Tidally Heated Exomoons around ϵ\epsilon Eridani b: Observability and prospects for characterization

Exomoons are expected to orbit gas giant exoplanets just as moons orbit solar system planets. Tidal heating is present in solar system satellites and it can heat up their interior depending on their orbital and interior properties. We aim to identify a Tidally Heated Exomoon's (THEM) orbital parameter space that would make it observable in infrared wavelengths with MIRI/JWST around $\epsilon$ Eridani b. We study the possible constraints on orbital eccentricity and interior properties that a successful THEM detection in infrared wavelengths can bring. We also investigate what exomoon properties need to be independently known in order to place these constraints. We use a coupled thermal-tidal model to find stable equilibrium points between the tidally produced heat and heat transported within a moon. For the latter, we consider a spherical and radially symmetric satellite with heat being transported via magma advection in a sub-layer of melt (asthenosphere) and convection in the lower mantle. We incorporate uncertainties in the interior and tidal model parameters to assess the fraction of simulated moons that would be observable with MIRI. We find that a $2 R_{Io}$ THEM orbiting $\epsilon$ Eridani b with an eccentricity of 0.02, would need to have a semi-major axis of 4 planetary Roche-radii for 100% of the simulations to produce an observable moon. These values are comparable with the orbital properties of gas giant solar system satellites. We place similar constraints for eccentricities up to 0.1. We conclude that if the semi-major axis and radius of the moon are known (eg. with exomoon transits), tidal dissipation can constrain the orbital eccentricity and interior properties of the satellite, such as the presence of melt and the thickness of the melt containing sub-layer

Could we observe exomoons around β Pictoris b?

Stars and planetary system

Tidally heated exomoons around ϵ Eridani b: Observability and prospects for characterization

Stars and planetary system

OC-0052: Late toxicity in the randomized phase III Dutch Hypofractionation Trial for prostate cancer patients (HYPRO)

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Anti-angiogenesis: making the tumor vulnerable to the immune system

Ongoing angiogenesis has been shown to possess immune suppressive activity through several mechanisms. One of these mechanisms is the suppression of adhesion receptors, such as intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and E-selectin—adhesion molecules involved in leukocyte interactions—on the vascular endothelium. This phenomenon, when happening to the tumor endothelium, supports tumor growth due to escape from immunity. Since angiogenesis has this immune suppressive effect, it has been hypothesized that inhibition of angiogenesis may circumvent this problem. In vitro and in vivo data now show that several angiogenesis inhibitors are able to normalize endothelial adhesion molecule expression in tumor blood vessels, restore leukocyte vessel wall interactions, and enhance the inflammatory infiltrate in tumors. It is suggested that such angiogenesis inhibitors can make tumors more vulnerable for the immune system and may therefore be applied to facilitate immunotherapy approaches for the treatment of cancer

Venus Express radio occultation observed by PRIDE

Context. Radio occultation is a technique used to study planetary atmospheres by means of the refraction and absorption of a spacecraft carrier signal through the atmosphere of the celestial body of interest, as detected from a ground station on Earth. This technique is usually employed by the deep space tracking and communication facilities (e.g., NASA's Deep Space Network (DSN), ESA's Estrack). Aims. We want to characterize the capabilities of the Planetary Radio Interferometry and Doppler Experiment (PRIDE) technique for radio occultation experiments, using radio telescopes equipped with Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) instrumentation. Methods. We conducted a test with ESA's Venus Express (VEX), to evaluate the performance of the PRIDE technique for this particular application. We explain in detail the data processing pipeline of radio occultation experiments with PRIDE, based on the collection of so-called open-loop Doppler data with VLBI stations, and perform an error propagation analysis of the technique. Results. With the VEX test case and the corresponding error analysis, we have demonstrated that the PRIDE setup and processing pipeline is suited for radio occultation experiments of planetary bodies. The noise budget of the open-loop Doppler data collected with PRIDE indicated that the uncertainties in the derived density and temperature profiles remain within the range of uncertainties reported in previous Venus' studies. Open-loop Doppler data can probe deeper layers of thick atmospheres, such as that of Venus, when compared to closed-loop Doppler data. Furthermore, PRIDE through the VLBI networks around the world, provides a wide coverage and range of large antenna dishes, that can be used for this type of experiments

The clinical and electrophysiological investigation of tremor

The various forms of tremor are now classified in two axes: clinical characteristics (axis 1) and etiology (axis 2). Electrophysiology is an extension of the clinical exam. Electrophysiologic tests are diagnostic of physiologic tremor, primary orthostatic tremor, and functional tremor, but they are valuable in the clinical characterization of all forms of tremor. Electrophysiology will likely play an increasing role in axis 1 tremor classification because many features of tremor are not reliably assessed by clinical examination alone. In particular, electrophysiology may be needed to distinguish tremor from tremor mimics, assess tremor frequency, assess tremor rhythmicity or regularity, distinguish mechanical-reflex oscillation from central neurogenic oscillation, determine if tremors in different body parts, muscles, or brain regions are strongly correlated, document tremor suppression or entrainment by voluntary movements of contralateral body parts, and document the effects of voluntary movement on rest tremor. In addition, electrophysiologic brain mapping has been crucial in our understanding of tremor pathophysiology. The electrophysiologic methods of tremor analysis are reviewed in the context of physiologic tremor and pathologic tremors, with a focus on clinical characterization and pathophysiology. Electrophysiology is instrumental in elucidating tremor mechanisms, and the pathophysiology of the different forms of tremor is summarized in this review

Paracrine effect of regulatory T cells promotes cardiomyocyte proliferation during pregnancy and after myocardial infarction

Cardiomyocyte proliferation stops at birth when the heart is no longer exposed to maternal blood and, likewise, to regulatory T cells (Tregs) that are expanded to promote maternal tolerance towards the fetus. Here, we report a role of Tregs in promoting cardiomyocyte proliferation. Treg-conditioned medium promotes cardiomyocyte proliferation, similar to the serum from pregnant animals. Proliferative cardiomyocytes are detected in the heart of pregnant mothers, and Treg depletion during pregnancy decreases both maternal and fetal cardiomyocyte proliferation. Treg depletion after myocardial infarction results in depressed cardiac function, massive inflammation, and scarce collagen deposition. In contrast, Treg injection reduces infarct size, preserves contractility, and increases the number of proliferating cardiomyocytes. The overexpression of six factors secreted by Tregs (Cst7, Tnfsf11, Il33, Fgl2, Matn2, and Igf2) reproduces the therapeutic effect. In conclusion, Tregs promote fetal and maternal cardiomyocyte proliferation in a paracrine manner and improve the outcome of myocardial infarction

Regeneration versus scarring in vertebrate appendages and heart

Injuries to complex human organs, such as the limbs and the heart, result in pathological conditions, for which we often lack adequate treatments. While modern regenerative approaches are based on the transplantation of stem cell-derived cells, natural regeneration in lower vertebrates, such as zebrafish and newts, relies predominantly on the intrinsic plasticity of mature tissues. This property involves local activation of the remaining material at the site of injury to promote cell division, cell migration and complete reproduction of the missing structure. It remains an unresolved question why adult mammals are not equally competent to reactivate morphogenetic programmes. Although organ regeneration depends strongly on the proliferative properties of cells in the injured tissue, it is apparent that various organismic factors, such as innervation, vascularization, hormones, metabolism and the immune system, can affect this process. Here, we focus on a correlation between the regenerative capacity and cellular specialization in the context of functional demands, as illustrated by appendages and heart in diverse vertebrates. Elucidation of the differences between homologous regenerative and non-regenerative tissues from various animal models is essential for understanding the applicability of lessons learned from the study of regenerative biology to clinical strategies for the treatment of injured human organs