Treatment of infected pancreatic pseudocysts using a novel, dedicated covered self-expandable metal stent (CSEMS) with an effective antimigration system

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Fabrication of CZTSe/CIGS Nanowire Arrays by One-Step Electrodeposition for Solar-Cell Application

The paper reports some preliminary results concerning the manufacturing process of CuZnSnSe (CZTSe) and CuInGaSe (CIGS) nanowire arrays obtained by one-step electrodeposition for p-n junction fabrication. CZTSe nanowires were obtained through electrodeposition in a polycarbonate membrane by applying a rectangular pulsed current, while their morphology was optimized by appropriately setting the potential and the electrolyte composition. The electrochemical parameters, including pH and composition of the solution, were optimized to obtain a mechanically stable array of nanowires. The samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and energy-dispersion spectroscopy. The nanostructures obtained showed a cylindrical shape with an average diameter of about 230 nm and a length of about 3 m, and were interconnected due to the morphology of the polycarbonate membrane. To create the p-n junctions, first a thin film of CZTSe was electrodeposited to avoid direct contact between the ZnS and Mo. Subsequently, an annealing process was carried out at 500 °C in a S atmosphere for 40 min. The ZnS was obtained by chemical bath deposition at 95 °C for 90 min. Finally, to complete the cell, ZnO and ZnO:Al layers were deposited by magnetron-sputtering

The GINGER Project and status of the ring-laser of LNGS

A ring-laser attached to the Earth measures the absolute angular velocity of the Earth summed to the relativistic precessions, de Sitter and Lense-Thirring. GINGER (Gyroscopes IN GEneral Relativity) is a project aiming at measuring the LenseThirring effect with a ground based detector; it is based on an array of ring-lasers. Comparing the Earth angular velocity measured by IERS and the measurement done with the GINGER array, the Lense-Thirring effect can be evaluated. Compared to the existing space experiments, GINGER provides a local measurement, not the averaged value and it is unnecessary to model the gravitational field. It is a proposal, but it is not far from being a reality. In fact the GrossRing G of the Geodesy Observatory of Wettzell has a sensitivity very close to the necessary one. G ofWettzell is part of the IERS system which provides the measure of the Length Of the DAY (LOD); G provides information on the fast component of LOD. In the last few years, a roadmap toward GINGER has been outlined. The experiment G-GranSasso, financed by the INFN Commission II, is developing instrumentations and tests along the roadmap of GINGER. In this short paper the main activities of G-GranSasso and some results will be presented. The first results of GINGERino will be reported, GINGERino is the large ring-laser installed inside LNGS and now in the commissioning phase. Ring-lasers provide as well important informations for geophysics, in particular the rotational seismology, which is an emerging field of science. GINGERino is one of the three experiments of common interest between INFN and INGV

Two Novel Fish Paralogs Provide Insights Into the Rid Family of Imine Deaminases Active in Pre-Empting enamine/imine Metabolic Damage

Reactive Intermediate Deaminase (Rid) protein superfamily includes eight families among which the RidA is conserved in all domains of life. RidA proteins accelerate the deamination of the reactive 2-aminoacrylate (2AA), an enamine produced by some pyridoxal phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzymes. 2AA accumulation inhibits target enzymes with a detrimental impact on fitness. As a consequence of whole genome duplication, teleost fish have two ridA paralogs, while other extant vertebrates contain a single-copy gene. We investigated the biochemical properties of the products of two paralogs, identified in Salmo salar. SsRidA-1 and SsRidA-2 complemented the growth defect of a Salmonella enterica ridA mutant, an in vivo model of 2AA stress. In vitro, both proteins hydrolyzed 2-imino acids (IA) to keto-acids and ammonia. SsRidA-1 was active on IA derived from nonpolar amino acids and poorly active or inactive on IA derived from other amino acids tested. In contrast, SsRidA-2 had a generally low catalytic efficiency, but showed a relatively higher activity with IA derived from L-Glu and aromatic amino acids. The crystal structures of SsRidA-1 and SsRidA-2 provided hints of the remarkably different conformational stability and substrate specificity. Overall, SsRidA-1 is similar to the mammalian orthologs whereas SsRidA-2 displays unique properties likely generated by functional specialization of a duplicated ancestral gene