Experimental Study of an Adding Interferometer at Millimeter Waves

In order to study an original detection architecture for future cosmology experiments based on wide band adding interferometry, we have tested a single baseline bench instrument based on commercial components. The instrument has been characterized in the laboratory with a wide band power detection setup. A method which allows us to reconstruct the complete transfer function of the interferometer has been developed and validated with measurements. This scheme is useful to propagate the spurious effects of each component till the output of the detector.     

Role of Btg2 in the Progression of a PDGF-Induced Oligodendroglioma Model

Tumor progression is a key aspect in oncology. Not even the overexpression of a powerful oncogenic stimulus such as platelet derived growth factor-B (PDGF-B) is sufficient per se to confer full malignancy to cells. In previous studies we showed that neural progenitors overexpressing PDGF-B need to undergo progression to acquire the capability to give rise to secondary tumor following transplant. By comparing the expression profile of PDGF-expressing cells before and after progression, we found that progressed tumors consistently downregulate the expression of the antiproliferative gene Btg2. We therefore tested whether the downregulation of Btg2 is sufficient and necessary for glioma progression with loss and gain of function experiments. Our results show that downregulation of Btg2 is not sufficient but is necessary for tumor progression since the re-introduction of Btg2 in fully progressed tumors dramatically impairs their gliomagenic potential. These results suggest an important role of Btg2 in glioma progression. Accordingly with this view, the analysis of public datasets of human gliomas showed that reduced level of Btg2 expression correlates with a significantly worse prognosis.     

Solution‐Processed GaSe Nanoflake‐Based Films for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting and Photoelectrochemical‐Type Photodetectors

Gallium selenide (GaSe) is a layered compound, which has been exploited in nonlinear optical applications and photodetectors due to its anisotropic structure and pseudodirect optical gap. Theoretical studies predict that its 2D form is a potential photocatalyst for water splitting reactions. Herein, the photoelectrochemical (PEC) characterization of GaSe nanoflakes (single‐/few‐layer flakes), produced via liquid phase exfoliation, for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in both acidic and alkaline media is reported. In 0.5 m H₂SO₄, the GaSe photoelectrodes display the best PEC performance, corresponding to a ratiometric power‐saved metric for HER (Φ_saved,HER) of 0.09% and a ratiometric power‐saved metric for OER (Φ_saved,OER) of 0.25%. When used as PEC‐type photodetectors, GaSe photoelectrodes show a responsivity of ≈0.16 A W^?1 upon 455 nm illumination at a light intensity of 63.5 µW cm^?2 and applied potential of ?0.3 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE). Stability tests of GaSe photodetectors demonstrated a durable operation over tens of cathodic linear sweep voltammetry scans in 0.5 m H₂SO₄ for HER. In contrast, degradation of photoelectrodes occurred in both alkaline and anodic operation due to the highly oxidizing environment and O₂‐induced (photo)oxidation effects. The results provide new insight into the PEC properties of GaSe nanoflakes for their exploitation in photoelectrocatalysis, PEC‐type photodetectors, and (bio)sensors.     

Tomato purèe quality from transgenic processing tomatoes

Summary  The quality of tomato purèe prepared from transgenic fruits ( Lycopersicon esculentum ) which had reduced amounts of polygalacturonase (PG) activity, were evaluated. The application of genetic modification yields products which have lower Bostwick consistency values (from 35 to 55%), reduced serum separation ( c . 40%) and better sensory appearance and acceptability in comparison with their conventional counterparts. A new way of producing high quality tomato products using genetically modified fruits together with mild heat treatments is described.     

Identification by proteome analysis of muscle proteins in sea bream (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sparus aurata</Emphasis>)

The present paper reported postmortem changes in muscle proteins on sea bream (Sparus aurata), during ice storage. The postmortem evolution of protein patterns in farmed sea bream was monitored by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and two-dimension electrophoresis (2DE). Matrix associated laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) was used for identification of proteins. Results of the bio-informatics analysis demonstrate that: (1) the normalized volume of skeletal alpha-actin and tropomyosin is not affected by the time of storage; (2) the normalized volumes of myosin light chain 3 and of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II beta1 increase; (3) the normalized volumes of Sec 13-like and parvalbumin significantly decrease.     

Civic Events in a Dynamic Local Field. The Role of Participation for Social Innovation

Despite the spread of a variety of small-scale civic events, little is known about their potential for promoting innovation and field-wide implications. This paper addresses these points drawing on a study of 52 civic events in Milan between 2006 and 2010, which were set up by 10 nonprofit organizations within a shared local field. In order to assess if and how the observed events relate to a number of transformations that the local field underwent during the research period, an analytical typology of events' development is proposed. The results suggest that patterns of events' development are not neutral with respect to the production of field-relevant implications and that the triggering of social innovation processes by events requires pro-active public participation in their development processes.     

Hybrid Organic/Inorganic Nanostructures for Highly Sensitive Photoelectrochemical Detection of Dissolved Oxygen in Aqueous Media

Precise, reliable, and remote measurement of dissolved oxygen in aqueous media is of great importance for many industrial, environmental, and biological applications. In particular, photoelectrochemical sensors working in differential mode have recently demonstrated promising properties, in terms of stability, sensitivity, and application potential. Here, a new approach is presented, combining visible light sensitivity, efficient photocurrent generation, and solution‐processed fabrication methods of conjugated polymers, with charge carriers selectivity, energetic alignment favorable to efficient interfacial charge transfer and high surface area achievable by using metal oxide nanostructures. Extensive characterization and optimization of the hybrid organic/inorganic system are carried out, leading to the realization of an oxygen sensor device, based on nanostructured palladium oxide/poly[(9,9‐dioctylfluorenyl‐2,7‐diyl)‐alt‐5,5‐(4′,7′‐di‐2‐thienyl‐2′,1′,3′‐benzothiadiazole]/[6,6]phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester (PdO/APFO‐3:PCBM) as materials of choice. State‐of‐the‐art sensitivity, amounting at ?5.87 μA cm^?2 ppm^?1, low background signal, in the order of ?4.85 μA cm^?2, good electrochemical stability for more than 2 h of continuous functioning and high reproducibility of the signal over the pH 1 to 10 range, are reported, making the hybrid device suitable for several practical uses. The results fully validate the mixed organic/inorganic approach for photoelectrochemical applications, and pave the way for its further exploitation in fields like waste water treatment, environmental monitoring, and water splitting.     

IL-33 and the Cytokine Storm in COVID-19: From a Potential Immunological Relationship towards Precision Medicine

Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has represented, and still represents, a real challenge from a clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic point of view. During acute infection, the increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are involved in the pathology of disease and the development of SARS-CoV-2-induced acute respiratory disease syndrome, the life-threatening form of this infection, are correlated with patient survival and disease severity. IL-33, a key cytokine involved in both innate and adaptive immune responses in mucosal organs, can increase airway inflammation, mucus secretion and Th2 cytokine synthesis in the lungs, following respiratory infections. Similar to cases of exposure to known respiratory virus infections, exposure to SARS-CoV-2 induces the expression of IL-33, correlating with T-cell activation and lung disease severity. In this work, we analyse current evidence regarding the immunological role of IL-33 in patients affected by COVID-19, to evaluate not only the clinical impact correlated to its production but also to identify possible future immunological therapies that can block the most expressed inflammatory molecules, preventing worsening of the disease and saving patient lives.