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| 4. |
- Adriani, O., et al.
(author)
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Design of an Antimatter Large Acceptance Detector In Orbit (ALADInO)
- 2022
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In: Instruments. - : MDPI AG. - 2410-390X. ; 6:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A new generation magnetic spectrometer in space will open the opportunity to inves-tigate the frontiers in direct high-energy cosmic ray measurements and to precisely measure the amount of the rare antimatter component in cosmic rays beyond the reach of current missions. We propose the concept for an Antimatter Large Acceptance Detector In Orbit (ALADInO), designed to take over the legacy of direct measurements of cosmic rays in space performed by PAMELA and AMS-02. ALADInO features technological solutions conceived to overcome the current limi-tations of magnetic spectrometers in space with a layout that provides an acceptance larger than 10 m2 sr. A superconducting magnet coupled to precision tracking and time-of-flight systems can provide the required matter–antimatter separation capabilities and rigidity measurement resolution with a Maximum Detectable Rigidity better than 20 TV. The inner 3D-imaging deep calorimeter, designed to maximize the isotropic acceptance of particles, allows for the measurement of cosmic rays up to PeV energies with accurate energy resolution to precisely measure features in the cosmic ray spectra. The operations of ALADInO in the Sun–Earth L2 Lagrangian point for at least 5 years would enable unique revolutionary observations with groundbreaking discovery poten-tials in the field of astroparticle physics by precision measurements of electrons, positrons, and antiprotons up to 10 TeV and of nuclear cosmic rays up to PeV energies, and by the possible unam-biguous detection and measurement of low-energy antideuteron and antihelium components in cosmic rays.
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| 5. |
- Marconi, A., et al.
(author)
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ANDES, the high resolution spectrograph for the ELT : science case, baseline design and path to construction
- 2022
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In: GROUND-BASED AND AIRBORNE INSTRUMENTATION FOR ASTRONOMY IX. - : SPIE - International Society for Optical Engineering. - 9781510653504 - 9781510653498
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The first generation of ELT instruments includes an optical-infrared high resolution spectrograph, indicated as ELT-HIRES and recently christened ANDES (ArmazoNes high Dispersion Echelle Spectrograph). ANDES consists of three fibre-fed spectrographs (UBV, RIZ, YJH) providing a spectral resolution of similar to 100,000 with a minimum simultaneous wavelength coverage of 0.4-1.8 mu m with the goal of extending it to 0.35-2.4 mu m with the addition of a K band spectrograph. It operates both in seeing- and diffraction-limited conditions and the fibre-feeding allows several, interchangeable observing modes including a single conjugated adaptive optics module and a small diffraction-limited integral field unit in the NIR. Its modularity will ensure that ANDES can be placed entirely on the ELT Nasmyth platform, if enough mass and volume is available, or partly in the Coude room. ANDES has a wide range of groundbreaking science cases spanning nearly all areas of research in astrophysics and even fundamental physics. Among the top science cases there are the detection of biosignatures from exoplanet atmospheres, finding the fingerprints of the first generation of stars, tests on the stability of Nature's fundamental couplings, and the direct detection of the cosmic acceleration. The ANDES project is carried forward by a large international consortium, composed of 35 Institutes from 13 countries, forming a team of more than 200 scientists and engineers which represent the majority of the scientific and technical expertise in the field among ESO member states.
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| 6. |
- Glasbey, JC, et al.
(author)
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- 2021
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swepub:Mat__t
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| 7. |
- Tabiri, S, et al.
(author)
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- 2021
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swepub:Mat__t
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
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| 10. |
- Bravo, L, et al.
(author)
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- 2021
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swepub:Mat__t
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| 11. |
- Marconi, Alessandro, et al.
(author)
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ELT-HIRES, the high resolution spectrograph for the ELT : Phase A study and path to construction
- 2020
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In: Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy VIII. - : SPIE - International Society for Optical Engineering. - 9781510636828 - 9781510636811
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- HIRES is the high-resolution spectrograph of the European Extremely Large Telescope at optical and near-infrared wavelengths. It consists of three fibre-fed spectrographs providing a wavelength coverage of 0.4-1.8 µm (goal 0.35-2.4 µm) at a spectral resolution of 100,000. The fibre-feeding allows HIRES to have several, interchangeable observing modes including a SCAO module and a small diffraction-limited IFU in the NIR. Therefore, it will be able to operate both in seeing- and diffraction-limited modes. Its modularity will ensure that HIRES can be placed entirely on the Nasmyth platform, if enough mass and volume is available, or part on the Nasmyth and part in the Coud`e room. ELT-HIRES has a wide range of science cases spanning nearly all areas of research in astrophysics and even fundamental physics. Among the top science cases there are the detection of biosignatures from exoplanet atmospheres, finding the fingerprints of the first generation of stars (PopIII), tests on the stability of Nature’s fundamental couplings, and the direct detection of the cosmic acceleration. The HIRES consortium is composed of more than 30 institutes from 14 countries, forming a team of more than 200 scientists and engineers.
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| 13. |
- Di Marcantonio, P., et al.
(author)
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ANDES, the high resolution spectrograph for the ELT : project management and system engineering approaches for mastering its preliminary design phase
- 2022
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In: MODELING, SYSTEMS ENGINEERING, AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT FOR ASTRONOMY X. - : SPIE - International Society for Optical Engineering. - 9781510653566 - 9781510653559
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- At the end of 2021, the ESO council approved the start of the construction phase for a High Resolution Spectrograph for the ELT, formerly known as ELT-HIRES, renamed recently as ANDES (ArmazoNes high Dispersion Echelle Spectrograph). The current initial schedule foresees a 9-years development aimed to bring the instrument on-sky soon after the first-generation ELT instruments. ANDES combines high spectral resolution (up to 100,000), wide spectral range (0.4 mu m to 1.8 mu m with a goal from 0.35 mu m to 2.4 mu m) and extreme stability in wavelength calibration accuracy (better than 0.02 m/s rms over a 10-year period in a selected wavelength range) with massive optical collecting power of the ELT thus enabling to achieve possible breakthrough groundbreaking scientific discoveries. The main science cases cover a possible detection of life signatures in exoplanets, the study of the stability of Nature's physical constants along the universe lifetime and a first direct measurement of the cosmic acceleration. The reference design of this instrument in its extended version (with goals included) foresees 4 spectrographic modules fed by fibers, operating in seeing and diffraction limited (adaptive optics assisted) mode carried out by an international consortium composed by 24 institutes from 13 countries which poses big challenges in several areas. In this paper we will describe the approach we intend to pursue to master management and system engineering aspects of this challenging instrument focused mainly on the preliminary design phase, but looking also ahead towards its final construction.
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| 14. |
- Noske, G. D., et al.
(author)
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A Crystallographic Snapshot of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Maturation Process : SARS-CoV-2 Mpro maturation
- 2021
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In: Journal of Molecular Biology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0022-2836. ; 433:18
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- SARS-CoV-2 is the causative agent of COVID-19. The dimeric form of the viral Mpro is responsible for the cleavage of the viral polyprotein in 11 sites, including its own N and C-terminus. The lack of structural information for intermediary forms of Mpro is a setback for the understanding its self-maturation process. Herein, we used X-ray crystallography combined with biochemical data to characterize multiple forms of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro. For the immature form, we show that extra N-terminal residues caused conformational changes in the positioning of domain-three over the active site, hampering the dimerization and diminishing its activity. We propose that this form preludes the cis and trans-cleavage of N-terminal residues. Using fragment screening, we probe new cavities in this form which can be used to guide therapeutic development. Furthermore, we characterized a serine site-directed mutant of the Mpro bound to its endogenous N and C-terminal residues during dimeric association stage of the maturation process. We suggest this form is a transitional state during the C-terminal trans-cleavage. This data sheds light in the structural modifications of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease during its self-maturation process.
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| 15. |
- von Doetinchem, P., et al.
(author)
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Cosmic-ray antinuclei as messengers of new physics : status and outlook for the new decade
- 2020
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In: Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics. - : IOP Publishing. - 1475-7516. ; :8
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The precise measurement of cosmic-ray antinuclei serves as an important means for identifying the nature of dark matter and other new astrophysical phenomena, and could be used with other cosmic-ray species to understand cosmic-ray production and propagation in the Galaxy. For instance, low-energy antideuterons would provide a "smoking gun" signature of dark matter annihilation or decay, essentially free of astrophysical background. Studies in recent years have emphasized that models for cosmic-ray antideuterons must be considered together with the abundant cosmic antiprotons and any potential observation of antihelium. Therefore, a second dedicated Antideuteron Workshop was organized at UCLA in March 2019, bringing together a community of theorists and experimentalists to review the status of current observations of cosmic-ray antinuclei, the theoretical work towards understanding these signatures, and the potential of upcoming measurements to illuminate ongoing controversies. This review aims to synthesize this recent work and present implications for the upcoming decade of antinuclei observations and searches. This includes discussion of a possible dark matter signature in the AMS-02 antiproton spectrum, the most recent limits from BESS Polar-II on the cosmic antideuteron flux, and reports of candidate antihelium events by AMS-02; recent collider and cosmic-ray measurements relevant for antinuclei production models; the state of cosmic-ray transport models in light of AMS-02 and Voyager data; and the prospects for upcoming experiments, such as GAPS. This provides a roadmap for progress on cosmic antinuclei signatures of dark matter in the coming years.
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| 16. |
- Bijavara Seshashayana, Shilpa, et al.
(author)
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Stellar Population Astrophysics (SPA) with TNG
- 2024
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 683
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Context. The age, evolution, and chemical properties of the Galactic disk can be effectively ascertained using open clusters. Within the large program Stellar Populations Astrophysics at the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo, we specifically focused on stars in open clusters, to investigate various astrophysical topics, from the chemical content of very young systems to the abundance patterns of lesser studied intermediate-age and old open clusters.Aims. We investigate the astrophysically interesting element fluorine (F), which has an uncertain and intriguing cosmic origin. We also determine the abundance of cerium (Ce), as F abundance is expected to correlate with the s-process elements. We intend to determine the trend of F abundance across the Galactic disk as a function of metallicity and age. This will offer insights into Galactic chemical evolution models, potentially enhancing our comprehension of this element’s cosmic origin.Methods. High-resolution near-infrared spectra were obtained using the GIANO-B spectrograph. The Python version of Spectroscopy Made Easy (PySME), was used to derive atmospheric parameters and abundances. The stellar parameters were determined using OH, CN, and CO molecular lines along with Fe I lines. The F and Ce abundances were inferred using two K-band HF lines (λλ 2.28, 2.33 µm) and two atomic H-band lines (λλ 1.66, and 1.71 µm), respectively.Results. Of all the clusters in our sample, only King 11 had not been previously studied through medium- to high-resolution spectroscopy, and our stellar parameter and metallicity findings align well with those documented in the literature. We have successfully inferred F and Ce abundances in all seven open clusters and probed the radial and age distributions of abundance ratios. This paper presents the first F Galactic radial abundance gradient. Our results are also compared with literature estimates and with Galactic chemical evolution models that have been generated using different F production channels.Conclusions. Our results indicate a constant, solar pattern in the [F/Fe] ratios across clusters of different ages, supporting the latest findings that fluorine levels do not exhibit any secondary behavior for stars with solar or above-solar metallicity. However, an exception to this trend is seen in NGC 6791, a metal-rich, ancient cluster whose chemical composition is distinct due to its enhanced fluorine abundance. This anomaly strengthens the hypothesis that NGC 6791 originated in the inner regions of the Galaxy before migrating to its present position. By comparing our sample stars with the predictions of Galactic chemical evolution models, we came to the conclusion that both asymptotic giant branch stars and massive stars, including a fraction of fast rotators that increase with decreasing metallicity, are needed to explain the cosmic origin of F.
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| 19. |
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| 20. |
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| 21. |
- Dorn, R. J., et al.
(author)
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CRIRES+ on sky at the ESO Very Large Telescope : Observing the Universe at infrared wavelengths and high spectral resolution
- 2023
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 671
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The CRyogenic InfraRed Echelle Spectrograph (CRIRES) Upgrade project CRIRES+ extended the capabilities of CRIRES. It transformed this VLT instrument into a cross-dispersed spectrograph to increase the wavelength range that is covered simultaneously by up to a factor of ten. In addition, a new detector focal plane array of three Hawaii 2RG detectors with a 5.3 mu m cutoff wavelength replaced the existing detectors. Amongst many other improvements, a new spectropolarimetric unit was added and the calibration system has been enhanced. The instrument was installed at the VLT on Unit Telescope 3 at the beginning of 2020 and successfully commissioned and verified for science operations during 2021, partly remotely from Europe due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The instrument was subsequently offered to the community from October 2021 onwards. This article describes the performance and capabilities of the upgraded instrument and presents on sky results.
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| 25. |
- Lensink, Marc F., et al.
(author)
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Impact of AlphaFold on structure prediction of protein complexes: The CASP15-CAPRI experiment
- 2023
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In: Proteins. - : WILEY. - 0887-3585 .- 1097-0134.
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We present the results for CAPRI Round 54, the 5th joint CASP-CAPRI protein assembly prediction challenge. The Round offered 37 targets, including 14 homodimers, 3 homo-trimers, 13 heterodimers including 3 antibody-antigen complexes, and 7 large assemblies. On average similar to 70 CASP and CAPRI predictor groups, including more than 20 automatics servers, submitted models for each target. A total of 21 941 models submitted by these groups and by 15 CAPRI scorer groups were evaluated using the CAPRI model quality measures and the DockQ score consolidating these measures. The prediction performance was quantified by a weighted score based on the number of models of acceptable quality or higher submitted by each group among their five best models. Results show substantial progress achieved across a significant fraction of the 60+ participating groups. High-quality models were produced for about 40% of the targets compared to 8% two years earlier. This remarkable improvement is due to the wide use of the AlphaFold2 and AlphaFold2-Multimer software and the confidence metrics they provide. Notably, expanded sampling of candidate solutions by manipulating these deep learning inference engines, enriching multiple sequence alignments, or integration of advanced modeling tools, enabled top performing groups to exceed the performance of a standard AlphaFold2-Multimer version used as a yard stick. This notwithstanding, performance remained poor for complexes with antibodies and nanobodies, where evolutionary relationships between the binding partners are lacking, and for complexes featuring conformational flexibility, clearly indicating that the prediction of protein complexes remains a challenging problem.
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| 26. |
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| 27. |
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| 28. |
- Perion, P., et al.
(author)
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A high sensitivity wide bandwidth spectral system for multiple K-edge imaging
- 2024
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In: Journal of Physics D. - : IOP Publishing. - 0022-3727 .- 1361-6463. ; 57:35
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Spectral K-edge subtraction (SKES) is an imaging technique that takes advantage of the sharp rise in the mass attenuation coefficient of specific elements within an object at their K-edge to produce separate and quantifiable distributions of each element. In this paper, a high-sensitivity and wide bandwidth SKES imaging system for computed tomography applications on biological samples is presented. X-ray images are acquired using a wide and continuous energy spectrum that encompasses the absorption edges of the target materials. System characterization shows that high energy resolution (approximately 3 × 10 − 3 ) and unprecedented large energy bandwidth (around 15%) are achieved over a field-of-view of several centimeters. Imaging results obtained on contrast elements relevant for biomedical applications, namely silver, iodine, xenon, and barium, demonstrate the system sensitivity to concentrations down to 0.5 mg ml−1. The achievement of a large energy bandwidth allowed the simultaneous imaging of the K-edges of iodine, xenon, and barium and provided an accurate concentration estimation and distinction of co-localized contrast elements, leading the way for future simultaneous cardiovascular (iodine), pulmonary (xenon), and gastrointestinal/inflammatory (barium) imaging applications.
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| 29. |
- Seshashayana, S. Bijavara, et al.
(author)
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Stellar Population Astrophysics (SPA) with TNG : Fluorine abundances in seven open clusters
- 2024
-
In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - 0004-6361. ; 683
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Context. The age, evolution, and chemical properties of the Galactic disk can be effectively ascertained using open clusters. Within the large program Stellar Populations Astrophysics at the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo, we specifically focused on stars in open clusters, to investigate various astrophysical topics, from the chemical content of very young systems to the abundance patterns of lesser studied intermediate-age and old open clusters. Aims. We investigate the astrophysically interesting element fluorine (F), which has an uncertain and intriguing cosmic origin. We also determine the abundance of cerium (Ce), as F abundance is expected to correlate with the s-process elements. We intend to determine the trend of F abundance across the Galactic disk as a function of metallicity and age. This will offer insights into Galactic chemical evolution models, potentially enhancing our comprehension of this element's cosmic origin. Methods. High-resolution near-infrared spectra were obtained using the GIANO-B spectrograph. The Python version of Spectroscopy Made Easy (PySME), was used to derive atmospheric parameters and abundances. The stellar parameters were determined using OH, CN, and CO molecular lines along with Fe I lines. The F and Ce abundances were inferred using two K-band HF lines (λλ 2.28, 2.33 μm) and two atomic H-band lines (λλ 1.66, and 1.71 μm), respectively. Results. Of all the clusters in our sample, only King 11 had not been previously studied through medium-to high-resolution spectroscopy, and our stellar parameter and metallicity findings align well with those documented in the literature. We have successfully inferred F and Ce abundances in all seven open clusters and probed the radial and age distributions of abundance ratios. This paper presents the first F Galactic radial abundance gradient. Our results are also compared with literature estimates and with Galactic chemical evolution models that have been generated using different F production channels. Conclusions. Our results indicate a constant, solar pattern in the [F/Fe] ratios across clusters of different ages, supporting the latest findings that fluorine levels do not exhibit any secondary behavior for stars with solar or above-solar metallicity. However, an exception to this trend is seen in NGC 6791, a metal-rich, ancient cluster whose chemical composition is distinct due to its enhanced fluorine abundance. This anomaly strengthens the hypothesis that NGC 6791 originated in the inner regions of the Galaxy before migrating to its present position. By comparing our sample stars with the predictions of Galactic chemical evolution models, we came to the conclusion that both asymptotic giant branch stars and massive stars, including a fraction of fast rotators that increase with decreasing metallicity, are needed to explain the cosmic origin of F.
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| 30. |
- Tristao-Pereira, C., et al.
(author)
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Longitudinal interplay between subclinical atherosclerosis, cardiovascular risk factors, and cerebral glucose metabolism in midlife: results from the PESA prospective cohort study
- 2023
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In: Lancet Healthy Longevity. - 2666-7568. ; 4:9
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background Cardiovascular disease and dementia often coexist at advanced stages. Yet, longitudinal studies examining the interplay between atherosclerosis and its risk factors on brain health in midlife are scarce. We aimed to characterise the longitudinal associations between cerebral glucose metabolism, subclinical atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular risk factors in middle-aged asymptomatic individuals. Methods The Progression of Early Subclinical Atherosclerosis (PESA) study is a Spanish longitudinal observational cohort study of 4184 asymptomatic individuals aged 40-54 years (NCT01410318). Participants with subclinical atherosclerosis underwent longitudinal cerebral [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG)-PET, and annual percentage change in [18F]FDG uptake was assessed (primary outcome). Cardiovascular risk was quantified with SCORE2 and subclinical atherosclerosis with three-dimensional vascular ultrasound (exposures). Multivariate regression and linear mixed effects models were used to assess associations between outcomes and exposures. Additionally, blood based biomarkers of neuropathology were quantified and mediation analyses were performed. Secondary analyses were corrected for multiple comparisons using the false discovery rate (FDR) approach. Findings This longitudinal study included a PESA subcohort of 370 participants (median age at baseline 49 & BULL;8 years [IQR 46 & BULL;1-52 & BULL;2]; 309 [84%] men, 61 [16%] women; median follow-up 4 & BULL;7 years [IQR 4 & BULL;2-5 & BULL;2]). Baseline scans took place between March 6, 2013, and Jan 21, 2015, and follow-up scans between Nov 24, 2017, and Aug 7, 2019. Persistent high risk of cardiovascular disease was associated with an accelerated decline of cortical [18F]FDG uptake compared with low risk (& beta;=-0 & BULL;008 [95% CI -0 & BULL;013 to -0 & BULL;002]; pFDR=0 & BULL;040), with plasma neurofilament light chain, a marker of neurodegeneration, mediating this association by 20% (& beta;=0 & BULL;198 [0 & BULL;008 to 0 & BULL;740]; pFDR=0 & BULL;050). Moreover, progression of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis was associated with an additional decline in [18F]FDG uptake in Alzheimer's disease brain regions, not explained by cardiovascular risk (& beta;=-0 & BULL;269 [95% CI -0 & BULL;509 to -0 & BULL;027]; p=0 & BULL;029). Interpretation Middle-aged asymptomatic individuals with persistent high risk of cardiovascular disease and subclinical carotid atherosclerosis already present brain metabolic decline, suggesting that maintenance of cardiovascular health during midlife could contribute to reductions in neurodegenerative disease burden later in life.
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