0000000000064338
AUTHOR
Luca Pasquini
IRIDE: Interdisciplinary research infrastructure based on dual electron linacs and lasers
This paper describes the scientific aims and potentials as well as the preliminary technical design of RUDE, an innovative tool for multi-disciplinary investigations in a wide field of scientific, technological and industrial applications. IRIDE will be a high intensity "particles factory", based on a combination of high duty cycle radio-frequency superconducting electron linacs and of high energy lasers. Conceived to provide unique research possibilities for particle physics, for condensed matter physics, chemistry and material science, for structural biology and industrial applications, IRIDE will open completely new research possibilities and advance our knowledge in many branches of sci…
Lithium in the intermediate age cluster NGC 3680: Following Li evolution along the C-M diagram
We present an analysis of high resolution spectroscopic observations (R 30 000, S=N =6 0 150) of 24 members of the intermediate age (1.5 Gyr) open cluster NGC 3680, covering all regions of the cluster colour-magnitude (C{M) diagram where cluster members are known to exist. These observations represent in many aspects challenges to our understanding of stellar interior and mixing. Four main sequence G stars have, within the errors, the same Li abundance, 0.3 dex lower than similar stars in the1 Gyr younger Hyades but comparable with those observed in the coeval cluster IC 4651. The cluster shows a clear Li-dip located around the turn-o; two stars on the upper part of the turn-o are out of th…
SCD5-induced oleic acid production reduces melanoma malignancy by intracellular retention of SPARC and cathepsin B
A proper balance between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids (FAs) is required for maintaining cell homeostasis. The increased demand of FAs to assemble the plasma membranes of continuously dividing cancer cells might unbalance this ratio and critically affect tumour outgrowth. We unveiled the role of the stearoyl-CoA desaturase SCD5 in converting saturated FAs into mono-unsaturated FAs during melanoma progression. SCD5 is down-regulated in advanced melanoma and its restored expression significantly reduced melanoma malignancy, both in vitro and in vivo, through a mechanism governing the secretion of extracellular matrix proteins, such as secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPAR…
The Gaia-ESO Survey: Chromospheric emission, accretion properties, and rotation in gamma Velorum and Chamaeleon
Aims: One of the goals of the Gaia-ESO Survey (GES), which is conducted with FLAMES at the VLT, is the census and the characterization of the low-mass members of very young clusters and associations. We conduct a comparative study of the main properties of the sources belonging to γ Velorum (γ Vel) and Chamaeleon I (Cha I) young associations, focusing on their rotation, chromospheric radiative losses, and accretion. Methods: We used the fundamental parameters (effective temperature, surface gravity, lithium abundance, and radial velocity) delivered by the GES consortium in the first internal data release to select the members of γ Vel and Cha I among the UVES and GIRAFFE spectroscopic obser…
Circulating haemopoietic and endothelial progenitor cells are decreased in COPD
Circulating CD34+ cells are haemopoietic progenitors that may play a role in tissue repair. No data are available on circulating progenitors in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Circulating CD34+ cells were studied in 18 patients with moderate-to-severe COPD (age: mean+/-sd 68+/-8 yrs; forced expiratory volume in one second: 48+/-12% predicted) and 12 controls, at rest and after endurance exercise. Plasma concentrations of haematopoietic growth factors (FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (Flt3) ligand, kit ligand), markers of hypoxia (vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)) and stimulators of angiogenesis (VEGF, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)) and markers of systemic inflammation (tu…
SCD5-induced oleic acid production reduces melanoma malignancy by intracellular retention of SPARC and cathepsin B
A proper balance between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids (FAs) is required for maintaining cell homeostasis. The increased demand of FAs to assemble the plasma membranes of continuously dividing cancer cells might unbalance this ratio and critically affect tumour outgrowth. We unveiled the role of the stearoyl-CoA desaturase SCD5 in converting saturated FAs into mono-unsaturated FAs during melanoma progression. SCD5 is down-regulated in advanced melanoma and its restored expression significantly reduced melanoma malignancy, both in vitro and in vivo, through a mechanism governing the secretion of extracellular matrix proteins, such as secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPAR…