Chamber basis of the Orlik-Solomon algebra and Aomoto complex

We introduce a basis of the Orlik-Solomon algebra labeled by chambers, so called chamber basis. We consider structure constants of the Orlik-Solomon algebra with respect to the chamber basis and prove that these structure constants recover D. Cohen's minimal complex from the Aomoto complex.Comment: 16 page

Discovery of periodic dips in the brightest hard X-ray source of M31 with EXTraS

We performed a search for eclipsing and dipping sources in the archive of the EXTraS project - a systematic characterization of the temporal behaviour of XMM-Newton point sources. We discovered dips in the X-ray light curve of 3XMM J004232.1+411314, which has been recently associated with the hard X-ray source dominating the emission of M31. A systematic analysis of XMM-Newton observations revealed 13 dips in 40 observations (total exposure time $\sim$0.8 Ms). Among them, four observations show two dips, separated by $\sim$4.01 hr. Dip depths and durations are variable. The dips occur only during low-luminosity states (L$_{0.2-12}<1\times10^{38}$ erg s$^{-1}$), while the source reaches L$_{0.2-12}\sim2.8\times10^{38}$ erg s$^{-1}$. We propose this system to be a new dipping Low-Mass X-ray Binary in M31 seen at high inclination (60$^{\circ}$-80$^{\circ}$), the observed dipping periodicity is the orbital period of the system. A blue HST source within the Chandra error circle is the most likely optical counterpart of the accretion disk. The high luminosity of the system makes it the most luminous dipper known to date.Comment: 11 pages, 2 figures, 5 tables, accepted for publication in ApJ

High-energy pulsations and phase-resolved spectroscopy of PSR J1741-2054

We report the results of a deep XMM-Newton observation of the radio-faint $\gamma$-ray pulsar J1741-2054 and its nebula together with the analysis of 5 years of Fermi LAT data. The X-ray spectrum of the pulsar is consistent with an absorbed power law plus a blackbody, originating at least partly from the neutron star cooling. The nebular emission is consistent with that of a synchrotron pulsar wind nebula, with hints of spatial spectral variation. We extended the available Fermi LAT ephemeris and folded the $\gamma$-ray and X-ray data. We detected X-ray pulsations from the neutron star: both the thermal and non-thermal components are about 35-40% pulsed, with phase-aligned maxima. A sinusoid fits the thermal folded profile well. A 10-bin phase-resolved analysis shows softening of the non-thermal spectrum during the on-pulse phases. The radio, X-ray and $\gamma$-ray light curves are single-peaked, not phase-aligned, with the X-ray peak trailing the $\gamma$-ray peak by over half a rotation. Spectral considerations suggest that the most probable pulsar distance is in the 0.3-1.0 kpc range.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures, accepted by the Astrophysical Journa

Integration of structural and semantic models for multimedia metadata management

The management and exchange of multimedia data is challenging due to the variety of formats, standards and intended applications. In addition, production of multimedia data is rapidly increasing due to the availability of off-the-shelf, modern digital devices that can be used by even inexperienced users. It is likely that this volume of information will only increase in the future. A key goal of the MUSCLE (Multimedia Understanding through Semantics, Computation and Learning) network is to develop tools, technologies and standards to facilitate the interoperability of multimedia content and support the exchange of such data. One approach for achieving this was the creation of a specific "E-Team", composed of the authors, to discuss core questions and practical issues based on the participant's individual work. In this paper, we present the relevant points of view with regards to sharing experiences and to extracting and integrating multimedia data and metadata from different modes (text, images, video). © 2007 IEEE

The study of neutron star magnetospheres with LOFT

This is a White Paper in support of the mission concept of the Large Observatory for X-ray Timing (LOFT), proposed as a medium-sized ESA mission. We discuss the potential of LOFT for the study of magnetospheres of isolated neutron stars. For a summary, we refer to the paper.Comment: White Paper in Support of the Mission Concept of the Large Observatory for X-ray Timin

Reduction of High Cholesterol Levels by a Preferably Fixed-Combination Strategy as the First Step in the Treatment of Hypertensive Patients with Hypercholesterolemia and High/Very High Cardiovascular Risk: A Consensus Document by the Italian Society of Hypertension

The primary and secondary prevention strategies of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) largely rely on the management of arterial hypertension and hypercholesterolemia, two major risk factors possibly linked in pathophysiological terms by the renin-angiotensin system activation and that often coexist in the same patient synergistically increasing cardiovascular risk. The classic pharmacologic armamentarium to reduce hypercholesterolemia has been based in the last two decades on statins, ezetimibe, and bile acid sequestrants. More recently numerous novel, additive resources targeting different pathways in LDL cholesterol metabolism have emerged. They include drugs targeting the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) (inhibitory antibodies; small-interfering RNAs), the angiopoietin-like protein 3 (inhibitory antibodies), and the ATP-citrate lyase (the inhibitory oral prodrug, bempedoic acid), with PCSK9 inhibitors and bempedoic acid already approved for clinical use. With the potential of at least halving LDL cholesterol levels faster and more effectively with the addition of ezetimibe than with high-intensity statin alone, and even more with the addition of the novel available drugs, this document endorsed by the Italian Society of Hypertension proposes a novel paradigm for the treatment of the hypertensive patient with hypercholesterolemia at high and very high ASCVD risk. Our proposal is based on the use as a first-line of a preferably fixed combination of lipid-lowering drugs, under the motto “Our goal: achieve control. No setback: combine and check”

Disease-Modifying Therapies and Coronavirus Disease 2019 Severity in Multiple Sclerosis

Objective: This study was undertaken to assess the impact of immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory therapies on the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Methods: We retrospectively collected data of PwMS with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. All the patients had complete follow-up to death or recovery. Severe COVID-19 was defined by a 3-level variable: mild disease not requiring hospitalization versus pneumonia or hospitalization versus intensive care unit (ICU) admission or death. We evaluated baseline characteristics and MS therapies associated with severe COVID-19 by multivariate and propensity score (PS)-weighted ordinal logistic models. Sensitivity analyses were run to confirm the results. Results: Of 844 PwMS with suspected (n = 565) or confirmed (n = 279) COVID-19, 13 (1.54%) died; 11 of them were in a progressive MS phase, and 8 were without any therapy. Thirty-eight (4.5%) were admitted to an ICU; 99 (11.7%) had radiologically documented pneumonia; 96 (11.4%) were hospitalized. After adjusting for region, age, sex, progressive MS course, Expanded Disability Status Scale, disease duration, body mass index, comorbidities, and recent methylprednisolone use, therapy with an anti-CD20 agent (ocrelizumab or rituximab) was significantly associated (odds ratio [OR] = 2.37, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.18–4.74, p = 0.015) with increased risk of severe COVID-19. Recent use (&lt;1 month) of methylprednisolone was also associated with a worse outcome (OR = 5.24, 95% CI = 2.20–12.53, p = 0.001). Results were confirmed by the PS-weighted analysis and by all the sensitivity analyses. Interpretation: This study showed an acceptable level of safety of therapies with a broad array of mechanisms of action. However, some specific elements of risk emerged. These will need to be considered while the COVID-19 pandemic persists. ANN NEUROL 2021

Transition to secondary progression in relapsing-onset multiple sclerosis: Definitions and risk factors

Background: No uniform criteria for a sensitive identification of the transition from relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) to secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) are available. Objective: To compare risk factors of SPMS using two definitions: one based on the neurologist judgment (ND) and an objective data-driven algorithm (DDA). Methods: Relapsing-onset MS patients (n = 19,318) were extracted from the Italian MS Registry. Risk factors for SPMS and for reaching irreversible Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) 6.0, after SP transition, were estimated using multivariable Cox regression models. Results: SPMS identified by the DDA (n = 2343, 12.1%) were older, more disabled and with a faster progression to severe disability (p &lt; 0.0001), than those identified by the ND (n = 3868, 20.0%). In both groups, the most consistent risk factors (p &lt; 0.05) for SPMS were a multifocal onset, an age at onset &gt;40 years, higher baseline EDSS score and a higher number of relapses; the most consistent protective factor was the disease-modifying therapy (DMT) exposure. DMT exposure during SP did not impact the risk of reaching irreversible EDSS 6.0. Conclusion: A DDA definition of SPMS identifies more aggressive progressive patients. DMT exposure reduces the risk of SPMS conversion, but it does not prevent the disability accumulation after the SP transition