extension, at similar proposed facilities.     

Measurement of beam-recoil observables Ox , Oz and target asymmetry T for the reaction \gammap → K+ \Lambda

The double polarization (beam-recoil) observables $\ensuremath O_x$ and $\ensuremath O_z$ have been measured for the reaction $ \gamma$ p → K ⁺ $ \Lambda$ from threshold production to $\ensuremath E_{\gamma} \sim 1500$ MeV. The data were obtained with the linearly polarized beam of the GRAAL facility. Values for the target asymmetry T could also be extracted despite the use of an unpolarized target. Analyses of our results by two isobar models tend to confirm the necessity to include new or poorly known resonances in the 1900MeV mass region.     

Calyx and dimorphic neurons of mouse Scarpa's ganglion express histamine H3 receptors

Background  

Histamine-related drugs are commonly used in the treatment of vertigo and related vestibular disorders. The site of action of these drugs however has not been elucidated yet. Recent works on amphibians showed that histamine H3 receptor antagonists, e.g. betahistine, inhibit the afferent discharge recorded from the vestibular nerve. To assess the expression of H3 histamine receptors in vestibular neurons, we performed mRNA RT-PCR and immunofluorescence experiments in mouse Scarpa's ganglia.     

Feasibility of low-energy radiative-capture experiments at the LUNA underground accelerator facility

The LUNA (Laboratory Underground for Nuclear Astrophysics) facility has been designed to study nuclear reactions of astrophysical interest. It is located deep underground in the Gran Sasso National Laboratory, Italy. Two electrostatic accelerators, with 50 and 400 kV maximum voltage, in combination with solid and gas target setups allowed to measure the total cross-sections of the radiative-capture reactions ^2H²H(p, )^3He³Heand ^14N¹⁴N(p, )^15O¹⁵Owithin their relevant Gamow peaks. We report on the gamma background in the Gran Sasso laboratory measured by germanium and bismuth germanate detectors, with and without an incident proton beam. A method to localize the sources of beam-induced background using the Doppler shift of emitted gamma rays is presented. The feasibility of radiative-capture studies at energies of astrophysical interest is discussed for several experimental scenarios.     

Heavy metals and nutrients in coastal, surface seawaters (Gulf of Trieste, Northern Adriatic Sea): an environmental study by factor analysis

Trace metals and nutrients were monitored voltammetrically and spectrophotometrically during a one-year period (1992/93) in the filtered fraction of coastal surface seawaters sampled with a monthly frequency at 6 different sites in the Gulf of Trieste (Northern Adriatic Sea), to evaluate the degree of pollution in an area receiving industrial, agricultural and urban wastes. The sites devoted to hatcheries of edible mussels are of particular interest. A multivariate statistical analysis of the collected concentration data by the principal component method allows to identify the sources and typology of pollution, and to discriminate between the quality of waters at the different sampling sites. The coastal waters in the Gulf of Trieste seem to be comparable to, or better than, waters of analogous areas in the Mediterranean Sea.