At the end of 2015, INFN formally approved a new experiment, PADME, to search for invisible decays of the A' dark photon at the DAFNE Linac in Frascati. The experiment is designed to detect the A' ...produced in positron-on-fixed target annihilation, by measuring the final state missing mass. The collaboration aims to complete the design and construction of the experiment by the end of 2017 and to collect ∼1013 positrons on target by the end of 2018, thus reaching a sensitivity on the coupling constant of ∼103 and on the dark photon mass up to ∼ 23.7 MeV/c2
Metastasis suppressors comprise a growing class of genes whose downregulation triggers metastatic progression. In contrast to tumor suppressors, metastasis suppressors are rarely mutated or deleted, ...and little is known regarding the mechanisms by which their expression is downregulated. Here, we demonstrate that the metastasis suppressor, NM23-H1, is degraded by lysosomal cysteine cathepsins (L,B), which directly cleave NM23-H1. In addition, activation of c-Abl and Arg oncoproteins induces NM23-H1 degradation in invasive cancer cells by increasing cysteine cathepsin transcription and activation. Moreover, c-Abl activates cathepsins by promoting endosome maturation, which facilitates trafficking of NM23-H1 to the lysosome where it is degraded. Importantly, the invasion- and metastasis-promoting activity of c-Abl/Arg is dependent on their ability to induce NM23-H1 degradation, and the pathway is clinically relevant as c-Abl/Arg activity and NM23-H1 expression are inversely correlated in primary breast cancers and melanomas. Thus, we demonstrate a novel mechanism by which cathepsin expression is upregulated in cancer cells (via Abl kinases). We also identify a novel role for intracellular cathepsins in invasion and metastasis (degradation of a metastasis suppressor). Finally, we identify novel crosstalk between oncogenic and metastasis suppressor pathways, thereby providing mechanistic insight into the process of NM23-H1 loss, which may pave the way for new strategies to restore NM23-H1 expression and block metastatic progression.
This work proposes a semi-pilot scale procedure for the evaluation of biogas production potential and the employment of its results for the scale-up of the process. AD tests were performed at 35 °C ...in 6 L reactors, feeding 3–6% w/w TS in a fed-batch mode. Several substrates, generated by food-processing industries, were considered in the study. Assuming solubilization as the limiting step, a theoretical model was proposed and the values of the disintegration kinetic constant (kdis) were calculated from the experimental data. The obtained model was employed as a control tool during tests afterward performed on pilot scale in a 300 L digester fed in a semi-continuous mode. Biogas yields between 0.5 and 0.9 Nm3/kgVS, and methane contents of 55–63% v/v were obtained on both scales. The model derived from the results of the proposed procedure appeared adequate for a consistent evaluation of the scale-up of the AD process.
•The experimental results derive from tests performed on 6 L and 300 L reactors.•Single-phase AD of homogenous mixtures (no co-digestion) was performed.•Good biogas yields were obtained without any pre-treatment of the substrates.•Solubilization was evaluated as the limiting step in AD of the considered substrates.•A provisional model, based on kdis and useful for the process scale-up, is proposed.
We present a new limit on the production of a light dark-force mediator with the KLOE detector at DAΦNE. This boson, called U, has been searched for in the decay ϕ→ηU, U→e+e−, analyzing the decay ...η→π0π0π0 in a data sample of 1.7 fb−1. No structures are observed in the e+e− invariant mass distribution over the background. This search is combined with a previous result obtained from the decay η→π+π−π0, increasing the sensitivity. We set an upper limit at 90% C.L. on the ratio between the U boson coupling constant and the fine structure constant of α′/α<1.7×10−5 for 30<MU<400 MeV and α′/α⩽8×10−6 for the sub-region 50<MU<210 MeV. This result assumes the Vector Meson Dominance expectations for the ϕηγ⁎ transition form factor. The dependence of this limit on the transition form factor has also been studied.
•Physical and chemical properties of crumb rubber (CR) affect its use in road pavements.•CRs change significantly as a function of materials’ source and production process.•Evaluation of CR surface ...area is needed to maximize interaction with bitumen.•Cleanliness of CR is critical in the performance of final binders and mixtures.•Organic compounds (VOCs and PAHs) in CR may affect gaseous emissions during use.
Crumb rubber (CR) derived from grinding of end-of-life tyres (ELTs) may be successfully used as a bitumen modifier or as a supplementary component in the production of bituminous mixtures employed for the construction and maintenance of road pavements. However, CRs deriving from different sources and production processes yield effects on performance of corresponding paving mixtures under traffic loading and on gaseous emissions produced during laying on site which may change considerably depending upon their physical and chemical properties. In order to quantitatively assess the possible variability of CR characteristics, 16 samples were taken from 9 Italian and 2 foreign ELT processing plants. Investigation activities included field surveys, during which plants were examined in detail, and laboratory tests, which focused on physical and chemical characterization of CR. Based on the analysis of available technical information and experimental data, it was possible to find relationships between the peculiar characteristics of treatment cycles and corresponding CR properties.
The Frascati Neutron Generator (FNG) started operations in November 1992 making available to EU fusion community 14 MeV neutrons at an emission rate of 1011 s-1. The fusion community strongly ...supported the idea of international collaboration in neutronics experiments, data base and code improvement, development of (new) experimental techniques and detectors. FNG was designed and built in ENEA that also operates the machine at its own expenses. FNG is extensively used to perform benchmarks or mock-up experiments of interest to Fusion neutronics in turn validating nuclear data and codes. A number of activities in different fields within a series of collaborations are carried out at FNG so far.
Despite 35 years of clinical trials, there is little improvement in 1-year survival rates for patients with metastatic melanoma, and the disease is essentially untreatable if not cured surgically. ...The paucity of chemotherapeutic agents that are effective for treating metastatic melanoma indicates a dire need to develop new therapies. Here, we found a previously unrecognized role for c-Abl and Arg in melanoma progression. We demonstrate that the kinase activities of c-Abl and Arg are elevated in primary melanomas (60%), in a subset of benign nevi (33%) and in some human melanoma cell lines. Using siRNA and pharmacological approaches, we show that c-Abl/Arg activation is functionally relevant because it is requiredfor melanoma cell proliferation, survival and invasion. Significantly, we identify the mechanism by which activated c-Abl promotes melanoma invasion by showing that it transcriptionally upregulates matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), and using rescue approaches we demonstrate that c-Abl promotes invasion through a STAT3 → MMP-1 pathway. Additionally, we show that c-Abl and Arg are not merely redundant, as active Arg drives invasion in a STAT3-independent manner, and upregulates MMP-3 and MT1-MMP, in addition to MMP-1. Most importantly, c-Abl and Arg not only promote in vitro processes important for melanoma progression, but also promote metastasis in vivo, as inhibition of c-Abl/Arg kinase activity with the c-Abl/Arg inhibitor, nilotinib, dramatically inhibits metastasis in a mouse model. Taken together, these data identify c-Abl and Arg as critical, novel, drug targets in metastatic melanoma, and indicate that nilotinib may be useful in preventing metastasis in patients with melanomas harboring active c-Abl and Arg.
► ASR materials coming from two industrial shredding tests are characterized. ► The tests differ about the feed and the pre-shredding operations. ► Two post-shredding treatments are tested, aimed ...both at material and thermal recovery. ► The proposed treatments may be easily applied by existing shredding plants.
At the moment Automobile Shredder Residue (ASR) is usually landfilled worldwide, but European draft Directive 2000/53/CE forces the development of alternative solutions, stating the 95%-wt recovery of an End of Life Vehicle (ELV) weight to be fulfilled by 2015.
This work describes two industrial tests, each involving 250–300t of ELVs, in which different pre-shredding operations were performed. The produced ASR materials underwent an extended characterization and some post-shredding processes, consisting of dimensional, magnetic, electrostatic and densimetric separation phases, were tested on laboratory scale, having as main purpose the enhancement of ASR recovery/recycling and the minimization of the landfilled fraction.
The gathered results show that accurate depollution and dismantling operations are mandatory to obtain a high quality ASR material which may be recycled/recovered and partially landfilled according to the actual European Union regulations, with particular concern for Lower Heating Value (LHV), heavy metals content and Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC) as critical parameters. Moreover post-shredding technical solutions foreseeing minimum economic and engineering efforts, therefore realizable in common European ELVs shredding plants, may lead to multi-purposed (material recovery and thermal valorization) opportunities for ASR reuse/recovery.
PDF
