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- Miglio, A., et al.
(author)
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PLATO as it is : A legacy mission for Galactic archaeology
- 2017
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In: Astronomical Notes - Astronomische Nachrichten. - : WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH. - 0004-6337 .- 1521-3994. ; 338:6, s. 644-661
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Deciphering the assembly history of the Milky Way is a formidable task, which becomes possible only if one can produce high-resolution chrono-chemo-kinematical maps of the Galaxy. Data from large-scale astrometric and spectroscopic surveys will soon provide us with a well-defined view of the current chemo-kinematical structure of the Milky Way, but it will only enable a blurred view on the temporal sequence that led to the present-day Galaxy. As demonstrated by the (ongoing) exploitation of data from the pioneering photometric missions CoRoT, Kepler, and K2, asteroseismology provides the way forward: solar-like oscillating giants are excellent evolutionary clocks thanks to the availability of seismic constraints on their mass and to the tight age-initial mass relation they adhere to. In this paper we identify five key outstanding questions relating to the formation and evolution of the Milky Way that will need precise and accurate ages for large samples of stars to be addressed, and we identify the requirements in terms of number of targets and the precision on the stellar properties that are needed to tackle such questions. By quantifying the asteroseismic yields expected from PLATO for red giant stars, we demonstrate that these requirements are within the capabilities of the current instrument design, provided that observations are sufficiently long to identify the evolutionary state and allow robust and precise determination of acoustic-mode frequencies. This will allow us to harvest data of sufficient quality to reach a 10% precision in age. This is a fundamental prerequisite to then reach the more ambitious goal of a similar level of accuracy, which will be possible only if we have at hand a careful appraisal of systematic uncertainties on age deriving from our limited understanding of stellar physics, a goal that conveniently falls within the main aims of PLATO's core science. We therefore strongly endorse PLATO's current design and proposed observational strategy, and conclude that PLATO, as it is, will be a legacy mission for Galactic archaeology.
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- Inagaki-Kawata, Y, et al.
(author)
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Genetic and clinical landscape of breast cancers with germline BRCA1/2 variants
- 2020
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In: Communications biology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2399-3642. ; 3:1, s. 578-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The genetic and clinical characteristics of breast tumors with germline variants, including their association with biallelic inactivation through loss-of-heterozygosity (LOH) and second somatic mutations, remain elusive. We analyzed germline variants of 11 breast cancer susceptibility genes for 1,995 Japanese breast cancer patients, and identified 101 (5.1%) pathogenic variants, including 62 BRCA2 and 15 BRCA1 mutations. Genetic analysis of 64 BRCA1/2-mutated tumors including TCGA dataset tumors, revealed an association of biallelic inactivation with more extensive deletions, copy neutral LOH, gain with LOH and younger onset. Strikingly, TP53 and RB1 mutations were frequently observed in BRCA1- (94%) and BRCA2- (9.7%) mutated tumors with biallelic inactivation. Inactivation of TP53 and RB1 together with BRCA1 and BRCA2, respectively, involved LOH of chromosomes 17 and 13. Notably, BRCA1/2 tumors without biallelic inactivation were indistinguishable from those without germline variants. Our study highlights the heterogeneity and unique clonal selection pattern in breast cancers with germline variants.
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- De La Fuente, Eduardo, et al.
(author)
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Evidence for a gamma-ray molecular target in the enigmatic PeVatron candidate LHAASO J2108+5157
- 2023
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 675
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Context . Peta-eV (PeV) astronomy emerged in 2021 with the discovery of ultra-high-energy gamma-ray sources associated with powerful natural particle accelerators known as PeVatrons. In order to determine the nature of their emission, namely whether it has a hadronic or leptonic origin, it is essential to characterise the physical parameters of the environment where it originates. Aims . We unambiguously confirm the association of molecular gas with the PeVatron candidate LHAASO J2108+5157 using unprecedented high angular-resolution (17′) 12,13CO(J = 1 → 0) observations carried out with the Nobeyama 45m radio telescope. Methods . We characterised a molecular cloud in the vicinity of the PeVatron candidate LHAASO J2108+5157 by determining its physical parameters from our 12,13CO(J = 1 → 0) line observations. We used an updated estimation of the distance to the cloud, which provided a more reliable result. The molecular emission was compared with excess gamma-ray images obtained with Fermi-LAT at energies above 2 GeV to search for spatial correlations and test a possible hadronic (π0 decay) origin for the gamma-ray emission. Results . We find that the morphology of the spatial distribution of the CO emission is strikingly similar to that of the Fermi-LAT excess gamma ray. By combining our observations with archival 21 cm HI line data, the nucleons (HI + H2) number density of the target molecular cloud is found to be 133.0 ± 45.0 cm-3, for the measured angular size of 0.55 ± 0.02 at a distance of 1.6 ± 0.1 kpc. The resulting total mass of the cloud is M(HI + H2) = 7.5±2.9×103M⊙. Under a hadronic scenario, we obtain a total energy of protons of Wp = 4.3 ± 1.5 × 1046 erg with a cutoff of 700±300 TeV, which reproduces the sub-PeV gamma-ray emission. Conclusions . We identified a molecular cloud in the vicinity of LHAASO J2107+5157 as the main target where cosmic rays from an unknown PeVatron produce the observed gamma-ray emission via π0 decay.
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- De La Fuente, Eduardo, et al.
(author)
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Detection of a new molecular cloud in the LHAASO J2108+5157 region supporting a hadronic PeVatron scenario
- 2023
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In: Publication of the Astronomical Society of Japan. - 2053-051X .- 0004-6264. ; 75:3, s. 546-566
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- PeVatrons are the most powerful naturally occurring particle accelerators in the Universe. The identification of counterparts associated to astrophysical objects such as dying massive stars, molecular gas, star-forming regions, and star clusters is essential to clarify the underlying nature of the PeV emission, i.e., hadronic or leptonic. We present 12,13CO (J = 2→1) observations made with the 1.85 m radio-Telescope of the Osaka Prefecture University toward the Cygnus OB7 molecular cloud, which contains the PeVatron candidate LHAASO J2108+5157. We investigate the nature of the sub-PeV (gamma-ray) emission by studying the nucleon density determined from the content of H i and H2, derived from the CO observations. In addition to MML[2017]4607, detected via the observations of the optically thick 12CO (J = 1→0) emission, we infer the presence of an optically thin molecular cloud, named [FKT-MC]2022, whose angular size is 1-1 ± 0.}^\circ}}2. We propose this cloud as a new candidate to produce the sub-PeV emission observed in LHAASO J2108+5157. Considering a distance of 1.7 kpc, we estimate a nucleon (H i + H2) density of 37 ± 14 cm-3, and a total nucleon mass(H i + H2) of 1.5 ± 0.6 × 104 M·. On the other hand, we confirm that Kronberger 82 is a molecular clump with an angular size of 0°1, a nucleon density ∼103 cm-3, and a mass ∼103 M·. Although Kronberger 82 hosts the physical conditions to produce the observed emission of LHAASO J2108+5157, [FKT-MC]2022 is located closer to it, suggesting that the latter could be the one associated to the sub-PeV emission. Under this scenario, our results favour a hadronic origin for the emission.
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- Rubin, L. H., et al.
(author)
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NFL blood levels are moderated by subconcussive impacts in a cohort of college football players
- 2019
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In: Brain Injury. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0269-9052 .- 1362-301X. ; 33:4, s. 456-462
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: Repetitive subconcussive head impacts in contact/collision sports such as in US football are believed to contribute to long-term brain changes and chronic symptoms. However, the lack of tools to measure the effects of repeated subconcussion limits our understanding of potential contributions to neuropathological alterations including cellular damage. Methods: We examined subconcussive head impacts using an accelerometer-embedded mouthguard on changes in blood levels of neurofilament light (NFL) chain in 18 Division I college football players. Plasma levels of NFL and clinical symptoms were assessed at pre-post practices. The frequency and linear and rotational head accelerations recorded via the mouthguard were examined in relation to NFL plasma changes. Results: The frequency and magnitude of head impacts associated with increased NFL levels. The greater numbers of hits and head accelerations associated with greater pre- to post-practice NFL level increases (p < 0.05). Greater pre- to post-practice increases in NFL also associated with greater pre- to post-practice increases in S100 beta (p < 0.001), but not with total tau. Years of football experience and concussion history did not associate with changes in NFL. Conclusion: Acute changes in NFL may be a clinically useful peripheral marker in tracking acute brain damage in collegiate football players, and other contact sports.
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