Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the fundamental line of galactic and extragalactic globular clusters

Context. In a previous paper, we found that globular clusters in our Galaxy lie close to a line in the (logRe, SBe ,l ogσ) parameter space, with a moderate degree of scatter and remarkable axi-symmetry. This implies that a purely photometric scaling law exists, that can be obtained by projecting this line onto the (logRe, SBe) plane. These photometric quantities are readily available for large samples of clusters, as opposed to stellar velocity dispersion data. Aims. We study a sample of 129 Galactic and extragalactic clusters on this photometric plane in the V-band. We search for a linear relation between SB e and logRe and study how the scatter around the best-fit relation is influenced by both age and dynamical environment. We interpret our results in terms of testing the evolutionary versus primordial origin of the fundamental line. Methods. We perform a detailed analysis of surface brightness profiles, which allows us to present a catalogue of structural properties without relying on a given dynamical model. Results. We find a linear relation between SBe and logRe, in the form SBe = (5.25 ± 0.44) logRe + (15.58 ± 0.28), where SBe is measured in mag/arcsec 2 and Re in parsec. Both young and old clusters follow the scaling law, which has a scatter of approximately 1m ag inSBe. However, young clusters display more of a scatter and a clear trend in this with age, which old clusters do not. This trend becomes tighter if cluster age is measured in units of the cluster half-light relaxation time. Two-body relaxation therefore plays a major role, together with passive stellar population evolution, in shaping the relation between SBe ,l ogRe, and cluster age. We argue that the logRe-SBe relation and hence the fundamental line scaling law does not have a primordial origin at cluster formation, but is rather the result of a combination of stellar evolution and collisional dynamical evolution.
The Body after Cancer: A Qualitative Study on Breast Cancer Survivors’ Body Representation

Objective: The relationship with the body is a relevant issue for breast cancer survivors. Oncological treatments damage their bodies due to scars, weight gain, and other side effects. Starting from the efficacy of psychological interventions for breast cancer survivors, a tailored psychological support program was provided to promote overall well-being after illness dealing with bodily signals and related emotions and thoughts. This study presents changes in the description of the relationship with their bodies as well as participants’ emotions and thoughts before and after a psychological intervention. Methods and Measures: Eighteen women answered questions related to their bodies before and after the psychological intervention. Results were analyzed in accordance with the procedure of the Word Association Analysis through the T-Lab software and the Qualitative Thematic Analysis. Results: Participants reported a great awareness of their bodies and the desire to take care of them daily. In particular, the body is now perceived as a helper to sustain breast cancer survivors in their everyday activities. Conclusion: The words and the themes that characterized the participants’ reports highlighted the impact of cancer diagnosis and oncological therapies on breast cancer survivors. The participation in the psychological intervention focused on self-compassion towards their body helps women to create an improved body perception.
Evaluation of the Performance of Different Types of Fibrous Concretes Produced by Using Wollastonite

Production of cement and aggregate used in cement-based composites causes many environmental and energy problems. Decreasing the usage of cement and aggregate is a crucial and currently relevant challenge to provide sustainability. Inert materials can also be used instead of cement and aggregates, similar to pozzolanic materials, and they have positive effects on cement-based composites. One of the inert materials used in cement-based composites is wollastonite (calcium metasilicate-CaSiO3), which has been investigated and attracted attention of many researchers. This article presents state-of-the-art research regarding fibrous concretes produced with wollastonite, such as mortars, conventional concrete, engineered cementitious composites, geopolymer concrete, self-compacting concrete, ultra-high-performance concrete and pavement concrete. The use of synthetic wollastonite, which is a novel issue, its high aspect ratio and allowing the use of waste material are also evaluated. Studies in the literature show that the use of wollastonite in different types of concrete improves performance properties, such as mechanical/durability properties, and provides environmental–economic efficiency. It has been proven by studies that wollastonite is a material with an inert structure, and, therefore, its behavior is similar to that of a fiber in cementitious composites due to its acicular particle structure.
TRIM26 Maintains Cell Survival in Response to Oxidative Stress through Regulating DNA Glycosylase Stability

Oxidative DNA base lesions in DNA are repaired through the base excision repair (BER) pathway, which consequently plays a vital role in the maintenance of genome integrity and in suppressing mutagenesis. 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (OGG1), endonuclease III-like protein 1 (NTH1), and the endonuclease VIII-like proteins 1–3 (NEIL1–3) are the key enzymes that initiate repair through the excision of the oxidized base. We have previously identified that the E3 ubiquitin ligase tripartite motif 26 (TRIM26) controls the cellular response to oxidative stress through regulating both NEIL1 and NTH1, although its potential, broader role in BER is unclear. We now show that TRIM26 is a central player in determining the response to different forms of oxidative stress. Using siRNA-mediated knockdowns, we demonstrate that the resistance of cells to X-ray radiation and hydrogen peroxide generated as a consequence of trim26 depletion can be reversed through suppression of selective DNA glycosylases. In particular, a knockdown of neil1 or ogg1 can enhance sensitivity and DNA repair rates in response to X-rays, whereas a knockdown of neil1 or neil3 can produce the same effect in response to hydrogen peroxide. Our study, therefore, highlights the importance of TRIM26 in balancing cellular DNA glycosylase levels required for an efficient BER response.
The Interplay between GSK3β and Tau Ser262 Phosphorylation during the Progression of Tau Pathology

Tau hyperphosphorylation has been linked directly to the formation of toxic neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in tauopathies, however, prior to NFT formation, the sequence of pathological events involving tau phosphorylation remains unclear. Here, the effect of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) on tau pathology was examined independently for each step of transcellular propagation; namely, tau intracellular aggregation, release, cellular uptake and seeding activity. We find that overexpression of GSK3β-induced phosphorylated 0N4R tau led to a higher level of tau oligomerization in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells than wild type 0N4R, as determined by several orthogonal assays. Interestingly, the presence of GSK3β also enhanced tau release. Further, we demonstrated that cells endocytosed more monomeric tau protein when pre-phosphorylated by GSK3β. Using an extracellular vesicle (EVs)-assisted tau neuronal delivery system, we show that exosomal GSK3β-phosphorylated tau, when added to differentiated SH-SY5Y cells, induced more efficient tau transfer, showing much higher total tau levels and increased tau aggregate formation as compared to wild type exosomal tau. The role of a primary tau phosphorylation site targeted by microtubule-affinity regulating kinases (MARKs), Ser262, was tested by pseudo-phosphorylation using site-directed mutagenesis to aspartate (S262D). S262D tau overexpression significantly enhanced tau release and intracellular tau accumulation, which were concurrent with the increase of pathological states of tau, as determined by immunodetection. Importantly, phosphorylation-induced tau accumulation was augmented by co-transfecting S262D tau with GSK3β, suggesting a possible interplay between Ser262 phosphorylation and GSK3β activity in tau pathology. Lastly, we found that pre-treatment of cells with amyloid-β (Aβ) further tau phosphorylation and accumulation when Ser262 pre-phosphorylation was present, suggesting that S262 may be a primary mediator of Aβ-induced tau toxicity. These findings provide a potential therapeutic target for treating tau-related disorders by targeting specific phospho-tau isoforms and further elucidate the GSK3β-mediated pathological seeding mechanisms.
MIPSGAL 24 μm observations of Galactic planetary nebulae

We have obtained 24 μm imaging, profiles and fluxes for 224 planetary nebulae (PNe) lying within the limits of the Galactic survey undertaken with the Multiband Imaging Photometer for Spitzer (MIPSGAL). It is noted that most of the PNe having extended 24 μm emission also possess circular morphologies, suggesting that the emission derives from cool grains located within the Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) mass-loss regimes. Certain of these haloes are found to have a surface brightness fall-off which may be consistent with secularly invariant mass loss within the PNe progenitors. By contrast, the 8.0 μm envelopes are detected out to smaller distances from the nuclei, and have a steeper rate of surface brightness fall-off ; a phenomenon which may arise from changes in the excitation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) within external photo-dissociation regimes (PDRs). Our 24 μm fluxes are compared to those in previously published studies, and this appears to indicate that many of the prior fluxes have been underestimated; a disparity may imply that previous aperture sizes were too small. We have also combined our 24 μm fluxes with measures at shorter mid-infrared (MIR) wavelengths, taken with the Infrared Array Camera (IRAC). These are used to investigate the positioning of PNe within the IRAC-MIPSGAL colour planes. The [8.0]-[24] and [5.8]-[24] colours are found to be large, and extend over the respective ranges 3.4-8.7 mag, and 5.4-10.3 mag; indices which are only explainable where a broad range of mechanisms contribute to the fluxes, including PAH bands, cool dust continua and a variety of ionic transitions. These and other components also affect the morphologies of the sources, and lead to wavelength-dependent changes in the widths of the profiles.
Limits on the extragalactic background light in the Fermi era

Very high energy (VHE, energy E < 100 GeV) γ-rays from cosmological sources are attenuated due to the interaction with photons of the extragalactic background light (EBL) in the ultraviolet to infrared wavelength band. The EBL, thus, leaves an imprint on the observed energy spectra of these objects. In the last four years, the number of extragalactic VHE sources discovered with imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes (IACTs), such as MAGIC, H.E. S.S. , and VERITAS, has doubled. Furthermore, the measurements of the Fermi satellite brought new insights into the intrinsic spectra of the sources at GeV energies. In this paper, upper limits on the EBL intensity are derived by considering the most extensive VHE source sample ever used in this context. This is accomplished by constructing a large number of generic EBL shapes and combining spectral informations from Fermi and IACTs together with minimal assumptions about the source physics at high and very high γ-ray energies. The evolution of the EBL with redshift is accounted for and the possibility of the formation of an electromagnetic cascade and the implications on the upper limits are explored. The EBL density at z = 0 is constrained over a broad wavelength range between 0.4 and 100 μm. At optical wavelengths, the EBL density is constrained below 24 nW m −2 sr −1 and below 5 nW m −2 sr −1 between 8 μm and 31 μm.
NGC 5128: The Giant Beneath

Abstract This paper reviews what has been learned about the old stellar population of NGC 5128, the only large elliptical galaxy close enough that we can currently observe individual stars as faint as the horizontal branch. Although its galaxy type is still a matter of debate, the uncertainties over distance are now largely resolved; comparison of five stellar distance indicators gives d= 3.8±0.1 Mpc. The globular cluster system, which was once perplexingly invisible, is now known to be predominantly old with a substantial metal-rich component. The globular cluster system (GCS) total population and luminosity function are normal and the clusters follow the same fundamental plane relation as those in the Milky Way and M31. Finally, the halo out to at least ∼7reff is dominated by metal-rich stars which are also predominantly old, with age and metallicity tantalizingly similar to the majority of globular clusters.
Exploring Nitric Oxide (NO)-Releasing Celecoxib Derivatives as Modulators of Radioresponse in Pheochromocytoma Cells

COX-2 can be considered as a clinically relevant molecular target for adjuvant, in particular radiosensitizing treatments. In this regard, using selective COX-2 inhibitors, e.g., in combination with radiotherapy or endoradiotherapy, represents an interesting treatment option. Based on our own findings that nitric oxide (NO)-releasing and celecoxib-derived COX-2 inhibitors (COXIBs) showed promising radiosensitizing effects in vitro, we herein present the development of a series of eight novel NO-COXIBs differing in the peripheral substitution pattern and their chemical and in vitro characterization. COX-1 and COX-2 inhibition potency was found to be comparable to the lead NO-COXIBs, and NO-releasing properties were demonstrated to be mainly influenced by the substituent in 4-position of the pyrazole (Cl vs. H). Introduction of the N-propionamide at the sulfamoyl residue as a potential prodrug strategy lowered lipophilicity markedly and abolished COX inhibition while NO-releasing properties were not markedly influenced. NO-COXIBs were tested in vitro for a combination with single-dose external X-ray irradiation as well as [177Lu]LuCl3 treatment in HIF2α-positive mouse pheochromocytoma (MPC-HIF2a) tumor spheroids. When applied directly before X-ray irradiation or 177Lu treatment, NO-COXIBs showed radioprotective effects, as did celecoxib, which was used as a control. Radiosensitizing effects were observed when applied shortly after X-ray irradiation. Overall, the NO-COXIBs were found to be more radioprotective compared with celecoxib, which does not warrant further preclinical studies with the NO-COXIBs for the treatment of pheochromocytoma. However, evaluation as radioprotective agents for healthy tissues could be considered for the NO-COXIBs developed here, especially when used directly before irradiation.
Nucleotide-Induced Nanoscale Changes in the Mechanical Properties of Rat Cerebellar Astrocytes: Selective Stimulation and Blocking of the Purinergic Receptor P2X7

As members of the family of nucleotide receptors, P2X7 receptors are of particular interest due to their unique structural and pharmacological characteristics. As ATP-gated ionic channels, P2X7 receptors in their activation elicit membrane depolarization; extracellular calcium influx; and activation of several downstream intracellular signaling pathways, some of them independent of the ionic channel activity. Further interactions of P2X7 receptors and cytoskeleton-related proteins have also been confirmed, and we previously described the effects of P2X7 receptor stimulation on the morphology of rat cerebellar astrocytes. In the present work, we used time-lapse video microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) to elucidate the effects of P2X7 receptor stimulation on the morphology, migratory capabilities, and mechanical properties of rat cerebellar astrocytes in vitro. Stimulation of P2X7 receptors with the selective agonist BzATP specifically caused an increase in cell size, motility, and number of membrane protrusions of the astrocytes in culture. These effects were reverted when cells were previously treated with the competitive antagonist of P2X7R, A 438079. AFM analysis also showed an increase in cell stiffness and viscosity after P2X7 receptor stimulation. Surprisingly, these effects on the mechanical properties of the cell were not blocked by the treatment with the antagonist. Fluorescence microscopy analysis of the actin cytoskeleton showed an increase in actin stress fibers after BzATP treatment, an effect that again was not blocked by previous treatment with the antagonist, further confirming that the effects of P2X7 receptors on the cytoskeleton of astrocytes are, at least in part, independent of the ionic channel activity.
The Effects of Drying Techniques on Phytochemical Contents and Biological Activities on Selected Bamboo Leaves

The therapeutic potential of bamboos has acquired global attention. Nonetheless, the biological activities of the plants are rarely considered due to limited available references in Sabah, Malaysia. Furthermore, the drying technique could significantly affect the retention and degradation of nutrients in bamboos. Consequently, the current study investigated five drying methods, namely, sun, shade, microwave, oven, and freeze-drying, of the leaves of six bamboo species, Bambusa multiplex, Bambusa tuldoides, Bambusa vulgaris, Dinochloa sublaevigata, Gigantochloa levis, and Schizostachyum brachycladum. The infused bamboo leaves extracts were analysed for their total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC). The antioxidant activities of the samples were determined via the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays, whereas their toxicities were evaluated through the brine shrimp lethality assay (BSLA). The chemical constituents of the samples were determined using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The freeze-drying method exhibited the highest phytochemical contents and antioxidant activity yield, excluding the B. vulgaris sample, in which the microwave-dried sample recorded the most antioxidant and phytochemical levels. The TPC and TFC results were within the 2.69 ± 0.01–12.59 ± 0.09 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g and 0.77 ± 0.01–2.12 ± 0.01 mg quercetin equivalent (QE)/g ranges, respectively. The DPPH and ABTS IC50 (half-maximal inhibitory concentration) were 2.92 ± 0.01–4.73 ± 0.02 and 1.89–0.01 to 3.47 ± 0.00 µg/mL, respectively, indicating high radical scavenging activities. The FRAP values differed significantly between the drying methods, within the 6.40 ± 0.12–36.65 ± 0.09 mg Trolox equivalent (TE)/g range. The phytochemical contents and antioxidant capacities exhibited a moderate correlation, revealing that the TPC and TFC were slightly responsible for the antioxidant activities. The toxicity assessment of the bamboo extracts in the current study demonstrated no toxicity against the BSLA based on the LC50 (lethal concentration 50) analysis at >1000 µg/mL. LC-MS analysis showed that alkaloid and pharmaceutical compounds influence antioxidant activities, as found in previous studies. The acquired information might aid in the development of bamboo leaves as functional food items, such as bamboo tea. They could also be investigated for their medicinal ingredients that can be used in the discovery of potential drugs.
Raman Metabolomics of Candida auris Clades: Profiling and Barcode Identification

This study targets on-site/real-time taxonomic identification and metabolic profiling of seven different Candida auris clades/subclades by means of Raman spectroscopy and imaging. Representative Raman spectra from different Candida auris samples were systematically deconvoluted by means of a customized machine-learning algorithm linked to a Raman database in order to decode structural differences at the molecular scale. Raman analyses of metabolites revealed clear differences in cell walls and membrane structure among clades/subclades. Such differences are key in maintaining the integrity and physical strength of the cell walls in the dynamic response to external stress and drugs. It was found that Candida cells use the glucan structure of the extracellular matrix, the degree of α-chitin crystallinity, and the concentration of hydrogen bonds between its antiparallel chains to tailor cell walls’ flexibility. Besides being an effective ploy in survivorship by providing stiff shields in the α–1,3–glucan polymorph, the α–1,3–glycosidic linkages are also water-insoluble, thus forming a rigid and hydrophobic scaffold surrounded by a matrix of pliable and hydrated β–glucans. Raman analysis revealed a variety of strategies by different clades to balance stiffness, hydrophobicity, and impermeability in their cell walls. The selected strategies lead to differences in resistance toward specific environmental stresses of cationic/osmotic, oxidative, and nitrosative origins. A statistical validation based on principal component analysis was found only partially capable of distinguishing among Raman spectra of clades and subclades. Raman barcoding based on an algorithm converting spectrally deconvoluted Raman sub-bands into barcodes allowed for circumventing any speciation deficiency. Empowered by barcoding bioinformatics, Raman analyses, which are fast and require no sample preparation, allow on-site speciation and real-time selection of appropriate treatments.
Swiss-cheese models and the Dyer-Roeder approximation

In view of interpreting the cosmological observations precisely, especially when they involve narrow light beams, it is crucial to understand how light propagates in our statistically homogeneous, clumpy, Universe. Among the various approaches to tackle this issue, Swiss-cheese models propose an inhomogeneous spacetime geometry which is an exact solution of Einstein's equation, while the Dyer-Roeder approximation deals with inhomogeneity in an effective way. In this article, we demonstrate that the distance-redshift relation of a certain class of Swiss-cheese models is the same as the one predicted by the Dyer-Roeder approach, at a well-controlled level of approximation. Both methods are therefore equivalent when applied to the interpretation of, e.g., supernova obervations. The proof relies on completely analytical arguments, and is illustrated by numerical results.