Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Do the Herschel cold clouds in the Galactic halo embody its dark matter?

Recent Herschel/SPIRE (Spectral and Photometric Imaging Receiver) maps of the Small and Large Magellanic Clouds (SMC, LMC) exhibit, in each, thousands of clouds. Observed at 250 μm, they must be cold, T ∼ 15 K, hence the name ‘Herschel cold clouds’ (HCCs). From the observed rotational velocity profile of the Galaxy and the assumption of spherical symmetry, its mass density is modeled in a form close to that of an isothermal sphere. If the HCCs constitute a certain fraction of it, their angular size distribution has a specified shape. A fit to the data deduced from the SMC/LMC maps supports this and yields 1.7 pc for their average radius. There are so many HCCs that they will make up all the missing Halo mass density if there is spherical symmetry and their average mass is of the order of 10 000M⊙. This compares with the Jeans mass of about 40 000M⊙ and puts forward that the HCCs are, in fact, Jeans clusters, constituting all the Galactic dark matter and many of its missing baryons, a conclusion deduced before from a different field of the sky (Nieuwenhuizen et al 2011 J. Cosmol. 15 6017–29). A preliminary analysis of the intensities yields that the Jeans clusters themselves may consist of some billion MACHOs of a few dozen Earth masses. With a size of dozens of solar radii, they would mostly not lens, but cause occultation of stars in the LMC, SMC and toward the Galactic center, and may thus have been overlooked in microlensing.
A New Look into Putative Duplicity and Pulsations of the Be Star β CMi

Bright Be star β CMi has been identified as a nonradial pulsator on the basis of space photometry with the Microvariability and Oscillations of Stars (MOST) satellite and also as a single-line spectroscopic binary with a period of 170. ͩ4. The purpose of this study is to re-examine both these findings using numerous electronic spectra from the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, Ondřejov Observatory, Universitätssterwarte Bochum, archival electronic spectra from several observatories, as well as the original MOST satellite photometry. We measured the radial velocity of the outer wings of the double Hα emission in all spectra at our disposal, and were not able to confirm significant radial-velocity changes. We also discuss the problems related to the detection of very small radial-velocity changes and conclude that while it is still possible that the star is a spectroscopic binary, there is currently no convincing proof of it from the radial-velocity measurements. Wavelet analysis of the MOST photometry shows that there is only one persistent (and perhaps slightly variable) periodicity of 0. ͩ617 of the light variations, with a double-wave light curve; all other short periods having only transient character. Our suggestion that this dominant period is the star’s rotational period agrees with the estimated stellar radius, projected rotational velocity, and with the orbital inclination derived by two teams of investigators. New spectral observations obtained in the whole-night series would be needed to find out whether some possibly real, very small radial-velocity changes cannot, in fact, be due to rapid line-profile changes.
Turbulent Linewidths as a Diagnostic of Self-Gravity in Protostellar Discs

We use smoothed particle hydrodynamics simulations of massive protostellar discs to investigate the predicted broadening of molecular lines from discs in which self-gravity is the dominant source of angular momentum transport. The simulations include radiative transfer, and span a range of disc-to-star mass ratios between Md/M� = 0.25 and Md/M� = 1.5. Subtracting off the mean azimuthal flow velocity, we compute the distribution of the in-plane and perpendicular peculiar velocity due to large scale stru cture and turbulence induced by self-gravity. For the lower mass discs, we show that the characteristic peculiar velocities scale with the square root of the effective turbulent viscosity pa rameter, α, as expected from local α-disc theory. The derived velocities are anisotropic, with substantially larger in-plane than perpendicular values. As the disc mass is increased, the validity of the α approximation breaks down, and this is accompanied by anomalously large in-plane broadening. There is also a high variance due to the importance of low-m spiral modes. For low-mass discs, the magnitude of in-plane broadening is, to leading order, equal to the predi ctions from α disc theory and cannot constrain the source of turbulence. However, combining our results with prior evaluations of turbulent broadening expected in discs where the magnetorotational instability (MRI) is active, we argue that self-gravity may be distinguishable f rom the MRI in these systems if it is possible to measure the anisotropy of the peculiar velocity field with disc inclination. Furthermore, for large mass discs, the dominant contribution of large-scale modes is a distinguishing characteristic of self-gravitating turbulence versus MRI driven turbulence.
SN 2009kn - the twin of the Type IIn supernova 1994W

We present an optical and near-infrared photometric and spectroscopic study of supernova (SN) 2009kn spanning ˜1.5 yr from the discovery. The optical spectra are dominated by the narrow (full width at half-maximum ˜1000 km s-1) Balmer lines distinctive of a Type IIn SN with P Cygni profiles. Contrarily, the photometric evolution resembles more that of a Type IIP SN with a large drop in luminosity at the end of the plateau phase. These characteristics are similar to those of SN 1994W, whose nature has been explained with two different models with different approaches. The well-sampled data set on SN 2009kn offers the possibility to test these models, in the case of both SN 2009kn and SN 1994W. We associate the narrow P Cygni lines with a swept-up shell composed of circumstellar matter and SN ejecta. The broad emission line wings, seen during the plateau phase, arise from internal electron scattering in this shell. The slope of the light curve after the post-plateau drop is fairly consistent with that expected from the radioactive decay of 56Co, suggesting an SN origin for SN 2009kn. Assuming radioactivity to be the main source powering the light curve of SN 2009kn in the tail phase, we infer an upper limit for 56Ni mass of 0.023 Msun. This is significantly higher than that estimated for SN 1994W, which also showed a much steeper decline of the light curve after the post-plateau drop. We also observe late-time near-infrared emission which most likely arises from newly formed dust produced by SN 2009kn. As with SN 1994W, no broad lines are observed in the spectra of SN 2009kn, not even in the late-time tail phase.
Implantable drug delivery systems for the treatment of osteomyelitis

Abstract Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone tissue and bone marrow which is becoming increasingly difficult to treat due to the infection causing pathogens associated. Staphylococcus aureus is one of the main bacteria that causes this infection, which has a broad spectrum of antibiotic resistance making it extremely difficult to treat. Conventional metal implants used in orthopedic applications often have the drawback of implant induced osteomyelitis as well as the requirement of a second surgery to remove the implant once it is no longer required. Recently, attention has been focused on the design and fabrication of biodegradable implants for the treatment of bone infection. The main benefit of biodegradable implants over polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) based non-degradable systems is that they do not require a second surgery for removal and so making degradable implants safer and easier to use. The main purpose of a biodegradable implant is to provide the necessary support and conductivity to allow the bone to regenerate whilst themselves degrading at a rate that is compatible with the rate of formation of new bone. They must be highly biocompatible to ensure there is no inflammation or irritation within the surrounding tissue. During this review, the latest research into antibiotic loaded biodegradable implants will be explored. Their benefits and drawbacks will be compared with those non-degradable PMMA beads, which is the stable material used within antibiotic loaded implants. Biodegradable implants most frequently used are based on biodegradable natural and synthetic polymers. Implants can take the form of many different structures; the most commonly fabricated structure is a scaffold. Other structures that will be explored within this review are hydrogels, nanoparticles and surface coatings, all with their own benefits/drawbacks. Graphical Abstract
Oral Mercaptopurine Adherence in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Survey Study From the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Consortium

Background: Oral chemotherapy nonadherence is a challenge in clinical oncology. During therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), poor adherence to 6-mercaptopurine (6MP) increases relapse risk. Clinically significant nonadherence is reported in 30% of children treated for ALL on Children's Oncology Group (COG) trials. Whether nonadherence rates vary across regimens with different treatment schedules and modes of administration is unknown. Methods: We conducted an exploratory, cross-sectional survey study on parents of children (1–18 years) receiving continuation therapy on, or as per Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) ALL Consortium Protocol 11-001. Treatment required weekly visits to the clinic and 14 days of oral 6MP every 3 weeks. Survey assessed self-reported sociodemographics, medication-taking, chemotherapy comprehension, and 6MP adherence; adherence survey items were developed from published surveys. Patients were grouped as nonadherent if they endorsed missing one 6MP dose during the last cycle, or more than one dose during prior cycles, for nonmedical reasons. Results: Sixty-two families completed the surveys, all of whom had evaluable adherence data. In total, 25% of patients met the study definition of nonadherence. Twenty-three percent reported that it was “not easy” to follow administration guidelines around the dairy intake and 57% requested more teaching and educational resources. Conclusion: Self-reported nonadherence to oral 6MP in the DFCI ALL Consortium is high, with rates similar to those observed in the COG. This suggests that the additional contact during weekly infusions on the DFCI is insufficient to address barriers affecting oral chemotherapy adherence.
Injection locking at zero field in two free layer spin-valves

This paper predicts the possibility to achieve synchronization (via injection locking to a microwave current) of spin-transfer torque oscillators based on hybrid spin-valves composed by two free layers and two perpendicular polarizers at zero bias field. The locking regions are attained for microwave frequency near 0.5f0, f0, and 2f0 where f0 is the input oscillator frequency. Those properties make this system promising for applications, such as high-speed frequency dividers and multipliers, and phase-locked-loop demodulators.
On the formation of single and binary helium-rich sdO stars

We propose a formation channel for the previously unexplained helium-rich subdwarf O (He-rich sdO) stars in which post-subdwarf B (sdB) stars (i.e. hybrid COHe white dwarfs) reignite helium burning in a shell after gaining matter from their helium white-dwarf (WD) companions. Such short-period binaries containing post-sdB WDs and helium WDs are predicted by one of the major binary formation channels for sdB stars. In the majority of cases, mass transfer is expected to lead to a dynamically unstable merger event, leaving a single-star remnant. Calculations of the evolution of these stars show that their properties are consistent with the observed He-rich sdO stars. The luminosity of these stars is about an order of magnitude higher than that of canonical sdB stars. We also suggest that binary systems such as PG 1544+488 (Ahmad et al. 2004) and HE 0301-3039 (Lisker et al. 2004), which each contain two hot subdwarfs, could be the outcome of a double-core common-envelope phase. Since this favours intermediate-mass progenitors, this may also explain why the subdwarfs in these systems are He-rich.
A prospective clinical study on the mechanisms underlying critical illness myopathy—A time‐course approach

Critical illness myopathy (CIM) is a consequence of modern critical care resulting in general muscle wasting and paralyses of all limb and trunk muscles, resulting in prolonged weaning from the ventilator, intensive care unit (ICU) treatment and rehabilitation. CIM is associated with severe morbidity/mortality and significant negative socioeconomic consequences, which has become increasingly evident during the current COVID‐19 pandemic, but underlying mechanisms remain elusive.
Quantifying latent social motivation and its associations with joint attention and language in infants at high and low likelihood for autism spectrum disorder

Social motivation—the psychobiological predisposition for social orienting, seeking social contact, and maintaining social interaction—manifests in early infancy and is hypothesized to be foundational for social communication development in typical and atypical populations. However, the lack of infant social-motivation measures has hindered delineation of associations between infant social motivation, other early-arising social abilities such as joint attention, and language outcomes. To investigate how infant social motivation contributes to joint attention and language, this study utilizes a mixed longitudinal sample of 741 infants at high (HL = 515) and low (LL = 226) likelihood for ASD. Using moderated nonlinear factor analysis (MNLFA), we incorporated items from parent-report measures to establish a novel latent factor model of infant social motivation that exhibits measurement invariance by age, sex, and familial ASD likelihood. We then examined developmental associations between 6- and 12-month social motivation, joint attention at 12–15 months, and language at 24 months of age. On average, greater social-motivation growth from 6–12 months was associated with greater initiating joint attention (IJA) and trend-level increases in sophistication of responding to joint attention (RJA). IJA and RJA were both positively associated with 24-month language abilities. There were no additional associations between social motivation and future language in our path model. These findings substantiate a novel, theoretically driven approach to modeling social motivation and suggest a developmental cascade through which social motivation impacts other foundational skills. These findings have implications for the timing and nature of intervention targets to support social communication development in infancy.
Prevalence of cutaneous Leishmaniasis in the Middle East: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ABSTRACT Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), caused by an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite from the genus Leishmania, imposing a significant burden on underdeveloped countries especially those located in the Middle East. Four electronic databases were searched to evaluate the prevalence of CL in the Middle East. The random effects model (95% confidence intervals (CI)) were applied to determine the overall and subgroup pooled prevalence. Heterogeneity was assessed by Cochran’s Q test and I2 statistics. Among 2424 peer-reviewed papers, 37 datasets from 34 studies were included in the current meta-analysis. 285560 individuals were assessed across 9 Middle Eastern countries. The pooled prevalence of CL was estimated at 12% (95% CI 9-15 %; 10718/285560). The highest prevalence rate was observed in Syria (39%, 37-42%), and the lowest one was found in Iraq and Lebanon (0%, 0-1%). The prevalence of CL in studies that applied LST assays had the highest rate (48%, 17-80%). The infection rate in males was similar to females (7%, 4-10%). The prevalence of infection in individuals living in urban areas was higher than in rural areas (14%, 10-19%). The prevalence of CL in the age group 0-15 years was higher than in individuals 16-40 and >40 years (9%, 6-13%). Most of the lesions were found on the face, and single lesions were more prevalent than two and three ones. In conclusion, the occurrence of CL was considerable in Middle Eastern countries. Therefore, more efforts should be made to precisely report the CL in this region for developing appropriate preventive and controlling strategies.
Induction Chemotherapy With FOLFIRINOX Followed by Chemoradiation With Gemcitabine in Patients With Borderline-Resectable Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Introduction Perioperative therapy is standard for patients with borderline-resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (BR-PDAC); however, an optimal neoadjuvant regimen is lacking. We assessed the efficacy of FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy followed by gemcitabine-based chemoradiation as preoperative therapy. Methods Patients received 4 cycles of FOLFIRINOX, followed by 6-weekly gemcitabine with concomitant intensity-modulated radiation. The primary endpoint was the R0 resection rate. Secondary outcomes included resection rate, overall-response, overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and tolerability. The trial was terminated early due to slow accrual. A Simon’s optimal two-stage phase II trial single arm design was used. The primary hypothesis of treatment efficacy was tested using a multistage group sequential inference procedure. The secondary failure time analysis endpoints were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier procedure and the Cox regression model. Results A total of 22 patients enrolled in the study, 18 (81.8%) completed neoadjuvant treatment. The bias corrected R0 rate was 55.6% (90% CI: 33.3, 68.3; P value = .16) among patients that received at least 1 cycle of FOLFIRINOX and was 80% among patients that underwent surgery. The median OS was 35.1 months. The median PFS among patients that underwent surgery was 34 months. Conclusion An R0 resection rate of 55.6% is favorable. Neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX followed by concomitant Gemcitabine with radiation was well-tolerated. NCT01897454 Graphical Abstract
Neutrino Flavor Evolution in Binary Neutron Star Merger Remnants

We study the neutrino flavor evolution in the neutrino-driven wind from a binary neutron star merger remnant consisting of a massive neutron star surrounded by an accretion disk. With the neutrino emission characteristics and the hydrodynamical profile of the remnant consistently extracted from a three-dimensional simulation, we compute the flavor evolution by taking into account neutrino coherent forward scattering off ordinary matter and neutrinos themselves. We employ a ``single-trajectory'' approach to investigate the dependence of the flavor evolution on the neutrino emission location and angle. We also show that the flavor conversion in the merger remnant can affect the (anti)neutrino absorption rates on free nucleons and may thus impact the $r$-process nucleosynthesis in the wind. We discuss the sensitivity of such results on the change of neutrino emission characteristics, also from different neutron star merger simulations.
Identification of Small Molecules with Improved Potency against Orthopoxviruses from Vaccinia to Smallpox

The genus Orthopoxvirus contains several human pathogens, including vaccinia, monkeypox, cowpox, and variola virus, the causative agent of smallpox. Although there are a few effective vaccines, widespread prophylactic vaccination has ceased and is unlikely to resume, making therapeutics increasingly important to treat poxvirus disease. ABSTRACT The genus Orthopoxvirus contains several human pathogens, including vaccinia, monkeypox, cowpox, and variola virus, the causative agent of smallpox. Although there are a few effective vaccines, widespread prophylactic vaccination has ceased and is unlikely to resume, making therapeutics increasingly important to treat poxvirus disease. Here, we described efforts to improve the potency of the anti-poxvirus small molecule CMLDBU6128. This class of small molecules, referred to as pyridopyrimidinones (PDPMs), showed a wide range of biological activities. Through the synthesis and testing of several exploratory chemical libraries based on this molecule, we identified several compounds that had increased potency from the micromolar into the nanomolar range. Two compounds, designated (12) and (16), showed inhibitory concentrations of 326 nM and 101 nM, respectively, which was more than a 10-fold increase in potency to CMLDBU6128 with an inhibitory concentration of around 6 μM. We also expanded our investigation of the breadth of action of these molecules and showed that they can inhibit the replication of variola virus, a related orthopoxvirus. Together, these findings highlighted the promise of this new class of antipoxviral agents as broad-spectrum small molecules with significant potential to be developed as antiviral therapy. This would add a small molecule option for therapy of spreading diseases, including monkeypox and cowpox viruses, that would also be expected to have efficacy against smallpox.
Vasodilation of Pre-contracted Porcine Retinal Arteries by Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors with Enhanced Lipophilicity

Abstract Purpose In this study, we investigated the vasodilation properties on pre-contracted retinal arteries of a restricted series of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAIs) of the sulfonamide type with enhanced lipophilicity, to assess if it affects the potency of CAIs as vasodilators. Methods Carbonic anhydrase (CA) inhibition and in vitro kinetics of the compounds designed and synthesized for testing in this study were assessed by extracting human CA isoform proteins (hCA) from human cells expressing the isoforms of interest, and then measure the affinity of the novel compound for the hCAs by stopped-flow CO2 hydrase spectroscopy. Lipophilicity of compounds was measured by obtaining their octanol-water partition coefficient, expressed as calculated logP. Porcine eyes were obtained from a local abattoir, and the wall tension of porcine retinal arteriole segments dissected from the eyes was measured with small wire vessel myography. The effects of the CA compounds on wall tension were assessed by adding them to the myography bath, after pre-contracting the vessel by prostaglandin analog U-46619. Results All compounds induced vasodilation but at different concentrations. Among the tested compounds the most potent vasodilators were found to be the seleno-compound 4 and sulfur-ether compound 8 with EC50 values of 7.13 × 10−5 and 7.93 × 10−5 M, respectively, whereas the remaining ones induced complete vasodilation at EC50 comprised within the sub millimolar range. Conclusions All the data reported in this study (i.e. results from myography, in vitro kinetics and LogPs) confirm the important role played by several CA isoforms in vasodilation, although the precise mechanism of action still remains to be elucidated.