Characterization of the noble gases and CRE age of the D'Orbigny angrite

Introduction: The D’Orbigny angrite, a 16.55 kg stone, was found 1979 in Argentina [1]. Mineralogy and chemistry of this meteorite were characterized in detail [2-6]. A Pb-U-Th age of 4.559 Ga was obtained for pyroxenes by Jagoutz et al. [7]. Here we report results on the noble gas isotopic composition and, in particular, on the cosmic-ray exposure (CRE) age of D’Orbigny

The HH34 outflow as seen in [FeII]1.64um by LBT-LUCI

Dense atomic jets from young stars copiously emit in [FeII] IR lines, which can, therefore, be used to trace the immediate environments of embedded protostars. We want to investigate the morphology of the bright [FeII] 1.64um line in the jet of the source HH34 IRS and compare it with the most commonly used optical tracer [SII]. We analyse a 1.64um narrow-band filter image obtained with the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT) LUCI instrument, which covers the HH34 jet and counterjet. A Point Spread Function (PSF) deconvolution algorithm was applied to enhance spatial resolution and make the IR image directly comparable to a [SII] HST image of the same source. The [FeII] emission is detected from both the jet, the (weak) counter-jet, and from the HH34-S and HH34-N bow shocks. The deconvolved image allows us to resolve jet knots close to about 1\arcsec from the central source. The morphology of the [FeII] emission is remarkably similar to that of the [SII] emission, and the relative positions of [FeII] and [SII] peaks are shifted according to proper motion measurements, which were previously derived from HST images. An analysis of the [FeII]/[SII] emission ratio shows that Fe gas abundance is much lower than the solar value with up to 90% of Fe depletion in the inner jet knots. This confirms previous findings on dusty jets, where shocks are not efficient enough to remove refractory species from grains.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, note accepted by A&

Simultaneous monitoring of the photometric and polarimetric activity of the young star PV Cep in the optical/near-infrared bands

We present the results of a simultaneous monitoring, lasting more than 2 years, of the optical and near-infrared photometric and polarimetric activity of the variable protostar PV Cep. During the monitoring period, an outburst has occurred in all the photometric bands, whose declining phase ($\Delta$J $\approx$ 3 mag) lasted about 120 days. A time lag of $\sim$ 30 days between optical and infrared light curves has been measured and interpreted in the framework of an accretion event. This latter is directly recognizable in the significant variations of the near-infrared colors, that appear bluer in the outburst phase, when the star dominates the emission, and redder in declining phase, when the disk emission prevails. All the observational data have been combined to derive a coherent picture of the complex morphology of the whole PV Cep system, that, in addition to the star and the accretion disk, is composed also by a variable biconical nebula. In particular, the mutual interaction between all these components is the cause of the high value of the polarization ($\approx$ 20%) and of its fluctuations. The observational data concur to indicate that PV Cep is not a genuine EXor star, but rather a more complex object; moreover the case of PV Cep leads to argue about the classification of other recently discovered young sources in outburst, that have been considered, maybe over-simplifying, as EXor.Comment: Accepted for publication on Ap

On the nature of the EXor accretion events: an unfrequent manifestation of a common phenomenology ?

We present the results of a comparison between classical and newly identified EXor based on literature data and aimed at recognizing possible differences or similarities of both categories. Optical and near-IR two-color diagrams, modalities of fluctuations, and derived values of the mass accretion rates are indicative of strong similarities between the two samples. We demonstrate how the difference between the outburst and the quiescence spectral energy distribution of all the EXor can be well fitted with a single blackbody, as if an additional thermal component appears during the outbursting phase. Temperatures of this additional component span between 1000 and 4500 K, while the radii of the emitting regions (assumed to be a uniform disk) span between 0.01 and 0.1 AU, sizes typical of the inner portions of the circumstellar disk. Spots persisting up to 50% of the outburst duration, not exceeding the 10% of the stellar surface, and with temperatures compatible with the EXor mass accretion rates, are able to account for both the appearance of the additional thermal component and the dust sublimation in the inner structures of the disk. We also compare the EXor events with the most significant color and magnitude fluctuations of active T Tauri stars finding that (i} burst accretion phenomena should also be important for this latter class; (ii} EXor events could be more frequent then those accidentally discovered. Remarkable is the case of the source V2493 Cyg, a T Tauri star recently identified as a strong outbursting object: new optical and near-IR photometric and spectroscopic data are presented trying to clarify its EXor or FUor nature.Comment: Accepted for publication in Ap

Application of double-pulse micro-LIBS 3D compositional mapping to the analysis of ceramics

We developed a new Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) instrument for 3D compositional mappings of archaeological objects. The system, based on the Modì double-pulse instrument, allows the reconstruction of maps with lateral resolution up to 20 microns and sub-micron depth resolution

phytotherapeutic compound yhk exerts an inhibitory effect on early stage of experimentally induced neoplastic liver lesions

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the herbal compound YHK on hepatocarcinogenesis induced by diethylntrosamine (DEN) in Sprague Dawley rats. Rats were randomly divided into 3 groups and followed up for 15 weeks. Groups 1 was given standard food and represented the healthy control. Liver preneoplastic foci were induced using the DEN method in groups 2 and 3 (20 rats each). However, group 3 was concomitantly given 50mg/kg/day of YHK. For quantitative assessment of liver preneoplastic foci, the placental form of glutathione-S-transferase (GST-P) positive foci were measured using immunohistochemical staining and image analysis. Treatment using DEN caused a significant decrease in body weight and increase in liver weight compared to the control group while concomitant supplementation with YHK prevented body weight loss and liver weight increase. As compared to DENonly treated rats, the group given YHK showed a significant decrease in the number, size and volume of GSTP-positive foci. Moreover, co-administration of YHK significantly reduced the incidence, number, size and volume of hepatocellular carcinoma. Anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic as well as antioxidative properties of this compound are mechanisms which are likely to be advocated for to explain its protective effect. It is concluded that herbal compound YHK by preventing hepatocarcinogenesis in DEN-induced liver preneoplastic lesions in rats has the potential to a large clinical application as a functional food

In vitro study on the mechanisms of action of a novel phytotherapeutic compound against human hepatoma cells.

HepG2 human hepatoma cells were incubated for 24 or 48 h with various concentrations of YHK solution. After 24 h incubation, cell proliferation and cytotoxicity were determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2- yl)-5-(3carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2Htetrazolium (MTT) assay. Cytotoxicity or necrosis was expressed as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. After exponential growth phase HepG2 cells were treated with different doses of YHK and apoptosis was assessed by using an Annexin V-FITC kit. Further, oxidative stress was measured by dichlorofluorescein-diacetate (DCFH-DA) assay. As compared to control, YHK-treated cultures showed a significant time-course decrease of the proliferation rate of HepG2 cell growth (p < 0.01). This is likely to be due to an enhanced cytotoxicity (MTT and LDH tests) (p < 0.001). On the other hand, YHK showed in vitro to significantly enhance the oxidative stress of HepG2 cell (p < 0.01) while also markedly increasing apoptosis at 72 h with cells G2/M phase arrest (p < 0.01). These data suggest that YHK seem to modulate the extrinsic and intrinsic regulators of apoptosis and sensitize tumour cells to apoptosis. These preliminary data are worth interest when considering that this nutraceutical has been shown in vitro and in vivo to exert protective anti-tumour effect by redox statusmodulating and immuno-regulatory actions. Given its lack of toxicity so far reported, such natural product might represent an effective nutritional supplement i

COMPARISON OF ANGLES AND THE CORRESPONDING MOMENTS IN KNEE AND HIP DURING RESTRICTED AND UNRESTRICTED SQUATS

The aim of this study is the comparison of angles and the corresponding moments in knee and hip during squatting. The five subjects performed restricted and unrestricted squats. The experimental set-up consisted of a motion capture system and two force plates. The loading conditions were 0, ¼ and ½ BW. The moments and the force were calculated using inverse dynamics. Overall, the maximal moments were observed in the knee during unrestricted squats and in the hip during restricted squats. Comparing the moments at a knee angle of 60º, the loading conditions have a larger influence than the type of execution. The moment in the knee is 10.4%, respectively 11.2% lower with ¼ and ½ body weight during restricted squats. In the hip, the moment is 15.5 %, respectively 14 % higher for the same conditions. The angle of the hip remains rather constant. This most likely implies a higher load to the lower back. Hence, the exercise instruction should be adapted to the aims and the training condition of the athlete