Plasmon excitation and electron promotion in the interaction of slow Na ions with Al surfaces

We studied the energy distributions of electrons emitted in the interaction of slow Na⁺ ions with polycrystalline Al surfaces. To study sub-threshold plasmon excitation we performed measurements as a function of emission angle which showed the excitation of bulk plasmons, confirming the kinetic nature of the excitation process.

Electron spectra show narrow transition lines due to Auger decay in vacuum of sodium projectiles excited in the 2p-shell by electron promotion in collisions with Al target atoms. Several previously unidentified transition lines could be attributed to the autoionization of doubly excited projectiles.     

Quinagolide Treatment Reduces Invasive and Angiogenic Properties of Endometrial Mesenchymal Stromal Cells

Endometrial mesenchymal stromal cells (E-MSCs) extensively contribute to the establishment and progression of endometrial ectopic lesions through formation of the stromal vascular tissue, and support to its growth and vascularization. As E-MSCs lack oestrogen receptors, endometriosis eradication cannot be achieved by hormone-based pharmacological approaches. Quinagolide is a non-ergot-derived dopamine receptor 2 agonist reported to display therapeutic effects in in vivo models of endometriosis. In the present study, we isolated E-MSCs from eutopic endometrial tissue and from ovarian and peritoneal endometriotic lesions, and we tested the effect of quinagolide on their proliferation and matrix invasion ability. Moreover, the effect of quinagolide on E-MSC endothelial differentiation was assessed in an endothelial co-culture model of angiogenesis. E-MSC lines expressed dopamine receptor 2, with higher expression in ectopic than eutopic ones. Quinagolide inhibited the invasive properties of E-MSCs, but not their proliferation, and limited their endothelial differentiation. The abrogation of the observed effects by spiperone, a dopamine receptor antagonist, confirmed specific dopamine receptor activation. At variance, no involvement of VEGFR2 inhibition was observed. Moreover, dopamine receptor 2 activation led to downregulation of AKT and its phosphorylation. Of interest, several effects were more prominent on ectopic E-MSCs with respect to eutopic lines. Together with the reported effects on endometrial and endothelial cells, the observed inhibition of E-MSCs may increase the rationale for quinagolide in endometriosis treatment.     

Axitinib in Ponatinib-Resistant B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Harboring a T315L Mutation

Adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with BCR-ABL1 rearrangement (Philadelphia chromosome, Ph) is a hematological aggressive disease with a fatal outcome in more than 50% of cases. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) targeting the activity of BCR-ABL1 protein have improved the prognosis; however, relapses are frequent because of acquired somatic mutations in the BCR-ABL1 kinase domain causing resistance to first, second and third generation TKIs. Axitinib has shown in vitro and ex vivo activity in blocking ABL1; however, clinical trials exploring its efficacy in ALL are missing. Here, we presented a 77-year-old male with a diagnosis of Ph positive ALL resistant to ponatinib and carrying a rare threonine to leucine (T315L) mutation on BCR-ABL1 gene. The patient was treated with axitinib at 5 mg/twice daily as salvage therapy showing an immediate although transient benefit with an overall survival of 9.3 months. Further dose-finding and randomized clinical trials are required to assess the real efficacy of axitinib for adult Ph positive ALL resistant to third generation TKIs.     

An Efficient Aequorea victoria Green Fluorescent Protein for Stimulated Emission Depletion Super-Resolution Microscopy

In spite of their value as genetically encodable reporters for imaging in living systems, fluorescent proteins have been used sporadically for stimulated emission depletion (STED) super-resolution imaging, owing to their moderate photophysical resistance, which does not enable reaching resolutions as high as for synthetic dyes. By a rational approach combining steady-state and ultrafast spectroscopy with gated STED imaging in living and fixed cells, we here demonstrate that F99S/M153T/V163A GFP (c3GFP) represents an efficient genetic reporter for STED, on account of no excited state absorption at depletion wavelengths <600 nm and a long emission lifetime. This makes c3GFP a valuable alternative to more common, but less photostable, EGFP and YFP/Citrine mutants for STED imaging studies targeting the green-yellow region of the optical spectrum.     

Resonant mechanisms for negative ionization of secondary emitted atoms from sputtered metals

A model is presented to describe negative ionization of low energy, secondary atomic particles ejected from sputtered metal surfaces. Focus is made on the diatomic systems formed, in the collision cascade generated by the primary ion beam, between secondary emitted atoms and their nearest-neighbor substrate atoms that provide the initial impulse for ejection. Two different resonant ionization mechanisms are investigated such that a conduction electron may tunnel into the affinity orbital of the ejected atom either by direct hopping or after an intermediate transition via the affinity orbital of the substrate atom. A numerical method is outlined to calculate the negative ionization probability of secondary emitted atoms. A good agreement is found with van Der Heide’s measurements of the Cu⁻ population sputtered from a clean Cu-surface, at emission energies below 100 eV.     

Broadening effects in Auger neutralization of 130–430 eV Ar ions at Al surfaces

We present a model for electron emission from Al surfaces by Auger neutralization of 130–430 eV Ar⁺ ions, that includes the singular response of the metal conduction band to the abrupt change of the surface potential caused by electron capture by the incident ion. This effect, previously identified in X-ray studies, produces a broadening that plays a significant role in reproducing the higher energy part of the experimental electron kinetic energy distributions.     

Plasma processing for surface optical modifications of PET films

The plasma interaction with the surface produces modifications of its chemical structure or morphology. Surface modifications through cold plasma occur, thanks to the high plasma reactivity and ability to affect the surface of materials.The present work shows the surface modification of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films after the exposure both to low-pressure plasma (film deposition by plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition) and to an atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge (surface etching). After plasma treatment we have analysed the effect on the PET surface.For the atmospheric pressure plasma-treated samples, contact angle and atomic force microscope analysis enable us to determine roughness changes. For the low-pressure plasma samples, contact angles and Fourier transform infrared absorption spectroscopy analysis are used to estimate the chemical composition of the deposition and focused ion beam analysis to collect the image and calculate the thickness of plasma deposition.Both plasma treatments (film deposition and etching) cause changes in optical properties as indicated by reflectivity measurements.     

Preliminary results of the experimental study of PFCs exposure to ELMs-like transient loads followed by high heat flux thermal fatigue

This paper deals with the empirical evaluation of the plasma facing components (PFCs) lifetime under transient events, such as type I edge localized modes (ELMs), and high heat flux (HHF) thermal fatigue expected during ITER normal operations and slow transient events. The first results of experiments which are ongoing in the frame of an EU/RF collaboration are presented, in particular the results of the first campaign of exposure to ELMs-like load and HHF thermal fatigue performed on PFC monoblock mock ups. For carbon-fiber composite material the erosion was determined by the analysis of the PAN fibres. The erosion of tungsten is reported as melt layer movement and crack formation. As a preliminary result of the experiments performed one can say that the mock up power handling capability seems so far not to be affected by the ELMs and HHF cycling tests.     

More efficient project execution and evaluation with logical framework and project cycle management: evidence from international development projects

The importance of international development projects in the field of international aid is growing. Given the characteristics of these projects, some specific methodologies have been developed, such as project cycle management (PCM) and the logical framework (LF) to efficiently carry out social impact assessment and project execution. However, few studies have analyzed the diffusion of these methodologies, especially in the context of non-governmental organizations (NGOs). With a survey of 109 Project Managers working for Italian NGOs, we show that PCM and LF are extensively adopted by NGOs compared with other standard methodologies (e.g. PMBOK Guide, IPMA). Moreover, we show how the adoption of PCM and LF is related to the level of knowledge of such tools by project managers, thus highlighting the importance of training. Finally, in line with previous studies, we find that project managers in NGOs believe that such tools are not easy to use but optimize the (social) impacts of the projects.     

Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Protect Human Corneal Endothelial Cells from Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Mediated Apoptosis

Corneal endothelial dystrophy is a relevant cause of vision loss and corneal transplantation worldwide. In the present study, we analyzed the effect of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) in an in vitro model of corneal dystrophy, characterized by endoplasmic reticulum stress. The effects of MSC-EVs were compared with those of serum-derived EVs, reported to display a pro-angiogenic activity. MSC-EVs were able to induce a significant down-regulation of the large majority of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related genes in human corneal endothelial cells after exposure to serum deprivation and tunicamycin. In parallel, they upregulated the Akt pathway and limited caspase-3 activation and apoptosis. At variance, the effect of the serum EVs was mainly limited to Akt phosphorylation, with minimal or absent effects on endoplasmic reticulum stress modulation and apoptosis prevention. The effects of MSC-EVs were correlated to the transfer of numerous endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-stress targeting miRNAs to corneal endothelial cells. These data suggest a potential therapeutic effect of MSC-EVs for corneal endothelial endoplasmic reticulum stress, a major player in corneal endothelial dystrophy.