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To align with the global trend of integrating synchrotron light source (SLS) and free electron laser (FEL) facilities on one site, in line with examples such as SPring-8 and SACLA in Japan and ELETTRA and FERMI in Italy, we actively explore FEL options leveraging the ultralow-emittance electron beam of the NSLS-II upgrade. These options show promising potential for synergy with storage ring (SR) operations, thereby significantly enhancing our facility's capabilities. Echo-enabled harmonic generation (EEHG) is well-suited to SR-based FELs, and has already been demonstrated with the capability of generating extremely narrow bandwidth as well as high brightness, realized using diffraction-limited short pulses in transverse planes and Fourier transform-limited bandwidth in the soft X-ray spectrum. However, regarding a conventional EEHG scheme, the combination of the shortest seed laser wavelength (256 nm) and highest harmonic (200) sets the short wavelength limit to λ = 1.28 nm. To further extend the short wavelength limit down to the tender and hard X-ray region, a vital option is to shorten the seed laser wavelength. Thanks to recent advances in high harmonic generation (HHG), packing 109 photons at one harmonic within a few-femtosecond pulse could turn such a novel HHG source into an ideal seeding for EEHG. Thus, compared to the cascaded EEHG, the HHG seeding option could not only lower the cost, but also free the SR space for accommodating more user beamlines. Moreover, to mitigate the SASE background noise on the sample and detector, we combine the HHG seeding EEHG with the crab cavity short pulse scheme for maximum benefit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing demand for 3D digital models has spurred the rapid evolution of technologies to acquire, process, and disseminate 3D data of physical artifacts. Current scanners meet building surveying needs, prompting the exploration of closed systems with multiple sensors, custom accessories, control systems, and varied data processing approaches. While efficient in specific conditions, these systems require careful consideration of factors like technical requirements, environmental conditions, and the intended use of the final model. This article compares a static terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) and a portable mobile mapping system (PMMS) for documenting built heritage, focusing on the City Hall of Montecatini Terme in Italy. The Leica Geosystems RTC360 scanner provides quick scanning times and pre-alignment during fieldwork, reducing post-processing efforts. The Leica BLK2GO, belonging to the PMMS family, utilizes laser SLAM, visual SLAM, and inertial IMU measurements for rapid large-area documentation. The comparison assesses accuracy, completeness, and detail recognition, revealing that both systems are suitable for heritage documentation requiring centimetre-level accuracy. However, differences in point density and roughness indicate that the RTC360 may be better for intricate details. The BLK2GO excels in efficiency but is more oriented toward general representations at the architectural scale. This study emphasizes the importance of evaluating different methodologies based on project objectives and desired levels of detail, providing insights into the strengths and limitations of each system for diverse applications in heritage documentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many modalities have been described for the treatment of periorbital wrinkling. Aims: The purpose of this study is to quantify the improvement of periorbital wrinkling achieved by current nonablative modalities, using a fractional 1565 nm Er:glass fiber laser. Methods: Our study is a retrospective two‐center case series including 16 patients treated with nonablative laser for periorbital wrinkling at the Tel‐Aviv Sourasky Medical Center in Israel and Laserplast Aesthetic Medicine Center in Italy between 2017 and 2019. Patients were assessed for objective and subjective improvement, patient satisfaction, side effect profile, and downtime. Results: Improvement in average Fitzpatrick Wrinkle Scale scores (from 4.3 to 2.7 by ranking physician 1 and 3.8 to 2.4 by ranking physician 2, P <.001) was observed after 8 weeks. Global Assessment Improvement Scale scores were 2.6 (physician 1) and 2.2 (physician 2) on average. This correlated to mild‐moderate subjective sense of improvement by patients. Side effects and downtime were minimal. Conclusion: Our study suggests that current nonablative laser skin resurfacing technology offers a mild‐moderate improvement in periorbital wrinkling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present a study on the efficiency of multi-return LIDAR (Light Detection Ranging) data in the estimation of forest stem volume over a multi-layered forest area in the Italian Alps. The goals of this paper are (1) to verify the usefulness of multi-return LIDAR data compared to single-return data in forest volume estimation and (2) to define the optimal resolution of a stem volume distribution raster map over the investigated area. To achieve these goals, raw data were segmented into a net, and different cell dimensions were investigated to maximize the relationship between the LIDAR data and the ground-truth information. Twenty predicting variables (e.g., mean height, coefficient of variation) have been extracted from multi-return LIDAR data, and a multiple linear regression analysis has been used for predicting tree stem volume. Experimental results found that the optimal resolutions of the net square cells were 40 m. The analysis indicated that in a mixed multi-layered forest, characterized by a complex vertical structure, the correct selection of the map spatial resolution and the inclusion of the secondary-return data were important factors for improving the effectiveness of the laser scanning approach in forest inventories. The experimental tests showed that the chosen model is effective for the estimation of stem volume over the analyzed area, providing good results on all the three considered validation methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To test whether the erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) SMOOTH® laser treatment efficacy on stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in hysterectomized patients is non-inferior to its efficacy in non-hysterectomized patients.Methods: In this real-world, retrospective cohort study performed in Turkey, Croatia and Italy, we enrolled a consecutive sample of 35 hysterectomized and 34 non-hysterectomized patients with SUI. We used the Er:YAG SMOOTH® laser (Fotona, Slovenia) with a wave length of 2940 nm. The primary outcome was median reduction of SUI symptoms measured by the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short-Form (ICIQ-SF) with the non-inferiority margin defined as the minimum clinically important difference of ICIQ-SF (δ < 2.52 points).Results: In hysterectomized patients, the ICIQ-SF was reduced by 5 points (95% confidence interval 3-8; p < 0.001), a reduction of 45% (95% confidence interval 36-67%). After adjustment for baseline ICIQ-SF and five covariates, the reduction of symptoms in the hysterectomized group was not inferior to the reduction in the non-hysterectomized group.Conclusion: The Er:YAG SMOOTH® laser treatment seems to improve the symptoms of SUI in hysterectomized women not clinically relevantly less than in non-hysterectomized women. It seems that the beneficial effect of Er:YAG SMOOTH® laser treatment for SUI in hysterectomized women is time-limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this multicentric, prospective study was to evaluate the effects of vaginal erbium laser (VEL-SMOOTH®) on sexual function in postmenopausal women suffering from the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). This study was performed on an outpatient basis without anesthesia or drug use before or after the intervention, using an erbium laser (XS Fotona Smooth®, Fotona, Ljubljana, Slovenia) in 1081 postmenopausal women (age 54.3 ± 3.9 years) treated with up to three laser applications every 30 days. Patients were assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised (FSDS-R). No adverse events were recorded during the study. The FSDS-R scores (n = 554), from basal values of 25.5 ± 3.5, were 11.5 ± 3.0, 10.5 ± 3.5 and 11.5 ± 3.5 at the 4-, 12- and 24-week follow-ups, respectively (p < 0.01 vs. corresponding basal values). Individual FSFI domain scores (n = 569) significantly (p < 0.001) increased after VEL-SMOOTH® treatment and remained significantly higher up to the 24th week after the end of treatment. The total scores, from basal values of 15.5 ± 1.5, were 27.5 ± 2.5, 27.6 ± 2.7and 27.0 ± 3.5 at the 4-, 12- and 24-week follow-ups, respectively (p < 0.01 vs. corresponding basal values). Albeit not randomized, this large, prospective study shows that VEL-SMOOTH® treatment may improve sexual function in postmenopausal women suffering from GSM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tunable infrared laser-based instruments on airborne platforms have provided invaluable contributions to atmospheric studies over the past several decades. This paper presents an overview of some recent studies and developments using this approach that were presented at the 2007 Field Laser Applications in Industry and Research (FLAIR, http://www.inoa.it/flair/) conference in Florence, Italy. The present overview only covers select in situ absorption-based instruments that were presented in the airborne session at this conference. In no case are comprehensive details presented. These details can be found in the numerous references given. Additional approaches based upon cavity-enhanced and photoacoustic measurements, which are also making invaluable contributions in airborne atmospheric studies, are not discussed in this brief overview. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A system for monitoring rotations and displacements of bridges based on laser pointer and digital photogrammetry is described. The system uses three common laser pointers and image processing. The inclination of the elastic line is measured by analysing the individual frames of an HD video of the laser beam footprint projected onto a flat target. The methodology, able to conjugate a high precision, low cost, and easiness of use, is an evolution of a method developed at University of Calabria, Italy. The use of three laser pointers allows to improve the performance of the previous method, obtaining both displacements and rotations at a generic point of the bridge deck, and deriving the transverse rotation of the deck cross section. The investigated method exploits the laser pointers' property to provide a steady pointing direction, a long-range and a high-brightness visible imprint. The method and the results of an experimental test are described and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the limited number of studies on this topic, the aim of this study is to better understand the characteristics of art restoration firms in Italy, with particular reference to their use of innovative technologies such as laser technology. The paper is supported by a survey conducted in a sample of 100 companies. The factors that have led firms to adopt or resist the adoption of the laser were identified and analysed. The results show that the main determinants of laser adoption are collaborative activities between the firms and universities and specific requests made by public institutions to use this technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The southern area of Italy is characterized by the presence of many active volcanic areas. In Pozzuoli (Naples, Italy), an urban area characterized by high volcanic risk, a gas emitting site is present. An high percentage of CO2 is emitted, whose atmospheric concentration measurement is an important task in many environmental and scientific applications. In this paper, we describe the utilization over that area of a mobile infrared (IR) laser system, able to measure the CO2 concentration along rectilinear atmospheric paths up to 1-km length, and the result of tomographic processing applied to retrieve a two-dimensional CO2 concentration field. The laser system computes the link averaged concentration by processing the received IR laser radiation propagated along an open-air rectilinear link connecting the transmitter/receiver laser unit and a passive retroreflector device. A one-day measurement campaign has been made and 15 different atmospheric propagation links were considered moving the transmitter/receiver unit and some retroreflectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary objective: The aim of this study is to assess if laser evoked potentials (LEPs) examination should be considered as an objective evidence of potential or residual pain perception capacity in vegetative (VS) and minimally conscious state (MCS) patients and if it could be a feasible methodology in order to differentiate these two clinical entities. Research design: This is a cross-sectional observational study focusing on the role of LEP examination, which is an easy and objective neurophysiological approach of the nociceptive system. Methods and procedures: Thirteen VS and 10 MCS patients were enrolled. All subjects were evaluated clinically by using validated behavioural scales and underwent to upper and lower limbs LEP recording. Main outcomes and results: Intra-group LEPs analysis in VS patients highlighted significant differences for N2P2 latency (p = 0.036) and amplitude (p = 0.018). Inter-group LEPs analysis showed significant differences in post-anoxic condition for N2P2 latency (p = 0.034), amplitude (p = 0.034) and a trend in N2P2 latency in brain trauma (p = 0.07). Interestingly, correlation analysis showed a significant relationship between N2P2 amplitude and Coma Recovery Scale-Revised scoring in the post-traumatic VS (r = 0.823,p = 0.044). Conclusions: The findings lead to detection of potential markers of conscious pain perception in patients with DOC, with important impact on therapeutic and rehabilitative management, and provide new information that may allow a better differential diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information on "Field Laser Applications in Industry and Research - FLAIR," held at the Demidoff Hotel in Mugello Valley, Italy, from September 2 until 7, 2007, is presented. Papers on the uses of laser applications in human health and agriculture, including papers by Sune Svanbeg, Frans Harren and Ulrike Willer are included in the conference. The lecture "Mission to Mars and the Earth's Stratosphere: Laser Applications to Planetary and Atmospheric Research," by Chris Webster is also included.

A distributed telemeter is herein presented, which has specifically been designed for the high-speed high-resolution monitoring of trains in railway portals but can be adapted to a number of industrial and environmental applications. The system uses a single transmitter/receiver unit to feed, using optical fiber pairs, a number of measuring stations. It makes use of an ultrashort fiber laser operating at 400 kHz or, alternatively, a fiber-coupled diode laser and presents in-house developed solutions to obtain a 40-dB dynamic range, thus allowing to monitor targets within large distance/angle/color intervals. The system has been developed, tested, and installed on a train-monitoring portal in the Roma–Napoli railway, in the framework of an effort to increase the safety of trains entering tunnels in the Italian railway system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the Laser Florence 2008 that will be held at Villa Viviani in Florence, Italy.

The article reports on the 20th International Congress on Laser Medicine held in Florence, Italy November 10-12, 2005. The presentations focused on advances in laser applications. The participants were given the opportunity to interact with specialists in the field.

We report the first results of the field operation of a novel, portable diode-laser spectrometer for gas-concentration measurements in volcanic areas. Remote detection of direct absorption line shapes was possible thanks to a telecom single-mode optical fiber that delivered radiation from a room-temperature distributed-feedback diode laser, emitting at 1.997 μm, to an open-path multiple-reflection cell, placed on gas effluxes. The system was deployed on two different active volcanoes in Italy, where simultaneous and continuous monitoring of CO[sub 2] and H[sub 2]O concentrations has been demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study evaluated the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) by means of a diode laser in accelerating orthodontic tooth movement (OTM). After extraction of the first upper premolars for orthodontic purpose, 82 maxillary canines which needed distalization were analyzed in 41 enrolled patients (21 males, 20 females, mean age 13.4 ± 2.1 years). On all experimental sites, an orthodontic force of 50/N was applied by a nickel-titanium (NiTi) closed coil spring (G&H, Franklin, IN, USA) in order to obtain the space closure. Using a split mouth randomized design, the test side was treated using a diode laser (Wiser Laser Doctor Smile, Brendola, Italy) operating at 810 nm wavelength in continuous wave mode at both the buccal and palatal side on three points/side (distal, medial and mesial) (1 W output power, continuous wave of 66.7 J/cm2, energy density of 8 J) at baseline and at 3, 7, and 14 days and every 15 days until the space closed. On the control side, the opposite selected canine was treated only using orthodontic traction. The primary outcome chosen was the overall time needed to complete the levelling and closing space, measured on a study cast. The secondary outcome chosen was the evaluation of pain levels related to tooth traction, using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), recorded at 3, 7, and 14 days after treatments. The mean space closures of the maxillary canines were comparable between groups [Test, 4.56 mm (95% CI 3.9–4.8); Control, 4.49 mm (95% CI 3.8–4.7), p = 0.456]. The laser group yielded less mean time [84.35 ± 12.34 days (95% CI 79.3–86)] to accomplish space closure compared to the control group [97.49 ± 11.44 days (91.7–102.3)] (p < 0.001). The test side showed a significant reduction in the average range of dental pain at 3 [Test, 5.41 (95% CI 5.1–5.6); Control, 7.23 (95% CI 6.9–7.6), p < 0.001], 7 [Test, 4.12 (95% CI 3.8–4.7); Control, 5.79 (95% CI 5.4–5.8), p < 0.001], and at 14 days [Test, 2.31 (95% CI 1.8–2.3); Control, 3.84 (95% CI 3.3–4.2), p < 0.001] after treatment (p < 0.001). This study demonstrates that the use of LLLT therapy was effective in accelerating tooth movement and reducing pain levels related to OTM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]