The Radio Ammonia Mid-plane Survey (RAMPS) Pilot Survey

The Radio Ammonia Mid-Plane Survey (RAMPS) is a molecular line survey that aims to map a portion of the Galactic midplane in the first quadrant of the Galaxy (l = 10°–40°, | b| \leqslant 0\buildrel{\circ}\over{.} 4) using the Green Bank Telescope. We present results from the pilot survey, which has mapped approximately 6.5 square degrees in fields centered at l = 10°, 23°, 24°, 28°, 29°, 30°, 31°, 38°, 45°, and 47°. RAMPS observes the NH3 inversion transitions NH3(1,1)–(5,5), the H2O 61,6–52,3 maser line at 22.235 GHz, and several other molecular lines. We present a representative portion of the data from the pilot survey, including NH3(1,1) and NH3(2,2) integrated intensity maps, H2O maser positions, maps of NH3 velocity, NH3 line width, total NH3 column density, and NH3 rotational temperature. These data and the data cubes from which they were produced are publicly available on the RAMPS website (http://sites.bu.edu/ramps/)

Copper Complexes as Influenza Antivirals: Reduced Zebrafish Toxicity

Copper complexes have previously been developed to target His37 in influenza M2 and are effective blockers of both the wild type (WT) and the amantadine-resistant M2S31N. Here, we report that the complexes were much less toxic to zebrafish than CuCl2. In addition, we characterized albumin binding, mutagenicity, and virus resistance formation of these metal complexes, and employed steered molecular dynamics simulations to explore whether the complexes would fit in M2. We also examined their anti-viral efficacy in a multi-generation cell culture assay to extend the previous work with an initial-infection assay, discovering that this is complicated by cell culture medium components. The number of copper ions binding to bovine serum albumin (BSA) correlates well with the number of surface histidines and BSA binding affinity is low compared to M2. No mutagenicity of the complexes was observed when compared to sodium azide. After 10 passages of virus in MDCK culture, the EC50 was unchanged for each of the complexes, i.e. resistance did not develop. The simulations revealed that the compounds fit well in the M2 channel, much like amantadine

Lessons Learned and Recommendations from a SCOPE Spinal Cord Injury Neurorestorative Clinical Trials Update

The Spinal Cord Outcomes Partnership Endeavors presented a clinical trials update (CTU) in collaboration with the International Spinal Research Trust as a precourse to their annual meeting. Selected trials adhered to a priori considerations, prioritizing novelty and a focus on neurorestorative approaches. The sessions featured 13 speakers, covering 4 in-preparation, 4 in-progress, and 4 recently completed trials. In addition to in-person attendance, individuals worldwide viewed a live stream of the presentations. Approximately 1600 participants, comprising clinicians, researchers, industry stakeholders, foundations, and individuals with lived experiences, engaged in the CTU through both in-person and virtual channels. Presentations represented a variety of approaches, including drug, biological, and device-based therapeutics. This summary provides high-level summaries of the trials presented and the resulting discussions including lessons learned. Rather than recapitulating published data, the presentations and discussions emphasized the novelty and strengths of each trial, practical aspects of translation, and lessons learned. Throughout the day, several discussion themes surfaced. These included reflections on the suitability of outcome measures and the distinction between statistically or clinically meaningful effects and meaningful changes in quality of life. Additional topics included novel trial designs, selection of inclusion criteria, recognizing the indispensable role of rehabilitation, tailoring approaches to individual needs, the importance of integrating lived experience, and emphasizing the importance of establishing robust pre-clinical data packages before venturing into clinical translation. Importantly, strategic directives are summarized to address these challenges, focusing resources and efforts to steer forthcoming trials effectively

The chemical structure of young high-mass star-forming clumps: (II) parsec-scale CO depletion and deuterium fraction of HCO+\rm HCO^+

The physical and chemical properties of cold and dense molecular clouds are key to understanding how stars form. Using the IRAM 30 m and NRO 45 m telescopes, we carried out a Multiwavelength line-Imaging survey of the 70 $\mu$m dark and bright clOuds (MIAO). At a linear resolution of 0.1--0.5 pc, this work presents a detailed study of parsec-scale CO depletion and $\rm HCO^+$ deuterium (D-) fractionation toward four sources (G11.38+0.81, G15.22-0.43, G14.49-0.13, and G34.74-0.12) included in our full sample. In each source with $\rm T<20$ K and $n_{\rm H}\rm\sim10^4$--$\rm 10^5 cm^{-3}$, we compared pairs of neighboring 70 $\mu$m bright and dark clumps and found that (1) the $\rm H_2$ column density and dust temperature of each source show strong spatial anticorrelation; (2) the spatial distribution of CO isotopologue lines and dense gas tracers, such as 1--0 lines of $\rm H^{13}CO^+$ and $\rm DCO^+$, are anticorrelated; (3) the abundance ratio between $\rm C^{18}O$ and $\rm DCO^+$ shows a strong correlation with the source temperature; (4) both the $\rm C^{18}O$ depletion factor and D-fraction of $\rm HCO^+$ show a robust decrease from younger clumps to more evolved clumps by a factor of more than 3; and (5) preliminary chemical modeling indicates chemical ages of our sources are ${\sim}8\times10^4$ yr, which is comparable to their free-fall timescales and smaller than their contraction timescales, indicating that our sources are likely dynamically and chemically young.Comment: accepted by Ap

Megawatt power generation of the dual-frequency gyrotron for TCV at 84 and 126 GHz, in long pulses

In the frame of the TCV Tokamak upgrade, two 84/126 GHz/2 s dual frequency gyrotrons designed by SPC and KIT and manufactured by THALES will be added to the existing EC-System. The first unit has been delivered to EPFLSPC and tested. In the commissioning configuration, a matching optics unit (MOU) is connected to the gyrotron window. The RF is then coupled to the HE11 mode of a 63.5mm corrugated waveguide and dissipated in a load procured by CNR after 4m of waveguide and 2 miter bends. Owing to the flexible triode gun design giving the possibility to adjust the pitch angle parameter, the specifications were met at both frequencies. At 84 GHz (TE17,5 mode), a power of 0.930 MW was measured in the calorimeter, with a pulse duration of 1.1 s. At the high frequency (126 GHz, TE26,7 mode), a power of 1.04 MW was reached for a pulse length of 1.2 s. Accounting for the load reflection and the ohmic losses in the various subcomponents of the transmission line and the tube, it is estimated that the output power at the gyrotron window is in excess of 1 MW at both frequencies, with an electronic efficiency of 32% and 34% at 84 GHz and 126 GHz respectively. The gyrotron behavior is remarkably robust and reproducible, and the pulse length is limited by external systems that will be improved shortly